Biocharger

While there is no substitute for personal touch and compassionate interaction, the technological advances of the last century have much to offer.   The Biocharger is a hybrid subtle energy revitalization platform that works to optimize health, wellness and athletic performance by balancing the energy of every cell in your body.

Each Biocharger session bathes your entire body with four distinct, harmonious energy fields. These energies have been proven to restore strength, stamina, coordination and mental clarity.  

I’ve worked with many such devices over the last 25 years.  Some have cost as little as $50 and some as much as $50,000.  The Biocharger is the most effective of all that I have experienced.  Based on the pioneering work of Nikola Tesla, Royal Raymond Rife and Georges Lakhovsky in the early 1900’s the design integrates the best of the best innovations.

I consider myself an “open-minded skeptic”.  When I first saw the Biocharger and looked at the website, I was marginally intrigued.  Doing my due diligence, I went and experienced it first hand.  Let’s just say I truly didn’t expect the level of energy and performance I had after several sessions.  Based on my personal experience, I realized this would be a valuable tool for my most difficult patient conditions.

My experience confirmed the testimonials by olympic athletes, professional sports teams and cutting-edge clinics that integrate Biocharger into their offices.

In my quest to find affordable solutions to difficult health challenges, the Biocharger provides a viable option.  By being able to treat up to 8 people at a time, treatments can be effective and affordable. Sessions are offered several times a day at specific times.  

Call Vahila Acupuncture for current pricing and to schedule a Biocharger session: 330-477-0777

Go to www.biocharger.com for more info.

Biocharger treatment in the context of an acupuncture or massage sessions are at no additional charge.

Massage Therapy Student Resources

I have been teaching the Massage Therapy program at Stark State College in Canton, Ohio since 1999.  As a resource for students, I recorded many of the techniques and routines taught in the course.  I've found that my patients, colleagues and people from around the world have subscribed to my YouTube Channel to learn from this free resource.

I invite you to take advantage of these videos, wether you are a non-professional looking for a way to treat shoulder pain, a massage therapy student wanting to review, or a professional exploring other perspectives on techniques.

I hope my teaching provides useful information for you, whatever your needs.

Go to https://www.youtube.com/user/mvahila

Enjoy!

New Office Location

I've recently moved the acupuncture office to the Total Health and Wellness building at 2401 & 2403 Whipple Ave. NW in Canton. 

My office is in the lower level of 2403 Whipple.  It's one building with 2 addresses; one for the upper and one for the lower part.

The team at Total Health and Wellness have a strong belief in a holistic approach.  They offer counseling services, yoga, art therapy, massage and now my services of acupuncture, Reiki and massage therapy.

I'm glad to be a part of this group of professionals as we expand the vision of the center.  

Which Nutritional Supplements Should I Take?

"Which Nutritional Supplements Should I Take?"  I hear this every week in my acupuncture practice.  It's a reasonable question.  Even conventional medical doctors are realizing that it is difficult to get optimal nutrients in a modern American diet.

This blog is not going to discuss every reason we might benefit from supplementation.  But, consider these few items:

1. Most food is grown on nutrient depleted soils.  If it's not in the soil, it's not in the food.

2. Most food is sprayed with pesticides and herbicides.  These toxins create additional stress on the body.

3. Stressful lifestyles cause the body to burn through nutrients more rapidly.

Each one of those topics could be a chapter in a book.  But let's cut to the chase.…where to start?  

The following are general suggestions for your consideration.

1. If you can only take one product, consider a good Multi-Vitamin.  I carry products form several companies and they all make good Multi-Vitamins.  The one I personally use is Life Extension Mix Tablets.  This may not be a good fit for some as they suggest 9 per day.  I use 6 per day, but I understand that some people only want to take a "One a Day" or "Two per Day" supplement.  Life Extension makes those as well.

The reason I'm willing to take that many tablets is that is has so many plant extracts, minerals and unique nutrients, it covers a lot of bases in one product.

2. Fish oil/Omega 3 Fatty acids.  If you're willing to add another product, essential fats have many benefits from supporting a healthy inflammatory response to promoting heart health.  My personal choice is Life Extensions' Super Omega 3.

Also, I don't think it's wise to buy inexpensive supplements.  Use name brand supplements by companies that specialize in nutritional products.  It would be better, in my opinion, to take less of a quality product than to buy cheap products and take full doses.

