Quick Clean Up Tips For Unexpected Company

Clear the Air knows that during the holidays, company can stop in unexpectedly and we would like to share some quick cleaning tips to make your home look its best in just a few minutes.

• Remember, if you have a cat, sprinkle some of our Cat Urine Odor Eliminator on the litter box before company comes over.
• If you have a small animal cage, place an Odor Eliminator Bag in the cage or around it (don’t worry, our products are 100% non-toxic).
• Did you get a puppy and there are accidents around the house? Clean them up then sprinkle our Carpet/Furniture Odor Eliminator, leave on for 24 hours then vacuum up!
• Any other odors you aren’t sure about? Ask us, we’re happy to help!

Clean the counters with a spray bottle: If you have a lot of dirty counters to clean, spray at the same time. Here’s how. With a spray bottle in one hand and a paper town in the other, spray each counter in a clockwise manner. Then, start at the beginning and wipe without ever missing a beat. It’s a more efficient way to do it and quick too.

Clear the Clutter: Do you have a lot of loose papers or bills sitting around your office desk or in the kitchen area? Grab a large plastic bag and fill it. Stuff it with the papers a handful at a time. Then, over the next week, sift through it when you are relaxed and you have time.

A few minutes per room: Take five minutes to clean each room of your house. Sound like a waste of time? Well, it isn’t. Most people can pick up a room, vacuum and load a dish washer in five minutes. So try it. You’ll be surprised at how much cleaner your house looks in under 30 minutes.

Dishwasher tips: If you wash your dishes prior to throwing them in the dishwasher, it’s time for a change. Through technology and science, dishwashers and dish washing detergent/liquid is much more powerful. So quit washing your dishes before you “wash” your dishes. Rinse them instead. Then, with two hands, pick up two dishes/cups/silverware and place them in the dishwasher at the same time. It’ll help you load your dishwasher in a more efficient manner.

Make vacuuming count: If you tend to run your vacuum over the same spot two and three times, stop it. Pretend you’re in a race and you have to cover each area of your carpet in singular motions. Do this and you’ll complete this chore quickly.

San Diego Humane Society Featured Pet

Clear the Air would like to share a special pet from the San Diego Humane Society who needs a forever home.

Meet Bonnie!  If you are looking for a new dog this Christmas season, stop in and meet Bonnie.

According to Michelle, a Dog Buddy volunteer at San Diego Humane Society‘s Gaines Campus, “Bonnie is the sweetest, most loving dog. She tries to be a lap dog and loves to give kisses.” Michelle was first drawn to Bonnie because of her affinity for Pit Bull breeds in general. “They are a misunderstood breed, so I try to give them more attention.”

As for Bonnie, the 3-year old auburn-colored pooch stole Michelle heart when she came right over and plopped down on her lap. “When laying on my lap she would lift her head up every minute or so to give me a kiss.” How sweet is that?! But her affectionate nature is only one of many impressive qualities this doggie possesses. Michelle describes some additional awesomeness, “Bonnie is great at sitting and enjoys playing fetch, too. She is so well-behaved. She also love to be scratched on the chest and behind her ears.”

If you are interested in giving Bonnie a little behind-the-ear love or introduce her to your lap, please contact our Front Desk at 619-299-7012, or stop on by our Gaines Campus to meet her!

Winter Exercise Plans For Your Dog

Winter is here and it isn’t always easy to make sure your dog gets exercise when you may have to be confined indoors.

At Clear the Air we truly believe in the importance of keeping your dog happy and healthy and this is achieved through exercise.  Check out the ASPCA’s tips for winter exercise for your dog:

Getting pets who dislike the cold to go outside in winter can be a challenge, but chilly weather or not, pets need fresh air and exercise. ASPCA experts assure us that while short-haired and smaller breeds may require cozy apparel to protect them from winter’s bite, others simply need a little training to learn how to enjoy a cold-weather romp.

1. Entice your pooch with off-leash exercise sessions, playing tug or fetch, or romping with canine buddies—the more aerobic the activity, the warmer the dog will be.

2. If your dog’s playing off-leash, you can use treats to reward her for fetching toys—even if you usually don’t have to. The extra incentive might further spark her interest in the great (and chilly!) outdoors.

3. Offer your pet special treats during outdoor excursions. While on a brisk walk, pop something delicious into her mouth every now and then—or feed her breakfast by hand while outdoors.

4. Winter is a great time to enroll in indoor training classes. Sports like agility and flyball are often taught in heated facilities and are excellent exercise for the canine body and mind—and you’ll enjoy them, too!

5. Walk your pet in wooded areas during the winter months. The forest not only provides protection from wind, but the rich smells, sights and sounds can be infinitely interesting for dogs to investigate, distracting them from chilly temperatures.

6. Many dogs dislike going outside during winter because snow, salt and chemical de-icers hurt their paws. Canine booties can protect paws, while keeping them warm—and disposable latex boots are available for dogs who don’t like the feel of thicker boots.

7. Musher’s Secret, a waxy substance that you can apply to your dog’s paws, can be an effective alternative to booties for protecting toes and paw pads in snow and ice.

8. Getting your dog to play outside may simply be a matter of keeping her warm:

• Dress puppies—who don’t have as much body fat as adults—in a coat or sweater.
• Get waterproof gear for wet days.
• Invest in a well-fitting coat that covers your dog’s back and underside. (Fleece is nice!)
• Staying warm during winter takes more energy, so increased food intake may be necessary. Good body condition means you can feel, but not see, your dog’s bones.  If you can see his spine, hips and ribs, then he’s too thin and you should talk to your veterinarian about increasing his food intake.

9. If you’ve tried everything and your dog still seems miserable when you take her outside, provide extra exercise indoors by playing games that involve physical exertion, like tug-of-war.

10. Help your dog expend mental energy by feeding her meals in food-puzzle toys, giving her plenty of things to chew, teaching her new tricks and playing interactive games like hide-and-seek.

Make sure your dog has access to shelter and water at all times. And please remember, if you’re cold, your dog probably is, too, and it’s time to come home.

Article can be found at: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/winter-exercise-guidelines

Prepare Your Home For The Holidays

Christmas is just around the corner and as family and friends congregate in your home, there are some important tips to keep in mind to prepare your home for the holidays.

We would like to share a few of those “Preparing Your Home For The Holidays” tips from Popular Mechanics with you:

1. Clean the microwave. Appliances take a beating during this holiday, but there’s still time to make a few pre-holiday adjustments. Take out the microwave’s rotating tray and scrub it or pop it into the dishwasher. Wipe down the microwave’s interior with a soft cloth and a little soapy water. Make sure its air vents are clear of dust and grease.

2. Don’t clean the oven. The self-clean cycle is so stressful on the appliance that it could cause it to fail, right before you need it most. Give a quick cleaning around the top burner elements and leave the rest be. Save the big cleanup until leftovers are safety nestled in the fridge.

3. Inspect the refrigerator. It’s liable to be opened and closed more times on this one day than it is in a couple of weeks of normal use. Check for the following problems:

* Tighten screws on any loose door handles.

* Fix loose or misaligned door gaskets. Take a nut driver or socket and wrench, loosen all hex head gasket screws, reposition the gasket using a putty knife to shove it into position and retighten. Consider installing a new gasket after the holidays.

* Clear blocked freezer vents. Reposition food in the freezer compartment to clear area around vents.

* Clear cold air vents. Reposition food in fresh food compartment to allow cold air from freezer to move more freely. Gain critically needed space by putting all drinks on ice in a cooler.

* Replace burned out lights with an appliance bulb, typically a clear 40-watt bulb sized for appliance use–a $3 item at hardware stores and home centers. If the fresh food compartment is still dark after its replacement, that usually indicates a failed door switch.

4. Prepare vacuum cleaners. Empty canisters or replace bags on these appliances and position them in a hall closet or other location for rapid deployment.

5. Clean drip coffeemakers. If you haven’t recently checked the drip opening (and the area around it), you may be unpleasantly surprised. Unplug the coffeemaker and turn it upside down. If the drip opening looks like it’s covered in asphalt, clean it with a soft cloth and a solution of warm water and dish detergent. It may take several tries to get the crud off.

6. Inspect the dishwasher. Check the strainer/drain area in the bottom of the wash tub (it’s located under the spray arm). Remove food debris and wipe off detergent residue. Remove utensils and any bits of plastic or glass that you find in the bottom of the dishwasher tub. Wipe detergent residue, mold and slime off the door gasket and around the rim of the door, as well as the latch arm that locks the door.

