Alban Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs Clinic, New York City
Archive for April, 2009
10 Ways to Prevent Neck and Shoulder Pain
Apr 30, 2009
I treat a lot of neck and shoulder pain with acupuncture and acupressure. After the pain has been reduced, it is important for you to adopt healthy habits in order to prevent the pain from coming back.
Here are ten things I tell all my patients with shoulder pain.
1. Get a backpack with two straps. Bags with single straps are often not balanced.
2. Do breathing exercises to relax the auxiliary respiratory muscles of the neck.
3. Sleep! If you can’t sleep, get acupuncture for insomnia.
4. Stretch your neck and shoulders.
5. Be aware when you are uncomfortable and in pain and try to adjust your body.
6. Use a wrist support for your keyboard and your mouse.
7. Regularly massage the acupuncture point Small Intestine 3.
8. Don’t slouch. Practice tai ji, yoga, or Alexander Method to improve your posture.
9. Take a break from working (especially on the computer) to give yourself a rest.
10. Reduce your stress.
Acupuncture for Neck and Shoulder Pain
Apr 28, 2009
Recently, a young mother came into my office suffering from shoulder and neck pain. The center of the pain was a tight knot at the apex of her left shoulder. The pain was strong and nearly constant. It radiated from the shoulder to the base of the skull and there was a feeling of tightness that radiated across the front of the chest.
She is a busy mother. Playing and lifting her daughter exacerbated the problem. She had been seeing a chiropractor and a pain management doctor who was doing injections for 3 years without relief. She ended up taking pain medication almost everyday, she was extremely frustrated with her situation, and her sleep was terrible from the pain and tightness.
After one acupuncture session her pain was lessened by about half. At the end of a series of five treatments, along with some exercises at home, she had only occasional minor pain, and did not take any pain medications.
What is your approach to treatment?
The results of the acupuncture treatment depends upon the skill and approach of the practitioner. My success comes from the combination of acupuncture and acupressure over large muscle groups, using the whole acupuncture channel, treating the root of the condition, and my unique acupressure technique, which I learned in China. Also,I advise patients to do exercises and stretches at home to prevent the problem from returning.
Shoulder and Neck muscle groups
Trapezius Muscle from Gray's Anatomy
The body is interconnected, tension from one area can create problems in other muscles. In Tai ji we say that tension in the little toe can create tension in the whole body. Often, trying to target and treat only the location of the pain does not relieve the tension in the surrounding muscle groups. This is particularly true when treating pain in the neck and shoulders. All of the muscles in the region need to be addressed.
In my patient’s case the knot was on her shoulder, specifically in her trapezius muscle. Focusing on this muscle alone, and not relaxing the detoids, rhomboids, SCM, and even the biceps leaves the surrounding muscles tight.
Acupuncture Channels
Acupuncture Channels
The body is integrated by a series of channels. The location of pain and stiff muscles often follows the course of a specific channel. Targeting powerful acupuncture points on that channel, will move the stagnation that is causing the pain. In my patient’s case, the pain was on the Gallbladder channel and I used GB 34 to move the stagnation.
Some outside the field of acupuncture and Oriental Medicine believe that needling the location of the pain is sufficient. This is called dry needling, which is not nearly as effective as when the entire channel is considered.
Tui Na
Beginning of rolling movment
The key tui na technique I use is called the rolling technique, called gun fa in Chinese. Many acupuncturists know this technique. However, most do not utilize the movement of the wrist along with the whole hand which makes the technique feel smooth. I learned this while studying in China with Dr. Xiao at the Hunan University of traditional Chinese Medicine.
Ending of rolling movement
If you push too hard on a muscle, the muscle will rebel. Instead of relaxing, it can become tighter. My rolling technique, because it is smooth allows the use of strength while avoiding resistance within the muscle.
Treating the root of the condition
Chinese medicine is not simply putting a needle into the body where it hurts. It is based on a theory that the problem you have is caused by an imbalance. When it comes to muscle pain, the clinician must determine if it is an excess condition or a deficiency condition, and tailor the treatment to that diagnosis.
Excess conditions are when there is a build up in the muscles. This impedes the circulation of qi which leads to pain. A deficient condition is when there is not enough energy. Then the muscles do not have enough substance to support them, as a result they tense up.
I like to describe excess and deficiency by comparing the muscles to a narrow bridge (please excuse any physics mistakes, I am not an engineer).
When there is an excess condition, there is too much trash, debries, and cracks in the pavement for you to safely and easily cross the bridge. Climbing over the obstacles causes you to slow down, and sometimes you injure yourself. The acupuncture and tui na helps to remove the trash and smooth over the cracks.
When there is a deficiency, the support columns for the bridge are unstable. The bridge is rocky, can develop cracks, the sidewalk is tense, but shaky, and the tension on sides of the bridge increases. This also makes it hard for you to pass. In this case, the acupuncture and acupressure helps to support the bridge, which will allow you to cross safely.
For an excess condition, you will use a stronger technique, and for a deficient condition, you will use a more gentle technique. If the deficiency is very extreme, then the treatment may be take a longer time.
Neck Exercises at Home
Acupuncture treatment helps to correct the imbalance and allow the body to heal. Staying healthy and preventing the pain from returning is something you do on your own with qi gong exercises and stretches. Use these neck stretches and basic qi gong to keep your body healthy and prevent the pain from returning.
Photos: Wikipedia, EEcue, Library of Congress
More than Just Acupuncture and Herbs
Apr 24, 2009
Chinese medicine is more than just what I do in my office, Acupuncture, Acupressure, and Chinese herbal formulas. There are many practices which prevent illnesses and maintain health that you can do on your own.
Here are some I often recommend to my patients and my readers.
Food as Medicine
Eating healthy is the best way to prevent illnesses. Here are some articles which share Chinese medicine dietary therapies and philosophy of food choices.
- Eating Healthy to Create Harmony
- Chinese Medicine Recommendations for Vegetarians
- A Rainy Day Beef Ginger Soup
- Foods to Beat the Common Cold
Exercising
Our bodies are made to move. Here are some exercises and stretches to boost your body and your qi.
Acupressure
You can use acupressure as a self massage to help boost your energy, reduce pain, and prevent illness.
- Acupressure for Cramps, Digestive Problems, and Boosting Energy
- Acupressure for Nausea, Hiccups, and Acid Reflux
- Acupressure for Headaches
Prevent and Beat the Common Cold
Chinese medicine has tons of remedies to prevent and treat the common cold. Here are a few.
A Rainy Day Ginger Beef Soup
Apr 21, 2009
Yesterday was really April Showers here in New York City. I was soaked to the bone when I got home from my office. But, I was really excited to see that my wife had made ginger beef noodle soup for dinner, just the right thing to warm me up and fend off any colds from the storm.
Food is the best medicine
You’ve probably had this experience too. Coming home in a chilly rain storm, you can feel the cold coming on. It starts with an ache in your neck, the sniffles, and a slight fever and chills. This delicious soup is a great remedy for an early stage cold. And it is a snap to make.
Chinese medicine assigns properties to foods which describe their medicinal 
abilities. The key ingredient in the soup is fresh ginger, called sheng jiang in Chinese, which is warm and aromatic. These properties give it the power to “dry dampness” and makes it perfect for fighting off an early colds and achy necks.
In addition, the beef is warming and tonifies the qi and blood. Carrots are sometimes referred to as “baby ginseng” because they can tonify qi. The onions and basil are aromatic, and the noodles also tonify the qi.
Ginger Beef Noodle Soup
Ingredients:
2-3 slices of fresh ginger, peeled
Beef soup bones- We used left over ribs from the week before, marrow bones also work
1 small onion, chopped
2 yellow carrots
4 leaves of basil
bean sprouts (optional)
5 cups of water
1/2 teaspoon salt
pepper to taste
1/4 pound whole wheat spaghetti (about 1/8 per person). Rice noodles or buckwheat can be substituted.
Put the water in a soup pot and bring it to a boil. Add the ginger, onions, soup bones, carrots and salt. Simmer for 45 minutes. In a separate pot, boil salted water for cooking the noodles.
Place the soup, with the vegetables, in bowls and combine with noodles. Garnish with basil and sprouts, add pepper to taste. Warm up and enjoy!
Makes 3-4 servings.
World Tai Chi and Qigong Day
Apr 20, 2009
This Saturday is world Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day, an event to celebrate and share the healing traditions of Chinese medicine.
There will be free classes and demonstrations. I hope to see you there.
Where: Bryant Park
When: Saturday April 25th, 11am-2pm
Read More about World Tai Chi and Qigong Day.
