Category Archives: Acupuncture

The NIH and WHO Endorse Acupuncture as Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Using different criteria, both the World Health Organization and National Institutes of Health have identified several various conditions deemed appropriate for treatment with acupuncture, including many that directly relate to IBS:

• Muscle cramping

• Stomach pain

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

Besides that, it has also been seen that acupuncture is effective for the reduction of stress, as well as in the treatment of associated problems that usually set off IBS symptoms, such as:

• Insomnia

• Anxiety

• Premenstrual syndrome

• Menstrual cramps

• Nervousness

One study has at least directly compared the effectiveness of acupuncture to relaxation therapy in patients with IBS. The study discovered that the gastrointestinal symptom scores and quality-of-life of the patients improved, along with significant decrease in stomach pain. But, then after a four week post trial period, only the patients in the group treated with acupuncture were still enjoying relief from pain. Moreover, this group also experienced a substantial decrease in stress perception but not in the relaxation group. The results caused the researchers to conclude that the benefits of acupuncture exceed those of conventional relaxation treatment and can effectively address IBS, especially the symptoms of stress and pain.

While there is no question that acupuncture provides notable pain relief and helps treat other IBS symptoms as well, Western conventional medicine has no explanation as to how and why the treatment works. They hypothesize that acupuncture has the ability to influence the nervous system by activating the release of endorphins, which is the body’s own “feel-good” chemicals that prevent pain signals from reaching the brain. Studies have revealed that acupuncture leads to a change in the flow of blood within the brain that boosts circulation to the thalamus (the area related with relaying pain and other sensory impulses), improves the conduction of electromagnetic signals in the brain, and causes observable differences in the neurotransmitter output of the brain including prostaglandin and other inflammation-causing substances, such as norepinephrine and serotonin.

Scientists and doctors who do not believe the Chinese concept of chi are still at a loss why these changes happen. But you can experience the healing power of acupuncture yourself if you happen to suffer from constipation or diarrhea and chronic pain related to disease and decide to try out acupuncture for your problems. You may not care how and why the treatment works, the only thing that matters is that it works for you.

You might have noticed that several of the treatments for IBS, from Qi gong to meditation to acupuncture, have measurable success and well-established rates, but no one can explain the reason behind their remarkable results. The Western modes of treatment for IBS have so far been disappointing and some doctors even claim that the condition is a psychosomatic problem. Western medicine has not yet even come close to thoroughly understanding the underlying problem of IBS or has developed a method worthy to be called a treatment for it – let alone find a cure. Results are what matters most to those suffering from the condition. So if something helps relieve or prevent an episode of IBS, then by definition it is a valid form of health care for it.

If you’re still debating whether acupuncture is right for you, the following are some precautions you first need to know if you decide to proceed with this treatment:

• If you are pregnant, the stimulation of certain acupoints, especially points near or on the stomach, can set off uterine contractions and bring on premature labor and a possible miscarriage. If you are pregnant or think you are, tell your acupuncturist about it.

• Acupuncture needles can have the potential to draw blood so if you’re taking anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin) or suffering from uncontrolled bleeding disorder, you need to tell your acupuncturist about it.

• If you have body implants such as breast implants, it’s important to inform your acupuncturist so he/she may avoid sticking needles in the area of the implant

• Acupuncture should only be used on your limbs with extreme care if you’re suffering from diabetes because even a tiny puncture on the skin of a person with diabetic neuropathy can lead to severe infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns in this area

Acupuncture Works Extremely Against Arthritis Conditions

Acupuncture treatment provides pain sufferers an alternative or added form of relief of their condition. Several studies have backed this treatment’s ability to provide great relief to those who need it.

Whenever your joints feel inflamed and start to become tender and sore, you can go to an acupuncture clinic and have yourself treated by a licensed and qualified practitioner to rid you of your ailment. Patients who both use acupuncture medication to treat arthritis say they get quick relief from the discomfort compared to sufferers who only use drugs. For this reason, both arthritis drugs and acupuncture treatment should be considered by arthritis sufferers.

An ailment oftentimes seen in aging adults, arthritis is one of the conditions acupuncture is known to work extremely well. Acupuncture involves the piercing of specific areas of the body known as acupuncture point with needles in order to relieve ailments and restore balance to the body. Acupuncture osteoporosis, acupuncture osteoarthritis and, and acupuncture knee arthritis treatments are three of the most sought after treatments by the aging adult group.

Acupuncture treatment for osteoarthritis is done not to cure the disease but to help manage its symptoms since there is no known cure for this disease. If multiple acupuncture osteoarthritis treatments are performed, the patient would have a much better chance of pain relief. Sporadic treatments would likely result in failure.

A lot of people fail to distinguish the difference between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect more the younger population and its main cause is a problem with the small joints of the body. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, usually affects the older age group and the hips. Even though both are problems of the bone, they are considered different from the viewpoint of acupuncture. The points where the needles are to be inserted depend on the symptoms shown and the constitution of the patient. The frequency of the sessions is based on the availability of the practitioner and the gravity of the disease. The chances that your painful arthritis symptoms will be treated are high if the treatment it is done at regular sessions.

In a lot if instances, acupuncture’s effectiveness lies on how much you want to get cured. If you have the determination to persevere in completing the course of arthritis and acupuncture treatment, then the symptoms and the underlying cause of your arthritis would be resolved.

Chinese Herbs, Acupuncture, and Other Therapies Work Well in the Cure of ADHD

In the United States, the most common diagnosis given to children today is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) this disorder affects about 5 percent of girls and 10 percent of boys in grade-school years. From 1991 – 1998, the sale of Ritalin (methylphenidate), a pharmaceutical stimulant increased by 700 percent. An alarming trend has been set in which this drug is prescribed to younger and younger children. Information gathered from certain States suggests that during the years 1991 and 1995, there was an increase in the prescription of stimulants for kids below the age of 5 (for girls, an increase of 107 percent and for boys, 78 percent). This trend of early medication causes a lot of concern for American parents about the drug’s side effect to their young children. Because of this more and more people are seeking safe alternative approaches to ADHD.

Understanding that ADHD is deemed a problem only in the US is the first step towards a a safe and effective alternative therapy for this “condition”. The population of the US comprises just 5 percent of the world’s population but it accounts for 90% of total Ritalin use globally. ADHD is handled quite differently In most countries of the world. The Chinese, for example, consider some of the symptoms of ADHD as just normal behavior of preschool children, when they reach the age of six or seven, their behavior changes especially when they start going to school. Children experiencing difficulties changing their behavior are given test for ADHD. Because of the safe nature of Chinese herbs and allergy desensitization, they are usually the first treatment given to ADHD children. Allergy desensitization and food elimination therapy have demonstrated to work quite well in the treatment of ADHD. Several clinical trials also show Chinese herbs can help ADHD children. An overwhelming number of these trials suggest encouraging outcomes.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

ADHD from the standpoint of TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), is the result of Kidney Yin deficiency. Chinese herbal tonics with Yin energy are typically prescribed. Herbs such as Dioscorea opposite, root of Acori graminei, root of Polygara, bark of Phellodendron, root of Anemarrhena, and root of Rehmannia are frequently used. In 1987, a Chinese study headed by Zhang was conducted involving 326 children with ages ranging 4 – 16. They were given an herbal formula called Jing Ling Extract. The children took the extract two times a day for three months. The study showed that almost 35 percent of the children were cured (no recurring symptoms for six months, coordinate movement tests were negative, marked improvement in school performance, and disappearance of all clinical symptoms). The rate of effectiveness was almost 95 percent including improved cases. In 1989, another study (a separate open trial) also headed by Zhang was conducted that also tested a similar formula, Jing Ling Pill. The study involved the participation of 103 girls and 454 boys for a total of 557 children ages ranging 4 – 16. For six months they were given this pill two times each day. Results reveal that 144 children were cured (25.8 percent) and the rate of effectiveness of the pill was 92.8 percent.

Another study (open randomly assigned trial) performed in 1990, headed by Huang and Zhang compared a drug known as methylphenidate with a Chinese herbal formula. The drug was given to subjects for one to three months two times a day at a dose of 5 – 15 mg while the Chinese herbal formula was given to 80 participants. Out of the 80 subjects, 23 were cured (no recurring symptoms for half a year and no clinical symptoms) compared to only three out of the 20 who were given methylphenidate. The rates of effectiveness were 86 percent versus 90 percent for the methylphenidates and Chinese herbal group, respectively. When it comes to rates of effectiveness, there was not much difference between the two groups, the herbal group, however, experienced a rise in IQ and had lower side effects than the drug group.

A 1995 study headed by Wang witnessed a rate of effectiveness of 94 percent, including improved academics, improved attention, and reduced hyperactivity from children given the herbal tonic Tiaoshen Liquor. In 1994, an open trial headed by Sun observed the effects of Yizhi syrup, another Chinese herbal formula on 66 hyperkinetic children. The trial showed a 85 percent rate of effectiveness, including soft neurological signs, and marked improvement in school records and behavior.

Chinese medicine rarely uses a single herb for treatment. Chinese herbal formulas are composed of a variety of herbs that help reduce side effects and boost the herb’s therapeutic effects. For the treatment of ADHD no data showing use of a single herb exists. Be that as it may, the aforementioned trials using Chinese herbal formula bode well for the use of Chinese medicine treatment for ADHD in the US.

Allergy Desensitization

A huge volume of clinical data suggests that a substantial portion of ADHD/ADD cases is connected to environmental and food allergies. A huge number of children with ADHD also suffer from a weak immune system due to environmental toxins. Special electrodermal technique has been used to detect probable autoimmune response against their neurotransmitters and nervous system. Environmental and food allergies and the immune system’s reaction to nutrients such as amino acids and vitamins lead to neurotransmitter deficiency and nervous system malfunction. A revolutionary technique called BioSET, as well as allergy desensitization technique, enzyme therapy, food allergy management, and neurotoxin detoxification, has led to successful outcomes in the treatment of ADHD. Techniques such as BioSET that deal with the immune system and toxins are used always during the initial phase of the treatment. Other supporting treatments such as nutritional supplement and Chinese herbal medicine can help overcome the deficiency of the body once the immune system has been stabilized.

Acupuncture

In the treatment of child ADHD, acupuncture has found a role as form of complementary therapy. Using laser acupuncture, an unpublished preliminary pre-post single-blind data study headed by Loo showed improvements in academic performance from students in grades K to 3.

The use of auricular acupuncture also has led to positive results in ADHD treatment. This type of acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years in China were it originated. Over the past half-century, the entire somatotopic and microsystem maps have been developed. Various health conditions can be treated by ear acupuncture either as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with body acupuncture. Ear and body acupuncture stimulate acupoints through the use of needles and other devices such as laser or electricity. Since non-invasive devices can be used to stimulate acupoints on the ear, auricular acupuncture works well with children. A study performed in the Virginia Commonwealth University observed the therapeutic effects of acupuncture beads when taped and massaged on a child’s ear. The study had seven children participants whose ears were each taped with an acupuncture bead. The bead was massaged three times a day for 30 seconds. The parents monitored the behavior of their child. Significant improvements were seen in three of the seven subjects and a fourth also showed a positive change in behavior even though the chart did not show the improvement.

This study and other similar studies on auricular acupuncture for ADHD treatment suggest promising outcomes even if no published systematic data in ADHD acupuncture treatment can be found. In the future, more clinical studies are needed dealing with auricular acupuncture treatment of ADHD. The fact is since 1993, the National Institutes for Health (NIIH) has been funding least one ADHD laser acupuncture treatment study each year.

Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and BioSET technique, based on clinical research, can serve as ideal alternative treatments for ADHD. Likely to serve as a main plan of treatment for mild cases of ADHD is a comprehensive program that includes nutritional supplementation such as amino acid therapy, auricular acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and BioSET. It can also be used as an adjunctive treatment for extreme forms of ADHD in order to reduce the drug dosage and the side effects.

Looking At The Use Of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine In Treating Thyroid Disorders

Have you ever thought about getting acupuncture treatment for your thyroid condition? Well, more and more people surely have, and they are paid with good results. Some Chinese medicine practitioners actually specialize in treating autoimmune disorders. The main modes of treatment of Chinese medicine for thyroid conditions are Chinese herbs and acupuncture. Let’s take a look at the thyroid and see how practitioners assist patients with thyroid disorders through acupuncture treatment.

Strangely, within the basic Five Elements theory of Chinese medicine (Earth, Wood, Metal, Water, and Fire), the thyroid does not have an element assigned to it. It instead is part of an energetic nexus between the heart and the kidneys.

The heart and kidneys form a vertical nexus within in our energetic bodies that’s essential for cooling the kidney Yin to prevent the Yang energy in the fire of our heart to blaze out of control that can cause us to overheat. When the heart has too much heat, it can lead to symptoms like tongue ulcers, irritability, rapid speech, and irrational thoughts to name a few. This nexus also provides a way for our heart Yang Fire to move downward to the Kidneys to warm them and furnish us with more willpower, sexual desire, and motive force.

When this energetic connection is broken, it can lead to either a lack of fire to warm the body or a lack of water to keep fire in check, oftentimes resulting in either Hypothyroid states (insufficient Fire, too much Yin) or Hyperthyroid states (excessive fire).

This broken connection commonly occurs in people living Western societies and usually is the underlying energetic precursor for people to deviate into these hypo or hyper energetic states.

Chinese herbs and acupuncture help contribute in the reconnection of this energetic disruption and may help in both reversing the syndrome in those where symptoms are starting to develop and the maintenance of health in those suffering from thyroid dysfunction.

