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A holistic acupuncture and wellness center serving the Coventry / Rhode Island Area since 2005

Clinic Location
Call (401) 219-6446
Natures HealingNatures Healing
  • Who We Help
    • Chronic Pain
    • Sports Medicine and Electro-Acupuncture
    • IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • IBD – Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s
    • Fertility & Reproductive Health
    • Endometriosis
    • PCOS – Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
    • FADS – Fatigue Anxiety Depression Stress
    • Adrenal Health
    • Thyroid Health
    • Asthma
    • Allergies
  • Learn
  • Patients
    • New Patient History Form
    • Clinic Patient Forms and Charts
    • Verify Health Insurance
    • Is Acupuncture Covered by Ins?
    • Veterans
    • Accepting Workers Compensation Ins
    • Free Info
      • Break Free From The Emotional Drain Game | Free Lecture Series
      • Meditation ArticlesMeditation and relaxation techniques for optimal health.
      • Health Matters / Articles
      • Break The Chronic Pain Cycle
      • 21 Day Purification Webinar
      • 7 Emotions – A Guide to Emotional Balance
        • Try the 7 Emotions Quiz – Find Your Emotional Energy Pattern
      • 4 Seasons Chi Kung Online – Program Overview
      • VA Community Care Program Covers Acupuncture
      • Top 10 Reasons to Try Acupuncture
      • Smoking Cessation Program
      • 5 Tips to Lower Your Risk of Cancer
    • Conditions Suitable for Treatment
  • Testimonials
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    • Acupuncture Therapy
      • Frequently Asked Questions | Acupuncture
      • Top 10 Reasons To Try Acupuncture
      • EStim Electro-Acupuncture PENS
      • Gua Sha Therapy
      • Cupping Therapy
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      • Less Stress Now Program
    • Herbal Medicine
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    • Massage Therapy – Crystal Haley
    • Telemedicine – Natural Solutions
    • Mind-Body Self Care
      • 7 Emotions Program for Mental Emotional Health
        • Break Free From The Emotional Drain Game | Free Lecture Series
        • 7 Emotions – A Guide to Emotional Balance
      • 4 Seasons Chi Kung Online – Program Overview
      • 21 Day Purification Program
      • Break The Chronic Pain Cycle
  • Request Free Consult
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Mental Health – A Link Between The Gut and The Brain

mental health - - A Link Between The Gut and The Brain

Mental Health – A Link Between The Gut and The Brain

July 7, 2021 Posted by Christopher Carlow, D. Ac. Acu News, Acupoints for Health, Diet Health, Meditation, Newsletter Feature

Mental Health is connected to Gut Health

Modern medicine is catching up now on the fact that there’s a link between the gut and the brain. Traditional Chinese medicine has known this for thousands of years. Modern medicine can actually complement Chinese medicine and vice versa. Patients with a lot of anxiety and worry can be treated with vitamins, particularly B vitamins.

When the Earth element organs of the Stomach and Spleen are weak, we crave sugar more. Sugar will compound this problem causing further weakness and an accumulation of dampness. Sugar can interfere with the absorption of certain vitamins – especially B-vitamins which are important for cognitive function and mental health.

Yi, or thought, corresponds to spleen function. This is why overthinking can weaken the spleen and a weakened spleen can lead to overthinking. As an acupuncturist and meditation teacher I hear patients telling me every day, “I can’t meditate because I can’t switch my mind off or I’ve got too many thoughts.”

No amount of trying to control your thinking is going to work. Strengthening the Spleen will help and there are some ways you can:

  • Eat your biggest meal between 7 and 11am.
  • limit sugary, cold, raw and greasy foods.
  • don’t overeat / avoid feeling bloated or tired after eating.
  • eat more warming foods.
  • cook with warming herbs like ginger.
  • add black pepper to foods to warm your stomach.
  • plenty of warming soups, cooked vegetables.
  • Consider making a medicinal tea made with barley, rice and ginger.
  • acupuncture
  • meditation

Overthinking is the mental aspect and worry is the emotional aspect of a weakened spleen. Worry actually knots the chi (qi-functional energy) of the stomach and spleen.

So if you’re suffering right now from overthinking and worry, it’s a reflection of the state of your body, the way the chi is moving in your body, in your digestive system and the way your digestive system is transforming energy for other systems.

If the emotions are not being heard then that can cause a lot of issues, physically and mentally as well.  90% of what I see coming into the treatment room is emotional in nature, compounded stuck emotion and then all the overthinking and the stories on top that have come from trying to work out why you are feeling that way.

Having acupuncture and giving yourself space and time to process your emotions in a healthy way is the best treatment for this.

The earth element also thrives on a good routine, eating at regular times, going to bed, getting up at regular times is important. Ideally you want to be going to bed as early as possible, waking up as early as possible and eating your main meal as early as possible for energy, for immunity, for lifelong strong earth element and clarity of mind.

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About Christopher Carlow, D. Ac.

Chris specializes in women’s health, chronic pain, digestive health, mind-body and hormonal wellness using Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Diet/Nutritional Support and Mind-Body Self-Care. He’s a licensed Doctor of Acupuncture, Oriental Medicine and Chinese Herbology and owner of the clinic of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine in Coventry, Rhode Island with staff privileges at The Miriam Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center (Providence, RI) and Kent Hospital (Warwick, RI). Chris is nationally certified as a Diplomate in Oriental Medicine – a combined certification in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology offered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He holds a Masters Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Tai Hsuan College in Honolulu, Hawai’i with special training in Medical Chi Kung (Qigong) and Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan). Chris also holds certifications as an Assistant Chi Kung (Qigong) Instructor by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, YMAA and as a Tai Chi for Arthritis Program Instructor. Chris has a passion for helping people reach their greatest potential in natural health and wellness. He believes the integration of modern medicine with the holistic and natural approach of Traditional Chinese Medicine creates a powerful combination that can get to the root cause and truly unlock the body’s natural healing powers. The latin origin of the word “doctor” originally meant “teacher”. In addition to the therapeutic modalities offered, Chris loves to teach his patients simple, mind body self-care practices to help them take control of their health and rediscover their full potential. Staff Privileges - The Miriam Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center / Providence, RI - Kent Hospital / Warwick, RI

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  • Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
  • 129 Sandy Bottom Road / Lower Level, Coventry, RI 02816
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