The Best Remedy For Restless Leg Syndrome?

On January 14, 2020 By austinacupuncturejasonIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

(Hint; It’s sex.)

Restless Leg Syndrome is on the rise. The National Institute of Health finds that about 11% of all Americans face this frustrating issue from time to time. A little under 5% of all Americans are currently dealing with it every night. If effects twice as many woman as men and its likelihood seems to increase based on how many children a woman has had.

Unfortunately, the prescription medications often prescribed by doctors are associated with horrific side effects that cause patients to quickly discontinue treatment with the meds. The most common RLS medications are dopamine antagonists… drugs that basically dumb down your entire nervous system… including your brain. It’s like turning down the volume on a radio… everything in the brain gets quiet.

Luckily, in many cases, RLS is caused by a simple iron deficiency and associated with a low grade case of anemia. This can be quickly solved by talking to your doctor (or other healthcare provider more knowledgeable in nutrition) about taking a high quality iron supplement. In many cases, this anemia is caused by menstrual issues such as frequent or heavy periods. If this is the case, talk to your doctor, herbalist or acupuncturist about solving this issue as well.

RLS relief is also commonly found in taking other nutritive supplements. Often a calcium, potassium, magnesium or manganese boost does the trick. So talk to a knowledgeable practitioner about your supplement options for long term relief.

And make sure you buy a good brand of vitamins; most stuff available in the big box stores and grocery stores are garbage. L The product’s ability to be assimilated by our body is important. For example, if you take a vitamin with “iron oxide” as its ingredient, virtually none of it will be absorbed by the body. Zero. It’s like sucking on a rusty nail… virtually useless since your body cannot absorb that chemical form of iron. All of the other minerals have a similar issue. Typically, the cheaper vitamin supplements on the market are made of these cheap crap ingredients. It’s an unconscionable scandal, actually. So, again, talk to a knowledgeable practitioner or clerk. They will steer you in the right direction.

There are also many fantastic Chinese herbs proven to be effective for eliminating RLS forever. Chinese herbs correct the underlying issues that are causing the RLS once your malnutrition is addressed. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the purpose of herbal medicine is to address and correct the underlying CAUSE of the symptom rather than just relieve or suppress or cover up the symptom or complaint. Check with your herbalist for the proper herbal formula for you (i.e. since every body is different, your herbal prescription will be more effective if its formulated and chosen based on you and your unique situation. One size does not fit all.).

But in the meantime, if you are dealing with Restless Leg Syndrome and are looking for quick relief tonight, then do this; have sex tonight.

Sex (with another person, preferably) has long been hailed as the “greatest medicine known to man”. That is not an exaggeration. Sex triggers a cacophonous dump of valuable neurotransmitters throughout your entire nervous system and body… dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, enkephalins, etc. Leading to a thorough calming of those fidgety leg nerves… leading to a quiet night sleep.

So have sex. It may relieve your Restless Legs and give you a great night sleep. Several studies show that it is far more effective than any other prescription remedy.

Give it a try tonight. What do you have to loose. The intimacy and bond building sure won’t hurt a marriage.* It also has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression, improve insomnia, boost heart health, boost your immune system and even put some zip in your step the next day.

Sex is fantastic medicine so you should be sure to incorporate it into your healthy lifestyle maybe even starting tonight.

“Got Your Flu Shot? Yes?…Good.” “What About Your Common Cold Shot?…

On December 8, 2019 By austinacupuncturejasonIn Conditions We Treat, MedicineLeave a comment

It’s Cold and Flu Season here in Austin. We have already has our first official cases of influenza reported at the hospital. Imagine the poor lady lying in bed or sitting in the doctor’s office; Sick. Throwing up. Running to the bathroom every 10 minutes. Chills, Feverish and achy in muscles she didn’t know she had. Another day wasted in bed with sooo much to do and to get done. Now imagine what it would be like if that were you.

News reports over the past week or two show Emergency Rooms backed up for hours with patients with the Flu. And for every one patient a doctor sees for the flu, they’ll see 10 with the common cold.

The Drug makers would have you believe that once you get their Flu shot, you are free and clear and impervious to the flu. What is often failed to be mentioned is that colds and flu’s are caused by hundreds of different viruses and bacteria’s. Each year, when the drug companies produce the next year’s batch of vaccine, it’s based on their educated guess on which of the viruses will be the most common; but not all of them. What if you happen to be exposed to the wrong flu virus? And the common cold, of course has no vaccine. And it looks like its going to be that way this year according to officials at the CDC.

Thankfully, you can do something now to prevent the worst from happening. Why not give yourself a little “beat the odds” insurance. Why not give yourself the assurance acupuncture provides.

Q; “Why would I need acupuncture, I’ve already got my flu shot?”

A; The flu shot is definitely a good thing, but it won’t stop all strains of flu, and it won’t stop a common cold. Modern medicine concerns itself primarily with the killing of the germs and controlling symptoms. Many of the treatments actually suppress the body’s natural attempts to fend for itself. Achy muscles, fever, sneezing and snotty noses are all things the body does to defend itself and defeat the invading germs. Most cold medicines attempt to stop those natural responses because they annoy us. The reason acupuncture achieves such great success in treating colds and flu’s and similar conditions has to do with the nature of the medicine itself. Acupuncture’s primary concern is maintaining a healthy state of balance within the human body and its outside environment.

