Low level lasers, also known as cold lasers, have been in medical use around the world for over 30 years.  This modality has a long record of successful clinical studies that demonstrate its medical efficacy and safety.

Low level lasers supply energy to the body in the form of non-thermal photons of light.  Light is transmitted through the skin’s layers (the dermis, epidermis and the subcutaneous tissue or tissue fat under the skin) at all wavelengths in the visible range.  However, light waves in the near infrared ranges penetrate the deepest of all light waves in the visible spectrum.  When low level laser light waves penetrate deeply into the skin, they optimize the immune responses of our blood.  This has both anti-inflammatory and immuno-stimulatory effects.  Light transmitted to the blood in this way has positive effects throughout the whole body, supplying vital oxygen and energy to every cell.

The Physiological Effects of LLLT:

• Increased cell metabolism and ATP production
• Improved blood circulation and vasodilatation
• Analgesic effect
• Anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effects
• Stimulation of wound healing

The Benefits of LLLT to Patients:

• Relieves acute and chronic pain
• Increases the speed, quality and tensile strength of tissue repair
• Increases blood supply
• Stimulates the immune system
• Stimulates nerve function and regeneration
• Develops collagen and muscle tissue
• Helps generate new and healthy cells and tissue
• Promotes faster wound healing and clot formation
• Reduces inflammation

What to Expect During a Laser Therapy Treatment Session 

For most people, laser therapy is quite passive.  There are no pulsating shocks, as in forms of electronic stimulation, nor heat as with ultrasound.  The most noticeable sensation is the touch of the probe head of the laser as it comes in contact with the skin.

Some patients (3-5% of those undergoing light therapy) have reported a slight tingling or tapping in a nerve or along a nerve pathway.  Some have noted that they are able to sense a slight feeling of warmth.  For the most part, however, the treatment, which may last from 2 to 20 minutes, is not noticed at all.

Following (and even during) a laser therapy session, approximately 75-80% of patients being treated can notice an immediate improvement in their condition, though it can take 3-4 sessions before a noticeable change occurs.  This will depend primarily on the type of condition being treated and the length of time the condition has been present.

Generally, the more chronic or severe the condition, the longer it takes to respond.  The majority of conditions treated will take anywhere from 4-5 or 10-18 treatments.  Once again, the number of treatments depends upon the severity of the condition and its duration. 

I am very excited to now be offering this new therapy as part of my practice!

Chinese Herbology has its roots in four primary historical texts that all date back to about the third century.  The texts are the Yellow Emperor’s Classic (Nei Jing) that outlines the basic theoretical principles of Chinese medicine, the Divine Husbandman’s Materia Medica (Shen Nong Ben Cao) that is credited with being the first compendium of Chinese herbal knowledge, the Discussion of Cold-Induced Disorders (Shang Han Lun) and the Essentials from the Golden Chamber (Jin Gui Yao Lue) both of which go into great detail about diagnostic pattern differentiation and prescribing of Chinese medicinals. 

One of the most basic things to keep in mind about Chinese herbal formulas is that they are not merely a mixture of random herbs that is haphazardly put together.  Each formula is a carefully crafted blend of herbs that work synergistically to balance and enhance each other to bring about the best therapeutic results.  This balance can take many forms such as one herb strengthening the effect of another, one herb counterbalancing an undesirable property in another herb such as toxicity, or one herb working to harmonize all the herbs in the formula to make it easier to process and digest.  Additionally, specific therapeutic strategies and methods underlie the formulation and application of herbal combinations. 

The herbs in formula combinations are divided into four categories: chief, deputy, assistant, and envoy.  The chief herb is the main herb(s) in the formula that is directed toward the principal pattern of disharmony.  The chief is an indispensable ingredient and has the greatest effect upon treating the pattern.  The deputy herb(s) aids the chief herb in treating the principal pattern of disharmony and also serves as the main ingredient to treat any coexisting patterns.  The assistant herb(s) reinforces the effect of both the chief and deputy herbs, and also directly influences a less important aspect of the main pattern.  The assistant herbs also moderate or eliminate the harsh nature of other ingredients and reduce the toxicity or side effects of other herbs in the formula.  The envoy herb(s) focuses the action of the formula on a certain channel or area of the body.  The envoy also harmonizes and integrates the actions of the other ingredients in the formula.

