3 Easy Tips for Wellness

In addition to regular acupuncture, here are 3 tips to make you feel a little bit better this weekend:

Make Small Talk 
Engaging in casual conversation with others may help keep you as sharp as doing a word puzzle, according to some studies. Just 10 minutes of daily chatter appears to improve mental function and preserve memory.

Eat Japanese Food 
In addition to following good dental hygiene, you can help prevent cavities by adding more shiitake mushrooms and wasabi to your diet. Both foods contain compounds that help fight the bacteria that cause plaque and cavities.

Hydrate 
To treat an acute migraine, drink a full glass of water -- dehydration can trigger headaches. Even if you need to take a medication for the pain, try wrapping your head with an Ace bandage so that it covers your eyes, then lie down and breathe deeply. This often helps the pain pass more quickly.

Mike Worley, LAc - serving Murrieta and Temecula Valley, 951-698-7977

Growth and Change

In my desire to bring acupuncture to a wider group of people, I can now be found inside Summit Family Medicine, an integrative medical practice in Murrieta. At Summit Family Medicine, I am able to treat patients with any type of PPO insurance including Medicare and some Tricare patients who have Dr. Rome Walter in their network of doctors.

Summit Family Medicine is located at 29995 Technology Drive, #201 Murrieta, California 92563 Phone: (951) 696-2215

This is in addition to my continuing to see a limited number of patients, including those referred from Kaiser, at Chiropractic Plus.

Patients in Orange County can still find me inside Lander Chiropractic on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

Balanced Eating During the Holidays

Pie.  Cookies.  Chocolate.  Eggnog.  Champagne.

The holiday season is filled with good foods.  You eat and drink with your friends and loved ones to celebrate how much you care about them.

But we all know that too much of a good thing is no longer good.  Too many rich foods can lead to extra pounds, digestion upsets, mood swings and a generally "yucky" feeling.

It's all about balance.

Good, healthy holiday eating can make the difference between an enjoyable holiday season and a miserable one.  The trick is to enjoy treats without overdoing them.  Make a healthy holiday eating strategy and plan to enjoy the holiday celebrations without feeling bad the next day.

Healthy Holiday Eating Strategies

Strategy #1 Moderate

Decide on a moderate way to approach the treats that are most tempting to you.  Avoid brash decisions like "I won't have any holiday cookies this year."  It’s easy to break unreasonable rules.  Instead, make a moderate healthy holiday eating plan. 

For example, if cookies are your nemesis, allow yourself to eat 1 cookie at the holiday cookie exchange.  If you can't decide between your 2 favorite cookies, have a half of each.  Either way you won't feel deprived but you won't overdo.  Pick your battles to get maximum enjoyment with minimal deprivation.

Strategy #2 Substitute

Find healthy alternatives for rich, high calorie food.   Substitute nuts and fruits (both fresh and dried) for cookies or candy.  Drink juice instead of soda, and herbal tea instead of juice.  Make eggnog with skim milk instead of cream.

During a meal, eat mostly vegetables instead of potatoes and stuffing.  And remember, sweet potatoes with brown sugar or marshmallows are closer to a dessert than a vegetable.

Strategy #3 Avoid Hunger

The hungrier you are, the more likely you will binge on bad foods.

Remember to eat breakfast.  Eat a healthy meal before you go to a party.  Start every big meal with hot soup.

Fill up with healthy food so you don't race to the bad stuff.

Strategy #4 Maintain Healthy Routines

Don't stop your healthy habits just because it's a holiday.  Continue to drink lots of water and get enough sleep.  Make time to exercise.  Spend meaningful time with your loved ones. 

Take time to meditate or pray.  Get outside.

Maintain the healthy habits that you already have.  When you feel good, you'll be less inclined to eat foods that make you feel bad.

Strategy #5 Journal

Keep track of what you eat and how you're feeling.  Write about your stresses and emotional upsets.  Compose poems and short stories.

Keeping a journal will give you a non-eating outlet for stress, and remind yourself how good it feels to be healthy, happy and creative.

Strategy #6 Trick Yourself

Trick yourself into thinking you’re eating a lot.

Use small plates to make modest pie portions seem larger.  Pour drinks into tall, skinny glasses to drink less.  Fill your dinner plate with salad before adding the entrees.  Full plates make small portions seem big.

Strategy #7 Partner Up

Get a healthy holiday eating buddy.  Partners make it easier to keep your healthy commitments in the face of indulgences.  They provide accountability and support.

