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Some people do not consider acupuncture to be a real form of medical treatment. Many doctors even scoff at its use but it has been in use for thousands of years and it has always produced real results.

Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine which uses very thin needles to adjust the meridians of the body. The needle is inserted at a designated point on the body and seated with a tap to the top. It is used successfully in the treatment of chronic pain, arthritis, headaches, ulcers and more. It has even been used instead of anesthesia in some circumstances. Because acupuncture doesn’t raise the blood pressure or stay in the blood after the procedure is finished, it is the choice in childbirth and some kinds of surgery where the patient needs to be awake and alert.

Acupuncture does not work in a manner that is easily figured out. The person doing the acupuncture might insert needles in the rim of a person’s ear to treat an entirely different part of the body. It is supposed to allow the chi force of the body to move freely through the different parts of the body. When chi is blocked, a needle is inserted to open the pathway. The chi flows through meridians of the body and can be positive or negative. Beyond this, western medicine thinks that acupuncture releases endorphins and that this stimulation of these chemicals relieves pain. Western physicians also think that the use of acupuncture does something to the pituitary gland so that it releases anti inflammatories. Leave it to us to try to re-think something that has worked perfectly well for thousands of years.

Acupuncture began to be an accepted practice in the 1970’s and there are now many schools that teach and license the procedure. Of course, though western physicians have begun to accept and even use acupuncture, they still call it a placebo effect; typical.

Electro acupuncture has been found to reduce the inflammation in ALS. ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is the scientific name for Lou Gehrig’s disease named for the famous ball player who had it. This disorder paralyzes the nerves and muscles in the body causing degeneration of the motor neurons. Eventually a person with ALS loses the ability to speak, move, swallow, and even breathe on his or her own. In a word, it is a horrible death but an even more horrible way to live.

Where formerly patients consulted their chiropractor for acupuncture treatments and he or she billed them as chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture is now being accepted as a treatment by mainstream medicine. It is now described as a complementary medicine and even most insurances will allow for a certain number of treatments per year.

It is important when consulting a person who practices acupuncture that the patient is certain that the person uses new sterile needles with each treatment and disposes of them immediately afterwards to prevent infections.

An ambitious athlete runs beyond her physical limits, refuses to rest enough, and finds herself suffering from plantar fasciitis. An overworked attorney sleeps only four hours a night and complains of migraines. A young woman eats too much sugar and not enough protein, and she experiences dizziness, irregular periods, and anxiety. What’s happening here? All of these people are resisting the natural laws that govern the universe. As a result, they’re having health problems.

The Chinese medicine practitioner treats with acupuncture and prescribes Chinese herbal formulas, but also counsels the patient with dietary therapy and ways to lead a healthy lifestyle. Our medicine is personalized to balance each individual and customized based on specific diagnoses. In other words, we devise the best plan for you to attain optimal health and longevity.

Pain Be Gone

Acupuncture plays a vital role in the reduction or elimination of pain by reducing recovery time and preventing a chronic condition from developing. Here’s an example: A new patient comes to our clinic with lower back pain. On a scale of 0-10 with 10 representing the worst pain and 0 representing no pain, his pain level is at an excruciating 9. After a careful diagnosis, a treatment plan is devised. Acupuncture points on only his arms and legs (none on his area of pain) are needled. After several minutes, his pain is reduced by 60%.

Research has shown that acupuncture causes the body to produce natural steroids and endorphins. Steroids decrease inflammation, while endorphins are produced by the body to kill pain. Both substances can play an integral part in the breaking up of the pain cycle. By reducing acute pain, acupuncture can also reduce the occurrence of chronic pain. It can prevent the need for costlier and more invasive surgical procedures. And if back pain can be significantly reduced with acupuncture, it also lowers the need for painkillers or other medications that can either cause unwanted side-effects or prolong a patient’s condition.

In a 2004 study published in Acupuncture in Medicine, researchers looked at the cost effectiveness of acupuncture for osteoarthritis of the knee compared to the cost effectiveness of pain killers. 75% of the test patients received at least a 45% reduction in their knee pain with acupuncture, and the pain relief lasted past the one-year follow-up. Many of those who experienced that minimum 45% pain relief decided to quit their prescription pain medication completely after receiving the acupuncture.

