By Farahnaz F. at Judy's Book May 21, 2013
I am very disappointed at this group. They are more concerned about saving costs than caring for the patients. They do not even order a blood work for your annual exam and you are not allowed to talk about your pain or any problem when you ... ...read more
By desireelewis29 at Citysearch May 15, 2012
I believe everything is perfect so far, and hope many women receive the information well, as I did. ...read more
By s436 at Citysearch December 02, 2011
For a routine colonoscopy procedure, this office would be fine. It is essentially a colonoscopy factory, with efficient and knowledgeable nurse-practitioners handling your care and pushing you through the routine process. Which is fine.\t\n\t\nBut - If you need to actually converse with an actual GI doctor due to more complex digestive issues, take my advice and avoid this office. It took me four visits -- and a phone call to please request his presence -- before being able to actually have an appointment with Dr. Kumar himself, as opposed to the nurse practitioner. And when my appointment time came, he came in late, spent five minutes outside the exam room in the hallway being updated on my condition by the nurse practitioner -- a conversation I, and everyone in the hallway, could hear -- and then entered, seemingly all annoyed to have been disturbed from his daily round of colonoscopies. He had a "bedside manner" so rough and rushed and blunt -- starting with a challenge: "So what's the matter with you?" -- that after this terrible appointment -- that I'd stupidly waited months for -- I left the office in tears.\t\n\t\nIn sum, I never felt LESS cared for in my life. ...read more
Summer and Chinese Medicine According to Chinese medicine's five element theory, summer is ruled by the fire element. The fire element corresponds to the heart and small intestine, the southerly direction, the climatic condition of heat, the color red, the emotion of happiness or joy, the sound of laughter, the taste of bitterness, and the odor of burning. Fire controls the blood vessels and is reflected in the face and complexion.Element: FireNature: YangOrgans: Heart, Small Intestine, Tongue and ComplexionEmotion: JoyFire is symbolic of maximum activity or greatest yang, which means that it is a time of heat, outgoingness, and moving outward in nature and in our lives. This is the season to nourish and pacify our spirits while maximizing our potential as we find joy in the hot summer days and warm summer nights.Signs that the fire element is in balance include a strong and healthy heart, a calm mind and the ability to sleep soundly. When the fire element is imbalanced, we may either lack joy (depression) or have an excess of joy (mania). Indicators of an imbalance in the fire element also include agitation, nervousness, heartburn, and insomnia.This is a great time to schedule your acupuncture seasonal tune up! Call us for more information. Tongue Diagnosis Tongue diagnosis is an important part of the Chinese medical assessment. During an examination, the overall tongue coating, shape, and color is taken into account.The tongue reflects the health of the internal organs and blood circulation. Changes in the tongue color usually reflect chronic illness. As your health changes, the condition of your tongue changes as well.A normal tongue is pink in color, medium thickness, has no cracks, ulcers, or teeth marks and has a light white coat on it.A Red Tipped TongueDifferent areas of the tongue are believed to reflect the health of the different organ systems. If there is an unusual color, coating, and/or shape in a certain area, special attention is paid to the corresponding organ system.The tip of the tongue is related to the heart and fire element. When the tip of the tongue is red, it is an indication that emotional distress is causing an imbalance. Today’s fast paced lifestyle has created an epidemic of stress and anxiety. It is very common to see red tipped tongues in our culture.In addition to a red tipped tongue, other symptoms of a heart imbalance can include insomnia or frequent nightmares, restlessness, agitation, mouth ulcers, heat sensation in the chest, palpitations with anxiety, dry mouth and a rapid pulse.As with any assessment method, acupuncturists never rely on tongue diagnosis alone, but use it to provide a complete picture of a person's health.Tongue diagnosis can be a subtle art. To try it yourself, observe the variations of your tongue's shape, color, size, and coating and compare it to that of friends or family members. After you have looked at a few tongues, you will see that they differ widely, and with a little study can tell you a lot about the overall health of a person. Study: Blood Pressure Lowered by Acupuncture A German study published in the June 2007 issue of Circulation found that acupuncture significantly lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The extent of the blood pressure reductions by acupuncture treatments was comparable to those seen with antihypertensive medication or aggressive lifestyle changes, including radical salt restrictions.For the study, 160 outpatients with uncomplicated, mild to moderate hypertension were randomized to six weeks of acupuncture performed by Chinese medicine practitioners or to a sham procedure. Patients underwent 22 sessions, each 30 minutes in length. By the end of the six weeks, 24-hour ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly reduced from baseline in the acupuncture-treated patients (5.4 mm Hg and 3.0 mm Hg, respectively). No significant changes were seen in the sham acupuncture group.After six months the blood-pressure reductions disappeared, leading investigators to conclude that ongoing acupuncture treatments would be required to maintain the blood-pressure reductions.Source: Circulation, June 2007 Words of Wisdom Do not race your heart like a horse, or you will exhaust its energy. Do not fly your heart like a bird, or you will injure its wings. Never frantically move things around just for the sake of seeing what will happen. If you move things around you dislocate them from their proper place. If you will be calm and patient, everything will come to you by itself. - Guanzi (Writings of Master Guan) circa 26 BCE In This Issue Summer and Chinese MedicineTongue DiagnosisStudy: Blood Pressure Lowered by AcupunctureWords of WisdomWatermelon (Xi Gua)Watermelon Gazpacho Watermelon (Xi Gua) In ancient Egypt, watermelon juice and its seeds were traditionally offered to quench the thirst of travelers. If you are looking for a healthy choice to quench your thirst this summer, make it a delicious and refreshing watermelon!Chinese Medicine uses the fruit (Xi Gua) and the seeds (Xi Gua Ren) for dehydration and summer heat symptoms, which include thirst without desire to drink, a band-like headache, nausea, irritability, low appetite, heavy, weighted body sensation, low motivation, sluggish digestion, increased body temperature and sticky sweat.Because of watermelon’s cooling nature it is often recommended to reduce your body’s inflammatory response. Research indicated that the effects of chronic, low-grade inflammation can contribute to conditions such as arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes and certain forms of cancer.Watermelon is also an excellent source of vitamins C, A, B6, B1, magnesium, thiamine and potassium.Watermelon GazpachoThe delicate flavors of cucumber and watermelon go hand in hand to create this sweet-and-savory chilled soup, perfect as a first course or as an appetizer on a hot summer night.INGREDIENTS8 cups 1/4-inch-diced watermelon1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely diced1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced1/4 cup chopped fresh basil1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley2 tablespoons minced shallot2 medium garlic cloves, minced3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil1 tablespoon fresh lime juice3/4 teaspoon saltBlack pepper to tasteDIRECTIONSMix ingredients in a large bowl. Puree about half of the mixture in a blender or food processor to the desired smoothness. Stir in the remaining diced mixture.Chill for at least one hour, to allow flavors to combine, and stir well before serving.Serve chilled and enjoy! ...read more
By Ligani Acupuncture June 17, 2008
Acupuncture and Digestive Health Over 95 million Americans suffer from digestive disorders ranging from constipation, diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome to more serious conditions such as acid reflux (GERD), ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.In fact, over 35 million physician office visits a year are due to gastro-intestinal complaints. With the side-effects that often accompany western medicine and sometimes less-than-desirable results, many patients are turning to acupuncture for help. Reports are confirming that acupuncture and Chinese medicine can offer relief from even the most complex digestive problems.Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive DisordersEvidence that Chinese medicine has been used for digestive disorders can be found in early medical literature dating back to 3 AD, where specific acupuncture points and herbal formulas for borborygmus (rumbling or gurgling in the intestines), abdominal pain and diarrhea with pain are discussed.According to Chinese medical theory, most digestive disorders are due to disharmony in the spleen and stomach. The spleen plays a central part in the health and vitality of the body, taking a lead role in the assimilation of nutrients and maintenance of physical strength. It turns digested food from the stomach into usable nutrients and qi. Many schools of thought have been formed around this organ; the premise being that the proper functioning of the 'middle' is the key to all aspects of vitality.By taking into account a persons' constitution and varied symptoms, a treatment plan is designed specifically for the individual to bring their "middle" back into harmony and optimize the proper functioning of the digestive system. A variety of techniques can be used during treatment including acupuncture, herbal medicine, bodywork, lifestyle/dietary recommendations and energetic exercises to restore digestive health.If you suffer from a digestive disorder, give us a call. We will be able to give you more information about treatment options to get you healthy and symptom free! Zusanli, “Three Miles of the Foot” The acupuncture point, Zusanli, also known as Stomach 36 (St 36), is one of the most frequently used of all acupuncture points and is certainly the most intensively studied. The indications for use of this acupuncture point are many, and the claimed benefits are substantial.Zusanli is a very powerful point for digestive health. This acupuncture point adjusts the qi and blood throughout the body and strengthens the spleen and stomach. It is one of the major supplementation points on the body and has the ability to treat a wide range of conditions.Current research has found the Zusanli can both increase and decrease movement in the stomach, raise and lower blood pressure