Drug Free Treatment for Pregnancy Back Pain

Skip the risks of taking pain medication during pregnancy and use the time honored, drug free, medical option of acupuncture for back pain. It is safe for pregnant women and has been proven to be significantly more effective than conventional medicine for back pain during pregnancy. In fact, 78% of pregnant women with back pain had a 50% or more reduction in their pain levels with acupuncture treatments alone. Compared to only 15% in conventional medicine group.

Source:

Acupunct Med2004;22:60-67 doi:10.1136/aim.22.2.60

It is critical you choose a Licensed Acupuncturist as they often have over 10 times the training and education as a medical Acupuncturist who is usually an MD or Chiropractor who has taken a few weekend classes over the course of a year. You also want to choose a Licensed acupuncturist whose specialty is women's health and pregnancy. www.Acufinder.com is a great place to start where you can read Acupuncturists bios and call them before making an appointment.

During pregnancy it is natural to gain weight. There are five contributing factors that exacerbate back pain during pregnancy.

1. Weight Gain: Women can gain up to 1/4 of their body weight even while attempting not to over eat and regularly exercising during pregnancy. This weight adds pressure to weight bearing body parts including your lumbar spine (low back), your pelvis and hips. This causes very painful back pain throughout pregnancy that is often not alleviated by rest.

2. Previous Injury: adding additional weight to an already inflammed area causes worse pain especially in pregnant women.

3. Fatigue: Creates poor posture and abdominal muscles are naturally spread while women are pregnant making their core weaker and putting more strain on the low back.

4. Muscular Imbalance Weight gain often not only naturally happens anteriorly where the baby is carried but also posteriorly in women's hip, buttocks and thighs. This contributes to a change in the center of gravity forcing a woman's low back to curve more dramatically putting additional strain on the low back inevitably causing more pain.

5. Hormonal Fluctuations: This often contributes to achiness throughout a women's body and will be particularly uncomfortable where there was inflammation previously.

What to do:

Here are some safe tips to do while you are pregnant to alleviate back pain:

1. Get Acupuncture. It is safe and very effective in alleviating back pain during pregnancy.

2. Tennis Balls: This you will want to do with a partner. Lie on your side on the floor (this is where your partner will come in handy) have him place 2 tennis balls on the ground on eithe side of your spine (in the softest part of your muscles in your low back) and you slowly roll back onto the tennis balls. If the pressure is too much have your partner hold your arms above you and pull you gently off the tennis balls until the pressure is just right. This will help your muscles relax. Repeat the process up and down your back and buttocks to alleviate pain.

3. Get a pregnancy massage from a massage therapist who has additional training in pregnancy massage.

4. See a chiropractor who specializes in pregnancy related medical problems.

5. Apply warm, not HOT compresses to your low back for 10 minutes at a time. If your back turned red, then it was too warm. You can alternate with some ice on the area but a little bit of warm will relax the muscles where as the ice will contract the muscles and make them tighter.

 

6. Wrap: There are specific belly wraps that can often take some pressure off a woman's low back that can be found at Babies R US and your local pharmacy.

 

7. Pillows: Placing strategic pillows while resting can often help reduce back pain.  Lie on your side and use all shapes and sizes of pillows until you find the right combination.  It is helpful to have a loving partner support you in getting all the pillows in the right spots.  There are wedge shaped pillows, body pillows and just plain old pillows that together can make resting a pain free experience, that is until you have to get up and go to the bathroom.

 

Kristen N. Burris L.Ac.

Anti-Aging, Menopause, Fertility and Women's Health Expert

Business Woman of the Year 2013 NAWBO

Business Person of the Year 2011-2012 Eagle Chamber

Top Doc 2010

Kristen Burris, L.Ac., M.S.T.O.M., Dip. Ac. was voted Top Doc 2010 in Eagle and Business Person of the Year 2011-2012. Ms Burris won the prestigious National Association of Women Business Owner of the year 2013 and receives referrals from doctors throughout the US including Dr. Mehmet Oz. She is the founder and medical director of Eagle Acupuncture. She is a nationally-recognized practitioner in the field of women’s health: menopause, irregular menstrual cycles, migraines, digestive problems, pain and fertility enhancement. Ms. Burris combines her skills of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and nutrition with her compassionate approach to promote health in her patients. Kristen Burris has been featured in USA Today, Woman’s Day, MSNBC, Yahoo News, Parents, Parenting, Natural Health,& Better Nutrition magazines, The San Diego Union Tribune, The Miami Herald, NPR radio, KBOI TV and KUSI TV. Ms. Burris taught graduate school at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, California, one of the most respected colleges in the field of integrative medicine. Throughout her career she has also treated patients at: San Diego Hospice, UC-San Diego Free Clinic, UC-San Diego Dental Acupuncture Study and at the leading fertility centers in California.

