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A woman lying in bed suffering from insomnia
Chronic insomnia affects over 30% of adult Americans, and the incidence rises with age. Cognitive therapy and sleeping medications are common forms of treatment. While sleeping drugs come with some hazards, they can be beneficial in the short term and cognitive therapy has a lot of potential as an effective cure. But using conventional methods, it is a problem that can be managed but regrettably not healed. Even while many Americans may not fit the definition of “chronic insomnia,” anyone who consistently lacks adequate sleep will eventually experience negative effects on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. In addition to the obvious weariness that many types of insomnia cause, these conditions can also cause mood problems, headaches, dizziness, and painful muscles. According to a significant study, those with insomnia were five times more likely to experience depression than people who slept well. In addition, there are other negative consequences on the immune system, weight, cardiovascular system, and brain health.
Acupuncturists typically always ask about quantity and quality of sleep no matter the initial complaint or reason for seeking treatment. This is because as holistic health practitioners, we recognize the enormous impact sleep has on the overall health experience. If there are any deficits when it comes to sleep, this will usually be part of the focus for treatment. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), nighttime is yin time, a time for rest, healing, and recovery. It needs to be in balance with yang time (daytime) activity levels. This harmony of yin and yang is central to the TCM understanding of health.
Since everyone is unique and there are numerous causes of imbalance, acupuncture treats insomnia on an individual basis. A person’s internal environment will be examined in addition to external factors like trauma or stress. A pattern evaluation is performed to assess any organ imbalances, excess hot or cold-type diseases, and the flow and availability of blood and energy (qi) in the body. But does it work?
In a review of random controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of acupuncture for insomnia, acupuncture was found superior to medications in its ability to increase sleep duration for >3 hours. Also, acupuncture plus medications showed a better effect than medications alone on total sleep duration. And finally, acupuncture plus herbs was significantly better than herbs alone in increasing sleep rates. Worthwhile to note that there were no serious adverse effects of acupuncture observed in any of the trials.[1]
According to Western physiology, acupuncture has an impact on our ability to sleep by causing the production of the hormone that makes us sleepy, melatonin, as well as several other yet-to-be-determined mechanisms like the activation of specific regions of the brain involved in sensory processing. Additionally, acupuncture has been shown to activate the vagus nerve, which aids in bringing about a feeling of relaxation throughout the body. Not only does the quality of sleep increase while the body is in this calm state, but it also activates the immunological and repair systems, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.
Given the interrelationship of sleep and overall health, if all acupuncture did was improve sleep, it would still merit recognition as a valuable health system. But Acupuncture is prescribed for so much more! Call today to set up a sleep and overall health-improving series of treatments and start feeling the benefits right away!
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3156618/
An investigation into the impact of acupuncture treatments on the stress levels of administrative staff at a nearby hospital was published in the Annals of Yoga and Physical Therapy. 58 participants in the study who had significant levels of work-related stress were included. The subjects received auricular acupuncture for eight weeks. The employees stated that their stress levels had fallen from high to moderate after the eight acupuncture treatments. According to the study, the body’s neurotransmitters are released during regular acupuncture treatments, which is thought to lower stress levels. This study and numerous others show that acupuncture can truly reduce stress levels and enhance general health.
Stress is defined as either pressure or tension exerted on an object or a state of mental or emotional strain resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.
Here are some facts from the Global Organization for Stress:
One way to deal with stress involves the use of a 3,000-year-old medical system, known as Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM. TCM uses many different modalities or tools to treat the human mind and body. The most used modality is acupuncture and while acupuncture is still not widely accepted in the United States, it is gaining ground.
According to studies, consistent usage of acupuncture can lessen stress. A study that was published in the Journal of Endocrinology showed that electroacupuncture-treated rats had decreased levels of stress hormones like cortisol. The rats’ chronic stress hormones were inhibited by electroacupuncture. For people, it has the exact same effect.
Specific acupuncture points on the body are better for relieving stress and are used frequently by licensed practitioners. One of these points is Yin Tang. Yin Tang is located directly between the inner edges of the eyebrows and is a reflex point of the pituitary gland. Yin Tang calms the mind and relaxes the body by helping control hormone secretions.
Due to its location, Kidney 1 is another acupuncture point that can reduce stress but is less frequently employed. The junction of the anterior third and posterior two-thirds of the line connecting the base of the second and third toes and the heel marks the location of kidney 1 on the bottom of the foot. Although extremely sensitive, this point has remarkable qualities. In addition to controlling blood flow to the upper body region known as the brain, kidney 1 can sedate and calm the mind.
