The Many Health Benefits Of Blueberries

I love blueberries! I can eat a whole container in one sitting. So I decided to investigate some of the many health benefits blueberries can offer us. The Worlds Healthiest Foods is a great web site for learning about the health benefits of many popular fruits and vegetables. The information below is excerpted from their site. Check it out...."Blueberries are literally bursting with nutrients and

Use Acupuncture To Treat Running Injuries

I am happy to announce a new guest blogger Amy Chitwood Burslem BA, MAcOM, LAC. Amy has a great blog and occasionally I will be reposting some of her articles here.The Chicago Marathon is soon approaching and acupuncture is wonderful for easing the pain and inflammation that comes from running injuries. In this post Amy talks about the benefits of acupuncture for runners.Acupuncture for Running

The Real Housewives of Atlanta Need Some Balance

Okay folks, it's confession time....I watch and enjoy The Real Housewives of Atlanta on Bravo TV ! The show started me thinking about all the reasons these ladies could benefit from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) because TCM is rooted in the concept of balance, you know, yin and yang , and balance is a belief that is sorely lacking in the ladies’ lives.

Let’s start with the Southern ladies

Boost your immunity and fight off the flu before it fights you!

With concern over the effectiveness and availability of the H1N1 and influenza immunizations, the best treatment to combat these viruses is prevention. Throughout the flu season, September-March, Jing Acupuncture is offering $25 acupuncture sessions designed to help keep you healthy through the fall and winter. It is the perfect introduction for those curious to learn about the benefits of acupuncture and for acupuncture veterans to have a mini-treatment added on to a regular session.

Don't forget to follow these tips:

Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective but can be a bit harsh to the skin. Bath and Body Works has an excellent alcohol-free spray hand sanitizer that I love.

Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.

Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. A fever is a temperature that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Look for signs of a fever if the person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering. Remember, if there is no fever, there is no flu!

Stay home if you have flu or flu like symptoms for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever; this should be determined without the use of fever reducing medications (medications that contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen). This is hard for a lot of people who feel they need to "fight through it," but taking the day off and getting good rest, hydration, and nourishment will not only speed your recovery, but will keep you from spreading your illness to friends, family, and colleges.

New Research: Chinese Herb's Benefit Heart Health

For years, I have touted several herbs for improving heart health, so I am particularly pleased to read the results of a new study showing the benefit of using Chinese Herbal Medicine. The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston suggests that ancient Chinese herbal formulas used primarily for cardiovascular conditions including heart disease work because they enhance the amount of

Acupuncture Reduces Stress And Improves Fertility

The Baltimore Sun ran an article reminding all of us that stress may interfere with couples getting pregnant. 1 in 8 couples experience fertility issues, according to the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth. How Stress WorksIncreasing, research has shown a link between stress and fertility in several ways. One, stress can prevent pregnancy by increasing too many of the

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Acupuncture a Powerful Complementary Therapy for Cancer Patients

By Jack Bleeker
Mesothelioma.comDirector of Content Development/Outreach CoordinationThe 21st Century has been accompanied by great strides in cancer treatment for patients of many different malignancies. Among the many reasons for this progress is the growing popularity of what is known as “integrative” oncology. Integrative oncology is a more comprehensive cancer treatment model that utilizes

Giants Love Acupuncture

Maybe the giants in fairy tales didn’t love acupuncture, but certainly the SF Giants do. I’ve told you about many reports of athletes turning to Chinese Medicine, particularly acupuncture (check out some of my posts about the use of Chinese Medicine at the Olympics). Now, the SF Giants’ team acupuncturist has given an interview to Acupuncture Today (8/09, V10 #8) and it is a good read.Haro

Acupuncture and Cancer

A couple of new studies have appeared concerning the effect of acupuncture treatment on breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and side effects of radiation or chemotherapy treatment. I am happy more of the studies are looking not just at sham acupuncture vs. real acupuncture vs. no acupuncture, but actually looking at the longevity of the therapies used. Here are a couple of abstracts:

Breast Cancer; New breast cancer research from J. Hervik and colleagues discussed

