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Hello Lovely People,
You got it. You figured out our little techie holiday riddle to get here to spot of holiday wishes and love to you. Hope you enjoyed the junket of figuring it out.
Merry Happy Stuff to you. Rocking wishes for a wonderful year.
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Turning Point Acupuncture - Winter Newsletter
Volume 9, Number 1
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
It seems as if Mother nature has been a bit temperamental (pun intended) of late. We've seen everything from snowstorms to tornadoes of freezing rain. Such sharp variations in weather can also take an emotional toll, and we're not just talking about trying to decide which jacket to wear when you go outside. Let us know if you have any questions or would like additional information on how to embrace the seasons, keep your spirits up and qi balanced as we move forward. Winter is a challenging, yet special time, especially in the Northeast. It is an ideal time to reflect, rejoice and recommit in our dedication to self-care.
In this issue:
1. Cancer and Cancer Treatment: Western and Eastern Approaches
2. Complimentary Treatment Focus: Medical Qigong
3. Practice Updates
1. Cancer and Cancer Treatment
Over one and a half million people in the U.S. are diagnosed each year with some form of cancer. Western and Eastern understandings of cancer overlap in certain regards, and practitioners of both treatments often work together to the patient's benefit.
Western Perspective
Cancer is defined by Western science as the abnormal growth. A group of cells gone rogue. It can be the result of a mutation in the genetic material (DNA). There are more than 100 types of cancer, and most are named for the organ or type of cell in which they begin. Western medicine has identified five broad categories of cancer: 1. Carcinoma, 2. Sarcoma, 3. Leukemia, 4. Lymphoma and Myeloma, and 5. Central Nervous System cancers. The most common risk factors for developing some type of cancer are advanced age, use of tobacco, excessive exposure to sunlight, abuse of alcohol, having a family history of cancer and exposure to hazardous chemicals. For every type of cancer there can be multiple potential causes and a myriad of treatment options. The most common treatment for cancer involves surgery to excise the growth, chemotherapy, radiation and a macrobiotic diet.
Eastern Perspective
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views cancers as a stasis, or extreme slowing and stoppage of the flow of substances in the body. These substances include qi, blood and phlegm and stasis of any of them can lead to the growth of tumors. Emotional stress, unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise, environmental chemicals and those ingested are all key factors in the development of substance stasis in the different meridians and organ systems. Treatment for cancer in TCM commonly includes aggressive schedules of acupuncture and a regimen of individually prescribed Chinese herbs.
Summary and Strategy
When cancer is diagnosed, either by Western medical practice or TCM, it is important to take immediate, pro-active steps. In recent years, Western medicine has begun to embrace the benefits of TCM, particularly in helping to ease the side-effects of treatment. Acupuncture is widely recommended alongside chemotherapy in New York City's Mt. Sinai hospital, as it can lessen certain side-effects. TCM is proven to reduce nausea and fatigue, helping to maintain constitutional strength that it vital for the body to make the best use of the Western medicine treatment. After the initial diagnosis and treatment, regular check-ups and visits to a TCM practitioner can help monitor the cancer's remission. Alongside a healthy diet and lifestyle, these appointments can be important tools in cancer prevention.
2. Complimentary Treatment Focus: Medical Qigong
This is the second in a series giving you the low-down on complimentary and alternative treatments available at Turning Point.
What Is It? Medical Qigong is also referred to as "Chinese Energetic Medicine." Patient-centered treatment sessions focus on assisting with the clear flow of qi through a number of techniques including relaxation imagery, talk therapy and light touch by the practitioner on target qi points.
Who Does It? Turning Point welcomes Yuxia Chiu as our new associate and Medical Qigong expert.
Why Should I Do It? Medical Qigong is another way to help find balance within and harmonize with your environment. This is a very gentle and patient-centered treatment, so it is ideal for those who wish to facilitate their own health and prevent illness.
How Much Does It Cost? Medical Qigong sessions are $120, when combined with an acupuncture session they are $160.
3. Practice Updates
We think it's pretty darn awesome and will be updating the content on a regular basis. Feel free to post a testimonial if you would like to share your Turning Point story with a prospective patient.
Thanks to everyone who weighed in on the Location Survey. After much careful thought and consideration, Turning Point will be staying in our current offices. We plan to undertake some improvements of the space in the near future and look forward to making it an even more welcoming and harmonious space.
We offer gift certificates for acupuncture, Reiki and massage - all wonderful ways to take care of yourself and your loved ones. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., call (212. 489. 5038) or visit our offices (1841 Broadway) to share a gift of healing.
