Author: brainbody

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Acupuncture for Back Pain II

The neat thing about treating low back pain with Acupuncture is that it benefits the body in many more ways than just alleviating pain. The adrenals, the power pack of the hormone system, are ‘ad-renals as they sit on top of the kidneys, and together these joined organs ‘govern’ the back, according to Chinese Medicine theory. So when the adrenals become run down from stress and agitation, they directly affect the nerves of the back, making it susceptible to stiffness and pain. This explains how so many people suddenly throw their back out with no exertion or instigation.

The low back is a vulnerable spot where our two bendable upper and lower halves are linked solely by the narrow spine and its adjoining muscles & fascia. This area gets both overworked and under used. The muscles become board-like and lose their flexibility, just like a new supple garden hose that eventually becomes brittle and easily cracked from oxidation.

When I treat the back, I address the muscles and the electrical conduits that run its entire length. So I start with a vibrating massage tool to relax the body from head to toe to “wake it up” and get all the cells vibrating. The patient LOVES this part and can sink into a relaxed state of “letting go.” The infra-red heat lamp gives luxuriant heat to the area and helps break up inflammation. Painless, fine needles are inserted so quickly that, in most cases, the brain does not have time to register any sensation at all. The heat from  a moxa stick or the lamp penetrates the tissue and is also conducted down the shaft of the needle to reach the core of the tight muscle or the pinched nerve. It can flow into the joints, deep into the thickest part of the buttock, addressing the sciatic nerve and any inflammatory arthritis in the hip joint. The heat and the electric effect of the needle cause the muscle fibers to relax around the nerve, discharge the built-up charge, and turn off the pain nerves. The increased circulation brings in nutrients and carries away toxins.After forty years of getting better and better at this, I feel bad for so many who still bear it in silence, allowing the condition to worsen while suffering from the accumulating side effects of pain meds.  One patient was on 10 Vicodin a day after 2 surgeries. He was screaming as he maneuvered his walker into my waiting room. After 2 treatments he was almost pain free. I love those stories…! Please comment here on the blog and share Your views or stories!! I would love to hear…

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The Brain Body Bliss Podcast

I invite medical professionals, healers, and patients to share their experiences. Here we focus on ancient and modern mental and emotional spiritual healing and practical self-help methods for ongoing health.

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My Media Gig about Cupping for Neck Tension & Hollywood Stars

I I must share my media gig about Cupping away neck tension and its usage by Hollywood stars…  “Cupping,” is the term for an ancient technique used in Chinese medicine to eliminate the stagnant blood circulation that typically occurs around the neck and shoulders. Seems the sighting of Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston with cupping marks on their backs has put this ancient practice in the news…  A small glass jar with a vacuum inside creates a suction that pulls this stuck blood to the surface capillaries. From there this old blood can easily return to the heart to be re-oxygenated so that a more active flow of blood circulation can be restored. (Here Jennifer’s marks have faded from red to white.) Other partakers are Victoria Beckham and Jessica Simpson.

I was recently interviewed by Agence France Press to do a demonstration of this procedure for their global media outreach. You can view it at this link: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/videonetwork/2571529145001/Remedy-of-the-Stars-Cupping-Leaves-Its-Mark-on-Hollywood.                                   I did two versions with different patients, one in French for some markets, and one in English that has already shown in countries all over the world. A French friend caught it on TV in Brazil.  When legendary actress Lee Grant was about to win an Oscar for “Shampoo,”  she declined this treatment right before the gala so as NOT to have marks.  We did it the day AFTER… Sinice then it has taken 40 years for it to become fashionable!

What did not get included in the segment was my contrasting the cupping method with another similar technique called Gua Sah, a friction rub that achieves the same results with some added benefits. (The marks resulting from this style are visible on my patient in the clip.) I find it more comfortable, more controllable, less labor intensive, and more thorough.  In my opinion, the second example of cupping performed by another acupuncturist shown in the video is an example of extreme over-the-top treatment that is potentially uncomfortable and excessive. Temporary raised red welts resulted from the strong degree of suction. This is not necessary to achieve results.

But both techniques perform a simple yet critical action of stimulating the blood, lymph and chi circulation around the neck and shoulders, and sometimes elsewhere on the body. The trapezoid muscles of the neck/shoulders work overtime to hold up our head, the 12 pound “bowling ball” that we carry around all day. And when it is hanging over a keyboard or a steering wheel, the head is more the equivalent of 20 lbs. Now with the trend among young people to slump forward, they will have even worse problems as they age.

