Blog
Auricular Medicine in our post-COVID world
I just returned from an Auricular Medicine seminar/workshop. It was designed to integrate and expand on what we learned last October. I especially enjoyed sharing experiences and learning from other attendees.
In the March/April Newsletter, I discussed Auricular Medicine, how it works and what to expect with treatment. The more I learn and hear the success stories from other practitioners, the more excited I get about being able to offer this to my clients who need it.
As a little reminder, Auricular Medicine is particularly effective at addressing hard to treat conditions, such as:
chronic fatigue syndrome
fibromyalgia
chronic pain
psycho-emotional disorders
chronic Lyme disease
MCAS
allergies
recurring conditions such as rashes and sinus and urinary tract infections
chronic viral infections
autoimmune disorders
hormonal imbalances
exposure to mold, environmental toxins and heavy metals
any mysterious, chronic condition, such as chronic hives
I was especially interested to get confirmation from my instructor on what I’ve noticed with the general health of my clientele: it’s declining. I’ve seen an increase in autoimmune issues, long COVID, recurrent viral infections, and more. Since the seminar, I have a better understanding of why this has occurred and how to approach assessing and treating people appropriately.
The reason that COVID has had such a detrimental effect on all of us is that the COVID spike protein is very similar to the proteins in our bodies. When the body produces antibodies against the COVID spike protein, our immune system attacks both the virus and our own tissues. This is why more and more autoimmune issues are cropping up. Once you have the virus, you have it forever. It tends to throw the immune system into hyperactive mode, which will eventually lead to a crash.
At this point, we have all been exposed to the COVID virus, by illness, vaccination, or exposure without ensuing illness. The mRNA vaccines contain a minute amount of the spike protein, to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against it. This is new territory for the medical world and for natural health practitioners. We may go about it a little differently, but we are all trying to find ways to support the health of our clients/patients.
I have been using BioField Testing (formerly know as Morphogenic Field Technique) and Nutrition Response Testing to address these challenging cases in our post-COVID world. I am very pleased to be able to support my clients even further, with the new tool of Auricular Medicine in my toolbox.
Please bear with us as Red Clover Clinic is being repaired
Late on Monday, June 16, the Roseville Professional Center suffered major water damage when the rooftop air conditioner's cooling tower cracked. Red Clover Clinic is extremely lucky to have only minor damage to two rooms. We are still in the remediation phase, and hopefully reconstruction will happen soon. Dina and I were out of town, and only Marie was here to manage the situation and see clients. This past week, we maintained our usual schedule.
There may be a time when we need to close and reschedule appointments, but we are doing our best to work with the contractors to avoid impacting our work schedule as much as possible. In the meantime, the space isn’t quite as cozy, but it’s workable. We also have an air purifier running 24/7. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
Marie's Body of Knowledge
How important is strength training as you age? As part of an overall fitness program, strength training is essential in order to maintain and/or increase strength, bone density, and balance. It is best to performed strength training two to three times per week.
Hip, trunk, and leg strength are a key part of maintaining independence for functions such as walking, going up and down steps, and getting in and out of cars and chairs. Upper body strength assists with functional activities such as reaching into cupboards, lifting and carrying groceries and laundry, gardening, and making beds.
Overall, strength training assists with stressing bones which helps to continue to stimulate bone cell production. Improved bone cell production helps to maintain bone density and reduces the incidence of spinal compression fractures, hip fractures, and other fractures from falls and trauma.
Improved hip and trunk/core strength provides stability, which helps with balance. Increased muscle strength also places stress from activity onto the muscles rather than the joints. This reduces joint stress and irritation of an arthritic joint.
Strengthening can be achieved in a variety of forms. Individuals are encouraged to choose the form most convenient to their lifestyle for follow-through and overall success. Exercises can be performed at home using hand-weight dumbbells, wrist and ankle weights, or Theraband resistance tubing. Strengthening can be achieved at home by using body weight resistance, using physical therapist-prescribed exercises, guidance from a YouTube video, or an exercise app. Those who like to leave their home or exercise with other people present may prefer weight machines, free weights, or exercise classes at a health club.
