Category Archives: Acupuncture
Multiple Studies Show That Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture are the Best Forms of Treatment for PMS
PMS or premenstrual syndrome can be alleviated with herbs and acupuncture recent research has shown. A meta-analysis of 11 herbal medicine and 8 acupuncture studies showed a 50% or greater rate of success in the decrease of PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) and PMS. Moreover, no evidence of adverse side effects was recorded. This led the researchers to conclude that the herbal medicines and acupuncture used in the test were both effective and safe.
PMS usually happens during menstrual cycle’s late luteal phase. The study noted that more than a quarter of menstruating women complain of moderate-to-severe PMS. About 5% complain of severe symptoms. The study revealed that acupuncture was able to lessen symptoms by almost 78% after two to four rounds of treatment. The acupuncture protocol providing these outcomes used acupuncture points DU20, UB23, LI4, GB34, HT3, PC6, CV3, CV6, CV4, and the Shenmen point. Besides that, these outcomes were superior in many ways to the sham acupuncture treatments in the study.
Acupuncture of the hand was revealed to be more effective than traditional acupuncture in the treatment of hot flashes. Symptoms of depression, swelling, mood swings, and anxiety were handled extremely well with using hand moxibustion treatment. There were no notable differences in treatment results between acupuncture therapies given during the follicular and luteal phases. The conductors of the study concluded that these results showed that acupuncture treatments should not necessarily only be confined to the luteal phase.
The study also showed that no side effects were recorded in the use of herbal medicine, which was the same as acupuncture therapy. The PMS symptoms were effectively alleviated by herbal formulas Hsiao Yao San and Dan Zhi Hsiao. A 70% decrease of PMS symptoms was noted in groups treated with Hsiao Yao San, Vitax Agnus, or hand acupuncture. This recent study showed outcomes that were confirmed in another study named the Therapeutic effect of Vitex agnus castus in patients with PMS. The researchers in that study concluded that for the relief of symptoms of mild and moderate PMS, Vitex agnus can be used since it is a well tolerated and effective treatment. In another study entitled Treatment of PMS with a Phytopharmaceutical Formulation Containing Vitex agnus castus , similar conclusions were reached.
Going back to the most recent study, the use of a decoction of Hsiao Yao San led to an almost 75% rate of improvement in the treatment of insomnia and an overall decrease in fatigue by almost 69%. A rate of improvement of more than 50% in the relief of back pain was recorded with the use of Vitex Agnus castus. The Hsiao Yao San decoction scored the highest for the alleviation of depression, anxiety, mood swings, and irritability. The researchers show that treatment using Elsholtzia splendens and Vitex Agnus castus resulted in a greater than 50% improvement in the treatment of increased anger during the luteal phase. With the exception of Cirsium japonicum, both herbal medicines acupuncture manifested significant improvements over placebo controls.
The researchers assert that these findings warrant a multi-center and large scale study. They recommended more studies be done that will compare between treatment durations, dosages, and treatment frequencies, for each symptom of PMS/PMDD. They state that their findings complement the other reviews of in the treatment of PMS/PMDD using herbal medicines and acupuncture.
The conductors of the study gave background into PMS treatment using alternative, conventional, and complementary modes of treatment. It has been documented in a US telephone survey that 80% of women will choose non-pharmacological modalities including supplements, vitamins, and other types of treatment options, if available. Pharmacological modalities include the use of estrogen, GnRh antagonists, progesterone, psychotropics, diuretics, antidepressants, pyridoxine, gonadotropin inhibitors, synthetic androgen, drospirenone, and ethinyl estradiol. The researchers revealed that the majority of women chose alternative and complementary medicines, cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise, dietary changes, and other non-pharmacologic approaches.
In a related study, scientists discovered that combined with cupping and moxibustion, acupuncture for the treatment of menstrual pain can be extremely effective. This study used 66 patients all suffering from menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea). Two to six months treatment using a combination of moxibustion, acupuncture, and cupping led to the significant relief or even total elimination of the pain.
The study used main acupuncture points Sanyinjiao (SP6), Diji (SP8), Taihsi (K3), Hsuehai (SP10), and Guanyuan (CV4). Moxibustion and cupping were included in Shuidao (ST28) and CV4 when indicated by the diagnosis.
