Robert Simon Acupuncture & Chigong Therapy

11/18/2025

A predictor of longevity is grip strength. And strong grip strength is usually the result of overall body strength and neuromuscular function. An age old (read, ancient) way of training both grip and whole body strength is the “gada” or mace.

It should go without saying that you don’t begin mace training with a 30 lb, 60 in water filled mace shown here… or even the smaller 23 lb plate loaded mace. That’s why I prefer DIY maces - where you can customize the weight and work your way up. They are also far more affordable than commercially available maces.

Start small and work your way up. When you’re beginning, even 2lbs can be a challenge. (Gorillaz bass cover by Davie504 on YouTube).

10/17/2025

Chapter 50 of the Tao Te Ching:

"I've heard of those who are good at cultivating life
Traveling on the road, they do not encounter rhinos or tigers
Entering into an army, they are not harmed by weapons
Rhinos have nowhere to thrust their horns
Tigers have nowhere to clasp their claws
Soldiers have nowhere to lodge their blades
Why? Because they have no place for death."

That is what came right to mind as I listened to this talk by Alan Watts this morning:

What if anger was never caused by other people, but only by the way we resist life itself? In this talk, Alan Watts explores why irritation, frustration, and...

09/01/2025

Two similar patterns of integrated whole body movement... but with different aims on the types of strength and health benefits they promote.

08/30/2025

If you're new to acupuncture, you probably have one question at the forefront of your mind: "will it hurt?" Let's find out... on me!

08/23/2025

Here I am demonstrating how "Zhan Zhuang"/Tree Stance Chigong can be helpful for dealing with feelings of anxiety.

05/11/2025

Fellow acupuncturist Jason Pyeatt of Brooklyn, New York made this great visual to show how "dry needling" is actually a technique that has been in the acupuncture repertoire for a couple thousand years. (In case you're curious, the term "dry needling" got its name because Dr. Janet Travell - the doctor who mapped out the myofascial trigger points in the body and their referred pain pattern - originally deactivated these trigger points by injecting saline into the muscle. Later, it was realized that the saline did nothing therapeutically and that the syringe itself was doing all the work. At which point, "dry" hypodermic needles were then used. )

02/25/2025

Chi Gong Class being held in Franklin Village. If interested in attending, please contact Robert Simon at robertsimonlac@yahoo.com.

What is Chi Gong? Also spelled as "Qi Gong" or "Chi Kung", it is Chinese method of self healing and energy cultivation. Similar to tai chi but easier to learn, Chi Gong helps support the internal organs, tendons, muscles, bones, ligaments, and fascia. Additionally, it can help promote better balance, unified whole body movement, and a calmer state of mind. If you’re seeking to feel more grounded, you would be hard pressed to find a better exercise than Chi Gong.

01/24/2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_03EXyhYS8&t=16s. Here's a clip from a great piece on the CBC about how modern ultra-processed foods are strategically engineered and marketed to make them irresistible. Couple this with the fact that such foods are often calorically dense but nutrient deficient... and you've got yourself a problem.

"Something happened to our food in the mid-70s to make it irresistible to people." ...

01/30/2024

Fascinating.

"'It's not a fad diet,' says Dr. Shebani Sethi, who's leading research into the diet's potential for mental health at Stanford University. 'It's a medical intervention.'"

It's not just for weight loss. Patients and doctors alike are having success using the diet for illnesses like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. And research is taking off.

01/23/2024

Very impressive, Mr. Morgan.

The human body maintains the ability to adapt to exercise at any age, showing that it’s never too late to start a fitness program.

10/17/2022

What to Expect After Acupuncture?

In general, people tend to feel relaxed after an acupuncture treatment. In the following days many experience better sleep, digestion, and an overall sense of well-being!

Make sure to take things easy, have enough rest, and enjoy yourself. Proper care after your treatment ensures that you maximize the benefits of acupuncture!

10/15/2022

It's time to take your health back... say Goodbye to Allergies!

Using NAET, I can help alleviate your symptoms and reduce the severity of your reactions to common allergens such as pollen, pet dander, and dust. NAET are non-invasive, drug-free approaches of eliminating food intolerances and environmental sensitivities.