Acupuncture & Massage BLOG

Shingles, a painful skin condition, may be prevented by Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese martial art, according to researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles. Tai Chi is commonly used as a low-impact exercise for older people.
Study findings indicated that elderly people who performed Tai Chi enjoyed better immune responses against the shingles-causing virus, compared to those who just received health education. Shingles most commonly affects people over the age of 50. Participants in the study included 112 healthy volunteers, aged 59-86. Half of them had three Tai Chi classes each week for 12 weeks, while the other half had health education classes without Tai Chi lessons.
Six months later, those who had received the Tai Chi lessons had almost twice the immunity levels against shingles, compared to the control group. The researchers found that the Tai Chi group managed to develop a level of immunity comparable to younger people who have received the standard vaccine against the shingles-causing varicella zoster virus. The study was recently published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
“These are exciting findings, because the positive results of this study also have implications for other infectious diseases, like influenza and pneumonia,” said lead author Michael Irwin, the Norman Cousins Professor of Psychiatry at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. “Since older adults often show blunted protective responses to vaccines, this study suggests that Tai Chi is an approach that might complement and augment the efficiency of other vaccines, such as influenza.” The results, said Irwin, confirm a positive, virus-specific immune response to a behavioral intervention.
Tai Chi can improve health and fitness levels for people of all ages. Unlike more strenuous physical activities, Tai Chi’s slow, balanced movements are accessible to individuals that may have some physical limitations. Tai Chi practitioners define one of the discipline’s health benefits as the ability to restore a yin-yang physiological balance to chi, or life energy. Muscle movements in Tai Chi exercises stimulate the flow of chi through the body and the major organs.
Tai Chi exercises cultivate growth and storage of chi leading to longer life, better health and faster recovery from accidents. Tai Chi’s aerobic effect increases metabolism and physical conditioning occurs with regular practice. Tai Chi can also help elderly practitioners reduce their risk for falls and boosts the sympathetic nervous system function, which is related to cardiovascular health.
Different tai chi exercises have one thing in common; they have a psychological benefit gained by the mind-body link in Tai Chi exercises. Practice directs the mind to focus on the moves, reduces distractions and results in peace of mind.

For more information about Tai Chi for health and well being call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician and Tai Chi instructor at (305) 595-9500. For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso.

Think depression means only having the blues? Think again.

Researchers say depression often involves rage and hostility and that combination spells big trouble for people who have heart disease said a study published in the February-March 2008 issue of Psychosomatic Medicine.

Emotional issues have long taken their toll on general health, but now studies have pinpointed the way they interact to wreak the ultimate havoc in your heart.

Depression and Hostility elevate inflammatory proteins in the human body, and the combination of hostility plus depression appears to be as dangerous a risk factor for heart disease as smoking.

But national studies show the increasing popularity as a valid way to combat depression in complementary medicine. In fact, some types of massage therapy are a vital component in individual health regimens because they stimulate the body’s Chi s the body can heal itself.

Proven health benefits in massage therapy also include a decrease in pain, stress and anxiety. A qualified expert can manipulate tissue to better flexibility, posture, circulation and athletic performance.

According to the report, there have always been mental health reasons to treat depression and hostility. But now the link to cardiovascular diseases makes it more urgent.

If you are suffering from depression, make an appointment with a licensed massage therapist at Acupuncture & Massage College at 305.595.9500 or to become one, visit www.amcolllege.edu.

Happy Mardi Gras! Tomorrow Fat Tuesday will be gone, and it is the perfect time to lengthen and strengthen with a little Qi Gong.

After the holidays, we may be let a little weak from too much holiday shopping, too much holiday feasting, too much holiday celebrating, and too much holiday stress.

Stress never takes time off, and statistics from NCCAM show that stress-related disorders are at an all-time high. Consequently, other bodily ailments are also on the rise, such as chronic back pain, hypertension and heart disease. All of these can also wreak havoc on your body and mental health.

A powerful way to combat stress and its ancillary disorders is through the ancient, alternative medicine exercise of Qi Gong.

Qi Gong is practiced daily by millions of people in Asia every day, and is one of the most popular modalities within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for health and wellness.

Qi Gong uses meditation and movement to balance the body’s “life energy,” also known as Chi. Qi Gong’s combination of movement, breathing and meditation help to prevent or reduce stress by channeling life-giving bioelectrical Chi to problem areas. How? The simple exercises stimulate certain channels and acupoints on the body thus enhancing the flow of Chi and its effectiveness.