One other study using acupoint SP6 stuck with acupuncture needles led to the treatment of menstrual pain. During the study samples of blood of the participants were taken. The study shows that even if acupuncture did relieve menstrual pain, it was not associated with the prostaglandin’s levels of plasma. The study’s investigators concluded that the painkilling effect of the treatment of the SP6 acupoint is not dictated by the changes in the levels of prostaglandin changes in the bloodstream.
Amy-SuiQun Lui, L.Ac.
Asian Health Center
27059 Grand Army of the Republic Hwy
Cleveland, OH 44143
Tel: (440) 833-0983
Acupuncture and TCM Are Very Good Ways to Help Cure Tinnitus
If you have tried all possible conventional forms of treatment for tinnitus and have had little or no success with them, then it’s time for you to try acupuncture for the treatment of that condition.
Acupuncture therapy and Tinnitus go well together due to the fact that tinnitus can be caused by stress which acupuncture can treat flawlessly and easily. Acupuncture also helps alleviate pain besides providing several other therapeutic benefits. Where conventional Western modes of treatment fail in providing a proper response to tinnitus, acupuncture is Eastern medicine’s answer to this condition.
Listed below are a few questions you need to ask yourself before scheduling an appointment to treat your tinnitus using acupuncture.
1. Are you willing to make changes to your lifestyle and take supplemental treatments? Acupuncture many not be enough to completely cure your tinnitus. You need to make some lifestyle changes and take supplemental herbs on top of the acupuncture sessions for your treatment to be effective.
2. Can you afford to go back for multiple sessions? You may need several sessions of acupuncture before your tinnitus is completely cured. Acupuncture treatments need to be consistent to manifest improvement for individuals whose tinnitus symptoms have gradually built up.
3. Are you willing to have needles stuck in your body? Your acupuncturist needs to stick needles into some points in your body in order to cure your tinnitus. Though the needles uses in acupuncture are 10x thinner than hypodermic needles, they can potentially cause injury when improperly inserted.
As a standalone treatment for tinnitus, acupuncture may not produce the desired results.
Consider these questions carefully before you decide to get acupuncture treatment for your tinnitus. If you are scared of needles, fortunately, you can still avail of laser or electro-acupuncture, a type of acupuncture treatment that uses laser or mild electrical impulses instead of needles to generate a therapeutic response in the body. These two treatments have the same effects as the needling procedure of traditional acupuncture. Also, if you can’t or are unwilling to follow the treatment plan and commit to lifestyle changes, acupuncture treatment for your tinnitus will not work for you.
If you are able to stick to the treatment plan, then your next step is to search for a reputable and qualified acupuncturist who can accommodate you. You can ask your doctor for referrals or ask referrals from people you know very well who have experienced getting acupuncture treatment for the same condition you have. Choose a practitioner who can calm and make your relax. This is important in making the treatment work to its full effectiveness which leads to a very good treatment outcome.
Christina Prieto is an Orlando acupuncturist, a certified Yoga instructor and the founder of Harmony Wellness center in central Florida.
Why Massage Therapy Can Be an Important Way to Maintain Your Health
In the modern hustle and bustle of American urban life, a huge number of individuals are searching for quick fixes and wonder drugs to help them overcome a lot of health problems. But, as we have come to experience over and aver again, taking shortcuts often lead to nowhere. While the demand for massage has been growing steadily throughout the years all over the United States, New York City has become a hot bed of activity. This city attracts millions of tourists every year with landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. Tourists often go for a round of massage to pamper themselves on vacation. But massage therapy has very significant benefits to health which makes it more important than just a way to relax.
For those who have made New York City their home, they know how crazy life can be here. Whether you’re shopping at Macy’s or taking the subway train to any of the city boroughs to buy some groceries, people seem to be always in a rush. The stress and heat of our many congested streets can leave anyone exhausted, anxious, and with frayed nerves. Here at Living Well Spa of Saratoga Springs, we offer massage therapy to help you get your life back into balance and prepare yourself for the everyday challenges of urban life.
