Publication of The Pacific Wellness Institute

www.pacificwellness.ca

Send this newsletter to your friends and contacts to spread the message of good health!

Celebrating 15 Years of Wellness
The Pacific Wellness Institute Turns 15

The Pacific Wellness Institute is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a newly designed logo. The new and improved logo represents that the clinic itself has been through many changes and improvements in the last 15 years. The Pacific Wellness Institute is as strongly committed to providing the best in alternative and natural health services as when we began operations in 1990.

Welcome to Our New Staff

The Pacific Wellness Institute would like to welcome and introduce our new therapist and assistant staff.

Tony Ho-Tong is our newest Registered Massage Therapist. He started at PWI in February, 2005. He graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelors degree in Kinesiology in 1997 and became licensed as a Registered Massage Therapist from Canadian Therapeutic College in 2000. He has 5 years previous experience in rehabilitation and relaxation massage techniques as well as expertise in sport related injuries.

Kristen Sutherland is a second-year Chiropractic Student at Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. She started at PWI in April, 2005 and is a clinical and administrative assistant.

Natalie Cheng-Kai-On is a fourth-year Naturopathic student at The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. She started at PWI in July and is a clinical and administrative assistant.

Meera Dossa is a fourth-year Naturopathic student at The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. She started at PWI in August and is a clinical and administrative assistant.

Create Balance with Acupuncture and Breathing
Tim H. Tanaka, Ph.D., D.Ac., RMT, BCIAC
Director

A component of our nervous system called the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is responsible for controlling our internal regulatory functions. A variety of health conditions are caused or triggered by imbalances of the ANS. At The Pacific Wellness Institute, we utilize specific acupuncture techniques to enhance the regulatory function of the ANS. Besides acupuncture, one of the most effective ways to self-regulate autonomic system functioning is through specific types of breathing techniques.

Here at The Pacific Wellness Institute, breathing exercises are often incorporated during acupuncture treatments and the patient's response is recorded through biofeedback monitors. Our original CD was specifically designed to assist breathing and create optimal function of the autonomic system. Many of our patients find these breathing exercises relaxing, however, it should be emphasized that the specific breathing techniques we utilize induce a distinctively different physiological state as compared to simple rest or relaxation. While simple relaxation training typically slows down heart rate with minimal changes in heart rate during each breath, our breathing exercises are intended to maximize the heart rate variability. An increasing amount of scientific research data indicates that by creating this type of physiologically coherent state (with enhanced heart rate variability) the reflex mechanism of the ANS is optimized.
This can lead to improvements in various dysfunctional disorders. Integrating these breathing techniques with acupuncture treatment over the years at The Pacific Wellness Institute, we have observed profound effects on conditions such as digestive dysfunctions, hormonal imbalances, circulation problems, chronic pains, and many other stress related disorders.

Heart Rate Variability During Rest, Paced Breathing and Breathing Exercises using the HRV Trainer CD

A brief scientific explanation of this approach, Acupuncture and Sound Assisted Autonomic Modulation Technique can be viewed on our website www.pacificwellness.ca by clicking on the Research tab.

Make the Most of Your Insurance Benefits Many insurance plans and company benefits packages cover registered massage therapy (RMT) treatment. They generally cover a specified dollar amount for each year. However, any unused excess benefits do not carry over to the following year. The busy holiday season is only a few months away. If you have available benefits left, why not schedule regular massage treatments? They are excellent for relieving stress, tension and other aches and pains you may encounter from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Your body will thank you.

Uncover Your Food Allergies and Sensitivities
By EeVon Ling, BSc, ND

Your Immune SystemYour immune system is very sophisticated. Through lifestyle, diet and the environment, it must learn and remember how to respond to everything that comes into contact with our body. The immune system produces different kinds of antibodies that produce different reactions depending on the "intruder" or allergen.

IgE antibodies are responsible for immediate allergic responses, especially the well-known reactions to things such as peanuts or shellfish.





IgA antibodies are responsible for general surveillance and neutralizing toxins and potential allergens. Interestingly enough, IgA antibodies are passed onto to the newborn through breast milk. IgA is found in large quantities in the lungs, the mucosa of the eyes, mouth, intestines and on the skin. IgA acts as our first line of immune defense. Those with asthma, allergies, migraines and eczema tend to produce high levels of IgE and low levels of IgA. Thus, allergic conditions are the result of an imbalanced immune system.

IgG antibodies are associated with "delayed" food reactions. They are also called "blocking" antibodies because they moderate the IgE reactions by interacting with food antigens. This blocking action prevents the immediate IgE response. However, if there is excess antigen exposure over time, IgG-food complexes accumulate. The accumulated complexes tend to form deposits and cause inflammatory reactions.



Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Did you know . . . The top 6 food allergens are: Wheat Peanuts Dairy Corn Citrus Soy

"But I've been eating the same foods all this time and I feel fine."

"I got allergy tests from my doctor and they showed no allergies to any foods."

Food IgG mediated allergies are more subtle than immediate IgE mediated food allergies. Also, the allergy tests from your doctor measures only IgE mediated responses, not IgG mediated responses.Also, because the allergy is due to an accumulation to the IgG complexes, you may have been eating that food all your life, without thought of stopping it for a period of time (longer than 2 weeks), thus you may not associate your symptoms with that food.
In fact, there is a phenomenon in which food allergies maintain food addictions because if the problem food is taken away, the individual initially feels worse and so needs more of that food to feel better. Why does this happen?

Say you are someone who eats a lot of wheat (in the form of bread, pasta, cereals etc) everyday. Over your lifetime, the constant exposure to wheat may create an accumulation of circulating IgG antibodies against wheat. With your daily intake of wheat, the IgG antibodies are able to pair up with wheat antigens to form small complexes. Over time, your body would have created a large number of wheat-specific IgG antibodies.

Symptoms of IgG sensitivities include: Chronic nasal congestion and post nasal drip Recurrent sinus or migraine headaches Fatigue after meals Itchy throat, irritation, cough and/ or hoarseness Gas and bloating Chronic low energy Dizziness Sneezing Diarrhea Itchy , watery eyes Itchy, fullness or ringing in the ears Nausea Chronic muscle tension and pain Itchy skin or rash Asthma Digestive cramps

So one day you decide to stop eating wheat. Unfortunately, the large number of IgG antibodies are still there (they will take some time to clear away) and residual wheat antigens may linger around. This results in more than one IgG complexing with the residual wheat antigen, producing even larger complexes and aggravated symptoms. In an effort to reduce the size of the complexes (and the symptoms), you crave and eat more wheat products. However, the longer you are able to avoid wheat, the better your body will be able to clear away the IgG antibodies and the residual wheat proteins from your body.

How long is a long time? You should avoid the allergenic food for at least 2 weeks, ideally for 1-3 months. Food allergies cause micro-damage to the intestines, thus the longer you avoid the offending food, the better the chance for your gut to heal, improve digestion and reduce your general food sensitivities.

How Can We Help?

Naturopathic medicine has long recognized the connection between food sensitivities and a wide variety of health conditions. Ongoing food allergies can aggravate digestive problems, arthritis, auto-immune conditions, infertility, neurological problems, anxiety and depression and skin problems.

One way to uncover your food allergies or sensitivities is to avoid the suspect food for 1 month, notice how you feel and then re-introduce that food one day and notice any changes. An easier method of uncovering your food allergies is to get an IgG food allergy test that employs the enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) method of identifying specific antibodies. ELISA is a commonly used method in scientific laboratories to detect specific antibodies. It is highly sensitive and specific, the method used to test for antibodies for viruses. In food allergy testing, the concentration of the positive IgG antibody for a specific food will help determine your sensitivity to that food.

Once your food allergies are identified, steps can be taken to develop an appropriate diet plan and treatment plan to heal the gut and lessen the food allergy itself. Often times other health conditions improve when the diet and digestion are corrected. Food Allergy Testing is now available at The Pacific Wellness Institute with the Naturopathic Doctor. If you would like more information please inquire.



Research: Acupuncture Treatment Provided Significant Relief for Migraine and Tension Headache Sufferers
Tim H. Tanaka, Ph.D., D.Ac., RMT, BCIAC
Director

Two recent studies have suggested that acupuncture is an effective treatment for migraine and tension-type headaches. These studies are randomized, multi-center trials and two of the largest and most rigorous studies which have examined efficacy of acupuncture. The findings from these studies, however, were somewhat controversial and open the door for interpretations and discussions.

The first study, which was published in the May 4, 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, randomly assigned 302 migraine patients to three study groups¹. Group one underwent 12 acupuncture sessions (traditional Chinese style acupuncture, involving deep needling) over eight weeks; group two had "minimal" acupuncture; and group three had no treatment. The "minimal" (sham) acupuncture group underwent treatment as frequently as the real acupuncture group, but fewer needles were used and the needles were inserted only superficially into the skin.

The results of this study established 51% of patients who had "true" acupuncture experienced at least a 50% reduction in the number of headache days while only 15% among those waiting for treatment experienced the same reduction. The difference between the acupuncture group and the no treatment group was large enough to conclude that acupuncture was effective for migraine headache. However, this finding was complicated by the fact that 53% of those patients who underwent "minimal acupuncture" (which was given with an intention to simulate acupuncture) also experienced at least a 50% reduction in the number of headache days.

In a second study, which appeared in the August, 2005 issue of the British Medical Journal, researchers utilized similar study protocol as the migraine trial, but tested the efficacy of acupuncture on 270 patients with tension-type headache². The results were strikingly similar to the outcomes of the migraine study. It demonstrated that the number of days with headache decreased by 7.2 days in the acupuncture group, the minimal acupuncture group followed closely with 6.6 days, while the no treatment group managed an improvement of 1.5 headache-free days. Authors of the study stated, "An intriguing finding of our trial is the strong and lasting response to minimal acupuncture. The improvement over, and differences compared with the waiting list group are clearly clinically relevant" ².

Some acupuncturists believe that it is essential to deeply insert the needle and manipulate it vigorously in order to achieve a beneficial effect by acupuncture. This more is better American concept does not necessarily apply to acupuncture treatment. Traditionally, many Japanese practitioners have been using an extremely gentle superficial needling technique and producing excellent results in their patients' conditions. In our practice, it is not an uncommon event to encounter a noticeable change in a patient's condition upon a single small needle insertion just under the skin. Human skin contains a number of receptors that trigger powerful physiological reactions. The efficacy of this superficial needling technique has been studied in Japanese and Canadian research facilities. A study conducted at The Pacific Wellness Institute demonstrated that a single superficial acupuncture treatment provided instant reduction of pain among patients with tension-type headache³. The significant pain reduction, however, occurred only when superficial acupuncture was applied in synchronization with patient's respiratory rhythm.

More studies are certainly needed to elucidate how exactly acupuncture works and what types of acupuncture techniques can be most effective for each condition or individual. In clinical practice, experienced acupuncturists consider not only acupuncture point location but also various other factors such as needling depth, intensity of stimulation, respiration, and patient position, in attempt to produce the most consistent results. Our goal at The Pacific Wellness Institute is to deliver highly effective treatment while providing a safe and comfortable treatment experience.

1. Linde, K. et al. Acupuncture for patients with migraine: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 2005; 293(17):2118-25.
2. Melchart, D. et al. Acupuncture in patients with tension-type headache: Randomized controlled trial. BMJ, 2005; 331(7513):376-82.
3. Tanaka, T.H. et al. The physiological responses induced by superficial acupuncture: A comparative study of acupuncture stimulation during exhalation phase and continuous stimulation. Int J Neurosci 1997; 90(1-2):45-58.

For more information about our acupuncture approach for migraines and tension-type headaches, please visit http://www.acupuncture-treatment.com/headache_migraine.html.



Triple-heater and Pericardium Meridian = Circulation and Protection
By Emily Robinson, Dipl. ST, CST, CR

The triple heater and pericardium meridians circulate nourishing protective Ki to the body's center and periphery. Because of this, the body is filled with energy to protect itself.

The triple heater meridian, as stated in Chinese classics, has function without form. It controls peripheral circulation and the nutrients absorbed by the small intestine meridian are carried through the body by the triple heater. It is responsible for water metabolism regulation as well as being closely related to the skin. In Chinese classics this meridian consists of three parts or 'heaters' that are centers of metabolic activity. The chest 'heater' for respiration, the upper abdomen relates to digestion, and the lower abdomen for elimination.

When a person has a triple heater meridian imbalance they may feel defensive, and have the inability to relate well with others: resulting in a tense body. The forearms and fists may feel clenched, and the head will often feel heavy. The body may feel oversensitive to environmental change such as temperature or humidity.

There is also a tendency for an allergic constitution, being prone to constant colds, tension and tightness in the chest and abdominal wall, and/or skin hypersensitivity that is prone to swelling (edema).

The will of the heart meridian is carried out via the pericardium meridian. This meridian, therefore, has the ability to inhibit or stimulate organ function; it is connected to emotional response, and central circulatory function of major blood vessels and lymphatic ducts. Blood circulation regulates the distribution of nutrients.

Meridian imbalances for the pericardium meridian are related to exhaustion from over-work and over-concentration, one finds it difficult to relax, and blood may rise to the head while the limbs remain chilled. Other common symptoms can include insomnia, palpitations, and shortness of breath, oppression in the chest, and/ or heartburn.

Triple heater and pericardium meridian exercise:

Sit cross-legged on a cushioned surface with your back straight. Cross your arms with your hands (palm down) on the opposite knee. The outside arm should be on the side and upper-most leg. Breathe deeply and as you exhale relax your upper body towards the floor. Place your palms further up on your knees for a deeper stretch, as well as allowing the hips to spread. Breathe deeply into this stretch twice returning to the original position on the fourth exhalation. Repeat this exercise crossing the arms and legs around the other way.

Committed to Improving Your Wellness All the practitioners at The Pacific Wellness Institute have a strong commitment to their profession and are encouraged to pursue studies to update their knowledge and techniques in their respective fields. Some of the recent endeavors of our practitioners include new technique courses and seminars. Our Registered Massage Therapists, Joanna Rogowska and Rahel Kay completed an introductory shiatsu course at the Shiatsu School of Canada in August. Emily Robinson, Certified Shiatsu Therapist and Reflexologist, will be taking the Registered Massage Therapy program at Canadian Therapeutic College. Our naturopath, Dr. Eevon Ling, attended a seminar in March on birth control methods and infertility organized by The Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors. Also, Dr. Ling hosted a booth at the Holistic World Expo which took place at the Toronto Convention Center in April. Dr. Tim Tanaka, the Director of The Pacific Wellness Institute, is in the process of writing two textbooks on acupuncture and touch therapy. Dr. Tanaka is also currently involved with several university-based research projects.

IMPORTANT NOTICE A new practice has emerged in Toronto called Pacific Health Center. We would like to inform our clients that we are not affiliated with this organization. The Director and Founder of the Pacific Wellness Institute, Dr. Tanaka, feels that it is hard to maintain the quality of our service when our attention and energy is divided. Our only location is at 80 Bloor Street West.

In The News . . . Our naturopath, Dr. Eevon Ling, made twoappearances on The Weather Network in February and March with Meteorologist Chris St. Clair where she was interviewed about Cold & Flu Season and supplements. Our Director of Administration, Claudia,was interviewed live on CBC Radio on May 7th to address the growing concerns in Ontario related to unqualified alternative medicine practitioners.

Seasonal Recipe
Enjoy the Taste and Benefits of Edamame
Haruko Ishihara, HNC

Edamame are often called "immature green soybeans" and are harvested prematurely when beans are still green during the summer and early fall.

Edamame contain the great qualities of both vegetables and beans. Let me explain this. Even though Edamame is technically a vegetable, it provides you with plenty of proteins including all nine essential amino acids. Also, Edamame are abundant in vitamin A and C which aren't contained in regular soybeans. Why? All plants create vitamin A and C so that they can fight against active oxygen which is a toxic substance created naturally during their growing period. However these vitamins are used up by the plants and there is none left when the beans are matured. That is why beans like soy don't contain vitamins A and C but immature soybeans, Edamame, do. Since Edamame is usually boiled in the pod, the reduction of vitamin C from cooking is minimal. Besides vitamin A & C, Edamame also contains a good amount of other vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B1 and B2, calcium, iron, and potassium. Potassium helps in maintaining sodium levels as well as fluid levels in the body. Vitamin B1, along with vitamin C and the amino acid, methionine, helps in breaking down alcohol in the body, reducing the tasks the liver needs to do to prevent hangovers. No wonder Japanese people often eat Edamame with beer!

The benefits of Edamame are not limited to the above. Edamame also contains a plant nutrient called isoflavone which provides the body with a weak estrogen-like effect and is considered to be helpful to protect against hormone related disorders such as breast, endometrial and prostate cancer, menopause and osteoporosis as well as heart diseases. Above all of these benefits Edamame is abundant in fiber; everybody knows about its benefits.

The best way to enjoy Edamame is to boil it in the pod in salted water for 3-5 minutes and then eat. But let me introduce you to a fancier yet easy recipe for an appetizer.

Edamame Marinated with Cherry and Mint
(Adapted from a Eric Gower recipe)

Ingredients:
- 1 cup of cooked Edamame (shelled pods and thin skin)
- Small bunch of mint leaves (cut finely)
- 8-10 large cherries (pitted and chopped)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
- Small amount of sea salt and fresh ground black pepper

Method:

1. Put the mint, cherries, olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and 2 tablespoons of the shelled Edamame in a blender and blend.
2. Add this to the remaining Edamame and mix.
3. Serve at room temperature with crackers or bread.

Note:
- Dried cranberries can be used to replace cherry when cherries are not in season.
- Shiso leaves can be used instead of mint.

---

PUBLISHER The Pacific Wellness Institute, Tim Tanaka, Ph. D., Director
NEWSLETTER EDITOR Kristen Sutherland, BScK, DC (cand.)
CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE EeVon Ling, BSc, ND, Emily Robinson, Dipl. ST, CST, CR, Haruko Ishihara, Holistic Nutritional Consultant
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Yayoi Mizuno
THE PACIFIC WELLNESS INSTITUTE
80 Bloor Street West, Suite 1100, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2V1
T.416 929 6958 F.416 929 6365

www.pacificwellness.ca

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