Strategy #8 Commit

Look through this list of strategies and pick the ones that are the most helpful and the least difficult.  Write down your list of healthy holiday eating guidelines and post them where you see them several times a day.  Commit to following them.  Don't allow yourself excuses to break your rules.

Strategy #9 Tune Up

Now is a great time for an acupuncture tune-up.  Acupuncture helps balance your body so it's easier to make healthy choices.

Call me today to schedule your appointment.  I'll help you create a healthy holiday eating plan that doesn't take the fun out of the holidays. Mike Worley, L.Ac. 951-698-7977.

Seasonal Affective Disorder and Acupuncture

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Tomorrow is the first day of Autumn. Changes are afoot. Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that people experience at the same time every year. Most often, symptoms start in September or October and are relieved in April or May, however some people experience SAD at different times of year.

The symptoms include:
• • Irritability
• • Headaches
• • Extreme fatigue, lethargy and sleepiness
• • Increased appetite
• • Carbohydrate cravings
• • Lack of concentration
• • Decreased libido

No one knows exactly what causes SAD but most of the theories involve light. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects mood, is triggered by light. Some people believe that decreased serotonin is the culprit. Others blame melatonin, a hormone that affects sleep and mood, because it is affected by darkness. In either case, light plays a role.

Western Medicine Treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder 
Western medicine treats SAD with medications, psychotherapy and light therapy. There are 2 types of light therapy. For bright light treatment, you sit in front of a light box for 30-45 minutes every day. For dawn simulation treatment, a dim light comes on while you sleep and gradually gets lighter. Many people find light therapy very effective, and a recent Canadian study confirms this. Scientists found that light therapy was just as effective as Prozac for alleviating SAD, with fewer side effects and faster results.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatments for SAD 
TCM takes a holistic view of the body and seasonal cycles, and understands the energy behind them. All life is made of qi, or life force. One of the principles of qi is that everything is made of yin and yang. Yin is the feminine side, nourishing, cold and dark. Yang is the masculine side, active, warm and light.

Autumn marks the beginning of the yin cycle of the year. Daylight decreases, temperatures drop and nature takes a rest. Just as animals slow down and hibernate, our bodies slow down. It is a time for reflection and quiet activity.

If your constitution is particularly yin, from gender, genetics, environment or lifestyle, the yin cycle may hit you hard. Contemplation and rest may become isolation and depression. Your winter cycle becomes seasonal affective disorder. The holidays put an additional stress on your system. At a time when your body wants to slow down, holiday activities speed up. Parties, shopping, travel and holiday celebrations create tension between what your body needs and what you're doing. This stress depletes your body even more, contributing to exhaustion and cravings for carbohydrates to replenish your depleted energy.

To stay balanced in the winter and ward off SAD, conserve your energy. Practice quiet, yin activities like restorative yoga, Tai Chi, qigong, walking or journaling. Eat warm, slow-cooked stews and soups. Add yang spices like garlic, ginger, black pepper, cloves and basil to your foods. Limit cold drinks and raw vegetables. Rebuild your energy to prepare for spring.

Most importantly, make an appointment with me for a seasonal acupuncture treatment. By balancing your qi, your seasonal affective disorder symptoms can be relieved.  Winter doesn't have to be a time of sadness, exhaustion and binge eating. Call me to discuss your treatment options today, 951-698-7977 Mike Worley, L.Ac.

Why do I feel so relaxed after acupuncture?

Following an acupuncture session, many patients expressed that they felt a very strong relaxation during and after the initial treatment. This relaxation is not only about a relaxed body while lying on the treatment table, but about feeling mentally peaceful and emotionally happy. Some people have told me they never felt this deeply relaxed in their entire life. This relaxation effect usually is the first reaction of acupuncture treatment. It means the patient has responded with the treatment very well. In Chinese medicine, this relaxation is a sign that balance and free energy flow has been restored. Some may notice their body was floating, as if they were weightless, or on the contrary, they felt heavy, as if their body was sinking into the bed.

The relaxation can last for hours or days depending upon who you are. Following a treatment, many also felt increasingly aware of their inner feelings. This is a typical reaction if the body shuts down from the external stimulations and starts to repair itself. The best thing you can do in this situation is rest, take naps or go to bed early. Our body only can repair itself while we are sleeping at night. Sleep makes a huge difference to our overall well being.

If you are in Temecula Valley or Murrieta, come see Mike Worley, LAc for your relaxing treatment. 951-698-7977.

