NY Times Discusses Acupuncture Benefits

This article from last week's New York Times discusses how many people are finding relief for common health issues using acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. There are also some great tips on making acupuncture work within your budget.

Read the article here.

Great Article about Acupuncture

The Wall Street Journal had a great article about acupuncture this week. Read it here. As a Chinese Medicine practitioner, I appreciate the discussion of the more scientific/Western medicine view of why acupuncture works. As science progresses, there is the ability to monitor the brain activity of people receiving treatment, which helps scientists see how and why acupuncture is so effective in treating a variety of conditions.

Nutrition for Fertility

Randine Lewis wrote a great book called "The Infertility Cure" which discusses the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for conception and a healthy pregnancy. The book is somewhat technical but also provides some great tips on how to prepare your body to conceive.

TCM recognizes food as a main source of energy for the body. Thus, nutrition plays a vital role in a woman's fertility. In particularly, it is important to nourish kidney energy, which is responsible for reproductive functioning. Here are some ways to nourish your kidney energy:

• Avoid ice-cold drinks, especially during menses. Cold has the effect of reducing blood flow, and we want lots of nutrient rich blood flowing to our uteruses!
• Eat lightly steamed veggies, rather than raw. Cooked foods tax our digestion less, so nutrients become more accessible to the body.
• Make the bulk of your diet come from organic plant sources (fruits & veggies).
• Limit caffeine and alcohol (some green tea is fine) which tend to be more toxic to our systems.
• Eliminate nicotine, which can make eggs resist fertilization.
• Avoid unnecessary medications and drugs, including over the counter medicines. Even non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs, like Alleve) can inhibit ovulation and antihistamines and decongestants can dry up cervical mucus, making it more difficult for the sperm to reach the egg.

For more information, check out Dr. Lewis's book, available here.

Repost: NYT Article Linking Stress to Infertility

"The truth is that if you are not in harmony with yourself and your culture, you are stressed," said physician-researcher, Dr. Sara L. Berga in a recent NY Times article highlighting the findings of her research linking stress to infertility. This 'truth' is the very foundation from which traditional Chinese medicine is built. Traditional Chinese medicine aims to restore health by creating a balance within ourselves and an equilibrium with the environment we live in.

Dr. Berga's research looks at how chronic stress alters brain signals to the hypothalamus--one of the four organs, including the pituitary, the ovary and the uterus--responsible for the intricate hormonal dance of fertility. "Chronic stress," she says, "whether emotional or physical, taxes the body."

In addition to treating the particular pattern of disharmony that may prevent a woman from becoming pregnant, acupuncture offers deep relaxation to the uterus as well as to the whole body-mind. By relieving stress and calming the spirit, acupuncture allows endocrine activity to proceed smoothly and effortlessly. And this helps balance the hormones necessary for fertility.

Often during an acupuncture session for fertility, points are specifically chosen to stimulate the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary-uterus axis. If you've ever had one of these treatments, you may notice a needle place on the top of your head, one between your eyebrows, a needle a few inches below your navel and a needle 3 or more inches lateral to this point. These points stimulate the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, the uterus and the ovaries, respectively.

Thus, as the article proposes, getting pregnant naturally may be as simple as, "just relax." To read the New York Times article in full click here.

Women and Foot Pain

Many people, especially women, suffer from foot pain and believe it is normal. Living in a walking city, such as New York, we need to take special care! A recently published study featured in the New York Times, determined that many women make poor shoe choices early in life and suffer with foot pain in later years. The issue is not only confined to the feet, but has also been seen to cause alignment issues in knees, hip, back and even the neck. Unfortunately for the fashionista, high heels not only cause pain, they also cause corns, bunions, hammer toes, shortened calf muscles and ingrown toenails. Ouch!

