Acupuncture works to control weight on various levels.  With diet changes, many people experience cravings, which can lead to binge eating.  Cravings in the body are often due to a lack of endorphins.  Acupuncture can help balance out the cravings by helping the body to release endorphins.

Follow this series to learn more about how acupuncture can help you with your weight loss goals.  For more information, call 888-321-0661.  Cheers to a healthier you!

Acupuncture for Weight Loss Part I
OM Holistic Wellness

Tip #12   Share dessert or choose fruit instead.

Having a sweet tooth craving?  Choose desserts that come in smaller portions to avoid consuming excess calories.  Fruit is an excellent alternative to desserts made with processed sugars.  Do you feel that your cravings are controlling you?  Acupuncture can help!  Call 888-321-0661 today!

We all know we should eat healthier, but for some the task can seem overwhelming.  Making small changes can have a tremendous impact on our overall health.  Follow this Healthy Tips Series to learn 30 simple ways to make positive changes in your diet.  To have a custom nutritional analysis and game plan set up for you, call 888-321-0661 to schedule your consultation today!   Cheers to a healthier you!

Author: Caroline G. Faxas, AP

30 Simple Ways to Eat Healthier – Tip #12
OM Holistic Wellness

Tip #11   When eating at restaurants, choose an appetizer or side dish rather than an entree.

Many restaurant portions are too large and could feed 2-3 people!  Another option is to order an entree and share it with a friend!

We all know we should eat healthier, but for some the task can seem overwhelming.  Making small changes can have a tremendous impact on our overall health.  Follow this Healthy Tips Series to learn 30 simple ways to make positive changes in your diet.  To have a custom nutritional analysis and game plan set up for you, call 888-321-0661 to schedule your consultation today!   Cheers to a healthier you!

Author: Caroline G. Faxas, AP

30 Simple Ways to Eat Healthier – Tip #11
OM Holistic Wellness

Quit Smoking with Acupuncture

By: Diane Joswick, L.Ac., MSOM

Acupuncture as an alternative approach to smoking cessation has a growing number of converts. In fact, acupuncture is often a court mandated treatment for drug addicts because of its ability to reduce cravings and alleviate withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety and difficulty concentrating.

Stop Smoking with Acupuncture

Among current U.S. adult smokers, 70% report that they want to quit smoking and millions try to quit every year. If you have attempted to quit smoking, you know how difficult it can be. Nicotine is a powerful addiction. In fact, research suggests that nicotine is as addictive as heroin, cocaine, or alcohol.

It is estimated that most smokers will attempt to quit two or three times, or more, before finally kicking the habit. When conventional methods to quit smoking have failed, smokers often look outside mainstream approaches and turn to alternative medicine.

Acupuncture as an alternative approach to smoking cessation has a growing number of converts. In fact, acupuncture is often a court mandated treatment for drug addicts because of its ability to reduce cravings and alleviate withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety and difficulty concentrating.

A Formidable Addiction

More than 50 million Americans smoke. The numbers are even higher in other parts of the globe, with worldwide statistics showing that one out of three people over the age of 18 are smokers.

The reasons to quit smoking are endless. Cigarettes have 4,000 chemicals, including 43 known cancer-causing (carcinogenic) compounds and 400 other toxins. These include nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide, as well as formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic and DDT. According to the CDC, tobacco is the cause of 443,000 premature deaths each year, and is associated with emphysema, lung cancer, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, chronic cough and an increase in frequency of colds and flu.

Many people want to quit because of the enormous expense of a cigarette habit or are just plain tired of being dependant on a substance. There is also considerable social pressure not to smoke. Most smokers can recall a dirty look or rude comment from someone that was nearby when they lit up.

How Does Acupuncture Help Break the Cigarette Habit?

Acupuncture is successful with smoking cessation and has turned a growing number of cigarette smokers into permanent ex-smokers. Treatments take all of your symptoms into account and aim at balancing the energy within the body to optimize health.

The acupuncture treatments focus on jitters, cravings, irritability and restlessness; all symptoms that people commonly complain about when they quit. It also aids in relaxation and detoxification.

In one study conducted at the University of Oslo, Norway, acupuncture was found to significantly reduce the desire to smoke up to five years after the initial treatment. Subjects of the study also reported that cigarettes tasted worse than before treatment and that the treatments had effectively reduced their taste for tobacco.

The acupuncture needles used are hair-thin. They are superficially inserted into various points in the ears and body to assist with smoking cessation. In between treatments, small pellets are often taped to the acupuncture points on the ear. When a cigarette craving hits, gently pressing on the pellets stimulates the acupuncture points to calm the mind and eliminate the craving.

Acupuncture is not a panacea or a magic cure in the treatment of any addiction, including smoking. But, acupuncture is effective in making it easier to quit and remain smoke-free for good.

