Blog
Stop smoking for good with acupucnture Posted on July 14th, 2010
Did you know that acupuncture is one of the most effective methods for smoking cessation? If and when you’re really ready to quit – no matter how many times or how many other methods you’ve tried – acupuncture may be the solution that finally works for you.
The treatment is based on the NADA protocol, which was developed in the mid 1970s by Michael Smith, MD of Lincoln Hospital in New York to help people overcome common addictions including nicotine, alcohol, and more. The treatment involves the painless insertion of extremely fine gauge needles in the ear to:
• reduce anxiety
• increase will power
• regulate the nervous system
• detox the liver
• strengthen the lungs.
A few acupoints on the body are also used to boost immunity and reduce craving. Treatments last about 30 minutes and leave patients feeling relaxed and refreshed.
Dozens of studies have documented the effectiveness of the NADA protocol. Among the benefits reported by patients and health care providers are: improved retention in drug treatment programs; more optimistic attitudes about detoxification and recovery; reductions in cravings and anxiety; fewer episodes of sleep disturbance; and reduced need for pharmaceuticals. (SOURCE: Acupuncture.com)
“As a long-time smoker myself, who was able to stop smoking with just a few treatments, I believe in the power of acupuncture to help patients let go of one the most difficult habits to break. Along with acupuncture, I also provide patients with natural herbal supplements that ease symptoms of withdrawal, anxiety and detoxing.” --- Dr. Joanie
When you’re ready to stop…for good…call the Back to Health Center at 703-683-7771.
Filed under: Acupuncture
Forward Head Posture Caused by Texting Posted on July 07th, 2010
What is forward head posture?
FHP is when persons ears are forward from their shoulders, which typically leads to the forward rounding of the shoulders and a tucking in of the chest. If you want to know what FHP really looks like take a look at your neighbor in their cubicle at work or at your child when they are on the computer. This posture is the leading cause for stress related neck and shoulder tension/pain in my office. These days children and adults are constantly plugged into their held held devices such as cellular phones, Nintendos, e-readers, and iphone applications. A survey done by Kaiserfound that young people from the ages of 8-18 spend 7.5 hours a day using some form of mobile media. In fact a survey done by Nokia's global messaging service suggested that texting is reportedly addictive. Furthermore, this survey was confirmed in 2004 by the Catholic University in Belgium. In fact a University in Australia said texting is as addictive as cigarette smoking! Because the typical demographic for texting is people with the ages of 13-27 (in this area older due to the governments support of the blackberry) I have seen an exponential increase of these FHP patients in my office.
Heres the facts:
• Long Term forward head posture leads to "long term muscle strain, disc herniations and pinched nerves" (Mayo Clinic March 2000)
• In a recent study respiratory dysfunction "demonstrated a strong association between an increased forward head posture and decreased respiratory muscle strength in neck patients" (Cephalgia February 2009)
• "For every inch of forward head posture, it can increase the weight of the head on the spine an additional 10 pounds" (Kapandji, Physiology of the Joints, Volume 3)
• "Loss of cervical curve stretches the spinal cord 5-7cm and causes disease" (Dr. Alf Breig, neurosurgeon and Nobel Prize winner)
• FHP has been shown to flatten normal neck curve, resulting in disc compression, damage and early arthritis. (Spine 1986)
If you are experiencing neck pain make an appointment with Dr. Shara so she can give you a free consultation for your FHP. Call us today 703-683-7771.
Filed under: Chiropractic
Acupuncture and Smoking Cessation Posted on January 25th, 2010
As a chiropractor, working with an acupuncturist is all about learning new things. Like you, I am often completely unaware of what acupuncture can and can't do. When talking with Dr. Joanie I was completely amazed to learn that acupuncture is a really effective way to stop smoking. Sure you can try medication and nicotine replacements but, why not try a drug free way. Those trying to quit smoking often experience a lot of symptoms like; sleep disturbances, weight gain, increased appetite, irritability, headaches, difficulty concentrating, the list goes on. Acupuncture can help with all of these symptoms. Acupuncture in combination with Chinese medicine (Dr. Joanie's specialty) can help control your cravings and more over diminish your withdrawal symptoms. So if your interested in learning more about how to quit call the office an make an appointment with Dr. Joanie.
