How to supercharge your blood

The benefits of blood electrification treatment

In the previous issue of the Red Clover Clinic Newsletter, I presented the benefits of electro-acupuncture medicine. I discussed how adding electricity to treatments can increase blood flow, stimulate the production of new cells, support toxin elimination, improve immune function, calm inflammation, and reduce stress. In this article I would like to talk about how targeting the blood with electricity is like a supercharge to your body. 

Understanding terrain theory

Back in January 2020, I wrote an article discussing the differences between terrain theory and germ theory, titled Why do we get sick? Looking back, my timing was uncanny! The basic premise of terrain theory is that we don’t get sick because germs are present; rather, germs can thrive because our bodies are weakened, stressed, and malnourished. From an electro-medicine standpoint, the body gets sick because it is low voltage, i.e., it has an electron deficiency.

The field of epigenetics has also grown out of this concept of terrain theory. Epigenetics is the study of how environment and lifestyle turn our genes on and off, affecting our health more than the genes themselves. This five-minute video by cell biologist Bruce Lipton illustrates how he came to the understanding that “less than 1% of illness is connected to genes, and over 90% of illness is connected to how you respond to the environment.” Toward the end of the video he makes a connection even more relevant to this article: “Consider the conditions of the culture medium, and in the human body, that’s blood.” 

How to get electricity into the blood and what does it do?

The mechanism of getting electricity into the blood is a lot simpler and less painful than it sounds. First, we need to understand that the fibrous covering of blood vessels is the third-most conductive tissue in the body. Second, we need to select a location on the body where the arteries lie close to the surface. The radial and ulnar arteries run just under the skin at the palm side of the wrist, where you would feel your pulse. In the office, I slide an acupuncture needle next to the artery. Another option is to use a TENS pad (see image below) over the pulse points. Of course, the needle or TENS pad needs to be connected to a device that emits the proper type of current. You can read more about that in my previous article. 

The benefits of doing this treatment include improving circulation; decreasing inflammation; strengthening the immune system by inhibiting viral, bacterial and fungal load in the blood; increasing body voltage and overall energy; promoting detoxification; and stimulating the production of new blood cells. A simple way to think about this is that electrons are an antioxidant and have a healing systemic effect on the body. As I already stated, this treatment supercharges the body by correcting the terrain.

A video showing the effects of adding electrons into the blood

In this eight-minute video, Dr. Jeremy Steiner, with whom I have been studying, shows the effects of the blood electrification treatment on blood cells, using dark field microscopy.  

How to get the most benefit from the blood electrification treatment

It is best to begin doing this treatment for 15 minutes and see how you feel. If you aren’t suffering from detoxification symptoms (headache, fatigue, aching joints, nerves on fire, skin itching, etc.), you can increase the time by another 15 minutes. Proceed in this manner until you are up to one to two hours a day. After four months, you can typically reduce usage to one to two times a week.

I frequently use this treatment with my clients when they are in the office for an acupuncture treatment. Each treatment will have a healing effect on the immune system, even if it can't yet be measured or noticed. If you are interested in ramping up the treatment and doing it daily, because you want to feel better, have a chronic condition, and/or are struggling with immune issues, there is an affordable unit that you can purchase from our office to do this at home. It is designed in such a way that you can wear it on your body and go about your day  without it being too cumbersome. 

Cautions

There are a few cautions to be aware of with this treatment. It should not be used by individuals with an implanted device, such as a pacemaker or defibrillator, or in pregnancy, without talking to their doctor. As the body heals and absorption increases, you may need to talk with your doctor if you need a dosage adjustment of a prescription medication. Finally, it should not be used near water, when driving a car, or when operating heavy equipment.

If you are curious about how to incorporate this treatment into your health program, please ask me about it at your next visit. It is quite empowering to have a tool that helps you to change the terrain of your body beyond changing your diet and increasing your exercise. It has been a game-changer for me personally. I have struggled with chemical sensitivity and fatigue for years, in spite of very healthy lifestyle habits. This self-treatment protocol is giving me my energy back and has reduced systemic inflammation. As Bruce Lipton said in the video:  “Change how you respond to the environment, and you change the characteristics of your life.“

Marie's body of knowledge

Are you looking for more distance out of your golf swing and reducing back pain and stiffness during or following your round of golf? Areas that commonly restrict a good backswing and follow-through are stiffness in the thoracic spine and rib cage, tight hip flexors, and decreased lumbar and pelvic rotation. Thoracic and rib cage stiffness and reduced rotation also over-stress the neck and result in neck and shoulder pain. 

