Colds & Flu

Each year, more than 100,000 people are hospitalized due to complications from the flu virus. Unfortunately, most of us get the “flu,” or “influenza,” virus at least once in our lifetime. The associated symptoms and signs are all-too-common: fever, sore throat, congestion, fatigue, muscle and body aches, runny nose, dry cough, sneezing and watery eyes.

Colds are much less severe than the flu, but like the flu, viruses and germs cause colds. Colds cause less severe symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, and light headaches. Though it may make you feel lousy, getting a cold is not always a bad thing. Instead, it’s a sign that the body’s resources are strong and vital, working to return you to a state of good health. However, if your immune system is already compromised, a cold could further weaken your body, leaving you open to a more serious illness.

The flu, you, and Chinese medicine

Clinical studies have suggested that using acupuncture as a preventative approach to colds and flu can reduce the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection and shorten the length of the illness. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine work by rebalancing the body’s systems, regulating the body’s healing energies and enhancing the immune system.

Even though germs, bacteria, and viruses are everywhere—in the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink—according to Chinese medical theory, they do not cause disease. Illness occurs when certain organ systems are weak and out of balance. When our bodies are in a weakened and unbalanced state, a hospitable environment is created for germs, bacteria and viruses to thrive, leading to a cold or the flu.

One of the main theories supporting acupuncture and its treatment of colds and the flu is the concept of Wei Qi.

What in the world is Wei Qi?

The concept of Wei Qi is similar to the Western concept of the immune system. Wei Qi functions as a barrier protecting and defending the body against foreign substances, which can cause illness and disease. When Wei Qi is strong and abundant, we remain healthy. When the supply of Wei Qi becomes inadequate, health is compromised and we become vulnerable to outside invaders.

Tips for Staying Healthy:
  • Consume 8-10 glasses of filtered water daily
  • Exercise regularly to support the immune system
  • Eat a healthy, organic diet, including foods with beta carotene (carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, garlic and tomatoes)
  • Limit sugar intake. Sugar taxes the immune system, especially when feeling under the weather
  • Take Vitamin C and herbs to support the immune system, especially in the “cold and flu” season
  • Get plenty of rest
  • Enjoy fun and relaxing activities
  • Stimulate specific acupuncture points that support Wei Qi
  • Schedule regular acupuncture treatments to support the body’s self-regulating, self-balancing and healing systems

Throughout our lives, a variety of factors affect our health and well-being. Although most of the time we recover quickly and regain our health, when these factors are numerous, our internal mechanisms become compromised and weakened, our Wei Qi becomes depleted, and we get sick. By the time illness occurs, the body’s self-regulating, self-balancing and healing systems have already been affected.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine support and strengthen the systems of the body that are involved in the production of Wei Qi, and can help rebalance and support the immune system and stimulate Wei Qi energy. By building up the supply of Wei Qi, and facilitating the smooth and free flow of it throughout the body, the body’s organs and meridian systems become strong, enhancing their ability to effectively fight off illness and disease.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are drug free, safe, natural and effective ways to support the body’s self-regulating, self-balancing and healing systems. If illness does occur, acupuncture can help you get back on your feet again, helping to stave off prolonged illness without the use of medication and over-the-counter drugs.

References:

Treatment of fever due to exopathic wind-cold by rapid acupuncture. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1992 Dec;12 (4):267-71.

Preventive and curative effects of acupuncture on the common cold: a multicentre randomized controlled trial in Japan. Complementary Therapeutic Medicine. 2004 Dec;12 (4):181-8.

Carpal Tunnel

Do you experience tingling in your hand or fingers? Pain that radiates from your wrist to your shoulder? Maybe even difficulty holding small objects? If so, you could be suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), an uncomfortable and sometimes disabling condition that affects up to five million Americans.

The good news is that lifestyle changes can relieve symptoms, and there are many treatments available to help. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can effectively treat CTS without side effects or harmful medications.

What is CTS?