Massage therapy as most everyone know, can ameliorate body pain and loosen tight muscles, but its benefits extend much farther than that. This type of bodywork is one of the best ways of removing anxiety and stress in your mind and body, which affects your health in a huge way. Lowering the effects of withdrawal and depression, encouraging tissue regeneration, strengthening the immune system, and enhancing range of motion are some of this therapy’s other valuable benefits. Massage therapy has certain special techniques and modalities that can be useful for seniors suffering from arthritis and even for pregnant women.
We at Living Well Spa of Saratoga Springs have determined, from our own experience, that a number of important points should be considered to help with various types of ailments. Old people especially those with arthritis, can find temporal alleviation by icing the sore areas and then getting massage. Our massage therapy services will leave our clients pain-free for several days to a week after being given massage. A lot of our clients are in a state of constant pain, therefore the massage services we offer that help them get rid of their pain is incredibly invaluable to them.
For individuals with the flu or common cold, massage can be an effective healer for them. The moment when a person has just passed the apex of his/her sickness is the best time for him/her to get a massage. The massage helps stimulate the flow of blood and the lymph system. To know how beneficial massage therapy can be, a one hour massage equates to a whole day (24 hours) of normal flow of lymph fluid throughout the body.
People with high blood pressure (hypertension) can also find massage therapy helpful. It’s a wonderful way to relax the body, which in turn can lower blood pressure and calm the mind. Blood pressure can dramatically rise due to anxiety and stress. Massage is one of the best ways to alleviate tension making one feel soothed and relaxed.
These days, a lot of Americans need to work two, three, or even four jobs just to get by. Some have jobs that entail remaining in one position for a long time or in constant holding patterns which negatively affects the muscles. Most of these hard working people suffer from extreme stress which manifest in tight muscles in the shoulders and neck. Furthermore, this tension can lead to knots and trigger points that can result in severe headaches and migraines. Though most of them don’t have the time, they really need to give time to massage treatment which can prove to be the most important way to preserve their emotional and physical health.
Over the years, we have gotten to know and understand the importance and benefits of massage therapy. This treatment still causes surprises as we get to know more and more about it through endless scientific studies and anecdotal evidences.
Eastern Healing Solutions, LLC
10875 Grandview St #2200
Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 549-4322
Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs and a Proper Diet can Help Resolve Anemia
The body tissues of a person suffering from anemia are deprived of oxygen resulting in a decrease of the number of red blood cells circulating in the body. The blood condition known as anemia has actually more than 40 different types. They usually come with symptoms of loss of memory, depression, confusion, slick tongue, balance of movement problems creases on the palms (strong signs of anemia), pale eyelids linings, nail beds, or gums (strong signs of anemia), bluish lips, yellowish or pasty skin, dizziness or faintness (severe anemia), shortness of breath, tiredness, weakness, burning tongue, (vitamin B12 anemia), an overall feeling of malaise, fatigue, weakness, and tingling in the extremities (pernicious anemia). Less common symptoms may include irregular heartbeat, poor concentration, weak appetite, insomnia, and headache. Too much iron supplement can cause symptoms like seizures, lethargy, jaundice, fever, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Miami use Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture to treat anemia or deficient blood. For fatigue, a general tonic of Asian ginseng is used. The blood tonic known as dang gui has been used for thousands of years often along with astralagus and Chinese foxglove root.
Acupuncture
A 1990 Chinese study observed the use of a Chinese medicine principle known as bu-shen-yi in the treatment of anemia. The study had 60 volunteers all suffering from orthostatic dysregulation. The patients were randomly divided into a control group (treated with vitamins B1 and B6 and oryzanol) and a treatment group (given Chinese herbal formulas under the principle of bu-shen yi-qi). Herbs used had high amounts of trace elements, especially in zinc and iron (boosts red blood cell action). A month after, outcomes revealed that members of the control group and 16 members of the treatment group exhibited significant improvement. Seventy-one percent of the total group (43 of the volunteers) also clinically manifested mild anemia. Blood tests before and after treatment for hyperchromia, hemoglobin, and red blood cells in 20 volunteers of the treatment group showed significant improvement while 17 members of the control group remained unchanged.
