Feel Your Best Now!

Women’s Health & Acupuncture

As a woman, you have health concerns that change throughout your lifetime.  You are a unique individual, with issues that are truly specific to you.  Isn’t it time you found a healthcare provider that understands this? One size fits all doesn’t work in your closet so why would you settle for this type of healthcare? 

Acupuncture offers a safe, natural and effective way to support your health, physically and emotionally.  What makes Acupuncture so different from traditional medicine, is that the entire body is assessed, not just the symptoms.  We call this treating the “root”.  This means, at Balancing Point Acupuncture, your acupuncturist is interested in you as an individual and how to assist you in reaching your health goals.

Your initial visit at Balancing Point Acupuncture will be a 90-minute appointment, which includes an intensive clinical health assessment, as well as a customized acupuncture treatment, targeted to your specific needs.  We encourage you to bring in any lab or imaging reports that add to your health profile.  You have the confidence of knowing that Linda also has over 30 years of experience in traditional medicine, which leads to a more in-depth understanding in your care.

We promise to work with you and we promise to listen to you.  Your acupuncturist will discuss nutritional and lifestyle adjustments that further improve your progression towards constitutional balance.  Your appointments are designed so that you will always have the time to address concerns with the acupuncturist. This allows adjustment to your treatment as you make progress toward your ultimate wellness. 

Your experience at Balancing Point Acupuncture is designed to be an overall calming and nurturing one, where your health and wellness are our priority.  We are excited to become a part of your healthcare team, so please give us a call at 480-204-5395 to speak with the acupuncturist and receive your complementary phone consultation.  Let’s talk soon, after all, The Point is Health… Your Health!     Linda L. Scott, MS, LAc

Success Can Be Yours!

The Weight Release & Acupuncture Connection

It is a fact that over 30% of American adults meet the criteria for obesity.  Along with the increasing weight problem, many quick-fix weight loss plans have popped up on the internet and other social media.  This has lead to much confusion. Are any of these programs healthy and effective?  What will work for me? The search for health can feel overwhelming.  It is no wonder many give up before they even get started!

A NATURAL PATH TO WEIGHT RELEASE. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offer a safe, natural and effective approach to the release of extra weight, by improving health and the body’s ability to regulate weight.  What’s different about Balancing Point Acupuncture and the TCM system for weight loss? :

1) Every person is unique and has specific nutritional requirements.  Stressors like emotional health, excessive work, social activities, exposure to allergens, poor nutritional choices, and physical trauma are just a few of the circumstances that may be factors complicating ideal body weight. The treatment plan for improving your metabolism will be specific to you.

2) The root cause of the problem is addressed, so instead of just alleviating symptoms, Qi (CHEE), the life energy of the entire body benefits.  What this means is, after consistent Acupuncture, you should experience overall health improvement.  At Balancing Point Acupuncture we always use a comprehensive diagnostic physical exam and detailed health history to discover the “root” cause(s) of your problems, which means that other concerns may also be addressed.

3) Several techniques may be used to help you: Acupuncture uses fine, sterile needles, gently applied to very energetic points of the body.  The points are selected to target your specific needs and assist your body to optimize physiological functions. Auricular (ear) acupuncture, a very powerful micro-system, is a relaxing form of treatment and beneficial to the entire body.  TCM Nutrition is based on your body’s innate ability to restore its constitutional balance.  We design a customized program to optimally balance your Qi, increasing your energy and releasing fat, while building lean muscle. Only at Balancing Point Acupuncture do we offer this effective, holistic system in conjunction with the finest organic, all-natural nutritional products from Isagenix.  Isagenix offers only the finest ingredients and is the new standard for modern research and nutrition.  Your customized nutritional program will be carefully designed to give you optimized results and health, including simple and effective maintenance.  The Isagenix meal replacement systems are available for purchase, exclusively through our acupuncturist, at an additional cost. Tuina, a form of Asian bodywork, feels great and complements acupuncture. TCM Body Movement is encouraged in the forms of Tai Chi and Qi Gong.  We have instructional information to get you moving and improve your Qi. Herbal formulas may be recommended to improve recovery time and overall effect but most importantly, to expedite renewed balance of Qi.  We do what it takes to help you feel better, with no hidden fees.  Herbal formulas are available for purchase, if indicated.

