Use Acupuncture To Treat Running Injuries

I am happy to announce a new guest blogger Amy Chitwood Burslem BA, MAcOM, LAC. Amy has a great blog and occasionally I will be reposting some of her articles here.

The Chicago Marathon is soon approaching and acupuncture is wonderful for easing the pain and inflammation that comes from running injuries. In this post Amy talks about the benefits of acupuncture for runners.

Acupuncture for Running Injuries

Acupuncture is a great way to treat common running injuries. Many runners have suffered the wrath of sore muscles, the ever-common “runners knee” (also known as patellofemoral syndrome or chondromalacia), and hip or ankle injuries. These annoying and painful injuries put a screeching halt to training, and it’s not what you want when the goal is a marathon in a month. Instead of taking handfuls of Ibuprofen, I recommend Traditional Chinese Medicine to help with the pain and speed up recovery.

By using specific needles in points surrounding the area of pain, acupuncture can help you get back on the road (or trail) sooner than you think. There are also needle techniques that can ease pain by using the “opposite” part of the body. For example, if you have pain in your right knee, a practitioner may use needles in your left elbow (It works, you’ll just have to trust me. Or read this excerpt from altmd.com):

"In Tung style acupuncture, distal points on the limbs are needled that can balance the Qi of the entire body. This technique is achieved though an imaging of the entire body onto the limbs, ear, and scalp. Acupuncture points on the chest and back were also used with bleeding techniques for specific conditions. Tung Style Acupuncture is growing in popularity and is considered highly-effective; however, finding a properly-trained practitioner can be difficult due to the limited transmission of knowledge from close teacher – student lines. Master Tung’s system of acupuncture is also referred to as Master Tong acupuncture or Tung’s Orthodox Acupuncture."

There are also inexpensive and wonderful plasters that Traditional Chinese medicine offers, such as Wu Yang and Yunnann Bai Yao. These plasters help move the blood that is creating stagnation in the area of the pain. Regular massages, such as Tuina treatments, can also help your injuries. Many local acupuncturists practice Tuina techniques (see previous post) for injuries, but be sure to call and ask specifically if the acupuncturist has been trained in Tuina. Local acupuncture schools,often offer a full treatment of Tuina massage. Moving the energy and blood sufficiently by a combination of acupuncture, herbal treatment and massage will have you back on the road (or trail) sooner that you think.

By balancing the energy in the body, acupuncture also helps runners sleep better to repair their bodies during rigorous training. It doesn’t matter if you are training for the Ironman or trying your first 5k- acupuncture will help you recover from minor injuries as long as you are you are treated on a regular basis. Happy training!

To read more about how acupuncture benefits runners click here

The Real Housewives of Atlanta Need Some Balance

Okay folks, it's confession time....I watch and enjoy The Real Housewives of Atlanta on Bravo TV ! The show started me thinking about all the reasons these ladies could benefit from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) because TCM is rooted in the concept of balance, you know, yin and yang , and balance is a belief that is sorely lacking in the ladies’ lives.

Let’s start with the Southern ladies very obvious shared need - STRESS RELIEF! Lisa, Sheree and Nene have all had unexpected real estate troubles; Kim broke up with Big Poppa, although I sense that a reconciliation is on the horizon; and Kandi is upset about the strained relationship between her mother and her fiancé. Any crowd with that much drama week after week ought to charter a jet and fly up here to my Chicago office for acupuncture. Acupuncture is wonderful at relieving stress, it works quickly, and is a drug free option (although I’m not sure that’s a selling point to the Housewives).

Another Housewife who could really benefit from a few needles is Kim Zolciak. Acupuncture could help her quit smoking and I would recommend some Chinese herbs to help with her hair loss. He Shou Wu is one Chinese herb that is useful for blood flow and hair loss. Maybe Kim should give it a try. You do remember the mysterious illness that caused her to lose her hair and the now famous wig pulling incident with Sheree. I loved Sheree’s insistence that she wanted to keep it classy and only "shift" the wig, not pull it of. Ah yes, a demonstration of real class, Sheree. Okay, I know that many of you who follow the show regularly are probably asking if there is a needle to cure someone of constantly lying. Sorry, no.

Nene has been trying to loose weight, so I would suggest both acupuncture and herbs to help curb those cravings and improve her energy - so she has more energy to work out! And Lisa Wu Hartwell (she doesn't doesn't need any more energy ) has been talking about getting pregnant again. She is 38 and has already visited a fertility doctor. Lisa honey, I’ve devoted many posts to the benefits TCM offers for improving fertility; take a look.

Finally ladies, please think seriously about adding balance to your lives – not balancing on 6 inch high heels or balancing a drink in one hand and a puff pastry in the other, but the concept of balance in Eastern philosophy.

This post is dedicated to Katie : ) who shares my appreciation for the ladies of Atlanta.

New Research: Chinese Herb's Benefit Heart Health

For years, I have touted several herbs for improving heart health, so I am particularly pleased to read the results of a new study showing the benefit of using Chinese Herbal Medicine. The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston suggests that ancient Chinese herbal formulas used primarily for cardiovascular conditions including heart disease work because they enhance the amount of nitric oxide in the inner walls of blood vessels and convert nitrite and nitrate into additional nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is an odorless gas that causes your blood vessels to relax and to widen, thereby opening up your arteries. This allows better blood flow to your heart and your other important organs.

