Dry Needling Benefits

What is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is the insertion of a needle into a trigger point or joint in order to increase blood flow, release tight tissue, and reset the nervous system in order to accelerate healing. Dry needling is the only modality that allows a physical therapist to directly target the muscle or pathological tissue. Patients often describe the feeling as a slight ache or a warm sensation when targeting unhealthy tissue. It usually only requires a few sessions depending on the level of injury/ damage and or length of time the tissue has been not functioning at a normal level.

Dry needling is different than acupuncture because needle placement is based on symptoms and position of pathological tissue versus in acupuncture the placement of the needle depends on opening up energy flow/ balancing meridians.

4 Benefits of Dry Needling:

1. Fast Pain Relief- Your pain improves as the trigger point relaxes and blood flow improves. Better circulation means that painful, acidic wastes get carried away while your muscles receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to heal. Many patients experience an immediate reduction in local and widespread pain after one dry needling session. Others may need several sessions to achieve optimum pain relief. Your treatment plan depends on the severity and number of trigger points.
   
2. Helps Restore Range Of Motion- If you have multiple trigger points, you may experience severely limited mobility. And when you’re not active, your muscles weaken and lose mass. A Physical Therapist will often times combine dry needling with a physical therapy program to rebuild your strength and fully restore your range of motion. Physical therapy also retrains your muscles, and this helps to prevent future trigger points.
   
3. Aids In Speeding Up The Healing Process- Whether you suffered an injury or had surgery, moving your body is the best way to promote healing and speed up your recovery. Physical therapy is the primary treatment during the recovery process. However, adding dry needling to physical therapy can help accelerate this process.
   
4. Helps Ease Chronic Pain- Dry needling goes a long way toward easing two chronic pain conditions, myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia.
   Myofascial pain syndrome occurs when trigger points develop in the fascia, a sheet of connective tissue that surrounds and supports all your muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and organs. Dry needling and physical therapy are among the best treatments for this chronic pain condition.
   Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain and tenderness in your muscles. The pain affects the way you move, which in turn leads to trigger points. Patients who have fibromyalgia and get dry needling often experience significant improvement in their overall pain.

Dr. Amy Flaherty, PT, DPT, MDN, GTS is here to help you with all of your dry needling and physical therapy needs!

Patterns of Discrimination for Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates 136,000 people will be diagnosed with colon cancer in 2017 and nearly 50,000 of those will actually die from the disease. At least half of the people who develop colon cancer have some sort of existing risk factor. The other half may get colon cancer due to unfavorable diet, lifestyle or habits.

Regardless of the reason, Western medicine typically treats each case the same way. Surgery is the first line of defense, followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. All of these tactics can be quite risky and have a multitude of adverse side effects.

Traditional Chinese Medicine treats each person on an individual basis. This means despite the Western medical diagnosis, the patient will receive special individualized care. TCM also differentiates the various causes of colon cancer based on the underlying contributing factors that have created the disease.  There are at least four possible different patterns of discrimination for colon cancer in the Chinese medicine world. Each pattern is associated with a specific energetic meridian and organ system, as well as some sort of causative factor, such as damp heat.

The first possible pattern involves the large intestine pathway being invaded by damp heat. With this pattern, the patient may have diarrhea, mucus or blood in the stools; foul smelling stools, a burning anus, fever, sweating, heaviness of the limbs and thirst without a desire to drink. This can be caused by ingesting too many hot and greasy foods, accompanied by excessive worry and anxiety over a long period of time. The treatment would involve clearing the heat and draining the dampness. The patient would also need to make some lifestyle changes.

The next possible pattern involves the spleen energetic pathway. The spleen system does not like cold.  Thus, when the system is invaded by constant cooling, the yang or fire becomes depleted. The pattern is known as spleen yang deficiency. Symptoms of spleen yang deficiency include lack of appetite, abdominal distention after eating, fatigue, loose stools with undigested food, cold limbs, chilliness and edema. The treatment would involve warming and boosting the spleen yang.

The third possible pattern involves the kidney system. As with the spleen, when the kidney system is exposed to excessive cold conditions or the yin (water) is excessive, the yang of the kidney system can be depleted. The symptoms of kidney yang deficiency include chills, aversion to cold, cold limbs, apathy, lethargy, weak or cold knees and soreness in the lumbar region. The treatment would involve warming and boosting the kidney yang energy.