Save Big Money

When the doctors did a cost analysis comparing the cost of acupuncture therapy (which was up to 15 treatment sessions) to the cost of pain medication and doctor office visits, they saw a drastic reduction in subsequent medical costs, dropping from $1.10 per day to 21 cents per day after treatment. That represents a $325 savings per patient the first year (even after factoring in the cost of the acupuncture treatments). The conclusion was that patients saved money, were free of the inconvenience of taking a pill several times each day, and had significantly less pain than those who took drugs alone. In an independent 1992 study in Scandinavia, 25% of the patients who were awaiting knee replacement surgery canceled their scheduled surgery after receiving acupuncture, saving $9,000 per patient.

Beyond Treating Pain

Acupuncture research proves that acupuncture treats more than just pain. We are general practitioners. Many people know we can relieve your aches and pains, but did you know we can also help you get over colds and flu faster, help you with digestive and bowel problems, and more? Acupuncture treats many internal problems like urinary frequency, acid reflux, chronic fatigue and IBS.

Prevention of Infectious Disease

There is a saying in Chinese medicine: “Superior medicine prevents disease, and inferior medicine treats disease“. Now, with concern about the H1N1 swine flu virus traveling around the world, you may want to get your immune system boosted. The truth is that bacteria and viruses tend to adversely affect people who have weakened or compromised immune systems. Many Chinese herbs and formulas have been shown to significantly boost the immune system. One of the main benefits of Chinese herbs is their wide spectrum antibiotic effect for both bacterial and viral infections. Most of these herbs are extremely safe and do not have the same unpleasant side effects as drugs extenze online. In fact, the hospitals in China that did the best against SARS combined both western and Chinese medicine.

Balancing Mind, Body, & Spirit

Stress is common in our very fast-paced American lifestyle. Many of us worry about keeping our jobs and having enough money. When we’re in a constant state of stress, we suffer from “fight or flight syndrome,” which is destructive to your body and can lead to serious health problems. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine will help you mentally and emotionally. It is very effective for depression, anxiety, and stress.

Acupuncture Works and is Safe

Acupuncture is based on a complete system of healthcare that includes diagnosis, prevention, Chinese herbal formulas, exercise, and food cures. Research explains in detail how acupuncture works via the nervous system, immune system, and blood system. A licensed, seasoned practitioner can offer you health solutions without the kind of worries caused by pharmaceuticals and invasive medical procedures. The best thing about acupuncture is that it treats your entire body without serious adverse effects, and it promotes optimal physical, mental, and emotional health.

What is Depression? Depression is not simply a poor psychological state. It’s a dangerous illness which can be extremely intense and last for extended durations of time contributing us to feel negative and fatigued.

What are the symptoms?

Signs and symptoms can include the following: bad moods, being easily annoyed, and frustration not really looking to be sociable loss of desire for food, sex, and other enjoyable activities sleep loss, alcohol addiction, and elevated health concerns

What is the Cause? It’s not really well grasped in western medicine what the cause of depression is. All that is actually understood is that the brain gets communications from all parts of the body. Occasionally the chemical reactions go wrong and the brain gets different communications to the norm, manifesting as depression.

It can be triggered by numerous issues such as a traumatic experience eg. a busted relationship, car accident, or loss of a job. It can likewise be brought on by a long-term illness where the body has not had the proper treatment to be able to recover adequately. One of the most typical causes of depression at the moment is substance abuse.

What is the Western Treatment? The way it is dealt with is by using anti-depressant medicines to prevent the messages from getting to the brain. It consequently shields us from feeling extreme emotions. The outcome of this is that we don’t genuinely feel anything.

The problem with this is that the cause of the depression is not being taken care of. It is simply a mask for the symptom . This means that as soon as the block is lifted (whenever you quit using the medication) it’s most likely the issue will continue to be there.

Acupuncture Depression I believe that there is simply no treatment that is safer and more efficient in the treatment of the cause of Depression than Pain-Free Acupuncture.

Depression is taken care of by Pain-Free Acupuncture by focusing on 3 major organs: the liver, spleen, and kidneys.

Liver Imbalance The liver regulates the circulation of energy, nutrients, and information to all our cells. It’s also the first organ to be impacted by stress and emotions as well as alcohol and drug abuse. Whenever stress attacks our liver, imagine the liver tightening up. When it does this the energy, nutrients and information that was moving smoothly in the medians now begins to stagnate as well.

This stagnation means that our cells and organs aren’t obtaining the correct amount of information and nutrients to operate properly, and our body falls out of balance. When our body is out of balance and there’s stagnation within our body we begin to feel depressed.

