Balance Point Alternative Medicine Newsletter

12/30/2020

** Ready to Rock Your Health in 2021? **

Start the year off right. Claim your free "New Year, New You" health assessment! Limited slots open.

Only available the first week of January, 2021. First come, first serve.

Use this link to book, or direct message me.

https://renoalternativemedicine.com/schedule-your-free-new-year-new-you-assessment/

12/23/2020

** Classical Five Element Acupuncture **

Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years.

After so long you'll find many styles. Each approach takes a different perspective. And all can work. The trick is knowing which approach is best for what problems.

In my 48 years practicing Oriental Medicine, I've learned over 40 styles. That's not close to how many there are. But among these styles, certain ones stand out.

Among my favorites is Classical Five Element. It's one of the earliest styles brought to the West. J.R. Worsley brought it to us in the 1950's.

What's different about it?

For one, it is very comprehensive. It treats body, mind and spirit. In other words, the whole person.

Another difference is its focus. It starts by finding the deepest imbalance someone has. These deep factors fall into one of the Five Elements. And they determine the points that get treated. When that comes back to balance, everything else gets better.

Because it treats the whole person many health issues respond well. Among them:

* Pain
* Digestion
* Breathing
* Hormones
* Stress
* Anxiety
* Loss of purpose
* Feeling disconnected from deeper self

And many more.

Want to find out more about how acupuncture can help improve your health and life? Send me a message...

12/19/2020

Some questions I hear about Alternative Medicine:

“When I look for solutions to my problem, I find tons of opposite opinions. Which is right?”

This is hard. Some say alternative medicine can cure anything, while others say it cures nothing.

The best approach is to rely on results. If you’re self-treating, go slow and pay attention to your body’s signals.

“If powerful drugs haven’t helped, how can natural medicine work?”

The two approaches are different. Powerful, single focus drugs target one particular biochemical response in the body. They're like firing a high-powered rifle into the ocean. After the splash the water quickly adapts.

Natural medicine works with the whole body. Looking at the big picture you can correct health problems at a deeper level.

“My insurance won’t cover some of these alternative medicine treatments.”

What is the goal? Insurance companies aren't doctors. They provide insurance. They think about healthcare differently than a patient thinks about it.

Also, if insurance is the only consideration for someone, then they should stick to conventional medicine. But if getting well is the goal then it makes sense to do whatever will reach that goal.

The bottom line for any healthcare question is, “What results am I getting?” If you focus on the that, you have the best chance to reach your health and wellness goals.

Want faster results? Someone with decades of experience can help. Message me and let's talk.

12/16/2020

** Who Should NOT Use Alternative Medicine **

If you approach your health in any of the following ways, Alternative Medicine is not for you:

“I want someone to ‘fix’ what’s wrong with me.”

People with this mindset don’t usually want to take part in their own healing. They’re looking for a ‘magic bullet’ pill or treatment that will remove symptoms now. Alternative medicine works with the natural processes of the body. That means it may not be quick enough for these folks.

No magic bullet pill can address the deeper issues causing disease. At best they can reduce symptoms without too many unwanted side effects. Real healing takes longer.

“Any treatment not approved by the government can’t work.”

Someone with this idea will be waiting a long time for effective treatment. The agencies that check research results get paid by the giant drug companies they regulate. There is a conflict of interest.

“I tried (chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, etc.) It doesn’t work.”

This one always confuses me. If someone goes to a medical doctor and the treatment doesn't work they never say, “I tried conventional medicine and it doesn’t work.”

Why, then, do they jump to this conclusion about alternatives? In either type of medicine there are practitioners with more or less skill. And no treatments are effective with everyone.

Alternative medicine gets to the root of problems. If that something you want, message me. We'll set up a time to talk about your situation and how alternative medicine might help you.

12/15/2020

** Reasons to Choose Alternative Medicine **

There are many reasons people choose alternative medicine. When people come into my practice, they often share why they are coming in.

