Acupuncture for Sports Injury: A Natural Path to Healing
When it comes to maintaining an active lifestyle, sports injuries are almost inevitable. Here are five common sports injuries:
Sprains and Strains: Often involving ankles or wrists, sprains and strains are caused by overstretching or tearing ligaments and muscles.
Tendinitis: This injury is the inflammation of tendons, commonly in the shoulders, elbows, and knees.
Fractures: Broken bones due to high-impact activities or falls.
Dislocations: Joints, like shoulders and knees, can become dislocated during vigorous activities.
Shin Splints: Pain along the shin bone, usually from running or jumping activities.
Why Athletes Choose Acupuncture for Sports Injury
Athletes increasingly seek help with acupuncture, myofascial therapy, and fascial counterstrain to manage and recover from these injuries. Unlike invasive surgeries or addictive painkillers, these therapies offer a holistic approach to healing, prevention, and pain management. Here's how they work:
Acupuncture for Sports Injury: Acupuncture stimulates specific points on the body to enhance blood flow, reduce inflammation, and promote natural healing. It helps alleviate pain and accelerates the recovery process, making it a popular choice among athletes.
Myofascial Therapy: This technique targets the myofascial tissues, aiming to release tension, improve flexibility, and restore movement. It's highly effective in treating muscle tightness and improving overall muscle function.
Fascial Counterstrain: A gentle, hands-on treatment that alleviates pain and restores function by releasing the deep fascia and other tissues. It helps in reducing pain, improving mobility, and enhancing overall athletic performance.
These therapies are preferable to surgery or painkillers for several reasons:
Non-invasive: No surgical procedures, thus no risk of complications from surgery.
Natural Healing: They promote the body's natural healing processes without relying on medications.
Preventive Care: Regular sessions can prevent injuries by keeping the body in optimal condition.
Sports injuries can occur due to various reasons, such as poor technique, overuse, inadequate warm-up, and accidents. If you’re struggling with any of these injuries, it’s essential to seek professional help. At our office, we specialize in providing tailored treatment plans using acupuncture, myofascial therapy, and fascial counterstrain to help you recover quickly and safely.
Visit us to experience the benefits of these holistic therapies firsthand and get back to your active lifestyle with reduced pain and improved function.
Remember, whether you're recovering from a sports injury or looking to prevent one, "acupuncture for sports injury" can be a key part of your wellness strategy.
Acupuncture for Golfers Elbow: A Superior Treatment Option
Acupuncture for Golfers Elbow: Effective Relief and Healing
Golfer's elbow, also known as medial epicondylitis, is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the tendons that connect the forearm to the elbow. This pain typically occurs on the inside of the elbow and can extend down the forearm. It is often caused by repetitive stress or overuse, particularly from activities that involve gripping or flexing the wrist, such as golfing, hence the name. Acupuncture for golfes elbow is an effective treatment that can provide significant relief.
Where the Pain Affects
The pain from golfer's elbow primarily affects the inner side of the elbow but can also radiate down the forearm and into the wrist. This can lead to weakness in the hands and wrists, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks.
Why Choose Acupuncture for Golfers Elbow?
At Berkley Acupuncture, we offer a range of treatments that provide effective relief from golfer's elbow. Our services include acupuncture for glofer’s elbow, myofascial therapy, and fascial counterstrain, which are superior to conventional treatments like pain pills and surgery for several reasons:
Acupuncture: This ancient practice involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate healing and reduce pain. Acupuncture can help improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and promote the body's natural healing processes, providing long-term relief from golfer's elbow.
Myofascial Therapy: This technique focuses on releasing tension in the myofascial tissues, which are the connective tissues that surround and support the muscles. By targeting these areas, myofascial therapy can help alleviate pain and improve mobility.
Fascial Counterstrain: This gentle, hands-on technique involves identifying and treating areas of fascial tension and dysfunction. By addressing these issues, fascial counterstrain can help restore normal function and reduce pain.
Unlike pain pills, which only mask the symptoms, or surgery, which can be invasive and require a long recovery period, our holistic treatments address the root cause of the pain and promote overall wellness.
If you're suffering from golfers elbow, consider trying acupuncture for golfer’s elbow, myofascial therapy, and fascial counterstrain at Berkley Acupuncture. Our expert practitioner, Matt is dedicated to helping you achieve lasting relief and get back to doing what you love.