Acupuncture is a perfect tool to prevent colds and flus by improving your immune defenses. People that receive regular acupuncture treatments get sick less often. If you have a cold or flu, acupuncture can help you recover more quickly. There have been countless clinical studies preformed in universities and hospitals worldwide proving it’s effect. Even after a single needle, the body begins to respond by producing more white blood cells, as well as other components of the immune system.

Q; “What is the proof it works? Isn’t it all just Silly Folk Medicine?”

A; The fact is, millions of intelligent physicians from around the world have used these therapies for years. Even here in the US, acupuncture and herbal medicine is becoming mainstream medicine at a breakneck pace. Today, over 42% of all the hospitals in the US have acupuncturists on staff, and well over half of all the medical schools now offer courses on acupuncture to their doctors. Even Mayo clinic in Rochester has given its nod of approval and now offers acupuncture to patients with auto-immune disorders and pain (how would you like to get that bill…) Several studies prove its effectiveness in all manner of immune system disorders including such deadly diseases as HIV and AIDS.

Here’s a true story to illustrate the point. Some years ago, a group of esteemed scientists from the People’s Republic of China were invited to visit the United States by the American scientific community. This event ushered in an exchange of ideas and an opportunity for two great nations to be able to corroborate on a number of issues vital to the health and welfare of the world. Over a period of two months, the Chinese scientists visited virtually every major research facility in the nation, followed closely by their American hosts, who were furiously taking notes and promoting discussion on matters from nuclear physics to aerospace, medical research and treatment approaches. The visit culminated in a banquet at Princeton University in honor of the Chinese scientists, which was attended by a virtual “who’s who” of the North American scientific world.

During the banquet, the moderator of the event posed the question to the chief Chinese scientist as to what he felt was one of the most significant things he had learned in America; what had impressed him the most about the United States that he would return to China and share it with his colleagues who were not present on this historic visit? The scientist rose from his chair, strode to the microphone, gazed over the crowd and stated in understandable English: “The number one thing that has impressed me the most about America is the common belief by the common person that there is no cure for the common cold.” The American scientists were totally caught off guard with this statement, as it was perhaps the farthest thing from anyone’s mind. It was not what they had expected to hear.

Although the US is fixated on the idea that there is no cure for the common cold, in the Orient, it is commonly understood that there is plenty that you can do to get rid of colds & flus. In Chinese Medical school, the first sickness we learn to treat is the common cold. During the SARS (Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome) epidemic of a few years ago, the Chinese (who is constantly trying to modernize their healthcare system), found themselves once again relying on centuries old traditional medicine over more conventional western drug treatments for the deadly SARS . Doctors found themselves giving traditional medicine such as acupuncture and herbs in the Emergency Room along with modern life saving treatments such as nebulizers, intubators, steroids and antiviral drugs.

Q; “But insurance wont pay. You want me to pay for this out of my pocket?”

A; Does your insurance company pay for a gym membership to stay healthy? Maybe they pay for your walking shoes or your multivitamin? All those things have been scientifically proven to reduce sickness and improve health. Why don’t they pay for those? Truthfully the insurance companies don’t care whether you are sick or not, or in pain, or even ugly. What matters to insurance companies is that you pay them and they hopefully don’t have to pay you. Honestly, how much faith do you put in insurance companies really caring about you. Years ago, health care was decided by you and your doctor. Today, health care decisions are made by you, your doctor, some corporate lawyers and their accountant (over the phone) 2000 miles away. Consider that the average insurance company will only pay for 6 visits of Physical Therapy while PT’s usually recommend 24 sessions. Most insurance companies cap mental health reimbursement at $20K throughout someone’s life. Seriously; $20,000 is a drop in the bucket for mental health care. Insurance companies simply won’t pay for anything unless they are forced (by the way, did you know that health care providers (such as doctors and hospitals) average a $0.52 on the dollar reimbursement from insurance companies. That means that for every dollar they bill you, they only get paid 52 cents from the insurance companies.)

Q; “So how can I take back control over my health this season?”

A; You can come into our office for our “Immune System Booster Acu-Pack” (nice name, eh?) series of 12 treatments, you would not only vastly increase your chances of remaining cold and flu free this Flu season, but you would feel much, much better, overall. You remember that feeling you had when you initially came in for acupuncture, don’t you; remember the relaxed feeling; the peace of mind and mental awakeness; The feeling of having more energy. That’s why we have decided to make you a very special offer to remove any roadblocks you might think there are to keeping yourself well this winter.

As you know, acupuncture medicine doesn’t work by magic (I wish). Just as if you were to go to the gym once and then not go back, you shouldn’t expect to see many results. In this way, Acupuncture is like going to the gym, but for your insides instead of your outsides. One acupuncture treatment just wouldn’t be enough. A short series is needed to make the benefit stick. That’s why were offering this;

12 sessions for the price of 10! (That’s a whopping $100 savings!!!)

If you were thinking about coming in anyway, or are currently in care, you can still take the $100 bonus. There’s no better time. Normally, we charge $49 per visit.

The cost of the 12 sessions is only $488 (pay for 10 up front, get 2 free).

To put it in perspective, remember that acupuncturists up in the Cities and Rochester charge between $75-105 for a session of acupuncture and some charge as much as $280 a session! Mayo clinic charges $799 for their own watered down version.

If you do that math, it’s like getting $9588 worth of high quality medical care here at our clinic, but for just $488! We’re simply doing this because we really want you to be healthy this season and want you to make sure you get enough acupuncture for it to be effective.