Filed under: Acupuncture
The Perils of the Holidays Posted on December 22nd, 2009
During the holiday season we are bombarded with cookies, cakes, alcohol, and various other mouth watering comfort foods. Parties and gathering can lead to expanding waist lines and before you know it you'll be un-buttoning that top button of your pants for comfort! Moreover, the snow can also lead to boredom eating, so be very careful. When you're stuck at home and that cookies is staring you in the eye of course you want to eat it. Here are a couple of tips to control your weight during the season of jolly!
1.) NEVER GO TO A PARTY STARVING
Often we think that if we are going to eat at a party we should "save" all of our calories for that meal and the outcome won't be as bad. The truth is, statistically we end up eating more calories and generally make ourselves sick from overeating.
2.) MAKE TIME FOR EXERCISE
Even when you feel that there is no time for exercise keep in mind that walking around the mall, deep cleaning our houses,dragging things up and down from the attic are all form of great "holiday exercise". So try to stay active while being back safe!
3.) CHEW YOUR FOOD!
Inhaling your food is not only bad for your digestion, it does not allow your brain to register in time when enough is enough!
4.) USE A SMALLER PLATE
Choose your food wisely. Only eat the things you really enjoy. Don't just eat things because they are there. It is very important to remember to "budget" your food just like you budget your spending. Think of calories like spending dollars.
5.) RESTRICT OR AVOID ALCOHOL
This is the most important tip. By all accounts alcohol is the triple threat not only is it caloric but it also slows your metabolism, and stimulates your appetite. For more interesting insights check out our partner, Dr Robert Posner's blog at http://www.spdiet.blogspot.com/.
Filed under: Chiropractic
The Benefits of Chiropractic Posted on December 10th, 2009
So we know that chiropractic is a drug free, holistic way to help alleviate all of our back aches and pains. However, few people know that chiropractic can be helpful for more than just a sore lower back. Chiropractic can also be used for a variety of other body parts too! For example, headache or neck pain, tennis elbow, golfers elbow, knee pain, ankle pain, the list goes on... In fact, some people even use chiropractic to facilitate better range of motion, increased sense of wellness, and to improve performance and energy. There was a great Swedish study published in a peer reviewed journal call the Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics 199; 32.559-64. Patients of 87 Swedish chiropractors were interviewed and interestingly enough several of them reports improvements in "non-musculoskeletal" problems. As a matter of fact 1/4 patients reports it was easier to breathe and they had better digestion. Moreover, some of those patients reported better vision and cardiac function!
Filed under: Chiropractic
Back to Health’s New Blog Posted on November 03rd, 2009
This introductory blog post ushers in a new era for Back To Health Center! With this blog I hope to introduce you to all of the different types of services we offer, and the benefits your can achieve when utilizing our services. Since this is the beginning, I guess it is important to express how this all started. I was in school at the time and like any other student I was really unsure as to what direction my life was heading. I was working in a program that required an externship and I was approached by a chiropractor to assist him with therapy is his office. Every day I would go to work I would see what I call the “broken” walk out of his office upright. I began to think how is this so? I realized the body is amazing. With some gentle guidance the patient’s body was healing. I learned that the science of chiropractic has been practiced since the ancient days in the Chinese culture. The body itself was being retrained to work and function without pain and without medication. The fascination I had for this is what spurred my calling. Through the years chiropractic has developed with research and science as a way to help people with various musculoskeletal pain. After my undergraduate degree in kinesiology, I spent four more years achieving my Doctorate in Chiropractic. With this passion and knowledge, I set forth with starting my own office where I can help those who were broken. Over the years, I have continued to create a center where patients would not have to drive all over town to seek treatment and effectively created a one stop shop for all their chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, and skin care needs.
Filed under: Back to Health News
