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In the United States, the prevalence of back pain has increased, as has the number of individuals seeking treatment through complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
Acupuncture, spinal manipulation, massage, yoga, tai chi, chiropractic, biofeedback, and mindfulness-based stress-reduction therapy have all been shown to aid with back pain without the need for medicines or surgery.
These therapies can help ease muscle tension, relieve pain, and correct posture while strengthening muscles and improving joint stability.
The most prevalent CAM therapies for back pain in the US are spinal manipulation, acupuncture, and massage.
Lower Back Pain (LBP) is one of the most common types of chronic back pain and is often caused by lumbar muscle strain and sprains. Adults between the ages of 18 to 64 years represent 72% of all low back pain healthcare visits.
Naturally, there are many studies on treatment methods for lower back pain, including the efficacy of acupuncture in managing this pain.
In a comprehensive study, 454,920 patients with at least one of the three chronic pain conditions including headache, low back pain, and osteoarthritis were treated with acupuncture. The effectiveness of acupuncture was rated as marked or moderate in 76% of the patients.
A meta-analysis reviewing nearly 20,000 people for chronic pain, including chronic back pain, found that those who received real acupuncture compared to those who received sham acupuncture or no acupuncture experienced a 50% improvement in chronic pain.
The study concluded, “Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic pain and is, therefore, a reasonable referral option.”
More recently, a systematic review and meta-analysis of effects of acupuncture on pain and function in non-specific low back pain, found that acupuncture is more effective at pain relief than sham acupuncture or no treatment at all. Acupuncture with usual care methods for back pain is more effective than just usual care alone, making acupuncture an important supplemental treatment to usual care methods, according to this study.
There is no need to go through life suffering from low back pain, call today and schedule an appointment to start living without low back pain.
According to statistics, nearly eight out of ten people will suffer from low back pain at some point in their lives. It is typical to seek medical therapy for back discomfort. Back discomfort is usually only temporary and can be treated with rest, heat, and an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen on occasion. However, once the damage has been done, back pain can reoccur up to 50% of the time. Part of this is since muscles and tendons become less flexible and malleable as we age. It is also well acknowledged that people in the United States are overly sedentary, which contributes to excess weight gain and increased pressure on the body, particularly the low back.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a roughly 3,000-year-old medicinal system. TCM, however, has a lot of value to offer in the age of modern medicine, despite its age. Low back pain can be treated in a variety of methods in TCM. Here are a few examples of how this old medical method can be of use.
Acupuncture for Low Back Pain: Studies have shown that acupuncture stimulates the body to produce natural steroids that reduce inflammation. Acupuncture also increases the production of endorphins, which are helpful in reducing pain. In this way, acupuncture can be very helpful in preventing costly surgeries or prescription pain medication addiction. If a person seeks out acupuncture treatments when the low back pain is acute, it can potentially help them avoid chronic pain, thus decreasing the need for pain medications or surgery.
Acupuncture Points for Low Back Pain:
Large Intestine 4 – This point is located bilaterally on the backside of the hand, in the webbing between the forefinger and the thumb. When the hand is made into a fist, the point can is found in the center of the mound of flesh that is created. This point is used for relieving pain anywhere in the body.
Gallbladder 34 – This point is found bilaterally on the outer side of the lower leg. It can be found in the depression that is in front of and below the head of the fibula. This point is known as the influential point of the tendons.
Urinary Bladder 40 – This point is located bilaterally on the crease behind the knee, right in the center, directly behind the knee cap. This point helps relieve pain along the spine. It is helpful for relieving muscle spasms and reducing pain associated with sciatic nerve involvement, which stems from the low back.
Chinese Herbs for Low Back Pain: Herbs and combinations of herbs, known as formulas, are used frequently in TCM. They can be used topically in the form of balms or salves, and they can also be taken internally. One specific herb that is found frequently in low back pain formulas is Xu Duan. This herb is used because it strengthens the sinews, promoted blood circulation, and alleviates pain.
Most herbal formulas have specific herbs in them that help target the areas that are affected. For instance, Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang contains herbs that target the muscles and sinews of the low back area to alleviate pain and inflammation.
Nutrition for Low Back Pain: Proper nutrition is vital for everyone, but for those suffering from low back pain, it can be extra important to provide the body with the right nutrients. Fatty fish, like tuna and salmon, provide omega-3 fatty acids that can help reduce inflammation. Grapes and berries contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components that inhibit enzymes responsible for pain. Hemp seeds are another great food to consume if you are suffering from low back pain. Full of anti-inflammatory properties and healthy fats, hemp seeds can decrease pain and inflammation.
As you can see, TCM is a great way to deal with low back pain. If you are experiencing this problem, call us today, and let’s see how we can help you relieve your back pain.
Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China for good reason. Each new year brings new energies and opportunities. The celebration begins the day after the first new moon between January 21 and February 20 each year and lasts until the following full moon. These 2 weeks is a time of welcoming and aligning with the new energies. This year, the Chinese New Year falls on Feb 1st and festivities continue through Feb 15th, 2022. Each year has a corresponding element and animal of the Chinese zodiac. 2022 is a water-tiger year that holds a lot of promise for an exciting, productive year.
This water-tiger year is in gear to be a faster-paced, more passionate year after a slower year of the Ox (2021) and a very challenging year of the Rat (2020). The tiger has been sleeping, awaiting his time for action. 2022 has great potential to be a year of change because of the energy of the tiger: brave, self-assured, and ready to pounce. Individually we might be inspired to embark on new adventures, such as travel or moving, or starting a new business. Collectively, there may be an energetic shaking off of stagnation brought on by the past couple of years of the pandemic. It will be a year of exploring new ideas, and not shying away from challenges. If energy is not allowed to flow (individually and/or collectively) there may be some restlessness or unpredictable behaviors. It is also important to balance the aggressive energy of the tiger with times of rest. Even tigers take cat naps. This is a water year, so the yin energy of the water can help to balance the fierce fiery nature of the tiger.
In terms of health for this year, keep that balance in mind. Get moving, embrace life, face challenges, and be brave but take time for relaxation, meditation, and proper sleep. The tiger is associated with the liver and gallbladder organs as well as the lung channel. We can give some extra support to these systems this year by:
For extra luck this year:
Chinese New Year food traditions are empowered with symbology. The idea is to signify prosperity and abundance with traditions such as cooking extra food to make sure there are leftovers and cooking coin-shaped cookies or dumplings representing pockets of money. Traditions can be considered ritualistic practices that help to infuse our lives with meaning and intention. And cooking is such a delicious opportunity to bring rituals into our celebrations.
Enjoy this dumpling recipe in celebration of the year of the Tiger. Just remember to fill them with not only the physical ingredients but your own intentions for a prosperous healthy new year!
Ingredients:
Dumpling wrappers (home-ade or store-bought)
Sesame oil
filling:
Cooked & chopped Chicken or Tofu (white color to support lungs)
Cooked & chopped dark leafy greens (support liver blood)
Pungent spices like fresh ginger and black pepper (open/move lung qi)
for dipping:
Soy sauce
Rice wine vinegar (helps to relieve liver stagnation)
Chopped green onions (benefit lung qi)
Happy New Year of the Water-Tiger!
Don’t forget to make acupuncture part of your new year’s celebration and get in for some treatments to fortify your own inner-tiger vitality and get the most out of 2022! Call today to schedule your Acupuncture appointment! Rawr!
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.
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.
Affecting one in three adults, high blood pressure is one of the most common health issues in America and most often the result of busy schedules and high-stress jobs. Sometimes it can be hard to slow down, however, addressing high blood pressure is very important to improving overall health and quality of life. Below are natural ways that can help lower your blood pressure.
Working fewer hours is one of the hardest commitments for Americans for multiple reasons. According to a study done by the University of California, Irvine, those who worked more than 41 hours a week had an increased risk of hypertension by 15 percent. Try to stick to 40 hours a week in the office. Take advantage of those vacations days when you can, you deserve it!
A study done by Duke University Medical Center found that consuming around three cups of coffee has a lasting effect on blood pressure. Caffeine tightens blood vessels, which results in an increase in blood pressure. When caffeine increases blood flow, it magnifies the feelings of stress you are probably already feeling. Try to cut down on the coffee and turn to decaf.
Researchers at the University of Florence in Italy found that listening to calming music for 30 minutes daily can help lower blood pressure. Listeners who practiced this daily on top of deep breathing lowered their average systolic reading by 3.2 points. Taking the time every day to listen to music and relax is simple and effective.
Acupuncture is an effective natural treatment for hypertension. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that when one has high blood pressure, the body is out of balance. Acupuncture works to relax the body and mind and return the body’s natural energy flow back to balance. TCM believes the Liver and Kidney organs are associated with high blood pressure and focuses on these acupuncture points to relieve stress.
Massage therapy is well known for reducing stress and hypertension. A study done at the Wirral Metropolitan College Department of Medicine found that patients experienced less muscle tension and a lower heart rate after massage therapy treatment. Massage is non-invasive and not only relaxes the body, but the mind as well.
According to a study of 26 studies co-authored by Dr. Yeh and published in the journal Preventive Cardiology in 2008, improving blood pressure is a good thing. The first number in a blood pressure reading, systolic blood pressure, dropped seven to 32 points, while the second number, diastolic blood pressure, dropped two to 18 points in persons with high blood pressure.
If you are looking for ways to lower your blood pressure, call us today and schedule an appointment today. Remember, lowering your blood pressure is not something that happens overnight. With a combination of a healthy diet, exercise, and Acupuncture we can help you get your blood pressure down to healthy numbers and reduce your hypertension.Sticking to a healthy diet and exercise plan and finding a natural treatment that works for you can help you get back on the road to health and reduce stress and hypertension.
The heart is considered the most important organ in the body by Traditional Chinese Medicine. All the other organs are connected to the heart and help it function as efficiently as possible. Blood circulation is regulated by the heart’s energy flow, or Qi, according to TCM. Poor blood circulation, a weak pulse, palpitations, and chest pain can occur when the heart lacks Qi and is lacking in Yang.
A Heart Yang deficiency is associated with coldness. When Yang is not in balance, circulation slows resulting in extreme coldness and a pale face. A Yin deficiency happens when one is overworked and does not give the body and mind a chance to slow down. Fatigue and anxiety are symptoms of a Yin imbalance.
Imbalances in the heart can result in many other issues as well. When one is stressed, a domino effect happens in the body. The liver’s function decreases when the body is under high stress, therefore it cannot support the heart.
According to TCM, the heart is also the source of consciousness and thinking. When one’s blood circulation is in balance their thought processes and mental activities function well. If the heart’s energy is deficient, one can experience anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness.
TCM believes that acupuncture treatment can reduce stress and return the heart to health. When one is consistently stressed, there is an increased level of adrenaline and cortisol due to raised blood pressure. When these stress hormones increase in the body, one is more susceptible to blood clots and added risk of a heart attack.
Acupuncture works by lowering the body’s blood pressure and heart rate, which then can lower cortisol and adrenaline levels. Specific acupuncture points are used on the body to relax the mind and address problems like hypertension and symptoms of heart disease.
Acupuncture works by addressing the body as a whole. When there is an imbalance in the heart, acupuncture points work to return the body back to its normal energy flow, which improves the function of the organs.
If you are ready to see how acupuncture can help improve your heart health, call us today and schedule an appointment.
It’s difficult to slow down in today’s fast-paced environment. Everyday pressures are common, and while some stress is beneficial, too much can harm the body, both psychologically and physically. Work, family, finances, and everything else can all have an impact on your health. The following are some stress-relieving methods that are also excellent for your heart.
Not only is exercise a good way to relieve stress but is great for strengthening the heart as well. Try getting some sort of physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day. Focus on activities that get your heart pumping. Exercise will reduce your stress and improve your overall health short-term and long term.
It is easy to forget to give yourself time to relax when you’re busy taking care of others. Schedule time devoted to yourself and what relaxes and makes you happy. Go for a walk, read a book, or take a bath. These activities can calm you and clear your head.
Meditation and deep breathing as the power to slow your body and mind down. Try meditating for even just five minutes a day. Practice deep breathing to help lower your heart rate. When you’re feeling overwhelmed and handling too much, meditation is a great way to slow down.
Stress can lead to hazardous habits like binge drinking and smoking. Although these substances may seem to help you deal with the short term, the long-term consequences vastly exceed the short-term benefits. Both smoking and alcohol can cause heart damage. Turn to alternatives if you’re reaching for a cigarette or a drink and reach out to family and friends to help you break the habit.
Acupuncture is an effective alternative medicine that can help improve heart health as well as lower stress. By the specific placement of needles on acupuncture points, the treatment works to treat the entire body back to optimal health. Acupuncture can help reduce blood pressure, decrease stress, and improve sleep.
Massage therapy is another alternative treatment that is beneficial in lowering stress. The treatment has been shown to reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure and increase blood circulation. Through manual manipulation, massage can relax not only the body but the mind as well.
It can be hard to accept that things in life don’t go exactly as planned. Practice letting go of what you can’t control and accept that the future is unknown. It is easy to stress about the future. Remind yourself to live in the moment.
If you need help in reducing your stress and anxiety, call us today to 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!
When it comes to their health, some men probably wouldn’t look at acupuncture as a first option for improving their health. The fact is, acupuncture is a great way to improve men’s health, especially as they get older. Here is a look at five of the unique health issues that can help improve men’s health:
If we look at most of the men’s health issues, they are related to the Kidney and an imbalance of Yin and Yang in their body. When the Kidney energy becomes weak, it cannot support the whole body optimally. When one organ goes out of balance others follow like a domino effect. Either by poor diet or other lifestyle choices or even simply by aging, our Yin and Yang can become deficient or imbalanced. The great news is all of these are treatable through Traditional Chinese Medicine, which includes Acupuncture, herbal medicine, Moxibustion, Exercises like Tai Chi or Qi Gong, and Cupping.
Other patterns afflicting men are blood stagnation and the accumulation of phlegm. Accumulation of phlegm can often come first through suppression of emotion, poor diet, and possible drug use over prolonged periods. Phlegm accumulation leads to blockages in the qi flow throughout the system which can lead to Yin and Yang deficiencies and as one advance in age blood stagnation increases.
If you know a man who is looking for ways to improve their health, give us a call today and schedule an appointment!
In TCM theory, digestion represents the central axis around which everything else revolves. It provides our main source of (post-natal) energy from the breakdown and absorption of food. Even minor disruptions in this system can progress to significant and varied health problems.
Treatment, of course, depends on the severity of the problem. If emergency situations can be ruled out or addressed, one can turn to Chinese medicine for prevention, treatment, and maintenance. And the power of self-care can never be understated. Acupressure is one of our best self-care tools when used appropriately. While the needles (and the added effect of electrostimulation of needles) are generally considered a stronger approach to energy medicine than acupressure, acupressure alone has proved extremely beneficial. For example, in a study of 70 hemodialysis patients with constipation where acupressure was administered 3 times/week for 4 weeks, there was a significant improvement in bowel function.
So here are 3 Acupressure points that you can press to help you digest:
LARGE INTESTINE 4: “union valley”
Location: fleshy (and often achy) depression between the thumb and first finger
Use: to regulate intestinal function.
Stimulation of this point has been shown to both increase and decrease gastric motility depending on what’s needed. So, it can be used for both constipation and diarrhea.
CONCEPTION VESSEL 12: “middle controller”
Location: about 4 inches above the navel.
Use: to regulate stomach function, support energy
It has been shown to cause muscle relaxation via the somatosympathetic pathway and inhibits gastric acid secretion which is extremely beneficial to GERD patients.
STOMACH 36: “3-mile leg”
Location: about 3inches below the kneecap and about 1 inch towards the outer edge of the leg
Use: to strengthen digestion, build blood and immunity
According to some studies, it may improve upper and lower abdominal symptoms by restoring impaired slow waves of the digestive tract via the vagal pathway. Electroacupuncture on this channel has been shown to enhance gastric motility and blood flow by regulating hormones (such as motilin and somatostatin) that directly affect digestion.
Benefits have been shown to be intensity-dependent, so massage these points as often as needed. Just be sure to get in for some acupuncture where we can give these points (and more!) the extra attention they may need!