The results in this study show that Chinese herbal formulas "have profound nitric oxide bioactivity…" said Nathan S. Bryan, Ph.D., the study's senior author and an IMM assistant professor.

Herbal formulas are a significant treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which also includes acupuncture, cupping, moxabustion and tui na (a Chinese therapeutic form of massage). The formulas used in the study were not named but two of the herbs contained in the formulas were identified as Dan Shen and Gua Lou. I like Dan Shen’s ability to improve the blood flow and help the heart and Gua Lou’s effectivenss in cough and chest constriction.

"TCMs have provided leads to safe medications in cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes," said C. Thomas Caskey, M.D., IMM director and CEO. "The opportunity for Dr. Bryan's work is outstanding given that cardiac disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States."

Yaoping Tang, M.D., an IMM postdoctoral fellow, was the lead author of the study. Also collaborating on the study was Harsha Garg, an IMM senior research assistant.

Tang, Y. et al., "Nitric oxide bioactivity of traditional Chinese medicines used for cardiovascular indications." Is published in Free Radical Biology & Medicine.

Some information in this post came from The University of Texas News Release

Acupuncture may also enhance Nitric Oxide, check it out

Acupuncture Reduces Stress And Improves Fertility

The Baltimore Sun ran an article reminding all of us that stress may interfere with couples getting pregnant. 1 in 8 couples experience fertility issues, according to the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth.

How Stress Works

Increasing, research has shown a link between stress and fertility in several ways. One, stress can prevent pregnancy by increasing too many of the fight-or-flight hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can reduce sperm count and prevent ovulation. Two, stress hormones can prevent the action of a key reproductive hormone known as gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). Three, stress can cause the increase of another reproductive hormone called Gonadotropin-Inhibitory Hormone (GnIH) which impedes procreation by preventing the GnRH hormone from being released.


 How to Reduce Stress


Couples are looking for ways to reduce stress and improve their chances at conception. One old fashioned (2000 years old) method is acupuncture. In my patients, I have seen acupuncture counter the physiological effects of stress, help women reestablish balance in their bodies and become pregnant.

To read the article in the Baltimore Sun click here

To read more about acupuncture and stress relief click here

To read more about acupuncture and fertility click here

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Acupuncture a Powerful Complementary Therapy for Cancer Patients

By Jack Bleeker

Mesothelioma.com
Director of Content Development/Outreach Coordination

The 21st Century has been accompanied by great strides in cancer treatment for patients of many different malignancies. Among the many reasons for this progress is the growing popularity of what is known as “integrative” oncology. Integrative oncology is a more comprehensive cancer treatment model that utilizes not only traditional therapies like surgery and chemotherapy, but also alternative therapies to enhance the effectiveness of traditional treatments. One of the more popular therapies used in conjunction with traditional treatments is acupuncture.

Acupuncture, originating in the Far East, has long been known for its relaxation and pain-relief benefits, but was not fully implemented or recommended within cancer treatment regimens until more recently.

How Does Acupuncture Benefit Cancer Patients?

One must understand the principles integrative oncology to appreciate how acupuncture’s benefit to those undergoing cancer treatment. Alternative therapies, like acupuncture, are not designed to fight the cancer as a sole method of treatment. Rather, these therapies are used in conjunction with traditional treatments in an effort to lessen uncomfortable symptoms of traditional treatments like those brought on by chemotherapy and radiation. Symptoms of the cancer itself often pale in comparison to the extreme symptoms brought on by toxic chemotherapy regimens. The success and effectiveness of these traditional therapies often depend on the patient being able to endure these symptoms, making any treatment which can reduce these symptoms extremely valuable in the bigger picture.

Acupuncture has been proven effective in conjunction with traditional therapies because it has the ability to reduce symptoms onset by traditional therapies. Weight loss, fatigue, pain, nausea, and general illness are common in patients undergoing treatment for many different cancers are predominantly the unfortunate side effects of traditional cancer treatments. Acupuncture has, to varying degrees, been shown to alleviate each of these symptoms in patients undergoing treatment, thereby increasing the effectiveness of these treatments as patients are able to endure symptoms and maintain health throughout the high doses of chemotherapy and radiation necessary to reduce the cancer volume in the body.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer known only to be caused by exposure to asbestos. Patients of mesothelioma are often precluded from surgical resection as a curative therapy and therefore rely heavily upon chemotherapy and radiation to reduce tumor mass. Acupuncture has been shown to be an extremely valuable therapy for mesothelioma patients, reducing the symptoms of these traditional therapies which require extremely high-toxicity doses of both radiation and different mesothelioma chemotherapy agents to fight the aggressive cancer.

Acupuncture has been shown so effective in integrative oncology treatment regimens that both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) have formally recognized the value of complementary acupuncture in comprehensive cancer treatment programs.

While certainly acupuncture could benefit many cancer patients, it may not be appropriate for all those undergoing cancer treatment. Specifically, those with a history of endocarditis, thrombocytopenia, or neutropenia should avoid acupuncture. Patients who use an existing pacemaker or those with lymphedema should consult with their oncologist before commencing any acupuncture regimen or other complementary therapy.

To read more about alternative therapies for cancer patients click here

Sources

-The National Cancer Institute: A Pilot Study of Cancer-Related Fatigue
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The National Institute of Health: Acupuncture Within Integrative Oncology -Methodology

World Health Organization: Acupuncture Research in Cancer Treatment

Giants Love Acupuncture

Maybe the giants in fairy tales didn’t love acupuncture, but certainly the SF Giants do. I’ve told you about many reports of athletes turning to Chinese Medicine, particularly acupuncture (check out some of my posts about the use of Chinese Medicine at the Olympics). Now, the SF Giants’ team acupuncturist has given an interview to Acupuncture Today (8/09, V10 #8) and it is a good read.

Haro Ogawa, MSOM, LAc, CMT, ATC, treats baseball players, NASCAR drivers, and basketball players. Giants’ success this year has been due, in large measure, to Ogawa's 46-year-old star client and future Hall-of-Famer, Randy "The Big Unit" Johnson who is using acupuncture for the first time this season.

David Groeschner, head athletic trainer for the Giants, told Acupuncture Today that Ogawa's work with the players has been great. "The players love him and love the treatments. In our game, we are out there every day, so the players get sore and banged up. They definitely get back into the game more quickly because of his work."

You can read the entire interview with Ogawa here

Acupuncture As A Treatment For Fibromyalgia Syndrome

From Acufinder.com
By: Diane Joswick, L.Ac., MSOM

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) affects an estimated 2 percent of the population. Conventional therapies are limited in the success of treating this complex and unexplained condition. Current treatment is largely comprised of prescribing different medications for the varying symptoms in a trial and error approach. Research shows that as many as 90 percent of people with fibromyalgia have turned to complementary and alternative medicine to manage their symptoms. Acupuncture, in particular, has become a popular treatment choice and has shown to be an effective treatment for FMS.

What is Fibromyalgia Syndrome?

Fibromyalgia is a medically unexplained syndrome characterized by chronic widespread pain, a heightened and painful response to pressure, insomnia, fatigue, and depression. While not all affected persons experience all associated symptoms, the following symptoms commonly occur together:

• chronic pain
• debilitating fatigue
• difficulty sleeping
• anxiety and depression
• joint stiffness
• chronic headaches and jaw pain
• difficulty swallowing
• dryness in mouth, nose, and eyes
• hypersensitivity to odors, bright lights, and loud noises
• inability to concentrate (called "fibro fog")
• incontinence
• irritable bowel syndrome
• numbness or tingling in the fingers and feet
• painful menstrual cramps
• poor circulation in hands and feet (called Raynaud's phenomenon)
• restless legs syndrome

Fibromyalgia is diagnosed when there is a history of widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body for a minimum duration of three months and pain when pressure is applied to at least 11 of 18 designated tender points on the body. This condition does not result in any physical damage to the body or its tissues and there are no laboratory tests which can confirm this diagnosis.

Symptoms often begin after a physical or emotional trauma, but in many cases there appears to be no triggering event. Women are more prone to develop the disorder than are men, and the risk of fibromyalgia increases with age.

From an Eastern Perspective

The Oriental medicine theory of pain is expressed in this famous Chinese saying: "Bu tong ze tong, tong ze bu tong" which means "free flow: no pain, no free flow: pain."

Pain is seen as a disruption of the flow of Qi within the body. The disruption of Qi that results in fibromyalgia is usually associated with disharmonies of the Liver, Spleen, Kidney and Heart Systems.

The Acupuncture Treatment

Oriental Medicine does not recognize fibromyalgia as one particular disease pattern. Instead, it aims to treat the specific symptoms that are unique to each individual depending on their constitution, emotional state, intensity and location of their pain, digestive health, sleeping patterns and an array of other signs and symptoms. Therefore, if 10 people are treated with Oriental medicine for fibromyalgia, each of these 10 people will receive a unique, customized treatment with different acupuncture points, different herbs and different lifestyle and dietary recommendations.

Because the symptoms of fibromyalgia are highly variable form one person to another, a wide array of traditional and alternative treatments has been shown to be the most effective way of treating this difficult syndrome. A treatment program may include a combination of psychological or behavioral therapies, medications, exercise, acupuncture, herbal medicine and bodywork.

to read what the Mayo clinic has to say about acupuncture and fibromyalgia click here

Wisdom Never Goes Out of Style

Lao Tzu, a sixth century philosopher, is known as the father of Taoism and the author of the “Tao-Te Ching. Tao means ‘the way of all life’, Te means ‘the fit use of life by men’, and Ching mean ‘text’. This ancient Chinese text is the world’s most translated classic after the Bible.

Lao Tzu was not his real name, but an honorific title given to the sage, meaning “Old Master.” I have found wisdom in the Tao and have learned a perspective that is different from ideas held here in the West. Lao Tzu called attention to the ideas of simplicity and compassion. He also emphasized the connection between all living things. Lao Tzu was probably the original proponent of "going with flow". When I first started my graduate program in Chinese Medicine, I was resistant to many of the Eastern concepts and found them hard to grasp. But, as I studied and realized the value in these different ideas, my perspective changed. So getting a Master's degree not only gave me a career I love , it also gave me a new point of view and a more grateful attitude. Many of Lao Tzu’s quotes speak to basic truths and have become quite famous. Perhaps you will also find inspiration from the "Old Master."

"An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox."

This is a quote to remember when you are tired, or when the road ahead looks very long. Progress is an accumulation of a million little steps. When I was in a rain forest in Costa Rica, I came upon hundreds of thousands of ants trailing in formation, building the biggest ant hill I've ever seen. It was probably 4 feet tall and just as wide. I will never again doubt what ants can do. Their cooperation and persistence paid off.

"Born to be wild - live to outgrow it."

Risk and excitement are wonderful aspects of life, particularly during your youth. But, if you are smart, you enjoy your wild days but don’t do anything so dangerous that you jeopardize your chances of growing up.

"Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."

I'm sure many of you have heard the second half of this quote - No matter how long the journey or how big the task, it always begins with the first small step. The first sentence is equally important. It reminds us that tasks and problems start small; they only get bigger when they are avoided, so we ought to face our problems promptly.

"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading."

Most of us have been guilty of saying some variety of, “I want to a lose couple of pounds,” and then, with that depressing knowledge, head right for the refrigerator and the chocolate brownies. Or, “I want to teach the children to talk with an ‘indoor voice’ and then turn around and yell from another room, “Have you turned off the TV?” When we want something, we need to go directly toward it or we will wind up elsewhere.

"One who is too insistent on his own views, finds few to agree with him."

The older I get, the more I see this is true. If you are not open to other's perspectives, your world narrows and you will find that you are only talking to yourself.

"The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth."

I think this is a very powerful quote and it is another one that makes more sense with age. Truth is just truth; the words may not be the ones we hoped to hear. And, the words that sound beautiful to our ears, the words we longed for, may not carry truth.

To read more quotes by Lao Tzu click here

Author (and My Mom : ) Linda Edelstein Ph.D.

I am proud to report that my mother Dr. Linda Edelstein was recently interviewed for akgmag.com check it out!

Author, Linda N. Edelstein Ph.D.

I’m a clinical psychologist, author and professor. I have a private practice in Chicago and Evanston, Illinois, where I work with individuals and couples. My course at Northwestern University is entitled, “Adult Development” and comes from my years of clinical work, as do my books. My first book was Maternal Bereavement, a book about grief and adaptation.

The Art of Midlife: Courage and Creative Living for Women was much more upbeat and helped midlife women make creative changes in their lives. The Writer’s Guide to Character Traits has been a big seller, 60,000 + copies. In that book, I took tons of research and boiled it down into lists that writers can easily use to create authentic characters in their novels.

Thank you Linda for answering a few questions for us! What is your latest project about?

My latest project is writing a book entitled, “What Do I Say?” It’s a book for student therapists and early career clinicians who worry about answering the uncomfortable questions that clients ask them. It is quite different from any books on the shelves; it is very friendly, even humorous, and speaks in conversational language rather than the heavy psychological terms that so many therapy books use. My co-author, Charlie Waehler, Ph.D., and I are lucky that we have a contract with John Wiley and Sons and we are working hard to make the May, 2010 deadline.

Have you received any awards for your work?

I received Teacher of the Year Award twice when I was a professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Chicago.

Do you also do speaking engagements, or seminars?

Yes, I love to talk to people outside the classroom or therapy room. Teaching grad students is very rewarding because I like having a say in the training of future clinicians but it is a terrific feeling to bring psychology out of the office or classroom and into people’s lives in practical ways. I often talk about midlife, life transitions, identity, and adaptation throughout life.

How has your education, profession or background helped you in your writing career? Or conversely, how has you writing success helped you in your profession?

I just had this conversation with one of my grad students. My core identity is that of a therapist – everything else seems to have grown out of that central identity. My teaching, my writing, even my sculpture emanates from thinking about people’s emotions, puzzling through problems, and wanting to listen to and tell stories. Certainly, my lengthy education and being a therapist has helped. As a clinician, it is important to be clear, to be genuine, and to focus on the important points, not irrelevancies. Those hard won skills are very helpful to me as a writer.

Is there any aspect to your profession that gets you in touch with your readers directly?

I am lucky to be in a profession that is very real and directly connected to emotion. That helps my writing.

What will your next project be?

The next project is in progress – it is the therapy book that I described above. In that book, in addition to answering hundreds of questions, I created a cast of cartoon characters who illustrate the universal problems that grad students deal with. Maybe I’ll take those characters and give them life on a blog for the book. I also have written a psychological novel that I want to fix up and try to get published.

Who inspires you on a personal or business level?

My parents used to inspire me because they really believed that I could accomplish anything – silly as that was, it gave me confidence. Now, my daughters inspire me (of course this is my favorite part : ). Like many other mothers, I want to do well so that I can shine in their eyes.

What can you recommend for writers who are just getting started and are trying to make a name for themselves?

It has been said before… Write what you know; fake sounds fake and authentic sounds authentic. Even if you change the scene, time, or events, use the emotions that you can personally reach. Also, be brutally honest with your writing. Finally, and I learned this the hard way - stay away from too many lessons, classes, or teaches who inhibit your writing – always go toward greater freedom, push the edge.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

I work as a clinician four days a week. When I have a writing project, I daily add a couple of hours for writing and more on weekends and Monday (my non-clinical day). I need structure. I often block out writing time on my calendar and then I try to respect it in the same way that I respect my therapy hours.

Finally, a most important question: what was the last song you sang out loud when you were by yourself? :)

It hasn’t been a song lately. At odd hours, I find myself saying, “Thank you.” I teach adult development, but it still took me a long time to really understand that we better keep growing, keep developing, keep creating our lives in whatever ways that we can or life steps in and dictates our days.

Thank you Linda! We wish you great success with your new book “What Do I Say?”!

To read the original interview click here

To read my mother's guest posts on this blog click here

Chinese Herbs Help Prevent Painful Menstrual Cramps

Many women deal with painful menstrual cramps every month. Chinese Medicine can work wonders when it comes to PMS. Both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can reduce cramping, bloating, and irritability that often accompany a woman's monthly cycle. This article discusses some of the commonly used Chinese herbs for PMS.

By Cathy Margolin L.A.c.
Jun 1st, 2009

Do painful menstrual cramps plague you each month? You are not alone, as 50% of menstruating women have the same experience month after month. But why suffer when you could be living pain free? NSAIDs only mask the pain for a few short hours. Chinese herbal medicine, on the other hand, has been used for centuries with well-documented results.An international nonprofit organization, known as the Cochrane Collaboration, studied the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine in relieving menstrual pain compared to western drugs. Their conclusion: “Chinese herbal medicine for primary dysmenorrhea roughly doubled pain relief and improvement in overall symptoms compared with conventional Western pharmaceuticals,” reported Xiaoshu Zhu.1

Here are a few common Chinese herbs used for painful menstrual cramps:

1. Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica or Angelica Sinensis)

Also known as the "female ginseng," it is commonly used to regulate the menstrual cycle and relieve menstrual cramps. It also helps to relieve menopausal symptoms, reduce PMS and anemia and to re-establish a menstrual cycle after cessation of birth control pills. It is commonly sold as a single herb tea, bagged or loose. It is considered a king herb or premier herb in Chinese gynecological disease because of its ability to harmonize the blood in Chinese medicine. Dong Gui is also considered antispasmodic. The coumarin chemicals present in this herb may help dilate blood vessels and relax the smooth muscles of the uterus, thus relieving menstrual cramping.

2. Chuan Xiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma)

This herb is also a key medicinal herb for treating pain. It improves blood circulation and promotes the flow of "qi" or vital energy. Chinese women, dating back to the Song Dynasty, used to take this Chinese herb in the form of soup. The soup is called a Four Substance Decoction and includes three other herbs: angelica, red peony and Chinese foxglove. The soup and tea are still used today as a blood tonic to relieve PMS, stop menstrual pain and improve overall health, especially after giving birth.

3. Bai Shao (White Peony Root)

White Peony Root nourishes the blood and improves circulation. It is also used for a wide variety of gynecological problems. The peony root is considered a liver tonic in Chinese medicine. By strengthening the liver, it helps to increase the efficiency of protein and fat metabolism, thus inhibiting the excessive synthesis of prostaglandins that may cause an over-active uterus and endometrial pain.

4. Yi Mu Cao (Chinese Motherwort)

The leaves from this herb can be used to treat menstrual problems. They have been shown to improve blood circulation and clear blood clots that occur in menstrual disorders and after childbirth. The leaves also promote diuresis and relieve edema. Studies on the alkaloid leonurine showed that this substance stimulates the uterus of rabbits, cats, dogs and guinea pigs.2

5. Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis Rhizome)

There are two main functions of this Chinese herb: to strengthen blood circulation and to relieve pain. When used with chuan xiong it is known to help both body aches and headaches. Corydalis is related to the opium poppy. Although only 1% in strength compared to opium, it is a very effective pain reliever. The active chemical constituent di- tetrahydropalmatine (THP) is a neuroactive alkaloid with analgesic action that relieves cramping pain.

Groups of Chinese herbs, also known as formulas, are more beneficial than single herb remedies because the herbs work synergistically for conditions such as menstrual cramps. The Cochran study also stated that: “The herbal remedies were also significantly better at relieving painful cramps and other symptoms than acupuncture or a hot water bottle, with overall promising findings… Chinese herbs overall, whether standardized or tailored, yielded better pain relief than conventional pharmaceutical therapies.”

The five herbs above are only a few of the herbs beneficial for menstrual cramps in the Chinese herbal library. Asian pharmacies sell prescriptions of herbal teas and pills daily, and Asian cultures have used herbs successfully for hundreds of years. By replacing NSAIDs with Chinese herbs, women are able to avoid the nasty NSAID3 side effects, such as upset stomach, heartburn, ulcers and rashes, and liver damage, to name a few. Women don’t need to suffer month after month. You can use Chinese herb supplements to be pain free and PMS symptom free all month long.

Primary source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Source; Zhu X, et al "Chinese herbal medicine for primary dysmenorrhoea" Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007;3: CD005288.

1.Chinese Medicine Program at the University of Western Sydney.1 (fourth issue for 2007 of The Cochrane Library).

2. Yin, J. Modern Research and Clinical Application of Chinese Materia Medica (2) pp 218-219 Beijing: Chinese Medical Classic Press.

NSAIDs are Non-Sterodial Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. Generics and name brands include: ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, naproxen sodium, Aleve, aspirin, Bayer, Bufferin, acetaminophen, and Tylenol.

Cathy Margolin is a Licensed Acupuncturist and consumer health advocate with a passion for teaching people how to improve their health through the use of Chinese herbal formulas. She enjoys impacting the lives of readers around the world who haven’t yet experienced the phenomenal health benefits from the ancient wisdom of Chinese herbal medicine. She currently maintains an Acupuncture & Chinese herbal medicine practice, writes herbal formulas for her patients and works at PACHerbs.com.

Surgery Patients at Duke Are Benefiting From Acupuncture

Surgery patients at Duke University Medical Center are finding that acupuncture relieves pain after surgery. A reporter from Durham, N.C., did a story describing how doctors from Duke are using acupuncture with anesthesia to speed recovery and reduce discomfort in patients.

When Dr. Gan uses acupuncture for surgery, he keeps the needles in place during the surgery, but remove them immediately afterward. Patients need less pain medication during surgery and less of those costly drugs after their procedures.

Duke Anesthesiologist T.J. Gan also uses acupuncture to relieve the side effects of chemotherapy. "We have conducted a number of these studies comparing acupuncture with a well-recognized anti-emetic or anti-sickness medication," said Gan. "And acupuncture compares very well. And in some instances, acupuncture may even be better."

"The needle that we use is very, very tiny and are much smaller than any other needles you will find in a hospital," said Gan. "In fact, some patients don't even feel it."

Gan introduced acupuncture at Duke University Medical Center ten years ago. He said acupuncture can be safe for any patient, so long as they are comfortable with the practice and are in the hands of a licensed acupuncturist.

Excerpted from NBC17, Julie Henry, Durham, N.C. To read the original story and see the video click here

The Benefits Of Acupuncture For Cancer Patients

By Timothy Cavanaugh

Those coping with cancer and other forms of disease often look to acupuncture and other alternative therapies to provide relief for pain, stress and anxiety. Practiced as early as the Stone Age, acupuncture has been a source of relief for numerous conditions for thousands of years. The exact way the technique was discovered or developed is not well-understood, but one legend claims that Chinese soldiers receiving arrow wounds in battle reported relief from pain in other body parts, which inspired further research.

Acupuncture

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) defines acupuncture as the “application of stimulation such as needling, moxibustion, cupping, and acupressure on specific sites of the body known as acupuncture points.” They report that acupuncture may work by inducing physical response in nerve cells, the pituitary gland and certain parts of the brain.

Some notable conditions that acupuncture has been known to treat include allergies, gastrointestinal conditions, back pain, migraines and infertility. Some proponents of modern Western medicine continue to doubt the effects of acupuncture, but a growing body of scientific evidence has prompted many medical professionals to consider the benefits of this treatment.

The World Health Organization (WHO) published a scientific review of controlled clinical trials on acupuncture in 2003, and concluded it was an effective method of treatment for 28 conditions. Some of the listed conditions include adverse reactions to radiotherapy or chemotherapy, depression, hypertension, nausea and vomiting, and postoperative pain. They also found evidence that suggests acupuncture could be effective for several dozen more conditions, including abdominal pain, cancer pain, insomnia and whooping cough. Due to the relief of symptoms associated with cancer, breast, colon and mesothelioma cancer patients, among others, have turned to acupuncture for relief of their cancer symptoms and side effects.

Acupuncture and Cancer

Acupuncture can be used as an additional and complimentary treatment for the side effects that cancer patients experience, such as overall pain and nausea (caused by other cancer treatments like chemotherapy). NCI reports that clinical studies of acupuncture as a treatment for cancer show that acupuncture can reduce vomiting and nausea caused by chemotherapy. They also found that acupuncture may improve the immune system, helping cancer patients to fight their condition and its side effects.

The physical responses acupuncture can induce in nerve cells, the pituitary gland and parts of the brain can cause the body to release hormones, proteins and certain brain chemicals that affect a range of bodily functions. Through this response, it is proposed that acupuncture can affect blood pressure and body temperature, enhance immune system function, and prompts the body to release natural pain killers (such as endorphins).

Considered a natural form of treatment, acupuncture can help to treat side effects of cancers that are caused by exposure to natural, environmental forces, such as UV rays, radon or the toxic mineral asbestos. Clinical research currently suggests that a number of cancers are caused by exposure to environmental forces in those who happen to be genetically predisposed. A notable example includes skin cancer, but other lesser-known cancers, including the rare cancer mesothelioma, are also caused by exposure to environmental toxins. Asbestos exposure is one of the only causes of mesothelioma, and it is even linked to ovarian and prostate cancer. Patients coping with the symptoms and side effects of these cancers have reported relief after receiving acupuncture.

Though the benefits of acupuncture are still questioned by some medical professionals, numerous cancer patients have attested to the healing effects of this age-old treatment approach. Acupuncture, along with other forms of alternative medicine such as massage, meditation and yoga, have certainly gained support from countless cancer patients, and clinical trials continue to provide scientific evidence of the benefits of this treatment.

To read more about Acupuncture and Cancer click here

U Michigan Study; How Acupuncture Affects the Brain’s Ability to Regulate Pain

The University of Michigan Health system has just released the results of a new UM study that showed Chinese acupuncture affects your brain's ability to regulate pain.

I’ve written about many Traditional Chinese Medicine studies but this one is particularly important because it was done at a prestigious US university and it attempts to explain how acupuncture works on the cellular level.

Using brain imaging, researchers at the U-M Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center are the first to provide evidence that traditional Chinese acupuncture affects the brain's long-term ability to regulate pain. The complete study will be published in the September Journal of NeuroImage.

Acupuncture increased the binding availability of mu-opoid receptors (MOR) in regions of the brain that process and dampen pain signals – specifically the cingulate, insula, caudate, thalamus and amygdala. Traditional opiod painkillers, such as morphine, codeine and other medications, are thought to work by binding to these opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord.

"The increased binding availability of these receptors was associated with reductions in pain," says Richard E. Harris, Ph.D., researcher at the U-M Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center. “One implication of this research is that patients with chronic pain treated with acupuncture might be more responsive to opioid medications since the receptors seem to have more binding availability,” Harris says.

The study participants included 20 women who had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, for at least a year, and experienced pain at least 50 percent of the time. During the study they agreed not to take any new medications for their fibromyalgia pain.

Published by University of Michigan Health System to appear in Journal of NeuroImage, Vol. 5, No. 83, 2009

Migraines & Families: Headache Blog Carnival

Today the blog Somebody Heal Me by Diana Lee is having a headache blog carnival and I'm in it!

Check it out Here

Chinese Medicine For Insomnia

Chinese Medicine is not a well known treatment option for insomnia, but it is effective nonetheless. In my Chicago practice, I have great success treating people who suffer from insomnia with acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas. If you have experienced sleeplessness, you know that having chronic sleep problems affects every aspect of your life.

I recently came across this article in which a travel writer describes her own struggle with sleeplessness. You can read it when you are up at 3 AM wandering your home but don’t call me until 8 AM.

Ancient Chinese Secret May Help Overcome Jet Lag and Insomnia
By Allison Neves for HealthNewsDigest.com
Aug 4, 2009

"As a travel writer, I find myself in and out of different time zones a handful of times each year. I’ve had my occasional bouts with jetlag and usually, within a day or so, all is right with the world and my internal time clock has acclimated. I’ve never experienced anything major when it comes to sleep issues until a trip to London last winter. During that time, I was stuck in what seemed to be a perpetual limbo of two full weeks of sleepless misery. Ever since that trip, my sleep has been an issue. I thought I had tried EVERYTHING… that is until a friend of mine mentioned acupuncture.

I had tried acupuncture treatments in the past for facial rejuvenation and chronic neck pain. Both treatments were successful. But I guess it never occurred to me that this ancient Chinese secret just might be the cure to my current ailment."

"After my appointment, I felt calm, relaxed, centered and, well… I guess, balanced? … if that makes sense. So, why did that work? What happened?"

Byron (her acupuncturist) explains, “For conditions such as jet lag or insomnia there is a biological disruption in the body. The body’s internal clock has been kicked out of gear and basically needs help getting back on track. The acupuncture needles are used stimulate key points within the body and assist in correcting the body’s natural flow of energy.”

To read the full article click here

British Weather Reporter Clare Nasir Credits Acupuncture With Helping Her Conceive

The UK Site The Daily Mail Online recently reported that the GMTV weather presenter Clare Nasir is 5 months pregnant and was looking great as she walked the Red carpet in a tight red dress showing off her baby bump.

"Clare, who is married to BBC 6 Music DJ Chris Hawkins, is five months pregnant and has called her unborn child a 'miracle baby'.

Eight years ago, she suffered debilitating fibroids in her uterus which threatened her fertility, and was told she may never carry a baby to term.

She has spent the past two years having fertility treatment, credits acupuncture with helping her conceive.

She said they 'were giving up hope' when they discovered she was pregnant"

To read the full article click here

To read more about Chinese Medicine and fertility click here

Common Questions About Acupuncture Answered

As an acupuncturist, there are some questions I am often asked. Here they are and here are my answers.

Q. What should I expect?

A. I will ask you for a detailed history, and will check your tongue and take your pulses. I will decide on whether to treat you with acupuncture, herbs, cupping, moxa or some combination of techniques based on what you have told me. After the treatment, you may want to rest, or you may feel invigorated, but it is perfectly fine to go about your daily activities including working out. Chinese medicine can be a catalyst for subtle, and not so subtle, change because it reverberates in both the body and spirit.

Q. How many treatments will I need?

A. The number of sessions depends on the goal of treatment. For acute
conditions, a few treatments will usually be sufficient. Chronic and more
complex problems may need one or two treatments per week for a few weeks or months.

Q. How should I prepare for treatment?

A. Wear comfortable and loose clothing. Have a light meal but do not consume any alcoholic beverages before treatments. Tell me all of your medications and any physical or mental conditions. If possible, bring me a list of all medications.

To find out more check out my post Acupuncture and TCM: Your First Visit

Alternative Medicine Is Big Business And Its Use Is On The Rise

Take a look at the latest U.S. News & World Report article on the increased use of alternative care. They have done articles like this in the past. The trend is toward more and more individuals turning to acupuncturists, chiropractors and other alternative medicine specialists.

Alternative Medicine a Big Business in U.S.: Report
Jul 30, 2009

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Complementary and alternative medicine such as acupuncture, herbal supplements and meditation are big business in the United States, totaling nearly $34 billion in out-of-pocket spending, according to a government report released on Thursday.

More than 38 million adults visited chiropractors, acupuncturists and other specialists in alternative care in 2007, the report from the National Institutes of Health found.

to read the entire article click here

Great Quote From Helen Keller

"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit."

Helen Keller

Bolstering the Immune System Using Chinese Herbs to Fend Off Swine Flu

I know people are still very concerned about the H1N1 virus (also known as the Swine Flu) and what can be done to help protect them from getting sick. Here are some great ideas from an article by Cathy Margolin L.A.c., originally posted May 4th, 2009.

Everyone wants to know what can be done to increase our body's natural resistance to a variety of infections, including the now-emerging swine flu (H1N1). Taking herbal supplements is one way to accomplish this.

Volumes have been written on this subject of immune-boosting herbal products. Since the question seems to be of vital concern, especially if you’ve been listening to the news lately, I will cover what I consider, only the top ways to boost your immune system with Chinese Herbs.

I must diverge for a moment because if you are serious about building a strong immune system a few lifestyle issues must also be implemented. Otherwise, no matter what herbs you take, long term benefits will elude you. This again is a vast topic, so I will only list the absolute essential practices you need in your daily life to keep your immune system in balance or in homeostasis.

Getting enough sleep is essential. Drink water and exercise everyday. (At the very least fit some walking into your day.) Exercise is also a great way to reduce stress, which is next on this list. Eat a healthy diet, think variety and consume as little sugar as possible. If you are not incorporating these practices into your everyday life, your weakening your immune system and any variety of infections will find you a welcome host.

That being said, boosting your immune system with Chinese herbs can and will help you prevent infections, but herbal supplements are not an overnight quick fix. Chinese herbal formulas should be taken for at least one month for a powerful, long lasting effect. Adaptogenic herbs such as ginseng, shiitake mushrooms, ganoderma, (also known as reishi mushrooms), coryceps, astragalus and dand eleuthero are all herbs at the top of the “boost the immune system” list. Adaptogenic herbs do exactly what their name implies, they assist the body in "adapting" to its environment. Keep in mind Chinese herbs are best taken within a formula, rather than individually, to enhance synergistic actions between herbs.

Scientific studies have shown these herbs all support and enhance the body's immune functions. These adaptogenic herbs have compounds such as polysaccharides which increase the body's natural killer cells, also known as lymphocytes. Extensive studies also support the claims that these herbs promote the activity of antibodies, improve the body's resistance to stress and infections, help balances stress, reduces allergies, increase energy and promote healthy liver functions, just to name a few. A side note, if you are taking immuno-suppresant drugs these herbs are not recommended as they have potent immune enhancing effects which can increase the risk of rejection of the drugs and thus may severely compromise a person's health.

Most importantly, if you are looking to purchase any medicinal herbs please buy from a reputable source that you can trust. There are many companies who do not start with high quality crude herbs. Quality herbs, testing for contaminants, proper storage and preparation are all vital to ensuring a herbal products potency. I can’t stress enough, the importance of knowing your buying from a reputable source.

I wish you good health and a strong and healthy immune system.

Cathy Margolin is a Licensed Acupuncturist in CA and has been certified as a Diplomat in Oriental Medicine from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. She has specialized in Chinese Herbs and her company PACHerbs.com caries high potency herbal products sold in individual packets for freshness. She has visited herb manufacturers in both China and Taiwan and has extensively researched Chinese herb processing.

Why Acupuncture Reduces Pain; A Harvard Study

One question that I am often asked by pleased and surprised patients is, “How does acupuncture work to reduce pain?” I find it easier to provide the explanation in terms of Chinese Medicine but I know that can frustrate people who want to understand its effectiveness in Western terms. Well, we may have a Western answer. A study conducted at Harvard Medical School and reported in Behavioural Brain Research (11/2008) explains how acupuncture reduces pain.

Scientists used a PET Scan (Positron emission tomography) with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine brain signals and pain receptors during an acupuncture analgesia treatment. Both the PET scan and the fMRI signals showed changes in several portions of the brain. They concluded that acupuncture changes the already existing brain opioids which are central to the experience of pain.

The entire study can be found in Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 193, Issue 1, November 2008, Pp. 63-68.