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Injury Rehabilitation and Sports Performance
In This Issue – July 2012
– Acupuncture for Athletes
– Acupuncture for Injury Rehabilitation
– Injury Prevention and Healing
Acupuncture for Athletes
With the commencement of the 2012 Summer Olympics, we wanted to dedicate this newsletter to athletes and discuss the many ways that Oriental medicine is used to help prevent and heal injuries and enhance athletic performance.
All athletes and coaches are involved in an ongoing search for ways to improve performance and gain a competitive edge over their rivals. Many are finding that acupuncture can often provide that edge.
By following the principles of traditional Oriental medicine, an acupuncture treatment can strengthen body function and restore internal harmony and balance. Professional sports teams and top athletes often have an acupuncturist on staff to treat injuries and keep them performing at their peak. Some of the best Olympic athletes incorporate acupuncture into their wellness programs.
China’s most popular sportsman, the 7 foot 6 inch basketball center, Yao Ming, used acupuncture and Oriental medicine to help him recover after undergoing surgery on his ankle.
Chinese swimmer, Wang Qun, was photographed doing some last minute training in Beijing with round marks on her back from a traditional Oriental medicine treatment. The marks on the swimmer’s back were caused by cupping. Cupping is a technique in which a glass cup or bamboo jar is suctioned onto the body. It is used to relieve muscle pain, especially back pain from stiffness or injury; and to clear congestion in the chest, which can occur with common colds and influenza.
Studies on Acupuncture to Enhance Athletic Performance
Studies have shown that acupuncture has measurable effects on the flow of blood to certain areas of the body, which could in turn boost athletic performance. One such study conducted at the Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine involved athletes running 5,000 meters, and afterwards sitting for acupuncture treatments before they had a chance to catch their breath. The heart rates of the athletes who received the treatments recovered more quickly than those in the control group.
Another study published in the American Journal of Acupuncture measured the effects of acupuncture on anaerobic threshold and work capacity during exercise in healthy young males. Researchers found that individuals in the acupuncture treatment group had higher maximal exercise capacity and were able to perform higher workloads at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) than individuals in the placebo group. The individuals that received acupuncture also had lower heart rates.
Acupuncture for Injury Rehabilitation
Acupuncture is well known for its effectiveness in reducing most types of pain, including pain from sports-related injuries. Sports injuries are predominantly due to trauma or overuse syndromes involving the musculoskeletal system and its soft tissues. Trauma to these soft tissues, including ligaments, tendons and muscles are generally the result from falls, blows, sprains/strains, collisions, compressions crushing and disruptions of the healing processes due to inflammation.
Due to its broad range of applications, acupuncture can be used during any of the phases of the injury healing process. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine may be used to help decrease swelling, spasms and inflammation in addition to assisting in pain management, increasing range of motion and promoting healing. The focus is not only to treat the injury but also to treat any underlying conditions that may predispose an individual to injuries. This is especially important when treating chronic or recurrent injuries that interfere with life activities or athletic performance.
Some sports injuries commonly treated by acupuncture and Oriental medicine include pulled muscles, neck pain, shoulder impingement, tennis elbow, lower back strain, pulled groin, hamstring strain, runner’s knee, shin splints, ankle sprain, tendonitis, and arch pain.
If you have suffered an injury or would like to speed your post surgical recovery, acupuncture can help. Call today for more information or to schedule an appointment!
Injury Prevention and Healing
Don’t let your pledge to get into shape be derailed by a sports injury.
Fitness clubs across the country are full of enthusiastic individuals giving it their all to get fit or drop a few pounds. Unfortunately, some of these new athletes try to do too much too quickly, and can pay a painful price.
Recent studies show that acupuncture effectively treats sports injuries such as strains; sprains; neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle pain; swollen muscles and shin splints.
Treatment for a sports injury with acupuncture and Oriental medicine has two objectives:
- Reduce pain and inflammation of the injured area. There is evidence that acupuncture can aid healing and resolution of injuries, including reducing pain, increasing local microcirculation and attracting white blood cells to the area, both of which speed the healing rate, and aid dispersal of swelling and bruising.
- Prevent further injuries and enhance athletic performance. The best way to approach a fitness program without causing injury is not to dive in, but to take it slow and get the joints and muscles you haven’t used in a while ready to be used again.
If you suffer a setback in your fitness routine, call for more information about treatment options.
