Amazing Healing; Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, Body-Mind Health & More!

Help Support Breastfeeding Rights. Don't Delay.

2009-06-25T17:27:00.002-04:00

Friends,

Did you know that tough economic times may be making it harder for women to breastfeed? According to a recent ABC news story, one of the fall-outs from the recession is that some new mothers are feeling forced to take shorter maternity leaves due to concerns about finances and job stability.

Unfortunately, women who have to cut their maternity leave short often can’t continue to breastfeed their infants because many workplaces don't adequately support breastfeeding. That's a big problem when you consider that 56% of women with infants are now the in the labor force--we need common-sense workplace policies to make sure that moms who want to breastfeed can.

Act now for nursing moms by urging your Members of Congress to support the Breastfeeding Promotion Act!

Thanks,

Juliette Aiyana, L.Ac., Lactivist and Breastfeeding Mother to a 14 month old.

Kids are more likely to eat what they make.

2009-06-18T14:55:00.002-04:00

Since kids are more likely to eat what they make, try out some of these kid friendly, healthier recipes from Whole Foods. I am sure you can find at least 1 to try out the 181 they have listed.

Enjoy!

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/search-results.php?convenienceId=1

Prosecutor wants to ban fast-food toys

2009-06-18T10:54:00.001-04:00

Prosecutor wants to ban fast-food toys

The Beauty of Choice

2009-06-18T10:37:00.001-04:00

When I meet with my patients for the first time, I tell them that in order for their healing to progress in the best way possible, they too must become involved with their care. My involvement is to discern what the energetic disharmony is, explain that to my patient, and to empower them with techniques to restore harmony in their own lives each day. I will administer acupuncture once or twice a week, choose the best herbs for the individual, and create a lifestyle diet that supports physical and emotional health. What the patient chooses to do with the information I provide, in every moment of everyday, in every breath, is up to them. The beauty of choice, is that it represents it's self constantly. If one day you realize didn't eat so well, or you forgot to take a dose of herbs, then with the next breath, you have the opportunity to begin again. Every moment, every breath, brings with it a new opportunity for healing, for us to take.

Calling all New NYC Moms

2009-06-11T11:08:00.001-04:00

DO YOU HAVE A NEW BABY?

Come to PARENT-BABY NURTURE CLASS

Tuesday, Jun 16, 12:30-1:30 pm

• Need some quick self-care?

• Want to learn how to keep your baby healthy?

• Would you like to connect with your baby and both feel good?

In the Parent-Baby Nurture Class you'll learn:

• a brief introduction to the MELT Technique, a self foot massage using small balls.

• an acupressure/massage protocol for keeping

your baby healthy and improving her digestion.

Class is taught by Zoe Levine, a certified personal trainer

specializing in pre and post-natal fitness, and Sarah Rivkin ,a

licensed acupuncturist and board-certified practitioner of Chinese

medicine. Pre-crawling babies welcome!

$10 per family

To register, email doulas@birthdaypresence.net

Located at the Birth Day Presence Studio

291 8th St., in Park Slope

917-751-6579

www.birthdaypresence.net

Part-Time Front Desk/Office Manager Wanted for Union Square Acupuncture Office.

2009-06-09T12:29:00.000-04:00

Part-Time Front Desk/Office Manager Wanted for Union Square Acupuncture Office.

Work and make a difference in people’s lives while making a great hourly rate, and get FREE acupuncture!

The position is part-time. The applicant must be available on Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until about 9:00 p.m. Long days, yes, but there is a midday break. Also, you are available to make return calls, confirmation calls, from your quiet, professional sounding home (read no kids voices in the background) for about 1.5 hours or less, split in two sessions per day, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Who We Are:

Juliette Aiyana, L.Ac. founded Aiyana Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs in Union Square, NYC and has earned a reputation for providing high quality, professional and compassionate natural healthcare to the citizens of New York City, and seeks applicants who will maintain that reputation through their outstanding patient care and dedication to their work. We focus on taking our time with patients, and providing patient education at every opportunity. I travel out of the office to give free and paid lectures and seminars to laypeople and professionals.

Who We Are Seeking:

A warm friendly, outgoing, highly organized and self-motivated Front Desk Receptionist/Office Manager. Applicant must have experience with working with the public, answering phones, Microsoft Word, Excel, using database systems, the Internet and G-Mail e-mail program and G-Mail calendar. Medical office experience is a plus. The applicant should strongly posses the following skills; clear, effective communication skills, customer service experience including greeting guests, answering phones and appointment setting, problem solving and organizational skills, ability to multi-task, business writing skills (form letters, faxes, etc.) and be tenacious at follow-up. The office manager will assist me with some of these aspects of patient education especially when patients first call the office and ask questions. You will be trained on how to answer commonly asked questions and how to give directions about self-care treatments. He or she will also assist Juliette Aiyana with travel arrangements, book sales and other projects.

Pay is commensurate with experience. We offer free acupuncture treatments and 50% off all of our herbs and products. All applicants will be subject to a background check. Three professional references required.

______________________________________________

Instructions to apply

Please e-mail your resume and a cover letter in a Word document to amazinghealing@gmail.com.

In the subject line of the e-mail write;

Application for Office Manager Position

Do not call the office. We will call you if interested in setting up an interview. Thank you.

ALERT: Natural Ground Beef Products Recalled

2009-06-03T08:46:00.004-04:00

Just because beef is naturally raised, grass fed, and never given hormones or antibiotics, does not always mean it is safe, especially in the case of ground meat products. Because the meat is ground, there is more surface area that can become contaminated with bacteria. In this post, I have copied the press release from the USDA which can help you identify the the packages of ground beef as well as the USDA guidelines for the safe handling of beef products. Eat well, eat safely.

The USDA released this warning about a natural brand of ground beef.

Oregon Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due To Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination Recall Release CLASS I RECALL FSIS-RC-027-2009 HEALTH RISK: HIGH Congressional and Public Affairs (202) 720-9113 Bryn Burkard WASHINGTON, June 2, 2009 - SP Provisions, a Portland, Ore., establishment is recalling approximately 39,973 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The products subject to recall include: Cascade Natural Beef Brand: 5-pound and 10-pound bags of ground beef. Each package bears the identifying case code "13-016G."

5-pound and 10-pound bags of chili grind. Each package bears the identifying case code "13-016C."

15-pound boxes of ground beef patties. Each package bears the identifying case code "13-016GP."

SP Provisions Brand: 5-pound and 10-pound bags of ground beef. Each package bears the identifying case code "01-136."

5-pound and 10-pound bags of chili grind. Each package bears the identifying case code "01-136C."

15-pound boxes of ground beef patties.

Each package bears the identifying case code "01-136P." Each identifying case code is preceded by the date code "040809" through "052809," signifying the production date in "month/date/year" format, i.e. April 8, 2009 through May 28, 2009. Additionally, each product bears the establishment number "EST. 2866" inside the USDA mark of inspection. These ground beef products were produced on various dates from April 8, 2009 through May 28, 2009, and were distributed to retail establishments as well as hotels, restaurants and institutions in Oregon and Washington. The products, produced from the same source material, were sent into commerce prior to May 29, 2009. The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Media and consumer questions regarding the recall should be directed to company General Manager, Jim Register, at (503) 234-0579.

PREPARING GROUND BEEF FOR SAFE CONSUMPTION USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHOTLINE or visit www.fsis.usda.gov Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and poultry. Wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot soapy water. Immediately clean spills. Keep raw meat, fish and poultry away from other food that will not be cooked. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat, poultry and egg products and cooked foods. Consumers should only eat ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160° F. Color is NOT a reliable indicator that ground beef or ground beef patties have been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7. The only way to be sure ground beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a thermometer to measure the internal temperature. Refrigerate raw meat and poultry within two hours after purchase or one hour if temperatures exceed 90° F. Refrigerate cooked meat and poultry within two hours after cooking.

Prevent Summer Sports Injuries

2009-06-02T11:25:00.003-04:00

During the spring and summer many people who have been sedentary during the winter months try to make up for all the lost time by exercising too hard, thus causing themselves injury, which further hampers exercise attempts. Then there are those weekend warriors who go mountain climbing or kayaking or try some other rigorous activity without proper physical conditioning. But, you can prevent these injuries. The NIH's summer newsletter has an excellent article on how to prevent sport's injuries. You can read it here.

If you do wind up getting injured, acupuncture is an excellent therapy to speed healing and recovery time so that you can get back in the game quicker. Acupuncture used alone or with Chinese herbs helps many types of pain such as muscular, skeletal, tendonitis, sports injury, sprains and strains. Acupuncture can stop, reduce or manage pain, increase joint mobility, reduce or eliminate swelling, numbness and tingling.

The best part about using acupuncture for pain is its safety. There are no side effects unlike many pharmaceutical pain management drugs. And unlike drugs which tend to cover up the symptom instead of treating the root cause of your ailment, Chinese medicine treats the root of the problem, giving you long lasting, effective results. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) recognize acupuncture as a beneficial treatment for a variety of pain syndromes. A recent NIH study led by Dr. Berman shows that acupuncture is as effective or more effective than drugs in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.

How does it work?
There is a saying in Chinese medicine, "Where there is pain, there is no free flow and where there is free flow there is no pain." The free flow is of Blood and Qi (pronounced "chee"). Health is when Qi and Blood flow smoothly throughout the body to nourish, heal and balance. Juliette Aiyana, L.Ac. will spend a considerable amount of time with you during your first visit to discover where your Qi and Blood are stagnated or out of balance and why. The where and why are called a pattern of energetic disharmony. The acupuncture points and herbs chosen are appropriate to balancing your unique pattern of disharmony. Every person is different so you will be treated based upon your individual pattern. One pattern may manifest as stagnation of Qi and Blood thus inhibiting flow into or out of the painful area. A pattern common to chronic pain patients is that there is not enough Qi or Blood to circulate into the affected area which slows or inhibits healing. Therefore the treatment strategy would be to build, nourish and circulate Qi and Blood to that area. In cases of acute pain and injury, the pattern may be excess Qi and Blood stagnation in the painful area, so your practitioner will insert needles to move out the excess, thus relieving pain.