The last possible pattern also involves the kidney system, but this time it is the opposite of the aforementioned pattern. Kidney yin deficiency occurs when there is too much fire and not enough water, which creates excess heat. Symptoms of this pattern include hot palms, night sweats, constipation, thirst, sore knees and dark urine. The treatment would involve cooling and sedating the kidney yang, while boosting the kidney yin energy.

No matter what the pattern, acupuncture and TCM can help, provided the diagnosis takes place early. This is why acupuncture should be used in a preventive fashion. Book your acupuncture sessions with Sobhana Vasan, MSAc., L,Ac., Dipl. Ac., SEP, MBA today!

Main Symptoms as They Relate to Colon Cancer Patterns

There are five different diagnostic patterns associated with colon cancer. Each separate diagnostic pattern has its own set of symptoms linked to it. Read below to figure out which main symptoms relate to certain colon cancer diagnostic patterns.

Large Intestine Damp Heat

Abdominal pain, diarrhea, mucus and blood in the stool and heavy sensation in the body and limbs are all signs of Large Intestine Damp Heat.

Spleen Yang Deficiency

Cold limbs, tiredness, pale complexion, weakness of the limbs and loss of appetite are all signs of Spleen Yang Deficiency.

Kidney Yang Deficiency

Spiritual fatigue, declining libido, difficulty in urination, enuresis and general edema are all signs of Kidney Yang Deficiency.

Kidney Yin Deficiency

Afternoon or evening sweats, dry mouth, achy lower back, tinnitus and aching bones are all signs of Kidney Yin Deficiency.

Liver Yin Deficiency
Blurred vision, numbness, brittle nails, vertigo and flank pain are all signs of Liver Yin Deficiency.

Holistic Health Care Centers is here for you!

Repetitive Strain Injury

A repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a condition that can affect anyone. This type of injury can occur in most parts of the body due to a repetitive action that is unnatural to the body. Fortunately, there are homemade treatments which could decrease the pain.

What Are Repetitive Strain Injuries Repetitive strain injuries result from an action frequently performed for long periods. These may go from sitting at a desk while writing on a keyboard, lifting heavy objects, playing sports or an instrument, or even being in poor physical condition. For this reason, RSIs are also known as repetitive stress injuries.

These common injuries can have different severity levels depending on the activity patients perform and their care once they occur.

If you suspect that you have an RSI, you should take immediate measures to decrease pain. If the pain persists, see a medical professional.

Common Symptoms of Repetitive Strain Injuries

While RSIs most commonly affect the wrists, hands, forearms, elbows, neck, or shoulders, they may also occur in other body parts. The most common signs include:

• Pain, even while not performing a specific action

• Swelling for no apparent reason

• Recurrent stiffness, tingling, or numbness

• Weakness Although the symptoms mentioned above could be mild, they may gradually worsen.

Extreme RSIs can even prevent patients from performing daily tasks.

How To Prevent Repetitive Strain Injuries

There are different ways of preventing RSIs from happening. Resting between stressful or unnatural postures or actions can help your body recover, even before symptoms appear.

For example, if you work at an office and sit for long periods, you can stand and walk every 45 minutes to let your muscles rest. Remember that RSIs are gradual and, most of the time, happen without notice until the damage is more obvious.

How To Treat Repetitive Strain Injuries

The most traditional home treatment is to apply RICE (rest, ice, compress and elevate). Depending on the pain level, patients can also take anti-inflammatory drugs to cope better. However, if pain persists after 1-2 days of home care, expert help might be necessary. If you experience lingering pain and suspect an RSI, schedule an appointment with Dr. John and Dr. Amy soon for diagnosis and treatment!

Foods to Help you Overcome Anxiety and Depression

Did you know that eating healthier foods gives you a better chance to reduce your depressive symptoms? Eating a diet of processed food does more harm to your body because those foods may be high in sugars and fats.

Additionally, it’s known that there are approximately 10 times as many bacterial cells as human cells in the body. These bacteria serve many purposes including the curation of Vitamin K, digesting the food we consume and even regulating our immune system.

This implies that maintaining a healthy gut bacteria and overall diet can improve your mood.

