Why I finally decided to start a blog!

Star Robot and His Mission

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 22:03:10 GMT

Star Robot And His Mission

Last evening, I was spending time with my son who is currently 4 years old and I was making some jewelry to update the stock in my acupuncture practice with. He found some star shaped beads as I worked and immediately fell in love with them and started playing little games with the beads- it started off with the string that he decided was a train and he was singing a song-

"Choo choo here comes the train. Choo choo here comes the train"

Then later on, he started playing with the stars that were not on a string any more and the game evolved to The Star Robot.

"This is the star robot and his job is to give everyone stars. You get a star mom"

Me, looking to defer because my hands are full "Oh? What did I do to get a star?"

"You get a star because everyone gets a star. Star robot's job is to give out stars."

Me: "Why is he giving out stars?"

"Because people don't think they deserve stars."

Me: "Why don't they think they deserve stars?"

"Because they don't have any"

That stopped me right there because I did not expect that. I also feel like that's a really good point, little one. People often do feel like they don't deserve what they don't have. Not having something does not necessarily mean we don't deserve it either. We don't become any more or less worthy based on our merits.

Today I saw another patient and we went over the very same sequence of events as last time but this time she had had another incident of her symptoms. The first time she told me, I did not have much to go on other than what the doctors had said as they ran their tests. This time, as she told me more of the story, a detail stood out. Both times her symptoms came on, there was a stressful interaction followed by her taking a shower. Same sequence both times. Stress, shower, symptoms. When she told me that, the missing puzzle piece snapped into view. The specialist had run every test and found nothing wrong with her heart. They were right- her heart was fine but her nervous system had learned a pattern. Her blood vessels were responding to the stress in a way that mimicked a heart attack.

That made more sense than her diagnosis of "There is nothing wrong with you."

I explained to her excitedly:

"This is why I like to talk to people for a while when there's a weird symptom or something that isn't explained. So often the patient will tell me the story and there's this weird little detail that sticks out and solves the whole thing."

I kept coming back to that moment with my son as she talked because what she was giving me wasn't just a list of symptoms. She was giving me a story. The throughline here is stories: the ones we tell ourselves, the ones we are told by doctors, the ones we carry from childhood, the ones our bodies hold onto when our minds have tried to forget. The story mattered just as much as the physical presentation. The story isn't just key to the diagnosis- sometimes the story or even the way it is told tells me about a person's inner world. The way someone talks about their symptom(s) can say a lot about their mindset, their current pain level, how it is affecting them, etc without having to name that specifically. I've learned that people with trauma will downplay their symptoms so I have to also rely on body language and eye contact to tell if they are being direct with me or not.

I treat a lot of people carrying things that don't show up on an MRI. Trauma has many sources and most of them aren't physical injury. After working with people long enough, I realized that when something terrible happens to a person, especially more than once, the brain does a terrible thing. It stops asking 'Why did this happen?' and starts concluding 'This is what I am for.'

I see this exact dynamic every single day. The body remembers, the nervous system remembers- and somewhere along the way, the story becomes: This pain is my natural state. This mistreatment is what I attract. This is what I deserve.

I have gotten used to telling women in my treatment room: 'Just because it has happened to you in a medical setting doesn't mean you deserved it.' And: 'Just because it happens doesn't mean we should normalize it.'

That word again- deserve.

'Deserve: a verb that means to have earned, or to be worthy of, a reward, punishment, or specific treatment based on your actions or qualities'

According to Duck Duck Go any way. Further down ' Basic rule: It shows a sense of fairness or balance in what comes to someone.' What a loaded concept!

My job isn't just to treat the symptom. It's to sit with someone while they untangle the story that says they are supposed to be in pain. Because until that story changes, the body doesn't trust relief.

And hearing my son say that made me realize this isn't just an individual problem: it's a cultural one.

Coming back to star robot and his mission, I think about how everywhere else in the world has universal healthcare but the united states. Why? I think because we don't have it, we don't think we deserve it. I think about wealth inequality in this country also- why do we allow this disparity to grow larger every year? We think we didn't earn it.

I think the collective needs a real star robot right now- but the stars aren't really star beads- they're the sense of fairness and worthiness all wrapped in one complicated blanket concept. Keep shooting for the stars kid. You'll go far.

20 Year Reunion in Mercury Retrograde

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:48:02 GMT

20 Year Reunion in Mercury Retrograde

Water holds memory. Anyone who's spent time near a lake or a river knows this—how the water seems to remember every stone it's ever touched, every current it's ever carried. Cancer season, ruled by the moon, is the tide that pulls all that memory back to shore. And Mercury retrograde? Well, that's just the universe saying, "You're not done with the past yet. Let's take another look."

So I went back. To the small city where the river meets Lake Ontario. To the 20-year reunion of a high school class that never quite knew what to do with me.

One thing I've come to accept at this point in my life is that I feel far more affinity for the scenery of the small city I grew up in than I do for the people who grew up there with me. I almost feel a little bad admitting this but I have large memory gaps when I try to recall much of my high school experience. Those memory gaps lead me back to what I've already long ago concluded: my high school experience was deeply traumatic. I simply didn't have the language or tools at the time to adequately describe what I was living through.

My husband came with me and I only included the picture with our spouses in it because it is his doting, affection, and curiosity that made the experience even worth exploring. Bless him, he had no idea what he had walked into really. He perused the yearbooks with curiosity and I walked him through some of the stories behind some of the photographs. When it came to the senior yearbook there was something that stood out to me. I can still not for the life of me remember why I'm not in the senior photo and why my quote and whatnot never made it into the senior yearbook. It could have been because by that time, I was very much on my way out of that place and ready to bid it adieu- or it could be that it was left out intentionally as I often was. I'm not even in the photo of the flutes featured in the senior yearbook for the marching band that year. All but my individual photo were omitted- all a reminder of just how invisible I felt the entire time I attended that school.

In contrast with that- we were greeted by a "man" who attempted to cheat on his fiance with me the summer I graduated from my Master's program followed by an ex I had broken things off with in undergrad, followed by another that I had dated in middle school. The onslaught reminded me of a message I'd received by *yet another ex* on Facebook a few years ago on how the bunch of those exes would talk at length about me TO THIS DAY and were taking bets on who I would end up with and how long my marriage would last. Five years so far in May, losers! I'm thankful Zach didn't know who he was interacting with because I'm not sure how he would have reacted to the situation.

Looking around the room, watching everyone else chat and catch up happily while I just observed, I realized: I've never known how to relate to these people. I didn't in high school, and I still don't understand how to talk to them now.

As it was, we snuck out pretty much right after that photo was taken. We went to a nice dinner together, then walked up to Breitbeck Park. We practically wrote our own comedy skit about that little city as we strolled- and that part was what I actually enjoyed most about the entire evening. I told Zach a bit about how the landscape had changed over time: what used to be there before the luxury townhomes went in, what things had stood forever. We talked about the age of some of the buildings and wondered what stories were hiding inside them.

The landscape is gorgeous where the river meets Lake Ontario, and the Port of Oswego was still filled with boats. As the sun started to dip below the horizon, we headed back—eager to show our 4-year-old son the candies we'd picked up at the shop on West 1st Street. We talked about how excited we were to bring him back for Harborfest next weekend, now that he's finally old enough to really enjoy the rides.

I feel a strange sense of peace about this resolution honestly- while some people take to social media to proclaim the great time they had, my response is rather quiet and perhaps even dull. There's maybe a handful of people who even read this blog- if that. My sense of peace about it lies in the knowing that the people I was forced to endure high school with are, quite simply, not my people and that is okay. None of that changes anything about the life I now get to live with my family- both found and genetic. The experiences I endured shaped who I am and how I look at the world. They're part of the tapestry, but not the most important part. I might have been invisible during high school, and I might still be invisible to most of them now- but I've come to see that as a kind of superpower. It lets me observe without absorbing, hold space without performing. Maybe someday, I'll be comfortable being fully seen too. But for now, this quiet peace is more than enough.

Water doesn't resist- it flows around, through, and under. It carves new paths when the old ones are blocked. It remembers but doesn't cling. That's what I'm taking with me from this weekend.

The past is a current I can let flow behind me, nourish the banks of who I am now, and keep moving toward the open water. Toward my husband, whose curiosity made the whole thing bearable. Toward my 4-year-old son, who's finally big enough to ride the Harborfest rides and laugh with his whole body. Toward the quiet peace of knowing that the people I was forced to endure are not my people. And that's okay.

Mercury retrograde brought me back while cancer season stirred the emotions. I emerged on the other side. Just like water, I'm finding the paths of least resistance for myself. Not because I'm taking the easy way out, but because I've finally learned that forcing my way through every obstacle isn't the same as strength. Sometimes strength looks like flowing around the rocks instead of trying to break through them.

Maybe that's the point. We're not meant to stay still. We're meant to keep flowing toward the people who see us, the places that hold us, and the lives we choose to build. The river doesn't stop for anyone. Neither will I.

Cancer New Moon in Mercury Retrograde

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 18:52:21 GMT

Cancer New Moon in Mercury Retrograde

I started writing this earlier, and then a computer reboot forced me to start over- from scratch. Nothing quite so Mercury Retrograde as that! I've been reflecting on how I want to show up in the world as of late and the Cancer New Moon has really forced me to confront areas where I feel my energy being drained- trying to seal up the holes and perhaps even pivot directions just like the picture of the creek above which is seen making an acute turn to return to the flow of the rest of the creek. Water is fluid and it takes the shape of its container. It flows and changes with the terrain but it also always finds the path of least resistance. In much this way, I'm also trying to find the paths of least resistance for myself. That is part of what refining systems is supposed to do for us.

I've been reflecting on my own systems lately. Someone told me the other day that they appreciate that I'm very by the book. I have been thinking about that because my relationship with rules is actually pretty complex and it has to do with a detailed and nuanced risk assessment. I like to understand the rules surrounding things well enough to know both the rationale behind them and thus understand the flexibility or rigidity of said rule. The rules give me structure because they give the boundaries. Once you know the boundaries, you start to find the shape of the container and feel the flow. From a secure framework or foundation, you can build structure. It's exactly this bottom-up approach that makes me philosophically a bit different from others.

I've felt a lot like this meandering stream pictured above lately, going off in different directions and then coming back to the main creek. Part of that is trying to find my own way- because the main stream approach has never really worked for me. I know I need to show up authentically in the world but I continue to struggle with how much of me and what parts to show at particular times. Sometimes I feel like I'm just bumping into rocks all the time. There's so much you can convey with nature based analogies and I feel they're really underrated but we're going to abandon the stream for right now.

I'm going to return to the container- and the boundaries. I've noticed a few tests lately when it comes to holding my own boundaries and I feel like I've really been failing at holding them. Time in particular has been something I've referred to lately as a relentless march. I feel like I don't have time for anything these days. I have been trying to become more intentional with carving out pockets for the things that are important to me. I've noticed that more and more what is really important to me is soaking up the sun on my skin, feeling the water flow over my feet, the wind across my face. I've moved with joy- running through the woods with my kiddo and hearing him giggle.

I've also noticed more and more waking up to missed calls on my business line, far outside of the hours I've set for the business and messages on the voicemail. People calling my phone repeatedly minutes apart when I ignore the call while trying to respond to other messages. Multiple voicemails from the same person trying to book an appointment. I can see both sides of this- my business has different hours than a medical office. My business is also primarily me. My voicemail greeting states several things: that phone calls take longer to return because of the greater need for focus and devoted quiet space to make them, that if one needs a quicker response to please text or email, and if one is looking to book an appointment to please do so through the website. I didn't make that voicemail recording lightly. I made it because I was already noticing a resistance within me to returning calls from potential patients. I also made it because I thought that if I put my expectations out there that people would be more likely to understand how best to reach me in a respectful way. I still felt guilty not calling that person back and I've been grappling with the issue of boundaries more and more. However, in a time where I feel pressed for time and want to spend more of it with my family- in a time where I feel more need for rest and respite than I can seem to get- I'm thinking that perhaps it's not the end of the world to let some of those things go.

At the end of the day, if someone can't respect my clearly communicated boundaries, posted business hours, etc- then maybe I've dodged a bigger lesson on holding my boundaries. Perhaps something needs to shift. However, without changing one of the variables, nothing will really change. My business is the container for my work and I think perhaps I'm watching the shape of it change over time, as I change.

Over the course of the last year or so, I've really been trying to figure out the secret sauce behind having it all- or some perfect balance between making enough money to live life but still having time to enjoy my time here. Of course, this theme might be evident over the course of my last several blog posts as I explore both how I got here, where the acupuncture profession stands, my approach to all of it and my rediscovery of the need for my own self care that doesn't involve a doom scroll through social media on my phone. That need to also balance remaining informed with a need for reclaiming my time and having a break. A break is something my generation has not experienced- living through unprecedented event after unprecedented event.

The diversification of my income is perhaps a response to that environment. However, when one is pulled in so many directions and has their hands in so many things, our impact tends to become more surface level and right now especially I think folks are craving depth. How do I balance all of these things? Sometimes I just have to follow the branches of the stream to see where they all lead- often times they rejoin the rest of the creek.

P.S. If you're reading this and got this far but are one of the people who called me- please just book online. I promise, it's better for both of us!

What I Set Out To Do Last Time

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 03:52:13 GMT

What I set out to do last time

The last time we gathered here to discuss the elephant in the room and I got distracted with the backstory of how I, specifically, got here to this very moment. It might have seemed like a trauma dump. If it did, I'm not even sorry because that was just a glossing over of my lived experience and not even a detailed account of some of the harrowing adventures I've been on. You see, I'm an elder millenial who has been tired of the trials presented by late stage capitalism for a very long time and I've been able to see that the game is rigged against me since I was a literal toddler and my parents tried to explain the economy to me. Yes, I said it- even a toddler can see that the way we do things doesn't make any sense. Now to the meat of the issues and I'm really not sure how to organize the information in a way that doesn't come out as word vomit.

The student loan rules: the student loan game has been rigged for a very, very long time. The most recent attempt to fix the system functioning just as it was designed to do by trapping people in inescapable debt for daring to dream of moving above their station of abject poverty just does a more direct job of doing just that. This means that only the richest students under the current system of education and loans will be able to afford to take out the loans to complete an acupuncture education. There are a couple of schools that have been working towards making the education required to become an acupuncturist more accessible and I do think this is a start in the right direction. That said, I don't know if this model will necessarily appeal to or be a good fit for every future acupuncturist. I also think there's a good chance that the current administration's changes get thrown out in court in a year or two.

The cost of an acupuncture education: I started to address this above. The average cost of an acupuncture degree that does not include undergraduate studies is somewhere around $120,000. It is one of the longest and most expensive master's degree programs. Does it need to be? I'm not sure. I can tell you that even at the end of my program where I felt very well prepared not only for my board exams but also for clinical practice, I knew enough to know just how much more there was to learn and I feel that there could be arguments made for both more and less education. As a matter of fact, the whatever our acronym is now organization formerly known as NCCAOM just polled the profession on whether or not acupuncture should have an entry level bachelor's degree. While I'm not totally against that, I do think that it would potentially cheapen the credential those of us who have already attained the master's have earned so far. That said, the bachelor's level with a direct path into master's might allow for some to go into less debt while working towards their acupuncture licensure- especially those coming from associates level programs or massage therapy programs who might otherwise have to get a bachelor's degree before entering into a master's program. I also sort of feel that for the work level and amount of debt one goes into for an acupuncture master's that the degree probably should be a doctorate like that of the physical therapists and chiropractors. It puts our degree on level with them and removes some of the patronizing they do in our direction because we "only" have a master's degree.

Dry needling and other scope infringement: this has been a favorite rant of mine for a hot minute so you can skim if you've heard it before. It bothered me for a while that Chiropractors, PTs and massage therapists all do cupping and gua sha (but some call it Graston- because white people still be out here playing Christopher Columbus like he wasn't a monster or think that something is more scientific when you take a traditional practice and name it after yourself- also looking at you Gaskin). Eventually, I kind of got over that because I thought "well at least we've still got needles." Well now the dry needling has pretty much taken over and while we're arguing about both who owns the needle and who wields it better there's very real patient risk being played with and experiences with acupuncture needles being ruined by folks that not only don't do what we do but are TRYING to do what we do. One colleague recently pointed out that in the dry needling PT groups, they're all trying to learn traditional chinese medicine and work completely out of scope on issues that have nothing to do with muscles. Not only retaining needles but needling points nowhere near the motor points they're supposed to stick to. So often, I'll come across an article about someone causing a pneumothorax and it's some dry needling PT down in NYC but they call that person an unlicensed acupuncturist... sorry no we don't claim them. The safety issue is real and I don't think it's overblown in the least. 30 hours of education and no supervision for needling is absolutely insane to me but yet somehow these things get passed in legislation. The physical therapists have real money and real lobbies working for them. Most acupuncturists are broke, burnt out and working for themselves by themselves. Our collective organizations failed us long ago when they didn't take enough issue to really try and stop this from becoming an epidemic. Now we're trying to do damage control but it is largely too late and that's not to say to give up that's to say the strategy has to change drastically when something is well under way. We saw that with the literal pandemic not long ago.

Failure to meaningfully integrate into the healthcare system: Perhaps this is announcing my own bias going in however I want to bring up an anecdote about chiropractors without disparaging a profession I actually collaborate with quite a bit. There was a time when the Chiropractors and Osteopaths were one profession but the Chiropractors branched off on the premise that they believed that all disease can be addressed by manipulating the spine. By limiting themselves to this one technique and belief they, in essence, removed themselves from the mainstream healthcare sphere and limited their scope in so doing. In contrast, Osteopaths now make up around 25% or so of the medical providers within the mainstream healthcare system. They learn spinal manipulation however they also learn holistic and biomedical healthcare and have prescribing privileges just like MDs and NPs. I know for a fact that Chiropractors don't limit themselves to just the spine any more- they do make supplement recommendations and can order some limited imaging but their scope is a fraction of what the Osteopath is. I think in this way, acupuncture is kind of like chiropractic. It's hard to get insurance to provide coverage for acupuncture. It's a little bit easier to get them to cover chiropractic and then when it comes to the rest of healthcare often easier still except of course that the health insurance game is also rigged and working exactly as it is now designed to- taking your money without providing the service you paid for (I digress). I do feel that by resigning ourselves to just trying to protect our needle rights misses the point entirely. We don't have to reinvent the wheel either- we can see clear examples, especially in China where acupuncture is so integrated into their healthcare system that you can get acupuncture in the hospital if you would like it. There are some limited examples of this: I've got credentialing to perform in-patient services specifically in labor and delivery at both Strong and Highland hospitals however this is a private pay situation and as a result, makes the services harder to access for those who might actually use them. Acupuncture is integrated in some ways in the VA system and there are pros and cons to that arrangement as well. The problem is that if we don't find a way to make actual jobs in acupuncture available, especially for those who don't want to own their own business, it will largely remain either a luxury health service or community style. I also take issue with how insurance billing and codes work for acupuncture because it's clear whoever wrote all the policy regarding pulling out and placing new needles every 15 minutes has never actually had acupuncture or practiced it (I digress again). If we don't find ourselves a seat at the table, we don't get consulted on the very rules that we are then subjected to. No one is going to pull us up a chair- we need to proactively change the landscape ourselves. No one is coming to save us. We're the protagonist here!

Failure to meaningfully agree: Yeah, I said it I'm calling out everyone for being out here with all their differing opinions and arguing about everything instead of picking their battles and actually working in solidarity. I said what I said. Some wanted to work towards getting the ability to bill medicare, which is what the rest of insurance billing is based on. It would have been a wonderfully productive step with carveouts for those of us who don't want to bill medicare. Then all the naysayers with private practices that don't bill insurance chimed in and said "nah" and that insurance billing is for the fishes. Well yeah, I don't bill insurance either but how are we going to protect access to the medicine if swaths of us are leaving the profession within a handful of years because we're burnt out and can't make a living? I'm aware insurance reimbursement is a whole other issue but that's a problem that is easier to address once the issue of being able to bill them in the first place is addressed. Some of y'all don't know how to prioritize and it's not even the ones with ADHD who struggle with it more supposedly than those without it. Things like this are part of why we can't seem to work together on a bigger marketing campaign to fight the onslaught of dryneedling or raise awareness about what acupuncture can help with or any number of other initiatives to help each other. Part of that is capitalism working as intended. After all, that rugged individualism has us all feeling like our own islands. That's not an excuse people- humans are a species that evolved in community and community is how we get through this!

So... what do we do to meaningfully navigate this labyrinth? Can the profession survive all the strikes and challenges against it? I'd suggest that perhaps in accordance with that last point- failure to meaningfully agree- that maybe we all agree to a multi-pronged strategy designed to address different aspects and challenges and that each of the acupuncturists among us pick something we agree with to work on! You see, we can all probably agree that we love acupuncture and don't want to see the profession we have poured our hearts and souls into to crumble beneath us and that I think is the one unifying factor we can all rally around. I would love to see something productive actually come out of the discussions in the groups rather than just talk and substacks and blog posts and podcasts. I would love to see us all come together and save the profession that saved me. I think we owe it that much. And yeah, it might not look exactly as it does right now- but that would be a good thing!

Mapping my own journey through the labyrinth to acupuncture

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 02:16:58 GMT

Mapping my own journey through the labyrinth to acupuncture

Over the last few weeks and months, I've noted the increase in discourse amongst other Acupuncturists about the future of the profession and the supposed impending Acupocalypse that is coming. This post isn't a replacement for reading everyone else's substack and isn't meant to be an exhaustive overview of what has already been discussed. Many of the other blogs and substacks have focused on the point of view and experience of the people writing those blogs and substacks and even talking on those podcasts. That's more my angle here- I feel that my trajectory into the profession was a bit different than others.

I did come from poverty- the kind where even when both parents would work, you still had foodstamps and were familiar with the WIC restrictions on purchasing specific products and being told to turn all the extra lights off all the time and to wear your coat in the house if you were cold in the winter because we couldn't afford the thermostat to go above 66 degrees F in the upstate NY winters. That meant, when it came to higher education, that I was very much dependent on financial aid and student loans. When I applied to undergrad in fall of 2005, I was rationing my applications because every $75 application fee represented roughly 16 hours of work at my minimum wage job after school- almost an entire week's worth of pay. I applied to exactly 3 schools and was accepted to all 3 but decided to go to RIT mostly because of my overnight experience there when I had gone to the camp for Project Lead The Way (my school had several different engineering courses one could participate in and even opt for college credits at RIT if you paid for the credits- at $200/class I was priced out of such opportunities but I took the classes to a point because I enjoyed them).

Along with my acceptance letters came my dad's job offer. While I had applied to 3 schools within an hour's drive of home thinking I could come home on breaks, that plan had changed. My family moved to Texas shortly after moving me in to the RIT campus. While most college students would have only had to pack what they needed for a few months at a time into their dorm room- for me it was packing up my whole childhood, unsure if I would even have a space in my family's new accommodations down south.

I worked throughout undergrad, often past the point of exhaustion, often to the detriment of my grades. By the end, my mantra was "C's get degrees" because going to bed at 11pm and waking up at 5am every morning wore even on my 20 year old self. And yet, even working 20-30 hours per week and attending school full time, I could not afford to pay for all of my living expenses and my family couldn't help. I became a sleuth at ordering old editions of the textbook or not ordering the textbooks at all. When the workarounds wouldn't work, sometimes I would just withdraw from the class, unable to do the work required or the reading needed to be able to get a passing grade. In 2009, when my parents wouldn't fill out any more loans or FAFSA applications for me but I could not get financial aid without their information, I found that marriage was a loophole from having to have their income counted. My boyfriend at the time obliged.

I was doing all of this, being told to pull myself up by my bootstraps, being told I was lazy and needed to apply myself, and trying to find ways to get through every hurdle (with undiagnosed ADHD among other things no less). I had become so used to one tragedy following another that I didn't even bother crying when my car blew a head gasket and drove home in the cloud of smoke- with no heat in the 30 degree below zero windchill. I actually have many such stories. After a while, the good times start to feel like a threat because you're so used to everything going wrong that you're not only waiting for the other shoe to drop you're wishing that it would so you can get to solving the next problem. I've gotten really good at spotting bigger problems before they happen now. Some call it a superpower- I call it hypervigilance and PTSD.

Melody- what does any of this have to do with acupuncture and the trajectory of the profession? I'm getting to it- you need background and you need to know where I'm coming from. You need to know that I'm not some trust fund kid or irresponsible person who "just took loans out for the hell of it". The student loans used to keep me up at night. I thought after undergrad that I would be able to find a job that paid the bills and left a little something after that to save, perhaps to buy a house or go on vacation. I worked on the Department of Education contract for federally defaulted student loans from 2012-2015. I forewent having insurance because the company I worked for would pay us the insurance subsidy if we didn't elect for health insurance. At nearly $19/hour, I would make just barely enough to make the minimum payments on everything if I split a very cheap apartment with a roomate. If I took the health insurance offered by the company though they would take both halves of the insurance contribution out of my paycheck, to the tune of over $600/mo (yes, back in 2012). For a little while under the ACA I was able to get my parents' health insurance and then there was a year or two where I just plain did not have coverage. Sitting down and doing my budget with a financial advisor, I could see that the student loans would not be paid off in the 10 years I was lead to believe. Working in federally defaulted student loans allowed me to see many many accounts where the borrower had more than repaid their original debt yet still owed more than they had borrowed after 30 and even 40 years. It also allowed me to see every single loophole that could exist within the system.

During that time frame, I navigated a separation from that marriage that I had entered into partially out of a financial contract. The emotional stress of that, and of realizing that I was in a dead end job hit me like a brick wall. I felt hopeless. I felt isolated. My facebook feed was all people I had gone to RIT with writing real research papers, becoming doctors, going on vacations, owning houses. And there I was in the same apartment I had had since 2010 shuffling roomate after roomate in and then out again- drinking on the weekends just to arrive at Monday wishing for Friday again. I also had done the autistic thing of overperforming at my job and then failing to be consistent in maintaining burnout levels of productivity over the long term, where they unsustainably just expected you to infinitely outperform the month prior month after month. I was aware my days at the company were numbered, as well as that their days on the contract were numbered. I was having trouble sleeping. I was waking up in cold sweats with night terrors. Then I saw that a friend of a friend had graduated acupuncture school and that he was running a Groupon. Having been previously married to a massage therapist, I knew groupon was a bad deal so I called him up and asked him if I could just get the groupon deal directly through him so he could keep more of the money- of course he agreed.

My acupuncture experience was nothing short of magical. After the first treatment, I slept like a baby. I cooked the herbs he sold me in my brand new cuisinart pots I bought because the ex made a big deal of taking the revereware. They were bitter but tolerable and best of all they helped. I felt like I had come alive again from being dead inside. The experience had clarified for me a path forward as well. I had been looking at length at different paths, different programs. Alternatives to working in an office. I knew from experience that I did not have the social mask necessary to successfully navigate office work long term- that eventually coworkers realized I wasn't just like them and then I would give them this uncanny valley feeling that no one could sort out why it happened and I would be ostracized until they found an excuse to get rid of me. I had worked that much out but had still not worked out I was ADHD yet at that point. I had started exploring my spirituality and I had gotten really into my health and herbalism again in the divorce- stuff my ex had frowned upon. I had been looking into midwifery, nursing, naturopathy (which is not licensed in NY), I had thought about massage therapy, had looked into reiki and had an experience with that but acupuncture seemed to walk this line that blended the things I liked about the other paths. It had the spiritual and mystical aspects to it but was still backed by medical science and licensing.

Not long after that magical acupuncture experience, I applied to and was accepted to acupuncture school. At that point, I had already resigned myself to the fact that the student loans would never be repaid, to the idea that home ownership might never be within reach, to the fact that I might eventually find myself in federal default and considered all of my options. I decided that if all of those things were already true, then the debt might as well be for something that I can make a fulfilling career out of. I signed the documents knowing the predatory scheme that lay ahead- because what choice did I have? Resign myself to no health insurance, no job, no prospects? The way I saw it, this was one of the only ways into a profession that might even qualify for public service loan forgiveness or some of the other programs. I also saw at the time that student loan forgiveness was and still is an inevitable outcome.

Remember that bit about expecting the next tragedy? Well, that continued throughout acupuncture school but I made it! And then I forgot to budget the funds into my loans for the cost of my exorbitant board exams. $500 just to apply to be able to pay to take the exams, then another $750 each for two more exams as the bare minimum for licensing in New York then another $780 for initial licensing. I graduated in April of 2019 however, I did not raise the funds to take the exams until November of 2019 and at that I didn't even do it alone. Even working as a pharmacy tech nearly full time and not paying rent, several thousand dollars are hard to come up with! So it came to pass that my board exams were scheduled for January of 2020. I took my exams in the middle of a snowstorm after cramming for 2 months straight. I was waiting for my results when... A PANDEMIC began...

I received my test results just as lockdown was beginning, followed by my license, just to be told that we were not essential healthcare. And then that we were in fact essential healthcare. I sat on that license for another 6 months before I could do anything with it. When I did use it, I took a job in a city over an hour drive away taking No Fault and Worker's Comp cases at the time. I was still working full time on the Contact Tracing initiative then doing 2 days per week in the clinic in another city. It was over 3 months before I saw a penny from the acupuncture position because of many of the patients cases being in denial. It was working that type of case load and seeing the reimbursements and the low settlements that made me realize that the insurance aspect of things wasn't for me. I left the position after less than a year and no longer take insurance directly because of the paperwork and the games the insurance companies would play when it came to paying me for my work. I had also during that time met the love of my life, gotten married and gotten pregnant.

During my maternity leave, I did my doula training, my hospice and palliative care acupuncturist certification, etc. I stayed busy. My husband Zach and I were looking at buying a house so I took a break from practicing so that I could figure out where we landed before trying to start a practice. Then in 2022 we bought our house in Newark, NY. I started my practice out of our home and thought as everyone had said that my practice would fill up quickly that it would however that was a rude awakening. Unlike when we lived in Rochester, I didn't really have a network of acquaintances out here. I was largely unknown. I had to learn how to market. I had to start a business on a shoestring budget with next to no funds of my own to speak of and without borrowing any money from my husband. I learned how to make my own website from scratch after spending hours researching what platform to use and what would be the cheapest and most accessible way to go about it. After about 10 months, I got curious and looked around and was lucky that there was another acupuncturist in the area looking to hire an associate. At the time, my son was about 2 years old so I was feeling more confident being able to leave him a couple days per week. It worked out initially that I worked on my husband's days off so we just traded out and didn't have to pay for childcare. That arrangement worked well until he was ultimately laid off and started his own business as well.

The similarities between my own story and the ones I've heard from others are not lost on me. The realization has now hit me that even though I set out to address the bigger issues of the profession, I've merely told my own story so hold onto your pants for part 2...

Radically Pursuing Joy As Resistance

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 03:24:05 GMT

Radically Pursuing Joy As Resistance

I'll be honest with y'all that after my post yesterday, I forced myself to put down the tech and spent the entire rest of the day working in the dirt on my hands and knees. I was determined and maybe a little bit mad that nature had overtaken everything and that the gardens and outdoor spaces I worked so hard to initially create appeared a little as though no one cared for them. What started initially along the lines of a rage cleaning spree eventually gave way to something else entirely. I didn't want to lose a whole weekend day and not pay attention to my Son-Shine.

So crouched on my hands and knees, I recruited my little sun god into parts of the work that I knew he could do- and some that I had to teach him along the way. Although he had to be redirected a few times, he did prove eventually to be pretty helpful and we discovered a dynamic that worked for us. At this stage of things, he is still learning the weeds from the plants I've placed intentionally. What started off as a day of doing chores soon gave way to lessons on plant identification and fairy village planning. We figured out how to work together- and where we butted heads.

It wasn't until the sun went down and the lights all over our yard came on that I finally remembered what it's all for. Instead of chilling inside with the air conditioning while my husband grilled up some corn, I decided to hook up our little astronaut projector in the 10x10 pop up gazebo that I call my outdoor living room. I laid down on the camp cot staring at the ceiling, with the light up nebula and stars going on and off. All around us down on the lawn (our yard has a pretty generous slope and the house is at the top of it), we could see little fireflies flickering their lights all around. There were several moments where we all, as a family, sat in silence transfixed with the magic all around us. I could sense my little guy's sense of awe.

Today, my grandparents came for a visit. It's never been lost on me that my grandfather can make himself comfortable just about anywhere- in any social situation. One of the subtle things I've noticed over the years though is how easy it is for him to be content, especially if there is a nice tree to sit under and a book or a paper to read. My grandmother and I sat under my canopy, away from the bugs and comfortable in the wicker chairs. We watched my son from the short distance playing nicely by himself with his water table and sipping the tea I made.

I'm fully aware it was almost 90 degrees fahrenheit today and we were drinking hot tea. You have to understand that my grandmother and I are both of the variety of bendy humans that get dizzy when we stand up too fast and drinking hot liquids is preferred unless we are overheating. I was excited to share with her one of the newer tea blends I got from Magic Hour (not a paid placement- I'm not even going to give you the link here) that I have found especially delicious. The blend was the 333: Jophiel's Creative Spark Tea for those interested in the specifics. My grandma remarked on how good the tea was and we sipped, taking in the fruity aromas, the serene setting I'd worked so hard the day prior to cultivate, and appreciating my son's happy sounds as he used the water to spin the wheels on the water table.

It was a short visit and I tell you about it because as my grandmother went to leave she said something that allowed me to pull this meandering stream of a story together into a nugget that has to do with the title.

"You make sure to take care of yourself too. You do such a good job taking care of everyone else- you have to make sure do to for yourself as well"

The words left my mouth before I had even processed them: "What do you think all this-" I gesture broadly around the yard and at the house "is for? This is all for me. I get to live here and enjoy all of this- and drink the good tea. That's how I take care of myself."

I'm not sure if I've quite conveyed to my dear readers quite the extent to which I have turned my own home and yard into spaces that bring comfort and joy. I haven't even done anything really expensive or elaborate in order to accomplish the task. Just tiny steps here and there- one small project at a time has slowly transformed our space.

Now you might ask what this has to do with being radical or resisting the powers that be. The answer is quite simple: a desperate and scared populace is easy to control. Joy is something we can really only feel when we put fear aside and really reside in the moment we are in. Going outside and touching grass, drinking the good tea, spending time with family, nurturing our children- those are the things we are supposed to be doing. I'm also not advocating that we turn away from the events that are going on in the world.

Trust me, I have my doomscrolling days too! The thing is, as with all things, balance is really the key. The balance for each person is going to look a little different as well. Staying up do date on headlines, deep diving a few issues you really care about and leaving the rest is fine. Burying our heads in the sand doesn't allow us to transmute the energy or use the current circumstances to "level up". By leveling up I mean that actively processing the information we are receiving in real time and releasing it back out transformed. Picking concrete actions within our own reach as our focus points and letting others pick up other pieces of the collective burden as well.

The thing about Chinese Medicine is that while yin and yang are important concepts I could speak at length about- they're also very real. Our world is very yang-focused. Everything from spirituality to how we use computers for everything and put the people with ideas at the top of the corporate hierarchy. However, those ideas becoming reality? That's yin. Making a whole person from a single cell? That's yin- it's substance, blood. In order for yin and yang to be in balance, we have to have both ideas and enough substance to make them reality. Without enough yin? The yang eventually burns everything up. In a lot of ways, we're seeing that happen in real time with the data centers being this embodiment of ideas without physical substance literally burning through the water we need to sustain life itself.

So my advice to you is to radically pursue joy in the face of everything else that is going on because joy and rest are what will allow you to continue the other work of transmuting energy, taking concrete steps to improve the world around you, and building community. That is how we build resistance. Oh, and drink the good tea. Uncle Iroh would approve.

