Discover the Magic of Acupuncture with Erica Siegel

Welcome to the Real Life Momz podcast. It is time to take a break from all our to-dos and carve out this time to focus on ourselves. I'm Lisa Foster, your host, and today I'm here with fellow mom, acupuncturist and holistic practitioner Erica Siegel, and she's here to teach us all about the magic of acupuncture.

And how we can use it at home. So, hi Erica, welcome to the show. Hi. Thank you. Thank you for having me. Well, I'm excited to have you, but let's just get into it because I think people have heard of acupuncture, but I don't think people like when people like, oh, can you tell me what it is?

Like, nobody like really knows. So can you describe what is actually happening? What is acupuncture and why is it so magical? Yeah, so acupuncture, it's been around for thousands of years as far as we know. And as time went on and metals became more refined, acupuncture also became more refined.

It started [00:01:00] with stone tools and acupressure. And then as time went on, it got, more and more precise and specific. So really the system is more about the, the whole network of points on the body that we can utilize, to communicate to the brain to then regulate. The whole system. So whatever is,, requiring regulation in the body, if something is off balance, if, the hormonal chemicals are off balance, really, if anything's off balance, there are points to.

, Stimulate to then communicate up to the brain through the nervous system, through the fascia pathways,, to then guide the, the brain to release neurotransmitters. [00:02:00] Endorphins really whatever is required. If it's just requires more blood flow or, help the nerves process. It allows the brain to then self-regulate.

So it's a beautiful system because it is a self-regulatory system. Mm-hmm. So we're just inspiring the body to heal itself. Yeah. So tapping into those, those energy, the, the points themselves, they're like mounds or ditches of energy. Hmm. And so sometimes there's not enough energy. And it requires using points that will, , stimulate ification, which means more blood flow, more energy coming to the area, or more like a, a mound.

So if. Ditch not enough energy. Mound too much energy. When there's too much somewhere, it's almost like a traffic jam where, , and everything gets [00:03:00] tense and the blood flow gets compromised. The fluid flow gets compromised and, and pain can ensue from that. So the points themselves will.

Help regulate that. Either moving too much energy that's there, or , bringing energy to it if there's not enough. . So are you dealing with, and it may be all of the above or more, but are you dealing with the, an energy system or are you dealing with a actual fluid blood flow system?

What is this system? All of it. All of it. All of it. All of it. So, everything can break down to yin and yang. Mm-hmm. Right. That's where this, this whole system comes from, , is from one comes two from, two comes everything. And so that, that duality of yin and yang, they're interconnected and dependent on each other and,

the yin is more of the substance of the body, the fluid, the blood, [00:04:00] and the, the yang is more of the energy and the push behind it. So you need that interplay for the. Both of them to actually work in a harmonious way. So sometimes,, if people are more deficient in yin, it's like the substance, the dryness.

There might be dryness involved. , people might have trouble sleeping because yin and young also break down day and night. So if someone has trouble with sleeping, sometimes the yin is too low and the yang is pulling us up out. Into more of the daytime, when it should be in night. , It's a really, this, this delicate little balance that is constantly at play.

When those two separate, and we say that , they come together around the belly button, just below the belly button. And when those two start to separate. , The yang flies up, the in syncs down, and eventually that's, the spirit leaves the [00:05:00] body. So a lot of what we do is, is making sure that yin and yang is balanced.

. So, I mean, balance is the key here, right? Mm-hmm. Yeah. Balance of it. And children, uh, children tend to be more, young. In nature. And as we get older, we become more yin in nature. It's more, , more sedentary versus the young, which the kids have so much energy. And yeah, some, at some point that starts to, starts to, to wane in the other direction.

So I would say balance is when. , For me it's when I feel no particular symptoms.

, I'm, my mood is good. I'm sleeping well, my, I'm pooping every day. Everything just seems like it's, it's going well. Yeah. Anything that, seems off balance probably is, . Yeah. And, and when we say off balance, we're also speaking about

mood pain, that's like [00:06:00] another, yeah. Right. That's a screaming sign. . Like you said, the sleep digestion is probably another one. Correct. Like those are all Yeah. The immune system can get kind of overrun, like people that. Have allergies and a lot of mucus. Mucus is more of a yin condition, so that can, people can kind of get overrun with, with the yin and , and we use,

points that will help kind of tonify the qi, which is more of a young, um, kind of energy push in order to help move that fluid out. Mm-hmm. And help strengthen the immune system so that it can. Easily digest whatever fluids are, are present, and making sure that the fluids are going to the right place as well.

