Acupuncture for Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
Love and excitement are often generated when a baby is born but so too are anxiety and fear. Chemical changes in the body can be experienced by the mother after birth that can lead to postpartum depression.
A lot of new mothers can pass through this emotional funk and it can involve negative emotions such as mild depression, mood swings and outbursts of anger. There are new mothers who may experience this phase longer than normal. Postpartum depression can last even many years after birth.
A lot of individuals often acknowledge their postpartum depression to be an indication of mental weakness or a flow in their character. These are all misconceptions as postpartum depression is the result, actually, of severe chemical and emotional changes that happen during or post childbirth. Postpartum depression women usually require medical attention even for a short while. The medical care will deal with the chemical imbalance in the brain due to childbirth.
In the treatment of postpartum depression, acupuncture can be a great way to resolve the symptoms that come with this disorder but before we talk about that, we need to determine the factors that can lead to the development of this condition.
Causes of Postpartum Depression
Genetics – there are women who may be genetically predisposed to suffer from postpartum depression. This predisposition is akin to the classical depression we see in a lot of individuals as they likewise suffer from a condition that is due to their genetic inheritance of it.
Emotional factors – coping with one’s emotions due to the changes in life can lead to a sense of being overwhelmed and problems sleeping. During this time, you may experience happiness in having a newborn child. At the same time, you may also think that you are now less attractive, struggling with your identity, and may even feel that your life seems to be out of your control.
Physical changes- the hormones of a woman after childbirth are in constant flux and this makes it difficult for her body to cope with these changes. Progesterone and estrogen are the hormones in question. The woman’s thyroid gland may be unable to produce the same amount of hormones as it did before childbirth. This constant state of flux and inadequacy of hormones can leave the woman depressed, sluggish, and tired. Other physical changes the woman may experience include changes in metabolism, poor immune system reaction, lowered blood pressure, and a decrease in blood volume.
Lifestyle influences – postpartum depression can be caused by several lifestyle factors. They can include, for example, a baby that is demanding attention besides that of her other children or other people in her household, or she may be facing financial challenges that come with her baby’s birth, a lack of support from her spouse/partner or just coping with sheer exhaustion.
Acupuncture for Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
It is widely known that acupuncture is a very potent treatment for postpartum depression symptoms. The natural hormonal balance of the body can be restored in a relatively short amount of time through acupuncture therapy. A lot of the emotional symptoms have been observed to dissipate with some sessions of acupuncture. Some have even stated that acupuncture can even prevent the rise of postpartum depression.
If you experience postpartum depression, it does not imply you are a bad mom or a bad person. The one thing you need to do is get medical attention and so you need to consult with your obstetrician or family doctor to find out what your condition is really all about. It’s best to seek help immediately before your depression becomes unmanageable. If you are unable to provide care for your baby, or even feel angry at your baby, due to sadness or frustration, you can ask a relative or friend to watch over your child until you recover from your condition.
It’s important to look for medical attention if there is an emergency (which may involve a feeling of harming yourself and/or your baby). Acupuncture can help you a lot. It is a legitimate form of treatment for both depression and postpartum depression symptoms.
Davis Acupuncture Clinic
2043 Anderson Rd
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 400-1239
http://www.davisacupuncturist.com
What Causes Menstrual Pain?
It is a fact that a lot of women, especially those in their teens, experience pain with their periods. Menstrual pain usually does not signify a more serious problem, but at times, it can be connected with non-cancerous tumors in the uterus, uterine fibroids or endometriosis.
Menstrual pain is also known as primary dysmenorrhea and it typically begins two to three years after the first period. The painful symptoms arise before actual menstruation, typically a day or two before and can be felt up to two days during the actual menstrual flow. After a woman bears a child or if she gets older, her menstrual pain gets better.
Underlying health problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease and endometriosis can cause secondary dysmenorrhea.
Symptoms and Signs
The degree and symptoms of menstrual pain may differ from woman to woman but typically they may involve:
- Vomiting
- Frequent urination
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Nausea
- Headache
- Heavy menstruation
- Dull ache or stomach cramping that travels to lower back and legs
What Causes Menstrual Pain?
Menstrual pain can be due to the strong contractions of the uterus caused by chemicals in the body known as prostaglandins, that are involved in pain and inflammation – the more elevated the prostaglandin levels in the body, the more painful the menstrual pain.
