Over the years patients have often asked me, How does acupuncture work? What am I doing when I insert these tiny needles? When their treatment is over they are often amazed at how relaxed they feel. If there is pain, it is lessened, maybe they were experiencing a certain emotion, when they are ready to leave that is no longer the experience. Let me give a brief overview…
Thousands of years ago Chinese physicians identified and mapped out the locations of energetic channels and specific points along these channels, now referred to as meridians or pathways. These meridians or energetic pathways form a highly complex network (not visible to the naked eye) that transports and directs energy to every part of our body.
Acupuncture is a branch of Chinese Medicine that deals with the energy that flows through fourteen major meridians or energetic pathways. Twelve of these meridians are networked on the right and left sides of our body. One of the channels is located on the front midline and one on the midline of the back. In addition there are numerous extra channels and points located throughout the body. The smooth flow of qi or vital energy is essential to achieve optimal health. If a blockage or shift in the amount, flow, or balance of energy occurs this may result in pain, dysfunction, disease and poor health.
The balance of vital energy can be affected by any harmful substance such as environmental toxins, poor nutrition, disease, injury, excessive exposure to heat, dampness or cold, and excessive emotional responses such as anger, worry or anxiety.
Acupuncture needles, which are thinner than a strand of hair, are used on specific points to restore the normal flow of qi. Treating these points allows the acupuncturist to achieve a balanced circulation of energy. As a result of creating this balance, the body can now start to repair and maintain the potential of health that is innate in that particular individual.
Qi can also be referred to as a life force. When there is a balanced distribution of energy along the meridians this can then influence the energy of the organs as well as the other body systems such as the skeletal, muscular, endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, nervous, and reproductive systems. Everything in the body works together and when homeostatic balance is achieved; then all the bodies’ internal relationships and interrelationships can work in harmony. This is optimal health.
Some of the main objectives of incorporating acupuncture treatments are to:
-Strengthen the immune system
-Alleviate pain and other symptoms
-Create and maintain a harmonious and balanced integration of mind, body and spirit.
In the ancient text of the Shen Nong Ben Cao, China’s oldest text, it is stated:
“The highest type of medicine helps the patient fulfill their destiny”
“The middle type of medicine helps the patient nourish original nature”
“The lowest type of medicine treats physical illness”
Denise Zeiff, L.Ac., C.N.S.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
A short video on "Applied Kinesiology: What is it?"
Many of you are intrigued as I work and have asked "how does that work" as I'm muscle testing you. This is a short video from Charles Seminars that begins to give an answer to that question. I will follow up with future posts that further answer the question for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZLX50CcGAU&feature=player_embedded
Dr. Michelle Klein
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZLX50CcGAU&feature=player_embedded
Dr. Michelle Klein
Friday, August 27, 2010
Chronic Disease: Obesity, Diabetes, Hypertension...
While this blog was being constructed in thought and physically, I was taking an advanced course in acupuncture. There were many syndromes that were discussed within the 21 hours, however, pain, digestive and hormonal imbalances, hypertension, obesity, stress and diabetes had big lectures attached to them.
By the way, do you know what is responsible for 7 of every 10 deaths, affect the quality of life of 90 million Americans, and consume 78% of all health care expenditures?
The answer is Chronic Disease.
So whether I am taking an Acupuncture course based on Eastern Medicine or a course in clinical nutrition based in Western Medical science, chronic disease is a huge problem that needs urgent addressing.
Dr. Klein and I have become extremely passionate about developing a program that implements acupuncture, chiropractic, nutrition, fitness, and stress management plans that are designed specifically for you.
American adults and children are in epidemic proportions of chronic disease and we have to do something about it!
Please take this opportunity for you or someone you know who is suffering with being overweight or obese, high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, have a family history of these diseases, or are looking for a way to prevent them.
"Make your lifestyle habits work for you, creating health in place of disease." Call now.
Denise Zeiff, L.Ac., C.N.S.
By the way, do you know what is responsible for 7 of every 10 deaths, affect the quality of life of 90 million Americans, and consume 78% of all health care expenditures?
The answer is Chronic Disease.
So whether I am taking an Acupuncture course based on Eastern Medicine or a course in clinical nutrition based in Western Medical science, chronic disease is a huge problem that needs urgent addressing.
Dr. Klein and I have become extremely passionate about developing a program that implements acupuncture, chiropractic, nutrition, fitness, and stress management plans that are designed specifically for you.
American adults and children are in epidemic proportions of chronic disease and we have to do something about it!
Please take this opportunity for you or someone you know who is suffering with being overweight or obese, high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, have a family history of these diseases, or are looking for a way to prevent them.
"Make your lifestyle habits work for you, creating health in place of disease." Call now.
Denise Zeiff, L.Ac., C.N.S.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
"Acupuncture and Back Pain" by Denise Zeiff, L.Ac., C.N.S.
