Acupuncture SLC

Give Your Cardiovascular Health a Boost with Acupuncture

Acuip — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:46:54 +0000

Qi Mail™The Acupuncture Newsletter

February 2012

Annie Budhathoki L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., MSTOM Acupuncture SLC

352 S. Denver Street, Suite 307 Salt Lake City, UT 84111

http://www.AcupunctureSLC.com

801.708.4490

Nurture Your Cardiovascular Health

The cardiovascular system consists of the heart and blood vessels and is responsible for carrying nutrients and oxygen to the tissues and removing carbon dioxide and other waste from them. Diseases affecting the cardiovascular system include arteriosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, arrhythmia, heart failure, hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, shock, endocarditis, diseases of the aorta and its branches, disorders of the peripheral vascular system, and congenital heart disease. February is the American Heart Association’s Heart Health Awareness Month, emphasizing the importance of cardiovascular health and the dangers of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading health threat with heart disease and stroke topping the list of the first and second leading causes of death worldwide. One out of every two men and one out of every three women will develop heart disease sometime in their life. Despite dramatic medical advances over the past fifty years, heart disease remains a leading cause of death globally and the number one cause of death in the United States. Cardiovascular disease is not just a man’s disease, in women, the condition is responsible for about 29% of deaths, reports the CDC. Although more men die of heart disease than women, females tend to be under diagnosed, often to the point that it’s too late to help them once the condition is discovered.

By integrating acupuncture and Oriental medicine into your heart healthy lifestyle, you can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease by as much as 80%. Steps to prevention include managing high blood pressure and cholesterol, quitting smoking, eating healthy, maintaining a healthy weight, physical activity, reducing stress and improved sleep – all of which can be helped with acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

5 Steps to a Healthy Heart with Acupuncture

1. Manage High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure makes the heart work harder, increasing its oxygen demands and contributing to angina. This excessive pressure can lead to an enlarged heart (cardiomegaly), as well as damage to blood vessels in the kidneys and brain. It increases the risk of heart attacks, stroke and kidney disease.

Acupuncture has been found to be particularly helpful in lowering blood pressure. By applying acupuncture needles at specific sites along the wrist, inside the forearm or in the leg, researchers at the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, Irvine, were able to stimulate the release of opioids, which decreases the hearts activity and thus its need for oxygen. This, in turn, lowers blood pressure.

2. Quit Smoking

Most people associate cigarette smoking with breathing problems and lung cancer. But did you know that smoking is also a major cause of coronary artery disease? In fact, about 20% of all deaths from heart disease are directly related to cigarette smoking.

Acupuncture has shown to be an effective treatment for smoking. Acupuncture treatments for smoking cessation focus on jitters, cravings, irritability, and restlessness – symptoms that people commonly complain about when they quit. It also aids in relaxation and detoxification.

3. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Obesity is associated with diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease, all of which increase the risk of developing heart disease, but studies have shown that excess body weight itself (and not just the associated medical conditions) can also lead to heart failure. Even if you are entirely healthy otherwise, being overweight still places you at a greater risk of developing heart failure.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine are an excellent adjunctive tool when it comes to losing weight. They can help to energize the body, maximize the absorption of nutrients, regulate elimination, control overeating, suppress the appetite, and reduce anxiety.

4. Reduce Stress

Stress is a normal part of life, but if left unmanaged, stress can lead to emotional, psychological, and even physical problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, chest pains, or irregular heart beats. Medical researchers aren’t exactly sure how stress increases the risk of heart disease. Stress itself might be a risk factor, or it could be that high levels of stress make other risk factors worse. For example, if you are under stress, your blood pressure goes up, you may overeat, you may exercise less, and you may be more likely to smoke.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of stress, anxiety and mental health. In addition to acupuncture, Oriental medicine offers a whole gamut of tools and techniques that can be integrated into your life to keep stress in check. These tools include Tui Na, Qi Gong exercises, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, meditations and acupressure that you can administer at home.

5. Improve Sleep

Poor sleep has been linked with high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, heart failure, heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, and obesity. Researchers have shown that getting at least eight hours of sleep is needed for good heart health and getting less than eight hours of sleep can put you at a greater risk for developing heart disease.

Acupuncture has shown great success treating a wide array of sleep problems without any of the side effects of prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids. The acupuncture treatments for problems sleeping focus on the root disharmony within the body that is causing the insomnia. Therefore, those who use acupuncture for insomnia achieve not only better sleep, but also an overall improvement of physical and mental health.

Come in for a consultation during Heart Health Awareness Month to see how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can assist you with your heart health and help you to live a long, healthy life.

Acupuncture for Cholesterol Management

It’s important to have your blood cholesterol levels checked since you can have high cholesterol and not realize it. Most of the 65 million Americans with high cholesterol have no symptoms. All adults age 20 and older should have their cholesterol levels checked at least once every five years. If you have elevated cholesterol, you’ll need to have it tested more often.

