Orange Juice Acids Harm Teeth

A study in the Journal of Dentistry confirms that orange juice can soften tooth enamel. The researchers soaked molars in juice and discovered that enamel surface hardness was decreased by 84%. Soft enamel is more prone to cavities. Sip your juice through a straw, or rinse with water after drinking OJ.

At AcuSpa Wellness, we also carry supplements such as easy to absorb vitamins & minerals. Visit us at www. AcuSpaWellness.com

Source: Women's Fitness Nov 2009, pg. 30

Eating Healthily & Moderately Exercising Benefits the Mind

Researchers at the University of Toronto finished a study and it supports the idea that eating healthy foods, along with moderate exercise, correlates with better brain function. Women that exercised moderately an average of 3 hours and 20 minutes a week had better memory and could multi-task better than those that were more sedentary. The study also showed that moderate activity may be preferable to strenuous activity when it comes to exercise.

Full article can be found here: http://www.prohealthcare.org/wellness/health-news/diet-weightloss/healthy-diet-exercise-keeps-mind-sharp-as-you-age.aspx

If you need some more motivation to exercise, why not try acupuncture? Visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com for more information.

Hand sanitizers can dry out nails

The alcohol that is the main ingredient in most hand sanitizers has a drying effect on both skin and nails. A dryer nail means that it is less able to flex without breaking. Use of Triclosan based sanitizers can lead to new strains of bacteria, so it's not necessarily preferable. Use hand sanitizer when necessary, but also remember to keep hands away from your face & its openings, which let germs invade.

Better yet, use acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine for a natural way to boost your immune system. It's impossible to completely avoid exposure to germs! Visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com for more info

High Blood Pressure Linked to High Fructose Consumption

High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener used in many processed foods. Making a habit of checking the ingredients in the the foods that you eat is a great way to monitor your fructose consumption. This sweetener has been found to cause many possible undesirable side effects, and now we can add high blood pressure to that list. The study authors concluded that "These results indicate that high fructose intake in the form of added sugars is significantly and independently associated with higher blood pressure levels in the US adult population with no previous history of hypertension."

I'd suggest lowering your overall consumption of sweets. Many Americans have a sweet tooth that needs to be tamed. Don't let your sweet tooth run your life! Get help with Traditional Chinese medicine. We can use herbal medicine to raise your energy and lower your cravings naturally. Acupuncture can be added to help with cravings and strengthen digestion. Weak digestion is often at the root of a sweet tooth. Visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com for more information, which can be found on the Conditions, Weight Loss tab.

Read more: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/health/high-fructose-diet-may-lead-to-high-bp_100267550.html#ixzz0ZyfAkPUs

What does GMO mean?

GMO stands for genetically modified organism. GMO produce can be found commonly in the US. However, processed foods such as cereals, crackers, and more can also be made from genetically modified organisms, and do not need to be labeled as such in the US. Foods that are GMO do not need to go through any special testing in the US, so it may be smart to avoid them when possible. Choosing organic foods can help to minimize consumption of GMO.

Warming foods to help cold weather pains

In the cold of wintertime, some people find that their bodies react with pain. Very often, this is due to what Western doctors diagnose as arthritis. Or, there may have been an injury at the site in the patient's past. In Chinese Medicine theory, however, we believe that patients are susceptible to cold when they are lacking in warm energy. Just like when the weather is cold outside, you turn up the heat in your car, your body works a little harder to keep warm. In a body where there is not enough warm energy to draw from, this can lead to cold sensitivity and/or body pains.

What can you do about this? While bodies that react with pain will probably benefit best from Chinese herbal medicine (because the condition is more serious), those that are a little more cold sensitive can try to warm themselves from the inside out by eating foods that are warm in nature. Chinese theories hold that each food has it's own hot/cold property. For example, mint tea is considered a cooling food, while turmeric is considered warming. Incorporating foods that are of a warming nature more often into the diet, including lamb, onion and ginger can help a person to be more cold tolerant.

However, it's important to keep balance in mind! It's possible to over-warm your stomach while still being cold sensitive in other parts of the body. And of course, you should consult your physician before embarking on a new diet.

Chinese Herbal medicine operates along the same principles. However, we are able to warm the body more strongly because herbs are chosen for their potency. Being monitored by a primary care provider also ensures that your body stays in overall balance throughout the process. More info on Herbal medicine is available at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Durable Fruits to Stash as Snacks

Need a healthy snack for work? These fruits don't require refrigeration and will last quite awhile in your drawer at work...

Apples
Bananas
Pears
Oranges
Kiwi
Peaches

Or veggies as well...

Grape Tomatoes
Cherry Tomatoes
Avocados
Sugar Snap Peas
Peppers

Happy Snacking!

Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal medicine can be used to facilitate weight loss! More info at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Reference: Women's Health Magazine, Nov 2009, pg. 28

What is gluten free?

Gluten-free diets are becoming a buzz word lately. Bluten is a protein found in many foods, most commonly wheat. Many people are sensitive to gluten, and eating it can cause them symptoms like gas, bloating, and fullness in the abdomen. However, since gluten is in may processed foods, it can be difficult to follow a gluten free diet. People on a gluten-free diet may find they need to shop the gluten-free section of their grocery store for things like sauces and seasonings.

Breast Feeding prevents Breast Cancer

A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed this theory to be true. In women with a family history of breast cancer, those that had breast fed had a 59% less likely chance of developing breast cancer. The benefit seemed to apply when the breast feeding had occurred anywhere in the range of between 3 months to over three years. It also didn't matter if the mothers supplemented with formula or other food.

At AcuSpaWellness, we do see women who are recovering from cancer treatment. We can help with with acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, or both! More info at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Refernce: Women's Health Magazine, Nov 2009, pg. 26

Naturally Lower Cholesterol

A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutirion fins that 2-5 tablespoons of flaxseed oil (for Omega 3 Fatty Acids) can be enough to drop cholesterol by an average of 7 points. In women, the average was 9 points.

Another way to be healthy? Regular acupuncture! Once your body is in balance again, a typical client only needs to come in about once every 4 weeks to maintain great health. More info at www. AcuSpaWellness.com

Info from O the Oprah Magazine, Nov 2009, pg. 120

Another Reason to Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)

A study in Environmental Health showed that the sweetener high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) can contain mercury. Four plant in the United States use processing methods that introduce mercury into HFCS. Mercury can interfere with brain development and so is especially hazardous to children and pregnant women.

Craving for sweets are a symptom of imbalance in Chinese Medicine. Digestive disorders can be treated with acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. Learn more at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Source: O the Oprah Magazine, Nov 2009, pg 122

PCOS & Weight

A study in Diabetologia showed that a gene associated with obesity may also be linked to PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). Being overweight has always been correlated with higher likelihood of PCOS, but this is the first indication that possibly both are genetically linked.

PCOS and weight can both be addressed with acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. More information at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Calcium for Weight Loss?

A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition showed taht in a group of obese women, those that doubled their intake of calcium (600 mg to 12,00 mg) lost weight compared to control. They didn't modify calorie intake at all, and lose an average of 11 lbs. compared to the other group, which was not getting enough calcium. My favorite form of calcium is unsweetened, organic yogurt.

And of course, acupuncture and herbal medicine can also help with weight loss goals. More information at www. AcuSpaWellness.com

Acupuncture Effectively Treats Insomnia

Insomnia is an epidemic that is overrunning this country!

Thankfully, there are alternatives to sleep medication, which may be habit forming. I think that a great amount of the effects that insomniacs get from acupuncture come from breaking the stress cycle, since the body needs to be relaxed in order to get good sleep.

Here's a great article I found that details treatment of insomnia with acupuncture & Chinese Herbal medicine: http://www.naturalnews.com/027348_medicine_insomnia_Chinese.html

Want more info? Visit my website at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Most Hardworking Houseplants

Houseplants are great to have around... they provide an emotional uplift, are decorative, and also clean the air. Which ones are the hardest workers when it comes to cleaning air? Bill Wolverton, from NASA, heads their studies on which houseplants filter the most air. Here are their recommendations...

1) Palms (bamboo, lady & areca varieties)
2) Rubber Plant
3) Florists Mum

AcuSpa Wellness offers Ionic Detoxification Foot Spa Sessions, which also detox the body. More information at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

From O the Oprah Magaine, Nov 2009, pg 48

Tanning Beds an Official Hazard

The World Health Organization (WHO) has moved tanning beds into it's top cancer risk catagory. A study in Lancet Oncoloty found that UV radiation of all kinds cause damage and mutation. Melanomoan is 75% more likely if tanning bed use begins before the age of 30. From O, the Oprah Magazine, Nov 2009, pg 106.

Why not indulge yourself to an acupuncture session or Ionic Detoxification Foot Spa Session instead? It's very relaxing. More information at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Artificial Dyes that can Effect Children

Research from the 1970's supports the suspicion that certain artificial food colorings can have a negative effect on children. While the level of sensitivity varies with the child, they have been shown to increase hyperactivity. Dyes are found in food such as mac an cheese, candy, cereal, crackers, tortilla chips, and even vitamins.

The dyes to avoid?
Yellow 5
Red 40
Blue 1
Green 3
Blue 2
Orange B
Red 3
Yellow 6

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicine can also be used to alleviate the symptoms of hyperactivity in children. More information on acupuncture can be found at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

For more info see the Institute for Agricultural and Trade Policy's Online Brain Feed Selector at www.iatp.org/brainfoodselector

After Workout Snack

Aren't you starving after a great workout? It may be a good idea to have a crisp salad with some vinaigrette dressing. Vinegar has acetic acid in it, which may activate genes that produce to help break down fat.* This could help you to get more out of your work out. Add some protein in the form of lean chicken and perhaps some walnuts and you've got a perfect meal to replenish yourself.

Acupuncture can also be used to support a weight loss routine. Acupuncture and herbal medicine speeds healing time and decreases recovery time. Learn more at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

*Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

Smells like Family...

Our sense of smell plays a great role in attraction. It seems Mother Nature enabled us to sniff out our potential partner's DNA. We can tell by smell if someone is genetically similar to us or genetically different - and genetically different usually makes for healthier offspring.

How does this relate to the birth control pill? Women on the birth control pill are chemically pregnant. The theory goes that, if a woman is pregnant, she prefers to be around men that are related, that will presumably help protect the offspring. Studies shoe that women on the birth control pill prefer the smells of men that are genetically similar to them.

Saying that your birth control can be sabotaging your dating life may be putting it a little strongly, but it's safe to say that perhaps it is sabotaging Mother Nature's intentions at least a little bit.

Acupuncture can be used to naturally relieve PMS symptoms and to regulate a menstrual cycle, as well as to enhance fertility. Learn more at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Source: Women's Health, Oct 2009 p. 136-138

Secret Benefits of Eating Organic

Eating organic is good for lowering your exposure to pesticides. It's also good for in other ways.

1. Reduces Carbon Dioxide Emmisions
Eating organic means that you're saving the planet from extra CO2 that is released when conventional farming methods are used.

2. Fewer Wrinkles?
Organic produce has up to 40% more antioxidants, which means your body can more likely prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging.

3. Weight Loss
Studies are hinting that pesticides may trap fat cells in your body, making losing extra weight difficult.

Acupuncture can be used to regulate digestion. AcuSpa Wellness also offers Ionic Detoxification Foot Spa, which can remove harmful metals from the body. Learn more at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Source: Women's Health Magazine, October 2009

What Produce Should I Buy Organic?

Organic produce has become much more readily available, but of course we all notice that it costs more than regular (conventional). Different plants retain pesticides at different rates, so by choosing wisely, you can get the most wellness for your money by choosing to buy organic when the produce is known to have a high pesticide residue.

Top 5 Produce to BUY ORGANIC (high pesticide residue)
1. Peach
2. Apple
3. Bell Pepper
4. Celery
5. Nectarine

Top 5 Produce with low pesticide (conventional is not as bad)
1. Onion
2. Avocado
3. Corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mango

If you'd like a more complete list, this info was taken from www.foodnews.org. They even have an iPhone App if you would like!

The Yin Yang of Stir Fry

The idea of eating a "Balanced Diet" is quite different when you approach the idea from the viewpoint of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Ask an acupuncturist what that means, and you will get a very different answer than from a typical Medical Doctor.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we believe each food has an inherent cool, warm, or neutral property. For example, romaine lettuce is a cool food, whereas curry powder is a warming food. This inherit "nature" is not a comment on actual food temperature, but is something that the food possesses naturally. Sometimes it is referred to as a Yin or Yang nature, with cool foods being Yin and warm foods being Yang

The nature of food can be manipulated by methods such as cooking. For example, although broccoli is a cool food by nature, it is less cool when it is lightly steamed vs. raw. It is further warmed by the process of stir frying with ginger.

This is the reason why Chinese food usually finds vegetables prepared with a bit of garlic or ginger. Not only does this add flavor to the dish, but it balances it energetically. Most green vegetables are cool in nature, so a typical person would benefit from adding a bit of (warm) ginger to the dish.

A body that is out of balance will develop symptoms. An overly cool Stomach can lead to stomachaches and too-soft stools. An overly warm Stomach can show signs of acne and excessive appetite.

These and other concepts are explored if I find that my patients' bodies are complaining, whether through symptoms or pulse. A great thing about Chinese pulse diagnosis is that it can often catch problems before they become symptomatic. To me, that is what true wellness is... a body that is functioning at maximum efficiency.

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicine can be used alone or together to promote balanced body function. Please visit my website at www.AcuSpaWellness.com for more information. Or for an appointment please call (650) 588-0888. Herbal consultations are a great way to maintain good health.

Water for Weight Loss & Wellness

It is especially important in the summertime to stay hydrated. Warmer weather means more water lost through sweat, but air conditioning can also sap water through your body as air conditioned air is also dehumidified air. Drinking enough water can also help with weight loss.

What we think is hunger is often thirst. You may be able to reduce many calories each day by first drinking an 8 oz glass of water and waiting 15 minutes before eating. Of course we need to eat our meals at regular times as well. But if you find yourself hungry for a snack between meals, it could very well be that your body simply craves water.

Did you know that more hydration often leads to less bloating? Bloating is our body's natural response to dehydration. It's stockpiling water because it's afraid that it won't get more later. By hydrating regularly, you can often decrease bloating in your body. Of course, if you find yourself bloated often and are sufficiently hydrated, you should check your salt intake. To much salt in the body holds onto too much water in the body.

Drinking water may up calorie burning. A study in Obesity journal in 2008 found those that increased water consumption and didn't change diet or actuvity level dropped body weight and fat over one year. Why is this? My theory is that dehydration is a mild form of stress on the body, and a stressed body holds onto more weight as an insurance policy against times where outside conditions are unstable.

How much water is enough? People should not be waking up to use the restroom during the night. And, keep in mind our body can only absorb so much water at once. Sipping water 8 ounces at a time ensures enough processing time so your body can absorb the water you're providing for it. Drink excessive water means your Kidneys need to work extra in order to process the extra water. I usually recommend to my patients that they should drink enough to have urine that is not dark (except the first urine of the day), and that they should be urinating maybe 3-5 times during the day.

Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal medicine can also be used to support weight loss goals. Together, they can reduce stress & cravings, and provide structure and support for you. More information is available at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Summer is where the Heart is

We're all looking forward to a summer full of sunshine and social events. In the Chinese Medicine model of the world, summer is related to the heart organ.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we believe that the Heart is easily effected by excessive heat. A build-up of unwanted heat can lead to irritability, thirst and sleep difficulties. These symptoms are definitely more commonly seen in the summertime. The Heart system, according to Chinese Medicine, benefits from eating red foods.

