Support Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act!

Please support HR646 - The Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act.

This bill will include acupuncture as a part of Medicare coverage.

What does that mean? Well, funny you should ask:

1. People who aren't able to afford healthcare will have access to acupuncture. This will enable people with problems that are not greatly effected by Western Medicine or physical therapy to get relief.

2. This is a big domino: once the entire nation has the opportunity to receive some sort of acupuncture coverage, your insurance companies will begin to pay out too. And that's a good thing if you want your affordable health care alternative to be even more affordable.

So please please please let your Congressmen know what you want.

Go to this link and in 30 seconds or so, you'll be able to e-mail a letter:

http://www.rallycongress.com/aaaom/

Thanks!!!

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Need to regulate your hormones?

For most women these days, Estrogen Dominance is a very pressing reality.

The amount of plastics we use, the polluted air we breathe and even the high content of soy in our diets (read your food labels)contribute to higher levels of estrogen production.

As a result, there's a good chance that you may have issues with Estrogen Dominance.

So what does that mean?

Well, it could vary - depending on how severe your hormone balance has been thrown off.

On the more moderate side of estrogen dominance you could experience problems like
PMS
Irritability
Fatigue
Acceleration of the Aging Process
Allergies

More disconcerting, you may also experience:

Migraines
PCOS
Uterine Fibroids
Breast Cancer
Infertility
Endometriosis


While this all sounds pretty grave, there's no reason to reach for that progesterone cream or spend oodles of bucks getting scopes and surgeries.

You CAN get acupuncture and actually balance this hormonal issue out.

I'm serious. It happens all the time with patients in my clinic. They come in, make themselves feel good and less stressed out with some acupuncture and end up with balanced hormones in the process!

And this could be you too! Give it a try.

Acupuncture Regulates Pain!

The University of Michigan is pretty cool. It's in Ann Arbor, a fun town, and it's got some great school spirit and character. But it's become even cooler in my eyes because of a recent study that they published about acupuncture.

These guys used brain imaging to prove that acupuncture actually causes the brain to regulate pain more efficiently.

Check out the link below to read more:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160334.php

Nausea and Vomitting Anyone?

During the first year of my master's degree for Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine, one of my teachers would always tell us:

"When you get out into the world and you're treating your first few patients, don't worry... even if you have trouble fixing their problem, your patients will always come off the table with improved digestion."

This advice has stuck with me through the years. Fortunately, most of my patients find success and wellness... but whenever someone comes in with a digestive issue I always know that they've finally come to the right health care provider.

IBS, constipation, GERD, nausea and vomitting can all be treated with acupuncture.

In fact, here's a few articles for you to "digest":

for post surgery nausea and vomitting:

http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=93046

for Crohn's disease:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15114043?ordinalpos=8&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum


for dry mouth/ xerostomia from Radiation treatment:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15114043?ordinalpos=8&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

for GERD/ acid reflux:

http://www.reflux.org/reflux/webdoc01.nsf/(vwWebPage)/ElectricalAcupuncture.htm?OpenDocument

and

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15114043?ordinalpos=8&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Obama Supports Acupuncture

While it may come as a surprise to you, it is no secret that Oriental medicine is the most widely used form of medicine in the world.

No, I'm not kidding.

Acupuncture is everywhere and people keep coming back for more.

The United States, notoriously behind in the health care business, is going to start loving it and using it more and more too.

Don't believe me?

Check out Obama voicing his support:

http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=31983

Acupuncture For Menopause

If you're always the person in the room telling all the ladies how fabulous you feel and how menopause has been a breeze, then you can stop reading this post right now because everyone is jealous and you don't need this info.

But

If menopause is an issue for you, then you may be able to find some relief that doesn't involve taking Prempro or some other medication for ever and ever.

In my clinic, I'm seeing menopause success stories weekly. No more soaking your pjs, opening the windows on a winter's day or calling your son by the dog's name (well, I guess we all have slip ups from time to time though, with or without menopause).

