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Acupuncture for Hand Tremors
Almost all people now and then experience hand tremors and it’s a perfectly normal thing to do. Medical science has two classifications of hand tremors: action tremors and rest tremors.
Hand Tremors Causes and Treatments
Action tremors happen when the hand is performing a voluntary action like writing on a paper or typing on a keyboard. They also may happen when the hand is holding or grasping onto something. There are three kinds of action tremors: kinetic, postural and isometric. Action tremors are usually associated with certain types of disorders and diseases, including multiple sclerosis, stroke and Parkinsonism.
Rest Tremors, on the other hand, can be seen as some type of hand twitching that usually comes about while the body is at rest. One example of rest tremor is that while your hands are resting on a table, they begin to shake involuntarily. This type of tremor is usually related to mental stress you may be undergoing at that time.
The likelihood for experiencing hand tremors increases when you drink a lot of coffee or when you don’t get enough sleep. You may experience a mild vibration or shaking on your hands and may also find it hard to strongly hold on to something. Normally, hand tremors are transitory if their causes are due to fear, fatigue or stress,
You can likewise have hand tremors when you are in a withdrawal state from chemical addictions like nicotine and drugs. The state of withdrawal of an individual going through detoxification often entails his/her experiencing hand tremors as well as body tremors. However, it is important to remember that these withdrawal side effects are just temporary.
You need to consult with your doctor if your hand tremors seem to be prolonged and do not go away. These persistent and enduring tremors may be symptoms of a far worse underlying health problem. The condition may have got to do with problems in your nervous system or brain that causes the hand to shake. One neurological issue called dystonia often causes symptoms of hand tremors. Other peripheral neurological issues can also produce hand tremors symptoms. There are many possible causes that may lead to the development of hand tremors.
Unfortunately hand tremors can be also a symptom of a really bad disease such as brain tumor. Hand tremors that seem to persist are usually ominous warnings of serious neurological conditions. If such is the case, your hand tremors may also come with involuntary twitches in the legs, face or hands. A combination of intermittent or prolonged hand tremors and involuntary muscle twitches at some regions of your body should be solid reasons to have yourself checked right away. For a complaint of intermittent or prolonged hand tremors and involuntary muscle twitches, a brain scan is usually recommended by doctors to see if tumors have developed in the patient’s brain. As mentioned, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis are common neurological problems that cause hand tremors. If the doctor suspects you of having any of these problems, he will request a brain scan for you in order to correctly diagnose your condition. If you have hand tremors that seem to be transitory, you can have yourself checked by your doctor if you just want to be on the safe side. Mild or the slightest strokes can also lead to the development of hand tremors since a blood clot may have developed in your brain. It is very important to have your doctor extract the clot as soon as possible, possibly within four hours of your stroke; if not, you may potentially develop serious health problems that can permanently and seriously impair your mobility.
Hand tremors are usually experienced by seniors although their tremors may not necessarily involve any brain problems. Aging has caused their muscle mass to decrease resulting in loss of control over their hands and their dexterity. These problems can be prevented by eating foods rich in antioxidants and foods that are highly nutritious. Antioxidants help in preventing the cells from aging.
Treatment for Hand Tremors
In treating hand tremors, your doctor needs to diagnose their cause first. Hand tremors that come about not due to medical conditions can be treated effectively with natural types of treatment. One type of tremor called essential tremor is usually found in artists, musicians and individuals whose job entails the frequent use of their fingers and hands. PC encoders and typists who encode and type for 8 hours a day are also likely to develop hand tremors. One of the best natural treatments for hand tremors is acupuncture.
For thousands of years, the ancient Chinese have used acupuncture to remove the blockages of vital energy the Chinese call Chi in the body to enable it to flow freely all over the body. According to traditional Chinese medicine, problems like hand tremors occur when Chi in the hand is blocked due to over use. Although this type of medical theory is not yet proven by western medicine, numerous individuals have improved their condition using acupuncture. People who have been treated with acupuncture in Vancouver of their hand tremors have had substantial reduction of their tremors or even have been completely cured of it.
Sometimes, massaging your hands can also reduce your hand tremors, particularly if you are fatigued or stressed out. The blood flow in your hands improves by massaging them and can help also in the improvement of the dexterity and control of your hand. Furthermore, massaging has been scientifically proven to relax the body as well as the mind. Massage can effectively relieve your fatigue and stress and can calm the nerves that help lessen your hand tremors.
Acupuncture for GERD
Heartburn and acid reflux are considered aspects of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). GERD develops when the sour gastric acid flows back to the esophagus oftentimes even up to the mouth. Heartburn means the burning sensation caused by acid reflux that wells upward to the throat.
Symptoms of GERD can include vague hunger, nausea, abdominal distention and stomach pain. In chronic GERD, the acid escaping the stomach can injure the esophagus leading to problem in regurgitation and/or swallowing as well as hoarseness and sore throat; if the acid escapes to the lungs, it can cause asthma or bronchitis or even worse cancer or Barrett’s Esophagus.
What causes GERD?
Lifestyle – Causes can include stress, overeating or eating on the go or at odd hours. Stress can slow down Qi flow and invade the Stomach causing it to “rebel upwards.” When Qi stagnates, it causes constipation that back up the intestines causing Qi to “rebel more.” Other factors that can cause Qi to stagnate are unresolved, unexpressed emotions that can accumulate in the gut.
