The Dallas Acupuncture Blog

Yoga for Health & Well-being

2010-02-04T11:18:00.001-08:00

by Tifany Henderson

These days, more and more people are doing yoga. For many, it is a great exercise regimen, something they do to stay in shape. Others may do yoga to reduce their stress. Although these are two benefits of this practice, yoga can benefit your health in many ways.

The most popular type of yoga is practicing the physical poses called asanas. When we place our body in these different positions, we tone the muscles and increase flexibility and range of movement. We strengthen the skeletal system, and support the nervous and circulatory system. As we continue to practice yoga, our coordination, posture and digestion improves. We can reduce the effects of stress while increasing relaxation by deliberately breathing in or out with each movement. This has a very calming effect on the mind as muscles are releasing tension and the breath becomes easy. Quite often at the end of a yoga session we will feel a greater sense of clarity, focus and well-being.

Many yoga poses help us internally. Twists help improve digestion and elimination by squeezing the internal organs. Balance poses help us improve our focus and concentration. Inversions help us move pooled fluids from our legs toward the upper body, move our organs back towards our chest, and are a natural face lift! As we learn the mechanics of the asana, we start to become more inner directed as we hold the poses and move in and out of them. When we are inner directed, we are better able to listen to our intuition, and make decisions about what is best for our health and well-being.

Practicing yoga can also benefit our health by reducing the stress we are feeling in our mind and body. When we reduce our stressful state, then our body can do what it does naturally, self-heal. When we move into a calm state our secondary systems, such as digestion, immunity and repair, start doing their work.

When our body is stressed, these systems are slowed or shut down because they are less important during an emergency. Unfortunately, as a culture we stay in a state of high alert and everything is an emergency. As a result, we have digestive issues, reproductive problems, body pain, depleted immunity, and sleep deprivation.

When we introduce yoga into our lives, it is important that it doesn’t become one more thing on our to-do list that adds to our burden of doing too much. It needs to be something we look forward to doing, a practice that refreshes and rejuvenates us. When we leave a class, we just feel better about the world, ourselves and whatever problems are going on in our lives…and we may even get a good night’s sleep!

Tifany Henderson teaches yoga in the far North Dallas area. She has been teaching Hatha Yoga for 12 years, and is certified in Relax & Renew® Restorative Yoga by Judith H. Lasater. Tifany teaches group classes as well as private sessions in studios and companies. For more information about Tifany, see her bio and scheduled classes at www.movestudio.com or email her at yogatif@yahoo.com.

Thyroid Issues

2010-02-04T11:10:00.000-08:00

Treating Thyroid Problems Using TCM

by David Brochstein, L.Ac., O.M.D.

Thyroid conditions are nothing new. Iodine deficiency goiters have plagued humans for centuries. However, there seems to be a recent escalation in the incidence rate of thyroid conditions, which may largely be affected by factors such as birth control pills, industrial pollutants, and food-based hormones such as BGT.

If you are a woman over 35 years of age and struggle with feeling cold all the time, slightly depressed or anxious, hair loss, brittle nails, muscle cramps, carpal tunnel syndrome, constipation or chronic swelling in your throat... you may have a thyroid imbalance.

Thyroid disease affects 2.5% of the American population, or roughly 7,700,000 people. More Americans are affected by the precursors to Thyroid disease, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Women are four times more likely to suffer hyperthyroid disorder than men, eight times more likely to suffer hypothyroid disorder, and twice as likely to suffer thyroid tumors.

Let's take a look at what exactly the Thyroid gland does, and explore natural treatment options. Thyroid disorders are a type of immune system disorder, and we have been discussing immunity for several weeks now through our BLOG.

Where is the thyroid gland, and what does it do?

The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system. It is located in the neck and is butterfly shaped, with two distinct lobes.

Thyroid gland disorders affect mainly women over the age of 35. A person may suffer from hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

Some of the activities in the body that thyroid hormones affect are: calcium absorption in the blood, bone density, weight gain/weight loss, body temperature.

Science Says

The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate key functions in our body, primarily protein synthesis and oxygen utilization. Thyroid activity is controlled by a hormone released from the pituitary gland in the brain called TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone). TSH determines how much hormone quantity the thyroid secretes. These secretions have a great impact on the basal metabolic rate (BMR).

TSH levels are also impacted by the hypothalamus (another gland in the brain), and by other regulatory mechanisms that work in conjunction to produce a feedback loop so that as TSH increases, other thyroid hormones decrease. The reverse is also true.
Western science often measures two thyroid hormones found in the blood plasma, marked T3 and T4, as key indicators of thyroid function.

Hyperthyroidism vs. Hypothyroidism:

Hyperthyroidism is caused by excess secretion of thyroid hormones and affects the sympathetic nervous system by causing a "speeding up" of various body symptoms. This can cause a person to live in fight or flight mode, and often results in anxiety, heart palpitations, tremors, and digestive hypermotility (diarrhea).

