{Research Update}: Can acupuncture aid in detox?

Release those toxins, safely and naturally!

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Can acupuncture aid in detox?

Ready to reset your health and aid in detox?

January is one of the most popular times of the year for people to choose a detox plan. Many people enjoy the holiday season by indulging in rich foods and drinks and may leave their healthy habits out the window.

January brings the start of the new year and along with that a chance to recharge the body.

Winter is the season when I need to focus on mood support and foods that are easy to digest. Shorter daylight hours and less active time outside can mean irritability, anxiety, and seasonal depression… and a few extra pounds. Dry skin, constipation, belly bloat, lethargy, low mood, brittle nails and hair… the summer glow is usually long gone, winter woes in full swing and there’s a sense that we need to just hunker down and make it through! Can you relate? If you’re like me, shifting gears and enjoying a cleanse can really be a highlight of the season.

Winter offers root vegetables, warming soups, hearty salads and stews, breakfast bowls filled with nourishing goodness. Unlike the high-vibe fruits of summer, winter produce is grounding and perfect for going deep into the work of renewal. In addition to clean eating, choosing foods that are in-season; treatments such as acupuncture can help aid in detox.

How can acupuncture help?

Traditional Chinese Medicine has been known for thousands of years to work as a detox to return the body to a healthy state of balance. Acupuncture acts as a natural diuretic, pushing out toxins from the body by the specific placement of needles on acupuncture points.

When the body is not in optimal health, TCM believes it is due to a stagnation or blockage in the natural energy ow called qi. Acupuncture and TCM work to release these blockages and improve blood circulation and functionality of the organs. When the kidneys and bladder are working correctly, the body is able to eliminate unwanted toxins more effectively.

Check out our previous posts on detox here.

What does the research say?

A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that patients with type 2 diabetes lowered their risk of kidney failure by 31 percent after taking a TCM herb treatment that consisted of six herbs that were combined in pills. The research looked at 40,163 patients over a nine year period to conclude that the TCM treatment was effective in lowering their risk.

Learn more about Dr. Heintze’s Clean Eating Program, here!

Give us a call today (425) 686-4498 to learn how you can stay stress-free and healthy into the New Year!

Dr. Ellie Heintze, ND, LAc, is a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist in Bothell, WA at her practice Starting Point Acupuncture. She specializes in chronic and complex cases and commonly treats neuropathy, fibromyalgia, migraines, autoimmune, and infertility cases. Dr. Ellie Heintze is also the author of the book, A Starting Point Guide to Going Gluten-Free and Keep Calm and Zen Out available on Amazon.