A comprehensive physical therapy assessment of pelvic symmetry, spine mobility, and muscle flexibility, particularly of the hip flexors, could prove to be the ticket! Addressing limitations with myofascial release, flexibility exercises, and targeted strengthening of weak muscles may help reduce pain and get more yards off the tee and fairway. Also performing 5-10 minutes of trunk rotation and shoulder stretching exercises with a golf club, prior to teeing it up on the 1st tee, helps to loosen up the joints and muscles and improves the sense of achievement that goes along with striking the perfect golf shot.

Electro-acupuncture medicine

I’ve used electric stimulation in my practice to some degree for many years. Applying an electrical current helps strengthen muscles, block pain signals, and improve blood circulation. In late summer 2023, I took my first training with Dr. Jeremy Steiner of the Electro-Acupuncture Institute and followed up with additional training. Dr. Steiner's approach is different and far more comprehensive than other electric stimulation techniques I've used, and thus is called electro-acupuncture medicine. I've incorporated it more and more in the clinic and have observed that outcomes are significantly improved. 

Why add electricity to an acupuncture treatment

Electro-acupuncture works by adding energy to specific acupuncture channels to improve energy flow throughout the body. Adding electricity to an acupuncture treatment will enhance or add to the treatment effects. Electro-acupuncture can:

• Stimulate more efficient production of new cells

• Offer pain relief and calm inflammation

• Remove toxins from the body

• Increase blood flow

• Reduce stress hormones

• Improve immune function

Our cells are damaged by injuries, toxins, infections, and more. The body needs to create new cells to repair the damage. Voltage is the driving force behind cellular function and is regulated by various factors, including thyroid hormone, dental infections, and exercise. Chronic disease is often associated with low body voltage—meaning, the body can’t keep up with cellular renewal. The body is designed to function at -25 mV, and requires -50 mV to generate new cells. Since our body is in a constant state of cellular renewal, higher voltage is the key to maintaining and improving health.

The devices 

In the past, I used run-of-the-mill electric stimulation devices, which are high amperage (volume of electricity) and low voltage (electrical potential). These worked well to either relax a muscle that was too tight, or stimulate a muscle that was too weak. Unfortunately, the treatment with these devices can be uncomfortable. To be effective, it is typical to use strong stimulation, causing the muscles to spasm. 

The new devices that I use are high voltage and low amperage; in other words, the opposite. This decreases discomfort because only mild stimulation is necessary. The electricity produced is also more congruent with the body’s electricity, improving the healing outcomes. These devices also have particular frequencies programmed in them that can be selected to match the condition and treatment. The protocol uses two devices simultaneously, each programmed with a different frequency. This creates a blanketing effect of frequencies, allowing the body to choose the frequency it needs to enhance the healing process and discard those it doesn't need. 

The bottom line is that the proper voltage, amperage, and frequencies are required so that the electricity can reach the energy-deficient and damaged tissue and support cellular regeneration and repair.

The outcomes

I have seen many positive responses to electro-acupuncture treatments. In some cases, I simply added electricity to my usual treatments, and in others, I chose to follow a four-point protocol with electricity. Both have been very effective. I have seen improved relief of pain, increased energy and well-being, decreased anxiety, improved sleep, and in cases of diabetic neuropathy, I’m beginning to see increased sensation. As I continue to implement these treatments, I hope to see even more improvements, especially in chronic, hard-to-treat conditions. 

What has changed? What have we learned?

After a year of living under the dark cloud that is the coronavirus pandemic, we’re still struggling with uncertainty and trying to maintain hope. In spite of increased vaccination rates, the infection rates continue to be high. Being vaccinated does protect us from severe expression of the disease, but not as much against contracting or spreading the disease. This means we still need to be vigilant with safety practices and avoid exposure as much as possible. 

