I am delighted to announce that I and my brilliant business partner, Anne Cabrinha, have passed the Board Certification exam and are now Fellows of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (FABORM)!   ABORM certification demonstrates that we have proven competency of the complex nature of treating all areas of reproductive medicine, including infertility, menstrual issues, menopause, male factor, etc.  Patients and medical professionals can be assured that FABORM practitioners can assess medical conditions, interpret them through the perspective of the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and prescribe acupuncture and herbal medicines accordingly.

To quote Anne during our hours of study and to second her opinion, “Preparing for this exam has caused me to fall in love with our medicine all over again!”  In deepening my knowledge of TCM’s approach to infertility, I have come to see the advantages of our body of medicine, insofar as it supports not only the physical, but also the emotional and spiritual journey that our patients are undertaking.

We look forward to helping you achieve optimum health and get your Balance Restored!

Getting the Most Out Of Your Massage

Wanda Pierce, Certified Massage Therapist

In these economic times, it has never been more important to receive massage.  At first glance, it may feel like a luxury we can’t afford, but if we can quiet the mind and relax the body when we are under stress, we are better equipped to navigate through the challenges we face. As we search for ways to stretch the household budget like Silly Putty over the Sunday Funnies it’s also important to learn how to get the most out of what we pay for.  A 60-minute massage can feel like 15 minutes if our mind is somewhere else.  Like a bad date, it can also feel like an eternity if we aren’t comfortable.  Here are some tips on how to savor every second of your next massage. 

1.     Arrive early.  This will ensure that you get the full time you’ve paid for.  It also gives you some time to settle in, have some tea, use the restroom and absorb the calm atmosphere.  Rushing to a massage is like watching the last half of a good movie.

2.     Communication is key.  Be clear with your massage therapist about what you want from your massage before getting on the table.  In addition to injuries and preferred pressure, it is often useful to share what is going on emotionally.  A good massage therapist will take your input into account and customize a session that’s right for you.   

3.     Make sure the room feels just right.  Goldilocks knew all about this!  Confirm the temperature is to your liking, the music is at the right volume and the face cradle is just where it needs to be.

4.     Focus.  Keep your attention on the session, not your next errand or earlier phone conversation.  Stay present to the areas where your massage therapist is working.  The plates will still be spinning when the massage is over, but you will be better equipped to keep them spinning if you let your mind take a break while you are on the table.

5.     Breathe!  It may sound obvious but most of the time, we don’t use our lungs to their full capacity.  Mindful breathing, like a magic wand helps with focus and also serves to shift the nervous system into a much more relaxed state.  Start by inhaling to fill the belly, following up into the rib cage and finally to the collarbone.  Exhale slowly, finding a rhythm that works for you.  An easy rule of thumb is to count 5 counts in, 5 counts out.

6.     Pre pay or have your check written out ahead of time.  Finances are stressful, particularly in these times so if you take care of it beforehand, you can relax and forget about it afterward.  No one wants to do math after a great massage.  If a tip is appropriate, have that set aside in advance so you can float out without calculating anything. 

7.     Smell the flowers. Take some time after your massage before returning to your regular day.  Enjoy a cup of tea somewhere and watch the world go by or go home to your favorite chair and marinate in the goodness!   

When daily obligations fill our lives, it’s easy to overlook the commitment to self -care.  Not only do you deserve some time to recharge, nurture and reconnect with your body, you can’t afford not to.  In the same way we need to tune up our car, we need to nourish our body, quiet our mind and feed our soul to run smoothly in the world.  You’ll be sure to get a lot more mileage out of your session when you follow these simple tips.

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION…
Susan Fox, L.Ac., M.S.O.M.

Due to the daily deluge of media attention to the outbreak of H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as swine flu, fear and questions as to what we can do to prevent contracting or reduce the symptoms of influenza permeate our conversations.  Seems we’ve been down this road before….I prepared the following article nearly 4 years ago during the bird flu scare, with suggestions for building immunity in the model of Traditional Chinese Medicine and conventional wisdom, as well as things to consider for intervention should we find ourselves with the signs and symptoms of the flu.

