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Thrush & fungal infections

By Jenny | Published April 19, 2012

Hello John,
I’m coming in to see you tomorrow but wanted to ask you what you thought of this. Last 2 days my throat has been a little sore and it’s around the back left side of my tongue. This morning I woke up to see a film on my tongue that looks a lot like this: http://healthytonguesecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/thrush1.jpg

What should I do? I didn’t have my probiotics for a day and a half, maybe that caused it. I’ll be calling my doctor shortly.

Thanks,
Sam

Dear Sam,
I get to see these types of tongues frequently. Unfortunately it is all too common with antibiotics. One thing to remember is that it is very difficult to have thrush unless you have fungal overgrowth throughout the system. There are many good intestinal yeast killers which, will lower the load.

For your mouth specifically:

  • You can take an oral anti-fungal from you MD
  • You can get an anti-thrush anti-fungal from you doctor
  • You can get a a strong liquid natural probiotic (health food store) and hold it in you mouth as long as possible.
  • Good quality kephir or yoghurt will help some.  Drink the kefir about 3-4 ounces at a time. Hold it in your mouth and then swallow.  Repeat every 1/2 hour or so.

Good intestinal anti-fungals (may taste too bad to use orally) are Grapefruit seed extract, capryllic acid, undecyclenic acid.  I have a list of about 20 of them, but these are top notch.
Butter, ghee and coconut oil are also anti-fungal. Increase probiotics up to about 6 times per day.   Don’t take them within 1.5 hours of the antibiotics.

See you tomorrow.

Be Happy!
John Nieters, DAOM, L.Ac.
Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

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Thanks for the nutrition course

By Jenny | Published April 16, 2012

Hi, Dr. Nieters!
Thanks for a great class!!  I am more aware of the issues involved and how to properly view various lifestyle diseases.  Here’s an article published on Boston.com blog. Written by John McDonough, Director of the Center for Public Health Leadership at Harvard Medical School.  It may have come a time when even the “western” doctors are sick and tired of the treatments they provide for their patients.  http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/health_stew/2012/03/statins_chronic_disease_–_and.html?comments=all#comments

I have heard of great things/changes about the school – new location, new clinic policy, etc.  Hope I will be back soon.  We are fortunate to have you lead the school.  As a side note, when I was in Chinese classes on weekends, I heard some students saying the president should be Chinese.  I found this a bit ridiculous.  At this point, I find the English program to be much stronger than the Chinese program on weekends.  Unfortunately, if I have to return to work full time, the Chinese program will be my own option.  Is it possible to have weekend English program in the near future?!

Take care!
Sherry

Dear Sherry,
Thank you for the very kind words and also for the feedback. I too have heard from many sources that the President should be Chinese. I have tried to become Chinese, but as yet to no avail!

I have been looking into an English program on weekends.  I think it would help in many ways.  We could stagger it a bit to allow people to make up classes that they missed, etc. and not get too far behind.

I look forward to seeing when you come back.

Be Happy!
John Nieters, DAOM, L.Ac.
Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
President, Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences (2011-2015)

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Lyme disease approach

By Jenny | Published April 10, 2012

I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease and my husband has several friends at work with family members that have Lyme as well.  He has heard from them that you cannot get rid of Lyme unless you take antibiotics.  He wanted to know if you had any testimonials from other Lyme patients, or that we could contact to get feedback from them.  Since I will be flying in once a month, my husband wants to make sure this is something that will work for me.
Thank you,
Sarah

Sarah,
There is no definite test to prove that Lyme is cured or eradicated.   There are only inferential tests that when used in conjunction, give relative assurances that the Lyme is either eradicated or is not active.  The most common test, the Western Blot, gives false negatives about 2/3rds of the time.  Because of this uncertainty, I would never say that a patient has been “cured”.  I could only say that they have been symptom free or that their tests have been negative for a certain period of time.  There are actually several different forms of “Lyme” disease other than the common species of Borrelia burg. that are almost never tested for.

