One question we hear from patients quite often is, “If I’m getting acupuncture, is it ok to see the chiropractor?” or vice versa. Chiropractic care and acupuncture are actually rather complementary to one another! In fact, we have some exciting news: Beginning September 7th, 2022, we will have chiropractic care available at our Magnolia location with Dr. Nowelle Altman-Sigman!
Chiropractic care is a manual, hands-on treatment that focuses on correcting misalignments of the joints, especially those of the spinal column. This is a viable treatment for those experiencing neck, back, or joint pain and for those suffering from headaches and neuromusculoskeletal problems. Chiropractic treatments are an effective, non-invasive and holistic approach to many ailments, providing pain relief and in many cases, relief from further issues stemming from blockages in the body caused by misalignment. Often, patients of chiropractic care also note improvements in quality of sleep, digestion, energy levels, and even mood.
Acupuncture is an entirely different modality—using fine, sterile needles inserted at specific anatomical points on the body. While acupuncture treats a wide range of ailments by promoting the body’s natural healing abilities, releasing feel-good endorphins and restoring the body to homeostasis, it does have commonalities with chiropractic care. Both are holistic, drug-free options for care with a patient-centered approach that promotes natural healing and optimal health. Acupuncture and chiropractic care both share the objective of balancing the body’s structure and its support systems.
When both acupuncture and chiropractic treatments are combined, you can expect to see more improvement over less time. While a chiropractic adjustment corrects the body’s structure and eliminates blockages in the body caused by misalignment, acupuncture further relaxes the muscles, reduces pain and inflammation, and assists the flow of energy through the body where these blockages once existed; more importantly, it helps the body adapt to and maintain its corrected structure.
These two treatments working together offer an unmatched, supportive and holistic approach to pain relief. If you’d like to incorporate chiropractic care into your acupuncture routine we will begin offering treatments with Nowelle Altman-Sigman, DC on September 7th, 2022!
She will be available on Wednesdays at our Magnolia location and we couldn’t be more excited! Along with chiropractic adjustments, Dr. Nowelle Altman-Sigman will also offer craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation, and functional medicine. For further information or to be added to her waitlist, call our office at 270-506-3853, and stay tuned to our website for more updates!
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One of the things people don’t tend to think of when they think of acupuncture is eye issues. After all, most of the time, except for treating perhaps pinkeye, even your general practitioner is going to send you to a specialist for eye issues. Less well known is how acupuncture can be beneficial for your eye health.
So what is acupuncture good for? As with many other chronic diseases, acupuncture can slow the progression of glaucoma1, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa2 and cataracts3. We have several case studies of patients needing fewer injections to manage their glaucoma after starting acupuncture—and more importantly a brief acupuncture session after the injections completely eliminated the post injection pain shortening the recovery from 1-2 days of downtime due to pain to just a couple of hours.
Acupuncture also enhances muscle function—even the small muscles of the eyes—so even things like slower responses to changing light levels that happen with age can be reduced with acupuncture. It also increases circulation to the eyes, speeding recovery after procedures like retinal repairs and cataract removal. Acupuncture can even help reduce chronically dry eyes!
As with anything we treat, results are best when the body gets the nutrients it needs for optimal performance and the eyes have special needs. Vitamin A supports the light receptors in the eye and protects moisture levels4. Vitamin A is found in dairy, fish and meat, especially liver. Good non-animal food sources of vitamin A include carrots, sweet potatoes, carrots, melons, peppers, apricots, nectarines, tomatoes, mangoes and corn. It is also present in spinach, peas, parsley, pistachios, kale, broccoli, and Swiss chard, where green chlorophyll masks the carotenoid pigment. Antioxidants like lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene are also important for eye health and are found in many of the same foods.
While vitamin A is essential, too much is also dangerous. If you eat these foods regularly it is unlikely you need to supplement vitamin A. Still, there may be some benefits to supplementing lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene if you are having issues with eye health. Some of my most commonly recommended supplements for eye health can be found on Fullscript—but as always, we recommend speaking to your health care provider before starting any new supplements.
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Sources:
1 Chen SY, Yieh FS, Liao WL, Li TC, Hsieh CL. Effect of Acupuncture on Intraocular Pressure in Glaucoma Patients: A Single-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020 Apr 28;2020:7208081. doi: 10.1155/2020/7208081. PMID: 32419820; PMCID: PMC7204356.
