How does Acupuncture Work to Relieve Pain?

 

Photo by Katherine Hanlon on Unsplash

Due to years of positive research and double-blind studies, acupuncture has emerged as a widely recognized treatment for managing pain. But how does acupuncture really work?

David Scrimgeour, who practices acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in Boulder, Colorado, explains that there are several mechanisms at work to relieve pain.

Balancing the Flow of Qi

Central to traditional Chinese medicine is the concept of Qi, which is the vital life force that flows through the body along meridians or energy pathways. When Qi becomes blocked or imbalanced, it can lead to various health issues, including pain. Acupuncture aims to restore the smooth flow of Qi, promoting overall well-being and alleviating discomfort.

Stimulating the Release of Endorphins

Endorphins are the body's natural painkillers. They are neurotransmitters that help to relieve pain and induce feelings of well-being and relaxation. When acupuncture needles are inserted into specific points, they trigger the release of endorphins. This surge of endorphins helps to modulate pain signals in the brain, effectively reducing the perception of pain.

Modulating Neurotransmitters

Acupuncture has been found to influence the levels of various neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. These include serotonin, which regulates mood, and norepinephrine, which plays a role in stress response. By modulating these neurotransmitters, acupuncture can have a calming and analgesic effect, reducing pain sensations.

Enhancing Blood Circulation

Proper blood flow is crucial for delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs. When there is poor circulation, pain and discomfort can arise. Acupuncture helps to dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow, promoting healing and reducing pain associated with stagnant or congested areas.

Regulating the Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system, which consists of the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, plays a crucial role in pain perception. Acupuncture has been shown to regulate the balance between these two branches, promoting a state of relaxation and reducing the "fight or flight" response associated with pain. When the body is relaxes, pain is reduced.

Resolving Trigger Points

Trigger points are irritable spots in muscles that can lead to pain and discomfort. Acupuncture can effectively target and release these trigger points, providing relief from muscle tension and associated pain.

Encouraging Tissue Repair and Regeneration

Acupuncture stimulates the body's natural healing processes by promoting the release of growth factors and enhancing cellular repair mechanisms. This can be particularly beneficial for conditions involving tissue damage, pain or inflammation.

Acupuncture is a holistic approach to pain management that harnesses the body's innate healing abilities. By balancing the flow of Qi, stimulating the release of endorphins, modulating neurotransmitters, enhancing blood circulation, regulating the nervous system, resolving trigger points, and encouraging tissue repair, acupuncture provides a comprehensive solution for alleviating pain.

For more information about acupuncture in the treatment of pain, David Scrimgeour can be reached at 303 413-9596 or by visiting his website: www.davidscrimgeour.com

Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine: Successful Treatments for Fertility

By Kathy Thorpe, MA, CHom, Boulder, Colorado

Photo by Luma Pimentel on Unsplash

 

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have been used for thousands of years to resolve problems with fertility.  As an agricultural society, families depended on offspring to work their farms and guarantee the succession of their family. Thus, there is a long history of successful and time-tested approaches using Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to enhance fertility. 

 

Before seeking invasive treatments, couples who have not been able to conceive for a year often turn to Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine because of the high success rate. They will also try Chinese medicine if they haven’t decided yet whether they want to use infertility drugs or invest in In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). 

David Scrimgeour, Licensed Acupuncturist and Fertility Specialist in Boulder, Colorado has been treating infertility for over 30 years. In addition to treating patients in his acupuncture clinic, he lectures widely on the use of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to treat infertility.  He recently completed a translation of the book from Chinese into English, Fertility Experts and their Most Successful Treatments in China in the last hundred years.

David Scrimgeour explains why Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are so effective. “They work to bring the body into a higher state of health and vitality. In unexplained infertility, for example, there is often a very slight deficiency or imbalance that is preventing a couple from conceiving. By correcting these subtle imbalances, the endocrine system comes back into balance and conception occurs.”  He goes on to say that Acupuncture is also extremely effective when used in conjunction with Assisted Reproductive Technologies because it not only improves the overall health of the woman, but also increases blood flow to the uterus. Chinese medicine is also effective at improving sperm count, quality and motility in men.

Some of the main causes of infertility according to Scrimgeour are: advanced age, stress, overwork, poor diet, lack of exercise, use of birth control pills, heredity, illness, emotional influences and poor menstrual health.

Chinese Medicine uses four therapies to treat infertility. Acupuncture which uses fine, painless needles, which when applied by an expert acupuncturist will restore balance to the organs and endocrine system and open blocked energy pathways. Chinese herbal medicine is used to address stagnation, deficiency or excess patterns. Detoxification, if necessary, is incorporated to reduce the effects of toxicity and exogenous hormones. Lifestyle and nutritional recommendations address dietary deficiencies, exercise, stress reduction and nutritional supplementation.

 

David Scrimgeour maintains that through Acupuncture and Chinese medicine, he has been able to help hundreds of couples conceive and have healthy pregnancies and births. He attributes his success to the profound wisdom of Chinese medicine and to all the Chinese doctors in the past that contributed to and perfected this healing art. 

David Scrimgeour practices Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at his clinic in Boulder, Colorado. He can be reached at 303 413-9596 or through his website: www.davidscrimgeour.com

 

Alopecia Areata: Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs Regenerate Hair with a 90.32% Success Rate

by Kathy Thorpe, MA, CHom

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal remedies are proving to be the most successful treatments for Alopecia or hair loss.

What causes Alopecia?
Although Alopecia is not well understood, some of the causes include:

·      an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the hair follicles

·      a stress reaction (worry or anxiety which impairs spleen function and reduces the flow or quality of blood to the hair follicles)

·      hypothyroidism

·      the result of chemotherapy or radiation used in cancer treatments

·      anemia

·      genetic male-pattern balding

·      topically applied chemicals to the scalp that damage the hair follicles

·      heavy metals or even exposure of the hair follicles to shower water with heavy metals

Western Medical Treatment
Western medical treatments usually include corticosteroid injections or topical steroid creams which may decrease the hair loss if it is caused from inflammation. Hair loss often improves during treatment but often recurs once treatment is stopped because the underlying cause has not been addressed.

Chinese Medical Approach
Chinese medical doctors see that alopecia is caused by a deficiency of blood, blood heat or blood stasis which causes the hair follicles to be undernourished. Deficiency of liver qi and kidney qi may also cause alopecia because the liver stores the blood which nourishes the hair and the kidneys produce bone marrow which is responsible for the growth of hair. Treatment focuses on acupuncture and herbs that will move and nourish the blood while nourishing the liver and kidneys.

Researchers have recently published a study concluding that acupuncture combined with the herbal formula Huoxue Shengfa is safe and effective for alleviating alopecia areata. Their research was published in the Clinical Journal of Chinese Medicine in 2015.

In this study, participants received 7-star acupuncture treatments twice per week on the hair loss areas and they orally consumed the Huoxue Shengfa decoction three times per day for three months.

The test results showed that the total recovery rate for the treatment group was 90.32% with a recurrence rate of 9.68%.

The theory behind choosing the formula Huoxue Shengfa is that the doctors concluded that it is best to resolve blood stasis in order to treat alopecia areata.  Resolving blood stasis helps to promote qi and blood circulation, thereby supplying vital nutrients to the hair.  In this herbal formula, Dang Gui has been shown to regulate blood platelet aggregation and benefit the circulation in the blood vessels while Dan Shen helps to promote blood circulation and repair tissues. The other herbs in the formula also build or move the blood. 

The 7-star acupuncture treatments promote blood circulation, especially to the scalp, reduce inflammation and improve follicle health. As soon as blood flow increases, nutrient levels at different areas of the scalp are replenished to encourage hair growth.

David Scrimgeour, Licensed Acupuncturist in Boulder Colorado, has used this protocol with his patients with success. “It works,” says Scrimgeour, “but you must be patient because it takes three months for the hair follicles and new hair cells to regenerate.  I start seeing new hair growth around 7 weeks with good growth in three months.”  Scrimgeour states that not only does the alopecia resolve, but hair all over the head becomes fuller and thicker.  