There is actually no 100% conclusive proof that antibiotics kill chronic Lyme disease.  A clinical determination or diagnosis can be made, but not 100% positive biomedical certainty.  A typical course of antibiotic therapy will last well over a year, indicating the difficulty of the organism.

The same is true with other than antibiotic approaches. Dr. Weil has some good information about herbal approaches to Lyme treatment on his website.  He refers to the Zhang family in New York who have teated several thousand Lyme cases with Chinese Medicine.  They have written the definitive book on the treatment of Lyme disease with Chinese Medicine.  The protocols that I was using were similar to Dr. Zhang’s before I read his book and are now nearly identical.  If you are on the East Coast I would recommend seeing the Zhang’s.  The Zhangs, Dr. Weil, and many others, believe that the antibiotic approach has about as many negatives as positives.  I have seen many Lyme patients who have done several years of antibiotic therapy and have experienced very poor results and have had their conditions worsen dramatically.

I am seeing one gentleman in the next couple of weeks who we believe is now Lyme free.  Again, there is no way to have absolute biomedical certainty.  I will ask if he is willing to make contact with you.

I have another young man doing combination antibiotics and Chinese medicine who is now having good CD57 counts in a remarkably short period of time.  I can also ask him when I see him.  I just started treating his girlfriend, as she was recently diagnosed with Lyme.  Her MD feels that she contracted the Lyme directly from him and not from an arthropod vector.

By the way, even if antibiotics are the primary treatment of choice, I am quite certain that Lyme and other “Gu” diseases are treated much more effectively if Chinese Medicine is used as an adjunctive treatment.  It might be helpful to listen to the radio program that I did on “Gu disease”.  This can be found on: www.thebalancingpoint.net.

In this podcast I explain why Chinese herbals are so effective and have been used for several thousand years to treat these disorders.  The earliest confirmed case of Lyme disease that I am aware of is from about 6,000 years ago.  The character for “Gu” disorders has been in the Chinese language for about 3,500 years.

Be Happy!
John Nieters, DAOM, L.Ac.
Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

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Reproductive Health and Acupuncture

By Jenny | Published April 9, 2012

In This Issue – April 2012
– Manage Your Reproductive Health with Acupuncture
– Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
– Pregnancy & Childbirth
– Postpartum Recovery
– Male Reproductive Health
– Prostate Health
– Menopause

Manage Your Reproductive Health with Acupuncture
Oriental medicine has a long history when it comes to enhancing reproductive health and fertility for both men and women. In fact, evidence that acupuncture and herbal medicine have been used to aid fertility can be found in early medical literature dating back to 3 AD.

Statistics state that one in five couples over the age of 30 have difficulty conceiving after one year of trying. Many of these couples are turning to acupuncture and Oriental medicine for a safe, effective and natural solution to have a healthy baby.

Fertility treatments were first recorded by Zhang Zhong Jing, a famous physician from the Han Dynasty, in his discussion of diseases in women in the Jin Gui Yao Lue or Essentials of the Golden Cabinet.

According to the principles of Oriental medicine, a person’s health is determined by the quality of Qi, the vital life energy, and blood circulating through the body. When Qi and blood are circulating properly, the body is properly nourished and functioning optimally which, in turn, enhances fertility.

Researchers have confirmed the benefits of acupuncture and Oriental medicine for:

  • regulating the menstrual cycle
  • improving sperm count and motility
  • reducing stress and anxiety associated with infertility
  • normalizing hormone and endocrine systems
  • improving blood flow in the uterus
  • decreasing the chance of miscarriage
  • increasing the chance of pregnancy for women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)

Fertility treatment approaches can vary from person to person, but are usually scheduled for at least three consecutive cycles (twelve weeks). Treatments can include acupuncture, customized herbal therapy, stress reduction and dietary counseling.

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties with their reproductive health please call to see how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Gynecological conditions including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), fibroids, endometriosis, menopause and infertility are some of the problems treated most successfully by acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Oriental medicine has long recognized that health and vitality can be sustained over a woman’s lifetime by restoring balance within the body and supporting the natural production of essential hormones.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Premenstrual syndrome covers a broad spectrum that can include emotional symptoms such as depression, irritability, sadness, anxiety, or poor concentration and can also include physical symptoms, such as breast tenderness, a change in bowel habits, acne, or loss of libido. Symptoms can change from month to month and vary widely in terms of severity.

Imbalances can arise from a variety of factors, including poor diet, too much work, physical or emotional trauma, constitutionally weak Qi (energy) or stress. 

In Oriental medicine, the liver is considered responsible for the smooth flow of Qi (life force) throughout the body and for smoothing our emotions. When the liver’s function of moving Qi is disrupted, Qi can become stuck. This is referred to as Liver Qi Stagnation and is commonly associated with PMS.   In addition to irritability and moodiness, signs and symptoms may include: distending pain in the area below the ribs, stuffiness of the chest, sighing, abdominal distention, nausea, sour regurgitation, belching, diarrhea or constipation, feeling of a lump in the throat, irregular periods, painful periods and distention of the breasts prior to periods.

If you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome call today to see how acupuncture can help!

Pregnancy & Childbirth
Pregnancy is an amazing time in a woman’s life. Many women report feeling healthier than they have ever felt before; however, the physical growth of the baby and changes in hormone levels can bring about pain, discomfort and a variety of health problems.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can provide a safe, effective alternative for many of the health complications that may arise before, during and after pregnancy. A growing number of women are choosing acupuncture to manage their health throughout their pregnancy and as an optional treatment for an overdue or difficult labor.

Planning for a Healthy Baby


Healthy parents produce healthy babies. With acupuncture and Oriental medicine, parents can improve their health to create the most optimal environment for their unborn child. In addition to their ability to strengthen, support, and balance overall health and well-being, acupuncture and Oriental medicine are effective treatments for regulating menstruation and hormone levels, reducing stress and addressing any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns.

Acupuncture during Pregnancy

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can play a vital role in the comfort of a pregnant woman. There is strong evidence to support the belief that acupuncture is highly effective in treating some of the most common problems experienced during pregnancy.

  Some of the problems that an acupuncturist often treats during pregnancy include:

  • nausea, vomiting and morning sickness
  • heartburn
  • constipation
  • edema and swelling
  • pelvic pain
  • neck and back pain
  • sciatica
  • leg cramps
  • fatigue and exhaustion
  • insomnia
  • anxiety and depression
  • water retention

Acupuncture for Childbirth
While there are acupuncture points that can provide natural pain relief during labor, acupuncture is more commonly used to induce labor. There are several points that stimulate contractions and influence cervical ripening. There is also an acupuncture point that has been found to turn a breech baby.

Postpartum Recovery
Many women feel depleted after the birth experience. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help smooth the transition during those first few months after birthto ensure a quick recovery. 

Some postpartum disorders that can be treated with acupuncture:

  • fatigue
  • postpartum depression
  • mastitis
  • insufficient or excessive lactation
  • post-operative healing
  • night sweats

Postpartum care focuses on the physical, emotional and psychological recovery of the mother from the effects of pregnancy and labor, as well as encouraging breast feeding.

If you would like learn how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can facilitate your postpartum recovery, please call for more information.

Male Reproductive Health
Oriental medicine can help treat various male disorders. As men age a decrease in the function of male reproductive organs occurs and they experience andropause, or male menopause. Andropause differs from menopause as there is not a dramatic or marked physiological change. 

Unlike the more dramatic reproductive hormone plunge that occurs in women during menopause, changes in men occur gradually over a period of many years. 

Some male reproductive health conditions that acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help include:

  • premature ejaculation
  • low sperm count
  • diminished motility
  • impotence
  • hernias
  • testicular pain
  • prostatitis
  • male infertility
  • andropause

If you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms associated with any of these conditions, call today!

