Posts Tagged ‘New York City’
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.
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
Allergies in New York City
Mar 31, 2009
New Yorkers love springtime. Winter hibernation is over and we are instantly out enjoying the parks and the city. But for many, spring time means seasonal allergies and hay fever. And that means sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, headaches, skin irritation, and tickling in your throat.
Allergies are worse in the Northeast
It is estimated that 35 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies. And according to Greg Kress, the owner of Pollen.com, allergies are worse in the Northeast part of the country. That means that a lot of those 35 million are living in our neck of the woods. And although we are a big city, we also have a lot of trees, grasses, and flower spreading their pollen, so New Yorker’s with allergies don’t get a free pass.
The good news for some, and bad news for others, is that according to Kress’s prediction, this year will be about the same intensity as last year.
What causes allergies
Seasonal allergies are reactions to pollen spread by the wind. Generally, allergies are worse from the end of March to June, but, depending on what plant you are allergic to, there are those who also suffer from allergies in the summer and fall as well.
When you breathe in the pollen, your body reacts as if the it were a disease causing pathogen and starts an immune reaction to combat it. Antibodies attach the allergen and then histamines are released into the blood, which cause the symptoms.
Allergies can seriously impact your life
Everyone knows that the symptoms of allergies can are painful and uncomfortable, but it can also lead to other more severe adverse effects.
Allergies affect your productivity at work and school. Currently, some scientists are starting to explore a link between depression, fatigue, insomnia, and allergies.
Natural Treatments of Allergies
The best thing to avoid allergies is to avoid the allergen. But that’s not always possible, especially when the allergen is floating in the air we breathe.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are becoming more popular to treat allergies. I see many patients to reduce allergies and prevent them. It also is an effective drug free choice which has no side effects. Unlike antihistamines, acupuncture does not make you drowsy. Acupressure is also helpful.
How does Acupuncture and Chinese medicine treat allergies?
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are very effective at treating allergies. Chinese medicine works by correcting imbalances in the body. When the imbalance is corrected, your body can heal itself.
Acupuncture has long been used for allergies and some research is now showing that it is effective. Personally, I like to combine acupuncture, acupressure, and sometimes Chinese herbs for the most effective treatment. Please check back for my next post on Thursday which will explain acupuncture theory behind treating allergies.
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.
Photo: brookenovak, Corinna A. Carlson
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
The Best Acupuncturist in New York
Mar 6, 2009
Who is the best Chinese Medicine Doctor in New York City?
This is actually an impossible question to answer. Just like there is no one best doctor for every condition, there is no best acupuncturist for every condition in every moment. It is really about finding the best acupuncturist for your needs. There are a few questions to consider.
1. What is their Education and Experience?
Education and experience are obviously important factor for being a good acupuncturist. I went to Touro Graduate Program in Oriental Medicine, which is a 4 years master’s degree and continued on to a postgraduate training in China at the Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
This education was very intensive, covering hundreds of acupuncture points, herbs, and herbal formulations. I also had unique and extensive training in acupressure and Tui na (Chinese medical massage), learning techniques and treatments that other acupuncturists don’t know.
My experience in both China and the United States provided an opportunity to develop a specialty in treatment of pain, migraines, prostatitis, and dermatology.
Education is especially important to consider when going to a Medical Acupuncturist who generally have only 300 hours of training acupuncture theory and methods.
2. What is their Specialty?
Find our where your acupuncturist has special training in any specific area.
While I worked in China, I developed a specialty in treating pain, specifically shoulder pain and frozen shoulder, migraine and sinus headaches, back pain, sciatica, knee pain,endometrosis, painful periods, Interstitial Cystitis, Chronic Prostatitis , Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome, and incontinence following prostate surgery. I also developed a specialty in dermatology including acne, dermatitis, eczema, hives, and shingles. I also trained in digestive issues, such as acid reflux, Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, and chronic constipation or loose stools. As well as asthma and sinusitis.
If you are looking for someone who is an expert on issues of pregnancy, I would recommend my colleague Virgina Mims. If you are looking for facial rejuvenation acupuncture, then call Elizabeth Shiah. If you are looking for an expert in mental health, then call my colleague Jessica Yunker. And if you would like support in Cancer Care, you should contact my good friend and colleague Kejian Xiao.
3. Do you like their bedside manner?
Communication is important with your health care provider is very important. Your practitioner should listen to you with patience and compassion and you should feel comfortable asking them to explain their honest opinion about the treatment outcomes and assessment.
4. What do their patients think about them?
You should ask around with your friends and family to see if anyone knows a good acupuncturist. If none of your friends know anyone. You can also look at their website , see if they have a lot of reviews and testimonials.
