ADDICTION SOLUTIONS

As a medical physician for over 51 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects, and help your read betwwen the lines. You must come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary. This results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Visit drneedles is blogging" at the end of each blog for a complete alphabetical list of all my blogs Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on mind, body, and spirit healing.

ADDICTION SOLUTIONS

 Medical use of prescription drugs is second only to marijuana use. Fourteen  million Americans smoke marijuana, and over 6 million Americans take prescription drugs for non-medical uses.   Over 9 million Americans take Darvon, Darvocet, or Tylenol with codeine. ( 2002 national survey on drug use and health/ SAMHSA).  As prescriptions have increased, emergency room visits have  increased even faster. 

 Teenage drug use has skyrocketed. One in 10 12th-graders abused  Vicodin in the past year.( Monitoring the future study, 2004).

EIghteen percent of teens have abused Vicodin, 20% have tried Ritalin or Aderall, and 9% of teens take over the counter cough syrup to get high. An equal number had used ecstasy, LSD, ketamine, heroine, GHB, ice, and cocaine. They find easy access of these drugs through friends and their parent’s medical cabinets.  They find drugs are fun and help them when they are having a hard time. ( Partnership for a drug-free America, April 21, 2005).

 Since production and drug availability have increased, so has the increasing abuse of prescription drugs.  There is more marketing and media attention to obtain pain relief, doctors more frequently prescribed pain relief medication. and the internet has provided more availability.

 People want drugs for pain relief that work right away, are strong, don’t last too long, are smokable, and prefer brand names. The elderly are particularly vulnerable since they have a higher incidence of chronic pain, they don’t understand their prescription directions, they share  their medicines with their golf partners, their family encourages them to take more  medications,  and they fail to understand the drug affects.

 Everyone wants medications, since they are perceived as safe and highly effective.   Patients expect prescriptions, and doctors are pressured to oblige.  Many doctors lack education and understanding of pain treatment.   Addiction sneaks up on you with extraordinary speed. A non-dependent user of drugs controls his use. A dependent person is controlled by his addiction.

TREATING ADDICTIONS  SAVES LIVES

 How can you tell if your friend is addicted?
 If they have three or more of the following seven symptoms, they have a problem.  If they use drugs to avoid or reverse withdrawal symptoms, have withdrawal symptoms, tolerate a great deal of medication, are compelled to use the drug when they’re trying to stop, have early relapses when they stop their  medications, have a narrowing behavioral pattern, and find their drug-related behavior is more important than their activities in the world.

 You find your friend fails to fulfill his obligations at work, at home, or at school. He is frequently found in hazardous situations, has legal problems related to drugs, and continues to use drugs despite having drug-related social or interpersonal problems.

SUMMARY

 it is time that all of us encouraged our addicted friends to seek treatment. It will prevent an emergency admission from an overdose, and save society a great deal of money. The more access to treatment, the more our society saves.  Otherwise our friends get involved in extensive criminal activity, undergo multiple detoxification’s every year, and are treated for medical co-morbidities, crime activities, and other social problems.

Along with other  modalities. medical acupuncture is a wonderful way to provide detoxification from drug abuse. 

Save  a friend’s life  by leading him to treatment for his addiction!
 Finding  satisfactory resources:
GOVERNMENT
 Substance abuse and mental health services administration (SAMHSA)   www.samhsa.gov  www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov
Center for substance abuse treatment www.csat.samhsa.gov
National helpline 800.662-HELP (4357)
www.niaaa.nih.gov  (National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

MUTUAL HELP GROUPS
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org
www.na.org (Narcotics anonymous)
www.ca.org  (Cocaine anonymous)
www.al-anon.org  (Al-Anon)
 www.nar-anon.org  (Nar-Anon)
www.familiesanonymous.org  (Families anonymous)
www.gamblersanonymous.org
www.slaafws.org  (Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous)
www.sexaa.org  (Sex addicts anonymous)
www.nicotine-anonymous.org 

Visit www.americanacupuncture.com for more information on controversial medical subjects.

IT IS TIME TO QUIT SMOKING

As a medical physician for over 51 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects, and help your read betwwen the lines. You must come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary. This results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Visit drneedles is blogging" at the end of each blog for a complete alphabetical list of all my blogs Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on mind, body, and spirit healing.

IT IS TIME TO QUIT SMOKING   

 The tobacco industry made over $13 billion profit  last year on 43 million Americans who smoke. Smoking is one of the leading  causes of  health statistics.

 Our government spends billions of dollars on cancer research,  and treatment. Millions are spent on tobacco cessation treatments and advertising.   States receive billions of dollars in tobacco legal settlements. More than 80% of people smoking today really do want to quit and cannot.

