Jen Aniston Tries Acupuncture On The Advice of Sheryl Crow

Smart, talented women share acupuncture secrets.

OK! magazine has a story that Jennifer Aniston took advice from Sheryl Crow and began acupuncture treatments. I guess Sheryl, who the magazine called “something of a health guru” had great success with her own Traditional Chinese Medicine.

How did it work on Jen? “It’s reduced her stress, made her skin glow, helped her with weight loss and made her happier.” (They said it, I didn’t. But it is great marketing!)

Personal Eclipse

Ever feel you don't get enough of my posts? : ) Well I also write once a month for the site Hopeful Parents. Here's my (or I should say my mom's ) latest post, thought you might find it interesting.

This site is devoted to parents. It has seemed appropriate that, a couple of times in the past, I’ve turned over my monthly blogging spot to my mother, a clinical psychologist. I am doing it again today..............

As a clinical psychologist, I listen to many people talk about their own parents and I hear an equal number of people talk about themselves as parents. When clients talk about their own parents, they often reflect on the impact - positive and negative - that their mothers and fathers had on their development. In these discussions, clients realize that they have survived, most quite well, and everyone has gone beyond their parents’ teachings and learned for themselves. On the other hand, when clients talk about being parents to their own children, they are clearly struck by the awesome responsibility of raising little people and guiding them into adulthood. Many aspects of parental responsibility frighten people, some confuse them, others delight them and a few enrage them. Let’s talk about the last experience.

One reason (and there are many others) that a mother or father becomes terribly angry at a child is when that child is too different from the ways that the parent was at that same age. Here are a couple of examples: Greg is furious at his son Adam and doesn’t yet know why. Greg worked hard in school, he was competitive, ambitious and outgoing. Adam is somewhere on the spectrum of autism. He is not now and never will be the hard driving man that his father became. Fran is enraged with her daughter Alyssa. Fran cared for an emotionally frail mother; she silenced all of her needs in the service of keeping her mother happy and stable. Now, years later Fran must be the caretaker again and, for the rest of her life, she will have to think about Alyssa’s wellbeing. Alyssa will never cater to her but she will offer a love that is unlike Fran’s imaginings.

The common theme – our children are not us. They are their own people. Our fantasies about parenting are just that - fantasy. Parenting happens in reality. It doesn’t pay to get angry or disappointed. You can coax, feed, or scold a rose and it will never become a lily. You can nurture a beautiful rose or neglect it, but you have a rose. Try to separate out your wishes from your child’s personality, character and ability. Both of you will feel lighter and free.

Linda N. Edelstein, Ph.D.

"Unemployment is capitalism's way of getting you to plant a garden."

Orson Scott Card

Suffer With Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? Chinese Medicine Can Help You

Digestive problems are common reason people come to my office. Both acupuncture and Chinese herbal Medicine can help with many uncomfortable symptoms. Such as bloating, constipation, diarrhea and nausea to name a few. All of these problems can happen when you are suffering with IBS. Chinese Medicine can help.....

From: The Portland Acupuncture Blog
By: Amy Chitwood Burslem LAc

There are an estimated 20 million Americans who suffer from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), a condition also known as spastic colon, spastic colitis, nervous stomach, and functional bowel disease. If you have ever experienced about of diarrhea before a performance or major exam, or had loose stool during times of stress, then you have experienced what it’s like to have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). There is also

Lynn Jaffee, LAc, describes the symptoms of IBS on the Acufinder site:

"Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is labeled a “syndrome” because is involves a group of symptoms that varies for each individual who is affected. It involves abnormal movement of the small and large intestines (which is often referred to as a motility disorder). Symptoms of IBS include abdominal cramping and pain, and constipation and/or diarrhea (often in alternating episodes). IBS may also be accompanied by other gastrointestinal problems, such as gas, bloating, and nausea, and the symptoms are almost always aggravated by stress. Episodes may also be aggravated by eating, and are frequently relieved after a bowel movement."

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine work very well for for IBS symptoms. There are many techniques we can use to help with the symptoms of IBS, and with regular acupuncture treatments, some lifestyle changes, and an herbal formula made specifically for your constitution (body type), I have seen a lot of success and immense relief of symptoms in those suffering from IBS. Acupuncture is very good in reducing stress, which is a huge trigger for IBS symptoms. By reducing this stress and making changes towards better living, your chances of getting some relief from IBS improve greatly!

Here are a few simple tips to get you started:

-Be careful with food sensitivities and/or allergies. Gluten and dairy can cause a whole slew of gastrointestinal problems

-Avoid eating too many types of foods at one time (i.e. please don’t eat an entire cake in one sitting….it will cause problems…)

-Steam vegetables rather that eating them raw

-Emphasize a high fiber diet, and include freshly ground flax seeds and whole grains as part of your daily carbohydrate intake

-All foods must be eaten slowly, chewed and salivated well (the enzymes in your saliva break down food)

-Eat in a calm and somewhat quiet atmosphere (no reading or watching television while eating)

Watch this video with Dr. Igor Schwartzman at WellWire.com. Dr. Schwartman demonstrates an easy way to calm your breathing, and offers additional information on some causes of IBS. He also recommends some beneficial herbs and teas that may also help with IBS symptoms, such as camomile and slippery elm.

