March 12th, 2010
Posted by volkmargaussmann
A strong community
Being involved is the key to a strong community. One of our dear patients is playing in the Renton City Concert Band and they are having a concert this Thursday, March 18, 2010. You can check out the concert band here: http://rentoncityconcertband.com/index.htm.
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RCCB Winter Concert
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Thursday, March 18, 2010
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Carco Theater, 1717 Maple Valley Highway, Renton, WA
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Ticket prices: $7 Seniors/students, $10 general. Call the Renton Community Center for tickets; 425-430-6700
Are YOU interested in playing in the Renton City Concert Band? They have an “open door” policy for membership; contact Mike Simpson, director of the RCCB (425-221-2127), to see when a good time would be to come to a rehearsal.
The Renton City Concert Band is truly a COMMUNITY band, and wants to consider any musician that wants to represent the Renton area and perform concert band music at the highest level!
We could not find a picture of the Renton City Concert Band. If you have one, we’d be happy to update this blog post with it. Thanks!
(Source: Renton City Concert Band, http://rentoncityconcertband.com/index.htm.)
(Image courtesy of SeizeThePhoto, Flickr under the creative commons license)
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March 11th, 2010
Posted by volkmargaussmann
Over 60? Take note
Vitamin B12 depletion and deficiency are much more common than previously thought, especially in the over-60 population. In fact, it’s believed that almost one in four people over 60 have deficient levels of this vital vitamin.
Equally alarming are emerging signs that other age groups harbor suboptimal blood levels of B12 as well. Why is vitamin B12 deficiency such a big deal? Your body depends on vitamin B12 for a host of functions, including…
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Helping to maintain normal energy levels
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Promoting healthy neurological activity, including mental alertness
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Supporting normal homocysteine levels for healthy cardiac function
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Helping to ease occasional stress and sleeplessness
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Maintaining healthy cell growth and repair
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Promoting normal immune function
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Supporting normal metabolism of carbohydrates and fats
Without adequate blood levels of B12, you can experience symptoms related to low energy, mental fatigue, mood changes, sleep difficulties, low libido, and even occasional indigestion.
Your body relies on the efficient conversion of carbohydrates to glucose – your body’s source of fuel – just like your car needs to be able to use gas to run smoothly. Vitamin B12 plays a major role in that conversion in your body. Likewise, B12 enables your body to convert fatty acids into energy as well. Overall, vitamin B12 is a nutrient your body cannot do without for efficient, healthy metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
At Chen’s Acupuncture in Seattle/Bellevue, WA we will be happy to answer any questions you might have about supplements and their potential benefits. Just stop by our office, email us at info@chensacupuncture.com or call Janette at 425 644 2056. Thank you.
(Image courtesy of bradley j, Flickr under the creative commons license)
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March 10th, 2010
Posted by volkmargaussmann
There is a group called Acupuncturists Without Borders (Their website can be found at www.acuwithoutborders.org). This is a not-for profit group that is active by providing much needed acupuncture to disaster victims around the globe. They currently have two large active projects: Earthquake relief in Haiti and in Chile.
What is happening in Chile?
Acupuncturists from the organization are in Chile right now to train local providers in how to treat disaster victims, quickly and efficiently, in a manner suitable to the disaster zone. Even the Chilean Red Cross has expressed interest in learning some acupuncture techniques to aid their efforts.
What is happening in Haiti?
A different group of providers has been in Haiti since March 4. They are mainly working at a University Hospital outside the capital city of Port-Au-Prince, treating scores of patients.
If you are interested in the work of this group, or would like to donate to further their efforts, please visit www.acuwithoutborders.org.
You might also be interested in our recent post at this blog about earthquake preparedness here.
Thank you.
(Image courtesy of b1mbito, Flickr under the creative commons license)
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March 9th, 2010
Posted by volkmargaussmann
Depression Medications vs. Placebos?
Twenty-plus years of research on antidepressants, from the old tricyclics to the newer selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) show that their benefit is hardly more than what patients get when they take a placebo. Research has found that patients do improve when taking these medications, however when researchers compare the improvement in patients taking the drugs with the improvement in those taking placebo pills, they find that the difference is minuscule.
In many cases, your beliefs are as or more effective than pills when it comes to achieving health.
The mind-body connection counts
What it comes down to is the crucial mind-body connection. Those who have hope and belief in the solutions they try will likely find them working. That’s why it is so key to keep your health freedom, and not pay attention to the huge corporations that continually discredit alternative methods.
Typically, more natural healing techniques won’t harm you, and many of the drugs will. In time, energy medicine will be better understood, and perhaps this placebo element will be utilized in such a way that no pill will ever be necessary — your mind will be stimulated to heal on its own. Similarly, those who pray or meditate for healing should not be ridiculed either.
Simply labeling something as a placebo and not pursuing it any further misses a key point. The so-called “placebo effect” may very well point the way to the future or medicine.
At Chen’s Acupuncture in Seattle/Bellevue, WA we will be happy to answer any questions you might have about how we can help you with stress or anxiety. Just stop by our office, email us at info@chensacupuncture.com or call Peishan, Janette or David at 425 644 2056. Thank you.
(Image courtesy of shattered.art66, Flickr under the creative commons license)
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March 8th, 2010
Posted by volkmargaussmann
People suffering from anxiety can find some relief through regular exercise, University of Georgia researchers report.
Exercise as a form of low-cost, effective treatment
Anxiety frequently accompanies chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, and the constant strain can interfere with treatment for those conditions. Though the role of exercise in alleviating depression symptoms has been well-studied, the impact on anxiety symptoms has received comparatively little attention. The findings of recent research add to the growing body of evidence that physical activities such as walking or weight lifting may be low-cost, effective treatments to help alleviate anxiety symptoms among patients.
Exercise not only influences your physical health for the better but also your mental health!
The studies suggest the people who are dealing with clinical anxiety who are in therapy or on anti-anxiety medication will find it extremely beneficial for their symptoms. It has real anxiety-reducing effects, just like those drugs do!
Unwanted side effects keep some people from taking anxiety medications. Exercise is a great alternative to that!
At Chen’s Acupuncture in Seattle/Bellevue, WA we will be happy to answer any questions you might have about how we can help you with stress or anxiety. Just stop by our office, email us at info@chensacupuncture.com or call Peishan, Janette or David at 425 644 2056. Thank you.
(Image courtesy of mikebaird, Flickr under the creative commons license)
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March 5th, 2010
Posted by volkmargaussmann
At Chen’s Acupuncture in Seattle/Bellevue, WA, we have recently made two changes with the goal of serving you better:
Longer hours on Tuesday:
Starting this week, our associate acupuncturist David Vitello, L.Ac., will be available to treat you in our Bellevue office on Northup Way until 7:00 pm. We wanted to make it easier for people to come see us after work.
No-appointment Saturday
Also starting this week, every Saturday, Peishan Chen, L.Ac., will be treating patients without you having to make an appointment. You can just walk in at the last minute. We have found that come Saturday, a lot of people are suddenly realizing they would like a consultation or treatment. This will be in our Bellevue office on Northup Way.
As always, at Chen’s Acupuncture in Seattle/Bellevue, WA we will be happy to answer any questions you might have about the amazing benefits of acupuncture and herbs. Just stop by our office, email us at info@chensacupuncture.com or call Peishan, Janette or David at 425 644 2056. Thank you.
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March 4th, 2010
Posted by volkmargaussmann
What is the Ragland’s Test and how does it help you?
When you are under stress, your body’s adrenal glands secrete adrenalin. Adrenalin helps you fight the effects of stress. Over time, too much stress is harmful to you and wears out your adrenal glands.
How can you test whether your adrenal glands need help?
Answer: with the Ragland’s Test. Here’s how you do it:
If a person sits down and then gets up, the lumbar nerves notify the adrenal glands that the body has changed its posture. The adrenal glands then immediately secrete adrenalin. This raises the blood pressure in order to prevent you from getting dizzy or light headed. Now if your adrenal glands are worn out, your body’s blood pressure will not rise, or it will even go down.
So, to conduct the test, you measure a person’s systolic blood pressure while they are sitting down. Then the person gets up and you measure the systolic blood pressure again.
If the blood pressure does not rise as a result of this test, your adrenal glands are worn out. And that means you are more vulnerable to the long term damage that stress can do to your body.
At Chen’s Acupuncture in Seattle/Bellevue, WA we will be happy to answer any questions you might have about how we can help you with stress. Just stop by our office, email us at info@chensacupuncture.com or call Peishan, Janette or David at 425 644 2056. Thank you.
(Image courtesy of BLW Photography, Flickr under the creative commons license)
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March 3rd, 2010
Posted by volkmargaussmann
Sometimes we at Chen’s Acupuncture in Seattle/Bellevue, WA come across outstanding individuals who we want to tell you about. Sometimes we even find those who are literally helping make the world a better place. Tamara Joyce is one of those.