 On the other hand, tobacco companies received incentives to export, our government subsidizes tobacco farmers, tobacco companies have tax deductible advertising directed at teenagers, and there is an immense tax deductible lobbying effort and campaigning on behalf of the tobacco industry. The tobacco company helps Medicare funding by having those of us who smoke die sooner, and thus collect fewer Medicare benefits.

 Feeling full, quenching your thirst, bonding with your mates, making more money, gambling, sexual  satisfaction, and the use of drugs,  are all strong reinforcing experiences  that make us feel rewarded.

 Unfortunately, the primitive parts of our brain  control our less primitive basic drives and thoughts.  Our thoughts cannot change, if they are under the control of our primitive parts of our brain.

 Our health care providers all have the impression that it is futile to try to get someone to quit smoking.   They have time constraints, don’t get  reimbursed for their efforts, and frankly lack training in addiction control.   It is estimated that 15% of smokers would quit each year  if doctors continued to emphasize the risks of  smoking, relate their health problems to smoking, show the effects of smoking on their family, and remind them that their children are more likely to smoke if they don’t quit. ( That adds up to 6 million Americans quitting each year).

 Over 85% of Americans who smoke want to quit can’t quit, need help,  and feel powerless.  They must make a firm decision to ask for help, follow directions of their healthcare giver, change their behavior, and trust the cessartion process.  Ask them, who among their acquaintances, has already quit.   They must see the advantages of changing their behavior,  seeing themselves responsible and in control.  they must see that  there are no harmful effects, and change will also promoting long lasting changes in the brain’s circuitry reward system.

 Effective tobacco cessation techniques include: brief counseling, drugs when appropriate, behavioral change with a support system( 12 step AA program), and acupuncture treatments. All these methods work for different people. If you are a smoker, keep an open mind, and remember persistence pays off.

Accept the things you can’t change, have courage  to change the things you can, and get smart enough to know the difference. ( Serenity prayer).

 Seek self-help materials:
 www.lungusa.org
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/tobacco
www.quitnet.com
www.ahrq.gov/consumer/index.html.html#smoking
www.americanacupuncture.com

Visit wwwamericanacupuncture.com for more information on controversial medical subjects.

START PRAISING YOURSELF

As a medical physician for over 51 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects, and help your read betwwen the lines. You must come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary. This results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Visit drneedles is blogging" at the end of each blog for a complete alphabetical list of all my blogs Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on mind, body, and spirit healing.

START PRAISING YOURSELF 

 Most of us Americans today, feel beaten up. depressed, angry, and find ourselves in a hopeless frame of mind.  That must change. Here are some thought to help you on your journey of life:

 “You can do anything you believe you can do. You have talent, skills and certainly abilities. Just set your goals and reach them. You certainly know what you want out of life, go after it and get it.

 Start feeling good about yourself. Take some pride in who you are and believe in yourself. Nothing will stop you. You have a lot of determination and can turn your problems into advantages. Look for possibilities and things that other people never give a chance.

You certainly have a lot of energy and are very alive. I see you enjoy life, so start telling it to others. Look ahead and start liking yourself. You can accomplish anything you choose and you must not  let anything negative hold you back or stand in your way.

You have strength, conviction, confidence, and power. You don’t have to be afraid of anything or anyone. Start liking challenges and meet them head on face-to-face.

 Get a clear picture in your mind of what you want and go for it. Seated in front of you and you will know how to get it. It’s all up to you and you certainly know how to do it. Don’t let roadblocks stopped you. They just mean that you are running and alive, and are not going to stand still for anything.

 Start trusting yourself. You have what it takes and plenty of it and certainly know how to use it. You are unstoppable. Get yourself together and start getting more together every day. Say to the world: “Look out, here I come”.

 You have no limitations. I can conquer any challenge and there is no wall you  can’t climb. I can handle any problems around and make them work for you.  You think clearly, are organized, and are in control of yourself and everything about yourself.  People like you and you like to do with people.

No one is going to call your shots for you. You can’t blame anyone else for the circumstances in your life.  Accept them and move beyond them, and start looking for the rewards for your victories. You don’t need perfection,  but expect the very best of what you have to give.  There are no excuses. You will get things done on time, and in the right way,  since you have the inner guts and strength to win.

 You are a super, exceptional, human being.  Since you believe in yourself and have goals, start turning them into reality. You have the power to live your dreams, as long as you believe in them, like you believe in yourself. Your belief is so strong that nothing can weaken your wonderful  spirit. “

Good luck and God Bless you.  Dr. Needles

Visit www.americanacupuncture.com for more medical discussion of controversial subjects.

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Over 1% of our population experiences pain and numbness and loss of manual dexterity and a dominant hand and later both hands. Symptoms include difficulty grasping, inability to pick up small objects, dropping things, and night pain in the wrist. Symptoms include trouble knitting, driving, writing, or using the computer.

 This problem is caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal canal over the wrist.  pressure on the flex or tendon leads to numbness when flexing or extending the  wrist.

 It is very common in women, workers using industrial tools, and in jobs or hobbies that require repeated forceful wrist and hand movements or that we use vibratory tools. The use of computers, bars: scanning, grocery store checkouts, and even playing the drums can precipitate this problem. Symptoms improve with the rest and get worse with activity. Pain can even go up the arm and into the shoulder.

 Often changing the height of your chair at a computer, or eliminating some vibratory tools that work can relieve your symptoms. Daily stretching exercises also help.

Other conditions can masquerade as carpal tunnel syndrome. One can have cervical disc herniation, and compression of the median nerve in the forearm or the elbow.

 Traditionally, the wrist is planted in a neutral position for 3 to 4 weeks permanently, and then for another four weeks part-time. Cortisone injections you merely short-term relief and can cause the nerve to be entrapped.   has symptoms get worse, surgery is offered with carting of the transverse ligament in the wrist.

 The goal is to increase the space for the flex or tendons and the median nerve. Complications include incomplete division of the ligament, nerve injury both motor or sensory, and post stringing of the flexor tendons with adherence. Good results occur in 85%, with 15% having numbness, muscle atrophy, and paresthesias.

 Another  non-surgical solution rarely offered is acupuncture, which increases the blood flow to the adherent area of  carpal ligament, resulting in pain relief by  reducing the swelling of the flexor tendons. acupuncture is safe, cost-effective, and therapeutically very effective and eliminating pain and restoring function to the wrist.

 For more information on controversial medical subjects visit  www.americanacupuncture.com

As a medical physician for over 51 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects, and help your read betwwen the lines. You must come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary. This results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on mind, body, and spirit healing.

Chronic headache solutions

 CHRONIC HEADACHE SOLUTIONS


 Every day, 10% of us have neck pain and headaches.  Whiplash is the most common cause of chronic headaches. The cervical ligaments are stretched or torn as a result of irritation to the sympathetic plexus around the these cervical vertebral arteries.  Trama precipitates these migraines and if there is mechanical occlusion it adds to the symptoms. Usually these headaches are one-sided, with associated trouble swallowing, noise in the ears, and occasionally some sensory changes. The pain is dull and neck movements are quite limited.

 These headaches originate from the cervical spine that has been damaged: this result in persistent sub-occipital pain. When the neck is moved, the headaches are altered.  A patients with neck pain carries an abnormal posture of his head and neck.

 With swelling of the neck muscles, the first and second cervical roots become compressed and pain is referred to any part of the head by way of the trigeminal nerves in the brainstem. Often psychoneurosis becomes a factor in these chronic whiplash headache cases.

 A routine x-ray rarely shows the true problem, since the patients  has his neck in a neutral position.   The top two cervical vertebrae, the Atlas which is circular ( C-1), and the Axis  which  looks like a Mexican hat or top ( C2), become displaced. The second cervical vertebrae should fit nicely inside the first one.

Unfortunately the ligaments from C2 that connect and hold the ligaments in place  are weakened  by trauma and  put pressure on the arteries to the back of the brain.  An x-ray with the patient’s head held back shows more than 3 mm between the back rim of the Atlaa and the front border  of C2.   Such an x-ray is rarely taken because the technician fears the patient may faint without a physician present. Acupuncture to the area strenthens these ligaments to hold the two vertebrae in place.

 Various medications and manipulations are prescribed for chronic headaches, but rarely work.  The FDA has recently approved the use of Botox injections for chronic headache patients.   This involves a shotgun method with 36 sites injected with this toxic poison, hoping to paralyze the right muscles.  It alleviates headaches by paralyzing the muscles of the neck and face.   The procedure is repeated every three months.

 It is amazing that the general public  does not realize that acupuncture  is quite successful in safely relieving these headaches, and is both cost-effective,  and  therapeutically effective.

Visit www.americanacupuncture.com for more information on medically controversial subjects.

 As a medical physician for over 51 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects, and help your read betwwen the lines. You must come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary. This results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies.  Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ or more detailed information on mind, body, and spirit healing.

ACUPUNCTURE VS BOTOX FOR CHRONIC HEADACHES

ACUPUNCTURE VS BOTOX FOR CHRONIC HEADACHES

Ovee 70% of women and 50% of men have disabling headaches. Often emotional stress is implicated, but many people have headaches at time of stress free weekends. It is difficult to label a headache by its type, as muscle contraction headaches are often confused with other headaches.

