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Hi there,

I don't know about you, but Daylight Savings time always messes with my sleep patterns! I've struggled with healthy sleep habits throughout my life, and it seems that whenever the clocks "spring forward" my insomnia comes knocking. Restful sleep is vital to a healthy body and mind, and insomnia is a leading cause of both stress and stress-induced health issues. But because different bodies need different amounts of sleep to function optimally, insomnia is defined more by the quality of your sleep and how you feel after waking than by the actual number of hours you sleep. Acupuncture can not only help you fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep longer, but it can also improve your sleep quality so that you wake feeling more rested. The AOMA Clinics are open on weekday evenings, so you can even make acupuncture a part of your regular nighttime routine!

In this issue:

  • Acupuncture and Insomnia with Nelson Song Luo
  • 3 Reasons to Attend This Year's Integrative Healthcare Symposium
  • AOMA Blog Throwback: March 2017
  • AOMA in the Community
  • What's coming up at AOMA?
  • AOMA Herbal Medicine Corner
  • TCM Eating for the Season: Recipe of the Month
  • Meet AOMA's new CEO!

In good health,

Stephanee Owenby
Director of Clinical Business Operations

Acupuncture and Insomnia

In this article AOMA clinician Dr. Nelson Song Luo talks about insomnia -- both the patterns of insomnia according to traditional Chinese medicine and how acupuncture can make a good night's sleep possible!

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3 Reasons to Attend This Year's Integrative Healthcare Symposium

Continuing to learn and expand your knowledge and your practice is a big part of your career as an acupuncturist. Many Continuing Education courses for acupuncturists can be fulfilled online, however, there’s something intangible that might be missed in those classes. Attending an integrative healthcare conference like AOMA's Southwest Symposium will not only bring you the knowledge and learning, but also valuable interpersonal connections with speakers, classmates, and new friends.

AOMA Southwest Symposium

AOMA Blog Throwback: March '17

Traditional Chinese Medicine Nutrition with Violet Song

AOMA Clinician Violet Song shares some fabulous information about nutrition from the Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective of the nature or temperature of food. Check out AOMA's blog for the full article and learn more about food temperatures and eating for your specific body type!


AOMA in the Community: Community Wellness Hour

Join us for an hour of wellness and self-care! FREE NADA acupuncture, group support, mindfulness exercises, and more. Acupuncture is provided in a quiet group setting, which helps build support among those being treated and break down factors of isolation.

All are welcome!

NADA acupuncture helps reduce the stress and suffering of those affected by disaster or conflict, whether related to a traumatic event or daily life.

Thursdays 12:45-1:45pm
4701 Westgate Blvd. Room E4
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What's coming up @ AOMA?

AOMA Herbal Medicine:

  • March sales -- receive 20% off the following products in March:
    • March 19-24: Jewelry
    • March 26-31: Essential oils & oil burners

AOMA Admissions:

Continuing Education:

  • Solutions for the Modern-Day Health Epidemic with Quinn Takei
  • Classical Japanese Hari Style of Acupuncture with Takayuki Koei Kuwahara

AHM Corner: TCM Formulas for Insomnia

Suan Zao Ren Tang & Gui Pi Wan

There are several safe and effective traditional Chinese herbal formulas to help with insomnia, whether you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, waking feeling unrested, or all of the above. Nelson Song Luo mentioned them in his blog post above; here's some more information!

Suan Zao Ren Tang:

  • Nourishes Heart Shen and Liver Blood
  • Clears deficient heat and calms the spirit; helps with stress, anxiety, and irritability
  • Can also help with restlessness, inability to or difficulty in falling asleep, palpitations, night sweats, dizziness, vertigo, thirst, and dry mouth and throat
  • Studies have shown its safety and effectiveness at helping patients with menopause-related insomnia

Gui Pi Wan:

  • Nourishes Spleen Qi and Heart Blood
  • Tonified Blood and Qi
  • Helps with fatigue, insomnia, and poor sleep or dream disturbed sleep
  • Can also help with poor memory, palpitations, anxiety, phobias, low appetite, and night sweats

Source: www.SacredLotus.com

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TCM Eating for the Season

Nourished Kitchen's Sleepy Tea for Overtired Children (or grown-ups!)

This soothing herbal tea recipe contains a delicious combination of Western and traditional Chinese herbs to help calm your mind and support a restful night's sleep. Add it to your nighttime routine to help you relax before bed!
 
Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon dried lemon balm
  • 2 teaspoons dried peppermint (Bo He)
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 1 teaspoon dried rose petals (Mei Gui Hua)
  • 1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers
  • 2 slices dried licorice root (Gan Cao)
  • honey (as needed)
  • heavy cream, milk, or non-dairy milk (if desired)
Instructions
  1. Place a kettle of filtered water onto the stove and bring to a boil.
  2. While the water comes to a boil, place herbs and spices into a mortar and crush with a pestle until roughly combined.
  3. Transfer to a teapot, pour boiling water over the herbs and steep for three to five minutes.
  4. Strain and serve with honey and cream, as you like it.

Source: www.NourishedKitchen.com

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Meet AOMA's new CEO!

Dr. Mary Faria, FACHE

Before joining AOMA, Dr. Faria retired after 30 years as a healthcare executive/administrator. She spent 21 years with the Seton Healthcare Family in Austin. She served as COO/VP/Administrator for Seton Southwest Hospital, serving 17 years from the hospital’s opening until she retired on June 30, 2017. She received her PhD from the University of Texas at Austin. Her dissertation research was in the area of organizational change.  Dr. Faria has been involved in research in the area of human and organizational resilience and with Dr. Sheila Armitage presented findings at both SxSW and The Healthier Texas Summit.

Dr. Faria currently serves on several community advisory councils and not-for-profit boards. She is the board chair for the Austin Mayor’s Health and Fitness Council. Dr. Faria is also an accomplished age group distance runner, with local, national, and international age group race wins. She is also a triathlete. Teaches swimming to those fearful of water and was her age group winner in the 2016 Austin Fit Magazine’s Most Fit Competition.

A message from the CEO

It has been such a joy and honor to join the AOMA team! Everyone has been so kind and welcoming. I feel very blessed to work with such an outstanding group of individuals whose hearts are so clearly committed to the mission of transforming lives and communities through the highest quality integrated holistic care. It is most humbling to see AOMA faculty, students, and staff putting the AOMA mission and values into action in all they do. I look forward to all we will achieve together!

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