SO, WHAT CAN I EAT?

Studies show that dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard decrease inflammation, which has been linked to depression. Nuts are another powerhouse used to fight depression. The omega 3 fatty acids found in most nuts can reduce the symptoms of depression. Decreasing daily sugar intake can also help. Excess sugar in the diet decreases a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which can lead to depression if there is not enough of it being produced.

Though symptoms of anxiety and depression vary wildly among individuals, often these symptoms can follow someone for months if not years, slowly wearing down the body.

Here are a few simple examples of foods that can help lift your mood:

Fatty fish: Fatty fish are high in omega-3. Omega-3 is a fatty acid highly connected to cognitive function. Salmon and sardines are a great choice being among the few foods containing vitamin-D.

Eggs: You probably already know this, but the egg yolk is a great source of vitamin-D as well. They are complete proteins, which simply means they contain all the amino acids our bodies need to grow and develop properly.

Brazil nuts: Often those suffering from mood disorders have a heightened level of inflammation. Brazil nuts are high in Selenium, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. Brazil nuts are also anti-carcinogenic which can help prevent cancers from developing.

Pumpkin seeds: Potassium is needed to regulate the electrolyte balance and manage blood pressure. Pumpkin seeds as well as bananas are a great source of potassium. Some studies indicate that pumpkin seeds can have a positive effect on mood thanks to their high zinc levels as well. Zinc is essential for the brain and nervous system, in fact, the highest level of zinc in the body is found in the brain regions involved with emotion.

Chamomile: For thousands of years people all over the world have used Chamomile to find relaxation thanks to it’s anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Some people believe that the relaxing properties of this herb come from the flavonoids present, this is why a warm aromatic chamomile tea is a very popular remedy for managing anxiety.

Yogurt: Praised for its helpful bacteria, yogurt can be incredibly beneficial for many reasons. Gut health and brain health go hand in hand. Yogurt and other fermented foods can benefit the gut naturally all the while reducing anxiety and promoting happiness.

Green tea: Theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, has recently received popular praise due to its potential effect on mood disorders, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder. Theanine has anti-anxiety and calming effects which can increase the production of serotonin and dopamine. Green tea is easy to add to any diet, and is a great substitute for soft drinks or coffee as green tea also contains caffeine.

WHICH FOODS SHOULD I AVOID?

Avoid foods made with added sugars or flours such as baked goods (donuts and pastries), breads, pastas, and cereals. One should also minimize the consumption of animal fats, processed meats such as bacon, and even butter.

It’s important to remember that health starts from within. Maintaining a healthy balance of self-care, such as providing yourself with adequate sleep, hydration, and physical activity is just as important as eating well. The road to wellness isn’t always paved, but the good news is that Holistic Health Care Centers is here to help guide you through this transformation.

If you are somebody who suffers from depression and you are looking for natural, holistic solutions, maybe give these suggestions a try. If nothing else, it is worth looking into. But most importantly, once you find the right path to correcting depression, follow it. Everybody is different and there is no one right answer.

Research Update: Acupuncture and Depression

A study published by BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine looked at the effects of acupuncture in the treatment of depression. For the study, rats were exposed to three weeks of chronic unpredictable mild stress, which put them into a state of depression. Once depression had set in, the rats were then treated using two acupuncture points for 10-minute sessions. What was discovered was that depression-like behaviors were decreased using this treatment method. Therefore, it was determined by this particular study, that acupuncture indeed has positive effects on the symptoms of depression and can be used as a means to treat the disease.

Depression is defined as a mental disorder characterized by feelings of dejection and severe despondency.  Worldwide, nearly 350 million people suffer from depression and nearly 16 million of those are in the United States alone. Statistics show women tend to be more likely to experience depression and young adults between the ages of 18 to 22 are also at higher risk. Symptoms of depression include extreme irritability over minor issues, anxiety, restlessness, irrational anger, lack of interest in everyday activities, thoughts of death, insomnia, severe fatigue, weight gain/loss, difficulty concentrating and unexplained aches and pains. When these symptoms occur for more than a few weeks, depression may be the reason behind them.

