My Blog

Treatment for Elderly Seniors

02/07/2012 19:51:00

While generally, geriatric acupuncture in the USA is not as popular as other forms of acupuncture for various reasons, it can be helpful over the long term in some cases. Usually we do a phone consult and/or an economy consult to determine if it can be helpful or if it is possible to fulfill the recommended treatment course. Often, it requires regular, weekly visits and progress is slow. Additionally, medicare does not pay for acupuncture. Some seniors will come for a few visits, and then stop. But if the initial course is not completed, the initial visits will be a waste. While I do not want to be discouraging, because I have helped countless wonderful seniors over the years who enjoyed and benefited from the treatments, I want to be realistic up front. I will not waste your time or money. If you think that you or your elderly loved one may be interested - let's do a free consult first and go from there. Senior discounts are available, however, consideration needs to be given that treatments are generally more lengthy, require advanced experience, and the physician should have meticulous skill with the needles.

Different kinds of therapy available at the Center

02/07/2012 19:49:00

Treatments Available at the Center:

Acupuncture Treatments: Sterile, disposable needles are used to activate communication between DNA cells and stimulate circulation of hormonal messaging within the Bonghan Channels. (see my blog for information on the newly discovered Bonghan or acupuncture Channels) Various kinds of styles and points are selected based on your needs and budgetary freedom.

Pain Relief Acupuncture: The Balance method acupuncture introduced in the USA by Dr. Richard Tan works extremely well for chronic and acute pain. After the initial pain consultation, balance method acupuncture is used to neutralize pain signals in the body & increase circulation in problem areas. A 50% reduction in pain can be expected in your first visit. Our ultimate goal is to get you off any pain medication and get you back to the active lifestyle you enjoy. Discount Packages available. See pricing sheet on web page.

Parasympathetic Retraining Treatments: The ultimate in relaxation, usually done in a series of 4-6 acupuncture treatments because we are training your brain to respond to stress in a more effective, controlled manner. These unique and specialized treatments are designed to activate and secure your body's ability to counteract and recover from stress signals brought about by day to day exposure. Many modern day diseases are caused by being in a constant state of stress. Our bodies forget how to relax. This treatment activates the para-sympathetic nervous system (see my blog) and keeps it working so you can feel more in control and recover from stress quicker. These treatments have been proven to be clinically effective for many types of conditions including: PMS, fertility, PCOS, endometriosis, weight loss, chronic pain, inflammation, arthritis, high blood pressure, migraines, headaches, digestive disorders, IBS, constipation, hyperacidity, insomnia, allergies, skin problems, anxiety, & depression. Packages available. See pricing sheet on web page.

Economy Acupuncture: Sessions designed to introduce the community to the general benefits of acupuncture without incurring a lot of costs or spending a lot of time. For those on tight budgets. Can be useful to generally improve almost any kind of condition. Packages available Sliding scales offered at all times to anyone who wants to see me, but can't afford the economy rates. Please call to discuss.

Natural Fertility Acupuncture For Women: For those attempting to start a family naturally without the assistance of pharmaceutical drugs and hormones. After the full initial consult we determine a plan to improve your chances by fixing the underlying problems associated with infertility - namely endometriosis, PCOS &/or poor egg quality. We determine the course based on what we find. These are very in depth sessions designed to fix problems and get to the root cause of your issues. During the course of therapy, we develop a close bond. Where 2 or 3 are gathered together.........miracles happen. On average women receive 2-6 months of weekly treatments. Some more, some less. It depends on where you are in the process. The first few months are necessary to determine your menstrual pattern, the next few months correct any problems we find. After the initial course of treatments, chances for getting pregnant improve by 30-35%. Not bad! On average, my clients get pregnant during the 4th or 5th month of treatment. I have been specializing in these treatments for over 15 years. Experience matters in these cases. Packages Available. See rate sheet on web page.

