Category: Acupuncture

Working Through Post-traumatic Stress Disorder With Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been proven effective in treating a wide variety of ailments and recent studies have shown that post-traumatic stress disorder has now joined the long list of illnesses that acupuncture can actually treat.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese healing art that involves the stimulation of the acupuncture points located in the meridian pathways where the body’s vital energy flows. These acupuncture points are associated with the vital organ systems of the body.

Earlier reports from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) stated that acupuncture shows efficiency in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, which was then echoed by the results of a randomized controlled study conducted by a team at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Kentucky.

The University of Louisville School of Medicine team, headed by Dr. Michael Hollifield concluded that acupuncture treatments actually displayed the same results as that of a cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that is common in an environment that poses physical threats to the well being such as that in tragedies, disasters, war zones, violent assaults, and military combat, among others.

In fact, the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington now requires acupuncture treatments for soldiers with mental and physical trauma. The US Air Force operates the sole acupuncture clinic in the military at the Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland where 44 Air Force, Army doctors and Navy are undergoing acupuncture trainings for emergency care in war zone hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But how exactly can acupuncture deliver beneficial results in treating post-traumatic stress disorder?

To combat post-traumatic stress disorder, acupuncture rejuvenates the acupuncture points that are associated with the brain where the emotional memories of the patient are stored thereby aiding the patient to naturally heal from the trauma.

Acupuncture has been proven as a gentle treatment that stimulates the emotions of the patient and works through the trauma without causing panic or unpleasant flashbacks on the patient. The ear acupuncture, otherwise known as auricular acupuncture is the commonly used form of acupuncture in treating post-traumatic stress disorder as it helps balance the Qi and helps the mind relax.

Studies have clearly shown that post-traumatic stress disorder acupuncture treatment is more effective when complemented with other treatment such as talk therapy, meditation, yoga, journal writing, and art therapy among others.

The acupuncture treatment helps the patient to start processing the trauma in a more relaxed and balanced state, while the other treatments will serve as support system that will provide the patient an outlet for working through the trauma and be free from the disorder for the rest of their lives.

Back Pain Acupuncture What You Ought To Know

More and more people are using non-pharmacological methods to deal with their health problems. On the subject of back pains, a lot more people are engaging in organic liniments and massages to manage it. However, another back pain treatment that is starting to gain a reputation is acupuncture. Though it is been shown to be very safe if done correctly, it helps to understand more about it first before enrolling in any sessions.

Acupuncture originated in China several thousand years ago, and moved to the west in the 1970s along with yoga and meditation. At first, its availability was limited by the scarcity of practitioners, but now there are an estimated 20,000 certified acupuncturists in the US. Many of the practitioners are medical doctors. Acupuncture can play a part of the solution to the soaring cost of healthcare.

Acupuncture is about placing fine needles in strategic points in your body to produce a therapeutic effect. The idea is that imbalances in energy flow causes disease, and acupuncture is a way to restore the proper energy flow. When it comes to back pain, the process does not change. The back is punctured by very fine needles so as to align the movement of energy in the back thus decreasing and occasionally, even treating back pain totally.

Some individuals don’t like the part where the fine needles are going to be piercing their bodies. Don’t worry, Acupuncture needles are only about the thickness of a human hair.

Acupuncture is believed to increase blood circulation and body temperature, affect immune function, reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and help regulate blood sugar levels. Acupuncture causes your body to release chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins are your bodies opiates, which relieve pain and increase your sense of relaxation and well being.

Even though results may vary, people must always remember to let a certified professional carry out their acupuncture session. Remember that basic safety should be the first priority in any treatment.

Osteopathic And Acupuncture Clinic – The Best Treatments Of Pain

It is wisely said that health is wealth. If you are not healthy then you would never be able to get the best out of life. You would always be worried because of the pain. This would reduce your strength and would make you feel depressed too at times. This is why in order to boost your level of confidence as well as to improve your efficiency in every walk of life; you need to get a solution to your body pains. The acupuncture clinic as well as the osteopathic clinic is a great way to treat your body pains. With the help of these clinics, it is possible for the people to get rid of at least get a reduction in their body pain. This gives a great hope to people to work. If the pain of the body goes unnoticed then it can take a worst shape and would leave you immovable. This is why it is suggested that you should try to cure the pain as soon as possible.

Osteopathic clinic – an easier solution

The osteopathic clinic is a wonderful field and it has helped the human beings to have a comfortable and relaxed body. The body pains can go forever with the help of the treatments provided by this clinic. This is an easier solution to obtain. You can come across number of such clinics around the world. There are many great physicians working for these clinics who have provided a comfortable living to different people. Just like the acupuncture clinic, osteopathy is also very safe and allows you to observe the results in a little period of time. It is cheaper as compared to many other medical solutions. You would be making the best choice and would eliminate the pain from the body with the help of this clinic.