Acupuncture and Fertility

The treatment of infertility with acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine dates back over 2000 years. These ancient, time tested techniques improve fertility rates and support a woman's whole body, unlocking unlimited potential for health, healing and childbearing.

Studies reported by The American Pregnancy Association suggest that the most effective fertility treatments involve a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional medical interventions.

Researchers from Weill Cornell Medical Center in new York reviewed recent studies and concluded that acupuncture helps to:

• Increase blood flow to the uterus, improving the chances of an ovum implanting on the uterine wall.
• Reduce anxiety and stress. The hormones that are secreted during stressful situations can significantly decrease fertility.
• Normalize hormone and endocrine systems that regulate ovulation, especially in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
• Positively affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which plays a key role in fertility.
• Regulate the menstrual cycle.

In a 2007 study, researchers found that acupuncture may improve the quality of life in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). It was also found that women receiving acupuncture reported significantly less abdominal pain, nausea and stress two hours after oocyte aspiration, compared to women receiving conventional analgesia.

In 2008, the British Medical Journal published research which concluded that acupuncture can be offered as a significantly, clinically relevant adjunct to IVF, relaxing the uterus and increasing blood flow for the successful implantation of an embryo within the uterine lining.

An acupuncturist's approach to fertility. According to the theories of acupuncture and TCM, infertility is caused by an imbalance of Qi and blood affecting the healthy functioning of one or more of the organ systems. When Qi, our vital energy, and blood are circulating freely throughout the body, every cell, tissue and organ is properly nourished and can function well. Acupuncture and TCM can raise the fertility potential of both women and men by improving the quality, quantity, balance and flow of Qi and blood.

(content from AcupunctureMediaWorks.com)

Acupuncture For More Than Just Pain

We all know the common ways to avoid becoming ill. Exercise, healthy and balanced meals, vitamins and lots of water, right? Did you know another way to boost your immune systems is through acupuncture.

In the west, acupuncture is commonly thought of for use with pain management, as it is quite effective at reducing/eliminating pain from the body. This is only one issue that acupuncture can treat; there are many more ailments it can resolve naturally and holistically. The whole basis behind acupuncture, which is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is to support harmony and balance within the body. Acupuncture views the body as a whole, and hence is a form of holistic medicine. A licensed acupuncturist has the training and ability to effectively treat a variety of illnesses by providing a diagnosis, implementing a treatment plan and making use of a variety of treatment methods.

You do not have to be sick or in pain to try acupuncture. One of the best reasons to get acupuncture is to keep your body healthy and operating properly. It is far better to spend a little money, time and energy on staying healthy than to have to spend a lot more recovering from an illness. Acupuncture is proactive and is focused on promoting the body’s ability to protect and heal itself.

For thousands of years, Traditional Chinese Medicine has been used to treat sick people without the reliance of modern medicine and prescription medication. Millions of people have benefited from this natural medicine and so can you. Contact Murrieta Acupuncture at 951-698-7977 and let the wellness begin!

Can acupuncture help elderly patients?

Today, people are living longer than ever. Many older people deal with issues related to arthritis, aches, pains, trouble with balance and walking. I am often asked if acupuncture can help with these types of conditions. The fact is that it can! People from all ages can benefit from acupuncture. No matter the age, the body's natural ability to heal itself is present. Due to various illnesses and environmental conditions, the immune system can be compromised, but this is also another way acupuncture can help.  By boosting the body's natural defense mechanisms, we can improve the quality of life for all types of people from all walks of life.

The process of healing by acupuncture can be a bit slower than what you might be used to from seeing a typical western doctor.  An acupuncturist will not be giving you some pain killers and promising to feel better by tomorrow. Following a treatment, you may notice some immediate improvement which can last from hours to a day or so. With each subsequent treatment, this improvement will continue to last longer and longer. Depending on how chronic or how long you have had a condition, will have direct impact on how quickly you can find relief from your issues. Younger people rebound very quickly, while people have been quite ill or older will take a little more time for their conditions to improve and resolve. All ages can benefit from acupuncture.  See me, Mike Worley, LAc. in Murrieta inside Chiropractic Plus.

What is Qi? Video from Murrieta Acupuncture

The west does not have an exact equivalent to the concept of Qi, which is a fundamental aspect of acupuncture.

• Qi is energy in the very broadest sense possible.
• Qi is universal.
• Qi embraces all manifestations of energy, from the most material aspects of energy (such as the earth beneath your feet, your computer, and flesh and blood) to the most immaterial aspects (light, movement, heat, nerve impulses, thought, and emotion).