In a prospective, controlled trial, 59 women suffering from hot flashes following breast cancer surgery and adjuvant oestrogen-antagonist treatment (Tamoxifen) were randomized to either 10 weeks of traditional Chinese acupuncture or shamacupuncture (SA). Mean number of hot flashes at day and night were recorded prior to treatment, during the treatment period as well as during the 12 weeks following treatment. A validated health score (Kupperman index) was conducted at baseline, at the end of the treatment period and at 12 weeks following treatment. During the treatment period mean number of hot flashes at day and night was significantly reduced by 50 and almost 60%, respectively from baseline in the acupuncture group, and was further reduced by 30% both at day and night during the next 12 weeks. In the sham acupuncture group a significant reduction of 25% in hot flashes at day was seen during treatment, but was reversed during the following 12 weeks. The researchers concluded: "This treatment effect seems to coincide with a general health improvement measured with the validated Kupperman index."

Hervik and colleagues published the results of their research in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment (Acupuncture for the treatment of hot flashes in breast cancer patients, a randomized, controlled trial. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 2009;116(2):311-316).

Ovarian Cancer; New ovarian cancer research from W.D. Lu and colleagues discussed

A standardized acupuncture protocol was employed with manual and electrostimulation. The frequency of treatment was 2-3 times per week for a total of 10 sessions, starting 1 week before the second cycle of chemotherapy. The setting was two outpatient academic centers for patients with cancer. Twenty-one (21) newly diagnosed and recurrent ovarian cancer patients were the subjects. WBC count, ANC, and plasma granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were assessed weekly. The median leukocyte value in the acupuncture arm at the first day of the third cycle of chemotherapy was significantly higher than in the control arm after adjusting for baseline value (8600 cells/mu L, range: 4800 12,000 versus 4400 cell/mu L, range: 2300-10,000) (p=0.046). The incidence of grade 2-4 leukopenia was less in the acupuncture arm than in the sham arm (30% versus 90%; p=0.02). However, the median leukocyte nadir, neutrophil nadir, and recovering ANC were all higher but not statistically significantly different (p=0.116-0.16), after adjusting for baseline differences. The researchers concluded: "A larger trial is warranted to more definitively determine the efficacy of acupuncture on clinically important outcomes of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.."

Lu and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia in Patients with Gynecologic Malignancies: A Pilot Randomized, Sham-Controlled Clinical Trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2009;15(7):745-753).

Acupuncture As A Treatment For Fibromyalgia Syndrome

From Acufinder.comBy: Diane Joswick, L.Ac., MSOMFibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) affects an estimated 2 percent of the population. Conventional therapies are limited in the success of treating this complex and unexplained condition. Current treatment is largely comprised of prescribing different medications for the varying symptoms in a trial and error approach. Research shows that as many as 90

Wisdom Never Goes Out of Style

Lao Tzu, a sixth century philosopher, is known as the father of Taoism and the author of the “Tao-Te Ching. Tao means ‘the way of all life’, Te means ‘the fit use of life by men’, and Ching mean ‘text’. This ancient Chinese text is the world’s most translated classic after the Bible.

Lao Tzu was not his real name, but an honorific title given to the sage, meaning “Old Master.” I have found

Author (and My Mom : ) Linda Edelstein Ph.D.

I am proud to report that my mother Dr. Linda Edelstein was recently interviewed for akgmag.com check it out!

Author, Linda N. Edelstein Ph.D.

I’m a clinical psychologist, author and professor. I have a private practice in Chicago and Evanston, Illinois, where I work with individuals and couples. My course at Northwestern University is entitled, “Adult Development” and comes from my years of

Chinese Herbs Help Prevent Painful Menstrual Cramps

Many women deal with painful menstrual cramps every month. Chinese Medicine can work wonders when it comes to PMS. Both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can reduce cramping, bloating, and irritability that often accompany a woman's monthly cycle. This article discusses some of the commonly used Chinese herbs for PMS.By Cathy Margolin L.A.c.Jun 1st, 2009Do painful menstrual cramps plague

OT: Husband's Book is Available for Pre-Order!!!

Sometimes I need to discuss life beyond Acupuncture News:

When I met my husband, he had just come back from Iraq and started falling into the PTSD patterns of behavior including lots of eating and drinking to "feed the soul hole." He was one of the most influential military bloggers while he was over there and loved being a solider but when he came back he lost himself.

