Blog

Notice of Price Increase Effective June 1, 2023

Posted on May 4, 2023 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

We are grateful and honored to share the journey of health and healing with you.  And can you believe it’s been 5 years since Thrive raised its prices?Because the cost of everything has increased, we need to raise our prices in order to continue to provide you the best care possible.

Starting June 1, 2023:

Our Time of Service (non-insurance) rates are:

  • Initial Visit: $160
  • Follow Up Treatments: $105 Per Treatment

             -OR-

  • Prepayment Plans:
    • $525 for 6 Treatments (Pay for 5 and get one free)
    • $945 for 11 Treatments (Pay for 9 and get 2 free)

Out of Network insurance

  • Copays will increase by $5. 

Current prices will remain in effect until May 31 and packages never expire.  If you want to buy a package before June 1 to save some money, simply let us know next time you are in or reach out by email or phone and we’ll be glad to help you.

Thank you for being the best patients around!

Upcoming Schedule Changes

  •  May 22-26, Mon-Fri:  Christina will be on her rescheduled mountain biking vacation.

Take a look now to see if you want an appointment before or after those dates, because those times get busy.  You can book through our online scheduler or get in touch.

Make sure to stock up on herbs so you have everything you need.

What We’re Treating in the Clinic–Allergies
It feels like there is a collective smile in Sonoma County that we finally have sun and warmth.  But along with that comes pollen that’s not getting washed away by rain.  And along with pollen comes spring allergies.  Yup they are later this year but there are here full force.

Acupuncture is great at relieving allergy symptoms like itchy eyes and ears, stuffy nose, scratchy throat, lost voice, post nasal drip, sinus pressure, and brain fog that come from allergies.  So many patients have told us over the past week that they felt better when they got up off the table and they could think better.

In addition to acupuncture we have great herbs that keep the relief lasting in between the acupuncture treatments.  Some patients get great results with the various pills we recommend for preventing and treating viruses.  Others do better on a custom formula.

And we also recommend Xlear nasal spray.  We carry it in the clinic but you can pick it up just about anywhere they have a pharmacy section.  Two sprays in the nostrils, wait a bit, then blow your nose.  It cleans things out, soothes the membranes, and helps make your nose a better first line of defense against pollens.

If you want help with your allergies and you are an existing patient, you can book through our online scheduler or get in touch.  If you’re a new patient please reach out by phone or email.  We have so much info to gather and share to make sure your first appointment is enjoyable.

Event

It is possible to create more of what you want in the world effortlessly with grace and inspiration, even now.  By effortless I don’t mean lack of action.  I mean less of the niggling noise in our head that makes things feel difficult and instead more clarity, peace of mind, and joy.  Along with these good feelings comes more health and vibrancy in our physical body, because your state of mind is the epicenter of your wellbeing.

The secret to doing more of want you want with less efforting has to do with understanding your thinking and your connection to your innate wellbeing.  If you want to explore how to understand your thinking in a way which allows for more ease and resiliency please come join us on Tuesdays. 

Weekly Virtual Zoom Conversation
When: Tuesdays 4pm – 5pm PST
Hosts: Julie Gleeson, Founder of The Art of Living Inc, and
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc from Thrive Acupuncture and Wellness Corp.
For more info and the link to register: click this link to our event page 
Please reach out with any questions.

We’re so confident in how helpful this conversation is that the first month is FREE, so you can come check it out without any pressure.

Immune Support

“I just have to tell you that your magic herbs are the real deal!  I started to get sick, and remembered I had squirreled away herbs to take if and when that ever started to happen.  I rarely get sick, so it had been awhile.  So I went to the box, got them out, took them as recommended and WOW, the next day I was no longer ill!  I have no idea what’s in those but they really worked for me.  Thanks for the recommendation that I should always have them available –  and for knowing about them.  You are the best!”
–J.G.

Check out our updated recommendations we’ve been sharing for the past 2+ years called “The Golden Window For Treating Viruses” and let us know if you want help creating a plan that will work for you:

Stock up now so you can be prepared with herbs and supplements in case you or those around you get sick.  As the quote above shows, if you treat viruses preventatively or as soon as you feel symptoms, it’s surprisingly effective for preventing a virus from taking hold or reducing symptoms and duration.

“Whatever herbal magic you gave me it F-ing worked and turned my Covid around super quickly.  I’m barely coughing and congested right now.  And tested negative after it being dark purple+ two days ago.”
–S.L.

To Health And Abundance For Us All!
Christina and Team Thrive

Posted in acupuncture, Allergies, Chinese herbs and supplements, Facebook Private Group, Immune Boosting / Immunity, Insurance, Seasonal Health, Sydney Banks, Three Principles, Treatment Plans and Packages | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Notice of Price Increase Effective June 1, 2023

Mask Update April 2023

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

We’re giving everyone a heads up!  On April 3, 2023, California’s mask requirement in healthcare settings will end.

Here’s how that will work at Thrive:1. Staff will continue to wear well fitting masks that are medical grade surgical masks or higher.
2. Patients can choose if they want to wear a mask or not, during part or all of their appointment.

  • We think many patients will be happy to wear a mask to their appointment and have the acupuncturist take it off before they leave the room to allow the patient to rest and relax.

3. If you are not feeling well and could be contagious, DO NOT COME to the office.

  • We’ll ask you to confirm that you don’t have any viruses, colds, or flus when you check in as a reminder.
  • Let us know as soon as you realize you’re not feeling well or think you might be contagious and we’ll be happy to help you reschedule or figure out what to do if you are unsure.
  • We have great herbs to treat you at home so you can get better fast.
  • Normally you’re still contagious with a virus, cold, or flu for at least 5 days from the start of symptoms and while you are still not feeling well. But we know that sometimes symptoms linger after you are no longer contagious.  If you are unsure if you are contagious or if you should be coming in, please reach out.
  • You will not be charged a missed appointment fee for cancelling due to being sick and possibly contagious, but please be in touch ASAP so we can accommodate people on our waitlist.

We will continue all of our other virus safety measures which include:

  • HEPA air purifiers in each treatment room and throughout the office.
  • We sanitize the treatment rooms and let them air out after each patient.
  • Hand sanitizer is available throughout the office and there is a bathroom in the lobby for hand washing.
  • We sanitize frequently touched surfaces throughout the day.
  • We have an herb pick up station and keep your credit card on file for touch-less payment to make it easy to check out.
  • Our office doors and windows open directly to the outdoors in the front and rear of the office and we regularly air out the office.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out and we’ll be happy to discuss them with you.
We know that many patients coming to Thrive are choosing to be very careful because their health, or the health of those around them, feels like it is on the edge.  Some patients are immune compromised while others have simply had so many health challenges lately that they just don’t want any more.

Our mission is to help people achieve optimal health and because of our clean spacious office and private treatment rooms, we are confident that we can provide a safe environment for you.

For those that have not been here before we’d like to reassure you that that our check in and out area is spacious, most of the time patients check in quickly and head straight to their private room, and that many patients with serious health concerns often tell us they feel very safe in our office and they are so happy they can truly relax.  Please reach out with any questions so you can decide the best path forward for you.

Upcoming Schedule Changes

  • Christina will be out the week of April 3 – 7 for vacation.  Jules will be available for making appointments or other admin needs.
  • ???? Christina will be out April 27 – May 3, (Thurs-Wed) for a training.  She’s excited to get nerdy with some of her favorite herbal medicine mentors!  The office will be fully closed at this time.

Take a look now to see if you want an appointment before or after those dates, because those times get busy.  You can book through our online scheduler or get in touch.

Make sure to stock up on herbs so you have everything you need.

What We’re Treating in the Clinic–Headaches
Did you know that the transition to spring is headache season?  And we think it’s been more pronounced with the weather that’s been all over the place.  Plus the rains have delayed dramatic allergy symptoms, so we haven’t been treating as much of that as we normally do at this time.

You don’t have to wait until you have a headache to make an appointment because acupuncture is great at treating headaches preventatively.  And if you do already have a headache, acupuncture is also very effective at treating that too.  Most patients notice a reduction in their headache as soon as the first few points are placed.  Christina’s history with sinus infections has her intimately familiar with how disrupting headaches are, and how much freedom comes from getting them under control.

We also have great herbs for mixing up a custom formula to prevent headaches.  And patients tell us they love having an herbal formula on had to take when they get a headache so they can take less medications.  And over time many report they get a lot less headaches when they use herbs to treat them at the first sign.  We think of this as stopping the pendulum from swinging so far out of balance, which brings more stability, balance, and health over time.

