======================== JeffNEWS, May 17, 1994 ======================== You and Your Health ------------------- Acupuncture: Ancient Chinese Method for Pain Relief --------------------------------------------------- Alternatives to traditional approaches are now getting a second look by many respected United States physicians. Doctors at Jefferson, including Judith R. Peterson, MD, Richard H. Kaplan, MD, and Steven A. King, MD, are licensed physicians trained in acupuncture. They use acupuncture as an adjunct to conventional treatment methods for a variety of illnesses. "In our physical medicine and rehabilitation practice, acupuncture is used for pain relief in patients with musculoskeletal and neuromuscular problems that have not responded with traditional treatment," explains Dr. Peterson. "Acupuncture complements Western medicine, it doesn't replace it." Dr. King uses acupuncture for pain control and also combines the technique with hypnosis to help patients quit smoking. Acupuncture is often by individuals to help them stop smoking or help with arthritis pain, headaches and back pain. How can sticking the body with needles, thought to be a painful process, bring freedom from chronic pain? There are two schools of thought. The Western approach states that when needles are placed in any of the 365 acupressure points along the body's meridians, the central nervous system is stimulated to secrete neural hormones that block the transmission of pain to the brain. The Oriental approach states that acupuncture restores the normal flow of energy throughout the body. "Western or American medicine views the body in organ systems," explains Dr. Peterson, "whereas Oriental or Chinese medicine is based on energy, not anatomy. It focuses on keeping the body in balance by altering the flow of energy." Taking Care of Elderly Relatives -------------------------------- If you care for an elderly relative, here are a few tips to help you: o Identify and address one problem at a time. Try not to worry about possible future problems. o Know your energy limitations and honor them. Enlist help from family members and community services. Plan regular breaks and rest periods. Get regular exercise and eat well. o Pursue outside interests as much as possible. Visit with friends, continue music lessons, work in the garden, sew, etc. o Be informed about typical problems of people who or older or who have disabilities. Find books in the library that discuss dealing with hearing or vision loss, depression or decline of mental functions. o Take advantage of support resources. Do not be shy about asking for help from your clergy, doctor and local senior center. Courtesy of the Philadelphia Senior Center, a United Way supported agency. Personal Health, Personal Safety Programs For You ------------------------------------------------- The health awareness program has four programs that can improve your health and safety without making a dent in your wallet. o Free Skin Cancer Screening - the dermatology department is providing free skin cancer screenings at the following times and locations: - Friday, May 20, 1 to 4 p.m., Suite 500, 834 Walnut Street - Monday, May 23, 2 to 4 p.m., Thomas Jefferson University Hospital - Ford Road Campus, Park Plaza Medical Offices - Tuesday, May 24, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Suite 500, 834 Walnut Street For an appointment, call 1-800-JEFF-NOW. o Free lecture, "Viewpoints on Victims, Violence, Verbal Cues and Values," will be presented by Pat Walsh, RN, MSN, Marla Shapiro, MSW and Dawn Potts, MSW, in observance of Trauma Awareness Week. Thursday, May 26, noon to 1 p.m., 202 Jefferson Medical College To reserve your seat, call 6319. o Free lecture, "Skin Cancer - A Prevention and Treatment Update," will be presented by Steven S. Greenbaum, MD, clinical associate professor of dermatology and chief of the division of dermatologic surgery. Friday, May 27, noon to 1 p.m., 307 Jefferson Alumni Hall To reserve your seat, call 6319. o Free introductory classes for our Smoke Stoppers (SM) smoking cessation program: Tuesday or Wednesday, June 7 or 8, noon to 1 p.m. or 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in 215 Edison The fee for the program is $60, but if you remain smoke-free for six months you'll receive a full rebate. The fee for community members is $165. To reserve your seat at the introductory class, call 6319. Lack of Access to Adequate Care a Factor In Breast Cancer Mortality Rates ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Despite advances in the detection and treatment of breast cancer, a new report shows the death rate from the disease among black women rose sharply (21 percent) from 1980 to 1991, while the rate for white women increased less than 1 percent. A major factor: lack of access to adequate care. What's in Your Baby's Bottle? ----------------------------- Moderation is the key in anyone's diet, including babies'. Thinking they're doing the healthy thing by limiting fat intake, parents who offer their small children a bottle of fruit juice instead of milk may actually be doing more harm than good. Although fruit juice is fat free, it contains sugars that the body can't absorb in large quantities. Overindulging in the sweet stuff can prevent a child from growing and developing normally because juice spoils youngsters' appetite for nutritious foods that contain essential nutrients such as calcium and protein. That's according to a study published in the March issue of Pediatrics. "For proper growth and development, infants need 55 percent of their calories from fat and children over a year old need 35 percent of calories from fat. Fat should not be restricted for youngsters under 2," says Maureen Boccella, MSRD, pediatric dietitian, department of nutrition and dietetics. "Fruit juice has a place in the diet, but not the place of prominence. Introduce noncitrus fruit juice around 6 to 8 months but only four ounces a day." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Information provided by: Editor, JeffNEWS (215) 955-6204 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------