Saturday, June 13, 2009

Quit Smoking with Acupuncture

Congratulations! If you're reading this, you are on your way to kicking the habit and becoming smoke-free and healthier. Every year, more than 3 million Americans try to quit smoking, but only half of them succeed. With the help of acupuncture you have a greater chance of success!

Most experts agree that quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can do for your health. More than 25 diseases are associated with tobacco use, including cancer of the lungs, bladder, mouth, larynx, pharynx. esophagus, pancreas, kidney, uterus, and cervix. Smoking also raises the chances of developing emphysema and increases the risk of having a stroke by 30 percent.

How Acupuncture Can Help?

Some of the largest stumbling blocks to becoming smoke-free are the stress, anxiety, and depression associated with quitting. Fortunately, acupuncture treatment is quite successful at calming and relaxing the mind, reducing anxiety, and alleviating depressive feelings.. Specific acupoints in the ear and wrist are used to accomplish this. Additional acupoints may be included that help suppress your appetite, stimulate repair and healing of organ systems, and reduce food and nicotine cravings.

More Than Just Kicking the Habit.

Using acupuncture to quit smoking yields enormous benefits. Aside from taking care of the stumbling blocks that can cause you to resume the habit, acupuncture can help restore your body to a healthy state of balance and well-being. If you are ready to become smoke-free, acupuncture can provide you with the support you need.

Here are a Few Tips to Guide You Through Your Acupuncture Care:

1. Drink plenty of filtered water during the process.
2. Eat balanced, healthy meals with a variety of vegetables and fruits.
3. Refrain from sugar, which can cause further sugar cravings and unwanted weight gain.
4. Manage your cravings. They will actually fade within a few minutes. When cravings arise, distract yourself. Before you know it, the craving will have passed.
5. Scrub your skin with a dry brush or loofa to facilitate the cleansing process and help blood circulation. Take daily baths or showers.
6. Avoid spending time with other smokers so that you are less tempted to smoke.
7. Take a walk outside and take deep breaths. Upon exhale, gently place your teeth together and exhale with the sound of "sssssssss." This sound stimulates the Lungs.

For more information on how you can quit smoking with acupuncture, visit our website at http://www.lighthousewellnessli.com/.

Friday, June 12, 2009

About Dr. Cariann Perretta

Dr. Cariann Perretta received her Bachelor's Degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1991 and her Doctorate from Life Chiropractic College in 1995. She was an active member of the Sacral Occipital Research Society International while attending school and earned certification in Sacral Occipital Technique. Soon after establishing Lighthouse Wellness Center, she obtained her Master's Degree in Acupuncture from the New York College of Health Professionals in Syosset, New York.

Mastering the art and science of Chiropractic, Massage, Physiotherapy and Acupuncture gives Dr. Perretta the advantage to help patients through a variety of approaches. She treats muscle, joint and back pain as well as visceral disharmony; incorporating the skills she has acquired in Eastern as well as Western perspectives on health care. Dr. Perretta realizes the importance of patient education and places an emphasis on teaching self-management skills and home care. These skills empower the patient to gain personal control over their conditions and maintain healthy lifestyles through diet, exercise and positive mental attitude. Her life experiences in health care have made her a caring, compassionate and understanding practitioner. She prides herself on giving individual care and attention to each patient, spending the ti me that is needed to achieve results, no matter what the condition. Her ultimate goal is to help each patient reach their wellness potential.

Dr. Perretta also enjoys teaching Anatomy & Physiology as well as Public Health at the New York College of Health Care Professionals, in Syosset, New York. Always striving to help better herself and her patients, Dr. Perretta is currently seeking a degree in Oriental/Herbal Medicine. She also enjoys doing Yoga and Crossfit to stay in shape and maintain a well balanced life style.

Read more about Dr. Cariann Perretta and her practice at http://www.lighthousewellnessli.com.

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage is one of the oldest, simplest forms of therapy and is a system of stroking, pressing and kneading different areas of the body to relieve pain, relax, stimulate, and tone the body. Massage does much more than create a pleasant sensation on the skin, it also works on the soft tissues(the muscles, tendons, and ligaments) to improve muscle tone. Although it largely affects those muscles just under the skin, its benefits may also reach the deeper layers of muscle and possibly even the organs themselves. Massage also stimulates blood circulation and assists the lymphatic system (which runs parallel to the circulatory system), improving the elimination of waste throughout the body.

SOME BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

1. Relaxing.
2. Soothing.
3. Healing.
4. Reassuring.
5. Eases tension, stiffness, and pain.
6. Improves breathing.
7. Improves circulation.
8. Enhances well-being.

Effects of massage are cumulative and a course of massage treatments will bring the most benefits. Regular massage can have the effect of strengthening and toning the entire body mechanism, and so help to prevent unnecessary strains and injuries that might otherwise occur due to excess tension and any resulting structural weaknesses. Massage can stimulate or calm the nervous system-depending upon what is required by the individual-and thus help reduce fatigue, leaving the reciever with a feeling of replenished energy. At its best, massage has the potential to restore the individual physically, mentally and spiritually.

Types of Massages:

- Swedish
- European
- Deep Tissue
- Trigger Point Therapy
- Medical Massage
- Shiatsu
- Thai Massage
- Hot/Cold Stone
- Myofascial Release Technique
- Cranial
- Sacral Therapy

Visit our website at http://lighthousewellnessli.com/ for more information.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an effective form of medical treatment that has evolved into a complete holistic health care system. Practitioners of acupuncture and Chinese medicine have used this noninvasive treatment method to help millions of people become well and stay well.

Acupuncture promotes natural healing. It can enhance recuperative power and immunity, support physical and emotional health, and improve overall function and well-being. It is a safe, painless and effective way to treat a wide variety of medical problems.

WHAT IS QI?

At the core of this ancient medicine is the philosophy that Qi (pronounced "chee"), or Life Energy, flows throughout the body. Qi animates the body and protects it from illness, pain and disease. A persons health is influenced by the quality, quantity, and balance of Qi.



HOW DOES QI MOVE?

Qi flows through specific pathways called meridians. There are 14 main meridians inside the body. Each of these is connected to specific organs and glands.

Meridian pathways are like rivers flowing inside the body. Where a river flows, it transports life-giving water that provides nourishment to the land, plants and people. Similarly, where meridian pathways flow, they bring life-giving Qi that provides nourishment to every cell, organ, gland, tissue and muscle in the body.

HOW IS QI DISRUPTED?

Physical and emotional trauma, stress, lack of exercise, overexertion, seasonal changes, poor diet, accidents, or excessive activity are among the many things that can influence the quality, quantity, and balance of Qi.

Normally, when a blockage or imbalance occurs, the body easily bounces back, returning to a state of health and well-being. However, when this disruption is prolonged or excessive, or if the body is in a weakened state, illness, pain, or disease can set in.



WHAT DOES AN ACUPUNCTURIST DO?

During the initial exam a full health history is taken. Questions are asked regarding health, symptoms and lifestyle. An appropriate physical exam is conducted, including pulse and tongue diagnosis.

Gathering this information enables the practitioner to effectively diagnose and detect any specific imbalances of Qi that may have contributed to a persons health problems. The practitioner can then create a well-structured treatment plan.

Once the imbalances of Qi are detected, an acupuncturist will place fine, sterile needles at specific acupoints along meridian pathways. This safe and painless insertion of the needles can unblock the obstruction and balance Qi where it has become unbalanced. Once this is done, Qi can freely circulate throughout the body, providing adequate nourishment to cells, organs, glands, tissues and muscles. This can eliminate pain and restore balance and harmony, as well as the body's ability to heal itself - ulimately leading to optimal health and well-being.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine is a safe, effective and drug-free threapy that can help address a wide variety of common ailments and problems.

Acupuncture is recognized by the National Insitutues of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as effective in treating these conditions:

- Addication, Alcohol
- Drug, Smoking
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Chronic Fatigue
- Colitis
- Common Cold
- Constipation
- Dental Pain
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Digestive Trouble
- Dizziness
- Dystentery
- Emotional Problems
- Eye Problems
- Facial Palsytics
- Fatigue
- Fertility
- Fibromyalgia
- Gingivitis
- Headache
- Incontinence
- Indigestion
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Low Back Pain
- Menopause
- Menstrual Irregularities
- Migraine
- Morning Sickness
- Nausea
- Osteoarthritis
- Pain
- PMS
- Pneumonia
- Reproductive Problems
- Rhinitis
- Sciatica
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Shoulder Pain
- Sinusitis
- Sleep Disturbances
- Smoking Cessation
- Sore Throat
- Stress
- Tennis Elbow
- Tonsillitis
- Tooth Pain
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Vomiting
- Wrist Pain

For more information about acupuncture, visit our website at http://www.lighthousewellnessli.com/.

What is Chiropractic?

Modern chiropractic began in the late 1800s when Daniel David Palmer, a self-educated teacher and healer, performed the first spinal manipulation on a patient. Today, chiropractic is the third largest area of medicine, next only to dentistry, and is the largest Complementary and Alternative Medicine (or CAM) health profession.

The word chiropractic comes from Greek words meaning "treatment by hand", which is exactly what chiropractors do—they use their hands to manipulate the body and promote healing and wellness.

The chiropractic philosophy is based on the following belief statements:

- All bodily functions are connected and the healing process involves the entire body.
- A healthy nervous system, particularly the spine, is the key to a healthy body.
- The spinal cord carries information throughout the body and is responsible for all bodily functions including voluntary movements (such as walking) and involuntary functions (such as breathing). When the systems of the body are in balance, it is called homeostasis. Disorders of the bones, muscles, and nerves can disrupt homeostasis and increase the risk of disease and other health problems.
- When body systems are in harmony, the human body has the remarkable ability to maintain health and heal itself.

CHIROPRACTORS

Chiropractors are medical professionals who diagnose and treat disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. They use traditional diagnostic testing methods (such as x-rays, MRI, and lab work) along with specific chiropractic techniques that involve hands-on manipulation of the articulations (joints) of the body. Chiropractors also offer nutrition and healthy lifestyle counseling. Chiropractors elect not to prescribe medications, and they do not perform surgery; however, many chiropractors work closely with medical doctors and will refer a patient when necessary.

Chiropractors believe one of the main causes of pain and disease is the misalignment of the vertebrae in the spinal column (this is called a chiropractic subluxation). Through the use of manual detection (or palpation), carefully applied pressure, massage, and manual manipulation of the vertebrae and joints (called adjustments), chiropractors are able to relieve pressure and irritation on the nerves, restore joint mobility, and help return the body's homeostasis.
We trained in the following modalities:

- Physiotherapy
- Heat/cold therapy
- Ultrasound
- Electric muscle stimulation
- Acupuncture
- Manual Traction
- Massage
- Exercise programs and instruction
- Lifestyle and nutrition counseling
- Flexion/Distraction

IN SUMMARY

Chiropractic has come a long way since its beginnings. Today, there are over 50,000 licensed chiropractors practicing in the United States. Because of its success in treating back and neck problems and as a result of recent research and changing attitudes, chiropractic has become more accepted and is now considered by many to be a part of mainstream Western medicine. In fact, many hospitals now have chiropractors on staff, and they are a part of the Medicare/Medicaid systems. Chiropractors are currently being incorporated into the U.S. military health system. Chiropractors are also recognized by the court system as expert witnesses in their field.