Acupuncture Success in Baltimore Prison

The Baltimore Sun newspaper recently ran a story describing how acupuncture has been used in the Baltimore City Detention Center for 16 years. The program was created for non-violent offenders who have problems with drug abuse. Instead of prison, people can be sentenced to a rigorous 45-day behind-bars program that includes 25 acupuncture sessions, group and individual counseling, GED training, life-skills classes and family mediation for addicts who want to mend devastated relationships.

Acupuncture can curb cravings for drugs and the inmates in Baltimore also report that it helps to clear their minds and soothe them. This effect, in conjunction with the other services, gives them a fighting chance against their addictions.

What is Swine Flu? How Can You Prevent Infection?

Here are some helpful answers from WebMD to common questions that are being asked about this scary new illness.

What is The Swine Flu?

Like people, pigs can get influenza (flu), but swine flu viruses aren't the same as human flu viruses. Swine flu doesn't often infect people, and the rare human cases that have occurred in the past have mainly affected people who had direct contact with pigs. But the current swine flu outbreak is different. It's caused by a new swine flu virus that has spread from person to person -- and it's happening among people who haven't had any contact with pigs.

How Can I Prevent Infection?

The CDC Recommends The Following:

*Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
*Avoid close contact with sick people.
*Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

To read more about the Swine Flu on WebMD click here

Acupuncture in IVF Linked to Lower Miscarriage and Ectopic Rates

This post is from bnet.com
January, 2005

PHILADELPHIA -- Women who receive acupuncture during the stimulation phase of an in vitro fertilization cycle and again immediately after embryo transfer have a higher live-birth rate than do controls, according to the first acupuncture study with this end point. "Other studies have looked at pregnancy rates, but what is really important is whether or not there is a baby," said Paul C. Magarelli, M.D., who reported his findings at the annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. The retrospective study included 131 women who were undergoing standard in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). All of these women were considered good prognosis candidates for IVF/ICSI and were given the choice of having acupuncture.

A total of 83 women declined (controls) and 48 accepted. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of infertility diagnoses, demographics, and treatment protocols, except that sperm morphology was slightly better in the partners of women receiving acupuncture (7.3% vs. 5.9% normal forms with strict criteria evaluation), and the average uterine artery pulsatility index was lower in the acupuncture group (1.57 vs. 1.72), said Dr. Magarelli of the department of ob.gyn. at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. The study found that pregnancy rates per embryo transfer were not significantly different between the two groups (50% in the acupuncture group and 45% in controls).

The miscarriage rate was almost halved in the acupuncture group (8% vs. 14%). In addition, the rate of ectopic pregnancies was significantly lower in the acupuncture group--0 of 24 pregnancies (0%) vs. 2 of 37 pregnancies (9%), said Dr. Magarelli, who is also in private practice in Colorado Springs and Albuquerque. Thus, the live-birth rate per IVF/ICSI cycle was significantly higher in the acupuncture group than in controls (21% vs. 16%). "The live-birth rate per pregnancy is an even more telling number, since some cycles get cancelled.

There was a 42% live-birth rate per pregnancy in the acupuncture group, compared to a 35% rate in the nonacupuncture group," Dr. Magarelli said in an interview with this newspaper. "We believe that what we are doing is improving the uterine environment such that implantation is improved," he added.

to read the rest of the article click here
To read about recent Acupuncture and IVF Research click here

Healthy Eating for Less

Here are some excerpts, from an article posted to The World's Healthiest Foods. It is full of healthy food suggestions on a budget.

As many people scrutinize their investments, it's important to not overlook one of our most important investments, our health. Diet can play an integral role in long-term health-let alone the level of energy and vitality we feel in the present-so it's important to not give up healthy eating for fear that it costs too much to do so. When people think of healthy eating, they think that it costs much more than convenience and fast food. Yet, you can definitely eat well, with respect for your pleasure and health, while treating your wallet well and with respect.

