Life is an incredible journey, with plenty of ups and downs and in-betweens to navigate along the way. Sometimes it is easy to forget that at the end of the day, all of our emotions, our thoughts, our nutrition, our interactions with others, our work, the amount of sleep we get (or don’t get) -all leave a footprint on our health and well-being. The triggers are different for everyone, but there is no debating that stress affects quality of life – so why wouldn’t it affect a persons health and healing? It most certainly does, and science is starting to prove it to us. After the jump I’ll explore an immensely important article on infertility, the mind-body connection, and why you should put your intuitive health at the top of your priority list.

An Infertile Silence

The August 2010 Issue of Self Magazine has published a lengthy and wonderful article around the emotional turmoil behind a diagnosis of “infertility.” I have rarely seen such an honest, heartfelt account of what couples are going through when they are having difficulties trying to conceive. The stress, anxiety, frustration, shame, fear and depression can swallow up couples in their suffering. And the isolation created by feelings of inadequacy or “broken-ness” (as the article notes), makes it difficult to open up to friends and family members about the struggle. The reason? The article supposes that it is because there is not enough awareness about infertility as a medical diagnosis, treatment options or even research in the field to provide adequate treatment (the most modern IVF treatments still have a 60% failure rate according to recent studies). Giving a voice to infertility may increase awareness, increase funding for research and studies and decrease the isolation that so many couples are feeling.

That may be so, but there are plenty of health situations one could replace “infertility” with that cause the same amount of shame, fear, anxiety and stress (maybe even more). While being able to talk about the struggles one faces does help lift the weight, the stress on the patient and now to loved ones supporting that patient can take its tole on everyone’s health.

The Mind-Body Connection and Health

What caught my attention most about the above article was the preliminary study done by Dr. Domar wherein 97 IVF patients in Boston participated in 5-10 mind/body sessions  and were 160% more likely to succeed in becoming pregnant than the control group. That is a whopping number! So what are these mind/body sessions? The article didn’t state exactly, but mind-body medicine stems from various different arenas in the health field: therapy, meditation, yoga, guided relaxation and – yep, you guessed it – acupuncture.

Stress can play an enormous role on our health on a day-to-day basis, and it exponentially exacerbates when we are faced with a difficult circumstance (ie: a health problem or medical diagnosis). Patients may be taking care of themselves in a perfect way, eating right, exercising regularly, having appropriate tests run, taking appropriate medications, and still not achieving their goal and (even worse) feeling desperation and despair. For this reason alone Eastern medicine and modern medicine can bridge the gap in health care by accounting for what many mind-body practitioners will refer to as the “subtle or energetic” body in addition to the physical body. While western medicine is motivated to cure disease, mind-body medicine is motivated to support the healing process so we are better equipped to handle whatever experience we have.

Why Does It Work?

The mind-body connection is an unseen energy communication between the physical body and the conscious and unconscious mind. Acupuncture helps to release stress stored in the body, which can cause many physiological changes in the body. It does this from an energetic standpoint, unwinding clogged energy and invigorating flow to under-served areas in an effort to achieve balance and health. There is also a subtle neurological component where the synapses of the brain actually change upon the insertion of the needles (which is why, for example, people can undergo brain surgery in China using only acupuncture as the anesthesia). The mind can convince us of many things, which get stored in the body and can manifest as illness in some cases.  If that is true, then the idea that we can undo illness (or, heal) by changing the way we think or releasing somatic memory through bodywork, makes logical sense.

“Whether You Think You Can Or Cannot – Either Way, You Are Right”

This is where the idea of affirmations comes in – actually repeating new thoughts out loud so that eventually you adopt them as your own. As a great yoga instructor once told me while holding an extremely difficult pose: Stay in the now. Don’t let your mind tell you that you are too beautiful for this pose – or that you are not beautiful enough, or not strong enough. Focus only on the breath. The mind is stubborn and it can often try and keep us where we are at because it is what we know. For that reason, there are the mind-body techniques out there to work with the mind, gently helping to restore a balance between the wisdom of the body and wisdom of the mind. Healing is a journey, as it takes a while for things to build up in the system, it can take a while to set them right again. Acupuncture is a great way to support the mind-body connection and will not interfere with most other treatment therapies (and in particular, has a great success rate for improving pregnancy outcomes separate and aside from stress release).

Scientists are still studying the boggling scope of mind-body medicine. Because every mind and every body is different, there is no “magic pill” or “magic therapy” to cure an ailment in everyone. This can make it hard for the analytical person to swallow how or why such a therapy might be useful, and how to choose which one to utilize. My personal advice: trial and error. And learn to trust your intuition as much as you trust your doctors treatment plan. While they take care of your medical health, stay in-tune with your emotional and spiritual health and seek out advice from experienced practitioners that can support that side of you. It is, at the very least, equally as significant to healing as medical care.

]]> http://www.erinhessel.com/2010/07/the-mind-body-connection/feed/ 2 http://www.erinhessel.com/2010/07/pregnant-new-yorker-event-tomorrow/ http://www.erinhessel.com/2010/07/pregnant-new-yorker-event-tomorrow/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:56:14 +0000 Erin http://www.erinhessel.com/?p=1181 Erin will be speaking on the benefits of acupuncture during pregnancy, labor and delivery and after birth at the Pregnant New Yorker event tomorrow night. Located at upper east side breast-feeding superstore, The Yummy Mummy, these events are not to be missed. They are full of important information and lots of fun prizes for moms-to-be.  Pre-register at the Pregnant New Yorker for reduced ticket rates.

I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July!  Like most holidays – food, alcohol and dessert often laden the picnic table (I know they sure did at my Minnesotan family-reunion festivities). Get back on track while enjoying summer feasts with this delicious recipe for fish tacos – the perfect combination of sweet, tangy and crispy. And best of all it is super healthy and easy to make!  Typical fish tacos are laden with refined-flour breading and deep fried in saturated oils. This recipe utilizes whole corn meal for the batter, a touch of extra virgin olive oil and are baked to a crispy perfection. Then, sandwiched between fresh tortillas, lettuce, sliced radishes, shredded carrots and topped off with my flavorful mango salsa recipe.

This recipe is from our monthly ESEMA newsletter – sign up here to receive our healthy (and free) tidbits!

For the Fish:

• 4 Tilapia Fillets, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1 egg, whisked
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 Tbsp Lime Juice
• 1 Cup Whole Ground Cornmeal
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 1 tsp. Cumin
• 1 tsp. Fresh Ground Black Pepper

Marinate the fish cubes in the lime juice, egg and olive oil for about an hour in the refrigerator. In a large zip-lock freezer bag, combine the dry ingredients. Place the marinated fish (and any liquid) into the bag, seal tightly and combine until all of the fish is covered with the cornmeal mixture.

Lay the fish pieces in one layer on a greased baking sheet (I use Spectrum Organics Grapeseed Oil). Bake at 375 F for 20 minutes, or until fish is cooked through and the outside is crispy. Stir the fish occasionally while cooking. These delectable fish-nuggets are so good you will never even know they are baked and not fried!

Fresh Mango Salsa:

• 1 Large Mango, cubed
• 1 Large Nectarine, cubed
• Small bunch Cilantro, chopped
• 1 Small Red Onion, finely chopped
• 1 Clove Garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp Lime Juice
• 1/2 Tbsp Agave Syrup
• Pinch Salt

Combine all ingredients and let the flavors meld in refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving.

“Doctor, I have an earache…”

2000 BC  ~  “Here, eat this root.”

1000 AD  ~  “That root is heathen; say this prayer”

1850 AD  ~  “That prayer is superstition, drink this potion”

1940 AD  ~  “That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill.”

1985 AD  ~  “That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic.”

2000 AD  ~  “That antibiotic is artificial – here, eat this root!”

~author, unknown

Going around full circle, I wanted to share this  enlightening, humorous and fun short poem sent to me by one of my patients.  A lot of today’s movements are going back to the beginning for useful advice on health, medicine, nutrition and body care. As we become more conscious of the impact our decisions have on our health and the planet – organic, “green” and natural are coming back into fashion. Food is another great example, as we move out of the grocery shelves (while less money up-front and quick in preparation) and back to the farmers market (what you’ll save in health care bills far compensates the cost up-front, and promotes sustainable agriculture for farms just like our ancestors).

