Kate Ruma & Associates Acupuncture

Acupuncture is effective in treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

2012-01-29T08:49:00.000-08:00

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1997288/

Chinese New Year is Here!

2012-01-23T09:02:00.000-08:00

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2012/jan/22/chinese-new-year-celebrations-pictures

Join Kate Ruma at Black Crow Yoga's New Year's Wellness Brunch

2012-01-02T12:05:00.000-08:00

Is one of your new year's resolution to begin taking yoga classes? Do you enjoy yoga, but are you unsure which studio would be a good fit for you?

Join Kate Ruma at the Black Crow Yoga class and wellness brunch on Sunday, January 15. She will be there to support Black Crow Yoga and answer any questions you may have about Chinese medicine.

9.30-11am Flow to Music with Becky
Brunch to follow
Class cards & drop-in rates apply for class

For more information, please visit www.blackcrowyoga.com/happenings.html.

Free Lecture: Acupuncture Can Help with Stress

2011-12-20T10:30:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012
6:30pm-7:30pm

Kate Ruma & Associates Acupuncture
180 Mass Ave., Suite 301 - Meeting Room
Arlington, MA 02474

Come find out how acupuncture can offer relief for depression, and alleviate stress and anxiety. All attendees are entitled to a free acupuncture consultation gift certificate.

Free Workshop. Registration is required.

Alternative therapies are offered more frequently in hospitals

2011-12-12T14:40:00.000-08:00

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/alternative-therapies-sometimes-help-and-almost-always-pay-off/2011/11/10/gIQAfuIpKN_story.html

Acupuncture can decrease holiday stress.

2011-12-07T08:22:00.001-08:00

You can often use your flex spending cash for acupuncture. There are only 24 more days until the end of the year! Come in for a treatment in order to decrease stress, prevent or fight off colds, or alleviate any pain you may be experiencing.

Call us at 617.372.3960 to book your appointment today!

Unsure how to decrease stress and anxiety in your life?

2011-12-04T10:53:00.000-08:00

The following is an excerpt from Tara Miller's article: "100 Natural Ways to Overcome Anxiety"

(http://www.uspharmd.com/blog/2008/100-natural-ways-to-overcome-anxiety/)

Stress Reduction

A major source of anxiety is the stress that creeps up through daily living. Take these suggestions to reduce stress and help eliminate anxiety.

Let go of control. Learn to accept that some things are beyond your ability to control. Once this expectation is gone, you will likely discover a reduction of your stress.
Do one thing at a time. Slow down and stop multitasking. Doing one thing at a time will reduce stress and allow you to perform each task more efficiently.
Learn to say "no". Turning away what you don’t have time to do will free you from obligations that will end up hanging over your head.
Emotions. Keep in touch with your emotions. Pretending you don’t have feelings of anger, sadness, or loneliness will just push these feeling down until they come back out in negative ways.
Let go of anger. Don’t hold on to anger or grudges. Instead, learn how to let go so you can focus on more positive things.
Identify stressors. Realize what makes you feel stressed and do something to change them. If watching the news makes you stressed, turn it off. If driving in traffic raises your blood pressure, then find ways to change or delay driving so you aren’t in traffic.
Learn time management techniques. Organizing your time and energy will help you complete tasks more efficiently and clear the way for less stress in your life.
Make time for yourself. Making sure you carve out some time for yourself every day will not only give you time to do something you enjoy, but will help you relax as well.
Journal. Identify stressors or just get out those negative feelings you may not want to tell other people with a private journal.
Find your sense of humor. Learning to laugh at life and finding the joy every day will go a long way to reducing stress.

2011-12-01T10:02:00.000-08:00

Holiday Sale: 3 Acupuncture Treatments for $150* - Great for yourself, or as a gift!

Would you like to get back into the routine of coming in for acupuncture? Do you know someone who would be interested in trying acupuncture for stress relief, acute or chronic pain, digestive or respiratory disorders?

We are offering the following holiday promotion: three acupuncture treatments for just $150*. This promotion can be purchased anytime before January 10th, 2012.

New patients: This includes an initial consultation and acupuncture treatment in addition to two follow-up sessions ($100 Off).
Existing patients: This includes three follow-up sessions ($75 Off).

Please email (info@kateruma.com) or call (617.372.3960) with any questions about this sale or how to obtain gift certificates for the holidays!

* Limit 1 per person but up to 3 as gifts. No double discounts. Chinese herbs not included. Not applicable to children's treatments.

Acupuncture Treats Dry Mouth in Cancer Patients

2011-11-30T10:41:00.000-08:00

In addition to dry mouth, we often treat other side effects of cancer treatment at our clinic: low energy, nausea and other digestive problems.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/13/acupuncture-dry-mouth-xerostomia-cancer-radiation_n_1087017.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

Are you prone to allergies this time of year?