The following are some tips we created that will help you to lower your food costs without sacrificing the enjoyment and healthfulness of your meals:

Shopping Strategies

Prepare a shopping list and watch for specials

Do the preparation yourself

Purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables that are in season

Focus on purchasing non-perishable vegetables

At the top of the list of non-perishable vegetables would be the root vegetables, including carrots, onions, garlic, beets, and potatoes, and sweet potatoes/yams. Some less familiar (but nutritionally excellent) root vegetables that can be easily stored include celery root, taro, burdock, rutabaga, turnip, and parsnip.

Best bet fruits

Bananas are another nutrient-rich, rather low-cost, fruit. Mangos, papaya, kiwifruit, and pineapple are among the fruit that the Environmental Working Group found to contain the least amount of pesticide residues; therefore, if you are looking to save money by purchasing some conventionally grown, rather than organically grown, fruits these are among the best choices.
Consider frozen vegetables and fruits

Highlight protein-rich beans in your Healthiest Way of Eating

Instead of purchasing meat high in saturated fat and cholesterol, you can enjoy beans, which have minimal saturated fat and are free of cholesterol. This category of foods-including lentils, split peas, and every type of dried bean-is a great choice for low-budget, health-promoting meal plans.

Cooking Strategies

Home-cooked food definitely costs less than buying pre-prepared food or eating at restaurants. Yet, you may not want to nor have time to engage in full-scale cooking every single day. To save money, batch cooking can be helpful in this regard and the more you cook from scratch the more money you save.

To read the entire article click here

Chinese Face Reading: Jen Aniston vs. Angelina Jolie

So what does Brad Pitt see in these two lovely ladies? I am happy to bring you the face reading, face off!

We have been subjected to soooooo many photographs of these two women, but today we ignore their imaginary feuds, pregnancies, love spats and new releases. Instead, we take a look at the structure of their faces to see into their personalities.

Lips

Angelina has world famous lips. Her large upper lip indicates that she is very giving, as we have seen in her charity work.

Jen can’t match those lips (who could!) and her narrower upper lip indicates a less giving nature.

Eyes

Angelina has big round eyes that suggest she is social and open. Combine that with her deep philtrim (the indentation above the upper lip) and I'll bet she possesses a strong sexual desire. Though her escapades when she was married to Billy Bob Thorton could have told us that!

Jen’s eyes are smaller, indicating that she holds back more. Her eyes are also closer together which further emphasizes this trait, but also shows greater attention to detail.

What do they have in common?

They both have strong jawlines indicating that they are both stubborn however the fact that Jen’s chin juts out a bit shows she has a light hearted side.

Naturally Treat Celiac Disease

This article is from NaturalNews.com
March 29, 2009
by: Sheryl Walters, citizen journalist
Key concepts: Disease, Celiac disease and Gluten

Millions of people are affected by celiac disease, a condition that causes an autoimmune reaction to gluten which is found in wheat, barley, and rye. This reaction results in inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and destruction of villi (small fingerlike projections responsible for nutrient absorption) in the small intestine. As a result, malabsorption and malnutrition often occur resulting in varied symptoms that often make diagnosis of celiac disease difficult. The symptoms of celiac are a result of this malabsorption and malnutrition and can be helped through dietary changes, natural supplements, and alternative healthcare.

As many as 1 in 133 people in the U.S. have celiac disease but many of these cases are mostly likely undiagnosed because of the vagueness of symptoms. Testing for celiac disease includes a blood test for antigens and a small intestine biopsy.

Most people with celiac disease suffer from gastrointestinal difficulties including bloating, diarrhea, cramping, and gas. Some do not have any gastrointestinal symptoms at all, however, and instead have vague symptoms including weight loss, fatigue, anemia, infertility, and nerve damage. Celiac disease in children may manifest as short stature and delayed development.

There is no cure for celiac but symptoms can be controlled through following a gluten free diet. In addition, there are supplements that can be taken to help the body recover from the damaging effects of the autoimmune reactions.

*Echinacea and Goldenseal taken for a short time period can help recovery by boosting immune function with their anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

*Probiotics are helpful for gastrointestinal health by providing necessary good bacteria that the gut needs to digest food. It is important to find a brand that is gluten free.

*Digestive enzymes can help with digestion as the gastrointestinal tract is recovering, allowing for better absorption and nutrition.

*Replace lost vitamins and minerals with a daily multi-vitamin. Again, check to be sure that the supplement is gluten free.

