Acupuncture Helps Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injuries

In the last couple of years the military and Veterans have been using acupuncture more frequently and with success. Acupuncture has been used in Iraq and here at home to treat Veterans with PTSD and chronic pain. 

Acupuncture Today recently published this really well done article by Lynne Morgan, RN, LAc, OMD. She writes about the benefits of acupuncture for veterans with traumatic brain injuries. A very real and serious condition many veterans face after being in combat.

~ Returning veterans are being diagnosed with traumatic brain injury in alarming numbers secondary to post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain. The movie, "The Hurt Locker," which received best picture of the year, helps to portray what our veterans are being exposed to during war time. It is easy to see through the lens of a camera why we see traumatic brain injury occurring at such high rates.Traumatic brain injury is defined as a non-degenerative, non-congenital insult to the brain from an external mechanical force, leading to possible concussion, skull fractures, internal hemorrhage or other internal injuries. This might result in permanent or temporary impairment of cognitive, physical and psychosocial functions with an associated diminished or altered state of consciousness.

A High-Risk Environment

Veterans are at high risk for traumatic brain injury and blast-related concussions because of the frequent exposure to improvised explosive devices, suicide bombers, land mines, mortar rounds and rocket-propelled grenades. These types of injuries account for more than 65 percent of combat injuries, and of these vets, 60 percent have symptoms of traumatic brain injury.

Symptoms can be mild to severe. Mild symptoms include headaches, dizziness and fatigue, lack of concentration, irritability, sleep problems, balance issues and ringing in the ears. More severe symptoms include being easily confused, forgetful and troubled with constant and intense headaches. Difficulty with speech and difficulty with decision-making also are common symptoms that can require ongoing rehabilitation.

Many of these symptoms are debilitating. Too often, these returning veterans are unemployable and unable to attend school for retraining. This presents a tough challenge for a young veteran who has their whole life ahead of them.

Medical treatment often consists of rehabilitation, mental health counseling, vocational rehabilitation and group therapy. Patients often are on a long list of medications to treat the various symptoms. Common medications are antidepressants, sleep aids, migraine medications, anti-seizure medications and narcotics.

At the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City, we are using acupuncture to provide some relief to these patients. Acupuncture has become one component of the integrative medicine program being offered under the umbrella of holistic medicine. Patients are seen on an outpatient basis and are being treated for a variety of health issues including chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

With the use of even a few basic acupuncture points, patients are reporting a decrease in the intensity of their headaches, better sleep and an ability to cope on a daily basis. I have found that by also teaching veterans how to use acupuncture on their own while at home, they report improvements in areas affecting their well-being.

One of my patients -- we'll call him "Jim" -- came to the acupuncture clinic for treatment of severe headaches and sleeplessness. Jim, a 27-year-old male and Iraq War veteran, got caught in a crossfire in 2003. A bullet entered his helmet but did not penetrate his skull. The blast resulted in a blood clot located in the parietal area of his brain. For the first year, his words were slurred and his concentration and short-term memory were adversely affected. He reports developing severe, debilitating headaches, which he describes as "helmet-like." He is haunted by nightmares. This combination causes him to lose a lot of time at work, resulting in significant depression and worry over financial issues.

After working with Jim over several weeks, I found he responded well to the point combination of yin tang, HT 7, SP 6, PC 7, Lu 7, and Du 20. He recently reported a decrease in his headaches, better sleep and relaxation, and an ability to cope better with his chronic pain. Jim also was taught to do several of these points himself while at home and says he finds this helpful in diminishing his headaches before they get too severe.

Acupuncture will not be able to provide a cure for these veterans with traumatic brain injury, but it will give them some relief they greatly deserve when used in conjunction with other medical treatments. Although the issue of war is forever controversial, we should not deny the veterans themselves the best possible medical care the country can provide. That includes acupuncture.

*Lynne Morgan is a registered nurse and licensed acupuncturist. She currently works as an acupuncturist at the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, treating veterans for various types of health issues in the center's integrative medicine clinic. She lives in Salt Lake City.

Have A Very Happy Thanksgiving

Black Friday Protest

The Doctor is in, more good advice from Dr. Linda Edelstein. Read this BEFORE you begin your holiday shopping!

I’ve been invited back to my favorite blog to talk about simplifying your life. The timing for this topic is perfect. We are entering a month long spree that ought to be named, “Adding Excess to My Life, to My Hips and to My Credit Card Balance”. The binge begins this week and continues through the remainder of 2011. You don’t even have to know how to read (you can just look at the pictures) to be swept up in the frenzy of consumption. You are being begged to go on a bender strangely titled “Black Friday” (an inexplicable name for the busiest shopping day of the USA year). Buy, Buy, Buy.

I am here to make the opposing argument. I expect to be contacted by Homeland Security for being unAmerican. My response to exhortations of Buy, Buy, Buy is DECLUTTER (which I write only once to avoid cluttering the page). Instead of getting your pleasure from dragging home bags of must-have items, try finding joy in unloading the stuff you already own.

You have too many things that you don’t need, that no longer fit (either physically or emotionally), and that remain in your possession (in your head or in your home) only because you are afraid to get rid of them. Before you can begin to DECLUTTER let’s take a moment to examine

The 2 Main Reasons That Prevent DECLUTTERING.

1. You believe that you will need these things. You worry that one day you will wake up filled with desire for the Winter, 2004 issue of your Alumni magazine. Or, you will get dressed and realize that life is incomplete without the sweater you bought several bra sizes ago. You will not need these things. You will forget them. You will have a happy, healthy life without them. Your 6th pair of jeans (darker than some, lighter than others) can find a new home. The one sweet letter that your former lover sent you before you found out that he was cheating isn’t really a keeper either. And, there are jean stores and other lovers to explore.

2. You believe that these things have meaning. In psychology, we are big on meaning. It is my business to appreciate, to make and to understand meaning so, if I say, don’t overdo meaning, trust me. Sure, your grandmother’s necklace has meaning but, does the soap that you took from the Marriott? Does the single leopard print sock? Does the tee shirt from college? Do these things have significance? Probably not, and even if they do, isn’t it time to make room for new meanings?

Be brave, get rid of stuff. Declutter. Make room. Create some space. Allow something new to enter your life.

*To read more from Dr. Edelstein check out her new blog Life Ain't For Sissies

UNESCO Recognizes Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status.This is done to raise awareness and protect culture or natural sites.  All of the sites are things or places of special cultural or physical significance to the common heritage of humanity. The list is maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO  World Heritage Committee. According to Wikipedia, as of 2010, 911 sites are listed, 704 of them are cultural, such as acupuncture.

Yin Qiao Is A Must Have To Prevent Colds and Flu

My Chinese Medicine practice is in Chicago where the winters can be pretty rough. Colds and flu's are common. Everybody looks for relief so that they don't miss time at work and play. There is a wonderful Chinese herbal formula named, Yin Qiao (also spelled Yin Chiao), to consider when you start sniffling. It is a great first line of defense against the common cold. Yin Chiao comes in pill and tincture form. It is best taken at the initial signs of a cold or flu, especially if you have a sore throat. If you take it soon enough, you can prevent the illness from appearing or lessen the duration and severity of the cold. During the first two to three days, you can take up to double the recommended dosage (read the bottle carefully). Yin Qiao is a very popular formula here in the U.S., so Whole Foods usually stocks it,  but for those of you in Chicago,  you can always pick up a bottle at my office.

*As with all herbal remedies this is a general recommendation so check with a Chinese Medicine practioner before you begin.

Buddha Knew How To Get His Point Across

"A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker."

Buddha

The American Journal of Gastroenterology Reports; Chinese Medicine Is An Effective Treatment For Constipation

The American Journal of Gastroenterology, (2 November 2010) just published a study that found a Chinese Herbal Medicine – the hemp seed pill – to be an effective treatment for constipation. Trial 1 determined the optimal dosage of hemp seed pill from among three dosages. Trial 2, a randomized double-blind study, compared 2 sets of participants (experimental and placebo) for 2 weeks and 8 weeks with an an 8-week follow-up. The group receiving the Chinese Medicine showed a statistically significant decrease in severity of constipation and straining of evacuation, and effective reduction in the use of rescue therapy when compared with placebo.

Acupuncture In A Music Video ? You Bet !

Acupuncture is serious work but, last year I had the opportunity to have some fun with my needles. My friend Don Pogany is the founder and creative director of a marketing company called Sticky. He asked me to place acupuncture needles in a model who was going to appear in his company's video. I had a blast on the set and here is the finished product....enjoy.

 Click here to see the video

Mayo Clinic ~ New Research Shows Qigong Can Relieve Chronic Pain

Qigong (also spelled Ch'i Kung and pronounced chee-gong,) means “energy work." It is both an art and science that uses breathing techniques, gentle, almost dance like movements, and meditation to clear, strengthen, and circulate the energy (Qi) in your body. It is a powerful system of healing developed in China that is finding its way into the U.S.. I know that many of you have heard about it and some of you have taken classes and workshops to learn the techniques.

Qigong focuses on repetitive movements and attention to breathing. This allows your mind to let go of intrusive thoughts and elicits the body’s relaxation response which includes a slower heart rate, lowered blood pressure, and drops in adrenaline and cortisol levels. Qigong practice can lead to better health and vitality and a more tranquil state of mind. In the past, qigong was also called nei gong (inner work) and dao yin (guiding energy).

Recently the Mayo clinic announced the results of two new studies which showed that this ancient practice can alleviate chronic pain.

From PRWEB

Researchers from the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic have found that an ancient Chinese practice can help patients’ chronic pain, specifically Qigong.

two new research studies, one by researchers from the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic, have found that an ancient Chinese practice can help patients’ chronic pain. The practice is called Qigong. The specific style studied is Spring Forest Qigong.

“Subjects with chronic pain who received External Qigong experienced reduction in pain intensity following each Qigong treatment. This is especially impressive given the long duration of pain (>5 years), in the majority of subjects,” writes the study’s lead author, Ann Vincent, MD, MBBS, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

Seventy million Americans suffer with chronic pain everyday and as the doctors noted in their study, “Adequate clinical management of chronic pain is an on going challenge and a purely pharmaceutical approach has proven inadequate.”

Qigong is an ancient Chinese practice that promises to affect the body’s subtle energy system. Qi (pronounced – chee) also called ‘chi’ means energy. Gong means work. There are two types of Qigong, internal or personal practice and external. In external Qigong a practitioner uses his/her ability and knowledge to improve the flow of Qi for the person seeking help.

All of the external Qigong treatments in the study were conducted at the Spring Forest Qigong Center in Eden Prairie, MN. The treatments were provided primarily by Chunyi Lin, who is the creator of Spring Forest Qigong. His associate, Jim Nance, provided the remaining external qigong treatments. Nance is Lin’s student and both men are certified qigong masters.

Lin teaches both internal and external Qigong techniques to his students and maintains that he can teach anyone to do what he does. “Each and every one of us is born with the gift of healing. We can help ourselves to heal and we can help others to heal,” says Lin. “We just need to be made aware of this wonderful gift and learn how to use it.”

Lin has made public a training video where he explains the introductory, external Qigong technique he teaches to all of his students. His basic external Qigong technique is called “Sword Fingers.” You can view a 60 second introductory version of the video or the 9 minute teaching version at SwordFingers.com.

Another independent research study has found that Internal Qigong, or personal practice of Spring Forest Qigong techniques, also relieves chronic pain. This study, by nursing school professor Dr. Jane Coleman, is to be published in the Journal of Holistic Nursing. Dr. Coleman teaches nursing through the Minnesota Intercollegiate Nursing Consortium.

Read the story ~ Mayo Study Finds External Qigong Relieves Chronic Pain

What You Should Know About Those Stickers On Your Fruit And Vegetables

Do you know what the stickers on your fruits and vegetables mean?  I admit that until recently, I thought that they were placed on my apples to help the cashier scan items more efficiently. That may be true, but they are also useful to us and contain good information. Here is an article by Dr. Frank Lipman that explains the stickers very well.

~Although they seem like a nuisance, the stickers or labels attached to fruit and some vegetables have more of a function than helping scan the price at the checkout stand. The PLU code, or price lookup number printed on the sticker, also tells you how the fruit was grown. By reading the PLU code, you can tell if the fruit was genetically modified, organically grown or produced with chemical fertilizers, fungicides, or herbicides.

Here are the basics of what you should know:

1. If there are only four numbers in the PLU, this means that the produce was grown conventionally or “traditionally” with the use of pesticides. The last four letters of the PLU code are simply what kind of vegetable or fruit. An example is that all bananas are labeled with the code of 4011. 
2. If there are five numbers in the PLU code, and the number starts with “8″, this tells you that the item is a genetically modified fruit or vegetable. Genetically modified fruits and vegetables trump being organic. So, it is possible to eat organic produce that are grown from genetically modified seeds. A genetically engineered (GE or GMO) banana would be: 84011
3. If there are five numbers in the PLU code, and the number starts with “9″, this tells you that the produce was grown organically and is not genetically modified. An organic banana would be: 94011

*Click here to read more.

Thank You To All The Veterans !

Acupuncture was used in 200 cases, in Baghdad, after cesarean births. Due to drug shortages, the acupuncture was used in lieu of oxytocin. The U.S. Department of Defense gave the New England school of acupuncture a $1.2 million dollar grant and here at home several veterans have received acupuncture to help with post traumatic stress disorder and pain relief. I'm glad that acupuncture has been helpful to those who have defended our country and hope it will continue. Happy Veterans day !

Acupuncture Adventures in Nepal

Recently I wrote about the inspiring work of the Acupuncture Relief Project in Nepal and have continued to stay informed about thier work. On their blog, Leith Nippes, volunteering for the 6th time, wrote about working during a monsoon. She says,

~ The valley was bone dry when I last left and after 7.5 months without rain everything was covered in a heavy layer of dust. Today, the valley is a sea of green and mud from months of monsoon.  When it rains, it’s as though a wall of water is falling for hours at a time. But the air is clean, the temperature and humidity much more manageable than the 90+ degrees in Kathmandu with humidity trapping in the pollution.

It feels like a homecoming for me, I am very excited to see my “Nepal family”; ARP staff, friends, Monks, patients, and even the dogs.  I am greeted by big smiles, prayer hands, blessings, wagging tails, chai tea, and an excited monk running into me around a corner when he hears of my arrival.

I look out the window and I see my “favorite stroke patient”, Mr. Thapa. He is the 43 year old Nepali police officer who suffered a severe stroke over 10 years ago. We have reported on his case and development over the last 3 years.  Today he is 30 minutes early and waiting for the clinic to open, squatting on his heels in the alley. This is a new range of motion I have not seen from him before. He is excited to show me a lot of other new ranges of motion he has gained through his acupuncture treatments. He puts both his right arm and leg through almost noodle -like dance motions, he is thrilled with the treatments, the level of care, and his improvement. At this point he comes to work on his speech and excess saliva.  Anne Frances will work with him 3 times a week for the next month focusing mainly on scalp acupuncture. 2 weeks later his speech is clear, the saliva level is no longer an issue and suddenly he is speaking English! He has always used some English words and fragmented sentences but he is now conversational.  It’s hard for everyone in the room to contain their joy, excitement and laughter.  Before the stroke, Mr. Thapa spoke multiple languages (Nepali, Nawari, Hindi, and English).  Immediately after the stroke it was only Hindi which remained, interestingly not his first language. So the question that now comes to mind; does he now feel confident enough with the decreased saliva level to speak more English? Or did the scalp treatment awaken a part of his brain that has been asleep for years? ~

~ I would like to thank all those who have and continue to help support our project. It is a blessing to be of service to the wonderful people of Nepal. 

 Namaste, Leith Nippes

*Read more about Leith's adventures in Return To Nepal.

Acupuncture Is An Effective Treatment For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

If you, or anyone you know, has suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, you know what a debilitating, miserable disease it can be. People go through years of diagnosis and, until now, treatment has been spotty.  One study has come out of China that suggests that acupuncture may possibly be efficient in treating chronic fatigue syndrome. Another study, conducted in the U.S., successfully used electro-acupuncture to combat Chronic Fatigue and a third study, using a meta analysis of 28 previous studies, also found acupuncture to be effective. 

*You can read more about acupuncture and Chronic Fatigue here.

6 Easy Health Tips From Chinese Medicine

1. Have your water with no ice

"For digestion, our body needs the internal combustion of heat to transform the food and absorb the nutrients through our intestines. Ice, when ingested, becomes a coagulant and constricts our blood vessels and internal organs. The coldness of ice hinders the digestive process." ~ Sat Hon

2. Drink ginger tea

Ginger has been taken as a medicinal by numerous cultures for thousands of years. This amazing spice is anti-inflammatory and has the ability to relieve many ailments. Including; headaches, nausea, menstrual cramps, morning sickness and much more.

3. Live in harmony with the seasons

Autumn is the time to start slowing down and preparing for winter. The Winter months can be valuable for rest and rejuvenation. Spring, is a time to become more active again, leave your winter hibernation and appreciate nature beginning to blossom. Summer, a time we all look forward to here in Chicago, is the time to expand and expend the most energy in your activities. Than the cycle starts again...

4. Drink Green tea

There has been much research on the anti-carcinogenic qualities of green tea. Studies of people in Asia who drink copious amounts of green tea daily show a correlation between green tea consumption and lower rates of a variety of cancers. Green tea is easy to find and can be purchased in most grocery stores and  health food stores. It is refreshing and can be drunk iced or hot. Green tea has a small amount of caffeine and can help anyone who is attempting to quit or cut back on coffee, caffeinated colas, or black tea.

5. Wear scarves around your neck and socks on your feet !

Keeping your feet warm is especially important for women during their menstrual cycle. Cold enters from the base of the neck and from bare feet on a cold floor. The advice of traditional Chinese medicine is: Any time you feel a breeze on the back of your neck, move away from it or cover up.

"As the old saying goes, 'Protect yourself from the wind as you would protect yourself from arrows.' Respect the strength of your enemy, take cover, fortify your defenses and guard your flank. Among the four elements, wind and cold are the ones for which you should have the most respect."
~ Kaibara Ekiken, 17th century Samurai & Acupuncturist (Yojokun: Life Lessons from a Samurai)

6. Get good sleep regularly.

Your body repairs best at night so allow plenty of time for it to do so. Good sleep patterns follow nature.  Morning is bright and the most Yang time of day, indicating activity. Night is the dark period, a time to slow down and enter the Yin phase of the day.

Start Dancing

"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, it's about learning how to dance in the rain."

  

Mariah Carey Credits Daily Acupuncture With Helping Her Get Pregnant

Here in Chicago I use Chinese Medicine to improve the fertility of my patients all the time.  Well it seems the starlets and songbirds of Hollywood are doing the same. Celine Dion recently gave birth to twins and credited acupuncture for helping her achieve her precious goal. Now Mariah Carey is saying that Celine inspired her to her to use acupuncture to conceive, and guess what... she's pregnant !

*From: starpulse.com

Mariah Carey has new mom Celine Dion to thank for her pregnancy - she tried acupuncture to help her conceive after hearing the Canadian superstar rave about the treatment.

After suffering a miscarriage in 2008, Carey started looking for fertility advice - and she found it in a most unlikely place.

The "Hero" singer tells Access Hollywood, "Celine was talking about acupuncture. I used to get acupuncture, and I had never thought (of it) with regards to the trying to conceive situation.

"I was (getting acupuncture), like, once a day at least. It was on a schedule, everything. For the first time in my life, I spent time in one place."

Carey admits the regular treatment helped her battle stress, and she's sure that helped her get pregnant.

The star adds, "People who know me would be like, 'You scheduled acupuncture at a certain time every day? You stayed in one place?"

Read more about Mariah's acupuncture treatment here.