As an acupuncturist and shiatsu provider, my clients often ask me for recommendations regarding herbs and supplements. Of course, any specific recommendation in this regard must be tailored to each individual based on his or her own body type, age, health condition and specific areas of imbalance. Nevertheless, there are a number of herbs and supplements which have wide application and can be recommended for everyone. Here is what I recommend for every client who comes to see me.

-    Multiple Vitamin – A good quality multiple vitamin providing 100% of the RDA for all vitamins and some of the more basic minerals. Many multi-vitamins recommend large doses, often as much as 10 times the 100% RDA. In my opinion, this is a complete waste of money. The body uses vitamins in minute amounts and taking more is not helpful. There are a few exceptions to this rule, noted below.

-    Vitamin D3 – 1000 IU per day (possibly more if you are dealing with a specific health issue which may be related to vitamin D deficiency.) There are so many modern diseases related to Vitamin D deficiency that I recommend additional Vitamin D3 supplementation.

- Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid – If you are vegetarian or simply eat a diet low in animal protein (which is highly recommended), then additional B12 and Folic Acid is recommended. For most people, I recommend the following: B12: 1 sub-lingual tablet 3 times a week. Folic acid: 400 mcg (0.4mg) per day.

-    Cod Liver Oil – 1 teaspoon per day. The Omega 3 fatty acids, and in particular Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid DHA, are so important for overall health and longevity, that I rate this simple product as one of the most important supplements you can take. Excellent brands are Nordic Naturals and Carlson’s.

-    Triphala is a combination of three Ayurvedic herbs and is an excellent digestive and tonic for most body types, especially if constipation is a frequent issue. The ideal way to take Triphala is 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of Triphala powder with 10 ounces of warm water upon rising in the morning. It’s best to mix the powder with hot water, let cool and drink the decoction straight down. Or, if you’re a hearty soul, take the powder on your tongue (being careful to hold your breath so as not to inhale any of the powder) and wash it down with warm water. If the taste is too bitter for your sensitivities, you can get Triphala in capsule form. In this case, take 2 to 4 capsules with 10 oz warm water upon rising. Either way, wait 30 minutes before eating anything. Triphala is a gentle and natural laxative which is not habit forming since it works by stimulating the liver and not by irritating the colon. Triphala is available at most supplement or natural foods stores. Note: do ot take Triphala is you are pregnant, nursing or have diarrhea.

- Aloe Vera Juice – take 2 oz Aloe Vera juice with 2 oz apple juice once or twice a day. Aloe Vera juice is a wonderful tonic for the digestive organs and at the same time, it helps to cool the body and reduce inflammation, especially in the digestive tract. If gastritis, acid reflux or Gerd are an issue, add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to the above mixture.

-    Borage or Evening Primrose Oil – 500mg per day. Borage and Evening Primrose oils are rich in Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid which is not common in most foods.

-    DGL Licorice – If acid stomach or acid reflux are an issue, suck on 2 tablets, 2 times a day, before main meals. May also be used any time you feel burning sensation in the stomach. DGL licorice tablets are available in most supplement or natural foods stores.

-    Livit II – 1 tablet, 3 times a day. Complete one bottle every 6 months in the Spring and Fall. Available at Ayush Herbs in Bellevue WA. The liver is extremely important for overall health and in our modern society, is the organ which suffers the most from stress, lack of rest and environmental toxins. Livit II is a traditional Ayurvedic  liver cleanser and tonic that is powerful yet gentle enough to give to children.

-    Calcium/Magnesium Citrate or Amino Acid Chelate – 200 mg before bed.

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you have questions about acupuncture and shiatsu, or if you have a specific health concern, please contact me at:

Bart Walton, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture & Shiatsu
Portland, Oregon
503/939-5805

As an acupuncturist and natural health practitioner, I am frequently asked whether this food is “good” or that food is “bad”. This is always a difficult question to answer because there are very few foods which are good or bad in all situations and for all people. Some foods can be excellent for some people and outright toxic for others. Even water can be toxic if too much is consumed, especially during meals. In this regard, here are a few general dietary guidelines that will help clarify this issue.

-    Certain foods are very concentrated and must be used with caution in order to avoid creating an imbalance in the body. None of these foods are “bad”, per se, but they can be bad if consumed in large quantities. Meat, fats, egg yokes, salt, sugar, vinegar, honey and molasses, are all extremely concentrated and should be taken in very small quantities as a compliment to a meal.

-    Certain foods are so extreme in their nature that eating even a small portion can aggravate an imbalance for many people. Candies (and especially chocolate), soft drinks, desserts, ice cream and frozen yogurt are examples of foods that are damp or cold in nature. Alcohol, coffee, fried foods, broiled foods or foods that are greasy, hot or spicy are examples of foods that are extremely hot in nature. Carbonated beverages create imbalance due to excessive air quality. Try to eliminate these foods from your diet, or at least limit them to small portions once or twice a week.

-    Some foods are toxic due to over cooking, over processing, age or chemical contamination. For example, burned meats or oils are toxic due to the chemical changes that occur when fats are exposed to high temperature. Likewise, fast foods, highly processed foods (such as margarine or processed meats) or spoiled foods should be avoided for the same reason. The artificial sweeteners Nutra-Sweet, Canderel and Amino-Sweet contain the chemical Aspartame which is a neurotoxin. Likewise, foods that contain MSG are toxic for many people. Finally, foods that contain high fructose corn syrup create long term health problems on a number of different levels.

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you have questions about acupuncture and shiatsu, or if you have a specific health concern, please contact me at:

Bart Walton, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture & Shiatsu
Portland, Oregon
503/939-5805

In traditional Chinese Medicine, the inner gel of the Aloe plant is a considered an excellent “yin” tonic, meaning that it helps to nourish, moisten and balance all the tissues and is suitable for all body types.  Below are some of the remarkable health benefits of Aloe Vera.

Inflammation in the body is a subtle but insidious killer. Inflammation in the G.I. tract can impair digestion and nutritional absorption.  Inflammation in the nervous system can lead to MS and in the brain, can lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Inflammation in the arteries is a major factor leading to heart disease and stroke.  Inflammation in the lungs or bronchial tubes can result in asthma.  Inflammation in the skin shows up as eczema, psoriasis, hives or acne.  Over the course of time, the damage from inflammation is perhaps the single greatest health risk that we face.  Because Aloe Vera has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, it is a valuable herb for a wide range of therapeutic applications.

Aloe Vera is excellent for inflammation of the skin or the mucous membranes.  It is especially good for inflammation in the G.I. tract, for conditions such as ulcers, GERD (acid reflux or heartburn), gastro-enteritis, Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and hemorrhoids.  In addition, Aloe Vera is beneficial for inflammation of the urinary bladder, making it an excellent herbal remedy for interstitial cystitis.

Aloe Vera is beneficial for cardio-vascular disease as it helps to lower blood cholesterol and clear the arteries over time.  Aloe is also helpful for diabetes as it helps to normalize blood sugar and lower the need for insulin.  Aloe is a wonderful liver tonic and in some parts of the world is used for acute or chronic hepatitis or other liver problems.  And finally, Aloe is an excellent tonic for the female reproductive organs and is often used to reduce the symptoms associated with menopause.  Finally, Aloe Vera acts as an immune modulator by boosting production of immune factors and reducing immune hypersensitivity.

Recent scientific research has shown that long chain polysaccharides, which are abundant in Aloe Vera, help in the formation of glycoforms which are extremely important for good health on a cellular level.  Like tiny hairs or antennae on the surface of cells, glycoforms allow the cells to recognize, communicate and coordinate their work with one another.  Some pharmaceutical companies are now trying to manufacture polysaccharides in order to treat a number of health conditions.  By simply taking Aloe Vera, we can get these same polysaccharides, synergistically combined by Mother Nature, with dozens of other nutritional and medicinal factors.

In addition to providing all the health benefits mentioned above, Aloe Vera is remarkably safe for children and adults.  Reference books on herbal medicine give purified Aloe Vera gel the lowest possible rating for toxicity.

