HEATHER LAHDENPERA
Heather Lahdenpera, LAc, MTOM, MPT, Dipl. AC,CH,OM is a nationally certified acupuncturist, herbalist and Oriental Medicine practitioner, dedicated to helping people reach their maximum health potential by the most natural means possible. Combining a healthy diet, based on Oriental nutritional principles, with exercise and a balanced mental and spiritual foundation is the main focus of her treatment philosophy.
Heather holds a bachelors’ degree in Industrial Psychology from Pepperdine University, a masters’ degree in Physical Therapy from Idaho State University, and a masters’ degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Emperor’s College of Traditional Oriental Medicine. During her work as a physical therapist, Heather treated conditions ranging from orthopedic injuries to fibromyalgia and lymphedema. Her Oriental Medicine background includes treating internal medical issues, orthopedic injury, wellness, women’s health and fertility and cosmetic acupuncture. She was also an instructor at Emperor’s College of Oriental Medicine during her time in Los Angeles. Heather is licensed in Colorado and California.
Heather relocated to her hometown of Fort Collins, Colorado in 2008 and enjoys year round outdoor adventures with her husband and two young boys. In addition to spending time with her family, Heather loves cooking. She grew up cooking with her mother and learning the art of “using whatever is in the pantry to make a delicious meal” from her Finnish grandmother Ellie. This taught her to experiment with various ingredients from an early age. As she became versed in Oriental medicine nutrition principles, she put her experience to use working on recipes that would conform to the nutritional tenets of Oriental medicine using ingredients from the east and the west. She is currently working on a book based on these ideas which will be focused on feeding children.
Heather treats all people, from infants to the elderly. Each patient’s own uniqueness is respected and thus, no two treatments are alike. Heather will determine which treatments are most appropriate based on chief complaint, symptoms, medical history, and diagnosis. A typical treatment may include some or all of the modalities listed below.
Acupuncture
Shonishin
Herbal Medicine
Cupping
Gua-Sha
Moxibustion
Nutritional Counseling
ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine, sterile, stainless steel needles at specific points on the body. These points relate to the meridians (pathways of energy in the body). Research has shown that acupuncture points are strategic conductors of electromagnetic energy and thus, by stimulating these points, signals are relayed throughout the body which may regulate hormones, start the flow of pain-killing biochemicals, or trigger immune system cells to specific sites in the body. Acupuncture treatments help restore the normal flow of qi (energy) in the body so that the internal organs and the body systems can work together in harmony.
Acupuncture:
• Strengthens immunity against disease
• Regulates hormones
• Improves circulation
• Resolves pain
• Speeds healing following injury or surgical procedures
• Promotes relaxation
• Treats emotional issues
• Encourages the feeling of well-being
Acupuncture is nearly pain-free. Unlike hypodermic needles, acupuncture needles are incredibly thin and flexible and so they allow for easy and almost pain-free insertion. Usually patients feel a warm or distending sensation, a dull ache, a quick insect bite, or a warm intensity - these sensations are the feeling of qi coming to the surface when accessed by the stainless steel needle. Some patients don't feel the needles at all. Occasionally, a needle can cause a brief "ouch!" but that sensation quickly dissipates within a few seconds. If not, the acupuncturist will remove the needle immediately. Each patient's sensitivity to needles is different, since each patient's qi is different. Once all the needles have been inserted, most patients fall into a meditative or nap-like state.
SHONISHIN
Shonishin is a Japanese treatment technique used mostly on children. It is a non-invasive (non-needle) technique used to stimulate the meridians and qi much in the same way as traditional acupuncture. Children respond very well to shonishin treatments and love to handle the small tools used by the practitioner.
CUPPING
Cupping is an ancient technique in which glass cups are placed on large areas of the body (such as the back or shoulders) to create suction, thus increasing local circulation of blood and qi. Cupping is excellent for detoxification, reducing inflammation, muscle pain and arthritis. It also treats fevers, the common cold, flu, and asthma.
GUA-SHA
Pronounced "gwa-sha," is an ancient scraping technique performed with a flat tool over certain areas of the body. Gua-sha is used to reduce heat conditions such as urinary tract infections and fevers, to reduce inflammation, and treat pain from sprains, strains and fractures.