Event

It is possible to create more of what you want in the world effortlessly with grace and inspiration, even now.  By effortless I don’t mean lack of action.  I mean less of the niggling noise in our head that makes things feel difficult and more clarity, peace of mind, and joy.  Along with these good feelings comes more health and vibrancy in our physical body, because your state of mind is the epicenter of your wellbeing.

The secret to doing more of want you want with less efforting has to do with understanding your thinking and your connection to your innate wellbeing.  If you want to explore how to understand your thinking in a way which allows for more ease and resiliency please come join us on Tuesdays. 

Weekly Virtual Zoom Conversation
When: Tuesdays 4pm – 5pm PST
Hosts: Julie Gleeson, Founder of The Art of Living Inc, and
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc from Thrive Acupuncture and Wellness Corp.
For more info and the link to register: click this link to our event page 
Please reach out with any questions.

We’re so confident in how helpful this conversation is that the first month is FREE, so you can come check it out without any pressure.

Immune Support

“I just have to tell you that your magic herbs are the real deal!  I started to get sick, and remembered I had squirreled away herbs to take if and when that ever started to happen.  I rarely get sick, so it had been awhile.  So I went to the box, got them out, took them as recommended and WOW, the next day I was no longer ill!  I have no idea what’s in those but they really worked for me.  Thanks for the recommendation that I should always have them available –  and for knowing about them.  You are the best!”
–J.G.

Check out our updated recommendations we’ve been sharing for the past 2+ years called “The Golden Window For Treating Viruses” and let us know if you want help creating a plan that will work for you:

Stock up now so you can be prepared with herbs and supplements in case you or those around you get sick.  As the quote above shows, if you treat viruses preventatively or as soon as you feel symptoms, it’s surprisingly effective for preventing a virus from taking hold or reducing symptoms and duration.

“Whatever herbal magic you gave me it F-ing worked and turned my Covid around super quickly.  I’m barely coughing and congested right now.  And tested negative after it being dark purple+ two days ago.”
–S.L.

To more heath and the enjoyment that comes with that!
Christina and Team Thrive

Posted in acupuncture, Covid19 screening, Immune Boosting / Immunity, Migraine relief, Seasonal Health, Three Principles | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Mask Update April 2023

New Lunar Year of the Rabbit

Posted on January 26, 2023 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Happy Lunar New Year! Bring on the Peaceful and Intuitive Rabbit SpiritHow is 2023 going for you? Have you made time for rest and reflection or are you just trying to get through? Do you already wish you had a do-over for your New Year’s fresh start and resolutions? If so, you’re in luck. Not only is every moment a chance for a new beginning, January 22 was the start of the Lunar New Year. Because it starts with the second new moon after Winter Solstice, it begins on a different date every year between January 21 and February 20.

And the Lunar New Year kicks off the 15 day celebration of the new year called Spring Festival. You can think of Spring Festival as Christmas, New Years, and Spring Cleaning all rolled into one. It’s a time of celebration, visiting family and friends, gift giving, and preparing for the next year with personal reflection and letting go.

It’s not part of the Lunar New Year traditions to make resolutions, but Chinese astrology encourages reflection. Chinese astrology has a lot of symbolism and is used to explore your inner nature and unconscious instincts. It’s often used to help reflect on how to navigate your inner life and relationships.

Year of the Water RabbitThe Chinese zodiac has 12 years in its cycle, each one represented by an animal, which interacts with the cycle of the 5 elements. 2023 is the Year of the Water Rabbit, the fourth animal in the cycle

Astrologers say that people born in the Year of the Rabbit are peaceful, gentle, patient, and lucky. Rabbits are known for their ability to create harmonious relationships. They rely on their own senses and quick instincts as well as their extensive underground community to find safety and inner peace. They are great strategists that consider all of their options and know when to run fast or take time to rest and play. Rabbits are homebodies that love comfort, beauty, and communal harmony. They manage to prioritize taking care of themselves and ensuring their security while also being generous and tender with each other.

In Chinese astrology, the Water Rabbit energy is said to bring natural vitality, easy luck, and quiet wisdom. Last year the Tiger energy pounced and bounded forward, but sometimes in unpredictable directions with delays. Now the gentle Rabbit energy will help us realign with our goals, consider all the possible outcomes, and make a plan that will create more inner and outer harmony for us all. In other words it’s an auspicious time to put a plan into action and be nimble enough to peacefully navigate around any obstacles that we encounter. Water Rabbit energy is a paradox of cautiously avoiding risk while listening to intuition, following your vision, and connecting with the mysteries of life that brings quick forward momentum and transformation.

Commit to Creating the Experience You Want to HaveThose that celebrate Lunar New Year and the Spring Festival do not traditionally make New Year’s Resolutions, however they do celebrate the transition from winter to spring. It is a good time to reflect and plant the “new idea seeds” that will sprout in spring. You can start by asking yourself: How do I make time and space to bring out my best sense of reflection? What is the new direction and experience I want to have?

If you’re having trouble, maybe it’s time to take a lesson from the Rabbit. If you’re feeling unsure about the next steps, hunker down in your den and make some time to reflect and take care of yourself so you can restore your lively energy. While you consider your options and all the possible outcomes, remember to let go of old belief systems that no longer serve the highest good of yourself nor bring harmony to all beings. Remember if you start to feel trapped or out of balance, those are your rabbit instincts telling you hop in another direction quickly.

Ask yourself what dreams will bring ease, beauty and comfort to me and my community? Is it time to take action or should I think things through some more? Where can I be more cautious and where do I want to be more trusting? How can I bring tenderness and kindness with me while I foster my drive for forward momentum? How can I align myself with my keen senses and intuition to remain anchored with wisdom and my true nature?

Get Some SupportIf your intentions and resolutions include improving your health and well-being in 2023, get in touch to schedule an acupuncture appointment for immune boosting, pain relief, stress reduction, or finally tackling that health issue that’s holding you back. Existing patients can book online: https://thrive-acupuncture.janeapp.com/. New patients should call since there is so much information we need to gather and share to make your first appointment enjoyable.

If you want to explore how to accomplish more of what you want in 2023, while aligning with your true nature, wisdom, and intuition please join us for our Growing More Peaceful Even Now zoom calls (info below).

What We’re Treating in the ClinicEar Infections. There’s a head cold going around that causes clogged ears that come on quick and linger. Unfortunately for some people it ends up causing pain, ear infections, and even ruptured ear drums. If you’ve ever had a clogged ear for an extended period, you know that it’s painful, distracting, disorienting, and even stressful because it effects your hearing, balance, and overall sense of wellbeing and clarity.

The good news is that Christina found Chinese Medicine because of a long history of ear and sinus infections, and we have lots of solutions to treat clogged ears and prevent or help clear up ear infections. Acupuncture is great for treating the ears, but when you are sick and contagious at the start you need to stay home to avoid spreading the cold. So the extra good news is that there are great herbs that we carry in the clinic so you can treat yourself at home. We have herbs that you drink to treat it internally, ear drops, and even topicals to massage into the area around the ears to open the Eustachian tubes.  Then when you are past the contagious stage you can come in for acupuncture, but you are already ahead of the curve in helping to clear up those ears.

If you get this head cold, you will know it as soon as your ears start to clog up–give us a ring and we can connect you with some home treatments.  If you are prone to ear issues or colds it’s a good idea to stock up on some of the supplies so you can start treating your ears as soon as they start to feel out of balance. Ask us at your next appointment or get in touch if you want to know the best treatments to have on hand for you.  And if you get an ear infection and your Dr prescribes antibiotics, the herbal remedies we have are supportive and can help the antibiotics do their work faster.

Ongoing Event

It is possible to create more of want you want in the world effortlessly with grace and harmony, even now.  By effortless I don’t mean lack of action, I mean less of the niggling noise in our head that makes things feel difficult.  Growing more peaceful does not mean you will sit on the couch eating bon bons all the time.  I don’t know anyone that’s in balance that wants to sit on the couch 24/7; well rested humans want to contribute to the world.  The secret to doing more of want you want with less efforting has to do with understanding your thinking and your connection to your innate wellbeing.  If you want to explore how to understand your thinking in a way which allows for more ease, resiliency, and enjoyment please come join us on Tuesdays. 

Weekly Virtual Zoom Conversation
When: Tuesdays 4pm – 5pm PST
Hosts: Julie Gleeson, Founder of The Art of Living Inc, and
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc from Thrive Acupuncture and Wellness Corp.
For more info and the link to register: click this link to our event page 
Please reach out with any questions.

We’re so confident in how helpful this conversation is that the first month is FREE, so you can come check it out without any pressure.

