Chinese Medicine: October 2009 Archives

Reuters
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) ~ New research shows that a special Acupuncture technique can help ease lower back and pelvic pain in pregnant women.
In a study, women who had pressure needles held in place with tape in their ears for one week, were more likely to experience significant reductions in lower back and pelvic pain than those who had the needles placed at three "sham" points or women in a control group who didn't get real or fake acupuncture.

Pregnant women often suffer from pain in the lower back and pelvis ~ and this can set the stage for chronic pain later on, according to Dr. Shu-Ming Wang of the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.

Ear acupuncture might offer a drug-free way to help ease pain in these women. Wang and his colleagues randomly assigned 159 women in the 25th to 38th week of pregnancy to receive real acupuncture, acupuncture delivered to points that would theoretically not affect pain in the pelvic or lower back area, and a control group.  Every woman was also instructed to use self-care as needed, including resting, taking acetaminophen, and applying warm and cold compresses.  All of the 152 women who completed the two-week study reported some degree of pain reduction and improvement in their ability to function.

A 30 percent or greater reduction in pain was reported by 81 percent of women in the acupuncture group.  Improvements in function were significantly greater among women who had real acupuncture compared to those who got the fake version or received no treatment.

A week after the end of acupuncture treatment, 68 percent of those who received the real thing still had a 30 percent or greater reduction in pain compared to the beginning of treatment ~ the only side effect was temporary tenderness in the ear area, reported by one woman in the acupuncture group and three in the sham acupuncture group.

The treatment is inexpensive and it takes about three minutes for the needles to be put in place if an experienced person is doing the job.

In future studies, it would be worthwhile, the researchers say, to explore whether extended continuous ear acupuncture yields a more sustained effect and determine the characteristics of acupuncture responders versus nonresponders.
They call for larger studies to investigate these issues, and to determine whether the treatment has any effect on pregnancy outcome.
 SOURCE: American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, September 2009.

I'm a little late on this post ~ It would have been fitting if I'd written this before the Adirondack Balloon Festival ~ but it's still helpful information.
The Chinese believe that there's a great Dragon in the Sky that will help you to realize your dreams. 
But first you must send those wishes out in a specific way.  Take a Red, Yellow, White, Pink or Lavender colored helium-filled balloon and tie it with 9, 18 or 27 inches of Red Ribbon.  Write your wish on the balloon with a New black felt-tip pen that you buy especially for this occasion. Only one wish per balloon.  Be specific and concise when you write out your wish.  Then on a slightly windy day when the sun is not too bright, release the balloon into the sky ~ continue to watch it as it flies higher until it slowly vanishes from sight.  As the balloon disappears ~ visualize your wishes being fulfilled.  Then, after you can no longer see your balloon on the horizon, know that the Sky Dragon has swallowed it and will now begin to actualize this wish for you. Of course, feel free to release as many balloons as you WISH ~ just one wish per balloon.  

On October  8, 2009 we will enter the 9th month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. This is the year of the Earth Ox and is considered a well-balanced year.  The Chinese believe that it is always better to prevent bad luck from occurring than to try to reverse it ~ so it's helpful to know what to expect.

The Rat needs to be careful this month as misfortune is to be expected. Do not take any risks or make major plans this month. As if things could not look worse ~ Money Luck is also poor.  The elderly or frail rats must take care and it  is very important that they not sleep or spend time in the North area of their home or office.  In love you could be disappointed or worse ~Broken-hearted.

Just a Mediocre Month for the Ox.  Although you have many resources this month to accomplish what you want ~ there is danger from people who are jealous or envious; or who feel that you wronged them in the past and they are out for justice or revenge.  This month ~ Neutralize your Karma by doing Good Deeds and Charitable Works.  Just  keep a low profile.  Success, Wealth, and Power can be yours ~ but celebrate quietly.