A Chinese study (1992) experimented on the use of a tonic decoction of shi-quan-da-bu-tang (SQT). The study concluded that SQT relieves anemia by strengthening and tonifying vital energy (Qi).
A 1993 Chinese study about an herbal mixture of rehmannia and astralagus (known as Man-Shen Ling) proved that it was effective in treating anemia whilst showing no negative impact on gastrointestinal, heart, kidney, or liver functions.
Another Chinese study done in 1995 showed Vitamin C and Chinese herbal’s effectiveness in treating 43 children suffering from condition known as aplastic anemia who were subjected to fetal blood transfusion therapy. The results showed that only 46% of the members of the group given only blood transfusion treatment improved compared to the 88.9% improvement of chronic aplastic anemia in the group administered with blood transfusion and Chinese medicinal herbs.
Supplements and Foods
Parsley and other foods rich in iron and vitamin C like red meat, poultry, liver, almonds, dried fruits, blackstrap molasses, dried beans, tomatoes, and broccoli are great for increasing iron in the body..
Foods to be avoided when you have anemia include tea, particularly black tea containing tannin, cola, and coffee as they all impair the absorption of iron. In lieu of this, one can drink citrus juices and other foods and drinks high in vitamin C. You need to avoid the long term use of alcoholic beverages as they adversely impact the body’s ability to absorb folic acid.
Red blood cell production can be improved by consuming foods minimally cooked or even raw, to preserve their acid and folic content: eggs, liver, pumpkin, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, milk, and dark green vegetables. Mackerel and salmon are high in vitamin B12, and lentils, beans, and black-eyed peas provide folate. Most vegetarians are deficient in vitamin B12 since this vitamin is only found in fermented foods (such as tempsch, tofun and miso), eggs, dairy products, and animal products. Vitamin and iron supplements con oversupply the body with iron that can prove harmful.
Studies Reveal PTSD Symptoms Can Be Alleviated By Acupuncture
PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder can lead to substantial impairment in a person. It can affect anyone and is a long-term and serious psychological response to a harrowing event. PTSD may develop after the person has been exposed to a major traumatic event (such as military combat, violent personal assault, or a serious accident).
People react to extremely distressful situations in different ways. These events may cause physical manifestations such as lethargy, tiredness, or illness or show up as symptoms such as irregular sleep patterns, lank hair, dull skin, or tight sore muscles. Withdrawal, jealousy, paranoia, confusion, frustration, anger, mood swings, or depression can be generated by severe mental stress. PTSD has telltale signs that include forgetfulness of the event that triggered the condition, incapacity to experience feelings, concentration difficulties, irritability, and insomnia, hyper-arousal, nightmares or flashbacks when asleep, and vivid memories of the traumatic event.
Approximately as early as a month after the traumatic event, symptoms can arise although in about 15% of people with PTSD, symptoms manifest months or even years after the event. More or less, though the symptoms commonly appear after or before 6 months after the event. The good news is that about 65% of adult PTSD resolves by itself several months after the event. In the other 35%, symptoms can last much longer and are rather quite severe.
Relaxation and cognitive behavioral therapies and medications such as anti-anxiety meds are the common Western conventional treatments for PTSD.
Acupuncture Treatment for PTSD
Preliminary clinical studies have shown acupuncture to be a promising treatment for PTSD-related chronic anxiety. Four RCTs (randomized clinical trials) reviewed suggested that acupuncture was equal, if not superior to Western treatments, or when combined to conventional therapies boosted the effects of the treatment. Three of the four studies (all done in China) used a combination of paroxetine and electro-acupuncture to help improve the PTSD score of the subjects who where all earthquake survivors. The results showed that both paroxetine and electro-acupuncture vastly improved PTSD scores, but that electro-acupuncture showed a much greater improvement than paroxetine. The studies also revealed that the benefits of electro-acupuncture lingered for at least a few months more after the study concluded.
Another review analyzed a study that observed the psychological impact of acupoint stimulation for the treatment of PTSD and other emotional conditions. The study revealed the maladaptive fear responses to traumatic memories were significantly reduced by tapping on selected acupoints.
