- Holistic Alternativesat Essentials Day Spa
34302 US Hwy 19 N
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
Acupressure
Back to School Giving you a Headache? Holistic Alternatives welcomes teachers!
Back to School Giving you a Headache? Holistic Alternatives accepts NYSHP plans.
Teachers of Long Island: we welcome you back to a new school year! We know that all you do to educate your students can take a toll on your mental and physical health and well-being. That’s why we accept NYSHP plans. Together, Empire and Holistic alternatives are helping you to access treatments to reduce stress, improve wellness, and improve your mood so that you can be a happier and more productive teacher.
Holistic Alternatives provides holistic wellness services that may be covered by your NYSHP plan. Therapeutic massage, acupuncture, and cupping are just three of the services offered by Holistic Alternatives that can help you move easier, think more clearly, and boost your immune system.
Therapeutic Massage
Beyond the obvious benefit of relaxation, therapeutic massage has numerous positive health benefits that can improve your mental and physical well-being. Therapeutic massage can increase circulation, lower blood pressure, reduce pain, alleviate muscle tension, and treat soft tissue injuries. Therapeutic massage can be tailored to your individual needs, addressing a range of health issues, including repetitive stress injuries, migraines, frozen shoulder, and tendonitis.
These and other benefits help improve your mood and can improve your job performance. For instance, massage can improve your concentration, allowing you to focus on your students. Massage can even enhance your immune system, helping you stay healthy even when a bug is going around your classroom.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves inserting extremely thin needles into acupuncture points (or “acupoints”) on your body in order to stimulate them. Activating certain points and constellations of points provide a drug-free means of treating various health concerns. An ancient technique and mainstay of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture can alleviate the symptoms of many common ailments. The range is broad, and acupuncture can address issues ranging from headaches to arthritis.
Students have you stressed? Acupuncture has been shown to influence the regulation of cortisol, a stress hormone, helping prevent elevated levels in response to chronic stress. Neck and joint pain from late night grading and carrying papers? Acupuncture can address that. It can even address the eye strain. Like massage, acupuncture can help improve your immune system, providing extra armor during cold season and back to school. Acupuncture can also address allergies and increase your overall energy.
Cupping Therapy
Cupping involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. The cups are placed in specific spots depending on what they are intending to treat. It is normal for this process to leave a mark, or “hickey”, in the location where the cup was placed. The method has been popular with swimmers, and you may recognize these marks from Olympic swimming events.
Cupping can be effective in the management of pain, sports recovery, and the management of some skin conditions. Is teaching giving you high blood pressure, migrates, or anxiety? According to the British Cupping Society, cupping may be effective in addressing these and other conditions.
Back to School Wellness
These are just three of the forms of holistic therapy that Holistic Alternatives may add to your teaching toolkit with the assistance of your NYSHP plan. Together, Holistic Alternatives and Empire can help you to not only be a more effective educator, but a happier and healthier person.
Robert Lutz, L.Ac., LMT, Diplomate of Oriental Medicine
Holistic Alternatives ~ Holistic Weight Loss
Healing Center for Body, Mind & Spirit
Contact Robert Lutz to schedule an appointment:
Texts welcome (727) 266-3000.
TCM practitioner for over 20 yrs:
- Licensed Acupuncturist
- Licensed Massage Therapist
- Diplomate of Oriental Medicine
- Reiki Master
“I offer alternatives to harsh drugs & invasive procedures when practical & safe to do so. I believe in supporting the healing qualities & wisdom of your body. Clients receive quality care with uninterrupted attention for 60 minutes or longer per session.”
3 Acupressure Points for Low Back Pain
Statistics show that almost eight out of 10 people experience low back pain at some point during their life. Seeking medical treatment for back pain is very common. Typically back pain is fleeting and can be easily resolved with rest, heat and an occasional anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen. However, once the damage is done, the recurrence of back pain can be as high as 50 percent. Part of this is because as we age, things like muscles and tendons become less flexible and pliable. This can also be attributed to the fact that many people suffer from low-grade dehydration because they don’t drink enough water and they don’t ingest enough healthy fats that keep the muscles and tendons loose. It is also very well known that in the United States, people are too sedentary, and this leads to excess weight gain that can create added pressure on the body, especially the low back. continue reading
Acupuncture Happy Hour May 2019
Acupuncture Happy Hour
Free ear treatments for stress reduction / cravings.
Friday, May 10 & 17, 2019
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Stressed? Back Pain? Headaches? Who knew the answer was in your ears!
Auricular therapy is the stimulation of pressure points on the ear.
Often described as reflexology for the ear, there’s hundreds of points on the ear believed to represent a micro-system of the whole body, with points for areas both physical and emotional.
This can be accomplished with acupuncture, acupressure, and laser stimulation.
During our Acupuncture Happy Hour, try out one or all of our services:
- Free mini treatments
- Hospitality & Kombucha tasting
- AcuGraph scans
- Full body massage chairs
Holistic Alternatives “Feel Better Naturally”
380 Park Avenue Palm Harbor, NY 11743
Please call / email Robert Lutz for more info.