Diet and Nutrition to Support Hair Growth
In addition to the herbal formula and acupuncture, David Scrimgeour also recommends including an abundance of dark green leafy vegetables, quality lean protein, seaweed, and brightly colored foods that are valued for building the blood such as goji berries, dried apricots, purple grapes, blackberries and raspberries. He also recommends bone broths to support the liver and the building of marrow. 

Protect the Scalp

As far as protecting the scalp, Scrimgeour reminds patients to choose only a mild organic shampoo and use a water filter for the shower.  People often think about the water they drink, but they forget that the water used on their hair and scalp daily may have heavy metals (especially if it is well water) or chlorine and fluoride (for city water).

Two Supplements for Hair Growth
Scrimgeour also recommends two supplements to support hair growth:  Biotin (5 mg/day) which improves keratin or the protein that makes up hair and nails and N’Acetyl Cysteine (1,000 mg/day) which is an anti-oxidant that promotes hair growth. 

Scalp Massage and Headstands!
Two other things you can do to promote scalp health and hair growth:  every night before bed, massage your scalp for five minutes, and when you wake in the morning, do a headstand or yoga inversion poses to bring blood circulation to the head. 

With Acupuncture and Chinese herbs as well as some of these recommendations, you'll soon be noticing new hair growth as well as a healthier scalp. 

David Scrimgeour specializes in treating chronic illness and practices Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at his clinic in Boulder, Colorado. For more information, he can be reached at 303 413-9596 or through his website: www.davidscrimgeour.com.

The herbal formula Huoxue Shengfa is available in a formula called Hair Restore by Six Persimmons Apothecary

 

What's In Your Winter Medicine Cabinet?

by Kathy Thorpe, MA, CHom

 
After a long, warm autumn, winter showed up just in time for Thanksgiving. And with it came the common cold. People on planes, trains and buses were coughing and sneezing. And now, people at offices and schools everywhere are getting colds. So how can you and your family be prepared for the cold season?

Beyond washing your hands often and staying away from people who are sick, the following recommendations are the most effective items to have in your medicine cabinet to prevent and shorten the common cold:

1. Cold Nip is a combination of three classical Chinese herbal formulas for the cold with three anti-viral herbs.  It works about 80% of the time while most other remedies work about 40%. Take at the very first signs and chances are, you won’t get the cold. You can also take it preventively if you will be around anyone sick or will be traveling by plane.
2. Emulsified Vitamin D –Take one drop (1,000 – 2,000 IUs) daily for prevention and take up to 50,000 a day if you are getting sick.
3. Zinc – Optizinc 30 mg/day or zinc lozenges. This infection fighter will help stop a cold by preventing the virus from replicating.
4. Sinus Congestion: At the first signs of a cold, use a neti pot twice a day and add a pinch of sea salt and a pinch of baking soda. This will help flush out the virus and shorten the cold. The Chinese herbal formula Pueraria N will help resolve the congestion and open the sinuses. Argentyn 23 Silver Hydrosol nasal spray has antibacterial properties to help prevent a sinus infection.
5. Sore Throat – if you have a fever or severe symptoms, get checked for strep. If not, gargle with salt water and spray with Argentyn 23 Silver Hydrosol Throat spray. Manuka honey throat lozenges will also help calm a sore throat.
6. Cough – if you have a fever or a severe cough, see your doctor. The Chinese formula Platycodon & Fritilliaria helps transform phlegm, quiet the cough and calm inflammation in the lungs. Golden Lotus Cough Drops also help calm a cough.

With these recommendations, you’ll be prepared for the cold season. Call 303 583-0179 if you would like to make an appointment for help beyond the common cold: the flu, bronchitis, mono or other conditions.  Most of these products should be available at www.sixpersimmonsapothecary.com.

Stay healthy!

Treating Hypertension with Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

by Kathy Thorpe, MA, CHom

Elevated blood pressure is a major health problem affecting as many as a third of the US population over 60. Studies estimate that 62% of stroke, 49% of ischemic heart disease and 14% of other cardiovascular diseases can be attributed to hypertension. The problem with high blood pressure is that too much force is exerted on the arteries as blood is pumped through the body. This results not only in eventual damage to the blood vessels themselves but to other organs as well.

