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Source: Irish Times
http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/acupuncture-technique-creates-the-right-conditions-for-conceiving-babies-1.1703128
Since acupuncturist Gerad Kite fell into the area of fertility treatment by accident, he has spent more than 20 years helping couples to “create the right conditions in their systems” to conceive and carry a baby to full term.
Kite is a master of Five-Element Acupuncture, which differs from other styles of acupuncture. In Five-Element Acupuncture, symptoms are simply seen as alarm bells of distress and a welcome signal that we are being made aware that something is wrong.
Treat people, not symptoms
The ancient Chinese technique works on the theory that practitioners should treat people, not their symptoms.
Kite will be in Dublin this Friday to give a free public talk on his book, The Art of Baby Making .
Kite was working in private practice in London in the early 1990s when a woman in her early 40s came for hay fever relief, not mentioning that she been trying for a baby for years. Three sessions later, she was pregnant and she referred two other friends who also went on to conceive.
“They became my ‘marketing team’, telling everybody they knew and the word spread. A string of women coming with different symptoms all started to conceive.
“What was fascinating to me was that simply by getting somebody’s system to work properly, all kinds of changes were happening and people were getting benefits we had not expected.”
Source: Acupuncture and NAET
http://acupunctureandnaet.com/
McMorris, a snowboarder, needed acupuncture, massage therapy and plenty of rehab exercises to get back in form after crashing at the X Games late last month. He knew he would have to fight through the pain and impress the judges to reach the podium in slopestyle’s Olympic debut.
February 27, 2014 by admin
Source: Medical News Today
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/273104.php
In Western medicine, the jury is still out on whether acupuncture delivers health benefits. But now, a new study adds further evidence of its worthiness, as scientists have shown a direct connection between acupuncture and physical mechanisms that heal sepsis, a common condition in hospital intensive care units that springs from infection and inflammation.
The researchers, from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, published their results in the journal Nature Medicine.
They note that sepsis causes around 250,000 deaths in the US each year, making it a major cause of death.
“But in many cases patients don’t die because of the infection,” says lead author Luis Ulloa, an immunologist at Rutgers. “They die because of the inflammatory disorder they develop after the infection. So we hoped to study how to control the inflammatory disorder.”
Although acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years in Eastern countries, it is relatively new to Western medicine. The technique works by stimulating specific points on the body with tiny needles that penetrate the skin.
Researchers from this latest study say they already knew that stimulating the vagus nerve – a major nerve in the body – activates mechanisms in the body that reduce inflammation.
As such, they tested whether electroacupuncture – a form of acupuncture that involves sending a small electric current through the nerves – reduces inflammation and organ injury in mice with sepsis. This type of electrification has been approved by the FDA for treating pain in humans.
By increasing the electrical current, Ulloa explains that it heightens the effect of needle placement. As predicted, when they performed the electroacupuncture on septic mice, the researchers found that cytokines – molecules that help reduce inflammation – were stimulated.
In mice, the researchers demonstrated that treating the body with acupuncture stimulates cytokines, which help reduce inflammation, reducing deaths from sepsis.
The team notes that whereas none of the mice that did not receive acupuncture survived, half of the mice that did receive the treatment survived for at least a week.
Though they were pleased with their results, upon further investigation into why the acupuncture worked so well, Ulloa and his colleagues found that when they removed adrenal glands, which produce hormones in the body, the electroacupuncture stopped being effective.
This finding initially dashed their hopes for using this technique in humans because most human sepsis cases carry with them reduced adrenal function. Though electroacupuncture might help a small number of patients with functioning adrenal glands, it would not work in many others.
Not deterred, the scientists looked into the anatomical changes that took place when the technique was carried out with fully functional adrenal glands.
They found these changes included raised levels of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that influences the immune system. However, simply adding dopamine by itself did not help reduce the inflammation.
It was not until they used a drug called fenoldopam – which mimics the effects of dopamine – that they were able to succeed in reducing deaths caused by sepsis by 40%.
The team notes that, even without acupuncture, fenoldopam was able to achieve the reduction in deaths.
They say their findings are significant because they provide evidence of acupuncture’s benefits beyond what has been shown before, and they also show uses for treating other inflammatory diseases besides sepsis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and Crohn’s disease.
Additionally, they say they have provided a potential avenue for developing drugs for humans that could reduce sepsis deaths. Because there is currently no FDA-approved drug to treat sepsis, Ulloa says this finding is advantageous.
