Evil Bone Water

Evil Bone Water (EBW) is a Chinese topical medicinal hand-crafted by Saint Apothecary with only empirical grade herbal ingredients in an approved facility.

Evil Bone Water label proudly lists the ingredients and the maker.
The Evil Bone Water label proudly lists the ingredients and the maker.

This product is very popular in my clinic because of its wide range of application and its efficacy.

Common Uses for EBW

  • Incidental Injuries (particularly sports injuries)
  • Joint Pain
  • Spinal Pain
  • Muscle & Ligament Pain
  • Bruising
  • Sprains
  • General Pain
  • Cuts & Insect Bites

Materials/Ingredients

Saint Apothecary’s Evil Bone Water is never compromised with lesser grade herbal ingredients, only ethically sourced, empirical grade herbs are used.

Mark T. Brinson, CEO, Saint Apothecary
Imperial Grade, High Quality Ingredients

Zhang Nao
(Camphor, Cinnamomum camphora)
Increases local circulation, relieves pain

Bo He Nao
(Menthol, Menthae Haplocalycis Herba)
Aromatic and cooling clears heat.
Vents rashes; used in early stage of rashes to induce the rash to come to the surface as a means of venting heat and speeding recovery

San/Tian Qi
(Notoginseng, Pseudoginseng)
Stops bleeding, eliminates blood stasis, reduces swelling, reduces bruising, swelling, inflammation and pain, relieves trauma

Ji Gu Xiang
(Japanese Knot Weed (Eupatorii Herba, 47, OR Linderae Radix)
Treats bruises, sprains and inflammation

Gui Pi
(Cinnamon Bark) 
Releases the muscles, promotes circulation, warms

E Zhu
(Zedoary Rhizome, Rhizoma Curcumae)
Promotes the circulation of qi and blood, breaks accumulations

Bai Zhu
(Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma)
Anti-inflammatory, relieves pain, treats muscle spasms and cramps

Hu Zhang
(Knotweed Rhizome, Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma
Invigorates the blood, helps dispel stasis, helps open channels

Bai Niu Dan
(Inula Cappa DC)
Dispels wind, eliminates dampness, reduces joint pain.
(This is a more rare herb and not in the top 500 TCM pharmacopeia.)

Qian Jin Ba
(Philippine Flemingia Root)
Strengthen the tendons and bones, astringe the lung and relieve sore throat

Maker’s Note

Most people have no idea that what we get in the USA is an inferior quality and most herbalists might not even think that much about it. The real winner and what makes it magnitudes better, is the herb quality. Making it with B or C quality herbs (which is what is commonly available and sold by US suppliers) and then craft it with imperial grade herbs (2-5 grades above normal) is basically a different product.

Evil Bone Water has no animal products, and it non-GMO, gluten free, cruelty free, pesticide free, contaminant free.

*Evil Bone Water is intended for external application only. Do not consume under any circumstances. Do not drink!

Who’s your NTP?

Whether your goal is to alleviate pain, lose weight, recover from an injury or offset a sedentary lifestyle, a consistent focus on nutrition is the bedrock of progress. A Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP) could be your best ally.

It should be no surprise that providing your body with the proper building blocks is an absolute must. Our bodies have a significantly decreased chance of recovery if there is a shortage of essentials. In addition, some things in your diet may be obstacles to progress and significant gains will require eliminating them.

The items we eat regularly is by far the biggest factor in preventable dis-ease. In the US, dis-eases of “excess” are quite prevalent. Generally speaking, we have access too much of what is not good for us. This is not balanced and will create imbalance.

Whether you like it or not, it is a full-time job to manage what does and does not go into your body but you don’t have to do it alone …

Meet Kate Zink, NTP

Kate Zink, Nutrition Therapy Practitioner
Kate and her reason for getting and staying healthy.

