Pain is one of those pesky things we think we have to live with. You, like many of my patients, may have experienced sciatica.  It’s something that generally isn’t serious in a life-threatening way, but creates so much distress and discomfort.  If you have sciatica, you probably will be in pain doing your normal daily activities, like walking, sitting or sleeping.
 
Your doctor may want to help you, but has minimal tools – anti-inflammatory drugs and cortisone shots – both of which come with side effects.  Also, they don’t fix the problem.
 
Here’s where being open to trying a new modality like acupuncture can be helpful.  Treatments reduce inflammation, relax muscles and treat areas of the spine that may be pressing on the sciatic nerve.
 
That’s what Phil Chmura found out when he came to see me.  Phil suffered from severe sciatica. The pain interfered with his daily life to the extent that he couldn't stand for more than 3 minutes before the pain started and continued to increase. He had already tried treatments like chiropractic and anti-inflammatory drugs to no avail and he wanted to avoid cortisone shots.

He finally decided it was time to turn his life around and came to see me after getting encouragement from his daughter and friend of mine, Amber Ladley.
 
After just nine weekly treatments, we were able to virtually eliminate his pain!
 
Phil was able to get back to biking – one of his favorite activities.  When I reached out to him, about a year and a half after treatment, he responded with these words:
 
"I have fortunately been relatively pain free since the completion and have just recently signed up for my second bike trip across the USA.  I cannot thank Bonnie enough for getting my life back to normal and would highly recommend  her services."
 
I thank Phil for sharing his story. With pain, you have options.  By being open to complementary forms of treatment, like acupuncture, you can find ways of reducing and eliminating pain.
 
You might be a little nervous to try something new.  I understand that.  People have concerns about the needles, the safety of treatment, trying something outside of Western Medicine.
 
That’s why I offer free ½ hour, online consultations.  I’ll listen to what is causing you pain and discomfort, review your health history and honestly let you know how I can be helpful. 

Please know that you don't have to suffer in silence if you're in pain.​

​​Sciatica is caused by inflammation of the sciatic nerve – the longest and widest nerve in the body.  It’s about the thickness of your little finger.
 
While sciatica often isn’t serious, it can create a lot of discomfort.
 
From an acupuncture perspective, there are two meridians (energetic pathways) that are involved, the bladder and gall bladder meridians.  Note: Inflammation in these meridians does not mean that you have bladder or gall bladder problems.

When there is the smooth flow of energy through the meridians, there’s health in the body.  Notice how the meridians run along the same area of the sciatic nerve.
 
Treatments can help:
-open up restrictions in the meridians
-reduce inflammation along the spine in areas that are pressing on the sciatic nerve
-relax muscles that are contracting and causing pain
-teach you to eat in a way that reduces inflammation in the body

Here it is, June 3rd, and I'm slowly reopening the office. It's been encouraging to go back to doing the work that I love.  And with masks and lots of sanitizer, I'm finding that it's possible to continue to practice. For that I feel enormously grateful.

Over the past two and a half months, I've been bunkering down here at home. I'm feeling appreciation that I have a place of safety, a refuge that Dan and I created in a very uncertain world. It's funny how things that I took for granted just a little while ago have become so precious.Things like a comfortable home, a backyard, a grill and of course, my kitchen and all the foods in it.

Somehow this time has been productive for me. I started a food blog, planted a garden, fenced in the yard and am in the process of getting a dog.  I've been taking an online Tai Chi class and learning to slow down.

For some of you reading this, the last few months have also been an oasis, a chance to have more time with folks you love, catch up on the things you have been putting off, and a pause in an otherwise overscheduled and over busy life.

For others, it's been a time of deep anxiety.  An illness without a cure is spreading; the fabric of our nation is being tested; our economic well-being is insecure.

I have been wondering, "what's my place in all of this?", "what should I be doing", "how can I help?" 

The words that are whispered in my ear are, "find places of safety"," find moments of tranquility"," help others find these as well."

I write to tell you to find harbors to weather this storm. Simple things such as time in the morning for quiet and gratitude and prayer can be so important.  Having a space in your home filled with things that you love can ground you and bring joy.  Planting a garden or even an herb or flower and watching it grow, can give you a sense of control and purpose in an uncertain world.

Each day, write down three things for which you're grateful. Take walks. Smile at your neighbors. Be kind. Find the love that exists along with trauma and tragedy.

I've lived through a lot in life, and I can tell you with certainty, love is always there.

Please know that as we collectively go through this time, my spirit is with you. I pray that each of you reading this will find your way in these unchartered waters.

The spirit is boundless and mine is always there for you. In times like these, you may need a little more than that.  A lot is being asked of us right now.  You may need support. You may need guidance to find the path that truly serves you.

Here are a few ways to connect with me:

1) Sign up for my food blog.  This is filled with healthy, yummy recipes and a look into what's cooking in my kitchen.

2) Schedule an acupuncture appointment or free consultation. Together we can find ways for you to live healthier and happier, with less pain and more ease.

3) Reserve a spot in the class I'm offering through the Gaylord Library in South Hadley.  It's called, "Yummy Healthy Food: How Eating Well for 30 Days Can Change Your Life"

Please know that no matter what is happening in your life in this moment, you are not alone.

Sending healing energy…

Bonnie

I know these are unusual and uncertain times.  Years from now we will look back on this and be able to share with each other where we were, what we were doing and how this experience changed us.

You see, the story about the Coronavirus that you will tell your friends and children, maybe even grandchildren, is a story that you are writing now. What you do today and tomorrow and the next day will become that story.  And because this is a specific moment in time that we all share, it's going to be an important story.

This moment reminds us that we have choices about how we want to live our lives.  And just because humanity (at the moment) can't completely control how the virus will spread, it does not mean that we have no control over our lives.

So in writing this, I'm offering you the possibility of feeling empowered.  Because you, in this moment, have the opportunity to make choices that are healthier and will give you more satisfaction, more ease, more hope.

As I write this, I take a moment to check Facebook, which just so happens to provide me with this quote. (Thank you, universe!) "In the rush to return to normal, let's use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to." Dave Hollis

How powerful is this statement? Read it again. It's a reminder of something that I've been thinking about.   You can look at the Coronavirus as a crisis (which it absolutely is) and also a moment of awakening -- a moment to pause and think about what is most important for you and your life. So that 1 year or 10 years from now, you'll be telling the story you want to tell about what you did during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic.

I encourage you to think about the story you want to tell.  While I can't see you in person, I am offering my wellness counseling program called Roadmap to Health.  The program is based on 30 years of life experience that includes living with and recovering from chronic illness, 20 years of practicing holistic medicine and thousands of years of teachings from healers in China and Japan who came before me and created and built upon a system of medicine that focuses on creating balance in body, mind and spirit; and our connection to the natural world.

I created Roadmap to Health about a year ago, but now is the time when it's particularly important because it's easy to forget how to take care of ourselves -- particularly when we're stressed and there is so much conflicting information out there.

 At this moment, when your health may be at risk, it's particularly important to have some guidance on how to stay healthy, keep your immune system strong and protect yourself from the Coronavirus.
 
Using the wisdom of Eastern Medicine, you’ll learn the principles of healthy eating, breathing, movement, meditation and connection.  You’ll go through the process of choosing a health goal specifically for you. You’ll receive a book to track your progress, and you'll get encouragement from me.  You'll also get a chance to reflect on what your experience has been like.

Roadmap to Health is not a one-size fits all package.  It's a program of wellness principles that have helped my patients, and myself, live and feel healthier.  And it's INDIVIDUALIZED especially for you. 

If this sounds interesting to you, please do schedule a time to meet online or by phone with me.  It's a completely free conversation to see if the program is a good fit for you.

You can also get more info, at bonniediamond.com/roadmap-to-health.

