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- TestimonialsI just wanted to send a short note to express a large thank you. I have suffered from bursitis (and some arthritis) in my hips for years. I have had physical therapy and many painful cortisone shots that help short term then the pain comes right back. While visiting my daughter I went to see her acupuncturist, Jenny. The treatment was like a miracle. My hip pain gone! I am back to exercising, and taking long walks, something I was... Read more »
Jenny Nieters and John Nieters are wonderful acupuncturists who take great care of their patients. Jenny has taken care of my achilles heel pain, lumbar pain, and diagnosed more accurately than others quadratus lumborum instability. John is extremely knowledgable about all things reproductive and brings a quiet nurturing atmosphere to his practice. I entrust these folks with my care wholeheartedly.
John and Jenny Nieters at Alameda Acupuncture are absolute gems.
I stumbled across John’s radio show, The Balancing Point, and had been a listener for a while when I decided to make an appointment. Years after having my son, my menstrual cycles never really came back and I was having lots of different symptoms that seemed to point to endocrine issues.
My first appointment with John was awesome. He spent at least two hours with me, talking and getting to
... Read more »I have been a patient of John Nieters for many years. He is an amazing healer who has helped me though physical and emotional challenges. Dr. John is generous with his time and extremely knowledgeable. He is the first one whose opinion I seek when my health needs attention.
Last Spring after he assessed my shoulder and hip pain he recommended that Jenny treat me. This recurring pain had remained with me through several years of regular massage, regular chiropractic
... Read more »Hi everyone!!!
I have been anxious ( in a good way), to submit my testimonial regarding Dr. John and Jenny Nieters of Alameda Acupuncture!!!! THEY ARE FANTABULOUS /that means, fantastic and fabulous !!! I love them dearly. They are just very empathic, humble, very intelligent and down home folks.I have been treating 12 weeks with Jenny Nieters. Her combination of Chinese Medicine with Acupuncture, is genius. She knows her stuff, 100%. She has such a sweet disposition, a
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Qi Mail
February 2012 Give your cardiovascular health a boost
In This Issue (Get QiMail delivered to your inbox )
– Nurture Your Cardiovascular Health
– Acupuncture for Cholesterol Management
– Heart Healthy Foods
– -News, Events and Community!
Nurture Your Cardiovascular Health
The cardiovascular system consists of the heart and blood vessels and is responsible for carrying nutrients and oxygen to the tissues and removing carbon dioxide and other waste from them. Diseases affecting the cardiovascular system include arteriosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, arrhythmia, heart failure, hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, shock, endocarditis, diseases of the aorta and its branches, disorders of the peripheral vascular system, and congenital heart disease. February is the American Heart Association’s Heart Health Awareness Month, emphasizing the importance of cardiovascular health and the dangers of cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading health threat with heart disease and stroke topping the list of the first and second leading causes of death worldwide. One out of every two men and one out of every three women will develop heart disease sometime in their life. Despite dramatic medical advances over the past fifty years, heart disease remains a leading cause of death globally and the number one cause of death in the United States. Cardiovascular disease is not just a man’s disease, in women, the condition is responsible for about 29% of deaths, reports the CDC. Although more men die of heart disease than women, females tend to be under diagnosed, often to the point that it’s too late to help them once the condition is discovered.
By integrating acupuncture and Oriental medicine into your heart healthy lifestyle, you can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease by as much as 80%. Steps to prevention include managing high blood pressure and cholesterol, quitting smoking, eating healthy, maintaining a healthy weight, physical activity, reducing stress and improved sleep – all of which can be helped with acupuncture and Oriental medicine.
5 Steps to a Healthy Heart with Acupuncture
1. Manage High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure makes the heart work harder, increasing its oxygen demands and contributing to angina. This excessive pressure can lead to an enlarged heart (cardiomegaly), as well as damage to blood vessels in the kidneys and brain. It increases the risk of heart attacks, stroke and kidney disease.
Acupuncture has been found to be particularly helpful in lowering blood pressure. By applying acupuncture needles at specific sites along the wrist, inside the forearm or in the leg, researchers at the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, Irvine, were able to stimulate the release of opioids, which decreases the heart’s activity and thus its need for oxygen. This, in turn, lowers blood pressure.
2. Quit Smoking
Most people associate cigarette smoking with breathing problems and lung cancer. But did you know that smoking is also a major cause of coronary artery disease? In fact, about 20% of all deaths from heart disease are directly related to cigarette smoking.
Acupuncture has shown to be an effective treatment for smoking. Acupuncture treatments for smoking cessation focus on jitters, cravings, irritability, and restlessness – symptoms that people commonly complain about when they quit. It also aids in relaxation and detoxification.
3. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Obesity is associated with diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease, all of which increase the risk of developing heart disease, but studies have shown that excess body weight itself (and not just the associated medical conditions) can also lead to heart failure. Even if you are entirely healthy otherwise, being overweight still places you at a greater risk of developing heart failure.
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine are an excellent adjunctive tool when it comes to losing weight. They can help to energize the body, maximize the absorption of nutrients, regulate elimination, control overeating, suppress the appetite, and reduce anxiety.
4. Reduce Stress
Stress is a normal part of life, but if left unmanaged, stress can lead to emotional, psychological, and even physical problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, chest pains, or irregular heart beats. Medical researchers aren’t exactly sure how stress increases the risk of heart disease. Stress itself might be a risk factor, or it could be that high levels of stress make other risk factors worse. For example, if you are under stress, your blood pressure goes up, you may overeat, you may exercise less, and you may be more likely to smoke.
Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of stress, anxiety and mental health. In addition to acupuncture, Oriental medicine offers a whole gamut of tools and techniques that can be integrated into your life to keep stress in check. These tools include Tui Na, Qi Gong exercises, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, meditations and acupressure that you can administer at home.
5. Improve Sleep
Poor sleep has been linked with high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, heart failure, heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, and obesity. Researchers have shown that getting at least eight hours of sleep is needed for good heart health and getting less than eight hours of sleep can put you at a greater risk for developing heart disease.
Acupuncture has shown great success treating a wide array of sleep problems without any of the side effects of prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids. The acupuncture treatments for problems sleeping focus on the root disharmony within the body that is causing the insomnia. Therefore, those who use acupuncture for insomnia achieve not only better sleep, but also an overall improvement of physical and mental health.
Come in for a consultation during Heart Health Awareness Month to see how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can assist you with your heart health and help you to live a long, healthy life.
Acupuncture for Cholesterol Management
It’s important to have your blood cholesterol levels checked since you can have high cholesterol and not realize it. Most of the 65 million Americans with high cholesterol have no symptoms. All adults age 20 and older should have their cholesterol levels checked at least once every five years. If you have elevated cholesterol, you’ll need to have it tested more often.
Research has clearly shown that lowering cholesterol can reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Whether you have heart disease already or want to prevent it, you can reduce your risk for having a heart attack by lowering your cholesterol level.
According to the American Heart Association, exercise and a healthy balanced diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats is important to lowering risk and improving your cardiovascular health. Speak to your health care providers to make sure your cholesterol is being monitored and find out how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you stay healthy.
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can be used to treat many of the health conditions known to drastically increase the risk of heart disease and high cholesterol including smoking, high blood pressure, excess weight, and diabetes.
Excess weight tends to increase your low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, raise triglycerides, a fatty substance in the blood and in food, and lowers your high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Regular physical activity can help you lose weight and raise HDL, lower triglycerides, and lower LDL.
Call today to see how Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you with your cholesterol management goals!
Heart Healthy Foods
Having a healthy diet is one of the best ways to support your cardiovascular health and prevent heart disease.
Here are some suggested foods which will support your heart healthy lifestyle:
Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables such as kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, radish, turnips, and cabbages are a gold mine of antioxidants and other heart-saving phytochemicals. Make sure that cruciferous vegetables are part of your heart health diet every day.
Fish
Fatty fish such as salmon and anchovies are loaded with the omega-3 fatty acids that will help your heart maintain a steady rhythm. Having a serving of fish a week could reduce your risk of death from a heart attack by 52%.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed is one of the most potent sources of heart health-promoting omega-3 fats. Studies indicate that adding flaxseed to your diet can reduce the development of heart disease by 46% while helping keep red blood cells from clumping together and forming clots that can block arteries. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp of flax-seed a day on your cereal or salad.
Oranges contain folic acid that helps lower levels of homocysteine, a heart attack risk factor.
Grapes are loaded with flavonoids and resveratrol, both potent antioxidants that may discourage red blood cells from clumping together and forming an artery-blocking clot.
Pomegranates are chock-full of potassium and polyphenols, which promote heart health and have been shown to help lower cholesterol. The latest studies are showing that the juice limits the genetic tendency toward hardening of the arteries.
Garlic
Just one clove a day, or 300 mg three times daily, reduces the risk of heart attack at least three ways: It discourages red blood cells from sticking together and blocking your arteries, it reduces arterial damage, and it discourages cholesterol from lining the arteries and making them so narrow that blockages are likely.
Green Tea
Green tea contains several powerful antioxidants that reduce bad cholesterol and boost good cholesterol, improving an individuals overall cholesterol profile. Drinking green tea also seems to enhance cardiovascular health by improving the consistency of platelets in the blood and may even lower blood pressure.
Nuts
Studies have found that those who eat more than 5 oz of nuts a week are one-third less likely to have either heart disease or a heart attack. Just don’t overdo it as nuts can pile on the pounds.
Red Wine
Scientific studies overwhelmingly show that a daily glass of wine can reduce your risk of a heart attack. Both plant compounds called saponins and antioxidants in the “fruit of the vine” work to protect arteries. Researchers have found that red is much more effective than white for improving heart health.
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 ctvr.us/alameda7
– 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
February:
What: UC Berkeley Integrative Medicine: Traditional Chinese Medicine
Time: 2/27/12 7-9pm
Where: , UC Berkeley, Chan Shun Auditorium, 2050 Valley Life Sciences Building
Cost: FREE
Dr. John Nieters, L.Ac. DAOM will present an overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine including philosophy, modalities and practical applications. The public is welcome to attend this event for FREE.
UC Berkeley Integrative Medicine: This class is a survey course on a diversity of healing sciences, and medical practices.
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
We hope to see you there.
COMMUNITY
Thank you Lariann in Oakland for your beautiful review of your experience of our clinic on yelp.com “I have been a regular patient of John Nieters for over a year now and have to admit he has helped save my life. John and his staff have helped give me the tools to bring more awareness to my own mind and body. Ultimately giving me more control over my own health. When I first started seeing John, I was suffering from such great fatigue, amongst other issues, that it took me four to six hours before I could leave the office after treatments. At work, I was forced down to part-time and I was so frustrated with western medicine and financially drained that I could barely breath. I signed up for credit cards just so I could keep from drowning. No matter how low or frustrated I was, I always felt love, warmth and compassion from this clinic. I even called the office in tears a few times and the front staff happily talked me through my difficulties.
I am now only seeing John once a month and all of my symptoms are under control. My energy is back to normal most days, it is no longer painfully impossible to eat, my blood sugar doesn’t crash out every few hours and I can once again remember simple tasks. I now truly understand how it’s ultimately up to me to care and be aware of my own health but it’s good to know I have a great resource on my side when nothing else is working.”