Myofascial Therapy and Acupuncture for Neck Strain
Neck pain is a common issue that can significantly impact your daily life. Whether it’s stiffness, limited range of motion, nerve pain in the neck and upper back, or tension headaches, these symptoms can be debilitating. Fortunately, there are effective treatments available that can provide relief and improve your quality of life. Acupuncture for neck strain and myofascial therapy are powerful methods to address these issues and help you regain comfort and mobility.
Understanding Neck Pain and Its Symptoms
Neck pain can arise from various factors, including poor posture, stress, injuries, and underlying medical conditions. The pain can manifest as stiffness, making it difficult to turn your head, or as sharp nerve pain that radiates to your upper back and shoulders. Tension headaches, often caused by tight muscles in the neck and shoulders, are another common symptom.
How Acupuncture for Neck Strain Can Help
Acupuncture is a time-tested practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate healing and relieve pain. For neck pain, acupuncture can help by:
Reducing Inflammation: Acupuncture promotes blood flow and reduces inflammation in the affected areas, which can alleviate pain and stiffness.
Releasing Muscle Tension: The needles help relax tight muscles, reducing tension and improving range of motion.
Enhancing Nerve Function: By stimulating the nervous system, acupuncture can help reduce nerve pain and improve overall function.
Benefits of Myofascial Therapy and Fascial Counterstrain
In addition to acupuncture, myofascial therapy and fascial counterstrain are highly effective techniques for treating neck pain. These therapies focus on the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds muscles and organs, to release tension and improve mobility.
Myofascial Therapy: This technique involves applying gentle pressure to the fascia to release tightness and improve blood flow. It can help reduce pain, improve range of motion, and promote overall relaxation.
Fascial Counterstrain: This method involves positioning the body in specific ways to release tension in the fascia. It can help alleviate pain, improve posture, and enhance mobility.
When Surgery Isn’t Enough
Many people turn to surgery to address neck pain, but it doesn’t always provide the desired relief. If you’ve had surgery for neck pain and are still experiencing discomfort, our methods may offer the solution you need. Acupuncture for neck strain, along with myofascial therapy and fascial counterstrain, can address underlying issues that surgery might not resolve, providing a holistic approach to pain management.
Why Choose Our Services
If you’re struggling with neck pain, our integrated approach combining acupuncture for neck strain, myofascial therapy, and fascial counterstrain can provide comprehensive relief. Our treatments are tailored to your specific needs, ensuring that you receive the most effective care possible. By addressing the root causes of your pain, we can help you achieve lasting relief and improve your overall well-being.
Don’t let neck pain hold you back. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and start your journey to a pain-free life.
Effective Acupuncture for TMJ: A Holistic Approach to Relief
Effective Acupuncture for TMJ: A Holistic Approach to Relief
If you’re suffering from TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) or TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder) issues, you know how debilitating the pain and discomfort can be. While standard treatments like painkillers and Botox offer temporary relief, they often fail to address the root cause of the problem. This is where my holistic approach, incorporating acupuncture for TMJ, myofascial therapy, and Fascial Counterstrain, stands out as a superior alternative.
The Benefits of Acupuncture for TMJ
My approach to treating TMJ/TMD focuses on holistic therapies that not only alleviate symptoms but also target the root causes of your discomfort. Here’s why these three techniques are far more beneficial:
Acupuncture for TMJ
Natural Pain Relief: Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the nervous system and release endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
Reduces Inflammation: It helps reduce inflammation in the jaw area, promoting healing and reducing pain.
Improves Blood Flow: Enhanced blood circulation aids in the healing process and reduces muscle tension.
Myofascial Therapy
Releases Muscle Tension: This therapy focuses on relieving tension in the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles, which can be a significant source of pain.
Improves Mobility: By releasing tightness in the fascia, myofascial therapy improves jaw mobility and function.
Non-Invasive: It’s a gentle, hands-on technique that provides relief without the need for medication or surgery.
Fascial Counterstrain
Targets the Root Cause: This technique involves precise, gentle manipulations to release fascial restrictions and improve overall tissue health.
Holistic Approach: Fascial Counterstrain addresses the entire fascial system, providing comprehensive relief from TMJ/TMD symptoms.
