http://peterhansonmd.com/blog Medical Acupuncture Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:25:18 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en June 25, 2009. Today's untimely death of Michael Jackson is a tragic replay of that of Elvis Presley in 1977. Both were kings of pop music, both were still young (50 and 42 respectively), and both were on pain medications beyond sensible (short term) doses.  There is some irony that Elvis (had he ... http://peterhansonmd.com/blog/2009/06/25/michael-jackson-and-elvis-presley-prescription-drugs-gone-wild/ Health insurance is in crisis mode.  Incoming president Obama has called for input from private citizens, and this seems like a good time to make a fresh start. Our current model is a catastrophe.  Over 40 million Americans have no insurance, and many of the rest are "under-insured".  That means they ... http://peterhansonmd.com/blog/2008/12/06/health-insurance-crisis-the-auto-solution-from-an-md/ Stress is not always bad for your health.  However, the choices we make in response to our stresses can be disastrous.  For example, when times are stressful, smokers smoke more, drinkers drink more, and drug abusers want more drugs.  Even within the field of medical pratice, doctors are responding to their patient's ... http://peterhansonmd.com/blog/2008/11/24/tips-for-stress-without-medications/ Acne in teenage years is certainly embarassing, but at least it is very common among the peer group.  Also, at this age, most teenagers know they will soon outgrow the problem.  Newer medications also can be very helpful.www.facemaster.com However, as an adult, acne is much more of a nuisance.  It is ... http://peterhansonmd.com/blog/2008/11/19/facemaster-suzanne-somers-tips-on-acne/ FaceMaster is a home version of the expensive spa machines that tone face muscles with electronic stimulation. Instead of a trip to the spa, and a cost of over a hundred dollars, people everywhere are finding the best answer in today's tight economy: Do It Yourself! The FaceMaster is the ... http://peterhansonmd.com/blog/2008/11/17/facemaster-suzanne-somers-facial-secret/ Insomnia has many misconceptions.  First, not everyone needs to sleep for eight consecutive hours.  Not even if we USED to sleep that long in our younger years.  As we age, the body's need for sleep often diminishes, sometimes to a fraction of what it was during our teen-aged years.  Winston ... http://peterhansonmd.com/blog/2008/11/16/insomnia-tips-to-help-you-sleep-better/ "Tennis elbow" does not always come from tennis.  Just like "athlete's foot" is not restricted to athlete's.  However, if you have pain on the outer aspect of your dominant elbow, and you DO play tennis, let's review some ways to fix it. First of all, the inflammation usually extends from the ... http://peterhansonmd.com/blog/2008/11/12/tennis-elbow-acupuncture-gets-to-the-point/ [caption id="attachment_87" align="alignnone" width="202" caption="Peter G. Hanson M.D."][/caption] Denver’s Peter G. Hanson, M.D., practices locally, but his influence is felt globally.  His international bestseller, “The Joy of Stress” has been translated into many languages since it topped North America’s lists in 1986.  It has sold over a million copies around the ... http://peterhansonmd.com/blog/2008/11/02/denvers-joy-of-stress-gets-arabic-translation/ Sports injuries are of dramatic concern to the professional athlete, whose season and even career depend upon prompt healing and minimal side-effects.  But the amateur "weekend warrior" can have even more problems, often because the patient is not as fit or as young as the professional athlete.  What we are learning ... http://peterhansonmd.com/blog/2008/11/01/sports-injuries-alternative-treatment/ Western medicine is actually very good at dealing with acute problems.  Infections respond to antibiotics; lacerations are fixed with sutures; and an inflamed appendix responds to surgery.  But when we get into chronic pain management, doctors are usually stumped.  In most patients, by the time they have become chronic, they ... http://peterhansonmd.com/blog/2008/11/01/chronic-pain-management-alternative-treatment-that-works/