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Holistic Health

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This blog will address various holistic health modalities - your questions and comments are welcomed.

Latest Posts

acupuncture superior to aspirin for chronic headaches

Acupuncture beats aspirin for chronic headache

Mon Dec 1, 10:27 pm ET

WASHINGTON(Reuters) – Acupuncture works better than drugs like aspirin to reducethe severity and frequency of chronic headaches, U.S. researchersreported on Monday.

A review of studies involving nearly 4,000 patients with migraine, tension headache and other forms of chronic headache showed that that 62 percent of the acupuncture patients reported headache relief compared to 45 percent of people taking medications, the team at Duke University found.

"Acupuncture is becoming a favorable option for a variety of purposes,ranging from enhancing fertility to decreasing post-operative pain,because people experience significantly fewer side effects and it canbe less expensive than other options," Dr. Tong Joo Gan, who led thestudy, said in a statement.

"This analysis reinforces that acupuncture also is a successful source of relief from chronic headaches."

Writing in Anesthesia and Analgesia, they said 53 percent of patientsgiven true acupuncture were helped, compared to 45 percent receivingsham therapy involving needles inserted in non-medical positions.

"One of the barriers to treatment with acupuncture is getting people tounderstand that while needles are used, it is not a painfulexperience," Gan said. "It is a method for releasing your body's ownnatural painkillers. "

They found it took on average five to six visits for patients to report headache relief.

Other studies have shown that acupuncture helped alleviate pain in patients who had surgery for head and neck cancer, can relieve hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms and can reduce chemotherapy- induced nausea.

(Reporting by Maggie Fox; Editing by Julie Steenhuysen)

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Posted by Jennifer.Walz on Feb 11, 2009 10:39 AM
Saying Goodbye to Buddy - now available online

Jennifer Walz of the Casa Linda area and Jinna Russell, formerly of Lake Highlands,

are proud to announce their first book, Saying Goodbye to Buddy: When a Pet

Dies, is now available on amazon.com

Saying Goodbye to Buddy is a children's book developed to help parents explain the

death of a pet to their 5-10 yr old child.

The book is available through amazon.com and is

available locally at Metro Paws Animal Hospital, The Center for

Spiritual Living Bookstore and other locations TBA.





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Posted by Jennifer.Walz on Jul 28, 2008 6:46 PM
Good News-Acupuncture is Tax Deductible!
From jenniferwalz@sbcglobal.net

Good news!

Tax Deductible Medical Expenses
A whole host of medical and dental expenses are tax deductible, according to current tax laws.
The government defines tax-deductible medical expenses as those that are associated with the "costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease." 1
The government also allows you to deduct dental expenses and the costs of equipment, supplies, and diagnostic devices.2
According to IRS guidelines, here's a partial list of some medical expenses that are tax deductible:
Acupuncture Artificial teeth Chiropractor Dental care including X-rays, fillings, braces, and extractions Eye surgery Insurance premiums Laboratory tests Operations that do not involve cosmetic procedures Psychiatric care Psychologist Sterilization Stop-smoking programs
The IRS does specify that any deductions you take are for medical expenses that actually treat or prevent an illness. Medical expenses for general health, like vitamins, supplements and vacations, are not eligible.

Are Special Foods and Supplements Tax Deductible?
Tax deductions for special dietary needs are more regulated.
The IRS states that you "cannot include the cost of diet food or beverages in deductible medical expenses because the diet food and beverages substitute for what is normally consumed to satisfy nutritional needs."3
If, however, you are on a special diet that has been prescribed by a doctor for a specific medical condition, you may be able to deduct the cost of special dietary foods for the amount in which they exceed the normal cost of food.
Still, you may be able to deduct the cost of special foods if they meet all of the following requirements4:
Your foods alleviate or treat an illness. Your physician agrees with your need for the special food. Your foods do not satisfy "normal" nutritional needs.
If your foods meet all the requirements, you can deduct the amount you pay for special foods that is over and above the cost of a regular diet. Make sure that you talk to your doctor about the diet and the role it plays in your health, especially if you have a chronic disease or illness that the diet addresses.
As for nutritional supplements, the IRS states that in order to be tax deductible, nutritional supplements must be prescribed by a doctor for a specific medical condition.
If you have questions about these foods and nutritional supplements, we encourage you to talk to your physician and your medical advisor to find out if your health expenses can be included as a tax-deductible medical expense.
It might take some time and effort to document your expenses related to your health, but in the long run, it could be worth it.