Headaches often occur because of stress, fatigue, hormonal imbalance, eating cheese and wine and other tyramine foods, MSG, nitrites in  hot dogs, chocolates, flickering lights, missed meals, allergens, and vaso-dilating drugs.

Many headache treatments exist and most are ineffective. The drugs  become habitual, have dangers of overdoses, often contain large amounts of caffeine, combines sedatives and nausea suppressors, and over the counter analgesics. The most common medications are  beta blockers, which frequently result in fatigue, impotence,  and exercise intolerance.

 The aim of all the treatments is to reduce the frequency and severity of the headaches and to terminate  a series of headache attacks.  Doctors attempt behavioral alterations and psychotherapy in patients who are perfectionists, ambitious, fearful, or sensitive to the opinions of others.

 Headaches result in excessive contraction of the neck and scalp muscles, and are seen frequently because of occipital atlas-axial syndromes, intervertebral disc problems, inflamed spinal column ligaments, inflammation of the periosteum of vertebral bodies, spasm of the cervical muscles attached to bone, pinched cervical nerve roots, and vertebral arteries being compromised.  

 All of the above are effectively treated by acupuncture, which also can prevent these headaches.   Many of these headaches are  labeled  tension headaches with involuntary contraction of the scalp and cervical muscles. Scalp acupuncture can induce muscle relaxation  and be a  very effective treatment.

Recently Botox has been approved as a treatment for chronic migraine headaches. Generally 36 injections are placed in the scalp, forehead,  temples,  and neck.   This toxin  paralyzes the muscles  that are in spasm.  Repeat treatments are required every three months.  The cost for many is prohibitive.

 Headaches result in 3 million bedridden days each year, $17 billion of lost labor each year, five times more diagnostic tests, three times more drug costs, increase in emergency room visits, three times the increase in psychiatric disorders, and numerous visits to family doctors, internists, emergency room physicians, ophthalmologists, pediatricians, and neurologists.

 It’s about time, that acupuncture gets its day in the sun to relieve and prevent this malady.  It is safe, cost-effective, and above all therapeutically effective.

Visit www.americanacupuncture.com for more discussion of controversial medical subjects.




As a medical physician for over 51 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects, and help your read betwwen the lines. You must come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary. This results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies.  Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on mind, body, and spirit healing.

BOTOX APPROVED FOR CHRONIC MIGRAINES

BOTOX APPROVED FOR CHRONIC MIGRAINES

 Many doctors have been using Botox for unapproved uses as headache and pain. Now  the FDA has approved the drug to treat chronic migraines.

The current pain medications for chronic migraines are rarely effective and do not prevent future migraines. Over 12% of Americans suffer from throbbing pulsating pain of migraines.

The Botox drug company, Allergan,  paid $600 million to settle criminal and civil allegations last month.   Botox is a pure live form of the toxin of botulinum,, and is a nerve poison produced by the bacteria that causes botulism. 

Injections paralyze nerves signals the certain muscles and glands.  A typical migraine Botox treatment involves 31 interjections and seven areas including the forehead, temples, back of the head, neck and shoulders. These are given every three months. The cost has been prohibitive to many people.

Botox has already been approved for uncontrolled blinking, some neck muscle problems, underarm sweating, increased muscle stiffness in the hands and elbows, and of course for cosmetic purposes, to smooth the lines between the eyebrows.

 People still see Botox as a cosmetic product, but the drug company has promoted therapeutic indications that now far surpass Botox use in cosmetics.  Botox sales are over $1.3 billion, half of them from medical not cosmetic uses.  This approval for severe migraines, should get them more than $1 billion annually by the next four years.

 The FDA conceded that Botox is of no value in treating or preventing  migraines that occur less than 14 days a month. However we all know, that it will be used for everyone with migraines.  Botox has a black box warning that it can migrate to other parts of the body, and can cause death.

 A safer route might be to have medical acupuncture treatments which are cost-effective and much more effective than this toxic poison.

Visit   me, drneedles, @ americanacupuncture.com for more discussion of controversial medical issues that confront you daily.

As a medical physician for over 51 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects, and help your read betwwen the lines. You must come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary. This results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Visit drneedles is blogging" at the end of each blog for a complete alphabetical list of all my blogs Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on mind, body, and spirit healing.

ARE YOU REALLY HUNGRY

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ARE YOU REALLY HUNGRY

When you diet you don't realize you  are doomed to failure because you attack your belly rather than your behavior. Most of us care about our bodies as much as our homes. Any quick fix in the weight loss scheme is doomed for failure-- and will actually make you fatter.

