Happy Holidays 2010

Modern Ornaments Christmas

Personalize the christmas season with Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Mission Accomplished!

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS go out to Patty Ryan on completing her first marathon in an impressive 4:27!! Patty enlisted a team of health care professionals, including Acupuncture Therapy, to make sure she put her best foot forward at this race. When I requested she send me her "favorite photo" for this post, she replied, "there are NO favorites after 26.2 miles!" Well said.

Favorite Organizations 2010

I say it all the time. "It's easy to be a good sport when you're winning!" I don't know who said it first, but I apply it to life, not just sports, all the time. For instance, as I was putting this post together, inspired by Oprah's Favorite Things, I saw an interview with one of the richest and most generous people in the world. He was asked if he "considered himself a philanthropist," and he replied, "it's easy to give when you're wealthy!" (aha now you make the connection), "the real philanthropists are the people who must sacrifice in order to give." Cool, right? So, here is my list of favorite opportunities for philanthropy...in case you need some ideas!

INTERNATIONAL: Kiva.org , a favorite of mine for a few years, made Oprah's favorite things list this year. This group will loan your money to a small business person who has requested help. You can loan as little as $25. When the loan is repaid, you are repaid! My original donation has been re-loaned many, many times. Check this out with your kids...this is a great one!!

LOCAL: Danbury Grassroots Tennis is a local organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for selected young people in Danbury, through the game of tennis and educational support. Participating in sports, shaped and continues to shape, how I live my life.

GIFT: If you are looking for a unique gift, check out Peace Tags . They create military style dog tags to spread messages of PEACE and COMPASSION, and distribute the profits among organizations that do the same.

There's no place like home!

The athletes and staff of USA Archery gave me a round of applause at the final team meeting in Guadalajara. It was all the thanks that I needed to bring this wonderful opportunity to a close. But I have many thanks to give: to all the patients of Acupuncture Therapy, for your patience while I was away! to my support team of Jack-sitters & airport drivers, to Seirin America for its generous donation, to the News Times and Housatonic Times for their stories, and to all my friends who sit through endless photos!! And of course, thanks to the USOC and USA Archery for a remarkable opportunity.

2010 Pan American Championships

Meet Jacob Wukie, a multi medal winner at the 2010 PanAmerican Championships. Wukie received several acupuncture treatments to his arm (can you see the needles) and when he developed severe tooth pain, acupuncture saved the day!!

The PanAm Championships were a roaring success for the USA Archery team. They secured the maximum available spots for the 2011 PanAm Games, set 11 PanAm records, won 12 Gold, 5 Silver and 4 Bronze medals and shot many personal bests! And that's just the Senior team. The Junior Dream team faired equally as well, although I don't have the exact medal count.

USA ROCKED THE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

My pictures are available for viewing @ www.acupxtherapy.shutterfly.com

Opening ceremonies

A bobsled track in Mexico!

In Mexco. Can't send email, but can receive. Tweeting!

Check out the story that ran in the News Times about my upcoming trip.

Monte in the Money!

Big Congrats to Acupuncture Therapy patient Monte Frank! Monte finished the 2010 cycling season ranked #4 in his class, by the New England Bicycle Riding Association. FANTASTIC!!

Many thanks to Seirin-America for donating acupuncture supplies to off-set the costs of working with the USA Archery team. While my travel expenses are paid for, my time is not, so every little bit helps and is appreciated. By the way, Seirin's catch phrase is "the painless one," wondering how many of you would agree with that :-)

ME in the news!

Check out this story in the Housatonic Times about my assignment to USA Archery. This photo is Khatuna, who has represented 3 countries in the Olympics, Georgia, Russia and now, happily USA. More pictures are available for viewing @ acupxtherapy.shutterfly.com

Pictures of the trip are available for viewing @ www.acupxtherapy.shutterfly.com

Enjoy!

Final medal count
3 bronze
1 silver
1 gold
More pictures when I return!

Acupxtherapy.blogspot.com

Bronze medal winning team!

The calm after the typhoon

What's harder than shooting at 70 meters (that's 3/4 of a football field)? How 'bout doing it in a typhoon! Today we had downpours and lightening, and absolutely no evacuation plan...you can imagine my reaction to the latter! Qualification rounds in the books after several delays, but there are TWO typhoons lurking for tomorrow. Definitely seeing it all here in Shanghai!

Acupxtherapy.blogspot.com

USA smashes team compound bow World Record!

Competition starts today. There is already a more serious tone! The archers go out in an AM or PM group. I am among the folks who are there all day,8-6, come back, eat dinner and then give treatments until about 10. Needless to say, I've seen the city only from the bus ride to the stadium and the view from my room! You can follow the results on USAArchery.org

Acupxtherapy.blogspot.com

Yes there is archery!

Day 1

Hope you've all enjoyed the pictures from my first day! Squat toilets, challenging with jet lag! On the live dinner menu: frogs (in the photo), crabs,slugs, turtles and that's just what I could identify!!!

Acupxtherapy.blogspot.com

Tastes like chicken

Unofficial practice Mon. AM

Chinese toilet!

Watching MJ w/Chinese sub titles!

Twitter blocked in China! Who knew! God bless the USA!!

Acupxtherapy.blogspot.com

Acupuncture Shout Outs!!

Acupuncture Therapy patient, Monte Frank (right) has had a stellar season. Shown here on the podium for a second place finish in the Fall River Criterium. Monte calls acupuncture his "secret weapon!" I tell him not to keep it so secret!!

Safe travels and good luck to Marcia Larsen LMT, as she treks up Mt. Rainier! In addition to her massage therapy practice, Marcia has a company called Gaia Trekking.

Countdown to Shanghai

Thanks to all of you who have so patiently waited for me to begin blogging about my upcoming trip!! I leave on August 28th, so about 3 weeks and counting. Today I received my passport and visa tucked in among a box full of USA Archery gear!! Shirts, shorts, rain gear and a backpack...all adorned with USA red, white and blue and plenty of stars & stripes! Not ashamed to admit it...feeling downright patriotic.

Lake Waramaug Sprint Tri

Congrats to Kathy Creighton on her outstanding finish of the Lake Waramaug Sprint Tri. Kathy achieved her only real goal...finishing ahead of her daughter!! Acupuncture Therapy played a vital road in helping Kathy compete in this years race.

You can train with Kathy at her fitness studio, Body Vision, in Brookfield, CT.

Patient Profile: Monte Frank

That's Monte, sprinting to another victory! So far in 2010, Monte has collected a fist full of top 4 finishes and the title of Connecticut State Champion (Housatonic Hills Road Race)! He is extremely focused in his approach to training and equally focused on preventing injuries. Monte began using Acupuncture Therapy when his chronic knee pain failed to respond to more conventional measures. He continues to utilize Acupuncture Therapy to aid his body in recovery following these grueling races. Monte is a fan of skiing and The Grateful Dead!

Coach Sean Fesh

Local pitching legend, Sean Fesh and his protege, Cooper. Sean is the pitching coach of the Danbury Westerners, passing along his wealth of professional pitching experience to the young staff. Cooper felt the need to ice down like the big boys after his recent outing :-)

Wizard of Westwood

The greatest coach of all time has passed away. RIP John Wooden. As a kid, I had a notebook full of coach Wooden's quotes, if I look I can probably still find it! His PYRAMID OF SUCCESS is not only timeless, but applicable to anyone who has ever hoped to succeed in anything. Here's a link to his awesome website...take a minute and check out his PYRAMID OF SUCCESS for yourself.

Tommy John

Tommy John entertained a large breakfast crowd gathered to kick off the Danbury Westerners' summer season. Yankee fans know TJ as a crafty left-hander, but I know him as THE elbow! Tommy John surgery!

When Pigs Fly...

If you found yourself in the shadow of a flying pig on Memorial Day, I think I have an explanation! That afternoon, the unthinkable happened. For five full seconds, I rooted for the Duke Blue Devils! Now before you ask me to burn my Duke Sucks T-shirt, in my defense, I wasn't so much rooting for Duke as I was rooting for #9, New Fairfield's own CJ Costabile. Just like we'd all seen him do many times in high school, CJ snatched the draw, raced straight to goal, with his giant long stick and scored the game winner, straight into ESPN lore. It took all of 5 seconds. I watched while he was interviewed after the game. "CJ, what were you thinking while you raced toward the goal?" Anyone who has spent any time with CJ knew the answer would come in one word. "SCORE." He said his eyes weren't exactly closed...I'm not so sure. What a great kid, what a great moment for him and for all of his fans here in CT. As for me, ten minutes later I felt so dirty, I took a shower and dressed from head to toe in Carolina Blue...just before hell froze over!!

Danbury Grassroots Tennis

Recently, I have been fortunate to become involved with Danbury Grassroots Tennis, a small group with lofty expectations. DGT stresses three areas of emphasis: education, fitness & nutrition, and tennis. Support and instruction in all three areas is provided free of charge to select Danbury kids. Please visit their website to find out how you can contribute and volunteer. I love the DGT Code of Excellence:

I am…..

