Blog

Covid Safety, Reassurance, and Cautious Optimism

Posted on January 17, 2022 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Happy 2022I had some time to reflect over the break about how grateful I am that I get to be of service to all of you.  I appreciate the trust and confidence you’ve all had in me over the past year and 9 months when it’s been hard for all of us to find solid ground at times.  Two of the things I am most passionate about are supporting people’s immune systems and reducing stress, and boy have we all needed that!  It’s been a lot of work to keep adapting over and over, but it comes from a calling to be of service to all of you and help my fellow humans connect with their natural potential.

I have some thoughts I’d love to share about the new year transition, seeing every moment as an opportunity for a fresh start, setting resolutions from the inside out, and how I’m exploring how to do more of what I am longing for from love.  But in the interest of time I’m going save that for my next newsletter and keep this one to the some of the most pressing issues in our community right now: COVID-19 safety in our office, what you can do to recover at home if you or your loved ones get sick, and the most common questions I get about C-19 resources.  Getting any kind of virus right now is a big bummer, but there is a lot you can do to prevent getting sick and support your recovery if you or your family does get sick.

Thrive COVID-19 Safety Reminders & ReassuranceI want to take a moment to remind and reassure patients that we like to err on the cautious side in our clinic because we treat patients who are immune compromised, undergoing chemotherapy, and are otherwise at risk for worse symptoms from C-19. Acupuncture is really helpful for those patients, so we want to be able to welcome them to our office. We also want to stay healthy ourselves so we can keep helping as many people as possible.

Thanks to everyone who has been cancelling their appointment if they feel sick or have been exposed to Covid-19.  We appreciate everyone being extra careful because community spread is high, the current variant is more transmissible, and the symptoms can be hard to pinpoint–it often starts with a simple raw or sore throat and we all know that this time of year we can get a raw throat from the dry air from our heater.  It won’t be this way forever, but right now this is where we’re at.  So we’re being extra careful and we appreciate your efforts.

If you are wondering if you should come to your appointment here’s what you should know:The Most Important Thing To Remember:
Please reach out to us if you have any questions about coming in for your appointment. We’re happy to help you figure out what to do.  We know it’s confusing.  It’s a fluid situation.  Guidelines are confusing.  And we’re more careful than the guidelines, which I think are great for going to the grocery store, but we’re more conservative than that as I explained above. And if you need to reschedule for any concerns about covid symptoms or exposure, we’re not charging the late cancel fee.

Should You come to your appointment?
Please reschedule your appointment if in the past 10 days:

  • You have had new symptoms that are possible C-19:
    • Including sore throat, fever, muscle or body aches, headache, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, congestion or unusual runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.
  • You have been in close contact with anyone who has possible C-19.

When you arrive we will ask you to confirm this.  We know that Covid is everywhere and it’s super contagious right now so your answer is assumed to be to the best of your knowledge.  We also still feel confident in our protocols with masks, air purifiers, airing rooms out between patients, and sanitizing.  And we’re going to err on the side of caution right now.

Testing to Rule Out C-19:
If you or your close contact are or have tested to rule out C-19 there’s a few extra things to consider right now to be extra cautions.  If you have any questions about coming in for your appointment, please check in with us to make sure we’re comfortable.  We’d hate for you to waste your time driving here.  And as always, check in with your primary care doctor about your individual situation regarding testing.

PCR Tests:

  • The most reliable test is a PCR test when symptoms start or 5 days after exposure if there aren’t symptoms.

Rapid Antigen Tests:

  • New For This Variant: If you have symptoms, it can take several rapid antigen tests over a couple of days to rule out C-19 with confidence, especially early in infection. In other words, rapid tests sometimes are not positive until people have had symptoms for several days.
  • Take a rapid antigen test when symptoms start and 2 days later.  Or if you are exposed but don’t have symptoms take the test 3, 5, and 7 days after exposure; continue to watch for symptoms.
  • Some people are reporting that they rapid and PCR test at the same time and the rapid test is negative but the PCR test comes back positive.  The good news is that this means that when you took the sample your viral load was low, so it’s a good indicator that in that moment you were not very contagious.  The bad news is the rapid test may not be ruling out C-19 and you could become more contagious with time.
  • It can be more accurate to do a throat and nasal swab for rapid antigen tests. The theory is that Omicron is mostly replicating in the throat and bronchus at the start of infection, so just a nasal swab might not get enough virus on it to be detected.  But this is off label use for the US rapid antigen tests so some people are warning these conditions have not been studied enough.  In an ideal world you would run both a plain nasal swab and a throat and nasal swab if you had enough tests.  Here’s some info about how to do a throat and nasal swab.  Some of the tests in the UK are designed for this and in the video below they show you how with a person and a diagram:
  •  🧪https://www.huffpost.com/…/covid-rapid-test-swab-nose…
  •  🧪https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qHTBlxfNes

If you get sick:
Of course if you have C-19, or any virus for that matter, get in touch and we’ll connect you with herbs and supplements to help you recover at home.

This is the best explanation I have seen of the current guidelines for isolation and quarantine: https://dearpandemic.org/isolation-explainer/.  It is confusing so I love the visual flow chart.

What do I think about all this?
A lot of people have asked me how I’m feeling about all this. While I truly wish I could stop sending out messages about this, overall I’m feeling optimistic. I think we need to be extra careful for a month, and then we’ll start to see the light at the end of the tunnel and enjoy a healthy spring.  After more people have had C-19 there will be more people with natural immunity and I’m hopeful that can slow things down for a bit and we can catch our breath.  I also think that we’re being fast forwarded into the new reality and, while it isn’t fun, we will get aligned with our place in it.  People’s habits of thinking, expectations, and judgements will change in a way that will be better for our nervous systems.   And since I’m not psychic, we’ll keep adapting as appropriate.

Stock Up Now On Supplies For Health and Peace of MindDid you know there are herbs and supplements you can take that help you recover from viruses and there is lots of good information about what is helpful to recover from C-19? Given the current transmissibility and level of community spread of C-19, it’s a good idea to stock up now to have things on hand for you and your family to support your recovery if you get sick.  We’re told to stay home and recover and there are things you can do for yourself to aid your recovery.  While I am glad that the current variant has less severe symptoms for most people, I still recommend treating it aggressively because it can go sideways unexpectedly and it’s better to be ahead of it.  And it’s a bummer if you get any kind of cold, flu, or virus right now so it’s best to stop them in their tracks and get better fast.

Additionally we just don’t know how common Long Covid is with this variant since it hasn’t been around that long.  Long Covid is officially named post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).  While this name is a bit of a mouthful, the fact that it has an official name shows you how prevalent it is since western medicine normally takes a long time to identify this type of “hard to pinpoint” illness.  Data for the previous variants was showing about 30% of people who got covid, even if the initial symptoms weren’t that bad, developed long haul symptoms that can be really difficult.  There’s good data that shows that supporting the body in recovering from C-19 with herbs and supplements greatly reduces the chances for Long Covid.

All the information about what I recommend to have on hand to prevent and treat viruses is here:https://thrive-acupuncture.com/the-golden-window-for-treating-viruses/
Click the link and open and print the the handout on that page.  It has recommended supplements and dosages.  Make it easy for yourself to have on hand when you need it.  Then take a look at what you already have and make a plan for what you want to stock up on.

  • If you want Chinese herbs, probiotics, or the nasal spray we have those in our office.  I’m happy to talk with you and help you get the best Chinese herbs for you and your family.
  • All the rest of the supplements are available through our online dispensary–just use the link on the webpage, find your way to the practitioner protocols, and order the supplements you want.

All of these recommendations are good for treating any cold, flu, or virus so these supplies won’t go to waste, especially since it’s a bummer to have any of that right now so you’ll want to stop it in it’s track no matter what it is.

If you need help creating a plan that will work for you let us know.

Covid Safety and Testing ResourcesA lot of people have renewed interest in better masks, protective eyewear, and access to testing right now.  And not surprisingly some of the best people to ask are those that have been doing a lot of covid safety and testing for the past year and 9 months, like me.  Here’s my answer to the most common questions I get (I am not affiliated nor do I get any commission on these products):

  • Masks: I’m wearing a KF94 filtering mask right now and anytime community spread is high.  I like them because they fit my face, I can get a good seal, they don’t crowd my nose or lips, and they help my glasses not fog.  The ones I have that I know fit my face aren’t available right now, but if you search KF94 you will see all sorts of versions of this type of mask.  They have similar filtering to the KN95 masks, but they are made in Korea and have a bit more breathability for less stuffiness.  The ones I have say they are large size and some have sizes, but you never really know until you try them on.
  • Lanyards: I attach my mask with a lanyard behind my head because I get a better seal and my ears get tired if I have loops on them all day long.  I get ones like these, and instead of using them around my neck, I tighten them and put them above my ears and over the back of my head. https://www.staples.com/cliq-it-face-mask-lanyard-gray-each-cl61312gy/product_24466217  I like the quick release adjustment because I can get it just right–not too tight and not too loose.  You can find them lots of places online.
  • Eyewear: Several people have told me they want protective eyewear.  I love my Stoggles https://wearstoggles.com/.  While I’m sure they aren’t as effective as a full face shield, they look like glasses, have protective shields on all sides, an anti-fog coating, and you can get them with prescription lenses.  I have cracked 2 ear pieces over the year and half that I have been wearing them which is a bummer.  I am very careful with them but I do take them off when I am not with patients, which is a lot of off and on each day.  The price is best if you buy direct from Stoggles but there are knockoffs on Amazon.
  • PCR Tests:  I have tested regularly throughout the pandemic and more often when community spread is high.  I order these PCR tests with a home collection kit through Labcorp: https://www.ondemand.labcorp.com/at-home-test-kits/covid-19-test-home-collection-kit.  The way it works is that you order the test and they send it by Fedex Express, you take the sample by following their simple instructions, and send it back by Fedex Express.  Typically you can get results in less than 3 days total from when you order the test, but it is taking a longer right now to process the samples because they are busy.  If you started having symptoms and got on the site right away and ordered the test I bet you could beat any local lab for getting test results.  Because you are administering the sample yourself, the results do not qualify for some situations to prove you are negative, but they work if you want the information for yourself.  You have to answer a few simple questions to see if you qualify to get a test for free.  I qualify since I work in healthcare and then my insurance covers them.
  • Rapid Antigen Tests:  I don’t have any good secret sources, but my advice is stock up with a small supply for your family.  I hear people ordering from Amazon are getting their packages earlier than promised.

