- One Community
Acupuncture Center342 S Main St.
Unit 1 Lower Level
Bartlett, Illinois 60103(630) 837-4241 Hours
Mon3pm-7pmTue9am-1pmWed10am-1pm, 3pm-7pmFri10am-1pm, 3pm-7pmSat1pm-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 16I had been dealing with groan strain for years, I could not believe how effective Carlos's treatment was. Highly recommend his practice.Thomas Tukiendorf17:48 26 Apr 21I have chronic neck pain, that drs wanted to burn my nerves in my neck to help with pain management. Carlos has helped me with the pain without the surgical treatments.Cami Mears19:15 05 Mar 21Carlos is amazing at what he does. He is very dedicated to his work and extremely knowledgeable of acupuncture. He helped me get rid of my pain and I highly recommend Carlos to anyone suffering.J M18:27 17 Sep 20Carlos Carpintero, L.Ac. Is a very good acupuncturist. He is very professional and has a good personality to put you to ease. I would whole heartedly recommend Carlos.Scott Trebes21:47 01 Jun 21I've been coming for few months now and can say all the good things about the place and Carlos. He's helped me with my back pain, bad migrainces, low energy levels, high stress level and boost my immune system. I continue going to keep myself healthy. I since then sent there my husband with his back pain and my Mom for her back problems, hands numbness and high blood pressure. Highly recommended!Aneta Cybruch21:27 14 Jan 22I have been experiencing join pain and chronic fatigue for 6 years. I have seen multiple doctors and have have been diagnosed with lupus and fibromyalgia. I have tried medicine with minimal improvement. My friends kept asking if I had ever tried acupuncture. 2 months ago, I have decided to make an appointment at One Community Acupuncture Center. At that time, I was experiencing constant fatigue for 3 weeks struggling to make it to the end of each day, taking care of my kids and having full time job. It was very easy to make an appointment with Carlos since he was willing to work with my schedule. The office setting is very calm and relaxing. Carlos provided compassionate care from the very beginning demonstrating effective listening skills, in depth knowledge about various treatments and accurate assessment of physical and emotional state of his patient. Just after the first acupuncture treatment my fatigue was gone! After every visit I feel relaxed, and when I wake up the next morning I keep thinking about how much energy I have all day, even when I work 12 hour shift! Carlos also provided treatment with cupping and that was incredibly helpful as well. My energy level increased so significantly that I am able to exercise on regular basis now. I am also able to manage my stress level much better. I am extremely happy and thankful for all the positive changes I have been experiencing since my first visit with Carlos. I feel 90% better now then before my first visit. Carlos’ compassionate and insightful manner was not only able to improve my physical but also my psychological well-being, which I believe has significant impact on our overall health. I highly recommend One Community Acupuncture Center.Magdalena Socki10:49 16 Sep 21I came here by recommendation from my chiropractor suffering with very painful hip bursitis pain. Within 2 treatments I felt significant relief. The bonus treatment I received was relaxation, the acupuncturist Carlos found relaxation points to relax me as well. Outstanding treatment. Carlos listens, cares, and treats pain until it disappears!! I highly recommend One Community Acupuncture.Myra Onesimus12:00 20 Oct 21Carlos has been treating my husband for the past 2 month. He’s been able to help him regain his strength and relieve pressure in his head that no neurologist has been to help him since there is no medical diagnosis. I highly recommend visiting Carlos.Alejandra Gonzalez01:44 01 Sep 21I started going to Carlos a little over a month ago after I tried many different types of therapies to try and relieve my upper back pain, but nothing was helping. Carlos took the time to understood my pain and the issues that I was feeling. After the first two sessions, I felt great! I have never had acupuncture or cupping before, so I was unsure what to expect. However, he takes the time to explain the process and makes you feel right at ease. I also feel so relaxed afterwards, which is another reason I like going. For anyone looking to get some pain relief after trying many different therapies, I would highly recommend trying acupuncture and going with Carlos.Ian Petersen20:35 14 May 22I had been struggling with bone on bone arthritis in my shoulder for almost 2 years. After a car accident the end of October, I began seeing Dr. Carpintero twice a week. After six weeks, my pain has significantly lessened and my range of motion is greatly improved. At the same time I am receiving acupuncture for the plantar fasciitis I have in both feet. That condition has also greatly improved. Surprisingly, one of the most profound shifts I have experienced is been in the amount of stamina and energy I have regained after adding acupuncture to my wellness practice. For anyone looking to enhance their health and well-being, I definitely recommend One Community Acupuncture Center.Pam Schilling21:06 14 Dec 22Great place he helps with all kinds of pain I've been having headaches for years I had an MRI from my doctor then went to the neurologist but nothing worked till I seen Carlos now I have no headaches it even helped me with anxiety try this place its covered by most insurance 5 stars I would give him 10 stars if I couldRon Rose21:37 01 Dec 22I was having immense pain in my shoulder and having carpal tunnel issues for about a year now. I was at the end of my rope dealing with this chronic pain. I did some research and decided to try acupuncture. After about five sessions or so, the pain is almost non-existent. My anxiety has definitely decreased as well. Highly recommend! Thank you Carlos!Val C02:18 01 Jul 23I am really thankful to find this place. I had really bad pain in my elbow. So I went to this place. Carlos did my treatment. And it seems like a magic in his hands. His treatments were very effective and my pain was gone in 3 treatments. He is very patinated about his work that I can see it and feel it in his way of doing treatment. I am very glad I found this place. I highly reccomand it.S Patel19:29 11 Jul 23‹›Follow Us!
