Educational Outreach

Speaking to Youth

I become energized when speaking about acupuncture to groups, especially local youths.  On March 8th, I participated in a lecture at Bonny Eagle High School in Standish.  The students were very responsive and eagerly asked engaging questions (not what one would expect from your average teenagers).  I left the event feeling re-charged with a sense of extended community and what it means to give back.  I look forward to more events like this.  I am fortunate to be participating in a Stress Busting Workshop for Parents at Cape Elizabeth High School on April 13th.  Additionally, I will be at North Yarmouth Academy May 5th, taking part in Teacher Appreciation Week.  If you are attending any of these events I look forward to seeing you there.

- John Charlebois L. Ac.

YMCA

Prenatal Water Aerobics

Since beginning my professional career, I have been drawn to the YMCA.  My alma mater, Springfield College, began as a school to train YMCA directors.  The essence of Springfield College embraces the Spirit, Mind and Body into the humanics philosophy.

Teaching prenatal water aerobics at the YMCA has given me the opportunity to promote wellness with the humanics philosphy in mind.  Each class is geared towards physical health, but a lot can happen in class!  Through conversation, we talk about  prenatal health, answer each others questions, and provide emotional support though pregnancy.  It is such a wonderful chance to educate, laugh, discuss, question and learn a few things myself!

- Nancy Charlebois PT, MT

Hour Exchange Portland

Building Relationships

I just recently joined the Hour Exchange of Portland, and am very excited about the opportunity it provides and the benefits it gives back to those involved.  Unlike a barter system, where there is a direct trade between two people;  Time Dollar members give an hour of their time and in return they can receive an hour of time within the member community.  I particularly love how the organization recognizes and appreciates everyone's unique talents, gifts, and abilities.

Exchanging services is about local individuals, organizations and businesses helping each other.  Members help rebuild and sustain neighborhood networks and strengthen community as a result of their activities.  I discovered Time Dollars via John and Nancy's participation in the organization.  They have been members since 2001.  If you are interested in this type of process, I highly recommend it and urge you to check out their site for more details.  www.hourexchangeportland.org

- Maura Hintlian RYT

Questions About Prenatal Massage?

We have some answers

I became interested in treating pregnant women for many reasons.  Mainly because it is such an amazing opportunity for women to learn how to take better care of themselves.  Often times, women are highly motivated to improve their health and well being as they realize the positive impact it can have on their unborn baby.  Prenatal massage is just one way to pursue better physical and emotional health in pregnancy.  Women also have very good questions about prenatal massage so I would like to share my experience and expertise in this area!

Seek out a massage therapist that is CERTIFIED in prenatal massage.  Massage therapists are required to be licensed, but do not necessarily receive training in prenatal massage.  Massage therapists may pursue continuing education to advance their skills to provide safer and more effective massage to pregnant women.  The advanced coursework includes optimal positioning for comfort, massage techniques to address specific areas of complaint and contraindications to massage.

Massage can be very rewarding from the first trimester through the post-partum year. Prenatal massage is safe from the onset of pregnancy.  Typically, monthly massage through the first 34 weeks and weekly massage during the last 6 weeks is most beneficial. When you are in early labor, if you can get in to see your massage therapist, it is a wonderful time to have relaxed focus in preparation for active labor.

Massaging the feet and ankles is safe and feels great!  Massaging firmly, even in the areas around the acupuncture points, will not initiate early labor.  Positioning on a massage table is best in side-lying and reclining. Lying face down on prenatal pillows or with a hole cut out of the table has the potential to increase fetal blood pressure, strain the abdominal musculature and strain uterine ligaments. Lying on your back is also safe well into pregnancy as long as you do not experience shortness of breath, dizziness or nausea.

Deep massage is safe, but should never be painful.  The only areas that should NEVER be massaged deeply are the inner calf and inner thigh.  Pregnant women have an increased risk of developing blood clots. The inner calf and inner thigh are typical areas where a blood clot may develop. Deep massage has the potential to dislodge a clot or cause microtrauma to form a clot.

What are the benefits of Prenatal Yoga?

Increases strength and flexibility

Helps diminish swelling and joint inflammation

Prevents and decreases pain in the lower back and sciatica pain

Stress Relief

Creates and maintains a sense of well being

Relaxation, imagery and breathing are useful in labor

Aids in digestion

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me.

- Nancy Charlebois, PT,MT

Myths Surrounding Acupuncture

Let's break down the walls

MYTH: Acupuncture is voodoo, magic, snake oil or is based on superstitious beliefs.