Thank you again Lariann. This is why we love our work!
January 2012 Remember, Recharge and Resolve with Acupuncture
In This Issue (Get QiMail delivered to your inbox )
– Create Lasting Resolve to Reach Your Goals with Acupuncture
– Healthy Brain Habits
– Mental Clarity Boost
– The Will Power Connection
– -News, Events and Community!
Create Lasting Resolve to Reach Your Goals with Acupuncture
The start of the new year is a time of looking back at what we have achieved in the past year and looking forward to the future. This period of remembrance and resolution may be challenging but it is both productive and rewarding. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help achieve the change you seek as it assists in illness prevention, stress relief, minimizes aches and pains, improves energy and nurtures balance. This calm and clarity strengthens your resolve as you take the next step in achieving your goals.
Here are a few ways that Acupuncture can help you achieve your goals:
Lose Weight
Losing weight is the most common New Year’s resolution. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you reach your goal weight and maintain it by promoting better digestion, smoothing emotions, reducing appetite, improving metabolism, and eliminating food cravings–all of which can help energize the body, maximize absorption of nutrients, regulate elimination, control overeating, suppress the appetite and reduce anxiety.
Get in Shape
Renewed enthusiasm to exercise in order to enhance fitness levels, train for a competition, or lose weight can come at a painful price for those who try to do too much too quickly. Recent studies show that acupuncture effectively treats sports injuries such as strains, sprains, musculoskeletal pain, swollen muscles and shin splints.
Eliminate Stress
Stress reduction is always on the top ten list for New Year’s resolutions and for a good reason; it is often the cause of illness and deterioration of health. Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of stress, anxiety and lowering blood pressure. In addition to acupuncture, Oriental medicine offers a whole range of tools that can be integrated into your life to keep stress in check.
Improved Quality of Life
If pain is keeping you from living life to the fullest, acupuncture can help as it has no side effects and can be helpful for all types of pain, regardless of the cause or where it is located. Increasingly, people are looking for more natural approaches to help relieve painful conditions instead of relying on medication. In addition to reducing pain, acupuncture also hastens the healing process by increasing circulation and attracting white blood cells to an injured area.
Call today to see how Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine can help you keep your resolutions and prepare for the year ahead!
Healthy Brain Habits
Keeping the goals we have set for ourselves in addition to outlining and completing the tasks needed to accomplish those goals can be overwhelming. Here are a few steps you can take to help optimize brain health and sharpen your memory:
Eat More Produce – Studies that focus on food and memory show that the more produce you eat, the better. One 25-year Harvard Medical School study of more than 13,000 women showed that the participants who ate relatively high amounts of vegetables over the years had less age-related decline in memory. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, and leafy green vegetables had the biggest effect on helping women retain their memory during the course of the study. In another study, the phytochemicals, anthocyanin (found in berries of all colors and cherries) and quercetin (found in onions, kale and apples), actually reversed some of the age-related memory deficits in laboratory animals.
Take Care of Your Heart – A healthy heart makes for a healthy brain. Because oxygen and nutrients are carried in the blood stream, anything that impedes blood flow will starve those all-important brain cells. Review your blood pressure and cholesterol level. Know your numbers and if they are elevated, take immediate measures to bring them down.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep -When we sleep, the brain has time to recharge. Studies show that 7-8 hours of sleep a night helps to strengthen memory. Practicing good sleep habits helps keep the brain and the rest of the body functioning at its best.
Exercise – Regular physical activity has been shown to decrease the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease by about half. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and helps regulate blood sugar levels, both of which improve brain function and memory. Aim for 30 minutes a day.
Challenge Your Brain – Keep your mind active and challenged. Brain function decreases with age. Studies show that cognitive exercise can improve blood flow to the brain. Spend at least 15 minutes each day on a mental exercise such as a crossword puzzle, journaling or learning a new language in order to slow memory loss.
Mental Clarity Boost
Feeling a little foggy? Having trouble concentrating?
Massage acupuncture point Du 20 for some mental clarity.
Du 20 is located on top of the head, midway between the ears. It is used to clear the mind and improve focus.
Stimulate the point with your index finger 35-40 seconds for a quick “brain boost.”
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, disease prevention begins with a protective layer around the exterior of the body called wei qi, or defensive energy. If you catch colds easily, have low energy and require a long time recuperating from an illness, your wei qi may be deficient.
Nourishing Qi can help greatly enhance the body’s ability to thrive in times of stress, aid in healing, prevent illness and increase vitality. According to Oriental medicine, recharging your battery and regeneration of vital energy, Qi, will help you live, look and feel your best!
News, Events and Community!
– John’s schedule changes every trimester based on his teaching schedule, he always has room for new and existing patients. You can schedule up to three months in advance and see the new hours using our online scheduling system: http://www.appointmentquest.com/provider/2120071333 or call (510) 814-6900
– In January 2012 we will be introducing “Shang Han Lun Mondays” a low cost straight TCM clinic on Monday afternoons. Details will be posted in our facebook events.
– 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
– The office will be closed December 23-26 and December 30-31. Have a wonderful holiday. Remember Winter is the time to let Yin have it’s way and rest!
-Thanks to “L” in Alameda for this wonderful review on Yelp.com:
“John is one of the most tuned in healers I have met. Its what makes his treatments so effective, I have seen him for a variety of health issues over the years and have often referred people to him. While I see different acupuncturists for different reasons, John is the one I want to see when my health takes a dive or acquire one of my creative injuries.
