I am pretty sure that, if you will be quite honest, you will admit that a good rousing sneeze, one that tears open your collar and throws your hair into your eyes, is really one of life’s sensational pleasures. ~Robert Benchley, “Hiccoughing Makes Us Fat,” No Poems: or around the world backwards and sideways, 1932

For anyone currently undergoing IVF, check out this link:

http://www.mdlinx.com/obstetrics-gynecology/news-article.cfm/3903214/fertilization-in-vitro

Yes, acupuncture is good for your heart’s health. Want to know more? Call the office!

Recently, I was reminiscing about my teacher Dr. Cao. There are many reasons to love and admire him but one day he said something that made me admire him just a smidge more. He told a group of us that America was perfectly situated halfway between the East and the West (Asia and Europe) and therefore received (and made use of) the ideas of both. I LOVED this observation for all sorts of reasons! One result of this phenomenon that most often sticks in my mind is how it positively impacts Americans and the variety of health care they can choose.

As acupuncturists we are selling a service: the traditional Asian medicine idea and way of health care/ good health maintenance. Where does this idea/way come from? And why does it often differ from what Western, allopathic medicine “sells”?

Both medicines are the on-going results of two very different “thinking systems”. It is often said that Western medicine’s thinking system is based upon the philosophy of Rene Descartes. In this system the body is viewed mechanically: a human is like a car. Just as there are different parts in a car, there are different parts to the human body therefore different kinds of doctors treat the different systems. For example, a psychologist addresses the mind part of a person, an oncologist is concerned if there is cancer in the body and so on. Divide, specify and specialize are the wonderful tools of Western medicine. In contrast, Eastern medicine, in this case traditional Asian medicine, takes on the endless fascinating puzzle of the human condition from the opposite direction: all things in the body are connected and so all are treated when one thing is treated. Traditional Asian medicine’s thinking system is based upon Taoism. Taoism sees the body more as a garden where each organism’s good health is dependent upon all the other garden dwellers’ good health. Confusing right? Well, a very practical way of explaining this often comes up in discussions with patients. When something happens to a patient (whatever their chief concern is: a car accident or depression or GI issues to name a few) it can happen to (start in) the physical body or it can be something emotional or both. Once something starts however, it often grows to include other areas.The thinking system of traditional Asian medicine organizes things in such a way that when acupuncturists treat, the treatment addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of a chief concern.

Ultimately, what does this mean for the person purchasing healthcare? Choice! And the best of both worlds! There are times when one or the other type of medicine is a no-brainer choice: if you have a big, bleeding wound don’t see your acupuncturist first. See them after you are stitched up and need help with healing. Conversely, if you have lower back pain consider acupuncture before surgery when appropriate.

Isn’t choice good?

To all my wonderful patients, colleagues, and friends:

Sincere thanks for a great year,
see you in 2012!

Have you ever been given a referral or a prescription, whether from your TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) practitioner or your Western medicine practitioner, that looks like it was written in a secret code? Medical abbreviations are used to increase efficiency but can sometimes be confusing. It’s good to know what your practitioners are recommending to help you. Here is a list of commonly used medical abbreviations to help you decode your prescriptions.

aa- of each
ac- after meals
ad- up to
ad lib- use freely
admov- apply
agit- stir, shake
aq- water
ATC- around the clock

bid- twice daily
BM- bowel movement

cap- capsule
cf- with food
cib- food
comp- compound
crm- cream
CST- continue same treatment

dil- dilute
div- divide

emuls- emulsion
elix- elixir

gtt- drop

h- hour
hs- at bedtime

lin- liniment

opd- once per day

pc- after meals
po- orally
prn- as needed

q- each, every
qid- four times daily
qs- a quantity sufficient

sl- sublingually
sob- shortness of breath
sol- solution
stat- immediately

tab- tablet
tid- three times daily
tinct- tincture

u.d.- as directed

Find yourself having to deal with GERD? Click on the link below to find out what qi gong might be able to do for you-

http://nqa.org/2011/12/positive-effect-of-abdominal-breathing-exercise-on-gastroesophageal-reflux-disease-a-randomized-controlled-study/

Gua sha translates as scraping/scratching to dispel disease. It’s a technique employing a smooth-edged tool such as the water buffalo horn gua sha tools in the picture to the upper right or often a Chinese soup spoon. Gua sha works by applying pressured strokes to oiled or non-oiled skin over acupuncture points, meridians or areas of the body to bring about change.

Ask for it at your next visit!

Insomnia- It’s enough of a problem to keep you awake at night worrying about it!

All kidding aside, the National Sleep Foundation conducted a study in 2002 and found that 58% of adults in the U.S. experienced symptoms of insomnia a few nights a week or more. If you find you are a part of this statistic worry not! There are many things to do to get you to sleep or to help keep you there.

I’m borrowing today’s sleep tip from a yoga pose. It’s a medication free, do anywhere, gentle and effective sleep tonic.

The number one thing to remember is to use caution as you get into, and out of, the pose. As you can see from this post’s picture, it’s a relatively simple pose to take. Find a place where you can scootch your bottom up against a wall. This may be the most difficult part because your legs feel like they are in the way until you can get your bottom right up to the wall. Once there you can then extend your legs upward. The wall supports your legs and the floor supports the rest of your body. The woman in the picture has her hands turned upwards but you can place your hands however they feel comfortable.

Take the time to quiet your inner thoughts while you let gravity do the work. This pose should feel completely comfortable. If it doesn’t, this may not be the right sleep solution for you. Gently lower your legs to one side and move away from the wall.

One to three minutes should be enough for you to feel the difference. With as little effort as possible, transition from the floor to your bed.

Sweet Dreams!

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone in the US had a wonderful Thanksgiving  filled with gratitude and goodness.
As we all know, Thanksgiving  is a good opportunity to eat. So just what beneficial things are you doing for your health when you sit down and eat all those traditional foods? Let’s find out!

Turkey-  a good tonic for your digestive energy

If you have ham instead- ham  produces fluids and quiets rebellious qi

oysters- are a blood tonic

walnuts- lubricate the intestines

chestnuts- circulate blood and can help stop bleeding

figs- are good for the stomach

mandarin oranges- are slightly diuretic, they lubricate the lungs, help relieve coughs and transform phlegm

apples-produce fluids, they also lubricate the lungs, as well as  increase digestion

pears- clear heat and lubricate dryness

persimmons- tonify qi, blood and yin. They quench thirst and lubricate the lungs.

butter- is a yang, qi and blood tonic

whole wheat- a great tonic for your energetic kidneys

squash-circulates the blood, decreases inflammation, helps to relieve pain and is a digestive energy, qi and blood tonic.

asparagus- clears heat and fire, and dries damp to name a few of its benefits.

spinach-  tonifies qi and blood, clears heat

egg- is a good blood tonic

string beans- tonify qi, blood and yin

corn- is a diuretic

peas- descend rebellious qi, act as a diuretic and help promote bowel movements

pepper- helps warm the interior

garlic- circulates qi and blood, warms the middle

cloves- warm the interior

nutmeg-circulates blood and warms the interior

rosemary- is calming and moves blood

carrots- dry dampness

pumpkin- a qi and blood tonic and dries damp

sweet potato- a blood and yin tonic

celery-clears heat, dries damp, calms

Of course this isn’t a complete list but hopefully it gets everyone thinking about the variety of ingredients found in a Thanksgiving meal and how each bite can do good work for you.

And remember, always make good food choices reflecting your unique food/health needs