“An Introduction to Integrative Medicine – Tools for Patient and Self Care”

Objectives:

-Teach those in attendance about certain integrative medical techniques, methods, and theories.
- Discuss how these Integrative methods can increase patient options and benefits within Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.
-Enable those in attendance to experience some aspect of integrative medicine to further their self care.

Mitchell Harris L.Ac. Dipl. OM (NCCAOM), MSTOM Board Certified in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine and David Miller, MD, FAAP, Lac. Dipl OM (NCCASOM), MSTOM, Board Certified in Pediatrics, Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine will be presenting on Integrative Medicine at Shriner’s hospital on Monday, May 14^th from 12:00-1:00 pm.  Lunch will be provided. 

Shari Duffy of Ladies Night Chicago, Mike Frisini of Cutting Edge Events like doing big events…But not for the reasons you think.  It allows us to combine efforts and really make an impact on our favorite charities. That’s exactly the reason we teamed up for the Wednesday April 4th Lap Of Luxury Fundraiser at Grossinger City Autoplex 1500 North Dayton  in Chicago. The event runs from 5:30-9PM

Lap of Luxury will feature over 50 vendors providing products and services geared to relax , support and contribute to your overall state of mind. Guests event get treated to a fashion show “Spring Fling” produced by Benjamin Cottrell Designs and a multitude of vendors and services. A portion of 220 Communications proceeds from the event will benefit the Y Me Race at Your Pace for Breast Cancer Research ,One Hope United, and Autism Speaks .

Teacher (visiting from California): Benjamin Zappin, L.Ac, Dipl OM

Sunday, February 12^th, 2:00-6:30pm

This course aims to impart a foundation in medicine making skills to the Chinese herbalist with an emphasis on topical applications. Learning these tools will enable the practitioner to custom formulate for clients conditions and deliver remedies that are more potent than those commercially available.

Participants will learn a repertoire of formulas and methods for treatment of a variety of dermatological, gynecological and orthopedic conditions. There will also be an introduction to a collection of very useful Western herbs to complement the methods used.

In addition to the topical methods taught, we will introduce methods for making tinctures, or alcohol extracts, and explore their role in Chinese herbal therapy. This will be a fun and interactive class that will give participants very practical and clinically relevant information.

Note from Mitch:  This class was a huge success. Ben has promised us he will be back and we have all taken away great information for our own lives and to help our clients.  The class may be limited to Chinese medicine practitioners and herbalists in the future. But everyone will come away impressed by Ben’s grasp of his subject matter.

Teacher (visiting from California): Benjamin Zappin, L.Ac, Dipl OM

Time: Saturday, February 11^th,  2:00-6:30pm

and

        Sunday, February 12^th, 2:00-6:30pm

The objective of this class is to provide participants with an understanding of theory and methods for integrating Chinese herbs into cuisine in a way that is both esthetically pleasing and therapeutically valuable.

The lecture portion will include a review of principles of Asian principles of digestive health and establish a repertoire of methods for delivering herbs for balancing the body and for the treatment of specific conditions. An emphasis will be placed on how to impart this in a clinical setting.

The demonstration portion will provide participants with a foundation for constructing stocks, soups, and sauces that can be used in versatile settings while concurrently creating a flight of sumptuous and nourishing food to enjoy.

Note from Mitch:  This class was a huge success. Ben has promised us he will be back and we have all taken away great information for our own lives and to help our clients.

ABOUT AOM DAY

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day is observed annually on October 24. It is part of an effort designed to increase public awareness of the progress, promise, and benefits of acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

An estimated 36% of U.S. adults use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), according to a survey by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a component of the National Institutes of Health. When megavitamin therapy and prayer specifically for health reasons is included in the definition of CAM, the number of U.S. adults using some form of CAM in the past year rises to 62%. Among the common CAM practices identified by the survey were acupuncture, acupressure, herbal medicine, tai chi and qi gong.

A survey by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine found that approximately one in ten adults had received acupuncture at least one time and 60% said they would readily consider acupuncture as a potential treatment option. Nearly half (48%) of the individuals surveyed who had received acupuncture reported that they were extremely satisfied or very satisfied with their treatment. In addition, one in five (21%) of the total NCCAOM survey respondents reported that they had utilized some other form of Oriental medicine besides acupuncture, such as herbs or bodywork (e.g., shiatsu).