The number one reason acupuncture fails is because patients drop out too soon or treatments are spaced too far apart. That’s why we want you to come in for the 12 sessions over a course of just a few weeks. 12 sessions is the common treatment protocol in Chinese hospital and University studies and is the foundation for good, long lasting results.

Many in America have found acupuncture as a cost effective addition to their healthy lifestyle in building a strong immune system, strengthen vital internal organ function and increase overall health, longevity and sense of well being.

Not only will these 12 sessions boost your immune system, it’ll also address whatever else needs to be taken care of such as a bad back or headaches. The beauty of Chinese Medicine is its ability to address multiple ailments at the same time. If you have an ache, or a pain or a funny symptom, it’s history. We’ll set you up with the 12 sessions at a frequency of 2 to 3 a week (the way it’s done in China); or whatever works best for you.

The only catch is that you have to act fast. I can only offer this until the end of the month. When February comes, the deal is off and so is that $100 savings. I’m doing that because you need to act quickly and prepare your bodies defenses before the viruses get here in full force.

You have to ask yourself; What is your health worth? What is a winter free from the misery of the flu worth? What is it worth to enjoy play time with your grandkids this season? There aren’t a whole lot of winters in ones lifetime to enjoy, you know.

So don’t let this fantastic opportunity for better health slip through. It’s such a small investment. You’ll be trading away something you don’t want (the crud) for something you do (better health) and not only will you be healthier; you’ll have more energy to enjoy it with.

So go ahead, Call our Austin Acupuncture office today.

(507) 434-8700

Can Acupuncture Prevent Colds & Flus?

On December 8, 2019 By austinacupuncturejasonIn Conditions We Treat, Medicine, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Can Acupuncture Prevent Colds & Flus?

Flu season has come early this year due to a strain of virus not typically seen this time of year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC announced on Friday that there have already been an estimated 1.7 million illnesses, 16,000 hospitalizations and 910 flu deaths this year in the US so far.

Most commonly getting worse first in the southern states, Minnesota’s cold and flu season doesn’t typically start until around January. But this year, Minnesota has already seen its unseasonably early fair-share of flu cases. Already, there have been over 50 hospitalizations in Minnesota THIS WEEK ALONE for the flu.

What’s worse, government medical officials fear that the strains of flu included in this year’s flu vaccine do not match up well with the actual strains of virus in circulation.

Again.

Meaning that this year’s flu vaccine may not be as effective this year as they had hoped. This wouldn’t be the first time the flu vaccine struck out and was found to be statistically ineffective.

So even if you got your flu shot, you may still be at risk…

…But it doesn’t have to be that way.

We are often led to believe that once we get our flu shot, that’s all we can do… it’s a case of “wait and see” if it worked. Just roll the dice. Maybe that’s ok for some people, but I’m not much of a gambling man and rolling the dice with just a flu shot isn’t what I want to do. I’d much rather “stack the deck in my favor” by doing more. Thankfully, there are many things that you can do to help prevent colds & flus this year.

Here is a short list of things you can do this week (and the next) to boost your immune system.

Getting enough rest is one thing. Consider going to bed according to your own internal clock versus the clock on the wall. This time of the year it is actually appropriate to go to bed at 7:30 or 8:00 rather than 10:30 or 11:00. If you are waking up tired and groggy rather than refreshed, it means you aren’t in sync with your own body’s sleep cycle. Try switching it up.

Another is to go for walks or other form of exercise. Get some exercise and some fresh air and sunshine. Be active this winter. Few things are awakening as a breath of fresh winter air. Specifically, walking outdoors in nature has been shown to give an extra boost your immune system and protect you from illnesses. The sun’s rays helps the body produce its own vitamin D which is a vital nutrient for a healthy immune system. Sunshine can also help stave off cancer, depression, heart disease and low testosterone and/or estrogen.

A nutritious diet of whole foods is also a number one ingredient to a strong immune system. Is hard to eat healthy when we go out to eat or eat processed foods, so get into the habit of cooking for yourself and your family this winter season.

Consider meditating or get in a habit of quiet contemplation or prayer. Oodles of studies show that even 10 minutes of sitting quietly helps ameliorate stress (cool word, huh?) and boost your immune system. There are tons of videos online for guided meditations if you need some help getting started. Or just ask me.

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs. For literally thousands of years, the Chinese have successfully treated symptoms of viral colds and flus along with bacterial infections. It boosts your overall health and specifically your immune system. If you have other health issues, a well trained acupuncturist (like me) can treat many of your health concerns all in one visit.

How does acupuncture help prevent colds and flus?

Acupuncturists have been treating colds and flus literally for thousands of years. But even more importantly, acupuncturists have been PREVENTING colds and flus by treating people before they catch the cold or flu. Because as they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure”. Traditionally, people would visit their village acupuncturist 4 times each year at the change of the seasons to best support the body and prevent seasonal health issues. Even today, many people come for their seasonal acupuncture “tune up”.

According to the traditional way of looking at acupuncture, it helps by strengthening the body’s own natural immune system by unblocking energetic blockages in the body’s natural energy flows. The Chinese called this energy “qi”. Whenever it is compromised or stuck, illness will result. A metaphor might be having a kink in your water hose out in the garden. If the kink isn’t addressed, the flowers in your garden do not get what they needs and they quickly suffer, languish and eventually get sick. The same goes for our body; a kink in the energetic pathways of our body can lead to compromised flow of qi and blood and lymph and nerve signals, metabolism, immune system and hormones… leading to illness. Acupuncture can figuratively “unkink” these blockages in the body and restore proper energy flow to restore optimum health.

