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Acupuncture is part of 10,000-year-old traditional Chinese medicine, a complete medical system that has been used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness for thousands of years. It is the most widely-practiced and accepted Oriental medicine procedure in the United States.
At Glastonbury Naturopathic Center, this system of healing is practiced by our highly skilled and experienced acupincturists.
Dr. Helene Pulnik RPh, MS, ND, LAc. Dipl. NCCAOM
Dr. Helene Pulnik, the Medical Director of our center, is a nationally board-certified, licensed Naturopathic Physician and licensed Acupuncturist. She specializes in acupuncture for Women's Health, Weight Loss, Stress, Anxiety, Insomnia, Depression,Infertility, Arthritis, IBS, Migraines, and more.
Dr. Charles Lerner, DC
has over 25 years as a Chiropractor and healthcare professional. Dr. Lerner specializes in acute and chronic pain management. His acupuncture treatments not only alleviate back pain, neck pain, joint pain, but they improve your overall health and wellbeing.
- What is Acupuncture? What Conditions Can It Treat?
- Auriculotherapy
- How Does Acupuncture Work?
- Is Acupuncture Effective?
- The Acupuncture Treatment Process
- Acupuncture Testimonials
What is Acupuncture? What Conditions Can It Treat?
Acupuncture brings the body into a state of balance by working with its energy and flow. It is based on the Taoist belief that the body is an integrated whole, consisting of the mind, body, and spirit. Each of these three parts is believed to work together, affecting the other's ability to heal. For this reason, acupuncture is aimed at encouraging the whole body to promote natural healing and improve functioning. The World Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture as a treatment for a wide range of medical problems, including:
- Digestive disorders — gastritis and hyperacidity, spastic colon, constipation, diarrhea, nausea
- Respiratory disorders — sinusitis, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, chest infections
- Pain, neurological and muscular disorders — headaches, migraines, facial tics, neck pain, rib neuritis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, tendonitis, lower back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis
- Urinary, menstrual, and reproductive problems, including infertility, menopause and PMS
- Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue symptoms
- Smoking withdrawal
- Hypertension
- Infertility
- Allergies
- Physical problems related to anxiety, tension, and stress
Sometimes referred to as energy medicine, acupuncture is philosophically different from Western medicine in some critical ways. Western medicine is based on the belief that the body represents one functioning system and the mind another; the spirit is not considered in this belief. In this philosophy, disease is considered either physical or mental, and organs are viewed as separate and distinct from one another.
In contrast, Oriental medicine focuses on Taoist beliefs. The body is seen as an integrated whole, each organ believed to have its own mental, physical, and spiritual function that can be treated separately. The acupuncture practitioner brings balance back to the body by working with its energy and flow.
Auriculotherapy
Auriculotherapy is the stimulation of the auricle or the external ear for the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions in other parts of the body. It is also known as ear acupuncture or auricular acupuncture when the stimulation is achieved by the insertion of acupuncture needles, whereas the term auriculotherapy usually refers to electrical stimulation of acupuncture points on the surface of the ear.
Clinical studies have shown both acupuncture and auriculotherapy to be safe and effective in the treatment of a variety of acute and chronic illnesses.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
As the Chinese explain it, channels of energy run in regular patterns throughout the body and over its surface. These channels, or meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body. They irrigate and nourish the tissues. If any of these rivers are obstructed, that obstruction is like a dam that backs everything up and it can cause weakness on other meridians and internal organs in the body. That's where acupuncture comes in. These meridians can be influenced by the fine needling of acupuncture points, which unblock the obstructions and can allow the regular flow of energy through the meridians. This can help the body's organs to correct any imbalances in digestion, absorption, and energy production. The scientific explanation is that needling the acupuncture points causes the nervous system to release endorphins in the brain, muscles, and spinal cord. The endorphins will either change the experience of pain, or trigger the release of chemicals and hormones that influence the body's internal regulating system. Acupuncture can produce an improved energy and biochemical balance, which results in the stimulation of the body's natural healing abilities.
Is Acupuncture Effective?
For thousands of years, more people have been successfully treated with acupuncture than with all other health modalities combined. Acupuncture is growing more and more popular in America, and is widely practiced in countries all over the world. It can often be used in conjunction with other treatments such as conventional medicine, chiropractic adjustments, and homeopathic and herbal prescriptions.
While attitude is important in achieving wellness from acupuncture, there is more to acupuncture than just the placebo effect, or believing that the treatment will work. However, a positive or even neutral attitude can reinforce the effects, while a negative or disbelieving view may hinder the outcome of acupuncture, just as it can hinder any other treatment, Western or otherwise.
The Acupuncture Treatment Process
Acupuncture involves penetrating the skin with hair-thin, stainless steel needles. The needles are solid and their points are smooth, which makes insertion much less painful than injections or blood draws. In fact, most patients feel little to no pain at all.