If you’re interested, click here for my reviews and testimonials.
5. Do they offer free consultations?
Your acupuncturist should be open to discuss your health concerns and situation before you commit to treatment. This will help assure you that Chinese medicine is the right choice for you as not everyone is familiar with the benefits of acupuncture treatment.
If you are interested in finding out more about how acupuncture can help you, please call us at 917.887.4946 for a free consultation.
Acupuncture for Sinus Headaches
Feb 11, 2009
This is the third post in a series on headaches. This one focuses on sinus headaches.
Sinus headaches stop some people in their tracks. They come with pain, congestion, and pressure in your head around your eyes, forehead, and cheeks. Sometimes, people with sinus headaches know when it is going to rain, because they feel so painful. If the headaches become chronic, it can really get you down— literally, your head can feel like a million pounds. Acupuncture has shown that it is effective to treat sinus headaches.
Why does acupuncture work?
I have already wrote about how acupuncture works to relieve pain. The key is by stimulating the body to heal itself.
This happens by correcting the root imbalance causing the disease. Healing can only happen when the body is in balance. Acupuncture works by correcting imbalances in your body. Once the imbalance is corrected, the body can work to heal itself.
According to Chinese medicine, what causes Sinus Headaches?
Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment is individualized to your specific symptoms. Although not for everyone, one key imbalance for sinus headaches is often dampness.
In Chinese medicine, characteristics of the weather can also be pathogens that causes disease. Because sinus headaches make your head feel dull, foggy, heavy, and full, and sometimes get worse in the rainy weather, they can caused by dampness. This is not all cases, and it is important to get diagnosed by a Chinese medicine practitioner. For example, if there is an infection or more intense pain, the diagnosis may also include heat or energy deficiency and the treatment will be very different.
What is treatment like?
Treatment tailored to different people. If you only occasionally get sinus headaches, you may be able to treat them yourself with acupressure. If they are chronic, that means the imbalance is deeper in the body and you will probably need acupuncture as well.
An effective acupuncture treatment is based upon a specific and accurate diagnosis. I work to find the precise root imbalance of the condition and by asking in depth questions, taking your pulse, and examining your body. In doing this, I also use only few needles because I target the precise cause and get powerful results.
I like to combine acupressure with the acupuncture to create greater results and a stronger sense of relaxation. Usually people will feel relief after only a few weekly visits.
If you are interested in finding out more about how acupuncture can help reduce your chronic headaches, please call us at 917.887.4946 for a free consultation.
Photo:edupics.com
What to do about the Flu in New York City
Feb 10, 2009
In a press release yesterday, NYC has announced that the flu has come to New York City.
In Chinese Medicine there are two main ways to prevent getting the flu. First, boost your own immune system, which Chinese medicine (read this post for more info). Second, fend off any invaders before you get sick.
It is best to treat a disease before you get it by boosting your immune system. I recommend taking the mushroom reishi, also called ling zhi in Chinese, which will help boost your immunity and your energy.
But when the flu is going around, it is important to take an herbal formula which will help prevent the sickness. Gan Mao ling is a great formula for this. If you get the flu, this formula will not be powerful enough. At this point it is important to seek advice from a Chinese medicine doctor for the right formula.
Check out these posts for other Chinese medicine tricks and tips on how to prevent and kick the common cold and flu.
People who get chronic colds will need a more customized herbal formula and acupuncture treatment.
Photo by JJohn.
Help with Acupuncture for Somatization Disorders
Feb 6, 2009
I serve as an expert on many sites. Recently, a woman asked me about somatoform disorders, which is a problem of chronic pain and illness with no specific physical cause. I commonly treat this type of problems in my clinic and it is more common than people think. Western Medicine does not know everything about the causes of chronic illness, the key is to correct the root imbalance.
Dear Friend,
Thank you for the question. I understand that somatoform disorders can be very frustrating and challenging. I do believe that Chinese medicine and acupuncture can help your situation, in fact I believe it is very suited for your condition. I have personally helped many people with pain and other symptoms live with much less or no pain at all.
In Chinese medicine there is no diagnosis of somatoform disorder, per se, because we do not view the mind and body as disconnected. Rather, Chinese views the body as an interconnected whole. It is only natural that our minds and emotions effect our state of health. We do not divide “real body pain” from the patients’ experiences, rather the condition is just what you are experiencing. To diagnosis, we look at a constellation of symptoms and how they fit together, such as joint pain, headaches, frequent colds, and mental health, we do not see it as isolated from the entire picture, but part of it to understand what is going on.
The basic idea is that disease happens from imbalances. Once the imbalance is corrected, your body can work to heal itself. As I mentioned, each person’s overall symptoms are weaved together and creates a holistic picture of what is going on with the patient. From what you tell me, pain and sore throat, it could be a number of imbalances.
I find that many people suffering from poor health benefit from tai chi or qi gong because it helps boost your energy and improve your circulation. Tai chi and qi gong are slow moving exercises, that which are more than 3000 years, designed to improve your health. Many people have used them for improving health and strength while decreasing pain with great success.
I can’t diagnosis or treat over the internet. I recommend finding an acupuncturist in your area to discuss possible treatments. If you are in New York City, please call me at 917.887.4946 for a consultation when we can discuss your health concerns in greater depth. You can find an acupuncturist in your area through acufinder.com or nccaom.org.
Best,
Joe
5 Reasons Acupuncture Works to Treat Migraines
Feb 5, 2009
This is the second post in a series on headaches. Today I am going to focus on migraines, how acupuncture can treat them, and some tips you can do on your own.
Everyone knows, migraines are terrible. But more people are finding that acupuncture can help them.
As an acupuncturists, all my friends and patients want to know why it works. Here are five major reasons acupuncture works to treat migraine headaches.
Acupuncture seems very magical, how does it work?
Acupuncture is quite amazing at treating migraines, but it is certainly not magic. The practice is rooted in a clinical history of over 2000 years, in which physicians and scholars wrote and discussed the best way to heal their patients. There are also many physiological reasons acupuncture regulates the nervous system to relieve pain.
Top Five Reasons
1. Correcting the root imbalance: Healing can only happen when the body is in balance. Acupuncture works by correcting imbalances that are in your body. Once the imbalance is corrected, the body can work to heal itself. Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment is individualized to your specific symptoms. For example, in women, migraines are often associated with your period. So characteristics of your period, such as bloating, breast tenderness, and abdominal pain will factor into the diagnosis.
Correcting the root imbalance is certainly the most powerful reason that acupuncture works for migraines. But there are compelling physiological reasons as well.
2. Regulate areas of brain for pain- Studies of acupuncture show that acupuncture works to regulate pain centers of the brain. In one study of acupuncture and carpel tunnel syndrome pain, an fMRI scan of the brain showed that acupuncture actually changed the way the brain perceived pain and regulates parts of the brain that are in charge of controlling pain. So in fact it changes the way we perceive the pain.
3. Release of Neurotransmitters that relieve pain- Acupuncture also stimulates the release of neurotransmitters which relax the body and decrease pain.
4. Relax the body- In migraine headaches, there is a terrible cycle of tension and pain. The muscles tense up in reaction to the pain and then the pain causes the muscles to tense up more. This cycle of pain further exasperates the decreased blood flow to and from the skull, which is one of the causes of migraines. Acupuncture cuts off this cycle of tension and pain by relaxing the muscles and relieving tension.
5. Relax the mind- Acupuncture is a very relaxing experience. Most people feel very calm during the treatment and this lasts for a period of time afterwards. Over time, treatment helps influence you to be a calmer person and increase your ability to deal with stress. This is because Chinese medicine does not separate the body and the mind. The mind influences the body, and the body influences the mind. So in treating the body we also relax the mind.
If you are interested in finding out more about how acupuncture can help reduce your chronic headaches, 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.
The Greatest Acupressure Point for Headaches
Feb 5, 2009
Location of Large Intesting 4- He Gu
Large intestine 4, called He Gu in Chinese, is the best acupressure point for headaches. It is especially helpful for sinus headaches and headaches that are centered in the forehead.
Acupressure works by relieving imbalances in the acupuncture channels on the body. Because the large intestine channel goes from the hands to the face, LI 4 can be used for diseases of the head and face including headaches, toothaches, and the common cold.
Location: To locate LI 4, hold your hand on the side, thumbs side up. LI 4 is a half inch towards the body from the web of the thumb, in the muscle.
How to Massage: Often with a headache, the muscle will feel distended. Massage in gentle circles and press until the muscle releases. With practice, you can feel that the muscle will release under your fingers. Rub for 30 seconds to two minutes. Acupressure works quite fast, usually withing a minute or two, to soothe headaches. If the headache comes back, repeat the massage.
Symptoms: This is best used for tension and sinus headaches located on the forehead or over the sinuses. It can also be used for sinus and nasal congestion, toothache, and the common cold. If you have chronic headaches, then the imbalance is deeper and you will probably require acupuncture treatment.
Caution: Because LI 4 strongly moves the qi, it should not be used during pregnancy.
- Also you should note that forceful rubbing can lead to a minor bruise.
If you are interested in finding out more about how acupuncture can help reduce your chronic headaches, please call us at 917.887.4946 for a free consultation.
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