Archive for the ‘Acupuncture’ Category
3 Essential Back Stretches
Sep 1, 2010
This is the third post about how to treat back pain with acupuncture.
Back stretches and exercises are helpful to loosen your back and keep it pain free. I use them in conjunction with acupuncture.
Here are three stretches to loosen your back, relieve tightness, and prevent pain. Go slowly and don’t overdo it in order to avoid injury.
Bouncing
Bouncing is a great way to loosen up the back. Place your hands on your lower back and gently bounce at the knees. If you have tight spots, make your hand into a fist and massage them out.
Rotate the Waist
Put your hands on your back and rotate at the waist. The goal is to keep your shoulders and ankles steady, and move the waist in a circle. This will loosen the muscles of the lumbar, hips, and pelvis.
Rotate the Waist
Rotating the Waist
Tilting the Pelvis (This is going to look a little like Dirty Dancing)
Tilting the Hips Back
Tilt the hips forward
Put your hands on your hips. Tip your butt backwards to tilt the pelvis. Now, tilt the pelvis up int the front, and repeat 9 times.
The combination of these exercises will help you loosen and, over time, strengthen your lower back.
Call 917-887-4946 to find out more about acupuncture for chronic back pain.
Relieve Back Pain with Acupuncture
Aug 30, 2010
This is the second post focusing on acupuncture for back pain relief. In my last post, I wrote about an article in the New England Journal of Medicine in support of acupuncture for back pain. Today I will explain how acupuncture works for chronic back pain.
Acupuncture for Back Pain
Acupuncture is a Natural Choice for back pain treatment
Back pain is one of the most common reasons to go to the doctor as well as miss work. It decreases quality of life and causes people to avoid activities they would normally enjoy. Acupuncture is one of the best ways to treat back pain.
Acupuncture is over 2000 years old, and has a long track record of treating back pain. Acupuncture needles are solid, there is no medication in or on the needle. It is not anesthesia that helps to reduce the pain. Acupuncture works by stimulating the body to heal itself. It does this through relaxing the back muscles, stimulating the release of anti-inflammatory chemicals, and regulating how the brain feels pain.
Acupuncture needles, placed in specific points correct imbalances that can cause back pain. The two major imbalances that cause chronic back pain are inhibition of qi (energy) circulation and too little qi.
Kidney 3
Back pain treatment will most often be focused on the back. Needles will also be placed in other areas to stimulate movement of the energy and increase production of the energy. Two effective points for this could be inside the ankle on Kidney 3, or on the calf at UB 57.
In my next post, I will write about a few stretches that work with the acupuncture to relieve back muscles pain.
Please call us at 917-887-4946 to schedule an acupuncture appointment.
Recommending Acupuncture for Back Pain
Aug 25, 2010
The New England Journal of Medicine recently published an article on their blog in support of acupuncture for back pain. The authors, all respected and established researchers, carefully analyze the current situation with regards to back pain, and even though there is controversy in the research, recommend treatment.
Acupuncture and Moxa for Back Pain
Some skeptics are asking why would these scientists make a recommendation even though the research is unclear? The answer is easy, because it works and it is very safe.
The issue with the research was that the acupuncture group was not different from the placebo acupuncture group. But both the acupuncture and the acupuncture placebo groups were better than standard treatment. Yes, you read that correctly, the placebo acupuncture was better than conventional treatment.
The Ouch Point Dilemma
The placebo acupuncture treatment has been a pain for years. Study after study shows that acupuncture does not work better than the placebo. Yet, at the same time, both the acupuncture and the placebo have a clinical effect which is better than conventional treatment. Why?
First, there is the ouch point dilemma. Ouch points are points which are sensitive and tender when you press them. Often they are not classical acupuncture points, rather they are simply on the muscle in the area of the pain. When an acupuncture investigator selects points for the placebo treatment, they use points off of the standard acupuncture channels. Many of the non-channel point may be ouch points and may aid in the pain reduction.
Second, designing a placebo needle that does not have a physiological effect is very difficult. Often they use a needle with a retractable tip that does not puncture the skin. This is much like a magicians sword which retracts the blade as he stabs his assistant. Other needles may be light touch needle, or even toothpicks, that gently prick the skin. But this too may have a physiological effect. Some styles of acupuncture use this light tapping as a way to relieve pain.
In the end, acupuncture is a physical medicine. It is difficult to create a placebo intervention that does not have a physiological reaction with the body.
Because it is Safe
The researchers recommend acupuncture for back pain because it is safe and it works better than conventional treatment. Studies after studies show there is minimal risk of severe side effects. To those with back pain it does not matter if it works better than a placebo. They just need to feel better.