Secondary dysmenorrhea may be due to:
- IUD (intrauterine device)
- PID (pelvic inflammatory disease)
- Infections of the uterus
- Tissue and blood passing through a narrow cervix
- Inflammation of the uterine lining, endometriosis
Drug Therapies
The initial aim of drug treatment is to relieve the pain.
If PID is the cause of your menstrual pain, your physician will prescribe antibiotics.
For menstrual pain caused by endometriosis, birth control patches and pills may be given by your doctor to relieve pain
NSAIDS or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be also prescribed to alleviate pain. These drugs can cause abdominal pain so eating first before taking them is suggested. Long-term use of NSAIDS may lead to stomach bleeding. These drugs can include over-the-counter (OTC) medicines naproxen (Aleve), ibuprofen (Advil) and aspirin.
Alternative and Complementary Therapies
There are women who experience pain relief and less cramping when they modify their diet. Exercises such as tai chi and yoga as well as mind-body activities can also help relieve pain.
Supplements and Nutrition
- Drink daily 6-8 glasses of water
- Stay away from tobacco, alcohol and caffeine
- Avoid eating margarine, processed foods, doughnuts, onion rings, French fries, cakes, crackers, cookies and commercially baked goods cooked in trans-fatty acids
- Use vegetable or olive oil and other healthy cooking oil for cooking foods
- Avoid refined foods such as sugar, pastas and white breads
- Consume foods rich in antioxidants like bell pepper, squash, tomatoes, cherries and blueberries among others.
- Eat foods that are high in calcium. They may include kale, spinach and other green leafy vegetables as well as almonds and beans
The supplements listed below can be helpful in alleviating menstrual pain:
Magnesium- you can take around 360 mg of it each day for 3 days before the onset of menstruation. A study revealed that this dosage helped lessen cramping in women who used it. There are some preliminary studies done that have revealed magnesium’s ability to help relieve menstrual pain. Too much intake of magnesium though can cause a lower blood pressure and diarrhea. Women with heart disease or digestive problems should first consult with their doctor before taking magnesium. This supplement can interact with a lot of drugs, including diuretics; bone-building medicines such as Actonel (risedronate) and Fosamax (alendronate); antibiotics such as tetracycline, Levaquin (loevofloxacin), Cipro (ciprofloxacin); and other drugs.
Vitamin E – take around 500 IU each day as it can help lessen menstrual pain. A study involving 100 young women who took either placebo or vitamin E 500 IU for 5 days (2 days prior to the start of menstruation and 3 days after its onset) showed that the women who took vitamin E experienced less pain than the women who took placebo. For people with cancer of the prostate, neck or head or those with retinitis pigmentosa, diabetes, or heart disease, they should not take high doses of this vitamin without first asking their physician. If you are taking blood-thinning dugs then you should not take vitamin E since it may increase the risk of bleeding.
Vitamin D – to help reduce inflammation and help your body use calcium, taking 400 IU daily is recommended. Vitamin D may interfere with the effects of other drugs so be sure to talk with your doctor first before consuming more than the normal allowable dosage.
Calcium citrate – take 500 – 1,000 mg each day. Calcium is needed for healthy bones. It can relieve menstrual pain since it preserves muscle tone. Calcium citrate is the kind of calcium that can be easily absorbed by the body. Talk with your doctor first before trying any calcium supplements.
Omega-3 fatty acids – these include fish oil. To lessen inflammation, take around 6 g per day. Some studies have revealed that the intake of fish oil can lead to less menstrual pain in women compared to those who took placebo. Omega-3 fatty acids can also cause of bleeding, particularly for people using aspirin, Coumadin (warfarin), Plavix (clopogidel) and other blood-thinners.
Acupuncture
Nowadays, acupuncture has become a very popular type of treatment for dysmenorrhea. The National Institutes of Health endorse this therapy as either a standalone therapy or to be used along other therapies for the treatment of dysmenorrhea. A study conducted on 43 women suffering from menstrual pain, showed that those who were given acupuncture treatment experienced less pain and thus depended on less pain medicine.
