by Nicole Johnson, MFA, CHHC | Insurance & Access
As an alternative to opioids, BCBS will now cover acupuncture in TN. North Carolina is not far behind.
Knoxville Acupuncture
Effective January 1, 2019, BlueCross of Tennessee removed Oxycontin and added acupuncture to help with the opioid crisis.
Access the story by clicking here.
Asheville Acupuncture
North Carolina Society of Acupuncture and Asian Medicine (NCSAAM) has been working with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Med Director and Chief Policy Analyst. Due to their ongoing efforts, there is good probability that BCBS of North Carolina will include acupuncture as a benefit in the next 2 years.
Pain is the most throughly researched indication for acupuncture.
by Nicole Johnson, MFA, CHHC | Health and Wellness, Immune Health, Nutrition, Prevention, Recipes
Let Stinging Nettles Help You – In So Many Ways
The Nettles plant – Urtica Dioica (commonly known as Stinging Nettles) is an interesting herbal ally. If you look closely, the needles on the leaves will let you know that it WILL sting you, if you are not mindful when harvesting. However, once the Nettles is dried, blanched, or pulverized, the sting is ameliorated. Best harvested with gloves starting in early spring, Nettles can provide us with a treasure trove of support for many conditions. However, regular use provides the biggest benefit in the long run.
This wonderful plant is safe to use, and is high in calcium, iron potassium, phosphorus, chlorophyll, vitamin C, and other nutrients. Nettles support the kidneys and adrenals making it a potent stress fighter when used regularly. It is alkalizing and anti0inflammatory helping us with joint pain, osteoporosis, PMS, hot flashes and skin conditions like Psoriasis. Nettles contains more Calcium and Magnesium than the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance).
Nettles Works Synergistically with the Body
Nettles has an adaptogenic effect on the body. Nettles can simultaneously
- Bring Healing to Dryness OR Drain Dampness
- Gentle OR Fierce
- Hemostatic OR Circulating
- Nutritive OR Dispersing
- Cooling OR Building Energy
Could Nettles be an Antidote for Coffee?
So much about coffee is alluring. The smell, taste and ritual of morning and/or afternoon coffee. Coffee and conversation with a friend. Coffee is string medicine. Because of this, it takes a toll on us when we consume it regularly.
I would not normally think of using Nettles to replace coffee. When I retreat (yes retreat! ) from my coffee habit, I generally move to Decafe coffee, then black tea, then green tea, and then once I’ve weaned from caffeine and I want that coffee taste, I drink either Dandy Blend or Four Sigmatic’s Mushroom elixir. There are a few to choose from – just don’t choose one with actual coffee in it. These are both fairly good substitutes for the coffee taste. Both are fairly nutritive, especially the mushroom elixir. Yet how can we repair the damage we’ve done with coffee.
Since going deeper into my studies of Nettles, I am convinced that Stinging Nettles power plant ally that can help heal the imbalances we create with regular coffee use. Take a look.
Coffee Vs. Stinging Nettles
| Coffee |
Nettles |
| Depletes Minerals |
Increases Minerals |
| Acid Forming |
Alkalizing |
| Stress on the Adrenals |
Restores the Adrenals (Especially the seeds) |
| Liver Toxicity – uses the same path that stress needs to clear) |
Liver Supportive |
| Pregnancy Risk |
Pregnancy Supportive |
| Dehydrating |
Helps Hold Hydration |
Regular use of Nettles can repair and restore the acidity and depletion that occurs from regular use of coffee.
Stimulating vs. Energizing – You get to Choose
Coffee and other caffeine products don’t really “give” us energy. They stimulate our system – but this is at the high cost of our adrenal glands. While the effect may be what we want (after all, I can get a lot done after a cup of coffee) the toll on our health is too great. When we tax our body this way, we are depleting our “jing” or essence.
Nettles, on the other hand, energizes our body and it’s many systems. It does this by nourishing our system and working synergistically with it. In fact, Nettles seed is considered an adaptogen – working to support the adrenals by nourishing and strengthening the HPA-axis – this is the Hypothalmic-Pituitary-Adrenal relationship. Adoptogens are herbs that help your body deal with stress. Other wonderful herbs in this category include Ashwaganda, Hawthorn, Schisandra, Rhodiola, Ginseng, Gingko, Astragalus, Holy Basil, and more.
70% of people Suffer with compromised Adrenal function due to stress.
