Several health conditions respond beautifully to Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.  Currently, the World Health Organization recognizes Acupuncture as an effective treatment options in these common health conditions:

• Upper Respiratory Tract
• Acute sinusitis
• Acute rhinitis
• Common Cold and Flu
• Acute tonsillitis
• Respiratory System
• Acute bronchitis
• Bronchial asthma (Most effective in children and uncomplicated Conditions Treated.)
• Eye Disorders
• Acute conjunctivitis
• Central Retinitis Myopia (in children)
• Cataracts (without complications)
• Mouth Disorders
• Toothache
• Post Extraction Pain
• Gingivitis
• Acute and Chronic Pharyngitis
• Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Spasms of esophagus
• Hiccough
• Gastroptosis
• Acute and Chronic Gastritis
• Gastric Hyperacidity
• Chronic Duodenal Ulcer (pain relief)
• Acute Duodenal Ulcer (without complications)
• Acute and Chronic Colitis
• Acute Bacillary Dysentery
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Paralytic Ileus
• Neurologic and Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Headache and Migraine
• Trigeminal Neuralgias
• Facial Palsy (early stage, i.e., within 3-6 months)
• Pareses Following a Stroke
• Peripheral Neuropathies
• Sequelae of Poliomyelitis (early stage, i.e., within 6 months)
• Meniere’s Disease
• Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction
• Nocturnal Enuresis (bedwetting)
• Intercostal Neuralgia
• Cervicobrachial Syndrome
• Frozen Shoulder
• Tennis Elbow
• Sciatica
• Low Back Pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Back and Knee Pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic Fatigue
• Sports Injuries and Pains
• Reproductive & Gynecological Conditions Treated
• Premenstrual Syndrome
• Dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps)
• Spotting and Excessive Bleeding
• Amenorrhea (Loss of Menstrual Period)
• Impotence
• Infertility
• Incontinence
• Prostatis
• Mental Emotional Problems
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia

If you’re suffering from any of the conditions listed above, the change of getting long-lasting relief with Advanced Denver Acupuncture at Botanica Wellness Sanctuary is very high.  We’re here to provide the best acupuncture therapy for and look forward to meeting you soon!  Call us today at 720.398.2050.

• Ask your friends and loved ones who they’ve gone to.  Did they like their acupuncturist? Did they feel heard by the practitioner and were all of their questions answered? Was the office clean and hygienic?  Also, don’t forget to ask how the acupuncturist’s technique was!

• Read reviews online of acupuncturists in your area.  There are plenty of Denver Acupuncturists so those of you in town will have a wide variety to choose from.   Google and Yelp are great places to start.

• Do a search through the National Certification Commission For Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine’s (NCCAOM) website.  This will provide you with every acupuncturist registered in your area.  You will also be able to verify if their license is current.

• Call around to set up free consultations.  Meet with a few acupuncturists in your area to see who feels like a great match.  You’ll be able to determine a lot in that initial meeting and will probably narrow down your list significantly.

• Try a few sessions out!  Just because you start with one acupuncturist doesn’t mean you can’t make a switch eventually.  See if the practitioner’s needling style works with you and pay attention to how you feel after each session.  You should feel incredible relaxed and grounded.  I like to tell my patients that they should feel like the best version of themselves!

Hopefully these tips will aid you in your journey for the Best Denver Acupuncture Experience! We certainly hope you will consider Debra Kuhn, L. Ac., Dipl., OM, FABORM at Botanica Wellness Sanctuary for your Denver Acupuncture needs!

Serves 2-3 people

1 bunch of kale, removed from stems and chopped

1/2 cup sprouts (broccoli, radish, sunflower, mache)

1/2 cup dandelion greens

1/2 cup mixed baby greens

1/2 cup mixed vegetables such as red pepper, snap peas, jicima

1/2 cup of combined hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds (feel free to add any additional nuts and seeds)

1/4 cup dried tart cherries, make sure sugar free and sulfite free

1 cup of mixed berries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries

Optional to add 1/4 cups chickpeas or 1/4 cup cooked quinoa

Dressing

1/4 cup cold pressed extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

1 packet of Stevia or some raw honey, sweeten to preference

This salad offers a powerful dose of antioxidants, is nutrient dense and is great for liver detoxification.  A great way to cleanse the body and introduce spring! —- Botanica Master Nutrition Therapist Christine Straley

Yes- we offer Swedish, Deep Tissue and Pre-Natal Massage at Botanica. We prefer to call our Pre-Natal Massage the “Mother-To-Be” Massage… we just like the sound of that better!!  But, we also offer massage therapy that you have never seen before. Below are descriptions of our amazing massage techniques starting with the few you’re most familiar with. Beware- you may be drooling before you get to the end of the list!