Long-Lasting Results: By targeting the underlying issues, this therapy offers long-term relief rather than just temporary symptom management.
The Limitations of Standard Treatments
Standard treatments for TMJ/TMD typically include painkillers, Botox injections, and sometimes even surgery. While these methods can provide temporary relief, they come with several drawbacks:
Painkillers: These only mask the pain without addressing the underlying issue. Long-term use can lead to dependency and other health complications.
Botox Injections: Botox can temporarily paralyze the muscles to reduce pain, but it does not address the underlying causes of TMJ/TMD. Repeated injections are often necessary, which can be costly and come with potential side effects like muscle weakness and difficulty swallowing.
Surgery: This is invasive, expensive, and comes with risks and a lengthy recovery period.
Why Now is the Time to Seek Holistic Treatment
Living with TMJ/TMD pain can significantly impact your quality of life. Delaying treatment can lead to worsening symptoms and further complications. By choosing holistic therapies like acupuncture for TMJ, myofascial therapy, and Fascial Counterstrain, you can start your journey towards a pain-free life today. These treatments not only provide immediate relief but also promote long-term healing and well-being.
Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Effective Relief and Healing
Understanding Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is on the rise, affecting 76.5 million Americans, with one-third experiencing disabling pain. Unfortunately, most people are not getting relief from their pain. The usual route that most people in the States with chronic pain go through is to see their doctor, and the typical reaction is to prescribe pain pills and then see how that works. However, acupuncture for chronic pain offers a holistic and effective alternative.
Benefits of Acupuncture for Chronic Pain
When painkillers or cortisol shots stop providing relief, the next step often considered is surgery. At that point, most people are tired of being in pain and will try almost anything to feel some relief. Unfortunately, these surgeries rarely provide the kind of relief from chronic pain that patients hope for.
When surgery fails to alleviate chronic pain, many people begin to look for alternative solutions. Some will give up, but others start to think outside the box and search the internet for pain relief. Often, a friend will recommend acupuncture for chronic pain, sharing their own success stories.
This starts the chain reaction of the “Ah ha” moment, leading to the burning question: can acupuncture help me too?
In my experience as an acupuncturist, I have had numerous people say, “I wish I had tried acupuncture before surgery for my shoulder pain, lower back pain, knee pain, elbow pain, neck pain, etc., because it’s helping the pain even after surgery.”
They begin to ponder if they needed the surgery in the first place. At this point, I must explain that sometimes surgery is necessary, and you should have your doctor check for muscle tears or physical damage that acupuncture may not be able to completely address.
Acupuncture, unfortunately, has a stigma that needles are scary and therefore the procedure will be painful. This is typically far from reality, as the needles are hair-thin and more like a pin than a hypodermic needle, which has a hollow tip. I believe you can fit around 16 acupuncture needles inside the opening of a hypodermic needle.
That is a thin needle! The reason why hypodermic needles hurt when inserted into the skin is because there is a hollow tip that actually takes out a small chunk of tissue from the body. That is why shots are painful. Acupuncture needles do not have hollow tips, so the insertion is much smoother. The most that should be felt is a slight pinch or a dull ache for a few seconds, or no sensation at all. This seems like a minor price to pay for decreasing the chronic pain that most people endure for years.
One of the most prominent types of chronic pain that I see is shoulder pain. This is also one of my favorite issues to work on because I usually can get very good results. The methodology I take is atypical to most acupuncturists.
While most practitioners will go directly into the shoulder using electrostimulation or cupping, I will insert needles in the lower leg and ankle area of both legs. After inserting several needles, I have the patient move the shoulder, trying to elicit the pain. After doing this several times, the pain level has dropped 40-60%.
On occasion, I have had people walk out the door with their chronic pain all gone! What most people reading this must realize is that this first treatment is great and helps with the pain, but if you have had a pain problem for many years, it took a long time to get to that point, and it’s going to take some time to get rid of the pain as well. Also, after the first treatment, the pain will usually start to inch its way back in about 2-4 days.
The idea is to come back for another treatment before the pain returns to the same level it was before the first treatment. I usually recommend 2-3 sessions for the first 2-3 weeks, then reassess the pain level. Typically, after 5 sessions, the pain levels have dropped 50-75% and remain at those levels without getting worse. Usually, by the third or fourth week, the level of treatment decreases to once a week with noticeable pain relief.
Eventually, patients reach the point of not needing acupuncture except for maintenance if desired. Most enjoy coming back because it helps with stress relief as well. This method also works the same way for neck pain, lower back pain, arthritis, migraines, knee pain, and elbow pain. Getting pain relief is all about being diligent and giving acupuncture a chance to help facilitate healing.
Besides acupuncture, there are several things that people with chronic pain can do to relieve inflammation. Reducing or eliminating sugar, alcohol, dairy (all types), grains, and caffeine can help. Taking out all of these at one time may be impossible, so try to eliminate one at a time.
Eliminate that item for 21 days, then reintroduce the food to your diet and see how your body reacts. If the pain decreased during that time and worsened when you reintroduced the item, consider eliminating that food for good. Do this with all the items on the list.
Lastly, there are several foods you could add to your diet that help reduce inflammation and chronic pain. Ginger, turmeric (curcumin), and cayenne are great options. Ginger is excellent for stomach issues and is anti-inflammatory, which reduces pain. Turmeric is beneficial for osteoarthritis pain and increases mobility. Cayenne pepper also alleviates pain in general.
Acupuncture for Weight Control: A Holistic Approach
Acupuncture for Weight Control
Acupuncture for weight control has become an increasingly popular method for achieving weight loss. Weight loss has been a major concern in the 21st century, especially over the last 30 years. From low-fat diets to protein diets, paleo diets, vegan diets, and even breatharianism, the quest for weight loss has seen many trends. However, the root of the weight gain issue often lies with large food conglomerates.
The Role of Acupuncture for Weight Control
Companies like Kraft, General Mills, and Gordon Food Center sell food lacking nutritional value, filled with harmful fillers that exacerbate weight gain. These companies use natural flavors (MSG) to create food addictions, leading consumers to eat more.
When you buy more of these products due to addiction, these companies profit at the expense of your waistline and health. Nutrient-deficient food will eventually make you sick. We need to consume a variety of foods to get all the vitamins and minerals necessary for a fully functional body. Relying on packaged or fast food for nutrients not only leads to weight gain but also poses serious health risks.
In Chinese medicine, we view healthy eating as crucial, but our approach to weight loss differs from that of Western nutritionists or doctors. As practitioners, we ask many questions about your overall health, then check your tongue and pulses to diagnose your body. Often, weight gain is diagnosed as “Spleen Qi” deficiency, meaning weak digestion and poor nutrient absorption.
Symptoms of Spleen Qi deficiency include fatigue, gas or bloating, loose stools, weak limbs, a weak voice, easily bruised skin, hemorrhoid issues, sugar cravings, allergies, obesity, pale complexion, weak immunity, and possible irregular periods. Not all symptoms need to be present for this diagnosis.
Sugar cravings are a key indicator of a weak spleen. If the body isn’t getting enough energy from food, sugar provides a quick boost but is harmful long-term. Proper spleen function eliminates sugar cravings.
Another common pattern is damp or phlegm blocking the spleen, presenting as reduced appetite, chest congestion, profuse saliva or mucus, a heavy or sluggish body, and diarrhea. This pattern often leads to cravings for greasy, fatty, and sugary foods like ice cream. Dairy products worsen this condition, so reducing intake can improve symptoms.
After identifying the major patterns of weight gain, we tailor a plan to the patient’s specific pattern. Instead of starting a fad diet, we recommend regular acupuncture for weight control and herbal formulas to strengthen the spleen. During acupuncture sessions, we develop a plan to eliminate foods that cause weight gain and add foods that provide proper nutrients and strengthen the spleen.
Foods that strengthen the spleen include amaranth, millet, bitter greens, cooked celery, turnips, asparagus, yams, pumpkin, garlic, cooked carrots, and sunflower seeds. Drinking warm or room temperature water is also beneficial, as iced water hinders spleen function and digestion. Avoid raw vegetables initially, as they are harder to digest. Raw foods are better in summer when the body is warm, while cooked vegetables are easier to digest.
Exercise is the final element of weight loss. Start with at least 30 minutes of daily exercise, such as walking, which is low impact. Gradually increase to higher impact activities as you feel comfortable. Adding positive habits to your life will boost your energy and help you stay motivated toward your goal.
Remember, losing weight is a process. It may take months or years to reach your goal weight, but learning to be healthy is a lifelong practice. The beginning is the hardest part, but it gets easier as you progress.