Improve foot health

• Limit the amount of time you wear high heels. Carry a pair of good quality flats to wear for part of the day, and choose athletic shoes for weekends and downtime.
• Cushion! Take your high heels with thin soles to the shoemaker, and ask for a thin rubber sole cemented to the bottom of the shoe to cushion your foot.
• Pregnancy may cause your feet to grow up to a full size! When shoe shopping, look for thick, supportive soles. Buy shoes that give your toes room to move. Laced, rather than slip on shoes are recommended by podiatrists for the best fit.
• In addition to alignment issues caused by poor shoe choice, I also see a fair bit of orthopedic conditions in the neck, shoulder and hips due to carrying large, heavy handbags on one shoulder.
• Acupuncture can be very effective in treating chronic pain, but prevention is the best medicine. Lighten up the load, limit the high heels and switch to a supportive pair of shoes!

Preventing and Treating the Flu with Herbs

There’s a simple herbal formula that people in China are using to prevent the flu. Read about it here. The formula is made up of very common herbs that I often use with my patients in various combinations to help treat different flus and colds I see. If you are interested, you can come in for a session to see if these are appropriate for you.

Here is the text of the article:

Chinese Herbs Prove Effective In The Cure Of Inlfuenza A (H1N1)

By Vincent Low

BEIJING, July 23 (Bernama)-- Chinese herbs have proved effective in the cure of Influenza A(H1N1) in Ditan Hospital, Beijing where 88 out of 117 patients treated for the disease only on the herbs fully recovered and were discharged.

"From our clinical tests and observation, the traditional method of treatment left no after effects and it is safe, more over the recovery period was shorter and the cost relatively lower as compared to Tamiflu treatment," said Wang Yuguang, spokesman of Ditan Hospital at a special briefing for the media at Ditan Hospital Wednesday afternoon.

He said the advantage of using herbs on these patients was that the doctors could prescribe different combination of herbs according to the individual's health condition.

"Treatment cost per patient using Tamiflu is about RMB56 a day whereas using traditional herbs it cost only around RMB12."

Ditan Hospital first started using traditional medicine in combination with Tamiflu on H1N1 patient from May 15 to June 15, and when the method proved effective, started treating many patients solely on Chinese herbs.

"We have even tested using the method on high risk patients since July 1, and the results proved favourable." said Wang.

However, Wang did not reveal the herbs used to cure the patients.

Ditan Hospital is one of the two hospitals specially designated for H1N1 patients in Beijing since the pandemic started from May in China.

Built in 1946, Ditan Hospital is the highest grade hospital for infectious diseases and comes under the supervision of the Ministry of Health, Beijing Municipal Health Bureau and the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

The hospital had excelled in 2003 and 2004 in the fight against SARS.

Meanwhile, Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital has introduced an Influenza A(H1N1) prevention herbal medicine pack.

The Deputy Director of the hospital, Jin Wei, told a press conference earlier that the herbal pack contained seven little packs of four types of herbs in combination, which were said to be effective in the prevention of H1N1.

"Just dip a small pack of herbs in a teapot of hot water and drink it like tea, or used it as mouthwash, and it helps to prevent people for being infected," said Jin.

She said the pack could even cure mild cases of H1N1. However if patients do not recover after taking the herbs for seven days, they are advised to go to the hospital for further treatment.

The combination of the herbs is as follows: Lonicera Japonica Thund-3 grammes, Isatis Indigodica- 3 gms, Mentha Haplocalyx Brip.-3 gms and Glycyrrhiza Glabra-3 gms. These herbs are available in Chinese herbal medicine shops.

H1N1 Virus: How to Protect Yourself from Swine Flu and Alternatives to the Vaccination

Autumn is here and, with it, cold and flu season. A lot of patients are asking me about the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approach to treating colds and flu, especially with the concern this year about the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus.

Q: What are your thoughts about the flu shot and H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccine?

A: While I can’t make a specific recommendation as to whether you should or should not get the vaccine, please do read up on the safety of the vaccine. The CDC offers answers to FAQs regarding the vaccine here. In my own research I have come across a clinical trial that is currently being conducted, but not scheduled to be completed until April 2010.

A CBS piece summarizes some of the concerns parents have regarding the vaccination here. Parents are particularly hesitant about the safety of such a newly introduced vaccine and the possible inclusion of chemical additives like Themerosol.

If you do choose to get a flu shot this season, acupuncture treatments can help prepare your body for the vaccine and help with any side effects.

