Urgent Request to Contact Legislators
Attention all patients: We need your participation! Please reach out to your legislator (Senator and State Rep) before November 15th and ask them to request that the Joint Committee on Public Health support our bill "An Act Relative to the Practice of Acupuncture", H2051 in the House and S1107 in the Senate. Our testimony on the bill will be heard on November 19th and your calls and emails will influence the outcome.
Who should you contact?
Call or email your Senator and State Rep. Find yours at this link:
https://malegislature.gov/people/findmylegislator
What should you say?
I use acupuncture as an integral part of my healthcare and I am calling to voice my support of Bill# H2051 (House) or S1107 (Senate). If you add your personal experience with acupuncture, it is a plus, but not necessary (The Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Society of Massachusetts is also collecting written testimonials to present to the legislators).
Why should you do this?
This bill seeks to ensure that only licensed acupuncturists with appropriate training are allowed to use acupuncture techniques in Massachusetts. Currently, physical therapists are attempting to utilize acupuncture in their practice by renaming it "dry needling". Unless they are also a Licensed Acupuncturist, they do not have adequate training in order to use this technique in their PT practice. If they are using acupuncture needles, they are practicing acupuncture, which is NOT in their scope of practice.
To find out more about Dry Needling, take a look at the AOMSM Dry Needling Fact Sheet found here:
http://aomsm.org/dryneedlingfactsheet
Thank you, in advance, for your help!
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Acupuncture for Male and Female Infertility & Pregnancy
Fertility Issues
We have helped hundreds of women and men in our clinic become pregnant through acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and moxibustion by improving egg and sperm quality. However, did you know that once women become pregnant we continue to treat them to prevent miscarriage and deal with ailments that consequently arise during pregnancy?
Early Pregnancy / Miscarriage Prevention
It is important, once conception occurs, for most women to have acupuncture at least weekly during the first trimester to secure the pregnancy and prevent miscarriage. Acupuncture prevents miscarriage by keeping progesterone levels steady and by also supplying adequate blood flow to the developing fetus. During pregnancy women often experience nausea, acid reflux, swelling, pain, digestive issues, low energy and high blood pressure. These symptoms can be remedied with treatment as well.
Treatment for Breech Babies
Toward the end of pregnancy, we treat women during week 33 to 35 to turn a baby that is breech. We use an herb called moxa, or mugwort, to stimulate Bladder 67. This acupoint located on the lateral side of the small toe is used because of its ability to stimulate the adrenal glands located above the kidney and give mother and baby enough adrenaline which will turn the baby. This technique is 80 percent effective. Interestingly enough, in other countries, this technique is protocol in order to avoid c-sections, to reduce postpartum recovery times for women and to reduce health care costs. Here is a link to the study:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15280133
End of Pregnancy
At the end of pregnancy, at 37 weeks, we treat women once a week until their due date to in order to prepare them for labor. Treatments help keep babies in the proper position for birth and make for shorter and smoother labors. Also, if the baby has not arrived by the due date we will treat to promote labor. One study included 56 women who were 39.5 to 41 weeks pregnant. (Forty weeks is full term.) Half of the women got three acupuncture sessions, while the other half did not. Seventy percent of the women who got acupuncture went into labor on their own, compared to 50% who received standard care. The women who got acupuncture were also less likely to deliver by cesarean section -- 39% compared to 17%. Here is link to the study:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16966110
In addition to the four points which were used in this study, we also customize the treatment to match each patient's individual constitution.
We have helped many women with various health issues that occur before and during pregnancy. Please let us know if you need our help. Currently, we are accepting new patients.
Call us 617.372.3960 or email us at Info@KateRuma.com with any questions about how Chinese medicine can assist in fertility & pregnancy.
Fertility Issues
We have helped hundreds of women and men in our clinic become pregnant through acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and moxibustion by improving egg and sperm quality. However, did you know that once women become pregnant we continue to treat them to prevent miscarriage and deal with ailments that consequently arise during pregnancy?
Early Pregnancy / Miscarriage Prevention
It is important, once conception occurs, for most women to have acupuncture at least weekly during the first trimester to secure the pregnancy and prevent miscarriage. Acupuncture prevents miscarriage by keeping progesterone levels steady and by also supplying adequate blood flow to the developing fetus. During pregnancy women often experience nausea, acid reflux, swelling, pain, digestive issues, low energy and high blood pressure. These symptoms can be remedied with treatment as well.
