Akron-Canton Hot List: Thanks for Voting Us #1

I'd like to thank everyone who voted for us as the best acupuncture practice in Akron-Canton according to the Hot List.  Click here to see the award.

I was surprised by the award because we didn't ask anyone to vote for us.  The fact that people voted without any encouragement from us is appreciated.

We'll continue to do everything we can to help our patients and to be deserving of this award.

Thank you.

Reiki 1 & 2 on Your Schedule

Reiki (pronounced ray’-key) is a Japanese word meaning Universal Life Energy. The Usui System of Reiki was born out of the experience and dedication of Dr. Mikao Usui in the late 1800’s. It provides a means of accessing and focusing this energy for personal well-being and growth.

Reiki helps balance physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energy. It is a powerful tool for health and wellness, stress reduction and self-care. This natural healing art supports the body’s ability to heal physical ailments and may open the mind to the root causes of disease and pain.

Reiki can be effectively incorporated into the healing arts practiced by massage therapists, nurses, counselors and physicians. Anyone can easily learn to use this holistic tool to create balanced wellness in life.

In the First Degree weekend seminar you will learn the history of Reiki, how to treat yourself and others, and the five precepts of Reiki. This is a relaxed, experiential workshop with time practicing and sharing your experience. 

If you've already been trained in First Degree Reiki, you may be drawn to more advance work.

I've been teaching Reiki since 1993 and have had the honor of sharing this gift with hundreds of people.

While I do offer formal weekend seminars, I've found that people often appreciate the option of scheduling a one on one training to fit their schedule.

Call me at 330-477-0777 if you are interested in personal training in either First or Second Degree training.

Acupuncture Presentation at Merging Hearts

Acupuncture in the 21st Century

January 11, 2015 @ 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm - 

$5.00
Educational Event | with Michael Vahila, LAC, LMT

Learn about the history and philosophy of acupuncture. We’ll look at how it works, how it is being used in modern times and how it can help you.

ANCIENT MEETS MODERN

In all health care systems there must be a way to evaluate the current state of health. Traditionally, acupuncture uses tongue and pulse to help determine the state of the patient. Over 70 years ago, Dr. Nakatani developed a system that graphically shows how the energy flows in the body.The Acugraph Meridain Imaging System takes advantage of the computer to quickly and graphically show the results. We’ll take a look at the energy of volunteers from the audience.

East Meets West

People in America are still in the process of integrating the “wisdom of the East” into our culture. Western medicine has made great advances in reliving suffering but still comes up short for many people. Come learn about a time tested, natural option for pain, chronic conditions and difficult to treat issues.

Michael Vahila, LAC, LMT

Michael is a National Board Certified Acupuncturist and Licensed Massage Therapist.  In addition to his private practice, he has been teaching massage therapy at Stark State College for over 15 years. On Sunday, January 11, he’ll be sharing the benefits of acupuncture from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Merging Hearts.

For more information contact:  Michael Vahila, LAC, LMT, 330-477-0777

Details

Date:

January 11, 2015

Time:

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Cost:

$5.00

Event Category:

Healing

Event Tags:

acupuncture, group, massage

Venue

Merging Hearts Holistic Center

3751 Burrshire Drive NW, Canton, OH44709 United States

+ Google Map

Phone:

330.451.6214

Website:

http://merginghearts.orgMerging Hearts Holistic Center is a non-profit educational and cultural community offering opportunities to nurture the mind, heal the body and awaken the spirit.

Merging Hearts Holistic Center a non-profit 501-C3. A free-will donation of $5 is suggested for most events & classes at the center. All donations are tax deductible.

Money: Master the Game by Tony Robbins

I don't usually write about money.  My practice is about physical health.  But the reality is, you can't be truly physically healthy if you are not also mentally, emotionally, spiritually and financially healthy.

So by way of encouraging you to put a little thought into your financial health, I'd like to recommend a book.  Money: Master the Game is an excellent place to start.  It will save you time and money by taking advantage of the insights Tony Robbins shares.

I've learned the hard way that many of the suggestions Tony doles out are true.  I've paid high fees in mutual funds, chased performance in managed funds, started saving too late, failed to create a plan and be committed consistently to it.  I know I'm not alone in this.  Financial information is contradictory and confusing.  Everybody has a point of view.

There is no "spoiler alert" here.  I won't even begin to boil down the 600 pages for you.  I'll just encourage you to take your time, read it and ACT on it.

So while this is not in my scope of practice to consult with you on money, let me refer you to an expert; Tony Robbins.

Reiki 1 Class January 2015

I've been teaching Reiki since 1993 and have had the honor of teaching hundreds of people in NE Ohio.  I will be offering a Reiki 1 seminar 

Saturday, January 3, 2015  from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM 

Sunday, January 4, 2015  from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Learning Reiki was the impetus for me to change directions in my life from music teacher to healing arts. I still feel it is the foundation in my work as an acupuncturist and massage therapist. It is truly a gift.

What initially attracted me was the possibility of doing self treatment. Little did I know it would become a powerful force for many wonderful avenues of growth in my life.

A new year is coming up.  I can't think of a better way to start it than with adding a wonderful energy to support all aspects of your growth.

Reiki (pronounced ray’-key) is a Japanese word meaning Universal Life Energy. The Usui System of Reiki was born out of the experience and dedication of Dr. Mikao Usui in the late 1800’s. It provides a means of accessing and focusing this energy for personal well-being and growth.

Reiki helps balance physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energy. It is a powerful tool for health and wellness, stress reduction and self-care. This natural healing art supports the body’s ability to heal physical ailments and may open the mind to the root causes of disease and pain.

Reiki can be effectively incorporated into the healing arts practiced by massage therapists, nurses, counselors and physicians. Anyone can easily learn to use this holistic tool to create balanced wellness in life.

In the First Degree weekend seminar you will learn the history of Reiki, how to treat yourself and others, and the five precepts of Reiki. This is a relaxed, experiential workshop with time practicing and sharing your experience.

Course fee is $250 and may qualify for CEU's for health professionals. 

Give me a call at 330-477-0777 for more info.

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.