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A Deeper Thought on Acupuncture

The Idea behind Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical technique that uses acupuncture needles. It’s in line with the concept of energy called Chi or life force and yin-yang. Yin and yang are two principles of water and fire instinctive in most organs in the body. The ancient Chinese deemed that activities of the body are the outcome of the yin and yang interaction. The comparative harmony of these two opposite principles comprises well-being and tranquillity in the body. On the other hand, the Chi flow influences the whole aspect of the person. It is channelled though pathways called meridians. Acupuncturists believe that when something hinders or unbalances your Chi and yin-yang, it triggers not only physical illnesses but also mental and emotional ailments. The TCM versus EBM: As acupuncture became well known all over the world, Western medicine using evidence-based medicine (EBM) took a doubtful position concerning the Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) approach. In TCM, patients undergo four diagnostic methods before acupuncture needles are inserted into the skin. First, the diagnosis concentrates on the face and especially the tongue, presence and absence of teeth marks and the pulse. It is followed by olfaction and auscultation. After that, the patient receives inquiries regarding the urge for food, chills and fever, taste and thirst, defecation and urination, discomfort, and sleep disorder. In EBM, an initial consultation is followed involving scientific investigations into the relevant anatomy, body structure, and pathology of a disease process, put together with a pharmacological information and objective analysis of the patients data obtained under experimental conditions. Although there are numerous arguments regarding the different approaches and standards used during the process, each endeavours to provide the most effective treatment for the patient. The Thin but Powerful Needle: Acupuncture has been effective in helping people. Various acupuncture needles are used during the process. They come in a variety of sizes and diameters, depending on their intended use, and on which part of the body they are to be utilized. Unlike the hollow hypodermic needles which have a cutting end, these solid needles have a pointed end. Most needles are filiform or thread-like which includes specialized needles such as the press needles, intradermal needles and three-edged needles. As these acupuncture needles penetrate the skin, hygiene is a major concern. Commonly pre-sterilized single use needle are used which are discarded after each client treatment. During the acupuncture treatment the inserted needles create numbness and a tingling sensation termed as De-qi in Chinese or the arrival of Chi. If De-qi is not generated, then incorrect location of the acupoint, inappropriate level of needle insertion, insufficient manual manipulation, or a very vulnerable constitution of the patient has to be considered. If unresolved, it decreases the likelihood of a successful treatment. The Efficacy of Acupuncture: Studies have indicated very promising results for the use of acupuncture. These benefits are supported by science, providing more credibility as a medical procedure. With acupuncture gaining positive results from patients with varying ailments, it has attained the esteem of modern medicine. Acupuncture is truly a blessing to the world. The healing powers of this traditional method using acupuncture needles placed in the proper acupoints are without a doubt great to anyone who seeks an alternative cure to the established Western medicine.

Acupuncture Can Effectively Treat Many Women’s Health Issues

Acupuncture is a natural, drug free treatment option that is increasingly popular in the Western world. In the West, it is primarily associated with pain relief. However, it is often used to treat a wide range of other health conditions. One of the areas where it has been shown to be effective is in women’s health concerns.

Acupuncture is a practice that involves the insertion of very fine, sterile needles into the body at certain points. This is a holistic treatment, meant to treat the body as a whole organism rather than isolating separate parts. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, acupuncture works by restoring the balance of yin and yang in the body, and enhancing or correcting the flow of Qi (energy) by removing blockages that can cause all kinds of pain and illnesses, including many problems specific to women’s health.

Many practitioners of this ancient art as well as their patients claim that these treatments can successfully reduce or alleviate problems such as irregular or heavy periods, menstrual cramps, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), uterine fibroids, and even problems like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis and other infertility issues. Acupuncturists utilize techniques that are thought to help regulate the ovarian cycle, stimulate egg production, improve the balance of hormones and even increase blood flow to the womb.

A German study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2008 showed that the majority of women who had acupuncture for menstrual cramps, discomfort and pain saw at least a 33 percent reduction in their pain level as compared to women who received no treatment. In addition, a Danish study found that women receiving acupuncture had a significantly higher rate of pregnancy versus a control group who did not receive this treatment.

Many more general studies have shown that acupuncture stimulates the body to produce natural steroids and release endorphins, which help to reduce inflammation and pain. All practitioners agree that their techniques enhance the mind and body’s own ability to heal itself, and women’s issues are no exception to the rule.

Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine often use herbs as well as dietary, exercise and lifestyle advice in conjunction with acupuncture treatments to obtain better results. Also, it is not uncommon for acupuncture to be successfully used as a complementary therapy along with more “mainstream” fertility and women’s health care options. In fact, some acupuncturists have extensive schooling in both Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine, which can help them better integrate different types of care for maximum efficacy.