Been There for Self Care: IV Drip Therapy

I always tell my daughter that my super power is finding people that are better at me than things and then letting them shine. This power has guided me to the most badass group of friends who always seem to expose me to new ways to thrive. One such friend told me about MSW Lounge in Austin, TX. This hidden gem offers IV drips, chiropractic work, nutritional supplements, and so much more. The owners are a dynamic duo of kind, friendly and passionate men who are super pleasant to chat with and ooze competence.

The set up is funky and comfortable and you feel like you’re hanging out in someones professional back yard treehouse. They have a series of options to choose from and I opted for the immune-boosting IV drip which is a concoction of awesomeness to keep my body healthy — even more important during pandemic times. I chose a comfy couch and pulled out a book. The IV insertion was painless and the bag happily dripped nourishment into my veins as I read, relaxed and chatted with various other friendly clients.

There is no attempt to upsell clients and the overall vibe is a focus on community health and wellness. The owners offer weekly lunch & learn opportunities and are committed to educating the public on true holistic health options.

I’d recommend wearing an extra layer as I got a bit chilly towards the end, and be sure to not schedule yourself too tightly because the IV drip speed is dependent on your body. Mine took around 45 minutes give or take.

I felt incredibly relaxed for the remainder of the day, but also had plenty of energy and wasn’t even tempted to drink my forbidden -yet common- afternoon cup of coffee. Prevention is often harder to track, but my body felt fantastic and my brain felt clearer than normal. It was a very pleasant experience and I will be back for sure.

Definitely a GO THERE for self care!

xo,

Jenna

Acid Reflux: Stomach Acid Is Awesome, Too Much or Too Little Stomach Acid is Awful

It’s kind of the like the story of Goldilocks and the 3 Bears where she finds one porridge too hot, one too cold, and one juuuuust right. In order to be helpful, the level of stomach acid needs to be just right. Unfortunately, many of us are suffering from a stomach acid imbalance and pop antacids like they’re candy without truly understanding what’s going on. First of all, let’s back up and let me make the case for why the stomach secretes hydrochloric acid and why this stomach acid is awesome:

1. Stomach acid helps you digest protein.

2. It helps protect your gut against infection and food poisoning.

3. It facilitates the absorption of vitamin B12 (which is a totally badass and necessary vitamin).

4. It creates signals to other organs to release the helpful digestive enzymes and tells the gut muscles to contract making the digestive process run smoothly. The right amount of stomach acid even signals the flap (aka lower esophageal sphincter) from the esophagus to the stomach to close and open.

When stomach acid is too high it wreaks havoc and can lead to stomach ulcers and overall chaos. I had acid reflux in the later stages of pregnancy and I empathize with anyone experiencing this uncomfortable situation. I’ve even had patients who thought they were having a heart attack and met with a cardiologist only to be told it was stomach acid irritation the tissues near the heart! Too little stomach acid also wreaks havoc and can lead to low B12 levels which can eventually show up as tingling/altered sensation in the limbs and anemia. It can be hard to know if your acid reflux is due to excess or deficiency as the early symptoms manifest the same way. The deficiency acid reflux can be thought of as a gas tank running out of gas where it spurts and sputters and overefforts to get the insufficient gas where it needs to go. Kind of sweet, but also totally uncomfortable.

While it is always a good idea to check in with your primary physician, a quick way to check if your stomach acid is deficient or excess is to either a) take a stomach acid supplement and see if it gets better or worse (note this may seem counterintuitive, but often solves the problem!) or b) an even simpler way is to take a spoonful of apple cider vinegar each day and see if the symptoms improve or worsen. If you get better it was a deficiency pattern. If you get worse it’s usually excess.