In 2004 western medicine had exhausted all treatment options for my polycystic ovarian syndrome, in fact my doctor was on board for a full hysterectomy, when I consulted John about it within a few months his acupuncture treatments and herbs got me on a regular cycle, within a year there was no sign of disease. Recently I had a flare up and I am currently uninsured so i can’t even get western medicine tests, while it took me a little longer than I would prefer to snap out of my denial I quickly got in to see John and he fixed me up and set up with some lovely herbs.
Some things you just can’t waste time on and you need to see the best, I’m glad i did. ”
Upcoming Events
January:
What: TCM Gynecology & Obstetrics
Instructor: Dr. John Nieters, L.Ac. DAOM
When: Thursdays Jan 5, 2012 to April 12
Time: 1:45pm – 4:45pm
Where: Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences
Call: (510) 763-7787 and ask for “Nah”
Learn how to use acupuncture and herbal medicine to treat: sub-fertility, PMS, painful periods, endometriosis, fibroids and menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, dryness and insomnia. Learn how to work as a primary care practitioner with fertility patients, or coordinate care in a multi-disciplinary approach using Chinese Medicine along with IVF treatments and other western fertility methodologies.
What: Nutrition & Supplements
Instructor: Dr. John Nieters, L.Ac. DAOM
When: Jan 3, 2012 for 10 weeks
Time: 9am-12pm
Where: Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences
Call: (510) 763-7787 and ask for “Nah”
Learn how to integrate concepts of Western nutrition and supplements into your clinical practice. This is an in depth study of nutrition and health.
John Nieters, L.Ac. DAOM, clinical practice in Alameda, CA specializing in recalcitrant or “knotty” chronic disease conditions, women’s health and musculo-skeletal disorders. John is an advocate for education and integration in healthcare.
February:
What: UC Berkeley Integrative Medicine: Traditional Chinese Medicine
Time: 2/27/12 7-9pm
Where: , UC Berkeley, Chan Shun Auditorium, 2050 Valley Life Sciences Building
Cost: FREE
Dr. John Nieters, L.Ac. DAOM will present an overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine including philosophy, modalities and practical applications. The public is welcome to attend this event for FREE.
UC Berkeley Integrative Medicine: This class is a survey course on a di versity of healing sciences, and medical practices. It will encompass specific fields of healthcare and medicine from all over the world as well as fields expanding in the United States. We invite professionals from practices such as: allopathy (modern western medicine), osteopathy, naturopathy, homeopathy, midwifery, Native American Medicine, acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, Taoist Medicine, ayurveda, ethnobotany, yoga, energy medicine, meditation, psychiatry, chiropractic, and many other fields to share their insight and knowledge in the healing arts of medicine across cultures.
The goal of this course is to promote awareness and expose students to the different types of complimentary and alternative therapies in the medical field. Our aim is for each student to walk away with a basic awareness of what each medical therapy and health practice is about and how to evaluate evidence scientifically. We hope that this knowledge will be sufficient to intrigue curiosity and encourage students to search for more information on their own.
November 2011 Treatment of Neurological Disorders
In This Issue (Get QiMail delivered to your inbox )
– Treatment of Neurological Disorders with Acupuncture
– Acupuncture Treats Peripheral Neuropathy
– Relief for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
– Foods to Boost Brain Health
– Trigeminal Neuralgia
– -News, Events and Community!
Treatment of Neurological Disorders with Acupuncture
A neurological disorder refers to a problem with the nervous system, which is a complex, sophisticated system that regulates and coordinates the body’s activities. Nerve pain can arise from trauma, inflammation, stroke, disease, infection, nerve degeneration, exposure to toxic chemicals, and nutrient deficiencies.
Nerve pain is usually a sharp shooting pain or a constant burning sensation. Typically occurring in the same location with each episode, it can often be traced along the nerve pathway. Sometimes weakness or impaired function in the affected area occurs and the skin may be either overly sensitive or numb.
Some common neurological disorders acupuncture treats include:
Peripheral Neuropathy – damage to the peripheral nervous system, which transmits information from the brain and spinal cord to every other part of the body. Neuropathy caused by diabetes often affects the feet.
Trigeminal Neuralgia – facial pain, sometimes called Tic Douloureux, affects the trigeminal nerve which is responsible for impulses of touch, pain, pressure and temperature sent to the brain from the face, jaw, and gums.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – also known as median nerve entrapment, it occurs when swelling or irritation of the nerve or tendons in the carpal tunnel results in pressure on the median nerve.
Headaches – Headaches that can be treated with acupuncture include migraines, tension headaches, headaches occurring around the menstrual cycle, sinus headaches and stress-related headaches.
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine have been found effective as a conjunctive therapy for several neurological disorders and in treating pain and inflammation.
If you or someone you know is suffering from a neurological disorder or nerve pain please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment!
Acupuncture Treats Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy describes damage to the peripheral nervous system, which transmits information from the brain and spinal cord to every other part of the body. In most cases, peripheral neuropathy is secondary to conditions such as diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, alcoholism, nutritional deficiencies, AIDS, or poisoning from heavy metals, chemotherapy, or various drugs.
Other causes include direct physical injury to a nerve (trauma), penetrated injuries, fractures or dislocated bones, pressure involving superficial nerves (ulna or radial) which can result from prolonged use of crutches or staying in same position, tumor, intraneural hemorrhage, exposure to cold, compression or entrapment (i.e. carpal tunnel syndrome), radiation or atherosclerosis.
Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include:
- numbness or insensitivity to pain or temperature
- burning, tingling, or prickling sensation
- sharp or burning pain
- cramps
- extreme sensitivity to touch
- loss of balance and coordination,
- muscle weakness
- muscle wasting
- paralysis
Oriental medicine teaches that peripheral neuropathy is due to dampness moving to the limbs, where it obstructs the flow of Qi (energy) and blood within them. The treatment is twofold, to treat the underlying factor that is causing this dampness to accumulate and to directly facilitate the circulation of Qi and blood in the affected area. By improving circulation, the nerve tissues of the affected area can be nourished to repair function and reduce pain.
Peripheral neuropathy is a symptom for many different patterns of disharmony within the body. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine aims to treat each individual uniquely depending on what caused the neuropathy and how it manifests.
Do you or someone you know suffer from peripheral neuropathy? Contact us today to find out what acupuncture and Oriental medicine can do for you!
Relief for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
One of the most common job-related injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is responsible for the highest number of days lost among all work-related injuries. With more than two million visits to physicians’ offices and approximately 465,000 carpal tunnel release operations each year, it is the most frequent surgery of the hand and wrist.
Acupuncture is extremely effective at treating carpal tunnel syndrome, eliminating the need for surgery or the use of anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids and recent studies suggest that acupuncture may be more effective than corticosteroids when it comes to treating carpal tunnel syndrome.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist made up of ligaments and bones. The median nerve and the tendons that connect the fingers to the muscles of the forearm pass through this tightly spaced tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrome, also known as median nerve entrapment, occurs when swelling or irritation of the nerve or tendons in the carpal tunnel results in pressure on the median nerve. The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers, as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move.
Symptoms usually start gradually, with frequent burning, tingling, or numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the thumb, index and middle fingers. The symptoms often first appear during the night. As symptoms worsen, people might feel pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm during the day. Decreased grip strength may make it difficult to form a fist, grasp small objects, or perform other manual tasks. If not properly treated, carpal tunnel syndrome can cause irreversible nerve damage and permanent deterioration of muscle tissue.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Acupuncture
From an Oriental medicine perspective, carpal tunnel syndrome is seen as a disruption of the flow of Qi and blood within the area and is associated with cold, dampness or wind penetrating the muscles and sinews of the wrist. In addition to reducing swelling, inflammation, and pain in the wrist, acupuncture addresses any headaches, neck pain, shoulder stiffness and sleeping problems that often accompany this condition. Your treatment may also take into account underlying conditions that contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome including obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid problems, diabetes, and hormonal changes due to pregnancy and menopause.
If you or someone you know suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome, please call to find out more about how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you.
Foods to Boost Brain Health
Boost your brain’s overall heath and enhance its day to day functioning by including these foods in a healthy well-balanced diet.
Blueberries – Well known for their role in improving motor skills and overall learning capacity, blueberries are rich in antioxidants that are great for boosting your brain and helping to reverse the effects of aging on the brain. Most berries contain fisetin and flavenoid, which are great for improving your memory and allowing you to easily recall past events.
Fish – Omega-3 rich wild salmon, tuna, and herring help brain function by providing more oxygen, allowing it to retain new information while remembering old information. It also coats neurons with good fat, allowing them to move easier through the brain. Eating one serving of fish a week can decrease your chances of getting Alzheimer’s.
Leafy Green Vegetables – Vegetables such as cabbage, kale, spinach, collards, turnip greens and others are rich in vitamins, folate, and iron, all of which are essential for memory recall and increasing cognitive activity.
Nuts/Seeds – Rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, folate, vitamin E, vitamin B6 and zinc all of which allow you to think more clearly. Choose seeds and nuts rich in thiamine and magnesium, which are great for memory, cognitive function, and brain nourishment.
Whole Grains – Rich in folate, thiamine, vitamin B6, and zinc, the nutrients found in whole grains increase blood flow to the brain, improving the quality and quantity of brain function and recall.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
One of the largest nerves in the head, the trigeminal nerve is responsible for impulses of touch, pain, pressure and temperature sent to the brain from the face, jaw, and gums. Characterized by a sudden, severe, electric shock-like or stabbing pain felt on one side of the jaw or cheek, these periodic attacks of pain generally last a few seconds and may be repeated one after the other.
The exact cause of trigeminal neuralgia is not known; however, physical nerve damage and stress can trigger painful attacks. Damage may also be the result of a biochemical change in the nerve tissue itself or an abnormal blood vessel compressing the nerve as it exits from the brain. In almost all cases, an excessive burst of nervous activity from a damaged nerve causes the painful attacks.
Acupuncture is considered a safe, adjunctive therapeutic option in patients with trigeminal neuralgia especially before invasive intervention is done.
News, Events and Community!
– Please accept our sincere thanks and gratitude to all who have reviewed us on Yelp.com, Facebook, iTunes and more. We are so honored by your kind words and that you took time out of your busy lives to write them.
Thanks Jesse B. in Oakland, for your recent review on Yelp: “The clinic shines with professionalism, peace, and tranquility. Dr. Nieters takes his time to understands my conditions from a broad perspective, and thanks to his experience and skill, he is always able to offer positive effective help.
I would recommend this clinic highly to anyone looking for great care backed with lots of experience and a balanced perspective from both eastern and western medical thought.”
Thanks to “luckydog43234” for your recent review of The Balancing Point radio show on iTunes: “This is a learning experience every episode and I am an acupuncturist! John has no hidden agenda, in other words he is not doing this to promote himself or his practice. He uses his vast knowledge to educate and help people, which is what all true healers do.”
