Acupuncture in South Pasadena, CA 91030

with Mark Melchiorre

Whole Food Plant Based Eating

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they who neglect diet

Who should consider a Whole Food Plant Based eating plan? Anyone with:

  • high cholesterol
  • high blood pressure
  • pre-diabetes
  • Type II Diabetes
  • body weight issues
  • a desire for more vitality

Here is information on whole food plant based eating from several different perspectives. I’m sure you’ll find something that resonates with you!

Not ready to go “all in”? Consider eating whole food plant based for 28 – 60 days and see how you feel.

“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” – Michael Pollan

Base your diet on:

  • Fruits: mangoes, bananas, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, oranges, cherries, etc.
  • Vegetables: lettuce, collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, carrots, etc.
  • Starchy vegetables: potatoes, yams, yucca, winter squash, corn, green peas, etc.
  • Whole grains: millet, quinoa, barley, rice, whole wheat, oats, etc.
  • Legumes: kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils, lima beans, cannellini beans, black beans, etc.
  • Avoid animal-based foods – fish, meat, poultry, dairy and eggs.
  • Eliminate or reduce added fat and oils.

Info resources:

  • Dr. Michael Greger’s site is a non-commercial, science-based public service providing free updates on the latest in nutrition research via bite-sized videos. http://nutritionfacts.org/ (Sign up for their emails or check the site often)
  • Dr. Rosane Oliveira’s blog has information on everything from nutrition and plant-based diets to exercise and stress management –  http://ucdintegrativemedicine.com/ (Sign up for their emails or check the site often)

Here are starter plans to ease you into it:

To save or print out:

Videos:

On the Effectiveness of Acupuncture

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Summary of Research Supporting the Effectiveness of Acupuncture

A comprehensive study commissioned by the Department of Veterans Affairs found acupuncture to have a positive effect in the treatment chronic pain, migraine and tension headache. The same study found a potentially positive effect in dysmenorrhea, cancer pain, labor pain, insomnia, post-operative nausea and vomit, depression, and smoking cessation.1

Acupuncture outperforms placebo in relieving the most common types of chronic pain: headache, low back, neck, shoulder and knee pain.2

Acupuncture significantly outperforms standard care in headache, low back, neck, and knee pain.3

Acupuncture is superior to most forms of physical therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.4

The American College of Physicians and American Pain Society recommend acupuncture as a second-line therapy for chronic low back pain.5

The American College of Chest Physicians recommends acupuncture for cancer patients when pain, nausea, vomiting, or other side effects of chemotherapy are poorly controlled.6

1 Hempel S, Taylor SL, Solloway M, et al. Evidence Map of Acupuncgture. VAE-ESP Project #05-226; 2013.
2 Vickers AJ, Cronin AM, Mascino AC, et al. Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis. Arch Intern Med. 2012 Sep 10:1-10.
3 Ibid.
4  Corbett MS, Rice SJC, Madurasinghe, et al. Acupuncture and Other Physical Treatments for the Relief of Pain Due to Osteoarthritis of the Knee: Network Meta-analysis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2013 Sep;21(9):1290-8.
5 Chou R, Qaseem A, Snow V, et al. Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Back Pain: A Joint Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society. Ann Intern Med. 2007;147 (7): 478-491.
6 Cassileth BR, Deng GE, Gomez JE, Johnstone PA, Kumar N, Vickers AJ; American College of Chest Physicians. Complementary therapies and integrative oncology in lung cancer: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (2nd edition). Chest. 2007 Sep;132(3 Suppl):340S-354S.

Acupuncture Reduces Hot Flashes for Breast Cancer Survivors

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New research demonstrates that acupuncture is an effective treatment for hot flashes in breast cancer survivors. The research demonstrates that acupuncture reduces both the frequency and intensity of hot flashes while at the same time improving the overall quality of sleep. The researchers examined feedback and found that the acupuncture treatments were described as relaxing by most participants. The researchers also noted that the results show that acupuncture is cost effective, safe and does not exhibit the adverse affects caused by medications

Data from the research discovered that acupuncture improved the overall quality of life score over venlafaxine. Acupuncture improved symptoms but did not induce unwanted side effects. The medication venlafaxine, however, caused a 72% incidence of adverse affects. The researchers noted that in one study venlafaxine side effects caused 21% of study participants to withdraw due to the severity of the adverse effects. Acupuncture, by…

Source: HealthCMI

 

Essential Healthy Habits

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Meridians on human body

The Meridian System

To live a healthy life at the most basic level, we all know that there are certain habits that must be maintained on a consistent basis. 

Want healthy teeth?  Brush a few times daily, floss at least once a day, and visit your dentist for regular check-ups.

Healthy bodily hygiene requires that you shower or bathe daily.

Living at a healthy bodyweight results from consistently eating the right types of foods, and regularly engaging in some form of exercise.

Most importantly, living your life at your absolute healthiest, with 100% energy flow and maximum expression of life requires clearing the body of meridian imbalances and then maintaining those changes through consistent wellness treatments.

These are truths that cannot be denied.  When you quit performing any of these proactive habits, its corresponding aspect of health begins to decline.

[Read more…] about Essential Healthy Habits