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Seattle Community Acupuncture: Gluten-Free Food at Amazon.com
I often come across people, including my friends and my acupuncture patients, who have recently learned they are gluten-intolerant and are struggling with the task of adjusting their shopping and cooking tasks to their new dietary restriction. Here is some information that might make their lives – and yours – a little easier.
Amazon.com may be the answer for people who are gluten intolerant or who suffer from celiac disease. It can be difficult to find many gluten-free foods in local groceries. Amazon.com has a huge selection of gluten-free foods and at reasonable prices. With the click of your mouse, you can choose from thousands of gluten-free items in the gluten-free section of Amazon Grocery. What’s more, you can read the readers’ reviews to help you decide on items that are new to you.
– Linda Phelps, LAc, MSA, Dipl Ac
Acupuncture Relieves “BlackBerry Thumb”
Acupuncture effectively relieves pain in thumb, wrist, arm from the repetitive task of typing text messages. Here is a good article from AcutakeHealth.com, which talks about why texting can cause discomfort and how acupuncture can help!
BlackBerry Thumb Be Gone, by Acutake Health
Digitally induced thumb pain is becoming a 21st century epidemic. The catch-all term “BlackBerry thumb” has come to designate the phenomenon, but it actually refers to thumb pain acquired from overuse of any mobile device. It turns out, the familiar cupped-palm-with-busily-dancing-thumbs position wreaks havoc on our first digit.
Typing on mobile devices involves a lot of repetitive motions. The same hand and arm muscles—the ones required to flex, extend, adduct and abduct the thumb (see details below)—are constantly working to accommodate our communication needs. Over time, these overworked muscles can develop trigger points, sensitive nodules in the skeletal musculature that cause referred pain.
To address BlackBerry thumb, acupuncturists release trigger points in the hand and arm muscles while simultaneously addressing the perpetuating factors that cause these painful nodules to form.
A treatment option that gets to the root of the problem is especially important for a condition like BlackBerry thumb. The age-old advice to rest isn’t very sound in this case. After all, the people who develop BlackBerry thumb are usually the ones for whom detaching from their mobile device is the most inconceivable. And even for those who are able to take a break, the trigger points are likely to reactivate once frequent thumb movement resumes. Pain medications and cortisone shots are band-aid solutions as well, because they mask symptoms rather than addressing the underlying issue.
In contrast to these commonly prescribed and rarely effective mainstream treatment options, acupuncture goes right to the source.
Trigger points in several muscles can cause thumb pain. Acupuncture treatments for BlackBerry thumb commonly focus on the following:
Flexor pollicis longus. Although located in the forearm, the flexor pollicis longus directly relates to the thumb. It attaches to the base of the thumb and therefore allows for flexion of the tip of the thumb. Trigger points in the flexor pollicis longus refer pain through the entire thumb to the tip, sometimes giving the sensation that pain is actually extending beyond the finger (see picture at left).
Adductor pollicis and opponens pollicis. These muscles, located in the web between the thumb and index finger, are constantly working during mobile typing because of the cupped-palm position that most of us use to hold our devices. The adductor pollicis brings the thumb toward the index finger, and the opponens pollicis brings the thumb toward the pinkie. In Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual, a book written before the proliferation of mobile devices, author Janet Travell says trigger points in the adductor pollicis and opponens pollicis are caused by “prolonged pincer gripping, as when sewing, weeding, writing longhand, and opening jar tops.” Texting is the modern-day pincer-grip activity. Trigger points in the adductor pollicis and opponens pollicis refer pain to the inside of the thumb and palm, and sometimes down into the wrist. (see picture at right).
Trigger points in the brachialis, brachioradialis and supinator muscles—all located in the arm—also can refer pain to the thumb. These muscles may play a role in BlackBerry thumb, but their function has less direct relevance to thumb movement. Flexor pollicis longus, adductor pollicis and opponens pollicis are the primary suspects in cases of BlackBerry thumb.