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Health WellNews
Acupuncture Can Help Keep Winter Allergies at Bay
You might think that the cold winter season would bring relief for seasonal allergy sufferers, however, it just brings about a different set of indoor allergens. As those colder temperatures become the norm, people tend to spend more time indoors which brings them into contact with indoor allergens.
Inside Allergy Triggers
These indoor allergy triggers have likely been in your house all year, but when you hibernate inside during the colder months with the windows closed and the heat on, they tend to become more pronounced. Some of the major triggers include dust particles, mold and mildew, and pet dander.
Perhaps the most unique winter allergy that really is a part of the season is Christmas tree allergies. This can be a complex problem as it could be an allergy to pine (or the tree itself) or the tree could be covered in allergens like pollen or mold spores. If you are sensitive to smells, the strong odor might be an issue throughout the Christmas season.
Outside Allergy Triggers
If you live in a wet and rainy area, outdoor mold can begin to form in late winter and early Spring. Much like an allergy to pine, cedar pollen can create havoc for people sensitive to this allergen. Cedar is largely contained in the areas of Southern Missouri, Oklahoma, central and western Texas and Northern Mexico. This allergy is often referred to as “cedar fever.” The cedar pollinates from December through March and can sometimes release so much pollen it looks like the trees are emitting smoke.
Allergy Symptoms vs. Cold Symptoms
Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if you are suffering from allergies or a cold as some of the symptoms might be the same or similar. Common allergy symptoms include sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, itchy eyes, ears, or throat, dry coughing, or a low-grade fever. In severe cases, symptoms can be related to asthma and include chest tightness, wheezing, rapid breathing, and feelings of exhaustion.
The way to tell the difference between allergies and a cold is to examine the source. Colds come from a virus that is passed by someone infected with it. Once your body fights off the infection, the cold symptoms end. Allergies come from your body’s release of histamine as a response to the allergens. Symptoms will persist if you are breathing in the allergens.
Treatment Options
There are many different treatment options depending on the severity of the symptoms. Over-the-counter antihistamines are a common course of action for many allergy sufferers. Nasal irrigation or using distilled water to flush out nasal passages, is another option. Nasal sprays are also common and for those who have severe symptoms, allergy shots are an option.
If you are looking for a drug-free alternative, acupuncture has also been proven a successful treatment option. As a general assessment, typical allergy acupuncture treatments will involve weekly or twice-weekly appointments spanning several weeks or even months depending on the symptoms. Your acupuncturist can then determine if annual or semi-annual treatments are needed to maintain results.
The root cause of allergies is different for everyone. Another option your acupuncturist might explore with you is to add herbal formulas to your treatment plan as this can greatly increase the efficacy of the treatments. Adding herbal formulas along with the traditional needle treatment can be an effective one-two punch for treating winter allergies.
Prevention
Some easy steps to take as you head into the cold winter months is to regularly wash clothes, bedding, and any removeable upholstery covers. This helps to reduce the pet dander and dust build up. Regularly vacuum your home and in severe cases, you might want to think about removing carpet and replacing it with tile or wood flooring. Seal any cracks or openings near windows and doors and fix any leaks so mold doesn’t have the chance to form. Do what you can to limit exposure and keep your environment allergen free so you can feel better overall.