Did You Know We Moved?
Our new location is: 2880 Cleveland Ave, Suite #5, Santa Rosa, CA 95403Take a moment right now to update the address in your phone and make a note with our new address in your next appointment.   We’ve updated google maps and all the other online places we could find, but if you have our old address in your phone or your search history, your phone might take you there instead.

As you can see on the map, we’re just on the other side of the freeway, a short distance from our previous clinic space.  For most people the drive time is same same but different and all the map apps do a good job of navigating you here.  We are just south of the Wells Fargo Bank on Cleveland Ave.  Or a few blocks north of the Staples on Cleveland Ave and 2 driveways north of the Thai market.

 

Upcoming Events

So many patients have been telling me they are struggling with stress, anxiety, and low moods lately.  And yet others have told me they’re feeling optimistic.  How are people having totally different experiences of the same world circumstances?  The secret has to do in understanding their thinking and their connection to spirit.  If you want to explore how to understand your thinking in a way which allows for more ease and resiliency as we adjust to this round of changes, and many more changes that are sure to come our way, please come join us this Tuesday. 
Weekly Virtual Zoom Conversation
Tuesdays 4pm – 5pm PST every week
Hosts: Julie Gleeson, Founder of The Art of Living Inc, and
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc from Thrive Acupuncture and Wellness Corp.
Click this link to our event page for more info and the link to register.
We’re so confident in how helpful this conversation is that the first month is FREE, so you can come check it out without any pressure.  Click this link to our event page for all the information about the community and the link to register.

 
Here’s to cautious optimism and resiliency to start the new year!
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Posted in acupuncture, Chinese herbs and supplements, Covid19 screening, Immune Boosting / Immunity, Recommended Products, Sanitary protocols, Seasonal Health, Three Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thrive is MOVING!! 🎉 Plus Holiday Overindulgence Support

Posted on November 16, 2021 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

We’re Excited To Tell You That Thrive is Moving! Here’s a few key things you should know:

We will be closed Thanksgiving week Nov 22-26 while we get ready to welcome you to our new space.  Take a moment to see if you need anything to support your wellbeing while we are closed for a week.  Get in touch now if you need herbs or want to make some appointments in our new space.

As of Monday, November 29 our new location is2880 Cleveland Ave, Suite #5, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Make a note with our new address in your appointments starting November 29 and after.  As you can see on the map, we’re just on the other side of the freeway, a short distance from our current clinic space.  For most people the drive time is same same but different and all the map apps do a good job of navigating you there.  And the parking lot is much simpler!  People keep asking what our new clinic is near.  If you know where the Wells Fargo is on Cleveland Ave, we are the building just behind it, just south of it. Or a few blocks north of the Staples store on Cleveland Ave.

What’s inside the red doors?  More everything — bathrooms, sinks for all the hand washing at any moment, office space for Jules who has been “temporarily” using the waiting room as her office since the start of the pandemic, airy waiting room, treatment rooms, and storage!  Plus we have laundry and a kitchenette.  Somehow with all this more, we’ve managed to still keep it cozy.

Everyone asks what we’re going to do with the extra treatment rooms.  We’re going to hire another acupuncturist to join our team!  I’ve always had the vision of having a community of acupuncturists as well as patients.  Life says the time is now!

Thanks for all your support along the way and especially in the last 2 years.  We were looking for a space to expand into in February of 2020, but we put it on hold with the start of the pandemic.  Who knew what was gonna happen to a small healthcare practice like ours?!  It turns out people are more motivated than ever to get and stay healthy.  And we’re honored that you have trusted us to do everything we can to support you no matter what life throws our way.

Upcoming Events

So many patients have been telling me they are struggling with stress, anxiety, and low moods lately.  I have a theory that while people are excited to be getting back to normal a little bit more, they also have new habits of thinking about what is safe.  So while your intellect knows that community spread is low and you’re comfortable with the risk of going out to dinner, spending the holidays with family, or seeing live music, there are some habits of thinking that you’ve built up over the last year and 9 months about people not being safe.  There can be an underlying habit of thought that is screaming “danger danger” when you’re with more people.  This screaming may not be so clear in what it is saying, but it is clear with the feelings of tension, stress, and anxiety in your body.  If you want to explore how to understanding your thinking in a way which allows for more ease and resiliency as we adjust to this round of changes, and many more changes that are sure to come our way, please come join us this Tuesday. 
Weekly Virtual Zoom Conversation
Tuesdays 4pm – 5pm PST every week
Hosts: Julie Gleeson, Founder of The Art of Living Inc, and
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc from Thrive Acupuncture and Wellness Corp.
 Click this link to our event page for more info and the link to register.
We’re so confident in how helpful this conversation is that the first month is FREE, so you can come check it out without any pressure.  Click this link to our event page for all the information about the community and the link to register.

 

Pick Up Your Curing Pills For The Holiday OverindulgencesThe holidays encourage a bit of excess and you want to be ready to ride the wave.  I think the point of being healthy is to find a place where we can indulge here and there and come back to balance easily.  Of course if you are working on a specific health challenge or trying to reach a certain health goal, now is not the time to indulge.  But if you’re feeling pretty good, I believe in moderation of all things as, including moderation sometimes.

If you are consciously going to indulge in that rich holiday meal, treat, cocktail–or all three–how do you plan to support your body?  Staying well hydrated is key.  Aim to drink between 80 ounces to half your body weight in ounces of water a day.  And make sure you get some electrolytes or natural salts so all the water doesn’t just rush through you.  Making fresh ginger tea is supportive.  You can cut a few slices of fresh ginger and boil it in water for 5 minutes.  The fibers from the ginger are really good for your digestive system so that’s why it’s helpful to use fresh ginger and really get it boiled in the water.    And having some Curing Pills on hand for you and the whole family really helps get everyone back in balance

What are Curing Pills?  They’re a Chinese medicine herbal pill that’s good for all kinds of digestive imbalances that are common during the holidays including: upset stomach, indigestion, overeating, and hangover.  How can they be good for so many things?  Unlike western medications that are specific for certain kinds of digestive imbalances, Curing Pills don’t move your digestion in a specific direction, they regulate your digestion back to harmony.  That is why their other name is Healthy Peaceful Pills.

Here’s how I take Curing Pills:

  • Prevention (My eyes were bigger than my stomach): 1 Packet after a meal.
  • Upset Stomach (As soon as I can tell something I ate or drank did not agree with me):  1 Packet now, 1 More Packet every hour for the next 3 hours if things aren’t feeling good yet.
  • General Digestive Imbalance (My digestion is moving slower or faster than normal and I just realized it’s been happening for a few days): 1 Packet 3 Times/Day for a day or two.

Warning: Curing Pills are not for you if you have true Celiac disease because they contain an herb that is a relative of wheat and you should aim to avoid all contact with anything wheat related.

Reassurance: Curing Pills are well tolerated by people who are normally sensitive to wheat because the herb is grown in China and it’s fermented before it’s made into a tea and then freeze dried into a pill.  Many wheat sensitive people in the US have no problem when they eat wheat grown from other places around the world.  And fermentation changes the building blocks of wheat proteins and carbohydrates which makes wheat tolerable for most people, even for some people who have Celiac disease.  I still recommend people with Celiac disease avoid it because, in that instance, it’s better safe than sorry.  But I’ve never met someone who is simply sensitive to wheat that has found that Curing Pills don’t agree with them.

Some might say that in a perfect world, during the holiday times we’d all eat and drink in moderation and avoid weird food combinations and sweets.  But I believe the point of being healthy is so that you can relax about it all at times.  There have been times where I was struggling with a health challenge and I kept to a very regimented diet 100% of the time to support healing, but I’m not there now.  So in my current perfect world, since I’m pretty healthy, I eat darn well most of the time and sometimes when I’m celebrating I consciously indulge.  Most of the time that works out pretty well for me.  When it doesn’t, I have my Curing Pills to get me back in harmony.

Here’s to Welcoming You to Our New Office in Two Weeks!
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Posted in Chinese herbs and supplements, Digestive issues, Events, Facebook Private Group, Office Happenings, Recommended Products, Seasonal Health, Three Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What to do when Exposed or Sick with a Virus

Posted on September 1, 2021 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

We said we’d keep monitoring things and adapting our mask policy as appropriate and we did just that over 2 weeks ago, so we wanted to send the word out through this newsletter.  We’ve also noticed people are confused about what to do if they have been exposed to Covid-19 or start to feel sick, so we’ve put together a summary.  We’ve pulled together this information in one place in hopes of easing stress and confusion about all of this, because stress isn’t fun and doesn’t help your immune system.  

Scroll through below for info on:

  • Mask Policy Update At Thrive
  • Cancelling Your Appointment At Thrive If You Feel Sick Or Have Been Exposed
  • What To Do If You Feel Sick Or Have Been Exposed
  • Growing More Peaceful Stress Reduction
  • What We’re Treating In The Clinic

Mask Policy Update At ThriveMasks on Again:  We’re asking everyone, including those who are vaccinated, to wear their masks at all times at Thrive again. We’ve been telling patients in person for the past 2+ weeks and everyone has been understanding and on board.  We adapted quickly as needed, and updated our website, but it took me a bit longer to get this newsletter out.  Now everyone will be caught up and some of you will know ahead of your next appointment.

The Change:  Since June 15th we had been allowing fully vaccinated patients to go maskless while they were in their room by themselves for their acupuncture nap. This was based on the information that they were much less likely to become infected with or transmit SARS-CoV-2. But there’s new information that it’s becoming more common for vaccinated people to become infected and transmit SARS-CoV-2. Right now there is just too much unknown about how the virus and its variants are spreading even among vaccinated people.  So it’s time to adapt and ask everyone to keep their masks on to keep us, our patients, and our small business safe so we can continue to help lots of people.

As a healthcare facility we’ve been following the CDC guidelines and asking everyone to wear masks in all the public places of our office, so this won’t be a very big change. And it’s important to me that we adapt right now and be extra safe until we know more.

Thrive is Not the Grocery Store:  It is unique in that patients get to rest in a room alone for half an hour. When the CDC was saying that fully vaccinated people were less likely to have infection or transmit SARS-CoV-2 we were allowing fully vaccinated patients that showed proof of vaccination to be maskless when they were resting by themselves.  We were excited to move in the direction of less masks.  But viruses change, information changes, and we will keep adapting.

One thing some people don’t realize is that patients come to Thrive who are immunocompromised or at higher risk for severe disease from COVID-19. Those patients can choose to not go to the grocery store or out to eat, but I would like for them to be able to come here since acupuncture is so helpful for them. And I want for them to feel safe and for us to know we did everything we could to support their health.

