Run Like an Avatar…..Barefoot!
I was watching the movie Avatar with my grandson and noticed something familiar about the way the Avatar characters were running. They stretched out their legs in front of them, long and lean, ending up with sticking the ground on the ball of their foot, just like I’ve been trained to do in barefoot running. Hmmm, I thought. Not a bad body image. If you’ve ever seen the movie, then you know I’m referring to the lean, 1% body fat and incredibly fit Avatar characters in the movie.
I avoid painful running in a whole different way. When I was road running or bounding around wooded trails in conventional running shows, I’d take it easy on myself by taking small strides. Again, heel striking, but with less force by implementing smaller and more numerous steps. Easy, right? Wrong. I still ended up sore, while my legs felt as tight as an oak door. I was sore one day before a barefoot run. I had a long day with patient care, on my feet for a twelve hour shift and was predictably tight the next day. I’ve learned to let my conscious mind go with barefoot running and let my body guide me, so without me thinking about it too much, I was taking long strides, slightly leaning forward and glancing the ground with the balls of my feet, just like in the movie. No pain with lots of gain! My legs loosened up, felt great all day and could imagine myself an Avatar.
Foot and heel pain have gone away! If you’ve been reading this blog, you know that I began looking into barefoot running by first reading Born to Run and became intrigued with ending my now frequent running injuries by going barefoot. As a medical provider I saw no logic in it based on my current education and it went completely against the advice of several friends of mine who are Podiatrists. I did it anyway. Those who know me will not be surprised.
I’m happy to report that after about seven months of slow and careful training, I no longer suffer from the ailments that had once plagued me. Barefoot running, using the new Vibram Five Fingers foot cover, which protects your bare feet from glass, has been able to strengthen my foot and produce a marked improvement in my feet’s stamina. I have seen my all too frequently diagnosed heel bursitis; plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis first lessen and then disappear. All from barefoot running. I can and have treated myself and many others with acupuncture to relieve the above foot maladies. They always came back when I tried to get active again. Just about to turn 51 years young, I know the importance of staying fit and keeping my weight down. I tend to be a carb king, so I have to balance it out with vigorous exercise or I’m going the way of the dinosaur. Barefoot running has made a tremendous difference in my ability to exercise again and stay pain free.
How do you keep running barefoot when the weather gets cold? I live in New England. The weather is already turning with cooler fall winds blowing. I found some special socks, Injinji, which are form fitting to your toes and made to use in Vibram Five Finger foot coverings. They separate your toes, just as the shoes do and make it easier to get the Vibram covering on your feet. It originally took me about two weeks to get used to putting them on. The socks do make it easier. I got two kinds, one lighter weight and the other a neoprene type fabric similar to a scuba divers wet suit. Both are wicking fabric so they pull moisture away from the skin. I have to say my Vibram Five Fingers fit better with the socks. My feet are narrow, so I can get some uncomfortable rubbing on my feet after about 60 minutes of exercise. Using the socks, my Vibrams fit better and I was out for 90 minutes with only minor discomfort. I’ll let you know how the other socks do when the weather gets colder.
Hope you are looking into this if you enjoy running and have been frustrated with injuries. Barefoot running has made a huge difference in my health.
All for now. Next time we’ll discuss what the wooly worm knows and how to run on slippery fall leaves as well as tread mills.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Does Barefoot Running Hurt?
Does Barefoot Running Hurt?
Every time I mention that I am training myself to be a barefoot runner, people squinch up their face and say “doesn’t it hurt?” Funny that as an acupuncturist for now almost twenty five years, that exactly the same reaction I or a patient gets from saying you are having acupuncture therapy. I’ll give you the same answer, since in my opinion it actually applies. The experience comes with a variety of sensations and for me and many others it does not hurt. For both acupuncture and barefoot running there seems to be an equal fascination with something that people think could somehow be good for them, even though they don’t know exactly why, yet the idea of a small amount of sensations often keeps them from finding solutions for many of their colossal issues that cause tremendous pain and inconvenience.
I’ve always been an advocate for finding solutions. So it made sense to give it a try.
Even Barefoot, you must Walk before you can Run
Medical people make the worst patients. Let’s just get that out of the way. I was told to start out slow. Here’s the right way. Walk in the most beaten up pair of shoes you own, so that all the technology of shaping and molding your foot has long since been busted up. For me, this meant my three years ago running shoes, that went to walking shoes and finally the elephant burial ground for tennis shoes called my yard shoes. You know the pair of shoes you wear when you garden, play in the dirt, put fertilizer or lime on your yard. We all have a pair of these once glorious servants of our feet, now relegated to hanging out to dry on a nail in the garage, only to be called on for the most disgusting jobs around the yard. Yeah, those shoes. They must have cheered when I put them on and they realized we were going out for a walk that did not involve fertilizer.