2011-09-27T09:36:00.000-07:00

Are you experiencing frequent sneezing, nasal congestion, and other delightful symptoms of fall allergies? Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are also effective ways to prevent allergies from occurring. Call 617.372.3960 to book an acupuncture session today!

2011-08-25T11:43:00.000-07:00

Chinese herbs and acupuncture can not only boost your immune system, but can also rid you of cold and flu. Come in for a treatment when you experience the very first symptoms of a cold (chills, fever, achy neck/upper back, headache, aversion to drafts).

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/managing-your-healthcare/infectious-diseases/articles/2011/08/15/chinese-herbs-equal-to-tamiflu-in-reducing-h1n1-fever-study

Hospice Patients Receive Acupuncture

2011-06-10T13:20:00.001-07:00

http://articles.boston.com/2011-06-09/news/29639498_1_hospice-patients-acupuncturists-acupuncture-program

How can you incorporate the mung bean into your diet this summer?

2011-06-02T10:11:00.001-07:00

The mung bean is also known as Lu Dou in Chinese Herbal Medicine. In the summer, it is especially helpful for preventing overheating, irritability and thirst. It can be made into a tea to prevent these symptoms. You can find other recipe ideas on the Whole Foods blog:

http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2011/05/mighty-mung-bean/

Want to sleep better?

2011-05-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephanie-silberman-phd/insomnia-cures_b_865824.html#s282393&title=Mistake_1_Taking

2011-05-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

Cancer Survivors Are More Likely Than General Population to Use CAM, According to National Survey Analysis

Source: NCCAM Website

A recent analysis of the 2007 National Health Interview Survey revealed that cancer survivors are more likely to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) compared with the general population. According to the data published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship: Research and Practice, cancer survivors are also more likely to use CAM based on a recommendation by their health care providers and to talk to their health care providers about their CAM use.

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine investigated CAM use, reasons and motivations for use, and communication of CAM use with health care providers among 23,393 American adults—1,471 cancer survivors and 21,922 non-cancer controls. The researchers found that 65 percent of cancer survivors have used CAM in their lifetime, and 43 percent used CAM in the past year. In contrast, only 53 percent of the non-cancer respondents used CAM in their lifetime, and 37 percent used CAM in the past year. The most common reasons for which cancer survivors reported using CAM were wellness or general disease prevention (29 percent); enhancement of immune function (11 percent); energy enhancement (11 percent); pain management (6 percent); psychological distress (2 percent); and insomnia (1 percent). Cancer survivors were more likely than the control group to use CAM for wellness and general disease prevention, enhancing immune function, and pain management.

Cancer survivors cited various motivations for using CAM therapies; nearly 15 percent reported using CAM on the advice of a friend, family member, or coworker, while approximately 13 percent used CAM because of a recommendation from a health care provider. Fewer used CAM because conventional medical treatments did not help (5 percent) or because conventional treatments were too expensive (2 percent). Although cancer survivors were more likely than the control group to talk about CAM use with their providers, they disclosed less than a quarter of their CAM use to them.

The authors of the analysis noted that this is the first study that uses a population-based approach to examine the specific motivations of cancer survivors for using CAM therapies, as well as the degree of communication between cancer survivors and their health care providers. Although cancer survivors communicated more about their CAM use than the general population, the authors emphasized the overall need for improving communication between patients and providers about CAM use to help ensure coordinated care.

2011-05-01T10:31:00.000-07:00

Acupuncture for Smoking

Source: Pacific College of Oriental Medicine Newsletter (May 1, 2011)

There are many components of TCM, but the one that generates the most interest is acupuncture and essentially acupuncture for smoking.

Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM, an age-old practice of the Chinese that has been in existence for over 2,500 years, based on the belief that as we live in a universe where everything is interconnected, we cannot separate the physiological and emotional. Whatever affects one part of the body will automatically affect the other.

Acupuncture is based on the theory that there are channels through which energy flows through the psychophysical system in a certain pattern (qi) which controls the essential well-being of a person. Any disruption in this flow of energy will cause malfunctions in the body. As acupuncture restores the flow of energy, healing begins. It is a system of inserting small disposable sterile needles into the skin at strategic points situated along the meridians, where energy is thought to be blocked. By twisting these needles the energy flow is released to stimulate these specific blocked points and bring relief to the symptoms of disease and addiction, which brings one to the conclusion that acupuncture for smoking can be highly effective.

During 1997, the Department of Preventative Medicine, University of Oslo in Norway undertook a study to examine the effects of acupuncture on smoking reduction, and cessation. Participants in the study were healthy volunteers, both men and women averaging 39 years of age, who wanted to quit smoking. They had smoked between 20 +/- 6 cigarettes per day and had smoked for 23 +/- 8 years. After being randomly assigned to 2 groups, the one group was given acupuncture treatment at acupoints previously used for anti-smoking (group1), while the other group was given treatment at acupoints that were considered not to have any effect on anti-smoking (group2). Before each treatment they had to answer questionnaires and after the last, about their smoking habits. Before the first and after the last treatment the concentrations of serum cotinine, serum thiocyanate, serum peroxides, and plasma fibrinogen were measured.