One of his therapies on the road to recovery was to put the experience in writing. After a few years of trying to find a publisher and hearing "the Iraq market is saturated" or "it isn't political, you have to make it more anti-war/Bush" or "not enough combat and pro-military content," the book is finally going to come out this year in November. I am so proud of this story and his coming out about his experiences with PTSD which will hopefully show that average guys in stressful situations are allowed to ask for help when things fall apart.

Here is some more about the book and the publisher:
hellgatepress.com/display_book.php?id=84

It is defiantly a feel good memoir that provides insight into a soldier's experience sans political ramblings one way or another. So for readers on your Christmas list . . . .

Surgery Patients at Duke Are Benefiting From Acupuncture

Surgery patients at Duke University Medical Center are finding that acupuncture relieves pain after surgery. A reporter from Durham, N.C., did a story describing how doctors from Duke are using acupuncture with anesthesia to speed recovery and reduce discomfort in patients.When Dr. Gan uses acupuncture for surgery, he keeps the needles in place during the surgery, but remove them immediately

The Benefits Of Acupuncture For Cancer Patients

By Timothy CavanaughThose coping with cancer and other forms of disease often look to acupuncture and other alternative therapies to provide relief for pain, stress and anxiety. Practiced as early as the Stone Age, acupuncture has been a source of relief for numerous conditions for thousands of years. The exact way the technique was discovered or developed is not well-understood, but one legend

U Michigan Study; How Acupuncture Affects the Brain’s Ability to Regulate Pain

The University of Michigan Health system has just released the results of a new UM study that showed Chinese acupuncture affects your brain's ability to regulate pain.I’ve written about many Traditional Chinese Medicine studies but this one is particularly important because it was done at a prestigious US university and it attempts to explain how acupuncture works on the cellular level.Using

Migraines & Families: Headache Blog Carnival

Today the blog Somebody Heal Me by Diana Lee is having a headache blog carnival and I'm in it!Check it out Here

Chinese Medicine For Insomnia

Chinese Medicine is not a well known treatment option for insomnia, but it is effective nonetheless. In my Chicago practice, I have great success treating people who suffer from insomnia with acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas. If you have experienced sleeplessness, you know that having chronic sleep problems affects every aspect of your life.I recently came across this article in which a

British Weather Reporter Clare Nasir Credits Acupuncture With Helping Her Conceive

The UK Site The Daily Mail Online recently reported that the GMTV weather presenter Clare Nasir is 5 months pregnant and was looking great as she walked the Red carpet in a tight red dress showing off her baby bump."Clare, who is married to BBC 6 Music DJ Chris Hawkins, is five months pregnant and has called her unborn child a 'miracle baby'.Eight years ago, she suffered debilitating fibroids in

Common Questions About Acupuncture Answered

As an acupuncturist, there are some questions I am often asked. Here they are and here are my answers.Q. What should I expect?A. I will ask you for a detailed history, and will check your tongue and take your pulses. I will decide on whether to treat you with acupuncture, herbs, cupping, moxa or some combination of techniques based on what you have told me. After the treatment, you may want to

Alternative Medicine Is Big Business And Its Use Is On The Rise

Take a look at the latest U.S. News & World Report article on the increased use of alternative care. They have done articles like this in the past. The trend is toward more and more individuals turning to acupuncturists, chiropractors and other alternative medicine specialists.Alternative Medicine a Big Business in U.S.: ReportJul 30, 2009WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Complementary and alternative

Great Quote From Helen Keller

"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit."Helen Keller

Bolstering the Immune System Using Chinese Herbs to Fend Off Swine Flu

I know people are still very concerned about the H1N1 virus (also known as the Swine Flu) and what can be done to help protect them from getting sick. Here are some great ideas from an article by Cathy Margolin L.A.c., originally posted May 4th, 2009.Everyone wants to know what can be done to increase our body's natural resistance to a variety of infections, including the now-emerging swine flu

Why Acupuncture Reduces Pain; A Harvard Study

One question that I am often asked by pleased and surprised patients is, “How does acupuncture work to reduce pain?” I find it easier to provide the explanation in terms of Chinese Medicine but I know that can frustrate people who want to understand its effectiveness in Western terms. Well, we may have a Western answer. A study conducted at Harvard Medical School and reported in Behavioural