Wishing you health and well-being,

Bonnie

Over the last few days, I've been wondering how I can best be of service in these uncertain times.  Other medical professionals have been writing about how to stay safe and sane during the next few weeks and possibly months.  I will share these resources with you at the end of this blog.

I can no longer offer my in-person treatments because of the risk of spreading infection.  I did a load of laundry this morning filled with sheets that ordinarily would be put on my treatment table.  As I neatly folded them and placed them in my laundry basket, I wondered when I would be able to do this again.  Honestly, I don't know.

But I can share with you some of the wisdom of Chinese and Japanese medicine.  The lessons that it teaches. The ways it might be helpful now.  How I came to discover it at a time that was personally for me not so different than what we are collectively experiencing now. A time when I was forced to dramatically change my behavior and narrow my expectations of life.

You may know the story of how I became an acupuncturist. I was working in high tech in the 1980s when I came down with a mysterious and not well understood illness, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I had to leave my job as a technical consultant at the Boston office of the Environmental Protection Agency.  I felt enormous uncertainty about my work, my health and what the future might hold.

I grew up in a very achievement-oriented family.  But at that moment in time, I could no longer do the work that my BA from Colgate and Certificate in Software Engineering from Harvard had trained me for.

The illness put me on an entirely different path.  I needed a new model of life that wasn't based on doing more, earning more, and producing more.  I found that model in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This was a model that talked about our connection to the natural world, with its natural rhythms and the importance of balance.

With this model, I could imagine a different way of looking at the world.  This model was a relative model that explained that at different times in our lives, we have different goals, different amounts of energy, different focuses.  And I knew that while I was dealing with a chronic illness, my life needed to be simpler, with most of my focus on healing.  This completely changed a decade of my life.  I focused on getting the care that I needed; doing my best to eat, if not completely healthy, at least real foods; taking walks in the few hours that I had sufficient energy.

If I couldn't do all the things that I wanted to, I would at least watch these activities.  The television (this was in the days before the Internet) in some ways became my lifeline.  I watched cooking shows and figure skating and ski competitions.  I allowed my mind to go to places that my body couldn't get to.

I've always been a pretty active person, and I gave up a lot. I had fewer friends, I shopped less, and I found myself at home more.  But I got to get to know myself better.  I had more quiet time, read and studied a lot, and had less choices and decisions to make.

And at the end of the that decade, and after years spent living simply and studying acupuncture and Chinese and Japanese medicine, I emerged. I got a part time job, started my acupuncture practice, and became active in the synagogue that I belonged to. 

Then when I needed a ride to a ski weekend in Maine, I met my husband, fell in love and a year and a half later, got married.  And once again, my life changed forever -- also in ways I could not have imagined.

All this to say that as we go through the upheaval of the coronavirus, it's important to remember that life will go on.  This is not to discount the reality of loss of lives, disruption, pain and heartache.  That brings with it an enormous sadness.

But for most of us, this too shall pass and each of us has the opportunity to emerge a little stronger, a little more resilient, perhaps even a little healthier.

You have inner resources you may not have been aware of.  Humans are resourceful creatures.  It's why we're all here after wars, natural disasters, other pandemics.  When faced with trauma and tragedy, we go on and rebuild and reconnect.  It's in our DNA.

So at this time, remember to take care of yourself.  Here are the basics:

1) Eat 3 meals a day filled with nutritious, real, whole foods.   
Take a look at my blog on getting your kitchen filled with nutritious foods.  There has not been a run on broccoli or kale.  I often counsel people to make one new healthy dish a week that they can then incorporate into their diet.

Here are some links to my favorite cooks.  (Note: I do recommend avoiding sugar, white flour and dairy. So choose your meals wisely.)
https://drhyman.com/blog/category/recipes/
https://www.markbittman.com/recipes/
http://www.molliekatzen.com/archives.php
https://www.rachaelray.com/recipes/
 
2)  Incorporate movement into your day.  Take walks, go to the woods, climb a mountain.
Here is a list of my favorite places in the area.
 
~Go to Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton for a beautiful walk in the words.
https://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/arcadia/about
 
~Visit Mount Tom State Reservation for hiking and walking. I use the entrance off of Route 5 in Holyoke. Walk around the pond for a relaxed walk. Hike up the K.B. trail for a more intense exercise experience.
https://www.mass.gov/locations/mount-tom-state-reservation
 
~Chesterfield Gorge is just beautiful. Walk along the Westfield River. On a nice day, sit out on the rocks.
http://thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/pioneer-valley/chesterfield-gorge.html
 
~The Manhan, Northampton and Norwottuck rail trails, which go from Southampton through Northampton to Williamsburg or Amherst, are great for biking, walking, jogging or roller blading. It’s perfect for any degree of activity.
https://manhanrailtrail.org/directions/
 
~Paradise Pond behind Smith College offers a lovely walk in the woods along the Mill River.
https://www.smith.edu/video/webcam-paradise-pond
 
~Last but not least, the Ashley Reservoir in Holyoke is a 3.3 mile loop on flat land.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/massachusetts/ashley-reservoir-trail
 
3) Incorporate gentle stretching into your regular routine.
These are stretches that most people can do.
https://www.silversneakers.com/blog/stretching-for-seniors-7-simple-moves-for-the-not-so-flexible/
 
4) Keep your spirit strong. 
Whatever your religious beliefs, whether you believe in a divine entity or not, this is a time that is reminding us that we are all connected.  If you feel worried, take some time -- 5 minutes, 1/2 an hour -- to write down a prayer asking for what you and your loved ones need.
 
5) Here are additional resources written by medical doctors, chock full of good info and wisdom.
https://medium.com/@amy_44829/silver-linings-of-covid-19-health-and-public-health-recommendations-9ee6a1361670
https://drhyman.com/blog/2020/03/17/protect-yourself-from-covid-19/
 
As you read this, know that my thoughts are with you, that I hold you in my prayers and that my wish for you is that this time allows you to see your strength and your resilience.

Sending healing energy…

Bonnie

​Did you know that there is a unique style of acupuncture called Auricular Acupuncture or Ear Acupuncture?  This is a style that I’m certified in.  I incorporate ear points in my full body acupuncture treatments, and I also offer an Ear Acupuncture Clinic each month.

So what’s the difference between full-body and ear acupuncture?  

The ear is a microsystem. The entire body is represented in the ear, and ear points directly correlate to the hips, back, neck, elbow, etc... We have studies that show that ear points correlate to the spine and are effective in reducing back pain and sciatica.

Ear points are also great at reducing stress.  There is even an ear point named “shen men,” which translates from Chinese to “calm the spirit.”  I've seen patients go into a completely relaxed state just by having this point needled.

Ear points are also helpful in reducing addictions to food, alcohol, cigarettes and drugs.  There is even a protocol called the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association protocol (NADA), which specifies needling several ear points as an adjunct therapy for substance abuse. Studies have been done that show that adding the NADA protocol to standard treatments improves outcomes for people struggling with substance abuse.
 
Ear acupuncture as it’s practiced today was developed in the 1950s by a physician in France. Read my earlier blog to find out the history of ear acupuncture and how points were mapped out and tested.

If you would like to try ear acupuncture, and experience it for yourself, come to my monthly clinic.  Click here for all the information.

Has cold and flu season been running rampant in your family? It seems like every day someone I know has come down with a bug.  It happened to me a few weeks ago, giving me the opportunity to practice the kind of self-care I'm always talking about. 

You see the body wants to heal.  It's something each of us is doing all the time.  We recover from cuts, scrapes, colds, broken bones, headaches, the flu all the time. And we don't always acknowledge it.

So even if you're feeling crappy at the moment, most likely a week from now that feeling will just be a distant memory.  But probably you want to do something to feel better today.