7. Sharpen knives. Tuning up kitchen knives is easy, so don’t settle for hacking the bird when you can carve it like a pro.

8. Tune up cabinets. A few minutes with a screwdriver is all it takes to whip loose parts into shape. Tighten loose cabinet hinges. Tighten the screws that mount to the door and to the cabinet wall. While you’re at it, tighten loose drawer and door pulls and drawer slides. If kitchen drawers are over-stuffed and liable to jam in the middle of the cooking frenzy, now’s the time to take out some of the clutter.

9. Take care of the toilet. Not to get too graphic here, but toilets see a tougher workout than any other fixture in the house, especially when guests pull up a seat. Now’s the time to take care of poor flushing action or a toilet that flushes by itself by replacing the flapper valve or the entire flush mechanism. If the toilet rocks slightly, try tightening its mounting bolts. If you lift the bolt caps and find severely corroded fasteners (don’t be surprised) leave well enough alone and let it go until after the holidays.

10. Replace burned out light bulbs. Pay close attention to lights that serve the front entrance and walkway that leads to the front door or other busy entrances.

11. Make your home slip- and fall-proof. Fix loose treads on exterior steps, loose deck boards or loose pavers on front walkways. Take care of all other tripping/falling hazards while you’re at it, like using double-sided tape to stick down slippery rugs. Tighten the mounting screws on loose handrails.

12. Bring in firewood. Stack it and let it dry for a few days before lighting that cheerful holiday blaze. Test run gas fireplaces before the big day, especially if they haven’t been used since last winter. Split kindling for the holiday fire safely. Hold the kindling in place using a scrap of wood with a roofing nail driven through its end. Jab the nail into the kindling you’re splitting to hold it in place and to keep your hand safely away from the hatchet or axe.

13. Child-proof your home. Make all child-safety preparations in advance, such as covering electrical outlets, moving lamps and vases away from table edges and making provisions to block stairways to prevent hazardous falls.

14. Change smoke detector/CO detector batteries.

15. Keep jumper cables on hand, especially if you’re expecting a big crowd. Always seems somebody’s got a bad battery, and it’s usually the car that will block everybody in the driveway.

16. Double-check your first aid kit. At the least you should have burn cream, ice packs and bandages to deal with kitchen-related cuts.

17. Keep a fire extinguisher handy in the kitchen.

Eliminate Odors In Your Home

Are you expecting company this Holiday season? If you’d like to get your house smelling its best, we have some helpful tips.

No matter what odor may be lurking in your home, we guarantee we will eliminate it. Please visit our website to order.

Directions to Eliminate Cigarette and Cigar Smoke Odors:

• Hang 1-2 Earth Care Odor Eliminator Bags in each room that smells like cigarette smoke. One bag will cover 50-100 square feet. Odor will be eliminated in 24 hours.
• Bag will last 1-2 months, if room is heavily permeated with smoke odor the bag may need to be changed more often at first.
• If odors are particularly strong or room has been smoked in for years sprinkle Clear The Air Odor Eliminator for Carpet and Furniture granules on carpets and furniture. Leave down 24 hours and vacuum. Odors will be completely eliminated.
• One canister of Clear The Air Odor Eliminator for Carpet and Furniture covers 100 square feet; one bucket covers 900 square feet.
• Granules can also be placed in ashtrays and cigarette butt receptacles.

Directions to Eliminate Dead Animal & Related Urine/Feces Odors:

• It is not necessary to remove dead carcass to remove the odor.
• More bags =better faster results, we recommend a minimum of 3 bags.
• Hang a bag in every room you smell odor.
• If you believe dead animal is in attic or crawl space hang one bag there also.
• Bag will outlast odor from carcass and handle any urine or feces odors that may exist from previously infested areas.
• One bag covers up to 100 square feet. It will last 3-4 months in use, or indefinitely in plastic wrap.
• Minimum of three bags needed to remove dead Rodent/Animal odors.

• Remove feces and excess urine.
• Sprinkle granules over area until dry granules are present on top. Also works well on old dry urine odors.
• Leave overnight, then sweep or vacuum.
• Clear The Air pulls odors from carpet, padding, and subfloor.
• Typically one application will eliminate all odors; occasionally a second application is necessary.
• One canister covers 100 square feet.

Directions to Eliminate Musty Mildew Odors from your Basement:

• Hang 1-2 bags in basement. One bag cover up to 100 square feet.
• Bags will continue to eliminate musty odors for up to 3 months.
• If odors are strong (or you have had a flood) also sprinkle Clear The Air Odor Eliminator for Concrete or Carpet granules on floor, leave down 24 hours and sweep or vacuum. Odors will be completely eliminated.
• One canister of Clear The Air Odor Eliminator For Concrete or Carpet granules covers approximately 100 square feet.

Cats and Christmas Trees

The Christmas Tree vs. The Cat.

Christmas is here and it is time to set up your Christmas tree. Who has experienced their fun little feline charge up the top of their tree, knocking over ornaments and causing destruction?  We have!!

We would like to share a few tips on keeping your cat out of the tree this year.  Keep in mind, however, it is a cat’s natural behavior that your cat is going to enjoy doing.  He is probably thanking you for putting this entertainment right in your home for him to enjoy!

One of the best solutions is to take a spray bottle with water and spray your cat every time it approaches the tree. This would act as a form of discipline or as a deterrent. It does not take much. After spritzing a few times, all you have to do is shake the bottle at them. They learn fast!

Here are a few other things you can try to discourage your cat from scampering up your Christmas tree.

• Place orange peels around the base of your Christmas tree. Cats do not like the smell of orange.
• Spray your artificial tree with some Citronella oil that is mixed in a spray bottle with water. Again, cats do not like the citrus smell.
• Spray pine cones with the Citronella oil/water spray. Spread the pine cones under your tree.
• Use an artificial tree. Maybe your cat will not be tempted to climb the metal branches.
• Place bells around the bottom of your tree. No, the sound of the bell does not frighten the cats, but it does sound an alarm for you! Once you hear the bells, you get the water bottle. Before you know it, the kitties learn the connection.

Do you have any funny Christmas tree Vs. The Cat stories from Christmas’s past?  Please share them on our blog!

Why Do Dogs Chew?

Do you have a dog who loves to chew at home? Read our blog article:

We can’t believe it has been over a year now since we acquired our youngest addition to the family, Zimba.  While it has been so much fun watching him grow into his over-sized body and bumble around, he sure has caused some minor destruction with his need to chew.

Bill’s nook has been chewed so it no longer can be turned off, shoes have been chewed, furniture, etc.  But, of course we still love the big guy.

We are sharing an article on Why Dogs Chew from the ASPCA.  If you are looking to get a puppy or even adult dog for someone this Christmas, these tips on why dogs chew will definitely be useful reading material.

Do you have a chewer at home?  Please share with us by commenting on our blog.

It’s perfectly normal for puppies and dogs to chew on objects as they explore the world. For young dogs, it’s a way to relieve pain that might be caused by incoming teeth. For older dogs, it’s a way to keep jaws strong and teeth clean.

But sometimes natural chewing can become destructive for dogs seeking to combat boredom or relieve mild anxiety or frustration. Dogs who chew to relieve the stress of separation anxiety usually only chew when left alone or chew most intensely when left alone.

So what can you do if your best friend’s chewing turns destructive? Puppies and adult dogs should have a variety of appropriate and attractive chew toys. However, just providing the right things to chew isn’t enough to prevent inappropriate chewing. Dogs need to learn what is okay to chew and what is not.

What to Do If Your Dog Is a Destructive Chewer

• “Dog-proof” your house. Put valuable objects away until you’re confident that your dog’s chewing behavior is restricted to appropriate items. Keep shoes and clothing in a closed closest, dirty laundry in a hamper and books on shelves. Make it easy for your dog to succeed.
• Provide your dog with plenty of his own toys and inedible and edible chew bones. Introduce something new or rotate your dog’s chew toys every couple of days so he doesn’t get bored with the same old toys.
• Discourage chewing inappropriate items by spraying them with chewing deterrents.
• Do your best to supervise your dog during all waking hours until you feel confident that his chewing behavior is under control.
• Provide your dog with plenty of physical exercise (playtime with you and with other dogs) and mental stimulation. If you have to leave your dog alone for more than a short period of time, make sure he gets out for a good play session.

Full article can be viewed at: http://blog.aspca.org/content/why-does-my-dog-chew

Helping Hurricane Sandy Victims

Clear the Air would like to help those in need on the East Coast whom have been affected by Hurricane Sandy.  We recently came across this article about the rat population who were washed out of the subway systems.  Good news it appears most of the rats have died, bad news now they are going to stink!

Here is how we can help: Our product eliminates those odors and is completely non-toxic and safe even  if ingested by pets or children.  We are offering a discount to anyone affected by the hurricane.

Please visit our website to learn more about the product: www.cleartheair.com. If you are in an area that has been affected by Hurricane Sandy please send us an email or call us to receive the special discount pricing.

Special Pricing:

Case of 12 Carpet and Furniture Odor Eliminator Canisters: Regular price $119.88/case – Hurricane Sandy Price $40.00/case

Earth Care Odor Eliminator Bags – Regular Price $11.99/bag – Hurricane Sandy Price $$9.99/bag  (Minimum of 6 bags)

Freight added to above prices.

At last some good news for New Yorkers: Thousands of RATS may have drowned in superstorm as water swept into city’s tunnels.  By Louise Boyle

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, fears were rife that the streets would be overrun with rats escaping the flooded tunnels and subways.

But it now looks as if those fears may have been groundless as there have not, as yet, been any reports of rodents roaming the streets.

Experts are saying the water likely rushed into tunnels so fast that the rats – despite being strong swimmers – had no time to escape and died.

Sam Miller, a spokesman for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, told Forbes the city has not seen an increase in rats above ground caused by Sandy, adding that while flooding normally does drive them to the streets, it ‘also drowns young rats in their burrows and can reduce the rat population’.

Rodentologist Robert Corrigan, who works with the city on keeping populations under control, told LiveScience that baby rats will likely die unless they are carried to safety by their mothers.

Another expert, Herwig Leirs, a rodentologist at the University of Antwerp in Belgium, confirmed that most would drown.

‘Rats will be carried away by the current and won’t be strong enough to swim to the surface and breathe, or they’ll be pushed to grates, they will get stuck there and they won’t be strong enough to swim against the current,’ he said.

However, the rats that are able to survive the floodwaters will be treated to a surge of garbage and food to feast on once things have dried out.

According to NBC, approximately 28 million rats live in the subway tunnels of New York. Whether they pose a health risk in the aftermath of the hurricane depends how quickly the water evaporates and how quickly subway crews can clean out the tunnels.

Rick Ostfeld of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Milbrook, New York, earlier told The Huffington Post that if rats were forced out of their lairs, this could result in a rise in infectious diseases carried by urban rodents, including leptospirosis, hantavirus, typhus, salmonella, and even the plague.

Article found at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2225935/Hurricane-Sandy-probably-wiped-New-Yorks-rats-despite-warnings-rodent-apocalypse-say-experts.html

Odors From Floods

Our hearts and prayers go out to those on the East Coast affected by Hurricane Sandy.  May the damage, if any, be minimal.

We would like to share some helpful tips to eliminating  flood odors from your home.  When a home is cleaned up and returned to normal after a flood, a lot of times there is that remaining mildew and moldy smell.  Your home can get back to new with our amazing product!

Once the water recedes and your home or building has been dried out you are often left with a musty mildew smell that permeates the walls, carpets, furniture and window coverings. Earth Care’s Clear The Air Odor Eliminators will completely eliminate these odors.

Simple to use and cost effective Earth Care is the answer to your flood odors. This unique form of Earth Care Products Mineral does not have to come into contact with the odor producer; it will pull the odors from the entire area. Clear The Air draws in odors like a powerful magnet. The odors are adsorbed, and neutralized without any fragrances. Clear The Air does not cover up odors; it literally “clears the air” leaving the air fresh and clean. Clear The Air is made from an all natural mineral, is non toxic and biodegradable and safe for Planet Earth. It is safe around children and pets even if eaten.