RAW UNFILTERED HEALTH BENEFITS of ONE SIMPLE INGREDIENT: ACV

Organic Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar (not the crystal clear kind you find in your average grocery store) is Way More Than Just a Zesty Salad Dressing Ingredient.

Keep this stocked in your pantry as a go to all around best food for medicinal uses.

Bad Mood: Take a Tablespoon of Raw Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). Sounds terrible but you actually get used to it. One of my favorite brands is Braggs. The Vinegar helps cleanse the liver soothing frustration, anger and even PMS.

Acne: Better yet, due to its ability to help regulate a healthy alkaline Ph balance it can be used to clear up acne, scars and even some brown spots from sun damage or the natural aging process we all detest. Take a shot a day as a morning energy boost and apply to your face as a twice daily toner.

Sunburn: We have all been the victim of a bad burn. Lying helplessly in bed moaning isn't going to soothe the painful, hot burning sensation. Run a lukewarm bath and add 3 cups of ACV. This helps soothe your burn and take some of the sting out. Eating plenty of watermelon too helps restore the fluid lost from a sunburn and the Vitamins A and C help with cellular turnover that is essential for healthy new skin to repair damaged, burned skin.

Weight Loss: In a 2009 study published in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, people who consumed acetic acid (the main ingredient found in ACV) for 12 weeks experienced significant declines in body weight, abdominal fat, waist circumference and triglycerides. Triglycerides contribute to producing the bad LDL cholesterol that we want to avoid to keep our arteries and heart healthy. Take 1 Tablespoon, three times a day for optimal results.

Allergies: ACV facilitates the elimination of mucous throughout the body and cleanses the lymph nodes. Not surprisingly, research has proven that apple cider vinegar can address allergies due to its ability to reduce mucous in sinus cavities and sinus congestion. Avoid all citrus and dairy when struggling with mucous congestion as both generate the production of fluid and makes mucus much worse.

PMS, Sugar Cravings and Blood Crashes: ACV is loaded with natural enzymes that can enable your body to stave off candida. Candida is often the cause of fatigue, poor memory, sugar cravings, and yeast infections all of which are common symptoms in women who suffer from PMS. If you are having a blood sugar crash drink a cup of orange juice and then consume some protein to help keep your blood sugar stabilized: a handful of almonds, a cheese stick, a hard-boiled egg or half a chicken breast should help. If you have blood sugar problems often and diabetes has been ruled out, you will want to consider going gluten free. Gluten sensitivity in many individuals challenges your insulin balance in your body causing excessive blood sugar crashes daily.

Heartburn: We all know what to avoid: caffeine, chocolate, greasy foods, spicy foods but resolving heartburn quickly can be challenging. ACV also ironically although acidic, ACV itself helps soothe heartburn for many sufferers. If your heartburn continues however, you may have an ulcer which needs proper medical attention and will not be resolved with ACV consumption. The great news is if you are pregnant ACV is safe to consume and can help soothe the burn.

 

Kristen N. Burris, L.Ac., M.S.T.O.M.

Women's Health Expert

Kristen Burris, L.Ac., M.S.T.O.M., Dip. Ac. was voted Top Doc 2010 in Eagle and Business Person of the Year 2011-2012. Ms Burris won the prestigious National Association of Women Business Owner of the year 2013 and receives referrals from doctors throughout the US including Dr. Mehmet Oz. She is the founder and medical director of Eagle Acupuncture. She is a nationally-recognized practitioner in the field of women’s health: menopause, irregular menstrual cycles, migraines, digestive problems, pain and fertility enhancement. Ms. Burris combines her skills of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and nutrition with her compassionate approach to promote health in her patients. Kristen Burris has been featured in USA Today, Woman’s Day, MSNBC, Yahoo News, Parents, Parenting, Natural Health,& Better Nutrition magazines, The San Diego Union Tribune, The Miami Herald, NPR radio, KBOI TV and KUSI TV. Ms. Burris taught graduate school at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, California, one of the most respected colleges in the field of integrative medicine. Throughout her career she has also treated patients at: San Diego Hospice, UC-San Diego Free Clinic, UC-San Diego Dental Acupuncture Study and at the leading fertility centers in California.

