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Monthly Archives : July, 2015

Migraine Pain and Acupuncture Treatment Go Together

When blood vessels in the head dilate, it sometimes causes the coiled arteries in the brain to elongate. This elongation stimulates the release of certain chemicals that cause extreme pain in the head. Scientists consider this physiological phenomenon as the start of migraine. Some of the symptoms that migraine causes include nervousness, neck pain, headaches, and vomiting. Nowadays, there are scores of treatments to choose from which can be bought over the counter in pharmacies or off the internet. Some migraine sufferers opt for more natural and alternative modes of treatments as they try to avoid the side effects that come with taking pharmaceutical drugs. The Chinese have been using acupuncture for ages. It’s their way of treating their headache and migraine problem. Because it is very safe and extremely effective, even medical physicians are now choosing acupuncture over medications or integrate this treatment into their conventional treatment protocols to resolve their patients’ migraine and headache problems.

Dozens of centuries ago in China, the people there did not just use wild plants and herbs to treat several types of diseases. They also utilized needles which they stuck into pressure points in the body. There are over 2,000 pressure points in the human body and each of these points has a correlative body part associated with it. If an illness arises, it often means there is a disorder or imbalance in a certain part of the body. This disorder/imbalance can be resolved by applying pressure to the points that correspond to the affected body part. A doctor or practitioner trained to apply needles into pressure points is called an acupuncturist. Being a qualified acupuncturist entails years of training at an accredited acupuncture school. An acupuncturist just doesn’t heal or cure back pains; he/she also has the skill to treat or even cure many types of health conditions. More information about acupuncture is that it can even restore memory lost due to trauma or accidents. Moreover, unlike any other treatment, acupuncture does not require any surgery. This treatment is relatively inexpensive and no maintenance is required to preserve its health benefits.

Acupuncture can be used even when the person is currently experiencing a migraine attack. It can also be used as a preventative treatment against future migraine attacks. By inserting pressure points with thin sharp edged clean and sterilized needles and deftly manipulating the needles, the acupuncturist can generate a healing response from the body resulting in the relief of the migraine headache. Within the site where the needle is inserted lie nearby blood vessels that dilate due to the needle stimulation causing the sudden increase in blood circulation in that site. In the treatment of migraines, the patient is required to sit rather than lie down. This is to prevent the increased blood flow from going to the brain which experts believe will only exacerbate or trigger the migraine.

Although acupuncture can relieve migraine pain, several experiments indicate it is much better to use as a way to prevent the recurrence of migraines. As the pain is felt in the head, pressure points in that area need to be treated. The points need to be carefully selected as needling a wrong point may lead to potentially severe complications.

In treating migraine with acupuncture in New York, the saying “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” is very much true. Mental, physical, and emotional stress can really be a burden and may result in other health complications such as migraine. No one wants to experience migraine as it is very painful and intolerably painful. if you have migraines, the best way to resolve is to see your doctor first. He/she is the only person who knows what to do before and after the migraine happens. Get to learn and know more about how acupuncture can help resolve migraine pain. And if you are ready, try it out; who knows, it may just be the best answer to your migraine problems.

Migraine Headaches and Acupuncture’s Ability To Treat Them

Acupuncture is a one type of complementary or alternative medicine that originated from TCM or traditional Chinese medicine. A well known pain-relieving treatment, acupuncture involves the insertion of filiform needles into specific points in the body known as acupuncture points or acupoints, for short. After insertion into the skin, the needles are then gently manipulated.

Migraine Prevention Acupuncture Treatment in Vancouver – Between Attacks

Between your migraine attacks, if you decide to try acupuncture and get treated by a practitioner who knows the difference between treatment and prevention, an SES acupuncture form of treatment may be adopted for your migraines.

The practitioner will treat you with the SES technique when you are seated instead of lying down. The needles are then inserted very superficially under the surface of your skin. Acupoints selected for this procedure are often situated on the lower legs and forearms. The acupuncturist then slowly manipulates the needles manually pushing them back and forth while you exhale.

Migraine Acupuncture Treatment – During Attacks

For migraine patients who have decided to try acupuncture, if you are undergoing acupuncture treatment during a migraine attack, the practitioner will most likely insert needles into acupoints all over your body. The same back and forth procedure will be applied to the needles. The needles help dilate the blood vessels as they are manipulated boosting the circulation of blood flow throughout the tissues of the body.

There are other acupuncturists who may utilize a different acupuncture procedure for the treatment of migraine. Since migraine pain is widely attributed to the dilation of blood vessel dilation in the head, they would not insert the needles into the neck or head region. Doing so may only temporarily aggravate the pain. Instead, the acupoints that are selected for treatment are points located on the legs and arms.

