MidChix website and article

Have a look at an article on yours truly. I was touched to have a client want to write this about me. This site was the brainchild of 2 very groovy 'chicks', pun intended, who felt they wanted to make a networking site, like Facebook, for the over 40 crowd. Here is the link to the article and the website can be found from there. Join and have fun!

People to Know.....

Every month I will highlight a local business, practitioner and/or layperson that would make a great referral and someone I would recommend to a friend not just a client. This month that practitioner is Dr. Mark Ebadi.
Dr. Mark Ebadi embodies everything you want in a doctor. A no BS attitude, a warm, caring spirit, and brains! I am proud to know him as a colleague who not only respects what I do, his brother is an acupuncturist in California, but also personally. He has treated my family and found what I term medical mysteries that the pediatricians missed. While he is not necessarily medicine happy, he is medicine smart. There are so many people affected by allergies here in Colorado, and so many drugs for them. Taking the right combination is the most important thing. If acupuncture, herbs and/or supplements can't do it, I don't hesitate to send people Mark's way because I know they will be in good hands. He is great with kids and adults and his Lowry office has always been very friendly and accomodating.
I was reminded this month of just how good this doctor is, so for February and my first 'People to Know'..I want Dr. Mark Ebadi to be at the top of the list.

Here is the link to his office website.

Don't forget your Oxygen Mask

When you board a plane they always tell you in case of emergency make sure you place your oxygen mask over your face first and then over your child's. It is amazing to me how this actually can translate into everyday life. Everyday, we are so busy doing for others that I think we forget our personal oxygen masks. We worry about everyone else and put everyone else's needs before our own because it is looked upon as being selfish sometimes to take that time out for ourselves and find what it is that gives us oxygen. Sometimes it is just simply....oxygen. Taking 10 minutes out of the day to simply breath and meditate with no interruptions.

When I went to a seminar on Brain Chemistry in October the speaker told us all how he took one day completely off with no plans. After we all stopped rolling our eyes because we all assumed that of course this guy can do this, he probably makes 6 figures and has a wife to pick up the kids and doesn't have to worry about errands and cleaning I realized he was saying this for his own health and ours. He had burnt himself out by doing the seminars, the practice, the traveling and this was the only way to recharge and be back with his family.

I think whatever you decide is your oxygen, grab it. The lesson is that we all need to put on our masks first because if we don't get ourselves healthy, our kids, our relationships, our life is just going to be an extension of how little oxygen we are allowing ourselves to breath. And we just cannot exist on carbon alone.

Acupuncture and PTSD

I received my monthly 'Acupuncture Today' and was thrilled to see an article on a program helping Vets recover from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). To paraphrase the article, The Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin had partnered with a non profit called Save a Vet (http://www.saveavet.com/) and a Veterans Advocacy council to assist in helping veterans and their families in returning to happy, productive and successful civilian lives. Now it is very easy for all of us to undertstand how anyone coming back from war could be given a diagnosis of PTSD. Just like we probably could understand such a diagnosis with those who are now suffering with the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. But PTSD is actually very widespread, and whether it is diagnosed or not, the symptoms can be debilitating for anyone suffering from any trauma. Losing a family member, workplace harrassment, being in a motor vehicle accident or even witnessing a horrific accident can all lead to trauma. And this trauma, if not dealt with, finds a place in the body and eventually comes out in physiological ways too...such as sleep disorders and mood disorders. That is where acupuncture comes in.

When I decided to study even more about neurotransmitters and brain science and go into working with acupuncture for depression and anxiety, I knew the trauma piece was just as important. I am fortunate to have a great referral network of western practitioners who believe in what I do as much as I believe in what they do. When you do this work you have to know about medication and its side effects since many people may be on, or coming off of various western medications. Chinese herbs as well as nutritional supplements can help but all have various effects themselves, so a licensed practitioner has to know what to combine and what not to.

So how does acupuncture work for PTSD?

I have found over the years of working with trauma that is is best to nourish the client first. Every client is coming in at different stages of trauma. To move 'Qi' right away is a mistake that many practitioners make and can send a patient into an anxiety attack. So can too many needles and doing too many different types of therapies at once, such as doing cupping, then needling, then biopuncture. It's asking the body to process too much information at once. Keeping the therapy simple and working to move the stagnant energy blocked by the certain emotions that that client is holding onto while you ground the client and get that 'fight or flight' response to calm down. That's a very simplified version of a first treatment.