How many visits will I need?
Each patient's needs vary according to their pattern of disharmony. Many acute injuries only require about two to six visits, whereas chronic pain patients will need more treatment. Most patients start to feel relief after the first treatment. Mrs. Aiyana will give you a tailored treatment plan during your first visit including acupuncture, tui-na massage, pain relieving muscle liniments or patches, and self-care acupressure and stretching.

Call 212-894-0767 for an appointment.

Herbal Eye Pillow Made Easy

2009-06-01T08:18:00.000-04:00

Make Herbal Eye Pillows for You and Friends!

It is easy to make herbal eye pillows and they make great gifts. They help you to relax, soothe stress or relieve headache. Some people like to wear them to aid sleep.

Stitch two 8-inch by 5-inch rectangles of satin, flannel or unbleached organic cotton fabric together, leaving one end open. Chose your favorite color or fabric design.
In a small bowl, blend 1 cup of flaxseeds with 1 cup each of dried English lavender, chamomile and peppermint.
Add the herbal mix to the fabric bag and sew closed.
Lie down; place the pillow gently over eyes for 15-20 minutes. Breathe and relax. Dispose of the pillow if it gets wet or damp.

The Sacred Feminine on the Radio

2009-05-28T17:10:00.001-04:00

Over the past months, women of The Red Web Foundation were invited by Karen Tate to speak about their work on her popular radio show Voices of the Sacred Feminine which airs every Wednesday night (6PM Pacific/9PM Eastern) where you can listen either LIVE or from the archives. We are proud to join the voices of other notable guests who have been interviewed on the show such as Riane Eisler, Jean Shinoda Bolen, Margaret Starbird, Matthew Fox, and Jean Houston.

We'd love it if you can take the time to visit the archives of Voices of the Sacred Feminine on the dates indicated below and hear the Red Web ladies speak on the topic of positive views of women's bodies and menses, including sacred aging, topics dear to our heart here at the Foundation. Just go to this link: http://internetvoicesradio.com/Arch-Karen.htm

And look for these dates:
March 4 - DeAnna Lam
April 1 - Ashley Ross
June 3 - Pamela Chubbuck
and coming in October, we hope to have Judy Grahn scheduled on the show.

If you'd like to hear more shows that aren't on the above radio station link, Karen Tate has invited you to her website where older shows can be heard. Just go to: http://www.karentate.com/Tate/radio_show.html There you can listen to an incredible archive of shows related to the Sacred Feminine, deity, archetype and ideal, going back to November 2007.

Thank you for your support of our work!

Anna C. Yang
Executive Director
Red Web Foundation
415.469.5425
www.redwebfoundation.org

New mom's CAN lose weight!

2009-05-28T13:09:00.001-04:00

Postpartum Weight Loss for Nursing Mothers Using TCM and Modern Techniques

by Juliette Aiyana

Over the past few years, there have been many published studies, articles and one book written on the effectiveness of acupuncture and Chinese herbs for weight loss and weight management. However, none have focused on post-partum weight loss. Now that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has become extremely popular for fertility, gestational diseases, and labor induction; practitioners have the opportunity to follow-up with these same patients for post-partum healthcare.

Many pregnant and post-partum mothers are concerned about losing the "baby weight" as soon as possible. During pregnancy it is contraindicated to lose weight, but we can assist with weight management techniques to control weight gain during pregnancy if needed. In addition, we can educate mothers about how to safely and effectively lose weight after the baby is born. Many new mothers focus on losing weight as quickly as possible after her baby is born. However, as practitioner's we ought to teach these mothers to lose weight healthfully and slowly for the sake of their personal health and the health of their nursling(s).

Weight Loss in the first six weeks Post-Partum

It is not advisable to begin any special weight loss dieting during the first eight weeks postpartum so that the mother can recover her energy and heal from the birth. Eating a healthy, balanced and varied diet is advisable. In fact, nursing mothers need to eat an extra 500 calories per day to support milk production. A nursing mother's diet should be 1,800 calories per day and definitely not less then 1,500 calories per day. Most women can begin exercising at about six weeks post-partum.

Most women lose about ten pounds (4.5kg) during the birth: the baby, the placenta and the amniotic fluid. Nursing the baby helps the uterus to shrink which will also result in weight loss. Typically in the first few weeks after birth, the mother will spontaneously lose about 5 to 8 pounds of leftover fluid weight, without the need for special weight loss techniques. That water is commonly lost through urine and sweating. Post-partum sweating occurs frequently in the form of night sweats, day sweating, and sweating while nursing the infant. All of these types of sweating result in water weight loss and are such sweating is usually considered normal and is not classified in TCM as pathological fluid (Yin) loss. [read more]

Hamburger joint for lunch? Think twice, beef recall.

2009-05-05T09:16:00.002-04:00

The FDa put out this warning.

