Posts
Five simple activities that people could engage in on a daily, or at least "regular," basis to increase a sense of peace and calm.
Dr. Duckworth (with bonus sixth item!):
1) Practice Kototama Sounds, practice chanting, singing
2) Reciting mantra, repetitious prayer
3)Attentive talking for 20-30 minutes with one person whom you care for
4) Attending to plant life
5) Mindfully sip a cup of tea
6) Smile - daily, whether you feel like it or not
Dr. Hackler:
1) Five-to-10 minute deep (Tanden) breathing practice daily
2) Daily walk; or more rigorous exercise 3 or 4 times weekly if in good health
3) Laughter
4) Smile
5) Give thanks daily
Friday, May 29, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Energy Tips & Dr. Duckworth's Feedback
The website Zenhabits offered up an interesting list of 55 ways to add some energy, relaxation and reinvigoration to your daily life.
Here's the piece. We suggest you give it a read, then follow Dr. Duckworth's annotated notes below.
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#1: Sure, change your socks. Better, maybe, don't wear any socks and/or when you get to work, takes off your shoes - everyone in the office should.
#2: Sure.
#3: Too short sighted. For allergies, need to be more 'pro-actice' - deal with it - taking charges of body health leads to feeling good (and rested) about yourself.
#4: Sounds good.
#5: Semi-sweet, 70+% dark chocolate ("for medicinal purposes only").
#6: Yes.
#7: This is correct - also, it has been shown that those who work long hours at a omputer stand up and stretch or walk to the water cooler every 30 minutes have an significanr increase in productivity and decrease of energy loss, headaches, bachaches and missed work days.
#8 + #9 + #10 +11 - Yes.
#12: Sure.
#13: Maybe works but need to sync with the seasons - follow the sun - also, if you do everything by clockwork,you may be rested but dull.
#14: True. Drining sugar drinks also make you sluggish.
#15: Yeah.
#16: Agree.
#17: Agree. Avoid not only white brear but all white flour products. Eat whole wheat pasta.
#18: Agree.
#19: Yes, but there's 50x more Vit C in parsley than in oranges (by weight).
#20: Sure. I use a grapefruit/citrus enzyme mist.
#21 Sure.
#22: Agree.
#23-26: Agree.
#27: Yes....see #7.
#28 - 42: Yes.
#43: Agree - Very important.
#44: If chronically fatigued, sees a holistic practitioner who incorporates nutritional counseling. Many diagnosed 'hypothyroid' cases I've seen, have been cured with meridian therapy and dietary changes.
#45-47: Yes.
#48: "Health is a laughing matter"(Patch Adams).
#49: Maybe.
#50-55: Yes.
Here's the piece. We suggest you give it a read, then follow Dr. Duckworth's annotated notes below.
========
#1: Sure, change your socks. Better, maybe, don't wear any socks and/or when you get to work, takes off your shoes - everyone in the office should.
#2: Sure.
#3: Too short sighted. For allergies, need to be more 'pro-actice' - deal with it - taking charges of body health leads to feeling good (and rested) about yourself.
#4: Sounds good.
#5: Semi-sweet, 70+% dark chocolate ("for medicinal purposes only").
#6: Yes.
#7: This is correct - also, it has been shown that those who work long hours at a omputer stand up and stretch or walk to the water cooler every 30 minutes have an significanr increase in productivity and decrease of energy loss, headaches, bachaches and missed work days.
#8 + #9 + #10 +11 - Yes.
#12: Sure.
#13: Maybe works but need to sync with the seasons - follow the sun - also, if you do everything by clockwork,you may be rested but dull.
#14: True. Drining sugar drinks also make you sluggish.
#15: Yeah.
#16: Agree.
#17: Agree. Avoid not only white brear but all white flour products. Eat whole wheat pasta.
#18: Agree.
#19: Yes, but there's 50x more Vit C in parsley than in oranges (by weight).
#20: Sure. I use a grapefruit/citrus enzyme mist.
#21 Sure.
#22: Agree.
#23-26: Agree.
#27: Yes....see #7.
#28 - 42: Yes.
#43: Agree - Very important.
#44: If chronically fatigued, sees a holistic practitioner who incorporates nutritional counseling. Many diagnosed 'hypothyroid' cases I've seen, have been cured with meridian therapy and dietary changes.
#45-47: Yes.
#48: "Health is a laughing matter"(Patch Adams).