Immune Support

“I just have to tell you that your magic herbs are the real deal!  I started to get sick, and remembered I had squirreled away herbs to take if and when that ever started to happen.  I rarely get sick, so it had been awhile.  So I went to the box, got them out, took them as recommended and WOW, the next day I was no longer ill!  I have no idea what’s in those but they really worked for me.  Thanks for the recommendation that I should always have them available –  and for knowing about them.  You are the best!”
–J.G.

Stock up now so you can be prepared with herbs and supplements in case you or those around you get sick.

Check out our updated recommendations we’ve been sharing for the past 2+ years called “The Golden Window For Treating Viruses” and let us know if you want help creating a plan that will work for you:

As the quote above shows, if you treat viruses preventatively or as soon as you feel symptoms, it’s surprisingly effective for preventing a virus from taking hold or reducing symptoms and duration.

“Whatever herbal magic you gave me it F-ing worked and turned my Covid around super quickly.  I’m barely coughing and congested right now.  And tested negative after it being dark purple+ two days ago.“
–S.L.

Gong Xi Fa Cai! (Happy New Year)!
Christina and Team Thrive

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Holiday Healthy Gifts

Posted on December 15, 2022 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Give The Gift of Health to Loved OnesDon’t stress about gift giving!  Gifts are supposed to be about appreciation, celebration, and fun after all.  We’re here through Friday, December 23 so you can pick up a gift of health for your loved ones plus give yourself the gift of sanity, all while supporting a small business❣️

You might ask: “A gift of health, how is that fun?!” 

We think it’s fun being healthy, having less pain, and feeling more calm so we can be present and enjoy our lives.  And it’s fun sharing the lesser known natural remedies that actually work!

Here’s 7 healthy gifts that are favorites among patients and staff:

1.  Gift Certificates:  Give the gift of stress relief and a nap.  Or pain relief, digestion support, hormone balancing, immune support… ok you get the picture.  We’re a holistic clinic that treats the whole body so we treat all kinds of acute and chronic health issues.  A lot of times people don’t know acupuncture is an option.  We’d love to show them how it can help them.  Let us know what you want to cover with your gift certificate, and we’ll help you choose an amount.

2.  ???? Evil Bone Water Liniment:  A super-premium liniment that’s good to put on anything that is painful and needs to heal: injuries, joint pain, muscle pain, broken bones, sprains, cuts, insect bites.  We got some fun 2 oz bottles in different colors that make great gifts.  They made them just for the end of the year holidays so they are only available while supplies last, but you can refill them from the regular 4 oz bottles–because we know you’re gonna love it.  PS – there are no bones in the formula.  The Chinese name translates as Rectify Evil Bones Water (aka Heal Your Broken Bones), but the acupuncturist/herbalist making it in Florida has a good sense of humor.

3. Rapid Pain Relief Balm: High quality herbs and oils in natural skin-nourishing butters to quickly treat muscle pain, headaches, injuries, bruises, post-workout pain, menstrual pain, and more.  We love that this balm doesn’t have any menthol or mint, which is unusual for a fast-acting topical treatment for pain relief.  Plus the owner has sensitive skin, making it so clean you could practically eat it.  We have regular and sample sized jars for sale.

4. ???? Herbal Medicinal Foot Soaks: Wild-crafted and small-farm cultivated herbs make up these effective and relaxing foot soaks.  They help with inflammatory pain, promote circulation, support the immune system & metabolism, and are super calming to the nervous system.  It may be surprising to hear that medicinal foot soaks treat the whole body because there are thousands of capillaries in the feet which serve as highways to the rest of the body.

5. ???? Emily’s Skin Soothers: Natural and effective skin care powered by herbs to treat dry skin, chapped and cracked hands and feet, burns, eczema, psoriasis, and any other irritated, red, rough or flaking skin.  The original formula was created by an acupuncturist/herbalist for his baby who had eczema, so the whole line is free from anything synthetic and great for sensitive skin.  This is the balm that got us through the extreme amounts of hand washing at the start of the pandemic and still keeps our hands smooth.  Let us know what skin condition you want to treat and we can help you choose the best formula.

6. B. Immune Throat Spray: Soothe and treat the throat with this tasty spray that’s antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and immunomodulatory.  I know we’re getting tired of thinking about our immune systems, but this is the most fun way to support it.  Great for people who travel, give talks, sing, or otherwise find their throat dry and sensitive, as well as those who want to prevent and treat colds, flus, and sore throats.

7. Do You Want To Know A Secret Book:  A little book of resilience and clarity, whatever your age.  Everyone who picks up this little children’s book with a big message gets a smile on their face.  Some even get tears of joy.  People don’t tend to spend much time in the waiting room here, but when they do and they pick up this book, they often buy a copy right away.  Plus, we have it shipped here directly from the author in England, so it’s a truly unique gift.

You can pick any of these up at your next appointment.  If you don’t have a scheduled appointment, please reach out by phone or email so we can answer any questions, get it ready for you, and make sure we’re not at lunch or otherwise busy in our small business when you swing by.

P.S. Don’t forget to pick up some herbal pills to support you and your loved one’s digestion through the end of the year festivities. 

 You can read all the details that we shared last month in our newsletter here.

 

End of Year and Schedule ChangesIf you can’t find an appointment in our Online Booking System, call, email, or put yourself on the waitlist and we’ll get you scheduled.

The online system only shows openings so far in advance and we can book some appointments that are not visible, so when in doubt, give us a call and we’ll get you scheduled. 

There’s several changes to the schedule going on and coming up.  Here’s all the details.Busy At The End Of The Year:
We’re sad that Jasmin Jones, LAc is no longer working for Thrive.  She’s an amazing acupuncturist, patients loved her, and we wish her well on her next adventure.

We’ve opened up some more appointments with Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc to make sure you can continue your care.  Christina and Jasmin were supporting many patients together in their treatment plans, so Christina is able to pick up where Jasmin left off to help you to keep making progress towards your goals.

Plus a lot of patients recently booked appointments to get support BEFORE we go on vacation (smart way to keep healthy and sane for the holidays), so our schedule is busy – which is just the way we like it – helping lots of people.  If you can’t find an appointment using the online booking system, please reach out and we’ll get you scheduled.

End of Year Vacation:
We’ll be here through Friday, December 23, then we’re taking the last week of December and few days in January off to rest, reflect, and recharge.  We have appointments in the new year starting Thursday, January 5.

If you want to stock up on herbs to carry you through, get in touch ASAP to make sure we have everything you need.

2023 Schedule Ready For You:
We’ve updated the schedule for the new year in our online booking system with continued increased appointments with Christina and some other adjustments.

Immune Support

“Christina, I just have to tell you that your magic herbs are the real deal!  I started to get sick, and remembered I had squirreled away herbs to take if and when that ever started to happen.  I rarely get sick, so it had been awhile.  So I went to the box, got them out, took them as recommended and WOW, the next day I was no longer ill!  I have no idea what’s in those but they really worked for me.  Thanks for the recommendation that I should always have them available –  and for knowing about them.  You are the best!”
–J.G.

Stock up now BEFORE we are on vacation so you can be prepared with herbs and supplements in case you or those around you get sick.

Check out our updated recommendations we’ve been sharing for the past 2+ years called “The Golden Window For Treating Viruses” and let us know if you want help creating a plan that will work for you:

As the quote above shows, if you treat viruses preventatively or as soon as you feel symptoms, it’s surprisingly effective for preventing a virus from taking hold or reducing symptoms and duration.

“Whatever herbal magic you gave me, Christina, it F-ing worked and turned my Covid around super quickly.  I’m barely coughing and congested right now.  And tested negative after it being dark purple+ two days ago.”
–S.L.

Here’s to having fun being healthy as we celebrate through the start of the new year!
Christina and Team Thrive

Posted in acupuncture, Digestive issues, Immune Boosting / Immunity, Office Happenings, Painful Injuries, Recommended Products, Respiratory Health, Seasonal Health, Skin Rashes | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Holiday Healthy Gifts

A Shift Towards Wellbeing At The End Of This Year

Posted on November 14, 2022 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Pre-New Years Resolutions?We’ve noticed more people are taking action to support their wellbeing recently!

For a while now, people have been talking about getting back on track from the pandemic disruptions to our schedules, eating, exercise, health and self care appointments, not to mention social lives. But all the talking about good ideas wasn’t resulting in very much action for many people.  However, it feels like there’s been a shift recently, and we’ve noticed a lot more people are making real, positive changes.

In some ways we are surprised at the timing.  As the end of year holidays and vacations ramp up, a lot of people say “Eff it!  I’m going to enjoy myself now and pull it together in the new year.”  The problem with that is that the average American doesn’t loose the weight that they gain at the holidays and it builds up every year.  Seeing so many people making healthy changes as we enter the end of the year feels like a true shift.

In other ways this is not a surprise.  Smart people have predicted that there will be a lot of reinvention after the pandemic, so it makes sense that people are open to doing things differently.  We can’t just go back to how it was before because we see things differently now.  So let’s reinvent the way we approach the end of the year by taking more action to support our health and start the new year feeling good!

Things we’ve seen people doing more of recently:

  • pulling their exercise equipment out and making it easy to exercise,
  • drinking less alcohol, taking a break from sugar,
  • eating more green vegetables,
  • setting up regular appointments for acupuncture, massage, & chiropractic care,
  • finally making those doctor’s appointments for check ups or about that nagging thing they’ve been meaning to get looked at,
  • taking supplements regularly,
  • expanding their social circles,
  • making space for some quiet reflective time… 

One interesting thing we’ve noticed is that many people are saying that they just knew it was time or they just started doing it.  When it’s time, it’s time and it takes less effort.   Not that you’re not doing things, it’s that you’re in action with less of the niggling thoughts about wether or not you’re gonna do it.

If you know it’s time to make some changes for your wellbeing and want some support, come on in for acupuncture care for mood (stress reduction, clarity, motivation), aches & pains, or whatever else is holding you back from feeling your best. It can take some time to break old habits of thinking, plus it is so helpful to have a support team.  And even healthy changes sometimes feel tiring or make us sore so we can use some help getting back into balance–hello to my arm muscles that forgot what 3 minute planks are!

  • Established patients can make an appointment at our online booking site. You’re also always welcome to call or email us to make an appointment.
  • New patients need to call or email us to set up their first appointment because there is just too much information we need to share with you.

Here’s to reinventing end of year traditions and habits in ways that better serve us, our friends, and families!

Holiday Eating SupportAs we enter the end of the year holidays and vacation times it’s good to set ourselves up for success to deal with all the abundance headed our way–gratitude, gifting, celebrations, and especially abundant eating.  Here at Thrive we think one of the benefits of being healthy is that you can consciously choose to indulge here and there and still come back to balance easily.  If you are working on a specific health challenge or goal, now is not the time to indulge.  But if you’re feeling pretty good, moderation of all things, including moderation sometimes, is healthy.

The folks that are constantly overly rigid about what they are eating don’t get the benefits of all their hard work because the stress undoes a lot of the benefits of the healthy eating.  And the folks that eat whatever they want, but then beat themselves up also have stress degrading their body.  So it’s good to be real about where you are at, make conscious decisions for health and pleasure, and then make sure you have support so you can come back to balance easily.

If you are going to consciously indulge in that rich holiday meal, treat, cocktail–or all three–how do you plan to support your body?  Here’s 5 tips that will support you through the holiday eating:

  1. Staying well hydrated is key.  Aim to drink between 80 ounces to 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water a day.  And make sure you get some electrolytes or natural salts in there so all the water doesn’t just rush through you.
  2. ???? Don’t starve yourself in anticipation of big meals.   That will make it harder to make any good decisions and cause your blood sugar to spike.  Make sure to eat some fat and protein in the meals leading up a to a big meal to help stabilize blood sugar.
  3. ???? Fresh ginger tea is supportive to digestion before and after rich meals.  Cut a few slices of fresh ginger and boil it in water for 5 minutes.  The fibers from the ginger are really good for your digestive system so that’s why it’s worth it to use fresh ginger.
  4. Keep moving.  Plan some exercise to start the day and you’ll not only feel like you’re starting the day healthy, you’ll also most likely make better choices throughout the day.  Exercise is funny that way.  The more we exercise, the more we tend to make healthy choices.  Invite friends and family to go for a walk after a meal together.  You may be met with some resistance, but I’ve never heard anyone say “I wish I didn’t take that walk after dinner.”
  5. Stock up on simple Chinese herbal pills to get your digestion back in balance.   New this year we have two options of our favorite pills to support digestion: Curing Pills or Ease Digestion Pills.  They’re both so helpful for any kind of digestive upset that every acupuncturist and herbalist has one of these ready in their medicine cabinet, first aid kit, purse, and in the car.  I always have extra around the holidays and my friends and family have learned to do the same.


Option 1: Curing PillsWhat are Curing Pills?  They’re a Chinese medicine herbal pill that’s good for all kinds of digestive imbalances that are common during the holidays including: upset stomach, indigestion, overeating, hangover, bloating, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and even food poisoning (hopefully that’s not happening during the holidays).

How can they be good for so many things?  Unlike western medications that are specific for certain kinds of digestive imbalances, Curing Pills don’t move your digestion in a specific direction, instead they regulate your digestion back to harmony.  That is why their other name is Healthy Peaceful Pills.

Here’s how we recommend taking Curing Pills:

  • Prevention (My eyes were a bit bigger than my stomach): 1 Packet after a meal.
  • Upset Stomach (As soon as I can tell something I ate or drank did not agree with me or I realize I really overdid it):  1 Packet now, 1 More Packet every hour for the next 3 hours if things aren’t feeling good yet.
  • General Digestive Imbalance (My digestion is moving slower or faster than normal and I just realized it’s been happening for a few days): 1 Packet 3 Times/Day for a day or two.

Warning: Curing Pills are not for you if you have true Celiac disease because they contain an herb that is a relative of wheat and you should aim to avoid all contact with anything wheat related.

Reassurance: Curing Pills are well tolerated by people who are normally sensitive to wheat because the herb is grown in China and it’s fermented before it’s made into the tea that is freeze dried into a pill.  Many wheat sensitive people in the US have no problem when they eat wheat grown from other places around the world.  And fermentation changes the building blocks of wheat proteins and carbohydrates which makes wheat tolerable for most people, even for some people who have Celiac disease.  I still recommend people with Celiac disease avoid it because it’s better to be safe than sorry.  But I’ve never met someone who is simply sensitive to wheat that has found that Curing Pills don’t agree with them.

Option 2:  Ease Digestion PillsWhat are Ease Digestion Pills?  They are modified Curing Pills that are gluten free.  Even though I’ve never seen anyone who is only sensitive to wheat have a bad reaction to traditional Curing Pills, we know a lot of people are careful about what they consume and we wanted to have this cleaner option for you so we started stocking them this year.

The other difference is the size of the pills.  Ease Digestion comes as a bottle of medium/large pills that you take as 2 pills at once.  Curing Pills come in packets of a bunch of tiny round pills that you take at once (the idea being that if you have digestive upset you might not want to take a medium/large pill).  So everywhere above that it says the dosage is 1 packet of Curing Pills you instead take 2 pills of Ease Digestion.

Stock Up Now

We have Curing Pills and Ease Digestion Pills in stock in small and large sizes.  They’re so good for any kind of digestive complaint that they’re great to have on hand any time of year, and especially around the holidays for you or your family and friends to bring you back to digestive harmony.  Christina likes to bring them to share and sets them out with the holiday spread.  You might be surprised who’s interested in herbs to support their digestion.

Just tell us you want some and ask us any questions at your next appointment.  Or swing on by to pick some up.  If you’re coming by without an appointment, it’s best to call or email ahead of time with your ETA to check that we won’t be at lunch or out running an errand.

 

Holiday ScheduleThanksgiving:  We’ll be here the week of Thanksgiving through Wednesday, November 23 until 1:30pm, then we’re taking some time off Thursday and Friday, November 24 & 25.

End of the Year:  We’ll be here in December through Friday, December 23, then we’re taking the last week of December off.  We have appointments in the new year starting Tuesday, January 3.

Fun Facts About Jasmin Jones, LAcThe number one question we get about Jasmin since she joined our practice in June is how much experience she has.  That’s a normal question and we welcome all your questions since it is your body and you get to choose who is on your healthcare team.

Jasmin is new to Sonoma County but she’s not new to acupuncture.  She has been practicing acupuncture since 2008.  She is a licensed acupuncturist in 6 states: Alaska, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Carolina, Washington State, and California.  That’s no small accomplishment to complete licensing exams and procedures in all those states.  She spent most of her time in private practice in Alaska, and now we’re excited she’s realized her dream of moving to Sonoma County.

Here’s what one of her patients had to say about her:

“My first experience with an Acupuncturist was with Jasmin. I was having severe pain and lack of mobility in my neck and shoulder. Jasmin was very caring and had a gentle touch. I bought a packet of treatments and noticed a difference in my pain that day. Today I am pain free and it feels wonderful. I highly recommend Jasmin to everyone.” ~B Beasley

And if you haven’t checked it out already, there’s more info in her bio on our website.

Immune Support“I don’t know if it was the herbs, but I started to feel better after I took them.”  
–so many people

Not surprisingly we’re seeing more people catching viruses with the transition back to school and into autumn.  And we’re hearing great feedback that the herbs and supplements we recommend are helping.

We agree! If you start the herbs and supplements after you’ve been sick for a day or two and start to feel better, it could just be timing.  And if you’re just one person there isn’t much data for you to know if it was the herbs or the timing.  But if you’re us and you hear this over and over, you feel confident you have enough data to know that the herbs are helping.

If you want to be prepared with herbs and supplements on hand, check out the updated recommendations we’ve been sharing for the past 2+ years called The Golden Window For Treating Viruses.  If you treat viruses preventatively, or as soon as you feel symptoms, it’s surprisingly effective at preventing a virus from taking hold which reduces symptoms and duration.

You can find the link for The Golden Window For Treating Viruses handout here: https://thrive-acupuncture.com/the-golden-window-for-treating-viruses/.  Take a look and let us know if you want help creating a plan that will work for you. 

Here’s to putting our health first during this time of reinvention!
Christina and Team Thrive

Posted in acupuncture, Diet, Digestive issues, Immune Boosting / Immunity, Recommended Products, Seasonal Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on A Shift Towards Wellbeing At The End Of This Year

Summer Aches and Pains

Posted on September 2, 2022 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Late Summer & Back To School From The Acupuncturist’s PerspectiveI think all the kids are now back to school as of this week and in Chinese Medicine a fifth season called Late Summer started in the third week in August.  I don’t have kids myself, but the transition of back to school effects our whole community.  As an acupuncturist, when back to school happens and Late Summer starts the transition to the fall, I think of 2 things: germs and schedules. 

Back to School Germs and How to Survive Them with Ease!I’m not a germaphobe but what I see from the acupuncturist’s lens is that when kids go back to school they pass germs around and bring it home to the household, and then households share those germs.  Patients get sick more often which is a bummer under normal circumstances, but now getting sick has more repercussions as you manage possible Covid.

So from the acupuncturist’s perspective back-to-school time sounds like a great time for all of us to get a plan for boosting your immune system, treating any possible virus symptoms as soon as they pop up, and having some things on hand in case you do get sick.  I don’t have kids, but I’ve always taken extra care at the start of the school year to not get sick and prepare myself for the fall weather changes.  Yup even before Covid, coming to work sick was not an option as an acupuncturist, so I’m well practiced at avoiding getting sick.

I just updated the recommendations we’ve been sharing for the past 2+ years called the Golden Window For Treating Viruses–because if you treat viruses preventatively or as soon as you feel symptoms it’s surprisingly effective for preventing a virus from taking hold or reducing symptoms and duration.  These recommendations are good for all viruses because they are supporting your body in fighting the virus and your body needs the same kind of support no matter what kind of respiratory virus it is fighting.  There are things that are tailored for treating Covid-19 because we know what direction that virus is headed in most people, but they aren’t bad to take if you have a different respiratory virus.

If you want to update your plan, or simply get a plan to make it through the back to school germs with ease, you can find the link for the Golden Window For Treating Viruses handout here: https://thrive-acupuncture.com/the-golden-window-for-treating-viruses/.

Over the past several years lots of patients have been telling us how effective these remedies are.  They tell us that they started to feel off so they started their plan and they were surprised how quickly they started feeling better.  Or they can’t prove it, but they didn’t get sick when their family did and they know that what they were doing helped them.  Other patients have told us how good it feels to have something to do if they get sick and how much that reduced their stress.  We’ve also had patients tell us that after they took the herbs they felt better than before they got sick so they know the herbs cleared out other lingering illnesses.

Curious about what I updated in the Golden Window Handout?  I’ve dialed in the recommendations as we’ve gotten more information about what is helpful (I’m in touch with colleagues all over the world and we are sharing what is working) and as the virus and it’s most common symptoms have changed.   I’ve clarified and simplified the dosing, made it more clear when to take certain things–prevention or treating lingering symptoms for example, and added a few things.

Here’s what’s new:

  • Propolis Throat Spray: for stoping viruses from replicating and treating sore throat.  The current variants often start out with a strong sore throat and propolis is antimicrobial (including antiviral), anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-oxidative, and has anti-cancer properties.  Studies have shown it to be effective in preventing and treating Covid-19.  Combined with the Xlear nasal spray, you get a really good physical barrier to viruses taking hold.
  • CoQ10: for fatigue.  CoQ10 supports cellular energy, reduces inflammation, has a positive effect on the circulatory system and lowers blood pressure.  So many people experience fatigue with Covid-19, even if their symptoms are mild, and lots of patients notice changes in their circulatory system so CoQ10 is good to have on hand.
  • L-Arginine & Glutathione: for respiratory symptoms.  L-Arginine is an amino acid that is used to reduce asthma, increase blood oxygen saturation, and support cardiovascular and immune system health. Glutathione is an anti-oxidant that supports cellular function throughout the body, especially the liver, lungs, brain, heart, and eyes.  If you are prone to respiratory imbalances, or you just want to be ready to support your respiratory system, they are good to have on hand.

Something that’s not visible on the handout is that we have updated our Chinese herbal recommendations for when people get sick.  The current variants most often start with a bad sore throat, then horrible sinus headache and annoying post nasal drip, and for some people is goes to their lungs.   So we’ve got herbs dialed in to treat all that.  We also have herbs for a variety of post-Covid lingering symptoms.  Those vary a lot so we have lots of options.

You can find the link for the Golden Window For Treating Viruses handout here: https://thrive-acupuncture.com/the-golden-window-for-treating-viruses/.  Take a look and let us know if you want help creating a plan that will work for you. 

Back to School Schedules Get Us Back on Track!Back to school effects all our schedules: traffic, busy times at the grocery store, etc.  Travel and activities wind down for those of us without kids in Late Summer and we get back to more of a routine as well.  And now that the kids have a routine the superhero parents can actually make some time for themselves.  Yup, summer vacation is fun and its own kind of self-care, but lots of people are relieved to have a predictable schedule.  It’s common to reconnect with taking care of ourselves: get back on track with healthy eating, return to exercising regularly, and make more appointments for ourselves for relaxation, beauty, and health.

Are you ready to make some more time for you?  Come on in for a tune up for your immune system, stress reduction, pain relief, digestion support, hormone balancing, or a general wellness tune up.  Take a look at our online booking system (or reach out by phone or email) and find a time for you.  Because when we take care of ourselves and fill up with wellbeing and peace of mind then we can get back to being the superhero for ourselves and those around us.

Fun Facts About Jasmin Jones, LAc???? Jasmin joined our practice 2 months ago and some of you are still getting to know her.  Now that I’ve told you about some of her accomplishments and where she moved here from, I thought I would share some other fun facts.  Jasmin loves animals of all kinds and has a rambunctious cat at home.  You might have gathered that she loves to travel since she was an acupuncturist in Nepal and on a cruise ship in Europe, but you probably didn’t know that she loves learning about new cultures through their cuisine and art.  

Here’s what one of her patients had to say about her:

“I was lucky enough to find Jasmin when I really needed help. Through weekly treatments I have been able to let go of anxiety and fear. Symptoms from menopause have lessened. Shoulder pain and other small aches have disappeared. My overall health and happiness has increased. Jasmin has a gentle healing hand that is helping me become healthy. ~B Manifern

And if you haven’t checked it out already, there’s more info in her bio on our website.

Thrive Will Be Open When Christina Is On VacationChristina will be out on vacation from Aug 31-Sept 11.  The great news is that now that we’ve expanded and have 2 acupuncturists on the team, Thrive will still be here for you. 

Jasmin will be treating patients.  If you haven’t seen Jasmin yet, let me reassure you that we’ve already been sharing patients and they are enjoying it.  Patients can get a treatment when it fits best in their schedule, they can get a different set of eyes on their health, and they can experience a different person doing acupuncture, all without having to start all over rehashing their whole health history and paying for a new patient appointment at a new clinic.  Jasmin is new to us, but she is not new to acupuncture.  She has been practicing acupuncture since 2008, just a year after Christina started practicing. 

And if you are a patient of Christina’s and need an herb refill, Jules and Jasmin can take care of that too.

If you need anything get in touch and you will be in good hands.

