Greenberg Acupuncture Chiropractic

Acupressure, Reflexology, Deep Muscle Therapy

These are muscle releasing techniques, used at our office that:  restore normal blood circulation to contracted muscles, thereby increasing mobility, reducing nerve blockage and promoting healing. These techniques also allow Chiropractic adjustments to hold longer and Acupuncture to be more effective in restoring normal energy/qi flow.

Some of the conditions that may benefit from these techniques are: Whiplash of the neck and upper back,  TMJ,  Sprain/strain of the lower back/ knees/hips/ ankles,   tennis elbow,  carpal tunnel,  sciatica .  Foot reflexology- for plantar fascitis.

Thought of The Day

It’s never too late to…  start again. Look at nature. Nothing stays the same. Why should you?  Use change wisely.  Like a sporting champion, change a losing game.  Keep the things that matter.  Lose the things that don’t.   Start afresh.             – Patrick Lindsey

Chiropractic Effectiveness – New Research

“Chiropractic is far safer, more effective, and less expensive than epidural injection therapy for pain reduction  of  the neck and back. ”  As revealed by recent studies by the North American Spine Society and a review of 131 journal articles on spinal manipulation.

“Chiropractic often resolves the problems entirely. This is proven by the fact that when Chiropractic was added to a large health plan with 700,000 members, the number of low back surgeries and hospitalizations declined by one third.”

The Benefits of Humming

  Anesthesiologists at Stockholms’s famed Karolinska Institute have found that when people hum, the oscillating sound waves reverberate through the sinus cavities that surround the nose and the eyes. These vibrations have a cleansing effect on the sinuses by clearing them of secretions and promoting air flow between the sinuses. Their research suggests that humming might be helpful in preventing or treating the sinus stuffiness of common colds and sinusitis.                                   Excerpt from ” The Extraordinary healing power of ordinary things” by Dr LarryDossey

Summer-The Season of Yang

The summer,  in Chinese Medicine, belongs to fire, one of the five elements.  Fire is symbolic of maximum activity or greatest Yang, which means that it is the time of heat,  and moving outward into nature and in our lives.  The heart, mind and spirit are ruled by the fire element.  When the fire element is in balance, the heart is strong,  the mind is calm and sleep is sound.  When it is unbalanced, there may be symptoms of depression, anxiety, nervousness, heart burn, and insomnia.  Acupuncture and herbs help to balance the fire element.

Summer, cooling (yin) foods are: cantalope, citrus, peaches, apricots, asian pears, cucumber, asparagus, broccoli, bok choy, white mushrooms, spinach, dill and cilantro. Watermelon, pink grapefruit and guava are also cooling to help quench thirst and keep us hydrated, as well as sipping on  mint tea, chrysanthemum tea,  water with lemon & cucumber or lemon & fresh mint .  Avoid heavier oily foods and foods that create heat like spices, hot peppers and garlic.

Tips for summer health: awakening earlier in the morning, afternoon naps…  especially when we feel overheated, because the body naturally cools down when we rest.   Essential oil spray:  mix  6-10 drops of  peppermint or lavender oil ( by Aura Acacia)  into  6-8 oz. water and  spray on  legs, feet or on pillows and sheets, to clear summer heat from the body.  Aura Acacia essential oils are at our office or at whole foods.

And most importantly, it’s summer….take time to nourish your spirit with some joyful jaunts in nature, sitting with your feet in the grass or sand while taking some deep breaths.

Chiropractic Adjustments facilitate creativity

Tests  were given measuring creative thinking before and after a Chiropractic adjustment. Participants responses indicated an increased creative approach to real-world creative tasks as well as a  renewed energy concerning creative projects that had already been planned. –  Research from Masarsky: “Effect of a single Chiropractic  Adjustment on creative output”

Thought of the Day

It’s never too late to…

Watch the waves.  Smell the sea air.  Feel the spray.  It’s one of nature’s most soothing forces. The endless rhythm.  The expansive power. The constant ebb and flow.  The variety of the swells.  Let the motion calm you.  Meditate on the magnificence.      – Patrick Lindsey

In Praise of Slowness…de-stressing life

“It’s one thing to say you’re going to slow down, but a slow hobby helps you put those words into practice.” says author of  “In Praise of Slowness”, Carl Honore.