Individuals with liver imbalances are inclined to be wound up emotionally with a great deal of frustration and anger that they internalise. This then leads to heat and stagnation in the body causing depression.

Quite simply Pain-Free Acupuncture clears the stagnation and heat and the individual begins to feel better relatively quickly since the nutrients, energy, and hormones are moving more smoothly in the body.

Spleen Deficiency Whenever the spleen becomes deficient it’s much more difficult for us to digest our food. When it’s difficult for us to digest our food guess what happens to the nutrients? They don’t get assimilated properly. Consequently we don’t have the appropriate blood generation.

When our blood doesn’t have the proper amount of nutrients we come to feel depressed since we don’t have sufficient energy. Individuals with this condition have a tendency to become fatigued and overwhelmed very easily and are also prone to weight gain.

Kidney Deficiency The kidneys behave like a reserve battery for the body. Because of our genetics we all begin with a different level of reserve. Some people will have a full battery and others will have a smaller reserve. The kidneys also look after the energy of the rest of the body. Thus when the kidneys are deficient due to genetics or a long-term disease there is overwhelming fatigue.

4 Step Wellness Program

The well-known yet very underused key to feeling better in 30 days is a basic combination of diet, exercise, emotions, environment management, lifestyle, and treatment.

It’s something that you can do for yourself to help increase the impact of the treatments on your wellbeing. The reason I published this was so that I could empower you to take part in your own move towards a more healthy you.

Acupressure points for Depression

We wanted you to have some basic acupuncture points that you could use acupressure on in order to assist with the feeling of depression. It should be pointed out that acupressure is certainly not a replacement for professional diagnosis and acupuncture treatments specific to an individual.

Acupressure is a fantastic adjunct to acupuncture treatments since it is something which you can easily do for yourself between treatments to improve the results of the acupuncture.

Apply finger pressure to these following points for around 2-3 minutes each day or whenever you are feeling a little low:

Taichong (Liv 3) Location: halfway between the costal angle and the umbilicus Function: reduces stagnation and pain, clears the head, calms the mind

Zusanli (ST 36) Location: 3 fingers beneath the bottom end of the knee cap, 1 finger outside the tibia Function: strengthens stomach/spleen, improves our energy, nourishes our blood, clears fire and calms our mind

We hope you’ve really liked this post and got some insight into the world of acupuncture for depression.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a system of diagnosis and health care that has evolved over the last 3000 years. The Chinese approach to understanding the human body is unique. It is based on the holistic concept of the universe outlined in the spiritual insights of Daoism, and it has produced a highly sophisticated set of practices designed to cure illness and to maintain health and well being.

These practices include acupuncture, herbal remedies, diet, tui-na massage, meditation and both static and moving exercises call Qi Gong and Tai Chi. Although all these practices appear different in approach, they all share the same underlying sets of assumptions about the nature of the human body and its place in the universe. The world view that underpins the principles and practices of Chinese medicine is based on the Daoist understanding of a universe where everything is interdependent and mutually interactive. Nothing is excluded; nothing is analyzed or interpreted without reference to the whole. To understand what Chinese medicine is all about, it is important first to explore this idea of holism which is best explained by the concept of Yin and Yang.

The concept of Yin-Yang is fundamental to Traditional Chinese Medicine. The idea of yin and yang developed from observing the physical world. It was observed that nature appears to group into pairs of mutually dependant opposites, each giving meaning to the other. For example, night has no meaning without the concept of Day, the concept of up doesn’t mean much without the idea of down. The idea of yin and yang is essentially a descriptor of the dynamic interactions that underpin all aspects of the universe. Yin and yang shouldn’t be thought of as things but as a key to a way of thinking about the world.

Along with the concept of yin and yang, there are other fundamental ideas or energies that define TCM. The theory of the Five Elements also comes from observation of the various groups of dynamic processes, functions and characteristics observed in the natural world.

The energies of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water relate to both the natural world and the human body. Further to Yin/Yang and the Five Elements there are the basic substances that make up the universe and the human body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine terms these are called the Qi (chee), Jing essence, the Shen or mind/spirit, the blood and body fluids.

Meridians, or energy pathways of the body, have been mapped out and acupoints determined along them. These points and meridians are stimulated by acupuncture, the insertion of fine needles into the skin, or acupressure (massaging and pressing on these acupoints). Traditional Chinese Medicine also uses herbal medicine, cupping and Gua Sha or scraping, auricular therapy, Tui na massage and physical exercises like Tai Chi and Qi gong.

