Women who are pregnant are just as likely as other women their age to be depressed. According to research, about "10 percent meet the criteria for major depression and almost 20 percent have increased symptoms of depression." Since it is not advisable for pregnant women to take medication, many have turned to acupuncture for relief from their depression.
At the annual meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in Chicago, researchers presented the results of a study. See Acupuncture for pregnancy depression
The following is a quote from the article:
"Schnyer and colleagues conducted an evaluator-blinded randomized trial in which 150 pregnant women who met the criteria of major depressive disorder received either eight weeks of acupuncture specific for depression or one of two active controls -- control acupuncture or massage. Women receiving acupuncture specific for depression experienced a significantly greater decrease in depression severity compared to the controls."
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
The Basics: What is Acupuncture?
I've been asked to give a description of acupuncture so it will be available for visitors of this blog. The following is from the FAQs on my website: www.acupuncture-sa.com
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a safe and effective natural therapy that is used to heal illnesses, prevent disease and improve well being. Acupuncture therapies are believed to have originated in China approximately five thousand years ago.
As a traditional medical practice, they encompass several treatment methods. The main method is the use of needles to puncture the skin at very specific locations called Acupuncture points. Secondarily, Moxibustion is the application of heat to acupuncture points and is one of the oldest and most effective forms of oriental therapy. There are two different types of moxibustion: direct and indirect. Both direct and indirect methods create heat by burning moxa, an herb derived from drying the leaves of the mugwort plant. The indirect method involves burning moxa on the tip of the acupuncture needle.
Direct moxibustion is applied by using the fingers to roll a small amount of moxa into the size of a half of a grain of rice. This piece is then placed on the skin at an acupuncture point and burned with incense. The result is an quick, penetrating heat that stimulates the acupuncture point without being uncomfortable for the patient.
Direct moxibustion causes an elevation in blood cell counts, especially white blood cells. This strengthens immunity and is effective in reducing pain and inflammation.
Auricular and laser acupuncture, cupping, and ion pumping cords are examples of some of the many supplementary techniques used in acupuncture. The clinical effectiveness of acupuncture therapies is evidenced by their continued and extensive use in modern China, their spread to other Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, and their more recent arrival in the West where they are weathering the rigorous scrutiny of the Western scientific method and slowly revealing the biological reasons for their effectiveness.
Throughout a long and venerable history, a multitude of acupuncture theories and clinical systems have evolved. In some cases these have retained their original form, and in other cases, they have adapted to the passage of time, transforming under the scrutiny of clinicians and scholars.
At Acupuncture & Natural Healing Therapies, our goal is to provide patients with the most effective techniques, both ancient and modern. If you would like to know more about how acupuncture can benefit your health, please call (210) 204-2305 and schedule a free consultation.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a safe and effective natural therapy that is used to heal illnesses, prevent disease and improve well being. Acupuncture therapies are believed to have originated in China approximately five thousand years ago.
As a traditional medical practice, they encompass several treatment methods. The main method is the use of needles to puncture the skin at very specific locations called Acupuncture points. Secondarily, Moxibustion is the application of heat to acupuncture points and is one of the oldest and most effective forms of oriental therapy. There are two different types of moxibustion: direct and indirect. Both direct and indirect methods create heat by burning moxa, an herb derived from drying the leaves of the mugwort plant. The indirect method involves burning moxa on the tip of the acupuncture needle.
Direct moxibustion is applied by using the fingers to roll a small amount of moxa into the size of a half of a grain of rice. This piece is then placed on the skin at an acupuncture point and burned with incense. The result is an quick, penetrating heat that stimulates the acupuncture point without being uncomfortable for the patient.
Direct moxibustion causes an elevation in blood cell counts, especially white blood cells. This strengthens immunity and is effective in reducing pain and inflammation.
Auricular and laser acupuncture, cupping, and ion pumping cords are examples of some of the many supplementary techniques used in acupuncture. The clinical effectiveness of acupuncture therapies is evidenced by their continued and extensive use in modern China, their spread to other Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, and their more recent arrival in the West where they are weathering the rigorous scrutiny of the Western scientific method and slowly revealing the biological reasons for their effectiveness.
Throughout a long and venerable history, a multitude of acupuncture theories and clinical systems have evolved. In some cases these have retained their original form, and in other cases, they have adapted to the passage of time, transforming under the scrutiny of clinicians and scholars.
At Acupuncture & Natural Healing Therapies, our goal is to provide patients with the most effective techniques, both ancient and modern. If you would like to know more about how acupuncture can benefit your health, please call (210) 204-2305 and schedule a free consultation.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
A healthier living tip you might not know #1
Consider giving up the use of dryer sheets. Most commercial dryer sheets contain Benzyl Acetate, Benzyl Alcohol, Chloroform and Linalool. Some of these are carcinogens, and none are good for the environment.
The fumes alone can cause respiratory irritation, anxiety attacks, nervous system disorders, irritability and burn sensitive skin. Chemical exposure can cause long term effects on your liver, pancreas, or gastrointestinal track. Many people suffer from a "fragrance fog" feeling after exposure to fumes from dryers where dryer sheets are being used. Children are highly susceptible to these chemicals.
There are alternatives:
1. Wear natural fabrics to avoid static cling or at least wash and dry cottons and synthetic fabrics separately.
2. Make your own dryer sheets using a wash cloth and an environmentally friendly fabric softener. Or, use an eco-friendly fabric softener during the wash cycle.
3. Try reusable, chemical-free dryer sheets
4. Add vinegar to the wash
5. Do not dry clothes quite completely. The small amount of remaining moisture keeps static cling from getting a foothold. Dry on a rack or clothesline.
6. Try dryer balls. I've ordered Nellie's PVC Free Dryer balls
from Amazon. They should arrive this week. If anyone is interested in my opinion of them once I've tried them for a week or two, let me know in the comments section of this post.
Thanks for reading!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Unhealthy food cravings, and their healthy antedote
I found the great suggestions for relieving food cravings from a naturopathic medical doctor at naturopathyworks.com/pages/cravings.html. Most of the information makes sense from my training in acupuncture. I've removed reference to meat products and referenced organic products as I normally suggest for my patients.
If you crave:
Chocolate you need Magnesium so you should eat Raw nuts and seeds, legumes, fruits
Sweets you need
1. Chromium so you should eat Broccoli, grapes, cheese, dried beans
2. Carbon so you should eat Fresh fruits
3. Phosphorus so you should eat organic eggs and/or dairy, nuts, legumes, grains
4. Sulfur so you should eat Cranberries, horseradish, cruciferous vegetables, kale, cabbage
5. Tryptophan so you should eat organic cheese, raisins, sweet potato, spinach
Bread, toast you need Nitrogen so you should eat High protein foods: nuts, beans, grains such as quinoa
Oily snacks, fatty foods you need Calcium so you should eat Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, organic cheese, sesame
Coffee or tea you need
1. Phosphorous so you should eat organic eggs and/or dairy, nuts, legumes
2. Sulfur so you should eat organic egg yolks, red peppers, garlic, onion, cruciferous vegetables
3. NaCl (salt) so you should eat Sea salt, apple cider vinegar (on salad)
4. Iron so you should eat seaweed, greens, black cherries
Alcohol, recreational drugs you need
1. Protein so you should eat organic dairy, nuts, quinoa
2. Avenin so you should eat Granola, oatmeal
3. Calcium so you should eat Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, organic cheese, sesame
4. Glutamine so you should eat Supplement glutamine powder for withdrawal, raw cabbage juice
5. Potassium so you should eat Sun-dried black olives, potato peel broth, seaweed, bitter greens
Chewing ice you need Iron so you should eat seaweed, greens, black cherries
Burned food you need Carbon so you should eat Fresh fruits
Carbonated drinks you need Calcium so you should eat Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, organic cheese, sesame
Salty foods you need Chloride so you should eat Raw goat milk, wild caught fish, unrefined sea salt
Acid foods you need Magnesium so you should eat Raw nuts and seeds, legumes, fruits
Liquids rather than solids you need Flavor water with lemon or lime. You need 8 to 10 glasses per day.