Both group's daily cigarette consumption fell. 31% of Group1 had completely stopped smoking by the end of the treatment, compared with none in Group2. The concentrations of cotinine and thiocyanate were reduced in Group1 but no significant reduction in Group2. Both groups experienced a reduction in the desire for nicotine. Neither of the groups experienced a change in peroxides and plasma fibrinogen concentrations. The conclusion is that Acupuncture for smoking is effective and using certain acupoints can make a difference to the results.

The best system used for acupuncture for smoking is known as Auricular acupuncture. Superfine needles are inserted into the auricle, but never the auditory canal. The ear is thought to have numerous therapeutic points, which correspond to various points in the body. When the acupuncture points, called acupoints, are stimulated the acupuncture needles send electrical impulses to the brain, which in turn stimulate other areas of the body. They will regulate internal organs, relieve pains in joints, muscles, and will stimulate the brain itself and diminish cravings.

Acupuncture needles are left static for 15-20 minutes in the outer ear before being removed. Very often acupuncturists make use of ear seeds as well. They are tiny black seeds of the Vaccaria plant, taped on specific acupoints of the auricle. By applying gentle pressure on these seeds during a craving for nicotine they will stimulate the release of endorphins. This promotes detoxification and decreases the feeling of anxiety. They are usually left in place for a couple of days.

Acupuncture for smoking is found to be very effective for candidates who are serious about quitting. It is more beneficial if the smoker begins treatment a few days prior to quitting, as it alleviates the cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and dependency on nicotine will be minimized before the candidate actually quits. Smoking is not just addictive but habitual as well, so the best results can be obtained by combining acupuncture for smoking with behavioral management therapy.

Healthy Cooking Methods

2011-05-01T08:46:00.001-07:00

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/healthstartshere/cookingmethods.php

Incorporate Swiss Chard Into Your Diet!

2011-04-26T10:53:00.001-07:00

http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2011/04/spent-spinach-swiss-chard/

Remember to stay hydrated!

2011-04-22T11:16:00.001-07:00

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283

Chronic Pain and Complementary & Alternative Medicine

2011-04-21T08:39:00.001-07:00

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/pain/chronic.htm

Simple Steps to Help Prevent Colon Cancer

2011-04-19T11:24:00.001-07:00

http://www.dana-farber.org/abo/news/video-newsroom/colon-cancer/

Peripheral muscarinic receptors mediate the anti-inflammatory effects of auricular acupuncture

2011-04-18T08:16:00.000-07:00

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3033863/?tool=pmcentrez

Yoga is for kids too!

2011-04-15T10:02:00.000-07:00

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703386704576186463216602684.html?KEYWORDS=yoga

Your Brain on Meditation

2011-04-13T16:39:00.000-07:00

http://www.yogajournal.com/health/2601

Spring & Nutrition

2011-04-13T08:46:00.000-07:00

Source: Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford

"Spring Foods

This is the season to attend to the liver and gall bladder. In spring we naturally eat less, or even fast, to cleanse the body of the fats and heavy foods of the winter. The diet should be the lightest of the year and contain foods which emphasize yang, ascending, and expansive qualities of spring - young plants, fresh greens, sprouts and immature wheat or other cereal grasses. Salty foods such as soy sauce, miso, and sodium-rich meats all have a strong component of sinking energy and are best limited during springtime. Too many heavy foods clog the liver, resulting in spring fits or fevers."

Cook foods for a shorter time, and at a higher temperature in the Spring. Prepare vegetables by sautéing or steaming lightly. Also try to incorporate some of the following into your diet:

Pungent herbs: basil, fennel, marjoram, rosemary, caraway, dill, bay leaf.
Complex carbohydrates: grains, legumes, seeds.
Vegetables: young beets, carrots, small amounts of sweet, starchy vegetables.
Small amounts of raw food*

*Appropriate for those who experience heat symptoms (sweating, irritability, thirst for cold liquids, etc.). If you experience low energy, bloating after eating, loose stools, or bowel inflammation, limit raw food consumption.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms of a liver imbalance, or would like a seasonal tune-up, come on in for a treatment!

migraines and headache
red, itchy, dry eyes
digestion issues
depression, irritability, frustration and/or anger
muscle tension
neck and shoulder tension/pain

Acupuncture & Fertility

2011-04-12T11:50:00.000-07:00

http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-acupuncture-fertility-story,0,42965.story

Do you normally experience spring-time allergy symptoms?

