Needling Kids Back to Health

Kate Ruma & Associates Acupuncture
180 Mass Ave., Suite 301
Arlington, MA 02474
(617)372-3960

www.KateRuma.com
Info@KateRuma.com

Many adults I meet ask me about the needles I use in acupuncture treatment. "Are they big? Will they hurt?" they ask, revealing some level of fear about the process. Rest assured, acupuncture needles are small (about the size of a period at the end of a sentence) and are painless when inserted during treatment. The needles are so benign that even young kids are unphased by them, thankfully, because the benefits of acupuncture for children facing both chronic and acute ailments are powerful.

Take E, age 11, of Arlington. She was diagnosed with Hashimotos Thyroiditis—a common thyroid gland disorder. It can occur at any age, but is most often seen in middle-aged women, caused by a reaction of the immune system against the thyroid gland. Her mom, who was being treated for the same condition with acupuncture, decided the best offense for E’s condition was to augment her medication with acupuncture—knowing that acupuncture treats the root while medicine treats the symptoms. After three months of treatment, E noticed many health changes, including the cessation of a chronic cough, less frequent colds, and feeling more energetic. After six months of treatment, her thyroid is now normal size and her medication has been reduced.

K, age 4, also of Arlington, had eczema behind her ears, on her eyelids, in her elbows and arm pits. She was treated with herbs, diet changes and a technique called sho-ni-shin-non — a kit of metal tools used to brush the meridians or stimulate the acupuncture points-in the case of eczema, the ones that relate to the lungs and spleen and liver. After six weeks of treatment, K’s eczema was gone from her eyelids and armpits and disappearing behind her ears and in her elbows. After another six weeks, the eczema was completely gone from behind her ears, with just a trace left in her elbows.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine works to correct the body at its root so that symptoms no longer appear. It increases blood flow to organs via pathways called meridians. These meridians are the external way to access the internal organs. This is done through placing stainless steel needles in a network of organ pathways called meridians. Each meridian is connected to specific organs. As the needles move, energy flows thru the pathways, qi (energy) is increased to the organs and heath is restored.

Prolonged Television Viewing Linked to Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, and Premature Death

This is a good reason to get out and go for a long walk, or to zumba or qi gong!

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/2011-releases/tv-diabetes-cardiovascular-disease-premature-death.html

We treat sleep issues with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Here are some simple things you can do to help improve your sleep at home:

1. Lie on the floor and put your lower legs up on a couch so your knees form a 90 degree angle. You can also rest your legs straight up a wall. Put a small pillow or towel under your head/neck if comfortable, and cover your eyes to block out light. Do this for 15 minutes. Take slow, deep breaths and clear your mind.

2. Take a bath before bed. You can add lavender or your favorite calming essential oil to the bath.

3. Contract and stretch your muscles when you get into bed. If you notice an area that is particularly tense (between your eyebrows, temples, jaw, and/or behind your ears), try to rub the area gently to relax it.

4. Alcohol initially acts as a sedative. A few hours after you fall asleep though, you are more apt to pop out of that sleep cycle. If you do drink, try to do so three hours before trying to sleep.

5. If you eat just before sleeping, your body will focus more on digesting than focusing on restorative aspects of sleeping (detoxification, cell regeneration, etc.). Try not to eat at least two hours before bedtime.

Military Pokes Holes In Acupuncture Skeptics' Theory

http://www.npr.org/2012/02/16/146944270/military-pokes-holes-in-acupuncture-skeptics-theory

Acupuncture is effective in treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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

Chinese New Year is Here!

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

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.