Mountain Views News          Saturday, January 23, 2016

10

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

Mountain Views-News Saturday, January 23, 2016 


THE JOY OF YOGA

STUDY: ACUPUNCTURE FOR ACUTE LOW BACK 
PAIN MORE EFFECTIVE THAN DRUGS

UNWINDING

Study suggests that acupuncture works effectively 
for pain relief, draws international attention

 New research by Korean doctors of Oriental 
Medicine suggested that an acupuncture method 
could reduce acute lower back pain faster and more 
effectively than conventional drug injections.

It is the first study of Oriental Medicine for pain 
relief that has received international recognition 
through the PAIN journal.

 In a joint study conducted by doctors of Jaseng 
Hospital of Korean Medicine and researchers of 
the Korea Institute for Oriental Medicine, pain 
was reduced significantly more among patients 
who received a nontraditional acupuncture 
treatment called motion style acupuncture 
(MSAT) compared with another group who had 
an injection of diclofenac sodium, a drug widely 
used for immediate pain relief.

 “Our study has shown that MSAT was 
more effective for pain and function in acute low 
back pain patients with severe disability in the 
short term and up to four weeks (longer) than 
conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory 
drug injection,” the report said.

 “This is the first study that shows objective 
evidence that acupuncture works better as 
pain relief than drugs. We are glad to get such 
international attention and recognition,” said Ha 
In-Hyuk, a doctor at Jaseng Hospital of Korean 
Medicine.

The study assessed the pain level on a scale of 0 
to 10 as well as the functional level in activities of 
patients from the two groups. A group of 28 patients 
who received the motion style acupuncture said 
the pain level reduced 46 percent on average in 
30 minutes while the other 28 patients who had 
the drug injection had their pain level drop 8.7 
percent in the same amount of time. The level of 
physical disability of patients who were treated 
with the acupuncture method dropped 39 percent 
on average in the first 30 minutes while others said 
their disability merely improved.

 The treatment method, developed by Jaseng 
Hospital, is similar to traditional acupuncture 
in that it places needles in specific meridian 
acupuncture points and uses manual stimulation 
of the needles. It requires a patient to exercise 
while having acupuncture needles inserted. MSAT 
differs in that it keeps that patient engaged in active 
or passive action of related body parts for a certain 
amount of time during acupuncture. In less than 
in 20 minutes, patients were able to walk on their 
own and the level of pain was reduced, the hospital 
said.

 Of the 28 patients in the injection group, 27 
were hospitalized for nearly 18 days on average. 
A total of 19 patients in the acupuncture group 
admitted themselves to hospitals and stayed 12.5 
days on average.

 “The strong stimulation of distal acupuncture 
points in motion style acupuncture treatment may 
enhance the effects of pain relief by triggering 
‘diffuse noxious inhibitory controls’ and increasing 
the secretion of endorphins by stimulating internal 
activity of the central nervous system,” Shin Joon-
shik, coauthor of the study, said in the paper.

 Joon-Shik Shin, a Korean Eastern Medicine 
doctor, developed the MSAT- a non-traditional 
acupuncture treatment around 1990. “The 
technique is highly effective in reducing 
musculoskeletal pain and increasing limited 
mobility, and provides almost immediate relief 
in acute cases with severe pain and restricted 
motion,” Dr. Shin said.

 References : http://www.acupuncturetoday.
com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=32747

Everybody needs 
an opportunity to 
unwind from day-
to-day stresses. 
There are many ways to do that; exercise, time 
with friends, a vacation, even a few drinks. But 
what about the accumulated stresses that we can’t 
unwind from? Usually a result of shouldering 
responsibility, or having a full busy life. 

 These tensions remain even when we go on 
vacation or take a day off. We stay tight and 
irritated just under the surface. Yoga can help in 
this situation. 

 We hold our “stuff” in our physical body, 
emotional body, energetic body, and in the mind 
body. The simple act of attending an asana class can 
help loosen up and break up the accumulated stress 
in the physical body. We feel better, our back hurts 
less, hips feel good, stiffness in the neck is relieved. 

 Emotional and energetic body are also addressed 
during practice. We have an opportunity to find 
balance, and check in on our inner space. Often, 
the great feeling after class is a change in our Prana, 
or life force energy. The mind body is certainly 
given a break with concentration and focus on our 
breath and the practice at hand. 

 Little by little, we unwind. We unwind from 
day-to-day stress and from more long standing 
accumulations too. This makes room for fun, love, 
and joy, taking the place of the wasted energy our 
worries were causing us. 

 Cultivating the awareness of what we need, 
and what worries we can do without begins in 
the stillness experienced during practice. Even 
coming to the realization that we need to spend 
more time decompressing can happen on the mat. 
Cheers to unwinding on a grander scale! See you 
in class.


FOOD AND DRINK


CHEESEBURGER CHALLENGE RESULTS RELEASED

1246 voters chose their favorites in 14 categories during

2016 Cheeseburger Week in Pasadena

NO CHEESEBURGER CHEESEBURGER 

BUT GREAT MIDDLE EASTERN FOOD

Writing reviews on restaurants is subjective, as is 
drinking and wine . I love mom-and-pop restaurants 
that you’ve probably driven past 100 times. I 
always go to the restaurant at least three times before 
ink hits paper in the form of a review (I do take 
recommendations). I love Parkway Grill, Panda 
Inn and Houston’s, but you know those already!

 
Sahara Restaurant in central Pasadena is one of my 
go-to spots for both takeout and sit-down dining. I 
probably eat at Sahara at least three times a month. 
I was born in Athens, Greece, and though Sahara 
leans towards Lebanese cuisine, Middle Eastern 
foods are universal in menu selections. They don’t 
have Lebanese beer (the owner’s son said they don’t 
have their home brew because they’d drink it all!), 
so I have my meals with Heineken. The interior 
is somewhat plain with pictures of Lebanon, and 
the tables and chairs could be from any diner in 
the area. But, the food is the highlight of this show. 
The kitchen is open so you can watch your food being 
cooking on mesquite, and it’s ably run by two 
brothers and their sons - it’s a family affair. 

 They offer plenty of standard Middle 
Eastern dishes like kebabs, shawerma, and falafels. 
I love the lulu kebabs (ground seasoned lamb and 
beef ($11.25), and for those of you who can’t decide, 
get the combination ($14.75) which has a 
little of everything. For you vegetarians the falafel 
is a crowd pleaser ($8.25). Order a side of babaghanouj 
(eggplant) ($4.50) - they 
tell me it’s the real deal. My 
buddy Mike Bingley from the 
tv show Straight off the Menu 
swears by the by the chicken 
kebab. I like it but others 
seem to be juicer. All dishes 
come with feta cheese, a remarkable 
starter of pita bread, 
cucumber and your choice of 
lentil or cabbage salad. The 
cabbage is salad is great, and 
often I’ll put it aside for my 
next days lunch. Two enthusiastic 
thumbs up for Sahara! 
Get here early - it’s posted 
close time 8:30, but many 
times Sebestain says bro “we 
were busy we sold out on the food, just like a BBQ 
joint in Texas” - when it’s gone, it’s gone. If you 
were a fan of Burger Continental 20 years ago, you 
will love Sahara. 

Sahara 2226 E. Colorado Blvd Pasadena Closed on 
Sundays (626) 795-6900

PASADENA, CA- Pasadena celebrated all things cheeseburger 
during Cheeseburger Week January 10th to 15th. Visitors 
enjoyed food created especially for the event, took advantage 
of great deals and meals, followed cheeseburger crawls and 
voted in the 2016 Cheeseburger Challenge. In all, 1246 
votes were cast in the challenge to determine favorites in 14 
categories ranging from Favorite Burger to favorite Dessert 
after a Burger.

 Here are the results of the 2016 Cheeseburger Challenge. 
Thank you to all the restaurant participants and everyone who 
voted in this year’s Challenge.

 

Congratulations to those named Favorites in these categories.