2 Bittner AK, Gould JM, Rosenfarb A, Rozanski C, Dagnelie G. A pilot study of an acupuncture protocol to improve visual function in retinitis pigmentosa patients. Clin Exp Optom. 2014 May;97(3):240-7. doi: 10.1111/cxo.12117. Epub 2013 Oct 29. PMID: 24773463; PMCID: PMC4018735.
4 Sajovic J, Meglič A, Glavač D, Markelj Š, Hawlina M, Fakin A. The Role of Vitamin A in Retinal Diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Jan 18;23(3):1014. doi: 10.3390/ijms23031014. PMID: 35162940; PMCID: PMC8835581.
We take great pride in the products we use and offer for sale in our clinic. We make sure to select high-quality products that we test and use ourselves, and we love sharing our favorites with you! It’s safe to say that Evil Bone Water ranks in the top 5 products we love and use the most. We keep a bottle in each treatment room, and more than likely if you’ve been to our clinic for anything pain related, we’ve probably recommended that you take home a bottle or likely even applied it to the affected area during your treatment. Here’s what a few of our patients and practitioners have to say about why they love Evil Bone Water:
“Evil Bone Water is my go-to pain reliever. Great for muscle strains, joint pain, bruises, and even cuts—I always keep a bottle handy and recommend this to my clients who struggle with chronic or acute pain.”
- K.K
“I love using Evil Bone Water! It works great for muscle pain and strain. A few sprays on my neck, shoulders, and back every morning, and before bed provides so much relief. It’s great to use before and after exercise and on long trips. I always have it on hand.”
L.M.
“My daughter purchased a bottle of this for me, and I’m so glad she did. I’ve been dealing with back and shoulder pain and multiple surgeries over the past twenty-plus years. This is the best topical product for pain I’ve ever tried, and I’m pretty sure I’ve tried everything—even prescription strength. It really helps my range of motion, too.”
F.S.
“It eases pain quickly on sore muscles and joints!”
T.M.
“Honestly, this is better than anything else I’ve ever used. Things like Icy Hot and stuff you get at the drug store usually burn a lot more and don't work nearly as well. Instant relief for my knee pain! I’ll be keeping this in my gym bag."
T.O.
“ Evil Bone Water is a staple, a must-have for the household. I love using it for aches, muscle tiredness, and any bump or bruise me or my kids may get! Love it!".
N.P.
“When my chest feels congested, I apply a couple sprays of this and it works wonders! Dries quickly, smells great, and it helps me feel like I can breathe again. I even put a little in the diffuser sometimes.”
J.H
“I have a bottle in my medicine cabinet for pain, and in the hot and humid weather, I keep a bottle by my back door too. It’s excellent for arthritis pain so I use it on inflamed or painful joints before bed or if I’ll be in the car for a while to prevent stiffness, but with camphor and menthol as ingredients it also makes a fantastic bug repellent.”
M.S.
These are just a few examples of why we love Evil Bone Water so much! The 500-year-old formula is made in small batches with imperial-grade ingredients (and lots of love!) by Saint Apothecary. It increases circulation, reduces pain and inflammation, and as these folks pointed out is even great for easing chest congestion and keeping bugs away! There’s a reason we all keep this in our first aid kits! Remember, between now and August 20th, 2022, we are offering a free Hand Sanitizer (another excellent formula by Saint Apothecary) if you mix and match any three items from our first aid kit promo! Shop here!
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We all know how important it is to have essentials on hand in case a minor injury or illness arises. At Raja Wellness, we take what’s in our first aid kits seriously—from what we have on hand in the office, to our home stash, and most importantly our “road kit”! (Seriously—if you’ve heard any of our work road trip stories, you know a well-stocked first aid kit is a must for us!)
We’re sharing our must-haves for natural first aid kits so you can be prepared with an arsenal of natural healing remedies—whether at home or on an adventure! If you’d like to be as well-stocked as the Raja Crew, these items are available in our clinics and our online store:
It’s so important to be prepared for the little setbacks that can strike at any given moment (especially during the summer!) Having these items readily available helps us “keep on keepin’ on” when minor injuries or ailments occur. If you find yourself in need of any of these items, you can find them at our clinic locations or on our website HERE!
For a limited time 7/13 through 8/20/22 both in-store and online, mix and match any 3 or more natural first aid items, and get a FREE Saint Apothecary Hand Sanitizer (a $15 value) while supplies last! SHOP HERE!