Guidelines:  On August 3 Sonoma County guidelines aligned with the CDC regarding masks. According to the CDC, fully vaccinated people who become infected with the Delta variant can transmit the virus to others. In order to reduce their risk of becoming infected with the Delta variant and spreading it to others, fully vaccinated people should wear a mask indoors in areas of substantial or high transmission. Currently Sonoma County falls into this category and is requiring all individuals to wear face coverings when indoors in public settings.

Any Concerns?  As always we’ll keep monitoring the situation and new information and adapt as appropriate. If you have any questions or concerns let us know right away by emailing or calling us so we can discuss them with you. As always, we welcome your feedback and have lots of solutions and options. One thing we’ve learned at a deeper level from the pandemic is that we’re all in this together!

Please Cancel Your Appointment If You Feel Sick or Have Been Exposed to Covid-19If you have any suspicion that you have a cold or virus that could be Covid-19 or have been exposed to Covid-19, we ask that you err on the side of caution and cancel your appointment with us.  In case you’ve lost track, Covid-19 can start with new symptoms of sore throat, cough, congestion or runny nose, shortness of breath, fever, chills, headache, muscle or body aches, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.

We know that it’s not always as clear as black or white, so please call or email as soon as you realize you might be sick or wonder if you should cancel, and we’ll help you get clear.  We will do our best to call you back so we can talk with you because we know it can feel unsettling and we can get and share more information in a phone conversation.

Thanks to all our patients who have been being extra cautious and cancelling their appointments with us if they start to feel sick or have been exposed to Covid-19.  This is how we’ve been able to stay healthy and keep our small business open so we can help lots of people safely.  It feels like you’ve partnered with us and we appreciate that more than we can express in this newsletter.

Now What? What To Do If You’re Sick or Exposed?Don’t feel bad if you are confused about what to do, just give us a call.  As a physical medicine practice that works with patients in person we stay up to date on guidelines, information about the virus, what is going on in our community, and what herbs, supplements, and other treatments are helping patients in order to make our office policies and support patients who get sick.  We talk about this topic a lot, with each other and with patients. This is what we do.  And we are happy to help. 

We’ve been fielding these questions the whole pandemic and lately people are more confused than ever.  The virus has changed, information about what protection vaccination provides has changed, guidelines have changed, and our office policies have changed.  No wonder people are confused!  Things can change quickly, but here is a summary of the current recommendations if you are sick or exposed to Covid-19. 

Herbs and Supplements: To start give us a call or email to cancel your appointment, if you have one, and check in with us to make sure you have herbs and supplements.  There are great herbs and supplements to support your immune system for prevention after an exposure or for reducing symptoms and stopping viruses in their tracks if you are sick.  Lots of patients have some at home just in case.  So many have told us over the past year how helpful the herbs have been for preventing or stopping colds, flus, and viruses.  With the start of back to school lots of people have been stocking up.  Ask me about herbs at your next appointment and we’ll find the best options for you and your family to have on hand just in case.  If you don’t have stock at home and you’ve been exposed or start feeling sick, we can arrange to set them outside for pickup.

Don’t Panic:  If you are more than mildly sick or know you have Covid-19, don’t panic, remember that most people recover at home from Covid-19.  You should get in touch with your trusted medical professionals for their support and so that you know what to do if things take a turn for the worse.  This can ease your mind so you can rest and recover better.

Remember to spend some time picturing your health.  What does it look like and feel like to be healthy?  What will you be doing and who will you be with as you enjoy your strong energetic body?  No matter how much you try to avoid it, there’s a lot of information coming at us about people struggling with being sick.  What we think about influences our physiology so we need to give some airtime to thoughts about our resiliency and our strong and effective immune systems.

Next Steps:  This is the part where people get really confused lately.  We’re happy to discuss this with you if it comes up and here’s an overview in the meantime:

Exposed: If you have had close contact with someone who has Covid-19 (including the 2 days before they had symptoms) you should get tested 3-5 days after your exposure.  The virus takes some time to take hold and replicate enough so that a test will be able to pick up the infection.

The guidelines say that if you are not vaccinated you should quarantine for 10 days; if your test is negative you can reduce your quarantine to 7 days.

If you are vaccinated and not showing symptoms the guidelines say you can wear a mask when you are indoors in public until you get a negative test result.  It’s also good common sense that you should limit your exposure to anyone who is immunocompromised or at higher risk for severe disease from COVID-19 even if you are vaccinated, and some people choose to quarantine until they get a negative test.

Feeling Sick: If you start to feel sick with new symptoms of sore throat, cough, congestion or runny nose, shortness of breath, fever, chills, headache, muscle or body aches, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting you should start quarantine right away and test for Covid-19 as soon as possible.

If you are positive for Covid-19 you should quarantine for 10 days since the start of symptoms or, if you don’t have symptoms, the day the sample was taken.  You can stop quarantine after 10 days as long as your symptoms are improving and you have not had a fever for 24 hours without the use fever reducing medications.

Testing: You can get a rapid test that gives you results in about 15 minutes.  They have them at testing centers and you can also buy an at home rapid test from all the usual pharmacy stores or online.  A lot of people are buying at home rapid tests to have on hand if they start to feel sick.  The good thing about the rapid tests is that the results are fast.  The downside is that they are not the most accurate and can have false negatives.  False positive results are not that common from the rapid tests, especially if you have symptoms, so if you get a positive test you can assume you are positive and start quarantine.

You may want to follow up with a PCR test because they are more accurate.  They have them at testing centers and you can order some online that will be delivered by F0edex for you to take the sample yourself, and then you send it back by Fedex to the lab.  The good thing about the PCR test is that it is more accurate.  The downside is that it takes longer to get results so you are in limbo for a little bit of time.

Still Confused? If you are as confused as you were before you started reading this, here is a helpful decision tree that outlines what to do if you are exposed: https://www.instagram.com/p/CSKWaiwrgNK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Upcoming Events

I’ve noticed that more people have been struggling with stress, anxiety, and low moods lately.  If you want to explore being more peaceful no matter what is going on around us come join us this and every Tuesday afternoon for a zoom conversation where we take a breather from all the noise and make room to grow more peaceful, even now!
Weekly Virtual Zoom Conversation
Tuesdays 4pm – 5pm PST every week
Hosts: Julie Gleeson, Founder of The Art of Living Inc, and
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc from Thrive Acupuncture and Wellness Corp.
 Click this link to our event page for more info and the link to register.
We’re so confident in how helpful this conversation is that the first month is FREE, so you can come check it out without any pressure.  Click this link to our event page for all the information about the community and the link to register.

What We’re Treating in the Clinic–DigestionLately I’ve been seeing an increase in patients with digestive imbalances.  Sometimes it’s stress, other times patients aren’t sure what is causing it but they are fed up with IBS, diarrhea, constipation, cramps, gas, bloating, heartburn, or nausea. The good news is that digestion responds particularily well to acupuncture and I practice a style of acupuncture that is really quick at balancing the digestive system.  Most patients report an instant improvement in their comfort as soon as the points go in and that things have already started to turn a corner after their first treatment.  Of course there are also dietary changes, herbs, and supplements to support sustained improvements in your digestion.

One thing I hear a lot that makes me want to get on my soapbox (which doesn’t happen very often) is that a Western Medicine doctor has told a patient that their digestive imbalance can’t be helped by diet or that it will be a lifelong illness.  Did you know that Western Medicine doctors aren’t required to study nutrition–even gastrointestinal doctors!?  Why are they giving nutrition advice?  I don’t know.  And I see improvements in patients’ digestive systems all the time.  It’s one of the things that I see on a new patient’s list of complaints and I think “I can help them!”  So why are doctors telling patients their digestive problem will be with them for life?  I don’t know that either.  It makes me want to yell from my rooftop “If you are having digestive issues, seek help from a healthcare professional who is trained or licensed in nutrition, like an acupuncturist.”  Acupuncturists are licensed to give dietary advice, herbs, and supplements in addition to acupuncture.  It’s part of the thousands of hours of study and clinical practice for our degrees and is in our 8 hour board exam.   OK I’ll get off my soapbox / rooftop now.

Established patients can make an appointment at our new online booking site. You’re also always welcome to call or email us to make an appointment.

New patients need to call or email us to set up their first appointment because there is just too much information we need to share with you.

Here’s to resilient bodies and vibrant immune systems!
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Posted in acupuncture, Chinese herbs and supplements, Covid19 screening, Digestive issues, Facebook Private Group, Immune Boosting / Immunity, Three Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mask Update + Feeling Good Mind Experiment

Posted on June 14, 2021 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Hello again from the space of this newsletter!

It’s been a while.  Normally I have a loose schedule for the newsletters, but back in March I threw the loose schedule out the window.  With so much extra on our plates in the last year or so (pandemic, new online booking/charting/payment system, surprise changes from the medical insurance world) I gave myself permission to truly just wait until I was called to write a newsletter.

So here I am, 3 months later, called to write to you about 2 things:

  1. Masks In Our Office
  2. A Mind Experiment for the post-pandemic renaissance

I have a few other updates and reminders as well, so scroll on…..

Masks at Thrive Acupuncture

Starting June 15 California guidelines will align with CDC guidelines regarding masks.  According to the CDC guidelines, fully vaccinated people are less likely to have infection or transmit SARS-CoV-2 and can resume most activities without wearing a mask or physical distancing except where required (like at your workplace, local businesses, healthcare settings, and public transportation).

Since we are a medical office, we’re asking that all our patients continue to wear masks to their appointments and keep them on in shared spaces in our office and while Christina is in the room with them doing the intake and placing the needles.  

As of June 15, fully vaccinated patients, after showing proof of vaccination, can be maskless for the part of the treatment where they are resting by themselves in the treatment room.  

Christina and Jules will continue to wear masks at the office when patients are here.

We will continue to use a HEPA air filters in each room, let each room air out in between patients, and sanitize sanitize sanitize!

And we’ll keep monitoring things and adapting as appropriate.

How will this work if you want to be maskless for part of your treatment? 

Proof of Vaccination: Please email a photo of the front of your vaccination card to thrive@thrive-acupuncture.com and we’ll add it to your medical record.

Getting the mask off and on: Wear your mask to your appointment and after Christina has placed the needles she will slip your mask off and place it on your chest.  Yes she can get it off even after placing needles in the ears.  At the end of your treatment, she’ll start by taking out the points that free you up to put your mask on, so you can do that while she is down at your legs and feet.

Any concerns?If you have any questions or concerns let us know right away by calling or emailing so we can discuss them with you.  As always, we welcome your feedback and have lots of solutions and options.  One thing we’ve learned at a deeper level from the pandemic is that we’re all in this together!