This pandemic of poor posture across many groups and generations has become a pet peeve for me. I am on a crusade to help individuals learn to let their head ‘float’ evenly between the front and back by Leading with the Heart.  Pulling in the chin and pushing out the chest. Immediately one feels a relaxation of the neck muscles and a tingling in the nerves as they start to breathe. Meanwhile, one feels a new pressure in the chest and sternum muscles as they begin to work.  It is a good sign that they are engaging.  This constitutes a light work-out for these forgotten muscles, an isometric action that makes one appear taller, leaner, and more confident. I implore patients to let Vanity work for them! Work it—and your neck and shoulders will feel sooo grateful!

Furthermore, this area of the body is in the crossfire between brain and emotional center so there are tremendous psychological repercussions that create tension there.  These actresses with great posture literally carry the weight of the world–and its attention—on their shoulders. Actors are famous for suffering emotional tension while working their stressful craft and maintaining a career. Here are two eye-opening links about them and cupping:

http://nky.cincinnati.com/VideoNetwork/2571546077001/Remedy-of-the-Stars-Cupping-Leaves-Its-Mark-on-Hollywood

and   http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3879447.stm  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3879447.stm

What is old is New…!

PLEASE post your comments here.

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Acupuncture for Back Pain

Let us look at Acupuncture for back pain—the pandemic in our society among stressed sedentary workers who overdo on weekends. So many people depend on NSAIDs “band aid” pain meds with deleterious effects even when easy alternatives exist. The great thing about treating low back pain with Acupuncture is that the treatment will benefit internal organs while alleviating pain. Certain trigger points for pain are also activating points for intestines, kidneys, and bladder. The adrenals—the power pack of the hormone system, are ‘ad-renals’ as they sit on top of the kidneys. Together these joined organs ‘govern’ the back, according to Chinese Medicine theory. So when the adrenals become run down from stress and agitation, they directly affect the nerves of the back, making it susceptible to stiffness and pain. This explains why so many people will suddenly throw their back out with no causal exertion or injury.

When I treat the back, I address the muscles and the electrical conduits that run its entire length.  There are points along the Bladder Meridian running down the leg that pull low back congestion down and away. So I start with a vibrating massage tool to relax the body from head to toe to “wake it up”, relaxing the entire nervous system, and getting all the cells vibrating. The patient LOVES this part and can sink into a relaxed state of “letting go.” The infra-red heat lamp gives luxuriant heat to the area and helps break up inflammation.

Painless, fine needles are inserted so quickly that, in most cases, the brain does not have time to register any sensation at all. The heat from a moxa stick or the infrared lamp penetrates the tissue and is also conducted down the shaft of the needle to reach the core of the tight muscle or the pinched nerve. It can flow into the joints, deep into the thickest part of the buttock, addressing the sciatic nerve and any inflammatory arthritis in the hip joint. The heat and the electrical effect of the needle cause the muscle fibers to relax around the nerve, discharge the built-up charge, and turn off the pain nerves. The increased circulation brings in nutrients and carries away toxins. And the overall treatment induces the feel-good endorphins all through the body and mind…

If only people realized that they could alleviate their back pain AND balance and rejuvenate their internal organs at the same time. Then they would get it that this kind of treatment achieves much more as a ‘5,000 mile tune-up,’ and is worth pursuing.  After forty years of watching miracles happen, I feel bad for so many who still bear it in silence, allowing the condition to worsen while suffering from the accumulating side effects of pain meds.

One patient was on 10 Vicodin a day after 2 surgeries, was screaming as he maneuvered his walker into my waiting room. After 2 treatments he was almost pain free, and then okay ever after. I love those stories…! Please post your comments here on the blog in the box below and share Your views or stories!! I would love to hear…

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Tune up Back Pain and Internal Organs

Most doctors do not try to tune up internal organs while treating back pain.  Yet that is part and parcel of acupuncture treatment.  When our back aches it is often the cause AND the result of various other underlying problems in the body. While inflammation can migrate to any number of joints and limbs, it often gravitates to the overworked lower spine.  A treatment of acupuncture combined with heat and special massage techniques will often give immediate relief and restore lumbar flexibility.

What is not generally known is that this same treatment protocol often results in improvements in the kidneys, bladder, sexual organs and intestines as well.  Many people report fewer sleep interruptions from urination during the night.  Some have noticed improvements in prostate function, erectile dysfunction or frigidity, and menstrual issues.  Therefore we see that treating the spinal muscles, spinal fluid, bones and nerves affects all the neighboring organs. Sometimes knee pain is misdiagnosed as a local problem when it actually stems from a low back issue. Likewise many pains in the lower leg originate from the sacrum.

