A Los Angeles Acupuncturist's Point of View
Tamara@LAacupuncture.net
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A Los Angeles Acupuncturist's Point of View
Ginger: The Best and Most Cost-Effective Herb For Nausea
Fresh ginger, or sheng jiang, has been known for thousands of years to ease nausea. It is definitely one of my favorite herbs in all of the Chinese medicinal herbs. Why? Because it is easy to find here in the West, very easy to prepare, and pleasant-tasting.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology is reporting the results of a federally-funded study that shows that chemotherapy patients who took ginger capsules for three days before treatment had significantly less post-chemo nausea than those who did not take ginger. You may read more about the study by clicking here.
While the article notes that the patients took their ginger supplements in capsule form, I recommend taking the herb in fresh, raw form. You may purchase fresh organic ginger root at any grocery store these days. You will not have to look far, I promise. If your regular grocery store does not carry fresh ginger, ask them to order some. Fresh ginger root looks like this. You will pay about $4.00 for a ginger root that fits into the palm of your hand. One fresh ginger root may yield up to 20 servings.
Dosage is 2 - 5 grams per serving. You may safely take 2 to 3 servings per day. To make a fresh ginger tea, slice 4 - 5 pieces the size of a quarter and steep them for 10 minutes in boiling water, like you would make a tea. You may also grate ginger and put it in yogurt, oatmeal, stir fry, and any other dish that may need a spicy kick.
Ginger also has antibacterial properties, tranquilizing, and anti-hypertensive effects. Please speak with your M.D. if you are pregnant and considering taking ginger.
Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen
Rewarded For Healthy Habits? I Sure Hope So.
Finally...an idea that's time has come. I have been saying for years, well at least all of the years that I have been studying and practicing preventative health, that people should be rewarded for being proactive about their health and well-being.
Two Democratic senators, Max Baucus of Montana, and Tom Harkin of Iowa are at the helm of this initiative. The New York Times reports this today.
Like I always say, pay for year health on the front end. I will definitely be following this story every step of the way.
Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen
Twisting
I really enjoyed this yoga class I taught this morning. I really enjoy teaching yoga in the spring in general. Why, you may ask? Because spring is all about renewal and rejuvenation in Chinese medicine. We care for and revitalize our livers at this time. With just a few more weeks to go until summer, I encourage you to keep twisting your torso in your yoga practice. Like a sponge, when you twist, you squeeze and wring out your organs flushing out toxins and then flood the organ with much-appreciated, clean blood. And with all of the deep breathing (pranayama) exercises throughout the yoga class, there is definitely an abundance of oxygenated blood to nourish your organs, particularly your liver.
Two very simple twists that any person can do are: ardha matsyendrasana and parivrtta trikonasana. Learn to take pleasure in twisting. All of your visceral organs and your spine will thank you for it.
Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen
Stress
Stress. It's a catch-all term used to describe the physical and emotional state of a being when outside factors are not adding up leading a person to feel unwell inside. A relatively new term. And the reason for 60% of all doctor visits. I think this is a conservative estimate. I am quite sure that there is another huge percentage of people who do not seek medical attention for stress due to the cost of the doctor's visit. But that's a different blog entry for a different day.
As an acupuncturist, I would say that lately most of my cases are stress-related. Sure, I still get the sciatica, carpal tunnel, and tennis elbow cases and I am happy to serve these patients. But I am troubled by the number of stress cases that have turned into physical maladies. Insomnia, digestive problems, anxiety and depression, migraines, gynecological disorder, erectile dysfunction, and TMJ are just a few of the cases I have taken as of late due to stress. I have come so accustomed to working with stress that I have come up with a list of ideas that will help you take care of you, or as I like to say "control the controllables."
- Eat Right It sounds simple but I'm surprised when people tell me how much junk food into their bodies. And that is just what they'll admit to. Eat 5 - 10 servings of vegetables and fruits per day, eat healthy fats like nuts, seeds, and avocados, and have small amounts of lean protein. Flood your body with nutrition. You will feel great doing so.
- Limit Caffeine One caffeinated beverage early in the day is enough. Anything more may disrupt sleep. Sleep is essential for rest and repair of the body.
- Drink Water It is imperative to drink water to keep vital organs hydrated. A dehydrated person may suffer from headaches, digestive disorders and muscle fatigue. A good rule of thumb for water consumption is to drink half of your body weight in ounces. For example, a 150-lb. person would drink 75 ounces per day, every day.
- Do Aerobic Exercise You must elevate your heart rate at least 20 minutes per day in order to keep your cardiovascular system healthy. Also, creating an endorphin rush and balancing serotonin levels in the brain will help you reduce stress.
- Have A Confidante Do not keep your emotions inside. Get it off your chest. There is great therapy in "talking it out." I always let the patient have the first five minutes or so to talk. I just listen quietly and intently. After just a few minutes, I see their faces soften, their shoulders relax, a return to a normal breathing pattern, and finally a sense of calm. Know you are not alone. Stress happens to everyone.
- Get Acupuncture I am not saying this because I am an acupuncturist. I am saying this because I am an acupuncture patient. I will tell you with certainty that when I receive the points shenmen and yintang, I feel physical stress leave my body almost immediately.
- Get Massage I have the pleasure of working alongside of some of the most talented massage therapists in all of Los Angeles. I watch people walk out of Healing Hands on Larchmont all day long completely blissed out.
- Take a Television News Sabbatical The 24-hour news outlets routinely sensationalize news stories. I encourage you to not watch them but rather log onto the internet and read the news from a reputable news outlet for facts only. Without emotion. And without an "expert" telling you how you should feel. See the news for what it is and not worse than what it is. Limit your reading to 30 minutes per day so that you stay informed but do not feel manipulated.
I am sure that if you incorporate a few, if not all, of the above ideas into your life, you will feel better and that your stress will feel more manageable. And remember, you are not alone, stress happens to the best of us and whatever it is you are going through, this too shall pass.
Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen
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