IVF/IUI/ART Enhancement for Women: For those working with a local reproductive endocrinologist. Acupuncture has been shown to increase IVF success rates by up to 26%. These once weekly sessions improve egg development and help you feel more relaxed and in control of your cycle. This has been my specialty for 9 years. Consult is free. Packages Available:

All pre IVF/IUI/ or stim sessions = $70

Day of transfer before and after treatment package= $250

(I have practice privileges in most of the RE's offices -

Call for more information about scheduling -

Two weeks notice to general target transfer date required)

Just for Men: Acupuncture has a long, rich history in improving men's strength, health and well being. Recent research proves its effectiveness in improving hormonal levels for conditions like Low T or E.D. It will also correct and greatly improve sperm count, motility and morphology in fertility cases. After the full initial consult, we utilize Chinese herbals, dietary changes and acupuncture therapy to help improve these conditions. Packages Available: See current rate sheet on pricing web page.

5 Element Rebalancing Therapy: Acupuncture became popular in Europe long before Americans discovered its benefits. German and English acupuncture physicians developed traditions and styles of acupuncture for more western type diseases brought about by industrialization and our hectic modern lifestyles. Using ancient body typing and a regime of acupuncture that diminishes excessive influences and supplements deficiencies, certain types of modern diseases can get better and eventually go away. This therapy is a favorite for those suffering from anxiety, depression, insomnia, bi-polar disorders, ADD/ADHD, chronic fatigue and control issues. After the full initial consult, as series of 10 treatments are given to rebalance the limbic system and relieve more mental and emotional kinds of disorders. Packages available. See rate sheet on web page.

Weightloss & Addiction Auricular Therapy: Treatments designed to curb cravings, reduce appetite, help your metabolism run more efficiently, balance the chemicals in your brain and increase your will power by reducing adrenal fatigue. It’s an interesting and effective resolution to those ready for a change in their eating and relaxation habits. Packages Available: See current rate sheet on web page.

Qigong Therapy: This very special healing method is as secret as it is effective. Many people have yet to hear of it's miraculous ability to heal difficult and chronic illnesses. A god send to chronic pain sufferers, cancer prevention, metabolism disorders and chronic depression this life changing treatment is getting ready to be the next big thing. Move over yoga. Qigong is spreading fast. Usually done one session a month. Must apply for acceptance into qigong therapy program. Application & consult free. (sessions last about an hour and a half) 1 session = $125 through March

4 sessions = $100 each

Starving Students: I was there. Free consult and economy treatments $45 each.

Consult for Herbal Therapy without Acupuncture: $45

Herb costs: Varies depending on form we use – herbs are generally less expensive than prescription medication

Herbs forms available: pill, extract tea, raw herb tea, & tincture

Chi Kung or Qigong - It's all about Energy!

02/03/2012 17:35:00

Chi Kung / Qi Gong (chee kong) Therapy

Chi Kung or Qigong literally means "to be skillful with one's energy." With the advent of Quantum Physics and our ability to understand and document the nature of "energy," it is no wonder that forms of medicine based upon energetic theoretical models are gaining wide popularity here in the West. Qigong therapy is the ultimate expression of that trend.

Qigong is a set of meditation and moving exercises that develop your ability to sense and feel energy in and around your body. Initially, we work on releasing tension and patterns of stagnation in your body, then we set about building your energy and learning how to store it. Metaphorically, it is kind of like cutting up your credit cards and starting a savings account -- but not with money - with energy in your body. Qigong can be done by yourself or with another who has cultivated their energy to levels where they can sense and enhance yours. Qigong treatments are very relaxing, energizing and enlightening. Call for more information on how you can experience and learn this wonderful ancient art form. Classes in progress seasonally.

History of Chinese Medicine in the US

02/03/2012 12:20:00

Thanks Richard Nixon & Bill Clinton!!!! (oh boy) Acupuncture goes Mainstream

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine has been gaining popularity in the USA after the famous 1971 trip to China by then Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger. A US reporter, James Reston, who was with Henry Kissinger fell ill with appendicitis and was successfully treated for pain with acupuncture by Chinese doctors. Both Kissinger and then president Nixon became fascinated with acupuncture after that trip. The NY Times reporter published an article about his favorable experience and Kissinger mentioned it in a press conference. Both sparked public interest in the strange "new" form of medicine.

