Posts
In the past, we've highlighted NLTC patient Mary Beth Shaw, with one of our patient interview features. We note here some news about her artistic pursuits, compliments of her publisher:
I would like to share with you some news about one of our publications, ‘Flavor for Mixed Media,’ by local artist Mary Beth Shaw, I think your readers would be interested in.
‘Flavor of Mixed Media,’ approaches art very much like a chef approaches food. The book is a guide and inspiration to handcrafting the most delectable works of art. Inside the book you will find illustrated projects with step-by-step instructions for painting techniques, how to create three dimensional paintings, texture ideas and other home-style favorites such as collage making.
Find also a link to the book on our website here.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
New Lunar Year & A Clinic Update
The Lunar New Year began on February 3, 2011;
Year of the Rabbit – may your inner energizer bunny be recharged this year.
As we head into this New Year and new decade, I need to acknowledge and thank each of you for your patronage and allowing us to be one of your of health care providers. We are honored and humbled that you invite us into the pathways of your life energy as you seek optimal health. We are grateful for your use of our services.
The past few months seem to have …..
Well, Mallory’s daughter, Lydia, is over three months old and I haven’t even sent out a note. I apologize, especially to those of you who’ve expressed such much interest and have asked of the welfare of mother and child. From the ‘git-go’, Lydia and Mallory have been fine. (And yes, it is Mallory who is sending you this New Year Blast.) With Mallory gone, it gets a little crazed time-by-time but we are adapting. Everyone misses her.
I could list the departure of Mallory, the birth of Lydia, the birth of her cousin, Xander, Thanksgiving, Family birthdays, Christmas, New Years, snow storms and procrastination as factors in how we strayed from our intent to have an article or video up on our blog site (www.naturallifetherapy.blogspot.com) once a week and a newsletter blast as often as possible. New Year’s Resolutions….stay tuned! And while I’m writing about blogs and videos, I must express gratitude and appreciation to Thomas Crone for shooting, editing and posting the videos on our blog site. Have you visited there lately? I also must thank those who partook in these interviews. I also must ask, are there subjects you would like seen covered by either written or video format? Thank you.
Many of you have met or at least have seen Penny Ziglin around the office; she began studying with Dr. Hackler this past autumn. It is always exciting when a new generation begins studying this very ancient art form. As her studies progress, she will need to practice Te a Te (Sacred Handwork) on many people. IAALM will definitely utilize her in the Wednesday Clinic.
As some have seen, we have moved the waiting room and office furniture around a bit and altered the art work; a little different energy unfolding.
And speaking of ENERGY, Jodi Apter, LMT, is relocating her Massage Practice to Natural Life Therapy Clinic, effective February 15th. We are pleased and privileged to have Jodi practicing her healing ways here. Look to our website (www.nltclinic.com) for more information on Jodi and what her practice provides (but it’s not posted yet). I can tell you this: she is incredible, her fees are quite reasonable ($60 for an hour session) and Natural Life Therapy Clinic has improved its services by having Jodi here. I don’t know when she will be taking new clients but will keep you posted. Jodi is featured in one of our recent video interviews. It’s on our blog site: www.naturallifetherapy.blogspot.com. You can also access this blog through the website: www.nltclinic.com.
So this is what I wanted to say this beautiful cold winter day. We really appreciate the relationship we have with each of you. We apologize for getting distracted. Even though there is snow on the ground, spring is not far away. The next two or three weeks is the ideal time to energetically re-balance so that the transition from winter to spring is without health incident. Preventive health care, I think it’s called.
There is one more issue I wish to address to you and that is to ask for your support of the low cost ‘people’s clinic’ that Jason and I have been operating since 2002. To show your support, I’m asking if you would send the Institute of American Acupuncture & Life Medicine (IAALM) a dollar. It would help a lot.
You probably have one in your pocket right now. It is one of the humblest among our mediums of exchange. It is the $1 bill. Not long ago, a buck got you the Sunday paper or a pastry at Bread Co. Now, everything is costing more; even low-cost costs more.
Sometimes we don’t think to give in small amounts because we don’t think it will be enough to make a difference. Giving a donation of $1 to a cause seems almost a joke even though we know and readily state, “every dollar helps.” It is true, $1 mobilized from each person in a community or network has the power to affect people’s lives and many facets of the community.
Recently, I read about individuals and organizations, “inspired by the power of $1”, who are raising money for very worthy causes by asking for a dollar. Actually, it’s a brilliant idea. Jason and I have provided continuous service to the underserved of our community for over 8 years. We formed a non-profit organization just for that purpose. We have received no salary for this work and we have often covered costs out of our own pockets or the pocket of Natural Life Therapy Clinic. We have been able to operate because of a supportive Board of Directors and the generosity of a few kind individuals and a couple of compassionate foundations. Now we would like you to donate a dollar to IAALM.
Perhaps you might donate a dollar just because you read this letter or a dollar for each IAALM clinic we conduct (2 a month) or a dollar for each patient we treat each IAALM clinic day (about 20 each day) or a dollar each time you receive a treatment or a dollar for Valentine’s Day. Anyway, you get my point. There is overhead, supplies are needed. If you can help, sent your tax deductable $1 to IAALM, 443 N. New Ballas Rd, Suite # 224, St. Louis, MO63141
That $1 in your pocket may be worth more than you think.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Thomas Duckworth and Jason Hackler
Sharon Reed (and yes, Mallory)
Year of the Rabbit – may your inner energizer bunny be recharged this year.
As we head into this New Year and new decade, I need to acknowledge and thank each of you for your patronage and allowing us to be one of your of health care providers. We are honored and humbled that you invite us into the pathways of your life energy as you seek optimal health. We are grateful for your use of our services.
The past few months seem to have …..
Well, Mallory’s daughter, Lydia, is over three months old and I haven’t even sent out a note. I apologize, especially to those of you who’ve expressed such much interest and have asked of the welfare of mother and child. From the ‘git-go’, Lydia and Mallory have been fine. (And yes, it is Mallory who is sending you this New Year Blast.) With Mallory gone, it gets a little crazed time-by-time but we are adapting. Everyone misses her.
I could list the departure of Mallory, the birth of Lydia, the birth of her cousin, Xander, Thanksgiving, Family birthdays, Christmas, New Years, snow storms and procrastination as factors in how we strayed from our intent to have an article or video up on our blog site (www.naturallifetherapy.blogspot.com) once a week and a newsletter blast as often as possible. New Year’s Resolutions….stay tuned! And while I’m writing about blogs and videos, I must express gratitude and appreciation to Thomas Crone for shooting, editing and posting the videos on our blog site. Have you visited there lately? I also must thank those who partook in these interviews. I also must ask, are there subjects you would like seen covered by either written or video format? Thank you.
Many of you have met or at least have seen Penny Ziglin around the office; she began studying with Dr. Hackler this past autumn. It is always exciting when a new generation begins studying this very ancient art form. As her studies progress, she will need to practice Te a Te (Sacred Handwork) on many people. IAALM will definitely utilize her in the Wednesday Clinic.
As some have seen, we have moved the waiting room and office furniture around a bit and altered the art work; a little different energy unfolding.
And speaking of ENERGY, Jodi Apter, LMT, is relocating her Massage Practice to Natural Life Therapy Clinic, effective February 15th. We are pleased and privileged to have Jodi practicing her healing ways here. Look to our website (www.nltclinic.com) for more information on Jodi and what her practice provides (but it’s not posted yet). I can tell you this: she is incredible, her fees are quite reasonable ($60 for an hour session) and Natural Life Therapy Clinic has improved its services by having Jodi here. I don’t know when she will be taking new clients but will keep you posted. Jodi is featured in one of our recent video interviews. It’s on our blog site: www.naturallifetherapy.blogspot.com. You can also access this blog through the website: www.nltclinic.com.
So this is what I wanted to say this beautiful cold winter day. We really appreciate the relationship we have with each of you. We apologize for getting distracted. Even though there is snow on the ground, spring is not far away. The next two or three weeks is the ideal time to energetically re-balance so that the transition from winter to spring is without health incident. Preventive health care, I think it’s called.
There is one more issue I wish to address to you and that is to ask for your support of the low cost ‘people’s clinic’ that Jason and I have been operating since 2002. To show your support, I’m asking if you would send the Institute of American Acupuncture & Life Medicine (IAALM) a dollar. It would help a lot.
You probably have one in your pocket right now. It is one of the humblest among our mediums of exchange. It is the $1 bill. Not long ago, a buck got you the Sunday paper or a pastry at Bread Co. Now, everything is costing more; even low-cost costs more.
Sometimes we don’t think to give in small amounts because we don’t think it will be enough to make a difference. Giving a donation of $1 to a cause seems almost a joke even though we know and readily state, “every dollar helps.” It is true, $1 mobilized from each person in a community or network has the power to affect people’s lives and many facets of the community.
Recently, I read about individuals and organizations, “inspired by the power of $1”, who are raising money for very worthy causes by asking for a dollar. Actually, it’s a brilliant idea. Jason and I have provided continuous service to the underserved of our community for over 8 years. We formed a non-profit organization just for that purpose. We have received no salary for this work and we have often covered costs out of our own pockets or the pocket of Natural Life Therapy Clinic. We have been able to operate because of a supportive Board of Directors and the generosity of a few kind individuals and a couple of compassionate foundations. Now we would like you to donate a dollar to IAALM.
Perhaps you might donate a dollar just because you read this letter or a dollar for each IAALM clinic we conduct (2 a month) or a dollar for each patient we treat each IAALM clinic day (about 20 each day) or a dollar each time you receive a treatment or a dollar for Valentine’s Day. Anyway, you get my point. There is overhead, supplies are needed. If you can help, sent your tax deductable $1 to IAALM, 443 N. New Ballas Rd, Suite # 224, St. Louis, MO63141
That $1 in your pocket may be worth more than you think.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Thomas Duckworth and Jason Hackler
Sharon Reed (and yes, Mallory)
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Inclement Weather
Due to extreme winter weather conditions in St. Louis, please don't hesitate to call the office at 314-991-6035 for updated office hours. Please check back here for updates as well:
Appointments for Tuesday, February 1 are being rescheduled, due to the weather.
Appointments for Tuesday, February 1 are being rescheduled, due to the weather.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Questions for Dr. Duckworth: Seasonal Changes
In reading your site and looking at some of the videos here, I've seen you reference the changing of seasons and what this can mean for physical and emotional health. Is this based along the lines of our common calendar? Or in the actual temperatures that we feel on a yearly basis? When would you suggest that we're in for our next seasonal adjustment? And what would you suggest as good health policies as we transition from winter into spring? Quite a few questions there....
Thanks,
M. Graham
=====
Dear (Mrs, Ms, Mr, Miss) M. Graham, your questions concerning the seasons are great...and challenging. The language and references we use is less about the calender and more about the weather itself. Granted, the 17th of December is the winter but....let me start over. In Oriental Medicine, there are five seasons of the year. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Do-Yo Do-Yo is the time of change between the seasons. For example, in late February/early March, the day time temperature may be quite spring-like but the nights are still wintry or in late Spring when the day is like summer but you need a sweater at night, these times are the fifth season. It is not just the temperature, it's the environment.The practitioner must factor this when treating or making dietary recommendations. The acupuncturist should plant the needles accordingly. In the summer, needles are planted more shallow, winter, deeper. However, if a resident of Hawaii is visiting St. Louis at Christmas and comes in for a treatment while it is snowing outside, I will treatment him as if it be summer because that is the environment that he is still synchronized with. Just as there are five seasons, that are five tastes (and, by no accident, five vowel sounds). Each taste has an association or relationship with a season. The taste of Spring is sour/tart, summer is bitter, Autumn is hot/pungent, winter is Salt and the Do-Yo season's flavor or taste is sweet. An excess or definciency of a taste will influence how well you cope with each season and how well you handle this season will influence how well you handle the next season.
