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wellness evolution inc
ACUPUNCTURE GROUP
607 N. Huntley Drive
West Hollywood, Ca 90069
T: 310-289-1155
F: 310-289-1177
e: info@globalwellnessevolution.com
www.globalwellnessevolution.com

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POPULAR WEST HOLLYWOOD ACUPUNCTURIST JOHN CONVEY ON COMING OUT, LIVING WITH HIV, EASTERN MEDICINE AND FINDING INNER PEACE
By Mark Ariel

“I don’t mind what happens.”

That simple, yet profoundly liberating statement is acupuncturist John Convey’s personal affirmation. “I don’t mind what happens… I truly don’t. I simply am not invested in an outcome of my life, nor the situations that come in and out of it. I enjoy being happy.”

Convey, 42, founder of the popular WeHo-based “Evolve Wellness Center,” is considered by many to be one of the leading wellness practitioners in Los Angeles. His faithful clientele rave about his uncanny healing abilities, his genuine concern for his patients and his peaceful demeanor.

After receiving his Masters of Science from Samra University, Convey studied with Japanese Acupuncture Master Kiiko Matsumoto and Daoist Master/Acupuncturist Jeffrey C. Yuen as well as studying with Japanese monks the art of Buddhist meditation. Utilizing a holistic approach in his healing therapies, Convey combines Traditional Chinese Medicine, Japanese-style Acupuncture, Reiki, nutritional counseling and wellness coaching to assist his patients in maintaining optimal health.

In an interview with THE FIGHT Convey talks about coming out, living with HIV, Eastern medicine and finding life’s true calling.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

I grew up just outside the valley in a rural town called Agoura Hills. We lived in one of the only track home developments at the time. There was a ranch with horses and a couple of cows. The ranch was huge and the rolling hills became County property or “open space” that you could barely see way off in the distance.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR UPBRINGING?

I had what I thought was an all-American childhood with a dash of the Catholic Church regurgitating nonsense to me… While I was as a good student and enjoyed school, my secret life cast a shadow over my adolescence.

WHEN DID YOU COME OUT TO YOURSELF?

I don’t remember having to “come-out” to myself. I do remember arguing with God about his “homosexual creation,” he called “Johnny”. At age six, I remember being so angry with myself for being gay but also fully aware that there was no outside influence involved; this was an inside job. Somehow, I just knew that my homosexuality was as genetically based as were the color of my eyes, blue.

AT WHAT POINT IN YOUR LIFE DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN THE WELLNESS FIELD?

I have always wanted to be a doctor of some sort. When I was little, eight or nine years old, I wanted to be a veterinarian. As I grew, my desire for healing led me from pets to people and becoming a doctor of medicine was how I would be able to heal them. When I reached my early teens, I realized that working with patients, rather then pets would be more relevant. I am one of the lucky ones, I guess. I have always known that I had a knack for comforting people and a keen intuition that proved to be healing… My curiosity led me to really want to understand, “how dis-ease works”. Through my own challenges, opportunities and experiences, I began to understand the disease process, learning to not only treat/ prevent disease, but also to inspire others to access their own ability to maintain health and wellbeing.

TO WHAT DEGREE DID YOUR HIV STATUS INFLUENCE YOUR DECISION TO GO INTO THIS FIELD?

At 19 years of age I was diagnosed with HIV, with a prognosis from my doctor that I had, at best, six months to live. I assumed, at that time, that I would most likely not live to practice medicine. After a serious bout with tonsillitis, my boyfriend at the time suggested acupuncture. In a single treatment, acupuncture was able to rid my body of the infection, and I began to wonder what effect it could have for those of us living with HIV.

CAN YOU SHARE MORE OF YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH ACUPUNCTURE AND THE TREATMENT OF HIV/AIDS?