Tamara was volunteering with the Friends Helping Friends Guild (www.playforchildrens.org) that raises money to help treat uninsured and under-insured children seeking medical care from Seattle Children’s Hospital. Last year they raised $13,000 and this year they hope to raise even more. You are of course invited to attend their event on March 13th. For more information please visit their website at www.playforchildrens.org.
Through volunteering with this guild, Tamara realized a passion of hers to have a foundation of her own. And over dinner one night, she decided with her husband, “why not start small and start now?” So just last year Tamara started The Be Foundation (www.thebefoundation.org). Her intent is to help others “be” a little better. The name was devised from a quote from Gandhi “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
The Be Foundation’s purpose is to offer funds to individuals that may not benefit from currently established aid organizations or require additional assistance. The Be Foundation gives an individual $250 each quarter. Entries are emailed to thebefoundation@live.com and a recipient is chosen via committee. The Foundation then blogs about meeting the recipient here: http://thebefoundation.org/Blog.aspx. They have had just two give-a-ways so far and these “meetings” are posted here: http://thebefoundation.org/Meetings.aspx. This experience has really brought a purpose to Tamara’s life and she feels lucky to be able to share such a small part in these peoples’ lives.
The Be Foundation is a registered non-profit organization in the state of Washington.
What a great endeavor. If you can, please support The Be Foundation. Thank you.
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March 2nd, 2010
Posted by volkmargaussmann
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) affects millions of women. There is a variety of symptoms which approximately 80% of women of reproductive age experience monthly. These symptoms include fatigue, mood swings, cramping, bloating, poor concentration and constipation.
The Western medicine view:
Western medicine views PMS as an imbalance in the hormonal system. Patients are often told to just weather the storm and find relief in pain medications, heat pads and sleep.
The Oriental medicine view:
Oriental medicine has a number of treatment modalities intended to relieve the symptoms associated with PMS. Acupuncture is known to affect neurotransmitters, hormones and the subtle energy of the body. Specific acupuncture points are recognized for their ability to balance the hormonal system at various times during the menstrual cycle. Additionally, acupuncture relaxes and balances the nervous system which aids in the relief of stress, depression, and anxiety. Herbal medicine is also an important part of balancing hormones. Specific formulas and herbs have been used for thousands of years to treat PMS and the various symptoms that accompany it.
Please talk with us at Chen’s Acupuncture in Seattle/Bellevue, WA about the many natural and effective ways we can help you balance your hormonal system, help relieve your PMS symptoms, and achieve your health goals. Just stop by our office, email us at info@chensacupuncture.com or call Janette, Peishan or David at 425 644 2056. Thank you.
(Image courtesy of Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, Flickr under the creative commons license)
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March 1st, 2010
Posted by volkmargaussmann
Research verifies that meditation works
Meditation is a time honored technique that has been used for thousands of years for gaining health and wisdom. Recent research is beginning to explore and verify the many ways mediation can help us live healthier and more relaxed lives. Yoga and meditation techniques are being implemented in the management of life threatening diseases; in transformation of molecular and genetic structure; in reversal of mental illnesses, in accelerated learning programs, in perceptions and communications beyond the physical, in solving problems and atomic and nuclear physics; in gaining better ecological understanding; in management of lifestyle and future world problems.
Meditation has the following effects:
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It lowers oxygen consumption. |
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It decreases respiratory rate. |
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It increases blood flow and slows the heart rate. |
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Increases exercise tolerance in heart patients. |
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Leads to a deeper level of relaxation. |
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Good for people with high blood pressure as it brings the B.P. to normal. |
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Reduces anxiety attacks by lowering the levels of blood lactate. |
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Decreases muscle tension (any pain due to tension) and headaches. |
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Builds self-confidence. |
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It increases serotonin production which influences mood and behaviour. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, obesity, insomnia and headaches. |
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Helps in chronic diseases like allergies , arthritis etc. |
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Reduces Pre- menstrual Syndrome. |
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Helps in post-operative healing. |
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Enhances the immune system. Research has revealed that meditation increases activity of ‘natural-killer cells’, which kill bacteria and cancer cells. |
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Also reduces activity of viruses and emotional distress. |
At Chen’s Acupuncture in Seattle/Bellevue, WA we will be happy to answer any questions you might have about the excellent benefits of meditation. Just stop by our office, email us at info@chensacupuncture.com or call Janette at 425 644 2056. Thank you.
(Image courtesy of HaPe Gera, Flickr under the creative commons license)
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