“Mental Health and Well-being: As we leave summer behind and head into fall, many of us are shifting gears into another mindset. For some it is return to school time for children, for some it is looking into preparation for the coming Holidays, and for others it is life changes involving health, jobs, or relationships. This can be stressful, daunting or fun and exciting, depending on you and your outlook. What I am suggesting is that you look at whatever decisions you are making and evaluate just how you plan to do so.

When we are faced with making an “either/or” kind of decision, we all want it to be the right one. We want to do it right the first time and have the best possible outcome. No pain, no suffering. Well, do you ever wonder why some people have good things happen for the most part, and others have bad things happen for the most part? There are times when people want to think that they are victims; ‘if only we had more money, more talent, more good looks,’ etc. Yet if we look into how most of the fortunate folks see other peoples’ suffering, we see that they respond in sorrow or empathy, desiring only good to come everyone’s way. What is this big, colossal difference all about?

Perhaps successful people approach situations from a “Can Do” approach. Moving forward, looking for opportunities of growth and abundance, rather than sit still and complain or support misery. Eleanor Roosevelt is credited with the concept of suggesting that we are the only ones holding ourselves back. I support this idea; we are not, and never have been and never will be victims unless we want to. We are the captains of our fate. If I don’t like where I am going in my…job, career, relationships, personal growth…then it is up to me to determine if and how to make a change. All the “Yeah buts” do is give excuses to stay miserable.

So when we are evaluating our lives, deciding which course of action to take, or pondering upcoming events, perhaps if we use the affirming and supporting idea of good intent we may see outcomes that match what it is we are trying to do. By that I mean if we have the intent of growth, abundance, and good for ourselves and others around us, we are more likely to achieve what we set out to do. Instead of saying, for example, I want this (job, event, relationship, etc) so that I can make lots of (money and not worry about how to pay my bills, or be always happy, or never suffer pain and loneliness) consider thinking this: I want this (job, event, relationship) because it will help me grow stronger and wiser, provide abundance for me (and my family), and I will be helping others on a more global approach. Or more simply: this (job, event, relationship) is for my good and the higher good of all life everywhere. Try approaching change or events in your life from this perspective, and watch what happens. I believe in this because I have personally seen it work time after time. Set aside ego and this silly demands we make and see what wonderful things come your way.

Last but not least, please remember to give thanks for the abundance and joy you experience. Even little things like the choice parking spot, or the extra ten minutes of no phone calls so you could enjoy that cat nap. Giving thanks is completing the circle of abundance and love. Try it and let me know what you get!”

According to msnbc.com, Americans spent $34 billion yearly on alternative medicine, out of pocket expense, according to the first national estimate reckoning. This means that although there is access to traditional western medicine therapies covered by insurances, people are choosing to spend their own dollars elsewhere. When I went to China a few years ago, in part to attend an international symposium that presented research from around the world on Traditional Chinese Medicine, one doctor from Italy talked about how in that country which has socialized medicine people chose also to spend their own money on alternative therapies. He was very interested that not just rich Italians wanted an option different from what was free and readily available.

This supports the concept of supply and demand. People want options and are willing to pay for them, IF THEY WORK. There are many fads that come and go and the key here is they do go if they do not produce the desired effect. So that must mean that the thousands of years of research, trial and error, and getting it right has been effective to help people get better.

I believe there is a place for both Eastern and Western medicine, but we need to have educated, qualified people doing the therapies; both licensed acupuncturists and medical doctors. Luckily (or is it forsight?) we require rigid standards to be met by practitioners of both disciplines, ensuring that people will get quality care.

It is my goal to provide the safest, most effective and most economical alternative health care to those who come to request my help. Call 331-2931 for a free consult to see how we can help you and to answer any questions you may have.

Smooth wrinkles… look better and feel younger…

We are now offering a new treatment option of cosmetic repair. It is non-surgical, non-drugs, non-painful yet effective, safe and affordable way to improve your looks and feel younger. I utilize the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, but do not use acupuncture needles. So you will feel just as relaxed and comfortable both during and after the sessions.

You will see visible improvements of reduced wrinkles, sags and scars after the first session, and the entire program can be accomplished in just a few weeks.

Call 507-331-2930 for  more information. See why other patients who have done this are so excited and happy!

Hello all, here’s information about an upcoming Saturday seminar being held at the Faribault Area Senior Center.