During the past year, most of us have tended to turn inward and develop new ways of living and being. For some, the solitude has been a relief, while others have struggled with isolation. Those of us who found comfort in our seclusion are feeling a bit anxious as society around us starts to reawaken. It feels awkward and rushed, somehow. At the same time, we are all craving the hugs and the face-to-face connections that we have been deprived of. 

Many of us have been asking ourselves and each other: What has changed permanently? What have we learned? What will go back to what it was like before? Many have enjoyed the flexibility of working from home, while others feel separated from their coworkers. We have developed new technologies for communicating with others from anywhere in the world, both for work and learning opportunities and personal connection. Some of these technologies may continue to be useful when things return to “normal.”

What has changed at Red Clover Clinic?

For the time being, we continue to uphold the protocols that we implemented at the start of the pandemic. We screen everyone who comes through the door; clean all contact surfaces after every client; schedule slightly longer appointment times, for the most part; and, of course, we require masks. 

The thing I have appreciated the most during the past year, is the extra time with my clients. It has allowed room for sharing ideas, venting, mutual support, and problem-solving. In time, we may be able to relax our protocols a bit. The thing I miss the most is having table warmers and sheets on the treatment tables. The paper just seems so cold, loud, and wasteful!

What have we learned at Red Clover Clinic?

I’m grateful for the work of Dr. Frank Springob, the brain behind Morphogenic Field Technique (MFT). At the start of the pandemic, he jumped into gear and developed test kits that have been extremely helpful during this time. I’m starting to see more and more people who are struggling with the after-effects of COVID. I’m grateful to have more MFT tools to assess and treat “long hauler” symptoms. In my limited experience so far, it seems that these tools are effective, but it does take time for the long haulers to fully recover. 

Dr. Springob also developed ways of testing the after-effects of the COVID vaccines. These symptoms have been so far much easier to address. One clinical pearl that I have found to be very effective at moderating the intense immune reactions following a COVID vaccination is Echinacea Premium by MediHerb. You may not be able to fully avoid the symptoms, but they should be a lot milder and shorter in duration by taking the herb.

Whether or not you choose to get vaccinated, it is very important to continue to support your immune system, and live as healthfully as possible. A healthy diet, exercise, and good sleep are the most important things we do everyday. Supplements and herbs are a bonus. If you need help developing or tweaking your routine, let me know.

I think it is important that we all give some thought to what we are grateful for and what we want, as individuals and as a society, as we reorganize, reintegrate, and return to the world. We can choose to be mindful, compassionate, and gentle as we move through the process. 

Are you suffering from pandemic fatigue?

Back in January, I wrote an article called Why do we get sick? At the time, we were experiencing a bad flu season, but I had no idea that we were about to enter into a worldwide pandemic. I thought it might be useful to revisit the reasons we do or do not get sick as we approach the fall, another flu season, and a possible worsening of COVID-19 spread.

No matter what type of contagion we are trying to avoid, those who are healthiest avoid getting sick or get milder cases of illness. They also recover faster and more completely. Of course, there are always exceptions. What has been frightening during this pandemic is that there have been a handful of cases of young, strong and seemingly healthy people dying as a result of COVID-19. They may be young and appear healthy, but it is important to remember that we do not know their complete health histories. They may have an unhealthy diet or poor lifestyle habits that haven’t yet manifested in obvious ways. Or, they may simply be the unfortunate exception.

There is so much we don’t know about this virus, and in spite of pandemic-fatigue, we have to persevere and exercise caution with how we go about our daily lives. We must continue physical distancing, wash our hands frequently, and wear a mask when we’re in indoor public spaces. Even more importantly, in my opinion, we have to take good care of ourselves. The more we implement and maintain healthy habits, the more likely we will stay healthy, or at least healthier. 

It is important to eat a varied, fresh and healthy diet. Avoid sugar and processed foods. Avoid environmental toxins as much as possible. Get regular exercise. Get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Stay in touch with friends and family, if not in person, then via Zoom or phone calls. Finally, manage stress as much as possible. 

Now that natural healthcare clinics have the appropriate safety measures in place, it is also helpful to get regular care to manage stress, boost the immune system and balance the body. Nutritional support, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, craniosacral therapy, etc. are all effective at supporting health and preventing disease.

