How To Live in Harmony With Winter

Shaping your life in the middle of winter is different than the same task would be in summer. We have just entered the year of the Tiger, being a smart cat means knowing when to pounce and when to be still. Winter is a time to be still, so the new beginnings might not be as active or flashy as a Spring or Summer beginning. In winter, the days are shorter with less natural light, and certainly

Try an Acupuncture Facial

Movie star Lucy Liu confessed she avoids facials, peels, plastic surgery or anything with the word “abrasion” in it. Instead, she goes for acupuncture treatments once a month. "It has been a part of my culture and my life for a long time, and it really, really works.”
 

People pump their face with botulism and scour their skin with harsh abrasions to get a smooth glowing look, but acupuncture can provide similar results, with additional health benefits.
 

Acupuncture balances the body and cosmetic appearance is also improved due to an increase of qi and blood flow to the face and décolletage.

Small needles applied to specific points on the face improve fine lines and wrinkles, brightens the skin and increases skin elasticity. Acupuncture can also bring relief from acne, rosacea and puffy eyes. Acupuncture patients can expect visible improvement after the first visit, with ten treatments recommended for lasting results.

If you are interested, I offer reduced rates for programs involving multiple acupuncture sessions, including acupuncture facial treatments. Call (210) 204-2305 for a free consultation.

Acupuncture for Depression During Pregnancy

Reuters Health, The Wall Street Journal. and WebMD all reported that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for depression in pregnant women. As many as 14% of pregnant women are thought to develop a significant depression at some point during their pregnancy say the researchers at Stanford University Medical Center. I know from my own practice that many women are fearful of taking

Easy Suggestions To Improve Your Heart Health

February is the American Heart Association's Heart Health Awareness MonthBy the end of February, everybody has lapsed in all their New Year’s Resolutions, but it is still too early to feel the inspiration of Spring. So here are several easy suggestions that you can implement for heart health.*Drink green tea. It may reduce “bad” cholesterol and boosts “good” cholesterol.*Drink pomegranate juice

What causes your illnesses?

Most of my patients can tell me why they are sick. 

The most commonly stated reasons are ones you can probably guess: family history, lifestyle (diet, smoking, lack of exercise, overweight, alcohol, drugs). Some cite bad luck of the draw. And then there are those we hear about all the time in the media: stress, a fast paced life, sleep deprivation and toxins in the environment.

If all those reasons are valid, then it would be difficult to find a single healthy person. The answer has to be more complicated. 

Acupuncture is pretty clear and to the point: When there is balance, the body is healthy. Where there is imbalance, there is disease. 

Lets put all of it together.

Perhaps, instead of reasons for disease, my patients are actually stating the smoking gun that brought them down. They were in a state of imbalance, so one or more disease potentials were able to cause their illness. Had they been in a more balanced state, they may have remained healthy despite their exposure, or lifestyle or genetics. 

This meshes with the spiritually-minded belief that illness is something we create for ourselves.  We have a say in whether we are sick or healthy due to the mind, body, and spirit connection we possess. The goal then, is not simply to learn how to take care of ourselves physically, but to learn how to live well. 

Just food for thought for today.

Acupuncture for Rheumatoid Arthritis

I am currently treating several people suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis with a combination of electroacupuncture, herbs, and diet. Their pain and swelling have been reduced. Acupuncture releases tight, spasmed, shortened muscles to a more relaxed state. It stimulates the release of natural pain-fighting endorphins and prompts the body to heal. Brain magnetic resonance imaging shows that deep needling of acupuncture points deactivates the part of the brain that deals with our perception of pain.

A double-blind controlled pilot study by Lai-Shan Tam and a team of researchers tested the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (see Complementary Alternative Medicine 7: 35).
The study found that both electroacupuncture and traditional Chinese acupuncture may serve as a valuable adjunct to drug therapy by reducing the number of tender joints in patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis, as compare to sham acupuncture.

Acupuncture treatments, along with diet changes and herbs, can be beneficial for those suffering from this painful condition.

