Dorene is a licensed acupuncturist and nationally certified herbalist with a private practice in downtown Manhattan. She is also a supervisor at NYU Joint Disease Hospital for the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. As a certified personal trainer, she instructs adults in physical fitness, including Tai Qi and Qi Gong. Her work is strongly influenced by the Sandlin technique, many years of martial arts study, and a concentration in Eastern and Western nutrition. dorene@aol.com 917.743.6605
How long have you been an acupuncturist?
I began my formal education of Chinese medicine 11 years ago. Prior to my study I was a personal trainer interested in helping people make changes in their lives through exercise and nutrition. The study of holistic medicine was a natural outgrowth from my role as a mother and fitness instructor.
What is acupuncture based on?
In Chinese medicine, health is seen as having the right amount and smooth flow of qi. Qi has no corresponding word or concept in English; however we loosely translate qi as vital energy or the life force. Qi circulates throughout the body along specific pathways called channels or meridians, very similar to the way blood circulates through the vessels. The overall health of the body is dependent upon the flow of qi. If qi becomes deficient or blocked there is imbalance in the body, and pain or illness develops.
Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine hair-like needles into the body at specific points along the meridians, which guide the energy where qi is insufficient and clear the pathway where qi is stagnant. This stimulation of nourishing depleted areas and eliminating blockage restores balance and health to the body.
Why did you get involved in learning about Eastern culture and medicine?
The birth of my children inspired the cultivation of knowledge and new methods for managing my daily routines. The responsibility of new life created the need to explore how I cared for myself and my family. I began to dabble in homeopathy and alternative techniques of dealing with health care. I took classes at the Natural Gourmet Institute, where I was introduced to the concept of raising my children in a healthy drug free environment, the healing power of food and the dietary concepts of balancing a meal according to the Chinese Five Element theory. I also recognized that the role of mom led me to lose my sense of self and be scattered in my focus and thinking. Again I turned to the Eastern way of thinking and began to study Tai Chi. This form of moving meditation enabled me to be present and go inward. As Qi Gong exercises became more of a part of my habitual practice, the integration of Eastern philosophy along with my upbringing and interests became important aspects to understanding and interpreting the world.
Studying the medicine was an inevitable development.
How does the martial arts study go together with that?
Dedication to the study of martial arts involves connecting with the key aspects of life: being present, understanding the body and laws of nature and living with self-discipline. Presently I practice a few styles of martial arts since they address various aspects of my being. Daily I practice Qi Gong, a method of low impact exercise that blends posture and movement, mental concentration and focused breathing. Qi Gong helps to reduce stress, improve health, and increase vitality by supporting the channels of energy in the body. I also practice Tai Chi Chuan, a healing martial art form that blends energy circulation, breathing and stretching techniques with martial movement. This longer form integrates the body, mind and spirit for the purpose of improving health and increasing internal power and physical strength. Last of all I study Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a martial art that concentrates on grappling, especially ground fighting. As a petite female, I was attracted to the principle that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves against bigger, stronger opponents.
A martial artist lives life in harmony through proper eating and sleeping and forming valuable relationships. Problems that occur in training are a reflection of the issues one faces in life.
And you are also a personal trainer.
I have always been interested in exercise as a method of feeling present in life. For years, as a video editor I regularly practiced resistance training because it helped me to breathe, relax and feel capable. After giving birth to my children I wanted to feel good within my body and myself so I began to study various approaches for reshaping and strengthening the body. I formally studied fitness at NYU and became a nationally certified personal trainer. I love working with special populations, particularly older adults, chronically ill, and pregnant women. Since we live in a physical world, being in your body is an important and necessary aspect of a full and healthy life.
Do you blend all of this together in your practice?
Originally I was attracted to study Eastern medicine because the individual is viewed as a manifestation of mind, body and spirit. As a result, Traditional Chinese medicine utilizes the energetics of various modes, acupuncture, herbs, massage, nutrition and exercise to harmonize the body and reconnect with the universe.
It is impossible for me to separate in categories all the knowledge I’ve acquired through my years of living. Life experiences and formal training overlap, and I hope I integrate the information as wisdom I can share with others.
What is the biggest difference between Eastern and Western practices of treating disease or injury?
