Optimal Health

ACUPUNCTURE SUCCESS STORIES

Recent research, as well as my clinical experience since 1983, has proven to me that acupuncture can be extremely effective for the following woman’s health problems.  These include the acupuncture “face lift”, PMS, endometriosis, infertility, cysts, fibroids, breast augmentation and menopause.In addition, there are great clinical and scientific studies on acupuncture for low back pain, sciatica, fatigue and anxiety.   To summarize some of my experiences:PMS Eileen, a 27-year-old psychologist, came to my office with symptoms of severe PMS, which were threatening to interfere with her relationship with her fiancé.  After discussing her symptoms and taking a complete health history, it became evident that she had what is called “Type A PMS.”  Type A refers to PMS where there is an overabundance of estrogen with a lack of progesterone.  Her symptoms consisted of anxiety, irritability and mood swings.   This is the most common type of PMS.Eileen’s treatment lasted three months and she received acupuncture twice per month.  She also took a Chinese Herbal supplement to balance her female hormones and detoxify her liver.After the three months of treatments, she was 85% free from her original PMS symptoms and her relationship with her fiancé was flowing very smoothly.  Eileen periodically came in for “tune-up” treatments, about once every three months, and reports she was still doing really well.LOW BACK PAIN WITH SCIATICA George, a 48 year old male, came to my office complaining of acute lower back pain that had started about three weeks before when he lifted a box and “pulled something” in the back.  George wanted to try acupuncture only, without the use of Chinese herbs or homeopathic remedies.  He came in twice per week and after the first week, his pain had diminished by about 75%.Acupuncture was performed on his lower back, buttock area, legs and ankles.  The treatments lasted between 20-30 minutes each.  After three weeks, George’s pain was about 95% better, on a scale of 0 - 100% (with 100% being totally free of pain.).I told George to come back in for treatment on an as-needed basis.  I see him every six months or so for a tune up treatment.  Georges’ case is a bit unusual, due to the fact that normally I’ll treat low back pain and sciatica using herbs and homeopathic remedies in addition to the acupuncture.  But this case is a great example of lower back pain with sciatica that resolved very effectively with acupuncture only.PMS:  DEPRESSION, HEART PALPITATIONS, WITH ANXIETY Julia, a 28-year-old secretary came to me to work on her symptoms of anxiety, agoraphobia, depression, and racing heart or palpitations.  Her symptoms began after breaking up with her boyfriend after a five-year relationship.   She had also been to a psychiatrist who had placed her on an antidepressant prescription medication, and she was also in weekly psychotherapy.  Her primary problem was that she had trouble getting to sleep at night due to her overactive mental chatter.For the first three weeks I saw Julia twice a week for acupuncture and gave her the homeopathic remedy Coffea cruda* 30C to take at bedtime.  She immediately reported being able to get to sleep more quickly and the heart palpitations were lessoning as well.I kept Julia coming in once weekly for acupuncture for another ten weeks, at which time she reported her anxiety and other symptoms had been almost totally eliminated.  This ended her treatment and I told her to come back if and when, she wanted to try and get off the prescription medication.