Kate Zink is an NTP serving Harford County, MD. Her story is quite impressive. Through inquiry, trial & error and most importantly, persistence, Kate has transformed her life from a stack of chronic pain symptoms to a rewarding personal and professional journey of wellness (that now includes motherhood). Learn more about her story at ChronicallyHolistic.com.

Remember, your body can only build/repair with the building blocks you provide so I strongly recommend that patients interested in acupuncture should also include a dietary approach that will compliment their wellness goals. Take concrete steps today and contact Kate to explore how she can help. Her site is full of great resources she updates her content quite regularly with useful tidbits.

Leaving the Cigna Network

Cigna will no longer credential acupuncturists to provide services to their members as of September 1, 2021.  Cigna will not accept or process claims for acupuncture services, and all claims will be submitted to American Specialty Health, Inc. (ASH) for processing and payment. 

In short, ASH intends to dramatically reduce the payments made to practitioners in their network. This flat rate of $40 to $50 will not cover the provider’s patient care expense to deliver services.  The cost of delivering services during this COVID-19 pandemic has risen as providers purchase PPE and modify office spaces.  Acupuncture practices are primarily small businesses and will be negative impacted by this 70% reduction in the reimbursement rates.  Unfortunately, this change challenges the sustainability of many acupuncture practices.

Furthermore, ASH delivers a plan for acupuncture services which does not consider up-to-date research, clinical evidence, and CPT coding policy and fee structures utilized by CMS and other payers.  ASH continues to use the word “Oriental” on their website which demonstrates their outdated and biased view of East Asian Medicine (as of the date of this post).  It is not beneficial to Cigna members to have their acupuncture benefits managed by a company who has shown a disregard and lack of knowledge of East Asian Medicine.
 
Misrepresenting the practice of East Asian Medicine to health insurance consumers violates the right of patients to receive the full benefits of acupuncture and other treatment methods as it is intended under the scope of practice in our state.  Furthermore, Maryland licensed acupuncturists are independent medical providers who do not require supervision from other types of health providers or a third-party administrator. Acupuncturists are not exclusively musculoskeletal providers such as chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapist, and fitness trainers. We practice a comprehensive medicine which goes beyond the musculoskeletal system and includes clinical evaluation and treatment of involving all the human physiological systems.   

Cigna will listen: 1-800-244-6224

Please note: This information must come from Cigna’s members, the patients and their employers. A phone call is always more powerful if they can make the time. Below is the phone information we have been given along with a phone script.

To (Cigna),
  
Because of the integration of Cigna with American Specialty Health for acupuncture services and the implementation of ASH’s significantly lower reimbursement rates, my acupuncturist of (X years) is terminating his/her contract with Cigna.  ASH reimbursement rates are so low that my acupuncturist cannot accept the rates and sustain his/her practice.  ASH severely limits the amount of time spent with patients to 1 unit which is just 15 minutes equaling around $40 per treatment.  A typical acupuncture treatment is 45-60 minutes, so this is not nearly enough time to give appropriate quality care. This change will end up costing my acupuncture practitioner, which is not sustainable for his/her practice.  For this reason, I will not be able to receive acupuncture treatments which I rely on for (conditions you get treated for). Please reconsider this drastic move on behalf of the best interest of your members and reinstate Cigna’s previous reimbursement rates. with 
  
Sincerely,
(Patient name)

What other information can my patients add to their message to Cigna?

You may also add information about how you were helped by your acupuncturist. We code for our time so your patient can describe their experience with the visits and how they have improved from each encounter to the next.  Writing from the heart with the truth is best.

Include the following information

  • Provider Name: Christian Fadgen, M.Ac., L.Ac.
  • NPI: 1902127574
  • Service address:
    Ease Into Acupuncture (EIN: 83-2047210)
    1131 Belair Rd, Suite L-3
    Bel Air, MD 21014
  • Reason for termination:
    Insufficient Practitioner Reimbursement
  • Effective Date: June 1, 2021