Swedish Massage - Gentle to medium pressure with long strokes meant to relax and invigorate the body. A great first massage for everyone.

Deep Tissue Massage – Deep pressure used to affect sub-layer of muscle & fascia. Ideal for chronic muscle pain & injury rehabilitation.

Neck, Back & Shoulders -Deep oil massage focusing only on the neck, back & shoulders. Great for those on the go!

Lava Hot Stone Massage – Heated volcanic stones used with massage on deep muscle layers to relax the body & enhance circulation. Amazing all year!

Mother-To-Be Massage – A gentle massage with special cushions. Great for relaxation or aches & pains. Please bring your doctor’s written consent.

Reflexology – Firm & steady pressure applied to the feet to relax & harmonize the body’s energy. Add a 25m Refloxolgy Session to your 60 or 90m massage!

Couples Massage – Indulge with that special someone! Choose from all types except Traditional Thai & 25m Massages.

Balinese Jamu Massage – Botanica’s Signature Massage! A harmonizing East-Meets-West massage combined with acupressure, skin rolling, kneading & percussion. Aromatherapy oils will transport you to Bali and leave you refreshed and renewed.

Traditional Thai Massage – A series of rhythmic stretching, rocking, compression, & massage will leave you deeply relaxed and limber. Loose or yoga clothes are worn.

Samunprai Thai Herbal Therapy Massage – Simply unforgettable. A heated Thai herbal poultice and Lemongrass oil brings deep medicinal heat to the muscles, releasing tension & revitalizing the body & mind. The poultice is yours to keep.

Abhyanga Massage – Translated to “warm oil” massage, this treatment blends Ayurvedic & European technique. Gentle pressure with rhythmic strokes, this massage invigorates & detoxifies the body while calming the mind.

Maya Abdominal Massage – A must for reproductive & digestive issues! Physical & emotional congestion are removed through slow, deep massage of the abdomen & back.  Great monthly during the follicular stage of the cycle or during the stimulation phase of an IVF cycle

Raindrop Therapy – Balance, harmony & alignment are brought to the body as essential oils are dropped on the spine combined with massage. A great choice for weakened constitutions.

Usui Reiki- A lightly touching or “hovering” treatment that straightens & heals the energy pathways, allowing life force to flow freely.

We hope you try a few of our unique massage therapies soon! To help you make your decision, we’re offering a $15 discount for first-time massage clients at Botanica.  So what are you waiting for? Call us at 720.398.2050 to book your amazing Denver Massage today!

• Asking trusted sources for some personal recommendations is always a great start.  If you have some friends who regularly get great massage, ask them where they go and why.  Perhaps the location is ideal for them, or maybe their therapist is just plain amazing.  This will help narrow down your list of possible centers and/or spas.

• Do a Google search of massage centers and spas around you by entering “Denver Massage Therapy” and your zip code.  Don’t forget that great massage is also offered in some medical, chiropractic offices and wellness sanctuaries like Botanica Wellness Sanctuary.

• Read reviews online.  You are looking for the whole package so read what past guests have to say about their Denver Massage experience. Did the center offer a relaxing and soothing massage experience? What it affordable? Do they offer massage discounts and memberships for loyal clients? Are their therapists knowledgeable and do they have great technique?  These are all things to be looking for as you read.

• Call a few massage centers.  Ask them about their therapists’ experience and specialties. Do they have a broad range of technique or do they focus in one area?  Where would the center recommend you park if you get a massage? Does the center have a signature massage they recommend you try? Do they offer discounts for first-time clients and can they tell you a little bit about their overall environment?  If you have any other questions, this is the time to ask the front desk staff.

• Try them out! It’s honestly pretty hard to have a terrible massage.  We suggest you try a center out if you’re curious about it.  Make sure to tell your therapists how the pressure is, so he/she can adjust to your needs. You can also let him/her know if you are chilly; extra blankets are always readily available during a good massage.  Remember, your massage is entirely about you, and therapist wants to make sure you have the best and most therapeutic experience possible.

We certainly hope this helps you find the best massage in Denver.  We also hope you try Botanica Wellness Sanctuary for your ultimate massage therapy experience in Denver!