These studies provide evidence showing acupuncture to be a promising alternative form of treatment for PTSD. And because acupuncture tends to have very few and minor side effects not to mention produces superior outcomes compared to other interventions, it should be considered as one viable therapeutic option alongside existing therapies.
All in all, acupuncture is known to stimulate the release of neurochemical messenger molecules and activate the nervous system which leads to emotional and physical well-being and homeostatic balance.
Studies reveal that acupuncture has certain benefits that help quell anxiety disorders and the symptoms of stress and anxiety. It does this by:
-Reducing the levels of inflammatory cytokines related to stress reactions
-Stimulating endogenous opioid production affecting the autonomic nervous system: Acupuncture helps relax the body by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system that opposes the sympathetic nervous system which is activated by stress.
-Elevating feel-good hormone and neurotransmitter levels such as ACTH, neuropeptide Y, GABA, dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin which helps neutralize stress, anxiety, depression, and other negative states.
-Acting on parts of the brain that are known to lessen sensitivity to stress and anxiety.
Vita-Health Acupuncture and Wellness Center
6840 Dykes Road
Pembroke Pines, FL 33331
Phone: (954) 880-0090
Resolving Back Pain Conditions with Acupuncture
In the United States, a growing number of people are turning to acupuncture to help get rid of their back pain. No matter the cause or type of back pain you suffer from, it always results in a poor quality of life that is often permanent. Acupuncture helps you treat or even cure back pain in a safe and effective way to help you enjoy life once more. Most acupuncturists have had experience treating back pain and so it is safe to say that several types of back pain are issues that can be treated by acupuncture. However, there are certain types of back pain such as those related to a structural issue in the body that are beyond the acupuncturist’s ability to treat.
The first step in treating back pain using acupuncture treatment is for the sufferer to do a little research about the type of pain he/she is suffering from and how acupuncture can help in treating his/her condition. When the sufferer goes for acupuncture treatment, he/she will first need to answer the questions of the practitioner. These will be questions pertaining to his/her medical history and the type of pain experienced. The acupuncturist may ask if the patient’s pain is constant, achy, sharp or dull. Achy or dull pain is often constant while sharp pain is usually felt when the patient moves in a certain way.
The acupuncturist may also need to know how long the patient has been suffering from the pain. The longer the patient has suffered the pain, the longer type of treatment is required.
The acupuncturist needs to also know exactly where on the part of the back the patient feels the pain. Humans have a lower, middle and upper back. Hip and sciatic pain often is felt on the lower back. Strictly speaking, the pain generated by these two conditions is felt on the gluteal muscle and the sides. The pain can radiate down to the gluteals and affect just one side. Other types of back pain may travel up or down or remain in one location. There are back sufferers with roaming pain that shifts around their back.
The acupuncturist may also ask the patient if he/she has any bodily injury that can be the source of the pain. The pain or discomfort can still be felt from an injury that occurred decades ago and it may likely worsen as the person gets older. You may need to keep a journal or diary of health records so that you can tell the acupuncturist the dates in which you’ve been hurt. If, for example, you’ve been involved in an auto accident your muscles and other soft tissue may have been injured. This injury may not manifest immediately but several years later resulting in back pain and stiffness and muscle spasms years or even decades after. Rough sports and physical activities can bump the body causing injury. If the injury is not treated when it first occurs, it may lead to further problems down the road.
If you go for acupuncture treatment immediately after an injury, even if you don’t feel hurt, it can help prevent chronic muscle pain later on enabling you to enjoy sports and physical activities for the rest of your life. Acupuncture can used as a preventive treatment especially if the injury can mean a life of pleasurable physical activities or being physically incapacitated for a long time.
Back pain acupuncture treatment in Bellingham is extremely effective. Most people report feeling much better. They are able to move better after just a single treatment. Still, multiple sessions are required for optimal results more so if the pain has been with the patient for a long, long time. In some cases, a complete resolution of the back pain results after just a few treatments.
Back pain acupuncture treatment can last permanently or for many years even after the original complaint or issue occurred.
