December 21, 2014 Electro-Acupuncture And Blood Pressure
A study conducted on rats, by Dr. Longhurst, at the University of California, concluded that raised blood pressure was reduced as much as 50% with the use of electro-acupuncture.
The doctors conducting the study artificially inflated blood pressure in rats. Afterwards, acupuncture was applied to specific points on the forelimbs. These specific points were the equivalent to acupuncture points on our forearm.
When acupuncture was used alone, there were no significant changes; however, when a subtle electrical current was passed through the needles, blood pressure went down between 40 – 50%.
According to Dr. Longhurst, “this suggests that acupuncture can be an excellent complement to other medical treatments (including a healthy diet), especially for those treating the cardiac system."
Tjen-A-Looi, S.C., Li, P., and Longhurst, J., Medullary substrate and differential cardiovascular responses during stimulation of specific acupoints. Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of California, APRIL 2004.
Not In San Diego? Here are Tips for Finding an Acupuncturist Near You
December 10, 2014 Acupuncture and Insomnia
Acupuncture can help: Acupuncture has shown to help achieve a relaxing and sound sleep. Two powerful points in the ear can send you off to dreamland.Take a moment: Make some time in your schedule for a pre-sleep relaxation ritual. Taking a hot bath just before bed has been shown to promote a deep, restful sleep. You can also add a handful of hops to the bathwater or place a small amount of dried hops wrapped in a cloth inside your pillow case. Hops are used to reduce restlessness during sleep.
Aromatherapy: Put a few drops of chamomile essential oil on your pillow just before bed. You can also use an aromatherapy diffuser or add a few drops to water in a spray bottle to disperse the scent around your bedroom.
Relax your soles: Tap the soles and both sides of the feet gently with a hairbrush for five minutes, paying special attention to the point below the ball of the foot in the center, about one-third the distance between the toes and heel.
Evening snack tips: If you choose to eat before bed, a light snack should consist of mostly carbohydrates with a small amount of protein. This combination increases the availability of tryptophan to the brain. Try eating a small bowl of low sugar oatmeal along with low fat milk. A sliced apple with a few slices of cheese can also do the trick. Avoid large amounts of protein before bed, it may keep you from falling into a sound sleep.
November 30, 2014 Acupuncture And PTSD
Acupuncture can be an effective adjunct therapy to help alleviate the symptoms associated with PTSD.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a physiological disorder that can result from being exposed to a traumatic event. The disorder results in several different symptoms.
• Re-experiencing. Some PTSD sufferers relive the traumatic event over and over. This can be in the form of bad memories, nightmares and flashbacks. Sights, sounds and smells can trigger re-experiencing the event.
• Avoidance. Sometimes people with PTSD avoid the people, places and events that remind them of what happened.
• Numbing. Symptoms of numbing include trouble expressing emotions, loss of interest in enjoyable activities, and the loss of memory of parts of the traumatic event.
• Arousal. Anger, irritability, trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating, feeling on guard and being easily startled or surprised are common arousal symptoms.
The effects of post-traumatic stress disorder in someone’s life can be far reaching. Feelings of hopelessness, shame and despair, problems at work or with relationships, serious health problems, depression, anxiety and drug or alcohol abuse are not uncommon.
How Can I Help my Friend or Relative with PTSD?
There are many ways you can help your friend or relative with PTSD.
• Learn everything you can about PTSD so you have a good idea what your friend is going through.
• Offer to go to doctor visits with your friend. Help keep track of medications and therapy. If your friend is learning new techniques to cope with stress, ask if there is any way you can help.
• Be available to listen, but be understanding if your friend doesn’t want to talk. Listen with an open heart. Don’t judge, argue or problem-solve. Listen with compassion.
• Plan fun activities together. Be aware of events or environments that are difficult and plan events to be as stress-free as possible.
• Encourage your friend to get support from family and other friends.
• Pay attention to any comments about hurting herself and report them to her therapist or doctor.
Sometimes supporting someone with PTSD is challenging. Get support for yourself so you are able to help your loved one. Seek safety and help immediately if your friend or relative becomes violent or threatening.
PTSD Crisis Resources
If you or your loved one is in crisis:
• Call 911.
• Go to your nearest Emergency Room.
• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Press “1” if you are a veteran.
• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in Spanish/Español 1-888-628-9454.
• Go to the Veterans Crisis Line website to chat live with a crisis counselor at any time of day or night.