Botanica Wellness Sanctuary offers some of the best and most unique massage therapy treatments in Denver including our Signature Botanica Balinese Jamu Massage. We have ample free on-street parking, a soothing spa facility in a beautifully restored Victorian, several massage therapists with decades of massage experience behind them and massage availability 6 days per week.

Botanica also offers discounts for first-time clients and great massage memberships for those who love monthly massages.  We look forward to sharing our wonderful center with you and providing you with “The Perfect Massage In Denver!”

Samunprai Thai Massage has roots aging back several hundred years.  This type of massage was only given to royal Thai warriors returning from battle. Its many benefits (and ability to make everyone feel absolutely amazing!) led to its popularity around the world. Still mostly unknown in Denver, we’re excited to offer this unique massage to the Denver Massage Community.

Samunprai Massage begins with eastern style bodywork including acupressure and other forms of “point” work around the body.  It is followed by application of a steamed herbal compress that is pressed and rolled into the muscles to bring deep medicinal heat to those aching, tight and tired areas.  The compress is filled with therapeutic dried herbs such as lemongrass, ginger, galangal, turmeric, lime leaf and camphor.  When you think you just can’t feel any better, we’ll apply lemongrass massage oil and finish each limb with western style long massage strokes.  Afterward, we’ll even give you the herbal compress to use at home in the tub or on a loved one!

Samunprai Thai Massage is a must-do for the massage lover or beginner looking to explore different styles of massage! Call Botanica Wellness Sanctuary to book yours today!

First things first, clean up your diet.  Spring is great time to cleanse and detoxify.  There are several ways to achieve this: juice fasting, raw foods only cleanse or a restricted diet that clears toxins off your plate.  Dark leafy greens and brightly colored fruits and vegetables offer great cleansing properties. Talk with Christine to start your cleanse today!

Other things to look for in your diet to increase your resistance to allergen is to eliminate known food allergens such as soy, gluten, dairy and preservatives. Eat organic and local foods.  When you eat local foods they have been exposed to the local allergens.  When you get allergens in small doses it helps to increase the immune response in a positive way.  Eating local decreases your exposure to pesticides and toxins, which decrease immunity. Organic foods are more nutrient dense as well. Decrease your dairy consumption, diary increases mucus production which decreases absorption of nutrients thus decreasing immune function.

Some supplements that help fight allergens naturally include:

• Butterbur-blocks both histamine and leukotriene, which triggers swelling in the nasal passages
• Quercetin- a natural antihistamine
• Stinging Nettle- natural anti-histamine
• Probiotics-boosts immune health
• Omega 3-anti-inflammatory
• Bromelain-anti-inflammatory helps with swelling and labored breathing. Pineapple is high in bromelain
• Vitamin D-encourages a healthy immune response
• Vitamin C-boots immune system, reduces inflammation
• Vitamin E-reduces inflammation

Other ways to increase immunity is by working out on a regular basis.  Yoga, pilates and walking are great mind body exercises that offer both stress reduction and muscle production.  Keep your immediate environment clean and free of dust. Keep windows closed and have your air ducts cleaned before turning on the air conditioning.

To learn more about how to reduce your seasonal allergies contact Christine, nutritionist at Botanica Wellness Sanctuary.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (called IBS) is a common disorder that causes abdominal cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea and/or constipation.  Fortunately, it does not cause permanent damage to the intestine the way Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis do.  However, it can be incredibly uncomfortable, and the sooner you get it under control, the better your quality of life will be.

Researchers know that IBS is triggered by stress, certain foods, abnormal serotonin levels and hormonal changes.  Avoiding problematic foods and managing your stress levels are the first ways to balance your system again.  Also make sure you’re getting enough fiber in your diet and drinking adequate amounts of water.  Now let’s look at IBS from an Eastern Medical school of thought.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners, such as myself, look at organ systems involved in IBS.  We find the underlying cause of IBS and focus treatment on that while addressing the “branch” symptoms of cramping, gas, etc…  Since stress and hormonal changes affect the liver in eastern medicine, it’s common to start acupuncture and herbal therapy there.  However, the spleen and stomach organ systems are never overlooked when it comes to treating IBS with acupuncture and herbs.  These two organ systems also play a huge role in balancing digestion and the body in general.  And, of course, since Eastern Medicine focuses on the body as a whole, and not separate parts, we look at the functioning of all other organ systems to assure that everything is working smoothly and efficiently.

If you’d like to learn more about how Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine can help heal your IBs, please call our office at 720.398.2050 today.  We look forward to working with you! ———- Botanica Owner and Acupuncturist/Herbalist Debra Kuhn, L. Ac. Dipl. OM, FABORM