There are other tools TCM practitioners can use to relieve stress, such as cupping and herbs, although acupuncture and acupressure tend to work the fastest. Ask me to find out more!
There is a reason Spring is generally regarded as a happy season, spring brings longer days, more sunshine, the rebirth of plants, and more activity. But for many, the months of spring can also bring irritability, anxiety, sinus issues, allergy flare-ups, and even colds.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been practiced for about 3,000 years; this is why it’s one of the most trusted medical systems in the world. TCM has connotations with the following five seasons: winter, spring, summer, late summer, and fall. Each season has a special set of characteristics and connections all its own. The wood element is related to spring. In TCM, the liver and gallbladder, as well as their energy channels, are governed by the wood element. Daily interactions between the five seasons and their respective elements result in either total harmony or balance in the body.
The season of spring is a time of expansive movement and growth. Spring is a time of creativity and planning. Since the liver and gallbladder are associated with the tendons and are responsible for the smooth flow of energy and blood throughout the body, our daily activities should reflect this. Being more active and spending more time outside can be great ways to strengthen the liver and gallbladder energies during the months of spring. We should imitate the budding trees and flowers and allow ourselves to grow and reach for bigger and better goals during the spring.
Green is the color of spring in TCM. During these months, fresh greens are abundant. It is highly recommended that we incorporate more fresh greens into our daily diets. Greens have been shown to be very beneficial for helping the liver do its job, detoxifying the blood. Dandelion greens are a good source of detoxification, which ultimately strengthens the liver and gallbladder meridians.
It is also recommended to avoid excessive stimulants during the spring months. Things like coffee are considered expansive and energizing, which can be somewhat helpful during the cold winter months. But during the spring, when life is abounding, excess energy can be harmful to the body. It can create headaches, insomnia, anger, and more.
When a person is completely balanced, transitioning from one season to another is not such a big deal. However, knowing what elemental type you are can also be very beneficial in determining how you will react to each passing season. For instance, a person with a wood element constitution may experience anger during the spring. This is because the wood element is already closely associated with the emotion of anger and spring brings added stimuli that can trigger fits of rage.
One way to keep the body balanced is through acupuncture and TCM. The body is designed to maintain proper balance, but we tend not to pay attention to the warning signs until we experience pain or illness. Getting regular acupuncture treatments can work as preventive medicine, providing harmony throughout every season of the year.
If you experience feelings of anxiety, anger, or even self-loathing, acupuncture can help. It can also help with those seasonal allergies that might flare up. Acupuncture is a wonderful way to maintain health and balance all year long. Be sure to find a fully licensed acupuncturist in your area, so you can enjoy spring without any emotional or physical impairment.
According to a study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, acupuncture is a viable option for treating chronic renal disease patients who want to improve their kidney function. Over the course of a twelve-week research, 59 patients with chronic renal disease underwent acupuncture treatments using the same acupuncture locations in addition to electrostimulation. To assess the effectiveness, the serum creatinine concentrations and estimated glomerular filtration rates were tracked. The study found that acupuncture shows potential in treating chronic kidney disease and enhancing overall kidney function since serum creatinine levels decreased and estimated glomerular filtration rates rose.
http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2016.0119
Kidney disease is the ninth leading cause of death in the United States, with an estimated 31 million people suffering from chronic kidney disease. Decreased kidney function can be either acute or chronic. Acute kidney injury can be caused by a sudden drop in blood flow to the kidneys, damage from medications, or infections. Chronic kidney damage can be caused by autoimmune diseases, genetic diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, or even chronic urinary tract infections. Regardless of the cause, decreased kidney function can be deadly if not detected or left untreated.
Traditional Chinese Medicine offers multiple methods to help battle decreased kidney function. The kidneys function to filter and purify blood throughout the body. Inadequate blood flow to the kidneys can lead to a host of problems. The most prevalent form of TCM is acupuncture. Acupuncture has been shown to increase blood flow into areas that are lacking, thus allowing the transport of vital nutrients that keep the tissues healthy and functioning properly. Acupuncture can help relieve clinical symptoms of kidney disease, such as fatigue, back pain, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
According to TCM, the kidneys are the source of yin and yang. Yang is fire and yin is water. When the fire of yang is weak or the water of yin is not nourishing the body, then the kidney function must be addressed. The kidneys also house essence or jing in TCM. Jing is like our DNA. Since the kidneys are the most deep-seated of the internal organs, they are responsible for providing the tools to fulfill the deepest needs, such as survival and reproduction. While the kidneys house the deep reserves that fuel the body, they are also the organs damaged the most by stress. The body’s bones and marrow are governed by the kidneys in TCM. So even illnesses like osteoporosis can be related to the kidneys and as such, when treating a person with these ailments, the kidney meridian must always be included in the treatments.