Quit Smoking with Acupuncture: A Holistic Approach
FINALLY! I can quit smoking without the terrible withdrawals!
There seems to be a stigma with acupuncture and quitting smoking. Most people in the western world believe that acupuncture does just a few things, helps with pain and decreases you urge for cigarettes.
This is far from the truth, acupuncture has been around for at least 3000 years, some would say 5000 or more years. This ancient medicine has been helping with just about every ailment known to man. Colds, flu, hepatitis, broken bones, stomach issues, gynecological issues, pain and so much more.
It is true though, acupuncture does help adjust the cravings for cigarettes and any other addictive substance as well. The NADA protocol which stands for National Acupuncture Detoxification Association has been helping people quit unhealthy habits since the 70’s. This protocol consists of putting 5 small needles on tiny points within the ear. Each point has a specific purpose which helps cravings and detoxification.
The first point is called Shen Men. Shen men first puts the patient in the state of receptivity to the treatment. It also helps ground the patient, calm stress and anxiety and sedates excessive sensitivity.
The second point is called the autonomic point. This helps balance out the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system along with helping the blood circulation. When balancing out the sympathetic nervous system, we are helping to stabilize the “fight or flight” reaction by calming the body.
Most people that are highly stressed out have a hyper sensitive sympathetic nervous system. When something goes wrong in life, such as stress or arguments people tend to either push back by fighting or running away. If its flight, then usually the smoker will go somewhere to light up a cigarette to relieve the presume threat. What the parasympathetic nervous system does is let you “rest and digest”.
If the body is always in fight or flight, then the body is not allowing itself to get good sleep or digest their food properly. This will cause a perpetual loop going back to over stimulating the sympathetic causing more stress due to being tired. Then, the body will require caffeine to stay awake and we all know how good a cigarette and coffee taste! So, balancing the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system will help you sleep and keep the stress levels down.
The 3rd point that would be needled is called Lung 2. The lung point has the function to detox the body but also has an emotional component within the Chinese medicine theory as well. This emotional factor explains that the lungs hold “grief”. Some smokers may have emotional baggage from their past which they are trying to suppress or push down by smoking.
Unconsciously, the smoker could be pushing down the emotion of grief with the smoke and not letting whatever the grief being held in to surface. The cigarette is a crutch to alleviate the pain the grief is causing. This is a much more esoteric way to thing about this but from my own experience of quitting smoking, I needed to let go of some of my own demons before wanting to quit as well. The Lung 2 point is great for detoxing and releasing grief.
The fourth point is the liver point. The liver is the largest organ in the body that helps detoxification. By needling this point, it is helping the liver detox the blood for all toxins. Also, the liver holds the emotions in general but specifically irritability and stress.
This goes back to the sympathetic nervous system as well. Fight or flight is a stress issue. If the liver is congested then the body becomes stressed and when the body is stressed is caused congestion which causes the qi to stagnate. Smooth Qi means less stress and better flow of blood.
The last point is the Kidney point. What the kidney does in the western sense is detoxify the blood through the urination function. So, the lung, kidney and liver are all helping rid of toxicity. Also, in the Chinese theory, the kidney stores our life essence which correlated to the bones, reproduction, growth, brain function and aging. Most of these are affected if you smoke for long enough.
In general, this is a great point for all. What I want to make clear is that acupuncture will not be the sole factor in quitting smoking.
Acupuncture and the NADA protocol is a tool to help facilitate the process. Quitting smoking is a process and most people do not quit on the first try. When I first wanted to quit, I relapsed several times before I finally was able to kick the smokes to the can.
I also have a behavioral psychology degree so I implemented those ideas for myself to move in a positive way towards my goal of quitting. Always, remember baby steps are key to being smoke free.
Adding positive things to your life to cancel out the negative behaviors will help keep your mind of smoking as well. Adding exercise, meditation, group support or a psychologist will help tremendously as well.
Just remember, quitting smoking is a process and you must be ready to quit for acupuncture or any other tool to work.
Acupuncture for Infertility: Natural Solutions
How Acupuncture for Infertility Can Help
Fertility issues have been a growing concern in American society for the last 20 years or so and it seems to be getting worse. There are many theories as to why this is happening, and now with a few major studies on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), we may have a better understanding of why the high rate of infertility. The study concluded that after the third generation of rats eating strictly GMO foods, the rats became sterile. We are now into the third generation of people eating GMO food, so most likely we are going to see infertility get much worse. Another condition affecting men and women with infertility problems is the lack of exercise and being overworked and stressed from life.
Infertility is not only affecting women but men as well. GMO foods are affecting people’s immune systems, making them more likely to be sick more regularly, age faster, and making it more difficult to get pregnant and stay pregnant. My first recommendation to get pregnant would be to look at your diet and see what you can change to abstain from GMO foods. The biggest culprits are soy, corn, potatoes, and high fructose corn syrup. The other foods to avoid are salmon (farm-raised), canola oil, most dairy that is not organic due to the GMO feed that is fed to the cows, and most processed foods. After looking at your foods, start replacing them with organic whole foods, meats that are grass-fed, and avoiding fast food and processed foods altogether.
While changing the diet, the next step is to start acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas. What the practitioner will do is find out what pattern is causing the infertility. Many times irregular periods will be a major concern. What needs to be done is getting the cycle to be in the range of 28-30 days, pain-free ovulation at mid-cycle, no PMS signs, and a pain-free period with a moderate flow of fresh red blood.
The main patterns with infertility in women with Chinese medicine are blood deficiency, cold in the uterus, and liver qi and blood stagnation.
Blood deficiency can look like a very minimal period, pale blood, delayed cycle, tiredness, depression, dizziness, pale complexion, and possibly blurred vision. With this pattern, typically the digestion is very weak or possibly the patient is a vegetarian or vegan.
Red meat and beets are very good to help build blood. Chinese formulas also help tremendously with building up the blood in the body as well.
Cold in the uterus looks like a delayed cycle, minimal period, small clots, painful period, feels better with heat, the body feels colder during the period, pale face, the whole body always feels cold and possibly a sore lower back. Adding some foods that have warming qualities such as ginger, cinnamon, and garlic may help some, but this pattern really needs herbal formulas and a warming herb that you burn called moxa to really help the basal body temperature rise.
Liver qi and blood stagnation looks like irregular periods, premenstrual tension, painful periods with a stabbing sensation, breast distention, irritability, larger clots, and darker menstrual blood. This is a very common pattern with women with high levels of stress. Acupuncture is very helpful to relieve stress. Exercise and meditation along with turmeric will help move some qi and blood. Lastly, Chinese herbal formulas are also very important with all of these patterns and need to be taken to get the desired goal of getting pregnant.
There have been several studies that show acupuncture and In-vitro fertilization have a symbiotic relationship. One study by “fertility and sterility” found that 20% of women undergoing IVF became pregnant following the procedure compared to 43% who received acupuncture before and after IVF. This is nearly a 50% increase in effectiveness with IVF and acupuncture. Another study by “Medical acupuncture”, said that acupuncture may stimulate egg follicle development in women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
What needs to be done to get results to promote fertility is to get the digestion working optimally, balance the hormones, eat healthy, eradicate GMO foods from the diet, and add organic foods to the diet. Manage stress and get more exercise. Lastly, chart and understand the 4 phases of the cycle and get acupuncture and Chinese formulas to help the body balance itself out.
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after 2 years of trying, so you must be patient and willing to give Chinese medicine time to work.
Acupuncture for Lower Back Pain Relief and More
Understanding Lower Back Pain
Did you know that about 80% of all humans suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives? This common issue can range from a nagging dull ache to sharp, stabbing pain. Fortunately, acupuncture can help relieve these symptoms by stimulating the nervous system and increasing blood flow to affected areas. This ancient practice, which has been around for over 2,000 years, offers both short-term and long-term relief from back pain.
Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles at specific points on the body. According to traditional Chinese medicine, these points are connected by pathways or meridians, which create a flow of energy called Qi (pronounced “chee”). Stimulating these points is believed to correct imbalances in Qi and improve the flow of energy, thereby relieving pain and enhancing overall health1.
Research supports the effectiveness of acupuncture for chronic low back pain. A review of 22 studies found that acupuncture provided significant short-term relief from chronic back pain compared to sham treatments1. Additionally, guidelines from the American Pain Society and the American College of Physicians recommend considering acupuncture as an alternative therapy for patients with chronic low-back pain that hasn’t responded to conventional treatments1.
The benefits of acupuncture for back pain are thought to come from several mechanisms. It may speed the relay of electromagnetic signals, triggering the release of pain-killing chemicals such as endorphins. Acupuncture can also stimulate the release of natural opioids in the brain, which help reduce pain and promote sleep. Furthermore, it may alter brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones, which can affect the function of organs and the perception of pain1.
When performed by a trained and experienced acupuncturist, acupuncture is generally safe and has fewer side effects than many standard treatments for back pain. Serious side effects, such as infections or punctured organs, are rare1.
If you’re considering acupuncture for back pain, it’s important to discuss it with your doctor, especially if other treatments have failed. Acupuncture can be a valuable tool in managing back pain and improving your quality of life.
1: WebMD - Back Pain: Acupuncture Treatment and Points
Overcoming Needle Fears: My First Acupuncture Experience”
I’m not a big needle fan so I have not been interested in acupuncture at all. However, with age and a desire for a much more natural holistic way of healing myself, I started to research all kinds of natural non-invasive ways to heal my body. Acupuncture happened to be one of the items that came to surface in my research. I finally went to have my first experience after several friends told me how much it helped them.
I was suffering from perimenopause and stomach pain. When I went into my first appointment, it was with a lovely little Asian woman who I know knew her stuff. Although I couldn’t understand what she was saying, she set me down and did an examination to find out what was going on within me. She then had me lay down and started to insert needles in me. Some created a twinge within me. I didn’t know what that was and because of the language barrier, I couldn’t ask! Although this was somewhat of an issue, I did fall immediately asleep for an hour! She woke me up and pulled the needles out and that was that!
Sleep for me has been elusive, so to fall immediately asleep was amazing. Yes, I would pay for a nap and some healing! However, I just couldn’t take the language barrier because I want to know what is going on and that I can ask questions that will be answered as the acupuncture is being performed.
I then went to Black Sun Acupuncture (now Berkley Acupuncture), and was able to openly communicate my problems or issues with Matthew. As well I was able to understand why there were certain twinges. Which was a sign of area that is stagnated, and the needle is helping open those areas up. The twinge should dissipate within a few seconds.
I suggest that if you do see an acupuncturist, make sure that they clearly communicate with you, so you can feel comfortable with the services performed.
Acupuncture for Stress and Anxiety: Natural Relief
One of my favorite things to help people with is acupuncture for stress and anxiety. I can relate to the patients that I help because I used to be one big ball of stress myself. During 2007-2009, I worked in Chicago while the mortgage and housing crisis happened. This was one of the most stressful times of my life and that is also when I realized that my health is much more important than a job I could not stand.
Using Acupuncture for Stress and Anxiety
During this highly stressful time, I started to notice things in my body that didn’t feel right. My circulation to my hands and feet was terrible (cold), I had severe irritability, headaches near my temples, constipation which led to hemorrhoids (ouch!), and terrible urinary problems. This was the worst I ever felt in years. I was always very healthy and rarely got sick. I felt like I was falling apart.
Five years later, I can say most of my stress and the issues that accompanied them are gone thanks to acupuncture, meditation, a healthy diet, exercise, and finding my true calling on this earth: Chinese Medicine!
Acupuncture and herbal medicine are some of the best ways to manage stress. When stress is not released and keeps accumulating from life, the energy of that emotion gets trapped in the body just like pain would. We call it stagnation of blood or Qi. When this energy does not move, it causes pain or worse, many of the symptoms I mentioned above will show up. When the acupuncture needles are inserted in specific points on the body, it helps move the stagnant energy and that is when you start to feel more light and able to function again without screaming at the next person to look at you wrong. The stagnation was released and now the energy is moving smoothly. You can take a deep breath!
Some other symptoms that women might experience from severe stress would be PMS, irregular periods, painful periods, clotting, breast tenderness, and did I mention severe irritability.
If you have a stressful life, then acupuncture will help manage things, but to really knock it out, you may have to use an herbal formula such as xiao yao san or check into Ashwagandha. Other modalities that can help with relieving stress are meditation, Qi Gong, exercise, yoga, and deep breaths.
Sometimes stress can be debilitating, so if it’s extreme, take time for yourself. Try to get out into nature and get clear about the path of life you chose. Sometimes staying in a career or a relationship that has run its course could be telling you subtly that you need to make a change.
Recognize and Address Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms
Magnesium deficiency Symptoms are rampant in most of the modern world. Due to industrial farming, the soil is not getting re-mineralized and causing havoc to the population that eats big agricultural food. Unfortunately, it goes much deeper and darker but for this topic we’ll stick with Magnesium and food.
Common Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms
If you aren’t sure if you have magnesium deficiency here are the main symptoms: Twitches, muscle tightness, cramps, back pain, neck pain, headaches, TMJ, constipation, menstrual cramps, decreased night vision, insomnia, anxiety, restless leg syndrome, panic attacks, numbness and tingling and palpations. Also, craving salt and carbohydrates.
A couple of early signs of magnesium deficiency is eye twitching, neck/shoulder tension and headaches. This sounds like 85-90% of the population out there dealing with stress. For most people magnesium needs to be taken every day. I have had a few people try magnesium for their insomnia but they usually fall short by not taking it long enough and then they don’t believe it will work. There is no magic bullet when supplementing with herbs, vitamins or minerals. It takes time, but using magnesium oil will get it into the body faster. This goes for pain in the back as well, it takes time to saturate the cells with magnesium so don’t give up after a week or so.
If you were wondering if there are any good foods that have magnesium in it there are a few:Kale, baby spinach(cooked), swiss chard, brazil nuts, cashews, flax seed, salmon, halibut, avocados, banana’s and dark chocolate.
A product that I like is 'Calm' Magnesium powder if you were wondering what to buy. It is a powder form that you put in water. It actually tastes pretty good too, if you like the taste of lemonade. Also, it is best to take at nighttime since, like its name, will calm you down.
If you have had long standing pain, then just taking magnesium probably will not completely fix the problem but the combination of acupuncture and magnesium will do wonders.
Relieve PMS & Cramps Naturally with Acupuncture
From my experience with Chinese medicine and acupuncture, most women have no idea that there is a better way to treat PMS than using pain killers. Most woman, if having severe cramps will go to the doctor and will find themselves being told the same things, its normal and here is a prescription. This will help but I know more people in general are tired of taking pills for every little thing. This is also not helping the baseline problem of why you are having severe cramping in the first place.
Typically, stress is going to cause many PMS signs. So this is typically the underlying problem. In Chinese medicine terminology, this is called liver qi stagnation. When you have this diagnosis, you will see headaches near the temples, irritability, breast tenderness, pain in the rib area around the lower abdomen. During the period there can be larger clots, dark blood,irregular cycle, and heavy flow.
Liver qi stagnation is very common in men and woman especially in the States due to the hectic lifestyles. First, acupuncture works wonders while dealing with all of these symptoms. Usually if you come into my office with cramps the pain will most likely be gone by the time you leave my office. Most of my patients are incredibly thankful when they leave. There are also a few good herbal formulas that can help with keeping the liver qi moving smoothly and keep those symptoms to a minimum. The best formula is called Xiao yao san. This can be taken for months at a time due to the mild herbs that are in the formula. I don’t recommend going out and buying this formula until you have been diagnosed by a trained Chinese medicine practitioner. There may be other things going on that must be addressed as well.
Lastly, to keep the stress at bay I recommend exercise, meditation, yoga, or qi gong. These all help move the qi and keep you feeling good physically and emotionally.
Understanding Health Insurance Coverage for Acupuncture
It seems that most people with health insurance have no idea what is covered when it comes to alternative health care. Usually, there is a surprised look on peoples faces that acupuncture, chiropractic and massage can be covered and have a low co pay for the service.
The insurance companies that I know of for sure that have plans that cover alternative health care are; United, Cigna and Aetna. What you need to be aware of is that not all plans have alternative coverage. At this time, the more expensive plans typically will have the coverage. The other thing that you need to be aware of is if your plan does cover acupuncture it most likely will only cover pain issues and headaches (migraines).
This is a good start but we need more awareness to people with health insurance so they can demand better coverage concerning alternative health care to there providers. If we demand this then sooner better than later we could get not only pain related issues covered but flu, colds, infertility, gastrointestinal issues, stress, urinary problems, PMS, menopause and so many other issues covered.
If you’re not sure if you have coverage for alternative care, call your insurance company or have your acupuncturist call. They will no the right questions to ask so that there’s no surprises later on.