To assess blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic pressures are measured. Systolic represents the maximum pressure exerted in the arteries as the heart contracts, and diastolic is the minimum pressure in those vessels between cardiac contractions. Although blood pressure will often rise slightly as a person ages, blood pressure is considered normal if the top number (systolic pressure) is between 90 and 120 and the bottom number (diastolic) is between 60 and 80 mm Hg.

Although there are several causes of hypertension including aging, recent studies have shown that an overactive sympathetic nervous system is one of the major causes of high blood pressure. When the sympathetic nervous system becomes over-stimulated, it causes vasoconstriction of the arteries of the heart. And long-term vasoconstriction can lead to blood vessel damage, stroke and damage to the vital organs of the body.

High blood pressure is managed in Western medicine with several types of anti-hypertensive drugs. Diuretics help the kidneys remove salt and water which lowers the volume of blood in the vessels. Beta-Blockers make the heart beat more slowly so blood passes though the vessels with less force. ACE Inhibitors prevent the body from making angiotension II which tightens blood vessels so that blood vessels remain relaxed, lowering overall pressure. Calcium Channel Blockers or CCBs, prevent calcium from entering the muscle cells in the heart and blood vessels which slows the heart rate and keeps the vessels from tightening. Vasodilators relax muscles in blood vessel walls and blood flows more easily. While effective at lowering blood pressure, all of these drugs have side effects that range from a chronic dry cough to headaches, dizziness, fainting, weight gain, insulin resistance, depression, and erectile dysfunction.

So are there natural ways to treat hypertension?

Boulder acupuncturist, David Scrimgeour, L.Ac. maintains that many cases of hypertension can be treated successfully with acupuncture and Chinese medicine. “Acupuncture can lower blood pressure by down-regulating the sympathetic nervous system and by bringing the body back into homeostasis,” says Scrimgeour. “Many of my patients are able to have normal blood pressure using acupuncture, Chinese herbal formulas and by making dietary and lifestyle changes. And with these changes, patients see remarkable improvement in their overall health and vitality as well.”

A recent study conducted at the University of California at Irvine in August 2015 concluded that acupuncture combined with electro-stimulation can lower blood pressure rates by as much as 50%. According to Dr. John C. Longhurst, director of the Samueli Center, "This study suggests that acupuncture can be an excellent complement to other medical treatments, especially for those treating the cardiac system.”  There have also been studies showing that acupuncture outperforms Captopril, a commonly prescribed ACE inhibitor for high blood pressure. One of these studies concluded that electro-acupuncture was significantly more effective than the Western medication at controlling blood pressure. A German study comparing true acupuncture to antihypertensive medications concluded that blood pressure reductions with acupuncture are comparable to monotherapies with ACE inhibitors.

Scrimgeour explains that one of the mechanisms by which acupuncture lowers blood pressure is by down-regulating the sympathetic nervous system. Electro-acupuncture activates neurons in the brain which inhibit SNS activity by stimulating the opioid system which includes endorphins and encephalin. It also inhibits nociception which involves the encoding and processing of harmful stimuli in the nervous system. By inhibiting nociception and increasing the release of endorphins, the parasympathetic nervous system takes over which relaxes the body and lowers blood pressure.

In addition to acupuncture, David Scrimgeour also uses several Chinese herbal formulas such as Bupleurum & Dragonbone and Gambir to help control hypertension. “These formulas work by calming an up-regulated sympathetic nervous system which is often a contributor to hypertension,” says Scrimgeour. He also recommends the following dietary and lifestyle changes with his patients: 1) engaging in regular exercise including some cardiovascular exercise; 2) reducing grains and carbs in one’s diet and increasing fresh organic vegetables and fruits; and 3) supplementing with Vitamin C and Omega 3s. Finally, he recommends reducing stress levels with meditation, yoga or Tai Chi.

David Scrimgeour, L.Ac. specializes in treating hypertension as well as other cardiac disorders and chronic health issues. He practices acupuncture and Chinese medicine at his clinic in Boulder, Colorado. He is also an acupuncturist for the Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette and Erie areas in Colorado. For more information, he can be reached at 303 413-9596 or through his website: davidscrimgeour.com

Kathy Thorpe, MA, CHom is a natural health writer and blogger who has been writing about alternative approaches to health and wellness for the past ten years. Prior to that, she taught English at U.C. Berkeley and at the University of Colorado.  She can be reached at 303 583-0179.