June Stream of Consciousness

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 17:21:55 GMT

June Stream of Consciousness

It's been a while since I just simply sat down and allowed the words to flow from my hands and through the keyboard at the speeds of my neurodivergent brain. A lot of people really hate my writing style- that's fine. Consider this your trigger warning for squirrel brain, profanity, and difficult topics. Use your judgement with regard to your continued readership from this point on.

I was thinking a lot in the process of coming up with this post. So much so that I actually ended up taking the perfect picture to accompany it before I even arrived at the name- Stream of Consciousness. It's the writing style of Virginia Wolf that I fell in absolute love with and made me feel seen for the first time in my Women in Literature class I took at RIT back in 2011, back when my positing that the far right was trying to make The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood reality instead of fiction was viewed as an extreme distortion of their platform. Just 15 years later, I know the collective can see the comparison and it doesn't make me feel any better about having identified it sooner than everyone else. I still remembered being told I was hysterical, ridiculous, overthinking things- that the structure of our country would never allow something like that to happen. This isn't the point of this post- just a neurodivergent detour.

I've been thinking more and more lately about the role of AI in our lives and how to show up authentically amidst a constant stream of curated, perfected, mechanical and broadly appealing branding schemes. The pinterest perfection, the instagram aesthetic. I'm in the health and wellness sphere so I'm inundated with this content that makes me feel downright clumsy in comparison. Of course, the typical advise is to say "don't compare yourself to those people." However, the unfortunate reality is that if your content doesn't appease the content algorithm AI gods, then your content doesn't get seen and if it doesn't get seen, then people don't know what I have to offer or what events I'm working on. When that happens, my business suffers and I struggle to provide for my family. Don't get me wrong this isn't a pity post I'm literally just setting the stage for the next step in my unpacking a bunch of complex balls of feelings all at once and this is one of the threads. If you even read this far, congratulations- you're probably also nerodivergent.

You see, AI (chat AI not generative AI which is an insult to our planet and humanity as a whole) is a tool and in a world where showing up authentically as myself is frowned upon or even sometimes punished by the algorithm, AI can be useful for writing the text for posts. The problem is that when one becomes too dependent on this tool or is using it to move too quickly because they simply have too much to do, it can get sloppy and there will be mistakes from time to time. The other cost of that is that in a lot of ways, it is sacrificing one's own voice for that of a machine. You might have caught on now that this very post is about reclaiming my own voice and all of the beautiful chaos that comes along with this brain of mine. It is also about how being authentic comes with a certain amount of vulnerability and risk. If no one responds to or connects to the AI content "oh well, it was written by a machine." When one has put their heart and soul into writing something they really feel and believe and it gets rejected or criticized, that feels quite a bit different.

And yet, using the machine to write and curate posts does give me back my time also. I have been prioritizing getting outside of the digital walls I've found myself locked inside of for over a year and literally touching grass- which means less time in front of a screen perfecting posts. This being an exception of course because I had a whole bunch of things to get off my mind, heart and chest. I'm still trying to figure out how to actually have everything: time with my family, a career I love and showing up whole and authentic in the world. I suppose this is my way of saying I am trying to feel a little safer in doing that somehow.

Oh and before I lose sight of a whole other thought I had earlier- I remember a couple of years ago a study came out that had explored why women suffer in so much greater numbers from autoimmune diseases than men and that it had concluded that there is a *link* (correlation does not equal causation) between self silencing behaviors in women and the development of autoimmune conditions. I can't help but wonder about my own husband's autoimmune condition being linked to his phase of nonspeaking from the ages of approximately 2 to 10 years old- and whether that was a physical inability to speak or maybe a lack of connection to the words he needed to speak his truth about his reality- had something to do with his development of that condition later in life. And if you look at the neurodivergent population, how many of us are either told to hide who we are, are coached on how to appear more "normal", mask ourselves into illness, depression, burnout, collapse- and how many of us are eventually told we have an autoimmune disease and/or connective tissue disorder. I'm not just talking the EDS/MCAS/POTS trifecta either. I'm talking about Ankylosing Spondylitis, Marfan's Syndrome, SJogren's. Endometriosis, PCOS. How all of these comorbidities seem to cluster and converge and lead to one another. In my internet travels, there are many doctors who would agree with me at this point in saying that there might even be a mast cell link in all of this. What does this have to do with self silencing?

I think self silencing or even masking and self policing one's behaviors, gestures, facial expressions, etc carries a high level of conferred stress. I think that high level of background stress means that we have a whole subset of the population walking around with elevated cortisol, which is triggering more mast cells to be produced- and when you have more mast cells in the brain and gut and skin- you get digestive problems, brain fog, thoughts that race and jump all over the place, rashes, etc. Perhaps even the weight gain could be linked to this.

I've heard said more than once in the wellness sphere that retained weight that won't budge has to do with cushioning yourself from the outside world as a sort of literal armor of protection. I'm hopeful that some day my body will feel safe enough again to drop that armor. Maybe some day I'll be marketable and thin and healed. For the moment, I'm the imperfect healer conferring to my patients (or trying) the wisdom I've gained along the way. The journey has been a long one and I am aware there is more to do, more to learn, more to perfect. And I keep trying my best because that is all that can be asked of me. The thing about that statement of being the imperfect healer and some day showing up healed is that not only is healing not a linear process- it's not a process with a beginning and an end. I am starting to think that much like grief, healing never really ends. There is just the you there is today and you keep trying to do a little better over time. Sometimes that little bit is posting a meandering stream of consciousness to your nonexistent blog following so that the internet won't drag your SEO into the mud!

Until next time!

Please let me know if you liked this. If you didn't, scroll along you're not my people- this isn't an airport no need to announce your departure.

The Chakra Tuner: What's up with the name change, Zach?

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 00:37:44 GMT

The Chakra Tuner: What's Up With the Name Change, Zach?

It's no secret that the name of the Instagram handle and the Facebook page have changed. The change might have you asking: "What's up with that, Zach?". It's true there was nothing specifically wrong with the old name "Reiki and Sound Healing with Zach" though it did lack a certain je ne sais quoi... actually I do know what- it was boring!

In the last 8 months or so of really trying to brand himself, we realized that putting the Reiki first was limiting. The name was too long as well and people don't really connect the term Sound Healing with what it can do for them . People are more familiar with Reiki, which helps, but to get them from understanding what Reiki does to how Sound Healing works takes a little while.

So we were at the shop the other day (Zach personally approved this Letterkenny Reference) and we were talking with some good friends and they pointed out that Zach's thing really is the Sound Healing. It's always been the Sound Healing. He likes and practices the Reiki too but he's specialized beyond the healing touch and the energy work. He has a love and a passion for the science of how the frequencies of each of his instruments interacts with and creates resonance with our bodies and our energy centers (chakras). He loves his tools... men and their tools, am I right? Also HAMMERRRRRR!!! (Quick, someone tag Tank Tolman)

I honestly had already been thinking about the name change before that conversation. It was merely the tipping point. Zach originally wanted to do music recording as a major and then he decided to explore massage because he has a passion for helping others and making them feel better. This intersection in his interests in sound and healing has always been there and the Sound Healing is the purest expression of that.

So, yes, The Chakra Tuner- it speaks to the nature of what Zach does and who he is... and best of all? I think it's catchy!

Understanding Sound Healing During Pregnancy

Sun, 13 Oct 2024 00:42:19 GMT

Understanding Sound Healing During Pregnancy: Contraindications to Consider

Sound healing has gained popularity as a holistic therapy, leveraging vibrations and frequencies to promote relaxation and healing. While many expectant mothers seek out sound healing to enhance their well-being during pregnancy, it’s crucial to understand the potential contraindications and considerations on the heels of news from an acquaintance actually broke her waters using a singing bowl! This prompted us to answer a question we've been getting since then: is sound healing safe for pregnant persons?

What is Sound Healing?

Sound healing involves the use of sound waves, whether through music, singing bowls, tuning forks, or other vibrational instruments, to facilitate emotional and physical healing. It can promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance emotional well-being, making it an appealing option for many.

Benefits of Sound Healing During Pregnancy

Many women turn to sound healing during pregnancy for various reasons, including:

Stress Reduction: Pregnancy can be a time of heightened emotions and stress. Sound healing may help alleviate anxiety and promote relaxation.
Enhanced Connection: Some expectant mothers find that sound therapy helps them connect with their babies and their own bodies.
Pain Relief: Certain frequencies may provide relief from common pregnancy discomforts, such as back pain and muscle tension.

Contraindications of Sound Healing During Pregnancy

While sound healing can be beneficial, there are important contraindications to consider during pregnancy:

1. High-Risk Pregnancies

For those classified as high-risk due to conditions like hypertension, gestational diabetes, or a history of miscarriage, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider before engaging in sound healing. The intense vibrations might not be suitable for all high-risk scenarios.

2. Sensitive Stages of Pregnancy

The first trimester is a critical period for fetal development. Some practitioners recommend avoiding intense sound therapy during this time to minimize any potential risks. Always consult with a healthcare professional to assess individual circumstances.

3. Specific Health Conditions

Certain health issues, such as auditory disorders, seizures, or other neurological conditions, may be exacerbated by sound therapy. Pregnant individuals with these conditions should avoid sound healing or consult with a specialist.

4. Emotional Sensitivity

Pregnancy can heighten emotional sensitivity. While many benefit from sound healing, some may find certain sounds triggering or overwhelming. It’s vital for expectant mothers to pay attention to their emotional responses during sessions and adjust accordingly.

5. Misuse of Equipment

Improper use of sound healing equipment, such as tuning forks or loud instruments, can pose risks. It’s essential to work with trained and certified professionals who understand the needs and sensitivities of pregnant clients.

Best Practices for Sound Healing During Pregnancy

If you’re considering sound healing during pregnancy, here are some best practices to ensure a safe and beneficial experience:

Consult with Your Healthcare Provider: Always discuss your plans for sound healing with your obstetrician or midwife to ensure it’s safe for your specific situation.
Choose Qualified Practitioners: Work with sound healing practitioners who have experience with pregnant clients and understand the unique needs and contraindications.
Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body and emotions respond during sound healing sessions. If anything feels uncomfortable, it’s important to communicate and adjust the experience.

Conclusion

Sound healing can offer numerous benefits for pregnant individuals, but it’s essential to navigate this therapy with care and consideration. Understanding the contraindications and consulting with healthcare professionals will help ensure a safe and positive experience. As with any holistic practice, personal intuition and professional guidance are key to enjoying the potential benefits of sound healing during pregnancy.

Exploring Somatic Movement: Origins, Meaning, and Cultural Context

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 15:45:22 GMT

Exploring Somatic Movement: Origins, Meaning, and Cultural Context

In recent years, the term "somatic" has gained popularity in various wellness and movement practices, often linked with disciplines like qigong, yoga, and more contemporary techniques such as fascia flossing. But what does somatic really mean, and how does it relate to these diverse practices? Moreover, how do considerations of cultural appropriation and rebranding come into play when these practices are adapted for broader audiences?

Understanding Somatic:

The term "somatic" originates from the Greek word "soma," which means "body." In the context of movement and wellness, somatic refers to techniques that emphasize the mind-body connection and the subjective experience of the body in movement. Somatic practices focus on internal sensations, proprioception (awareness of body position), and cultivating a deeper awareness of bodily movements.

Somatic Movement:

Somatic movement encompasses a wide range of practices that aim to re-educate the body through gentle, mindful movements. These practices often emphasize qualities such as relaxation, mindfulness, and the release of habitual patterns of tension. Instead of focusing solely on external forms or achieving specific poses, somatic movement encourages practitioners to explore how movement feels from within.

Origins in Qigong, Yoga, and Fascia Flossing:

Qigong: Originating from ancient Chinese traditions, qigong combines movement, breathwork, and meditation to cultivate qi (life energy) flow throughout the body. It emphasizes the integration of mind, body, and spirit through gentle, flowing movements.
Yoga: Rooted in Indian philosophy, yoga incorporates physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), and meditation to achieve physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Yoga's focus on unity and balance resonates deeply with somatic principles.
Fascia Flossing: A more contemporary technique, fascia flossing involves movements designed to release tension in the fascia—a connective tissue network that surrounds muscles and organs. It borrows from both traditional somatic practices and modern understanding of anatomy.

Cultural Appropriation and Rebranding:

The globalization of somatic practices has sparked debates about cultural appropriation, especially when Eastern practices like qigong and yoga are adapted and rebranded for Western, often white, audiences. Cultural appropriation occurs when elements of a marginalized culture are adopted by a dominant culture without proper acknowledgment, respect, or understanding of their original context.

While some argue that making these practices accessible to a broader audience can promote understanding and inclusivity, others caution against diluting or misrepresenting their cultural and spiritual significance. Rebranding often involves stripping practices of their cultural markers to make them more palatable or marketable, potentially overlooking their deeper philosophical and historical roots.

Conclusion:

Somatic movement offers valuable tools for enhancing body awareness, promoting relaxation, and supporting overall well-being. However, as these practices continue to evolve and spread globally, it's essential to approach them with sensitivity to their origins and cultural contexts. Respectful engagement involves learning from and honoring the traditions that have nurtured these practices over centuries, while also recognizing the diverse ways they can benefit individuals worldwide.

By appreciating the origins of somatic practices in qigong, yoga, and fascia flossing, and by navigating discussions of cultural appropriation with care, we can foster a more inclusive and informed approach to wellness—one that celebrates diversity while promoting the universal benefits of mindful movement and holistic health.

In essence, somatic movement invites us to listen deeply to our bodies, cultivate awareness, and move with intention—an invitation that transcends cultural boundaries and speaks to the fundamental unity of the human experience.

Harmonizing Energy: Exploring AcuSound and Its Synergy with Traditional Healing Practices

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 01:02:29 GMT

Harmonizing Energy: Exploring AcuSound and Its Synergy with Traditional Healing Practices

In the realm of holistic healing, the integration of ancient wisdom and modern innovations continues to evolve, offering new avenues for achieving balance and vitality. AcuSound, a synthesis of acupuncture and sound healing, exemplifies this convergence, harnessing the power of both disciplines to optimize the flow of energy within the body.

The Journey of Energy: From Dantians to Chakras to Acupuncture Points

At the core of AcuSound lies the understanding of energy pathways and centers within the body. The Three Dantians, as discussed in previous articles, serve as foundational energy reservoirs in practices like Qigong. From these centers, energy moves through the body's intricate network of channels to reach the chakras—vital energy centers aligned along the midline of the body.

Chakras are responsible for refining and distributing energy throughout the body, influencing physical health, emotional balance, and spiritual growth. When these energy centers are balanced and aligned, they promote overall well-being and vitality.

Sound Healing: Tuning Chakras for Optimal Flow

In AcuSound therapy, sound healing techniques are employed alongside traditional acupuncture to enhance the flow of energy through the chakras. Tuning forks, which emit specific frequencies, are used to resonate with and stimulate the chakras. Each chakra corresponds to a specific frequency, and the tuning forks help to clear blockages and realign these energy centers.

For instance, a tuning fork calibrated to the frequency of the Root Chakra can help ground and stabilize energy from the Lower Dantian, ensuring a strong foundation for physical health and security. As the therapy progresses up the midline, different frequencies target each chakra, supporting emotional balance, personal power, communication, intuition, and spiritual connection.

Impact on Acupuncture Treatment: Enhancing Energetic Effectiveness

Integrating sound healing with acupuncture enhances both modalities. Acupuncture, which involves inserting fine needles into specific points along the channels, promotes the free flow of qi and balances the body's energy. When combined with sound healing using tuning forks, acupuncture treatments become more targeted and profound feeling.

The vibrations from the tuning forks resonate deeply within the body, promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and affecting the body's receptivity to acupuncture. This synergistic approach deepens the therapeutic experience, addressing both physical symptoms and underlying energetic imbalances.

Conclusion: Embracing Holistic Healing

AcuSound represents a harmonious blend of ancient wisdom and contemporary innovation in holistic healing. By honoring the interconnectedness of energy pathways—from the cultivation of qi in the Dantians, through the refinement in the chakras, to the distribution via acupuncture points—practitioners can facilitate a profound sense of healing and transformation.

As we continue to explore the integration of traditional practices with modern techniques like sound healing, the potential for enhancing health and well-being expands. AcuSound stands as a testament to the ongoing evolution of healing modalities, offering individuals a comprehensive approach to achieving balance, vitality, and harmony on all levels of existence.

The Three Dantians: Where Energy Cultivation Happens

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 00:47:56 GMT

The Three Dantians: Where Energy Cultivation Begins

In Qigong, the concept of the Three Dantians represents key energy centers where internal energy, known as qi or chi, is cultivated and refined through practice. These centers—located in the lower abdomen (Lower Dantian), chest area (Middle Dantian), and forehead (Upper Dantian)—serve as focal points for energy accumulation, circulation, and transformation. The Lower Dantian, often referred to as the body's "elixir field," is where physical energy is rooted and stored, providing a foundation for stability and grounding. The Middle Dantian, associated with emotions and the heart-mind connection, facilitates emotional balance and clarity. Finally, the Upper Dantian, situated between the eyebrows, is linked to higher consciousness and spiritual insight, enabling practitioners to refine their internal energy towards spiritual growth and enlightenment. Through mindful cultivation and breathing techniques, Qigong practitioners harness and harmonize the energy within these Dantians, promoting overall well-being and vitality.

In Qigong practice, each Dantian is approached with specific methods aimed at cultivating and transforming energy. Beginning with the Lower Dantian, practitioners focus on deep abdominal breathing (known as "Daoist breathing") to gather qi from the environment and store it within this center. Movements and postures in Qigong forms often emphasize grounding and stability, reinforcing the energy stored in the Lower Dantian, which is crucial for physical health and vitality.

Moving to the Middle Dantian, techniques shift towards emotional and mental cultivation. Here, practitioners use visualization, mindfulness, and gentle movements to harmonize emotions and strengthen the connection between the heart and mind. This center is believed to regulate emotional balance and foster inner peace, promoting overall mental well-being.

