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Tour de France Winner Gains Edge With Acupuncture

Vincenzo Nibali-01
Vincenzo Nibali TDF2012 by Denismenchov08

In case you didn’t get the memo, 29-year-old Vincenzo Nibali of Sicily, Italy won the 2014 Tour de France last month. Rightfully known as the “Shark of Messina,” he was able to outperform 218 other cyclists to finish first in the world’s largest bike race. Nabili finished the race with a lead of more than seven minutes, which is the biggest winning margin since 1997.

But here’s something that you probably didn’t know about Nabili and his team: they were the only team at the 2014 Tour de France to bring their own licensed acupuncturist. Throughout the course of the physically enduring race, an acupuncturist treated Nabili and his team, usually twice a day. Nabili and his team would receive a treatment in the morning before they raced and another at night while they were relaxing and resting in the hotel.  continue reading »

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The Inside Scoop on Cholesterol and The One Chinese Herb That Could Crush It

hawthorn-01According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who suffer from high LDL cholesterol are twice as likely to develop heart disease – the number one cause of death in both men and women (source). High levels of LDL cholesterol is a serious health condition that affects approximately 71 million adults in the U.S. (1 out 3). But an ancient Chinese herb is turning heads in the medical community due to its surprisingly powerful effects on cholesterol levels.

Good vs Bad Cholesterol: What’s The Difference?

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Can Acupuncture Help Treat Depression?

acupuncture-depression-01Depression is a serious medical illness that can lower a person’s quality of life while contributing to the onset of symptoms such as headache, insomnia, fatigue, and malnutrition. According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. say they are depressed. Depression a growing problem that’s often masked with prescription drugs, forcing some to look for alternative forms of treatment.

Most cases of depression are treated with prescription drugs that trigger a range of problems of their own. Fluoxetine, ertraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, citalopram, and escitalopram are just a handful of the most frequently prescribed antidepressants, all of which have a long list of adverse side effects. However, researchers are now saying that acupuncture may effectively treat depression in some individuals. continue reading »

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New Study Reveals Acupuncture Benefits For Women In Menopause

menopause-acupuncture-01Natural menopause – the absence of menstruation for longer than 12 months – often comes with a wide range of unpleasant symptoms, such as insomnia, anxiety, irritability, night sweats, and of course hot flashes. However, a recent study found acupuncture to reduce or even eliminate some of these systems, improving quality life and reducing stress/anxiety in women going through menopause.

Researchers at Taipei Medical University in Taiwan monitored 869 participants who are were going through menopause while using 12 different treatment methods. One of the 12 treatment methods was acupuncture, which surprisingly proved to be the most effective at relieving the discomfort associated with menopause.  continue reading »

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3 Ways To Improve Your Posture

poor-posture-01-smDo you suffer from poor posture? Whether you’re sitting down at a desk, standing, walking or running, you should focus on maintaining your body’s natural position. This means keeping your head and neck up while avoiding slouching or slumping. The good news is that you can reverse the effects of poor posture by following some simple steps.

Some of the physiological problems linked to poor posture include: continue reading »

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Cleveland Clinic reports on Acupuncture Myths!

The Cleveland Clinic published a wonderful piece about the myths associated with acupuncture.  It is fantastic to see “mainstream” medicine giving a much deserved nod to the community of alternative medicines.

Traditionally, Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are not considered “alternative” care – it’s conjunctive care.  Our clinic practices an Integrative approach to medicine, utilizing the compliment of care available.

What myths did you believe before you tried acupuncture?

 

 

Needles? Ouch! And 9 Other Acupuncture Myths

Test your knowledge about this ancient medical art

There are a lot of misconceptions about acupuncture, but the truth is that this practice has been around for more than 3,500 years and provides relief to people around the world.

Below, find ten of the most common myths about acupuncture:

Myth 1: Acupuncture hurts — after all, we’re talking needles

Fact: Although we use needles, they are very slender and fine (about the size of a cat whisker). You may or may not feel an initial prick, sometimes described as a mosquito bite. Any discomfort will either fade on its own or ease up as your acupuncturist adjusts the needles. You should experience a Qi (pronounced “chee”) sensation, often described as heaviness, throbbing or an electrical sensation. That’s your body’s healing energy doing its work

Myth 2: Acupuncture is ancient folk medicine; no legitimate healthcare professional would recommend it

Fact: Acupuncture is a treatment option that many medical institutions recommend. Even the United States military uses acupuncture. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds many clinical research trials on acupuncture. Both the NIH and the World Health Organization (WHO) recognize acupuncture as a valid treatment for a wide range of conditions.

Myth 3: Most people who use, or practice, acupuncture are into ‘New Age’ healing

Fact: On the contrary, you probably have a friend, coworker or neighbor who receives acupuncturetreatments.

Myth 4: Acupuncture may conflict with medication, physical therapy and other ‘mainstream’ conventional medical treatments

Fact: There is no conflict between acupuncture and conventional medicine; they complement one another. Acupuncture works nicely as an adjunct to your conventional treatment plan.

Myth 5: Acupuncture is only useful in treating pain

Fact: It’s true that acupuncture helps relieve joint pain, including knee painback pain; headache; stomach pain and menstrual cramps. However, acupuncture is also used to treat nausea/vomiting, chemotherapy side effects, morning sickness, hypertension (high blood pressure), allergiesdepressioninfertility and other conditions.

Myth 6: Acupuncture has a lot of side effects and you’ll need time off work

Fact: Acupuncture has few to no side effects. After your acupuncture session, you can usually carry on with your day without any restrictions.