#49: Maybe.
#50-55: Yes.
Friday, May 22, 2009
NLTC Lists: Five Book Recommendations
We ask "They don't necessarily need to be about acupuncture, but would benefit folks in their search for wellness. What are these five books?"
And the NLTC answers...
For Dr. Thomas Duckworth:
(He also includes The Real Sense of Natural Therapy.)
1) Prescription for Nutritional Healing (by Phyllis A. Balch)
2) The Book of Tofu & Miso (by William Shurtleff and Akiko Aoyagi)
3) Natural Healing from Head to Toe (by Cornelia Aihara)
4) You Can Be Younger Tomorrow
5) Don't Drink Your Milk (by Frank A. Oski)
For Dr. Jason Hackler:
1) The Real Sense of Natural Therapy (by Sensei M. Nakazono)
2) Younger Next Year (by Crowley & Lodge - there's one geared more towards men and one for women)
3) Zen Mind, Beginner Mind (by Shunryu Suzuki)
4) Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom (by Christine Northrup, MD - general questions on women's health)
5) Healing with Whole Foods - Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition (by Paul Pitchford)
And the NLTC answers...
For Dr. Thomas Duckworth:
(He also includes The Real Sense of Natural Therapy.)
1) Prescription for Nutritional Healing (by Phyllis A. Balch)
2) The Book of Tofu & Miso (by William Shurtleff and Akiko Aoyagi)
3) Natural Healing from Head to Toe (by Cornelia Aihara)
4) You Can Be Younger Tomorrow
5) Don't Drink Your Milk (by Frank A. Oski)
For Dr. Jason Hackler:
1) The Real Sense of Natural Therapy (by Sensei M. Nakazono)
2) Younger Next Year (by Crowley & Lodge - there's one geared more towards men and one for women)
3) Zen Mind, Beginner Mind (by Shunryu Suzuki)
4) Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom (by Christine Northrup, MD - general questions on women's health)
5) Healing with Whole Foods - Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition (by Paul Pitchford)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Playing for Change: Song Around the World, "Stand By Me"
Dr. Duckworth thought this one a nice piece to share, noting: "Check out this video... the world is full of music; therefore, there is hope!"
Thursday, May 14, 2009
NLTC Lists: The American Diet, II
Added notes from Dr. Hackler, on simple cuts from the American diet, for added health and vitality.
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Eliminate: Preservatives, dyes, colorings, high fructose corn syrup.
Reduce: White flour, dairy products, fried food.
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Eliminate: Preservatives, dyes, colorings, high fructose corn syrup.
Reduce: White flour, dairy products, fried food.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
NLTC Lists: The American Diet
It's a new feature! We ask Dr. Duckworth and Jason Hackler some simple questions, often in groups of five. Today, it's a bonus list, in that Dr. Duckworth's provided us seven items that most Americans could reduce or remove from their diet, for added health and vitality.
1) High fructose corn syrup.
2) Any processed edible (I'm hesitant to use the word 'food' here) with "sugar" listed in the first four ingredients. (The word "sugar" may read as glucose, dextrose, maltose, lactose, malt barley, corn syrup, sucrose, fructose - so many ways to list non-food/non-nutrient sweeteners.)
3) Red meat.
4) Fat = meat fat, dairy fat.
5) Fat + sugar = ice cream.
6) Frozen dinners.
7) 'Fast foods.'
1) High fructose corn syrup.
2) Any processed edible (I'm hesitant to use the word 'food' here) with "sugar" listed in the first four ingredients. (The word "sugar" may read as glucose, dextrose, maltose, lactose, malt barley, corn syrup, sucrose, fructose - so many ways to list non-food/non-nutrient sweeteners.)
3) Red meat.
4) Fat = meat fat, dairy fat.
5) Fat + sugar = ice cream.
6) Frozen dinners.
7) 'Fast foods.'
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Conversations with Dr. Duckworth: Needles!
Perhaps the most basic question first: where do needles come from? Where does someone procure such a product?
There are marketplaces where they are made, including Germany, China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan. The needles I use all come from Japan. There are several fine needle manufacturers in Japan. And there are distributors of them here. One in Massachusetts is where I buy most of my supplies from, as they spend time investigating products worthy of bringing to the attention of the market.
What do you look for, when a new product is made available?