The same is true for acupuncture, herbs and other complimentary medicine practices – which may seem like a luxury, but are actually more like insurance. We are a clinical practice, focused on the medical needs of our patients through detailed health history discussions and sending them home after treatment with, well, roots (like the ginseng root pictured above). While there is no question that modern technology has given us incredible tools, stepping back – in some cases – is more like taking a step forward.

Some of my favorite resources for stepping back and staying modern:

Gorgeously Green – Do it yourself (and from the garden!) skin and beauty-care products

Suncoat Cosmetics – Formaldehyde, Toluene & Phthaletes Free (aka: Toxin-Free) Nail Polish

Sara Snow – Advice on Green Living for all areas of your life, from the family of Eden Organics

Erba Organics – Organic & natural body products for baby and mom

Healthy Bitch Daily – On the front-lines of hip and healthy, this daily email will keep you in the know

“In Defense of Food” - One of many wonderful books on healthy eating by Michael Pollan

]]> http://www.erinhessel.com/2010/06/a-brief-history-of-medicine/feed/ 0 http://www.erinhessel.com/2010/06/2010-oil-spill-what-you-can-do/ http://www.erinhessel.com/2010/06/2010-oil-spill-what-you-can-do/#comments Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:56:54 +0000 Erin http://www.erinhessel.com/?p=1147

With the incident leading to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico occurring more than two months ago, the tragedy has only gravely worsened in impact and has yet to come to resolution. As we all know by now, the wildlife (like the Manatee pictured above), the sea creatures, the inhabitants who earn their living in the area and the polluted waters are but some of the destruction the spill is leaving in its wake. How is it that in a world with technology modern enough to build such a rig in the middle of the sea that we do not have the resources to repair it? While that question remains to be answered for me, we can all play our part in finding a solution through the thoughts that we think.

The Power of Positive Thought

While local rescue teams, scientists, firefighters, air-traffic and volunteers do the important work on the scene in participating in clean-up efforts and most importantly, stopping the spill, those of us living far away can still have an active participation through sending positive thought. Maybe it sounds trivial, but two recent encounters have explored the power behind this and without negative consequence, I implore all of us to try.

This weekend I had the honor of attending a yoga and meditation workshop with one of my favorite teachers, Patricia Moreno. The focus of the class was to understand the impact our thoughts have on creating our reality. That we actually have the power to visualize that which we want in our life by simultaneously appreciating that it is already there and having faith that it will continue to flow in an excess beyond our wildest imagination. After self-reflection, we closed the class with a 10 minute meditation for healing the gulf. We visualized a thriving ocean, healthy sea-life, a prosperous community, clean waters and the end of chaos.  Why not?

Positive prayer, as some call it, has been used since the beginning of time to silently hope for a particular outcome. I know I have witnessed this occur in simple daily things (manifesting a parking spot or a speedy train, for example) to monumental life changes. Imagine the impact a whole world could have in sending focused and positive thoughts to heal the gulf*.

The Proof is in the Water

Dr. Mosaru Emoto, a Japanese scientist, is most known for his research in the changeable molecular structure of water in response to emotion. Through his work he is able to quantifiably evaluate physical shifts in the structure of water molecules by changing our emotional state. As the human body is made of mostly water, his research is often used as the basis for healing through positive thought. Given that the oil spill is a problem contained in the ocean, it makes even more sense that his theory could be applied here. Rather than emitting the fear and anger regarding the situation (although there is much reason to be afraid and angry through the destruction and political implications alone), he encourages the following thought pattern in an effort to find resolution from the inside (aka: the water molecules themselves) out.

“I send the energy of love and gratitude to the water and all the living creatures in the Gulf of Mexico and its surroundings. To the whales, dolphins, pelicans, fish, shellfish, plankton, coral, algae, and all living creatures . . . I am sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you. “

What I like about this prayer (if you wish) that arrived in my inbox this morning, is that it allows the space for us each to take responsibility for both the cause and the healing in the oil spill. To find accountability within tragedy is healing, even if it seems impossible that some of us played any part. The world is a gigantic tapestry of interconnectedness, for which we cannot truly isolate and separate ourselves. At the end of the day, the one thing we truly have control over is how we think and where we put our attention to. We can choose to sit in anger and frustration, or we can choose to try a different path. Either way, here’s hoping that with enough creative problem solving and positive imagery, this disaster will be turning around just as quickly as it started.

*The meditation used for visualization in Patricia’s class was the Meditation for Manifesting by Dr. Wayne Dyer, which can be downloaded here.

Last week our CEO and Founder, Erin Hessel, was featured in a two-part interview in the Huffington Post on June 1st and June 2nd, 2010. Huffington Post correspondent, Jamie Frevele, got up-close with Erin discussing her thoughts on acupuncture, how it works, why she chose to study it, her specialization in women’s health and how it has evolved in Western culture.

“This is an ancient, 10,000-year old medicine that’s brand new to our culture. So it’s got a long way to go to get the validity it has in China,” says Erin in regards to the movement from East to West.

Erin goes on to state: “According to Chinese medicine, the needle is accessing an energetic frequency that the energy meridians in the body can respond to. We’re using that needle as a conduit to create change, flow and balance in the body. Now to us, Western-minded individuals who grew up in the United States, this makes absolutely no sense – and it doesn’t answer any of our questions! So to answer our questions, we’ve created studies and used different techniques to actually see what’s happening at the needle site and what’s happening in the brain when he needles are in. Although this is helpful, I think that is what’s so frustrating for the acceptance of acupuncture into Western medical society is because there isn’t a lot of consistency in the data. You know, just when we think “Oh this is exactly what it’s doing!” it’ll change into something else in another person. Because it’s so individualized.”

Two read the in-depth and personal interview in full, click here for part one and here for part two.

Ah – Honey, Honey. You are my Candy Girl – and you’ve got me wanting you.

Addictive just like the girl in the Archies song, sugar can have a strong hold over many a sweet-tooth. It is a hot topic in the health world and even entering political legislature. We all know to avoid sugary foods for maintaining good health, but sometimes this task feels next to agonizingly impossible (you know, when that 4:30pm chocolate-chip cookie literally lured you out of the office). More and more studies are showing that difficulty curbing those cravings is not merely a reflection of will-power, but may be the result of a chemical dependency. Despite efforts to eliminate desserts, ice cream and other obvious culprits, find out where else sugar is hiding in foods you might not have guessed.

Health Risks

So what is the big deal with refined sugary treats?  They give us a boost of quick energy, taste delicious, soothe our emotions and add a little touch of sweetness to our lives. The processing of such sugar products makes them have almost no nutritional value (what nutritionists call “empty calories”), which means we digest them incredibly fast, causing hormonal fluctuations, blood sugar spikes, energy highs & lows and excessive hunger. This part feels not so great. The worst of it is that when our body becomes accustomed to refined sugary foods as a main staple the highs and lows may not be as noticeable, but our body is struggling at alarming rate – leaving us prone to obesity, aggravated PCOS and PMS symptoms, diabetes and heart disease.

Yes – heart disease! Why? Because when the body is fueled by refined carbohydrates (including white flour and sugar), it becomes inflamed, making it hard to circulate fluids, blood and nutrients around the body. As the blood vessels swell, we are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Cut the sugar, cut the inflammation and heal your circulatory system.