Treatment for Breech Babies
Toward the end of pregnancy, we treat women during week 33 to 35 to turn a baby that is breech. We use an herb called moxa, or mugwort, to stimulate Bladder 67. This acupoint located on the lateral side of the small toe is used because of its ability to stimulate the adrenal glands located above the kidney and give mother and baby enough adrenaline which will turn the baby. This technique is 80 percent effective. Interestingly enough, in other countries, this technique is protocol in order to avoid c-sections, to reduce postpartum recovery times for women and to reduce health care costs. Here is a link to the study:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15280133
End of Pregnancy
At the end of pregnancy, at 37 weeks, we treat women once a week until their due date to in order to prepare them for labor. Treatments help keep babies in the proper position for birth and make for shorter and smoother labors. Also, if the baby has not arrived by the due date we will treat to promote labor. One study included 56 women who were 39.5 to 41 weeks pregnant. (Forty weeks is full term.) Half of the women got three acupuncture sessions, while the other half did not. Seventy percent of the women who got acupuncture went into labor on their own, compared to 50% who received standard care. The women who got acupuncture were also less likely to deliver by cesarean section -- 39% compared to 17%. Here is link to the study:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16966110
In addition to the four points which were used in this study, we also customize the treatment to match each patient's individual constitution.
We have helped many women with various health issues that occur before and during pregnancy. Please let us know if you need our help. Currently, we are accepting new patients.
Call us 617.372.3960 or email us at Info@KateRuma.com with any questions about how Chinese medicine can assist in fertility & pregnancy.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Have you ever wondered what Chinese herbal medicine has to offer?
At our clinic, we use Chinese herbs for various conditions and disorders. Here are a few of the most common:
Seasonal allergies & Sinus infections
Digestive disorders (acid reflux, abdominal pain, constipation, etc.)
Male and female infertility
Headaches & Migraines
Anxiety & Depression
Please call us at 617.372.3960 or email Info@Kateruma.com with any questions about how Chinese herbs or acupuncture can improve your health.
At our clinic, we use Chinese herbs for various conditions and disorders. Here are a few of the most common:
Seasonal allergies & Sinus infections
Digestive disorders (acid reflux, abdominal pain, constipation, etc.)
Male and female infertility
Headaches & Migraines
Anxiety & Depression
Please call us at 617.372.3960 or email Info@Kateruma.com with any questions about how Chinese herbs or acupuncture can improve your health.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Tongue Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine
Have you ever wondered why Chinese medical practitioners examine your tongue?
The tongue body, structure, and coating are representative of the state of the body’s organs in Chinese medicine. All of the channels (Heart, Spleen, Liver, Lung etc.) in the body either directly or indirectly reach the tongue; we can obtain information about the qi, blood, yin, and fluids in the body as a result of its examination.
Which parts of the tongue represent which Chinese medical organs?
Here is a map:
What does a normal tongue look like?
It is pale red, with a thin, white tongue coat. It is not dry and does not have excessive moisture on it. The sublingual veins are not dark or distended.
We use tongue diagnosis to aid in our Chinese medical pattern diagnosis:
We look at the tongue body. Is it swollen or thin? Does the tongue have teethmarks? We can determine the state of the body’s qi and blood by observing these aspects. Is the tongue body pale (indicating a qi or blood deficiency) or red (which can indicate heat from various causes). If the edges are squeezed in or curled up, this can indicate some Liver qi stagnation (which can result from stress in your life).
We examine the moisture level of the tongue.
A dry, cracked tongue can indicate diminished fluid levels in the body, blood deficiency, or heat. A tongue which is excessively wet can indicate inefficient fluid metabolism.
We look at the tongue coat color and thickness. A yellow tongue coat indicates heat. A white tongue coat, if thick, can indicate cold in the body.
So take a look at your tongue to look for the size, color, cracks, coating and shape. See if the areas of your tongue correspond with weaknesses in your organs. For example, people with asthma may see a dip in the lung area or those with digestive issues may see a swollen tongue with or without coating to indicate weak spleen and stomach organ systems.
This is just a synopsis of tongue diagnosis in Chinese medicine. For more information, we recommend Barbara Kirschbaum’s Atlas of Chinese Tongue Diagnosis, which is the source we used for this article.
The tongue body, structure, and coating are representative of the state of the body’s organs in Chinese medicine. All of the channels (Heart, Spleen, Liver, Lung etc.) in the body either directly or indirectly reach the tongue; we can obtain information about the qi, blood, yin, and fluids in the body as a result of its examination.
Which parts of the tongue represent which Chinese medical organs?
Here is a map:
What does a normal tongue look like?
It is pale red, with a thin, white tongue coat. It is not dry and does not have excessive moisture on it. The sublingual veins are not dark or distended.