First, let’s not forget our common sense approach to prevention.  Wash your hands, avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing to prevent transmission of viruses.  Also, get plenty of rest.  Get to bed by 11pm and try to get 8 hours of sleep each night.

For prevention, Acupuncture stimulation has been shown to have an effect on bolstering the immune system responses, including increasing IgA levels (an immunoglobulin involved in strengthening immunity) and by activating white blood cells and antibodies. Acupuncture points also have specific actions to reduce fever and chills, relieve nasal congestion and other symptoms associated with a cold and flu presentation.  My favorite prescription is referred to as an “acupuncture tune-up”, as it addresses all of the organ systems associated with immunity.  If you feel in need of a tune-up, make your appointment today.

Herbal remedies have a complementary role in boosting the body’s defense systems. Many herbal formulas used to both prevent and treat a cold and/or flu incorporate Astragalus Membranceus, which has been shown to contain medicinally-active compounds that stimulate the immune system. Named “huang qi” in Chinese medicine, it is described in ancient texts as having the ability to create a barrier as strong as jade against invasion of wind.  Modern medicine now refers to these as airborne viruses.  It is fascinating to note how a body of medicine that was developed through clinical observation thousands of years ago is now demonstrating its theories to be supported by modern scientific investigation.  I have several formula that include huang qi in the office.  Depending upon your specific constitution and presentation, I will determine the best for you.
Mushrooms, specifically reishi (ganoderma), maitake (grifola), shiitake (lentinus), polyporus, and tremella.contains high percentages of polysaccharides, which activate white blood cells and stimulate complements and antibodies.  My favorite formula, called Ten Mushroom formula by EcoNeugenics, is available at the office.

Vitamin D is essential for a prevention program.   Adults need 5,000 IU when midday sun exposure is not possible, infants need 1,000 IU, and older children need 2,000 IU.

Vitamin C at 2-4 grams per day prevents inflammation and maintains the body’s vigilance against infection.

Vitamin A is essential to immune function and mucous membrane integrity.   I recommend taking it in the form of beta-carotene or in consumption of whole foods..  The recommended daily amount (RDA) of vitamin A is 1,000-2,000 IU for children, depending on their age (1,000 at one year of age, 2,000 by age nine).   One egg contains 300 IU, one cup of whole milk or whole milk yogurt contains about 225-250 IU of vitamin A. One tablespoon of butter contains 350 IU of A.

Zinc has potent immune protective effects. Take 25 mg zinc per day, but if you continue zinc for an extended period of time you will also need to take copper to prevent a deficiency (10:1 ratio of copper to zinc). Get a supplement that contains both.

For intervention, Traditional Chinese medicine consider infectious disease as wen bing (warm disease) and treat it with heat-clearing herbs. Many of these herbs are confirmed to have remarkable antibiotic effects, including antibacterial and antiviral.   We have these formula at the ready should you find yourself symptomatic.

In addition, homeopathic remedies containing Influenzinum, a specific preventive for the flu, as well as support if you are exposed to the flu.   I have a supply at the office in drops or spray.   If you have been diagnosed with H1N1, we can supplement your influenzinum remedy with the nosode (i.e., remedy created from some element of the disease itself, such as a discharge or diseased tissue) H5N1, bird flu.  This is the closest element that matches the H1N1 virus that is currently available

If you would like to schedule an appointment for consultation or treatment, you can go online to our website, www.balancerestored.com.  In the left navigation, click on the icon “Make an Appointment”, then click on my name, and you will be connected to my web-based patient calendar.  Please be advised that first-time use requires registration and then reservation.

Let’s keep our minds, bodies and spirits at ease – let’s keep our Balance Restored.  To stay informed on local updates, you can access additional information at www.marinflu.org.  But first, take a breath, and remember: this is a flu.  We’ve experienced the flu each year; with proper precaution, and without panic, we will be fine.