From a more modern understanding of acupuncture, good acupuncture helps trigger all sorts of neurochemicals, triggering the body to make its own medicine such as its natural pain relievers, anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxants, enkephalines, etc. In the case of the immune system, it helps restore blood flow to the various organs, triggers the production of more white blood cells, reduces cortisol levels, lowering the effects of overwork and stress, etc. In medical research jargon, it acts as an “immune modulator”. But put simply, Acupuncture triggers the body to make its own medicine to restore good health and optimize your immune system so it can fend for itself this winter.

So if you are looking for an additional ways to protect yourself and your family this year, consider Acupuncture; The Greatest Value In Medicine

“The Curious Case of the $799 Acupuncture Needle.”

On November 5, 2019November 5, 2019 By austinacupuncturejasonIn Conditions We TreatLeave a comment

I’ve often said that acupuncture is the absolute best value in healthcare. For that, I have no doubt. In a world where a routine doctors physical may now run you over $1000 and diagnostic tests at an ER visit can run into the tens of thousands of dollars, the value of an acupuncture visit at your local acupuncturist is a “no-brainer”. Even a full length recommended course of acupuncture therapy – consisting of a dozen or more visits often runs well under that $1,000 price tag.

I have seen many times, a patient scheduled for an operation… such as a hysterectomy or a new knee replacement, find almost immediate relief with a few sessions of acupuncture. I have (only somewhat jokingly) said many times that the reason insurance companies hate acupuncturists is because we poach their patients and are able to solve a $40,000 surgical medical problem for about $400; That’s (really) bad for business.

While more and more insurance companies are starting to cover acupuncture, they are doing it in a way that simultaneously stifles acceptance; namely, they often cap their reimbursement at a figure so low that most acupuncturists would literally lose money by accepting and billing insurance companies. Put another way, insurance companies are low-balling their reimbursement to the point that it simply does not make financial sense for most acupuncturists to accept insurance. When a “big box” hospital or clinic offers acupuncture, they often bill out to get what they can get and then “eat” the rest as a tax-deductible loss rather than charge the patient the unholy amount that they would normally want to charge. This is because, while they may have the monopoly on advanced medical procedures like a surgical operation or advanced diagnostic test, they simply cannot compete with the prices of the local licensed acupuncturist performing acupuncture.

But…. There is a problem… doctors still love acupuncture…they love recommending it to their patients. About 25% of my new patients are informally referred to our clinic by their doctor. The rest come from referrals from friends or family.

That is what happened with one patient in particular. This one particular patient had a case of bladder spasms and incontinence (Code R39.81) and was receiving a particular type of therapy at her Physician Assistant’s office at the hospital. The therapy she got was “64566: Posterior Tibial Neurostimulation, Percuteneous Needle Electrode, Single Treatment, Includes Programming”.

Although that sounds pretty fancy, what it means is that she was having her PA provider give her electro-acupuncture on a single point on the leg. A single acupuncture needle was inserted about half way up her inner calf and then had two wires attached from a small battery operated box similar to a “Tens Unit”. The unit would provide a very light electrical current to the needle. She would then sit back, relax and read magazines for 30 minutes before having the needle removed.

She was scheduled for 12 weekly visits at the cost of $799 per visit.

There are so many things about this that haunt and irritate me. I don’t want to sound too cantankerous and jaded, so I’ll keep most of them sour grapes to myself. 😉

But the thing that unsettles me the most is that what the hospital did was by-pass the already standard reimbursement rates for acupuncture provided by licensed and qualified acupuncturists (97813: Acupuncture, one or more needles, with electrical stimulation, initial 15 minutes), which would have fetched them about $79 max, by calling it something else (“neurostimulation”) and giving it a different CPT code number. They then can bill her insurance company $799. Voila! Same procedure but priced at 10 times more.

So instead of charging $79, they are able to charge $799 for that newly invented code number. That….seems…. I don’t know what… illegal? Immoral? Misappropriate? Swindly? Purloin? Nah…. none of those things… it’s fine. Nothing to see here…

Once this particular patient got her first bill in the mail about a month later and found that her insurance would only cover $499 and she was personally financially responsible for $300 per visit, she asked her PA about alternatives; that’s when the patient was told about us and our clinic. If you do the math, she would have ended up with a bill for $3,600 when all was said and done.

So she switched and started coming to us.

In the month that she has been coming to our clinic, she is now almost 100% symptom free, not to mention that several other of her health issues were addressed and corrected. The cost savings? Well, instead of spending $9,588 at the hospital for that single acupuncture needle, she came to our office and finished her 12 session series for under $500. That’s about a $9,000 savings… for an arguably much better outcome (and more needles 😀 ).

So what do I make of all this? What advice can I share with you? Well, I’m afraid that I really don’t have much for you besides the usual; things like “be interested in what your doctors are charging”. Nag them and ask them what something is going to cost BEFORE they do it (but not during an emergency, please). They won’t know how much you will be charged, because that is the state and nature of today’s medical system. But ask any ways. Nag them and ask them (along with their billing department). Often. About everything. Eventually… maybe… their perturb-ness will filter upstream to their upper management… and maybe… just maybe it will trigger a change in the system.