HERBAL MEDICINE
In Oriental Medicine, herbal formulas are used to facilitate the body's own restorative processes. Acupuncturists who are nationally certified in Oriental Medicine (OM) or Chinese Herbology (CH) are highly trained in the science of herbal medicine. The Chinese pharmacopeia consists of over 400 herbs from which a practitioner can choose to prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas contain combinations of roots, seeds, grains, flowers, berries, fruit, bark, leaves, stems, shells, nuts, resin, or seaweed. The goal of Chinese herbal medicine is to treat the root of a problem, rather than simply medicating its symptoms. In so doing, the patient’s body is stimulated to heal itself. Most herbal formulas are specifically designed for the individual. This way the formula can address the condition without creating other unwanted side effects.
The use of herbal medicine is the oldest form of health care known to mankind. Herbs have been used by all cultures throughout history. They were an integral part of the development of modern civilization. Much of the medicinal use of plants seems to have been developed through observations of wild animals, and by trial and error. As time went on, the medicinal properties of local herbs were methodically collected and passed down through generations generating well-defined herbal pharmacopoeias. Well into the 20th century much of the pharmacopoeia of scientific medicine was derived from the herbal lore of native peoples. Many drugs commonly used today are of herbal origin. Fourty percent of pharmaceuticals are synthetic versions of herbs. Indeed, about 25 percent of the prescription drugs dispensed in the United States contain at least one active ingredient derived from plant material. Some are made from plant extracts; others are synthesized to mimic a natural plant compound. While herbs can often be used with no or fewer side effects than prescription drugs, they are not harmless and must be taken appropriately as prescribed by a trained and licensed practitioner.
MOXIBUSTION
Moxibustion (or ‘moxa’ for short) is the act of burning the herb Ai Ye (Artmesia Vulgaris, or mugwort) over specific acupuncture points. This process facilitates the movement of qi and blood and warms the body.
NUTRITION
Oriental Medicine practitioners are trained in both Western Clinical Nutrition and Traditional Chinese Nutrition. Traditional Chinese Nutrition looks at the effects that particular foods have on the individual, rather than on a scale or in a test tube. Specific diets or foods are prescribed according to a patient’s specific OM diagnosis/pattern. If a patient is suffering from a "heat" condition, for example, foods that have a cooling or neutral effect on the body will be recommended; if a patient has suffered heavy blood loss, foods that build up blood will be recommended. Each patient is given a customized list of foods to eat in abundance, in moderation, or to avoid. Food preparation is also discussed.
WHAT CAN ORIENTAL MEDICINE/ACUPUNCTURE TREAT?
According to the National Institute of Health and the World Health Organization, acupuncture can effectively treat many chronic and acute health conditions, and is an effective form of preventive care. See WHO website for more information.
Because acupuncture & Oriental Medicine are complex systems of internal medicine, they treat more conditions than can be listed here. However, following is a list of some conditions that are commonly treated:
Musculoskeletal
arthritis, back and neck pain, fibromyalgia,
joint pain, sciatica, sports injuries, TMJ,
tendinitis
Gynecological
infertility, painful periods, irregular cycle, PMS,
morning sickness, back pain in pregnancy,
endometriosis, urinary tract infections
Gastrointestinal
colitis, IBS, constipation, diarrhea, Chron’s disease,
food allergies, nausea, vomiting
Cardiovascular
hypertension, palpitations, anemia, atherosclerosis
Psychological
anxiety, depression
Neurologic
stroke, Bell’s palsy, paralysis, tremors
Dermatological
acne, eczema, dermatitis, herpes
Respiratory
allergies, asthma, bronchitis, colds and flu,
sore throat, laryngitis, sinusitis, vertigo
Anti-aging
wrinkle reduction, lifting of drooping skin,
increased luster of skin, smoother skin, reduction
of broken capillaries and redness,
increased energy and vitality
Autoimmune Disorders
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, SLE (lupus), MS,
fibromyalgia, RA
Pain
back pain, headaches, muscle sprains/strains,
arthritis, acute injury, repetitive stress injury,
carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic pain, fibromyalgia,
sciatica, post-surgical recovery
Other
insomnia, anxiety, depression, migraines,
stress, fatigue, diabetes, hypoglycemia,
side effects from radiation and chemotherapy treatment,
addiction/recovery
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
Acupuncturists discuss how acupuncture works with the traditional Oriental concepts of Yin, Yang, Blood and Qi. In Chinese, there are more than 20 definitions of qi. It is loosely translated to mean the vital force with which your entire body functions. Acupuncture functions to regulate qi which in turn regulates all bodily functions and the other substances such as Yin, Yang and Blood. Traditional Oriental Medicine looks at health from a holistic viewpoint. Imbalances can result from a wide variety of factors including acute or chronic stress, accidents, genetic predisposition, lifestyle choices, medications, and environmental factors. Acupuncture works by balancing the body which has been disrupted by these factors.
