How to Quit Smoking With Acupuncture

Acupuncture Helps You Quit Smoking

Acupuncture treatment is a very powerful tool for removing smoking addiction. This treatment is not very popular among the people who are planning to quit. However it is a very effective and reliable method for quitting smoking which has no side effects at all.

Millions of dollars are spent every year on different types of medications for smoking cessation programs. However, not all these programs are beneficial. This is because all these programs do not provide any incentive to quit smoking. Acupuncture provides the extra impetus to the smoker to quit smoking for good. But how does acupuncture really work?

Acupuncture uses small needles of different lengths and sizes to stimulate the skin in a particular area of the human body. The area for stimulation is chosen corresponding to meridian or pathway that provides energy to the affected body field or area. In case of smoking cessation, needles are inserted in the areas that will affect energy flow to the mouth, lungs and respiratory system as well as parts of the brain that generate cravings for tobacco smoke.


It is proved in studies that smokers who are given acupuncture treatment have less desire to smoke and their smoking actually decreases after the treatment of acupuncture. It has been proved over and over again that people who receive acupuncture treatment are twice as likely to quit smoking than people who smoke.

But, it is also important that you follow some simple things to receive the full benefit of the acupuncture treatment. They are:
1) A smoker receiving acupuncture treatment to kick the habit must get it twice a week for three weeks without any gap, for the treatment to be fully effective.

2) The smoker getting the medication will be taught to do self acupressure on ears in order to reinforce the treatment and help cravings to pass.

3) It is always better to use this method with other therapies such as nicotine replacement therapy or support groups.

Even if acupuncture can not help you recover fully, it will surely help you reduce the

Asbestos Cancer (II)

What is Asbestos?

For most individuals, especially those born in the last 40 years, the mention of asbestos conjures up thoughts of a dangerous substance that's sickened many people and caused myriad deaths around the world. That's an accurate description.

A common misconception on the part of many individuals, however, is that asbestos is a hazardous man-made substance, conjured up in factories around the world for commercial use. The truth is, however, that asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that can be found in hundreds of countries on just about every continent. As a matter of fact, asbestos is still mined in several of these countries, including Canada and Russia. Other countries have outlawed the mining of asbestos.

Asbestos is a highly-fibrous mineral with long, thin, separable fibers. The thin fibers can be spun and woven together, and possess valuable heat-resistant properties that make asbestos suitable for insulation and other such products. Indeed, for decades, asbestos was the material of choice for many industries that were manufacturing products for which heat resistance, low electrical conductivity, flexibility, and high tensile strength were essential factors. Today, there are other alternatives.

There are two kinds of asbestos. The serpentine variety is curly. Chrysotile asbestos, most commonly used for industrial purposes, is from the serpentine family. Other asbestos fibers, from the amphibole family, are very straight and needle-like. Amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite are amphibole asbestos varieties.

Currently, chrysotile asbestos is the only type mined on a wide-scale though a handful of countries continue to mine other forms. However, worldwide outrage about the use of dangerous asbestos has forced many countries to reconsider their position on mining.

Why is Asbestos a Health Concern?
Studies estimate that approximately 3,000 different types of commercial products include asbestos. In and of itself, the mineral is not harmful, as long as it's intact. However, when the asbestos in these products is damaged and the fibers become airborne, concerns begin to arise.

"Friable" asbestos - that which is dry and can be easily crumbled with the hand - is the culprit. Such asbestos is more likely to release fibers into the air. Spray-applied asbestos fireproofing, which was used in millions of buildings throughout the world, is of the friable variety. However, some non-friable asbestos can also release airborne fibers, particularly when sanded, chopped, hammered, cut, or otherwise manipulated. That's why, when demolishing a building that contains asbestos, proper removal and disposal in a designated asbestos landfill is essential before the building is torn down.

Why are Airborne Fibers Dangerous?
Inhaled asbestos fibers remain in the body and cannot be expelled. Because of this, the fibers can easily penetrate body tissues and may deposit themselves in airways and in the lung tissue. The more you're exposed, the more likely you might develop an asbestos-related disease. Most people exposed to asbestos on a very casual basis probably will not develop such a disease.

Once the fibers are lodged in the body, they will cause inflammation which may eventually result in the formation of cancerous tumors, particularly on the mesothelium - the lining of the lungs. Other affected areas may include the peritoneum - the lining of the abdomen - and the pericardium - the lining around the heart. There are various type of mesothelioma treatment options for each type.

With some recent exceptions found in workers at the World Trade Center disaster, asbestos-related diseases, such as pleural mesothelioma, usually take decades to surface. That's why current cases of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases involve many individuals who were employed in shipyards during World War II, performing jobs that exposed them to friable asbestos on a daily basis. Shipyard workers are among those most affected by aggressive asbestos cancer.

Is Asbestos Banned?
Contrary to what many people believe, asbestos is not and has never been banned in the United States. In 1976, Congress passed a law to regulate toxic substances (known as the Toxic Substances Control Act) but a total ban was not suggested. In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized regulations to ban asbestos under the aforementioned act, but two years later, a New Orleans circuit court of appeal overturned the regulation. The result was that new uses of the dangerous mineral were banned but old ones remained.

Many other industrialized nations have banned asbestos including the European Union and a handful of other countries, such as Chile, Croatia, Australia, Argentina, and Saudi Arabia. Several countries, especially those who continue to make money from the mining of asbestos, consistently fight against asbestos bans.

A few current U.S. senators, with the assistance of asbestos watchdog groups, hope to encourage the government to reconsider a ban on all asbestos products. A new bill, called the "Ban Asbestos in America Act of 2007" (S.742), was introduced by Senator Patty Murray on March 1, 2007.

Asbestos Cancer (I)

Mesothelioma is sometimes referred to asbestos cancer. It is referred to this because the only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma in different ways depending on the variety of the malignancy.

Pleural Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Pleural mesothelioma, the most common variety, is caused by inhaled asbestos fibers which lodge themselves in the pleural lining of the lungs. Asbestos fibers, which are microscopic but durable, then irritate the inner tissue, causing the growth of harmful scar tissue and eventually mesothelioma.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Peritoneal mesothelioma is less common and doctors have not exacted relationship between the asbestos exposure and the malignancy. However, nearly all peritoneal mesothelioma patients have a history of asbestos exposure. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdominal cavity, near the digestive tract. Doctors surmise that ingested asbestos fibers lodge in the outer tissue of the organs and cause a similar inflammation as in the pleura.

Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the heart and is extremely rare. Like peritoneal mesothelioma, very little is known about the relationship between the malignancy and asbestos exposure but nearly all patients have asbestos exposure history. Physicians surmise that because the cancer occurs in the heart’s lining, the asbestos fibers may impact the heart through the bloodstream.

Lung Cancer and Asbestos
Asbestos has also been linked to cancers of the lung, as opposed to the pleural lining of the lungs. These are likely the result of malfunction caused due the exposure and inhalation of asbestos fibers, which can also cause chronic respiratory conditions such as asbestosis.

Cancer Alternative Treatment - Gene Therapy for Cancer a Report from Cha...

Treating Mesothelioma with the Help of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a well known remedy for a very large number of diseases and conditions, so it doesn't come as a surprise the fact that it's also being used in helping mesothelioma cancer patients.

Acupuncture is not the cure for mesothelioma, or any kind of cancer, for that matter, but it is used as pain reliever, and a form of relaxation after a session of ordinary mesothelioma treatment, and a lot the patients using it say it works very well, alongside other such treatment methods.

Mesothelioma acupuncture benefits
When treating this disease, and even when patients just got their diagnosed, they will be in a lot of pain, a result of many factors. Other mesothelioma cancer symptoms may also be hard to live with, and acupuncture can help in that way. Some of the benefits you can hope to achieve when using acupuncture:

relieve pain
helps relax muscles and organs
stimulates the growth of healthy cells
treat nausea
Asked about this kind of procedure, a large number of patients said that acupuncture helped them getting through the mesothelioma process. They experience almost no pain, they feel better, in general. Some of the subjects said they stopped taking pain relievers all together after starting acupuncture. Together with other such remedies, acupuncture can make a lot of difference, may just give you a better view of your situation, because of the fact that it helps you also relax.