You know, when it comes to things like allergies, you know, we say that the, the spleen stomach system is in charge of this up and down movement. And so. [00:07:00] The, the spleen is in charge of sending the clear fluids up to the head, right? If it's, if it's sending the turid fluids up to the head, then maybe we need to address the spleen.

And it doesn't mean that the, there's something wrong with the spleen like that something will show up on a lab. But, uh, but in, you know, traditional East Asian medicine, the spleen is. Very important for the transformation and transportation of our food and creating, , the, correct amount of, or a balanced amount of fluids and they're going to the right places.

Mm-hmm. So, so part of what we do is just making sure the organs are doing their job and they, their influence on the whole system, making sure that they're, um. They're happy. Yeah, and it's funny as you're talking, it's, you know, people have things that like bother them or like [00:08:00] allergies is a great example because it's like, oh, I have allergies.

Well, it's just seasonal. There's nothing I could do about it. But when I'm hearing from you is like allergies, I might just be not in balance where my body could actually deal. With the fluids or whatever it is that are, coming in. So, mm-hmm. I like that kind of reframe of it. It's not that I have to, like, oh, I just have allergies, or, oh, my immune system's just low, or, oh, I just have a digestive problem, right?

Mm-hmm. Like, I might, I'm probably just not balanced and need a little help. Which as moms we're like never balance. Yeah. And with the allergies too, we look at the liver, I call the liver the tyrant organ. It's the one when there's stress, it will attack the other organ systems. And so, uh, the liver is the overreactor and so.

When there's, you know, environmental overreaction, digestive overreaction, then [00:09:00] we also look at, at calming down and smoothing or coursing the liver chi, making sure it's nice and smooth. Yeah. Oh, I love the different organs. 'cause we don't, we don't think about those like on our day-to-day, like balanced life.

I might say, oh, I wanna get healthy, I'm going to eat right. I'm gonna, , sleep, I'm gonna, , meditate. But no one's really talking about what I'm doing for my organs. Right. Right. And all those things are influenced by the organs. Mm-hmm. And so, yeah, and , for example, , the kidneys, the kidneys are another really important organ system in, in traditional Chinese medicine.

And, sometimes we look at genetic. Diseases or genetic issues, or if you're born with issues, um, we look at the kidneys as maybe being a little weak. And so there's certain [00:10:00] points, there's certain herbs that are really good for strengthening the kidneys and especially for kids, it's like, oh, you can really set, set a child up for life.

If they're weak at the beginning and they. Are able to do things that strengthen the kidneys, that can, that can then influence their, the rest of their whole life. Hmm. Um, their ability to have children later. Their ability to fight off disease later. So, wow, that's really powerful. Mm-hmm. So how does this actually fit into traditional medicine?

Well, it's acupuncture or acupressure or, , I like to do laser acupuncture on children. There's no needles involved and we're just using light, , to influence the points. It, it really is a great adjunct for any, anything else someone is doing, uh, medically. , So people can use this type of medicine on its own.

But it is a great [00:11:00] companion to really anything else people are doing. There's really no,, contraindication to do this. For anybody, I for, for needles anyway, we don't do acupuncture on hemophiliacs. Mm-hmm. But that's about it. There's really very few people, that, , don't do well with Accu Pressure acupuncture, laser acupuncture.

, So it really can fit in. Wonderfully. Yeah, I love that. Now you're throwing around a lot of words. So acupressure, acupuncture, laser. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Maybe describe the differences of those and how do you know when to use what? Sure. So acupuncture is what people know best.

Because, in my opinion and in my experience, it does work the quickest. Out of those, there's something about using metal and the fact that we are mostly water [00:12:00] and being able to conduct that electricity, within, and it doesn't necessarily feel like electricity when you're getting it done.

