insomnia is a health issue

Some 32 million Americans suffer from insomnia. Insomnia is defined as compromised sleep followed by fatigue and other symptoms during the day. These include lethargy, difficulty concentrating, irritability and – as symptoms accumulate – depression and other debilitating syndromes.

Poor sleep is more than a nuisance; it can contribute to serious illness.  A study conducted in 2008 by the CDC showed that people who suffer from chronic insomnia are predisposed to physical inactivity and obesity as well as health-damaging behaviors like smoking and drinking.  Other studies connect sleep issues to major disease including cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Rest assured – these problems can be avoided with the judicious use of Oriental medicine, acupuncture and Chinese herbs.

Oriental Medicine and acupuncture aim to heal the whole person rather than individual symptoms, making it an ideal approach to sleep issues.  In Oriental Medicine, the liver is tied to the nervous system.  Stress is both a cause and effect of insomnia, weakening the liver, which in turn affects nervous system health — a vicious cycle!

Acupuncture, a key therapy in Oriental Medicine, is calming to the nervous system, freeing obstruction in pathways and stimulating the nourishing flow of qi.  Acupuncture treats the root causes of insomnia until symptoms abate.  Your acupuncture practitioner can prescribe a blend of Chinese herbs tailored to your particular constitution and sleep imbalances. Oriental Medicine, including acupuncture and Chinese herbs, is widely successful at treating sleep problems without the side effects of prescription or OTC sleep aids.

Chinese Herbalist

Acne is an external indicator of an internal imbalance that results from what Chinese medicine calls “trapped heat” within the body. The source and appearance of each type of heat varies, with causes including rapid growth during puberty, emotional issues, and nutritional imbalances. Breakouts result from the body’s attempt to expel trapped heat through all available portals, including the skin.

Diet affects the body’s efficiency and how well these heat-removal mechanisms work. Eating processed foods and refined sugar, which generate heat and inflammation during digestion, is like throwing gasoline on fire for acne sufferers. An unprocessed, easily digestible diet low in dairy, wheat, and fried foods will keep the body clean and balanced with efficient heat-removal processes.

Chinese medicine takes the “root and branch” approach to acne treatment, the root being the internal heat source and the branch the external acne symptoms. Herbalists can prescribe custom multiherb formulas that target the source of heat while topical herbal preparations treat external symptoms. Honeysuckle flowers and skullcap are a herbs commonly found in acne formulas, used for their heat-reducing characteristics. The combination of herbs is essential because it allows the user to target certain issues and areas. Lifestyle alterations, including stress-reduction techniques, regular exercise, and the above dietary modifications, can also enhance the healing process.

–Sharon Sherman, LOM, Empirical Point, Philadelphia, philadelphia-acupuncture.com

Dermatologist

Although acne usually starts in adolescence, it is not uncommon for it to extend into adulthood. Teenage acne generally consists of blackheads and whiteheads on the T-zone—the forehead, nose, and chin. Adult acne tends to be more inflamed, with white and pink bumps appearing all over the face.

Acne is often hereditary, but hormonal fluctuations typically trigger flare-ups. This is why acne often begins with puberty and why some women experience breakouts during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. Because of differing hormone levels, male acne tends to be more severe while female acne is more often chronic and on lower parts of the face. For those prone to acne, stress can also trigger breakouts.

Acne begins below the surface and is not caused by dirty skin, which is why washing too frequently or vigorously can cause further irritation. Wash two times daily, adding another wash when exercising or perspiring, or if you have oily skin. Resist the urge to pop pimples, which will lead to greater inflammation and possible scarring. Over-the-counter products that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide are effective for mild skin issues, while topical retinoids such as tretinoin (synthetic version of vitamin A) peel the outer layer of skin, unclog pores, and prevent future breakouts. A dermatologist can evaluate the type of pimples and triggers to identify the best treatment for you.

–Diane Berson, MD, clinical assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, and board member of the American Acne and Rosacea Society,New York

Psychologist

In psychotherapy, the body and mind are looked at as one interdependent unit. Research shows that approximately 30 percent to 60 percent of people who seek out medical care for skin problems have some kind of underlying emotional issue, and these issues can inhibit an otherwise effective medical regimen. I often see adults still struggling with adolescent skin conditions who have unaddressed emotional issues also stemming from their adolescence.

There is a range of acne triggers, including hormones and genetics, but it is often the emotions that we are not tuned into that come out via the skin. I often tell my patients: If you can feel it in your heart, you don’t have to feel it on your skin. “Avalanching”—when a triggering stressor causes breakouts, which cause more stress and so on—also is possible.