Acupuncture for Weight Loss and Addiction Recovery
In This Issue – June 2012
– Acupuncture for Weight Loss
– A Total Health Program
– Overcome Addiction with Acupuncture
– Walk for Focus
– Seven Addiction Recovery Tips
Acupuncture for Weight Loss
In Oriental medicine the root of excess weight is an imbalance within the body caused by malfunctioning of the spleen and liver organ systems. Acupuncture points, foods and herbs selected to assist with weight loss can directly influence the Qi of the spleen and liver systems and treat the imbalances that have caused weight gain.
The spleen is responsible for the proper functioning of the digestive system, ensuring that the food we eat is transformed into Qi, the vital substance of life.
Disharmony of the spleen will result in symptoms such as fatigue, slow metabolism, water retention, loose stool and a feeling of heaviness. The liver’s job is to keep the flow of your body’s Qi, blood and emotions running smoothly. Our modern, fast-paced lifestyle and chronic stress can negatively impact the liver’s ability to function properly and smoothly, which, in turn, can cause the spleen and the whole digestive system to function poorly. One result can be a decrease in your metabolism. Liver disharmony can also cause some of the “triggers” that lead to cravings and compulsive eating.
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine have been shown to have positive effects on the functioning of the nervous, endocrine and digestive systems. Treatment can help with food cravings and metabolism. These functions all help energize the body, maximize the absorption of nutrients, regulate elimination, control overeating, suppress the appetite and reduce anxiety.
Come in for a consultation to see how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can assist you with your weight management goals and help you to live a long, healthy life!
A Total Health Program
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine address the issues of over-eating and low metabolism with effective tools to control appetite and increase energy. Energy imbalances are corrected and the digestive and elimination processes are improved so that there is a physical shift in the body to naturally have more energy and desire less food.
By addressing both the physiological and psychological aspects of weight loss, acupuncture and Oriental medicine provide a comprehensive therapy for weight issues that promotes better digestion, balances emotions, reduces appetite, improves metabolism and eliminates food cravings.
Each treatment is customized to the needs of the individual patient.
Acupuncture points on the body are chosen for overall well being with the objective of increasing circulation of the blood and Qi (stimulating the metabolism) and calming the nervous system. Treatments can include a combination of auricular (ear) and body acupuncture, ear tacks or pellets to leave on between treatments, herbs and supplements, abdominal massage, breathing exercises, and food and lifestyle recommendations. In addition to treating the root of the imbalance within the body, different acupuncture points may be used for each treatment as different symptoms arise. For instance, if you are experiencing a desire to overeat related to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) one week, then that can be addressed at that week’s appointment.
The herbs and foods that are chosen during a weight loss treatment are for promoting healthy digestion, energizing the body, augmenting Qi, and improving elimination of water, toxins and waste products. Acupuncture points on the abdomen can help improve digestion. They can also help with food absorption and the movement of food through the intestines. Deep breathing with visualization can also strengthen will power and be used as a tool to curb hunger and cravings. Most patients report a marked decline in appetite and cravings with acupuncture alone, but special herbs, healing foods and exercises can definitely enhance the efficacy of the treatments.
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine are powerful tools for healthy weight loss, by itself or as a supportive treatment in conjunction with other weight management programs.
Overcome Addiction with Acupuncture
Acupuncture has turned a growing number of cigarette cravers into permanent ex-smokers. In fact, researchers say that acupuncture is a promising treatment for all types of addiction from cigarettes to heroin.
In one study, a team from Yale University successfully used auricular (ear) acupuncture to treat cocaine addiction. Results showed that 54.8 percent of participants tested cocaine-free during the final week of treatment, compared to 23.5 percent and 9.1 percent in the two control groups. Those who completed acupuncture treatment also had longer periods of sustained abstinence compared to participants in the control groups.
Acupuncture treatments for addiction recovery focus on jitters, cravings, irritability, and restlessness; symptoms that people commonly complain about when they quit. It also aids in relaxation and detoxification.
The Will Power Connection
Is there a body/mind connection to will power? According to the principles of Acupuncture and Oriental medicine there is. Will power, or “Zhi,” is said to reside in the kidneys and the state of the Kidney Qi directly correlates to the fortitude of our will power.
In Oriental medicine there is a protective layer around the exterior of the body called Wei Qi, or defensive energy. Nourishing Qi can greatly enhance the body’s ability to thrive in times of stress and can aid in healing, prevent illness and increase vitality. Recharging your battery and regeneration of vital energy, Qi, will help you live, look and feel your best!
Is there an addiction you are working to overcome? Contact us to see how Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you!
Walk for Focus
One of the many ways that walking can promote health and wellness is by putting gentle pressure on Yongquan (Bubbling Spring).
An acupuncture point on the sole of the foot, this is the starting point of the Kidney meridian. Stimulation of this energizing point can promote clarity of the mind and stabilize emotions, helping you to focus on your goals.
How To Stimulate Yongquan While Walking:
- Let your heel tap the ground gently and feel your weight transfer fully to the ball and toes of your foot.
- Focus on breathing into your lower abdomen.
- Keep your shoulders relaxed and allow your arms to swing freely.
- By Tapping: Use your fists to strike your Yongquan about 100 times on each foot.
- By Rolling: Gently roll a tennis ball under your foot while relaxing on the couch.
Seven Addiction Recovery Tips
- Exercise more. Exercise can reduce your stress and help you relax.
- Get plenty of fresh fruit and vegetable juices to neutralize and clear the blood and to fortify blood sugar.
- Carrots, celery, leafy green salads and citrus fruits promote body alkalinity and decrease cravings.
- Avoid junk food, sugar and coffee. They can upset blood sugar levels and increase blood acidity which can aggravate withdrawal symptoms.
- Lobelia tea or green tea can be sipped daily during the detox period to keep tissues flooded with elements that discourage cravings. Lobelia is traditionally used to rid the body of a strong toxin such as a snake bite.
- Drink water. Research shows that dryness causes cravings. Sip water frequently throughout the day.
- Practice deep breathing exercises to increase body oxygen and keep calm.
Manage Pain Naturally with Acupuncture
In This Issue – May 2012
– Relieve Pain Naturally with Acupuncture
– Acupuncture for Low Back Pain
– Acupuncture for Post Operative Pain
– Ah Shi Points
– Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Relieve Pain Naturally with Acupuncture
Increasingly, people are looking for more natural approaches to help relieve painful conditions instead of relying on medications. Acupuncture has no side effects and can be helpful for all types of pain, regardless of what is causing the pain or where the pain is located. Some studies have shown the pain relief it provides can last for months.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain before and after acupuncture treatment for pain shows dramatic decreases in brain activity — up to 70 percent. This decrease in brain activity in certain areas of the brain is thought to be the reason for the reduction of pain caused by the acupuncture treatments. In addition to reducing pain, acupuncture also hastens the healing process by increasing circulation and attracting white blood cells to an injured area.
The basis of acupuncture is expressed in this famous Chinese saying: “Bu tong ze tong, tong ze bu tong” which means “free flow: no pain, no free flow: pain.” In other words, any kind of pain or illness represents an obstruction in the normal flow of Qi or life force. Simply put, acupuncture moves Qi, restoring free flow.
Studies on Acupuncture and Pain
Acupuncture has become readily accepted in mainstream modern medicine as a viable option for pain management and studies support its therapeutic effects. In a German study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, 1,162 adults with chronic, lower back pain were divided into groups treated with either the standard pharmaceutical and exercise therapy commonly used in conventional medicine or acupuncture. The researchers reported that acupuncture provided relief and lasting benefit to nearly twice as many lower back pain patients as drugs and exercise. Forty-eight percent of the acupuncture patients reported at least a one-third decrease in pain along with improvement in their ability to function, versus 27 percent of the patients treated with conventional methods reporting such benefits.
In another recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine analyzed 33 studies covering more than 2,100 patients from around the world on acupuncture for low back pain. They found acupuncture provided definite pain relief in the short-term (defined as relief sustained for three weeks after the end of the acupuncture sessions).
If you or someone you love suffers from acute and chronic pain, please call to find out more about how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you.
Acupuncture for Low Back Pain
Low back pain is an extremely common concern, affecting anywhere from 75 to 90 percent of people at some point in their lives. Low back pain is second only to the common cold as a cause of lost days at work and is one of the most common reasons to seek medical care, including acupuncture. In fact, one of the top reasons that people get acupuncture treatments is for low back pain.
In spite of the large number of pathological conditions that can give rise to low back pain, up to 85 percent of the cases are classified by physicians as ‘non-specific’. When low back pain is examined from an Oriental medicine perspective, it is seen as a disruption to the flow of Qi within the area and associated with a specific disharmony and is treated accordingly.
