by Kay Lucas

When you have a home improvement project, do you only use one or two trusty tools to get the job done? Or do you have many tools at your disposal for preventative maintenance before it becomes a problem?  

What is keeping you from having a versatile toolbox? Is it because you don’t want to try new things, don’t know about other tools, or don’t think you can afford them?  

The same can be said about your self-improvement and health. Sometimes we merely get stuck only relying on Western medicine and don’t always look outside the box. Often, we are scared to try new things, or we don’t know enough about them. Perhaps you think alternative modalities are out of your budget.   

This is why Joan Massey opened Affordable Acupuncture by Joan, located in Simpsonville. With over 30 years of experience as a Certified Medical Assistant and 18 years as a Licensed Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist, she wanted to provide a wide range of services for everyone’s budget.  

“In these tough economic times, our primary goal is to make acupuncture accessible and available to you as often as you need it,” says Massey. “The more frequently you can get acupuncture done, the faster the healing.”  

Affordable Acupuncture offers packages for further savings. Because most acupuncture is performed on the hands, feet, and ears, they provide community-style rooms making it more economical for you. But, if you prefer solitude, they also have three private rooms. 

Affordable Acupuncture by Joan offers much more than acupuncture. Other services include cupping, injectable therapy, heated mat with amethyst, Bemer mat, amp coil, ear candling, tapping, foot detox, sauna, far infrared light therapy, aroma therapy, and a wide range of high-quality supplements. Whoa, that’s a lot of tools to start adding to your toolbox! 

Most acupuncture treatments last between 40-60 minutes. The needles are about the thickness of human hair; therefore, you won’t feel more than the twinge of a bug bite when it is inserted. Acupuncture is great for the musculoskeletal, hormonal, and neurochemical systems, so it helps with pain, stress, infertility, headaches, digestive disorders, and health challenges. Most of their other services can be done in conjunction with acupuncture. 

Has your primary doctor ordered bloodwork, but the lab cost is too high? Affordable Acupuncture has a contract with LabCorp, which means less out-of-pocket for you. 

Walk-ins welcome! In fact, they do not take any reservations. Their private rooms are first come, first serve. But don’t worry; there is rarely more than a 10-15 minute wait time for an appointment. Affordable Acupuncture also has a multi-lingual staff between their licensed massage therapists and nationally board-certified acupuncturists.  

“Our heart and intention are to provide affordable and accessible care for everyone to optimize their healing,” says Massey. Some of their services, such as AmpCoil (beneficial for the brain, hormones, pain, detox, and immune system), are priced on a donation basis. And the infrared lights and Bemer mats are free to use at their office—both excellent for those battling cancer.  

Massey doesn’t look at other practices such as massage therapy, chiropractic care, or traditional medicine as competition, nor is one method superior to another. She views all of them as tools to build better health. Massey says, “Each person has been programmed for optimal healing potential if given the tools to help this happen.” 

Affordable Acupuncture by Joan is located at 3100 Grandview Drive, Simpsonville, SC 29680, in The Healing Center at the Leigh Building. Open Tuesday-Friday, 9:00-6:00, and Saturday, 9:00-3:00. For more information, call 864-406-3800 or visit:

by Kay Lucas

When you have a home improvement project, do you only use one or two trusty tools to get the job done? Or do you have many tools at your disposal for preventative maintenance before it becomes a problem?  

What is keeping you from having a versatile toolbox? Is it because you don’t want to try new things, don’t know about other tools, or don’t think you can afford them?  

The same can be said about your self-improvement and health. Sometimes we merely get stuck only relying on Western medicine and don’t always look outside the box. Often, we are scared to try new things, or we don’t know enough about them. Perhaps you think alternative modalities are out of your budget.   

This is why Joan Massey opened Affordable Acupuncture by Joan, located in Simpsonville. With over 30 years of experience as a Certified Medical Assistant and 18 years as a Licensed Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist, she wanted to provide a wide range of services for everyone’s budget.  

“In these tough economic times, our primary goal is to make acupuncture accessible and available to you as often as you need it,” says Massey. “The more frequently you can get acupuncture done, the faster the healing.”  

Affordable Acupuncture offers packages for further savings. Because most acupuncture is performed on the hands, feet, and ears, they provide community-style rooms making it more economical for you. But, if you prefer solitude, they also have three private rooms. 

Affordable Acupuncture by Joan offers much more than acupuncture. Other services include cupping, injectable therapy, heated mat with amethyst, Bemer mat, amp coil, ear candling, tapping, foot detox, sauna, far infrared light therapy, aroma therapy, and a wide range of high-quality supplements. Whoa, that’s a lot of tools to start adding to your toolbox! 

Most acupuncture treatments last between 40-60 minutes. The needles are about the thickness of human hair; therefore, you won’t feel more than the twinge of a bug bite when it is inserted. Acupuncture is great for the musculoskeletal, hormonal, and neurochemical systems, so it helps with pain, stress, infertility, headaches, digestive disorders, and health challenges. Most of their other services can be done in conjunction with acupuncture. 

Has your primary doctor ordered bloodwork, but the lab cost is too high? Affordable Acupuncture has a contract with LabCorp, which means less out-of-pocket for you. 

Walk-ins welcome! In fact, they do not take any reservations. Their private rooms are first come, first serve. But don’t worry; there is rarely more than a 10-15 minute wait time for an appointment. Affordable Acupuncture also has a multi-lingual staff between their licensed massage therapists and nationally board-certified acupuncturists.  

“Our heart and intention are to provide affordable and accessible care for everyone to optimize their healing,” says Massey. Some of their services, such as AmpCoil (beneficial for the brain, hormones, pain, detox, and immune system), are priced on a donation basis. And the infrared lights and Bemer mats are free to use at their office—both excellent for those battling cancer.  

