Alban Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs Clinic, New York City
Archive for June, 2009
Mindfulness for Beginners- A Review
Jun 18, 2009
We’re often disconnected. We are disconnected from each other, living in our own worlds. And we are disconnected to ourselves, overloaded with stimulus from the internet, television, and pressures of life. We end up ignoring how we feel, never observing what we are going through. Never stopping to take a moment to give ourselves a moment of compassion.
Disconnection is a factor in many of the modern medical issues, including pain, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and even cancer.
John Kabat Zinn’s mindfulness technique is a way we can break this cycle of obliviousness in our own lives. On his CD called Mindfulness for Beginners
This technique seeks to teach us to experience and explore the current moment. To actually experience our bodies and the world around us can lead to an opening of the mind and heart. The silence we practice with mindfulness encourages our humanity to flow from within us.
Meditation, as most regular practices, is difficult to start. I think Mindfulness for Beginners
The Mindfulness Technique
Mindfulness technique is based upon Buddist meditation which seeks to focus attention and awareness. The mind is focused to be aware of ourselves, and our surroundings. He describes this idea as finding a sense of what is going on in the body and around the body. Through this awareness, we develop a sense of self, unlocking who we are and the beauty of being alive. Opening the mind in this way, being aware and being honest with ourselves can have a profound effect on our mind, bodies, and health.
Mindfulness and Health
I often recommend Mindfulness practice to my patients who are experiencing pain, anxiety, depression, and other chronic illnesses, like cancer or MS. Being mindful and compassionate to our own body, even if that body experiences pain, will make us a more whole person.
Mindfulness helps us remember that we are all “already in the greatest place we’ll ever be,” which is now.
Electroacupuncture works for Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
Jun 12, 2009
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is the most common form of prostatitis, yet not many clinicians know how to treat it. I have written about what chronic pelvic pain syndrome is and also how acupuncture can help.
A recent research study is also supporting the use of electroacupuncture to relieve chronic pelvic pain in men.
Electroacupuncture and Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
Electroacupuncture is when electric stimulation is attached to the acupuncture needles. It is generally used for pain relief. I often use it for treating pain and with men with CPPS.
This study showed that electroacupuncture reduces pain in men with CPPS by using just six standard acupuncture points on the sacrum and buttock. There was also a placebo acupuncture group, in which the patients received acupuncture at non-acupuncture points. Lastly, they had a group that was instructed in relaxation techniques and used a sitz bath.
After 3 weeks the men with electroacupuncture experienced a greater relief than the other two groups. After 6 weeks, the pain was nearly cut in half. There was also a reduction in prostaglandin E, an inflammatory marker, in the electroacupuncture group alone.
Beyond the research
This is great news for men with CPPS. These results support the use of acupuncture for relieving pain with CPPS. Hopefully, this will encourage men with CPPS to find help through acupuncture.
As much of great medical research does, the answer to a question gives us practical advise, and at the same time, creates more questions.
I would like to see researchers go further into examining the acupuncture methodology to see if they can produce more powerful results. For example, I believe that the best acupuncture is done through individualized diagnosis and treatment which addresses the underlying imbalance causing the pain. This type of treatment is based in Chinese medicine theory and practice. It will reduce inflammation and muscle spasm, as well as correct the imbalance that is causing the disease. This could be done through a study that includes an individualized treatment group.
Second, I would like to see a study address questions of how the acupuncture can best reduce the pain. Should the electroacupunture be set at 4HZ, 100 HZ, 200HZ, or a mixed pattern? What is the optimal time dosage? Another great question is to look into if the length of the needle affects the outcomes.
Through these type of question, we can search to find the optimal method that not only reduces pain, but eliminates the pain totally.
Better Habits for Better Sleep
Jun 7, 2009
In my last post, I wrote about how acupuncture can treat insomnia. But there are also a lot of things you should do on your own.
1. Turn off the T.V. at least 30 minutes before bed. The television stimulates you and wakes you up. The computer too. So if you are reading this blog late at night, stop now, turn the computer off, and get some sleep.
2. Only use your bed for sleep and making whoopie. Don’t use it as a spare desk.
3. Try doing self acupressure for better sleeping everyday before bed.
4. Practice breathing exercises for relaxation.
5. Drink chamomile tea.
6. Avoid caffeine after 12 noon. Don’t drink coffee even if it is decaffeinated, if you are sensitive it will still keep you up.
7. If you cannot sleep, taking a warm bath will help you relax.
8. Also, if you cannot sleep, read a lighthearted article or story in dim light.
9. Exercise during the day will help you sleep at night.
10. Most importantly, don’t nap. I know it sounds hard, but it is best to go to sleep and wake up on a schedule which will confuse force your body into a sleeping schedule.
Acupuncture Cure for the Insomniac Nation
Jun 3, 2009
Sleep. We are supposed to spend one third of our lives sleeping. But for many people, that’s a lot easier said than done.
In fact, up to 58% of adults in America complain of having trouble sleeping.
Insomnia is an issue that most of my patients experience. Actually, this is not so surprising because many chronic illnesses and pain are also associated with insomnia.
Can acupuncture treat insomnia?
Yes, acupuncture is helpful to reduce those sleepless nights. Just like other conditions, treatment of chronic insomnia should address root imbalance that is causing the condition.
The root treatment addresses the heart, liver-gallbladder, and stomach. The heart houses the spirit, yin and blood deficiency will irritate the spirit causing insomnia characterized by restlessness, anxiety, and palpitations. Sweating hands, a red complexion and tongue signals yin deficiency, while pale white complexion with a pale tongue reveals blood deficiency.
Heart Seven
One of the good acupuncture points for this pattern is HT 7.
Stress and frustration can cause insomnia from liver qi stagnation. This pattern is associated with irritability, tightness in the chest and rib-sides, and neck pain. Use LV 3 and LI 4 for liver qi stagnation.
Sometimes stagnation in the stomach harasses the spirit, which will cause insomnia with bloating, belching, and nausea. For this condition use ST 36 and PC 6.
Also, you can try acupressure for insomnia at home to enhance the effect of the acupuncture.
Photo: Wikipedia
Chinese herbs for traveling
Jun 1, 2009
Next week I am going to Mexico, and in addition to being very excited. I am reminded to prepare for my trip by getting some Chinese herbs which can take care of those stomach issues on the road.
The best all around herbal formula for travelers digestive woes is Huo xiang zheng qi tang, which translates to the Patchoui formula for correcting the qi. This formula is very useful for mild to moderate stomach problems like traveler’s diarrhea. Take it as soon as you feel a little bad. This is an aromatic formula which boosts digestion through pungent herbs like patchoui and ginger.