But Ulloa adds: “I don’t even know whether in the future the best solution for sepsis will be electroacupuncture or some medicine that will mimic electroacupuncture.”
However, he says their findings have opened up new roads for both acupuncture and a drug for treating sepsis.
February 27, 2014 by admin
Source: Acupuncture.com
http://www.acupuncture.com/newsletters/m_feb14/flu.htm
What Can Traditional Chinese Medicine Do For You During The Flu Season?
The flu season is hitting us particularly hard this season. It’s been everywhere in the news. Some hospitals are making it mandatory that workers in high-risk areas receive the flu vaccine. Generally, most flu activity in the US occurs from November through March. The best way to treat a disease is to prevent it. It is absolutely a bad idea to wait to dig a well until you are thirsty. So, do something to enhance your qi now, before the influenza virus shoots you down.
In China, special anti-virus teas are usually given in public schools to help prevent illness during the flu season. Chinese herbs such as Huang Qi (Astralagus) and Dang Shen (Codonopsis) are used to strengthen qi and to boost the immune system. Herbs such as Ban Lan Gen (Isatis) and Da Qing Ye (Daqingye) are commonly used as anti-virus herbs.
Acupuncture can help stimulate the immune system and rid the body of pathogenic influences. Several clinical studies have demonstrated that acupuncture and herbal medicine reduce the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection and shorten the length of time one is ill. When you get sick with the flu, do not wait. Start acupuncture treatments in the early stages.
Regular exercise of moderate intensity (enough to warm you up, but not to make you sweat) has been shown to reduce the incidence of the flu. Exercises such as qi gong, tai chi, and yoga can help reduce emotional and physical stress, strengthen the immune system, and prevent illness.
Make sure to eat a full balanced diet that is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. Foods containing beta-carotene (such as carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, garlic and tomatoes) can help boost your immune system and keep your mucous membranes and upper respiratory system healthy and harder to infect. Eating these foods can also speed up your recovery from illness.
Drink plenty of water (one 8-ounce glass per hour) to help flush your immune system of invaders and their waste products. Chicken soup adds extra water and expels mucous to help you get rid of the illness.
Extra rest and sleep will give you energy for battling the illness. This is particularly important if you became sick when you were already tired or run down.
February 23, 2014 by admin
Source: bursitusremedy.com
http://www.bursitusremedy.com/acupuncture-for-bursitis/
Acupuncture is very beneficial method for treating different diseases. It includes several procedures with one point of interest and that is to stimulate a certain part of the body. Acupuncture can be used for treating bursitis as well as many other diseases and it has proven to be successful in this field. This sophisticated method in medicine will relieve the pain and it will restore the full function of the joint. However, acupuncture for bursitis could not be done by a healthcare provider without the appropriate knowledge, and therefore, the person who suffers from bursitis should visit an acupuncturist to solve the issues with the painful condition.
More details about acupuncture for bursitis
Acupuncture for bursitis. During the first acupuncture meeting, the patient should discuss more about the history of the disease as well as to explain details about the symptoms. With all those pieces of information, the acupuncturist will know exactly which procedure to include in order to treat the medical condition appropriately. Symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, or redness on the affected areas, limitation in joint movement and others should be discussed closely because they are the main symptoms of bursitis. The medical history and the physical examination would be the best tools for diagnosing whether acupuncture for bursitis should be used for treating the joint pain. If acupuncture is a sufficient method for treating bursitis, there are other methods used by the bursitis specialists such as medications and drugs, physical activities, herbal medicine and many others.
Benefits of acupuncture for bursitis
Bursitis is a very painful condition that makes those who suffer from it unable to finish their daily obligations with commodity. Therefore, every patient wants a quick and effective method that will relieve the joint pain as well as will restore the function of the joint completely. There are several methods that could be compared with acupuncture for bursitis, such as suitable daily exercises, herbal medicines and other natural methods. Acupuncture is a natural treatment for bursitis and that is why it is widely used by people who suffer from this painful condition. It does not cause side effects like the medications and drugs so it is a perfect solution for those who are allergic to some of the substances used in medications, or for any other reason do not want to use chemicals for relieving the bursitis symptoms. All in all, it is a natural way for treating bursitis.