Sugar’s Not Illegal, But You’ll Have to Pay More For It

In an effort to reduce the consumption of sugary-beverages (and thus attempting to have an impact on declining Obesity statistics, New York City Governor, David Patterson, is implementing a Sugar Sweetened Beverage (SSB) Tax. Sugary sodas, bottled teas, coffees and energy drinks will be taxed higher for every ounce of the sugar-laden product while eliminating current taxes attached to bottled water and other low calorie bottled beverages. The goal being that if people can’t kick the sugary drinks for their own health, that by putting their pocketbooks in charge will make the decision easier for them. To read the full proposed SSB Tax Package, click here.

Perhaps there is some merit to this…but a part of me believes that if you want (ahem – or crave) the Coca-Cola, you’ll buy the Coca-Cola (even if a bottle of water a few cents cheaper). If the proposed tax law is what it takes to motivate an open discussion and investigation on the impact of sugar on individual health, then that is a step forward right there.

More Than  Question of Will

Like addictions of other sorts, sugar dependence depends on individual constitution- a predisposition of sorts. Some people can indulge and never think about it again, while others crave that sugary treat – constantly ruminating about when and where the next will come from and how delicious it will taste and make them feel. The latter response is a question of body chemistry. Sugar immediately feeds our brains with necessary neurotransmitters which then sends out a “feel good” response to the entire body. The problem is that this sensation wears off quite quickly, leaving us feeling worse than before we started.  This type of reaction can also ignite some withdrawal symptoms when sugar is omitted, encouraging us to go right back into the cookie jar.

Emotions do play a part too. Growing up in the midwest, there wasn’t a day that my mother (or grandmother) didn’t have some fresh baked treat coming out of the oven. The joys of helping build the batter, the smell that fills the house while it bakes and the time spent enjoying it together. These are deep memories, ingrained, and pleasant. What happy memory came out of brown rice cakes and peanut butter? While taking care of our physical health, we need to be kind to our emotional health. This article is not meant for you to stop baking devils-food cake with grandma, but to be more conscious of the big picture. Home-made goods tend to have a lot less sugar than store-bought ones, and you have the freedom to tweak the recipe if you want. An avid baker myself, I’ve found the past-time can become much healthier (and still very tasty!) by exchanging refined ingredients for more energizing ones – like in my banana-fig bread.

Your body needs carbohydrates. They have an important function on brain chemistry, hormonal balance and systemic health. These systems respond optimally when we feed ourselves complex carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits, potatoes, yams and other root vegetables.  Check out this great explanation of the difference between simple and complex carbs: click here.

The Sugar Behind The Salt

Avoiding dessert is not enough when it comes to eliminating the sugar-cycle, but all refined flours and corn syrups must also be taken into consideration. Although you can taste the difference between a chewy white bagel and a piece of chocolate cake, your body doesn’t know the difference as far as digestion is concerned. White flour and white sugar are essentially the same when it comes to nutritional value (none), expedited digestion (because there is no nutrition or fiber), and thus leading to the same inflammatory responses.  If you must have your morning bagel, try to upgrade to whole grain. Even better, add some peanut butter, a fried egg or cream cheese as protein slows the digestion of carbohydrates so you feel fuller longer and have more stabilized energy.

Get conscious as a consumer, and evaluate what you choose to put in your body. It is not about eliminating decadence from  your life, but moderating it – so you can feel your best and live a long healthy life. When reducing refined carbohydrates, limit the following to give your self the best possible scenario:

• White Flours (breads, pasta, white rice)
• White Sugars
• Brown Sugars
• Candy
• Alcohol (filled with sugary calories – especially flavored liquors, whiskeys, rum, brandy and wine)
• High Fructose Corn Syrup (careful…it’s in almost everything on your supermarket shelves)

Sweet Alternatives: A Sugar-Lovers Cheat Sheet

While most health practitioners out there agree that if you are going to kick the sweet-tooth for good, then that means cutting out anything naturally sweet (extremists will even include fresh fruit in this category). For some individuals, this period of extreme elimination is necessary to cut the cravings as even a healthier sweetness will set off the desire for more. But here are some tricks to try to eliminate the refined sugars from your life while still including a little sweetness:

