February 3rd Begins The Year of The Rabbit

2011 is the year of Rabbit, a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves. There are some lovely traditions associated with the celebration of the Chinese New Year.  Many families thoroughly clean their homes to sweep away any bad luck and make way for good incoming luck. Commonly, people buy presents and decorate them with red paper cuts (a Chinese art form) and poetry with themes of happiness, wealth, and longevity. Another yummy tradition is a sumptuous family meal that includes traditional dishes using pigs, ducks, and chicken. The Chinese New Year is a time for reconciliation and forgetting old grudges. This is the time to wish everyone peace and happiness.
             
The Sign of the Rabbit

The Rabbit is a lucky sign. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are kind, articulate and talented. They are also virtuous, reserved, gracious, and they have good manners (although they love gossip) and possess excellent taste as shown in their highly developed sense of beauty and love of creativity.

But, there is another side to the rabbit. Their soft, vulnerable-looking exterior is protected by an armor of cautiousness and sagacity. They are ambitious and are often financially lucky in business but, you will not see them gamble because Rabbits avoids areas of high risk.

Rabbit people seldom lose their temper and no one has a more sympathetic ear to lend you (except the Sheep). But while the Rabbit is an excellent soother and compassionate listener, he will only take the role of a passive adviser. The Rabbit is not a fighter and makes effort to be civil, even to his worst enemy. He abhors brawling and any sort of overt animosity.  When given the choice, the Rabbit will vote for the easy and good life every time. The Rabbit's main objective in life is simply self-preservation. He relies on his own judgment and is at peace with himself. This is the sign most apt to find happiness and contentment.


Famous Rabbit People: Angelina Jolie, Drew Barrymore, Edith Piaf, Fanny Brice, Helen Hunt, Jane Seymour, Joan Crawford, Kate Winslet, and Tina Turner.

Happy New Year !

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Post-Partum Care With Chinese Medicine

*Another helpful post from the Portland Acupuncture Blog written by Amy Chitwood Burslem L.A.c.

Bringing a new life into the world is an amazing process, but the time spent in labor and delivery takes a toll on the mother’s body. After giving birth, a woman’s body is depleted, and needs to be nourished by her environment (calm, quiet and warmth) and the foods she eats. She needs to take care of herself more than ever at this point, but must also take care of her infant. Balancing these can be difficult for the first few weeks, until both the mother and child are on a regular schedule.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine are extremely helpful in recovery after childbirth. The new mother will be sleep deprived and extremely tired due to the loss of blood and energy in labor and delivery. She may also have some post-partum blues due to the hormonal changes. There are acupoints that practitioners use to help the mother recover physically and emotionally, and other techniques, such as moxibustion to warm the body and help her heal.

A Chinese recipe from Angela Wu’s “Fertility Wisdom” involves poaching an egg or chicken pieces with ginger, sesame oil, and rice wine. These foods have properties to warm the body after giving birth. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, the process of birth can create a coldness in the lower abdomen, as well as stagnation. Shen Hua Tang, or the “Generation and Transformation” formula, is a traditional formula often used to help with lower abdominal pain after childbirth.

I Love Rome!

 

"Men in general are quick to believe that which they wish to be true." ~ Julius Caesar

Sufferers Of Chronic Fatigue Find Relief With Chinese Medicine

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is far more than being tired. It is a frustrating, complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that may worsen with physical or mental activity. Plus it does not improve with rest. People with CFS can get so run down that it interferes with their lives and ability to function. Some people with CFS are severely disabled and even bedridden. The talented writer, Laura Hillenbrand (author of Seabiscuit and her new book, Unbroken) has the condition and has spoken of the devastating effects. Sufferers of CFS do not just deal with extreme fatigue, but with a wide range of other symptoms, including but are not limited to, headaches, flu like symptoms and chronic pain.

Cupping has the potential to relieve some symptoms of chronic fatigue. Cupping is an ancient technique in Traditional Chinese Medicine that involves placing jars on the skin, suctioning out the air and creating a vacuum. The underlying tissue is raised, or sucked, partway into the cup. The purpose of cupping is to enhance circulation, remove “heat,” and pull toxins from your body’s tissue, thereby helping to relieve pain and stimulate energy.

One small study done in China evaluated cupping as a treatment for Chronic Fatigue. 30 patients (ranging in age from 28-54) who suffered with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome received sliding cupping treatments twice a week totaling 12 treatments. All of the patients complained of fatigue and some had additional problems with headaches, insomnia, muscle-joint pains, backaches and pains, poor memory, gastrointestinal disturbances, bitter taste in their mouth, and others.

The results showed no marked improvement with head distention, five-center heat or bitter taste in the mouth. However, “there was vast improvement in fatigue levels, insomnia, poor memory, spontaneous sweating, sore throat, profuse dreams, poor intake, abdominal distention, diarrhea, and alternating constipation and diarrhea.”

Research on Chronic Fatigue and Acupuncture

At the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of TCM, Guangzhou, China, 90 people with CFS were randomly evenly divided into an acupuncture group and a control group. The observation group was treated with acupuncture and the control group was treated with a glucose and Shenmai injection. Participants completed a Fatigue Scale and the results showed that people who received acupuncture reported significantly more relief from their symptoms. An earlier study in Hong Kong with 99 people gave half of the group conventional needle acupuncture and half (the control group) sham acupuncture. Again, using a Fatigue Scale, improvements in physical and mental fatigue were significantly bigger in the acupuncture group and no adverse events occurred.

Most significantly, twenty-eight papers foreign and domestic were statistically reviewed through a meta analysis in order to assess the success of acupuncture. The results showed that treatment groups receiving acupuncture for CFS had superior results when compared with control groups. Rightly, they concluded that acupuncture therapy is effective for CFS, but still needs being confirmed by more high-quality studies.

If you suffer from chronic fatigue, Chinese Medicine can help relieve many of your symptoms. Acupuncture treatments are exceptional for relieving aches and pains. It can also help you to be sick less often, recover more quickly, and improve your vitality and stamina.

Yang, Huang and Qian, Yu. Si Chuan Zhong Yi (sichuan Chinese Medicine), #6, 2001, pgs. 70-71. Abstracted and translated by Bob Flaws, Dipl. Ac. & C.H., FNAAOM, FRCHM

2 Zhongguo Zhen Jiu, 2010 translated for PMID: 20862932 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE. Chen, XH et al. Randomized controlled study on acupuncture treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome.

3 Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2007 Nov; 5(6):630-3. A clinical trial of acupuncture for treating chronic fatigue syndrome in Hong Kong.

4 Wang, JJ., Song, YJ, Wu, ZC, Chu, XO, Wang, XH, Wang, XJ, Wei, LN, Wang, QM. A meta analysis on randomized controlled trials of acupuncture treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. (Translated from an article in Chinese for medline) PMID: 20209981 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

Interesting Historical Facts About Acupuncture

I found this post on Acufinder.com  and learned something new about the development of acupuncture. I think you will too. ~ By: Diane Joswick, L.Ac., MSOM

Ever wonder where acupuncture needles came from, how they evolved, and how they’re used today? 

Here are some highlights from the history of these ancient healing devices, which are still widely and effectively used today:

*The earliest acupuncture devices were made of stone. These were not used to pierce the skin, but rather  to press on acupuncture points.

*Historians presume that before metal needles; thorns, bamboo slivers, or sharpened bone were used to stimulate acupuncture points.

*The oldest acupuncture needles found date to A.D. 600. These needles were made of bronze, copper, tin, gold, and silver.

*In the fourth century A.D., China began using steel. Once steel was discovered, it became the most favored material for crafting acupuncture needles because it is both very strong and can be used to make very thin needles.

*In the 17th century, Waichi Sugiyama - a famous blind acupuncturist from Japan- invented the guide tube which resulted in the development of much finer needles.

*The acupuncture needles most commonly used in present-day practice are made of stainless steel of a very fine diameter (approximately 0.015"). These are pre-packaged, sterilized, and disposable.