February 23, 2014 by admin
Source: Livestrong
http://www.livestrong.com/article/196721-how-does-acupuncture-work-for-weight-loss/
Although it may be possible that acupuncture promotes weight loss, it’s simply too early to tell for certain. This form of traditional Chinese medicine, which involves inserting small needles into the skin, hasn’t been studied enough to reach any conclusions. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports that of the research thus far, only small or poor-quality studies have determined any benefit from acupuncture.
The Research
A small study published in “Acupuncture and in Medicine” in 2013 followed 58 overweight Koreans for eight weeks. Subjects who received acupuncture of the outer ear, either in five spots or just one “hunger point,” lost more weight than the control group. Those in the five-spot group saw the greatest reduction in waist size. As National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine notes, however, other studies have shown no weight-loss benefit to acupuncture. And whether acupuncture helps or not, the best way to lose weight is still to eat fewer calories and engage in more physical activity.
February 16, 2014 by admin
Source: Body Earth
http://www.bodyearth.net/health/acupuncture-and-change-of-seasons/
Spring is almost here! It’s staying light longer, the birds are singing and the sap is running. Who would have known that this change from winter to spring could wreak so much havoc on our bodies?
My acupuncturist calls it “Change of Seasons.”
Often when I report some ailment (acid reflux, sinus congestion) to my acupuncture doctor, he’ll inform me that my problem may have less to do with my diet and more to do with recent weather/barometric pressure changes. Our bodies are sensitive instruments that respond to all those swings in temperature and humidity. Big changes in weather somehow block our energy flow, which can lead to all kinds of health problems.
We are particularly sensitive to changes in seasons. As Dr. Zhu explained it to me, the cold nights and warm days between winter and spring result in fluctuating barometric pressure. This change in pressure squeezes our bodies, much the same way it squeezes the sugar maple trees, encouraging the sap to run this time of year.
I first tried acupuncture a few years ago when a nasty sinus infection zapped all my energy for a month. I was breastfeeding our son at the time and didn’t particularly want to take antibiotics if I didn’t have to. So, my aunt suggested her acupuncturist.
Immediately after my visit, I felt no better. If anything, I felt a little worse all that night. Then, exactly one day after I’d been needled, I felt wonderful. The sinus infection was gone. I couldn’t believe how acupuncture had allowed my body to summon the energy to throw off that infection. After that incident, I was sold on the magic of acupuncture.
What is Acupuncture?
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine gives a quick overview of acupuncture:
Practiced in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years, acupuncture is one of the key components of traditional Chinese medicine. In TCM, the body is seen as a delicate balance of two opposing and inseparable forces: yin and yang. Yin represents cold, slow, or passive principle, while yang represents hot, excited, or active principle. According to TCM, health is achieved by maintaining the body in a “balanced state”; disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang. This imbalance leads to blockage in the flow of qi (vital energy) along pathways known as meridians. Qi can be unblocked, according to TCM, by using acupuncture at certain points on the body that connect with these meridians. Sources vary on the number of meridians, with numbers ranging from 14 to 20. One commonly cited source describes meridians as 14 main channels “connecting the body in a weblike interconnecting matrix” of at least 2,000 acupuncture points.¹
If you’ve never tried acupuncture, I’m not going to tell you that it’s painless — at least it’s not for me! I have an excellent doctor of Chinese Medicine, who twists and tweaks the needles for maximum effectiveness. Just when I start to drift off to sleep, he gives them an extra twist to make them work even better. While the wiggling isn’t exactly comfortable, it’s not bad. And, it works.
Many people visit an acupuncturist four times a year — at the start of each season. So, if your digestion is a little off, or your asthma is bothering you more than usual, you might want to head to an acupuncturist for a little tune-up. Getting your energy flowing again also helps boost your immune system. Just remember to ask for the needle that goes right in the top of the head — so relaxing!
February 16, 2014 by admin
Source: How Stuff Works
http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/chinese/how-to-treat-the-common-cold-with-traditional-chinese-medicine.htm
The common cold has many forms in traditional Chinese medicine. The most common forms fall under the categories of wind cold and wind heat. As is the nature of exterior disorders involving wind, the pattern may change very quickly, necessitating a change in treatment strategy over the course of an illness. In all the forms a cold, as well as a cough or the flu, may take, prompt treatment brings the most effective results. The longer one waits to treat an infectious disease, the longer it takes to clear the pathogen.