Here are some things for you to consider in your decision:

The flu shot and H1N1 vaccine introduce pathogens to your body, essentially to give the body a preview of the bacteria, virus, or toxin it may be exposed to. This allows the body to learn how to defend itself in advance. If the body is ever invaded by that particular pathogen after the vaccine has done its work, your immune system is ready. Some people may experience illness or other side effects from the vaccine itself.

TCM treatments, given before and after a vaccination, strengthen the body to prepare for the pathogens before you receive vaccine and also “release heat” from the body after the vaccine is administered. (Similar treatments are available for infants and young children who are vaccinated against other illnesses.)

Q: How can Acupuncture and Chinese medicine help me avoid or treat colds and flu this season?

A: In TCM, we focus on strengthening the body to increase immunity (how well your body is able to fight off illness). With regular acupuncture treatments, you can strengthen your immune system and decrease your incidences of cold and flu in the coming months. The best time to start treatments to prevent the cold and flu is the season before (early Autumn), which is now!

Acupuncture treatments and herbs can also alleviate symptoms if you do catch a cold or flu. Chances are the treatments you’ve gotten will help your body better fight the illness - it will be more mild and you will get over it more quickly. If you tend to be susceptible to getting multiple colds and flus in the winter, schedule an appointment for acupuncture and herbs today!

Other tips for avoiding and treating colds and flu:

• In Chinese Medicine, we try to avoid "catching a cold or wind." As the air is becoming more crisp and cool, even when the sun is out, wear a scarf to protect your neck from being cold, keep your torso and feet warm and don’t go outdoors with wet hair.

• At the first sign of a cold or flu, rest and get extra sleep. Listen to your body's need for rest and try not to "push through" your illness. Especially this season, stay home to prevent spreading the illness to others.

• Drink warm teas, broths, and eat nutritious whole foods. Eat less processed sugar. If you have phlegm/mucus, avoid dairy products (especially unfermented dairy and citrus). Honey soothes sore throats and helps with coughs.

• Mild exercise is okay; intense exercise will only deplete your immune system further.

• Double dose your probiotics. A healthy gut can help your body fight off a nasty pathogen.

• A simple formula of four Chinese herbs has been shown to be beneficial at warding of swine flu. Come in for an appointment to see if these are appropriate for you.

Repost: The MUST-Have Talk Before Labor

Deb of the Prenatal Yoga Center keeps a blog about pregnancy-related issues. Below is an excerpt of the July 31st entry entitled, "The MUST-Have Talk Before Labor," in which she discusses something rarely considered when preparing for the birth of a child.

Recently I was at a couple’s apartment doing a private childbirth education class. We went through quite a bit of information that covered everything from pain management techniques to understanding the different stages of labor to how the mom’s partner can support her through the variations and complications that might arise during labor and delivery. Near the end of our session, I asked the couple, “How do you work as a couple in highly emotional or uncontrolled situations?” The father-to-be looked at me oddly and said “I think we work well together, but why are you asking?” I think this is one area that is not given much attention, but is really important. I am not trying to say that labor is innately stressful, but it is a departure from normal everyday occurrences, a situation where one part of the couple is going through an intense physical experience.

Read more here.

The Spleen: More Important Than Many Realize

I get many patients who come in for digestive issues and are often surprised to hear that an imbalance involving their spleen is the cause. In Western medicine, the spleen, a so-called "B-List abdominal organ" is rarely discussed. However, a recent study conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical center shows that the spleen plays a bigger role than suspected.

The spleen serves a reservoir for immune cells called monocytes—consider them little cellular repair workers—which it will release into the bloodstream in the event of a serious trauma to the body to help stop the crisis. This finding came as a huge surprise to researchers, who had previously assumed that the origin of these cells was more likely bone marrow.

This just goes to show that we should never underestimate the value of any part of our body—they are all part of a very important whole, and what goes on in one place, however small or insignificant it may seem, can have a huge impact on our physical, mental, and emotional health.

To read more about the spleen, read this article that ran this past Tuesday in the New York Times Science section, called "Finally, the Spleen Gets Some Respect."