FALSE: True only when we wear our grass skirts and body paint on casual Friday. Seriously, acupuncture is based on careful observations by the ancient Chinese through clinical experiences. It is the longest existing medical system still in use today. Acupuncture education in the United States is regulated by a single national organization. The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) is the national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit Master's-level programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Additionally, this post graduate degree requires 1905 hours to be eligible for testing set forth by the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine).

MYTH: You have to belong to an Eastern religion for acupuncture to work.

FALSE: Acupuncture originates from China. However, acupuncture works based on repeated careful observations through clinical experience, and does not require one to belong to one religious belief or another. The Chinese Medicine Theory from which acupuncture operates crosses all cultural boundaries in the assumption that each human body, regardless of race or heritage, are essentially operating by the same principles. We are all humans beings.

MYTH: Acupuncture relies on the placebo effect for it to work.

FALSE: Until Western scientists and doctors can fully explain the acupuncture effect, let's consider that acupuncture works on animals, and one would be hard pressed to argue that animals experience a placebo effect.

MYTH: Acupuncture only treats pain.

FALSE: The treatment of pain is what acupuncture is best known for here in the West, and even is the primary condition for which the Merck Manual states for its use. However, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical model, treating symptoms (in addition to pain) related to the cold, the flu, menstrual disturbances, digestive disturbances, anxiety, insomnia, and many more. Click Here to see a list of what The World Health Organization states acupuncture to be an effective treatment for.

MYTH: Acupuncture can cure everything.

FALSE: All too often in America do we reach for the "one-size-fits-all" philosophy for all things in our lives, from weight loss and dieting tips, to ways to build interpersonal relationships. Acupuncture treatments are individually tailored to best for your presenting condition. However, it would be unethical and morally inept for us to ignore Western medicine. Acupuncture is excellent as adjunctive therapy to a doctor's treatments, particularly in the cases of cancer by which acupuncture may mediate the side-effect of chemotherapy and radiation. We hope this information has been useful. But don't just take our word for it, please see what other people have to say about acupuncture and our services by visiting our testimonial page.

- John Charlebois, L. Ac.

The Myth of Improper Alignment and Relief

Cranial Sacral Therapy Explained

Optimal health includes and resounds from proper alignment of all body tissues; adjustments in alignment is one of the many options to accomplish this goal.  For those who work in the physical medicine field, D.O.'s chiropractors and physical therapists, to name a few, adjustments are one of the many treatment options to use where appropriate. 

There are many ways to accomplish the relief  that comes with neutral alignment.  One very gentle way is through the  hands on technique of Cranial Sacral Therapy.  Through this very light touch approach, a therapist can use the body's own fluid and innate healing ability to release tissue strain  and tension.

When strain is released from the tissues, the pull ( out of alignment) is resolved and thus, the bone return to their natural and neutral resting place.  All of this, in turn, leads to comfort and relief and allows the body to regain balance, alignment and health.

- Sarah Wolf DPT

The Importance of Good Posture

It can help you feel better

Posture is important in everything you do.  Here are some easy tips to be aware of as you move through your day:

• Tuck in your chest.  Imagine lifting through the crown of your head towards the sky.
• Gently lift your sternum or breastbone.
• Pull in lower abdominals.  Imagine pulling your belly button in towards your spine as your pelvis tilts underneath you.

- Nancy Charlebois, PT, MT

Fight Colds and Flu with Acupuncture

The flu, you and Chinese medicine

Clinical studies have suggested that using acupuncture as a preventative approach to colds and flu can reduce the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection and shorten the length of the illness.  Acupuncture and Chinese medicine work by rebalancing the body's system, regulating the body's healing energies and enhancing the immune system.

- John Charlebois, L. Ac.

Yoga Health Tip of The Month

Breathe to nourish your mind

Most people use only a fraction of their full breathing capacity.  A combination of stress, poor posture and long hours behind a desk can attribute to why many people tend to be "chest breathers."  Chest breathing creates an imbalance in the oxygen/carbon dioxide ratio.  For optimal health, breathing should be full and rhythmic using the diaphragm and ribs to fill and empty the lungs.  Deep abdominal breathing promotes a full exchange of air, keeping the oxygen/carbon dioxide ratio balanced.  Proper breathing soothes the nervous system, clears the mind, improves concentration, focuses attention, and increases the ability to deal with complex situations without suffering from stress.

- Maura Hintlian, RYT