Charm City Integrative Health: Clinic Status Update

March 14, 2020

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to update you on our current clinic status. We are open and will remain so until we either feel we cannot safely ensure your health or we are mandated to close. While no one knows the exact impact of this disease we hope that everyone remains as calm as possible. The general panic and rush to clear shelves at grocery stores is a testament to how this pandemic is adding to everyone’s stress levels.  

In the office, we already had a cleaning procedure for anything that would be in contact with patients/clients. We have reviewed our procedures and have added additional cleaning and safety precautions to better ensure your health.  We have a Purell dispenser as you enter and leave our office and we have been wiping surfaces like light switches, door handles and equipment between clients and throughout the day. We have talked with our cleaning crew about implementing some additional safeguards when they clean. Aurora has offered to expand acupuncture hours on both Friday and Saturday afternoons to help better accommodate clients in order to help as many people as we possibly can.  

We ask that if you feel under the weather, please call us to cancel, but if you are able to, please keep your appointments. Many of the services we offer here have been demonstrated to improve immune system function and may help you to stay healthy.  While we cannot speak to coronavirus specifically, as it is too new, we are confident we can help you tonify your immune system prior to getting sick. Many of our services also help relax and calm which also has been shown to keep your immune system in optimal health. I am telling you these things not to have people rushing in, but to let you know that we wish to be of the best possible service during these stressful times.  

As a small business owner and human with a family, I understand your fears, anxiety and stress.  The staff and I are going to be closely monitoring the situation and making necessary arrangements whenever needed.  For however long we need to we will post some online content that may be useful for stress reduction and general health and immune system tips.  

If you have any questions or requests please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 443-869-6584

While there is clearly nothing good about a pandemic, I’m hoping that during this time of “social distancing” we can realize how we are all interconnected to humanity and the planet as a whole.  

Please stay safe and calm and know that all of us at CCIH will continue to serve you as best as we can.  

Sincerely,

Dr. Tom

Dr. Tom in "Your Tango" Magazine - It's More Than Just Weight!→

Credit: Your Tango Magazine

Does Acupuncture Help With Weight Loss?

There's a lot that can be going on when you gain weight, and acupuncture can actually help with many of those things.

Recently, Dr. Tom Ingegno was asked to voice his opinion in YourTango Magazine:

“Weight gain can come from a variety of issues. Looking into the realm of functional medicine, weight gain may be due hormone imbalance, bad gut health, or stress inducing high cortisol levels. Acupuncture can’t magically help people lose weight, but can help resolve some of these underlying issues. Studies have shown that acupuncture combined with diet and exercise can help patients lose about an additional pound a week,” advises Dr. Tom Ingegno, DACM, who owns an integrative medical center in Baltimore, MD.”

To read the entire article, please visit https://www.yourtango.com/2019321972/does-acupuncture-help-with-weight-loss.

Charm City Integrative Health: A Path to Healing

We recently got a lovely letter from one of our patients that had received acupuncture for chronic pain back in 2010/2011. Wonderful to hear about her journey to healing and living pain free. (Seriously, this just made our day!)

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Hello! I’ve been meaning to write this email for some time, because I think it’s important for people who live with chronic pain to know that acupuncture can really help. 

Several years ago, probably around 2010/2011, I came to a community acupuncture session that Tom was giving. I asked him if acupuncture could help with a coccyx injury. As a person in my mid-late 20s, I’d experienced chronic pain in that region for about 6 years that led to cortisol injections, physical therapy (which made it worse), and even a consultation with a spinal surgeon. I never had a fall or any trauma to that area so it wasn’t a surprise that traditional western treatments weren’t working. Tom said it could help, but he made no promises. 

After what was probably a few weeks of treatment, I stopped thinking about the pain, and I remember that I wasn’t wincing every time I shifted my body when I was sitting in a chair. It was taking the edge off and that was all I ever hoped for. That and no more cortisol injections. After a couple months I stopped treatment, thinking this was as good as it was gonna get. 

But one day, maybe a month or two after I stopped treatment, I realized there was no more pain. I didn’t understand why or how, but it was gone! I knew it had to be the acupuncture. Nothing else had changed. I’ve been pain-free ever since. And I’ve always meant to let Tom know that but never took the time. 

Fast forward to 2016 when I started seeing a healer, and I’m actually about to begin seeing my first reiki clients! It’s amazing how the whole process helped me to understand why acupuncture worked, circumstances that led to the issue in the first place, and so much more. 

I just wanted to say how grateful I am for the treatments I received. I also want to make sure Tom knows that he was successful in healing someone with severe chronic pain at that location. Please let people with pain know there is help for them and they don’t have to go the traditional western medicine route which is invasive, expensive, and for me, was very painful. Thank you so much for what you do every day.

With love,
P

7 Healthy Tips For Coping with Financial Stress

If you feel stressed you're just living your life, you’re not alone

Americans lead stressful lives.  Jobs, relationships, health, family obligations, community responsibilities—they all take their toll.

In “Stress in America”, an annual survey by the American Psychology Association, 1 in 5 respondents reported an extreme stress level of 8, 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale.  In that same group, 69% of respondents reported physical or non-physical symptoms of stress, including irritability or anger, fatigue, feeling overwhelmed or changes in their sleep.

The top source of stress according to 69% of the respondents is money.

Coping with money worries is difficult for many people.  You may feel lost or out of control.  You may argue with your spouse.  And ironically, you may go on a shopping spree to try to relieve your stress.

7 Healthy Tips for Coping with Financial Stress

1) Take breaks from the computer.  Computer work is hard on your neck and shoulders and for many people, financial work is the most stressful computer work of all.  All this stress can lead to a sore neck, shoulders, and back. Get up every 45 minutes to walk around and stretch.  Take deep breaths.  Keep your body relaxed so your emotions stay level.

2) Take charge of your finances.  Track your earnings and spending every day for a month.  Be ruthless and write down every penny. When you have a clear picture of your income and expenses make a reasonable spending plan which keeps them balanced.  Don’t budget for what you hope you’ll make or wish you’ll spend.  Be realistic.  Having a budget will give you control and reduce your financial stress.

 3) Plan your splurges.  It’s difficult to stick with a financial plan if you feel like it is overly restrictive and deprives you of what you love.  Create a  budget for reasonable treats.  Plan to spend money on the things that give you the most pleasure.

 4) Balance making more with spending less.  Sometimes taking extra shifts at work is smart and sometimes spending less is the best plan.  Make conscious choices about which strategy gives you the most pleasure and the least financial stress.

 5) Plan your shopping trips to avoid impulse buys.  Shopping can be stressful when you’re worried about money.  Shop when you are fed, hydrated and relaxed. Shopping sales seem like a smart idea but if you buy because you’re afraid you will never see such great prices again, they cost you money.  When you shop sales buy only what you planned.  Don’t fall prey to “Sale Fever.”

 6) Find support.  Sharing your financial triumphs and frustrations with a friend can be a big help in dealing with your financial stress.  A friendly ear gives you feedback when you’re tempted to blow your budget and accountability when you get lax.

 7) Stay Calm.  If you feel panic because you can’t pay your bills, remember to breathe.  Think about what your next step should be, resist negative thoughts or making your circumstances huge.  Remember similar times when you managed your problems successfully.

When you worry about money it is especially important to take care of your health.  Remember to do your healthy routines.  Exercise, eat well and get enough sleep.

Take steps to manage your financial stress.  Call me if you need help relieving your stress symptoms. 443-869-6584

Don’t forget to get some acupuncture!
 

VIDEO: 3 Tips for Finding a GREAT Licensed Acupuncturist

It can be tough to find the right option in alternative medicine these days. With so many choices, the search can seem difficult but it's easy if you know the right questions to ask.

Today's local holistic expert is here to give you some great tips to help you find the right professional who will quickly treat your issues. 

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I'm often asked, "Tom, how do I find the right acupuncturist?" The problem is that finding the right choice in acupuncture can feel overwhelming. Acupuncture can often seem foreign and present concepts that we in the West haven't been exposed to before, but the good news is if you have some basic questions at your disposal - making the right choice can be much easier.

If you've heard good things about acupuncture and think it might be a treatment that would fit you, where do you start? Finding someone who is nearby with hours and availability that works for your schedule can be a challenge. I'd like to give you a few tips to help you find a great licensed acupuncturist. 

Tip #1
Do they have a great reputation? 

Social media has made it easy to find out all about your practitioner. Look them up online. Do they have a good amount of positive reviews? You want to make sure that others have had a good experience. It will give you some good information in order to make your decision

Tip #2
Do they offer free consultations? 

Consultations are a great way to meet the acupuncturist, see their location and make sure they are the right fit to help you get the results you're looking for. This is a great opportunity for you to ask the acupuncturist questions about your health issues as well as questions about their experience and training

Tip #3
Do they offer other therapies in their office? 

Acupuncture is amazing, but there are many other techniques that the acupuncturist may be able to provide you to help you get better faster. Not only can a good acupuncturist provide techniques like cupping, Gua Sha, Cupping, dietary advice and herbal medicine, but they may be able to offer modern therapies and supplements as well.

Our expertise is in recovery and peak performance and we focus on helping potential patients reach their health goals with custom treatment plans that can include acupuncture, whole body cryotherapy, massage and more. For a free consultation, they can schedule on our website here or they can call us at 443-869-6584. We're happy to help. We want patients to reach their optimal health levels

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Wow. That's pretty incredible, isn't it? Now you have some great tips to find just the right professional that will help you along. Are you ready to learn more? You can reach today's expert by calling the number on your screen. See you next time