January 27th, 2010 by Acuhealer
In the western model of medicine, a cold is transmitted from person to person through a virus or bacteria. This leaves us with the feeling that we are always “exposed” and have no means of self defense. In the Traditional Chinese Medicine model, we can do things to prevent and release disease. This is because disease can only manifest in the correct climate. Therefore, if our immune systems are healthy, we will be much less likely to get sick. This explains why some people get colds twice a season while others get colds very rarely.
The immune system is managed by the nervous system. The immune system can be impaired by what’s called Allostatic Load. Allostatis is our body’s ability to maintain balance when under stress. Thus, Allostatic Load is our bodies immune response to stress. When our body ‘fights’ off’ an illness, it creates an acute stress situation. Acute stress actually helps the immune system handle a pathogen by causing immune cells to move out of the bloodstream and into tissues where they are needed. Acute stress actually strengthens our immune system. It is chronic stress that impairs our immune system. Chronic stress comes from overwork, lack of sleep/exercise, poor diet, etc. Acupuncture actually causes acute stress by creating tiny sterile wounds all along the body’s surface. As mentioned, acute stress helps the immune system handle a pathogen by causing immune cells to move out of the bloodstream and into tissues where they are needed. Acupuncture also “resets” the Allostatic Load. After acupuncture, the body is relieved from acute & chronic stress and regains its ability to recognize and respond to pathogens. Read the rest of this entry »
January 27th, 2010 by Acuhealer
Pranayama is a meditation on the breath. Breathing is so simple we often take it for granted, ignoring the power it has to affect body, mind and spirit. Each inhale brings oxygen into the body and each exhale purges the body toxic waste. Breathing is intimately connected to the autonomic nervous system. Its purpose is the relax the body, regulate our nervous system and quiet the mind. Breathing can make us excited or calm, tense or relaxed. It can make our thinking confused or clear.
Pranayama is loosely translated as prana or breath control. The ancient yogis developed many breathing techniques to maximize the benefits of prana. Pranayama is used in yoga as a separate practice to help clear and cleanse the body and mind. It is also used in preparation for meditation to help maximize the benefits of the practice, and focus the mind.
Shanti Shanbom, Holistic Massage Therapist and meditation practitioner, will offer a guided meditation class at Acupuncture Healthcare Associates. Using different styles of pranayama techniques, each class will consist of two twenty minute sittings with discussion on the benefits of pranayama and meditation.
Class dates: September 10th, 17th 24th, October 1st
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Acupuncture Healthcare Associates of Michigan, Inc.
Cost: $40.00 for 4 classes
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January 27th, 2010 by Acuhealer
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.
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January 27th, 2010 by Acuhealer
More and more women are searching beyond modern medicine to an older, more holistic solution to managing their life cycles. Many women instinctively sense that changes in midlife are not a failure of our body, but a significant event that should be honored and valued. Many of the older traditions respect the changes our bodies experience throughout different life cycles. Synthetic Hormones (such as premarin and prempro) as well as bio-identical hormones are controversial. Both are “unnatural” in that they are given to the body at a time when the body would not naturally have such high levels or hormones. Both have long term implications on other areas of our body’s health and well being.
There are many holistic modalities that can assist a women in naturally working with symptoms that may be uncomfortable. Phytoestrogens are natural hormones that are found in more than 300 plants. Lingans, such as flax seed, have a significant impact in providing menopause symptom relief and menopause help, as well, according to ongoing studies. Weaker than human estrogens, phytoestrogens are beneficial in more ways as they attach themselves to the body’s estrogen receptors. If a woman’s estrogen level is low, phytoestrogens increase the body’s level; if it is high, phytoestrogens replace the stronger human estrogen which may have harmful effects. Read the rest of this entry »
January 27th, 2010 by Acuhealer
I recently attended a symposium conducted by the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan. This two day symposium was dedicated to updating physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants as well as a host of integrated medicine practitioners on research and successes of incorporating integrated medicine in primary care. It was very exciting for me to look at the audience and see over 200 medical professional gather together to learn how they can incorporate integrated medicine in their medical practice.
Some of the highlights:
Dr. Robert Ivker of the Ivker Center for Respiratory Healing spoke of the “body as a self healing organism”, He talked of the risk factors and causes of chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. He recommended natural antifungals such as Allicin and Candex for fungal sinusitis treatment and had a myriad of suggestions for treating allergic rhinitis including grape seed extract, Quercetin, Vitamin C and papaya enzymes. He spoke of the importance of diet (reducing dairy) and clean, moist air for healing mucous membranes. Read the rest of this entry »
January 27th, 2010 by Acuhealer
The practice of tai chi promotes the circulation of Qi (life energy/force) within the body. Tai chi developed in China in about the 12th century A.D. Although Tai chi started as self defense practice, it has become widely used for health purposes as well. Tai chi practitioners move their body in a series of movements. These movements make up forms in which each movement flows into the next. There are over 100 possible movements. The simplest style of tai chi uses 13 movements, the more complex could have dozens. Tai Chi is often called meditation in motion. Most forms are gentle and suitable for everyone. During practice, focus is on breathing and movement which creates a state of relaxation and balance.