Research has clearly shown that lowering cholesterol can reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Whether you have heart disease already or want to prevent it, you can reduce your risk for having a heart attack by lowering your cholesterol level.

According to the American Heart Association, exercise and a healthy balanced diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats is important to lowering risk and improving your cardiovascular health. Speak to your health care providers to make sure your cholesterol is being monitored and find out how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you stay healthy.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can be used to treat many of the health conditions known to drastically increase the risk of heart disease and high cholesterol including smoking, high blood pressure, excess weight, and diabetes.

Excess weight tends to increase your low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, raise triglycerides, a fatty substance in the blood and in food, and lowers your high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Regular physical activity can help you lose weight and raise HDL, lower triglycerides, and lower LDL.

Call today to see how Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you with your cholesterol management goals!

Loving Kindness Meditation: Open Your Heart for Healing

Loving Kindness Meditation Steps

Loving kindness begins with developing loving acceptance of yourself and spreads out to those close to you and on to the earth and universe.

Step 1: Create the Conditions for Meditation

Find a quiet and comfortable place where you can be undisturbed. Remove shoes and any restrictive clothing. Assume a sitting position, either on a chair or sitting on a pillow in a modified lotus (yoga style) position with your spine straight (not stiff). Eyes may be closed or open with soft focus.

Step 2: Loving Kindness For Self

Focus attention on the breath, which you will use as a means to spread loving kindness. If you notice sounds or thoughts let them go and gently return to your meditation.

You may visualize the breath (loving kindness) as a light or warm ray or simply think of the breath as love.
Slowly sweep the breath (love, warm ray, or light) over your body starting from the top of your head. Feel the nourishment of loving kindness.
Lightly focus your attention on the center of your chest, your heart.
As you breath in, direct loving kindness to your heart.
As you breathe out, let loving kindness spread out from the heart, through the body, through the mind; through your whole being. Feel it nourishing you.
Say words that embody all that you wish for yourself. For instance, “I love myself unconditionally,” I love others unconditionally,” and “May I be happy, may I be well.”
Continue in this manner until it feels right to move to the next step.

Step 3: Loving Kindness For Loved Ones

Follow 1 though 6.

Now, form an image in your mind of your loved one, or simply think of her or him.
As you breathe out send loving kindness to your loved one.
Say words that embody your wish for them, for instance “May you be happy, may you be well.”
Continue sending love to as many loved ones as you wish using the same method as above.

Step 4: Loving Kindness For a Neutral Person

Repeat step 3, only this time form an image of a neutral person, someone you do not know, like a clerk in a store.

Now as you breathe out send loving kindness to the neutral person.

Step 5: Loving Kindness For a Hostile Person

Repeat step 3, only this time form an image of someone you are having difficulty with.

Step 6: Radiate Loving Kindness

Now, use the same process as above to send loving kindness to your home, neighborhood, town, country, the earth, and the universe.

What did You Notice?

Take a moment to reflect on your meditation.

If it was difficult for you, start with only a few minutes and focus only on the first step. Increase the time and steps as you feel ready. A good goal is 10 minutes a day. Don’t worry if your mind wanders during meditation. Sustaining your attention and developing patience are important benefits you will receive from practice. You may use different persons or locations in each of the categories over time, but it’s best to keep them in the same order.

Loving Kindness Meditation Benefits

By its very nature, this practice increases optimism while it overcomes self-doubt and negativity. Loving kindness acts as an antidote for emotional pain.

Sources: http://www.natural-healing-health.com/lovingkindnessmeditation.html

Nurture Your Cardiovascular Health
Acupuncture for Cholesterol Management
Heart Healthy Foods

Heart Healthy Foods

Having a healthy diet is one of the best ways to support your cardiovascular health and prevent heart disease.

Here are some suggested foods which will support your heart healthy lifestyle:

Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables such as kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, radish, turnips, and cabbages are a gold mine of antioxidants and other heart-saving phytochemicals. Make sure that cruciferous vegetables are part of your heart health diet every day.

Fish

Fatty fish such as salmon and anchovies are loaded with the omega-3 fatty acids that will help your heart maintain a steady rhythm. Having a serving of fish a week could reduce your risk of death from a heart attack by 52%.

Flaxseed

Flaxseed is one of the most potent sources of heart health-promoting omega-3 fats. Studies indicate that adding flaxseed to your diet can reduce the development of heart disease by 46% while helping keep red blood cells from clumping together and forming clots that can block arteries. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp of flax-seed a day on your cereal or salad.

Fruit

Oranges contain folic acid that helps lower levels of homocysteine, a heart attack risk factor.

Grapes are loaded with flavonoids and resveratrol, both potent antioxidants that may discourage red blood cells from clumping together and forming an artery-blocking clot.

Pomegranates are chock-full of potassium and polyphenols, which promote heart health and have been shown to help lower cholesterol. The latest studies are showing that the juice limits the genetic tendency toward hardening of the arteries.