To get things done, you must  desire it, and persevere in your actions.  Successful weight loss demands that you cut your caloric intake, eat low-fat high-fiber meals, and exercise regularly.

 Why do you still go on eating  when you are stuffed? This often happens after a special meal on Thanksgiving, but is a daily event.  We eat without being hungry. We are constantly snacking, especially from 8:30 PM to bedtime.  Most of the desire for food seems to come from the mouth. In the evenings, most of America opens her pantry doors, stare into the refrigerators, and without success, look into the freezer.

You eat because you are bored, and keep looking  for snacks that are very salty and crunchy full of artificial flavors and colors, that will give your tongue and teeth something to play with.  You feel deprived and know you really deserve this snack. Yet you  never choose healthy foods at snack time.  While eating, you find all your negative feelings start disappearing.  You soon start feeling uncomfortable, but never really satisfied.  You see yourself to eating at the kitchen counter and right in front of an open refrigerator door.

 Your response to these emotions is not instinctive, but a learned behavior and therefore can be unlearned.  Most impulses come and go rapidly and evaporate.   Eating is a semi-conscious state and is not motivated by real hunger, but by habit and shallow negative feelings.

 By using a delaying tactic, run from the kitchen, do something for 10 minutes, and see if this hunger impulse  was truly sincere.  Then  renegotiate the entire eating matter. Shut the kitchen cabinets and refrigerator doors, put everything back in the refrigerator and quickly leave the kitchen. Start putting all these things all the snacks in one place and hide them somewhere in the kitchen where you will not accidentally find them. Make all the non-stack items in the refrigerator easily visible.

 It’s gotten late, you are tired, and your mind is become drug. You look for food to help you stay awake. Certainly something sweet will raise your blood sugar, and give you an energy boost for while.    You find yourself eating because the food is right there. Your mouth starts chewing anything  insight,  anything small enough to be devoured.

Ask yourself, why are you staying up so late in the first place? Do you really want to see the replay of the football games, watch an old movie, or Fox political news. Cutting out these late hours, will create a couple more hours of sleep where you will be refreshed in the morning and not have to confront food.

 Make a bargain with yourself find a magazine you have not read and take it to the bathroom or bedroom and read a juicy article. Find a new hobby and really get involved in it. Go outside and start walking for exercise.  Pick a certain time of day when you need them most, and schedules some kind of new activity during that time.

Strategies to win the battle

 To win the Battle of the Bulge, you must know your enemy.  Find a battleground where you eat.  You find yourself eating in front of the TV, in the kitchen standing, at the counter preparing dinner, perhaps in bed while reading,  or even  munching while driving,   You find yourself multitasking with food, using food as background music.

 Make dinner a ritual and make your meal organized. Only put on a table where you want to eat at that meal. But the rest in the refrigerator or freezer. If you really are still hungry, wait 10 minutes,  and get yourself some more food.. Your stomach is not a garbage can,  and how will that good food look on your belly and butt?

.Stop what you are doing and eat without doing anything else.  Start enjoying your food in the right way.  Eat your food from a plate or in a bowl, take it to your dining table, sit down and enjoy every mouthful.  Start paying attention to the food in front of you. Look at it, smell it, taste it, chew it, think about how it feels.

 Put some signs in the kitchen:

 Are you really hungry

 Take a 10 minute timeout.

  Wet your mouth and throat: drink two glasses of water. 

 No reading or TV here in the kitchen while eating

 Please eat only at the table.

 Where is your plate?

 Put all the rest of the food away please before you start eating.

 Think thin.  Lose some weight right now by leaving the kitchen.

 Use the garbage disposal.Throw some food away, and leave a dirty plate with some food on it.

  Wait a while  after you come home before you start eating.  Don’t eat so fast, give your appetite center a chance to signal you when you are full. Put all your focus on the meal, and avoid watching TV or reading while eating. How does the food look on your plate? Take a bite of some foods, put down your fork, Junior of food and real slow, and enjoy the flavor, the aroma and the texture of the food. Eating can be enjoyable so why hurry it up. Make love to the food on your plate by moving it around cutting it up, and tasting it before chewing.

Now get up and go for a well deserved walk.  It may be all you need to lose that belly,

Visit www.americanacupuncture.com for more tips on weight loss.

As a medical physician for over 51 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects, and help your read betwwen the lines. You must come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary. This results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Visit drneedles is blogging" at the end of each blog for a complete alphabetical list of all my blogs Visit www.americanacupuncture.comfor more detailed information on mind, body, and spirit healing.