According to experts, a loose translation of the alternative healing term Chi Gong means “cultivation and conservation of vital energy.”

For more information on Qi Gong classes please call expert acupuncture physician Dr. Richard Browne at the Acupuncture and Massage College in Miami at 305.595.9500. Or visit www.acupuncturistmiami.com.

TAGS: Mardi Gras, alternative medicine, back pain, complementary medicine, heart disease, hypertension, meditation, mental health, Chi, Qi Gong, stress, stress reduction, Traditional
Chinese Medicine

A good smoking cessation program will combine stress management techniques with tips for dealing with cravings. Smoking cessation is important for your health and offers many health benefits. Soon after smoking cessation, blood pressure returns to normal and circulation improves. Following smoking cessation, breathing becomes easier and your sense of taste and smell return. Smoking cessation can lead to living longer and risk of cancer decreases with each smoke-free year.

Smoking cessation often produces side effects due to nicotine withdrawal such as irritability, weight gain and anxiety. Various types of nicotine replacement therapy can aid in smoking cessation. Smoking cessation can be combined with nicotine patches, gum, nasal spray, inhalers, and/or lozenges that provide a steady dose of nicotine to counteract nicotine cravings. In addition, hypnosis, acupuncture and homeopathic therapies may be included in a smoking cessation plan as stop-smoking methods.

A large percentage of individuals who begin a smoking cessation program go back to smoking within the first three months of smoking cessation due to withdrawal symptoms. Some smokers usually require several attempts at smoking cessation to be successful. Studies have shown that the best smoking cessation programs include either one-on-one or group counseling over a period of at least two weeks. Individuals who participate in smoking cessation programs benefit from a higher quality of life with fewer cold and flu illnesses, improved health and decreased rates of pneumonia and bronchitis.

Dr. Browne has been conducting Stop Smoking Programs since 1990 with excellent results. On the average his programs takes six weeks to complete from start to finish. His patients are conditioned to stop smoking and to stay off the substance for at least one year. If you have tried to quit and just can’t achieve success try Dr. Browne’s system ACU-QUIT

Acupuncture Therapy (ACU-QUIT) and Chinese herbal formulas can aid in reducing withdrawal symptoms and detoxifying the body of nicotine while increasing energy levels. In addition to a smoking cessation plan, individuals should also include dietary modification and exercise. Acupuncture & Massage College is currently offering a health and fitness class on Tuesdays from 7:30 to 9:00 pm that includes yoga, meditation and qigong. For information call 305.595.9500

Only a moderate amount of exercise for health is required to counteract the detrimental effects of inactivity in individuals. While the harmful health effects of choosing a sedentary lifestyle can be high, beginning a moderate exercise for health plan can be beneficial at any time. Individuals who choose to incorporate a moderate exercise for health program do not require a high-intensity workout to get the benefits of exercise. A moderate exercise for health program can result in many cardiovascular health benefits.
Individuals who participate in a moderate exercise for health plan reduce the risks of developing such conditions as stroke, heart disease or diabetes. A moderate exercise for health program can reverse the negative effects of inactivity. Combining moderate exercise for health with a weight loss program can reduce high blood pressure, decrease high blood sugar, reduce high levels of triglycerides, and increase amounts of HDL, or “good” cholesterol.
Research from Duke University Medical Center shows that even a modest amount of brisk walking weekly is enough to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), an increasingly frequent condition linked to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. Metabolic syndrome is usually characterized by elevated levels of cholesterol, obesity and insulin resistance, which is the inability of the body to effectively metabolize carbohydrates and sugars. A combination of moderate exercise for health and weight management is necessary to address the metabolic syndrome epidemic, which is increasing in prevalence. The study appears in the December 15 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology.
A moderate exercise for health program can consist of walking just 30 minutes a day, six days a week. Individuals who do not participate in a moderate exercise for health program and who do not change their diet can expect to gain an average of about one pound every six months, which can add up to an additional 20 pounds over a decade.
Acupuncture & Massage College is offering a health and fitness class on Tuesdays from 7:30 to 9:00 pm that includes yoga, meditation and qigong. For information or to register for the class call (305) 595-9500.