Lastly, the Upper Dantian, associated with spiritual development and higher consciousness, is cultivated through meditation and visualization practices. By focusing on the area between the eyebrows, practitioners aim to awaken spiritual insight and clarity. Techniques such as "third eye meditation" or "inner vision cultivation" are employed to refine and elevate the qi to higher spiritual realms, fostering a deeper connection with the universal energy.

Through consistent practice and mindful attention to each Dantian, Qigong practitioners not only enhance their physical health but also cultivate emotional balance and spiritual growth. The integration of these methods allows for a holistic approach to energy cultivation, promoting harmony and vitality on all levels of being.

The Path of Energy: Cultivating Dantians, Harnessing Chakras, and Accessing Acupuncture Points

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 00:47:30 GMT

The Path of Energy: Cultivating Dantians, Harnessing Chakras, and Accessing Acupuncture Points

In the ancient practices of Qigong and energy medicine, understanding the pathways and centers through which energy flows is essential for achieving balance, vitality, and spiritual growth. Central to this journey are the Three Dantians, which serve as the initial reservoirs and cultivators of vital energy, known as qi or chi.

Cultivating Energy in the Dantians: Your Energy Garden

Imagine the Three Dantians as the gardens where you sow and nurture your grain. The Lower Dantian, akin to the fertile soil at the base of your abdomen, is where physical energy is grounded and stored through deep breathing and mindful movement. Like tending to crops, practitioners cultivate and accumulate qi here, establishing a foundation of stability and vitality.

Moving up to the Middle Dantian, located in the chest area, we encounter the emotional and mental aspects of energy cultivation. This center acts as the garden where emotions are tended to and clarity is nurtured. Techniques such as visualization and meditation help harmonize the heart-mind connection, ensuring emotional balance and inner peace.

Finally, the Upper Dantian, situated between the eyebrows, represents the spiritual garden where higher consciousness blooms. Here, through focused meditation and visualization practices, practitioners refine and elevate their qi to connect with universal energy, fostering spiritual insight and enlightenment.

Harnessing Energy with Chakras: The Grain to Flour Transformation

Just as harvested grain needs processing into flour, the energy cultivated in the Dantians flows upward to the chakras—energy centers that refine and distribute this vital life force throughout the body. Each chakra, from the base of the spine to the crown of the head, serves as a refining mill, transforming raw energy into more refined forms suitable for specific physical, emotional, and spiritual functions.

For instance, the Root Chakra at the base of the spine grounds and stabilizes the energy from the Lower Dantian, ensuring physical vitality and security. Moving upwards, the Sacral Chakra refines emotional energy, fostering creativity and passion. The Solar Plexus Chakra enhances personal power and confidence, while the Heart Chakra promotes love and compassion. The Throat Chakra facilitates clear communication, the Third Eye Chakra enhances intuition and insight, and the Crown Chakra connects us with higher consciousness and spiritual wisdom.

Accessing Acupuncture Points: Where Flour Meets the Market

In the analogy of energy flow, acupuncture points act as the grocery stores where refined energy, akin to flour, is distributed throughout the body. These points are interconnected with the meridian system, which serves as energy highways, facilitating the flow of qi to nourish and support various organs and bodily functions.

Just as you would visit different grocery stores for specific types of flour, acupuncturists target specific points to address physical ailments, emotional imbalances, and spiritual alignment. By stimulating these points, practitioners promote the free flow of energy, ensuring optimal health and well-being.

Conclusion: The Integrated Journey of Energy

In the journey of energy cultivation, from the Dantians to the chakras and acupuncture points, practitioners embark on a holistic path towards balance and harmony. By nurturing their energy gardens in the Dantians, refining energy through the chakras, and accessing the energy distribution of acupuncture points, individuals can enhance their physical vitality, emotional resilience, and spiritual connection with the universe. Embracing these ancient practices offers a profound opportunity for self-healing and personal transformation in our modern world.

Unveiling the Origins of Reiki: Mikao Usui's Journey into the Realm of Qi

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 00:31:12 GMT

Unveiling the Origins of Reiki: Mikao Usui's Journey into the Realm of Qi

In the realm of alternative healing practices, Reiki stands out as a gentle yet powerful technique that harnesses universal energy for healing and relaxation. Originating in Japan in the early 20th century, Reiki was developed by Mikao Usui, whose journey into the realms of energy and healing was deeply influenced by traditional Chinese medicine concepts, particularly the notion of "qi."

Mikao Usui's Inspiration: Traditional Chinese Medicine

Mikao Usui, a devout Buddhist and scholar, embarked on a quest to uncover the secrets of healing energies after years of study and meditation. His exploration led him to traditional Chinese medicine, which posits that life energy, or "qi," flows through the body along pathways known as channels. According to this belief, disruptions or blockages in the flow of qi can lead to physical or emotional imbalances, and restoring this flow is crucial for health and well-being. It is also worth noting that he was heavily influenced by the Chakras from Hinduism and Ayurveda, which has overlap with TCM.

The Concept of Ki in Reiki: Qi in Disguise

Central to Usui's development of Reiki was the concept of "ki," the Japanese equivalent of "qi." In essence, both terms refer to the same universal life force energy. Usui understood ki as the fundamental energy that sustains all living beings, permeating every aspect of existence. By accessing and channeling this ki through his hands, Usui believed he could facilitate healing and promote a state of balance and harmony within the recipient.

The Practice of Reiki: Channeling Universal Life Energy

In Reiki practice, the practitioner acts as a conduit for the flow of ki or qi. Through gentle touch or even from a distance, the practitioner directs this energy into the recipient's body, allowing it to flow where it is most needed. This process is believed to promote relaxation, reduce stress, alleviate pain, and support the body's natural healing processes.

Sound Healing

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 02:39:07 GMT

Everything You Want to Know About Sound Healing

The Origins of Sound Healing

Sound healing is an ancient practice with roots in cultures across the globe. For thousands of years, societies have used sound in ceremonies and to support wellness.

Australia: Aboriginal tribes have used the didgeridoo as a healing instrument for over 40,000 years.
Tibet: Singing bowls have been a central part of spiritual ceremonies for centuries.
Other Ancient Cultures: Evidence of sound for healing physical, mental, and emotional concerns is also found in the ancient traditions of China, India, Greece, Latin America, and Africa.

A modern practice known as a "sound bath" continues this tradition. Using instruments like Tibetan singing bowls, crystal bowls, and bells, it guides listeners into a deep state of relaxation. This experience allows you to feel sound not just through your ears, but as gentle, tactile vibrations throughout your body.

What Does the Research Say?

While science is still exploring exactly how sound healing works, current studies show promising results for its calming and restorative benefits.

A large review of hundreds of scientific articles found strong evidence that music has significant mental and physical health benefits, particularly in improving mood and reducing stress.
One study observed that an hour-long sound meditation helped reduce tension, anger, fatigue, anxiety, and depression, while increasing a sense of spiritual well-being.
In a study with people experiencing fibromyalgia, sessions of low-frequency sound stimulation led to improved sleep and decreased pain, allowing many participants to reduce their pain medication.

How Might Sound Healing Work?

There are several theories that help explain why sound can be so relaxing and supportive:

The Vibration Theory: The gentle vibrations of the sound instruments are felt by the entire body. This may stimulate the nervous system in a way that helps reduce the perception of pain.
The Brainwave Theory: This theory suggests that certain sound frequencies can help synchronize our brainwaves. This process, sometimes called "entrainment," may guide the brain into calm, meditative states that are ideal for rest and recovery.

What to Expect in a Session

Your session is designed to be a comfortable and supportive experience.

Welcome & Conversation: We'll begin with a friendly introduction and I'll answer any questions you have. I'll also ask about any specific areas of your life or well-being you would like to focus on.
Getting Comfortable: You will lie down fully clothed on a comfortable massage table. I will always ask for your preference before any gentle touch is used.
The Sound Journey: I will begin the sound healing, using tuning forks and instruments like crystal singing bowls or chimes. The sounds and vibrations are tailored to your needs.
Closing the Session: After the sound journey, we will take a few moments for you to return to full awareness. You are welcome to share anything you experienced, though there is no pressure to do so.

What You Might Experience

Every person's experience is unique. Common sensations and effects include:

Physical Sensations:

Deep relaxation and reduced muscle tension
A warming or cooling sensation
A feeling of waves or energy moving through the body
Tingling, lightness, or floating sensations
Twitching, sighing, or yawning as the body releases tension

Mental and Emotional Shifts:

A quiet, meditative state
Emotional release or a sense of peace
Increased mental clarity and focus
Feeling refreshed with increased energy, or feeling calmly tired
Visualizing colors or memories

The goal is to provide a safe space for your body and mind to unwind, release what they no longer need, and restore a sense of balance.

What is Reiki?

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 02:28:10 GMT

What is Reiki?

Reiki is an energy healing technique in which a Reiki master (who has undergone formal training in this healing art) uses gentle hand movements with the intention to guide the flow of healthy energy (what’s known in Reiki as life force energy) through the client's body to reduce stress and promote healing.

Reiki therapy is a way of guiding energy throughout the body to promote the recipient’s self-healing abilities, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). The Reiki belief system and that of the practitioner is that they don’t cause the healing, nor are they the source of that healing energy; they’re a channel for the energy — similar to the way a garden hose acts as a channel for water, according to a past review.

The word “Reiki” is a combination of two Japanese words: “rei,” which means “God’s wisdom,” or “the higher power,” and “ki,” which means “life force energy,” according to the International Center for Reiki Training.

“Ki is the life force energy that animates all living things,” says Joan Maute, a licensed Reiki master teacher who practices in Waikoloa, Hawaii, and Charlottesville, Virginia. Put together, and “rei” and “ki” mean “spiritually guided life force energy,” notes the International Center for Reiki Training.

Reiki is taught according to the Japanese tradition of the sensei (teacher), who passes the knowledge to the student through attunement, an initiation ceremony that is thought to help open the student’s energy channels to facilitate the flow of healing energy, and potentially help improve health, according to past research. Once opened, these channels remain accessible to the practitioner for the rest of their life, per the International Center for Reiki Training.

“[Reiki] is a spiritual practice, like meditation is a spiritual practice,” says Pamela Miles, a New York City–based Reiki master and researcher who has collaborated with the medical schools at Harvard and Yale universities to develop Reiki programs there. Reiki, despite its spiritual components and roots, may be and is often used therapeutically (more on this later), including in a secular way.

It’s not a religion and is not associated with religious practice.

Reiki as a Complementary Health Therapy

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 02:23:24 GMT

Reiki Is Better Than Placebo

"The available English-language literature of Reiki was reviewed, specifically for peer-reviewed clinical studies with more than 20 participants in the Reiki treatment arm, controlling for a placebo effect. Of the 13 suitable studies, 8 demonstrated Reiki being more effective than placebo, 4 found no difference but had questionable statistical resolving power, and only one provided clear evidence for not providing benefit. Viewed collectively, these studies provide reasonably strong support for Reiki being more effective than placebo. From the information currently available, Reiki is a safe and gentle “complementary” therapy that activates the parasympathetic nervous system to heal body and mind. It has potential for broader use in management of chronic health conditions, and possibly in postoperative recovery. Research is needed to optimize the delivery of Reiki."

McManus DE. Reiki Is Better Than Placebo and Has Broad Potential as a Complementary Health Therapy. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017 Oct;22(4):1051-1057. doi: 10.1177/2156587217728644. Epub 2017 Sep 5. PMID: 28874060; PMCID: PMC5871310 .

Acupuncture for Fertility

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 02:19:33 GMT

How Acupuncture Might Help You Conceive

Can Acupuncture Help with Fertility?

It’s important to understand that the science behind acupuncture is not clear-cut: integrative health approaches like acupuncture and herbal medicine are studied less than other practices. While fertility science is evolving, there are still really big gaps in the research.

That said, even if an aspect of treatment isn’t validated by large-scale, randomized trials, it can still have great benefits for you as an individual. Ultimately, personal experience can be just as valuable as scientific evidence.

While new data emerges every year, there’s still nowhere near enough research on fertility-specific acupuncture’s effect on fertility and reproductive health-related conditions. Some studies suggest that acupuncture of any kind (not just fertility-specific acupuncture) may increase live birth rates in patients doing IVF treatment. Others demonstrate that it helps ease fertility-related stress and anxiety. There are no significant short- or long-term negative effects of acupuncture.

Here’s what the American Reproductive Society has to say: “Acupuncture proponents have recommended it for a variety of medical conditions that affect fertility. These include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), fibroids, endometriosis, and issues with ovarian reserve and sperm quality. It may also help relieve some of the side effects associated with fertility drugs (such as bloating and nausea). Acupuncture has been shown to promote relaxation. While some medical studies have shown acupuncture to be helpful in treating these fertility problems, other studies have not.”

A Systematic Review Meta-Analysis in 2019 found that: "The pregnancy rate was significantly improved with treatment (RR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.62 to 2.10, P < .00001), compared to that in the control group. Subgroup analysis showed that comparing with pure western medicine intervention, no matter intervention with acupuncture alone, with acupuncture plus western medicine, with acupuncture plus Chinese medicine, or acupuncture plus Chinese medicine and western medicine, all of these subgroups exhibited significant improvement. The subgroup according to different types of infertility showed a significant improvement in infertility caused by polycystic ovary syndrome, tubal infertility, ovulatory disorder, and other factors. In addition, the ovulation rate and endometrial thickness were significantly increased. The level of LH was obviously decreased. Moreover, with acupuncture, less adverse effects occurred. "

It has been shown that acupuncture can help lower anxiety and stress levels, which can soar through the roof. In fact, it's not uncommon for fertility doctors to endorse acupuncture for relaxation purposes.

Acupuncture and other fertility factors

Fertility hormones: We have reason to believe that acupuncture-induced signals make their way to the brain and affect areas like the hypothalamus (which is at the top of the control center for the production of many fertility hormones). Dialing up or down the activity of the hypothalamus can therefore affect levels of hormones like FSH and LH, which are crucial for ovulation (and thus for conception).

Direct evidence from large-scale studies of acupuncture affecting reproductive hormones in people is scant, probably in no small part because of the logistical and financial challenges of studying personalized treatments in the context of large-scale studies. But studies of female rats do find that acupuncture affects almost all reproductive hormones. Specifically, one recent study found that acupuncture administered to female rats every three days for a total of 15 days altered almost all reproductive hormones they looked at. We have yet to see how applicable this is to humans, who are a different species and have different treatment regimens.

Thyroid function: Hormones related to thyroid function may impact fertility outcomes, meaning thyroid function may be an important thing to keep in check for people who are trying to conceive. Some reviews have suggested a beneficial impact of acupuncture on thyroid function.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00404-023-07142-1

Acupuncture During Pregnancy

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 01:55:49 GMT

How Might Acupuncture Be Helpful During Pregnancy?

Acupuncture during pregnancy may be helpful if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

Back pain and sciatica
Breech baby
Constipation
Depression
Edema/ swelling
Fatigue
Headaches
Heartburn
Hemorrhoids
Mood swings/Irritability
Nausea and vomiting/ 'morning sickness'
Pelvic pain
Sleep problems

Breech Babies and Moxibustion

As a baby develops, the amount of room in the uterus for them to move decreases. At about 32-34 weeks, medical practitioners start to be concerned if the baby hasn't naturally turned to a head-down position. If the baby doesn't turn, it is called a breech presentation. Breech presentations can make birthing person's delivery more difficult and many medical providers may not be experienced in delivering a breech baby vaginally. Only the baby can turn the baby, however we can work together to create the optimal conditions for baby to turn.

I recommend the following weekly regimen, starting at week 32, to help a baby to turn naturally. Usually treatments have to be done before week 38 so that the baby has enough room in the uterus to move. This is a very relaxing session which includes moxibustion (or "moxa") near your baby toe to stimulate your baby to move. Moxibustion is a therapy of burning dried mugwort near particular points to warm regions of the body and stimulate circulation.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been shown in clinical trials to be effective at turning a breech baby naturally. Western medicine can't explain why acupuncture is so effective at turning breech presentations, but it has been working for over 3000 years.

Preparing for Labor with Acupuncture

As a medical term, "labor induction" means leading the patient into labor, by initiating contractile activity. I avoid the phrase, not because acupuncture can't initiate contractions--it can, as we have seen--but because in most cases where contractions haven't started spontaneously there's a reason why. Challenges of position, hormonal activity, cervical ripening and/or emotional preparedness cause delayed labor onset more often than simple lack of contractions. Accordingly, most moms benefit more from preparatory work based on their personal situation, than from generic stimulation of contractions.

For pregnant persons who wish to avoid medical intervention to start labor, but who are near or over term, acupuncture can be effective in helping the birthing person and baby to reach the right level of energy and balance of hormones to advance towards labor.

Research studies in the last 10 years have helped us understand the role acupuncture can play in labor and delivery. Studies show that acupuncture treatments can relieve labor pain, promote uterine contractions, shorten the birth process, and treat postpartum disorders. These clinical findings were the result of acupuncture's ability to influence serum levels of prostaglandins, estrogen, and oxytocin along with stimulating uterine contractility.

To help prepare for labor, I perform an acupuncture treatment which is very relaxing and also helps the birthing person prepare mentally for labor. I suggest beginning treatment to stimulate the transition into labor starting at 36 weeks. Once per week acupuncture these last few weeks of pregnancy allow enough time for the acupuncture stimulation to have a gentle but significant effect on the hormone changes involved. If a person waits until their due date or past due, they will need to receive treatments daily in order to maintain the momentum created after each session.

During the acupuncture treatment, the birthing person may notice increased movement of their baby and some contractions. Many patients experience increased contractions in the evening and night after a session. Each subsequent week or day of treatment the birthing person should have more signs that they are moving more in the direction of active labor. The effects of acupuncture treatment are not as instantaneous as a medical induction and multiple treatments are usually necessary.

I structure my labor preparation packages to start around 30 weeks of pregnancy in order to get a head start on balancing the body's energy and addressing any aches and pains that may be occurring. This ensures concerns can be addressed in a timely manner and that the transition in the last few weeks of pregnancy may be smoother as a result. If you have questions about your specific situation, please reach out!

