Running With Needles

acupuncturegirl:

People who ask me about acupuncture are often convinced that it cannot be scientifically proven, or that there are no studies that have demonstrated its effectiveness.  This is not true (scroll back through the archives of this blog for some examples). 

What many of these same people take for granted is that so-called “Real” medicine is totally science-based, and that drugs are always ‘proven’ to have been effective before being approved by the FDA.  While some drugs do demonstrate a measure of effectiveness in most people, others have been withdrawn from the market due to causing more harm than healing.  Drugs given to counter osteoporosis cause bone fractures.  Drugs given for mental disorders cause increased risk of suicide.  Drugs such as Vioxx and Celebrex cause severe cardiac episodes. People do not understand that sometimes the ‘science’ is given a good push by the profits inherent in today’s pharmaceutical industry.  Acupuncture is generally not so profitable.

Here is a great example of science in action:

mothernaturenetwork:

Top 5 science journal retractions of 2011
Studies that recommend antibiotics to treat appendicitis and the sources of chronic fatigue syndrome are just 2 of the debunked studies from 2011.

The great thing about Traditional Chinese Medicine is that you can practice it anywhere and anytime!

Acupuncture points are located all over the body and are connected by meridians to distal areas of the body on and below the skin, even to your essential organs. You may already recognize a few as common “pressure points,” like the one I’ll share with you today. By knowing the location of these points and what they are used for, you can reap their benefits by simply massaging these areas.

LI-4, the fourth point on the Large Intestine meridian is known in Chinese as He Gu, or Joining Valley. It’s located on the back of the hand between the forefinger and thumb (see video below). LI-4 is a commonly used point in acupuncture because of its versatility and strength in regards to moving a person’s qi. It is so strong, it should never be used on pregnant women.

This point is known as the Command Point for the Face, Nose, Mouth and Jaw. Any kind of pain or discomfort you are experiencing in these areas will usually be greatly reduced when you massage this point. If you are not sure if you located the point correctly or if it will be effective, keep feeling around until you come to a noticeably tender spot - that’s where the qi is hiding!

LI-4 is the Yuan-Source point for the Large Intestine Meridian. Yuan-Source points are the most influential point on a meridian for affecting its namesake’s internal organ. In TCM, the Large Intestine is responsible for separating whatever good fluids are left from the “impure” substances sent down from the Small Intestine and sending the rest down to become stool. If this function is impaired there will be constipation and other digestive-related pains. LI-4 is used to alleviate these problems.

This point is also useful for when you are coming down with a cold or feel under the weather. Massaging this point will help clear any incoming pathogens as well as boost your immunity.

Here are some common indications for when this point is helpful:

• Diseases of the head and face: i.e. external pathogenic headache and bodyache, dizziness, congestion, swelling and pain of the eye, nasosinusitis, nosebleed, toothache in the lower jaw, lockjaw, deafness, mumps, swelling of the face, facial paralysis, facial tic, swelling of the pharnyx and aphonia (inability to speak).
• Any aches/pains associated with menstruation
• Gastric pain, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dysentery.
• Hemiplegia, finger spasm, pain in the arm
• Every type of pain and psychogenic tense.

These statements should never replace your doctor’s recommendations. Consult with your physician or licensed acupuncturist if you have any concerns.

(Source: youtube.com)

Learn why acupuncture might be the best pain reliever for your body aches and pains

Ever wonder how long it took your acupuncturist to go through school?  Do you wonder what they studied?

When I was looking into going to school for acupuncture and Chinese medicine, I was astonished to learn the depth of training and scope of practice for acupuncturists in the United States. I’d been going to acupuncturists for years to care for my own health, but I’d never considered how much training and skill was involved in safely inserting needles into the body or prescribing a proper herbal formula.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine training programs in the United States are generally 4-year, full-time master’s degree programs (yes, we even go to school in the summer!). Some people will complete their training on an even faster 3-year accelerated track, but it still takes the same number of credits and hours.

Acupuncturists are well trained, so you should feel confident when going to a licensed acupuncturist who attended an NAACOM accredited school. Acupuncturist training includes medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pathology, pharmacology, herb-drug interactions, nutrition, orthopedic testing, western medical diagnostic testing, massage and bodywork, and of course numerous classes in acupuncture techniques and herbal medicine. In addition to this, acupuncturists complete a clinical internship treating patients under the supervision of an experienced and licensed acupuncturist.  At AOMA in Austin, Texas where I attend school, our internship is about 1,000 hours.

It is very important for acupuncturists to be well versed in modern western medicine and anatomy. More and more, acupuncturists are treating complex conditions in the United States, where care with a primary care provider might need to be coordinated. In addition, caution with the many pharmaceutical drugs and their potential for interactions with nutrients and herbs are also important to be aware of for the acupuncturist.