Diet – “hot” foods like chocolate, alcohol, spices and chili as well as overly acidic foods like garlic, onions, radishes, uncooked peppers, tomatoes and citrus fruits and a very restrictive type of dieting, antibiotics, and raw or cold foods can all impair the function of the digestive system.
TCM Patterns That Can Cause GERD
Liver and Stomach Yin Deficiency – chronic abundant heat (due to overly heating foods and stress among others) in the abdomen can damage the Yin. Symptoms include heartburn that gets worse with stress, acidity, constipation, dry stools, and dry throat and mouth. When GERD is the result of irregular eating or overeating combined with a sedentary lifestyle, the symptoms that manifest may include diarrhea or constipation that soothes the pain, bad breath, burping out undigested foods and vomiting after a large meal that relieves the pain
Stomach- Spleen Yang/Qi Deficiency – this is caused by chronic digestive weakness that impairs the normal movement of food in the GI tract. Symptoms may include intolerance to cold, loose stools, fatigue, poor appetite, sour belching, drooling, post-meal bloating, stomach pain soothed by pressure and warmth, heartburn during sleep, bending or increased stomach pressure. This condition can be exacerbated with the consumption of raw or hard to digest foods.
Food Stagnation – This may come about due to irregular eating and frequent over-eating particularly when combined with a sedentary lifestyle. Symptoms include diarrhea or constipation that lessens the pain, bad breath, and pain after a large meal that is relieved by burping up or vomiting undigested foods.
Damp-Phlegm Accumulation – this can be caused by chronic deficiency in Spleen Qi causing Dampness that affects blood flow and more production of Phlegm. This leads to the slowing down of Stomach Qi and disrupts its downward direction. The symptoms include pain and discomfort may be experienced at night (1 AM to 2 AM) with burping and sour reflux, a musty body odor, headaches and dizziness, mucus, excess weight, poor concentration, heavy limbs, fatigue, loose stools and a lowered sensation of taste.
Liver and Stomach Heat – this can be caused by Liver Qi Stagnation and can be worsened by too much intake of heating foods where GERD symptoms are most noticeable just after a meal. Pain and discomfort may be experienced at night (1 AM to 2 AM) with burping and sour reflux.
Liver Qi Stagnation Invading the Abdomen – this can be caused by stress and emotions. Symptoms include neck and shoulder tension, cold extremities, PMS, tension headaches, anxiety, depression, irritability, frequent burping or sighing, appetite loss, alternating diarrhea and constipation, bloating, and epigastric tenderness and hypochondriac.
What can I do about it?
Foods that do not cause or exacerbate GERD or can help alleviate symptoms can include raw potato juice or aloe vera juice mixed with water thrice a day, apple cider vinegar (1 Tbsp) in water with food. Lying on your left side to maintain the abdomen below the esophagus, no eating three before sleep, and taking HCL acid-free digestive enzymes just before meals are also helpful. Prescription medications for GERD include Tagamet, Pepcid, Protonix, Prevacid, Nexium, and Zantac and over-the counter drugs include Advil and Aspirin. Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) can also be used to treat GERD.
Liver and Stomach Yin Deficiency – remedies include flaxseed oil, rich colored veggies, beans and seeds that can moisten, stews and soups and nourishing root. Avoid stimulants like caffeine, coffee and overly spiced foods.
Stomach- Spleen Qi/Yang Deficiency – foods you can eat can include broths, stews and soups, and lightly cooked veggies. Eat more frequent meals and smaller portions, eat simpler combination of foods, thoroughly chew your food and avoid raw foods; for Yang Deficiency, same as Qi Deficiency with more consumption of warming foods. Avoid raw cold foods. Garlic, cloves, ginger and cinnamon are good for Yang Deficiency.
Damp-Phlegm Accumulation – Avoid or limit consumption of raw foods, oils and fats, sweets and sugars and carbs (apart from millet and rice barley). Recommended foods include pepper, horseradish, mustard, garlic and ginger and other warming acrid spices.
Liver and Stomach Heat- recommended foods include raw foods like veggies and fruits, and pungent, cool and bitter foods. Limit or avoid consumption of alcohol and coffee, greasy or fried foods, complicated meals and overly spiced or spicy foods.
Food Stagnation/ Liver Qi Stagnation – consume complex carbs, veggies, eat dinner earlier, exercise, pre-meal digestive enzymes, ginger tea, and smaller portions. Cope with stress and limit heavier proteins and fats.
Chinese Herbal formulas and Acupuncture – there are times when changing your diet are not enough to resolve GERD symptoms. Acupuncturists can customize a plan of treatment to address your specific needs. This may entail using a combination of modalities like lifestyle and nutritional counseling, Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture.
Over-the-counter antacids can provide relief from GERD symptoms but their long-term use can result in long-term problems. These drugs do not really target the underlying cause of the problem and also their side effects can include nausea, gas, belching, diarrhea and constipation. Aluminum-based and calcium drugs, for example, can cause constipation, calcium carbonate lead to rebound effect (stomach acid reflux), sodium bicarbonate produces bloating and gas while magnesium may serve as a laxative. Antacids are ineffective for bloating and gas, impair proper digestion and nutrient absorption and can lead to electrolyte imbalance.
Needles & Moxa Wellness Center
700 S Red Rd
Miami, FL 33144
Ph: (305) 265-5265
http://www.needlesandmoxa.com