Category Archives: acupuncture

Acupuncture for Thoracic Spine Pain

September 19, 2011

- Tips of spinous processes
- Interspinous ligament
- Paraspinal muscles
- Pain in chest wall (also local needling)

Pain in the thoracic spine is sometimes harder to help than pain in other parts of the back. Some patients have Type B pain localized to the spines of the thoracic vertebrae and in such cases periosteal needling of these works well. Remote needling of the dorsum of the hand or the ulnar border of the palm (SI 3) can also help thoracic spinal pain.

Pain in the chest wall generally does well; local needling over the painful area itself is effective.

What disorders are suitable for treatment?

Most acupuncture treatment is concerned with musculoskeletal disorders. Acupuncture can also be used to treat a number of disorders that are not – or not obviously – related to the musculoskeletal system.

It is possible to grade disorders according to the likelihood that they will respond to acupuncture.

  • Group A: those that generally do well (50 to 70 per cent).
  • Group B: those that do moderately well (10 to 50 per cent).
  • Group C: those that seldom or never respond (less than 10 per cent).

Musculoskeletal disorders are generally Group A. Being a strong reactor moves a patient up by at least one category.

Note that in many cases it is either not possible to assign a formal diagnostic label to a patient’s symptoms or else the label applied (e.g. ‘osteoarthritis’) is fairly unhelpful. This does not mean that reaching a pathological diagnosis is irrelevant, but rather that acupuncture can be used in cases where no formal diagnosis has been found in spite of ample investigations.

Recording the treatment

This is essential, both for medicolegal reasons and for future reference. In practice, I tend to use a mixture of traditional and modern terminology to describe my treatment. if there is a traditional acupuncture point at the site I have used I note that; otherwise I use a description based on Western anatomical terminology. I also record the side (L or R), together with any other relevant information, such as the duration of needling (if unusual) and the effects, if any. Thus an initial treatment might be recorded as follows:

Lr 3 L,R (brief stim.): general reaction ++ (euphoria -? strong reactor)

TP in L gluteus medius: painful ++; sensation down to ankle.

Another way of recording one’s treatment is to mark it on a drawing.

On a subsequent attendance one should also record the outcome, possibly with a VAS.

The BMAS record sheet as supplied to candidates for the Certificate of Basic Competence provides a template for these details.

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My eyebrows are often at different heights – what can I do to make them even? Will acupuncture help? Botox?

June 21, 2011

There seems to be something wrong with the muscles in my forehead. When my face is relaxed, the one eyebrow seems to sit slightly higher (and with a slightly bigger arch) than the other one. When I change expressions, the higher eyebrow seems to arch and lift more than the other one. It is like the muscle that lifts the outside of the eyebrow is a bit weaker on one side. When I am tired, or when I have just woken up this is most noticeable. This is becoming more pronounced as I age, and I would like to do something about it as it is making my face look assymetrical. Does anyone have any suggestions? would acupuncture work? I have seen suggestions on the net that Botox can help even the brow muscles, but I understand that this only lasts for 6 months or so. Are there any other possibilities (eg. plastic surgery) that would be more suitable?

Your help would be greatly appreciated as this is having a negative impact on my self esteem. Thanks

you have something which most people have but never realize it. many models, actresses, actors, and those who are in the public eye a great deal have it as well. since most have professionals do their makeup, it is hardley ever noticed. what most sufferers do is pluck the brow in such a way as to hide the effect. it's simple, cheap, and not that difficult if you have a good makeup mirror to use when doing the removal of much of the offending hair of the brow. just remember, you have to fix the other side in a similar way to make them appear even.

Firstly, right minded people won't judge you by your appearance.
Do you think negatively? It is a fact that as we age, we get the face we deserve. So, look at your self with a loving eye.
It would be a good idea for your peace of mind to also go to a plastic surgeon just for an evaluation. with his expertise, he will be able to give you the lowdown on your appearance.
I'm personally against botox but that is your decision.
Lastly, make sure it isn't a serious muscle disease. my former brother in-law got that same disease Aristotle Onassis got and he was not able to lift his eyelids, so go check it out with a doctor who treats such problems as that and the dreaded Bells' palsy.
God bless you and help you get rid of your distressing problem.