Here’s to enjoying the late summer transition!
Christina and Team Thrive

Posted in acupuncture, Chinese herbs and supplements, Immune Boosting / Immunity, Recommended Products, Respiratory Health, Seasonal Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Summer Aches and Pains

Harmonizing Summer Fire Activities – A Body Mind Experiment

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

How’s your summer going? 

If it’s anything like mine, and so many people that we talk to, you’ve gotten back in the swing of some of your favorite summer activities.  I’ve been mountain biking and hiking, sometimes both in one day!  And I also started kayaking.  And boy am I sore — legs, arms, you name it.   Hello muscles I haven’t used in a while!

As you know, we hired an acupuncture associate (more on Jasmin below) and she joined our practice a few weeks ago.  Leading up to that I was working extra (running a hiring process and getting ready for Jasmin to start) and barely exercising.  That’s how it goes sometimes.  There are times you are going to work more and exercise less.  It’s just part of the ebb and flow of life.  I always encourage aiming for harmony in life–things are not always going to balance evenly–and listening to how you can partner with life. 

So a few weeks ago while I was working on the weekend, I suddenly knew it was time to get back on the  bike.  I was tired from all that I was doing and yet I suddenly said to myself “I’m packing up at 5 and going riding.”  When I started the ride I was dragging a bit, but not surprisingly when I ended the ride I had more energy.  I was smart enough to go for a short ride and the next day I was glad.  My muscles and my butt thanked me — hello bike seat!

Invigorated from my biking, I decided to do some hiking with friends too.  And then I got motivated to get out in our new kayak with my husband.  Hello more muscles I haven’t used lately!  

This kind of burst of activity is common in summer.  We tend to think it’s because there is better weather, but Chinese Medicine thinks it’s also because the fire element of summer is moving us into action and increasing our enjoyment of socializing.  We are microcosms of the macrocosm after all.  

But if you’re anything like me you need to take care to harmonize the summer fire coming through you so you don’t end up in pain, dehydrated, and exhausted.  I want to be able to keep biking AND be able to work.  Since I use my body at work I can’t let myself get run down–no one wants to see an acupuncturist who’s arms feel heavy and sore.  Here’s what I do to keep myself enjoying summer.  With these self care tools on board I’ve been able to keep working with ease and riding after work and on the weekends:

  1. Acupuncture for Aches, Pains, Injuries: It’s probably no surprise that acupuncture is my go-to recovery strategy so I can keep doing all my favorite activities.  Acupuncture is great at reducing inflammation, swelling, and pain from using your body in new ways or pushing it to new levels.  Acupuncture is also great at treating more acute injuries like sprains, strains, and bruises–we’ve been treating several of those in summer warriors lately.  Most people get fast relief from acute pain and injuries in 1-3 treatments.  If it’s a flare up of something more chronic it may take a series of treatments over a couple of weeks.  Either way I’m sure you’ll get back to doing what you love faster and with more ease with acupuncture on your side.
  2. Quick Relief With Creams, Liniments, Patches:  I have a natural first aid kit to treat any aches and pains fast.  Because I need to use my body at work, I can’t let my body slow me down.  I use Evil Bone Water Liniment for bones and joints, Rapid Pain Relief Balm for muscles, and Herbal Pain Patches for stubborn pains.  And we just got some of the original Traumeel in case you need something that doesn’t smell like herbs.  If you want to add some Chinese Medicine extra punch to your topicals for pain relief, apply some heat on top.  Chinese Medicine says heat heat heat for moving circulation, clearing out inflammation, and bringing in healing nutrients.  If you like cold do 3 min hot, 20 seconds cold, at least 3 times ending on cold.  This acts like a bike pump and flushes things out really well.
  3. Hydration:  Drinking water is one of the best ways to support your body and all that it does for you.  I recommend you drink between 1/2 your body weight in ounces –PLUS– 80 ounces of water a day.  Because most of us are not drinking natural spring water I recommend adding electrolytes to some of your water each day.  I like to get a plain salt electrolyte that doesn’t have sugar or flavor added, but the best electrolyte is one you are going to drink so find something that’s doable for you.  When I drink electrolytes I sleep better, my muscles feel better, and my head feels more clear.
  4. Magnesium:  It’s a joke among natural healthcare practitioners that if you don’t know what to do, recommend magnesium.  That’s because it’s an essential nutrient for so many functions in our body, it’s depleted by stress, and it’s hard to get enough in our food, so most of us are running around deficient.  Add to that the fact that it’s hard to determine if you are deficient–the usual blood serum magnesium test is not helpful because the bulk of your magnesium doesn’t hang out in your blood.  So Magnesium is one of the only supplements I think most people feel a true benefit from.  You can think of it as the relaxing mineral to calm down anything tight and twitchy–including your mood.  I used it to calm down my spasming calf so I could get back on the bike after a hike.  And I often take it before bed to support good sleep.  For those that find that magnesium is tough on their digestive system there are several forms, and we can help you find one that can work for you.
  5. Relaxation:  Don’t forget to take some time to quiet down and reflect among all the summer fun.  If we truly relax (not the still on your phone multitasking kind of relaxing) it doesn’t take long to start the relaxation response that’s counter to the stress response.  The relaxation response increases blood flow, slows your breathing, relaxes muscles, reduces blood pressure, releases “feel good” chemicals, clears up inflammation, and lets your body do repair work.  A lot of people resist the idea of quieting down so make it fun. Spend some time stretching before you get out of bed, have a cup of tea in your yard in the morning, turn dishwashing into a ritual where you notice the sacred in every day activities, do some even breathing for a few minutes when you get home or stop working if you’re working from home.  I love having a vegetable garden because it’s a great reminder to take a break from the hustle and bustle and appreciate the miracle of nature.

The experiment: So now it’s time to take on some of these ideas like an experiment and see if they help you keep riding the wave of summer fire with more ease and enjoyment. Which ones seem easy, fun, doable for you in the next 2 weeks?  Try them out and see how you feel.

Get in touch if you want some acupuncture for your aches, pains, or other injuries so you can get back in the game.  It’s also one of the best ways I know to quiet down and start the relaxation response for rest and repair.  Existing patients can use our online booking system to make an appointment.  New patients need to reach out by phone or email since we have so much information to share to make your first appointment relaxing.

Get your water bottles lined up and see how many days you can stay well hydrated and how good you feel!

Reach out if you want help finding the best topicals, electrolytes, or magnesium for you.

Let us know how it goes!

Fun Facts About Jasmin Jones, LAcJasmin joined our practice a few weeks ago and the most common question we get about her is where is she from?  Jasmin moved to California from Alaska where she had a private practice for 8 years.  She made her way to Sonoma County after some time in Humboldt (hello more sunshine!) studying for and passing the California Acupuncture Licensing Exam.  She’s traveled all over the world and even practiced acupuncture in Nepal and on a cruise ship in Europe.  She’s been practicing acupuncture since 2008 and Sonoma County is lucky to have her here!

Here’s what one of her patients had to say about her:

“I was considering surgery for an old lingering shoulder injury. I tried acupuncture with Jasmin as one last effort before surgery and it WORKED! I have no more pain, and my shoulder works fine a year later.  Thanks.” ~C Evens

There’s more info in her bio on our website.

Here’s to Summer Fire in Harmony With Relaxation,
Christina and Team Thrive

Posted in acupuncture, Body Experiment, Chinese herbs and supplements, Joint Pain, Painful Injuries, Recommended Products, Seasonal Health | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Welcoming Acupuncturist Jasmin Jones to Thrive!

Posted on June 22, 2022 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Please join us in welcoming acupuncturist Jasmin Jones to the Thrive family!
She’s recently moved to Sonoma County after practicing Acupuncture in Alaska, Nepal, and Europe on cruise ships. She’s full of compassion, humor, and mad acupuncture skills! She’ll be shadowing next week making sure she slides into the culture of Thrive with ease. And she has appointments available starting June 27.

 

If you want to learn more about her, check out her bio here.

And you can see her availability on our online booking system here.

