June is Men’s Health Month, a time to highlight the need for more awareness of men’s health issues. Given that men have shorter life expectancies and poorer overall health when compared to women, it is not just a courtesy hat tip. The reasons for these poorer health outcomes may be a combination of genetic and social influences. Genetically, men are more prone to heart disease than women. In addition,  social constructs around masculinity may contribute to the fact that men are much less likely than women to look after their health and see physicians.[1]

According to the CDC, the two most common causes of death for men are heart disease and cancer. [2]  June is a time to talk about these looming killers and encourage health screenings that can help promote longer lives for men, but it is also a time to consider the quality of life.

Master Lu's Health Center, Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM, healthy aging, men, andropause, testosterone, men’s health month, june, kidney, yang, drive, moxibustion, electro-acupuncture

‘Healthy aging’ is a buzz phrase often focused on women, but men also want to retain the energy and strength (and good looks!) of their youth once they’ve got the wisdom to go with it. One of the main threats to the quality of life for aging men is testosterone decline. Testosterone is a hormone that maintains sex drive, sperm production, body hair, muscle, and bone. While not as dramatic as women’s plunging hormones in menopause, all men go through a period of many years known as andropause, marked by a gradual decline in testosterone. Generally, this plays out as about a 1% decrease a year after the age of 40. [3] For many men, this is a normal transition that comes without noticeable symptoms. And many continue to have testosterone levels within normal ranges. But for some men, there are accompanying symptoms or further decline in levels that drop them below the normal range. About 10-25% of men experience what has been called: “Aging Male Syndrome” and this can be a serious threat to their quality of life.[4] The struggle can include weight gain, insomnia, decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, sweats, and hot flashes, trouble concentrating, irritability, depression, increased urination, and bone, hair, and muscle loss.

The western approach to this problem, in addition to encouraging a healthy lifestyle and regular health screenings, offers drug therapy in the form of hormone replacement for men with severe symptoms. Testosterone therapy has shown some benefits for some, but for others, these benefits are not always clear. And the risks are concerning, as hormone therapy can stimulate the growth of metastatic prostate or breast cancer. It may also increase the formation of clots and the risk of heart attack or stroke. [5]

When Chinese Medicine talks about aging, the focus is on the kidneys. Kidney energy (qi) and essence govern the life cycles of human development. Testosterone, in general, is thought of as a manifestation of Kidney Yang (the hot, active aspect of kidney qi) As this declines, it is associated with low back pain, cold limbs, lower libido, paling complexion, and weakness.

The TCM approach is therefore to boost kidney yang. This is mainly done through acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbs. One herb used to boost the kidney yang is called: yin yang huo, commonly known as horny goat weed. This and other individual herbs are known for strengthening kidney yang, but it is more likely that your practitioner will prescribe a multi-herb formula to address the issue from a few angles. Depending on the individual pattern, Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan is a formula that may be prescribed to supplement yang and warm the kidneys, while restoring balance in the system.

Even without herbs, getting in for regular treatment proves very beneficial for men looking to maintain healthy testosterone levels. An eight-week protocol of electro-acupuncture and moxibustion given to aging men at acupuncture points UB23 and DU 4  (known for tonifying the kidney yang energy), significantly increased total and free testosterone [6].  The best part? This acupuncture-induced hormone boost comes without unwanted side effects.

Acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbs are some of the best “healthy aging” tools available for both men and women! Improve your quantity and quality of life by calling to schedule your next appointment today!

[1] https://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/06/men-die

[2] https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/lcod/men/2016/all-races-origins/index.htm

[3] https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/male-menopause/art-20048056

[4] https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/male-menopause/art-20048056

[5] https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/sexual-health/in-depth/testosterone-therapy/art-20045728

[6] https://www.attiliodalberto.com/fertility/research/male/acupuncture-and-moxibustion-increase-testosterone-levels.php

This Valentine’s Day, whether you celebrate romantic love with a partner, enjoy the love of family and friends, or simply carry on with life, noting another day on the calendar, it can be an opportunity to at least take a moment and acknowledge one of the most important relationships in our lives. The sacred harmony between our heart and kidneys, according to Chinese medicine philosophy, is the relationship at the core of our existence that helps to give our lives meaning, joy, and power.