If you are ready to quit, call an acupuncture provider near you for a consultation to see how acupuncture can empower you to take control and begin a healthy and smoke-free life!

What Points Are Used?

Each patient is custom-treated according to his or her specific and unique diagnosis. Usually a combination of body acupuncture points and points on the ear are used that are believed to influence the organs and energetic pathways associated with smoking.

Commonly Used Points for Smoking Cessation include:

Ear points:

Shenmen

Kidney

Sympathetic

Lung Upper and Lung Lower

Hunger or Mouth

Body points:

Tim Mee- an extra-meridian point located on the wrist between LU-7 (Lieque) and LI-5 (Yangxi), a specific point to quit smoking.

The Four Gate Points (LI-4, LV-3)- would be used to circulate energy (Qi) throughout the body and calm the nervous system.

Typical treatments last from five to 30 minutes, with the patient being treated one or two times a week. After removing the needles, ear press needles or silver pellets are often applied to stimulate the points between treatments and reduce cravings.

Are There Herbs To Help Me Quit Smoking?

Often you are prescribed herbs or supplements to control cravings or withdrawal symptoms.
There are three areas to address for herbal support; dryness and tissue repair, irritability and cravings.

A Lung Yin Tonic such as Ophiopogonis Combination (Mai Men Dong Tang) is often used to moisten the lungs and mouth which can prevent cravings and repair tissue damage caused by smoking.

A Chinese herbal formula to calm the spirit may be used for irritability. Bupleurum plus Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell (Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang) can help relieve irritability and anxiety associated with detox. Many people use this formula to help them through stressful situations and prevent relapses.

Lobelia Tea (Ban Bian Lian) or Green Tea can be sipped daily during the detox period to keep tissues flooded with elements that discourage nicotine cravings. (Lobelia is traditionally used to rid the body of a strong toxin such as a snake bite.)

NOTE: The improper use of Chinese Herbs can be dangerous. Please consult with a licensed acupuncturist and herbologist before taking any herbal products.

Eight Tips to Quit Smoking

What Lifestyle and Dietary Changes Should You Make?

Exercise more. Getting moving is a great way to remind yourself why you shouldn’t smoke. Exercise can reduce your stress and help you relax far better than cigarettes.

Get plenty of fresh fruit and vegetable juices to neutralize and clear the blood of nicotinic acid and to fortify blood sugar.

Carrots, Carrot juice, celery, leafy green salads and citrus fruits promote body alkalinity and decrease cravings.

Avoid junk food, sugar and coffee. They can upset blood sugar levels and increase blood acidity which can aggravate smoking withdrawal symptoms.

Lobelia Tea or Green Tea can be sipped daily during the detox period to keep tissues flooded with elements that discourage nicotine cravings. Lobelia is traditionally used to rid the body of a strong toxin such as a snake bite.

Drink water. Research shows that dryness causes cravings. Sip water frequently throughout the day.

Practice deep breathing exercises to increase body oxygen and keep calm.

Schedule your acupuncture treatment!

How Many Treatments Will I Need and How Long Do they Take?

The length, number and frequency of treatments will vary. Typical treatments last from five to 30 minutes, with the patient being treated one or two times a week. Some symptoms are relieved after the first treatment, while more severe or chronic ailments often require multiple treatments.

A stop smoking program will often consist of 4-6 initial treatments scheduled in the first few weeks followed by monthly treatments for four to six months.

Source: 

Preventive Medicine. Volume 33, Issue 5, November 2001, Pages 364-372

Quit Smoking with Acupuncture
OM Holistic Wellness

The following steps are very effective in preventing the spread of influenza:

·       Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

·       Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

·       Do not share eating utensils, drinking glasses, towels or other personal items.

·       Stay home when you are sick, keep sick children home and check with a health care provider, as needed.

·       Avoid close contact with people who are sick, if possible.

·       Avoid crowds and areas where people congregate and are likely to be sneezing and coughing.

Common symptoms of the flu include:  Fever (usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, (much more common among children than adults).

Prevent the Spread of Influenza
OM Holistic Wellness

To view our latest Newsletter go here:
January 2013

In This Issue

January 2013 Newsletter – Relief For Chronic Fatigue and Sleep Disorders
OM Holistic Wellness

Tip #10   During your grocery shopping, choose lean meats such as chicken, turkey or fish.

We all know we should eat healthier, but for some the task can seem overwhelming.  Making small changes can have a tremendous impact on our overall health.  Follow this Healthy Tips Series to learn 30 simple ways to make positive changes in your diet.  To have a custom nutritional analysis and game plan set up for you, call 888-321-0661 to schedule your consultation today!   Cheers to a healthier you!

Author: Caroline G. Faxas, AP

30 Simple Ways to Eat Healthier – Tip #10
OM Holistic Wellness

Tip #9   Eat several whole grain foods daily.  