Hypothyroidism is exactly the opposite. Too little thyroid hormone is secreted and this can affect the sympathetic nervous system by causing hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism may be genetic, or it may be caused by lithium-based mood stabilizers used to treat bi-polar disorders, and by synthetic hormone replacement therapies. Post-partum Hypothyroidisms affects 5% of women after they give birth, and one-in-five of these women will develop a permanent condition

Symptoms:

Early Symptoms

Fatigue
Weight gain and water retention
Cold intolerance
Depression
Constipation
Muscle cramps or joint pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Goiter
Brittle fingernails
Hair loss
Osteoporosis
Decreased sex drive

Late Symptoms

Dry puffy skin, esp. on the face
Hoarse voice
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Low basal body temperature
Thinning eyebrows
Impaired cognitive function
Difficulty swallowing
Hair loss
Decreased libido
Decreased sense of taste and smell
Acute bipolar disorder

Can TCM treat thyroid conditions?

It is only in the past 50 years that TCM practitioners have begun to use Western testing methods to determine a clear diagnosis as to the location and type of thyroid disorder a patient has. This shift in thinking correlates to the increase in the rate of incidence of thyroid related disorders.

Early precursors to hyperthyroidism include a syndrome in TCM called yin-deficiency fire. Symptoms of yin deficiency fire include: increased thirst, red skin, brittle hair, red pointy tongue with no coat, irritability, insomnia. Treatments for yin-deficiency fire can be used to treat hyperthyroidism, and can lead to a reduction in TH secretion. Clinically, hyperthyroid treatments have been highly successful in clinical trials in China and in clinics across the United States.

Hypothyroidism results from the inactivity of the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism is often treated by stimulating the adrenal and kidneys using acupuncture and herbal medicine. While the tendency towards low thyroid secretion may never completely go away, the symptoms of cold body temperature, water retention, and depression are well managed through TCM methods of care.

If you have received a firm diagnosis from an endocrinologist that you have abnormal thyroid activity, or you experience any of the symptoms we have discussed previously, it is a very good idea to contact an Oriental Medical Doctor to discuss treatment options before going on hormone replacement therapies, or having a thyroidectomy.

Causes from the Oriental Perspective

While Western doctors see autoimmune-induced thyroid disease as being caused by a combination of genetic determinants, Chinese doctors have attributed the cause of the disorder primarily to emotional disturbance. While it is true that a person may be genetically predisposed towards certain types of illness, there is always a trigger that takes a person from normal to a state of disease. Chinese medicine looks closely at these causes and how to address them. According to TCM, there are four main causes of disease:

1. Disturbance of qi by sorrow and anger: Liver and spleen qi become disharmonious. As a result, phlegm accumulates in the neck and forms a goiter. Swelling in the neck is one of the first symptoms to result when phlegm accumulation is a primary cause.

2. Heart Fire: This disorder is typically brought about by other factors in a person's life such as stress and diet, and the condition is typified by highly agitated emotional conditions: anxiety, mania, panic, extreme fright, excessive talking, insomnia, and heart palpitations. Heart Fire is often is associated with a heart yin deficiency and is effectively treated through herbs that restore heart yin.

3. Live Fire: Extreme anger, or a high-sugar/high-alcohol/greasy diet may cause liver fire. Liver fire dries yin and blood. The vessels surrounding the thyroid begin to bulge and aggravate the gland, causing a snowball effect. While TCM has only recognized "thyroid disorders" as related to hormone problems in the past 50 years, it has a 4,000 year history of treating liver fire effectively!

4. External Factors: Geography is a big determinant in this case. Iodine deficiency, genetically modified foods, or environmental toxins can induce thyroid disease.

Basically, TCM can treat qi disturbance, heart fire, liver fire, and help with detoxification treatments to rid the body of environmental contaminants. When these conditions are treated effectively, then the thyroid is not disturbed and problems such a as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism are either managed effectively, or are resolved entirely.

Is there "proof" this works?

In my own clinical experience over the past 12 years I have treated many cases of thyroid disorder successfully. There are case studies in the United States, UK and Scandanavia that detail the effectiveness of these treatments.

If the Horse's Mouth isn't good enough for you, China has conducted numerous clinical studies in hospitals proving the effectiveness of TCM herbal treatments, and the references to 51 clinical trials may be found by clicking here!