One of the benefits of eating what's in season is that nature often provides your body with a way of achieving balance. Watermelon is one of my favorite summer fruits. It also has the ability to clear up what we call "Summer-heat" in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I like to define Summer-heat as what comes before heat exhaustion. There may dizziness, thirst, slight confusion. Eating a few slices of watermelon should have you feeling normal again.

If more serious symptoms appear or if symptoms persist, perhaps it's time to get some help from a professional. An herbal consultation from a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist can guide you to taking an herbal formula to solve other problems that may pop up in the summertime, like excessively yellow or burning urination, stubborn restless sleep, or unquenchable thirst. More information on Chinese Herbal Medicine can be found at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Where do Gray Hairs come from?

There's lots of buzz in the scientific/aesthetic community lately over a discovery: we have uncovered an explanation for why hair goes gray. Or so say the reporters. What scientists have discovered is that people naturally produce a certain amount of hydrogen peroxide in the body, as a waste product. The hydrogen peroxide, in a non-gray haired person, is neutralized with an enzyme called catalyse. As we age, it seems that our amount of catalyse produced goes down, meaning there's more hydrogen peroxide around to do things such as lighten our hair.

Catalyse is an interesting enzyme that is also used in the food industry to prevent oxidizing in food. If you remember in chemistry class, oxidizing is what happens then oxygen starts breaking things down. This is most commonly recognized in everyday life in the formation of rust on iron surfaces. Following this train of thought, white hair is our body's expression of damage from inability to maintain catalyse production.

The question that raises is now, why is it that our body produces less catalyse with time? We don't know that yet. It will be interesting to see if science will be able to answer this question. Science is not usually great at functional problems. If something in our body isn't doing it's job, it's not likely that a Western medical approach can get it to do something different.

I have seen my clients have their hair color return with regular treatment. Acupuncture & Chinese herbal medicine has been shown to improve function. For example, I have seen digestive systems un-bloat and regulate. I have seen high blood pressures adjust themselves downwards. Western medicine has its place in our lives. It keeps people who are in critical condition from death. Contrast this with acupuncture, which can get a body to act younger and be more vital. One of the most cited articles on the gray hair discovery is at www.webmd.com. Check my website if you'd like to explore how you could benefit from acupuncture: www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Who isn't Stressed?!?

Do you know anyone who isn't stressed? Recently, I had someone come in who said that he was in the emergency room twice in the past week, diagnosed with panic attacks. When he came in to see me, he told me that he did not feel panicked or stressed. As he went on with his story, however, it seemed pretty apparent that there were multiple stress-ers in his life. He has several children to worry about, including a rebellious teenager. His job is very high powered with lots of responsibilities and people to manage. His family life is complex and involves juggling the needs and wants of many, many individuals. As he spoke of his life... he realized that perhaps he was stressed.

How do we know if we are stressed? Stress is, unfortunately, incredibly common in the lives of most Americans. A small amount of stress can be a positive driving force. However, in most of our lives it has blown out of proportion, with tight muscles being everyday occurrence and our hormones being thrown out of balance because of our anxieties. Probably the best way to tell how stressed we are is to provide a contrast. My personal favorite, easy way to de-stress is acupuncture. Acupuncture changes the hormones in our brains and literally puts us into a de-stressed frame of mind. Our brains release feel good chemicals and our bodies respond with deep relaxation. Our face muscles relax and we wake up looking younger from our acupuncture naps. All this and it's good for our health!

Stress can cause a huge variety of other medical conditions to happen. This means acupuncture can be used to help with a myriad of health disorders, all while making us feel really good. More info on acupuncture and its effects can be found at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Tried & True Medications

My pharmacology professor made a comment once that I will never forget: "I only take drugs that are old - I never take the new drugs because we do not know what their long term effects are." Isn't this statement absolutely fascinating? It made me reflect upon my thesis paper on how culture effects medicine. Americans are raised in a culture that values "new" and "young". This way of thinking carries over into medical treatments, where new drugs are often touted as the next wonder of the world. In many cases, newer is better. But perhaps not when it comes to everything.