The barefoot running experts tell you to walk and run in these old beat up shoes and then during the last five or ten minutes, take off your shoes. That’s right, just take them off! So I did. Right on the side of the road I pulled off my shoes, then without much fanfare, the socks came off. I started walking with a combined sense of both exhilaration and fear. Yes it was freeing, just like being a kid again, when we hardly wore shoes in the summer, but this time I had the adult’s mindset of “what about stones?”, “watch out for acorns this time of year” and of course “Oh my god, what if I step on a broken piece of glass!” Come on now, I bet you thought the same thing when you began to read this post.
To my surprise and relieve the sensation was wonderful. It probably looked like I was dancing or tip toeing along the side of the road, but for me I was taking steps onto a new path of freedom and health.
Next post will detail the sensations following the walk run and the key steps to take to remain safe. Happy tip toeing!
Every time I mention that I am training myself to be a barefoot runner, people squinch up their face and say “doesn’t it hurt?” Funny that as an acupuncturist for now almost twenty five years, that exactly the same reaction I or a patient gets from saying you are having acupuncture therapy. I’ll give you the same answer, since in my opinion it actually applies. The experience comes with a variety of sensations and for me and many others it does not hurt. For both acupuncture and barefoot running there seems to be an equal fascination with something that people think could somehow be good for them, even though they don’t know exactly why, yet the idea of a small amount of sensations often keeps them from finding solutions for many of their colossal issues that cause tremendous pain and inconvenience.
I’ve always been an advocate for finding solutions. So it made sense to give it a try.
Even Barefoot, you must Walk before you can Run
Medical people make the worst patients. Let’s just get that out of the way. I was told to start out slow. Here’s the right way. Walk in the most beaten up pair of shoes you own, so that all the technology of shaping and molding your foot has long since been busted up. For me, this meant my three years ago running shoes, that went to walking shoes and finally the elephant burial ground for tennis shoes called my yard shoes. You know the pair of shoes you wear when you garden, play in the dirt, put fertilizer or lime on your yard. We all have a pair of these once glorious servants of our feet, now relegated to hanging out to dry on a nail in the garage, only to be called on for the most disgusting jobs around the yard. Yeah, those shoes. They must have cheered when I put them on and they realized we were going out for a walk that did not involve fertilizer.
The barefoot running experts tell you to walk and run in these old beat up shoes and then during the last five or ten minutes, take off your shoes. That’s right, just take them off! So I did. Right on the side of the road I pulled off my shoes, then without much fanfare, the socks came off. I started walking with a combined sense of both exhilaration and fear. Yes it was freeing, just like being a kid again, when we hardly wore shoes in the summer, but this time I had the adult’s mindset of “what about stones?”, “watch out for acorns this time of year” and of course “Oh my god, what if I step on a broken piece of glass!” Come on now, I bet you thought the same thing when you began to read this post.
To my surprise and relieve the sensation was wonderful. It probably looked like I was dancing or tip toeing along the side of the road, but for me I was taking steps onto a new path of freedom and health.
Next post will detail the sensations following the walk run and the key steps to take to remain safe. Happy tip toeing!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Today I Lost a Couple Toes
Tales of a Rookie Barefoot Runner
I was trying to put on my new Vibram Fivefingeres barefoot running footwear, when I kept loosing toes. It happened when trying them on in the store, so much so that I bought a pair with only having tried on one of the seemingly floppy glove-like slippers. But first, let’s go back to why I would even consider making such Cinderella moment.
Turns to Pursuit Punishment
Players of almost any high schools sport who are being punished for something, anything, are frequently asked to run as a form of punishment. Since my scholastic athletic career is dotted with many misunderstandings between myself and the coaching staff, I have put in my share of running around many fields. I actually enjoy running. I found it then and now a refreshing distraction and a wonderful way to have inspirational thoughts glide into my mind. I began to run in earnest and was able to letter early in high school. Running kept my endurance level in good enough shape to excel in both fencing and martial arts. Running has, quite by accident, become the backbone to my fitness and peace of mind.
Oops! The Trail Ends Here
It was one of the first gorgeous warmish and sunny days of the spring when I knew it was the perfect day for my first trail run of the season. I went to a local reservation where I know the terrain well from snowshoeing during the winter and in warmer conditions I enjoy mountain biking, walking or running the trails. Perfect! So I thought. In my excitement, I my first run was about 90 minutes of hill climbing, which was exhilarating and unfortunately exhausting.
When I finally limped back to my car I was experiencing significant pain in both feet. Had I gone too far? I know how to treat a variety of foot complaints with acupuncture, massage and herbal foot soaks. This pain was more significant than I had previously experienced, even when I added ice and Advil. I made an appointment with a Podiatrist that I had referred many patients to with great satisfaction. He diagnosed me with a trifecta of pain: Achilles tendonitis, heel bursitis and plantar fasciitis. Wow, a trio of tremendous pain that was keeping me from doing anything fun or athletic.
