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Public comments needed as Medicare considers adding acupuncture coverage.

There has been a recent proposal to cover acupuncture for Medicare patients with chronic low back pain in the wake of the opioid crisis. You can read the article.

Health Secretary Alex Azar said, “Defeating our country’s epidemic of opioid addiction requires identifying all possible ways to treat the very real problem of chronic pain, and this proposal would provide patients with new options while expanding our scientific understanding of alternative approaches to pain.”

Public comments are being accepted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services through August 14th. If you would like to see acupuncture added as a benefit, please click on the link HERE then hit the orange “Comment” button below the title to express your experience and interest.

I am thrilled to see that Medicare is finally considering acupuncture coverage, but it will take all of us to see it through! You can read more about the proposal HERE.

Watermelon and mint are both used in #traditionalchinesemedicine to Clear Heat. Here’s a very simple—and delicious—salad to help you beat the heat, stay hydrated and get some Vitamin A and C, Lycopene, Cucurbitacin E, and citrulline, therefore this salad is full of things that will keep you hydrated, fight cancer and inflammation, and help joint pain. Additionally, mint is known to improve digestion. 🍉🍃
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Here I simply cubed some watermelon, sprinkled some feta and torn mint leaves, and added a bit of salt, pepper, and squeezed on some fresh lime juice. Simple. Delicious. Nutritious. Cooling. Enjoy!

To your health,

Melissa

Acupuncture, Brain Chemistry and Acupuncture, Parkinson's

Acupuncture Modulates the Cerebello-Thalamo-Cortical Circuit and Cognitive Brain Regions in Patients of Parkinson’s Disease With Tremor

Here is a nice study demonstrating the ability of acupuncture to treat Parkinson’s patients with tremor.

” The cerebellum, thalamus and motor cortex, which are connected to the cerebello-thalamo-cortical (CTC) circuit, were modulated by the acupuncture stimulation to alleviate the PD tremor. The regulation of neural activity within the cognitive brain regions (the DMN, visual areas, insula and PFC) together with CTC circuit may contributes to enhancing movement and improving patients’ daily life activities.
(PDF) Acupuncture Modulates the Cerebello-Thalamo-Cortical Circuit and Cognitive Brain Regions in Patients of Parkinson’s Disease With Tremor. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326207110_Acupuncture_Modulates_the_Cerebello-Thalamo-Cortical_Circuit_and_Cognitive_Brain_Regions_in_Patients_of_Parkinson’s_Disease_With_Tremor [accessed Jul 08 2018].”

The ability of acupuncture to modulate the thalamus is also of note to folks who suffer from PTSD and extreme anxiety because the breakdown of processing in the thalamus is one of the hallmarks of PTSD .

If you have any questions about acupuncture for Parkinson’s Disease or PTSD, reach out to us today!

drmonroe@melissamariemonroe.com

 

(Photo by Ricardo Gomez)

Acupuncture

Acupuncture for Anxiety

I have found acupuncture to be a great treatment for anxiety. I would say at least 50% of my patients complain of anxiety, even if it is not the reason they walked in the door. Most are surprised that acupuncture is so effective in managing anxiety. This is a nice study, and it provides a nice explanation of how acupuncture works on anxiety.

If you suffer from anxiety and have any questions, we’ll be happy to help.

Acupuncture as a Therapeutic Treatment for Anxiety