In-Hospital Acupuncture or In-Home Acupuncture

I am credentialed to practice in the Obstetrics Departments of both Strong Memorial Hospital and Highland Hospitals in Rochester, NY. I can also provide acupuncture in-home, hospice, or independent living.

In-Home or In-Hospital Acupuncture is booked through the Newark, NY office location in the Patient Portal Here .

"Acupuncture is a complementary therapy that is used to confer beneficial effects on pregnancy and delivery. For pregnancy, there is some evidence that acupuncture has positive effects, including easing nausea and vomitting, 9 relieving back pain, 10 reducing insomnia, 11 and ameliorating depression. 12 In childbirth and delivery, acupuncture has been reported to be beneficial for inducing labor, 13 shortening the time of labor, 13 , 14 avoiding post-term dates, and reducing postpartum bleeding. 14 , 15 Acupuncture has also been cited as an effective tool for cervical ripening and induction of labor. 15 " Full Text Here

You might consider adding Acupuncture to your birth plan if you want to use acupuncture as a pain management strategy for labor pain or if you are having a medical induction to potentially aid in reducing the amount of time required for medical induction, reduce pain during induction, and aid in cervical ripening.

*Subject to Availability unless booked with Doula Services*

For more information and articles on this topic you can see:

Acupuncture for cervical ripening and induction of labor at term—a randomized controlled trial.

Rabl M, Ahner R, Bitschnau M, Zeisler H, Husslein P.

Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2001 Dec 17;113(23-24):942-6.

Smith CA, Crowther CA. Acupuncture for induction of labour.

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004;(1):CD002962

Rabl M., Ahner R., Bitschnau M., Zeisler H., Husslein P.

Acupuncture for cervical ripening and induction of labor at term—a randomized controlled trial. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2001 Dec 17;113(23-24):942-6.

PMID: 11802511

Dunn PA, Rogers D, Halford K. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation at acupuncture points in the induction of uterine contractions.

Obstet Gynecol. 1989 Feb;73(2):286-90.

PMID: 2783481

Microneedling

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 01:39:10 GMT

Everything You Want to Know About Microneedling

History of Microneedling:

The first microneedling device was introduced in 1905 by a German dermatologist, Ernst Kromayer. He used a small surgical drill to treat birthmarks, hyperpigmentation and scars. In 1995-a dermatologist, Dr. Desmond Fernandes, treated scars and wrinkles by using hypodermic needles. In 1996 a Canadian plastic surgeon, Dr. Andre Camirand, saw a drastic improvement in facial scars when he punctured the skin with tattoo needles.

Microneedling:

Uses thin needles, typically 12 micro tips, to create microchannels in the skin. The “wounds” created help stimulate the skin’s own healing process by producing more collagen and elastin. Cellular turnover is also enhanced and the end result is firm, smoother skin, more even skin tone, and the reduction of scars, pore size, wrinkles and stretch marks. The open channels allow for an increase of up to 2000% of products placed on the skin.

NanoNeedling:

Cartridge tips are thin and microscopic and don't cause discomfort. Nanoneedling increases cellular turnover and collagen production, and product absorption. This procedure is safe around eyes and lips.

What to expect during your Micro+Needling Appointment:

I like to start off with an intake to discuss your skin history, goals and any health concerns you also would like me to address. I take a holistic approach to skin health so some common concerns would be things such as digestion, anxiety, stress, inflammation or even body pain.

Once we've discussed your treatment, I will have you get comfortable on the table and apply witch hazel followed by a numbing cream followed by needles in the appropriate body acupuncture points.

Once I've done that, I will apply a High Molecular Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen Boosting Serum and perform the facial and décolletage microneedling and nanoneedling. After the microneedling is complete, I will place a cooling cucumber mask over the areas I've needled and let it sit for a few minutes. I will remove the mask and then I will place some eye covers over your eyes and use an LED light, typically with the Red color to stimulate collagen production.

After allowing the LED light to sit for approximately 30 minutes, I will remove all of the needles, apply a Phyto Stem Cell Serum, Peptide Eye Cream and Replenishing Mist to your face.

Considerations for Micro+Needling

Complementing Dermal Fillers:

Wait 2 weeks post filler or botox
Microneedling promotes better skin quality and the production of collagen - improves the look of filler
Nanoneedling can support under eye treatments
More volume, increased skin health (barrier), and improved texture.

Who should avoid or delay microneedling?

Those with:

Pregnancy- nano needling is safe
Active contagious diseases (i.e. Shingles, cold sore, etc…)
Warts, open wounds, acne pustules
Skin disease flare ups
Patients on coagulant or blood thinning therapy

Contraindications for Microneedling:

Cancer patients in active treatment and radiation of the skin within a year
Keloidal fibroma (scar)
Use of Accutane within the last three months
Discoid Lupus
Avoid going over microbladed brows
Wait 2 weeks post filler or botox

Recovery Process:

4-5 Weeks Post-Treatment: Come in for your next Microneedling Appointment!

AcuGlow/ Cosmetic Acupuncture

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 01:06:38 GMT

Cosmetic Acupuncture and Acupuncture Facials

' AcuGlow'/ Cosmetic Acupuncture

How does Cosmetic Acupuncture work?

The Skin Remodels/Regenerates itself through Micro wounds. Fibroblasts and keratinocytes make up the main cell type of the epidermis. Micro wounds created in the upper layers of the skin trigger fibroblast and keratinocytes to release growth factors. Cells “remodel” new collagen, elastin and other components of youthful skin.

Deeper wounds are not necessary

Drawing blood and pain don't mean treatment is better

The epidermis and dermis communicate to trigger the healing process

Safely trigger the regenerative response

The above statements apply to Microneedling and Nanoneedling as well!

What to Expect during an 'AcuGlow' treatment:

Once we've discussed which type of cosmetic treatment would be right for you, I will have you get comfortable on the table and proceed to needle the appropriate body acupuncture points.

Once I've done that, I will perform the facial needling technique we've discussed in the intake. I will place some eye covers over your eyes and use an LED light, typically with the Red color to stimulate collagen production.

After retaining the needles and LED light for approximately 30 minutes, I will remove all of the needles, apply a replenishing mist to your face and then perform a relaxing facial gua sha treatment to your face, neck and décolletage.

Gua Sha

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:51:11 GMT

Gua Sha and Gua Sha Facials

Gua Sha

Gua Sha is a natural healing therapy in East Asian Medicine. “Gua” means to scrape and “Sha” refers to the change in color of the skin after the scraping. “Sha” also refers to negative energy or blocked energy in the body that is released with Gua Sha.

Gua Sha is done with a rounded edge tool that is traditionally made out of Jade. Other tools include a Chinese Soup spoon made out of ceramic or tools made out of Ox bone. To begin gua sha therapy, oil is rubbed into the area of the skin that is going to be treated and the practitioner then uses one of the instruments mentioned above to perform short, long, quick strokes in a downward motion on the body. This allows Qi and blood to flow to the affected area while decreasing inflammation and softening the tissue. Gua Sha stimulates the immune response in the body to bruising or broken blood vessels indicating to the body that it is time to start the healing process. Bruising, petechiae, and redness all can occur with Gua Sha, but any markings from the Gua Sha typically dissipate in 2-4 days.

Common areas of the body that receive Gua Sha are the back, neck, arms and legs. Another area that is becoming more popular is the face for facial rejuvenation.

Facial Gua Sha

Light, long strokes are applied to the face with gentle scraping along the lines/wrinkles in the face to promote Qi and blood flow to those areas in order to reduce the lines/wrinkles in the face along with inflammation. These light strokes affect the depth of the lymphatic system, which can also assist in de-puffing the face and reducing the retention of excess fluids in the tissue. The gua sha used in facial gua sha is much lighter than the pressure used on other parts of the body and there should not be any residual bruising or petechiae on your face after a session.

Patients tend to feel immediate relief with Gua Sha especially for pain, stiffness and muscle aches.

Conditions that are treated with Gua Sha include the following:

Pain Acute or Chronic that includes: knee, back, neck, shoulder, elbow, and more.
TMJ
Bronchitis/Upper Respiratory Illness/Common Cold
Fever
Migraines
Detoxification of the Body
Acne, Rosacea, Wrinkles on the Face
Perimenopause

(1. https://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/press-releases/2015/05/05/science-gua-sha)

Contraindications to Gua Sha

Injury to the skin such as sunburn, rashes, abrasions, bruising, ulceration, and lesions.
Bleeding disorders such as leukemia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia.
Blood thinning medication such as Coumadin.
Trauma to the body including acute injuries of the muscle, tendons and any bone fractures.
Infectious skin diseases.
Areas that have malignant tumors or masses.
Severe acute cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases.
On the lower abdomen in women that are pregnant or menstruating.

(http://www.guashaspace.com/guashaknowledge/gua-shaindications-and-contraindications/)

Is Gua Sha Painful?

Gua Sha is an East Asian Therapy within the scope of a licensed Acupuncturist, who are formally trained to administer this type of therapy. It should not be painful when correctly administered for about 10 minutes to a particular area of the body or until the Sha surfaces with petechiae. It is important to note that other practitioners such as physical therapists and massage therapists are now offering this service to their patients, but any professional offering this treatment should have a Gua Sha certification or be a licensed Acupuncturist.

Gua Sha Glow Facial

I start off by asking if there are any areas of the face you want me to focus on or any concerns you want me to address and then allow you to get comfortable on the table. Once you've settled in, I will use a Gua Sha tool and TOMA brand facial sculpting oil to do a relaxing and cooling facial massage. Afterwards, I'll apply a TOMA brand Replenishing Mist and place some eye covers on for you to relax under the LED light therapy.

Common Questions Asked About Acupuncture

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:37:39 GMT

Answers to Questions Commonly Asked About Acupuncture

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one modality of treatment within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and was described in The Nei Jing, dating back to around 300 B.C. Chinese medicine has gone through an extensive modernization process throughout the centuries which has led to better patient outcomes and more integrative and complementary care for patients. Acupuncture uses extremely thin, filamented, single use sterile needles. These needles are used to promote proper circulation of qi and blood in the body in order to promote your body’s natural healing response and support normal functioning of your body’s systems.

Traditional Chinese Medicine views an individual without pain or illness as balanced and healthy- when symptoms occur, that is a sign of disharmony. TCM aims to balance the body’s qi, blood and organ systems to reduce symptoms and to heal illness. Once the patient’s pattern has been identified, a treatment plan can be created to bring the patient closer to a balanced state. This can be achieved through acupuncture, tui na (chinese medical massage), qigong (therapeutic exercise), cupping, moxibustion (the use of burned mugwort), dietary changes and herbal medicine.

How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture has been found from a biomedical perspective to produce neurotransmitters, endorphins, and other biochemical compounds to decrease pain and inflammation, balance hormones, disrupt and modulate the stress response and balance digestion. Acupuncture is a natural way to shift your body’s nervous system from a “fight or flight” state to a “rest and digest” state where healing can occur so that your body can repair and restore itself. Studies have found that Acupuncture down-regulates the amygdala which is a fancy way of saying that it reduces activity in the 'fear center' of the brain. Acupuncture points are precise anatomical locations which have higher concentrations of superficial nerve endings and blood vessels that can send signals to the brain and organs (viscera) when stimulated along trains of fascia (connective tissue) which correspond to traditional channels.

How does acupuncture help with stress relief?

Acupuncture works naturally to help with stress relief in a number of ways. As discussed above, acupuncture down-regulates the amygdala (your brain’s fear center) in order to shift your nervous system into a “rest and digest” state which brings a deep sense of calm, improved sleep, mental clarity and improved resilience to life’s stressors. I’ve worked with patients who experience anxiety, depression, insomnia, pain, PTSD, burnout, digestive and hormonal imbalances and many other health conditions. Treatments give you the opportunity to slow down, be more centered, and recover. Stress is seemingly universal in our current society and everyone presents differently. I can provide personalized support to bring awareness to how your body responds to stress, what symptoms arise and what the root causes are behind those symptoms.

Is Acupuncture safe?

Acupuncture is safe when practiced by a licensed acupuncturist. I'm a nationally accredited Diplomate of Acupuncture through the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), certified in Clean Needle Technique through the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) and licensed in the State of New York. My rigorous 4 year Masters Degree program at the Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture emphasized biomedical courses in Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Nutrition, and more. There I gained 3,000+ hours of didactic and hands-on clinical experience treating an array of medical conditions across community, outpatient, and hospital settings. My education attests to my diligence, integrity, and dedication to providing safe clinical care. After completing my rigorous studies and passing my board exams, I have continued my education in endocrinology, fertility, pregnancy, labor and postpartum as well as cosmetic concerns and even rare conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Rest assured, I'm always learning and improving in order to provide the highest quality of care for my patients and remain current on the best treatment strategies.

What if I am scared of needles?

First, know that this is common and completely understandable. Thankfully Acupuncture needles are drastically different from the hypodermic needles used to give shots—which is what most people picture when they think of Acupuncture. For starters, Acupuncture needles are filiform (not hollow), flexible, and extremely thin—just wider than a strand of hair. They are also rounded at the end which makes them nearly sensation-free when placed. Acupuncture should always be painless, especially when working with a skilled practitioner. I have trained for years in order to provide you with safe and gentle care. If you still have concerns, I will be happy to guide you through your treatment to ease your mind and ensure your comfort.

How many treatments will I need?

When creating a foundation for successful outcomes, I consider the severity of your condition, how long you have had it, your follow-through on recommendations offered, as well as the consistency of your care.

Treatment frequency is an essential component for successful outcomes because Acupuncture works cumulatively. Treatments and any effects need time to build on one another to become long-lasting—like learning a new skill or starting an exercise program. The more chronic the condition, the more care that is likely needed to improve your health.

If you are looking to “try” Acupuncture, keep in mind that it often takes more than 1-2 treatments to start noticing results. If you are looking to create a foundation for wellness that goes beyond band-aid symptom support and instead allows for sustainable relief, Osgood Family Acupuncture, PLLC would be a good fit for you.

In general for acute conditions, it takes a minimum of 6-8 sessions to start seeing improvements with change. For many clients, results can become apparent after the first or second treatment, however, in order for those to last, following through with the course of your recommended treatment plan is required to accumulate progress that holds. For more chronic and severe conditions, a minimum of 8-10 treatments is typically needed. I will collaborate with you on a treatment plan that is personalized to your needs to give you the most effective care in the most efficient time frame possible.

What’s it like to get acupuncture?

If you decide you want to get acupuncture, you might have some questions about what the experience will feel like. Before getting started, I will usually ask you questions about your lifestyle, your reason for wanting to do acupuncture, and your health history. I will also take a look at your tongue for additional clues about your mental and physical state. Based on your concerns and my assessment of your physical state, I will insert needles that are about as thin as a strand of hair in specific acupuncture points aimed to treat your specific concerns.

Once I’ve put the needles in the right areas, I will typically dim the lights, put on some calming music or white noise, and leave the room, usually for about 20-30 minutes. Some people take this time to think and relax, meditate, or fall asleep.

Your treatment plan — how often you have sessions, how long they last, where needles are placed, and how many sessions you have overall — will depend on your specific concerns and how you are changing over time. For example, while some people using acupuncture for back pain need just a few sessions to see improvement, others may need more.

Are there any side effects?

Generally, there shouldn’t be. Some people may report a bit of pinching or pain at the needle insertion sites; if this is something you experience, you should tell me, and I will make accommodations to ease that discomfort. Some people also may get small bruises at the insertion sites. Before acupuncturists switched to single-use disposable needles, there was a risk of infection — if needles weren’t cleaned properly between clients, people could get infected with things that clients previous to them had — but this is no longer a significant concern as we use single-use sterile needles which are disposed of after use. Some people may also feel slightly dizzy or lightheaded coming off the table. If that happens, take your time in changing your position and let me know so I can help you up and prevent any falls.

Adzuki Bean Tea

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 23:03:35 GMT

Adzuki Bean Tea

Ingredients:

1 cup adzuki beans
4 cups of water
1 stamp size of Kombu

1. Place the adzuki beans in pot with the water and bring to boil. With lid.

2. Lower the flame cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes.

3. Strain out the beans and drink the liquid while hot.

You can use left over Azuki bean for another dish.

Adzuki Bean Brownies (To use the adzuki beans after you drink the tea)

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 23:02:52 GMT

Adzuki Bean Brownies

Ingredients

3 Cups Cooked Adzuki Beans (see Adzuki Bean Tea recipe)
3 large eggs
3 Tbsp Flax Seed soaked in 1/2 cup water for 5 minutes
3 Tbsp flavorless oil, like avocado, canola, sunflower 45 mL
1 tsp vanilla 5 mL
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 30 g
⅔ cup monkfruit or allulose 120 g
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 60 g
Optional: 1/2 Cup Walnuts

Instructions

Wets: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C). Puree black beans in food processor into a rough paste. In a large bowl, mix together the bean puree, eggs, flax eggs, oil, and vanilla.

Dries : In a separate bowl, combine cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, salt, and coffee (if using). Add the dry ingredients to the wets, then stir in chocolate chips.

Bake : Grease an 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan, then line with parchment paper. Pour in batter and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the edges are visibly cooked and the center doesn’t jiggle much when you shake the pan (a toothpick may still come out a little gooey, that’s fine!)* Allow brownies to cool before cutting.

Blueberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sun, 23 Jul 2023 00:32:30 GMT

Gluten-Free Low Glycemic Blueberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup Arrowroot Flour
1 Cup Almond Flour
1 Cup Chickpea Flour
1/3 Cup Psyllium Husk Powder
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
2 Eggs
3/8 tsp salt
1 Cup Butter (2 sticks), softened
1 Cup Sweetener or Sugar. I used 1/3 Cup Monkfruit, 1/3 Cup Allulose and 1/3 Cup Inulin
1 Cup frozen blueberries
About 1 Cup White Chocolate Chips. I used about half regular and half stevia sweetened White Chocolate Chips

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat your oven to 400F.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt (The "Dry"s).
Either in the microwave or on the stovetop, thaw the frozen blueberries until they are soft and jammy. In the microwave this should take about 1 minute on high heat, and on the stovetop it should take about 2-3 minutes on medium heat.
Let the blueberries cool for about 2-3 minutes.
While they are cooling, use an electric mixer or a stand mixer to cream together the butter and sweetener. You want to cream the sweetener and butter until the mixture is noticeably lighter and fluffy. With the monkfruit, inulin and allulose, I noticed it will look more granulated than real sugar. Once it looks well incorporated, move to the next step.
Add the blueberries and eggs to the butter and sweetener and cream at a high speed. You want to essentially "mash" the blueberries into the mixture, making it so that they are pureéd and fully combined with the butter and sugar. The mixture should be a deep purple color. If you don't mash the blueberries completely, they still taste great.
Gradually fold the dry ingredients in with the wet ingredients to form a dough. Mix in the white chocolate chips.
Shape into balls. I used 2 spoons to do so but your hands work too!
Bake the cookies at 400F for 10-12 minutes or until slightly brown on the edges. Let cool on a cooling rack for 5-10 minutes and then serve!

A Recent Birth Experience- Shared with Permission

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 18:39:46 GMT

Tauri's Birth Story as told by her:

"I had an amazing time before during and after birth. On January 30th 2023, at 38 weeks pregnant, I had my doctor appointment for an NST and my baby was not meeting the basic level to pass the test. Prior, I been having elevated blood pressures more than normal, so my nurse looked worried but kept it professional because she did not want me to be in more stress than my body was already in. I knew something was wrong so I texted my Doula and she guided me through everything. I told her everything the nurses and doctors told me and she completely comfort me. The doctors told me I was headed towards preeclampsia so they wanted to induce me for me and baby health. I said whatever is going to help me and my baby. My Doula told me she was on the way after she made her arrangements. My Doula printed out the birth plan we both created and handed it to the nurse who was caring for me. My Doula was sooo amazing which made my labor easy. She helped with with exercises like bouncing on the ball, walking, breathing, [acupressure] etc. I did not want to get the epidural but I was extremely exhausted I had no time for anything because I never made it home from my appointment. My doula knew exactly what I needed and when I needed it she gave me lots of water and snacks as needed. I couldn't bear the contractions so I got the epidural, went to sleep and the nurses had to wake me up to have my baby boy. My water was still intact so after the doctor broke, it baby was coming so fast I told them I had to push. They told me to wait and I tried so hard but my body told me to push I pushed 1 and half of a push my baby was out. I delivered my baby boy on February 1st 2023 at 11:06PM and he weighed 6lbs 2 oz. I just want to give a special shoutout to my doula for making my labor and delivery easy. I will recommend everyone to her. She is the best and have a pure heart of gold. Thank you Melody for always taking that extra mile to make sure my labor was amazing!!!" -Tauri

Low Carb Gluten Free Pizza Crust

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 17:47:55 GMT

Gluten Free Low Carb Pizza Crust- and it doesn't even have cauliflower in it!

My husband and I usually make this pizza and cut it into 4 slices and split the pizza between the two of us and our 1 year old. It's rather filling due to the fiber and protein content from the types of flour used. It might be fun for those of you at home to use this as an initial guide and swap some of the arrowroot flour for other lower carb flours. I do recommend some arrowroot to help with the texture as that's what gives the dough some stretch after the baking is completed so it makes a nice substitute for wheat/gluten.

Ingredients:

1 cup Lupin Flour

1 cup Arrowroot Flour

3/4 cup Water

1/2 tbsp sugar

1 baker's yeast packet

3/4 tsp salt

2 tbsp plus additional olive oil or similar oil

1/4 tsp garlic powder*

1/4 tsp dried basil *

*optional

Combine flour, instant yeast, sugar, garlic powder, dried basil and salt in a large bowl.
Mix olive oil, yeast packet and warm water in a separate container. Your water should be lukewarm and not too hot as you don't want to kill the yeast.
Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture stirring until the dough is forming into a cohesive, elastic ball and is beginning to pull away from the sides of the bowl. The dough will still be slightly sticky but still should be manageable with your hands.
Drizzle a separate, large, clean bowl generously with olive oil and use a pastry brush to brush up the sides of the bowl.
Lightly dust your hands with flour and form your pizza dough into a round ball and transfer to your olive oil-brushed bowl. Use your hands to roll the pizza dough along the inside of the bowl until it is coated in olive oil, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place it in a warm place.
Allow dough to rise for 30 minutes or until doubled in size. If you intend to bake this dough into a pizza, I also recommend preheating your oven to 425F (215C) at this point so that it will have reached temperature once your pizza is ready to bake.
Once the dough has risen, use your hands to gently deflate it and transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead briefly until smooth (about 3-5 times).
Use either your hands or a rolling pin to work the dough into 12" circle.
Transfer dough to a parchment paper lined pizza pan and either pinch the edges or fold them over to form a crust.
Drizzle additional olive oil (about a Tablespoon) over the top of the pizza and use your pastry brush to brush the entire surface of the pizza (including the crust) with olive oil.
Use a fork to poke holes all over the center of the pizza to keep the dough from bubbling up in the oven.
Add desired toppings (see the notes for a link to my favorite, 5-minute pizza sauce recipe!) and bake in a 425F (215C) preheated oven for 13-15 minutes or until toppings are golden brown. Slice and serve.

You can find the nutrition facts for the recipe as written below.

Chia Seed Banana Pudding Lasagna- a twist on a childhood favorite

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 00:17:13 GMT

Chia Seed Banana Pudding 'Lasagna'- a twist on a childhood favorite

The 1990s were a glorious time filled with recipes involving pudding and crackers. One of those was to use 'nilla' wafers in layers with pudding and whipped topping to make a dessert style lasagna. Since going low glycemic and gluten free, it had been forever since having this recipe available to me so when I saw that keto gluten free vanilla wafer cookies existed, I decided to reincarnate this recipe in a form I can now enjoy despite my dietary restrictions. Please note that I am in no way sponsored by any of the brands represented here, they just happen to be what I use for this recipe.

As promised in a prior blog post, all of my recipes are brought to you without ads and without my life story so without further adieu, the recipe:

For this you will need:

1 Box Keto Banana Pudding Mix

1 Box Keto Vanilla Pudding Mix

2 Tsp Chicory Inulin *

1/4 Tsp Salt *

1/4 Tsp Vanilla Extract *

2 Tbsp Chia Seeds

2 Thinly Sliced Bananas

2 Bags High Key Keto Vanilla wafers

2 Tubs Tru Whip Keto (or vegan if you're vegan)

3 Cups Almond Milk (or your preferred milk or milk substitute. Use more milk if you're using animal milk according to the box instructions for your pudding mix)

Mix both boxes of pudding, chia seeds, vanilla*, salt*, inulin* and almond milk (or other milk) in a bowl with a hand mixer. Start on low speed and work up to a medium speed. Mix until thickened according to box instructions.
*Optional ingredients are used to mask the stevia aftertaste in this particular brand of Keto Pudding Mix from Simply Delish. I have found that these elements help the pudding to taste more 'normal'.
In a separate bowl or fancy glass serving dish, create a layer of vanilla wafers.
Layer sliced bananas directly on top of the layer of vanilla wafers.
Add about 1/2 of the pudding chia seed mixture on top of the banana layer.
Create a layer of Tru Whip/ whipped topping on top of the layer of pudding.
Repeat steps 2-5 until all materials are used or you are satisfied with your layers.
Refrigerate for at least 30 min before serving.

A Tasty Snack For Labor (Vegan Friendly and Gluten Free)

Sat, 04 Mar 2023 00:48:18 GMT

This Tasty Snack Was My Go-To During Labor!

Okay so I hate recipes that tell the person's life story before getting to the recipe so this will be brief. I learned about this recipe when I was in acupuncture school and it became one of my favorites because I have a wheat allergy which makes me gluten free almost by default. It's also vegan-friendly depending on what chocolate you use in the ganache. I returned to the recipe because I read about how dates can help your body prepare to go into labor. In fact, there are some studies on the matter. One systematic review of the studies available concluded "Date can reduce the duration of active phase and improve the bishop score; however, due to from the low to mediate quality of the studies; it seems that the other studies are needed to prove these results better than this." (Bagherzadeh et al., 2020).

The review also noted these findings: "date fruit consumption in last weeks of pregnancy can cause labor induction and stimulation, because date fruit acts on prostaglandin receptors, causes early stimulation of uterine contractions, and improves response to syntocinon if it is necessary [ 41 ]. Fatty acids in date palm in addition to production and reservation of energy play important role in the prostaglandins production, and following that, in the reinforcement of uterine muscles [ 26 , 27 , 46 ]. On the other hand, drinking water after consuming date fruit during labor is effective on labor progress and shortens the second and the third stages of labor [ 47 ]. As well as date palm can increase antioxidant capacity for 4 h, and following that increases pain tolerance, this results in reduction of the first and the third stages of labor [ 22 , 26 ]. Also, date fruit has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and it is rich in calcium, serotonin, and tannin, and can play a role in contraction of smooth muscles of uterine [ 22 , 48 ]. As mentioned earlier, consumption of date fruit had significantly increased the bishop score and cervical dilatation."

Do with that information what you will! This is mostly for entertainment and enjoyment purposes after all! So with this I impart to you my recipe for the Raw Brownies and I hope that they give you something to do in that waiting time in-between where maybe you're not in labor quite yet but you could start at any moment or perhaps you're needing something to distract you early on as your contractions begin. Whatever your situation, may this bring you some joy.

Raw Brownie Recipe

Ingredients:

BROWNIES

1 1/2 cups raw walnuts (divided // as original recipe is written, 1 cup (93 g) + 1/2 cup (47 g) // plus more for topping)

1 cup raw almonds

2 1/2 cups dates (pitted // if dry, soak in warm water for 10 minutes then drain // 2 1/2 cups equal ~15 ounces)

3/4 cup cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder

2 Tbsp cacao nibs (plus more for topping)

1/4 tsp sea salt

GANACHE FROSTING (optional)

1/4 cup almond milk

1 cup dairy-free dark chocolate (chopped)

2 Tbsp coconut oil (melted // or sub vegan butter)

1/4 – 1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/4 tsp sea salt

Instructions

Place 1 cup walnuts (as original recipe is written // use 2/3 of the total if altering batch size) and the almonds in food processor and process until finely ground.
Add the cacao powder and sea salt and pulse to combine. Transfer to bowl and set aside.
Add the dates to the food processor and process until small bits remain. Remove and set aside.
Add nut and cocoa mixture back into food processor and while processing, drop small handfuls of the date pieces down into the food processor or blender spout.
Process until a dough consistency is achieved, adding more dates if the mixture does not hold together when squeezed in your hand. You may not use all the dates.
Add the brownie mixture to a small parchment lined 8×8 dish (as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) and before pressing, add remaining 1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts (as original recipe is written // use remaining 1/3 of walnuts if altering batch size) and cacao nibs and toss to combine and evenly distribute. Then press down with hands until it is flat and firm. I like laying down a piece of plastic wrap to prevent sticking and get it really flat.
Lift parchment paper to remove brownies from dish and use hands to slightly squeeze in the sides to create a smaller square – this will make the brownies slightly thicker and more dense.
Transfer back to dish and place in freezer or fridge to chill for 10-15 minutes before cutting into 12 (amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) even squares (If adding ganache, slice afterwards!).
FOR THE GANACHE: Add almond milk to a mixing bowl and microwave for 45 seconds or until very warm. Alternatively, heat in a small saucepan until just simmering, then transfer to mixing bowl.
Immediately add chocolate to warm milk and loosely cover. Don’t touch for 2 minutes so it can melt.
Add salt and stir gently with a wooden spoon to incorporate, then add melted coconut oil and use a whisk to mix. Set in fridge for 10 minutes to thicken.
Remove from fridge and add powdered sugar a little at a time to thicken. Whisk again to combine. If it’s still too thin, add another few Tablespoons powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
Frost brownies generously with frosting and then top with additional raw walnuts and cacao nibs (optional). Slice into 12 even squares (amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size).
Store brownies in an airtight container to keep fresh. Will keep for 3-4 days at room temperature, or in the freezer for at least 1 month (though best when fresh)

Reference:

Bagherzadeh Karimi, A., Elmi, A., Mirghafourvand, M. et al. Effects of date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) on labor and delivery outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 20 , 210 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-020-02915-x

The Role of Science and Technology in the Food industry and the Rise of Food Allergies

Sat, 04 Mar 2023 00:08:10 GMT

The Role of Science and Technology in the Food industry and the Rise of Food Allergies

The scientific advances of the last century have changed the lives of millions worldwide- and as a result have had both benefits and unforeseen consequences. From selective breeding of plants changing the genetic makeup and nutritional value offered, to the use of various pesticides and herbicides to increase production, to the modification of the genome of crops via genetic engineering, technology has changed our foods and our environment. As a result of these changes, it is important now more than ever to understand and evaluate the applications of these technologies.

Genetic engineering, more than many other major scientific advance, raises questions of ethics in science, technology and society. “The genesis of DNA modification technology can be traced back to 1944, when scientists discovered that genetic material can be transferred between different species” (Zhang, Chen, et al., 2016).

“In 1994 the US market saw the first genetically modified species of tomato with the property of delayed ripening approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since then, several transgenic crops have received FDA approvals, including “Canola” with modified oil composition, cotton and soybeans resistant to herbicides, etc. GM foods that are available in the market include potatoes, eggplants, strawberries, carrots, and many more are in pipeline” (Zhang, Chen, et al., 2016).

It does not take an expert to observe that food allergies have been on the rise for the past few decades. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that there has been a 50% increase in food allergies amongst children from the period of 1997 to 2011. It is no coincidence that this statistic started to rise just a year after genetically modified soy was introduced to the U.S. “GM Crops were first grown on a large scale in 1996 when US farmers started to grow Monsanto's Roundup Ready soya” (GeneWatch UK, 2018).

A 1996 article from the New York Times explored the issue of genetically modified soy citing the allergic potential, as the soy had been modified with a gene from Brazil nuts. “The Nebraska researchers used blood serum from nine subjects known to have a Brazil nut allergy and compared how it reacted with extracts from Brazil nuts, conventional soybeans and the modified, or transgenic, soybeans. All of the samples reacted to the nut extracts. Eight of the nine reacted strongly to extracts from the genetically altered soybeans and none reacted to the conventional soybeans” (Leary, 1996).

The issue of allergic potential from Genetic Modification is not unique to soy. ““Starlink” maize provides an example of a food hazard caused directly by the expression of the inserted gene. The modified plant was engineered with genetic information from Bacillus thuringinesis in order to endow the plant with resistance to certain insects. The inserted gene encodes a protein, called Cry9c, with pesticidal properties, but with an unintended, strong allergenicity. Several cases have been reported of allergic reaction in consumers after consuming the “Starlink” maize” (Zhang, Chen, et al., 2016).

Another potential vector for the increase in food allergies through Genetic Modification is the process through which the plants are modified. “In the processes of genetic modification, antibiotics are also frequently employed… Thus, the machinations to genetically modify an organism carries the risk of transferring the genes of antibiotics resistance into the benign bacteria comprising the microflora of human and animal gastrointestinal tracts, or, worse yet, to pathogenic bacteria harbored by the consumer of GM a food, because bacteria, good and bad, are quite capable of shuttling useful genes – like those that protect them from nasty antibiotics – around by horizontal transfer between species” (Zhang, Chen, et al., 2016).

It is worth noting that Genetic Modification is not the only potential cause for the increase in food allergies. Much Genetic Modification is actually performed in order to ensure plant resistance to pesticides or herbicides used on crops in order to promote higher yields. The use of these pesticides and herbicides in and of themselves could also contribute to the development of food allergies. “The results of various experiments related to proteomics and metabolomics are in accordance with each other and reveal that fertilizers affect the proteome and metabolome of wheat flour; thereby, raising issues related to food safety” (Chander, Atul, et al., 2018).

It's important as consumers to be aware of the implications of these agricultural practices when we're deciding what to put on our tables. Not all genetic modification is bad or problematic, however, if you're noticing symptoms such as eczema, bloating after meals, chronic diarrhea or constipation, stomach pain, nausea or vomiting after meals, itchy skin or raised rashes, tingling or itching in the mouth, swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat or other parts of the body, wheezing, nasal congestion or trouble breathing, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting, unexplained migraines, or foggy headedness, you should check in with your primary care doctor to rule out any medical conditions and inquire about allergy testing. If you're experiencing anaphylaxis please seek emergency medical care.

If you're unsuccessful in getting allergy testing performed but lack a medical explanation of your symptoms, doing an elimination diet can also be helpful in determining what foods you may be reacting to so that you can avoid those foods going forward. An elimination diet is one in which you would eliminate potential allergens from your diet for several weeks, then slowly add them back in one at a time and see which ones cause your symptoms to return. You might choose to add an acupuncturist to your team to help alleviate some of your symptoms as well. Acupuncture can help with balancing the nervous system, facilitating gastric motility, and reducing inflammation in the body, thereby reducing your symptoms. It's not a replacement for medical care or for removing allergens from your diet however! You can always contact me and reach out with any questions regarding how acupuncture might help.

References:

Chander, Atul, et al. “Genetically Modified Wheat, Wheat Intolerance, and Food Safety Concerns.” European Medical Journal , 17 Sept. 2018, www.emjreviews.com/allergy-immunology/article/genetically-modified-wheat-wheat-intolerance-and-food-safety-concerns/.

“Facts and Statistics.” Food Allergy Research & Education , www.foodallergy.org/life-with-food-allergies/food-allergy-101/facts-and-statistics.

LEARY, WARREN E. “Genetic Engineering of Crops Can Spread Allergies, Study Shows.” The New York Times , The New York Times, 14 Mar. 1996, www.nytimes.com/1996/03/14/us/genetic-engineering-of-crops-can-spread-allergies-study-shows.html.

