Monday, July 7, 2014

Connecting the Pieces with Acupuncture

Last November, I attended a free "Life Lessons" lecture at my local medical center. Linda and her husband, Shinjiro of the Acupuncture Center of Ridgecrest (ACoR), spoke to us about the benefits of Acupuncture. I am not a stranger to this ancient healing modality as I first experienced it in Maryland in '00. 




"Acupuncture uses the body's natural healing power to reduce pain, promote healing, and gently correct health imbalances" (ACoR).

I have always been open to alternative healing well before I started eating clean - sometimes we go through life not all the way in until we have to! I knew then that I didn't want to be on any medications in my life especially when I'm 'older.' What I know and apply now is that sound nutrition is a HUGE component to longevity (hence my desire to link arms with others via my health coaching business). 

I sought the expertise of Linda to help balance my hormones and later used the treatments for concerns that came up. Read more...


Visit 1 (February 2014):

After getting blood work drawn up to have all the results come back normal, I sought the expertise of an acupuncturist I met almost a year ago at a health fair. My expectation for my visits with Linda is to balance my hormones naturally. I know something isn't quite right. She explained it as Yin and Yang and a 12-hour clock (for women only). For more information on Yin and Yang visit this link. She said that my kidney pulse is low and that she will be working on increasing blood flow through my body. She did acupuncture and moxibustion. I will see her in about 2 weeks (right after my menses then again at the peak of ovulation). 

Note: Moxibustion activates white blood cells, warms the body, and enhances blood flow. 

I will be seeing Linda until my concern is resolved; however, I may see her afterwards for continued relaxation and chi! 




After 4 Treatments:

My menstrual cycle is back on schedule. Yes! The cramping has been reduced and mood swings are virtually non-existent. I may experience a bout of sadness but I realize right away that it is because my cycle is coming on and I can usually nip it in the bud. Prayer with incorporation of EFT Tapping has helped me gain some focus in my life during this time of the month. I recommend both daily anyway but even more so during the difficult times of the month. The harmony in the home has increased because I'm more level headed. You can imagine this is a joy to my husband! =)


An Old Problem Resurfaces:

In our journey to wellness, as we seek healing in one or two main areas, we are often awakened by an old injury that may not have been completely healed or was healed but due to some recent activities, it has crept up again. This is why I scheduled a fifth visit with Linda. Due to my involvement in Tabata Bootcamp, an old injury that has crept back up because I've been using my wrists more for upper body exercises namely push ups. 

Side note: When I started Tabata in March, I could only do modified push ups. Fast forward 3 months and I can do at least 30 full body push ups in 60 seconds! But, sometimes with one victory comes a set back. So Linda has been working on my wrists during our treatments. I am due for another session and I have high hopes that with each successive treatment and continuing in my fitness journey, I will be healed. Plus having the right mindset bridges the gap. 

A New Concern Arises:

The last and final visit of this series was on 6/20. She worked on my wrists but recently I've had some dizziness and headache spells. I went to see my primary care manager to see about getting a referral to a chiropractor as I think an adjustment will settle the headache issues (awaiting the approval to see one). I asked Linda to work on the dizziness and headaches as well as continuing treating my wrists. 

Up until my appointment with Linda, I was having 3-5 headaches a day for a week and a half. Five days after the appointment with her, I've had one a day. Two weeks after, I have maybe one a week! I see them getting less frequent anyway.

Without further adieu, I'd like to introduce Linda Lyman, L.Ac., who has been practicing for over fifteen years!


Linda Lyman, L.Ac.
I am a Licensed Acupuncturist, licensed by the State of California to practice acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion, tui na, gua sha, cupping and herbology.   I attended Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego and received a Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine degree.  This degree is granted after a student has over 3400 hours of training. I took my board exam and was granted a license in 2002.  

My husband is also a Licensed Acupuncturist and we wanted to move to a town that was small enough to be friendly, but large enough to welcome two acupuncturists. Luckily, we were led to check out Ridgecrest, and we moved here in 2004 and opened our own clinic in 2005 (read more here). 

(Update: Shinjiro passed away and Linda is still seeing clients at their practice.)

Japanese Acupuncture

Since moving to Ridgecrest, we have each treated hundreds of patients with problems ranging from acute or chronic pain to depression, infertility, neurological disorders, digestive issues, allergies, hormone imbalances and “medical mysteries” of all kinds. Each patient is unique and brings an opportunity to learn more about Traditional Chinese Medicine. Although we practice a Japanese Style, acupuncture originated in China. Over the centuries, Chinese acupuncture has been introduced to several other Asian countries. Every culture that embraced Chinese acupuncture has modified it to fit the needs and preferences of the citizens of that country. Korean acupuncture and Japanese Acupuncture are rather different in many ways from Chinese acupuncture but there is a common root that is easily seen. 

Heal Thyself

I believe the body can heal itself in many cases with just a nudge from the needles or well-applied acupressure or massage. Herbs, taken in tea form, as tablets or pills, or tinctures are also designed to regulate, move, or build the Qi. What is Qi?  It is the energy or life-force inherent in everything.  Qi should move smoothly and when it doesn’t, we have pain or disharmony and lack of function.

As much as we would like to be able to see into the future, it is impossible to predict how many treatments a person will need in order to feel better, but we often can give a good estimate if we’ve treated something similar in the past. The longer something has been going on, the longer it will take to restore balance to the system, in general. We may need to treat more frequently at first, and then less often, until the patient is either cured or on a maintenance schedule. 

Needles - They're Very Small

Many people have an understandable phobia about needles. What I’d like to impart is this visual image: The needles we use are tiny, solid (not hollow) and designed to be so smooth that they can be inserted without pain.  An acupuncture needle can fit inside the bore of a hypodermic needle – that’s how small our needles are. For people who are too frail, too skinny, too old, or too young for acupuncture or who just cannot tolerate being needled, I can use press tacks, or press seeds, acupressure, gua sha or meridian massage. I also offer treatments using “needle free” pain relief with a Microcurrent and Light machine that touches the skin with cotton-tipped probes only.  

Beyond the Treatment

It may sound like a cliché to say “I care”, but it’s true. I believe healing occurs much more readily when the patient feels calm, comfortable and safe. I also make every effort to be a good listener, because I know that is also part of the healing process – being heard and acknowledged. My goal is to NOT hurt you and I will listen to your comments and requests concerning the treatment. I am always happy to answer questions you may have as we go along in the treatment. I love sharing the theories and methods of Traditional Oriental Medicine. Call me if you have any questions, or if you would like to make an appointment. Her contact information is here

Please give Linda's Facebook page a like, and while you're there, don't forget to like mine

Choose, eat, and live well! =)

Additional Resources from Bloggers:

Treat Thyroid Related Fertility by Holistic Squid.
Chinese Herbs by It Takes Time.


5 comments:

  1. It seems like the acupuncture help you Jessica. I have never tried it before, but I was tempted to do so for a while. Is there anything I should watch out for/be aware off before I pick someone?

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    1. Best advice: Go with your gut. If you feel you can trust the practitioner then they're a good start to the process. I don't know how the laws are where you reside but make sure they're licensed to practice in your area. I knew the two practitioners before I went to them for their acupuncture services. So the trust factor was already in place. Be well! =)

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  2. Thanks for teaching about this, I've never had it done but think it would be beneficial!

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  3. This is quite an informative post as it has given some hope to the patients that they can get well soon without any side effects of allopathic medication. This acupuncture technique is quite helpful.

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