With those 2 general products as a foundation, you can add others that are targeted to your specific needs.  

Important supplements that many people can benefit from include CoQ 10 and Vitamin D.  How do you know if you need to supplement with those?  Easy!  Get a blood test.  You may have to request these and your insurance may not cover them.  However, check with http://www.lifeextension.com to see if their blood test prices are less expensive than what your doctor would charge.

Another service Life Extension offers is that you can discuss your blood test results with a physician on staff.  They can give you another perspective on your needs based on your blood work.

If your CoQ 10 or Vitamin D levels are not optimal, these would be excellent additions to your wellness program.

This article was not intended to be a plug for the Life Extension Foundation, but their products are the foundation of my personal wellness program.  I use products from several companies but I do notice that most of them are from Life Extension.

Good nutritional support is just one pillar of a healthy lifestyle.  Adequate exercise, quality sleep and stress reduction are also important.

It would be nice if it didn't matter what we did and we could just feel great.  For most of us, our conscious choices will determine how good we feel and how much quality of life we have.

Auriculotherapy

The good folks at Miridia Technology do excellent client education.  Here is a reprint from their Auriculotherapy series.

What is Auriculotherapy?

Auriculotherapy gets its name from the "Auricle" which is the anatomic name for the external ear.

Auriculotherapy techniques use special locations, or points, on the skin of the ear to diagnose and treat pain and medical conditions of the body. This method is used world wide by tens of thousands of practitioners to bring effective relief for a wide variety of conditions, including pain, dysfunction, injuries, addictions, and internal disorders.

Depending on the country and practitioner, Auriculotherapy is sometimes also referred to as Auricular Medicine, or Auricular Acupuncture.  Whether used in conjunction with another treatment or by itself, auriculotherapy is often effective when other treatments have failed, or in conjunction with other treatment types. Best of all, auriculotherapy is safe, non-invasive and has no side effects.

Where did it come from?

Auriculotherapy has been used as a form of health care for thousands of years all over the world. Ancient records from China, Egypt, Greece, Rome and Persia all indicate treatments applied to the ear for a variety of problems. In fact, the world-wide custom of wearing decorative ear rings may have originated as an early form of auricular health care.

Modern auriculotherapy got its start in the early 1950's when a French neurologist named Dr. Paul Nogier observed the occurrence of scars on the ears of patients who were successfully treated by French lay practitioners for back pain. He investigated these ear scars and found this type of treatment had a very high success rate.

Dr. Nogier then spent his career researching and developing the map of reflex points on the ear, based upon the concept of an Inverted Fetus arrangement. He eventually discovered over 200 auricular points and their corresponding effects.

Today Auriculotherapy research continues, with major advancements in the study and placement of ear reflex points, as well as scientific documentation of this technique's effectiveness. Auriculotherapy is now accepted worldwide as a valuable and effective procedure for many conditions.

Facts about Auriculotherapy

As research has uncovered more information about this amazing therapy, certain interesting facts have emerged. Let's look at a few examples:

Stimulation of certain points on the ear changes the cardiac pulse within a few seconds.
Auriculotherapy tends to not only eliminate pain, but also stimulate healing of the affected body part.
It is possible to locate problems in the body with up to 75% accuracy, merely by examining the ear.
Experienced practitioners report an 86% success rate using auriculotherapy to help patients quit smoking.
Auriculotherapy treatment for drug addiction provides a substantially lower relapse rate than non-auricular addiction treatments.

Auriculotherapy is a natural complement to many types of healthcare, including acupuncture, chiropractic, western medicine, naturopathy, physical therapy and even psychotherapy. Auriculotherapy is often helpful for many health conditions, both physical and mental and nearly any body part can be treated from the ear.

Some of the most successful uses of Auriculotherapy include the areas of addiction, pain management, musculoskeletal injuries, mental health, and internal disorders, though it has been successfully applied to nearly any problem imaginable. Published protocols are available for several hundred specific problems.

What should I expect?

Your auriculotherapy treatment will begin with your practitioner's examination of one or both of your ears. Examination techniques include probing for tender areas or testing with an electronic device. Specific charts of common points related to your condition will likely also be consulted and compared with your exam findings.
When your practitioner has identified the reflex points applicable to your condition, treatment will begin.

