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A Los Angeles Acupuncturist's Point of View
You're Never Too Old
As you may know by now, I moonlight as a yoga instructor when I'm not in the acupuncture office. Why? Because I see people get healed in yoga and I see people get hurt in yoga and I have much to say about it. So, for the past four years I have expressed my credo that anyone, and I mean ANYONE, can and will benefit from yoga.
Excuses to skip yoga? I have heard them all. I'm too old. I'm intimidated. I'm not flexible. It's expensive. I once injured my _______ (fill in the blank) and I can't do that type of stretching anymore. Well, meet Bette Calman, the 83-year-old yoga instructor who will make you think twice about who can or cannot do yoga. What a graceful, supple, and energetic woman. This news story broke yesterday, and by 6:00 a.m. this morning my inbox was inundated with this story, sent to me by well-meaning friends who just had to let me know about her. I am grateful to all of my astute friends who thought to get this to me. And even more grateful to Ms. Calman for sharing her message.
Just start somewhere with yoga. You can breathe, right? Start there. Take a deep breath into your belly and raise your hands over your head. Now with your exhale bend forward and touch the floor. Bend your knees if you'd like. This pose is called uttanasana. Congratulations, you did it. You are practicing yoga and already experiencing the benefits.
As always, I welcome your comments and questions.
Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen
I'm Back On Twitter
Hi Everyone!
After a year-long absense, I'm back on Twitter. Apparently it's all the rage now. So, you can now follow me around Los Angeles as I practice the coolest medicine on the planet (acupuncture), blissfully move through the yoga community, and dine at the finest health food joints in the city.
My Twitter name is: LAacupuncture. You may add me by reading my Twitter updates to the right of this entry then clicking on the "Follow Me" line. And stay tuned to find the most healthy, serene, and uplifting places to go in Los Angeles.
Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen
www.realage.com
I have been inspired by Facebook (yes, Facebook) to tell you about one of my favorite websites: www.realage.com. I was first introduced to the book "Real Age" by Dr. Michael Roizen back in 1999 while I was an acupuncture student. I am sure that if you are a Facebook user, you too have been sucked into an afternoon of quiz-taking due to boredom, curiosity, or guidance. Or perhaps all three. One such quiz on Facebook is the real-age test. It requires you to answer ten questions and tells you how old your body actually is. I am quite sure that the inspiration for this mini-quiz comes from Dr. Roizen's original.
The premise of Dr. Roizen's real age test is that certain habits and behaviors cause one's body to age faster. Other habits and behaviors add years to one's life. Dr. Roizen says your body has it's chronological age based on linear time and your biological age based on how you live your life. Part of his research was asking people attending 20-year high school reunions to participate in the real age questionnaire. He would then stand the person with the oldest biological age next to the person with the youngest biological age and they would always look like parent and child although they were both 38 years old. Fascinating!
At realage.com, not only do you take the test, you are given specific instructions and guidance to reverse your biological age. The test takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Answer honestly. Take your time. And you'll be on your way to a healthier and younger you.
And if you were wondering about me, my biological age is five years younger than my chronological age. Not bad! I have learned that if I would incorporate more omega-3 fatty acids into my diet, I could be even younger. I'll get on that.
So what is your "real" age? Keep me posted.
Thanks for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen
Aahhhh, Spring!!!!
Hi Everyone!
I'm back. I know it's been awhile since my last blog entry. I have just been so busy being an acupuncturist that it has left little time to write. That's good, right? And that is just how it is for me: more needling, less writing or more writing, less needling. One day I will strike a healthy balance between the two. Just know that if you do not hear from me it is because I am working hard and getting inspired. But more blogs will be on the way soon. And, by the way, I am always open to entry suggestions. You may email them to me at: Tamara@LAacupuncture.net.
I hope you made it through the winter season without catching that ghastly, lingering cold that went through Los Angeles. I did. I am proud to say that my diligence and determination to not get sick certainly paid off. And so we move on to spring, my favorite season to practice acupuncture and teach yoga. Why? Because the elements are gentle and kind to the body in spring and the body is open to change. And when your body is open to change, your mind will follow. It's a beautiful thing!
Last spring, I wrote one of my all-time most popular blog entries. It was about what spring means in Chinese medicine and how to care for your body during this season. You may read it by clicking here.
Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen
Winter
After an intensely busy autumn and a one-month sabbatical, I am back to blogging. And just in time to provide information on how to care for yourselves during winter. Each season has its specific set of instructions, with winter's instructions focusing on the kidneys. Kidneys are the root of qi. Kidneys also store the body's essence and govern reproduction, growth and birth.
What would cause kidney pathologies? Fear, since it is the emotion relating to kidneys, may cause kidney deficiency. Other etiologies that may harm the kidneys are: excessive sexual activity, chronic illness, overwork, and old age.
Kidney yang (energetic) pathologies may present as:
- low back pain
- frequent and pale urination
- chills
- cold hands and feet
- weak legs and knees
- edema of the lower extremities
- impotence
- premature ejaculation
- infertility
Kidney yin (fluid) pathologies may present as:
- heat in the hands and feet, especially in the afternoon
- malar flush
- excessive thirst
- dark, scanty urination
- tinnitus
- dizziness
- night sweats
What should you do if you suspect that you may have deficient kidneys with any of the above physical manifestations?
1. Get acupuncture.
2. Consider taking an herbal prescription during the winter season.
3. Rest. The nights are longer in winter for this reason.
4. Get plenty of fluids.
5. Gentle yoga will keep the low back supple and twisting will wring out the organs.
As always, I look forward to your questions and comments.
Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen
Say "OM" instead of "Ah", An Integrative Approach To Cancer Treatment
My nephew Kyle passed this article along to me from today's New York Times. I thought I'd share it with you.
Ms. Donna Karan, along with her foundation Urban Zen is implementing yoga into cancer therapy at Beth Israel Hospital in New York City. Yoga helps cancer patients with anxiety, depression, and the side effects of traditional cancer therapies. Yoga may also shorten hospital stays therefore getting the patient back into his/her own, more comfortable surroundings. Many hospitals across the country now have integrated health services with some hospitals giving integrated health a department status. Urban Zen and Beth Israel plan to take this department to a whole new level with yoga instructors who move from room to room and meditation areas for patients, their families, and nurses. This is truly amazing.
Ms. Karan founded Urban Zen after her husband passed away of lung cancer in 2001.
Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen
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