You can Benefit from Acupuncture Treatment If You Have Sleep Apnea
One of the alarming health conditions anyone can suffer from is sleep apnea, especially if it’s your sleeping partner who is affected. Sleep apnea is characterized by periods of sleep (sometimes for several seconds), in which a person stops breathing. People with this condition are likely to snore loudly, causing irritation to both themselves and their partner. This condition can lead to sleep disturbances at night making the people affected feel irritable and tired during the day.
The root cause of sleep apnea has still not yet been determined by conventional Western medicine although Western physicians may scoff at the idea that the insertion of thin needles into certain parts of the body may actually treat the condition. In reality, acupuncture for the treatment of sleep apnea can actually help to alleviate the condition and a growing number of people are now seeking the help of acupuncturists in New York to enable them to sleep soundly and peacefully at night.
How Does Acupuncture Work in Treating Sleep Apnea?
When treating sleep apnea, the acupuncturist will need to know all the vital information about the patient’s lifestyle and medical history. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) way of treating sleep apnea is based on the belief that illnesses and diseases come about due to a blockage that arises in the circulation of life energy throughout the body. The information they gather from the patient will enable them to determine what acupoints need to be treated with needles.
Acupuncture for the treatment of sleep apnea is a perfect example of how well acupuncture can address a condition that often may be difficult for Western doctors to treat. TCM’s way of dealing with a condition is to target the root cause of the condition rather than on treating the symptoms alone.
Contrary to what others might believe acupuncture for the treatment of sleep apnea is actually an extremely soothing procedure to undergo. This treatment is so relaxing that several people actually book for daily appointment after work in order to come home all relaxed and stress free.
However, even if acupuncture can actually help sleep apnea sufferers get the results they have been looking for, it is important to remember that a doctor’s advice and conventional modes of treatment should always be sought. Some of the underlying reasons causing sleep apnea may be detected and resolved with Western medicine, and so the first thing to do for the treatment of this condition is to visit your doctor.
Regardless of whether the root cause of your sleep apnea is diagnosed or not, it still makes sense to avail yourself of acupuncture treatment to boost the flow energy in your body and to attain a relaxed state. This can help the person sleep better at night and arise the next day feeling fresh and energized.
You Can Rely on Acupuncture for the Treatment of Your Insomnia
Treating insomnia with acupuncture surely makes a lot of sense if you are into natural modes of treatment that do not involve the use of any pharmaceutical medications. Occasionally, several practitioners also use herbal remedies along with acupuncture treatment.
Deriving its potency through filiform needles, acupuncture is not a painful type of treatment people scared of needles imagine it to be. The needle insertion might cause a tingling, discomforting, or numbing sensation but when the effect of the treatment kicks in, the patient usually dozes off the rest of the procedure due to the extreme relaxing effect that the treatment causes which is a very good thing for people who are uptight or suffering from severe stress.
One very important thing to understand if you are considering getting acupuncture treatment is your need to be treated by a qualified, experienced and accredited acupuncturist in order to avoid any accidents, injuries or infections that often happens under the hands of unqualified practitioners.
How Acupuncture for Insomnia Works in Vancouver
Insomnia treatment using acupuncture is a very old Chinese healing practice dating back as far as 4,000 years ago. The Chinese studied and worked with it to raise it into a highly complex and polished practice that it is today. Acupuncture is a part of an ancient medical codex known as traditional Chinese medicine or TCM. With modalities such as acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Tui Na, or Chinese massage, and food therapy, TCM is a mainstream form of treatment that hundreds of millions of people depend on to get well or maintain their health all over the world.
How acupuncture actually works is traditionally explained through the principle of vital energy or Qi or Chi which flows all over the body via a network of Qi channels known as meridians. When the circulation of Qi in the body is uninterrupted and constant, the person experiences good health; conversely, when Qi flow stagnates and is blocked pain and sickness occurs. Blocked Qi causes an imbalance causing symptoms. The type and location of the blockage determines the organs and organ systems that become affected.
One very good way to restore health and unblock the circulation of qi is through acupuncture. Acupuncture needles are inserted into the meridians where qi has been blocked or stagnated. The human body possesses around 2000 meridian points on the surface of the skin. For insomnia sufferers there may be dozens of meridian points that may be affected although this may depend on your body type, general health, and the kind of sleep problems you have.
Being a treatment that is specifically designed for a patient, acupuncture is a highly customized healing practice and so what the acupuncturist needs to do is to fully evaluate the patient. His symptoms also need to be taken into account. It is important for the practitioner to, for example, determine if the patient suffers from initial, terminal, or middle insomnia, and how he/she feels physically and mentally. The practitioner may also need to determine the lifestyle and diet of the patient as well as observe the patient’s tongue.
In the treatment of insomnia, the acupuncturist helps bring about a balancing effect in the patient’s body and mind. You don’t have to be thoroughly knowledgeable on how and why acupuncture works in order to derive its benefits. All you have to do is try it out and see if it really works for you.
The truth is, Western medicine’s understanding of acupuncture somewhat ignores the theory of the blockage and stagnation of Qi, and instead concentrates on the release of beneficial pain-blocking hormones such as endorphins and other hormones that calm the central nervous system. Regardless of the explanations that try to explain the workings of this very useful form of treatment, the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for insomnia is undeniable.
Experiencing Acupuncture Treatment for Insomnia
A profound sense of relaxation is often felt when the needles are inserted into the skin. This kind of experience is felt by patients regardless of the condition they are being treated for. As the needles go into the skin, the patient suddenly feels an overwhelming sense of calm that is seldom felt except in times of bliss and happiness.
There are occasions when the patient may experience a warmth radiating through parts of his/her body that previously felt painful or stiff.
These all prove that acupuncture indeed can affect the body and mind systems as well as prove its effectiveness towards the treatment of insomnia.
Is acupuncture for insomnia treatment right for you?
Acupuncture for insomnia is most effective when you are not suffering from severe sleep anxiety. This is because sleeplessness caused by high anxiety sometimes can be deeply ingrained in the brain that the only way to overcome it is through intense cognitive therapy.
The cycle of sleep anxiety is an endless loop that is self-perpetuating and usually gets more severe as various forms of treatment are tried out only to find out that they all won’t work for you. If you are faced with this kind of problem, the first step to treatment is to deal with this problem first. If you don’t, no other form of treatment will be able to resolve your insomnia; after you have learned to properly manage your thought process that’s the time to try out body-centered or holistic natural forms of therapy for your insomnia.
You can use acupuncture for almost all other forms of insomnia, especially if your sleep problem is due to certain circadian rhythm disturbances such as a jet lag.
Moreover, as an all-natural all body treatment, acupuncture is a perfect form of treatment for sleep problems caused by allergy or pain.
Feeling tired and wired are clear signs for trying out acupuncture for the treatment of insomnia. If your nervous system is overexcited, it is a big indication that your energy system is not balanced and this you will know when you have fast heart rate, when your thoughts and racing, and when you are fatigued. This kind of condition can be effectively addressed with acupuncture.
Searching for a Good Acupuncturist
Depending on the place where you live, looking for an experienced and well-trained acupuncturist can be a difficult task to do. One easy way to find one is through referrals from your doctor, neighbors, coworkers, relatives, and friends.
One can also ask referrals from holistic professionals such as a naturopathic doctor, chiropractor, or a massage therapist. Chances are high that they know a good acupuncturist for your insomnia.
If that’s not possible, you may get in touch with associations that acupuncturists belong to. You can go to the Acupuncture Today website and get a listing of the organizations by state.
Since acufinder.com had recently teamed up with the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine you can go the acufinder.com website to search for referrals.
Lastly, you may just respond to an ad and call the acupuncturist who placed an ad online or on a website. To make the most of your time, be sure to phone call more than one and prepare a list of questions so you may properly evaluate each of them through the phone. After you have found prospective practitioners, you can then do a web search to derive more information such as patient reviews, experience, and educational background and accreditations of those practitioners.
Sometimes the online reviews in favor of the acupuncturists may not all be that reliable, you can sift through the false information and be able to decide if the acupuncturist is a good practitioner or not.
Why You Should Consider Acupuncture Treatment for Removal of Your Scars
Whenever we look at our scars, we are reminded of past accidents or even operations that are painful. If you are unfortunate enough to have a scar in your face or at some other conspicuous part of your body, you may want to undergo invasive treatments that are time consuming, expensive and often need a long amount of time for you to recover. If you want some other and even more effective ways to remove your scar, then you need to look into acupuncture treatment. This modality not only effectively treats a wide range of conditions, symptoms, and illnesses, it also has been shown to work remarkably in the treatment of painful scars and scars that cause other types of problems in the body.
What are Scars?
Whenever your skin is damaged (cut, tear or a rupture on the inner, middle or outer layer of the epidermis), the skin needs to go through the process of regeneration in order to patch up the injured body part. In a lot of instances, the regeneration process does not turn out perfectly well and scars may arise.
There are several factors why scarring occurs and the magnitude and type of the scar depend on certain factors including the orientation of the scar, the capacity of the person to heal, the manner the wound was inflicted, and the size of the wound.
How Does Acupuncture Work
Acupuncture is a 4,000-year-old Chinese healing tradition that involves the insertion of thin needles at pressure points on the skin to treat illness and pain at various parts of the body. It is a treatment that is predicated on the existence of vital energy (qi) that flow throughout the body through energy channels known as meridians. For scar treatment, the needle insertion stimulates therapeutic processes that lead to the removal of scars.
When to Seek Treatment
Most scars are really annoying because of cosmetic reasons. But scars that are usually painful or cause pain can be causes of the problems in the body as well and therefore needs to be treated (removed). If a scar in your body is painful to the touch, it may be a sign of disrupted qi or blood flow on that area and so should be properly addressed. If you have scar on the stomach, back, scalp, neck, or face, it is important to have it treated because they may be affecting the important energy channels in those areas.
Procedure
The acupuncture needles are stuck at points near or along the scar region. The needles stimulate a physiological response that causes more blood to flow in that area. The blood helps with the breakdown of scar tissue and dead skin. It also activates the lymphatic system enabling it to rid of the dead skin cells from the body. Acupuncture for scar removal is a slow and gradual process. But the results are amazing ending with either the total removal of the scar or the scar becoming less noticeable over time.
Contraindications
To prevent infections, scars that are at least a month old are treated by acupuncturists. People suffering from neurological disorders, cancer patients, diabetics, and the elderly need special acupuncture treatment in Bellingham that needs to be approved first by their doctors or their primary healthcare providers before treatment is implemented.
Why Use Drugs When Acupuncture Offers A Much Better Solution for Your Back Pain
No one is immune to bodily pain. Whether it is caused by a serious health condition, a sports injury, a motor accident or by tripping while walking, the next plan of action for people is to relieve the pain as fast as possible and to quicken the process of recovery.
When it comes to back pain, an overwhelming majority of people (83%) have, are experiencing or will experience this condition at some point in their lives. People who need serious treatment for back pain, acupuncture may be the best solution they can try.
A lot of individuals suffering from chronic back pain either use over-the-counter drugs like paracetamol or ibuprofen to mask their pain or just deal with the pain each and every day of their lives. At times, these drugs provide some kind of relief but over time, their potency wane forcing them to take larger doses to generate the same quality of relief. These drugs also have really bad side effects and their long term use can lead to addiction.
Almost all back pain sufferers who have tried acupuncture considered the treatment only after all conventional modes of treatment have been exhausted. Some of the conventional modalities for back pain they have tried including cortisone injections, physical therapy, MRI, and even surgery have not worked.
The first thing to consider when you go for treatment is to realize you don’t need to live with constant pain.
The second thing to do is to talk to a health professional who can address your condition. This means your local acupuncturist in Portland. These holistic medicine professionals can do exams, see if MRIs are necessary, and resolve the underlying cause of the problem instead merely masking the pain with medications.
Your acupuncturist will then examine you thoroughly using unique Chinese medicine diagnostic tools, gather his findings and suggest dietary modifications that can help you live life without pain. Many are unaware that a high intake of sugar lowers the capacity of your immune system and exacerbates the inflammatory response in your body. This means more inflammation in the body and thus more pain.
Moreover, stress is created when you experience pain in your body. But stress also generates pain creating a vicious cycle of pain and stress. Acupuncture can treat inflammation, remove stress and help you sleep well because it is able to banish pain. So if you are tired of your back pain problems, then talk to your acupuncturist today.