Nettles for Women
Nettles can support us through all phases of the moon cycle including menopause.
- Helps relieve cramps due to stagnation.
- They are loaded with chlorophyl which moves the blood, increasing circulation.
- The Hemostatic action also helps regulate and balance blood flow, lightening heavy flow and nourishing light flow.
- Nettles supports us with pain during ovulation and helps regulate excess water, relieving bloating.
- Excellent for Menopause as they are cooling and anti-inflammatory.
- Great for Pregnancy – it’s like a liquid multi-mineral – Best mixed to use Nettels tea on and off with Red Raspberry Leaf tea (tones the uterus).
Other Amazing properties of Nettles
- Bone Building Nutrients: Nettles carry 15 out the 18 Bone Building Nutrients including Boron which helps maintain and stabilize calcium in the bone.
- High in bio-flavonoids which reduces varicose veins
- Nettles is very supportive to all of the tissues and membranes of the body
- Replenishes energy and builds you back up
You can use the entire plant. Leaf, seed, stalk and root.
Uses of the Seed:
- Supports the kidneys and adrenals
- Builds stamina and lasting energy reserves
- Thyroid support
- Use the seed oil for Alopecia
- Also use for Erectile Dysfunction
- Makes a great hair oil (crush in oil)
Eat the seeds raw or if using daily – dried (as the raw can become overstimulating).
The seed and Root can be tinctured as well as the leaf.
Uses of the Root:
- Anti Inflammatory for Prostatitis
- Great for gout- clears uric acid
Stinging Nettles is a smart plant and it helps your membranes be smart as well. It increases the health of your blood and helps revitalize you and flush out old patterns. It is commonly advised to brew
How to Start using Nettles Daily
You can purchase a tincture at your local health food store. Another easy way to start with Nettles is using it as a tea.
Nettles Tea (Infusion Method)
Nettles tea works best as an infusion
- 2-6 TBS Dried Nettle Leaf (You can purchase online or directly through us at the office)
- 1 Quart Filtered or Spring water – NO fluoride or Chlorine (Feel free to make more – adjusting the nettle measurement)
- Organic Milk or Non-dairy Alternative
- A few drops of liquid Stevia
- Add the nettles in the jar
- Fill the jar with hot water just off the boil for tea
- Tightly close the lid and allow to steep for at least 8 hrs up to 24 hrs. – I make this at might and let sit over night. I also make more in the morning for the evening.
- Strain the plant material out squeezing well
- Enjoy warm or over ice. We enjoy it With organic milk or non-dairy milk of choice and a few drops of liquid stevia.
- Refrigerate and drink/use within 24 hours
Other Ways to Take in Nettles
The following are best for fresh spring nettles. Be sure not to eat fresh nettles after it has gone to seed – this can be too taxing on the kidneys.
- Nettles Soup
- Nettles Pesto
- Juicing the Nettles – You can drink the juice or use it directly on the skin
- Add it into Smoothies
- Nettle Chips (make like Kale chips)
by Nicole Johnson, MFA, CHHC | Health and Wellness, Immune Health, Nutrition, Recipes
The Master Tonic: Your Homemade Antiviral, Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory Powerhouse.
Now is the time to make this simple but powerful antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory remedy for the coming cold and flu season. It is known most commonly by the name “Master Tonic” and it is very easy to make.
This homemade medicine is an anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic remedy that you can make in your own kitchen. We made it this month so that we are ready to keep our immune system strong when the season (and weather) changes.
This works as a preventative ally, keeping your immune system strong and it also works to help rally your immune system if a cold or flu strikes.
Remember: It’s best to use fresh,organic ingredients whenever possible. Especially, when making medicine.
Below are the health benefits of each ingredient. You will find the recipe at the bottom of the page.
The Health Benefits of Horseradish Root
- Antibacterial
- Antiviral
- A natural Antibiotic
- Anti-parasitic
- Anti-anemic
- Helps relieve bronchitis and cough
- Strengthens the immune system
- Stimulates the production of white blood cells
- High levels Vitamin C
The Health Benefits of Garlic
Best used in its raw or fermented form
- Natural Antibiotic
- Anti-fungal
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidant
- Rich in phytoncides-such as allicin – helping cure infections at a faster rate.
It’s best to chop the garlic and wait 15 minutes prior to utilizing/ eating/ cooking. This allows the health-giving enzyme reaction of garlic to occur.