Acupuncture for Migraines Studies

Four European newspapers, on March 15 2004 published a study revealing acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating migraines.

In these studies, migraine sufferers treated with acupuncture experienced less severe headaches compared to patients who were administered with conventional migraine treatment. Those who were treated with acupuncture visited the physician less frequently and were able to lessen their intake of medication. They also took less days off compared to the patients who only received standard care.

These studies involved a couple of randomized, controlled trials. One of them studied the effects of acupuncture treatment for migraines when combined with conventional migraine treatments. The study was performed in twelve different regions of Wales and England and involved the participation of 401 patients.

Studies on Acupuncture Treatment for Migraines in the United States

Studies published by two publications in the United States have led to convincing outcomes demonstrating acupuncture’s ability to provide symptomatic relief for migraine sufferers.

The Blackwell Synergy Study

A total of 160 subjects, all women, took part in this study. The study was to determine if acupuncture treatment for migraines really worked in treating migraine headaches. It tested acupuncture’s effectiveness compared to that of Flunarizine for migraine therapy.

One group was given acupuncture treatment once every two week for two months. At the end of the second month of testing, they were given acupuncture once a month for four months.

The second group was administered with Flunarizine every day also for two months. After two months, they were given the drug 20 days in a month for four months.

The outcome of the study was dramatic. It revealed that acupuncture treatment for migraines was more superior in terms of efficacy over Flunarizine.

JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association)

A JAMA publication entitled, “Acupuncture for Patients with Migraine,” posted a study showing 302 participants, all female migraine patients that were grouped into three. One group received real acupuncture treatment for migraines. The second group was treated with sham acupuncture for migraines, and the third was a wait-list control group.

The study’s conductors concluded that sham acupuncture was relatively equally effective as real acupuncture and both treatments showed superior results than that of the wait-list control.

Does Acupuncture Treatment for Migraines Hurt?

Unfortunately, there are lots of migraine sufferers who would rather endure their migraine attacks than be subjected to needles stuck in various parts of their body. If you are one of these people, here are some tips to help you overcome your needle phobia:

The first thing to do is to look for a qualified acupuncturist. You can ask your doctor, family, or friends for referrals.

After you’ve found one, visit the acupuncturist prior to setting up an appointment with him/her. Inquire if the acupuncturist uses disposable sterilized needles and about his/her needle-sterilizing procedures.

If you find you are still scared of needles, tell the acupuncturist if he/she has an alternative treatment that does not involve the use of needles. There are practitioners who use acupressure, electro-acupuncture, laser acupuncture, herbal remedies, ear cups, and/or magnetic needles in lieu of needle acupuncture.

Finally, you can now make an appointment. Be sure to explain the problem you are experiencing to your acupuncturist especially how intense the pain is and how frequent the attacks are. Give as much information as you can. Doing so will enable the acupuncturist to give you the best possible treatment that you need.

If you Want a Natural Treatment for Crohn’s Disease Acupuncture is A Treatment You Should Consider

Because it mimics or copies other condition, Crohn’s disease can be quite hard to diagnose. It may not be the first thing the doctor might consider even when the patient describe the characteristics of the symptom. Individuals often assume they suffer from irritable bowel syndrome and may try to tacke the problem on their own.

Usually Crohn’s sufferers acquire their condition during their younger years (i. e., during their teens). Now there are indications that this disease can run in families, and there even instances when both couples suffer from this disease. Crohn’s can also be caused by the environment. This disease is not fatal although a lot of people will try several modalities to help relieve their symptoms. A Crohn’s patient can also find relief in certain medications and if the condition is severe surgery might be the only option of the patient.

Acupuncture as an alternative treatment to Crohn’s disease.

You have to first understand how acupuncture works in order to know how acupuncture works in the treatment of Crohn’s disease. The ancient Chinese medicinal procedure of acupuncture works on the principle that the body is made up of energy pathways known as meridians that run throughout the body. A blockage in or more these meridians will result in a health issue s including possibly, Crohn’s disease. The acupuncturist uses extremely thin needles that are inserted into specific pressure points in the body known as acupoints. Underneath these acupoints are the meridians. The needle stimulates the meridians resulting in the initiation of therapeutic effects that lead to the treatment of a condition.

The stimulation causes the energy blockages to disappear enabling blood and energy to flowi freely once more. This then helps the body to heal itself.