When are we due our next seasonal adjustment?? Right before the spring winds begin to blow. Probably late February/early March - maybe later...and as we transition, we need to start moving away from heavy, dense foods - eat less red meat, eat less potatoes, squashes, gravies, rich foods. Spring is the beginning of the year, the beginning of new life. This is when seeds sprout and animals give birth. We neeed to eat sprouts, lighter foods. Springtime is a good time to 'fast' and do 'cleansings', it's time for walking and being in the sunshine. I suggest you grow sprouts to eat - radish, pumpkin, mung bean, soy, alfalfa - so many seeds to sprout - so many salads to make!
Keep the questions comin' !
Thanks,
M. Graham
=====
Dear (Mrs, Ms, Mr, Miss) M. Graham, your questions concerning the seasons are great...and challenging. The language and references we use is less about the calender and more about the weather itself. Granted, the 17th of December is the winter but....let me start over. In Oriental Medicine, there are five seasons of the year. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Do-Yo Do-Yo is the time of change between the seasons. For example, in late February/early March, the day time temperature may be quite spring-like but the nights are still wintry or in late Spring when the day is like summer but you need a sweater at night, these times are the fifth season. It is not just the temperature, it's the environment.The practitioner must factor this when treating or making dietary recommendations. The acupuncturist should plant the needles accordingly. In the summer, needles are planted more shallow, winter, deeper. However, if a resident of Hawaii is visiting St. Louis at Christmas and comes in for a treatment while it is snowing outside, I will treatment him as if it be summer because that is the environment that he is still synchronized with. Just as there are five seasons, that are five tastes (and, by no accident, five vowel sounds). Each taste has an association or relationship with a season. The taste of Spring is sour/tart, summer is bitter, Autumn is hot/pungent, winter is Salt and the Do-Yo season's flavor or taste is sweet. An excess or definciency of a taste will influence how well you cope with each season and how well you handle this season will influence how well you handle the next season.
When are we due our next seasonal adjustment?? Right before the spring winds begin to blow. Probably late February/early March - maybe later...and as we transition, we need to start moving away from heavy, dense foods - eat less red meat, eat less potatoes, squashes, gravies, rich foods. Spring is the beginning of the year, the beginning of new life. This is when seeds sprout and animals give birth. We neeed to eat sprouts, lighter foods. Springtime is a good time to 'fast' and do 'cleansings', it's time for walking and being in the sunshine. I suggest you grow sprouts to eat - radish, pumpkin, mung bean, soy, alfalfa - so many seeds to sprout - so many salads to make!
Keep the questions comin' !
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Questions for Dr. Duckworth: Ginger
Recently, I went to the market, saw a deal on ginger and bought a couple of large... whatever they're called. Chunks for ginger? Stalks? At any rate, though I use ginger in cooking and in making my daily tea, I'm wondering if you've got any extra uses for the ginger? Noticed that you mentioned it mixed with sesame oil as a balm for wintry skin. Anything else ginger can do?
Franklin
-----
Dear Franklin,
Ginger root, those clunks of ginger are the root of the plant. When you purchase a goodly amount - and if you own a food processor, chopping the roots up, placing in baggies (about a handful per baggy) and freezing the chopped ginger root is an excellent way to preserve large quantities of your purchase. Don't refrigerate the fresh ginger (it will get moldy), leave out with your fruits. Ginger root will dry/dehydrate but it is still quite usable, Anyway, Franklin, ginger is a very useful plant. It has been found that 2-3 capsules of powdered ginger root are twice as effective as Dramamine in addressing motion sickness. It is quite helpful with nausea, including morning sickness. It may also be used to counter the diarrhea and vomiting of gastrointestinal "flu". The effective dosage seems to vary person to person, with some taking as many as 10-12 capsules an hour. Unlike Dramamine, ginger has no effect on the central nervous system and it apparently absorbs toxins and restores normal gastric activity. However, excessive doses may irritate the upper G.I.