 

Every Day Health Defense

Your greatest defense against illness and disease is your diet. We teach the 90-10 rule. 90% of the time make healthy choices and 10% do whatever you please.

Here are some steps you can take now to prevent cancer, heart disease, lupus, auto-immune diseases, depression, inflammatory bowel diseases, and reverse the signs of aging inside and out including luminous skin.

Buy a nutribullet or vita mixer or something similar. This tool blends your foods to create the nutrients in a palatable form with bio-availability of the essential vitamins, minerals, good fats and fiber.

Just about anyone can enjoy a berry smoothie. Adding in super power nutrients is easy to disguise, effortlessly increasing your healthy omega fatty acids 3, 6, 9's that increase cognitive function, brain health, heart health lower tryglcerides and ease rheumatoid arthritis and depression, improve your skin and blood vessel elasticity.

Best sources for Omega 3's include fatty fish: salmon, herring, sardines, macherel, black cod, blue fish, and algae. My personal, favorite source is Nordic Naturals. This company eliminates the toxic potential of environmental sources such as mercury.

Other good sources are a pre-curser Omega-3 are found in flax seeds and walnuts.

Omega 3's are also found in: brussel sprouts, spinach, kale, and salad greens.

Omega 6's are easily found in the western diet and don't need your specific attention to add more include: safflower, corn, cottonseed and soybean oil.

Omega 9's are not considered essential since our bodies can make Omega 9's include: olives and their oil, avocados, sunflower, canola and peanut oils.

Blending Tips for Newbies:

50% Greens

50% Fruits

Additional Boosts of Nutrition

Vary your ingredients to maximize your health benefits.

Here are some health specific recipes to get you started:

Always choose NON-GMO (genetically modified) and Organic Foods, ALWAYS

Fountain of Youth:

50% Organic Spinach (I use the pre-washed for ease of creating my shakes)

1/4 Avocado

1/2 Banana

1 Small Nectarine

1/2 Cup of Blueberries

5 whole walnuts

1 Cup of Water

1 Tbs of Chia Seeds

1 Tbs. of Caco Powder

Get Your Glow On

50% Kale

1/2 Cup Pineapple

1/2 Cup Strawberries

1 Tbs. Go ji Berries

1 Tbs. Berry Hemp Protein Powder

10 Cashews

1 Cup of Water

1 Tbs. of Raw Hemp Hearts Dashed on top of shake at end

Heartburn Soothing Shakes

50% Butter Lettuce

1 Banana Frozen

1/2 cup Pineapple

1 Cup Papaya

1 Stalk Celery

1 cup of Coconut Water

Osteo Bone Builder

50% Kale

1/2 Cup Rasperries

1/2 Blueberries

1/2 Banana

5 Cashews

5 Almonds

1 Tbs Raw Cacao

1 Tbs Chia Seeds

I Cup of Water

Fertility Found Shake

1 Cup of Blueberries

1/8 of a Beet

1/2 Cup Raspberries

1/4 Cup Pumpkin Seeds

1/4 Cup Brocolli

12 Red Seedless Grapes

2 Tbs Flax Seeds

2 Tbs Go Ji Berries

1 Tbs Macca Root

Water

Stuck in a Smoothie Rut? Wake up to this powerhouse and take on the world!

1/4 Cup Organic Acai Juice (more anti-oxidants than blueberries or pomegranates and healthy omegas too)

1/2 Cup Organic, Non-GMO, Spinach

(SERIOUSLY this tastes GREAT! Keep Going.)

6 Almonds (natural protein and source of vitamin E- great for your eyes, skin and heart)

1/4 Cup of steamed beets (cleanses the liver and blood)

1 TBS of Organic Milled Chia Seeds ( 5 gm of fiber, 3g of protein and Omega 3's

1 Tbs. Organic Cacao Powder (iron, protein and rich in fiber)

1-2 Tbs. of Organic Hemp Shake Super Berry from Nutiva (protein, fiber, anti-oxidants and healthy Omegas)

1 Cup of water

Blend for one minute in your Nutribullet

1 Tbs. of Hemp Hearts (I put this on AFTER I put all ingredients in my Nutribullet)

Kristen Burris, L.Ac., M.S.T.O.M., Dip. Ac. was voted Top Doc 2010 in Eagle and Business Person of the Year 2011-2012. Ms Burris has been nominated for National Association of Business Owner of the year 2013 and receives referrals from Acupuncturists and doctors throughout the US including Dr. Mehmet Oz. She is the founder and medical director of Eagle Acupuncture. She is a nationally-recognized practitioner in the field of women’s health: menopause, irregular menstrual cycles, migraines, digestive problems, pain and fertility enhancement. Ms. Burris combines her skills of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and nutrition with her compassionate approach to promote health in her patients. Kristen Burris has been featured in USA Today, Woman’s Day, MSNBC, Yahoo News, Parents, Parenting, Natural Health,& Better Nutrition magazines, The San Diego Union Tribune, The Miami Herald, NPR radio, KBOI TV and KUSI TV. Ms. Burris taught graduate school at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, California, one of the most respected colleges in the field of integrative medicine. Throughout her career she has also treated patients at: San Diego Hospice, UC-San Diego Free Clinic, UC-San Diego Dental Acupuncture Study and at the leading fertility centers in California.

