$5 Herbal Consults: Jan 15-Feb 15

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

Immunity: Fight the Good Fight

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.

Put on that Ugly Sweater!

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!

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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

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

To subscribe or unsubscribe from our e-list send an e-mail to DallasAcuDoc@gmail.com. We will glady process your request!