Monica Mae Leibson | Michigan Associates of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine

The Benefits of Acupuncture Support Post Surgery

June 4, 2018 By Monica Mae Leibson Leave a Comment

Monica Mae Leibson, R. Ac., Dipl. Ac.

While surgery may be necessary, it can cause discomfort and limit the patient’s ability to move and function for a period of time. Some turn to acupuncture as a way to help the healing process after undergoing a surgical procedure. What are the modern benefits of this traditional Chinese treatment?

Acupuncture Can Boost Your Immune System

If you have to stay in the hospital after surgery, then you need a healthy immune system to help you recover and fight off any germs in the area. Acupuncture helps normalize immune response so that you are better equipped to overcome illness.

Acupuncture Can Decrease Postoperative Pain

Pain after surgery is normal. Acupuncture can help you stay comfortable so you require fewer pain medications while you recover. That also means you’ll experience fewer side effects often associated with pills.

Acupuncture Can Help Reduce Surgical Scars

Scarring can happen after a surgery, especially those that require multiple or larger incisions. An acupuncturist can work under the scar. A procedure known as moxibustion may be used. This needleless treatment uses the herb Artemisia vulgaris, or mugwort, to bring qi, warmth and blood flow to the surgical region to promote healing. It is also used to fortify the immune system.

Schedule Acupuncture for Surgery

Acupuncture can also be used pre-op to help calm anxiety. To learn more about the benefits of acupuncture before or after surgery, contact Michigan Associates of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine in West Bloomfield, Michigan. We are available to help you decide if this is the best treatment option for you.

The Many Promises of Alternative Medicine: How your acupuncturist differs from your primary care doctor

May 7, 2018 By Monica Mae Leibson Leave a Comment

Over the years I’ve been in conversation with patients about “this or that” health condition. I’m always surprised when I hear people say, “but I’ve already seen my doctor for it.” Oftentimes people will follow this line up with something like, “There’s nothing else I can do.”

I beg to differ.

No, not all illnesses are cured by alternative medicine. I’m not here to try to convince you to get acupuncture for everything. But neither does Western medicine cure all ailments. [Read more…]

Supporting your Wife Through the Infertility Process

April 1, 2018 By Monica Mae Leibson Leave a Comment

Calling all partners!

The unrequited longing for a child brings many challenges to couples. It causes strain on the relationship — emotional, physical, hormonal and financial. At our clinic, we find that women and men perceive the fertility struggle very differently. Although one can never generalize completely, there can be very obvious differences that are worth addressing. Here are a few tips to help partners along the way. [Read more…]

Creating an intention for your fertility

April 1, 2018 By Monica Mae Leibson 2 Comments

Focus the mind to reduce anxiety

Use this practice to focus the mind on what we desire, rather than letting anxiety and fear get the best of us.

Step 1: Release the past. If our mind is cluttered with memories of yesterday or anxiety regarding tomorrow, we cannot truly create from a blank slate.

Breathing in, I allow myself to come into this present moment. I choose to consciously release the past at this moment. I internally declare that the past has no power over me and I release and let go. (Deep sigh of relief.) [Read more…]

Need Instant Relaxation? Try Ear Massage!

February 20, 2018 By Monica Mae Leibson Leave a Comment

Feeling stressed? A quick ear massage may be just the ticket.

Hold your thumb on the back side of the ear and your fingers on the front of your ear. Then pull from the inside to the outside. Do it as strongly as you feel comfortable with. The sensation may feel a little irritable to your ears, but that’s OK. This is actually a sign you are doing it right; it’s not meant to be super pleasant ;).

Another option is to rub the ear between the fingers and the thumb for about 30 seconds from the bottom of the lobe to the top.

Within another 10 seconds, the ear will start to feel hot and achy. Let yourself be still and breathe, and you will notice a serotonin release. This is because the innervation of the ear goes right to the brain. So this tool gets you out of the “fight or flight” mode of the nervous system and into rest and repair. This is a natural mechanism in the body that helps to calm you down.

You can do this any time and anywhere. There are no negative side effects and ear massage does not interact with any medication. Enjoy your natural state of bliss!