 

Prostate Health
The prostate is prone to enlargement and inflammation as men age, affecting about half of men in their sixties and up to ninety percent of men as they approach their seventies and eighties. If left untreated, benign prostate gland enlargement, which presents with symptoms such as frequent nighttime urination, painful urination, and difficult urination, can lead to more serious conditions such as prostate cancer, urinary tract infections, bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones, and incontinence.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can be used to treat prostate problems to relieve the urinary symptoms and prevent more serious conditions from occurring.

The few studies completed on acupuncture and prostatitis show positive results with participants noticing a marked improvement in their quality of life, a decrease in urinary difficulties and an increase in urinary function.

Call today to see how acupuncture can improve your prostate health!

Menopause
Menopause is a transitional period marking the cessation of ovulation in a woman’s body. Symptoms are brought on as a woman’s body tries to adapt to decreasing amounts of estrogen. Varying from mild to severe, symptoms can include hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, fatigue, mood swings, memory loss, dryness, headaches, joint pain and weight gain. 

With its deep understanding of the female body, Oriental medicine has always addressed the special needs of women throughout their lives. Menopause, in particular, is an area in which Oriental medicine shines.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine have the ability to detect energetic changes that occur in the body and quickly relieve uncomfortable symptoms that accompany the onset of menopause.  Oriental medicine does not recognize menopause as a particular syndrome and treats symptoms unique to each individual using a variety of techniques to restore imbalances found in the body.

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March 2012 Acupuncture & Respiratory Health

By Jenny | Published March 14, 2012

In This Issue (Get QiMail delivered to your inbox )
– Prepare for Allergy Season with Acupuncture
– Foods for Seasonal Allergies
– Colds and Influenza
– Point: Dazhui
– News, Events and Community!

Prepare for Allergy Season with Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used to treat seasonal allergies for centuries with great success. According to traditional medicine, treatment is directed toward clearing the nasal passages, supporting the immune system and strengthening the systems of the body to prevent allergic reactions from recurring. 

What Are Seasonal Allergies?
Commonly called hay fever or allergic rhinitis, a seasonal allergy is an allergic reaction to a trigger that is typically only present for part of the year, such as spring or fall. Pollens that are spread by the wind are usually the main cause of seasonal allergies. People who are allergic to pollens are also often sensitive to dust mites, animal dander, and molds.

Spring is traditionally the main season when allergies blossom because of new growth on trees and weeds. Fall, which ushers in a whole different set of blooming plants, as well as leaf mold, is a close second. Airborne mold spores can be found almost year round, along with other common allergens such as dust, dust mites, and animal dander.

About 26 million Americans endure chronic seasonal allergies, while the number of people with milder symptoms may be as high as 40 million, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

Seasonal allergies are caused by the body’s hypersensitivity to substances in the environment. Symptoms primarily involve the membrane lining the nose, causing allergic rhinitis, or the membrane lining the eyelids and covering the whites of the eyes, causing allergic conjunctivitis.

While there are many Western medications to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies, these treatments can cause unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness and immune system suppression as well as an over-reliance on medications. These side effects have motivated many people to search for alternative approaches like acupuncture and Oriental medicine to manage their allergies. 

How Acupuncture Treatments Provide Relief from Allergies
According to Oriental Medicine, allergic rhinitis is related to Wind and a deficiency of the Protective Wei Qi. Wei Qi is the Qi, or energy, that flows at the surface of the body as a protective sheath and is responsible for resistance to colds and other respiratory infections. People with a deficiency of Wei Qi catch colds easily and are more susceptible to allergens.

When treating with acupuncture, underlying imbalances within the body are addressed and a treatment plan is developed to relieve the acute symptoms of allergic rhinitis while also treating the root problems that are contributing to the body’s reaction to allergens. Treatments often include dietary modification, the use of specifically chosen herbal formulas, and acupuncture.

Seasonal acupuncture treatments just four times a year also serve to tonify the inner organ systems and can correct minor annoyances before they become serious problems. If you experience seasonal allergies, now is the time to schedule an appointment. Call for a consultation today!