Some studies conducted suggest that this kind of treatment may even help in conjunction with immunotherapy; because it helps the body strengthen its immune system even further.

How patients react during an mesothelioma acupuncture session
In general, patients seem to react well to acupuncture, although some of them report sleepiness or some sort of pain during the procedure. Few of them said they experienced a form of anxiety when feeling the small needles piercing the skin, but after the physician was done, they felt great.

As far as mesothelioma alternative treatments go, acupuncture is one that patient can faithfully try. It will not cure their cancer, but it will most surely make their life a lot better. Not only is it cheap, but it also helps the mind, by relaxing the body.

Do you think you should try acupuncture, but have no start point? Contact Bamboowisdom@gmail.com and we will provide with all the information you need. It is free.

Acupuncture - Alternative Mesothelioma Treatments

Theory of AcupunctureThe foundational theory of acupuncture is based on a principle that involves treating the entire body rather than just the affected organ or area. According to this set of theories, diseases are caused by an imbalance of factors called Yin, Yang, Qi, and Blood. In this practice, treating disease involves manipulation of the body to improve balance between these four factors.

Acupuncture employs the use of fine needles into the body's defined 'pressure points' to improve the flow of the four factors in the body, and improve the body's balance and harmony. There are almost four hundred different pressure points located all over the body. The pressure points that are stimulated during an acupuncture session may not be in the area where a patient feels pain. For example, a patient who is receiving acupuncture treatment for headaches may actually be treated in the webbing between the thumb and palm.

Many scientific theories have been proposed to account for how acupuncture works in the body. There is no doubt that it does provide symptomatic relief of pain, stress, and anxiety. One theory proposes that it is possible to modify the transmission of pain at many different sites in the body. Another is that acupuncture causes the release of hormones called endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are known to block pain and produce mild feelings of euphoria - these are what kick in during exercise, and are responsible for the so-called 'natural high' that many endurance athletes feel during events.



Acupuncture for the Treatment of Asbestos-Related DiseasesWhen it comes to the treatment of asbestos-related cancers, acupuncture is one of the most widely accepted alternative therapies. Those coping with asbestos-related diseases, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma, can use acupuncture to treat symptoms of pain, stress, and anxiety. Many patients with asbestosis who have tried acupuncture say the treatment helps relieve pain and makes breathing much easier.

During an acupuncture consultation, an acupuncturist asks their patient a number of questions relating to their health and symptoms. They also inspect certain points of the body, such as the face, mouth, and specific acupuncture points, to determine the best course of treatment. This initial examination allows the acupuncturist to determine which pressure points must be manipulated for the patient to experience relief from their symptoms.

During the actual treatment, very thin, sterilized needles are inserted into each pressure point. Once all needles are inserted, the patient may be left to rest for several minutes, or up to half an hour, before the needles are removed.

Acupuncture treatments are particularly desirable because when practiced by a skilled acupuncturist, there are virtually no harmful side effects in most cases. Around 3 percent of patients may experience some minor bleeding at points where needles were inserted. Around 2 percent of patients may experience some bruising at the site, while approximately 1 percent may experience some dizziness (usually as a result of anxiety relating to the treatment). It has been advised that people with bleeding disorders and those taking blood thinners should avoid acupuncture. In addition, those with infusion pumps, cardiac pacemakers, or any other electrical device are advised to avoid electroacupuncture.

Treating Mesothelioma Alternative Treatments - Acupuncture

Acupuncture for Insomnia

Insomnia
is a frequent complaint in the acupuncture business. Chronic insomnia is defined as no restorative sleep for at least three nights a week for one month or longer. Sleep can be disturbed by a number of reasons, such as stress, anxiety, medications and physical conditions. Western medicine has very little to offer patients in the way of relief. Antidepressant medications can help, but for people who are hesitant about living on drugs, then acupuncture is the way to go. Acupuncture has an extremely calming effect on the nervous system, and over time, it can help to correct the imbalances causing insomnia without creating side effects, according to Annie Sturmn, a licensed acupuncture physician and owner of Annie Sturman Acupuncture. She has been treating patients for the past 20 years with pain and illnesses.




Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points of the surface of the body. These points lie along conduits of energy called meridians. When these points are stimulated the benefits are endless. When insomnia is treated, points of the heart or pericardium meridians are commonly chosen. According to some acupuncturists, some of the points that calm the mind also have the effect of helping the heart to pump blood more efficiently. Chinese medicine also has many forms of insomnia, and each is treated with a different combination of points as well as different herbal formulas. "Unless you take time for yourself and find the time to eat well, exercise and relax, no treatment is going to eliminate your insomnia completely," Sturman says. However, "Chinese Medicine can eliminate or greatly reduce your symptoms as long as you keep your diet and lifestyle together."

Sturman says that one of the key ingredients in treating insomnia is to ask specific questions as to what causes insomnia. "We have to find out why they have it, what's going on in their body that's causing it, why the flow of energy isn't working properly and which system isn't working or which meridian," she says. Each form of insomnia has as many variations on the theme as there are people who suffer from it.

Sleep disturbances sometimes require a combination of therapies. In addition to acupuncture, psychological counseling and lifestyle changes may be needed as well to treat insomnia. For example, "I had a guy who could not sleep at night," Sturman says. "I asked him if there was a TV in his bedroom. He said 'yes, I don't watch it, but it is on at night.' He said his wife would fall asleep with it on at night, and then he would just listen to the background noise. After consideration I recommended for him to take the TV out of his bedroom and the insomnia went away. Sometimes it just takes common sense and intuition."

Chinese Aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, self-massage, recipes for medical wines, teas and porridges, all are self-help ways to treat insomnia.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupressure Therapy : How to Use Acupressure Points for Migraine Headaches

Infertility Problem? Acupuncture Can Help You!

Acupuncture, Pregnancy, Infertility

Acupuncture is the insertion of ultra-thin, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points on the body which reside on channels or meridians; these are pathways in both the exterior and interior of the body. These points, when needled, can regulate the way in which the body functions. Acupuncture helps by addressing problems that affect fertility such as under-functioning (hypothyroidism) or over-functioning (hyperthyroidism).

Can acupuncture be used to treat infertility?
Acupuncture, frequently combined with herbal medicine, has been used for centuries to treat some causes of infertility. For example, acupuncture and herbs will not work to address tubal adhesions which can occur as a result of pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis. However, in this situation, an individual could still benefit from acupuncture and herbs because of the potential effect of improved ovarian and follicular function. Additionally, it is shown that acupuncture can increase blood flow to the endometrium, helping to facilitate a thick, rich lining.

When should acupuncture treatment begin?
Acupuncture is similar to physical therapy in that it is a process oriented method of medical intervention. It is better to do more than less. Patients are commonly treated for three to four months before an insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), or donor-egg transfer. This period of treatment seems to have a therapeutic effect.

In a study by Stener-Victorin et al from the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fertility Centre, Scandinavia and University of Gothenburg, women are encouraged to receive acupuncture treatments pre and post embryo transfer. Clinical observations from the Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness suggest that the most effective fertility treatments involve a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and traditional medical interventions. However, conception does sometimes occur when acupuncture and herbal medicines are used without traditional medical interventions.

When should I stop getting acupuncture?
Typically most miscarriages occur within the first three months of pregnancy. Therefore, treatment of patients may often last through week twelve to help prevent miscarriage.

Are the acupuncture points different after an insemination, IVF, or donor-egg transfer than before?
Your acupuncturist should not place needles in the abdomino-pelvic area after insemination or transfer. There are 6 contraindicated acupuncture points which should be avoided when the patient is pregnant or pregnancy is suspected. These include Gallbladder 21, Stomach 12, Large Intestine 4, Spleen 6, Bladder 60, Bladder 67 and any points on the lower abdomen.

What are the risks of using acupuncture?
There are minimal risks when using acupuncture for fertility treatment. A risk of miscarriage may develop if incorrect acupuncture points are used when a woman is pregnant. This is one reason why those wishing to include acupuncture in their treatment regimen should only be treated by an acupuncturist who specializes in treating fertility disorders. Acupuncture is not contraindicated for anyone regardless of their pathology or what medications they are taking.

What types of fertility patients typically get acupuncture?
Acupuncture can be used to treat any type of fertility disorder including spasmed tubes. (Spasmed tubes are often de-spasmed with acupuncture, though blocked tubes will not respond to acupuncture). Acupuncture is often combined with herbs to treat elevated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), repeated pregnancy loss, unexplained (idiopathic) infertility, luteal phase defect, hyperprolactinemia (when not caused by a prolactinoma), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with annovulatory cycles, and male factor including men affected with sperm-DNA-fragmentation.

More details, Email to bamboowisdom@gmail.com

Acupressure Points and Techniques : Acupressure Points for Asthma & Bron...

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a common lung disease, aggravated by cigarette smoke, industrial pollutants, and dust. It involves the irreparable destruction of lung tissue. There is often an asthmatic element in bronchitis as irritants such as smoke and dust cause the muscular walls of the breathing tubes to contract.
Acupuncture cannot rebuild lung tissue, but by opening up the breathing tubes it can allow the remaining lung tissue to function efficiently. The mechanism of acupuncture in bronchitis is probably much the same as in asthma, allowing more air to enter the lungs. Recent Chinese work has shown that about 50 per cent of bronchitics 'benefit' from acupuncture. The treatment must be repeated regularly if the effect is to be maintained.

Acupuncture and Sinusitis

Have you ever wondered about whether acupuncture can be used to treat sinusitis? Sinusitis, sinus congestion, asthma, and allergic symptoms as well as many other diseases can be helped by the use of acupuncture and herbal medicine.

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the sinus cavities, which are found around the eyes inside the skull. Both allergy and viral infections can trigger sinusitis and sinus headache, as well as exposure to directly irritating substances such as smoke and cosmetic fragrances. Sinus congestion or sinus pain can also be the result. Sinusitis and allergy symptoms are increasing in our society, and often require treatment with powerful drugs which cause a variety of side effects.

Allergy to inhaled pollutants and pollen also contribute to sinus diseases. Most modern cities have problems with air quality outdoors, and indoor air is subject to pollution by furnishings, household chemicals, cosmetics and pet dander. Casual use of lawn chemicals and pesticides have also affected a number of my patients.

Symptoms of allergy and hypersensitivity may affect the body in the sinuses, the airways, the mucous membranes, the lungs or the skin. Some individuals develop problems in all of these areas. Sinus symptoms may include sinus congestion, watery or sticky discharges, sinus pain, sinus headache and sinus pressure. Sinus inflammation can also trigger facial headaches as well as "migraine" type vascular headaches.

The use of acupuncture and dietary therapy can be very helpful to reduce or eliminate the signs and symptoms of allergic and irritant sinusitis, sinus headache, sinus pain, and sinus congestion. Patients report that they can use fewer medications and feel better.

Acupuncture therapy and traditional Oriental medicinals prepared from different herbs are very effective in relieving many complex physical disorders like sinusitis, sinus headache, sinus congestion, and sinus pain.

When you decide to undergo acupuncture for sinusitis, sinus headache, chronic sinus congestion, or sinus allergy, an individualized treatment program will be designed for your particular imbalance. At our site we give you a lot of information on treatment with traditional Oriental medicine.

Time will prove that traditional methods of treatment like acupuncture help to reduce medical cost and suffering. One secret of improving health lies in the use of traditional medicine for helping your physical and emotional imbalances.

by Dr. L.B. Grotte, M.D., Lic. Ac

Treating Anxiety ~ Natural Relief Through Acupuncture

Though many treatments are available to relieve symptoms of anxiety, acupuncture remains an effective and safe option when considering alternative treatment.


Most people experience anxiety at some point in their lives. Anxiety is an important factor in survival, triggering the fight or flight response. However, when even the simplest tasks generate an anxious response, there is cause for concern.

Symptoms of anxiety range from constant worrying to debilitating panic attacks. It can cause an increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and even dizziness and confusion.

Though certain medication may be useful to anxiety sufferers, many times, the reported side effects are disconcerting to the patient and they may seek alternative care instead.

Treating Anxiety with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) embraces a deep and inseparable connection between mind and body. Optimal health is based on a precise balance of energy between each organ in the body.

According to TCM, energy or chi travels along pathways throughout the body. When the body experiences pain, dysfunction, or disease it means that the pathways are encountering a blockage and chi can no longer pass through.

TCM utilizes acupuncture needles to create a state of profound relaxation which promotes rest and healing for the mind and body. The needles inserted into acupoints in the body stimulate the parasympathetic system which ultimately slows the heart rate and allows the body to relax. The blockage is then removed and energy can begin to flow through again.

How an Acupuncture Treatment Works
During an initial visit, the acupuncturist asks a series of questions to determine what kind of anxiety the patient suffers from. Each physical symptom paints a kind of picture which the acupuncturist uses to diagnose and treat the patient’s particular state of anxiety.

Depending on how the anxiety presents itself to the patient, the acupuncturist will determine which organ’s energy is being depleted. Then, needle points are painlessly inserted into corresponding locations in the body to stimulate and strengthen the energy of that organ.

Generally, a patient will experience immediate relief of acute symptoms during a treatment. Once a patient begins regular treatments, symptoms will lessen in frequency and severity.

The number of treatments necessary depends on the severity of anxiety and the how long the patient has suffered. When the patient does achieve an optimal state of mental and emotional health, either monthly or quarterly treatments will be required to maintain balance.

Acupuncture, Anxiety and Research
A study performed at Yale University School of Medicine and Yale-New Haven Hospital used three randomized treatment groups to test the efficacy of acupuncture. The results indicated that, “Analyzing anxiety levels using repeated-measures analysis of variance has demonstrated a significant difference between the three treatment groups.” The study concluded that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for chronic anxiety disorders and can notably decrease anxiety levels.

More details, email to bamboowisdom@gmail.com

Acupuncture as Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment Does Acupuncture Work? If So, How?

Acupuncture treatments for fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS) are becoming much more common, either alone or as a complementary therapy.

Chinese acupuncture dates back thousands of years as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) but only caught the attention of the American public in the 1970s. The National Institutes of Health formally recognized acupuncture as part of mainstream medicine in 1997, saying the procedure is safe and effective at treating a wide range of conditions, including fibromyalgia.

Acupuncture Studies
In the West, acupuncture has been studied more for FMS than ME/CFS, but many doctors, acupuncturists and people with ME/CFS say they've had success with it. Several Chinese studies have shown it's effective for ME/CFS. Your specific Western diagnosis likely won't be important to an acupuncturist, who uses different terminology to diagnose and treat you.

As acupuncture has moved more into the mainstream, many insurance companies have added it to their policies, and some doctor's offices and clinics have begun to offer it at their facilities. Make sure you know the details of your insurance policy before assuming it will cover acupuncture treatments.

How Does Acupuncture Work?
While multiple studies have shown that acupuncture does have the effects taught by TCM, researchers can't pinpoint exactly why it has the effects. Research suggests that it may produce complex changes in the brain and body, possibly by stimulating nerve fibers that then send signals to the brain and spinal cord to release certain hormones that block pain and makes you feel better. A study using images of the brain showed that acupuncture raises your pain threshold -- which is low in people with FMS and ME/CFS -- and therefore gives you long-term pain relief. One British experiment using magnetoencephalography (MEG) brain scans showed that acupuncture actually can deactivate part of your brain's pain matrix.

According to TCM, acupuncture works by correcting energy pathways through your body. This life-force energy is called qi or chi (pronounced "chee"). Qi flows through meridians in the body, each of which corresponds to an organ or group of organs. If you have too much, too little, or blocked qi, TCM teaches that it will create health problems.

If this is hard to understand, picture a stream. If something blocks the flow of water, pressure builds up behind the blockage and water can go spilling out over the banks. Too much water can lead to floods, while too little water can kill off plants and animals that live there. The purpose of acupuncture is to keep the stream flowing free and at desired amounts.

Benefits vs. Risks of Acupuncture
When you consider treatment options for FMS and ME/CFS, or any health condition for that matter, it's important to weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks.
According to experts, both Eastern and Western, the potential benefits of acupuncture include:

Less pain
Better sleep
Relaxation
Possible immune system boost
Better overall health
Research released in 2008 showed that after 20 acupuncture treatments, people with FMS had significant improvements in pain and quality of life that lasted for 3 months after treatment was stopped, with a gradual decline in those areas until all benefit was gone after 2 years.

Acupuncture can be much safer than other therapies, especially if you're combining several different treatments. Benefits as a complementary therapy include:

No negative interactions with other treatments, including drugs
Extremely mild side effects
Low risk
Possible risks of acupuncture are extremely rare, especially with a licensed acupuncturist. Risks include:

Infection from non-sterile needles
Organ puncture (very rare occurrence)
Nausea
Dizziness & fainting
Bruising
Licensed practitioners in the United States are required to use sterile needles and dispose of them after each use, but this is not required in all parts of the world.

An Acupuncture Exam for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
When you go to an acupuncturist, he/she will likely take your pulse at several points along both wrists. Don't be surprised when you're asked to stick out your tongue; in TCM, the tongue's shape, color and coating are important diagnostic tools. (Tip: When you brush your teeth that day, skip the tongue so you don't disturb the coating.)

The needles only go in about a centimeter. After inserting them, the acupuncturist will twist or gently wiggle them to get them firmly into the proper point. You might get a muscle twitch or brief ache, or you might feel nothing at all. Once all the needles are in (the amount used varies), you'll stay in place and rest for anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. You'll probably be extremely relaxed and could even fall asleep. Afterward, the acupuncturist will pluck out the needles, which doesn't hurt at all.

A few hours after your first treatment, you could feel some aches around your body. This is normal, and practitioners say it's a sign that the treatment is working. The aches don't typically last long, and over-the-counter pain relievers will help. It's common to sleep more deeply than usual that night, which is a definite bonus for anyone with FMS and ME/CFS.

Finding an Acupuncturist for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Your doctor or clinic may be able to refer you to a qualified acupuncturist, and you can also check with your insurance company to see if it has a list of practitioners that participate in your health plan. Most states require acupuncturists to be licensed, so look for the title "LAc."

More details, e-mail to Bamboowisdom@gmail.com

Acupuncture Therapy : Acupuncture Back Pain Demo

Is there any proof that Acupuncture relieves pain?

Controlled studies have had varied responses (possibly because they have been too small), but most studies have produced positive results - the majority of people obtaining pain relief. Research has shown acupuncture to be especially useful in relieving nausea from chemotherapy and surgery. Acupuncture may relieve many types of pain and conditions, including low back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, and more.

One of the largest and longest study ever showed that an extended course of acupuncture reduced pain by 40% in those with knee osteoarthritis. The results were not immediate - after 8 weeks there was an improvement in functioning only; after 14 weeks there was an improvement in pain. This study was funded by NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, both divisions of National Institutes of Health.

What to Expect from Your First Acupuncture Treatment

What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the oldest recorded forms of medicine, having been used in China for over 3,000 years! There are several theories as to how the effects are produced - research has been able to show that acupuncture stimulates the brain to produce endorphins (which are natural pain relieving chemicals.) These assist the body to heal itself and gain pain relief. There is now increasing scientific evidence to support the effects of acupuncture.

Is Acupuncture safe?
Yes. All our physiotherapists are members of the AACP (Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherpists ). Members are rigourously trained to maintain the strictest hygiene levels and will only use pre-sterilised, disposable needles. All our therapists are also trained to give pain relief with their acupuncture training, which has been taken to a post-graduate level.

Will it work?
Research has shown that 70% of people will gain a significant amount of relief from pain through acupuncture. The effects of acupuncture are cumulative, with a build of effects as treatment progresses.

What should a patient expect?
Chartered Physiotherapists assess using a detailed examination and plan a treatment programme with their patients. When acupuncture is used, it may be combined with a range of other treatments. Most private health insurance schemes will cover the costs of Acupuncture carried out by Chartered Physiotherapists (check our prices page for more details).

Will it hurt?
Unsurprisingly, this is the most common question asked by patients when needles are used! When inserted the fine needles give rise to a sensation which should only be a temporary mild discomfort at the most. At times a more intense sensation is experienced. This is thought to be a positive indicator of the movement of energy at the acupuncture point, and is nothing to worry about.

Common problems treated at the clinic by acupuncture are:

•Back and neck pains
•Nerve pains
•Sports injuires
•Repetive strain injuries
•Muscle and ligament problems
•Joint pains
•Frozen shoulders
•Plus many other problems!



BambooWisdom Acupuncture ~~
More information: Email:bamboowisdom@gmail.com

"DOCTOR, WHAT'S THIS ACUPUNCTURE ALL ABOUT?"

ACUPUNCTURE: WHAT IS IT?

Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning. This is done by inserting needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points.



HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?

The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These energy channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up in others.

The meridians can be influenced by needling the acupuncture points; the acupuncture needles unblock the obstructions at the dams, and reestablish the regular flow through the meridians. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body's internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption, and energy production activities, and in the circulation of their energy through the meridians.

The modern scientific explanation is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body's own internal regulating system.

The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture results in stimulating the body's natural healing abilities, and in promoting physical and emotional well-being.



WHAT IS MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE? IS IT DIFFERENT FROM ORDINARY ACUPUNCTURE?

Acupuncture is a very old medical art, and there are many approaches to learning and practicing it. Medical acupuncture is the term used to describe acupuncture performed by a doctor trained and licensed in Western medicine who has also had thorough training in acupuncture as a specialty practice. Such a doctor can use one or the other approach, or a combination of both as the need arises, to treat an illness.



WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE?

Medical acupuncture is a system which can influence three areas of health care:

promotion of health and well-being,
prevention of illness,
treatment of various medical conditions.
While acupuncture is often associated with pain control, in the hands of a well-trained practitioner it has much broader applications. Acupuncture can be effective as the only treatment used, or as the support or adjunct to other medial treatment forms in many medical and surgical disorders.The World Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems, including:

Digestive disorders: gastritis and hyperacidity, spastic colon, constipation, diarrhea.
Respiratory disorders: sinusitis, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, recurrent chest infections.
Neurological and muscular disorders: headaches, facial tics, neck pain, rib neuritis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, various forms of tendinitis, low back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis.
Urinary, menstrual, and reproductive problems.
Acupuncture is particularly useful in resolving physical problems related to tension and stress and emotional conditions.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?

The number of treatments needed differs from person to person. For complex or long-standing conditions, one or two treatments a week for several months may be recommended. For acute problems, usually fewer visits are required, and for health

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS TO THE TREATMENT?

Usually not. As energy is redirected in the body, internal chemicals and hormones are stimulated and healing begins to takeplace. Occasionally the original symptoms worsen for a few days, or other general changes in appetite, sleep, bowel or urination patterns, or emotional state may be triggered. These should not cause concern, as they are simply indications that the acupuncture is starting to work. It is quite common with the first one or two treatments to have a sensation of deep relaxation or even mild disorientation immediately following the treatment. These pass within a short time, and never require anything more than a bit of rest to overcome.



WHAT ARE THE NEEDLES LIKE? DO THEY HURT?



People experience acupuncture needling differently. Most patients feel only minimal pain as the needles are inserted; some feel no pain at all. Once the needles are in place, there is no pain felt. Acupuncture needles are very thin and solid and are made from stainless steel. The point is smooth (not hollow with cuttingedges like a hypodermic needle) and insertion through the skin is not as painful as injections or blood sampling. The risk of bruising and skin irritation is less than when using a hollow needle.

Because your doctor carefully sterilizes the needles using the same techniques as for surgical instruments, or uses disposable needles, there is no risk of infection from the treatments.



DOES ACUPUNCTURE REALLY WORK?

Yes. In the past 2,000 years, more people have been successfully treated with acupuncture than with all other health modalities combined. Today acupuncture is practiced widely in Asia, the Soviet Union, and in Europe. It is now being used more and more in America by patients and physicians. Acupuncture treatments can be given at the same time other techniques are being used, such as conventional Western medicine,osteopathic or chiropractic adjustments, and homeopathic ornaturopathic prescriptions. It is important that your physician-acupuncturist know everything that you are doing, so he or she can help you get the most benefit from all your treatments.



DO I HAVE TO BELIEVE IN ACUPUNCTURE FOR IT TO WORK?

No. Acupuncture is used successfully on cats, dogs, horses and other animals. These animal patients do not understand or believein the process that helps them get better. A positive attitude toward wellness may reinforce the effects of the treatment received, just as a negative attitude may hinder the effects of acupuncture or any other treatment. A neutral attitude ("I don't know if I really believe in this.") will not block the treatment results.



ARE THERE ANY "DO'S AND DONT'S" FOR ME ON THE DAY OF A TREATMENT?

Yes. To enhance the value of a treatment, the following guidelines are important:

Do not eat an unusually large meal immediately before or after your treatment.
Do not over-exercise, engage in sexual activity, or consume alcoholic beverages within 6 hours before or after the treatment.
Plan your activities so that after the treatment you can get some rest, or at least not have to be working at top performance. This is especially important for the first few visits.
Continue to take any prescription medicines as directed by your regular doctor. Substance abuse (drugs and alcohol) especially in the week prior to treatment, will seriously interfere with the effectiveness of acupuncture reatments.
Remember to keep good mental or written notes of what your response is to the treatment. This is important for your doctor to know so that the follow-up treatments can be designed to best help you and your problem


IS ACUPUNCTURE COVERED BY HEALTH INSURANCE?

Some insurance companies currently cover acupuncture costs, other companies do not yet recognize the value of acupuncture. Each health policy must be reviewed to determine acupuncture benefits. More and more insurance companies are recognizing the value of providing coverage for medical acupuncture services. You can help by insisting that your insurance company offer you reimbursement for medically indicated acupuncture treatments before you accept their policy.

Obesity: Acupuncture & Ear Stapling

Obesity Acupuncture Points

The specific points used for each patient at each treatment depend on many individual factors. The acupuncture physician determines which points should be used with regard to the patient's fat distribution, emotional status, eating habits and other factors.

Weight Control Ear Staples
The use of staples in the ear for weight control is an American innovation which is often ineffective and dangerous. Only two points - one in the upper outer part of each ear - are used by this method in contrast to the ten or twenty points used in regular acupuncture treatments. The cartilage of the ear does not replace itself after injury and has little resistance to infection. Staples left in place for many days promote infection and sometimes fall out and enter the ear canal, where they can damage the ear dmm or other structures. There have been cases of people having permanent holes in the upper parts of their ear as the result of infected staples with sloughing. For these reasons, we do not recommend the use of ear staples for weight reduction.

Acupuncture - Obesity - Diet & Exercise
Diet and exercise are helpful in any program of weight reduction. Most people who come for acupuncture treatments, however, have been given diets and exercise regimens before. They may have good knowledge of what they should and shouldn't eat but they feel depressed or irritable when they try to stay on a diet. Acupuncture should relieve such problems and improve will power along with aiding in weight loss.

Acupuncture, Obesity & Weight Loss
The actual weight loss to be expected is about two to four pounds a week. Six to ten acupuncture treatments are usually sufficient, and these can be given once or twice a week. Weight loss should continue after the treatments are completed until normal weight is achieved. The effects of acupuncture usually last at least six months and sometimes a year or more. If the desire to eat excessively returns at any time in the future, a few more acupuncture treatments should relieve it.

Acupuncture for the Treatment of Depression During Pregnancy

Depression during pregnancy is relatively common, affecting about 10 to 15% of women. While there is a growing body of literature supporting the reproductive safety of certain antidepressants, many women and their physicians would prefer to avoid the use of these medications during pregnancy; thus, there is a clear need for effective non-pharmacologic treatments for women who suffer from depression during pregnancy.

In a recent study presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) 30th Annual Meeting by Dr. Rachel Manber and her colleagues at Stanford University, the efficacy of acupuncture was assessed in a group of pregnant depressed women. In this study, 150 pregnant women with DSM-IV major depressive disorder and a score >14 on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) were randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments: acupuncture specifically targeting depressive symptoms (SPEC, n=52), an active control acupuncture (NSPEC, n=49), and massage therapy (MSSG, n=49). Participates received treatment over an 8-week period consisting of 12 sessions (25-30 min each).

Acupuncture treatments were provided in a blinded fashion. At baseline, a senior acupuncturist (non-blinded) designed a set of treatments that was individually tailored for each patient. A treating acupuncturist (blinded) needled the points that were prescribed by the senior acupuncturist. Each SPEC and NSPEC treatment consisted of the same number of acupuncture points distributed across the same general areas of the body.

The HAMD-17 was administered at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. Responders were those with a HAMD-17 score of < 14 and a greater than 50% reduction from baseline.

At the end of the study, women in the SPEC group had lower HAM-D scores than those in the NSPIEC and massage therapy control groups. In the SPEC group, 63.0% responded versus 37.5% in the NSPEC group and 50.0% in the massage group.

The findings suggest that acupuncture may be an effective treatment for women who suffer from depression during pregnancy. Whether or not this modality is efficacious in all women, specifically those with more severe depressive symptoms or with comorbid anxiety disorders, is not yet clear; however, these results suggest that acupuncture may be an attractive option for women who wish to avoid the use of antidepressants during pregnancy.

Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD

Can Acupuncture Help Relieve Arthritis Pain?

What Is Acupuncture and How Does It Work?
Sixteenth century Chinese doctors believed that illness was due to an imbalance of energy in the body. In acupuncture, disposable, stainless steel needles are used to stimulate the body's 14 major meridians, or energy-carrying channels, to resist or overcome illnesses and conditions by correcting these imbalances.

Acupuncture is also thought to decrease pain by increasing the release of chemicals that block pain, called endorphins. Many acu-points are near nerves. When stimulated, these nerves cause a dull ache or feeling of fullness in the muscle. The stimulated muscle sends a message to the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), causing the release of endorphins (morphine-like chemicals produced in our own bodies during times of pain or stress). Endorphins, along with other neurotransmitters (body chemicals that modify nerve impulses), block the message of pain from being delivered up to the brain.

What Conditions Are Treated With Acupuncture?
Although acupuncture is not a "cure-all" treatment, it is very effective in treating several diseases and conditions. Acupuncture is most effective at treating chronic pain, such as headaches; menstrual cramps; and low back, neck, or muscle pain. It can also be used to treat arthritis, facial pain, pain from shingles, and spastic colon and colitis conditions. Acupuncture has also been successful in treating obesity and addictions such as nicotine or drugs. Acupuncture also can improve the functioning of the immune system (the body's defense system against diseases).

Importantly, don't rely on acupuncture for treatment of chronic or serious illness unless you see a doctor first. Acupuncture may not be the only way to improve your condition. Your health-care provider may recommend acupuncture treatment along with other treatment methods such as physical therapy or medication. For certain conditions, such as cancer, acupuncture should only be performed in combination with other treatments.

What Happens During Acupuncture Treatment?
The acupuncturist, the person who performs acupuncture, will swab each acu-point area with alcohol before tapping a hair-thin, metal needle into the site. The number of needles used during treatment can vary and are placed at various depths. They are placed under the skin in carefully determined points on the body.

After the needles have been inserted, they stay in place for several minutes to an hour. During the treatment, acupuncture needles are twirled, energized electrically, or warmed to intensify the effect of the treatment. When electricity is applied, a tingling sensation is common. However, if the sensation becomes too strong, you can ask your acupuncturist to reduce the electricity at any time.

In a treatment series, the acupuncturist will use different combinations of points, different needling techniques, or both. These combinations help stimulate new sources of healing as the person's response to treatment is observed.


Does Acupuncture Hurt?
You may feel a slight prick when the needle is inserted, but it is much less than the prick you feel during an injection, since the needles are much thinner. You may feel a heaviness, numbness, tingling, or mild soreness after the needles have been inserted.