Possible treatment techniques, include acupressure, acupuncture with tiny needles, laser stimulation, electrical stimulation, colored light therapy, or even heat therapy. Most types of treatment are relatively comfortable and brief. If your practitioner opts to use acupuncture needles, they will be small, sterile, and usually painless.
Regardless of the treatment technique used, auriculotherapy is extremely safe and natural. The only known side effects of auriculotherapy are all positive and include enhanced mood, better sleep, and even decreases in non-related symptoms.

Auriculotherapy treatment often takes effect within a few seconds or minutes, and may be effective for days, weeks, or even longer. Some conditions may respond to only one treatment, while others may require multiple treatments. Your practitioner will give you a better idea of how many treatments are expected for your particular condition.

Your practitioner may also attach temporary beads or tacks to your ear to provide continued stimulation over the course of several days. If so, you'll be given specific instructions about how to use these items and when to remove them.

How can I get more information?

Call Vahila Acupuncture and Massage Therapy at 330-477-0777

Chronic Pain and Aging

A good part of my acupuncture practice is patients over 60.  (I'm almost 60 myself!)  They often present with many complex conditions in addition to their pain. 

Diabetes, cancer, and other conditions are present and yet they need additional support for their pain.  Often I'm asked if there is evidence that acupuncture will help them.  Here is a study from PubMed to address that question.

J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2014 Nov 5. [Epub ahead of print]

Effective chronic low back pain and knee pain treatment with acupuncture in geriatric patients.

Cevik C1, An I L A2, Işeri SO3.

Author information

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The most common disease of the older age group in Turkey is degenerative articular disease and pain associated with the disease. Analgesics and physical therapy are preferred treatment for geriatric chronic pain but suffering from multiple medical and nutritional problems in old ages can limit treatment options with analgesics due to an increased risk of adverse effects and drug interactions.

OBJECTIVES:

We aim to show the effect of acupuncture on back-pain and knee-pain treatment of elderly people.

METHODS:

The study includes 34 patients, 24 female and 8 male. The mean age was 69.0417 ± 8.95 years for females and 73.12 ± 8.95.24 years for males. Every two days for a total of 10 sessions acupuncture treatment to Yintang, Ht 7 (Shenmen), LI 4 (Hegu), Ki 3 (Taixi) and Ki 6 were found to significantly reduce pain scores of patients.

RESULTS:

Mean back pain scores (8.8696 ± 1.546) and mean knee pain scores (9.1304 ± 1.4239) of patients were reduced significantly to 2.1739 ± 1.466 and 1.455 ± 0.7; p< 0.001 respectively after the acupuncture treatment.

CONCLUSION:

These are important results as they give rationale to use acupuncture treatment widely in chronic low back pain and knee pain in the geriatric group of patients to reduce the side effects of polypharmacy in elderly.

Bach Flower Essences

What are They?  Developed by Dr. Edward Bach in the early 1930's, these homeopathic remedies gently balance emotions that can give rise to physical and mental symptoms. Go to bachflower.com for more information.

My experience with them is that they can help take the edge off strong emotions or stress. 

How to Use: Put 2 to 4 drops in a glass of water and sip throughout the day or take directly under the tongue.

Choosing the Essence: Read through the brief descriptions and check the ones that apply to you. You may use up to 6 at a time. Choose only the ones that seem most relevant for you at the time. There are many books on the subject that provide more information on these remedies.

Agrimony One who wears a cheerful, carefree mask to conceal troubles, rarely imposing their problems on others. Finds arguments distressing. May turns to alcohol, drugs, food or work to escape pain.

Aspen When vague fears suddenly and unexpectedly arise for no apparent reason. For apprehension. 

Beech If the habits, idiosyncrasies, or differences of others are annoying. If critical of others and unable to see past their faults. For intolerance.

Centaury For difficulty' saying no. If you often deny yourself for the sake of others. Always tries to please others. Easily exploited.

Cerato For lack of confidence in making decisions. If you turn to others for input and are often misguided.

Cherry Plum For the fear of impulsively doing something known to be wrong. Feeling out of control. For some compulsions and obsessions.

Chestnut Bud For one who repeatedly makes the same mistakes, and never learns from the past. If you repeat destructive patterns of behavior and/or relationships.