Take Good Care,

Dr. D

Thyroid Treatment Research

2010-01-22T08:54:00.000-08:00

Below is the list to research on thyroid treatments using TCM, as provided by ITM Online:

REFERENCES (http://www.itmonline.org/arts/thyroid.htm)

Qu Zhijin and Zhou Liang, Hyperthyroidism treated with Shanhaitang Pian, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1989, 30 (8).
Chen Zhimin, Huang Shuhua, et al., Fufang Baijiezi used to heal 54 cases of hyperthyroidism, Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine 1988, 8 (7).
Dong Zemin and Zhang Zaolian, Observation of curative effects of Jia Kang Pian for the treatment of 90 cases of hyperthyroidism, Guangxi Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1988, 11(4).
Hu Daihuai, Xia Duhung, and Luo Jijie, Clinical observation of 60 cases of hyperthyroidism treated with a modified Jia Kang Fang, Journal of Hunan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1989, 9(1).
Liu Cuirong, Li Jianming, et al., Observation on curative effect of Jia Kang Ling for the treatment of hyperthyroid disorders, Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine 1988, 8(12).
Qu Zhuqiu, Lu Xiuluan, et al., Clinical observation on 60 cases of hyperthyroidism treated with Jia Kang Jian, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1987, 28 (2).
Zhang Suzhi, 152 cases of hyperthyroidism treated with Jia Kang Wan, Heilongjiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1987, 1.
Yu Jixian, 100 cases of hyperthyroidism treated with modified Bupleurum and Dragon Bone Decoction, Journal of Hunan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1986, 6(2).
Fu Qingchen, Hyperthyroidism accompanying anemia treated with Jaiwei Guipi Wan, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1984, 25(10).
Zhang Zhenyan, 50 cases of hyperthyroidism treated with Jia Kang Wan, Beijing Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2, 1983.
Jiang Liji and Jiang Yunxiang, Jiawei Sili San used to treat hyperthyroidism, Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1982, 1.
Zhang Kaizhen, Lin Zhezhang, et al., Clinical observation of 12 cases of hyperthyroid malignant exopthalmos treated with integrated traditional and Western medicine, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1982, 23(1).
Liu Jing, Yin Jian, et al., Hyperthyroidism treated with Shuanghai Xiaoying Tang-a clinical observation of 60 cases, Sichuan Medical Journal 1982, 3(5).
Kuang Ankun, Din Tin, et al., Clinical observation of hypo- and hyper-thyroidism treated with traditional Chinese medicine and changes of plasma cyclonucleotides, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1980, 21 (11).
Yu Yunpu, Wang Jian, et al., Clinical observation of 50 cases of hyperthyroidism treated with Fufang Jiakang Gao, Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1980, 15(8).
Yuan Wenxue, Observation on curative effect of Pinyin Fufang in treating 110 cases of hyperthyroidism, Middle Medical Journal 1980, 3.
Li Weifan and Zhang Guiliang, An experience of treating hyperthyroidism by differentiation of syndromes according to traditional Chinese medicine, Middle Medical Journal 1980, 3.
Li Yingquan, Jiawei Haizao Yuhu Tang used to heal hyperthyroidism, Hunan Medical Journal 1980, 1.
Zhang Jueren, A special formula for senile patients in treating hyperthyroidism, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1990, 31(3).
Gao Hongchun, Seaweeds should not be applied for the treatment of hyperthyroidism, Sichuan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1988, 7.
Xia Shaonong, Xu Zhizhang, and Zhang Zhihong, Hyperthyroidism treated with Yiqi Yangyin Decoction, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine [English] 1986, 5(2).
Li Changdu and Li Peili, Treatment of hypothyroidism with Chinese herbs, Journal of Guiyang Traditional Chinese Medicine College 1990, 1.
Hu Guosheng, et al., A clinical study of treating Hashimoto's thyroiditis by moxibustion, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine [English] 1987, 7(2).
Hsu, Hong-yen, Chinese herb therapy for hyperthyroidism, Bulletin of the Oriental Healing Arts Institute 1983, 8(3).
Kikutani Toyohiko, Clinical research on hyperthyroidism, Bulletin of the Oriental Healing Arts Institute, 9(6), 1984.
Abe Hiroko and Kodashima Shukuo, Pharmacological actions of crude drugs and Chinese herbal drugs-especially concerning their action mechanisms, Oriental Healing Arts International Bulletin 1986, 11(7).
Kuang An-kun, et al., The relationship between the therapeutic effect of TCM on primary hypothyroidism and nuclear T₃receptors in lymphocytes, Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine 1988, 8(11).
Huang Zhixin, et al., Observation on curative effect of Licorice and Ginseng Decoction plus a small dose of thyroxine tablet in treating hypothyroidism, Clinical Medicine 1989, 9(4).
Takasu, N, et al., Test for recovery from hypothyroidism during thyroxine therapy in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, The Lancet 1990, 336.
Chen MD, et al., Influence of Yang-restoring herb medicines upon metabolism of thyroid hormone in normal rats and a drug administration schedule, Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, 9(2), 1989.
Li Wenqi, et al., Effects of gossypol on thyroid function in man, Reproduction and Contraception 1989, 9(3).
Kuang Ankun, et al., Observation on curative effects of Chinese herb and Western drug therapies for primary hypothyroidism, Chinese Journal of Traditional and Western Medicine 1988, 8(2).
Li Wen-qi, et al., Effects of gossypol on thyroid and gonadal endocrinology in male subjects, Medicine and Pharmacy of Yunnan 1989, 10(3).
Wang Ziyou and Zhang Haifa, Treatment of 133 cases of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, Liaoning Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1989, 13(11).
Shen Yuming, Treatment of 40 cases of hyperthyroidism, Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1987, 2.
Terutane Yamada, The Chinese herbal treatment of Sjogren's syndrome and subacute myelo-opticoneuropathy (SMON) disease, Oriental Healing Arts International Bulletin 1987, 12(7).
Hsu, Hong-yen, Applications of Chinese herb formulas and scientific research: Ginseng and Astragalus Combination, International Journal of Oriental Medicine 1991, 16(3).
Su Xiangfu, et al., Effect of yin-nourishing and blood-activating recipes on antibody formation in animals, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1984, 4(2).
Feng Jianhua, Report of 2 cases of toxic hepatitis induced by Dioscorea bulbifera, Shandong Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1989, 8(2).
Chen Zelin, personal communication, 1992.
ACTA Acadamiae Medicinae Secondae Shanghai 1985, 5(2).
Makhkamov GM, et al., Chemical Abstracts , 1966, 64 (14532).
Islam, MW, et al., Effect of khatamines and their enantiomers on plasma triiodothyronine and thyronxine levels in normal Wistar rats, American Journal of Chinese Medicine 1990, 18 (1-2).
Esner, SI, personal communication. 1991.
Middlebrooks, H, TCM nutritional therapy for hyperthyroidism, Journal of the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1989, 7(4).
Golden, R, Clinical experience at Guangzhou Hospital for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Journal of the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1989, 7(1-2).
Guo Xiaozong, et al., Acupuncture treatment of benign thyroid nodules: clinical observation of 65 cases, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine [English] 1984, 4(4).
Hiroshi Sasaki, et al., Immunosuppresive principles of Rehmannia glutinosa, Planta Medica 1989, 55.
Zhang Jiaqing and Zhao Ming, Animal experiments of Chinese herbs in treating hypothyroid model rat. Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine 1991, 11(2).
Kuang Ankun, et al., Effect of traditional Chinese medicine on primary hypothyroidism in relation to nuclear T3 receptors in lymphocytes, Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine 1988, 8(11).
Chen Zhichai and Xu Ziyin, Clinical observation on Fuzhen Xiaoyin formula applied to treat 38 cases of autoimmune thyroiditis, Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine. 1992, 12(10).