2011-04-11T08:29:00.000-07:00

Come in for an acupuncture treatment to boost your immunity today!

http://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+Information/Detail/Seasonal+Allergies+Acupuncture+Herbal+Treatments

Acupuncture & Fertility

2011-04-07T13:13:00.001-07:00

http://arklatexhomepage.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=171366

Acupuncture Eases Hot Flashes

2011-04-06T13:16:00.001-07:00

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/study-shows-acupuncture-curb-severity-hot-flashes-menopause/story?id=13075594

Putting Chinese Herbal Medicine to the Test

2011-03-28T12:03:00.000-07:00

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704615504576172060516209494.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Short-Term Effects of Acupuncture on Open-Angle Glaucoma in Retrobulbar Circulation: Additional Therapy to Standard Medication

2011-03-25T16:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3062145/?tool=pmcentrez

2011-03-15T09:07:00.001-07:00

Massage for Autism

Massage therapy can be adapted to accommodate patients with autism. The massage techniques are slightly modified to help autistics become more comfortable with human touch. Clinical results have shown great improvements in communication between autistic patients and their caregivers, leading to a better quality of life.

Autism, or Kanner's Syndrome, is a developmental disorder with early onset that causes both children and adults to seem withdrawn or dissociated from their environments. Patients may respond defensively to being touched, and tend to respond negatively to certain textures. This improper or incomplete maturation of the tactile system can be treated with therapeutic massage, where the senses are stimulated gradually with a safe and nurturing approach. Massage therapists who specialize in Autism have to slowly develop a very consistent relationship with their autistic patients in order to make progress with the treatment.

Interestingly, autistics are more sensitive to light touch than heavy touch. Glancing, inconsistent, or brief skin contact sends irregular neural signals to the brain where they interfere with and over-stimulate the central nervous system. This makes it difficult to perform organized behavior or to concentrate. Massage on the other hand, utilizes deep tissue massage and joint compression, which do not send such confusing signals to the brain cortex.

According to data collected by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), Autism affects 1 in 150 children in America, over half of which have opted for alternative treatment methods like massage. There are clinical studies to support the use of massage as a complementary therapy. For example, a small-scale intervention was performed on just under 50 autistic children using Qi Gong Sensory Training. With weekly massage sessions over the course of 5 months, both the teachers and parents of these children noticed less autistic behavior and improved social and language skills.

Additionally, young autistic children between the ages of 3 and 10 have been shown to respond well to a sensory integration therapy that incorporated massage. More specifically, a Thai massage technique was used over the course of eight weeks with a variety of positive effects. This form of massage uses stretches and yoga poses to energize the patient while stimulating circulation and challenging flexibility. Patients experienced an immediate reduction of anxiety, and outside of the clinic, they enjoyed higher quality sleep, heightened concentration, and more positive social interactions.

Those with Autism can also benefit greatly from a deep massage of the foot and leg muscles. Children with Autism tend to walk on their toes, so the feet and legs become tense. This form of massage targets the gastrocnemius and soleus to fully relax the feet, allowing the patient to walk flat-footed for at least a short period of time following the massage.

Massage also promotes relaxation and breathing regulation. Breathing exercises often work to calm autistic patients and reduce hyperactivity.

Overall, with the proper patience and communication techniques, massage therapy can be extended to autistic patients. By providing consistent, nurturing human contact and touch, massage can overcome some of the defensive tendencies characteristic of the tactile system in those with autism. While massage is not a cure for this disability, it can help autistic patients to relax, communicate more effectively, and greatly improve their quality of life.

[Excerpt from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine Newsletter - March 15, 2011]

2011-03-11T11:48:00.000-08:00

Mindfulness Meditation Is Associated With Structural Changes in the Brain

According to a recent study, practicing mindfulness meditation appears to be associated with measurable changes in the brain regions involved in memory, learning, and emotion. Mindfulness meditation focuses attention on breathing to develop increased awareness of the present. Previous research has demonstrated that mindfulness mediation may reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, but little is known about its effects on the brain. The focus of the current study—published in the journal Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging—was to identify brain regions that changed in participants enrolled in an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program.

In this study, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital, Bender Institute of Neuroimaging in Germany, and the University of Massachusetts Medical School, took magnetic resonance images of the brains of 16 participants 2 weeks before and after they joined the meditation program. (Participants were physician- and self-referred individuals seeking stress reduction.) Researchers also took brain images of a control group of 17 non-meditators over a similar time period. Participants in the meditation group attended weekly sessions that included mindfulness training exercises and received audio recordings for guided meditation practice at home. They also kept track of how much time they practiced each day. Members of both groups completed a questionnaire, before and after joining the group, which measured five aspects of mindfulness: observing, describing, acting with awareness, non-judging of inner experience, and non-reactivity to inner experience.

Brain images in the meditation group revealed increases in gray matter concentration in the left hippocampus. The hippocampus is an area of the brain involved in learning, memory, and emotional control, and is suspected of playing a role in producing some of the positive effects of meditation. Gray matter also increased in four other brain regions (though not in the insula, a region that has shown changes in other meditation studies) in the meditation group. Responses to the questionnaire indicated improvements in three of the five aspects of mindfulness in the mediators, but not the control group.

The researchers concluded that these findings may represent an underlying brain mechanism associated with mindfulness-based improvements in mental health. Additional studies are needed to determine the associations between specific types of brain change and behavioral mechanisms thought to improve a variety of disorders.

(Source: NCCAM website - http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/012311.htm)

2011-02-25T10:18:00.000-08:00

How Cupping Can Help Your Pain

By Katherine MacKenzie, L.Ac.

What is cupping?

Cupping is a simple method of pulling “stuck,” stagnant, and congealed blood and fluids out of the injured area. Plastic or glass cups are placed on the skin and then applied using suction. Cups are kept on from three to fifteen minutes, according to the judgment of the acupuncturist. Cupping releases tight, painful muscles and increases blood circulation.

How does cupping help my injury?

After any injury, areas that you hurt are areas that now have a blockage of blood and body fluids. Injured joints become swollen and painful. Backs become stiff, painful and difficult to move. This blockage of blood and body fluids that accompanies an injury is like a beaver dam. The force of the accident or injury creates the initial obstruction – the sticks, mud and leaves of the dam. The free flowing water of the mountain stream is slowed down to a small trickle as stagnant water backs up behind the dam. And like the water of a beaver dam, which can cause flu like symptoms for those who swim in it, the stagnant blood and body fluids that occur at the injury can cause pain and inflammation. Just as the still waters of a beaver dam heat up in the sunlight, stagnant blood and fluids in our body are heated up by our naturally warm body temperatures.

Eventually, with time, the body may be able to unblock these injured areas and return to healthy circulation. Sometimes, even after surgery, the injured area continues to hurt, and never feels completely the same. That’s why you come to get acupuncture and therapy – to speed up the rate at which you heal, and to increase your body’s ability to heal itself completely. But to do this, the beaver dam has to be moved so that blood can flow through the injured area, healing the injured muscles, joint, tendons, and bones. If the area is still blocked and "dammed up" then the body cannot properly heal.

A good example of blood and body fluids that are "dammed up" or stagnant is a blood clot. After an accident, small blood vessels are ruptured, causing blood to collect in muscles. This blood then is heated up the body temperature, and begins to act like glue. The muscles, which have tightened up in response to the accident, now have "glue" holding the muscle fibers together even tighter. The joints, which have joint fluid, stuck blood, and white blood cells, minerals, nutrients all congealing in the area, become stiff and painful as these do not move along back into circulation a week after the injury, but instead begin to stick in the joint area, and sometimes even swell up. Tears and sprains are not able to heal as circulation is not repaired, and as the area is painful to use, one tends to keep it as still as possible…and not using the injured area at all can also prevent blood flow from circulating properly and thus healing the injury.

Acupuncture uses acupuncture needles to increase the flow of blood to the area so that an injury can heal faster and better than it would without acupuncture. But if the area is badly dammed up, and circulation is increased, the dam just begins to get bigger and bigger. Increasing circulation actually makes it worse but only because first, the dam needs to be moved, and then increasing the circulation of the water (the injury) will assist the body’s healing process. This is where cupping really helps.

What is the real purpose behind cupping?

One purpose of cupping is to relieve the pain of tight and sore muscles. This is done by pulling the muscle fibers into the cup. This loosens the muscles and relieves pain. It also pulls the stuck blood within the muscle onto the surface of the skin. This occurs when an injury ruptures small blood vessels within the muscle fibers, causing blood to collect in the muscle and "glue" the already tight muscle fibers together. Cupping is able to pull the congealed blood out of the muscle and onto the surface of the skin.

Another purpose of cupping is to pull blood and body fluids up to the surface of the skin, removing it from stuck areas like swollen knee joints or frozen shoulders. As a result, cupping will often produce a red or purple circle upon the skin that may take a few days to heal. These circles are only dark colored if the area that is cupped has "stuck" body fluids and blood. You should expect some circular discoloration or bruising if you are cupped. Keep in mind, this is only occurring because stuck fluids and blood congeal and act like glue, keeping joints stiff and swollen and gluing muscle fibers. These circular discolorations and bruising occur in the process of drawing these stuck fluids and blood out of injured areas – they are part of the healing process.

As you improve with each treatment, the circular discolorations will become less and less red. Everyone heals at their own pace, and some of the healing will also depend on how physically active you are, how well you treat your body (diet, posture, stress levels), and how often you come to therapy. Bottom line, this is your healing process, and your treatment, so you have to honor your body and accept however long it takes to get better.

What should I be cautious about?