Life, it is said in the Chinese medical classics, is a gathering of Qi. A healthy (and happy) human being is a dynamic but harmonious mixture of all the aspects of Qi that make up who we are.

Qi is in a state of continuous flux, transforming endlessly from one aspect of Qi into another. It is neither created nor is it ever destroyed; it simply changes in its manifestation.

In order to talk about the relationships between the various aspects and manifestations of Qi within a given context, Chinese philosophy employs the concept of yin and yang.

For more info: http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/traditional-chinese-medicine/what-qi-and-other-concepts

Auricular Acupuncture with Mike Worley, LAc

The ear provides numerous acupuncture point locations for treating a variety of health conditions. The entire body can be mapped out on the ear.  This can provide access to some locations on the body that otherwise could not be reached, such as the brain.  Contact Mike Worley, LAc to set up your acupuncture appointment, 951-698-7977.

Acupuncture and the Treatment of Insomnia

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for insomnia and those who have trouble staying asleep at night.  Acupuncture along with individualized herbal formulas have been shown to help those that suffer from poor sleep.

Acupuncture for Digestive Disorders

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are proven effective for treating symptoms related to IBS, Crohn's disease or other digestive problems.  Some patients see results after the first visit.  Each patient is treated individually, as there is no "one size fits all" treatment when it comes to treating with acupuncture and herbs.  Formulas are often custom tailored to the patient's needs.  Acupuncture points will also vary patient to patient and some times treatment to treatment.

Appointments are available. Contact my office for more information, (951) 698-7977

Women's Health and Acupuncture

Aside from pain, another thing that responds very well to acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine is women's health.  This includes relief from symptoms of menopause, dysmenorrhea (painful periods), amenorrhea (lack of a period), PMS and other hormonal conditions.  Many patients respond quickly to treatment and see improvement within the first couple of months.  So get your life in balance and come in for some acupuncture.

How can acupuncture help with infertility?

There are many different causes for male and female infertility. Acupuncture has proven to be very effective at improving the chances for conception when used in conjunction with Chinese herbs and a proper diet.  IVF success has also shown statistically to improve dramatically when acupuncture is also incorporated. Contact my office for more information and a free consultation. (951) 698-7977

Can headaches be treated successfully with acupuncture?

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas can be quite effective at eliminating headaches and migraine pain. Reoccurring headaches can also be greatly reduced from regular acupuncture treatments.  Visit MurrietaAcupuncture.com for more information or call today for an appointment 951-698-7977.

What does it mean to be a Licensed Acupuncturist?

There are many people now offering to place needles as part of their treatment plan, but only a Licensed Acupuncturist can perform acupuncture. What does it mean to be one and what does it take to get that license?  I discuss those things in this video.

You can verify and locate a Licensed Acupuncturist near you for California here.  For other states, you can check here.

What can I expect at my first acupuncture treatment?

If you have ever wondered what you will experience during your first acupuncture visit, I explain it in this video.  Mike Worley, L.Ac. is part of Chiropractic Plus, providing acupuncture and herbal therapy to patients throughout Murrieta and Temecula Valley.

For more information or to make an appointment, contact my office at (951) 698-7977.

Wellness One Stop Shop at Chiropractic Plus

Common Questions About Acupuncture - Answered!

There are many questions heard regularly when I tell people that I am an acupuncturist.  Below, I have listed answers to these types of questions.

Do acupuncture needles hurt? This question is always a little tricky because it depends on what you mean by “hurt.” Acupuncture needles do not feel like getting a shot. Unlike hypodermic needles, acupuncture needles are thin, tiny and flexible. They are not inserted deeply. However, you might feel something. Sometimes you may feel a prick—like getting a mosquito bite. You may feel tingling or fullness when I adjust the needles. But in most cases, you’ll forget about the needles as you rest on the table.

Are there any side-effects from acupuncture? There are rarely side-effects from acupuncture. Sometimes there may be bruising or soreness, especially if you have a cupping or Gua Sha. Or you may feel light-headed or ungrounded after a session. Occasionally there is an emotional release. When people complain of worsening symptoms or fatigue from acupuncture, often it is actually a sign of healing. If your Qi has been blocked, it can cause uncomfortable symptoms as it resumes flowing. To understand this, imagine a garden hose with a kink in it. The kink stops the water from flowing; when you straighten it out, the water bursts out of the hose before it begins flowing normally again. Qi behaves the same way. If you notice your symptoms getting worse after a treatment, contact me. I can suggest ways to reduce your discomfort and speed your healing.