In Oriental Medicine, Ginger Root is used to stimulate the organs, provide heat and restore vital Qi (Ki, Chi). Stagnation of Qi (the Life Energy of the Universe & therefore, the human body) impairs function and results in disease. Sore throat, swollen glands and other discomforts in the throat; sleeplessness; mental disturbance; unexpected or unexplained pain anywhere in the body and nervous system problems are some of the manifestations of Qi disharmony. Ginger is used to heal diseases attributable to Qi stagnation.
There are many herbal preparations that incorporate ginger in their formula. For example, a tea made of soya or tamari sauce, ginger, umeboshi plum (Japanese Salt Plum) and Bancha Tea (Japanese Twig Teat) is used to strengthen the heart. It is also drunk for fatigue, poor circulation and sluggish metabolism. The recipe: 1/2 umeboshi plum, 1 teaspoon soya sauce, 5 drops of ginger juice, 1 cup of Banch tea (boiling). To the boiling tea, add the salt plum, soya sauce & ginger juice; stir and leave on low heat for a minute or so. Drink hot.
Ginger is quite useful for digestive issues such as nausea, colitis, diverticulosis, indigestion, morning sickness, any kind of upset stomach. It is useful for menstrual cramps (internally & externally), hot flashes, muscular spasms and circulation problems.
Externally it is used to address joint issues, curvature of the spine, muscle contractions, bone spurs, inflammation, headaches, earaches, dandruff, skin problems and bronchitis. Cooked in water, it is used as a compress or soak for muscle and joints.
Yes, ginger oil is made by mixing ginger juice and sesame (or olive) oil. A very strong decoction is a mixture of 1 part oil to one part ginger juice; weaker mixtures would be 2:1 or 3:1. For skin issues, I'd start with the 3:1 mixture. Ginger oil is useful for aches, pain in the spine, joint and muscle pain, earache and dandruff. It makes a wonderful massage oil also.
Most of this information, Franklin, is contained in a 4 page info sheet entitled "Ginger. Out of the kitchen, Into the Medicine Cabinet" that I put together in 1998. You can get a free copy at the Natural Life Therapy office.
Franklin
-----
Dear Franklin,
Ginger root, those clunks of ginger are the root of the plant. When you purchase a goodly amount - and if you own a food processor, chopping the roots up, placing in baggies (about a handful per baggy) and freezing the chopped ginger root is an excellent way to preserve large quantities of your purchase. Don't refrigerate the fresh ginger (it will get moldy), leave out with your fruits. Ginger root will dry/dehydrate but it is still quite usable, Anyway, Franklin, ginger is a very useful plant. It has been found that 2-3 capsules of powdered ginger root are twice as effective as Dramamine in addressing motion sickness. It is quite helpful with nausea, including morning sickness. It may also be used to counter the diarrhea and vomiting of gastrointestinal "flu". The effective dosage seems to vary person to person, with some taking as many as 10-12 capsules an hour. Unlike Dramamine, ginger has no effect on the central nervous system and it apparently absorbs toxins and restores normal gastric activity. However, excessive doses may irritate the upper G.I.
In Oriental Medicine, Ginger Root is used to stimulate the organs, provide heat and restore vital Qi (Ki, Chi). Stagnation of Qi (the Life Energy of the Universe & therefore, the human body) impairs function and results in disease. Sore throat, swollen glands and other discomforts in the throat; sleeplessness; mental disturbance; unexpected or unexplained pain anywhere in the body and nervous system problems are some of the manifestations of Qi disharmony. Ginger is used to heal diseases attributable to Qi stagnation.
