Greetings!

Welcome to the November Edition of the Sea Change New York (SCNY) Newsletter. We have some exciting health and wellness news to share. Read on and get inspired to start or continue on a path to optimum health and wellness. We hope you'll take a few minutes from your busy week, and get inspired now!

This newsletter includes thought-provoking ideas designed to keep you in touch with yourself and the changing biological, emotional and psychological environments around you. Check out our articles in support of National Quit Day for Smokers.

With the holidays ahead, here are a few thoughts about going home. Bring along a survival kit: your own approval, appreciation and love. Don’t wait till the New Year to bring forth the “New You”. Let SCNY and all of our wellness educators support you in discovering and connecting to the “authentic” you for the happiest and healthiest holiday season yet. You won’t want to miss the articles on our latest programs and packages that help you stay on track during this holiday season

Get connected! Stay connected! Express a greater range of humanity by getting to know yourself and others. We want you to be the very best you can be with programs and services designed to help you make healthier choices in all areas of your life.

"Be the change you want to see in the world."

It’s the Holidays! What started out as a time for joyous celebration and spiritual reflection can quickly lead to stress and anxiety as Uncle Andy drinks too much and Sister Jane shows up late.... you know the stories.

"Home for the Holidays", doesn't that phrase recall the feeling of sharing a snug, intimate space with a family member. Instead, for most of us the very image can cause us to develop excruciating holiday neck or back pain, sometimes as early as September - because, the old cliché of holiday gatherings has an evil twin: the dysfunctional family at its worst.

With your friends at Sea Change New York you can change the story - and start your New Year Resolutions early with a few simple steps in a new direction. So instead of assuming and excepting the old paradigm that you can not enjoy family holiday gatherings, let us help you open your heart and mind to create an enjoyable, relaxing time at whatever festivities you attend and really put the “fun” back into family times.

The single best way to cope with familial turmoil is to give up the hope that friends and relatives will suddenly become healthy and nurturing and you will be experiencing a Currier and Ives holiday tale. As Byron Katie says, "if I had a prayer, it would be this: God spare me from the desire for love, approval and appreciation. Amen"

Instead of worrying about what to give as gifts, who makes the best stuffing, who should be seated next to who; make a personal decision to make your holiday gatherings a BYOLAA event - bring your own love, approval and appreciation. By acknowledging your own authenticity and value, you can appreciate, love and see more value in others, just the way they are. You may even enjoy a surprising holiday gift: understanding that truly "going home" happens within you, the moment you give to yourself -- the unconditional acceptance you thought you needed to receive from your family. An open mind leads to opening your heart, which makes room for love and compassion and keeps the work of rebuilding the world in sharp focus, this season starting at home.

When you're living a passion, you're almost always making a contribution. It's really about applying passion, creativity and gratitude to every aspect of your life, and doesn’t that sound like a worthy New Year- New You resolution?

Gift yourself this holiday season. Remember that you deserve to be healthy and happy. You deserve to feel proud of who you are and proud of the gifts you contribute.

I would like to help you to give to yourself by showing you new strategies to discover your real self, decrease stress and create a life filled with more peace, joy, freedom and fun. There are many reasons our happiness, passions and dreams slip away from us. I don't know your story, but I know that you are worthy of so much more. Working together we can tap into your full potential, your true authentic self and your authentic life -- expressing and contributing all of your gifts with joy, love, laughter and goodness.

It sounds effortless because it can be. With the Wellness strategies we offer at Sea change New York, together we can enact positive change and wellbeing. Go to www.seachangeny.com and click on the Network Spinal Analysis research to learn more about this exciting protocol for living.

This year make a decision to not let overwhelm and old patterns be your holiday tradition. Support yourself in ringing in a year and a lifetime of happiness and health. Give the greatest gift of all. An outstanding new you.

This holiday my gift list is filled with a present that is one size fits all -- no stress of shopping, wrapping, shipping or recovery from debt. The gift of goodness. Try it on -- you will be amazed at what you get back in return.

Happy Holidays!

In Gratitude,

Deborah Musso, D.C., Director

It’s cold and flu season and many of us go automatically on autopilot to the doctor's office to receive our yearly flu shot. How many of us think about what is in that flu shot and if the shot may cause more harm than good? Should you be re- thinking your approaches to flu season?

According to Hugh Fudenberg, MD, the world's leading immune-geneticist and 13th most quoted biologist of our time, if an individual has had five consecutive flu shots his/her chances of getting Alzheimer's Disease is ten times higher than if they had one, two or no shots. Wow! That's something to think about!

What's the connection between Alzheimer's and flu shots? Dr. Fudenberg says that Mercury and Aluminum (in every flu vaccine and some childhood vaccines) are both toxic to the brain. Eventually, the Mercury and Aluminum buildup in the brain causes cognitive dysfunction. Could this be the reason why Alzheimer's cases are expected to quadruple? For more on Alzheimer's and the Flu Shot connection visit Dr. Fudenberg's web address http://www.nitrf.org.

Fluzone is the new flu vaccine for babies (recommended 6 months to 23 months) and contains 25 g Mercury/0.5 ml dose. It also contains chicken embryos, formaldehyde, sucrose, sodium phosphate, sodium chloride, gelatin, polyethylene glycol p- Isooctylphenyl ether and hemaglutinin. This has been associated with the increase in Autism in children.

There are many alternatives for treating infants, children and adults other than vaccines. A visit with our Naturopathic Physician may provide life-saving alternatives to flu, colds and immunization as well as other health and wellness concerns.

At SCNY, we suggest an immune-boosting regimen to ward off colds and flu. For over 14 years I have been suggesting that my practice members take a daily regimen of Vitamin C, Immunplex, and Congaplex. Take 2 of each daily preventatively. When you feel the malaise or onset of symptoms, increase the dosage to two of each every 4 hours. Our immune- boosting remedy can be purchased at the front desk. Ask for details.

Researchers at the University of Maryland have publicly stated what Chiropractors and other vitalistic healers have been saying for a long time: Taking Aspirin or Tylenol for the flu may actually prolong illness.

Fever is the body's natural way of fighting infection and taking aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol) interferes with your body's natural healing process. "You're messing with Mother Nature," says Dr. Leland Rickman, an associate clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego. An elevated temperature "may actually help the body fight the infection quicker or better than if you don't have a fever." The Maryland researchers found that influenza sufferers who were treated with aspirin or acetaminophen extended their illness from five to eight days on average.

Information cited from Pharmacotherapy, December 2000.

November 17th is National Smoke Out Day for all for cigarette smokers. We want to help you light up in a whole new way - with vibrant, radiant health. SCNY offers a unique Smoke Cessation Program to support the successful kicking of this habit. You may have tried over and over again to quit but with no success - don't let previous failures detour you. It is time to try a different approach and the Sea Change Wellness team has incorporated some easy and workable strategies to Get you Stoked so you won't smoke. You don't have to do it alone. Let our Wellness Team support you towards a Smoke-Free life.

When addictions become a chronic behavioral response to stress and overwhelm and become locked as patterns within our body mind's operating system. While your mind may be telling you not to smoke your body mind is not accessing the appropriate transmitters to deliver the new message clearly to your nervous system - so you continue to partake in behaviors that do not support your health and quality of life.

Network Spinal Analysis and Somato Respiratory Integration are two wellness protocols that play a significant role in establishing a more effective brain- body connection. At SCNY we incorporate these two modalities with our Smoking Cessation Package for their role in enhancing spinal and neural integrity and recovery from stress and trauma. These wellness strategies support greater body awareness in patients with addictive behaviors, attention deficit disorder, and central nervous system and emotional disorders. They are effective tools for those exploring the potential resources within, searching for their authenticity, or recovering from illness and disease.

Learn more about NSA and SRI

I went to Sea Change and followed the recommendations. About 6 months later, I realized I had actually stopped smoking! I never felt happier or healthier. It was effortless. I am so grateful. It was the first time in my life that I actually could trust myself. I had finally taken care of myself. Once you know the effects of smoking, you’ve also got to know you’re hurting yourself every time you light up. Stopping is loving yourself and your life.

Mary B.

Turn Smoke Free Day (November 17th) into a smoke free life with the support of acupuncture. If you're motivated to quit smoking for good, use acupuncture to help you reach your goals. Acupuncture will help you deal with your cravings by mimicking the rush that endorphins produce.

The package consists of 5 weekly sessions that include ear acupuncture protocol, constitutional body needling, and lifestyle change support. Combined, these treatments combat the body's natural withdrawal from its addiction. In addition, ear seeds placed on strategic and effective points provide subtle stimulation in between appointments.

Help fortify your immune system against the season's various attackers. Give yourself the gift of higher energy levels, and cleaner sense of taste and smell, and more valuable time with loved ones. It's time to reclaim your health!

The SCNY Smoking Cessation Package fee is $376.00

Learn more about Acupuncture

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude."