Relaxation Seminar: Mind – Body – Spirit

The Acupuncture Clinic, Inc.; Health Central

Take a Well-Deserved Mid-Winter Break!

Do you feel constantly bombarded by stimuli and stressors?
Do you think of relaxation as just another time-consuming chore that you don’t have time for?
Then consider this: When jobs, family, relationships, and personal demands require that you always be “on your game”, relaxation is not just a luxury, it is a necessary part of your self-care plan.

Come away for a day of refreshment that includes a positive learning experience, wholesome snacks during the seminar and a healthy lunch break at nearby Bernie’s Restaurant.
If you don’t take care of yourself, who will?

This will be an experiential class.

Course Objectives:

1. State benefits gained from learning relaxation techniques.
2. Verbalize an understanding of QiGong, Healing Touch, and Energy Healing modalities.
3. Demonstrate a basic QiGong exercise, a basic Healing Touch technique, and a concept of Energy Work.

Michelle has worked in a traditional healthcare environment for nearly 20 years; with acupuncture for the past 10 years.  It is her passion to educate and supportothers on their journey of growth and discovery.
If you would like a flyer for this program, please contact Brenda Johnson, Caregiver Support/Senior Center Programming :

Faribault Area Senior Center
19 Division Street West
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 332-7357

Dedicated to the well being of older adults

We are pleased to announce that we are now offering a needle-less approach to pain relief, and other imbalances that cause a decrease in overall health and well-being!

Electro-Acuscope and Electo-Myopulse are old therapies that use micro current of electricity to cause a response in the body.  It is not TENs, but uses electricity like TENs. Instead of interrupting the perception of pain, it actually repairs the cell membrane which then results in healing of tissue.  Also, because the current is below the sensation threshold, it is either not felt, or felt as light “tapping”. It does not feel like burning or tingling like TENs or the electric stimulation at the chiropractor’s office.

There have many studies and research on how this works, and how well. In treating depression,The Electro-Acuscope works on the uptake and dispersement of serotonin and dopamine, which is how antidepressants are supposed to work. Except there are no side effects. What is noticed, in both my patients and test subjects, is a sense of relaxation, well being and improved energy.  Sleep is improved, and in many cases, pain is relieved or eliminated. Neuropathies are resolved much faster and better than with acupuncture; for me to say that says a lot! People are handling normal or increased stressors better.

This is because of the effect on the autonomic nervous system. Think about the “fight or flight” response. When we are busy or stressed, we switch to the sympathetic mode of increased awareness, more energy output, and hopefully increased alertness. The problem comes in when we forget or are unable to switch back to the parasympathetic, or relaxed mode. So we stay on high alert when it is not necessary. After awhile our bodies get fatigued, and start to wear down and out. Over time we see illness and disease; myofacial pain, depression, insomnia, digestive disorders and so on.

The Electro-Myopulse uses  micro current to heal damaged tissue at the cell level. When there has been trauma, and residual pain, it is because of scar tissue in the muscle, fascia and under the skin. The current adjusts to the amount of impedance or resistance, and ultimately results in tissue repair. There is no pain with this. Again, there is published research on people, tissues and cells on how this works.

One of the biggest questions with this therapy is, “If this is so good,(or BECAUSE this worked so well), why doesn’t mainstream Western medicine use it?” I’m not sure, but my guess is the answer is related to money and influence. If people got better with this, they would not need as much if any drugs. How then would the Pharmaceutical companies succeed?

There would not be the need for surgery, or at least not as many. Did you know that the U.S. has the highest rate of back surgeries in the world, but the outcome is no better than our counterparts in other countries? That means that instead of having proportionately higher improved outcomes, the amount of people that are helped is no better than those in other technologically advanced countries. So why is this happening?

It is our commitment here at the Acupuncture Clinic to provide a safe, effective and affordable health care option. You should not “have to learn to live with” your pain or distress. There is nothing written anywhere that we are supposed to accept pain and emotional suffering because the modern medical community does not know how to fix it. So, if you have problems that do not respond well with other therapies, or you are reluctant to try drugs or surgery, call for a free consultation. The bottom line is, it can’t hurt, and it just might help!

Call us at our Acupuncture Clinic (507) 331-2930 for more information.

There are over 40 conditions that the World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledges that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)/ Acupuncture successfully treats. You may see a more complete list in the Acupuncture FAQs list on my website. Headaches of various types respond well, as well as back pain, emotional disorders and women’s gynecological/menopausal concerns. These are among the more common problems that I see in my practice. I also see joint pain from injury and overuse as well as digestive disorders.

