January is the time when most of us start to ponder what we want to accomplish in the new year.  What are you going to do in 2012?  Do you have a health, fitness or other personal goal?  Will you be running a marathon? Getting back in shape or going to eat better this year?  Set yourself up for success and write down a specific goal and this could be the year you will achieve it.

It is estimated that only 3% of the population has a set of concrete, written goals.  If the full impact of goal setting were realized, and more importantly the results it produces, we would undoubtedly see more people engaging in it.

In a follow-up study of one prominent university’s graduating class, the 3% of graduates with written goals outperformed the other 97% combined!  That is a staggering statistic.

If you are new to goal setting, here are some tips to get you going.  This is by no means a comprehensive course on goals, but should at least serve as a good starting point.

Goals are most effective when they are written down, and although goal setting usually begins as simple lists like to-do lists, a journal dedicated specifically to your goals is a great asset.  Not only does it keep the goals in front of you, but it serves as a record of your accomplishments.  Drawing on past success is extremely motivating, especially as your goals get larger and more audacious.

In addition to a journal, it is also a good idea to utilize index cards and post-it notes that can be placed anywhere you are sure to see them throughout the day.  Some suggestions are the bathroom mirror, the refrigerator, your dashboard, your computer, etc.  The idea is to keep your goals in the forefront of your mind and prevent them from getting swept away by the monotony of the day.

When writing goals you must be as specific as possible.  The more clear and crisp the image, the more likely you are to achieve it.  If you wanted to lose weight, for example, simply stating, “I would like to lose some weight” is too vague a statement to have any meaningful impact.  Instead, a goal would sound something more like, “I will lose 25 pounds and reach my goal weight of 119 pounds by August 31.”  You can see that this goal is measurable in both weight and in time.  Come August 31, you have either met your goal or you haven’t.

Review your goals at least 3 times a day, preferably first thing in the morning, the last thing before bed, and then somewhere mid-day.  Don’t worry too much initially about how you will accomplish your goal.  When you get proficient at setting goals and continually reviewing them, your mind will come up with the “hows”.

Start with small goals that are relatively easy to accomplish and build momentum to bigger and bolder goals.  If you don’t hit a goal by its deadline, don’t worry.  Just rework the goal, set a new date, and recommit to getting it done.

Start today.  As you begin checking off goals in the coming weeks your life will begin to take on new depth and greater meaning.

To learn more about what croup is and hear some audio recordings Click Here.  The good news about croup is the majority of the time parents can treat it at home and it rarely requires medical intervention.

Here is what we do during an attack:

1. Sit with him in the bathroom with a steamy hot shower running  (usually for 10 - 15 minutes)
2. Aconitum Napellis homeopathic remedy (any potency) to help sudden onset of cough with the anxiety associated with difficulty breathing & cough - give 3 to 4 pellets every 5 t0 10 minutes until the child calms down.
   

   natural remedy for croup

3. Spongia tosta  homeopathic remedy (any potency) for croupy cough - give 3 -4 pellets a couple times
4. Keep him quiet and calm with lots of soothing words and slowing breathing
5. Drink a few sips of warm water
6. Acupressure on the points below (or in my case I’ll do a little acupuncture right then)

Here is what we do the next day:

1. Keep him well hydrated
2. Continue Spongia tosta remedy 4 pellets 3x/day (every time we’ve done this, the croup episode lasts only one night)
3. Herbal Remedies for treating any other cold or upper respiratory symptoms
4. Avoid dairy since it creates mucus
5. Sip warm teas

Here are some acupressure points you can press to help with croup during and after:

1. Percardium 6 to open up the chest and help with cough, anxiety and nausea
2. Lung 9 - for cough
3. Massage the child’s upper back between the shoulder blade and spine on both sides, vigorously until skin gets a little pink.  This stimulates acupoints to support the lungs and boost immunity.

If  your child is having a severe case of croup  with extreme difficulty breathing or the symptoms aren’t resolving after trying natural remedies they may require medical intervention.   Conventional treatments typically include nebulizer with albuterol or other broncho-dilators to help open the airways and ease breathing quickly.

It can be a little scary if you’ve never experienced croup before!  If you’re not sure if it’s croup, call your pediatrician and they’ll help you determine whether it is or not.  Try the natural remedies above and I think you’ll be happy with results and in the process you’ll become a pro at dealing with seals barking in the night.

Child having Acupuncture

thousands of years.   It is a safe, natural and effective treatment that works with the body and has very few adverse effects.  As a pediatric acupuncturist I can assure you acupuncture is completely safe for kids and now there is current research to support this assertion!  The first systematic review study of pediatric acupuncture safety was published in the December 2011 issue of the journal Pediatrics. It confirms that acupuncture is safe for kids when performed by a qualified practitioner.

I believe acupuncture for kids is even safer than the study findings due to the rigorous clinical training, safety standards and certifications that modern American acupuncturists go through before becoming licensed.  After reviewing the study I found that these standards were not reflected in the systematic review because much of the data for the review came out of international studies. The serious adverse events reported were mostly caused by unqualified practitioners in other countries and were due to gross incompetence.

Here are six reasons why I think acupuncture by qualified practitioners is safer for kids than the recent study findings:

Hair-fine Pediatric Acupuncture Needle

1. Only single-use sterile disposable needles are used, thus infections from needles are extremely rare!
2. The needles are hair-fine, virtually painless, and are inserted superficially into the skin so there is zero risk of puncturing a lung or other vital organ.
3. Acupuncture needles are not always used for treatment.  There are several different non-needle painless ways to stimulate the acupoints that have similar therapeutic effects as acupuncture.   Non-needle methods do not penetrate the skin so there is zero chance of any adverse reaction.
4. In babies and toddlers non-needle methods are generally used to stimulate acupoints.  Thus, fear and crying are extremely rare.
5. In kids under age 8, acupuncture needles are not retained in the body.  The needles are swiftly tapped in and immediately taken out.  Children only need to sit still for a few seconds at a time during the treatment.
6. In kids over age 8, they can generally sit still for 10 - 20 minutes with the needles in, but unlike adults the needles are smaller and inserted superficially minimizing any serious risk to the child.

In my experience the most common adverse reaction is a mild and brief discomfort (about 1 second) during insertion of the needle.  Rarely, mild adverse reactions such as temporary bruising or swelling at the needle site occur but these are uncommon due to the special techniques used in pediatrics.  In the eleven years I’ve been involved in acupuncture never has a single pediatric or adult patient caught an infection from needle insertion, nor have I seen or any serious adverse reactions.  They do happen, but are extremely rare and very unlikely if the practitioner you choose is licensed and has special training in pediatrics.

Water
It helps to hydrate our skin to keep is smooth and supple. Drink enough water so that your urine is clear.

Foods Rich in Vitamin A
Carrots, garnet yams, barley or wheat grasses and deep green leafy vegetables are rich in vitamin A which is essential for healthy skin and eyes.

Foods Rich in Antioxidants
Organic blueberries, raspberries, blackberries & strawberries are rich in antioxidants which protect skin from sun damage and the effects of aging.

Fish & Fish Oil
Arctic cod, tuna, wild salmon are rich in essential fatty acids which help skin cell membranes stay healthy and allows skin cells to maintain proper hydration. In addition if you have problem skin I also recommend adding a high quality fish oil such Nordic Naturals because it of its strong anti-inflammatory effect.

Nuts & Seeds
Almond, walnuts, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are rich in essential fatty acids. Brazil nuts are also a good source of selenium which is found beneficial for the skin and preventing skin cancer.

Green Tea
Green tea is rich in antioxidants which help neutralize UV damage from the sun. It has a high amount of polyphenolic flavinoids which have an anti-inflammatory effect in the body. Preliminary research shows that green tea may also prevent skin cancer.

Probiotics/fermented foods
Probiotics are essential to help maintain a healthy intestinal track allowing you to properly absorb the nutrients in your foods to grow beautiful skin. According to dermatologist Dr. Cynthia Bailey, “They make important vitamins (B vitamins, biotin, vitamin K to name a few), they produce germ killing substances that keep you from getting infections, and they’re your ‘hazmat’ team removing food born toxins like mercury.”

Me & My Son

The subject of skin conditions is one that hits close to home for me. My oldest son, now age 7, started to develop eczema when he was about 3 months old. By 9 months the eczema had spread from the back of his arms to most of his body, except his trunk and scalp. I tried all the conventional medical treatments which included hydrocortisone creams, other prescription eczema creams, baths with a small amount of bleach (can you believe the dermatologist recommended that) and nothing worked. I was reluctant to continue such harsh ineffective treatment, so I took it upon myself to become on expert in Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) Treatments for treating eczema and other skin conditions.

How Can Acupuncture Help Skin Conditions?
Many inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, hives and psoriasis are due in part to an overactive immune system response. The exact mechanisms that causes this type of skin conditions is still unknown, but many people with skin conditions may have additional immune related issues such as asthma or allergies (1). Treatments with acupuncture are effective because they help regulate the overactive immune response and reduce inflammation (2). Acupuncture can also address some of the other underlying factors for inflammatory skin conditions such as stress, hormone imbalances, food sensitivities and poor diet.

Lung/Large Intestine-Skin-Immune Connection
In TCM the lung-large intestine network governs the skin and functions roughly like the western equivalent of the immune system. This relationship between the skin and the lung network is not surprising when you consider that the skin is our first line of defense against environmental pathogens and is the largest organ in the human body! The large intestine contains gut-associated lymphoid tissue, which also has a large role in our immune defense system(3). From the TCM perspective, when the lung-large intestine network is out of balance, skin problems, allergies and/or asthma may result.

Treatment of Skin Problems
A standard course of acupuncture therapy plus herbal therapy are the first step to treating skin problems. Supplements such as fish oil, high quality probiotics, and bioflavanoids (like green tea and quercetin) are often beneficial for skin problems. Dietary changes and elimination diets are also effective if an underlying digestive issue is suspected. Gluten and dairy intolerance are often seen in inflammatory conditions so eliminating these foods is often beneficial in resolving the condition.

If you are someone you know suffers from a skin condition and they would like to see if acupuncture can help, please contact Robin at (408) 852-9659 for a complimentary consultation.

Children having Acupuncture

You’ve decided to bring your child in for acupuncture treatment and now you’re wondering what you’re going to tell them about their initial visit.  In order to help explain to your child what is involved with an acupuncture treatment we’ve got a few pointers to help you out.

Be honest with your child about what the visit is for
If your child is old enough to understand what is going on with their body, explain to them why they are coming in for an acupuncture visit.  Let them know you’ll be discussing their problem with the acupuncturist.

Tell them about acupuncture
Acupuncture helps the body heal itself.  Our bodies are designed with great healing powers, but sometimes bodies need a little help to heal and that’s what acupuncture does.  It also helps the body heal faster.

The acupuncturist is a like a detective that is searching for the root cause of illness and then uses special spots called acupuncture points to begin the healing process.  Not even the greatest surgeon can heal a cut, only the body can.

Avoid words like pinch, prick, pokey, poke, pins or needles
These words sound scary and may cause your child to be afraid of acupuncture.

Tell them the acupuncturist does “taps”
At our clinic, we call acupuncture for kids “taps” because the acupuncturist will do a lot of gentle finger tapping and rubbing to prepare the acupuncture point. The needles are swiftly tapped in and, for kids under age 8, immediately removed.

Don’t lie to them it if they ask if it hurts
When they are tapped in there is little to no discomfort during the procedure.  They might feel a tiny amount of discomfort, but most don’t.  Hundreds of thousands of kids get acupuncture every year because it helps them feel better.

Help them be brave
Sometimes bringing a favorite toy, stuffed animal or blanket gives them comfort if they are feeling scared or apprehensive.  Some kids dress up in costume on their first visit.  We’ve seen pirates, Minny Mouse, and cowboys to name a few.

If they don’t want to do needles, we have other options
Sometimes even the bravest kids don’t want to try taps right away.  That’s alright, we have other non-needle techniques we can use that have a similar therapeutic effect as acupuncture.  Your child will never be forced to do taps or anything else against their wishes, but it is our sincere hope that they will cooperate with us during their treatment.

Decide ahead of time if you’re going to offer a reward for trying taps
It’s their choice if they want try taps, but sometimes a little motivation helps.  Rewards have worked quite well for many parents to encourage their kids try it.  If you plan to offer a reward, figure out what you’ll offer ahead of time so you’re not caught off guard, but be ready to follow through.  You may want to keep it a secret and use it as a last resort or it may work better to tell them about it ahead of time.  We have stickers at the office for kids who cooperate so they’ll get a little reward no matter what.

