The principles of acupuncture used to treat and prevent disease are recorded in the Huangdi Neijing (given the title The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine), written in about 2600BC. These ancient principles can be applied in a modern scientific context: when the immune system is strong, the viruses, bacteria and other pathogens can’t harm your body; when pathogens damage your body, the immune system must be deficient.
Digestive disorders are prevalent conditions. The most common digestive disorders include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, and even gall stone disease and hemorrhoids. According to the National Health Interview Survey, digestive disorders affect 60-70 million Americans.[1]
In traditional Chinese medical theory, the two main organs involved with digestion are the spleen and stomach. The spleen is the main organ involved in gastro-intestinal disorders. Spleen governs transport and transformation of food in the body, including the excretion of waste. Spleen-Stomach transforms food into nutrients, which are the sources of Qi (energy) and blood. If there is an imbalance in the spleen or stomach, then a huge variety of associated problems can arise ranging from pain, to chronic fatigue, anxiety to insomnia.[2]
“In recent studies on physiological mechanisms, both with humans and laboratory animals, scientists have found that acupuncture provided significant improvements for diabetes with few or no side effects.”…
Acupuncture is a popular, well researched method to help smoking cessation. It is very effective because of its ability to reduce cravings and alleviate withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, stress and difficulty concentrating. Acupuncture also helps the body detoxify and repair after quitting smoking.
Why Should You Quit Smoking?
There are approximately 4000 documented toxins contained in cigarettes including 43 known cancer-causing (carcinogenic) compounds. These include nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide, as well as formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic and DDT. According to the CDC, tobacco is the cause of 443,000 premature deaths each year, and is associated with lung cancer, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, and increased frequency of colds and flu.
Peripheral Neuropathy is a common neurologic condition that affects the peripheral nerves. The most common symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy are weakness, numbness and pain. The pain is usually in the hands and feet, but can affect other areas of the body. Some people experience the uncomfortable sensation of “pins and needles”, stabbing, burning or tingling pain (especially at night) in their hands or feet. Others may suffer even more extreme symptoms such as muscle wasting, paralysis, or organ dysfunction.
An incredible amount of literature exists to support the effectiveness of acupuncture for menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, and insomnia. One recent study of 209 peri-menopausal women found that acupuncture for 6 months reduced uncomfortable symptoms by more than a third. These benefits persisted for more than 6 months after discontinuing treatment. Another paper analyzed 104 studies totalling 869 women, and found that acupuncture effectively decreased severity and frequency of menopausal symptoms for at least 3 months.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the teeth are governed by your kidney Qi ( also spelled “Chi” ). If you have dental concerns, your first step is to see if your kidneys need support. Balancing and supporting your kidney Qi and keeping your entire organ system balanced will support healthy teeth and gums.
~ Jianmin (Jamie) Xu, Registered Acupuncturist
With Christmas approaching, it is the season of holiday cheer, family gatherings, parties, travel, shopping, cooking and cleaning. Many people cope with digestive disorders caused by holiday stress, not getting enough sleep, and overeating. Acupuncture is extremely effective at treating a vast array of digestive disorders such as acid reflux (GERD), distended belly, gas and bloating. Below are some tips on how to do acupressure on yourself to improve your digestive function.
Follow this self-acupressure treatment routine to support your immune system and ward off colds and flus this season:**
1. Get into a comfortable position.
2. Spend 30 seconds on each point, following the order shown below. Apply firm pressure while breathing steadily into your abdomen.
3. As a maintenance routine, you can do this once in the morning and once before bed. If you start feeling fatigued, weak, or like you might be coming down with something, up it to three times a day.
