April 2003

This newsletter is not to be used as a substitute for medical advice

• Dr. Tanaka at conference of Applied Psychophysiology
• New Therapist – Jeanne Desmond, RMT
• Insurance Update
• Acupunture vs. Pain Medication
• Shiatsu for PMS
• Healthy Japanese Cooking
   

The Pacific Wellness Institute
80 Bloor Street West, Suite 1100
Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2V1
Tel: 416-929-6958
Fax: 416-929-6365
e-mail: info@pacificwellness.ca
website: www.pacificwellness.ca

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Newsletter 

Conference Report
Dr. Tanaka returns from Applied Psychophysiology Conference

Dr. Tanaka presented two of his recent papers at the 34th annual meeting of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback in Jacksonville, Florida. His studies focused on the areas of muscle endurance and the autonomic nervous system in relation to acupuncture and massage therapy. The presentation entitled “Efficacy of Autonomic Trainer CD to Assist Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Training” particularly attracted glowing interest from conference participants for its innovation.
The presentation was awarded 3rd place in the Excellent Poster Display category which included presentations of more than 60 different research papers. Dr. Tanaka wishes to thank Noah and Sabrina for modeling and Victor for creating a beautiful poster display.

New Staff at the Pacific Wellness Institute
Jeanne Desmond, – Massage therapist

The Pacific Wellness Institute has welcomed Jeanne Desmond, BSN, RMT to its team of outstanding therapists. She began her career in nursing and later went on to study massage therapy. Now, after 18 years of experience in the massage therapy field, Jeanne has matured her style and methods to individualize the facilitation of good health to all the people she meets. Her main areas of focus include using craniosacral and massage therapy for solution-based treatments.
 

Insurance Update

The following insurance companies cover massage therapy and/or acupuncture treatments and allow direct billing from us*: 

• Green Shield Canada
• Liberty Health
• Maritime Life
• The Great-West Life Assurance
• Blue Cross through Veterans Affairs

 Certain Ingle Health and Sun Life plans also cover Nutrition Consultations that are provided by our Nutritionist.  Please contact Claudia at 416-929-6958 for any assistance that you may require. 
*Coverage may vary depending on the individual’s benefit package

What is the Difference Between Acupuncture and Pain Medication?
Is acupuncture only a temporary pain-relief therapy? How does it differ from anti-inflammatory pain medications (NSAIDs)?

Many people, including some medical professionals, assume that acupuncture is a method of temporary pain-relief only.  This misconception may have resulted from acupuncture being popularized in North America since the 70’s as a form of analgesia.  It is true that acupuncture is commonly utilized as a form of pain control, especially when performed by physicians, chiropractors, or physiotherapists.  The main concept of acupuncture as practiced in China or Japan, however, is to harmonize internal body systems and address the cause of problems.  Therefore, temporary relief of pain is only one aspect of acupuncture.

NSAIDs may potentially have several well-known detrimental effects in your system such as gastric irritation and liver damage while acupuncture has virtually no side-effects.  In terms of the action on your muscle and joint pain, acupuncture works in a completely different manner than medication does.  Most pain-relief and anti-inflammatory medications provide excellent short-term pain-relief by blocking the production of pain-causing substances called prostaglandins.  In addition to inducing pain, however, prostaglandins are vasodilators which help enhance circulation.  By inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, there will be decreased sensitivity to pain but blood supply to the muscles and joints will also be decreased, thus creating problems and prolonging true recovery.

Our acupuncture technique, however, produces the complete opposite effect.  Except in a few very acute cases, we attempt to enhance blood circulation, especially in the area that there is pain or discomfort.  This desired action can be achieved by regulating the autonomic nervous system (which is responsible for internal organ system functioning, regulation of blood circulation, and production of relaxation effects) using specific acupuncture techniques.  When circulation in the tissue improves, muscle relaxation occurs and immediate pain reduction follows in many cases.  However, when circulation improves, the pain in the affected area occasionally intensifies, and is then followed by repair of tissue and muscle relaxation.  In order to explain this healing recovery pain, it helps to use an analogy`.  If you have been sitting for a long time, your legs start to get tight and feel numb.  This is, as you know, due to poor circulation (ischemic pain).  There is some discomfort at this point, but it’s not very intense.  Most of the discomfort occurs when you get up and start to walk around and blood flow is re-established (recovery pain).  In some cases, it is necessary to go through some discomfort in order to get complete relief.

Proper circulation in the tissue is important not only for blood to nourish the tissue but also to enhance the elimination of muscle fatigue and pain-causing substances (e.g., lactic acid) thus resulting in healthy tissues.  On the other hand, tight muscles with poor circulation are fatigued easily and more prone to injury.  THT

Shiatsu Therapy for PMS Symptoms
By Emily Crown, CST

Many women experience discomfort around and during the time of their menses.  According to Eastern theory, a super abundance of blood and Qi (the vital energy of life) is produced by the body roughly every 28 days in order to allow for menses to occur. This over abundance of Qi causes energy to ascend in the body one week prior to a woman’s cycle.  This rise of energy is often experienced through such symptoms as headaches and mood swings.  Since the liver acts as a storehouse for blood and helps to circulate Qi, it can easily become stagnated which sometimes leads to cramping and bloating.  Other things to watch for include fatigue, heavy limbs, insomnia, nausea, and craving sweets.

Shiatsu helps to break up stagnation and ground rising energy, thus restoring a balanced flow of Qi to these areas.  It is recommended to have a treatment a couple of days prior to when the symptoms usually start.  Depending on the severity of the symptoms, it may also be helpful to follow up with another treatment during or after a cycle.  During the treatment, gentle stretches are used in combination with tailored pressure to relieve energy blockages and maintain a smooth flow of Qi.  Emphasis will be placed on the legs and feet (for ‘grounding’ risen energy and releasing abdominal stasis), as well as comforting points around the hip crest (ovarian region).  Some work is also done on the shoulder and neck areas to help relieve the inevitable tension during this time.  Overall, it is quite a peaceful and relieving experience.

If a woman has a history of menstrual disorders, Shiatsu can be helpful in regulating the cycle and decreasing pain.  When receiving Shiatsu, a series of treatments are suggested as results are cumulative.  Self-care exercises can be recommended which include gentle stretching to open meridians and breathing techniques to calm the mind and help ground emotions.

As a female therapist I can certainly sympathize with your symptoms.  I will be happy to answer any of your questions and research your concerns so that I can provide the best treatment for your needs.

Healthy Japanese Cooking
By Haruko Ishihara, RNCP, CNP, CR. 

Simmered Soybeans with Spring Vegetables

This is a healthy nutritious dish providing you with proteins, carbohydrates, and good fats as well as being full of vitamins and minerals.  One of the ingredients, bamboo shoot, is a representative spring food in Japan.  It is very rich in fibre and its crunchy texture is refreshing.  You can use other spring vegetables such as asparagus, green beans, snow peas, or whatever you find in your fridge.  You may enjoy different tastes and flavour each time you cook depending on your choice of ingredients.

Spring is traditionally the season for cleaning and making a new start.  Why don’t you start a new habit, eating more beans and peas on a regular basis, as well as cleansing your colon with this recipe?

Ingredients:

·         Dried Soybeans (1 cup)

Soak in water overnight.  Drain water and rinse in fresh water.  Boil them with 3 cups of water at high heat for 5 minutes, reduce the heat, add a piece of Kombu, and simmer with lid until tender (usually 4-5 hours)
* If you are in a rush, you can use canned soybeans.

·         Carrot (1)
Cut into 1 cm squares

·         Boiled Bamboo shoot or Takenoko (50g)

Cut into 1 cm squares
Available at Asian grocery stores

·         Shiitake mushrooms – fresh or dried (3)
Soak dried shiitake in water and cut finely

·         Yam cake or Konnyaku (1/3 piece)

Cut into 1 cm squares
Available at Japanese food stores

·         Green peas
Boil in water with a pinch of sea salt

·         Other ingredients

-          1 cup of stock (fish/Kombu),

-          2 tablespoons of soy sauce

-          1 tablespoon of sake

-          1/2 tablespoon of maple syrup

1.       Put the stock, soy sauce, sake and maple syrup into a pot and boil them.

2.       Next combine all remaining ingredients (except for the green peas) and cook them until the vegetables get tender.

3.       Finally, add the boiled green peas.

*The dish can be kept in the fridge for few days.

Nutrients:

·         Soybean
Excellent protein source, rich in B-vitamins, vitamins E and K, calcium, potassium and fibre

·         Bamboo shoot
Fibre-rich food, helps in reducing cholesterol in the body

·         Carrot
Rich in vitamins and minerals, especially abundant in beta-carotene

·         Shiitake mushrooms
Rich in B₁, B₂, B₁₂.  Proven pharmacological effects including immune regulator, antiviral, and anti-tumour agent

·         Yam cake
Non-calorie and fibrous food, great for colon cleanse

·         Green pea
Fibre-rich food, contains vitamins A, B₁, B₂ and C, iron, and potassium.