This isn’t a time to stick our heads in the sand, or to binge eat while binge watching Netflix. We need to stay engaged and make our physical and mental health a priority. If you are in need of some support, feel free to give us a call.

A global pandemic is no retreat

What a strange few weeks we have experienced. It has taken me over two weeks to feel settled enough to even write anything meaningful. I have spoken with many friends, clients, and fellow practitioners, who have been experiencing similar patterns of anxiety, lack of focus, and frustration. It seems that the new and unknown territory we’re wading through causes us to experience a feeling of chaos. The thing is, isn’t the future always unknown? Certainly, our usual, day-to-day lives have a routine and familiarity to them that helps to keep us grounded, and more able to cope with the unexpected. 

As I’m finding new routines, I’m starting to feel a bit more productive. As a small business owner, the learning curve has been steep, figuring out when to close, how long to close, understanding the disaster relief programs, how to stay in touch with clients, planning for new practice procedures when we go back to the clinic, furthering my education on immune support during this pandemic, and more. The large number of emails, phone calls, text messages, and webinars has been supportive and informative, but also distracting and overwhelming. It’s hard to stay focused, when there is always another thing to pay attention to. I’m the type of person who craves a quiet retreat. One would think that physical distancing would create such an opportunity, but in my experience, a global pandemic is no retreat!

That said, I have enjoyed sleeping a bit longer in the mornings, eating more regular meals, and taking more moments here and there to think. As many of you know, I am a crafts person of all things wooly. This time period has made me somewhat more productive, but not necessarily more creative. I have found that the action of doing something repetitive in nature has a calming effect on my nervous system. 

This doesn’t seem to be a time to achieve big things–rather, we need to find joy in all of our small accomplishments: a clean closet, a healthy meal, a fresh-baked loaf of bread, a pot of chicken stock, a repotted plant, a completed craft project.

Wishing all of you good health and safety during this difficult time.

How to support your immune system, during the time of COVID-19

• Create a daily routine

• Maintain consistent meal times

• Keep bed and wake-up times consistent

• Get daily exercise

• Avoid sticky foods, such as gluten, dairy, and sweets

• Emphasize hydrating foods, such as soups, stews, and porridges

• Eat more warming foods, and limit cold foods

• Eat mindfully

• Breathe in fresh air whenever possible

• Meditate

As always…the best preventive medicine is made up of healthy habits and nutritious food!

Supportive symptom management of COVID-19

A few days ago, I watched a webinar put on by Janice Hadlock, an acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine professor. She shared a technique that appears to greatly calm the symptoms of COVID-19. It is a simple, self-applied procedure that you can learn here.

Why do we get sick?

According to recent news reports, this has been a particularly bad flu season. When we come down with the flu, what is to blame, the virus, our immune systems, or a combination of both?

Two opposing theories that date back to the late 19th century are still espoused today: germ theory vs. terrain theory. Louis Pasteur, the primary scientist behind germ theory, would say the virus is to blame. He focused on the pathogen (virus, bacteria, fungus, parasite). He believed that to fight an illness, you must treat the symptoms. This is the basis of thought in allopathic medicine.

Claude Bernard and Pierre Antoine Bechamp, the scientists who established the terrain theory, would point to the immune system or the general health of the body. The idea is that we don’t get sick because germs are present; rather, germs can thrive because  our bodies are weakened, stressed, and malnourished. Complementary medicine lives more in this sphere.

As with all things in life, nothing is black and white. There are aspects of both of these theories that should be considered. That said, it is my belief that we should live by the premise of terrain theory, and add some cautions we have learned from germ theory.

How to prevent illness

Recognizing the fact that germs are everywhere, we need to take responsibility for our own health by eating well, avoiding toxins as much as possible, sleeping enough, exercising enough, and managing stress. The healthier we are, the less likely we are to get sick. We also have to accept the fact that it is normal to catch a cold occasionally, and when that happens, we should rest and support our body to heal itself.

Rarely are we ever in such perfect condition that we are completely immune from picking up a bug. This is where germ theory comes in. No matter how healthy you are, or how well you take care of yourself, take precautions when you are exposed to sick people. Wash your hands; wear a mask; and avoid exposure to sickness if you can.

If you can’t help but be exposed to illness, take extra good care of yourself. Rest more, take immune-boosting herbs and supplements, eat especially well, and avoid sugar as much as possible. Sugar has an immediate deleterious effect on the immune system.

How to treat illness

These disease prevention approaches work very well most of the time. Still, there are times when medical intervention is necessary. There is no need to be a hero and avoid medication at all costs. In more typical mild-to-moderate cases of the flu, there are many natural treatments that are effective, with little or no side effects. My favorite approach is to do Nutrition Response Testing/Morphogenic Field Technique to find out what the best supplement or herb is to treat the specific case.

Reasons to consider going natural whenever possible include:

• There are herbs that are especially effective at treating all types of microbial infections. Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections, not viral or fungal infections.

• Side effects are much less likely with herbal and nutritional supplements than with pharmaceutical medications.

• As witnessed over the past couple of decades, overuse of antibiotics and vaccines has contributed to the development of super bugs. Responsible use is recommended.

If you need the pharmaceuticals, you need them. Just remember they aren’t a replacement for taking responsibility for your health by nurturing a sound and resilient terrain.

Healthy blood, healthy body

From the perspective of both Chinese and western medicine, the health of our blood is essential to our overall health. What can we do to support the health of our blood? 

I’ve devoted this entire newsletter to discussing how to support blood health and function, including introducing you to a new tool Red Clover Clinic has begun to use, which I fondly call “the blood laser.” Read on… 

What does blood do?

Blood is one of the foundations of life. Chinese medicine considers it one of the Vital Substances. It nourishes the body, moistens the tissues, and support the Shen. Shen can be translated as spirit or mind. It is responsible for consciousness, mental function, mental health, and vitality. It also plays a big role in sleep. 

Chinese medicine theory also states that blood holds the Qi (energy) and Qi moves the blood. Most importantly, if Qi and blood are moving, disease can’t take hold. In fact, many of the diseases associated with aging are associated with the blood not flowing properly, also known as blood stasis.

In western medicine, the primary functions of blood are: 

• Transporting oxygen, nutrients, and wastes to and from the cells and various components of the immune system to where they are needed.

• Regulating temperature through circulation.

• Circulating hormones to all parts of the body

• Clotting and closing of wounds.

Laser irradiation of the blood

As we saw in the May-June 2013 issue of the  Red Clover Clinic Newsletter, low-level laser therapy has developed over the past few decades to speed the healing of wounds, lessen the inflammation in arthritic joints, increase circulation around trigger points in order to release them, stimulate acupuncture points, and more. 

Another lesser-known benefit of laser light to the body is the impact it has on the blood. Red Clover Clinic is now using the recently developed R-J Laser LightNeedle 300 (the “blood laser”), which delivers red and blue-violet laser light to the blood non-invasively. 

Generally speaking, laser irradiation  of the blood brings the body back into a state of homeostasis; that is, it has a normalizing effect on the whole system. It triggers various immune responses to rid the body of inflammation, which translates to less pain. It improves blood circulation throughout the body, and specifically in the central nervous system (the brain). It improves communication between muscle and nerve cells for improved function. It normalizes tissue metabolism and promotes the mitochondria to produce more ATP, which translates into more energy.

Since the Russians began doing research on intravenous laser irradiation of the blood in 1981, many additional studies have shown its positive effects on cardiovascular health, hypertension, neuropathy, muscular sclerosis, diabetes, autoimmune disease, allergies, acute infections, fatigue, fibromyalgia, systemic inflammation, liver disease and kidney disease.

A small study  done on young, male body builders perfectly shows, I think, the general boost the blood laser can give the body. The study concluded that laser blood irradiation measurably increased both strength and endurance, an effect that appeared immediately after the treatment and lasted for 16 weeks.

What is a treatment like?

The blood laser has six fiberoptic cables that are clustered into a small mouthpiece. The mouthpiece, covered with a disposable  plastic covering, is placed under the tongue. The client rests for up to 20 minutes while the device emits laser light to the veins under the tongue. 

The recommended dosage for general support is 20 minutes once per week, for a series of four to ten weeks, or longer for a chronic condition. For a more severe problem, say diabetic ulcers, the treatment can be given twice per week, until the ulcers have begun to heal. On the other hand, if someone is trying to get over a lingering cold or cough, one treatment might just do the trick.

