According to Traditional Chinese Medicine all pain is due to the blockage of the flow of Blood and Qi. Acupuncture can remove the blockage and eliminates the root cause of the pain. By inserting fine, sterile needles at specific points, it is able to break up blockages that have hampered the smooth flow of Qi. Once this is done, Qi can travel to every cell, tissue, organ and muscle, promoting pain-free health.
Acupuncture is an extremely powerful and effective approach to treat pain because it decreases pain levels as it stimulates the body’s healing response. Acupuncture resolves pain by affecting several pathways and healing responses at the same time:
- Raise endorphin levels and diminish the nervous system’s pain response
- Increase circulation to the local area
- Decrease inflammation and swelling
- Relax muscles and stop spasms
For most of acute pain, acupuncture relieves pain in 1-3 treatments and the response of the body to acupuncture for chronic pain may be longer.
Digestive Disorder
It is estimated that approximately 62 million Americans experience the digestive problems on a regular basis which can cause concentration difficulties, fatigue, dry skin, hair loss, anemia, muscle cramps, low energy, and weight change. People with digestive disorders are suffering from symptoms like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heart burn, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, etc. Conditions may range from mild to serious. Some common problems include Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, and irritable bowl syndrome.
The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as an effective treatment for digestive imbalance as well as a wide range of medical conditions. Acupuncture is effective in treating most digestive disorders including: Bacterial infections, peptic ulcers, heartburn, gastrointestinal tract bleeding, inflammatory conditions, and irritable bowel syndrome.
How Can Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Help Digestive Disorders?
- Increase gastrointestinal muscle contraction and relaxation
- Reduce gastric acid secretion
- Enhance immune system and increase blood circulation in gastrointestinal tract
- Reduce inflammation and abdominal cramping
- Managing chemotherapy medication digestive side effects and digestive symptoms following anesthesia
While traditional Chinese medicine experts believe that acupuncture can help release the blocked-up energy flowing in the meridians, which can aid your organs in correcting imbalances in the digestion and absorption process. Combined with Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture can nourish related organs, minimize symptoms and contribute to medication-free digestive system health maintenance.
Infertility
Approximately 2.5 million American couples suffer from infertility. The cause of infertility may stem from either partner. About 60% of infertility cases are due to female conditions, while 40 % are due to male conditions. In either case, it can be extremely heartbreaking. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers hope to the couple by establishing harmony within the entire body. Not only does TCM improve the probability of becoming pregnant and having a healthier baby. It also serves to enhance the function of the whole body. This holistic approach provides the key to unlocking unlimited potential in healing.
In TCM, we believe conception will occur when Yin, Yang, Chi, and Blood in the channels are harmonized, when there is a peaceful Shen (spirit), and when kidney Jing (essence) is abundant and strong. Together, these aspects are the foundation of overall health and the root of conception. The causes of infertility are ovulation problems, endometriosis, tubal factor, hormonal imbalance, unexplained infertility, poor ovarian reserve function, thin endometrium, irregular period, poor egg quality, premature ovarian failure, amenorrhea, habitual miscarriage, abnormally shaped uterus, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), male factor, etc. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine provide a non-invasive, holistic approach to reversing infertility and has a surprising success rate of 65% among infertility in women. This is a very high number considering that many women discover the acupuncture rate in their search for infertility solutions. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can also be used in combination with other Western medical treatments, such as IVF and IUI to increase a couple’s chance of conception. In research 42% of patients that received both IVF and acupuncture became pregnant while in the IVF group 26% conceived.
We specialize in the treatment of reproductive enhancement and recognize that every person and couple having difficulty conceiving need individualized treatment. We thoroughly examine your overall health to pinpoint where imbalances are, then develop a treatment plan that is appropriate for you.
How Can Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Help infertility?
- Regulates the menstrual cycle
- Increase blood flow improves endometrial lining
- Help produce more follicles
- Improves egg(ova) quality
- Reduces high FSH and high Estradiol(E2)
- Regulates endocrine hormone levels
- Reduces the chance of miscarriage
- Regulates thyroid hormone levels
- Improves immune function and primary metabolism
- Help relief stress, anxiety and depression
- Increase the success rate of IVF and IUI
- Improves sperm count, motility and quality
We believe the reason for the higher success rate in our clinic with couples who use acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine is because the holistic treatment completely balances the body’s Chi flow, balances the hormonal system, and encourages the body to do what it wants to do naturally conceive.
Emotional Well-being
Emotional health has a huge impact on our daily life. Physical health and mental health affect each other mutually. What we eat and how we exercise affects our moods. Emotional changes can affect internal organs of the body, and sometimes even result in physical problems. Our emotions are always changing. This is completely normal. However, support is needed to help us get our emotions back into balance when the changes prone or start to threaten our health.
Acupuncture is an natural therapy that addresses the whole person, it is not only used for physical health concerns, but also very effective at emotional concerns. Acupuncturists focus on finding out the energy imbalance, so that they can select special acupuncture points to harmonize the body, mind and spirit.
Researches shows that acupuncture treatment is able to stimulate releasing endogenous endorphins to relieve pain. And it also can regulate serotonin levels in the brain to calm and uplifted mood. Studies also indicate that acupuncture relieves stress by encouraging the central nervous system to shift out of sympathetic “fight or flight” mode, into parasympathetic “rest and relax” mode. Most people feel very relaxed during and after treatment.
According to many clinical experiences, acupuncture is believed to be helpful for the treatment of emotional problems such as:
- Stress and anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Withdrawal symptoms during addiction recovery
Smoking Cessation
Most experts agree that quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can do for your health. More than 25 diseases are associated with tobacco use. It also raises the chances of developing emphysema or increases the risks of having a stroke by 30%. There is plenty of incentive to quit, but it isn’t necessarily easy. The good news is that acupuncture has helped millions of people to overcome their addictions and stay smoke-free. The acupuncture treatment to quit smoking involves the insertion of needles on ear and body points that are related with the cranial nerve of the central nervous system. This induces the production of endorphins (a brain chemical involved in producing pain relief and pleasure). These agents are believed to block your “pleasure response” to tobacco, stopping the addiction and the withdrawal syndrome. Many people are able to greatly reduce or quit after only one treatment, but our experience is that it is very easy to pick up the habit again within a couple of weeks. This is why we recommend a minimum of three treatments. In addition, using acupuncture to quit smoking yields enormous benefits. Aside from addressing the key problems that can cause you to resume the habit, acupuncture can help restore your body and its systems to a healthy balance. If you are ready to become smoke-free, acupuncture can provide you with the support you need. Also it helps people recover from drugs and alcohol problems.
Acupuncture and Herbs have been used for nearly four thousand years to treat almost every ailment that afflicts mankind. At Midland and Freeland Acupuncture we will talk through your options and get you back on your feet and feeling great.
Treatments
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a means of adjusting the life energy (Qi, pronounce: Chi) through the insertion of fine, disposable, sterilized needles into carefully selected acupuncture points along meridians which are the pathway of Qi in the body. Acupuncture stimulates the flow of energy and remove blockages so that the Qi can be dispersed and regulated. Needling these specific acupuncture points restores the proper balance and flow of Chi, while improving the overall function of your body and enhancing its recuperative power and immunity. Acupuncture treatment works with the natural vital energy inherent within all living things to promote the body’s ability to heal itself. We believe choosing this safe, effective and drug-free modality, you are taking a great step towards achieving a more balanced, harmonized and healthy lifestyle.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Extending back thousands of years, Chinese Medicine offers a rich heritage and history in healthcare and healing. Herbal medicine therapy involves the use of barks, roots, flavors, leaves, seeds, plants and minerals, each having its own specific characteristics. Offering a root-level attack rather than a symptom cover, Chinese Medicine provides an added layer of patient safety. it carries fewer or no side effects, treats the actual cause of illness rather than suppressing the symptoms, and provides a more affordable treatment option.
Step 1: Symptomatic Care
During this stage, your Acupuncturist is concerned with alleviating the symptoms causing you to seek his or her care. Once your symptoms are relieved, you will move on to Step 2, Corrective Care. If this is difficult to understand, think of replenishing an overgrown garden. The first step in cultivating the space is to cut back excess growth and weeds. Your symptoms are very much like the weeds.
Step 2: Corrective Care
In order to restore your health, your Acupuncturist must also determine the underlying cause of your illness, rather than simply addressing the symptoms. This involves a second Evergreen formula uniquely positioned and carefully prescribed to address the root of your concerns. Often, patients enjoy the second treatment phase for two to six months. Continuing the garden analogy, we now must take complete care to remove the weeds from the soil and prepare the soil for new seeds to plant. Using appropriate tools, the roots are extracted, leaving healthy plants and rich earth behind. Step 2 heals what is creating and causing your pain and discomfort, setting the stage for healthy living.
Step 3: Prophylactic Care
The final phase of your care includes Maintenance Therapy. Your Acupuncturist will prescribe tonics and other formulas to keep your immune system strong and healthy, so it will protect the body as it should. The final phase of treatment is ongoing. After all, a relapse is simply unacceptable when such high-quality herbal supplements are so readily available.
In our analogy, this means the soil of our reclaimed garden is fertilized and treated to prevent the return of weeds, while building a healthy foundation to support the growth of beautiful plants and flowers. What this means for you is that your overall health is protected by Chinese herbs, just as the garden is protected and allowed to thrive.
Cupping
Cupping is an ancient Chinese therapy in which a cup is applied to the skin and the pressure in the cup is reduced (either by heat or suction) in order to draw and hold skin and superficial muscles inside the cup. Cupping has been found to affect the body up to four inches into the tissues, causing tissues to release toxins, activate the lymphatic system, help activate and clear the veins, arteries and capillaries, and activate the skin. Cupping is a good way of deep tissue massage as well.
However, cupping can cause some swelling and bruising on the skin. With the skin under a cup drawn up, local blood vessels will expand. This may result in small, circular bruises on the areas where the cups were applied. Depending on the degree of toxicity in the muscle tissue, treatment will result in either only a slight reddening of the skin for slight toxicity, or a rather nasty looking bruise of high toxicity. These bruises are usually painless, however, and will disappear within a few days of treatment.
Electro Acupuncture
This is a modern tool that puts out low voltage current in the same frequency range as that of the human body. Small alligator clips are attached via a wire to the machine. The clip is attached to the needle after it has been inserted. A range is found that is comfortable for the patient, but that will also produce the desired therapeutic effect.
Electroacupuncture is considered to be especially useful for conditions in which there is an accumulation of Qi, such as in chronic pain syndromes, or in cases where the Qi is difficult to stimulate. Patients may experience a tingling sensation while being treated with electroacupuncture, which is most likely due to the electric current. In most cases, however, the effect produced by the current is subsational; in other words, the tingling sensation will not be felt. Some minor bruising or bleeding may occur, which is the result of a needle hitting small blood vessels. Electroacupuncture should not be used on patients who have a history of seizures, epilepsy, heart disease or strokes, or on patients with pacemakers.
Auricular Acupuncture
Auricular acupuncture is the stimulation of acupuncture points on the external ear surface for the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions in other areas of the body. The ear holds a microsystem of the body, consistent with the brain map discoveries of Canadian neuroscientist Wilder Penfield.
Ear acupuncture is similar to reflexology, and is speculated that the technique works because groups of pluripotent cells contain information from the whole organism and create regional organization centers representing different parts of the body, through recruitment of more cortex cells dedicated to specific areas of the body. Thus stimulation of a reflex point in the ear can relieve symptoms of distant pathology with a reliable duration.
This drawing illustrates the concept of an inverted fetus map on the external ear.
Acupuncture and Herbs have been used for nearly four thousand years to treat almost every ailment that afflicts mankind. At Midland and Freeland Acupuncture we will talk through your options and get you back on your feet and feeling great.