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About:
Facial acupuncture is an excellent supplement or alternative to procedures such as cosmetic surgery or botox injections. It is safe, basically painless, and has no risks or side effects.  Facial acupuncture increases collagen production, thereby reducing fine lines and diminishing deep wrinkles. It improves overall facial tone, by stimulating weakened muscle fibers and relaxing overwrought muscle tensions. This effectively minimizes double chins, firms up jowls, reduces frown lines and bags under the eyes, as well as lifts droopy eyelids and eliminates facial puffiness.

Each session includes a "body treatment" to balance the pulses and prepare the body for treatment, as well as a neck or facial protocol to bring increased vitality to those areas. For the actual facial treatment, extremely fine needles are inserted to a shallow level to affect the muscles and collagen of the skin. 
Dietary, & general lifestyle advice is also an integral part of treatment.

Since each individual is unique, the response to treatment will vary depending on your age and lifestyle. Generally, results are noticeable after 6-7 sessions, although a radiant complexion and brightness in the eyes can be seen after the first treatment.  The recommended course of treatment is between 10 -12 sessions, and should be done 1-2 times a week. A treatment lasts about 60 minutes.  Maintenance is recommended once each month.

Who we are and how we live our lives is written on our faces. As time passes, and physical, spiritual, and emotional changes occur, our face reflects our transformation. The Chinese have practiced facial rejuvenation for centuries. The royalty of the Sung Dynasty (960AD - 1270AD) performed cosmetic acupuncture to help health and beauty from within to radiate to the outside. Through these sessions, Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture can help rejuvenate your body and revitalize your being to look and feel your best.

Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture is a treatment developed by acupuncturist Martha Lucas. There are two beneficial aspects to this treatment. One is a "root" treatment, which regulates the flow of energy (qi) and removes blockages in the meridians (channels of qi and blood) to improve overall health and restore balance to the body. This constitutional treatment addresses underlying causes, like digestive problems, hormonal imbalance and emotional stress, which become reflected in the face. The other is a local treatment, which directly affects facial appearance. Since many of the meridians begin or end on the face, there is an increase in circulation of blood, lymph and qi to the face that aids in moistening and creating a radiant color and glow to the skin. 

Price List:
The suggested course includes 2 sessions weekly for five weeks. All sessions include full body acupuncture treatment in addition to facial treatment.

Full course of 10 treatments = $1500

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Originals

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In January 2007, a Turning Point client told her acupuncturist that she had entered a three month long weight-loss competition – a contest among friends that she really wanted to win. They had been working together for several years on general well-being and this competition presented the client with an opportunity to learn more about how both Western Medicine / Culture and Traditional Chinese Medicine dealt with the issue of weight-loss.

We all know the basic weight-loss mantra: “eat less, exercise more.” However, with the constant stress and instant-gratification mentality of modern life, this is much easier said than done. Many people treat weight loss as a short sprint and are also constantly looking for short cuts. Eliminating certain types of food (carbohydrates or fats) or intensely working out for a brief period of time will help you lose weight, but once you return to “normal” eating habits, the weight comes back and then some. We need to burn more calories than we consume in order to lose weight, but it’s also important that we eat the right kind of calories and establish a healthy diet that can be sustained interminably. Eating a menu based on the 40/30/30 plan, where the daily food intake consists of 40% complex carbohydrates, 30% protein and 30% fat, as well as consciously reducing high-glycemic index foods like candy and other sweets, is a good and manageable approach. Aerobic activity such as running, bicycling or swimming, should also be balanced with anaerobic activity such as weight-lifting for optimum results. Keeping food and exercise journals has also been proven to help with weight-loss and maintenance.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), obesity and excess weight in general are viewed as a result of unbalanced qi in relation to the spleen, liver and kidney. All three of these organs play important roles in dealing with stress, and when they become overwhelmed feelings of well-being, satisfaction and fullness are replaced by unease, agitation, slow digestion and poor metabolism. TCM classifies this state as one of "dampness." In addition to utilizing specific acu-points to encourage better flow of qi, it is also recommended that you reduce your intake of caffeine, alcohol and dairy, as these foods negatively impact the organs and increase dampness. Your acupuncturist may also prescribe certain Chinese herbs to help reduce the dampness and promote qi between treatments. Exercise is also suggested as a complimentary activity, but the TCM approach supports a more gentle approach, so as to not shock the system. Regular walking and yoga are two practices that have been found to be beneficial.

A 2003 study published in Experiemental Biology and Medicine found that a combination of the western and TCM weight-loss techhniques produced positive results. Over an eight week period, 55 subjects received auricular acupuncture treatment and kept food journals. The subjects were weighed four times a day and in the end, 64% lost weight. A control group that received "sham treatments" and kept food journals did not lose any weight, proving that the weight loss of the test subjects was not simply a self-fulfilling prophecy. Other studies have also found that accupuncture can have a positive impact on weight-loss, but more quantitative research needs to be done.

So what can you do with all this information? Turning Point recommends individual consultation with your acupuncturist, as everybody and every body is unique. In general though, a safe approach to weight loss incorporates both Western and TCM elements. Try to eat a glycemically balanced diet, and reduce your intake of alcohol, caffeine and dairy. Exercise at a level where you feel comfortable but also challenge yourself to reach for a higher general state of overall fitness. Keep a journal and make sure that you are open and honest with your acupuncturist about challenges and successes. The needles are not an instant fix-all. You need to be an equal partner in the process and work to address both your emotional and physical issues that have resulted in the excess weight.

And in case you were wondering, the Turning Point client did win the competition. She lost 10% of her weight and has kept it off for over two years by following the program outlined above. This success has made her a firm believer in the effectiveness of TCM in general and regular acupuncture treatments in particular.

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Summer Newsletter

Dear Friends and Colleagues:
Welcome to Summer! This is the best time of year to get out and enjoy the wonders of nature. Even though it has been a bit on the rainy side in the northeast, there are still great opportunities to make slight adjustments to our routines and make the most of the season.

In this issue:

1. Dampness – Western and Eastern Perspectives
2. Recipe - Barley Fruit Chicken Salad
3. Practice Updates
   

Dampness – Western and Eastern Perspectives
Western Perspective
Biomedicine recognizes that excessively rainy and damp weather can negatively impact a person's mood and even her health. Both rain and the humidity of summer heat are expressions of dampness. Conditions such as arthritis are particularly vulnerable to damp. Almost everyone has a great-aunt or other relative who can predict the weather with no shortage of drama, based upon spikes of joint pain. The standard of care in biomedicine is over the counter analgesic medication like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen sodium, (Aleve). These medicines work by reducing inflammation to decrease pain. Unfortunately the whole class of these drugs tend to challenge the digestive system. The standard recommendation is to use them for a maximum period of ten days, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. Topical analgesics may provide some benefit without the risk of digestive challenge. Damp, warm conditions are also ideal for the growth of mold. People with mold allergies should take special care to make sure that their living spaces are clean and well ventilated. Mold allergies typically manifest with respiratory symptoms. There are several over-the-counter and prescription strength medications available for mold allergies triggered by dampness.

Eastern Perspective
In Asian medicine, dampness in nature - damp weather including humidity, rain and fog - has the potential to manifest as spleen-related complication. Internal dampness can also be triggered by the overuse of certain antibiotics and consumption of rich, sweet foods, like dairy products, sugary or high glycemic foods. When the spleen energy (qi) is depleted by dampness, essential digestive functions are impaired. Another physical manifestation of this imbalance is excessive phlegm - viewed in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a condensed form of dampness. Along with acupuncture treatment to help restore the qi, certain foods can help resolve dampness, including: pearl barley, umeoboshi plums, lentils, tuna, radish, papaya and horseradish. So, in moments when damp in inescapable, try to ease the burden on your spleen by making cleaner food choices of simple foods.

Summary and Strategy
Throughout the winter, our bodies rest and conserve energy as we wait the return of warmer days and the re-emergence of the sun. Damp, rainy weather puts a kink in this natural rhythm and can impact our bodies on several different levels. Keeping a positive outlook, maintaining a clean living environment and eating healthy foods are all positive preventative measures. Acupuncture can help support the body's process of transitioning to the weather of the new season. We cannot control the weather, but we can be proactive in assessing our bodies' reactions to it.

Recipe
The following recipe includes some key ingredients - pearl barley, almonds, cranberries and blueberries - to help fight dampness.
Barley Fruited Chicken Salad *adapted from Barleyfoods.org
2 cups cooked pearl barley (cooking directions below)
1-1/2 cups cooked and cubed chicken
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/2 cup Italian dressing (see below)
1/3 cup sliced fresh blueberries


Combine cooked barley, chicken, almonds, cranberries, celery and onions. Drizzle salad dressing over barley-chicken mixture and toss with fork. Chill well. To serve, spoon chilled salad into serving bowl and top with blueberries. Toss lightly to mix. Makes 4 servings.

To cook pearl barley
Place 3 cups water in medium saucepan; bring to boil. Add 1 cup pearl barley; return to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook 45 minutes or until barley is tender and liquid is absorbed. Makes about 3 to 3-1/2 cups. (Place any extra cooked barley in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week.)

Italian Salad Dressing:
6 tbsp. olive oil
3 tbsp. wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
-Combine and whisk well before use.

Practice Updates
We've updated the Turning Point website with the first in a series of topical essays on Oriental medicine and research. The inaugural piece is about weight loss and can be found on the Links page of the site.

Also on the website, check out the updated information on constitutional facial renewal. Expert practitioner Kymberly Kelly offers this safe, effective treatment as a supplement or alternative to Botox and cosmetic surgery.

If you haven't already, consider joining the Turning Point Facebook Group. It's a great way to stay in touch and receive regular reminders about practice events and updates.

On July 20 from 12:30 - 1:30pm, Amanda Silver will be hosting a workshop on acupuncture and fertility. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to 212-489-5038 by July 17th.

Turning Point has gone GREEN. Check out our official Eco-Policy.

If you're looking to treat yourself or a friend this summer, keep in mind that Turning Point offers gift certificates for acupuncture, Reiki or massage. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., call (212. 489. 5038) or visit our offices (1841 Broadway) to share a gift of healing.

We look forward to supporting you toward your fullest enjoyment of the season in optimum emotional, physical and spiritual health.