Whichever method you prefer, the important thing is to “Just Do It,” as Nike has encouraged for years. If you’re looking for guidance to get started and desire help with which exercises to perform, seek out a physical therapist, who will evaluate your body and design a program unique to what your body needs to stay fit, active, and healthy.
Auricular Medicine: a great option for chronic, hard-to-treat conditions
As many of you know, throughout my practice I have been drawn to working with auricular acupuncture/medicine, with a focus on German auricular medicine. German auricular medicine continues to be one of my most used tools. The reason for using the term “medicine” is that we use the pulse, known as the VAS (vascular autonomic signal), as a diagnostic tool to guide the practitioner where to place the needles for each client, creating a personalized protocol at each session.
In 2023, I began studying with Nader Soliman, who specializes in French auricular acupuncture, Soliman Auricular Allergy Technique (SAAT), and Auricular Medicine (AM). With AM, the VAS is used to assess the body’s electromagnetic field to determine what underlying factors are causing illness and which of Dr. Soliman's personally formulated remedies are appropriate to support healing.
What does Auricular Medicine treat?
AM is particularly effective at addressing hard-to-treat conditions such as:
chronic fatigue syndrome
fibromyalgia
chronic pain
psycho-emotional disorders
chronic Lyme disease
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
allergies
recurring conditions such as rashes and sinus and urinary tract infections
chronic viral infections
autoimmune disorders
hormonal imbalances
exposure to mold
environmental toxins and heavy metals
any mysterious, chronic condition.
What to expect
The AM protocol is a process that takes commitment. The approach is slow and steady over several months, supporting the body at a fundamental level, bringing lasting healing, rather than just short-term relief. It is important to commit to at least six months of regular treatment before deciding whether AM is right for you.
AM appointments typically take place every eight weeks, so not nearly as often as other therapies. The treatment consists primarily of the bioenergetic remedies, known as Sols, which are administered as an oral spray. Typically, one is prescribed 10 to 20 remedies in the first session and an additional 10 to 20 in the second session. In some cases fewer remedies are necessary. The cost of the remedies can be significant, but it is important to remember that each bottle provides eight to twelve-plus weeks of treatment. And, with each subsequent session, the dosage is decreased, allowing the bottle to last longer. For AM to be effective, it is important for the client to take the remedies consistently as prescribed.
How does it work?
The effectiveness of AM comes from its very broad approach to clearing all of the possible barriers to healing, detoxifying the organs at the cellular level, and stabilizing the immune system. This restoration of normal function allows the body to heal itself.
I have already had a few brave souls who have committed to an AM protocol, myself included. We’re all about three months into the program, so we’re still not experiencing the full effect of the treatment yet. I have started to see a positive effect on my Hashimoto’s symptoms, and another person’s chronic hives appear to be much better managed. I’m very excited to see how the next three months unfold!
If you or someone you know feels chronically unwell and nothing is helping, AM might be a good treatment option. If you have any questions about the treatment and if it might be a good fit for you, feel free to reach out.
Marie's Body of Knowledge
Do you take time to quiet your mind every day? In a busy and hectic world, it’s important to take time to give your mind, body, and nervous system short or long quieting moments. Have you heard the expression “just breathe”? It’s actually good advice, even though when you hear it, your reaction may be “are you crazy”?
Whether you take a moment, 5 minutes, or 20 minutes, creating a meditation practice will improve your overall mood, wellbeing, and tolerance to everything and everyone around you. If you have a moment, find a quiet space, close your eyes, and take five breaths deep into your diaphragm. Allow yourself to feel your shoulders relaxing, your breath slowing down, and your mind and anxiety feeling calmer.
If you feel that a longer meditation practice is something you’d like to do, there are many free meditation apps such as Calm, Insight, and Headspace available to guide you. Find a quiet place and assume a position sitting in a chair or on the floor or lying down. Decide how many minutes you’d like to meditate then quiet yourself and breathe through your diaphragm. If you fall asleep, that’s ok. Your mind and body obviously relaxed!!