But we're actually, using our body's electrical system , to then communicate with the brain. So acupuncture we use. Tiny, tiny needles. They're like the size of a hair. Most people feel nothing with it. Sometimes there it, I tell people it feels like a little tug on the arm hair.

And then it goes away. Mm. That's, that's what it feels like for most people. Some people feel nothing with it. , And other people might feel a little bit of aching at the site. , Occasionally there might be a pinchy one, but we will move that quickly. Mm-hmm. , Sometimes, , if it gets, you know this in the skin layer, there's just so many nerve endings, so that's why when you see someone do acupuncture, they're.

You know, tapping it in quickly because it gets past that skin layer so that it doesn't hit all those [00:13:00] nerve endings in the skin layer. Mm-hmm. So that's why usually people don't feel much. And then with acupressure, we're utilizing the same points. . But we're just doing, a little bit of, of pressure instead of using a needle.

And you're still. , You're still getting, some of that, stimulation of the, of the point and the function of the point, but there's just no, no needle involved. , So, and then with laser acupuncture, I, I have my, one of my lasers right here. This one's called a Chi Pulse, and it's by,

accu Beam. It's, Meridia technology. , They have some great tools. But this one, , sometimes I'll suggest, , my parents get, , this for home use so that I can instruct them on how to use the laser. This is a red light.

We just put that on the point and hold it there for 30, 40 seconds. For kids, sometimes 15, 20 seconds is [00:14:00] enough. And. That way we're again, stimulating those, those acupuncture points, but with light, with red light and you know, red light's kind of all the rage right now.

So it's all the rage. I mean it's on Amazon too. Do they Did this work on Amazon? I see. Like red light wraps. Right? I know. So this one, , has a small point. At the end, smaller than a lot of the ones on Amazon. , The ones on Amazon tend to be, a slightly bigger, circumference. This we can get a little bit more specific.

Yeah. And it's a low level. Cold laser and it's type three, so it's totally safe. Mm-hmm. , It is considered eye safe, but I still am very cautious. I don't go right around the eyes. , There are some red light therapies out there for vision, but I, but for Accu, Accu Laser, I, I tend to, , stay away from the eyes proper.

[00:15:00] And then there's blue light too, which is fun. This one's the q calm and so remember what I was saying with the ditch and the mound? Mm-hmm. So when there's a deficiency, more often I'll use more the red laser, 'cause it's more tonifying or strengthening. And the blue laser for, reducing the excess when there's too much.

How do you know if it's too much or a ditch? Um, I mean, sometimes even just feeling for the point, as you go along, you might, uh, you might actually fall into a ditch, so like upon palpation, sometimes you can actually feel it. , And then other times, it might just be. By the symptoms.

You know, depending on what symptoms someone has, you know, it might tell us like, oh, this is an excess condition, this is a deficient condition. What's cool though is that the brain will take the information and do what it needs to do to regulate. So, you know, like let's say we use the [00:16:00] red light, , and even though there's like an excess.

It's still, it'll still work. It'll, your brain will still get the message and say, Hey, we still need to regulate this area. We need to reduce the inflammation here. We need to increase the circulation so your brain knows what to do. Mm. So it's, you know, trusting isn't that amazing. Right. Trust. Getting into that trust.

Yeah. That's always so huge. Mm-hmm. Okay. So it seems like the pressure, and at least the laser stuff. Is some stuff we can do at home. So yes. Are there common things that maybe the listeners can actually do at home, Sure. That you can show us? Yeah. Well, let's, um, let's talk about allergies and digestion, because that seems to be such a big thing with kids these days, so.

, For acupressure, on the face, , I would avoid the laser on the face for the most part, but, but there's points. All around, , the sinuses, if people are having, , issues, you [00:17:00] can, , you can get into any of the points around here. If someone's having the sinus pressure in here, you can get into, just really just feeling around for points.

That are tender. We call that Asher. So when there's tender points, , just finding that point and just doing some circles. Hmm. And, you could choose clockwise or counterclockwise. It's, it's, uh. It's not fully necessary to do clockwise. Or some people will say, oh, you gotta do clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on if something's excess.