I'm going to share with you my favorite at-home cold and flu remedies to help you and the ones you love to get healthy, naturally!

1) Rest
You may think you're not doing anything when you're in bed resting from a bug.  Nothing can be further from the truth—in fact, rest is perhaps the most important at-home cold and flu remedy!  Your immune system is hard at work getting rid of germs that have invaded your bodies. Your cells are building energy.    

2) Drink Tea     
Cold Season Tea is one of my favorite natural remedies for a cold.  It contains herbs that warm the body and get rid of those pesky germs.  As soon as I feel myself coming down with a cold, I start drinking cup after cup of this. I feel the bug moving out. It's kind of magical.
Ginger lemon tea is another favorite of mine if you're feeling down and out with a cold or flu.  Simply buy fresh ginger root at the supermarket. Wash it and cut it into thin slices. Then put them in the freezer.  When you're ready for a cup of tea, put a few of the frozen slices in a cup, then add boiling water and some lemon juice. Also, add a little honey if you have a sore throat. 

2) Use a Saline Rinse
I do a nasal saline rinse every day, regardless of the season.  I like the squeeze bottle by Neilmed.  Fill it with distilled or boiling water (important)  and a packet of saline. I microwave it for 22 seconds. The salt kills bacteria from infections in the nasal cavity.

3) Try Homeopathic Remedies. 
Homeopathic remedies are made by taking minuscule amounts of something that brings on symptoms in a healthy person, diluting these, and treating  an illness in a person with similar symptoms.
I like Oscillococcinum for colds and flus.  You can purchase this at CVS or your local pharmacy.

4) Elderberry Syrup
This works great for coughs and can be purchased at Vitacost.
​
5) Eucalyptus oil in a pot of boiling water
Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a pot of boiling water and breathe in the steam.
These natural cold and flu remedies are all easy to buy and prepare, and they are all good for the body.  Pick 2 or 3 of your favorites, and you'll be feeling healthy in no time. Your immune system just needs a little TLC to get rid of and keep you from catching colds and flus.

​

​"Spring has sprung, the grass is ris," why can't I get rid of this annoying sniffle?

Spring is a welcome sight here in New England.  Days are longer, warm weather leads to more time outside and a greater sense of ease.  However, for hay fever sufferers, the immune system overreacts to  pollen in the air causing some or all of these symptoms: a runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy eyes and a scratchy throat.

Antihistamines and decongestants offer some relief, but come with the risk of side effects.

Here are some natural approaches to allergies:

1. Know your triggers and try to avoid them.
2. Incorporate a nasal saline rinse into your routine. This rinses pollen from nasal passages and gets rid of any low-grade infection.
3. Cut out sugar, dairy and processed foods from your diet to reduce overall inflammation. Sixty percent of our immune system is in the gut!
4. Take 400-600mg turmeric with black pepper extract and 95% curcuminoids 1x/day. Add 100 mg Vitamin C 2x/day
5. Use acupuncture to improve lung functionality and balance the immune system.

You can find natural ways to get relief so that you can spend time in the beautiful outdoors.
​
Wishing all a  happy spring!!

The more I treat people, the more I'm convinced that at least 50% of all illness in this country is completely preventable.  When we take care of our bodies, our bodies takes care of us. How revolutionary is that?

The beginning of my work with each patient starts with a complete health history which includes an inventory of prior illnesses and surgeries, medications taken, foods eaten and exercise routines.

I find that simple life style changes lead to seemingly miraculous and lasting results. This is the beauty of East Asian medicine.  Acupuncture looks at natural ways for treating diseases and has been used for thousands of years because of the body's innate ability to heal itself.

Think about it, how many things in life have the ability to repair themselves. Now think about how many times you, YES YOU, have recovered from colds, pain, sprained ankles, scraped knees.  Seriously, count the many times that you have gotten ill and have rid yourself of that illness.

Personally, I've never met an illness that I could not treat. With time and intention, healing is always possible. This is the cornerstone of the work that I do.