188 Washington St Norwich, CT 06360 (860)8873665

SPEC IAL POINT S OF INTEREST:

Introducing Community Acupuncture Eating for the Seasons, and the health benefits of tea Acupuncture can boost sports performance Acupuncture for addictions and behavior change Check out our quarterly specials! P R E M I E R I S S U E

On Point
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Introducing On Point
A Quarterly Newsletter of Norwich Community Acupuncture
The Urban dictionary defines on point as: An awesome way of expressing how cool something is. Thats precisely how I feel about acupuncture and oriental medicine. Combining thousands of years of research and practice in China with the best information from Western medical practice, todays Oriental medicine practitioners (such as acupuncturists) have found an effective niche within the medical community. By working with doctors, physical therapists and chiropractors, mental health professionals and other members of the medical services community, we can provide treatment that addresses the needs of the whole person. Our focus is on prevention, and on achieving optimal conditions of balance and health so that our patients can use their natural healing abilities to maintain good general health, and are able to with herbal medicine from a thousands-year old material medica to achieve that optimal balance in partnership with our patients own willingness and determination to live life to its fullest. What better way to insure optimal health than to educate ourselves about topics that affect our physical, mental and emotional well-being, so that we can make informed choices in our daily lives? That is precisely why I chose to publish this newsletter. Covering topics about acupuncture, nutrition, herbs and Western medicine, On Point is a tool for you to stay informed. In addition, news about the practice and special offers and coupons are in these pages. Enjoy!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Eating by the Seasons The NADA Protocol Know Your Ginseng Can Acupuncture Boost Sports Performance? The Health Benefits of Tea Special Offers March-May

Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years. recover quickly from illness or injury. We incorporate nutrition and lifestyle counseling, the techniques of acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping and electrotherapy

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Community Acupuncture: A Radical Approach to Health Care

In the US, acupuncture treatments are typically a private affair in which the practitioner sees one patient at a time in 45 min 1 hour blocks. Costs of individual treatments range from $65 at the low end (thats our rate) to $125 in the more spa-like practices. Because of the cost and the time spent per patient, a limited number of people actually find their way into an effective therapeutic relationship. Many people would try acupuncture, but the cost is too steep to throw away on an experiment. Lets face itmost people come to acupuncture as a last resort, after conventional treatment has failed to produce the desired results. Community acupuncture departs from this model by offering treatments for multiple people at the same time in a single, open space at a reduced rate, usually on a

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Eating by the Seasons

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) includes dietary practices whose aim is not only to treat existing disease, but to create sustained health by harmonizing the body with the seasons. This is particularly important in winter and summer, where weather extremes are the norm. All foods have their particular energetic properties. In the winter, we need to take in energetically warming foods to protect our bodies from invasion of external cold. Such foods include chicken, lamb, shrimp, winter squash, leeks and onions. Hot foods such as garlic, pepper (white or black) and sweet basil can also be eaten in moderation. Avoid cold drinks, dairy foods, raw fruits and vegetables (sorry, raw foodies!) Particularly in susceptible people, raw and cold foods cause the digestive system to slow down and lose optimal function. Dairy products (milk, ice cream, yogurt, etc.) tend to increase water retention and the production of phlegm. Too much salt is also a no-no in the winter months as it is cooling as well. If you are vegetarian, you can still stay warm with winter squashes, glutinous rice, quinoa, onions, black beans and spices. Lentils, fava, peas and green beans are neutral. Avoid too much soy, kelp, and salad greens. Warming teas such as ginger, chai, and jasmine green are also good for winter shivers. For specific conditions, you may wish to consult your TCM practitioner who can analyze your diet and come up with recommendations to achieve the appropriate balance for you.

Warm foods and teas help fend off colds in the winter months.

The protocol is now performed to reduce stress, improve the sense of well-being and help patients respond to crises and difficult situations.

The NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) Protocol

A recent study published in the Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing has shown that ear acupuncture combats the stress and anxiety associated with drug and alcohol withdrawl, and that acupuncture treatments were associated with reduced intake of addictive substances. This research highlights the success of the NADA protocol, a treatment strategy developed in the 1970s at Lincoln Hospital in the South Bronx. Originally used for heroin addiction, the protocol is now performed to reduce stress, improve the sense of wellbeing and help patients respond to crises and difficult situations. NADA is offered to all patients at SATU, Connecticuts substance abuse treatment center run by DMHAS (Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services) and Yale University Medical School. It is also used by Acupuncturists Without Borders to treat community trauma, such as that experienced in the wake of Hurricane Sandy or the Midwest wildfires, and for treating veterans with PTSD, combat fatigue, and other stress-related issues.

Not Just for Addictions

The NADA protocol consists of five points in the ear. The NADA protocol and variants of this simple point prescription can be used to treat a number of problems such as food cravings and overeating, cigarette smoking, and other negative responses to stress in the environment. These responses ofON POIN T

ten become ingrained over years and years until they form habits that are very difficult to break. What starts as a stress responseeating sweets, smoking, shopping, etc. becomes a compulsive behavior that interferes with an individuals relationships and personal health. The NADA protocol can be combined with body acupuncture, hypnosis, or group medi-

tation for powerful effects. To continue the effects after treatment, your acupuncturist may provide you with ear seeds or beads on adhesive tape which can be placed on the ear and stimulated during the day as stressful situations come up. Our practice provides both individual and group NADA treatments.