*Medicinal clay helps promote healing and protects from irritation.

*Silica decreases inflammation and protects from abrasions and toxins.

Acupuncture can also be used to help relieve the abdominal pain, bloating, and other symptoms of celiac disease. It has been shown that regular acupuncture treatments can help to relieve the acute and chronic pain that many people with celiac experience. Even in cases when gluten free diets do not result in immediate improvement, acupuncture has been shown to be effective.

When a gluten free diet is not followed there is a greater risk for gastric cancer and lymphoma. Proper diagnosis and management is important to address these risks as well as treat the issues that result from malabsorption and malnutrition.

Sources:

www.celiac.com

www.celiac.org

Acupuncture Management of Celiac Disease, John L. Stump, D.C. (http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/a...)

Earth Day

Happy Earth Day!

What is Acupuncture and How Can it Help You?

from the examiner.com
by Katie Mattson

Acupuncture is a 4,000 year old system of treatment based in Chinese health care that uses sterile needles to activate energy channels in the body. Don’t discount it’s effects because it sounds a bit out there – or even because of your aversion to needles. This isn’t a form of medicine that was created overnight. It has evolved and matured over the years into what it is today – a highly effective form of treatment for anything from pain relief (such as migraines or arthritis) to chronic conditions such as allergies or digestive problems.

Acupuncture is a system of medicine based on balancing the energy in your body. We are all made up of energy and that energy flows through channels that connect your bones, organs, emotions, thoughts and function. When you have energy blocked in those channels, you experience pain or dysfunction. Acupuncture is really effective for people who have tried traditional medicine and aren’t getting the results they were looking for. In some cases, acupuncture can be more effective than traditional medicine.

When you’re looking for an acupuncturist, you’ll want to make sure that he/she has state licensure and national board certification. If you’re wondering whether you have a condition that acupuncture can treat, feel free to call and ask. When you receive treatment the needles won’t hurt, but you’ll feel a slight poking sensation. You might even feel a bit of an energy current extending from the needle’s source, but it isn’t a painful sensation. It’s important to let your acupuncturist know if you feel prolonged pain from a needle.

For more information on Acupuncture Check out these web sites
Acupuncture.com and NCCAOM.org

Women Use Acupuncture for Infertility

News 14 of North Carolina recently did a story on acupuncture for infertility
By: Heather Childers

For Lara Nordstrom, sessions with her acupuncturist, Amy Rhodes, are relaxing, especially since she has 13-month-old twins at home.

Most people try acupuncture to relieve pain, insomnia and allergies. But women are also using it for infertility.

Lara combined in vitro fertilization with acupuncture, where tiny needles are inserted into specific points in the body to improve health and well being.

It’s based on the belief that life energy flows through the body along defined meridians.

Donna Black was told she couldn’t have another child, and IVF wasn’t an option. But thanks to a friend, she decided to try acupuncture. She got pregnant, and her son is now eight.

Donna and Lara are part of the 75 percent success rate claimed by Hipple Acupuncture. The average IVF success rate in the U.S. is 50 percent.

Rhodes said that if you decide acupuncture is for you, make sure you see that your practitioner is licensed and not just registered or certified.

To see the video click here

Treating Allergies with Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

This post is from Acufinder.com
By: Carl Hangee-Bauer, ND, L.Ac.
Website: http://somaacupuncture.com

With spring’s sunshine and flowers come wind and pollen, which for many people signals the onset of allergy season. Tree pollens are the most prevalent pollens in the spring and many trees are prolific pollinators. Grass and weed pollens follow in late spring and summer, and airborne mold spores can be found almost year round, as well as other common allergens such as dust, dust mites, and animal dander.

While many over-the-counter remedies promise symptomatic relief, practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believe that addressing the causes of allergies, treating the whole person, and focusing on balancing the immune system leads to substantial long-term health benefits in managing allergies.

What are allergies?

Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is an example of misplaced immunity. It is a learned response by the immune system wherein rapid physiological changes resulting in itchy eyes and throat, sinus congestion and sneezing, asthma, and even diarrhea are produced. Typically, exposure to an allergen such as tree pollen elicits a massive release of IgE antibodies which attach to white blood cells known as mast cells. These cells are mostly located in the lungs and upper respiratory tract, the lining of the stomach and the skin. When these cells are stimulated, they release a number of chemicals including histamine which produce the allergic symptoms.

IgE-mediated allergies result in almost immediate symptoms and may be life-long or "fixed." There are also other types of allergic responses, which can be transient. One example is the delayed hypersensitivity reaction in which the allergic response may take up to 72 hours to manifest itself. These immune system reactions are often IgG-mediated and are commonly seen with food as well as inhalant allergies. Additionally, practitioners may also use the term allergy to describe other immune system responses such as nonspecific hypersensitivity or intolerances which are not classic allergic reactions but produce undesirable health effects in response to environmental exposures.

One useful theory of allergy is the Total Load Theory, which states that for some people exposure to a single allergen may not be enough to trigger a symptomatic response; however, exposure to several allergens near the same time elicits an allergic response. For example, let's say that one is allergic to cow's milk and to cypress pollen. She may drink milk daily without any noticeable allergic response, however when cypress pollens are present, she suffers from allergies. By avoiding dairy products during pollen season, she may be able to lessen her "allergic load" and reduce her symptoms without reliance on symptomatic medications.

Allopathic Treatment of Allergies

Basic allopathic [western] medical therapies often rely on inhibiting the allergic response; antihistamines (Chlor-trimetron, Benadryl, etc.) are a good example. Other types of drugs used to treat allergic rhinitis or asthma include ones which act on the nervous system (Albuterol, epinephrine), cortico-steroids (prednisone), and decongestants.

Western medicine also emphasizes the importance of avoiding the allergen if possible, and the use of air filters to decrease exposure. When avoidance or elimination is impossible or impractical, the next level of treatment may be desensitization, the injection of small amounts of the allergen in gradually increasing doses in order to neutralize over time the number of antibodies present.

Although allopathic medicine is very effective at treating the allergic response, side effects such as drowsiness in some people, immune system suppression or over-reliance on medications cause many to seek alternative approaches to managing their allergies. Many turn to their acupuncturist for advice and treatment.

Allergies, Respiratory Health, and Traditional Chinese Medicine

TCM often views allergic rhinitis as related to Wind noting that symptoms come and go rapidly, cause congestion, and make the person want to avoid windy situations. This Wind often coexists with a deficiency of the Protective or Wei Qi. The nearest thing we associate with the Wei Qi in the west is resistance to colds and other respiratory infections. People with Wei Qi deficiency catch colds easily, and allergy symptoms may be particularly bad in the spring or fall, seasons which are generally windy.

The acupuncturist also looks for constitutional or more deeply-rooted signs in each person who presents with allergies. The principle here is treating the whole person. Often people with chronic allergies show signs of Spleen or Kidney Deficiency as well as Lung signs according to TCM. The goal of the acupuncturist is to develop a plan which addresses the person's acute symptoms and provides relief, while addressing the underlying immune system imbalance which is thought to be at the root of the person's allergies. Treatments often include dietary modification, the use of specifically chosen herbal formulas, and acupuncture.

Let's look briefly at an example of TCM treatment for allergies:

John presented with acute allergy symptoms of one-month's duration which included sneezing, runny nose with lots of watery phlegm, extreme fatigue and occasional loose stools. After taking his history and doing an examination, his acupuncturist assessed his condition according to TCM as Wei Qi Deficiency resulting from a weakness of the Lung and Spleen. In addition to general recommendations for his condition, John was given Minor Blue Dragon formula which has decongestant properties for those with copious clear phlegm, as well as Astra 8, an herbal formula designed to tonify the Lung and Spleen Qi. He was also told to minimize or avoid dairy products and excessively sweet or spicy foods.

As John's condition improved, he and his acupuncturist developed a plan to strengthen his immune system in preparation for next year's allergy season. This plan included replacing coffee with green tea, which is rich in catechins which exert anti-allergy effects, as well as taking quercetin, a bioflavinoid which has been shown to stabilize mast cells thus slowing the release of histamine and other chemicals related to allergies.

