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Jan 312013
 

An article in the February 2013 issue of Diabetes Forecast has a brief article ‘Tummy Trouble’ which refers to new research that suggests gastrointestinal issues that increased the risk of developing type 1 Diabetes may be linked to the consumption of gluten, to wit:
“Scientists don’t yet know what triggers the development of type 1 diabetes, but one theory is that childhood infections set off the autoimmune reaction that destroys insulin-producing cells while another places the blame on the diet. Now a study suggests that the trigger may, in fact, be a little of both. Researchers measured blood levels of autoantibodies, specific proteins that are a sign of type 1 diabetes, in almost 2,000 babies with a family history of the disease. They also recorded the children’s illnesses and eating patterns. They found that gut infections increased the risk that a child would carry diabetes autoantibodies, but there was an odd catch. The gut problems that increased the risk of developing type 1 appeared to be linked to the consumption of gluten (emphasis mine), a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, in infants younger than 9 months. The researchers concluded that infections may only increase risk for type 1 if the gut is already inflamed by reactions to certain foods.”

Diabetes Care, published online Oct. 5, 2012

Jan 312013
 

Announcing that I am now carrying the brand line of IncrediWear, which is a local Chico company that makes braces and socks. I have received many testamonials from patients about these braces really helping joint pain in the past few years, so this is why I decided to start carrying these products. The braces are great for arthritis and joint pain and inflammation, carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis, and also help improve circulation (as shown by their thermography analysis). They are made with special technology combining bamboo-charcoal and/or germanium. There is a sock line especially for those with diabetes plus another line to support the feet and other joints during sports or athletic events (hikers and bikers will love these products too). Come and check them out, and support two local companies at the same time too!! If I don’t have in stock what you need, I can always order it quickly – for more info on this product line, see IncrediWear Products.

Here’s an article in one of our lovely, local Chico-area magazines Upgraded Living, about IncrediWear, and its Chiropractor founder,
Jackson Corey.

Dec 082012
 

The enteric nervous system, or neurons in the digestive tract, affects our mental health: See this article that refers to research on this topic, plus how IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and osteoporosis can arise from too much serotonin in the digestive tract, and also be related to such conditions as M.S. (multiple sclerosis) and autism, and also the strength of the immune system. This rather new field, called neurogastroenterology, fits very nicely in the holistic model of natural medicine, where we have discussed for years that many conditions are tied to the health of the digestive system. This is especially true in the model of Chinese Medicine, where we strengthen the digestion to treat such diverse conditions as menstrual irregularities, menopausal complaints, headaches, mental and emotional problems, headaches, diabetes, etc. along with IBS, MS, and immune system weakness!

Scientific American article Think Twice: How the Gut’s “Second Brain” Influences Mood and Well-Being

Dec 082012
 

Research that shows electrical acupuncture stimulation on an acupuncture point traditionally used to aid digestion and strengthen immune system does in fact influence digestive tract function. What may be very impressive to the lay person is to note that it is on the leg and not on the abdomen!! More proof that an ancient health system works!

These results suggest acupuncture on this point has the “potential to influence gastric mucous substances and enteroendocrine cells (gastrin, serotonin, CGRP, insulin, and PP) that subsequently modulate digestive functions”.

Notes:
‘CGRP’ refers to Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide, ‘PP’ refers to Pancreatic Peptides, and enteroendocrine cells refers to different types of hormone-secreting cells present throughout the epithelium of the digestive tract

Dec 082012
 

Research: Stimulation of Acupuncture Point Activates Neural Responses Associated with Parkinson’s Disease

Research showing that several areas in the brain responds to Acupuncture, and in this case, specific areas that are involved in Parkinson’s Disease. Conclusion of research: Acupuncture may be effective in improving the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.

Nov 292012
 

Dear Sheryl,

Thank you SO MUCH for aiding in my extraordinarily speedy recovery from my total knee replacement surgery, which I had on June 25, 2012. I owe much of it to your skillful acupuncture techniques, very specific herbs, and your expert advice on nutrition and other helpful suggestions, before and after my surgery.

I have well surpassed the expectations of my surgeon, Charles E. Wilhite, M.D., nurses and physical therapists. Not only am I experiencing more flexibility (up to the maximum), but less swelling and redness around the incision. My incision is getting smaller by the day and I’ve been told by my surgeon that it will be nearly invisible sooner than expected. He said outright, “Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it!”

I have also had other problems that you have been able to help me with. You have worked wonders for injuries sustained by me a few years after being struck and rolled over on by a car in 2000. At the time I was being treated by a chiropractor with a “cooky cutter” approach for a few years until you were recommended by my massage therapist, Elizabeth Evans, CMT, who worked on me in the same chiropractor’s office. Recently you saved me from having risky surgery on the vertebrae in my neck by your remarkable acupuncture techniques.