In addition to trigger-point release, acupuncture treatments for BlackBerry thumb address perpetuating factors that may be contributing to pain. For example, emotional stress and tension or an imbalance in an organ/meridian system can affect the body’s ability to respond to and recover from repetitive muscle strain. The approach to treating these factors is customized for each person, depending on what the acupuncturist determines from pulse, tongue and other diagnostic readings.
Mobile is the fastest-growing area of technology. People are not getting rid of their BlackBerrys and other mobile devices anytime soon. Thankfully, we have acupuncture to get rid of the pain they cause.
Trigger-point images from Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual
Acupuncture Helps Seattle Musician Relearn to Play After Stroke
Video: Boyd’s Return to the Bandstand After Stroke
Linda’s husband, Dr. Boyd Phelps, DMA, is a professional saxophonist and music educator who lost nearly all knowledge of music — notation, theory, familiar melodies, etc — when he suffered several strokes in the left hemisphere of his brain during the last year (2010-2011) . As a result of the strokes, Boyd has expressive and receptive aphasia (impaired ability to speak, read, write, or comprehend words) and acquired amusia (impaired ability to play or understand music). Until the strokes, Boyd was a very fine musician, music educator, bandleader, author, and an authority on the saxophone. Now he has difficulty in all these areas due to his aphasia and acquired amusia. Through his determination and strong work ethic, and with the help of acupuncture and speech therapy, Boyd is regaining his music and language skills. On July 26, 2011, Boyd was finally able to play his saxophone with his band for the first time in a year, and we captured the milestone event in this video!
Acupuncture is very effective in reducing and resolving the effects of stroke, including not only language and music skills but also resolving paralysis, pain, sensory perception, and other neurological impairments. For optimum results, acupuncture treatments should begin as soon as possible once a stroke has begun. This is well known in China, where acupuncture has been a common medicine for thousands of years. Boyd’s treatments began 4 days after the stroke, while he was still in the hospital, and there was marked improvement in his language skills immediately after treatment. His music impairments were not known about until Boyd tried to play his saxophone after he was discharged from the hospital.
Acupuncture treatment for stroke addresses specific areas of the brain affected by the stroke, and also energetic pathways in the body. In the community acupuncture setting, treatment for stroke involves the stimulation of acupuncture points on the arms, legs, and head. Electroacupuncture – a subtle electrical pulse applied to the needles on the head – is used to stimulate neurological function of the affected brain regions.
Seattle Community Acupuncture: How Acupuncture Can Help Your Memory
Do you notice problems with your short-term or long-term memory? Do you want to prevent memory problems? Acupuncture can enhance your memory and prevent memory loss or poor memory. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, there are 3 different aspects of our memory and these are controlled by the Spleen, Heart, and Liver in TCM physiology. Acupuncture boosts memory by nourishing the Blood of the Spleen, Heart, and Liver. The following article, which appeared in Acutakehealth.com today, explains in more detail:
Memory Is In The Blood
from AcuTake on July, 19, 2011 (acutakehealth.com)
Two separate studies released last week looked at why we sometimes have a hard time remembering things. One said internet use plays a role, as we make less effort to retain information we know can be retrieved later; the other exposed the damaging effects of binge drinking, for its ability to trigger a steroid that interferes with memory.
As anyone who has attempted to recite a phone number in the past 10 years can confirm, technology certainly has dwindled our recall abilities. And drinking need not be of the binge variety to remind us that alcohol clouds the memory.
But what about memory lapses that are unrelated (or in addition) to the deficiencies created by computers and alcohol? What underlying issues make us susceptible to these kinds of external factors that contribute to poor memory? This is where acupuncturists focus their attention.
Poor memory usually is a sign of Blood Deficiency stemming from an imbalance in the Spleen, Heart or Liver system.
Blood in acupuncture is not the same as the blood we think about in biomedicine. Functionally and energetically, Blood is the counterpart to Qi, the vibrant, dynamic element that allows the physical, emotional and spiritual parts of a person to thrive. If Qi is active, Blood is still. Blood is what allows us to relax into ourselves, to soften so that we’re able to receive the things that Qi brings about.