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist that protects the median nerve which innervates the hand as well as tendons that control the fingers. This nerve controls sensation and muscle movements in the hand. If the carpal tunnel becomes narrowed from swelling or injury, the nerve is compressed and impinged. This can cause numbness, pain, and severe weakness in the hands.

There are several causes of CTS, but the main culprit is repetitive flexion and extension of the tendons in the hands and wrists, especially when performed for long periods, leading to Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI).

Symptoms usually start with dull wrist pain that gradually worsens. Other symptoms may include:

  • Loss of feeling in the fingers
  • Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the fingers or hand
  • Pain extending from the wrist up the arm to the shoulder or down into the palm or fingers
  • Weakness in the hands and difficulty holding objects

How can acupuncture help?

Typically, treatment for CTS is based on how severe the symptoms are, and may include immobilizing the wrist and hand, using anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids to reduce swelling, and surgery in severe cases. Acupuncture and TCM can safely be used in conjunction with Western treatments to relieve CTS symptoms.

Self-care for a pain-free life

Actively taking part in your treatment is key. Consider these self-care techniques:

  • Take plenty of breaks during the day, especially if you perform repetitive tasks.
  • Try yoga to increase your flexibility and strength.
  • Remember to gently stretch your hands, arms, and shoulders throughout the day.
  • If you work at a computer, consult an ergonomics specialist to ensure that your workstation is set up properly.
  • Ask your practitioner about supplements such as B2, B6, and Omega-3 fatty acids for reducing numbness and inflammation.

Studies suggest that acupuncture can both reduce swelling of soft tissue and stimulate production of cortisol, a hormone that reduces inflammation. Since CTS is caused by the swelling of the soft tissue that leads to inflammation of the carpal tunnel, acupuncture can be effective in treating CTS. In addition to improving your CTS, treatment may also improve other symptoms often associated with this condition such as headaches, neck pain, and shoulder stiffness. More importantly, acupuncture and TCM can help relieve the emotional stress of living with this painful condition.

Your practitioner will create a unique, personalized treatment plan designed to address your body’s imbalances. During treatment, fine, sterile needles will be inserted at specific acupoints along the meridians in order to support and strengthen your body and eliminate pain.

Your practitioner may also recommend herbal remedies, vitamin supplements, massage, and stretching as part of your treatment.

Acupuncture and TCM offer a safe, pain-free, natural way to treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. With proper care, you can recover from CTS. As you continue with treatment, you may even find that your overall health and well being improve along with your symptoms.

References:
Carpal tunnel syndrome. Mayo Clinic. Feb. 21, 2007. Link
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Fact Sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Nov. 2002. Link
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. American Physical Therapy Association. Accessed April 20, 2008. Link
Tanaka, Tim H., Ph.D., D.Ac., CST, RMT, BCIAC. TECH PAINS: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Eye for the Future Magazine. 1997.

Cancer Care

Cancer, it’s a diagnosis that no one wants to hear. It can leave you feeling frightened, uncertain, and powerless. But if you or a loved one is facing cancer, it’s important to have hope. In many cases, cancer can be cured, especially when it’s detected early. There are more treatments available now than ever before to cure cancer or slow it from spreading, relieve its symptoms, and help you live a healthier life.

It’s also important to know that you have options in addition to standard medical therapies. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have been used for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of conditions. It can safely be used to naturally support your body and mind as you undergo conventional cancer treatments.

Understanding treatments and their side effects

Cancer is an overall term for a group of diseases that occur when cells begin to reproduce abnormally, eventually damaging or killing healthy tissue. Most cancers are named according to where they begin in the body, and there are more than 100 different types. The most common are breast cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer.

Your treatment plan will be based on many factors, including the type and stage (how far it has spread) of the cancer and your overall health. While cancer treatments have proven to be effective, they do have serious side effects to take into account. The most common treatments include:

Surgery: Performed to remove the cancer if possible. Surgery may be used alone or along with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or biological therapy.

Chemotherapy: The use of medications to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy generally lasts from 3 to 9 months, and can have side effects including fatigue, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, early menopause, and hot flashes.

Radiation therapy: The use of high doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells. Side effects generally include fatigue, hair loss, and skin darkening at the site of the treatment.