We use tongue diagnosis to aid in our Chinese medical pattern diagnosis:
We look at the tongue body. Is it swollen or thin? Does the tongue have teethmarks? We can determine the state of the body’s qi and blood by observing these aspects. Is the tongue body pale (indicating a qi or blood deficiency) or red (which can indicate heat from various causes). If the edges are squeezed in or curled up, this can indicate some Liver qi stagnation (which can result from stress in your life).
We examine the moisture level of the tongue.
A dry, cracked tongue can indicate diminished fluid levels in the body, blood deficiency, or heat. A tongue which is excessively wet can indicate inefficient fluid metabolism.
We look at the tongue coat color and thickness. A yellow tongue coat indicates heat. A white tongue coat, if thick, can indicate cold in the body.
So take a look at your tongue to look for the size, color, cracks, coating and shape. See if the areas of your tongue correspond with weaknesses in your organs. For example, people with asthma may see a dip in the lung area or those with digestive issues may see a swollen tongue with or without coating to indicate weak spleen and stomach organ systems.
This is just a synopsis of tongue diagnosis in Chinese medicine. For more information, we recommend Barbara Kirschbaum’s Atlas of Chinese Tongue Diagnosis, which is the source we used for this article.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Acupuncture can alleviate anxiety and depression? Of course it can!
It is fantastic that acupuncture is more publicized in the media in the past couple years. However, we do not need a study to tell us that acupuncture can decrease anxiety and improve depression - we see great results in our patients (and not only those who are pregnant) in our clinic first-hand! Call us at 617.372.3960 to schedule an appointment today.
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/blog/2013/06/17/new-harvard-research-says-acupuncture-helps-anxiety/
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/blog/2013/06/17/new-harvard-research-says-acupuncture-helps-anxiety/
Thursday, February 21, 2013
20-Minute Acupuncture Stress Treatments for $20
Come discover all the stress-reduction benefits of acupuncture! Ask any questions you may have about acupuncture and how it can improve your health. We treat various disorders including allergies, anxiety and depression, headaches, neck and back pain, digestive and respiratory disorders, and women's health issues. We see patients of all ages.
These will be offered each Tuesday during March (3/5/13-3/28/13) from 10am until 3pm. By Appointment Only.
Call 617-372-3960 or email info@kateruma.com with any questions.
These will be offered each Tuesday during March (3/5/13-3/28/13) from 10am until 3pm. By Appointment Only.
Call 617-372-3960 or email info@kateruma.com with any questions.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Do You Know That Acupuncture Treats Poor Circulation and Neuropathy?
Check out the article below for info about how electro-acupuncture benefits these conditions. Call us at 617.372.3960 with any questions.
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=32704
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Can acupuncture decrease recovery time after an ACL injury?
by Caitlin Isbister, Lic. Ac., MSTOM, Dipl. O.M.
The Boston area was stunned a week and a half ago after Rajon Rondo, the point guard for the Celtics, suffered an ACL tear and is expected to be out for the rest of the season. Whether you are a professional athlete like Rondo, an amateur athlete, or a weekend warrior, you are also at risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, especially if your sport is basketball, football, skiing or soccer. Did you know acupuncture has the potential to decrease pain, speed recovery time, and get you (and Rondo) back to the court or field quicker?
How can acupuncture help?
Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin, hair-like needles into the body at certain points. The needle is used as a conduit to direct the bioelectric energy, or qi, in the body, and to break through any of the body's qi, blood and/or fluid blockages. Each acupuncture treatment is tailored to the patient’s specific needs. Needling often occurs locally around the affected joint, but it also will include needles further away from the knee around the ankle and/or foot, and depending on the patient's constitution, on the arms, head and back.
One physiological way acupuncture decreases pain is by the release of the endorphins (pain-relieving hormones) into the bloodstream. Needling also increases blood flow to the affected area and decreases inflammation, swelling and edema in the area. Often, surgery is required to replace the torn ligament with a substitute graft made of tendon (1). In these cases, acupuncture can be utilized after the surgery occurs. It can decrease postoperative pain, increase range of motion of the knee and lower extremity and speed recovery time. Acupuncture often works well in conjunction with bodywork, chiropractic care, and physical therapy.
In addition to needles, the following modalities may be utilized during acupuncture treatments:
-Electroacupuncture: metal clips of an electrical stimulation machine are attached to the needles, thereby promoting the release of endorphins and decreasing pain.
-Moxibustion: The herb mugwort, or artemesia vulgaris, is used topically or nearby the affected joint and points on the body to stimulate the blood flow to the area and promote healing.
-Chinese Herbal Medicine: If appropriate, Chinese herbal formulas are administered to the patient, which target the lower extremities, promote blood flow and decrease inflammation. These vary depending upon the patient's constitution.