Mind Experiment – Follow A Good Feeling

As we emerge from the disruption of the pandemic and transition back to some of our “regular” activities, I want to encourage you to take your time and be mindful about what you put back into your life and how you put it back in.

A variety of experts, from astrologists to economists, are predicting a post-pandemic renaissance.  They predict a revival of art, music, celebration, community, travel and accelerated innovation in all areas of life.  What better time to ask yourself what you want to create in the world as part of our new normal?

I want to give you permission to follow a good feeling as you navigate piecing together your post-pandemic life.  So much of popular culture messaging tells us that it requires effort and struggle in order to create more of what you want.  But what if it was simpler than that?  What if you could trust that when you are in a good feeling, you actually have more clarity, wisdom, creativity, and insight that will help you create the life you want?

Mind experiment:  Pick a time that you commit to following a good feeling to make your decisions. 

  • If this is new to you, maybe pick an hour on the weekend. 
  • If you want to test it out for longer, pick a full day to see what it would be like to follow a good feeling to make your decisions. 
  • And if you’re really up for an experiment, try it out for a few days or a week.  

When I say “following a good feeling,” what I mean is that when you have a decision to make, lean into anything that feels like peace of mind, aliveness, happiness, curiosity, motivation, relaxation, clarity, connection, love, spirit, and all the good feelings that come from that space.  

I do this a lot on the weekend, and it doesn’t mean I don’t get anything done.  Instead it means I get more done while enjoying doing it.  Last weekend I had a long list of things I wanted to do, so I chose from that list by leaning into what I felt like doing in the moment.  I rode my mountain bike, took a country drive to 2 different garden centers, gardened, had a date night with my husband in our backyard after he tidied up our bocce ball court, washed my car, did laundry, caught up with family on the phone, had a pool hangout with a friend, read a book, watched some basketball.  I did have a moment pre-car wash when I was starting to come up with excuses not to wash it, but that actually didn’t feel good.  When I tuned back into what felt good I remembered I wanted a clean car, plus I had the time and energy to make that happen in the moment, so I got on with washing the car and it felt good.  

I aim to do this in my business as well.  After all, I didn’t start a business in the service of wellbeing so I could suffer.  It’s effortless for me to stay in a good feeling while working with patients—my personal worries don’t have any place in the space of service.  And it’s pretty easy for me to follow a good feeling, or at least avoid the constricted bad feelings, when making big business decisions.  However, it takes a bit more discipline to keep experimenting with spending more time in a good feeling while doing everyday admin work. 

Are you willing to take on this experiment?  Can you take on the intention of staying in touch with a good feeling, without having “how to” instructions and techniques?  Are you willing to let go of control and effort in one area of your life to follow a good feeling?  It’s not possible to stay in a good feeling 100% of the time—at least I’ve never met a human that’s built that way—but you can experiment with pointing yourself in the direction of a good feeling AND recalibrating when you notice you are headed in the wrong direction.  Are you interested in that?  

You will probably be surprised that everything doesn’t fall apart when you give up suffering and efforting.  And you may be amazed at how much you accomplish while having a good feeling!

As we enter this post-pandemic renaissance, I’m interested in taking on the experiment of rising up from a place of connection and love.  I can’t wait to hear how your experiment goes and see what “new normal” we create!

 

Upcoming Events

If you want to explore following a good feeling–what that means, how to do it, and what the benefits are–come join us this and every Tuesday afternoon for a zoom conversation where we take a breather from all the noise and make room to grow more peaceful, even now!
Weekly Virtual Zoom Conversation
Tuesdays 4pm – 5pm PST every week
Hosts: Julie Gleeson, Founder of The Art of Living Inc, and
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc from Thrive Acupuncture and Wellness Corp.
 Click this link to our event page for more info and the link to register.
We’re so confident in how helpful this conversation is that the first month is FREE, so you can come check it out without any pressure.  Click this link to our event page for all the information about the community and the link to register.

What We’re Treating in the Clinic–Insomnia and AnxietyLately I’ve been seeing an increase in patients with insomnia and anxiety.  That’s common at the start of the summer season which is June 20 this year.  I think it’s flared up a little early as we get ready for the transition–it has been summertime hot for a while–and from constant adjustments to the pandemic.

Although most people weren’t a fan of the social isolation over the past year, sometimes there was a simplicity in it.  And now as we adjust our habits of thinking about being around people, our thinking can get a little wound up, and we experience social anxiety.

The good news is that I practice a style of gentle acupuncture that is effective at reducing anxiety as soon as the treatment starts.  And most patients report they sleep better after acupuncture even when I’m not focusing on that, so you can imagine how helpful it could be for sleep if that was our focus.  

Established patients can make an appointment at our new online booking site. You’re also always welcome to call or email us to make an appointment.

New patients need to call or email us to set up their first appointment because there is just too much information we need to share with you.

Happy Good Feeling Mind Experimenting!
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Posted in Covid19 screening, Facebook Private Group, Mind Experiment, Sanitary protocols, Seasonal Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Guide to PREVENTING and TREATING Viruses at Home

Posted on April 1, 2021 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

 

I created this as a handout for my patients.  If you want a copy to have in your medicine cabinet, contact us for the pdf.  Be well – Christina 

What to have on hand to start taking at the first signs of a virus:

 

Antiviral Chinese Herbs

  • The cornerstone of both virus prevention & treatment. There are several options: pills / powders, different strengths, and price points. Schedule a phone or telehealth appointment with Christina to get the ones right for you.

Xlear Nasal Spray

  • Prevention: 2 sprays each nostril, wait then blow nose, 2 times a day
  • Possible exposure: several times a day.
  • Sick: 5 times a day

Vitamin C

  • Prevention: 500-1,000 mg/day depending on how much you get in your diet
  • Possible exposure: 1,000-1,500 mg/day
  • Sick: increase to bowel tolerance such as 1,000 mg several X/ day

Vitamin D

Prevention: get regular sun exposure and supplement to get blood level to 25-50 ng/ml. Preferably supplement with Cod Liver Oil because it has Vitamin A which is synergistic.

Here’s an idea of the range of supplementation based on blood levels:

< 15 ng/mL = 4,000 IU/day

15–20 ng/mL = 3,000 IU/day

20–25 ng/mL = 2,000 IU/day

25–30 ng/mL = 1,500 IU/day

30–35 ng/mL = 5000 IU/day

  • Possible exposure: use same dosage twice a day.
  • Sick: take a Vitamin D supplement in addition to Cod Liver Oil:
    • Take a very high dose such as 10,000 iu/day for a week.
    • Or take a super dose of 50,000 iu/day, then 20,000 iu/day for the next few days,then 10,000 iu/day until feeling better

Zinc

  • Prevention: 10-30 mg/day depending on how much you get from your diet
  • Sick: zinc lozenges that you suck on for 20-30 min, every 4 hours to keep it in your throat

Vitamin A

  • Prevention: if you are taking fish oil the amount that is in there is fine
  • Sick: 30,000 iu/day = 7.5 mg/day

Probiotics

  • Can get them from fermented foods such as raw sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi, and kombucha. Can also supplement with a high quality pill.

Anything to reduce phlegm if you are sick or have been exposed: According to Chinese Medicine, Covid-19 always has a phlegm component even if you don’t feel it yet.

  • N-Acetyl Cysteine: 500 mg 2X/day
  • Fresh Lemon and Ginger Tea or Traditional Medicinals Breathe Easy Tea
  • Less dairy, alcohol, sugar, fried greasy foods
  • Cupping to support the lungs: In most cultures cupping is a home remedy. Christina can advise you on buying an at-home cupping set and show you how to use it to support the lungs.

Quercetin if your body is having an intense reaction or lots of inflammation:

  • Sick: 500-1000 mg/day

If you think you missed the golden window and the virus starts to take hold, get in touch so we can get you a customized herbal prescription that will be stronger and tailored to your body and your symptoms.  Telehealth appointments are available with Christina.

Posted in Chinese herbs and supplements, Covid19 screening, Immune Boosting / Immunity, Respiratory Health, Seasonal Health, Virtual Appointments | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bring on the Grounded Year of the Ox!

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Happy Lunar New Year!How is 2021 going for you? Have you made time for rest and reflection? Or do you already wish you had a do-over for your New Year’s Resolutions? If so, you’re in luck!

Not only is every moment a chance for a new beginning, February 12 is the start of the Lunar New Year. Because it starts with the second new moon after Winter Solstice, it begins on a different date every year between January 21 and February 20.

It’s not part of the Chinese Lunar New Year to make resolutions, but Chinese astrology encourages reflection. Chinese astrology has a lot of symbolism and is used more to explore your inner nature and unconscious instincts. It’s often used to help reflect on how to navigate your inner life and relationships.

Year of the Metal OxThe Chinese zodiac has 12 years in its cycle, each one represented by an animal, which interacts with the cycle of the 5 elements – a key concept from Taoism. 2021 is the Year of the Metal Ox, the second animal in the cycle. The story goes that the Emperor called all the animals to travel across China to him and their order would determine their place on the calendar. With his hardworking nature and spiritual dedication, the Ox was in front. But the Rat hitched a ride and as the Ox was swimming across the river, the bold and clever Rat jumped off and landed first. (This is why 2020 was the Year of the Rat – which seems kinda fitting, huh!)

Astrologers say that people born in the Year of the Ox are grounded, hardworking, and calm. While Ox are known for their slow and steady discipline to slog through the mud and till the fields, their dedication to spirituality and personal responsibility results in graceful transformation. Ox are slow and peaceful, but they are also powerful, have stamina, and take care to pace themselves and not overwork or exhaust their energy so they can continue to sow the seeds of change at every season.

In Chinese astrology, the Metal Ox is known to restore order and bring about harmonious changes through honesty, cooperation, and a calm methodical approach. The weight of this responsibility can feel heavy and requires patience. But the Ox’s fair and reliable nature and ability to align with the rhythms of nature can be trusted to prepare the soil for ideas, intentions, and visions that will flourish and improve circumstances for many over time.

Commit to Creating the Experience You Want to HaveThe Chinese do not traditionally make New Year’s Resolutions, however they do celebrate the transition from winter to spring. It is a good time to reflect and plant the “new idea seeds” that will sprout in spring. You can start by asking yourself: How do I make time and space to bring out my best sense of reflection? What is the new direction and experience I want to have?

