Alban Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs Clinic, New York City
Archive for February, 2009
Amazing Acupressure for Cramps, Stomach Problems, and Energy
Feb 26, 2009
Stomach 36- Zu San Li
Stomach 36 (ST 36) is one of the most important and commonly used acupuncture points. The Chinese is Zu San Li, meaning literally “three leg miles.” This is because you can rub this point for extra energy when you have been working all day.
ST 36 can be used for diseases of the abdomen, chest, and face because these are the areas through which the channel runs.
Location: To locate ST 36 find the bump on your bone about one inch below the knee. This bump is called the tibial tuberosity. ST 36 is level with the bottom of the tibial tuberosity, one thumb width towards the outside of the leg.
Symptoms: ST 36 is one of the most important and commonly used acupuncture points. You can use it to maintain general health, improve digestion, treat constipation or diarrhea, and reduce fatigue. It can be used for stomachaches and nausea. With stronger stimulation, ST 36 can be used for any pain of the abdomen including stomach aches and menstrual cramps.
How to Massage: In general, soft gentle massage of ST 36 helps to increase you energy and improve your digestion. Use your pointer finger and middle finger to gentle rub in small circles.
How to treat menstrual cramps with ST 36
If you are trying to reduce abdominal pain or acute menstrual cramps you should first palpate ST 36 area. If the muscles there are tight, then pressing deeply and strongly with your thumb will help reduce these cramps. Be careful because pressing very hard can cause bruising. If the muscle there are weak, then gently rubbing is better.
For those which chronic menstrual cramps, acupuncture may be needed. If you are interested in finding out more about how acupuncture can help reduce your chronic headaches, please call us at 917.887.4946 for a free consultation.
Acupuncture for Tension Headaches
Feb 23, 2009
This is the fourth and last post in a series on headaches. This one focuses on the most common form of headache, the tension headache. I am teaching a class on self acupressure called “Migraines, Sinus Headaches, and the Common Cold” on March 8th. It is free but space is limited, so call us at 917-887-4946 to reserve your spot.
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. Everyone gets them from time to time, but in some it may become chronic. There is no need to suffer, acupuncture can treat your headaches and make you feel better. For those with occasional headaches, acupressure may even be enough.
You probably know when you have a tension headache. It is usually a dull aching pain that can come from being stressed out, upset, too tired, overworked, or stared at your computer too long. There is often accompanied with tension of the neck muscles, pressure in the forehead, temples, or base of the skull.
For most people, the headache will last a few minutes to a few hours, but some have chronic headaches which reoccur for a long time. Severe chronic headache suffers can have it for more than a few days or months. Most cases are not an emergency, but if you experience an abrupt severe headache with a feeling of a snap in you head or if you headache is accompanied by a fever or trauma, you should go to the emergency room.
How does Chinese medicine diagnosis and treat headaches?
There is not a one size fits all diagnosis for headaches in Chinese medicine. Chinese medicine works by addressing imbalances in the body. Once the imbalance is corrected, the body works to heal itself. Everybody’s imbalance can be different and the treatment is focused specifically to your symptoms and complaints. When it comes to chronic pain conditions, it is important to consider both the mind and the body, which effect one another. Chinese medicine is quite specific about this, and each organ is effected by different emotions (I plan to write more about this in future posts).
Often with headaches, the diagnosis can be associated with the liver. Don’t worry, imbalances in the Chinese medicine liver don’t necessarily mean disorder of the Western liver. The Liver in Chinese medicine is responsible for the free flowing of qi. When qi flow is damaged, it is called qi stagnation. This can often happen from stress and anxiety.
Acupuncture works to correct the imbalance causing the qi stagnation. The treatment is tailored to different people. The deeper the imbalance, the more intense the headache and possible longer time you will need treatment.
An effective acupuncture treatment is based upon a specific and accurate diagnosis. Also combining acupressure with the acupuncture helps to relieve the muscle tension also associated with the tension headaches. Usually people will feel relief after only a few weekly visits.
If you are interested in finding out more about how acupuncture can help reduce your chronic headaches, please call us at 917.887.4946 for a free consultation.
How to Eat Healthy and Create Harmony
Feb 17, 2009
The first book of Chinese medicine written over 2000 years ago, called the Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen (The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Cannon)
I think for the modern world, this is more important than ever. We are so removed from the natural world some people barely even step outside. Only from the garage to the parking lot, and to the mall or the supermarket.