New York Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due To Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination
Mon, 04 May 2009 20:59:06 -0500

Alex & George Wholesale, Inc., a Rochester, New York firm, is recalling approximately 4,663 pounds of ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. These ground beef products were produced on April 29 and distributed to restaurants in western New York.

Maybe it is best to order the veggie burger with all the fixin's instead.

Get Moving and Stay Healthy!

2009-04-15T13:03:00.002-04:00

The NIH posted on it's website a great, short article with tips about how to get moving to stay healthy. Physical activities benefit us physically and emotionally. They suggest that we take part in activities like gardening, and playing catch with the kids. Check it out, then get moving outside and try some out! For even more tips read my article, Quit Exercising to Lose Weight.

Important Changes at Aiyana Acupuncture

2009-04-14T14:38:00.001-04:00

Important Changes at

Aiyana Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs

Effective May 1, 2009

As of May 1, 2009 the business structure of AACH will change. Except for Juliette Aiyana, practitioners will no longer work under the umbrella of AACH. This is a good change with many benefits.

Jessica Silver and Sharon Wyse will rent space here and take care of their own business such as appointment setting and collecting fees, etc.

Michael Pingicer is moving to a different location in Manhattan. You can see him there, or continue treatments here with Juliette Aiyana.

Juliette Aiyana’s contact information remains the same. Her schedule will be extended to 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She will not have a receptionist working on the other days but she will check messages and make call backs frequently. Or e-mail her to schedule appointments at amazinghealing@gmail.com .

How this affects patients.

(The following does not apply to Juliette’s patients).

Patients will contact the practitioner directly to make appointments.

Jessica Silver: 917-509-1956 info@silveracupuncture.com

Sharon Ann Wyse: 718-710-8960 purekarm@gmail.com

Michael Pingicer: 347-394-3693 me@michaelpingicer.com

Slight schedule changes. Your practitioner might have different hours. Please talk to them about their schedule.
You will pay your practitioner directly.
Oxford fully covered patients will not be covered with their former practitioner because they are not providers for Oxford. Juliette Aiyana is a provider so you can continue treatment with her (unless you want to pay out-of-pocket to stay with your former provider).
New packages will not be initiated (except for Juliette’s patients) however if you have bought a package in the past, we will work with you on payments. Please talk to Daisy or Jessica about how we can work this out for you.

Acupuncture for Fertility; Success Stories!

2009-04-07T13:12:00.001-04:00

Fertility Success Stories

At Aiyana Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs our practitioners work with our female fertility patients in a variety of circumstances. Many women like to try Chinese Medicine alone before trying other fertility methods such as Artificial Insemination or In Vitro Fertilization/IVF. Regardless of which route you choose, all of our patients receive acupuncture treatments, diet and nutritional health counseling, lifestyle counseling and Chinese Herbs are highly recommended.

How often you come for fertility treatments depends on which method you chose and your health history. If you want to go all natural, and both you and your partner are under 35 and relatively healthy, our patients tend to become pregnant between 3 and 9 months. Several of our patients have become pregnant as soon as 3 months! We also need to make sure that your partner does not have any fertility problems. Both partners should seek out a physician who specializes in fertility testing and bring your results to us. During IVF or artificial insemination, we like to work with you the whole way through, but it is essential that we give you acupuncture treatments before and after the medical procedures (Click here for Fertility Research Briefs). You can also just come in on the day of your IVF procedure. We need to treat you before and after the procedure.

Traditional fertility treatments can be extremely expensive. A single cycle of IVF could cost $10,000-$20,000. So couples are looking for other options that can possibly give them a greater chance at success.Acupuncture treatments have the potential to save you $10-15,000 which can be better spent on your new bundle of joy.

Fertility Success Stories Just to name a few.

A female patient, age 29, came to us after her medical doctor urged her to start an IVF cycle immediately. Her sister had recently undergone several IVF treatment attempts (without acupuncture), but after watching what her sister went through, both she and her 31 year old husband decided to try a natural method first. Even though the husband's fertility tests were fine, he had seven acupuncture treatments and took Chinese herbs. She and I worked together using acupuncture once weekly, Chinese herbs and diet. She became pregnant within two and half months. She continued acupuncture and herbs through out her pregnancy as needed.
A 42 year old female patient, who had never been pregnant, came in seeking fertility treatment with her second IVF procedure. This second procedure was only a few weeks away. I advised that her prognosis would be better if she used acupuncture and herbs for three months before her next procedure, but that I was willing to work with her current plan. She wanted to stick with her plan and didn't want to take herbs with the hormonal treatments so we just used acupuncture and diet. Unfortunately the IVF failed. She decided that she wanted to accept my advice before a undergoing a third IVF round. Not only did she get acupuncture weekly and take herbs for three months, but she even took herbs during the hormone treatment.She became pregnant during the third IVF cycle.
My 32 year old female patient, who was being treated for another complaint, told me that she wanted to stop taking the Birth Control Pill because she and her husband were ready to start a family. She was concerned that, like many women, she would have fertility problems after she stopped taking The Pill. We worked together using acupuncture, Chinese herbs and dietary therapy. She became pregnant within two months.She continued acupuncture treatments as needed during the pregnancy and for a few treatments post-partum for her "new mommy" neck and arm pain caused by looking down at her beautiful baby girl while breast feeding.
A 31 year old female sought out my help for natural fertility. She had one two year old child with her 47 year old husband. They tried to achieve pregnancy for four months before coming to my office. She took acupuncture and Chinese herbal treatments. We worked together for several months, but she still did not become pregnant. I believed that her fertility was healthy so I suggested that even though she and her husband had successfully conceived a child three years ago that he be tested for fertility. His test results showed fertility problems. Eventually, she opted for treatment with acupuncture, herbs and IVF. She became pregnant after only one round of IVF.