Eastern medicine is based on the promotion of health, the prevention of illness, and the treatment of the entire person. The goal is to strengthen the internal systems so the body can adapt and maintain homeostasis. These are very different concepts then the allopathic, scientific method. Western medicine is wonderful emergency medicine and in times of crisis it can save lives. However Western medicine tends to surpress symptoms with medication rather then prevent disease. The major difference I see between the two medical paradigms is that western methodology is designed to treat the symptoms, while eastern methodology addresses the symptoms and the root of the problem.
What are some misconceptions about acupuncture and Eastern philosophies?
One question often raised is about the safety of acupuncture. I can easily say there is essentially no chance of contamination since I utilize single use sterilized disposable needles. Acupuncture is a safe procedure when a licensed professional who is board certified by the National Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) administers treatments.
Another question commonly asked is acupuncture painful? Each person’s reaction with acupuncture is different. Since acupuncture needles are not much thicker than a hair, most people find treatments are basically painless or sense minimal discomfort. After the needle is inserted, you may notice unusual sensations such as a feeling of heaviness, tingling, or the movement of energy along the channel. Often patients report a profound sense of calm after treatment, which enables the body to relax and heal.
Do you find people are more aware and accepting of alternative health practices than when you started?
Over the past 10 - 12 years I’ve witnesses more interest in alternative approaches. Acupuncture is slowly gaining recognition in our culture. The importance of this medical approach is apparent by the government funding the National Institute for Health for studying the benefits of Chinese medicine. In addition, acceptance of the Eastern paradigm as a complement to Western medicine can be seen by physicians recommending acupuncture treatment, insurance companies beginning to provide benefits for treatment and the inclusion of acupuncture into popular television shows, like Sex in the City or ER.
Today we observe that our medical system is failing our society. The system needs to be revamped and incorporate some of the concepts of alternative medical practices. In ancient Chinese culture, the doctor was viewed as an excellent practitioner if the population he served was healthy. The view of a doctor promoting health, wellness and preventative medicine should be a major focus in our medical approach.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
100 Year Lifestyle--Interview With Dr. Gregg Rubenstein
Dr. Gregg Rubinstein attended the New York Chiropractic College where he received his Doctorate in Chiropractic. In addition, he completed post graduate studies in orthopedics and treatment of the low back including a lecture/study certificate program in advanced clinical radiographic studies. Practicing in Manhaattan for 10 years, Dr. Rubinstein is experienced in family care, as well as sports and dance related injuries. Armed For Life is honored to have Dr. Rubenstein share his insights at an alternative health and wellness workshop, which will be held October 17. For more information visit: http://www.meetup.com/Your-Health-Is-Your-Wealth/
When and why did you decide to become a chiropractor?
It was interesting. I did not know what a chiropractor was until I was about 18 years old. I was at a high school graduation party and this girl that I was talking to told me that her father was a chiropractor. She then went on to explain some of the things a chiropractor does involving natural health. I was quite interested in the fact that the body heals itself unless there is some type interference to the nervous system, which is normally responsible for keeping us healthy.
About three weeks later, my freshman year at college, I saw a sign for a pre-chiropractic club meeting; I decided to check it out. After hearing that chiropractor talk about natural health and healing, everything just clicked. I had that “A-ha” moment and knew immediately what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.
Have your feelings and interest in it changed over the years?
My feelings have really shifted over the years of practice, because I saw great things happening in my office. Not just with people that had back pain or neck pain, but really having a solid impact on their overall health—chronic headaches ceased, people had more energy, their asthma and allergies cited improvement. As time went on I realized what an impact it had on my own health. I've never missed a day of work in 19 years, due to any type of illness.
Can people of all ages see a chiropractor?
The thing is, most people are not in the mindset to go to a doctor when they're not having pain. What I try and teach people is that caring for your spine is a lot like caring for your teeth. You don't wait until your teeth hurt to brush them. You do not wait until your teeth hurt to go and see a dentist! You take care of your teeth throughout the course of a lifetime, no matter how old you are, to make sure that you can chew solid food when you're 60, 70 and 80.
