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A Los Angeles Acupuncturist's Point of View
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
In 1988, my 38-year-old mother was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer with metastasis to the axillary lymph nodes. She found a lump with self-exam. The tumor was the size of a pea and was against her rib in the upper lateral quadrant of her left breast. The scariest detail of her ordeal was that the tumor did not show on a mammogram. I tell you this not to frighten you but to encourage you to be diligent about examining your own breasts monthly. The presence of the lump was verified with an ultrasound and diagnosis was given after a biopsy.
If you do find a lump, please do not dismiss it as if it will go away. See your OB/GYN immediately. If the lump does not show on a mammogram, demand an ultrasound. You will be required to be your own health advocate so be prepared. Stand your ground. It's your body. It's your life.
Talk about this with your friends and family. Remember that early detection is the key to survival in all maladies.
And, in case you were wondering, my mother Sharon is well and healthy today. She turned 58 in June. She lives outside of Chicago and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is a promoter of veganism, is very physically fit, and simply glows with inner beauty.
Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen
My Shoulder Sprain Experience
I am pleased to announce that I'm back on the yoga mat. Boy, did I miss it. In early July, I injured my shoulder doing a forearm balance. I came down from the pose and my right shoulder just didn't feel right. The place where the upper edge of my scapula joins my trapezius muscle was burning and I had the urge to draw my shoulder up to my ear for hours after the incident.
I thought I'd be back to yoga in a week. I was wrong. It was most definitely sprained and every muscle in the area became rigid and stiff. Wisdom and experience with patients with similar injuries told me to let it rest. I now know why patients look at me like I am crazy when I tell them they must give their sprains time to heal. It may be a slow and frustrating process. However, if the sprain is treated with care and caution, the patient may enjoy a full recovery. I always advise the patient to act with care so that this temporary injury does not turn into a permanent one.
I will admit that I am thankful for the experience so that I may be even more empathetic to patients. I have now had the experience and I have a protocol that works. This is what I did:
- Acupuncture. Needles within the first 48 hours are imperative to reduce inflammation and to move qi and blood.
- Espom Salt Baths. Hot baths with large amounts (4 pounds) of epsom salts are therapeutic for the sprain site.
- Activator Method Chiropractic. Keeping your spine and ribs in alignment while healing is very important.
- Limit Movement of the Limb. In this case, it was my right arm. I did not lift my arm above my shoulder for the first two weeks. After that, I began to slowly use the arm again.
With the above four instructions, I was able to heal the sprain about 90% in two weeks. I persevered with the therapies and at six weeks, I had full range of motion. At seven weeks, I returned to all of my previous activities as if nothing had ever happened.
I look forward to you questions and comments.
Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen
New Season. New Instructions.
It is autumn, or fall as we say here in the States. Like every other season, fall has it's own unique set of directives with respect to Chinese medicine.
Fall's corresponding organ is the lungs. It is imperative that one takes particular care of the lungs throughout the season. Fall kicks off cold and flu season. Before I studied Chinese medicine, I always thought this was just a coincidence. Now I get it. The lungs manifest in the nose. Of all of the organ manifestations listed in Chinese medicine, this one makes the most sense since the nose is a portal to the lungs. It's corresponding color is white and the flavor is pungent.
So, just how do you care for your lungs during this season? Here's my short, but effective list:
- Practice deep breathing exercises. In yoga, this is called pranayama. I recommend taking a class. Jeanne Heileman at Yogaworks is one of the best in Los Angeles.
- Pungent, white foods supplement the lungs. Mushrooms and jicama are good choices.
- Keep your chest open with restorative yoga poses.
- And, last but not least, and easier said than done is to avoid sadness as sadness diminishes lung qi.
As always, I look forward to your questions and comments.
Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen
Two Bits Of Good News
First:
I am pleased to announce that we at Healing Hands Wellness Center have decided on a line of herbal supplements. We are now carrying Secara Herbs and I am thrilled with the products. All of their formulas are in pill form and easy to take.
Second:
I have adjusted my schedule to see acupuncture patients at our Larchmont location only. There is finally a space for me to see patients in the evenings at that location. I'm ecstatic about this. (Thanks Pam!) My new schedule is as follows:
Monday: 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday/Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Call me if you have questions: (323) 461-7876.
Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen
Diet and Outlook Matter More Than You Realize. Kris Carr's Story
I am still a little high from my meeting with Kris Carr this past Wednesday. If you read my last entry, you'll remember that I introduced you to Kris Carr, a truly remarkable 36-year-old woman who has been living for five years with stage IV cancer of the liver and lungs. With only 300 cases of her type of cancer diagnosed in the U.S. every year, her doctors called her case inoperable and incurable. (If you haven't read Thursday's entry, please do so).
Ms. Carr chose a rather unorthodox approach to her healing, which was to overhaul her lifestyle and document her search for health. For four years, she videotaped her quest for health. The result is a documentary called Crazy Sexy Cancer. Rent it. She then wrote a book: "Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips" which caught the attention of Oprah Winfrey. Before she knew it, Oprah's health guru, Dr. Mehmet Oz was paying a visit to her home to see just what she was doing.