The disruption of Qi that results in low back pain is usually associated with the following three disharmonies:
Weak Kidney Qi
In Oriental medicine, the lower back is referred to as the “dwelling of the Kidneys”. The majority of chronic low back pain conditions are associated with Kidney deficiency. Pain related to Kidney deficiency is typically dull and erratic. It is usually aggravated by fatigue and improves with rest.
Stagnation of Qi and Blood
When the flow of Qi along the meridians that traverse the lumbar region becomes congested, it is referred to as the stagnation of Qi and blood. This presents with a severe stabbing pain that is worse with rest and better with movement, tender to touch and can be accompanied by stiffness and tightness.
Invasion of Cold and Dampness
Cold, damp type pain is generally worse in the morning and when the weather is cold and damp. This type of pain improves with movement and the application of heat. Stiffness and contraction of back muscles that is aggravated by immobility indicates cold predominance. Swelling, numbness and a heavy sensation are indicative of dampness.
Acupuncture for Post Operative Pain
Research from Duke University Medical Center has shown that acupuncture can significantly reduce surgical patients’ post-operative pain, and their need for powerful opioids to treat pain.
Duke University anesthesiologists combined data from 15 randomized clinical trials to reach their conclusion. Using acupuncture both before and after surgery produced the best results for patients, who reported lower levels of post-operative pain and a significantly reduced need for painkillers.
In addition, acupuncture mitigated the negative side effects of opioids when they were used. “The most important outcome for the patient is the reduction of the side effects associated with opioids,” said T.J. Gan, M.D., the Duke anesthesiologist who presented the study at the annual scientific conference of the American Society for Anesthesiology in San Francisco in October 2007. Gan pointed out that acupuncture is a relatively inexpensive therapy that has virtually no side effects when practiced by trained professionals.
Many other studies have shown acupuncture effective in reducing post-operative nausea and vomiting compared with other medications. According to a meta-analysis presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ meeting, acupuncture reduced rates of post-operative nausea by 32 percent, pruritus (itchiness at the surgical site) by 25 percent, dizziness by 38 percent, and urinary retention by 71 percent compared with control groups.
Acupuncture is excellent for managing post-surgical side effects such as surgical pain, loss of appetite, and upset stomach or nausea. In addition to strengthening the immune system and increasing energy, acupuncture is also a great way to reduce swelling, decrease stiffness and pain, reduce scarring and scar tissue and assist with a quick recovery.
If you, or a loved one, will be undergoing surgery, please call us to see if acupuncture can improve your recovery.
Ah Shi Points
Not all acupuncture points have a specific name and specific location. Some of the most effective points to use in acupuncture are local points of tenderness. These points are referred to as Ah Shi points which in Chinese literally means, “That’s the point!”
Ah Shi points were first mentioned during the Tang Dynasty (founded in 618 AD) classic bookThousand Ducat Prescriptions. These points become spontaneously tender when disease or injury occurs, or in locations where Qi has become congested. They are not among the regular acupuncture points on a specific meridian or pathway.
Their locations are not fixed; they are the points that, upon palpation, are the most sensitive.
In many cases a small knot or pea sized nodule can be felt under the skin at these points of tenderness. The Ah Shi points are especially effective in the treatment of pain and are often used in conjunction with local and distal acupuncture points. If you have pain, palpate around the area of pain to see if you can find the Ah Shi points. This is a great way to self treat the problem.
Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) affects an estimated two percent of the population. It is diagnosed when there is a history of widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body for a minimum duration of three months and pain when pressure is applied to at least 11 of 18 designated tender points on the body.
Research shows that as many as 90 percent of people with fibromyalgia have turned to complimentary and alternative medicine to manage their symptoms. Acupuncture, in particular, has become a popular treatment choice and has shown to be an effective treatment for FMS.
Oriental medicine does not recognize fibromyalgia as one particular disease pattern. Instead, it aims to treat the specific symptoms that are unique to each individual depending on their constitution, emotional state, the intensity and location of their pain, digestive health, sleeping patterns and an array of other signs and symptoms. A treatment program may include a combination of psychological or behavioral therapies, medications, exercise, acupuncture, herbal medicine and bodywork.
If you have fibromyalgia call today to see how acupuncture can ease your symptoms!
Reproductive Health and Acupuncture
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.
March 2012 Acupuncture & Respiratory Health
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!