The General Guidelines
You can deduct only the amount of your medical and dental expenses that is more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (Form 1040, line 38).
So if your adjusted gross income is $30,000, then 7.5% is $2250. If your deductible medical expenses are more than $2250, then you can deduct them.

Healthy Tax Deductions
Are you ready to take the tax deductions that help your health?
Get familiar with all the ins and outs of tax deductible medical expenses in IRS Publication 502, and make sure to ask your accountant or financial advisor to go over any new deductions with you in detail.

Sources:
IRS Publication 502.
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf
2 ibid. (more)
Posted by Jennifer.Walz on Apr 11, 2008 10:05 AM
Cupping and Gua Sha
Cupping is a method of treating disease that is caused by local congestion. A partial vacuum is created in a cupping jar, usually by means of heat, and the cup is then applied directly to the skin. The underlying tissue is drawn up into the jar forming an area of blood stasis. This looks like bruising to the area, but the resulting mark will react very differently than a bruise, disappearing in a day or two, usually along with the pain that was in the area. In ancient times, animal horns and bamboo jars were used for this process.
Later this method was used to treat consumptive and rheumatic diseases. Today jars are made mostly out of glass to standard sizes and specifications, although bamboo jars are still occasionally used.
Cupping is generally indicated in the treatment of arthritic pain, abdominal pain, common cold, cough, low back pain, painful menstruation, insect and poisonous snake bites.
Contraindications
Cupping should NOT be used when there is high fever, convulsions or muscle cramps, allergic skin conditions, or ulcerated sores.
Cupping should only be done on the soft muscle tissue and should NOT be done where the muscle layer is thin, on bony projections , on the face, or on the abdomen or lower back of pregnant women.
Gua Sha is a healing technique similar in effect to cupping. Gua stands for rubbing or friction. Sha stands for congested or stagnant blood at the surface of the body. When friction is applied in repeated, even strokes, the sha surfaces as small red spots that will fade in 2 to 3 days. Usually a porcelain Chinese soup spoon is used to create this effect.
Raising Sha removes blood stagnation considered pathogenic, promoting normal circulation and metabolic processes. The patient experiences relief from pain, cough, congestion and everyday stress.
These techniques are simple, yet effective, and can be learned by almost anyone
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Posted by Jennifer.Walz on Mar 23, 2008 9:20 PM
Infant Massage
Infant Massage is an easy, enjoyable way to help your baby to progress and grow into a happy, confident youngster.
In his book, "Touching: the Human Significance of the Skin", anthropologist Ashley Montague documented the importance of touch in the psychological and physiological development of human beings.
Children who were fed and clothed, but did not receive any cuddling or hugging, failed to thrive, became ill and sometimes died.
It became clear that direct stimulation of the skin is absolutely essential for a baby to flourish and advance at the appropriate rate. An example of this that received much media attention in recent years was the discovery of Romanian orphans being "warehoused" in institutions. These children received little touch from their caretakers in early life, and many developed personality and behavior disorders, even after being adopted into loving families.
The safe, nurturing touch of massage is a wonderful way to establish trust early in life with your baby and show her an effective, healthy method of relieving anxiety, aches and pains. You will communicate to her, " I love and value you", long before she can understand those words.
In newborns, massage helps to release what noted Prenatal and Infant Massage Therapy expert Carole Osborne-Sheets termed "womb tension". Imagine you were locked in a small space for months, unable to fully stretch out or exercise. Your muscles would wind up being tight and undertoned; this is the state most babies arrive to the world in. Massage will also aid in reducing the muscular tension that is created as baby begins to aquire motor skills.
In addition to helping to relax the muscles, massage can have a positive affect on virtually every system in the human body. A colicky baby will often have speedy relief from gas pains and constipation through application of abdominal massage and passive movement of the legs.
A premature baby has special needs and massage can help a preemie in many ways.
Massage can help to speed the development of the lungs and gastrointestinal tract and will assist them with weight gain. Because a preemie has to spend a lot of time in isolation and undergoes more medical intervention than most babies, the human contact provided by massage is particularly important.
If, as a new parent, you wish to seek out a massage therapist to work with your baby, and teach you how to massage your baby, it is necessary to keep a few points in mind.