There is so much to celebrate this time of year. I look forward to spending holidays with family and friends. I savor the special foods, the holiday celebrations with my co-workers, the festive mood. Party after party. Special invitations. The excitement of it all is exhilarating!

Two years ago, toward the end of the party season, I noticed that I got burnt out. My pants and skirts were fitting tighter because of the excess pounds from holiday cakes and cookies. My skin was breaking out from being in smoky parties and enjoying cocktails. I felt cranky and bloated. My digestion wasn’t working properly. I was too tired to even think about making New Year’s resolutions and too depressed to do anything about it. Then, in February I got the flu. I just started to pull out of my post- holiday slump around April. What happened to winter?

Last year I tried something different. I made my New Year’s resolution in November instead of January. I was determined to enjoy the holiday season without sabotaging the rest of my winter. On the top of my holiday wish list were: making time for myself to exercise, eating at least one home-cooked, balanced meal per day and getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night. I encouraged my family and friends to give me health-supportive gifts such as Sea Change New York gift certificates, health club memberships and health food store gift certificates.

During November and December I enjoyed my holidays in moderation, keeping my resolution to my own wellness. January, I was going strong. February and March went by without being blasted with the mid-winter flu. And the best part: I could make my New Year’s Resolution something fun and inspiring!

How can you stick to your November resolutions? It’s not easy. Most likely everyone around you will be over-eating, trading workouts for cocktails, and nursing hangovers with junk food. You’ll need support and encouragement. I recommend the structure of a wellness program to my clients who are serious about celebrating the holidays without sabotaging their health. As your holistic health counselor, I can help keep you on track and make recommendations that are simple, easy to follow and effective.

Think you’ll need extra support? No problem. The SCNY team is full of practitioners and wellness programs especially designed for you. See below for our specially-designed Weight Management Package, incorporating my nutrition and lifestyle counseling with the expertise of our Acupuncturists.

Don’t know where to start? That’s easy. Mention this article and come in for your half-price initial health counseling consultation. When you choose a Sea Change program to support your pre-holiday wellness plan, we’ll allocate the initial consultation fee towards the program fee. Don’t procrastinate! This offer expires January 1st, 2006. Make your resolution today!

By Megan Franzen, Certified Holistic Health Counselor

Learn more about Holistic Health Counseling

The Holiday Season is upon us! And so are the cocktail dresses, company parties and family pictures. Unfortunately one joyous party after another can leave the body's digestion a little overtaxed and by the time the New Year rolls around instead of making resolutions to change our spiritual or mental lives, we're stuck with guilty "should haves" from the previous year. Sea Change New York wants to help you break your holiday weight gain pattern and Acupuncture is one of the best ways to get a head start!

Acupuncture has been proven to help assist in weight management. In a recent randomized controlled group study by Dr. Abraham Kuruvilla, patients treated with Acupuncture compared to those in the control group had an average weight loss of 10.2 lbs. The control group's weight loss average was just 3 lbs. Dr. Kuruvilla administered Acupuncture once a week for 8 weeks at 15 minutes per session and concluded that Acupuncture in conjunction with diet and exercise can be effective in treating obesity.

I have noticed in my clinical experience that overeating is only one cause of weight gain. Sometimes even the most cautious eaters have difficulty losing those extra pounds. Some people feel like they have a "slow metabolism" or that they just do not "burn calories" like others but often the real culprit in their struggle is stress. Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system which instantly redirects the energy used to digest food to the areas necessary for immediate survival. Unused food builds up as waste on the waist and in other problem areas. I often ask my patients to scale the level of stress in their lives between 1 and 10 (10 being the highest). I am astonished by the amount of people who report a “normal” stress level of 9! Add the stress and overindulgence of the holidays and most of us find ourselves pushed to our limits.

Acupuncture just once a week can assist you in managing your weight and cravings, defusing your high stress levels and balancing out your body energies. In addition to Acupuncture, I recommend a few other things to get you through the holidays. First, get the nutritional advice and support of a Sea Change’s Holistic Health Counselor for added encouragement through breaking counter-productive dietary habits. Get proactive with positive ways to handle stress. I suggest balancing it out with exercise, meditation, NSA, SRI, or massage. "Letting go" is your most powerful emotional ally in the process of shedding actual weight. Are you ready to “let go” of your excess weight?

Julie Anna Lanning, Acupuncturist and Herbologist

Treat yourself and your loved ones with the gift of relaxation, rejuvenation and wellness.