Can Acupuncture Help You Conceive? CBS News Article

Written by:
Juliette Aiyana, L.Ac.
Aiyana Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs
41 Union Square West, Suite 519
New York, NY 10003
(212) 894.0767

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Classes in NYC

2009-04-07T11:11:00.001-04:00

Who can benefit from MBSR (Mindfulness based Stress Reduction)? People choose to participate in the MBSR program for a variety of reasons, including: stress of all kinds - from job, family, or finances; chronic pain and illness; anxiety and panic; digestive discomfort; problems with sleep; fatigue; hypertension and/or headaches.

Published research has shown that participants in programs such as these report: • Lasting decreases in physical and psychological symptoms. • Less intense pain. • Increased ability to cope with pain that may not go away. • Feeling more relaxed. • Greater energy. • Improved self-esteem. • Feeling less bothered by stressful situations.

What does the course include? Each MBSR course lasts 8 weeks, and consists of: • Weekly classes of 2.5 hours each. • A daylong class on a Sunday. • Guided instructions in mindfulness meditation practices. • Gentle, mindful stretching and Yoga • Group dialogue and inquiry to enhance every-day awareness. • Daily home practice assignments. • CDs with guided instructions and a workbook.

When is it offered? Each year the JCC offers 3 cycles of MSBR, with both an evening and morning section offered for each cycle. This winter, the morning class will meet on Thursday mornings from 10 am - 12:30 pm; the evening class will meet on Wednesday nights from 7 - 9:30 pm. Here are the dates and times for next series:

SPRING CYCLE 2009: Orientation Sessions: Wednesday, April 22nd, 10am - 12:30 pm Thursday, April 23rd, 7pm - 9:30 pm Evening Session: (taught by Elaine Retholtz) 8 Wednesdays, 7-9:30 pm April 29th – June 17th Morning Session: (taught by Jon Aaron) 8 Thursdays, 10am-12:30 pm April 30th – June 18th Daylong Session: Sunday, May 31st, 10 am – 5 pm Program Fees: $300 for members of the JCC of Manhattan or New York Insight Meditation Center $350 for non-members. To register, simply call the JCC at 646.505.5708 or register online at www.jccmanhattan.org (“search” for MBSR). We hope you will consider recommending MBSR to your patients or clients. If you would like more information or have any specific questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the course instructor, Elaine Retholtz at 212.967.6261 or by email at elaine.retholtz@gmail.com or call Susie Kessler at the JCC, 646.505.5726 or skessler@jccnyc.org.

More Headaches in Warmer Weather?

2009-03-09T17:26:00.006-04:00

On March 9th, I read an interesting article in the NY times titled "More Headaches in Warmer Weather." The article stated:

"Scientists examined seven years of records of more than 7,000 people with a primary diagnosis of headache seen in a hospital emergency room in Boston. Then they checked data on temperature, humidity, barometric pressure and air pollution during the three days before each visit. The study appears in the March 10 issue of Neurology.

For each rise of 9 degrees Fahrenheit, the researchers found, the risk of a headache requiring emergency-room treatment rose 7.5 percent.

There was a weaker association with lower barometric pressure, but only for nonmigraine headaches. There was no connection between headache frequency and air pollution levels in the days before emergency visits, except for a slightly higher risk for nonmigraine headaches on days of high nitrogen dioxide readings.

Why higher temperatures would cause more headaches is not clear, according to the lead author, Dr. Kenneth J. Mukamal, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard. “There are some physiological effects of warm weather — blood pressure tends to be lower, for example — but how that would cause headaches is uncertain.”

Still, Dr. Mukamal added, “it is important to identify triggers for headaches, and this may be one of them.”

To read the full article please click here.

During my years in practice I have treated many patients who were suffering from headaches to much success, if you suffer from headaches or migrains please call us at Aiyana Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs at 212-894-0767 for your free 15 minute consultation.

Posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac.

Free NIH Lecture on Efficacy of Acupuncture Anesthesia

2009-03-05T09:11:00.001-05:00

News Advisory from the NIH website.
Noted Author, Surgeon To Address "Chinese Medicine, Western Science and Acupuncture" at NCCAM’s Inaugural Stephen E. Straus Distinguished Lecture

What: National Book Award-winning author and surgeon Sherwin B. Nuland, M.D., discusses his experiences in China observing major surgery conducted without anesthesia, aided by acupuncture — and whether its effectiveness can be explained by current biomedical science. Dr. Nuland, author of The Uncertain Art: Thoughts on a Life in Medicine, and clinical professor of surgery at Yale University, will be the featured speaker at the inaugural Stephen E. Straus Distinguished Lecture in the Science of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. His lecture is entitled "Chinese Medicine, Western Science and Acupuncture."