Little by little, people started trying acupuncture out with the Chinese doctors here in the US. Slowly, Americans received training and began to practice acupuncture. Their patients' positive experiences with Chinese medicine caused them to recommend it to friends and family and request its approval with insurance companies. Over time, western trained doctors and nurses noticed more reports of patients receiving "alternative" medical services and the industry grew in leaps and bounds.

Public demand for Chinese Medicine spurred the development of trade school around the nation. Slowly, state legislatures developed practice acts allowing for the regulation and licensing of Chinese Medical practices.

In the 1990's under the Clinton administration - the NIH - (the federal government's National Institute of Health) received federal funding to research effectiveness of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for treatment of many diseases and found it to be very useful. This led to more discussion in medical journals and the release and adoption of the World Health Organizations (WHO) list of conditions that can be helped by Chinese Medicine.

News outlets started reporting the success. Business leaders noticed the industry gains. In 2007 a landmark report by the CDC show that 40% of the population sought treatment by acupuncturists and other alternative practitioners and paid $12 billion out of pocket to do it. The CDC admitted that this trend showed the effectiveness of these therapies. No doctors were referring to alternative medicine. No insurance companies were paying for it. People do not pay out of pocket for medical services that do not work.

Then came the internet and as information about acupuncture became readily accessible, it's popularity exploded. It is the oldest, most widely used form of medicine in history.

More people have been helped by acupuncture & Chinese herbs than any other modality of medicine combined. Whew!

The Skivvy on Chinese Herbs

02/03/2012 12:18:00

Information about Chinese herbology has remained intact and consistently utilized for over 3,000 years. They invented the printing press in the 400's & have been researching and cataloging herbal information since then. The herbalists were elite scholars. They could read and write. Much of the information about European traditional remedies were only known by uneducated midwives who passed knowledge down verbally, only to be killed en mass by the church. That was beneficial. NOT!

So, besides thousands of years of well documented, printed clinical history, what's the big difference between herbs and western drugs?

First of all, Chinese herbs are not molecularly changed or adulterated for patent or profit purposes. Because they remain in their natural molecular state, your body can easily recognized and utilize their healing properties without side effect. These herbs are from nature's intelligence. In Chinese medicine, we believe nature is smarter than man. What nature makes for us is better than what we can make for ourselves. The rebalancing, healing, restoring function inherent in nature is also inherent within us. We have yet to truly understand the long term effects of what molecular modification to our elements and to our environment is doing. But, we've endorsed it for ease and greed. BPA in plastics having an estrogen effect on us and other wildlife is a recent example. Fish genes in your strawberries.

Oh, Boy!

Next, Chinese Medicine has a very sophisticated method of diagnosis. You are visiting me here today because you have a problem. Your doctor has probably named your symptom for you. But, has your doctor told you WHY you have this problem? Do you know what is causing your issue? It is extremely easy to get your doctor to say "I don't know." Just ask him or her why you have a problem. It's almost funny - give it a try. Conversely, good luck trying to get an "I don't know" from your acupuncturist. "I don't know" really isn't an option. Every disease has a cause. We'll be happy to tell you how you got your problem. We'll also be happy to tell you how to get rid of your problem and improve your health and well being.

Because of this ability, there is no guess work in Chinese medicine. Chinese herbs are NOT given for symptoms. Chinese herbs are prescribed to heal the underlying problem causing the unwanted symptoms of illness - unlike medications and western herbs which are only given to relieve or arbitrarily stop symptoms. This difference accounts for the amazing success, effectiveness and lack of side effects when taking Chinese herbs correctly under the supervision of licensed acupuncture physicians.

For example, if you have the symptom of anxiety, most likely you and everyone else with the same symptom of anxiety will be prescribed the same drug to stop your body from producing anxiety like symptoms. You will be diagnosed with "anxiety" although you will not know why you have it, nor will your doctor be able to tell you why you have it. If you stop taking the drug, the symptom of anxiety returns. Since the drug for anxiety, just like the drug for pain relief, or the anti-inflammatory, or the anti-hypertensive only works to stop the symptom, doing nothing to cure the underlying problem that was causing the symptom, you must take the drug forever or just suffer. They gotcha!

On the other hand, if you go to a Chinese herbalist for help with your symptom of anxiety, before you can be prescribed anything, the physician must first determine WHAT is CAUSING your symptom of anxiety. In Chinese medicine, you can feel anxiety for a variety of reasons.