I am smart

I am strong

I am determined

I have dreams and I matter

I WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Take What You Need, Leave Your Fair Share

There is a Panera Bread restaurant in St. Louis where the cashiers don't take your money. Instead, you receive a receipt of what your order would cost and come face to face with a donation box, where you are asked to leave your fair share. WOW. This kind of community cafe, is of course, not new, but to my knowledge, it is the first for a national chain. What a simple and brilliant idea. Can it work? Will the fortunate pay not only their fair share, but enough to cover those who cannot pay? And will we be willing to sit and break bread next to the guy who is down on his luck? Would you? To read more on this story, click here.

Stanford University Men's Volleyball Champs

Congratulations to the Stanford Cardinal for winning the volleyball national championship. Special shout out to the boys I worked with at the Olympic training center: Brad, Erik, and Gus (Stanford), and Joe (Penn State), all members of the USA Junior National team.

Take Back the Tap

I am a water snob! Some people taste the subtleties in wine, I taste them in water. I've been buying bottled water for years because I simply don't care for the taste of my tap water. To my credit, I did try to decrease my carbon footprint by buying larger bottles.

On Friday night, I attended a screening of the documentary, Tapped, produced by a Brookfield High Alum. It certainly led to some spirited conversation and creative ideas on the ride home. As is my typical response to these kinds of challenges, I was initially overwhelmed into a state of paralysis. I kept seeing my elimination of plastic leading me to soap on a rope!! But in keeping with my pledge to simply be a better Human Being in 2010 I have vowed to do the following:

1. Begin drinking tap water. I plan to buy a filtering pitcher and hope for the best!

2. I will always use my travel mug when I stop for coffee!!!

Baby steps! What will you do? Visit Klean Kanteen & Tapped for more information.

Putting Your Money Where My Mouth Is!

The 2010 Acupuncture Therapy Fitness Challenge could earn you $25 toward your appointment fee! Here's how to earn it:

1. Open a Twitter account and follow acupxtherapy (it's easy & safe)

2. Complete a 5k road race! That's only 3.1 miles...

3. Tweet me, "I did it!" when you finish!

4. Bring in your race number for display on our Wall of Fame!

Questions? This offer is only good once and yes, I will apply it to new patients...so find a friend to train with. No, I didn't say you have to run, but you do have to finish! Yes, races longer than 5k do qualify! Be sure to email me if you have additional questions and keep me posted on your progress!

GOOD LUCK

Mike & Mike of ESPN

Transitioning From Treadmill To Streets

My first effort as a contributing author to MyLivingFit.com is now posted. This blog is full of personal training and nutrition tips and advice. It packs a ton of current information into an easy to use format. There is even an exercise tip of the week video. Check it out and be sure to leave a comment at the end of my post! You will notice a permanent link to my guest posts appears on the right hand side of the acupxtherapy blog.

Congratulations Shona!

The first solo showing by photographer Shona Curtis, appears to be huge success, if her reception was any measure! I was fortunate to take in the show to the musings of professional photographer, Laurie Klein. What a treat. Shona's show will remain at the Bank Street Coffee House, in New Milford CT, until May 9. Check it out!

Note: not easy to get photographers to stand on the other side of the camera!!

Loneliness can hurt you physically too!

We all know that the Mind and the Body are intimately connected. Did you know that in lonely people the genes that promote inflammation are more active and the genes that fight inflammation are more inactive? A very interesting article in USA Today...read it here.

Lyme Disease Seminar

There will be a Lyme Disease Seminar and Health Fair on Wed. April 7th 6-9pm @ the WCSU westside campus student center. Richard Horowitz, MD keynote speaker. For more info call Russ Cornelius @ 203-775-8010.

More positive press

The American Society of Anesthesiologist have published an updated, Practice Guidelines for Treating Chronic Pain, in the current issue of Anesthesia. Acupuncture is noted as being an effective approach to the treatment of chronic low back pain.

Yoga news

Yoga can actually ease inflammation! Read about it here! To find a class near you contact Lotus Gardens.

2010 is the Year of the Tiger. If you were born in 2010, 1998,1986,1974 (and so on, every 12 years), you are a TIGER. People who are born in the year of the TIGER are generally fearless, adventurous, unpredictable and loving. TIGERS are also friendly, unselfish and often short tempered. They are natural leaders.

WSJ Investigates Acupuncture

Check out this article from the Wall Street Journal, entitled Decoding An Ancient Therapy. All in all, pretty positive.

