On Pins & Needles
By Bill of the Birds (The Blog of Bill Thompson, III)

On a Saturday afternoon in late April 2006, I stepped out of the BWD van after leading a field trip at the Ohio Ornithological Society annual conference and eye-watering pain shot through my right ankle. A series of visits to doctors, massage therapists, and foot specialists got me no cure and a boot-full of diagnostic hypotheses. And an ankle brace which I wear when I play softball, on long hikes, during birding field trips, and when appearing in the Whipple Community Theatre's production of RiverDance, (which is actually called Muskingum RiverDance). The brace supports my sore ankle while making it sore in new and interesting ways.

It's not arthritis, the X-rays say. And I can remember no physical event that brought on the pain. It just came. It's probably the echo of a long-ago ankle sprain I sustained in high school basketball practice, but there's no way to know for sure. Fortunately it does not hurt all the time, just when I use the ankle and the foot it's attached to.

About three months ago, my left knee got jealous of my right ankle and decided IT wanted some attention, too. So it got all tendonitis-y on me. Now it, too, only hurts when climbing stairs, running, or making a quick maneuver, such as avoiding stampeding buffalo, or trying to catch a screaming line drive while playing third base.

I used to laugh in the face of getting older. Now I'm not so sure I should've been so cocky.

Last week, while navigating the rocky, wooded islands of Maine, I got several jabs of knee and ankle pain despite my best efforts at being safe. "No thanks to the round-the-island walk! Think I'll stay here and whittle a ship-in-a-bottle!"

I finally realized that my only hope of getting rid of this very annoying and not-quite-debilitating pain was to look to alternative medicine for help. My friend Matt Smith runs Body Logic in Parkersburg, WV where he does body work such as massage therapy and its various permutations. I was thinking about trying acupuncture and Matt had just hired an acupuncturist--it was a sign, I thought.

I had my second session today with Dr. Shang, a licensed acupuncturist. Dr. Shang studied the ancient art of acupuncture for 5 years and has practiced it for more than 20 years. I knew I was in good hands. Still I've never been a fan of needles.

Here's what happens: She presses a finger to find the sore or tender spots on my legs. Where she finds pain, she taps in a micro-thin needle. This usually happens without my feeling a thing. Sometimes there's a little pain, like getting a tiny shot.

Today was my second treatment (my first was two weeks ago) and I have to say that I do feel better. Not cured yet, but more pain-free than in the past week.

After inserting all the needles (I got 10 today--5 in each leg) the good doctor hooks me up to a machine that sends low levels of electric shock into the muscles via little clamps on the metal needles, hooked up to a small current-creating machine. I really feel my muscles react to the electricity. Initially the muscles contract, then gradually loosen. The flow of energy from right to left through my body is easy to feel.

The point of both needles and electricity is to increase the energy flow to the affected areas. This will increase blood flow and will help in the healing process.

Dr. Shang leaves me hooked up to the "charger" for up to 30 minutes. I'm immediately relaxed after she turns up the power, turns off the lights and tells me to rest easy as she leaves the room. After about 15 minutes, my muscles start to come alive and my toes and legs twitch a bit. Just about the time I think I can't stand it anymore, Dr. Shang comes in and unplugs me.

I'll probably go back for a few more treatments. It's been an interesting experience and it has definitely helped my knee and ankle pain. Who would have thought that sticking needles in your body could help reduce pain and make you healthier.

Now I'm wondering if she can stick a needle in my head somewhere to help my hair get thicker on top. I'm too easily sunburned on the old dome.

And speaking of hair, sorry about the hairy legs. I'm not a body-waxing Adonis. I'm just Bill of the Birds trying to live my life.

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Bodylogic sees business growth!
By JOLENE CRAIG, jcraig@newsandsentinel.com

VIENNA - As many businesses are experiencing layoffs and a drop in clientele, Bodylogic is experiencing growth and change.

The therapeutic health clinic, located at 1515 Grand Central Ave., Garden Level, Suite 8 behind Coldstone Creamery, specializes in massage, acupuncture and skincare with a focus on relaxation and health benefits, said owner Matthew Smith.

"We are seeing a 20 percent growth this year over last year," Smith, a licensed massage therapist, said. "We're also maintaining growth from quarter to quarter with 18 to 20 percent."

Smith said that the growth of his company can be attributed to several things, including the uniqueness of what they offer.

"We're not really a spa, but more of a health facility that serves beauty from a wellness perspective," he said.

"Because what we do complements standard medical care, people understand the value and feel the difference - it's not only relaxation, but it changes the person's body for the better."

Bodylogic is not focused on luxury, but on helping people understand the way the body works.

"I think why we are growing and being competitive is that we've done something different than a beauty salon giving a massage," Smith said. "We're health care that feels more down to earth."

To compensate for the growth, Bodylogic has gone from three employees
to 10.

"There were three of us to begin with, but we had to hire more to keep up with demand," Smith said.

The original employees, including Smith and aesthetician Denise Headlee have been joined by acupuncturist Dr. Qingguo Shang, massage therapists Clay Pascal and Sandra Ellenwood as well as aesthetician Monica Cestaric.

The spa has also brought in Amy Elliott who is certified as a medical hypnotherapy specialist with the National Guild of Hypnotists.

"Amy brings something new and different to Bodylogic and gives us the opportunity to do more to help our clients," Smith said. "She does corrective work and teaches relaxation to bring a new piece to the puzzle."

