Turning Point Acupuncture Newsletter
Summer 2002
Volume 3 Number 3
 
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
 
As summer approaches, I feel the urge to connect with you (albeit electronically) before everyone scatters to pursue vacation plans.
Here are some thoughts of mine as I contemplate the months ahead...
 
Newsletter Contents: 1. Women's Health News
2. Dr. R's Alternative Summer Vacation
3. Summer Tips Redux
4. Summer hours
 
1. Women's Health News
Acupuncture improves success rate in IVF (in vitro fertilization) study.
We are all very excited to have learned of a new German study that shows that acupuncture improves the outcome of IVF. At Turning Point Acupuncture we have been treating infertile couples for many years -- with our share of "acupuncture babies"! Read more details of the study here:
http://www.nycacupuncture.com/ivf.html
 
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has addressed the issue of fertility for centuries. The first TCM text devoted solely to pregnancy was written in 854 A.D! Much of that text has relevance today and its classical herbal formulas are still in use. To read more about acupuncture and fertility go to this link. http://www.nycacupuncture.com/fertile.html
 
2. Dr. R's Alternative Summer Vacation
Everyone is asking me if I'm planning to take a summer vacation and the answer is no. I'm really a homebody and was never much of a traveler. Today's world climate only reinforces my inclination. The decision not to take a holiday has however led me to reflect on the need for time off in general, what we seek when we go on vacation and some alternate ways that these desires might be met in our daily lives.
 
I suppose that the most desirable aspect of a holiday is rest and relaxation. I've come to believe that rest is the most important and most neglected health need of daily urban life. The reality for most of us is that we don't get enough sleep. Some consider it a badge of honor to get by on six hours sleep or less instead of the eight or more that we probably need to function optimally. We look forward to the weekend or vacation to "catch up". I, for one, am always battling with myself to go to bed earlier: Turn off the computer, get off the phone, turn off the television! Lately I've been thinking that we should change our day-to-day life so that rest is incorporated as a regular, restorative activity. Why can't we enjoy the kind of well being that we experience on vacations on a more regular basis? As a project for myself I've been trying to have my days include more moments of rest, contemplation, time in between appointments-- in general, less rushing from one activity to another.
 
When considered from the point of view of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) we can see the enormous value in more rest. The life force that animates us is referred to in Chinese medicine as Qi. There are basically two kinds of Qi: The finite amount of energy that we inherit from our parents is Jing (Inborn Qi) and is stored in the Kidney; Acquired Qi (replenishable) is made from the food we eat and the air we breathe. Jing is critically important as it is thought that the quality and quantity of Jing determines how long we live. If we think of the Kidney (in Chinese medicine this includes the adrenal glands) as our "battery", then this is the charge that we have to protect to insure a lively old age. If we don't rest, if we allow ourselves to be stressed, if we skip meals, or eat poor quality food on the run, then we don't replenish the Acquired Qi and we start to use up our "battery" (Inborn Qi, Jing) instead.
 
And what of relaxation? Do we have to go to a beachside resort to experience this? Relaxation can be as simple as something different for the eye to rest upon. Of course going out of the city affords us the possibility of breathing fresh air- (something our lung Qi would be very happy with) but so can a walk in the Park or by the River. Finally we can all slow down and chew our food to savor the taste. It tastes even better if we can share a meal with friends and loved ones.
 
I hear some of you saying "But what about adventure and seeing new things"? Again, I'm certain one can have both right here in New York City!
 
So I would suggest that we take the lessons of vacation: resting, slowing down, savoring our food, feasting our eyes, and smelling the flowers... and experience daily life in a new way. Living this way will help us to recharge our battery and restore our Kidney. Even if we never leave town!
 
This reverie is a prelude to many pages I hope to write on radiant health at any age from the TCM perspective. Stay tuned for more...
 
3. More Summer tips
For more tips about fun in the Sun, please consult last year summer's Newsletter to be found using the link below and written by our own Shane Hoffman.
http://www.nycacupuncture.com/archive3.html
 
4. Summer hours We will retain our usual Turning Point Acupuncture hours throughout the summer.
We will be closed July 4th and Labor Day, September 2nd.
Acupuncture is available Monday through Friday
Massage and Reiki will be available on Saturdays and by appointment weekdays and evenings:
Deep muscle massage with John T. Smith (For appointment call 212 579-4754)
Reiki with Reiki master Lourdes Guzman (For appointment call 212 580-9803)
 
To review our usual hours and staffing click here:
http://www.nycacupuncture.com/patientinfo.html
 
Wishing Everyone A Healthy Summer!
Yours in peace,
Naomi Rabinowitz, MD
11 June 2002
Turning Point Acupuncture
1841 Broadway, Suite 509
New York City, NY 10023
212 489-5038
http://www.nycacupuncture.com
 
If you do not wish to receive this newsletter in the future, please hit the reply button and type REMOVE in the Subject box.
 
copyright 2002 Naomi Rabinowitz
 
Back to Top