The formula for allergies, Jade Windscreen (Yu Ping Feng San), that I mentioned in my last blog post is a good example.  The chief herb in this formula is Astragalus.  This herb is directed against the primary pattern of disharmony, which, in the case of allergies, is an imbalanced immune response.  Atractylodis, the deputy, reinforces the action of the chief herb by helping to normalize immune response, and also goes a little further by strengthening the lung and spleen energy, thereby addressing the root cause of the immune imbalance.  Ledebouriellae, the assistant herb, helps both the chief and deputy herbs stabilize the immune system while also protecting the body from invasion by wind.  (See my last blog post for more information about wind and allergies.)  This formula does not include an envoy, illustrating the fact that not every formula has every component.  Likewise, many formulas have multiple deputy and assistant herbs.

It is this multi-layered treatment approach that allows Chinese herbal formulas to be so effective.  Each formula is designed carefully to not only address symptoms, but to also go deeper to address the cause of the symptoms.  The formulas, therefore, not only provide symptom relief, but they also help to correct the body’s imbalances to prevent the symptoms from recurring.  The complexity behind each formula is why it is always best to consult with a formally trained Chinese herbalist to make sure that you take the most appropriate formula for your specific condition.        

Traditionally, herbal formulas were decocted by boiling raw herbs and drinking the resulting liquid.  This form is known as a tea.  Because raw herbs require a good bit of time and effort to cook, granules are an easier way for a practitioner to have the same ability to modify a formula for a specific patient without requiring the patient to cook herbs.  Granules are decocted herbs that are then dried into a powder form.  The powder is then reconstituted with boiling water and taken as a tea.  Many classic formulas are also available in tablet or tincture form, and these are also wonderful choices.  Herbal formulas work best when patients take them, so it is always best to give patients a choice about how to take their herbs to see which form will fit best into their lifestyle.

Chinese medicine views seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms as being primarily caused by the pathogenic influence of wind.  Wind is qualified by symptoms that occur quickly, are rapidly changeable, affect mostly the upper part of the body, and occur at a very surface level – for example, mucous membranes and skin.  From the perspective of Chinese medicine, those of us with underlying deficiencies, often of the spleen, kidney, or lung, are especially susceptible to invasion by wind, and, therefore, conditions like seasonal allergies.

Luckily, there are many natural options to help relieve allergy symptoms.  One of the best choices for effective and side effect free treatment is acupuncture.  Acupuncture works incredibly well because it not only relieves current symptoms, but also balances the immune system and corrects underlying deficiencies to help prevent symptoms from recurring.  Regular treatments are most effective during allergy season, ideally starting acupuncture therapy a few weeks before symptoms hit their peak. 

Chinese herbal medicine is another very effective choice, and can be combined with acupuncture for faster results.  One of the most basic formulas used during allergy season is Jade Windscreen (Yu Ping Feng San).  This formula is incredibly simple and elegant, comprised of only three herbs – one that expels wind (Ledeboureilla root), one that supports the lung system (Astragalus root), and one that supports the spleen system (Atractylodes).  The simplicity of this formula also makes it highly adaptable for each individual patient’s presentation.

Using a neti pot can also be of great help during allergy season.  Nasal irrigation with saline can be extremely effective at washing allergens out of the nasal passageways and preventing an immune response.  Additionally, the saline helps to moisturize the nasal membranes and control swelling.  Goldenseal and/or grapefruit seed extract are great additions to the traditional saline wash.

Supplements can also be of great support to your system this time of year.  Quercitin can help to normalize the histamine reaction, Bromelain thins mucous and reduces nasal passage swelling and inflammation, and good quality probiotics help to normalize large intestine and gut function and, therefore, support the immune system as a whole.

Remember, there’s no reason to suffer this season.  Try some of the many natural options available to you to find relief from allergy symptoms!

In our western culture, we are very “production oriented.”  Time is money, right?  We place a lot of value on being industrious and getting things done.  We don’t, however, see the flip-side so easily, often neglecting to take time to rest and rejuvenate, often seeing these things as being a “waste of time” since we can’t easily measure tangible or material benefits from taking time off.  The effect this type of behavior has on our body is cumulative, and, over time, we start to experience health problems because of our unwillingness to slow down and rest.  What we experience in this regard varies greatly from person to person, depending on each individual’s constitution.  Some people may be able to push themselves harder for much longer without seeing any detriment, and for others, this type of behavior may take a more immediate toll.  Either way, the body’s energy reserves are being taxed and used up at a greater rate than they are being replenished, and this, eventually, will lead to a health related issue of one sort or another – lowered immunity and autoimmune disease, insomnia and poor sleep, thyroid and adrenal dysfunction, digestive upset, migraines, chronic muscular tension, and menstrual issues just to name a few.  On the extreme end of the spectrum, this type of over-taxation on the body can even end up expressing as cancer.  The burden of chronic overwork can show up absolutely anywhere in the body, depending, again, on where a particular individual has a tendency to fall out of balance or a constitutional weakness. 

According to the Five Phases (also called Elements) in Chinese medicine, to prevent this kind of deep depletion of our reserves, we need to support and take proper care to nourish Water.  The Water phase/element is associated with the kidneys and the urinary bladder, and I’m sure this makes intuitive sense, as these are the two primary organs that are responsible for physiologically processing much of the water in the body.  Water is also associated with the deep endocrine and glandular processes of the body, the production and regulation of hormones, and the bones.  The kidneys, in Chinese medicine, are where the root yin and yang (the root energy) of the body is stored.  In addition, the kidneys store the precious substance called jing, which is our body’s deepest core essence, akin to measurable physiological substances that trace our ancestral inheritance like our DNA.

As most of the processes governed by the Water phase/element are at the deepest level of our being, it is easy to understand the significant importance of taking care to nourish this system well and provide it with proper maintenance.  In the case of Water, proper maintenance equals REST.  

Rest becomes especially important this time of year, as the Water phase is associated with the season of winter.  We can liken Water energy to a seed buried deep in the frozen ground.  The seed, like our kidneys, holds within it all the requirements for it to germinate, sprout, push up through the soil in the spring, grow tall and full and vibrant, and eventually release new seeds to go through the same process of birth and growth.  However, none of this can manifest if the seed, during the winter, is not given the proper time to mature within itself and rest within the soil before beginning its emergence into the warm sun of springtime.  The same is true for us as humans.  Winter is the time of year that we should be resting and rejuvenating – storing our energy for the spring when it will be time for us, like the seed, to burst forth with our creative energy for all the new projects we want to accomplish in our lives.  If we don’t take the time to let our energy consolidate and our ideas coalesce, then we won’t, ultimately, have much to offer once the energy is there in spring to support our growth. 

The evidence of this is all around us in nature.  In winter, the atmosphere is quiet and still, the days are short, and the climate is cold.  The cues we are getting from nature are to stay inside, stay warm, and rest well.  So make sure to slow down this winter, take some time off, and let your body restore its deep level energy to support you to be even more productive in the coming months once the weather warms and the days grow long again.  Take a nap, curl up with your favorite book and a nice cup of hot tea, have a soak in the tub – whatever helps you to relax, unwind, and be still.      



Broths are ideal food for us as they are very easy to digest, and our body has to expend very little effort to utilize the nutrients contained within them.  Bone broth, in particular, contains an astounding assortment of beneficial factors such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, sulphur, collagen, the building blocks for glucosamine and chondroitin, essential amino acids, and many other highly absorbable nutrients and trace minerals.   Additionally, the nicest part about getting our nutrients from a natural source, such as bone broth, means that we are also getting any supplemental, perhaps as of yet unknown, co-factors needed to support the digestion, absorption, and metabolism of the primary nutrients.  This is especially true for bone maintenance and regeneration.   

