Recently I’ve had the occasion to visit the Healing Arts Center as a client. I’ve been suffering from some pain and numbness, almost like a pinched nerve, and wasn’t sure what the source of the problem was. I initially had a consultation with my general practitioner and had several tests performed. Nothing showed up. I was becoming so frustrated as the pain began to interfere with my normal day-to-day functioning as well as my nightly sleep.

I work with Dr. Rob Kiltz as well and he is a very intuitive, perceptive man. He seemed to notice I wasn’t feeling well without having to even bring it up. I shared with him what was going on and where I was to date regarding diagnosis and treatment, which was actually nowhere, or so it felt. As usual he was very positive, reassuring and advised me on a go forward plan. He suggested I first try some Maya Abdominal Massage with Erika Lutwin, LMT at the Healing Arts Center in Syracuse. He explained that I might want to have exploratory laparoscopy performed but we could chat about that later.

I admitted that I am a very impatient person when I don’t feel physically up to speed and really just wanted a quick fix, to which he laughed and said “I know.” Dr. Kiltz then reiterated that I should really try the Maya Abdominal Massage and also consider starting a normal yoga practice as well as to be sure and meditate daily. I’ll admit I had some degree of trouble buying this suggestion and was not wholeheartedly convinced any of it would give me the relief I so wanted and as I mentioned before I am terribly impatient.

I scheduled an appointment with Erika on that following Tuesday. I was starting to become excited at the prospect of some possible relief and was more willing to be open to the possibility that this could work. Erika was so relaxing and reassuring, she led me through the entire hour as if she had done it a million times. Some parts of the massage were a little uncomfortable (because we were working on the source of the problem) and most of it was absolutely lovely and enjoyable.

I performed a little experiment of my own that day as I only took Motrin in the morning, knowing that by time I had my appointment with Erika it would have worn off and I would be in need of more. I was ecstatic to find that I didn’t need any more Motrin that day or in the evening. I slept soundly that night and was feeling so much better. Erika sent me home with some things I could do to provide relief for myself should the pain start to resurface as well as a daily Maya Abdominal Massage regimen. I’ve been religious about “following orders” and have already scheduled a weekly followup massage for her to “work” the source for me.

I also have plans to begin some basic yoga classes, when I’m feeling a little better and after checking with Erika to be sure it’s OK. I am so grateful for the people I work with and for being able to experience the “Art of Healing” at CNY Healing Arts firsthand.

Thank you Erika and thank you Dr. Kiltz!!

Let your soil breathe. -  Another important job is to aerate your lawn and planting beds. Aeration opens up the soil and also increases its capacity to hold moisture.

Mix it up! – Garden beds need to be turned over. It is a perfect time to test your gardens Ph levels. If you have ever experienced fungus problems, now is a good time to apply a fungicide.

~From Syracuse Real Food Co-Op

Such as Wicked Cool! Which means it is so cool it is almost unimaginable.  Wicked Hot! In the summer means that it was so hot you just sweated sitting still or the same as wicked cool.  Wicked lost!  You had no clue as to where you were or where you’re going.  But the experience was Wicked.

I still find myself using Wicked!  Wicked Cool rolls off my tongue as quickly as if I’m still ten.

But recently I have been attaching Wicked to a not so positive frame of mind.  Wicked Tired! I’m wicked tired! Which means bone tired, Or Wicked Busy! Which for me means can’t catch my breath and Wicked crazy!  Which means locking yourself in your cellar, barefooted with 10 inches of snow and you have to call your neighbor to come and let you out!

I caught myself the other day mid-wicked and stopped.

It dawned on me that I was using Wicked while not honoring the essence of wicked!  I was wicked busy but loved every moment of it, so why was I feeling that I was disrespecting wicked? I was Wicked Tired but was so because I was able to use my body all day for doing what I love to do.  The cellar thing, we’ll just chalk it up to a Lucy Ricardo moment.

Anyways, I think I felt as though I was losing that childlike excitement behind Wicked and for a moment I felt a pang of sadness.  Then something ironic happened. I overheard my son say to my daughter “Hey Gracie, that is a Wicked awesome Lego”.  Wicked awesome superseding wicked cool!

In that instant I realized for me it was just a momentary loss of wickedness.

So why should you care about Wicked?

It is because there is great energy behind the words we use and their intent.  I am very aware of how I speak to my husband & children, my clients, friends, family and co-workers but most importantly how I speak to myself in my mind.

When you find yourself in a full blow loss of wickedness, you need to stop and ask yourself why? Feelings, thoughts and action are all connected.

Being aware of your intention behind your words help to keep the mind, body and soul in the proper balance.  Remember the old saying, “sticks and stone will break my bones but names can never hurt me”.  It was wicked wrong!

Words carry so much power that one of the most important things you can do is be aware of your language pattern and consciously use language that empowers and brings in light.

I promise that by changing your language you will begin to change your life for the Wicked Better!