Solids rather than liquids You have been so dehydrated for so long that you have lost your thirst. Flavor water with lemon or lime. You need 8 to 10 glasses per day.
Cool drinks you need Manganese so you should eat Walnuts, almonds, pecans, pineapple, blueberries
Pre-menstrual cravings you need Zinc so you should eat wild caught seafood, leafy vegetables, root vegetables
General overeating you need
1. Silicon so you should eat Nuts, seeds; avoid refined starches
2. Tryptophan so you should eat organic cheese, raisins, sweet potato, spinach
3. Tyrosine so you should eat Vitamin C supplements or orange, green, red fruits and vegetables
Lack of appetite you need
1. Vitamin B1 so you should eat Nuts, seeds, beans
2. Vitamin B3 so you should eat wild caught tuna, halibut, seeds and legumes
3. Manganese so you should eat Walnuts, almonds, pecans, pineapple, blueberries
4. Chloride so you should eat Raw goat milk, unrefined sea salt
Tobacco you need
1. Silicon so you should eat Nuts, seeds; avoid refined starches
2. Tyrosine so you should eat Vitamin C supplements or orange, green and red fruits and vegetables
If you crave:
Chocolate you need Magnesium so you should eat Raw nuts and seeds, legumes, fruits
Sweets you need
1. Chromium so you should eat Broccoli, grapes, cheese, dried beans
2. Carbon so you should eat Fresh fruits
3. Phosphorus so you should eat organic eggs and/or dairy, nuts, legumes, grains
4. Sulfur so you should eat Cranberries, horseradish, cruciferous vegetables, kale, cabbage
5. Tryptophan so you should eat organic cheese, raisins, sweet potato, spinach
Bread, toast you need Nitrogen so you should eat High protein foods: nuts, beans, grains such as quinoa
Oily snacks, fatty foods you need Calcium so you should eat Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, organic cheese, sesame
Coffee or tea you need
1. Phosphorous so you should eat organic eggs and/or dairy, nuts, legumes
2. Sulfur so you should eat organic egg yolks, red peppers, garlic, onion, cruciferous vegetables
3. NaCl (salt) so you should eat Sea salt, apple cider vinegar (on salad)
4. Iron so you should eat seaweed, greens, black cherries
Alcohol, recreational drugs you need
1. Protein so you should eat organic dairy, nuts, quinoa
2. Avenin so you should eat Granola, oatmeal
3. Calcium so you should eat Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, organic cheese, sesame
4. Glutamine so you should eat Supplement glutamine powder for withdrawal, raw cabbage juice
5. Potassium so you should eat Sun-dried black olives, potato peel broth, seaweed, bitter greens
Chewing ice you need Iron so you should eat seaweed, greens, black cherries
Burned food you need Carbon so you should eat Fresh fruits
Carbonated drinks you need Calcium so you should eat Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, organic cheese, sesame
Salty foods you need Chloride so you should eat Raw goat milk, wild caught fish, unrefined sea salt
Acid foods you need Magnesium so you should eat Raw nuts and seeds, legumes, fruits
Liquids rather than solids you need Flavor water with lemon or lime. You need 8 to 10 glasses per day.
Solids rather than liquids You have been so dehydrated for so long that you have lost your thirst. Flavor water with lemon or lime. You need 8 to 10 glasses per day.
Cool drinks you need Manganese so you should eat Walnuts, almonds, pecans, pineapple, blueberries
Pre-menstrual cravings you need Zinc so you should eat wild caught seafood, leafy vegetables, root vegetables
General overeating you need
1. Silicon so you should eat Nuts, seeds; avoid refined starches
2. Tryptophan so you should eat organic cheese, raisins, sweet potato, spinach
3. Tyrosine so you should eat Vitamin C supplements or orange, green, red fruits and vegetables
Lack of appetite you need
1. Vitamin B1 so you should eat Nuts, seeds, beans
2. Vitamin B3 so you should eat wild caught tuna, halibut, seeds and legumes
3. Manganese so you should eat Walnuts, almonds, pecans, pineapple, blueberries
4. Chloride so you should eat Raw goat milk, unrefined sea salt
Tobacco you need
1. Silicon so you should eat Nuts, seeds; avoid refined starches
2. Tyrosine so you should eat Vitamin C supplements or orange, green and red fruits and vegetables
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Body Detoxification
Body detoxification eliminates harmful chemicals from the body that have been stored in the kidneys, liver, intestines, lymph, skin, lungs, and adipose tissue. You absorbs these toxic substances from processed foods as well as exposure to industrial chemicals such as those used in beauty products or unhealthy air.