CHRONIC FATIGUEMy experience treating CFIDS, or chronic fatigue syndrome and Fibromyalgia is that 80% of my patients feel substantially better within four weeks after beginning treatment.  Jill, a fifty-year-old single mother of two teenagers was under a significant amount of stress when she came in.  She had been trying to treat her self using vitamins and herbs for her severe muscle and joint pains and progressive fatigue for a period of about four years with mixed success.A friend who had seen me for the same problem told her about acupuncture, so she decided to try it.  She came in weekly and I did acupuncture and had her get blood work.  Her blood tests revealed a severe deficiency in protein, sodium, calcium and magnesium.  So along with the acupuncture she increased her protein intake, decreased her carbohydrates in the diet, and began to take the mineral supplements I suggested, which were easier to assimilate than the ones she had previously been taking.Jill improved very quickly and after only six weeks, she reported an 80% increase in energy, and the only time her muscles and joints hurt was when she exerted herself too much in the garden, or didn’t get her full eight hours of sleep.   She continues to come in once a month for her acupuncture “tune-up”.ACUPUNCTURE FOR ANXIETY Marcia, a 42-year-old movie producer, came to me wanting to get off the antianxiety prescription medications he had become addicted to over a period of three years.  This is one of the more difficult treatments using acupuncture alone, so we placed her on a detoxification diet and herbal regimen, without changing her prescription medications.  Checking her blood tests showed her liver enzymes were significantly elevated, so I targeted the liver and created a detoxification regimen for her.After ten weeks of detoxification, the liver enzymes came down on the blood test and with her doctor’s supervision we began to lessen her prescription medications.  After three more months, although she was not off the prescriptions entirely, she managed to reduce them significantly.  She continued acupuncture once every three weeks while taking her herbs, and reported that she had not felt that clearheaded in years!BREAST AUGMENTATION Breast augmentation, or natural breast enlargement, is possible by stimulating the body’s own, naturally existing hormones.  This is done through the use of acupuncture, herbs, homeopathy and specific nutritional supplements aimed at increasing and balancing the body’s own, naturally occurring hormone levels.The effects are always more substantial in younger woman.  Most of my experience has been with women in their late twenties and early thirties.Linda, age 27, came to me for breast augmentation after deciding she didn’t want to suffer the possible side effects of implants.  I saw Linda twice weekly for the initial four weeks and performed acupuncture, and then she came weekly until she received the results she was wanting.Her weekly acupuncture lasted another fifteen weeks and then monthly for another four months.  Needles were placed along the meridians, which travel through the breasts, including the liver and stomach meridians.  Points were also done on the Spleen and Chong Mo meridians, on the stomach, and insides of the wrists and legs, all governing hormones.Linda was also taking a constitutional homeopathic remedy, which in her case was Sepia.  She also took a Chinese herbal supplement called Venus.  She was delighted with her results.   Before and after breast measurements gave her what she was wanting.  In addition, because the treatment was holistic and aimed at balancing the body’s hormones, her overall level of health, and the feel and look of her skin and her energy were better than ever!The average cost for breast implants is from $4,000 to $10,000.   For the acupuncture, the average cost is $2,000 to $2,500.COSMETIC FACE LIFT Acupuncture face-lifts are very effective.  The purpose of the treatment is to strengthen the overall vitality, or chi in the body, thereby creating firmer skin with less wrinkles.  Wrinkles will lesson as specific Chinese herbs are used, diet is changed and needles are placed on the wrinkles themselves.The needles are placed on the face, hands, legs, and stomach, strengthening the meridians, which run through the facial area.  This type of treatment works best if done twice weekly for a minimum of ten weeks.  Then we take a break of about one month, and perform another cycle of treatments of ten weeks at twice per week.Results will vary, depending on the overall level of health and vitality of the patient.  If the digestion is good, and the diet is healthy, good results will be achieved by the end of treatment.  This treatment can also be complemented by home, self-stimulation of the meridians through acupressure and with an electrical acupuncture device held in the hand.The average cost of a traditional face-lift is from $4,000 to $10,000.   The acupuncture facelift from $2,000 to $3,000, and in addition to the facelift, the patient ends up with a much greater level of health.

Dr Randy Martin, OMD, LAc, PhD

Doctor of Chinese Medicine

Certified Classical Homeopath

Encino Office:  MAILING ADDRESS

Tuesday and Thursday

12:30 - 7:30 pm

17000 Ventura Blvd #220

Encino, CA 91316

Telephone: 818 905 6171

West Los Angeles/Santa Monica Office:   

Wednesday

12:30 pm -7:30 pm

1444 Carmelina Blvd #132

West Los Angeles, CA 90025

Telephone: 310 979 6495

Valencia Office:

Saturdays AND Mondays

12:30  - 6:00 pm

23332 Valencia Blvd

Valencia, CA 91355

Telephone:  661 312 9868

Email:  drrandymartin@gmail.com

On the Web:  www.drrandymartin.com

Toxicity:  Its Diagnosis and Treatment

The following are some good links which explain toxicity and some diagnostic testing you can do.  Also, I have included some research which discusses the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment for toxicity.

Visit Toxicity Links and Articles  to listen to a series of audio/video on toxicity.  

Or these selected topics:

Environmental Toxicity:    Link To Environmental Toxicity Slidecast Show 

Genetic Aspects of Toxicity:    Audio Explaining how your parents affect your toxic burden even now 

Identify which tests can be used to diagnose your toxicity levels:  Audio Explaining How to Test for Toxicity in Your Body 

HOMEOPATHY FOR EXPOSURE TO TOXINS

Studies show that homeopathic medicine is effective in treatment of toxic exposure due to various types of poisoning. As reported in Newscientist.com (Oct. 22, 2003), researchers treated infected mice with homeopathic Arsenicum Alb*, which reduced the toxicity in the livers of the mice. This was measured by liver blood levels of ALT and AST, the most common indicators of liver enzymes.In another meta study done in 1994 by the head of the Office of Alternative Medicine at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, 100 previous studies were analyzed to see how well homeopathic remedies worked for animals affected by various environmental poisons. Of the 40 studies researched and rated as “high-quality”, 27 showed positive results from homeopathic treatment.The studies basically demonstrated that those animals which were pre-treated with homeopathy did much better than the control groups, when subjected to toxic substances.Homeopathy is over 200 years old, and is based on the principle that “like is cured by like.” It works much like an allergy shot, to boost the body’s own naturally-occurring defenses against anything from colds and flu, to tumors, headaches, diabetes or skin problems. The reason why homeopathy is not more commonly accepted among the medical profession is that the dosages used are so diluted that there is hardly anything present in the homeopathic remedy to measure. But this is also why it has no side- effects and no toxicity of its own.— Reported in the Utne Reader (March-April, 2004)

HOW SHOULD I FEEL AFTER MY ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT?