If you suffering from a thyroid condition you may need to undergo weekly appointments for the first six to 10 sessions followed up with more treatments to help keep symptoms under control and maintain the results of the therapy. No acupuncturist worth his salt would promise a miracle cure and quick fix for his patient. What they offer is a complementary and alternative treatment that that is very safe and non-invasive. A good acupuncturist would always agree to work alongside his or her patient’s doctor or health care provider. So, if you if you want to know more about acupuncture treatment for your thyroid condition or to know if acupuncture is safe for you, talk to a qualified practitioner near your area at the soonest possible time.

In Chinese medicine, treatment will also involve food and diet therapy. Small diet modifications can result in major effects on moods and energy levels! Never downplay the importance of good, simple nutrition. Unless it’s really necessary, acupuncturists will never require their patient to make radical changes to their lifestyle; therefore, diet recommendations and restrictions will be kept attainable.

How Acupuncture Scar Treatment Dissolves Scar Tissue

When you undergo surgery, the blood flow in the site of the operation is blocked and the nerves are severed. This lack of circulation can be the reason why you feel pain in that area. Acupuncture works by helping your nerves function normally, helping dissolve scar tissue, and bringing back regular circulation.

When nerves are cut or damaged it may lead to nerve pain because the nerves may not be working properly. This pain may feel like a stinging or stabbing sensation that feels like there’s a bee stinging you or someone is stabbing you with needles. This type of pain is the nerve’s way of telling you that it is trying to restore normal blood flow and circulation.

If you have a problem with post-surgery scars, acupuncture can be an ideal treatment for you. If you want to get acupuncture scar treatment, you may have to wait at least a month and ask your doctor if the treatment is right for you.

Post-surgery scars may develop as keloids and raised scars. A scar occurs because there is no circulation in that area and your body is unable to heal it as long as there is no blood flow there. The nutrients that can help repair a scar are contained in the blood.

Acupuncture scar treatment usually involves placing several acupuncture needles around the scar. The needles surround the incision spot; they are not placed on the spot scar itself.

Most patients find relief in less than an hour. All the tissues that get knotted up in surgery are eased up by the treatment. Surgery is a very difficult process that your body has to endure. To make the nerves function properly again the skin needs to be able to flattened out and heal properly.

The reason needles are inserted around the scar is because they pull the flow of blood and energy into the scar in order for the body to break it down.

Alternative Treatments for Ulcerative Colitis

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation in the digestive tract oftentimes affecting the rectum and the colon (large intestine).

The following is a list of ulcerative colitis symptoms:

– Weight loss
– Stomach pain and cramping
– Bloody diarrhea
– Difficulty in having a bowel movement despite the urge to do so
– Feeling of urgency
– Rectal bleeding

The symptoms of ulcerative colitis can also manifest outside the digestive system and may also include mouth ulcers, lesions, skin rashes, and eye inflammation.

Natural and Alternative Treatments for Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis has no known cure and because Modern medicine has no adequate measure to alleviate its symptoms, more and more sufferers are now turning to natural and alternative treatments for their condition. No scientific studies, however, have so far supported the claim that any treatment can successfully resolve ulcerative colitis. One should keep in mind that alternative treatments should never be used as a substitute for conventional treatment.

A few natural treatments to consider:

1. Diet: A study in Japan analyzed the contribution of dietary factors on the rise of inflammatory bowel disease. This study involved the participation of 111 individuals who were all suffering from ulcerative colitis. They were asked to answer the questions in food questionnaires. The study discovered that the risk of ulcerative colitis increased in people who consumed high amounts of sweets and that vitamin C showed some protective benefits.

Vitamin C-rich foods include spinach, red bell peppers, strawberries, and parsley. The journal Gut published a study in which ulcerative patients in remission were monitored using food questionnaires for a year. They study showed that the consumption of alcohol, protein, and meat, particularly processed and red meat raised the risk of relapse.

These foods are high in sulphate or sulphur compounds and scientists suspect that the high amounts of these two compounds can cause relapse.

For some sufferers, carbohydrates may be the cause of their problem. Elaine Gottschall made the Specific Carbohydrate Diet highly popular after using it to help her daughter successfully recover from ulcerative colitis.

Elaine later authored a book called, Breaking the Vicious Cycle. The book’s premise is that being forms of sugar, carbohydrates is a substance that helps increase the growth of yeast and bacteria in the intestines resulting eventually in yeast or bacterial overgrowth and imbalance in the digestive system. The yeast and bacteria produce acids and toxins that can damage the intestine lining. They also have an adverse effect on the function of digestive enzymes that in turn, affects the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates.