Insomnia is one of those words that scare most people. The word ‘Insomnia’ scares most people either because they do not know what it is, or do not know how to deal with it. If you have Insomnia, you do not want to ‘deal’ with it, rather solve the mystery of missing sleep and cure the Insomnia that plagues us.

No matter what kind of insomniac you are, whether it be intermittent or advanced, the end result is the same… no sleep. Insomnia cures should be on the basis of individual needs, this is very important. Six of seven good hours of sleep every night are absolutely essential in order to function properly during the day. Any If you are not getting enough sleep at night you going to feel tired throughout the day and you will also increase your risk of health problems.

The problem lies with the big pharmaceutical corporations. We have been led to believe that insomnia can be cured with just a few pills like a headache or indigestion. What people don’t realize is that these big corporations are businesses and are purely profit driven.

The major benefit of herbal cures is that they’re gentler on your overall health than drugs. It’s best to use the herbal insomnia cures in combination with the next two cures, especially exercise.

The most common of curing insomnia is by taking medications. This is probably the way most people take when they start to have sleepless nights. The medications can indeed serve as a way for insomnia cure. However, it should not be seen as a long-term cure for it. One of the risks of taking insomnia medications is that one can become over dependent and additive to it.

Popular insomnia cures include chamomile (as a tea), hops (also as a tea), and valerian, which may be taken in tablet or liquid form. While valerian’s taste won’t thrill you, it’s very effective and will help you to get a good night’s sleep. The most common way people treat insomnia is by taking medication. This is usually how most people react when they start having sleepless nights. Medication should not be seen as a long-term way to cure insomnia. You can become very dependent and addicted to sleep medication.

This is a huge reason why so many people suffer from insomnia. When this is the cause, acupuncture insomnia cures can really help. One of the best applications for acupuncture is in pain reduction. When the pain is reduced or controlled, the acupuncture insomnia cure has done its job. Long-term treatments might be necessary for chronic conditions, but they can help keep sleep issues at bay. When pain is the cause of sleep disorders, acupuncture insomnia treatments tend to work very well for some people.

Most sufferers treat insomnia like a cold or a cough, believing that it can be cured with the use of a few pills. It’s easy to fall into this way of thinking because we believe what we see. We turn on the TV and see sleep aids advertised by big corporations. We instinctively assume that there is a quick fix solution and that the big corporations are not just in it for the money.

The theory behind acupuncture is at once complex and rich in detail, yet really quite easy to grasp. The following will outline the basics of acupuncture theory and provide a springboard for further investigation into the depths of Chinese medical theory.

Most basically, Meridians or energetic lay lines, have been mapped throughout the human body. These meridians flow within the body and not on the surface.

Each meridian exists in a corresponding pair and has many acupuncture points along its path. The meridian system consists of twelve main channels. Each channel or meridian has many specific, recognized acupuncture points.

Although the meridians themselves are not thought of as physically identifiable, their existence is proved by observation of the effect of stimulating various pressure points.

The theory and practice of acupuncture developed hand in hand as practitioners observed the effects of different kinds of needling in different specific areas of the body.

The meridian system can be thought of as an energetic distribution network that in itself tends toward an energetic manifestation. Many charts and graphs exist that show the meridian pathways of the body.

Another feature that is always present on a meridian chart of the human body is the specific points that are marked upon the individual channel or meridian. These specific points are known as acupoints. Some channels appear to have many points distributed along them, some have fewer; some points are grouped closely together and others more distantly. These acupoints along the meridian channels can be thought of as access points to the flow of qi, or energy, in the body.

The idea of Qi flow in the body could be thought of as a river. A river has a source and it follows its course ultimately toward the ocean. As the river flows it will vary from shallow to deep, quick flowing to slow flowing, while always following the most ‘natural’ path. If we use this analogy of a river, we can think about a whirlpool in that river and consider how the whirlpool effect draws everything down into the heart of the river. This whirlpool is a vortex that gives access to the depth of the river at this point. We can consider acupuncture points as ‘energy vortices’ that draw Qi into or out of the body’s energy flow and provide access points at which the Qi flow of the body can be directly influenced from the outside.

Simple pressure on a specific point or ‘energy vortex’ will produce changes in the energy system, with consequent physical effects. This provides the basis for simple acupressure treatment. We do this simple acupressure technique naturally when we rub our temples when we have a headache or massage our lower back when it aches. Acupuncture simply takes this a stage further.