When working with prescription medications that have been on the market for a few decades, their effects are more thoroughly documented. Long term effects are more likely to have been spotted and built into consideration before they are prescribed. Most medication trials are not decades long, as companies work to get their products into the market as soon as possible. This means we usually don't know the long term implications of prescription medications when they are new.

Compare to this to the hundreds, if not thousands, of years of research we have on traditional Chinese medicine. Herbal medicine may seem old fashioned in comparison to some drugs on the market, but our ancestors have spent many, many years documenting their effects and side effects. Some of the effects that have been observed can be quiet surprising. The scientists of the past have been very thorough in their observations of how the human body will respond to different herbal medicines.

It therefore strikes me as quite odd when medical doctors express concern over herbal medicine. I would argue that, under the correct supervision, Chinese herbal medicine is much safer than prescription medication. This prejudice is probably due to a conservative approach to something that they have not studied and do not understand. Acupuncturists in the state of California have been taught and tested regarding Chinese herbal medicine. Finding a practicitioner that is licensed is a good first step to making sure that you are properly monitored while taking Chinese herbal medicines. More info on the applications of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture can be found at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Where do Eggs come from? Part 3

We'll start with cycle day 14. This is the textbook perfect day of ovulation. The day of ovulation that varies and determines when the period will start. So if a woman has cycles that change in number of days, it is the number of days between menstruation and ovulation that varies. The number of days between ovulation and menstruation does not usually change. The ovaries have been working, from day 1 to mature follicles into eggs. They have been stimulated by Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland in the brain.

There are usually several follicles being primed for ovulation each month. By day 14, the body has chosen one (sometimes more) dominant follicle to release. It's much bigger that the other follicles that are maturing, and the rest give up the race. The follicle is triggered to release the egg by a spike in Luteinizing Hormone (LH surge) from the pituitary gland. An ovulation test kit measures the urine for this usually high amount of LH. The follicle bursts and releases the egg, which causes some women to feel some pain or a little bit of bleeding. The egg that is released goes into the fallopian tube and journeys towards the uterus.

So how can a woman tell when she is fertile? You may know of someone who has been trying to get pregnant that takes their temperature every morning. Around ovulation time, the Basal Body Temperature (BBT) of a woman should go up as well. Cervical mucous will also change, becoming more stretchy. This is to help the sperm with their journey towards the eggs.

In most cases, the egg does not fertilize and the corpus luteum degenerates. If the egg does fertilize, the embryo secretes a hormone that keeps the corpus luteum around and secreting progesterone, which keeps the endometrium thick to support the embryo.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have been used to improve the quality of eggs (which generally goes down as a woman ages), and to create a thicker endometrium (required for implantaion of the embryo). It's also being used to address a number of other factors that may come up when dealing with fertility. Infertility treatment is a very exciting specialty in the field of Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine because there is currently a lot of research in the area, and efficacy rates are very good, especially when compared to Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI). Visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com for more info on Acupuncture & IVF.

Where do Eggs come from? Part 2

Let's get started with the nitty-gritty. Day 1 of the menstrual cycle is the first day of bleeding. Healthy cycles do not start with light spotting, but with moderate bleeding. Heavier bleeding at the beginning of the cycle means that hormones are functioning correctly.

Day 1 is the beginning of the luteal phase, named after the corpus luteum. The corpus lutem is what we call the leftovers in the ovary after the egg has been released. The corpus luteum secretes progesterone, which helps to keep a fertilized egg in the uterus.

Menstrual flow is what happens when the lining of the uterus (endometrium) breaks down and is shed. The actual amount lost is typically an ounce and a quarter - slightly more than a shotglass-full. Excessive bleeding can lead to low energy and anemia, while light bleeding means the endometrium may not be thick enough to support a fertilized egg. An "ideal" period from a Chinese medicine point of view would have no PMS pain, and start with about 3 days of flow, and end with 2-3 days of spotting. It's start day would be predictable, with cycles happening each 26-30 days. Cycles should be the same number of days, and should not require regulation via birth control pills.

