Be Civilized And Smart - Lend A Helping Hand

It amazes me that so few people think beyond their own noses...I cannot tell you how many times I've struggled to walk on the crutches this past week to get into an elevator while the inhabitants of the same elevator stood, watching me to the point I've had to ask them 'could you please hold the door for me?'  Unconscious?  Self-absorbed?  No...just poor breeding and absolutely no manners or thinking going in their brains.  The kindest individuals I've encountered thus far are cabbies and doormen.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you encounter someone who is disabled, THINK!  Hold the elevator door, make way for the person on the sidewalk, don't force them to walk on crutches in the snow when you're walking on clean pavement.  USE YOUR BRAIN AND HAVE SOME COMMON DECENCY AND CONSIDERATION!  It just might be YOU who is on crutches some day and might need a little help.  Pay it forward people and look beyond the stupid phones and past your noses!

What Are You Made Of?

Less than a week after I subluxed my right patella, I was back punching a heavy bag and practiced perfect form kicking the bag with my good leg.  No pity party or lame excuses here.  I had a week to chose:  feel sorry for myself, go off my diet and eat through my misery, or stick with my program, eat well and concentrate on healing.  At the end of 6 days, I'm feeling pretty good and got back to my Insanity 90 Day Challenge Exercise regime this morning.  Since I was feeling fearless, I decided to get onto the scale...when I took my hands away from my eyes (cause I really hate to look at the numbers), I saw that I lost another 3 pounds....that's 20lbs so far, and I've got another 2 weeks to go in the 90 day challenge.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  I've said this before and I'll say it again....Winners don't quit, Quitters don't win and Losers never try.  I'm a Winner....who are YOU and WHO do you want to aspire to become?  No time like the present....enroll in my Wellness Program today and become a Champion and Inspiration to others!

Acupuncture For Knee Pain

As usual, I overdid it recently.  Too much jumping, kicking and of course...those 4" heels - all contributed to some achey and painful knees.  What's an acupuncturist to do?  I went to my colleague for treatment.  Before seeing her, I could not ascend or descend stairs at all.  Squats were out of the question as well as any type of aerobic activity.  One day after treatment, I was able to walk with no pain.  Stairs were still a bit tricky.  Two days after treatment, I was back to jumping, kicking and the stairs have been no problem at all.  O.K., I'll lay off the heels for another day or so...

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  There is a good reason why my patients are referred to me by orthopedic surgeons.  It is to PREVENT surgery.  Acuupuncture is highly effective for knee pain.  We just don't treat the knees, we treat the root cause of the pain (which sometimes can be coming from either the feet or the thoracic spine).  If you are experiencing knee pain and are tired of being miserable, call or email the office today.  917-701-7582  k@kmondesire.com

Knee Pain and the Posterior Thighs

Knees are tricky business, indeed!  But did you know that quite often, knee pain is a result of insufficient strength of posterior thigh muscles?  Yessiree...lack of strength of the semitendinosus, semembranosus and biceps femoris can lead to instability of the knee joint because they attach at the superior and inferior posterior ends of the thigh (to put it in plain English).  Women, particularly can 'hyperextend'  at the knee joints, which makes them look like bow-legged sailors (not a very attractive look for skirts and dresses).

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you are experiencing knee pain, make an appointment today for an orthopedic evaluation and treatment.  Acupuncture is highly effective in the treatment of orthopedic injuries and along with your treatment, you will receive suggestions for muscle-strengthening exercises that will make you legs long, hard, lean and mean, and...oh yeah...you'll get rid of that nasty knee pain in the process!

Running and Jumping

Wow!  It was about 90 degrees and sunny yesterday in Manhattan.  Taking full advantage of the warm weather and an afternoon break between client appointments, I went for my first outdoor run in well over a year.  I took it slow and in the end, I ran a bit over a mile.  Not much, you might be thinking....but 2 months after knee surgery and almost 2 years of not being able to run at all, I didn't think it was so bad at all.  I had to make a few stops - not because my knee was bothering me, but because I just wasn't used to the exercise and needed to stretch and walk out my peroneal muscles a bit.
After the run, I thought I'd have some fun!  So I fetched the trusty dog and my jumpropes and jumped rope for about 20 minutes.  It felt great!
Here's Your Tip of the Day:  when you're commencing an exercise or sport you have participated in for a while, take your time and listen to your body.  Stop and rest, stretch, or know when you've had enough.  We all want to play again tomorrow, so a little bit of 'smarts' today can go a very long way!

Muay Thai Forever

Today, I will wrap my hands and put my gloves on once again......
I will rinse off my mouthpiece and shake out my silk shorts...........
Surgery was February 4th, Today is March 7th.....
I will bow in respect to my training partner and I will once again know the joy of martial arts...
Muay Thai Forever!

That's MY tip for MYSELF today!!!

1 Pound Of Fat Equals 6 Pounds of Pressure On Your Knees!

Did you know that just 1lb of excess weight adds 6lbs of additional pressure on your knees?
Let's do some simple math here....if you are 10lbs overweight, that means that you are putting 60lbs of addtional pressure on your knees!!  If you are 20lbs overweight...that's 120lbs of additional pressure on your knees.....imagine you are a 5'5" woman whose ideal weight is 135lbs.  You are 20lbs overweight...that means that you are walking around like a 255lbs woman.  Now...if you go out and jog, you are putting 255lbs of pressure with each step you take...
So, when you're thinking about the extra cheese, roll or added serving of high fat sauce, keep that fact in mind.....
How's that for your free tip of the day??

Low Level Laser Therapy Available at My Office

Here's a great Healthy Tip for Today!!
Low Level Laser Therapy is available at my office and is one of the primary reasons why my knee is healing as quickly as it is!  Day 14 since surgery and I am doing an hour on the bike with resistance, almost full flexion of the knee and my p.t. has me practicing my kicks in front of a mirror.  I'll be out jumping rope and running sooner than ever!
Here's some information on low level laser therapy.  This is a wonderful method to treat quite a number of pathologies, so call today and make an appointment and get yourself on the road to wellville.

(Text: Courtesy of Medical Laser Systems)


Lasers have been used safely as a therapeutic tool for over 30 years. Laser Therapy (LT) stimulates cellular activity that improves the speed and quality of healing. In over 1,800 publications worldwide, LT has demonstrated its non-invasive, non-toxic quality, and its ability to augment and in some cases, replace, pharmaceuticals and surgical intervention. Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, Dentists, Osteopaths and M.D.'s currently use LT for a variety of problems; including the treatment of acute pain and chronic degenerative conditions, improving the speed and quality of wound healing, and for muscle, tendon and ligament injuries. In addition, LT is utilized as an adjunctive treatment for neuropathies, sinusitis and IVF.

The Physiological Effects of Laser Therapy

- Biostimulation/Regeneration of Tissue

- Reduction of Inflammation

- Relief of Pain

How Does It Work?

Cellular homeostasis of the mitochondria is modified by laser irradiation, promoting a cascade of events in the respiratory chain of cytochromes, cytochrome oxidase and flavine dehydrogenase that permit absorption of light. The redox status of both mitochondria and cytoplasm are impacted, resulting in improved production of ATP (energy of the cell). When cellular membranes are irradiated, the flow of the membrane ion carriers sodium and potassium are altered, affecting the movement of calcium between cytoplasm and mitochondria. (Karu)1 . Cell proliferation, motility and secretion are altered when irradiated with laser with specific wavelength, intensity and dose.(Basford)3

Improved micro-circulation after laser irradiation promotes accelerated recovery after injury, resulting from reduced arteriolar and venular vessels and improved blood-flow in nutritional capillaries and activation of angiogenesis. (Zhao4 , Skobelkin5 , Kozlov6 ,and Telfer7 )

Collagen synthesis, proliferation of fibroblasts, faster edema reduction and enhanced lymph flow from LT can accelerate recovery after trauma, through improved edema resolution, regenerated blood and lymph vessels and tendon strength (Lievens8 ).

The improvements induced by laser on collagen production lead to significant increases in collagen content and tensile strength of wounds at one and two weeks following laser treatment (Lyon9 , Abergel10 ). Similarly, (Braverman11 ) and (Enwemeka11) found improved tensile strength in laser treated wound and tendon groups. Also, Enwemeka found that Laser Therapy not only improved the rate of healing; but led to a better quality of healing. Shoulder tendinitis showed statistical improvement after LT (England12 ).

Beneficial Effect on Nerve Cells and the Production of B-Endorphins

Laser light has a highly beneficial effect on nerve cells which blocks pain transmitted by these cells to the brain. Studies have shown that laser light increases the activity of the ATP-dependent NaK pump. In this case, laser light increases the potential difference across the cell membrane moving the resting potential further from the firing threshold, thus, decreasing nerve ending sensitivity. A less understood pain blocking mechanism involves the product of high levels of painkilling chemicals such as endorphins and enkephalins from the brain, adrenal gland and other areas, as a result of stimulation by laser light. Lombard concluded that the neuropharmacological analgesic effects of lasers are likely due to the release of serotonin acetylcholine at the site and in higher centers.

How is Laser Therapy Administered?

The laser is held against the skin in a contact mode. Many therapists recommend applying light to firm pressure to the area to distress the underlying blood vessels and tissue to improve the penetration of the energy. The laser is applied at a given power output for a specified period of time, to deliver the proper amount of laser energy, measured in joules. Dosages can range from 1 joule up to 30 or more, depending upon the condition being treated and the schedule of treatments. A wavelength is chosen which meets the absorption requirements of the condition, with wounds and aesthetic conditions benefiting from higher absorption (lower wavelengths), and deep tissue benefiting from deeper penetration (higher wavelengths). Normally, multiple treatments are needed to resolve chronic conditions and injuries. Laser can be directed to acupuncture points, trigger points, nerve endings and directly to the specific injury. Recent findings conclude that, with few exceptions, patients do better when treatment begins as quickly as possible. Patients usually do not take notice when the laser is applied because they do not receive ‘De Qi’ sensation normally felt with the application of acupuncture needles. Sometimes, patients will comment that they have a warm and comfortable feeling after the first 5 or 10 minutes during treatment. For musculoskeletal conditions, especially for chronic conditions, it is possible that the patient will feel more sore proceeding the treatment, but will experience great improvement over a 24 hour period of time following a laser session.

1Karu, T. Molecular mechanism of the therapeutic effect of low-intensity laser irradiation. Lasers in the Life Sciences, 1988:;2:53-74.

3Basford, J. Laser Therapy: Scientific Basis and clinical role, Orthopaedics, 1993;16:541-547.

4Zhao, Y, Yasudam S, Yamamoto M, et al. He-Ne lasr irradiation against rat adjuvant arthritis. Jap J Assoc.

Phys. Med. Balneol Climatol, 1990;53 No. 2:95-100.

5Skobelkin O, Kozlov V, Litwin G, et al. Blood microcirculation under laser physiotherapy and reflexotherapy in patients with lesions in vessels of low extremeties. Laser Therapy, 1190; 2 No.2; 69-77.

6Kozlov V, Terman O Builin V,et. al. Structural and functional basis at laser microvessels interaction. Proc of SPIE, 1993:48-55

7Telfer J, Filonenki N, Salansky N. Leg ulcers: Plastic surgery descent y laser therapy. Proc of SPIE, 1993;2086:258-261.

8Lievens, P. The influence of laser irradiation on the motricity of lymphatical system and on the wound healing process. InLT. Congress on Laser in Medicine and Surgery, Bologna, June 26-28, 1985.

9Lyons R, Abergel R, White R, et al. Biostimulation of wound healing in-vivo by a helium neon laser. Annals of Plastic Surgery, 1987;18:47-50.

10Abergel R, Lyons R, Castel J. Biostimulation of wound healing by lasers: experimental approaches in animal models and fibroblast cultures. J Dermatological Surgery Oncology, 1987;13:127-133.

11Enwemeka, C. Rodriquez O., Gall N., et. al, Correlative Ultrastructural and biomechanical changes induced in regenerating tendons exposed to laser photostimulation. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 1990: (Suppl.2)" 12-19.

12England S, Farrell J, Coppock G, et al. Low power laser therapy of shoulder tendonitis. Scand J Rheumatologoy, 1989;18:427-431.