Newman, Caroline. “Largest-Ever Study Reveals Environmental Impact of Genetically Modified Crops.” Phys.org - News and Articles on Science and Technology , Phys.org, 16 Sept. 2016, phys.org/news/2016-09-largest-ever-reveals-environmental-impact-genetically.html.

“Worldwide Commercial Growing.” GeneWatch UK - Pest Resistant Crops - Pest Resistant Crops (Bt Crops) Produce Toxins Which Kill Insect Pests. Bt Maize Is Grown Largely for Use in Animal Feed and Biofuels in North and South America. Bt Cotton Is Also Grown in India and China. , www.genewatch.org/sub-532326.

Zhang, Chen, et al.“Genetically Modified Foods: A Critical Review of Their Promise and Problems.” NeuroImage , Academic Press, 3 June 2016, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213453016300295.

What is Qi?

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 23:05:34 GMT

What is Qi?

What is Qi? Ostensibly, qi is as both concept and substance as elusive as it is ubiquitous. There are many different theories which have been presented throughout the centuries as to what, exactly, qi is. The topic is still debated widely today- and is as much a historical argument as a philosophical one.

“If you open a good Chinese dictionary you may find under qi several meanings which are an expression of the various historical uses of qi. For instance, there can be a state of undifferentiated totality in which everything is qi. It can be the life-giving principle, original qi, or the components of the constituent agent of all which exists. You can also have the idea of the life force and activity in any organism or phenomenon, the vigor of motion, energy, the animating forces of the universe. Qi is also used for more observable things, for instance breath, steam, gas or vapour. All of these are found in this character” (Rochat, 2006).

An argument could be made that qi is, in fact all of these things or any one of them. In a modern context, we refer to objects, people, plants, and animals all having qi. In chinese medicine as it is practiced today, we diagnose patterns of qi deficiency, rebellious qi, qi fall, and qi stagnation. To merely try to pin the meaning of qi down to a single word- “energy” just does not seem to remotely begin to cover the vast expanse of this concept. Similarly, others have tried to pin the idea of qi down to “oxygen” or “air” because of the breathing practices used in qigong to build the qi of the body- and again this is simply too narrow of a definition to apply to the concept. Qi is a much broader idea than a single word definition and any attempt to oversimplify it merely highlights a lack of understanding of what it is.

The goal of Acupuncture is generally to manipulate qi to heal the body. Obviously, if the entire basis of your healing ritual is to move qi, it is very important to know what- exactly- qi is. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion defines qi as follows:

“According to ancient Chinese thought, qi was the fundamental substance constituting the universe, and all phenomena were produced by the changes and movement of qi. This viewpoint greatly influenced the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, Generally speaking, the word “qi” in traditional chinese medicine denotes both the essential substances of the human body which maintain its vital activities, and the functional activities of the zang-fu organs and tissues. Essential substances are the foundation of functional activities. In this sense, qi is too rarefied to be seen and its existence is manifested in the functions of the zang-fu organs. All vital activities of the human body are explained by changes and movement of qi” (Cheng, 2010).

This definition of qi also seems to be lacking. It touches on the idea of qi constituting the universe and all the phenomena, however it then diverts off with regards to qi in the body, almost as though to separate the two into different categories and thus give them separate definitions.

“The qi itself is neither a substance nor a spirit. What we may say is that qi manifests through phenomena, and is inseparable from that manifestation to which it gives specificity and movement. On the other hand, we can not say that qi is the same thing as these phenomena or beings.

“When things cease to be, the qi does not disappear but no longer having a form, it can no longer be perceived. So we could say that it has an infinite and indefinite potentiality. But ‘potentiality’ sounds like an abstraction, which is not the case with qi. It is a reality. So finally we come to the understanding that everything is qi and qi is everything that exists” (Rochat, 2006).

“Qi gives movement, change and transformation to the various expressions of life, and allows the manifestation of specific qualities and aspects. For instance, in nature it is air, but it is also the state of nature itself, the weather and the atmosphere” (Rochat, 2006).

One might argue, based upon these points that qi is a result of manifestation of an intention into the world- more than a mere life force but rather, as Rochat posits, a potentiality being realized. With regards to acupuncture, the manipulation of qi could be translated as the manifestation of an intention in the body. In this case, the intention would be healing. However, intention is not enough by itself. There are hundreds of different points located on 14 cutaneous meridians, several microsystems, and each point has its own functions and indications.

It is at this point that one must conclude that qi is either so many things that it defies a specific or simple definition. Alternately, so many ideas seem to be encompassed by the term “qi” that one may actually wonder if “qi” is not just a term which has befallen that which we do not have a better way of explaining. In Chinese medicine, qi related disorders have a western correlation to things like endocrine disorders, lymphatic disorders, immune diseases, etc.

“Blood is the mother of qi. Qi governs the blood. Qi is the blood commander. When qi moves, blood moves. When qi gathers there is generation (or life)... Qi effuses from the viscera. Qi is able to transform dampness. Qi governs warming; blood governs moistening. Defensive qi guards the outside; construction and blood keep watch on the inside” (Flaws, 1994).

The defensive qi, in terms of western medicine is most easily correlated with the immune system. The Qi moves with the blood (white blood cells). Dampness can be many things as well. It can be fluid metabolism in the body, which links qi to the Kidneys and their signaling system in the brain to either retain or excrete water in the urine. Dampness can also be correlated to cholesterol, which is dealt with by the liver, gallbladder, and the lymph system.

It could potentially be surmised that early Chinese Physicians, having an understanding of these very complex processes and disease patterns, ascribed these phenomena to “qi”. The Western Clinical model had not yet been developed and thus, in our very ethnocentric way of viewing other paradigms, we have this desire to oversimplify a term which, by the very nature of how it is used, is not simple. “Everything is qi and qi is everything that exists” (Rochat, 2006).

I recently heard another practitioner surmise Qi as being like an action verb. Since the qi moves with the blood, if the qi is stagnant then the blood would also be a little stagnant in that scenario and I liked the simplicity this definition offered. Do you have any thoughts you would like to share below on what qi might mean?

References:

Cheng, X. (2010). Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion (3rd ed., p. 51). X. Cheng (Ed.). Beijing: Foreign Language Press.

Flaws, B. (1994). Life principles, i.e., (TCM) physiology. In Statements of fact in traditional Chinese medicine (pp. 58-61). Boulder, CO: Blue Poppy Press, Inc.

A study of qi (pp. 3-9). [Cambridge, England]: Monkey Press.

Influence of Chinese Philosophy on Chinese Medicine

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 22:56:29 GMT

Influence of Chinese Philosophy on Chinese Medicine

Chinese philosophy has influenced Chinese medicine in a variety of ways. From the use of the oracle-bones during the early Chinese dynasties- to the ordered rituals of Confucianism which allowed one to obtain “goodness,” to Daoism, which is focused on purifying spirit. These rituals and ideas shaped many of the ethics of Chinese medicine, as well as some of the core principles about where disease comes from and how to treat it.

“Much useful evidence can be gleaned from the oracle-bone inscriptions. Historical details of matters of daily concern to the Shang Kings can be learned from them which can not be gathered from other sources. Numerous inscriptions record questions about the harvest-- whether, for example, it would be gathered in a specific place-- and record the theft by a certain fang, a term which appears to have designated groups on the periphery of the Shang who did not accept the Shang’s claim to be the only legitimate authority and who were often the subject of Shang attack” (Yates, 1997).

“It is possible that one of the uses of oracle-bone divinations was to create a consensus as well as validate a decision. The reading of the cracks must have involved considerable debate among participants of the rite, especially since the answers, whether positive or negative, were not apparent from the cracks themselves as they appeared when the heat was applied to the bone. Diviners, and possibly the shamans who assisted the king in his oracle-taking, most likely came from lineages allied to him by marriage, and so it was through the collective participation in the rite that bureaucratic decisions were made. Perhaps this was part of the religious heritage of the bureaucrats of imperial times, for they too were assistants to the emperor in keeping the cosmos in harmony” (Yates, 1997).

At the time of the use of oracle-bones, Chinese medicine was largely rooted in shamanism. From the use of the oracle bones as a way of divining the future in order to validate decisions, we can see that there is a belief in some sort of a greater scheme with which the people of the Shang dynasty were trying to live in harmony with.

We also see the evidence for where the philosophy of the outside environment affecting the lives of the people and vice versa. All of this was done to keep the cosmos in harmony and thus to allow the Shang people to live harmoniously. This idea of “as within, so without” carries through in the modern incarnation of Traditional Chinese Medicine which is practiced today- though it is worded differently. The macrocosm is a mirror of the microcosm and vice versa.

“Confucian theories on morality and ethics, with ‘goodness’ as the core and ‘rites’ as the norm, served as ‘key notes’ of the traditional medical ethics of China. The viewpoints of Confucianism on benevolence and material interests, on good and evil, on kindheartedness, and on character cultivation were all inherited by the medical workers and thus became prominent in Chinese traditional medical ethics. Hence, it is clear that the medical profession have long shared common goals in terms of ethics” (Guo, 1996).

“In ancient China, medicine was called ‘the craft of benevolence’ or ‘the craft of saints’, representing the hope that physicians would act by the Confucian concept of ‘benevolence’ and practice medicine by the teachings of Confucian saints. Various rules and regulations of medical ethics contained instructions such as: ‘Be benevolent and Confucian’ and ‘First know the logic of Confucianism and then the logic of the medicine’” (Guo, 1996).

“Confucius formulated a unique system with ‘goodness’ as the nuclear core formed by ‘rites’ and advocated for the idea of ‘guiding the people by moral force and keeping order among them by ritual’. Goodness as the highest moral standard in Confucianism has dual meanings: an intense concentration of Confucius’s ‘political thinking’, representing Confucius’s hope that the ruling class may ‘rule by benevolence’, and the high realm of Confucius’s moral cultivation, showing his hope that the people may be ‘benevolent’” (Guo, 1996).

The modern equivalent to the Confucian ethics of Chinese Medicine might be the hippocratic oath- in particular this portion: “I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to anyone if asked, nor suggest any such counsel” (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, 2017).

In this portion of the hippocratic oath, there is reference to abstaining from bad behaviors which one might relate to practicing ‘goodness’ and ‘benevolence’ from the Confucian ideals. There is also reference to a ‘system of regimen’, which one might relate back to the idea of Confucian ‘ritual’. In addition, there is the guideline of practicing to the best of one’s ability for the benefit of one’s patients, which can be related back to the Confucian ideal of holding life’s value in high esteem.

“In terms of classical Chinese medicine, there is some overlap between the two traditions, but little research has been done on this topic. We do know, however, that Daoists such as Ge Hong, Sun Simiao, and Tao Hongjing made major contributions to Chinese medicine. They were Daoists and, in the case of Sun and Tao, Chinese medical practitioners” (Komjathy, 2013).

“If you observe the precepts of the Dao, you will accumulate good deeds that will become merit and accumulate essence that will become spirit(s). When your spirit(s) achieve transcendent longevity, they will become your personal treasures” (Reiter, 2007). This statement relating to Daoism actually is similar to the Confucian idea of acting out ‘benevolence’ in order to achieve ‘goodness’. In fact, both of these bring to mind the colloquialized term in modern western culture “fake it until you make it.” There is this idea that just acting something out on the physical plane can change the internal environment. That even if you aren’t ‘good’, by doing ‘good’ things you can become ‘good’. It’s also reminiscent of the idea of the external environment affecting the body and vice versa. By acting out the ritual of ‘benevolent’ acts, one might in fact affect the environment around them and thus create more ‘benevolence’ and harmony throughout the cosmos.

I think it's interesting how many of these core ideas which are so old have resurfaced in other cultures around the world and embedded themselves into many different practices from Medicine to Magic.

References:

Guo, Z. (1995). Chinese Confucian culture and the medical ethical tradition. Journal of Medical Ethics,21 (4), 239-246. doi:10.1136/jme.21.4.239

Komjathy, L., Ph.D. (2013). Common Misconceptions About Daoism. Retrieved July 14, 2017, from http://media.bloomsbury.com/rep/files/9781441168733_commonmisconceptions_daoisttradition.pdf

Reiter, F. (2007). Purposes, Means and Convictions in Daoism: a Berlin Symposium . Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, O.

The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica Inc. (2017, April 25). Hippocratic oath. Retrieved July 14, 2017, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hippocratic-oath

Yates, R. D. (1997). The City-State in Ancient China. In The archaeology of city-states : cross-cultural approaches (pp. 80-81). Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. doi:http://www.columbia.edu/itc/anthropology/v3922/pdfs/yates.pdf

The Modernization of Chinese Medicine

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 22:37:02 GMT

The Modernization of Chinese Medicine

Chinese medicine, much like other types of medicine has gone through an extensive modernization process throughout the centuries. When the Chinese first encountered Western medicine, this influx of new information and ideas helped to shape Chinese medicine as it was practiced at that time. As Chinese medicine continues to be practiced and contributed to by the West, changes will continue to take place. This evolution was (and still is) a necessity for the survival and potential growth of Chinese medicine as a whole.

The scientization of medicine changed the way that the medicine was taught. Before the influx of Western medicine, “there were few formal institutions for teaching Chinese medicine in Imperial China. All kinds of medical specialists, from the illiterate itinerant to the local midwife and the scholar-physician, tended to acquire practical medical knowledge through teacher-pupil relationships that sometimes had the character of formal apprenticeships” (Andrews, 2015).

In the case of the literate physicians, they mostly consisted of the Aristocracy who had failed to place well enough in the civil service exams to be employed in government (as was discussed by Dr. Phil Garrison in class). “For a literate Chinese physician, medical authority rested ultimately on the correct interpretation of the ancient canonical works.” (Andrews, 2015). “Most medical authors presented themselves as relying on at least one of the canonical works in significant ways. The considerable variation both within and between canonical texts allowed for a variety of approaches to etiology and therapy, and also for significant innovations” (Andrews, 2015).

The exception to the rule of dichotomy between the literate and illiterate was the Imperial Medical Academy in the Forbidden City. “At the beginning of the Qing dynasty in 1644, eleven medical specialties were taught there: major disorders, minor disorders, cold-damage disorders, women’s medicine, ulcers, acupuncture, ophthalmology, dentistry, throat medicine, bone-setting, and pox treatment” (Andrews, 2015).

“Starting in the late nineteenth century, new, privately run schools for teaching Chinese medicine alongside pre-clinical Western sciences such as anatomy and physiology began to emerge. By the first years of the twentieth century, medical societies with the aims of reforming and protecting Chinese medicine and teaching basic Western medicine were also starting to be established, as were the first medical journals in Chinese (which had the same aims)” (Andrews, 2015).

At this point in time, what we see is the effort on the part of the Chinese medicine practitioners to try to preserve the integrity of the medicine whilst also attempting to conform its practice to a more scientific approach. One school, in particular set out to strike a balance between the two schools in its constitution written in 1901:

“The constitution of [Jiangxi Modern School of Chinese Medicine] states the relationship between Chinese and Western medicine very clearly: ‘There are two kinds of medical works: Chinese-medical and Western-medical. Where the art has been lost in Chinese medicine, use Western learning to restore it; where Chinese learning is incomplete, use Western learning to supplement it. The task is to apply Western learning in the service of Chinese medicine, and not the other way around’” (Andrews, 2015).

This approach is simple, straightforward, and very practical. The two medicines have a lot to offer each other in terms of both patient outcomes and potential understanding of the human body and disease processes. Where Western-medical seems to be better for treatment of acute conditions, the approach of Chinese-medicine seems to work better for more chronic conditions, prophylactic care, and lifestyle recommendations.

There are things that Western medicine treats much more effectively than Chinese medicine and vice versa. Marrying the two medicines into more of an integrative practice would certainly offer the advantages of both approaches. The above quote actually shows us that this integration of Western medicine and Chinese medicine has in fact already taken place- over a hundred years ago.

Another ‘scientization,’ or integration of Chinese and Western medicine occurred in the 1950’s. “After the People’s Republic of China was established in 1949, Communist Party health policy called for an integrated new medicine whose primary concern should be serving the vast rural Chinese population. Significant efforts were made to incorporate Chinese medicine into the national health system and to resolve antagonisms that had developed between the fields of Chinese and Western medicine” (Wang, 2009 )

“From 1956 to 1965, twenty-two colleges of Chinese medicine were established nationwide. The curriculum of these colleges at first reflected the same themes as ‘bridge’ education and unification medicine had.” (Wang, 2009) There was this belief that these schools would help to not only give a scientific basis for ‘unscientific Chinese medicine’ but also would answer the question ‘Why does Acupuncture work?’ “To many modernisation advocates, science and technology are the undeniable solutions to problems presented in the development of Chinese medicine” (Wang, 2009).

Since that time, through the 1980’s and 1990’s, there have been a few resurgences of a more traditional approach to Chinese medicine being celebrated. There has also been a lot of more Western research done on Chinese medicine- worldwide. The problem with researching Chinese medicine using Western methods, however was discussed in Dr. Ergil’s class as being that Western evaluation methods don’t give us an accurate view of the efficacy or mechanism behind Chinese medicine. For example, the ‘Gold Standard’ in Western research is the double blind clinical trial.

“For example, long time CAM researchers Walach, Jonas and Lewith point out that double blind trials, initially created and used by the pharmaceutical industry to test single components of chemical drugs, are by no means suitable to test the therapeutic effectiveness of Chinese herbal formulas and other alternative therapies, due to the complex nature of whole herbs. However, under the hierarchies of scientific discourse, other rationalities, such as the ancient metaphysics and holistic views that underpin Chinese medicine, provide no ground of comparison” (Wang, 2009).

Another thought which has occurred is that it isn’t really suitable to do a study on an herb or formula using a random population. In order to truly get a gauge of whether a technique, herb or formula is effective, one must first control the conditions as much as possible. Thereby, it could be argued that the entire sample size for the trial would need to have the exact same Chinese medicine pattern and prescription. Only then could the evaluation really be indicative of the efficacy of the technique, herb or formula. Factoring in the possibilities for misdiagnosis, all patients would need to be diagnosed via the same Chinese medicine practitioner for consistency. This, however, negates the idea of a ‘double blind’ trial because then one person is overseeing the work of the trial and their bias enters into the research.

