I was digging around in my newsletter archives for inspiration this week and came across a shout out to Dr. Dean Ornish I'd done back in 2009 and ironically, I had just been speaking about his work and programs to a patient yesterday, so it seemed like the right topic for a blog post today. This post is therefore dedicated to The Man - Dr. Dean Ornish. Dr. Ornish is a pioneer in preventative medicine (from a western perspective, nudge nudge wink wink) because he has done some really groundbreaking research proving that low tech solution are some of the best to our high tech health problems. His statement in this TED talk excerpt, that Your Genes Are Not Your Fate, alludes to the fact that by changing your diet, decreasing stress and increasing exercise you can do many incredible things including:
Dr. Ornish's perspective on changing disease and increasing health has a heavy focus on stress and reducing chronic stress in particular. In this way, Chinese Medicine and Dr. Ornish's programs have an incredible synergy. Lifestyle change including the basics of decreasing stress, increasing movement, doing meditation and Qi Gong and eating well to nourish the body have long been part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Indeed, the Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic - the first cannon of Chinese Medicine written in the 2nd century BCE by Qi (Ch'i) Po, says: "When the mind is calm and stable, the vitality of life circulates harmoniously throughout the body. If the body is nourished and protected by this circulation of vitality, how can it possibly become ill?" The "vitality of life" is your essence and Qi flow, and here, Qi Po is alluding to the importance of decreasing and managing stress as a preventative medicine measure.
In Chinese Medicine, stress restricts Qi and Blood flow - especially in the Heart and in the Liver - and these in turn can restrict Qi and Blood flow everywhere causing a host of problems from insomnia and headache to mania, pain and digestive disorders. Stress can literally be the root of all health evil - both physically and energetically - so getting it under control must be a top health priority. If stress is a high factor in your life and you have heart disease concerns as well, combining Dr. Ornish's program with TCM is powerful medicine. Dr. Ornish's program will give you a roadmap to success, while Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can balance your energies to accelerate the process, give you focused scheduled time to meditate and relax during treatment, and give you a place to check in - someone (like me!) who is asking you about your progress, monitoring your blood pressure and helping you stay on track with your goals. Dr. Ornish says that even after one month you can start to see changes if you stick to his Reversing Heart Disease program, and even people with previous heart attacks have had proven success. So if you can literally Change Your Fate through diet and exercise and avoid western medications, why not try? It might not be right for everyone, but you'll never know if you don't research it and consider the possibility. So, a tip of the hat from me to you, Dr. Ornish. Thank you for helping the western world see that prevention really is medicine with proven results. ~Rebecca Okay, I'm finally doing what should have been done long ago and moving my blog to my website. My blog goes back to 2008 in its original Blogspot home which you can find HERE: Blog Spot Archive But from now on my Blog has a happy new home here! On my website! Its novel, right? Announcements for July 2013All Ways Wellness Program LaunchFind Your WellI am very excited to launch my new All Ways Wellness Program this month. Easily the best way to maintain your health, decrease stress and inflammation, and keep you feeling your best by putting the preventative power of Chinese Medicine to work just for you. I firmly believe that Chinese Medicine including regular herbs and acupuncture, combined with a basic supplement regime, is THE WAY to Find Your Well(ness) and keep it - that's my plan and it has worked for years. Did you know that before I had children - and was exposed to the especially lethal concoction of germs that is daycare - I hadn't had a cold for close to a decade? And my father (who keeps up a similar plan) at 80 years of age often gets mistaken for someone in his mid 60's. In his mid-70's a friend of mind actually demanded his ID at a gathering because he was so unconvinced of my father's advanced years. I am truly convinced that good diet, good supplementation and regular Chinese Medicine are the key to decreasing and managing stress, decreasing inflammation, anti-aging and longevity. Therefore, I developed my All Ways Wellness Program to make it a little easier. Essentially, if you book a recurring monthly appointment I have put together a customizable basic supplement regime for $66 additional per month to help you stay on top of the basics and Find Your Well. This includes a monthly:
Price Increase - first in a long long timeUnfortunately, inflation has caught up with me and it is time for me to increase my rates. Considering that I haven't done this since 2007, I think you'll agree that its high time. Prices are going up approximately 10% starting July 1st, which equates to about $5 per service on average. Some of the higher priced services (such as Facial or Cosmetic Acupuncture) will go up a little more. All of the prices listed on my website reflect an average 20% payment at time of service discount, meaning that if your treatment is billed to insurance full fees apply. For a full list of fees and changes click HERE. If you have questions you can email me using THIS link or call (503)445-8888 x1 and I will be happy to answer your questions. If your treatments are currently billed to insurance your copayment may increase slightly, but most likely the difference will be $2-3 or, if you have a flat copayment, there will be no difference at all. Insurance reimbursement rates and calculations are kind of all over the place right now as we wait for the Health Care Act to come into fuller effect next year - Blue Cross Blue Shield dropped their acupuncture reimbursement rates by 13% this year (out of fear, I can almost guarantee) and Kaiser (through CHP) and ODS dropped rates as well. I do not know what will happen next year, we'll just have to see, but rest assured I will keep you informed if your individual out of pocket costs change. That's all for now! Have a wonderful Friday and great remainder to your weekend!
~Rebecca |
AuthorsRebecca M H Kitzerow is a Licensed Acupuncturist practicing in La Center, Washington. With over a decade of experience she has won 10 Nattie consumer choice awards from Natural Awakenings Magazine since 2014. Archives
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