Male Back points

To grasp the effectiveness of acupuncture is to realize that an acupuncture meridian has all the properties of a laser beam. Visualizing our bodies as a light-streaming entity helps us to appreciate the magnitude of this electromagnetic energy system. Consequently, the manipulation of certain points along these light streams can have ramifications in many directions. Repairing one short circuit can activate many appliances!

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Dr. Mercola: Acupuncture & More Natural Solutions for Pain

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice with roots that go back thousands of years. According to the Eastern mindset, your body is a cohesive unit, or whole – a complex system where everything within it is inter-connected, and where each part affects all other parts. A major component is the acceptance of an invisible flow of chi (or ki). This chi can be translated as “energy” or “life force,” which circulates through meridians in your body. When energetic blocks or deficiencies occur within a meridian, an imbalance is created that can cause a ripple effect of physical symptoms. Needles inserted into certain points along the meridians can stimulate sluggish chi, disperse blocks, or otherwise manipulate the flow of energy.

In essence, lack of balance within this bio-energetic system – which also includes blood flow and nutrients – is the precursor to all illness. Your body exhibits symptoms when suffering from inner disease and if it is not rebalanced, these symptoms may lead to acute or chronic illnesses of all kinds.

Chinese medicine, contrary to Western allopathic medicine, does not treat symptoms, but rather seeks to find the origin of the imbalance that produced the symptoms in the first place. Another major difference is that acupuncture, which is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is remarkably safe with few, if any, negative side effects, so it certainly doesn’t hurt to try.

Traditionally, acupuncture is used to treat all kinds of health problems. In many Asian cultures, you see an acupuncturist in the same way you’d see a primary care physician here in the West, and in someUSstates acupuncturists are in fact considered primary health care physicians. Still, many Westerners have been slow to grasp this type of holistic view, where your body is perceived as being perfectly capable of self-correction and healing without drug intervention. Scientists are still at a loss to explain why acupuncture works, but for those who get relief or healing, the mechanics may not be of great importance.

Other Alternative Pain Treatments

Besides acupuncture, there are a number of treatment modalities that can help ease pain, such as:

  • Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT): Few people want to be told that their pain is psychological or emotional in origin, but there’s quite a bit of evidence that backs this up. Underlying emotional issues and unresolved trauma can have a massive influence on your health, particularly as it relates to physical pain. According to Dr. John Sarno, a psychiatrist who uses mind-body techniques to treat patients with severe low back pain, EFT has a greater than 80 percent success rate
  • Chiropractic adjustments: According to a recent study published in theAnnals of Internal Medicine5 and funded by the National Institutes of Health, patients with neck pain who used a chiropractor and/or exercise were more than twice as likely to be pain free in 12 weeks compared to those who took medication
  • Massage: Massage releases endorphins, which help induce relaxation, relieve pain, and reduce levels of stress chemicals such as cortisol and noradrenaline – reversing the damaging effects of stress by slowing heart rate, respiration and metabolism and lowering raised blood pressure. It is a particularly effective therapy for stress-related tension, which experts believe accounts for as much as 80 to 90 percent of disease
  • Neuro-Structural Integration Technique (NST): NST is a gentle, non-invasive technique that stimulates your body’s reflexes, which can provide relief for back pain. Simple movements are done across muscles, nerves and connective tissue, which helps your neuromuscular system to reset all related tension levels, promoting natural healing. The results can be both profound and lasting, and are usually apparent within two or three sessions.

If you have chronic pain of any kind, please understand that there are many safe and effective alternatives to prescription and over-the-counter painkillers, though they may require some patience. Among the best are:

  • Start taking a high-quality, animal-based omega-3 fat like krill oil. Omega-3 fats are precursors to mediators of inflammation called prostaglandins. (In fact, that is how anti-inflammatory painkillers work, they positively influence prostaglandins.) The omega-3 fats EPA and DHA contained in krill oil have also been found in many animal and clinical studies to have anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Reduce your intake of most processed foods as not only do they contain sugar and additives but most are loaded with omega-6 fats that upset your delicate omega 3-6 ratio, which will contribute to inflammation.
  • Eliminate or radically reduce most grains and sugars (especially fructose) from your diet. Avoiding grains and sugars will lower your insulin and leptin levels. Elevated insulin and leptin levels are one of the most profound stimulators of inflammatory prostaglandin production. That is why eliminating sugar and grains is so important to controlling your pain.
  • Optimize your production of vitamin D by getting regular, appropriate sun exposure, which will work through a variety of different mechanisms to reduce your pain.
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Dr. Mercola: Acupuncture and Chronic Pain

I am happy to pass on this article by Dr. Mercola about Acupuncture and Chronic Pain. It includes a study, an overview, and other alternative measures for pain.  Please comment below with your much welcomed feedback and…Enjoy!