I also practice japanese style needling with trauma which is generally less invasive, but to be honest this is because I myself am needle sensitive and when I graduated from my Masters program this type of needling was just the type I felt drawn to. But for sports injuries of course it's chinese needling all the way :). And as anyone who has been to my clinic can attest to, I always do auricular, ear acupuncture, for everything. That is my love! And that is SO significant in trauma work.

With the ear is where you work on the sympathetic nervous system, that 'fight or flight', and stop it being 'on' 24/7. It is the norm for people who have been traumatized to have their defenses up and their fight or flight switch on all the time. What happens when you have that on all the time is you start to perceive danger at the smallest things.....you startle easily, you anger easily and you basically become a walking raw nerve. Sleep disorders become the norm, as well as mood disorders, so insomnia and anxiety and depression are very common.

When you incorporate the ear and start needling the areas of the brain that are affected in trauma, such as the amygdala and hippocampus, you can have such breakthroughs. Sleep gets better, energy gets balanced and moods improve. It is amazing to see the transformation in clients.

I think the biggest step for those with any trauma is always just making the first appointment and coming in. It is a huge deal to be given a diagnosis of PTSD and feeling so vulnerable. But help is out there.

*Sidenote: for those needle phobic or with trauma related to needles, all my treatments can be done with a shonishin (pediatric) kit...no needles. And auricular acupuncture can be done with ear seeds.

Menopause and Big Pharma...a Must Read!

This was in NY Times online today. I found it to be a great overall article on Big Pharma's role in HRT and your health...or lack of it. So here is another article from them.

Go Play Tetris!

I came across an interesting article in the NY Times online I wanted to share. It showed a positive change in peoples reactions having viewed traumatic events after playing Tetris. They became less reactive. I am interested in finding out if this is the same part of the brain that is affected in EMDR, helping to neutralize the event.
http://www.nytimes.com/projects/magazine/ideas/2009/#t-2.html

"Fire in the Gut, Fire in The Brain"

I went to a fabulous seminar over the weekend on Neurotransmitters and Brain Chemistry. It left me with many new ideas to ponder and apply in my practice...and of course with my brain feeling a little fried. But that is usually a sign of a great seminar for me, coming out feeling invigorated, overwhelmed and excited all at once. One of the key points he mentioned was for all of us to give ourselves one day off a week to do absolutely nothing. With 2 children, I find this difficult, because even on a supposed "day off", I am trying to fit in the laundry, the groceries, all the extras. So, for all of our health...there must start to be a personal day we choose to take where nothing is scheduled. Now on that day if we decide to go grocery shopping...fine. But it can't be the plan. We'll see how I do with this. Picking the day will be tough!

But, beyond that relatively simple concept, there were so many medical concepts thrown at us this weekend and how important brain health is to our overall state of being. Many practitoners look right at the adrenals, or the gut and ignore the brain all together....and that can't bring about permanent change over time. You always have to look at the brain. "Fire in the gut, Fire in the brain". .

Also acknowledged was the Brain Model of Alternative Medicine...although I like the term 'Complementary' Medicine much better. This includes, Massage, Acupuncture and Manipulation. All of these have been found to enhance Brain stimulation which in turn, enhances Endocrine and Immune modulation. Some studies were even cited with electro-acupuncture with regards to its cerebral response on a functional MRI. This was in 2007 using point LI4. The distribution of signally deactivated area evoked by LI4 was similar to the distribution of the anatomical orientation of pain in brain, and closely related to the limbic system. Showing correlation of acupuncture's analgesic effect.

Then in 2005 there was a study confirming that electroacupuncture treatment increases NK cell activity, and in 2007 a study was done on rats to explore the mecahnism of electroacupunture in improving ischemic stroke.

It's nice to have these recent studies and their positive outcomes because people always ask me for the science behind the 'voodoo' medicine. And I know there have been more in the field of oncology....these are just with neurology and acupuncture.

So....easiest thing to do is try and take a day off somewhere. Stop drinking diet soda, and yes...gluten free is a good thing. But I even find that difficult. However, you will know if Gluten free works for you because once you go Gluten free and your brain fog disappears..that is the clue. Remember 'Fire in the Gut, Fire in the Brain'.

