Functional Medicine, Proactive Healthcare
Jim Chialtas, DACM
The Hermit Crab and His Shell

A new name, a new location! Evolving my practice to better serve you.

The Hermit Crab and His Shell
Jim Chialtas, DACM
Laurel Acupuncture is Open!

My services qualify as an essential service, so I am able to remain open to the public. I have been doing phone consultations as often as I can, and when appropriate for the service at hand, can always be reached for a consultation in this way. But I have also been seeing a few acupuncture patients in-clinic. I made it a point not to abandon my patients during this difficult time. At the end of the day I am a medical professional and things like sciatica pain have not magically gone away. Nor have migraine headaches, or neck pain. Autoimmunity certainly has not gone away! In fact many of these concerns have worsened. In Chinese Medicine there is a saying which translates into, “Where there is stagnation there is pain.” Worry, fear, anger, isolation, and/or stress all stagnate Qi.

Laurel Acupuncture is Open!
Jim Chialtas, DACM
My New Degree, and What That Means to My ...

I have new letters after my name! What do they mean? Why did they change? And what else will change? Find out here!

My New Degree, and What That Means to My Practice
Chronic conditions
Jim Chialtas, DACM
Brain on Fire: Neuroinflammation and What You ...

If you’ve ever had a day where nothing seems to go well, or a day where you just aren’t able to do the things that you otherwise accomplish, this is a day where you are living with impaired brain function. It could be that you have neuroinflammation, or to be more picturesque, a brain on fire. Please read on and I will explain four possible different scenarios that might ring true for what you could be experiencing every day.

Brain on Fire: Neuroinflammation and What You Can Do
Proactive Healthcare, Personal Stories
Jim Chialtas, DACM
My Trip into Hellhole Canyon – A piece about ...

Goal setting can be self-sabotaging if not done carefully and mindfully.  My much-needed solo trip to the desert ended up filled with valuable lessons about that. I hope my story sheds some light on this very important concept.  It easily applies to those of you looking to set healthcare goals or major life changes. 

My Trip into Hellhole Canyon – A piece about goal setting for ultimate success

preventative medicine

Autoimmunity: Early Detection Can Change Your Future

Autoimmunity: Early Detection Can Change Your Future

There is a good chance you will find some degree of autoimmunity in any random person off the street - one out of five Americans currently suffer from autoimmune disease.  Their immune system loses the ability to determine self tissues from non-self tissues and launch deliberate attacks against them.  This can come in many forms such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis, to name a few. Some simple tests can help you stop or slow the progression.  If you have concerns about your status or have a family history of autoimmune disease, this article is for you!

Leaky Gut Syndrome... I'm leaking from where now?!

Leaky Gut Syndrome... I'm leaking from where now?!

Is anyone else out there fascinated with the colon… Or is it just me? And why on Earth would I want to talk about “Leaky Gut Syndrome” anyway? It is a rather eloquently named pathology don't you think? Contrary to the graphic image that it hints towards, Leaky Gut Syndrome does not have anything to do with that synthetic fat substitute that came out in the 80’s which caused anal leakage. I suppose that would be called "Leaky Butt Syndrome." Leaky Gut Syndrome is much more dangerous than that. And here’s why: