Beware of Bikram

The authentic form of Bikram yoga originated with yogi Bikram Choudhury in 1974. Choudhury developed a series of 26 asanas to be performed in a particular sequence in a heated room of 80-105 degrees Fahrenheit.

Since its introduction, Bikram yoga has been under hot debate, so to speak. As a practitioner of Chinese medicine, I'm obligated to side with the doubters. Bikram's high intensity and temperatures means it's not for everyone; in fact it's a particularly bad way to exercise for certain types of energetic constitutions.

From a Chinese medical perspective, excessive sweating depletes the body of energy, specifically qi and yin fluids. Though many feel invigorated after such a vigorous workout, the underlying energy of the body is actually becoming quite deficient. Long-term depletion of the qi and yin of the body can create or worsen symptoms of imbalance such as fatigue, headache, digestive and immune problems and more.

Worse still, excessive sweating and depletion of qi and yin can actually cause the body to retain extra weight. This is especially frustrating for those exercising to lose weight. When the body is depleted of its nourishment, it weakens the digestive system, which stores extra fat when under stress instead of burning it. The body also retains extra water, fluid, or fat to protect itself once it learns it is losing qi and yin fluids faster than they are being replenished.

Yoga traditionalists often agree that Bikram is an unhealthy distortion of the original intentions behind yoga exercise. Specifically, they point out that "...ideally yoga should be practiced in normal environmental conditions. Hot Yoga, Bikram yoga or similar types are inappropriate and difficult to justify versions of Indian ancient Science of Yoga." (See the rest of the article here.)

One concern is over the excess strain exerted on muscles in a hot environment, where there is always a danger of muscle or ligament stretched beyond biological limit. An elevated body temperature, similar to a fever, dilates our blood vessels, increases our blood pressure, makes the heart beat faster and stronger, and also causes excessive water loss from our body. Most bodies have very little redundant energy to waste away, and the energy demand in a heated environment catalyzes certain bodily processes and slows down other processes.

When it's all said and done, we need exercise that works with us, not against us. I recommend sticking to cardiovascular exercises such as jogging, biking, swimming, yoga, martial arts, or aerobics.

posted by Jessica Silver, L.Ac., MAOM

Acupuncture for Facial Rejuvenation: investigative report on CBS 2 NY.

Acupuncture can be been used in place of risky procedures like Botox and surgery to give the face a healthful, more vibrant look. Last night, there was an investigative story by Dr. Holly Phillips on CBS 2 NY about how acupuncture can work to rejuvenate the face.

Click here to watch the video

Also click here to read more about why acupuncture is a better option than Botox or surgery.

Call us at 212.894.0767 to speak with a practitioner to see if facial rejuvenation is right for you. Make those wrinkles disappear!

posted by: Michael G. Pingicer, M.S., L.Ac.

212.894.0767
http://www.amazinghealing.com/

Go Green Expo in NYC

In celebration of Earth Day, NYC is holding a Go Green Expo at the Hilton Hotel 1335 Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue at 53rd Street) this weekend (April 26th & 27th) from 10 am to 3pm.

"A truly unique event from the ground up, Go Green Expo will change not only the public's perception of environmentalism but also how events like this are produced and managed. Inviting companies large and small to showcase what they are doing to reduce their respective carbon footprint, consumers will have hands on experiences with 'eco-friendly' alternatives to current everyday products and services."

"Go Green Expo, the brainchild of Bradford Rand and his team at Expo International, was conceived after a viewing of the film An Inconvenient Truth. It prompted the question, 'How can we make a difference?' This question resonated with Rand and his team and Go Green Expo was born. Rand, a producer of over 600 trade shows during the last 14 years knew he could step up to this important challenge."

The Go Green Expo website has many resourceful links and health articles pertaining to how you as an individual can make a difference.

Click here for green news, tips and helpful hints on how you can help our environment.

Posted by Sharon A. Wyse

Gwyneth Paltrow & acupuncture.

I am not one to typically follow celebrity gossip, but when it comes to things involving my profession, my ears perk up. The exposure is great. A few years ago Gwyneth Paltrow made the New York papers because she was sporting cupping marks. Recently, she had her second child, and suffered from postpartum depression which can be crippling. She did not experience this condition after the birth of her first child, and she credits regular acupuncture & massage sessions for preventing that. From the New York Daily News today...

"...she said she felt fine after she and husband Chris Martin, lead singer of the British band Coldplay, had their daughter Apple four years ago. She credits morning massages and acupuncture treatments to her good mood then, and she's begun making some life changes to lift her spirits now. "I do think its important for mothers to take some time for themselves," she said.

With her second pregnancy, she scaled back on her acupuncture treatments and experienced postpartum depression. The whole story will be covered in an interview with her in the May '08 issue of Vogue.

Click here to read my article Chinese Medicine as an Effective Treatment for Depression.

posted by: Michael G. Pingicer, M.S., L.Ac.

212.894.0767
http://www.amazinghealing.com/

It's Allergy Season once again....

Spring is the season of re-growth ... flowers are in bloom, trees are budding and birds are out and singing. But for those of you who suffer from allergies, this time of the year can be dreadful!