As shown in the study, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is very effective in treating depression, not only short-term, but also long-term. Modern medicine usually treats depression with antidepressants and psychotherapy regardless of the presenting symptoms. In contrast, TCM diagnoses each patient on an individual basis and treats the specific symptoms, while also addressing the root of the illness.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help alleviate symptoms of depression while also attacking the root cause(s), thus bringing the body and mind back into balance. The body and mind are inseparable and should be treated as a whole, which is the approach used by acupuncturists. When we experience emotional challenges and become upset, our physical body may become affected as well. Then a vicious cycle begins because the emotions are greatly impacted by what we can and cannot do physically.

The theory behind treating depression using TCM, all revolves around the concept of Qi (pronounced “chee”). Qi is considered the vital energy that flows through the body and animates everything. When Qi is blocked or stagnant, illness can take root, either physically or mentally. Qi flows throughout the body on energetic pathways or meridians. Each energetic meridian is associated with an organ and each organ has its own emotion. For example, the emotion of the liver meridian is anger. When Qi is blocked and liver Qi stagnation occurs, anger can then manifest. From the same standpoint, if a person is excessively angry, the flow of Qi can be blocked creating stagnation.

Acupuncture releases endorphins and activates natural pain killers. By doing so, it improves the flow of Qi throughout the body while eliminating blockages and bringing balance to the mind and body. Endorphins counter the symptoms of depression and allow the person to resume a normal life.

If you are suffering from depression and are looking for a natural way of dealing with it, contacting a licensed acupuncturist might be exactly what you need. The doctors and practitioners at Holistic Health Care Centers can help you navigate the waters of depression without the harmful side-effects of pharmaceuticals, while helping you get back to a happier life.

KINDNESS IS TRUE BEAUTY

I want to share a story my husband Bill and I witnessed for two years. It’s about the beautiful kind people who supported a beautiful kind dying young man…Tyler Trent.
Here is his story:
Tyler was always an avid reader and a whiz kid with an outstanding memory for details. He was also a staunch Purdue football fan–a superfan; the “ultimate sports fanatic–a diligent studier and keeper of obscure dates and statistics.” (The Upset: The Tyler Trent Story, 2019). In 2014, at age15, Tyler Trent was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone disease. After a normal raw emotional response period, he declared that he wasn’t going to let cancer defeat him. In fact, he viewed his cancer as a blessing from God; an opportunity to live his life with purpose, with hope, and with joy. He believed his purpose was to advocate and champion for cancer awareness and research and motivate others to also do so. AND HE DID!
In five short years, Tyler accomplished so much for his purpose, while also attending classes at Purdue, earning an Associate’s degree in Computer Information Technology, working as a sports writer for The Exponent–Purdue’s student newspaper, writing a column for the Indianapolis Star, and being a data analyst for the Indianapolis Colts organization!
• He founded Teens with a Cause, which recruits young people to perform service projects
for families affected by cancer.
• At Purdue, Tyler joined the Dance Marathon Club, a student organization that raises
funds and awareness for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, where he received
treatment.
• As the first student member of the Director’s Advancement Board of the Purdue
University Center for Cancer Research, Tyler helped raise cancer awareness with a
younger audience.
• In 2017 and 2018, he was the Honorary Captain for Purdue’s Hammer Down
Cancer football game, which raises funds for the center.
• He raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer research through The Tyler Trent
Purdue Endowment for Cancer Research, The V Foundation for Cancer Research, and
Riley Children’s Hospital.
• He received the Disney Spirit award, the Be the Hope Sagamore of the Wabash award
from Indiana Governor Holcomb, and the Patrick Mackey Courage Award.
• Although in hospice and in great pain, he did interviews on Good Morning America,
ESPN, and other programs.
Tyler’s purpose and all of his work soon became known by millions when he accurately
predicted the outcome of the 2018 Purdue game against Ohio State, which was undefeated and ranked second in the nation. It was a moment when “Tyler Trent” inexplicably became a household name. ESPN’s airing of Tyler’s story the morning of the big game resulted in Twitter blowing up with the news. Sports channels reported that people joined hands across stadiums and social media platforms to proclaim themselves, “TylerStrong.”
At Purdue’s Ross Stadium–only a couple of days after he almost died–Tyler was wheeled in, flanked by two secret service men. He received a blaring standing ovation from the sold-out crowd, which chanted, “Tyler, Tyler, Tyler, Tyler!” People (Bill and I included) hugged and cried and laughed! The kindness at Purdue and across the nation was so beautiful!
At age 20, Tyler died. In such a short time and at such a young age, he leaves a huge legacy of kindness, hope, and selflessness in his fight to find a cure for cancer. His family and so many people–famous and ordinary–helped him realize his purpose.
Purdue alumnus Dave Tiley noted, “Tyler taught a team what is possible when individuals play for something greater than themselves. He taught a university what is possible when you live for someone else. He taught a nation about the God who loved and sustained him every step of his journey.”