Another unique aspect of bone broth is that it contains marrow, a very nutritious substance rich in omega-3 fatty acids.  In Chinese medical theory, marrow is considered to be an extraordinary substance that nourishes our deep development, growth, and our jing.  Jing, in Chinese medicine, is akin to our life essence – the reservoir from which we draw energetic sustenance during our entire lives.   By supporting our jing with smart dietary choices, we can make sure our reserves don’t easily run low, and that we always have the energy we need to take care of everything that’s required of us in our busy lives. 

BONE BROTH

Ingredients:

• Marrow Bones – use only organic, free-range, hormone-free animal bones such as beef knuckle bones or a chicken carcass
• 1 – 2 tsp. rice wine or apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (the vinegar/acid helps to dissolve the calcium and other minerals out of the bone)
• Root vegetables and/or any other vegetables for flavor (optional)

Place bones (and vegetables if you are using them) in a soup pot and cover with water by two inches.  Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to simmer, and let the broth simmer from 12 – 24 hours for chicken bones and 24 – 72 hours for beef bones.   As the broth cooks, scrape off the foam that rises to the top.  Once cooking is complete, remove the bones and vegetables with a slotted spoon, and refrigerate the broth so the fat separates and solidifies at the top.  Scrape off some of the fat, but not all, as saturated fats help the body to assimilate minerals and vitamins.

The broth can be refrigerated for several days or frozen for several months.  I like to freeze the broth in ice-cube trays, making it extra easy to use in recipes throughout the next several months.  Bone broth combines really well with miso for an extra nutritious soup or stew, but you can season this broth however you like.

You may also use a crock pot to make this recipe even easier!

Remember, when you take the time to make this broth, you are nourishing and supporting yourself at the deepest level possible!

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In Chinese medicine, the process of digestion utilizes a great deal of metabolic heat (digestive fire) to break down, absorb, and integrate all the nutrients from our food.  Because of this, our digestive organs (the spleen and stomach in Chinese medicine), are highly susceptible to the pathogenic influence of cold.  If we collect too much cold in the digestive system, we don’t process and absorb the nutrients from our food efficiently.  In addition, we might also get unpleasant physical symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gassiness, constipation, or diarrhea.  By keeping the relative balance of cold and heat in check in the digestive system, everything flows much more smoothly, and our bodies are able to function optimally.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are, of course, very supportive to the digestive processes in our body.  These modalities can help regulate digestion and elimination, as well as normalize metabolism.  Dietary therapy, however, is a crucial part of maintaining the balance that we achieve from therapies like acupuncture.  This is why dietary therapy, along with acupuncture and herbal medicine, is one of the very important branches within Chinese medicine.

Many of my patients have been asking for another recipe, and this seems like the perfect time to share one of my very favorite stew recipes.  During fall and winter, I think I make this stew about every other week because I love it so much.  I hope you enjoy this one as much as I do!

QUICK SAUSAGE, WHITE BEAN & SPINACH STEW

1 ½ tsp olive oil
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped and divided OR 1 tsp dried thyme, divided
1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped and divided OR 1 tsp dried rosemary, divided
2-4 cloves garlic, minced and divided
1 lb sweet or hot sausage cut into one-inch chunks
1 (19 oz.) can white cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
½ cup dry white wine (I use cooking sherry)
½ cup chicken broth
3-4 roma tomatoes, cored and cubed OR one can peeled, diced tomatoes
Hot pepper sauce
1 bag baby spinach, stemmed and coarsely chopped

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large soup pot.  Add onions, salt, pepper, half the thyme, half the rosemary, and half the garlic.  Cook for 4 minutes, stirring frequently.

