Mountain Views News          Saturday, March 5, 2016

10

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

Mountain Views-News Saturday, March 5, 2016 


THE JOY OF YOGA

A RETROSPECTIVE CASE STUDY ON ACUPUNCTURE 
FOR LYMPHEDEMA IN AN ONCOLOGY SETTING 2

Case Report

The patient was a 53-year-old female that was diagnosed 
with breast cancer in 2008 that resulted in a TRAM 
flap reconstruction and right chest wall radiation. Her 
lymphedema began four months afterwards. In 2011, she 
had a right mastectomy and 13 lymph nodes removed, and 
she has had no evidence of disease since that time.

Her lymphedema began and remained in the right upper 
extremity. It was described as “significant,” as it both 
limited her ability to wear certain clothing and also limited 
function. She received physical therapy regularly since 
2008 for rehabilitation. In addition to lymphedema, she 
had significant radiation therapy change on the skin and 
evidence of a TRAM flap. Her left breast had significant 
scarring in the upper outer quadrant.

In July of 2012, her surgeon referred her to both cold 
laser and acupuncture. She also continued physical and 
occupational therapy at the time. She began acupuncture 
shortly following. She presented with lymphedema in her 
right arm, pain in her right shoulder, and hot flashes from 
hormone treatment. She had 16 treatments in two months, 
roughly two treatments per week before she left the area.

The patient noticed marked reduction in her swelling with 
her first treatment. She said that the swelling was better 
than it had been in a very long time. She said she overused 
her arm out in the heat, and the swelling returned prior to 
her second treatment. She continued to notice less swelling 
in her upper arm with every treatment. On 7/23/12, her 
treatment was extended to 2-3 points over the lymph 
pathways on her right arm. At the following appointment, 
she said her lower arm was finally responding. She also 
reported significant reduction in skin redness over areas 
treated with acupuncture on her chest from radiation. On 
8/6/12, needles in the affected limb increased resulting in 
increased swelling after the treatment. She was able to have 
two more treatments before ceasing acupuncture, so the 
affected arm was not needled again. By the time she left, her 
swelling had gone back down.

Discussion

This case study supports acupuncture as first line therapy 
for lymphedema. A small study from the UK supports the 
idea that acupuncture can indeed improve quality of life for 
cancer survivors with upper body lymphedema with no 
serious side effects. This study also uses the application of 
moxibustion along with the acupuncture and will hopefully 
lead to more research on the use of each method separately. 
An important concept to note in this case study is that it is 
possible that the arm with lymphedema reached a needle 
threshold of sorts. The patient was gradually noticing less 
and less swelling with two to three needles used on the 
affected side. In one treatment, the number of bilateral 
needles increased, and her swelling increased. Due to time 
constraints, the affected side was not needled again, but she 
continued to notice a decrease in swelling.

Conclusion

A patient presented with lymphedema of four years 
duration. After 1 or 2 sessions of acupuncture, she saw 
relief and with continued acupuncture, she saw additional 
relief. Acupuncture seems to be a reasonable alternative 
management strategy for managing lymphedema.

References : http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/
at/article.php?t=32&id=32777

FOUNDATION OF PRACTICE


Establishing your 
yoga practice 
at a slow, but 
progressive pace is ideal for a long term practice. 
At the very basic level, a beginning practice should 
include asana (yoga poses), pranayama (breath 
work) and rest. And “breath work” in this early 
time is simply even, equal wave breath in and out 
through the nose. The physical practice is best 
developed with a focus on alignment. I.e. Where 
should my foot be? How about the hips? Also, every 
practice (and in the course of a week or day) should 
include rest. A no effort, laying down or supported 
rest.

 As we progress beyond moving, breathing and 
resting, there are three vital components that should 
be present each time we practice and possibly in the 
course of everyday living. They are Svadhyaya (self 
study), Tapas (austerity, discipline) and Ishvara 
Pranidhana (devotion to the Divine). These three 
components eventually, seamlessly get woven into 
practice. It’s our conscious awareness, exertion 
of effort and gratitude for the very breath that we 
breathe. Self study is incredibly important. It’s our 
awareness of ourselves, in all ways. Tapas, or heat, 
is necessary to move forward and grow. We need 
challenge. It’s good to have things that are “hard” 
for us sometimes. Ishvara Pranidhana is what takes 
place in meditation. It’s our devotion, listening and 
thanking the source from which we came. It’s our 
divine spiritual connection. When that connection 
is strong and active, our path in life is clear. This is 
yoga. Fostering inner exploration and development 
using Svadhyaya, Tapas and Ishvara Pranidhana 
is how your practice can evolve over and over.
Namaste friends, 

see you in class.


Keely Totten


CORNED BEEF

INGREDIENTS

2 quarts water

1 cup kosher salt

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons saltpeter

1 cinnamon stick, broken into several pieces

1 teaspoon mustard seeds

1 teaspoon black peppercorns

8 whole cloves

8 whole allspice berries

12 whole juniper berries

2 bay leaves, crumbled

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

2 pounds ice

1 (4 to 5 pound) beef brisket, trimmed

1 small onion, quartered

1 large carrot, coarsely chopped

1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped

DIRECTIONS

Place the water into a large 6 to 8 quart stockpot along with salt, sugar, saltpeter, cinnamon stick, 
mustard seeds, peppercorns, cloves, allspice, juniper berries, bay leaves and ginger. Cook over high 
heat until the salt and sugar have dissolved. Remove from the heat and add the ice. Stir until the 
ice has melted. If necessary, place the brine into the refrigerator until it reaches a temperature of 45 
degrees F. Once it has cooled, place the brisket in a 2-gallon zip top bag and add the brine. Seal and 
lay flat inside a container, cover and place in the refrigerator for 10 days. Check daily to make sure 
the beef is completely submerged and stir the brine.

 After 10 days, remove from the brine and rinse well under cool water. Place the brisket into a pot 
just large enough to hold the meat, add the onion, carrot and celery and cover with water by 1-inch. 
Set over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and gently simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 
hours or until the meat is fork tender. Remove from the pot and thinly slice across the grain.


Julie’s Favorite Family Recipes

CREAMY CARROT SOUP WITH COCONUT RECIPE


 2-3 large carrots, chopped small
1 onion, chopped small
1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
1 1/2 tsp curry powder
1 3/4 cup vegetable broth
1 14 ounce can coconut milk
sea salt, to taste
Preparation:
Simmer the carrots, onions, ginger and curry powder in vegetable broth for 20-25 minutes, until carrots 
are soft.
Allow to cool slightly, and then puree in blender, working in batches if needed or use hand blender in 
pot.
Return to heat and stir in coconut milk until well combined.
Season with sea salt to taste.