You can have digestive problems that cause anxiety.
You can have metabolism issues that cause anxiety.
You can have a cardiovascular source for your problems.
Even pathogenic factors like excessive heat can cause anxiety.

The herbs you would take for anxiety would be different depending on which of those factors are causing it. So, no two anxiety patients would receive the same prescription herb. We are all individuals; unique and different in our own special ways.

For this reason, Chinese herbs are only supposed to be available by prescription from a licensed acupuncturist or Chinese herbalist. However, many diet and vitamin companies take advantage of lax regulation of herbs and have made them available without prescription. It is very unwise to take Chinese herbs without knowing your CHINESE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS first. If taking the wrong thing, which can easily happen if you are taking herbs based on a symptom, you can make yourself sicker. I've seen many cases where people have messed themselves up with herbs they got online or at health food stores and not even known that it was the herbs that harmed them. They can be dangerous when mixed with prescription drugs and should be taken with caution and respect. Herbs are not always appropriate. Sometimes, it's just best to change your diet or only do acupuncture.

Chinese diagnosis speaks in terms of functioning of the internal organs and whether there is deficiency or stagnation. (For example: Liver Qi Stagnation or Kidney Yin Deficiency.) You must know which internal organ is causing your problems and how - before you take Chinese herbs. It is best to consult a qualified practitioner.

Most importantly, because the Chinese herbs are working to change the way your body functions - you only take herbs for short periods of time, until your functions improve. Then you STOP taking the herbs, because you are better.

(getting better- another novel Chinese medicine concept!!)

I offer several different forms of herbs depending on what best suits your lifestyle and health goals. We have a full line of herbal teapills and capsules, the easiest way to take Chinese herbs.

Additionally, for our OB/GYN patients, we offer raw herbs that are boiled into a tea for drinking and extract formulas which are put in to hot water and taken like a tea. This method allows for individual customization and rapid delivery which is necessary in pregnancy and/or some fertility treatment protocols.

Most of the bottled herbal formulas I prescribe are American manufactured for your peace of mind. The raw herbs are non-sulfured, organic and 1st grade where available.

Please Note: Patients of JCRM, FIRM and Dr. Brown areNOT given herbal therapy while undergoing IVF cycles out ofrespect for their doctor's wishes.

Hate to break it to you. . . you're a part of nature.

02/02/2012 19:43:00

Living close to nature, ancient cultures had a very deep and profound understanding of the laws governing nature. Their lives depended on knowing the cycles or laws of nature. These laws are the re-occurring patterns within nature. In ancient China it was called the "Tao" or "The Way of Nature." (ie.Spring follows Winter, night follows day. . )

If they knew that winter was approaching, ancients would need to move and concern themselves with finding and storing food for the season.

Now if it's cold, we flip a switch and open the fridge. Although more convenient, we've lost sync, not with our I phones, but with the laws of nature within us. We are living beings. The same forces of nature that govern the working of the universe govern us. We are natural. We are not man made.

The moon influences your mood and monthly cycles (yes, guys too) more than you realize. What if you remembered that? What if you could harness the power of nature and use it to improve your lifespan? We've become so busy at manipulating nature and creating our own elements and artificially propping ourselves up for convenience that we've forgotten the obvious. And that's what Chinese medicine does. It puts you back in touch with the power of nature within you so you can work WITH the forces of nature, not against them. Your body is not broken. It's tired and most likely hungry. It's lost touch with its source. Time in nature can heal this. So can a visit to your acupuncturist!

Etiology is ALWAYS known

01/27/2012 16:36:00

We had an ongoing joke during acupuncture college in our Pathology/etiology classes. We took two classes of each, one set of classes for western medicine and another for Chinese medicine. The differences between our understanding of what CAUSES disease is the core difference between these two VERY DIFFERENT forms of medicine. It's the main reason integration of the two has been so difficult.