Endometriosis Treatment With Chinese Medicine

Endometriosis is a problem I treat frequently in my Chicago office. Some women are driven in because of the intense pain they experience every month. Others come in because endometriosis has effected their fertility. Happily, Chinese Medicine can be very helpful in treating both the pain and the fertility issues caused by this disorder. The following post from the Portland Acupuncture blog by

Smoking Cessation Program

Now is the time to stop smoking. Acupuncture can help. 

Smoking damages the respiratory system, the heart and circulatory system, and the nervous system. It causes cancers, chronic bronchitis, pneumo-heart syndromes, stomach and duodenal ulcers, and liver cirrhosis. Smoking increases the death rate related with those disorders.

According to acupuncture theory, the poisonous substances in cigarettes cause an imbalance of Yin and Yang. The chemicals in cigarettes cause the dysfunction of Zang-Fu organs and Qi and Blood.

Acupuncture smoking cessation programs can help you quit the smoking habit. It reduces the symptoms of withdraw which can include lower energy, restlessness, belching, reduced taste, heaviness in the chest, anxiety, depression, and lack of sensation. Acupuncture rebalances the Yin and Yang, harmonizes the Zang-Fu, helping you regain a state of health and well-being. 

My program consists of a 5 day period including 3 acupuncture treatments, a herbal tea to be consumed two to three times daily, and a workbook containing dietary guidelines and other exercises to help with the lifestyle change of becoming a non-smoker. Please call for more details (210) 204-2305.

Further Studies on Pain Relief

Twenty three studies of 3,000 women  found that acupuncture may be more effective than drugs or herbal medicines in relieving menstrual cramps.

Researchers from the Oriental Hospital at Kyung Hee University Medical Center wrote, "There is convincing evidence on the effectiveness of using acupuncture to treat pain as it stimulates the production of endorphins and serotonin in the central nervous system.

"Compared with pharmacological treatment or herbal medicine, acupuncture was associated with a significant reduction in pain," they added in their paper  published in the latest issue of the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The U.S. National Institutes of Health has cited acupuncture as a possibly effective way of dealing with menstrual cramps. Menstrual cramps can be accompanied by bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and headache.

About 10 percent of working women call in sick due to menstrual cramps. 

Contact Lisa Schlegel at (210) 204-2305 for more details on how acupuncture can help this and other GYN issues. 

Researchers Say Chinese Herbs Relieve PMS Pain and Reduced It's Reoccurrence

Chinese Herbal Medicine May Help Reduce Menstrual Pain Says Cochrane Collaborationby Cathy Margolin

A study involving nearly 3,500 women in several countries suggests Chinese herbs may be more effective in relieving menstrual cramps than drugs, acupuncture or heat compression.

Australia-based researchers said herbs not only relieved pain, but reduced the recurrence of the condition over three

Acupuncture is effective for chronic pain

 For those with chronic health conditions, acupuncture can provide relief, especially when other options are ineffective or limited. Conventional medicine is turning to acupuncture for help. For example, the following article:

Rush University Medical Center News Release

states, "The lack of options for pain management in children has been reported as one of the most difficult aspects of providing care to pediatric patients.  Research indicates that up to 70 percent of pediatric patients experience pain and those with chronic illnesses often do not have adequate relief or prevention of pain."

"Doctors at Rush University Medical Center are offering pediatric patients diagnosed with chronic illnesses acupuncture therapy to help ease the pain and negative side effects like nausea, fatigue, and vomiting caused by chronic health conditions and intensive treatments."

It is refreshing to see Western medical doctors incorporate acupuncture into their practice. For all in the healing profession, the patient's wellness comes first.

Happy Chinese New Year !

Today is the beginning of the Chinese New Year it is The Year of The Tiger.Happy New Year !

Happy Valentine's Day!

