Educational information about other forms of complementary medicine.

1. Patient Education Portfolio

2. Acupuncture

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/

Acupuncture involves the insertion of
extremely thin needles through your skin, to
various depths at strategic points on your
body.
1

1
Chinese medicine practitioners have used
this modality for thousands of years in order
to balance the two opposing forces in the
human body referred to as Yin and Yang.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acupuncture/SA00086

3. 陽
Acupuncture
陰

When the balance of these forces is disrupted
disease occurs and the body’s vital force or
“qi” is blocked

The acupuncturist removes this blockage of qi
within the various pathways or “meridians”
by the placement of the needles on one or
more of the various 2,ooo points that connect
these meridians together
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/

4. Acupuncture

Office visits can be once or twice a week for
up to 6-12 weeks

A typical visit will consist of an exam and
an assessment of your current condition,
the insertion of needles, and a discussion
about self-care tips all of which lasts
generally 30 minutes.

Inform the acupuncturist about all
treatments or medications you are taking
and all medical conditions you have.

5. Acupuncture

Acupuncture may not be safe if you have a bleeding
disorder or if you're taking blood thinners.

The most common side effects of acupuncture are
soreness, bleeding or bruising at the needle sites.

Improper sterilization is yet another complication to
this modality. When contacting a practitioner ensure
that he/she uses a new set of disposable needles for
each patient.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acupuncture/SA00086
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/

6. 
Acupuncture
As with most medical therapies, acupuncture has both
benefits and risks. Consider the benefits:

Acupuncture is safe when performed properly.

It has few side effects.

It can be useful as a complement to other treatment methods.

It's becoming more available in conventional medical settings.

It helps control certain types of pain.

It may be an alternative if you don't respond to or don't want
to take pain medications.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acupuncture/SA00086

7. Massage Therapy

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/massage/

Therapists utilize various techniques in
which they manipulate the muscle and soft
tissues of the body in different directions
and pressures.

As of 2004 there were over 30 states that
had laws in effect requiring that therapists
receive proper training at approved schools
and upon graduation from the program
pass a national board exam in order to
practice.

8. Massage Therapy

Treatment times are usually 30 minutes to 1
hour in an environment that is relaxed, mildly
illuminated, and pleasantly aromatic

The symptoms of your chief complaint,
medical history, and your desired treatment
outcomes will be discussed

Upon completion of a palpatory exam if the
therapist finds no contraindication to
treatment your therapy will commence

9. 
Massage Therapy
There are very few risks to this type of therapy,
however, most health care providers recommend
avoiding massage therapy if you have one or more of
the following:






Deep vein thrombosis
A bleeding disorder or taking blood-thinning drugs such as
warfarin
Damaged blood vessels
Weakened bones from a recent fracture
A fever
Any of the following in an area that would be massaged:
 An open or healing wound
 A tumor
 Damaged nerves
 An infection or acute inflammation
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/massage/#2

10. Mind-Body Medicine

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/backgrounds/mindbody.htm

Behavior, emotion, environment,
psychological, and spiritual factors can
directly affect health in very powerful ways.

Mind-Body medicine looks at the ways in
which the brain, body, and mind interacts
with these factors in promoting illness and
focuses on intervention strategies that
promote health

11. Mind-Body Medicine

When combined with standard cardiac rehab,
mind-body interventions can be effective in
treating coronary artery disease reducing allcause mortality and cardiac event recurrences
for up to 2 years.

As an adjunctive therapy, it has been
clinically indicated to reduce pain for up to 4
years and reduce the number of physician
visits for arthritis patients
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/backgrounds/mindbody.htm

12. Mind-Body Medicine

There are several studies involving cancer
patients where mind-body interventions have
improved their overall quality of life as well
as improve the symptoms related to the
disease and its treatment.

For more than 2,000 years the mind has
been used as an essential part of treating
illness in both Chinese and Ayurvedic
medicine
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/backgrounds/mindbody.htm

13. Mind-Body Medicine

Two of the mind-body interventions which
are strongly encouraged in my practice are:
 Tai C hi
&
 Yoga

14. Tai Chi

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/taichi/

Pronounced “tie chee” it is an ancient
meditative form of exercise that began in
China as a martial art and is recognized by
its slow movements that provide the
opportunity to relax and strengthen the
body.

Developed over the centuries, it is practiced
today by countless numbers of people
around the world to improve & maintain
their health

15. Tai Chi

The great thing about this mind-body
intervention is that anyone can practice it,
any time, anywhere, and in almost any state
of health.

There is no age limit

Although if you have any doubts about your
health, consult your doctor before beginning
Graham, Bryant, et al. Simply Tai Chi. China: Hinkler Books, 2005.

16. Tai Chi

The many reasons for practicing Tai Chi
include:
Improvement of health
Stress reduction
Increase your energy
Improve concentration
Better sleep quality
Strengthen bones, muscles, and joints
Increased flexibility
Improve heart and lung function
Meditation to quiet and focus the mind
Graham, Bryant, et al. Simply Tai Chi. China: Hinkler Books, 2005.

17. Yoga

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/yoga/yoga.htm

This mind-body intervention was developed
over 5,000 years ago and is used to unite the
body, mind, and spirit.

Yoga is a process in which the student learns
to still the mind and unify consciousness,
something that can be especially hard to do
when the body is motionless.

18. Yoga

Hatha is a Sanskrit word meaning “willful”
and yoga is translated as “union” or
“communion” and practice of this
“exercise” is more or less meditation in
action.

Yoga has many unique forms, techniques
and teaching methods, however, the goals
are the same:
 Teach understanding and awareness of the body
 Free the student from negative thoughts that drain
energy
 Strengthen mental and spiritual balance
Balch, Phyllis. Prescription for Nutritional Healing. New York: Avery, 2006.

19. Yoga

With proper application yoga is safe for
healthy people and has few side effects.

Some contraindications to yoga practice are:





Spine issues (degenerative disc, spondylitis, etc.)
Extreme fluctuations of blood pressure (high or low)
Glaucoma or retinal detachment
Circulatory issues (atherosclerosis, blood clots, etc.)
Severe bone density issues like osteoporosis

20. Reflexology

A unique system of foot massage based on
holistic principles derived from the same
concepts that surround acupuncture

There are points on the foot which relate to
different parts of the body and by massaging
them, energy imbalance causing stress and ill
health are addressed
Dougans, Inge. The Complete Illustrated Guide to Reflexology. Great Britain: Element, 1996.

21. Reflexology
“There are 7,200 nerve endings in each foot. Perhaps
this fact, more than any other, explains why we feel
so much better when our feet are worked using
Reflexology. Nerve endings in the feet have extensive
interconnections through the spinal cord and brain
with all areas of the body. Surely the feet are a gold
mine of opportunity to release tension and enhance
health”
Ray C. Wunderlich, M.D.
Preventative Medicine & Health Promotion
St. Petersburg, Fla
Wunderlich, Ray. Foreword. Better Health with Foot Reflexology. By Dwight Byers.
St. Petersburg: Ingham, 2001.

22. Reflexology

Useful links:
http://www.reflexology-usa.net/facts.htm
http://www.reflexologyworld.com/locating_a_reflexologist.htm
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/backgrounds/manipulative.htm

23. IntegratIon

Having experienced each of these modalities personally,
I can truly say that I believe in their effectiveness and
have no apprehension in referring my patients to any
one of these practitioners.

I refuse to incorporate any therapy that has no credible
affiliation in health care and I truly believe that each
of the modalities presented here will have an incredible
affect on the lives of my patients.

Most of these practices have been around for decades to
thousands of years and if they had no beneficial effects
then they would be part of folk lore and not the
contemporary modalities that they are to this day.

24. IntegratIon

Patient care is done on a case by case basis
and not something that can be derived from
a cookbook. When referring my patients to
any practitioner it will be done with the
patient’s best interests in mind and the
interventions used will be determined
during the course of care. To say that I
know for sure how and why I will refer is
asking me to know the future and if I could
do that, well, I would be more than just a
doctor.

25. Life in Motion Chiropractic &
Wellness
6139 Route 96 –
3111 Winton Rd.
Suite 1
South
Farmington, New
Rochester, NY
York
14623
14425
(585)
www.LifeInMotio 953-0200
(585) 953-0200
nChiro.com
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