Is acupuncture a placebo? This is a hotly contested question in the scientific community. Periodically a new study comes out, proving or disproving acupuncture. Of course, I don’t think acupuncture is a placebo. I have seen acupuncture work on many patients and I’ve seen extraordinary results. I have no doubt about its efficacy and confidently recommend it to everyone. But research has mixed results and it’s hard to weed through all the studies to come to a conclusion. Many studies about acupuncture are poorly designed with too small a sample or subjective results. Some studies focus on acupuncture for a single disease or condition and don’t translate their findings into broad conclusions. And of course, “acupuncture” is a broad term describing many techniques and many styles of practice. It’s hard to study all the variations. One big stumbling block to proving that acupuncture works is that western science doesn’t understand how it works. There are many theories but none of them cover all the effects of acupuncture all of the time. Since scientists can’t figure it out, they continue to question if it really exists. I think the biggest question to ask yourself is if you have seen results. Does acupuncture work for you? Do you feel better after an appointment? Why do you turn the needles? Turning the needles helps them work more effectively. It both helps move Qi and tells me if the Qi has started to move.

Can you poke through my organs? No, I will not poke through any organs other than your skin. Acupuncture needles are very thin and tiny, and are only inserted skin-deep. However if you Google this topic, you will find alarming articles which claim that acupuncture can lead to lung collapse. Many of these articles refer to a study by the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, which found some cases of pneumothorax (collapsed lung) caused by acupuncture. I don’t know the details of these cases but they are very surprising. It’s hard to imagine a situation where a well-trained acupuncturist would puncture a lung. And it’s interesting to note that the NHS (the source of the study) concludes that acupuncture is a "low harm” treatment. The NHS notes that these cases are very, very rare compared to the millions of acupuncture treatments each year. If you are really concerned about the health risks of acupuncture, contact me. Let’s talk. I will answer all of your questions openly and honestly so you can make an informed choice.


Will acupuncture needles make me bleed? Generally, no. Sometimes there is a tiny droplet of blood but it is easily wiped away with a cotton ball. Acupuncture needles are very fine.

Can you treat young kids? Acupuncture is effective for all ages, all stages of life, from babies to the elderly. I welcome kids and have found some kids respond even more quickly to treatment than adults.

Is acupuncture good for treating ________________________________?  The odds are, yes. Call my office and set up a free consultation.  We can discuss your particular situation, 951-698-7977.  

What Is a Licensed Acupuncturist?

There are many reasons why you should only seek acupuncture from licensed acupuncturists.  You wouldn't go to an amateur tattoo artist for a tattoo. You also wouldn't go to a veterinarian if you've got the flu, even if they are well trained in animal biology.  If you are seeking acupuncture, it is important you find one that is a Licensed Acupuncturist or L.Ac.  When you find one, be sure to ask where they received their training, which acupuncture school did they attended, and what is their California acupuncture license number.  With the answers to these specific questions you will be able to discover if they are truly a Licensed Acupuncturist or another physician that merely took a weekend course in how to insert needles.

A licensed acupuncturist uses specific information obtained during an initial consultation and exam that allows them to create a treatment plan for you, the patient. Aside from asking a list of detailed of questions, they will also ask to look at your tongue and check your pulse. These diagnostic checks provide more information on what type of treatment might be required and help us to understand what is going on inside the body. Traditional acupuncture done within the scope of Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic type of patient care.

Other professions may claim to be licensed to perform acupuncture, but you should know that the amount of time and depth of training pales to that of an acupuncturist who has graduated from a school of Chinese medicine with at least a master's degree.

Currently, chiropractors are only required to have 300 hours of training to perform acupuncture, and many have much less. Physical therapists have been performing “dry needling” which is the insertion of acupuncture needles into certain areas of the body. Do not be fooled: dry needling is merely acupuncture being given by unlicensed acupuncturists. Many times physical therapists have as few as 10 hours of training, in comparison to the 1,850 hours it takes to become a licensed acupuncturist. It is worth noting that many other acupuncturists, such as myself, have as many as 3,200 hours or more of training that includes herbal studies and clinic internships. All of those hours also do not account for the time I spent on an internship in Taiwan at a hospital which integrates both western medicine with traditional Chinese medicine.

Even beyond the field of acupuncture, this should be a concern of patients and customers. Know your provider and find out what there background is, even before your first visit.