Physical activity performed in midlife or later appears to be associated with improved cognitive function, according to a report in the January Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Mild cognitive impairment can occur with age and dementia, affecting normal thinking, learning and memory. Each year, 10 to 15 percent of individuals with mild cognitive impairment develop dementia, compared to 1 to 2 percent of the general population. Previous studies have indicated that exercise may improve cognitive abilities. Exercise can benefit health by: • Improving mood. • Combating chronic disease. • Maintaining weight loss. • Increasing energy. • Regulating sleep patterns. The study, led by Laura D. Baker, Ph.D., of the University of Washington, evaluated findings from a trial involving 33 adults with mild cognitive impairment. A group of 23 were assigned to an aerobic exercise group and exercised at high intensity levels for 45 to 60 minutes per day, four days per week. A second group of 10 individuals performed non-aerobic stretching exercises. The individuals in the high-intensity aerobic exercise group experienced improved cognitive function compared with those in the non-aerobic group. "Aerobic exercise is a cost-effective practice that is associated with numerous physical benefits. Exercise also provides a cognitive benefit for adults with mild cognitive impairment without the cost and adverse effects associated with most pharmaceutical therapies," the authors say. Physical exercise may protect against mild cognitive impairment via production of nerve-protecting compounds, greater blood flow to the brain, improved development of neurons, and the decreased risk of heart and blood vessel diseases. Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine therapy and massage for a wide range of health conditions as well as for overall wellness. To schedule an appointment call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso. Feb.2. … Read More

Congratulations to the Acupuncture & Massage College students who participated in the Chinese New Year celebration held at Miami Dade College Kendall campus last Sunday! Acupuncture & Massage College students who participated in this event included: Loren Browne, Yanely de Armas, Dionne Ambert, Angel Collins, Jennifer Broadwell, Tammy Anderson, Michelle Daniels, Luis Sanchez, Carmen Garcia, and Rosa Cerda. The students were terrific and offered mini-massages, stress surveys and information about AMC’s Clinic services and Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs to event attendees. A very successful day! For information about our classes or treatment please call 305.595.9500 … Read More

Individuals with asthma may experience a worsening in asthmatic symptoms if they have a vitamin D deficiency, according to a new study. Vitamin D can affect lung function and asthmatic treatment. "Our findings suggest that low vitamin D levels are associated with worse asthma," says lead researcher Dr. E. Rand Sutherland, from the division of pulmonary and critical care medicine at National Jewish Health in Denver. Vitamin D is found in several dietary sources such as milk, fish and fish oils and eggs. In addition, the sun increases production of vitamin D; as little as 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure can help to prevent deficiencies. Health benefits of vitamin D: • Maintains calcium balance. • Regulates blood pressure. • Strengthens immunity. • Prevents viral infections. "It may be that vitamin D is acting as a modifier of the immune system or a modifier of steroid response in ways that are relevant to people with asthma,” adds Sutherland. The study appears in the January 28 edition of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Findings indicate that a vitamin D deficiency may be linked to an increased inflammation and constriction of the airways. Restoring normal vitamin D levels in people with asthma may help to improve the respiratory condition. Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and massage for the treatment of asthma as well as a wide range of health conditions. To schedule an appointment call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calare … Read More

It's Sunday in Miami and the weather is quite unusual for us this time of year. It our dry season yet it has been raining just about every day. Lately we have experienced more cold spells than I can remember in the 32 years that I have taken up residence here. Today the air is crisp and the wind is blowing fiercely. I am on my way to visit my mother at the assisted living facility in Homestead. She is 84 years old and hardly knows who I am or where she now resides. … Read More

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment for massage therapists is expected to increase 20 percent from 2006 to 2106, faster than average for all occupations. Key points about the current massage therapy industry: • Massage therapists schedule an average of 41 massages per month and charge an average of $63 for an hour of massage. • Average annual income for a massage therapist is $31,500. • Practitioners work in several settings, including their home, spa, salon, office, health care setting, and health club. • Massage therapy is practiced as a second career for eighty-two percent of practitioners. • Currently, 42 states and the District of Columbia regulate massage therapists or provide voluntary state certification. • Since 2003, an average of 21 percent of adults has received at least one massage per year, according to annual AMTA consumer surveys. • Spas are where most people now receive massage. • Health care providers are increasingly promoting massage to their patients; more than half of massage therapists receive referrals from health care professionals. • Hospital massage therapy programs have increased by 30 percent in the past two years. Massage is commonly offered for patient pain management, stress and comfort. • Both consumers and massage therapists favor integration of massage into health care. • Over half of adults would like to see their insurance cover massage therapy. For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs call Joe Calareso, Admissions Director, at (305) 595-9500. … Read More

