Hello! This month I'm excited to tell you about Pediatric Oriental Medicine, as I recently completed additional training in this field. In this issue is also an effective, natural remedy for childhood ear infections, recipes for spaghetti squash, news about acupuncture at CU Boulder and a notice about the 9Health Fair this weekend. If you missed her free hike last month, take advantage of fitness trainer Sarah Eley's Q&A Fitness Walk November 5th. If you received this newsletter as a forward and would like to subscribe, you can subscribe here. Please add robin at acupunctureboulder dot com to your address book to avoid issues being delivered to your bulk or junk folder. For those entering the blogosphere, you can now subscribe to my blog. Thank you for reading!
Robin L. Schiesser, L.Ac . | www.acupunctureboulder.com | 720-320-1075

In this issue

• Pediatric Oriental Medicine Benefits Babies and Children
• Holistic Relief for Childhood Ear Infections
• Spaghetti Squash: A nutritious, seasonal taste treat
• Robin Joins the Staff at CU's Wardenburg Health Center
• Community Event: 9Health Fair October 17th-19th
• Free Event: Q&A walk with trainer Sarah Eley

Pediatric Oriental Medicine Benefits Babies and Children

Robin is a Bee Well Kidz-certified practitioner

Last month I had the privilege of completing a certification course in Los Angeles with Naomi Richman, L.Ac., the founder of a ground-breaking pediatric clinic Bee Well Kidz. Naomi, who is a member of the Oriental Medicine Advisory Board for the Holistic Pediatric Association, shared her extensive knowledge and experience treating infants and children using Pediatric Oriental Medicine, and provided ample opportunity for us to deepen our skills with patients from her clinic.

Pediatric Oriental Medicine (POM) is based on the same theories as those used to treat adults, but the diagnostic methods and treatment techniques are modified according to the physiology of children. For thousands of years POM has been developed and refined with the knowledge that children's bodily systems are not yet fully developed. Treatment techniques include Herbal Medicine, Chinese Pediatric Massage (CPM), Chinese Dietary Therapy and Nutritional Counseling, Acupuncture, Heat Therapy, and Cupping.

Acupuncture is used sparingly in babies and young children. There is no needle retention; instead, very tiny needles are inserted and immediately removed. Most of the time young patients aren't even aware of the fact that they have experienced acupuncture, except that they feel better!

More often, Chinese Pediatric Massage, also called Pediatric Tuina, is enough to address many pediatric conditions. This ancient approach to health maintenance and recovery treats specific points and areas of the body particular to children's physiology that connect to internal bodily functions. Commonly used throughout Asia, these gentle massage techniques effectively treat digestive problems, colic, ear aches and infections, fever, coughs, sleep disorders and constipation as well as strengthening overall immunity. Parents can also learn CPM techniques specific to their child's illness so that they can continue the treatment themselves at home.

Nutritional guidance and gentle herbal medicines are also used to heal and strengthen children's bodily systems, such as the digestive and respiratory systems. Because children's systems react easily to stimuli, a small dosage is usually sufficient to achieve desired results. Sweet tasting glycerin-based formulas make administration hassle-free.

Keep Acupuncture Boulder in mind when those sniffles and sneezes start this fall. Better yet, bring the little ones in for an immune-boosting session and learn techniques to help bolster your child's resistance during cold and flu season. Read below about ear infections and a natural treatment for alleviating them.

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Holistic Relief for Childhood Ear Infections

This simple home remedy really works to alleviate ear aches and infections

Otitis media (ear infection) is often difficult to detect because most children affected by this disorder do not yet have sufficient speech and language skills to tell someone what is bothering them. Common signs to look for are unusual irritability, difficulty sleeping, tugging or pulling at one or both ears, fever, fluid draining from the ear, loss of balance, and/or unresponsiveness to quiet sounds or other signs of hearing difficulty such as sitting too close to the television or being inattentive.

If your child has symptoms of earache or infection, you may want to try the onion "ear muff" remedy below before rushing for a prescription of antibiotics. A study published in the British Medical Journal in July 2002 found that most children with ear infections will not benefit symptomatically from immediate use of antibiotics, especially children without high temperature or vomiting. It did state that children with high temperature or vomiting were more likely to benefit from antibiotics, but that it is still reasonable to wait 24-48 hours as many children will improve anyway.

According to the National Institutes of Health some bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics, and antibiotics may produce unwanted side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and rashes. Many doctors ask parents to watch their child's symptoms for a couple of days, since more than 80% of ear infections get better without treatment. Antibiotics have only minimal benefits in reducing pain and fever.



ONION "EAR MUFFS":

Cut a thick slice of onion.

Wrap in a sock, thin kitchen towel or 2 paper towels.

Microwave for 10-20 seconds (depending on the strength of your microwave).

Test the surface to ensure that it is not too hot.

Hold near-not touching- the affected ear for 5 minutes.

Onions have antibacterial properties, and their vapors help release pressure and clear infection. The only side effect is that your child may temporarily smell like onions.


If your child is getting ear infections, here's how to break the cycle:

1. Stay away from the antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. Antibiotics destroy the beneficial flora in the intestines, decreasing immunity and digestive ability.