Microbes 'R' Us

On July 21st in the New York Times blog, The Wild Side, Olivia Judson wrote about the huge amount of bacteria present in our bodies (about 10 bacterial cells for every human cell) and the ways in which certain ones proliferate depending on the foods we eat.

The "gut bacteria," as she calls them, are particularly important. Located in the digestive tract, they play a key role in the digestive process and immune function. They also make the small molecules needed for our enzymes to work properly and alter which genes get turned on and off in our intestinal walls. Having a wide variety is key to a healthy body.

What we eat has a huge effect on these gut bacteria. A diet rich in sugars and fats reduces their diversity, causing a shift towards bacteria that are most efficient at extracting energy. However, eating more plant foods can help you shift back. Ingesting foods rich in probiotic bacteria can also be beneficial. Try miso soup or foods like yogurt and kefir.

I often see that an overuse of antibiotics also really disrupts the gut because it wipes out these important bacteria. Often, natural treatments such as acupuncture and herbs can alleviate symptoms and boost immunity better than an antibiotic. If you absolutely have to take antibiotics, though, it's a good idea to also take a multi-strain probiotic to help protect the balance.

To read more about how traditional Chinese medicine can help fight illness, visit Five Seasons Healing online.

Moxa for Breech Babies

Below is an instructional video from Acubalance Wellness Center to show a Chinese medicine acupuncture technique called Moxibustion that is used to turn breech babies.

Acupuncture for PTSD

While acupuncture is used to treat a broad range of physical ailments, it can also benefit those suffering from mental and emotional issues such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

In a pilot study at the University of New Mexico, researchers conducted a clinical trial examining the effect of acupuncture on the symptoms of PTSD, including depression, anxiety, and impairment in 73 people who had been diagnosed with the condition. The participants were assigned to receive either acupuncture or group cognitive-behavioral therapy over 12 weeks, or were assigned to a wait-list as part of the control group.

The researchers found that the effect of acupuncture was as effective as the group cognitive-behavioral treatment, and that both were superior to the effect on the control group.

At the end of the program, both treatments were extended for 3 months, and the control group was offered treatment or referral for treatment.

While the results are not conclusive, as the sample group was small, they have paved the way for further studies that may show in greater detail how acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine can alleviate PTSD symptoms.

For information about acupuncture services offered at Five Seasons Healing, click here.

Acupuncture and Exercise bring Relief to PCOS sufferers

According to a new study, exercise and electro-acupuncture treatments can reduce sympathetic nerve activity in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), one of the most common endocrine disorders. PCOS affects about 10% of women of reproductive age and is associated with health issues such as elevated levels of androgens (like testosterone), ovarian cysts, irregular menstrual cycles and infertility.

This finding is especially important, since women with PCOS have elevated sympathetic nerve activity, which can contribute to hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

The study also found that the electro-acupuncture treatments led to more regular menstrual cycles, reduced testosterone levels and reduced waist circumference.

While it may be too soon to say for sure that low-frequency electro-acupuncture and exercise may be an alternative, non-pharmaceutical way to treat PCOS, the results of this study are promising.

Read the full article here, and for more information about how traditional Chinese medicine can benefit women's health, check out the Five Seasons Healing website.

Great Article on Urban Gardening

In this morning's New York Times, there was a great article about urban gardening.

While city dwellers have been growing tomatoes and herbs in little planters for years, there has been a recent increase in home-grown fruits and vegetables.

Though tax incentives have been a motivation for some, but it runs much deeper for many. Paula Crossfield, the managing editor of Civil Eats blog about sustainable agriculture, considers the 400-square-foot garden on her Lower East Side roof to be an extension of her work. “Growing my own food helps me understand better what I write about: how food gets to our table, the difficulties it entails.”

“The bottom line,” she said, “is that I harbor a secret desire to be a farmer, and my way of doing that is to use what I have, which is a roof.”

If you've been thinking about starting a garden, why not do it this summer? With the solstice coming up, there's no bette time.

For more info on what foods are in season, visit Five Seasons Healing online.

