Acupuncture is More Than A Dull Needle

Acupuncture can be used for anyone suffering from pain. Some people are completely relieved of their pain and, like any other treatment to the ailing body, some are not.

Like anything else, there is a wide range of ways that you can practice acupuncture and you will find that when you are an acupuncturist that you have to be proficient with all of the techniques while specialize in one type of kind. You should know that acupuncture is not right for everyone and not all techniques are right for everyone. The acupuncturist will determine what is best for you and your ailments. You will find that this type of therapy can help you with stomachaches, headaches, arthritis, infertility, back pains, and certain diseases or conditions. You will find that it can help you with just about any time of pain and your pain can be corrected by the use of acupuncture.

If you think about acupuncture, you may think of it as a Traditional Chinese medicine. You will want to lye on your stomach for the entire procedure or at least sit in a comfortable chair. Needles only slightly thicker than hairs are inserted into the body in multiple spots, called meridians, in order to help the energy flow of the body, called qi. Although most popular in the world overall and certainly within the United States, TCM acupuncture is not the only technique that can help you rid your body of bad energy flow.

Japanese acupuncturists have a slightly varied technique. When it comes to getting Japanese acupuncture, you will find that it can be less intrusive and rigorous. You may also find it to be more pleasing and appealing. Use thinner or shorter needles many times. Japanese acupuncture also uses fewer needles in general.

Another technique is Korean hand acupuncture. This is a good type for those who have issues with sitting or lying for long periods. It is also a good way to begin acupuncture if the methods are at first a bit scary to you. Korean hand acupuncture does not only target problems with the hands and fingers, such as arthritis. You will find that there are points on your hands that will affect the entire body. Learning these many points is an art, and so Korean hand acupuncturists are highly skilled professionals. Another form of acupuncture that can be done in one bodily location for those who cannot have needles placed at all points on the body is called auricircular acupuncture. With this, the needles will be placed near your ears. This is used very successfully is drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs.

Frankie has never had a bad experience with an acupuncturist and indeed have relaxed and enjoyed the nap. My Chinese doctor is very experienced and very thoughtful. He puts me at ease with a video explanation of what is to be expected and then begins the procedure.

Once the needles are inserted - 20 or so - he then connects them to an electronic device which puts an electronic shock into the needles and then into the nerves being treated. After about 30 to 60 minutes I wake up having slept very loudly and the immediate and urgent need to empty my bladder of all the toxin which have been stirred up by the procedure.

My problem was a broken shoulder joint which was never diagnosed and the pain was intense. The acupuncture did not cure me, but it brought me enough relief that I could carry on my life until I could have the shoulder replaced with a new titanium joint.

For those who have pain in their life, acupuncture can be a good way to help with your specific needs. You will want to make sure that the acupuncturists and the techniques are good for you.

Try it you may like it. FL

Where are America's Leaders?

Lee Iacocca, 82 year old Chrysler Motor Company savior who designed the first passenger van and brought Chrysler back from another tanking Says, and I quote:

'Am I the only guy in this country who's fed up with what's happening? Where the hell is our outrage? We should be screaming bloody murder!

We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff; we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind; and we can't even clean up after a hurricane much less build a hybrid car. But instead of getting mad, everyone sits around and nods their heads when
the politicians say, 'Stay the course..' Stay the course? You've got to be kidding. This is America , not the damned, 'Titanic'. I'll give you a sound bite: 'Throw all the bums out!'

You might think I'm getting senile, that I've gone off my rocker, and maybe I have. But someone has to speak up. I hardly recognize this country anymore..

The most famous business leaders are not the innovators but the guys in handcuffs.. While we're fiddling in Iraq , the Middle East is burning and nobody seems to know what to do. And the press is waving 'pom-poms' instead of asking hard questions. That's not the promise of the ' America' my parents and yours traveled across the ocean for. I've had enough. How about you?

I'll go a step further. You can't call yourself a patriot if you're not outraged. This is a fight I'm ready and willing to have. The Biggest 'C' is Crisis! (Iacocca elaborates on nine C's of leadership, with crisis being the first.)

Leaders are made, not born. Leadership is forged in times of crisis. It's easy to sit there with your feet up on the desk and talk theory. Or send someone else's kids off to war when you've never seen a battlefield yourself. It's another thing to lead when your world comes tumbling down.

On September 11, 2001, we needed a strong leader more than any other time in our history. We needed a steady hand to guide us out of the ashes. A hell of a mess, so here's where we stand:

We're immersed in a bloody war with no plan for winning and no plan for leaving.

We're running the biggest deficit in the history of the country.

We're losing the manufacturing edge to Asia , while our once-great
companies are getting slaughtered by health care costs.

Gas prices are skyrocketing, and nobody in power has a coherent energy policy.

Our schools are in trouble.

Our borders are like sieves.

The middle class is being squeezed every which way.

These are times that cry out for leadership.

But when you look around, you've got to ask: 'Where have all the leaders gone?' Where are the curious, creative communicators? Where are the people of character, courage, conviction, omnipotence, and common sense? I may be a sucker for alliteration, but I think you get the point.

Name me a leader who has a better idea for homeland security than,
making us take off our shoes in airports and throw away our shampoo?

We've spent billions of dollars building a huge new bureaucracy, and
all we know how to do is react to things that have already happened.

Name me one leader who emerged from the crisis of Hurricane Katrina.
Congress has yet to spend a single day evaluating the response to the
hurricane or demanding accountability for the decisions that were made in
the crucial hours after the storm.

Everyone's hunkering down, fingers crossed, hoping it doesn't happen again. Now, that's just crazy. Storms happen.. Deal with it. Make a plan. Figure out what you're going to do the next time.

Name me an industry leader who is thinking creatively about how we can restore our competitive edge in manufacturing. Who would have believed that there could ever be a time when 'The Big Three' referred to Japanese car companies? How did this happen, and more important, what are we going to do about it?

Name me a government leader who can articulate a plan for paying down the debit, or solving the energy crisis, or managing the health care problem. The silence is deafening. But these are the crises that are eating away at our country and milking the middle class dry.

I have news for the gang in Congress. We didn't elect you to sit on your asses and do nothing and remain silent while our democracy is being hijacked and our greatness is being replaced with mediocrity. What is everybody so afraid of? That some bonehead on NBC news or CNN news will
call them a name? Give me a break. Why don't you guys show some spine for a change?

Had Enough? Hey, I'm not trying to be the voice of gloom and doom here. I'm trying to light a fire. I'm speaking out because I have hope - I believe in America . In my lifetime, I've had the privilege of living through some of America 's greatest moments. I've also experienced some of our worst crises: The 'Great Depression,' 'World War II,' the 'Korean War,' the 'Kennedy Assassination,' the 'Vietnam War,' the 1970's oil crisis, and the struggles of recent years culminating with 9/11.

If I've learned one thing, it's this: 'You don't get anywhere by standing on the sidelines waiting for somebody else to take action. Whether it's building a better car or building a better future for our children, we all have a role to play. That's the challenge I'm raising in this book. It's a "Call to Action" for people who, like me, believe in America '. It's not too late, but it's getting pretty close. So let's shake off the crap and go to work. Let's tell 'em all we've had 'enough.'

Frankie says to watch what they do, not what they say. Later!

Twas The Month Before Christmas

Twas the month before Christmas* *When all through our land,* *Not a Christian was praying* *Nor taking a stand.* *See the PC Police had taken away,* *The reason for Christmas - no one could say.* *The children were told by their schools not to sing,* *About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things..* *It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say* * December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.* *Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit* *Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!* *CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod* *Something was changing, something quite odd! * *Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa* *In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.* *As Targets were hanging their trees upside down* * At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.* *At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears* *You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.* *Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty* *Are words that were used to intimidate me.* *Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen* *On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !* *At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter* *To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.* *And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith* * Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace* *The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded* *The reason for the season, stopped before it started.* *So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'* *Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.* *Choose your words carefully, choose what you say* *Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS , not Happy Holiday !* Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet during the holidays a MERRY CHRISTMAS Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!

Amazing Grace

Like music? Church music by tenors? Amazing Grace is one of mine and my granddaughters favorites and probably yours as well. Go turn up your speakers and just sit back and listen. There are other videos on this site you may enjoy as well.

Are you 'between jobs' or 'between gigs? Take a look at this site and it may change your life.

Enjoy every day. Frankie

Bankruptcy and Divorce

Some of my best friends have been bankrupt and some divorced. At least one has gone thru both. One went into an attorney’s office and said “I want a divorce and I want to declare bankruptcy.” The lawyer asked, “what does your wife think of this idea?” “I haven’t asked her.” That person has had three divorces which never cost him a dime and continues to have a great relationship with all of them. Following his first divorce, the former wife gave him an allowance of $1,500.00 per month. The second gave him a house to live in on her property in the country and we will wait to see about the 3^rd wife.

Bankruptcy and divorce has become much more acceptable and almost expected in today’s culture. My wife and I have been married to each other for 50 years. It has been my pleasure.When post moderns hear this they look like a deer caught in the head lights. They look puzzled like ‘I have never heard of such a thing,’ or ‘they must surely be in the book of records.’ No, not a record, it just ran in my family. When we made a commitment, we meant it. If at times it was not all fun and games, we worked on it and resolved the problem. Someone once said, “we don’t believe in divorce, but murder is an option.”