These studies and others like them clearly demonstrate that CAM therapies such as acupuncture and Oriental medicine are common practice in today’s health care system. They also support the need for consumers to be provided accurate and reliable information regarding their treatment options.

Eastern Integrative Health is organizing this Japanese Acupuncture Root Treatment class being led by Vital Directions  w/ Tom Hurrle L.Ac @ Sage Community Health Collective.  Students of Chinese medicine will learn how to utilize this Japanese form of acupucnture that aims to correct imbalances in the pulse by way of 5 phase points on the body.  This provides a way to “tune” and balance a client’s pulse before beginning other treatment methods, not unlike tuning a guitar before playing.

Eastern Integrative Health is organizing this Japanese Palpation and Needle Technique class being led by Vital Directions  w/ Tom Hurrle L.Ac @ Sage Community Health Collective.  Students of Chinese medicine will learn how to utilize this Japanese form of acupucnture that was developed by blind practitioners in Japan.  It is highlighted by a focus on sensitivity in touch and a gentle, painless needling technique on the very surface of the skin.  This provides further options for clients to experience the benefits of acupucnture.

Eastern Integrative Health offered free auricular (ear) acupucnture to the public at the 2011 Andersonville Summer Fest in that vibrant Chicago neighborhood.  In the course of the weekend over 50 people received health screenings in posture, physical training, and health and wellness from the great team of healthcare practitioners at Ravenswood Health, including Mitch Harris L.Ac, the health team’s acupuncturist and East Asian medical specialist.  Anyone who visited for acupucnture also received a 20% off coupon on their first office visit (evaluation and treatment).  Everyone who received acupuncture treatment felt benefits and some had their lingering pains go away completely during their time at the booth and were truly shocked by the results of our style of ear acupuncture.  Thanks to those that came by our booth and learned more about how to stay healthy!

Mitchell Harris L.Ac, Dipl OM will be one of the featured speakers at the Chicago Area Medical and Health Science Students 7th Annual INTEGRATE CHICAGO for 2011.

Integrate is a gathering of Chicago-area students, physicians, practitioners,

and more to explore the many modalities of Integrative

Medicine through talks, presentations, and workshops.

Due to the great response during the first lecture event, Mitch Harris, L.Ac will be giving a series of talks regarding “Food as Medicine- Fruits” at Whole Foods on Ashland (next door to his Private Practice – Eastern Integrative Health).  This time the class will be covering specific food categories, for more detailed discussion.   Recipes and cooking will also take place at each session highlighting the food category being covered.

• Location: Whole Foods (Lakeview)
• 3300 N. Ashland Ave
• Chicago, IL 60657 USA
• Time: 7 p.m.  till 8:30 p.m.
• Date: Thurs, Sept 30th
  
• A nutritional recipe will be cooked and be served
• $10 (receive a $10 discount for Whole Foods)…so it’s essentially free.
• Phone 773.244.4200
• Call to RSVP. Limited space.

FOOD AS MEDICINE – Time Tested Advice for Holistic Health

*8 part course (1 course offered every moth or every other month) – One can attend all or any classes.

Eastern Nutritional theory recognizes the unique health aspects of every food and of every individual. Mitchell Harris (L.Ac, Dipl OM), a Professor of Chinese Medicine at Pacific College, will teach participants how to choose foods for their unique health picture and analyze recipes from a time tested holistic perspective. Those who attend will learn basic energetic principles grains and legumes.  Attendees with be given resources for further knowledge and receive a complimentary traditional diagnostic reading at Eastern Integrative Health. *The class includes a $10 gift card for you to keep!

1. Grains and Legumes (Thurs, April 29th)
2.  Veggies (Thurs, June 24th)
4.  Fruits (July 29th)
5.  Seeds and Nuts (Thurs, August 26th)
6.  Mushrooms and teas (Thurs, Sept 30th)
7.  Meats, seafood, dairy (TBA)
8.  Wines and Medicinal Elixirs (TBA)