<![CDATA[HeCares Integrative Medicine Center

<![CDATA[HeCares Integrative Medicine Center - Blog]]>Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:27:15 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Experienced Care, Timely Redirection]]>Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:07:04 GMThttps://www.hecares.net/blog/experienced-care-timely-redirectionBy Dr. Frank He

On March 6th, a 13-year-old girl was brought in by her mother for right knee pain and “anxiety.”
Her knee pain began last November and had progressed to daily episodes of instability—“popping out,” especially while horseback riding. She had already been evaluated by her pediatrician and an orthopedic specialist, both of whom reassured the family that her knee was “fine,” attributing her symptoms to growing pains.

Based on a thorough physical examination, I suspected structural injury involving the meniscus and ligaments. Treatment was initiated with acupuncture and a fitted knee support. At the same time, I ordered an MRI to confirm the diagnosis.

Today, the MRI results came back—confirming exactly what was suspected.

Fortunately, surgery does not appear necessary at this time. However, she will require a protective brace, continued acupuncture care, and structured physical therapy.

What struck me even more was another layer of this case.

When I gently asked her about her “anxiety,” she looked confused and asked, “What is anxiety?” I paused and redirected the conversation. Later, in speaking with her mother, it became clear: this young patient had been quietly discouraged after her concerns were dismissed. Her silence was misinterpreted, and a label of anxiety was introduced—followed by recommendations for medication and counseling.

A real, physical problem was overlooked. A psychological diagnosis was assumed.
This is not just a diagnostic miss—it’s a reminder.
When we stop listening, we risk treating the wrong problem.
When care becomes dismissive, it can become harmful.
When mainstream medicine breaks down, HeCares breaks through.
Thanks to Sunnyvale MRI Imaging for the seamless teamwork

]]><![CDATA[Seasonal Wisdom: Fall in Traditional Chinese Medicine]]>Fri, 31 Oct 2025 21:15:28 GMThttps://www.hecares.net/blog/seasonal-wisdom-fall-in-traditional-chinese-medicine

By Dr. Eva Cong

Autumn reminds us to breathe deeply, nourish gently, and release what no longer serves — a time of balance, reflection, and renewal.

Introduction
As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to fall, our bodies naturally transition with the season. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Fall is seen as a time to nourish the Lungs (Fei 肺), strengthen immunity (Wei Qi 卫气), and practice the art of letting go — both physically and emotionally.

Simple adjustments in diet, lifestyle, and mindset can help you stay healthy and balanced through the autumn months.

The Energy of Fall
In TCM, Fall is governed by the Lungs (Fei 肺) and Large Intestine (Da Chang 大肠) — the organs responsible for intake and release.

This season is associated with the Metal Element (Jin 金), symbolizing structure, clarity, and the strength found in discipline and letting go.

Dryness (Zao 燥) is the dominant climate factor of autumn, which can affect the lungs, skin, nose, and throat, leading to:

Dry cough or sore throat
Chapped lips and dry skin
Asthma or allergies
Constipation
Fatigue or lowered immunity due to weakened Wei Qi (卫气, Defensive Energy)

When Wei Qi is weak, our ability to fend off colds and flu decreases. Supporting the Lungs and Large Intestine not only boosts physical immunity but also helps balance emotions tied to grief and letting go.

Fall Dietary & Lifestyle Tips
To balance Fall’s dry, cool energy, eat moistening, warming, and nourishing foods that support the Lungs (Fei) and Spleen (Pi 脾) — essential for strong digestion and overall vitality.

Eat More:

Fruits: Pears, apples, persimmons, figs, grapes, pomegranates
Vegetables: Lotus root, white radish, spinach, bok choy, mushrooms, yam
Yin-nourishing foods (Bu Yin 食物): Sesame, nuts, white fungus, tofu, honey
Soups & broths: Congee (Zhou 粥), pear soup, gentle herbal broths
Mild pungents (Xin 辛味): Ginger, scallion, garlic, mustard greens (in moderation)

Limit:

Spicy or fried foods – increase internal heat and dryness
Cold or raw foods – weaken Spleen Qi (Pi Qi 脾气, Digestive Energy)
Alcohol & coffee – deplete Yin (阴, Cooling/Nourishing Energy) and body fluids

Lifestyle & Emotional Balance

Sleep early, rise early — follow nature’s rhythm of shorter days and cooler nights.
Move with breath — practice Qigong (气功), Tai Chi (太极), or gentle yoga to enhance Qi (气, Vital Energy) flow.
Stay warm — protect the chest, neck, and back from autumn wind (Feng 风).
Emotional health — the Lungs correspond to grief (Bei 悲). Journaling, meditation, and mindful breathing can help release heaviness and restore clarity.