Facts About Infertility

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PARADIGM SHIFT

I first got involved in the field of holistic health as a result of my own health issues and also due to my dream of wanting to help create something better for our society. I spent the first 10 years of my professional life as an Environmental Planner, working in Northern California and on the Coast of Oregon, helping bring better land use policy planning policies to the areas I worked. That included adding more bike paths and creating a sustainable land use plan that would preserve more open space, create more parks and add a natural feeling to our cities and towns.

After 10 years, however, I realized I was having only minimal success and that the impact and results I was seeing were not as great as I had hoped for, even though I was working incredibly hard day and night. The political process was so time consuming and stressful, and my efforts were giving few direct results.   The stress of work was also creating health problems for me. It was then that I started seeing a homeopath and acupuncturist for myself.

When I entered an acupuncture college in 1979, I did so with the goal and hope of creating better health for all who I touched and everyone I worked with. Even though I now work with people one on one, I still feel that each person who begins this road to natural health and wellness contributes to our goal of a better planet.

I also teach and have become aware, as I’ve taught classes in health awareness over the years, that public health is really where I could make a bigger difference.   Public health is the bridge between my former career as an environmental planner and my current career as a holistic doctor.

So it was with great excitement last month that I reached one of my personal goals: to be asked to speak at a multi-national corporation on product development of natural health food items.

This company was taking a serious look at modifying some of their products.   Their current food offerings are the ones we grew up with that contain sugar, white flour, artificial chemicals and other artificial additives that are so unhealthy.  But now they are trying to learn from me and other doctors of natural medicine what it is we generally recommend to our patients.

This multi-national company had assembled a group of far-sighted participants from all over the world.   They wanted to know what diets and products we recommended to our patients, and what we would like to see on store shelves that would help promote health.

In my mind, this important meeting signaled the fact that our culture is beginning to take very real steps on a deeper level to regain its health.   I am so excited to be part of this revolution in health consciousness  When the changes are beginning to occur even on the level of the multi-national corporation, I would call it — a true paradigm shift.

NEW BOOK ON HOMEOPATHY FOR EMOTIONAL HEALTH

This is a new book with articles from some of the world’s most well-respected homeopaths outlining exactly how homeopathy is used to treat emotional issues such as anxiety, depression, OCD, ADD, ADHD, tics, autism, grief, saddness, hyperactivity, worry, and other emotional issues.

Some of the authors are friends of mine and others have been my teachers over the last 25 years.

There is also research and case studies proving how effective homeopathy is for emotional problems.

My experience is that homeopathic medicine works very well for everything from mild anxiety and depression to teenager oppositional behavior and emotional loss.  The first time you have experienced it’s effectiveness, you’ll be a convert forever!

Here is a link to the book - I suggest taking a look at the Table of Contents to get a good idea of exactly what is in this book.

Link to Book on Homeopathy for Emotional Health 

New Years Resolution - Start Taking Your Supplements

Summary:  Everyone needs the most basic supplements, which include:

*Omega 3, 6, 9 Oils

*Probiotics

*Magnesium

*Multi Vitamin/Mineral Fromula for your age and gender

*CoQ10 for your cardio-vascular system

*Individualized program based on symptoms and blood analysis 

We all need vitamin and mineral supplements — Right?  With our higher levels of awareness for our body’s health and healing process, who could logically say:  “No—-not me, I don’t need vitamins?”  

One might say that medical doctors and many scientific investigators don’t believe in the need for supplements, but this is no longer true.  In recent classes I’ve taught to medical doctors throughout the Los Angeles area, I’ve seen an incredible interest among many physicians  and an honest desire to learn what’s best for their patients.   Many of these docs are taking vitamins, herbs and other supplements themselves and seeing firsthand that they really work!

Some of the most common reasons for taking vitamin and mineral supplements are:

1.  Large-scale commercial agra-business has depleted our soils of nutrients.  Soil has been scientifically researched and found to be deficient in many necessary minerals.  Organically grown food is much better, and richer in vitamins and nutrients, but is more costly and still hard to obtain for our everyday needs.

2.  Pesticides are used around our homes, are found in most of the foods we eat, and are hidden in the form of ant and roach “hotels”, moth balls, mildew removers, fungicides, termite eradication and others.  These pesticides inevitably get into our body.

3.  Other environmental pollutants also claim a toll on the body, creating a need for more anti-oxidants and other minerals and vitamins.