Individuals who follow the Mediterranean dietary pattern, rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and fish, appear less likely to develop depression, according to a study in a recent issue of Archives of General Psychiatry. Previous research has suggested that the monounsaturated fatty acids in olive oil, used abundantly in the Mediterranean diet, may be associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms. Almudena Sánchez-Villega., Ph.D., from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, and colleagues studied 10,094 healthy participants who completed an initial questionnaire between 1999 and 2005. Participants reported their dietary intake on a food frequency questionnaire, and the researchers calculated their adherence to the Mediterranean diet based on multiple components: Moderate intake of dairy products, low intake of meat and high intake of legumes, fruit, nuts, cereals, vegetables, and fish. After a midpoint of 4.4 years of follow-up, 480 new cases of depression were identified. Individuals who followed the Mediterranean diet most closely had a greater than 30 percent reduction in the risk of depression than whose who had the lowest Mediterranean diet scores. Components of the diet may improve blood vessel function, fight inflammation, reduce risk for heart disease, and repair oxygen-related cell damage, all of which may decrease the chances of developing depression. In addition to a healthy diet, acupuncture can aid in the treatment of depression by: • Increasing cerebral serotonin, which has anti-depressant analgesic effects. • Reducing fatigue and other symptoms of depression. • Elevating mood. • Stabilizing hormonal imbalance. Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and massage for the treatment of a wide range of conditions as well as for overall wellness. To schedule an appointment at the Clinic call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director. … Read More

Results from the 13th annual consumer survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association indicate that an increasing number of Americans are seeking massage for medical and health reasons, with relaxation and stress reduction as the top reasons people get massages. A vast majority of Americans, 86 percent, agree that massage can be effective in reducing pain, and 85 percent agree that massage can be beneficial for health and wellness. “Even with the ongoing economic crisis, people are not willing to compromise their health,” says Judy Stahl, AMTA president. “It’s a clear signal of massage’s value when those making less than $35,000 a year are the second most active income bracket getting massage therapy.” Massage is effective for: • Fatigue. • Low back pain. • Knee osteoarthritis. • Boosting the body’s immune system functioning. • Lowering blood pressure. • Reducing headache frequency. For the second year in a row, the survey results show that massage therapy use is fairly steady. Thirty-two percent of stressed out Americans are getting massages to relieve their stress and 57 percent of Americans say they feel more stressed this year than last year, particularly among females (61 percent) and those ages 18-24 (66 percent). “Consumers understand that massage therapy is essential to a healthy balance between stress and relaxation,” said Stahl. “We are pleased to see that consumers are prioritizing massage to help them through these difficult times.” Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture, massage and Chinese herbal medicine therapy for the treatment of a wide range of health conditions as well as for overall wellness. To schedule an appointment at the Clinic call (305) 595-9000. For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director. … Read More

Boosting your immune system with herbs can aid in keeping your body in optimal condition to combat bacteria, infections and viruses. Today there is an increasing emphasis on strengthening the immune system through disease prevention rather than by treating existing illness. Traditional Chinese medicine recognizes that illness is caused by a weakened immune system. Herbal remedies can enhance the body’s natural defense mechanisms. Herbs can also allow your body to resist infectious agents without the adverse side effects of conventional medications. The immune system has two defense mechanisms: Natural, which utilizes white blood cells to protect from disease, and acquired, in which specialized cells strengthen and increase antibodies to defend against pathogens. While many individuals depend on pharmaceuticals for health and treatment of illness, over 80 percent of the world’s population relies on herbal remedies for healing and health. By allowing the body to combat infections without antibiotics, medicinal herbs can strengthen the immune system against future illness and disease. Herbs that strengthen the immune system: • Echinacea activates immune system chemicals which can increase defense mechanisms against viruses and bacteria. • Astragalus is a Chinese herb which has anti-viral properties and contains antioxidants. • Ginkgo biloba improves circulation and strengthens blood vessels. • Goldenseal stimulates the immune and digestive systems. Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine therapy for health and disease prevention. To schedule an appointment at the Clinic call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director. … Read More