The Health Benefits of Tumeric Root
Curcumin is an incredible compound found in turmeric. It works synergistically with Black pepper which increases it’s bioavailability in the blood.
- anti-inflammatory
- Antibiotic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antiviral- helps fight influenza
- Protects the immune system
Curcumin has become popular and effective anti-inflammatory but even more so it has played an important supportive role in the treatment of cancer
The Health Benefits of Ginger Root
Ginger is a widely recognized medicinal root across many cultures for thousands of years.
- Powerful Anti- inflammatiory
- Reduces pain
- Helps alleviate gastrointestinal distress
- Helps eliminate intestinal gas
- Soothes the intestinal tract
- Recent studies have shown promising reports of Ginger’s anti-cancer properties
The Health Benefits of Onion
- Sulfur-rich assisting the body to detoxify
- Anti-carcenogenic
- Heart disease prevention
- Immune bosting
- DNA protection
The Health Benefits of Hot Peppers
- Rich in capsaicin which protects cells against cancer
- Regulate blood sugar
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Stimulate blood flow – helps relieve congestion associated with cold and sinus infections.
In this recipe we’ve used Jalepeño peppers because they were growing in our garden. However, Unripe green habaneros contain more Vitamin C than a serving of citrus fruit.
The Health Benefits of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
- Antioxidant
- Antimicrobial
- Probiotic -rich promoting a healthy intestinal tract
- Boosts the immune system
Master Tonic
Make this Anti-Viral, Anti-bacterial tonic for home use.
- 1 Part Fresh Horseradish Root ( )
- 1 Part Fresh Garlic ( diced)
- 1 Part Fresh Tumeric Root (or powdered turmeric if not available) ( )
- 1 Part Fresh Ginger Root
- 1 Part Onions (chopped then add to food processor)
- 1 Part Hot Peppers (jalapeño or other) (diced with gloves on)
- 1-2 Parts Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar
- 9 grinds Fresh Ground Pepper (works synergistically with tumeric)
-
Grate, dice or add to food processor each ingredient at a time and add to jar.
-
Fill mason jars of your choice 3/4 of the way full.
-
Add in Apple Cider Vinegar to the top.
-
Cover with lids (if using metal lids add parchment paper so the vinegar does not react with the metal lids.
-
Store in a place out of the sun. Shaking gently once per day for two weeks, and then filter the Master Tonic mixture through a clean piece of cheese cloth or other, bottle and label.
-
Can be stored in the pantry indefinitely.
-
Take 1 or 2 ounces a day during cold and flu season, You can add raw organic honey if desired. Swish and then swallow. Don’t dilute with water.
The dosage for the Master Tonic is 1 or 2 ounces, two or more times daily.
For an infection, 1 or 2 ounces taken 5-6 times a day will be suffcient. It can be used during pregnancies, is safe for children (use smaller dosesand maybe a dropper full with added honey). This is a non-toxic food.
by Nicole Johnson, MFA, CHHC | Nutrition, Recipes
Nettles Pesto
Nettles, a spring food are incredibly healthy and nourishing. This is my favorite way (so far) to get my nettles on. You can easily adapt this recipe to basil if you’re cleansing during a time without Nettles.
Ingredients
1 bunch of fresh Nettles
1⁄2 C pine nuts (if you can’t tolerate pine nuts try almonds, walnuts or cashews)
2-3 cloves garlic (chopped)
Olive oil (best to do this by sight, but start with 1/8-1/4 C)
Salt to taste.
Instructions
- Use tongs to handle Nettles, they will sting you until blanched!
- Bring a pot of filtered water to boil enough to submerge the bunch ofnettles you have.
- Rinse the Nettles- using tongs- in a bowl with cold water and gentlyagitate to clean off dirt, drain, repeat 2 more times.
- When water is hot or boiling places nettles – using tongs- into thewater and push around until the color changes – and they begin to brighten and plump – just a few seconds.
- Remove by pouring water into a mesh strainer or colander sitting overa bowl – so you can capture the water. Set aside this Nettles water and drink as a hot tea. Drink it plain or add some mint to it.