Our mass market food supply is one of the most troubling and possibly disease causing aspects of the our disharmony with the natural world. Much of the processed food is grown on an industrial farm full of pesticides, chemical fertilizer, or injected with hormones and antibiotics. It comes to us after more than 1500 miles logged on the road in the best case. If not, it is in a plastic bag or cardboard box and full of preservatives and extra sweeteners.
But luckily for us, we can make some simple choices to bring us as individuals and as a society back closer to harmony with the environment.
You are what you eat.
There are a lot of Chinese medicine recipes to stay healthy, prevent diseases, maintain balance, and treat specific aliments. I have written about seasonal remedies, and I will be writing more about them in the future. But more important than the recipes is the quality of the food.
70% of the results of a dish, for both taste and health, rely on the ingredients that go in it. The biggest factors for food quality are how local is the food and how much has it been processed.
Here are some basic guidelines for quality food.
1. Eat Locally: The simplest way to do this is by eating locally produced food from the farmer’s market. Fruits and vegetables which have traveled for a long distances are less nutritious than local food. This is because the cell walls will become injured and the valuable vitamins and nutrients inside will spill out. You can often find local food at a farmer’s market where the produce is more likely to be fresh.
You’re taste buds will love you. Think about it, you are tried after a long road trip, and so is your food! Also, local farmers can plant variety’s which are not chosen for their ability to ride cross country, but rather for their taste.
And, you will also benefit your local economy, patronize small businesses, and cut down on greenhouse gases. Eating local food will also keep your diet seasonal so you will eat a greater variety of food throughout the year and also be eating food more appropriate for the season.
We have a great Greenmarket network in New York, it is a great way to benefit your own health and the whole planet. Some of the favorite farmers at my market are my dairy farmer where I buy my milk and the local organic meat producers.
A great kosher option is an organization called Mitzvah meat, which is a collective that shares locally and ethically raised kosher meat products.
If you don’t live in New York City, and you can find a farmer’s market near you at this website. The organization called Sustainable Table also has many resources for you to find local healthy food.
2. Eat Pesticide, Hormone, and Antibiotic free: You should try to eat foods that are pesticide, hormone, and antibiotic free. Pesticides kill bugs, they are also toxic to us. So the simple answer is don’t eat them. This is hard, because crops are sprayed and fed to our animals, and put in our food.
Eating organic food is a good start, which will help avoid many pesticides. At the same time, organic food has over the last 20 years developed into a massive industry. This tips the scale to massive producers armed with lobbyists trying to make standards more lax while creating larger barriers for entry into the marketplace.
Smaller operations tend to suffer. Shopping at the farmer’s market will help you find local producers who use natural techniques, although many of them do not certify themselves as organic because of the costly paperwork. Yet their produce certainly follow organic principles. Another great thing to do it join a Community Supported Agriculture co-op.
Hormones are given to chickens and cows to produce more eggs and milk. They do produce more eggs, but they are not as good tasting or good for you. Also, you end up consuming some of those antibiotics and hormones. Eggs from free range chickens are better looking, better tasting, and better for you. And better for the animal, who does not live in a factory farm. Same goes for small organic milk and meat producers.
3. Cook at home: By cooking at home, you can choose the best food for you. That way you can have control of what goes into your food, and becomes you! Cooking food at home will help you avoid eating additives, too much sugar, corn syrup, and preservatives. You will also save a lot of money and be able to pronounce all the ingredients of your food. Not to mention, cooking is a lot of fun.
Follow these these simple recommendations and your feel great, benefit the environment, and your local neighborhood. Of course Chinese Medicine food recommendations are helpful, but the source of the food is most important. If the food does not have a lot of nutrients, then no amount of medicinal cooking will make it healthy.
Acupuncture for Sinus Headaches
Feb 11, 2009
This is the third post in a series on headaches. This one focuses on sinus headaches.
Sinus headaches stop some people in their tracks. They come with pain, congestion, and pressure in your head around your eyes, forehead, and cheeks. Sometimes, people with sinus headaches know when it is going to rain, because they feel so painful. If the headaches become chronic, it can really get you down— literally, your head can feel like a million pounds. Acupuncture has shown that it is effective to treat sinus headaches.
Why does acupuncture work?
I have already wrote about how acupuncture works to relieve pain. The key is by stimulating the body to heal itself.