Chinese Medicine and Stress
Apr 15, 2009
I’m not sure if New Yorkers experience more stress than others, but I can say that stress affects the health of nearly all of my patients. We often forget that stress can have a profound impact on our bodies. Most people know that uncontrolled stress can increased our risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as cause insomnia, digestive issues, tension headaches, migraines, and back pain. Not as many people realize that it can also affect our reproductive system and has been shown to be a cause of infertility. In some people, stress causes damage to the immune system causing certain autoimmune conditions, allergies, asthma, arthritis, and eczema. It can even make us age quicker, just think about how fast presidents age while they are in office!
What is stress?
We often think of stress simply as an emotion or a feeling. Stress actually is a physiological reaction to a situation in which you feel threatened. In many cases this reaction is good. Stress can help us meet our goals with an extra boost of energy. At the same time, constant and overwhelming stress can have many serious long-term health consequences.
Our reaction to stress is characterized by the fight or flight response which is regulated by our sympathetic nervous system. The fight or flight response has evolved in order to prepare us for defending ourselves in times of distress. While the physical risks in our lives, for the most part, have changed, (not so many of us are worried about being chased by bears and tigers) our bodies are more or less the same. Even if there is no tiger chasing us, we will have the same physical reaction to high pressure jobs, an argument, waiting for the subway, traffic, writing a paper, caring for a loved one, or the psychological pressures we put on ourselves.
How does Chinese Medicine Understand Stress?
Acupuncture Channels
When describing the effects that stress has on the body, Chinese medicine focuses on the emotions which stress can create. In Chinese medicine the mind and body are connected, emotions are not just felt in our mind, but have profound effects on our body.
Stress can cause anger, frustration, worry, or fear. This is of course normal and healthy in certain situations. The problem occurs when either the feeling is constant and excessive, or when we have no outlet for expression, so it builds up inside our bodies. Intense emotions create imbalances and lead to many health problems.
Each emotion affects a different system in the body and is linked to a specific group of symptoms. For example, anger and frustration impede the circulation of qi, the body’s energy. When I get angry and frustrated, I also feel it physically. My neck begins to hurt and I feel a stifling sensation in the chest. This is the qi slowing down and becoming blocked, which is called qi stagnation. Long term stagnation can lead to chronic health problems, such as muscle pain, headaches, digestive problems, irregular menstrual cycles, and insomnia, just to name a few. Another common emotion from stress is fear and chronic worry, which causes the qi to dissipate. This is why long term fear can lead to chronic fatigue and depression.
I personally also think that built up emotions and physical pain often develop into an interdependent cycle which causes further pain and illness. The physical reaction gives me even more emotional stress and then causes a more intense physical reaction.
How does Chinese Medicine Manage Stress?
Chinese medicine cannot remove the stress from you life, but it can help you deal with it better. Some of these are self care techniques that you do at home, while others are therapies done in the office. Not everyone is the same, so experiment and get to know what helps you.
1. Tai chi and chi gong: Tai Chi (also, more accurately spelled Tai Ji) and qi gong (less accurately spelled chi gong)
Tai Ji Practice
are slow moving exercises, stretches, and breathing techniques. These help both to loosen the muscles and joints, and calm the mind. Tai ji has actually been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce osteoperosis in older women.
2. Acupressure: To relieve stress and worrying, gently massage Yin Tang downward. This point is located above the nose in the center of your forehead.Also, gentle massaging the Heart channel at the wrist is helpful to calm the mind and the body. To
Gently Massage the Heart Channel for Relaxation
find this channel, hold your hand with the palm facing you.It goes along the hand and arm on the pinky side of the hand. This combination is often helpful for insomnia.
3. Exercise: Exercise is a common way to relieve stress. It is great to get the heart pumping and increase circulation. Walking is one of the greatest exercises, which I personally think is too often overlooked. A walk in the park both helps tone your muscles, gets you to breathe fresh air, and be in the sun. It also helps to move your qi if you have qi stagnation.
4. Smiling: We all know that we smile when we are happy, some people believe that your smiling actually helps to be happier. Dr. Xiao, one of my professors in China, used to say, “ Smile, it makes your qi circulate.” Also, many people are now discovering Laughing Yoga classes, where you can practice smiling and laughing in a group. Best of all, a smile is contagious– it makes other people around you also happy.