In my next articles, I will explain how acupuncture works to treat back pain.
Acupuncture for Interstitial Cystitis
Aug 4, 2010
I often treat women and men for the symptoms from interstitial cystitis (IC) or painful bladder syndrome (PBS) with very good results. I think this is because TCM has been treating syndromes with painful and frequent urination for thousands of years. So there has been significant amount clinical experience and scholarship about these conditions.
What is Interstitial Cystitis or Painful Bladder Syndrome in Chinese medicine?
Over two thousand years ago, Chinese medicine scholars described a condition which they called Lin syndrome. Lin syndrome is characterized by painful and frequent urination. Other symptoms can be tenderness in the lower abdomen, a feeling of incomplete urination, sexual dysfunction, changes in the color of urination, urinating at night, and also mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
How does Acupuncture and Chinese medicine treat Interstitial Cystitis or Painful Bladder Syndrome?
Most conditions are caused by imbalances. Chinese medicine works by correcting imbalances in the body. Once the imbalance is removed, the body can heal itself.
Diagnosis and treatment are tailored specifically to the symptoms of the patient. The most common imbalances are a lack of energy in the body as well as lack of circulation of energy in the body that can lead to the development of heat.
For example, if there is painful urination mostly when the patient wakes up or after sitting all day at work, and it gets worse with stress, then it is probably qi stagnation. These are times when there is less circulation that can lead to a build up of qi. Another patient may experience frequent urination, fatigue, poor digestion, and a feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen. This is probably a lack of qi.
What is treatment like?
Acupuncture uses thin needles that are placed in points selected for the specific imbalance you are experiencing. The needles stay in the points for about twenty minutes to a half hour. Usually, people feel very relaxed during the acupuncture treatment. This is probably from the release of pain relieving chemicals in the brain.
Just like other therapies, acupuncture’s effects are most powerful from a series of treatments. It has a cumulative healing effect and long lasting results. A full treatment course is usually 12-15 visits, once or twice a week. Generally, people will start to feel some relief after 3 or 4 sessions.
Please visit the Interstitial Cystitis Network to learn more about Interstitial Cystitis and Painful Bladder Syndrome.
Learn more about how acupuncture works:
Acupuncture Meridians that Treat Headaches
Aug 2, 2010
One way that acupuncture and acupressure work for reducing migraines and headaches is by treating pain along specific acupuncture channels (also called meridians). Different meridians go to different parts of the head, and you have to choose the correct one to be effective. Click here to read some background on acupuncture channels and points.
Headache locations and channels
The choosing the correct channel depends upon choosing the proper channel.
Frontal Headaches- Stomach and Large Intestine Channel points are the most effective. This is because the stomach and large intestine channel covers the forehead and sinuses. LI 4 and ST 36 are both good points for this area.
One sided or Temple Headaches- choose the Gall Bladder and San Jiao channel. This area is covered by these channels. GB 34 and GB 31 are discussed in my previous post, Acupressure for a Kid with a Headache.
Back of the head or occipital headaches are treated best by Urinary Bladder channel. Points at the end of the channel, such as UB 60, UB 65, or UB 67 are all effective. These points can be found at Acupuncture.com.
Headaches that are located behind the eyes are generally from Kidney channel imbalances. These headaches are often difficult to treat with acupressure. Acupuncture therapy can help to boost the kidney qi to stop the chronic headaches. One of the points that is often effective is Kidney 3.
Heat Illness: A Balance of Yin and Yang
Jul 26, 2010
In New York City we have already had a number of heat advisories this July. It is important to stay cool and hydrated to avoid getting heat stroke or exhaustion.
Symptoms of chronic illness often flare up during heat waves. This can occur due to the extra stress on the body from the weather, but also because the heat itself can lead to many illnesses.
Chinese medicine see illnesses developing from imbalances in the body as well as imbalances between the body and the environment. Heat imbalances are very common
A Balance of Heat and Cool
tai ji symbol
Heat and coolness are balanced and balance each other in the body. Chinese scholars have described this terms of yin and yang: yin is the cooling properties while yang is the warming properties.
This symbol, the Tai Ji, represents the concept of yin (black) and yang (white). The yang comes to an end and the yin begins. The yin gets large, and yang recedes. And vice versa. In the center of the yin, we see yang, and in the center of the yang, there is yin.
Types of Heat
There are two major types of heat, when there is excess heat itself, and when there is a lack of cooling in the body. Either of these imbalances make the body susceptible to the an exacerbation during the hot weather. Chinese medicine and acupuncture work by restoring the balance of heating and cooling, or the balance of Yin and Yang.
yin and yang are balanced
I am going to use images of water glasses to explain the types of heat. In this image, you can see that yin and yang are at equal levels in the body.
They are balanced which is normal and healthy. In the image below, Yin gets too low. You can see there is relatively more yang.
yin level is too low
This results in too much heat in the body because there is not enough cooling properties of yin. This is the most common cause of hot flashes. In order to treat yin deficient heat, I use acupuncture and Chinese medicine to increase the yin in the body and restore balance.
yang level is too high
There can also be too much yang. In the image on the lower left, you can see the levels of yang are too high, leading to too much heat which overpowers the cooling of the yin. This is a common cause of headaches and digestive illnesses. I treat this by using acupuncture and herbs to reduce the amount of excess yang.
Illnesses Caused by Heat
There are too many illnesses that come from heat to list. Here are some of the most common. It is common for the hot weather to exacerbate your symptoms because they are caused by heat imbalances.
- Headaches
- Hot Flashes
- Hyperhydrosis
- Acne
- Eczema
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Burning and painful urination
- Joint pain
The Treatment of Heat
Chinese medicine and acupuncture work by restoring the balance of yin and yang. The treatment focuses on the specific type of heat. For yin deficient heat, the yin properties of the body are increased. For yang excess heat, the heat is drained from the body.
Read more:
images: Wikipedia
How Acupuncture Works to Relieve Pain
Jul 21, 2010
For years, much of acupuncture research has focused on the release of opiates and other pain relieving chemicals in the brain. In practice, acupuncturists often choose points that are close to the painful area. However, the research on the brain does not answer how this technique, needling close to the area of pain, works to relieve pain.
A recent study in the journal Nature Neuroscience looked at what happens locally near the needle insertion to relieve pain.
After an acupuncture needle was inserted at the acupuncture point Zu San Li (St 36) and stimulated by twirling every five minutes for a half hour, the cells around the acupuncture needle released the anti-inflammatory and pain relieving chemical called adenosine. The concentration of adenosine remained high for at least 60 minutes after the treatment. Also, they found that acupuncture stimulates a specific pain relieving receptor on the neurons, which is called A1. This receptor is stimulated by many pain medications as well. What is remarkable is that acupuncture targets the receptors in areas close to the pain.
Interestingly, this effect does not occur when the researchers do not twirl the needle.
Why do they twirl the needle?
Twirling the acupuncture needle
The art of acupuncture is not only inserting the needle but also manipulating it after the insertion. Often the needle is rapidly twirled in a small circle. Depending on the type of manipulation, one can stimulate the circulation of qi or boost the production of qi. By adding the twirled acupuncture, these researchers were replicating what happens in a real treatment, a very important aspect to high quality research.
It is exciting that researchers are piecing together how acupuncture works to relieve pain, both at the needle site as well as in the central nervous system.
Read more about how acupuncture relieves pain:
Acupuncture helps a Star Pitcher
May 26, 2010
Acupuncture is frequently used by athletes to stay fit and healthy. Yesterday there was an article in New Jersey paper about how A.J. Burnett, the Yankee’s pitcher, credits acupuncture with his health and success.
This just makes sense. Even though acupuncture can effectively treat pain, it also works to calm the mind. And is great to treat issues of the shoulder and the rotator cuff that often plague pitchers.
Photo: Adwriter
More Research on Acupuncture for Chronic Prostatitis
May 11, 2010
Acupuncture Channels
Previously, I have written about acupuncture and chronic pelvic pain syndrome and chronic prostatitis (CP/CPPS). This condition causes chronic pain, urinary symptoms, and sexual dysfunction in men. I use acupuncture very often to relieve these symptoms.
A number of small studies focusing on acupuncture for CP/CPPS have shown positive results. I previously wrote about a study using electroacupuncture. Today, I will tell you about another study that also showed acupuncture to reduced pain, urinary symptoms, and improved overall quality of life (1).
The Study
A small pilot study was created using a standardized acupuncture treatment based upon traditional principles of TCM theory. The basic idea is that when there is pain, there is an imbalance in the circulation of qi in the body. An old saying in Chinese medicine states, “When there is no movement, there is pain. When there is movement, there is no pain.”
They created a standardized acupuncture treatment by choosing points that are known to “move the qi and blood and relieve pain” . The treatments were given twice a week for six weeks.
The results
After the treatment was finished, the men in the study had a decrease in pain, an increase in functioning, and improvement in overall quality of life. This improvement remained for the 6 week followup.
It is important to see that acupuncture effects both the mind and the body. CP/CPPS does not just cause pain, discomfort, and dysfunction, it also effects the emotional well being as well. It causes anxiety, depression, and a major disruption in your life.
This reinforces what we have known for a long time- acupuncture has a holistic effect, benefiting both the mind and body.
What does this mean?
This study, and the others, show that acupuncture may have an effect on reducing pain and improving the lives of men with CP/CPPS. This is a great approach for a pilot study. Larger studies are needed for stronger proof of acupuncture’s efficacy in this condition.
As the research into CP/CPPS develops, it would be exciting to examine an individualized treatment approach, which is how I and most other acupuncturists treat in our clinic. Individualized treatment may provide more substantial, quicker, and are more resilient results than a standard treatment.
More than just acupuncture
Chinese medicine is more than just acupuncture. It is a system of healing which includes many types of therapy. The combination of therapies work in a synergistic manner for faster and long lasting relief. For example, in addition to acupuncture, I often use Chinese herbs, gua sha, acupressure, and cupping as well.
A relatively new approach to incorporating a realistic treatment in research is called the Whole Systems’ Approach. In this type of research, acupuncturists are allowed to treat the patient using any aspect of TCM they would normally use in their own clinic, as opposed to using acupuncture alone. This has a stronger relationship to what happens in the real clinic and potentially is very exciting for clinicians and the research world.
A wonderful example of this is a study currently being run at the University of Arizona focusing on TCM for Tempomandibular Joint Dysfunction.
Read more on Chronic Prostatitis and Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome:
- Acupuncture for Chronic Prostatitis and Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
- Chronic Prostatitis Without an Infection
- Electroacupuncture works for Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
- Acupuncture and the Mind Body Connection
1. Capodice JL, Jin Z, Bemis DL, et. al. A pilot study on acupuncture for lower urinary tract symptoms related to chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain. Chin Med. 2007 Feb 6;2:1.
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs Can Help Eczema
Apr 26, 2010
Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin disorder which causes the skin to become red, inflamed, intensely itchy, and in some cases blister. It is most commonly seen in children and often resolves on its own over time. But for some, eczema can persist into adulthood, and leading to chronic discomfort, itching, and for many insomnia.
Chinese herbs and acupuncture can often help. For thousands of years, Chinese medicine physicians have used acupuncture and herbs to help eczema.
Chinese Medicine Diagnosis
Chinese medicine takes a holistic approach to diagnosing eczema, considering physical, emotional, and environmental factors. By taking the pulse, asking in depth questions, and observing the tongue and the skin, I diagnose the what particular imbalance is causing the symptoms.
Often, that imbalance is due to too little energy or that the energy is not circulating in the body. Too much “heat” is a common cause of eczema, which leads to the irritation, itching, swelling, and papules.
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs Treatment
The treatment goal is to correct the root cause of the condition, which can lead to long term benefits, even long after the treatment has stopped. The treatment and diagnosis are tailored to each person’s symptoms. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment may involve acupuncture, Chinese herbs, or both. Some conditions will clear rapidly, but others may take longer. In general, a treatment course is three to six months.
My Approach
Every person is individually diagnosed to for their specific imbalance which is causing their symptoms. Most often, focusing on clearing heat, boosting the energy, and promoting circulation will help clear the lesions and stop the itching. This can help to treat the root of the disease as well as help resolve the symptoms. Clearing heat usually will include the acupuncture points of Large intestine 11, 5, and 4. Because the lungs are so often related to eczema, lung 5 and lung 6, on the front of the elbow are often added. Spleen 6 and Spleen 10 are effective at moving the blood.
Chinese herbs focused on clearing heat are effective such as sheng di huang (rehmannia) and jin yin hua (honey suckle) may be used to clear heat. If damp heat is present, often ku shen (sophroa) is efffective. Specifically for the itch, di fu zi (broom cypress) may be added. The goal of the treatment is to clear heat, dispel the wind and dampness, and move the blood to stop itch and promote healing.
Clinical Research
A number of studies in England have shown that a Chinese herbal formula is effective in treating eczema. One double blind randomized crossover study treated 40 adults with chronic eczema with an herbal formula (in later studies, this formula is entitled Zemaphyte). This study concluded that the herbal formula was effective for reducing skin lesions, redness, itching, and helped the patients sleep better. This same formula later showed to have immune system regulatory effects.
Learning More
If you would like to learn more about acupuncture and Chinese herbs for the treatment of adult eczema, you can call us at 917-887-4946 to schedule an appointment or a complementary consultation.
Read more about acupuncture and Chinese medicine and the Immune System
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