Among the more common reasons are:

* “I don’t feel well, but my doctor tells me nothing is wrong.”
* “I’m concerned about the side effects of drugs and surgery.”
* “I’ve tried other treatments and nothing has helped so far.”
* “I’m looking for a more natural approach to my health.”
* “When I see my doctor I don't have enough time for them to get to know my situation.”

All these are good reasons to think about alternative medicine. What are your reasons?

Click the "Website" link above, then the "Contact" link at the top of the page. I'd love to hear from you!

12/10/2020

Slow Aging with a Simple Amino Acid

A main cause of aging is oxidation. You might think of oxidation like rusting from the inside out.

It contributes to wrinkled skin, lower energy, and less mental clarity. At the same time it leads to more serious problems such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, cataracts, etc.

No wonder they call it, "Oxidative Stress".

How to fight it? Reduce sugar intake, eat higher quality proteins, and avoid processed foods.

But there are other factors. A big one is environmental pollution. Exposure creates free radicals. These are what cause Oxidative Stress.

The best way to counter free radicals is to increase antioxidants in the body. And the most important one is glutathione.

Glutathione:

* Neutralizes free radicals.
* Helps the body detoxify pollutants, including smog & smoke
* Helps rid the body of toxic heavy metals.
* Supports immune health
* Protects DNA

Aging lowers glutathione.

It would be easy if we could take glutathione as a supplement. But it isn't absorbed by mouth. Our bodies create it from cysteine.

Whey protein and eggs are rich in cysteine. Even better is the supplement N-Acetyl-Cysteine, or NAC for short.

The most tested dosages for NAC are 900 mg twice daily. You can usually find it in either 600 mg or 900 mg tablets or capsules. I recommend taking it with food.

If you'd like to reduce signs of aging, I can help. Set up a time to talk by messaging me. Click below:

12/07/2020

** Qigong and Your Health **

Qigong is a Chinese word meaning "cultivate vitality."

It is a technique for clearing and strengthening energy. There are many styles of this practice. But all have things in common.

My original teacher placed qigong within a broader category called neigong ("inner cultivation"). He said that qigong is for building and strengthening one’s personal energy. Neigong is more for discovering how all aspects of energy in the world at large connect.

There are 4 basics common to all qigong. They are the ‘secrets’ of qigong. Are you ready for them? Here they are:

* Eyes
* Mind
* Movement
* Breath

These concepts are a way to understand how to align your energy and be present in the moment. Applying them improves your health... your physical health, mental focus and emotional wellbeing.

By practicing qigong you learn how to optimize your own vital energy. The result is increased health, better awareness and an improved quality of life.

I often include qigong when working with my patients. It becomes an effective part of their healing process. If you'd like to learn more, contact me by clicking the button below...

11/23/2020

Do You Know These Sources of Stress?

“Its not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.” ~ Hans Seyle

Everyone experiences stress at some time.

People usually think about stress in emotional terms. Office politics, relationship problems and family squabbles. But there are other things that “stress” the body and mind as well.

When stress happens over time, it can affect any part of the body. Here are consequences that might show up:

Energy Production
* Blood sugar problems
* Insulin sensitivity
* Ability to generate energy in the cells
* General Health Problems
* Osteoporosis
* Fat accumulation
* Water retention
* Muscle wasting
* Digestive disorders
* Impaired thinking
* Pain and inflammation

Immune Compromise
* Low T-Lymphocytes
* Inefficient blocking of bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.
* Reduced Natural Killer Cell activity

So what are these hidden stressors?

* Eating the wrong foods
* Toxic overload
* Injuries (even old ones)
* Lack of sleep
* Chronic pain
* Lack of purpose or meaning in life

I’m always happy to discuss with you ways I can help you. You can message me if you’d like to learn more.

11/20/2020

Treating Anxiety – It’s Not Just Pills

Anxiety is a growing problem.