Common symptoms that may call for detox are well known to be unexplained fatigue, dull skin or breakouts, general body aches and pains, digestive problems such as bloating, allergies or low grade infections, and bags under your eyes.
Pills, exercise and dietary advice for body detoxification are abundant and can be found on the web, at your local bookstore or even your local health food store. This is not new information and you shouldn't have to pay an arm and a leg for it. Natural ingredients can be used, so expensive products are beneficial to the sellers, but unnecessary for a good detox. The benefits of going through a detox are obvious, but if you have ever gone through one you may remember the downside effects as your body flushes toxins through skin, bowels and urination and other mucus. You can feel symptoms similar to those of a flu. Since you are probably denying yourself sugar and coffee, for example, you may also experience signs of withdraw such as headaches, nervousness, etc.
However, don't be discouraged because there are ways to go through a detoxification program more comfortably, using the natural rhythms of the body. Using acupuncture in addition to dietary guidelines and herbal supplements can ease the symptoms and shortened the time needed to detox. Acupuncture enhances blood and lymphatic fluid circulation which is necessary to transport toxins and wastes out of the body.
For example, acupuncture can produce a natural diuretic effect which helps your body eliminate toxins through the urinary tract. This is useful for drug detox programs as well as eliminating residual medications that may have caused allergic reactions or unwanted side effects.
Acupuncture treatment can help reduce unhealthy cravings for toxic foods such as those loaded with sugars or highly processed. Once toxins are eliminated and healthy foods are ingested, your body will crave foods that are good for you and you may even find yourself repulsed by unhealthy foods. While undergoing acupuncture, you will experience improvement in the your digestive system that will result in increased energy for a better detox.
Acupuncture is also helpful during detoxification as it reduces your stress level, which often allows you to finish the detox while working and dealing with the ongoing aspects of your life. By enhancing the immune system with acupuncture you are less likely to pick up a cold or flu during the process as well.
So, consider contacting a qualified acupuncturist for help during your next detoxification. They will often have special packages or programs to fit the needs of your health condition and your lifestyle. Happy detoxing!
Common symptoms that may call for detox are well known to be unexplained fatigue, dull skin or breakouts, general body aches and pains, digestive problems such as bloating, allergies or low grade infections, and bags under your eyes.
Pills, exercise and dietary advice for body detoxification are abundant and can be found on the web, at your local bookstore or even your local health food store. This is not new information and you shouldn't have to pay an arm and a leg for it. Natural ingredients can be used, so expensive products are beneficial to the sellers, but unnecessary for a good detox. The benefits of going through a detox are obvious, but if you have ever gone through one you may remember the downside effects as your body flushes toxins through skin, bowels and urination and other mucus. You can feel symptoms similar to those of a flu. Since you are probably denying yourself sugar and coffee, for example, you may also experience signs of withdraw such as headaches, nervousness, etc.
However, don't be discouraged because there are ways to go through a detoxification program more comfortably, using the natural rhythms of the body. Using acupuncture in addition to dietary guidelines and herbal supplements can ease the symptoms and shortened the time needed to detox. Acupuncture enhances blood and lymphatic fluid circulation which is necessary to transport toxins and wastes out of the body.
For example, acupuncture can produce a natural diuretic effect which helps your body eliminate toxins through the urinary tract. This is useful for drug detox programs as well as eliminating residual medications that may have caused allergic reactions or unwanted side effects.
Acupuncture treatment can help reduce unhealthy cravings for toxic foods such as those loaded with sugars or highly processed. Once toxins are eliminated and healthy foods are ingested, your body will crave foods that are good for you and you may even find yourself repulsed by unhealthy foods. While undergoing acupuncture, you will experience improvement in the your digestive system that will result in increased energy for a better detox.
Acupuncture is also helpful during detoxification as it reduces your stress level, which often allows you to finish the detox while working and dealing with the ongoing aspects of your life. By enhancing the immune system with acupuncture you are less likely to pick up a cold or flu during the process as well.
So, consider contacting a qualified acupuncturist for help during your next detoxification. They will often have special packages or programs to fit the needs of your health condition and your lifestyle. Happy detoxing!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Do Doctors & Chiropractors Practice Acupuncture?
You may have come across health care practitioners who perform treatments they call "acupuncture", but who do not have the training nor qualifications of Licensed Acupuncturists.
Sometimes called ‘medical acupuncturists or chiropractors administering acupuncture’, these practitioners are often "certified" after only 100 - 220 hours or less of study, most of which are home study courses. In contrast, Licensed Acupuncturists qualification includes over 3,000 hours of structured study over 3 or more years, the equivalent of a Masters degree.
Patients should be aware of the potential dangers of receiving treatment from healthcare professional’s who are not licensed acupuncturists practitioners. As a Licensed Acupuncturist, I am most concerned about the negative perception of acupuncture and lost confidence of patients who have had a bad experience from 'medical acupuncture' or chiropractors saying they are administering acupuncture when in fact, they are practicing something totally different. Those patients often claim "acupuncture" was painful and had little healing effect. This is unfortunate because, in fact, well-executed acupuncture treatments can have a dramatic positive impact on health.
Some doctors or chiropractors have undergone the full training regiment and truly administer acupuncture. My advise is for patients to know the training of their practitioner and opt for those who will deliver the full benefit of this 2000 year old medicine.
Sometimes called ‘medical acupuncturists or chiropractors administering acupuncture’, these practitioners are often "certified" after only 100 - 220 hours or less of study, most of which are home study courses. In contrast, Licensed Acupuncturists qualification includes over 3,000 hours of structured study over 3 or more years, the equivalent of a Masters degree.
Patients should be aware of the potential dangers of receiving treatment from healthcare professional’s who are not licensed acupuncturists practitioners. As a Licensed Acupuncturist, I am most concerned about the negative perception of acupuncture and lost confidence of patients who have had a bad experience from 'medical acupuncture' or chiropractors saying they are administering acupuncture when in fact, they are practicing something totally different. Those patients often claim "acupuncture" was painful and had little healing effect. This is unfortunate because, in fact, well-executed acupuncture treatments can have a dramatic positive impact on health.
Some doctors or chiropractors have undergone the full training regiment and truly administer acupuncture. My advise is for patients to know the training of their practitioner and opt for those who will deliver the full benefit of this 2000 year old medicine.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Acupuncture Useful for Side Effects of Cancer Treatments
I have successfully used acupuncture to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy and other allopathic treatments. I've noticed news articles confirming my clinical experience. One such report appeared in the April 17th issue of Head and Neck describes a randomized controlled trial conducted by The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center to determine if radiation-induced xerostomia (dry mouth) secondary to radiation for cancer in the head and neck region can be reversed using acupuncture. "This pilot study demonstrates that acupuncture can improve the subjective symptoms of dry mouth in patients with radiation-induced xerostomia as early as two weeks after starting treatment, and the benefits can remain at least one month after treatment ends," the authors concluded. "Studies to investigate both prevention and treatment of acupuncture for radiation-induced xerostomia as well as other side effects of cancer treatment are greatly needed."
Other allopathic treatment-induced side effects that respond well to acupuncture, in my experience, are nausea, itching, anxiety, sleeplessness, and body pain. Often patients welcome non-pharmaceutical options in their health care regiment.
Other allopathic treatment-induced side effects that respond well to acupuncture, in my experience, are nausea, itching, anxiety, sleeplessness, and body pain. Often patients welcome non-pharmaceutical options in their health care regiment.
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