and increase or decrease the white blood cell count depending upon whether there are too few or too many white blood cells. Because of its ability to balance and regulate, it is generally considered to be a point that has a beneficial effect on the whole body.Massaging Zusanli is often an important exercise in Qi Gong and martial arts practices. Regular application of moxibustion (a therapy which involves the burning of specific herbs at acupuncture points) to Zusanli is considered to be a method for gaining longevity. There is an ancient Chinese saying: “Moxa Zusanli and live to be a hundred.”The English translation of Zusanli is “three miles of the foot”. The name comes from the assertion that, even when totally exhausted, needling Zusanli would allow one to walk a further three miles.Stomach 36 is located four finger breadths below the kneecap, one finger breadth outside of the shinbone, in the groove. The point is usually tender. Study: Acupuncture for Acid Reflux Disease A study published in the American Journal of Physiology - Gastrointestinal and Liver indicates that stimulation of certain acupuncture points inhibits esophageal sphincter relaxations by as much as 40%.Although the cause of gastro-esophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is still unknown, there are treatments available on the market to help with the symptoms. However, many of the existing treatments come with side effects and their effectiveness can be limited.The American Physiological Society opened eyes by pointing to the effectiveness of electrical acupuncture point stimulation in reducing the key mechanism of GERD, transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs). This important muscle allows food to pass into the stomach when working normally. In people who have GERD, the muscle relaxes at the wrong times, allowing stomach acid to churn up into the esophagus and resulting in heartburn symptoms.By applying only mild stimulation to an acupuncture point on the wrist known as Neiguan (Pericardium 6), researchers were able to reduce the frequency of TLESRs from six to 3.5 an hour in research subjects. Sham stimulation of a hip point produced no comparable change.Source: American Journal of Physiology—Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, 2005 In This Issue Acupuncture and Digestive HealthZusanli, “Three Miles of the Foot”Study: Acupuncture for Acid Reflux DiseaseIBS Awareness Month IBS Awareness Month IBS is a common disorder affecting 10 to 20 percent of adults at some point in their lives. Once called “spastic colon,” it's a combination of symptoms that may include constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, fatigue and headaches that can be worsened by certain foods, stress and other irritants. IBS is the end result of nervous interference with the normal function of the lower digestive tract. The symptoms are variable and change over time.IBS according to Chinese MedicineWhile other patterns may be present, IBS is almost always considered a disharmony between the liver and the spleen in Chinese medicine. The liver is responsible for the smooth flow of qi and blood throughout the body. This flow can be upset by emotions or stress, causing stagnation of qi (energy) or blood. Chinese medicine views the spleen as being associated with the function of digestion and transforming food into energy (qi and blood). The spleen can be weakened by a number of factors including overeating unhealthy foods, overwork, too much worry, fatigue, and lack of exercise. When the spleen is weak and the liver is not moving smoothly, the liver overacts on the spleen and can manifest as symptoms of IBS.Recommended Lifestyle Changes• Get Acupuncture - An increasing number of studies show that acupuncture can offer relief from digestive disorders.• Relieve Stress - Try Qi Gong, Tai Chi, meditation, yoga or breathing exercises. Finding a way to relax is key to keeping IBS symptoms under control.• Exercise - Physical activity helps to maintain bowel regularity and reduce stress.Nutrition and Supplements• Identify trigger foods - By keeping a symptom diary, you should be able to pinpoint the foods that lead to your IBS symptoms. For example, some foods that may increase gas and bloating are beans and raw fruits and vegetables.• Avoid dairy foods - Eliminating milk and milk products can be a big help for many people.• Don't overeat - Too much food in a single meal can set off IBS symptoms; opt for small, frequent meals when possible.• Take probiotics with meals - These products contain “friendly” bacteria that can stabilize the digestive tract; you can find milk-free brands (such as culturelle) in health-food stores.• Take peppermint oil - Enteric-coated capsules taken 15 to 30 minutes before meals led to significant improvement in IBS symptoms among participants in a Chinese study. Take one or two capsules three times a day before meals. ...read more
By Ligani Acupuncture April 16, 2008
If you are considering a career as a general surgeon, you may be wondering what the proper steps are to take. You will need to complete a total of 14 years in schooling, including four as an undergraduate, four as a medical student and another six years in a medical residency program. ...read more
A physical therapist works with individuals who are recovering from medical problems or injuries to help them restore movement so they can regain their normal body functions. Setting a physical therapy private practice requires research and careful planning. Once you get everything set up properly, it... ...read more