Myth 7: Acupuncture’s effects are psychological. It doesn’t really do anything

Fact:  Acupuncture and its effects are far from psychological. Studies show that during acupuncture, our brains begin to release chemicals such as endorphins (natural painkillers) Acupuncture also has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps people’s immune system.

Myth 8: Once you start acupuncture, you’ll always need acupuncture

Fact: For most conditions, acupuncturists strive to improve your main problem so you do not have to return for more treatment. For chronic conditions, some people stay on a maintenance schedule, however, such as returning once a month, because acupuncture continues to help.

Myth 9: If you do not see results in one or two treatments, then you’re unlikely to benefit from acupuncture

Fact: The response to acupuncture is always an individual one. Some people respond quickly — within one, two or three treatments. Others need a full course of eight to 10 treatments. Acupuncture’s effects are cumulative, building with each treatment, so the acupuncturist will assess its effects after you complete a full series of treatments. Acupuncturists use a variety of styles and techniques, so if you do not see results with one clinician, seek out another acupuncturist.

Myth 10: You’ll need a doctor’s referral or a prescription for acupuncture

Fact: Guidelines vary by state. In the state of Ohio, you do not need a doctor’s referral or prescription for acupuncture but a physician should perform a diagnostic exam  for the condition you plan to treat. It is important you seek out a qualified and medically licensed acupuncturist before starting any course of treatment.

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7 Superfoods That Can Change Your Life

blueberries_superfoodsYou are what you eat is an adage that holds more truth than you may realize. Unfortunately, many people today focus their diet around processed foods that are high in sugar, sodium and fat. Diets such as this can increase a person’s risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and more. You can protect your body and health against such illnesses, however, by eating lean meats, fresh vegetables, and by adding the following “superfoods” to your diet.

#1) Broccoli

This edible stalky plant of the cabbage family is loaded in potassium, vitamin B-6, vitamin C magnesium, and calcium. Scientists believes broccoli’s phytochemicals – organic chemical compounds which occur naturally – are able to aid in skin health, regulate blood sugar levels, strengthen the immune system, and ward off joint inflammation. continue reading »

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7 Things You Should Know About Acupuncture and Pregnancy

pregnancy-071414Acupuncture involves the placement of thin sterilized needles to stimulate various acupoints throughout the body. The stimulation of these areas is believed to correct imbalances and blockages in the body by promoting the healthy flow of energy (known as qi – pronounced CHEE).

The thought of having half a dozen or more tiny needles sticking into your skin when you’re pregnant, might sound frightening. However, it’s actually a safe, painless, straightforward procedure that can treat a number of adverse symptoms associated with pregnancy. continue reading »

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How To Dine Out If You Have a Food Allergy

food-allergies-01Food allergies shouldn’t prevent you from dining out with your friends and family. Unfortunately, though, many people with food allergies resort to cooking their own meals to reduce the risk of an adverse reaction. From dairy and nuts to gluten (wheat-based protein) and shellfish, there are certain foods that people must avoid to prevent adverse reactions. continue reading »

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Top Tips for Cardiac Health

The CDC lists the No. 1 killer of men in America as heart disease.  Statistics show that 1 in 4 men over 40 will suffer from a cardiac event at some point in their life.  Knowing how to prevent heart disease is just as important as knowing the signs of a cardiac event.

 

Prevention, It’s the Best Medicine

 

1. Screen Shot 2014-06-23 at 2.04.24 PMRoutine Exams. Work with your physician to monitor your cholesterol, your blood pressure, and your inflammatory markers.  I recommend working with Laboratory companies like Atherotech to check lipids.  Basic lipid panels (BLPs) are inaccurate and inadequate at assessing residual risk in all patient

  • 50% of patients hospitalized with coronary artery disease had “normal” cholesterol according to traditional lipid panels
  • Patients with diabetes are at increased risk for MI, stroke, amputation, and death
  • Diabetes causes metabolic abnormalities that induce vascular dysfunction, which predisposes this population to atherosclerosis
2. apple-18721_640-199x300.jpgDiet.  A heart healthy diet is something that we’ve been chasing for decades within our country.  The truth in the research is that the best food is real, unprocessed, and natural.  Eating grassed, organic meats, seasonal vegetables, and local fruits will keep your body healthy and balanced.  The inflammation that comes from processed foods directly impacts coronary health
Check out the following resources:
3. new-years-resolution-1_l.jpgExercise.  We all know we need to exercise more.  Changing little habits to make our sedentary lives more active will have a profound effect on your cardiac health.  Try to incorporate 3-4 hours a week of walking, jogging, biking, and weight training into your routine.  Walking for 15 minutes every lunch break will easily chip away at that goal of 4 hours of added exercise a week.

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4.Stop Smoking.  This isn’t a novel idea but is certainly one that many American’s are still battling.  Working with an acupuncturist, a counsellor, or your primary care provider may give you the extra edge to help you finally put down the cigarettes for good.
stress-06092014-282x300.jpg5. De-Stress.
Certainly activities like tai chia, yoga, and meditation work towards bringing our stress levels down.  However, simply reading a book listening to music, exercising, or walking your dog can all be wonderful ways to de-stress.  Check out this article on ways to reduce your stress.
6. Sleep. sleepy-owl.jpgQuality sleep goes a long way in disease prevention and rehabilitation.  Shooting for 8 uninterrupted hours of sleep is great goal though there isn’t a magic number for everyone.  Sleep requirements vary based on age, disease, stress, and activity levels.  Paying attention to your body and having good sleep habits are important in health and wellness.
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