Here are a few tidbits of information I share with patients about some common practices and issues being experienced today in the area of “overdoing”:

• Be careful not to overdo the intake of aspirin. According to Steven F. Hotze, MD, in his book HORMONES, HEALTH and HAPPINESS, taking aspirin for a headache on occasion is ok. However, did you know that if aspirin is taken on a regular basis, it can also deplete your folic acid levels and may interfere with the ability of vitamin C to enter cells?  As an alternative, I recommend an Herbal Analgesic blend for any kind of pain that patients may have, which contains Yan Hu Suo (Rhizoma Corydalis) and is considered to be one of the strongest and most effective herbs in the entire Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia for pain relief. It enters the xue (blood) and qi (energy) levels of the body to invigorate blood circulation, regulate the movement of the qi and relieve pain in the chest, abdomen, and limbs.  Other herbs can be added to this formula for specific pain locations; for example, to enhance the analgesic effect of Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis), Ru Xiang (Indian Olibanum tree) and Mo Yao (Myrr) are added and work synergistically to relieve a wide range of pain that may be caused by qi or blood stagnation caused by trauma or arthritic syndrome. Dang Gui (Korean Angelica) enriches the blood and causes the blood to move, and finally, Sheng Ma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae) is added and used as a channel-guiding herb, which causes upward and outward movement of the qi and has a dispersing nature, which helps break up stagnation and relieve pain.  Herbal Analgesic is also combined with other formulas for even more specific syndromes like gout, neuropathy, bone spurs, post-surgical care, gastric issues, painful menstruation, back pain – even herniated disks and many other issues of body pain!

• Are you someone who thinks, “the more, the better” when it comes to taking antacids? Think again! Overdosing on aluminum-based antacids for heartburn can actually leach calcium from your body, which in turn increases your risk of osteoporosis. It can also deactivate vitamin B1 (thiamine), and deficiency in B1 can cause many discomforts and sickness, not the least of which is extreme fatigue, irritability, constipation, edema, and an enlarged liver. Also, on a related note, taking too much heartburn/acid reflux medications – such as Nexium and Prilosec – blocks calcium from entering the bones. If you read it, the side-effects insert for these drugs DO say not intended for long term use – yet many people take these medications for long periods of time! I use a variety of herbs for blocking the acids that cause heartburn and acid reflux, with no side effects.One herbal formula used is GI Care, which restores normal gastrointestinal functions by promoting smooth and complete digestion, and also has an antacid effect of relieving heartburn and ulcers and an antispasmodic effect to stop pain and relieve intestinal cramps. Most important,  the formula has an antibiotic effect against Helicobacter Pylori, which causes chronic low-level inflammation of the stomach lining and is strongly linked to the development of duodenal and gastric ulcers and even stomach cancer. More than 80% of individuals infected with Helicobacter Pylori have no symptoms!  Many gastrointestinal functions are caused by stress, anxiety, nervousness, and restlessness, which can easily intensify already present symptoms of poor appetite, headache, tension, and insomnia. In combination with GI Care, I also use a formula called Calm to address these problems, which provides a mild sedative effect to relieve nervousness and irritability and/or mood swings.   It also helps relieves stress and anxiety, and provides an analgesic action that relieves pain, headache, and muscle tension associated with stress. In Chinese medicine, we say that Calm spreads liver qi (stress), nourishes liver blood (nourishes the nervous system), clears toxic heat (some people feel very hot when under stress), and harmonizes the middle jiao (harmonizes the stomach). So to simplify the technicalities, the combination of these two are powerful healing herbal formulas for acid reflux!

The simple answer is that we need to focus more on prevention, moderation, natural treatments and nutrition that balance the system. In turn, it is wise to limit the use of most processed pharmaceuticals for the situations where they are most useful – dire, immediate circumstances that require immediate alleviation.  Only then will we be able to move out of these dangerous cycles of fixing one thing to hurt another, and instead be able to lead more balanced, healthy lives!

In Eastern medicine, pain and sickness happens when the qi (pronounced chi, as in energy) and/or the blood stagnates or is deficient through a very specific meridian – or pathway – through the body. For example, here’s a list of standard ailments and their related meridians:

• Shingles and stress are related to the gallbladder and liver meridians;
• Back pain is related to the kidney meridian;
• Weight gain is related to the spleen/stomach meridian;
• Depression is related to the heart/lung meridian;
• Headaches and stress affect the liver meridian (this can also be a sign of heart blood stagnation);
• Swollen feet and ankles can be related to many meridians;
• Sinusitis is related to the lung/spleen/stomach meridians;
• Coughs and flus are related to the lung/spleen/stomach meridians;

Because we know that these ailments are directly related to the energy flow through the respective meridians, alleviation and dissipation of any of them happens when the energy flow is corrected – which is exactly what acupuncture does.

Many people are astounded that acupuncture treats almost any ailment imaginable based on this simple connection between qi, blood flow, and meridians. I love explaining this relationship, because it helps them understand how I can help!