Now, with people living longer, these same concepts need to be applied to your spinal health. Your spine, along with your nervous system, controls and coordinates every cell, tissue and organ system in your entire body. Caring for your spine throughout your lifetime will ensure that your spine and nervous system stay healthy. We've all seen that person with an unhealthy spine that is all bent over not walking straight. That kind of thing doesn't happen overnight! The spine slowly degenerates over time. But if you take the time, and the appropriate action steps now, when you’re young, to keep your spine and nervous system healthy throughout the course of your lifetime, these degenerative processes never happen, or are slowed down enough so they become imperceptible later and have less of an impact on your health. I can show you pictures of a 100 year-old man waterskiing and another picture of a 65 year old woman in a wheelchair in a nursing home. It all depends on keeping your spine and nervous system healthy throughout the course of your lifetime rather than waiting for enough pain or discomfort before you try to do anything about it. By the time pain or discomfort shows up, it may already be too late. I'm constantly recommending that parents bring their children in. When you think about how many times a child falls when they learn to walk... how many times they fall off their bicycle, get tackled by their friends, have sports injuries, etc. All of these incidents, if not corrected can set the stage for spine and health problems later in life.
Has the belief of the general public in what you do changed since you first began? Is it more widely accepted?
There certainly has been more acceptance of chiropractic care, over time, especially for treating back and neck pain. But that's not really what chiropractic was founded on. Of course it's a great treatment for neck pain and back pain, because it eliminates pressure on the nerves due to spinal misalignments. But the thing that not everyone accepts is that those same nerves are the nerves that control your heart, your lungs, your kidneys, your spleen and even your immune system. They are responsible for maintaining all of our bodily functions without us even thinking about it. With that in mind, keeping your nervous system healthy will ultimately keep your body functioning at its optimal potential. It is interference to the nervous system, your body's natural genetic communications center, that results in pain, illness and poor health.
The more people that are exposed to what we do and how we go about it, the more it really makes sense to them. Many people may not be ready for these concepts of prevention in health care. But, in my mind, that is the most important part of what we do and why I spend so much time educating my patients on the general health and wellness benefits of chiropractic.
What are some of the misconceptions people have about going to a chiropractor?
There are so many misconceptions about chiropractic and chiropractic care out there. Sometimes, I don't know where to begin. We can start with the fact that people don't think chiropractors are real doctors. Chiropractors go through the exact same educational process as medical doctors do before Medical College. Additionally, the course of study in the first year and a half of a chiropractor's education is very similar to that of the M.D. Both professions take the exact same anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and diagnosis classes. When they then focus on surgical techniques and pharmacology the chiropractors are focused on spinal biomechanics, spinal manipulation and the like, which leads to the different degree.
Another misconception is that chiropractors are only good for back or neck pain. Again, I always remind my patients of the close association of the nervous system’s function to how well the spine is lined up. Even the slightest misalignment of the vertebrae can put pressure on the nerves, which can alter their function. The slightest pressure on a nerve, as little as the weight of a dime, can cause interference to a nerve’s ability to function properly. The slightest alteration in nerve function can have profound effects on the body’s systemic functions. The brain constantly needs to monitor all of its organ systems and give those systems feedback on what they need to do next, to keep our bodies functioning properly.
A misconception that I hear a lot is that chiropractic is not safe. The funny thing is that chiropractic is probably the safest form of health care out there. When you really think about it, the safety of a profession, is really reflected by how often they get sued. This is a direct reflection of how expensive ones malpractice insurance is. Chiropractic malpractice insurance is usually only about $2500- $3500 per year, as compared to a medical doctor, where they pay $10,000-$20,000, and some medical specialties up to $100,000 a year. The truth is that chiropractic is very safe, and the best part, is that there are no side effects! As a matter of fact, over-the-counter and prescription medications adverse reactions are well over a hundred times more likely to negatively impact someone's health than a chiropractic adjustment!
When did you start doing the lectures on the 100 year lifestyle?
I started lecturing on the 100 year lifestyle about two and a half to three years ago. What's important to understand is that people are living longer and longer; and we don't get to control how or when we die. We can only really control how we live. By taking the appropriate action steps early in life and teaching our children about wellness and prevention they can grow up and be healthy their entire lives. When we really look at our parents and grandparents… no one really told them that they were going to live to be 100 years old, and they didn't plan to live that long. And sadly, by not taking care of their bodies they wore themselves down over time, and many of them became part of the nursing home generation living their lives like it was a 65 year sprint instead of a 100 year marathon.
How does that relate to being a chiropractor?
The 100 year lifestyle relates to chiropractic because chiropractic is one piece of the puzzle of living to a hundred years. Taking care of your spine, maintaining good alignment of your nervous system, will enable you to live your life without limits. The nerve system, the “Master” system of your body, will be able to work properly and efficiently throughout the course of your lifetime, which helps you adapt to your world in ways that keep you healthy. I view my role as a chiropractor to teach these concepts to adults and children so they can learn how to be healthy throughout the course of their lifetime, and not just be motivated by the “crisis” of pain or sickness to take the appropriate action steps to keep themselves healthy. If you pay attention to your health all the time, through exercise, proper diet, proper spinal alignment and decreasing stress, it will lead to a healthy lifestyle, and a healthy lifestyle leads to a healthy life!
How does the education you give help your patients to be healthier?
The education that we give our patients is one of the biggest things we can do, because we are not just educating our patients, we’re also educating them to educate their kids—the next generation. By teaching the next generation to avoid the pitfalls that previous generations have endured, they will grow up healthier, use less medications, use less drugs and have a higher quality of life to 100 years and beyond.
What do you see as the most significant health problem at this time?
The most significant health problem facing us today is that we are killing ourselves. It is our lifestyles that kill us. When you really think about it, the top 10 killers of people today are all preventable via lifestyle changes. What is the best way to prevent heart disease? What's the best way to prevent diabetes? What's the best way to prevent cancer?” The answer is lifestyle. Everyone knows diet and exercise is the number one way to prevent heart disease, diabetes and cancer. If we continue to eat to excess, eat fatty and toxic foods, breathe polluted air, and don't exercise we are the ones who are going to pay the price. A study performed by The MacArthur Foundation stated that your health is 30% genetic and 70% lifestyle. So if diabetes runs in your family that does not mean that you're definitely going to get diabetes. You can combat that disease through lifestyle modification, because it's only 30% genetic and 70% lifestyle. Limit your sugar intake, exercise and control your weight. If you make the appropriate action steps to change your lifestyle now, and educate the generations to come on a healthier lifestyle, almost all of the top causes of death would decrease on a huge scale.
What can we do about it?
That is the million-dollar question, what can we do about it? Stop killing ourselves! I've already touched on that. By making changes in your lifestyle, you can improve the overall quality of your life. We need to teach people about what motivates them. Most people are motivated by crisis, meaning that they wait until there is enough pain or discomfort before they see someone, or they've gained enough weight that their clothes don't fit to then start a diet. At that point people are forced to make decisions that they regret because they take valuable time, energy and money. But doesn't it make more sense to take care of yourself throughout the course of your lifetime and make healthy decisions every day? Of course it does! It makes much more sense rather than waiting for a crisis situation to a rise. That is really the essence of what “The 100 Year Lifestyle” is about and why I have committed so much time to teaching these concepts. It's really not so hard. It's about thinking progress, not perfection, and learning to live your best life every day for a 100 and beyond. So start an exercise program; eat healthier; learn about supplements and cleanses to help your body get rid of the toxins in our environment that we take in every day. Get your spine and your children's spines checked by a chiropractor to make sure there is no interference to the nerve system. So you can function better, have less pain, more energy and that healthy life to 100 years and beyond.
When and why did you decide to become a chiropractor?
It was interesting. I did not know what a chiropractor was until I was about 18 years old. I was at a high school graduation party and this girl that I was talking to told me that her father was a chiropractor. She then went on to explain some of the things a chiropractor does involving natural health. I was quite interested in the fact that the body heals itself unless there is some type interference to the nervous system, which is normally responsible for keeping us healthy.
About three weeks later, my freshman year at college, I saw a sign for a pre-chiropractic club meeting; I decided to check it out. After hearing that chiropractor talk about natural health and healing, everything just clicked. I had that “A-ha” moment and knew immediately what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.
Have your feelings and interest in it changed over the years?
My feelings have really shifted over the years of practice, because I saw great things happening in my office. Not just with people that had back pain or neck pain, but really having a solid impact on their overall health—chronic headaches ceased, people had more energy, their asthma and allergies cited improvement. As time went on I realized what an impact it had on my own health. I've never missed a day of work in 19 years, due to any type of illness.
Can people of all ages see a chiropractor?
The thing is, most people are not in the mindset to go to a doctor when they're not having pain. What I try and teach people is that caring for your spine is a lot like caring for your teeth. You don't wait until your teeth hurt to brush them. You do not wait until your teeth hurt to go and see a dentist! You take care of your teeth throughout the course of a lifetime, no matter how old you are, to make sure that you can chew solid food when you're 60, 70 and 80.
Now, with people living longer, these same concepts need to be applied to your spinal health. Your spine, along with your nervous system, controls and coordinates every cell, tissue and organ system in your entire body. Caring for your spine throughout your lifetime will ensure that your spine and nervous system stay healthy. We've all seen that person with an unhealthy spine that is all bent over not walking straight. That kind of thing doesn't happen overnight! The spine slowly degenerates over time. But if you take the time, and the appropriate action steps now, when you’re young, to keep your spine and nervous system healthy throughout the course of your lifetime, these degenerative processes never happen, or are slowed down enough so they become imperceptible later and have less of an impact on your health. I can show you pictures of a 100 year-old man waterskiing and another picture of a 65 year old woman in a wheelchair in a nursing home. It all depends on keeping your spine and nervous system healthy throughout the course of your lifetime rather than waiting for enough pain or discomfort before you try to do anything about it. By the time pain or discomfort shows up, it may already be too late. I'm constantly recommending that parents bring their children in. When you think about how many times a child falls when they learn to walk... how many times they fall off their bicycle, get tackled by their friends, have sports injuries, etc. All of these incidents, if not corrected can set the stage for spine and health problems later in life.
Has the belief of the general public in what you do changed since you first began? Is it more widely accepted?
There certainly has been more acceptance of chiropractic care, over time, especially for treating back and neck pain. But that's not really what chiropractic was founded on. Of course it's a great treatment for neck pain and back pain, because it eliminates pressure on the nerves due to spinal misalignments. But the thing that not everyone accepts is that those same nerves are the nerves that control your heart, your lungs, your kidneys, your spleen and even your immune system. They are responsible for maintaining all of our bodily functions without us even thinking about it. With that in mind, keeping your nervous system healthy will ultimately keep your body functioning at its optimal potential. It is interference to the nervous system, your body's natural genetic communications center, that results in pain, illness and poor health.
The more people that are exposed to what we do and how we go about it, the more it really makes sense to them. Many people may not be ready for these concepts of prevention in health care. But, in my mind, that is the most important part of what we do and why I spend so much time educating my patients on the general health and wellness benefits of chiropractic.
What are some of the misconceptions people have about going to a chiropractor?
There are so many misconceptions about chiropractic and chiropractic care out there. Sometimes, I don't know where to begin. We can start with the fact that people don't think chiropractors are real doctors. Chiropractors go through the exact same educational process as medical doctors do before Medical College. Additionally, the course of study in the first year and a half of a chiropractor's education is very similar to that of the M.D. Both professions take the exact same anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and diagnosis classes. When they then focus on surgical techniques and pharmacology the chiropractors are focused on spinal biomechanics, spinal manipulation and the like, which leads to the different degree.
Another misconception is that chiropractors are only good for back or neck pain. Again, I always remind my patients of the close association of the nervous system’s function to how well the spine is lined up. Even the slightest misalignment of the vertebrae can put pressure on the nerves, which can alter their function. The slightest pressure on a nerve, as little as the weight of a dime, can cause interference to a nerve’s ability to function properly. The slightest alteration in nerve function can have profound effects on the body’s systemic functions. The brain constantly needs to monitor all of its organ systems and give those systems feedback on what they need to do next, to keep our bodies functioning properly.
A misconception that I hear a lot is that chiropractic is not safe. The funny thing is that chiropractic is probably the safest form of health care out there. When you really think about it, the safety of a profession, is really reflected by how often they get sued. This is a direct reflection of how expensive ones malpractice insurance is. Chiropractic malpractice insurance is usually only about $2500- $3500 per year, as compared to a medical doctor, where they pay $10,000-$20,000, and some medical specialties up to $100,000 a year. The truth is that chiropractic is very safe, and the best part, is that there are no side effects! As a matter of fact, over-the-counter and prescription medications adverse reactions are well over a hundred times more likely to negatively impact someone's health than a chiropractic adjustment!
When did you start doing the lectures on the 100 year lifestyle?
I started lecturing on the 100 year lifestyle about two and a half to three years ago. What's important to understand is that people are living longer and longer; and we don't get to control how or when we die. We can only really control how we live. By taking the appropriate action steps early in life and teaching our children about wellness and prevention they can grow up and be healthy their entire lives. When we really look at our parents and grandparents… no one really told them that they were going to live to be 100 years old, and they didn't plan to live that long. And sadly, by not taking care of their bodies they wore themselves down over time, and many of them became part of the nursing home generation living their lives like it was a 65 year sprint instead of a 100 year marathon.
How does that relate to being a chiropractor?
The 100 year lifestyle relates to chiropractic because chiropractic is one piece of the puzzle of living to a hundred years. Taking care of your spine, maintaining good alignment of your nervous system, will enable you to live your life without limits. The nerve system, the “Master” system of your body, will be able to work properly and efficiently throughout the course of your lifetime, which helps you adapt to your world in ways that keep you healthy. I view my role as a chiropractor to teach these concepts to adults and children so they can learn how to be healthy throughout the course of their lifetime, and not just be motivated by the “crisis” of pain or sickness to take the appropriate action steps to keep themselves healthy. If you pay attention to your health all the time, through exercise, proper diet, proper spinal alignment and decreasing stress, it will lead to a healthy lifestyle, and a healthy lifestyle leads to a healthy life!
How does the education you give help your patients to be healthier?
The education that we give our patients is one of the biggest things we can do, because we are not just educating our patients, we’re also educating them to educate their kids—the next generation. By teaching the next generation to avoid the pitfalls that previous generations have endured, they will grow up healthier, use less medications, use less drugs and have a higher quality of life to 100 years and beyond.
What do you see as the most significant health problem at this time?
The most significant health problem facing us today is that we are killing ourselves. It is our lifestyles that kill us. When you really think about it, the top 10 killers of people today are all preventable via lifestyle changes. What is the best way to prevent heart disease? What's the best way to prevent diabetes? What's the best way to prevent cancer?” The answer is lifestyle. Everyone knows diet and exercise is the number one way to prevent heart disease, diabetes and cancer. If we continue to eat to excess, eat fatty and toxic foods, breathe polluted air, and don't exercise we are the ones who are going to pay the price. A study performed by The MacArthur Foundation stated that your health is 30% genetic and 70% lifestyle. So if diabetes runs in your family that does not mean that you're definitely going to get diabetes. You can combat that disease through lifestyle modification, because it's only 30% genetic and 70% lifestyle. Limit your sugar intake, exercise and control your weight. If you make the appropriate action steps to change your lifestyle now, and educate the generations to come on a healthier lifestyle, almost all of the top causes of death would decrease on a huge scale.
What can we do about it?
That is the million-dollar question, what can we do about it? Stop killing ourselves! I've already touched on that. By making changes in your lifestyle, you can improve the overall quality of your life. We need to teach people about what motivates them. Most people are motivated by crisis, meaning that they wait until there is enough pain or discomfort before they see someone, or they've gained enough weight that their clothes don't fit to then start a diet. At that point people are forced to make decisions that they regret because they take valuable time, energy and money. But doesn't it make more sense to take care of yourself throughout the course of your lifetime and make healthy decisions every day? Of course it does! It makes much more sense rather than waiting for a crisis situation to a rise. That is really the essence of what “The 100 Year Lifestyle” is about and why I have committed so much time to teaching these concepts. It's really not so hard. It's about thinking progress, not perfection, and learning to live your best life every day for a 100 and beyond. So start an exercise program; eat healthier; learn about supplements and cleanses to help your body get rid of the toxins in our environment that we take in every day. Get your spine and your children's spines checked by a chiropractor to make sure there is no interference to the nerve system. So you can function better, have less pain, more energy and that healthy life to 100 years and beyond.
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