Feb. 23rd 2009
Beginning in March, River Valley Acupuncture will be open four days a week. We have added Tuesday evening hours, to accommodate people who need appointments after 5pm. Hours will continue to expand as the schedule fills up.
The new schedule will be:
Mondays 3:30-7:30pm
Tuesdays 4:30-6:30pm
Wednesdays 10:00am-2:00pm
Thursdays 1:30-6:30pm
As a small business, we depend on word-of-mouth referrals to grow. If you have a friend or family with a health concern in the Worcester area, please tell them about our office. They can also contact us through the website with any questions.
Feb. 17th 2009
The United States Air Force recently announced a program that surprised, and thrilled, many acupuncturists.
Apparently, a military physician has been using auricular (ear) acupuncture on soldiers with pain conditions with great success. They have nicknamed the protocol “battlefield acupuncture,” because it is simple enough to do in just about any situation. Doctors at Andrews Air Force Base use it as an adjunctive treatment when traditional painkillers don’t provide enough relief. While being extremely effective for many people, it doesn’t have the side-effects that can go along with pain medication.
This program has been well-publicized (several of my patients have mentioned it to me), and I think that the exposure will help more people learn about the benefits of acupuncture. The protocol also shows one of the exciting aspects of acupuncture for pain management– the needles do not have to be inserted into the painful area in order to get results.
You can read more about the program in this article the Baltimore Sun. For more information about acupuncture for pain relief and other conditions, I suggest contacting a Licensed Acupuncturist.
Feb. 10th 2009
We all want to be healthy, but there are many barriers to taking the first step: not knowing how to make positive changes, being strapped for time, and trying to stick to a strict budget. This blog article will address the third issue.
Ever since I switched my acupuncture practice in Worcester, MA to an affordable community acupuncture style, I have been more aware of how expensive it can be to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Organic foods cost extra, gym memberships are pricy, even a good pair of running shoes can be quite an investment. But I don’t want people to give up on being healthy. So, I have compiled several on-line articles that address solutions to the budget challenges that come with staying fit.
I apologize that most of these sites are commercial and so you will have to look at advertising as you ready the articles– even free advice is not entirely free these days! I don’t endorse any of these advertised products.
Free and Cheap Exercise Ideas:
- This webpage is a compilation of 25 suggestions from different readers. Some of my favorites are: checking out offerings at the local community center, and renting exercise DVDs from the library.
- This article from the Times Online (a magazine from the UK), begins with one woman’s story about giving up her gym membership and includes many helpful tips.
- A short article from WebMD, this discusses the most essential equipment you can get on the cheap for a home gym.
Healthy Eating on a Budget:
- The nutrition expert from the Today show offers practical shopping advice. I would only disagree with her on two things. It is important to get produce in a variety of colors in order to get the most nutritional benefit. Also, if you can afford to buy some organic produce, chose to buy organic versions of the fruits and veggies that are most heavily sprayed with pesticides. Here’s a list.
- The University of Pittsburg Medical Center has a great tip list. My favorite is checking the unit price of groceries.
- Finally, Menus 4 Moms has an article that includes specific low-cost food items and how to not feel deprived when you’re eating on the cheap.
Of course, the standard disclaimer applies here: don’t change your exercise or diet regimens without checking with your MD first.
Have I missed anything? Please leave a comment if you know of other resources or have additional suggestions.
In an ideal world, proper diet and exercise would prevent or cure most of our ailments. However, life happens and sometimes our bodies need a little help. If you would like to find out how acupuncture can help you get healthier while still maintaining your budget, please contact us.
Feb. 5th 2009
I’m sure there were lots of reasons for the Steelers’ dramatic win. But acupuncture may have played a role! Apparently, linebacker James Harrison receives acupuncture twice a week during the season.
Harrison states that acupuncture helps him get “back to feeling as close as I can to how I felt at the beginning of the season, before I take the normal punishment of a season.” The story aired on NBC, but you can read a summary here.
Please ignore the part where Harrison talks about how many needles he used or how deep they went! I don’t know what protocol his acupuncturist was using, but it is certainly not the norm here at River Valley Acupuncture.