Time Heals All……well almost.
My staff and I did an admirable job with treating these ailments. It is, after all, one of our specialties. Acupuncture, massage, herbs, stretching and therapeutic icing stopped the pain….as long as I was a good boy. Never having been a good boy, it was challenging for me to avoid aggravating my foot pain. Symptoms kept returning and it seemed no matter what I did, it would end up causing more pain. I was disappointed and disillusioned with my limited choices of exercise. I began to gain weight and loose my patience with this ongoing pain. Almost three painful years passed until by chance I stumbled on a solution.
Fly Me to the Moon
Travelling to the west coast on a business trip, I rebelled against the workload weighing down my carry on, by buying a book at the airport entitled “Born to Run” subtitled A hidden tribe, superathletes and the greatest race the world has never seen, written by Christopher McDougall. The author’s story hit me close to home and I devoured the book as I learned about barefoot running, staying healthy and the conspiracy of shoe companies to control our feet. Is it at all possible that running barefoot or wearing just a thin soled covering could help my banged up feet stay fit and healthy? I was willing to experiment on myself to find out.
This is the first entry for this topic. Stay tuned for more of my saga, detailing the journey of an acupuncturist who is embracing a novel footwear craze to keep up his running without injuries. I’ll be adding my experiences, medical perspective and the training tips I learn along the way.
Dave Sollars
Tales of a Rookie Barefoot Runner
I was trying to put on my new Vibram Fivefingeres barefoot running footwear, when I kept loosing toes. It happened when trying them on in the store, so much so that I bought a pair with only having tried on one of the seemingly floppy glove-like slippers. But first, let’s go back to why I would even consider making such Cinderella moment.
Turns to Pursuit Punishment
Players of almost any high schools sport who are being punished for something, anything, are frequently asked to run as a form of punishment. Since my scholastic athletic career is dotted with many misunderstandings between myself and the coaching staff, I have put in my share of running around many fields. I actually enjoy running. I found it then and now a refreshing distraction and a wonderful way to have inspirational thoughts glide into my mind. I began to run in earnest and was able to letter early in high school. Running kept my endurance level in good enough shape to excel in both fencing and martial arts. Running has, quite by accident, become the backbone to my fitness and peace of mind.
Oops! The Trail Ends Here
It was one of the first gorgeous warmish and sunny days of the spring when I knew it was the perfect day for my first trail run of the season. I went to a local reservation where I know the terrain well from snowshoeing during the winter and in warmer conditions I enjoy mountain biking, walking or running the trails. Perfect! So I thought. In my excitement, I my first run was about 90 minutes of hill climbing, which was exhilarating and unfortunately exhausting.
When I finally limped back to my car I was experiencing significant pain in both feet. Had I gone too far? I know how to treat a variety of foot complaints with acupuncture, massage and herbal foot soaks. This pain was more significant than I had previously experienced, even when I added ice and Advil. I made an appointment with a Podiatrist that I had referred many patients to with great satisfaction. He diagnosed me with a trifecta of pain: Achilles tendonitis, heel bursitis and plantar fasciitis. Wow, a trio of tremendous pain that was keeping me from doing anything fun or athletic.
Time Heals All……well almost.
My staff and I did an admirable job with treating these ailments. It is, after all, one of our specialties. Acupuncture, massage, herbs, stretching and therapeutic icing stopped the pain….as long as I was a good boy. Never having been a good boy, it was challenging for me to avoid aggravating my foot pain. Symptoms kept returning and it seemed no matter what I did, it would end up causing more pain. I was disappointed and disillusioned with my limited choices of exercise. I began to gain weight and loose my patience with this ongoing pain. Almost three painful years passed until by chance I stumbled on a solution.
Fly Me to the Moon
Travelling to the west coast on a business trip, I rebelled against the workload weighing down my carry on, by buying a book at the airport entitled “Born to Run” subtitled A hidden tribe, superathletes and the greatest race the world has never seen, written by Christopher McDougall. The author’s story hit me close to home and I devoured the book as I learned about barefoot running, staying healthy and the conspiracy of shoe companies to control our feet. Is it at all possible that running barefoot or wearing just a thin soled covering could help my banged up feet stay fit and healthy? I was willing to experiment on myself to find out.
This is the first entry for this topic. Stay tuned for more of my saga, detailing the journey of an acupuncturist who is embracing a novel footwear craze to keep up his running without injuries. I’ll be adding my experiences, medical perspective and the training tips I learn along the way.
Dave Sollars
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Guiding, teaching and treating is what we do!