*In The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (one of the original Chinese medicine textbooks), nine different types of needles are mentioned as being used for acupuncture treatments. Each one had a different tip and a precise length and width.

*Studies have shown that acupuncture points have significantly more electrical conductivity than areas of skin without acupuncture points.

*In 1995, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified acupuncture needles as medical instruments, assuring their safety and effectiveness.

*According to a National Health Interview Survey, an estimated 8.2 million U.S. adults had used acupuncture in the past, and an estimated 2.1 million U.S. adults had used acupuncture in the previous year.

*Usually needles are inserted from 1/4 to 1 inch in depth. Depth of insertion will depend on the patient’s size, age, constitution, and the nature of the condition being treated.


*A popular acupuncture point for treating sciatica is located on the buttocks. An acupuncture needle is usually inserted three to four inches into this acupuncture point.

Martin Luther King - Thank you

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

 

Martin Luther King

Advice for Camille Grammer from Chinese Medicine

Are you a fan of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills?  If so, are you ‘team Kyle’ or ‘team Camille’?  Either way, Chinese Medicine has a lot to offer these high profile ladies? For me, an acupuncturist with the same birthday as Kyle Richards, I have to be on ‘team Kyle’ but have some good TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) advice for Camille and anyone else suffering from a public humiliation.

Camille Grammer is in need of some serious stress relief, agreed? Acupuncture is perfect for calming the anxious breast (those that have been augmented). Plus, there have been reports that she suffers from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and that is why both her children were born to a surrogate. Well, both acupuncture and Chinese Herbal formulas are very effective for getting digestive disorders under control. On the last episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly hills, after Kelsey unceremoniously dumped his wife via a cold phone call, Camille complained of stomach pains and weight loss (hmmm, was she complaining or bragging about the weight?). Camille, my first recommendation to you (as I would suggest to many of my patients) is to drink some ginger tea. It will calm your stomachache if not your heartache.

As a member of ‘team Kyle’, I’ve certainly noticed that, not only is Camille dealing with a publicly messy divorce, but her persona on the show is unflattering beyond belief. I don’t know which herbs can fix that problem but, seeing that her settlement may be upwards of 50 million dollars, I think she will be able to afford the regular treatments she needs. Camille honey, are you listening?

The New Year Is A Good Time To Reflect

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” ~ Confucius

Reflection is the idea that an image or idea comes back to us, such as looking in a mirror, rethinking an event, or reviewing an idea.  We have the opportunity to take a close view and to reconsider our original thinking.

The New Year is the perfect opportunity not only to reflect, but to use that knowledge as a direction for change. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can help be a catalyst for the change you seek. Because TCM prevents illness, relieves stress, aches, and pains as well as improves energy, you find yourself in better balance. This calm and clarity strengthens you as start the New Year with new goals. 

Mirror. Mirror on the Wall

Reflection has other connotations in TCM. We believe that outer appearances reflect inner health so a well trained practitioner of TCM will probably observe very different aspects of your appearance than you study when you look in the mirror.

In TCM, bodily observation includes looking at the face, eyes (do you have dark circles?), body type, demeanor, and tongue. Two thousand years ago, when Chinese Medicine was in its infancy, there were no x-ray machines or the very sophisticated MRIs (magnetic imaging) of today. These original healers and diagnosticians depended on their finely tuned observational skills in order to assess their patients. Some of those early ideas seem simplistic today but many elements of diagnosis persist because we do understand that that outer appearances can provide clues to a person’s health.

Being able to observe, reflect and respond are skills that serve us well. I remind myself of this several times a week as I work with my patients. I try to maintain an inner calm so that I can remain open to the body’s signals because these signs will provide  warnings that allow me to notice and attend to problems before they get out of hand.