Chicory If you need to be over-involved in the lives of others, constantly wanting loved ones nearby. Possessive.

Clematis For one who withdraws into a fantasy world to escape present unhappiness. Feeling dreamy, drowsy and preoccupied. Enjoys sleep.

Crab Apple For poor self-image. If ashamed of physical condition and/or appearance. For feelings of shame and uncleanness. For cleansing.

Elm If feeling overwhelmed and burdened by responsibilities. If feeling down because a task seems too difficult and not within anyone's power to complete.

Gentian If easily discouraged by small problems that cause you to hesitate, doubt yourself and feel depressed. If you tend to make "mountains out of molehills." Pessimist.

Gorse When feeling hopeless and in despair. Giving up - believing nothing can be done.

Heather Need to constantly talk about oneself with anyone who will listen. Often unhappy when alone for any period of time. Uninterested in what others have to say.

Holly For hatred, jealousy, or envy that stems from a strong need and desire for more love. Suffering within - often with no real cause for this unhappiness.

Honeysuckle For one who dwells too much on past happiness, lost loved ones or ambitions that never came to pass and never expects to be happy again.

Hornbeam If one doubts that they have the strength, mentally or physically, to carry on normal daily activities, yet they always manage to get things done. For fatigue and tiredness often due to boredom.

Impatiens For quick decision makers impatient and irritable when dealing with those slower than themselves. Prefer working alone at their own pace.

Larch If you lack confidence in yourself or your abilities. For feelings that you cannot do as well as others. If expectations of failure leads to insufficient attempts to succeed.

Mimulus When fearful of something found in everyday life. For example, fear of the dark, public speaking, heights, growing old and being alone, etc. Phobias.

Mustard For feelings of gloom or despair that come and go with no known reason. Feeling overshadowed by a dark cloud.

Oak For "fighters" who never give up despite illness or hardship. Even in the face of a lost cause. Strong "plodders" whom others depend on.

Olive For feelings of mental and physical exhaustion, as a result of suffering under adverse conditions such as an illness or ordeal. Everything seems an effort. Vitality is drained. Nothing brings enjoyment.

Pine For feelings of guilt. For those who blame themselves for the mistakes of others. If never content with one's efforts or the results. Often perfectionists.

Red Chestnut Excessive worry about the well being of others. Constantly anticipating the worst will happen to them.

Rock Rose When feeling very frightened or terrified. Effective in the event of an accident, emergency, or sudden illness.

Rock Water For those who are too hard on themselves. Following a way of life or religion strictly, denying oneself life's pleasures to set an example for others.

Scleranthus If making up your mind is difficult and you are unable to decide between two things. For mood swings. For the feeling of being "out of balance."

Star of Bethlehem For the trauma experienced during or after receiving serious or sad news, loss of a loved one, or fright following an accident. For refusing to be consoled. For traumas of the past. Grief.

Sweet Chestnut If you feel like you've reached the limits of your endurance. Great mental despair when anguish seems to be unbearable.

Vervain If you feel a burning need to convince and convert others to your ideas. When over enthusiasm sabotages efforts, hindering rather than helping.

Vine For the confident, capable, self-assured that are often thought to be demanding and domineering. Born leaders.

Walnut Useful for those experiencing periods of transition and adjustments to new beginnings. Assists in adapting to new environments and situations such as divorce, new job, or move. Can protect you from other peoples' negativity, peer pressure or the strong influence of another.

Water Violet For those who are independent, capable, and self-reliant. Loners, who often appear aloof. Others find them remote, unapproachable and difficult to befriend.

White Chestnut If experiencing unwanted recurring thoughts and mental arguments that play continuously in your mind like a broken record and often causes sleeplessness.

Wild Oat For those feeling frustrated because of the feeling that they need to do something with their lives but they have no certain direction. "Lost souls" who have yet to find their niche in life.

Wild Rose If resigned to drift through life, making no effort to improve your situation or find joy. "Stuck in a rut". Quietly accepting what life has in store.

Willow For those suffering from adversity or misfortune which is felt to be unjust. Resentful, self-pitying and often bitter.