Seven Things You can do to Prevent Memory Loss

By Kathy Thorpe, MA, CHom, Boulder, Colorado

Do you have problems recalling a name, focusing on a project, organizing information or remembering something you just learned? Do you worry about dementia because you experienced it with one of your parents? A certain amount of memory loss is normal with aging. In fact, 15% of the population in the U.S. over 70 experiences some form of dementia. While some of this is genetic, new research shows that there are important things we can do now to prevent or reverse memory loss.

Use it or Lose it: Keep your mind alert with daily mental activity – every time you learn something new or challenge your mind, you keep those neuro signals active in the brain. Current studies indicate that the brain is “neuroplastic” in the sense that its “circuits” are continuously changing in response to what we do. When we learn new skills, think, remember and perceive, the connections between the brain cells also change and strengthen. So keep using your brain. Choose reading over watching TV, do crossword or Sudoku puzzles, learn a new language, take a dance class, play strategy games such as chess or Bridge or do quilting or knitting. The most important thing is to keep learning new things.

Exercise and Stretch:   Physical activity has the largest impact on preventing cognitive decline than anything else. Blood circulation is essential for healthy cognition. Researchers have shown a significant benefit to staying active and encourage people to move every day: walk 2 miles, bike 10 miles, swim, attend an exercise class or engage in some form of regular, vigorous exercise. According to one study, people who did regular, aerobic exercise for at least a year showed enlargement of the hippocampus – the part of the brain that converts short-term memories to long-term ones. Exercise triggers the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus and stimulates the release of “neurotrophic growth factors,” which helps the brain grow and maintain new connections.  

 

Be Social: People who have social contact with family and friends are at lower risk for memory problems. Plus, social interaction involves talking and listening and therefore challenges the brain in unique ways. It also helps ward off stress and depression. So call your friends and family or visit your local community center and sign up for a class or an activity.

Add Quality Nutrition:  Keep your brain nourished with vital foods that maintain healthy blood sugar levels and reduce brain inflammation. For years, researchers have known that diet can play a huge part in preventing cognitive decline. Patients with significant dementia made dramatic improvement when they avoided simple carbohydrates and processed foods, increased fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, lean protein, included quality oils and increased their fish intake. It was also found that vitamin B-12, vitamin D-3 and fish oil supplements were beneficial. The omega 3 essential fatty acids in fish oil help protect nerve cell membranes.

Nourish the Brain with the Good Oils: A good deal of new research shows the importance of organic coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil to prevent age-related memory loss, dementia and even halt the progression of Alzheimer’s. These oils improve brain chemistry, cognitive function and reduce oxidative stress that destroys brain cells. Add a tablespoon of coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil to your breakfast and dinner—and notice how much better you start feeling.

Don’t forget magnesium: A certain type of magnesium, Magtein (magnesium l-threonate) is able to cross the blood brain barrier and increase learning ability as well as improve short and long-term memory. It increases synaptic connections in the hippocampus that controls memory and also helps reduce anxiety and fear. It has also been shown to prevent cognitive decline in early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and improve memory even in advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The dosage is one gram twice a day for these beneficial results.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine: Acupuncturist David Scrimgeour, L.Ac., in Boulder, Colorado uses acupuncture and Chinese medicine to support and nourish brain function. Adrenal deficiency,  inflammation of the  GI system and disturbed Shen (or mind in Chinese medicine) all contribute to loss of short and long-term memory and impairment of the ability to amass wisdom, think clearly and perceive things creatively. In addition to using acupuncture to address these imbalances,  Scrimgeour recommends the tonic formula, Supreme Immune Tonic to support adrenal, brain and immune functions in the body.

 

If you are among the many people who are starting to notice subtle signs of memory loss, start incorporating the above suggestions into your health regime. And don’t wait until your golden years to make these changes in your life. Start now so you can continue to be the wise, clever, witty and intelligent person that you are – no matter how old you are.  