If you are very concerned with bruising or discoloration, cupping may not be the right therapy for you. Since cupping marks take a few days to heal, please consider if you are going to the beach or to an event where you will be revealing the cupped area.

If you are pregnant, have a circulation disorder, hemophilia, lupus, or diabetes, cupping may not be appropriate for you. Although cupping does release tight muscles and increase blood circulation and move congealed body fluids, bruising and bleeding may sometimes occur.

Source: A TOOTH FROM THE TIGER'S MOUTH: How to Treat Your Injuries with Powerful Healing Secrets of the Great Chinese Warriors by Tom Bisio (Simon & Schuster, October, 2004

(Taken from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine February 2011 Newsletter)

2011-02-14T12:08:00.000-08:00

Acupuncture for Substance Abuse

Acupuncture combined with substance abuse counseling and group therapy programs is effective for treating drug and alcohol users. It produces a calm, yet alert feeling, reduces withdrawal symptoms, and decreases future cravings. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners use techniques like acupuncture, herbal remedies, and massage to treat and prevent disease and illness in the human body.

Acupuncture involves stimulating specific points on the body by inserting metal needles through the skin to restore balance in the body. A person's life force, or qi, flows through the body and provides energy, blood flow, and a feeling of wellness. When that flow is disturbed or interrupted, it results in illness and/or disease. There are certain meridians, or pathways, along the body, each representing a different area of the body.
Depending on the condition of the patient, a TCM practitioner may use herbal remedies in conjunction with acupuncture. Moxibustion is the practice of burning herbs near an acupuncture point. Massage techniques like rubbing, cupping, and pressing may also be used around specific acupuncture points.
Auricular acupuncture is popular among practitioners who treat substance abuse patients. The practitioner positions thin needles on points in the ear while the patient relaxes for 20 to 30 minutes. The National Institute on Drug Abuse recommends ear placement in points that correspond with the traditional points of the kidneys, lungs, liver, and sympathetic nervous system.
In a 1989 study, practitioners treated 80 severe alcoholics. They treated 40 people with auricular acupuncture combined with substance abuse counseling. They treated the other 40 people with only substance abuse counseling. Twenty-one of the 40 people who received acupuncture combined with counseling completed the program while only one of the 40 people receiving substance abuse counseling alone completed the program. Six months after study completion, the patients receiving both acupuncture and counseling were twice as likely to remain alcohol free.
Located in New York City, the Lincoln Clinic has used acupuncture to treat drug and alcohol addicts for years. Practitioners there use acupuncture along with counseling, urine testing, and a 12-step group therapy program. Acupuncture helps relieve withdrawal symptoms and produces a calming, relaxing effect on patients, which helps fight drug and alcohol cravings. Patients of the Lincoln Clinic report that acupuncture treatment produces a strong calming effect while still feeling remarkably alert.
The success of acupuncture treatment on substance abusers has spurred some courts to order acupuncture as part of a comprehensive drug rehabilitation program. As a result, the judicial system has found that substance abusers who receive acupuncture treatment along with counseling and vocational training are less likely to reappear in court on similar charges than substance abusers who are sentenced to prison.

Acupuncture combined with substance abuse counseling and group therapy programs is effective for treating drug and alcohol users. It produces a calm, yet alert feeling, reduces withdrawal symptoms, and decreases future cravings.

(Excerpt from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine Newsletter - 02/01/11)

New Winter Hours

2011-02-02T11:00:00.000-08:00

Our new hours are:

Monday: 8am - 12:30pm (Caitlin)
1pm - 7pm (Kate)

Tuesday: 10am - 2pm (Kate)
3pm - 8pm (Brette)

Wednesday: 10am - 8pm (Caitlin)

Thursday: 10am - 2pm (Kate)
3pm - 8pm (Brette)

Friday: 8am - 12:30pm (Caitlin)
2:30pm - 7:30pm (Brette)

Saturday: 10am - 5pm (Caitlin)

Welcome, Caitlin!

2011-02-02T10:54:00.000-08:00

Last November, Caitlin Isbister, MSTOM, Lic. Ac., joined our practice. Her bio is below:

Caitlin first became interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine after she received her B.Sc. in Medicinal Chemistry from the University at Buffalo. After researching various forms of medicine, she found that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine resonated with her the most. Caitlin finds the strength of Chinese medicine to be its ability to treat the unique constitution of each individual, with a subtlety that allows it to appropriately complement Western medicine. Her areas of specialty include women’s health issues & fertility, pain disorders, autoimmune disorders, sleep disorders, and stress relief.

Caitlin received her Master of Science degree from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago. She is nationally certified and licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine. Caitlin is currently taking part in the Boston Medical Center Acupuncture Residency Program in the Department of Family Medicine. In addition to practicing Chinese medicine, Caitlin is a third degree black belt in Taekwondo and enjoys yoga and qi gong.

Acupuncture Fights the Holiday Blues

2010-12-12T10:47:00.000-08:00

Call Kate Ruma & Associates Acupuncture in Arlington, Ma
Treat Depression Naturally!
617-372-3960
kateruma.com

At the University of Arizona by new pilot study researchers concluded that acupuncture is a very reliable and promising treatment mainly for the major depression in women. Actually Depression is very common in US and it is one of the mostly reported medical reasonings. In that case many patients are not getting proper treatments so they give up at very early stages. After recovery from it, many are not able to cure it totally and so it is suggested that there should be some alternative treatment available for depression other than psychotherapy and medication.

For the depression treatment one can go for the electro acupuncture, it actually involves the application of a small electrical current through acupuncture needles and nothing else. Most of the researchers have concluded that acupuncture is more effective for mild depression and for depression related to a chronic medical illness.

Acupuncture is one of the natural as well as safe way to treated the depression. Anxiety and Stress are the main depression that has been caused mainly due to the chemical imbalances in the brain. For this the conventional treatments include anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and sleeping pills mostly. But the common side effects of these kinds of drugs are blurred vision, headache, drowsiness, low libido, and many like these.

Acupuncture helps in a natural way for stimulating the central nervous system and increasing the production of naturally occurring chemicals in the body like endorphins and enkephalins, which are responsible for a person's mood and feeling of well being etc. Acupuncture treatment is mainly based on the increasing or balancing the life energy, which is regulating emotional, mental, and physical balance of the body. So depression, anxiety and stress occur by abnormal emotions, which reduce the normal flow of life energy.

In China,it is believed that medicine governs the emotions of an individual. They believe that the body as well as the mind is a real part of the same functional system. Acupuncture method actually helps the body and mind and balances emotional distress in a natural way successfully as it promotes the body's natural healing abilities.

Acupuncture Helps in a Natural Way

•Acupuncture never separates the mind and body but it treats both the physical and mental symptoms of conditions at the same time
•It enhances the health of anyone with conditions caused by drug side effects
•It helps by reducing or eliminating the need for medication and its inherent side effects
•It emphasizes prevention and health maintenance by a balance diet
In addition to acupuncture treatment, the following facts should be considered for the prevention of emotional or mental disturbances are listed below :

•Avoid nicotine, caffeine and alcohol which aggravate stress
•Generally hot, spicy, or cold, raw foods and iced drinks should be avoided
•Balanced diet, avoid excessive meats and carbohydrates food
•Over thinking and overly ambitious goals should be avoided
•Physical exhaustion and plenty of rest should be avoided
•Exercise like deep breathing techniques such as meditation, Tai Chi or Qi Gong are helpful
•Take a full complement of Vitamin B, magnesium and iron as its deficiency lead to depression
Acupunctures Additional Benefits

Acupuncture helps by balancing the hormones in the body responsible for the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual conditions of the body and mind.

1.It helps to create emotional balance, calmed the body and mind
2.It improves the overall health and well-being
3.It improves mental conditions and enhanced concentration
4.It also reduces pain and muscle tension
5.Enriched sleep
6.It helps to feel positive about self, more interest in life
7.It increases energy by regular exercise
8.It improves ability to handle changes and problems in life easily
9.It also reduces eating disorders

Kate Ruma & Associates Acupuncture 180 Mass Av Arlington, Ma 02474 617.372.3960 kateruma.com

New! Kids Clinic every Friday

2010-05-09T13:11:00.001-07:00

New! Kids' Clinic every Friday

Work with Brette to help your child's ADHD, eczema, asthma, headaches, allergies, digestive disorders, and more. All ages welcome.

Call 617-372-3960

Acupuncture Helps Fight Pain, Depression During Pregnancy, and Reduces Joint Swelling in Women Taking Aromatase Inhibitors

2010-05-09T12:55:00.000-07:00

Research Shows Acupuncture Helps Fight Pain, Depression During Pregnancy, and Reduces Joint Swelling in Women Taking Aromatase Inhibitors

The latest research on acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine shows what we already know—that acupuncture can treat many serious conditions, including pain, depression during pregnancy and reduce joint swelling.
A recent paper by Neuroscientists from the University of York and Hull York Medical School shows that acupuncture has specific effects within areas of the brain associated with pain. Having successfully treated many people for various types of pain and knowing that the brain is a fundamental part of how people perceive pain, we were not surprised by the results of this study.

A recent trial at Stanford University examined the use of acupuncture to reduce the frequency and severity of depression symptoms during pregnancy2. The trial, which involved 150 women, found that the women who had acupuncture had a significant improvement in their depression symptoms. In our experience, acupuncture can help with many of the emotional changes that occur during pregnancy.

Another recent trial looked at using acupuncture to reduce joint swelling in women taking aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer3. Join pain is a common side affect from the aromatase inhibitors, and many women discontinue the treatment because of the pain. The study enrolled 43 women at Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. The patients who received acupuncture in this trial reported a significant decrease in the severity of their pain as well as a significant improvement in their overall physical well-being. When treating patients who are undergoing chemotherapy we've also seen them have an overall improvement. Other side effects from cancer medications that we've treated include hot flashes, nausea and digestive issues.

If you or someone you know suffers from any of these conditions, please call us today for a free phone consultation to discuss how acupuncture can relieve your pain, depression and/or suffering.
1. Asghar et al. Acupuncture needling sensation: The neural correlates of deqi using fMRI. Brain Research, 2010

2. Manber et al. Acupuncture for Depression During Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2010

3. Crew et al. Randomized, Blinded, Sham-Controlled Trial of Acupuncture for the Management of Aromatase Inhibitor–Associated Joint Symptoms in Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2010

New spring hours

2010-05-09T12:40:00.000-07:00

In January, Brette Luck MAOM, Lic Ac., joined our practice. Brette's a wonderful practitioner with several years of both clinical experience and research experience. Along with treatment hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Brette will be running a Kids' Clinic on Friday afternoons. Her full bio is below.

With the addition of Brette to our practice, we are now Kate Ruma & Associates Acupuncture. Our new hours are:

Monday: Kate Ruma 1pm-7pm

Tuesday: Kate Ruma 10am - 2pm
Brette Luck 3pm - 8pm

Wednesday: Kate Ruma 10am - 7pm

Thursday: Kate Ruma 10am - 2pm
Brette Luck 3pm - 8pm

Friday: Kids' Clinic 2:30pm-7:30pm

Welcome, Brette!

2010-05-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

Brette Luck, MAOM, Lic Ac
Associate Acupuncturist

From both personal and professional experiences, Brette has found that a wide variety of autoimmune disorders respond well to acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. She enjoys treating patients with autoimmune related chronic problems and seeing them derive overall quality of life improvements.

Along with having a passion for treating people with autoimmune disorders, Brette has had a passion for women's health care for many years.

Before becoming an acupuncturist, Brette was a researcher and worked on five National Institutes of Health funded clinical studies including one to develop a noninvasive technology for cervical cancer detection.

Additionally, her experience as a new mom has helped to give her a greater understanding of the physical and emotional changes of women before, during, and after pregnancy.

Glorious Greens

2010-05-07T09:20:00.000-07:00

by Erika McCarthy, Holistic Health Counselor

So many people I talk to seem to intuitively know they should be eating more greens, but don’t actually do it. Knowing why we should all be eating more greens may inspire you to actually do it! Green vegetables are the foods most missing in modern diets. Learning to cook and eat greens is essential to creating health. When you nourish yourself with greens, you will naturally crowd out the foods that make you sick. Greens help build your internal rain forest and strengthen the blood and respiratory systems. They are especially good for city people who rarely see fields of green in open countryside. Green is associated with spring, the time of renewal, refreshment and vital energy. In Asian medicine, green is related to the liver, emotional stability and creativity.

Nutritionally, greens are very high in calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, zinc and vitamins A, C, E and K. They are crammed with fiber, folic acid, chlorophyll and many other micronutrients and phyto-chemicals. Whenever possible, choose organic. But eating non-organic greens is much better than not eating any greens at all!
Some of the benefits from eating dark leafy greens are:

Blood purification
Cancer prevention
Improved circulation
Strengthened immune system
Promotion of healthy intestinal flora
Promotion of subtle, light and flexible energy
Lifted spirit and elimination of depression
Improved liver, gall bladder and kidney function
Cleared congestion, especially in lungs by reducing mucus

There are so many greens to choose from. Find greens that you love and eat them often. When you get bored with your favorites, be adventurous and try greens that you’ve never heard of before. If you dislike the taste of greens or have a hard time building enough of them into your diet, try dried greens in the form of powder that you can mix easily into your favorite juice. Call us today at 617.372.3960 to order high quality green powder and start feeling better today!

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Attending the Pacific Symposium

2008-10-28T12:45:00.000-07:00

Hosted by the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, California, the Pacific Symposium is a conference for Oriental Medicine practitioners. At this conference participants will attend lectures and workshops from renowned speakers and leaders in the field of Oriental Medicine. This is also a great way for practitioners to renew their passion, hit the reset button, and network with other professionals of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Kate will be away for this conference on Thursday, November 6th and Friday, November 7th. She'll be back in the office on Monday, November 10th.

Welcome to our new blog!

2008-10-28T12:36:00.000-07:00

This blog is where we will share news and updates on Traditional Chinese Medicine and the practice of Kate Ruma, a Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist practicing in Arlington, Massachusetts. To subscribe to this blog choose the option in the left-hand column and receive new blog posts through your RSS reader.

For more information on our practice visit our website at http://www.kateruma.com.