Rescue Remedy A combination of 5 of the essences: Impatiens, Star of Bethlehem, cherry Plum, Rock Rose and Clematis. It is useful for general stress, emergencies and first aid. Also available in topical
cream, lozenges and a spray bottle.

Disclaimer: The above information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for conventional medical advice or treatment. Consult your doctor.

Aromatherapy for Headaches and Migraines

Headaches are on of the most common ailments.  They are not caused by a deficiency of aspirin or Tylenol.  There are many causes, but muscle tension in the neck, shoulders and sub-occipital muscles, are often aggravating factors.

Massage therapy can be very helpful.  Also, self massage with some essential oils can be soothing. 

• Fill a small glass, 1oz. jar or bottle approximately 2/3 full with Almond Oil or other carrier oil.

Add:
• 6 drops Lavender Oil
• 6 drops Clary Sage Oil
• Cover and shake. Check the fragrance of the oil.

To use: Apply to temples and areas of pain and tension. Massage lightly. 

Other aromatherapy oils for headaches:

• Peppermint
• Jasmine
• Eucalyptus

• Melissa

• Rosemary 


Feel free to use any other oils you find helpful.  If headaches are persistent, consider seeing a professional massage therapist or acupuncturist for more specific suggestions and treatments for your headaches.  Trigger points often cause headaches and a professional can treat them effectively.

Do You Know Your Acupuncturist?

To most people, all acupuncturists are the same.  Most people assume that if you are allowed to do acupuncture, you have the same training as every other acupuncturist.  This is far from the reality.

A Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) has approximately 2,000 hours training in Acupuncture, Western Medicine and Oriental Medicine.

Licensed acupuncturists have a 3 year master’s level diploma from a school approved by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.   After passing an exam by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and  Oriental Medicine, they are awarded the Diplomate in Acupuncture designation.   This is the standard for licensing in most states.  

To find a National Board Certified acupuncturist in your area, go to http://www.nccaom.org.

However, medical doctors or chiropractors may also use acupuncture. But, they have only 200-300 hours of training.  They are not licensed acupuncturists.  This limited amount of training limits the types of conditions they may treat effectively. 

Licensed Acupuncturists may treat a broad range of health issues, including chronic disease, pain, internal medicine and rehabilitation based on Oriental medical theory.  They look at imbalances in the body through the holistic lens of one of the most time tested methods on Earth.  Chinese medicine is thousands of years old.  The Neijing, a foundation textbook for acupuncturists, is as old as 475 BC. 

By contrast, modern medicine is not even 200 years old.  Having said that, modern medicine has much value for our times.  It is unparalleled in treatment of acute care and serious disease.

Oriental Medicine was developed from a model of studying health and developing ways to support health and prevent disease.  Western Medicine studied disease and developed methods to treat symptoms.  Both systems have value and compliment each other.

When seeking an acupuncturist, be sure to inquire about the number of hours of training the acupuncturist has.  Also, ask how long a treatment session lasts.  When comparing value, if you only inquire about the fee you may be disappointed to find out that the $50 acupuncture session lasts 15 to 20 minutes vs. a slightly higher priced session lasts an hour and includes a more comprehensive approach.

There is no substitute for a practitioner actually spending quality, unhurried time with you.  Maybe they can legally insert a needle, but are they treating only a symptom or taking the time to educate you, understand your imbalances and plan a session accordingly?  There are plenty of MD's, DC's and L.Ac's who take time and there are some that don't.  

Get to know your acupuncturist before you decide who is the best fit for you.  Check out their website and talk with them on the phone.  Realize that even within the various levels of training, there are also many different styles of acupuncture.  One approach may be a better fit for you than another.  The only way to know is to have some treatment and pay attention to your results.

Acupuncture is gaining much attention these days for good reason; it helps people on many levels.  Enjoy your journey into a well traveled mode of health care.

Muscular Dystrophy and Acupuncture

Muscular dystrophy is, not one, but a group of disorders affecting the body. I'll be speaking to the Muscular Dystrophy Support Group at Summa Healthcare, 3838 Massillon Rd on Thursday, October 7 at 7 PM. Feel free to invite anyone you know who is affected by this condition.

I'll be talking about the condition from the viewpoint of Chinese medicine and will be sharing a variety of self-care and alternative treatments to help manage the pain and limitations that accompany the disease. For more information about this support group contact me at 330-477-0777.