Valentine’s Day falls in the middle of winter, right in the middle of kidney season. Winter’s focus is on the kidneys, which symbolize the water element, therefore it’s a good time to remember the heart, which is the fire element’s balance organ. In the body, the interaction between water and fire affects much more than just our physical health. It defines how we engage our life’s purpose, how we integrate our passions with our work.

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In terms of physical health, this balance between the heart and the kidney function in the body is required to regulate heart rhythm, sleep cycles, water metabolism, temperature, and mental and physical stability. The heart, located in the upper (yang) part of the body, must descend its yang qi (fire) to warm the kidney yin and prevent cold stagnation. The kidneys, located in the lower (yin) part of the body, must ascend their yin qi (water) to prevent the heart fire from becoming overactive. If there is a miscommunication that leads to disharmony in this relationship, we can see issues of hyperactive heart fire such as palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, even mania. If an overactive heart fire dries up the kidney yin, we can have issues like dizziness, tinnitus, weak back and knees. Not enough fire to warm the kidneys can lead to cold limbs, fatigue, and edema. The heart and kidneys share a special relationship in Western medicine as well, as they rely on each other for proper circulation, water and waste metabolism, and blood pressure. Disorders of one organ can lead to issues in the other, which is why doctors often say ‘what’s good for your heart is good for your kidneys’ and vice-versa.

A more profound analysis of this relationship has to do with the spiritual energy held in these organs according to TCM. Our heart is the home of our Shen, our heart-mind, the aspect of spirit associated with our consciousness, our desires, insight, and passion. Kidneys house the Zhi, the aspect of our spirit associated with our willpower. This is what gives us our ‘umph’ to face challenges and keep going, our self-discipline, our drive. Together these motivations, our desire coupled with our drive, empower us to carry out our soul’s life plan.

This Valentine’s Day, wake up and stretch, rub your lower back to charge up your kidneys, and activate your willpower. Breathe deep, adjust your posture, and stick out your chest to let your heart lead the way. Feel the connection between these 2 organ systems in the body, letting your will empower your passions. This internal harmony can fill your life with love on Valentine’s Day and every day.

If you are interested in improving your heart’s health, call us today and schedule an appointment.

In November you may have noticed a few more men with facial hair growing, it’s not because they are preparing for the cold of winter (though some do stay until winter ends). If you noticed more facial hair on men during the month of November, it’s not just because they are preparing for winter. Many men grow a beard and/or mustache for what’s now recognized as “No-Shave November”, an annual charity event that takes place each November, to raise awareness for prostate cancer.

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that sits at the base of the bladder surrounding the urethra. During ejaculation, the prostate secretes a fluid that invigorates the sperm and prevents infection in the urethra. Over time hormones weaken and the prostate enlarges. Swelling of the prostate can put pressure on the bladder and urethra affecting the flow of urine, leading to some of the common symptoms associated with prostate issues.

Warning signs of prostate issues:

An enlarged prostate (also known as BPH: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) is a common issue for men, especially over the age of 50) and not directly associated with prostate cancer, though there can be similar etiologies, at least from a Chinese Medicine perspective.

Typically, in TCM, the main patterns that are found in men with prostate enlargement are kidney deficiency’, and ‘qi and blood stasis in the lower burner’ which can lead to ‘damp-heat’. Kidney deficiency is related to aging and the decline of sexual function and sex hormones. The kidney deficiency can contribute to the decreased circulation of blood and energy in the lower abdominal/reproductive area, known as the ‘lower burner’. This stagnation can allow pathogens or toxins to accumulate, setting up an area of inflammation or ‘damp-heat’.

Similarly, in prostate cancer, this combination of deficiency and stagnation can lead to congestion of harmful energy in the prostate, which, unchecked, can progress into an even more concentrated condition of excess known as toxic phlegm. Tumors, in general, according to TCM are related to this buildup of toxic phlegm in the body.

