May 3rd, 2012 by Julie Shindler-Cohen

When I first heard about Dr. Claudia Welch’s Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life, Ihappy to read a book that marries the practices of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda.  The book was an excellent source of knowledge for the newcomer to any form of Eastern medicine, TCM or Ayurveda.  Dr. Welch begins by explaining the most important concept of yin and yang, which is the foundational principal of TCM.  With this basic knowledge, the rest of the book uses the principals of yin and yang to describe hormonal balance (and imbalances) within the body.  She then continues going through specific hormonal problems that affect women throughout their lifetime, such as osteoporosis and heart disease.   Read the rest of this entry »

April 25th, 2012 by Julie Shindler-Cohen

Acupuncture Healthcare Associates of Michigan is very excited to be particpating in this year’s VegFest!  VegFest will be at the Suburban Collection Showplace on Sunday April 29, 2012 from 11AM-5PM.  Come stop by our booth for the opportunity to try auricular acupuncture and to enter to win a FREE acupuncture session!  Hope to see you there!

Click here for more information on VegFest!

April 9th, 2012 by Julie Silver

The thought of meditation often brings cringes of resistance and images uncomfortably sitting, legs crossed, in a still position for long periods of time.  Most people resist the idea of meditation because they cannot imagine themselves slowing down.

We live in a world that is extremely fast-paced. Most of our daily actions and activity support us in moving even faster. Television, computers, cell phones, text messaging, emails and instant messages overload us with information; keeping us connected to the world 24 hours a day/7 days a week.  Much of the information is challenging  – news of war, earthquakes, crime and scandals become difficult to hear.  We hate it, we fear it – yet we are drawn to and often forced to listen.  Most of us seek peace and harmony. We often feel this is lacking in our lives. We strive to be happy yet few of us attain this.  Individual distress and tensions combine to create stress in society. Meditation can provide the respite one needs. Read the rest of this entry »

April 6th, 2012 by Monica Mae Leibson

Four weeks before I went into labor (with my second), I visited Monica weekly for
acupuncture. My experience of receiving acupuncture in the third
trimester of my pregnancy was relaxing, supportive, nourishing and
beneficial.  For the first time my cervix was finally ripened! It was
even starting to open.  My first delivery was almost 24 hours and after
receiving acupuncture, my second delivery was less than 6 hours. I thank
Monica for her wonderful treatments which I believe helped my body to
prepare for the birth.  Through the use of gentle acupuncture needling
and massage, Monica helped me to fully relax and allow my growing body
to soften and release tensions. My healthy baby and I are grateful for
the care that we received.

-Deirdre S.

Benefits of Pre-Birth Acupuncture (weekly starting at week 36):

Shortens labor:

Research has demonstrated that the mean duration of labor in a group of women giving birth for the first time was reduced from 8 hours & 2 minutes in the control group (70 women) to 6 hours and 36 minutes in the group of women (70) who had received pre-birth acupuncture.

Decreases medical intervention:

Data on 169 women was gathered by 14 midwives as part of their midwifery practice inNew Zealand.  It found that when comparing all caregivers (midwives, general practitioners, and specialists) to those women who received pre-birth acupuncture there was:

~ An overall 35% reduction in the number of inductions (for women having their 1^st baby there was a 43% reduction)

~ A 31% reduction in the epidural rate

~ 32% reduction in cesarean delivery

~ 9% increase in vaginal births

April 3rd, 2012 by Julie Silver

I first started with acupuncture as a patient. I was living in Chicago – in my mid 30′s and I was dealing with a number of physical health issues – nothing too serious – and many that were caused by the stress in my life. I was not “sick”. There really was no need for me to go to the doctor. Why would I anyway? I had great respect for my internist and knew that she was an excellent diagnostician. If there was any test that were needed – I would be there in a heartbeat. However, I also knew that what I was experiencing was considered “normal” by many standards.

I was working in a stressful job – in sales and marketing - overseeing a large geographic area – metropolitan Chicago. Read the rest of this entry »

March 18th, 2012 by Monica Mae Leibson

The postpartum time can be very challenging, from recovering from your birth to not getting enough sleep to having trouble with breastfeeding.  Acupuncture can help.  As an acupuncturist and a birth/postpartum doula, I am happy to talk with women about their specific situation and see if acupuncture may be able to support them.  I also refer out to International Board Certified Lactation Consultants when appropriate.  Please call the office to find out more. 