FirstHealth of Andover works in collaboration with other medical providers to find solutions for today’s challenging family health concerns. We have a unique niche in that many of the methods or techniques used in Integrative Medicine may very well be described as older home remedies or kitchen medicine. These may combine with very old techniques such as acupuncture therapy for instances where inflammation, spasm, circulation or pain are at the center of a patient’s complaint.
The goal has always been the same. Relieve a patient’s suffering and teach them to be independent guardians of their own healthcare. This type of medicine was practicing and guiding our patients in preventative medicine long before it was a corporate catch phrase.
We serve family's health care. As a community based Integrative medical center, we see patients from infants receiving care for chronic ear infections, coughs or reflux all the way to the elder citizen who wishes to find relief for arthritis. Our model is to listen to the complaints, refer to other practitioners both in the clinic and our many area collaborators, while designing an effective treatment plan that fits their time and money parameters.
We will let our patients speak to you in their own words. It is a unique privilege to serve the community using these Integrative Medical Therapies. Changing lives is an honor and a responsibility that both inspires and humbles you on a daily basis.
Please view our patient video stories
http://www.firsthealthofandover.com/videos.htm
Please feel free to browse through our patient video and written testimonials.
http://www.firsthealthofandover.com/Testimonials.htm
Other examples include:
"We just wanted to say thank you to David Sollars for everything! We were blessed with a little baby girl named Grace. We don't think it would have happened without you!"
Sincerely,
K&A, MA
I have known about Dave Sollars for over two years now. I met his wife before and we have talked about a consultation for over a year now. I just did not have had the time to seek advice from him. This time, however, I had all the pressure to make the time. I went to his office and discussed my problem. To my surprise, he knew my condition, and devised a plan to address it. From that moment on, my life changed. I was able to wake up during the weekend without a bitter taste in my mouth. I was very surprised that I did not have any headaches and most important that I had the time to help my wife to take care of our children. To date, I have not been sick. It has been the beginning of a new life for me. I can now enjoy my weekends and family and there is less overall stress to cope with. Thank you." E.P., Arlington, MA
The goal has always been the same. Relieve a patient’s suffering and teach them to be independent guardians of their own healthcare. This type of medicine was practicing and guiding our patients in preventative medicine long before it was a corporate catch phrase.
We serve family's health care. As a community based Integrative medical center, we see patients from infants receiving care for chronic ear infections, coughs or reflux all the way to the elder citizen who wishes to find relief for arthritis. Our model is to listen to the complaints, refer to other practitioners both in the clinic and our many area collaborators, while designing an effective treatment plan that fits their time and money parameters.
We will let our patients speak to you in their own words. It is a unique privilege to serve the community using these Integrative Medical Therapies. Changing lives is an honor and a responsibility that both inspires and humbles you on a daily basis.
Please view our patient video stories
http://www.firsthealthofandover.com/videos.htm
Please feel free to browse through our patient video and written testimonials.
http://www.firsthealthofandover.com/Testimonials.htm
Other examples include:
"We just wanted to say thank you to David Sollars for everything! We were blessed with a little baby girl named Grace. We don't think it would have happened without you!"
Sincerely,
K&A, MA
I have known about Dave Sollars for over two years now. I met his wife before and we have talked about a consultation for over a year now. I just did not have had the time to seek advice from him. This time, however, I had all the pressure to make the time. I went to his office and discussed my problem. To my surprise, he knew my condition, and devised a plan to address it. From that moment on, my life changed. I was able to wake up during the weekend without a bitter taste in my mouth. I was very surprised that I did not have any headaches and most important that I had the time to help my wife to take care of our children. To date, I have not been sick. It has been the beginning of a new life for me. I can now enjoy my weekends and family and there is less overall stress to cope with. Thank you." E.P., Arlington, MA
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Acupuncture Effective for Depression During Pregnancy
More good news on the effectiveness of acupuncture this week. A recent study has shown acupuncture to be an effective method for treating depression during pregnancy! This is great news because many women are hesitant to take an antidepressant during pregnancy and acupuncture is a safe alternative. Also, depression during pregnancy has negative impacts on not only the mother, but also the baby and the entire family. To read more on this topic check out the news article here.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Gua Sha for Pain Relief
Gua Sha is an East Asian healing technique that has been researched and shown to be effective for many types of pain syndromes. Gua means to rub and Sha refers to small reddish petechiae that arise as part of the therapy. This Sha or petechiae will last for 2-4 days. The interesting thing about Gua Sha is that when performed, over time the darkness of the sha lessens and eventually goes away as the underlying tissue heals.
Check out this study showing the dramatic effects of Gua Sha for pain - Gua Sha Study
Also, for more information on Gua Sha this website is very informative - www.guasha.com
For those of you that spend hours in front of a computer and have a habitually tight neck and shoulders, monthly acupuncture treatments with Gua Sha can be very beneficial to ease that strain.
~Jason Henson, MAOM, L.Ac.