Acupuncture and pain relief – a patient testimonial

February 6, 2018 By Monica Mae Leibson Leave a Comment

I had been suffering from an incredible amount of stress due to being a full-time mom, full-time student and avid ballet dancer, when my 2 year son decided to jump on my back when I was not expecting him to. I was rushed into urgent care having to be carried like a baby due to my inability to stand alone along with the concurrent amount of breath-taking pain from my back. The steroid injection I received upon arrival provided temporary relief. Still, the pain and inability to stand-up alone re-visited the following morning. Being a holistic nutritionist, I knew my physical pain was just a reflection of something else happening internally, so I sought out acupuncture. After asking around, Monica Leibson, came highly recommended. After the first visit, she recognized the physical and the internal pain by treating both my back and my ‘flight or fight’ mechanism.
Needless to say, I was back to the gym the next day :).Thank you Monica!!! I CANNOT wait for my follow-up appointment!- Danyelle King

To Everything, There is a Season

October 6, 2017 By Monica Mae Leibson Leave a Comment

During the fall, we are experiencing transition and change — a strong shift in weather, the changing of the leaves and preparing for the upcoming winter.

Chinese Medicine views autumn as a season of “letting go.” We encourage you to let go of things that are weighing on your mind that do not support your highest good. Release negative energy and thoughts, and allow yourself to be present to what is going on right in front of you.

Fall is also the beginning of yin cycle, or the shortening of the days. With shorter hours of sunlight (Daylight Savings Time ends on November 5) we begin to prepare for the winter months, or harvesting. Take the time now to enjoy the outdoors and the harvest that will soon no longer be available.

As we welcome the new season, here are some more tips for both physical and mental health:

Sustaining a proper sleep cycle is important during the beginning of the yin cycle of winter, as people’s schedules often change. Be sure you are nourishing your body with the proper amount of rest each night!
Eat and drink things that are lubricating and soothing to nourish your yin. These foods include coconut milk, almond milk, aduki beans, barley, spelt, walnut, eggs and mangos. Avoid drinking anything that is hot and drying such as alcohol or coffee.
Support your yin by allowing yourself to slow down. A busy, stressful lifestyle depletes your yin and leaves you fatigued over time. Adding short meditations and deep-breath sessions to your day can make a world of difference.
Coming in for a fall acupuncture session is another great way to balance the transition from the yang summer to the yin winter. We look forward to seeing you

To Sleep … Perchance to Dream

August 8, 2017 By Monica Mae Leibson Leave a Comment

Now’s the time to get your kids (and yourself!) back on a good sleep schedule to help ease the adjustment to the start of school. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:

10-13 hours (including naps) for children ages 3-5
9-12 hours for children ages 6-12
8-10 hours for teens ages 13-18

Adequate sleep, say the pediatricians, leads to improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, emotional regulation, quality of life, and mental and physical health. [Read more…]

Top 5 ways to reduce stress during your work day

June 20, 2017 By Monica Mae Leibson Leave a Comment

Top 5 ways to reduce stress during your work day:

Take a few deeeeeep breeeeeeeaths. Deep breathing calms the nervous system and helps to get out of the “fight or flight” mode. Using essential oils is a bonus! You can use anything that smells good to you.
Keep your blood sugar stable by eating 5 small meals daily (preferably balanced – with a carbohydrate, protein, and fat at each meal). Also, be sure to stay hydrated. Keep water at your desk so that you get in the habit of drinking it often.
Take a proverbial smoke break. Leave the office for 5 minutes. Step outside and get some fresh air. Even take a short walk around your building – getting fresh air and blood flow is a great way keep your head in the game.
Do a few quick stretches. Shoulder rolls, neck rolls, and putting your hands behind your back. These stretches are a good way to balance out the poor posture that can occur from chronic sitting.
Create an intention for your day! The intention of peace, joy, or workability can block any stressors that may come your way.

Acupuncture for Relaxation Fundraiser – Sunday March 5, 2017

February 17, 2017 By Monica Mae Leibson Leave a Comment