BOOKS.

Bensky, D, and Barolet, R, Formulas and Strategies, 1990 Eastland Press, Seattle, WA.

Chang Hson-mou and But Pui-hay, Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese Materia Medica (2 volumes), 1986 World Scientific, Singapore.

Chen Jirui, managing editor, Recent Advances in Chinese Herbal Drugs, 1991 Science Press, Beijing, China.

Chen Zelin and Chen Meifang, The Essence and Scientific Background of Tongue Diagnosis, 1989 Oriental Healing Arts Institute, Long Beach, CA.

Chen Zelin and Chen Meifang, Comprehensive Guide To Chinese Herbal Medicine, 1991 Oriental Healing Arts Institute, Long Beach, CA.

Hsu, Hong-yen, Treating Cancer with Chinese Herbs, 1990 Oriental Healing Arts Institute, Long Beach, CA.

Kikutani Toyohiko, Combined Use of Western Therapies and Chinese Medicine, 1987 Oriental Healing Arts Institute, Long Beach, CA.

Shang Xianmin, et al., Practical Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology Clinical Experiences, 1990 New World Press, Beijing, China.

Shao Nianfang, compiler, The Treatment of Knotty Diseases with Chinese Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, 1990 Shandong Science and Technology Press, Jinan, China.

Zhang Ren and Dong Zhi Lin, Modern Clinic Necessities for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 1990 China Ocean Press, Beijing, China.

Ou Ming, et al., An Illustrated Guide to Antineoplastic Chinese Herbal Medicine, 1990 Commercial Press, Hong Kong.

Wang Qi and Dong Zhi Lin, Modern Clinic Necessities for Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1990 China Ocean Press Beijing, China.

Dong Zhi Lin and Yu Shu Fang, Modern Study and Application of Materia Medica, 1990 China Ocean Press: Beijing, China.

Keisetsu Otsuka, 30 Years of Kanpo, 1984 Oriental Healing Arts Institute, Long Beach, CA.

Zhang Dengbu, Acupuncture Cases from China, 1994 Churchill Livingstone, London.

Pan Mingji, Cancer Treatment with Fu Zheng Pei Ben Principle, 1988 Fujian Science and Technology Publishing House, Fujian, China.

$5 Herbal Consults: Jan 15-Feb 15

2010-01-22T08:51:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends:

Happy New Year!

The year 2009 was a tough one for many people. I would like to take a few moments of your time to reflect on the past year, and to offer a New Year's gift to all.

This past year has been fantastic in many ways. I re-located my office from Oak Cliff to North Dallas, and I have been told by clients that our new location near the toll road is much more convenient for them. We like our place in the Spindletop Oil building and are glad that you do, too!