Recently much research has been done to figure out how acupuncture works in terms defined by western medicine and vocabulary. Acupuncture has been shown to alter the way the body functions by affecting the nervous system, the endocrine (hormone) system, the cardiovascular system, the immune system and more. For example, acupuncture stimulates the release of chemicals created naturally in the body that reduce pain. Acupuncture has been shown elevate healing substances such as Adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP) by 5 times. This affords your body greater cellular currency to repair following injury, a disease processes, or surgery. Many other substances such as pain modulating chemicals, and hormones have shown to be affected by acupuncture as well.
An advantage of acupuncture is that it treats both the symptoms and the underlying causes of illness. When the cause of illness is addressed, the entire system benefits and thus, seemingly unrelated symptoms may be resolved or prevented.
WHEN WILL I NOTICE RESULTS?
Treatment results depend on the severity and nature of the condition. Acute conditions may respond in 3 or 4 treatments, while chronic conditions may require a series of 5 to 15 treatments or more. Some degenerative conditions may require ongoing, long-term treatment. For healthy individuals with no complaints, preventive care may be achieved by receiving treatments monthly or at least once with each change of the season.
Herbal therapy times also vary according to condition. A general rule for chronic conditions is one month of treatment for each year the condition has persisted. Acute conditions respond very quickly to herbal medicine. For example, an acute cold or flu will respond within one or two days.
COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE
Cosmetic acupuncture uses tiny superficial needles to bring increased blood and qi to the face resulting in the production of collagen and elastin. This procedure is safe and effective. Unlike surgical or other “non invasive” treatments such as injectables, which can carry significant side effects, the cosmetic acupuncture system actually improves health while helping you look your best.
Reported Benefits of Cosmetic Acupuncture:
-Improvement of fine lines of face and a diminishing effect on deeper wrinkles
-Moisturized, softer skin and a more even skin tone
-Improved muscle tone and firmer jaw line, as well as a reduction in jowls
-Reduction in facial puffiness
-Reduction or elimination of rosacea and acne
-Increased vitality
Heather is trained through both the Mei Zin Cosmetic Acupuncture System and the Center for Rejuvenation Acupuncture.
PAIN MANAGEMENT
Oriental Medicine has been used for thousands of years to treat acute and chronic pain. Today, acupuncture is receiving more and more publicity as less pain medications, such as the COX-2 inhibitors, are used to treat pain in a conventional setting. Herbal therapy is often used instead of pain medication and can help speed recovery time.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recognize the benefit of OM in the treatment of pain conditions such as:
- Low back pain and sciatica
- Post-operative pain (including post-operative dental pain)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive stress injuries
- Bell’s Palsy, trigeminal neuralgia and TMJ
- Menstrual pain due to endometriosis, fibroids and other gynecological disorders
- Other internal disorders like stomach pain
Why should I see an acupuncturist to treat my pain?
-Eliminate or reduce pain
-Reduce dependency on pain medications
-Prepare for surgery
-Recover from surgery
-Manage chronic pain when surgery is not an option
-Speed up recovery while undergoing physical therapy
-Recover from substance abuse or lose weight to become a good surgical candidate
-Acupuncture is safe
PATIENT RESOURCES
BOOKS
Kaptchuk, T. The Web That Has No Weaver. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2000.
Pitchford, P. Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 2002.
Beinfield, H. and E. Korngold. Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine. New York: Ballantine Books, 1992.
ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture.com www.acupuncture.com
Colorado State Oriental Medical Association www.acucol.com
American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine www.aaaomonline.org
HERBAL MEDICINE
Herbal Medicine Encyclopedia www.naturalark.com
Herbal Research Foundation www.herbs.org
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Oriental Medicine