In developing a weight loss plan individuals should view their weight loss goals as part of an overall long-term strategy to achieve an improved state of health. Developing a weight loss plan requires a steady course of weight loss with modest goals that will maximize the probability of permanent weight loss. In developing a weight loss plan, dietary and exercise components must be included. Overweight men and women who develop a weight loss plan with an active exercise program tend to benefit from exercise’s role in permanent weight maintenance.

When exercise is added to dietary modification in developing a weight loss plan, even greater weight loss is possible. Greater weight loss is determined, when developing a weight loss plan, by dietary caloric restriction. Those who make gradual changes in diet and exercise when developing a weight loss plan are more likely to manage their weight and prevent weight cycling. In developing a weight loss plan, smaller, more frequent meals can aid in avoiding binge eating and reducing food cravings while stabilizing blood sugar levels.

In developing a weight loss plan, exercise can aid in regulating appetite and increasing caloric expenditure. Aerobic exercises, in developing a weight loss plan, may include walking, running, skating, and stair-climbing exercises which burn more calories than resistance exercise activities.
Developing a weight loss plan means taking into consideration that if you include diet without exercise you will lower your basic metabolic rate, the number of calories your body uses at rest. Developing a weight loss plan without exercise also means that you lose both muscle and fat, which is counterproductive to permanent weight loss and fitness goals. In developing a weight loss plan, exercise may also include treadmill walking and running, swimming and skiing. Developing a weight loss plan that includes exercise will result in increased energy and strengthened endurance and stamina.

Acupuncture therapy, when included in developing a weight loss plan, can regulate the body’s metabolism, improve functioning of the digestive system and reduce appetite. Acupuncture & Massage College is currently offering a health and fitness class on Tuesdays from 7:30 to 9:00 pm that includes yoga, meditation and qigong. For information or to register for the class call (305) 595-9500.

The Pilates Method is a physical fitness system developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates. Pilates is a total conditioning program that develops “core” muscles in the stomach and back. By developing core strength, the rest of the body moves fully and gracefully without resistance or tension. It’s also a mind-body fitness program that emphasizes proper breathing aligned with precise movements.

Torso stability and core strength, along with six Pilates principles, differentiate the Pilates method from other forms of exercise. The six principles (centering, control, flow, breath, precision, and concentration) are essential ingredients of the Pilates workout. Pilates focuses on the balanced development of the body through core strength, flexibility and awareness to support efficient movement and posture. Mat-based Pilates, the most popular form, is a series of exercises performed on the floor using body weight as resistance. The central aim is to condition the supporting muscles to improve coordination.

Benefits of regular Pilates practice include: improved body alignment, balance and posture, enhanced body awareness, increased flexibility, increased lung capacity and circulation, increased muscle strength, reduced back pain, and increased range of motion. Joint health and bone density improve, as well as positive body awareness. In addition to fitness and health benefits, regular practice is effective in injury prevention and physical rehabilitation work. General practitioners, osteopaths and physiotherapists recommend Pilates as one of the safest forms of exercise.

By strengthening the core torso muscles, back pain is alleviated and preventable. Physical energy exerted from the center aids in coordinating movement. In particular, Pilates teaches awareness of breath and alignment of the spine. Combining Pilates with aerobic activities, such as brisk walking, can improve overall body fitness and endurance.

For information about complementary and alternative therapies for health conditions and wellness call Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

TAI CHI HAS PROVEN HEALTH BENEFITS
Tai Chi, the ancient martial art, can improve health and fitness levels for people of all ages. Unlike more strenuous physical activities, Tai Chi’s slow, balanced movements “are very accessible to older adults or patient populations that may have some physical limitations,” says Dr. Michael Irwin, a professor of psychiatry and a researcher at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, part of the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine.
He’s conducted extensive research on Tai Chi’s health benefits. Tai Chi practitioners define one of the discipline’s health benefits as the ability to restore a yin-yang physiological balance to qi, or life energy. Tai Chi works because the muscle movements in the exercises stimulate the flow of qi through the body and the major organs. Other tai chi exercises cultivate growth and storage of qi leading to longer life, better health and faster recovery from accidents. Irwin says there’s currently no way to scientifically validate this, “But I’m not bothered by that, because there are lots of things in the world that we do not understand because we do not yet have a way to measure them.”
He and other researchers have compared the health of Tai Chi practitioners against that of more sendentary types of individuals. Using a “Medical Outcomes Scale,” researchers have shown “that there are robust improvements in physical function — simple things like being able to carry groceries, walk, go up stairs,” Irwin says. Tai Chi’s aerobic effect increases metabolism and physical conditioning occurs with regular practice. Benefits extend to other areas. Tai Chi can help elderly practitioners reduce their risk for falls. Another UCLA study, to be published soon in the journal Gerontology, showed that Tai Chi boosted the sympathetic nervous system function, which is related to cardiovascular health.
According to Irwin, no one has yet done a study on Tai Chi’s effect on depression, although two UCLA studies did note significant improvements in mood in non-depressed people who took up the practice. Different tai chi moves have one thing in common; they have a psychological benefit gained by the mind-body link in Tai Chi exercises. Practice directs the mind to focus on the moves, reduces distractions and results in peace of mind. For more information about Tai Chi for health and well-being contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