Biological therapy: This treatment works by boosting the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. Side effects depend on the specific type of therapy, but they can include rashes or swelling, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite.

Cancer treatment according to Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Fu Zheng Gu Ben principles

Fu Zhen means strengthening what is correct. It is an immune enhancing herbal regimen using specific herbs. The objective is to support and stimulate deep energy systems within the body to make it stronger and more resistant to degeneration.

Gu Ben refers to strengthening and supporting the body to regenerate and repair.

Treatments may include:

  • Removing toxins that may contribute to cancer
  • Increasing the flow of blood and Qi
  • Removing accumulations of tissue that are believed to be the tumor
  • Restoring self-regulation and balance among the Jing, Qi and Shen

How acupuncture and TCM can help

Acupuncture and TCM have been used for thousands of years to maintain health and relieve symptoms. Practitioners work to treat imbalances in the body’s Qi, or vital energy, by inserting fine, sterile needles at specific acupoints.

Since acupuncture has few side effects, it can be safely used as a complement to conventional cancer treatments. In fact, in many cancer cases it’s recommended as a way to soothe and reduce side effects. According to the National Institutes of Health1, acupuncture has been found to be effective in relieving:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Post-surgical pain

Acupuncture and TCM can also help relieve stress, depression, and anxiety, which can greatly improve your quality of life during this challenging time.

In addition to acupuncture, your practitioner may also provide massage, acupressure, nutritional counseling, or an exercise program designed to help you stay as healthy as possible. He or she may also recommend herbal medicines or vitamin supplements.

Remember to always communicate with your health care providers about these and any other medications you take in order to avoid any drug interactions.

Treating the person, not just the disease Acupuncture practitioners take a holistic, or whole-body, approach to cancer care. This means that not only will your symptoms be considered, but also your lifestyle, emotional state, and overall health. Your whole being will be taken into account, not just the cancer. When you work with your practitioner to improve your health and relieve your side effects, you are not only helping yourself get the most from conventional treatments, you’re taking back the control of your own life.

The American College of Chest Physicians recommends that acupuncture be used for patients who experience fatigue, dyspnea, chemo-therapy induced neuropathy or to soothe symptoms of pain or nausea and vomiting. Especially in patients who have cancer of the lungs.

References:
1. NIH Consensus Conference. Acupuncture. JAMA 280 (17): 1518-24, 1998.
Comprehensive cancer care: integrating alternative, complementary, and conventional therapies. Gordon JS, Curtin S. NY: Persus Publishing, 2000.
Acupuncture. American Cancer Society. May 25, 2007. Link
Understanding CancerTreatment. WebMD. Accessed February 11, 2008. Link
New Lung Cancer Guidelines Oppose General CT Screening – Lung Cancer Recommendations – Avoid Select Vitamins, Try Acupuncture. Chest, September 2007.

Ice Cream That Is Good For You

As far as ice cream goes, if you love it, and your going to eat it, then consider these Ice Cream Brands you can buy locally at Win-Dixie and Publix.

Often, patients ask me if eating organic foods really matters. My belief is that the nutritional value and safety of organically grown and prepared foods is superior to those commercially manufactured. This conversation always devolves into a battle over the costs of each. My answer is simply this; eat the best quality food you can afford to buy. It’s really that simple. Some choices are easier than others when it comes to buying food, so focus on fresh, seasonal items and avoid packaged and processed foods.

Now, my friends and patients know that I’m a fan of all things yummy and delicious – and that moderation is the key to balance in all of our lives. So, yes, I sometimes eat things that are hastily prepared for convenience – but I do so mindfully and try hard not to fall into bad habits and I urge all reading this to do the same. That being said, one of the hardest conversations I have with people about cleaning-up their diet is the inevitable despair that surrounds the loss of everyone’s favorite late night companion – ICE CREAM. So, since I am often confronted with patients anguish and anxiety at the thought of losing something so dear – I thought a couple of healthier substitutes might help ease this difficult transition.

Two, Better For You, Ice Cream Brands, that are Reasonably Priced.