For treatment, mental exercises such as relaxation, imaging, meditation, self-hypnosis, and focus psychotherapy (targeting the specific life issues causing the symptoms) can be effective. Imaging, for example, deals with the body’s ability to translate pictures from the mind into literal reality. Focus and concentration on an outcome, in this case clear skin, helps you achieve the goal. As part of a self-treatment program, these exercises can provide valuable diagnostic information and deeper understanding of emotions behind your condition.

–Ted Grossbart, PhD, senior clinical supervisor, Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, and assistant clinical professor of psychology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, grossbart.com

A recent study in Nature Neuroscience journal points to the naturally-occurring substance adenosine as a possible mechanism for the pain relief acupuncture has provided for millennia. The body sends adenosine to punctured or otherwise injured tissue.  Adenosine appears to cause an anti-inflammatory response, easing pain and discomfort.

In this study, conducted at the Center for Translational Neuromedicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York, mice were treated with acupuncture.  After treatment, the level of adenosine in the tissue near the needle insertion points was nearly two dozen times greater than before the treatment.

Though the findings are promising, researchers agree that human trials are the next step in determining the role acupuncture and adenosine play in pain management.  As scientific evidence mounts, skeptics await proof of what acupuncture devotees know from real life experience and 4000 years of successful practice.

acupuncture needles are used by acupuncturists and Chinese medicine practitioners

I have the best job in the world. As an acupuncturist, I have a parade of lovely, interesting people who come through my clinic looking for help and healing. As an acupuncturist, I get to use the tools of an ancient healing tradition called Chinese medicine. These tools include acupuncture, Chinese herbs, body work, food therapy, and healthy lifestyle traditions.

One of the best parts of what I do is that I learn a little something from each and every patient who comes in through my door. Some of those lessons are uneventful, but some are profound. Here is a short list of some of the incredible things I have learned from my patients:

-Aging is a state of mind. I have had people in my clinic in their 60’s who seemed very old. I have also had a number of 80 and 90-year olds who have appeared to be much younger and more vital than their age would indicate. The difference? Those people who are aging so well have a love for life. They get out of their house, they’re active, they have places to go and things to do. This is not to say they don’t have health problems; they do. However, they are somehow able to stay active, engaged, and upbeat despite their health issues.

-Your emotions are the key to your health. The Chinese have a saying that the emotions are the root of 100 illnesses. I have found this to be true in the clinic. Chinese medicine is all about treating the root of an illness, and in the majority of my patients, that root is emotional in nature. Strong emotions, such as anger, depression, fear, anxiety, grief, and intense longing have the ability to affect your health, causing symptoms as diverse as insomnia to digestive problems.

-Never make assumptions. That ass of u and me thing is so right! Whether it’s a patient’s ability to heal, their willingness to change unhealthy habits, or their ability to pay me for my services, more often than not when I have made an assumption, I have been wrong.

-Unless you change the behaviors that are making you sick, you will never heal completely. This may include a funky diet, an overwhelming lifestyle, working too hard, and stressful relationships, to name a few. Remember, Chinese medicine is effective because it gets at what’s really making you sick. If you’re unwilling to change, you’re going to stay…uh, sick.

-Shut up and listen. This has been a hard lesson for me. However, over time I have learned that if I just close my mouth and really hear what my patients are saying, they will tell me exactly what I and my patient need for them to heal. Part B of this lesson is that most people already know what’s making them sick. From the man who was “trying to fight his way out of a wet paper bag” (damp heat) to the woman who just needed a dark, quiet place (Yin deficiency), if I just open my ears, they will tell me what’s going on.

-There is no magic bullet to better health. Many years ago, a woman came to me for help with weight loss. She had tried every diet under the sun, but couldn’t lose the weight. I treated her and began talking about dietary therapy and some lifestyle tweaks. She came back for her second appointment and told me that she hadn’t lost any weight, and that she would not be coming back to me. People, Chinese medicine is an incredibly effective system of health and healing, however, you have to give it time and help it along. Geez…

-The best thing you can do to improve your health is to exercise regularly. Simple. Exercise improves your mood, reduces stress, improves the health of your heart, brings your blood pressure down, and keeps you young. I have seen patients completely turn their health around simply by adding exercise to their routine (plus the acupuncture, of course!)

-Learning is never complete. I will never know everything. Every patient that I see teaches me something, and I thank each and every one for their insight, lessons, and confidence in my ability to help them

This posting was graciously offered to me to by acupuncturist Lynn Jaffe. I am a fan of her blog. I hope you will be too!