You will wish to insure that the massage therapist has had adequate basic training. A practioner should have between 500 and 1,000 hours of basic massage training. In addition, since Infant Massage is not something generally covered in the curriculum of massage schools, the practitioner should have a certification of additional training in the subject.
Once you have located a practitioner in your area, it would be best to schedule an appointment for a time when your baby is typically alert. The massage itself will be relatively brief, usually about 20 minutes, but extra time will be allowed for preparation and cleanup.
The massage therapist will usually have a doll that you can follow along on during the instruction, and will provide you with written instructions to take home.
The therapist will have the room comfortably warm so that your baby can be completely undressed for the massage. Usually a small towel will be draped over her. You should bring a clean diaper for after the massage and a toy or two in case entertainment is necessary.
A pure, natural oil, such as almond or sesame oil will be used. It is important to avoid scented oils as they may cause an allergic reaction.
The massage therapist will instruct you on techniques to give your baby a full body massage and, depending on your babies age, will also show you movement techniques and passive exercises to do with her. While most massage strokes can be started as soon as baby comes home, integrating movements will be started around three months and more will be added as baby gains head control and prepares to start crawling.
The massage techniques are not difficult and with a little bit of practice, you and your baby should become very comfortable with the sessions.
Most babies love the extra attention provided by a massage. The two of you will soon be enjoying bonding time that provides many health benefits to your child as well !
________________________________________________________________________
Jennifer Walz is a Registered Massage Therapist and Licensed Acupuncturist with certifications in Infant Massage and Pre and Perinatal Massage Therapy. Jennifer is in private practice in Dallas and can be reached at 214-642-0001
________________________________________________________________________
Resources
Montague,Ashley. Touching: The Human Significance of the Skin. New York:
Perennial Library, Harper and Row, 1971.
Osborne-Sheets, Carole. Infant Massage and Movement for Somatic Practitioners.
San Diego: Body Therapy Associates
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Posted by Jennifer.Walz on Jan 23, 2008 8:39 PM
Massage Therapy
Many people are aware of the stress-reducing relaxation response that a professional massage elicits, but don't realize the positive effects that it has on virtually every system of the body.
Massage acts like an auxiliary heart, increasing the amount of blood flow by ten times, especially venous return flow. It also lowers arterial blood pressure by dilating arteries and increases the movement of oxygen, carbon dioxide and red and white blood cells.
It moves lactic acid and toxins out of the tissues and shortens recovery time for athletes. It also aids the underactive person by its milking effect on the muscles, and allows tendons and ligaments to move more freely by removing fibrous tissue, as well as softening and elasticizing the skin.
Massage eases breathing difficulties by loosening mucous, and increases by five times the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. It also increases the rate of digestion in both the small and large intestine and speeds the flow of bile for the digestion of fats.
It mechanically moves colonic waste and moves retained fluids through the abdomen into the kidneys and bladder.
No longer thought of as just a luxury item for the rich and famous, more and more people are realizing that, in today's somewhat stressful world, massage therapy is a useful health maintenance tool.
There are more than a few different forms of massage therapy and related bodywork to choose from, and a newcomer might find the terminology included in advertising confusing.
Some of the more commonly seen varieties of massage therapy in this area are:
Swedish Massage uses a system of long strokes, kneading and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of the muscles, combined with passive movements of the joints. Probably the best known form of massage, it promotes general relaxation, improves circulation and range of motion and relieves muscle tension.
Shiatsu and Acupressure are Oriental systems of finger pressure massage which treat points on the acupuncture meridians - the channels in the body along which a person's vital energy or "qi" flows. Blocked energy along these channels can cause physical discomfort, the aim is to release these blocks and balance the energy flow.
Trigger Point Therapy applies concentrated finger pressure to "trigger points"- painful, irritated areas in the muscles that often refer pain to other areas - in order to disperse them and relieve the cycle of spasm and pain.
When looking for a massage therapist, make sure the person is licensed/registered by the state. It is also recommended that the therapist be a member of a national organization, such as the AMTA ( American Massage Therapy Association ) which requires a high standard from it's members, including ongoing education.
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Posted by Jennifer.Walz on Jan 22, 2008 7:05 PM
Acupuncture - Going with the Flow

