Support braces. Should we use them to correct our posture?
It was a patient who recently brought up the possibility of using a posture correcting brace. I admit, my immediate reaction was to respond negatively believing that a person should actively learn how to adapt to a better posture instead of using a crutch. But......upon thinking about it, and thinking about some of the patients I have in my pool, maybe no is not the best answer.
Some of my patients don't have the musculature base to work from easily. Some of my patients don't have the focus needed to correct and re-correct old patterns. Some of my patients work so hard and long that fatigue inevitably comes into play; and without having the strong "corset" muscles to begin with, correction becomes increasingly more difficult as the day goes on. I think that these are strong cases for using some type of correctional support in order to start to re-train the body and to minimize or possibly even avoid the chronic pain that comes from working in the modern world.
The patient that first brought this up with me is someone who is pretty dedicated to not only using acupuncture to relieve their inflammation, but also correcting the poor habits that could be contributing to their current condition. The patient tried the brace and found that when he started to slump, the brace would dig into his shoulders in such a way that it was a mild but definitive reminder to reposition his body. Meanwhile, during the times he had awareness of his posture, the brace helped to keep it there. There is obviously an assist in doing this, but at the same times, muscles that have been shortened for years because of hunching are being allowed the freedom to stretch. All good.
And because the world has a way of coming together at the right time, Esther Gokhale of the Gokahle Method (my go-to guru for all things posture), posted a blog post today regarding this very thing. So, braces, should we use them? Yes! The only "but", I would add is that yes, use the support, but first, understand exactly what it is you are correcting. I am happy to give you the pointers that I learned from The Gokhale Method. Or go to the source yourself and learn what you can.
I think it's a mini project of mine to find all of the ultrarunning acupuncturists out there in the world. This article has been making the rounds in my feed lately. It was great to read about an acupuncturist who got hooked into the sport because he was treating an athlete who ended up recovering and then training the acupuncturist to his first ultra, and ultimately his first 100 miler. Acupuncture & endurance sports? Match made in heaven if you ask me. Welcome to the fold, my friend.
"On Ultrarunning, Acupuncture, and Believing"
Attending acupuncture school was eye opening in more ways than just the obvious education of inserting needles into people and watching healing happen. I also went to school with a "bunch of hippies" as I used to joke. These colleagues and teachers began to show me what they had understood deeply for years, which was exactly how poisoned our food system had become, and how vigilant we need to be in order to avoid ingesting pesticides, chemicals, and other pollutants. It was a shocking revelation to find out how unprotected we are by the powers that be.
There are a lot of documentaries out there that will give you the rundown of how our food system works in the U.S., and The Bullish Farmer should be added to that library. It's a great film that shows how a small farm should be run, could be run, and used to be run if not for large corporations that instead push for profit, leaving quality and sustainability in the dust.
But what does a cleaner diet mean anyways? There are many factors that go into an individuals health, but what if it meant less allergies, what if it meant no constipation, bloating, GERD, less colds and flus, less chance of cancer and disease? What if it means that your sleep, energy, and moods get better? What if it meant that your pain went away and you saw me less often? We eat every single day. Shouldn't what we eat be natural and not filled with poisonous pesticides and untested modified genetics? Yes please.
THE BULLISH FARMER is a feature-length documentary on sustainable agriculture. It journeys into the life of a Wall Street investment banker-turned farmer as he struggles to build and run a farm that feeds his family and his community.
Announcing two new locations to serve both the Peninsula and South Bay.
For current patients, my Los Gatos location has moved. Not far from my previous spot, the new location is inside Pilates Sante, about a mile away . Beautiful, quiet, and plenty of parking, I know you'll enjoy the new space.
And finally, an office space for me in lovely Redwood City, my new hometown. Something I have wanted to do for years, I am looking forward to being accessible to patients on the Peninsula.
I am excited that both locations are situated in conjunction with businesses that complement my therapy services, and I think you will all benefit from the potential symbiosis.
Both locations will be available on the week of August 15th. I am currently taking new patients and scheduling now. More details on the contacts page.