If you believe that you and your partner are headed for divorce, and you both have a lot of debt between you, it might be a good idea to decide to file for bankruptcy before you begin to file for divorce. This will pave the way for the divorce to proceed much more easily because it will allow you to get rid of some of your debt and to clear the way for a clean break. If you can file for bankruptcy, then you can have a better idea of how to deal with the debts that do remain between the two of you. It will also mean that if your ex files for bankruptcy later on down the road, you can be protected because you are going to take care of your debts before the divorce.

The way it works is rather simple. When one or both of the spouses file for bankruptcy, all of the property that has been shared by both of them will become a part of the estate and will then be available to pay for the debts. This will also mean that you have been granted an automatic stay, which means that the creditors can’t hound you for money. Remember that this stay does not prevent you from getting spouse or child support from your ex. The next thing that will happen is that the bankruptcy court will decide what shared property is exempt from the bankruptcy, meaning that it cannot be sold in order to pay for your debts. Then, the divorce court can divide that property between you and your ex spouse.

If you are trying to negotiate property settlements, and also going through bankruptcy, you are going to be dealing with very complicated issues. Some of the debts that might be related to a property settlement might not be wiped out during the bankruptcy, so you will still need to pay them. However, these debts can be wiped out if you can show that you can’t pay the debt and still take care or yourself or your children, or that if you wipe out the debt it is going to be better for you than the harm that would be done to the people that you owe by not paying it. This means that if you think your spouse is going to consider filing for bankruptcy after the divorce is final, you need to make sure that your finances are squared away so that you aren’t going to be faced with any more debts.

Frankie says ‘kiss and make up’ and keep it together.

Important H1N1 Health Tips

The H1N1 virus is no joke. The following information was received from Linda C Flores, Research Study Coordinator at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center which is definitely worth sharing. The only portals of entry for H1N1 virus are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation. While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu): 1. Frequent hand-washing with warm to hot water and a good soap for at least 2 minutes. 2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap). 3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method. 4. Clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population. 5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption. 6. Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc.) as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm. I suggest you pass this on to your entire e-list. You never know who might pay attention to it - and STAY ALIVE because of it. Linda C Flores Research Study Coordinator UT Southwestern Medical Center Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center 5323 Harry Hines Blvd Dallas, TX 75390- 9179 Tel: (214) 648-7042 Fax: (214) 648-1906 linda.flores@utsouthwestern.edu www.utsouthwestern.org

Bankruptcy: A Matter of Pride

Bankruptcy is a financial technique in which you declare that you cannot repay your creditors now or see a way to repay them in the future. Depending on your income and the amount of money you owe, an individual may declare chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcies. However, in either case, bankruptcy is a fairly public affair. Your name and address will be published in at least one of the local newspapers for all of your friends to read, and your neighbors will see movers coming to repossess some of your items. For many people, the worst part of bankruptcy isn’t losing the money; it’s losing pride and dignity.

The first way to deal with this is to realize that most of your friends and family have gone through money problems at one time or another in their lives. Although they may not have resorted to bankruptcy, there is no question that only the very lucky do not feel smothered by debts at one point or another. Simply put, people will understand. Even though you may feel like everyone is snickering at you behind your back, the truth is that most people are actually empathizing with you. “There but for the grace of God go I.”

Also realize that not everybody will know you’ve declared bankruptcy. Most people do not take the time to read the newspaper that carefully, and even though word does travel fast, it is not a topic that most people will bring up because it simply is not that interesting. You might feel like you’re the headlining news, but in actuality, most people probably didn’t even know about it.

It is important to continue with the process, even if people do find out. If you are embarrassed, simply understand that so our all of people in this country who are going through the same thing. You are not alone. In fact, you may be able to get counseling to help you go through the bankruptcy process. You may be surprised at how many people have declared bankruptcy many times and gone on to be very successful. The Donald for one.

If bankruptcy is the best thing for your family and your financial situation, it is most important that you continue with the declaration. Take care of yourself first, then worry about what other people have to think. The most important thing is NOT what your neighbors have to say, but instead what you are doing to get yourself back on track financially so that your future will be brighter, and it will.

Much of your future depends on your attitude now. Don’t give up and don’t waste a lot of time blaming anyone else for your plight. Stuff happens and there is enough blame to go around.

You think bankruptcy is bad, well there are worse things and Frankie will talk briefly about that next time.

Keep the faith, but not to yourself.