1.  A slow hobby– like painting,  photography, reading, gardening, tai qi and swimming, can act as a brake on your hectic pace.  “Slow hobbies, help you cultivate the lost art of concentration and being in the moment.  They have a meditative quality to them, and that calming effect goes beyond the act itself.  Maintaining that inner stillness enables you to negotiate the fast moving waters of the rest of your day.”

2. Become a gardener– caring for flowering plants may help you relax and get grounded.  Japanese researchers found that re-potting plants lowered fatigue and promoted physiological relaxation.  They also found that working with flowers seemed to have an even stronger positive effect than working with nonflowering plants.  Even just looking at flowers and a green garden, can reduce blood pressure, increase concentration, productivity, and help you recover from illness.  It also shortens postoperative hospital stays, with less need for pain meds.

3. Practice slow yoga– it emphasizes drawn-out breath,  for each movement you make. Like tai chi, it uses many repetitive flowing moves, creating more awareness between mind and body.  Swimming not only elongates and releases our muscles but also increases endorphins which uplift us.

4. Take a nap– a Harvard study found that people who regularly napped at least three times a week for an average of 30 minutes,  had a 37 percent lower risk of heart attack than those who didn’t nap.  It also boosts serotonin, which may lead to improved memory and performance, and weight loss.

5. Do one thing at a time– alot of us believe we get more done by multitasking.  But research at the University of Michigan shows that the opposite is true.  “If you concentrate on one task at a time, you get more done faster and make fewer mistakes.”  Taking on chores one at a time reduces chronic stress and protects your short-term memory, which comes under fire if the brain is overtaxed.

6. Meditation– teaches us to focus.  All day your mind is chattering and when you meditate, you can hear your own inner wisdom and breath.  Studies have shown that practicing meditation and breathing improves blood pressure, can help reduce chronic pain, enhances mental clarity, fortifies the immune system, and promotes a sense of well-being.

One of my favorite guided meditation CD’s are by Jon Kabat-Zinn :  Guided mindfulness meditation (it includes 4 CD’s, seated meditation, 2 yoga cd’s and the one I use the most-Body scan meditation:  Using the breath, he guides your attention thru the entire body)

Thought of the Day

Great moments often catch us unaware- beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

Book of the Week

Sharon Salzbergs’ new book: “Real Happiness-the power of Meditation” 

This new paperback includes a CD inside with many guided breathing meditations. 

One of my favorite parts:” Look at the world with quiet eyes”  too often we’re more like those cartoon creatures whose eyes are popping out on springs: “I see something I want! Give it to me! ” boing!  “Wait-I see something better; I want that instead! ” Boing!  We grab the object, the person, the rush, and clamp on to keep it from changing or leaving. And then-boing! we yearn for something else, because we aren’t even really paying attention to what we’re grasping so tightly.

Not paying attention keeps us in an endless cycle of wanting, creating an escalating need for stimulation. When we’re keenly aware of what’s happening, we don’t need to grasp for the next moment of sensation or taste or sound (all the while missing what’s actually here, right in front of us). Only when we are attentive in each moment do we find satisfaction in our lives.  (excerpt)

Metabolism Boosting Tips

1.  Tea Time-white and green teas  increase our ability to burn fat with their high antioxidant/catechin content.

2. AM Exercise before breakfast increases our glucose tolerance and our ability to lose fat.

3. Breakfast eaten routinely increases our metabolism.

4. Eating slowly increases our fullness factor.

5.Eating at the same times every day balances and boosts our metabolism,

6. Drinking 1- 2 cups of water or tea before meals increases our fullness  factor.

A Short History of Medicine

“Doctor I have an Earache”