It is important to distinguish between acute back pain and chronic back pain. The type of treatment, length of treatment and treatment outcomes will vary, depending on how old the injury is.
When back pain is acute, you have just injured yourself within a week and come in for acupuncture; you will usually see results in a few days.
With chronic back pain, the root of the pain has to be identified and may take more time to alleviate the pain and promote healing. The longer you have a symptom or the more serious it is, the longer it will take to fix it. With chronic conditions, acupuncture treatments have a cumulative effect that will build within the body.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has several effective modalities for treating back pain. The most common modality is acupuncture, which is highly effective for both acute and chronic back pain. Moxibustion (moxa) is a TCM practice that dates back hundreds of years. A particular plant of the artemesia family is processed into a concentrated form and is used as a therapy to send soothing therapeutic heat into the acupuncture channel. It can be placed on a specific acupuncture point(s) directly onto the skin; it can be applied to the handle of an acupuncture needle so the warmth of the moxa heats up the needle and sends the heat down into the affected area, or held above the surface of the skin, having a deeply warming effect.
Chinese herbal formulas are also a very important TCM modality. When I did my internship in China, whether the patient had acute or chronic back pain, they were treated with acupuncture and herbal formulas. Herbs are important because they have a strong effect to correct internal imbalances.
Acupuncture, herbs, moxibustion, and dietary modifications are used in combination or as needed, to unlock stagnation, promote the flow of Qi and blood, and to tonify any deficiencies and degeneration that may come with age and stress.
When back pain is acute, you have just injured yourself within a week and come in for acupuncture; you will usually see results in a few days.
With chronic back pain, the root of the pain has to be identified and may take more time to alleviate the pain and promote healing. The longer you have a symptom or the more serious it is, the longer it will take to fix it. With chronic conditions, acupuncture treatments have a cumulative effect that will build within the body.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has several effective modalities for treating back pain. The most common modality is acupuncture, which is highly effective for both acute and chronic back pain. Moxibustion (moxa) is a TCM practice that dates back hundreds of years. A particular plant of the artemesia family is processed into a concentrated form and is used as a therapy to send soothing therapeutic heat into the acupuncture channel. It can be placed on a specific acupuncture point(s) directly onto the skin; it can be applied to the handle of an acupuncture needle so the warmth of the moxa heats up the needle and sends the heat down into the affected area, or held above the surface of the skin, having a deeply warming effect.
Chinese herbal formulas are also a very important TCM modality. When I did my internship in China, whether the patient had acute or chronic back pain, they were treated with acupuncture and herbal formulas. Herbs are important because they have a strong effect to correct internal imbalances.
Acupuncture, herbs, moxibustion, and dietary modifications are used in combination or as needed, to unlock stagnation, promote the flow of Qi and blood, and to tonify any deficiencies and degeneration that may come with age and stress.
Monday, August 23, 2010
5 Things You Can Do Right Now That Will Have a Positive Effect on Your Health
1. Breathe.
Think about how a baby breathes. They take deep belly breaths where you can actually see their belly rise as they inhale and fall and they exhale. When we are stressed we tend to breathe high in our chest which is less productive than inhaling deep into our belly. Deep breathing automatically calms us and increases our oxygenation.
2. Eat smaller meals and chew your food.
Rather than eating while driving, watching TV, talking on the phone, working at your desk, etc. try sitting down to a meal and focusing on actually chewing and enjoying your food. You will find that you are more satisfied with smaller portions and will improve your digestion.
3. Remove refined sugars from your diet.
Refined sugar is inflammatory and creates blood sugar highs and lows. In order to satisfy a desire to eat something sweet try fruit that is in season. Right now, peaches and plums are in season and are delicious. The best way to know what is in season is to visit the farm market.
4. Move.
The benefits of exercise are infinite; but to name a few exercise helps to oxygenate the blood, lift your mood, keep joints healthy, and improve the blood sugar response. If you have been sedentary then simply go for a walk. If you have been doing an exercise routine, speak with your doctor or trainer and see if it is time to make it a bit more challenging.
5. Drink Water.
Our bodies are made up of 50-80% water which must be replenished daily. The formula to figure out how much water you personally need on a daily basis is to take your weight and divide that number by 2. This will give you the number of ounces of water that you should drink daily. So for example if you weigh 150 lbs. then you need 75 oz. water/day. The best way to drink the water is to sip it slowly throughout the day.
Think about how a baby breathes. They take deep belly breaths where you can actually see their belly rise as they inhale and fall and they exhale. When we are stressed we tend to breathe high in our chest which is less productive than inhaling deep into our belly. Deep breathing automatically calms us and increases our oxygenation.
2. Eat smaller meals and chew your food.
Rather than eating while driving, watching TV, talking on the phone, working at your desk, etc. try sitting down to a meal and focusing on actually chewing and enjoying your food. You will find that you are more satisfied with smaller portions and will improve your digestion.