2009 was also financially painful for many of us. Taking care of basic necessities has become burdensome for many, and health care has fallen to the bottom of the plate. Some health care providers have actually raised prices as a response to fewer patients. Now is not the time to raise prices. I offer the commitment to all of my current and future patients that I will not raise my consultation or service prices in 2010.

Over the past year, I have had inquiries about why I do not accept insurance. Please allow me to explain. Although many acupuncturists offer mild pain and stress relief, many people come to see me for significant problems such as gynecological disorders, major digestive disturbances, debilitating pain, degenerative arthritis, high cholesterol and blood pressure, auto-immune disorders, depression, panic attacks, insomnia, severe carpal tunnel syndrome, or disfiguring skin problems. There is no insurance plan that covers acupuncture for internal health problems or herbal treatment of any sort!

As a response to this recession and as a gesture of goodwill, for 30 days I will waive new patient intake fees (a $25 value), and I will offer $5 herbal consultations and quick checks for both old and new patients between January 15 and February 15, 2010.

I will still charge for herbal products and for manual therapies (such as acupuncture or bodywork therapies), but the $60 herbal consultation fee has been reduced to the price of a cheeseburger. Think of this gesture as our contribution towards your New Year's resolutions.

As one good turn deserves another, I would greatly appreciate you forwarding this e-mail to anyone in your circle of friends who may have expressed interest in natural medicine, but who has hesitated to act due to finances.

I became a doctor of Oriental medicine for one reason: to help other people achieve their optimum health potential naturally. This was my inspiration, and remains my commitment.

Take Good Care,

Dr. D

Dry Brush For Your Immune System

2010-01-11T15:31:00.000-08:00

The tool in Dry Brushing is typically a long-handled bath brush with soft, natural fiber bristles. Other options would include exfoliating gloves, a loofah sponge or even raw-silk gloves. The advantage of the long-handled brush over the other options is that the bather can reach body parts not accessible by his or her arm-reach. The middle back is an example of a hard-to-reach area when using the loofah sponge or gloves.

Performing the Dry Brushing Routine
Dry Brushing uses strokes that go towards the heart - aiding in the body's lymph and blood circulation. Always start with a lighter pressure to avoid scratching the skin or feeling uncomfortable after showering. Deeper pressures can be added over time as the body becomes used to Dry Brushing.

Starting at the feet the brush, loofah or gloves are drawn across the tops and bottoms of the feet moving on to the calves and then the thighs. Areas of cellulite or extra fat can be given extra brush strokes. Strokes should always move towards the heart - an upward motion for the lower body and sideways motions for the upper chest and back. The heart is located in the chest to the left of the midline of the body.

Strokes across the abdomen should resemble a clockwise motion in the direction of proper digestion flow. Attention can be paid to the buttocks before moving to the back and drawing long strokes up towards the shoulders. Women should use gentle pressure over the breasts and under the arms, especially if sensitivity exists.

Tips for Optimum Dry Brushing

* The brush or other tool should be washed in warm water with soap after use to clean off any dead skin cells.
* Areas of open skin wounds - cuts, scratches and rashes - should be avoided when dry brushing.
* Dry Brushing is always performed on dry skin and is best applied prior to showering so any dead skin remaining is washed off afterwards.
* The bather can eventually use a coarser brush if desired and skin tolerates the texture difference.
* Natural bristled brushes are preferred by complementary medicine practitioners as synthetic bristles are considered to cause microscopic scratches in the skin.

Adding Oil to Dry Brushing

Skin types that are prone to dryness will especially benefit from the addition of an oil massage after dry brushing. Very oily skin types will feel uncomfortable with the oil massage and should skip this addition and go directly to the shower after brushing.
A plant ester, Jojoba oil matches the skin's natural oils and won't clog pores like other heavy oils can. Jojoba oil can be found at local health food stores. Other oils commonly used include almond, olive, sunflower, coconut and sesame.

Immunity: Fight the Good Fight

2010-01-05T18:00:00.000-08:00

Every year at this time I see a patients who are fighting off colds. Recently, I even had a patient who was diagnosed in the E.R. as having mononucleosis! Many of my clients have very demanding careers and getting sick is not an option for them. The first thing my patients want to know is how to boost their immunity so they can prevent future illness.

Instead of asking my clients to give up their high-pace jobs or avoid responsibilities, I try to educate them about how to work with their body, and not against their body.

Some patients may be afraid that I will instruct them to remove all forms of stress from their life, eat only vegetables, and start listening to Enya whenever they feel tense. Yet, they are surprised to find that I believe that demanding activity is an important part of living a healthy life.

The TCM View of the Immune System

Generally, every system in your body, at every level, engages in self-defense against pathogens. At the most external level, your skin protects against microbial invaders. Even adopted behaviors, such as wearing protective clothing, become a part of your immune system’s activities. Inside of the body, organ systems work together to move fluids, expel pathogens, raise and lower body temperature, and ensure that hormones, vitamins, and minerals nurture your system.