Food to alleviate hot flashes

Those suffering with hot flashes from hormonal imbalances will 

find relief by following these dietary suggestions: 

1. Add  foods that build the yin: wheat germ and its oil (contains lots of Vitamin E which stimulates production of estrogen), mung bean, mung bean sprouts, string bean, seaweed, spirulina, millet, black bean, tofu, kidney
bean, barley, and black sesame seed.

2. Add soy and tofu products, Eat more calcium-rich foods, magnesium-rich foods and foods rich in vitamin E -- like cold-pressed oils, green leafy vegetables, nuts and almonds, as well as plenty of mineral- and fiber-rich foods, like whole grains and fresh vegetables.

3. Avoid these hot flash triggers:

    * alcohol (especially red wine), caffeine (including soft drinks)
    * diet pills
    * spicy food, hot food
    * hot tubs, saunas
    * poor quality meats & dairy products (high protein and fat), excess sugar
    * hot showers, hot beds, hot rooms, hot weather
    * smoking

4. Most important vitamins: E (300 IU 3 times a day at meal times), B-complex, C, A and Calcium. To help absorb calcium, need adequate Magnesium and D.

5. Good Herbs: Aloe vera gel (unless you are often cold or have loose stools), take 2 teaspoons into 1 cup of water 2 or 3 times a day.

6. Some women find a low fat diet is helpful. So, if you are going to cut down or cut out meat, use Royal jelly (100-400 milligrams daily)

7. Drink plenty of water and fresh vegetable juices

Acupuncture treatments are also very helpful, and herbal formulas

are sometimes prescribed. Contact your local acupuncturist for a 

consultation on alleviating this and other symptoms of menopause 

or side effects from medications such as chemotherapy. 

Welcome To The Year Of The Tiger!

Another timely article from acufinder.comHappy Chinese New Year! By: Dr. Maoshing NiWelcome to the year of the Tiger! Each year for close to 20 years I’ve given forecasts about the year based on the ancient Tao system of Five Elements Phase Energetic that predicts the global trends that affect each of us on a personal level. My experience has been that by taking note of the forecasts I am able

Chinese Herbs For Valentine's Day

Acufinder.com has recently posted 2 very timely articles that I will repost this week. If you are looking for something to spice up you Valentine's Day read this article by Dr. Laurie Steelsmith, ND, L.Ac.Chinese Herbal AphrodisiacsFor centuries the Chinese have associated vibrant health and longevity with both abundant kidney Qi and strong libido. In Chinese medicine your kidney Qi and Essence

Dead Bill

I perused the bill pretty quickly and I am sorry it did not pass. One thing I have yet to understand is why chiropractors are considered qualified to practice acupuncture without a license (MDs too, for that matter, but the AAAOM would need a lot more money to challenge the AMA on that one!). This bill was pretty strict on the guidelines for disclosure and medical condition notification which I figured would have appeased any safety concerns in the opposition argument. Good luck to our friends in South Dakota for next round. Hopefully someone (AAAOM, ahemm) will work on a national certification procedure (like RNs, MDs, and DOs) rather than this state-by-state nonsense we have had to deal with for so long.

Acupuncture licensing bill killed by committee

Associated Press - February 9, 2010 10:15 AM ET

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A bill that would have regulated acupuncturists in South Dakota was killed by a legislative committee Tuesday.

The bill would have adopted National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine standards used in 44 other states.

Castlewood Republican Rep. Kristi Noem said the measure would help protect South Dakota's eight practicing acupuncturists and differentiate them from those who have had no education or training.

Committee members said the bill needed more work before moving forward.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Bill 1203P

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Research on Acupuncture and pregnancy depression

Women who are pregnant are just as likely as other women their age to be depressed. According to research, about "10 percent meet the criteria for major depression and almost 20 percent have increased symptoms of depression." Since it is not advisable for pregnant women to take medication, many have turned to acupuncture for relief from their depression.