In Harmony with the Season
By aligning your diet, movement, and mindset with the rhythm of autumn, you cultivate inner calm and resilience — preparing body, mind, and spirit for the restorative quiet of winter.

“Just as the trees shed their leaves, Fall invites us to let go — and in that letting go, we make room for renewal.”

]]><![CDATA[Third Missed ACL Tear by Urgent Care This Year]]>Fri, 18 Jul 2025 22:35:30 GMThttps://www.hecares.net/blog/third-missed-acl-tear-by-urgent-care-this-yearToday marks the third case of an ACL tear I’ve caught this year—each previously overlooked by an urgent care provider.
A young female athlete, the outside hitter on her school volleyball team, injured her left knee last month while landing from a jump. She went straight to a local urgent care, where the attending physician diagnosed a minor sprain and advised rest, assuring her it would heal in a couple of weeks. No imaging was ordered. No bracing or activity restrictions were recommended.
A month later, she was still in pain and unable to fully flex her knee. Her mother brought her to see me. On physical examination, I suspected a medial meniscus tear and questioned the integrity of her ACL, though the anterior drawer test was negative. But given her strength and athleticism, I couldn’t confidently rule out a tear based on that alone.
I immediately ordered an MRI to investigate the ongoing pain and limited range of motion. Her insurance denied the request—but her family, committed to answers, proceeded with the scan anyway.
The MRI revealed a full ACL tear and a medial meniscus tear.
These repeated misdiagnoses shake public confidence in our conventional urgent care system. The insurance denial—despite clear medical necessity—adds to the frustration. Perhaps it also explains why the public once cheered for a shooter who targeted the CEO of a major health insurance company. Tragic as it is, the outrage reflects a broken system where patients suffer delays, denials, and dismissals.
We can and must do better. Cases like this are why I created Hurgent Care!

]]><![CDATA[Overtreatment: The New Epidemic in Healthcare]]>Fri, 18 Jul 2025 17:07:27 GMThttps://www.hecares.net/blog/overtreatment-the-new-epidemic-in-healthcareIn an age of advanced diagnostics and aggressive protocols, overtreatment has quietly become a dangerous trend. From unnecessary imaging to overprescribed medications and redundant surgeries, patients are often subjected to far more than they need—sometimes at the expense of their recovery, finances, and peace of mind.
A 57-year-old female patient of mine sprained her ankle while traveling in Vietnam on May 3. An imaging study revealed a nondisplaced oblique fracture at the distal fibula. She had a connecting flight to Japan for a conference, so she declined immediate treatment in Vietnam. Once she arrived in Japan, she contacted me for advice. Based on her X-rays, I recommended conservative care—such as a removable cast or brace—which should have sufficed for the fracture to heal properly.
However, after seeing an orthopedic surgeon in Japan, she was frightened into believing that the fracture would not heal correctly without immediate surgery and that complications were likely. Despite multiple back-and-forths with me, she ultimately caved to the pressure. The surgery was performed on May 9.
I was deeply disappointed—frankly, even angry—because not only was the surgery unnecessary, but it may have worsened the situation. The plate placement appeared to increase the displacement of the fracture due to poor angling. When the patient raised this concern with the surgeon, he grew visibly nervous and simply said, “It will heal on its own.”
Two months post-surgery, she was still using crutches due to ongoing pain and swelling. I ordered a follow-up X-ray and treated her with acupuncture on July 9. After just one treatment, she was able to walk pain-free—without crutches. She could have reached this point weeks ago with proper conservative care and no surgery.
What a modern medical ordeal.
#MedicalEthics #Overtreatment #LessIsMore #IntegrativeMedicine #FirstDoNoHarm

]]><![CDATA[Back in Action!]]>Wed, 31 Aug 2022 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.hecares.net/blog/back-in-actionTrending & Breaking

HeCares is proudly teaming up with Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health in the BackInAction Study, a research project funded by the NIH on the benefits of acupuncture for lower back pain. Dr. Frank He will be one of the primary investigators providing acupuncture treatments for study participants.