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Know Your Ginseng

benefits the heart and calms the spirit. Ren Shen Its close relative, or Panax Panax quinquefolium ginseng (American ginseng) root. is also a powerful qi tonic; that is, it is prized for its ability to boost vital energy and restore proper functioning to the internal organs. The name of the genus, Panax, is derived from the Greek pan, or all, and akos meaning cure. This is an apt name for an herb that treats many conditions such as weakness due to blood loss or prolonged illness, chronic fatigue, diabetes, and heart disease. One should note that in TCM, herbs are almost never prescribed singly, but achieve their maximum effect in combination with other herbs. In the US, ginseng is often taken alone in supplement form to improve overall health and stamina. You should not confuse Panax ginseng with Siberian ginseng, or Eleutherococcus, which is an adaptogenic herb in an entirely different family.l

Panax ginseng has been used in China for thousands of years as a tonic herb. Known in simplified Chinese as Ren Shen (literally, man root), this herb strengthens all of the organ systems, generates fluids,

I love the communal synergy, serene environment, and your

Community Acupuncture
sliding scale. The intent is to make acupuncture more accessible for the people in the community, and level the playing field so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of the treatment regardless of ability to pay. Treatments are usually given in zero-gravity chairs or recliners, although some community rooms have a table or two. The acupuncture points are on the arms, legs and head, so theres no need to disrobe. How do people feel about being treated in a group setting? Isnt it distracting? As one patient said, This is my first experience and I love the communal synergy, serene environment, and your commitment to do something to make health care available. There is a

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healing energy that is almost palpable when more than one person is receiving treatment in a rooma true sense of healing community! Norwich Community Acupuncture will be opening its community practice in April of this year. Our sliding scale is $15-$40 per treatment, whatever you can and want to pay, no questions asked. We look forward to being able to serve our community with this practice!

commitment to do something to make health care available.

Can Acupuncture Boost Sports Performance?

Studies of athletes have shown that traditional acupuncture treatments can increase maximum workload during exercise and improve heart rate recovery time after a workout. In addition to increasing cardiovascular capacity and exercise endurance, acupuncture may also boost overall performance as measured by speed or distance (depending on the sport). Many professional sports teams have staff acupuncturists to help them win and keep their competitive edgeincluding, close to home, the Boston Bruins and New England Patriots. Most people think of acupuncture as treating pain, and certainly it is effective in treating a variety of sports injuries whether due to sudden trauma or overuse. Muscle strains and sprains, tendon and ligament injuries, runners knee and shin splints are some of the many conditions helped by acupuncture. Herbal liniments are also used to help stop pain and hasten healing.

The New England Patriots use a team acupuncturist to keep their competitive edge.

Specials In This Issue

March 13th National No Smoking Day *Free NADA Protocol Treatment for anyone who wishes to stop smoking* -Community roomby appointment Saturday, May 4thFirefighters Day *Free NADA or mini de-stress treatment for volunteer firemen from Norwich and surrounding towns* - by appointment May 12th is Mothers Day: Buy your mom a gift certificate at special mothers day discount prices (prices good March 1stMay 12th): *Acupuncture private treatment $50 *Reiki healing session $40 May 13-17National Police Week *Free NADA or mini de-stress treatment for police officers from Norwich and surrounding towns* - by appointment May 18th Armed Forces Day Active duty military and veterans, all branches of service, free NADA or de-stress body acupuncture mini-session (20-30 minutes) in community room.by appointment

Norwich Community Acupuncture

188 Washington Street Norwich, CT 06360 Phone: 860-8876-3665 E-mail: info@norwichcommunityacupuncture.org

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The Health Benefits of Tea

You may have heard that drinking tea, especially green tea, is good for you. But did you know why? Green, black and oolong teas, in particular, are high in compounds called flavonoids, which help repair damage to your cells from oxidation (they are antioxidants). Green tea also contains catechins another form of antioxidant. Studies cited in Harvard Womens Health Watch have shown that tea can also lower bad (LDL) cholesterol and raise good (HDL) cholesterol, and reduce the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure when consumed regularly. All tea (except assam) comes from the plant Camellia sinensis. The difference between green and black tea is the amount of oxidation and fermentation that occurs during processing. Both types of tea have about the same antioxidant capacity, but green tea is lower in caffeine than black tea (green tea has about 30-75 mg per cup while black tea has about 60-90 mg per cup). Whichever type you drink, it will be much lower in caffeine than your cup of coffee, which weighs in at 150-200 mg of caffeine per cup. Since the health benefits of tea kick in when you drink 2-3 cups a day, knowing the caffeine content of your tea can be important. Green tea, in particular, has been shown to help boost metabolism and is often used to help lose weight. It may also increase bone strength in those who are exercising as Jasmine pearl tea is hand-rolled part of their daily green tea, scented and flavored health with jasmine flowers. regimen. Tea should is best consumed an hour or more before or after meals rather than with meals, as it can interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients. Adding lemon to your tea counteracts this effect. Not sure you like the taste of tea? There are many flavor options on the market, like the jasmine pearl tea pictured here. Try various blends and find one you like. A note about herbal teas - since they do not come from the Camellia sinensis plant, they are not, strictly speaking, tea but are often called tisanes. Health benefits of tisanes are less studied, and depend on the specific herbs used in each blend. Norwich Community Acupuncture (through our LLC Blue Willow) offers a number of herbal teas and tisanes that taste good and are good for you!