There are many herbal preparations that incorporate ginger in their formula. For example, a tea made of soya or tamari sauce, ginger, umeboshi plum (Japanese Salt Plum) and Bancha Tea (Japanese Twig Teat) is used to strengthen the heart. It is also drunk for fatigue, poor circulation and sluggish metabolism. The recipe: 1/2 umeboshi plum, 1 teaspoon soya sauce, 5 drops of ginger juice, 1 cup of Banch tea (boiling). To the boiling tea, add the salt plum, soya sauce & ginger juice; stir and leave on low heat for a minute or so. Drink hot.
Ginger is quite useful for digestive issues such as nausea, colitis, diverticulosis, indigestion, morning sickness, any kind of upset stomach. It is useful for menstrual cramps (internally & externally), hot flashes, muscular spasms and circulation problems.
Externally it is used to address joint issues, curvature of the spine, muscle contractions, bone spurs, inflammation, headaches, earaches, dandruff, skin problems and bronchitis. Cooked in water, it is used as a compress or soak for muscle and joints.
Yes, ginger oil is made by mixing ginger juice and sesame (or olive) oil. A very strong decoction is a mixture of 1 part oil to one part ginger juice; weaker mixtures would be 2:1 or 3:1. For skin issues, I'd start with the 3:1 mixture. Ginger oil is useful for aches, pain in the spine, joint and muscle pain, earache and dandruff. It makes a wonderful massage oil also.
Most of this information, Franklin, is contained in a 4 page info sheet entitled "Ginger. Out of the kitchen, Into the Medicine Cabinet" that I put together in 1998. You can get a free copy at the Natural Life Therapy office.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Vegan for a Month, post-script
You know how the holidays roll around each year? And how people tempt you with delicious, non-vegan foods at every turn? Yup, I know all about that time of year, too.
The wheels came off the vegan train during the latter days of December, but not before some good work was done. After talking to Dr. Duckworth, I feel better about the fact that almost everyone faces a certain weight-challenge during not just the holiday season, but during the winter. Weight stays on during this season; our body wants to hang onto it, for a host of reasons.
The good thing about an attempt at turning vegan for a month is that it cleans out some bad habits. For example, after deciding to eat fish about three years ago, I realized that I wasn't just enjoying a fine cut of tuna, or some high-grade salmon, from time-to-time. Instead, I wound up enjoying the heavily-battered, deep-fried weekly fish-and-chips special at my favorite pub. That kind of sloppy thought process (equating quality fish consumption to health, but then heading to the least-healthy version of some type of "trash fish") gets reconsidered.
So, a couple weeks into January, I've followed the vegetarian diet that I adhered to for 20 years, with the exception of a cup of shrimp bisque on a very cold night spent outside.
Attempts... sometimes you don't make it all the way. But the partial victory is there. You take and it realize that Lent is just a few weeks away. Another perfect time for dietary experimentation, whether, or not, you're even Catholic.
Happy eating, friends.
The wheels came off the vegan train during the latter days of December, but not before some good work was done. After talking to Dr. Duckworth, I feel better about the fact that almost everyone faces a certain weight-challenge during not just the holiday season, but during the winter. Weight stays on during this season; our body wants to hang onto it, for a host of reasons.
The good thing about an attempt at turning vegan for a month is that it cleans out some bad habits. For example, after deciding to eat fish about three years ago, I realized that I wasn't just enjoying a fine cut of tuna, or some high-grade salmon, from time-to-time. Instead, I wound up enjoying the heavily-battered, deep-fried weekly fish-and-chips special at my favorite pub. That kind of sloppy thought process (equating quality fish consumption to health, but then heading to the least-healthy version of some type of "trash fish") gets reconsidered.
So, a couple weeks into January, I've followed the vegetarian diet that I adhered to for 20 years, with the exception of a cup of shrimp bisque on a very cold night spent outside.
Attempts... sometimes you don't make it all the way. But the partial victory is there. You take and it realize that Lent is just a few weeks away. Another perfect time for dietary experimentation, whether, or not, you're even Catholic.
Happy eating, friends.
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