- One Community
Acupuncture Center342 S Main St.
Unit 1 Lower Level
Bartlett, Illinois 60103(630) 837-4241
Hours
Mon 3pm-7pm Tue 9am-1pm Wed 10am-1pm, 3pm-7pm Fri 10am-1pm, 3pm-7pm Sat 1pm-4pm
Reviews from Google
Carlos is an incredibly knowledgeable and professional acupuncturist. He has he helped me with various ailments ranging from emotional instability to physical pain over the course of the last four years. His kind and compassionate demeanor is exactly what you're looking for when it comes to a healthcare provider. I highly recommend him and all of his massage therapists at OCAC.EleLotus Yoga Amy B01:02 12 Aug 18For years I suffered from migraines and as a result I was taking two medications. I was beginning to have serious side effects from the medication so I decided to try acupuncture with Carlos. I am happy to say that I am now completely off all medication and I don’t have migraines anymore! It is amazing what acupuncture can do and Carlos is a master. I have referred many family members to Carlos (including some who were afraid of needles) and they all had positive results. My husband’s back injury was cured quickly while my daughter finds acupuncture and cupping helpful in relieving stress. I have a relative with lupus who could not sleep due to pain in her legs and she found great relief after seeing Carlos. I have also known women with fertility issues who were able to conceive after treatment with Carlos. I believe that any problem, whether it be physical, mental, emotional, or psychological can be helped by acupuncture and Carlos’ friendly manner and gentle approach puts his patients at ease.Teresa22:36 18 Feb 18In my experience, Carlos is the most experienced and skillful acupuncturist in Chicago's western & northern suburbs. Highly recommended. Very kind. Very reasonable rates. Carlos made a big difference in my successful recovery from surgery as well as calming stress.P Rush14:33 18 Dec 17I had been experiencing digestion issues for over 6 months. I tried traditional medicine and multiple remedies before finding Carlos. I couldn't be more grateful I did. After regular weekly visits (which include acupuncture and cupping), I am off all medications recommended by doctors and back to having a full functioning digestive system in and of itself. Carlos is incredibly knowledgable and makes every experience an enjoyable one. Would highly recommend him to anyone.Meryl Cripe23:42 31 Jul 17Carlos was able to alleviate my back and shoulder pain in just a couple sessions. My experience is always relaxing and I would recommend to anyone looking to avoid pain medication and other traditional treatments which tend to provide only symptomatic relief but require constant use.Kristin Kinnaman21:36 14 Aug 17Carlos is great! He helped me with a shoulder issue before a big event, without his help I would have struggled through the event.Nicole Pawola00:13 22 Nov 18A friend of mine recommended Carlos for a shoulder issue that I was dealing with. I was so grateful because after 2 sessions he had me back to 100% range of movement. I highly recommend Carlos. He's very knowledgeable and compassionate.Patti Salwach01:23 15 Mar 19Carlos is incredible! I struggled to get pregnant for over a year, and was referred to acupuncture. My chiropractor shouted Carlos’ name without hesitation! Carlos has such knowledge and precision in his practice. He has helped calm my anxiety, migraines, body aches, and with a few months of treatment, I was able to get pregnant. I had a small surgery in between, but acupuncture helped ease the pain and was able to get me up and running in no time. It has also helped me to relax in my pregnancy. I look forward to my sessions for the calm, inward focus of myself. Carlos has taught me a LOT. Thank you for all you have done thus far!Carmella Mahaz02:35 01 Aug 19I highly highly recommend Carlos. Before I started Accupuncture, I had horrible back pain, migraines, anxiety, depression, mood changes. After 10 meetings, I feel so great, so relaxed and "me" again. In the last 3 years, I did Phisical Therapy, I was taking medicines for migraines, but non of them helped me that much and in a shorter period of time how Accupuncture did. Carlos has "golden" hands and is very knowledgeable. Don't hesitate to schedule an appointment with Carlos, you won't regret it!mirela craciun19:16 04 Oct 19I have been experiencing overwhelming anxiety and panic attacks for years. I've tried traditional medicine and read all the books and websites to learn how to manage my anxiety, I've tried it all with minimal results. I finally decided to try acupuncture. I can't tell you what a difference it has made. I have my quality of life back, and within 3 visits. Carlos is caring and dedicated and wants to help you feel better and be you best self. The office is a relaxing and warm environment. Best decision I have ever made. I highly recommend you visit Carlos and get your health back.Paula Kintzel02:19 19 Dec 16‹›Follow Us!
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“The Top 10 Reasons to Try Acupuncture”-
Latest Articles:
- Five Facts You Might Not Know About Acupuncture
- Family Exercise in the Winter
- Immune System Health and TCM
Health WellNews
Five Facts You Might Not Know About Acupuncture
Acupuncture is just one facet of a more inclusive medical system known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This medical system has been around for about 3,000 years and it has helped thousands of people live long, happy, healthy lives. Acupuncture uses tiny, solid, stainless steel needles that are inserted into the body, which stimulates the nervous and immune systems, bringing balance back to the body.
According to the National Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, it is estimated that only 10 percent of Americans have tried acupuncture. But according to a survey by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, those numbers are too high. They estimate only four percent of Americans have actually tried or used acupuncture. For those who have used acupuncture, the rates of success are at 75 percent or better. And many who have received acupuncture are impressed by the amount of attention to detail most acupuncturists give when treating their patients. Acupuncture treats the body holistically, looking at mind, body and emotions in order to give the best treatment possible and cover all bases of the person’s ailment.
Many people are hesitant to try acupuncture, because it can feel foreign and hard to wrap your head around. And with so few people actually using acupuncture, it is no surprise there are a lot of things people don’t know. Here’s a list of five things most people are surprised to find out when it comes to the practice of acupuncture.
Acupuncture does NOT hurt
Licensed acupuncturists hear it all the time, “I don’t like needles.” Well, realistically, who does? But the needles used by acupuncturists are the width of a human hair, very flexible and most people don’t even feel them. In fact, quite a few people who receive acupuncture regularly, actually fall asleep and take a nap once the needles are placed.
Acupuncturists are highly educated
To receive a degree in acupuncture, you are required to attend postgraduate school. This means most acupuncturists already have a bachelor’s degree before they even begin acupuncture school. The acupuncture license is a three to four year master’s degree that includes over 3,200 academic hours. That’s almost as much as most medical doctors.
There are free bonuses to getting acupuncture
Many people seek out acupuncture for a specific ailment. But the glory of this ancient medicine is you will also receive some free bonuses, like improved sleep, better concentration and improved mental attitude. Your whole being gets treated through acupuncture!
Acupuncture helps with almost everything
Most people think of acupuncture for pain relief, but the truth is it can treat so much more. Acupuncture can help with anxiety, depression, addiction, weight issues, insomnia, digestive issues and of course any kind of pain.
Not all acupuncture is the same
There are multiple styles of acupuncture: five element, TCM, Tan, Tung, auricular, abdominal, scalp, Korean, etc. No two are exactly alike, but they all have one common thread, helping people get and stay healthy.
So now that you know a little more about acupuncture, what are you waiting for? There’s no better time than the present to get going when it comes to your health. And there’s nothing stopping you except you.
Family Exercise in the Winter
You’re not imagining it. As the days grow shorter and the air cooler, the kids are getting restless and you may be too. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), kids need at least 1 hour of physical activity…every day. Adults should be partaking in either 2.5 hours of exercise at a moderate level OR 1.25 hours of vigorous exercise per week, minimum. Don’t let this cold season give you an excuse to skip the physical exercise and crawl back under your cozy covers. Here are some fun ways to incorporate movement and physical activity through the winter months for the whole family.
INDOOR EXERCISE
-Resistance Training- Bodyweight exercises are a great way to improve balance, flexibility, and strength without any bulky equipment. With a simple Google search, you can EASILY uncover a variety of exercises using the resistance of body weight alone.
-Boxing- Get your heart pumping with a simple boxing routine. Boxing provides a full-body workout, ducking, blocking, and throwing punches. Focus on your footwork for a cardio heavy conditioning workout that’ll get you sweating.
-Play Games- Purchase your family some soft nerf balls and start a game of indoor dodgeball. Try setting up an indoor basketball hoop for fun way to start laundry day. Consider dance parties in the kitchen while putting away dishes. Use commercial breaks to challenge each other to dance contests or during study breaks from online schooling. Try making a hopscotch or obstacle course with painters tape. Get creative and have fun with it!Get creative and have fun with it!
-Family Mindfulness- Competitive activities teach children to master their bodies, and often this can lean hard into focusing on their weaknesses. And while activity and goal setting are imperative to growth, we need to remember to teach our children to be content with themselves in a noncompetitive and appreciative way as well. Activities like Tai Chi, Yoga, or Meditation can help children feel at one with their bodies, teaching them to respect their physical and emotional selves.
SEEK OUT RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
Ready to get out of the house but not into the cold? No worries, we have exercises for you too.
-Swimming- It’s never the wrong time to go swimming. Swimming is a phenomenal physical activity for so many reasons. Firstly, swimming is an age-friendly activity. Being immersed in water provides low-impact therapy for injury rehabilitation or physically limiting conditions. Because swimming involves endurance it is also a great way to keep muscles toned, including those supporting the heart and lungs. Swimming is a full-body workout that is known to improve flexibility, coordination, balance, and posture all the while alleviating stress. Need we say more?
-Rock Climbing- The benefits of climbing are vast as well. Climbing combines mental stimulation and physical power beautifully to burn over 600 calories per hour. Not only does climbing involve the arm muscles used for gripping and pulling, but this sport will also activate legs, back, and shoulder muscles as well. The balance and finesse of this sport work the core to stabilize movements, leading to a stronger and less injury-prone body. Finding an indoor rock wall could be the winter workout you have been looking for.
-Bowling / Trampoline Park- Even with these quarantine guidelines in place and the pandemic following us into the winter, bowling alleys and trampoline parks are beginning to open back up with new safety guidelines in place. On top of the muscle-building motion of the arms and legs with these activities, they also require attention to detail for successful performance. Both of these activities are great for building hand-eye coordination.
OUTDOOR EXERCISE
Moving around outside can get your heart rate up and keep you warm, but if that isn’t enough consider a warm-up exercise routine for inside before you brave the cold. Remember to dress in long layers, wear boots instead of gym shoes, wear a hat, gloves, and don’t forget warm socks.
Try encouraging your kids to get outside. Consider a walk with the dog, visiting a new park, playing basketball, soccer, or even a good old game of frisbee. Skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing are great, but obviously only if you have the snow, equipment, and knowledge. Consider seeking out a local ice rink. Ice skating isn’t just for kids. In fact at a moderate pace simply skating laps can burn up to 500 calories per hour while toning your legs, butt, and similar core stabilizing muscles as rock climbing for fine movements and balance. If ice skating sounds too cold for you, consider bundling up and going for a bike ride. Because of its cardio-heavy nature and use of the quadricep muscles biking will warm your body quickly.
Scheduling the proper time for these activities for you and your family is crucial. Often kids have a lot of energy just after they have just finished school for the day, this is an optimal time to introduce rousing new adventures. Also keep in mind that positive reinforcement is the best way to form new healthy habits, both for you and your kids. Keep the dialogue light and encouraging as you discover these exciting wintertime activities together. While picking up new activities can seem like a large undertaking, you are potentially investing in new lifelong passions. And who knows, you might even end up with a workout you’ll want to do all year long.
Start small and remember to reach out to me if you need any advice.
Immune System Health and TCM
Viruses, germs and bacteria are everywhere. They are in the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink. According to Chinese medicine, they do not cause disease. When a certain organ system is already weak and unable to resist outside invasion, it is therefore prone to attack by germs, such as viruses and bacteria. Illness and disease can only result when our body provides a hospitable environment.
For example, let’s say you inhaled influenza virus. Just because these germs are present, does not mean you will get the flu. There are several factors involved such as the health of your lungs, the vitality of your immune system, and your overall health.
Germs gather and thrive only in weakened parts of the body. When there is an imbalance of Qi, the normal functions of your body will ultimately be affected. This can change the normal immune system response and lead to illness.
A disease requires both a pathogen and a host. These nasty critters can only survive and flourish if circumstances are ripe. When the germs are strong, but the environment of the host (you) is stronger, the disease will be resisted. If the host is weak, however, then your environment can become a hospitable refuge for viruses, germs, bacteria and other microbes to set up shop.
Your Meridian channels control the flow of healing energy throughout your entire body, including your organs. The function (health) of your lungs, and the strength of your immune system all depend upon the quality, quantity and balance of Qi which flows within your meridian channels. The “true cure” of disease is simply NOT to kill germs, but to reestablish and build up the body’s amount of healing Qi. This will ultimately provide the adequate amount of Qi in order to restore the integrity of your meridian and organ system.
KISS SICK GOODBYE
Along with frequent acupuncture treatments, here is another way to boost your immunity in order to stay well through spring.
You can begin by taking astragalus throughout the winter. This is an herb that is revered for its first-class immune support. It is also useful if you feel tired, weak, or apathetic.
Modern research suggests that astragalus is a “biological response modifier,” increasing the function of the adrenal cortex, helping us adapt to stress easier, and increase the production of white blood cells.
If you have been around folks who are sneezing and coughing, try using maitake. This little mushroom can also help to stimulate the immune response. You can use this regularly, after being exposed to some nasty bug.
If you have already caught a cold, you can try echinacea. This herb can help to shorten the duration of a cold. Start using it as soon as you feel under the weather and then stop use as soon as you feel well again.
Herbs are a powerful medicine. It is helpful to consult with an herbalist to make sure you are getting the right type of herbs.
If you or someone you know are looking for immune-supportive remedies, schedule an appointment with me today. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine have so much to offer.