Photo courtesy of nytimes.com

Acupuncture on NPR

This morning, a story about acupuncture for chronic back pain appeared on NPR. The piece details one woman's first-time experience with acupuncture and examines a study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, which found that a seven-week course of acupuncture helped many patients ease the pain of chronic lower back pain.

One interesting finding was that when points are stimulated on the body's surface it produces the same results as inserting needles. The reason this happens is that both methods are based on the same chinese medicine meridian system and simply stimulating the points on the channel can illicit a therapeutic response. In fact, in certain types of acupuncture, namely Japanese acupuncture, which is also practiced at Five Seasons Healing, the technique is to either shallowly insert needles or only placed them on the surface of the skin.

You can listen to the story or read the text on NPR's website.

Unbuttoned

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics, breastfeeding rates in the United States have increased significantly within the past two decades, rising from 60% of infants born between 1993 and 1994 being breastfed to 77% of infants born 2005-2006. Human milk is the ideal food for most infants, as it provides infants with anti-bodies that protect against infection in the early postpartum period. Aside from being less expensive than formula feeding, nursing a baby can help a mother get back to her pre-pregnancy weight sooner. Perhaps most importantly, breastfeeding is one of the simplest, most natural ways in which she can bond with her child.

However, people have many different opinions about breastfeeding, both positive and negative. In Unbuttoned (Harvard Common Press), a collection of essays edited by Dana Sullivan and Maureen Connolly, 25 women share their thoughts and feelings about breastfeeding, all from the standpoint of personal experience. Their stories are, by turns, enlightening, entertaining, moving, and thought provoking.

Read more about Unbuttoned here.

Maternity Dept: Baby Food

In its January 19th issue, the New Yorker ran this article by Jill Lepore, who asks, If breast milk is best, why are women bottling their milk? Lepore offers a comprehensive look at breastfeeding through the years.

The Morning Elixir

Most people wake up thirsty in the morning. This is because during sleep, an internal process, dehydration occurs, and upon waking, one requires fluids to satisfy their thirst and bring their energy up to begin the day. While even healthy individuals may be a little thirsty after sleep, if the body is stiff and the mind is groggy, it indicates that the liver has not finished its blood purification process. This may be due to overeating, late eating, consumption of too many animal products, intoxicants such as alcohol or other such factors.

If one arises clear-headed and full of energy, then a small amount of water or herbal tea will do the trick. However, more cleansing fluids should be taken in to purify the system. In Healing With Whole Foods, Paul Pitchford provides a list of such "elixirs" or typical beverages. These are best served slightly warm to add an expansive quality. They should never be served cooler than room temperature.

From Less Cleansing to More Cleansing:

Warming Teas (examples: ginger, fenugreek, cinnamon, star anise, fennel, spearmint)
Vegetable Broth (examples: cabbage, parsley)
Micro-Alga Drink (examples: spirulina, chlorella)
Water (examples: plain or squeezed with lemon)
Vegetable Juice (examples: carrot, celery)
Fruit Juice (examples: apple, prune, grape, orange)
Barley/Wheat-Grass Juice (examples: freshly extracted, or from commercial wheat-or-barley-grass powders)
Wild Micro-Alga Drink (examples: freeze-dried wild blue-green microalga/ Aphanizomenon)
Root Teas (examples: burdock, dandelion, chicory)
Flower Teas (examples: chamomile, red clover blossoms, orange blossoms)

Rethinking Our New Year's Resolutions

At the beginning of a new year, many of us ambitiously vow to improve ourselves. If only just wanting something could make it so...While some people do stick to their New Years Resolutions, many more lose steam or get bogged down with other responsibilities that take precedent over these goals. This article shows how some of the Buddha's most basic messages can be applied to overcome these challenges.

Orgasmic Birth

On Thursday, December 11th, an article about New York-based childbirth educator Debra Pascali-Bonaro's documentary (which airs on January 2 on ABC's 20/20), Orgasmic Birth, appeared in the New York Times. The film asks,What would happen if women were taught to enjoy birth rather than endure it?

While an orgasmic birth may not be for every woman, it's great to see childbirth portrayed in a positive light rather than as a painful medical procedure. Tune in on January 2nd for more.