As the health care debate continues, the current edition of America’s Health Rankings has identified trends that support the need to ensure disease prevention is part of the health care reform. Based on two decades of consistent tracking, the rankings survey calls for the nation to change unhealthy behaviors that are contributing to preventable, chronic diseases. Trends cite smoking as the greatest health challenge of the past 20 years and warn obesity is likely to be the next national health concern. The health care system has become adept at treating illnesses and disease, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. However, Americans are struggling to modify risk factors, such as smoking, poor eating habits and lack of exercise, which contribute to chronic diseases. The United States currently spends more than any other nation on health care, including $1.5 trillion in medical costs associated with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. These chronic, preventable conditions all have a direct link to smoking and obesity, the nation’s two largest national risk factors. Making progress against smoking and obesity is a critical step to successfully tackling the health reform our nation wants to achieve. How the nation measures up: • Nearly one in five Americans still smoke, which is only 8 million people fewer than 20 years ago. • Over the past 20 years, the nation has seen significant declines in infectious diseases. • Challenges include the rising uninsured rate. • Obesity is growing faster than any previous public health issue our nation has faced. More than one in four Americans are considered obese. As medicine shifts from treatment of diseased conditions to potential diseases, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an obvious prospect with its emphasis on prevention of diseases in health care. Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers TCM therapies such as acupuncture, massage and Chinese herbal medicine. These therapies can aid in regulating and maintaining health. To schedule an appointment call (305) 595-9500. For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director. … Read More

Each year, hundreds of people attempt to stop smoking with hypnosis, nicotine replacement and prescription medications. Acupuncture is a drug-free way to stop smoking and stay nicotine free. Acupuncture stimulates natural endorphin release, which reduces nicotine cravings and detoxifies the body. Acupuncture treats many of the symptoms people experience when quitting smoking, including: • irritability • sleep disturbances • concentration difficulties • restlessness • headaches • fatigue • increased appetite • weight gain When combined with acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine can aid in the smoking cessation process. Often herbs are recommended to control cravings or withdrawal symptoms. Your acupuncture physician will interview you to learn more about your smoking habits in order to create an individualized treatment program that eases the emotional and physical symptoms you may experience when quitting smoking. Acupuncture therapy aids in addressing your particular triggers for smoking and how to avoid them. Exercise and dietary modifications may be recommended to help cleanse the body of toxins and prevent relapse. Your acupuncture physician may incorporate stress management techniques and tips for dealing with cravings. For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs call Joe Calareso, Admissions Director, at (305) 595-9500. Dec.20. … Read More

In Traditional Chinese medicine lifestyle is very important in determining overall health. Treatment of a wide range of health conditions and common ailments includes the five pillars of Chinese medicine: Acupuncture, Chinese herbs, Tui Na massage, qigong exercises, and lifestyle recommendations. Lifestyle recommendations include: • Adequate sleep. Being sleep deprived can weaken constitution and eventually cause illness. • Daily exercise, which strengthens qi circulation. • Stress reduction through yoga, qigong, meditation, deep breathing exercises, or pilates can prevent illness. Acupuncture can also be used as an adjunct therapy to improve lifestyle habits with treatment for smoking cessation, stress reduction and weight loss. Traditional Chinese medicine integrates holistic lifestyle recommendations and treatments for physical, mental and emotional stressors to bring about balance and health. Healthy lifestyle choices means making choices everyday that will enhance health and help prevent disease. Quality foods, exercise, restorative sleep, avoidance of toxins, and stress management are all significantly in our personal control. Research demonstrates that many chronic diseases are largely caused by lifestyle choices and habits. The fundamental principle of preventive health care is that one can utilize lifestyle recommendations that will support health and healing. By making appropriate lifestyle choices, according to season and individual characteristics, health can be optimized. For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs call Joe Calareso, Admissions Director, at (305) 595-9500. … Read More

Female veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are less likely to complain about painful health conditions than male veterans, according to a new study. Findings of the study of more than 91,000 veterans indicate that 43 percent of veterans reported some type of health complaint over one year. Of those, 44 percent of men reported experiencing pain, compared with 38 percent of women. Of those evaluated for persistent pain, 21 percent of men reported symptoms compared with 18 percent of women. Study data contrasts with painful health conditions experienced among the general population, where women often have higher rates of acute and chronic pain disorders and ailments. The findings appear in the journal Pain Medicine, with research led by Dr. Sally Haskell of the VA Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven. While Haskell and her researchers cannot identify why the percentages differ from those in the general population, they believe that combat exposure could be a factor. Higher percentage rates of pain conditions among male veterans may be due to more men serving in a war zone than women, with more of them experiencing injury or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). "A better understanding of the prevalence of pain, as well as sex-specific variations in the experience and treatment of pain, is important for policy makers and providers who seek to improve identification and management of diverse pain disorders,” says Haskell. According to the National Center for PTSD (US Department of Veterans Affairs), about 30 percent of the men and women who have spent time in recent war zones experience combat-induced PTSD. Classified as an anxiety disorder, PTSD can result from the experience or witnessing of traumatic or life-threatening events such as terrorist attack, violent crime, torture, genocide, natural disaster, and military combat. Symptom clusters of PTSD include re-experiencing of the event (intrusive memories, flashbacks), emotional numbing and/or behavioral avoidance of trauma-related stimuli and hyper-arousal (difficulty sleeping, irritability, being easily startled). Acupuncture can be an effective addition to treatment regimens for PTSD, alleviating symptoms including insomnia, stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also reduce body pain without medication side effects. Use of complementary therapies (acupuncture, massage and herbal supplements) is widespread among active military veterans. Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers holistic therapies for the treatment of PTSD and many other stress-related conditions and ailments. To schedule an appointment at the Clinic call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director. … Read More

The holiday season can be the most challenging time of year to stick to a diet, lose weight or maintain healthy eating habits. Balance between overindulgence and deprivation during the holidays with these tips: • Have a light snack before heading to holiday parties. Arriving hungry often results in overeating, and consuming foods that are high in saturated fat and calories. • Offer to bring a healthy choice dish when attending a party to ensure that you have some healthy food options. • Situate yourself far from the food table. Close proximity to food makes it more difficult to resist. • Using a small plate is a great way to avoid overeating at holiday events. • Serve big holiday meals buffet style. Getting up for seconds helps prevent overeating that can occur if the food is within arms reach. • Eat once, not all night. Picking at the food table all night can quickly add up calories, and you are more likely to eat less healthy finger foods. • Focus on conversation or activities rather than on food. • Making leftovers into soup is a better option then the usual week’s worth of turkey sandwiches. “The holiday season is a difficult time to control eating,” says Julie Redfern, RD, manager of the Nutrition Consult Services at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “Be more realistic by trying to maintain your weight, rather than lose weight during the holidays.” Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture treatment for weight loss and weight management. To schedule an appointment call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director. Dec.22. … Read More

College students are particularly prone to psychological distress caused by academic pressures, financial strains and uncertain futures. Transcendental meditation can aid in significantly improving students’ mental health. Benefits of transcendental meditation include: • Purposeful, flexible thinking • Energy and vitality • Strong immune functioning • Balanced physiology • Fit cardiovascular system Transcendental meditation may also reduce blood pressure, anxiety and depression among at-risk college students, according to a new study by researchers at the American University and the Maharishi University of Management, which appears in the December American Journal of Hypertension. “The standard transcendental meditation program to reduce stress showed significant decreases in blood pressure and improved mental health in young adults at risk for hypertension,” said David Haaga, study coauthor and American University psychology professor. The study recruited 298 American University students and assigned them to either a transcendental meditation group or a group placed on a three-month wait list for treatment. Improvements in psychological distress, blood pressure and coping occurred in the students practicing the transcendental medication technique. Reductions in blood pressure were also determined to be associated with a lowered risk of hypertension in later years. “This is the first study to show in young adults at risk for hypertension reductions in blood pressure that were associated with changes in psychological distress and coping,” said Sanford Nidich, coauthor and senior researcher at the Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University of Management. College students frequently have more complex problems today than they did over a decade ago, according to the American Psychological Association. Issues range from stress, physical conditions and personality disorders to educational and vocational choices. For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs call Joe Calareso, Admissions Director, at (305) 595-9500. Nov.30. … Read More

The path from enrollment to graduation can be extremely challenging for college students diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Students with ADHD may have difficulties with assignments, reading comprehension, note-taking, tests, and time management, which can result in poor organization, academic underachievement and procrastination. Students with ADHD may also experience distractibility and difficulty focusing. Teen and adult students with ADHD often have to work harder in the less structured college setting. They may want to take steps, including: • Joining study groups • Developing tailored learning plans • Taking a smaller course load • Setting and maintaining academic goals • Scheduling regular meetings with faculty Academic services are often available to students with ADHD, such as study skills assistance and extended time for tests. As many as 3.8 million students in the United States are diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, making it one the most common behavioral disorders. At least 2 million students with ADHD take Ritalin and other prescription stimulants and medications. Acupuncture is an effective therapy for the treatment of ADHD, without the side effects of medications. Many commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD alleviate symptoms but do not treat the root cause of the disorder. Acupuncture can aid students with ADHD in their ability to focus, improve concentration and reduce the need for Ritalin and other medications. Symptoms of ADHD can be reduced with acupuncture, usually after one to four months of weekly acupuncture treatment sessions. A comprehensive program including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and nutritional supplementation can often effectively treat mild cases of ADHD. Acupuncture may also be used as an adjunct therapy in more severe cases to aid in lowering medication dosage and to reduce side effects. Acupuncture is often one of the first treatment choices for teen and adult students with ADHD and is a safe, holistic therapy. For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs call Joe Calareso, Admissions Director, at (305) 595-9500. Dec.1. … Read More