Garlic

Just one clove a day, or 300 mg three times daily, reduces the risk of heart attack at least three ways: It discourages red blood cells from sticking together and blocking your arteries, it reduces arterial damage, and it discourages cholesterol from lining the arteries and making them so narrow that blockages are likely.

Green Tea

Green tea contains several powerful antioxidants that reduce bad cholesterol and boost good cholesterol, improving an individuals overall cholesterol profile. Drinking green tea also seems to enhance cardiovascular health by improving the consistency of platelets in the blood and may even lower blood pressure.

Nuts

Studies have found that those who eat more than 5 oz of nuts a week are one-third less likely to have either heart disease or a heart attack. Just don’t overdo it as nuts can pile on the pounds.

Red Wine

Scientific studies overwhelmingly show that a daily glass of wine can reduce your risk of a heart attack. Both plant compounds called saponins and antioxidants in the “fruit of the vine” work to protect arteries. Researchers have found that red is much more effective than white for improving heart health.

5 Ways Acupuncture Creates Lasting New Year’s Resolutions

Acuip — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:43:06 +0000

Chinese New Year 2012 has Arrived! $40 Treatments for Everyone: February 1st-10th!

Be Healthy and Successful this year.…

New Year’s Rejuvenation

It is the beginning of a new year and, once again, a time to reflect on what changes we can make to improve our lives. If you are intent on improving your health this year, acupuncture and Chinese medicine may be the very thing you need to “stick” to those resolutions. Ready for a Treatment? Book Online Now

Here’s how acupuncture can help you achieve your goals:

Resolution 1: Reach Target Weight and Stay There

Losing weight is the #1 most common New Year’s Resolution. Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine can help you reach your goal weight and maintain it by promoting better digestion, smoothing emotions, reducing appetite, improving metabolism, and eliminating food cravings.

From an Oriental medicine perspective, the acupuncture points, foods and herbs that are chosen to assist with weight loss directly influence the Qi of the Spleen and Liver systems to treat the root imbalances that are causing the weight gain.

From a Western perspective, acupuncture and Oriental medicine have been shown to have an effect on the function of the nervous system, endocrine system, digestive system, food cravings, and metabolism. All of which can help to energize the body, maximize the absorption of nutrients, regulate elimination, control overeating, suppress the appetite, and reduce anxiety.

The beauty of acupuncture is that each treatment is catered to the needs of the individual patient. Acupuncture points on the body will be chosen for overall well being with the objective of increasing circulation of the blood and Qi (stimulating the metabolism) and calming the nervous system.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine are powerful tools for healthy weight loss, by themselves or as a supportive treatment in conjunction with other weight management programs.

Resolution 2: Stay Sharp

Your New Year’s resolution may be to learn a new language or take a class at your local college. However you choose to exercise your brain, acupuncture can help. Numerous studies suggest that acupuncture can help improve memory, mental clarity, concentration and cognitive function.

One recently published study (see below) shows how acupuncture can be used to treat memory impairment induced by diabetes and cerebral ischemia. Other studies have looked at how acupuncture affects the performance of students during an exam, post-menopausal “brain fog”, Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. All results, thus far, have been positive.

Resolution 3: Relieve Pain Naturally

If pain is keeping you from living your life to the fullest, acupuncture can help. Increasingly, people are looking for more natural approaches to help relieve painful conditions instead of relying on medications. Acupuncture has no side effects and can be helpful for all types of pain, regardless of what is causing the pain or where the pain is located. Some studies have shown the pain relief it provides can last for months.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain before and after acupuncture treatment for pain shows dramatic decreases in activity in the pain centers of the brain – up to 70%.

In addition to reducing pain, acupuncture also hastens the healing process by increasing circulation and attracting white blood cells to an injured area.

Resolution 4: Quit Smoking

Acupuncture has turned a growing number of cigarette cravers into permanent ex-smokers. In fact, researchers say that acupuncture is a promising treatment for all types of addiction from cigarettes to heroin.

In one study, a team from Yale University successfully used auricular (ear) acupuncture to treat cocaine addiction. Results showed that 54.8% of participants tested free of cocaine during the last week of treatment, compared to 23.5% and 9.1% in the two control groups. Those who completed acupuncture treatment also had longer periods of sustained abstinence compared to participants in the control groups.

The acupuncture treatments for smoking cessation focus on jitters, cravings, irritability, and restlessness; symptoms that people commonly complain about when they quit. It also aids in relaxation and detoxification.

Resolution 5: Eliminate Stress

Stress reduction is always on the top ten list for New Year’s resolutions and for a good reason. Stress is often the cause of illness and the deterioration of health. Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of stress, anxiety and lowering blood pressure.

In addition to acupuncture, Oriental medicine offers a whole gamut of tools and techniques that can be integrated into your life to keep stress in check. These tools include Tui Na, Qi Gong exercises, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, meditations and acupressure that you can administer at home.

Needless to say, if the stress in your life is throwing you off balance, consider coming in for a treatment to regain peace of mind and stay healthy.

