Clinical Director

Dr. Hoffman trained at the Oregon Oriental College of Medicine under the leading physicians of China, including Dr. Shizeng Yang, qigong therapist to the People's Republic of China Olympic Gymnastic team; and Dr. Gouhui Lui, author of TCM classics and male genito-urinary disorders including male infertility. While pursuing his studies, Shane was named to the national AIDS Activist Circle for his work in designing, creating and implementing an education, advocacy and peer support program for people living with HIV. 

In Portland, Dr. Hoffman was part of the clinic team at The Institute for Traditional Medicine (ITM). The Institute is well known for its innovative work in developing protocols to apply Traditional Chinese Medicine to modern health issues such as HIV, CFS, MS, breast cancer, hepatitis, chronic pain and menopause. Shane also maintained a private practice in Oregon, treating everything from acne and allergies to shingles and tinnitus, with particular focus on athletic and performing arts related health. Since Dr. Hoffman joined Turning Point, over 16 years ago, he has taken doctoral specialty training with a double concentration in gynecology and geriatrics.

Having studied and practiced various traditions of Tai Chi, Qi Gong,  Iyengar yoga and meditation for the past 25 years, Dr. Hoffman's work is deeply informed by these healing disciplines. Dr. Hofffman is board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and licensed to practice by New York State. 

Theresa Palazzo, M.S., LAc

Theresa Palazzo found her way to Traditional Chinese Medicine by way of a dance injury and a dissatisfying career. Her initial course of acupuncture treatment resolved both these issues - soon after, she committed to a four-year program to become an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist herself. Theresa received her Masters Degree of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at Pacific College in New York City. Theresa initially dedicated her practice to treating athletes and performers during and after injury, she believes that everyone can benefit from this medicine, whether as preventative care for well-being, the treatment of pain syndromes, or as complementary care during the treatment of disease. 

In addition, Theresa also practices the Mei Zen system of cosmetic acupuncture - an elegant treatment protocol based entirely on classical Chinese medicine - which allows for individualized treatments that address aging gracefully, while bringing vitality to the appearance of the face and neck. 

Theresa is licensed to practice in New York and Connecticut and is a Board Certified Chinese Herbalist by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). 

You got it. You figured out our little techie holiday riddle to get here to spot of holiday wishes and love to you. Hope you enjoyed the junket of figuring it out.

Merry Happy Stuff to you. Rocking wishes for a wonderful 2012. Let's hope the Mayan prognostications were poorly translated. 

This has been a most amazing year chock full of firsts and goodness. In no particular order:

We got married. um and yeah, we're gay. Our state is the 6th to publicly affirm the right of people like us to receive the sanction of the state in love. That means 44 states don't. 12 states have actively prohibitive legislation against gay marriage. Oddly those states have no higher rate of single people. So it's not that those are swinger states still trying to promote free love. 

So much goodness. After our 

Michael went to his first Giants game. Thanks to Uncle Eric. 

I got the best anniversary gift ever. The lovely Betty Buckley closed her show at Feinstein's the night of our attendance with my favorite song Corner of the Sky from Pippin, at Michael's sneaky and prior request. WOW. 

Both of the best siblings ever now call Gotham home. Congrats to Lil on her Bac and moving along to her MPH. None will be surprised that she also got a great job in medical research at Bellevue hospital in the least likely economy. Spencer started the best job of his life here at Turning Point Acupuncture. Word around the office is he might be promoted soon. He's also learning firsthand the tyranny of the study of law and the injustice of transportation for large black dogs in Manhattan. 

In current practice, we use the term Oriental medicine to respect the contributions of the full breadth of Asian and Oriental cultures. This includes what is often described as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), classical Chinese medicine, five-element Chinese medicine, Korean hand acupuncture, Korean constitutional therapy, Japanese jin shin do, kanpo, hara diagnoses, hara diagnoses, shiatsu and tuina. These treatment styles use the modalities of acupuncture, moxabustion, cupping, gua sha, acupressure and herbal formulae as treatments.

The best paradigm of medical care requires a practitioner of sound moral ground being willing to coordinate the best possible patient care. In this age, any person with access to care can have the best of all worlds. Asian medicine evaluates and diagnoses pathology in cases that are subclinical in biomedicine. Biomedicine precision diagnostics for progressing disease is unparalleled. For example, let's look at a sudden injury or trauma. If you are hit by a bus, you should immediately go to the Emergency Room. Once your injuries have been assessed and addressed, you can use additional treatment such as Oriental medicine to support expedited healing.

At Turning Point Acupuncture, we are thrilled to provide excellent care informed by extensive experience and the best training available in our field. Our practice adheres to the highest standards of excellence that have characterized it since its inception, more then twenty years ago. Strengthening and rebalancing the body's underlying energetic forces to achieve harmony and a sense of well-being in today's difficult world is one of our primary goals. The practitioners at Turning Point regularly tailor individual health maintenance programs to support those efforts.

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

Turning Point would like to reach out with some words of encouragement, strength and warmth during the winter season and holidays. With longer nights, less sunlight and cold temperatures it is certainly a time to conserve our strengths. Conversely, the holidays encourage us to reach out and reconnect with family and friends. As with all things, the key is to find a balance and stay in harmony with the season and ourselves. The joy of celebration helps raise and build qi that can sustain us through the winter. Love can be drawn from the beauty of new-fallen snow in Central Park, from the rewarding feeling of packing boxes of household goods for donation to charities, from the sense of calm after relatives leave or even just from treating yourself to an extra tap on the snooze button on January 1. The winter season asks us to seek strength from within and push forward until warmer weather returns. It is all these small and special forms of expressing love for yourself and others that will enrich your qi and augment you in thriving.

In this issue:

1. Seasonal Overeating: Western and Eastern Approaches
2. Holiday Meditation
3. Practice Updates
   

1. Seasonal Overeating
While the holiday season is a time of warmth and togetherness with loved ones, it also has the potential to be a stressful time of year. Everybody deals with stress in her or his own way. Many choose to seek comfort in food. The average American gains ten pounds between Halloween and New Year's Day. The cold weather can lead to decreased exercise for city folk who walk. Less sunlight of shortened days yields lower vitamin D levels. Both can contribute to increased appetites and the propensity to over-indulge.

Western Perspective
Although the holiday dinner table is over groaning under the strain of shimmering glazed foods, there are ways to approach the smorgasbord and still walk away with your pants fitting comfortably. Glycemic spikes from too much sweet can cause a dearth of energy and good spirits. Greasier foods can rob a person of energy by demanding a relative great amount of energy to break down their fatty substances. Digestion of all these foods can cause bloating, nausea and difficult elimination.

Eastern Perspective
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the urge to overeat is a result of unbalanced qi in relation to the spleen, liver and kidney. These are the organs that deal with stress, and the holidays can severely tax them. When your qi becomes unbalanced in these systems, the desired seasonal feelings of joy, satisfaction and satiation are replaced by unease, agitation and poor metabolism. TCM classifies this resulting state as one of dampness. Dealing with stressful situations in a direct manner can help to promote better flow of qi, and your acupuncturist will also be able to utilize specific acu-points to encourage better flow of qi. It is also recommended that you reduce your intake of caffeine, alcohol and dairy, as these foods negatively impact the organs and increase dampness. Regular walking and yoga are two exercises that have also been found to be beneficial to decreasing dampness and increasing flow of qi.

Summary and Strategy
Practice portion control: you can load up your plate, just try to only take about half the serving size you think you want. Eating slowly and pausing to drink water and talk to your companions will also help ensure that you feel satiated and do not need to go back for unnecessary seconds. Try to work in small spurts of exercise, such as parking the car in the rear of the mall parking lot or, for city-dwellers, getting off the subway one stop before your shopping destination and walking the extra blocks. While you are making lists of all the presents to be bought and parties to go to, try to also keep a daily list of the foods you eat. Simply being conscious of your calorie intake often times helps reduce it. The holiday season can be a challenging time of year. It's also an opportunity to approach festivity in a calm and deliberate manner. If you practice portion control, pay attention to your body's signals of satiation, and deal with stress before it becomes overwhelming you can indeed have your pumpkin pie and eat it too.


2. Holiday Recipe: Hot Mulled Apple Cider
Hot drinks are an easy way to warm ourselves from within during this winter season. Mulled apple cider provides the additional warmth of ginger, cinnamon and allspice without the refined sugar found in other beverages.

Ingredients:

1/2 gallon of apple cider
1 inch knob of fresh ginger
Zest of one medium orange
3 (2") cinnamon sticks

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp allspice

4 whole cloves

Directions:

Combine ingredients in a non-aluminum saucepan. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Strain mixture and serve hot in mugs.

Serves 6

3. Practice Updates

Turning Point is proud to announce the opening of a special Reiki room in our office suite. Make sure to check it out and ask about Reiki sessions on your next visit!

Holiday special: Hot Stone Meridian Tracing Treatment. December is the season of the Lung. Following the Chinese lunar calender this treatment will support and strengthen the lung system to support immunity and courage. Gilles Obermeyer has developed this therapy to support people in being in harmony with the lunar calender. 90 minutes Sessions available December 29th, $170. Please call Gilles directly to schedule your session 917-282-7420. 

Keep an eye out for the re-launch of our website in the new year. We've been working hard and hope you will find our new internet home a welcoming, special place.

We offer gift certificates for acupuncture, Reiki and massage - all wonderful ways to take care of yourself and your loved ones during the holiday season. Email us. Call (212. 489. 5038) or visit our offices (1841 Broadway) to share a gift of healing.

We look forward to supporting you toward your fullest enjoyment of the season in optimum emotional, physical and spiritual health.

Be well,
E. Shane Hoffman, DAOM, LAC
Amanda Silver, LAC
Kymberly Kelly, LAC
Karen Ortiz, LAC
Lourdes Guzman, Reiki Master
Gilles Obermeyer, LMT
Hector Mendez
Kim Chinh

Volume 8, Number 1

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

A warm and happy welcome to the new year! We here at Turning Point hope that you have enjoyed the holiday season and are looking forward to embracing the 2010, even if it has started out as a chilly one. One of our new year's resolution is to serve you, our patients, as a ready resource of medical information and wellness support. We encourage you to submit topics for discussion. The entirety of Turning Point is a wonderfully varied group. By sharing our knowledge and care we hope to maintain a positive dialogue and support each person in building strong qi and life. 

In this issue:

1. Joint Pain and Arthritis: Western and Eastern Approaches
2. Complimentary Treatment Focus: Reiki
3. Practice Updates
   

1. Joint Pain and Arthritis
Over 20 million American adults suffer from some form of regular joint pain or arthritis. Great Aunt Gertrude's predictions of changes in the weather based on feelings "in her bones" may or may not be verifiable, but there is a lot of use to be gained by understanding and preventing joint pain. 

Western Perspective
There are several different types of joint conditions commonly diagnosed by doctors. Bursitis and Osteoarthritis (OA) are the most prevalent non-viral conditions. Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursae, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones at joints. This inflammation can be acute or chronic and is prevalent in athletes. The joints most susceptible include the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder. It is a degenerative condition in which the cartilage between bones wears away, resulting in bone spurs and weakened tendons. Fingers, knees, hips and the spine are frequent sites of OA. The cause of OA is unknown, but it is primarily seen as a result of aging. Symptoms begin to appear in middle age and are present in almost all adults over 70. OA also tends to run in families and those who are overweight or suffered joint injuries earlier in life have increased risk as well. Treatment for bursitis and osteoarthritis includes warm baths, stretching, massage and anti-inflammatory medication.

Eastern Perspective
As with many painful physical conditions, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views joint pain as a result of blocked qi and classifies the pain specifically as "Bi." Blockage of the cyclical flow of qi in the meridians can be impacted by a number of factors, but the most prevalent are Cold, Wind, Dampness and Heat. Cold Bi tends to stay in one area and increases with exposure to cold weather. Wind Bi moves from joint to joint and is the result of prolonged exposure to harsh winds. Damp Bi combines joint pain with feeling of tiredness. Heat Bi can result from any of the previous conditions and is primarily characterized by hot, swollen joints. TCM considers every person's experience of bi to be different and treatments are proscribed on a case-by-case basis. In addition to acupuncture, there are several topical and herbal supplements that have been found to relieve joint-specific pain.

Summary and Strategy
The causes of joint pain may be a mystery to western medicine, but the impact of this condition may be greatly lessened by practicing TCM prevention techniques. Dress warmly in the winter. If you can't avoid exposure to extreme cold or winds, compensate by treating your sore joints and muscles to warm baths and the occasional massage. Aspirin and other over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines can help with flare-ups, but should be used sparingly. Gentle exercise techniques such as Pilates, yoga and Tai-chi help keep your joints lubricated and qi flowing. Eating healthy and reducing your intake of dairy and greasy foods can also help lessen joint pain. Vitamin D is important for bone and joint health: you can either take a supplement or simply make sure to get 10 minutes of sun exposure per day during the winter months.

2. Complimentary Treatment Focus: Reiki
Turning Point offers a number of treatments that compliment regular acupuncture visits. For the new year we thought it would be helpful to give you a little bit of information on these treatments, starting with Reiki.

What Is It? Reiki is an ancient technique of "laying on of hands," in which the practitioner helps to bring into balance your connection to a spiritual wisdom or universal life energy. A gentle, non-invasive technique for stress reduction, nourishment and relaxation, it helps ease pain, still the mind and increase energy. "It felt like the dream-filled nap of a lifetime," says Shane Hoffman of his last session.

Who Does It? Lourdes Guzman is a Reiki Master. She has been practicing Reiki since 1994 and a master Reiki instructor for over ten years.

Why Should I Do It? A Reiki treatment feels like a glowing radiance that flows through and around the body, leaving the receiver with an immediate sense of well-being. Why wouldn't you want that?

How Much Does It Cost? Regular Reiki sessions are $90. Mention this newsletter when booking and you will receive a 15% discount!

3. Practice Updates

Turning Point is proud to announce the opening of a special Reiki room in our office suite. Make sure to check it out and ask about Reiki sessions on your next visit!

Survery question: Turning Point seeks your input. We are considering relocating to: 1) space on the 7th Ave line #1 train line across the street from Penn Station. The building is literally steps from the subway stairwell. Or 2) space near the 23rd St stop of the #1 train line or 4) space near the 28th St stop of the # 1 train. of the What's your opinion? 
To vote for Penn Station email here: pennstation@nycacupuncture.com. To vote for 23rd St near 7th Ave email here:23rd@nycacupuncture.com. To vote for 28th St near 7th Ave email here: 28th@nycacupuncture.com.
To rally for Columbus Cirlce email here: columbuscircle@nycacupuncture.com. 

Gilles Obermeyer  is offering an introductory Qi Gong class on Saturday mornings (10-11am). Classes are small and limited to 5 persons in series of 4 classes of 60 minutes. One must commit to the entire series to register. The series will feature the building blocks of medical and Internal QiGong (8 Brocades, Xin Ji QiGong, 5 Elelments, Dao Yin and more) including meditation and additional relevant exercises from Shiatsu and Bagua. Call Turning Point to register. Session begins February 13. 

Gilles Obermeyer and Rosie O'Shea are offering a couples massage special in celebration of Valentine's Day ($250). Private class couples massage is also available to learn methods of massaging your loved one. For more info email:gilles_obermayer@yahoo.com.

Keep an eye out for the re-launch of our website. We've been working hard and hope you will find our new internet home a welcoming, special place. 
Finally, a bittersweet announcement. Kymberly Kelly has decided to leave Turning Point to focus on building her private practice. We wish her all best luck and will miss her healing talent and wonderful sense of humor. 

We offer gift certificates for acupuncture, Reiki and massage - all wonderful ways to take care of yourself and your loved ones and start of the new year in a healthy way! Email  turningpointoffice@verizon.net, call (212. 489. 5038) or visit our offices (1841 Broadway) to share a gift of healing.

We look forward to supporting you toward your fullest enjoyment of the season in optimum emotional, physical and spiritual health.

Be well,
E. Shane Hoffman, DAOM, LAC
Amanda Silver, LAC
Karen Ortiz, LAC
Lourdes Guzman, Reiki Master
Gilles Obermeyer, LMT
Hector Mendez
Kim Chinh Shayne Figueroa


Turning Point Acupuncture
1841 Broadway
New York City
212. 489. 5038
nycacupuncture.com

copyright 2010 Turning Point Acupuncture. All rights reserved. This newsletter may be reproduced in its entirety only, including this copyright line.

Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture is a treatment developed by acupuncturist Martha Lucas. There are two beneficial aspects to this treatment. One is a "root" treatment, which regulates the flow of energy (qi) and removes blockages in the meridians (channels of qi and blood) to improve overall health and restore balance to the body. This constitutional treatment addresses underlying causes, like digestive problems, hormonal imbalance and emotional stress, which become reflected in the face. The other is a local treatment, which directly affects facial appearance. Since many of the meridians begin or end on the face, there is an increase in circulation of blood, lymph and qi to the face that aids in moistening and creating a radiant color and glow to the skin. 

Price List:
The suggested course includes 2 sessions weekly for five weeks. All sessions include full body acupuncture treatment in addition to facial treatment.

Full course of 10 treatments = $1500

Dear Friends and Colleagues:
Welcome to Summer! This is the best time of year to get out and enjoy the wonders of nature. Even though it has been a bit on the rainy side in the northeast, there are still great opportunities to make slight adjustments to our routines and make the most of the season.

In this issue:

1. Dampness – Western and Eastern Perspectives
2. Recipe - Barley Fruit Chicken Salad
3. Practice Updates
   

Dampness – Western and Eastern Perspectives
Western Perspective
Biomedicine recognizes that excessively rainy and damp weather can negatively impact a person's mood and even her health. Both rain and the humidity of summer heat are expressions of dampness. Conditions such as arthritis are particularly vulnerable to damp. Almost everyone has a great-aunt or other relative who can predict the weather with no shortage of drama, based upon spikes of joint pain. The standard of care in biomedicine is over the counter analgesic medication like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen sodium, (Aleve). These medicines work by reducing inflammation to decrease pain. Unfortunately the whole class of these drugs tend to challenge the digestive system. The standard recommendation is to use them for a maximum period of ten days, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. Topical analgesics may provide some benefit without the risk of digestive challenge. Damp, warm conditions are also ideal for the growth of mold. People with mold allergies should take special care to make sure that their living spaces are clean and well ventilated. Mold allergies typically manifest with respiratory symptoms. There are several over-the-counter and prescription strength medications available for mold allergies triggered by dampness.

Eastern Perspective
In Asian medicine, dampness in nature - damp weather including humidity, rain and fog - has the potential to manifest as spleen-related complication. Internal dampness can also be triggered by the overuse of certain antibiotics and consumption of rich, sweet foods, like dairy products, sugary or high glycemic foods. When the spleen energy (qi) is depleted by dampness, essential digestive functions are impaired. Another physical manifestation of this imbalance is excessive phlegm - viewed in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a condensed form of dampness. Along with acupuncture treatment to help restore the qi, certain foods can help resolve dampness, including: pearl barley, umeoboshi plums, lentils, tuna, radish, papaya and horseradish. So, in moments when damp in inescapable, try to ease the burden on your spleen by making cleaner food choices of simple foods.

Summary and Strategy
Throughout the winter, our bodies rest and conserve energy as we wait the return of warmer days and the re-emergence of the sun. Damp, rainy weather puts a kink in this natural rhythm and can impact our bodies on several different levels. Keeping a positive outlook, maintaining a clean living environment and eating healthy foods are all positive preventative measures. Acupuncture can help support the body's process of transitioning to the weather of the new season. We cannot control the weather, but we can be proactive in assessing our bodies' reactions to it.

Recipe
The following recipe includes some key ingredients - pearl barley, almonds, cranberries and blueberries - to help fight dampness.
Barley Fruited Chicken Salad *adapted from Barleyfoods.org
2 cups cooked pearl barley (cooking directions below)
1-1/2 cups cooked and cubed chicken
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/2 cup Italian dressing (see below)
1/3 cup sliced fresh blueberries


Combine cooked barley, chicken, almonds, cranberries, celery and onions. Drizzle salad dressing over barley-chicken mixture and toss with fork. Chill well. To serve, spoon chilled salad into serving bowl and top with blueberries. Toss lightly to mix. Makes 4 servings.

To cook pearl barley
Place 3 cups water in medium saucepan; bring to boil. Add 1 cup pearl barley; return to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook 45 minutes or until barley is tender and liquid is absorbed. Makes about 3 to 3-1/2 cups. (Place any extra cooked barley in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week.)

Italian Salad Dressing:
6 tbsp. olive oil
3 tbsp. wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
-Combine and whisk well before use.

Practice Updates
We've updated the Turning Point website with the first in a series of topical essays on Oriental medicine and research. The inaugural piece is about weight loss and can be found on the Links page of the site.

Also on the website, check out the updated information on constitutional facial renewal. Expert practitioner Kymberly Kelly offers this safe, effective treatment as a supplement or alternative to Botox and cosmetic surgery.

If you haven't already, consider joining the Turning Point Facebook Group. It's a great way to stay in touch and receive regular reminders about practice events and updates.

On July 20 from 12:30 - 1:30pm, Amanda Silver will be hosting a workshop on acupuncture and fertility. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to 212-489-5038 by July 17th.

Turning Point has gone GREEN. Check out our official Eco-Policy.

If you're looking to treat yourself or a friend this summer, keep in mind that Turning Point offers gift certificates for acupuncture, Reiki or massage. Email turningpointoffice@verizon.net, call (212. 489. 5038) or visit our offices (1841 Broadway) to share a gift of healing.

We look forward to supporting you toward your fullest enjoyment of the season in optimum emotional, physical and spiritual health.

Ongoing Events

Saturday Auricular Therapy - Seeds of Change

11:30am  - 12:30pm

Come on in to balance your qi for a wonderful start of the week. Auricular therapy is a system of acupuncture that works to balance the energies of the body to proffer comfort, wellness and release from the trappings of stress.

Here’s how it works: After checking in, you are shown to a comfy chair and served a delicious herbal balancing cup of tea to assist with the relaxation process. A Turning Point therapist will come and assess you and design the correct balancing treatment for your particular situation. Based on the assessment, the therapist will then place needles in one of your ears. In the opposite ear, the therapist will secure special seeds on acupuncture points to provide a continuing therapeutic benefit into the days ahead.

This therapy provides a strong calming effect and allows people to feel relaxed yet alert. The results are almost immediate; people often leave feeling more focused and confident.

$40 (please pay cash if possible, our credit card machine is noisy)
12-16 People simultaneous capacity

Past Events

Optimal Fertility with Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine - A Free Introductory Workshop

Learn how ancient Chinese wisdom can teach us to be strong and healthful in diet, lifestyle and being in preparation and maintenance of conception and pregnancy.