Foods for Seasonal Allergies
Ginger: Ginger is a natural antihistamine and decongestant. It may provide some relief from allergy symptoms by dilating constricted bronchial tubes.

Apples: Some foods contain the flavonoid quercetin that can cross-react with tree pollen. Quercetin can reduce allergic reactions by having an antihistamine effect. It also decreases inflammation. Quercetin occurs naturally in certain foods, such as apples (with the skin on), berries, red grapes, red onions, capers, and black tea.

Carrots: Carotenoids are a family of plant pigments that include beta-carotene. A lack of carotenoids in the diet is thought to promote inflammation in your airways. Good sources of carotenoids include apricots, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach, kale, butternut squash, and collard greens.

Omega-3: Omega-3 essential fatty acids can counter the formation of chemicals that cause inflammation of the air passages. Good natural sources include flaxseed oil and salmon.

Yogurt: Food sensitivities seem to be connected with seasonal allergies. In a study conducted at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, patients who were fed 18 to 24 ounces of yogurt a day experienced a decline in their environmental allergic symptoms by 90 percent.

Fiber: A healthy and active colon can decrease food sensitivity, which, in turn, can lighten the burden on your immune system and may reduce the impact of seasonal allergies. For maximum colon health, increase the fiber in your diet.

Colds and Influenza
This year there will be 1 billion colds and 95 million cases of influenza in the United States alone. While the misery of colds and flu might be inevitable, one thing is changing: where we look for relief.

Get Better Faster
If you have already come down with a cold or the flu, acupuncture treatments can help relieve symptoms you are currently experiencing including chills, fever, body aches, runny nose, congestion, sore throat and cough. While bringing some immediate relief, treatments will reduce the incidence of an upper respiratory tract infection and shorten the length of the illness. 

Prevention
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can prevent colds and flu by strengthening the immune system with just a few needles inserted into key points along the body’s energy pathways.

If you catch colds easily, have low energy and require a long time to recuperate from an illness your wei qi may be deficient. 

Call today to see how Acupuncture can help you!

Point: Dazhui
One particularly important point for supporting the Wei Qi is Dazhui, or Du 14. Translated as “Great Vertebra” in English, it is located below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebrae, approximately where the collar of a T-shirt sits on the neck.

Du 14 activates the circulation of blood and Qi to strengthen the outer defense layers of the skin and muscle (wei qi) so that germs and viruses cannot enter through them.

This point is often used to ward off, as well as shorten, the duration colds and flu.

News, Events and Community!

NEWS
A special request: John has been nominated for the SF Bay Area “A List” – Your help and support is requested, please vote at http://ctvr.us/alameda7
(We are currently in 2nd place, there are a few days left to vote. Thanks everyone, your votes and comments are delightful!)

– You can schedule up to three months in advance http://www.appointmentquest.com/provider/2120071333 or call (510) 814-6900

– Shang Han Lun Mondays Low Cost & Drop-In Mondays from 1-4pm, want details – listen to the Balancing Point Podcast episode 1/9/12.

– We are open on Saturdays for drop-in appointments from 10-2.

– Please join our Facebook community http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alameda-Acupuncture-Dr-John-Nieters-LAc/126245057390177

EVENTS
March
What: 83rd Annual Chinese Medicine Day
Time: 3/18/2012 6:00-6:30pm
Where: 631 Grant Avenue, SF CA
Cost: $25 (415) 982-3245

What: ACCHS Spring Open House
Time: 3/17/12 2:00-5:00 pm
Where: 1601 Clay Street, Oakland, CA
Cost: FREE
If you have been thinking about a career change and want to learn about becoming an acupuncturist come to this event.

COMMUNITY
Thank you Desiree for your kind review of your experience in our clinic on yelp.com “Dr. Nieters is a nice guy and he treats every patient with respect and really cares for them. His clinic is nice and relaxing this is the place to come if you are sick or need help. Dr. Nieters has helped me through my back injury and helped me to get better. Def go see him and his staff you won’t regret it.”
Thank you again Desiree. This medicine is AMAZING!

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