| Hi Everyone! | July 2005 |
Welcome to the enewsletter of the Brannick Clinic of Natural Medicine. We want to inspire you to make life style changes to optimize your health. The Illiniosis Association of Naturopathic Medicine (ILANP) needs your help so that the citizens of IL can enjoy the full benefits of Naturopathic Medicine. See article #4.
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We are pound to announce the addition of Dr. Yoon to our staff .
Dr. Yoon is a Naturopathic Doctor and Licensed Acupuncturist. She received her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in 2002, and her Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in 2004.
Dr. Yoon specializes in Chinese herbs and acupuncture. She has several years experience and comes from a family of medical doctors.
The use of acupuncture dates back to over 3000 years ago. Since then, the practice of acupuncture has been refined in the use of knowledge, equipment, and technique.
Acupuncture is the use of needles inserted into specific locations in the body. There are twelve channels that run along the surface of the body that are connected to different organs. Each channel has specific points that have specific indications and chosen dependent on the patient's condition. The needles differ in gauge and length, depending on location and patient's sensitivity.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture works by aiding the flow of qi, the body's vital energy, throughout the body. This allows the functions of the organs to work more efficiently, and therefore alleviate symptoms.
There are a few scientific theories of how acupuncture works. It is theorized that the needles stimulates the nervous system, and thereby signals the regulation of the organs; or the needles stimulate the body to produce endorphins, an endogenous pain killer.
Acupuncture treatments usually run from 45 to 90 minutes. It begins with an interview regarding your condition. The length of the interview depends on your condition and the extent of your health status. From the interview, the acupuncturist will be able to determine what your condition is, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, and select appropriate acupuncture points. You will then be asked to lie either on your back or your front side, which then needles will be placed and retained for approximately 15-30 minutes.
Prior to their first treatment, many people do not believe that acupuncture can be painless. Different sensations, such as warmth or pressure may be felt, but the sensation differs from pain. People often comment that the feeling is unfamiliar but pleasant and relaxing.
Because acupuncture works to harmonize the body, several treatments may be necessary. The amount of treatments depends on the extent of your condition. However, improvements should be seen with each treatment. For maximal benefits, three treatments per week are recommended. However, once per week is adequate for most patients. The series of treatments depends on the condition.
Dietary recommendations
Food is an important medicine in Chinese philosophy. Proper dietary habits allow better functioning of organs in the body, and therefore allow healing of the body systems.
Chinese herbs
Chinese herbs are very important to promoting proper functioning of the body. Due to improper lifestyles, most people are unable to maintain a state of health. Chinese herbs can help to rectify the balance of the organs.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion, also known as moxa, is derived by an herb called mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris). There are several ways to administer moxa. It is either in pole form or loose grain. The pole form is burned at one end and held a few inches away from the skin. Loose moxa is directly placed on the skin or at the end of the needle. Moxa is used to help warm the area and channel and penetrates deeply to affect the organs. Due to the strong smell of moxa, any person's with chemical sensitivities should alert the acupuncturist before treatment.
Cupping
Cupping is used to help circulate blood. A vacuum is created within a glass cup by either the use of an air pump or fire and placed on the location of pain. Usually used for shoulder, neck, and back pain. Discoloration of the skin may result, and can last up to a few days to weeks.
Tui Na
Tui Na, also known as Chinese massage, is used to stimulate and invigorate the qi and blood in the body. It is used to treat conditions of pain and poor circulation.
- Minna Yoon ND, L.Ac
Naturopathic medicine has evolved over that past 100 years. It blends time tested wisdom with modern scientific methodology and clinical theory. Naturopathic medicine is based on the following principles:
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Naturopathic Physicians are educated and trained much like a general practice medical doctor. Their education consists of a post graduate four to five year naturopathic medical program with courses in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, laboratory diagnosis, gynecology, obstetrics, pediatrics, neurology, endocrinology, cardiology, pulmonology, urology, dermatology, and immunology. NDs also have several classes in the following modalities: clinical nutrition, homeopathy, botanical medicine, hydrotherapy, physical medicine, minor surgery, acupuncture and Chinese medicine. The ND's clinical training includes a minimum of 1500 hours of supervised patient visits over the last two years of education.
Two sets of national board exams must be passed prior to receiving a ND license. The first board exam is taken after the first two to three years of the naturopathic medicine program and the last set is taken after graduation.
The profession of Naturopathic Physicians is small with about 5,000 licensed naturopathic physicians in the United States with most practicing along the west coast. Illinois has approximately 15 Naturopathic Physicians who have graduated from a U.S. Department of Education accredited naturopathic medical school. Only 4 such schools exist in the US: Bastyr University, National College of Naturopathic Medicine, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, and University of Bridgeport.
It should be noted that because Naturopathic medicine is not regulated in all 50 states, some individuals call themselves "naturopaths" or "naturopathic doctors" who do not meet the historical standards of the profession. Such individuals may have degrees or diplomas from correspondence schools, weekend programs without supervised clinical training, extremely abbreviated courses, or "certifying" agencies that confer naturopathic credentials but are not certified by the U.S. Department of Health. None of these programs qualifies a candidate to sit for the board exams or to receive licensure as a Naturopathic Physician in any state. People who use the title of naturopathic "doctor" only do so in states like Illinois, which do not have licensing statues for Naturopathic medicine---buyer beware.
Only licensure can guarantee the training and safety to which consumers are entitled.
Naturopathic Physicians are licensed in 14 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Canada. The above licensed states allow NDs to function as general family practice physicians including limited prescriptive rights.
Why Support Licensure for Naturopathic Medicine in IL?
Despite the overwhelming demand for naturopathic medicine in IL, the absence of a state licensure law prevents naturopathic physicians from offering comprehensive naturopathic medical care. While 14 other US states, the District of Columbia, 2 US territories and 4 Canadian provinces have full access to comprehensive naturopathic healthcare, the residents of IL do not. In fact, without responsible regulation, there are no standards for who can use the title "naturopathic doctor" in IL, raising significant concerns over healthcare quality and safety.
Licensure is critical because it:
The Illinois Association of Naturopathic Physicians (ILANP) has launched a grassroots campaign to secure licensure for naturopathic physicians in IL.
Our goal is to ensure that the residents of IL have the freedom to choose naturopathic doctors for their primary healthcare needs.
Please support the ILANP in their enormous task by either a financial donation or by writing to your state legislators. See the ILANP website for details at www.ilanp.org.
Thank you for your attention on this very important issue. We need to have safe access to natural medicine by trained professionals.
- Michelle Brannick ND, DC
The benefits of massage are many:
Endometriosis effects 10-15% of women between 20-40 years of age. Symptoms usually include dysmenorrhea (pain with menses), dyspareunia (pain with vaginal intercourse), and infertility.
Pain can vary from a few days before menses to the entire month and be so severe and chronic that it affects a women's quality of life on a daily basis. The degree of pain does not correlate with the severity of the disease. The pain can be described as a chronic bearing down pressure in the low back and pelvis. Other symptoms may involve vomiting, diarrhea, and fainting with intense labor like pains.
It is unknown whether infertility causes endometriosis or endometriosis causes infertility however tubal scarring and lesions are usually present resulting in infertility.
A definitive diagnosis of endometriosis requires a biopsy of the lesions.
Endometriosis is misplaced uterine tissue that can be found in other areas of the pelvis (other than the uterus where this tissue is normally found). This extra uterine tissue has receptors for estrogen and progesterone and therefore the growth of this tissue is thought to be stimulated by estrogen resulting in labor-like cramping.
Women today tend to be estrogen dominant from exposures to gender bending chemicals such as PCBs and dioxins found in pesticides, weed killers, detergents, household cleaners, and plastics. Birth control pills also add to the estrogen pool. There is no wonder that endometriosis is more prevalent today.
Endometriosis is a common yet complex disease with a variety of possible causes. Pain medications and synthetic hormones may temporary relieve symptoms but for long-term health the cause needs to be addressed. Enhancing the immune system, the hormonal system, and supporting the detoxification system of the liver and intestines is imperative to overcome this painful disease.
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Dr. Brannick,
I heard that you should not drink water with a meal because it washes away the digestive enzymes. Is this true?
Irene
Irene,
From a physiological standpoint eating without fluid damages and weakens the digestive system. Two functions of the digestive system are to breakdown food and absorb nutrients. The stomach is much like a blender – dry food does not blend very well. It is the liquid that pulls nutrients out of the food to be absorbed. Nutrients can not be absorbed from dry food.
I recommend 1-2 glasses of water consumed before, during, and after a meal to support proper digestion. Proper digestion is vital to good health.
- M. Brannick ND,DC
1-1 ½ pounds of organic, free range ground beef or sirloin
1 large organic egg
1/3 cup of crushed rice crackers (Trader Joes)
¼ cup of organic rice milk
Sea salt and pepper to taste
Combine and bake at 325 degrees for 45-60 minutes.
The next issue will feature articles pertaining to Heartburn, CranioSacral therapy, colonics and more!