In order to retain memories, we have to receive them in the first place. We need Blood in order to embrace and actualize that which is happening around us. When Blood is deficient, the memory—the ability to capture experiences and allow them to nourish us—can be poor. Other common signs of Blood Deficiency include paleness, dry skin or hair, dizziness, blurred vision, fatigue, numbness in the limbs, light or absent menstrual periods, restlessness, and lack of self-esteem.
To rectify a Blood Deficiency pattern, acupuncturists ask where it’s coming from.
A clue in this regard can come from any symptoms that accompany the classic Blood Deficiency signs mentioned above. Sometimes Blood Deficiency can affect a particular organ system, thereby causing symptoms that are specific to that organ. For example, a person with Heart Blood Deficiency may experience heart palpitations and insomnia in addition to poor memory; someone with Spleen Blood Deficiency may have digestive problems.
Another indicator of the underlying imbalance is the type of memory that’s compromised.
Problems with short-term memory generally are associated with the Spleen. The Spleen plays a critical role in producing and then holding onto the Blood, so when the Spleen is weak, there is not enough Blood to support short-term memory. One extremely common pattern in Western societies, Spleen Qi Deficiency, is caused by overwork or excessive mental concentration, which is why many people notice a decline in memory during high-stress times at work or school.
The Heart is said to house the Mind and rule the Blood, making it vital to both short-term and long-term memory. Typically, however, Heart imbalances are linked to long-term memory problems. The Heart system is responsible for the continuous circulation of blood, through the vessels but also continuously over time, allowing for uninterrupted recall of past events.
The Liver also may play a role in memory loss. The Liver stores the Blood so that body tissues stay appropriately moist and nourished. The mental and emotional aspects of a person, including memory, require this nourishing as well. Good memory also is dependent on smooth flow throughout the body so that all structures and functions can effectively support the formation and retention of Blood. This also is the domain of Liver.
Like memories, the reasons for losing them are unique to each person. Acupuncture creates a customized picture to help prevent memory lapses and regain lost moments—often they’re found in the Blood.
Two separate studies released last week looked at why we sometimes have a hard time remembering things. One said internet use plays a role, as we make less effort to retain information we know can be retrieved later; the other exposed the damaging effects of binge drinking, for its ability to trigger a steroid that interferes with memory.As anyone who has attempted to recite a phone number in the past 10 years can confirm, technology certainly has dwindled our recall abilities. And drinking need not be of the binge variety to remind us that alcohol clouds the memory.
But what about memory lapses that are unrelated (or in addition) to the deficiencies created by computers and alcohol? What underlying issues make us susceptible to these kinds of external factors that contribute to poor memory? This is where acupuncturists focus their attention.
Poor memory usually is a sign of Blood Deficiency stemming from an imbalance in the Spleen, Heart or Liver system.
Blood in acupuncture is not the same as the blood we think about in biomedicine. Functionally and energetically, Blood is the counterpart to Qi, the vibrant, dynamic element that allows the physical, emotional and spiritual parts of a person to thrive. If Qi is active, Blood is still. Blood is what allows us to relax into ourselves, to soften so that we’re able to receive the things that Qi brings about.
In order to retain memories, we have to receive them in the first place. We need Blood in order to embrace and actualize that which is happening around us. When Blood is deficient, the memory—the ability to capture experiences and allow them to nourish us—can be poor. Other common signs of Blood Deficiency include paleness, dry skin or hair, dizziness, blurred vision, fatigue, numbness in the limbs, light or absent menstrual periods, restlessness, and lack of self-esteem.
To rectify a Blood Deficiency pattern, acupuncturists ask where it’s coming from.