• Fresh Fruit: full of natural sugars and carbohydrates that will hydrate the body, offer plenty of vitamins and other nutrients, and a low glycemic index (meaning less blood sugar spikes and pitfalls). Truly the perfect addition after a meal or to hot oatmeal in the morning.
• Agave Nectar: considered a ‘wonder plant’ this very sweet syrup is completely natural, derived from the Agave Cactus and actually offers health benefits – including anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties (the complete antithesis of pure sugar). Agave contains substances like Inulin and Saponins, which actually improve digestion and may even promote weight loss. With a low-glycemic index, Agave Nectar won’t add to the afternoon slump or low spikes in blood sugar.
• Honey: Our friends the bees have created a perfect substance for providing a little sweetness to our lives, and our health. With naturally occurring digestive enzymes, anti-germicidal and anti-microbial properties, honey can help curb an upset stomach or IBS  by cleansing the digestive tract. It has also been shown to be helpful in reducing allergy symptoms.
• 100% Pure Maple Syrup: A naturally occurring sap from a variety of trees, this viscous amber liquid contains many minerals and vitamins, including zinc and maganese (both important for heart health). The darker the amber (available in Grade A Light, Medium, Dark and Grade B), the stronger the flavor. Be careful not to be mistaken by Pure Maple-Flavored Syrup, which is a simple-sugary substitute.
• Reduce Simple Carbohydrates: The body doesn’t know the difference between white flour and white sugar – it breaks it down the same. So, your sugar-free roll may be giving you the same spikes in blood sugar as a candy bar. Complex carbohydrates like whole grains will offer more fiber and protein to your diet, reducing the glycemic load.
• Pair a Protein: Nuts, seeds, eggs, beans, legumes and animal protein will help slow the digestion of carbohydrates – keeping you fuller longer and your energy stable. So if you are going to have a fluffy white bagel, pair it with some peanut butter or cream cheese to help your blood sugar out.

You Don’t Have to Do It Alone!

There is plenty of support out there to help you curb your sugar-habit so you can develop a healthier relationship with it. Acupuncture is a great way to stabilize the hormone and metabolic system, also helps curb cravings so avoiding is much easier. We have a great elimination diet protocol, filled with recipes and substitutes to make this challenge a lot easier and a lot more rewarding.

The Teachings

The four-day event was meant to be taken as a bulk-package, but previous obligations (and a sold-out audience) limited my engagement with His Holiness to the first two sessions. The purpose of his visit was to breakdown the meaning and teachings behind two important texts on how to develop and cultivate an awakened (or, enlightened) mind: The Commentary on Bodhicitta and A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life. The purpose of my attending, was out of sheer curiosity.

The Dalai Lama made it clear that his lectures were not meant as religious dogma for acquisition of more followers, but rather as a forum for philosophical debate surrounding these ancient texts. His first point of the session was on the abundance of religions present in his current homeland of India, including the second highest population of Muslim followers. He glowed while recounting the countless children growing up there with such a variety of religious hymns, chants, and colorful celebrations. In a world of many faiths, he noted that effort must be made to cultivate mutual religious understanding to  ensure harmony and keep conflict at bay. An important factor is the sharing of respective spiritual knowledge in cultivating this understanding, and he advised that unless a clear path points you into the direction of a particular faith, it is best to remain in the religious tradition of your upbringing.

As a woman brought up with many different faiths and no particular belief system to follow (yet, spiritually rooted), this made sense. To hear with my own ears one of the most recognized worldly teachers and a man of the highest order of the entire Buddhist faith tell a room full of New Yorkers to embrace our individual differences and love one another for it, was a very humbling moment.

Compassion and the Five Elements

“Non-Violent Action stems from Non-Violent Emotion – this is the practice of Compassion.” Reminds me of when my mother taught me “Actions Speak Louder Than Words,” and the profound truth that how we relate and interact with the world around us is a direct extension of who we are and what we wish to cultivate in this lifetime. We are the masters of our own destiny.

While compassion is a major foundational point in Buddhist Philosophy, the 5 Elements are the hub of Buddhist Science – a concept I am very familiar with as it is also a major player in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The law of the 5 elements reveal the cyclical nature of life, beginning and ending with what was translated as “Empty Space” (which can also be referred to as consciousness, and considered the 5th unseen element in Buddhist Science and Tibetan Medicine).

Empty Space (always present) –> gives rise to Energy (Wind) –> which gives rise to Heat (Fire) –> which melts to make Liquid (Water) –> that hardens to become Solid (Earth) –> and then Dissolves back into the Empty Space.

The above diagram (meant to be drawn in a connected circle) is the basic foundation for the macroscopic world. It is the law of how things work and came to be in many traditions, and therefore can be used as a model for healing and medical treatment. The theory states that if the nature of the world around us can be understood through the law of the 5 elements, then it is through them that it (and we) can also be mended. Resonating with my education and profession, I agreed whole-heartedly.

Tibetan Medicine

Similar to the principles of Chinese Medicine, I had the fortune of studying medicine of the Tibetan tradition first-hand in Lhasa, Tibet for a month of clinical rotation nearly ten years ago. A major difference in the TCM 5 Elemental Law is the inclusion on Metal and Wood, and the absence of Wind. Just as Western Science has their medical model of treatment, so does Buddhist Science and TCM. Treatment success and protocol can only be understood (and therefore validated) when properly evaluated through their respective models.  It is for this reason that I find traditional medicines so fascinating.

Tibetan Medicine has been passed down through the centuries by beautifully created Thangkas – detailed drawings of various aspects of physiology, pathology, diagnosis and treatment. Below is my favorite Thangka, explaining the process of human development, from embryo to birth.

Closing Statement

During my day with the Dalai Lama, I sat in the very last row of the very highest balcony in Radio City Music Hall – and I was captivated. How a man, seated cross-legged in a chair in the middle of a stage, speaking about religious texts I have never read, mostly in a language I cannot understand could captivate and fill such an expansive space as if it were an intimate gathering is incredible. Perhaps someday I will have the chance to see him again, perhaps to witness the rich religions cultures of India or visit is home-away-from-home in Dharm Sala…

As artist Jeremy Penn notes (contributor of the portrait at the top of this post), unlike Lama’s of the past, HH the Dalai Lama has the privilege to speak around the world, shrinking the gap between faith, politics and followers. I am thankful I had the opportunity to experience this privilege.

Ah, the common question: Do you take my insurance? Is acupuncture covered by my insurance? While I’d like to answer an easy ‘yes’ to both of those questions, the decision is not actually up to me. Since you are most likely seeking out an acupuncturist to help with a condition you are experiencing, it would only make sense that your health care coverage recognize the treatment modality – right?

Truth be told, while there are many insurance companies out there who do cover acupuncture services, there are still many plans who do not. To avoid confusion here at ESEMA we do not accept or “take” any particular insurance and have not made any agreements with specific insurance carriers. As limiting as this may sound, you actually still have a likely chance at getting some sort of return on your investment – and no corners cut on treatment quality or time.

The Super Bill

In exchange for patronage up-front, we provide our patients with the proper insurance receipts (including diagnosis codes) for submission to their individual insurance carrier. These receipts are known in the medical world as “Super Bills,” and if your insurance company covers out-of-network acupuncture treatments, then you will most likely receive full to partial reimbursement for your treatments. If your insurance company will not reimburse you for the services rendered, the receipts may be able to be applied to your deductible or accepted into a flex-spending account. Many of our patients find these receipts to be quite useful in saving them money throughout the course of their care.

Check It Out In The New York Times

The New York Times recently wrote a wonderful article about the benefits of acupuncture, and how even though paying out of pocket for such services may cost you more up-front, that you may be saving money in the long run preventing illness and avoiding other more costly medical procedures.  To read the full well-researched article, click here.

