On March 12, just one day after the enormous quake and tsunami hit the Northwest Japan, when I saw Lady Gaga’s wrist band sale for supporting the victims, I was SO impressed by her swift move! I bought one for me, the other one for my hubby right away. She was reported to [...]]]>

On March 12, just one day after the enormous quake and tsunami hit the Northwest Japan, when I saw Lady Gaga’s wrist band sale for supporting the victims, I was SO impressed by her swift move! I bought one for me, the other one for my hubby right away. She was reported to donate 3 mil. to the victims.

Lady Gaga is now in Japan, participating in MTV VIDEO MUSIC AID JAPAN. She’s extended her stay until July 1st. She’s planning to go visit the quake stricken cities and towns in the Northwest.

She’s almost always on top of every trends. Amazing.

However, I have not heard of Lady Gaga, GAGA-ing about acupuncture yet, unlike other celebs like Kate Winslet, Céline Dion, Kate Moss, Madonna, Neve Cambell and Cher, or athletes like Jerry Rice and Steve Young, former San Francisco 49ers players, NBA’s Shaquille O’Neal, and professional golfers like Michele Wie and Fred Couples, and probably many more.

Am waiting for her to do so sometime soon!

Throughout his life, he advocated the effects of moxibustion on ST36 Zusanli, an acupuncture point on Stomach Meridian (for location, see photos below) as a method of health promotion and freedom from disease.

EFFECTS OF MOXIBUSTION Dr. Hara describes the effects of moxibustion in [...]]]> In my previous blog 108 Years Old Doctor, I introduced Dr. Shimetaro Hara.

Throughout his life, he advocated the effects of moxibustion on ST36 Zusanli, an acupuncture point on Stomach Meridian (for location, see photos below) as a method of health promotion and freedom from disease.

EFFECTS OF MOXIBUSTION
Dr. Hara describes the effects of moxibustion in his book, Manbyo-ni-Kiku Okyu Ryoho (Moxibustion Therapy Effective for All Diseases), Jistugyo-no-Nippon Sha 1933, p.133:

1. Increased White Blood Cells
The white blood cell count begins to increase immediately after moxibustion, and reaches a peak eight hours later. This peak is maintained for 24 hours. The number declines somewhat after three days, but it remains elevated for four to five days after moxibustion. The white blood cell count almost doubles with moxibustion, but when applied continuously for six weeks, the increase is sustained for up to 13 weeks after moxibustion is discontinued.

2. Increased Phagocytic Acitivty of the White Blood Cells
With tyhpoid bacilli the phagocytic activity increases just 15 minutes after moxibustion. The activity reaches a peak in two to three days, and gradually declines after that. Phagocytic activity is greater than normal for about a week after moxibustion but, when moxibustion is applied continuously, the increase in this activity continues for a longer period.

3. Increased Red Blood Cells and Hemoglobin
For subjects who had an average hemoglobin ratio of 78% just before moxibustion, the ratio increased steadily to reach a peak of 90% in 8 weeks. Applying moxibustion continuously for 15 weeks, it takes 22 weeks for the red blood cell count to return to what it was before moxibustion.

4. Increased platlet count and speed of blood coagulation

5. Increased Blood Calcium

6. Increased Capacity of Producing Antibodies

SMALL FIRE CREATES BIG FIRE – HISTOTOXIN
Dr. Hara claimed that these experimental results were produced by minute amounts of “histotoxin” (denatured protein), which stimulated an increase in blood constituent and their activity.

Furthermore, he enlisted the concept of homeopathy to explain that, while large amounts of “histotoxin” from big burns are harmful to the body, minute amounts of this substance from the continuous application of moxibustion was actually beneficial and useful for maintaining health.

(Source: Junji Mizutani, R.Ac., Practical Moxibustion Therapy (7) pp.19-21, July 1996, North American Journal of Oriental Medicine)

STRONG IMMUNITY = ANTI-AGING
Recent research further reveals additional effects of moxibustion on immunity such as:

● Increased Helper T cells, natural killer cells released outside the blood vessels
● Rise in the appearance of cytokine (INF-v, IL-2mRNA) in the lymph nodes

(Source: Tohya Kazuo, “Research Related to the Activation of Immunological Effect with Moxibustion Therapy, The Journal of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Vol.52, No.1, February 2002.)

EASY HOME THERAPY
Moxibustion is a very easy and the least expensive home therapy once you learn how to do it yourself.

Some of my clients have learned how to do it and found it very effective for pain symptoms such as rheumatoid arthritis, and so forth.

I would like to talk about how to perform the moxibustion at home in my upcoming blog.

SECRET OF LONGEVITY There was a doctor who practiced medicine until he was 104 years old.

His name is Shimetaro Hara, M.D. (photo at left). Born in Fukuoka, Japan in 1882. Founder of Kashiihara Hospital in Fukuoka. (http://www.kashiihara.or.jp/)

He had been the oldest living Japanese man for two months when he passed away on June 18, 1991 at [...]]]>

SECRET OF LONGEVITY
There was a doctor who practiced medicine until he was 104 years old.

His name is Shimetaro Hara, M.D. (photo at left). Born in Fukuoka, Japan in 1882.
Founder of Kashiihara Hospital in Fukuoka. (http://www.kashiihara.or.jp/)

He had been the oldest living Japanese man for two months when he passed away on June 18, 1991 at age of 108 years old.

So what is his secret of his longevity?

…It is daily “Moxibustion.”

Moxibustion (Moxa + combustion) is a heat application treatment on the acupuncture points with the use of a herb called “Moxa”(see photo at right). It is an essential part of Japanese-style Acupuncture.

The purpose of moxibustion is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of Qi (Chi), and enhance the immune system.

LIFELONG MOXIBUSTION ADVOCATE
At Kyushu University Medical School, Dr. Hara conducted moxibustion research including, “The Hematological Effects of Moxibustion.” In this study, he found moxibustion’s effects on increased white blood cell counts and enhanced phagocytic activity of the white blood cells.

After that, he became a lifelong advocate of moxibustion as a method of health promotion and freedom from disease.

He diligently practiced this method himself and proved its remarkable effects by living so long. There is an episode that when his son, also a medical doctor, caught a cold, Dr. Hara scolded his son of not doing moxibustion regularly.

If you would like to learn more about practical application and effects of moxibustion, please read my next blog Small Fire Creates Big Fire.

Thank you for your time for reading my blog!

No oil leaks. Working A/C keeps me cool in this hot Texas summer.

I greatly owe my multi-talented hubby for my car’s excellent condition. He always says “If you take care of your machine, [...]]]> I drive 1995 VW Golf. I’ve put almost 220,000 miles on it.

Other than some chipped paint on the hood, my Golf runs great!

No oil leaks.
Working A/C keeps me cool in this hot Texas summer.

I greatly owe my multi-talented hubby for my car’s excellent condition.
He always says “If you take care of your machine, it will take care of you.”
I truly believe it.

You see, our body is same.
If you take care of your body, it will take care of you.

There are many similarities between our body parts and automobiles.
When I saw my husband using a stethoscope for a diagnosis on my Golf’s engine, I said “Wow! You’re like a doctor!”

As our car needs some maintenance, our body needs it, too.
Getting acupuncture is like giving yourself a maintenance.

Most people know acupuncture works for pain.
What they may not realize is that acupuncture and herbs work for longevity.

They can enhance our immune system.
Strong immunity assures us long life.

It’s an anti-aging therapy.

Here is a living proof.

Dr. Shimetaro Hara, a Japanese doctor who practiced medicine up until he was 104 years old.

Amazing, isn’t he?

The secret of his longevity is a daily “Moxibustion” performed on his body.

Click my next blog 108 Years Old Doctor. to learn more about moxibustion.

E-L-I-M-I-N-A-T-I-O-N.

Without good and regular bowel movement, no matter how well we eat or how much exercise we do, our health is compromised.

So I highly recommend GoodBelly.

It contains Lactobacillus Plantarum 299v (LP299v). Free of dairy, tree nuts or peanuts, wheat, fish or seafood. [...]]]> What is one of the most important systems in our body?

E-L-I-M-I-N-A-T-I-O-N.

Without good and regular bowel movement, no matter how well we eat or how much exercise we do, our health is compromised.

So I highly recommend GoodBelly.

It contains Lactobacillus Plantarum 299v (LP299v). Free of dairy, tree nuts or peanuts, wheat, fish or seafood. The is a very tasty probiotic.

This unique strain of bacteria is very hardy against stomach acids and great for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a condition in which a person experience chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits in the absence of any detectable organic cause.

In Swedish study introduced in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, “In people, LP 299v increases the concentration of carboxylic acids in feces and decreases abdominal bloating in patients with IBS. It can also decrease fibrinogen concentrations in the blood.”

In animal research, “it also improves the immunological status of mucosa and reduces mucosal inflammation.”
To read full article, click: http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/8525697700573E1885256A0C006D6D93

I suggest 2-3 GoodBelly drinks each day for at least 90 days to establish a colony of “friendly bacteria.” I hear good success story from many people who take GoodBelly daily. It works on people with all types of digestive problems.

CAUTION: Each drink contains 9g of sugar. So it is not recommended for people with diabetes.

Another consideration for “Good Belly”: Various GI problems such as constipation, diarrhea, IBS, Ulcerative Colitis, and Crohn’s disease can be treated by acupuncture and herbs.

In case of chronic Ulcerative Colitis, use of herbs may reduce use of adrenocortical steroids. (“Significance of Treatment with Kampo Medicines for Ulcerative Colitis” by Matsuike et al., See http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/article/199919/000019991999A0536208.php)

When treating these conditions with Traditional Asian Medicine (TAM), acupuncturist takes a close look at a patient’s nature of pain, Excess or Deficient type, Cold or Heat type, emotional stress, tongue and pulse signs, dietary factors and so forth. It requires somewhat a detective work to determine 証 “Zheng” (diagnosis) in TAM. It is possible that two individuals with the same western diagnosis to get two different Zheng in TAM.

Herbs vs. HRT

A 2005 study conducted at Osaka Medical College compared the effect of the Blood-moving formula, Cinnamon and Poria (Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan), on peripheral blood flow in post-menopausal women suffering from hot flashes, to that of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

As women with hot flahses show significantly higher blood flow under [...]]]>

Herbs vs. HRT

A 2005 study conducted at Osaka Medical College compared the effect of the Blood-moving formula, Cinnamon and Poria (Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan), on peripheral blood flow in post-menopausal women suffering from hot flashes, to that of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

As women with hot flahses show significantly higher blood flow under the jaw than those without hot flashes, the jaw area was measured in both groups, finding either medication effective in lowering this excessive blood flow significantly.

However, Cinnamon and Poria group also significantly increased blood flow in the lower extremities, where HRT decreased it.

The reserachers’ conclusion was that the herbal formula was preferable to HRT for treatment of hot flashes in the face and upper body, with concomitant coldness in the lower body, a common symptoms of menopause. (Ushiroyama T, et al, 2005)

Acupuncture Brings Balance

This is a good example to show how herbs and acupuncture help to bring balance to our body. Menopausal symptoms are signs of Yin (cold) and Yang (hot) imbalances.Although Cinnamon and Poria is commonly used to treat endometriosis and uterine fibroids, the above research reveals another application of this herbal formula and proves it to be very effective for hot flashes.

CAUTION: Some health food stores may carry this common formula. However, do not purchase it on your own. This formula may not be right for you. In addition, the herbs sold at the health food stores are usually more expensive. So, please always seek a consultation from a certified acupuncturist and herbalist.

Other menopausal symptoms such as:
- night sweats
- insomnia
- low libido
- vaginal dryness

can also be treated by acupuncture and herbal remedies. Please contact masako@mypathtowellness.com

Dr. Andrew Weil recommends flaxseeds for lowering high cholesterol level.

2 tablespoons of flax contains about 1.5 grams of soluble fiber, which is known to lower cholesterol. This may explain the results of a study in which women who added 2 tablespoons of ground [...]]]> Two Tablespoons of Freshly Ground Flaxseeds Every Eay Can Reduce High Cholesterol Level

Dr. Andrew Weil recommends flaxseeds for lowering high cholesterol level.

2 tablespoons of flax contains about 1.5 grams of soluble fiber, which is known to lower cholesterol. This may explain the results of a study in which women who added 2 tablespoons of ground flax to their daily diet for 4 weeks had a 9 percent drop in total cholesterol and an 18 percent drop in LDL cholesterol; HDL levels stay the same (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, April 2002)

Known for its high fiber content, flax’s greatest value may come from its abundance of lignans, a class of phytoestrogens. These plant compounds with estrogen-like activity may protect against hormone-driven cancers and also act as antioxidants. In addition, the alpha-linolenic acid (LNA) found in flax also provides the body with much-needed omega-3 fatty acids. LNA is converted in the body to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the omega-3s found in oily fish like salmon.

Avoid flax oil because when most flax oil is made, the beneficial lignans and fiber from flaxseeds are eliminated. Also flax oil easily goes rancid.

This is how you make your own jar of flaxseeds. Flaxseeds must be ground for your body to absorb its nutrients. Buy organic flaxseeds sold at most natural food stores. Do not buy ready-to-use ground flaxseeds because they may have already become rancid. Grind flaxseeds yourself. Grind a half-cup at a time in a coffee grinder or blender and refrigerate in an airtight opaque container for up to 30 days. Sprinkle on cereals, salads, and cooked vegetables, or add to shakes and nut butters.

2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds have about 4.5g of fiber, 3g of omega-3s as LNA, 3g of protein, 5g of fat, less than 6g of carbohydrates, and 80 calories.

What is Success Rate of IVF Only?

Overall success rates for IVF [...]]]> Céline Dion has recently announced that she is pregnant with twins. She also revealed that she combined acupuncture with IVF (in-vitro fertilization). She is one of the many women who turn themselves to this ancient healing art to optimize the success rate of IVF.

What is Success Rate of IVF Only?

Overall success rates for IVF procedures are around 28% in women under 30 years old, about 8% for women age 39, and only 3% for women age 44.
Miscarriage rates are significantly higher for pregnancies in which hormonal stimulation has been used.

German Study

In a study reported by Christian-Lauritzen Institute in Germany, researchers tested the effects of acupuncture on women undergoing IVF.
According to this study, clinical pregnancies were documented in 34 of 80 patients (42.5%) in the acupuncture group, whereas the pregnancy rate was only 26.3% (21 out of 80 patients) in the control group (Fertil Steril. 2002 Oct: 78(4):891). This is 62% more success rate for the group who received acupuncture treatments.

British Study

The British Medical Journal reports that numerous additional scientific studies subsequently confirmed that IVF, when used simultaneously with acupuncture, could increase the success rate by 65 percent. It also notes that the acupuncture treatment is safe and cost effective procedure, compared with IVF of which average cost is $12,400. (BMJ, doi: 10.1136/bmj.39471.430451.BE, February 2008)

How Acupuncture can Help You During IVF?

During acupuncture session, needles are administered to key points in the body to improve the flow of energy and the balance of certain body chemicals. Acupuncture also has been shown to increase optimism and reduce stress and anxiety during IVF procedure.

Timing of Acupuncture with IVF

The best time to receive the acupuncture is within a few hours before or after the IVF procedure. One example is that a client of mine received an acupuncture session just after the IVF. It was a chilly October morning. She later told me that after the acupuncture she felt pleasantly warm and relaxed all day long. To my delight, a several weeks later, she informed me that she was successfully conceived. Now she is a proud mother of a beautiful baby boy.

A Suggestion

It is recommended that women start their acupuncture treatments three months before their planned Assisted Reproduction Therapy such as IVF. This way the women will be ready physically and mentally.

Ideally, it is better that a husband or partner receives acupuncture, too. Normally, the couple going under IVF feel very stressed out. Stress is a big culprit to the couple’s reproductive health. Acupuncture helps the couple relax during the procedure.

I would like to add that for your well-being and your relationship with your doctor, you might want to let your medical team know that you are getting acupuncture sessions. I think they have every right to know what you are doing.

If you would like to schedule an acupuncture consultation, please contact masako@mypathtowellness.com or (512) 585-3268.

This will be a more casual exploration of health, nutrition, healthy foods, natural beauty and skin care, Qi Gong, Taichi… and many more.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you and sharing our adventures as we travel the Path to Wellness.

To make sure we can stay in touch, I [...]]]> Hi, I’m Masako. Welcome to my blog!

This will be a more casual exploration of health, nutrition, healthy foods, natural beauty and skin care, Qi Gong, Taichi… and many more.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you and sharing our adventures as we travel the Path to Wellness.

To make sure we can stay in touch, I am inviting you and your friends to subscribe to my blog and receive the free gift.

Enjoy and thank you for stopping by.