2000 BCE: “Here, eat this root.”

1000 BCE: “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.”

Spring-the Season of the Liver

The ancient Chinese observed the seasons, their cyclical climatic changes, and the benefits of living in harmony with them.  Spring  is the beginning of the seasons and represents growth, the birth of new ideas, and the smooth flow of plans and decisions.  The Spring season correlates with the element Wood, which governs the liver/gallbladder meridians. The Wood element in nature refers to the growing structures: roots,trunk and limbs of trees, as well as the spine, limbs and joints in the human body.  Imbalances of this meridian may manifest as:  spinal problems, poor flexibility, arthritis, headache, neck pain, allergies, eye problems and indigestion. The liver is the seat of the emotions, so stagnant blocked liver qi (energy) may lead to indecision, irritability, feeling of weak rootedness, or easy to anger. The color associated with Spring/Liver Meridian is green and so many of the foods that nourish the liver are green: cooked zuccini, asparagus, string beans, celery, swiss chard, as well as soups, berries, baked apples and mint tea. Stagnation of the liver meridian may be balanced with outdoor exercise, sitting with your feet in the grass, and with seasonal Acupuncture/Chiropractic tune-ups.  Also, very effective are Specific Chinese Herbal formulas to harmonize  and activate smooth liver qi.

In Spring all living things are restored by the new light which illuminates plans and paths ahead.

Protein Snack Ideas

1.Trader Joes’-eggless egg salad (tofu) and celery

2.TJ’s-eggwhite egg salad and cucumber/tomato

3.TJ’s eggwhite egg salad, red salmon, celery, red onion

4.TJ’s crunchy almond butter/ or peanut butter and celery.

5.TJ’s lowfat cottage cheese and either TJ’s fresh salsa or bruscetta sauce on wasa fiber crackers (35 cal ea cracker)

6.Laughing cow triangle low fat cheese(35 cal ea) on wasa cracker

7.TJ’s greek nonfat yogurt and TJ’s frozen berries(heated) with dash of cinnamon, bit of honey or stevia (non-sugar sweetner) and sprinkle of cinnamon oats cereal

8.TJ’s tomato humus(35 cal 2 tablesp) with TJ’s persian cucumbers

9.Chicken breast strips coated with Falafel dry mix baked or in skillet

10.TJ’s low or non-fat greek yogurt with chopped apple, cinnamon, almonds or walnuts

11.Deviled eggs with humus inside of the egg whites instead of yolks

12.Capitol drugs store (moorpark & Van Nuys) Metagenics Ultrabalance protein powder 1 scoop in almond milk( TJ) with 1 tablesp benefiber (from walgreens) with frozen berries and a packet of stevia (non-sugar sweetner)

13. Protein bar and apple and glass of water. Since protein bars are a more concentrated form of food extra water and fiber and enzymes from fresh fruit are helpful with digesting them.

Grams of protein in these foods: 1/2 cup chicken=21 grams ** 2.5 oz salmon=21 grams ** 1/2 cup turkey=20 grams **1/2cup soybeans(edamame)=14 grams ** 1/2 cup non fat cottage cheese=12 grams **1 cup plain lowfat yogurt=12 grams  **3 oz ground beef= 22 grams ** 3 oz ham= 18 grams **1/2 cup lentils=9 grams** 1/2 cup beans=7 grams ** 1oz cheddar cheese=7 grams ** 1 oz nuts=7 grams **1 large egg=6 grams **

Cold and Flu Tips

What’s the difference between Colds and  Flu?

Colds: usual duration 3-7 days.  Symptoms: sneezing, stuffy nose,  and sore throat. Complications are milder and are mainly upper respiratory, sinus, ear aches or bronchitis.

Flu: duration is longer from 5-14 days.  Symptoms are stronger: body aches, chest pain, fever, complications can be more severe- pneumonia.

Optimal precautions/prevention: frequent hand washing lasting 20 seconds; “hands off face” approach unless you have washed your hands, gargle 2x day during cold/flu season or if others around you are ill- with warm salt water or dag (a stronger gargle from our office); drinking warm liquids see (teas below) this washes off proliferating viruses from the throat and stomach.

