Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 6, 2016

10

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 6, 2016 


THE JOY OF YOGA

COMPLEX REGIONAL PAIN SYNDROME

For pain specialists in the acupuncture field, it 
is not uncommon to evaluate and treat patients 
diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome 
(CRPS). The syndrome usually develops after 
trauma (minor or major) or nerve damage.

 Symptoms will appear within a month and may 
include: pain (diffused or localized); local changes 
in circulation; swelling; sweating; cool or warm 
extremities; muscle wasting; and reduction of 
motor activity of the muscles (in chronic cases). 
In some cases the sympathetic system reaction 
(local sweating, changes in skin temperature and 
color) is present; in other patients, it is not.

 Treatments applied to these patients include 
NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory 
drugs); physical therapy; sympathetic blocks; 
physical therapy; psychological support; and 
acupuncture (surgery will be utilized rarely). The 
treatment should be used in the earlier stages 
rather than in the chronic phase (the patient’s 
response to acupuncture in the earlier stages is 
faster, thus requiring fewer treatments). In many 
cases, the symptoms will continue with little or 
no improvement, the pain becomes extremely 
severe and does not respond to treatment.

 The cases this article covers are CRPS of lower 
extremities (chronic phase, 6+ months). The 
recommended points to be used are the second, 
third and fourth ba feng (extra points) and 
ST 36 (unilaterally, on the same side if it is not 
too painful; otherwise contralaterally for a few 
treatments).

Treatment: Treatment is administered 1-2 
times per week for four weeks. The acupuncture 
needles are inserted with a slant direction, with 
the microcurrent stimulation pads on top of the 
needles. The pads (biphasic, with an initial output 
of 25 microamps, are applied for 20 minutes 
directly on top of the needles. In the majority of 
cases, microcurrent use should be sub-sensational 
(the patient does not feel the electric stimulation).

Within 12 treatments (a slow response), the 
patient should be able to feel improvement: the 
pain is reduced; the range of motion of the ankle/
foot is increased; and the pain medication is 
diminished or discontinued. Another important 
fact is the improvement of the walking and 
standing gait: the patient is able to walk or stand 
longer than before.

The combination of a microcurrent device and 
acupuncture allowed us to treat and improve 
the condition of a patient on which all other 
modalities had failed.

 

 References : http://www.acupuncturetoday.
com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=27704

YOGA DOES WORK FOR ANXIETY

If you experience 
chronic anxiety or 
just from time to 
time, yoga is WONDERFUL solution. It works 
immediately and functions as a long term tool for 
wellness. Anxiety is the reason why many people 
come to yoga in the first place. It’s like first aid 
for the mind! The relief is almost unexplainable. 
In fact, my own personal journey in yoga began 
when I attended class, on a friend’s suggestion, 
after I disclosed that I was suffering. 

So what class is best when you’re experiencing 
anxiety? As a student, personally, I cannot 
just “relax” walking into a yoga class when I’m 
anxious. A (brief) seated posture to establish the 
breath is ok, but then I’ve got to get moving! It’s 
best to experience dynamic movement with the 
breath to begin. Believe it or not, the “monkey 
mind” needs many jobs to do in order slow down. 
Movement, conscious breath and drishti (gaze) 
are just a few components. Once I have tuned 
into my breath, and moved my body a little, poses 
with longer holds become accessible. It’s in the 
longer holds, with conscious, smooth breaths that 
I can find a deeper sense of calm and stability. It 
takes a little work to hang in there, but it’s well 
worth it. The rest of the class is do-able, enjoyable 
and satisfying. 

Maybe the title of this article should have read, 
Reminder: Yoga does work for anxiety. Each time 
we quell anxiety through natural means, new 
positive habits are created. 

Many yoga practices (and poses) stimulate the 
parasympathetic nervous system which produces 
the body’s natural calming response. The more 
we can get in touch with this feeling, the feeling 
of being calm and grounded, the better. It can 
become the new normal. 

Namaste friends, see you in the class. 

Keely Totten


FOOD AND DRINK

SAN ANTONIO WINERY OFFERS WINE TASTING, 
TOURS, AND DELICIOUS CUISINE 

IN THE HEART OF LOS ANGELES

JULIE’S FAVORITE FAMILY RECIPES

SODA CRACKER CANDY

1pkg. unsalted soda crackers (around 40 crackers)

12oz. pkg. Semi-sweet chocolate chips

2cubes unsalted butter

1c. dark brown sugar

First, place unsalted crackers face up in a buttered 9x13 pan.

In a small sauce pan melt butter and brown sugar together and bring to a boil for 2-4 minutes.

Pour over soda crackers and spread evenly.

Pre-heat oven to 400 and sprinkle chocolate chips over crackers. Place pan in oven and watch 2-3 
minutes until chips melt.

Take the pan out of oven. Spread melted chips over the top of crackers evenly with a spatula.

If desired add topping of your choice, such as sprinkles, nuts, coconut for color and fun.

Place pan in freezer for at least 2hrs.

Take candy out of freezer for about 30/40 min. or until slightly softened, and then cut with a sharp 
knife in 1.inch squares.

*Best to make on a clear non-humid sunny day! Enjoy!

 Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and I have the perfect spot for you, and it’s just a few miles away from 
where you are reading this right now. No long drive to Napa or Temecula. Los Angeles is home to the 
longest and largest producing winery in Southern California. 

 San Antonio Winery, located just east of downtown Los Angeles in Lincoln Heights, offers the ultimate 
romantic experience, or the ideal spot to celebrate love 
and friendship with friends if you’re single. Once you 
step inside the vast tasting room and up to the counter, 
one of the friendly, learned staff will guide you on 
your wine tasting adventure. I was able to choose from 
a selection of award-winning dry wines from San Antonio Winery’s award-winning Maddalena and San 
Simeon collections, since it’s Valentine’s Day you might consider -their popular Stella Rosa line, like Stella 
Rosa Red, and sparkling Stella Rosa Moscato Rosé, perfect for your romanantic day. 

 On my recent visit, I took a tour of the entire winery, where I learned about the original urban winery’s history, 
and even got to see where the wines are fermented, aged, and bottled. Once I worked up an appetite, I indulged 
in home-style Italian cuisine at Maddalena restaurant. Named after the winery’s matriarch, Maddalena was 
the first restaurant 
inside a winery in 
California. It was 
opened in the 1970s 
after Maddalena 
Riboli’s sandwiches 
became so popular, a 
long line would form 
outside the winery. 

 Today, you can 
still enjoy some 
of Maddalena’s 
delicious recipes, 
like her outstanding 
meat lasagna and 
handmade ravioli. 
The Valentine’s 
weekend menu will 
also include a variety 
of options, including 
the restaurant’s 
popular Linguini Scampi, Veal Scallopini, and Filet Mignon. To make the mood more romantic, there will 
be live music in the restaurant all weekend long. 

 San Antonio Winery is located at 737 Lamar Street. It will have extended hours Valentine’s weekend 
from 10 am until 9 pm, with the last restaurant serving at 7:30 pm. There is also an ample parking lot 
with complimentary parking. Free tours are offered daily on the hour. Tastings of 3 select wines are 
complimentary during the week, and $5 for 4 tastings Saturday and Sunday. There is also a $15 artisan 
tasting of 4 award-winning wines available. Visit sanantoniowinery.com for more information. I had a great 
tour!

 Join me this Saturday afternoon at 3 PM on Charter Cable 188 for Dining with Dills please contact me 
through my website www.peterdills.com

TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

thechefknows@yahoo.com