While treatment in Western Medicine differentiates mainly based on the prostate issue being benign or cancerous, Chinese Medicine treatment also differentiates based on the pattern of imbalance. Some people presenting with a prostate issue may have more of a deficiency: with symptoms such as fatigue and dull achy low back pain, while others present more of the qi and blood stagnation, with irritable moods and more stabbing pain. Others may show signs of dampness, heat, or even toxicity, with a thick yellow or even green coat in the back of their tongue. A skilled Chinese Medicine practitioner can recognize overlapping patterns and navigate a correct course of treatment. Of course, for patients actively treating cancer with Western approaches such as chemotherapy and radiation, acupuncture can play a supportive role and help mitigate the side effects of conventional treatment. In a large retrospective study in Taiwan, prostate cancer patients who used complementary TCM treatments had significantly decreased mortality.

Prevention of prostate issues in Chinese Medicine is all about preserving kidney qi and promoting qi and blood circulation while avoiding environmental toxins through healthy living. Getting adequate rest and regular exercise in balance is essential. Managing stress cannot be over-emphasized as emotional frustrations are one of the main internal causes of stagnation.  Avoid processed, pesticide-loaded foods while including some prostate-supportive foods like seeds (especially pumpkin seeds), mushrooms, and berries. Various herbal formulas are used, depending on the presentation. Some herbs that may be included are Reishi mushroom (Ling Zhi), known for its general health and immune promoting qualities, and Phellodendri Cortex (Huang Bai), an herb used to ‘clear damp-heat from the lower burner’.

If you’re concerned about your health and well-being, call us today and schedule an appointment!

 

The season of Thanksgiving is upon us. Gratitude is such a powerful healer and the gateway into love. Ultimately Love is the most powerful healing agent in any situation and gratitude is the first step to embodying it.

Gratitude and Love help to balance and heal the fire element within us, as do connection and social engagement. Making this season the perfect time for some heart healing – and let’s take a look at how we can maximize this holiday to balance all of our elements.

Fire: Associated organs, Heart, Small Intestine. Gratitude lists, connections, and time spent with family and friends.

Earth: Associated organs, Stomach, Spleen. Eat mindfully, eat according to the season with lots of orange autumnal seasonal, nourishing foods. Eating in good company at leisure, exactly the way our digestion works best will help to keep your Earth element in balance throughout the thanksgiving festivities.

The Earth element really is the epicenter of our entire system. A balanced Earth gives you a clear mind. A clear mind will give you the ability to manifest what you want in your life – but meditating BEFORE breakfast or the movement in your digestive system will create more movement in your mind. And don’t forget – sweet is the flavor of this element – but try not to overindulge!

Water; Associated organs, Kidneys, Bladder. Did you know that your Kidneys store your life essence and your bladder channel represents your nervous system? Most of us are running around in a perceived deficit of time all day every day, this keeps our nervous system on high alert or as we say in Chinese Medicine, keeps us in Yang mode all day long. When do you take a break? I mean a real break, a Yin nourishing break. We are designed to take Yin nourishing time during the day, every day and very few of us are actually doing it. Your whole being deserves to be given some well-earned rest, capitalize on it this holiday and take some time out for doing absolutely nothing.

Metal: Associated organs, Lung, Large Intestine. Get out into that magical crisp autumn air for an after-dinner walk – this will not only get your digestion moving but you can also fill your lungs with air and inspiration. Whether you go alone and reconnect to your precious self, or together with loved ones, this one ticks a lot of boxes. There are also sponsored 5k walks like the ‘Turkey Trot for Hunger that you can take part in, you can walk you don’t need to run – or you could run and earn that thanksgiving dinner!

Wood: Associated organs, Liver, Gallbladder. I couldn’t leave a holiday article finished without mentioning how to bounce back from little (or not so little) indulgences! Your Liver may be the only one not getting a break this holiday so make sure to show it some love by eating/drinking plenty of greens. Add some lemon to your water and allow yourself some space and time to process any emotions that are brought to the surface during this time which can be highly charged for many. Wood also controls the Earth Element so keeping your Liver happy will help to digest all of that extra rich food!

So, if you’re looking for a little more balance this time of year, give us a call. You’ll be thankful you did!

Harvest time, a period for harvesting nature’s bounty and preparing it for storage, is historically associated with the fall. For the hibernating season, food is kept. While we do not hibernate as humans in the winter, we do connect with the spirit of the season. Many animals go into hibernation, vegetation perishes, and roots store energy for the spring. The sun is low in the sky, the days are becoming shorter, it’s getting darker and colder, and we’re feeling compelled to return home.

Home is where the heart is, but it is also where the hearth is. Preparing the hearth means creating a warm, safe space. Fall is a time to make sure our homes are ready for the extreme yin season, while also preparing our bodies, minds, and spirits. Surviving and thriving in winter relies on the ability to draw on the reserves of food, warmth, and energy that we have gathered and preserved in accordance with the seasons.

Here are some things to consider in Fall to better prepare for winter:

Nutritional transitions: In Chinese Medicine, Fall is lung season. Don’t miss this opportunity to nourish and moisten the lungs with foods like pears, apples, figs, cauliflower, and daikon radish. Keeping the lungs strong will build immunity for the sometimes harsh conditions we face in Winter. Plenty of fiber is also important to help clean out LI (the lung’s paired organ) and prevent digestive stagnation as everything slows down in Winter. Most food should be cooked to maintain the body’s digestive fire. Warming teas with cinnamon and ginger are delightfully seasonable as temperatures drop throughout fall and winter.

Lifestyle transitioning: Winter is the peak of yin time. Yin time is about going inward into stillness. Fall is the beginning of the yin season and when we should begin that inner journey.  The excitement of summer quiets down and we begin to require more sleep and rest in general. We simply need to slow down as we don’t want to expend the energy reserves that are needed to keep us warm and healthy throughout the frost. This is also a time to layer our clothing as the temperatures drop. Chinese medicine practitioners will always remind you to make sure you have a favorite scarf in the Fall to cover the nape of your neck. This area of the body is especially vulnerable to chilly winds that can penetrate and disturb our homeostasis.

Emotional transitions:  In preparation for the reflective yin time ahead, we are compelled to feel some grief as we say goodbye to summer and observe the natural cycle of death happening around us as the earth progresses towards winter. If we have created space and time to feel the natural sadness of letting go in the fall, and release those energies appropriately, it will be that much easier to face the emotional energies of winter, the darkest season. Winter is associated with the emotion of fear and facing our fears helps us tap into our strength, our courage, and our willpower.

When it comes to winterizing our houses, cars, and land, the fall is a time for practical concerns. Cleaning out the gutters, inspecting the chimney, monitoring antifreeze levels, and laying mulch in the garden may all be on our to-do lists, depending on where/how we live. It is just as vital to prepare internally for the change of season as it is to prepare externally.

Want some assistance with these internal preparations? Call and schedule some fall acupuncture to ‘prepare the hearth’ and set yourself up for a smooth transition into winter!

We were told by another acupuncturist of an event that happened to him when he was still an intern acupuncturist, “Many years ago when I was an acupuncture intern I saw a patient who had lost all of his hair within a single week. All of his hair, including eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair fell out immediately after learning his unborn child was not going to survive. Miraculously, the following week, he learned the tests used on his pregnant wife were faulty and that the child would in fact be healthy. Around that time, this patient went in for an acupuncture session to see what could be done for him.”

Fear & The Kidneys

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the kidney is the organ system that rules bones, teeth, hair and the mental-emotional component of the kidney is fear. It was fascinating to hear of someone who witnessed such a vivid example of how tightly the emotional and physical aspects are intertwined in this medicine. The experience this father had gone through in such a deep level of shock and fear, manifested itself immediately of this disruption in the kidney was complete baldness.

In the five-element theory, kidney personality types can be introspective, enjoying time alone to philosophize. They might be seen as unconventional, perhaps a little quirky. As the element of the kidney is fear, an imbalance in this energy might lead to the types of worries and anxieties that are unfounded. This type of patient might obsess about death, even though they are currently healthy, or may even question their existence. Since this organ is connected to willpower, a balanced kidney type would have optimistic, realistic long-term life goals. They would feel as if their life had a purpose. Out of balance, this type might be too fearful of an uncertain future to move forward. They might exhibit an aura of being directionless or lacking in follow-through.

Other Impacts of the Kidney

The kidney is also linked to the sex drive. Deficient kidney energy might manifest in a lack of sexual desire. On the other end of the spectrum, excess kidney energy can result in a hyperactive sex drive.

When we see patients that seem to have grown old before their time, we think of the kidney as this organ regulates the aging process. Some people maintain their youthful vibrancy throughout the years due to healthy kidney function. Other people appear to become hardened as they complain about their various aches and pains, fearful about growing old and consumed with worries about impending health issues that could manifest.

How Acupuncture Can Help

Getting an acupuncture tune-up on your kidneys won’t bring you eternal youth, unfortunately, but it can help to give you an energetic boost and reset your system. I often see patients who exhibit the “tired but wired” paradox so often caused by a mix of stress, overwork, and stimulants. These patients are running on overdrive, and the kidneys take the hit. By treating the kidneys, we can stimulate your natural energy reserves while we get your body and mind back into a state of homeostasis.

If you or someone you know is experiencing anything like the above article, please call today and let us help you get more balanced.

The goal of Traditional Chinese medicine is to help improve your health and live-in balance with nature and in each season. Winter is the season of the element of Water, of slowing down, and reflecting and conserving our resources. We all feel this tendency, but we don’t always listen to our bodies.  In Western culture, being active is rewarded and expected. We feel compelled to keep up the hectic pace that is typical in our daily lives.

This season is associated with the kidneys, bladder, and adrenal glands and the time of year when these organs are most active, accessible, and even vulnerable. They are more receptive to being restored, nurtured, and energized. At the same time, it is also when they can become easily depleted.

According to Chinese medicine, our kidneys receive a specific amount of energy at the time of our conception that will carry each of us through our lives, called Jing Qi.  Imagine for a minute that our kidneys are like batteries. Batteries that have come from the shop with a limited amount of charge. These unfortunately are not the rechargeable types of batteries. Jing Qi is the energy stored in our kidney batteries. Our body and mind pull from this reserve in times of change, healing, and stress. Every action we take draws on this power supply.

Some people can easily deplete their Jing Qi due to poor lifestyle choices and extreme stress.  Others preserve it by nurturing it with the right foods and behaviors. Jing Qi is finite. The more we use it, the less we will have for necessary body functioning. Every day our kidneys filter blood and other body fluids, remove toxins from the liver, and our bladder collects, processes and excretes these liquids through the urine.

There are ways we can preserve our Jing Qi. In addition to Jing Qi, we operate on renewable sources of energy. The spleen makes Qi (vital life force) for us out of the food we eat, and the lungs bring us Qi from the air.  We will have less need to draw on our Jing Qi and be healthier and more energetic as we eat, rest and breathe better and do Qi Gong to replenish our renewable sources of energy.

Keep in mind, stimulants such as caffeine deplete the kidneys, and rob us of our ability to know how we really feel.  If our body is in need of rest and sleep, caffeine consumption will make us unaware of this fact, thus causing us to ignore our body’s needs.  This can then contribute to the unnecessary depletion of our Jing Qi.

In order to maintain and cultivate health, it is important to nurture and nourish our kidney energy. Now is the perfect time to recharge your internal kidney batteries. Acupuncture, Tai Chi, quiet reflection, meditation, simple walks, and herbs are wonderful ways to recharge and energize!

If you are wanting to improve your kidney’s health contact us today and schedule an appointment with one of our Acupuncturists.

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Master Lu has been practicing Acupuncture and Chinese martial arts for over 40 years. He was one of the first Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of Utah. He was trained in Taiwan in both Acupuncture and Chinese martial arts mainly Northern Shaolin Kung Fu and Old Yang Style Tai Chi. Master Lu was also twice national champion for full contact fighting in Taiwan.

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