I look for the fineness of the metal. I expect it to be made of surgical steel. I'm looking for the finesse of the manufacturing, that under a microscope I can see the properties of the needle. And I'm making sure that it can transfer the energies of the body. It's ability to transmit energy is a tactile, very subtle thing.
When you say that the techniques used by this clinic are less invasive than those of other practitioners, is that due to the needle, as well as the skill of the practitioner?
The needles made in Japan come from a tradition of use by people skilled in Japanese-styled acupuncture. The whole point-of-view is having as little invasiveness as possible. There are whole schools, whole systems in Japan, where the needles just touch the skin and don't go in. I don't do a lot of that, but I do some. It does come from the practitioner, with the basic experience being that of trying to be less invasive.
What's the feedback that you get from people who've been to other practitioners?
They talk about how unobtrusive the needles feel. They're impressed by the handwork that we do, which is not a part of the traditional, school-taught methods.
What are common misperceptions that people may have coming in for the first time? Or topics that you typically address with them on their first visit, regarding the needles?
The misperception, generally, is that of anyone who's been to a doctor and who thinks of them as hypodermic needles. Their idea of needles is then, at best, of discomfort. The general comments will remind them that the absolute smallest hypodermic needles is still larger than the largest Chinese needle and the Japanese needles are smaller than the Chinese. So, you are dealing with the dictionary definition of needle. There is also the distinction of not planting the needle, but in dealing with the rhythms of the person's breath. In other systems that don't adhere to that, there's a tendency for the needle to "stick."
There are marketplaces where they are made, including Germany, China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan. The needles I use all come from Japan. There are several fine needle manufacturers in Japan. And there are distributors of them here. One in Massachusetts is where I buy most of my supplies from, as they spend time investigating products worthy of bringing to the attention of the market.
What do you look for, when a new product is made available?
I look for the fineness of the metal. I expect it to be made of surgical steel. I'm looking for the finesse of the manufacturing, that under a microscope I can see the properties of the needle. And I'm making sure that it can transfer the energies of the body. It's ability to transmit energy is a tactile, very subtle thing.
When you say that the techniques used by this clinic are less invasive than those of other practitioners, is that due to the needle, as well as the skill of the practitioner?
The needles made in Japan come from a tradition of use by people skilled in Japanese-styled acupuncture. The whole point-of-view is having as little invasiveness as possible. There are whole schools, whole systems in Japan, where the needles just touch the skin and don't go in. I don't do a lot of that, but I do some. It does come from the practitioner, with the basic experience being that of trying to be less invasive.
What's the feedback that you get from people who've been to other practitioners?
They talk about how unobtrusive the needles feel. They're impressed by the handwork that we do, which is not a part of the traditional, school-taught methods.
What are common misperceptions that people may have coming in for the first time? Or topics that you typically address with them on their first visit, regarding the needles?
The misperception, generally, is that of anyone who's been to a doctor and who thinks of them as hypodermic needles. Their idea of needles is then, at best, of discomfort. The general comments will remind them that the absolute smallest hypodermic needles is still larger than the largest Chinese needle and the Japanese needles are smaller than the Chinese. So, you are dealing with the dictionary definition of needle. There is also the distinction of not planting the needle, but in dealing with the rhythms of the person's breath. In other systems that don't adhere to that, there's a tendency for the needle to "stick."
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
From the NLTC Website: The Myth of Acupuncture
Penned by Jason Hackler, this piece appears on the Natural Life Therapy Clinic website, which is full of interesting links, articles, recipes and the like.
Here's Mr. Hackler's take on "The Myth of Acupuncture":
=====
The Myth of Acupuncture
Monday, 17 December 2007
Jason R. Hackler, Dipl.Ac., L.Ac.
The perception that acupuncture is only useful for chronic pain management or as an analgesic is not accurate. Acupuncture has been cited by the World Health Organization to treat more than forty-three conditions, some of which include: allergies, asthma, bronchitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, colds and flu, digestive disorders, depression, gynecological disorders, headache, heart problems, infertility, insomnia, joint/muscle pain, pre-menstrual syndrome, sciatica, sports injuries, tendonitis, and stress. In clinical practice many other urogenital, respiratory, and circulatory dysfunctions can be successfully treated with acupuncture and other modalities of Oriental Medicine.