Since it is an issue involving the digestive tract Crohn’s disease can cause patients to lose weight, as the body has a difficulty ingesting the nutrition from the digested foods in the digestive tract. Problems often affect the intestines although the condition can impact any region of the digestive system. In treating Crohn’s disease acupuncturists target the meridians that are associated with the digestive tract.

There are patients who will say that Crohn’s disease treatment and acupuncture in Bellingham go hand in hand, and there will be other patients who will also state that they derived zero benefits from acupuncture in the treatment of their condition. If you want to try acupuncture, you may first want to consult with your doctor first. He will advice you on the right thing to do and may even recommend a qualified and licensed practitioner who specializes in digestive system disorders.

If You Suffer from Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis) Then Acupuncture Can Help

For those with excessive perspiration problems, acupuncture is a treatment they should consider as it may cure them of their condition. Excessive perspiration, clinically known as hyperhidrosis, is a condition no one knows for sure how it is caused although scientists suspect that it has something to do with the sweat glands reacting extremely to both emotional stress and temperature. Secondary hyperhidrosis can be triggered by issues such as obesity, menopause, cancer, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, anxiety disorders, and panic attacks.

There are several modes of treatment for this condition and they can be as radical and extreme as surgery to as noninvasive and natural as acupuncture. Acupuncture for the treatment of hyperhidrosis has been used to successfully cure excessive sweating.

Acupuncture for the treatment of hyperhidrosis and other types of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments are often ignored and underestimated by western medicine. This foolish way of treating alternative treatments has led to the oftentimes unnecessary use of dangerous treatment such as prescription drugs and surgery for the treatment of a mild disorder such as hyperhidrosis. Developed in China and used there for more than 4,000 years, acupuncture is one of the oldest and most popular forms of medical treatment in the world today.

Acupuncture for the Treatment of Hyperhidrosis. What is It All About?

In the United States, acupuncture initially was mainly used to treat pain. After several studies conducted over the years, it was seen to be helpful in the curing of hyperhidrosis.

Acupuncture is actually a treatment that includes a variety of procedures used to activate anatomical points on the body. Acupuncture is used to activate points directly associated with excessive sweating. Acupuncture techniques used in the US integrate medical traditions in Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, and China. The technique of acupuncture has been the most scientifically studied and it involves the insertion of metallic, solid, thin needles in the skin that are then electrically stimulated or manually manipulated to induce healing effects.

How does Acupuncture for the Treatment of Hyperhidrosis Feel Like?

Patients respond to acupuncture treatment in different and unique ways. However, most patients commonly sense little or no pain as the needles stuck into the skin are extremely thin. Some patients feel extremely relaxed by the treatment while others feel energized. When the needles are improperly inserted or if the needle used has a defect, it can lead to pain and soreness during treatment. These are reasons why it’s always necessary to seek treatment from a licensed and experience hyperhidrosis acupuncturist.

Is acupuncture safe?

In 1996, the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) endorsed acupuncture as a valid treatment for various types of conditions, including hyperhidrosis. The FDA has stated that only nontoxic sterile needles will be used for acupuncture treatment and the needles should be marked for single use by licensed practitioners.

Acupuncture for the treatment of hyperhidrosis has relatively few complications. There are literally millions of patients who go for acupuncture treatment each year in the US with very few complication and treatment issues reported. Most of the complaints are due to the use of dirty needles and improper delivery of treatments. Acupuncture can result in serious negative effects including punctured organs and infection when not delivered properly.

Doctors with a knowledge of what acupuncture is all about can provide with you with excellent referrals for qualified acupuncturists specializing in hyperhidrosis treatment. These days, more and more medical specialists including anesthesiologists, neurologists and physical medicine specialists, are training to become medical acupuncture and practitioners of TCM and other CAM modalities.

Check the Credentials of Your Acupuncturist.

Acupuncturists who specialize or have experience treating excessive sweating should always have a license to legally practice their profession in your state.

Kine Fischler is a licensed acupuncture physician and the clinical director of Willow Tree Wellness Clinic in Portland, OR.

How Acupuncture Can Help with Pregnancy-Related Conditions

Herbal remedies and acupuncture have been proven to greatly boost the chance of conception. They can promote a full-term healthy pregnancy and a happy and healthy baby.

For thousands of years TCM (Traditional Chinese medicine) has been increasing fertility for people wanting to conceive and have a baby. Because Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture can strongly reinforce the endocrine and reproductive systems, they can help resolve a wide range of women’s health concerns that usually impair fertility like PCOS, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, fibroids, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and PMS.

Herbal medicine and acupuncture are modalities that address these gynecological problems and generate overall physical and emotional well-being so as to increase infertility and bring back balance in a woman’s body.