The company is also networking with local businesses and has established medical credibility and working relationships with doctors' offices in the area.

"By working with local doctors, we are able to provide more rounded care," Smith said.

Smith said one of the biggest reasons the clinic is growing is because of the clientele.

"I have regulars come in from as far away as Washington, D.C., and Cincinnati," Smith said. "We are also building a regional reputation with people from Athens, Sistersville and Ravenswood coming in."

Smith said that Bodylogic is fortunate to have the clientele it has.

"Our clients are really different because we've created a niche for ourselves that is more about health and wellness than it is about luxury," he said.

With the loyal clientele has come the growth.

"Word of mouth is the best and worst advertising," Smith said. "We must be doing something right to be where we are."

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An interview with Chantel Whipkey of Chantel Magazine


What does your business have to offer?:

Bodylogic offers many styles of massage therapy, everything from light
touch to deep tissue. We work on everyone old and young and have seen
quite a list of physical issues. Our Far Infra-Red Sauna is a dry heat
sauna that benefits skin and joints and feels great. We offer organic
skin care, facials and glycolic peels and waxing. We are also the
exclusive retailers of Juice Beauty organic products.  We also have
the most experienced acupuncturist in the region. Dr. Shang treats
nearly every organ of the body and is happy to answer questions.


When do you offer it?:

10:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturdays.
We are located on Grand Central Avenue, on the Garden level of the
'Shops at Grand Central'. Our website has more information, and a map.


What makes your business different from others?:

There are a few things that set Bodylogic apart from the rest of the
salons and day spas in the area. We've gone beyond the typical
offerings to focus on holistic benefits. That's why we say we are
"more than relaxation." We focus on services that improve the health
and wellness of our clients. We don't offer hair and nail services
because we feel they detract from the serenity of the space we strive
to create. Everyone is greeted warmly and welcomed, and we focus our
talents on each individual working to balance relaxation with benefit.
We also work with many doctors in the area, occupying a unique
position as integrative and complementary practitioners. We also have
the only classically trained acupuncturist in the area.



How did you get started in this business?:
Why did you chose this as a business venture?:

Once I finished my massage therapy training, I began working for
McCarter Chiropractic. While there, I saw many people in pain, stress,
and other issues. I saw the power of massage as true health care and
really began to focus on therapeutics. This is where I learned the
difference between discomfort and pain and that massage should never
be painful. I began to see the need for a neutral space for doctors
and chiropractors to refer their patients for massage therapy, and it
was then that I decided to move on to my own enterprise.That seems to
have worked out quite well.


Who else works with you and what do they bring to the business?:
What is their background in their particular area?:

Dr. Qingguo Shang OMD, L.Ac.,  Dr. Shang, our acupuncturist was born
and trained in Beijing, China. She has 26 years of experience and has
lived in the US for 20 years. Dr.Shang is the most experienced OMD
practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine and licensed acupuncturist
available in the region. She resides in Columbus, OH and is available
on Wednesdays.

Denise Headlee, our licensed aesthetician, just moved back to the area
from Palm Springs, California where she has been working at the Yacht
Club at Parker Meridian, a very high end luxury spa where she gained
extensive experience with the organic facials, glycolic peels and the
other services that we offer. Denise brings thorough attention to the
fine details of relaxation, experience with many skin types. and the
understanding that clean, healthy skin is important for a healthy
body, and postponing the signs of aging.

Heather Robinson LMT, Brings excellent deep tissue and Neuro-muscular
work to her table along with great listening skills and patience.
Heather trained in Charlotte, NC and practiced with a chiroractor, she
returned to the area in August of last year, and has four years of
experience.


Business goal for all customers:

It is not only a luxury to escape the stress of you life, it is a
priority. We want all of our clients to find Bodylogic a relaxing
place to address the health and wellness concerns they have. We want
everyone to take this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of
their body and how it works. We provide real relief for our clients as
well as refuge and a receptive schedule.


What is the most beneficial thing your business provides for its customers?:

A new understanding of what heath care is. People like Dr. Andrew
Weil, M.D., Deepak Chopra, M.D. are showing us three things. First, no
one method has all the answers, so we help integrate all methods that
work. Second, prevention works and is cheaper in the long run.
Finally, medicine need not taste bad to be effective. However, we all
have to be responsible for ourselves and take the initiative to care
for ourselves before the body is in crisis. Bodylogic is part of this
new 'Integrative' understanding in health care. We are complementary
and alternative medicine. This is our work, finding physical,
emotional, mental and spiritual balance.


Who are your typical customers?:

We serve many people of all ages and all lifestyles in our community,
from construction workers to yoga teachers, children to the elderly.
We see people with issues like TMJ dysfunction, back and neck pain,
headaches and migraines, depression, anxiety and chronic pain. as well
as those who just need a break from the world.. I am very proud to say
I love this work. I love my clientèle. It takes all kinds of people to
make this happen and I am grateful to every one. So to all of our
clients reading this, you are the best. Thank you.


How long have you had the business?:

Bodylogic opened in August of 2006. The additions we have made since
our opening allow us to be more responsive and more convenient than
ever before. We're nearly through our first year and we are pleased
with the progress. We haven't done a lot of marketing or promotion, we
are relying on our skill and word of mouth from satisfied clients.


What do you hope for the business in 5-years?:

We hope to offer insurance billing, wellness counseling, and more
styles of bodywork. We will also be more involved with mainstream
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medical offices. We have quite a few doctors referring patients now,
and I absolutely expect to see this continue to grow.