4) We work with you as a team to help you reach your goals.  That’s right, now you have guidance and support in making choices that really make a difference in how you feel.  At Balancing Point Acupuncture we believe that through discussion, teaching tools, counseling, and targeted information, we offer supportive services unique to our acupuncture clinic.  Our acupuncturist takes the time to listen and work with you. Your health is a precious investment in your future and we honor your commitment, by our commitment to you.

OUR ACUPUNCTURIST USES a holistic approach to nutrition, weight loss goals and overall wellness. It is important to understand that Acupuncture is not a “quick fix”.  Your constitution and health will affect weight loss and other changes. Whether only a few visits for acute issues, or several visits for more complicated or chronic problems, your acupuncturist will create a treatment protocol that will maximize your healing potential.  What are you waiting for?  Celebrate your success and finally reach your goals now with acupuncture!  After all, the point is health… your health!   

Linda L. Scott, LAc, DiplOM, Nutritional Consultant

Headache Pain Affects Everyone

Studies Show: Acupuncture Effective for Headache Pain Relief

Headache pain can stop you in your tracks!  Over 50 million people, just like you, suffer with headache.  Whether you experience minor or major pain from headache, it can really take precious time out of your day and your life.

DRUGS AND MEDICATIONS are often prescribed by doctors to get rid of head pain.  These medications may relieve pain quickly, but only for the short-term.  Because the cause of the headache is never addressed, you end up having to use the drugs over and over again to suppress pain.  The medications can become a way of life for many people, and even bigger problems may develop, because you run the risk of harmful side effects!

MODERN REVIEW STUDIES show acupuncture effective in treating both tension headaches and migraines. Review studies take a substantial group of studies on a topic and perform a “meta-analysis” on them to see if there is a trend in one direction or another among a body of research. Both of these reviews were performed by researchers at the Centre for Complementary Medicine Research inMunich,Germany.  In the first meta-analysis on tension headaches, they looked at a collection of eleven studies with a total of 2,317 participants. In the second review studying migraines, they reviewed twenty-two studies that included 4,419 people. In the end, each review concluded that acupuncture is an effective treatment for both tension headaches and migraines.

A NATURAL PATH TO RELIEF, Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offer a safe, natural and effective approach to headache pain relief, without side effects.  What’s different about Balancing Point Acupuncture and the TCM system to resolve headache? :

1) Every person is unique and demonstrates a unique headache footprint.  Stressors like emotional health, excessive work, social and exercise activities, exposure to allergens, diet, physical trauma and even pregnancy are just a few of the circumstances that may be factors to your headaches. Specific symptoms you have, location on the body, type of pain and triggers are all information we consider to determine your headache footprint.  The treatment plan for ending your cycle of pain will be specific to you.

2) The root cause of the problem is addressed, so instead of just alleviating symptoms, Qi (CHEE), the life energy of the entire body benefits.  What this means is, after consistent Acupuncture, many people receive headache pain relief and overall health improvement.  At Balancing Point Acupuncture we always use a comprehensive diagnostic physical exam and detailed health history to discover the “root” cause(s) of your headache, which means that other concerns may also be addressed.

3) Several techniques may be used to help you: Acupuncture uses fine, sterile needles, gently applied to very energetic points of the body.  The points are selected to target your specific needs and assist your body to optimize physiological functions. Auricular (ear) acupuncture, a very powerful micro-system, is a relaxing form of treatment and beneficial to the entire body.  Tuina, a form of Asian bodywork, feels great and complements acupuncture. Herbal formulas may be recommended to improve recovery time and overall effect but most importantly, to expedite renewed balance of Qi, so headache does not return.  We do what it takes to help you feel better, with no hidden fees.  Herbal formulas are available for purchase, if indicated.

4) We work with you as a team to help you reach your goals.  That’s right, now you have guidance and support in making choices that really make a difference in how you feel.  At Balancing Point Acupuncture we believe that through discussion, teaching tools, counseling, and targeted information, we offer supportive services unique to our acupuncture clinic.  Our acupuncturist takes the time to listen and work with you. Your health is a precious investment in your future and we honor your commitment, by our commitment to you.

OUR ACUPUNCTURIST USES a whole body approach to headache pain and overall wellness. It is important to understand that Acupuncture is not a “quick fix”.  Depending on your constitution and health, changes may occur quickly or over a longer period of time. Whether only a few visits for acute issues, or several visits for more complicated or chronic problems, your acupuncturist will create a treatment protocol that will maximize your healing potential.  After all, the point is health… your health!    Linda L. Scott, LAc, Dipl OM

For years I wanted to learn Tai Qi. Maybe it was the esoteric beauty of the form, or the compelling dynamic of watching a group of people performing Tai Qi … whatever the attraction, it was something I wanted to do for a long time.