At Kate Ruma and Associates Acupuncture, we have treated knee pain successfully for years, stemming from a variety of causes, including: arthritis, ACL/medial collateral ligament tears, tendinitis, Baker's cysts, and/or bursitis. If you have questions about how acupuncture might help your knee pain/injury, please call us at 617.372.3960, email us at Info@KateRuma.com, or visit us at www.kateruma.com.
_________________________________
Caitlin effectively treats various types of sports injuries at Kate Ruma & Associates Acupuncture in Arlington, MA. She also treats headaches, stress disorders, and women's health issues. In 2011, she held a residency at Boston Medical Center in the Department of Family Medicine. Caitlin is a third degree black belt in taekwon-do, and when not in the office, enjoys practicing taekwon-do patterns, yoga, and qi gong. She can be reached at Caitlin@KateRuma.com.
References
1. ACL Injury: Does it Require Surgery? American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00297
The Boston area was stunned a week and a half ago after Rajon Rondo, the point guard for the Celtics, suffered an ACL tear and is expected to be out for the rest of the season. Whether you are a professional athlete like Rondo, an amateur athlete, or a weekend warrior, you are also at risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, especially if your sport is basketball, football, skiing or soccer. Did you know acupuncture has the potential to decrease pain, speed recovery time, and get you (and Rondo) back to the court or field quicker?
How can acupuncture help?
Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin, hair-like needles into the body at certain points. The needle is used as a conduit to direct the bioelectric energy, or qi, in the body, and to break through any of the body's qi, blood and/or fluid blockages. Each acupuncture treatment is tailored to the patient’s specific needs. Needling often occurs locally around the affected joint, but it also will include needles further away from the knee around the ankle and/or foot, and depending on the patient's constitution, on the arms, head and back.
One physiological way acupuncture decreases pain is by the release of the endorphins (pain-relieving hormones) into the bloodstream. Needling also increases blood flow to the affected area and decreases inflammation, swelling and edema in the area. Often, surgery is required to replace the torn ligament with a substitute graft made of tendon (1). In these cases, acupuncture can be utilized after the surgery occurs. It can decrease postoperative pain, increase range of motion of the knee and lower extremity and speed recovery time. Acupuncture often works well in conjunction with bodywork, chiropractic care, and physical therapy.
In addition to needles, the following modalities may be utilized during acupuncture treatments:
-Electroacupuncture: metal clips of an electrical stimulation machine are attached to the needles, thereby promoting the release of endorphins and decreasing pain.
-Moxibustion: The herb mugwort, or artemesia vulgaris, is used topically or nearby the affected joint and points on the body to stimulate the blood flow to the area and promote healing.
-Chinese Herbal Medicine: If appropriate, Chinese herbal formulas are administered to the patient, which target the lower extremities, promote blood flow and decrease inflammation. These vary depending upon the patient's constitution.
At Kate Ruma and Associates Acupuncture, we have treated knee pain successfully for years, stemming from a variety of causes, including: arthritis, ACL/medial collateral ligament tears, tendinitis, Baker's cysts, and/or bursitis. If you have questions about how acupuncture might help your knee pain/injury, please call us at 617.372.3960, email us at Info@KateRuma.com, or visit us at www.kateruma.com.
_________________________________
Caitlin effectively treats various types of sports injuries at Kate Ruma & Associates Acupuncture in Arlington, MA. She also treats headaches, stress disorders, and women's health issues. In 2011, she held a residency at Boston Medical Center in the Department of Family Medicine. Caitlin is a third degree black belt in taekwon-do, and when not in the office, enjoys practicing taekwon-do patterns, yoga, and qi gong. She can be reached at Caitlin@KateRuma.com.
References
1. ACL Injury: Does it Require Surgery? American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00297
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
'Tis the Season of Cold & Flu - Got Acupuncture?
Have you had an acupuncture treatment lately?
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are helpful in boosting your immune system, and they can also rid yourself of persistent cough, nasal congestion, etc. Call us with any questions about how a treatment may benefit you this winter (617.372.3960).
One simple way to decrease the chances of your family, friends, and co-workers contracting your cold and/or flu is to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze and wash your hands frequently. Did you know sneezes travel at about 100 miles an hour? Check out the link below for more surprising facts about sneezing.
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/11-surprising-sneezing-facts
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are helpful in boosting your immune system, and they can also rid yourself of persistent cough, nasal congestion, etc. Call us with any questions about how a treatment may benefit you this winter (617.372.3960).
One simple way to decrease the chances of your family, friends, and co-workers contracting your cold and/or flu is to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze and wash your hands frequently. Did you know sneezes travel at about 100 miles an hour? Check out the link below for more surprising facts about sneezing.
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/11-surprising-sneezing-facts
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