Is Acupuncture Safe?
Yes. When acupuncture is performed with disposable needles under clean, sterile conditions, and by a qualified practitioner it is highly unusual to have any complications.

What Are the Advantages of Acupuncture?
One benefit to acupuncture is that it is a drug-free way to minimize pain. With drugs, people often develop a tolerance, or the need for an increased dosage to achieve the same required effect. However, this does not happen with acupuncture. In addition, acupuncture allows the doctor to immediately examine a person's response to the treatment and adjust it if necessary.

Does the Medical Establishment Approve of Acupuncture?
Yes. There are approximately 6,500 licensed acupuncturists in the U.S. and 3,000 doctors who perform acupuncture as part of their medical practice. In addition, the World Health Organization currently recognizes more than 40 medical problems, ranging from allergies to AIDS, which can be helped by acupuncture treatment. Lastly, the FDA regulates acupuncture needles as medical devices.

Will My Health Insurance Policy Cover Acupuncture Treatment?
Some insurance companies will pay for acupuncture treatment. Because each insurance provider has different restrictions, it is best to consult with your provider to determine if your treatment will be covered.

How Often Should I Be Treated With Acupuncture?
The number of treatments required depends on each person's condition and response to acupuncture. One acupuncture session does not usually result in lasting pain relief. Usually at least two sessions a week for four to five weeks is a normal course of treatment. It may take several treatments before you notice any benefit, so try at least five or 10 treatments before giving up.

Can I Resume My Daily Activities Following a Treatment?
It is best to bring someone with you on your first acupuncture treatment so that you will have transportation home. This is because acupuncture has a very calming effect. You may feel overly relaxed after the treatment and shouldn't drive. No matter how good you feel after the treatment, it is important not to overextend yourself. You should take it easy for a few days after the treatment. In addition, it is important to continue taking your prescribed medications.

Weight Loss With Acupuncture - Can Acupuncture Help You Lose Weight?

In recent years, more and more people are trying out acupuncture to lose weight. Just what is acupuncture? How can acupuncture treatment help you lose weight?

Acupuncture is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been around for about 5,000 years. It is the practice of inserting very thin needles to stimulate pathways or meridians in the body to treat many illnesses and diseases especially to relieve pain from chronic disorders.

Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners or TCM physicians claim that acupuncture can help you to lose body fat by making you feel full and so will eat less. This curbs excess caloric consumption in the patient treated with acupuncture and is a great help in the patient’s weight loss program.

Acupuncture treatment can also be used to raise your metabolic rate and help you to burn more calories to speed up weight loss. Some Chinese medicine practitioners say that acupuncture stimulates the production of a hormone called endorphins and this hormone helps to lower body fat, insulin and lipid levels in the bloodstream thus less insulin is converted into body fat.

Acupuncture is not a miracle cure for obesity. TCM physicians often stress that to achieve good weight loss results from your program and maintaining your weight, acupuncture treatment alone is not enough. To lose weight effectively and keep the fats off permanently, acupuncture treatment must be combined with healthy eating habits and regular exercises.

Before you begin your acupuncture treatment, your Chinese physician will conduct a medical examination on you by checking your pulse and examination of your tongue to ensure that you are suitable for acupuncture weight loss treatment. This is because TCM is a holistic branch of health care and do not just specifically target the ailment or medical complaint. So an investigation into other reasons why a patient is obese is necessary to solve the problem holistically.

If you want to lose weight naturally and without drugs, why not try TCM acupuncture for your weight loss program?

Complementary/Alternative Medicine: Traditional Chinese

Acupuncture and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Acupuncture, frequently in conjunction with the use of Chinese herbal and/or food medicine, is an alternative medicine that restores health by balancing and improving the flow of chi, the body's natural energy flow, thus restoring proper function of muscles, nerves, vessels, glands, and organs. How can acupuncture help IBS?
Acupuncture - How does it help IBS?
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture clinical studies and IBS.
Acupuncture precautions.

How can acupuncture help IBS?
Both the National Institutes of Health Consensus Panel[3] and the World Health Organization,[4] using different criteria, have identified many different conditions as appropriate for acupuncture treatments, including several that directly pertain to IBS:


Abdominal pain
Muscle cramping
Constipation
Diarrhea


In addition, acupuncture has also been deemed effective as a means of stress reduction, and at addressing related problems that are often triggers for IBS symptoms, such as:


Anxiety
Insomnia
Nervousness
Menstrual cramps
Premenstrual syndrome


What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture, like Tai Chi, is one of the ancient forms of traditional Chinese healing arts. Unlike Tai Chi, however, acupuncture is not a self-directed therapy, whereby a person balances his or her own body's chi (energy or life force). Acupuncture is instead a treatment administered to a patient by a trained practitioner, who balances the body's chi by stimulating areas (acupuncture points) along the primary meridians, or channels, through which chi flows. These meridians run deep within the body and regulate all physical and mental processes, surfacing at the various acupoints. Acupuncture is the stimulation or sedation of these acupoints in order to balance the body's flow of chi.

The traditional Chinese perspective on acupuncture reflects the belief that the body is a complex and holistic physical/mental/emotional/spiritual system, balanced between health and sickness in a constantly changing flow of energy. According to this viewpoint, imbalances in this natural energy flow are thought to cause disease. Acupuncture, frequently in conjunction with the use of Chinese herbal and/or food medicine, restores health by balancing and improving the flow of chi, restoring proper function of muscles, nerves, vessels, glands, and organs.

An acupuncture treatment will strengthen the flow of chi or remove blockages in the meridians via the insertion of very thin, flexible acupuncture needles, from a depth of just beneath the skin to about an inch, at various acupoints along the meridians. (Please note that it's important to ask and verify that your acupuncturist works solely with single-use, sterile, disposable needles, as one of the only real (though rare) risks of acupuncture is infection or transmission of contagious diseases, such as Hepatitis B, at the puncture site.)

Thousands of these points exist in the body, and each one is associated with a specific internal organ or organ system. As the acupuncture needles are inserted into the acupoints the patient may feel nothing, or a sensation of tingling, aching, warmth, or heaviness. Most people report no pain from the needles, just an odd or unusual physical sensation that is different but not unpleasant. From one to twenty needles may be used in a single treatment session, and often the needles are stimulated after insertion by being twisted or heated with a moxibustion stick of smoldering herbs. This will heighten the sensation of chi. Most individual sessions lasts anywhere from about 5 to 60 minutes, depending on the condition being treated as well as the patient's response to the acupuncture. Typically the needles remain in place for twenty to forty minutes.

The number and frequency of treatments will vary with both the practitioner and the illness being addressed, but may range from a single session to several appointments a week, possibly over a period of several months. In general, for pain relief, six sessions should result in measurable results, [2] and if relief is not obtained after ten sessions the treatment should be deemed ineffective. A credible acupuncturist will recognize treatment failure and will not recommend a continuation of therapy. Treatments often become less frequent over time as the condition subsides, though maintenance sessions may be indicated at various intervals. If your condition is chronic and has been for a long period of time (not exactly unheard of for IBS), you may require regularly scheduled treatments over several months.

Acupuncture clinical studies and IBS

At least one study has directly investigated the use of acupuncture versus relaxation therapy in IBS patients.[5] This research found that patients' quality-of-life and gastrointestinal symptom scores were equally improved in both groups, with a statistically significant reduction in abdominal pain. However, when the patients were followed for a 4-week period post-trial period, only in the acupuncture group did pain reduction persist. Furthermore, a significant reduction in stress perception was also observed in the acupuncture group, but not in the relaxation group. The conclusion drawn was that acupuncture is an effective form of treatment for IBS, particularly the pain and stress symptoms, and that its benefits exceed those of standard relaxation treatment.

