New Year's Resolve Fading? Acupuncture can help you reach your goals (Part 3 of 5)

My previous posts in this series have discussed how acupuncture can help you lose weight and improve your memory. This week, I will explain why acupuncture can help with another strategy to improve your health:

Resolution 3: Relieve Pain Naturally

If pain is keeping you from living your life to the fullest, acupuncture can help. Pain is a symptom. It is our body’s way of “getting our attention” so we can take corrective action. This is true of emotional and physical pain, whether chronic or acute.

Corrective action can range from reflexes (flinching, limping, crying), to semi-conscious decisions (adjust your posture, rub a sore muscle, change sleep pattern), to conscious decisions (stop what you are doing, take medication, ask for help).

Different medications have side effects. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the largest class of medications used for pain and headache and can cause idiosyncratic liver toxicity.[1] NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, can cause serious upper gastrointestinal disorders.[2] Acupuncture is a very safe method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and improve function that rarely causes serious side effects. Many people feel a brief stinging sensation, like a pinprick, during insertion of the needles. It is also common with the first one or two treatments to have a sensation of deep relaxation or even mild disorientation immediately following the treatment.

Acupuncture can be helpful for all types of pain, regardless of what is causing the pain or where the pain is located. Some studies have shown the pain relief it provides can last for months.

Medication can reduce pain and provide some relief but this only masks (or hides) the problem, it does not cure it and, as we saw in the ibuprofen example, can create new problems. Acupuncture treats pain without causing more problems. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain before and after acupuncture treatment for pain shows dramatic decreases in activity in the pain centers of the brain - up to 70%.

Acupuncture treats the root (cause), while pain medication only treats the branch (symptom/manifestation)

The pain reducing effects of acupuncture can last months because acupuncture hastens the healing process by increasing circulation and attracting white blood cells to an injured area. It relieves the bruising, stiffness; puffiness and tenderness from the injury and can help in forming new bones in case of fractures. Acupuncture shortens the healing time of surgeries[3] and sports injuries, putting you back on track faster.[4]

Acupuncture helps correct the underlying cause for the pain. For PMS, acupuncture balances the hormones; for headaches, acupuncture releases stress and increases blood circulation to the head. Other chronic pain-causing conditions, like arthritis or stomach ulcers, involve chronic inflammation and can benefit form acupuncture as well. When the body function is restored to normal or “wellness” - there is no pain.

Wellness is an active commitment to live a balanced and fulfilled life. Acupuncture and TCM are powerful tools, by themselves or as a supportive treatment in conjunction with western medicine. At Point I coach both children and adults on how to create their own Place of Wellness. Most people focus on their immediate pain, failing to see the underlying issues. My main goal is to guide you through clear and simple steps that will improve your physical, mental and spiritual well being.

----------

[1] “Preventive Care In Chronic Liver Disease”; JOURNAL OF GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE; November 1999, 14(11): 699–704; Thomas R Riley, MD and Jill P Smith, MD;
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1496761/
doi: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.1999.11188.x.
PMCID: PMC1496761

[2] “Toxicity Of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. An Overview Of The Epidemiological Evidence”; DRUGS; 1993; 46 Suppl 1:243-8, Carson JL, Willett LR.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7506183
PMID: 7506183 (PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE)

[3] “Case Study – Wisdom Teeth Extraction”; APLACEOFWELLNESS.BLOGSPOT.COM; July 28, 2008; Meyuhas, S.

[4] "Depression", "Low Back Pain Remedy", "Swollen Glands"; APLACEOFWELLNESS.BLOGSPOT.COM; Meyuhas, S.

Case Study - Depression

OBSERVATIONS

A 14 year old boy comes with his mother to my office. His mother is concerned because her son has been depressed for 3 months. They visited her family before his depression became noticeable. Sometime after returning home, she found her son crying. He started seeing a psychologist which helped until he took Sudafed™ to relieve cold symptoms.1 The depression became worse than before.

During the family visit, the boy was to undergo a fat-reduction procedure on his chest. He and his mother were going to stay with her family while he recovered. While there, he witnessed a family fight. The result of the fight was his mother had to find friends to stay with at once.