You do counterclockwise to unwind it. If something's deficient, you do clockwise. And so just little circles, you know, for 20, 30 seconds on a point, and then moving around and,. What's fun is that kids like to do this on themselves too. You can teach your child like, oh, you know, you're trying to sleep [00:18:00] at night, but you're all stuffy.

Well then just push on these points right at the top of the bridge of the nose up in, up in here. You can come down. You know, really this is, this is stuff that, um. It is so cool that kids can do on their own. So yeah, the, uh, the third eye here, this is a great point to help open up the nasal, uh, area up in the, the hairline right here. Also, great to help open that up. Sometimes doing a little bit of, of pinching over here to help the limp system, right?

Because once you get this moving, then it's gotta drain out, right? Mm-hmm. And so getting, you know, I just like to. You know, grab on that SEM muscle and squeeze that down and go down. Yeah. So just, you know, but it could just be gentle, just gentle strokes as well.

And I am gonna say, if you're listening to this episode, it is also on video, on [00:19:00] Spotify and on YouTube so you can actually see the work.

So just putting that out there. Okay, cool. Also there's points on, on the hands or near the hands that are really good for, for allergies. Large intestine four, which is pretty common point to use. It's, it's, uh, right in the web between the thumb and the index, kind of under the bone of the index.

Right in the middle there. Um, that is, that's a great point for the head in general. So getting, you know, for headaches, but also for opening up the sinuses. Wow. And it's a great immune system point as well. It helps to regulate the, we say the internal external relationship and, allowing what we call the waiti to get stronger.

The waiti is like a screen. To block out the pathogens. So if your weighty is strong, then you're [00:20:00] able to defend your, your body against, against pathogens from entering. I kind of wanna take this as like a, a vitamin, like can I just like. Like push on it like every morning as if it's like a random, just to get my screen to be nice and strong.

Yeah, go for it. That's a great idea. Great idea. Um, yeah, so that's a really great point also, right on the wrist, lung seven, um, it's kind of right, right around here. Um, it's. On the bone, it's like in this little, little ditch of the bone right here. For this one I like to just kind of, for, for children just rubbing like that.

And also the lung channel is great for, um, to use for allergies and the lung channel, um, goes from the base of the thumb here and then up to the elbow. It goes up farther, but, but just, just stroking the lung channel. Um, just gentle [00:21:00] stroking of the lung channel can be very helpful and nourishing for the immune system as well.

Hmm. Okay. Yeah. And when you are talking, when we're saying allergies, I'm assuming this is more like, your trees and flower, you know, kind of polly, not food. Right. Um, I mean these could be helpful for food as well. So for example, like that large intestine four point. Helps with the large intestine as well, right?

Mm-hmm. And so, um, so beyond its function for the head, um, it can be helpful for the intestines. Okay. But that's amazing. Yeah. And then there's, there's, uh, a great. Liver point, like I was talking about, calming down the liver. So it's not so overreactive, uh, liver three is a great point to use. It's what we call the source point of the liver.

It reminds the liver of its job to its job well. Um, and that point is right in, um, the web [00:22:00] between the first two toes, so the big toe and the second toe. Okay. So, you know, if you. Kind of like the, like LI four in here, um, on the foot, but it's liver three, so it's, it's between the webs there. Hmm. Okay. And there's, there's two, um, there's two liver points there.

So I mean, really just looking for that tender spot in the web between those first two toes, so that, why did they become tender? Like, what, what is that? Why is it like, oh, it's tender. That's a spot. Well, if you think about like how I was saying, like the traffic jam. Hmm. Right? If, if there's, um, if there's tension somewhere, then the blood slows down a little bit, the fluid slows down a little bit, and when you have too much she or blood, it, it starts to block, right?

Mm-hmm. And so we say when the cheese is other than running smoothly, then pain [00:23:00] can come on. Right. And so you may not feel the pain outside of when you're touching the point, but having, tenderness at a point will tell you, Hey, it's, it's time to, to move the chi and blood in that area. Move it along.

Motion is system, right? Yeah. Oh, yes. Motion is key for being in this body, right? Well, that's the thing. I mean, you think of just health, , life is. Movement, it's breath, right. It nothing is, nothing, nothing in our body should be hard and just stuck. Mm-hmm. And so that goes for this as well? Yes, for sure.

