Free Fertility Workshop

February 4, 2011 – 8:41 pm

Fertility Workshop
Increase Your Chances to Conceive

Are you planning to get pregnant soon?
Have you already been trying?
Are you a professional who works with families trying to conceive?

Meet with a midwife, acupuncturist, nutritionist, and hypnotherapist and learn:

* Mind/Body tools to reduce stress and connect to inner resources

* Nutritional guidelines for restoring balance

* Acupuncture & Chinese medicine tips to enhance fertility

* Q&A with the panel

* Meet the author of The Fertile Kitchen Cookbook!

FREE
Sunday, March 6, 2011, 2-4pm
Awaken Chiropractic
3515 Grand Ave., Oakland, CA

Our Panel of Experts
Rebecca Plum, Licensed Midwife
Geraldine Shute, Licensed Acupuncturist
Virginia Watkins, Certified Nutrition Educator
Kathy Woo, Certified Hypnotherapist & Doula

Sponsored by Bay Area Family Wellness, a collective of holistic healthcare professionals.
Visit www.bayareafamilywellness.com to register for this free and learn more about our panelists.

By gshute | Posted in Pregnant | Comments (0)

Acupuncture Found Effective Against Depression During Pregnancy

January 24, 2011 – 10:55 pm

“Depression during pregnancy is an issue of concern because it has negative effects on both the mother and the baby as well as the rest of the family,” said Dr. Schnyer, one of the study’s authors.

About 10% of pregnant women meet criteria for major depression and almost 20% have increased symptoms of depression during pregnancy. The rates of depression in pregnant women are comparable to rates seen among similarly aged non-pregnant women and among women during the postpartum period, but there are far fewer treatment studies of depression during pregnancy than during the postpartum period.

Dealing with depression is difficult for pregnant women because the use of anti-depressants poses concerns to the developing fetus and women are reluctant to take medications during pregnancy.

The results of our study show that the acupuncture protocol we tested could be a viable treatment option for depression during pregnancy” said Dr. Schnyer.

[Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (2010, February 4). Acupuncture found effective against depression during pregnancy. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 18, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2010/02/100204075105.htm]

By gshute | Posted in Acupuncture, Pregnant | Comments (0)

YouTube-But You’re Not Chinese

December 9, 2010 – 9:43 am

This cute video may be all you need to understand acupuncture

By gshute | Posted in Acupuncture | Comments (0)

Friendly Critters

November 30, 2010 – 3:08 pm

Probiotics. Have you heard of them? They are popping up everywhere now, for example Activia yoghurt.

But what are they? And do we really need them?

The simple answer is: Yes, we absolutely do need these friendly critters.
A probiotic is a microbe that protects you. It fends off the not so friendly bacteria, protecting you from those bugs that give you diarrhea and urinary tract infections. They can enhance your immune system, fighting colds, reducing allergies and even help lower blood pressure.
A recent study showed that L. reuteri reduced crying time by about 50% in colicy babies, I’m sure there are lots of stressed parents who are thrilled to hear that.

So now you are ready to head to your nearest healthfood store and pick up some probiotics, what do you need to know?
There are an overwhelming number of choices, so lets break it down to what you need and what will work best for you by asking yourself the following questions?

What do you hope to get out of a probiotic?
If you are you generally healthy and want to maintain that health, then maybe a food based supplement would work for you. e.g. yogurt (must say active live cultures), fresh sauerkraut, and other fermented foods

If you need extra help, then I recommend taking a daily supplement.
Liquid, powder, pill, capsule? Choose the one you like the best that is the easiest for you to take consistently.

Do you remember to take your supplements if they are refrigerated?
If you are like me, then out of sight = out of mind. These are live critters and quickly die off when left on the countertop unless you choose a shelf-stable product like Jarrow EPS
Read the label, where does it want to be stored?

How much should you to take?
For general purposes I recommend 5-10billion units per day. That sounds like a lot, but remember, they are teeny so it’s not that hard.
After a course of antibiotics, I suggest 20-40billion units per day, for a couple of weeks. Then go back down to the lower dose.
For other ailments, it’s best if you talk with a professional.

Which probiotic is best for you?
Again, this depends on why you are taking them.

Some brands that I like (because they have been independently tested and actually contain what it says on the label)
Jarrow Formulas, New Chapter Organics All Flora, GNC Natural Brand Super Probiotic.
(in case you are wondering, I have not included Culterell , Align or Philips Colon Health because they either have too little or don’t contain what the label says)

Some suggested uses (this is not to be confused with medical advice, please consult your healthcare practitioner for further information)

General Immunity Enhancement: L. casei, L. rhammnosus, L. acidophilus
Traveler’s diarrhea: S. cerevisiae boulardii (start 1 week before until 1 week home)
Antibotics: S. cerevisiae boulardii, L. rhammnosus,
Bacterial Vaginosis: L. rhamnosus, L.reuteri, L. fermentum
Colic: L. reuteri

By gshute | Posted in Supplements | Comments (0)

Walk away your memory problems

October 18, 2010 – 8:32 pm

An Australian study has found that walking for two and a half hours a week can significantly improve memory problems in the over-50s.

The Fitness for the Ageing Brain Study, conducted over 18 months at the University of Western Australia, is believed to be the first in the world to demonstrate that moderate exercise can positively affect cognitive function.

“Unlike medication, which was found to have no significant effect on mild cognitive impairment, physical activity has the advantage of other health benefits such as preventing depression, quality of life, falls, cardiovascular function and disability” said Professor Lautenschlager, the study creator.

To improve your memory and think smarter, all you need is just 50mins of moderate exercise (e.g. walking) 3x week is all you need.

[Nicola T. Lautenschlager et al. Effect of Physical Activity on Cognitive Function in Older Adults at Risk for Alzheimer Disease. Journal of the American Medical Association, 3 September 2008]

By gshute | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Pregnant? Gaze at beauty

September 2, 2010 – 11:00 am

Have you heard of the Hidden Messages in Water? It’s this crazy work done by a Japanese researcher, Masaru Emoto. He photographs individual water crystals with intriguing results. He noticed that the shape of some crystals is distorted and ugly while others are perfectly formed and beautiful. Looking at various water sources and treatments he found that pure water is most beautiful and polluted water is most distorted. This makes sense when you think of the impurities in the water which affect the crystal shape. Taking this idea further, he experimented with putting labels on the water and found that positive messages and also positive attention/intention had the same effect as purity – they created beautiful crystals.  As the human body is made up of a lot of water (in our cells, blood, lymph etc) he extrapoltes that you can affect people with these thoughts and words too. 

I should say,  his research is quite controversial in the scientific community. Dr. Emoto did not get his degree from an accredited university and the results have not been confirmed by double-blind studies (the gold standard for scientific research). But that does not make the results untrue, it only means they are being investigated outside the mainstream and we need heretics to bring us past the edge of current scientific understanding.

I love the idea that positive thoughts, intentions and words can create beauty inside me. Haven’t the mystics and poets being saying it for centuries.

It reminds me of directions for pregnant women found in ancient Chinese text. (and I’m paraphrasing here) She is to gaze only at beautiful people and read lovely poetry while sitting under a tree in a tranquil garden.  Advice that would benefit all of us, but especially those who are creating a human being.

Bring beauty into your personal world (your sights and sounds) so you can create beauty.

I encourage pregnany women to look at pleasent things, don’t read about bad news or watch tv shows like CSI, change the radio station to classical music. Make your world full of beauty.

By gshute | Posted in Pregnant | Comments (0)

Asthma, Acetaminophen and Acupuncture

August 13, 2010 – 9:27 pm

News today is reporting a link between asthma and acetaminophen (Tylenonl) in teens. Even used once a year, this drug can dramatically increase asthma rates. These startling results comes on the heels of a study showing acetaminophen use in babies increases asthma in 5-6 year olds. While researchers are investigating the link and understanding the cause, what is a conscientious parent to do?

Well, lets start by saying the reason your body makes a fever is to heal itself. The fever literally “burns off” the bugs and using fever-reducing medications interferes with the plan, exchanging a temporary relief for long-term problems. In babies, there is a risk of a very high fever causing a febrile seizure (convulsion), but even these are generally harmless despite how terrifying they look.
There is some evidence that not having a fever in the first year can increase asthma risk, yet another reason to let the fever run it’s course.

When your baby gets sick with colds and/or infections there re many natural health options available and you should consult with a good acupuncturist or naturopath.

So what if your child already has asthma? Is it too late to do anything for him or her? There are many holistic health options to support your child’s immune system and reduce the effects of asthma. Simple stuff like reduce greasy food, add probiotics and fish oil and of course plenty of exercise to strengthen the lungs. For more help, acupuncture and Chinese herbs are very effective at reducing the need for “rescue inhalers” and effectively eliminating allergies for allergy-induced asthma.

Treating kids with asthma became an important cause for me when I learnt that asthma medications can cause suicide in children. I thought, how can we say we are protecting our children when we are giving them these powerful drugs. Now that I know acupuncture and Chinese medicine can reduce the need for them, I hope to spread the word and prevent these terrible side-effects. I hope that if you know someone on asthma medication you will do them a favor and suggest they consider contacting an acupuncturist. You never know, you might be saving their life.

By gshute | Posted in Acupuncture, Asthma, Medications | Comments (0)

Afraid of needles

October 10, 2009 – 10:38 am

I’m afraid of needles. This is the most common reason people tell me they don’t try acupuncture. Think about that for a minute.
It’s not that they don’t think it works, or that it wont help them. They choose to live with their current problem than risk an acupuncture needle.

And do you know what I say?
You are absolutely right! Of course you are afraid, what sane person isn’t afraid of sharp pointy objects. From when you were a baby when doctors where stabbing you with injections, to your mother warning you about the risks of running with scissors. We are well indoctrinated to be fearful of sharp objects and the people who wield them.

They look a little confused when I say this. I can imagine the wheels turning, maybe one brave soul will ask the question out loud. So if you agree with me, why do you want to poke me?

Ah Ha, I am glad you asked.
You see, acupuncture is not like those other things. Yes it uses sharp pointy things, but in a good way.
For starters, it doesn’t hurt. I know you may find that hard to believe, but the needles are designed to minimize any discomfort.
We have many different types of nerves and the majority of them live in the outer layer of the skin. This is so you can pick up a pen (pressure sensor) and know it is different from an icicle (temperature sensor) or a knife (pain sensor). The acupuncture needle is very thin, so thin it needs a guide tube to penetrate the  skin. When done correctly it activates the pressure sensor but not the pain sensor. So yes, it really doesn’t hurt, at least not when I do it because I am a trained professional. This is what I do all day, and I am very very good at it.
Secondly, acupuncture releases endorphins. You know, those happy molecules associated with running (I knew there was a reason people liked to run) and sex and chocolate (ah yes, much more my speed).
Not only does it not hurt, acupuncture makes you feel good. I’ve had people giggle uncontrollably on the table but most fall asleep. Or as one client put it “I know I slept because I heard myself snoring”

If you are someone who is considering acupuncture but are afraid of needles I urge you to talk to me. I will help you through it. Let me be your support person through this fear. Who knows maybe afterwards you will be so renewed you will take a parachute jump despite your acrophobia.

By gshute | Posted in Acupuncture, Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Using a Neti Pot or Following my own advice

October 7, 2009 – 10:08 pm

Have you heard the phrase “do as I say not as I do” ?

For years I have been telling my clients with allergies to use a neti pot on a regular basis. What I didn’t tell them was that it terrified me! Something about deliberately pouring something up my nose gives me the willies.

Yes, I would tell them, it will calm your inflamed sinus tissues, literally wash away irritating allergens. Oh no it doesn’t hurt and you may even find it soothing.
Well, you know what? I was right. It reminded me of swimming in the sea when I was child. Like inhaled saltwater dripping out of my nose as I dove under the waves.
For those of you uninitiated in the ways of nostril hygiene, the neti pot is an ancient yogi practice designed to enhance prana (according to neti-pot.com). Or it was developed in 1997 by an MD, according to my SinuCleanse packaging.
Either way, it involves pouring (not snorting nor inhaling) a warm comfortable saline solution through the nose with the aid of a special jug (neti pot) which looks rather like Aladdin’s lamp. It seems odd now that I am writing about it, and was odder still while doing it. But odd isnt always bad and in this case was almost pleasant. Afterwards I felt invigorated, maybe like I had just taken a dip in the sea.
By gshute | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (2)

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