How does she do it? A vegan diet, positive outlook, a healthy spiritual life, exercise, and with giving herself permission to truly live.
Ms. Carr was recently featured in Scientific American Journal. You may read more on her inspiring story by clicking on this link. I love that her story is being featured in Scientific American. How prestigious is that?
Having sat next to Kris at dinner, I will tell you first-handedly that I've never seen someone glow quite like her. And I know hundreds of yogis and vegans. If you'd like to get in on the action and participate in your own transformation, I would recommend joining her forum: www.crazysexylife.com.
This is Kris holding up her first book, sitting between Debbie and Joanne.
Kris is about to do the talk show circuit again in September to promote the release of her new book: "Crazy Sexy Cancer Survivor." Watch for her.
Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen
Cru Restaurant
Living on the westside, I never venture into Silver Lake, a trendy eastside neighborhood of Los Angeles. However, I was invited to a very special dinner yesterday honoring Ms. Kris Carr, author, speaker, documentary producer, actress, model, stage IV cancer survivor, and all-around cool chick. Kris was visiting from New York and meeting with networks for future projects. I have much to say about Ms. Carr in another blog.
Anyway, I made my first trip to Cru last night to meet up with Ms. Carr, her lovely husband Brian, three ladies who manage their cancer and/or recovery from cancer with holistic methods, and three ladies who contribute to the holistic health community in Los Angeles. I was one of the three ladies who contribute to the holistic health community. It was an absolute honor to have been invited. Really.
Cru is vegan, organic, and mostly raw. The chef, Rachel Carr (no relation to Kris) has created a culinary haven with beautiful, delectable dishes that would please even the biggest skeptic to the raw food movement. Her dishes are blends of Thai, Italian, Japanese, and Indian. I think when people hear "raw" they immediately think of radishes, celery, and carrots. Not at Cru. The spices, sauces, and colors of the food contribute to their beauty as well as their phenomenal flavors. Fortunately, everyone at my table ordered something different. Our table looked like artwork. My favorite dishes were the tangle seaweed salad, deep green (kale) salad, and the yellow Thai curry. And the desserts? Just look at the photo gallery.
Cru is a gorgeous but small restaurant so I would recommend that you call ahead for a reservation if you have a big party. Allow a little extra time to park your car. And once you get inside, be sure to sneak a peak around you at all of the beautiful, glowing complexions of the vegan patrons.
I will definitely venture over to Silver Lake again to visit Cru. Hopefully soon.
Below is a photo of most of our group. Kris Carr is at the head of the table in a black dress. I'm the girl to Kris' left who got a little too much sun. We are all looking at, and listening to Mikey, a 26-year-old leukemia survivor, tell her story.
Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen
Smile
Just like the day I was inspired to put Heath Thompson's birth announcement on my blog, I'm equally moved to share with you the following video. I realize it has nothing to do with holistic health, Chinese medicine, or yoga, but it will make you smile. Enjoy!
This video just makes me happy and somehow gives me hope. The man in the video is Matt Harding and he has documented his travels well.
This video just makes me happy and somehow gives me hope. The man in the video is Matt Harding and he has documented his travels well.
Tomorrow is the first day of August already. Can you believe it? I hope you have a lovely, happy, smile-filled, peaceful, and healthy month.
Thank you for reading.
Tamara Zummallen
p.s. Happy Birthday Kate! Being your Aunt for 18 delightful years has been a rewarding experience. You make me smile too.
Healing Hands Wellness Center
If you've ever wanted to see what I look like in action, here is a short video to watch.
Every day that I have the opportunity to practice acupuncture in this wonderful clinic alongside the best massage therapists in Los Angeles, I am most grateful.
Thanks Pam and Steve. I appreciate you more than I could ever express.
Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen
Lincoln Industries Has The Right Idea
I was so inspired by this article I read on cnn.com that I felt compelled to share it with you. Lincoln Industries in Lincoln, Nebraska has an on site wellness program designed to keep their employees healthy. It turns out that they are getting a good return on their investment too. Fewer insurance claims, fewer sick days, way fewer worker's compensation claims, and high morale are just a few of the benefits enjoyed by the employees. You may read the article by clicking here.
My hope is that more companies will get on board with these types of programs. I always tell my patients to pay for their health on the front end. What is happening at Lincoln Industries is just an example of what that can look like on a broader scale.
Bravo!
Thanks for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen
Summertime Yoga
It is one month into summer and my yoga students are so pleased with the course I've decided to teach for the season. If you've been following this blog, you will have learned that Chinese medicine instructs to treat your body differently according to season. During summer, we pay particular attention to heart health.
For the past month, my students and I have been working on getting our shoulders back, strengthening our upper backs and letting our hearts be open. I am delighted with our progress. One pose that you can do at home to help achieve an open heart and beautiful posture is dhanurasana. The woman in the demonstration is also practicing lion's roar which is completely optional.
To all of my yogis and yoginis who venture into yoga at 6:30 a.m. every Wednesday, you each bring something special and wonderful to class each time you're there. It really is a privilege to instruct you.
And for the complements I received this morning.....thank you, the pleasure is all mine.
Namaste.
Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen