Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 27, 2016

10

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 27, 2016 


THE JOY OF YOGA

A RETROSPECTIVE CASE STUDY ON ACUPUNCTURE 
FOR LYMPHEDEMA IN AN ONCOLOGY SETTING 1

Lymphedema is a common complaint of male and female 
breast cancer patients following breast surgery with lymph 
node removal or commonly following radiation to the 
axilla. Lymphedema is an abnormal buildup of lymph fluid 
that causes swelling and sometimes pain and occurs most 
often in the arms and legs.

In a healthy lymphatic system, fluid containing debris is 
pushed through vessels and back into the blood circulation. 
Lymphocytes, which are housed within nodes, trap and 
destroy harmful organisms, playing a major role in our 
immune system. Surgical removal of breast tissue, lymph 
node removal and radiation are essential components of 
breast cancer treatment. Staging alone also involves breast 
tissue and lymph node removal. Some individuals have 
2-3 lymph nodes removed while others may have all of the 
lymph nodes in a particular area removed. The likelihood 
of developing lymphedema increases with more extensive 
surgery, increased number of lymph nodes removed, and 
amount of radiation therapy to the axilla following surgery.

According to HYPERLINK “http://www.uptodate.com/” 
\t “_blank” UpToDate, an online evidence-based resource, 
women undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy (fewer 
lymph nodes removed) versus axillary dissection (a greater 
number of nodes removed) have a 64 percent lower risk 
of developing lymphedema. However, there still remains 
a clinically relevant risk of lymphedema in women with 
sentinel lymph node biopsy alone. Increased risk is also 
associated with higher body mass index, delayed wound 
healing, postoperative infection and injury. Women with 
lymphedema may experience pain, limited range of motion, 
physical and emotional distress, body image insecurities 
and hypervigilance to avoid symptom exacerbating 
activities. Risk reduction practices according to the 
National Lymphedema Network include maintaining clean 
and dry extremities and nails, providing sun protection, 
and avoiding punctures in the affected area. If the affected 
area is scratched or punctured, it is very important to wash 
with soap and water and use topical antibiotics on the area 
of concern.

Few research studies have been published on the benefits of 
acupuncture for lymphedema. Although we are not aware 
of any negative studies of needling into the affected arm, 
caution is used when performing acupuncture in a hospital 
setting. Theoretical concerns exist based on the avoidance 
of injections and blood draws as a precaution against 
infection. A study reported in “Acupuncture in Medicine” 
shows that acupuncture and topical herbs have the potential 
to clinically cure 44 percent and positively affect 52 percent 
of lymphedema cases when used together for 12 weeks.

A safety study from the same journal in 2011 found no 
adverse events in 73 treatment sessions of acupuncture 
and 30 percent reduction in the extent of lymphedema 
after four weeks. A recent study from the journal “Cancer” 
found no serious adverse events and no infections after 
255 treatment sessions and 33 percent reduction in 
lymphedema. The only side effects that could be found in 
any study were minimal discomfort or bruising, which are 
typical side effects of acupuncture in general. The authors 
concluded that acupuncture appears safe and may reduce 
lymphedema associated with breast cancer treatments. A 
randomized clinical trial is currently underway to follow-
up on this pilot study.

RIPPLE EFFECT

How does yoga 
make the world 
a better place 
exactly? 

 The short answer is awareness and compassion. 
What I love about yoga is it’s complete, dynamic 
approach to living. There are so many workable 
parts to the yogic path that create this awareness 
and compassion. We’ve got the physical practice 
for optimum health and function. Prayers and 
Mantras serve as medicine for the mind and the 
meditation practices cleanse, grow and sustain 
our spiritual condition. The practice as a whole 
is unique because it’s completely individual. We 
each have our own experience, gain insights and 
progress at our own pace. 

 One of the greatest benefits of yoga (and 
countless students report), is an increased feeling 
of self acceptance and self love. It’s the foundation 
from which we grow, transform and heal. Imagine 
if each yogi cultivated awareness of themselves 
(physical, mental, their energy, and their choices.) 
and cultivated compassion for themselves. The 
world would, and DOES transform. It’s just an 
organic cause and effect. When we treat ourselves 
in love and high regard, we act better, are able 
to give more and see and empathize with our 
fellow brothers and sisters. One good act leads 
to another, and when we make a mistake and 
take responsibility in a graceful way, people are 
inspired by that. It’s in embracing our humanness 
with careful, thoughtful awareness, that the world 
begins to respond. There is a starting place for 
each one of us on the path. Give your body a little 
love and spend some time in your practice. You 
never know who you may inspire. 

Namaste and Love, 

Keely


FOOD AND DRINK

DEL FRISCO’S GRILLE 

Living in Pasadena the past forty-plus years I have 
seen many restaurants come and go. Some should 
have gone, but others, I felt, put real effort into the 
craft. I can’t believe the influx of steakhouses to 
our fair city. But, I am here to tell you I love a 
good steak , and one of the best for my dollar is 
Del Frisco’s Grille on Lake. Pasadena might rival 
only Chicago as the steak capital of the world. Del 
Frisco’s is related to the Double Eagle Grille in Las 
Vegas where they have built their reputation on a 
menu that features all prime beef.

 What they have going here is a great location, 
an incredible wine list, and a top-notch filet 
mignon. My assignment was to enjoy pairing of 
fine wines with Del Frisco’s popular menu, aided 
by Del Frisco’s own sommelier – a fun way to 
go if the restaurant has a sommelier. My dinner 
started with the ahi 
tuna tartare with 
avocado and a spicy 
citrus mayo. Ahi tuna 
tacos have become 
a popular appetizer 
in restaurants and I 
had these paired with 
a Paco & Lalo white 
wine, one of the most 
popular wines from 
the region of Rias 
Baixas in Spain. I’ve 
never been to Spain, 
but when I go I’ll 
visit this wine region 
for sure. Next in the 
adventure was the kale 
quinoa salad, which was spectacular and went very 
well with my taste of Flora Springs Chardonnay. 
Finally came the reason for our review: the steak – 
a generous eight-ounce filet mignon with a side of 
truffled mac and cheese. If you’ve heard my radio 
show, you know I often talk about steaks and my 
contention that I can make I great steak at home. 
This one is as good as it gets, and sommelier Sharha 
paired it with a wine that I reviewed recently - the 
Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon. But wait! There’s 
more! The night was completed with their coconut 
cream pie. This was so good we went back the next 
night and got it to go.

 One more note: their crab cake is one of the best 
I’ve had, and that’s saying a lot. No matter the 
price, when I see the crab cake on the menu, it’s 
ordered.

 
Del Frisco’s Grille 55 S. Lake Pasadena (626) 
765-9913

 Dining with Dills is on AM 830 KLAA every 
Saturday afternoon at 6 PM. Reach me through 
my website www.peterdills.com

TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

thechefknows@yahoo.com


Julie’s Favorite Family Recipes

BRAD’S GUACAMOLE


Mix
1. Two very ripe avocados smashed 
2. One teaspoon fresh garlic
3. 5 drops or so of lemon or lime (if you have lime, lime)
4. One ripe diced large tomato
5. One small diced brown onion
6. Some Chile to taste
7. A hand full of fresh diced coriander
8. Lots of salt (it really brings out the taste)
9. Some pepper 
10. To keep it green the best umbrella seems to be plastic wrap tamped down snugly to the surface of 
the dip, to limit as much oxygen exposure as possible.