Stories from my practice

I have used the blood laser on clients (and myself) for about two months at the time of writing and have already seen and experienced big changes. Here are a few anecdotes from my practice:

1. Personally, I have much more energy with a greater ability to focus, and improved sleep.

2. One client experienced a significant decrease in springtime allergy symptoms after her first treatment. 

3. Someone else suffers from very sensitive skin with significant itching following a severe systemic candida infection many years ago. Following each treatment (three so far) she notices a big reduction in symptoms that last almost through the week. 

4. A fibromyalgia client has been having better weeks with more energy and less overall pain since commencing blood laser treatments.

5. Another client who had recently finished radiation treatment three to four weeks earlier wasn’t getting her energy back. After one blood laser treatment she felt close to normal for almost a week. After two more treatments, her energy was totally restored.

6. Across the board, the most common comment is “Wow, I had so much energy this week!”

For those of you who asked for more scientific information…here it is!

According to M. H. Weber in his paper “The Intravenous Laser Blood Irradiation – Introduction of a New Therapy ,” laser blood irradiation causes the following changes to occur:

1. Immune system effects: improved immunologic activity of the blood, i.e. stimulation of the immune response, both specific and non-specific; increase of the immunoglobulins IgG, IgM and IgA; stimulation of interferons, interleukins and TNF-alfa; stimulation of the proliferation of lymphocytes; activation of phagocytic activity of the macrophages; proliferation of lymphocytes and B- and T-cells; and lowering c-reactive protein.

2. Circulatory system effects: improvement of regeneration of erythrocytes and of microcirculation; reduction of aggregation of thrombocytes; activation of fibrinolysis; and stimulation of the NO-production in monocytes with vasodilation and improvement of endothelial dysfunction.

3. Impact on muscle and nerve cells: normalization of the cell membrane potential, which helps muscle and nerve cells to transmit signals between each other for increased function.

4. Impact on overall energy and whole system : mitochondria are stimulated to produce more ATP, which translates to more energy; and normalized tissue metabolism.

 Herbs that influence the blood

Nettles to build the blood

The nettle plant is highly nutritious and makes a wonderful green vegetable in the spring. Once you wash it and cook it, the sting will disappear. It is known to nourish the blood, and treat  anemia-type conditions, including low blood pressure, pale face, fainting and fatigue. It is also helpful in cases where blood deficiency and excessive bleeding go hand-in-hand.

Yarrow to move the blood

Yarrow is one of my favorite plants. I love its herbaceous scent, hearty flowers, strong stems and delicate feathery leaves. I’ve been monitoring a few specimens on my morning walks, and they are now starting to bloom. One of yarrow’s many strengths is to move and cool the blood and thereby stop bleeding. I use it fresh, dried, or in ointment on fresh cuts and bruises with amazing results. Tea and tincture are taken internally for bleeding due to blood stasis in the digestive and respiratory tracts and the female reproductive system. Blood stasis is when coagulated blood obstructs the vessels, causing fresh blood to be forced out around it. To treat this type of bleeding, we need to move blood. 

Shepherd’s Purse to stop bleeding

Shepherd’s Purse is primarily used to stop excessive bleeding. It is warming and stimulating, and is best for blood that is “dark and oozing,” according to herbalist Matthew Wood . It is especially useful for women suffering from excessive menstrual bleeding and hemorrhaging, fibroids, and postpartum bleeding. Shepherd’s Purse is also useful for bleeding in the digestive and urinary tracts and for wounds that continue to ooze. From a biomedical perspective, Shepherd’s Purse stops bleeding due to its vasoconstrictive and coagulating properties.

Burdock to “clean” the blood

Blood can get overloaded with toxins if our body’s detoxification processes are broken down or overwhelmed. This can manifest in all types of skin conditions from acne to eczema to psoriasis. In Chinese medicine, we call this toxic heat in the blood. According to herbalist Peter Holmes , burdock root regulates the system by “restoring, altering and eliminating.” In other words, it gently brings the body into harmony by detoxifying the blood and tissues. Burdock also regulates the immune system, which, as we now know, is tied with the blood. This is why I give it to almost all of my clients suffering from seasonal allergies…with great effect, I might add.