TCM often provides the following benefits for people seeking to promote their fertility in a natural way or with the aid of IVT (in-vitro fertilization), IUI (intra-uterine insemination). Acupuncture therapies should begin both for the male and female three to six months before the start of the IVF process, although acupuncturists can help you at any stage of your fertility therapy.

Chinese Medicine can:

-Relax the uterus
-Regulate hormones
-Lower stress and anxiety
-Boost ovarian functions and the quality and quantity of follicles
-Reinforce the immune system
-Enhance blood flow to the uterus and thicken uterine lining for implantation
-Reduce chances of miscarriages
-Lessen side-effects of western drugs and intervention
-Increase sperm quality, motility, and count

The patient and acupuncturist work closely together to make sure a healthy pregnancy is attained. Besides herbal medicine and acupuncture, the patient actively participates in her own fertility and health using lifestyle and nutritional therapies, cervical fluid tracking and Basal Body Temperature charts.


TCM provides a number of natural means of achieving healthy pregnancies that is safe for both baby and mother. Pregnancy is a special and unique experience in the life of a woman. It is a time when a woman starts to see that besides herself she is also nurturing another life, a life she has created that needs to be supported and provided with all the love and care that it needs.

TCM is able to facilitate any emotional and physical changes a woman undergoes that happen during each trimester of her pregnancy. It is also able to guarantee a healthy and comfortable pregnancy. Acupuncture therapies once a week can aid in the preparation of the woman for a smooth labor by relieving stress and anxiety, relaxing the pelvic floor muscles, and helping the baby lower into position as the mother approaches her due date. Acupuncture is likewise an effective treatment to improve labor.

Labor Induction Using Acupuncture Treatment in Cleveland

Acupuncture in TCM, can be utilized to assist in the preparation of a woman for labor or induce labor as birth pangs are starting to be felt or when the mother is past due. Labor naturally starts when the baby secretes a hormone known as oxytocin. This triggers the maternal hormones to set in motion labor. Acupuncture can generate a conducive and comfortable environment that encourages the baby to release oxytocin. It also helps ripens and softens the mother’s cervix and relaxes the floor muscles of her pelvis allowing the release of the baby and increasing flow of blood to the uterus. Moreover, acupuncture is a very effective tool to relieve painful symptoms that can also help calm anxiety to bring about a very comfortable birth. Acupuncture is an excellent way to induce labor especially in cases when delivery is long overdue. It also can be used in cases when the baby has health problems or when the membrane has been prematurely broken.

Breech Presentation Acupuncture Treatment

In cases when the fetus is in an upright or breech position, moxibustion and acupuncture can be successfully used to turn the baby back into its normal position, which is the head-down (cephalad) position. In certain instances, as few as one session of acupuncture can turn the baby completely. Moxibustion is a treatment in which the Moxa plant is used and burned to stimulate the acupoints. This treatment can be done in the comfort of your home or office using a moxa stick and instructions from the acupuncturist on how to properly apply the treatment. The mother needs to always consult with her doctor or midwife to see if the baby needs to be turned.

Pregnancy Related Sciatica Acupuncture Treatment

As the baby grows much faster during the last few months of pregnancy, the pelvic joints begin to relax to adapt to the birthing process, mothers that are expecting may experience sciatica and back pain that can be as light as a small discomfort or as severe as a crippling and exhausting condition. The night is usually when the pain is at its worst and unfortunately Western medicine has very few remedies for this problem. The best it probably can offer is painkillers, advice about proper posture or back exercises to deal with the problem. TCM has the very effective modality of acupuncture to treat pregnancy related sciatica and back pain. By knowing the energy channel or meridian that has the blockage, acupuncture can aid in increasing the flow of qi (energy) and cure the condition.

Common Conditions during Each Trimester of Pregnancy Treatable with Acupuncture

First Trimester

-Digestion irregularities
-Morning Sickness
-Colds and sinus congestion
-Frequent Urination
-Miscarriage prevention

Second Trimester

-Body aches
-Varicose veins

Third Trimester

-Delayed labor
-Back pain
-Breech presentation
-Muscle cramps

Post Partum Recuperation

An invaluable tool for fast post-partum recovery, TCM understands that a new mother loses much of her vital energy during childbirth. One of the most important time wherein she needs to get back her strength and energy, the post partum period is a phase in her life where the need to take care of herself is just as important as the caring for her newborn.

Common Post Partum Recovery Conditions that Acupuncture can treat:

-Body pains and aches
-Urinary Difficulty
-Persistent Lochia
-Insufficient lactation
-Healing from incisions