For those of you who are constantly reaching for the antacids, it’s important to know there are different types, and there can be undesirable side effects - especially with long term use. Antacids are usually over-the-counter bases (I just went straight chemistry on you!) which neutralize the excess acid. While I STRONGLY prefer acupuncture and herbs over these types of pharmaceuticals, I get that sometimes sh*t happens and you’re traveling or whatever. If that’s the case, and you can’t come see me or get to the magical herbal remedies: consider choosing the ‘best’ antacid for you. My “Chemistry for Dummies” book (yep, how did you think I got through that doctoral class?!) notes that people with high blood pressure may want to avoid the sodium bicarbonate antacids as the sodium ion may increase blood pressure! Those concerned with osteoporosis may want to use the antacid with calcium carbonate. But, large doses may cause constipation. The third group of antacids is the hydroxides (aluminium and magnesium) is a balancing act as aluminium hydroxide can cause constipation in large doses, while magnesium hydroxide can serve as a laxative in large doses. With all these side effects, acupuncture and herbs are looking better and better. . . right? See you soon.

Amazing (and free!) Community Wellness Hour & Acupuncture in Austin, TX

As of 3/4/2020 the Wellness Hour has been paused due to CDC recommendations for academic institutions with onsite clinics. Please check the AOMA website for updates on when we will begin again.

Whoever said that good things don’t come easy was a liar. At least in this case. Because, there is an easy & free community resource right in your backyard. Well, assuming your backyard is Austin, TX. AOMA is a fantastic school for aspiring acupuncturists and traditional Chinese herbalists. But, beyond training the next generation of alternative medicine practitioners, the South campus offers an incredible Community Wellness Hour. It happens every week, is totally free, and there are zero catches - you don’t have to be affiliated with the school in anyway, there is no tip jar available even if you wanted to pay, the only thing you have to sign is the waiver. It’s crazy - the Community Wellness Hour is honestly just focused on. . . community & wellness.

Now, I may be biased because I’ve been one of the folks inserting and removing the acupuncture needles for over a year now, BUT, this is one of the sweetest, most healing, special places in Austin. Before I get going down a very mushy path, let me give you the details:

Community Wellness Hour & Acupuncture

WHEN: Every Wednesday, 12:45-1:45pm

WHERE: AOMA South Campus (careful - there are two campuses, so don’t go north!): 4701 Westgate Blvd in E1

WHERE +: The campus is small and has plenty of free parking in multiple lots. Find a parking spot, and walk towards the center of campus where you’ll see a koi pond. E1 faces the koi pond. Ask for help if you can’t find it and don’t worry about coming in late - you’re welcome anytime.

WHAT: Free NADA* (auricular acupuncture), guided meditation, short (optional) sharing.

WHAT +: Wear anything you’re comfortable in (earrings are fine!), find E1, go to the sign in desk and sign the waiver, get an alcohol swab and wipe both ears, quietly find a seat in the circle and put away your cell phone. This is a quiet time and the acupuncturists (led by the fantastic Robert Laguna) will be coming around the circle to insert five needles into each ear . If you don’t want needles, just let us know and you can sit quietly and meditate needle-free. The acupuncturists remove the needles at 1:15 (sometimes you’ll see us peek in your ear to check for bleeding and, if there is any, we will hold a q-tip against the point for several seconds) and then the guided meditation begins led by the amazing Julia Aziz. At 1:35(ish) the meditation ends and there is a chance for each group member to say their name and a bit about their experience.

*What the heck is NADA?

Briefly, NADA is a protocol that is used to relax and calm down the nervous system. It includes five specific points in each ear. It’s great for relaxation, emotional trauma, substance abuse issues, and every day life. Sometimes the ear points can sting a bit when first inserted, but that sensation quickly goes away and is usually followed by an intense feeling of calm. If you are uncomfortable at any point, or if a needle drops, just flag down one of the acupuncturists and we will help you out. For more information about NADA, click HERE.

Some side notes:

Yes, it’s common to partially nod off. Yes, sometimes that means your head slumps forward. Yes, occasionally someone snores. Yes, sometimes tummies rumble. It is lunch time after all. Yes, you can leave whenever you want - but we must remove the needles before you go. Yes, you can decline the needles. Yes, you can bring a friend. Yes, you can take a selfie - but be sure no one else is in the photo (#privacy) and then put your phone away on silent mode. Yes, it feels like the best nap and the most rejuvenating cup of coffee and is incredible. Yes, please say hi to me when you come check it out.

xo,

Jenna