Treating a patient with HIV is no different than treating someone with digestive problems. As an acupuncturist, we are simply focused on the current state of the individual. Two patients with HIV could come in for treatment, but could have two different diagnoses, therefore, two different treatments. I was taught in school to treat the person, not the disease. I obviously believe in this medicine because of my own personal growth and healing that occurred following treatment. This belief continues to grow each day as I observe the same healing results with each of my patients.

CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP WITH THE SIDE EFFECTS A PATIENT SUFFERS THROUGH WHILE TAKING HIV MEDICATIONS?

Absolutely. The human body is the most miraculous machine you’ll ever own. Acupuncture is a catalyst for the body’s own ability to heal itself. Each needle stimulates the body’s many cellular communication systems. Once your system is inspired the door to alternative treatment opens and healing begins.

WHAT REALIZATIONS DO YOU HAVE TODAY THAT YOU DIDN’T HAVE BEFORE THIS JOURNEY?

I realize life was designed to be lived to its fullest. I learned to not only chase my dreams but to truly live them. We all experience fear in life but I learned to turn fear into fuel and fight.

To learn more about John Convey and the Evolve Wellness Center visit: WWW.EVOLVEWELLNESS.COM

Buying cleaning products can get really expensive, if you buy separate cleaners for the windows, tables, kitchen counters, bathroom and all the other nooks andcrannies that fit into a home. Below are some home recipes that are very simple, to help you increase space, by eliminating all those products, and minimize your waste.

What you need :
Lemon
Tea Tree Oil
Baking Soda
Soap
White Vinegar

All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 2 liters water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc.

All-Purpose Disinfectant: Mix 2 cups water, a few drops of natural soap, and 15 drops each of tea tree and lavender organic essential oil. You can spraythis on all kinds of home surfaces – changing tables, cutting boards, toilets, sinks, walls, and more. Just don’t use this on glass, as it will streak.

Tub and Tile Cleaner: For simple cleaning, rub in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinse with fresh water. For tougher jobs, wipe surfaces with vinegar first and follow with baking soda as a scouring powder. (Vinegar can break down tile grout, so use sparingly.)

Window Cleaner: Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 liter warm water. Use crumpled newspaper or cotton cloth to clean. Don’t clean windows if the sun is on them, or if they are warm, or streaks will show on drying. The All-Purpose Cleaner (above) also works well on windows. Be sure to follow the recipe, because using too strong a solution of vinegar will etch the glass and eventually cloud it.

It is okay if you don’t have time to make products (I know that life can be hechtic), you can purchase more eco friendly product such as Meyers for your cleaning, and soap nuts or Charlie’s Soap for laundry. E v o l v e just purchaed Charlie’s Soap for a trial period, as I mentioned earlier, and we are very satisfied with it. Fresh, clean laundry without any of the environmental impact ! Easy

-by Katrine

**Recipes from: eartheasy.com

Acupuncture Regulates The Digestive System

Digestive disorders may indicate overall health imbalance. Often due to chronic stress, digestive symptoms in the body can be a result of endocrine and nervous system hyperactivity. Symptoms of digestive disorders may include: Concentration difficulties, fatigue, dry skin, hair loss, anemia, muscle cramps, low energy, and weight loss. It is estimated that approximately 62 million Americans experience digestive problems on a regular basis.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) utilizes acupuncture and moxibustion (burning mugwort or other medicinal herbs on selected acupuncture points) for the treatment of digestive disorders.
Moxibustion acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, tonifies deficient imbalances and is effective in the treatment of many gastrointestinal conditions.

Digestive disorders indicate that there is a disharmony between the body organs responsible for digestion. This disharmony is commonly caused by lifestyle factors and diet, which put a strain on the digestive system. When prolonged over a period of many years, digestive disorder imbalances occur.