Directions to Eliminate Musty Mildew Odors from Previously Flooded Areas

• Hang 1-2 bags in each room with odors. One bag cover up to 100 square feet.
• Bag will continue to eliminate new odors for up to 3 months.
• In addition to the bags sprinkle Clear The Air Odor Eliminator for Concrete or Carpet and Furniture granules on floor and furniture, leave down 24 hours and sweep or vacuum. Odors will be completely eliminated.
• One canister of Clear The Air Odor Eliminator For Concrete or Carpet and Furniture granules covers approximately 100 square feet.
• One Clear The Air Bucket of granules covers 900 square feet.
• Clear The Air can also be sprinkled outside on concrete, decks, lawns and shrubbery to remove musty odors. It is not necessary to remove from lawns and shrubbery as Clear The Air will act as a natural time release nitrogen fertilizer.

Canine Arthritis 101

Do you think your dog may have arthritis?

Clear the Air would like to share an article from the ASPCA about Canine Arthritis.  Remember, if you think your pet may have arthritis, it is most important to make a visit to the vet.  The following information is not intended to replace your veterinary care.

What is canine arthritis? Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD), is a progressive, debilitating disorder characterized by a loss of cartilage and the death of cartilage-producing cells. DJD can occur in any joint, but is most often found in the hip. It can lead to permanent loss of function.

What breeds/ages are prone to canine arthritis?
In most cases, DJD occurs secondarily to trauma, nutritional disorders or infections. It is prevalent in middle-aged to geriatric dogs (and sometimes in cats). DJD may also occur in young dogs who suffer from canine hip dysplasia, a common developmental disorder of the hip joint found primarily in the larger breeds and breed mixes.

What medications are used to treat canine arthritis?
The goals of drug therapy for DJD are to control pain, increase mobility, slow down the destructive process in the joint and encourage cartilage repair. The drugs most often prescribed to control pain and inflammation are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

– Aspirin, a NSAID, is probably used more often than any other medication to treat DJD in dogs. Although effective in most dogs, aspirin does have gastrointestinal side effects.

– Carprofen (Rimadyl^®) is significantly more potent than aspirin and has a very wide margin of safety. Rare instances of liver toxicity have been reported in dogs receiving carprofen.

– Etodolac (EtoGesic^® has potent analgesic activity. At the recommended dosage, Etodolac presents little potential for development of stomach ulcers.

Chondroprotective agents are drugs that help protect cartilage as it attempts to repair itself. They have become increasingly popular in treating DJD.
– Two such drugs are Cosequin^® and Glyco-flex^®. They consist of glucosamine and purified chondroitin sulfate, major building blocks of cartilage. Cosequin and Glyco-flex are neutraceuticals, i.e. dietary supplements or food additives that do not require FDA approval.

-Adequan^®, on the other hand, has been approved by the FDA for the management of DJD in dogs. It works by inhibiting some mediators of inflammation, as well as enzymes that contribute to the destruction of cartilage. This chondroprotective agent is given to dogs by intramuscular injection. Successful treatment is more likely if the drug is given early in the development of DJD. For example, when puppies diagnosed with hip dysplasia were given Adequan before arthritic changes occurred, their radiographs showed significant improvement and development of DJD was delayed.

Because the drugs work in different ways, NSAIDs and chondroprotective agents can be given simultaneously to dogs who are severely affected.

Are there other ways, besides drug therapy, to treat dogs with canine arthritis?
Drug therapy is most effective when combined with appropriate exercise and weight management. Non-strenuous exercise, such as swimming or walking, is therapeutic and may enhance the nutrition of cartilage. Dogs should be exercised on a regular schedule, and strenuous, high-impact activities should be avoided. Overweight dogs should be placed on an appropriate diet. Dogs with DJD may benefit from being somewhat underweight.

Is surgery an option for dogs with canine arthritis?
If medical management fails to reduce pain and improve function, there are many surgical options for hip dysplasia. The most common is femoral head ostectomy, where the head of the thighbone is removed to resolve the pain of the thighbone grinding against the hip socket. Triple pelvic osteotomy is a corrective surgical procedure that reorients the hip socket to realign it with the head of the thighbone, thus stabilizing the joint. If all else fails, total hip replacement with a prosthetic device can be performed.

Is acupuncture used to treat canine arthritis?
Although controlled clinical studies are lacking, there are many anecdotal reports on the use of acupuncture in treating musculoskeletal disorders in dogs. Pain from hip dysplasia and accompanying DJD is a common reason for acupuncture referrals.