And no....it is not 'easy'. It is a science and once you find the right pathway it is amazing and can be miraculous...but as always one should go to someone who goes to seminars, gets continuing education in these things and actually has a practice to apply these concepts. I loved that the speaker even addressed that principle at this seminar. Did you know in the state of Colorado the Naturopathic Doctors are not licensed and thus not regulated. Please check that your ND went to an accredited school...not an online school where he/she got a degree in a year for a small amount of money. Here is a link to help you find a reputable Colorado ND http://www.coloradond.org/ . The ND profession is a respectable profession and it has been watered down horribly by those who got their degrees by bogus schools and have no real education. Another example of this in my opinion is the fact that chiropractors and Medical doctors can take a 180 hour course and take the national exam and be licensed acupuncturists. Do you want to go to someone who passed an exam by reading cliff notes? Licensed acupuncturists who go to accredited schools attend for over 4 years, graduating with a Masters Degree. It's your body and your money...take good care of it.

Tis the Season....to spread the germs

Flu and cold season is here. There is a lot of fear with the new 'Swine Flu', or H1N1 virus, so I included this link to hopefully help answer any immediate questions about it. I have already seen it in my clinic and was shocked to find out that my client got it from a classmate who came to school sick for a week before finally getting diagnosed because she didn't want to ruin her perfect attendance at school. Remembering to wash hands and cough into your sleeve are still the best precautions we can take. And parents, if your child is sick, or if you are sick...please stay home and rest. Perfect attendance is not that important!


People often ask me to come up with a list of at home staples they can keep on hand for this season. To keep it simple, here are some things you could have and take.

Vitamin D at 2,000i.u's per day is great in the fall...and actually all year round. There are so many things Vit. D does and we need more of it as we get less sun. But it can help prevent the flu. 2,000 i.u's is an adult dose. Plus it is very inexpensive!! We like that!

Good old fashioned Vit. C. is a good immune booster. Ester C is less harsh on the stomach lining. They even have some good tasting wafers out there. Taking more as you feel a cold coming on can help, and if you take a multivitamin I am sure there is some in there already, so adding on to that when you feel that tickle in the throat or a runny nose is a good idea.

If you are a client in my clinic you know I love probiotics. So if you are a heathcare worker or a teacher, tis the season to up the dosage to even 16 billion live cells. 8 billion is the one I have by Pharmax in my clinic called HLC hi potency. This is a broad spectrum one. I think it is one of the best. No, you cannot get enough from eating yogurt. Sorry Jamie Lee Curtis.

If you get a cough, I adore Nectadyn cough syrup. This is not for kids under 2 because the base is a honey base. It is also not available at stores just sold to clinicians. So you can get it from your practitioner.. if they like it as much as I do. But this stuff works well, tastes great and is homeopathic. Works on all kinds of coughs...dry, wet, etc...which is great, since often the type of cough can change within a cold.

Also homeopathicwise, I find MHP's Viral Immune and Bacterial Immune work well preventatively and in the midst of an attack. Also not available in stores but licensed practitioners who carry MHP will have these during cold/flu season defintitely! Plus they are a local company...love that. They also carry an amazing elderberry lozenge that is is a great immune booster and tastes good too. Releases into the system right away.

Beyond that, there are many nasal sprays that I carry that are great but I will tell you of one product you can get at Walgreens that I think it wonderful. Neil-Med Sinus Rinse. I rarely endorse things, but this product I do. It is very simply Sodium chloride and Sodium bicarbonate packets you put in distilled lukewarm water in a patented (I'm sure) designed plastic bottle. It's more simple than a Neti pot and works well to open stubborn nasal passages. I have found it to work for people who did not have success with other things. They even have a pediatric kit...but getting a child younger than 6 years old to do this...well...sometimes a metered dose nasal spray is a lot easier.

Treatmentwise, of course, nothing beats cupping for getting that crud out of the lungs if you do get sick. Or to practice preventative medicine, acupuncture is wonderful for helping to boost the immune system this time of year.

Now that's the kind of healthcare no one can argue about.