If you’re having trouble, maybe it’s time to take a lesson from the Ox. Take a moment to both ground yourself and connect with your spiritual nature. Ask yourself:

  • What challenges can I turn into opportunities?
  • How can I align myself with my natural rhythms?
  • What kind of new foundation do I want to build? Where do I want to be more consistent?
  • Where can I be more patient and where could I use more stamina to follow through on my commitments?
  • How do I want to prepare my fields for prosperity?
  • How can I pace myself so that I can enjoy the work as well as the harvest?

If your intentions and resolutions include improving your health and well-being in 2021, get in touch to schedule an acupuncture appointment for immune boosting, pain relief, or stress reduction.

If you want to explore how to accomplish more of what you want in 2021, while aligning with natural rhythms and pacing yourself so you can enjoy both the journey and the harvest, please join us for our Goals from the Inside Out workshop coming up in 2 weeks (details below).

Upcoming Events

Goals From The Inside Out: Less Doing, More Enjoying the Journey! A Virtual Zoom RetreatSaturday, February 27, 2021, 10AM-12:30PM and 1:30-4PMHosts: Julie Gleeson, Founder of The Art of Living Inc, and
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc from Thrive Acupuncture and Wellness Corp.
Tuition: $175 or Register with a Friend for $150 per person
More information and register to save your spot: https://insideoutgoals.eventbrite.com

  • Do you struggle with New Year’s resolutions?
  • Do you abandon your goals too early?
  • Once you reach your goal, do you often still feel unsatisfied?
  • Do you want a more imaginative path to happiness and success, that supports evolution and growth along the way?

In this workshop we’ll help you tap into wisdom that allows you to have the experience you want to have, no matter what is going on around us. Once you start to see this for yourself, you will re-discover how to effortlessly access natural peace of mind, connection, and joy at any moment!

We will also share a new way to set goals that balances your head and your heart. You’ll stop making the journey about achieving something through force of will. You will naturally begin experiencing the ease of accomplishing, all while enjoying the journey!

More information and register to save your spot at https://insideoutgoals.eventbrite.com

Save the date for the Next Design Retreat
A Virtual Zoom Retreat
Friday-Sunday, March 12-14, 10:00-12:30 and 2:00-5:00 PST each dayHosts: Julie Gleeson, Founder of The Art of Living Inc, and
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc from Thrive Acupuncture and Wellness Corp.

After a successful inaugural Online Design Retreat last October, we’re planning to do it again this March. We’ve known this work is so powerful and were thrilled at how well we were able to do it virtually. The participants have been telling us how life changing it was for them, so I wanted to let you know the dates as soon as we set them.

Check out what the design retreat is all about on my events page.

Further information and the link to register coming soon. Let Christina know if you have questions or are interested.

Growing More Peaceful Membership Community Weekly Virtual Zoom ConversationTuesdays 4pm – 5pm PST every week

If you like the idea of quieting the noise in your head, come join us this and every Tuesday afternoon for a zoom conversation where we take a breather from all the noise and make room to grow more peaceful, even now:

Here’s some of what people have been telling us they get from the sessions:

  • “I felt so grounded after listening last Tuesday. My mind was quiet. I was relieved. Body and mind at peace.”
  • “For me, these meetings reinforce that concept of quieting the intellect/monkey mind and waiting to hear the whisper of one’s inner wisdom/common sense. I learn this again and again, and yet it is not the first place I turn, so obviously I need the repetition of the lesson!”
  • “The meetings also give me a sense of community, a feeling of unity of purpose that lingers after the close of the hour. “

We’re so confident in how helpful this conversation is that the first month is FREE, so you can come check it out without any pressure. Click this link to our event page for all the information about the community and the link to register.

Visionary Vibes Time!
A Sound and Yoga Journey with Jules via Zoom
Sunday, February 21 from 4:30 – 6PM PST

February brings us a big dose of the progressive, humanitarian energy as 6 planets (yes SIX) gather in the visionary sign of Aquarius! The last time so many planets were in Aquarius was February of 1962. What a wonderful opportunity to take the lessons collectively learned and see how we can experience and even improve upon them as individuals.

“Take a little trip… take a little trip… take a little trip with…” Sound Healer Jules Sears (also Thrive’s Office Manager) and Yogini Elise Collins as they create a wonderful blend of vibrational healing and restorative yoga that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home wherever you are in the world!

More info and to reserve your spot at Eventbrite or Facebook.com/events

Busy ScheduleIn the new year, there’s always a renewed interest in health and a lot of patients making appointments, but this year the schedule is even more full. We think there’s several reasons, including: 1) we have less appointments because of C-19 cleaning/distancing and 2) patients are loving the new online booking system and booking more appointments further out.

We’re so grateful to be helping so many people get the new year off to a healthy start, and we want to make sure you have all the info to get the appointments you want.

We’re always reviewing the schedule and adjusting so that everyone can get the appointments they need. As we saw the schedule getting more full we started seeing less new patients each week to make room for existing patients to make follow up appointments. But still some patients are surprised they can’t get last minute appointments at their preferred times.

Booking Your Appointments:We’re recommending people schedule their appointments further out, especially if you have certain times you like (ie: if it is in the late afternoon and evening or a set time each week). The easiest way to do this is to hop on our new online booking system and make some appointments https://thrive-acupuncture.janeapp.com/login. If you have any trouble or want our help, please call or email us.

Waitlist:The new online booking system even has a waitlist feature where you can add your name for a specific day with times that work for you. Jules can also use it on her end and add your name if you let her know. Then we’ll contact you if anything opens up. It’s been working out really well and we’ve been able to get a lot of people in for an appointment from the waitlist

Thanks to everyone who has been cancelling as soon as they know their schedule has changed because that’s what allows us to accommodate patients on the waitlist!

What We’re Treating In The Clinic—AllergiesThe best time to treat allergies with acupuncture, herbs, diet, and lifestyle modifications is right now–before spring allergy season hits full strength. This year people have been motivated to keep their respiratory systems strong and get ahead of their allergies. And some patients started to feel a few of their symptoms pop up early when the warm weather brought on some early blossoms.

Acupuncture and herbs are great at preventing allergies, reducing symptoms, and helping you reduce your medications. There’s also lots of truly effective self care that you can do. I suffered from respiratory and immune system imbalances, including allergies, so I have all sorts of tools in my tool-belt to share with you. And I love helping people get their respiratory system back in balance and get their life back!

Established patients can make an appointment at our new online booking site. You were emailed a personal link in December to set up your profile and use this site in an email titled “Welcome to Thrive Acupuncture and Wellness”. Everyone has been loving the new site, but if you need any help or want the welcome link again, let us know. You’re also always welcome to call or email us to make an appointment.

New patients need to call or email us to set up their first appointment because there is just too much information we need to share with you.

Insurance changes for 2021Did you see our previous newsletters outlining the insurance changes happening in our office in 2021? The short summary is that we’re going Out of Network with all insurances. If you’re not sure if this will affect you, take a look at all the details here and let us know if you have any questions.

The effective date for being Out of Network with Blue Shield is April 1, 2021. For those who have Blue Shield policies with In Network coverage in our office, you can use your In Network benefits until March 31, 2021.

The effective date for being Out of Network with Sutter and United is March 11, 2021. For those who have Sutter and United policies with In Network coverage in our office, you can use your In Network benefits until March 10, 2021.
Gong Xi Fa Cai (Happy New Year)!

Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Posted in acupuncture, Allergies, Events, Facebook Private Group, Insurance, Mental Health, Seasonal Health, Sound Healing, Sydney Banks, Three Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mind Experiment: What is Mine to Do

Posted on January 16, 2021 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Happy New Year!Time is a man-made construct and not everything changes just because it is a new year, but I like new beginnings, so I embrace the new year greetings.  It’s a good reminder that every moment is an opportunity for a fresh start.

I enjoyed taking some time off at the end of the year to rejuvenate and spent the time resting, mountain biking, putzing around the house and garden, and reflecting.  As a small business owner of a physical medicine practice during a pandemic, last year was crazy busy.  There were a lot of new tasks to do, plus a lot of things to figure out or even reinvent.  I did a pretty good job finding moments to allow my mind to quiet and make room for insight and intuition—the only way I could make it through the enormous number of changes with some sense of calm and sanity!  And over the break I really enjoyed having even longer periods of time for quiet.

Mind Experiment: What is Mine to do Right Now?

The question that arose for me at the end of my break was: how do I bring that feeling of quiet, reflection, being guided, and wonder at the simple things in life into the new year? Little did I know that so quickly there would be even more political chaos that would make this question even more important and challenging to answer.  Fortunately, I came up with a way to point myself in the direction of resiliency that’s been really helpful for me, especially lately, so that’s what I’m going to share with you today.

Mind Experiment:  Over the next two weeks check in on a regular basis and ask yourself with curiosity “What is mine to do right now?”  It’s especially important to ask yourself this question if you feel yourself getting out of balance, tense, frustrated, angry, or scared.  Even better, it is helpful to ask yourself this anytime you think of it.

What might this look like? 
10 days ago on Wednesday, when the electoral votes were going to be officially turned in, I was aware there would probably be some political news.  When I got to work I asked myself “What is mine to do right now?”  And the answer was “Get your charts ready and settle in for treating patients.”  So that’s what I did with my all my heart. 

Part way through the morning, a patient mentioned some newsworthy things were happening on Capitol Hill. I asked myself “What is mine to do right now?” and the answer was “Keep your focus on the patients and how you can help them.”

At my lunch break the answer was “Check in on the news.”  So I did, but only for a short bit because I also knew that soon the answer would be “Settle in for helping patients in the afternoon who are going to be stressed with their concerns of what is happening on Capitol Hill.” 

A few patients in the afternoon asked me if I knew what was going on.  I told them I was aware, but that I don’t spend a lot of time looking at the news when I am at work because it does not help the acupuncture they are here for.Several of them said, “Good, don’t look. The news will be there tonight.”  I agreed.

Since then, I keep asking myself this question “What is mine to do right now?”  Sometimes the answer is work, sometimes it’s take care of myself by eating while relaxed, getting outside for some exercise, or getting a good night’s sleep.  Sometimes the answer is to check in with friends and family.  And sometimes the answer is check in on the news, educate myself about history, civics,and what I can do to support the political change I am called to support.

Why does this question help you get back into balance?
You can only do one thing at a time.  All the claims of multitasking are false.  Multitasking is really a series of switching between doing different things, one at a time, for very short periods of time.

When there is chaos, either near or far, it can be tempting to think you need to monitor it.  But is that really yours to do? For some people and in certain situations the answer is yes.  I know people that stayed up to watch all the votes be counted on January 6 and were grounded in their decision.  And I know people that turned the news off because they needed to get a good night’s sleep.  Both of those decisions can bring you back to balance if you are listening to your answer from inside of you.The problem comes when people think they can monitor the chaos while they are working, for example.  For most people monitoring the news is not part of their work and so that’s not going to bring them back into balance.