Sources: https://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+Information/Detail/5+Ways+Acupuncture+Creates+Lasting+New+Year’s+Resolutions

Sending all the best to you, your family and friends always!

Yours in Health,

Annie Budhathoki, L.Ac

Get Better. Live the life you want.

Guidelines for Weight Loss

Acuip — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:20:56 +0000

Guidelines for Weight Loss

Guidelines for Weight
Loss

“Eat like an emperor at breakfast,

like a prince at lunch, and like a pauper at
dinner.”

1. Begin
each day with a reasonable Breakfast. Consisting
of: Clean Protein & Complex Carbs.

Example: Yogurt with Granola & Fruit or (2) Hard
Boiled Eggs with Whole Wheat Toast.

The body uses food for fuel. Food = Fuel.

2. Eat
3-4 Small Meals a day. Don’t let your body get hungry! We tend to
eat fast or over eat when we are hungry. Almonds & Apples are metabolism
stabilizers; I recommend to keep them on hand at all times.

3. Mid
Morning & Late Afternoon Snack.
Fresh Fruit, Fresh Veggies or Small handful of nuts.

Your really eating 5-6
times a day.

4. Eat
Slowly & Chew Thoroughly. It
takes the brain 20 minutes to recognize you have eaten, so if rushed, it is
likely and very easy to overeat.

5. Drink a minimum of 64 oz of water daily. Avoid drinking your Calories and
refrain from Diet Sodas. The
recommendation is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily.

6. Remove
all processed sugar & artificial sweeteners. NutraSweet, Aspartame, etc are all Neurotoxin’s-
In other words, damaging to your nervous system & brain. This includes soda, diet soda, candy, etc.

7. Cut
out caffeine & Chocolate.

8. Cut
out refined wheat products & bread. IE. donuts, scones, muffins, pastries, pasta,
etc.

9. USE
Whole grains with discretion. Oats,
millet, quinoa, amaranth, brown rice, etc.

10. Protein should be “clean”
beware of radiated, antibiotic & hormone injected products.

11. Exercise
a MINIMUM of 15 minutes per day/everyday.
Walk, bike, enjoy and breathe!

Ø Avoid: Cold raw foods,
Excess dairy, Fried foods & Sugar.

Ø Eat larger meals in the
MORNING and avoid eating 3-4 hours before bed-time.

Ø Emphasize: Warm Cooked
& Low Fat Foods. “soup-like”

(Food
should be like a soup before entering the digestive system.)

Remember, Recharge and Resolve – January Newsletter

Acuip — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:57:30 +0000

In This Issue

* Create Lasting Resolve to Reach Your Goals with Acupuncture
* Healthy Brain Habits
* Mental Clarity Boost
* The Will Power Connection

Create Lasting Resolve to Reach Your Goals with Acupuncture

The start of the new year is a time of looking back at what we have achieved in the past year and looking forward to the future. This period of remembrance and resolution may be challenging but it is both productive and rewarding. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help achieve the change you seek as it assists in illness prevention, stress relief, minimizes aches and pains, improves energy and nurtures balance. This calm and clarity strengthens your resolve as you take the next step in achieving your goals.

Here are a few ways that Acupuncture can help you achieve your goals:

Lose Weight
Losing weight is the most common New Year’s resolution. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you reach your goal weight and maintain it by promoting better digestion, smoothing emotions, reducing appetite, improving metabolism, and eliminating food cravings–all of which can help energize the body, maximize absorption of nutrients, regulate elimination, control overeating, suppress the appetite and reduce anxiety.

Get in Shape
Renewed enthusiasm to exercise in order to enhance fitness levels, train for a competition, or lose weight can come at a painful price for those who try to do too much too quickly. Recent studies show that acupuncture effectively treats sports injuries such as strains, sprains, musculoskeletal pain, swollen muscles and shin splints.

Eliminate Stress

Stress reduction is always on the top ten list for New Year’s resolutions and for a good reason; it is often the cause of illness and deterioration of health. Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of stress, anxiety and lowering blood pressure. In addition to acupuncture, Oriental medicine offers a whole range of tools that can be integrated into your life to keep stress in check.

Improved Quality of Life

If pain is keeping you from living life to the fullest, acupuncture can help as it has no side effects and can be helpful for all types of pain, regardless of the cause or where it is located. Increasingly, people are looking for more natural approaches to help relieve painful conditions instead of relying on medication. In addition to reducing pain, acupuncture also hastens the healing process by increasing circulation and attracting white blood cells to an injured area.

Call today to see how Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine can help you keep your resolutions and prepare for the year ahead!