Natural Remedies

1.GSE-grapefruit seed tablets-(citricidal) or Olive Leaf Capsules ( both are natural antiviral, antibacterial)- always taken with food (discuss dosage with Dr G)

2.Teas- ginger-(if you feel cold)-slice ginger root into thin slices, place 2 slices into boiling water and sip, Peppermint tea- (if you feel warm), you can drink at room temperature or fresh mint leaves in hot water- sip (for sore throat and to clear sinuses)

3.Beiler Broth-2 zuccini, 10 string beans, 2 stalks celery, handful parsley. Steam them, then put in blender with some of the steamer liquid or some chicken or vege broth. A bit of salt or garlic is optional to add.

4. Hot/spicy soup (found at Chinese restaurants)  or Chicken soup-El Pollo Loco- made fresh daily

5.Potassium Broth: fill a pot with water, add root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, burdock, daikon, potato) and others, leave skins on. Cook, then sip the broth throughout the day.  Basmati rice or brown rice can be added to either the Beiler broth or the potassium broth to soothe stomach and  calm diarrhea.

6.Steamed or baked pears or apples with cinnamon and a bit of powdered ginger.

7. Bath-Epsom salt (1 cup) with a few drops of lavender or eucalyptus essential oil ( 10-15 min only) longer depletes qi/energy when we are ill.

8. Facial steamer– water in unit with 2-3 drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil, inhale throught nose, then mouth, keep eyes closed.

9. Eucalyptus for travel– put this oil on a small cloth in a baggie, then inhale on and off throughout your flight, it has antiviral and antibacterial properties.

10. Acupuncture and Chiropractic move lung qi/energy and congestion in the chest, along with specific Chinese Herbal Formulas to treat and  prevent colds, flu, bronchitis and pneumonia.   In addition these treatments facilitate lymphatic drainage while boosting immune function.

Thought of the Day

In November 2008,  just after the US election, former President Clinton was asked ” If you had to give one piece of advice to offer President-elect Obama, what would it be?”

Clinton paused as he thought carefully, and then he replied that he would tell the new world leader to be sure he gets enough rest and to invest in his own vitality, so that he can remain as energized, passionate, and focused in the presidency as he was throughout his campaign.

With all the advice that a former world leader could offer another world leader, you may find it surprising that he would choose that suggestion. He gave that advice because he knows that energy, passion and focus are all about performance and that they are critical to functioning at our optimum in  our every day life.

Acupuncture and Chiropractic tune-ups are helpful tools in balancing and functioning at our optimum.

Excerpt from “Sink Float or Swim”  by Scott Peltin & Jogi Rippel

Thought of the Day: The Warmth of your Smile

Smiling doesn’t just spread sunshine, it strongly affects our mood. Researchers found that brain and heart responses were activated when people just visualized a love one, and that a warm smile can  help us feel more optimistic and motivated. It only takes 17 muscles to smile but 43 to frown.   🙂

Thought of the Day

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the gardeners who make our souls blossom.                     Proust

Thought of the Day

Climb the mountains, and get their good tidings, Nature’s Peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.                 John Muir

The Benefits of Magnesium

While most athletes have been conditioned to drink a potassium rich drink after sweating, very few have been educated on the effects of magnesium deficiency.  Common symptoms of magnesium deficiency: back and neck pain, muscle spasm, anxiety, panic disorders, arrhythmia, fatigue, eye twitches, vertigo and migraines.  Recent benefits of magnesium include: reduction of blood pressure and fasting insulin levels, and reduction in blood lipids/fats in prevention of strokes.

The best sources of magnesium in foods: whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans,  green vegetables especially leafy greens, and fresh green vegetable juice ( taken preferably shortly after being juiced) . A calcium/magnesium supplement taken before bed is helpful for relaxing the muscles and mind during sleep. Usually the ratio is calcium  500 mg to 250 mg magnesium in a supplement.

“Many of the benefits we get from sunshine we can get from greens.  Anyone in the city should think of greens as a means of getting sunshine to the body.”-  Bernard Jensen (Health Magic through Chlorophill)