Varieties of So Delicious coconut and almond milk ice creams are available at most major food retailers. There are many flavors and are available in both, pints and chocolate covered frozen pops. They are low in all the bad stuff and more importantly So Delicious is dairy-free and still lives up to its name. Visit the link below to see all the options available: www.sodeliciousdairyfree.com

Then we have Stonyfield Organic Frozen Yogurt. This is a real dairy option for those who tolerate dairy well. Stonyfield Dairy makes a variety of products including, frozen yogurts, bars and fruit flavored Greek and other yogurts. This company is seriously committed to quality ingredients. They have been around for years and have been a leader in setting high standards for organic dairy farming practices: www.stonyfield.com

When snacking, enjoying ice cream may not be healthier than choosing a small piece of dark chocolate. However, these ice cream brands are better for you than most other options, which use inferior and sometimes dangerous ingredients.

It’s OK! Enjoy your favorite creamy frozen treats in moderation.

If you find that whenever you indulge with ice cream, you stress over it – Stop It! If you are otherwise maintaining a healthy lifestyle, diet and exercise, then don’t worry about the occasional treat. The stress maybe be worse for you than the ice cream itself. Whether you’re stressing or not, try these “better for you” choices. You might just find that you are able to stay true to your plan for healthy eating, while fully enjoying your ice cream too.

Best in health,
David Bibbey L.Ac, (Dipl. Ac – NCCAOM)

Treat Sciatica with Acupuncture

Sciatica Treatment with Acupuncture

The sciatic nerve can literally be a huge pain in the butt. It is the largest nerve in the body, and formed by a braided bundle of smaller nerves that originate in the lumbar spine, travel down the buttocks, and move through the leg. Technically, sciatica is not a disease, but a group of symptoms that affect the region of the sciatic nerve. Radiating pain is one of the more common and intense symptoms associated with sciatica. There can also be numbness and tingling starting in the lower back radiating down the leg.

What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica occurs when something pushes on, and irritates the sciatic nerve. This can be a muscle spasm, the spinal discs, and sometimes even the spine itself. Most often this pain is due to muscle spasms or a slipped disc, but it can also be a sign of serious illness and it is important to go to you doctor for a diagnosis.

Spinal Disc herniation, often referred to as a slipped disc, is when a small portion of the spinal disc bulges out of the spinal column. This disc then pushes on the sciatic nerve causing pain. In some severe cases, spinal stenosis, or a narrowing of the spinal canal, can push on the nerve and cause pain. Another serious cause of sciatica is spinal tumors, which require immediate medical attention.

Muscle spasms are also a common cause of sciatica. Most often it is the piriformis muscle, but it can be other muscles in the lower back and pelvic region.

What is piriformis syndrome?

The sciatic nerve runs under or, in some people, through the piriformis muscle. This muscle is located in the pelvis. It is connected to the bottom of the spine and the top of the femur, or thighbones. If the piriformis muscle starts to spasm or becomes tight, it can put pressure on the sciatic nerve and cause the pain as well as the radiating symptoms. This persistent spasm of the piriformis muscle is called piriformis syndrome. It can be caused by an injury or sedentary lifestyles in people who don’t stretch or exercise. Particularly if you sit all day at a desk or computer, this can be a problem.

How Does Chinese medicine view sciatica?

Chinese medicine states that the body is interconnected; no one part can be separated from another. The diagnosis and treatment is based upon identifying specific imbalances in the muscles and the body as a whole. Correcting the imbalance does not just treat the symptoms or mask the condition, but rather corrects the root of the problem by encouraging self-healing of the body. The most common imbalance in acute sciatica is qi and blood stagnation in the back channels. But it is also important to treat the underlying imbalance, which may be causing the qi and blood to stagnate.

Qi and blood stagnation in the channels often affects the soft tissue of the lumbar, hips, and pelvis. This is what causes the muscle spasm and tension that triggers the intense shooting pain of acute sciatica.

Some common underlying imbalances are kidney qi vacuity, spleen qi vacuity with dampness, and liver qi stagnation. By treating the underlying imbalance, you can prevent the sciatica from returning.