We look forward to supporting you toward your fullest enjoyment of optimal emotional, physical and spiritual health.
Be well,
E. Shane Hoffman, DAOM, LAC
Karen Ortiz, LAC
Lourdes Guzman, Reiki Master
Gilles Obermeyer, LMT
Hector Mendez
Kim Chinh
Turning Point Acupuncture
1841 Broadway
New York City
212. 489. 5038
turningpointacupuncture.com
copyright 2011 Turning Point Acupuncture. All rights reserved. This newsletter may be reproduced in its entirety only, including this copyright line.
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Oriental medicine and biomedicine have the same goal: improved health of the patient. To that end, however, we use different language. Biomedicine seeks to cure disease, Oriental medicine seeks to heal the person. On the surface, this might seem to be a mere matter of semantics, but the core beliefs show that these two approaches and language are indeed markedly different. To cure requires absolute elimination of an escalating disease process, typically achieved by the use of a medicine or a surgical intervention. To heal reflects a therapeutic goal of dialog with the patient, energetically and physically supporting the patient at being as strong and healthy as possible.
In current practice, we use the term Oriental medicine to respect the contributions of the full breadth of Asian and Oriental cultures. This includes what is often described as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), classical Chinese medicine, five-element Chinese medicine, Korean hand acupuncture, Korean constitutional therapy, Japanese jin shin do, kanpo, hara diagnosis, shiatsu and tui na. These treatment styles use the modalities of acupuncture, moxabustion, cupping, gua sha, acupressure and herbal formulae as treatments.
The best paradigm of medical care requires a practitioner of sound moral ground being willing to coordinate the best possible patient care. In this age, any person with access to care can have the best of all worlds. Asian medicine evaluates and diagnoses pathology in cases that are subclinical in biomedicine. Biomedicine precision diagnostics for progressing disease is unparalleled. For example, let's look at a sudden injury or trauma. If you are hit by a bus, you should immediately go to the Emergency Room. Once your injuries have been assessed and addressed, you can use additional treatment such as Oriental medicine to support expedited healing.
At Turning Point Acupuncture, we are thrilled to provide excellent care informed by extensive experience and the best training available in our field. Our practice adheres to the highest standards of excellence that have characterized it since its inception, over thirty years ago. Strengthening and rebalancing the body's underlying energetic forces to achieve harmony and a sense of well-being in today's difficult world is one of our primary goals. The practitioners at Turning Point regularly tailor individual health maintenance programs to support those efforts.
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February Newsletter
Volume 8, Number 1
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
A warm and happy welcome to the new year! We here at Turning Point hope that you have enjoyed the holiday season and are looking forward to embracing the 2010, even if it has started out as a chilly one. One of our new year's resolution is to serve you, our patients, as a ready resource of medical information and wellness support. We encourage you to submit topics for discussion. The entirety of Turning Point is a wonderfully varied group. By sharing our knowledge and care we hope to maintain a positive dialogue and support each person in building strong qi and life.
In this issue:
- Joint Pain and Arthritis: Western and Eastern Approaches
- Complimentary Treatment Focus: Reiki
- Practice Updates
1. Joint Pain and Arthritis
Over 20 million American adults suffer from some form of regular joint pain or arthritis. Great Aunt Gertrude's predictions of changes in the weather based on feelings "in her bones" may or may not be verifiable, but there is a lot of use to be gained by understanding and preventing joint pain.
Western Perspective
There are several different types of joint conditions commonly diagnosed by doctors. Bursitis and Osteoarthritis (OA) are the most prevalent non-viral conditions. Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursae, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones at joints. This inflammation can be acute or chronic and is prevalent in athletes. The joints most susceptible include the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder. It is a degenerative condition in which the cartilage between bones wears away, resulting in bone spurs and weakened tendons. Fingers, knees, hips and the spine are frequent sites of OA. The cause of OA is unknown, but it is primarily seen as a result of aging. Symptoms begin to appear in middle age and are present in almost all adults over 70. OA also tends to run in families and those who are overweight or suffered joint injuries earlier in life have increased risk as well. Treatment for bursitis and osteoarthritis includes warm baths, stretching, massage and anti-inflammatory medication.