Once class began, I immediately loved the rhythm, the concentration involved and especially the purposeful intention of each graceful movement. Tai Qi was fun! Then one day, I came to class with a poor attitude. I found concentration difficult, which made learning even the simplest movements nearly impossible. The more I struggled with Tai Qi, the more incapable, discouraged and embarrassed I became. This was not fun! Thankfully, it became very apparent to me that I was creating my own problems. Tai Qi could not flow without my body, mind and spirit being relaxed and focused. I could not tackle the grace of intention that is so integral to the movements, if my intention was not full of grace.

Could it be that Tai Qi was about more than just lovely movements and fluid form? At that moment, I made the decision to be responsible for the attitude I brought to my Tai Qi lessons. I would let go of my selfishness and give my teacher the respect and attention that he deserved. If I was having a problem picking up the form, I would look inward, check out the attitude of my heart, and move forward. Mostly, I decided to just let go of everyday concerns and let Tai Qi become an expression of my true self. I would let it tell me what I needed to work on, where I needed to focus.

Today, I continue to find Tai Qi a challenge, but one that I am grateful for. I am working on applying the lessons I take from it, to my life outside of class. To accomplish anything, you must have purposeful intention with a good heart. What I learned from my experience with Tai Qi was very unexpected … when I began learning Tai Qi, I began learning about me.

Tuina is a type of therapeutic bodywork developed in China almost 2,000 years ago, to work the energy channels of the body.  Like acupuncture, the aim is to restore a balanced flow of Qi, or energy.  Unlike acupuncture, no needles are used.  In Tuina, the practitioner uses their hands to massage soft tissue (muscles and ligaments) and to manipulate and realign the musculoskeletal and ligamentous relationships (bone-setting).  This establishes a more harmonious flow of Qi, allowing the body to heal itself.  In ancient China, Tuina was classified as an “external” treatment especially suitable for the elderly and infants.  Today, Tuina treats chronic stress-related disorders of the gastro-intestinal, respiratory and reproductive systems and musculoskelatal disorders, like tennis elbow.

Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is a common inflammatory injury involving the tendons attached to the lateral side of the elbow at the humeral epicondyle.  Patients experience radiating pain, and sometimes weakness, from the elbow to the forearm and occasionally into the hand.  Achy discomfort accompanies activity and may be present when resting.  Precipitating trauma may be either a violent injury or microtrauma due to repetitive motion or strain.  The western treatment for tennis elbow is rest, anti-inflammatory medication and ice.  Additional treatments include stretching and strengthening exercises alternating with immobility via straps or braces.  Cortisone shots are also frequently part of the treatment protocol.

In Chinese Medicine, tennis elbow is known as zhou lao (elbow taxation), and involves shang jin (damaged sinews) and zhou tong (elbow pain).  Taxation is viewed as overwork and injury to the sinews and vessels of the elbow, leading to blood deficiency and stagnation.  Additionally, wind and cold factors may be contracted because of reduced Wei Qi strength.  Treatment principles are: relax the constricted sinews; free the flow of Qi and Blood; regulate Qi in the channels and vessels.  Warming the channel and expelling wind may also be in order.

Tuina treatment for tennis elbow involves:  1)  Rolling technique from shoulder to elbow for 5-10 minutes.  2)  Press and knead the elbow area while performing passive range of movement of the joint.  Increase pressure on any ashi points, especially LI10 and LI11.  Attempt to separate any fibrous tissues with the thumb.3)  Flex and extend the wrist joint while holding the elbow with the other hand. 4) Apply medicated liniment or ointment until the local area is warm and the patient has a feeling of heat.  5) Use the rearranging method on the fingers and rub, knead and shake the hand. 6) Rub/roll the whole arm from shoulder to hand.  7) Patient should keep the elbow immobile for at least 24 hours. Repeat treatment daily until pain subsides (usually 3-6 treatments).

Ice is usually contraindicated in tennis elbow, as the contraction of wind and cold will be exacerbated with ice. Adjunctive measures include local moxibustion  or warming with a TDP lamp, and herbal formulas that move Qi and Blood.  It is imperative that the patient refrain from activity that aggravates the condition, until the inflammation and pain resolve and tendons heal.