Common Cold Caused by Wind Cold
This pattern exhibits the following symptoms: fever, chills (these are worse than the fever), inability to get warm, nasal or sinus congestion with clear mucus, cough with clear mucus, stiff neck and shoulders, occipital headache (back of head), and a slower-than-normal pulse that is more easily felt at the surface.
Diaphoretic (sweating) therapy is especially helpful in this condition, since it warms the body and pushes the pathogen out through the pores. In the very early stages of this pattern, an effective remedy is miso soup with the white part of spring onion (cong bai) and fresh ginger (sheng jiang). For more severe or advanced cases, there is a full range of therapies, depending on the combination of symptoms.
When the wind-cold symptoms include strong chills, inability to sweat, wheezing, and stiff neck, the classic and ancient remedy is Ephedra Decoction (Ma Huang Tang). The chief herb in this formula is Ephedra (ma huang), a powerful stimulant that opens the bronchial passages, warms the body, and stimulates sweating.
Cinnamon twig (gui zhi) assists the Ephedra in warming the body and promoting a sweat, while apricot seeds (xing ren) help relieve the wheezing. Licorice (gan cao) acts as a harmonizing herb, modulating the harsh nature of the Ephedra, preventing too much sweating and toxicity. It also has anti-inflammatory and antitussive qualities, making it useful for sore throat and cough symptoms.
Ephedra is never used by itself in Chinese herbal therapy; it is always part of a formula, often combined with licorice (as in Ephedra Decoction), which tones down its harsh nature. Since Ephedra can raise blood pressure, especially when used alone or with caffeine, it should not be used by people who have heart disease or hypertension.
For symptoms of wind cold with headache and nasal congestion as the chief symptoms, the classic formula is Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan, typically taken with green tea (cha), which moves the action of the formula to the head area. Green tea has been found recently to have strong antioxidant properties, scavenging the free radicals involved in aging and disease.
Common Cold Caused by Wind Heat
When the pernicious influence of wind combines with heat, the fever is worse than the chills, and the pulse is faster than normal. The primary symptom is a swollen and sore throat with headache and irritability. If there is a cough, it is usually dry or nonproductive, with occasional expectoration of yellow mucus.
Numerous formulas treat the many variations of this condition, but the most famous by far is Yin Qiao San. This highly effective treatment for wind heat symptoms, appearing in such conditions as influenza and tonsillitis as well as the common cold, is also available from a number of different manufacturers as the patent formula Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian. In addition to Yin Qiao, a number of other effective remedies are available. For example, Gan Mao Ling is almost always useful in cases of wind heat. If the fever is high, Zhong Gan Ling is preferred. If the sore throat is especially severe, it is recommended to add Chuan Xin Lian Antiphlogistic Tablets to the treatment.
Other Elements of Treating the Common Cold
When treating cold or flu symptoms due to wind heat, the results are always more dramatic if the treatment begins at the earliest possible stage of the illness. It is important to get adequate rest, a vacation from sources of stress, and good nutrition in the form of soups and fresh juices. Sweets and stimulants (such as caffeinated beverages) cause a rapid progression in the severity of the illness since they tend to feed the pathogen.
The same is true for tonifying herbs such as ginseng. People sometimes make the mistake of taking ginseng when they feel a cold coming on since they have heard that ginseng is good for the immune system. Using ginseng in this case is a serious error since ginseng will powerfully feed the pathogen causing the illness, making the person feel much worse. This is traditionally known as “trapping the burglar.”
If a person suspects a burglar is in the house, the worst step to take is to lock all the doors and windows, for the burglar will do more damage trying to get out. A powerful tonic herb, ginseng acts to “lock down” the exterior of the body while releasing energy in the interior. If a pathogen is already inside the body, ginseng and other stimulating tonics lock it in while simultaneously feeding it. The proper treatment plan is to open the pores and push out the pathogen. Herb formulas that “release the exterior and repel wind,” such as Yin Qiao, are used in these cases.
On the other hand, if no pathogen is in the body, ginseng strengthens the wei qi, the body’s wall against invaders, while it simultaneously improves the person’s vitality and resistance to disease. This distinction between building long-term immunity and fighting off an acute illness is an important contribution of traditional Chinese medicine. While tonic herbs can be taken long-term, it is important to discontinue their use during a cold or flu. Then, after the pathogen has been expelled from the body, tonic herbs can be taken again to build up strength and vitality over the long-term.
Using Acupuncture to Treat the Common Cold
Acupuncture and moxibustion can provide some immediate relief from cold symptoms and help the body expel the pathogen much faster. Needles are typically inserted into points along the lung and large intestine meridians, which have demonstrated the ability to activate immune function. The most important acupuncture point in treating the common cold is Large Intestine 4 (“Adjoining Valleys”), which is located in the web between the thumb and index finger. This point is very effective for this condition, since it suppresses pain and relieves exterior conditions. Patients frequently experience quick relief when the point is needled or massaged.
Typically, one or two acupuncture treatments and a week’s course of herbal medicine are all that are required for colds. If the symptoms are recognized and treated early, it is possible to fight off a cold in a day or two with acupuncture treatment and herbs.
February 16, 2014 by admin
Source: WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/news/20140213/making-acupuncture-even-safer
Uniformly improving the quality of acupuncture needles would help prevent potential problems such as skin reactions and pain, according to a new study.
“Acupuncture needle manufacturers, including the well-established ones, should review and improve their quality-control procedures for fabrication of needles,” said researcher Yi Min Xie, of the Center for Innovative Structures and Materials at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.
Acupuncture, a centuries-old form of medicine that originated in China, involves pricking the skin with needles to alleviate pain and treat various physical and mental conditions.
Although acupuncture is very safe overall, improving the quality of needles can make it even safer, said the authors of the study, which was published online Feb. 12 in the journal Acupuncture in Medicine.
Researchers examined 10 randomly selected needles from each of the two most commonly used brands of stainless steel acupuncture needles. They discovered that many needles had significant surface irregularities or malformed tips.
Some of the needles had metallic lumps and bits of material on their surfaces. If these needles had been used on patients, this metallic residue could have ended up in their tissue and caused allergic or painful reactions, the researchers said in a journal news release.
The malformed tips found on some of the needles could cause bleeding, bruising or high levels of pain during acupuncture, the researchers said.
About 1.4 billion acupuncture needles are used worldwide each year, about 90 percent of which are manufactured in China. Japan and Korea are the other major suppliers.
It’s highly unlikely that poor-quality acupuncture needles would affect a patient’s health, Dr. Mike Cummings, medical director of the British Medical Acupuncture Association and associate editor of the journal, said in a podcast accompanying the study. But people who suffer pain during acupuncture should ask their practitioner to check the quality of the needles they use, he said.
February 6, 2014 by admin
Source: Livestrong
http://www.livestrong.com/article/125490-acupuncture-hair-growth/
The ancient healing art of acupuncture successfully treats all types of hair loss, according to Dr. Stuart Mauro, L.Ac., O.M.D., who has more than 30 years’ experience in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Acupuncture stimulates blood circulation to the scalp, which increases nourishment of the hair follicles.
How Acupuncture Works
Acupuncture involves the insertion of tiny needles at different acupuncture points on the body. The basic theory behind acupuncture involves the concept of qi–say “chee”–the life force energy running throughout the body that allows us to talk, walk, eat and breathe. When qi becomes insufficient, blocked or imbalanced, illness occurs. Acupuncture stimulates qi and blood flow throughout the body, allowing it to function optimally.
Acupuncture & Hair Growth
According to Chinese medicine, the quality of the hair relates to the sufficient amount of qi, blood and kidney energy within the body. The kidneys control the nourishment of the hair. When the body has an insufficiency of qi, blood and kidney energy, hair loss results. Acupuncture improves qi and blood flow within the body, strengthening the kidneys and promoting healthy hair growth. Applying acupuncture directly to the scalp stimulates blood flow, which stimulates new hair growth.
Techniques
Your acupuncturist inserts a number of very fine acupuncture needles at various acupuncture points on the body, which stimulate qi and blood flow and tonify the kidneys. Or he may use a seven-star hammer, or plum blossom needle. The seven-star hammer is a small, hammer-like tool with several small needles protruding from its face that stimulate the surface of the skin. Your acupuncturist gently taps the hammer on the surface of the scalp, stimulating blood flow and promoting new hair growth.
Diet, Supplements and Herbs
Your acupuncturist may make suggestions regarding dietary changes, supplements or Chinese herbs that promote hair growth. According to a study in the Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in 2004, researchers achieved a cure rate of 83 percent in 110 people with alopecia–hair loss–who received seven-star acupuncture combined with external application of the Chinese herb astragalus.
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