Why does this question help the world?
There are people whose “thing” is to affect change on a large-scale level.  But most people are mostly affecting change locally. Even the people working on large-scale global change toggle back and forth between influencing locally and globally.

Locally may be right in front of your nose.  For me most of the time it’s my patients, my husband, friends, and family.When I get back into balance and am in service of those people, that’s the best I can do to get my good intentions to ripple out into the world. Sometimes locally for me means local politicians, organizations, or my spiritual community.  What is yours to do right now will change from moment to moment.  Know that it’s totally ok if what is yours to do right now is local or even personal.

The world could use more people who are clear on what is theirs to do in that moment AND then put their whole heart into doing that. 

“Being in the moment introduces you to a new world.
Being in the moment connects you to your true identity.
This connection brings you peace and contentment.
You are no longer a victim of your thoughts,
rushing here and there, to the past or to the future,
but at peace with the quiet strength inside of you.
This state gives you clarity, calmness, and
allows insight to emerge.
This peace is our birthright.”
–Elsie Spittle, Nuggets of Wisdom


Give this mind experiment a try by asking yourself “What is mine to do right now?” and listening for your answer.  Let me know how it goes!

Upcoming Events
Goals From The Inside Out: Less Doing, More Enjoying the JourneyA Virtual Zoom Retreat
Saturday, February 27, 2021, 10AM-12:30PM and 1:30-4PM
Hosts: Julie Gleeson, Founder The Art of Living Inc, and Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc Thrive Acupuncture and Wellness Corp.
Tuition: $175 or Register with a Friend for $150 per person
More information and register to save your spot: https://insideoutgoals.eventbrite.com

  • Do you struggle with New Year’s resolutions?
  • Do you abandon your goals too early?
  • Once you reach your goal, do you often still feel unsatisfied?
  • Do you want a more imaginative path to happiness and success, that supports evolution and growth along the way?

In this workshop we’ll help you tap into wisdom that allows you to have the experience you want to have, no matter what is going on around us.  Once you start to see this for yourself, you will re-discover how to effortlessly access natural peace of mind, connection, and joy at any moment!

We will also share a new way to set goals that balances your head and your heart. You’ll stop making the journey about achieving something through force of will. You will naturally begin experiencing the ease of accomplishing, all while enjoying the journey.

More information and register to save your spot at https://insideoutgoals.eventbrite.com

New Year Vibes Time! A Sound and Yoga Journey with Jules via Zoom
This Sunday, January 17 from 4:30 – 6PM PST

Are you curious about Sound Healing?  You’re in luck, because Thrive’s Office Manager Jules Sears is a certified Sound Practitioner who for over 11 years has shared the healing energies of musical frequencies!

In this virtual workshop, enjoy a lovely blend of vibrational healing and restorative yoga from the comfort of your own home wherever you are in the world!

More info and to reserve your spot at Eventbrite or  Facebook.com/events

Save the date for the Next Design RetreatA Virtual Zoom Retreat
Fri-Sun, March 12-14, 10:00-12:30 and 2:00-5:00 PST each day
Hosts: Julie Gleeson, Founder The Art of Living Inc, and Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc Thrive Acupuncture and Wellness Corp.

We had a successful inaugural Online Design Retreat last October so we’re planning to do it again this March.  We know this work is so powerful and we were thrilled at how well we were able to do it virtually.  The participants have been telling us how life changing it was for them, so I wanted to let you know the dates as soon as we set them.

Check out what the design retreat is all about on my events page.

Further information and the link to register coming soon.
Let Christina know if you have questions or are interested.

Growing More Peaceful Membership CommunityIf you like the idea of quieting the noise in your head, come join us this and every Tuesday afternoon for a zoom conversation where we take a breather from all the noise and make room to grow more peaceful, even now:

Here’s some of what people have been telling us they get from the sessions:

  • “I felt so grounded after listening last Tuesday. My mind was quiet. I was relieved. Body and mind at peace.”
  • “For me, these meetings reinforce that concept of quieting the intellect/monkey mind and waiting to hear the whisper of one’s inner wisdom/common sense. I learn this again and again, and yet it is not the first place I turn, so obviously I need the repetition of the lesson!”
  • “The meetings also give me a sense of community, a feeling of unity of purpose that lingers after the close of the hour. “

We’re so confident in how helpful this conversation is that the first month is FREE, so you can come check it out without any pressure.  Click this link to our event page for all the information about the community and the link to register.

What We’re Treating In The Clinic—Hand PainSometimes it makes sense that we have a lot of patients coming in for the same thing—allergies are seasonal and migraines are more common when the weather changes.  But other times certain conditions come in clusters and we don’t know why. Right now we’re treating a lot of hand pain.  It could be the cold weather.  It could be that people are on their devices a lot more.  And it could just be random.  In any case I love helping people get rid of their hand pain so they can get back to life.

Acupuncture is great at reducing inflammation and pain, increasing circulation, soothing swollen joints, getting tendons to work better so fingers don’t get stuck, and even getting nerve signals to work better which increases grip strength and reduces tremors. 

Established patients can make an appointment at our new online booking site.  You were emailed a personal link in December to set up your profile and use this site in an email titled “Welcome to Thrive Acupuncture and Wellness”.  Everyone has been loving the new site, but if you need any help or want the welcome link again, let us know.  You’re also always welcome to call or email us to make an appointment.

New patients need to call or email us to set up their first appointment because there is just too much information we need to share with you.

Insurance changes for 2021If you didn’t see our previous email here’s a link with all the information about insurance changes happening in our office in 2021.  The short summary is that we’re going Out of Network with all insurances.  If you’re not sure if this will affect you, take a look at all the details here and let us know if you have any questions.

The effective date for being Out of Network with Blue Shield is April 1, 2021.  For those who have Blue Shield policies with In Network coverage in our office, you can use your In Network benefits until March 31, 2021.

The effective date for being Out of Network with Sutter, Optum and United plans is March 11, 2021. For those with these current In Network coverage, you can use those benefits until 3/10/2021.

We’ll follow up when we have effective dates for other insurance carriers.  We expect them to have effective dates sometime between the end of January to end of March.

Happy Mind Explorations,
Here’s to more time spent doing what is ours to do with all our heart!
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Posted in acupuncture, Events, Facebook Private Group, Joint Pain, Mental Health, Mind Experiment, Painful Injuries, Sound Healing, Three Principles, Trauma | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Would Christina Do? 9 Months Into the pandemic

Posted on December 9, 2020 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

I normally try and keep the newsletters short, but this one is jam packed, so please scroll down to the parts that interest you:

  • Coming Soon: Our New Practice Management Software!—If you’re a patient please read this part as it will affect you
  • What Would Christina Do?—9 Months Into the pandemic what have I learned that’s hopeful?
  • Holiday Gift Ideas—give the gift of health
  • Upcoming Events
  • Insurance Changes in 2021—in case you missed it, plus the effective date for Blue Shield
  • End of year schedule

 

Coming Soon—Our New Practice Management Software  If you’re a patient, please read this as it will affect you.  We’re transitioning to a new practice management software.  Yippee!!!

Shortly we’ll be sending out a Welcome Email from the new system that will require action on your part.  The welcome email will give you a personalized link to set up a username and password so you can access your patient profile and book appointments online.  We’ll be using the new system starting January 2021, but since our last day in the office in 2020 is December 18, we’re excited to help everyone set up their profile in the new system soon.

Through your patient profile we’ll need you to enter a credit card to store for future touch-less payments and update any info like emergency contacts etc.  We’ll also be emailing you our updated online consent forms through the new system.  Please submit them before your your first appointment in 2021. 

While we weren’t looking for more change in 2020, we are truly looking forward to this one!  All the challenges of 2020 really highlighted that the old system had problems and was wasting our time and energy.  We did extensive research and talked to lots of colleagues to find a new system that would be better for us and YOU.  And we’ve been really impressed at how intuitive and well set up the new system is.  Jules and I both say at least once a day “I can’t wait to be in the new system!”

For those who like details, the new system will handle our:

  • Schedule:  There’s so many improvements to the scheduler we can’t list them all, but on the top of our list is that the new system emails you right away when we make an appointment for you while you are in the office (so when you get home it will be easy to confirm you got it in your calendar correctly) and the online scheduler is much easier to use.  PLUS it allows you to cancel and reschedule online!
  • Intake & Consent forms: Current patients will be able to update their profile information (emergency contact, address, etc.) and sign updated consent forms online.  New patients will fill out all that plus their initial intake forms online—no more new patients showing up with their paperwork still at home!
  • Payment processing: The new system has fully integrated payment processing which means we can more elegantly and effortlessly:
    • Store a credit card(s) on file with bank level encryption for touch-less payments.  You’ll be able to log into your account and update the card(s) anytime.
    • Provide receipts that are much clearer for your records, with the ability to send Superbills (medical invoices with proper coding) for submitting to HSA/HRA accounts.
    • Send you invoices for any outstanding balances that you can pay online.
  • Charts: The improvements here probably won’t be too noticeable on your side unless you need a copy of your chart, but Christina is excited to have charts that are easier to navigate.
  • Practice management:  There’s a bunch of other improvements to things that we do daily like tracking packages, recording insurance payments, and running reports.  You won’t know it’s working better except that we might feel more relaxed about it all.

Keep an eye out for the welcome email from Thrive Acupuncture and Wellness that will invite you to create your profile in the new system called Jane.  No doubt there will be learning curves for all of us so we appreciate your patience and constructive feedback about the patient experience as we make the transition over the next few weeks.

What Would Christina Do?—9 Months into a PandemicI actually have some hopeful information regarding the pandemic as we move into winter.  I believe that there are lots of things you can do to help both prevent contracting C-19 and also stop the symptoms from getting bad if you do get it.  When you have these remedies on hand you can relax a little bit, knowing that you are taking care of yourself.  I’ve been in contact with colleagues from all over the world and am happy to share with you what I’ve learned 9 months into this pandemic.

Is C-19 that bad or is it just like any other flu?  There are lots of unknowns but it looks like it is minor for a lot of people, like a bad flu for some people, really bad for others, and sometimes it’s surprisingly bad for healthy people.   A troubling consequence many acupuncturists are treating is lingering symptoms of fatigue, brain fog, cough, loss of taste and smell, and circulation issues.  It’s being called long COVID and sometimes even people that have minor symptoms during C-19 have lingering symptoms.  The reason why acupuncturists are so tuned into this is because that’s when patients turn to us.  Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine shine at treating chronic conditions and western medicine doesn’t really have anything for those patients.