As a licensed acupuncturist, Dr. Pulnik only uses sterile, disposable needles to eliminate the risk of infection. There are very few side effects from acupuncture treatment, and the most common side effects are limited to temporary redness or bruising at the site of needle insertion.
Feelings of deep relaxation or mild disorientation can occur immediately following the first one or two treatments, but this sensation passes quickly. Occasionally, the original symptoms of illness may persist for a few days after the treatment, and there may also be changes in sleep patterns, appetite, or bodily functions. How many acupuncture sessions a person will need depends upon the reason for the treatment. Chronic, long-standing conditions may require several treatments in a period of months. For health maintenance and prevention of disease, four sessions a year may suffice.
Acupuncture Testimonials
"I am a new patient of Dr. Helene Pulnik. I am a RN who suffers from chronic back pain and had looked up information regarding accupuncture on the internet. I frequently was also suffering from episodic periods of vertigo, which usually lasted for about a week. Vertigo can be very debilitating. I wasn't able to drive, therefore, was having a difficult time getting my job done as a nurse case manager which requires travel. It is not clear what is causing this new symptom of vertigo, but I was told by my primary care that it was viral and would run its course.
After it recurred for the third time, I went to see Dr. Pulnik. I had never experienced accupuncture treatment previously and was amazed at the results! I saw her on a Wednesday, which was 3 days into the vertigo. Each episode usually lasts at least a week. I woke up Thursday morning after the Wednesday accupuncture, and it was completely gone!
I am sold on accupuncture. I haven't re-experienced the vertigo since!"Paula, RN
Acupuncture at Glastonbury Naturopathic Center
More and more people are discovering the health-giving powers of acupuncture. As a non-invasive, relaxing course of treatment that costs much less than conventional techniques, why not explore acupuncture for yourself?
To learn more about acupuncture, or to set up a consultation, please call us today at
(860) 657-4105. Health, healing, and relaxation await!
Acupuncture fees
Initial New Patient Acupuncture Visit $150
Return Acupuncture Visit $85
Discounted Package of 3 Return Acupuncture Visits $245
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The fertility rate in the United States has been declining for the past few decades. The fertility rate is the number of children an average woman bears over the course of her life. The replacement rate is 2.1. If the average woman has more children than that, population grows. Today, America's total fertility rate is 1.93, according to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; it hasn't been above the replacement rate in a sustained way since the early 1970s. Infertility is defined as the inability to become pregnant after a year or more of sperm insemination or well-timed, unprotected vaginal intercourse. Infertility may be a temporary or a permanent condition; this depends on the available treatments, the cause, and the fertility of the partner at any particular point in time. Infertility is often incorrectly considered "the woman's problem". To improve the couple's chances of conception a child together, both the man and the woman should be evaluated, and treated, if necessary, Because conception is a complicated process, it depends upon several factors. There are many potential causes for infertility or reproductive problems. Chronic illnesses, as well as their treatments, can lead to fertility problems. Illnesses like diabetes and hypothyroidism can cause fertility problems. Insulin, antidepressants, and thyroid hormones may lead to irregular menstrual cycles, for example. Premature ovarian failure has become a common cause of infertility in younger women, often diagnosed as “unexplained infertility”. Environmental toxins and xenoestrogens in foods are known to cause hormone disruption, and free radical damage to both ovaries in women and sperm production in men. Certain toxins such as phthalates may be linked to genital abnormalities in boys. Products that contain phthalates include food packaging, cosmetics, make-up, soaps, fragrances, shampoos, hairspray, nail polish, pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, building materials, vinyl flooring, paints, adhesives, detergents, solvents, lubricating oils, plastic bags, garden hoses, automobiles, children’s toys, modeling clay, glow sticks, cleaning products, and as inert ingredients in insecticides. In many instances phthalates are not identified on product labels. 40% of infertility can be due to male factors, and acupuncture also treats male partners of women trying to conceive. Medication used to treat peptic ulcers or hypertension can cause male factor infertility, including problems with sperm production or their ability to fertilize the egg. In men, average sperm concentration went from 72 million/ml in 2001 to 52 million/ml in 2011. When sperm concentration drops below 40 million/ml, conception becomes difficult. Researchers agree that diet, lifestyle, and exposure to chemicals are causing the worldwide decline. Fertility issues are environmental issues Couples experiencing difficulty conceiving may be referred to a fertility specialist for evaluation. Typically, blood testing, genetic testing, and sperm testing are done to determine if there are any medical or hormonal abnormalities that need to be treated. Currently, there are several medical treatments for infertility performed by MDs who specialize in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). These treatments are typically hormones to induce ovulation, IUI or intrauterine insemination, which is a procedure in which sperm are placed directly into the