(727) 266-3000 | robert@holistic-alternatives.us
Auricular Acupuncture
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a medical system that dates back nearly 4,000 years.
Auricular acupuncture was first mentioned around 500 B.C. in the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, which is the equivalent of the Bible for TCM practitioners. However, the method in which auricular acupuncture is practiced today is actually based upon discoveries that occurred in France in the 1950s. Modern auricular acupuncture is based upon the work done by Dr. Paul Nogier of France.
Auricular acupuncture is the stimulation of the external ear for the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions. These health conditions may be taking place anywhere throughout the body.
The stimulation of these acupuncture points can be done manually (acupressure), with an acupuncture needle, a laser, magnets or ear seeds. Regardless of the means of stimulation, auricular acupuncture can be a very powerful addition to regular acupuncture treatments.
The current form of auricular acupuncture came about after Dr. Nogier noticed a scar on the upper ear of some of his patients. When he inquired about the scar, he found out a local practitioner had been treating his patients for sciatica pain and she was cauterizing this specific area on the external ear to relieve their low back pain. Dr. Nogier conducted a similar tests on his own patients and found their low back pain was also relieved. He tried using other means of stimulation as well, such as acupuncture needles and found it to be just as effective as cauterizing the area. So Dr. Nogier theorized if an area of the upper external ear is effective on treating low back pain, then perhaps other areas of the ear could treat other parts of the body. This led to the model now used when teaching auricular acupuncture.
The ear is thought to represent the whole anatomical body. However, it is upside down in orientation, so the head is represented by the lower ear lobe, the feet are at the top of the ear and the rest of the body is in between. According to history, the Chinese actually adopted this model of auricular acupuncture in 1958.
Auricular acupuncture is considered a microsystem, in that the ear is like a microcosm of the whole body, meaning one part of the body, the ear in this instance, represents the whole body. Microsystems also appear on foot and hand reflexology, facial acupuncture and scalp acupuncture.
This system has been practiced in Asia, albeit in a different form, for over 2,000 years. Auricular acupuncture has been used in Europe for the past 40 to 50 years. And it is finally starting to take root in the United States. The U.S. military, over the past 5 to 10 years, has started utilizing auricular acupuncture for its battlefield personnel. This form of battlefield acupuncture is used to help soldiers deal with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) brought on by being in combat.
Since auricular acupuncture allows for every part of the external ear to connect through the microsystem to every part of the body, many conditions can be treated using only a few very tiny needles.
Not only can PTSD be treated using auricular acupuncture, but also things like chronic pain, drug addiction, high blood pressure and nausea.
For those who are a little needle-shy, ear seeds are a great alternative as an acupressure treatment. Read more about our Swarovski Crystal ear seeds here.
Electroacupuncture for Chronic Pain
Acupuncture is a modality used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in which a practitioner inserts hair-thin, solid, stainless steel needles into the body, under the skin along energetic pathways. These energetic pathways, or meridians, are invisible lines that run throughout the body. These meridians allow energy or Qi (pronounced “chee”) to flow throughout the body, keeping the body in balance and alignment. For optimal health to be achieved, Qi must flow freely without any blockages. Blocked or stagnant energy can result in disease or decreased vitality.
A study published in Anesthesiology: The Journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc., tested electroacupuncture for its effectiveness in treating persistent pain.
The studies showed that electroacupuncture can greatly decrease several types of pain, including neuropathic, inflammatory, cancer-related, and visceral pain.
They showed solid evidence that electroacupuncture can be used for analgesia in patients that are suffering from chronic pain, regardless of the type of pain.
Electroacupuncture is a variation on acupuncture. Electroacupuncture works the same way as regular acupuncture, but it uses the needles as conduits that administer small jolts of electricity that invigorate the skin and muscles of the body. Electricity increases the effects of acupuncture. This can lead to increased energy, pain relief, and much, much more. The electrical charges encourage additional physiological processes that go beyond the mere stimulation of Qi. Acupuncture coupled with electricity, encourages the body to release neurotransmitters that can act as natural painkillers. Because of this, electroacupuncture is becoming more common in the treatment of pain.
Electroacupuncture is especially useful for conditions in which there is an accumulation of Qi, such as chronic pain. This type of acupuncture can be used as a pain reliever for muscle spasms, neurological disorders and possibly even heart disease. There is evidence that electrical stimulation of acupressure points can activate the endorphin system. This can actually lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart disease.
Electroacupuncture produces a rhythmic, non-painful muscle twitch just below the needle through the use of a very small milliamp current. This stimulation triggers perfusion of blood flow locally. This blood flow carries essential nutrients that promote muscle regeneration. The use of electroacupuncture can break pain cycles, while smoothing the way for a person’s own pain-relieving mechanisms. Electroacupuncture also relaxes muscles.
Electroacupuncture does come with risks and it is not appropriate for everybody. Anybody who has a history of seizures, epilepsy or stroke, would not be an ideal candidate for the use of electroacupuncture. Also, it is not recommended for people who have pacemakers, as it can interfere with the electrical current of the devices. Before trying electroacupuncture, the practitioner should verify that you are not at risk. If they do not, it is vital for the patient to bring this up to avoid any complications.
Acupuncture & Insomnia
Acupuncture for Insomnia Long Island
A study published by the Journal of Sleep Medicine shows acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for insomnia sufferers. The study group was composed of 72 patients with primary insomnia. Acupuncture treatments were given three times a week for four weeks and the patients were required to wear sleep monitors, as well as complete regular questionnaires. The outcomes were measured by the Insomnia Severity Index, sleep efficiency, sleep awakenings and total sleep time. The Insomnia Severity Index of the patients improved greatly, as did the sleep efficiency and the total sleep time.
This study provides evidence that acupuncture can be of great help to insomnia sufferers.
Insomnia is a pathology that affects an estimated 32 million people in the United States. Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by an inability to obtain sufficient sleep, due to difficulty falling asleep or difficulty staying asleep. Insomnia can be either acute or chronic in nature. Acute insomnia is brief and can happen because of certain stressful life circumstances. Chronic insomnia is disrupted sleep that occurs at least three times per week and continues for at least three months. Of the two, chronic insomnia is the worst to experience. Chronic insomnia can lead to fatigue, mental sluggishness, brain fog, irritability, depression, anxiety, excessive worry, difficulty focusing and even accidents.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acknowledges adequate sleep as vitally important for physical, as well as mental well-being. TCM usually views insomnia as an imbalance of energies throughout the body. These energies are known as Qi (pronounced “chee”). There are multiple energetic pathways or meridians that run through the body. A person suffering from insomnia may have imbalances in one or more of these meridians. Most typically, the imbalances occur along the heart, liver and kidney meridians. Stress, poor diet and a lack of exercise can produce a blockage or stagnation of Qi in the body. This stagnation can create heat and deplete fluids or yin in the body. One of the ways to bring balance back to these meridians is through the use of acupuncture.
Acupuncture/Acupressure can be used very effectively, to treat all types of sleep disorders and with none of the toxic side effects associated with medications or sleep aids.
Because acupuncture is very customizable to the individual, there may also be beneficial side effects associated with the treatment of insomnia. Many patients report after receiving acupuncture treatments for insomnia that they also notice an overall improvement of both their physical and mental wellness.
There is not just one set of points to treat every person with insomnia. Also the root cause of the insomnia may stem from one or multiple issues. Each person is treated holistically with TCM and their bodies are considered unique. Qi may flow differently in some people due to previous surgeries and medical implants. These are things the TCM practitioner considers before determining the treatment plan for each patient.
If you or somebody you know is suffering from insomnia, it might be worth the time to stop in or give us a call:
Holistic Alternatives
380 Park Avenue Palm Harbor, FL 11743
robert@holistic-alternatives.us
(727) 266-3000
OPEN HOUSE – Free Stress Reduction with Auricular (Ear) Therapy
Auricular Acupressure using Swarovski Crystal Ear Seeds
Free mini-treatments available during our Open House. Valued at $20-$60 a session!
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
*Free entrance.
Healthy, light refreshments served.
Please register online at meetup.com or call / email for more info.
(727) 266-3000 | robert@holistic-alternatives.us
https://www.meetup.com/Palm Harbor-Holistic-Health-Meetup/events/244851207/
Ear crystals are made of 24k gold and Swarovski crystals. They work by stimulating specific acupuncture points in the ear customized for each individual’s specific wants and needs. Usually between 1 and 4 crystals are applied to the ear and they last for a week or longer.
Ear crystals are pain free and easily applied / removed. Plus they decorate your ear with Swarovski-style, making it fun and beautiful to wear! (There are other types of auricular beads or seeds that can be used as well if bling isn’t your thing!)
Auricular (ear) therapy can be used alone or in addition to an acupuncture/acupressure treatment, cupping therapy, massage, or Reiki.
Holistic Alternatives
380 Park Avenue Palm Harbor, FL 11743
Acupuncture: Not Just Needles
Most people have heard of the field of acupuncture by now, but did you realize the scope of the practice encompasses Chinese medicine, which includes so much more than needles? Let’s explore this ancient therapy.
First of all, the practice of Chinese medicine starts with a diagnosis. The practitioner asks many questions to build a history; this includes the answers to digestion, appetite, diet, sleep patterns, bowel movement urination, pain, lifestyle, and stress level, for example. The acupuncturist will also be noting the voice pitch, hair luster, skin color and tone, as well as posture and mood of the patient and any significant odor. After that, there is a pulse and tongue analysis to determine where the pattern and root are, primarily. Finally, blood pressure is measured and other applicable tests done, including palpation of the body. After this history, a diagnosis and treatment plan is determined. What might be included in this plan? continue reading