You can learn more about yourself and others using Chinese Medicine. One of the most intriguing areas of the body to study is the tongue. Read on…

Stick Out Your Tongue

Chinese medicine has used tongue diagnosis for thousands of years. An experienced practitioner can look at your tongue and begin to understand your internal problems but you can also be aware of information that your tongue provides. Look for changes in the color of your tongue, teeth marks, shape, and coating. These changes may indicate that something is amiss. A healthy tongue is naturally the same pink-red color as your lips. Someone who is very stressed or irritable may have a tongue with a red tip and sides. Teeth marks may indicate a deficiency or insomnia. Note any changes in shape (do you have a puffy tongue?)  If it's too pale, too puffy or too red it may indicate an imbalance. Healthy tongues have a thin white coating. If you see a thicker coating developing, you maybe catching a cold or flu. If the coating is yellowish the illness has a hotter nature and you could expect a cold accompanied by a sore throat and yellow phlegm. If the coating is thick and white, this indicates a cold with chills and clear/white phlegm but without a sore throat. So if you see a thick coat developing take precautions, sleep more, keep warm (consider wearing  a scarf) and try taking some Echinacea or Astragalus to boost your immune system.

These are some fun an easy tips to try at home, in front of your own mirror. Of course, if any of these symptoms persist, check with a trained professional to understand them better.

Acupuncturists Tips For 2011

The New Year is upon us. Did you make any resolutions? Are you sticking to them or have they already started to fall away? These articles from acupuncturists can help you out.

~The #1 resolution on most people's list?  To loose weight. On the blog Thrive Acupuncture, Becca has some good advice on healthy eating the Chinese Medicine way.

~Want to get pregnant this year? Amy provides good information on acupuncture and IVF from the Portland Acupuncture Blog. I also have quite a few posts on using acupuncture to improve fertility.

~Don't know how to get motivated to follow through on your New Years resolutions? Steven says "It is no surprise that many of the top ten New Year’s resolutions are related to better health. " In this post he has some helpful suggestions for making your resolutions a reality.

Be An Angel

"The reason angels can fly is because they take themselves lightly."

~ G.K. Chesterton

Anxious ? Acupuncture Can Provide Relief

Do you have anxiety? Acupuncture can help, it takes the connection between the body and mind into consideration. Chinese medicine is practiced with the belief that imbalances in the body can cause anger, fear, sadness, joy and worry, these emotions can cause harm to the body over time. Acupuncture has the potential to affect serotonin a chemical in the brain, that affects a person's emotional state. Acupuncture serves to balance the body and the mind through a deep state of relaxation, relieving feelings of anxiety.

On the blog Life Ain't for Sissies, my mom (who has a P.h.D. in psychology) did a 3 part series on anxiety, here is part 1.

~In the last 10 years, I have seen an increase in the numbers of people (and the severity of their problems) with anxiety.  The statistics vary greatly and place anxiety disorders at between 19-40 million American adults. Anxiety can range from the expectable, will-end-soon apprehension about a test, a job interview, or medical test, to the very miserable, endless feeling of doom and dread that has no particular cause, to unexpected panic.  At its worst, anxiety affects your health and limits your lifestyle. If you have anxiety, you are certainly not alone.

There are different types of anxiety.  In psychology, we categorize anxiety problems by the symptoms.  We don’t categorize in order to label or pigeon-hole people, but so that we can figure out specific ways of treating the problem. Here are the main types that I see.
                                                        

 Types of Anxiety

1. Generalized Anxiety – Anxiety can be free-floating, that is, ever present on some level, but not always high.

2. Panic Disorder – Anxiety becomes panic attacks that leave people afraid of the next attack and of losing control.

3. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – Anxiety is shown as intrusive thoughts that produce uneasiness, worry, or apprehension.

4. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Veterans and other who experience violent personal assaults such as war, rape, mugging, or domestic violence; terrorism; natural or human-caused disasters; and accidents experience this severe form of anxiety with a variety of symptoms.

5. Phobias (social phobia, agoraphobia, and specific phobia) – Anxiety is a fear of a specific object (snake) or situation (crowds, heights).

*In other posts, I will try to describe specific features and some ways of managing the different problems.

Happy New Year !