Merriam Park Acupuncture For Health

Our Blog Has A New Home

2010-07-17T20:54:00.000-07:00

Thanks for checking back with the blog. I've moved the blog to the Merriam Park Acupuncture website so it will be more readily available to website visitors. Please go to the website to visit the blog and look for coupons for some great deals on Acupuncture treatments!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Health and Happiness
Barb Fowlds, L.Ac.

Best Minestrone Soup I've Ever Had!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-05-23T18:57:00.000-07:00

My friend Rose gave me her Minestrone Recipe and this is simply the best Minestrone soup I've ever had and to quote Mike Myers mom "I AM a soup nut"!

Here it is:
2 cans cannelini beans
1 large can chopped tomato (Rose likes San Marzano)
3 cups chicken broth or water (I use water)
1/2 cup celery chopped
1/2 cup carrots chopped
1/4 cup gr. pepper chopped
1/2 red onion chopped
3 cloves garlic chopped
3 small zucchini chopped
1/4 lb. green beans
2 yukon gold potatoes
salt and pepper to taste

Saute garlic, onion, gr pepper in a little oil and then add carrots and celery
Add water, tomatoes, 1 1/2 can beans and potatoes - cook 1 hour
Puree the remaining 1/2 can beans and add with green beans and zucchini last 20 minutes.

Enjoy Your Soup!

New Home For Merriam Park Acupuncture

2010-05-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

Exciting News for Merriam Park Acupuncture. On June 1st Merriam Park Acupuncture will have a new home at 1523 Selby Avenue, St Paul, MN. Only 3 blocks from the current location but more room for our growing business. I will keep everyone informed for the open house we will most likely have in July.
Health and Happiness!
Barb Fowlds, L.Ac.

Acupuncture - Free Ear Beads and Acupuncture at US Bank

2010-04-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

Today, Friday, April 30, from 1-4 pm Merriam Park Acupuncture and Barb Fowlds, L.Ac., will be available to answer any questions at the US BANK, at 2383 University Avenue, St Paul, MN 55114. If you have never experienced Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine stop by my table and I'll be happy to talk to you and you can try Acupuncture for FREE!

Caring for an Elderly Parent

2010-04-23T10:20:00.000-07:00

Hi All,
This is off topic from Chinese Medicine but I believe an important lesson for us all. I'm just returning from a visit with my mom, who is 87 years old and resides in a nursing home 3.5 hours away. I have been visiting her often over the last couple of years and as she gets closer to the end of her life I am so thankful to have had a conversation with a friend of mine who told me that 'no matter what, get down to see her as often as you can because you won't regret it, ever'. I took her words to heart and SO glad I did. The smile I see on my mother's face when I come into her room and the small gestures of appreciation when she tells me how good she feels after I give her a foot massage and the moments that we laugh together-well, I wouldn't trade those for a million dollars. I encourage all who read this to spend as much time with your parents as possible, especially if they are older. You will have moments together that you will treasure, for the rest of your life!

Health and Happiness to All!
Barb Fowlds, L.Ac.

Eating For A Healthier You! The CHINESE MEDICINE Way.

2010-04-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

On April 28 from 7:00-8:30 pm, I will be conducting a class on Eating according to Chinese Medicine Principles. We will look at simple tips to help you:

Have  more Energy, Better Sleep, Improve Your Digestion, Loose those extra Pounds and Take Charge of your Health.

Where: Office of Amy Olson, L.Ac.
   333 North Main Street
   Stillwater, Mn #203

Cost: $10.00 space is limited so call today.

To Reserve a Seat: Call 651 430-0018

Candida and Acupuncture: New Treatments For An Old Disease

2010-04-03T21:05:00.000-07:00

First let's start with what is Candida or Candidiasis, as it is called as a condition? Candidiasis is the common name for a condition that results in the overproduction of a form of yeast normally found in the body at low levels. There are a whole host of organisms living in and on our bodies at any given time. Candida is a living fungus that in small amounts poses no threat to our health. It is kept in check by the numerous amounts of beneficial bacterial organisms we also have in our bodies, mainly our intestines. If the beneficial bacteria are allowed to be suppressed, then Candida can overgrow to a point where our health is now compromised. What causes beneficial bacteria to be suppressed? Many factors can contribute to this. Antibiotics, although life saving in many instances, destroy not only harmful bacteria but also beneficial bacteria as well. When the beneficial bacteria is destroyed the Candida can now grow unchecked. How many women get yeast infections shortly after taking antibiotics? This is the reason why. It is always a good idea to take Chinese herbs or probiotics at the end of an antibiotic treatment to resupply your body with the beneficial bacteria that has been lost. Acupuncture can also stimulate the immune system after a round of antibiotics.
What else can cause suppression of beneficial bacteria and a Candida overgrowth? There are many causes of Candida overgrowth. Our hurried lifestyles set us up for possible Candida infection. Stress, high sugar or high carb and low vegetable diets, contact with steroids or hormones (typically found in our milk and meat or xenoestrogens in plastic), and basically anything that can suppress the immune system can contribute to the condition of Candidiasis. Mayo clinic did a study in 1999 that showed that 90% of chronic sinisitus conditions were due to Candida overgrowth.
How do you know if Candida may be the cause of your health problems? There are many symptoms that can result from having Candidiasis. Fatigue, dizzyness, tinnitus, sinus problems, allergies, digestive problems, sleep difficulties, anxiety/depression, frequent colds or infections, poor circulation, menstrual/fertility problems - just to name a few. At Merriam Park Acupuncture in St Paul, we take a comprehensive health history from both a western and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective. After assessing the client's condition we formulate treatment strategies based on the severity of the Candidiasis. I have over 10 years experience dealing with Candida treatments and have formed several strategies that have proven very effective to heal the body. The TCM diagnosis for Candida, many times, is dampness in the body. There are many herbs that dry and drain dampness from the body and are effective against particular strains of Candida. Caprylic acid is another product that is effective against Candida. The key, is to know when to use these treatments and when to use other herbs that help the body's immune system bounce back. Diet plays a big part in treating Candidiasis. The main culprit is sugar. Sugar feeds the overgrowth of the Candida. Other treatment strategies include stress reduction and Acupuncture. Acupuncture is key to supporting the immunce system and reducing stress to heal the body from Candida, and in particular from Candida Albicans. The key, is to know when to implement each of these treatments. Dampness or Candida can be very difficult to cure. There is no "quick fix" especially if you have had Candidiasis for years which is most often the case, but with help from Merriam Park Acupuncture in St Paul, we can have you back on the path to good heath, sooner rather than later. If you have any questions about whether you might be suffering from Candidiasis or if you have any questions on any condition you have and would like to receive a FREE consultation, give me a call at 651-207-3019. I'd be happy to speak with you and tell you how we can help you heal. --Barb Fowlds, L.Ac.

Acupuncture and Insurance Parity in MN

2009-05-16T14:42:00.000-07:00

On Friday May 8, 2009, the Equal Access to Acupuncture Bill was signed into law by Governor Pawlenty of MN. This new law means that if an insurance company covers acupuncture performed by an MD or a Chiropractor they must also cover acupuncture treatments performed by Licensed Acupuncturists in MN. Makes sense right? The law will go into effect on August 1, 2009 and there are details to be worked out to help the insurance companies implement this law.

Our state acupuncture association the AOMAM, should be applauded for their efforts in helping to pass this legislation. This is no small feat and took many hours of work and dedication.

On the national front, Representative Hinchey from NY is a huge proponent of Acupuncture and is working with national acupuncture groups on trying to pass federal legislation for acupuncture parity. At present the bill is in the House in committee. It may help legislators to know that a statewide bill in MN, was just passed.

Previous to the passing of this bill, Health Partners covered acupuncture performed by Licensed Acupuncturists and has for more than 10 years. They have been the leader in contracting with Acupuncturists to bring the benefits of Chinese Medicine to their clients. Although, at present, their coverage is limited to ailments such as most all types of pain like-back pain, sinus pain, tooth/jaw pain, shoulder pain, etc.- nausea, PMS and Menstrual Disorders and Analgesia for medical procedures, they have blazed the trail for insurance companies in MN to bring these benefits to their customers. I expect, that as we produce more studies and clinical results showing how acupuncture can successfully treat other ailments, this list will continue to grow.

Education is the best thing Acupuncturists can do. We need to educate the public on what we do and how we can help them. 30 years ago Chiropractic seemed like this medicine that we were all a little skeptical of and now it is as mainstream and accepted as ever. Acupuncture is being accepted very quickly because as people are being helped they are spreading the word and telling their friends. This new parity bill should allow for more people to access our services and find out more about what we can do to help them.

Wishing you all good health!

Barb Fowlds L.A.

www.mpacupuncture.com

2009-05-03T20:55:00.001-07:00

The first post I will be doing is on the Insurance Coverage updates for Acupuncture in MN. Stay Tuned!