The other thing you can do is investigate everything else out there you can do for your condition. Become your own advocate and seek out studies at government sites like PubMed. Call around to your local chiropractors and acupuncturists or herbalists or nutritionists and homeopaths, etc. See what they have to say about your condition. Also be sure to ask them who else you should call or what other modality you should investigate; they will be more than happy to suggest many lines of investigation for you. Be your own advocate! Be your own number one champion of your healthcare… rather than rely on one or two professionals. I hate to say it, but no professional will ever be as committed to your health as YOU should be. Of course, even after saying all that; if time is short and a diagnosis is dire, don’t dally… do what your MD team tells you. Your life may depend on it.

Lastly, stay healthy. You know what to do; focus on perfecting your diet, your sleep quality, your daily routine, your relationships and acquaintances, your physical activity and your purpose in life… get your head on straight and start addressing all of those childhood traumas…all of these are pillars to good health… the fertile ground you must nurture to allow true, long lasting health and healing.

Peace… Jason

Happy Chinese New Year !!!

On January 26, 2019 By austinacupuncturejasonIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

On Feb 5th, we will celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. The world biggest celebration… bar none. This year marks the beginning of the “Year of the Pig”. Do you know which of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals you are?

RATS

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If you were born in 1924,1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996 or 2008 you are a “Rat”. That’s what I happen to be; a “Water Rat” to be precise. According to Chinese astrology, Rats are going to have a prosperous 2019. Rats are known for saving and collecting, being sharp with money and living organized lives. They keep a low profile; shying away from the limelight of fame and recognition. They seem to have a “spidey-sense” to know when there is trouble on the horizon. They like being prepared. They rarely take risks, but when they do they are usually successful. Pretty interesting stuff.

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According to the Chinese Astrology you were born in the year of the “Ox” if you were born in 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1986, 1997 or 2009. People born in the year of the ox tend to be hard workers and have a strong sense of responsibility and honesty. Very industrious. Even when things are tough, they persevere. They tend to not exactly be known for their romantic skills and tend to be more quiet and bottled up making it hard for others to understand them or get romantically involved. Yet they are well known for being very devoted to family.

Tiger

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One of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals is the Tiger. You are said to have many of the attributes of a tiger if you were born in the years 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 or 2010. This includes such things as high self esteem, leadership skills, being noble and protective of others who need protecting and a seeker of justice.They are tenacious and never willing to admit defeat. They always persevere in the face of adversity so are good workers who always see a difficult task through to the end. They are the king of all beasts and the guardians of little children.

Rabbit

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So if you were born in the years 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999 or 2011, you are considered the Rabbit. Those born under this sign tend to be quiet and polite, patient, intelligent and very chic. Their attention to detail leads to great career success. They also take love & romance very seriously. When they find the right person, they will love them to the end of the world and back. Rabbits are really nice to be around.

Dragon

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One of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac is the “Dragon”. If you were born in the years 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 or 2012, you are a Dragon. If you are anything like a Dragon, you have a heart full of adventure and romance. At the same time very alluring and very mysterious to those around you. You tend not to be frazzled or bothered by thing other people are worried about; you seem above it all. Always very poised and in seemingly in control of the situation. You like your lounging & relaxation time very much, but when you decide to do something you are more ambitions and vigorous than anyone else.

Snake

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One of my favorite Chinese Zodiac animals is the “Snake”. If you were born in 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 or 2013, then you are considered a “snake”. Contrary to what you may first think, this is not a bad sign, but rather a very auspicious one. These are some powerful people. Snakes tend to be idealists; constantly devoted and determined to see a project to the end; whether it is understand a topic, seal the deal, right a wrong or develop a strong and deep romantic relationship with someone. Whatever it is that they are into, you can be sure that it will be very intense.

Horse

The countdown to the Chinese New Year on Feb 5th continues! Lets talk about the “Horse”. It is one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals and if you were born in 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 or 2014, then you are a “horse”. People born in this year tend to have a “never surrender” attitude and are always upbeat and positive, pushing themselves forward even when times are tough. They just want to be free and without being tied down with obligations, so they tend to be dedicated and hard work to accomplish this… moving forward toward that freedom. This is sometimes an issue for those looking to tame them in a relationship.

Goat

The Happy New Year Celebration Build-Up Continues!!! Today’s animal is the Goat. If you were born in 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003 or 2015, you are born under the sign of the goat. Now don’t you worry, the goat has some amazing qualities. They are pure and kind hearted, never wanting to upset the apple cart of others. Yet they work tirelessly to fulfill their own dreams and goals. They are masterful as leaders using their “soft power” to coax the best out of other people. They are diplomatic to the core and can get just about anyone to come to their side.

Monkey

One of everybody’s favorite Chinese Zodiac animals is the “Monkey”. People born in the years 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 and 2016 are considered to have the qualities of a monkey; Free-hearted, fun, energetic, a bit frenetic and wildly curious about the world. They LOVE adventure and discovering new places. These are the people you want to be around to have a great time. They are full of love and joy for life and others and spoil their kids with fun, love and adventure. They make amazing entrepreneurs as long as the project continues to holds their interest, but if they loose that interest, then they are quickly off to the next thing.