5. Meditation: Meditation focuses our attention towards uniting the mind and body. It can use breathing techniques, body positions, sayings, or just a focusing on emotions. There are many types of meditation each with their own focus. Meditation may work to reduce stress by calming the sympathetic nervous system and therefore calming the fight or flight response.
6. Acupuncture: Most patients know that acupuncture is a great way to relieve stress. It works on many levels, helping both the mind and the body to relax.
Happy Face with Gan Mai Da Zao Ingredients
There are many herbs that can help with stress and the diseases it causes. One simply formula, which helps calm anxiety and relieve stress is called gan mai da zao tang. This formula has licorice, Chinese dates, and wheat sprouts and is drunk as a simple tea to calm the mind and the body.
Here are a number of suggestions, use them and also find your own. Everyone is different and you need to experiment to find out what works for you.
Images by MeraM , EEcue, Megan Cole , Taoist Tai Chi Belgium, Sarah Pie.
Resetting the Immune System: Allergies, Asthma, and Acupuncture
Apr 8, 2009
The immune system is a wonderful thing. Without it we could not live a second–we would be totally consumed by bacteria and viruses. But, it is fickle. It can overreact or react in response to something that is not a pathogen.
I’ve recently written a couple posts about allergies (click here to read about acupuncture and allergies and click here to read about allergies in New York this season). Allergies are caused by the immune system reacting in a way it should not, and giving us problems. Asthma is also caused by the immune system overreacting.
Why do asthma and allergies often occur together?
Asthma and allergies are both caused by a hyper reaction in your immune system. And it is no surprise to those with asthma, that allergies make asthma worse. The same allergen will also irritate your lungs and cause an acute flare up with many asthma attacks and difficult breathing. With some people, this can even happen with skin allergies. You can read more about that in this article from the Mayo clinic.
How does Chinese medicine approach asthma?
Chinese medicine therapy is not one treatment, but involves many. Some are done by a Chinese medicine doctor, and others that are done by the patient themselves. In my experience, combination therapies is the most powerful and effective way to treat and prevent asthma symptoms.
The idea behind Acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment is that it corrects imbalances in the body. In other words, it works to reset the body’s immune system. In chronic immune conditions, your body becomes hypersensitive to what should not cause a major reaction. The acupuncture, acupressure, and Chinese herbs work to correct the imbalance and stimulate the body to heal itself.
1. Acupuncture is frequently used for treating asthma. As with all acupuncture, the treatment focuses on correcting the root imbalance that is causing your asthma, resetting the body to be healthy.
I have written in the past about how acupuncture helps to boost immunity and also acupuncture’s effect on our brain to regulate pain. It is possible that acupuncture works both to stimulate the immune system as well as regulate the hormonal regulation of the brain to helps to reset the immune hypersensitivity and reaction that causes your asthma.
There is some research beginning in asthma, allergies and acupuncture. One study from Taiwan showed that concluded that acupuncture does have an immediate improvement in breathing. Also, there is a growing interest in laser acupuncture for pediatric asthma because it is not as scary to a child. Here is a great study about laser acupuncture and a probiotics for kids with asthma. I personally don’t do laser acupuncture, Virgina Mims, one of my colleagues does.
2. Chinese herbs have long been used to treat asthma, and researchers are beginning to explore this idea. Just like acupuncture, the herbs are focused on correcting the imbalance and regulating the immune system. Most often, Chinese herbs are given as formulas, that is a combination of many different herbs combined which are taken together.
The combination helps to create a synergy. Herbs correctly combined together are more powerful than single herbs. They also work together to reduce side effects.
For some people with asthma and allergies, the formula Jade Wind Screen is effective. This helps to gently boost the qi while reducing allergy symptoms. It is important to consult an herbal practitioner before taking Chinese herbs.
3. Acupressure is the massage of different acupressure points on the body. It can be done by a professional (like me)
Qi gong practice
or you can do it yourself as a self care technique. Gentle rubbing the points of PC6, LI 4, and ST 36 can boost your energy and immunity. LI 4 works specifically to treat frontal headaches.
4. Tai ji and qi gong are slow moving exercises which help to improve the circulation of qi. Chen Man-ching, one of the early and most famous tai ji teachers in America, began to study tai ji in order to help a chronic lung problem. The exercises helped to heal him and prevent his condition from coming back.
5. Chinese cupping is a technique which glass or plastic cups create a suction on the
Zorba the Greek using Cupping
skin. This helps to increase the circulation at that area. It has been used with many different type of respiratory conditions. With asthma, it helps to open the lungs and increase the expectoration of phlegm. The tradition has also been used in Europe for a couple centuries and was captured in the movie Zorba the Greek.
6. It is also important to watch what you eat. Avoiding dairy and greasy food is important for those with asthma. Dairy often stimulates the production of mucus and phlegm. Ice cream and milk are the worst offenders. Yogurt in moderation maybe ok. For those with severe asthma, it is better to avoid dairy products in general to help the body clear out the phlegm.
Photos: euthman, Oda’s courses, barelyfitz
Smell the Flowers: Acupuncture and Allergies
Apr 2, 2009
As I mentioned in my last post, acupuncture is a becoming a popular choice for helping to reduce seasonal allergies. I think this is because acupuncture offers an effective drug free treatment, which does not have any serious side effects. So you can smell the flowers and still breathe free and clear without worrying about being too drowsy and foggy brained.
Acupuncture is different than taking a pill
Antihistamines are commonly taken for allergies. These are medicines which block the chemicals called histamines that cause the symptoms of allergies.
Acupuncture is different. Chinese medicine works by correcting imbalances in your body, stimulating your own body to heal itself. So instead of simply suppressing the body’s reaction, it works to correct the root cause of the problem.
In other words, acupuncture helps to reset the body and remind it how to be healthy. As balance is achieved, your body is able to maintain the healthy state without medications.
The root is in your Qi
The Chinese Character for Qi
Qi is the body’s vital energy, it gives you the power to work, study, exercise, and fight illness. It circulates in the body through channels, which I have written about here.
The root cause of allergies is often a qi imbalance. There are two major qi imbalances. The most common one for allergies is when there is too little qi, we call this a qi vacuity. When your qi is vacuous, you feel tired, can get colds easily, may have poor digestion, coughing, wheezing, and possibly asthma. The acupuncture and herbs work to boost up your qi, giving you more energy and protecting you from allergies.
The second imbalance is called qi stagnation. This is when your qi does not circulate well. This is often caused by stress, and can cause pain, headaches, menstrual cramps, and in some cases, bring on asthma attacks.
Acupressure is also be helpful to increase the blood flow and circulation in the head and the lymph.
Asthma, chronic sinusitis, and seasonal allergies are a special topic which I will discuss in the next post.
Is there a scientific explanation?
We still don’t know everything about how acupuncture works. We do know that it can reduce inflammation and increase circulation, which can certainly help allergies. We also know it helps to regulate the brain to reduce pain, so it is also possible that is another way it works to help regulate the immune response to allergies.
Clinical studies are now reaffirming some of our clinical experience. This study showed acupuncture, in addition to routine care, was effective at reducing the symptoms of allergies. Another one, showed that acupuncture alone was helpful.
Get acupuncture and smell the flowers!
If you are interested in finding out more about how acupuncture can reduce your seasonal allergies, please call us at 917.887.4946 for a free consultation.
Photos: massdistraction, wikipedia
Time to Quit Smoking in New York City
Apr 1, 2009
Today the federal government put an extra 62 cents tax on cigarettes. That makes a pack over $9 in New York City, which means more than $250 per month for those who smoke a pack per day.
You can do it!!!
Quitting is a challenge for many, but you can do it. The NYC Department of Health and Human Services is offering help with free nicotine patches and support groups. They also have some good suggestions on their website about preparing mentally like making a list of reasons to quit, finding friends and family who will support you, creating a plan with a specific date that you will quit, and exercising regularly for stress relief. Click here to read more about their program.
I also suggest, as part of the plan, to know what you will do instead of smoking. So if you crave a cigarette, often eating an apple, a pretzel, or chewing gum can occupy the physical habit of doing something.
I hear some people use acupuncture to quit smoking, is this true?
Ear Acupuncture Model
Yes, a lot of people use acupuncture for smoking. Acupuncture helps to relax the body and mind to calm the craving for cigarettes, which makes you more comfortable and less irritable. Feeling good can certainly give your will power a boost!
Often, acupuncture for quitting smoking is focused on the ears. It can be used alone or in combination with other methods, such as stress reduction, nicotine replacement, and a supportive group of friends and family.
Want to read more?
Here is a good article about the concept and theory of acupuncture for smoking cessation, and here is one about the research.
Photos: hegarty_david, Pelikanol