Please speak to the HeCares Team for more information about this project!

]]><![CDATA[Seeing is believing...]]>Wed, 01 Jun 2022 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.hecares.net/blog/seeing-is-believing4481706

Subject: good news!

Hi Dr. He,

Great news!!! Your acupuncture treatments are working. The eye doctor is amazed and very interested. I just came from Harvey Fishman’s office. He could hardly believe it. Three months ago my pressures were 18 and 20. Today both eyes are 17. He still wants to monitor me closely which is fine with me. However, he no longer thinks I have the early stages of glaucoma and has switched his diagnosis to “watch in the future for”.

I couldn’t wait to share the good news with you. Thank you for all your help and support. Also, my hip is feeling much better. See you Tuesday.

Warmest regards,

Acupuncture can treat or help slow down the progression of...

Myopia
Cataracts
Conjunctivitis
Pingueculae
Macular degeneration
Retinal detachment
Diabetic Retinopathy
Dry eye syndrome

]]><![CDATA[Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise]]>Mon, 11 Apr 2022 16:43:20 GMThttps://www.hecares.net/blog/healthy-wealthy-and-wise

“I Can’t Afford to be Sick!” Who among us can say we’ve never uttered that phrase? We catch a cold or the flu, contract a stomach bug, break a toe—or worse! Our livelihoods depend on our being able to do the things we must, and yet all too often our bodies let us down. Catching a cold or slipping on ice are all part of being human beings going about our day-to-day lives. Unexpected illness and disease pay a heavy toll on us and not just physically, but also mentally, and to a great extent, financially. But there are smart and inexpensive things we can do starting right now to make us healthier and less prone to illness.

HeCares is an integrative medical center with expertise in sports medicine, pain management, pediatrics, and fertility health. Here, they offer insight into how you can adopt a more healthy lifestyle that doesn’t require a large financial obligation. In fact, incorporating a more healthy routine into your life can, in return, save you money by keeping you at your productive best.

LACE-UP

Walking costs literally nothing and is something you can do anywhere. Health experts are even telling us that we should be walking 10,000 steps every day! Since walking reduces our risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression, it’s not a bad goal to set for ourselves. The average American walks less than half that amount daily, so don’t be discouraged if you’re not able to hit that mark on day one of your new routine. Plan on making gradual increases until you get there. You don’t need an expensive fitness tracker to count your steps, there are several affordable ones that will monitor your heart rate, oxygen, and even sleep for under $50.

DIVE IN

Swimming is great for our cardiovascular system. It builds muscle, reduces stress, helps us sleep, burns more calories than jogging, and is the best exercise for a full-body workout. Most cities have a free or low-cost community facility with an indoor pool, as do most YMCAs. Besides swimming, water aerobics is a great form of exercise as it builds muscle while avoiding putting stress on joints.

THE OTHER KIND OF PEDDLE

Taking your foot off the gas peddle and pushing the bike paddle is an ever more popular means of getting about town. In fact, most cities and suburbs are including bicycle paths in their plans to accommodate the rising need for bikers’ safety. Besides doing you a world of good health-wise, you’re saving money on gas and parking. It’s also better for the environment so even more to feel good about.

SAY NO TO TO-GO

It’s much easier to grab a bag of burgers and fries at lunch than to make a healthy meal to bring with us to work and school, or to pick up a bucket of fried chicken for the family’s dinner on the way home. Fast food means we’re filling up on meat and carbs, leaving little appetite left over for the fruits and vegetables we need to properly fuel our bodies. This leads to increases in blood sugar, inflammation, and blood pressure while depressing our mood and disrupting our sleep. Preparing your own meals ahead of time and freezing them is a cost-effective, timesaving, and far healthier alternative.

SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS

Now that you’re all-in on ways to stay healthy and save money doing it, you might consider actually turning that newfound lifestyle into a business. Maybe you love your bike so much, you open a bicycle repair shop. Or you decide selling make-ahead meals for busy families is right up your alley. Research ways into how to make that happen like using a service to form an LLC to reduce your liability and get some tax advantages if you decide to bring your like-minded friends into the business with you.

GOOD, OLD-FASHIONED FUN

Hiking, throwing the ball around the yard, picnics with homemade sandwiches and snacks, and getting together to prepare a meal are inexpensive, fun ways you and your family can live healthier, happier, and more productive lives. As HeCares reminds us, “Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

Karen Weeks, Freelance Writer
Contact: karen@elderwellness.net
Website: elderwellness.net

]]><![CDATA[He Did It Again...]]>Mon, 20 Dec 2021 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.hecares.net/blog/he-did-it-againDr. Frank He participated in the Bay Area Seniors Games in San Mateo on December 12, 2021 and won a silver medal in the Men 55-60 age group.

]]><![CDATA[How pH balance influences fertility]]>Fri, 17 Dec 2021 17:39:00 GMThttps://www.hecares.net/blog/how-ph-balance-influences-fertility
For many couples who are waiting to say we have a surprise , guess what, having a baby is a
lifetime dream. Achieving this dream happens naturally most of the time, however
sometimes, there are situations where a little awareness of our bodies and diet can help.
The proverbial saying 'You are what you eat' is the notion that to be fit and healthy, you
need to eat good food. Same holds good for your fertility health, especially for maintaining
vaginal pH balance.
Here is an excerpt from a research paper which explains and demonstrates the relationship
with pH balance and fertility.
The optimal vaginal pH to maintain sperm viability and motility ranges from 7.0 to 8.5. In
fact, a reduction in sperm motility is seen at vaginal pH of less than 6.0. The alkaline pH of
semen protects sperm temporarily. However, reduction in semen volume and/or decreased
alkaline seminal vesicular secretion may negatively impact fertility since buffering capacity
of semen against vaginal acidity becomes inadequate.
The cervix generally functions as an effective barrier to sperm; an adequate production of
cervical mucus is essential to transport sperm from the vagina to the uterine cavity.

Acupuncture is an essential part of restoring this balance. Get a booster Acupuncture
treatment and start your alkaline diet , during ovulation for best results.
Thus TCM identifies an important indicator for a human body’s health: the human blood pH
value, which, under normal conditions, ranges from 7.34539 to 7.45461. Outside this range
(acid: Yin condition; alkaline: Yang condition), disease appears. Almost always, when there
is virtual disease, the condition of human blood pH value is a Yin condition; when there is
real disease, the condition of human blood pH value is a Yang condition.
There are many wonderful alkaline foods taken regularly, which have the potential to
increase the chances of conception.

Please book an appointment for a consultation. Call us at 408-720-1766.

by Sandhya Sathyanarayana L.Ac.

]]><![CDATA[Acupuncture & Chinese herbs for vision loss]]>Tue, 09 Nov 2021 20:24:41 GMThttps://www.hecares.net/blog/acupuncture-chinese-herbs-for-vision-loss

Couple of weeks back, Dr. He and I saw an interesting case. This patient presents as a left eye having a blood clot in the retinal vein, causing a “small mountain” to grow on the retina.
She came in to see us and mentioned that her vision was very blurry and could not even read the biggest letter on the Snellen eye chart and said that it was so blurry as if she had a curtain in front of her eye.
Her eye doctor told her that this requires an intervention which sounded very scary to her and wanted to see if there were any other options as she thought that she would lose her eyesight forever. She got a shot in her eye to see if the clot can dissolve.
But, then to my surprise on the first treatment, a few acupuncture points and Chinese herbs which the practitioner prescribed resulted in clearing the clot and improving her vision. Next week, she came back and said she could see everything clearly and she was even trying to read the intricate details of text that was on the wall. Her vision was back to 20/30, she felt very happy and said that it was a miracle and was very happy to find this place.
After two or three more treatments, she even forgot that she had this condition and we moved on to skillfully treat another condition that she had. Just wanted to mention that she is the mother of our former intern.
We have a great team here at HeCares, so please check us out @hecares.net . Happy to listen and help.
#hecares #acupuncture #herbs
Sandhya Sathyanarayana L.Ac.

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