At the annual meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in Chicago, researchers presented the results of a study. See Acupuncture for pregnancy depression

The following is a quote from the article:

"Schnyer and colleagues conducted an evaluator-blinded randomized trial in which 150 pregnant women who met the criteria of major depressive disorder received either eight weeks of acupuncture specific for depression or one of two active controls -- control acupuncture or massage. Women receiving acupuncture specific for depression experienced a significantly greater decrease in depression severity compared to the controls."

The Basics: What is Acupuncture?

I've been asked to give a description of acupuncture so it will be available for visitors of this blog. The following is from the FAQs on my website: www.acupunturelife.com

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a safe and effective natural therapy that is used to heal illnesses, prevent disease and improve well being. Acupuncture therapies are believed to have originated in China approximately five thousand years ago.

As a traditional medical practice, they encompass several treatment methods. The main method is the use of needles to puncture the skin at very specific locations called Acupuncture points. Secondarily, Moxibustion is the application of heat to acupuncture points and is one of the oldest and most effective forms of oriental therapy. There are two different types of moxibustion: direct and indirect. Both direct and indirect methods create heat by burning moxa, an herb derived from drying the leaves of the mugwort plant. The indirect method involves burning moxa on the tip of the acupuncture needle.

Direct moxibustion is applied by using the fingers to roll a small amount of moxa into the size of a half of a grain of rice. This piece is then placed on the skin at an acupuncture point and burned with incense. The result is an quick, penetrating heat that stimulates the acupuncture point without being uncomfortable for the patient.

Direct moxibustion causes an elevation in blood cell counts, especially white blood cells. This strengthens immunity and is effective in reducing pain and inflammation.

Auricular and laser acupuncture, cupping, and ion pumping cords are examples of some of the many supplementary techniques used in acupuncture. The clinical effectiveness of acupuncture therapies is evidenced by their continued and extensive use in modern China, their spread to other Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, and their more recent arrival in the West where they are weathering the rigorous scrutiny of the Western scientific method and slowly revealing the biological reasons for their effectiveness.

Throughout a long and venerable history, a multitude of acupuncture theories and clinical systems have evolved. In some cases these have retained their original form, and in other cases, they have adapted to the passage of time, transforming under the scrutiny of clinicians and scholars.

At Acupuncture & Natural Healing Therapies, our goal is to provide patients with the most effective techniques, both ancient and modern. If you would like to know more about how acupuncture can benefit your health, please call (210) 204-2305 and schedule a free consultation. 

A healthier living tip you might not know #1

Consider giving up the use of dryer sheets. Most commercial dryer sheets contain Benzyl Acetate, Benzyl Alcohol, Chloroform and Linalool. Some of these are carcinogens, and none are good for the environment.

The fumes alone can cause respiratory irritation, anxiety attacks, nervous system disorders, irritability and burn sensitive skin. Chemical exposure can cause long term effects on your liver, pancreas, or gastrointestinal track. Many people suffer from a "fragrance fog" feeling after exposure to fumes from dryers where dryer sheets are being used. Children are highly susceptible to these chemicals.

There are alternatives: 

1. Wear natural fabrics to avoid static cling or at least wash and dry cottons and synthetic fabrics separately.

2. Make your own dryer sheets using a wash cloth and an environmentally friendly fabric softener. Or, use an eco-friendly fabric softener during the wash cycle.

3. Try reusable, chemical-free dryer sheets  

4. Add vinegar to the wash

5. Do not dry clothes quite completely. The small amount of remaining moisture keeps static cling from getting a foothold. Dry on a rack or clothesline.

6. Try dryer balls. I've ordered Nellie's PVC Free Dryer balls

from Amazon. They should arrive this week. If anyone is interested in my opinion of them once I've tried them for a week or two, let me know in the comments section of this post. 

Thanks for reading!