Other Options

Perhaps paying full-cost out of pocket is not in your feasible budget. While we try to help as many people as we can through payment plans and package options, we have a network of referrals to other resources in the city who operate under different models and who therefore are able to reduce up-front costs to patients. There are some acupuncturists out there who do form alliances with insurance companies so that the only cost up-front is the cost your traditional copay. Such clinics often hire a staff to handle their billing, to ensure proper and timely payment, much like a traditional doctor’s office. Depending on the clinic, this model may also speed up patient care to churn out more clients to make up for insufficient reimbursements (depending on the clinic).

Another option to save money on treatments up-front are community acupuncture clinics.  ESEMA Healing Arts is a fan of two different community style clinics in New York City wherein the office visit and treatment are based on a sliding scale. To make up for the lower cost, the patient-practitioner intake is often shortened and your resting period with the needles is often shared in a room with other patients (as opposed to the private rooms offered at ESEMA Healing Arts.

Navigating Your Way

We are happy to connect you with the resources you need so that you can get the care that you deserve. Please contact us directly with questions, as we are happy to provide useful tips for navigating the often complex web of insurance carriers.

]]> http://www.erinhessel.com/2010/05/insurance-does-yours-cover-acupuncture/feed/ 0 http://www.erinhessel.com/2010/04/my-city-garden/ http://www.erinhessel.com/2010/04/my-city-garden/#comments Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:25:30 +0000 Erin http://www.erinhessel.com/?p=633 As an a herbalist, I love plants – primarily studying and utilizing them for nutritional and healing purposes – but they are also beautiful to look at and liven up the room. They are truly inspiring and we have a lot to learn from their nature and individual properties. Having said that, I sheepishly admit that I am not very good at growingplants. I attribute this mostly to the fact that my studies have kept me moving around the globe for the better part of the past ten years, without time to properly incubate new botanical life. But the reality is that I am used to working with plants during their harvesting and consumption phase – not the sprouting and growing periods. I need practice. 

I invite you to join me as I take you on a tour of the small beginnings that are my first (city) garden.

You have to get creative when planting a garden in the city. There is no out-door patio to make a mess on, so certain precautions are necessary when working indoors (like newspapers and properly aligned trash bins). A window-sill is about the only place where sun-happy plants will thrive, and it just so happens my New York City apartment windows face east so they can soak up some nourishing rays.

The San-Diegan Passion Flower

The large pot you see in the above photo is a Passion Flower plant, given to me as a junior plant sprouted from a larger mother-plant owned by my good friend Grace. Her mama-plant travelled all the way from San Diego, and has since thrived in New York City. This beautiful vine has sweet nectar, curly-cue sprouts and the most beautiful flowers (I’ll be sure to post some photos once mine finally bloom). I am happy to say that I have had this plant for nearly a year now, and it continues to grow and thrive.

The Lily

The second pot was my first attempt at growing a Chinese herb (Bai He/Lili Bulbus) and also my first attempt at growing a plant from a seed (which I obtained from a Chinese Herbal garden upstate). Although you can’t tell from this photo, after months of watering and a lot of love, the seed has sprouted! In Chinese medicine, we use the bulb of the lily plant to nourish the lungs – and find it especially helpful when recovering from an upper respiratory infection, in cases of chronic asthma or a restless spirit (ie: insomnia) which can present after a prolonged period of grief.

Aloe Vera

The third plant (and also pictured here) is aloe vera, one of the most useful plants to have around the house. Sun-burns, cuts, scrapes, scars, dry skin, rashes, skin irritations, acne – the jelly in the center of the big cactus leaves can be used for so many things. It can even be taken internally for dry constipation. I remember when I was a kid and I had a huge scar on my forehead from tripping and falling head-first into the corner of the piano (ouch!). My uncle Bill was visiting from Big Sur, California, and got me an Aloe plant. I walked around the house and slept every night with an open leaf taped onto my forehead for probably a month. It looked silly at the time, but to this day you can only faintly see the scar if I crinkle my nose – it works.

My fourth and final plant is a simple rubber plant, which I basically just got because I liked the deep-purple leaves (and my friend Krystie insured that it would endure anything). 

My next addition to the city garden coming soon: Culinary Herbs ~ Stay Tuned!