PORTLAND, Maine, September 14th, 2010 - Combating stress in modern life is a challenge for most, but for Cape Elizabeth resident Elisabeth Lombardo, it became a physical problem. "I work full-time, I have a young son, and my husband runs a business and travels frequently. As they say, 'something's gotta give'-and it did. I don't think I realized how stressed out I was until I became ill this spring." Lombardo was sent from specialist to specialist, and tested for "every disease under the sun, including cancer, kidney stones, and endometriosis." She even had surgery in May, but the doctors were ultimately unable to answer the question of what was wrong with her. "It seemed like they reached a dead end and there was nothing more they could do to help. I was desperate, though, because I was still experiencing pain on a daily basis."

That's when Lombardo decided to go to acupuncturist John Charlebois at Jade Integrated Health on Munjoy Hill. "I'd been to Jade a few years ago for whiplash treatment after a car accident. After jumping through all the hoops Western medicine had to offer this spring, I was ready to simplify and approach my physical issues from a different angle." Through weekly acupuncture treatments and consultations with Charlebois this summer, she has since eliminated inflammatory foods from her diet like dairy and gluten. She is also doing yoga and massage and taking Chinese herbs.

"Yoga, acupuncture and massage each offer health benefits, but when done together, the effect can be life-changing. At Jade Integrated health, we believe in treating the body as a whole, rather than trying to treat each symptom that comes along," says John Charlebois.  "All 3 of these modalities have been proven to enhance the immune system and reduce stress." It has been calculated that 70-80 % of all visits to the doctor are for stress-related and stress-induced illnesses and that stress contributes to 50% of all illness in the U.S.
Meanwhile, Lombardo is on a path to recovery. "The pain that I was experiencing in my abdomen is largely gone now," she says. "I'm more relaxed in general, and more aware of my physical reactions when I am under stress. It sounds silly, but I am learning how to breathe again, the right way. And as an added benefit, my seasonal allergies are the best they've been in years!"

Jade Integrated Health is currently offering a package of 7 weeks of yoga, one acupuncture treatment and one massage for $200.00. Jade also offers Physical Therapy, prenatal massage, Mommy and Baby Yoga and a brand new Yoga For Guys class.