I will be out-of-office through Sunday the 20th.  Please feel free to use my online scheduler to set up your next appt.  If you need to get in touch with me, email will be best.  You can drop me a line through this website form.  

Thanks and Happy Healing!

Phyllis Kung, L.Ac.

It's been a great Year of the Dragon so far!  PK is excited and honored to be a Ph.D. candidate in Internal Medicine at the Zhejiang Chinese Medical University in Hangzhou, China.  She will be in China for 2 weeks from March 9th - March 24th to begin her research.  But do not fret, her colleague and fellow TCTCM alumnus, Heather Bakner, L.Ac., will be stepping in to help out.  Heather will be helping out with scheduling and seeing patients as well.

Current Patients and prospective clients can call Heather on our normal business line: 512.650.8880.

SXSW Deal for Amex Cardholders! (March 9th-13th)

Thanks to American Express, all PK clients that pay with their Amex will receive a $10 statement credit!  That's it!  No strings attached!  So bring PK your weary feet and aching backs and hangovers.  We'll get you back into conference and party mode in no time!

New Online Store: Our newest way to get your herbal prescriptions, supplements, and acupressure tools will be live in the next month.  Plus, we'll have some great health gifts and some new gift certificates too!  Sign-up for our newsletter to get your online coupon code.

New Appreciation Months:  Each month we'll be choosing one industry (teachers, mailmen, system analysts) to offer discounted treatments to.  Want to suggest an industry?  Let us know!

New Year's Resolution Discounts:  For those of you looking for some help on your resolutions, we've got you covered!  All body weight loss and smoking cessation treatments will be 50% off for the month of January!

On some less exciting news, we will be raising our acupuncture rates on January 31st.  Any current patients or new patients that begin before January 31st will still receive our 2011 rates.  So start now and save!

*not valid for co-payments

PK Acupuncture & Wellness' New Office

For those of you that have seen us before, you may know that we're on the hunt for a new space.  We've outgrown our current space at 1504 and are currently looking for bigger spaces with multiple treatment rooms.  In the meantime, we've hopped across the alley to 1502 West 6th Street beginning in September.  Our new coworkers will include Cheeky Skin, an organic skincare studio, and Hush Hush Tan, a spray-tan studio.  Check your appointment confirmations for directions, though we're only about 10 feet away.  

Don't worry, we'll still have plenty of driveway parking for your convenience!

• Neti Pots: Yes, they take a bit to get used to, but Neti Pots are an effective way to rinse and clear out nasal sinuses of allergens and mucus build-up.  While the cost of saline rinses can add up, you can make your own saline rinse at home by combining 1 cup of water (boiled and cooled or distilled), 1/2 teaspoon of non-iodized salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda.  
• Natural Western Herbs:
  • Quercetin: A natural anti-oxidant that also helps prevent histamine release, quercetin is a gerat way to prevent and reduce allergies.  While supplementing with around 1000mg per day work best, you can also load up on quercetin by eating citrus, onions, apples, parsley, tea, tomatoes, broccoli, lettuce and even drinking wine. 
  • Butterbur: The British Journal of Medicine recently found that taking 32 mg of butterbur per day was just as effective as the active ingredients found in Zyrtec, in dealing with temporary symptoms.  
  • Stinging Nettle: A long-time favorite for temporarily fighting allergy symptoms, stinging nettles are readily available at most grocers.  By preventing the production of histamines, stinging nettle is a great, non-drowsy alternative this allergy season.
• Acupuncture (of course!):  The American Journal of Chinese Medicine published 2 studies regarding the use of acupuncture for allergy symptoms.  In the first one,a ll 26 participants noticed marked allergy relief, and in the second, over all of the 72 participants noticed symptom improvement within 2 treatments alone.  
  • We also teach our patients acupressure techniques, to help them maintain their health at home.
• Ear Seeds/Tacks:  Another take home we offer free with any acupuncture treatment.  Ear seeds are a safe, non-needle method used to reduce allergy symptoms and can stay in place for up to 5 days.
• Chinese Herbs:  Chinese medicine has been working with helping people deal with allergy symptoms for thousands of years.  The formulas listed are tried and true formulas.
  • Yu Ping Feng San: A simple 3-herb formula that is great preventative and strengthens the immune system.
  • Pe Min Kan Wan or Bi Yan Pian: Both are effective formulas at helping with rhinitis and mucus.  To find out which is better suited for your body, contact us for a consultation.
• Diet:  Very important and often overlooked, your diet plays an important role in how your body handles allergens.  Avoiding foods that are greasy and most dairy during allergy season will help you manage your symptoms.  We customize a food list for you according to TCM dietary guidelines and modern nutrition to keep you in your best state of health.

PK has teamed up with Planet Fitness to get your body and mind in shape for the summer.  Planet Fitness is offering all PK Acupuncture & Wellness customers a special discounted corporate rate.  And all Planet Fitness members receive $10 off every Acupuncture Plus treatment.  With Planet Fitness' 5 convenient locations, and PK's easily accessible downtown location, it's a win-win for your health.

Contact PK for more info about this offer!

While at PK, we always offer super bills with proper coding for your insurance needs, we are proud to offer BCBS holders an extra perk: less paperwork for you!  Now that we are in-network at BCBS we will gladly file any claims on your behalf.  All due at your time of appointment in your deductible.

Have a healthy and happy rest of February!

Sincerely,

PK