Archive for the ‘Dermatology’ Category
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
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs for Winter Eczema: A Success Story
Jan 6, 2010
Eczema, or dermatitis, is an inflammation of the skin. It is an autoimmune condition which causes redness, itchiness, scabbing, and scaling of the skin. Generally, the condition is worse in the winter.
In Chinese medicine, when eczema occurs only in the winter it is called winter dermatitis.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapies can help reduce the symptom intensity and frequency by correcting correcting imbalances in the body. Once the imbalances are removed, the body can work to heal itself.
Here’s one patient’s story.
This patient was a woman in her early 30′s. She was experiencing raised red and scabbed lesions on her hands which were which were very itchy. At times there was a thin and watery discharge. There was a direct relationship between the temperature and the irritation– the colder the temperature, the worse the inflammation. The spots lay only on the hands between the thumb and the index finger, at the acupuncture point Large Intestine 4.
She had the condition for a couple years and did not know why. It generally begins in the early winter and continues until May or June, when it warms up again. At first, believing it was an allergy she tried different soap and skin products with no help. Every year since it began, it was getting worse
The issue was an imbalance of the Qi (or energy), which is very common in winter dermatitis. In this case, there was not enough qi.
Qi serves to warm the body and to moisten the skin. In the winter, the qi is working harder to warm the body. If there is too little qi it will not have enough to go around. So it is difficult to also moisten, which then can result in irritation and rashes.
Qi is also strongly associated with the immune system. Most autoimmune conditions are caused by a qi imbalance.
Treatments with both herbs and acupuncture are most effective. The acupuncture included points for moving the qi, clearing heat, and boosting the qi, such as Du 20, LI 4, LI 10, SJ 5, LIV 2, Sp 9, Sp 6. I have written about how acupuncture can enhance immunity. It may also help to regulate autoimmune conditions through the similar neurological and immunological mechanisms.
The herbal formula is a modified version of the All Inclusive Tonifing Formula. It is focused on boosting the qi of the body. This formula has many herbs that regulate the immune system such as ginseng, astragalus, and licorice.
Results: After the first acupuncture treatment and herbs, the lesions began to disappear. She returned every other week over the course of the next 3 month. Although, there were some days of intense itching, it was generally less itchy. The lesions disappeared quicker, earlier, and more completely than in previous years.
We stopped treatment over the summer when the rashes disappeared. Treatment then resumed in October of the following year to prevent them from recurring in the winter.
In some cases, the dermatitis will be cured. In others, people will need preventative treatments during the winter months. It depends on how deep and how long the imbalance has been present.
What can Acupuncture Treat?
Mar 10, 2009
What can acupuncture treat? This is probably the second most common question I get as an acupuncturist. (The first is how did I get into acupuncture, which I answered in this post).
Sounds like a simple question, but in fact it is quite hard to answer. In many ways, it is like asking, “What does Western Medicine treat?” or ” What do medications treat?”
Unlike other therapies, such as psychotherapy or physical therapy, acupuncture can treat both physical and mental problems, as well as internal medicine. Acupuncture, as a part of Chinese medicine, has been used as a comprehensive medical system and over one billion people still use Traditional East Asian Medicine as their primary means of health care. That means that people use it to treat back pain, colds, PMS, infertility, asthma, strokes, migraine headaches, painful urination, acne, stomach aches, depression, anxiety, and all other types of diseases.
Generally speaking, people seek acupuncture for chronic conditions. Here are some various resources to help you explore “what acupuncture treats?”
1. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). NCCAM has some good information about acupuncture treatment for a few conditions, like osteoarthritis of the knee, fibromyalgia, and PTSD. There is also a great video by Richard Hamershlag, a wonderful acupuncture researcher.
2. The World Health Organization published huge document on acupuncture and traditional medicine in 2003. Unfortunately it is no longer on the web, (here is a link to it’s summery on Wikipedia). The document listed over 140 conditions which acupuncture is used for and has documented efficacy. Here are a few of the conditions listed:
- Adverse reactions to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy
- Allergic rhinitis
- Depression
- Painful Periods
- Ulcer
- Facial pain
- Headache
- Knee pain
- Low back pain
- Correction of Malposition of fetus
- Morning sickness
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Postoperative pain
- Renal colic
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sciatica
- Stroke
3. A great article published in the Annals of Family Medicine in 2005, examined the most common reasons for going to an acupuncturist in Washington State and Massachusetts. This article also discusses training and background of acupuncturists and the major categories of diseases, along with specific conditions.
Some of the most common conditions included:
- back pain and stiffness
- anxiety and depression
- neck pain and stiffness
- fatigue
- headache
- shoulder pain and stiffness
- general wellness
- allergies to food
- knee pain
- abdominal pain, cramps, and distention
- infectious disease
- problems of pregnancy or fertility
4. From my personal experience, I think that article was pretty comprehensive for common conditions I treat. In my clinic, other common conditions are chronic prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, migraine headaches, acne, dermatitis, and irregular or painful menstruation. If you are interested in getting acupuncture, find someone you can trust and ask them if they have experience with your concern.
5. The way that the Chinese still use their own traditional medicine should also help us understand what can Acupuncture and Chinese medicine treat.
Dr. Chan, my acupuncture Professor, and me
In China, Chinese medicine is completely integrated with the healthcare system. Where I studied, at the Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, we had an entire hospital dedicated to TCM. They also used Western medicine when needed, such as antibiotics, but the main focus was acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and acupressure.
The hospital has many departments, I rotated in acupuncture, internal medicine, Tui na (medical massage) and dermatology. They also had an OBGYN, pediatrics, and an entire inpatient department. People came to see us with all typs of pain, headaches, shoulder pain, back pain, facial paralysis, bell’s palsy, menstrual cramps, infertility, hepatitis, gall bladder disease, rehabilitation from stroke, chronic renal failure, sexual dysfunction, proastatitis, acne, and hives just to name a few.
Dr. Chan, my teacher in the photo above, is a master Chinese medicine Doctor and Acupuncturist. He is famous for his treatment of Prostatitis, Parkinson’s disease, pain, eye conditions, stroke, and cerebral palsy.
6. A similar question to what is it used for is “Is there research?” The answer to that is a wholehearted yes! There is too much to discuss hear, so I selected some of my favorite.
One of the best and most comprehensive studies focuses on acupuncture for osteoarthritis of the knee. There is also evidence that acupuncture works for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, an area I believe acupuncture is underused. Acupuncture has also been shown to help the effectiveness of IVF and improves the health of the babies at birth. Acupuncture is also great at treating headaches of all kinds. I’ve already written about acupuncture and headaches in this post.
Of course, there are millions of other chronic conditions acupuncture can treat. If you are interested in learning more about if acupuncture can address your health concern, please call us at 917-887-4946 for a free consultation.
Top Photo: NYCTCM
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Treatment of Acne
Jan 29, 2009
In my last post, I described the Chinese medicine theory behind acne. In this post I will discuss some basic concepts of acne treatment.
Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment
By taking the pulse, asking in-depth questions, and observing the tongue and skin, the TCM practitioner will make an individualized diagnose according to TCM patterns. The treatment is tailored to fit to each person’s pattern diagnosis.
Depending on the condition, treatment may involve acupuncture, Chinese herbs, or both. Generally, mild acne can be treated with acupuncture, but more severe and complex cases often require Chinese herbs as well.
One of the most powerful abilities of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture is that it is holistic treatment which can help people both with the acne as well as improve overall wellness.
Here are some common Acne Patterns in Chinese medicine
Lung and stomach heat is the most common form of acne. This manifests as white or black heads on the face around the cheeks, nose, and forehead, as well as the chest, and upper back. Skin looks oily and may have a slightly reddish hue. The tongue will have a yellow coat. The goal of this treatment is to clear heat from the lungs and the stomach.
Generally, the acupuncture treatment is on the lung and Stomach channels, which go along the arms and legs. Lung 5, at the elbow, is often used, as well as Stomach 36 below the knee. Herbs such as pi pai ye, huang qin, and sang bai pi may be used to clear heat from the lungs and stomach.
Sometimes the heat is very strong, leading to dry mouth and thirst. To clear this heat and nourish the fluids of the body, herbs such as xuan shen and mai men dong are added. If there is significant dampness in the stomach, the skin will be more oily and greasy. Often this will lead to large acne and cysts on the chest and back. Herbs such as bai zhu and yi yi ren may be added to clear even more heat. For those with this type of acne, it is very important to avoid greasy foods.
The skin around areas of acne may become red causing a general reddish complexion, which may remain after the pimples have been cleared. This is because the heat has entered the blood level. Herbs such as honeysuckle flowers, rose hips, and lotus flowers can be used for this condition. Heat toxicity develops when the skin becomes infected. Toxicity manifests as is redness, pus, and pain. Herbs such as honeysuckle and dandelion may be used for this.
In women, if acne becomes worse around the menstrual cycle, it may be related to the qi, the body’s energy, and blood. Qi flows throughout the body’s channels. Emotions such as stress, frustration, and anger can cause the qi to slow down to stagnate. Frequently, acne and other skin problems which occur around the menses are caused by qi and blood stagnation. For this acupuncture points such as Liver 3 on the foot, and Spleen 6 above the ankle may be used. Herbs such as yi mu cao, xiang fu, and bai shao may be added.
This post it meant to give you the general idea about acupuncture and Chinese herbal treatment for acne. It is very important to find a licensed and experienced acupuncturist who is familiar with treating acne. For those in New York, please feel free to call us at 917-887-4946 for a free consultation. If you are out of our region, you can checkout Acufinder.com.
Chinese medicine for Acne
Jan 28, 2009
In this post I will discuss common causes of acne in Chinese medicine. Check back Tomorrow for a discussion about the acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment.
People looking for help with acne often try remedy after remedy without much help, and sometimes find only side effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been around for thousands of years and it is helping people with acne through acupuncture and individualized herbal formulas. That same wisdom can be effectively applied today.
Acne is among the most common of skin conditions, afflicting almost all adolescents to some degree. Sometimes it can extend into adulthood. The degree of severity can vary widely, from a few white heads and blackheads, to extensive formation of cysts. Sometimes scarring can occur. But no matter how bad, acne can have a significant effect on social and emotional health. It can also be the source of physical pain and local skin infections.
What Causes Acne?
Acne is characterized as a disorder of the hair follicle sebaceous gland. This gland can get clogged up from a skin, which is normally shed off the body. The clogged pore then becomes a pimple. Hormones and bacteria in the skin further exacerbate the clogging of pores. In some people, the pimple can become inflamed leading to development of large painful pimples, commonly referred to as cysts.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Viewpoint
TCM considers physical, emotional, and environmental factors of the individual when treating skin problems. From a TCM perspective, acne is most often associated with heat and dampness effecting the organs and channels of the lungs, stomach, and spleen.
In Chinese medicine, each organ has specific functions and is connected to a channel that runs from the skin’s surface internally to connect with the organ. The organs involved with acne are because of both the function as well as the locations of their channels. Don’t worry, a disharmony in the Chinese medicine organ does not mean an illness in the Western medicine organ.
Lung – The lungs are in charge of the skin. So any skin disease can therefore be related to the lung. We often see this in some skin diseases, such as eczema, which often occurs with lung problems. The lung also regulates the opening and closing of the pores, which is one way that the heat that causes acne can escape from the body.
Stomach – The stomach naturally tends to be warm, which is how it helps in digestion of food. However, this propensity for heat can easily gather extra heat, which can manifest as pimples along the stomach channel, which covers the chest and the face. Dampness in the stomach also may be a factor, which leads to greasy oily skin.
Spleen – Finally, the spleen is also involved. The spleen is in charge of digestion. When digestion is working well and harmonized the body generates ample amount of energy and is able to get rid of dampness. If the spleen is not working well, dampness can accumulate and lead to greasy skin and acne.
These disharmonies have many overlapping causes. Stress, overwork, and congenital factors are some of the most common reasons. Food choices are also a common cause. Eating greasy, spicy, and heavy foods disrupt the function of the spleen in digestion that can lead to dampness, which can influence an acne flare-up. Which is why eating greasy pizza, too much chocolate, and spicy Mexican food can be bad for acne.
Check back tomorrow for a discussion about the acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment.
This post it meant to give you the general idea about acupuncture and Chinese medicine theory behind acne. It is very important to find a licensed and experienced acupuncturist who is familiar with treating acne. For those in New York, please feel free to call us at 917-887-4946 for a free consultation. If you are out of our region, you can checkout Acufinder.com
Immediate Relief from Shingles
Jan 13, 2009
Most patients come to see me for chronic issues like chronic pain or skin conditions. But Chinese medicine can also give fast relieve and healing.
This patient was a old patient of mine, who had found relief for irregular menses and digestive issues. But this time, she came in with Shingles. I noticed a number of my patients had shingles this spring. Shingles are a reemergence of the chicken pox virus which usually travels along the course of a nerve.
She is a young woman in her 30′s. The lesions were on the left side of upper back and scapula on the small intestine channel and traveled down her arm on two specific channels, the left pericardium and heart channels. The lesions were red, hot, and somewhat itchy, but the pain was not extremely intense. The upper back and scapula was the most intense region of lesions and discomfort.
She also complained of alternating chills and fever and slight nausea. Pulse was stringlike and she had an thin fur on her tongue.
Diagnosis: Shao yang pattern with heat erupting on the tai yang channels
Treatment:
Herbs- Xiao chai hu tang with dao chi san. This formula harmonizes the body and will drain heat from the heart channels.
Topically- patient used neem oil, a natural Indian oil for rashes and skin diseases.
Acupuncture- SJ 5, GB 41, Du 20, and Plum Blossom needle around the lesions
Results: After herbs, patient was feeling immediately better. She felt the neem oil help remove the feeling of heat. The herbs also removed the feeling of heat and discomfort. Shingles usually stay around for 2-3 weeks with a lot of pain, discomfort and itch. After only one week her lesions were almost all gone on her upper back. There were only a few on her arm which were not bothersome.
Usually I treat chronic issues, but Chinese medicine can also be very useful for acute problems with almost immediate relief.
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