Healthy Brain Habits

Keeping the goals we have set for ourselves in addition to outlining and completing the tasks needed to accomplish those goals can be overwhelming. Here are a few steps you can take to help optimize brain health and sharpen your memory:

Eat More Produce – Studies that focus on food and memory show that the more produce you eat, the better. One 25-year Harvard Medical School study of more than 13,000 women showed that the participants who ate relatively high amounts of vegetables over the years had less age-related decline in memory. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, and leafy green vegetables had the biggest effect on helping women retain their memory during the course of the study. In another study, the phytochemicals, anthocyanin (found in berries of all colors and cherries) and quercetin (found in onions, kale and apples), actually reversed some of the age-related memory deficits in laboratory animals.

Take Care of Your Heart – A healthy heart makes for a healthy brain. Because oxygen and nutrients are carried in the blood stream, anything that impedes blood flow will starve those all-important brain cells. Review your blood pressure and cholesterol level. Know your numbers and if they are elevated, take immediate measures to bring them down.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep -When we sleep, the brain has time to recharge. Studies show that 7-8 hours of sleep a night helps to strengthen memory. Practicing good sleep habits helps keep the brain and the rest of the body functioning at its best.

Exercise – Regular physical activity has been shown to decrease the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease by about half. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and helps regulate blood sugar levels, both of which improve brain function and memory. Aim for 30 minutes a day.

Challenge Your Brain – Keep your mind active and challenged. Brain function decreases with age. Studies show that cognitive exercise can improve blood flow to the brain. Spend at least 15 minutes each day on a mental exercise such as a crossword puzzle, journaling or learning a new language in order to slow memory loss.
Renew, Rejuvenate & Relax in the New year!

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Mental Clarity Boost

Feeling a little foggy? Having trouble concentrating? Massage acupuncture point Du 20 for some mental clarity. Du 20 is located on top of the head, midway between the ears. It is used to clear the mind and improve focus. Stimulate the point with your index finger 35-40 seconds for a quick brain boost.”

The Will Power Connection

Is there a body/mind connection to will power? According to the principles of Acupuncture and Oriental medicine there is. Will power, or “Zhi,” is said to reside in the kidneys and the state of the Kidney Qi directly correlates to the fortitude of our will power.

In Oriental medicine, disease prevention begins with a protective layer around the exterior of the body called wei qi, or defensive energy. If you catch colds easily, have low energy and require a long time recuperating from an illness, your wei qi may be deficient. Nourishing Qi can help greatly enhance the body’s ability to thrive in times of stress, aid in healing, prevent illness and increase vitality. According to Oriental medicine, recharging your battery and regeneration of vital energy, Qi, will help you live, look and feel your best!

Happy New Year 2012

Acuip — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:08:23 +0000

Happy New Year 2012

Sending You Much Health & Prosperity in the New Year!

2012 is the Year of the Dragon in Chinese Zodiac

The year of the Dragon offers opportunity for those who are willing to flexibly adapt to change and creatively approach possibilities. The dragon is a sign of passion and self-confidence, of bravery and generosity. Gifted intelligent, and tenacious, the dragon leads with energy a and determination, bringing with it prosperity and abundance. May 2012 find you empowered with the spirit of the dragon,and rewarded with richness and good fortune in all that you do!

Chinese Medicine Health Assessment

Are you curious about your health or have unexplained medical problems?

A Self-Assessment Health Profile can be used as an educational device as well as a diagnostic tool.

It will aid you in becoming acquainted with the language of Chinese medicine.

If you are interested in doing a personal assessment, please click the link below, complete it and bring it into your next visit.

Chinese Medicine Self-Assessment Health Profile

Check the symptoms you have experienced during the last six months. Circle and check those that have been most troublesome.

To make an appointment please book online at www.AcupunctureSLC.com or feel free to call 801.708.4490

Create a Healing Deal

So many patients in 2011 came to know Acupuncture SLC from local community “deals” such as Groupon.

In the spirit of this, in 2012 you can “Create a Healing Deal” of your own! For starters, here are some ideas:

Buy 1 get 2nd Half Off (to be used within 30 days)
Customer Loyalty Punch Card: 10th visit Free
Pre Purchase 4 or more Treatments get 20% off
Friends & Family (2) treatments at same time save $10 each
Refer a Friend get 50% off your next treatment
Free treatment the week of your birthday!

Keep me posted if you have an deal you would like, and let’s make a Deal!

As always we offer a 20% Discount for:

Students (enrolled)

Seniors (65+)

and a Sliding Scale for Low Income & Disability.

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Change through Balance

Most of the time, without even knowing it, we and our bodies are in a perpetual state of finding “our” balance. Internally this happens on spiritual, mental/emotional, structural, and biochemical levels. Externally, we endeavor to find balance in relationships to others and in our environment. The ongoing process of finding balance is called homeostasis. How well we find balance during life circumstances is largely based upon how well we function, adapt and thrive in the wold. Acupuncture & Chinese medicine treatment principles are primarily based on the concept of finding balance. By balancing the body through a system of correspondences; acupuncture helps the body ability to heal itself.

