My Blog

Constant Phone Checking solutions! The Un-Social Network.

07/16/2012 16:22:00

Here's an interesting article on the addictive habit of constantly checking out cell phones. I think it's an annoying habit and frustrating when friends or patients are constantly distracted while trying to have a real "social" conversation.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sara-calabro/acupuncture-tips_b_1485446.html

Webmd article on Smoking effects on the brain

02/07/2012 12:54:00

(WebMD)

Smoking is bad for the brain, especially for male smokers.
Men who smoke tend to have a more rapid mental decline than men who do not smoke, a new study shows. But the findings did not reveal a similar link between smoking and mental decline in female smokers.Although the exact reason for the sex difference is unclear, one possibility is that women tend to smoke fewer cigarettes a day than men do and for fewer years. Other lifestyle habits, such as male smokers drinking more alcohol, may also account for some differences seen.In the study, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, scientists analyzed data from nearly 6,000 men and more than 2,100 women who were British civil servants. To evaluate their thinking abilities, participants were given their first mental assessment at midlife, an average age of 56.The assessment included five tests of memory, vocabulary, and reasoning (verbal and math) skills. Participants were retested two more times (every five years) over a decade.To determine volunteers' smoking habits over a 25-year period, researchers looked at their then-current smoking status and past history, including whether they had quit or relapsed.Faster mental decline was seen in middle-age men who currently smoked than men who never did.Smoking and Brain Health
Men who were recent ex-smokers had, on average, greater declines in "executive function," a term for more complex thinking skills, than men who never smoked.But there was good news for people who had laid off cigarettes for at least a decade: Men who were long-term ex smokers did not have greater mental decline than men who never took up tobacco. Scientists suspect the negative effects of smoking on memory and thinking skills might wear off about 10 years after quitting.It's not surprising that smoking is linked with faster rates of mental decline. Smoking is a risk factor for dementia, and it also increases a person's chances forheart and lung disease, two health problems associated with memory difficulties.Researchers suspect that other studies may underestimate the impact of smoking on the brain health of older adults because of higher death rates and dropout rates among smokers. So this research looked at middle-aged smokers because the brain changes that can influence memory problems later in life can begin 20 to 30 years earlier."Our study illustrates the importance of examining risk factors for [mental] decline much earlier in the life course," the researchers write.While these findings occurred in white-collar civil service workers, it's not known if similar results would be found in blue-collar workers, the unemployed, or the general population.By Cari NierenbergReviewed by Laura J. Martin, MDSOURCES:Sabia, S. Archives of General Psychiatry, published online Feb. 6, 2012.News release, Archives of General Psychiatry.
© 2012 WebMD, LLC.. All Rights Reserved.

Insurance for Acupuncture: United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Oxford

01/31/2012 13:33:00

As we all know, Acupuncture can be expensive. Unfortunately most insurance do not cover acupuncture in New York City, but it is still possible. Most companies, like United Health care and Aetna do have out of network coverage for acupuncture, but they are hard to come by. Insurance plans with out of network coverage for acupuncture usually come from businesses with an expensive health care plan for their employees,

Fortunately most insurance plans cover acupuncture in-network. The choices for in-network acupuncture practitioners are sparse because the reimbursement is very low and most acupuncturist can not make a living on such low rates.

As an alternative to insurance, I offer to treat low income patients on a sliding scale of $40-$80 per visit. The sliding scale model is used to help low-income patients receive the therapy they need. To qualify for sliding scale payments in my office I ask the patients to bring in a copy of their W-2 or pay stub. Patients paying on a sliding scale still receive the same treatment as any other patient paying normal office visit price. My goal is to offer fair and affordable healthcare for whoever may need it.

Thanks for reading!

Wilton Valerio MSTOM, L.Ac

Free Consultations!

01/31/2012 12:09:00

Need to work on your new years resolution? Starting February we will be offering free consultations for new patients! This is this year to work on weight loss, stop smoking, stress management, pain reduction and fertility treatments

Come in and see how alternative medicine can help you reach your goals. Appointments are available in NYC, Brooklyn and Queens.

Acupuncture for the NFL

01/31/2012 12:05:00

Interesting article on treating NFL players with acupuncture. Recently I've had college and NBA players come in for treatments for stiff joints and muscle fatigue. Fortunately they felt much better and relaxed in time for their next game.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/sports/football/30acupuncture.html?ref=acupuncture

As Medical Costs Rise, More Americans Turn to Acupuncture

04/05/2011 11:29:00

As Medical Costs Rise, More Americans Turn to Acupuncture

See full article from DailyFinance:

http://srph.it/f8aSow

April Specials!

04/05/2011 11:28:00

Take advantage of these great specials!

-- Free consultation and 15 minute treatment! ($60 value) --

-- Refer a friendor family and get a free treatment! --

Acupuncture and Anxiety

02/25/2011 12:16:00

Great articles talking about the use of acupuncture on children before dental surgery to sucesfully reduce and anxiety

http://acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=28424

Moderate Exercise Improves Memory In Older People

02/01/2011 14:09:00

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/215379.php

Flu Usually Passed Boy-Boy And Girl-Girl, Research Shows

02/01/2011 13:28:00

http://www.dailyhealthreport.org/flu-usually-passed-boy-boy-and-girl-girl-research-shows/1404/