uterine cavity near the time of ovulation and IVF, or in-vitro fertilization, which is a procedure that involves retrieving eggs and sperm from the bodies of the male and female partners and placing them together in a laboratory dish to enhance fertilization. Fertilized eggs are then transferred several days later into the female partner's uterus where implantation and embryo development will hopefully occur as in a normal pregnancy. Success rates with IUI can vary from 5% to 20% for a single cycle, depending on the age and health of the couple. With several IUI cycles, the conception rate can be even higher. According to the American Pregnancy Association, the success rate of conception with IVF is 10%-35%, again depending on the age and health status of the couple. Both IUI and IVF procedures can cost several thousand dollars per cycle or treatment, and are not always covered by insurance. From the viewpoint of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture and Naturopathic Medicine, other factors contributing to infertility include imbalances in the energy meridians of the body, toxic overload, and lifestyle factors such as poor diet, stress, and lack of proper sleep. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are affordable therapies that have been used safely and effectively alongside with IUI and IVF, as well as a stand-alone treatment for infertility. Studies have shown that acupuncture can improve the success rate of IVF by 40%-60%. The typical cost for an Acupuncture session is only $85.00. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can help improve fertility and the success of IVF in a number of ways: 1. Improve the function of the ovaries to produce better quality eggs 2. Restore hormonal balance and blood flow to the ovaries to produce a large number of follicles 3. Increase blood flow to the uterus to increase thickness of the uterine lining 4. Reduce stress, increase relaxation and improve sleep 5. Lessen the side effects of drugs used in IUI and IVF 6. Balances the immune system 7. Improves sperm count, motility, and morphology. Using proven Acupuncture techniques, Chinese herbal medicine, detoxification, nutritional counseling, nutritional supplementation, and stress reduction can help to restore balance and overall wellness. Restoring balance allows the body’s hormones and natural cycles to become more regular, and increases the body’s response to IUI and IVF, thus improving fertility. Traditional Acupuncture involves inserting extremely thin, sterile, stainless steel, disposable needles into specific points on the surface of the skin, restoring balance to the body, mind, and spirit along with the correction of infertility-related imbalances and deficiencies. This age-old system of medicine has stood the test of thousands of years and yet continues to rise above and improve health even in our modern western culture. This sophisticated yet subtle method of treatment is so effective because of its focus on each individual's particular needs. At the same time, acupuncture is a very relaxing and rejuvenating treatment. Dr. Helene Pulnik is a board-certified, licensed Naturopathic Physician, and Licensed Acupuncturist. She is also a Registered Pharmacist and holds a Master’s Degree in Human Nutrition. She has studied infertility treatment using acupuncture, herbs, nutrition, and stress reduction with Mike Berkley, Lac. In New York, and Dr. Randine Lewis, author of The Infertility Cure. Integrating the wisdom of proven acupuncture techniques and natural medicine, Dr. Pulnik treats couples by supporting the body’s natural cycles to enhance fertility. Dr. Pulnik provides Acupuncture, detoxification, herbal, and nutritional counseling for infertile couples. References: Acupuncture & IVF: Increase IVF Success by 40-60% by Lifang Liang The Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, Updated Tables, September 2012 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility: Handbook for Clinicians (pocket sized) by Dan I. Lebovic, John David Gordon and Robert N. Taylor The Infertility Cure: The Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and Having Healthy Babies, by Randine Lewis, Ph.D. Declining Sperm Counts, BMJ. 1996 July 6; 313(7048): 43–45,
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This Earth Day, show you care. For our planet and all living things, especially each other. Appreciate your surroundings. Take it to heart! Please share this video message. Thank you! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze7KQIIaxHQ&feature=player_embedded
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Heal with Earthing
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A recent study has verified that hormone replacement therapy, including "bioidentical" hormones, can cause breast cancer and increase your sisk of dying from breast cancer. Los Angeles Times (latimes.com) - Study Upholds Breast Cancer Mortality For Hormone Replacement -(Saturday, March 30, 2013) In the nearly 11 years since researchers first rang alarm bells that women on hormone replacement therapy faced an increased risk of breast cancer, some have suggested that taking estrogen and progestin to treat symptoms of menopause might not be so dangerous after all. Though it was generally agreed that woman who took the two hormones to curb their hot flashes and night sweats upped their chances of developing the disease, many studies suggested that the cancers the women developed were less likely to be deadly. A new analysis of data from the Women's Health Initiative now casts doubt on those findings. The study, published Friday by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, concludes that the prognosis for cancers related to hormone replacement therapy is just as dire as for other breast cancers. As a result, women who turn to the treatment are more likely to die of breast cancer than their peers who don't take hormones.