November 19, 2014 Acupuncture to Fight Stress
A new study has found that modern human’s stress reactions are doing us more harm than good. In the early days of human evolution human’s needed stress indicators to release certain chemicals in our bodies so we could hunt better or escape predators. Today, however, that stress compounds as it doesn’t find the same kind of outlet and this build up stress can lead to physical problems. Over active stress can lead to heart attack and can weaken the immune system. Acupuncture has been long been thought of as a powerful way to fight stress and modern medicine is finally starting to provide the necessary evidence to prove this. It’s difficult to process the idea that stress may be causing our physical issues as this thought can lead to more stress but consider acupuncture as a safe and natural way to treat stress without letting it get out of control.
Links to the Articles:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/199601/stress-its-worse-you-think
http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/news/20031015/acupuncture-calms-moms-stress-anxiety
For Acupuncture in San Diego Visit www.acupuncture-now.com
November 11, 2014 The Great American Smokeout With Acupuncture
Congratulations! If you’re reading this, you are on your way to kicking the habit and becoming smoke-free and healthier. Every year, more than 3 million Americans try to quit smoking, but only half of them succeed. With the help of acupuncture you have a greater chance of success!
Most experts agree that quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can do for your health. More than 25 diseases are associated with tobacco use, including cancer of the lungs, bladder, mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, pancreas, kidney, uterus and cervix. Smoking also raises the chances of developing emphysema and increases the risk of having a stroke by 30 percent.
There is plenty of incentive to quit, but it isn’t easy. The good news is that acupuncture has helped millions of people to kick the
smoking habit.
How acupuncture can help
Some of the largest stumbling blocks to becoming smoke-free are the stress, anxiety and depression associated with quitting. Fortunately, acupuncture treatment is quite successful at calming and relaxing the mind, reducing anxiety and alleviating depressive feelings. Specific acupoints in the ear and wrist are used to accomplish this. Additional acupoints may be included to help suppress your appetite, stimulate repair and healing of organ systems, and reduce food and nicotine cravings.
More than just kicking the habit
Using acupuncture to quit smoking yields enormous benefits. Aside from taking care of the stumbling blocks that can cause you to resume the habit, acupuncture can help restore your body to a healthy state of balance and well-being. If you are ready to become smoke-free, acupuncture can provide you with the support you need.
Healthy Tips:
Here are a few tips to guide you through your acupuncture care:
• Drink plenty of filtered water.
• Eat balanced, healthy meals with a variety of vegetables and fruits.
• Refrain from sugar, which can increase sugar cravings and unwanted weight gain.
• Manage your cravings. They will actually fade within a few minutes. When cravings arise, distract yourself. Before you know it, the craving will have passed.
• Take daily baths or showers and scrub your skin with a dry brush or loofa to facilitate the cleansing process and help blood circulation.
• Avoid spending time with other smokers so that you are less tempted to smoke.
• Take a walk outside and breathe deeply. Upon exhale, gently place your teeth together and exhaling with the sound of “sssssssss.” This sound stimulates the lungs.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can provide a safe, natural, and effective way to quit smoking. The focus is upon achieving a balance of body and mind, and eliminating cravings so you can become smoke-free and healthier.
Great American Smokeout
Annually, on the third Thursday of November the American Cancer Society promotes the Great American Smokeout to encourage smokers to create a plan to quit smoking. Acupuncture can help with this effort.
For Acupuncture In San Diego visit www.acupuncture-now.com
November 4, 2014 10 Reasons To Try Acupuncture
1) Acupuncturists view each person holistically and individually.
No two people are alike. Every cell in that person's body is interconnected to others and is functioning as part of an integrated whole. In other words, acupuncture treats the whole person, not just parts and pieces. The root causes of a symptom that two people are experiencing may be completely different. During the initial exam, a full health history is taken. Questions are asked regarding overall health and symptoms, lifestyle choices, exercise, nutrition, career paths, and other life factors. All aspects of the patient are considered when putting together an effective treatment plan.
2) Acupuncture helps to re-awaken and energize the self-healing capacity of the body.
An acupuncturist treats more than symptoms and signs. Acupuncture activates the body’s natural healing potential by treating the root causes that have led to the problem or disease. Research shows that acupuncture triggers the body’s own mechanisms for manufacturing and releasing its own pain relieving chemicals. These chemicals are endorphins and dopamines, opioid-like compounds that produce the feeling of well-being and reduce pain. The body knows the exact dose that is needed at the right time. It is like a perfect pharmacy that can produce any “medication” needed for healing without any unwanted side effects!
3) Acupuncture is an effective preventative medicine with no negative side-effects, only positive ones.
Acupuncture is a completely natural therapy and works directly with the body's natural processes, not against them. No drugs are ever used. Invasive procedures and drug therapies used in Western treatment may produce undesirable side effects and accumulated toxicity in the body. Acupuncture does not have these side effects. In fact, feeling great is the most commonly reported result.
4) Acupuncture helps to support and strengthen the immune system.
The immune system works throughout our body to prevent and fight illnesses. Our digestive tract, skin, and lymphatic system are three important parts of the immune system. The immune system can be weakened at times by disease and/or certain treatments and medications. Lifestyle contributors such as poor diet, stress, and poor self care can also negatively impact the immune system. The goal of acupuncture is to find and treat the underlying imbalances that are affecting the flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”), our vital energy or power, and the immune system by addressing the root causes. Acupuncture can help you regain balance and improve your overall health.
5) Acupuncture effectively assists with recovery from drug, alcohol and smoking addictions.
With the help of acupuncture, recovery from drug, alcohol and smoking addictions can be made easier. Stress, anxiety and depression are some of the largest stumbling blocks in quitting addictive habits and behaviors. Acupuncture is successful at calming and relaxing the mind, reducing anxiety and alleviating depressive feelings.
6) Acupuncture is recognized by well-known and leading national and international health organizations*.
The National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization are among those organizations who recognize that acupuncture is effective in the treatment of over 50 western medical diseases, disorders and symptoms including pain, infertility, allergies, depression/anxiety, migraines, digestive issues, arthritis, fibromyalgia and more.
* National Institutes of Health (NIH), World Health Organization (WHO), National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM)
7) Acupuncture is safe and painless.
When practiced by a qualified practitioner, acupuncture is safe. In 1996, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified acupuncture needles as medical instruments, assuring their safety and effectiveness. The needles are one-time use only and are sterile and do not carry any risk of infection. Acupuncture needles are about ten times smaller in size than an average hypodermic needle, approximately the size of a cat’s whisker, and they are very flexible. They don’t hurt in the way that hypodermic needles do, however a slight sensation may be experienced as the acupuncture needle is inserted.
8) Acupuncture treatment is an excellent stress-relief therapy.
Along with treating physical and emotional symptoms and signs associated with stress, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) addresses the root cause(s) of the problem. Qi is the vital energy or power that animates and supports the functions of the body. It flows through specific pathways, called meridians, and provides nourishment for the entire body. When Qi becomes “blocked” or the supply is inadequate, the body and organ systems become “stressed out” and our health is then compromised. With acupuncture and TCM, the practitioner’s job is to support and restore the integrity of the various organs affected and depleted by the stress response, along with evaluating the quality and quantity of Qi.
9) Acupuncture is an affordable alternative.
Compared to some expensive Western medical therapies, treatments and medications, acupuncture is affordable and effective and it may help you avoid further medical expenses and complications down the road when it is used as a primary treatment plan or an adjunct therapy. Acupuncture can also help you make lifestyle changes and prevent future illness.
10) Acupuncture works!
Acupuncture has been used to successfully treat millions of people over the past 3,000 years. It is an effective form of medical treatment that has evolved into a complete holistic health care system. Practitioners of acupuncture and Chinese medicine have used this noninvasive treatment to help many become well and stay well. As the old adage goes, “there is nothing to fear, but fear itself”! Acupuncture works and this safe, natural, drug-free way of whole body healing is worth a try!
October 27, 2014 Explaining the Effects of Acupuncture Post-Stroke
In China acupuncture has been used for hundreds, if not thousands of years to help the healing process after a stroke. A study this year in the lab may have found why. Scientists were studying the reaction of Angiopoietin, which is integral in remodeling the brain after a stroke, with acupuncture. The study examined how electro-acupuncture worked at two points believed to help up-regulate angiopoietin, points Ang-1 and Ang-2. The experiment produced results that suggest a strong causational relationship between the administered electro-acupuncture and an increase in Angiopoietin. This study brings science even closer to confirming the long held belief that acupuncture can help heal victims of strokes.
Links to the Articles:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24708627
For Acupuncture in San Diego go to www.acupuncture-now.com