We can see that a comprehensive plan consists of both general therapies which are useful in the treatment of allergies as well as an individualized approach to each patient. After allergy symptoms are managed effectively, we then begin to address the long range plan of modifying the person's response to his environment which, if successful, reduces the frequency and severity of future allergic responses.

Acupuncture Used for Treatment of Uterine Fibroids in Cuba

From Ahora.cu
By Redaction Ahora
email: redaccion@ahora.cu
April 2009

The use of natural medicine, particularly acupuncture, has broadened the treatment prospects for uterine fibroids, which affect one every three women in Cuba.

As an initiative of Pinar del Rio's gynecologist Ana Rodriguez Núñez, the therapeutic alternative is implemented on a regular basis at the Comandante Pinares General Hospital, after being successfully used for the first time in the island in Santiago de Cuba. In 2008, some 200 women affected with this benign tumor were treated in that eastern province.

Reports by the gynecologists' team confirm an improvement in the patient's condition between the first and third sessions, as confirmed by periodic abdominal and transvaginal ultrasound tests.

This method is 6.2 times less expensive than surgery, reduces the discomfort and in most cases eliminates the most frequent symptoms such as pain, menstrual disorders or the combination of both.

Other procedures are under study to remove uterine fibroids without affecting the uterus, like radiation and hormone therapy; however, if those treatments can not fix the problem, the patient must undergo surgery, applied in 24 percent of cases.

The Comandante Pinares Hospital was opened 26 years ago by Fidel Castro. It has become a teaching hospital, so in addition to providing medical care to patients from the municipalities of the east of Pinar del Rio, it offers clinical education and training for future and current doctors, nurses, and other health professionals.

More People are Pursuing Acupuncture for Back pain

This is from a segment that appeared on the CBS Early show
4/8/09

Dr. Jennifer Ashton spoke with Harry Smith about the most effective methods to treat and prevent back pain.

Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton tells co-anchor Harry Smith that the survey confirms what she sees in her everyday medical practice, that back pain is "the most common ailment in this country," and that it can be difficult to treat.

What people found worked best, according to the survey, were hands-on therapies.

"They're staying away from things like medication, prescription drugs and surgery," Ashton said, and instead pursuing things like acupuncture, physical therapy and chiropractic adjustment.

To read the entire piece click here

To read more about Acupuncture and Back Pain click here

Einstein Couldn't Figure Out Income Tax

“The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.”


Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955)
U.S. Winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics

Chinese Medicine a Healthy Alternative for Kids

This article is From Healthy.net

Even healthy children are extremely vulnerable to common viruses, allergies and illnesses. Antibiotics are used more and more frequently for childhood ailments, but one problem with this is the possibility of overuse. Bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics when this form of medicine is over-diagnosed or becomes too common. Western and traditional Chinese medicine doctors are combining efforts to educate the public about the problems with, and misuse of antibiotics, as well as the available alternatives for children. Children are some of the patients that are most susceptible to the stronger, more resistant strains of bacteria that are created by the over-diagnosis of antibiotics.

Among the alternatives to antibiotics is traditional Chinese medicine. A gentler, subtler approach for children is Chinese herbal therapy, as well as various forms of massage, acupuncture and specific dietary guidelines. Some of the problems that these methods can easily alleviate include colds, ear infections, allergies and even skin problems, such as eczema, which has a strong correlation to breathing problems like asthma. Herbal formulas and eardrops have been known to quickly cure extreme ear infections in infants. Also, parents are often taught techniques used in Tui na massage, a practice which is meant to re-energize a person's qi (life force), open the body's defensive abilities, and get the energy moving in both the meridians and the muscles.

Chinese herbal remedies are effective because they are prescribed individually and are custom-written for the specific needs of each child. Each formula can have anywhere from four to 15 herbs, and many herbs have antibacterial or antiviral properties. Acupuncture for children is performed with great care, and is a more moderate version of that given to adults. Usually only two to three points on the body are attended, fewer than the average adult treatment. Children are actually more responsive to acupuncture than adults, and so the length of treatment is less. If the child or parent has an aversion to the use of needles, there are a number of related treatments that don't require the actual insertion of them. One is a Japanese style of pediatric acupuncture (shonishin) which involves combs, rollers, and brushes to stimulate various acupuncture points and channels of the child's body. The skin is never pierced, and the child's qi is still balanced. Many children find this treatment very soothing. Dietary changes are another important element to Oriental medicine. Breast milk is highly encouraged for infants, and if a breastfed baby has health problems, the mother's diet is often examined as well. Dairy products and food additives are believed to create phlegm and toxicity, and are some of the first irritants to be evaluated.