The good news for you is that Jasmin and I will be collaborating so you can make an appointment with either one of us.  That means:

  • You can get in faster for urgent matters: Threw your back out? Just found out you have shingles? Woke up with vertigo? Got in a car accident?  Finally hit the wall with stress?  No problem.  Get in here and get feeling better ASAP!
  • Overall increased availability on our schedule: Find an appointment that fits in your busy schedule because we have more appointments available.  Don’t let your treatment plan get disrupted because your acupuncturist has gone on vacation (yes, we do that????).  
  • New Patients can start treatment faster:  It’s frustrating (on both sides) when someone has finally decided they are ready for acupuncture but we don’t have a new patient appointment for several weeks.  We’ve been limiting the amount of new patient appointments per week because our schedule was so full that if we saw too many new patients, no one would be able to get the appointments they want.  We are just as excited as you are when you are ready to try acupuncture and we’re thrilled you won’t have to wait.
  • You can get a second set of eyes on your case:  Until now if you wanted to get another set of acupuncture eyes on your case you would need to schedule a new patient appointment at another office, which takes more time and costs more money.  Now any time you want, you can book a follow up appointment with either of us if you want to get someone else’s opinion or try acupuncture from someone else.
  • We might suggest you see the other acupuncturist if we feel you should be getting better results:  Thrive has always been focused on you getting better and getting back into your life, but sometimes someone doesn’t respond as quickly to Acupuncture care as expected.  If we think it will be beneficial for you to get another perspective in your treatment to see if that will speed things along for you, we will recommend it.  Thank goodness we all have different perspectives–that’s what makes the symphony that is life.

We’re excited to offer more options for patients.  And if you’ve been around Thrive, you know that we mean it when we say “It’s your body and you get to do whatever you feel is best for you” so you will always get to make your appointments with whomever you want.

Christina has always had a vision of a community of acupuncturists, as well as a community of patients, and she’s excited to see this vision coming to life.  Among her various careers she’s always enjoyed working in teams with colleagues.  She even worked with a team of acupuncturists when she was first out of school. It just makes sense to her for us to share resources and collaborate.  Most acupuncturists are working by themselves in their own practice and it can be difficult to find colleagues to reach out to when you’d like a different perspective or input on a difficult case.  And even if you have someone to reach out to, if you don’t have a shared language it might take more time than it’s worth or not help.  “I’m excited for Jasmin and I to collaborate, discuss difficult cases, inspire each other, and raise each other up!”

Thrive is 10 Years Old!In March of this year Thrive quietly turned 10 years old.  In true Christina fashion, she wasn’t in the mood to celebrate so she decided she would do it later.  After all, every day is a possibility for celebration.  Every moment can be appreciated.  And if you’re not in the mood for celebrating, just wait until you are. ????

Christina started this “celebrate when you feel like it” practice at young age.  Her birthday is January 2nd and she could build a very strong case as to why that is the worst day for a birthday–I don’t even feel like celebrating on January 2!  And while her family always celebrated her birthing on the actual day (her mom’s birthday is December 27 and she knows the drill), Christina would have her birthday party for friends whenever she felt like it.

  • Wanna have a New Year’s Eve party?  Done–it’s also my birthday party.  Wanna have a beach party but you live in Connecticut?  Done–my birthday party will be in August this year.
  • Wanna have a Top Gun birthday party?  Order the DVR and schedule the birthday after its release date.  (Yes, I’m talking about the original version.)

As parents were dropping off their kids they would ask me “When was your actual birthday?”  When I replied “January 2”, and it was August, I could see a look flash across their face–why are we bringing our kid to a party today?  But this did not phase me. I was ready to celebrate.

If I want to convince you why it’s ok that we’re celebrating now, I could tell you that Thrive became a corporation in June so our incorporation birthday is this month.  But that’s not the reason I delayed celebrating.  I was simply happy to be enjoying our new office and being of service while treating lots of patients.  And I was running a hiring process for an acupuncturist to join our team.  And we were still getting the new office settled (does that ever stop?)  I was content being immersed in all that.  I knew at some point I’ll be in the mood to celebrate.  And now I am.????

The main thing I was to celebrate is all of you that have trusted me to give you acupuncture.  I know trying acupuncture for the first time, or going to a new acupuncturist, takes more than going to a new restaurant.  It takes trust and a bit of faith, and I’m grateful that you’d offer me those.

I am still amazed with this medicine and the results I see daily.  It’s so cool when a patient tells me their pain is reduced after a put a few points in.  I love the look of relief on your face when you get up from the table and your digestion feels better.  I smile when you are leaving and I can see how your spirit looks different, calmer but brighter, than when you walked in.  And I still get excited when you share your improvements with me, especially when you have reached a new level of trusting your body’s own healing system and you tell me that you knew what to do to help yourself when something got out of balance.

Thanks for trusting me and allowing me into your lives so I can enjoy the everyday miracles with you.  ????

What We’re Treating in the Clinic–AllergiesThis year seasonal allergy symptoms started late and are still going.  In fact about 2 weeks ago seemed to be the worst.  The best time to treat allergies with acupuncture, herbs, diet, and lifestyle modifications is before allergy season hits full strength, but most people come for treatment when their symptoms are bothering them.  We can still provide symptom relief and get you feeling better fast, and then make a plan for you to come in for prevention next year.

Acupuncture and herbs are great at reducing allergy symptoms (runny nose, itchy watery eyes, scratchy throat, foggy head) and helping you reduce your medications.  There’s also lots of truly effective self care that you can do.  We have all sorts of tools in our tool-belt to share with you.  And we love helping people get their respiratory system back in balance and get their life back!

Established patients can make an appointment at our online booking site.

New patients need to call or email us to set up their first appointment because there is just too much information we need to share with you.

Upcoming Events

It is possible to create more of want you want in the world effortlessly, even now.  By effortless I don’t mean lack of action, I mean less of the niggling noise in our head that makes things feel difficult.  Growing more peaceful does not mean you will sit on the couch eating bon bons all the time.  I don’t know anyone that’s in balance that wants to sit on the couch 24/7; balanced humans want to contribute to the world.  The secret to doing more of want you want with less efforting has to do with understanding your thinking and your connection to spirit.  If you want to explore how to understand your thinking in a way which allows for more ease and resiliency as we navigate a world that is both coming apart and coming back together, please come join us on Tuesdays.
Weekly Virtual Zoom Conversation
Tuesdays 4pm – 5pm PST every week
Hosts: Julie Gleeson, Founder of The Art of Living Inc, and
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc from Thrive Acupuncture and Wellness Corp.
 Click this link to our event page for more info and the link to register.
We’re so confident in how helpful this conversation is that the first month is FREE, so you can come check it out without any pressure.  Click this link to our event page for all the information about the community and the link to register.

 

Celebrating Every Day Miracles! ????
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Posted in acupuncture, Allergies, Facebook Private Group, Respiratory Health, Seasonal Health, Sydney Banks, Three Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Masks Still Required at Thrive

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

We want to remind you that while the universal indoor mask requirements expired in California, masks are still required in Healthcare Settings.

For those that haven’t been reading the details of the guidelines, universal indoor masking is still required in the following locations:

  • Healthcare Settings
  • Public Transportation
  • Congregate facilities
  • K-12 schools and childcare
  • City of Santa Rosa city facilities
  • Businesses and venues that choose to require masks for patrons

Yes we too desire to get back to being able to seeing your smiling faces, but it’s not time yet at Thrive.  We continue to be cautious in our clinic because we treat patients who are immune compromised, undergoing chemotherapy, and otherwise at risk for worse symptoms from C-19. Acupuncture is really helpful for those patients, so we want to be able to welcome them to our office. We also want to stay healthy ourselves so we can keep helping as many people as possible.

Thanks to everyone who has been cancelling their appointment if they feel sick or have been exposed to Covid-19.  Because of your extra efforts, we made it through the first part of the new year with ease and were able to keep helping lots of patients!

Of course if you have any questions about wearing masks or if you should come to your appointment, reach out.  Call us.  Send us an email.  We’re all in this together.

Upcoming Events

It is possible to create more of want you want in the world effortlessly, even now.  By effortless I don’t mean lack of action, I mean less of the niggling noise in our head that makes things feel difficult.  Growing more peaceful does not mean you will sit on the couch eating bon bons all the time.  I don’t know anyone that’s in balance that wants to sit on the couch 24/7; balanced humans want to contribute to the world.  The secret to doing more of want you want with less efforting has to do with understanding your thinking and your connection to spirit.  If you want to explore how to understand your thinking in a way which allows for more ease and resiliency as we navigate a world that is both coming apart and coming back together, please come join us on Tuesdays.
Weekly Virtual Zoom Conversation
Tuesdays 4pm – 5pm PST every week
Hosts: Julie Gleeson, Founder of The Art of Living Inc, and
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc from Thrive Acupuncture and Wellness Corp.
 Click this link to our event page for more info and the link to register.
We’re so confident in how helpful this conversation is that the first month is FREE, so you can come check it out without any pressure.  Click this link to our event page for all the information about the community and the link to register.

 

Stock Up Now On Supplies For Health and Peace of MindDid you know there are herbs and supplements you can take that help you recover from viruses and there is lots of good information about what is helpful to recover from C-19? Given the current transmissibility and level of community spread of C-19, it’s a good idea to stock up now to have things on hand for you and your family to support your recovery if you get sick.  We’re told to stay home and recover and there are things you can do for yourself to aid your recovery.

While I am glad that the current variant has less severe symptoms for most people, I still recommend treating it aggressively because it can go sideways unexpectedly and it’s better to be ahead of it.  Additionally we just don’t know how common Long Covid is with this variant.  Data for the previous variants was showing about 30% of people who got covid, even if the initial symptoms mild, developed long haul symptoms.  There’s good data that shows that supporting the body in recovering from C-19 with herbs and supplements greatly reduces the chances for Long Covid.

All the information about what I recommend to have on hand to prevent and treat viruses is here:https://thrive-acupuncture.com/the-golden-window-for-treating-viruses/On that webpage you will find a handout with recommended supplements and dosages as well as a link to order everything but the Chinese herbs and probiotics that we have in our office.

If you want Chinese herbs (I consider that the cornerstone of virus prevention and treatment) or need help creating a plan that will work for you let us know.

Did You Know We Moved?
Our new location is: 2880 Cleveland Ave, Suite #5, Santa Rosa, CA 95403Take a moment right now to update the address in your phone and make a note with our new address in your next appointment.   We’ve updated google maps and all the other online places we could find, but if you have our old address in your phone or your search history, your phone might take you there instead.

As you can see on the map, we’re just on the other side of the freeway, a short distance from our previous clinic space.  For most people the drive time is same same but different and all the map apps do a good job of navigating you here.  We are just south of the Wells Fargo Bank on Cleveland Ave.  Or a few blocks north of the Staples on Cleveland Ave and 2 driveways north of the Thai market.

 

With smiling eyes,
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Posted in acupuncture, Covid19 screening, Facebook Private Group, Immune Boosting / Immunity, Recommended Products, Respiratory Health, Sanitary protocols | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Happy Lunar New Year! Bring on the Powerful & Graceful Tiger Spirit

Posted on February 2, 2022 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Need a Restart on 2022?How is 2022 going for you? Have you made time for rest and reflection or are you just trying to get through? Do you already wish you had a do-over for your New Year’s Resolutions? If so, you’re in luck. Not only is every moment a chance for a new beginning, February 1 is the start of the Lunar New Year. Because it starts with the second new moon after Winter Solstice, it begins on a different date every year between January 21 and February 20.It’s not part of the Lunar New Year traditions to make resolutions, but Chinese astrology encourages reflection.  Chinese astrology has a lot of symbolism and is used more to explore your inner nature and unconscious instincts.  It’s often used to help reflect on how to navigate your inner life and relationships.

Year of the Water Tiger

The Chinese zodiac has 12 years in its cycle, each one represented by an animal, which interacts with the cycle of the 5 elements – a key concept from Taoism.  2022 is the Year of the Water Tiger, the third animal in the cycle.

Astrologers say that people born in the Year of the Tiger are passionate, strong, and confident.   Tigers are bold, ambitious, independent, and masters of their territory, always defending their boundaries, but they are also honest, creative, love to travel, and have great survival skills.  Tigers are known for their instinct and precision while they lay in wait for just the right moment to make just the right quick moves to capture their prey, but we should not overlook the role that their patience plays in their success. 

In Chinese astrology, the Water Tiger energy is said to bring a lot of activity, momentum, and change.  Last year we we plowed the fields with the Ox and planted the seeds, and now it is time for them to sprout.  In other words it’s an auspicious time to make decisions and take action to bring your visions to life.  The Tiger is yang and full of action and the Water element will balance that out because it is yin, go with the flow, mystical energy, that is accepting of change.  Water Tiger energy is a paradox of confidence and vulnerability, which is where true strength comes from.

Take care to let your ideas blossom uncaged because stagnant blocked tiger energy leads to frustration, aggression, and disagreements.  Tiger energy is a combination of patience and impulse, but it is anchored by integrity.  We can find the balance by tuning into our true nature which keeps us connected to our intuition rather than distracted by the shiny circumstances that could lead us off our path to manifesting what we want more of in the world.  Tiger energy is lucky and uplifting, bringing hope for what is to come.

Commit to Creating the Experience You Want to HaveThe Chinese do not traditionally make New Year’s Resolutions, however they do celebrate the transition from winter to spring. It is a good time to reflect and plant the “new idea seeds” that will sprout in spring. You can start by asking yourself:  How do I make time and space to bring out my best sense of reflection? What is the new direction and experience I want to have?

If you’re having trouble, maybe it’s time to take a lesson from the Tiger. If you’re feeling unsure about the next steps, be still, spend some time in nature, gather information, consider you options, and listen for you inner knowing that will tell you the right time to take quick action.  Ask yourself what vision is it time to take action on?  How can I align myself with my instinct?   Where can I be more patient and where do I want to be more bold?  How can I relax into the unknown that always precedes action?  How can I foster my self confidence and passion while remaining anchored with wisdom and my true nature?

If your intentions and resolutions include improving your health and well-being in 2022, get in touch to schedule an acupuncture appointment for immune boosting, pain relief, stress reduction, or finally tackling that health issue that’s holding you back.  Existing patients can book online: https://thrive-acupuncture.janeapp.com/.  New patients should call since there is so much information we need to gather and share to make your first appointment enjoyable.

If you want to explore how to accomplish more of what you want in 2022, while aligning with you true nature, wisdom, and intuition please join us for our Growing More Peaceful  Even Now zoom calls (info below).

Upcoming Events

It is possible to create more of want you want in the world effortlessly, even now.  By effortless I don’t mean lack of action, I mean less of the niggling noise in our head that makes things feel difficult.  Growing more peaceful does not mean you will sit on the couch eating bon bons all the time.  I don’t know anyone that’s in balance that wants to sit on the couch 24/7; well rested humans want to contribute to the world.  The secret to doing more of want you want with less efforting has to do with understanding your thinking and your connection to spirit.  If you want to explore how to understand your thinking in a way which allows for more ease and resiliency as we adjust to this round of changes, and many more changes that are sure to come our way, please come join us on Tuesdays.
Weekly Virtual Zoom Conversation
Tuesdays 4pm – 5pm PST every week
Hosts: Julie Gleeson, Founder of The Art of Living Inc, and
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc from Thrive Acupuncture and Wellness Corp.
 Click this link to our event page for more info and the link to register.
We’re so confident in how helpful this conversation is that the first month is FREE, so you can come check it out without any pressure.  Click this link to our event page for all the information about the community and the link to register.

 

Stock Up Now On Supplies For Health and Peace of MindDid you know there are herbs and supplements you can take that help you recover from viruses and there is lots of good information about what is helpful to recover from C-19? Given the current transmissibility and level of community spread of C-19, it’s a good idea to stock up now to have things on hand for you and your family to support your recovery if you get sick.  We’re told to stay home and recover and there are things you can do for yourself to aid your recovery.

While I am glad that the current variant has less severe symptoms for most people, I still recommend treating it aggressively because it can go sideways unexpectedly and it’s better to be ahead of it.  Additionally we just don’t know how common Long Covid is with this variant.  Data for the previous variants was showing about 30% of people who got covid, even if the initial symptoms mild, developed long haul symptoms.  There’s good data that shows that supporting the body in recovering from C-19 with herbs and supplements greatly reduces the chances for Long Covid.

All the information about what I recommend to have on hand to prevent and treat viruses is here:https://thrive-acupuncture.com/the-golden-window-for-treating-viruses/
On that webpage you will find a handout with recommended supplements and dosages as well as a link to order everything but the Chinese herbs and probiotics that we have in our office.

If you want Chinese herbs (I consider that the cornerstone of virus prevention and treatment) or need help creating a plan that will work for you let us know.

Did You Know We Moved?
Our new location is: 2880 Cleveland Ave, Suite #5, Santa Rosa, CA 95403Take a moment right now to update the address in your phone and make a note with our new address in your next appointment.   We’ve updated google maps and all the other online places we could find, but if you have our old address in your phone or your search history, your phone might take you there instead.

As you can see on the map, we’re just on the other side of the freeway, a short distance from our previous clinic space.  For most people the drive time is same same but different and all the map apps do a good job of navigating you here.  We are just south of the Wells Fargo Bank on Cleveland Ave.  Or a few blocks north of the Staples on Cleveland Ave and 2 driveways north of the Thai market.

Gong Xi Fa Cai (Happy New Year)!
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Posted in acupuncture, Chinese herbs and supplements, Events, Facebook Private Group, Immune Boosting / Immunity, Mental Health, Respiratory Health, Seasonal Health, Three Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment