Living Well With Acupuncture

Living Well With Acupunctuie
2
IN1kCDUC1ICN

Is there anything we take for granted more than
our health? There are times when our health is
taken from us in an instant through some kind of
traumatic accident. Most of the time, our health
slips away slowly, gradually. Its time to take
control of our health. Health cant be restored in an
instant, but rather it must be day by day.

Around the year 2000, I walked into an
acupuncturists office for the first time. I was
facing an unwanted surgery to fix a nerve problem
in my arm- a problem that my doctors had no
answer for- except surgery.

Little did I know that acupuncture was going to
dramatically change the course of my life.

After a month of acupuncture, my problem was
gone. I was so stunned, so impressed, that I
continued going for treatment for about a year for
other health issues.

I enrolled in acupuncture school in 2002. Here I
am eleven years later trying to explain to you how
great this medicine is.

While I dont expect patients to change careers
after getting acupuncture, most of my classmates
started out as patients. There is something
alluring about acupuncture theory- the holistic
nature, the idea of living in balance and being well
rounded. Without a doubt, most of us never would
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have started acupuncture school if we didnt get
results as patients. Thats the most important
point. Results.

I hope this brief e-book inspires you to take action
and take control of your health. Even if you dont
decide to try acupuncture, I hope you find some
helpful advice to steer you on your way towards a
healthier living.

The picture on the next page is a scroll I recently
hung up in my office.

Its time to start living the life youve imagined
-Henry James

Dont let your health hold you back.

Sincerely,

Mark Whalen
Five Points Acupuncture & Wellness

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Copyright 2013 by Mark Whalen, Five
Points Acupuncture & Wellness. All rights
reserved. This book or any portion
thereof may not be reproduced or used in
any manner whatsoever without the
express written permission of the
publisher except for the use of brief
quotations in a book review.

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Why Acupuncture?

Why are you looking into acupuncture?

If youre considering acupuncture, then its likely
you have a health condition that has been
bothering you. Maybe its recent (acute), or chronic.

How has your current condition has impacted you
up to this moment? Have you missed out on
anything? Work? Exercise? Daily activities? Family
time? Is there anything you wanted to do but
couldnt because of this condition?

Now envision yourself without this condition.
What would your life look like?

What happens to your health if you dont take
action to correct this problem? What will your
condition be like in 3 months, 6 months, 3 years?
Will your condition just go away on its own, or will
it get worse? What other events and activities will
you miss out on?

I hope youve taken a moment to honestly answer
these questions. Realizing that your health may be
holding you back is a huge first step. You cant put
a price on good health.

If youi health has been botheiing, the time is now.

So why is acupunctuie iight foi you.

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Thats the question I hope to answer for you
throughout this book. I have four major goals for
this e-book:

Introduce you to basic concepts of Chinese
medicine

Explain how acupuncture works in a way
that you can talk about it with others

Explain some of the science behind
acupuncture to demystify how it works and
the language we use

Conditions that acupuncture can treat

My hope is that when you are done reading, you
will understand what acupuncture has to offer you
in terms of your health and well-being.

9
nea|th

So what is good health? How do you define it for
yourself- for others?

Good health used to be considered the absence of
symptoms. Unfortunately, the first symptom of
heart trouble is often a fatal heart attack, so that
definition of health doesnt work so well.

In recent years, the term wellness has become a
buzzword for feeling your best physically and
mentally. Think of it as a higher state of health.

Are you there? Do you wake up each day ready to
attack whatever is in front of you? Or are you tired
every morning? Are you unmotivated to exercise,
work, or spend time with friends? Do you feel like
you are missing out on your full potential?

Health is not a static condition. Every day our
bodies are working silently to maintain a delicate
balance, known as homeostasis, within our body.

1u

As amazing as the human body is at its function of
self-preservation, we can still have an enormous
impact on our own health based on how we choose
to live.

Health is not something that can be affected by a
two-week crash diet or quitting smoking for a
month before starting again. Healthy living is a
lifestyle. Say it with me: Healthy living is a
lifestyle.

Many of the major diseases affecting us today can
be considered lifestyle diseases. Diabetes, heart
disease, high cholesterol (non genetic type), even
some cancers can be linked to lifestyle choices we
make. There is no guarantee that you wont get one
of these diseases no matter what you do, but why
not stack the deck in your favor?

Every day we make decisions that affect our health.
We may not realize it at the time, but these
decisions today can and will affect our health years
down the road.

Whats your lifestyle currently? Do you exercise?
Frequently eat processed foods? How much sleep do
you get? Do you smoke? Do you drink too much?

My goal is not for you to get obsessive over every
decision you make but we should all be aware of
the potential long-term impact that our lifestyles
have on our health.

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Where Does Acupuncture I|t In?

As a holistic system of medicine, acupuncture is
uniquely suited to help you achieve and maintain a
healthy lifestyle. Acupuncturists are trained to
look for the cause of your current condition. We
investigate diet, exercise, stress, sleep and any
other issue we think may be affecting you. Our
intakes are usually thirty minutes to one hour long.
Everything about you is relevant.

Most patients are used to the allopathic model
where you visit your doctor, and briefly discuss the
reason for your visit. Unfortunately, doctors
typically have less than eight minutes with each
patient. Very little attention is paid to anything
other than your main complaint. When you leave
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your doctors office you typically have a referral or a
prescription. I hear it a lot from patients who are
frustrated with their treatment options.

In western medicine, doctors use your symptoms to
identify a specific disease or cause and treat based
on that diagnosis. In Chinese medicine, we see
things a little differently.

In Chinese medicine we wouldnt diagnose you with
migraines and treat you for migraines. We look at
you as one entity, both physical and emotional, and
try to identify a pattern of disharmony using the
concepts of Chinese medicine. Instead of a direct A
causes B relationship, we look at the relationship
between A and B and what is causing this
relationship.

This approach allows us tremendous flexibility.
One patient with migraines may get an entirely
different treatment from another patient with
migraines. By the same token, a patient with
Migraines could get the same treatment as a
patient with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The
disease doesnt matter, but the pattern of
disharmony is what we need to correct.

The saying in Chinese Medicine is:

Same Disease-Different Treatment
Same Treatment-Different Disease

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Last vs. West and the 8att|e Ior Supremacy

Alright, I admit it, the subtitle is a little dramatic.

Ive known acupuncturists who would rail against
western medicine any chance they could. There are
certainly doctors out there who think all
acupuncturists are charlatans.

Me? Im in the middle. I am not anti-western
medicine. I dont encourage patients to ignore their
doctors advice or to forgo seeing their doctors. In
fact, I encourage patients to visit their doctors to
get the kind of diagnostic testing that we cant do in
our clinic.

In my experience, acupuncture fills in the gaps for
conditions that western medicine doesnt treat so
well, and western medicine fills in the gaps of
Chinese medicine. The ideal scenario: use both
systems! Everyone is familiar with how the
western model works, but what about acupuncture?

For major illnesses (cancer, diabetes, MS, heart
disease etc.) and traumas, western medicine is
superior to acupuncture (and Chinese medicine).

In regards to day-to-day illnesses digestive
troubles, headaches/migraines, pms, pain
conditions, sleep disorders - I believe acupuncture
is better than western medicine.

The way to get the best treatment for yourself is to
combine the two approaches.
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Acupuncture as Last kesort

The biggest problem with acupuncture is that most
patients find their way to acupuncture only after
trying every other method to get well. They have
tried visits to the doctors office, specialists,
physical therapists, and chiropractors by the time
they call us. By the time many patients reach us,
they are frustrated, tired, and fed up with not
feeling their best.

I dont blame you. When I went through
acupuncture, it was my last option as well.
Acupuncture is the great unknown. People have
heard about it, are curious about it and maybe are
a little afraid of it (because of the use of needles).
We are getting better as a community of getting the
word out, but one of my motivations for writing this
book is to help people understand what
acupuncture can do for you.

I firmly believe that acupuncture has the ability to
transform lives. Acupuncture can help you live
your life with more energy, less pain, and less
stress. The more you do now for your body, the less
you will suffer later.

You still awake? Good. Now lets dive into the
strange world and language of Chinese medicine.
1S
Ch|nese Med|c|ne- the |n to our ang

Chinese medicine is a comprehensive system of
medicine designed to keep the body and mind
healthy and functioning at a high level. The
medicine originally developed as a preventative
medicine. Doctors used to be considered failures if
their patients got sick. Now thats health care.

As mentioned earlier, acupuncture today is mostly
used to treat injury and illness after other methods
of treatment have been tried. Its still effective but
underutilized.

The language of Chinese medicine developed in
another era and a different culture. Observations
of natural phenomena were used to explain
physiological processes in the body. It was a way to
conceptualize what they couldnt see.

This medicine came about before X-rays, MRIs and
many other screening tests we take for granted
today.

What was left was learning the old fashioned way-
through observation and examination. Through
autopsy and dissection, the organization of internal
organs- including their size, weight, and functions
were identified and classified into a unified system
of health.

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The differences between arteries and veins were
mapped out, as were most vessel routes. A
standard of body measurement was developed that
is proportional to each individual. This system of
proportional body measurements allowed a uniform
system to locate the acupuncture points of people of
varying sizes.

What developed was a highly organized system of
medicine.

Dont worry-we are not going deep into the rabbit
hole to explain the full theory of Chinese medicine
here, but there are several key concepts you should
understand: Yin, Yang, Qi (pronounced chee),
Meridians and acupuncture points.

These four concepts will give you a good basic
understanding of what the bleep I am talking about
when we discuss your health.
|n-ang

A key concept of Chinese medicine is balance. In
Chinese medicine, this is represented by the Yin-
Yang symbol.

While not actual entities, yin and yang represent
the balance and cyclical nature of life. In this
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famous symbol, the white areas represent Yang
and the black areas Yin. Yin and Yang exist in
opposition to each other, but are also dependent
upon one another. Within the Yang area (white),
there is a seed of Yin (black dot) and vice versa.
Yin and Yang also transform into one another
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.

In a nutshell, the Yin-Yang symbol is a great
representation of the functions of the body working
to maintain homeostasis (balance). In a holistic
view of the body, nothing exists in isolation. The
Yin-Yang dynamic helps explain the relationships
of various systems in the body.

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|, Mer|d|ans and Acupuncture o|nts

Qi is commonly understood in the West as a life
force or energy that flows through all living things.
Meridians are described as the pathways in the
body that the qi flows on. Acupuncture points are
located along the meridians and are the areas
where qi is accessed by the needle.

Meridian Pathways with Acupuncture Points

Got it? Good. Now forget it. We need to talk. Its
not you. Its me.

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What We've Got nere |s a Ia||ure to Commun|cate.

You see, I have a problem with some of the
language of Chinese medicine. In my opinion, one
of the issues holding back this medicine in the west
is the focus on some of these terms and how they
are currently understood. Based on the above
definitions, I understand why people are skeptical.

I agree that qi and meridians as understood arent
real. Similar to Yin-Yang, they are terms used to
describe a philosophy of health.

The original Chinese character for qi is a symbol for
vapor, air and breath-referred to as vital air. It is
representative of air from the atmosphere (inhaled
oxygen) and breath. The character for qi can also
refer to function or functional activity. So when
someone is said to have deficient qi, it refers to a
lack of proper function, and not a lack of life force.
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Understood in this way, qi, as oxygen is responsible
for life in all living things. Qi as function can be
used to refer to various functional activities of the
body.

The original term for meridian in Chinese medicine
is Mai, or vessel. The original description used the
term distribution vessels
3
.

Meridians are not invisible pathways, they are
the vessels your arteries and veins-which make
up the vascular system and distribute blood and
oxygen throughout the body.
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Taken in this context, the actual meaning of qi and
meridians takes this medicine out of the realm of
science fiction and into a healing system based on
concepts easily understood today.

The majority of Acupuncture points are located
near nerves or major blood vessels, which are
surrounded by nerve bundles. Well get more into
this later, but acupuncture needles dont stimulate
invisible qi. The reality is much cooler than that
4
.
What Can Acupuncture 1reat?

When people find out Im an acupuncturist, one of
the first questions I get is can acupuncture treat
_______ (insert a health condition)?

Most of the time, the answer is yes. It is rare that I
dont think acupuncture could help someone.

As youll soon learn, as an individual system of
medicine, acupuncture is able to treat a wide range
of conditions, both acute and chronic.

Even the NIH (National Institute of Health) and
the World Health Organization have acknowledged
the benefits of acupuncture.

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Heres a brief video from our home page explaining
what acupuncture can treat:

Conditions Treated

A partial list of conditions treated:

! Allergies
! Anxiety
! Arthritis
! Asthma
! Back Pain
! Bells Palsy
! Carpal Tunnel
! Common Cold
! Constipation
! Cough
! Diarrhea
! Depression
! Digestive Problems

! Fertility
! Fibromyalgia
! Gynecology
! Headaches
! Migraines
! Infertility
! Menopause
! Pain (anywhere)
! Sciatica
! Sinusitis
! Sleep disorders
! Stress
! TMJ

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now Does Acupuncture Work?

I know what youre thinking- no way acupuncture
can treat all those conditions. This must be snake-
oil.

PS- We dont use snake oil. Glad we cleared that up.

There is a reason acupuncture can treat so many
varying health issues. At its most basic level,
acupuncture needling stimulates the bodys self-
healing abilities in an effort to maintain balance
(homeostasis).

Doesnt sound like much does it? Its actually quite
complex, but lets take a brief, very simplified, look
at what is believed to be going on.

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The first thing to consider is acupuncture points.
Most acupuncture points are located near nerves or
next to major blood vessels. Small nerve bundles
surround these major blood vessels.

Insertion of an acupuncture needle provokes both a
local reaction at the needle site and a centralized
reaction in the brain. As we mentioned above, if
the stimulus is strong enough, the needling
sensation will conduct signals along nerve
pathways, that reach the brain to activate the four
key survival systems: the nervous, endocrine,
cardiovascular and immune systems
5
.

The local reaction, known as a micro-trauma,
stimulates a physiological reaction and recruits
elements from the four systems to aid in
desensitizing and repairing damaged tissue.

The central reaction involves stimulation of brain
centers such as the release of endorphins from the
hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The endorphins
are neurotransmitters that transmit electrical
signals throughout the nervous system
6
.

When the needles are in place, patients often report
sensations of aching, tenderness, heaviness,
pressure, and itching. Guess what this means? Its
a sign that the nerve bundle is activated! Its
exactly whats needed for a treatment to be
effective.

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What did I just say? Acupuncture is a holistic
system of medicine that stimulates the bodys self-
healing ability. Acupuncture helps to restore and
maintain optimal function in the body.

kesponse to 1reatment

Each acupuncture treatment will elicit a reaction in
the body that stimulates the self-healing process.
The impact of one treatment will wear away within
24-48 hours. Typically this is not enough to fix
problems that patients have had for weeks,
months, or years.

With repeated treatments, this threshold stimulus
gets stronger and stronger, meaning the relief you
feel from treatment will begin to last longer and
longer.

Acupuncture is cumulative and the effects of
treatments build upon each other.

Its similar to exercise. One workout will make you
feel good but it wont have a long-term effect on
your health or physique. Continue to exercise on a
regular basis and your results will build upon each
other and youll begin to see changes.

Onto the next big question. Do you have to do
acupuncture forever?

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now Long Does It 1ake?

The simple, not very helpful answer isit depends.
Since acupuncture is an individual medicine as we
described above, everyone responds differently to
treatment.

As a basic rule of thumb, the longer you have had a
condition, the longer it will take to respond. The
more severe problem is, the longer it may take to
resolve.

Acupuncture is Dose Specific: Similar to a
medication, Acupuncture must be done at a certain
level of frequency to be effective. Early in care, your
treatments are more frequent. As you improve,
treatment frequency reduces.

We talked earlier about choices and a developing a
partnership in your wellness plan. This is where
you come in. How much will you do outside of your
treatment time to get well?

During the course of your treatment we may talk
about some things you can do at home between
your treatments to help you get better more
quickly. Some of these items may relate to diet,
exercise, stretching, stress relief or simply to rest.
Are you following our advice or are you relying on
your treatments to get better?

The more you do on your own, the less time and
money you have to spend coming in for
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acupuncture. Any advice we give you is aimed at
helping you get better quicker.

Were almost there. Lets put a bow on this and
talk about what your first visit is like.
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utt|ng It A|| 1ogether- our I|rst V|s|t

During your first visit, we will spend time listening
to you and learning about your current health
conditions and why you are seeking treatment.
This process can take anywhere from thirty
minutes to an hour, depending on how much
information we have to gather.

Once this is done, you get to relax on the
comfortable treatment table. Based on your
condition, well know where to place the needles.

Acupuncture points are located all over the body
and there are several hundred to choose from.
Good news- we dont use them all in one treatment!
The majority of the areas we needle are on the
arms (below the elbows) and legs (below the knees),
and on the abdomen.

Typically, the acupuncture treatment is a very
relaxing experience. Once the needles are in place,
you are left to relax with some for 35-40 minutes.
You can listen to our relaxing music or bring your
own in to listen to.

Check out this video for more info:

Your First Visit- animated!

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1he Need|es Are Scary, k|ght?

Does it hurt? Lets get the fear of needles out of
the way right away. Acupuncture needles are thin,
pre-sterilized, single use only. As soon as they are
used and removed from your body, the needles are
placed in a biohazard container. The needles are
nothing like the big hollow needles used to draw
blood or give shots.

As you can see, the medical syringe is 100x thicker
than the acupuncture needle. Unlike hypodermic
needles, an acupuncture needle is solid- there is
nothing in or on the needle. The experience is quite
different from getting blood drawn or getting a
shot.

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Acupuncture needles are about the width of a
human hair. There are many different sizes of
needles and which one is used depends upon the
patients size, sensitivity, and area of the body
being needled.

When the needle first goes in, you may feel a quick
pinch. Some areas you feel more sensation than
others. Once the needles are in, you may
experience: itching, warmth, tingling, pressure or a
dull ache at the needles. There should be no pain-
if something is painful, speak up and your
acupuncturist will adjust or remove the needle.

When a needle is removed, there may be a small
drop of blood. There is no hole left and no visible
indication will be left that you were needled. The
worst side effect is an occasional bruise at a needle
site.

The treatments are usually quite relaxing and
many patients will fall asleep on the table.

Follow up visits will focus on changes since your
first treatment. The intake time is typically much
shorter - ten to fifteen minutes. We will monitor
your progress throughout your treatments and
work together to get you in and out of treatment as
quickly as possible.

Su
Cur 1ra|n|ng

Its very important that you get treatment from a
Licensed Acupuncturist. Licensed Acupuncturists
have the most training and experience in the use of
acupuncture.

The Board of Medicine licenses Acupuncturists in
Massachusetts. In order to obtain a license, we
must complete over 1900 hours of clinical and
classroom education. In addition to classes about
Chinese Medicine (theory, location of points,
function of points), part of our curriculum involves
courses in western medicine, Anatomy &
Physiology, and Biology.

Clinical training involves working as interns, under
supervision, in clinics located throughout
Massachusetts. Once school is completed we must
complete Board Exams in Acupuncture, Point
Location, Biomedicine, and Chinese Herbs (for
those wishing to practice Chinese Herbal
Medicine.)

The board exams are proctored by the National
Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture &
Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

Once we pass the board exams, we are not done. In
order to maintain our licenses, we must complete
30 continuing education hours every 2 years for the
state of Massachusetts and 60 hours every 4 years
for the NCCAOM.

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What does all this mean? It means a licensed
Acupuncturist is well trained in the field of
acupuncture, must maintain minimum hours of
continuing education and is watched by the same
Board of Medicine that oversees physicians.

We are well versed not only in the use of
acupuncture needles, but in the theory of Chinese
medicine, which has a deep and rich history.
Without a thorough understanding of the theory of
Chinese medicine and how to apply the theory to
clinical practice, we would just be sticking needles
in people and hoping it worked.

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About I|ve o|nts

The Five Points of Wellness

When I started Five Points Acupuncture &
Wellness I wanted to be more than just an
acupuncture clinic. I wanted to help people get
healthy and stay healthy. To do this, I realized I
needed to impact many areas of their lives.
Helping you achieve wellness is the core focus of
our clinic. Using a multidisciplinary approach
incorporating Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs,
Nutrition Counseling and Exercise Counseling, we
will work together to help you achieve your goals.
As we pursue wellness, there are five main areas of
your health we look at, which we refer to as the
five points of wellness:
! Digestive Function
! Sleep
! Mental/Emotional Health
! Pain Management
! Healthy Weight Management

Each of the Five Points plays a key role in our
ability to live a healthy life. All five are related to
each other in a dynamic way they all can
influence each other, positively or negatively
(remember yin-yang?). By restoring healthy
function in these five areas, we believe we can help
you achieve and maintain wellness.

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L|festy|e 1|ps - nomework!

As someone who works in health care, I do my best
to walk the walk and practice what I preach.
While I try to make healthy choices most of the
time, Im not perfect-nobody is. I drink beer. I love
coffee. I occasionally eat bad foods. There, I said it.
I dont think its realistic or healthy to follow an
oppressive health regimen where all you do is take
things away.

I try to follow an 80-20 pattern. 80% of the time, I
try to be perfect- no processed foods, no alcohol. I
have cut back on fried foods and eat them very
rarely now.

I have found that this system works for me. It has
helped me feel better at 42 than I did at 22, when I
followed a 0-100 pattern.

The biggest tip I can give people about healthy
eating is food preparation. I dont mean how you
cook it- but getting food ready a few days in
advance. It is much healthier to plan a few days
out then eat on the run. My wife and I will cook a
bunch of food on Sundays and eat it throughout the
week.

READ LABELS! The front of a package is
marketing, the back is the truth. Read the
ingredients if you are wondering about a
food. The ingredients are listed in order
from highest concentration to lowest. Jelly
Beans are labeled on the front as a fat free
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food. Flip over to the ingredients and you
get: Sugar, Corn Starch and a bunch of
chemical food colorings and preservatives.
Dont fall for marketing.

Eat a diet based on whole, real foods.

Eat a diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables
and healthy sources of protein and fat.

You want your food to be minimally
processed and to be free of hormones and
antibiotics.

Limit your intake of sugar, high fructose
corn syrup, fried foods, and processed foods.
Any type of snack food that comes in a box or
a bag is suspect.

Limit white flour products. (pastas, baked
goods)

Watch out for Processed oils like canola oil,
soybean oil, vegetable oil they are high in
inflammation promoting Omega 6s stay
away from all of these

Exercise: Exercise has too many benefits to
mention here. Just know that its vital to
health and longevity to do some form of
exercise. As we age, we lose muscle mass so
it is important to lift weights or do some
form of resistance exercise. Resistance
training will also strengthen the bones,
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which will help keep you from falling as you
get older.

Stress Management - Find something that
helps you manage stress. Yoga, meditation,
qi gong, tai chi, sewing, gardening, reading.
Acupuncture- obviously! It doesnt matter
what it is, as long as you find a healthy way
to cope with the day-to-day stress of life.

Sleep- Research has shown that sleeping
only 5-6 hours a night will have an adverse
affect on your health. By the same token,
sleeping 9-10 hours a night isnt healthy
either. Aim for 7-8 hours a night if possible.
I know, parents of newborns are cursing me
right now.

Based on your individual conditions we can address
more specific areas of concern for you. While
nothing is guaranteed to keep you healthy and
vibrant, these are some key areas we can focus on
to increase our odds of living a healthy, vibrant,
pain free life.

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1hank ou!

Hopefully by now, you have more of an
understanding of how acupuncture works and how
it can contribute to your health. Whether you are
currently suffering from a health issue or just want
to improve some area of your health, acupuncture
can benefit you.

My hope is that this has been informative, easy to
read, and maybe you even laughed once or twice.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to
contact us at 781-944-3000 or via email at:
mark@fivepointsacupuncture.com.

Visit our website for more information or articles

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1est|mon|a|s-

What people just like you aie saying about theii
Acupunctuie expeiience at Five Points Acupunctuie &
Wellness.

Infertility
I attempted to get pregnant for five years with
many complications and was unable to conceive.
Through acupuncture and herbal remedies I was
able to get pregnant the natural way. Acupuncture
has also helped relieve pain in my low back and has
kept my stress level to a minimum. Mark is the
best there is and without these treatments I
wouldnt feel as balanced and whole. Choosing this
alternative form of medicine has dramatically
changed my life!
-Lauren, Tewksbury, MA 2012
Headaches/Sleep/Digestion
I first met Mark at Five Points Acupuncture in
December 2011. I really had no idea what issues
could be addressed and what could not. I had a
long consultation with Mark. I had regularly had
headaches (2-3 wk) and thought not much of it at
all, not even worth mentioning. Part of life and
stress! My other complaint was I had a hard time
staying asleep. After a few acupuncture sessions I
saw signs of change in my sleep and headaches. I
am sleeping much better and for my headaches, I
have not had an aspirin/Tylenol since January
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this is now about 5 months. Those issues seem to
now be in control.
Mark now reached further to see about my LPR (a
form of reflux). I was taking medication daily
and became concerned when the medical office told
me I would have to purchase OTC. I was upset
that this would be costly because I was taking on a
daily basis. Mark started to work on my problem,
and I went to see my primary care. She was able to
get approval for another medication for me but
going thru the health care system and getting
prior authorization, was a 3-4 week wait. In the
meantime I seemed to be feeling pretty good and
didnt have that nasty feeling that I needed the
medication. I think it has been 8-10 weeks
without any medication. The longer I can go
without medication the better. I would suggest
people give Five Points Acupuncture a try, it has
been a rewarding experience for me.
-Michele, Reading, MA June 2012
Migraines
I had been experiencing HAs for over 2+years. My
pain level was approximately 5-6/10 and sometimes
as high as 7/10 with an almost daily frequency. I
was frustrated taking Fiorecet all the time and
sometimes, if the Fiorecet didnt do the trick, Id get
a Diet Coke with Caffeine hoping that would open
the blood vessels to let blood flow.. I had also
thought my HAs were from barometric pressure
changes in our New England weather but was tired
of saying my HAs were from the
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weather.Frustration, Aggravation,
Irritation Like I said, I was ready to walk
on hot coals.

So, I was at my office one day where the HAs
(sometimes as many as 3/day) had just got to the
point where I had decided to do something about
it. I made appts. w/Mark with an OPEN
MIND. Hence, my visit to Mark. As I said, I was
very open to this new medicine (which is over
2500 years young) and thought what do I have to
lose. His office is very inviting, quite/relaxing and
he is very accommodating. He is very concerned
about patient comfort, confidentiality and listens
with open mind.

And today I am happy to say my frequency has
declined by 85-90% and I only seem to have hints
of HAs which leave almost as quickly as they
come. So, in the long run would I recommend
Mark.. Thats an easy one. . . . . a most
definite YES!!
-CGS, Reading, MA May 2012
Infertility/IVF Support
After successfully having a child in 2009, I was
shocked to find out in the spring of 2011 that I was
diagnosed with secondary infertility. Immediately
I began seeing a fertility specialist and experienced
two failed IUI treatments. Knowing that wasnt
working, I jumped right into the whole IVF process.
Upon starting, my fertility specialist recommended
that I see Mark Whalen for acupuncture
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treatments to help prepare and strengthen my
body. At this point I knew what I wanted out of
IVF, to get pregnant so I did not hesitate and called
Marks office when I got home. Needless to say I
was hesitant and a bit skeptical, but I put those
thoughts aside and went for it.
As soon as I met Mark, I knew I was in the right
place and I felt an instant sense of relief. Someone
other than my doctors knew what I was going
through. He offered ways to treat my problem, as
well as get me to relax (not an easy task) as I am
always on the go. Once I started going for my visits
two times a week I noticed a change in how I
processed things, I was calmer and definitely more
relaxed. My body seemed to positively respond to
all that was going on and I ended up getting
pregnant.
I cannot say enough good things about Mark, and
how professional he is. There is a gentleness about
him that compliments his knowledge of
acupuncture and truly makes his techniques
effective. Knowing that there is one more thing,
and one more person that can help you achieve
your goal of becoming pregnant makes it all worth
it. If you are going through IVF, I highly
recommend that you see Mark Whalen at Five
Points Acupuncture & Wellness.
-P.S., Reading, MA
Infertility
Mark is magical!!!!! Prior to using Mark, my
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husband and I had being trying to have baby for a
long time and was not successful. We finally
decided to go with the fertility treatment (twice)
and was still unsuccessful. We saw in the internet
that acuputure would help. Therefore, before we
start our 3rd fertility treatment, we seek help from
Mark. Using his treatment program (before,
during and after ivf) we finally got a positive result
in our 3rd if cycle. I am now in my 17th
weeks..baby and I are both doing great!!! Mark is
professional, patient, and definitely knows
acupuncture. I would recommend Mark to anyone
at any time!
-KL, Woburn, MA
Digestive Disorders
In the summer of 2006 after years of
gastrointestinal distress, medications and
surgeries, I made a last ditch effort to take control
of my health and get well with acupuncture. I was
skeptical and terrified! Mark was so patient and
kind, and really took his time to help me through
the process and all my trepidation, particularly
about the needles. He has such a wonderful
bedside manner and quickly put me at ease with
his charm and wit. After only a few treatments I
was off all my medications and have now been
surgery-free for almost five years! Marks expertise
and diligence in treating me, combined with my
commitment to the process, has literally saved my
life! Not only have I been surgery-free, but I am
virtually symptom-free as well! It has been a long,
intricate road to wellness, but Mark is such a
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dedicated and knowledgable practitioner that he
has made my treatments something to which I look
forward and truly enjoy! Further, he is always
willing to go the extra mile to answer my many
questions. I sincerely and confidently endorse Mark
as a practitioner, and I wholeheartedly recommend
acupuncture as part of anyones path to wellness! I
am living proof that it WORKS!
-LD, Brockton, MA
Digestive Issues
After many years of suffering with digestive issues,
I found permanent relief via the acupuncture
treatment Mark provides. Through treatment
sessions and Chinese herbs, I am regular and do
not suffer from gas and bloating. I also have more
energy.
In addition to helping me with my digestive issues,
Marks treatment has also focused on making my
periods regular and minimizing the PMS
symptoms. Now I hardly have PMS at all. Recently,
Mark began treating me again because I was
suffering from stress and anxiety, which made it
difficult for me to sleep and relax. Through
acupuncture and a Chinese herb regimen, I started
feeling more relaxed and am sleeping better. Ive
been sleeping through the night and feel much
happier.
I firmly believe that acupuncture is an integral
part of my healing process. At times in my life
when traditional medicine did not provide any
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relief or solution, acupuncture has worked wonders.
I highly recommend Marks clinic, it is a
comfortable and welcoming environment.
-JU, Melrose, MA

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Sources:

1. Giovanni Macoccia. The Foundations of Chinese
Medicine. (Churchill Livingstone, 1989). 5-14

2. Donald Kendall. Dao of Chinese Medicine.
Understanding an Ancient Healing Art. (New York,
Oxford University Press, 2002) 2

3. Kendall. Dao of Chinese Medicine. 2

4. Yun-Tao Ma, Mila Ma, Zang Hee Cho.
Biomedical Acupuncture for Pain Management.
(Elsevier, 2005). 8;26-28; 31-32

5. Ma, Ma. Biomedical Acupucnture for Pain
Management. 24

6. Ma, Ma. Biomedical Acupucnture for Pain
Management. 25

General Information Sources-not cited

Ted Kaptchuk. The Web That Has No Weaver.
(Contemporary Books, Chicago, 2000)

E lotus (elotus.com) lectures of Bob Doane, Matt
Bauer, Brad Whisnant

Living Well With Acupuncture

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