Shared by: Joan Caton

Common Tennis Injuries

Tennis is a complete sport that involves your whole body. It is fun and can be played individually or in a team, making it very easy to find a moment to practice. However, such a complete sport also involves injuries that may affect different parts of your body. Tennis players tend to suffer from injuries from their fingertips to the tip of their toes.

Common Tennis Injuries and Treatment

Here are some of the most common tennis injuries. For each injury, there may be homemade treatments to decrease pain and speed up recovery. However, some of these injuries may be too serious to treat at home, in which case, you should see a medical professional. Holistic Health Care Centers is here for you and your families needs.

Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

Rotator cuff tendinitis affects the muscles in your shoulder joint. Also known as ‘tennis shoulder,’ it involves inflammation, tendon irritation, or both.

Symptoms include pain and swelling in the shoulder and arm, stiffness, and pain when raising your arm or moving it back, such as when scratching your back.

Recommended treatment includes rest, ice on the area, and anti-inflammatory drugs.

After recovering from rotator cuff tendinitis, tennis players should be aware of it coming back.  Should that happen, there might be something wrong that needs to be changed regarding their playing style.

Calf Tendon Injuries

Pulled calf often results from overstretching the muscles in the back of the leg. While it may not be severe, it can also result in complete muscle tearing. Common symptoms of calf tendon injuries include muscle pain, problems bending your knee, and bruising or swelling of the calf muscle. It is also very common to feel a popping sensation in the area.
Should you feel any of these while playing tennis, it is highly recommended to stop the activity and apply ice as soon as possible. Depending on the severity, you can treat it with ice and rest, while limiting movement of your leg.

Other less severe tennis injuries include ankle sprains, tennis toe, and wrist strains. As mild as they may seem, tennis players should be aware of how long it takes to recover and how frequently they suffer from it.

If you experience recurrent injuries or cannot recover from them in three to five days, make sure to contact Dr. Amy Flaherty, DPT, OCS and schedule an appointment for further investigation!

Effects of Acupuncture on Quality of Life in Patient with Depression

A study published by the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and conducted by the West China Center of Medical Sciences in 2015, found acupuncture treatments can be effective in the treatment of patients suffering from depression. According to the study, 163 participants were divided into three groups. Each group received differing forms of treatment utilizing acupuncture or acupuncture and other accessory modalities, twice a week, for a total of 12 weeks. The scale of life was used to evaluate the results at four different times, which allowed for the patients quality of life to be objectively followed and determined. There were eight specific items that were evaluated after each acupuncture treatment, thus leading to the overall quality of life score. The items evaluated were physical function, bodily pain, physical role, general physical condition, social function, energy, mental health and emotional function.  The study showed the overall quality of life score was improved significantly in all three groups.

Depression is defined as a mental disorder characterized by feelings of dejection and severe despondency. Worldwide, nearly 350 million people suffer from depression and nearly 16 million of those are in the United States alone. Statistics show women tend to be more likely to experience depression and young adults between the ages of 18-22 are also at a higher risk. Symptoms of depression include extreme irritability over minor issues, anxiety, restlessness, irrational anger, lack of interest in everyday activities, thoughts of death, insomnia, severe fatigue, weight gain/loss, difficulty concentrating and unexplained aches and pains. When these symptoms occur for more than a few weeks, depression may be the reason behind them.

As shown in the study, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is very effective in treating depression, not only short-term, but also long-term. Modern medicine usually treats depression with antidepressants and psychotherapy regardless of the presenting symptoms. In contrast, TCM diagnoses each patient on an individual basis and treats the specific symptoms, while also addressing the root of the illness. TCM incorporates multiple modalities such as acupuncture, Chinese herbs, tuina massage, cupping and exercises like qigong to help restore balance to the body. Traditional Chinese medicine also treats the person holistically instead of treating mind and body separately.