Changes in these lifestyle factors and diet modification is often integrated into the acupuncture course of treatment. TCM corrects the imbalances and regulates digestion. Specific acupuncture points increase gastrointestinal muscle contraction and relaxation and reduce gastric acid secretion, making acupuncture beneficial in treating general gastrointestinal symptoms. In conjunction with Chinese herbal medicine and stress reduction techniques, acupuncture can nourish related organs, minimize symptoms and contribute to medication-free digestive system health maintenance
Acupuncture is effective in treating most digestive disorders including: Bacterial infections, peptic ulcers, heartburn, lactose intolerance, gastrointestinal tract bleeding, inflammatory conditions, and hiatus hernia syndrome. Acupuncture has demonstrated effectiveness in managing chemotherapy medication digestive side effects and digestive symptoms following anesthesia.

The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as an effective treatment for digestive imbalance as well as a wide range of medical conditions.

For more information about acupuncture you may contact evolve wellness in West Hollywood at 310-289-1155

e v o l v e w e l l n e s s
ACUPUNCTURE GROUP
607 N. Huntley Dr.
West Hollywood, Ca 90069
310-289-1155

www.evolbewellness.com

 
For me, the hardest part of Reduce Reuse Recycle is trying to figure out in what areas I needed to start reducing. Reducing is the most important of the three Rs and why it is listed first. We need to start with reducing, then from there learn what we can reuse and the last resort is to throw it away to be recycled. It is our obligation to be aware and to start helping the environment by using only things that we need. We should learn to ask questions about our usage and not simply overindulge in resources.
 

 
 
First, start to look around at daily habits and think of ways to reduce the impact. Making efforts to stop waste at the start by using more wisely and cutting down on wasteful paper and plastic products will make a huge difference. Do not underestimate how much these little gestures make a difference, such as bringing along a bag for groceries, and buying items with less or no packaging. Maybe order less take out, or when you do, refuse the bag and utensils, using your own instead. Many restaurants have started to makebiodegradable takeout containers. This is a great step, but still wasteful. By using products with less trash and supporting companies that practice eco-friendly methods, as well as local merchants, we can slowly work towards less waste.
 
In some ways, e v o l v e is managing to keep its waste down. We use glasses to serve patients water. We also have plates and cutlery available for staff, so that there is no need for disposable ware, another plus. As we use less, wesave our natural resources.
 

There are other reasons to move away from plastic containers besides the environment and that is health. Plastic contains a toxin called BPA. The toxins can leak into our water from plastic water bottles or when we heat food stored in plastic containers. With these risks, there was no debate for me to make the move to stainless steel water bottles for hikes and stainless steel tiffin boxes or jars to store lunch.
 
There are still many ways that we can make improvements at e v o l v e, like making a complete switchover to eco friendly cleaners (which will be covered in another post), slowly eliminating the use of paper towels and replacing with small towels in the bathroom etc.
 
Look for these changes at your next visit to e v o l v e.  
 
To share more with Katrine about going green in the office or to schedule an acupuncture appointment here at evolve wellness you may call 310-289-1155
 
e v o l v e  w e l l n e s s
ACUPUNCTURE GROUP
607 N. Huntley Dr.
West Hollywood, Ca 90069
310-289-1155
 
www.evolvewellness.com 
 

evolve a dynamic, progressive and beautiful wellness center that provides excellent acupuncture, herbal medicine, yoga, meditation, Reiki, and nutritional counseling.

Have a look at our web site (evolvewellness.com). If you like what you see, send your CV/resume and a cover letter explaining how you would make an extraordinary addition to evolve and why we should invite you to join us.

The Center includes a supportive team environment, waiting area with full time receptionist services, office equipment, phone and internet access, housekeeping and linen services, restrooms, and employee lounge and kitchen area. All treatment rooms are fully equipped and stocked with supplies and include dimmer lighting and music.

New grads are welcome! Candidates with at least 1 year of experience are preferred.

All candidates should be confident in their clinical ability, be comfortable working with conventional health care providers, and possess strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

Send your CV and cover letter tojohnconvey@evolvewellness.com.

Thank you for your consideration into evolve wellness center.

e v o l v e w e l l n e s s
ACUPUNCTURE GROUP
607 N. Huntley Dr.
West Hollywood, Ca 90069
310-289-1155
fx: 310-289-1177

www.evolvewellness.com
www.EvolveWellnessFoundation.org

A few weeks back, a friend suggested watching No Impact Man, a documentary about a family in NYC who go one year trying to have the least amount of environmental impact. The movie left me on a high. Instead of the usual mourning over the direction humanity is heading. I was inspired. I am also curious and currently addicted to blogs finding new ways to reduce my household impact and finding recipes to support my buying locally. After testing my limits at home, the process naturally overflowed into the workplace and into e v o l v e .

After many times peeking into the trash and picking out of the recyclables tossing them over to where they belong, in the recycle bin, I started to take a look around e v o l v e . Taking a more critical eye, making mental notes of how this business can start taking steps towards being more green.

I received much enthusiasm and encouragement from John and the e v o l v e staff. The result that we would work on it publicly and with our community, week by week to share our learning experience and sharing the process.

The main future goal would be to have an eco friendly establishment that would eventually become a certified Green Business

going green :: Post 1. by Katrine Knauer

e v o l v e w e l l n e s s
ACUPUNCTURE GROUP
607 N. Huntley Drive
West Hollywood, Ca 90069
310-289-1155

www.evolvewellness.com

Sometimes back pain is a mystery, but not to everyone. Acupuncturists see back pain differently. Where Western doctors see a solid nerve, practitioners of TCM see the flow of energy (Qi). To the practitioner of Chinese medicine, pain means that flow is impaired. The obstruction may be visible or invisible. Chiropractors can sometimes relieve back pain by adjusting the vertebra, temporarily freeing the flow of qi. But adjustment does not correct the root of aberrant qi.
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Acupuncturists and Chinese herbologists often heal back pain when others fail, because Chinese medicine is about understanding what influences the qi. The qi is influenced by both mind and matter, and Qi will influence mind and matter as well. Body structures will ultimately conform to the qi.

2.) Causes of Back Pain
STUCK QI – Channel Pain – Flow No Go
There are at least ten separate flows of energy traversing the back. Much back pain is a sign of obstruction or constraint of qi in the channels. Old or new injuries, emotional constraint, anatomical obstructions, and other events can constrain the qi of the channels.

EXCESS QI – Upper Back Pain – Congested Heat
Upper back pain is commonly caused by interior heat which rises in the channels (heat rises) and lodges in the neck, shoulders, and head causing tension in the muscles.

WEAK QI – Lower Back Pain – Low Batteries
Energy is stored in the low back, keeping the back strong, and holding the spine erect. Depletion of this energy (kidney qi) will weaken the lower back enabling injuries to occur. Stress, injury, illness, overwork, excessive sex, drugs, and over stimulation of the brain, drain the kidney qi and weaken the lower back.

3.) Acupuncture for Back Pain
Acupuncture may be Chinese medicine’s best modality for treating pain. Perhaps 70% of my acupuncture patients are being treated for various kinds of pain. By far, low back pain is the most common. This is probably because, short of giving pain killers, Western medicine can do little for back pain sufferers. Acupuncture, on the other hand, can often do much more.

Patients suffering from back pain can expect points to be used in the general area of the pain, but not always. Sometimes the acupuncturist will ask where it hurts, and (if the anatomy permits) insert a needle at that point. These points are known as ashi points, meaning “that’s the spot” points. Acupuncture points may also be selected at different spots along relevant channels that supply the effected areas. For example, the point UB 40, located behind the knee will often be chosen to treat low back pain, because the UB channel passes through the lower back. Similarly, the point SI 3, at the outer edge of the 5th finger, can be used to treat problems with the upper back and neck. More on acupuncture for back pain.
For more information and to schedule your next acupuncture appointment please call evolve wellness at 310-289-1155.

e v o l v e w e l l n e s s
ACUPUNCTURE GROUP
607 N. Huntley Dr.
West Hollywood, Ca 90069
info@evolvewellness.com

www.evolvewellness.com