Regular acupuncture treatments can greatly improve the health of the kidneys and keep them strong. But it is also important to keep stress levels at a minimum. This is where things like meditation, tai chi, and qi gong can come into play. All these practices help calm the mind and relieve stress. It is also recommended that fear be avoided, as it can deplete the energy of the kidney meridian. Physically, the kidney meridian manifests in the lower back and knees. Therefore, proper stretching and exercises to strengthen the back and leg muscles are extremely helpful in supporting overall kidney health. Certain foods can also help improve kidney health. Dark foods like black beans, black walnuts, as well as seafood are all excellent kidney tonics.
All the aforementioned items can be provided by a properly trained and fully licensed acupuncturist. So, if you or somebody you know is suffering from decreased kidney function or kidney disease of some sort, it would be beneficial to contact a local acupuncturist. TCM coupled with Western medicine can help anybody suffering from these kinds of issues. The two modalities complement one another nicely and allow for the patient to lead a more normal life.
Acupuncturists understand the body as a complex system of energy systems, meridians, and organs. However, when an acupuncturist talks about an organ, like the spleen, heart, or kidneys, they are not referring to the physical organ that sits inside your body, but rather the energetic side of these organs. The energetic system is much bigger than just the physical organ and governs certain functions in the body on many levels.
The kidney system is one of the most important of these energetic organ systems.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidneys represent the deepest, most fundamental levels of energy in the human body. They are said to be the root of yin and yang in the body – two fundamental forces at play in our physiology. The kidneys also store a substance called “essence” which is our genetic code, our life force, and our reproductive ability.
The kidneys in Chinese Medicine are related to the water element, which is the elemental energy of winter. Whereas many energy systems are all about movement, the kidneys are about rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation – they are the energy of holding, of turning inward, and of protecting that which is most important. Think of still-reflecting pools or a quiet winter night. These are kidney energy. The kidneys are often referred to in Chinese Medicine as our “root” – they are tasked with caring for the most precious parts of us that make us who we are.
On a physical level, the kidneys govern the water passageways within the body (appropriate being the water element!) as well as control growth and reproduction. In a five-element understanding of Chinese Medicine, the kidneys are at the end of the life cycle, before rebirth occurs again (such as winter making way for spring.) This means the kidneys have a vital role to play in end-of-life transitions.
The spiritual aspect of the kidneys is called Zhi, or willpower. Again, the kidneys are our root, our fundamental and core energy. When that system is weakened, a person may not feel drive, or motivation or can push themselves. Their understanding of who they are and what they can do has been diminished.
The emotion associated with the kidneys is fear. When the kidneys are weak, a person may be startled or frightened easily or may experience fear in disproportionate ways. Likewise, shock, trauma, and fearful situations weaken kidney energy, which is why many of the common symptoms of PTSD have a kidney imbalance at their root. The person’s core has been shaken.
The kidney energy, being the deepest level of energy in the body, takes time to replenish and strengthen, which means patience is key. Also, kidney energy naturally declines over the life cycle, which is the normal aging process. So, as we age, protecting the kidneys becomes all the more important!
Being associated with the water element, the kidneys are nourished by foods that come from the water – fish, seaweeds, and shellfish are nourishing to this system. The kidneys are associated with a salty taste, so naturally salty foods such as miso or millet also are good choices. Avoid foods that are damaging to your root energy, such as sugar, caffeine, alcohol, greasy foods, and highly processed foods.
The kidneys are damaged by overwork, too much responsibility, lack of sleep, and a frenetic schedule. In other words, most of us living in modern society are taxing our kidneys! This means it is even more important to carve out time and space to take part in kidney-nourishing habits.
As we mentioned, the kidneys are nourished through rest and rejuvenation. Pay attention to your sleep and be sure you are getting the hours that you need! Take a nap during the day if you need it. Engage in gentle, relaxing forms of exercise, like yoga or tai chi. Try meditation or guided visualizations to calm and center yourself. Find a schedule that works – one that really works – for you.
Bring the water element into your life and your home by getting a small decorative fountain, using essential oils, taking baths, or spending time near rivers or oceans, or other bodies of water.
The kidneys, being the source of our reproductive strength, are also weakened by excessive sexual activity. So go for quality over quantity.
The kidneys represent what makes you, you. So, take the time to give them the support they need!