Information About Organically Raised Meat

Yesterday I wrote a post about when to consider buying organic fruits and vegetables. I wanted to follow that today with some information about organic meat. Organically grown meat is considerably higher in price than conventionally grown meat so here are some facts that may help you to make your decision about when to buy organic.

Organically raised animals have several factors that work in their best interests – and ours.

1. These animals are free from antibiotics and growth hormones. When antibiotics are used in raising the animals, we create strains of bacteria that are antibiotic resistant. This means that when humans get sick from one of these strains, they will be less responsive to antibiotic treatment.

2. The animals are not fed food made from animal byproducts which means that the risk of mad cow disease is reduced.

3. The animals have more space and mobility which helps to keep them healthy. Crowded conditions increase the likelihood of illness in animals.

How to Decide When Organic Produce is Worth The Extra Money

Organic fruits and vegetables can be expensive and I pick and choose the ones I buy. The big factor that influences my decision about buying organic produce is the level of pesticides used in their production.

Organic produce contains fewer pesticides. Pesticides are a problem because:

*Pesticides can accumulate in your system. Most of us have been exposed to pesticides for so long that our bodies have stored up chemicals that can strain a weak immune system and lead to health problems such as headaches and birth defects.

*Exposure to pesticides at an early age can cause developmental delays, behavioral disorders, and motor dysfunction. Not surprisingly, children and fetuses are most vulnerable to pesticide exposure because their bodies (particularly their immune systems) and brains are still developing.

*Pesticides put strain on already taxed organs so pregnant women are more vulnerable. Pesticides can be passed from mother to child in the womb, as well as through breast milk.

The following foods are considered to be the "dirty dozen" according to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization that analyzes the results of government pesticide testing in the U.S. so, try to buy organic.

*
peaches

*apples

*sweet bell peppers

*nectarines
*strawberries

*cherries

*pears

*imported grapes


*lettuce
*carrots
*kale

 

*celery
 (rated THE WORST)
*spinach and potatoes did not do well either

The following non-organic fruits and vegetables have low pesticide levels because most have thicker skin or peel which protects them better from pests, and means that farmers do not need to use many pesticides.

*Onions
*Avocado (both onion and avocado were rated lowest in pesticides)
*Corn
*Pineapple
*Mango
*Asparagus
*Peas (sweet)
*Kiwi
*Cabbage
*Eggplant
*Papaya
*Watermelon

When you are shopping, remember 2 facts.

1. "Natural" does not equal organic. "Natural" is an unregulated term that is applied carelessly to market products. Only the "USDA Organic" label indicates that a food is certified organic.

2. Organic doesn’t equal healthy. Junk food can just as easily be made using organic ingredients. These products are usually still very high in sugar, salt, fat or calories.

Suns Forward Grant Hill Gets Acupuncture Regularly

Last month NBA.com published a story about Grant Hill and other Sun's players who have used acupuncture to recover from injuries and ease pain. Below are some excerpts from the article.

"Hill is a 37-year-old NBA veteran who's had more surgeries than some medical classes over the past decade. He's doing anything he can to extend his 16-year career."

" "I've always been open to different ideas," said Hill, who has missed only one game over the past two seasons after being forced to sit out the equivalent of 4 ½ seasons due to ankle surgeries and a staph infection.

"I had somebody in Orlando I used the last couple years there and had good results. Going through all these injuries, you learn to take ownership of your health and that's what I did. I'm open to outside stuff. We have great guys here on our staff. But chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncture, if it makes me feel good and it's legal, then I'm gonna do it. All of that stuff aids and helps with recovery, so I've been willing to incorporate that into my preparation."

Guoliang Cao, L.Ac., is the Doctor of Chinese Medicine, that many players have seen.

"Cao landed in Phoenix in 1993 and over the past 17 years has treated an assortment of pro athletes in virtually all sports. Golfer Gary Player suffered a rib cage injury during a tournament stop in Phoenix and thought he might have to withdraw from play. But a treatment with Cao's needles and he was back on the tee the next day.

When Charles Barkley was with the Suns in the early '90s, he developed a sore neck that wouldn't let him turn his head.

"Charles, the big man with all of the big talk, was shy of the needles when he came in," Cao said. "But when I put them in and he didn't feel them and he could play the game the next day, he was convinced."

Over the years, Cao has treated Suns from Kevin Johnson to Hot Rod Williams to Jeff Hornacek to Steve Nash and now Hill. "

To read the entire article click here

More of Dr. Oz's Thought's on Acupuncture

On this blog I've already written a couple of posts about Dr. Oz's fondness for acupuncture. Why should I end a good thing? Here is more from this celebrity doctor on the merits of acupuncture.

