Nervous about acupuncture? Then watch this video!

"Is acupuncture like getting a shot?"

"Does acupuncture hurt?"

"I'm afraid of needles!"

These are the most common phrases that I hear from people who inquire about acupuncture. Fear of needles is one of the main reasons why many people are reluctant to try acupuncture, which is unfortunate because profound results can be attained through this ancient medical art.

Acupuncture needles are hair-thin and can barely be felt when inserted. They are pre-sterilized and intended for one-time use. Once the needles are withdrawn, they are disposed of in a designated sharps container. Needles are NEVER reused!

To ease any fears about acupuncture I have included a demonstration video below. You will find that the technique is very gentle and not scaryat all. The needles are difficult to see because they are so tiny!

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule a consultation or appointment.

Phone: (617) 306-7159
Email: rebecca@BostonAlternativeHealth.com

Summer Health Tips & A Warning About Sunscreen

Mother Nature is FINALLY complying here in the Boston area. The sun is shining, the trees and flowers have bloomed and the temperature is perfect. Welcome summer! Many of us have certain rituals with each change of season. This time of year he have put away our sweaters and long pants and switched them out for lightweight shirts and shorts. Our wardrobe isn't the only thing that should be revamped each season though. We should also be thinking about changing some of our lifestyle habits to coincide with the new season.

According to Chinese medical theory, the human body is a microcosm of the universe and is viewed as a holistic entity of nature and any elements and changes that occur in nature also occur in the human body. We are affected and influenced by the changes in season and weather. For example, during winter we generally have less energy, but as the temperatures begin to warm we notice a marked increase in our energy, mood, and well-being. This rings especially true here in New England where it feels like it is winter for half the year!

Each season has its own identifying characteristics and purpose. Spring is the time for new birth and new growth. Summer is the time for those new growths to grow rapidly towards maturity. Autumn is when maturity reaches its peak, harvest occurs and things begin to fall back towards the Earth. Winter is a time for storage and conservation. Living things slow down and lie dormant, or die and return to the earth. Because each season is so unique, and because our bodies are so deeply connected and influenced by the changing seasons, our lifestyle habits should be adjusted with each season in order to be well-balanced and healthy.

Everything in nature relies on the balance of yin and yang. Summer is considered to be the most yang time of the year. Our qi and blood moves more rapidly, our yang qi moves outward and we sweat more easily. Chinese medical theory believes that sweating is controlled by the lung qi, and that sweat is the fluid of the heart. We can strengthen the lung qi by introducing pungent foods such as ginger and onion. When we excessively sweat it is believed that the heart qi and mind become "scattered" resulting in symptoms such as irritation, restlessness and insomnia. To help with excessive sweating, try introducing foods with sour and salty flavors.

Of course we should also be conscious of fluid intake. Water is a must, but also introducing certain foods that have a cooling and balancing nature is important too. Watermelon, mung beans, tomatoes, cucumber, mint, chrysanthemum and strawberries are just a few foods that will naturally cool you off and hydrate you.

Other summer-specific dietary changes include:

- Increasing fruit and vegetable intake and decreasing overall meat intake (Fruits and vegetables are considered yin/cooling in nature and meat is considered yang/hot).

- Avoid greasy, fried foods as well as frozen, iced and raw foods. These are considered to be phlegm-producing, or "damp", foods that can damage the digestive system resulting in poor digestion, diarrhea or overall stomach discomfort. The digestive system prefers neutral to warm temperatures, which seems counter-intuitive for the summer months. If you do reach for an iced drink or a salad out of the refrigerator, try following it up with a cup of warm tea or bowl of soup to balance out the cold.

Is your sunscreen really protecting you from skin cancer?


It is important for everyone to protect themselves from the sun's harmful UVA/UVB rays. Your best protection is to stay in the shade and wear long sleeves and hats. If that's not a feasible option (this is summer after all!) then sunscreen is our next best bet. However, not all sunscreens are created equal. A study on the 500 most popular sunscreen products was recently released with suprising results: The ingredients in certain sunscreens may actually be speeding up the development and spread of skin cancer!

Click HERE to read the article. To see a list of the EWG's top-rated sunscreens click HERE.

Props to Acupuncture on MSNBC!