Every year we set New Year’s resolutions for ourselves we plan to achieve. But many times, we let these resolutions slip away. It turns out it can be harder than you think to turn those new year’s resolutions into reality.
To meet the goals, it will take discipline, hard work, practice, and patience. Here are seven tips on how you can achieve your goals this year.
Don’t set goals that seem impossible. Make sure your goals are realistic. The more realistic they are, the more attainable they will be. We tend to become stressed when we are not achieving the goals set forth for ourselves. Don’t let this potential stress affect you, set realistic new year’s resolutions and reach them.
Budget out your resolutions. Think about it. If you set a goal to lose 5 pounds during the first month of the new year and achieve it, you will be feeling great and confident you can do more. Try setting a goal of losing 10 pounds the following month, and slowly increase increments until you reach your desired goal.
It can be easy to start off the new year with a ton of resolutions. You want to be healthier and more active. So, it is only normal for you to set a lot of goals for yourself. But remember, to reach your goals most effectively, you should focus on one specific goal at a time. Once you have completed that goal you can move on to the next one.
Make sure you have a solid support system around you. Friends, family, colleagues, personal trainers, or workout partners are all great people to make up your support system. Build a support system that will encourage and empower you to reach the goals you have set out for yourself this new year.
This may seem a little obvious but putting faith in yourself goes a long way. When the going gets tough it can be hard to truly believe you will achieve the goals set forth. So, take a deep breath, believe in yourself, you can do this!
Don’t forget about your New Year’s resolutions. Keep your resolutions in your front-of-mind awareness. Hold yourself accountable and remember your goals. Life can be busy, and at times feels as though it is moving too quickly. But if you keep your resolutions in mind, you can make them a reality.
The truth is… you don’t need to start on January 1st. Pick a date on which you want to start, then write down what your goals are going to be. Remember, a goal that is not written down is simply a wish. As soon as you write down that New Year’s resolution, go out and start making the change happen. I know we have all been there. We are all guilty of having set New Year’s resolutions for ourselves that we don’t reach. This is mainly because we write the goal down and don’t do anything about it on Day 1. The best way to achieve your goal is one day at a time, if you miss a day, start again the very next day, never give up and one day you will look back and see that you have reached your goal and beyond.
We wish you the best of luck in setting and achieving your goals.
Viruses, germs, and bacteria are everywhere. They are in the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink.
According to Chinese medicine, they do not cause disease. When a certain organ system is already weak and unable to resist outside invasion, it is, therefore, prone to attack by germs, such as viruses and bacteria. Illness and disease can only result when our body provides a hospitable environment.
For example, let’s say you inhaled the influenza virus. Just because these germs are present, does not mean you will get the flu. There are several factors involved such as the health of your lungs, the vitality of your immune system, and your overall health.
Germs gather and thrive only in weakened parts of the body. When there is an imbalance of Qi, the normal functions of your body will ultimately be affected. This can change the normal immune system response and lead to illness.
A disease requires both a pathogen and a host. These nasty critters can only survive and flourish if circumstances are ripe. When the germs are strong, but the environment of the host (you) is stronger, the disease will be resisted. If the host is weak, however, then your environment can become a hospitable refuge for viruses, germs, bacteria, and other microbes to set up shop.
Meridian channels control the flow of healing energy throughout your entire body, including your organs. The function (health) of your lungs and the strength of your immune system all depend upon the quality, quantity, and balance of Qi which flows within your meridian channels.
The “true cure” of disease is simply NOT to kill germs, but to reestablish and build up the body’s amount of healing Qi. This will ultimately provide an adequate amount of Qi to restore the integrity of your meridian and organ system. Germs simply cannot attack a strong and healthy body.
Acupuncture for Cold Prevention: Chinese Medicine treats the common cold by first focusing on the immune system or Wei Qi. To prevent colds, the Wei Qi needs to be strong. Regular acupuncture treatments can help boost the immune system while balancing hormones that can also play into how the body functions to fight off a cold.
Acupuncture Points for Cold Prevention:
Large Intestine 11 – This point can be found bilaterally at the outer end of the elbow crease created when the arm is flexed. Large intestine 11 is used to decrease inflammation throughout the body, while also stimulating immune function.
Stomach 36 – Stomach 36 known as the Longevity Point, is located bilaterally on the lower outer leg. It can be found 1 finger-breadth from the border of the upper tibia and about 3 thumb-breadths below the lower border of the knee cap. This point boosts the energy of the body and stimulates the immune function.
Ren 17 – This point is located in the middle of the chest, between the two nipples, directly on top of the breast bone. Ren 17 stimulates the thymus gland which helps resist infection.
If you or a loved one are looking for help with cold and flu symptoms, you’ve got nothing to lose if you give Chinese Medicine a shot!
It’s bad enough having Covid but dealing with lingering symptoms after fighting the infection is downright unfair. Why can’t some people (as many as almost half of those infected) make a clean recovery from Covid? “Long-Haul Covid” (LHC) describes a condition of covid-related symptoms that can last for months after infection, and for some, even longer. This phenomenon is currently being studied so we can better understand how and why.
The list of possible lingering symptoms is long and conveys the reach of this virus
and its effects on nearly every system of the body: Fatigue, fever, headaches, dizziness, cough, chest pain, heart palpitations, numbness, brain fog, changes in taste and smell, sleep problems, digestive issues, joint pain, rashes, menstrual cycle disturbances, anxiety, and depression. And the list goes on. For some it may only be one stubborn disturbance, for others, it may be a debilitating combination of symptoms.
Lingering symptoms can be from direct harm done to the body by the virus. Covid can take a toll on the body from the level of organs to organelles (microscopic cellular structures) and everything in between. Damage to the body’s organs and tissues may cause various systemic long COVID symptoms. Mitochondrial damage is another focal point of research as this organelle is responsible for energy production in the body and is a target for viral damage. This is an important area of study as ‘covid fatigue’ is one of the most common long-haul symptoms.
The immune system itself can also cause harm when unregulated. Cytokine storms are an over-aggressive immune response that can lead to persistent inflammation in the body. Many people with long-haul COVID have elevated cytokine levels, suggesting hyper-inflammation plays a role in LHC.
Another possible immune response scenario is that the stress of COVID confuses the body, triggering an autoimmune response, where the immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells, tissues, and organs. There are also theories that the immune system is not confused but going after viral remnants that have gone deeper into hiding and our own tissues become collateral damage in this war. Another related theory proposes that COVID-19 infection could reactivate, or wake up, other viruses in the body that have gone dormant, resulting in various immune reactions.
LHC from a Chinese Medicine perspective considers that COVID is generally considered to be a ‘damp’ pathogen, affecting fluid balance in the body. This imbalance causes inflammation and the main symptoms of cough and fatigue. As the body works to restore balance by redistributing fluid and energy, as well as expelling the pathogen, some may need extra help depending on their constitution, environment, lifestyle, and the strength/amount of the pathogen. If help is not received and the imbalance persists, it can manifest in 4 main ways.
Deficiency. The infection drained the body of qi (energy), blood, or body fluids. The key symptom of deficiency is fatigue.
Excess: Covid’s signature effect of dampness, in excess, can lead to feelings of heaviness, and stiffness, as well as symptoms like diarrhea and, bloating. Excess heat from the virus in the body can also manifest in things like chronic fever or red itchy rashes.
Stagnation. This is any scenario where the virus has blocked the free flow of the blood and energy in the body. In this form the prominent symptom is pain. The more severe the blockage, the more severe the pain.
Retained Pathogen/Latent Heat: Like the idea that viral remnants remain in the body to either confuse or overstimulate the immune system, the Chinese Medicine concept of ‘retained pathogens’ refers to when a pathogen gets ‘stuck’ in the body because the body is too weak to fully drive it out. It can stay at an intermediate level in the body causing flu-like symptoms (i.e. body aches and fatigue) or go deeper to ‘hide out’ as “Latent Heat” to come
If you are dealing with Long-Haul Covid, it’s been long enough! A TCM practitioner can address the specific patterns and factors that have prevented full recovery and help bring you back into a state of balance and health. Call today!
Join Master Tyehao Lu as he teaches Old Yang Tai Chi. In this video, Master Tyehao Lu goes over Lesson 9.
In this video you will learn:
26. Flower Blossom, Sit Crossed Legged
27. Stand Up Step, Half
28. Yin-Yang Turn Over Palm
If you would like to join us for our in-person Tai Chi classes.
Monday and Wednesday at 9 am and 6 pm
Saturday at 9 am
Join Master Tyehao Lu as he teaches Old Yang Tai Chi. In this video, Master Tyehao Lu goes over Lesson 8.
In this video you will learn:
22. Bending to Catch the Tiger
23. Brushing Knee Chopping Palm
24. Chopping Down Kick Right Leg
25. Chop Palm
If you would like to join us for our in-person Tai Chi classes.
Monday and Wednesday at 9 am and 6 pm
Saturday at 9 am