Why: This lecture series was established in honor of Stephen E. Straus, M.D., founding director of NCCAM and an internationally recognized clinician-scientist, who died in 2007. Dr. Nuland, the first lecturer of the series, will draw on personal experiences as a surgeon to explore the idea that there are medical phenomena that cannot be explained by the investigational methods used by today’s biomedical science.

When: Tuesday, March 10, lecture from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. EST
Reception and poster session from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. EST

Where: National Institutes of Health, Building 10, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, Maryland.

Lecture: Masur Auditorium; Reception and Poster Session: Southeast Patio
More Information: Details are available on NCCAM’s website at nccam.nih.gov. Sign language interpretation will be provided; for other reasonable accommodation or more information call Karen Davison at 301-984-7191.

Who Should Attend: The event is free and open to the public.

Hosts: Presented by NCCAM and supported by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health with generous funding from The Bernard Osher Foundation. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine’s mission is to explore complementary and alternative medical practices in the context of rigorous science, train CAM researchers, and disseminate authoritative information to the public and professionals. For additional information, call NCCAM’s Clearinghouse toll free at 1-888-644-6226, or visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov. NCCAM 1999 – 2009: Celebrating 10 years of rigorous research.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine’s mission is to explore complementary and alternative medical practices in the context of rigorous science, train CAM researchers, and disseminate authoritative information to the public and professionals. For additional information, call NCCAM’s Clearinghouse toll free at 1-888-644-6226, or visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov. NCCAM 1999 – 2009: Celebrating 10 years of rigorous research.

The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health was established by the United States Congress to support the mission of the National Institutes of Health — improving health through scientific discovery. The Foundation identifies and develops opportunities for innovative public-private partnerships involving industry, academia, and the philanthropic community. A nonprofit, 501(c)(3) corporation, the Foundation raises private-sector funds for a broad portfolio of unique programs that complement and enhance NIH priorities and activities. The Foundation’s web site is www.fnih.org.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation's Medical Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

Happy Valentines Day!

2009-02-12T16:30:00.004-05:00

What better time to talk about how you can use food to help protect your heart and the hearts of the people you love? One of the great things about nutrition is the power of food to make a difference in your health and the health of your family. What we know today is that if heart disease runs in your family, it may also affect you. So…prevention is key…

We now know terrific foods to include in the diet to help prevent high cholesterol or heart disease from becoming a problem and to help in the treatment protocol if you’re dealing with it already. There are many healthy foods but today we’re focusing on five superfoods for the heart -- The more you include per day, the bigger the benefit.

Nuts: contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, fiber, and vitamin E. Try almonds, walnuts, and peanuts. Munch on these in place of chips or pretzels

Beans and lentils: try black beans (soup, quesadillas), red beans and rice, kidney beans in chili, white beans, and green lentils for split pea soup. All of these help to bring down LDL cholesterol.

Soy protein: try soy sausage with pancakes, soy milk or cheese; soy nuts, or tofu. There is some controversy now about soy protein’s ability to lower cholesterol but, typically, if you include soy in your diet, you tend to cut saturated fat.
Cherries and blueberries: fight inflammation in the body which may increase the risk of plague buildup and heart attack; use frozen, fresh or dried.

Oats (cereal and oatmeal): work like a sponge to help soak up cholesterol and remove from the body. I make oatmeal or eat oat squares and add almonds or pecans, dried cherries or fresh blueberries. I also like vanilla soy milk and will use it on cereal or in smoothies.

Remember that these heart protective superfoods, eaten regularly, can lower your cholesterol level and help keep your heart healthy. Incorporating Acupuncture and Chinese herbs into your life is yet another way to help prevent or treat any imbalance in the body.

Please call Aiyana Acupuncture and Chinese herbs at 212-894-0767 for your free 15 minute phone consultaion with a licensed Acupuncturist.

Posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac.

FDA Found Rx Drugs in "Natural" Diet Pills

2009-02-12T10:45:00.002-05:00

An extraordinary number of over-the-counter "natural" diet pills have been found to illegally contain 4 different kinds prescription weight loss drugs. None of the pill bottles were labeled as containing the drugs, because well, it is illegal for them to add the drug with out FDA approval. One of the brands websites even boasts that they guarantee that their product is natural, safe and doctor recommended.

The FDA website says, "Some of the identified products recommend taking more than 3 times the recommended daily dosage of sibutramine. Because of this, even consumers without a history of health problems that take these high doses of sibutramine may suffer serious adverse effects if they take these products, such as increased blood pressure, tachycardia, palpitations, and seizure".

The FDA has posted it's reported findings and a list of all the pill brands on it's website.

