SOMA Natural Health News

July-August, 2004

In this Issue:

• Breast Thermography - August 3
• Simple Things You Can Do Every Day to Stay Healthy
• Tired of Paying Out of Pocket for Acupuncture & Alternative Medicine?
• HSA May be the Answer
• Did You Know . . .

Simple Things You Can Do Every Day to Stay Healthy - Part 2
by Carl Hangee-Bauer, ND, LAc
We got a great response from our last newsletter which featured Part 1 of simple things you can do every day to stay healthy, which was to eat a healthy breakfast. Audrey C. of San Francisco wrote, "Several years ago, during a new year thinking process, I asked myself 'What is the one thing I can do that will give me the most benefit for the least amount of pain?' The answer was immediate: eating breakfast. The first few months I literally had to force it down, but since then, it makes a huge difference in how smoothly I can get through the day." Thank you, Audrey, for the great feedback. If you missed our last newsletter, you can see Part 1 on our new web site, right on the home page.

Continuing in our series of 10 simple things you can do every day, here is Part 2.

Drink at least 8-8oz. glasses of water a day.

Thoreau said that water is the drink of the wise man. Water is fundamental to all life on earth. Our bodies are made up of 60% water. It is involved in every function in the body, including circulation, digestion, absorption of nutrients and the transmission of electrical currents in the body which control our nerves, muscles and hormones. Due to its importance in proper elimination and detoxification, I'm fond of saying "The solution to pollution is dilution," as water facilitates the elimination of waste products through urination, sweating, defecation, tears and mucus which line our respiratory and digestive tracts.

While we get water in many foods we eat and beverages we drink, pure water is often the best form to ingest. A recent study surveyed people's various aches and pains, energy levels and sense of well-being. When they were instructed to drink 8 glasses of water a day and their symptoms were reevaluated, notable improvements were seen in improved energy levels, fewer aches and pains, and generally improved sense of health. Adequate water is an extremely inexpensive and efficacious health practice.

Water quality is very important. In many areas of the country, tap water may contain lead, radon, nitrates and other potentially toxic chemicals. Additionally chlorine and chloramines are placed in municipal water to decontaminate it. Recently, San Francisco changed from using chlorine to using chloramine. Flouride in water supplies is a controversial topic with some studies suggesting health risks associated with fluoridation.

For these reasons, I recommend using clean sources of water and the use of solid carbon filters, such as Multi-Pure, or reverse osmosis filters. Avoid water that is in soft plastic containers, particularly in hot climates, as these can leach plastics into the water. Nalgene bottles are a good type for storing and transporting filtered water.

Finally, water is best consumed here and there during the day, a glass or two at a time. Between and before meals is best.

SOMA Acupuncture is a distributor for Multi-Pure, and we offer $25 off all products to patients or recipients of this e-newsletter. If you are interested, please contact Michele.

Tired of Paying Out of Pocket for Acupuncture & Alternative Medicine? An HSA May Be the Answer
by Michele Hangee-Bauer, Office Manager
Seventy percent of patients have sought treatment with alternative medicine, to the tune of 30 billion dollars. Most of that money was paid out of pocket by consumers like you. Only 33 percent of PPOs and 26 percent of HMOs cover acupuncture. Naturopathic medicine is not yet covered by insurance in California.

Health Savings Accounts will revolutionize the way healthcare is provided in our country. They will restore the doctor-patient relationship, allow patients to choose their own healthcare, be more affordable and receive unprecedented tax benefits. Health Savings Accounts are the future!

HSA's are a tax-free savings account combined with a high deductible health plan. HSA's are similar to medical savings accounts (MSA) without the restrictions or limitations and are similar to an IRA. Advantages of HSA's include:

• Funded with pretax dollars; 100% tax deductible, like an IRA
• Pay all medical bills tax-free
• Accrue interest tax-deferred
• Savings roll over from year to year

Unlike MSA's, HSA's are not limited to the self-employed or businesses with 50 or fewer employees. By contrast, HSA's allow anyone under the age of 65 who enrolls in a compatible HDHP to make tax-free contributions. HSA's allow both the employer and employee to contribute to the same account in the same calendar year. For more information about HSA's, you can go to www.firstmsa.com. For rates and information on compatible HDHP's, you can call Hannant Insurance Services at 647-7012.

Did You Know . . .
In the past month or two, I have seen high profile media coverage of some famous people who use acupuncture to manage their health, so I decided to make this month's Did You Know? a celebrity column. So, without further ado...

* Golfer Fred Couples, who has had a long history of back problems, used acupuncture during the Buick Classic in June after his back pain resurfaced causing problems as he began the tournament. He led the pack through mid-tournament and wound up tying for 4th place.

* Gwyneth Paltrow caused a stir at a New York film premiere in a low-cut top revealing her back covered in large circular pale bruises. At first glance they looked like large love bites, but in fact they were caused by cupping, a therapy practiced by acupuncturists that involves placing heated cups over the skin. Cupping stimulates flow of blood, lymph and Qi to the affected area. Its uses include relieving pain in the muscles, especially back pain from stiffness or injury, and clearing congestion in the chest, which can occur with colds and flu. By the way, the bruising from cupping usually resolves in a few days.

* Tyler Hamilton, one of the main threats to Lance Armstrong's bid for a record sixth straight Tour de France victory, flew off his bike in an early leg of the race, hurting his back and shoulder in a big spill. "I was involved in the crash three days ago and hurt my back pretty badly," Hamilton said. He has been receiving treatment since. As you probably already know, Lance Armstrong went on to win the race.