Healing through balance can take many forms, but some fundamentals elements are called, ”Nourishing Life Principles.” Most of the major keys to nourishing life stem from human life experience. For me, the first step in nourishing our life begins at home. I always say, ”There are 3 things that will keep you human; Eating, Sleeping & Breathing, so optimize these 3 things at home as best you can.” Try to picture some activities you have experienced that “feed your soul” or make you “feel good” or how you like to find balance & rejuvenation in your life. In nourishing our life, it is important to find personal balance in our mind & heart; for most of us this means managing stress. May 2012 bring a positive change for you by finding more balance!

Have a Happy and Safe New Year! ~ All the Best from Annie Budhathoki, L.Ac at Acupuncture SLC ~

Chinese Medicine Self-Assessment Health Profile

Acuip — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:12:18 +0000

Chinese Medicine Self-Assessment Health Profile.pdf

Managing Stress with Acupuncture: December 2011

Acuip — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:28:22 +0000

The Acupuncture Newsletter

December 2011

Annie Budhathoki L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., MSTOM

Acupuncture SLC

352 S. Denver Street, Suite 307 Salt Lake City, UT 84111

http://www.AcupunctureSLC.com

801.708.4490

In This Issue

Alleviate Your Stress with Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Acupuncture Gives Hope to Patients with PTSD
Coping with Seasonal Stress
Tools to Effectively Manage Stress

Alleviate Your Stress with Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

As a normal part of life, stress enables us to get things done. If left unmanaged, stress can lead to emotional, psychological, and even physical problems. Stress causes a disruption in the flow of vital energy, or Qi, through the body. These energetic imbalances can throw off the immune system or cause symptoms of pain, sleep disturbances, abnormal digestion, headaches, menstrual irregularities, aggravation of already troublesome health conditions and, over time, more serious illnesses can develop.

Stressful situations that last over a long period of time can create an ongoing low-level stress that puts continual pressure on the nervous system, increasing activity, and can cause the overproduction of hormones. The extra stress hormones over an extended period of time may wear out the body’s reserves, lead to fatigue, depression, a weakened immune system, and a host of serious physical and psychological ailments.

Some signs of stress overload include:

- anxiety or panic attacks

- feelings of constant pressure, hassled and hurried

- irritability and moodiness

- physical symptoms such as stomach problems, headaches, or even chest pain

- allergic reactions, such as eczema or asthma

- problems sleeping

- overindulgence in food, alcohol, smoking, or drugs

- sadness or depression

Stress is often the cause of illness and the deterioration of health. Finding a release valve for your stress can help you stay healthy. According to Oriental medicine, stress, frustration, and unresolved anger can play an important part in throwing the immune system off and allowing pathogens to affect the body. Through acupuncture, these energy blockages can be addressed. Acupuncture points can help energy flow smoothly, and alleviate not only the symptoms of stress and anxiety, but the stress and anxiety itself.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of stress. Acupuncture improves circulation of blood throughout the body, which oxygenates the tissues and cycles out cortisol and other waste chemicals. The calming nature of acupuncture also decreases heart rate, lowers blood pressure and relaxes the muscles.

In addition to acupuncture, Oriental medicine offers a wide range of tools and techniques that can be integrated into your wellness plan to keep stress in check. These tools include Tui Na, Qi Gong exercises, dietary therapy, meditations and acupressure that you can administer at home.

While it isn’t always possible to remove the external forces causing stress, the ability to effectively deal with stress is a choice. Take time for yourself to cultivate the energy you need to handle your stress more skillfully and effectively.

If you or someone you know is experiencing stress or a stress related disorder, contact us for more information about how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you regain peace of mind, regulate your immune system and stay healthy and schedule an appointment today!

Acupuncture Gives Hope to Patients with PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a severe type of anxiety disorder. PTSD results from a person witnessing or being involved in a traumatic event that causes intense fear, helplessness or horror, such as, a natural disaster, rape, childhood abuse, a tragic accident, or war. Signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder typically begin within three months of a traumatic event but can, in some instances, occur years after the event.

Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder include:

1. Intrusive memories – flashbacks and nightmares of events

2. Avoidance and numbing – feeling emotionally numb, hopelessness about the future, avoiding anything that is a reminder of the precipitating event.

3. Hyperarousal – increased anxiety, irritability or anger, self-destructive behavior (e.g., excessive drinking), and an exaggerated startle response (jumping at sounds)

Acupuncture as Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

In the last couple of years, acupuncture, has been getting more attention as a treatment for PTSD, particularly from military and veterans since soldiers post combat are at a high risk for suffering from PTSD. The results from acupuncture are hopeful. Time and again, acupuncture has proven to be an effective modality for treating the symptoms of PTSD.

Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB), a group that previously provided relief to the survivors of the earthquake in Haiti and hurricane in New Orleans, launched The Military Stress Recovery Project. This organization provides free acupuncture treatments for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as their families. Treated military personnel have reported improved mental clarity, less anxiety, and a reduction in stress.

There are good precedents for the use of acupuncture to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. Walter Reed Medical Center, a military hospital, has begun to investigate acupuncture as a viable treatment for returning veterans.