Acupuncture, an important component of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been effectively used to treat a wide variety of health conditions for thousands of years. It consists of the insertion of very fine needles into prescribed points on the body with the intention of balancing the qi or vital life force energy. If a person's qi is in balance and flowing properly, disease conditions and pain cannot exist.
Laws regarding acupuncture vary widely from state to state. In California for instance, a licensed acupuncturist can be a primary care provider and is eligible to be fully covered by health insurance, whereas in some less progressive states acupuncture is not recognized at all.
In Texas, after completion of a three-four year intensive program of study and clinical internship, a person is eligible to sit for the examinations in acupuncture and Chinese herbology given by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists, and be licensed by the state of Texas following a review by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners. Some medical doctors and chiropractors also choose to use acupuncture within their practice.
Acupuncture has been commonly used in the United States for many years, and is becoming more widely known in this area due to a great deal of positive media exposure. Despite this, some misconceptions about acupuncture still exist.
One of the more common misconceptions is that acupuncture works solely by producing endorphins, a chemical released by the body which has an opiate-like effect and therefore reduces pain. Although some points do cause endorphins to be released, the effects of acupuncture are much wider and greater than this alone. Through years of research, acupuncture treatments have been proven to have positive effects on virtually every organ system and can be used to treat far more than pain syndromes .
Acupuncture has been used successfully to treat conditions ranging from the common cold to more serious ones such as hepatitis, diabetes, asthma, infertility and ulcers.
In pain conditions, such as sciatica, acupuncture does not merely mask the pain, but actually works to relieve the blockage and inflammation that is causing the pain. It is a holistic treatment that seeks to treat the cause, not just the symptoms.
The greatest fear surrounding trying acupuncture for most people is the anticipation that it will hurt. In reality there is usually very little discomfort during most acupuncture treatments and sometimes none at all. The needles that are used are very thin, some about the width of two hairs; and they are solid, so unlike hollow hypodermic needles, they do not tear the flesh.
It is important to know beforehand what kind of technique a practitioner uses. Some practitioners believe that getting a very strong sensation upon the insertion of the needle is necessary. This is known as the "arrival of qi "and since it is an unfamiliar sensation to most Westerners, it might be interpreted as pain. Other practitioners do not believe that this sensation is necessary at all and insert the needles very shallowly and do not manipulate them once they are in. Both methods have proven to get positive results.
Many people are also concerned about the sterility of the needles themselves. In the past, it was common for acupuncturists to sterilize needles in an autoclave and use the same ones over and over. However, beginning around 1987, when the national concern about infectious diseases began to rise, most practitioners switched to disposable needles. These are sterilized needles which are packaged individually or in small units of five or ten and are only opened at the time of the treatment. After being used once, they are immediately placed into a medical waste container for proper disposal. All practitioners licensed today have to also pass a separate exam, in addition to the written exam, demonstrating knowledge and practice of Clean Needle Technique, which maintains the sterility of the needles.
As in any health care profession, it is essential that you find a practitioner you can build a rapport with. A good practitioner should be glad to discuss his or her training with you and take the time to discuss your condition so it can be decided whether acupuncture is appropriate for you.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jennifer Walz is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Registered Massage Therapist with a private practice in Dallas, TX. She is also certified in Chinese Herbology and acupuncture by the NCCA.
Jennifer has been working in the field of holistic health for over twenty years. She can be reached at (214)642-0001
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Posted by Jennifer.Walz on Jan 21, 2008 10:03 PM

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