 

What's For Breakfast? Nutritious and Delicious

What’s For Breakfast? Nutritious and Delicious

The Typical American Breakfast is one of the worst meals of the day nutritionally speaking.  It’s often full of saturated fat (the unhealthy kind), dairy and processed foods.  Here is an easy fix for a family ready to turn around their health:

Buy a Nutri-Bullet or Vita-Mixer

This is what I ate for breakfast and here are some of the unbelievable health benefits:

Full of anti-oxidants that attack free radicals that are associated with cancer and accelerated aging. 

Power packed with Omegas that are heart and brain healthy and often difficult to get in an Average American Diet. 

The much touted nutritional benefits of raw cacao (chocolate without added sugar) include theobromine, a mild, non-addictive stimulant that some believe can treat mild depression. It causes the brain to produce more of a neurotransmitter called anandamide increasing the euphoric sensation some feel when indulging in chocolate. It also releases endorphins, serotonin, phenylethylamine to benefit your mood, focus and ability to pay attention.  It also enhancing metabolism, eases PMS and improves mood and brain function.

Organic Chia Seeds are naturally non-gluten seeds packed with Omega-3’s, protein, antioxidants and fiber. 

Acai Berries- have more antioxidants than pomegranate or blueberries and contains heart healthy Omega Fatty Acids. Each 8 oz serving contains 1,470  mg Omega EFA’s 3, 6 and 9. 

Recipe Created By Anti-Aging Expert Kristen N. Burris, L.Ac., M.S.T.O.M.

8 oz Organic Acai Juice (I love Zola brand)

2 Tbs. Organic Cacao Powder GMO Free

2 Tbs. Organic Milled Chia Seed (my favorite is Nutiva)

¼ organic pear

¼ organic apple

½ Cup torn Kale leaves

Blended Until Smooth in Nutri-Bullet

Delicious and Nutritious! 

www.EagleAcupuncture.com

Kristen Burris, L.Ac., M.S.T.O.M., Dip. Ac. was voted Top Doc 2010 in Eagle and Business Person of the Year 2011-2012.  Ms. Burris receives referrals from doctors around the US including Dr. Mehmet Oz.  She is the founder and medical director of Eagle Acupuncture.  She is a nationally-recognized practitioner in the field of women’s health: menopause, irregular menstrual cycles, migraines, digestive problems, pain and fertility enhancement.  Ms. Burris combines her skills of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and nutrition with her compassionate approach to promote health in her patients.  Kristen Burris has been featured in USA Today, Woman’s Day, MSNBC, Yahoo News, Parents, Parenting, Natural Health, & Better Nutrition magazines, The San Diego Union Tribune, The Miami Herald, NPR radio, KBOI TV and KUSI TV.   Ms. Burris taught graduate school at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, California, one of the most respected colleges in the field of integrative medicine.  Throughout her career she has also treated patients at:  San Diego Hospice, UC-San Diego Free Clinic, UC-San Diego Dental Acupuncture Study and at the leading fertility centers in California.

 

 

 

 

Your Honey Isn't Really Honey, Honey

Your Honey Isn't Honey

So many benefits of honey, anti-bacterial properties great for sore throats, acne, cuts and scrapes.  Boost immunity, strengthens your consitution and well, it tastes great!

But did you know that most honey, isn't honey after all? 

What to do...shop locally.  Buy from farmers, co-ops, local farmers markets or trusted small grocery chains that know where to buy honey from local markets.

I was shocked and amazed, as a women's health and infertility expert to have recently discovered that large manufacturers are now giving BEES In-vitro fertilization!  Really?  Why? And what are the negative consquences?  Watch the movie "The Vanishing of Bees" to ge the full story but be warned, it isn't pretty.


Read the full article here about Why Your Honey, Isn't Honey At All

Also, Visit our website for more Tips on Navigating Natural Health at
 Eagle Acupuncture