Researchers at the University of Louisville School of Medicine conducted a clinical trial examining the effects of acupuncture on the symptoms of PTSD. They analyzed depression, anxiety, and impairment in 73 people who had been diagnosed with PTSD and found that acupuncture provided treatment effects similar to group cognitive-behavioral therapy. Both acupuncture and cognitive-behavioral therapy were superior to the control group. Additionally, treatment effects of acupuncture and group therapy were maintained for 3 months after the end of treatment.

Why does acupuncture help the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder? Correctly placed needles help the body re-regulate itself from the effects of stress, PTSD, depression and anxiety. In turn, this allows the individual to focus on their activities and enable them to deal with daily events.

Source: Hollifield, M., Sinclair-Lian, N., Warner, T., and Hammerschlag, R. “Acupuncture for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.” The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, June, 2007 V195(6):504-13.

Coping with Seasonal Stress

The holiday season can be filled with a dizzying array of demands, visitors, travel and frantic shopping trips. For many people, it is also a time filled with sadness, self-reflection, loneliness and anxiety. Compound the usual seasonal pressures with economic strain and you many find this to be one of the most emotionally trying times of the year.

Boost your overall ability to handle seasonal stress by replenishing the nutrients that stress hormones deplete by including the following foods in your meals:

Blackberries – Blackberries are jam packed with vitamin C, calcium and magnesium. Vitamin C has shown to be a powerful stress reducer that can lower blood pressure and return cortisol levels to normal faster when taken during periods of stress.

Cruciferous Vegetables Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and kale are full of stress-relieving B vitamins. Cauliflower is also one of the very best sources of vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid. Pantothenic acid helps turn carbohydrates and fats into usable energy and improves your ability to respond to stress by supporting your adrenal glands.

Salmon Salmon is a healthy and delicious way to get your dose of B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. Among the many benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, a 2003 study published in Diabetes & Metabolism found that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids significantly reduced the stress response and kept the stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine in check.

Tools to Effectively Manage Stress

Increase your ability to effectively manage stress by including these five tools in your wellness plan!

Eat Healthily - More than 1400 chemical changes occur as stress hormones, such as cortisone, deplete important nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin C and magnesium from the body. A balanced, varied diet provides your body with the nutrients it needs to handle stress.

Exercise - Exercise stimulates the body to release endorphins, which are brain chemicals that improve mood and relieve stress.

Outlook - Your outlook influences the way you see things. Change is a healthy, normal part of life. Think of challenges as opportunities.

Relax - Relaxing is a release valve for stress. Relaxation methods vary by individual and can include meditation, yoga and exercise.

Restorative Sleep - Practicing good sleep hygiene will give your body an opportunity to recover from everyday stress.

Avoiding Holiday Stress

Acuip — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:52:02 +0000

1. Creating Balance
Juggling your schedule to fit more in is not the same thing as creating balance. Balance is an inside job. It is when you face demanding situations while maintaining an inner sense of peace. Taking time to stop and breathe will help you restore your inner balance.

2. Managing Choices
The Holidays are a time when there is an abundance of choices. Be aware that the choices you make today will either increase or decrease the holiday stress and/or the holiday depression you feel in the future. Think through what you say “yes” to and make frequent use of the word “no.” Choices can be about what you eat, how much you drink, what social events to attend and what you spend just to name a few.

3. Avoid Sleep Deprivation
Most American’s suffer from a lack of sleep. Do you try to get more done by staying up later? At the holiday’s this is especially common. As a long term strategy this will result in more stress and a lower ability to respond to the demands of the season. Take care of your body and your physical needs so that you have more reserves to respond to the emotional and physical demands of the season.

4. Don’t miss the Present
As you shop for presents, ask yourself, ” Am I present?” In other words, are you fully experiencing what you are doing? It is easy to be so focused on just one day, or one party, or one family event that you miss all the experiences leading up to it. Then the holiday’s feel like a “blur” and you feel like you have missed something. You may have.

5. Stop Every Day
As the demands of the season increase and pressure builds, it is easy to have all of your activities begin to run into each other. Your life starts to revolve around the word: “Next.” You lose the time to stop and reflect upon what you are doing. Possibly losing the chance to savor the moment. Give yourself a gift, take time each day to be quiet, just with yourself, to reconnect with yourself, remember who you are, what you are doing and why you are doing it.

6. Be Courageous
The Holiday’s are a season when many people; loved ones, friends, family & coworkers will place demands on you. Make a promise to yourself to test their expectations against your values. do what is in alignment with your values. Maybe you would rather have a casual holiday meal instead of an elaborate sit-down feast. Maybe you would rather call friends instead of addressing cards. Maybe you would rather donate to charity instead of buying gifts. Be clear about who you are and what your values are….Stand up for yourself and be Courageous

7. Ask for Help
You don’t need to do it all or be it all. Look for people or services that can give you support. You can easily of twice as much with the help of others. But that means you need to ask for their help. Don’t expect others to be able to read your mind. Know yourself well enough to recognize when you need help. It can be foolish and more stressful to do it all alone.

8. Eat Well & Exercise
This time of year is especially important to make wise food choices. It is also important not to neglect your normal exercise routine. Use moderation instead of starvation order to enjoy a variety of foods. Doing this will allow you to enjoy the season without the guilt of overeating. Take time to exercise, breathe in some fresh air, and remember to take care of yourself!

New MRI Acupuncture Research Shows Mind-Body Connection

Acuip — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:49:50 +0000

New research concludes that “acupuncture may function as a somatosensory-guided mind-body therapy.” The research compared MRI readings of real acupuncture with sham acupuncture (needle stimulation at non-acupuncture point locations) at acupuncture point P-6 (Neiguan, Inner Pass). The MRI imaging showed that true acupuncture yielded greater activity over sham acupuncture in the dorsomedial prefontal cortex of the brain. Real acupuncture produced significantly “greater activity in both cognitive/evaluative (posterior dmPFC) and emotional/interoceptive (anterior dmPFC) cortical regions” and the MRI results showed that true acupuncture “increased cognitive load.”^1,

Recent criticisms concerning the effectiveness of acupuncture have focused on the ability of sham acupuncture to produce clinical results. However, MRI studies show that true acupuncture produces clinical results by different cortical mechanisms than sham acupuncture.

NIH researchers question the validity of sham acupuncture control groups. Dr. R. E. Harris’s (NIH researcher, Ann Arbor, Michigan) research was able to prove that although sham acupuncture and true acupuncture reduce pain in fibromyalgia patients, they “do it by different mechanisms.” Dr. Harris’s research showed that differing mechanisms by which the pain relief was achieved was measured at the molecular level. This suggests that sham acupuncture may superficially cause pain reduction but that it is not scientifically achieved by the same mechanisms as true acupuncture. Dr. Richard L. Nahin of the NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states, “If you look at some of the data, what you find is that sham acupuncture and true acupuncture both produce some pain relief in whatever condition they’re looking at. But while both treatments turn on areas of the brain, they turn on different areas of the brain.”²

References:
1a. Brain encoding of acupuncture sensation – coupling on-line rating with fMRI. V. Napadow, R.P. Dhond, J. Kim, L. LaCount, M. Vangel, R.E. Harris, N. Kettner, K. Park, F. Pfab. Neuroimage (2009) 47: 1055–65.

1b. Florian Pfab, MD, PhD, Visiting Associate Professor, Dept. of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts.

1c. Deutsche Zeitschrift für Akupunktur. Volume 54, Issue 3, 2011, Pages 32-33.

2. Contie, Defibaugh, Ewsichek, Latham and Wein. Understanding Acupuncture Time To Try It? NIH News in Health. February 2011.

http://www.healthcmi.com/index.php/acupuncturist-news-online/459-mriacupunctureceusmindbodyconnection

Acupuncture Reduces Prostatitis Pain- New Research

Acuip — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:47:29 +0000

New research concludes that acupuncture reduces prostatitis related pain. The study measured the effects of acupuncture on chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), also known as chronic prostatitis. CPPS involves prostatitis related pain of the pelvis and/or the perineum (between the anus and the scrotum in men). CPPS is not the type of prostatitis due to a bacterial infection. CPPS tends to wax and wane and the pain intensity level ranges from mild to severe. Post-ejaculatory pain is a textbook symptom of this disorder. There may be associated painful urination, back pain, abdominal pain, muscles aches, rectal pain and/or pain in the penis.

Biochemical Pain Reduction
The study showed that acupuncture reduces CPPS related pain and measured the biochemical mechanisms by which acupuncture achieves this clinical outcome. The researchers noted that, “the levels of Interleukin-8 (IL-8), Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in prostate fluid were detected and the correlation between those changes and [the] pain score was analyzed.” The study measured an effective rate of 89.4 percent for pain reduction by means of acupuncture. The study also measured that as acupuncture lowered the pain levels, the levels of the cytokines (IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-alpha) lowered. The study concludes that acupuncture reduces CPPS by reducing these cytokine levels.

The Points
The researchers used the following acupuncture points as primary points to reduce CPPS pain: Zhongji (CV 3), Guilai (ST 29), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Shuidao(ST 28), Xuehai (SP 10) and Taichong (LR 3). Electroacupuncture stimulation was added to enhance the efficacy of the treatment.

Reference:
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2011 Jan;31(1):11-4. Acupuncture for chronic pelvic pain syndromes (CPPS) and its effect on cytokines in prostatic fluid. Yuan SY, Qin Z, Liu DS, Yin WQ, Zhang ZL, Li SG. Male Department of Zhuhai Branch of Guangdong Provincial TCM Hospital, Zhuhai, China.

http://www.healthcmi.com/index.php/acupuncturist-news-online/461-acupunctureceusprostatitispainresearch