Acupuncture Confirmed Helpful for Chronic Pain

September 29 2012 | 5,880 views | + Add to Favorites
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By Dr. Mercola

Chronic pain is an exceedingly common condition impacting an estimated 76.5 million Americans, one-third of whom describe their pain as severe and “disabling.” When it comes to treating ailments such as chronic pain, I definitely prefer non-toxic options to modern medicine’s poor excuses for “cures.”

One such option is acupuncture, which can be an effective option for a number of health problems, but pain in particular.

In a recent analysis published in the Archives of Internal Medicine,1 researchers concluded that acupuncture has a definite effect in reducing chronic pain, such as back pain and headaches – more so than standard pain treatment. Real acupuncture also produced slightly better results than using sham needles, which suggests the benefits of needling are due to more than the placebo effect.

According to Timemagazine:2

“The findings counter those of the last large study on the subject, which found that the needle technique was no better than a fake acupuncture treatment – using random pricking with toothpicks – in reducing people’s pain. But Vickers says his meta-analysis of the data, in which researchers reviewed 29 previous studies involving 17,922 participants, does a few things the previous studies did not.

For one, he and his colleagues began by looking at only the most rigorous trials involving acupuncture and pain relief – those that directly compared acupuncture treatment with some type of sham needle therapy in which needles were either inserted only superficially or placed in locations that are not known by acupuncture standards to be key treatment points in the body.

The authors of the analysis contacted each of the researchers on the previous studies to discuss with them how they separated the two treatment groups. By limiting their review to the most robust studies published, the authors could assess with more confidence acupuncture’s true effect on participants’ reports of pain before and after treatment.”

Clear and Robust Effects of Acupuncture

The researchers also went the extra mile by retrieving the raw data on self-reported pain. By standardizing the various study participants’ responses, they were able to more accurately assess and compare them as a whole. The team discovered a “clear and robust” effect of acupuncture in the treatment of:

  • Back pain
  • Neck pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Headaches

On a scale of 0 to 100, participants who started out with a pain rating of 60 experienced an average 30 point drop (a 50 percent reduction) in response to the real acupuncture treatments (using needles); a 25 point drop when receiving sham acupuncture; and a mere 17 point drop when receiving “standard pain care” that did not include acupuncture. According to the lead author:3

“The effects of acupuncture are statistically significant and different from those of sham or placebo treatments… So we conclude that the effects aren’t due merely to the placebo effect.”

Furthermore, as reported by HealthDay:4

“The authors stressed that although the superiority of true acupuncture over sham acupuncture appeared to be relatively small, the real-world choice patients face is not between acupuncture or fake acupuncture but rather between acupuncture or no acupuncture at all. And in that context they suggested that their findings are ‘of major importance for clinical practice.’

‘Basically what we see here is that the pain relief difference from acupuncture versus no acupuncture is notable, and important, and difficult to ignore,’ [lead author] Vickers said.”

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Acupuncture/Massage: Help for Degenerative Knees

How does one know what to do with a bum knee? What’s going on underneath that hard shell?? Is surgery the only answer? In The Journal of Family Practice, the March 2009 issue features an article entitled, “Arthroscopic surgery for knee osteoarthritis? Just say no.” A 2002 study had shown arthroscopic surgery to be of no benefit for moderate to severe osteo-arthritis, but it was so contrary to current practice that it was ignored. Now a recent two-year study showed the same outcome. Only patients with large meniscal tears might benefit from surgery.