But wait Christina I thought you said you have some hopeful information that might help us relax a bit?  The good news is that I’ve also heard from colleagues all over the world that herbal and supplement strategies are effective at preventing C-19 from developing into a really bad acute or chronic illness. 

So what would Christina do 9 months into this pandemic?

Prevention:  I’m still doing all the prevention herbs, supplements, and lifestyle choices I have  written about in detail here.  Here’s a quick review of what I’m doing for prevention:

  • Chinese herbs:  I take immune boosting and antiviral herbs daily and consider them the foundation of my wellness plan.  I normally do this just during cold and flu season, but these herbs are effective and commonly prescribed without side effects, so I’m staying on them for this extended cold and virus “season”.
  • I’m also taking Elderberry Syrup, Probiotics, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Zinc, Iodine, Cod Liver Oil (with Vit A, D, & K), using Xlear Nasal Spray, getting regular Acupuncture, eating a healthy Whole Foods Based Diet, keeping holiday Sugar to a Minimum, getting regular Exercise, and prioritizing time to relax and get good Sleep.

If all that seems like too much, I have some other good news that is the most hopeful for me.  I’ve heard from patients of mine and from colleagues all over the world that if you start taking high doses of antiviral, immune boosting, and phlegm reducing herbs and supplements at the start of C-19, the symptoms don’t get out of hand or linger.  If people don’t want to focus on prevention, they can still have these on hand to stop the virus in its tracks.

Of course there is no guarantee, but I’ve heard this often enough that I’m hopeful about it!  Seeing so many different colleagues approaching it differently with success has been really interesting.  It seems that people do really well with a shotgun approach of high doses of antiviral herbs, anti-phlegm remedies, and supplements that are commonly used to support your immune system.

Just in Case I Get Sick:  This whole time I’ve had Chinese herbs on hand to start taking if I actually get sick and recently I made a plan for supplements as well.  I commonly have lots of these things around, but I stocked on large dosages and set them aside with a dosage plan for me and my husband so we can get started right away if we even think we are getting sick.  Having this plan in place feels reassuring to me.  So here’s what I have on hand for treating a virus:

  • Antiviral / Anti-phlegm Chinese herbs
  • Vitamin C: enough to take to bowel tolerance
  • Vitamin D: enough to take a super dose for 3 days, a large dose for a few more, and then a healthy dose until feeling better
  • N Acetylcysteine
  • Vitamin A
  • Zinc Lozenges
  • Fresh ginger and lemons to make tea and Traditional Medicinals Breath Easy tea

Just because I know I have these things at the ready, I haven’t reduced my hand washing, mask wearing, and distancing because that is an important part of prevention.

If you would like help getting a plan together for yourself and want to get some herbs or supplements, please let us know. 

The Chinese herbs and probiotics are available in our office.  I’m happy to talk with you about the different herbal options and find a plan that is a good fit for you.

The other supplements are available at our online dispensary, Wellevate.  If you create an account and log in you can see 2 protocols I have created called Virus Prevention Supplements (to take as prevention) and Virus B-Gone Supplements (to have on hand to take if you get a virus).  Those protocols have the exact same high-quality supplements I’m taking and have on hand so you can see if you want to get any of them.  Remember I’m happy to talk with you about supplements and dosages that are right for you for maintenance or if you do contract the virus or other colds and flus. 

So I’m feeling pretty hopeful that this pandemic won’t last forever and in the meantime there are some pretty simple things we can have on hand to stay healthy and prevent any viruses from getting out of hand or lingering.  That’s a much better perspective than I had 9 months ago.

Holiday Gift IdeasWe have lots of healthy gifts in stock so you can support your loved one’s health and the health of our small business.  Just come and get them before December 18.

  • Herbal Medicinal foot soaks—these sachets smell and feel great and are actually a very effective way to treat lots of symptoms such as pain, inflammation, circulation, stress, anxiety, insomnia.  Because they are strong herbal medicine there are some contraindications, but we have a complete write up on it that we can go over with you to figure out if it is a good gift.
  • Herbal Salves for Dry Skin—who doesn’t have dry skin with all this hand washing?  I’ve put these to the test and can say they are a lifesaver.  The Chinese herbs in them help with soothing and repairing skin.
  • Herbal Salve for Pain—my new favorite non-menthol pain cream that patients are now raving about, because sometimes I don’t want to smell or feel menthol when I have pain.
  • Herbal Pain Patches—these are menthol heavy but people loooooove them.  Plus they have herbs to treat the pain, not just disguise it
  • Herbal Sensory Lubricant—women and their partners love this stuff.  It’s great for supporting vaginal health, treating dryness and thinning skin that are common as women age, as well as enhancing pleasure.
  • Essential Oil Inhalers—support your lungs with these inhalers the size of a lip balm. Healthy and better smelling than your mask!
  • Gift Certificates for Acupuncture—it’s been exciting to see so many new patients this year who decided it was finally time to try acupuncture.  Most of them say “I wish I had come in sooner.”  A gift certificate is the perfect way to help your loved ones take the plunge or support those who already come to Thrive.

Jules has a passion for all our products and is happy to help you pick something out and get you instructions to pass on.

Upcoming Events: Growing More Peaceful Membership CommunityIf you like the idea of quieting the noise in your head and increasing your feelings of love and understanding, come join us this and every Tuesday afternoon through December 22, then resuming January 5, for a zoom conversation where we take a breather from all the noise and make room to grow more peaceful, even now:

Here’s some of what people have been telling us they get from the sessions:

  • “I have to tell you that I have felt so much better mentally in general since the Tuesday meeting. Thank you.”
  • “For me, these meetings reinforce that concept of quieting the intellect/monkey mind and waiting to hear the whisper of one’s inner wisdom/common sense. I learn this again and again, and yet it is not the first place I turn, so obviously I need the repetition of the lesson!”
  • “I felt so grounded after listening last Tuesday. My mind was quiet. I was relieved. Body and mind at peace.”
  • “The meetings also give me a sense of community, a feeling of unity of purpose that lingers after the close of the hour. “

We’re so confident in how helpful this conversation is that the first month is FREE, so you can come check it out without any pressure.  Click this link for all the information about the community and the link to register.

Insurance changes for 2021If you didn’t see our last email here’s a link with all the information about insurance changes happening in our office in 2021.  The short summary is that we’re going Out of Network with all insurances.  If you’re not sure if this will affect you, take a look at all the details here and let us know if you have any questions.

The one update we have is that the effective date for being out of network with Blue Shield is April 1, 2021.  For those who have Blue Shield policies with In Network coverage in our office, you can use your In Network benefits until March 31, 2021.  We’ll follow up when we have effective dates for the other insurance carriers.  We expect them to have effective dates between end of January to end of March.

End of year ScheduleOur last day in the office for 2020 is Friday December 18.  We’re looking forward to resting, reflecting, and rejuvenating so we can be back to serve our community Monday January 4.

Acupuncture: We do have some openings for acupuncture through the end of the year, but they are starting to fill up so let us know soon if you want to get on our table before December 18.  We will turn off our current online scheduler shortly when we activate the new system, so if you can’t get on there, just give us a call or email, which is welcome anytime if that’s easier for you.

Herb Refills: If you need herbal refills let us know asap.  There’s usually a flurry of refills that last week and with distancing protocols it would be nice to space them out a bit.

Since some people have been asking, I’ll mention that as primary care providers in CA, acupuncturist offices should be able to stay open even if there are increased stay at home orders.  We feel confident in our sanitization and safety protocols and thank everyone who has been so careful about not coming in if they have been sick or been around someone who has been sick.  There truly has not been a more important time for natural medicine and I’m grateful that I get to keep helping patients. 

Sending so much love out to each of you!
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Posted in acupuncture, Facebook Private Group, Immune Boosting / Immunity, Insurance, Office Happenings, Recommended Products, Three Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Insurance Changes for In Network Coverage in 2021

Posted on November 19, 2020 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Please read if you use or intend to use Acupuncture Insurance benefits.

If you have been using In Network insurance coverage in our office OR are planning to change your insurance in 2021, please read.  We hate fine print, and right now we’re pretty averse to more change, but more than anything, we hate insurance surprises!

The change: We’re about to start the process to get out of our contracts with all insurance providers and switch to only billing for Out of Network benefits in our office. 

  • What insurance companies ARE affected?  If you use In Network benefits in our office this will affect you.  The most common plans affected are Blue Shield, Cigna, Sutter, United, and a few other plans that are managed by the same administrators.
  • What insurance companies are NOT affected?  If you use Out of Network benefits in our office or pay without using insurance, this change will not affect you.  The most common Out of Network plans are Aetna and Anthem Blue Cross, but there are lots of other plans with Out of Network benefits.

Why are we going Out of Network?  There was a change to insurance fee schedules this year that has reduced the reimbursement for acupuncture by 25-55% across the US.  We can’t survive as a small business in northern CA with this reduction in pay, especially now while we have reduced treatments and increased costs associated with Covid-19 distancing and cleaning.  The change began mid-year without warning from some of the companies that we have contracts with and will continue to take effect for the rest of the companies.

When?  Sometime in 2021 between mid-January and end of March we won’t be In Network with any insurance anymore.  Each insurance plan has a different process and timeframe for getting Out of Network.  As we get confirmations and effective dates for the different insurances, we will share them with you.

Can you still use your insurance in our office in 2021 after the change is effective?  That depends on your plan.  If your plan has Out of Network acupuncture benefits, we can still bill directly for you.  In the new year we can run a verification to see what your Out of Network benefits are in 2021 and explain how they would work in our office.  Some Out of Network benefits are really good and the patients pay very little.  Some Out of Network plans aren’t worth using because it’s less money to pay our Time of Service discounted rate.  Some plans don’t have Out of Network acupuncture benefits. 

What can you do now?  If you want to find out before the new year if your current plan will have Out of Network acupuncture benefits in 2021, you can call your insurance or your broker and ask them.  They will not tell us what your 2021 benefits are at this time, but they will tell you.  Now is the time for many people to choose their insurance for 2021.  If you have the option, choose a plan that has good Out of Network acupuncture benefits.