As an aside note, please know that most gynecological complaints are not cured by the birth control pill. Usually the birth control pills mask the symptoms of a disorder, and/or delay the symptoms from worsening. The underlying condition remains. Birth control pills are prescribed by gynecologists for a range of complaints, from fibroids and heavy bleeding to lack of periods and painful cramping. Use of traditional Chinese medicine, on the other hand, is directed at balancing the hormones and re-establishing a properly functioning reproductive system.

More information on Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine and Fertility is available at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Where do Eggs come from? Part 1

Inspired by various images of dyed eggs, it occurs to me that most of the women that I encounter in my acupuncture clinic do not know how their physiology works.  Where do eggs come from?  How are they made?  What exactly happens every month?  Most women don't research this until they are interested in getting pregnant, or until they are having difficulty getting pregnant.  I'd like to provide a simple overview of what happens during a woman's monthly cycle, I remember when I learned this that it was really interesting to me.  

A textbook perfect normal menstrual cycle lasts 28 days.  (There is a normal variation of +/- three days on either end, but each cycle should be the same number of days.)  Day 1 is the first day of menstrual bleeding.   This blog post is about anatomy: what parts are involved, how big are these things, and where are they?  Knowing the anatomy makes understanding how things work easier.  

In a typical female reproductive system, the focus is usually on the uterus, located about three or four inches below the belly button, inside the abdomen.  It's usually around the size and shape of an average chicken egg.  It's attached to two ovaries, each about the size & shape of an almond.  An ovary is composed of many finger-like follicles, like a sea anemone.  Each ovary connects to the ovary via a fallopian tube.  Each of those are about 3-5 inches long and 1/2 inch in diameter, similar but shorter than a licorice stick candy.  

I hope you forgive me for my reference points, but they are the best way to clearly picture what the anatomy looks like.   Knowing normal anatomy and physiology is a required in order to understand when something goes wrong, like infertility, ovarian cysts, or ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome.  These are all conditions that I  treat in my acupuncture clinic.  If you'd like more information about any of those conditions and acupuncture care, please visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com. 

Toxins in your Home?

In my office, my clients often ask me what kinds of things may be adding to the toxic load that their bodies are subject to. This is because, in addition to acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, I also offer what is called an Ionic Detoxification Foot Spa. When people can ***see*** those toxins coming out of them, they want to know how those toxins are getting into them!

Have you heard that the air inside of the average home is more polluted than the air outside? This is usually attributed to the fact that many households use toxic chemicals for cleaning purposes. These chemicals leave residues and fumes in the air that we can absorb through our lungs and skin.

So consider this: What products are you using to clean that may be toxic? There are many natural ingredients that are better for your well being and will still maintain your home well. Mother Earth would also appreciate it if you choose products that are biodegradable. Natural cleansers are much more likely to be earth friendly than chemical cleaners. Using them also creates a healthier environment for your children and pets.

If you'd like more info about the Ionic Detoxificatoin Foot Spa, you can visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com and look under "Services", "Ionic Detoxification"

What's Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

I get many cases of patients that come in complaining of carpal tunnel syndrome. It's such a commonly used phrase that most people are aware of the term, but often do not know what it means. Here's a simplified explanation...

The carpal tunnel is part of the wrist that nerves pass through. I like to explain the carpal tunnel as similar to a rubber band that hold together a bunch of asparagus. The asparagus represents a bundle of nerves. Carpal tunnel syndrome typically happens when there is wrist overuse (usually at a computer), and the nerves in the carpal tunnel get annoyed and act up with symptoms like pain and swelling. With so many people using the computer at their job all day, the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome is definitely going up. For more details on carpal tunnel syndrome, check out http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm

I am getting more and more cases of carpal tunnel syndrome. If you are concerned about this, have the ergonomics at your workstation re-evaluated. It's very important to be taking care that the body position that you are in for most of the day is a healthy one.

For more info on acupuncture, visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com, where Dorothy Pang, licensed acupuncturist, treats carpal tunnel syndrome and other conditions.

Gray Hairs Begone!

Most people think of acupuncture as something for stopping pain. While this is true, that's not all that acupuncture can be used to help with! I find that most people I encounter suffer from sub-par digestion. What does this mean? Well, first of all it means that their bowel movements may not be regular or well-formed. Why is that a problem?

When bowel movements are not great, that indicates that digestion is not great. Most people don't consider that a big deal. But, there are often big changes when digestion is restored to greatness! For example, I have had multiple clients tell me that once their bowels regulated, that their hair dressers will comment on their gray hairs... disappearing!

How does one explain that? Well, I like to say to my patients that bad bowel movements indicate bad digestion. If your body can't pull all of the nutrients out of the food that you are eating, that can reflect itself in your body as premature aging. Since your body can't process food properly, it's in effect, malnourished, no matter what you are eating. That can lead to things like gray hairs showing up. I have seen this happen in my office often enough to want to spread the message - you may be able to look better if you poop better! And Chinese medicine can be used help to promote proper pooping. That's why one of my specialties as an acupuncturist is digestive disorders such as IBS, colitis, chronic loose stool, and constipation. For more info, visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com and see "Conditions" Menu.

Acupuncture as a First Line of Defense

When is the right time to seek care? In an ideal world, potential clients would come to see me for acupuncture care at the proper stage of disease. Being an optimist, I used to believe that they could come in at any time and with enough patience, acupuncture care and maybe herbal medicine as well would be enough to get anyone better.

However, sometimes it's too late. And I find that it's such a tragedy. If only these people had come in sooner, I could have used acupuncture to naturally stop their pain and suffering. I like to think of acupuncture as a first line of defense. My clients that are properly educated in the workings of acupuncture share this line of thinking.

Clients that are properly educated in acupuncture and Chinese medicine know that it is a very powerful medicine. It can be used to treat a myriad of symptoms, such as stopping pain, reducing inflammation, restoring range of motion, ending diarrhea, controlling acid reflux, and enhancing fertility, just to name a few. My patients know that by the time their body lets them know something is wrong through exhibiting a symptom - that is already deep into the pathology process.

Since I can tell how a body is doing inside by taking the pulse and looking at the tongue, I can often tell if health is going downhill before a client can. Some of this is may be due to the fact that Americans are not taught to pay attention to their bodies. We are unaware of what normal function should be, and so don't really think of anything as 'wrong' until something like a recurrent pain sign occurs.

Studies show that acupuncture is great for relieving pain and inflammation. I must add, it seems to work best when applied sooner to a problem. This is not to say that those with a stubborn problem should not seek acupuncture care. I have been able to completely eliminate pain that was present for over 10 years. I write as an encouragement to seek care sooner in the process rather than later. Why suffer needlessly for weeks, months or years? Most of my clients tell me that they were scared that acupuncture would hurt. But, after they thought about it enough, they decided that the pain that they were already experiencing was probably worse. After they try a session, they realize that my style of acupuncture is very gentle, and just about painless, and they are really glad they decided to try it out. Their fears were for nothing. So I hope that fear is not the great un-motivator that I am hearing that it may be out there.

I cannot speak for all acupuncturists, as I have worked hard to develop an extremely gentle insertion techinique. I have heard some stories of other acupuncturists who do not use a light touch. But I do know that in my office, about 95% of the time, the patient feels nothing but a light tap or pinch. They look forward to their soothing and relaxing sessions.

I have managed to win over a lot of people. Even I am surprised sometimes with their passion and dedication to the medicine. It is only another tribute to the strength and range that this medicine is capable of. And, most effectively experienced when applied as a first line of defense. More information on my acupuncture clinic is available at www.AcuSpaWellness.com, for those that may be interested.

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