In acupuncture, fine needles are inserted into the patient’s body as a series of appropriately selected acupoints. The effect of the needling is expected to cause changes in the pattern of the patient’s energy system with the result being beneficial changes at the physical level. It is thought likely that the practitioner’s own energy system is also a factor in the process, the needle becoming an extension of that energy system.

Many conditions can be cured or at least improved by acupuncture administered by a qualified and experienced practitioner. A distal point (farthest from the site of the symptoms) is usually needled, as well as local points. A course of treatment is generally required, although results of a single treatment may sometimes be immediate and dramatic.

Acupuncture theory includes a system of differentiating disease patterns and the level of the problem in the body. If the client is suffering a lot of pain problems on the exterior of the body and/or an acute condition then the problem is considered a channel problem (meaning more superficial). Acupuncture at this level moves stuck qi, clears stagnation and expels external pathogenic factors. Local and distal points may be used and the results are often seen quickly.

If the client is suffering more chronic and long term problems, then the condition is considered to be an organ or Zang fu disharmony. The situation may be one of excess or deficient energy, or perhaps both, and the points selected will be dictated by the situation and the organs effected.

A combination of both channel problems and organ disharmony can also be treated at one time but priorities must be set. Excess conditions are usually treated before a deficiency condition and problems of a dual or complex nature are often treated with other modalities as well as acupuncture, such as herbal medicine or tui na massage.

You can feel it coming. Your shoulders feel tight, and there appears to be some kind of vice grip clutching your head like a bird of prey. You almost feel queasy because the pain is so immense. You cannot open your eyes without squinting because the light makes it worse. You finally give in and pop a few pain relievers all the while wondering how long you have to be attached to medication to feel decent. This is what headache pain relief often amounts to, but that is unfortunate.

Pretty much every person on the planet has experienced a headache at some point in their lives. Whether it is from squinting to read, a head cold or caffeine withdrawal, there are numerous reasons why a person gets a headache. However, it is not always necessary to take medication to rid yourself of the pain. There are many other more natural ways to get headache pain relief. Here are a few to try:

Massage: Trigger point massage is the most effective for headaches. There are all kinds of knotted up muscles in our bodies, and trigger point therapy can help release those areas, thus relieving the pain that they can cause in other areas of the body.

Acupuncture: The idea behind this ancient form of healing is that the body has energy centers that get blocked. Acupuncture is well known for its ability to relieve headaches and many other kinds of pain and illness.

Magnesium: Try taking some powdered magnesium as it is the calming mineral. It loosens muscle tension and relaxes the body.

Drink more water: If you are not drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day (and more if you exercise), drinking more water is one simple way to rid yourself of headaches. The body will produce headaches even in mild cases of dehydration, so start drinking your water.

Exercise: If you are not exercising on a regular basis, you should because “feel good” hormones are produced when you exercise. They are natural pain killers, so they work like a charm for headaches.
Headache pain relief can be simple and easy if you know what to try. You may have to try a few different techniques before finding the one that is right for you, but don’t give up. Getting away from medications is certainly worth the effort for your long term health.

The chemicals in cigarette smoke irritate the lungs, which in someone with asthma are already inflamed. If you have asthma, smoking is about the most dangerous thing you can do and the best thing to do is stop. Many smokers fear that is they quit they will put on weight. Some people do indeed gain weight, but usually only a few kilograms which are lost in a matter of months.

Smoking reduces the appetite so when you give up cigarettes, food tastes better and you eat more. Moreover, many smokers enjoy a cigarette after a meal. When you give up that may be replaced by a second helping or a dessert. If you are hungry, snack on fresh fruit and vegetables. If you feel you need hypnotherapy, acupuncture, nicotine patches or chewing gum to help you, by all means use them, but sometimes all they do is put off the day when you throw away the cigarettes, ashtray and lighter.

You will have a tough couple of weeks and you will need the support and tolerance of friends and family, but it will be worth the effort. You may experience withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability and sleeping problems. Be proud that you have given up smoking, take it one day at a time and congratulate yourself at the end of the day.

Do not be tempted to have just one cigarette. It will probably lead to another and another. Acid air is caused when gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide react with water vapor. Not much is known about its effects. Power stations, cars, lorries and heavy industry are among the main contributors to atmospheric pollution.