The roundtable discussion scheduled for tonight at Generations has been postponed until the Fall (exact date TBD). Instead, I will give you a preview of some of the information that I was going to talk about.

Many people are familiar with the work of Dr. Christiane Northrup, an MD who focuses on women’s health and empowerment. I remember seeing a video of one of her lectures when I was in acupuncture school. Although I’m not sure I agree with everything she says, one premise she brought up is actually closely aligned with Chinese medicine theory.

To paraphrase, what she said was this: PMS and menstrual problems are indications of underlying disharmony in the body. Women should think of these symptoms as clues, or little reminders from our body, encouraging us to change what is out of balance in our lives.

In other worlds, these annoying symptoms are actually an opportunity. We can choose to use them constructively, making the necessary changes in our health, lifestyle, relationships, etc. However, according to Dr. Northrup, if we ignore these warning signs—watch out! The problem will not go away, but rather will creep back up during our menopausal years.

The same thought is present in Chinese medicine theory—any underlying imbalance in the body will continue to progress throughout the years unless it is treated. The great news is, acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help both menstrual and menopausal symptoms, and the body as a whole.

I want to encourage people to attend the round table, so I’ll post more about this topic, along with some interesting (in my opinion!) case studies after the event.

The Fall discussion will also be expanded to include a section on holistic treatment for infertility. I’ll announce it once I have the exact date. Don’t miss it!

If you visit our office, you will notice a new addition to the decor. Photographer Trisha Barry has loaned us selections from her project Remembering Nichols and Stone.

Nichols and Stone, then one of the oldest furniture manufacturers in the country, closed in 2008. Trisha’s work is a tribute to the company, and to the town of Gardner, MA, which was once well known for its furniture factories.

Trisha writes: “Working on this project has given me great insight into the plight faced by workers who face everyday the loss of their means of achieving a good living with their hands, and the pride one takes from fine craftsmanship in an era that has vanished.”

Although the photographs are of an industrial setting, the color and lighting make them remarkably soothing. Trisha doesn’t have a website, so the only way you will get to see these beautiful photos is by coming in for a treatment! They will be up until the middle of September.

This past weekend, I presented at the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) along with Tess Bois, a community acupuncturist in Fitchburg. It was an inspiring experience, but also one that highlighted a sorry truth about community acupuncture—there are not enough of us to go around!

Our workshop was fairly small, only six participants, and none of the attendees had every experienced an acupuncture treatment before. After talking for a bit about community acupuncture in general and why we got into it, we began doing treatments. Because of the small size of the group, we were able to treat everyone in the zero gravity recliners that Tess brought.

With the six people relaxing in a semi-circle and the lights dimmed, it was a close approximation of how a community acupuncture clinic would actually function. Tess and I were thrilled. It may sound dorky to say it, but I think most community acupuncturists would agree— there is something extremely soul-satisfying in witnessing a group of people sharing healing energy.

The treatments lasted 30 minutes, about half the length of an average acupuncture treatment, and the participants (turned patients) seemed very pleased with the experience. We told them all about the Community Acupuncture Network (CAN), and how to find a community acupuncturist near them.

Unfortunately, several of the attendees lived in areas with no community acupuncturist nearby. For example, did you know that there are no community acupuncture clinics in the entire state of Vermont? It was disappointing to see people– who were so enthusiastic about the concept– let down in this way.

One solution, which we suggested to the participants, is to ask your local acupuncturists to consider starting a community practice, even if it’s only a few days a week. If more acupuncturists start offering affordable treatments, a larger portion of the population will be able to experience acupuncture’s benefits. This results in a greater number of people recommending acupuncture to their friends and family… which leads to more patients for the acupuncturists! It’s a win-win situation!

It’s turning out to be a busy month, with three speaking engagements coming up.

First, this Sunday (August 9) I’ll be presenting at the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) with fellow community acupuncturist Tess Bois. We will be discussing community acupuncture—specifically, how we can be of service to local communities—and offering free treatments to attendees. The workshop is from 8:00am-9:30am at UMass Amherst in the Isenberg School of Management Building, room 129.

On August 19, I will be taping an episode of the Route 9 Veterans Forum on Leicester Public Access, hosted by Bill Moore. We will be discussing the non-profit group Veterans Acupuncture Care (VAC), Metrowest. VAC provides free acupuncture to active military, veterans, and reservists, and their families. I’ll find out specifics about when and where the show will be aired, and it will also get uploaded to the Boxford Cable Access website.

Finally, the good folks at Generations Healing Center in Oxford have invited me back to do a talk on Women’s Health, PMS, and menopause. That will take place on August 28.

If any of these events interest you, please check them out! Is your group or event looking for speakers? I love to talk about acupuncture! Please contact us to set something up.