Chinese Medicine & Self-Care – An interview with Steven Sonmore

For the topic of Self-Care, I invited Steven Sonmore from Complete Oriental Medical Care to visit with us and offer tips for our readers. Steven has been practicing acupuncture for more than 20 years and he helps our community to live healthy lives.

Welcome, Steven! Who better to talk about self-care than you? Why don’t you start by giving us some general tips on self-care?
Steven Sonmore: Sure. People may not always feel sick, but they may not feel quite up to par. True health is much more than just “not feeling sick.” True health means you’re functioning at your optimum level. You have the energy to do your life’s purpose. Your mind is alert, your spirit is calm. Just as your car might need periodic tune-up, your body needs a periodic tune-up. Most people don’t think about health until they get sick.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have always been about wellness care. Wellness care is one of the best investments you can make for your life. It will pay you many positive returns. With wellness care, you can prevent minor issues from turning into major issues. Chinese medicine takes a whole body approach to health. We look at how the body, mind and emotions work together. I believe the state of health must involve the whole self.

Dr. Steven Sonmore

So, it’s about seeing your doctor before something’s wrong…like you would with your car. You wouldn’t wait until your car broke down to take it in. It’s better if you take it in regularly. Are there any general Chinese herbs or multi-vitamins that would be good for people to take?
Sonmore: Chinese medicine is based on individual diagnosis. Chinese medicine is not “one-size-fits-all.” Nutritional supplements are different than herbs. They are vitamins and minerals. Some people think that if you eat properly, you can get all your vitamins and minerals from the food you eat. Today, our soil is so depleted that it’s no longer possible to do that. I only recommend pharmaceutical-grade nutritional supplements. I customize each prescription to the person’s specific health conditions.

How about exercise? Any tips for that?
Sonmore: Exercise moves the blood and lymph. For my patients with back pain, I recommend Qigong, Tai chi and Yoga…something gentle. I prefer Qigong. I like to practice Qigong outside. There’s something’s special about the energy of nature when doing Qigong that makes it more powerful. It balances your energy.

Qigong is an ancient form of self-care that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intention. Qi typically means “the vital life force that flows through all things in the universe.” It’s the same energy I am harnessing and directing with my acupuncture therapy. Gong means accomplishment, or skill that is cultivated through steady practice. Together Qigong (also spelled Qi Gong or Chi Kung) means cultivating energy. It is a system for health maintenance, healing and increasing your vitality.

I also recommend stretching. It takes a muscle at least 30 seconds to fully stretch. I aim for one to two minutes. Stretching is particularly important for any type of pain. As we age, it’s very important to stretch every day. Better yet, morning and evening. If you do that, you feel better during the day and you’ll sleep better.

What about meditation?
Sonmore: There are many types of meditation. Find one that is suitable for you. It is very healthy to relax and settle the mind. I put together a CD that I call “Qigong Meditation.” It has a guided meditation with specifically designed healing music.

Any recommendations for diet?
Sonmore: Proper diet, nutrition and adequate rest are very important. We get our energy from three different sources: the energy we were born with, the air that we breathe and from the food we eat.

Eating regular meals at regular times is best. Eat in a relaxed manner so your body can easily absorb the nutrients. Avoid eating late at night before you go to bed. Traditional Chinese Medicine suggests that people should be eating mostly cooked foods. Cooking makes food more easily digestible, whereas cold and raw foods actually require more energy to digest. Another tip would be to chew thoroughly.

Anything else to consider?
Sonmore: Posture is something many of us neglect. Think of the spine as a conduit. If it’s compromised, the blood cannot get through. My Chinese mother-in-law is a great example of good posture. When she sits in a chair, she never sits against the back rest. She always sits up straight, with her back erect.

Laughter is also important. Laughter can lower your blood pressure, reduce stress and increase endorphin activity. Laughing brings more oxygen to your brain and gives you a different perspective on things.

Copyright © 2010 Amy Putkonen. All Rights Reserved.