Thanks to Stephanie on our facebook page for her recommendation and for being the “motive force” behind John’s recept trip to Denver to teach at CSTCM: “John is bridging the gap between Eastern and Western medicine. He is a true teacher who is ultimately looking to create health. While his foundation is Chinese Medicine, he uses language and concepts a westerner can understand. If you are interested in creating health for yourself listen to his podcast called The Balancing Point. You will not be disappointed! Thank you John for everything that you do. ”
Thanks to Penny on our facebook page for her recommendation: “Great podcast about health!”
– John’s schedule changes every trimester based on his teaching schedule, he always has room for new and existing patients. You can schedule up to three months in advance and see the new hours using our online scheduling system: http://www.appointmentquest.com/provider/2120071333
– 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 (Big thanks to Dr. Emily Franklin, Sunflower Wellness Center, Santa Fe, NM for letting us know that the link to the facebook page didn’t work last month, hopefully we resolved this issue.)
-Thanksgiving the office will be closed to celebrate from November 24th to 26th.
October 2011 Acupuncture for Digestive Wellness
In This Issue (Get QiMail delivered to your inbox )
– Revitalize Your Digestive Health With Acupuncture
– Acupuncture Treats Food Poisoning
– Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Acupuncture
– Reduce Your Risk of Getting Food Poisoning
– Ginger for Intestinal Upset
– -News, Events and Gratitude!
Revitalize Your Digestive Health With Acupuncture
More than 95 million Americans suffer from digestive disorders ranging from constipation, diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome to more serious conditions such as acid reflux (GERD), ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. In fact, more than 35 million physician office visits a year are due to gastrointestinal complaints. Reports are confirming that acupuncture and Oriental medicine can offer relief from even the most complex digestive problems.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive Disorders
Evidence that Oriental medicine has been used for digestive disorders can be found in early medical literature dating back to 3 AD, where specific acupuncture points and herbal formulas for borborygmus (rumbling or gurgling in the intestines), abdominal pain and diarrhea with pain are discussed.
According to Oriental medical theory, most digestive disorders are due to disharmony in the spleen and stomach. The spleen plays a central part in the health and vitality of the body, taking a lead role in the assimilation of nutrients and maintenance of physical strength. It turns digested food from the stomach into usable nutrients and qi (energy). Many schools of thought have been formed around this organ; the premise being that the proper functioning of the”‘middle” is the key to all aspects of vitality.
By taking into account a person’s constitution and varied symptoms, a treatment plan is designed specifically for the individual to bring their “middle” back into harmony and optimize the proper functioning of the digestive system. A variety of techniques can be used during treatment including acupuncture, lifestyle/dietary recommendations and energetic exercises to restore digestive health.
Is your digestive system functioning as well as it could? Acupuncture and Oriental medicine are extremely effective at treating a wide array of digestive disorders. Please call us for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Acupuncture Treats Food Poisoning
Food poisoning arises from eating contaminated foods containing a variety of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses and parasites and is also known as food-borne illness, infectious diarrhea, or gastroenteritis. The most common bacteria to cause food poisoning are salmonella, staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and shigella. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can relieve symptoms, hasten recovery and strengthen the digestive system to prevent future incidents of food poisoning, avert development of chronic immune deficiencies and increase energy levels.
Food poisoning is marked by severe diarrhea, fever, cramping, abdominal pain, flu-like symptoms, vomiting and diarrhea. Most cases of food poisoning clear up on their own within a week without any medical assistance; however, it can take several months before bowel habits return to normal. Often the digestive system is severely weakened after a bout of food poisoning, making the infected person more susceptible to food poisoning in the future. A small number of persons with food poisoning develop an autoimmune disease called Reiter’s syndrome. It can last for months or years and can lead to chronic arthritis.
Treatment of food poisoning is rest and hydration to prevent fluid and electrolyte loss due to vomiting and diarrhea. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can be used to relieve nausea and vomiting, hasten recovery by assisting the body to eliminate the pathogen faster, and strengthen the digestive system to prevent any re-occurrences or development of a chronic immune disorder. After acute symptoms subside, acupuncture treatments focus on strengthening the digestive system and improving energy levels to bring about a full recovery
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Acupuncture
A common disorder affecting 10 to 20 percent of adults at some point in their lives, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was once called “spastic colon” and has a combination of symptoms that may include constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, fatigue and headaches that can be worsened by certain foods, stress and other irritants. IBS is the end result of nervous interference with the normal function of the lower digestive tract. The symptoms are variable and change over time.
While other patterns may be present, IBS is typically considered a disharmony between the liver and the spleen in Oriental medicine. The liver is responsible for the smooth flow of qi and blood throughout the body. This flow can be upset by emotions or stress, causing stagnation of qi or blood. Oriental medicine views the spleen as being associated with the function of digestion and transforming food into energy (qi and blood). The spleen can be weakened by a number of factors including overeating unhealthy foods, overwork, stress, fatigue, and lack of exercise. When the spleen is weak and the liver is not moving smoothly, the liver overacts on the spleen and can manifest as symptoms of IBS. Symptoms can be managed by avoiding overeating, exercise, identifying trigger foods and reducing stress.
Do you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Call today to see how Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can improve your quality of life!
Reduce Your Risk of Getting Food Poisoning
Four simple steps to reducing the occurrence of food poisoning are to clean, separate, cook and chill.
Clean: Wash hands, surfaces, utensils and platters often. Rinse all produce in cold running water before peeling, cutting or eating.
Separate: Keep foods that won’t be cooked separate from raw meat and poultry. Don’t use the same platter and utensils for raw and cooked meats and poultry.
Cook: Cook food to a safe minimum internal temperature to destroy harmful bacteria.
Chill: Refrigerate any leftovers promptly in shallow containers.
If you are ill with diarrhea or vomiting, do not prepare food for others, especially infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems since they are more vulnerable to infection.