4.  Smog:  Living in Los Angeles, we are all subject to the effects of poor air quality.  Breathing smog on a daily basis depletes the body of anti-oxidants.

5.  Smoking, prescription medications, recreational drugs and alcohol deplete the body of valuable nutrients and electrolytes.  This is why most people who smoke have a lot of dental and bone density problems:  The minerals needed to build healthy teeth and bones have been leached out of the system.

6.  Electromagnetic Field Pollution is everywhere.  From airports, cell phones, X-Rays, MRI’s, radio waves, microwaves, television and computer screens, we are constantly bombarded by radiation in every direction we turn.  If you own an electro-magnetic field detector as I do, you’d be amazed by measuring the amount of daily radiation you are subjected to.   Radiation alters your electro-magnetic field, your chi/energy, and personal gravitational center, thus causing stress-induced depletion of minerals and vitamins.

7.  We all live under tremendous stress.  Unless you live in the desert  and are on retreat 100% of the time, it’s likely that your endocrine system, including your adrenal glands and thyroid, are functioning on overdrive much of the time.  Stress depletes the body of its essential nutrients, including vital antioxidants and electrolytes.

8.  The “Quickening” — Few could argue that we perceive time as speeding up.  The physical body is dealing with a constant onslaught of energy, the mental body is constantly overwhelmed by too much data and information, and the emotional body is being called upon to integrate and make sense of all this additional information.  All of this contributes to stress, which depletes the body by sending it into “overdrive” much of the time.

But which supplements are the best ones for your particular body and mind?  Although we are all mostly exposed to the same common environmental problems,  not everyone needs the same products. 

Our bodies vary tremendously, and so do our physiological needs.  

In 1996, Dr. Roger Williams, the scientist who discovered Pantothenic Acid, wrote a book called Biochemical Individuality.   In this book, he discusses various research studies demonstrating people’s unique needs. 

This is why  the best way to determine your individual needs is through individualized testing and analysis.   And the most reliable form of testing uses the blood.

Health is relative, and a person who doesn’t have a known disease is not necessarily healthy.  So the best way to analyze blood chemistry is in terms of “optimum” rather than “normal.”

Your blood is alive!   By that I mean that your blood is electrically charged.  Each mineral molecule in the blood carries either a positive or negative electrical charge.   Each negative charge is attracted to a positive charge and each positive charge is attracted to a negative charge.

Problems like insomnia, low or high blood pressure, weight gain or loss, fluid retention, arthritis, colitis, constipation, allergies or asthma all begin to make sense when we look at the blood in this way.  

 Looking at the typical blood chemistry analysis and CBC, I have an entire picture of exactly which organs are weak, or “under-active,” and strong, or “over-active,” from the point of view of Chinese medicine.   

Taken together, these two methods of blood test analysis give a very clear indication of which supplements and herbs are needed to bring the body into balance for optimal functioning.  

How Does Homeopathy Work?

This article by my friend Dana Ullman, MPH, offers a great explanation for how homeopathic medicine really works.  Over the years, I’ve had patients ask me this question.  It’s always hard to answer in a couple of brief sentences.  But Dana does a good job.  

One thing I always tell people who are skeptical is that it works equally well on infants and animals.  So how could it be a placebo?

I hope you find this article interesting and helpful on your path to Optimal Health.

Link to “How Does Homeoapthy Work” article 

Money Savings Idea - Consultations by Phone and Email

Many of my patients are now using phone and email consultations to save time and money.  Some people who are moving from the Los Angeles area are also using phone and email for their continuing consults.

Still others are communicating by phone from across the United States and in some cases, from other countries throughout the world.

When you need a homeopathic, herbal or nutritional consult, think about saving time and money — by scheduling a phone or email consultation.

Prices are based on the time we spend talking, and in most cases, are just as effective as the regular in person office consultation.

After the consult, you can order your supplements, homeopathic remedies, and herbs directly from the “Emerson” button on the lower left-hand side of my website home page.

Emerson Order Website

Or I can order the supplements for you and have them sent anywhere in the United States.

GIFT CERTIFICATES ALSO AVAILABLE:

Do you have a friend or family member you have wanted to refer  for a homeopathic or herbal consult.

Give them a healthy holiday gift today!

Just email or call and we can set it up your consultation.

Drrandymartin@gmail.com

Remedies for the Day After

We often overeat at Thanksgiving and feel uncomfortable that night or the day after.  Here are some homeopathic remedies to the rescue.  Happy Thanksgiving!!!  Enjoy and try and eat healthy.

Nux vomica: This is probably the most common remedy for those who indulge in food and drink resulting in indigestion. It’s kind of the “morning after” remedy. There is a weight and pain in the stomach and a sour taste in the mouth, with nausea in the morning. The typical emotional feature for this remedy is impatience, in an irritable and chilly person.