Great options are oats, brown rice, barley, quinoa.  If you choose to eat bread or pasta, go for the whole grain variety.  There are many tasty options out there.  Brown rice pasta is a great alternative to wheat pasta.

We all know we should eat healthier, but for some the task can seem overwhelming.  Making small changes can have a tremendous impact on our overall health.  Follow this Healthy Tips Series to learn 30 simple ways to make positive changes in your diet.  To have a custom nutritional analysis and game plan set up for you, call 888-321-0661 to schedule your consultation today!   Cheers to a healthier you!

Author: Caroline G. Faxas, AP

30 Simple Ways to Eat Healthier – Tip #9
OM Holistic Wellness

Tip #8   Have a salad instead of fries and ask for the dressing on the side.

Many times when we order a salad, it is smothered in dressing.  Adding all that extra fat and calories defeats the purpose of ordering something healthy.  By having it on the side, you control how much dressing you eat.  Rather than pouring the dressing on your salad, dip you fork into the dressing then place the salad on the fork.  You’ll be surprised how many calories you avoid!

We all know we should eat healthier, but for some the task can seem overwhelming.  Making small changes can have a tremendous impact on our overall health.  Follow this Healthy Tips Series to learn 30 simple ways to make positive changes in your diet.  To have a custom nutritional analysis and game plan set up for you, call 888-321-0661 to schedule your consultation today!   Cheers to a healthier you!

Author: Caroline G. Faxas, AP

30 Simple Ways to Eat Healthier – Tip #8
OM Holistic Wellness

Weight Loss and Acupuncture

Acupuncture has a way of “getting to the point” with the challenges many individuals face when it comes to losing weight.  For over 5000 years, acupuncture has been used to treat a variety of ailments by tapping into the body’s many energy paths or meridians.  In modern times, many Western (allopathic) practitioners are now embracing it to treat various conditions such as pain, nausea and vomiting, addictions and weight loss.  Acupuncture utilizes specific groups of points on the body to rebalance the flow of energy (also known as Qi or life force) throughout the body.  Sterile, single use needles are inserted at a shallow depth into these strategic points.  Insertion of the needles invokes a release of neurochemicals and hormones throughout the body. These needles are approximately the diameter of a cat whisker so many individuals hardly feel them at all.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss.  One can gain weight due to multiple issues – stress, hormone imbalance, eating foods that aren’t compatible with one’s composition, slower metabolism, thyroid issues, overeating, poor nutrition and lack of exercise.  For many, it’s a combination of several of the above.  By using acupuncture for weight loss, one receives a custom treatment plan that is tailored to their individual body composition.

When looking to acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for weight loss, there are several areas that must be tackled.  This modality gets to the root of the cause of the weight gain and works to correct the imbalance within the body.  In addition, food therapy and nutritional counseling is involved to ensure one is taking in the proper nutrients so that the body is functioning efficiently.  You wouldn’t put low octane fuel in a hot-rod supercar would you?  The human body is just as important!

Scientific Rational on Why Acupuncture Works for Weight Loss

The hypothalamus in the brain is responsible for maintaining homeostasis or functional balance that keeps the body running efficiently.  It also helps regulate body temperature, circadian rhythm, thirst, hunger, hormones and neurochemicals,  Weight gain could be a result of disturbed energy flow to and from the hypothalamus, thus the reason acupuncture is effective for weight control.

In addition, research measuring the effectiveness of acupuncture for weight loss found that acupuncture treatments increased ghrelin, a hormone that controls meal initiation and decreased leptin, the hormone that regulates fat storage and metabolism.  Therefore, acupuncture can influence obesity hormones.

The liver plays a key role in metabolism.  It produces substances critical for digestion, assimilation of nutrients and fat breakdown.  This organ can become “sluggish” in its duties and acupuncture can help boost the function of the liver and other organs involved in metabolism.

In summary, acupuncture is effective for weight control by regulating cravings, regulating appetite, boosting metabolism, improving digestion, enhancing nutrient absorption and regulating hormones related to weight gain.  Acupuncture also has a cleansing effect to further ensure the bodily functions are operating at optimal levels.

Guidance For Using Acupuncture For Weight Loss

• Choose a qualified practitioner – Most states require that acupuncturists be licensed to assure that they have completed the necessary education and training standards to practice. You may see A.P. (acupuncture physician) or L.Ac. (licensed acupuncturist) following his or her name.  Individuals with these designations have typically completed a 4-year course of study.
• Complete a full course of treatment – Acupuncture for weight loss is best achieved with 10 treatments delivered over a few weeks.
  Follow a comprehensive weight-loss plan – Acupuncture should be used alongside a comprehensive weight-loss plan that includes healthy food choices coupled with exercise.

Weight Loss and Acupuncture
OM Holistic Wellness