This is a great video, but I hate how he keeps saying the needles were "jammed" in to his ear. There is no "jamming" technique in acupuncture!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Is Acupuncture Right For You?

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be used for a variety of conditions. Below is an introductory video explaining the many conditions that can benefit from these safe, natural and effective therapies. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule a consultation or appointment.

Hit the Links Pain-Free! Acupuncture for Golfer's Elbow

The weather is starting to warm up and several local golf courses are open for business. It’s time to dust off your clubs and start hitting the driving range!

The quiet and concentrated nature of golf gives the impression that it’s not a very physically demanding sport. However, there is much more physical ability required than most people think and golfers experience their fair share of injuries. A golf swing is a motion with several components that involves strength and balance from the bottoms of the feet to the top of the head. Because of this, the whole body is vulnerable to injury, and any pre-existing injuries can affect one’s swing.

What is Golfer's Elbow?

One particular injury is so prevalent in the sport that it has earned its own name. Golfer’s Elbow is an injury to the medial (closest to the midline of the body) portion of the elbow. Also known as medial epicondylitis, it is characterized by pain and inflammation at the inside of the elbow that is aggravated by flexion of the wrist and/or gripping objects with the hand. Tennis Elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a similar injury except that it is located on the outside of the elbow. In addition to pain and stiffness at the elbow, epicondylitis can also cause pain, weakness and numbness in the forearm, wrist, hand and fingers.

The epicondyles, the bony prominences on the inside and outside of the elbow, are where the muscles and tendons of the forearm connect to the humerus (the bone of the upper arm). Medial epicondylitis is not limited to golfers. It can occur in anyone who grips or throws with improper form such as baseball or softball players, racquet sports, painters, typists, construction workers, etc. Basically, any repetitive wrist, arm or hand motion can, over time, cause medial epicondylitis.

Treating Golfer's Elbow with acupuncture

The traditional treatment for medial epicondylitis is rest, ice and anti-inflammatory drugs. Rest is key, but if you belong to a league, have a golf tournament coming up, or don’t want to give up your weekend outings you will want to get back out on the course as fast as possible.

Acupuncture is a natural, drug-free, safe and effective treatment for Golfer’s Elbow (or any injury). Studies have shown that acupuncture stimulates the body to release endorphins, the body’s natural pain-killers. It also encourages healing by increasing circulation to the area, reducing inflammation and unblocking the stagnation of qi or energy in the affected area. More recent studies have shown through functional MRI scans of the brain that acupuncture has an effect on brain activity in the areas that regulate sensation and fear. So that means decreased pain, faster healing, and perhaps a better golf game!

Getting A Jump On Your Springtime Allergies

You may be saying to yourself "It's only March! Why is she talking about spring allergies already?" Acupuncture and herbal medicine are not only effective for the treatment of acute symptoms of allergies, but can also be used as a preventative medicine. For the prevention, or at the very least a decrease, of spring allergy symptoms it is best to start a treatment regimen two to three months in advance in order to strengthen your body's defenses. By the time peak allergy season rolls around, the body's immune system should be strong enough to defend against the influx of allergens. Preventative treatment can be as simple as one treatment a week, or every other week, and a small daily dose of herbs. Because this is an overall immune boosting treatment, it can help to prevent colds and flus as well.

In Chinese medicine, the approach to treating allergies is similar to that of treating colds and flus. Chinese medical theory believes that sickness is due to pathogens in the surrounding air entering the body when the immune system becomes compromised. Pollen, dust and mold are the pathogenic culprits the body works to defend itself from. Acupuncture and herbal medicine helps to "release the exterior" (a metaphorical term that refers to pushing pathogens out of the body) while strengthening lung and respiratory health.

While symptomatic, acupuncture can help alleviate your stuffy sinuses, itchy eyes, sneezing, and all the other irritating symptoms that come with allergies. During this time it is especially important to reduce your intake of foods that have a tendency to increase inflammation and aggravate allergy symptoms (i.e. wheat, processed sugars, dairy and alcohol).

As a sufferer of springtime allergies myself, I know exactly how miserable one can get during this time of year. Allergy medications can make you feel fuzzy-headed, drowsy and dried out. They can also have dangerous side effects when combined with other medications. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are safe, natural, chemical-free and effective therapies that can combat the symptoms of spring allergies.