Healthy and Hearty Winter Recipes
When the weather gets colder there is nothing better than a warm and comforting bowl of goodness to keep the chill away. But sometimes the challenge is to keep things healthy as the temperatures drop. We often tend to drift away from our fresh vegetable dishes of summer into carb heavy dishes of pasta and other carbs. That is all fine in moderation, but if you are looking to keep things healthy through the winter, this recipe is a great way to eat the rainbow.
During the long, dark nights of winter, it can be a treat to find something colorful, warm and filling to eat. Bowls are a great way to incorporate different food groups, keep an eye on portions, and still find the comfort that comes from a warm dish on a cold night.
Some nutritionists call these types of bowls “nourish bowls” and they are completely customizable depending on what you like and what’s in your pantry at the moment. They are perhaps the easiest way to incorporate grains, protein and lots of veggies. They are also a great way to mix textures and different flavors and if you have picky eaters in your family, remember they are customizable so you can incorporate different toppings to suit the needs of your household. And another pro tip, these are excellent options for meal prep so you can enjoy a warm, comforting, and nourishing dish whether you are working from home or heading to the office.
This recipe is just a sample of one bowl option. Remember, you can customize to what you like. This bowl will definitely help you to eat the rainbow during winter.
Ingredient Options
Start off with some sweet potatoes for a satisfying orange base. You can roast them in the oven alongside some chickpeas and spice them up for extra flavor. Quinoa can add some protein and bulk to your bowl. Kale and spinach add that nice leafy green touch of freshness. Red cabbage adds another touch of crunch and freshness, and Tahini makes a great base for sauce or dressing to toss with your bowl.
Assembling Your Bowl
After you have seasoned and roasted your sweet potatoes and chickpeas on a baking sheet for 25 minutes at 350 degrees, you can toss your kale with apple cider vinegar and salt and spread it onto a baking sheet. Roast for 10 minutes, flip the kale chips and roast for another five minutes. While the ingredients are roasting, cook your quinoa according to the package instructions. In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, water, lime juice, maple syrup, garlic powder and salt for an amazing dressing for your bowl. Wash and chop your fresh spinach, red cabbage and half of an orange for some added zing and freshness.
Assemble your bowl with your sweet potatoes, chickpeas, quinoa, kale chips, spinach and red cabbage and then top with orange slices and some toasted walnuts or almost and drizzle with that amazing tahini dressing.
The only thing left to do is enjoy!
Three Tips for Maintaining Your Mental Health in Winter
Many people struggle during the winter months with their mental health. It could be the shorter days and darker nights, or it could be related to family issues and the holiday season. People deal with this in different ways, but it can lead to avoidance of social interactions, overeating or emotional eating, as well as a mental fogginess that can lead to negative thoughts and overwhelming feelings.
The survival instinct for many of us, especially those living in extremely cold regions of the world, is to wrap up in a blanket, eat lots of comfort food, and hibernate indoors. But it’s important to take inventory of your mental well being as much as your physical. Here are three tips to follow when evaluating your mental health this winter.
Listen to the Needs of Your Body
The winter days are shorter and the nights colder and darker and this definitely has an impact on our internal clocks. This low light can have our bodies ready for sleep earlier than usual in the lighter summer months. You might find yourself going to bed 20-30 minutes earlier than usual. Your body will tell you what it needs so make sure you listen and possibly incorporate a power nap mid-day if necessary.
Nutrition is Key
As previously mentioned, our tendency can often be to eat more and move less in the cold weather. Warm bowls of soup or pasta are often our favorite things when the temperature drops. But feed your hunger wisely and make sure you don’t go completely overboard with the comfort foods. Stock your pantry with nutritious food like nuts, crackers and hummus, yogurt and sweet potatoes. This will keep your physical health and your mental health strong through this cold season.
Keep on Moving
When it’s cold and snowy or rainy outside, the tendency is to grab a warm blanket and curl up with a book or binge watch the latest show you have been saving for just such weather. And this is a great plan in moderation. It’s important that you keep moving even when it’s cold outside. Our bodies need movement to stay healthy. If you don’t have a time set aside for regular exercise, you should consider adding this to your daily schedule. If you work inside and sit at a desk all day, set an alarm that reminds you to get up every hour and move; take a walk, stretch, or simply take the stairs instead of the elevator. Anything to keep your body in motion. This is a great way to keep your mind active as well.
Our physical and mental health are tied together so make sure they aren’t neglecting one or the other. Taking care of them both will set you up for a productive winter and help you welcome Spring with a healthy mind and heart.
Tips to Manage Fall Allergy Season
After such a scorching summer in much of the country, Fall is a welcome season bringing cooler temperatures, comforting food, and a gentle lead into winter. However, for many people, Fall also brings with it some severe allergies.
While most people may associate severe allergies with the Spring and Summer months when everything is in bloom, there are those who only suffer during the autumn. The main cause of Fall hay fever is typically weed pollen but, depending on where you are located, common fall allergens can include ragweed, sagebrush, burning bush, tumbleweed, and Russian thistle just to name a few.
If you suffer from these types of allergies, you are more than likely aware of days when pollen counts are especially high (windy and warm days). Rainy days are a welcome relief until the grasses dry and pollen counts soar once again.
A common Fall occurrence in many parts of the country is burning leaves after they fall from the trees. This is when mold can become a problem for those suffering from Fall allergies. When those piles of damp leaves are left alone to rot, mold can form and cause allergy sufferers all kinds of issues.
In some areas of the country, ragweed can cause problems from late August to mid-November. Ragweed thrives on warm days and cool nights and is found in every part of the country. As with most grasses, pollen counts are highest early in the morning.
Now that you know some of the more common Fall allergies, what can you do to make this season as painless as possible? It’s not realistic to lock yourself inside with nose spray and tissues but you can be strategic in your plan of attack to deal with the dreaded Fall allergy season. Here are a few tips to ease the burden:
- Make sure you are aware of pollen counts so you can limit your time outside during peak hours if possible.
- Use a HEPA filter and humidifier to keep airborne pollen levels manageable.
- Keep doors and windows closed, especially on days when pollen counts are high.
- Vacuum and dust regularly.
- Change clothes and take a shower after outdoor activities.
In addition to over-the-counter nasal sprays and antihistamines, check with your health care provider to discuss treatment options including acupuncture (which has a history of effectively treating allergies) and herbal remedies, as these are more natural options to dealing with Fall allergies.
Fall’s Best Comfort Food
One of the best things about the approach of Fall is the cooler temperatures that bring family recipes filled with warm comfort food. It’s no wonder Fall is often described as soup season. Hearty and warm soups filled with fall produce and rich broth bring warmth and comfort to family tables no matter where you live.
One of the most recognizable Fall vegetables must be pumpkin. But pumpkins aren’t just cute Halloween decorations. A quick search of the Internet will deliver dozens of pumpkin soup recipes right to your inbox. Here’s a favorite you may not have tried before: Pumpkin Soup with Coconut Milk. You can vary this soup recipe by choosing butternut squash as well and the addition of the coconut milk instead of heavy cream won’t be noticeable to most. Finishing it off with a healthy spoonful of plain Greek yogurt, chopped parsley and a drizzle of high-quality olive oil will have you going back for seconds and thirds! Making a double batch also leaves you extra to freeze and warm up later when time is short.
The prep time for this soup is approximately 30 minutes and the cook time is one hour and 35 minutes. This recipe will serve 8. And the roasting of the vegetables gives this soup a rich flavor you won’t forget.
Ingredient List:
- 1 large sweet potato
- 1 small pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (shortcut: you can buy already cubed butternut squash in the freezer section of most grocery stores but fresh is best!)
- 3 large carrots, peeled and cut in half
- 2 large red onions, halved
- ¼ cup high-quality extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of flakey sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 pinch of white pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
- 4 cups checking stock
- 2 (13.5 ounce) cans coconut milk
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Wrap sweet potato in foil and bake until soft, about 45 minutes
- While the sweet potato is roasting, place pumpkin, carrots and onions on a baking sheet. Brush with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, allspice and white pepper. Bake for 30-40 minutes until soft.
- Peel sweet potato and squash when cool enough to handle. Transfer to a large saucepan and add carrots, onions, nutmeg, cumin, coriander, ginger, salt and pepper. Stir in chicken stock and coconut milk. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and summer 20 minutes.
- Puree soup using an immersion blender or regular blender until smooth.
Serve warm with crusty bread and enjoy the tastes of Fall!