If someone were to ask me to pick only one health care provider, it will be you!

Thank you again,
Arleen P.
Magalia, CA

Nov 292012
 

Yunnan Bai Yao

My first experience many years ago with this traditional Chinese medicine was dramatic. I was studying in Taiwan. One afternoon I fell in my tiny shower and cut a deep crescent of forehead and scalp open on the shower head bracket. Bleeding profusely, not speaking Chinese well yet, I got dressed, clamped a towel over my forehead, and ran across the street to my teacher. He took one look and got out some brown powder, which he sprinkled into the wound, and made me also swallow some. I thought I would be getting an infection and probably die far from home with this strange treatment. I had been imagining stitches, scarring, and pain. However, the bleeding stopped immediately and there was no swelling or pain. After less than a week of taking more of the Yunnan Bai Yao daily and placing it on the cut, the wound was nearly healed. After only a week, the large curved flap looked like an old wound, and it healed with almost no scar. I generally scar and bruise easily so this was amazing. Now, years later, there’s no mark. I still use it on any cut, before going to the dentist or having a procedure like a colonoscopy, and on my cat as well, in small doses.

Once I was at a workshop, and a friend there had been having violent nosebleeds. As the evening went on his nose began to bleed profusely. I always carry some Yunnan Bai Yao in my purse for emergencies. Another friend who is a TCM practitioner was there, and we gave the “emergency pill” to our friend, and had him snort some of the powder into his nose. The bleeding stopped. He went to a local emergency room where he had recently been treated for the nosebleeds, and the doctors there were very surprised at the lack of bleeding and swelling they expected to see. He did not need a painful cauterization, and even was able to rejoin our gathering.

More recently I recommended it to a friend about to have surgery on her nose. She and her surgeon expected her nose would be quite disfigured as the cancer on her nose would have to be dug out, bit by bit, leaving a pit. However, she took the red “emergency pill” in the packet of Yunnan Bai Yao the day before the surgery, swallowed some of the capsules and following her surgery she used the powdered form in the wound and took the capsules daily. It healed with little swelling or bruising in a very short time, and after a few weeks her nose showed no sign of the procedure. The depression in the tip of the nose filled in completely. Her surgeon was astounded, and very interested in learning more about this Chinese “wonder drug.”

J Walker

Nov 292012
 

For almost thirty years I have relied on acupuncture to heal from illness and injury. Ten years ago when I moved to Paradise I found Sheryl to be an attentive and capable practitioner. Her skill with herbal medicine and acupuncture nursed me through one of the most dire flues I have ever had. Also during stressful times I have used acupuncture to assist me, most recently as I undertook a Graduate degree. Often during an acupuncture treatment I would fall asleep, aside from rebalancing my system, this would allow me to recover the much needed rest that I had missed due to studying, reading, or paper writing.
Furthermore, I have found that when I injure a muscle, acupuncture can relax the strain.
Diane Buuck, PhD, MFT

Nov 292012
 

Drippy, sniffy noses, chills and fever, watery eyes and choked coughs with some bazooka-sized sneezes typify the winter flu season at our house. Our symptoms have been greatly minimized by the Chinese Tea we get each year from Heavenly Herbs. It is a special mixture Sheryl recreated from a mix we got in China in 2005 when my husband got a terrible cold in Beijing. It’s an interesting combination of something that looks like a chrysanthemum, a pit that expands in water, goji berries and an assortment of other odd – but now familiar – flakes of herbs that we steep whenever we feel those sniffles coming on. Although it looks strange, my daughter, my husband and I all swear by it, as do our friends and relatives who are now devotees to Sheryl’s Chinese tea. If you want a little extra protection or a way to lessen the length of a cold, ask Sheryl for some of Alice’s Chinese Tea. It’s not magic, but it works better for us than anything else out there!

Nov 012012
 

Acupuncture at Cancer Center at Enloe Hospital, Chico, Ca.
This Acupuncture Clinic is low-cost for any cancer patient, whether your oncologist is affiliated with this hospital or not. Acupuncture is done here mainly to treat patients for the side effects of radiation and chemo, such as nausea and nerve damage, but acupuncture is an excellent addition to your cancer treatment protocol for many reasons.

Acupuncture FAQs at Enloe Cancer Center

Nov 012012
 

This Traditional Chinese Medicine patent medicine is very famous for treating the symptoms of hayfever and other allergies (dust, pet dander, etc.) such as a runny nose (rhinitis), itchy eyes and nose, sinus congestion and headaches. It even can be used on your pets too for their allergies! For more details, see this patient handout:

Bi Yan Pian