This happens by correcting the root imbalance causing the disease. Healing can only happen when the body is in balance. Acupuncture works by correcting imbalances in your body. Once the imbalance is corrected, the body can work to heal itself.
According to Chinese medicine, what causes Sinus Headaches?
Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment is individualized to your specific symptoms. Although not for everyone, one key imbalance for sinus headaches is often dampness.
In Chinese medicine, characteristics of the weather can also be pathogens that causes disease. Because sinus headaches make your head feel dull, foggy, heavy, and full, and sometimes get worse in the rainy weather, they can caused by dampness. This is not all cases, and it is important to get diagnosed by a Chinese medicine practitioner. For example, if there is an infection or more intense pain, the diagnosis may also include heat or energy deficiency and the treatment will be very different.
What is treatment like?
Treatment tailored to different people. If you only occasionally get sinus headaches, you may be able to treat them yourself with acupressure. If they are chronic, that means the imbalance is deeper in the body and you will probably need acupuncture as well.
An effective acupuncture treatment is based upon a specific and accurate diagnosis. I work to find the precise root imbalance of the condition and by asking in depth questions, taking your pulse, and examining your body. In doing this, I also use only few needles because I target the precise cause and get powerful results.
I like to combine acupressure with the acupuncture to create greater results and a stronger sense of relaxation. Usually people will feel relief after only a few weekly visits.
If you are interested in finding out more about how acupuncture can help reduce your chronic headaches, please call us at 917.887.4946 for a free consultation.
Photo:edupics.com
What to do about the Flu in New York City
Feb 10, 2009
In a press release yesterday, NYC has announced that the flu has come to New York City.
In Chinese Medicine there are two main ways to prevent getting the flu. First, boost your own immune system, which Chinese medicine (read this post for more info). Second, fend off any invaders before you get sick.
It is best to treat a disease before you get it by boosting your immune system. I recommend taking the mushroom reishi, also called ling zhi in Chinese, which will help boost your immunity and your energy.
But when the flu is going around, it is important to take an herbal formula which will help prevent the sickness. Gan Mao ling is a great formula for this. If you get the flu, this formula will not be powerful enough. At this point it is important to seek advice from a Chinese medicine doctor for the right formula.
Check out these posts for other Chinese medicine tricks and tips on how to prevent and kick the common cold and flu.
People who get chronic colds will need a more customized herbal formula and acupuncture treatment.
Photo by JJohn.
The Greatest Acupressure Point for Nausea, Reflux, and Hiccups
Feb 9, 2009
Pericardium 6 (PC 6), called nei guan in Chinese, is one of the most famous and well researched acupressure points.
It is used to treat many conditions, most famously nausea. It works for any type of nausea: morning sickness, car sickness, and sea sickness. In fact, this point is the reason those magnetic wristbands work while you are on a cruise.
Recently on a trip to Guatemala, I had to massage PC 6 for many passengers during our bus ride through the mountains.
It works well. Gentle pressure needs to be applied in order to prevent the nausea from coming back during the trip.
Not talked about that much, but at least as valuable, is that it can also treat hiccups.
How does it work?
PC 6 works because it influences the flow of qi, the body’s energy. In the digestive tract, the qi is supposed to flow downwards. Nausea and hiccups are disharmonies when the qi flows upward. Gently massaging this point helps the qi flow down.
The pericardium channel goes from the middle finger to the chest and then downward through the stomach. PC 6 can be used for symptoms such as nausea, indigestion, stomach aches, and hiccups.
Location: To locate PC 6 hold your hand palm side up. The point is on the center line of your forearm, two thumb widths up (towards your elbow) from the wrist crease.
Symptoms: stomach aches, nausea, indigestion, hiccups, and sea sickness. This point is safe to treat morning sickness during pregnancy. If you have chronic morning sickness, nausea, digestive problems or reflux disease, you will probably need acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment.
How to Massage: Often with nausea, PC 6 will feel tender and sensitive. Massage in gentle circles. At first, do not press too hard because this can occasionally make the nausea worse. If the person you are helping is comfortable, you can press harder. Rub for 30 seconds to two minutes. Acupressure works quite fast, usually withing a minute or two, to soothe the stomach. You may need to repeat often for car sickness.
If you are interested in finding out more about how acupuncture can help reduce your chronic digestive problems, please call us at 917.887.4946 for a free consultation. If you are not in the New York City Area, please go to Acufinder.com in order to find someone in your area.
Help with Acupuncture for Somatization Disorders
Feb 6, 2009
I serve as an expert on many sites. Recently, a woman asked me about somatoform disorders, which is a problem of chronic pain and illness with no specific physical cause. I commonly treat this type of problems in my clinic and it is more common than people think. Western Medicine does not know everything about the causes of chronic illness, the key is to correct the root imbalance.
Dear Friend,
Thank you for the question. I understand that somatoform disorders can be very frustrating and challenging. I do believe that Chinese medicine and acupuncture can help your situation, in fact I believe it is very suited for your condition. I have personally helped many people with pain and other symptoms live with much less or no pain at all.
In Chinese medicine there is no diagnosis of somatoform disorder, per se, because we do not view the mind and body as disconnected. Rather, Chinese views the body as an interconnected whole. It is only natural that our minds and emotions effect our state of health. We do not divide “real body pain” from the patients’ experiences, rather the condition is just what you are experiencing. To diagnosis, we look at a constellation of symptoms and how they fit together, such as joint pain, headaches, frequent colds, and mental health, we do not see it as isolated from the entire picture, but part of it to understand what is going on.
The basic idea is that disease happens from imbalances. Once the imbalance is corrected, your body can work to heal itself. As I mentioned, each person’s overall symptoms are weaved together and creates a holistic picture of what is going on with the patient. From what you tell me, pain and sore throat, it could be a number of imbalances.
I find that many people suffering from poor health benefit from tai chi or qi gong because it helps boost your energy and improve your circulation. Tai chi and qi gong are slow moving exercises, that which are more than 3000 years, designed to improve your health. Many people have used them for improving health and strength while decreasing pain with great success.
I can’t diagnosis or treat over the internet. I recommend finding an acupuncturist in your area to discuss possible treatments. If you are in New York City, please call me at 917.887.4946 for a consultation when we can discuss your health concerns in greater depth. You can find an acupuncturist in your area through acufinder.com or nccaom.org.
Best,
Joe
5 Reasons Acupuncture Works to Treat Migraines
Feb 5, 2009
This is the second post in a series on headaches. Today I am going to focus on migraines, how acupuncture can treat them, and some tips you can do on your own.
Everyone knows, migraines are terrible. But more people are finding that acupuncture can help them.
As an acupuncturists, all my friends and patients want to know why it works. Here are five major reasons acupuncture works to treat migraine headaches.
Acupuncture seems very magical, how does it work?
Acupuncture is quite amazing at treating migraines, but it is certainly not magic. The practice is rooted in a clinical history of over 2000 years, in which physicians and scholars wrote and discussed the best way to heal their patients. There are also many physiological reasons acupuncture regulates the nervous system to relieve pain.
Top Five Reasons
1. Correcting the root imbalance: Healing can only happen when the body is in balance. Acupuncture works by correcting imbalances that are in your body. Once the imbalance is corrected, the body can work to heal itself. Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment is individualized to your specific symptoms. For example, in women, migraines are often associated with your period. So characteristics of your period, such as bloating, breast tenderness, and abdominal pain will factor into the diagnosis.
Correcting the root imbalance is certainly the most powerful reason that acupuncture works for migraines. But there are compelling physiological reasons as well.
2. Regulate areas of brain for pain- Studies of acupuncture show that acupuncture works to regulate pain centers of the brain. In one study of acupuncture and carpel tunnel syndrome pain, an fMRI scan of the brain showed that acupuncture actually changed the way the brain perceived pain and regulates parts of the brain that are in charge of controlling pain. So in fact it changes the way we perceive the pain.
3. Release of Neurotransmitters that relieve pain- Acupuncture also stimulates the release of neurotransmitters which relax the body and decrease pain.
4. Relax the body- In migraine headaches, there is a terrible cycle of tension and pain. The muscles tense up in reaction to the pain and then the pain causes the muscles to tense up more. This cycle of pain further exasperates the decreased blood flow to and from the skull, which is one of the causes of migraines. Acupuncture cuts off this cycle of tension and pain by relaxing the muscles and relieving tension.
5. Relax the mind- Acupuncture is a very relaxing experience. Most people feel very calm during the treatment and this lasts for a period of time afterwards. Over time, treatment helps influence you to be a calmer person and increase your ability to deal with stress. This is because Chinese medicine does not separate the body and the mind. The mind influences the body, and the body influences the mind. So in treating the body we also relax the mind.
If you are interested in finding out more about how acupuncture can help reduce your chronic headaches, please call us at 917.887.4946 for a free consultation. If you are not in the New York City Area, please go to Acufinder.com in order to find someone in your area.
The Greatest Acupressure Point for Headaches
Feb 5, 2009
Location of Large Intesting 4- He Gu
Large intestine 4, called He Gu in Chinese, is the best acupressure point for headaches. It is especially helpful for sinus headaches and headaches that are centered in the forehead.
Acupressure works by relieving imbalances in the acupuncture channels on the body. Because the large intestine channel goes from the hands to the face, LI 4 can be used for diseases of the head and face including headaches, toothaches, and the common cold.
Location: To locate LI 4, hold your hand on the side, thumbs side up. LI 4 is a half inch towards the body from the web of the thumb, in the muscle.
How to Massage: Often with a headache, the muscle will feel distended. Massage in gentle circles and press until the muscle releases. With practice, you can feel that the muscle will release under your fingers. Rub for 30 seconds to two minutes. Acupressure works quite fast, usually withing a minute or two, to soothe headaches. If the headache comes back, repeat the massage.
Symptoms: This is best used for tension and sinus headaches located on the forehead or over the sinuses. It can also be used for sinus and nasal congestion, toothache, and the common cold. If you have chronic headaches, then the imbalance is deeper and you will probably require acupuncture treatment.
Caution: Because LI 4 strongly moves the qi, it should not be used during pregnancy.
- Also you should note that forceful rubbing can lead to a minor bruise.
If you are interested in finding out more about how acupuncture can help reduce your chronic headaches, please call us at 917.887.4946 for a free consultation.
It’s Official, Acupuncture Can Relieve Your Headaches
Feb 3, 2009
In this series, I will share with you information about headaches, how acupuncture can treat them, and some tips you can do on your own. Each post will cover a different type of headache, explain some causes, and the acupuncture treatment. At the end of the series, I am teaching a class on self acupressure called “Migraines, Sinus Headaches, and the Common Cold” on March 8th. It is free but space is limited, so call us at 917-887-4946 to reserve your spot.
Headaches suck. The pounding and pressure really can be very severe and greatly impact your life.
But, there is hope, acupuncture can help by relieving the pain from many types of chronic headaches including migraines, tension headaches, and sinus headaches. And recently, the research is supporting this idea.
The Metanalysis
A recent metanalysis of 31 studies, in the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia, showed that acupuncture was more effective than both medication and placebo acupuncture. For those who do not know, a metanalysis is a more definitive study which examines many many previously performed studies. The studies showed that acupuncture was stronger than placebo acupuncture for reducing headaches, and even stronger than medication for reducing headache frequency, intensity, and overall physical function.
How does acupuncture work to treat headaches?
The body is amazing at healing itself. And if everything is working well there is no need for help, your headaches will not become chronic.
When there is an imbalance, it can cause long term illnesses and pain. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine work by correcting these imbalances in the body. Once the imbalance is corrected, the body can then works to heal itself. Each person’s imbalance is different and the diagnosis must be based on your specific symptoms.
What are the most common imbalances that cause headaches?
When comes to headaches, the imbalance is often rooted in the circulation or production of the body’s energy, qi.
Qi circulates in the body. When there is stress, trauma, or other illness, the qi circulation can slow down and become stagnated. Someone with qi stagnation will have headaches that are intense, worse with stress, neck pain, ribside pain, possible insomnia, and digestive problems.
Another imbalance can be too little energy, or what is called qi deficiency. If there is too little energy, then people will feel tired, get bloated after they eat, and have a weak pulse.
What is treatment like?
An effective acupuncture treatment is based upon a specific and accurate diagnosis. This is where I am different from other acupuncturists. I work to find the precise root imbalance of the condition and by asking in depth questions, taking your pulse, and examining your body. In doing this, I also use only few needles because I target the precise cause and get powerful results.
I like to combine acupressure, Chinese medicine massage, with the acupuncture to create greater results and a stronger sense of relaxation. Usually people will feel relief after only a few weekly visits.
If you are interested in finding out more about how acupuncture can help reduce your chronic headaches, please call us at 917.887.4946 for a free consultation. If you are not in the New York City Area, please go toAcufinder.com in order to find someone in your area.
