Tidbits

Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) is a non-invasive bio-energetic healing method that can uncover underlying stressors, including unresolved emotions, that are linked with and contributing to your sense of dis-ease.  Some of our pain is emotional, some is physical, and some is intertwined.  NET compliments acupuncture therapy and helps to speed healing, especially for very chronic problems. 

Stress and Emotional Blockages

Emotions are healthy and normal responses to stimuli, and normally pose no long-lasting physiological or psychological problems. While the conventional wisdom holds that emotions are separate from the physical body and its functions, modern research has now offered compelling evidence that emotions are physiological in nature and actually manifest throughout the body in the form of biochemicals called neuropeptides.

It is human nature to have emotional responses to significant events in our lives, and our bodies most often will deal normally with those responses at some point. However, sometimes the emotions become “stuck” and we develop conditioned response patterns that manifest as physical symptoms of some level of disease.

The skillful application of NET can normalize unresolved physical or behavioral patterns. The correction uses Muscle Response Testing along with specific NET inquiries to identify these blocks and to release them. While the events and their details are brought to consciousness, this is all very natural and safe. NET is not a “talk it out” therapy. Certainly, some patients can benefit from such therapies (and some should), and those therapies can be utilized along with NET, where applicable.

Mind-Body Healing

NET removes energy blockages, using the principles of Traditional East Asian Medicine and the associated organs and meridians. It is a true mind-body approach.

NET is effective in addressing emotional conflicts in the areas of relationships, family life, finances, career, and other personal issues that negatively influence health.

The Four Bases of Healing in NET

NET helps us find what the mind-body needs in order to assist deeper healing of the issue we’re exploring.

First Base finds and corrects a stressor, called a Neuro Emotional Complex,  

Second Base indicates a homeopathic remedy to assist in healing,

Third Base implicates nutritonal support

Fourth Base indicates a needed structural fix.  

NET is complimentary to acupuncture, and is based on the principles of Chinese Medicine in addition to incorporating chiropractic theory, nutrition, and homeopathy.  Acupuncture treatment assists in deepening the corrections done via NET, and can be used to correct a 4th base issue and sometimes is used in lieu of or in addition to the 2nd base finding. 

My patients love how they feel stronger and lighter after a session.  Pain improves, and overall wellbeing moves forward.  If you are curious if NET is right for you, call 630-335-1069 to schedule a complimentary consultation.  

Who Can Benefit from breathing exercises?

Acupuncture Naperville

As a holistic practitioner specializing in women’s health, and the daughter of a breast cancer survivor, I feel deeply connected to the work I do to support women going through cancer treatments and women dealing with the after effects of treatment.

While cancer treatments are life saving they’re also harsh to the body and spirit.  Acupuncture is a safe way to support a woman receiving chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.  It allows the body to enter a resting state so it can heal and repair. And it’s not just the needles.  As the practitioner, I am not just a technician inserting needles.  There is a patient-practitioner synergy that has its own value in the healing process.  The result is very supportive and healing.

This article on cancer.gov discusses how several studies show that acupuncture can reduce side effects of treatment such as joint pain.

And this breastcancer.org article cites studies showing acupuncture as being effective for other sides effects including nausea, hot flashes and fatigue.

Let’s not forget the mental-emotional strain cancer causes.  Acupuncture is very effective for anxiety, insomnia, and depression as well.

Acupuncture does not interfere with medications and can be modified to accomodate each patient individually.  Please share this article with someone you know who needs support as she makes her way through this difficult journey.

September is PCOS Awareness Month, and since this is something I see a lot in my practice, I want to delve in and not only explain what it is, but also give some real solutions for reversing.  A whopping one in ten women of reproductive age have PCOS, so it definitely deserves attention.

The Many Faces of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

A syndrome, by definition, is a collection of criteria, that, when someone meets a certain number of these, is given the diagnosis.  There are misconceptions about what it looks like and who has it.  The main sign is, like in the name, multiple cysts on the ovaries detected with ultrasound.  However, not everyone with PCOS has this.  Elevated androgens (i.e. testosterone), which can cause abnormal hair growth on face or body, head hair loss, and acne.  And irregular periods or no periods.  Some also have weight gain around the middle.  Again, some PCOS patients have some of these symptoms, while others don’t.  Not everyone with PCOS is overweight, and not all have acne or hirsutism.  Diagnosis is based on at least two of the above symptoms.

What is PCOS Really?

As a natural health practitioner – we always ask why.  A conventional medical diagnosis often just describes the problem, but doesn’t explain it. Luckily, quite a bit of research since this syndrome rose in prominence in the 90’s has pretty much identified what goes wrong in these women’s bodies.  Here’s the gist:

•  This is a metabolic syndrome.  Insulin Resistance is a major factor.  Blood sugar disregulation leads to…
• Inflammation – nowadays everything is attributed to chronic inflammation, but it’s true, this is a basis for many chronic illnesses because of….
• Stress overload – Chronic stress is not what we’re designed for.  Fight or flight was supposed to be something that turns on in emergencies and turns off the majority of time.  Now many of us have a broken autonomic nervous system switch that keeps us fight or flight most of the time.  The result is overproduction of cortisol, which negatively impacts our sex hormones.  See my other blog.

Bottom line: chronic stress, inflammation, and dysregulation of blood sugar is a recipe for hormonal imbalance, weight gain, etc.

What Causes Insulin Resistance Contains Clues for Treatment

By realizing the underlying causes of Insulin Resistance we can begin to create a treatment plan to address and reverse the upsets to the biology.

1. SUGAR! Yup, a diet with too much simple carbs, refined carbs, including sugar, will directly mess with metabolism and create inflammation.  This is the #1 most important thing we have control to change for the greatest impact.  Overall a diet that balances healthy fats, complex carbs, and quality protein is crucial for overcoming PCOS. 
2. Low muscle mass – 85% of energy that we derive from food, aka glucose – goes to feeding our muscles.  If there’s not a lot of muscle, then the energy/glucose will be redirected to storage in the liver or fat tissue.
3. Nutrient deficiencies – metabolism and hormone production from cholesterol requires numerous vitamins and minerals and essential fatty acids.  Drugs, poor diet, and stress can deplete these, while some can be used therapeutically, such as .
4. Sleep deficiency – I know that lots of people lack quality sleep.  It seems to be something that is sacrificed or difficult to obtain for some.

The built in treatment

The above 4 points form a foundation for what needs to be addressed and changed in order to allow PCOS patients to reverse the disorder.

1. Switch from sugary and refined carbs to complex carbs that will not spike blood sugar or require overproduction of insulin.  Fasting for 12 of every 24 hours at least 4 times weekly helps the brain to use sugar more efficiently.
2. Resistance training exercise – research shows that high intensity interval training, the Peak 8 plan, and similar systems burn fat and build muscle better than other types of exercise.  You gotta get out of breath and sweat but you don’t have to be at it for more than 20 minutes to get the positive impact.
3. Supplementing several nutrients depending on the individual is important. This is something to discuss with your practitioner to customize for you, since PCOS takes so many variations.
4. If you don’t get good enough sleep due to poor habits, please reflect and reprioritize.  If you lack good sleep due to insomnia, seek help.

What if You’ve made all these changes and still can’t get pregnant or Resolve Symptoms?

While lifestyle modifications are essential, this alone may not be enough for some PCOS patients.  The power of East Asian Medicine includes techniques that work deep in the mind-body to further repair and restore hormonal health.  I develop a treatment plan incorporating acupuncture, nutritional therapy, lifestyle counseling, herbal medicine, and emotional healing to address the underlying imbalances.  It’s so effective because I assess each patient individually, and tailor the plan to each woman’s unique needs.  Health is never one dimensional, healthcare shouldn’t be either.

Please call or text 630-335-1069 to find out more or to schedule a free consultation.