If you have any other questions or concerns about your child’s upcoming acupuncture appointment feel free to contact our office at (408) 852-9659 x 0.

GFCF Banana Muffins

Dry Ingredients:
1-1/3 cup Millet Flour
2/3 cup Sorghum Flour
1 tsp. Sweet Potato Flour
1 tsp. Baking Powder (aluminum free)
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1/8 tsp. Sea Salt
1/8 tsp. Xanthum Gum

Wet Ingredients:
1 cup Sucanut or Brown Sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup grapeseed or vegetable oil
3 ripe bananas, mashed

Mix dry ingredients in a small to medium bowl.   In a larger separate bowl, blend the sugar, egg, vanilla and oil with a hand mixer.  Once blended, add the banana and beat on high for 2 -3 minutes until slightly fluffy.  Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix with a spoon until just blended.

Spray tin with 18 muffin with non-stick spray and add about 2 heaping TBS to each one.  This should make approximately 18 muffins.  Bake at 350 for 14 - 18 minutes (depending on your oven) until the tops of the muffins are golden brown and they come out clean with a toothpick.

• social initiation
• receptive language
• motor skills
• attention span
• coordination (including better writing ability)

Make a Peace Offering the the Goblins and Ghouls

As Halloween approaches and excitement builds for the big day, its time to bring out the parent’s bag of

Strawberry Ghosts

tricks for making Halloween healthy and fun!  Start by taking the focus off the candy and redirecting it to other fun activities.  Make a family trip to the local pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins.  Look for other family Halloween activities.  Include your children as you pull out the Halloween decorations or select new ones.  Create a unique costume for your child or brainstorm what they are going to wear.  Carving pumpkins is messy and fun!  Explore “Halloween foods” that are orange such as yams and carrots.  We like to make Halloween fries from sweet potatoes. Click here for more healthy ideas.

One great way to get rid of all that Halloween candy comes from one of my patients.   Every year she tells the kids that they must make a peace offering to the goblins and ghouls to spare their house from the fiendish foolery Halloween night.  They leave their peace offering, all the candy they collected, on the front doorstep.  When the kids wake in the morning they run downstairs to see what the Goblins and Ghouls have left them in return.  The candy magically disappears and is forgotten and is replaced by a present for each kid!

Do you have an inspired way to keep Halloween Healthy?  Please leave a comment and share your ideas.

B – Back Aches, Bladder or Bowel Problems, Blood Pressure, Bronchitis

C – Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Cataract, Catarrh, Circulation, Colds, Colitis, Conjunctivitis, Coughs, Cystitis

D – Depression, Dermatitis, Diarrhea, Digestive Complaints, Dizziness

E – Earaches, Eczema, Endometriosis, Energy

F – Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Flu

G – Gastritis, Gastric Ulcers, Golfer’s Elbow

H – Hay Fever, Headaches, Heartburn, Hiccough, Hypertension

I – Incontinence, Indigestion, Infertility, Insomnia

J – Jaundice, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

K – Kaposi’s Sarcoma, Kidney Stones, Knee Injuries

L – Lactation Problems, Laryngitis, Liver Inflammation

M – Menopause, Menstrual Pains, Migraines, Mood Swings, Muscle Injuries, Myofascial Pain

N – Nausea, Neck Pain

O – Osteoarthritis, Otitis Media (Ear Infections)

P – Panic Attacks, Pharyngitis, Post Operative Treatment, Post Traumatic Shock, Prickly Heat, Psoriasis

Q & R – Retinitis, Rheumatic Pains, Rhinitis

S – Sciatica, Sinus Pain, Stress, Stroke Recovery

T – Tennis Elbow, Tonsillitis, Tooth Aches

U – Ulcers, Undiagnosed Complaints, Urinary Infections

V – Vaginitis, Vomiting

W, X, Y, & Z – Whiplash, Wilson’s Disease, Xenophthalmia (Inflammation of the eye), Xerophthalmia (Dry Eye),

Xerostomia (Dry Mouth)

Because  acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural healing mechanisms, it can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions. Pain management, health enhancement, injury recovery, disease prevention, body strengthening and it can also be used and shows results when all other types of medicines have failed.