Check out this study showing the dramatic effects of Gua Sha for pain - Gua Sha Study
Also, for more information on Gua Sha this website is very informative - www.guasha.com
For those of you that spend hours in front of a computer and have a habitually tight neck and shoulders, monthly acupuncture treatments with Gua Sha can be very beneficial to ease that strain.
~Jason Henson, MAOM, L.Ac.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Study Shows Effectiveness of Electro-Acupuncture for Knee Arthritis
It's wonderful to see modern research catching up with what acupuncturists have known for a long time.... Acupuncture is an effective treatment for managing knee pain.
Check out this article for more info on the study - Reuters
How much acupuncture can help for knee pain depends on how much damage has been done. We see people who are just in the beginning stages of arthritis who can often have complete pain relief, and we also see people who are in need of knee replacement surgery and we work with them to help manage their pain and have more comfort until they are ready to schedule the surgery. In any case acupuncture has been shown to be effective in yet another condition!
~Jason Henson, MAOM, L.Ac
Check out this article for more info on the study - Reuters
How much acupuncture can help for knee pain depends on how much damage has been done. We see people who are just in the beginning stages of arthritis who can often have complete pain relief, and we also see people who are in need of knee replacement surgery and we work with them to help manage their pain and have more comfort until they are ready to schedule the surgery. In any case acupuncture has been shown to be effective in yet another condition!
~Jason Henson, MAOM, L.Ac
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Start Sleeping Again with acupuncture
Dave and I, here at FirstHealth are working on a program for insomnia. Do you feel there is a need for such out there? Any particular aspects you'd like to see addressed?
Acupuncture helps by addressing the body's imbalances that cause sleeping problems. You can read more on this at: Sleep
Research concludes that acupuncture can be an effective method to relieve insomnia. See this review at: Pubmed
Thanks for your input!
Lee McCarthy, Lic.Ac.
Acupuncture helps by addressing the body's imbalances that cause sleeping problems. You can read more on this at: Sleep
Research concludes that acupuncture can be an effective method to relieve insomnia. See this review at: Pubmed
Thanks for your input!
Lee McCarthy, Lic.Ac.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Inspirational Medicine
Good mentors make the difference in all fields of education. Inspirational mentors can liberate the greatness in us, while leading to a standout vocational experience. I've been extremely fortunate in my life to have worked closely with some amazing professionals who would instruct me in learning a skill set and add the spark of imagination that made the vocation truely satisfying. I always strive to bring this level of excitment and enthusiasm to teaching, whether it's someone who is assisting in the clinic or a class room atmosphere. Most of the classes I've taught at NESA have been around communication and business development. I began, like many other practitioners who teach, discussing how to create better patient outcomes. This is exactly what students are in school to learn. However; I found that communication is essential to success. Being able to clearly explain your methods of care, lay out a well understood treatment plan with agreed upon metrics of improvement are also key elements to a successful patient outcome. Also, most patients will leave and their family and friends are curious about acupuncture or herbs. As practitioners, we need to help our patients to understand our medicine and give them resources to help others know about how we can help their bodies heal. Understanding drives a practice as well as patient outcomes. Patients then know their own part in the process and are able to reach out for better tools so that you assist them and empower them towards long lasting health habits. That's practicing inspirational medicine.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Chlorine, dry skin and Jojoba Oil
Sona and I have noticed upon returning from Europe to New England how quickly our skin has dried. Even with a higher humidity index we didn't think for a moment there would be this result.
After looking into possible reasons as to why this could be what we found may also effect you.
In Zlin, Czech republic the water source comes from a mountain spring. The chlorine levels in the water are a fraction of that of Massachusetts standards. This is also effecting Sona's hair as well. Chlorine even though a necessary chemical to maintain safe drinking water strips your body's natural oil protection every time you shower.
This factor plus if your home is heated by forced hot air or baseboard heating humidity index lowers to single digits. In Zlin the heat was forced hot water with steam valves to maintain humidity levels.
Probable solutions? Organic Jojoba oil. I have been using organic Jojoba (pronounced hohoba) for over 10 years in my massage business and advocate it's healing properties. It's safe to use on infants to the elderly. Sona saturates her hair twice a month with Jojoba before going to bed. She covers the pillow with a terry cloth towel. By morning her hair is soft and once she washes it, it's amazing to touch. For the first time Sona has been able to grow her hair the longest it has ever been with minimal split ends.
After your shower apply Jojoba directly to your skin, a little goes a long way and your body absorbs it quickly. Jojoba has been scientifically documented to have the closest characteristics to our own natural oils. The body quickly absorbs Jojoba within minutes.
It's better to buy in bulk, a gallon runs around $90, but will last you years. Another advantage to Jojoba is due to its mild antiseptic quality it has a very long shelf life. Type into a search engine "Organic Jojoba" and you will find companies that sell it.
