Shakespeare In The Park

Enjoy the Show

We are proud to announce our sponsorship of this year's play in the park at Deering oaks.  The Fenix Theater Company is be performing Shakespeare's The Twelfth Night.  We invite to you join us for this unique event.

All performances will be in the wading pool area of beautiful Deering Oaks and every show is FREE to the public.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday:
July 29th, 30th, 31st
August 5th, 6th, 7th
August 12th, 13th, 14th

Balanced Energy, Balanced Diet

The Yoga Perspective

The key to true health is to have balance in all areas of your life including your diet and lifestyle. To live a yoga lifestyle means to aim to find this balance in your whole life.  The practice of yoga is complemented when eating in moderation to nourish the mind and body, which keeps us alert and energized. A balanced whole foods diet ensures that all aspects of the digestion system work in harmony with each other. When all aspects of digestion are in balance, you will feel your best.

I have been starting my morning with fruit and a slice of Ezekiel bread, followed by a yoga practice. Ezekiel bread is made with freshly sprouted, certified organically grown live grains, contains no flour, is high in fiber, low glycemic, and diabetic friendly.  There are very powerful nutritive and healing properties of sprouts.  Enzymes are considered a key to longevity, and are greatly activat ed in the sprouting process.  Foods should enhance healing and regeneration.  

In my personal experience starting the day eating healthy and mindfully helps to deepen the mind body connection, and bring myself into alignment with natural harmony.  With awareness into our daily diet, lifestyle, exercise habits, combined with an understanding of balance, we have the power to alter the direction of our health and well-being from "disease" to ease.

Bon Appetit !

- Maura

Gardening and Food Preparation

How to Avoid Aches and Pains

There are obvious points to the positive impact of good nutrition and physical recovery from injury.  However, let's stretch (no pun intended!) into the physical therapy realm of how some of us obtain our food (summer in Maine=gardening) to food preparation.

First, while snow shoveling conjures images of an aching back, for many so does gardening.  Here are some tips to avoid the aching back, neck and shoulders:

• While weeding, planting and harvesting, instead of bending forward, get close to your plants by kneeling, standing in a lunge position or 1/2 lunge position and hinge forward at your hips or bend forward at the hips and squat down.
• Pull in those lover abs!  Imagine that you are zipping up a tight pair of jeans and keep you abs engaged as you work.
• Take breaks with frequent changes in position.
• Balance the forward position that gardening requires by standing up tall, gently arching back, reaching your arms up overhead and looking towards the sky-all while taking a deep breath of course!

Secondly, food preparation can cause some postural and repetitive strain.  Here are a few tips for the kitchen:

• To avoid low back strain while standing at the kitchen sink, open the cabinet under the sink and place one foot inside.  Get in close to the sink and hinge forward at your hips instead of slouching forward at the low back.
• You can alternate feet under the sink.
• Standing at the kitchen counter while cutting up the fresh fruits and veggies is a good time to work on postural awareness.  Tuck in your chin, gently lift you breast bone, slightly pull shoulder blades back, pull in the lower abs and have a bend in the knees.
• Perhaps not with the sharp knives, but with stirring and mixing try using your non-dominant hand.  This reduces repetitive strain to your dominant side while also building neural pathways to your brain, strengthening movement patterns related to your non-dominant side.

Eat well!
Nancy

Chinese Nutrition Tips

Benefits of Taking Your Time

Inherent in Traditional Chinese Medicine food is a part of the treatment plan.  Food and food choices can enhance the outcomes patients seek.  Flavors, colors and consistencies all factor in some way toward a balanced ingestion of life giving nourishment.  What we put in our bodies is only half the process; breakdown, absorption and elimination complete the process. 

Chew with mindfulness. Distractions and conversations cause people to under-chew and ingest air.   Both impede healthy digestion.  The stress response inhibits the digestive tract from absorbing nutrients by diverting blood flow from the organs.  So, eating under calm, quiet, contented conditions can be an easy step anyone can take to improve their health.

In our next food issue I will explain how cravings are interpreted within Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Nurture-Attitude

- John Charlesbois L. Ac.

Joke of the Month

Joke of the Month

Experience Balanced Energy and Balanced Life

Save $70

At our recent open house we unveiled a new package of services.  By combining 3 treatment methods, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy and Yoga you can optimize the overall benefits that each one has to offer.

For only $200 your package includes:
1- Acupuncture Treatment
1 - Seven Week Yoga Series
1 - Massage Therapy Session

This is an ideal way to explore treatments options you might not have otherwise tried in the past.  It not only makes economic sense for yourself, but makes a unique gift for that person you never know what to get.

The World Health Organization, National institute of Health, and individuals, such as former Surgeon General E. Koop, recognize Acupuncture as an effective treatment. It can be used for the management of back pain, headaches, migraines, and sports injuries. However, acupuncture provides more than pain relief. It is helpful in treating anxiety, insomnia, digestive problems, abdominal, menstrual cramps, weight control, infertility and much, much more.

The initial benefits of massage therapy might appear obvious, but there are a few facts you might not have known.  In response to massage, specific physiological and chemical changes cascade throughout the body, with profound effects. Research shows that with massage:

• Arthritis sufferers note fewer aches and less stiffness and pain.
• Asthmatic children show better pulmonary function and increased peak air flow.
• Burn injury patients report reduced pain, itching, and anxiety.
• High blood pressure patients demonstrate lower diastolic blood pressure, anxiety, and stress hormones.
• Premenstrual syndrome sufferers have decreased water retention and cramping.
• Preterm infants have improved weight gain.

The Mayo Clinic states the potential health benefits of yoga are numerous and may include:

• Stress reduction. With its quiet, precise movements, yoga draws your focus away from your busy, chaotic day and toward calm as you move your body through poses that require balance and concentration.

• Increased fitness. As you learn and refine new poses, you may enjoy improved balance, flexibility, range of motion and strength. And this means you're less likely to injure yourself in other physical endeavors or in your daily activities.

• Management of chronic health conditions. Yoga might help with a variety of health conditions, such as cancer, depression, pain, anxiety and insomnia, by helping with sleep problems, fatigue and mood. Yoga also can help reduce heart rate and blood pressure.

Make your appointment today and start living the balanced life you deserve.  773-5778

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Doing Our Part

Here are just a few of the things Jade Integrated Health does to help:

• Using washable linens on our treatment tables versus paper liners.
• Hand washing and drying with washable washcloths instead of paper towels.
  
• Eliminating chemicals in the water supply by working with environmentally safe cleaners and laundry detergents.
  
• Lowering energy and water consumption with a front end loading washer and dryer.
  
• Building with reclaimed materials.  Our new service counter and other shelving were made from rehabilitated wood purchased at the ReStore.
• Reusable glassware and bottles at our water cooler instead of paper cups.
  
• Minimizing waste by using both sides of printer paper.
  
• Recycling of all paper, plastic and glass waste produced at our facilities.
• Acupuncture as a treatment modality has a minimum of medical waste, reducing both pharmaceutical use and traditional surgical and medical interventions.
  

If you or your employers are equally enthusiastic and want to be in touch with other like minded businesses, we suggest visiting  Maine Businesses for Sustainability.   They provide Maine businesses an opportunity to learn about sustainability, network with other businesses, and find innovative ways to grow.  We hope you'll join us as we move Maine forward on the path towards sustainable economic development!

Joke of the Month

Bert and Ernie are sitting outside one hot day.

Bert turns to Ernie and asks, "Hey Ernie, wanna go get some ice cream??"

Ernie replies, "Sure Bert."

Mommy and Baby Yoga on Channel 6

Check out the Footage

We are excited to announce new footage from WCSH 6 of our very own Maura Hintlian and our Mommy and Baby Yoga Class. The report, by Kelly Labrecque for the Fit at Five series, focuses on what sets mommy and baby yoga apart from other workouts is that it is gentle, but still provides results. You get to involve and bond with your little one within the workout. For most new mothers getting their core back in shape is a big challenge. What better way to do it than with yoga.  Please click here to view the segment and be sure to come to our open house where Maura will be signing autographs while simultaneously performing the scooping ice cream pose.

Open House 2010

You are invited !!

OPEN HOUSE ICE CREAM SOCIAL

Friday, June 18th

4:30 - 6:30 pm

The Jade Trade becomes...

Come join the fun and celebrate our transformation.

The festivities include:

Ice Cream supplied by Mount Desert Island

live music supplied by cellist Robin Jellis

artwork by photographer Stephanie Hatzenbuehler

and good conversation supplied by all.

We are changing our name to better reflect a well rounded choice of health care treatment options.  Jade Integrated Health offers Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, Physical Therapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Yoga.

At Jade Integrated Health, we strive to provide you with a personal experience, by qualified practitioners committed to your well-being.

We look forward to seeing you.

An Instructors Perspective

The Complimentary Benefits of Yoga

The physical benefits of yoga are a wonderful way to compliment whatever sport or physical activity you love.  Yoga stretches, strengthens, and invigorates the entire body and internal organs.  It increases core strength, flexibility, range of motion, and improves balance.   Practicing yoga as a form of cross-training will increase your performance and reduce the risk of injury.  The postures and breath control in yoga are complimentary to athletes in increasing the longevity in their game.   Yoga combines strength and flexibility, creating balance within the body.

The pain many athletes experience (bad backs, knees, tight hamstrings, sore feet) is not from the sport itself, it's from the imbalances that running or a repetitive movement cause.  If you're off balance, your muscles are forced to work harder in compensation in each step you take, thus enforcing strong muscles to become stronger, and weak muscles to become weaker.   This compensation puts strain on the muscles, joints, and the entire skeletal system.  Athletes can use a consistent yoga practice to bring balance into all muscle groups, which will support and stabilize the skeletal system.  This will allow the runner/athlete to be able to handle the force of impact and to avoid injury.

Mental Benefits of Yoga

• Stress Relief

• Prevention and Relief of Stress-Related Disorders

• Increase in Memory

• Greater Control of Emotions

• Greater Ability to Focus and Concentrate

Physical Benefits of Yoga

• Improved Flexibility and Balance

• Improved Cardiovascular Endurance & Efficiency

• Improved Core Strength

• Increased Energy Levels

• Increased Lung Capacity

• Increased Blood Flow

• Reduced Heart Rate

• Enhanced Overall Muscle Strength

• Enhanced Immune System

• Improved Digestion

• Relaxation of Muscles

• Weight Control

- Maura Hintlian RYT

Improve Your Golf Game?

Yes... Acupuncture Can Help

Well... it might not help your swing, but it can keep you healthy, active and on the course enjoying the game you love.  Here is a story from a few years ago, I still find insightful. 

In 2004, Couples was trailing in the Buick Classic and playing with unbearable pain.  Couples's back was throbbing to the point where he considered withdrawing from the tournament.  After gritting his teeth through an opening-round 67, a friend advised visiting an acupuncturist.  Couples received treatment on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, and when he arrived for the second round Friday at Westchester Country Club, he still had an acupuncture pin in each ear.  But the throbbing in his back was gone.

''To me, it's unbelievable what they can do,'' Couples said.

Couple's play was also impressive. Shooting a six-under-par 65 during a bogey-free round that included six birdies, Couples grabbed a one-stroke lead heading into the third round.   He finished 10 under par and tied for 4th place.  As you know, he still plays strong today.  Couples most recently finished 6th at the Masters and won 3 out of the seven tournaments in this year's Champions Tour.

- John Charlebois L. Ac

Attention All Weekend Warriors !!

Tips to Prevent Injury

Many of us have lifestyles that do not easily support physical exercise. Yet we also find ourselves loving exercise, sports and fitness activities on the weekends.  Especially during this time of year when outdoor exercise

opportunities are limitless! As a result, it is easy to end up with an injury and side-lined from the activities that help us stay fit and reduce stress.

Here are some thoughts on injury prevention:

1. Stretch. NOT BEFORE your event, but AFTER a warm up to promote soft tissue extensibility and reduce muscle and tendon injuries.

2. Training.  Start training and exercise at 50-75% of what you think you can do.  Slowly build up to that 100% to stay injury-free throughout the season.

3. Ice.  At the first signs of pain, wear and tear, ice the affected

area.

4. Training. Yes, again!  Try cross training to avoid repetitive strain injuries.  Variety will promote better overall fitness while also helping you to avoid burn-out.

Finally, don't let injuries linger.  If it is not consistently getting

better over the course of a week, get treatment.  You will recover more quickly to get back to exercise.

Have a great summer !!

- Nancy Charlesbois PT, MT

Joke of the Month

Three yogi hermits are doing a meditative vigil in a cave. One day there's a sound outside the cave. Six months later, one of the yogis says, "That was a goat." The cave is silent once again. About a year later, another yogi says, "That wasn't a goat, that was a mule." Again, the cave falls silent. About two years later the third yogi says, "If you two don't stop arguing, I'm leaving."

An Instructors Perspective

Mommy and Baby Yoga One of the aspects of the Mommy & Baby Yoga class that inspires me is when mothers find a new way to connect with their baby, whether it's a specific rocking movement in a posture that is beneficial to easing tension or building core strength in the mother and their baby enjoys it also.  Many times in class, the mothers will notice how a posture practiced in a certain way while holding their baby has a soothing effect to their baby.  The women will often comment how they are given new ideas of ways to play with their baby, while maintaining an awareness of their posture, or awareness in protecting the lower back from over strain. There tends to be an imbalance in the mother's daily lives in holding the babies on one hip, leg, and arm.  Mother's are able to find balance in their bodies while practicing the yoga postures on both sides of the body.   In a typical class, moms will practice yoga incorporating their babies into the various postures, with movement within a posture to stimulate the baby while adding a level of dynamic strength building. Sometimes the babies sleep during class, and the mother is able to practice yoga on her own; either way receiving the benefits of stress reduction, conditioning and rebuilding strength, and balancing both sides of the body.   With the classes intimate in size, the women often bond not only with their babies, but with each other also. - Maura Hintlian RYT

PMDD?

Yes... Acupuncture Can Help

I wish to take this opportunity to express gratitude toward the blessings that Mothers provide us all no matter who we are.  Life and Love are their gifts and there is no equal.  Mothers are busy caring, teaching and loving their families. Their stress can become harder to handle when their body becomes prepared to nurture their fertility.   The Mayo Clinic states that 75% of menstruating women experience PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) and 10% of those women experience severe manifestations of this condition called PMDD.  Changes in mood or emotions are common and even portrayed as "normal".  Traditional Chinese Acupuncture has effectively treated challenges with women's fertility cycle for many centuries.  Pain, changes in cravings and appetite and feeling "wired & tired" have gentile treatments that are safe with minimal side effects. Additionally, the effect of treatments are cumulative over time therefore require less intervention as the patient is restored to balance.

What the Mayo clinic does not mention is the link between our stress response and a woman's sense of wellbeing during menstruation.   Like the symbol for Yin & Yang The Sympathetic & Parasympathetic nervous systems depend on, and control one another and require a balanced state.  Stress changes how your body interprets balance.  Stress also changes the chemical balance the hormone system utilizes.  The adrenals and other glands do not function to nurture the fertility/reproductive system when the stress response is heightened or continuously elevated.  In contrast your body feels that it needs to work on its own survival and interoperates fertility as an undesired state, a threat, which requires energy and resources to resist.

The wide range of signs and symptoms manifest where the individual woman is most deficient or blocked.  Traditional medicine suggests we nurture the woman's digestion and free the dynamic of flow inside and outside the body to include practicing self-care and expanding their creativity. There is much more to share then this space allows.  Please sign up for my free lecture, Ancient Insights on the Fertility Cycle, June 22nd from 7:00 - 8:00 pm.  I can provide specific answers to you, your family members, and your friends.  Space is limited.

Have a Blessed, Stress free Mothers Day,

- John Charlebois L. Ac

Sharing The Story of Motherhood

Taking Care of the Teacher in Us All

I am lucky to have close friends that are in similar stages of motherhood and some who are a little farther along the path of mothering.  We are able to share resources and companionship.   One of my friends introduced me to the book Momma Zen, Walking The Crooked Path of Motherhood by Karen Maezen Miller.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and had difficulty choosing a passage-so I am passing along two!

On teaching:

"Your child is a tireless teacher, constantly probing your self-imposed limits and boundaries, your self-centeredness, your sheer stubbornness.  It is a thankless job, and who would want it?  But each day your child comes to work again, taking up the monumental task.  You must be a teacher too.  Of agile exits and negotiations, of quick turns and pirouettes.  Of all the inventive ways to go through life instead of banging it head on.  There is a deft elegance to the mother who has mastered this dance, the dance with no choreography.  She is fluid and round.  She smiles and laughs easily.  She breezes along as if anything were possible.  Like a child."

Self care:

"Finding calm in the midst of fury, finding inspiration in the midst of despair, finding strawberry jam sandwiched between the sofa cushions, finding the splinter betwixt two tender toes.  Moms can find anything in a pinch, except a moment for themselves.  Meditation is the best way to find that moment.  It is the best way to find any moment, and telling you how to meditate is the only lasting good that I can give you.  A regular (or irregular!) meditation practice will give you more of the focus and discipline you need to do everything else: listen, talk, teach, comfort, work, play, relax, go to sleep, wake up, and do it all over again.  It's a little bit of attention paid to yourself so you can give all the rest of your attention away."

So, on this mother's day, I do not intend to go to a spa or "get away".  This Sunday, I relish the opportunity to mother, soak up the challenges with a laugh and then take the time to sit quietly and meditate.

Be well,

- Nancy Charlesbois PT, MT

Greater Health and Better Morale

Nationwide Clinical Survey of Acupuncture Patients

• 91.5 % reported a disappearance or improvement of symptoms.

• 79% said they use fewer drugs.

• 70% avoided surgery.

• 63% said "I can work better most of the time."

• 58% said "I have more energy most of the time."

• 63% said "I have less pain most of the time."

• 68% said "I get along better with others most of the time"
  

source: Claire Cassidy, "Health Visions 2000"

Joke of the Month

What did the yogi say to the sandwich vendor at the ball game?

Make me one with everything!

After the man received his sandwich, he gave the vendor a $20 bill. The vendor just smiled. The (man, infuriated, demanded, "Where is my change?"

The vendor replied, "O, one with everything, change comes from within."