Put sausage in a skillet and cover with ½ cup water.  Cook over high heat 8-10 minutes, or until the water evaporates.  Remove the sausage from the skillet, and add to the soup pot with the onions in it.  Brown all lightly – about 4 minutes.  Add beans, wine, broth, tomatoes, and a dash of hot pepper sauce.  Add remaining thyme, rosemary, and garlic.  Reduce heat and simmer for 4 minutes.  Add spinach and cook an additional 15-20 minutes until the sauce is somewhat thickened.

Serve with a crusty baguette and ENJOY!

An interview about Golden Shield qi gong with my teacher, Michael Hynes:

Click here to listen to the interview

A video introduction to Golden Shield qi gong put together by a colleague of mine at Five Branches University, Natan Bar-Shimon (see parts 2-6 on youtube.com):

Cholesterol, in and of itself, is not bad.  Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is found in all of our body’s cells.  We need cholesterol in our bodies to maintain many normal physiological functions, including the production of new cells.  However, there is good and bad cholesterol. 

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are the “good” cholesterols.  These molecules help to control excess cholesterol in your blood by collecting it and carrying it to the liver where it is broken down and processed out of your body.  The higher the level of HDL in your blood, the less “bad” cholesterol you will have. 

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are the “bad” cholesterols.  These molecules carry cholesterol to the many organs and tissues in your body that require it.  However, if your body has excess LDLs, the excess continues to circulate in your blood, and, overtime, it will begin to build up on your blood vessel walls and collect as deposits called “plaques.”  These plaque deposits cause your blood vessels to narrow, and blood flow is restricted.  This can lead to high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can play a role in helping you to maintain healthy cholesterol levels by approaching you as a whole person and correcting the underlying imbalances in your body.  There are four common patterns we see in Chinese medicine that correspond with high cholesterol.  Often these patterns can be distinguished based on other conditions a patient may have, such as difficulty losing weight, heart disease, arthritic changes, or inability to digest and assimilate food properly.  Our bodies are very complex, and, in most cases, a combination of these patterns will be present in any one individual.  Treatment with both acupuncture and herbs will yield the best and most lasting results.  It is always important, however, to keep up with blood work via your primary physician to make sure that your cholesterol levels are in a good range.

Diet and lifestyle also play a crucial role in maintaining proper cholesterol levels.  The Mayo Clinic has put together some wonderful information regarding the top five diet and lifestyle choices that can help you maintain proper cholesterol levels.  I have reposted the information here for your convenience.

The top five cholesterol lowering foods according to the Mayo Clinic are:

1. Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods

Oatmeal contains soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad" cholesterol. Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, apples, pears, barley and prunes.

Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream.  Five to 10 grams or more of soluble fiber a day decreases your total and LDL cholesterol. Eating 1 1/2 cups of cooked oatmeal provides 6 grams of fiber.  If you add fruit, such as bananas, you'll add about 4 more grams of fiber.  To mix it up a little, try steel-cut oatmeal or cold cereal made with oatmeal or oat bran.

2. Fish and omega-3 fatty acids

Eating fatty fish can be heart-healthy because of its high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce your blood pressure and risk of developing blood clots.  In people who have already had heart attacks, fish oil, or omega-3 fatty acids, reduces the risk of sudden death.

Doctors recommend eating at least two servings of fish a week. The highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids are in mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, salmon, and halibut.

You should bake or grill the fish to avoid adding unhealthy fats.  If you don't like fish, you can also get small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids from foods like ground flaxseed or canola oil.

You can take an omega-3 or fish oil supplement to get some of the benefits, but you won't get other nutrients in fish, like selenium.  If you decide to take a supplement, just remember to watch your diet and eat lean meat or vegetables in place of fish.

3. Walnuts, almonds and other nuts

Walnuts, almonds and other nuts can reduce blood cholesterol. Rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, walnuts also help keep blood vessels healthy.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, eating about a handful (1.5 ounces, or 42.5 grams) a day of most nuts, such as almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, some pine nuts, pistachio nuts and walnuts, may reduce your risk of heart disease.  Just make sure the nuts you eat aren't salted or coated with sugar.