Eastern Perspective
As with many painful physical conditions, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views joint pain as a result of blocked qi and classifies the pain specifically as "Bi." Blockage of the cyclical flow of qi in the meridians can be impacted by a number of factors, but the most prevalent are Cold, Wind, Dampness and Heat. Cold Bi tends to stay in one area and increases with exposure to cold weather. Wind Bi moves from joint to joint and is the result of prolonged exposure to harsh winds. Damp Bi combines joint pain with feeling of tiredness. Heat Bi can result from any of the previous conditions and is primarily characterized by hot, swollen joints. TCM considers every person's experience of bi to be different and treatments are proscribed on a case-by-case basis. In addition to acupuncture, there are several topical and herbal supplements that have been found to relieve joint-specific pain.
Summary and Strategy
The causes of joint pain may be a mystery to western medicine, but the impact of this condition may be greatly lessened by practicing TCM prevention techniques. Dress warmly in the winter. If you can't avoid exposure to extreme cold or winds, compensate by treating your sore joints and muscles to warm baths and the occasional massage. Aspirin and other over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines can help with flare-ups, but should be used sparingly. Gentle exercise techniques such as Pilates, yoga and Tai-chi help keep your joints lubricated and qi flowing. Eating healthy and reducing your intake of dairy and greasy foods can also help lessen joint pain. Vitamin D is important for bone and joint health: you can either take a supplement or simply make sure to get 10 minutes of sun exposure per day during the winter months.
2. Complimentary Treatment Focus: Reiki
Turning Point offers a number of treatments that compliment regular acupuncture visits. For the new year we thought it would be helpful to give you a little bit of information on these treatments, starting with Reiki.
What Is It? Reiki is an ancient technique of "laying on of hands," in which the practitioner helps to bring into balance your connection to a spiritual wisdom or universal life energy. A gentle, non-invasive technique for stress reduction, nourishment and relaxation, it helps ease pain, still the mind and increase energy. "It felt like the dream-filled nap of a lifetime," says Shane Hoffman of his last session.
Who Does It? Lourdes Guzman is a Reiki Master. She has been practicing Reiki since 1994 and a master Reiki instructor for over ten years.
Why Should I Do It? A Reiki treatment feels like a glowing radiance that flows through and around the body, leaving the receiver with an immediate sense of well-being. Why wouldn't you want that?
How Much Does It Cost? Regular Reiki sessions are $90. Mention this newsletter when booking and you will receive a 15% discount!
3. Practice Updates
Turning Point is proud to announce the opening of a special Reiki room in our office suite. Make sure to check it out and ask about Reiki sessions on your next visit!
Survery question: Turning Point seeks your input. We are considering relocating to: 1) space on the 7th Ave line #1 train line across the street from Penn Station. The building is literally steps from the subway stairwell. Or 2) space near the 23rd St stop of the #1 train line or 4) space near the 28th St stop of the # 1 train. of the What's your opinion?
To vote for Penn Station email here: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To vote for 23rd St near 7th Ave email here:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To vote for 28th St near 7th Ave email here: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
To rally for Columbus Cirlce email here: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Gilles Obermeyer is offering an introductory Qi Gong class on Saturday mornings (10-11am). Classes are small and limited to 5 persons in series of 4 classes of 60 minutes. One must commit to the entire series to register. The series will feature the building blocks of medical and Internal QiGong (8 Brocades, Xin Ji QiGong, 5 Elelments, Dao Yin and more) including meditation and additional relevant exercises from Shiatsu and Bagua. Call Turning Point to register. Session begins February 13.
Gilles Obermeyer and Rosie O'Shea are offering a couples massage special in celebration of Valentine's Day ($250). Private class couples massage is also available to learn methods of massaging your loved one. For more info email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Keep an eye out for the re-launch of our website. We've been working hard and hope you will find our new internet home a welcoming, special place.
Finally, a bittersweet announcement. Kymberly Kelly has decided to leave Turning Point to focus on building her private practice. We wish her all best luck and will miss her healing talent and wonderful sense of humor.
We offer gift certificates for acupuncture, Reiki and massage - all wonderful ways to take care of yourself and your loved ones and start of the new year in a healthy way! Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., call (212. 489. 5038) or visit our offices (1841 Broadway) to share a gift of healing.
We look forward to supporting you toward your fullest enjoyment of the season in optimum emotional, physical and spiritual health.
Be well,
E. Shane Hoffman, DAOM, LAC
Amanda Silver, LAC
Karen Ortiz, LAC
Lourdes Guzman, Reiki Master
Gilles Obermeyer, LMT
Hector Mendez
Kim Chinh Shayne Figueroa
Turning Point Acupuncture
1841 Broadway
New York City
212. 489. 5038
nycacupuncture.com
copyright 2010 Turning Point Acupuncture. All rights reserved. This newsletter may be reproduced in its entirety only, including this copyright line.