Within Traditional Chinese Medicine there are two elements that largely factor in a person’s immune health: wei qi and lung health.

Herbal Formulations to Strengthen Defensive Qi

Wei qi means “defensive force”. When a person’s wei qi is weak, she will be prone to many types of illness.

There are many formulas available that help strengthen a person’s wei qi. One of the most common formulas is called Jade Screen. The Jade Screen formula dates back more than 800 years and combines astragalus with other key herbs to create a formula that protects the body against colds and flues. For help selecting the formula that is best for your constitution (most effective, with minimal side effects), consult an O.M.D.

The Lungs

Another way to boost your wei qi is through your lungs. In Chinese medicine, the lungs are a vital part of your body’s transport system. The lungs control the opening and closing of the pores, they regulate the transportation of fluids from the upper part of the body to the lower part of the body, and bring oxygen into the blood. When the lungs are not functioning strongly then the skin may be prone to wind or cold invasion, the passages may become clogged with phlegm, and the blood may acquire a condition known as blood stasis.

Exercise and deep breathing are two ways to boost your lung’s function. If you tend toward chronically weak lungs, then consult your Oriental Medical Doctor regarding acupuncture and herbal treatments that can help you strengthen your constitution. TCM is especially effective in treating chronic asthma and bronchitis.

Impact of Stress on Immune Function, Mental Clarity

Long-term stress can negatively impact many of your body’s systems. If you find yourself in a stressful situation at home or work that lasts for days or months, you may find that you begin to suffer recurrent colds and a lack of mental focus. Dealing with your stress, altering long-term stressful situations, and slowing down will ultimately help strengthen your immunity. Some patients find it difficult to switch gears between “go mode” and “slow mode.”

I encourage all of my patients to live normal lives, even demanding lives, but to make time to attend to their body’s needs so that their quality of life may be preserved for a lifetime. Acupuncture and herbal support can help people with demanding careers to perform better at work and enhance their quality of life.

Stomach Channel Massage for Digestion

2009-12-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

Leg Massage:

Help your body cope with a heavy meal by massaging the stomach channel.

The stomach channel is the region indicated by arrow #3 on this diagram, and it extends the full length of the leg. Focus on the area between the knee and ankle. This is the often-soft area to the right of your shin bone if you are looking down at your feet.

Firmly massage this area by moving your thumb or forefingers in a firm, circular motion. For most people, massaging downwards towards your toes will bring the most relief, but this varies from case to case.

Regular massage of the stomach channel can help alleviate problems such as feelings of fullness, belching, or sleepiness after a meal.

Eat::Live::Love

2009-12-22T10:36:00.000-08:00

Holiday Eating:

by David Brochstein, L.Ac., O.M.D.

For many people the holidays seems more like foe than friend. Fudge, cookies, cake, cheese plates, dips, potstickers, dessert wine, beer, champagne... leer at us across the room.

Even worse is the guilt we feel after we over-indulge. We may assess a price for our indiscretions, sentencing our body to 50 crunches the next morning and a wheezing half-hour on the tread mill.

Give yourself a break this year. In many cultures, food = love. You know you will be plied with goodies wherever you go. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the rice krispy seas, and wake up on January 1st without a food hang-over!

1. Eat Three Meals a Day. When you skip meals it confuses your body's metabolism. From a TCM perspective, skipping meals can actually create cold-patterns in your digestive tract and can damage your blood. The digestive system is called the "middle burner" and is the body's equivalent of a coal burning stove. When you don't put fuel in the fire, it goes cold. Simple as that.

Skipping meals repeatedly can lead to digestive disorders, dampness, menstrual difficulties, weight gain, and decreased sexual function.

2. Eat the Right Three Meals A Day. Eat protein with every meal, combined with a balance of carbohydrates. Eating a sufficient amount of protein with each meal will deter snacking.

3. Choose Your Battles in Advance. Will you choose to defeat the tin of ribbon candy or the home-made apple pie? Allow yourself a limit such as one dessert a day. You can enjoy the merriment without getting caught in a cycle of craving and guilt.

4. Beware of the "It's Too Late Now" Attitude.

Once a moral food code is broken, people have a tendency to say "Oh, _____ it!" While the choice of expletive varies from person to person, the reaction is almost always the same. Don't paint yourself into a corner. You know deep-down that two cookies may be worse than no cookies, but a whole package is never a good idea!

5. Avoid Processed Foods. Perhaps avoiding these types of foods is the most difficult holiday challenge to undertake, but it is well worth it.

Here are a few hints about choosing good food:

* If you don't know what an ingredient is - don't eat it!

* Anything that starts with hydro- has been chemically altered and is not for you!

* Banish all artificial dyes and colorants: this is all FD&C #s, and then some...

* Watch out for shortening, MSG, and excess use of gums as fillers.