What are my other options? For those that don’t have Out of Network coverage or opt not to use it, the Time of Service discounted rate will apply with the following options:

  1. Per Treatment Payment:  $100.00 each visit.
  2. Prepayment Plans Terms and Conditions:  This office offers two prepayment plans for patients paying at the time of service. In return for the patient’s agreement to prepay for a specific number of visits in advance, the patient is offered free treatment(s):
    —$500: With the purchase of 5 treatments at $100/treatment, the patient receives one treatment for free, for a total of 6 treatments. ($83.00 per treatment)
    —$900: With the purchase of 9 treatments at $100/treatment, the patient receives two treatments for free, for a total of 11 treatments. ($81.00 per treatment)

Sad times for Chinese Medicine

I don’t like this change and I don’t like having to tell you about it.  Most acupuncturists I know are making the same hard decision.  It’s not if, but when they will go Out of Network.  Which means there will be less options for patients.  Many patients will be forced to change the frequency of treatments or give up treatments entirely, which makes me really sad.  I first got enough acupuncture to make a difference when my treatments were partially covered by insurance so I know what a difference it can make.  We’ve been exploring how to make it work in our office because we don’t want anymore changes, but we just can’t find a way.  We have to change in order to survive.

What happened that changed the fee schedule?  The simple explanation is that Medicare created an Acupuncture Fee Schedule and the other insurance companies are aligning to it and reducing their reimbursement for acupuncture. 

For those that like details…In January 2020 it was announced that Medicare would cover acupuncture for chronic low back pain.  The problem is that Acupuncturists are not in the Medicare system so we can’t actually treat the patients and it will literally take an act of Congress to change that.  There are some clauses in the coverage that look like they intended for acupuncturists to be able to perform the treatments under MD supervision.  But how that should work and how to bill for it have not been defined, so no one is providing the treatments.

On top of all that, the coverage is only for 12 visits a year for a certain type of back pain and only if the patient has failed to respond to several other specific treatments.  If your back pain has failed other treatments and it’s been going on long enough to rule them out, you most likely need more than 12 acupuncture treatments a year.  As you can see, it’s not a benefit that can be used the way it’s set up, but it’s reducing acupuncture reimbursements anyway.

Questions:  Please contact us with any of your questions or concerns.  We will do our best to help you understand what we know about how this will affect you.

And don’t forget to use your acupuncture benefits for the rest of 2020 and into 2021 while they are effective in our office, no matter what kind of insurance you have!

Here’s to adaptability and resiliency for us all!

Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

Posted in acupuncture, Insurance, Office Happenings, Treatment Plans and Packages | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Mind Experiment: Neutral Challenges

Posted on October 19, 2020 by Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc

The Power of Neutral in a Noisy WorldIt feels like the world is getting more noisy lately.  From the ever changing guidelines of the pandemic, and attention grabbing headlines about politics, to opinions about what to do about all these wildfires, I don’t think the noise around us is going to slow down anytime soon.  The good news is that you can quiet down some of the noise in your head. 
 
Now I want to be clear about something really important—I’m not talking about ignoring what’s going on around us or trying to be positive about it.  I am talking about reducing the nagging anxious, frustrated, and fearful thoughts in your head for just enough time so that you get a little relief and gain some clarity.  With just a little bit more clarity you’ll be able to know what is yours to do and you can put your energy into that.  And more importantly you’ll know what is not yours to do so you can get back to feeling a little bit more like yourself.
 
With all the noise around us, I’m going to give you a really specific, succinct mind experiment you can try out to see if it brings you some relief and quiets down some of the noise in your head.
 
Mind Experiment: Over the next 2 weeks use the word challenge to describe all the noisy stuff going on around you.  Replace the emotional words you use to describe what is happening with this neutral word, and see what you notice as far as the noise in your head and the sensations in your body. 
 
Here's a few examples

Go From
I am so tense about all these stressors, they’re never ending!
To
I am so tense about all these challenges, they’re never ending!
 
Go From
I can’t believe how much F’d up news there is lately!
To
I can’t believe how many challenges there are lately!
 

You can see in the above examples that I’m not suggesting you be positive, just more neutral.  Because trying to be positive about something you are upset about just feels fake.  Aiming for more neutral frees up some room for fresh thinking. 

At first glance you may not want fresh thinking about the things you are upset about, but how’s that working for you?  It’s actually helpful to get a little space between your upset thoughts.  In that space you won’t do an about face about what is important to you.  But you might start to see something new about where you want to put your energy.  Just a little bit of space between your noisy thoughts is all you need to be able to hear your own common sense and gain some clarity.  And the world needs more common sense and clarity right now.
 
Over the next several weeks while the world seems pretty noisy all around us, start calming down the noise in your head by aiming for neutral.  One simple way to do this is to us the word challenges to describe the situations that are feeling noisy to you.  See if you notice some relief from the noise in your head.  Or if your body releases a little bit of tension.  I think you’ll be surprised by the power that comes from aiming for neutral. You may even want to try it on for longer than 2 weeks.
 
Let me know how it goes!
 

2 Upcoming Events…
Design Retreat OnlineWhen I was younger I was really struggling with romantic relationships (this retreat is not about romantic relationships, but follow me for a second).  I had an insight that was so helpful it improved all my relationships so much that people around me started asking me for relationship advice—work, family, and yes even romantic relationships.  My insight was “Everyone has their own reality.”  I saw this so deeply that it was truly helpful for me to share it with people, and they then had their own insights about their relationships. 
 
It wasn’t until years later that I started seeing that everyone’s version of reality was actually where they hold their power, creativity, inspiration, and peace.   That’s why I’m excited that I’m co-hosting a retreat that is all about understanding, at a deep level, what your unique design is.  And for the first time we’re doing the retreat online.  We're offering the inaugural online version at a discount and kept it to only 5 spaces, and we just had one space open up.  If you’re interested, get in touch as soon as possible.  I’d love to chat and see if it’s a good fit for you.  
 
So, what is Design?  It is easier to point in the direction of Design than actually describe what it is.
 
“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression.  It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”

–Martha Graham

When the 'energy' of your design is captured and surrounded by language it serves as a reminder, a touch point that allows you to reset back to what is a balanced state for you.  Knowing your Design allows for a relaxation and understanding of all those things that seemed not to fit.  One client said it was like dominoes all falling in a row, looking back through the lens of her design.  She could see the trajectory as just one thing.

One other side effect of going through the Design discovery process is you will forevermore listen to others through the lens of what makes them unique.  
 

Date: October 23-25
10:00-12:30, 2:00-5:00 each day
Over Zoom
Further information and the link to register is at my co-hosts website:
https://theartoflivinginc.com/upcoming-events/

 

Growing More Peaceful Membership CommunityIf you like the idea of quieting the noise in your head, come join us this and every Tuesday afternoon for a zoom conversation where we take a breather from all the noise and make room to grow more peaceful, even now:

Here’s some of what people have been telling us they get from the sessions:

  • “I have to tell you that I have felt so much better mentally in general since the Tuesday meeting. Thank you.”
  • “For me, these meetings reinforce that concept of quieting the intellect/monkey mind and waiting to hear the whisper of one's inner wisdom/common sense. I learn this again and again, and yet it is not the first place I turn, so obviously I need the repetition of the lesson!”
  • “I felt so grounded after listening last Tuesday. My mind was quiet. I was relieved. Body and mind at peace.”
  • “The meetings also give me a sense of community, a feeling of unity of purpose that lingers after the close of the hour. “

We're so confident in how helpful this conversation is that the first month is FREE, so you can come check it out without any pressure.  Click this link for all the information about the community and the link to register.
 

What We’re Treating In The Clinic—PTSD, Stress, AnxietyDid you know there is a famous ear acupuncture protocol for PTSD?  I can add it to full body treatments focused on whatever else your main health focus is.  I’ve been using it a lot lately because so many people are telling me they are experiencing some kind of trauma triggered response.  I always put some points in for stress reduction and to reset your nervous system because we all need that with our modern go go go lifestyle.  But these extra ear points supercharge the stress reduction part of the treatment so patients feel more relaxed, at ease, grounded, and resilient.
 
So many new patients have been telling me they came to get acupuncture to support _______  (fill in the blank with back pain, headaches, digestion, you name it), but the reason they thought acupuncture would be the best solution is because they had it before and it was the best way to calm down their stress, which they know is contributing to their main complaint.

Existing patients can book online here.  Make sure you get a confirmation email and click "CONFIRM" in that email.  You are also welcome to call or email us if you prefer to schedule that way, or you’re not finding any appointments that work for you online.

New patients need to call or email us to set up their first appointment because there is just too much information we need to share with you.
 
 

I am always grateful for your support in the form of a referral or a positive online reviewMy practice is accepting new patients–it's what's been keeping this small business alive.   That is not what I would have predicted in a global pandemic.  I thought people that know and trust us would feel comfortable coming in, but most others would be wary of trying anything new.  However it turns out that more people are now motivated to get and stay healthy.  And they’ve realized that western medicine does not have all the answers–especially for stress reduction, immune boosting, pain, and chronic conditions with underlying inflammation.  I think people have also realized that small medical practices like ours have a lot of control over our sanitization and safety protocols to help keep them as safe as possible. 

So while there are still patients that are choosing not to come in for appointments, our business is being kept alive with new patients.  We get a boost of energy because we love helping people learn about different options for their healthcare and help them to thrive for a long time.  And we’re grateful for their trust and their business. 
 
The best ways for us to connect with new patients that are a great fit for our brand of wellness care are through your personal referrals and online reviews. 
 
If you know someone who is facing a health challenge or is just wondering how to stay healthy in our current world, ask them if they have considered acupuncture.  If they are interested, have them call or email us so we can answer their questions. 
We know that the number one concern is that getting stuck with acupuncture needles will hurt.  You can tell them that most people get really relaxed and even fall asleep during their treatment – which would not be happening if they were in pain!  If your referral gets in touch with us, we can explain that Christina practices a style of acupuncture which is really gentle while still being extremely effective, and that she is well known for treating needle phobic people.  Many of those patients end up loving acupuncture and referring their needle phobic friends!    

The number one question people have is "Will it work?"  That's where it's helpful to both share your experience and have them get in touch with us.  We can let them know if we've treated their condition before and what to expect.  
 
And if you’ve enjoyed your care here, we’d really appreciate you taking the time to leave us a personal review online. Pretty much everyone who researches online and chooses us, ends up being a great fit here.  That is because when they read personal reviews, they can feel that we’re the place for them.  It would really help us out for you to leave a personal review on Yelp and Google Business (just scroll down to "Write a review") so more of our people can find us and get the help they need.

Here's to a renewed interest in health and being open to new options for health care–two of our favorite things!
 

Sending so much love out to each of you!  Hope you enjoy the Neutral mind explorations.
Christina Ness-Hawks, LAc
 

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