Even though entry-level training for acupuncturists is currently a master’s degree, it is likely in the future that this will change to a first-professional doctoral degree. We’ve seen this happen with other fields lately, such as physical therapy. The funny thing is, that the master’s programs in acupuncture are already so robust that few classes will need to be added to bump it up to a doctoral level.

Once an acupuncturist graduates from school and is licensed, the scope of practice in most states includes the following:

• acupuncture
• herbal medicine
• massage and bodywork
• nutrition
• energy exercises such as tai chi

In some states such as California, New Mexico and Florida acupuncturists are considered primary care providers. This means they can order blood work and perform many other duties that your family doctor might.

What do you think? Were you surprised to learn the depth of training that acupuncturists receive? Do you think anything should be added or taken away from acupuncturist training?

acupuncturegirl:

I was listening to NPR recently and there was a story about MD’s prescribing Nexxium to babies for spitting up, even though some breast-feeding moms have found that eliminating dairy, gluten, and soy from their diet makes a huge difference with this problem.   It is upsetting to us when our children are sick, but giving them prescription drugs which have only been tested on adults (“off-label use”) seems pretty crazy to me.  What are the side effects?  (intestinal inflammation in the short term, we don’t know about the long term effects!).  What is the proper dosage? and of course, who profits? (one guess - Big Pharmaceutical companies). 

On the same day, I came across Rosie Pope’s recent blog post about Acupuncture for Children.  Why not try alternative medicine for your babies, first, instead of giving them pharmaceuticals?  Acupuncture is good for reflux in adults, and there are very few side effects (mostly benign).

HOLY MOLY – ACUPUNCTURE FOR WEE ONES

Posted on 11/07/2011

I recently sat down with Jill Blakeway, a licensed acupuncturist and board certified herbalist. Jill is the Clinical Director of the YinOva Center here in NYC and is the coauthor of “Making Babies: A Proven Three Month Program for Maximum Fertility”.  

I have always been curious about non-traditional treatments for myself. But hadn’t really considered them for my boys and when I found out Jill not only treats older kids, but babies with acupuncture, I thought, “holy moly” have I got some questions for her and Jill was happy to sit down with me and answer them.

(Rosie) With kids what types of things can you treat with acupuncture?

(Jill) At our center, we use acupuncture to treat people of all ages including tiny babies and young children.  Many Moms are understandably apprehensive about subjecting their little ones to a treatment that involves needles but acupuncture, performed by an experienced practitioner, involves very little pain and can be surprisingly effective. 

Obviously acupuncture is not a replacement for conventional pediatric care but it can be a really useful adjunctive treatment and sometimes it works when nothing else seems to. In this article from Babble.com a Mom talks about the miraculous effect acupuncture had on her 2- year-old boy’s eczema, after conventional treatments had failed to help.  It’s just this kind of case that has made the medical profession take note.  Doctors at Children’s Hospital in Boston have been using acupuncture for some time and conducted research into its benefits. 70% of children who took part in the study said acupuncture did indeed help their symptoms.  55% of their parents agreed.  Only one child said acupuncture worsened his symptoms. 

The youngest patient I’ve ever treated was 2 weeks old and was suffering from colic. Her Mom was thrilled and that same little girl is now 8 years old and regularly receives acupuncture for various ailments.  I find acupuncture works well for digestive problems including acid reflux, constipation, diarrhea and gas.  I sometimes use a gentle herbal formula to supplement the treatment and often liaise with the patient’s pediatrician to develop a holistic treatment plan. 

One area where acupuncture really works well is in treating repeated ear infections. Some children suffer terribly with this and end up taking antibiotics over and over until their doctors suggest a procedure to permanently place a tube in the child’s eardrum. Acupuncture is not a replacement for antibiotics if a child has an active infection but regular acupuncture between infections can stop the cycle and prevent reoccurrence.  

I also use acupuncture to address respiratory problems such as repeated colds, asthma and allergies.  And, many moms are surprised that we even can successfully treat behavioral problems like tantrums and hyperactivity. 

If you are thinking about using acupuncture for your child and want to know what its like, this video on our website shows me treating some children and includes an interview with a Mom.

(Rosie) Do you really give babies acupuncture?

(Jill) Yes I do!  I treat tiny babies with colic, toddlers with earaches, children with asthma and teenagers with acne (to name but a few).

(Rosie) How do they stay still long enough?

(Jill) They don’t! I don’t make them lie on the table with needles in like I would an adult.  Instead I treat them sitting on their parent’s knees and I only leave the needles in for a few seconds.
 

(Rosie) Does it hurt them?