Kidney Qi Vacuity:
If your back feels very weak and it does not get better with a lot of rest, the underlying imbalance may be kidney qi vacuity. Other symptoms include weakness of the knees, extreme fatigue, ringing in the ears, dizziness, and a weak pulse.

Spleen Qi Vacuity with Dampness:
For those with spleen qi vacuity with dampness, you will also have fatigue and weakness, but the back feels better with rest. Your body may feel very heavy and you may have poor digestion.

Liver Qi stagnation:
Liver qi stagnation causes your muscles to be very tight and in spasm when you become angry or frustrated. Also, you may suffer from frequent headaches and, in women, painful menses.

How Does Chinese medicine Treat Sciatica?

It is best to approach sciatica using combination style treatment. An effective therapy many include acupuncture, Tui Na (Chinese medical massage,) cupping, electric stimulation, and stretching. The back, hip, and pelvis are interconnected and the treatment should incorporate all of them. Overall, the treatment should relax and stretch the tendons and fascia while strengthening the muscles. This will help release the spastic muscles and strengthen them, allowing the back to naturally heal. It can even encourage an out of place disc to go back into place, depending on severity.

Acupuncture will help spastic muscles to relax. In effect, this is working to help the body heal itself. Chinese massage, or tui na, works to foster the acupuncture by releasing any extra tension in the fascia and connective tissue around the muscles. The technique called rolling is very important to deeply relax the muscles and improve circulation at the same time.

After the pain is gone, it is important for you to keep up you own back. Stretching is essential. Stretching will help keep the muscles healthy and relaxed. And it is the best way for you to maintain your own back. Also, doing tai chi, the Chinese exercise and meditation, is very effective to strengthen the lower back and relax it.

FREE Assessment:

True sciatica symptoms can be effectively be treated with Acupuncture. Visit Bibbey for a FREE pain assessment and discuss your treatment options. There is no charge for an assessment. For your complimentary consultation visit: https://alternative-primary-care.com/complimentary-consultation/

 

What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine & Which Health Conditions Does It Work For?

For thousands of years, long before mass migration and instant-messaging, every culture and society worldwide developed and relied on its own traditions, local flora and fauna to sustain and benefit the health of its community. Many of those healing traditions remain in use today around the world. Sometimes it appears as sage advice: don’t walk barefoot on a cold floor; and other times it’s a family’s herbal tea recipe for sore throat: marshmallow root, sage and echinacea.

Chief among today’s most well-known forms of early healing is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which focusses on use of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage (tuina), exercise (qigong), and dietary (food) therapy to prevent illness and maintain health.

Although, TCM originated in China about 2500 years ago and the earliest known documents written on Chinese Medicine date back to 150 BC, it should not be considered primitive or irrelevant to modern healthcare. Chinese Medicine is a complete healing system that reflects the insights and knowledge of a time when healthcare addressed the whole person — mind, body and spirit — emphasizing preventive practices and overall wellness, much like modern holistic therapies do today.

Like other medical disciplines, TCM encompasses a broad range of practices, specialties, and diagnostic and treatment approaches.
Herbology for example is an integral part of TCM, in much the same way that pharmacology is an essential component of modern western medicine — perhaps the most notable difference being that many of the classic herbals were developed over a thousand years ago and have been safely and effectively prescribed for centuries.

One of the challenges to embracing traditional medicine for modern societies is resisting the wholesale appeal to novelty – “newer is better.” I think everyone might agree that in many instances that expression holds-up, but not in all things – and especially not when the risks outweigh the benefits.

In TCM, the analysis of a patient’s health complaint begins with an investigation and understanding of what changes in anatomy, physiology and pathology might be involved. What’s wrong and why? Chinese medicine considers the body to be a self-regulating system. I’m confident that most of us have experienced and recognize the miracle of healing and transformation the body undergoes when recovering from an illness or trauma.

Whether it is the body’s thermal regulation used to induce fever during an infection or bone formation to repair a fracture, our bodies are hardwired with wonderous strategies for maintenance and repair. So too, in Chinese Medicine the role of herbs, acupuncture, massage, exercise, and food are chosen to support and promote the body’s own self-healing ability.
Which health issues and conditions can be treated with Traditional Chinese medicine?

In Florida, Licensed Acupuncturists provide care to address many of the same maladies for which patients seek treatment from a medical doctor or specialist. This includes care for headaches to hammertoes, and most things in between. But the vast majority of patients receiving routine care from Acupuncturists are being treated for pain related complaints. Rarely is there just one best treatment for any health complaint – so, patients should be well-informed about their alternatives.

Fortunately, most often less-is-more, and so too that can be said for patient-care with otherwise healthy people. But when it’s not, and more care or expertise is needed, a well-trained licensed Acupuncturist understands and respects his/her role in the healthcare delivery model; and they will provide patients with an appropriate referral to a medical doctor for any condition needing emergency or other expert care. Lots of licensed specialty healthcare providers live and work in Citrus County. Most will welcome a phone call or visit to learn more about their practice. Get to know them and learn more about your healthcare alternatives.

What’s the Alternative?

For a lot people simple activities that were once easy to perform or enjoyable are just too painful.  Folks are left to wonder if they will ever be able to enjoy these activities again.  Whether that means tennis and golf prevented by painful elbows and knees, or knitting and crochet prevented by painful hands and wrists; nobody wants to have their activity level reduced due to pain.  Even everyday tasks like getting the mail or picking up groceries can be a painful experience due to back, spine and hip pain.

Non-surgical and over-the-counter (OTC) oral options for treating pain are best taken and mostly intended for short term use.  What happens though when your pain is not a short term problem?   NSAID’s, and acetaminophen, as well as, prescribed opioid drugs are commonly recommended or advertised as options taken daily to reduce pain.  Unfortunately, these are also associated with risks, like stomach bleeding, kidney and liver damage, addiction and overdose when ingested longer than intended o when not taken as directed on the packaging.

This is why it is so important to read labels and understand how medications are to best used.  Just as important, is understanding what type of pain you are experiencing and why.   This is because not all pain is created equally, and determining why you have pain is the first step toward knowing how best to address it.  Is the pain related to a trauma or fall?   Is it a sudden complaint or has the pain been coming on gradually?  Is it due to progressive weakness in the body or is it due to a lack of flexibility?   Is it better or worse with movement, or heat or ice?  Is there swelling or bruising?   Has an ex-ray or MRI been taken and reviewed to rule-out a fracture, tear, or disease?  All of these particulars will inform how best to address or resolve your painful condition.

Whether your experiencing pain due to a strain or fall, pain that comes and goes, or it’s something you experience daily, you will likely benefit from one of the following treatment alternatives.

Massage

Massage therapy relaxes muscles and stimulates the production of certain chemicals in the brain that reduce how people experience pain.   Most licensed massage therapists are familiar with treating painful conditions.  If you are new to massage and considering seeing a therapist, then ask family and friends or a trusted professional healthcare professional to recommend an experienced massage therapist.  Ask if your therapist has any additional training in Swedish, deep tissue, trigger point, myofascial relief, or cranio-sacral therapy massage for chronic pain sufferers.  Regular massage therapy can do wonders to reduce pain, improve function and help keep you on the road to optimal health.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has long been recognized as an effective and long-lasting treatment for chronic pain, particularly low-back pain, neck pain, knee pain, and headaches. The NIH advises that patients to seek services from a licensed acupuncturist or a conventional medical practitioner with training in acupuncture. Additionally, acupuncture is covered under VA Care, BC/BS State and Federal Employee Plans, many self-insured plans, and Workers’ Compensation.

Yoga

Yoga combines the healing powers of meditation, stretching and strength-building; and it is well suited for those with chronic pain.  There are many styles of yoga so it is important that you talk with any prospective instructor to determine what is best for you.  There are many ways to enjoy yoga, from slow and gentle to fast-paced athletic yoga. It is easy to to get started and Chair Yoga is an excellent option for those with limited flexibility or for anyone who has difficulty getting-up from the floor.  A knowledgeable certified instructor should be able to help identify your best starting point to enjoy yoga.