The theory behind treating depression using TCM, all revolves around the concept of Qi (pronounced “chee”). Qi is considered the vital energy that flows through the body and animates everything. When Qi is blocked or stagnant, illness can take root, either physically or mentally. Qi flows throughout the body on energetic pathways or meridians. Each energetic meridian is associated with an organ and each organ has its own emotion. For example, the emotion of the liver meridian is anger. When Qi is blocked and liver Qi stagnation occurs, anger can then manifest. From the same standpoint, if a person is excessively angry, the flow of Qi can be blocked creating stagnation.

Acupuncture releases endorphins and activates natural pain killers. By doing so, it improves the flow of Qi throughout the body while eliminating blockages and bringing balance to the mind and body.  Endorphins counter the symptoms of depression and allow the person to resume a normal life.

If you are suffering from depression and are looking for a natural way of dealing with it, contacting a licensed acupuncturist might be exactly what you need. The doctors and practitioners at Holistic Health Care Centers can help you navigate the waters of depression without the harmful side effects of pharmaceuticals, while helping you get back to a happier life.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Tips from Chinese Medicine

For more than 30 years, October has been recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This effort to raise awareness and funds for research can be considered a recent endeavor in the history of the disease which has been around for at least 5000 years. Medical texts describe cases dating back to 3,000 BC. Today, about 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. (A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 883). In order to promote early detection, educational campaigns share information about warning signs such as breast swelling or discomfort, nipple pain or pitted skin. Western medicine researchers have identified hormonal, lifestyle and environmental factors that may increase the risk of breast cancer, but causation is considered extremely complex.

Chinese Medicine organizes causative factors into the following categories which can also interact in complex ways:

*Stagnation (liver qi): The liver is in charge of moving the qi in the body, dispersing stagnation caused by various influences (such as the other causative factors listed below). Emotional stress can cause a weakness in its capacity for qi distribution and regulation. The liver channel also connects directly with the breasts. Unchecked stagnation can cause dense tissue and masses to form.

*Heat: On a very basic level, heat in TCM can be likened to inflammation. This can be caused by internal or external influences. One of the main external influences that can lead to heat (and therefore inflammation) in the body are environmental toxins.

*Deficiencies: Both qi and blood deficiencies can contribute to the development of breast cancer. The immune system needs enough qi to target and remove abnormal (potentially cancerous) cells and regenerate healthy ones. A deficiency of blood can lead to stagnation if there is not enough blood to maintain vigorous circulation (picture a river during a drought). Also, a deficiency of spleen qi (related to digestion) often leads to dampness in Chinese Medicine.

*Dampness: One of the ways dampness expresses itself in the body is by the accumulation of excess fat. Also, dampness and heat combined usually generates ‘phlegm stagnation’ which can take the form of hardness, nodules and tumors.

Luckily, the approach to prevention is not as complex as breaking down the causes.

Prevention tips:

Enjoy nutritious seasonal food to support the creation of new qi and blood.

Avoiding processed food will help to minimize toxic heat and dampness in the body and cut down on our body’s inflammatory responses.

Regular exercise helps us to maintain circulation and a healthy weight while allowing us to sweat out toxins.

Filtering our air and water can help minimize our exposure to environmental toxins.

Liver detox teas and gentle cleansing protocols, especially during Spring (liver time), can be very beneficial in ridding the body of accumulated toxins and supporting the liver’s role in the free flow of qi.

Managing stress is critical. Target your biggest stressors in life and make changes to either remove them, limit them or create better coping strategies.

Massage and castor oil packs can be used preventatively to help avoid local stagnation, often found in fibrocystic (lumpy) breasts (though these direct approaches are usually avoided in the treatment of actual cancerous tumors).

Acupuncture and Herbs are wonderful tools for prevention and can also help to treat side effects of conventional cancer therapies (nausea, neuropathy, pain etc.).

Simply put, TCM’s approach to Breast cancer prevention is overall health promotion. Call Holistic Health Care Centers today to get in for some health promoting acupuncture sessions, to help prevent cancer and other diseases and feel your best!