We are also investing in a chlorine filter in our shower and will keep you posted on the results of that as well.
After looking into possible reasons as to why this could be what we found may also effect you.
In Zlin, Czech republic the water source comes from a mountain spring. The chlorine levels in the water are a fraction of that of Massachusetts standards. This is also effecting Sona's hair as well. Chlorine even though a necessary chemical to maintain safe drinking water strips your body's natural oil protection every time you shower.
This factor plus if your home is heated by forced hot air or baseboard heating humidity index lowers to single digits. In Zlin the heat was forced hot water with steam valves to maintain humidity levels.
Probable solutions? Organic Jojoba oil. I have been using organic Jojoba (pronounced hohoba) for over 10 years in my massage business and advocate it's healing properties. It's safe to use on infants to the elderly. Sona saturates her hair twice a month with Jojoba before going to bed. She covers the pillow with a terry cloth towel. By morning her hair is soft and once she washes it, it's amazing to touch. For the first time Sona has been able to grow her hair the longest it has ever been with minimal split ends.
After your shower apply Jojoba directly to your skin, a little goes a long way and your body absorbs it quickly. Jojoba has been scientifically documented to have the closest characteristics to our own natural oils. The body quickly absorbs Jojoba within minutes.
It's better to buy in bulk, a gallon runs around $90, but will last you years. Another advantage to Jojoba is due to its mild antiseptic quality it has a very long shelf life. Type into a search engine "Organic Jojoba" and you will find companies that sell it.
We are also investing in a chlorine filter in our shower and will keep you posted on the results of that as well.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Psyllium for IBS
I recommend psyllium regularly for bowel health, IBS and constipation and it's great to see this recent study showed it's effectiveness for IBS. They used a pretty high daily dose though. The best method is to start small and gradually increase the dose until you reach effectiveness. I also like it in capsules, as the loose fiber can become pretty mucilaginous when mixed with water and hard to get down. Check out the article here in the LA Times http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/08/its-soluble-fiber-not-wheat-bran-or-irritable-bowel.html
Do you have any experience using psyllium? Post a comment and let us know.
~Jason Henson, MAOM, L.Ac.
Do you have any experience using psyllium? Post a comment and let us know.
~Jason Henson, MAOM, L.Ac.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Lomi Lomi Massage in Prague
During our six week adventure in Eastern Europe my wife Sona and I both decided to treat ourselves to massage. Being massage therapists this is a two fold benefit. First the benefit of massage when traveling is a great way to alleviate jet lag, especially when traveling East or "back in time". A six hour difference can put a damper on your travels unless you can reset your body clock by sleeping on the plane. I'm not sure about you, but unless you are in a first class seat or you can sleep on a rock, sleeping in coach is a challenge. Massage assists the body to relax from the stresses of flying and can assist your body clock to adjust by receiving a massage right before bedtime in the new timezone.
Second, experiencing a massage when your profession is massage gives you the opportunity to experience what else is out there. The spa Sona and I went to offered many exotic styles. I was like a kid in the candy store, hmm what style to choose? Ah! Lomi Lomi!
Lomi Lomi is a Hawaiian influenced massage that is in the same family as Kriya massage, the style Sona and I currently practice. Sona chose a European hot stone to help her with sore muscles in her upper back.
Off we went in our directions, I felt such gratitude for being on the receiving side, the Spa was beautifully designed with all natural wood decor and minimalist designed furniture. Upon entering you took off your shoes and were transformed into another world of soft lights, cedar wood designs and fresh flowers welcomed your senses. A staff all dressed in contemporary spa designs greeted you with smiles and a welcome in your language.
The massage rooms were larger in size than in U.S. and offered different stations of therapies before receiving your treatment. A curved bed that looked similar to a tanning bed was made with slotted wood that underneath contained hot stones with a light steam permeating through the top. You would lay down for several minutes to loosen up any troubled areas before treatment.
Lomi Lomi was a treat to experience, similar to our style, yet different enough that I let go of paying attention to the technique and embraced receiving all the benefits. One element of the massage is the use of heated herb infused oils, awesome.
After the treatment Sona and I embrace the winter air and took a casual walk back to our flat. That night I slept like a rock and awoke refreshed and ready for our next adventure, a ski trip to Austria and to experience a Finnish style Sauna.
I will save that story for another post.
Jack
Second, experiencing a massage when your profession is massage gives you the opportunity to experience what else is out there. The spa Sona and I went to offered many exotic styles. I was like a kid in the candy store, hmm what style to choose? Ah! Lomi Lomi!
Lomi Lomi is a Hawaiian influenced massage that is in the same family as Kriya massage, the style Sona and I currently practice. Sona chose a European hot stone to help her with sore muscles in her upper back.