A clue in this regard can come from any symptoms that accompany the classic Blood Deficiency signs mentioned above. Sometimes Blood Deficiency can affect a particular organ system, thereby causing symptoms that are specific to that organ. For example, a person with Heart Blood Deficiency may experience heart palpitations and insomnia in addition to poor memory; someone with Spleen Blood Deficiency may have digestive problems.
Another indicator of the underlying imbalance is the type of memory that’s compromised.
Problems with short-term memory generally are associated with the Spleen. The Spleen plays a critical role in producing and then holding onto the Blood, so when the Spleen is weak, there is not enough Blood to support short-term memory. One extremely common pattern in Western societies, Spleen Qi Deficiency, is caused by overwork or excessive mental concentration, which is why many people notice a decline in memory during high-stress times at work or school.
The Heart is said to house the Mind and rule the Blood, making it vital to both short-term and long-term memory. Typically, however, Heart imbalances are linked to long-term memory problems. The Heart system is responsible for the continuous circulation of blood, through the vessels but also continuously over time, allowing for uninterrupted recall of past events.
The Liver also may play a role in memory loss. The Liver stores the Blood so that body tissues stay appropriately moist and nourished. The mental and emotional aspects of a person, including memory, require this nourishing as well. Good memory also is dependent on smooth flow throughout the body so that all structures and functions can effectively support the formation and retention of Blood. This also is the domain of Liver.
Like memories, the reasons for losing them are unique to each person. Acupuncture creates a customized picture to help prevent memory lapses and regain lost moments—often they’re found in the Blood.
Seattle Community Acupuncture: Musicians – How Many Hours a Day Should You Practice?
This post is for musicians. Instrumentalists and also vocalists should read this excellent article about how to practice music for optimum productivity. The key is to practice effectively. Deliberate practicing versus mindless practicing. Also note that focused, goal-based practicing can help prevent injuries that can result from mindless repetitive practicing.
How Many Hours a Day Should You Practice?
by Dr. Noa Kageyama
2 hours? 4 hours? 8 hours? 12 hours?
How much is enough?
Is there such a thing as practicing too much?
Is there an optimal number of hours that one should practice?
What Do Performers Say?
Some of the great artists of the 20th century have shared their thoughts on these questions. I once read an interview with Rubinstein (or it may have been Horowitz – I can’t remember exactly whom), in which he stated that nobody should have to practice more than four hours a day, explaining that if you needed to practice more than four hours a day, you probably weren’t doing it right.
Other great artists have expressed similar sentiments. Violinist Nathan Milstein is said to have once asked his teacher Leopold Auer how many hours a day he should be practicing. “If you practice with your fingers, no amount is enough,” was Auer’s response. “If you practice with your head, two hours is plenty.”
Heifetz also indicated that he never believed in practicing too much, and that excessive practice is “just as bad as practicing too little!” He claimed that he practiced no more than three hours per day on average, and that he didn’t practice at all on Sundays. You know, this is not a bad idea – one of my own teachers, Donald Weilerstein, once suggested that I establish a 24-hour period of time every week where I was not allowed to pick up my instrument.
What Do Psychologists Say?
When it comes to understanding expertise and expert performance, psychologist Dr. K. Anders Ericsson is perhaps the world’s leading authority. continue reading
Seattle Community Acupuncture: Community Model Improves Access
This is an excellent piece about community acupuncture from Acutakehealth.com. It features an interview with my mentor Lisa Rohleder, co-founder of the community acupuncture movement. A good read if you want to learn more about this style of acupuncture and why it is growing in popularity. – Linda Phelps, LAc/EAMP
Back in 2006, John Weeks, editor of The Integrator Blog, called the community acupuncture model “one of the most exciting recent developments in the business of integrated care.” 
His conclusion was based on discussions with Lisa Rohleder (far right, joined by business partners Skip Van Meter and Lupine Hudson), founder of Working Class Acupuncture in Portland, OR, and author of The Remedy and Acupuncture Is Like Noodles. Rohleder has become the public voice of the community acupuncture movement, which she believes has the power to create major change in healthcare.
