The right prescription to reduce pain, improve wellbeing may be the holistic approach

Holistic medicine is defined as “of or relating to the medical consideration of the complete person, physically and psychologically, in the treatment of a disease.” In Fallbrook, two treatment facilities in particular offer a variety of options available to those who seek relief from chronic pain and its debilitating nature.

Transcendent Touch

Craig Lozzi, owner of Transcendent Touch, has been practicing holistic health for over three decades. His treatments include therapeutic massage, deep tissue massage, pain and injury rehabilitation, aromatherapy, and reflexology techniques. Lozzi is so proficient that he not only practices massage, but has taught the profession to students in massage schools.

“I find that some new clients, who have never had a massage before and may have some hesitance, end up having an amazing experience through both mind and body,” said Lozzi. During massage, the muscle relaxes and the ability of movement of that muscle is greatly increased. Sometimes clients may feel uneasy with their body image, and may be more comfortable with their clothes on during the massage, he said. He also mentioned that some people believe that massage is merely a luxury, when actually it may be the needed healing method for an ailment, injury or other factor that is affecting their everyday life. One of Lozzi’s goals is to discover the reason for the tension, remove the symptoms and give relief, so that one can lead a less stressful and more productive life.

“I have free license to use various techniques,” said Lozzi, when referring to treating different individuals. One type of therapy that Lozzi has cultivated is called integrated stone massage, which involves a special technique using heated stones. What makes his method unique is being able to maintain a constant touch with the person, without interruption, when switching out the stones. The hot stones dilate the blood vessels, and help the particular area by enabling the oxygen to carry in nutrients and flush out waste. When it comes to treating an injury, the use of cold stones after the hot ones, can deliver an even more effective result, sending the heat and oxygen deeper.

Throughout his career, Lozzi has worked with medical practitioners such as physicians, psychologists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and physical therapists. He is very selective when it comes to what products he uses and to whom he refers clients, if another approach is necessary.

When asked what direction his business may be headed, Lozzi said he aims to practice from his home, which he is in the process of remodeling. Lozzi said, “It will include a massage studio, secluded courtyard, and a tranquil garden in which clients can relax.” Incorporating all of the senses into the experience is very important to him.

Lozzi also has a passion for cooking, and has been frequently requested to share his healthy methods of creating vegetarian cuisine. He finds inspiration in growing certain ingredients, as well as centering his culinary world on using organic elements. Also a licensed spiritual counselor with Centers for Spiritual Living through the Hilltop Center in Fallbrook, Lozzi finds this a benefit to help individuals strengthen their connection between body and mind.

Wegener Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine Clinic

Originally, Randall Wegener, of Wegener Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine Clinic, followed a career in civil engineering. After receiving an acupuncture treatment, he was immediately intrigued and decided to devote his passion to the 2,000-year-old Asian art. Wegener believes that treating the body and mind as a collective system is important, rather than just the symptom itself. Working a lot from the conscious level, Wegener enforces that perception proceeds form, meaning that a person must understand how and why the symptoms were created in the first place because they indicate that something is wrong.

In order to extinguish those symptoms, one needs to change their perception of life. Once it is understood why one is experiencing these signs, they are easier to treat, he said.

For example, Wegener said, “Grief is an emotion of the lungs. If grief is suppressed in life, there is more of a chance of pulmonary problems later.” He said that everything physical correlates with everything emotional, and vice versa. Wegener helps by giving those in need the information needed to identify the power to change from within.

Some treatments that Wegener offers include addressing chronic or acute pain, migraines and headaches, orthopedic issues, colds and allergies, arthritis, emotional balancing, stress (which is a catalyst that affects everything) anxiety, depression, memory and learning function. He said studies have proven that acupuncture helps stimulation of bone re-growth, regulates blood pressure, and can increase red and white blood cell count. Wegener’s patients range from pediatric to geriatric age. His specialties include women’s and men’s health.

Wegener said, “I see myself as a teacher. Acupuncture and herbs are the basis for teaching your body and mind to heal itself.” The ability to comprehend the process that one’s body and mind are going through, which creates the symptoms being experienced is key to healing. His approach includes treating a person as a whole, not just the body, but also the mind, their diet, and exercise.

In the practice of acupuncture, there are approximately 14 meridians, or channels, (flowing rivers) throughout the body, which exist under the skin, said Wegener. They are divided into Yin and Yang (contrary forces which are interconnected, interdependent, and interrelated). He explained that the channels connect the 365 places, or points, that represent different areas of the body (organs, systems, etc.) The depth needed to finding certain points depends on the size of the patient, as well as the particular part of the body that the needle, or “healing stick,” is inserted into.

Wegener said the healing stick is designed to stimulate the specific point, and unblock it so the Qi can flow and restore balance. The Qi (pronounced chee) is the vital energy and life force believed to be behind everything. Since Qi exists throughout the entire human body, sometimes there are blockages in the meridians, due to various conditions such as illnesses or disorders.

The healing sticks are generally left in the person for 15 to 30 minutes. The nervous system then releases natural chemicals such as endorphins and hormones that affect mood and pain perception. Depending on the acupuncturist, there are different methods in the application of the healing sticks. Wegener said, “I prefer the Japanese approach, which is a gentler manner of coaxing the body into a relief, rather than a more persuasive way.”

The motor points in the body are the nerves that communicate messages from the muscle to the brain. If pain occurs, the muscle sends that message to the brain. Wegener said the healing stick will tell the brain to convey to the muscle, to stay in a state of relaxation, thus encouraging it to rest so the muscle can heal.

Chinese herbology is also practiced by Wegener. Some techniques include moxibustion, which is the application of an herb, (mugwort), applied to the body through a slow burning cone, warming the channels and stimulating the Qi.

Cupping is another procedure that Wegener uses, where small glass jars, are briefly heated with fire, placed on the part of the body which correlates to a certain channel. This suction increases the flow of blood and Qi to the specific area.

“Understandably, there are some conditions that will require continual maintenance through acupuncture, such as arthritis and other chronic disorders,” he said.

Wegener also offers nutritional counseling, exercise and lifestyle suggestions, as well as Tai Chi and Qi-Gong (energy practice).

Through holistic medicine, many come to realize they have an inherent power to treat their own issues with effective and natural tactics. This alternative type of therapy can offer the ability to remedy certain problems, instead of addressing just the symptoms, such as what prescription pain pills attempt to do, which simply masks the underlying factors.

For more information on the above therapies:

Craig Lozzi, Transcendent Touch can be reached at (760) 533-3505 or visit his website at http://www.transcendenttouch.net

Randall Wegener, Wegener Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine Clinic, can be reached at (760) 451-2188 or visit his website at http://www.wegeneracupuncture.com.