Children are the most cherished members of any society, and caring for them is a top priority. Western and Eastern medicine in conjunction can provide optimal health for kids of all ages. Both Parents and doctors are becoming more aware of the benefits that this ancient wisdom can offer to the smallest of patients.

For more information on children and TCM click here

Happy Easter

Happy Easter !

10 Tips to Get Out of Your Mind

1. Invite someone new out to lunch.

2. Make a list of everything you would try if you weren’t afraid – and then do one thing on that list.

3. Luxuriate in a hot shower or an epsom salt bath.

4. Write down 10 things you are grateful for and put the list where you will see it daily.

5. Don't wear a watch for 24 hours

6. Listen to a guided meditation

7. Make the choice to change your opinion about something or someone.

8. Wear something in a new style or color.

9. Call a friend or family member who makes you smile.

10. Take a walk (without a phone or mp3 player) and really notice what’s around you.

Country Legend Naomi Judd Takes On Pain

This post is from Napsnet.com

(NAPSI)-Singer, songwriter and patient advocate Naomi Judd has joined the national education program Partners Against Pain® to speak up for those living with pain, an often devastating condition that affects 75 million Americans-more people than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined.

In many cases, managing pain requires an integrative approach that combines prescription medications with complementary techniques such as physical therapy, acupuncture and massage. Since each person's pain is unique and different, Judd is encouraging people with pain and their caregivers to learn as much as they can and advocate for themselves and their loved ones to get proper care.

An integral part of Partners Against Pain® is an informative Web site with tools and content to help people with pain, their caregivers and health care professionals better understand the condition. The site-which can be accessed at www.partnersagainstpain.com-offers a range of information about various painful conditions including arthritis and cancer, as well as pain assessment and measurement tools, and links to pain education and advocacy groups.

To read the entire article click here

Acupuncture for Treating Tension Headaches

This article was published in the March issue of Acupuncture Today

Tension headaches, which have been described as a dull pain, almost as if there was a tight band around the head, are one of the most common forms of headaches. Individual studies have shown promising results for the use of acupuncture to treat this type of headache, but a 2001 meta-analysis that combined the results from 26 individual studies, six of which focused on tension headache, found, "The quality and amount of evidence are not fully convincing." The authors of this study added, "There is an urgent need for well-planned, large-scale studies to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture under real-life conditions." Now, an updated meta-analysis has found that the evidence for acupuncture in treating tension headaches is indeed convincing.

In the January 2009 edition of the Cochrane Library, Linde and colleagues examined the results of 12 randomized trials, with a total of 2,317 participants. They were looking to determine whether acupuncture is more effective than no treatment or just routine care; more effective than sham acupuncture treatment; and as effective as other interventions (physiotherapy, massage or relaxation) in reducing headache frequency.

In those studies that compared acupuncture treatment to no/routine care, 47 percent of patients receiving acupuncture reported a decrease in the number of headache days by at least 50 percent, compared to 16 percent of patients receiving either no or routine care. For those studies comparing true and sham acupuncture, 50 percent of patients receiving true acupuncture reported a decrease of the number of headache days by at least half, compared to 41 percent of patients receiving sham acupuncture.

The researchers concluded, "In the previous version of this review, evidence in support of acupuncture for tension-type headache was considered insufficient. Now, with six additional [tension headache] trials, the authors conclude that acupuncture could be a valuable nonpharmacological tool in patients with frequent episodic or chronic tension-type headaches."

Stress is Not a Good Idea

“Brain cells create ideas. Stress kills brain cells. Stress is not a good idea.”

Doug Hall
U.S. Inventor and Business Writer

Sheryl Crow Used Acupuncture and Herbs To Help Her Through Treatment For Breast Cancer

By Deborah Mitchell
Phoenix Alternative Medicine Examiner

Alternative care for breast cancer: Sheryl Crow did, should you?

