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Why is Everyone Sick?

2011-03-15T16:48:00Z

Whether I'm at one of the Four Pillars Acupuncture offices in Temecula or Lake Elsinore, or at the Aikido dojo, or just at a social function with my wife and son, I can't help but notice, and neither can you probably, that everyone is sick. Why is everyone sick? Well the obvious answer is germs. But I want to explain a little bit about the Chinese Medical model of the immune system to put in perspective how our bodies deal with germs and why one person gets sick and not another.

"When the Righteous Qi is strong, no evils will enter." is the classic line in Chinese Medical texts that is fundamental to the explanation of the immune system. The scenario that leads to this statement is when 10 people are put in a room with another actively contagious person, not all of them will get sick. Is this because the germs didn't travel far enough to get all of them? No. It is because some of those people's immune systems were strong enough to resist infection by the pathogen. The Chinese Medical idea of the immune system is what's called "wei qi" (there were no microscopes in ancient China to identify T-Cells). Wei qi is basically a force field that protects the body from invading organisms or elements.

Now one of a few things can happen based on this scenario. Either the pathogen is strong enough to penetrate a person's defenses (immune system) or it isn't. If the immune system is strong and the pathogen is weak, no infection will take place. In a western medical model this basically means that the body has antibodies to this specific bacteria or virus. Or if the immune system is weak, the pathogen will prevail, and the person will become infected. Now some pathogens are especially virulent, or strong, and only the healthiest and hardiest of people will avoid infection. These are the people who are NEVER sick, or if they are, only for a short while, with little to no symptoms.

So how does a person reduce their risk of infection and strengthen their "Wei Qi"? Since the Wei Qi is generated by the lungs and the digestion, keeping these systems strong is paramount. We all know that there are intestinal flora and beneficial bacteria that help us resist illness from food and other oral routes. These beneficial bacteria are destroyed along with pathogenic bacteria when antibiotics are taken. So maintaining a healthy digestion, eating easy to digest, nutrient rich, well cooked foods is key. Also to maintain the health of the lungs, regular breathing exercises like those taught in Qi Gong, Meditation, and Yoga are recommended.

And almost equally important, reducing stress levels will help maintain the Wei Qi. Stress will weaken the lungs, and the digestion, both necessary for building the immune system as discussed above. We all are familiar with the involuntary sighs that are generated when we are under stress. This is an effort by the lungs to keep the stress in check, because if it becomes too strong, it will overwhelm the lungs and deplete the immune system.

So, to wrap it up, as with most health recommendations, to maintain a healthy immune system, or Wei Qi, eat right, exercise, and manage your stress levels, and "No evil will enter."

To learn more about Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, visit www.fourpillarsacupuncture.com or come in to one of the Four Pillars Acupuncture offices in Temecula or Lake Elsinore, to speak with me, Michael Padilla, L.Ac. personally.

The Balance Method

2011-03-14T21:17:00Z

Acupuncture has a varied and rich history, and every practitioner has their own unique way of approaching each case based on their training and clinical history. One of the treatment styles I use at the Four Pillars Acupuncture Clinics in Temecula and Lake Elsinore is known as the Balance Method. It was pioneered by Dr. Richard Tan and taught to me by Marly Wexler at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. I have recently been using this method of treatment more frequently, and seeing remarkable results in the process, especially for pain.

The basic idea is that by treating areas and correlating channels, and not directly treating the diseased area, the body is allowed to balance itself. So for example, if the patient has pain in their left ankle, I will treat the right wrist. And if the pain is along the Stomach channel in the ankle, I will treat the Large Intestine Channel of the wrist, since these two channels are paired in Acupuncture Theory. Without getting too technical about it, my typical clinical experience is that the patient feels immediate pain relief from the first insertion of a needle. And the benefit to this treatment method is that the patient can move their ankle, or back, or neck, or whatever area is painful, during the treatment both to increase the range of motion, and to gauge the pain level as the area is being used.

I can't tell you how delightful it is to have a patient smile and say, "There isn't any pain!" so quickly that somewhere in the back of their heads they believe this is some kind of magic.

To learn more about acupuncture and the Four Pillars Acupuncture Clinics, visit www.fourpillarsacupuncture.com.

Chronic Pain and Acupuncture

2011-01-31T22:27:00Z

One of the main reasons people come to The Four Pillars Acupuncture Clinic is to manage pain. While there are plenty of other things acupuncture can treat, and I hope to get more non pain cases at the new Temecula Clinic, this is what people think of. I've seen the person who just threw their back out and the person who has had pain for 20 years. The person who has had the pain for 20 years might be someone who just didn't respond to traditional western medicine and never knew to try acupuncture. Or they might be what is known as a "difficult case".

Now when I say difficult this in no way reflects their personality, or even the complexity of their condition. What it mostly represents is the idea that the state of their health does not change without frequent and consistent treatment. And this makes for a difficult case because many times patients are not educated properly about the various influences that can contribute to and prevent disease, like diet, exercise, stress, and sleep. And they are not educated about idea that just because a person has a symptom or doesn't have a symptom doesn't mean that they are healthy or unhealthy. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have complex and subtle ways of detecting imbalances in the body that signify both impending illness and the progressive recovery from illness that isn't necessarily reflected in symptoms.

And so I will often tell a story of the two men who happened upon a water pump on the side of the road on a hot day. Zig Ziglar tells this story often, and I don't do it the justice he does. If you want to hear this story click here for the video. But the short of it is that as you move the handle of a water pump up and down, there is not indication that any water will come out. The pump goes hundreds of feet into the earth down the well, and often it will take hundreds of pumps before the water manifests. And if you gave up after 25 pumps, or 50 pumps, you would have to start all over to get that water out. But if you stuck with it, and pumped that 100 or 200 times, eventually that pump would start spouting the water. the consistent and frequent effort would pay off. And once that water starts to come out, it really only takes very little effort to keep that water coming.

And so the point it, in order to get anything worthwhile in this world, and to overcome years and years of a chronic condition, it will take consistent effort even in the face of no discernible result. Some people call this faith, some people call this doing the right thing for the sake of doing it. But the bottom line is, if you eat right, exercise, manage your stress, and get proper treatment, consistently, even the most difficult cases can be resolved.

Michael Padilla, L.Ac.

First Treatments at Four Pillars Acupuncture in Temecula, CA

2011-01-30T03:24:00Z

This coming Tuesday will be the first day of Acupuncture treatments in Temecula. I'm very excited for all the new opportunities of providing acupuncture in a new community, and bringing the same great service of the clinic in Lake Elsinore. I already have my first patients booked, and would love to fill in the remaining spots to kick things off in full swing! If you know anyone in the Temecula area with a health problem that concerns them, please tell them about the new clinic and let them know we offer free consultations and tours of the clinic.

Michael Padilla, L.Ac.

New Four Pillars Acupuncture Clinic in Temecula

2011-01-24T19:42:00Z

Starting on February 1st, Four Pillars Acupuncture will be open in Temecula out of Temecula Valley Chiropractic. Michael Padilla, L.Ac. will offer acupuncture, all natural herbal remedies, qi gong instruction, and dietary counseling to Temecula as part of the Four Pillars of Chinese Medicine.

Michael has already helped hundreds of people in Lake Elsinore and Santa Ana with Acupuncture, and is excited to expand his services to Temecula.

Visit www.fourpillarsacupuncture.com/temecula.html to learn more, or call 951-694-9200.

Looking Ahead to the New Year

2010-12-10T17:52:00Z

Happy Holidays Everyone!

There are many gifts that come about during this season. Some are more obvious than others, like the stocking stuffer's and cookies and Starbuck's giftcards and the like. Others are more subtle, but in many ways more rewarding and profound.

For the month of December, and for the last year at Four Pillars Acupuncture my patients have given me many gifts, in the form of new insights about certain diseases. Most importantly I have been given the gift of insight into the patient process, whereby a person comes to me with extreme pain and suffering, and over a matter of weeks, leaves with little to no pain. The insight I have into this process is that many people are in a way defined by this pain and suffering. Their identity is slowly replaced over time with the identity of the person who is in constant pain, or who has to take 10 or more prescribed pharmaceuticals. They go from being a person who has an illness to an ill person, where the illness is now the predominant part of their identity.

I have found that there is at times in this patient process an unspoken bit of confusion and loss as their pain is diminished, even amongst the elation and satisfaction of its absence. And I hypothesize this is because people no longer know how to act or be when not acting in relation to their disease process.

And so, while I am happy to continue to help people lead lives with less pain and more function, to return this gift of insight in the new year, I will bring to the fore of my consciousness an intention as a healer to help people redefine themselves in the wake of the resolution of their pain, not to exist as John Doe minus their pain, or even as John Doe before the pain. But as a new person, who has emerged from adversity, and is now an entirely new person with new possibilities and power.

Here's to a Healthy and Happy Holiday and New Year,

Michael Padilla, L.Ac.

Manage your Stress, Exercise, And Eat Good Food

2010-11-18T22:27:00Z

These are the best 3 things a person can do, at home, to give themselves the best and quickest improvements to their health. These are what I call maintenance activities, activities that are necessary on a daily basis to keep the body in good working order. In fact, the majority of the top health complaints people have in today's society are due to failings in one or all of these areas.

Stress is not just an abstract term for the stuff in our lives we don't like. It is literally something that pressures our systems, our immune system, our nervous system, and our circulatory system, compromising their effectiveness, and ultimately your effectiveness in whatever areas are most important to you.

Exercise does not have to be sweaty, painful, vomit inducing triathalons, but rather something that gets you moving, or rather, something that MOVES you. By having fun at whatever exercise you do, you are more likely to keep doing it, and more likely to enjoy more benefits that just getting your heart rate up and burning calories.

The food we eat is the basis of the creation and recreation of our bodies and minds. If you are unhappy with either of these, then changing the food you eat, and your attitude towards food is the first step to making a change in your life.

Now I don't bring this up to state the obvious, but to give people a reminder that there is something tangible and powerful they can do for their health that isn't complicated or costly.

Sometimes all it takes is a consult with your health professional to get you on the right track, and point you in the right direction.

To learn more about how to make positive changes to the mind, body, and spirit, visit www.fourpillarsacupuncture.com

Here's to your health,

Michael Padilla, L.Ac.

What does it mean to be a Chronic Pain Specialist?

2010-09-05T18:30:00Z

Hi Everyone,

As an Acupuncturist, I call myself a "Chronic Pain Specialist", not so I can loft myself up there with another title, but to try to convey the full picture of the large amount of experience and knowledge I have accumulated treating chronic pain in as few words as possible. When I say I specialize I mean that I possess skills and knowledge that are unique, and may not be found in other practitioners or clinics.

I have treated numerous cancer patients who in many cases have been dealing with their pain since day one of their diagnosis, who in many cases didn't even know they had a problem until their pain became so great. I have successfully treated patients who have been through numerous surgeries in order to relieve their pain, and are still hurting. I have successfully treated athletes who have injured elbows, shoulders, and knees through the rigors of their sports.

And I have treated a few people with chronic pain to little effect. People who may have gotten results if they continued their care, but they were looking for the magic bullet, the one treatment miracle. The point here is that I have seen A LOT of people with all types of chronic pain in all different places, for a long time, and that is what makes me a specialist. I have taken what has been taught and handed down in my medicine for thousands of years, and I have used it skillfully to relieve pain that has not responded to anything else. I have pretty much seen it all, and that puts me in a unique place to give help that is effective and appropriate, to give you the most relief in the most efficient way.

If you or someone you know is suffering from chronic pain, feel free to direct them to my website, where there is a wealth of information and articles written by me, Michael Padilla, L.Ac. Also they can call the office at 951-674-8683 or email me at yinyangmichael@gmail.com for a free consultation to see how I can help.

Here's to your Health,

Michael Padilla, L.Ac.

Acupuncture and the Management of Chemotherapy Side Effects, by Michael Padilla, L.Ac.

2010-04-28T17:10:00Z

As chemotherapy is the standard of care for most cancers in today’s medical system, nearly every cancer patient will suffer the side effects of these medications. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, fatigue, neuropathy (numbness and tingling in the fingers and toes), reduced red and white blood cell counts, and headaches. The result is that many of the common side effects that result from the use of chemotherapy, particularly nausea and vomiting, require the prescription of strong pharmaceuticals. And for some symptoms, such as hair loss and fatigue, the patient must simply suffer, as there are no standard prescriptions to manage them. And to boot, the medications given to manage the side effects of the other medications, yup, they have side effects too.

This often times leaves the patient suffering both from the cancer and cancer treatment, with only a few days out of a month when they are enjoying the progress the chemotherapy has made, and the freedom from the hangover that the chemotherapy and accompanying drugs leaves. This in itself is psychologically difficult to manage, and so frankly, the resulting combination of physical and psychological symptoms leaves the patient debilitated and with little hope or motivation other than the idea that all their suffering will be worth something when they beat their cancer.

Enter Acupuncture, a system of medicine that has been proven to control nausea and vomiting with no side effects, and will not interact with any medication. Patients who receive regular acupuncture treatment while undergoing chemotherapy, can have relief from nausea, vomiting, reduced hair loss, reduced fatigue, reduced neuropathy, increased red and white blood cell counts, and relief from headaches or any other pain. And so they can also undergo their treatment and take less medication, and increase the number of days out of the month that they feel like a decent human being and not a hung over receptacle for numerous pills and injections.

My mother, who passed away from pancreatic cancer, received chemotherapy regularly, and I have personally witnessed, and helped her deal with all of the above mentioned side effects, and seen how acupuncture worked when pharmaceuticals didn’t.

In this article I will outline the symptoms and side effects that come with chemotherapy treatment, and how they are relieved with acupuncture.

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea, and the subsequent vomiting are nearly always present with the use of most chemotherapies. They can last anywhere from a day to a week, and often have just subsided when the next round of chemotherapy is due. The common pharmaceutical treatment is anti anxiety medications, which can be addictive, and anti emetics (emesis means to vomit), which turn off the part of the brain responsible for the feeling of nausea and the subsequent reflex to vomit. Acupuncture has a similar effect, reducing anxiousness and regulating the feeling of nausea. Rather than simply shutting off a part of the brain, acupuncture regulates the brain’s response to the triggering event, the toxicity of the chemotherapy. By dampening this response in a more subtle way, acupuncture does not cause constipation, fatigue, insomnia, headaches, and indigestion like most strong anti emetics.

This was one of the worst side effects for my mother, and regular treatment with acupuncture was the only thing that allowed her to continue her chemotherapy treatment for as long as she did.

Acupuncture can be given prophylactically before the administration of chemotherapy, after, or both before and after, depending on the severity of the patient’s nausea and vomiting.

Hair loss

Hair loss is one of the most visible and psychologically potent side effects of chemotherapy, leaving a patient feeling both self conscious and many times depressed at the conspicuous reminder of their cancer and its toll on their vitality. The best solution presented to patients is a decent wig or a hat, which may fool others, but the patient is still aware of the truth beneath. Acupuncture helps reduce hair loss caused by chemotherapy by increasing circulation of blood to the scalp.

My mother, despite receiving regular and potent doses of chemotherapy, only experienced thinning and some slight loss of her hair, but never needed to wear a wig or cover her head.

Fatigue

If you have ever been poisoned, or at least have had a few too many drinks, you can understand how fatigue can be a common side effect to chemotherapy. The nausea, vomiting, and fatigue make up a chemotherapy hangover in much the same way they do an alcohol hangover. A person has been poisoned, and the body is trying to get the poison out. The effort required to process and eliminate the poison takes a toll on the body, and leaves a person exhausted. Most doctors will prescribe sleep and possibly a few cups of tea or coffee, but the use of caffeine is not the best solution, as it activates the sympathetic nervous system and can contribute to a patient’s anxiety and stress in an already anxious and stressful situation. And, as most people know, the only way to sustain caffeine induced energy, is to drink more caffeine, or suffer the inevitable crash, leaving an already fatigued person even more fatigued. Acupuncture increases a patient’s energy by increasing circulation, thereby making the nervous system more efficient, and allowing the muscles and cells to function more efficiently.

Acupuncture, along with regular exercise like Qi gong, slow movements and breathing exercises, is what kept my mother from being a permanent inhabitant of the couch around our house. Granted, when she slept, she really slept, but she was still able to go about town and do things, visit with people, etc. even within a few days of her chemo treatments.

Neuropathy (numbness and tingling in the fingers and toes)

Neuropathy is a common side effect of many chemotherapy drugs, as along with killing the cancer cells, the chemo kills the cells that help your nerves work. These cells are called myelin, and function just like the insulation around a wire or the power cable that plugs into your computer. As one might imagine, this causes the body a lot of confusion. The typical presentation is simple numbness, the nerves aren’t working. But as not all the nerves are affected all the time, the brain receives lots of mixed messages, and anywhere from a tingling sensation to electric like pain can be experienced, especially when touching something that is cold. Drugs that prevent over excitement of the nervous system, like gabapentin, commonly called neurontin are prescribed to regulate this side effect, but typically its effect is minimal unless given at large doses, which causes increased side effects like dizziness, twitching, or visual problems.

This was a major complaint for my mother during her treatment, and the loss of sensation in her feet led to some balance problems at times. Acupuncture was able to reduce the numbness, by increasing circulation to her hands and feet, allowing her to retain the ability to button shirts and knit, but she still frequently experience a shocking sensation every time she tried to open the refrigerator too soon after receiving chemo.

Reduced Red and White cell counts

This is typically the primary reason patients cannot continue chemotherapy. Because chemo damages the bone marrow along with killing the cancer cells, the body’s ability to make red and white blood cells is compromised. Decreased red blood cells, which transport oxygen results in fatigue, and at too low levels can be life threatening. Decrease white blood cells, which are responsible for immune function can also be life threatening, as the patient has no means of fighting off even the simplest of infections. A common cold could be deadly. This is treated by injections of the needed type of cells. White cells are cultured in a lab and injected directly into the patient, raising their counts. While this allows them to continue chemo, eventually the deficit becomes too great to make up, and injections are just not enough. The down side of the injections is the leave the patient with a flu-like malaise, similar to common reactions to vaccines. So in order to get ready for the chemotherapy that leaves them feeling like crap, the patient needs to get injections that make them feel like crap.

Because of her regular acupuncture treatment, my mother only needed these injections many months into her chemotherapy, as acupuncture boosts the immune system and helps the body recover and repair itself more quickly. And even when she did need the injections, their side effects were regulated with the acupuncture as well. Acupuncture is similarly used to boost the immune systems of people with HIV, and has seen remarkable results in this application as well.

While acupuncture is not a magic bullet for all the side effects of chemotherapy and the side effects of the medications given to regulate these side effects, it is a great tool for supporting these therapies, and making patients more comfortable, when at nearly every turn they are given medications and procedures that cause nothing but discomfort. And in many cases, this is just enough to get patients through this long hard experience, in a healthier place than when they started.

To learn more about acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, visit www.fourpillarsacupuncture.com

Where we're at

2010-04-23T22:34:00Z

Hi Everyone,

Not much blogging going on lately, I mostly blog out of the Four Pillars Acupuncture Video Blog on my page, www.fourpillarsacupuncture.com and on Four Pillars Acupuncture's Facebook page.

But I will say that not a day goes by that I don't meet someone who either doesn't know what Acupuncture is, or doesn't know the full range of what this fantastic medicine can treat. So in my video blog, "The First Pillar", I am going through a different frequently asked question each week to put that information out there and educate the public about the true potential of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

I've also recently taken a poll about Acupuncture and people's experience, or lack of experience, with it. So you can look for those results on my facebook page once all the data is in, and the numbers have been crunched.

Lastly, if you have been interested in trying Acupuncture, but think you can't afford it, stop in and ask about our "Health made Affordable" plans. These plans are designed to get people the care they need, and save them money at the same time.

So take care everyone, and keep your eyes open for the next episode of "The First Pillar" at www.fourpillarsacupuncture.com or on facebook.

Michael Padilla, L.Ac.

Dr. Oz on Acupuncture

2010-03-22T18:42:00Z

Here's a link to a blog written by Dr. Michael Roizen and Dr. Oz:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/main/6912953.html

This outlines a few of the many benefits of Acupuncture.

To learn more you can also visit www.fourpillarsacupuncture.com and investigate the wealth of information available there.

Michael Padilla, L.Ac.

Acupuncture and Pain Management

2010-03-15T23:06:00Z

Okay, okay, I know what you’re thinking. How is putting a needle, something that I think will hurt me, into my foot, going to stop my head from hurting? It’s a reasonable question. Before I started practicing acupuncture I asked the same question. But the reality is that acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have helped thousands of people manage and in most cases eliminate their pain where nearly all other types of therapies-mainly pharmaceutical, have failed. And it has done this without the side effects that come from traditional therapies.

Acupuncture works by utilizing a system of meridians that correlate to the systems of nerves and blood vessels in the body. By knowing where these meridians flow, an acupuncturist can activate the circulation of blood and regulate the nervous system, which will in turn reduce pain. For example, there is a meridian that starts in the head, and runs all the way down the side of the body into the foot. So if a point on the foot is treated on the foot, it will relieve pain in the head.

Imagine a small stream in the middle of a lush forest. If some careless hikers come and dump a bunch of garbage into that stream, it will clump together and block the flow of the water. And if the water does not flow, then the plants and small pools at the end of the stream will not get enough water, and the entire ecosystem will be disrupted and eventually die off. If I clear the stream of this garbage, then flow will be restored, and the ecosystem will once again thrive. The saying in Chinese Medicine is that “if there is no circulation pain will result, and if there is pain, there is a lack of circulation.”

Pain is caused by the brain recognizing something is not quite right, and that immediate attention should be paid to this problem. Now the problem may have started long ago, but when pain is experienced, it is a signal that it has become so severe, that if it is not corrected, the function of the body may be in jeopardy. Now the brain also knows that if you are in so much pain that you can’t move or think, then you can’t take steps to correct the problem in the body, and so the brain triggers the release of natural pain relieving chemicals into the blood stream to help us cope with the pain. Acupuncture abides with this natural response to dysfunction in two ways. First it will directly affect the muscles and blood vessels which may be too tight or constricted, and cause a decrease in circulation to the tissues. And secondly, it will assist in the release of these natural painkillers that help regulate pain. So acupuncture both relieves the pain itself, and the underlying cause of it.

Yes, an acupuncturist is putting a needle into your body, and that sounds painful. But the needles used are only about as thick as the hair on your head, and are often not even felt as they are inserted. Once the needles are in, they are not felt by the body, and often people fall into a calm restful state. The relaxation a patient feels alone is enough to relieve pain. By resetting the muscles, regulating the nervous system, and promoting the release of the body’s natural pain killers, all kinds of conditions from low back pain to arthritis can be managed.

But the best and most effective means of managing pain, by far, is the proper management of the body that will prevent blockages and traumas from occurring in the first place. Acupuncture can balance and energize the body so that the circulation is consistent and efficient. If the muscles have proper blood supply, then they are less likely to become sore or tight. If the nervous system is balanced and not overly excited by stress, then the blood vessels will not constrict and will not cause headaches. If the body’s digestion is efficient, then the nutrients that control the contraction of muscles will be better assimilated, and more available to the muscles, which will prevent spasms and twitching.

The greatest benefits acupuncture offers are a whole new level of pain relief, the kind that stops pain before it starts. Consistent, monthly acupuncture treatments in the absence of any severe complaints will ensure that you have nothing to complain about except excessive amounts of energy, vitality, and relaxation.

To learn more about acupuncture, how it works, and how you can experience it for yourself, visit www.fourpillarsacupuncture.com or call 951-674-8683.

Michael Padilla, L.Ac.

Breast Cancer Treatment and Joint Pain

2010-03-10T18:57:00Z

Hi Everyone,

A recent study out of the Journal of Clinical Oncology reported women who received acupuncture for their joint pain caused by aromatase inhibitors had a significant drop in their pain levels. On average, the 43 women's pain went from a 6.7 to a 3.0 over 12 treatments. Aromatase inhibitors block the production of estrogen, which can fuel the growth of tumors in some breast cancer cases.

Michael Padilla, L.Ac. offers oncology support services to manage the side effects of cancer treatments. To learn more about Michael's practice and the Four Pillars Acupuncture clinic, visit www.fourpillarsacupuncture.com

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To your Health,

Michael Padilla, L.Ac.

New Weekly Video Blog

2010-03-03T22:33:00Z

Just wanted to let everyone know I've started posting a weekly video blog both on www.fourpillarsacupuncture.com under "Video Blog" and on the Four Pillars Acupuncture facebook page. This will cover acupuncture related news stories, news from the clinic, and introduce the "You might not know" segment, which gives info the average person might not know about acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

So look for this every week, and feel free to send me any feedback you have, either by commenting on this blog, or by emailing me directly.

Michael Padilla, L.Ac.

Managing pregnancy with Acupuncture

2010-02-22T18:15:00Z

Did you know that a large number of complaints pregnant woman suffer from can be treated by acupuncture and Chinese medicine?

Most commonly, morning sickness is easily relieved by acupuncture. As my wife and I are in our six month of her first pregnancy, the road has been relatively easy, and the worst of her "morning sickness" symptoms have passed. But even at their worst, they were what I would call mild, in that only a few treatments gave her near total relief from the nausea and discomfort that came with her body adjusting to the new life she was carrying.

As we get further along in the pregnancy, we are looking toward natural means of childbirth, and with that natural means of regulating the pain and discomfort of the birthing process. Again, acupuncture has been used for centuries as a safe and effective means of relieving these symptoms.

If you are suffering from morning sickness and are looking for safe, effective, natural relief, visit my website at www.fourpillarsacupuncture.com to learn more about acupuncture and what it can do for you.

Michael Padilla, L.Ac.

Four Pillars Acupuncture Tea Night

2010-02-17T20:28:00Z

Just writing to let everyone know, Four Pillars Acupuncture will be having it's first Tea Night next Wednesday, February 24th.

We will be introducing everyone to acupuncture, how it works, what it can do, and giving free consultations and reflex point treatments. Also, we will be offering free Chinese specialty teas and foods, and everyone who attends will receive a free raffle ticket for a prize.

This night is to get the word out about the possibilities of acupuncture and what a phenomenal healing system it is. Again there is no obligation, and everything is free!

I hope you can join us, please call to reserve your spot. 951-674-8683.

Michael Padilla, L.Ac.

Soda and Pancreatic Cancer

2010-02-08T21:09:00Z

So I read today that a study was recently published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention that hypothesizes the increased sugar intakes of the people who consume 2 or more sodas a week makes their pancreas, which produces insulin to allow the body to absorb sugar, more likely to develop cancer. Now the study seems to be less than credible based on the small sample size, but is supported by a few other small studies, which, as far as I can tell, seem to be just as credible. I am not ignoring that there may be a link her, but I would love for it to be proven with a credible study to silence all the nay sayers. My mother did in fact pass away from pancreatic cancer, and I can attest that in the time of her life that she did drink soda regularly, about 10 years, she did not consume more than one soda per day, and it was nearly always a diet soda. So my personal experience can neither support nor refute this study.

Now, studies aside, and pancreatic cancer aside, how much soda should a person be drinking? According to Chinese medical theory, sugary foods can easily overwhelm the digestion, producing nausea, bloating, pain, flatulence, and other less than desirable, "I shouldn't have eaten that. I ate all that and I still feel bad about 'insert stressful situation here'." It maintains that sugary foods should be limited even to the point of advising that those with compromised digestion avoid fruit juice and raw fruit in general.

Historically, even fruit juices were rarely consumed, only when in season, and only for special occasions. For thousands of years, the average person went for days and days without consuming a food or beverage containing more than a gram of sugar. And today it is common for a person to consume 40 times that amount in one can of soda.

Now, I am a firm supporter of managing our stress in creative ways, so long as one can understand and accept the consequences of these methods, but I have seen cases of some people drinking a six pack or more a day of non-diet, caffeinated soda. I cannot see a way in which this cannot lead to some sort of long term consequence from either the large intake of sugar or caffeine. I strongly urge the people in these cases to look for the underlying social/psychological/physical/emotional motivations that have brought them to a place where they are nearly dependent on a single beverage to maintain their day to day functionality.

It is not surprising to me how a situation such as this comes about. Sugar is a readily available and socially acceptable, legal stimulant that makes us feel good. Why wouldn't people consume it in large amounts? My goal as a healthcare provider is to reset the perceptions that people have about the effects that diet can have on one's overall state of health and balance, and how the smallest changes can lead to the largest gains in the long run.

For more information on Chinese Medicine and nutrition, visit www.fourpillarsacupuncture.com

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Michael Padilla, L.Ac.

The Feng Shui Way

2010-02-02T00:13:00Z

Hi Everyone,

When I was in school, as most people who are students of Chinese Medicine do, I eventually stumbled onto Feng Shui. Now this is a funny little corner of Chinese 5 element theory because it is very superstitious, and at the same time very scientific. Superstitious because there are straight out taboos about certain things, like having certain structures surrounding your building that look anything like a sword or sharp object(sorry to all you architects out there) or having water run behind your house. Don't even get me started about having a mirror in the bedroom. And scientific, because there are complex formulas about birth year, and what corner something should be in, and in what room, etc.

The most scientific, or rather metaphysical way I can explain it is that each person interacts with their environment in a very specific way based on sensory perception and whatever "wavelength" you are stamped with at birth. Physics tells us that every object in the universe exerts gravity on every other object in the universe, and feng shui is similar to this, acknowledging that every object in the home or office will affect every other object, and most importantly, you.