Photography by Shona Curtis

Local artist, Shona Curtis, invites you to attend her first solo showing, entitled "Recent Photographs." Shona is a self-taught photographer whose interpretations of nature, architecture and people are wonderfully hypnotic. "Recent Photographs" will be displayed at the Bank Street Coffee House in New Milford, from March 29-May 9. Join me and meet Shona at a reception on April 10, 5-8pm. Please visit ShonArtphotography for a preview of her work.

Great Season Abbott Tech!

Abbott Tech High bowed out in the semi-finals of the class M state tourney last night. I have fondly referred to this team as "My Boys," for the last several months and wish this out going group of seniors much success! They finish the season with a record of 25-2, a league championship and a second straight trip to the state semi-finals.

March Patient Profile

Monte Frank, avid skier and competitive cyclist, suffered from stubborn knee pain. After more conventional treatment failed, Monte turned to Acupuncture Therapy in an attempt to salvage a ski vacation out West. He skied, he enjoyed and now Acupuncture Therapy is a regular part of his medical care. We look forward to his cycling season with high expectations!

Why I love the Olympic Games

Forget that the athletes are no longer amateurs, forget that athletes sulk over silver medals, forget that NBC can't seem to get the coverage right, forget the schisms (real or imagined) that exist between teammates, forget the politics and forget all the medal counts! This is MY olympics...the faces of overjoyed, patriotic kids!! Don't tell them, "It's only a bronze!"

Bronze for Elana!!!

Congrats to Elana Meyers, the push athlete for Bronze Medal winning USA2!! If there was 1 athlete that I really wanted to win a medal, it was this gal! She practically lived in the athletic training room with us, before and after every workout. And she pointed out that I was the same age as her DAD with such innocence that it was almost charming!!! Enjoy the spotlight kiddo!

Bobsled Update

After the first 2 runs, Elana's USA2 sled sits in 2nd place!!! Elana, shown here on the right, is the Push Athlete or Brakeman of the sled. On another note, the driver, Erin Pac, is a CT. gal! Yet another reason to root for USA2 in tonite's final.

Meet the Bobsledders

Shauna Rohb0ck (driver) and Elana Meyers (brake woman) raced together in this World Cup race. In this Olympic games, they are in 2 different USA sleds. Shauna is the driver of USA1 and Elana is on the brake of USA2. Both of these ladies are expected to contend for medals! Shauna describes this track as "stupid fast,"with speeds exceeding 90mph. Competition is Tues& Wed. GO USA.

Good Job Katie!

Katie finished her Olympic competition in 11th place. While it is reasonable to think, participating in The Games IS the victory, don't try telling that to a world class athlete! Krazy Katie, will land on her feet! She tells me one of her goals is to compete in 3 Olympics, so expect to see her again.

Next up...meet the bobsled athletes!

Skeleton Day 1

Katie finished the first day in 9th place. While I know she is extremely disappointed with her results, there were some notable highlights! Katie briefly set a NEW TRACK RECORD for start time, only to see that broken a short time later. She finished with the second fastest start time in heat 1 (.04sec off the current record), and the fastest start time in heat 2. The FINALS will air during PRIME TIME tonight.

I love the smokin' hot helmet & shoes!!

Faces of the Olympics

I was watching the opening ceremonies, but I was playing "Where's Waldo!"in an attempt to spot the athletes I knew personally!! I spotted all 3: Shauna Rohback(bobsled driver),Elana Myers (bobsled brake woman), and Katie Uhlaender(skeleton). Katie also showed up the next day in this AP photo(on the left).

2010 Olympic Winter Games

In 2 weeks Katie Uhlaender will represent the USA at the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. Katie competes in Skeleton, an insane head first slide, reaching speeds in excess of 80 mph, with her chin an inch from the ice! I was fortunate to meet and work with Katie at the Olympic Training Center while I was there over the summer. Katie is expected to contend for a medal, in spite of multiple knee surgeries. I will be rooting especially hard for this young lady to meet all of her expectations.

Katie has requested that you all visit www.facebook.com/octanner.appreciation?v=app_27318691422 to read about her inspirational Dad!

Happy 2010

I hope everyone has a healthy 2010. I thank each of you for your loyalty to Acupuncture Therapy. It is your word of mouth referrals that keep this practice busy and prosperous. Please continue to spread the word about how powerful acupuncture is. If you haven't had a treatment in while, January is the perfect month for some restorative acupuncture. As always, please feel welcome to stop by the office just to say "hi".