What they do recommend is Acetaminophen, NSAIDS, Glucosamine and Chondroitin, physical therapy, regular exercise, and ACUPUNCTURE. (See the reference article: “Effectiveness of Acupuncture as adjunctive therapy in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled trial, by B.M. Berman, L. Lao, P. Langenberg, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2004; 141: 901-910.)Inflammation in the knees is one of the most common conditions these days, as all joggers and tennis players can agree. Acupuncture and massage are unique in their ability to break up the excessive adhesions and scarred, fibrous tissue that build up–alone or around an injury. These masses cause a gluing, shortening and thickening effect (called thixotropy) in muscles, tendons and ligaments–which reduces the full range of motion and inhibits healing. Acupuncture and body work help break this up and restore resilience and flexibility to this connective tissue.  This can reverse the build up toward worsening degeneration.Tendons are made up of hair-like tissue strands that become tangled–so they collect ‘debris’-–fluids, crystalized salts–-stuff that disrupts the tendon’s normal function. Often you can feel the little bumps in the normally smooth tissue. When this is eliminated, then the reconditioned tendons can release the pressure on attached muscles.Sore or injured knees respond well to acupuncture. There are two openings under the patella, known as “the eyes of the knees” where needles can be painlessly inserted. These hair-thin steel wires act as antennae for realigning the electrical charge in the acidified, inflamed tissue. Gentle heat can be conducted down the shaft of the needle deep into the joint. This does more than just feel good and alleviate pain; it heals by stimulating  blood and lymph circulation-–to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the injured or degenerated focal point, and then carry away toxins and old blood cells.

The Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Stimulator [PEMF] can work with or without acupuncture to regenerate tissue, remove inflammatory fluids (often noticeable in minutes), and re-establish the EM field around the knee.Sometimes ligaments are torn irreparably and surgery is the magic answer. And happy campers are out playing tennis and golf again. For others, the results are less rosey. Even when successful, a new knee only lasts 10 to 15 years, so often we are able to delay surgery until absolutely necessary with these modalities. And surgery always disrupts at least some of the electrical lines that run through there: the meridians of the stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder, liver and gall bladder which all run down the leg.So luckily, many cases can be fixed naturally and for the long run without invasive surgery.  This enables the crucial knee joints to continue to carry us around so that we can keep the rest of the body happy, in shape, and on the move!

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How Acupuncture Works for Headaches

CAN ACUPUNCTURE TREAT THE CAUSE OF A HEADACHE? Usually! All bodily pains are necessary signals telling us that an imbalance has occurred somewhere in the physical-emotional body. Headaches rarely originate from problems in the head itself. They usually only occur in the thin sheet of muscle just under the scalp. An acupuncturist can diagnose the headache and determine which organ is causing it.

Immediate relief can come from breaking up the muscle spasms in the head and neck. This is achieved by: 1) Altering the electric charge in the nerves (discharging). 2) Sedating the pain sensors. 3) Using massage and gentle heat to open up the blocked circulation.

For a TENSION HEADACHE, painless needles are placed in the shoulders and neck area in order to release muscle spasms and stimulate an anti-inflammatory response. (Needle-less treatment is also available). Those muscles are holding up our 12 pound bowling ball head which, hanging forward over a desk or steering wheel, is actually equivalent to 20 lb.! Sine we rarely stand up straight enough to allow the chest muscles to hold us up, the trapezius muscles in the neck/shoulder get overworked.

A special friction rub–“Gwa Sah” removes the old stagnant blood that pools in the muscle tissue causing that familiar achiness, tightness, and pressure on the affected vertebral nerves. As fresh blood flows in, this massage technique often produces immediate dramatic relief, creating a drainage, and relieving the pounding arteries of the head. Along with pain relief, patients often report feeling sharper mentally and enjoying more satisfying sleep.

If any one of the following co-factors exist—ARTHRITIS, damaged HERNIATED DISCS, or BONE SPURS, this treatment will also restore oxygen to the tissue, remove toxins, and begin to dissolve the mineral buildup. One of the contributing factors in arthritis (and headaches) is FAULTY METABOLISM. Something is wrong when the minerals we ingest go and deposit themselves on our weakest joints instead of inside our bones and muscles. Accordingly, certain acupuncture points can improve the digestion and assimilation of nutrients in order to rebalance sluggish metabolism (also promoting WEIGHT LOSS). Our aim is to eradicate the systemic chemical basis for arthritis, osteoporosis, and of course, the headache.

MIGRAINES, FOOD ALLERGY HEADACHES, CLUSTER and PMS HEADACHES are caused by imbalances in the hormones, and by toxicity in the major organs, especially the liver, gall bladder, and intestines. Based on traditional diagnosis, the acupuncturist stimulates those points on the limbs that relate to the affected organs, and recommends herbal formulas to support the detox and balancing process.

Sometimes the effect is immediate; sometimes it takes a series of treatments to eliminate the cause of the headache. When the deep cause is found, many future worsening conditions are thus avoided. The headache served its purpose to alert us to things under the surface and thus change the course of our lifeline.