Latest California news regarding "dry needling"
Orange County, CA – Late last week, the Orange County Superior Court granted a temporary restraining order against several out-of-state companies and their owners after plans surfaced that they intended to insert acupuncture needles and distribute acupuncture needle samples at a physical therapy conference in Anaheim, California. The Defendants lacked state licensure as acupuncturists or medical doctors and were not registered under California’s Pharmacy Law. Kinetacore, a main Defendant in the case, engages in training workshops marketed primarily to physical therapists for what they refer to as “dry needling.” US Dry Needling, another main Defendant in the case, sells acupuncture needles under the brand name “Myotech Dry Needles,” while failing to identify the needles as acupuncture needles. Dry needling is highly controversial since it involves the insertion of FDA-regulated acupuncture needles through the skin and into acupuncture points, which are located in muscles or connective tissue, for therapeutic purposes by physical therapists or chiropractors who can have as little as a weekend of training in acupuncture.
Those practicing “dry needling” claim that they are not practicing “acupuncture” and, therefore, are not required to comply with the strict state safety, training, and licensing requirements that apply to the practice of acupuncture. California acupuncturists, for example, are required to have at least 3,000 hours of formal training in acupuncture, whereas Kinetacore’s weekend “certification” workshop in “dry needling” is just 27 hours. There have been a number of high-profile injuries in recent years where physical therapists or chiropractors have punctured the lungs of their patients upon incorrectly inserting acupuncture needles. Courts in Washington and Oregon have permanently enjoined physical therapists and chiropractors, respectively, from practicing “dry needling” by finding it was outside their legal scopes of practice.
The lawsuit was filed by the International Center for Integrative Medicine in Oakland, California, and alleges that plans by Kinetacore’s owner, Edo Zylstra, to insert acupuncture needles as a part of a dry needling demonstration violates California’s Acupuncture Licensure Act and Medical Practice Act. The case challenges plans by US Dry Needling and its owners, Paul Killoren, Austin Woods, and Edo Zylstra, to distribute samples and accept on-line sales of the “Myotech Dry Needle,” which is an acupuncture needle. The lawsuit also alleges that distribution of such needles constitutes a violation of California’s Pharmacy Law.
A copy of the injunction can be found here (http://docdro.id/Kuk6GiY). And a copy of the argument in support of the injunction can be found here (http://docdro.id/kaizQ5P).
The temporary restraining order will stay in effect until mid-March, when the court will consider issuing a preliminary injunction that would continue the injunctive relief until the case can be decided on.
Do you feel unusually thirsty, dried out, do you have tight and sore muscles? Do you sweat sometimes and not know why? Poor sleep, fatigue, agitation? Despite hydrating, I am seeing this more and more in my clinic not only with older patients but young as well.
Why is this bad? Lack of fluids in the body can cause many conditions that are uncomfortable. Night sweats, fatigue, cramps, dry skin, blurry or poor vision, ringing in the ears to name a few.
Of course, intense activity isn't the only thing which causes this condition, but I am seeing more and more young athletes with similar symptoms and issues that you would expect in say, someone creeping into their 40's. Intense activity burns up a lot of fluids in the body (yin). To keep going strong, we need to replenish that source. While there are many herbal formulas to help us achieve that balance, most of us just need to pay attention to our diet. It's not a quick fix, but a lifelong one.
If any season is the time to back off of training for a bit and regenerate, it's now. But…since I know you won't, be sure to nourish your skin, blood, bones, and fluids with dense, energy filled, nourishing winter foods.
Think soups & stews. Porridge or congee are also old standbys that exist in some form in many cultures. Bone broths, especially homemade are wonders of traditional medicine and go a long way to replenish and heal the body.
Winter belongs to the kidney organs which are associated with the fluids in the body.
Add cloves, fennel seeds, black pepper, ginger, walnuts, turtle beans, onions, leeks, shallots, chives, chicken, lamb, trout and salmon to your diet.
ginger, cardamom, cinnamon or nutmeg, hot peppers, and alcohol.
Fine Cooking magazine: It's like fine cooking made simple for people like me! Surprisingly easy recipes with seasonal fruits and vegetables. Love it.
I find it "neat" that my former life as a designer still carries on to today and complements my current therapy work to keep athletes active, pain-free, and doing those races! Visit my Logo Designs link to see if you have one of my designs. Happy trails.