It was argued by Dr. Blizzard, professor of Science, Technology and Society at Rochester Institute of Technology that there is no way to remove bias from anything. This notion that we have of science being unbiased is more of a goal than a reality. Every single person just by proxy of their experience of life, their beliefs, their perceptions has their own individual bias which they bring with them into literally everything that they do. Thus, even scientific research can be biased. This is why the double blind control trial is supposed to be the ‘Gold Standard.’ It does what it can within reasonable confines to eliminate as much bias as possible. However, no method is perfect.

Might it not be just a little bit odd, however to try to evaluate such imperfect, messy, biased organisms via such a cold, unbiased, calculated method? Accuracy is important. However, the image that we hold as Westerners of this scientific perfection sweeps under the rug some very real truths about our own medicine: It’s been designed by humans, evaluated by humans and practiced by humans.

Once one strips away the illusions regarding what science is- the testing of hypotheses- one might find that Chinese medicine also does that. The methods are assuredly different. However, the 10 questions could just as easily be called “The 10 hypotheses.” The Chinese medicine practitioner has an idea based on the pulse and the tongue and the outward appearance of the individual as to what the diagnosis already is- but the questions are there to test the hypothesis and to better construct the next hypothesis until a satisfactory answer is reached.

Many of the arguments against the scientization of Chinese medicine center around concern for a loss of heritage and tradition. Some are concerned that by moving away from the rituals, incantations, and other more ancient elements of the medicine that perhaps things are being lost. Others argue that by taking what we as Westerners find useful about the medicine but leaving behind the cultural context means that we are appropriating Chinese medicine.

At the end of the day, however, the whole point of both Chinese and Western medicine is to help our patients. Ideally, a good practitioner would do anything in their power to get the best outcome for said patients. Whether it is Western medicine or Chinese medicine, as long as the treatment goal is reached, then we’ve been successful. For that reason, the debate over whether modernization or scientization is a bad thing seems a bit silly.

We shouldn’t try to make Chinese medicine into something it isn’t- so maintaining some tradition, especially with regards to diagnosis and treatment principles is important. However, we also should not reject the idea of integrated medicine because ultimately that is going to yield the best outcome for our patients. A balance must be established between the two- the yin and yang if you will.

References:

Andrews, B., & Schwarzkopf, D. L. (2015). The making of modern Chinese medicine, 1850-1960 . Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.

Wang, J., & Farquhar, J. (2009). 'Knowing the Why but not the How': A Dilemma in Contemporary Chinese Medicine. Asian Medicine, 5 (1).

Acupuncture for Insomnia

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 22:16:43 GMT

What is insomnia and how is it managed? How can Acupuncture be used to co-manage this condition?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder most everyone has heard of as it is extremely prevalent. Understandably, both “Western Medicine” and Traditional Chinese Medicine (hereafter abbreviated TCM) have rationales and treatment plans for insomnia. Many randomized control trials and systematic reviews have been performed from both perspectives. This blog post will examine the management of insomnia from both medical perspectives as well as current research regarding treatment outcomes using acupuncture for the condition of insomnia.

The Medical Management of Insomnia:

Insomnia is a chronic sleep disorder which has its own classification in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Commonly known to most as a condition involving difficulty sleeping, it also includes difficulty maintaining sleep. “Chronic insomnia is defined as difficulties falling asleep, maintaining sleep, and/or early morning awakening occurring at least three times per week over three months plus at least one related daytime impairment (fatigue, attention impairment, mood disturbance, impaired performance)” (O’brien & Weber, 2016).

As can be expected, this can lead to disruption of lives for those suffering from the condition. Insomnia can cause one to feel tired the next day as they’ve experienced reduced sleep. This can also result in problems such as difficulty concentrating, “Mood disturbances and cognitive difficulties”, decreased quality of life, and other comorbid conditions “that include but are not limited to disorders of pulmonary, cardiac, rheumatologic, neurological, endocrine (such as thyroid), and gastrointestinal systems” (Schutte-Rodin, et al., 2016).

There are a number of treatment options available to those with insomnia. Many simply resort to a number of available over the counter options before seeking out medical help for the condition. Some of the over the counter options include things like taking antihistamines, melatonin or valerian root. These over the counter options are considered by most professionals to be temporary aides and not for long term use as they do have a number of potential side effects, such as lingering drowsiness or foggy headedness the day following their use.

Once an individual seeks out treatment from the medical community, “treatment includes cognitive–behavioral therapy (first-line therapy and found to be more effective than drugs in long-term treatment of insomnia) and the prescribing of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-receptor agonists. These drugs are unsuccessful in achieving sustained remission in a significant proportion of patients and are associated with serious side effects and dependency. Antihistamines and tricyclic antidepressants, which work by blocking the wake-promoting aminergic and cholinergic transmission, also have serious side effects. The drug Suvorexant, an orexin receptor antagonist, suppresses the wake stimulatory network of sleep–wake regulation. Novel therapies currently being investigated include transcranial magnetic and electrical brain stimulation.” (O’brien & Weber, 2016)

From a biomedicine point of view, “relevant meta-analyses and concluded that CBTi [Cognitive Behavioral Therapy] should be the first line therapy offered to patients (30,31)... Typically therapy includes a combination of: psychoeducation about sleep and sleep hygiene, sleep restriction therapy, stimulus control therapy and cognitive therapy to decrease rumination about sleep as well as relaxation training” (Anderson, 2018). Given these guidelines, it is easy to see how acupuncture may be a helpful adjunctive therapy to the current standards of care. Patients could utilize acupuncture with other therapies to get more immediate relief while awaiting relief from therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy.

The Chinese Medical Management of Insomnia:

From a “Traditional Chinese Medicine” standpoint, insomnia is typically “associated with instability or agitation of the shen. This can occur because: the shen is not adequately anchored and secured due to a deficiency of blood or yin, overstimulation and agitation by Heat prevent the shen from settling quietly when the time comes for sleep, or the shen is ‘locked in’ and agitated by constraint from qi and/or blood stagnation” (Maclean & Lyttleton, 2008). The shen, from the TCM point of view is the spirit mind of the Heart. As such, “in practical terms, the shen is most closely associated with our conscious awareness, and is essentially our ability to perceive, interact and communicate with our world clearly. In addition, the shen and the Heart share an intimate and interdependent relationship (TCM describes the Heart as the residence of the shen)” (Maclean & Lyttleton, 2008).

There are a number of different Chinese Medicine patterns which can contribute to the presentation of insomnia. Maclean & Lyttleton list the following potential diagnoses: liver qi stagnation, stagnant heat, liver fire, heart fire, stomach disharmony, phlegm heat, heart blood and spleen qi deficiency, heart and kidney yin deficiency, liver yin and blood deficiency, heart and gallbladder deficiency, and blood stagnation. According to Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion (CAM), the potential patterns for insomnia are: deficiency of both the heart and spleen qi, disharmony between the heart and kidney, upward disturbance of liver fire, and dysfunction of stomach. All of these patterns can be separated into two categories: excess and deficiency.

“The deficiency patterns are mostly due to the shen not being anchored by Heart yin or Blood, so it simply ‘floats away’, or is dissipated instead of resting in the Heart. These patterns usually manifest with symptoms like insomnia, dream disturbed sleep, anxiety with palpitations, phobias and disorientation. Excess patterns are mostly associated with Heat and Phlegm. The Heat can directly affect the Heart (as in Heart Fire) and be more systemic (as in Heat in the blood). Either way, the shen is continually agitated by the presence of the Heat, and restlessness, agitation, and delusional or manic behavior result” (Maclean & Lyttleton, 2008).

“The excess varieties tend to be more difficult to treat than the deficient varieties, as in excess patterns there are often complicating lifestyle features- like unhappiness or stress at home or at work and habitual mental emotional responses that have to be dealt with for a satisfactory result. The deficiency patterns generally respond quite well to treatment, although herbal and/or acupuncture treatment may need to be combined with an appropriate nourishing diet” (Maclean & Lyttleton, 2008).

The differences required in approach can be problematic when selecting points to be used in Randomized Control Trials for the treatment of insomnia. When approaching this issue clinically, the acupuncturist would first assess the TCM pattern behind the disorder and then “prescribe” points based upon this determination. The points recommended vary depending on the diagnosis. Maclean and Lyttleton does list some points which could be used for insomnia that are not specific to the pattern differentiation, however. Pattern differentiation is important to me as a practitioner because this is how we tailor points to the individual patient and potentially maximize the effect of the acupuncture treatment.

Discussion:

“The neurological basis for relationships between organ systems, in the biomedical sense, lends some support to the interdependent relationships between the Zang-Fu organs, as espoused in CM theory. Research into heart and heart coherence suggests that the heart behaves like a brain” (O’brien & Weber, 2016). This evidence suggests that TCM theory, which has been in use for over 2000 years has been correct in recognizing the relationship between the heart and brain functions.

“In the treatment of insomnia with CM, addressing the imbalance associated with the Heart is a key strategy, and there is scientific evidence that indicates that acupuncture, for example, is able to effect physiological changes on the heart that are involved in the pathophysiology of insomnia from a Western scientific perspective… Although this traditional concept appears at first examination incoherent by modern physiological understandings, it does make sense when viewed within the function of the vagal nervous system. The vagus nerve (10th cranial nerve) is predominantly afferent, informing the brain of visceral experience” (O’brien & Weber, 2016).

It is this link to the vagus nerve which is most promising with regard to the effect of acupuncture on insomnia. The vagus nerve is a cranial nerve which has many connections to the visceral organs of the body and is independent of the spinal cord. The vagus nerve is well known for its ability to help regulate functions such as heart rate and breathing. Heart rate is particularly interesting with regard to acupuncture and its effect on insomnia given the close relationship to cardiovascular activity and sleep.

Conclusion:

“The pathogenesis of insomnia from a Western biomedical perspective is complex, and involves hyperarousal in both the CNS and ANS. The heart is involved, with changes to HRV [Heart Rate Variability] and heart rate, and there is evidence of a relationship between insomnia, anxiety, and depression in the Western medical literature. The vagus nerve plays an important part in communication between the brain and other systems, including the heart, and may play a role in insomnia. In CM, the Heart, where consciousness is seen to reside, is involved in the pathogenesis of insomnia as well as anxiety and depression, and the interdependent relationships between the organ systems explains this association. There is evidence that acupuncture is able to effect physiological changes in the treatment of insomnia via its impact on the Heart and the heart. Despite apparent differences in how the body is understood, there appear to be some points of intersection between the two medical systems” (O’brien & Weber, 2016).

As previously discussed , several review articles have found that the body of research suggests that the mechanism of acupuncture is through some combination of effect on endorphin release, micro-injury, and a change in neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin among others. “Acupuncture is able to affect the vagal activity and autonomic functions of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems” (O’brien & Weber, 2016). It is this link between the ability of acupuncture to affect vagus nerve activities and the cardiovascular system which makes acupuncture particularly effective in treating insomnia- on a consistent basis.

This blog has only explored a small sampling of the available research for the efficacy of acupuncture on insomnia and still found that acupuncture is consistently effective in treating insomnia. More research would need to be done in order to make any conclusive statements to this effect, however the body of research currently available is suggestive that the effect of acupuncture on the vagus nerve may be the mechanism for acupuncture’s effect on insomnia.

References:

Anderson, K. N. (2018). Insomnia and cognitive behavioural therapy—how to assess your patient and why it should be a standard part of care. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 10(S1). doi:10.21037/jtd.2018.01.35

Cao, H., Pan, X., Li, H., & Liu, J. (2009). Acupuncture for Treatment of Insomnia: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 15(11), 1171-1186. doi:10.1089/acm.2009.0041

Cheng, Kwokming James. “Neurobiological Mechanisms of Acupuncture for Some Common Illnesses: A Clinicians Perspective.” Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, vol. 7, no. 3, 2014, pp. 105–114., doi:10.1016/j.jams.2013.07.008.

Cheng, X., & Deng, L. (2012). Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion. Beijing: Foreign Language Press.

Cheuk, D., Yeung, W., Chung, K., & Wong, V. (2012). Acupuncture for Insomnia. The Cochrane Library, (9). doi:10.1055/b-002-74285

Chung, K., Yeung, W., Yu, B. Y., Leung, F. C., Zhang, S., Zhang, Z., . . . Yiu, G. (2017). Acupuncture with or without combined auricular acupuncture for insomnia: A randomised, waitlist-controlled trial. Acupuncture in Medicine, 36(1), 2-13. doi:10.1136/acupmed-2017-011371

Deadman, P., Al-Khafaji, M., & Baker, K. (2015). A manual of acupuncture. East Sussex, England: Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications.

Gao, X., Xu, C., Wang, P., Ren, S., Zhou, Y., Yang, X., & Gao, L. (2013). Curative effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on insomnia: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 33(4), 428-432. doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(13)60143-0.

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What the research says about the mechanism behind acpuncture

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 20:45:00 GMT

What the research says about the mechanism behind acupuncture

I will preface this post with the caveat that I was going through my old papers and thought that this excerpt was pretty relevant and interesting since I am often asked about how acupuncture works and this segment to that research paper, adapted for this blog post outlines the findings from a few systematic reviews (a step up from single studies as it's a review of multiple studies that have been done) on what the exact mechanism is to how acupuncture works.

There have been a number of reviews and studies done to determine the mechanism of acupuncture to treat conditions in the body. From these reviews and studies, a number of theories have emerged regarding the prevailing mechanism(s) of acupuncture. Most theories about the mechanism of acupuncture to treat center around neurophysiology and chemical signaling pathways.

One review, “Prospective Tests on Biological Models of Acupuncture” by Charles Shang discusses that “the neurophysiology model on the long-term effects of acupuncture emphasizes the trophic and anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture. Its prediction on the peripheral effect of endorphin in acupuncture has been confirmed” (Shang, 2009). The review goes on to explore what is known as the “growth control” model. When it comes to explaining the mechanism behind the ability of acupuncture to treat insomnia, however, the neurophysiology model seems more plausible.

A 2012 review article by Zhang et al. defines a structure known as a neural acupuncture unit (NAU) as “the collection of the activated neural and neuroactive components distributed in the skin, muscle, and connective tissues surrounding the needle.” The researchers examined factors such as “free nerve endings, encapsulated cutaneous receptors, sarcous sensory receptors, and their afferent fibers. Somatic efferent fibers innervating muscles, small nerve bundles, and plexus were also observed in acupoint tissues… A close approximation of autonomic fiber varicosities and somatic afferent fiber terminals is often observed in rabbit acupoint areas” (Zhang et al., 2012).

Another review, “Neurobiological Mechanisms of Acupuncture for Some Common Illnesses: A Clinician’s Perspective” written by Kwokming James Cheng, proposes several mechanisms as well. Cheng discusses “micro-injury, increased local blood flow, facilitated healing, and analgesia. Acupuncture may trigger a somatic autonomic reflex, thereby affecting the gastric and cardiovascular functions. Acupuncture may also change the levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, thereby affecting emotional state and craving” (Cheng, 2014).

A common thread in the three reviews documented above is a link between acupuncture and the somato-autonomic reflex. “It is found that acupuncture points within certain spinal segments in the trunk tend to affect the functioning of the organs that receive autonomic innervation from the same spinal segments” (Cheng, 2013). Additionally, “acupuncture stimulation in the extremity facilitates gastric motility through a somato-parasympathetic reflex involving the vagal nerve” (Cheng, 2013). Given the evidence of a link between acupuncture stimulation on various points to the nervous system, it could explain the effect of acupuncture on many conditions, which are usually attributed to an imbalance of hormones, disruption of normal ANS or CNS function, disruption of circadian rhythm or some other cause (often emotional in nature). The vagal nerve is a cranial nerve which has many connections to the visceral organs of the body and is independent of the spinal cord. The vagal nerve is well known for its ability to help regulate functions such as heart rate and breathing.

Another study done using a functional MRI while acupuncture needles were inserted and stimulated found that acupuncture may change the amygdala-specific brain network. "In the present study using fMRI, we employed a within-condition interregional covariance analysis method to investigate functional connectivity of brain networks involved in acupuncture. The fMRI experiment was performed before, during and after acupuncture manipulations on healthy volunteers at an acupuncture point, which was previously implicated in a neural pathway for pain modulation. We first identified significant fMRI signal changes during acupuncture stimulation in the left amygdala, which was subsequently selected as a functional reference for connectivity analyses. Our results have demonstrated that there is a brain network associated with the amygdala during a resting condition. This network encompasses the brain structures that are implicated in both pain sensation and pain modulation. We also found that such a pain-related network could be modulated by both verum acupuncture and sham acupuncture. Furthermore, compared with a sham acupuncture, the verum acupuncture induced a higher level of correlations among the amygdala-associated network" (Wei et al., 2008).

To summarize, acupuncture increases endorphins, reduces activity in the 'fear center' of the brain, reduces pain sensation via neural signaling, increases local blood flow, facilitates healing, may change levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, and facilitates gastric motility through a somato-parasympathetic reflex involving the vagal nerve. These mechanisms explain how acupuncture can be so effective on so many different systems of the body and for so many different conditions. Further studies are needed to fully understand exactly how acupuncture works in the body and I'm looking forward to seeing what findings come about in the future as we learn more about the human body and how it works.

Sources:

Shang, Charles. “Prospective Tests on Biological Models of Acupuncture.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 6, no. 1, 2009, pp. 31–39., doi:10.1093/ecam/nem122.

FMRI Connectivity Analysis of Acupuncture Effects on an Amygdala-Associated Brain Network Wei Qin, Jie Tian, Lijun Bai, Xiaohong Pan, Lin Yang, Peng Chen, Jianping Dai, Lin Ai, Baixiao Zhao, Qiyong Gong, Wei Wang, Karen M von Deneen, and Yijun Liu

Molecular Pain 2008 10.1186/1744-8069-4-55