 

Cheeseburger Challenge results:

 

Favorite Place for a Cheeseburger

1. Dog Haus/Dog Haus Biergarten 15.73%

2. Umami Burger 13.64%

3. The Counter 12.4%

Favorite Lunch Counter Burger

1. The Counter 37.5%

2. Pie ‘n Burger 27.08%

3. Tie: Clearman’s Galley / Twohey’s 12.92%

Favorite Traditional Cheeseburger

1. Pie ‘n Burger 24.76%

2. Dog Haus 24.21%

3. The Counter 23.44%

Favorite Sliders

1. Tie : Dog Haus / Ruth’s Chris Steak House 16.62%

2. The Counter 14.67%

3. POP Champagne and Dessert Bar 9.25%

Favorite Gourmet Burger

1. Kings Row Gastropub 31.84%

2. La Grande Orange Café 26.12%

3. Tie: Alondra Hot Wings/Del Frisco’s Grille 22.86%

Favorite Alternative Burger

1. Umami Burger Ahi Tuna Burger 33.79%

2. a/k/a Bistro Portobello Mushroom and Brie 22.83%

3. Lucky Baldwin’s Pub Salmon Burger 15.98%

Favorite Turkey Burger

1. Umami Burger 32.88%

2. Green Street Restaurant 22.07%

3. Tie: Pie ‘n Burger/ Rounds Burgers 16.67%

Favorite Sit Down/White Tablecloth Burger

1. Green Street Restaurant 27.36%

2. a/k/a Bistro 20.28%

3. Central Park Restaurant 17.45%

Favorite New Restaurant For a Burger

1. Lucky Baldwin’s Trappiste Pub 35.21%

2. Magnolia House 27.23%

3. Alondra Hot Wings 18.31%

Favorite Bar Burger

1. Dog Haus Biergarten 8.14%

2. Kings Row Gastropub 5.42%

3. Lucky Baldwin’s 4.75%

Favorite Veggie/Vegan Burger

1. Umami Burger 30.2%

2. The Counter 22.77%

3. Pie ‘n Burger 11.39%

Favorite Draught Beer with a Burger

1. Dog Haus Biergarten 8.29%

2. King’s Row Gastropub 5.8%

3. Lucky Baldwin’s 5.46%

Favorite Dessert after a Cheeseburger

1. Pie ‘n Burger 48.66%

2. POP Champagne and Dessert Bar 16.96%

3. Twohey’s 15.63%

Favorite Cocktail with/before/after a Burger

1. Ruth’s Chris Steak House 30.94%

2. La Grande Orange Café 24.22%

3. POP Champagne and Dessert Bar 12.11%

 Here are our participants for the 2016 Cheeseburger Week 
in Pasadena:

 

· a/k/a Bistro

· Alondra Hot Wings

· Bacchus’ Kitchen

· Big Daddy’s Fire Grill

· Brookside Golf Club (lunch only)

· Cameron’s Seafood

· Central Park Restaurant

· Clearman’s Galley

· The Counter

· Del Frisco’s Grille

· Dog Haus

· Dog Haus Biergarten

· Du-pars

· dusit D2 hotel constance pasadena

· The Eatery

· El Portal Restaurant

· Gale’s (lunch only)

· Green Street Restaurant

· Grill 168 at the Hilton Pasadena

· Kings Row Gastropub

· La Grande Orange Cafe

· Lucky Baldwin’s Delirium Pub and Cafe

· Lucky Baldwin’s Pub

· Lucky Baldwin’s Trappiste Pub and Cafe

· Magnolia House

· Meat District Company

· Pie ‘n Burger

· POP Champagne & Dessert Bar

· Real Food Daily

· Robin’s Wood Fire BBQ

· Rounds Premium Burgers

· Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Happy Hour menu

· Slater’s 50/50

· Twohey’s Restaurant

· Umami Burger

· Vertical Wine Bistro

· Yahaira’s Cafe

· The Walrus and the Hedgehog

 

 Cheeseburger Week is over for 2016, but you can still 
enjoy a great burger at any of the participating restaurants. 
For address, menu and other information visit www.
pasadenarestaurantweek.com.

 Cheeseburger Week is a Pasadena Restaurant Week and 
California Restaurant Month event presented by the Pasadena 
Chamber of Commerce. Cheeseburger Week is generously 
sponsored by the City of Pasadena.

TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

thechefknows@yahoo.com