- Place nettles, garlic, pine nuts, (basil and/or mint if desired) and someoil into a food processor (or Vita mix)
- Add more oil for desired consistency, add salt to taste
Serve with zucchini or spaghetti squash pasta. Dip veggies into it; serve over
roasted cauliflower, or with anything, really.
by Chad Johnson, MS, L.Ac | Acupuncture, Education
Throughout our lifetime the body repeatedly encounters different levels of emotional and physical stress. All of these stressors add up and can create strain and stress on the tissues of the body. The body will show this in a variety of ways. It may be pain, numbness, or tingling. All of these symptoms indicate blockages in the body, and it’s systems. In Chinese medicine, these systems are called meridians or the channels and their associated organs.
We think of the meridians and channels as waterways which connect all parts of the body to one another. When there’s a blockage, like a beaver dam, there are symptoms that can give us clues. Pain, numbness, tingling, and headaches are some examples. These blockages could be caused by any trauma, stress, improper diet, and so forth. When the systems are blocked a person experiences symptoms. We can detect this by palpating the body. The organs will have indicators on the abdomen, on the neck and back. The limbs of the body (arms and legs) show blockages as well which usually manifest as joint pain and muscle pain.
How do you develop a treatment plan?
We can detect blockages using palpation of the body, listening to the patient, and discovering the primary symptom and response pattern. For example, if we are treating the shoulder, we palpate both the shoulder and the neck, which enervates the shoulder. We find tender spots around the problem area and then employ multiple methods to clear blockages. These range from massage to acupuncture, cold laser, moxibustion, cupping, and Gua sha. There are many different tools available within the scope of Chinese Medicine and Japanese acupuncture. In addition to these, in we practice martial arts trauma recovery techniques (Zheng Gu Tui na) as well as western massage therapy techniques.
What Happens During an Acupuncture Treatment?
During the initial treatment we have an in-depth interview, develop a treatment plan, and provide a first treatment. We spend twenty minutes discussing your chief complaint, as well as, any auxiliary issues, health history, relationships, etc. From there, we gather enough information to begin looking for the root of the problem.
Let’s use the example of shoulder pain. We might start with the shoulder and work our way towards the neck. Usually, the neck and shoulder have a lot in common. We use palpation to find tender spots and then we’ll use distal points (points furthest away from the area of most pain) —maybe on the opposite arm or legs. This is to soften and relax the tender spots on the main area.
After that, we palpate the shoulder again and perhaps there is forty percent relief in the most tender spots. Once they soften little bit, we are able to find the deeper cause of pain and discomfort in there. So, we begin again, to find the deeper layers. Then, we treat adjacent points, which, are closer than the distal points. They may be on the same arm but in the elbow region. Once we treat those points, we test the shoulder again. It may now be an additional thirty percent softer, and we’ve achieved seventy percent relief using these methods. Once we’ve gotten that far, we can go in locally and add cupping, moxa, and massage. Now you feel more space, there’s more freedom in the shoulder and we can really get at the origin of what’s going on (root cause). Is it actually a muscle? Or is it adhesive capsulitis in the joint? We can now explore and find out.
How many treatments will I need?
Sometimes it can be easy and take one to three treatments, and sometimes it can be more difficult. It may take five, ten, or fifteen treatments. The questions we ask here are; how long have you had the injury? Have you applied a lot ice to it? What is your healing capacity? Are the bowel movements regular? Any problems with reflux? Issues like these can block healing. The organs can also maintain blockages to healing. We can palpate the abdomen to find out about organ functions, listen to the pulse, and correct those. It should be noted that we work on the underlying blockages first, in order to get to the main complaint or symptomatic issue. We look at this through the lens of roots and branches. The branches are the symptoms, and we can work at the root level to treat the symptoms.
How do I choose the right acupuncturist?
Research and find three acupuncturists in your area. Give them a call and ask them three to five questions about your issue and listen to how they answer. If you like what they say, look at their website, read their bio, read their reviews and make sure they’re licensed. Licensed Acupuncturists go through rigorous education, clinic training, internships, externships, national board certification, continuing education, and state licensure. Once you’ve gathered this information, it comes down to who you’d like to work with.
We are available to speak with you over the phone to answer any questions or concerns you may have. We offer a free in-person consultation, if that is what you need. Additionally, we provide referrals to other qualified and reputable acupuncturists, holistic, and allopathic practitioners in our area. This is at the core of our patient-centered approach, we want you to find the right person to help you achieve your health goals.
by Nicole Johnson, MFA, CHHC | Acupuncture, Education, Sports Injuries
How Acupuncture Helps Speed Recovery Times
Recovery is the process we go through in order to return to a healthy state. What is health? Everyone has a unique answer to this question whether you are recovering from an acute injury, a surgical procedure, or addiction and a simple answer may be the absence of a disease state. In Classical Chinese Medicine texts, the primary focus for healthy function of organs is most used and the optimal state of health is the starting point for treatment. If an organ is healthy, then these are the functions is how this concept of health is transmitted. This perception allows a more holistic understanding of a healthy, optimal function than the R.I.C.E. method of treating an ankle sprain or to take a set of pills for each symptom.