There is no magic pill for weight loss. But there are safe and effective methods to lose weight which include a balanced diet, exercise, getting enough sleep, stress reduction and acupuncture.

Check out the book Chinese Medicine & Healthy Management An Evidence-based Integrated Approach by Juliette Aiyana, L.Ac., published by Blue Poppy Press. This book is so popular that it has gone into a second printing by it's publisher.

Study shows Doula Care During Labor Reduces C-Section Rates

2009-02-02T21:56:00.001-05:00

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Continuous Labor Support for Middle-Class Couples: Effect on Cesarean Delivery Rates

Authors: McGrath, Susan K.; Kennell, John H.1
Source: Birth, Volume 35, Number 2, June 2008 , pp. 92-97(6)
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

Background: Previous randomized controlled studies in several different settings demonstrated the positive effects of continuous labor support by an experienced woman (doula) for low-income women laboring without the support of family members. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the perinatal effects of doula support for nulliparous middle-income women accompanied by a male partner during labor and delivery. Methods: Nulliparous (First time mothers) women in the third trimester of an uncomplicated pregnancy were enrolled at childbirth education classes in Cleveland, Ohio, from 1988 through 1992. Of the 686 prenatal women recruited, 420 met enrollment criteria and completed the intervention. For the 224 women randomly assigned to the experimental group, a doula arrived shortly after hospital admission and remained throughout labor and delivery. Doula support included close physical proximity, touch, and eye contact with the laboring woman, and teaching, reassurance, and encouragement of the woman and her male partner.

Results: The doula group had a significantly lower cesarean delivery rate than the control group (13.4% vs 25.0%, p = 0.002), and fewer women in the doula group received epidural analgesia (64.7% vs 76.0%, p = 0.008). Among women with induced labor, those supported by a doula had a lower rate of cesarean delivery than those in the control group (12.5% vs 58.8%, p = 0.007). On questionnaires the day after delivery, 100 percent of couples with doula support rated their experience with the doula positively.

Conclusions: For middle-class women laboring with the support of their male partner, the continuous presence of a doula during labor significantly decreased the likelihood of cesarean delivery and reduced the need for epidural analgesia. Women and their male partners were unequivocal in their positive opinions about laboring with the support of a doula. (BIRTH 35:2 June 2008)

Cell Regeneration & Healing

2009-01-30T18:48:00.000-05:00

Peanut Protien Shows Up In Mother's Milk Says New Research

2009-01-30T16:42:00.003-05:00

Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that peanut proteins transferred to mother's milk in 8 out of 11 lactating women who ate peanuts. This is very significant information considering that peanut allergies have become more common and are potentially life threatening. We already know that proteins from other common allergens such as cow's milk, eggs, and wheat, transfer into mother's milk after ingestion.

If you are not sure if your nursing baby is allergic, an allergist can perform a simple allergy test to detect, or to rule out such allergies. In the event that your baby has food allergies, the nursing mother can simply remove the offending foods from her diet and safely continue to breast feed her nursling.

I have done it, and can attest that all my sons allergies have disappeared since I removed the allergens he tested positive for, cow's milk, eggs and peanuts. He has not undergone allergy shot treatments. And as a side-note, I have had a great side-effect from removal of the offending foods, losing all the baby weight just 8 months after my son was born!

Here is the link to the JAMA research paper.

Octuplets to be Breastfed, Says Mother

2009-01-30T11:16:00.002-05:00

Hello from Juliette Aiyana. As most of the readers of this blog know, I am a lactivist. That is someone who promotes breast feeding, defends breast feeding and works toward legal protections for breast feeding moms. I heard about the mother of octuplets wanting to breast feed. I wondered how that would work for the monther when infants need to eat every two hours; when would mommy ever take a shower, let alone feed herself? I love that she wants to breast feed and I pray that she has the support around her to allow that to happen and the help with raising 8 premature infants. I found this blog post below about the media frenzy surrounding this families story and wanted to share it. Even thought the details about the family are still a secret hopefully we can all help by sending them money, donations and if anyone out there in the blogosphere personally knows the family, will help them out by cooking, cleaning and babysitting etc. I am infuriated that these parents fertility doctors transfered so many eggs into this womans body. It is a new law on England that only one egg at a time may be transferred. The law was made based on ethics. America, let's get it together.

"This story about octuplets being born in Ca. will be splashed around thepapers for about a week, and, then when it's old news, the celebrating willbe over and the nightmare will continue for this family. The nightmarebegan when they found out that more than two embryos "took" and the doctorsbegan trying to persuade them to abort some of the babies. They undoubtedlyunderwent tremendous pressure to have this procedure which the doctors havenamed "selective reduction".

No fertility doctor wants to be associatedwith having produced an octuplet pregnancy. His/her peers think he/she isan idiot right now.Medical people know the death and damage that happen in these multiplepregnancies and they know the poor prognosis for these babies. It is considered very bad form to implant this many fertilized ovum and, yes, thiswas a fertility experiment. Prior to all this fertility nonsense, themaximum natural number of babies in utero was quintuplets and naturalquintuplets were one in a million.