Anti-inflammatory Diets

Inflammation can often be a hidden source of chronic pain.  Planning meals that limit or eliminate processed foods, meat, dairy, cheese, added sugars, and alcohol is an excellent way to reduce pain.  Replace these foods and beverages with colorful vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains and purified water.  These are the basics of any healthy diet.  Adjusting your diet can provide dramatic results that reduce and control chronic pain.  It should be considered your first line of defense in preventing and reducing chronic pain due to inflammation.

These four alternatives are well understood to be effective in reducing and preventing certain forms of chronic pain, but because everyone is a little different some of these options will be more or less effective.  Identifying what works best for you will help you establish a personal pain prevention and reduction strategy.  Of course, for some chronic pain sufferers, alternative therapies alone may not be sufficient, and conventional pain treatment must be included to provide effective pain relief. As with all healthcare decisions, individuals with chronic pain should consult with their doctor to discuss a pain management plan that’s safe, healthy, and effective for them.

By David Bibbey, L.Ac, (Dipl. Ac – NCCAOM)

Spice Things Up

In this short video we hear Keith Scott MD talk about the many benefits of eating herbs and spices on a daily basis. There is a comparison of the cancer rates between Western diets and herb and spice laden Eastern culture. Studies point to the fact that Westerners consume far less herbs and spices than Easterners whom have a lower risk of the three most deadly cancers; breast, prostate and lung. We can reduce our risks by upping the intake of: turmeric, black pepper, ginger, garlic, rosemary, mustard and chillies.

For more information on how to incorporate these herbs and spices into your daily meals contact: David here: Contact Us or call 352-464-1645

Disease Prevention Trumps Early Detection Everytime

Dr. McDougal, MD has been is a fixture and thorn in the side of his medical colleagues for decades.  He is a vocal dissenter of what he says “passes” for evidenced-based medicine and conventional medical treatment options for common diseases.   I’ve been working to educate my patients about the role of a high-fiber plant-based diet that supports good health and prevents disease: for years.  Are people still going to get sick or experience chronic health conditions?  Sure,  but for the vast majority of people by adopting changes in their diet has profound and lasting effects on their health.  Give Dr. McD 25 minutes of your time to explain what the science REALLY shows about cancer screening and the over-valued benefits of early detection and why the “Gold Standard” of care can be more dangerous than the disease it seeks to prevent.

As always, I am available to discuss your best options to maintain optimal healthy living.   Call or text for an appointment today

Best in Health,

David Bibbey, L.Ac, (Dipl. Ac – NCCAOM)

352-464-1645

RoundUp is a probable cancer causer!!

Over 30 years ago, Monsanto Lab tests concluded Glyphosate (Round-Up) exposure was linked to mice developing Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Renal Tube (Kidney) Cancer.   Watch the above video for a little background information and details about how the EPA and Round-Up maker Monsanto have misled the public about the herbicide’s dangers to public health.

Pesticide Alternatives Abound – try this, instead….

Pickle ’em with vinegar:
OK, so it’s not exactly pickling, but by applying this common household item, white vinegar, to weed leaves, they’ll die off and make room in your yard for more desirable plants. The white vinegar sold in grocery stores is about 5% acetic acid, which is usually strong enough for most weeds, although a more industrial strength version (up to 20% acetic acid, which can be harmful to skin, eyes, or lungs) is available in many garden supply stores. The vinegar can be applied by spraying full strength onto the leaves of the weeds, being careful to minimize any overspray on garden plants and nearby soil. Repeated applications may be necessary, and the addition of a little liquid dish detergent may improve the effectiveness of this homemade herbicide.

Season them like chips:
Another common homemade herbicide recipe calls for combining table salt or rock salt with white vinegar (1 cup salt to 1 gallon vinegar), and then spraying this mixture on the foliage of weed plants. Adding liquid soap is said to help the efficacy of this weedkiller, as is the addition of certain oils, such as citrus or clove oil.

Source: https://www.treehugger.com/lawn-garden/homemade-herbicide-kill-weeds-without-killing-earth.html