Not only am I seeing more anxious people in my practice, but it’s also true in the culture. Many people are reporting feeling anxious. In fact, over 19 million Americans suffer this way.

Of course feeling anxious or worried happens to everyone sometimes. New situations, work stress, relationships all have this potential. But when it intrudes into your life all the time, it’s a problem. It can block your effectiveness and destroy your quality of life.

Symptoms can include a combination of some or most of these:

* Restlessness
* Being keyed up or edgy
* A constant lump in your throat
* Hard to focus
* Fatigue
* Irritability
* Impatience
* Easily distracted
* Muscle tension
* Hard to fall or stay asleep (insomnia)
* Excessive sweating
* Shortness of breath
* Stomachache or diarrhea
* Headache

You constantly feel like survival is threatened – either yours or someone you love.

If you go to a doctor or psychiatrist, they are likely to give you pills. And if you are anxious, you are likely to say yes to these.

In truth, the pills often work. But they only mask symptoms. They never get to the root of the problem and fix it. And they are often very hard to stop taking. You become dependent on them.

Worse, when taken over time, these pills can degrade your ability to think and recall things. And over time they can stop working. It’s a big price to pay for short term relief.

But what are the other options?

Thankfully, there are many. Let’s start with the simplest.

* Exercise.
* Avoid all caffeine. That means coffee, tea, chocolate, etc. Any stimulants.
* Avoid sugar and refined carbs.

In addition, you might take helpful nutrients. Here is a good list:

* Magnesium – most people are deficient in this.
* B6 – can take up to 3 weeks to help fully, but many people benefit.
* Inositol – can help reduce stress hormone levels. In one study, it worked better than an SSRI for anxiety.
* Tyrosine – helps balance brain chemistry.
* Phosphorylated Serine (PS) – reduces stress hormone levels.

There are also herbs that can help, but these are best given on an individual basis by a trained practitioner.

Of course it can also be helpful to see a counselor or talk with a friend.

Finally, it is possible to test for underlying stressors. These include adrenal stress, food sensitivities, thyroid problems, pathogens and toxins. You will need to see a functional medicine doctor for these tests. I offer these to patients.

Anxiety is tough. But there is hope to avoid drugs and heal it naturally.

11/17/2020

A Simple Vitamin for Better Brain Health Your brain needs vitamin B-12. How much does it need? A lot. In one study, psychiatric conditions improved by adding B-12. And that was after doctors tried various medications with less improvement and more side effects. Lack of B-12 is a likely cause of many...

11/15/2020

A Lesson in Aging

When I was in my early twenties, I got a good lesson about aging.

The kung fu / qigong master I studied with was in his late 50s. But he was still quite strong and vital. To all appearances, he was not suffering from any of the symptoms of aging.

Those of us studying with him were in our 20s and 30s.

One day, he gave a demonstration.

He asked the most advanced student in the room to come to the front of the class. He told the student, "Hit me."

The student threw his best punch. As he did, the master moved his hand in a slow arc and blocked it.

Everyone watching was a bit confused. This student had a fast punch, but the slow movement blocked it.

The master told him once again, "Hit me." This time the top student looked determined. He set himself and threw a different punch. Once again the slow block stopped it.

The students were even more confused. The master turned to the them and said, "When you are young, you must learn to fight slow. Because when you are old you can't move fast."

What's the takeaway from this?

First, it's okay to slow down as you age.

Second, it's a good idea to think about how you want to be when you get older.

A good way to do that is to do a short inventory of what's good and what could be better right now.

Send me a message if you'd like support for maximizing healthy aging. We'll set up a free consultation where you will get an individualized roadmap for optimal health.

11/06/2020

Adaptation isn't always a good thing. Here's why...

Why Adapting Can Be Good... Or Not People are resilient most of the time. No matter what happens they will adapt sooner or later. But is this always a good thing? Usually yes. It's a survival skill. You see it everywhere in nature. Plants grow around obstacles. Animals grow longer fur if they move t...