Happy Chinese New Year - Celebrate the Year of the Ox

Year of the Ox - Prosperity and Peace
January 26th, 2009 marks the Chinese Year of the Earth Ox. According to the 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs, the Ox is a hard working animal who achieves great things through perseverance, patience and hard work. This means the lunar year of 4707 (2009 by our standard calendar) is destined to bring us peace and hard won prosperity - the kind you know that you've earned through hard work and stubborn determination. This is the year of the classic American Dream, the year that its possible to reach any goal you're willing to work hard enough to achieve. So stop procrastinating, put your nose to the grindstone and put aside your fears because the Ox is here to help you stay the course to achieve what you desire. And so am I!!

Special offer thru February - my gift for the Year of the Ox, and great for Valentine's Day!
To celebrate the Year of the Ox and help you achieve those dreams for 2009 I am running a special offer from now until February 28th.

• 3 one-hour Acupuncture Treatments for $165 (a $195 value)
• 3 one-hour Foot Reflexology Treatments for $195 (a $225 value)

You can stop by the office to purchase one of these 3 treatment packages anytime, call to purchase over the phone or purchase on-line via my website. These treatments can be scheduled anytime and are a great way to make a commitment to your health in the new year or pamper someone you love with a special gift.

Find me on Facebook
Yes! I've joined the business revolution and created a page for my business on Facebook. If you have a facebook page, please fan me and if you have a moment, I would GREATLY appreciate a facebook review!

So here's wishing you the best in the Year of the Ox - a year filled with peace, prosperity and success. I hope to see you soon! - Rebecca Hurwood, LAc

January Newsletter - New Year's Rejuvenation

Qi Mail™ The Acupuncture Newsletter January 2009

Rebecca Hurwood LAc, MAcOM - Be Well, Stay Well All Ways Well, LLC 1525 SW Park Ave, Suite 103 Portland, OR 97201 503-445-8888 ext. 1

New Year's Rejuvenation It is the beginning of a new year and, once again, a time to reflect on what changes we can make to improve our lives. If you are intent on improving your health this year, acupuncture may be the very thing you need to "stick" to those resolutions. Here's how: Resolution: Stay Sharp Your New Year's resolution may be to learn a new language or take a class at the local college. How ever you choose to exercise your brain, acupuncture can help. Numerous studies suggest that acupuncture can help improve memory, mental clarity, concentration and cognitive function. One recently published study showed how acupuncture can be used to help patients with vascular dementia. Cerebral functional imaging before and after acupuncture treatments showed a significant increase in the cerebral glucose metabolism of the brain which is associated with improved cognitive function. Other studies have looked at how acupuncture affects the performance of student taking an exam, Alzheimer's disease and memory impairment induced by diabetes and cerebral ischemia. All results, thus far, have been positive. Resolution: Relieve Pain Naturally Increasingly, people are looking for more natural approaches to help relieve painful conditions instead of relying on medications. Acupuncture has no side effects and can be helpful for all types of pain, regardless of what is causing the pain or where the pain is located. Some studies have shown the pain relief it provides can last for months. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain before and after acupuncture treatment for pain shows dramatic decreases in brain activity -- up to 70%. This decrease in brain activity in certain areas of the brain is thought to be the reason for the reduction of pain caused by the acupuncture treatments. In addition to reducing pain, acupuncture also hastens the healing process by increasing circulation and attracting white blood cells to an injured area. Resolution: Eliminate Stress Stress reduction is always on the top ten list for New Year's resolutions and for a good reason. Stress is often the cause of illness and the deterioration of health. Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of stress, anxiety and lowering blood pressure In addition to acupuncture, Oriental medicine offers a whole gamut of tools and techniques that can be integrated into your life to keep stress in check. These tools include Tui Na, Qi Gong exercises, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, meditations and acupressure that you can administer at home. Needless to say, if the stress in your life is throwing you off balance, consider coming in for a treatment to regain peace of mind and stay healthy. Resolution: Reach Target Weight and Stay There Losing weight is the #1 most common New Year's Resolution. Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine can help you reach your goal weight and maintain it by promoting better digestion, smoothing emotions, reducing appetite, improving metabolism, and eliminating food cravings. From an Oriental medicine perspective, the acupuncture points, foods and herbs that are chosen to assist with weight loss directly influence the Qi of the Spleen and Liver systems to treat the root imbalances that are causing the weight gain. From a Western perspective, acupuncture and Oriental medicine have been shown to have an effect on the function of the nervous system, endocrine system, digestive system, food cravings, and metabolism. All of which can help to energize the body, maximize the absorption of nutrients, regulate elimination, control overeating, suppress the appetite, and reduce anxiety. The beauty of acupuncture is that each treatment is catered to the needs of the individual patient. Acupuncture points on the body will be chosen for overall well being with the objective of increasing circulation of the blood and Qi (stimulating the metabolism) and calming the nervous system. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine are powerful tools for healthy weight loss, by themselves or as a supportive treatment in conjunction with other weight management programs. Resolution: Quit Smoking Acupuncture has turned a growing number of cigarette cravers into permanent ex-smokers. In fact, researchers say that acupuncture is a promising treatment for all types of addiction from cigarettes to heroin. In one study, a team from Yale University successfully used auricular (ear) acupuncture to treat cocaine addiction. Results showed that 54.8% of participants tested free of cocaine during the last week of treatment, compared to 23.5% and 9.1% in the two control groups. Those who completed acupuncture treatment also had longer periods of sustained abstinence compared to participants in the control groups. The acupuncture treatments for smoking cessation focus on jitters, cravings, irritability, and restlessness; symptoms that people commonly complain about when they quit. It also aids in relaxation and detoxification. Call now to see how Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you with your New Year's Resolutions!   The Will Power Connection Is there a body/mind connection to will power? According to the principles of Oriental medicine, there is. Will power or "Zhi" is said to reside in the Kidneys and the state of the Kidney Qi directly correlates to the fortitude of our will power. "The Kidneys determine our will power," writes Giovanni Maciocia, the author of The Foundations of Chinese Medicine. "If the Kidneys are strong, the will power will be strong, the mind will be focused on goals that it sets itself and it will pursue them in a single-minded way. Conversely, if the Kidneys are weak, will power will be lacking and the mind will be easily discouraged and swayed from its aims."   Give the Gift of Wellness If you're looking for the perfect gift this holiday season, please consider a gift certificate from All Ways Well. Instant gift certificates can now be purchased online for any service or any dollar amount. Visit www.allwayswell.com for more information or call (503)445-8888 ext. 1.   In This Issue New Year's Rejuvenation The Will Power Connection The Anti-Flu Diet Jade Windscreen Tea The Anti-Flu Diet Looking for ways to reduce your chance of getting flu this season? A study, published by The American Physiological Society found that mice were significantly less likely to contract flu when given quercetin, a powerful anti-oxidant found in a variety of fruits and vegetables. According to the study's authors, the research also indicated that high consumption of quercetin resulted in catching fewer colds. So, what are the best quercetin rich foods that you can load up on? Quercetin is found in red onions, grapes, blueberries, tea, broccoli and red wine. Red onions are one of the best quercetin rich foods as they have approximately four times the quercetin of most other produce. Eat them raw or cooked. Source: American Journal of Physiology Jade Windscreen Tea Jade windscreen tea is a tonic made up of three herbs that are used to enhance the immune system. This herbal combination is thought to improve resistance to colds and flu, strengthen the lungs, and help to balance the body during periods of stress. Ingredients To make Jade Windscreen Tea, you will need equal parts (2–3 oz. each) of the herbs listed below. 1.) Huang Qi (Astragalus root) 2.) Bai Zhu (Atractylodes) 3.) Fang Feng (Ledebouriella Root) Directions Boil and Simmer. Place one part herbs and four parts water in a large stockpot. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Turn the heat down to a low simmer and cover. Do not lift the lid to look at the herbs too often, as this will diminish the "flavor" and allow the volatile oils to evaporate out of the tea very easily. Cook the herbs for 30 to 45 minutes. Strain the Tea and Drink. Using a slotted spoon, remove the herbs from the pot and allow the soup to cool. Pour the tea into a mug or thermos and sip it throughout the day. Two cups a day, taken with a slice of fresh ginger, is recommended through the cold and flu season. The tea has a slightly bitter taste. Water down the tea or add a natural sweetener such as honey if you find the taste disagreeable. As with all herbal medicine, please consult with your practitioner to determine if this is the best formula for you.

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Happy New Year from All Ways Well

Happy New Year!

2009 is here! Now accepting Kaiser, Health Net and Providence Insurance!
Well, it seems we've survived the snow storm and now that 2009 is here it is time to start anew. In the spirit of the new year I am proud to share that I am now a preferred Acupuncture provider with Kaiser Permanente and with the American Specialty Health (ASH) Network which provides complementary and alternative medicine coverage to Providence Health Plan patients and Health-Net of Oregon patients. If you have insurance coverage through either of these providers, please bring your insurance card with you to your next treatment so I can verify your benefits and bill accordingly for future treatments. If you know someone on either of these plans who is looking for an LAc, please consider referring them my way!

Insurance reminder - deductibles must be met for '09
I have high hopes that 2009 is going to be a fabulous year full of positive change, exciting growth and happiness yet it does mean that our insurance deductibles have reset with the calendar year. Therefore, if acupuncture treatment is subject to a deductible under your insurance plan you will be responsible for paying out of pocket until that deductible is met before insurance will pay for your treatments. If you are unsure what your deductible is, or if acupuncture is subject to a deductible under your plan, please don't hesitate to call or email me and I will be happy to help you find answers. The sooner you meet your deductible the sooner your insurance will cover ongoing treatment, so don't hesitate to book an appointment!

New Year Resolutions - need help?
While acupuncture is the biggest part of my practice, I am a holistic Chinese Medicine practitioner at heart; this means I strive to combine acupuncture with Chinese dietary therapies, nutritional recommendations, Chinese herbs, Chinese bodywork therapies (such as foot reflexology) and meditation techniques when appropriate. This makes Chinese medicine an excellent adjunct to helping you meet your New Year Resolutions! Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can help you with techniques for reducing stress, with treatments to optimize metabolism and reduce cravings for weight loss, with reducing the withdrawl symptoms of quitting smoking and so much more. If you're looking for a way to keep on track with those resolutions and ensure that 2009 is the best and most accomplished year yet, consider a course of holistic and personalized acupuncture treatments to help you succeed. Free consultations are always available and you can book consultations and appointments online anytime.

Back in the Office January 3rd - See You Soon!
I will be back in the office Saturday, January 3rd from my holiday break to resume my normal Tues-Sat schedule. I hope you all had wonderful holidays and fantastic New Year celebrations. Please remember that if you have any questions or concerns about health related issues, I'm only a phone call or email away and I'll always be happy to help you in any way I can. Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you soon! - Rebecca Hurwood, LAc

Here is a list of insurance plans currently accepted:
In-Network Provider with...

• Regence BlueCross BlueShield
• Premera Blue Cross
• Lifewise
• ODS Health
• Kaiser Permanente
• ASH Network
• Providence Health Plan
• Health-Net
• PacificSource
• City of Portland (ODS)
• Reliant

Out-of-Network Provider with...

• Cigna
• Great West
• All other providers with out of network coverage

Note that Medicare DOES NOT COVER ACUPUNCTURE under any circumstances. If Medicare is your primary insurance carrier, you must have a separate secondary insurance plan that covers acupuncture specifically.