Another stressor for the boy is he just moved to a new, bigger school after going to the same school for 8 years.

The boy complained of daily headaches centered at the occipital area. He was fatigued and would vomit clear fluids every morning since the surgery. For the past year, he has been getting shots for his allergies which reduced his asthma. He also has a tendency to develop sore throats.
He was quiet and his mother did most of the talking for him.

His tongue was red, no coating, and his pulse was rapid and superficial. Palpation of his neck, shoulders and chest reveal tenderness and spasm of his muscles.

DIAGNOSIS: Wind Heat Attacking The Lung/Sinus

His Lung function was already compromised, as evidenced by his asthma, allergies, and sore throat. This was compounded by the sense of loss created by the situation with his mother’s family and leaving his old school. Any unresolved or suppressed anger will also turn into sadness and reduce immune (TCM: Lung) function.

His headaches resulted from sinus inflammation. Autumn weather is dry and increases mucus membrane sensitivity resulting in increased mucus secretion. Post nasal drip during the night caused the vomiting in the morning. Allergies (inflammation of the mucus membranes) overwork the immune system leaving him tired and unable to deal with his emotions.

The surgery created more inflammation in the muscles of the chest. The physical and emotional stressors manifest as a heavy sensation and constriction of his chest. Crying is the natural release.

TREATMENT

Treatment included acupuncture, soft tissue manipulation and Chinese herbs.

I needled his chest (R17) and he felt immediate relief. I also massaged his neck, face, scalp, upper back and his arms and hands along the Lung and Large Intestine meridians. This reduced the inflammation, improved lymph flow/drainage and relaxed the chest, neck and back. While treating, I emphasized deep breathing. Even breathing helps him to let go of the emotions he is holding. Deep breathing creates an “internal massage” allowing the intercostals (rib muscles) to fully relax. This improves lung function.

I demonstrated how he can improve his own Lung function with Qi Gong tapping along his Lung and Large Intestine meridians. I instructed him to do this every day; it would enhance his immune system. I am empowering him to take part in his healing and learn to deal with his emotions instead of holding them in.

I also prescribed an herbal formula to alleviate his allergies and reduce the post nasal drip.

OUTCOME
He came back a week later and said he is not vomiting since the visit. He feels less depressed and his chest and upper back are less sore. He didn’t have any headaches this week.

He manages to take the herbal formula only once a day instead of the recommended three times daily.

GOING FORWARD

My objective is to give the boy tools to deal with his depression and any other health issues.

Two percent of preteens and 5% of adolescents suffer from depression.2

The first step is to make him aware of his physical sensations and how he can change them. I encouraged him to use breathing and Qi Gong tapping to create more space in his chest to change his physical and emotional patterns.

Wellness is an active commitment to live a fulfilled life. I am happy I could initiate the healing process for him.

===
1 In TCM sadness resides in the lungs (each emotion manifests in different areas of the body). He needed to strengthen his lungs to relieve his symptoms instead of using Sudafed which suppresses his natural lung function.
2 www.about-teen-depression.com/

St. Patrick's Day and Curing Formula

Curing formula - An Old Chinese Remedy for a Hangover

I hope that you are planning a fun and festive Saint Patrick’s Day. Celebration is fun but if you aren’t used to eating corned beef and cabbage, or have “one-too-many” beers, this is a good time to tell you about an old Chinese remedy called Curing Formula.

Curing Formula is a traditional herbal remedy for indigestion. It works well for post-celebratory discomfort because, besides herbs for upset stomach, it has herbs for dehydration, fatigue, sore eyes, body aches and the classic “morning after” headache a.k.a.: The Hangover.

The unpleasant physiological effects of hangover (headache, nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, lethargy, thirst, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, irritability, trouble sleeping, lack of depth perception) can last up to 3 days but are reduced by taking Curing Formula both BEFORE AND AFTER the celebration.

Gentle but effective Curing Formula is used as a remedy for many acute digestive disorders (food poisoning, stomach flu, jet lag, food allergies, etc.) so it is a great addition to your medicine cabinet and travel kit.

Have a Safe, Healthy, and Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

Case Study - Migraine

OBSERVATIONS
A 23-year old women walks into my office complaining of a migraine headache that started yesterday. She has experienced migraines often since she was seventeen.

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication doesn’t work. She has tried migraine-specific prescription medication also. Usually, sleeping in a dark room is the only non-pharmaceutical option that doesn’t make the migraine worse. But, the next day, she feels weak and her head still aches.

She said she feels weak in general, doesn’t have stamina and feels under the weather frequently. Her sleep is light. She wakes up easily during the night and has a lot of dreams. Sometimes, she gets a “charlie-horse.” She also reported getting “backed up about once every 2 mouths” with stomach aches and cramps. Her tongue and face are pale. Her pulse is thready and rapid.

In the course of talking, she mentioned she is the youngest of five siblings and didn’t feel cared for enough and that is why she “is fragile.”

Before I share my diagnosis, let me make a quick comment about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): TCM uses the Five Element Theory system of categorization to describe conditions and processes throughout the body. Five organs pairs (Liver/Gall Bladder, Lung/Large Intestine, Spleen/Stomach, Heart/Small Intestine, and Kidneys/Urinary Bladder) correspond to these elements and are used to describe different syndromes. Each organ has Yin and Yang properties that affect its function. Yin generally refers to the structure while Yang refers to energy and function. When Yin and Yang are balanced, everything functions with no distressing symptoms.

“To Western medicine, understanding an illness means uncovering a distinct entity that is separate from the patient’s being; to Chinese medicine, understanding means perceiving the relationships between all the patient’s signs and symptoms.”(1) Chinese medicine is holistic. “When that person is ill, the symptom is only one part of a complete bodily imbalance that can be seen in other aspects of his or her life and behavior.”(2)

DIAGNOSIS
I diagnosed the 23-year old woman’s migraines as the result of Liver Yang rising to the head due to Liver Blood deficiency.

“In health, Liver-Qi rises upwards and spreads in all directions to promote the smooth flow of Qi in all parts of the body… In disease, the rising movement of Liver-Qi can get out of control, resulting in a separation of Yin and Yang and the excessive rising of Liver Yang” which can cause headaches. (2)

Being Blood deficient is indicated by the symptoms:

• she feels weak,
  
• wakes easily,
  
• her leg muscle cramps
  
• as well as by her pale face, pale tongue, and thready pulse.

According TCM Five Element Theory, the Liver stores Blood and controls Sinews. When there is deficiency of Blood, the person will experience muscle weakness or cramps, and the tongue and complexion are pale.

TREATMENT
The way to “cure” her migraines is to prevent those headaches from occurring by subduing the Liver (bringing the Liver Yang back into balance with the Liver Yin) and to nourish her using food, herbs, and supplements that are considered Blood tonics. Tonifying her Blood will help with her to deal with stress. She will be physically and emotionally stronger and better able to cope with life. The effect of stress on her Liver then will not trigger the headaches. Treating the core cause of the problem instead of suppressing the pain eliminates the migraines.

I performed acupuncture on points along her Liver channels and “opened the neck and head” by relaxing the muscles utilizing the Gall Bladder points. (Remember, in TCM Five Element Theory the Gall Bladder is paired with the Liver.)

I prescribed two Chinese formulas for her to take three times per day. One is designed to subdue Liver Yang and the other is to tonify Liver.

OUTCOME
Five days later, my patient reported she still felt very relaxed since the treatment and “didn’t even have the slightest headache at all.” She is still using the herbs at least twice a day.

GOING FORWARD
Wellness is a dynamic process. It is an active commitment to live a balanced and fulfilled life. Most people focus on their immediate pain, failing to see the underlying issues. With the help of acupuncture treatments and the Chinese herbs it is possible for this woman to restore and maintain a balanced life which will not only eliminate her migraines, but benefit her total body function and well being.

Resources:

1. THE WEB THAT HAS NO WEAVER: UNDERSTANDING CHINESE MEDICINE by Ted J Kaptchuk, O.M.D.
   (ISBN 0-8092-2933-1z)
2. THE FOUNDATIONS OF CHINESE MEDICINE by Giovanni Maciocia
   (ISBN 0-443-03980-1)