AcuTake: The community model, with slide-scale fees between $15 and $40, makes acupuncture financially accessible. But is community acupuncture, where people are treated in a group setting and receive less one-on-one attention, as clinically effective as private practice?
Rohleder: I have been an acupuncturist for 16 years, and as far as I can tell, all forms of acupuncture work equally well—community acupuncture, private acupuncture, and all the various traditions and styles of practice…What makes community acupuncture most effective is its accessibility.
Acupuncture works beautifully for lots of conditions, but it rarely works fast. That is the trade off you get for something that is so gentle and non-toxic. There are plenty of instances of dramatic outcomes from acupuncture, but you should not go into it expecting that. A more realistic expectation is that it will work gradually over time. With that in mind, you really want to think about not just how to get an acupuncture treatment but how to get a complete course of treatment. continue reading
Seattle Community Acupuncture: Acupuncture Stops Menstrual Pain
According to a new study published in the April-May 2011 issue of the Clinical Journal of Pain (Official journal of the Eastern Pain Association) and described in HealthCare Medicine Institute —
Acupuncture was shown to be effective for the treatment of menstrual pain. A recent study of patients with primary dysmenorrhea measured significant pain relief by needling acupuncture point Sp6. The studies quantified these results against a non-acupuncture control group and a GB39 acupuncture point control group. Blood samples were taken of participants during the study. It was shown that although acupuncture decreased menstrual pain, it was not related to plasma levels of prostaglandins. The researchers concluded that the analgesic effects of Sp6 are not mediated by prostaglandin changes in the bloodstream. The researchers checked levels of 4 main prostaglandins (PGE2, PGF2a, TXB2, 6-keto PGF1a).
Sp6, San Yin Jiao, is the Three Yin Intersection acupuncture point. It is the meeting point of the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney channels. Sp6 tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi, benefits the Kidney and Liver, regulates menstruation, activates the channels and stops pain, invigorates the blood, and calms the spirit. Sp6 is also notable for resolving damp stagnation.
The leg three Yin channels (Spleen, Liver, and Kidney) control menstruation and other gynecological and reproductive processes. Located on the medial side of the lower leg, 3 cun superior to the prominence of the medial malleolus in a depression close to the medial crest of the tibia, Sp6 is one of the more common acupuncture points used in clinical practice for the treatment of dysmenorrhea.
Reference: Shi, Guang-Xia MSc,†Liu, Cun-Zhi PhD; Zhu, Jiang BSc,;Guan, Li-Ping MSc; Wang, De-Jin MSc; Wu, Meng-Meng MSc. Effects of Acupuncture at Sanyinjiao (SP6) on Prostaglandin Levels in Primary Dysmenorrhea Patients. Clinical Journal of Pain: March/April 2011 – Volume 27 – Issue 3 – p 258–261. www.healthcmi.com
Seattle Community Acupuncture: Successful Opening Day
Very successful opening day today! Many thanks to everyone who visited Purple Dragon today for their first treatment and brought your positive uplifting energy. Everyone’s treatment was enhanced by the great energy & kindness of the other patients in the community treatment room. This is a special aspect of community acupuncture. Looking forward to many more days like today!
Seattle Acupuncture: Free Acupuncture on May Day, Sunday 5/1/11
Purple Dragon is joining scores of community acupuncture clinics across the country in offering FREE ACUPUNCTURE on May Day – Sunday, May 1, 2011. Sign up for your free MAY DAY treatment by clicking the orange Appointment button on the upper left side of this page. This is a great time to bring your friends and family in to experience the wonderful benefits of acupuncture because it’s free! Share the news!
Seattle Community Acupuncture: Clouds for sweet dreams!
The clouds are up! Summery white cotton-candy clouds – not the gray stuff we’re used to seeing overhead in Seattle. Guy Dixon cheered up our community acupuncture treatment room by painting some wonderful soothing white clouds onto our sky blue ceiling. Lovely place to take a peaceful acupuncture nap or get lost in a daydream.