3. Remove refined sugars from your diet.
Refined sugar is inflammatory and creates blood sugar highs and lows. In order to satisfy a desire to eat something sweet try fruit that is in season. Right now, peaches and plums are in season and are delicious. The best way to know what is in season is to visit the farm market.
4. Move.
The benefits of exercise are infinite; but to name a few exercise helps to oxygenate the blood, lift your mood, keep joints healthy, and improve the blood sugar response. If you have been sedentary then simply go for a walk. If you have been doing an exercise routine, speak with your doctor or trainer and see if it is time to make it a bit more challenging.
5. Drink Water.
Our bodies are made up of 50-80% water which must be replenished daily. The formula to figure out how much water you personally need on a daily basis is to take your weight and divide that number by 2. This will give you the number of ounces of water that you should drink daily. So for example if you weigh 150 lbs. then you need 75 oz. water/day. The best way to drink the water is to sip it slowly throughout the day.
What Can We Do About Obesity?
According to the CDC, in 2009 25.8% of adults in New York are suffering from obesity. This means that one of every four people you know are obese/overweight. Obesity/overweight is a lifestyle related chronic condition that must be treated with a multi-dimensional approach.
Addressing the underlying cause of chronic conditions in an integrative manner is the focus of Balance Equals Health, Inc. We utilize a 12-week Therapeutic Lifestyle Change program that allows patients to make their lifestyle choices work for their health, ultimately leading to the reversal of chronic disease. The 12-week program that we use with our patients has been demonstrated in multiple clinical trials to help the following health issues:
Addressing the underlying cause of chronic conditions in an integrative manner is the focus of Balance Equals Health, Inc. We utilize a 12-week Therapeutic Lifestyle Change program that allows patients to make their lifestyle choices work for their health, ultimately leading to the reversal of chronic disease. The 12-week program that we use with our patients has been demonstrated in multiple clinical trials to help the following health issues:
- Elevated Cholesterol
- Elevated Blood Pressure
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Overweight/Obesity
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Insulin Resistance or Metabolic Syndrome
- Osteoporosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Conditions Related to Aging
Childhood Diabetes by Dr. Michelle Klein
Childhood diabetes afflicts approximately 151,000 individuals under 20 years old. Over the last twenty years, type 2 diabetes, previously known as adult-onset diabetes, has been increasingly reported in children and adolescents. One explanation for this statistic is the epidemic of obesity and the low level of physical activity among young people. In addition, there is an increased exposure to diabetes in utero, due to the rise in type 2 diabetes among adults (CDC, 2005).
Over the last twenty years, obesity has become the most prevalent nutritional problem in the world, and is affecting adults as well as adolescents and children (Lau, et al, 2006).
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, exercise recommendations for children with diabetes are to have 30-60 minutes of physical activity per day and to limit television and video game time to 1-2 hours per day (Peterson, et al, 2007). The benefits of exercise include enhanced insulin efficacy, weight loss, increased training (increased VO2 max), and enhanced psycho-motor development (Corigliano, et al, 2006). Exercise results in an increased blood flow to the muscles, allowing for enhanced oxygen delivery and waste disposal (Giannini, et. al, 2006).
Children with type 2 diabetes may also be obese which may be a result of, or contribute to low levels of physical activity. Multi-component interventions which involve school, family, and/or the community may have a positive impact on the physical activity levels in children and adolescents (Van Sluijs, et al, 2007).
Over the last twenty years, obesity has become the most prevalent nutritional problem in the world, and is affecting adults as well as adolescents and children (Lau, et al, 2006).
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, exercise recommendations for children with diabetes are to have 30-60 minutes of physical activity per day and to limit television and video game time to 1-2 hours per day (Peterson, et al, 2007). The benefits of exercise include enhanced insulin efficacy, weight loss, increased training (increased VO2 max), and enhanced psycho-motor development (Corigliano, et al, 2006). Exercise results in an increased blood flow to the muscles, allowing for enhanced oxygen delivery and waste disposal (Giannini, et. al, 2006).
Children with type 2 diabetes may also be obese which may be a result of, or contribute to low levels of physical activity. Multi-component interventions which involve school, family, and/or the community may have a positive impact on the physical activity levels in children and adolescents (Van Sluijs, et al, 2007).
Friday, August 20, 2010
Dinner from the Farmer's Market
Seared Tuna with 2 Kinds of Summer Squash, Fennel, and Tomatoes
All of the ingredients for this dish were bought at the local farmer's market today. We feel it is important to eat fresh, local, organic food whenever possible. It's also nice to know the people who are growing your vegetables and catching the fish you are eating for dinner.
The vegetables were sauteed in vegetable broth and a little bit of olive oil. The fish was seared using a tiny amount of olive oil and then sprinkled with pink salt.
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