In our western medical Etiology class, the book we studied from was so thick and fancy with really thin pages, crammed full of big long, difficult to pronounce words. It was quite intimidating. However, we were struck by the overwhelming number of times we read "etiology unknown." To be honest, I was shocked at how very little we know in western medicine about what causes us to be sick. We can name the symptoms. We can develop chemicals that cancel the mechanism of the symptom, but we have very little idea about the causation of disease. Seriously, the overwhelming majority of the time, "etiology unknown" is the answer given in our fancy schmaney medical books.

On the opposite end of the scale, the number one cause of disease listed in Chinese medical etiology was "menal irritation." Every disease we studied - mental irritation, mental irritation, mental irritation. Those words struck me. Not very fancy. Or Latin mind you. But it struck a deep cord of truth that has been proven over and over to me while working with thousands of patients over the last 17 years.

The negative effects of stress on our bodies regulatory systems is just now being researched and "discovered" in the west. When you stress out, whether it's because Jason is chasing you with an ax or your boss just gave you an unrealistic deadline or your 3 year has other plans for your morning, your body's main life promoting mechanisms are shut down. It takes hours and sometimes even days, before your body recovers. That's if you don't get stressed again by something else before that happens. Recovery from stress is further hindered by poor sleep habits and poor nutrition. (your body doesn't have what it needs to recover- and without adequate sleep - it doesn't have time to recover.) The buzzer rings, you pop or crawl out of bed and it all starts over again. It took me years to adopt the "it's just pre school" mentality to trying to get my kids to school on time. I was wrecked every morning trying to get my 2 year old to pre school on time. It just set the whole tone of the day wrong. The stress hormones where pouring out and it never stopped. Then I noticed all the grey hair and the sore low back. My body was saying," Hey - I'm wearing out here. Can we try a little opposite to stress monkey??" Now I have no excuse. I know the key to the universe. But, it takes some skill at doing what you know.

When you stress out, chemicals are released in your brain and adrenals. They spill out into your body causing:

1. Your digestive system to stop. Sluggish digestion. Poor nutrient absorption. Interference in your menstrual cycle, endometriosis, PCOS, constipation, IBS follow depending on your body type.

2. Your breathing becomes rapid and shallow and your heart rate increases so you can run away from Jason. Trouble is, your sitting in your car or at your desk. The diaphragm does not squish your liver to release fresh purified blood into your cardiovascular system. Your blood flow is directed to your arms and legs instead of staying in your torso to nourish your internal organs. The blood stagnates around the liver causing chemical imbalances throughout the body. This causes, PMS, Hyper-acidity, Gas, Bloating, Irritability, metabolism and immune sluggishness. No good.

That's where acupuncture, which stimulates your PARASYMPATHETIC nervous system, comes in super handy. The relaxation response cancels all of the stress triggers and allows your body to recover, heal, nourish and regulate itself. People are yabbering about the trouble with regulation. If it was so bad, your body wouldn't have regulating capabilities. All kinds of trouble comes when the regulators go on vacation.

When I rest on the table with needles, stress relieving endorphins spill forth from my brain. My breathing becomes normal. My heart rate goes down. I can even feel my intestines start to move and work again. My mind becomes clear. The way opens up before me. Afterwards, I find I have the energy and will power to do what I know I should do, but couldn't motivate myself to do before acupuncture. It's amazing. Additionally, through regular treatment, the relaxation brain response becomes stronger and I notice I can maintain patience and control. Handy skill with kids.

While acupuncture can do much more than just counter act stress - considering how much stress we're all under, especially in this fast paced industrialized society - that alone is enough to make acupuncture a vital therapy for survival in the modern world. No kidding. Week after week, year after year, patient after patient tells me they look forward to their stress recovery naps every week. They can't live without them. None of us can. None of us should. Get your stress levels down with a relaxing acupuncture session and see what everyone is raving about. It good stuff.

Besides, we're the only doctors who can tell you WHY you have your symptom. More on in depth Chinese diagnosis later.