Please share your experiences and questions–I invite comments and feedback!

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Breakthrough in “incurable” Neuropathy

I have just returned from two weeks in western New York where I did a power point presentation to a large group of elders at Canterbury Woods Community Center.  I invited audience members for demonstrations and every individual felt improved. But the biggest success lately has been the effect of my PEMF Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Stimulator on peripheral neuropathy.  This disease is terrible since it involves numbness of the feet, and often severe pain along with the numbness.  Pain and numbness at the same time? How is that possible!

In L.A. I had two patients aged 78 and 88 who both had virtual total remission in single treatments.  In Amherst NY, two patients felt more feeling in their feet and ankles after every treatment.  I think this needs to be made known because there are so many sufferers out there, and in western medicine, neuropathy is generally considered to be incurable.  But the PEMF regenerates cell tissue and moves the inflammatory fluids and increases circulation.  The nerves are returned to normal functioning.  A miracle!

Here’s a testimonial from the 78 year old woman who had several miracles along with the disappearance of  her painful neuropathy!

“Since I was 77 years old, I did not expect miracles from acupuncture, but in my very first treatment with Dr. Kathleen, I got one! I had immediate relief from longstanding, severe neuropathy in my feet. When I got off the treatment table I exclaimed: “I can feel the carpet! I can feel the carpet!” Neuropathy is one of those irreversible conditions. Yet pain was gone and feeling was back!

During that week the arthritic pain in my hips steadily declined and eventually went away after a few more treatments along with pain in my knees. I had full mobility without pain, with only some stiffness when sitting too long.

Dr. Rosenblatt also cleared up another longstanding issue: irritable bowel syndrome. Next was my 15 year long allergic rhinitis nasal infection and asthma. I had had many rounds of antibiotics but it had never gone away. Kathleen supplied me with herbal capsules—one was the Chinese equivalent to an antibiotic.

At first nothing happened but after three weeks, I finally woke up one morning with my nose clear, breathing easy, with little drainage or sneezing. A week later I could suddenly taste and smell after years of blockage. That was a phenomenal experience!

I found that Dr. Rosenblatt really knows what works for every part of the body. This was all accomplished in exactly 12 treatments: Hips, knees, feet, intestines, and nose/throat. I am so improved from when I first went to her and at my age it is really wonderful.

I am so grateful!”                                                                 Nancy Simpson

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Acupuncture and PEMF for Weight Loss

When our body gets sluggish, gains weight, and loses its ability to transform calories into usable power, Acupuncture can enhance metabolism to burn more fat. It also reduces appetite, detoxifies the digestive system, reduces cravings and addictions, and improves circulation and energy.

Research  supports the use of Acupuncture for weight loss: A 2003 study published in The Journal of Medical Acupuncture found that participants receiving acupuncture lost more than three times more weight than the control group.

In a study conducted by the University of Adelaide in Australia in 1998, 95 percent of the participants receiving electro-stimulation on acupuncture points reported appetite suppression. The results showed that the acupuncture group was more likely to experience a reduced appetite and to lose weight than the control group.

An imbalance in the pancreas and the liver leads to fatigue, slow metabolism, water retention, loose stool, and a feeling of heaviness and the “triggers” that lead to cravings and compulsive eating.

Due to emotional stress.
In Chinese medicine each major organ has it own related emotion. Excessive grief damages the lungs, excessive worry–the liver, obsessive thinking and over eating damages the spleen, and excessive fear damages the kidneys. When a patient has extended depression, anxiety or other emotional stress, this damages the spirits and eventually destroys the balanced relationships of the five major organ system. The emotional obstruction results in overeating from stress and further disables the transformation and transportation of body and food essence into usable energy. Then the person feels sluggish and obesity occurs. Meditation can support the acupuncture treatments.

From a Western perspective, acupuncture and TCM have been shown to have an effect on the function of the nervous, endocrine, and digestive systems, food cravings, and metabolism. All of which can help to energize the body, maximize the absorption of nutrients, regulate elimination, control overeating, suppress the appetite, and reduce anxiety.

Ear Points  are a micro-system of points relating to all major organs and body parts that particularly affect brain chemistry.

Most patients report a marked decline in appetite and cravings with acupuncture alone but herbs, healing foods, and exercises can definitely enhance the efficacy of the treatments. For treatment or more information, contact me at drKathleen@brainbodybliss.com.

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