The common theme from the TCM perspective is blockage of Qi. Blockage from trauma, overuse, poor diet, over work, addictions or addictive behavior leads ultimately to pain. Imagine a dammed up river. The water fills up to the banks before finally spilling over.

When the Qi is blocked, it causes congestion or stagnation which in turns causes pain. When the body is depleted due to poor lifestyle, the Qi weakens and cannot move freely resulting in blockage, or again stagnation.

With acupuncture, I access the Qi, remove the blockage, and create a smooth course that results in diminished or no pain. What seems miraculous is simply removing an obstacle. That is the beauty and elegance of TCM. Simple yet effective. After the blockage is removed, the patient has the duty to support and heal by improving improper lifestyle choices.

This is why TCM is all about partnerships; by working together we help attain and maintain balance. After all, that is what healthy living is about… Balance.

What are mind, body, and spirit and why is this so important?

In the many years that I have been in health care, I have seen a consistent pattern, no matter what area it is, whether in hospital wards or in my acupuncture clinic: fear-based medicine. People seek help because of a problem, and focus on how they arrived there. Most of the times we are able to redirect to find a solution, but sometimes folks do not want to learn that. There is an attachment to the original injury or emotion. When we hang on to that issue, our brain (which did not get the message that the event is long gone), responds to the intense emotion as if the event is just now occurring. The sympathetic nervous system is triggered into the fight or flight mode and we start to feel anxious, maybe sweaty and shaky, and our stomachs knot up. Our heart beat speeds up and we feel bad.

It is an accepted concept that it is impossible to feel pain and pleasure in the same intensity at the same time. That is the basis behind modern hospitals that incorporate distraction tools like massage, imagery, music and other relaxation techniques to assist in the healing of patients. By taking the focus off the offensive situation, the parasympathetic system takes over and helps lower heart rate, calm the mind, and support healing.

Mind:

The mind is just as important in wellness as the body. We can talk ourselves healthy or sick, happy or sad. Can you think of someone who insists that the world is against them? It seems that there is usually someone who is “out to get them”. That old dark cloud seems to hover persistently over them and theirs. Then there are the people who for some reason land on their feet after a crisis. The end of the story is positive, and they always seem to have enough at the end of the day. This is not a coincidence in either case; both groups have brought on what they received.

Now we don’t like to think we invited misfortune, but when we focus on it, fear it, and spend time and energy discussing it, we actually can manifest it into being. The good news is that we can make our lives richer and happier by focus, intent and expectation of goodness. Think about this. If we tell ourselves we expect positive, and anticipate it with a calm acceptance we can then indeed become positive in health, happiness and prosperity. Instead of thinking of lack of whatever, create the belief of positive and thus we can live better and happier. Fill the holes with goodness.

Body:

There is no magic bullet, vaccination or pill for health. There is simply good living. Eating healthy foods on a regular basis, getting enough (unmedicated) sleep, and getting adequate exercise and fresh air are the best ways to boost the immune system, and thus continue good health. (Did you note that I am avoiding saying to avoid disease??)

Spirit:

One of the reasons that I incorporate this discussion of mind, body and spirit is that overwhelmingly I have noticed a significant number of people who are without a spiritual base. Either they lost faith after a large event, or they became disillusioned in the religion. There are many ill folks who have no or little faith system, but few healthy ones who do not believe. Why is that?
We all know there is a difference in “religion” and “spiritual”; think about your belief. The bottom line is that there is comfort, fulfillment, and peace in having some sort of healthy faith. That in turn supports health and wellbeing. If you do not feel comforted in your faith system, look at it. Is it tolerant, loving and forgiving? Would you embrace it like a favorite sweater, or wear it like a mantle of shame or duty? If you feel good after worship, and renewed, then obviously you must be on to a good thing!

Health and Wellness:

So, as we can see, health and wellness are more than just absence of disease. It is a way of living. By taking a few steps in a different direction, we can have what we want… health AND happiness. What a goal!

Focus on Recovery of health and wellness:

Think of what you want–good health, wellness, happiness, prosperity. Think of how you feel with having these things. Think of living every day like this. Doesn’t this feel nice? By focusing on the positive aspect, and not the lack of, we can all have a better quality of life. When you get distracted and feeling poorly, come back to center and remember how good you feel when you are happy. Let the parasympathetic system take over and help you balance. You can regain the wellness you once had.

Enjoy!