Ginger for Intestinal Upset
Ginger has been found to increase the secretion of gastric juice and the production of hypochloride. This means that food is digested more quickly, creating an unfriendly environment for bacteria that could wreak havoc with your stomach and intestines.
Ginger works as well at treating the symptoms of food poisoning as it does preventing them. In fact, ginger can be used for most digestive upsets that involve nausea, vomiting, cramping, abdominal pain, indigestion or diarrhea.
Whether your digestive problem is due to eating contaminated food, stomach flu, pregnancy or motion sickness, ginger is one of the most effective agents around!
News, Events and Gratitude!
– Thanks Mariska V. in the Netherlands, for your Facebook recommendation:
“Dr. John has a wonderful podcast called The Balancing Point. Well worth listening to! I am a dentist and second year acupuncture student from the Netherlands and his show is a wonderful addition to my studies. Thank you John! Mariska” If you are on Facebook, please join us! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alameda-Acupuncture-Dr-John-Nieters-LAc/126245057390177
– Thanks to Denise for this beautiful email on 10/1/11: “This October, it will be one year since I started listening to The Balancing Point – and what a year it’s been! I started listening to The Balancing Point after researching my symptoms online, and learning about candida from your Itunes podcast.
With the help of an acupuncturist, lifestyle changes and the three week Detox that you recommended, I no longer have the following issues: a chronic sinus infection including excessive phlegm and a constant cough, a ringing in my left ear, a droopy left eye that twitched, and a popping in my right ear. All of this is gone – without the use of the antibiotics and daily steroid nasal sprays that my doctor prescribed for the same conditions.
And, the list goes on … I’ve had an improvement with my dry eye syndrome, dry skin, cracked feet, soft nails, and extremely rough elbows. Plus, although I have not lost as much weight as I’d like, I’ve lost inches, especially belly fat!
In addition – from listening to your show – I also learned that my leg length discrepancy might be able to be corrected. I found a great chiropractor – discovered that my LLD is from a hip problem – and am still working on this issue, but, I’ve already been able to remove the lifts from my shoes. None of the three doctors that I saw previously ever even mentioned this as a possibility.
And – as an added bonus – people are now noticing the difference and saying that I look younger. I definitely feel younger – thanks to you and your show – and I am now back to exercising regularly.
So, a year later, I wanted to let you know that The Balancing Point show has changed my life – and I can’t thank you, your wife and your staff enough!
Best regard from an avid listener!
Denise from Colorado”
– YES…John is taking new patients and has plenty of room for existing patients in his schedule.
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– Tune-in to The Medicine Men and The Balancing Point radio shows podcast in iTunes, or live in the Bay Area, www.medicinemenradio.com or www.thebalancingpoint.net
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– We are open on Saturdays for drop-in appointments from 10-2, no need to call ahead!
September 2011 Acupuncture and Mental Health
In This Issue (Get QiMail delivered to your inbox )
– Nurturing Mental and Emotional Wellness with Acupuncture
– Acupuncture for Irritability and Moodiness
– Move Your Qi!
– Acupressure Points for Moving Qi
– -News, Events and Gratitude!
Nurturing Mental and Emotional Wellness with Acupuncture
At some point in life everyone deals with major upheavals or emotional distress. These events can trigger a host of unexpected feelings and behaviors from depression and panic attacks to major disruptions in sleep and eating. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can alleviate symptoms associated with mental health issues in treating the root cause of the problem by helping to rebalance the body’s internal environment.
Mental health disorders are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning which result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life. The good news about mental disorders is that recovery is often possible. Affecting persons of any age, race, religion, or income mental health disorders have been found to be common and experts estimate almost a third of the population report sufficient qualifying criteria at some point in their life. Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and borderline personality disorder.
From an Oriental medicine perspective mental health disorders can cause a disruption in the flow of vital energy, or qi, through the body. These energetic imbalances can throw off the immune system or cause symptoms of pain, sleep disturbances, abnormal digestion, headaches, and menstrual irregularities, and, over time, more serious illnesses can develop. Acupuncture treatments can correct these imbalances and directly affect the way your body manages your mental health.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Disorders
Oriental Medicine does not recognize any mental disorder as one particular syndrome. Instead, it aims to treat the specific symptoms that are unique to each individual using a variety of techniques including acupuncture, lifestyle/dietary recommendations and exercises to restore imbalances found in the body. Therefore, if 100 patients are treated with acupuncture and Oriental medicine for anxiety, each of these 100 people will receive a unique, customized treatment with different acupuncture points, and different lifestyle and diet recommendations.
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine have the ability to detect energetic changes that occur in the body and relieve symptoms by restoring equilibrium. The physical and emotional symptoms that you are experiencing will help create a clear picture on which a treatment plan can be created specifically for you.
Here are just a few acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help with:
Depressive Disorders – Common symptoms of depressive disorders include: a decreased interest in most activities, insomnia, fatigue, and feeling empty and worthless. Even when depression is sub-clinical, the body’s immune system is compromised and the symptoms reduce functioning and impair work performance and social relationships. Acupuncture treatments can correct these imbalances, support the immune system, and directly affect the way your body manages stress and your mental health.
Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) – a condition of the brain that makes it difficult to concentrate or control impulsive behavior ADD/ADHD does not just occur during childhood. Acupuncture can help enhance concentration, reduce fidgeting, augment mood management techniques, reduce hyperactivity and enhance concentration.
Anxiety and Stress Disorders – Anxiety comes in a wide range of manifestations, from mild worrying to more physical responses such as nausea, insomnia, shortness of breath and panic attacks. Some anxiety is a healthy response to the stress of daily life and new situations; however, anxiety that occurs randomly or excessively is a sign to take notice. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help balance both the mental and physical symptoms of anxiety and help to create harmony and spaciousness.
Mental health issues are best managed when health professionals work together to meet the unique needs of each individual. Acupuncture is an excellent addition to any treatment plan as it is used to help the body restore balance, treating the root of the disorder, while also diminishing symptoms.
If you or someone you know struggles with a mental health disorder or if you would like to know how to optimize your mental health, please call to find out more about how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can be integrated into your mental and emotional wellness plan today!
Acupuncture for Irritability and Moodiness
Everyone suffers from irritability and moodiness from time to time, but if you find that a short temper and frustration are becoming a constant issue for you, then acupuncture may be able to help.
Often irritability and moodiness are the consequence of chronic stress in your life. Over time these emotions can progress into more serious emotional conditions such as anxiety and depression as well as other health conditions such as digestive problems, trouble sleeping and the tendency to get sick more frequently.
Liver Qi Stagnation and Emotions
Emotional disorders can be associated with a number of different patterns of disharmony within Oriental medicine however, anger, irritability, and frustration are all signs that our qi (life force) is not flowing smoothly. The liver is responsible for the smooth flowing 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.
Liver qi stagnation is one of the most common patterns of disharmony seen in today’s patients. 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. Liver qi stagnation is commonly associated with PMS.
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine is excellent at relieving liver qi stagnation. Treatment for irritability and moodiness associated with liver qi stagnation focuses on moving qi and supporting the liver and spleen organ systems with acupuncture, lifestyle and dietary recommendations.
If you are concerned that your emotions may be interfering with your health and wellness, please call today to see how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you!
Move Your Qi!
When your Qi (life force) functions smoothly, physical and emotional activity throughout the body also runs smoothly. So, for optimum health, move your Qi!
Stretch
According to Oriental medicine, the liver stores blood during periods of rest and then releases it to the tendons in times of activity, maintaining tendon health and flexibility. Incorporate a morning stretch into your routine.
Eye Exercises
Although all organs have some connection to eye health the liver is connected to proper eye function. Take breaks when looking at a monitor for extended periods of time and do eye exercises.
Eat Green
Eating young plants – fresh, leafy greens, sprouts, and immature cereal grasses can improve the liver’s overall functions and aid in the movement of qi.
Do More Outdoor Activities
Outside air helps liver qi flow. If you have been feeling irritable, find an outdoor activity to smooth out that liver qi stagnation.
Acupressure Points for Moving Qi
Four Gates
A popular treatment for stress, anger, sadness, and frustration these four acupuncture points are thought to enhance the circulation of Qi and blood throughout the body and have a calming and analgesic effect.
LI 4 is located on the padded area of your hand between the thumb and index finger, between the first and second metacarpal bones. Massage this point with your thumb on both hands for approximately 30 seconds.
LV 3 is located in a hollow on the top of your foot below the gap between your big toe and the next toe, between the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones. To stimulate this point, place your right heel in the juncture between the bones that attach to the large and second toes and gently knead the point for approximately thirty seconds. Then switch sides to stimulate the point on your other foot.
Baihui for Clarity
Massage acupuncture point, Baihui for mental clarity. Located on the top of the head midway between the ears Baihui is used to clear the mind, calm the spirit, and improve focus. Stimulate the point with your index finger for 30-45 seconds for a quick “brain boost”.
Yintang for Calmness
Yintang, a point located midway between the eyebrows is sometimes referred to as “the third eye”. Stimulation of Yintang is known to calm the mind, enhance one’s ability to focus, soothe emotions, promote sleep, and relieve depression.
News, Events and Gratitude!
– Thanks Katie H. in WA for your Yelp review of the Balancing Point radio show: I just absolutely love this show! I wait impatiently for his wonderful wife to upload the shows to iTunes (Thanks Jenny!) I have learned so much, I listen at work keeping notes on a post-it pad. I’ve tried to stream it live online but really the podcast is so much better simply because you can rewind something you didn’t quite catch. Also, listen to The Medicine Men podcast. It’s a different format: one topic discussed by two knowledgeable men instead of a call in Qand A show of several topics back to back. Anyway, I’ve been listening for a couple years now and I hope they continue on. I really have gotten such value out of it, I’d like to see a “donate” button on the website, or I may just mail a check.
– Our Facebook community is growing. If you are on Facebook, please join us! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alameda-Acupuncture-Dr-John-Nieters-LAc/126245057390177
-The Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences was established in 1982 by Master Wei Tsuei. During his lifetime, Master Tsui was President of ACCHS. This August, it is John’s great honor to have become the second President of this acupuncture college. If you are considering a career in acupuncture, give us a call. John has not given up his clinical practice, he has more time than ever for existing patients, and is gladly accepting new patients.
– Tune-in to The Medicine Men and The Balancing Point radio shows podcast in iTunes, or live in the Bay Area, www.medicinemenradio.com or www.thebalancingpoint.net
– Thanks for everyone who participated in the August taping of A Forum on Spirituality. John was interviewed for two episodes. One episode focused on John’s personal path and the second focused on Acupuncture and TCM. We will let you know when those shows will air.
– September 20: Lotus Institute of Integrative Medicine is having John offer a Free 1 hour Webinar on the Integrative Diabetes Protocol. Details: http://elotus.org/bio/john-nieters-daom-lac
– September 25th, John will teach at the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Denver. He will teach a 1/2 day on his Integrative Diabetes Protocol and a 1/2 day on the modern clinical applications of the Pi Wei Lun classic. If you are in the Denver area, we hope to see you there. http://www.cstcm.edu/pda/all