Digestive misconceptions

The complexity of weight loss: Part II

California immigration showdown continues

Acupuncture and brain health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that at least five million people in the U.S. now have Alzheimer's disease.

Acupuncture helps cancer sufferers

Patients undergoing traditional cancer therapies suffer immense side effects. They range from pain to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hot flashes, insomnia, depression, anxiety and other mental issues, lack of motivation, dry mouth, peripheral neuropathy, and just a sense of not feeling well. While there are many other side effects, the above-mentioned ones are symptoms that have been studied and researched, and found to be helped by acupuncture.

Acupuncture and pain

So many people are plagued with pain. According to a national survey, more than one-quarter of adults in the U.S. experience pain lasting more than a day. It is the number one reason Americans seek medical care. It is also one of the leading causes of disability, and billions of dollars per year are spent on associated costs to control it. It reportedly affects more Americans than the "major three" - diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease - combined.

Osprey up close

Cruise attendees will watch banding of baby birds

Redman, Barbieri discuss health care options, among other topics

ATHOL — Rep. Eric Redman guaranteed attendees at a town hall Saturday that Medicaid would not be expanded in Idaho this legislative session.

Acupuncture for migraines and headaches

It has been known for many decades (actually, many centuries!) that acupuncture is an effective modality for the treatment of pain, including migraines and headaches. In March 15, 2004 a study published in the British Medical Journal, then chronicled By Jennifer Warner and Brunilda Nazario, MD of WebMD Health News: “Researchers found that compared with standard medical care, acupuncture offers substantial benefits in preventing headaches and improving the quality of life for people who suffer from frequent headaches, especially migraines. Acupuncture may provide lasting relief from the pain of chronic headaches, such as migraines, according to a new study.”

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — That time of life: Menopause

When we are young, we can’t wait to reach that time of life when our monthly “curse” (as some term it) is over with.

Don't let bursitis burst your bubble

Do you have unsolved pain in or near a joint? Is that pain worse with movement or pressure? You may have bursitis. Bursitis is the irritation and swelling of a bursa, one of the many fluid filled sacs that help with cushioning and gliding between various tendons and bones in the body. Bursitis is a fairly common cause of pain that, in my experience, is often overlooked in the process of diagnosing or ruling out more severe mechanical complications in the body. Bursa near your shoulder, elbow and hip and are the most commonly affected by bursitis, but any of the approximately 160 bursa in your body can be affected, including those at the back of your heel and under the ball of the foot.

Whose fault is it?

Getting out of sleep debt: Part II

In Part I, we discussed some of the problems with sleep deprivation, likening it to financial debt — too much uncontrolled debt can eventually lead to bankruptcy! In the case of a health bankruptcy or crisis, learning what to do and what not do that leads you down that spiral is the first step in getting a foothold on that slippery slope.

Getting pregnant with acupuncture

Today the rate of infertility is rising. Infertility and subfertility can affect women, men or even both. Since I have been in practice for four decades now, I have watched the trends. Initially, in the 1980s, it was pretty much women who had the fertility issues. Then in the ’90s, male infertility was also on the upswing. Since the turn of the century, it is not uncommon for it to be both.

Needles over narcotics - acupuncture needles that is!

There has been much in the press of late regarding the opioid crisis. The addiction rate to opioids is skyrocketing at such an alarming rate that it deserves the attention it is getting and more. According to the NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, morphine, and many others.”

Inflammation: Pros and cons … yes, I just said pros

Inflammation, it’s the big, bad elephant that everyone in the wellness world loves to talk about, that is responsible for everything from joint pain to nerve degeneration, right? Well — yes and no.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Gout: A natural approach

As anyone who has experienced gout would tell you: you don’t want it!

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Sleep apnea and an alternative to CPAP

Sleep Apnea affects approximately 22 million Americans, and while it is not generally recognized as a direct cause of death, it certainly can be an indirect cause.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A holistic approach

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is an illness characterized by profound fatigue lasting six months or longer, often experienced together with symptoms of sleep abnormalities, generalized muscle and joint pain, brain fog, dizziness and poor concentration.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Peripheral Neuropathy: The causes are key

Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition where a part of the body, usually hands or feet, are tingling, burning or painful.