Sufferers of dysmenorrhea are individually evaluated of their lack or excess of qi or vital energy by their acupuncturist. For dysmenorrhea, a deficiency in qi is often determined in the spleen and liver pathways of energy (meridians). Moxibustion may also be performed. This is a technique wherein a mugwort herb is burned over certain acupuncture points. It is usually included to optimize the acupuncture treatment. Dietary or herbal therapy may also be included in the treatment program to accelerate the treatment process.
Dr. Vickery is a licensed acupuncturist in Tarzana, CA., and the founder and clinical director of Vickery Health and Wellness.
Acupuncture Therapy for Arthritis
Getting regular and adequate sleep, staying fit and eating healthy are all very good ways to preserve health; sadly, however, many of them still suffer from sickness. If a person suffering from pains and aches has not heard that acupuncture can easily help them get rid of their maladies, he may have to solely rely on medication for relief of his ailments for the rest of his life. Acupuncturists are very much capable of removing pain and discomfort and boost the energy of their patients with just a few sessions of treatment.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Originating in China, acupuncture is a modality that utilizes needles to re-channel the flow of Chi. Chi is the life force circulating in the body and when this circulation stagnates or weakens, you become sick. Acupuncture takes out the blockages that slows down chi and restores balance to your body systems. As the levels of stress increase, your arthritis may become more painful. Orlando Acupuncture provides benefits in various ways and helps a person be freed of his/her conditions.
Why Acupuncture?
The process of inserting a needle can be utilized in combination with chiropractic procedures such as heat massage or body manipulation to naturally preserve your health. Acupuncture has no side effects and no reactions whatsoever. Drugs prescribed by doctors usually wear off within hours. One also may have to worry about whether a drug can work effectively with another. Body manipulation is required if you want a healthy realignment of your body.
People suffering from arthritis, allergies and migraines can easily find help with alternative procedures such as acupuncture. Some acupuncturists are skilled in treating phobias, and disorders that cause recurring pain, nausea, and conjunctivitis. A growing number of people are turning to alternative therapies to make their body healthy enough to repel and prevent illnesses and diseases. You can visit an acupuncturist who specializes in allergy treatment if you suffer from food intolerance.
A huge number of people living in the United States suffer from too much stress. Without proper treatment, they become less effective and their immune system becomes weak. An acupuncturist can help them cope better with life, by removing the stress in their mind and body. Eastern medicine has given a patient a much better way of attaining optimal health and mobility. Medications rarely have proven effective on nerves and do not usually provide ways to help lessen the swelling in the joints. Inserting acupuncture points into certain parts of the body can help remove headaches and make the immune system strong enough to prevent the recurrence of joint pain.
A lot of people have found real answers for their arthritis conditions with acupuncture treatment. It’s time to consider this amazing therapy if you are suffering from severe joint pain.
Acupuncture for Menopause
This article talks about the case of a 52-year-old female who reported of insomnia and night sweats. She had problems going to sleep as during every bed time she felt very hot, and when she managed to fall asleep she would all of a sudden wake up all soaked in sweat. This woman also experienced hot flashes during the daytime for which she would also sweat profusely. At times, she would also have some dizzy spells.
The monthly period of this woman had been decreasing during the past few years. They occur for only once in every three or four months and when they come, the periods were unpredictable. These periods either exhibited more discharge than normal or were scanty. She noticed that she was becoming more and more irritable, particularly during the onset of her periods as well in connection with the occurrence of her hot flashes.
She also talked about her headaches starting, particularly on the top of her head. There was also a bitter taste in her mouth that accompanied those headaches. The woman likewise stated that she upped her fiber content which helped facilitate her bowel movement that were starting to become slower that possibly would result in constipation.
Her tongue showed a white thin coat tip with a reddish color. She manifested a pulse that was weaker on the left side particularly on the side of the kidney’s position, and was rapid and wiry on the right.
Diagnosis: Liver and Kidney deficiency and some signs of Rising Liver Yang that may be due to the deficiency of the Liver Yin. The deficiency in Kidney Yin deficiency was evident in the lessening of her periods, as well as the hot flashes, constipation, and night sweats. The deficiency of Liver Yin manifested in her erratic periods, dizziness and irritability. The ascendancy of Liver Yang showed in relation to the headaches she was beginning to experience as well as the bitter taste in her mouth.
Treatment Recommendation: Tonify the Liver Blood and Kidney Yin; certain points to regulate the Liver and remove some Heat in order to inhibit the Liver Yang, but only secondary in importance to Tonifying.
Acupuncture Points: RN 4, SP 6, LR 3, BL 18, LI 4, BL 20, KD 6, BL 23, KD 3, LR 8,
Herbal Remedies: Zhi Mu, Six Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia (Liu Wei Di Huang Wan), reinforced with Di Gu Pi.
Treatment for a month showed the woman feeling a lot better. Her dizziness, insomnia and night sweats had all been treated although she still experienced the occasional hot flash. No longer was she experiencing headaches, and she had a much better mood as well.
Is acupuncture effective enough to prevent hormonal migraines from occurring?
For quite a while now, acupuncture has been a valid treatment for tension headaches and is now slowly but surely being a valid and acknowledged treatment for many types of headaches and migraines, including hormonal migraine headache.
The evidence from numerous past and recent studies is encouraging and migraine is a condition among many where the evidence of acupuncture’s potency as a treatment is strong enough to be as effective and in many cases even more effective than conventional therapies for the treatment of hormonal migraines.
There are many different types of migraines and they develop from various causes according to both Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. An article found in the Journal of Chinese Medicine reports that there are 57 kinds of migraine. One piece of information that gets the attention of TCM practitioners is the fact that the migraine develops mid-cycle, where a lot of cycle-related migraines are likely to arise just prior or just after a woman’s period.
Traditional Chinese medicine’s (TCM)’s view of the body’s physiology is quite different from that of Western medicine. TCM bases the physiology of the of the body on the circulation of vital energy known as ‘qi’ as well as the functional comprehension of the internal Organs which to TCM are not merely physical things that work in their specific location but functional organs that can carry on working even when the physical organ has gone. This implies then that menstrual cycle’s physiology, when understood and expressed in these terms, can determine the peaks and flows of the cycle that can help to understand why certain symptoms arise. A licensed and experienced practitioner will be able to comprehend the symptoms and restore the balance of qi accordingly. Sometimes the symptoms may not directly be associated with a certain physiological problem and so it important to remember that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) views symptoms as alarm bells telling that certain body systems are out of balance whether it relates to the physiological problem or not.
The TCM way of treating a condition is to make sure qi is flowing freely throughout the body. Acupuncture needles are used to remove qi stagnation and blockages, repair deficiencies and excesses and bring back balance to the body systems. Obviously, this presupposes that you believe in the workings of traditional Chinese medicine which unfortunately a lot of western medical practitioners don’t.
For hundreds of millions of migraine sufferers have gotten well with acupuncture in Vancouver. This therapy is a powerful, safe and effective treatment that one should seriously consider. It definitely is able to resolve hormonal migraines.
Acupuncture for the Treatment of Arthritis
As the number one cause for disability in the United States, arthritis affects around 70 million Americans each year. It is a complicated disease that can practically affect anyone regardless of age. Arthritis has actually a hundred plus different types; the most typical ones, however, include rheumatoid arthritis as well as osteoarthritis. For this reason has the surge of popularity in physiotherapy and acupuncture become more apparent.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This condition can actually impact several of your joints. There are sufferers who have experienced this condition in other areas of their body (besides their ankles, shoulders, elbows, wrists, spine, fingers, knees and hips), including the tissue of the skin, the lungs, blood and in some cases, the heart. Rheumatoid arthritis can be a longstanding disease. It is distinguished by an inflammation of the synovium causing joint warmth, redness, stiffness, and swelling. The affected joints may lose their shape making it difficult for the sufferer to move normally.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis affects around 21million people in the United States and the most widely experienced kind of arthritis in that country. This disease is a systematic shutdown of the cartilage joint that eventually results in stiffness and extreme pain. The knees, fingers, spine, hips and knees are the most common body areas affected although the shoulders, ankles, wrists and elbows can also be affected in certain cases. When osteoarthritis starts to impact into uncommon regions of affliction, it maybe because of a sufferer’s pre-existing injury. Work-related Injuries are often the reasons for the occurrence of osteoarthritis. Professions that involve, for example, frequent kneeling, squatting, and bending bring about a high likelihood for the development of this disease.
Physiotherapies and Acupuncture to Treat Arthritis
Over the past few years, the popularity of massage therapies and acupuncture in treating arthritis has risen because of people’s aversion in using painkillers that have a lot of unwanted side effects. Massage therapy and acupuncture are very safe procedures that provide a myriad of health benefits compared to Western forms of treatment. These two alternative types of treatment both have roots in the golden age of ancient medicine.
Massage Therapy for Arthritis
Massage therapy got its start in the ancient world. It was inferred by the ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates who suggested that a rubbing procedure done on the body can be a good way of relaxing a “hard joint.” This two thousand year old recommendation is still very much applicable and true today. Massage therapy works in a number of ways to help treat arthritis. It does so by:
Stimulating the circulation of blood to the skin
Relaxing tight and painful muscles
Improving the movement of the joints
There are many types of massage therapies and so, if one does not seem effective for you, don’t worry. There are other effective and quite popular massage therapies you can choose from. They include:
Reflexology
Acupressure
Trigger Point Therapy
Deep Tissue Massage
Swedish Massage
Acupuncture for the Treatment of Arthritis
Acupuncture is an important part of an ancient Chinese medical codex known as traditional Chinese medicine or TCM, for short. It has been hugely effective in treating many types of inflammation and pain related to different forms of arthritis.
Acupuncturists often customize their acupuncture therapy based on their patient’s arthritis symptoms. Oftentimes, acupuncture is combined with other therapies including lifestyle modifications, dietary alterations, bodywork, and herbal therapy. Energetic exercise also plays a big part in treating arthritis if it is combined with acupuncture.
The acupuncture points that are needled both include the affected areas of the body and the body parts unaffected by the disease. The acupuncturist may insert the needles in your legs, arms and even in your toes, if needed. The needles should not be things that frighten you. They actually do not cause pain when they’re inserted into your skin. Some people actually get acupuncture to help them sleep well. A typical treatment may take just a few minutes to 30 minutes; however, most arthritis patients, depending on the gravity of their condition may need several sessions of treatment.
Your acupuncturist can give you a prescription of Chinese herbal formulas that is specifically concocted to treat your arthritis symptoms. These Chinese herbs are part of your acupuncture treatment and they include remedies such as:
Angelica Pubescens
Cinnamon Twig
Peony
Huan Bi Tang
A Scandinavian study on 32 arthritis patients who need hip replacement surgery and who received acupuncture treatment showed a great improvement in their joint function that surgery was no longer needed.
DeJongh Acupuncture Clinic
2929 SW 3rd Ave #610
Miami, FL 33129
(305) 677-3214
http://www.miamiacupunctureclinic.com
Acupuncture for Female Sexual Dysfunction
Sexuality is a complicated behavior and process. It affects various organ systems of the body including the vascular, nervous and endocrine systems, among others. Sexuality is also associated with and is affected by changes in age, cultural and social traditions, and personal experience as well as interpersonal relationships or even the lack thereof. A sexual partner carries with him/her unique responses and wants in his/her sexual relationship. If any of these factors are disrupted, it can result in some type of sexual dysfunction.
In several old cultures (and even in new cultures) for hundreds of years, people are likely to tend to the issues and needs pertaining to male sexual dysfunction. In the West for the last four decades, feminine sexuality, liberation and rights underwent radical transformation. This along with a rise in menopause and aging of American female baby boomers, the rise of complaints regarding female sexual dysfunction and the overall awareness of female sexual issues has caused female sexual dysfunction to be a major issue in modern society. When Viagra was introduced, it was quickly followed by an immediate demand for a female type of Viagra. The mainstream media has spent a considerable amount of coverage to help educate the public about female sexual dysfunction or FSD. Problems regarding sex have been tackled by several societies for several thousands of years. In fact, in China, Taoists thought that a healthy sexual life style can result in the minimization of illness and overall good health. They also thought that fostering great sexual habits and health equates to longevity and even immortality. “The Tao of Sex,” a popular Taoist text is one of the earliest texts in the world that discusses problems of sexuality such as certain sexual positions to what kind of herbs to use to help treat specific sexual dysfunctions.
FSD has four categories: desire, arousal, orgasmic, and pain issues. These issues usually overlap and so determining what issue to be treated is essential. A lot of medical conditions can be a direct or indirect cause of sexual problems. Some of the conditions that can affect sexual function involve mood disorders, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, incontinence and diabetes. Drugs such as antihypertensives and antidepressants are known sexual desire suppressors. Gynecologic problems may likewise exacerbate sexual problems. Chronic recurrent bladder infection, for one, may lower sexual desire. Chronic cervical or vaginal infections often lead to less enjoyable and desirable sexual intercourse. The onset of menopause can likewise mean lowered libido and vaginal dryness. Psychological problems due to past rape and sexual molestation can result in physical issues. A current relationship with a sexual partner can be fraught with problems leading to lowered arousal and desire.
Traditional Chinese medicine or TCM provides a lot of ways to resolve these problems. Vaginismus, an issue where the vagina tightens in order to prevent any foreign object from entering it and other endocrinal and neurological conditions can all be resolved with acupuncture. This treatment may even help resolve sexual pains particularly if they’re caused by chronic bladder infection or endometriosis. Acupuncture also improves arousal and sensuality and relaxes a person’s body and mood. Acupuncture is often combined with herbal medicine to especially address hormonal imbalance. Herbs can likewise be helpful in treating chronic bladder infections related to sex. They often help stimulate sexual appetite.
The best way to resolve any sexual health issues is to address the problem as soon as possible when they begin to arise. Talk to your TCM practitioner and your gynecologist if you thing you are suffering from sexual health issues.
Acupuncture is a Valid and Effective Cure for Tinnitus
If all forms of conventional treatments for your tinnitus have failed, acupuncture may be the best solution you can ever try. Acupuncture really helps cure tinnitus.
Acupuncture and tinnitus go well together since tinnitus may be caused by stress. And since acupuncture is an excellent way of relieving stress and pain, it can provide therapeutic benefits to people suffering from tinnitus.
Before setting up an appointment with your acupuncturist to treat your tinnitus, listed below are some relevant questions you need to ask yourself.
- Will you have any problems making lifestyle changes and following supplemental treatments? Using only acupuncture to cure tinnitus may not be enough. You might need to change certain lifestyles and take supplemental herbs besides acupuncture in order for the entire therapy to work.
- Are you financially prepared to go back for multiple sessions? Several sessions of acupuncture may be required in order to completely cure your tinnitus. People who have had their condition gradually build up through time need to have multiple acupuncture treatments that are consistent and continuous in order for them to be fully effective.
- Are you afraid of needles? Acupuncturists need to insert needles in certain parts of your body in order to treat a condition and even with the use of extremely slender needles that are ten times thinner than hypodermic needles they can still cause injury when improperly inserted.
You need to seriously ponder over these questions before you decide to through with acupuncture treatment for your tinnitus. If you are unwilling to change your lifestyle, don’t have time to go back for required sessions, not serious in following the plan of treatment or not really comfortable with needles, acupuncture will not definitely work for you.
Once you have said yes to acupuncture treatment, the next step is to search for a licensed acupuncturist who has extensive experience dealing with tinnitus cases or is specializing in the treatment of tinnitus. It is highly advised that you verify if the acupuncturist you have in mind is licensed and can accommodate you. You can do some online research on the practitioner or ask the right people if any complaints have been filed against the practitioner and if so, how were they resolved. Be 100% sure about the acupuncturist in order for you to have peace of mind during the time of your treatment and to avoid any injuries or accidents.
Galina Semyonova is a licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist in New York City. She has studied extensively in the fields of biofeedback therapy, SCENAR therapy, Chinese herbal treatments and Chinese and Western nutrition.
One very good suggestion to treat sexual problems is with acupuncture
A couple with a healthy sex life usually has a healthy relationship compared to a couple where one or both partners suffer from a lethargic libido. This can lead to embarrassment and even cause the partners to be in defensive mode most of the time. Sexual problems can have several different causes. An equal amount of conventional western drugs and therapies are available to help; the problem however, is that sometimes the cause of the condition is difficult to determine or the person just wants to rectify the problem on his/her own. One very good suggestion to treat sexual problems is with acupuncture.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
In order to understand acupuncture, you need to understand its basic concept. The ancient Chinese were able to perfect a unique technique of inserting vey thin, fine needles into certain important acupuncture points in different parts of the body. These points are treated in order to resolve certain types of ailments.
There is literally thousands of acupuncture points scattered throughout the body. Just underneath these points run vessels of energy where vital energy called Qi flows. These vessels are called meridians and Qi travels through them to help revitalize and nourish the whole body. When this vital energy flows unobstructed, the person experiences good health. However, sometimes cramping, headaches or even sexual problems can affect its flow. This is when acupuncture needles are needed and inserted at specific corresponding acupuncture points on the body to restore the normal flow of qi and remove the blockages that causes it to flow wrongly.
This is how acupuncture works regardless if you are getting laser, ear or electronic acupuncture. With electronic or electromagnetic acupuncture, a device sending electromagnetic waves sends out electromagnetic energy on certain points in your hand. The hand like the ear possesses several acupuncture points that are connected to all the important organs and to various different functions of your body. In traditional acupuncture, the needles help stimulate the nerves on and near the acupuncture points to enable the body to treat the underlying condition and enable it to heal itself. The aim of the treatment is to remove the obstructions that have developed in the meridians of your body that may be causing qi to poorly circulate thus causing the specific ailment.
Enhancing One’s Sex Life with Traditional Acupuncture
To accurately identify the acupuncture points to be treated that can help treat your present sexual condition, you need to first know what actually causes the condition. There may be several different reasons why you may be having sexual health issues. Women may be suffering from poor libido during the advanced phases of pregnancy, while she’s breastfeeding and even a few months after birth because of irregular hormones. Other conditions can also play a part in her sexual problem. They can include hormonal imbalances, menopause and infertility. Men, on the other hand may have sexual problems and poor libido due to stress and physical ailments like prostate problems.
Patients who have a fundamental idea of what is causing their sexual problem can make it easy for their acupuncturist to diagnose their condition and treat it accordingly. Their acupuncturist will then know what acupuncture points to treat to help unblock the flow of qi and improve the functions of the affected organs and tissues of the body. Acupuncture is especially effective when your sexual problem is not caused by a structural condition such as a blocked fallopian tube. Acupuncture is a very safe procedure and has no side effects unlike conventional drug therapy. It’s best to seek the advice of your doctor first before you go for acupuncture treatment.
Dr. Jeda Boughton is a licensed acupuncture physician and the medical director of BodaHealth in Vancouver, BC.
Acupuncture to Help You with Your PMS Symptoms
About 70% – 90% of women in the United States who haven’t reached menopause suffer from PMS. The rate of PMS incidence in premenopausal women in Southeast Asia is significantly lower. This may be because of the difference in the social structure and the style of living in that region vis-à-vis that of the US. The definition of PMS is the malfunctioning of the ovaries in connection with the menstrual cycle of the woman. PMS usually affects the emotional and physical state of the woman. It may, at times, disrupt her daily activities due to the fluctuation of her hormones. PMS oftentimes strikes one to two weeks prior to menstruation and then the symptoms decrease and eventually clear during the actual onset of the period.
I. Definition
One of the oldest forms of treatment for PMS is acupuncture. This modality has helped relieve tension in any part of the body resulting from blood and qi stagnation.
II. How acupuncture helps women with PMS
1. Liver qi and blood stagnation
Most of the women suffering from PMS, according to Chinese herbal medicine, have that condition due to blood or liver qi stagnation or both. By inserting an acupuncture needle into a specific point in the body (sometimes combined with electrical stimulation to make the stimulation more effective), the function of the liver is improved leading to the treatment of PMS symptoms.
2. Releasing the tension in the nerves
In order to improve the flow of blood throughout the body, our nervous system needs to be in a relaxed state. A relaxed nervous system can help dispel anxiety, tiredness, insomnia and depression.
3. Yin and Yang qi
The human body possesses two natural energies known as yin and yang. According to Chinese herbalists, imbalance in the body of a woman is caused by an imbalance of her yin and yang. When the balance of these natural energies is restored through the needling of a specific acupuncture point, balance to the hormones is likewise restored prior to ovulation which therefore can help eliminate PMS symptoms.
4. Cramping and pain
Acupuncture can alleviate menstrual cramps and pain resulting from the over active muscle in the stomach region. Acupuncture removes the stagnation of blood and qi allowing the muscles to relax thus relieving stomach cramps and pain.
5. Kidney deficiency
Women with PMS often suffer from edema (water retention in the body) due to Kidney deficiency. Acupuncture can help bring back the healthy function of the kidney by stimulating more fluid secretion that can help clear out toxins from the body by means of urinary secretion.
Scott Paglia is a licensed and board certified acupuncturist in Bellingham, WA and provides master level pulse diagnosis, Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture in Whatcom County, WA.