One of my patients needed fertility help; I’ve been working with her in conjunction with her fertility physician for several months to help create the optimal conditions for her body to grow a baby. Well, guess what?  Three weeks ago, she called to tell me she was having twins.  And then, just the other day, she called again to tell me she was having TRIPLETS!! I cannot tell you how proud I am to be a part of such a wonderful profession where I can truly help my patients!

The fertility work is exciting, not only for the future parents involved, but for me, too — I’ve already helped with 4 sets of  twins, and some single babies also. So, if you’re having problem conceiving (or know someone else who is), know that acupuncture is a great and safe practice to help fulfill your dreams of becoming a parent. Here are some great articles with a little more information on fertility and acupuncture:

• Acupuncture May Solve Fertility Problems
• Treating Infertility Using Acupuncture
• Chinese Medicine and Assisted Reproductive Technology for the Modern Couple
• Acupuncture: A Cure for Infertility?

Why do you hurry past mirrors? Is the image you see someone who looks older than you feel? Are you running away from the image you see… the stress lines, sagging jowls and neck, and a face that looks as if it has weathered five years in only one? Natural aging, you say…nothing can be done about it without chemicals, poisonous injections, or costly plastic surgery, right?

Wrong.

Regardless of what plastic surgeons and face clinicians might tell you, there really is a proven method that will make you want to stop in front of that mirror. This non-surgical method is without any pain, downtime, or bruising, and the cost will not empty your hard-earned nest egg!

Four years ago, at a conference in California, I discovered this successful, safe, and non-invasive treatment system, and I have since integrated it into my acupuncture practice. It’s a skin rejuvenation process that is administered via micro-current and radio-wave energy. This system of care was researched and developed by Professor Charles McWilliams, ND, a world-famous naturopathic physician, who has used it successfully in Europe for 25 years (even though it’s only been offered in the United States since 2005).

Under the surface: Turning back the clock 5-15 years
This skin rejuvenation system provides an immediate and lasting pick-me-up, using a two-step process, incorporating all the senses (using touch, sound, light, color, and even gemstones) without any pain, needles, bruising, or downtime:

• First, the skin is detoxified by opening the nodes of the immune system located on various areas of the body (typically acupuncture/acupressure points) via micro-current energy;
• Second, radio-wave energy immediately begins the rejuvenation of collagen and elastin at the cellular level, several layers beneath the surface.

Your result: The skin is lifted immediately due to the waves of energy causing lifting and toning to the musculature of the face and body, while at the same time collagen and elastin production begins. You can physically measure and see the difference right after your treatment (we actually use a tape measure) – within two to three days, when the cellular changes surface, you really look fabulous and glowing! Once the treatment series is completed, only minimal maintenance treatments are necessary – and the results can last three to five years.

Take Note: Buyer Beware!
This procedure is different from many home devices sold on late-night TV or through multi-level marketing! Though there may be some short-term, topical improvement via use of these devices, they only reach the top layers of the skin. These self-used devices only provide nominal (if any) visual improvement that typically disappears almost immediately. But with the additional benefits of first detoxifying the skin, along with incorporating the other senses used in our system, a spectacular rejuvenation occurs at the cellular-level, and is definitely visible!

The other part: Taking care of the inside
Remember: You must also take care of yourself on the inside, via preventative health practices, good nutrition, and regular exercise! The skin is a vast neurological organ that conveys messages to and from the internal organs of the body, and the long-term health of your skin is most commonly dictated by those organs. Thus, when body systems work in harmony with each other, collagen and elastin are nourished, regenerated, and rejuvenated, which allows previously sagging, pale, and lusterless skin to tighten and glow with a renewed youth and vitality. After receiving this skin rejuvenation treatment, following a prescription for a healthy lifestyle will actually lengthen its glowing effects on you.

Then, you’ll want to stop in front of that mirror when you pass by!

I paused and asked if she was ok; she confessed that her husband had just been deployed to Iraq. She told me she was so stressed that she’d almost accidentally set her house on fire today! As she cried, she told me that she needed SOMETHING to calm her nerves.  My heart ached for her; I told her to just come in and we’d work out the budget. I know acupuncture will help her, and it won’t be long before she feels better.

You know, after that patient called, I began to think about the bigger picture – life is so challenging in our world today! There are still a countless number of our soldiers being deployed around the world; many people have been laid off from jobs in the past year and have had problems finding something else; many small (and large!) business owners have been clutching to every penny, nervous that it’s close to the last. Wow; for a few moments I was overwhelmed by the thought of it!!

What about you?  How are you doing?

All too often, when we’re in trouble, anxious, grieving, and/or depressed, we feel all too alone in the world, shut ourselves in, and everyone else out. Right now, there are so many of us dealing with tough situations – if you are one of the many, know that you are far from alone!

Acupuncture is a great treatment to help you to cope – not just emotionally, but physiologically, as well. When considering it from an Eastern medicine perspective, sadness deeply affects both the Lung and Heart pathways. The Lung pathway moves the Qi (pronounced chee), and the Heart meridian moves the Blood. Sadness induces Qi deficiency and dissolves Qi, which in turn eventually causes the Heart Qi to be deficient. When this is happening, an acupuncturist finds that the front wrist pulse of the patient is very weak on both wrists – the left wrist is related to the  Heart, and the right wrist is related to the Lungs. After prolonged sadness, Qi deficiency and stagnation can happen, which will cause what practitioners call Heart Fire. When the Qi and blood are not flowing properly, depression can happen, causing the Heart Fire to manifest. This causes the patient to feel stressed, and can begin a domino effect – possibly causing heart palpatations, insomnia, and even high blood pressure. Acupuncture gets the blood flowing again, in turn alleviating the physical problems while also helping the patient to feel better.

So before you’re juggling a pile of medications that will only put a Band-Aid on the problem, try acupuncture! It will work on the actual physiological effects of the depression and help you better deal with your problems without causing you to walk around like a zombie… so you can continue to connect with others, which will better help you get through this rough period!

RLS is described as a neurological disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move when at rest in an effort to relieve these feelings. RLS symptoms are often described as burning, creeping, tugging sensations, similar to insects crawling inside the legs! Often called paresthesias (abnormal sensations) or dysesthesias (unpleasant abnormal sensations), the sensations range in severity from uncomfortable to irritating to painful.

Lying down and trying to relax activates the symptoms. Most patients with RLS have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep because of these involuntary movements and symptoms. Left untreated, the condition causes exhaustion and daytime fatigue. Many people with RLS report that their job, personal relations, and activities of daily living are strongly affected as a result of their exhaustion. They are often unable to concentrate, have impaired memory, or fail to accomplish daily tasks.

After studying as much as I could, I found a treatment that I thought would work… and it DID!!!  The very next week, I used an acupuncture Master’s points as described  in his books, and I again got to witness this patient’s healing right before my eyes. The movements and pain of this patient’s legs stopped about 15 seconds after I pinned him with the additional new points I had discovered. Wow, I was amazed at how quickly the treatment worked! The patient received approximately 12 treatments total, 2 times per week, for 6 weeks.

The patient has stopped taking ALL MEDICATION for RLS and is completely free of ALL major attacks of this syndrome.  He’s had it for more than 12 years, and some of his other family members have also been affected by the same affliction. The patient is very, very happy and healed!

If you or someone you know is afflicated with RLS, consider acupuncture as a way to relieve the symptoms.

Not necessarily! In my office, I have successfully treated many patients with colds and flu symptoms. In fact, if the patient visits the office as soon as symptoms appear (chills and fever, sore throat, body aches, headaches, and even vomiting), acupuncture has relieved all pain and has even stopped nausea and vomiting. I’ve even been able to relieve a sore throat in 15-30 minutes!

Don’t just take my word for it: Scientists at the Beijing College of Acupuncture & Orthopedics reported the favorable results of a trial with fifty-seven patients, all of whom were suffering from a cold, influenza, acute tonsillitis, or acute bronchitis. All participants were treated with acupuncture at specific related points on the body:

• Dazhui (Du 14) which releases heat from the body
• Fengchi (GB20)which releases toxic wind, benefits the head and eyes, clears the sense organs, and activates the channel to alleviate pain,
• Feishu (UB13)which tonifies the Lung Qi, nourishes the Lung yin, descends the Lung Qi, clears heat from the Lungs, and releases the exterior of the body from toxins causing aches and pains, and
• Quchi (LI11)which also clears heat, cools the blood, eliminates wind, drains damp, eliminates itching, regulates the flow of Qi and Blood, and activates the channel and alleviates pain.

The results: 80% of the patients reported the treatment as “effective” or “markedly effective”!

So, think twice before you reach for the medicine chest to temporarily alleviate your symptoms (often for a far shorter duration than the recommended dosages). Try acupuncture as soon as symptoms set in, and you can minimize the severity and length of the cold or flu… don’t be sick for weeks! Acupuncture can help you get well!

Source: Tan D. Treatment of fever due to exopathic wind-cold by rapid acupuncture. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CHINA) Dec 1992, 12 (4) p267-71

The face treatment is unique; we are the only facility in Cary certified to do it with this technology!  The full series of 10 treatments can easily give 10-15  years back to your face, erasing what time and stress has imprinted; results typically last 3-5 years. We’ve also successfully used it for acne control and other skin disorders such as rosacea and  brown age spots on the face!

Here’s the best part: Both face and body rejuvenation treatments are completely painless, USING NO NEEDLES. It is  non-surgical and non-invasive – we don’t inject you with any poisons, we don’t burn off layers of your skin , and there’s no bruising or downtime necessary for healing. Plus, there have been no known side effects when properly administered except for the possibility of a slight redness (from blood stimulated to the surface of the face) that dissipates within the hour after treatment. That’s a far cry from the “possibility of death or serious adverse effects” – which is in all of the fine print disclaimers you see at doctor’s offices when you go in for their “facial rejuvenation” practices.