Health and Wellness Acupuncture for Pain Relief Cheng Charley Yang, Licensed Acupuncturist, Chinese Acupuncture and Herb Center, LLC
by Brianna Lewis USC Grad 2006 Owner & Resident
Now Offering
Fall Classes Recreational Advanced
Ages 2-18 Jazz Tap Ballet Lyrical Julie Segerdahl USC resident Pilates Hip Hop Contemporary Boys Hip Hop Gymnastics Ultimate Dance Combo Classes Musical Theater Emma Drews USC resident Zumba
Nora Davidovich
Annaleigh Dwulit
724-820-1814
www.ultimatedancecomplex.com
Acupuncture has long baffled physicians and researchers. While we can’t quite put our fingers on the energy force referred to as Qi, we know acupuncture can be used successfully to treat everything from arthritis and back pain to anxiety, headaches, and infertility. Even cancer patients are increasingly turning to acupuncture to combat the side effects of chemotherapy (M.D. Anderson in Houston and Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York are two well respected medical centers to utilize acupuncture to help their cancer patients). The general premise is that Qi flows within meridians (channels), and unhindered flow of Qi is considered to be necessary to maintain the dynamic balance of the body and prevent diseases from developing. When blockages do occur, tiny needles (about the width of a human hair) are inserted into specific points to try to correct and/or restore
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
See ad for Chinese Acupuncture and Herb Center on page 58.
Dream Until Your Dreams Come True Patricia Purtusik, OVR
Brianna Lewis took a dance class at the age of three and liked it. She liked it a lot. She tried other activities like soccer, which lasted one day because she did not like to run. But nothing worked for her as well as dancing. Brianna took dance lessons all the way through school. At Upper St. Clair High School, she was part of the dance team. She also helped her dance teachers to teach. Brianna was referred to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) during her junior year in high school. The visit uncovered a learning disability. This is when I met Brianna. OVR provided some training monies, neuropsych testing, and taught her the self advocacy skills needed to be successful in college. Sure, vocational exploration and other career choices were suggested, but she was focused on being a dance instructor. Brianna acknowledged that dance came easy to her, while some of the academics were harder. She used dance to improve her self confidence. While in college at Point Park University, she rented studio space and taught her own students. She majored in dance with a
395 Valley Brook Road, McMurray, PA 15317 56
balance. To summarize, acupuncture attempts to help the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or other chemicals. This may seem to be fanciful to many, but scientists are now able to document the real effects acupuncture can have on the human body. Thermal imaging shows reduction of inflammation, neuroimaging shows the activation of areas of the brain that control pain, and ultrasound shows that acupuncture increases blood flow to the treated area. Acupuncture can be an excellent choice for a variety of conditions and symptoms, but most noticeably it has the ability to control pain without the involvement of pain killers. This is especially beneficial for patients who do not tolerate pain medications well or who want to avoid the possibility of becoming dependent on prescription medications. n
Fall 2011
concentration in jazz. Brianna made the Dean’s list and graduated with a B.A. Upon graduation, Brianna was offered OVR placement services. She remained steadfast to her dream of being a dance instructor. She wanted to open her own studio. Starting a business is a big project, especially for a 22-year-old. Upon Brianna’s request, OVR sent her paperwork on how to develop a business plan. She engaged the help of a neighbor and participated in the small business seminars at the University of Pittsburgh. With a very supportive family, Brianna did all that OVR required. Her business plan “wowed” the business committee. Brianna opened The Ultimate Dance Complex on July 1, 2010. OVR helped with the start up costs. I recently went to visit Brianna’s studio. I noticed that on one of the walls is a shadow box with a picture of her in costume at the age of six at her first dance recital. I also noticed Brianna’s words stenciled on the wall, “Dream Until Your Dreams Come True.” n See Ultimate Dance Complex ad on this page.