Archive for the ‘Digestive Conditions’ Category
Five Essential Stretches for Neck Pain
Mar 5, 2009
After sitting down at my computer for a few hours I often notice a nagging 
pain in my neck. More than the automatic updates, the random pop-ups, or the crashing of my computer, I attribute it to sitting for long periods of time without getting up to move and stretch.
An ancient Chinese medicine saying states, “When qi moves freely, there is no pain. When qi stops, pain occurs.” Qi, the body’s energy, must circulate for good health. When its flow is impeded, pain and disease occurs. (For a more detailed explanation of qi circulation and pain, please see this post). The details of diagnosis and treatment can be very complicated, but in general we can say that the greater the pain, the worse the stagnation.
I find patients generally follow a downward spiral towards chronic pain. An injury or minor pain makes a person use that part of their body less, which then leads to greater stagnation and an increase in pain. Whether it is neck pain, back pain, hip pain, tendonitis, knee pain, or frozen shoulder, the quicker you are able to move the joint and regain normal qi flow, the faster and more sustainable the recovery.
Getting up from the computer, to do stretches of the neck, shoulders, and arms often helps my pain. Sometimes stretching is not enough for those in chronic pain. Combining stretching and exercise with acupuncture and Chinese herbs can often speed up relief and lead to a more sustainable recovery.
The Five Essential Stretches for neck pain
Dr. Xiao, and Students, I am on the far right
Dr. Xiao, my Tui Na (Chinese Medical Massage) professor in Hunan China, was famous not only for his technique, the Gun Fa (rolling technique), but also for his compassion for his patients and dedication to their health. In addition to his treatment, he educated his patients and their families about how to maintain and improve health through exercises and stretches. “Every person, not just those in pain, should do these exercises to keep their body loose and their qi moving,” Dr Xiao instructed me. “Remember to smile, it will help your qi flow.”
The following simple movements can help alleviate and prevent neck pain by relaxing the muscles and increasing blood circulation. You may even find it helps you think clearer afterwards.
1. Relax Your Breathing. If you do nothing else, do this simple breathing technique. Natural breathing is the foundation for the mind and body to relax and for qi to flow throughout the body. Stand in a comfortable position with your feet shoulder width apart, arms at your side, and knees slightly bent. Breathe into your stomach, allowing your abdomen to gently rise on inhale and fall on the exhale. After practicing for a while, this type of breathing often becomes your natural breath and you will feel more relaxed and calm. For a more in depth explanation, read this post.
2. Shake It Out. Maintaining the relaxed breathing, slowly begin to rock your shoulders and arms back and forth. Gradually increase this movement and shake out any tension. Remember to smile and have fun with it. You might even try adding a hardy belly laugh.
3. Gaze at the Heavens and Earth. Standing in the same position, relax your face and eyes. Slowly, bend your neck down and look at the ground, allow your muscles to relax. Then gently raise your head and look up. Try not to focus your gaze on any one particular object, but relax and look into the distance. Repeat this motion for about ten repetitions.
4. Look Both Ways Before You Cross. From a forward looking position, rotate your head to the left. When you have reached your limit, hold your head there for a moment and inhale, then slowly turn your head back to the right. Be careful not to over rotate which can cause pain and injury.
5. Rotate your head. Very very slowly roll your head in circles. Keep your eyes and face relaxed. Start rolling to the right ten times and then to the left. This is great to do in the middle of the day if you have minor neck pain.
top photo: Irina Souiki
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.
Diet and Acupuncture for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Jan 27, 2009
One million Americans suffer from Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis. They experience frequent diarrhea with pain and urgency, intestinal bleeding and bloody stools, cramping, and abdominal pain. Chinese medicine and acupuncture have been used to treat these symptoms for over two thousand years.
About Chinese Medicine
Chinese medicine views the body as a network of interconnected organs and channels. The channels transport qi (often translated as energy) and other substances through the body. When the qi is sufficient and moves freely, there is health and wellness. Diseases occur when there is an imbalance in the body. The acupuncture and diet correct the specific imbalance and help the body heal.
To pinpoint the specific imbalance causing the disease, the acupuncturist feels the pulse, looks at the tongue, and asks about other symptoms such as presence of pain, blood, and the number of bowel movements. For Crohn’s and colitis, qi vacuity and stagnation, dampness, and heat are the most common causes. Qi is most often described as a the body’s energy or life force.
Each patient receives an individualized acupuncture prescription depending on their particular symptoms. The goals of the treatment vary if the patient is in an exacerbation or remission. Often, they include to stop pain, diarrhea, and bleeding as well as to reduce inflammation and promote appetite. Moxibustion, the burning of an herb close to the skin to warm specific acupuncture points, may be used to augment the acupuncture. Generally, a treatment course consists of five to ten acupuncture treatments once or twice a week.
Modern Research
The modern research suggests that traditional acupuncture can be a safe and effective complement to standard care for Crohn’s disease. One study shows acupuncture treatment can raise quality of life, improve disease state and general well being (1). In addition, intestinal enzymes decreased in the active acupuncture group.
Dietary Recommendations
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, diet is very important for the maintenance of Crohn’s and colitis. The key to the TCM diet is balance and variety which includes easily digested carbohydrates, moderate amount of protein, and cooked vegetables. For those with Crohn’s and colitis, it is important not to irritate the intestines by eating food which is hard to digest, such as raw vegetables, nuts, and hot spices. This does not mean cutting vegetables out, but rather cook them in stir fries, steamed dishes, soups and stews. In addition, harder cooked meats, such as steak, should be reduced during remission and avoided during exacerbation. Try eating stews and thinly sliced stir fried meats.
The use of white rice is very beneficial to a patient with IBD. It is extremely digestible and will help improve the digestion. Brown rice can be eaten, but it must be cooked thoroughly with a lot of water. Well cooked oatmeal in plenty of water is an ideal breakfast for an individual with IBD. Excessively hot spicy food can irritate the intestinal lining and exacerbate “heat” condition, so it should also be avoided. Your acupuncturist can help you choose foods individualized for your condition.
1. Joos, S., Brinkhaus, B., Maluche, C., Maupai, N., Kohnen, R., Kraehmer, N., et.al. (2004). Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Treatment of Active Crohn’s Disease: A Randomized Controlled Study. Digestion, 69, 131-139.
Acupuncture for Gastroparesis
Dec 13, 2008
I serve as a volunteer expert on a number of websites for individuals looking for answers about health and Chinese medicine. Sometimes there is a question which I think would interest a lot of my readers. If you have a question about Chinese medicine, please feel free to e-mail me.
Question: I have diabetes and have been tested for the GP and found to be retaining more than 30% of my food after four hours. I was taking Zelnorm which seemed to help but that has been withdrawn. Now I am on Reglan but my bowels seem to get unstable with it severe diarrhea followed by severe constipation. I have recently been dxd with my second colon infection also felt to be due to the Reglan. I am looking for something which may help me move my food a little faster. I have tried increasing fiber as well as water but neither seem to do any good. I believe many of my medications are getting caught up in my stomach and not being dispersed and I am actually getting overdoses on many of them. Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your question. I understand you are in a difficult situation.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can be very effctive for improving gastric motility and the treatment of constipation. Because TCM is a holistic medicine, it works to help improve overall health.
TCM is not a one size fits all treatment. Each patient is diagnose individually. So I cannot tell you an herbal formula or an acupuncture point which may necessarily help. That can only be done after an examination which includes various questions, taking the pules, and looking at the tongue.
In TCM, constipation may be related to various diagnosis including internal heat and dryness or qi (the body’s energy)deficiency.
Acupuncture can help by boosting the body’s energy and getting rid of the heat. From a western science perspective, we’re not completely sure how it works. But it may help by “waking up” the nerves in your digestive tract and reminding your brain how to digest well.
I recommend you find an acupuncturist in your area who also is trained in Chinese herbs. Herbs can be very effective for constipation as well. Your practicioner will be able to research if there are known herb drug interactions for their formula.
Best,
Joe
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