Category Archives: Acupuncture
Acupuncture Seattle for Dogs
Acupuncture Seattle is a form of holistic medicine that has been used by the Chinese for thousands of years as treatment for various kinds of disorders. Acupuncture helps treat ailments by balancing the energies in the body. Acupuncture is based on the principle of applying fine needles on specific points or acupuncture points on the body, which are connected to energy meridians, to stimulate the flow of energy. This method and principle is also true for the treatment of sick animals especially dogs.
Acupuncture treatment for dogs is very effective. Acupuncture is recognized by the American Veterinarian Medical Association and the World Health Organization as a valid form of treatment for both humans and animals. Upon initial consultation, the acupuncturist assesses the physical condition of the dog by performing a physical examination on the animal. Furthermore, the acupuncturist may need to study the dog’s medical history (if there is any) and based on the examination and medical history, a diagnosis and a decision can be made on whether or not acupuncture can be performed on the dog. Compared to conventional treatment modalities, acupuncture can be a less traumatic experience for dogs.
Acupuncture is generally a painless procedure. Hair thin needles applied to the dog make acupuncture virtually a painless treatment therefore making acupuncture a better alternative to other forms of treatment that might be rather painful and traumatic for the dog. The acupuncturist first palpates the dog to locate the energy meridians. Then he/she massages the body to locate the sore areas in the body. The needles are then applied on specific sites called acupuncture points. The dog is laid on the table or on the floor and kept calm during the course of the treatment. The dog can be given food to calm it down. The treatment session may last for a few seconds to several minutes, contingent on the severity of the problem. As the treatment progresses, the effects take hold on the animal and as with the human experience of comfort and relaxation during treatment, the animals also experience these very soothing sensations during treatment.
Acupuncture boosts the immune system of the dog enabling the animal to be more resilient from common infections, diseases and dog allergies. Acupuncture is also effective in treating neurological disorders, reproductive issues, skin problems, skeletal problems and muscle problems among others. Acupuncture for treating dogs with arthritis is effective in allowing the dog to gain mobility with little pain. It also helpful for dogs suffering from cancer as a supplemental therapy to ease the dog’s symptoms and sickness due to cancer. It can also be useful as a form of analgesia for the dog during surgery and considering acupuncture does not have any side effects, it then can be considered a better alternative to anesthesia.
Acupuncture Jacksonville Treatment for Heart Diseases
The first recorded acupuncture treatments can be dated around 2700 B.C. Acupuncture Jacksonville is part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and it uses very thin needles as treatment for many kinds of diseases. The needles act as stimulants to induce the body to heal itself. Even today, Western medical science is still bewildered on how acupuncture actually works. Nevertheless, acupuncture has been widely accepted by Western medical science because of its effectiveness in treating a host of health disorders. The foundation of TCM and acupuncture is in the belief of the existence of an energy flow in the body that is much like blood flow. The obstruction of this energy flow leads to an under nourishment of some organs and this in turn causes a disease. TCM practitioners have mapped out 20 energy flow channels called meridians 12 of which are main meridians and 8 are subsidiaries. There are thousands of points located all over the body in the skin called acupuncture points ones and these are connected to specific meridians which in turn connect to major organs in the body.
Diagnostic procedures of acupuncture consist in the visual appraisal of the patient, listening to the patient’s breath, querying the patient regarding his condition, evaluating the patient’s tongue and even smelling the breath and urine of the patient. These activities will lead the acupuncturist to formulate a diagnosis and which acupuncture points to be used to treat the organs affected by the disorder or treat the energy imbalance of the organs, which caused the disorder. Various acupuncture techniques such as acupressure-finger pressure, electro acupuncture, and moxibustion- acupuncture combined it with burning herbs in the acupuncture point can be utilized depending on the disease being treated. Numerous studies conducted over they years have concluded that acupuncture can be highly successful in treating hypertension.
Electro acupuncture has been shown to stimulate the release of beneficial chemicals such as acetylcholine. This chemical is responsible in starting a chain reaction in the brain, particularly at the hypothalamus, midbrain and medulla oblongata that somehow helps improve and normalize cardiac functions. Acupuncture also is observed to treated low blood supply in the myocardium. Low blood nourishment of the myocardium can lead to ischemic heart disease and cardiac arrhythmia. The release of opiods (endorphins and enkephalins), which acupuncture is known to do can normalize aberrant cardiac conditions. The enhancement of blood flow in the heart caused by acupuncture can stabilize and lower blood pressure as has been noted before. Acupuncture relaxes vascular tension (vasodilation) allowing blood flow to improve throughout the body. It is very beneficial in the treatment of Raynaud’s syndrome, which is brought about by the constriction of small blood arteries. Acupuncture also is useful in healing diabetic ulcers in the extremities caused by hypotension.
Acupuncture Davis for Urinary Problems
Difficult urination or dysuria, overactive bladder, hematuria or blood in urine and male impotency are typical symptoms of men suffering from chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Physicians in the Far East have treated these symptoms with acupuncture for over 2000 years. In the US, 35% of males over age 50 have chronic prostatitis and so few are aware that acupuncture can treat this problem. Most Americans usually associate acupuncture for back pain and knee treatment. In China, most people utilize acupuncture for remedy of male disorders such as chronic prostatitis, pelvic pain syndrome and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Chronic prostatitis happens when the body is out of balance. Diagnosis of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for acupuncture treatment for chronic prostatitis entails analyzing the presence of symptoms such as pain, color of urine, frequency or scarcity of urine and reduced or increased urine flow. Usually, prostatitis is caused by a lack of chi and blood in the reproductive system, or existence of “pathogens,” such as humidity or heat.
The kind acupuncture Davis treatment given is on a case-to-case basis depending on the symptoms presented by the patient. The treatment’s aim is to balance the disharmony, open channels that are obstructed and provide pain relief. For some patients, acupuncture can also stop the blood in the urine. Acupuncture points for chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome are usually in located in the lower abdomen, waist, back and/or legs. Electro-acupuncture and moxibustion may be utilized to enhance the treatment. Usually, five to ten acupuncture treatments once or twice a week are needed to fully treat these disorders.
With regards to evidence of its efficacy, some studies have shown positive results on the effects of acupuncture in prostatitis. An initial study experimented with acupuncture coupled with electrical stimulation in treating people with chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Treatments were done twice a week for 6 weeks. Subjects experienced a qualitative improvement in life, a reduction of urinary difficulties, and increased urinary function after 6 weeks. One study, this time dealing with acupuncture for chronic pelvic pain syndrome showed that treatment once a week for 4 weeks and then once a month showed a substantial diminishment of pain and a vastly improved quality of life for the subjects. These studies reinforced the application of acupuncture to be a safe ands effective treatment for chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptoms.
Acupuncture has proven to be a very beneficial complementary treatment for chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome especially when done in concert with drug medication therapy. Acupuncture helps detoxify the body of harmful toxins inherent in these drugs and neutralize the harmful side effects associated with these drugs by boosting the immune functions of the body.
Acupuncture St Helens and Heart Diseases
The Chinese have practiced acupuncture for over 2500 years as a treatment for various numbers of illnesses. The theory of acupuncture is to treat diseases by activating different regions of the body using needles. Acupuncture remains somewhat of a mystery for Western medicine though Americans have generally accepted it over the last 4 decades. There have been countless tests to observe how acupuncture St Helens empirically works. The basis of acupuncture lies in the existence of a force or energy in the body, called chi, responsible for its growth and life. This energy circulates within the body similar to blood circulation and if this circulation is obstructed, disease then starts to manifest. Traditional Chinese medicine have discovered a dozen or so energy pathways called meridians forming networks around the body just like the arterial and venous systems in the body. These meridians are the conduits where chi travels around the body. They connect to thousands of acupuncture points on the skin dispersed all over the body on one end and to the major body organs on the other end. To diagnose a disease, the acupuncturist uses visual inspection of the patient, breathing auscultation, interviewing the patient regarding the patient’s breathing and general health condition, analyzing the patient’s tongue and even smelling of the patient’s breath and urine. This type of examination seems odd to Western medicine but this determines whether the patient’s energy flow is deficient or whether it is too much.
There are different kinds of acupuncture techniques. There is traditional acupuncture, electro acupuncture, and moxibustion, which is acupuncture combined with using an herb called moxa. New studies have shown the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating some types of cardiovascular disease. These studies have observed acupuncture’s ability to lower blood pressure and its usefulness in calming heart activity by releasing opioid peptides to calm an excited cardiovascular state. Electro acupuncture produces low frequency electric stimulation effective in stimulating the nerves responsible for cardiovascular reflexes. Stimulating the acupuncture site where the nerves are located helps the body produce acetylcholine. Acetylcholine helps set off a series of reactions in the brain at the hypothalamus, midbrain and medulla that help improves cardiac functions. Acupuncture has also been observed to enhance blood flow in the myocardium, which is good for patient suffering from ischemic heart disease and cardiac arrhythmias. Studies show that acupuncture and electro acupuncture can improve unhealthy cardiac conditions due to the stimulation of endorphins and enkephalins in the blood improving the balance of energy in the heart area. The enhancement of blood flow to the myocardium has proven acupuncture’s ability to dilate the blood vessels, which is beneficial to patient’s suffering from Raynaud’s syndrome. This disorder is distinguished by the tightening of the small blood arteries and the discoloration of body areas affected by this disease.
Acupuncture Davis and Disk Herniation
Disk herniations do not usually occur due to injuries or accidents. They degenerate through time due to biomechanical factors and to stress. A disk herniation does not necessitate back surgery as it may not be a permanent solution for this disorder. A disk herniation can cause other disks to misplace and so it is important to address this problem at once. Biomechanical causes of disk herniation are poor posture and gait, sitting for long periods and heavy lifting. Stress is another factor often overlooked but is just as damaging as the biomechanical causes. Many patients suffering from a herniated disk would recall stressful moments in their lives and the development of back pain shortly thereafter. Continued emotional stress causes a depressive state in the nervous system causing blood flow to decrease, which tends to under nourish many body organs, muscles and peripheral tissues. A decrease in blood supply to the lumbar muscles makes the muscles contract and become stiff causing them to fatigue quickly. Moreover, long bouts of emotional stress increase the amount of granulocytes, which causes swelling and degenerative aberrations to the spine and disks. Acupuncture Davis treatment to the concerned muscles corrects these anomalies and activates the depressed state of the nervous system. The latter is done by relaxing the body and mind to take away emotional stress. Once the person is freed from the state of emotional stress, positive physiological changes take place.
Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help relieve the pain and discomfort associated with disk hernation. It does cause, however, gastric problems and prolonged use can result in liver damage. Acupuncture carries no such effects to the body. Pain medications also inhibit chemicals called prostaglandins that are important for good blood circulation. This effect therefore stifles nourishment of the muscles and prevents other areas of the body from functioning properly. Acupuncture works in contrast to these medications since enhanced blood flow is always experienced by the body especially in the areas were pain and soreness is felt. Acupuncture regulates and optimizes the function of the autonomic nervous system, which controls the flow of blood in the body. When proper circulation in the body happens, the organs, tissues and muscles all benefit and begin to function better. Furthermore, the increased blood flow causes the body to relax and feel revitalized. This is likened to a car given a new engine tune up.
Good blood circulation in the tissue (especially the muscle tissues) is vital to take away muscle fatigue and pain-inducing chemicals such as lactic acid. This results in better muscle function and strength and in the elimination of pain in the area of concern. Acupuncture is a superior form of treatment compared to drug medications and a non-invasive way to treat the symptoms of disk herniation.
Introduction to Acupuncture Miami
Acupuncture Miami is a non-traditional (not a part of Western medicine) treatment alternative for back or neck pain. It is a part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practiced for 3,000 years and its core of belief is that the body contains networks of energy channels. The vital energy or life force flowing in the body is called qi or chi and the normal flow of chi is believed to be the reason for good mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health. There are about 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body connecting to 20 energy channels called meridians. These channels are where chi flows throughout the body. Acupuncture treatment is the application of reed-thin needles into certain points in the body in order to restore the normal flow of chi. Acupuncture, though not empirically proven, has shown an ability to stimulate the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). Some people have experienced a tingling sensation while others felt relaxed and some become full of energy when receiving treatment.
In an acupuncture treatment session, needles ranging from 1 to 20, metallic, sterile and disposable needles are inserted with depths from just merely penetrating the skin surface to up to an inch to several inches deep. Acupuncture needles of sizes 5 to 9 inches long are used in the muscles and/or fat layers in the skin and in the scalp. The needles are inserted for 10 to 30 minutes. Many times, the needles are “tweaked” or manipulated depending on the result the acupuncturist wants the body to elicit. Some treatments involve inserting a needle for about 10 seconds and then removed with the same needle used for treating other points on the same patient. Some treatments are with heated needles and some with needles connected to thin wires plugged in to a machine that generate weak electrical pulses. Some treatments use moxibustion and burn this on the needles during insertion. There are treatment techniques such as cupping whereby cups are heated and used on the skin to create a suction effect and bring blood up to the skin. Some treatments treat a certain micro system such ear acupuncture where many meridians connect to important organs and tissues in the body.
Acupuncture is believed to stimulate the release of certain beneficial chemicals in the body, which help relieve many kinds of pain and stresses physically and psychologically. These chemicals are called opioid peptides and they have an analgesic effect on the body. They help relieve or take away many different kinds of pain. Acupuncture is also acknowledged to stimulate the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to release chemicals necessary for the mitigation of pain as well as control of the activity of organs. Studies also manifest that acupuncture plays a big part in improving the immune functions in the body.
Male Infertility and Acupuncture NYC
Infertility can also be a problem for the male species. Due to factors like stress, chemicals, such as Bisphenol A, foods such as fast foods and sodas and exposure to harmful radiation can greatly affect sperm production and male virility. For over 50 years, sperm counts have been dropping at an alarming rate. Male infertility is a significant problem because about 50% of all fertility problems are attributed to male-related issues.
Male infertility can be manifested in low sperm count, irregular sperm shape and size, reduced sperm motility and unnatural liquefaction of semen. Unhealthy lifestyle, acquired genetic abnormality and physiological factors can also greatly affect a man’s power to engender life. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have a lot to offer couples in their search for answers to their infertility. Studies throughout the year have reinforced the validity of acupuncture in increasing the number of sperm cells, in producing normal and healthy sperm cells and in reducing male impotency.
Acupuncture NYC works on the theory that a life force called chi or qi is the energy force that makes a human body alive and grow. It is also the force that helps the human body reproduce. Chi circulates throughout the body along energy pathways called meridians. The normal and unhindered flow of chi is essential for health and the stagnation or blockage of this flow signifies sickness and disease of the body. Acupuncture restores normal and unhindered chi flow removing any blockage in the meridians and returning the body to a state of relative balance. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the holistic treatment of the male’s body and mind will result in better health, or in this case, better sperm output and quality. TCM not only advocates acupuncture as a solution to male infertility. It also encourages the person to adopt a healthier, less stressful lifestyle to prevent infertility issues from occurring. Acupuncture treatment for infertility usually includes herbal medicine therapy to better enhance the treatment outcome. TCM also encourages the person to take vitamins, minerals and antioxidants everyday to keep the body as healthy as possible.
Proper nutrition such as eating organic, non-salty and less greasy foods is encouraged. The maintenance of a proper body weight helps male virility. One of the biggest causes of male infertility is extreme stress. Stress can be experienced not only in work but in relationships, as well. For males, having a difficult and complicated relationship with one’s partner can cause large damage to the male’s sexual drive and performance. Male-female relationships are one of the most stressful relationships for both sexes. Experiencing acupuncture therapy can help the body and mind manage situations that are stressful. Acupuncture therapy is very relaxing to the body and to the mind and usually people come out of this treatment fully refreshed and relaxed.
Acupuncture Miami and Hypertension
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), hypertension is the state where the heart needs to churn out more energy when an individual performs its normal daily functions. Symptoms are oftentimes nonexistent or subtle with hypertension, which is why it needs to be seriously and immediately addressed and also why it is called the “silent killer”. Hypertension affects about 50 million US citizens and a substantial amount of these have no clue that they suffer from hypertension. Hypertension can easily be known though by having a nurse or any medical practitioner trained to take vital signs measure one’s blood pressure. One has hypertension when one’s systolic reading reaches 140mm Hg or higher and/or has a diastolic pressure of 90mmHg or higher. Acupuncture Miami is widely known as an effective alternative form of therapy for treating high blood pressure.
Medical science has classified hypertension into two: Essential or labile hypertension and organic or secondary hypertension. There is no known origin for labile hypertension but some experts believe it is connected with extreme stress. Organic hypertension happens due to a specific cause like a vascular or glandular disease, which makes the blood pressure rise. TCM sees hypertension in a different perspective. Hypertension for TCM is a sign of disharmony and imbalance and the presence of disease in the body’s physiology. TCM believes that hypertension is a manifestation of an imbalance in the presence of chi, blood and moisture in some parts of the body. It also believes that the liver is the organ where chi flow has stagnated causing the blood pressure to stay elevated. However, it is the responsibility of the acupuncturist to determine precisely where the imbalance lies before starting treatment. Acupuncture points where needles are inserted may vary depending on the state of health of the hypertensive patient.
Acupuncture is the treatment where needles are inserted into certain strategic points in the body with the acupuncturist manipulating the needles as they are inserted to elicit the desired reaction. The points are connected to energy networks called meridians, which are in turn connected to specific organs, tissues and other parts of the body. The needles transmit a neuro-chemical signal through the neural and endocrine systems to the part of the brain that correlates to the unbalanced part of the body. The imbalances may not be in accordance with Western medical viewpoint as they (the imbalances) refer to TCM concepts such as chi energy, yin-yang forces and the five elements imbalances interacting in the body causing the hypertension. Acupuncture stimulates the brain to release endorphins (natural pain killers) to the affected areas. These endorphins enable the body as a whole to relax and perform at their normal performance levels. This relative soothing sensation and calmness, in turn causes the blood pressure to fall and normalize to its proper level.
Acupuncture Fort Lauderdale Treatment for Various Disorders
Traditional Chinese medicine has given the world a lot of alternative health remedies and acupuncture Fort Lauderdale is the most popular of them. Acupuncture lies in the belief that the body has specific energy centers at certain parts of the body and these centers are in turn connected to different parts of the body. For example, for treating low back pain, the acupuncturist would insert needles at points in the ear. The ear is an energy center that is connected to organs located at the back of the body where the pain is believed to originate. The needles stimulate the energy center causing a beneficial effect on the problem located on another part of the body. Among the various health conditions acupuncture has effectively treated, pain relief is the most sought after. Ironically, pain is mitigated greatly by the insertion of acupuncture needles in the body, which the mind automatically associates with pain.
Acupuncture has also proven in many cases its ability to assist in boosting the immune system by stimulating the brain to increase white blood cell production. Globulins, which are responsible for pathogen control increase after acupuncture therapy. Even with substance abuse problems like alcoholism and drug addiction, acupuncture treatment has helped multitudes get over their cravings and mitigate withdrawal symptoms. Because of the ability of acupuncture to stimulate the brain to release endorphins, the patient, can control his/her cravings and feel relaxed which is useful in neutralizing withdrawal symptoms.
In the realm of sports, acupuncture therapy has benefited athletes by improving their performance, as acupuncture is known to energize and revitalize the body by enhancing blood flow throughout the body. Good blood flow nourishes the muscle tissues, the vital organs and the entire body systems enabling the body to function optimally. Furthermore, acupuncture can treat injuries much better than most medications. It is safe than using drugs and does present a better alternative for athletes since not only do drugs create harmful side effects, they also may complicate matters by compromising the athlete’s chance of passing strict drug testing screenings imposed by many sporting organizations. Acupuncture acts as a detoxifying element by strengthening the immune system and thereby help reduce or eliminate allergic reactions, which is good for individuals who are hypersensitive to allergies, allergies which may also be life threatening to them.
Acupuncture is sometimes used together with herbal medicine or massage to treat a slew of diseases ranging from bronchitis to ulcers. For people with chronic conditions, acupuncture may be their last and best resort for solving their problems. In cases of infertility, acupuncture has been very effective treating disorders like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome. Acupuncture is used as relaxation therapy for women undergoing invasive and stressful reproductive-assisted therapy such as In Vitro Fertilization.
Acupuncture NYC and the Treatment of Pain
The Chinese have used acupuncture for pain control for well over 2,000 years. Acupuncture NYC is a very effective treatment for pain even physicians now prescribe acupuncture for patients whose chief complaint is pain, especially for pain with unknown cause.
In Western society, the answers to physical pain are pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs never address the real cause of the pain and instead only relieves its severity. After a few hours, the pain is back. Moreover, these drugs carry toxins that manifest as side effects and these side effects are oftentimes worse than the condition one is dealing with.
Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine and is a holistic type of medicine meaning that acupuncture does not only cure the physical ailments of the individual but also the psychological, emotional and even spiritual issues of the individual as well. Acupuncture is a process wherein hair-thin needles are inserted at specific areas in the body to stimulate the brain to release endorphins and other natural pain relievers. Acupuncture, likewise, enhances the electromagnetic signals of the cells in one’s body providing more energy then to the body to help it heal itself and eliminate pain.
Acupuncture increases blood flow throughout the body and relaxes the muscles. As mentioned, endorphins make the body feel good and relaxed and these help the individual feel good emotionally as well as boost the body’s immune system. In all, acupuncture energizes and relaxes the body allowing itself as little external aid as possible.
People experience many and different types of pain and the acupuncturist upon physical examination of the patient, applies a type of acupuncture that he/she deems is the best type of treatment for each particular problem. Back pain is the most common type of pain and is often a result of muscle strains or sprains. Experienced acupuncturists may use local needles for one type of pain condition, use distal needles placed on other parts of the body for another type of problem or use cupping or electrical stimulation along with needle insertion for another case of pain problem.
Arthritis can be treated with acupuncture. Arthritis always involve joint problems and pain. The acupuncturist may insert needles on the site itself or at other points in the body. Acupuncture also cures migraine headaches. Acupuncture is used for regulating and normalizing body processes and functions. When blood flows well; hormones are in balance; and body processes function normally; the acupuncturist can eliminate migraines.
Acupuncture is like a one-stop solution for pain. No matter what type of pain one experiences, acupuncture has the solution. The acupuncturist needs to know about one’s medical history upon a patient’s initial consultation. He/she will conduct a physical examination on the body. Then, during the first consultation, the acupuncturist will work on identifying one’s pain and create a treatment designed to heal the body.