 

Water Is The Chinese Element Of Winter

As many of you already know, in TCM, different elements are connected to each season. Water is the element of winter. And, as we in Chicago know very well - winter is here! Winter is the season of stillness and rest (think hibernation), during which energy is condensed, conserved, and stored. Similarly, water is a highly concentrated element that contains great potential power awaiting

Unhealthy food cravings, and their healthy antedote

I found the great suggestions for relieving food cravings from a naturopathic medical doctor at naturopathyworks.com/pages/cravings.html. Most of the information makes sense from my training in acupuncture. I've removed reference to meat products and referenced organic products as I normally suggest for my patients. 

If you crave:

Chocolate you need Magnesium  so you should eat  Raw nuts and seeds, legumes, fruits

Sweets you need
1. Chromium so you should eat  Broccoli, grapes, cheese, dried beans 
2. Carbon so you should eat Fresh fruits
3. Phosphorus so you should eat organic eggs and/or dairy, nuts, legumes, grains
4. Sulfur   so you should eat Cranberries, horseradish, cruciferous vegetables, kale, cabbage
5. Tryptophan  so you should eat organic cheese, raisins, sweet potato, spinach

Bread, toast  you need Nitrogen so you should eat High protein foods: nuts, beans, grains such as quinoa

Oily snacks, fatty foods  you need Calcium  so you should eat Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, organic cheese, sesame

Coffee or tea  you need
1. Phosphorous  so you should eat organic eggs and/or dairy, nuts, legumes
2. Sulfur so you should eat organic egg yolks, red peppers, garlic, onion, cruciferous vegetables
3.  NaCl (salt) so you should eat Sea salt, apple cider vinegar (on salad)
4. Iron  so you should eat seaweed, greens, black cherries

Alcohol, recreational drugs  you need
1. Protein   so you should eat organic dairy, nuts, quinoa
2. Avenin  so you should eat Granola, oatmeal
3. Calcium  so you should eat Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, organic cheese, sesame
4. Glutamine  so you should eat Supplement glutamine powder for withdrawal, raw cabbage juice
5. Potassium  so you should eat Sun-dried black olives, potato peel broth, seaweed, bitter greens

Chewing ice  you need   Iron so you should eat seaweed, greens, black cherries

Burned food  you need Carbon so you should eat Fresh fruits

Carbonated drinks you need Calcium  so you should eat Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, organic cheese, sesame

Salty foods  you need   Chloride  so you should eat Raw goat milk, wild caught fish, unrefined sea salt

Acid foods  you need   Magnesium  so you should eat Raw nuts and seeds, legumes, fruits

Liquids rather than solids  you need Flavor water with lemon or lime. You need 8 to 10 glasses per day.

Solids rather than liquids  You have been so dehydrated for so long that you have lost your thirst. Flavor water with lemon or lime. You need 8 to 10 glasses per day.

Cool drinks   you need Manganese so you should eat Walnuts, almonds, pecans, pineapple, blueberries

Pre-menstrual cravings  you need Zinc so you should eat wild caught seafood, leafy vegetables, root vegetables

General overeating you need
1. Silicon so you should eat Nuts, seeds; avoid refined starches
2. Tryptophan so you should eat organic cheese, raisins, sweet potato, spinach
3. Tyrosine so you should eat Vitamin C supplements or orange, green, red fruits and vegetables

Lack of appetite  you need
1. Vitamin B1  so you should eat Nuts, seeds, beans
2. Vitamin B3 so you should eat wild caught tuna, halibut, seeds and legumes
3.  Manganese so you should eat Walnuts, almonds, pecans, pineapple, blueberries
4. Chloride so you should eat Raw goat milk, unrefined sea salt

Tobacco  you need
1. Silicon so you should eat Nuts, seeds; avoid refined starches
 2. Tyrosine so you should eat Vitamin C supplements or orange, green and red fruits and vegetables

Great Chinese Medicine Article on The Huffington Post

The very mainstream and widely read blog recently published "Calming The Shen: A Chinese Medicine Approach To A Good Night's Sleep" by Dr. Patricia Fitzgerald. Here is an excerpt from the article."An approach that can also aid in the quest for a good night's sleep is that of Chinese Medicine. This ancient healing system has offered relief to the sleep challenged for thousands of years. While new