Spring 2007
 

Facial Rejuvenation through Acupuncture

 
One of the most common sounds emitted by our acupuncture patients is a contented, relaxed sigh.  Patients report feeling peaceful, serene and, of course, less pained.  In short, they feel better.  Were you aware, though, that acupuncture can help you LOOK better, too?

Acupuncture has gained notoriety over the past decade as a beauty aid.  It is reported that luminaries such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore, Madonna and Cher receive regular “cosmetic” facial acupuncture sessions to keep their faces firm and young without resorting to the severity and distortion of cosmetic surgery or the potential dangers of toxic
injections such as  botox.  They are following a tradition established centuries ago in China.

Acupuncturists operate on the theory that beauty corresponds directly with health.  They try to balance the body’s meridians and to facilitate the even flow of Qi (“chee”).  When the body is healed and balanced, the face naturally improves.  By using certain additional facial rejuvenation techniques beyond the needles used to restore and promote health, an acupuncturist can actually reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, lessen jowls and bags, make lips plump and restore a youthful, luminous glow to the skin.

There are several theories behind how this facial rejuvenation works.  The insertion of the needles brings blood to the face, improving circulation and making the skin rosier.  Qi, the body’s essential energy, also circulates freely around the face.  Needles around the lips draw the blood into them, making them appear more sensuous.

Needles placed at wrinkles and fine lines help stimulate the body to produce collagen fibers in these places, making them appear less visible.  Collagen is the main protein responsible for the skin’s elasticity, and its degradation leads to the wrinkles that accompany aging.  By stimulating the body’s natural collagen growth, acupuncture can slow down the wrinkle process.

Facial rejuvenation with acupuncture can brighten your eyes, help clear your skin and make it rosier and tighter, firm up your cheeks and jaw-line and diminish bags under the eyes.  It can make you look more youthful and healthy naturally, without the danger, cost and possible facial distortion of surgery and injections.

In addition to the acupuncture itself, certain herbs can benefit the facial rejuvenation process.  Herbs will vary depending on a patient’s particular issues.  One generally helpful herbal formulation is Ren Shen Yang Rong Wan, available at Dr. Wang’s office. 

Dr. Wang is happy to announce that he is now providing facial rejuvenation acupuncture to his clients at no extra charge!  So when you walk out of our office and your body feels better, you can look better as well.  We always knew we had the best looking patients, but now you’ll be downright dazzling!
 

CHICKEN SOUP (HOLD THE CHICKEN)

Here we down chicken soup as a “cure for the common cold.”  You might want to try this non-chicken alternative next time you are under the weather.  It was recommended in Acufinder Magazine for Spring 2007.  It is “an ancient Chinese herbal remedy for colds” and should be taken at the onset of symptoms.

Miso Soup with Scallions

Ingredients (serves 4): 6 cups cold water, 3-4 tbsp. Aka Miso or red soybean paste (usually sold in the refrigerated section), 3-5 chopped green onion stalks (also known as scallions).  You can use more scallions if you like.

Directions: Dissolve the miso in about 2 tsp. boiling water.  Bring rest of water to boil in a saucepan and add the miso and most of the scallions.  Simmer 5-10 minutes.  Remove from heat, top with the rest of the scallions, and serve.  For variety you can add paper-thin slices of fresh ginger (Dr. Wang highly recommends this), tofu, fresh mushrooms, cooked shrimp, snow pea sprouts or cooked rice noodles.  Enjoy!
 

WE ARE NO LONGER WITH AMERICAN SPECIALTY HEALTH

We would like to inform our patients that we no longer contract with American Specialty Health (ASH).  Unfortunately, we were not able to cover our overhead costs at the rates ASH paid, and therefore we had to end our association with them.  We are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused.  We would like to continue fulfilling the acupuncture needs of our ASH patients.  If you are an ASH patient, please call our office to discuss your future care.
 

MEMORIES OF NEWSLETTERS PAST

Often patients ask for copies of newsletters from yesteryear.  We have received enough requests to encourage us to bundle our newsletters together in a reprint.  Right now we are collecting all our past issues with plans to issue a booklet sometime soon.  We anticipate the price of the booklet to be no more than $10, just enough to cover our printing costs.  More details on the release will come in a future newsletter.
 

WALKING FOR CHARITY, PART 2

This is Laura Bretton, Dr. Wang’s office manager.  I want to thank everyone who has helped me raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Because of the generosity and kindness of our patients I am well on the way to meeting my $3,100 goal.  I have one more month of fundraising and must have the full amount by April 20^th, 2007 for the marathon taking place April 28^th in Nashville, Tennessee.

The number of people I’ve met who are affected by these diseases amazes me.  Blood cancers are truly sex-, age- and color-blind: they impact an incredibly broad spectrum of people.  Perhaps you or someone you know has been diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, Hodgkin’s disease or another blood cancer. 

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society donations are 100% tax deductible and go toward the search for cures to these often-deadly diseases.  The society also cares for families dealing with the cost and strain of battling blood cancers by providing financial assistance, education about the illness and, most importantly, HOPE. 

Please consider a donation – every dollar helps.  Checks should be written to the Leukemia & Lymphoma society and mailed to me at Dr. Wang’s office, 4295 Gesner St Ste 1A, San Diego CA 92117.  If you want to donate by credit card, please email me at lbretton@gmail.com and I will send you a link and instructions on how to donate online.  Please feel free to call the office with any questions Monday through Friday, (858) 684-1848.  I thank you again for your generosity. 
 

OUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED

Dr. Wang will be out of the office during the week of Monday April 23^rd.  We will reopen Monday April 30^th.  If you need acupuncture during this time, please contact Dr. Helen Hu at (619) 226-6506.  We are sorry for any inconvenience!