To Ice or Not to Ice
In Chinese Medicine, there are several techniques to reduce swelling and relieve inflammation without using ice such as; emergency acupoints to move energy, kill pain, and stimulate circulation, cupping to disperse coagulating blood and fluid, and cooling herbal poultices and plasters that reduce inflammation. The truth is that while ice does contract the blood vessels in the local area to reduce swelling and cool the heat of inflammation, ice also can congeal the fluids that cause swelling. This inhibits reabsorption and delays the healing process. Why do some sprains heal quickly while others do not? This is the question to ask when considering icing an injury. Note: If necessary, ice should be applied sparingly, less than 10 minutes per hour and only when red, hot, and swollen in the moments following the injury.
Increase the flow
When acupuncture needles are placed in the body, a local healing response is initiated. This includes red blood cells and critical nutrients to repair the micro-trauma of the insertion. The result is natural healing mechanisms of the body are directed to cleanse and renew injured tissue.
How Acupncture Helps you Find Balance
As your body heals from any type of trauma, the return to a balanced state is the goal. In the initial acupuncture treatment, a detailed diagnosis of the major organ systems and the human energy system is examined in order to facilitate the appropriate treatment plan. The Heart, Spleen, Lungs, Kidneys, and Liver should be assessed to ensure proper function and cooperation in order for lasting effect of treatment. This is called “ben” or root treatment and partly explains how acupuncture needles in your leg can help your neck.
Once you’ve experienced the blissful moments on the table, you can easily sense the additional stress reduction and deep relaxation that accompanies an acupuncture treatment. This effect is also a big part of the healing process which creates access to your innate healing potential, that strong emotions like worry, fear, and anxiety can block. Once acupuncture restores your body’s healing mechanism, you are able to repair the initial complaint, and also address other problems that interfere with optimum health. For these reasons, acupuncture can help speed recovery from acute trauma to major surgery and reduce the need for painkillers and unnecessary suffering.
by Nicole Johnson, MFA, CHHC | Acupuncture
Video Transcription
Q: Today we’re asking “Does insurance cover acupuncture?”
Chad Johnson: That is a very common question. The insurance industry as a whole is in a lot of flux right now. Some companies will cover acupuncture depending on the policiy, but that’s something you really need to call your insurance company and see if they will cover it. We accept payment at the time of treatment. We are happy to provide a Super Bill for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. For patients who are covered, we have heard of no problems with reimbursement. That’s a common way to practice acupuncture. Medicaid does cover acupuncture for back pain (this info updated as of 2021). My fingers are crossed that with the opioid epidemic that soon we will see a lot more coverage.
Q: And it is, I know in other countries, obviously acupuncture is covered, so it is kind of changing a little bit over time. So, this could be happening in the future where insurance companies start covering it more.
Chad Johnson: Yes, hopefully. We’ll see how it goes.
Q: Definitely. Okay. Well, if you want to ask a specific question you can call 828-668-5322 or ChadJohnsonAcupuncture.com. And thanks.
Chad Johnson: All right. Thank you.
by Nicole Johnson, MFA, CHHC | Acupuncture
Short Interview
Q: Obviously, acupuncture involves needles, and today we’re just asking different questions about acupuncture. So, I think one of the questions I’m wondering is, is acupuncture painful?
(more…)
by Nicole Johnson, MFA, CHHC | Acupuncture
Short Interview
Q: We’re answering common questions that clients ask throughout the year. One of the questions when you’re getting treated with acupuncture treatments is of course, “How many treatments will you need in order to start getting better or getting well?”
(more…)
by Nicole Johnson, MFA, CHHC | Acupuncture
Short Interview
Q: Now we’re at Chad Johnson Acupuncture in Asheville, North Carolina, just south of downtown in Biltmore Village. Today we’re just asking the common questions that clients ask you throughout the year, as they call you up on the phone. And, as you’re working on them, I’m thinking probably one of the first questions that come up is, “What is acupuncture?” (more…)