I mean, breath is so important. I mean, someone that has a good breath practice will be able to move that she and blood without the assistance of acupuncture and, acupressure and all that. It's, it's, the breath can do it. It's just a matter of. Actually doing it. Yeah, totally. Now what do you wanna tell people out there that might be skeptical?

There's always people [00:24:00] like, I don't know about this. Mm-hmm. There's over the past, about almost 30, say 25, 30 years or so, there is a ton of evidence. I mean, if you just go to PubMed and look up acupuncture and whatever you're interested in,, there are. So many studies now out there, because the field started to include, , doctorate programs about 20 years ago.

And in those programs are, , so if you would like to study research and get into research, those programs are great. And so more and more people are doing research, more and more Western medicine, is interested in acupuncture research as well. So I mean, there is a ton of evidence showing that acupuncture works.

And I always say like, why not try it? Right. Exactly. And if the things you're already doing aren't working. Why not? I mean, like you said, it, it's not [00:25:00] contraindicated very much for anyone. Yeah. So if it does, the worst thing is it doesn't help, but the stuff that you were already doing wasn't helping either.

Right. I'll try it. Right, right. Yeah. And I mean, I, there's so many people that say, oh my God, I wish I would've done this 20 years ago. , Someone that's had an issue, , whether it's. More digestive or psychological or, , pains or whatever they're dealing with. Typically acupuncture works.

Sometimes it takes several treatments to really start to feel the change. But. Sometimes it's immediate. What I tell people is, plan on at least a handful of treatments until you notice change. Mm-hmm. But be pleasantly surprised when it happens quickly. Because sometimes it's super quick, it's sometimes it's one treatment and things already start to shift.

And symptoms start to, to improve. But for some people it, it takes longer. And so really [00:26:00] it's, it's sometimes it's a patient's game and, and finding an acupuncturist that you jive with someone that seems like they know what they're doing. Um, and also someone that's willing to change when something's not working.

When I hit, treatment three and nothing has shifted. I'm gonna change techniques. Totally. Mm-hmm. Yeah, so there's just, there's so many techniques because in that culture it was, instead of out with the old and with the new, it was, oh, here's another technique. Here's another technique.

Here's something new and innovative. Here's this doctor came up with this, you know, it just goes on and on and on. And so there's so many different techniques. Um. To, to choose from and to learn. And so every, every acupuncturist is different because of that., We have different mentors, we have learn different techniques.

Some people come up with their own. So it's, it's just, it's, [00:27:00] um. It's really endless, the possibilities. So sometimes it's just, okay, stick with it. We're gonna find what works. Yeah, I think that's huge. Finding someone I think, who is open to like listening and. Hearing your story is huge and working with you.

Mm-hmm. And that's gonna be different for everybody, right? Mm-hmm. Because we're all different. I don't jive with everybody. Not everyone jives with me. Mm-hmm. And that's okay. But finding the person that you really feel, you know, you can trust and, and is listening to your needs, I think is huge. So, yeah, I love that.

And I also believe in, like for myself too, I'm always like, well, if we haven't changed anything in three sessions, you know, for me, craniosacral therapy can. Work after one session, honestly. But you'll definitely know by the second or third session mm-hmm. If this is helping or not helping. And if it's not, I, it's a discussion of, okay, where do we go next?

And it might not be me, it might be [00:28:00] sending them to an acupuncturist. Mm-hmm. Or somebody else. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. But you also want a practitioner that is willing to do that too, because it, it doesn't always work for everybody, but we wanna make sure you're on the right path. Mm-hmm. Yeah, for sure. , What's cool too with the use of acupressure and laser for children is that it's something, that I can help people instruct them on Zoom.

I can do a Zoom call with somebody and if they wanna just use acupressure, then I'll instruct them on the points. If they wanna get their own laser, then you know, they can do that on their children. For the most part, I, when I treat children, I instruct the parents how to treat them at home.

, Because that, well, first of all, that's the time. You know, sometimes people require coming in two or three times a week for a couple weeks, right? That can be tough on a family schedule and finances. Right. And so, um, so [00:29:00] being able to do from afar when it comes to instructing parents is a wonderful tool.