Sneezing, clear watery runny nose, itchy nose, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion are all symptoms related to seasonal allergies. For years many people used over-the-counter antihistamines to block these symptoms but often they complained of feeling "spaced out" and sleepy. When over-the-counter remedies cause side effects or don't work for you, try natural alternatives such as the Chinese herbal formula AllerEase (distributed by Blue Poppy Enterprises Inc.).
AllerEase is composed of Chinese herbs that help treat the symptoms related to seasonal allergies.

For the Chinese formula explanation of AllerEase, including ingredients and research conducted, please click here

Do you suffer from seasonal allergies? If so, please call 212-894-0767 for a free 15 minute consultation to see how Acupuncture & Chinese herbal medicine can help you!

Posted by Sharon A. Wyse

Traditional acupuncture may ease migraines

NEW YORK 2008-04-11 (Reuters Health)

Acupuncture, as practiced in traditional Chinese medicine, may offer some relief from migraine pain, a new study suggests. Italian researchers found that regular treatments with "true" acupuncture helped improve symptoms in 32 patients whose migraines had been resistant to standard preventive medication. Moreover, the therapy worked better than two forms of "sham" acupuncture used for comparison, the researchers report in the medical journal Headache.

Past studies have yielded conflicting results as to whether acupuncture can aid in migraine treatment. Some research had suggested that sham acupuncture, using blunted needles that do not pierce the skin, is as likely to bring relief as is the real therapy -- calling into question the actual biological effects of acupuncture. However, a problem with this research is that studies have had inconsistent designs, and many have used acupuncture points that are "inappropriate" based on Chinese medicine, according to the authors of the new study.

To read the entire article in Reuters Health, please click here.

To read more on how to Manage & Prevent Headaches naturally, please click here.

Saturday, March 29, 2008 we posted a blog entitled "A Migraine Testimonial" from one of our patients who had been suffering with migraine headaches for six years! Scroll down to read full testimonial!

Posted by Sharon A. Wyse L.Ac.

Less Is More: The Mini-IVF

A new and improved option seems to have appeared in the world of reproductive technology... introducing the Mini IVF procedure. It's also known as minimal stimulation IVF.

From what we've gathered, "minimal stimulation IVF science merged with the latest IVF technology, which achieves similar pregnancy results with fewer drugs & injections, less stress, and reduced side effects." Several clinics are offering this new type of in-vitro fertilitzation, one of which is located on Park Ave in NYC.

According to the website of the New Hope Fertility Center, similar pregnancy success rates (compared with conventional IVF) are achieved as they recruit only the highest quality of eggs, instead of the usual plethora, which is excessive and often mostly poor quality.

Aside from a less invasive and less medicated experience, additional benefits include lower risk of multiples and a lower price tag. It seems all these "lesses" truly do add up to more!

More News and Research on the Mini-IVF

posted by Jessica Silver, MAOM, L.Ac.

Coverage in British Columbia for Acupuncture.

It looks like our friends to the north have struck again. Many people ask about Medicare/Medicaid coverage for acupuncture in the states, and it looks like as of April 1st, 2008, that similar type of coverage is now possible for some British Columbians. Let's take a look at the story...

"British Columbia will be the first Canadian province to pay for acupuncture with public health insurance money, the province's health minister announced on Sunday.

Anyone earning less than $28,000 per year will be able to get reimbursed for visits to an acupuncturist, who puts sterilized needles beneath the skin to treat conditions such as back pain, said George Abbott.

"Acupuncture is recognized worldwide as a safe and effective way to treat or manage a variety of health conditions," said Abbott in a news release. "The inclusion... will ensure that more British Columbians have the ability to explore treatment options."

The province's Medical Services Plan (MSP) will make the changes to expand insurance coverage on April 1."

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE STORY.

posted by: Michael G. Pingicer, M.S., L.Ac.
212.894.0767

www.amazinghealing.com

Treatment of PMS with Traditional Chinese Medicine

Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, is a group of symptoms that start one to two weeks before your period. Most women have at least some symptoms of PMS, and the symptoms go away after their periods start. In recent literature it is noted that as many as 80% of women experience some form of PMS at some time or another, and 30-40% of these women have PMS severe enough to interfere with their day to day lives!

One reason why Traditional Chinese medicine is so beneficial in treating symptoms of PMS is because the therapy involved focuses on treating the root of the problem rather then just the present symptoms. Because most of the symptoms related to PMS are subjective, many Western practitioners are at a loss when it comes to treating PMS and are quick to prescribe medications or recommend over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen.

Please be aware that as a woman you do not need to be experiencing this pain and discomfort every month! When the symptoms of PMS are reduced or eliminated, women feel more energetic - physically, mentally, emotionally and creatively.

Some of the symptoms related to PMS include but are not limited to:Abdominal bloating and cramps, breast tenderness & swelling, mood changes (irritability, frustration, depression, anxiety), acne, back pain, fatigue, food cravings, headaches, insomnia, joint pain, water retention, and dizziness.

To read our full article on "How to treat PMS with Traditional Chinese Medicine" please click here.

Are you experiencing PMS symptoms? Acupuncture and herbs may be right for you. Call 212-894-0767 and ask for a free 15 minute consultation.

Posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac.