Dr. Elizabeth Langer Gentle and Effective Pain Relief

Fight the Flu!!!

Flu season has arrived a little early this year. It seems like everywhere you go, someone is coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose. You hope its just allergies, but then you start to hear about people being sick to their stomach!

Then one morning, you wake up coughing and sneezing. Your muscles ache and your head is spinning. Your stomach lurches and you know...

You have the flu.

So what do you do?

Don't spread it to others!                                                                                             If you are sick, please call off work. You need to rest and it's no good to be getting your coworkers since. Besides, how good of a job can you really do when you have to keep putting your head down?

Wash your hands. Please! We are not children and it is just plain disgusting when people do not wash their hands. Hands should be washed after using the bathroom, before meals, and really any other time they need to be cleaned. It’s not a bad idea to wash your hands after entering your house because you were probably handling car keys, money, gas pumps… Many objects carry germs.

For those who do not know how to perform this procedure, work up a good lather with soap and sing “Happy Birthday” two times. Alcohol can also be used for disinfection.

Cover your mouth if you have to cough or sneeze. Kids in preschool are taught to cough into their elbows. If you do cough into your hands, please wash them.

Try not to touch your mouth or eyes if you are at risk of coming into contact with the flu.

Eat a nutritious diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.                        Basic nutrition can help to prevent and treat the flu. Eating a wholesome diet provides your body with the nourishment it requires to fight the flu and enhance recovery.

Hydration is essential. Drinking plenty of water will help to keep your electrolytes balanced and help flush the virus from your body. To give your body an extra cleanse, try adding some fresh-squeezed lemon.

Food may have to be consumed to tolerance, but it is important to keep up your strength. Broth is a gentle and effective food that helps your body receive essential nutrients. Try to add some vegetables, beans, or chicken if tolerable. Barley and rice are also good additions. If you must get canned broths, try to use those low in sodium, sugar, and preservatives.

If you can tolerate them, try to eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. To improve digestion, cook or steam your vegetables slightly. Garlic and onions boost immunity and combat bacteria and viruses, so add them to your diet.

Certain foods, such as dairy, should be avoided. Milk products create phlegm and can make symptoms worse. They produce excessive mucous and slow digestion. If you are worried about calcium and vitamin D, drink almond, rice, or coconut milk.

Avoid sugar. Bacteria feed off of sugar and though the flu is caused by a virus, a weakened immune system can give bacteria the opportunity to thrive.

Snuggle Up with a Cup of Tea...                                                                            Teas have so many healing properties and there are so many to choose!   There's a tea for everything! My two favorite teas for the flu are ginger and peppermint. They help soothe aches and pains, are naturally free of caffeine, and can calm an upset stomach.

Another reason I like ginger and peppermint is that they work very well with the basic principles of traditional Chinese medicine. Ginger is warming and will rev you up if you are cold, weak, and experiencing chills. Peppermint is cooling and soothes many upset stomachs as well as relieves headaches.

*Tip* Look at your tongue! If it's red, drink peppermint, and if its pale, drink ginger! 

Or Bullet-Proof Coffee!                                                                                             You might want to skip this one if you have the stomach flu. But if you have a cough, sore throat, aches and pains, give it a try. Now there are many different types of "Bullet-Proof" Coffee, but the way I like mine is black with about a half teas-spoon of coconut oil.

Acupuncture                                                                                                          Acupuncture is a safe and natural method of preventing and treating the flu. Your body will be more resistant to fighting infections and better able to eliminate any pathogens that are making you sick. If you do contract the flu, you may feel a little worse after your first treatment, but your follow-up visit should alleviate the unpleasant symptoms.

If you have the flu, you may be more sensitive to needles and their insertion. Your treatment should not use too many needles, and you may want to ask for the extra thin needles.

Ask your acupuncturist about moxabustion and cupping. Moxabustion involves burning the herb mugwart over your body like incense. Moxa will nourish your body and its warmth provides relief over aching muscles. If you do have the flu, smokeless moxa may be preferable.

Cupping is a procedure involving the use of suction cups, either glass or plastic. The suction helps to draw the pathogens out of the body and increases circulation.

Chiropractic                                                                                                   Chiropractic care is another way to fight the flu. It stimulates the nervous system, which increases circulation, boosts immunity, and improves health. Adjustments combined with trigger point therapy can also help to break up mucous and relieve sore muscles. Your chiropractor may also provide a hot pack or light muscle work.

Don’t forget, your chiropractor is an educated physician and they do possess extensive knowledge on your anatomy and physiology. They simply rely on more natural methods as opposed to drugs to get you feeling better.

Get plenty of rest so you can stay strong!

What's the Difference Between a Cold and the Flu?                                      Though the symptoms are similar, colds and flus are caused by two different viruses. The common cold is an upper respiratory tract infection caused by the rhinovirus. Like the flu, which is caused by various influenza viruses, symptoms may include cough, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, chills, aches, and fatigue.

Flu symptoms tend to be intense and in severe cases can result in pneumonia and hospitalization.