All nuts are high in calories, so a handful will do. To avoid eating too many nuts and gaining weight, replace foods high in saturated fat with nuts.  For example, instead of using cheese, meat or croutons in your salad, add a handful of walnuts or almonds.

4. Olive oil

Olive oil contains a potent mix of antioxidants that can lower your "bad" (LDL) cholesterol but leave your "good" (HDL) cholesterol untouched.

The Food and Drug Administration recommends using about 2 tablespoons (23 grams) of olive oil a day in place of other fats in your diet to get its heart-healthy benefits. To add olive oil to your diet, you can saute vegetables in it, add it to a marinade, or mix it with vinegar as a salad dressing.  You can also use olive oil as a substitute for butter when basting meat or as a dip for bread.  Olive oil is high in calories, so don't eat more than the recommended amount.

The cholesterol-lowering effects of olive oil are even greater if you choose extra-virgin olive oil, meaning the oil is less processed and contains more heart-healthy antioxidants. But keep in mind that "light" olive oils are usually more processed than extra-virgin or virgin olive oils and are lighter in color, not fat or calories.

5. Foods with added plant sterols or stanols

Foods are now available that have been fortified with sterols or stanols — substances found in plants that help block the absorption of cholesterol.

Margarines, orange juice and yogurt drinks with added plant sterols can help reduce LDL cholesterol by more than 10 percent.  The amount of daily plant sterols needed for results is at least 2 grams — which equals about two 8-ounce (237-milliliter) servings of plant sterol-fortified orange juice a day.

Plant sterols or stanols in fortified foods don't appear to affect levels of triglycerides or of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterol.

Other changes to your diet

For any of these foods to provide their benefit, you need to make other changes to your diet and lifestyle.

Cut back on the cholesterol and total fat — especially saturated and trans fats — that you eat. Saturated fats, like those in meat, full-fat dairy products and some oils, raise your total cholesterol. Trans fats, which are sometimes found in margarines and store-bought cookies, crackers and cakes, are particularly bad for your cholesterol levels. Trans fats raise low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad" cholesterol, and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterol.

Although your doctor may have told you to lower your total cholesterol, it's important to raise your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which is known as the "good" cholesterol.  It might sound like a mixed message, but reducing "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol is a great way to lower your risk of heart disease.

Make your lifestyle count

Your lifestyle has the single greatest impact on your HDL cholesterol.  Even small changes to your daily habits are extremely beneficial to help raise your HDL levels.

Don't smoke.  If you smoke, quit. Quitting smoking can increase your HDL cholesterol by up to 10 percent.

Lose weight.  Extra pounds take a toll on HDL cholesterol. If you're overweight, losing even a few pounds can improve your HDL level.  

Get more physical activity.  Within two months of starting, frequent aerobic exercise can increase HDL cholesterol by about 5 percent in otherwise healthy sedentary adults. Your best bet for increasing HDL cholesterol is to exercise briskly for 30 minutes, five times a week. Examples of brisk, aerobic exercise include walking, running, cycling, swimming, playing basketball, raking leaves — anything that increases your heart rate. You can also break up your daily activity into three 10-minute segments if you're having difficulty finding time to exercise.

Choose healthier fats.  A healthy diet includes some fat, but there's a limit. In a heart-healthy diet, between 25 and 35 percent of your total daily calories can come from fat — but saturated fat should account for less than 7 percent of your total daily calories. Avoid foods that contain saturated and trans fats, which raise LDL cholesterol and damage your blood vessels.

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — found in olive, peanut and canola oils — tend to improve HDL's anti-inflammatory abilities. Nuts, fish and other foods containing omega-3 fatty acids are other good choices for improving your LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio.

Drink alcohol only in moderation.  If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. This means no more than one drink a day for women and everyone over age 65, and two drinks a day for men.