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Archive for the ‘ Acupuncture ’ Category

Acupuncture and Fibromyalgia – Relieving Pain Naturally

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

Fibromyalgia pain is never endingA medical condition characterized by a whole body pain together with fatigue, memory, mood and sleep disorders is known as Fibromyalgia. Medical experts say that Fibromyalgia can increase the pain sensation felt by interrupting the process of how your brain interprets the pain signals.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia commonly start after undergoing a surgery, infection, significant psychological stress or physical trauma. There also other cases wherein the symptoms can build up over time even though there’s no definite stimulating factor.

Fibromyalgia is a condition that commonly affects more women than men. Tension headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, anxiety and depression are also some of the symptoms associated with Fibromyalgia. Today, there is still no cure for Fibromyalgia, but there are drugs and other treatments available to treat this condition. Alternative therapies such as exercise, relaxation, massage, chiropractic and acupuncture can also help in managing this condition.

There had been several studies done to determine the relationship between acupuncture and Fibromyalgia. A recent Mayo Clinic test shows that acupuncture can be effective in reducing the symptoms caused by Fibromyalgia such as stiffed joints, chronic pain and sleep disturbance. Acupuncture not only brings significant pain relief but it can also lower symptoms such as fatigue and anxiety.

When the acupuncturist inserts needles into the acupuncture points of a patient, endorphins are released into the bloodstream. These endorphins are a natural pain killer. Additionally, energy (chi) blocks are removed restoring the flow of energy along the energy channels.

Nerve impulses in the brain can be stimulated or inhibited by a series of neurotransmitters. Sensations like pain and information about the external stimuli causing pain are relayed through nerve impulses. Acupuncture can increase a patient’s pain threshold, thus decreasing the sensation of pain.

Most patients who undergo one or two acupuncture treatments report that the pain they felt is relieved for several weeks after the procedure.

Alternative treatments or methods such as acupuncture can work well in some people with Fibromyalgia. The reason is that holistic therapies can make a big impact on the total well-being. In this way, it will let you lower your need for medications and help you go back to your normal daily activities.

Tags: acupuncture and pain, Fibromyalgia, pain treatments
Posted in Pain, Treatment | No Comments »

Eating Well During Late Summer

Saturday, September 3rd, 2011

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) we are presently in the Later Summer season. This season is associated with the Earth element and is connected to the functioning of the stomach and spleen.

TCM Late Summer Recipes

Focus on a healthy, nutritious diet of foods that are cooling in nature such as bamboo shoot, banana, bitter gourd, clam, crab, grapefruit, lettuce, persimmon, salt, seaweed, star fruit, sugar cane, water chestnut, watermelon, lotus root, corn, tomatoes,  bean curd, chicken egg white, marjoram, oyster, pear, peppermint, radish, strawberry, tangerine, and yogurt, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, pineapple, turmeric.cucumber, barley.

Since zucchinis are in plentiful supply right now in Vancouver, here is a great recipe that your whole family will enjoy.

Zucchini, Cauliflower and Tomato Roast

Ingredients:

  • 2 zucchini cut in thin slices
  • 2 cups quartered ripe tomatoes
  • 1/2 onion, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups cauliflower pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • Optional:  Cheese – 1/2 cup grated Parmesan  OR crumbled Feta OR gratted Cheddar

Preparation:

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
  2. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  3. Combine the zucchini, cauliflower, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle with the olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and mix well.
  4. Place in preheated oven. Roast until vegetables are tender and slightly golden, about 10-15 minutes.
  5. Sprinkle with  cheese
  6. Garnish with sprigs of fresh basil.

 

Posted in Acupuncture, Bits and Pieces, Recipes | No Comments »

Late Summer and TCM

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

Raindrops Acupunture - Late Summer and TCM
In Traditional Chinese Medicine there are five seasons spring, summer, late summer, fall and winter. Late summer is often hotter and damper in humidity and a feeling of  fullness in the air. This can match the way our bodies feel during this season.

The Late Summer season corresponds to the element — Earth.

In damp locations or climates such as Vancouver, the dampness in the air can adversely affect your health and you can feel heavy, slow and sluggish. This means the flow of energy throughout the body is being blocked.

The Earth element connects to  the Spleen and Stomach organ systems.  The healthy functioning of this pair of organs  is important to the digestive process.

Energy is generated by the Spleen and Stomach through a process of digestion, called “Acquired Qi.”   Acquired Qi is the energy reserve for all your daily activities.

If the Spleen and Stomach are weak or do not work together, your body may not receive the proper nourishment—even if you are eating in a healthy way.   As a result,  your energy depletes and you become slow and sluggish.

Improper stomach-spleen functioning can affect your with the following symptoms:

  • retention of water
  • lack of appetite
  • poor digestion
  • weight gain
  • abdominal distention
  • bruising
  • varicose veins
  • fatigue
  • fuzzy thinking
  • increased anxiety
  • your capacity to concentrate
  • your memory
  • dry lips and skin

 

An Acupuncture treatment will restore the proper functioning of the stomach-spleen and you will quickly see an increase in your energy levels.  Give me a call to book your appointment now – 604-839-9789

Posted in Acupuncture, Your Good Health | No Comments »

Death By Medicine

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

Natural Health Alternative - AcupunctureFrom time to time I have people asking me about why they should choose “natural alternatives” such as Acupuncture, Chiropractic, massage therapy, mediation, and making an effort toward healthy eating choices over “just taking a pill.”

Their reasoning is that taking a pill is faster and cheaper than the natural alternatives.  According to a study undertaken by a group of scientists … taking that pill, or that short visit to the hospital  may just kill you.

 

Here is a summary of the study. Be sure to click on the link below and browse through the entire article. If you are leaning toward “just taking a pill,”  it will shock the socks right off of you!

 

STUDY SUMMARY

A definitive review and close reading of medical peer-review journals, and government health statistics shows that American medicine frequently causes more harm than good. The number of people having in-hospital, adverse drug reactions (ADR) to prescribed medicine is 2.2 million.1 Dr. Richard Besser, of the CDC, in 1995, said the number of unnecessary antibiotics prescribed annually for viral infections was 20 million. Dr. Besser, in 2003, now refers to tens of millions of unnecessary antibiotics.2, 2a

The number of unnecessary medical and surgical procedures performed annually is 7.5 million.3 The number of people exposed to unnecessary hospitalization annually is 8.9 million.4 The total number of iatrogenic deaths shown in the following table is 783,936. It is evident that the American medical system is the leading cause of death and injury in the United States. The 2001 heart disease annual death rate is 699,697; the annual cancer death rate, 553,251.5

Read the full study document here:    Death By Medicine

 

Posted in Acupuncture, Bits and Pieces | No Comments »

Acupuncture: the Solution to Chronic Pain

Friday, July 1st, 2011

chronic painIt is very unfortunate that a lot of chronic pain sufferers are not getting the right treatment. Often times, they are misdiagnosed and are told that there is nothing to worry about or they are put on countless rounds of over the counter or prescribed pain killers … each with its own set of side effects!

Origins of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a very old practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has been around for over 3,000 years and has gained respect and popularity all over the world. It is based on the metaphysical doctrine that the body is made healthy by an unseen life force or energy called chi. Probably one of the most sought after alternative medicines, TCM and acupuncture has made it possible for many people to live normal lives at a cheaper price and lesser risk.

 

Current Problems of Chronic Pain

In 2010, an online survey was held in Canada and it was found out that 53% of chronic pain sufferers feel that that there is insufficient support available. Most of the respondents even claim that the instructions that their doctors provide them do not help at all. To top that, chronic pain sufferers are getting conflicting information from one doctor to another. This makes it impossible for chronic pain sufferers to decide what to do to improve their condition.

Another problem that chronic pain sufferers have to deal with is the wait time. Many of them do not really see a specialist without waiting six months or longer. As a result, they rely on non-addictive drugs just to be able to manage pain. It is  very frustrating for people to realize that the solutions they are offered do not deliver the results they were expecting.

 

Chronic Pain and Acupuncture

If you do not address your chronic pain issues quickly, it will lead to an escalating series of problems which will increase the pain you suffer.For example, many chronic pain sufferers cannot sleep … over time, the lack of sleep will increase the levels of pain you experience. Over the counter drugs have side effects which include stomach acidity and upsets. Again, this results in even more suffering and distress.

Acupuncture can help in ways you cannot imagine. The thousands of years that acupuncture has been used to treat pain and chronic pain are a testament to its effectiveness.

Acupuncture consists of inserting very tiny, thin needles in several points of the body where the energy flows. This energy, called chi, should  flow freely throughout the entire body. When chi is not flowing freely you will get illnesses, and pain.  The blocked movement of chi can affect you both mentally and physically.  Acupuncture restores the flow of chi energy in the body, removing blockages or redirecting the energy to its natural course.

Of course alleviating the pain is only one aspect of an acupuncture treatment. Pain is a symptom that something else is wrong … and finding that “something” and treating it, is the second aspect of an acupuncture treatment.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are accepted worldwide due to the amazing number of illnesses it can positively treat.  Acupuncture can provide immediate relief to physical pain. There are no side effects to worry about.

Call now for an appointment, or to discuss how Acupuncture can help you!

604-839-9789

Posted in Pain, Treatment | No Comments »

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