Rooster

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According to the Chinese Calendar, there is a 12 year cycle, each represented by a different animal. So if you were born in the years 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 or 2017, then you are a Rooster. Roosters are amazing because they have a certain intuition that lets them know how others are feeling and even what they are thinking. They have quick reactions and very emotionally solid. This makes them ideal for high stakes jobs dealing with others. They are creative and talented in the arts and have the foresight to plan very carefully. They are spectacular to look at and a joy to be around.

Dog

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As we say goodbye to the Year of the Dog we say hello to the Year of the Pig. We celebrate the wonderful year that was. Tomorrow is Chinese New Years Eve; the largest celebration ON EARTH. For those born this past year or in 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994 and 2006, you are under the sign of the “Dog”; conservative, loyal, dedicated and protective. Never too flashy and dutifully serving others and following the rules. You have a tremendous sense of justice and work tirelessly to seek that justice in the world. Solid people in every sense of the word. People born under the Dog sign more than anything else just want to live a quiet and peaceful life with their family.

Pig

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Happy Chinese Year of the Pig. This is gonna be HUGE. Buckle in for a fantastic year ahead. This is especially true for you if you were born in the years 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995 or 2007; because this is YOUR year. Pigs are seen as a very auspicious animal in Chinese culture. People born under this sign are amazing at solving problems… any problem. They are almost magical in how lucky they are and always seem to catch a break and accumulate wealth. They aren’t exactly the best communicators and may even seem a bit grumpy to outsiders; but to their family, they are always loving and caring and the center of the household. 2019 is going to be a tremendously successful year for you…whether you like it or not… so be ready for the big changes and success this year, otherwise you will be dragged kicking and screaming and have that success thrust upon you. Expect BIG changes in 2019.

How to prevent osteoporosis…Chinese style…

On January 15, 2019January 15, 2019 By austinacupuncturejasonIn Conditions We Treat, Medicine, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I had a long-time patient come in the other day who happens to be in her lower 80’s. She was coming in for her monthly “tune-up” as she calls it, and told me about how she slipped and fell on the ice last week while walking her dog. It happened so fast that she didn’t even know it was happening until she was looking up from the flat of her back.

Since she was alone, she slowly managed to get up and walk back home. She had someone bring her to the Urgent Care Clinic who did x-rays and nothing was broken. A few days later she happened to have her routine yearly check up with her regular doctor. They looked at her previous years bone density test (which was borderline) and the doctor decided that she should get the osteoperosis injection to help prevent osteoporosis.

She wasn’t too excited about it. She knew that there were significant side effects from any of the osteoporosis medications and with the shot, there was no stopping should there be any unwanted side effects (unlike a pill that you can stop taking, the shot is a train that you don’t get to get off for the next 6 months when it starts to wear off).

Knowing that her last bone density test was borderline and she just gave her body a good test (by falling on the pavement without any fractures), she decided to pass on her doctors recommendation for more pills or shots.

When she came to see me a week later she asked me what I thought about all that. She asked me what I knew about the pro’s & cons of the pharmaceuticals for osteoporosis. I was honest with her and explained why I agreed with her decision. She had heard something about how Fosamax actually causing more fractures and osteo-necrosis (bone death). I told her that there were indeed several studies that link the anti-osteoporosis medications with increased hip fractures and jaw bone death. Scary stuff since they are supposed to do just the opposite.

One way to understand how these medications work is the metaphor that they act as a “spackle” for all of the microscopic fractures that our bones normally experience in day to day life. Just like our skin, the old cells are sloughing off and being replaced by new cells that fill in the gaps. With medications such as these, they fill in the gaps with something else… something harder and less pliable than normal bone tissue… leading to more breakable bones, not less. So the osteoporosis medications will indeed made your bones more dense, but they also make them more breakable.

So what else can someone do? Well, taking more calcium doesn’t work either. It turns out that osteoporosis isn’t due to a lack of calcium or magnesium or vitamin D. Most people already have too much calcium floating around in the blood stream…. which is linked to higher incidence of heart issues. Osteoporosis is more of a hormonal dysfunction rather than a vitamin & mineral deficiency.

As an aside; if you did want more calcium in your diet, milk is one of the least efficient places to get it. The calcium in milk is not a very assimilable (absorb-able and usable) form. Green leafy vegetables is a far more efficient source of calcium. More on that later.

Yes, osteoporosis is a hormonal problem, not a calcium problem. That is why it is almost exclusively a post menopausal woman issue; when the hormones of youth have shifted.

On a side note, another thing to avoid is fluoride from your city water. This is a whole other topic for another day, but fluoride found in city water has been linked to disrupting hormones and interrupting proper bone regeneration. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste if you feel that you must, but stop drinking it; that absolutely does not help your teeth; fluoride works is a topical application, not a nutritional supplement that you ingest. Its poisonous and a known neurotoxin. You can buy special fluoride filters to remove the fluoride form your city water. More on that later…

So what are some non-pharmaceutical ways to prevent osteoporosis? First, and most importantly, start early. The number one prevention for is weight bearing exercise. Squats, dance, Yoga, Pilates, boot camp, weight lifting…things like that. If you start in your 20’s and 30’s or 40’s, so much the better. The bones are one of those parts of the body that get stronger the more you try to wear it out. So today go find someone in your community that is an expert on exercise. You might find them at the YMCA or the local gym, or that cool church in town that is into that sort of thing or even the Senior Center. They always have exercise classes there and have the know how to give you a great ‘sane and sensible’ workout specifically for your current state of health. So no matter where you are beginning from, start now.