Kristen Magnacca
Kristen Magnacca Website
Her Pearls of Wisdom Blog
Contact me via E-mail

– I’m excited to let you know that Dr. Rob Kiltz is offering you several free support offerings that I will be presenting with him during National Infertility Awareness Week, April 26th-May 2nd, 2009. Details are below and please feel free to email me with any questions:

* RSVP via email at cbriel@cnyfertility.com, space is limited.

Thursday, April 30th, 12-2pm
CNY Fertility Center, 38A Old Sparrowbush Road, Latham, NY

Friday, May 1st, 12:30-2pm
CNY Healing Arts Center, 191 Intrepid Lane, Syracuse, NY

Saturday,May 2nd, 1-3PM
CNY Fertility Center, 2244 East Ave, Rochester, NY

Taken in Syracuse NY at the Rose Garden by the University. They are all in full bloom right now so if you are near Syracuse it’s a beautiful sight to check out.

When you open the door to CNY Healing Arts at 191 Intrepid Lane in Syracuse, it’s like entering a world of Shangri-La, abundantly filled with serenity and calm. Even the delicate aroma as you sit in the relaxed waiting area, whispers quietly of the tranquility that fills Syracuse’s newest fertility and wellness center for women.

Acupuncturist Donald Clarke, who practices Traditional Chinese Medicine, says that “50 percent of our clients come to us for fertility issues; the remaining 50 percent come to treat other female health problems, including personal issues and chronic pain.”

The problems Clarke alludes to, includes a wide range of pain categories, such as musculo-skeletal pain, pain caused by herniated disks, fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome, pain such as neuralgia and systemic pain, resulting from cancer surgery or radiation treatments, even pain from sinus infection.

Patients typically range in age fromm 25-40, but overall patient base includes women from the age of 16 to 87, according to Clarke.

CNY Healing Arts opened in July 2007. “CNY Healing Arts provides an educational and patient-empowering experience to allow one to become an active participant in one’s own health care,” he says.

“Patients need to better understand their health options in order to make critical medical decisions. We must also have empathy for our patients and understand the difficulties, including physical, emotional, social and financial, and only in this way can we provide patient empowering health care. Our mission here at CNY Healing Arts is to provide comprehensive services in a compassionate, honest and friendly environment.”

A well-rounded menu of services is offered at CNY Healing Arts, including nutrition education, massage, acupuncture, fitness classes (including pilates, yoga, and belly dancing), and support groups which are a great help to couples experiencing the pain and discouragement that accompanies infertility issues. Workshops, seminars and peer support groups like “The Circle of Hope” round out the services offered at CNY Healing Arts. Two acupuncturists and two licensed massage therapists are available to provide services to patients.

The yoga studio is a large, inviting room with eco-friendly and “green,” bamboo floors.

Bamboo is considered to be exceptionally durable, and moisture and insect resistant, says Clarke. “Here, all levels of students learn to balance their body’s energy, stretch muscles to increase their range of motion, and calm their mind,” he says.

Yoga workouts also enable students a sufficiently extensive workout suitable for promoting weight loss. Certified yoga instructor, Susan Hurburt, works with classes ranging from 2 to 15 students.

Karen Loeffer teaches pilates, a more passive form of physical fitness, with a philosophical and theoretical foundation. Pilates focuses on the core postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and which are essential to providing support for the spine. In particular, pilates exercises teach awareness of breath, and alignment of the spine, and aim to strengthen thedeep torso muscles.

A few, precise movements emphasize control and form by strengthening, stretching, and stabilizing key muscles.

One interpretation of pilates principles – centering, concentration, control, precision, breathing, and flowing movement – is similar to yoga.

Pilates sessions claim to help increase strength and flexibility, lengthen the body and align the spine. The central element of pilates is to create a fusion of mind and body, so that without thinking about it the body will move with economy, grace, and balance; using one’s body to the greatest advantage, making the most of its strengths, counteracting its weaknesses, and correcting its imbalances. The goal is to produce an attention-free union of mind and body.

Another relaxing component of CNY Healing Arts is the sauna, steam room, and rain shower. These new, ultra-clean, and beautiful facilities provide a therapeutic and calming end to any of the workout or healing sessions.

My visit to CNY Healing Arts enabled me to experience a traditional Chinese treatment, called cupping. This form of Chinese medicine realigns the muscle fibers, and Clarke elected to use this treatment to help provide some relief for my lower back pain.

Because of the complexity of my personal pain issues, a number of treatments will be necessary. But I can tell you the treatment was absolutely pain-free. The acupuncture part of the treatment was also gentle and I did not feel any pain whatsoever. The main feeling I did experience was relaxation and calm, followed by a soothing session in the sauna, and a relaxing conclusion in the rain shower which can only be described as exquisite.

CNY Healing Arts’ philosophy is based on treating the cause of the problem so that patients can achieve the relief they’re seeking in shorter time periods than traditional medicine.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 671-5755 or visit the CNY Healing Arts website.