Many people believe they have used Aloe Vera when in fact, they have probably used a product which contains very few active Aloe ingredients.  The nutritional and medicinal properties in Aloe are extremely fragile and begin to breakdown within 2 or 3 hours after the leaves are cut.  For this reason, the plant must be processed quickly in order to filter out the bitter sap (which contains aloin and aloe emodin) and stabilize the important medicinal properties.  Many companies do not process the Aloe plant correctly and for this reason, much of the commercial Aloe Vera on the market today is practically worthless.  Or, if the aloin and aloe emodin are not completely removed, the resulting product can cause diarrhea or intestinal cramps.

There are several companies that make high quality Aloe Vera products and below are three that I have come to trust.

1) www.Serovera.com – 1-877-737-6267

Serovera is for people with serious chronic diseases.  It contains pure, pharmaceutical grade Aloe Mucilaginous Polysaccharides of the inner gel.  This product is top of the line but fairly expensive.

2) High quality Aloe Vera Juice or gel is available in most natural foods stores. My favorite brands are Real Aloe Vera and Lily of the Desert.

I don’t believe in panaceas.  However, there are only a dozen or so herbs in the world which have the remarkable range of therapeutic application as does Aloe Vera.

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you have questions about acupuncture and shiatsu, or if you have a specific health concern, please contact me at:

Bart Walton, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture & Shiatsu
Portland, Oregon
503/939-5805

As an acupuncture and shiatsu practitioner in Portland, I am frequently asked about the value of eating an alkaline diet. There are many complex and expensive methods being touted as important ways to alkalize our diet and thus, improve our health. But in my opinion, the simplest methods are not only inexpensive but very effective. There’s no question that too many acids and acid producing foods are bad for our health. Here are 10 easy suggestions to alkalize your diet. Even if you can only follow 7 of these recommendations, you’ll be doing a lot to help maintain a healthy pH in your blood and tissues.

#1 — Drink plenty of pure filtered water, between meals. As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to drink 5 ounces of water for every 10 lbs of body weight. So, if you weigh 140lbs, that would be 70 ounces of pure water per day. Don’t waste your money on expensive water alkalizers. A simple and effective way to alkalize your water is with a pinch of sea salt or baking soda in every liter of water.

#2 Avoid coffee, black tea and sodas.

#3 In general, eat more fruits and vegetables and less bread, cheese, eggs and meat. In particular, celery is one of the most alkaline foods you can eat. Celery is high in water content and excellent for digestion and elimination.

#4 Switch from cow’s milk, to almond, soy, or rice milk. Cow milk produces a lot of mucous in the body and the proteins in the milk are highly allergenic and difficult for most adults to metabolize. Also most dairy cows are injected with growth hormones to increase milk production. Many of these hormones have potential side effects that can be passed on when consumed.

#5 Avoid artificial sweeteners such as NutraSweet, Sucralose, Aspartame, Canderel, AminoSweet and Saccharin. These are acidic and toxic on a number of levels. Stevia extract is a natural sugar substitute that has no reported side effects

#6 Eat a grapefruit in the morning before breakfast. Grapefruit has a high water content and is highly alkalizing. Eat one first thing in the morning, and wait 15 minutes before eating a carbohydrate or protein (one or the other do not mix).

#7 Eliminate consumption of red meat, pork, lamb. If you eat meat, favor chicken, turkey or fresh fish in small quantities. Red meats, pork and lamb are highly acidic and have a very low water content.

#8 Reduce stress daily by adding yoga, tai chi, meditation and deep breathing (Kriya Yoga). When the body moves into stress mode the digestive system shuts down and toxins cannot be eliminated. Anything we can do to calm the mind/body will help to alkalize the tissues.

#9 Drink a super green supplement every day. There are several good super greed supplements on the market, made from land or sea vegetables or blue-green algae. Super greens are nutrient dense and infuse the body with easily absorbed vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and alkaline salts.

#10 – Minimize or avoid heavily processed and refined foods. These foods typically produce acids and our bodies have to work extra hard to eliminate the toxic residue they produce.

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you have questions about acupuncture and shiatsu, or if you have a specific health concern, please contact me at:

Bart Walton, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture & Shiatsu
Portland, Oregon
503/939-5805

Good digestion is the cornerstone of optimum health.  The dietary guidelines outlined below incorporate the wisdom of the Eastern traditions along with the current knowledge of Western science.  They are appropriate for all body types and will support good digestion.