Now I have done feng shui in every house I have lived in since I began studying Chinese Medicine. And while some of the things seem a little weird (crystals hanging from doorways, mirrors on bathrooms), everyone who walks into these places has to admit that there is a certain balance present. And so in the same vein where I cannot cut a person open and say, "Here. Here are the acupuncture channels." I cannot shine a special light into a room and tell you how the feng shui is doing what it is doing. it just works. And so I continue doing it. I do find it interesting that putting mirrors in some places make a room look bigger, or hanging something from the top of a hallway makes you look up at it, and therefore walk more slowly, keeping you from rushing and therefore more calm. But, as some say, I don't have to know how electricity works to benefit from a light bulb.

And after completing the feng shui job on the new clinic room here at Four Pillars Acupuncture, I have to say, there is a certain calm and balance present in this room. All the elements are present (water, wood, fire, earth, and metal), and regardless of what it does for success or wealth, I like the little fountain on my desk. The primary importance of all of this is that the patients who come through my door receive the best care in the most comfortable, relaxed environment possible, and I think they will.

Michael Padilla, L.Ac.

Decision Making

2010-01-27T21:50:00Z

I've recently heard an article on NPR regarding decision making, and it made me think about the theory of Chinese Medicine, and how it manages to get it right so often.

So the article says that there is a study in which people were given either a two digit number, or a 10 digit number to memorize. They were then told to go down the hall and repeat the number to the researcher. Along the way they were stopped and asked if they would like some food as thank you for participating in the study. They were offered either a healthy cup of fruit, or a big slice of chocolate cake. Now, the people who had memorized the 2 digit number almost always chose the fruit. But the people who memorized the 10 digit number chose the chocolate cake a significantly higher percentage of the time. What this means is that the part of our brain that is responsible for rational decision making operates very well when there is little on our minds. But when our brains are overwhelmed, with even something so small as a 10 digit number, the rational decision making part of our brains is not strong enough to overcome the emotional, desire based part of our brain. It's like the devil and the angel on our shoulders each trying to get us to do something. But the angel is busy trying to remember this number, and has no time to encourage you to make a healthy decision. Bottom line, our emotions and desires can easily cause us to make bad decisions.

Now in Chinese Medical Theory, each organ has an emotion that it is responsible for regulating, or a mental function that it oversees. The organ that is primarily responsible for making decisions is the Gall Bladder, providing the courage and drive to carry out our decisions. Even in the West we say that a person has a lot of "gall" when they go through with something that will surely meet with opposition. Now the gall bladder is paired with the Liver, and through the Chinese clock theory, and a specific channel, with the Heart. The Heart and the Liver play a big part in our processing and manifesting of emotions, and are, in their combination, heavy hitters when it comes to the moving and managing of energy in the body.

So it seems to me, that Chinese medicine figured out long ago, that the stronger a person's gall bladder, the stronger its ability to assert a rational decision over an emotional one, and the less likely one is to be overwhelmed by their emotions and desires. In short, strong gall bladder=less chocolate cake.

So the take home message here, or tip of the week, if you will, is that in order to make rational decisions about our eating, or any other unhealthy tool we use to manage our emotions, we must clear and unclutter our minds. This can be done by finding a quiet space in our homes or offices, and focusing on our breath. An explanation of this can be found on www.fourpillarsacupuncture.com under the "qi gong" link. In this way, we can bolster our "angel", or the rational part of our brain that is interested in helping us meet our health goals, and resist the "devil", who is just trying to satisfy the short term desires we have, that push us farther away from our health goals.

Be sure to check back for more discussions and tips at blog.fourpillarsacupuncture.com

Michael Padilla, L.Ac.

Welcome

2010-01-26T00:29:00Z

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to my virtual treatment room. Below are some pictures of the room to give you an idea of its simple elegance. This clinic allows for patient history and exam, acupuncture treatment, and qi gong instruction. I am also stocking herbal extracts from Kan herbs, which are potent and affordable.

We are tucked in a small shopping center off of Mission Trail in Lake Elsinore, it's actually quite the medical community, but I believe the chiropractic care of Dr. Myren and my magic needles are the highlight. My last patient marveled at her ability to sleep through the night after my treatment, as she typically wakes frequently due to difficulties with her asthma. For some reason I am always amazed by the sometimes dramatic, sometimes subtle effects of this medicine, and how it never fails to change lives.

I am excited to see how Four Pillars Acupuncture will change and grow as more and more people are affected by this fantastic medicine.

More photos, videos, and news to come from Four Pillars Acupuncture...

Michael Padilla, L.Ac.