These processed foods are difficult, if not impossible, for our body to process. They confuse our cellular transport systems, and are often labeled as "waste" by our bodies. Unfortunately, instead of getting excreted as waste they are often stored in fat cells and congest our systems for decades!

Just Say No.

6. Carry a Snack. Perhaps you know that you will be going to a holiday party straight from work, and you will be hungry. Stop by a natural food store and pick up dried fruit/nuts, or an energy bar, such as BoBo's Oat Bars. Eat this snack before you go into the party. Now you can let your head, and not your stomach, navigate you across the buffet!

Eat: Live: Love

Dr. B

david@dbacu.com

Cold Buster Bath

2009-12-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

If you are facing a low backache, stiff neck, or chills then it's time to act fast!

COLD BUSTER BATH
1 tbsp. dried ginger powder

1 tbsp. epsom salts

Soak for for 15 minutes, and try to break a sweat.

If you can't break a sweat from the bath alone, then you can drink 12 oz. of coffee with 1/4 tsp. of dried fennel powder while you are in the bath, in order to induce sweating.

When you are finished soaking, be sure to use a cool rinse on your whole body to close down your pores and prevent your body from leaking much needed body heat.

Dry hair, and wrap body from head to toe. Continue to eat warm foods and drink warm beverages until you feel the cold start to subside.

Contact Crisis Fundraiser

2009-12-17T14:29:00.000-08:00

CONTACT Crisis is a local Dallas charity that provides crisis phone support to those in need. CC is hosting a fundraiser in January that may interest some of you. Living Well Dallas is having a one day seminar/boot-camp to help individuals assess their mind-body priorities and get set for 2010. Details below.

S A T U R D A Y : J A N U A R Y 23

8 a m - 2 p m

“Transform : . . .”

Start the New Year off right with an exciting workshop that will peak your curiosity and leave you excited, energized and ready to experience Living Well everyday in 2010

Donation:

in advance: 1 for $45│2 for $80

at the door: 1 for $60│2 for $120

(Reservation Required. Limited Seating!)

For a new you and to purchase tickets call Bob Munro at (972) 233-0866 ext. 305 or e-mail at bmunro@contactcrisisline.org

Location:

6390 LBJ Freeway, Suite 252

Dallas, TX 75240

8:00 - 8:30 am

“Finding the Buddha in Busy Times: Meditation & Mindfulness”

8:30 - 9:00 am

“Beautiful Breakfast”

Michael Lane, Chef, Personal Chef Click

www.personalchefclick.com

9:00 - 10:00 am

“Shutdown Stinking Thinking!”

10:15 - 11:30 am

“Resolution Revolution—Ditch the to-do and Rapid Plan”

11:45 - 12:45 pm

“The Tumultuous Affair: Women’s Relationship with Food— 5 Ways to Transform Your Relationship with Food”

12:45 - 1:45 pm

Healthy Lunch

Michael Lane, Chef, Personal Chef Click

www.personalchefclick.com

1:45 - 2:00 pm

“Pleasure & Pain—The Power to Transform”

2:00 - 4:00pm

“Visualizing the Future—Vision Boards Workshop”(optional)

CONTACT Crisis Line

We’re not here to judge. We’re here to listen.

P.O. Box 800742 • Dallas, TX 75380 • www.contactcrisisline.org • Office (972) 233-0866 • Fax (972) 233-2427

Put on that Ugly Sweater!

2009-12-16T00:00:00.000-08:00

And Banish Cold and Flu!
by David Brochstein, L.Ac., O.M.D.

When we were children we had a mother, grandmother, or friend's mom who badgered us about going outside without our coat, leaving home with wet hair, and playing in the rain.

It may surprise you to learn that we agree with your grandma... stay covered!

According to the view of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), colds and flus are caused by external pathogens. Conversely, Western medicine corresponds cold and flu with airborne micro-pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses.

Allow us to present the TCM viewpoint below:
Although Western medical sciences do not list wind, rain, or cold as direct causes of illness, traditional medicines from China, Korea, Japan, and Tibet recognize a correlation between environmental conditions and illness.

According to Chinese medical theory, the three main external pathogen categories that affect the body during Winter are: WIND, COLD, and DAMP. Often in Southern states we see HEAT as a factor as well, even in the Winter.

It is easier to stay well, than to get well! So pay attention to some little known causes of Winter illness.

1. WIND. Signs and Symptoms:

Occipital stiffness and ache
Headache
Body aches
Aversion to cold or wind
Sneezing, coughing
Runny nose
Possibly fever
Sweating (depending on whether wind or cold is dominate pathogen)
Joint pain and swelling, esp. pain that "moves" to different parts of the body

2. COLD. Spearheaded by Wind, Cold can invade the Exterior of the body and give rise to symptoms described above, and additional cold symptoms such as:

Severe pain (that is relieved by the application of heat)
Stiff muscles
Contracted tendons
Watery discharge -- nasal, ocular (eyes).
Clammy Skin
Excess salivation
Feeling of cold

3. DAMP. While Cold and Wind are two forces of nature that most of us can conceptualize at least a bit, dampness is more difficult to understand. A thorough explanation can be found in TCM literature. Dampness is most closely associated with the symptom of phlegm; although, Dampness may reside anywhere in the body and may not be as obvious as phlegm that is coughed up.