• Eat only when you are genuinely hungry and try to eat your largest meal in the middle of the day.

• Eat slowly and chew your food well. This simple rule will greatly enhance your digestion.

• Stop eating before you are completely full.  There is a 15-20 minute lag between the time we eat something and the time the brain registers the sensation of fullness.

• During meals, limit fluids to 3 to 4 ounces of warm or room temperature liquid.  Avoid iced drinks.  Drinking too much fluid during the meal, and cold fluid in particular, will impair the body’s digestive ability.

• As a general rule, favor warm, cooked vegetables over cold or raw vegetables. For most of us, and particularly after the age 40, it is difficult for the body to completely digest raw vegetables.

• If you have trouble with your digestion, try to keep your meals simple.  Too many varieties of proteins, starches and carbohydrates, all at the same time, will impair the digestion.

• Certain foods are very concentrated and must be used with caution in order to avoid creating an imbalance in the body.  Meat, cream, cheese, eggs, sugar, honey and molasses, are all extremely concentrated and should be taken in small quantities as a compliment to the meal, and not as a main course.

• Certain foods are so extreme in their nature that eating even a small amount can aggravate an imbalance for many people.  Candy, sodas, rich desserts, ice cream and frozen yogurt are examples of foods that are extremely damp and cold in nature.  Alcohol, coffee, fried foods, or foods that are greasy, hot or spicy are examples of foods that are extremely hot in nature. If you have a health problem, try to eliminate these foods from your diet completely until you are feeling well again.  Otherwise, try to limit these foods to small portions once or twice a week.

• Some foods are toxic due to over cooking, over processing, age or chemical contamination.  For example, burned meats or oils are toxic due to the chemical changes that occur when fats are exposed to high temperature.  Likewise, fast foods, highly processed foods (such as margarine or processed meats) or spoiled foods should be avoided for the same reason.

These recommendations can have a profound effect in restoring balance to the body and mind.  If you try them, you may find that you not only feel better but also lose some excess weight in the process.

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you have questions about acupuncture and shiatsu, or if you have a specific health concern, please contact me at:

Bart Walton, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture & Shiatsu
Portland, Oregon
503/939-5805

As an acupuncture and shiatsu practitioner in Portland, I am frequently asked for dietary recommendations. Here is some advice that I give to everyone. This information is not taught in schools or acknowledged by the medical industry. But it is true nonetheless. Some of the foods consumed by many people on a daily basis are highly toxic. But for political and economic reasons, this fact is suppressed.

1) High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is an inexpensive sugar that has essentially replaced cane sugar in almost all processed foods over the last 30 years. It’s no coincidence that diabetes and obesity have increased by over 150% during the same time period. It is my belief that the introduction of HFCS into the western diet has had a direct causative effect on the dramatic increased incidence of these two killers. Here is what Dr. Joseph Mercola has to say about HFCS:

“In case you forgot, or never knew in the first place, the number one source of calories in the US is high fructose corn syrup.  Let me say that in different words so you more fully appreciate the impact of this fact.  Remember that fat has 250% more calories than sugar, but even with this major disadvantage, the food that most people get MOST of their calories from is sugar from corn, primarily in the form of soft drinks.

Even though I have known this for years, it is still shocking to me every time I reflect on the enormity of this truth.  But, like W. Clement Stone, I believe that there is a nugget of good in this horrible fact. The good is that stopping this pernicious habit is one of the easiest things to do. Since this is such a pervasive problem in the US, we could make radically outrageous improvements in our health as a culture if we just simply stopped everyone from drinking soda.

I am HIGHLY confident that the health improvement would be FAR more profound than if everyone stopped smoking because elevated insulin levels are the foundation of nearly every chronic disease known to man, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, aging, arthritis, osteoporosis, you name it, and you will find elevated insulin levels as a primary factor. The evidence of increased triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels is just the latest among countless findings pointing to the dangers in HFCS.

Part of what makes HFCS such an unhealthy product is that it is metabolized to fat in your body far more rapidly than any other sugar, and, because most fructose is consumed in liquid form, its negative effects are significantly magnified.

 The delusion that fructose is an acceptable form of sugar is quite prevalent in many nutritional circles. In fact, nearly all simple sugars are metabolized quickly and disrupt insulin levels, which contributes to most chronic illness. Eating small amounts of whole fruit will not provide tremendous amounts of fructose and should not be a problem for most people, unless diabetes or obesity is an issue but fruit juices, sodas and other beverages sweetened with fructose should be avoided.

To add insult to injury, the corn that the high fructose corn syrup is metabolized from nearly all comes from genetically modified corn which is fraught with its own well documented side effects and health concerns.

Sodas, of course, are not the only source of HFCS (though they represent one of the main ones). This dangerous sweetener is also in many processed foods and fruit juices, so to avoid it you need to focus your diet on whole foods and, if you do purchase packaged foods, become an avid label reader.”

2) U.S. Meat Because of the ways that animals are raised, herded and slaughtered in the U.S., much of our meat is contaminated with highly toxic strains of e-coli bacteria. Aside from the questions of horrific animal cruelty, which is a separate issue, our exposure to these toxins presents a serious health risk in the U.S., so much so that many countries will not allow the importation of U.S. meats.

If you eat meat, I would recommend the following guidelines. First, limit your consumption to 3 to 4 ounces per day. This is more than enough to provide for your daily protein needs if you eat a balanced diet of whole grains, vegetables, fresh fruit, nuts and seeds. Second, eat only meats from organically raised, free range animals. Third, I would recommend that you limit your meat sources to deep water fin fish, organic chicken and turkey.

3) Artificial Sweeteners For a sweetener, I recommend raw sugar, raw honey, maple syrup, or molasses over refined or more concentrated sweeteners. As an excellent sugar substitute, try Stevia extract. Avoid Aspartame (under brand names NutraSweet, Canderel, and AminoSweet) or other chemical sweeteners. Aspartame in particular has proven to be extremely toxic for most people and has been banned in some countries. Likewise, Agave syrup has been touted as a healthy substitute for sugar but in reality, it’s not much better than High Fructose Corn Syrup with is very hard on the system as explained above.

4) Dairy products create so many problems for most people that I recommend everyone avoid dairy as much as possible. The fats and proteins in processed cow’s milk are simply not compatible for the majority of westerners. Most people experience an improvement in their overall health after eliminating dairy for a few months. If you find that you must have some dairy, I would recommend organic yogurt. Oat, soy or almond beverages are excellent milk substitutes.

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you have questions about acupuncture and shiatsu, or if you have a specific health concern, please contact me at:

Bart Walton, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture & Shiatsu
Portland, Oregon
503/939-5805

As an practitioner of acupuncture and shiatsu in Portland, people frequently ask me about home therapy. I’m a great believer in home remedies and home treatment. First of all, learning to take care of ourselves and our family is a primary responsibility for every person. Second, learning self therapy empowers each of us so that we do not have to depend on others every time we are out of balance for one reason or another.

Here is a list of the 7 most powerful things you can do for your health at home.

1) Eat Slowly and Chew Your Food Thoroughly All traditional systems of medicine agree that a strong and complete digestion is the foundation of good health.  By eating slowly and chewing thoroughly, we get three benefits.  We dramatically enhance our digestion, we naturally eat less without feeling deprived and we enjoy our food more than ever.  Especially carbohydrates should be liquefied before you swallow them. Over the years, this one recommendation will make a huge difference in the length and quality of your life.

2) Skin brushing is a powerful way to detox the lymphatic system and stimulate the flow of blood and qi energy. And it only takes about 2 or 3 minutes in the morning. To learn about skin brushing, go to: http://www.naturalhealthscience.com/

3) An inversion table for 2 minutes a day will counteract the effects of gravity on the blood and organs. Also, it’s an excellent way to stretch out the muscles and ligaments in the spine and pelvic region. The best inversion tables for the money are made by Teeter Hang Ups at: http://www.teeter-inversion.com/

4) A 30 second cold water shower at the end of your morning bath or shower, along with deep breathing, will help to flush the skin and surface tissues with fresh blood. This is an excellent way to move the qi energy and blood at the beginning of the day.

5) A full teaspoon of cod liver oil every day Recommended brands are Carlson’s and Nordic Naturals. If you have a particular health problem like joint pain, anxiety or depression, a special concentrated fish oil product may be better for you. But otherwise, simple cod liver oil is recommended for overall nutrition and health maintenance. For more information about the benefits of fish oil, see article on Dietary Fats.

6) 20 minutes of vigorous exercise every day. By moving and stretching the muscles every day, we help the circulation of energy and fluids, balance the hormones and blood chemistry and assist in the elimination of toxins and waste. For most people bicycling, jogging, swimming or any other moderate aerobic exercise is excellent.  But if you have an ongoing health condition, lighter exercises such as walking or swimming may be more appropriate.  In this case, discuss exercise with your health care professional in order to design a program that is best suited for you.

7) Meditation for 20 minutes twice a day. Transcendental Meditation (TM) has proven to have profound health benefits, including lowering of blood pressure and stress reduction. Most cities have TM centers where meditation classes are available.

In addition to the above recommended home therapies, here’s a list of 9 things you can avoid in order to live longer and improve the quality of life.

1) Tobacco in all forms

2) Marijuana, narcotics or other recreational drugs. Drugs often deplete serotonin in the brain. For many people this can lead to a vicious cycle of dependence and depression.

3) Alcohol in excess of a glass of wine or beer with your main meal of the day. The body does not have very good ways to process and eliminate alcohol as a toxin. A little bit is ok. But excessive amounts puts a strain on the system on a number of levels and leads to premature aging.

4) Dairy products create so many problems for most people that I recommend everyone avoid dairy in all forms. The fats and proteins in processed cow’s milk are simply not compatible for the majority of westerners. Most people experience fewer allergies and improvement in overall health after eliminating dairy for a few months. If you find that you must have some dairy, I would recommend one serving per day of organic yogurt (at room temperature). Oat, soy or almond beverages are excellent milk substitutes

5) Meat in excess of 4 ounces per day. Studies show that people live longer and enjoy better health if they keep animal proteins to a minimum.

6) The artificial sweetener Aspartame, also known under brand names NutraSweet, Canderel, and AminoSweet. This chemical is a known neuro-toxin that has serious long term health implications. Why the FDA has not banned it is a mystery.

7) The flavor additive MSG. MSG is a problem for many people. If you are eating out, I recommend that you request no MSG in your food. MSG is particularly prevalent in Vietnamese and Chinese foods.

8  Transfat or any hydrogenated or heavily processed fats and oils.

9) High fructose corn syrup. This sweetener is extremely concentrated in most sodas and many processed foods. It stimulated the craving for more sweets and I believe is responsible for the epidemics of obesity and diabetes in the U.S., especially among young people. This means avoiding all sodas.

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you have questions about acupuncture and shiatsu, or if you have a specific health concern, please contact me at:

Bart Walton, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture & Shiatsu
Portland, Oregon
503/939-5805

As many as 30% of Americans suffer from acid indigestion and/or Gastric Esophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD). These are actually two distinct disorders although they are often confused and sometimes overlap with one another.

Acid indigestion is experienced as a burning sensation or pain in the abdomen, just below the ribs. People who have this discomfort after eating assume they are producing too much stomach acid and seek relief from over-the-counter medication designed to neutralize excess stomach acid.  But in fact, very few people actually produce too much stomach acid.  In most cases, the problem is a deficiency in the protective mucous lining of the stomach.  Without the proper protection, the underlying stomach tissue is exposed to stomach acid which causes discomfort or possibly the formation of an ulcer in extreme cases.

On the other hand, GERD (also known as acid reflux or heartburn) is a condition in which stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, creating a burning sensation higher up, in the pit of the stomach, under the ribs or in the chest. Left untreated, GERD can lead to serious and potentially life threatening complications.

Some people develop GERD because they have a weakened lower esophageal sphincter muscle (LES) due to age or because of a hiatal hernia, which occurs when part of the stomach gets caught above the diaphragm. Specific foods can exacerbate GERD by weakening the LES or by stimulating acid production (see list below). Smoking and stress can also contribute to the problem.

Whether you suffer from acid indigestion or GERD, acupuncture can be extremely helpful in reducing or eliminating symptoms. In addition, the following dietary and lifestyle recommendations will be helpful in most cases.