Lynn Jaffee is a licensed acupuncturist practicing in Minneapolis, MN.  She is also the author of the book, Simple Steps: The Chinese Way to Better Health.  You can check out her blog Acupuncture Health Insights or order her book here.

acupuncture increases pain threshold

A recent study published in the May issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS), illustrates the successful use of acupuncture to increase pain tolerance in two dozen patients.

Researchers used quantitative sensory testing to explore certain nerve fiber injuries related to chronic pain.  This type of testing measures a patient’s perception of hot and cold as well as pressure.

Three types of acupuncture were used: acupuncture alone and acupuncture with high-frequency and low-frequency electrical stimulation. Pain thresholds increased by up to 50 per cent in both the treated leg and the untreated (contralateral) leg.  Patient responses provide diagnostic clues to specific types of nerve injury and treatment possibilities.

“Our results show that contralateral stimulation leads to a remarkable pain relief. This suggests that acupuncturists should needle contralaterally if the affected side is too painful or not accessible-for example, if the skin is injured or there is a dressing in place,” commented Dr. Dominik Irnich, one of the lead researchers.

Studies like this one illustrate a scientific basis for acupuncture and inspire further research. Such research is immensely valuable to the field of Oriental Medicine and all who suffer from chronic pain.

sinusitis can be alleviated with acupuncture

Some 30 million Americans suffer from sinusitis, or sinus infection.  Typically associated with a cold or allergy episode, sinus tissue swells and production of watery mucus increases, causing blocked breathing and a heavy-headed feeling.   Symptoms of sinusitis include: thick, yellow/green mucus, indicating bacterial infection; nasal congestion; sinus headache and/or facial pressure; sometimes even fever and nosebleed.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine offer a comprehensive and highly effective approach to sinus problems. After just one acupuncture treatment, many patients who have suffered for years will feel instant relief. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine are used widely in the Orient to treat all patterns of sinusitis. There are unique Chinese herbal formulas and acupuncture treatment plans for acute sinus infection, chronic sinusitis, and for the prevention of further infections.  The use of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can eliminate the need for antibiotics in cases of acute and recurrent sinusitis.  Given the potential negative side effects of frequent rounds of antibiotics, alternatives are especially valuable for chronic conditions.

Traditional Chinese Medicine regards the diet as an important aspect of treatment. Sinus problems can be exacerbated by the over-consumption of dairy products, which can have a congesting effect. If you have sinusitis, try to avoid cheese, milk, butter, and fried foods.  Breathing easier can be achieved with acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas; visit your practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine today.

strain, sprain, tendonitis, acupuncture

With the nicer weather allowing for more outdoor activities, it’s time to talk about sports injuries.  Sports injuries are most often caused by trauma (from a fall or blow) or overuse/misuse of certain muscles and the neighboring structures, including ligaments and tendons.  The acupuncturist commonly sees sports injuries such as pulled muscles, strains, sprains, shin splints, Achilles tendonitis and various manifestations of inflammation and pain that can keep the injured athlete out of the game.

Acupuncture is used effectively to reduce the pain and inflammation of sports injuries.  It has also been shown to increase range of motion and accelerate healing time.  Acupuncture can benefit sports injuries at any stage: to prevent, to treat acute pain, swelling and spasms, and to address conditions that make athletes vulnerable to re-injury.  Studies have shown that acupuncture increases blood circulation to specific areas of the body, which not only promotes healing of sports injuries but could also boost athletic performance.

A study conducted at the Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in which athletes received acupuncture after running three miles revealed quicker heart rate recovery than those in the control group.

The American Journal of Acupuncture published a study that examined the effects of acupuncture on anaerobic threshold and work capacity during exercise.  Researchers found that those who received acupuncture not only had lower heart rates, but had higher maximal exercise capacity and were able to handle greater workloads at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) than those in the placebo group.

The January 2008 issue of the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine observed the effects of acupuncture on cyclists.  Participants were divided into three groups that either received acupuncture, sham acupuncture or no acupuncture prior to periods of high-intensity cycling.  The study revealed that the group who received acupuncture that adhered to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine had a higher performance scores and rode faster than their counterparts.

If preexisting or new sports injuries are hindering your training or recreational goals, acupuncture and Chinese medicine should be considered a viable option for a speedy recovery.  Don’t let sports injuries keep you from enjoying life!

pilates helps back pain

Lower back pain does not have to drain your spirit or keep you from an active lifestyle.  The cause could stem from a number of culprits, both external and internal.  The good news: Acupuncture and Pilates can support you and the activities that you enjoy.

Acupuncture works to remove and deactivate the “trigger points” or areas of localized constriction and inflammation.  The use of acupuncture with Chinese herbal medicine expedites healing in a two-pronged manner.  First, by working to relieve inflammation, local congestion and stagnation, pain is reduced.  After the local circulation is restored, the task is to nourish the tendons, discs, and musculature so that they return to a more fluid and supple state.

After healing the initial trauma with acupuncture and Chinese medicine, it’s time to retrain the body by incorporating a steady Pilates practice.  This can decompress the spine, build stamina and strength and get you into alignment.

Pilates is an exercise method used to strengthen and stretch your whole body simultaneously.  Through a series of specific exercises performed on equipment or on a mat, you’ll get to strengthen your core (deep abdominals) and many other muscle groups.  Pilates uses an approach of integrated breathing and movement to access, activate, and isolate muscles.  These exercises initiate a deeper understanding of how we move through life.  By creating this greater awareness, we are able to unwind and modify structural and postural imbalances that contribute to chronic back pain and limited range of motion.

The need for balance and support from the inside out is crucial.  By combining Acupuncture and Pilates you will find a complete, integrated, and holistic approach to relieving your back pain.  In most cases, the pain subsides considerably – if not completely.  What’s more, your overall health gets stronger and more resilient in the process!

Information on Pilates instruction in Philadelphia and Bryn Mawr can be found on Christina Fanizzi’s informative website Pilates Alchemy.

PMS can be relieved with acupuncture and Chinese medicine

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is the term used to describe a range of physical, behavioral and emotional symptoms associated with a woman’s menstrual cycle.  Symptoms of PMS tend to occur 5-11 days before menstruation and usually abate once menstruation begins, or shortly thereafter.  These symptoms are the result of hormone levels shifting after ovulation.  Some 80% of women in their childbearing years report that PMS has affected their well being.  Chinese medicine and acupuncture can help tremendously!

How can Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture help PMS?
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine offer a holistic approach to PMS.  A November 2002 study in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics showed that the success rate of acupuncture in treating PMS symptoms was 77.8% compared to 5.9% in the placebo control group.  Studies show promising data that acupuncture has a neuroendocrine effect on the body.  This means that different combinations of acupuncture points play a role in the release of hormones responsible for regulating the cycle.  By establishing a regular cycle and balancing the many hormones involved, symptoms decline.  Chinese medicine offers herbal remedies as well.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine is a safe, cost effective option for treating PMS.  You can also empower yourself with small changes in diet and exercise.  Smart, healthy changes can make a world of difference in hormone balance.  Soy products, alcohol, and sugar can exacerbate PMS dramatically; avoid those.  Exercise activates the production of endorphins, a natural feel-good chemical in our bodies.  In Chinese medicine, exercise is said to keep the qi moving. When our energy, or qi, is stuck we will feel tired and irritable and especially vulnerable to pain, depression and PMS.

acupuncture effective for backache

A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that acupuncture relieves back pain better than conventional treatments.

The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, divided 638 participants with back pain into four groups.  Two groups received acupuncture, one group received a placebo version of acupuncture (in which the skin was stimulated but not pierced), while the participants of the final group received no acupuncture, but continued whatever  conventional treatment program they were on, be it pharmaceutical or physical therapy.

After seven weeks, all three groups who received acupuncture (or something like it) experienced greater and more meaningful improvement in their back pain than the usual-care group.  Even placebo acupuncture techniques yielded positive results.

The placebo acupuncture being as good as needle acupuncture raised questions about how acupuncture works, and what it is about the technique that causes a therapeutic result.  “What we can say is, it is not essential to achieve a benefit to insert the needle through the skin,” says Dan Cherkin PhD, key researcher.  “One possibility is there is a physiological chain of events that occurs when you insert a needle or just stimulate the skin superficially. They may or may not be the same.”  Another possibility: “believing you are getting a treatment that will help your back pain” actually does help it.

“Overall, 60% of the acupuncture-treated patients, but just 39% of the usual-care group patients had meaningful improvements in dysfunction,” a WebMD article states.  Meaningful improvements refers to relief which allows patients to return to activities of daily living previously hindered by back pain.

Cherkin also remarks that Americans spend some $37 billion a year for medical care for back pain, and that acupuncture is a cost-effective option for those seeking treatment for the condition.

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine are increasingly recognized by the Western medical community as safe and effective pain management solutions.  Many MDs recommend acupuncture and Oriental Medicine as an adjunct therapy to patients suffering from back pain.