On Oprah.com Dr. Oz was asked the question

Q: Does acupuncture really work?

My Answer: Of Course!

Dr. Oz's Answer: "Those little pinpricks can be an effective way to manage pain. Specifically, studies show that acupuncture can alleviate the debilitating symptoms of osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. There are several theories as to why acupuncture works. One is that it triggers the release of endorphins, part of the body's pain-control system. Another is that it increases blood flow to the areas of needle insertion. Regardless, find a practitioner who is certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine."

To see the original post click here

To read more of Dr. Oz on acupuncture click here

Acupuncture Linked to a Natural Painkiller - Adenosine

A new study about acupuncture has been getting a lot of attention the last few weeks. The research was published in Nature Neuroscience on May 30 2010. This study links acupuncture to the stimulation of a chemical compound called adenosine in the body. Adenosine is a painkiller the body makes when we are injured.

Maiken Nedergaard , the neuroscientist who led the research, said: "Acupuncture has been a mainstay of medical treatments in certain parts of the world for 4,000 years but, because it has not been understood completely, many people have remained sceptical." The scientist from Rochester Medical Center in New York, performed acupuncture on mice with sore paws. The treatments resulted in the levels of adenosine, increasing more than 20-fold and the pain was eased by two-thirds. Increasing levels of adenosine without acupuncture also had a soothing effect, the journal reported.

I am happy that Western science is taking an interest in acupuncture. However there are some difficulties with these types of studies and the basic principals of Chinese Medicine. Terry Fox L.A.c has a blog post that addresses this question and talks more about this study. Read it here, I'd love to hear what you think.

Always Keep A Sense Of Humor

“If I had no sense of humor, I would long ago have committed suicide.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Cordyceps - An Amazing Herb Used In Chinese Medicine

Cordyceps is a very popular tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is often used in formulas and alone. Some people feel it rivals Ginseng as one of the best tonic herbs out there. To learn more about this powerful herb read on.

From: The Portland Acupuncture Blog
By: Amy Chitwood Burslem LAc

Photo from:http://www.chinese-herbs.org/cordyceps/

Cordyceps sinensis, or Dong Chong Xia Cao is yet another fantastic herb frequently used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulas. It is known for strengthening the immune system, and can assist in controlling symptoms of allergic asthma. It also nourishes the Kidneys and Lungs, making it the ideal asthma supplement in a constitutional formula (which I have definitely found to be true). It can also enhance stamina and improve energy, and even help with sexual dysfunction for both men and women.

Did I mention that it’s something of a parasite? Or that it’s also called the Chinese caterpillar fungus?

It’s somewhat disturbing, but if you really want to see how it grows (out in nature- not in the controlled environments that are now used for our consumption), you can check out the Planet Earth cordyceps video. But keep in mind what an amazing herb this is while the ant is dying!

Here in Portland, ITM and Peoples Herbs have more information about how to buy this fantastic fungus. I’ve tried a few different capsules of the single herb, theirs is the best.

For more cordyceps and other medicinal fungi information, check out chineseherbs.org or pharmaceutical mushrooms.

Get Acupuncture and Help Raise Money For The Gulf Oil Disaster

Do you need some acupuncture? Do you want to help the birds and the habitat of the Gulf Coast?

You can do both on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at the Gulf Oil Disaster Fundraiser. The event is being held at 4101 N. Western Ave., in Chicago from 9:00 - 4:00. Mini and full treatments will be available, so make an appointment now! The Suggested donation is $30 for mini, $60 for full treatments. To make an appointment or for more information, contact Monique Wheeler: #312- 320-1968 email - monique.wheeler@gmail.com. Or check out the link on facebook here .

Yoga On The Lake !

Those of you who know me personally know that I love yoga on the lake and it is back! These are great FREE Classes held Tuesday evenings and Sunday mornings all summer here in Chicago. Maybe I'll see you there!

Acupuncture Reduces Pain and Increases Bite Force in Patients With TMJ

From Acufinder.com

Acupuncture Effective for TMJ

Patients suffering TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) can find relief from acupuncture. Research conducted at the Ribeirão Preto Dental School, São Paulo University in Brazil, found that after 3 months of acupuncture, patients with TMJ experienced significantly less pain, increased strength of their bite and decreased EMG activity of the masticatory muscles.

Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders (TMJ disorders) are problems or symptoms of the chewing muscles and joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. 17 patients were studied using acupuncture points for TMJ. EMG measures were acquired before and after the treatment. The data collected at rest, protrusion, left and right laterality, and clenching were normalized by maximum voluntary contraction. Maximal bite force in right and left molar regions were also measured.

The researchers found decreased EMG activity at rest, protrusion, left and right laterality, and clenching; as well as increased values of maximal bite force after acupuncture treatment.

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 15 Issue 12: December 15, 2009