The flu is transmitted through the air when someone coughs or sneezes. You can also become infected if you touch a contaminated object. The flu is contagious before symptoms appear and can continue to be spread for up to a week.

Flu Shots: A Good Idea?                                                                                                  To prevent the flu, a vaccination is often suggested. The CDC recommends everyone over six months should be vaccinated. But as a health care provider and lover of science, I must disagree.

Let me clarify that I am not against vaccinations. I have been vaccinated against hepatitis B and my daughter receives most of the recommended immunizations. I would rather take the risks associated with a vaccine than her getting measles or polio.

But not so much for the flu.

Flu vaccines do not prevent against all strand of the virus. And there are many different strands circulating each season. Influenza A, B, and C are broken up into various subgroups and to prevent against all of these strands would be difficult. Only a few strands of the virus are selected for immunization. Even if you receive a flu shot, you still have a good chance of catching a strand that you were not vaccinated against.

And don’t forget that viruses mutate. Even if you receive the right vaccination for the strand that you were exposed to, the virus may be altered by the time it gets into your body and you still get sick.

For many people the side effects of the flu shot produce the exact same symptoms as the virus itself. This happens because strains of the inactivated virus are injected into your body. Though the symptoms may not be as severe, they can still make you sick.

Some people may feel it is necessary to receive a flu shot. The flu shot can be a good way to prevent any serious conditions, such as pneumonia from occurring. For high-risk populations such as people with weakened immune systems and chronic lung diseases, a flu shot may be the best option. To find out more, ask your health care provider for information regarding what’s best for you.

In order to fight the flu this season, you do not need to rely on excessive medications. There are so many natural ways to prevent and treat it. Talk with your health care provider about finding the one that’s right for you.

Quit Smoking with Acupuncture

Is your New Year’s resolution to finally quit smoking? If so, you are in luck. There are so many ways to quit and it seems like society is finally on board with helping you kick the habit.

And it’s no wonder! Smoking is not only dangerous, it also contains one of the most difficult drugs to quit. To say that withdrawal symptoms are "intense" would be putting it mildly.

If you decide to quit smoking for the New Year, you have so many resources at your disposal. These include nicotine gum, the “patch,” hypnosis, counseling, group therapy, and electronic cigarettes.

Acupuncture can also help. In fact, there is a procedure that involves five needles in your ear and is used to help you with addictions. NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) is a "tried and true" protocol commonly performed by both acupuncturists and drug addiction counselors and typically produces highly successful results.

Acupuncture calms the physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms associated with smoking cessation and will get you through the first 3-4 days of detox. As the chemicals leave your body, acupuncture helps you cope with the physical sickness you may experience. Once the nicotine and other chemicals are no longer in your body, you should begin to feel better physically.

The emotional and mental process of quitting smoking is much more difficult. At this point, your treatment plan will change and you will focus on the stress and anxiety and psychological response that you will have. Different acupuncture points may be used and you may be able to start to lengthen the time between your treatment sessions. Combining acupuncture treatments with support groups, coaching, or counseling may also be beneficial.

When you are ready to quit, you will. And just because it doesn't work one time, doesn't mean you shouldn't try again. Be kind to yourself. Though acupuncture is very helpful, having a good support system and a positive attitude is the best medicine.

Boost Your Metabolism Naturally with Acupuncture

A common complaint I see in my clinic is that even when patients eat all the right foods, they still can’t lose weight.  While I can certainly help people with their diets, sluggish metabolism can make losing weight almost impossible.  Acupuncture is a major asset in weight loss because it naturally boosts your metabolism without drugs or potions.

Our metabolism can become sluggish for many different reasons.  As we age, our metabolism naturally slows, and for women, putting on 5-10 pounds post-menopause may not be a bad thing.  Sometimes our metabolism is impaired due to a disease, such as hypothyroidism.  

The great thing about acupuncture is that it can work with almost any condition or treatment plan.

For patients who are overweight due to a slow metabolism, I use an abdominal protocol because it is both gentle on the body, and helps you to better absorb the nutrients in your food.  When you absorb nutrients in your food, you will notice your energy improving and will be amazed at how much easier losing weight becomes.  You may even begin to crave exercise!

So if you are struggling with losing weight, it might be due to your metabolism.  A few acupuncture sessions could be all you need to finally achieve your ideal body!

Fight Food Cravings with Acupuncture

You told yourself that you wouldn’t have chocolate.  But you are standing at the checkout line and the candy bar magically jumps in to your cart.  Or the carton of ice cream in your freezer somehow enters your mouth and attacks your stomach!

Even though you start out with discipline and good intentions, sticking to a diet is tough because food cravings can drive you nuts!

If you are looking for a solution that will take away the edges and calm your cravings, look no further than an acupuncture treatment.  Acupuncture will eliminate the stress of dieting and make the physical withdrawal from your trigger foods all-the-more bearable.  Plus, there is even a detox protocol, NADA, which is commonly used for treating addictions and a Hunger Point in the ear that is specifically designed to fight food cravings!

Enough said.

Losing weight is hard enough.  Why make yourself crazy or load yourself up with dangerous chemicals?  Let acupuncture fight your battle and so you can enjoy the process of losing weight and getting healthy!

Lose Weight With Acupuncture

by Dr. Elizabeth Langer

You want to lose weight?  You are not alone.  Being overweight can make you feel sluggish and can be hard on your self-esteem.  It can also be dangerous for your health.  If you are obese, you have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer. Even being just twenty pounds overweight can increase your chances of developing these conditions. Not only that, but if you are overweight or obese, you may be more susceptible to anxiety and depression.

So if being overweight is so detrimental, then why is it that so many people aren’t losing weight?

Losing weight and keeping it off is not easy. We struggle not only with food cravings and slow metabolism, but we are also constantly bombarded with confusing diet and exercise programs. Advertisements plague us for dangerous weight-loss drugs and potions.  Some people have even undergone surgery.

And yet, the weight remains.

The problem with crazy diets, potions, and surgery is that the cause of the weight gain is not addressed.  There must be a system that can help with losing weight, but also provide emotional support, and offer sound dietary advice.

Acupuncture helps manage weight because it balances our bodies to function at a more optimum level. By guiding our bodies into a natural state of equilibrium, acupuncture improves digestion and metabolism, relieves stress, decreases water retention, and facilitates neurologic functioning to relieve food addictions.

Treatments are based on individual needs and tailored to each patient. Though there are common acupuncture points associated with weight loss, each person and their overall constitution must be assessed in order to achieve desired results. If you are overweight due to an underactive thyroid, you should not receive the same treatment plan as someone who is overweight due to constant hunger and emotional stress. While every person responds differently to treatment, most people usually get results in 8-12 treatments.

Success with weight loss cannot occur with just acupuncture alone. To lose weight and keep it off, diet and exercise must be addressed. Talk to your acupuncturist about a sensible diet plan and exercise program and you will see even better results.

Five DIY Tips to Soothe Your Tummy this Thanksgiving

by Dr. Elizabeth Langer

The amount of food at a Thanksgiving feast can be overwhelming. And giving into temptation is too easy. So no lectures here!  As long as it doesn't become a habit, it is totally understandable to eat that extra piece of pie.  And that extra helping of mashed potatoes.  Before you know it, you stuffed yourself and now feel like a great big turkey!

Don’t go reaching for the antacids just yet! 

After you undo that first button on your pants or loosen your belt, you might want to try these five simple remedies to soothe your stomach, and other parts of your aching digestive system.

1. Get up and move.  If you just sit there holding your stomach, the food is going to get backed up, causing gas, heartburn, and pain. Your stomach is about the size of your fist and your intestines can only move so fast.  So when they are overloaded, it is important that you help them move things along.  No one is telling you to run a marathon, but do get up and walk around.  Stretch a little.  Maybe this is a good time to help your host or hostess clean up?
2. Try some water with fresh-squeezed lemon.  Lemons provide a gentle detox to our bodies and overloaded GI systems usually respond well to warm water. This refreshing drink can also be a lifesaver the next morning.
3. Enjoy a small cup of coffee.  Just make sure its black with no sugar.  You can add a little cinnamon for flavor.  No decaf either.  The caffeine will help to stimulate your digestion and get the food moving faster through your system. 
4. If you don’t like caffeine, have some ginger tea.  Just a warning, ginger tea can really heat things up and if you drink too much, it can have you running for the bathroom!  To soften and sweeten the effects of the ginger, add a teaspoon of raw honey. Ginger isn't for everyone and sometimes it’s just too hot for some people.  How can you tell?  Look at your tongue in the mirror.  If your tongue is already bright red, you might want to skip this one.
5. Instead try peppermint tea.  This will cool down your body and help to relax your stomach and intestines, so their digestive rhythms can return the rhythm to normal.

Even though this was created with Thanksgiving in mind, these DIY tips can be used anytime you overeat. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Stress Relief with Acupuncture

by Dr. Elizabeth Langer

Everyone has stress. Having stress is normal, but too much can be harmful to your health. In our culture, we often disconnect the mind and the body. But because traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) does not separate the psychological from the physiological, acupuncture benefits people dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression.

Too much stress creates muscle tension, pain, fatigue, and headaches. Stress can even exacerbate high blood pressure, heart palpitations, allergies, and create problems with digestion. Too much stress can reduce our immune system and predispose us to getting sick.

When we experience intense emotions, we get stuck in a cycle. Acupuncture helps to break the cycle, making stress more manageable. It allows difficult emotions to surface, releases endorphins, and calm frazzled nerves. We are then able to take step back and examine the stress factors in our lives. When we understand the factors causing our stress, the real healing can begin.

Treatment plans should be tailored to your individual needs. Every person handles stress differently. Some may find their problems are resolved in three to four treatments, while others may find relief in a long-term plan. Stress due to losing a loved one, is different than the stress response due to chronic anxiety.

If you are suffering from a serious emotional condition, it is highly recommended that you receive treatment from a licensed therapist along with acupuncture. Because acupuncture uses no drugs, it works with any treatment plan and will not interfere with any prescribed therapy. Acupuncture may even make the counseling and psychotherapy more effective by reducing the intensity of the stress.