There are five major styles of tai chi, each named after the family that originated it. There are also a variety of offspring styles as well. Each style shares in their underlying theory and principles, but may offer different approaches to training. It is important to take into consideration, age, health, as well as personal goals when choosing a style. For example, the Sun style is less strenuous than the Chen style and the Yang style promotes peace and tranquility. Read the rest of this entry »
January 27th, 2010 by Acuhealer
Over the last 20 years, we have become more aware of the many challenges couples face in getting pregnant. Individuals are marrying later in age and couples are waiting longer to have children. In addition, Environmental toxins and our own diet can have direct impact on our health and trying to conceive. From a western medical viewpoint, advanced age and ovulatory dysfunction, PCOS, thyroid issues as well as male fertility can all play a part in having difficult conceiving.
There are many ways to take care of our bodies and support a successful pregnancy. During these times, many couples turn to holistic medicine as an alternative or in complement with western medicine. Read the rest of this entry »
January 27th, 2010 by Acuhealer
It may be hard to believe that the shallow insertion of very thin, disposable, stainless steel needles at selected acupuncture points on the body would actually reduce or eliminate pain. How could this be? The good news is, not only does acupuncture relieve pain, it is healing modality; oftentimes healing injuries and eliminating pain that is associated with them. Read the rest of this entry »
January 27th, 2010 by Acuhealer
Julie Silver, MSW, Dipl. Ac., Board Certified Acupuncturist
Most of us eat foods because they are pleasurable and we enjoy their smell, taste and textures. Eating is a very personal experience as it is both a source of nutrition as well as a tool for social gathering. Most of us are also well aware of the nutritional value of food. Eating whole grains (vs. enriched white flours), fresh (vs. canned) vegetables and healthy fats (vs. trans fats) are cornerstones of many diets. It is also valuable to look at our bodies, the importance of the temperatures and flavors of foods, and the best season to eat them in. By observing the harvesting patterns of fruits and vegetables we can see that nature often dictates these patterns for us. Summertime is a time that we naturally eat lighter. Cooling vegetables such as lettuce, cucumber and sprouts are plentiful. On the hottest days we are inclined to create a cool atmosphere with food and drink. Heavy foods on hot days cause us to be sluggish and tired.
Fall is the season of harvest. It is a time for us to gather, store up and get ready for the stillness of winter. In the fall we switch from eating the raw and light foods of summer to more cooked and warm foods such as salads and steamed vegetables. In the Jewish religion, we eat fall foods during the holiday season. These include tzimmes (made with carrots and sweet potatoes), chicken soup and potato latkes. Winter is the end of all the seasons. Cold and darkness cause us to seek inner warmth. It is time for rest, meditation and to store physical energy. It can be beneficial to add a little body weight during this time. Avoid raw foods during the winter as they tend to be difficult to digest and cool the body. Soups and stews, root vegetables and beans are beneficial foods to eat during the winter months. Read the rest of this entry »
January 27th, 2010 by Acuhealer
As the dark nights and short days of winter are upon is, it is not uncommon to feel more tired, lower energy, and a desire to stay inside a warm house and cozy up with a good book. For many of us, this is a passing experience that can be cured by a weekend getaway or a few sunny days. However, for some, these symptoms can be indicative of a form of depression called Season Affective Disorder. According to the web site familydoctor.org, as many as ½ a million people have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It is not surprising that SAD is more common in the Northern part of the country. Symptoms of winter-onset Seasonal Affective Disorder include: loss of energy, depression, anxiety, oversleeping, changes in appetite and difficulty concentrating. There are a number of natural ways to treat SAD.
Melatonin
Shorter days and longer nights can cause in increase in Melatonin; a hormone which helps us to sleep. During the winter months, our body produces an increase in melatonin which can cause us to feel sleepy and lethargic. Melatonins main function is to induce sleep by traveling through the bloodstream during our deepest sleep time. Typically, melatonin secretion peaks in the middle of the night. However, according to a 1994 study by the Russian Academy of Medical Science, SAD patients had higher daytime levels of melatonin during the winter months. Research has shown that taking melatonin supplements at 9-10pm to induce sleep will help your sleep cycle shift back to normal and allow you to wake earlier in the morning. In essence, melatonin can help reset the body’s internal clock. Read the rest of this entry »