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Sure, maybe a little spontaneity is in order to spice things up a bit—but building your spice cabinet can add a little spunk to your immunity, kick up your body’s anti-inflammatory response, and perk up your metabolism, along with adding a lovely punch of flavor to any dish! If you're looking to add a little zest to your life—start with your plate. Dried herbs and spices are chock-full of healthy compounds that bring excitement to your palate and can be utilized for better health, too. Basically, if you have a well-stocked spice cabinet, you have a well-stocked arsenal for better health.
Spices may consist of the bark, root, stem, seed, or flower of a plant, which are typically dried, and carry strong flavors and aromas. They can be added to a dish throughout the cooking process to further develop their flavors into whatever you are cooking. Many spices are high in vitamin and mineral content, are great sources of antioxidants and phytonutrients, boast antimicrobial properties, help to reduce inflammation, regulate blood sugar, and even improve digestion. Using spices is a great way to supercharge your diet, add more complex flavors, and reduce the need for extra salt and sugar. Here are just a few of our favorite spices to have on hand along with some of their health benefits:
Chili Peppers: Fresh, dried, or powdered, chilies are guaranteed to add a little kick to any meal. With anti-inflammatory properties and immune-boosting properties as well, chili peppers offer the component capsaicin, which has been shown to reduce and inhibit “Chemical P,” the compound responsible for transmitting pain messages to the brain. This has been found helpful for joint pain, migraines, and neuropathy. The vibrant red color of chile peppers means it is rich in beta-carotene (precursor to Vitamin A), which also helps lower the risk of age-related diseases such as stroke, macular degeneration, and coronary artery disease. Along with Vitamin C, your immune system gains a boost to fight off illness.
*A little secret - I keep a small container of red chili flakes in my purse so I can add some spicy pizazz to whatever I eat, even if I’m on the go.*
Turmeric: A true “super spice” with a rich, earthy, and bitter profile, the golden-hued turmeric is commonly added to many meals such as curries, stews, and even smoothies! Its most active compound, curcumin, is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Curcumin can also increase the antioxidant capacity of the body, stimulating the activity of other antioxidants while fighting off free radicals. This can be highly beneficial for both brain and heart health. Curcumin only makes up about 3% of turmeric by weight and isn’t highly bioavailable, but you can increase its bioavailability by around 2000% by consuming it along with black pepper.
Black Pepper: More than likely, you have some black pepper on hand. Piperine, the component in black pepper that makes curcumin more bioavailable, enhances the bioavailability of other important nutrients as well. It can also aid in digestion by boosting the activity of digestive enzymes.
Ginger: As most of us know, ginger is a go-to for an upset stomach and nausea. Spicy, peppery, yet sweet, ginger goes great with soups, marinades, dressings, desserts, and teas. Ginger has a calming effect on the lining of the digestive system. It also boasts anti-microbial properties which can help ward off infections. Loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds, ginger offers powerful benefits to the body and brain by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
Cardamom: Often found in pumpkin spice mixes, cardamom is a sweet, pungent spice that can fight inflammation, ease an upset stomach, and is high in magnesium and zinc.
Some other healthy spices you may consider using are cumin, mustard powder, cinnamon, cocoa, nutmeg, curry, and last but not least, garlic (just to name a few!). Think of what flavor combinations would elevate your dish—experimentation is key!
Spices don’t just contribute to the flavor of food, they contribute nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants as well. With properties that fight inflammation, free radical damage, and oxidative stress—you and your taste buds will be doing a proverbial happy dance!
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Integrative medicine solutions including acupuncture and East Asian Medicine have received much attention as successful therapies in their treatment providing pain relief, regulating the immune system, managing symptoms, and improving overall quality of life. In addition, acupuncture increases the chances of a successful and healthy pregnancy for women with autoimmune conditions.
Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the immune system attacks the body and destroys or alters tissues. There are more than 100 serious chronic illnesses in this category including rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, lupus, thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel disease, Addison's disease, pernicious anemia, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, and Guillain–Barré syndrome.
The exact mechanisms causing these changes are not entirely understood, but bacteria, viruses, toxins, and some drugs may play a role in triggering an autoimmune process in someone who already has a genetic (inherited) predisposition to develop such a disorder. It is theorized that the inflammation initiated by these agents, toxic or infectious, somehow provokes in the body a "sensitization" (autoimmune reaction) in the involved tissues.
As the disease develops, vague symptoms start to appear, such as joint and muscle pain, general muscle weakness, possible rashes or low-grade fever, trouble concentrating, or weight loss. The following symptoms may indicate something wrong: numbness and tingling in hands and feet, dry eyes, hair loss, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, or repeated miscarriages can also be caused by an autoimmune response.
According to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), more than 24 million people in the US have autoimmune diseases and another 8 million have autoimmune markers without a clear disease diagnosis. Of these, more than 80% are women. Each disease appears uncommon on an individual basis but, as a group, the disorders make up the fourth-largest cause of disability among women.
How Acupuncture Treats Autoimmune Disorders
According to East Asian Medicine theory, autoimmune disorders occur when there is an imbalance within the body systems related to immune functions. Imbalances can come from an excess or deficiency of yin and yang that disrupts the flow of Qi through the body. While these explanations sound strange, when the model is applied to the body, the treatments are very effective. Acupuncture is used to help the body restore balance; treating the root of the disorder, while specifically addressing the symptoms that are unique to each individual.
Clinical research has shown that acupuncture causes physical responses in nerve cells, organ function, and parts of the brain. These responses help the body rebalance. As a result things like blood pressure, body temperature, and the immune system return to a more normal and healthy state.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine provide safe and effective options for the management of autoimmune conditions and improving quality of life. Please contact our office with any questions.
After an action-packed weekend in the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, we are excited to be back in the clinic and share the details of our trip! We enjoyed a beautiful drive, mountain views, a six-mile hike along the Green River, learned new techniques, and partook in our favorite tradition—visiting the Asheville Herb Festival. It was quite a refreshing stay and an excellent change of scenery!
The 32nd annual Asheville Herb Festival was a blast as usual. Plant-lovers rejoice even at the first step into the door! We visited some of our favorite booths from years prior, such as: Mountains to Sea, Red Moon Herbs, Sister of Mother Earth, and Lunar Whale Herbs.
Our favorite things about herb fest are the creativity in how things are planted (they even offer workshops about this!), as well as the many rare plant varieties offered. They even have an eclectic collection of garden décor. We purchased some amazing finds such as: seasonings for cooking such as ramp salt and magic garlic dust, and a morning pick-me-up adaptogenic coffee blend (to keep the jitters at bay, and a calm mind through the day). We also collected some lovely ashwagandha, Jiao Gu Lian (aka poor man’s ginseng), arnica, patchouli, and St. John’s Wort plants—just to name a few. Look for these incredible and unique finds available for purchase at our locations.
While the rest of the crew spent time in Saluda, Hendersonville, and Asheville, JennyMarie Greenough, LAc traveled to Black Mountain to attend the NCSAAM Spring CEU event to expand her knowledge and learn new techniques. She took in lots of valuable information about acupuncture neurology and the latest research on how scalp acupuncture points correlate to the actual regions of the brain beneath them. For about 20 years, it appeared that some of these acupuncture points were "close" but not actually over the exact region; but a more refined understanding of the brain has actually validated the location of those points. Furthermore, fMRI with acupuncture has shown both scalp and distal points do have the ability to activate these regions of the brain. She learned a wealth of clinical refinements that will improve our ability to help people with TBI and post-concussive issues with more focused treatments.
The biggest "aha" of the weekend was learning the correlation between dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, long-haul COVID, chronic Lyme, and other puzzling, complex conditions. So far, a survey of some of our more difficult cases in the office has shown all of these have some history of severe concussion or whiplash and JennyMarie is excited to bring this new lens to our treatment approaches. JennyMarie continues her study of these subjects with some additional research into specific nutrition and herbal protocols to address these issues.
We’ve always joked about needing a clone (or two) of Jenny-Marie, and our desperation kicked in realizing she would miss out on the herb festival and gem mining fun while she was busy learning in Black Mountain. Her husband, Charlie had the fantastic (and hilarious) idea of bringing the next best thing to a clone—a cardboard cutout! So Jenny-Marie still managed to “hang out” with some of the Herb Fest vendors, visit our favorite gem mine, and even pose for a few pictures! Cardboard Jenny-Marie may just have to tag along to the gem shows with Mary in a couple of weeks! Check out our Facebook page to see more fun pics!
It was a lovely trip full of learning and adventure, but we sure are glad to be back in Kentucky continuing doing what we love—providing natural, compassionate, and effective healing solutions to our community.
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Spring is now in full swing (thank goodness!) and that means the Raja Wellness crew has some exciting adventures in our near future. We may not be able to take you with us, but we hope you will tag along in spirit! We’ll be deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina taking in the scenery, visiting with vendors, and attending some epic events centered around medicinal herbs, gardening, and crystals.
First up and fast approaching is the revered Asheville Herb Festival. This is the largest herb festival in the US and Canada—a yearly tradition we enjoy wholeheartedly. With a focus on Western North Carolinian growers, farmers, and herbalists, there are over 60 vendors to visit. Interestingly, this area of Appalachia has a climate that is nearly identical to that of southeast China, meaning that it is the perfect environment for many herbs and plants to thrive that are commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In fact, the Asheville Herb Festival is where we’ve met and grown relationships with some of our favorite vendors.
We’ll be navigating our way through a variety of culinary and medicinal herbs, tinctures, salves, handmade soaps, carnivorous plants, perennial flowers, trees, and bushes, and hopefully grabbing another glorious sample of ginseng wine before our day is complete. The herb festival is also jam-packed with gardening and herbal medicine workshops. Our staff is excited to bring back and stock our store with many curated favorites for clinic use, as well as for our own gardens and greenhouses. For more information about the Asheville Herb Festival, visit ashevilleherbfestival.org
In mid-May, Mary (our NC native), will be traveling to visit three gem shows. Combined, there will be nearly 200 vendors to peruse with crystals from all over the world, rare gems, cathedrals, fossils, unique jewelry, statement pieces, lapidary equipment, and more. Many of these vendors can also be found at the renowned Tucson Gem Show. During this trip, Mary will be mining for gems as well! Aside from a biodiverse region for growing a variety of plants and herbs, this region is also incredibly abundant and diverse in minerals and gemstones.
If you’re local to our area in Kentucky, we’d like to invite you to send any special requests to mary@rajawellness.com, we’ll be happy to reach out with specifics and discuss your crystal needs, purchase, and pick-up options. Examples of previously requested items include amethyst cathedrals, ocean jasper, peridot, celestite, dumortierite, chalcopyrite, Ethiopian opal, and smoky quartz. With so much to choose from, Mary will be on the search for rare finds to add to the diversity of both our collection at Raja Goods (and her personal stash!)
With these events just around the corner, you can imagine our anticipation and excitement! We hope our patients and customers will enjoy the stories and items we have to share upon our return and hope that you will follow along during our travels! We plan to share pictures of the fun on our social media accounts so keep an eye out for updates!
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Perhaps you have tried out the local yoga studio down the street. Chances are it was a “faster flow” class—it created inner heat and maybe you broke a sweat. If you have never taken a yoga class before, you might have noticed the many types out there to choose from. Ranging in all types from fundamentals all the way to an “Ashtanga” style.
No need to be intimidated—because there is a class for everyone's body and needs. Have you thought about a slower “restorative-style” yoga class? This is slower-paced class with mindful meditation, gentle music, and the time to be introspective. It gives you space to feel your body—as it is, and all it can be. Yin yoga can offer this type of movement for you. The gentle pace and meditation can be a great start or end to your day.
You can do a warm-up to start your Yin practice, but many times you will find what you experience is known as working on “cold muscles”. To make it simple, cold muscles are short and warm muscles are long. Holding these poses allows you to lengthen ligaments along with gaining a greater range of motion in the joint. Going deep into a stretch—making it sensational might be a normal feeling in your everyday yoga flow, but in Yin—slow and steady wins the race!
Allowing the time in a pose and listening to your body when it says it's ready to go deeper is great for reaching the fascia and connective tissues, not to mention the pressure points for stimulating certain areas of your body. Yin yoga poses also tend to correlate with the acupressure points and the chakra system. Stimulating these points can not only help relieve stress and calm the mind but help your body's natural flow of energy by releasing blockages. Working with your body's meridians and chakras can hold many benefits, which in turn can help with your body's natural healing.
Taking the time to hold these poses and create stillness in your life will not only help your nervous system calm down and reset but give you time to look inside and take an introspective moment for yourself—Helping you sort out thoughts and feelings and process events. Yoga in itself can be emotionally revealing, lifting, and healing with the awareness and time you create for yourself.
Along with this self-care, please remember that with any activity it is very important to stay hydrated. Especially after a good Yin yoga class, due to the nature of movement and how comparative it is to a deep tissue massage, and the toxins that are released and become ready to leave your body.
Create your healing space! Take time for yourself and remember to love yourself.
Visit our classes page, where you can browse many different yoga class styles and levels. Our yoga classes are designed for all—from beginner to advanced!
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