Lest you think I am making this up, there are actually clinical trials out there touting the efficacy of acupuncture. Check it out:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19423996

Induce Labor Naturally

It can be rough at the very end of pregnancy... I know 2 weeks before my due date I would have ripped all of my hair out if someone told me it would induce labor.

Fortunately, there's an easier, painless and natural way to do it, ladies.

Acupuncture.

Seriously. It's been raining babies over here at St John Acupuncture.

Whether you've gone over your due date or your OB or healthcare practitioner has a reason for you to go into labor a little earlier Acupuncture is for you.

It's safe and it works like a charm. Plus, it can help you avoid Pitocin and some the of chain of events that can follow during labor.

So if you're ready to burst, definitely give me a call.

Cloth Diapers

Cloth Diapers are the way to go. Not only are they environmentally friendly, but you can save them for your next baby or resell them to another family.

What's more, they're not like the cloth diapers your mom had to use. They're much more hassle free, low on mess factor and cute (no really, cloth diapers can be cute).

I love to use prefolds with Thirsties or Bummis covers, but Bum Genius makes an awesome one size all-in-one and you can always count on a pocket diaper to give you extra absorption. My favorite local website to visit is

http://www.babybootywear.com/

Acupuncture for Runners

If you're an athlete, you may be interested in optimizing your performance.

Check out this article about acupuncture for marathon runners!

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/diet_and_fitness/article6114595.ece

Pilates

After giving birth to my amazing daughter on Christmas day, I felt like a ball of dough. During pregnancy, my stomach muscles had softened in order to make room for the baby. What's more, I had forgone my usual work out routine for a walking regimen. This left me feeling pretty jiggly all over.

My solution: Pilates

It's been about a month since I began and I can really feel the difference. My abdominal muscles and tightened back up and my posture isn't half bad either. What's more, my low back feels really strong.

For me, pilates does more than address my physical well being. When my back is strong and my posture is great, I feel mentally prepared to face my daily obstacles. It doesn't hurt that I look a lot better in a pair of jeans either...

If you're looking for a great pilates instructor, make sure that they are addressing your weak or previously injured areas with care and checking your form along the way.

I love my instructor Wendy Oliver at Genuine Pilates in Charlotte. She's great with managing her clients individual bodies and I'm really getting results.

Check out http://www.genuinepilates.org/index.html to learn more.

Get Moving

It’s getting warm out there again and you have every reason to get outside and enjoy yourself. Becoming active in the springtime can be a challenge, especially after a few months of winter couch time. But Charlotte has plenty of beautiful nature trails and walking paths all around town. Check out this link to the Mecklenburg Co. Greenways and find a great place to walk or bike near your house:

http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Park+and+Rec/Greenways/Home.htm

Asparagus

It’s springtime again and asparagus is making its debut on the vegetable scene once more. This densely nutritious food is chalk full of folic acid, potassium, fiber, thiamin, vitamin B6 and vitamins A and C. What’s more, asparagus has not cholesterol, no fat and low sodium.

This plant is a member of the Lily family and its spears grown upwards from a crown that is planted about a foot under the soil. Typically, the spears are not harvested until 3 years after a crown has been planted in order to ensure the growth of a strong root system.

When picking asparagus at your local market, keep in mind that the larger the diameter of the spears, the better the quality.

Around this time of year, we make asparagus our favorite side dish at the dinner table.

Roasting is a great way to prepare this dish and you can add a few other ingredients to the mix to make this the most quickly disappearing dish on the table.

We add a spoonful of Earth Balance natural spread and season the spears with salt and pepper before sticking them in the oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Around halfway through the roast, we roll the spears over in the pan and make sure they get an even coating of spread and seasoning. It’s easy and delicious!

Spring Cleaning

While you’re doing your Spring Cleaning this year, don’t forget to recycle garbage and donate any household items and clothing you no longer use.

Here is a link to the Mecklenburg County recycling drop off centers. Find one near you and make a trip or two.

http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/LUESA/Solid+Waste/Recycling+Drop+Off+Centers/Home.htm

To donate clothing and household items, make a trip to the nearest Goodwill, Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Check out this link for more information:

http://charlotte.about.com/od/shoppingservices/tp/donating_goods.htm