While it is unquestionable that acupuncture can provide significant pain relief and help minimize other symptoms of IBS as well, from a Western medical standpoint (though certainly not from the traditional Chinese medicine point of view) no one quite knows how or why this is true. From the Western viewpoint, it may be that acupuncture affects the nervous system by stimulating the release of endorphins, naturally produced chemicals in the body that block pain signals in the brain and spinal cord. Research has shown that acupuncture results in changes in the conduction of electromagnetic signals in the brain, an alteration of blood circulation within the brain that increases blood flow to the thalamus (the area associated with relaying pain and other sensory impulses), and measurable differences in the brain's output of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and of inflammation-causing substances such as prostaglandins.

Why these changes occur is still considered a mystery by doctors and scientists who do not hold with the Chinese concept of chi. However, if you're suffering from chronic pain and associated diarrhea or constipation as a result of IBS, odds are you don't care why acupuncture works – just that it does work. It's the end result that counts here, not the underlying reasons for success.

On a related note, you've probably noticed by now that many of the most effective treatments for IBS, from meditation to Tai Chi to acupuncture, have well-established and measurable success rates, but no explanation behind their impressive results. You may be intrigued, you may not care. Personally, I am more than willing to give the benefit of the doubt to the concept of chi and simply accept that, for whatever reasons, these practices are truly effective. I have also been quite unimpressed by the Western approach to IBS, which until very recently dismissed it outright as a psychosomatic problem, and has not yet even come close to thoroughly understanding the underlying dysfunction or developing an effective form of treatment for it – let alone finding a cure. What matters most to me, and probably to you too, is results. So if something helps prevent or alleviate an IBS attack, then it is by definition a valid form of health care for this disorder. While it's certainly preferable to be able to ask and understand the reasons behind a treatment's effectiveness, in these circumstances it fortunately isn't required in order to reap the benefits (though I remain curious).

Acupuncture precautions

Still trying to decide if acupuncture is for you? Precautions are only necessary with this treatment if:

* You have an uncontrolled bleeding disorder or are taking an anticoagulant medication such as Coumadin (warfarin). Acupuncture needles do have the potential to draw blood.

* You are pregnant. The stimulation of certain acupuncture points, particularly those on or near the abdomen, can trigger uterine contractions and could induce premature labor and possibly miscarriage. Tell your acupuncturist if you are pregnant or even just think you may be.

* You have diabetes. Acupuncture should be used on your limbs only with extreme caution, as even small skin punctures in a person with diabetic neuropathy can result in severe infections. If you have any concerns in this area consult your physician.

* You have breast or other implants. Do not have needles placed in the area of the implant.

[1] IBS receives less than 1% of digestive disease research funding through the National Institutes for Health, despite the fact that it is the single most common digestive disorder diagnosis in America (International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders).

[2] NIH Panel. [3] Acupuncture. National Institutes of Health. Consensus Statement 1997 Nov 3-5; 15(5):1-34.

[4] World Health Organization. Viewpoint on acupuncture. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 1979.

[5] In a randomized, controlled trial of 27 patients with IBS diagnosed by their own criteria, the study treated the patients with acupuncture or relaxation sessions 3 times a week for a period of 2 weeks. A follow-up observation run was then performed for 4 weeks. (Lu B, Hu Y, Tenner S. A randomized controlled trial of acupuncture for irritable bowel syndrome. Program and abstracts of the 65th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology; October 16-18, 2000, New York, NY.)



Information excerpted from The First Year: IBS, Copyright Heather Van Vorous. May not be reproduced without permission.

The Value of Herbs in the Treatment of Cancer

Of all conditions which the herbalist/traditional Chinese medical doctor may treat, cancer represents a major test of the herbal tools we have at our disposal. A common and largely accurate perception of the damaging effects of malignancy is that "if the cancer doesn’t kill you, the biomedical treatments for it will." This statement, while accurate in some regards, doesn’t take into account the growing effectiveness of chemotherapy against many forms of cancer. Determining the effectiveness of biomedicine must be considered within a long-term perspective, however; survival rates are commonly measured in 5- and 10-year intervals, while a "cure" is considered when a cancer survivor has been cancer-free for seven years after cessation of treatment. The issues surrounding human health and the sequelae of malignancy are not as simple as these statistics suggest, however. While some rapidly growing forms of cancer may develop within ten days to two weeks of cancer cell implantation (malignant melanoma, for example), other slower-growing tumors (consider prostate cancer) may take up to ten years to make themselves detectable. To use the term "cured" for a patient who remains cancer-free after seven years is both unrealistic and arbitrary, given the unpredictability of cancer.
Aside from whether or not a cancer survivor is presently ‘cancer-free’, also of consideration is the general state of health of the individual, which oncology tends to disregard. Of primary concern to the oncologist is whether malignancies have redeveloped, not whether conditions exist which may portend the derangement of cellular processes which could ultimately lead to loss of differentiation. This is one of the most appropriate and effective roles the TCM doctor/herbalist can fulfill—to help reestablish an underlying balance in the individual, and to unravel the complex patterns inherent in the body which can, if left untreated, lead to the development of cancer.
Another appropriate role for TCM doctors and advanced herbalists is in the use of herbs as an adjunct to ongoing biomedical treatment for existing cancer. This can be addressed using any or all of three main approaches: 1) to offset the damaging side-effects of radiation and chemotherapy; 2) to benefit the patient’s immune system, which biomedicine overwhelms and supplants with its powerful agents; and 3) to aid in tumor reduction itself, potentially shortening the length of time the patient needs to receive radiation and/or chemotherapy.
Listed below are ten herbs from the Chinese and western herbal traditions which address this third treatment approach--tumor reduction itself, via their 'antineoplastic' action. Consider that different forms of malignancy are treated with different substances, and each individual case may require entirely separate treatment principles, suggesting that anti-neoplastic herb choices must be chosen from appropriate categories of action. Obviously, there are more than 10 herbs with antineoplastic action in the Chinese and western pharmacopeia, but these can be considered a 'jumping off' point for further study; this is my personal intent. Information provided on these herbs is based on both empirical and clinical evidence gathered third-hand; verification of clinical and/or empirical findings is difficult to provide without access to the studies themselves, and no guarantees are made for these herbs’ effectiveness. References for all information is provided below.
Chinese Herbs:
Common Name: Oldenlandia Chinese Name: Bai He She She Cao Latin: Herba Hedyotidis Diffusae/Oldenlandia Diffusae Family: Rubiaceae TCM Category: Clear Heat/Relieve Toxicity Antineoplastic Action(s): --Used in treatment of stomach, esophageal and colon cancer; --Activates reticuloendothelial system and increases phagocytosis by lymphocytes. Also, in high concentrations shows inhibitory affect in vitro on cells from acute lymphocytic and granulocytic leukemia.
Common Name: Selaginaella Chinese Name: Shi Shang Bai Latin: Herba Selaginellae Doederleinii Family: Selaginellaceae TCM Category: Clear Heat/Relieve Toxicity Antineoplastic Action(s): --Mice inoculated with granuloma-180 and injected with Shi Shang Bai showed 40-50% tumor inhibition of tumors; Mice with hepatic cancer lived significantly longer than control group not treated with Shi Shang Bai. --Helpful in treatment of lung and throat cancer, and malignant hydatidiform moles, with remission in 50% of patients. Commonly used in China in treatment of smaller body cancers in nose, throat, lung and liver. When used with chemotherapy and radiation shown to accelerate cancer remissions.
Common Name: Sophora Root Chinese Name: Shan Dou Gen Latin: Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis Family: Leguminaceae TCM Category: Clear Heat/Relieve Toxicity Antineoplastic Action(s): --In doses of 60g/kg had significant effect in treatment of cervical cancer in mice, and an inhibitory affect on sarcoma-180. Used in treatment of acute lymphocytic/granulocytic leukemia, inhibiting dehydrogenase activity and cellular respiration of malignant cells.
Common Name: Zedoania Chinese Name: E Zhu Latin: Rhizoma Curcumae Ezhu Family: Zingeberaceae TCM Category: Invigorate Blood Antineoplastic Action(s): --Inhibits granuloma-180, often combined with San Leng (Rhizoma Sparganii Stoloniferi). –-In China, 80 cases of cervical cancer patients were treated with a solution of Zedoania, which was injected directly into the tumor sites. 30 patients were completely cured, while 15 were found to have a 50% size reduction.
Common Name: Rhubarb Root and Rhizome Chinese Name: Da Huang Latin: Radix et Rhizoma Rhei Family: Polygonaceae TCM Category: Clear Heat/Relieve Toxicity Antineoplastic Action(s): --Injected subcutaneously had a killing effect on neoplastic granulomas in mice. Inhibited growth of melanoma, breast tumor cells and ascitic hepatic carcinoma in humans via the actions of emodin and rhein, major constituents of Da Huang.
Western Herbs:
Common Name: Red Clover Latin: Flos Trifolium pratense Family: Papilionaceae Antineoplastic Action(s): --Red Clover contains isoflavone compounds, such as genistein, which have weak estrogen properties. Various laboratory studies show that these isoflavones may help prevent and combat malignant tumors, especially of the breast and prostate.
Common Name: Pau D’Arco, Lapacho, Taheebo Latin: Tabebuia impestiginosa Family: Rubiaceae Antineoplastic Action(s): --Lapachol and beta-lapachone (known collectively as naphthaquinones) are two primary active compounds in Pau D’Arco. These compounds have anti-cancer/anti-tumor properties, although the effective dosage is considered toxic; Pau D’Arco is commonly used in the treatment of cancer in Central and South America with good results.
Common Name: Mistletoe Latin: Viscum alba Family: Loranthaceae Antineoplastic Action(s): --Contains anti-tumor proteins, and has been shown by current cancer research in Germany to have antineoplastic activity.
Common Name: Cleavers Latin: Galium aparine Family: Rubiaceae Antineoplastic Action(s): --Cleavers is considered the best lymphatic tonic in the western herbal pharmacopoeia, and is both alterative and diuretic. It has a long tradition of use for tumor reduction and lymphatic drainage, especially indicated when cancer has nodal involvement.
Common Name: Sweet Violet Latin: Flos Viola odorata Family: Violaceae Antineoplastic Action(s): --Sweet Violet has a long tradition and reputation as an anti-cancer herb, used especially as a poultice for cancers of the skin. Current scientific research has yet to bear out this reputation in the clinical setting.

By Lawrence Miller

Spring Allergies

For many people Spring and Summer are seasons for allergies. Allergies, or allergic rhinitis, are due to an over-reactivity of the immune system to certain allergens. During Spring and Summer, allergies are generally induced by wind-born tree, grass, or weed pollen, and can cause such symptoms as: sneezing; nasal congestion; runny nose; watery, itchy, or red eyes; headaches; fatigue; and sometimes coughing and wheezing. When allergens and antibodies react in individuals with allergic rhinitis, their nasal mucosa becomes swollen and may obstruct drainage from the sinuses causing sinusitis in many people. Thus, sinus infections are a frequent complication and consequence of allergic rhinitis.
While Spring and Summer are the seasons of the year that bring us outdoors, many people are unable to enjoy these warmer months due to uncomfortable symptoms. Chinese medicine can help bring relief of symptoms, correct imbalances of the immune system, prevent the occurrence of infection, and allow healing of tissues of the sinuses.
From a Chinese point of view, allergic rhinitis is due to a deficiency of the Lung and Kidney's Defensive-Qi systems, combined with retention of chronic "Wind" in the nose.
Allergic rhinitis often starts in early childhood, with a constitutional weakness, but it may also start later in life, with a progressive decline of Kidney-Qi. Lung and Kidney Qi Deficiency is the root of the problem, therefore, with herbal medicine and acupuncture we strengthen and nourish these organs. The manifestation of the disease is Wind invading the Lung channel in the nose. This accounts for the acute attacks. With herbs and acupuncture, we clear the Wind, reduce congestion, and open the nasal passages. It is necessary to treat both the root and the manifestation in order to produce lasting results.
The Western treatment of allergic rhinitis relies mostly on the use of antihistamine agents. Unfortunately, antihistamines only treat the manifestations of the disease and not the root. In addition, they cause side-effects such as dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, nervousness, dryness, and gastro-intestinal disturbance.
Chinese medicine offers allergy sufferers a way to strengthen their bodies and significantly reduce their symptoms, without unpleasant side effects. You do not have to spend another season living with allergies.

By Carrie Tanenbaum

Acupuncture May Ease Chronic Back Pain

May 11, 2009 --
Study Shows Acupuncture Trumps Standard Care for Back Pain Relief by Louise Chang, MD

The ancient technique of acupuncture helps relieve chronic back pain better
than standard care such as medications or physical therapy, according to a new study.
Even more surprising, all three acupuncture techniques tested -- including a "sham" technique with toothpicks and no skin puncturing -- worked better than the usual care given for the problem.
"Acupuncture-like treatments had a positive effect overall on people's chronic back pain," says study researcher Dan Cherkin, PhD, a senior investigator at Group Health Center for Health Studies in Seattle. "It didn't matter if you inserted the needle or superficially poked [the skin]."
That finding, Cherkin says, leads to more speculation about how the centuries-old technique actually works.
The study is published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Cherkin and colleagues assigned 638 men and women with chronic low back pain who had never before had acupuncture to one of four groups:
• Individualized acupuncture group. Patients received acupuncture treatment based on a customized prescription for acupuncture points.
• Standardized acupuncture group. Patients received an acupuncture treatment considered effective by experts for chronic low back pain.
• Simulated acupuncture group. Patients received a treatment that mimics needle acupuncture but used a toothpick in a needle guide tube without penetrating the skin.
• Usual care group. Patients continued whatever they were doing, such as taking pain medicine or undergoing physical therapy.
Acupuncture treatments were given two times a week for three weeks, then once a week for four weeks. The researchers measured back pain-related problems and dysfunction at eight weeks, a half year, and one year after the treatments.
Participants in the trial, funded by the National Institutes of Health, were told only that the researchers were comparing three different methods of stimulating acupuncture points.
Acupuncture vs. 'Usual Care'

"The individualized acupuncture did not provide any benefit over the standardized acupuncture," Cherkin tells WebMD. "The simulated acupuncture, which did stimulate the standardized points, also had the same effect. All three did better than usual care."
Those who got any of the acupuncture treatments were more likely than those getting usual care to have a "meaningful" improvement in the dysfunction scale, which reflects the ability to engage in activities of daily living. Overall, 60% of the acupuncture-treated patients, but just 39% of the usual-care group patients, had meaningful improvements in dysfunction, the researchers found.
That translated to those in the acupuncture group being able to do more daily activities, such as going to social functions or performing household tasks, Cherkin tells WebMD.
After a year, those in the acupuncture groups were also more likely than the usual-care group to continue to have improvement in dysfunction, with up to 65% of the acupuncture-treated patients but just 50% of the usual-care patients still reporting improvements. But the improvement waned over time.

The finding that the simulated acupuncture was as good as needle acupuncture is puzzling, Cherkin admits. "What we can say is, it is not essential to achieve a benefit to insert the needle through the skin," he says.
Why this is so is not known, he says. "One possibility is there is a physiological chain of events that occurs when you insert a needle or just stimulate the skin superficially. They may or may not be the same."
Another possibility, he says, is "believing you are getting a treatment that will help your back pain" helps it.
And, he adds, not all participants benefited from the acupuncture, whatever the form. Still, he says, "acupuncture is a reasonable option" for those with low back pain. Americans spend at least $37 billion a year for medical care for back pain, Cherkin notes in his report.
'Acupuncture Can Help'
"Although this study has shed some light [on back pain treatment], it is also confusing, I think," says Arya Nick Shamie, MD, associate professor of spine surgery at the University of California David Geffen School of Medicine and a spokesman for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
"For the most part, acupuncture is very safe," says Shamie, who has recommended it to his patients with chronic back pain. However, he adds, "this paper has confused the issue even further as to how acupuncture works." Even so, he says, "what it does show is acupuncture can help patients."
The good results with the "toothpick" acupuncture may very well be a placebo effect, Shamie says. "Even going and talking to your doctor could have a strong, positive effect on your health," he says. "When people have chronic illness, they want to feel that someone cares for them, and that basically unloads the mind of the burden of disease."