The mother is very wise to let the hospital staff know that she doesn't wantthem leaking information about her. The press will sniff it out anyway andmake the family's life a goldfish bowl but, at the very least, she's makingthe reporters earn their salaries. Every aspect of this family's life willbe examined under a magnifying glass by people who will judge whether or notthe parents are "good enough" but those same people will never offer onenight of babysitting assistance.Eight premature newborns is more than any family unit can handle.

Add to that a mother recovering from major abdominal surgery and you have to wonderhow they will ever cope, let alone breastfeed. At the best of times, with a new baby who is full term and a natural birth, the new parents are completely exhausted and overwhelmed. I can't even imagine how theseparents will begin to provide quality care for all these children.

So, when you read the dreamy-eyed nonsense in the newspaper about this event, think about the reality behind the scenes. Know that fertility specialists are shaking their heads at the embarrassment that this has happened. Know that these babies have a future that is compromised by being this small and this early. Know that these parents are at high risk for a nervous breakdown in the next two years. Demand that your local news agencies ask the difficult question and do some fundraising to help thisfamily with the astronomical expenses they are going to have. Yes, the birth of a child is always a blessing but this story is not something that any sane person would want to have happen in their own family". Posted to my blog www.glorialemay.com/blog

Quit exercising to lose weight!

2009-01-27T12:15:00.002-05:00

Quit Exercising To Lose Weight!
By Juliette Aiyana, L.Ac.

Tired of exercising to lose weight? Bored with your routine? Not motivated to move and stay moving?

We all know that exercise can help us reach long-term goals like losing 10 pounds, or preventing heart disease, arthritis and osteoporosis. Yet sometimes that is not enough to get us off our duffs and stay active. That is why I titled this article "Quit Exercising To Lose Weight." Okay, okay, I don't really mean, quit exercising. Rather, instead of always focusing on exercise, focus on fun. And instead of focusing on some long term goal like losing 25 pounds, which in the beginning may seem difficult to achieve, we could shift our focus inward into the here and now of exercise or sport. Focusing inward can actually become a powerful enough tool to help you climb out of your Lazy Boy and turn the drudgery of ordinary exercise into a fun and satisfying experience. Of course the long-term goal is a good idea to keep in mind. Author of The Courage to Start, John Bingham, talks about his experience as a runner, yet I believe it relates to all styles of exercise:

"For running {exercise} to become a part of your life for the rest of your life then there has to be a way of finding a reward in the activity itself that is both immediate and sustained. Running has got to feel good right now. It must allow you to feel good in the afterglow of the effort. And it's got to do that on a regular basis... It may do all sorts of things for your heart and lungs but in the end it's got to be fun."

One of my acupuncture patients suffers from chronic back pain and depression. She finds immediate reward in her activity: "After about ten minutes on my elliptical trainer, my body goes euphoric. I turn on the music really loud, and I just go."

Both running and training on an elliptical trainer at home can be solitary events which may be boring for some. So instead, join a club. There are hiking, biking, running, walking clubs and more. The social aspect of your activity can be oodles of fun, and members keep each other motivated. You begin to feel a team spirit connection to the exercise. You could also try out local community classes such as yoga, kung fu, tai chi, belly dancing, hula-hoop, cardio sculpting, water aerobics, or join a baseball, softball or basketball league.In NYC some gyms and community centers offer free fitness classes for all levels and ages- including kids! For schedule and locations check out www.nyc.gov/parks or call 311. Outside of NYC, call the Parks and Recreation department in your community.

Some people lack the energy to exercise. To restore and build energy, get acupuncture, take Chinese herbs, and eat a nutritionally and energetically balanced diet. These treatments build and circulate the energy you need for fitness. For acupuncture, herbal and nutritional treatment sessions, call us for an appointment: 212-894-0767.

Working out in small classes or with a trainer can help transform your exercise routine from a mindless experience into a mindful experience. When an instructor notices a mistake you are making or a way to enhance an exercise that you already do well, it opens your eyes, deepens your experience and your connection to your body. That inner connection often reflects outward into other aspects of our lives. The more you work one-on-one with an instructor or trainer, the better, but for those with tight budgets even a few times a month can make a big difference. Don't be afraid to ask questions of your teacher in class.

Other ways of changing our mindless exercise into mindful exercise on our own is to turn off the T.V. Focus on your breathing. How does it feel before after and during the exercise? Does your sense of smell, touch or taste change? How does your body feel before during and after each exercise or your entire routine? Is one side of your body more stable then the other?

An additional way to take the stress out of exercise is stop comparing yourself to others around you, in the class or on the team. Just be the best you can in each moment. It is also helpful to avoid comparing your self to yourself. One day may be harder then the next or one exercise may be easier one day but more challenging the next. Just notice these changes and avoid labeling them as bad or good. This technique is also a good one to apply in other areas of life.

If you are still bored after you have taken the steps I have discussed, try a more challenging sport. Instead of running with members of a club, try training for marathon. Instead of hiking or biking basic trails, try mountain climbing or biking.

Are you sore from your new work-out routine? Get Acupuncture. It Works!