Acupuncture has also been shown to balance out these hormones and potentially been linked to prevention of osteoporosis brakes. But more importantly is getting great nutrition, plenty of direct sunshine (at least 20 minutes per day on your head and bare shoulders) and a good Chinese herbal formula from your local acupuncturist or herbalist. Talking to your friendly neighborhood acupuncturist/herbalist would be a great place to start… (after talking to your doctor first). J

Dry Needling IS Acupuncture

On January 11, 2019 By austinacupuncturejasonIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

What is ‘dry needling’?

The practice of ‘dry needling’ involves inserting an acupuncture needle into a trigger point and is typically used to treat the pain associated with injuries. A trigger point is a tender spot in a tight band of muscle which causes pain when pressed or squeezed. A dry needling training program often runs for just two or three days – which is just enough time for people to gain a rudimentary understanding of how to ‘needle the point that hurts’ and perhaps deliver short-term symptom relief.

Is acupuncture the same thing as ‘dry needling’?

The increasing prevalence of the term ‘dry needling’ has created some confusion. Acupuncture practice incorporates many different needling techniques and a variety of these may be required to gain the best results. Dry needling, also known as “trigger point acupuncture” or, more traditionally, as “ashi” acupuncture, refers to just one of these techniques. A licensed acupuncturist is qualified in many techniques, including trigger point acupuncture, and will adopt the best approach depending on the patient’s individual needs. The best approach does not rely on trigger points alone and sometimes trigger points are not necessary at all. If you’re only having ‘dry needling’, you are missing out on most of what a licensed acupuncturist has to offer.

So do acupuncturists offer something more?

Absolutely. There is much more to acupuncture than the insertion of needles into tender points. Often the tender point will return if the underlying cause is not identified and addressed. Quality acupuncture practice involves comprehensive patient assessment, an acupuncture diagnosis and an individualized treatment plan. Appropriate needling methods and supplementary treatment can then be designed to match the patient’s circumstances. Acupuncturists combine both a traditional understanding of the body from a Chinese medicine perspective with modern innovations from current research; so in addition to methods such as needling, cupping and moxibustion, acupuncturists may use exercise therapy, massage techniques or electro- or laser- stimulation of acupoints. Some may also practice Chinese herbal medicine or other health modalities such as Western herbalism. This comprehensive approach results in a holistic diagnosis and treatment plan.

How does acupuncture work based on Western medicine?

The public can sometimes be confused or even misled by other medical professionals that acupuncture is only based on traditional Chinese medicinal theories of Qi or energy. This is completely incorrect. In fact, acupuncture is a scientifically proven medical procedure utilized by both western medical professionals as well as eastern medical professionals. Today, you can find acupuncture in many hospitals, clinics, and private practices around the world. We can understand how acupuncture works from a western medical perspective by looking at the following:

Acupuncture stimulates and promotes blood circulation that provides essential oxygen and nutrients to facilitate optimal healing and recovery.

Acupuncture relaxes muscles, tendons, ligaments, connective tissues, and relieves spasms and pain.

Acupuncture regulates the metabolism and body fluids for optimal health.

Acupuncture aids in regulating brain chemicals, neurotransmitters and vital chemicals to calm, reduce pain, and balance the body.

Acupuncture breaks up stagnated blood and muscle adhesions deep in the tissues from damage or injury to aid in resolving pain and recovery.

Acupuncture stimulates and regulates the nervous system including: Central Nervous System, Motor and Sensory Nerves, Autonomic Nerves, Nerve Trunks, Nerve Receptors in the Skin, Neural Segments, Connective Tissues, and Dermatomes.

Acupuncture is a proven modality that treats many aspects of the body.

Migraines and Headaches: Acute and Chronic.

Sleep Issues: Insomnia, Fatigue, Waking at Night, Restlessness.

Emotional Issues: Depression, Stress, and Anxiety

Gynecological Issues: Infertility, Irregular Periods, and Painful Menstruation.

Neurological Issues: Trigeminal Neuralgia, Facial Pain, Stroke, Polyneuropathy, Plantar Fasciitis, and Sciatica.

Pain Issues: Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, and Chronic Pain.

Injuries: Sports Injuries, Work related Injuries, Repetitive Use Injuries, Chronic and Old Injuries.

Menopause Issues: Hot Flashes, Night Sweats, and Sleeping Difficulties.

Digestive Issues: Heartburn, Acid Reflux, Poor Digestion, Abdominal Pain, Food Intolerances, IBS, Constipation, and Diarrhea.

Skin Issues: Psoriasis, Eczema, Hives, Acne, and Itching.

Respiratory Issues: Asthma, Allergies, Cough, and Sinus Conditions.

Of course this is just a general list. Acupuncture has the capability of aiding in the recovery of almost any disorder when properly utilized by a trained professional.

How safe is acupuncture and ‘dry needling’?

While acupuncture is considered very safe in the hands of well-trained practitioners, it has also been associated with a range of complications, some of them serious, usually from poorly trained practitioners. Research shows that practitioners who have undertaken short courses have more than double the rate of adverse events than fully qualified practitioners.