Resolve Your Insomnia with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs

By Kathy Thorpe, MA, CHom, Boulder, Colorado

  

It’s midnight and you’re still awake. You’ve been tossing and turning in bed for the last hour, and you can’t seem to fall asleep. Then your mind throws you a curve: “You’re not going to be able to fall asleep! You have a busy day tomorrow and you won’t be able to function!”  With these thoughts, your heart starts racing and pounding, you experience palpitations in your chest. Sure enough, you can’t fall asleep.

A good night’s sleep is vital to your overall health, vitality, energy, memory and cognitive function. If you are among the 70 million Americans suffering from insomnia, you may be wondering if there are natural ways to restore your sleep before you resort to sleeping pills. Approximately nine million U.S. adults take prescription sleeping medications which bring their own set of risks. According to a study in the journal BMJ in 2012, in addition to being addicting, sleep medications bring a higher risk for certain cancers, a higher risk of death, increased insulin resistance and risk of developing diabetes, weight gain and a greater incidence of depression, confusion and disorientation.  

So what are the causes of insomnia?  We know that age is a factor as insomnia increases as people get older and experience a disruption in the body’s circadian rhythms.  Anxiety and heightened stress are other causes. When a person is stressed or anxious, the body’s “fight or flight” mechanisms take over even if there is no real threat. Adrenaline and cortisol are released, the heart beats faster, one becomes hyper-vigilant and mentally alert. Unfortunately, this isn’t the time to escape from the tiger – this is the time to sleep. Short-term insomnia can be caused by an injury, illness, surgery, medications, divorce, the death of a loved one, trouble at work, financial problems or traveling, for example. Typically, good sleep returns once one recovers from the temporary situation, but for many people, the sleep disturbances continue and the insomnia becomes chronic.

David Scrimgeour, acupuncturist and Chinese medical practitioner in Boulder, Colorado, says that he sees more cases of insomnia these days than ever before. He maintains that the rates of insomnia are growing astronomically as more people experience prolonged states of high stress, anxiety, poor diet, over-work and too little exercise. Burnout develops gradually as a person’s vital energy erodes and results in a failure to adapt to the changes and stresses of life. Once sleep, which was the great restorer, is affected, all other issues escalate.

Scrimgeour sees that insomnia can be treated effectively by acupuncture, Chinese Medicine and lifestyle modifications. According to David Scrimgeour, acupuncture helps restore sleep in two ways. First, it calms the “spirit” when there is an imbalance in the body’s energy system. This enables the body to calm down, relax and fall asleep. Secondly, acupuncture regulates the autonomic nervous system or the involuntary functions of the body. When the sympathetic nervous system is activated, it controls the body’s responses to a perceived threat and is responsible for the “fight or flight” response. Once the sympathetic nervous system is upregulated, it becomes impossible to relax because of the adrenaline and cortisol pumping through your body to keep you alert. Acupuncture has the effect of bringing your body into the parasympathetic mode, which controls homeostasis and is responsible for the body’s digestive, rest and sleep functions. In this mode, you can relax and fall asleep. 

David Scrimgeour also recommends specific Chinese herbal formulas in conjunction with acupuncture for insomnia. “It is a process,” he says, “of first calming down the nervous system and enabling the person to sleep with a formula such as Calm ES by Evergreen or Lights Out by Dragon Herbs. Once a person is able to start sleeping better, we can work on the underlying imbalances.” For chronic insomnia, Scrimgeour says that it is essential to address adrenal deficiency with certain Chinese herbal formulas that can restore function to the adrenals over time. Supreme Immune Tonic by Six Persimmons Apothecary is an excellent formula for adrenal deficiency. Once the adrenals are functioning better, sleep is restored and a person’s energy, vitality and mental acuity are also improved.

Through the use of acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas, David Scrimgeour has been able to help many people sleep better and enjoy enhanced health as a result. 

 

David Scrimgeour practices acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at his clinic in Boulder, Colorado. He also serves the Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette and Erie areas in Colorado. For more information about sleep disturbances and insomnia, he can be reached at 303 413-9596 or through his website: www.davidscrimgeour.com.

Kathy Thorpe is a natural health writer and blogger who has been writing about alternative approaches to health and wellness for the past ten years. Prior to that, she taught English at U.C. Berkeley and at the University of Colorado.  She can be reached at 303 583-0179.