Monica Mae Leibson, Acupuncturist & Birth/Postpartum Doula

Specializing in the childbearing year

Understanding Breastfeeding and Acupuncture

Acupuncture successfully treats:

• Mastitis
• Insufficient Lactation
• Postpartum Depression
• Persistent Uterine Bleeding
• Afterpains

Breastfeeding and Acupuncture Research Conclusions

1. 1.       “Infants whose mothers received Acupuncture weighed 160.13 grams more on average than those whose mothers received Sham Acupuncture. This effect is marginally significant.  The finding generally confirms that Acupuncture for the mother is effective in increasing infant weight gain.” (27 mothers)
2. 2.       “Data suggests that 3 weeks of acupuncture treatment were more effective than observation alone in maintaining breastfeeding until the third month of the newborns’ lives.” (90 mothers)
3. 3.       “Acupuncture, together with care interventions such as correction of breast feeding position and babies’ attachment to the breast, might be a more expedient and less invasive choice of treatment than the use of medication”.  (205 mothers)

Acupuncture & Breastfeeding Research Citations:

1. 1.          Li, Ke (2003) A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Effect of Acupuncture on Increasing Milk Supply of Lactating Mothers. Coursework Master thesis, Victoria University.
2. 2.        Acupuncture Research by Adrian White.  Published in Acupuncture in Medicine June 2011
3. 3.         “Acupuncture and Inflammatory Symptoms related to Breastfeeding” Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Helsingborg Hospital and Faculty of Social and Life Sciences, Karlstad University in Sweden.  [Journal: Midwifery. 2007 Jun;23(2):184-95. Epub 2006 Oct 18.]

March 1st, 2012 by Julie Shindler-Cohen

In modern day society, people have come to accept various health problems as “normal” occurrences of life.  However many of these disorders, or imbalances, are not “normal” from a traditional Chinese medical standpoint.  Specifically, we commonly see hot flashes and night sweats to be accepted as a rite of passage into menopause.  There is, however, another way! Read the rest of this entry »

February 19th, 2012 by Monica Mae Leibson

Benefits of a Continuous Doula

A 2003 study describing the experiences of nearly 13,000 women has found that women who receive supportive care from a companion (non-hospital and non-partner) throughout labor are more likely than women without such care to avoid cesarean birth & other major medical interventions, and to be satisfied with their birth experience. These women were:

• 28% less likely to use any analgesia or anesthesia
• 41% less likely to give birth with vacuum extraction or forceps
• 26% less likely to give birth by cesarean
• 33% less likely to be dissatisfied with or negatively rate their birth experience

Acupuncture during pregnancy

Research has shown that acupuncture is effective at reducing pelvic pain during pregnancy, reducing morning sickness, and effectively turning a breech baby.  The “pre-birth protocol” (once weekly starting at week 36) has been shown to decrease medical intervention.  In women who received pre-birth acupuncture there was:

• An overall 35% reduction in the number of inductions (for women having their 1^st baby there was a 43% reduction)
• A 31% reduction in the epidural rate
• 32% reduction in cesarean delivery, 9% increase in vaginal births
• Turn breech/posterior babies between 32 and 36 weeks
• Shorter labors (research showed that the mean duration of labor in a group of women giving birth for the first time was reduced by 1 hour and 26 minutes.)
• Natural Inductions – Acupuncture can stimulate labor for a woman who is past her due date.  It takes 3-60 hours after acupuncture to initiate contractions and atleast 2 treatments are recommended.

January 18th, 2012 by Julie Shindler-Cohen

The value of sleep is severely underestimated in today’s culture.  Many people come to accept the fact that getting less than 8 hours of sleep per night is adequate for proper functioning.  Long term sleep deprivation, however, may be the beginning of a long and slow decline in health.  Sleep allows the body to restore and heal itself.  When people are not getting enough time to “recharge their batteries”, this is when bodily functions may start going haywire.  For many people, finding time to sleep is not the problem, but rather the ability to fall and stay asleep is what is keeping people awake.  Read the rest of this entry »

January 16th, 2012 by Monica Mae Leibson