Off we went in our directions, I felt such gratitude for being on the receiving side, the Spa was beautifully designed with all natural wood decor and minimalist designed furniture. Upon entering you took off your shoes and were transformed into another world of soft lights, cedar wood designs and fresh flowers welcomed your senses. A staff all dressed in contemporary spa designs greeted you with smiles and a welcome in your language.
The massage rooms were larger in size than in U.S. and offered different stations of therapies before receiving your treatment. A curved bed that looked similar to a tanning bed was made with slotted wood that underneath contained hot stones with a light steam permeating through the top. You would lay down for several minutes to loosen up any troubled areas before treatment.
Lomi Lomi was a treat to experience, similar to our style, yet different enough that I let go of paying attention to the technique and embraced receiving all the benefits. One element of the massage is the use of heated herb infused oils, awesome.
After the treatment Sona and I embrace the winter air and took a casual walk back to our flat. That night I slept like a rock and awoke refreshed and ready for our next adventure, a ski trip to Austria and to experience a Finnish style Sauna.
I will save that story for another post.
Jack
Sunday, January 17, 2010
The Future is Now
The Future is Now
So much has occurred in all of our lives and the world at large over since FirstHealth of Andover opened its door in January 2000. While the mission of offering solutions for our community’s healthcare needs through the best of Integrative Medicine has stayed the same, the methods and collaborations have evolved to reflect a growing desire to use these emerging medicines. One dramatic evolution is shown with the use of acupuncture. I was asked to author The Idiot’s Guide to Acupuncture and Acupressure, which was published in 2000. Pearson Education, who published the Idiot’s Guide series at that time, saw the global popularity of acupuncture and following the series’ own mission of offering the public its first primer on a new topic of interest, published the book ten years ago. Acupuncture had reached a milestone of showing enough current and future global growth to attract the attention of a major publisher of educational books. I’m happy to say the book is still in print, sales continue to occur all over the globe and they’ve asked me to submit a proposal for an updated revision. While my writing is no better than mediocre, the enthusiasm for acupuncture and the solutions these therapies can potentially bring to our healthcare system have gained more interest. We’ve seen our medical collaborations substantially increase over the decade. Evidence-based medicine (EBM) continues to include acupuncture as a topic of study, while many medical practices regularly refer to clinics like ours around the country. The popular media showcases acupuncture as in pitcher Randy Johnson using acupuncture in the big leagues, “So You Think You Can Dance” contestant 19-year-old Hayley Cloud praised acupuncture for helping her with a disc injury in her back allowing her to compete.
Returning the Favor
I was fortunate to have had high quality mentors, who took an interest in my personal and professional growth. I was inspired by their skill and caring. This kind of well rounded education is difficult to find in any vocation. I made a promise to myself years ago that if I was ever in a position to assist practitioners with a positive and enthusiastic learning environment that I would repay my teachers by helping others to achieve. I’m excited to say that many of this region’s most notable and successful practitioners began their careers in one of the seven clinics I’ve operated over the last twenty-five years. I also must report that I still believe that they taught me more over our association. Patients at FirstHealth have noticed a steady stream of student/interns from such collaborations as Natural Standard, Northeastern, Mass College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Merrimack College and The New England School of Acupuncture.
Our Future is in Collaborations
When I began practicing acupuncture and Chinese Medicine back in the mid 80’s, the cultural descriptive phrase was Alternative Medicine. Twenty five years later the term Integrative Medicine is a more accurate reflection of the way we work with conventional medical providers to find solutions for challenges and help assist in better patient outcomes. Not much either or these days. Patient care is defined more often by increased communication and collaboration with other medical professionals. When I first began practice, it was rare to get a direct referral from a medical professional. Now, while satisfied patients still top the list of referral sources, medical professionals are second. This reflects a continued positive evolution in general public awareness towards acupuncture and Integrative Medicine that is also bolstered by medical professionals from many disciplines reaching out to find effective options for their patients. FirstHealth of Andover is often called by media as experts to comment on stories about healthcare issues. We provide knowledgeable and inspiring speakers to area hospitals, support groups, medical office in-services and a growing number of corporate wellness programs.
It certainly is awe-inspiring to witness the growth of Integrative Medicine and the continued evolution of FirstHealth of Andover. We have many interesting opportunities and challenges ahead. We will continue to bring the latest programs and highly skilled practitioners to the clinic, so we are always well positioned to be part of the solution for your own healthcare challenge. I’m excited about the next ten years!