Massey doesn’t look at other practices such as massage therapy, chiropractic care, or traditional medicine as competition, nor is one method superior to another. She views all of them as tools to build better health. Massey says, “Each person has been programmed for optimal healing potential if given the tools to help this happen.” 

Affordable Acupuncture by Joan is located at 3100 Grandview Drive, Simpsonville, SC 29680, in The Healing Center at the Leigh Building. Open Tuesday-Friday, 9:00-6:00, and Saturday, 9:00-3:00. For more information, call 864-406-3800 or visit: AffordableAcupunctureByJoan.com.

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By Liz Liokumovich

As more people are becoming aware and receptive to alternative health modalities than ever before, new demands for these are increasingly more popular and have become more accessible as supplemental forms of treatment. One such modality is the use of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or HBOT. For many years now, I have heard about the amazing benefits of using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy from various sources, as well as hearing about celebrity athletes having these chambers in their homes and major hospitals using them for wound healing.

I was thrilled when I received a call to try out HBOT. Dr. Green of Greenville Hyperbaric Center gave a thorough explanation of this type of therapy. I was amazed to learn that HBOT has an effect on stem cell activity. When inside the pressurized oxygen chamber, the body’s cells are able to absorb more oxygen, sending it into all the body’s fluids, blood, plasma, and cerebral fluids. This can help improve brain function, strengthen the respiratory system, and even build resiliency to viruses such as COVID. There are so many interesting benefits to HBOT, I just couldn’t wait to try it! As with many other therapies, it takes more than once to see complete long-term effects, but I also knew there were benefits on a molecular level even with one session.

To my surprise, I was told I can bring a friend, and both of us can enjoy the benefits of HBOT at the same time in the same pressurized chamber. Dr. Green had the deflated chamber set up really nice inside, with plenty of blankets and pillows to keep us comfortable and cozy, plus a few bottles of water. As she zipped us up, I was starting to get a little bit nervous not knowing what to really expect from my body. As the pressure started changing, the drinking water sure came in handy! You have to start drinking, swallowing, or chewing gum to help the pressure in your ears balance out since we are dealing with pressure change. That was the most physically uncomfortable part for me because I have sensitive ears, but it only lasted maybe three minutes. Once the desired pressure was reached, all of that ear pressure stabilized and felt normal. 

My friend and I lounged and hung out in the chamber for an hour. If you’re not as lucky as me and can’t bring a friend, you can still occupy yourself with any kind of reading material, including your cell phone (just make sure it’s charged). During the time spent inside the chamber, I did not feel any evident effects. When it was time to deflate the chamber, we needed to balance out ear pressure again by drinking, swallowing, or chewing gum. 

Following our departure and going back home, I definitely noticed a spike of energy, increased mental focus, and a feeling of positivity. This good mood effect alone was enough to really impress me. I’m so glad I finally tried this out, and I look forward to going back to Dr. Green again. Now remember this, friends–use the bathroom before you enter the chamber because you will be drinking and won’t be able to come out for an hour!  

A big ‘Thank You’ to Dr. Green and team, and my friend who kept me company. 

Greenville Hyperbaric is located at 1109 S Church St. in Greenville. For more information, call 828-375-0002 or visit: GreenvilleHyperbaric.com.

Liz is a wife and homeschooling mom of four by day, and a self-proclaimed “Research-Hawk” by night. She’s looking forward to discovering more natural therapies to keep her life in balance. 

Do your hands hurt from repetitive routines or diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?  (CTS) happens when your median nerve (in forearm) gets pressed, causing numbness/tingling. Motions like too much typing or even too much arm exercise can be causes. Stretching out your forearms and wrists is crucial for relief: (Chiropractic & Dry Needling help too!). 

Wrist Extension:

Straighten your arm & bend your wrist back as if signaling someone to “stop.” 

• Use your opposite hand to apply gentle pressure across the palm and pull it toward you until you feel a stretch. 

• Hold for 15 seconds. 

• Repeat 5x on each arm.

Wrist Flexion Exercise: 

• Straighten your arm with your palm facing down and bend your wrist so your fingers point down. 

• Gently pull hand toward your body until you feel a stretch on the outside of your forearm. 

• Hold for 15 seconds. 

• Repeat 5x, switch to the other arm.

Prayer stretch:

•Place both hands chest level, palms together.

•Press hands together, bring them down closer to your naval. You should feel a good stretch in your wrists. hold for 15 seconds/repeat 5x. 

**Always consult your doctor before starting any exercise routine**

-Dr. Suzanne Earehart, Hybrid Health Sports Chiropractic & Rehab

by Heather Cotugno

Ingredients 

Coconut oil or ghee

2 cans coconut milk (optional: substitute 1 can with coconut cream)

16 oz bone broth or other broth

2 inches fresh ginger

2-4 cloves garlic

Lemongrass

1/4 onion 

2 carrots

2 celery stalks

Bell pepper

1 cup mushrooms 

Spices (salt, white pepper, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, black pepper)

Cooked chicken (shredded or cubed)

Prepare all veggies to start: Mince fresh ginger, garlic, and lemongrass.

Chop onion, carrots, celery, bell pepper.

Slice mushrooms. 

In a large pot, heat about 1 tablespoon coconut oil or ghee over medium heat. 

Saute ginger, garlic, and lemongrass until slightly browned.

Add onion, carrots, celery, and bell pepper. Saute until cooked/softened.

Add coconut milk, cream, and broth.

Add spices to your taste preference. 

Add mushrooms and cooked chicken. 

Enjoy!!

Note: Use varying amounts of veggies and flavorings at your preference.