Dead Food

01/24/2012 22:43:00

So I'm nutrition 101ing my husband. I only recently realized just because I learned it doesn't mean he did. My ladies always want to get their hubbies healthier and that's the age old question - how do I get him to join me in getting healthier. For years I've done the "here - take these" approach. I'm not very strict at home. It would have to be a drag to be married to someone who's always raising their eyebrow at everything you do. I find when people become aware of something they didn't know before, they're more likely to begin to make gradual changes with that awareness. So saying all that, I had bought a super duper food enzyme for my husband, but really didn't want to add it to the "here - take this" graveyard of supplement bottles. Honestly, it doesn't work long term that way because

1. Change is being instigated upon you which makes it subject to refusal for control purposes and/or

2. The person on the passive receiving end has not engaged the conscious mind to enhance the new habit and

3. Although an initial willingness to ingest something you know nothing about just because your wife says it's good for you, from a man's perspective is just another compromise in a long line of marital compromises eventually leading back to 1.

So, the reason for the 101 class. First of all, it's taken some commitment to change our schedules and endure some hardship to value time together during waking hours with our kids in school. I was happy we got to that point. The sacrifices were worth it. In any event, the lesson today was dead food and enzymes.

To sum it up: Most of the food we consume has been dead a long time. In Chinese Medicine the concept of dead food is very important - so much so that they don't do left overs. The idea is to ingest food that is as close to it's alive state as possible. Recently, you may notice a lot of attention surrounding local, organic food. The more local it is, the more chance it has of containing what the Chinese call "live essence." This would be lettuce just out of the ground. This would be milk just squeezed out of the cow. This would be a cow that was just slaughtered (as appreciatively and as humanely as possible) etc....

When we talk about "processed" food in holistic health circles, we mean food that is prepared in a far away factory, prepared and packaged to have long shelf lives and withstand travel from great distances. Our boxed and bagged food might have been alive at some point, but the LIFE FORCE ENERGY left it a long time ago.

So big deal, right? Yeah, it's a big deal.

Your body is looking for life force energy to sustain and rebuild itself. Your DNA, we are now discovering, contains the intelligence of every ancestor that preceded you. You are a millionth or so copy of the original mother, who we have now proven came from Africa. I love it when science proves the wisdom literatures true. But the relevant part here is that the food while being processed for:

1. Shelf life

2. Visual appeal &

3. Taste sensations hopefully leading to addiction and future sales

(I will post about International House Coffee Creamers in the future- evil bastards)

the nutrients that your body needs are stripped. Synthetically produced nutrients, which your DNA doesn't recognize so readily, are added back into the food so that the manufacturer can have some consciousness about calling it a food "product" on the package. As my 4 year old would say. Ok. Fine.

On of the major kickers here though is that the life force energy in food, which sounds all hookey dookey is really processes that use natural chemicals such as ENZYMES to help in the natural cycle of birth, growth, decay and death. The real food, in its original form still had this intrinsic natural process going on inside it. The processed food squashed, smashed, grated, heated, pasteurized, chemically canceled the vital life force energy out of it so it would fit in the box and keep on a shelf for 5 years. But without the life force energy, what's really the point of eating it - or so they say in Chinese Medicine. Personally, I'm thinking of a little Debbie Snack Cake and thinking, well I'd eat it because it tastes good and makes me happy. (No worries, I haven't had one in over 30 years - but I ate enough of them as a kid to be dead by now!)

The realization after realizing that we eat processed food because:

1. It's convenient

2. we forgot or didn't have time to cook or buy whole food

3. we don't care. We eat for pleasure and comfort

can only be that REALLY we eat because our body needs live force energy to grow and stay alive. When we eat food that is dead, over fakey processed, we fatigue our bodies with a game of Zike. Here's your dinner. Good luck finding what you're looking for. Then comes the bloat. The hyper acidity. The fatigue and the strange hunger that comes after eating. Your body got full after your meal, but it didn't get nourished. Big difference.

So, you say, I can't change all that at once. No, you probably cant. BUT you can, at least:

1. Add in a food enzyme to help your body break down the processed food. Whole, just recently alive food has natural enzymes in it. When you eat dead processed food, the enzymes aren't there. Your body has to release extra acid to break it down. Especially when you swallow it whole because you didn't chew it up enough.

2. Chew your damn food. Your saliva has natural enzymes that break your food down. If you can't afford an enzyme, just chew your food at least 20 times before swallowing. Never thought of that. Go ahead. Count your chews. You'll be shocked. So when whole pieces of food go down in haste - hyper acidity. Now you can be like the moron in the PREVACID commercial and keep on wolfing down the acidic dead food like a zombie OR you can just chew it up with your own saliva for free.

3. Make sure you take naturally sourced Vitamins and Minerals which should have been in your food to begin with but aren't. Naturally sourced is important. That means your body will recognize and accept the nutrient in it's original natural form.

4. Lightly steam your vegetables to activate the natural enzymatic break down process. Help your body. It's spending a tremendous amount of your life force energy trying to make some energy out of the fake dead food we give it.

5. Begin to think about your food as once being a live. Try to get as close to the live part as possible. Be willing, one step at a time to change one processed food a week to something whole, natural, unprocessed, local if possible and as close to it being once alive as possible. Just think about it. The change will come to you if you hold it in your awareness.

6. Begin the switch from regular to organic. One product at a time. From regular to whole grain. The store are making it easier thank goodness. Even Winn Dixie has organic, whole grain options.

Holy moley. Not only did I do 2 blogs in a row. This was like a long one. I'm done. If you have any questions or comments, call or email. Night.

It's all about Maintenance............

01/23/2012 18:14:00

Oh boy. I haven't been good about these. Most of my great blog ideas come in the shower. Too bad I can't blog from there. My clinic and my boys keep me running, but I'm committed to do better in this new year of the dragon! Maybe with him breathing some fire down my back, I'll make the time..........smile.

The past couple of weeks have been hallmarked by an interesting number of clients who are plagued by nagging recurring aches, pains and problems. They will work and get the problem fixed, but after about 4-6 months, the problem comes back. Usually, the body works in cycles. When we get better after our initial course of acupuncture and the lifestyle changes we make, we have a tendency to go back to business as usual.

A common mistake I see with my clients and new clients coming in, is that they did not maintain the changes they made once they got better. We all have a habit of only addressing issues when they become painful. Our whole healthcare system is set up only addressing problems long after they have started.

In Chinese Medicine, the old saying an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I'd change it to say $95 of prevention is much better than $2,000 of cure. No one wants the hassle of appointments and doctor's bills, but staying healthy WHILE you're healthy just rationally makes sense.

We have no problem getting routine maintenance on our cars. Why not our bodies? It's the smartest approach to aging and the problems with healthcare in our country.

So, initially you start here with a course of treatment to solve your problem. Then I release you. You're good to go. BUT, if you don't do anything to maintain what we just did AND if you do not continue the simple lifestyle modifications we worked on during your initial course, it's likely your problem will return at some point. Usually during times of increased stress. Often, I hear patients say, well, it didn't work because the pain came back. But that is not the whole truth. It worked, but you didn't continue to take care of yourself, you went back to your old habits. It should not be a surprise when your body goes out of balance again.

This is why maintenance is so important. So what does maintenance look like to you? Those levels are determined by:

1. your age

2. the type of problem you have

3. how much of the lifestyle modifications you forgot or let go of

4. your genetic tendency

5. stress levels

6. time and budget constraints

On average, once a month massage and seasonal acupuncture along with 70-80% lifestyle modification adherence is all that is necessary. Notice how I did not say 100% lifestyle modification? That's what I love about Chinese Medicine. All things in moderation. Even the good things. Smile.

So, if you are plagued with re-occurring problems, it may be that you have either not fixed the original problem or you fixed it, but didn't maintain it.

If you are not sure what your maintenance schedule should be, feel free to call or email and we'll figure out what will work for you.

There. First blog of the new year. Not so bad. Let's see if I can do another tomorrow..................smile.

Acupuncture Mummies Discovered Around the Globe

06/16/2011 17:26:00

A mummy, named "Otzi the Iceman" was discovered in northern Italy in 1991. He lived over 5,300 years ago and was found to have tattoos along the known acupuncture channels, leading scientists to postulate about a significantly earlier and worldwide use of medicinal practices similar to Chinese medicine.

Here's a picture of one of his tattoos. Scientists found that he had scoliosis through xray imaging. These tattoos are points that would be used to treat back pain. He also had a pouch of herbs known to treat digestive disorders.

You can learn more about "Otzi" and other acupuncture mummies found in South America by clicking below.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96tzi_the_Iceman#Tattoos