2. Acupuncture: In TCM or traditional Chinese medicine, pain is felt when the flow of vital energy is blocked along the energy channels (meridians) of the body. When inserted into the blocked channels, acupuncture needles clear out the blockages helping to restore the smooth flow of energy that in turn, cures the pain.

Scientists believe that acupuncture helps release the body’s own natural painkillers (hormones and neurochemicals) by dispatching signals to the brain that calm the sympathetic nervous system. Some insurance plans offer coverage for acupuncture. This treatment is also tax-deductible (since it’s deemed as a medical expense). One acupuncture treatment may cost as low as $60 and as high as $120. If you suffer from ulcerative colitis and are considering acupuncture, it’s recommended that you initially go for for several weeks of treatment once to thrice a week.

3. Probiotics: Beneficial bacteria that live in the gut is known as probiotics. They are known to help manage ulcerative colitis quite effectively. Probiotics help in improving the gut’s mucus lining, relieve inflammation, and hinder yeast and bacterial overgrowth. Probiotics are one the most highly popular remedies for inflammatory bowel disease due to the fact that they are safe to use and have very little or no adverse side effects at all.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Alberta observed 34 people suffering from mild-to-moderate active ulcerative colitis who did not get well with standard care. The subjects were given a probiotic supplement known as VSL#3 that provided a total of 3.6 trillion bacteria a day for six weeks.

Out of the 34 people, 18 (53%) experienced remission on sigmoidoscopy and another 8 people (24%) showed a favorable response.

Scientists University of Dundee evaluated from the rectal biopsies of healthy control subjects and subjects with active ulcerative colitis.

Results from the biopsies showed significantly less amounts of bifidobacterium, which meant that the probiotic bacteria might have a protective function in the management of the disease. In another research, 18 active ulcerative colitis subjects were given a placebo or a supplement of bifidobacterium for one month. Compared with the placebo group, blood tests, biopsy, and sigmoidoscopy tests in the probiotic group significantly improved.

Saccharomyces boulardii, a probiotic yeast, was examined in an Italian study. The yeast was previously found to be beneficial in the maintenance of Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel disease. During a mesalazine maintenance treatment (Steroid therapy was unsuitable for these patients), 25 patients suffering from mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis flare-up were treated with a 250 milligram supplement of Saccharomyces boulardii thrice for a month. Seventeen out of the 24 patients who finished the study experienced remission, that endoscopic examination confirmed.

4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Certain studies have shown that fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids) can lessen inflammation in ulcerative colitis sufferers. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a critical analysis that reviewed controlled trials published from 1966 – 2003. It was found that in at least three studies, omega-3 fatty acids led to a lesser need for corticosteroids. However, researchers concluded that more studies need to be done to validate the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids.

A Cleveland clinic study examined the influence of an elemental diet and fish oil on the intestinal tissues of Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, and control patients. The study discovered an extremely significant anti-inflammatory effect in tissues damaged by ulcerative colitis.

The study evaluated the effect of an oral supplement containing antioxidants (selenium, vitamin E & C), soluble fiber and fish oil on drugs and disease activity in 86 adults with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis. After six months, patients who consumed 18 ounces of the oral supplement experienced a significant rate of reduction of their prednisone dose compared with the group given placebo. Both groups exhibited similar and significant improvement in histological and clinical responses.

Because not all studies led to a beneficial effect more research on omega-3 fatty acids at differing doses is required.

Finding The Right Practitioner For Your Infertility Concerns

If you are interested in trying acupuncture for your fertility concerns and you don’t know anyone who has tried it or anyone who is presently getting acupuncture treatment or if your doctor has no referrals to give, what do you do? Do you begin by looking at the phone book or going online and call the first person who you think might help? What exactly do you have to do to find an acupuncturist whom you can rely on to address your needs?

It is not that easy to find the right practitioner. You may find practitioners who have shining charisma and great personalities but have really pitiful medical skills. Then again, you might find ones who have strong personalities and very bad bed side manners but excel when it comes to medical expertise. Acupuncture just like in any profession, may have practitioners who devote plenty of energy and time to hone their skills constantly and practitioners who feel that what they already know is sufficient enough to provide good healthcare and think that putting much effort into increasing their knowledge is totally unnecessary.

The media has been positive about acupuncture treatment for infertility treatment for the past couple of years and because of that the number of Chinese medicine practitioners who have decided to advertise infertility treatment as part of their practice is growing. It is a fact that in treating infertility, most Chinese medicine practitioners receive very minimal training. Specialties are not offered by Chinese medicine schools, and it does not necessarily imply that when an acupuncturist refers to him/herself a “specialist” in any field of treatment, he/she has actually undergone years of extra training in that particular field. A Chinese medicine specialist is not equal to a “specialist” title in Western medicine that often requires some extra years of medical training.

Clinical doctorates in Chinese medicine are a relatively new offering to practitioners who want to get more training in a special field of interest. There are now a few colleges that offer focused study on geriatric medicine, women’s health, cancer therapies, and more. Those courses do provide a more in depth study in specific areas. There is certainly a lot of interest in making a doctorate degree in a field in Chinese medicine a standard education requirement future incoming students. It may take some time though for that process to take effect since virtually all acupuncture schools operate on a non-profit basis and are small.

You need to be proactive and not be afraid to ask the practitioners questions when you are looking for one who can help you get over your fertility problems. The following are some questions that may help:

Have you received any extra training in treatment of infertility? If yes, how much training, where, and by whom? Since additional training is definitely required in this specific field, I think that these are important pieces of information.

How much of your practice has focused on the treatment of infertility?
If the practitioner has devoted a substantial amount of time in his/her practice addressing infertility, it very likely that that practitioner has wide degree of knowledge in that field. A practitioner who treats infertility issues every now and then may not have the expertise or experience required to provide with you the best available treatment and thus should not be the one who should treat your infertility concerns.

Did you have training in herbal medicine?

Acupuncture programs that do not include herbal training are offered by some colleges. Herbal medicine is the primary mode of treatment for infertility In China for thousands of years. It is acupuncture that’s actually used as an adjunct therapy and is oftentimes not used as a standalone treatment for infertility. At different parts of their menstrual cycle and depending on their specific condition, women commonly need to take various types of herbal remedies. So it’s not uncommon to see women taking four different herbal prescriptions throughout the month.

You need to treat herbal medicine just like any medical treatment. This means understanding your options and treatment plan and to ask questions. The human body, in Chinese medicine, is seen in a different way than western medicine. At times, it is hard to understand the principle behind Chinese medicine and it is the responsibility of the practitioner to explain to you what would be a reasonable prognosis and the steps needed to take to address your condition.

In order to get a clear picture of your condition, your practitioner may recommend that you be examined by a reproductive endocrinologist. If you suffer, for example, from severe obstruction in the fallopian tube Western medicine treatment may be your only option in order to conceive. If that is the case, to prepare you for assisted reproductive therapies such as IVF, Chinese medicine can be utilized as an adjunct modality. But if your practitioner can’t figure out your diagnosis you could be wasting your time getting natural treatment.

Practitioners to Avoid

 Those who provide patients with unbelievably high rates of success (“75%-80% of all my patients get pregnant”). You may need to know how many patients are there in their sample size. If the practitioner has only managed to resolve three cases of infertility and all three were successful in achieving pregnancy then the success rate is 100%! Do the success rates of the practitioner involve just counting pregnancies or do they include live births, as well? Does the practitioner include in his/her count patients who have had acupuncture and have undergone IVF? All these questions are essential in determining the usefulness of the success rates of a practitioner.

 Those whose promises are too good to be true (e.g. “in just one month of treatment, I promise that you will get pregnant”). No one knows for sure not even the practitioner if the treatment will be a success or not. But for sure, the length of the treatment takes longer than one month. Usually, it takes at least three months to seem some positive results. Some patients may need one year of treatment for them to get pregnant. But If after a year of treatment, you still aren’t able to conceive it is definitely time move on to other treatment options.

Dry Needling and Acupuncture For The Treatment of Back Pain

People question me every day whether or not acupuncture will work for the relief of their back injury or lower back pain. Some of them think that being pricked with tiny needles will actually cause more pain. I explain to them that acupuncture relieves physical pain because it stimulates the production and release of pain-killing substances within the body to prevent pain signals from reaching the brain. The treatment is a very effective and safe way of alleviating both chronic and acute pain. I have found it especially advantageous in the management and treatment of back pain, back spasms, and back aches after a lower back injury.

What is Acupuncture?

One among the many modalities of an ancient medical system known as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture is a treatment that involves the application of reed-thin acupuncture needles into specific parts of the body called acupuncture points located on the surface of the skin. Underneath these acupuncture points (acupoints) lie energy pathways called meridians wherein vital energy known as qi or chi flows to provide energy and nourishment to all organs and tissues throughout the body in order to heal a condition or maintain health. Besides acupuncture, TCM has other healing procedures that include Chinese herbal medicine and Yin and Yang breathing techniques.

Acupuncture is around 5000 years old and the Chinese were using it for various purposes, not just for the relief of pain. Acupuncture existed before steel was invented which meant the needles used then where made from thin bamboo shoots. The Chinese were using Acupuncture with great success long before they knew what was underneath the ‘needle’ they were placing into the body.

The acupoints and meridians are some of the fundamental principles underlying traditional acupuncture. Practitioners believe that the meridians were channels of energy that were associated with different vessels/organs in our body – the Heart, Large Intestine, Liver, etc. These meridians run all through our body. Traditional acupuncturists believe that for relief of any type of pain, be it back spasms, buttock pain, back aches, and acute or chronic pain, they need to tap into these meridians through the use of a ‘needle’. The needle does not necessarily have to be placed on or near the site of the discomfort.

For back injury and lower back pain, traditional acupuncture has constantly been shown to work in providing pain relief. Besides reducing chronic pain and back spasms, lower back pain acupuncture treatment can also help reduce long term changes in how the brain processes pain.

These past few years has seen the wider acceptance of acupuncture in Western culture particularly when it comes to pain relief from back pain, headaches and even pregnancy-related ailments. With more and more studies being conducted into the actual process of needling and how it works, a form of acupuncture has emerged in the West. It is known as Dry Needling and it especially works in the relief of muscle spasm, providing very fast relief from buttock pain, back spasm, and back aches resulting from muscle spasm after back injury.

Muscle Spasm

When a back injury occurs, the back muscles will spasm to protect the injured part of the body. This leads to really painful back spasms and aches. A lot of the muscles surrounding the pelvis will also spasm after a back injury, causing pain in the buttock oftentimes accompanied by lower back pain and back aches that may not be evident on MRI or x-ray scans.

Trigger points may develop in the muscles when muscle spasm intensifies. Those trigger points are the primary causes of back spasm, buttock pain, and back pain along with a major cause of back aches. The dry needling technique works perfectly in removing these trigger points which leads to total cure of the back spasms, back aches, and lower back pain.

A major cause of back pain after a back injury is usually the trigger points and muscle spasm, as the root underlying issue problem usually tends to heal itself. This is one reason why the MRI or x-ray will show nothing for a lot of sufferers, which causes their doctor to question the real cause of their back pain.

Dry Needling

Dry Needling is a very effective and safe way to eliminate these trigger points through fast needling of the area. Dry Needling, unlike Acupuncture, is performed for just five to ten seconds; a typical acupuncture procedure usually lasts for fifteen to twenty minutes. This technique I have found to work extremely well in the cure of spine pain, buttock pain, back spasms, lower back pain, and back aches. Pain relief can be felt almost instantaneously when the trigger point is removed since it’s the main cause for back pain after back injury.

Acupressure is a Great Natural Treatment for Kids with ADHD

There is no magic bullet that can universally cure ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) no matter what medical doctors say about prescription medications being the best treatment for it. ADHD is a condition that has so many facets that each sufferer experiences a unique set of rather elaborate symptoms. In my opinion, standard medicine’s biggest shortfall is that it does not employ the many non-pharmacological, natural modalities that have been proven to work in the management ADHD.

Regarding ADHD, Chinese medicine has a very interesting perspective towards it. It believes that each individual has a shen or spirit that is housed in the heart. When the shen of a child is too active and too restless, his or her heart becomes overheated causing the child to experience chronic impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention. To cool down the heart, and treat the condition, practitioners need to stimulate specific acupoints. This treatment is known as acupressure, and it’s used to return balance within the body’s energy system, rejuvenate the spirit, calm down emotions, and treat illnesses.

The idea behind acupressure is that mental and physical health comes about when there is a harmonious flow of life energy or Chi within the body. An obstacle to this flow causes sickness in the person. To resolve the illness, the practitioner administers acupressure on the patient’s elbows and/or hands to stimulate the movement of Chi. The practitioner may also need to use other devices to apply pressure to the important acupoints. This leads to relief by bringing back balance to the energy systems and to the flow of Chi. The same principles are used in acupuncture but unlike acupressure, acupuncture uses needles instead of manual pressure. Acupressure is a much preferred treatment for ADHD in children since children are generally afraid of needles.

The use of acupressure ear magnet seeds or beads is one very effective acupressure technique used for ADHD treatment. The round metallic bead which is coated with gold is taped to the surface of the ear. When the beads are attached, there is no need to apply pressure on them in order to stimulate the flow of Chi. After the first week of bead attachment, most ADHD kids respond well to the treatment. They continue to progress well throughout the succeeding weeks.

In the United States, there are now more than 2,000 licensed medical physicians who have integrated acupressure and acupuncture treatments into their medical practice. Because of the extreme effectiveness of Chinese medicine in treating a lot of health conditions, more and more insurance companies are now providing partial full coverage of treatment sessions with an acupuncturist.

Natural Alternative Remedies for Psoriasis and Severe Dandruff

Flaky scalp or dandruff is a condition in which excessive scaling of the dead skin on the scalp occurs. It is marked by white and small to yellow, greasy and large flakes of skin that may arise around the hairline, on the eyebrows, scalp, nose, or ears. Dandruff develops when skin cells are created and die off rapidly. It has no known cause. Certain individuals are born with overactive sebaceous glands while others inherently have an excess amount of fungus that plays a huge role in the development of dandruff. Other factors that may contribute to dandruff include the time of the year, stress, yeast infections, use of strong shampoos, profuse sweating, food allergies, and hereditary factors.

Conventional treatments revolve around medicated shampoos that stabilize the growth of dandruff. However, if you want a more natural approach, there are some alternative approaches that may help. They include:

• Herbal Medicine – Before shampooing, aloe vera combined with rosemary oil and nettle tea may be rubbed on the scalp to prevent infection and flaking. Tea tree oil may also be used produce the same results. Use olive oil to lubricate your scalp if you have a dry scalp. Use apple cider vinegar, cedarwood or diluted lemon juice and massage it on your scalp if it is oily. If you have a greasy scalp, you can try to blend 2 drops of sandalwood oil, 4 drops of geranium oil, and 4 drops of lavender oil into a carrier oil and apply and massage it your scalp a few times a week.
• Exercise – Dandruff can be aggravated by stress. To relieve stress, you need to exercise at least once a day.
• Diet – One of the side effects of food allergies is dandruff. If other remedies are not working for you, try excluding seafood, spicy foods, too much sugar, dairy products, and fatty foods from you meal. Slowly reintroduce them in order to identify the foods that trigger your allergy. You can also control dandruff by taking vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B12, dandelion extract, evening primrose oil, vitamin B3 (niacin) and other vitamin supplements. They all help cure dandruff by facilitating the ability of the body to break down fatty acids. Vital to dandruff cure are essential fatty acids as they help with the oil balance of the scalp. Also eat lots of fresh vegetable and fruits and foods that are rich in zinc and vitamin B.

Psoriasis That Occurs in the Hair

People with this kind of problem may think that they have a severe case of dandruff. Dandruff and psoriasis in the hair are two different things. In the latter, there may be severe itching or scaling that comes with soreness, tightness, or dryness. Around the affected site, the hair may thin around a bit. Psoriasis shows signs that include several red patches with sharp margins and silvery scales that are obvious. Never attempt to pick the scabs or scratch the scalp as this can damage the hair follicles and result in irreversible hair loss. Do not use chemical treatments and hair dyes. For psoriasis, lots of medications are available but so do effective natural remedies that are as effective. They can include:

Homeopathy:

• Chrysarobimum – for scaly and dry scaly eruptions, particularly around the ears and eyes.
• Berberis aquifolium – scaly, tough, and pimply skin that has eruptions on the scalp extending to the neck and face.
• Arsenicum iodatum – for itchy, scaly, dry with easily peeled off scales.
• Borax – For psoriasis that does not worsen in cold weather and unhealthy skin.
• Arsenicum album – for psoriasis accompanied with burning and itching, and aggravates when scratched or during cold weather.
• Petroleum – for thickened, rough skin that can crack, and for psoriasis that’s aggravated in winter.

Neem Oil – Has more than 140 essential ingredients. It moisturizes and softens cracked, dry skin and treats itchiness and irritation. It has a steroid-like effect that directly soothes and irritations. Neem oil stimulates and strongly supports the natural immunity and health of the skin. It has powerful antibacterial properties that can help prevent or treat infections. It also stimulates and supports the immune system. It is often sold in the form of neem lotion, shampoo, or soap.

Herbal medicine – This type of treatment uses natural diuretics and blood-cleansing remedies such as yellow dock, red clover, burdock, nettles, cleavers, and figwort. The process of detoxification can be enhanced with herbs for the liver like Oregon grape root. To alleviate itching, chickweed and other remedies can be used.

Diet

Recommended foods for dandruff

• Foods rich in zinc and vitamin E
• Linseed oil
• Lecithin
• Cod liver oil

Your meals should include poultry, lamb, fish, and low fat dairy products. Omega- 3 fatty acids that essential for healthy scalp and skin can be found in high amounts in fish. The only red meat that can be allowed when you have psoriasis is lamb as it can be easily digested and is good source of protein. Psoriasis sufferers can also get their protein from lean poultry.

If you suffer from severe dandruff, you should avoid alcohol at all times. Avoid foods belonging to the nightshade family (such as paprika, white potatoes, eggplant, tobacco, and tomatoes). Too much body acidity can cause psoriasis so it’s important to drink lots of pure water and eat alkaline foods.