Signs and Symptoms:

Feeling of heaviness
Poor appetite
Feeling of fullness
Sticky taste in the mouth
Urinary difficulty
Vaginal discharge
Sticky tongue coat
Moist feeling on certain areas of body
Discharge of mucus in bowel movement
Discharge of phlegm from mouth or nose

Holiday tips:

*Keep External Parts of your body covered when in cold environments.

*Protect the Back and neck. This area is immensely important to keep out wind. Consider a scarf when outdoors.

*Protect the Feet. Never go barefoot on cold floors, it is said to stress the kidneys (kidney channel and organ system). Wear slippers around the house.

*Protect the Joints. Those with cold related knee pain should wear support sleeves over the knees.

*Protect the Abdomen. Use a belly warmer. This is a thermal sleeve for the abdominal area used to prevent cold related menstrual pain or low back pain.

*Acclimatize. Avoid sudden climate changes such as going from a hot shower to a cold bedroom. If your pores are open from a hot shower and you immediately expose your skin to cold air you can suffer a cold or wind invasion! Consider a gentle and mellow rinse of comfortably cool water at the end of a shower to close the pores, and tighten & tone the skin (good for skin & hair as well!).

*Stay Dry. Wet or damp hair can put a hit on the superficial immune functions, which are the first lines of defense from the pathogens that can make one sick. Keep your hair & body dry and covered.

*Keep your Defensive Qi healthy. Consume warming food and drink. Eat spices such as ginger, garlic, cinnamon, fennel, and clove. Avoid cold or raw food and drink during the cold season.

Consult with your OMD for dietary advice that is specific to your constitution.

If you start to feel sick, go see your oriental medical doctor for treatment as soon as possible -- time is of the essence! Acupuncture, moxabustion, and cupping can be used to boost immune function and drive out pathogens when they invade. Certain herbal formulations can also increase the function of your immune system or expedite the process of healing.

Put on that ugly sweater and stay healthy!

David B.
david@dbacu.com

Holiday Stress and Depression: Take Charge!

2009-12-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

Acupuncture for Holiday Stress and Depression by David Brochstein, L.Ac., O.M.D.

The holidays and acupuncture may seem to be an unlikely juxtaposition, but there are several reasons why acupuncture has more in common with the holidays than you might think:

1. stress
2. anxiety
3. depression

The Mayo Clinic states that relationships, finances, and physical demands are the three categories of stress that most affect individuals and families around the holidays. The Clinic suggests the following 10 tips to help manage stress better:

Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can't be with loved ones, realize that it's normal to feel sadness and grief. It's OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season.
Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.
Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. For example, if your adult children can't come to your house, find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, emails or videotapes.
Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don't live up to all your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they're feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression too.
Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don't try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. Try these alternatives: Donate to a charity in someone's name, give homemade gifts or start a family gift exchange.
Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That'll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup.
Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can't participate in every project or activity. If it's not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.
Don't abandon healthy habits. Don't let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don't go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks. Continue to get plenty of sleep and physical activity.
Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Take a walk at night and stargaze. Listen to soothing music. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.
Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

If you have tried to manage or prevent your own stress, but find that your mind and body still need help processing all of the increased demands you face.... acupuncture can help you.

According to the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the emotions are regulated by a body process called Liver Qi. Qi is the life-force energy that circulates within our body. (The closest thing that Western science has identified to Qi is described by quantum physics, and this is a very complicated discussion!) Qi can become blocked or stagnate. The smooth-flow of your bodily processes is compromised when qi stagnates. Strong negative emotions cause liver qi to stagnate, and when this happens you can become stressed, anxious, depressed, lethargic, fearful or angry.

Once your body has entered a negative emotional state the qi of other organs becomes affected. You may then experience secondary problems with your digestion, menses, energy, sleep, focus, or exacerbated pain symptoms such as backaches or head aches.

Western medicine typically treats stress by blocking neurochemical factors. This means that a person taking these medications will continue to experience stressful circumstances, but your mind is no long aware or responsive to the stress. This type of treatment can divorce the mind and body, it can reduce our responsiveness to our environment: work, family, friends, self-care.

Traditional Chinese Medicine instead seeks to soothe to blocked qi so that your mind is naturally freed, you are able to see your circumstances more clearly, and respond to stressors in your environment instead of reacting or avoiding them! Take charge of your life this holiday season.

References

Pert C, Dreher H, Ruff M. The psychosomatic network: foundations of mind-body medicine. Alternative Therapies July 1998;4(4):30-41.
Pert C. Molecules of Emotion. Simon & Schuster, 1999; ISBN: 0684846349.

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