The Tiger also is in danger  from those who are jealous. When things go well ~ celebrate quietly or the celebration will be over quickly. Do not attract attention ~ quietly study and improve your job skills and you may receive a promotion.  It's not a bad month ~ but it's sad that you have to keep your joy a secret ~ for now.

Check back for Part II ~

* If you don't know your astrological sign ~ check the May 19, 2009  post

*Astrological characters by WOFS

         ~Way Back Then ~

I consider hair a serious subject.  I'm a natural Redhead and as anyone with a Redheaded child knows - Red hair draws a lot of attention. When you're very young old ladies pat you on the head  ruffling your hair ~ When you're old enough to go to school classmates tease you ~ some nastier than others ~ to a certain extent your Red hair defines you.  I will never forget an old Brill Cream commercial (yes I remember Brill Cream) ~ a man was typing a complaint letter to Brill Cream and I am paraphrasing this as time has played with my memory:  "Dear Brill Cream, you said that if I used your product I would meet a beautiful Blonde or Brunette ~ but all I ever got was a Redhead!  Then in walks this drop dead gorgeous Redhead ~ if they tried that ad today they'd be sued. 
As an actress and model I was featured in commercials and ads for Clairol ~ L'Oreal ~ Breck ~Alberto VO 5 and many more. A bad hair day could mean a loss in income ~ so I consider myself somewhat of an expert when it comes to hair products ~ I still research and I try them all.

Stay with me ~ this post does include Chinese Medicine and Health.  In Chinese Medicine Kidney Energy represents our DNA ~ it shows the state of our Health  and the Kidneys are said to Flourish in the Hair ~ it is much more involved and more complicated but this gets us started.  Once I produced a commercial for a client from Hong Kong and the client felt that our male actor's hair wasn't thick enough ~ we had to get a hairpiece for him to make it look fuller.  The hair piece resembled a scalp so after the commercial I mounted it on the foot of my bed - kept it there for years till a dog got it.

In the West we also look at hair to determine one's health.  The hair usually shows what was happening in your body several months or even weeks before.  It may be coincidence ~ but have you noticed how many elected male politicians have thick  hair? 

So today I'd like to talk about the products we use on our hair. While the sulfates and other surfactants used in most commercial hair care products may not kill you, they will wreak havoc on your hair shaft and scalp.  Sulfates, etc. are typically used by the hair and body care industry as a cheaper way to create lather. While sulfates, surfactants, and harsh detergents break down the dirt and oils that make hair look greasy and dirty, they also strip out all the natural oils and beneficial bacteria that your hair and scalp need to stay shiny and healthy.  The result?  Dry, damaged, frizzy hair, often accompanied by an itchy, flaky scalp.

I have discovered the Beauty Society Salon for organic, non-toxic, healthy hair. ...  in Malta, New York.  PH: 518.899.7570 ~ William and Cristina Connolly Proprietors.   They use All Natural, Non-toxic & Organic Professional Hair Products & Services.  They sell La Vida Dulce shampoo bars ~  yes Bars ~ all-natural, sulfate and detergent free for you and your pets.  I love them and my dogs like the bars as they are easier to control and  helps to keep soap suds out of their sensitive eyes.
                                                                                  

.
To quote the experts:  "All La Vida Dulce shampoo bars contain coconut oil. Coconut oil has been used as a hair care product all over the world with great results. Its high amount of lauric acid, capric acid and vitamin E make for a great hair conditioner and hair strengthener.  Coconut oil is a fabulous styling product when used in bar form.  When the oil on the hair cools and sets, it leaves the hair bouncy and in place with a thicker, fuller feeling head of hair."
 
La Vida Dulce shampoo bars are their own blend of saponified oils. They use organic oils when ever available ~ but always 100% pure essential oils; and if they do use fragrance it's phthalate free.  Their products are biodegradable and environmentally friendly.    http://www.lavidadulcebeauty.com/index.html

Look ~ every society realizes that the condition of your hair is a reflection of your inner health ~ but we also know that chemicals and toxins can be absorbed through the skin ~ so why take a chance.