Yeah. And, and I love that you send home actual things that they can do. , well, what do you want the listeners to do right after listening to this podcast? I would find some tender spots on yourself. Or if you have a child that's complaining about some pain, and just do some achy pressure. Just light, light pressure, light circles, light strokes.

, You can call on me to. Show you what points to use. You can call on AI and say, Hey, what points should I use for constipation? Right. And, , so I'm happy to be a, a sounding board, but it's amazing the tools we can use with AI these days as well. Oh my gosh. Okay.

Wait, I have to like. You know, say something here. So does ai, if I ask ai, Hey, I have a headache. What [00:30:00] acupressure points can I use? It will tell me. , It will tell you. But it'll only tell you, so much.

The, the points that I might use for headaches or for a specific type of headache. You know, there's different areas. It might be totally different than what AI might suggest. Okay. So hasn't replaced us yet, which is good. No, not yet. Yeah. But also helpful. Helpful, yes. Yeah, for sure.

Helpful. It can't do the acupressure for you, it can't do the laser for you at this time, but it could certainly help you with, , choosing some points. Yeah. Well, tell us where the listeners can find you and what you offer. Sure. So, um, my practice is called Joy Vision Acupuncture.

I am in North Florida in Vera Beach. It's uh, outside Jacksonville. Beautiful place to be. , I'm at Joy vision accu.com. You can find me there easily. You can text me, you can email [00:31:00] me. I do, like I said, I can do Zoom sessions. And, , also, I, I have a book called The Acupuncture Point, functions Charts and Workbook.

That I created. It has, charts of each meridian with the points and their functions right next to the point, which I studied architecture, , as a teenager.

And so it's a very architectural rendition. Kind of quick reference for, . Students learning acupuncture or, clinical reference for practitioners or people that are just interested in the points.

It's a great tool to have, you know, if you do wanna work with me and I say, okay, let's go to stomach 36. Right. You can flip open the book and have, , an idea of where to go for that., So it's a great reference for finding the points.

And the language of it is a little different than we're used to. When you, when you see coarse liberty, most people are like, [00:32:00] what is that? And, but now you might have an idea like, ooh, you're smoothing out the liberty. It's, it's helping with overreactions and anger and things like that.

So great. I love that. I love the little visual too, because I love charts that just are like, okay, go here Uhhuh, and just start rubbing. Yeah. So easy. So, well, it's easy if people wanna do some stuff at home for themselves even. Mm-hmm. That's great. One more thing, that I do.

. There's a technique called ACU nova that was developed by a doctor in Denmark that I went and learned from. Um, 'cause it's only a technique that's only, you know, 20, 20, 30 years old. And so that's a young technique, um, for, for this medicine. And, um, and it's helpful for vision. So it helps to, um, reverse some vision loss and also to help stave off if there's, um, degenerative eye disease.

Wow. [00:33:00] And, um, even though that technique is, um, traditionally an acupuncture technique, I started using the laser instead because the kids that I've treated, I'm like, ah, you know, these points are a little tough. To do on kids. Um, they're pretty sensitive points compared to other acupuncture point. Most acupuncture points you don't feel much.

Some are a little more tender. And so I started using the laser and I'm getting just as good results. Hmm. Um, and so that is also something that could be instructed for, for home use. Wow. That's amazing. , It's amazing just all these tools out there that I think a lot of people haven't even heard of, that that's even possible. So that's great to know. And the cool thing too, with treating at home, uh, there's pediatric herbal formulas. And that's, that's a huge part of traditional Chinese medicine as well.

And so that's an easy way to treat at home. And yeah, so [00:34:00] there's a ton of great herbal formulas too. Wow. Okay. Well, thank you so much for sharing. You're welcome. All of your knowledge with us and teaching us a little bit more about acupuncture and just acupressure and lasers and all the goodies that you get today.

Thank you so much. You're welcome. It's my pleasure. Thank you for listening to this episode.. If you'd like to learn more about Erica and all that she has to offer, just click on the link in the show notes, and until next week, keep carving out time for yourself and keep putting yourself on top of your to-do list.