(Jill) Not usually!  The needles are very thin and hair-like and most children don’t feel them at all.  If they are scared I don’t use needles at all but opt for a machine that stimulates the skin painlessly.  The kids call it the Tickle Machine.

(Rosie) Does it work?

(Jill) Yes (often)!  Obviously it’s not a replacement for seeing your child’s pediatrician.  Acupuncture does not work for every problem but it can be a safe, gentle way of addressing common childhood disorders.

(Rosie) Is it dangerous?

(Jill) In the hands of a qualified practitioner acupuncture is very safe.  The needles are sterile and the puncture is very superficial. 

(Rosie) How would someone find a pediatric acupuncturist if they aren’t in NYC and can’t see you?

(Jill) All acupuncturists are licensed by the state they practice in so you can find out if an acupuncturist has a license by contacting your state’s Office of the Professions.  Many, but not all, acupuncturists are board-certified by the NCCAOM.  You can search for a board certified acupuncturist in your area on their website.  Not all practitioners treat children so it’s worth calling and asking if they do and if so, how they trained.  Most pediatric acupuncturists will have had postgraduate training beyond their M.S. In Chinese medicine.

The cases Jill references and the information I’ve heard from friends has me even more intrigued, but I’m not sure that I’m a convert. What do you think about acupuncture and other non-traditional treatments for kids? Which ones have you tried?

Jill and the YinOva Center team practice Chinese medicine for families in New York. They have a lively blog at their website.

Affecting about 40,000 people in the United States every year, Bell’s Palsy is a neurological disorder that manifests as a paralysis of the face. This disorder often affects only one side of the face. Bell’s Palsy is thought to be a result of damage to the facial nerve that controls the muscles on one side of the face, which then causes those muscles to droop. The facial nerve damage that affects the facial muscles can also impact a person’s taste, saliva, or ability to cry. Bell’s Palsy is most common in young adults, the elderly, diabetics, and pregnant women, but it can affect anyone.

This condition is often a shock, as it comes on overnight. The majority of patients wake with the facial muscles in paralysis. Most patients either have no symptoms beforehand, or they miss the warning signs, which are subtle and can include neck pain, pain behind the ear, or pain in the back of the head. People with Bell’s Palsy can experience difficulty with multiple facial functions including closing their eyes, eating, smiling, and their speech can also become slurred. Often, people jump to the conclusion that a stroke has occurred, but thankfully, Bell’s Palsy is not the result of a stroke, and is also a temporary affliction. While the condition comes on suddenly, it usually passes or gets better on its own within three weeks.

While the patient is waiting for signs of the condition to alleviate, there are several natural remedies that can quicken the recovery process. In traditional Chinese medicine, herbal remedies may be used to promote effective functioning of the nervous system, prevent stress (which is thought to exacerbate Bell’s Palsy), and offer a therapeutic effect. Herbs like St. John’s Wort, Avena Sativa, and Valerian, as well as carefully prepared Causticum, Dulcamara, and Aconite can be used to treat conditions relating to the nervous system. Taking supplements of vitamins B12 and B6, as well as zinc can promote nerve growth and may help quicken the recovery of the damaged facial nerve.

Massage can also help ease the symptoms of Bell’s Palsy. Gently massaging the afflicted areas of the face, or practicing daily facial exercises can help the condition. Additionally, a full body massage on areas that are unaffected by the condition can help. Stress can worsen the condition, and is often thought to be a precipitating factor that may bring on an episode, so receiving a relaxing, full body massage can help soothe a patient and lead to a quicker recovery.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the diagnosis for Bell’s Palsy is termed “External Wind-Cold attacking the channels of the face”. According to TCM principles, one of the main implications of this condition is an underlying qi (a person’s inherent energy) deficiency. In China, acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to assist in Bell’s Palsy recovery, and the initial treatment goal according to TCM would be to expel Wind and resolve Damp, as well as to invigorate qi and promote blood circulation to the face. Consistent acupuncture treatments (usually recommended once or twice per week), can help soothe a patient, expedite the paralysis from dissipating, and enhance nerve function.

Patients with Bell’s Palsy can have several weeks of recovery time in which they may choose to stay at home and take some time off from their normally rigorous daily routines. Traditional Chinese medicine and holistic healing has several options, from herbal remedies to massage and acupuncture, to vitamin supplements, that patients may wish to investigate during their recovery period.

(Source: pacificcollege.edu)

   vs.

Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation,  or RICE. Most athletes have heard that this treatment protocol when facing an acute injury, but is it always the best form of treatment? Does it matter whether the pain is acute or chronic? What about the quality of pain? Other questions come up such as duration, frequency, and what about the use of heat?

Traditional biomedical practitioners have long advised to ice, ice, ice that injury, but Traditional Chinese medical practitioners have long argued that “ice is for dead people.”

I find that the answer lies somewhere in the middle and completely depends on your personal symptoms, the history of the injury, and your body constitution.

Biomedical practitioners believe that ice will keep the area from becoming swollen and inflamed, thus decreasing pain, but some argue that this could be preventing a natural healing mechanism that brings fluids to affected area. TCM practitioners claim that ice will stagnate and constrict an area, which is an important distinction because stagnation leads to pain. This means that while the ice may temporarily numb symptoms, it is not addressing the root cause of the pain in the long run and could potentially make the pain worse.

TCM practitioners believe that heat will improve blood and qi circulation, which will expedite the healing process. All practitioners agree that if chronically tight muscles are impinging on joint range of motion and leading to injury, then the use of heat is ideal for relaxing those muscles before activity.

So when exactly should you use heat and/or ice?

• Use ice immediately after an acute injury like an ankle sprain. Apply for 10-20 minutes at a time, reapplying only after the area has returned to normal body temperature. Usually an ice-only approach for this situation should not exceed 48-72 hours.
• After the first 48-72 hours after injury, begin to alternate heat and ice for 10-20 minute intervals with a return to body temperature in the interim. Also consider applying heat to areas surrounding the injury (for example, if your knee is injured, apply heat to your thigh) to increase overall qi & blood circulation because these areas are also likely to be affected.
• Use ice immediately after activity that exacerbates a preexisting injury for no more than 10-20 minutes. This could be icing your knees after a long run or bike ride.
• If a chronic injury is the source your pain, heat should be a part of your healing. Apply heat before activity in the form of warm, wet towels or a heating pad. 10-20 minute increments still apply, and remember to stretch - this is the body’s natural way of “warming up” the body!
• Always listen to your body! If the pain from an injury feels hot to you use ice. If you usually tend to feel cold and the pain is consistent, use heat. Sometimes healing really is a no-brainer.

These suggestions should never replace the advice of your primary care physician, they are just the opinions of a seasoned athlete and TCM student!

Sources: http://www.artofwellbeing.com/articles/GivingIceTheColdShoulder.php, http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/sportsmedicine/a/iceorheat.htm

This article is great if you’ve ever wondered about Traditional Chinese Medicine. It’s not all about the needles!

e-lu:

Autumn is upon us, folks! I’m sure you can feel the changes in the weather and temperature, and even see the changes, especially in plants, from summer to fall. Fall is associated with the metal element in TCM. The metal element has many representations such as change or transition, dryness, meticulousness, grief, the color white, pungent tastes, and more.

In TCM, the lungs, aka “the lung organ”, function in breathing and diffusion of qi and fluids throughout the body. The diffusion of qi and fluids ensures that there will be enough moisture in the skin, body hair, and respiratory tract. The lung is yin-yang paired with the large intestine organ. As such, bowel issues can develop if there is dysfunction in either of the two organs. Disease occurs when the lung qi and fluids do not circulate properly throughout the body, showing up as congestion, dry hair and skin, coughing, sneezing, constipation - just to name a few manifestations.

There are three etiologies of disease pathology - internal, external, and miscellaneous. Internal causes stem from emotional imbalances in the body, leading to disease. External causes include pathogenic heat, cold, damp, wind, dryness, summer-heat which invade the body from the outside. Miscellaneous causes include trauma, lifestyle, and constitution factors.

Since people start to get sick around this time of year, food therapy is a form of preventative medicine that everyone can do easily. Keep in mind: Some herbs are consumed as food; as food has its allergens, so do herbs. My dear friend and training guru, Lindsay provided this several weeks ago about Chinese herbs and food allergies.

Mom was right! Put on that coat and scarf when it’s cold!

First line of defense. Green onions cong bai and ginger sheng jiang, two commonly used ingredients used in food therapy are great for nipping a potential cold in the butt. Both of these herbs are said to “release the exterior,” which essentially means that these herbs will kick the pathogen out from the surface of the skin. Now, the trick is applying these as soon as you feel like you are getting sick. Plus, these herbs are nice and warming - perfect in soups, stir-fries, and steamed fish.

When you’re dying of a dry cough - because during the fall season, things dry up. Try Fritillaria bulb chuan bei mu with rock sugar and Asian pears (apple pears), which can help calm down that cough in a jiffy and tastes like dessert. This is actually one of the first applicable food therapy recipes I learned from one of my esteemed teachers, Dr. Tan Tan Huang. Here’s a friendly version of the recipe for those of you who need step-by-step directions: Asian pears with Fritillaria.

As always, seek your local acupuncturist or PCP for medical assistance.

Happy Fall to All!