At Acupractic Natural Healing Center, our goal is to be part of the solution. Patients call every day, asking if we have re-opened, and they ask what steps we have taken to ensure their safety amid this pandemic. Rest assured that your health and safety is our ultimate goal. We understand that Covid19 infection impacts each of us in different but significant ways; with the steps, we take at our office, we can safely and effectively provide vital in-office care. Additionally, please keep in mind that we continue to offer HIPAA compliant Telemedicine for anyone who wants it. Using your computer or smartphone, you can access a HIPAA compliant healthcare encounter with Dr. Oskardmay to discuss stress, learn or review exercise and other helpful

At our office, we limit the number of people in the office at any one time. Even though we have three available treatment rooms, we use them sequentially to clean between visits effectively. We schedule patients in such a manner as to avoid overcrowding, so please arrive on time for your appointment. We take steps to ensure proper airflow and use effective cleaning products on all surfaces between visits. Everyone wears a mask in the office, and we provide masks for persons who need them. We ask that only patients come to the office- no visitors are allowed at this time. We ask that patients exposed to the virus, have an elevated temperature or flu symptoms or who have themselves tested positive to Covid19 wait to come in and discuss the situation over the phone with us before coming into the office.

Upon arrival at Acupractic Natural Healing Center, patients will notice their intake form waiting for them. The receptionist operates behind the closed glass window and strives to limit physical interaction with patients. Please wash your hands with the hand sanitizer, and use the included pen or your own pen to complete the form and wait until the receptionist tells you to which room to proceed. Private restroom facilities are sanitized and available if needed. If you have questions about the clinic, insurance benefits, or other concerns, please ask, but please strive to limit time in the front office. If you like, you can ask insurance or billing questions by phone or email before or after the appointment. Many patients find it convenient to leave their payment method on file and to schedule several weeks at a time to reduce contact at the front desk, as well. Let us know your preference.

In the treatment room, Dr. Oskardmay can perform a proper examination and treatment with adequate safety measures. She will have reviewed your intake form before entering the room, so please be sure to fill this necessary information out as completely as possible and to have any questions you might have ready to ask. She will not rush you but will try to reduce time in the room with you to the amount necessary to achieve treatment goals. The hands-on or Activator chiropractic adjustment is a relatively quick procedure and safe to provide and receive with these measures. Therapeutic soft tissue massage with the thumper can also be performed safely in our office. Likewise, acupuncture needle insertion is a relatively quick procedure, reducing the necessity for long contact periods. Patients can rest comfortably in the private treatment room without risk.

Chiropractic and acupuncture treatment provides pain relief and stress reduction for many people, both vital therapies these days as people strive to maintain healthy stress levels and supportive immune systems. If you would like to come into the office at this time, the chiropractic and acupuncture offices of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay are open and seeing patients. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with the acupuncturist Chapel Hill, NC patients recommend.

Acupuncturist In Chapel Hill, NC

One’s posture communicates more than we realize and posture also influences back pain and other conditions such as neck pain, headaches, shoulder, and hip pain, and others. To help you improve spine alignment, Dr. Lisa Oskardmay teaches exercises in-office or using telemedicine online patient visits that focus on stretching first followed by strengthening the spine and surrounding muscles.  These balancing exercises will help you look stronger and more confident as they help to improve posture and reduce inflammation and spinal misalignment. Online video exercise tutorials provide added reminders on how to perform these important and helpful stretches and muscle activation poses.

Extensor muscles on our back pull us upright or even into a backbend on standing.

Most of us have no intention to do a backbend during the course of a day; but we end up doing the energetic opposite throughout the day as we sit, walk and even exercise in a flexed forward posture.

This chronic flexed posture causes a weak tightening of the back extensor muscles and other muscles. An anterior head tilt, slumped shoulder, lordotic back appearance results and postural distortion ensues over time.

To combat this problem, stretch and strengthen the extensor muscles. Stretch first to provide the muscles adequate space to contract. When our muscles are tight, the tiny fibers comprising the muscles are fully racheted and they can’t move any more.

Stretch the shoulder muscles by giving yourself a hug and moving the forearm across your chest or elbows overhead. Stretch the back and neck by bending forward to touch the toes allowing the head to hang. Stretch the back of the leg hamstring area by putting the foot on a chair and lean forward to touch the toes in that position. Hold each stretch 15 seconds or three breath cycles. After a good stretch, move on to strengthen the stretched area.

Strengthen the extensor muscles of the body quickly in one of several ways. On the floor on all fours, lift opposite hand and leg, maintaining balance and stability. Hold for 15 seconds then switch to the opposite side.   Another option is to lay face down and lift head, both arms and both feet and legs from the surface. These exercises use the extensor muscles and deliver a body message to increase muscle mass in those areas, helping to achieve a more balanced, supportive posture.

Over time, increased muscle mass and strength in the extensor muscles will have the effect of seamless posture improvement. Muscles that are tight and weak do not function well. Focus on strengthening the muscles that are on the extensor back side of the body to improve posture and appearance and to reduce back and neck pain. For more guidance on how to do these stretches, visit this youtube video offered by Dr. Lisa Oskardmay, chiropractor and acupuncturist in Chapel Hill, NC. Call us at Acupractic today.

Acupuncturist In Chapel Hill, NC

Ear seeds are small energy pellets used in ear acupuncture. Ear seeds provide a safe, quick, and economical means to receive acupuncture treatment and to improve treatment efficacy by self-stimulation of the ear seeds in the days following initial insertion.  Also known as auriculotherapy, ear acupuncture is a non-needle form of acupuncture point stimulation, which, using the ear, is quick and easy and highly accessible. The technique can be a qi balancing procedure that complements other treatments, or it can be a quick remedy in itself. In between office visits, Dr. Oskardmay advises patients on self-stimulation of ear points, performed by pressing the ear seed a few times at specified intervals.

The ear is a microcosm of the entire body; stimulation of ear points is akin to stimulation of body points and can benefit a wide variety of health conditions. Dr. Lisa Oskardmay uses particular ear points to treat pain, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and to help patients quit smoking, reduce drug dependence, and lose weight. Auriculotherapy is a safe, painless, non-drug, widely used treatment tool supported by research and clinical success. Acupuncture points on the ear are highly energized and available for stimulation using needles, electrostimulation via Pointer Plus, laser stimulation, semi-permanent ASP needles as in Battlefield Acupuncture or other techniques.

Ear seeds made from a variety of substances attach to the ear using dermal tape. Substances include gold or silver or other metals, small magnets, or actual seeds such as sesame or radish or poppyseed or others.  The ear seeds remain on the ear until they fall out, or the patient decides to remove them. Additionally, at our office, we offer ear bling ear seeds- rhinestone covered self-adhesive metal seeds that look like a small earring stud. Ear seed application is NOT akin to ear piercing, and there is no cartilage penetration. The ear seed adhesive effectively situates the ear seed for several days but does not generally irritate the skin. Persons with a latex allergy should discuss this with Dr. Oskardmay so that she can make other options available. If the underlying skin gets irritated, you can safely remove the seed with few repercussions. Contact our office with any other concerns.

Dr. Oskardmay chooses which points to use on a particular patient based on years of research regarding point efficacy combined with technology. Using a point locator like Point Plus that detects regions of high energetic potential, and combined with patient history and treatment goals, she selects points. It is essential to visit a trained auriculotherapy acupuncturist such as Dr. Oskardmay.  To reap the full benefits of this science-based healing tool, one must recognize that each ear is different. Additionally, energetic point change in the same ear as time passes; just like body acupuncture, treatment benefit rests in part on individual point selection. One or two ear points are generally adequate for the treatment effect. The ear seeds can stay in place until they fall out, or the patient wants to remove them for some reason.

Ear seeds acupuncture using metal, magnets, sources, or ear bling is a quick way to experience relief from pain and stress, with some added self-healing opportunities. Whether used as a stand-alone treatment or as an adjunct to chiropractic or acupuncture therapy, ear seed acupuncture can benefit you in many ways.

To schedule a consultation with an acupuncturist Chapel Hill, NC residents recommend, contact Acupractic today.

Acupuncture Chapel Hill, NC

Guidelines for Cough, Flu Symptoms: 

Chiropractic and acupuncture offer supportive therapies for many types of illness but they do not cure Covid19 and cannot claim to improve immunity to it. Hands-on spinal mobilization, massage, and acupuncture therapy offer unique healing alternatives and may, nonetheless, be your first choice in healthcare for many conditions. These alternative medicines may provide relief from pain and stress and we support your option to choose them especially if doing so keeps you from visiting the overloaded emergency room and hospital. Nonetheless, our first goal is the well-being of our clients and staff and we recognize that patients with contagious illness that is easily spread should seek other healthcare options until the contagious period is over.

As a healthcare office dedicated to the best interests of all our patients, we respectfully ask that you follow CDC guidelines when visiting our office. If you are sick with flu or coronavirus symptoms, please cancel your appointment and do not come into the office. Symptoms may include: cough, runny nose, fever. Please use your best judgement as cough and runny nose accompany allergies which are not contagious. If you have been exposed to anyone infected with the flu or coronavirus, please tell us so that we can take extra precautions. We understand that testing may not be available for all strains of cold and flu and we ask you to use your best judgment.

When visiting the office, use best hygiene practices including: wash your hands, cover your cough, discard used tissues and cleansing products in the nearest trash receptacle. Adequate facial tissues, wipes,  disinfectant sprays are available in office for your use. We offer everyone disposable gloves and facial masks for added protection, as well. Deborah and Dr. Lisa take their own temperatures every morning to assess their health status and we will close the office if needed, but we’re doing our best to reduce the risk of contagion.

Additional suggestions to keep you healthy in between visits:

• Stress and lack of sleep worsen immune response. Where possible strive to reduce stress and get adequate sleep- 7-8 hours a night. Herbal products shown to reduce stress naturally include lavender, chamomile, and rosemary.
• Exercise adequately but don’t overdo it. Too much exercise stresses the body. Walking in nature has been shown to reduce stress and is great exercise, too.
• Avoid travel and crowded places when you aren’t feeling well.
• Many viruses and infectious bacteria thrive on sugar. Eat well and consume less sugary foods. Choose foods high in protein and healthy fats, and fruits and vegetables. Additional fiber in the latter eliminates toxins in the body.
• Probiotics present in any foods support digestive health and the immune system.  Common sources include: yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, dark chocolate, kimchi, tempeh, sourdough, pickled foods, miso. Probiotics are also available in supplement form. Fiber assists the growth and function of probiotics and is healthful for this reason, as well.
• Drink lots of water and tea. Water flushes the body and reduces stagnation. Tea contains herbal compounds the body can use to heal itself.

If you can’t find or don’t want to use medical disinfectants, many herbs have antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. Consider adding the following herbs to your daily diet: ginger, elderberry, licorice, oregano, sage. Solutions of some of these may even be helpful for cleaning, if necessary. Realize that these herbs have not been clinically proven to kill the virus, however and one should not maintain a sense of false confidence. As always, maintain social distancing where possible and wash your hands as often as necessary.

Try to not stress over Corona Virus and other viruses this season. Use reasonable precautions to protect yourself and those around you. If you have further questions, contact us.

Be well!

Acupractic Natural Healing Center

The Chiropractic and Acupuncture offices of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay DC, LAc.

Our bodies usually run like clockwork, and we generally don’t have to think about basic maintenance. Chiropractic and acupuncture and other forms of healthcare called `alternative` support our body’s ability to perform this essential maintenance at its best. Our terrific internal resources allow us to breathe, move, turn food into power, and eliminate wastes effectively. Our bodies are mysterious and beautiful; we can accomplish amazing acts of grace with strength and balance because of these miraculous body machines that we don’t fully understand. When problems arise, we seek help from experts in the field, but we might do better to seek advice from within.

Rather than a philosophical, religious dictum, `seek help from within` represents an idea whose time has come. When we amplify and depend on our internal healing energies, we heal well with less external intervention. Advertisements on television and online suggest that we can fix our health problems using pills and patches, surgeries, and other applications. These ads declare that `simple back procedures` can fix back pain- as if removing a part of the back is the cure. Advertisements tell us that foot pain will feel better with the application of a footpad. And they suggest that medication will soothe stomach aches and pain. While all of those suggestions may work for a short while, they will not provide lasting relief, and they may incur negative side-effects, some of which are worse than the underlying problem they were designed to fix. There are legions of stories about failed back surgery, injurious foot treatments, and digestive aids that cough more constipation and diarrhea than relief. It may be better to start healing, where it begins- inside — chiropractic and acupuncture work to help the body heal itself.

Chiropractic care works to correct nerve and energy flow to every part of the body- from head to toe, internal organ to the mind. The chiropractic adjustment addresses subluxation and spinal misalignment, supporting balanced healing at its source- the nervous system. Additionally, chiropractic evaluation and treatment helps to restore postural integrity, which reduces body stress and makes the body stronger. Chiropractors recognize that the body and mind function as a whole- one cannot ignore the impact back posture has on hip-leg-foot kinetics, nor ignore the connection between the neck-shoulder-arm-hand. To effectively treat and not just cover up pain and discomfort, one needs to assess the body as a whole. Chiropractic care works to that end by supporting whole body kinetics using hands-on techniques and nutrition.

Similarly, acupuncture care provides a holistic approach to healthcare. Acupuncturists review whole body meridian flow and balance, assessing vital qi flow. Recognizing that blockages in Qi flow impact organ and musculoskeletal function, brain function, and even mood, acupuncture seeks to restore the free flow of qi at every turn. The passage of blood represents qi flow through arteries and veins, nerve stimulation from the brain through the spine and vertebrae and other tissues, lymph flow under skin and muscles, hormone, and molecular messages in our body and mind. Acupuncturists use massage, acupuncture, and food and diet to help the body heal itself.

While alternative methods such as chiropractic and acupuncture, massage, and nutrition cannot promise to fix every ache and pain, these and other non-intrusive techniques should be the first choice for healthcare for many ailments. Holistic healthcare aims to support the body doing what it does best- take care of itself and self heal.

When you make an appointment at Acupractic Natural Healing Center, the offices of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay in Chapel Hill, ask about how innate healing can work for you.

Dry Needle Technique is a healing method designed to alleviate pain caused by trigger points and other musculoskeletal conditions. DNT is similar and significantly different than some forms of acupuncture, and Dr. Oskardmay is fully trained in both types of treatment. Treatment time can be faster than traditional acupuncture, and patients need to remain stably on the treatment table during the duration of the procedure.

A body in pain frequently presents with point locations of tenderness or trigger points. As a doctor skilled in the art of palpation and as a DNT practitioner, Dr. Oskardmay knows how to locate these spots. Be sure to tell her about your health history and any symptoms you experience to assist the process. She will use these points and regions of body pain to create a map of healing points and areas for DNT therapy.  Next, she will make sure you are adequately draped and cleanse the skin for needle insertion. Dr. Oskardmay uses acupuncture needles of various lengths ranging in size from ½” to several inches inserted into deep muscle tissues to facilitate a healing response. Once inserted, the needles are not stimulated or moved as the body re-sets and then rests. She removes the needles, and patients are free to leave at that point if treatment is over. Alternately, additional aspects of patient care such as massage, chiropractic, or even additional acupuncture, can then continue.

DNT can be a complete therapy in itself, or it can be a component in the treatment program, depending on treatment goals. It is not considered to be the same as acupuncture by many because the diagnosis and treatment methods used are not precisely the same as those used in eastern Chinese Medicine. DNT is not a useful modality for many health issues such as stress reduction, insomnia, PTSD, smoking cessation, weight loss, facial rejuvenation, and others. Many of the points used in DNT for musculoskeletal pain are the same as ones used in acupuncture. Trigger points frequently reside at the same muscle trigger point location as many acupuncture points. Nonetheless, it is important to acknowledge that DNT is different in several ways. DNT may have different therapeutic goals than expressed in a traditional acupuncture setting, and treatment times may be shorter, for instance. Also, the depth of needle insertion will likely be different. Dr. Oskardmay can use both treatment types during the same visit, an option she will discuss with you. As always, be sure to let her know your preferences, as well.

Dry Needle Technique offers patients new options for therapy choices. The therapy may open the door for patients to try acupuncture needles treatments on a different level than with Chinese Medicine. Ask Dr. Oskardmay today. As a Licensed Acupuncturist and DNT Certified Practitioner, she can help you make a choice. Both techniques work together with chiropractic and massage, as well.

For more information about dry needle technique, contact an acupuncturist Chapel Hill, NC residents recommend from Acupractic.