2. Avoid feeding your child foods that are difficult to digest, such as milk, cheese, peanut butter, cold or iced foods and drinks, and raw fruits and vegetables. These foods are hard to break down and can damage the intestinal walls, causing inflammation in the body. Excessive intake of dairy products may be the number one cause of chronic recurring ear infections. Cut out the dairy for at least one month to clear the body.

3. Acupuncture, Acupressure, Chinese Pediatric Massage and Herbs are effective for boosting immunity to prevent infections as well as clear current infections.

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Spaghetti Squash: A Healthy, Seasonal Taste Treat

A warm, yummy source of calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A and E

This time of year pumpkins get a lot of attention, but I want to spotlight another seasonal squash: spaghetti squash, which is currently on sale at Vitamin Cottage for 75 cents per pound (organic!). Not only is it delicious, but it is a good source of calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A and E.

In addition to building strong bones and teeth, recent research credits calcium (see September's newsletter) with reducing the incidence of colon cancer and lowering blood cholesterol levels. It also helps ease insomnia, lower blood pressure, and maintain proper nerve and muscle function.

Magnesium, also found in dark leafy greens such as kale, enhances the neuromuscular activity of the heart and helps convert blood sugar into energy. Antioxidant vitamin E slows cellular aging and fends off cancer while vitamin A is important for healthy skin, vision and bones as well as reducing risks of lung and oral cancers.

Spaghetti squash is easy to cook:
Crack it open lengthwise with a butcher knife and place the cleaved ends down on a shallow pan. Bake at 350 degrees until the hard shell gives to the touch-30 to 45 minutes. (If you don't have a butcher or other sharp, heavy knife, you can bake the squash whole for about an hour or so before cooling and cutting it open.) Once done, cool, remove the seeds, and scoop out the pulp, which tastes great with just a little salt and pepper, or nutmeg to enhance the sweetness. You can also put marinara sauce on it as a replacement for pasta.

Spaghetti Squash Pizza Crust: Whirl half a spaghetti squash in the blender with 2-4 eggs and a pinch of salt. Add enough corn meal and a little olive oil to make a batter, and spread onto pizza pans to bake at 350° until firm and golden. When almost done, top with fixings-I suggest pizza sauce, chopped basil and a few dollops of goat cheese-and finish off in the oven.

Here are more recipes for spaghetti squash.


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Robin Joins the Staff of CU's Wardenburg Health Center

Students, faculty and staff receive acupuncture treatments in the Sports Medicine department

Starting in November I will be the staff acupuncturist in the Sports Medicine department of CU's Wardenburg Health Center two days per week in addition to my private practice. I'll be filling in for my colleauge, Jennifer McLemore, L.Ac., who originated Wardenburg's acupuncture program in 2004. She will be taking a leave of absence until next Fall, when we will likely each work at the center one day per week. The Sports Medicine department also employs chiropractors, orthopedists, physical therapists and massage therapists. If you know a student, faculty or staff member at CU Boulder who would like the convenience of getting acupuncture treatment on campus, have them call (303) 492-6280 or make an appointment online.

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9Health Fair is October 17th-19th, 2008

Get free health screenings and low-cost blood tests at Dick's Sporting Goods Park

If you missed the 9Health Fair in Boulder last Spring, here's another chance to participate. This weekend the Health Fair will be held at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, just northeast of Denver.

Some of the screenings available (free unless otherwise listed) are:

Blood Count Screening (Blood Draw) - $15
Blood Chemistry Screening (Blood Draw - 12-hour fast required) - $30
Breast Screening
Colorectal Cancer FIT Kit Screening - $20
Heart Health Corner
Lung Function Screening
Mental Health Screening
Oral Health Screening
Osteoporosis Screening
Pap Smear Screening
Prostate/Testicular Screening
Pulse Oximetry
Skin Screening

I whole-heartedly agree with the 9Health Fair's mission, which is to promote health awareness and to encourage individuals to assume responsibility for their own health. Their goal is to reach as many people as possible by offering free and low-cost health awareness and educational screenings. Take advantage now, as the next 9Health Fair will not be held until April 18-26, 2009!

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Free Event: Fitness Walk and Q&A with a Trainer

Take a walk along the Boulder Creek Path with fitness trainer Sarah Eley and ask all the fitness, exercise and nutrition questions your heart desires!

What : Q&A Fitness Walk with Personal Trainer Sarah Eley Cost: Free
When: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month 12:00 - 12:30 pm
Starting November 5th Where: Healthstyles Exercise Equipment:
2490 Arapahoe Ave
(across the parking lot from Blockbuster at the corner of Folsom and Arapahoe in Boulder)

Thank you for reading and for sharing this with others. Remember to visit acupunctureboulder.com for new additions and changes, to request an appointment, or to read past issues of Acupuncture Boulder News!

Warmest Regards,
Robin

www.acupunctureboulder.com

Robin L. Schiesser, L.Ac.
2955 Valmont Rd., Suite 100
Boulder, CO 80301
(720) 320-1075