FDA issues ZICAM WARNING

The FDA issued a warning today about Zicam products causing a loss of smell due to the ingredient zinc being sprayed or swabbed in the nasal cavity overtime. Below is the link to the FDA's warning.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105483442

Swine Flu: 5 Things to Know...as of 4/27/2009

I found this link to be the most helpful right now as we all just learn about the possibilities of what this swine flu means to all of us. Please note, a 'National emergency' has to be ordered so that agencies can release funding and start to be prepared. It does make people get alarmed but I believe there is cause for concern due to the fact this is a new strain, but not panic. Hope this link is helpful.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20090427/hl_time/08599189402900

Dining Out For Life

Thursday, April 30th you have more reason to eat out at some great restaurants around town when 25% of your food bill goes directly to Project Angelheart. Project Angelheart helps deliver nutritious meals, free of charge year round to nearly 1,700 men, women and children coping with life-threatening illness. Eat at some great places and know you are helping others by doing so...sounds pretty easy and delicious!

For the complete list, please visit www.projectangelheart.org or call 303-830-0202.

9 News Health Fair

The 9 News Health Fair is coming up and this is a way for many to get low cost screenings and testings done. I urge any of you to take advantage of this great opportunity to get bloodwork done, cholesterol levels checked, thyroid levels checked...even ask if they will do those CRP's (C-Reactive Protein's!!). And by all means if you get the bloodwork back and it makes no sense and want to go over it all, bring it in with you at your next appointment. I'd be happy to help you make sense of all those #'s.

Here is the link to the 9 News website with all the information. Be good to yourself, be healthy!

http://www.9healthfair.org/

Happy Spring

Although the weather in Colorado is very unpredictable in April and May, allergies are not. They keep coming. I have started seeing people since mid february with itchy throats and runny noses, and with the more milder weather this year it seems that they are starting to experience some symptoms sooner than expected.

Don't wait til you feel awful, make your appointment at the first sign of that allergen sneaking up again. For my daughter, I know it is allergy time when I hear those consecutive sneezes coming from her bedroom in the early morning.

With this Spring and into Summer, the clinic has some changes in hours. More flexibility in evenings up to 5 days a week, and full days will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To make an appointment or if you have any questions regarding the clinic and my practice, please call

303-921-6263.

Yours in Health,

Michelle

RIP:TAKI...your kindness and miso live on

Whenever I have a client just getting a cold or on the brink of the flu I tell them to head to Taki's on the corner of Colfax and Logan for some of his famous Miso soup. Taki's miso soup is THE best and is so inexpensive. I was first introduced to Taki's by my husband who lived in capitol hill when we first started dating.. oh so many years ago. From the outside, I questioned his choice in dining but I was a starving student at the time and Taki's was...and is...cheap....(and good!). I remember I was coming down with a cold and right away this kind man came out from the back and handed me some edamame for free as well as some lemon tea with a piece of fresh cut ginger in it. I think the worn tissue and red eyes were a dead giveaway that I was not feeling too great. Then came the soup I had heard so much about. This giant bowl of great brothed miso soup with fresh cut vegetables and tofu. From then on, I was hooked. And I have been sending people there as often as I can, for the cuisine, and for a glimpse of kindness from this great little man...Mr. Taki.
I was disheartened to hear he had passed away last month of natural causes. Here is the denver post's tribute to Taki...it is very touching. I can just hope his restaurant stays open and that his kindness spreads. We need more of that now in times like these than ever before.

Do Not Defund the NCCAM!

There is a poll on alternative medicine that has been snuck on to
President Obama's new citizen/feedback initiative, Citizen's Briefing Book.

There is one proposal that's already received lots of votes, a proposal to defund NCCAM. NCCAM stands for the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. NCCAM is a government body, part of the National Institutes of Health to research complementary and alternative medicine

You can find information about NCCAM on this link to their website


NCCAM has encouraged good evidence based research to determine which CAM practices are efficacious and which are not. This is valuable!!


The support for eliminating NCCAM in the Citizen's Briefing Book discussion is heavy and volatile. It is being pushed by those who think all alternative medicine is a scam.

I urge you all to take a moment and go to this site and help vote the proposition down:

http://citizensbriefingbook.change.gov/ideas/viewIdea.apexp?id=087800000004y2f


The positions that receive the most votes will catch the attention of Obama's cabinet members. Please take a moment, this is so important!!