When celebrities try an alternative medicine treatment such as acupuncture or herbal medicine for a serious disease like cancer, people pay attention. When Sheryl Crow was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a lumpectomy followed by seven weeks of radiation, she also supported her traditional treatment with acupuncture and a regimen of herbal teas.

Alternative treatment for breast cancer

The important thing to remember when applying alternative therapies to serious diseases such as cancer is that you should work with your physician when choosing and implementing alternative care. This is what Sheryl Crow did when she chose acupuncture and herbal remedies to help boost her immune system along with conventional treatment. When asked during a CNN interview about using alternative treatments, she said that she wanted to enhance her immune system. “I say why not?”In Ms. Crow’s case, she chose to consult the Tao of Wellness, an integrated health, well-being and longevity center in Santa Monica, California, which is staffed by highly respected practitioners of acupuncture and other arms of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In Arizona, the New Hope Medical Center in Scottsdale offers alternative treatments for cancer.

Acupuncture for breast cancer

Several studies have shown that acupuncture can provide relief from various symptoms related to breast cancer and/or its treatment. A Norwegian study from 2008, for example, found that acupuncture relieved hot flashes related to breast cancer treatment. A British study, also in 2008, found that ear acupuncture relieved hot flashes and sweating and also improved overall emotional and physical well-being in women who had breast cancer.A study conducted at Columbia University in New York found that acupuncture relieved the pain associated with the use of aromatase inhibitors, which are used to treat breast cancer. This finding was important because many women stop treatment with these drugs because of the severity of the side effects. Acupuncture allows them to continue with this effective treatment.

Herbs and food for breast cancer

Herbal therapy for breast cancer often includes herbs that help relieve symptoms associated with traditional treatment, such as radiation and chemotherapy. These symptoms include nausea, vomiting, mucositis (inflammation of the mucous membranes of the digestive tract), and fatigue. A review of seven studies found that Chinese herbs offer some relief of symptoms and enhance the immune system. Ginger is also sometimes recommended to relieve nausea.Some herbs are used because they reportedly have some anti-cancer properties. These include red clover, ashwagandha, and curcumin. Broccoli sprouts contain indole-3-carbinol, a component of broccoli and other members of the Brassica family, such as bok choy, kale, chard, and turnips. It has been found to interfere with breast cancer cell life cycle.

The Chinese Herb Dang Gui, The King of Blood Tonics

From Acufinder.com

Alternate Names; Angelicae Sinensis, Radix, Angelica Sinensis, Tang Kuei

Commentary

In the late 1800s, an extract of Dang Gui known as Eumenol became popular in Europe as a "female tonic". This is still the most widely known use for this herb in the West.

The carrot-like roots of this fragrant plant are harvested in the fall after about 3 years of cultivation and stored in airtight containers prior to processing. The dried root is spindle-shaped and snaps easily to reveal a pale yellow-brown interior.

Actions & Indications

Dang Gui is often recommended as a treatment for menstrual cramps, PMS, and other problems related to menstruation, as well as hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Traditionally, Dang Gui is said to be one of the most important herbs for strengthening the xue. The Chinese term xue is often translated as "blood," but it actually refers to a complex concept in traditional Chinese medicine, of which the western notion of blood is only a part.

Dang Gui

-Tonifies the blood and regulates menses
-Invigorates and harmonizes the blood and disperses cold.
-Reduces swelling, expels pus, generates flesh, and alleviates pain.

We recommend using Dang Gui under the supervision of an herbalist qualified in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, not because the herb is dangerous, but because it is difficult to self-prescribe Chinese herbal formulas.

Safety Issues

Dang Gui is generally believed to be nontoxic.

Interactions 

If you are taking blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin (warfarin), heparin, Plavix (clopidogrel), Ticlid (ticlopidine), Trental (pentoxifylline), or aspirin, Dang Gui might interact and increase the risk of bleeding.

References: Bensky, Dan and Gamble, Andrew. Chinese Herbal Medicine, Materia Medica. Seattle: Eastland Press, 1993.