So much has occurred in all of our lives and the world at large over since FirstHealth of Andover opened its door in January 2000. While the mission of offering solutions for our community’s healthcare needs through the best of Integrative Medicine has stayed the same, the methods and collaborations have evolved to reflect a growing desire to use these emerging medicines. One dramatic evolution is shown with the use of acupuncture. I was asked to author The Idiot’s Guide to Acupuncture and Acupressure, which was published in 2000. Pearson Education, who published the Idiot’s Guide series at that time, saw the global popularity of acupuncture and following the series’ own mission of offering the public its first primer on a new topic of interest, published the book ten years ago. Acupuncture had reached a milestone of showing enough current and future global growth to attract the attention of a major publisher of educational books. I’m happy to say the book is still in print, sales continue to occur all over the globe and they’ve asked me to submit a proposal for an updated revision. While my writing is no better than mediocre, the enthusiasm for acupuncture and the solutions these therapies can potentially bring to our healthcare system have gained more interest. We’ve seen our medical collaborations substantially increase over the decade. Evidence-based medicine (EBM) continues to include acupuncture as a topic of study, while many medical practices regularly refer to clinics like ours around the country. The popular media showcases acupuncture as in pitcher Randy Johnson using acupuncture in the big leagues, “So You Think You Can Dance” contestant 19-year-old Hayley Cloud praised acupuncture for helping her with a disc injury in her back allowing her to compete.
Returning the Favor
I was fortunate to have had high quality mentors, who took an interest in my personal and professional growth. I was inspired by their skill and caring. This kind of well rounded education is difficult to find in any vocation. I made a promise to myself years ago that if I was ever in a position to assist practitioners with a positive and enthusiastic learning environment that I would repay my teachers by helping others to achieve. I’m excited to say that many of this region’s most notable and successful practitioners began their careers in one of the seven clinics I’ve operated over the last twenty-five years. I also must report that I still believe that they taught me more over our association. Patients at FirstHealth have noticed a steady stream of student/interns from such collaborations as Natural Standard, Northeastern, Mass College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Merrimack College and The New England School of Acupuncture.
Our Future is in Collaborations
When I began practicing acupuncture and Chinese Medicine back in the mid 80’s, the cultural descriptive phrase was Alternative Medicine. Twenty five years later the term Integrative Medicine is a more accurate reflection of the way we work with conventional medical providers to find solutions for challenges and help assist in better patient outcomes. Not much either or these days. Patient care is defined more often by increased communication and collaboration with other medical professionals. When I first began practice, it was rare to get a direct referral from a medical professional. Now, while satisfied patients still top the list of referral sources, medical professionals are second. This reflects a continued positive evolution in general public awareness towards acupuncture and Integrative Medicine that is also bolstered by medical professionals from many disciplines reaching out to find effective options for their patients. FirstHealth of Andover is often called by media as experts to comment on stories about healthcare issues. We provide knowledgeable and inspiring speakers to area hospitals, support groups, medical office in-services and a growing number of corporate wellness programs.
It certainly is awe-inspiring to witness the growth of Integrative Medicine and the continued evolution of FirstHealth of Andover. We have many interesting opportunities and challenges ahead. We will continue to bring the latest programs and highly skilled practitioners to the clinic, so we are always well positioned to be part of the solution for your own healthcare challenge. I’m excited about the next ten years!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Moxa Effective for Women's Health
Moxibustion is an important part of Chinese Medicine yet often not well known by the general public. Moxa, a form of mugwort, is burned similarly to incense and used to warm specific acupuncture points as part of the treatment. Recent research has highlighted the effectiveness of Moxa in Women's health. Studies have shown effectiveness in helping with menopausal symptoms, ovulation disorders and turning breech babies.
Effectiveness of acupuncture-type interventions versus expectant management to correct breech presentation: a systematic review - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18514911
Advances of modern studies of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of ovulation disorders - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17117581
Moxibustion for treating menopausal hot flashes: a randomized clinical trial - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19293729
~Jason Henson, MAOM, L.Ac.
Effectiveness of acupuncture-type interventions versus expectant management to correct breech presentation: a systematic review - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18514911
Advances of modern studies of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of ovulation disorders - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17117581
Moxibustion for treating menopausal hot flashes: a randomized clinical trial - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19293729
~Jason Henson, MAOM, L.Ac.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Acupuncture For Kids
I found this great video about acupuncture for kids. It's nice to see the children talking about their experiences. We treat many children here at FirstHealth using acupuncture as well as Shonishin which is a no-needle acupuncture treatment.... we've even seen babies only a few weeks old! Check out the video I hope you like it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1x6Fqp4lCI
~Jason Henson, MAOM, L.Ac.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1x6Fqp4lCI
~Jason Henson, MAOM, L.Ac.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Acupuncture Eases Hot Flashes in Cancer Patients
It's great to see articles like this one http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6074EM20100108 appearing in the mainstream press. The research study showed that acupuncture was as effective as Effexor in reducing hot flashes in women with cancer. The great thing about the study is that those receiving acupuncture had just as much benefit with only one side effect... an increased sex drive!
~Jason Henson, MAOM, L.Ac.
~Jason Henson, MAOM, L.Ac.
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