Minnesota Acupuncture Laws:

It’s important to be aware that Minnesota Statutes (Chapter 147B. Acupuncture Practitioners) only allow practitioners licensed by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice to practice acupuncture. Currently, ‘dry needling’ is not written or mentioned in ANY Minnesota state law and is not a legally approved medical procedure. Practitioners utilizing dry needling and who are not licensed as practicing acupuncture under Minnesota state statutes are in fact administering an illegal medical procedure on the public.

Is my practitioner qualified in acupuncture?

In order to gain Minnesota acupuncture licensure, a practitioner must meet the requirements set forth in the Minnesota Acupuncture Practitioners Statutes including providing evidence of their competency to provide the full range of acupuncture intervention methods to the public. The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) – approved bachelor and higher degree programs teach both traditional Chinese and modern biomedical approaches to health and illness and require substantial supervised clinical practice. If you’re unsure whether your practitioner is a licensed acupuncturist, look for them on the NCCAOM Certified Practitioner Registry or on the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice’s list of licensed medical professionals.

Jason, in particular, has received a Masters degree in Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, is Board Certified by the NCCAOM and is licensed to practice acupuncture by the state of Minnesota by the Board of Medical Practice.

Don’t Give Up Those Resolutions

On January 2, 2019December 30, 2018 By austinacupuncturejasonIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

“New Years Resolutions”. They are already bad-mouthing them on the news. Saying that they are foolish and destined to fail. Hog-wash! Unless you are living your perfectly ideal life, you should have resolutions… or goals… or things you will improve. Each of us must recommit daily to adjust, adapt and execute towards those things necessary to create a better life for ourselves and others. Do you need to improve your health or loose some weight or exercise more? All of those are pretty common “resolutions”; and for good reason… they help give us the energy and clear-mindedness to accomplish those things which help others. If you are strong and healthy and sharp-witted, then you are better able to help others. It is a moral imperative to be as healthy as you possibly can so that you can live your life’s true purpose to serve others (hint; that is why you are here). So rise above the negativity of the nay-sayers and have your resolutions. Then tomorrow, recommit to them… or change them… its up to you. Because we all have goals whether we articulate them or not. When we don’t; we find ourselves lost, confused, anxious and tired… not aware of what we need to do or what direction we need to move towards with determination. We find ourselves in avoidance & paralysis mode. But in those moments of clarity, we can make a conscious decision that we need new goals… a new path forward that is aligned with our purpose. Sitting on the couch is not your purpose to be living. Let the naysayers wag their tongues against goals and resolutions. You are too important to sit back and let life happen TO you. New Years is a great time to plan, recommit, realign and move forward on a new path. I wish you the best and I hope to see you along the way there.

Acupuncture Found Valuable in Treatment of Knee Pain

On January 1, 2019 By austinacupuncturejasonIn Conditions We Treat, MedicineLeave a comment

Try acupuncture before getting knee surgery. Not just a dabble; go for the full recommended treatment course. Why? Because acupuncture can offer you a way to postpone for years or avoid surgery altogether.

A British study, which focused specifically on acupuncture’s cost-effectiveness in treating chronic knee pain, concluded that one-third of patients with knee osteoarthritis who were candidates for total knee replacement surgery had achieved long-term symptom relief after two years by using acupuncture alone.

The study, published published in the journal, Acupuncture in Medicine, determined that the acupuncture treatments had saved at least $127,000 per patient within the study group that was able to skip the surgery. This amount includes the surgery, rehab, nursing care, hospitalization and the lost wages while on convalescence.

Of these 90 patients in the study, 31 of them had found enough relief with the acupuncture alone that they had elected to skip the total knee replacement even after the 2 year follow up. That means about a third of all knee replacements are avoidable with acupuncture.

Here in the US, a total knee replacement operation alone costs around $49,500 plus four to six weeks out of work for recovery.

And because 15% of all patients experience chronic pain after receiving a total knee replacement and 18% report being “dissatisfied” with the results of the surgery, experts agree that “all conservative options should be offered before resorting to surgery”. That means trying acupuncture first.

“The evidence published on acupuncture in patients with knee osteoarthritis shows that it is safe and effective in reducing pain and improving function, thus qualifying it as an appropriate conservative treatment for this condition.”

A typical initial course of acupuncture for chronic knee pain is about six sessions over a two week period with occasional follow ups throughout the months following.

Kegels Help Men with “E.D.”

On January 1, 2019 By austinacupuncturejasonIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

In 1948, gynecologist Dr. Arnold Kegel developed a series of exercises involving what is now commonly referred to as the “pelvic floor” to help women develop physical control over the incontinence that is often associated with childbirth. And eventually urologists began to prescribe these exercises for men who experienced incontinence after prostate surgery.

It turns out that ancient Chinese physicians were suggesting these very same exercises to their male patients several thousand years ago for something a bit different.

Recent studies published in medical literature now suggest that these Kegel exercises are also useful in the treatment erectile dysfunction in men. In some instances, Kegel exercises were found to offer relief from ED equivalent to, or even better than Viagra and Cialis.

Given that Kegel exercises are easy to do, don’t cost anything, have no side effects, and have been shown very effective in several studies, it seems to me that they might be worth a try. There’s nothing to lose by trying, and they just might work.

Here are the four steps of a set of Kegel exercises (you can do it sitting or standing):

Tighten your urinary flow muscles as if you wanted to stop urination.
Hold those muscles tight as you count to 10.
Hold this position while also tightening your anal muscles to another count of 10.
Do a set of ten repetitions three times a day.

Austin Acupuncture Clinic

Author: austinacupuncturejason