Acid Indigestion

1)  One or two ounces of pure Aloe Vera juice, taken with a pinch of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) two or three times a day, will help to heal the stomach lining and reduce inflammation.

2)  Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) tablets. Whole Licorice root is a wonderful herb but it has one component (glycyrrhizin) which increases blood pressure. This component has been removed from DGL tablets which can be found in most health food stores or natural groceries. One or two tablets 15 minutes before a meal will help to increase the mucous protection in the stomach lining and regulate the stomach acid production. Note: DGL tablets must be dissolved in the mouth.

3)  Avoid or reduce chocolate, coffee, alcohol, fried or greasy foods, hot or spicy foods, citrus fruit (unless ripe and sweet), tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, chili sauce, vinegar, ibuprofen, aspirin and tobacco.

4)  Drink plenty of room temperature water throughout the day.

5) Take two capsules of Mastic Gum in the morning on an empty stomach. Continue with this dosage until symptoms disappear.

Gastric Esophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD)

1)  Eat slowly and chew your food well.  Avoid over eating and never eat when tense or hurried.  Better to eat smaller, more frequent meals. The saliva is alkaline and will help to neutralize any excess stomach acid.  Also, eating slowly allows the stomach an opportunity to begin the digestive process and move the food into the duodenum. This one recommendation will do a great deal to alleviate painful symptoms for many people.

2)  Avoid or dramatically reduce chocolate, coffee, alcohol, fried foods, hot or spicy foods, carbonated beverages, citrus fruit, tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, chili sauce, vinegar, peppermint, spearmint, ibuprofen, aspirin and tobacco. Not everyone responds to these foods in the same way. Keep a daily journal. By documenting your food intake and symptoms, you can identify which foods are a problem for you.

3)  Avoid lying down immediately after eating.  Allow at least two to three hours for food to digest before bedtime. Many people find it helpful to elevate the head of the bed four to six inches.

4)  Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight is a key factor for GERD.

5)  Avoid lifting, bending, or stooping after eating.

6)  An ounce or two of Aloe Vera juice, with a pinch of baking soda, after meals can be a good home remedy for GERD.

7)  Papayas or papaya juice with 2 pinches of cardamom is another helpful preventative for GERD.

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you have questions about acupuncture and shiatsu, or if you have a specific health concern, please contact me at:

Bart Walton, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture & Shiatsu
Portland, Oregon
503/939-5805

Most people who come to my acupuncture clinic in Portland, are expecting to be treated with needles. Most people don’t realize that there are several non-needle techniques, which are frequently used in Japanese acupuncture. In fact, a Japanese style acupuncturist will sometimes do a complete treatment without using a single needle.

One of the most common of these “non-needle” techniques is moxibustion, a form of heat therapy in which the dried herb Mugwort (artemisia vulgaris), is burned on, or near, the skin in order to stimulate and warm specific points and to trigger a number of healing reactions. Moxibustion is at least as old as acupuncture, with records of the practice dating back many centuries B.C. Although it may sound painful, moxibustion actually feels very comfortable for most patients and the therapeutic effects are significant.

Japanese scientists have found that stimulation from moxibustion, at specific points, can dramatically boost the body’s immunity and trigger other profound healing effects. In clinical practice, we find that moxibustion is effective for painful or stiff muscles and joints, arthritis and certain auto-immune disorders. In addition, I have found that moxibustion lifts the spirits and is very effective for many types of depression or fatigue.

Another important tool of the acupuncturist is cupping: the application of suction or vacuum cups to the surface of the body. Like moxibustion, cupping goes back thousands of years.  Cups are small glass bowls (1″ to 3″ in diameter) which are applied to the body with vacuum suction.  The vacuum is created either by means of heating the air inside the cup or by mechanical pump.  The suction from the cup causes the blood to gather at a particular site near the surface of the body, thus affecting circulation.

Nothing helps to relax stiff and tight muscles faster and more deeply than cupping. Also, cupping influences the function of the internal organs and is indicated for a wide array of digestive or gynecological problems which are caused by blood stagnation. For example, if a patient is suffering from congestion in the lungs or abdominal cramps, cupping will bring almost immediate relief.

Finally, shiatsu is perhaps the most common non-needle technique used my acupuncturists. Many people think shiatsu is a form of massage, but actually it’s quite different. Shiatsu consists of rhythmic, single point pressure applied with the hands and fingers, along the traditional “Qi” energy meridians of the body. Shiatsu is simple, safe, non-invasive and at the same time, very helpful in the treatment of many common disorders of our modern society.

Based on research in Japan, it has been documented that shiatsu helps to calm the sympathetic nervous system and improve the function of the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymph nodes, endocrine glands and internal organs. In addition, it has been shown that shiatsu assists the body in eliminating toxins and metabolic waste.

So, for readers who might be attracted to acupuncture but are nervous about needles, moxibustion and cupping are some of the alternative methods that an acupuncturist might use. And who knows?  After you experience some of the benefits of these ancient techniques, you may want to try the needles.

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you have questions about acupuncture and shiatsu, or if you have a specific health concern, please contact me at:

Bart Walton, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture & Shiatsu
Portland, Oregon
503/939-5805

In Portland, we have some of the finest practitioners of natural healing along with some of the most advanced western medicine available in the U.S. For example, Japanese acupuncture and shiatsu are readily available in Portland and are often used side-by-side with conventional western modalities. From this perspective, Portland is really where East meets West and represents the best of both worlds.

In an article titled, “Acupuncture, a Powerful Integrative Oncology Tool“, researcher Jack Bleeker shows how acupuncture and other natural healing modalities are becoming mainstream as complimentary treatments along with conventional western medicine in the treatment of cancer. Below is a segment of his article.

“Integrative Oncology is the combination of “mainstream” care and evidenced-based complimentary therapies to control cancer-related pain and symptoms [source: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Integrative Medicine]. Complementary therapies, while not given the attention that more traditional cancer therapies may receive, are perhaps equally important while undergoing treatment for certain types of cancer. Patients diagnosed with difficult to treat malignancies will often use these types of therapies in conjunction with traditional treatment options, which include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiology, to form a more comprehensive and effective treatment regimen. Among the most effective alternative therapies utilized by those diagnosed with cancer is acupuncture.

Acupuncture has long been utilized as a general pain reduction method for thousands of years, originating in the Far East and gradually being utilized throughout the world. Effective cancer treatment often depends on the patient’s ability to not only defeat the cancer through various methods but to also maintain their health and mental spirit throughout the course of treatment.

Often, the symptoms and effects of the cancer itself on the body are insignificant compared to the pain and other side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation are often fatigued, experience a lack of appetite and weight loss, and may become depressed.  For cancer patients experiencing these and other side effects, acupuncture is extremely beneficial. According to the ancient theories of Chinese medicine, “qi,” or “life energy,” flows through energy channels within the body known as meridians. These channels connect the body’s internal organs, and if these meridians become “blocked,” or an individual’s qi cannot flow properly, disease will set in. Acupuncture is said to relieve blockages and restore the natural flow of qi, and ultimately restoring one’s health.

Cancers such as mesothelioma, which are often unable to be removed by surgical means, are often treated with some combination of chemotherapy and radiation [the combination of chemo drug Alimta® and anti-cancer drug Cisplatin® is a popular treatment for cancer patients with mesothelioma]. While these potent drugs can be effective in eliminating some of the tumor mass and growth, they also profoundly affect the health of the surrounding tissue. Symptoms experienced by those undergoing mainstream cancer treatments include fever, nausea, and debilitating pain.

Patients who undergo acupuncture in conjunction with mainstream cancer therapies have experienced dramatic reductions in pain and feel that their energy and mental wellbeing was restored. Cancer patients who feel energized, are pain-free and have a solid state of mind are more likely to withstand traditional methods of cancer treatment and have an increased survival rate. Acupuncture is said to be so effective, in fact, that the World Health Organization [WHO] has recognized acupuncture as a successful intervention for adverse reactions to radiation and chemotherapy. The National Institute of Health [NIH] also agreed that acupuncture may relieve nausea and pain experienced by cancer sufferers, and the organization supports acupuncture clinical trials.”

Jack Bleeker, Research Coordinator
June 17, 2009

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you have questions about acupuncture and shiatsu, or if you have a specific health concern, please contact me at:

Bart Walton, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture & Shiatsu
Portland, Oregon
503/939-5805