Another misconception is the association of pain with acupuncture. Acupuncture bears no resemblance to the feeling of receiving an injection. The needle used for injections is hollow, much larger in diameter than acupuncture needles, and contains medication which is forced into the tissue, all of which can cause pain. Acupuncture needles are solid and very fine, about the diameter of a human hair. A skilled practitioner of Oriental Medicine performs acupuncture without pain. A patient may experience a tingling or numbing sensation around the needle or an electrical sensation traveling toward or away from the needle. In addition, if someone is afraid of needles, or if an infant or child is being treated, a professional acupuncturist will use other modalities of Oriental Medicine, such as moxibustion (heat therapy), Shonishin (children’s treatment) and handwork therapy.
How does one search out a skilled practitioner? Oriental Medicine is a complex medicine that has been practiced for at least 3,000 years. Today, there are professional training schools, offering programs with 2,000 to 4,000 hours of training in the field. There are many schools of thought and various traditions in the field of acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. However, as a general guideline, a consumer should seek out a practitioner who is state licensed, meaning they have met eligibility requirements established by the state to practice acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Licensure in Missouri went into effect in June 2002 and the state licensing board of Missouri requires that a practitioner be National Board Certified in Acupuncture, indicating that they have successfully completed a national exam given by the National Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Once a practitioner is National Board Certified (Dipl.Ac.), he or she is issued a state license to practice acupuncture. The title designated in Missouri is Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac. or Lic.Ac.). If you have further questions about acupuncture, Oriental Medicine, or licensure, please call us at Natural Life Therapy Clinic (314-991-6035).
Here's Mr. Hackler's take on "The Myth of Acupuncture":
=====
The Myth of Acupuncture
Monday, 17 December 2007
Jason R. Hackler, Dipl.Ac., L.Ac.
The perception that acupuncture is only useful for chronic pain management or as an analgesic is not accurate. Acupuncture has been cited by the World Health Organization to treat more than forty-three conditions, some of which include: allergies, asthma, bronchitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, colds and flu, digestive disorders, depression, gynecological disorders, headache, heart problems, infertility, insomnia, joint/muscle pain, pre-menstrual syndrome, sciatica, sports injuries, tendonitis, and stress. In clinical practice many other urogenital, respiratory, and circulatory dysfunctions can be successfully treated with acupuncture and other modalities of Oriental Medicine.
Another misconception is the association of pain with acupuncture. Acupuncture bears no resemblance to the feeling of receiving an injection. The needle used for injections is hollow, much larger in diameter than acupuncture needles, and contains medication which is forced into the tissue, all of which can cause pain. Acupuncture needles are solid and very fine, about the diameter of a human hair. A skilled practitioner of Oriental Medicine performs acupuncture without pain. A patient may experience a tingling or numbing sensation around the needle or an electrical sensation traveling toward or away from the needle. In addition, if someone is afraid of needles, or if an infant or child is being treated, a professional acupuncturist will use other modalities of Oriental Medicine, such as moxibustion (heat therapy), Shonishin (children’s treatment) and handwork therapy.
How does one search out a skilled practitioner? Oriental Medicine is a complex medicine that has been practiced for at least 3,000 years. Today, there are professional training schools, offering programs with 2,000 to 4,000 hours of training in the field. There are many schools of thought and various traditions in the field of acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. However, as a general guideline, a consumer should seek out a practitioner who is state licensed, meaning they have met eligibility requirements established by the state to practice acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Licensure in Missouri went into effect in June 2002 and the state licensing board of Missouri requires that a practitioner be National Board Certified in Acupuncture, indicating that they have successfully completed a national exam given by the National Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Once a practitioner is National Board Certified (Dipl.Ac.), he or she is issued a state license to practice acupuncture. The title designated in Missouri is Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac. or Lic.Ac.). If you have further questions about acupuncture, Oriental Medicine, or licensure, please call us at Natural Life Therapy Clinic (314-991-6035).
Friday, May 1, 2009
Dr. Duckworth on Internet Radio
Dr. Duckworth was interviewed on an Internet radio show, via Contact Talk Radio.
Kristen White is the host of the show Reporting Live From the Universe. Her broadcast is at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, but it also can be found online now.
If you click here, go to the April 28 edition of the show. You can stream or download the show. Dr. Duckworth's interview begins at around the 15-minute mark of the program.
Kristen White is the host of the show Reporting Live From the Universe. Her broadcast is at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, but it also can be found online now.
If you click here, go to the April 28 edition of the show. You can stream or download the show. Dr. Duckworth's interview begins at around the 15-minute mark of the program.
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