One Stop Shopping

Give the hottest gifts to your employees and clients, give the Sea Change New York holiday gift certificate. It is the gift that keeps on giving: health, happiness and wellbeing throughout the year. Our Sea Change Gift Certificates are great gift ideas for any of our wellness packages or services. Check out our “Gifts and Guidance” store. It’s chock-full of personal care items, crystals, books and so much more.

Schedule Your SRI Today

Group SRI classes, held on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 7:15pm - 8:00pm, with Dr. Louis Abate are open to anyone interested in learning more about Somato Respiratory Integration. The next classes will be:

* Tuesday, November 15th (please note date change due to Election Day)

* Tuesday, December 13th

Registration is limited. Call to sign up today. Classes are $25 per person.

Individual SRI sessions are available on Tuesdays with Dr. Louis Abate, as well as on Thursdays with Michelle Cacciatore. Individual sessions by appointment only. Fee: $45 each or purchase a package of 6 and save 10%.

Free Your Qi Package

The Free Your Qi Package ensures that low energy levels and a weak immune system won't hold you hostage this winter. This 4-week package includes one 75-minute session each week. You’ll experience needling, and moxa on specific acupoints. Each session, you’ll also receive the benefits of a complimentary Oriental therapy as prescribed by the acupuncturist: cupping (the strategic placement of glass cups with heat-induced suction) or gua sha (the technique of stimulating the superficial muscle layers of the back with essential oil and a scraping motion with a ceramic device), or tui na (Chinese massage). This treatment package will keep you humming the holistic, natural way.

Fee: $395.00

8-Week Weight Management Package

Are you ready to loose those extra pounds? Sea Change New York has the support program you need to take the weight off and learn how to keep it off healthfully. Our unique eight-week approach encourages your body to balance through regular weekly acupuncture treatments and herbal supplements. This allows your body to cut down on cravings and balance emotions that cause binges naturally. Our Holistic Health Counselor will meet with you 4 times throughout the program for 50 minutes each session to provide you with recipes, suggested daily menus and best-practices for eating on the go. We’ll also evaluate ways to include exercise in your lifestyle in fun and effective ways. This package also includes herbal supplements prescribed by the Acupuncturist and a closing session with both practitioners on how to keep up your success all year long. Love your body in holiday wear - or in nothing at all! Call for your Initial appointment today and start dropping pounds tomorrow.

Weight Management Program Fee: $1,275.00

Twist and Ahhhh!

As seen in Allure’s November 2005 issue: The Pine Needle Thai Twist is the ultimate warming and heat generating massage. It includes a variety of strokes designed to stoke internal fire, rev-up circulation and increase energy while warding off colds and flu. Warmed pine oil compresses are placed on the body for deeper oil penetration and healing properties. A full body massage emphasizes release of stiff muscles and joints. Yoga postures and stretches revitalize the entire body. Warmed Lavender oil promotes deeper relaxation. $150 for 90- minute treatment.

New You Dual Action Anti-Aging Package

Combine the skin-smoothing, aging alleviating benefits of a cooling cryotherapy Glacier Facial with the alternative and stimulating Natural Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation for an eye widening, skin popping dual- decadent package to erase the signs of aging and provide permanent improvements in skin condition, tone and appearance. Recommendations for at-home skincare and anti-aging treatments are provided. Holiday special package price: $250 (You save $55!!)

I n h a l e . . . E x h a l e

Relax with the amazing experience of a one-hour massage of your choice (Swedish, Shiatsu, or Reflexology) and our one-hour Sea Glow Signature Facial. The Sea Glow Signature experience begins with purifying steam and includes gentle pore cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, skin polishing, soothing massage and a freshly mixed, customized mask to balance skin and maintain optimum health. One Hour Massage and One Hour Facial $165.00 (allow 2 hours and 15 minutes).

Learn more about SCNY Treatment Packages

At Sea Change we hope to inspire and motivate you to rewrite your life and health story. Our intention is to help you connect your desire to lead a healthier, happier life with your actions and to give you the strategies that last a lifetime. With the knowledge and proper tools, patients play a proactive role in maximizing their health and wellness potential. Feel it for a moment, Live it for a lifetime --our services complement the best of conventional medicine and prevention practices so that you can begin to make more informed decisions about your Health and Wellness Lifestyle choices.

Thank you for reading. Please let us know if you have any specific concerns you would like to see addressed in future newsletters. If you haven't visited the office for a wellness checkup in a while, please come by - we miss you! You'll have a healthier and happier holiday season. Have a great fall and we look forward to seeing you at the center.