TAI CHI BOOSTS IMMUNE SYSTEM IN OLDER ADULTS

Tai chi chih, the westernized form of the 2,000-year-old Chinese martial art, may protect against the shingles virus by boosting the immune system, according to a new UCLA study. The 25-week study of 112 adults ages 59 to 86 showed practicing tai chi chih alone boosted immunity to a level comparable to having received the standard vaccine against the shingles-causing varicella zoster virus.

The study divided individuals into two groups. Half took tai chi chih classes three times a week for 16 weeks, while the other half attended health education classes—including advice on stress management, diet and sleep habits—for the same amount of time and did not practice tai chi chih. After 16 weeks both groups received a dose of the shingles vaccine Varivax. At the end of the 25-week period, the tai chi chih group achieved a level of immunity two times greater than the health education group. The tai chi chih group also showed significant improvements in physical functioning, vitality, mental health, and reduction of body pain.

When tai chi chih was combined with the vaccine, immunity reached a level normally seen in middle age. The findings demonstrate that tai chi chih can produce a clinically relevant boost in shingles immunity and add to the benefit of the shingles vaccine in older adults. Approximately one-third of adults over 60 acquire the infection. The report appears in the April issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

“These are exciting findings, because the positive results of this study also have implications for other infectious diseases, like influenza and pneumonia,” said lead author Michael Irwin, the Norman Cousins Professor of Psychiatry at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. “Since older adults often show blunted protective responses to vaccines, this study suggests that tai chi is an approach that might complement and augment the efficiency of other vaccines, such as influenza.” The results, said Irwin, confirm a positive, virus-specific immune response to a behavioral intervention.

Dr. Richard Browne has practiced and taught tai chi for over 20 years. For more information about group and private classes, contact Dr. Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

QIGONG FOR HEALTH AND WELLBRING

Qigong or “energy cultivation” is a system of breathing and movement exercises practiced for health maintenance and increased vitality. Forms of traditional Chinese qigong consist of focused intention, physical movement, and mind-body integration to increase the flow of qi.

Qigong forms were originally created in ancient China and descended through various schools (Taoist, Buddhist, Confucian, Neo-Confucian, Chinese medicine, and traditional Chinese martial arts). Modern qigong practices can be categorized as medical, martial or spiritual with overlap between the branches. All styles have similar principles: Posture, breathing techniques and mental focus.

Healing qigong (medical) is the preventative aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Medical qigong is taught for primarily health maintenance purposes but may be tailored for curative intervention. Various forms of qigong are also taught in conjunction with Chinese martial arts, and are prevalent in advanced internal martial arts training. Spiritual qigong developed from Taoism and Buddhism and emphasizes tranquility and self-awareness.

Qigong body movements draw on natural range of joint motion as well as movements in replication of various animals. Health benefits of regular qigong practice include: Improved balance, flexibility, concentration, circulation, increased strength and energy, reduced stress and lowered blood pressure, slower respiratory rate, decreased obsessive-compulsive Type A tendencies, and prevention of illness. Qigong may be beneficial for various diseases and ailments (cardiovascular disease, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, headaches, arthritis, and asthma).

A consistent practice of qigong promotes longevity and has a long-term effect of reestablishing the body/mind/soul connection. Consult the yellow pages for martial arts academies. The National Qigong Association (www.nqa.org) has a directory of regional instructors. For additional information contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305)595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”