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Has anyone used acupuncture to help them gain muscle?

June 19, 2011

My insurance plan includes visits to an acupuncturist OR a chiropractor. I'd like to take advantage of it to help me with my training goals. I know chiropractic's good for back health, but I'm wondering if acupuncture has a benefit for people trying to gain muscle.

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Quit Smoking With Acupuncture

June 18, 2011

Many people who cannot quit smoking are now turning to an ancient Chinese practice known as acupuncture. Acupuncture is considered the positioning of many tiny metal needles at certain points in the human body. it is said that each point in the human body is directly related to a specific organ. therefore, it is believed that the human structure is directly influenced by acupuncture. This ancient practice is becoming more popular as time goes by.

Many people turn to acupuncture to quit smoking because it uses no drugs or medications. Most of the people who consider having acupuncture done are usually people who have tried and failed multiple times with other well-known methods.

Another attraction to acupuncture most smokers have is that it is not considered a medical treatment. it is also void of chemicals, useless home, or herbal remedies that may or may not work. Acupuncture treatments to help a smoker quit is mainly concentrated in the facial area. many smokers say that it helps to reduce the cravings and nervousness that usually accompanies someone trying to quit smoking.

Like any other treatments for health concerns or habits, acupuncture is not exempt from failures. Just as much people say acupuncture did not help as other treatments. This is why it is important to realize that everyone is different. What works for Peter might not work for Paul.

Before embarking on an acupuncture regimen to quit smoking, consult your doctor. your doctor might be able to point you in the right direction of finding a good acupuncture specialist. If you do not have a doctor, then looking on the internet is also a good way to find a good specialist.

When looking for an acupuncture specialist on the internet, make sure you call the office before visiting. it is also a good idea to make sure there are testimonials on the website of previous clients.

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Can Acupuncture Help With Depression?

June 18, 2011

The Chinese have a saying that the emotions are the cause of 100 diseases. in the case of depression, they’re right on the money. I have worked with many patients who suffer from depression and who have had very real physical ailments as a result. While they differ widely in their histories, they all have one thing in common: lack of emotional flow.

Chinese medicine is all about flow, whether it’s the flow of digestion, blood, energy, or emotions. When that flow is blocked for one reason or another, symptoms arise. we practitioners of Chinese medicine consider that lack of flow a kind of stagnation, much like a dam on a moving river. behind the dam, water backs up and creates a lake. However, down river, there’s only a trickle of water getting past the dam. in your body, stagnation works in much the same way, in which a blockage creates a backup, but can ultimately create depletion.

In Chinese medicine, depression is caused by emotions gone wild, including anger, grief, excessive worry, frustration, or anxiety. It’s important to note that some people have depression caused by chemical imbalances, traumatic life events, and even medications they’re taking. However, I have found that people I have treated who suffer from depression experience a large difference between the way they would like their life to be and the way that their life actually is. these strong emotions ultimately affect the physical body and can cause symptoms such as poor digestion, insomnia, a lump in the throat, a sensation of heat, aches and pains, and fatigue.

Early on, depression is usually characterized by stagnation. this means that your blockage of emotional energy is strongest during this time and most likely to cause symptoms associated with stagnation. Symptoms include feeling despondent, frequent sighing, feeling full, pain under your ribs, and chest pain. if there is some heat involved, you may also experience irritability, impatience, a dry mouth, thirst, a bitter taste in your mouth, and constipation.

Sometimes the blockage feels like a lump or something stuck in your throat. the Chinese call this Plum Pit Qi and believe that it is the physical manifestation of a situation that is figuratively too difficult to swallow.

Over time, if your depression is unresolved, it will begin to act like the trickle of water below the dam, in that you may cry easily, experience a lack of energy or motivation, poor appetite, restlessness and constant worry. At this point, your depression is zapping your energy.

Treating depression in Chinese medicine can be very effective and involves the use of acupuncture to calm your spirit and to unblock energetic and emotional stagnation. the use of Chinese herbs is extremely helpful for depression, and there are several formulas that can be used based on your particular symptoms.

There are also some things that you can do at home to help relieve depression, including:

  1. Stay flexible, both literally and figuratively. Some gentle stretching feels good and is relaxing. Emotional flexibility is also crucial to overcoming depression. making friends with your life as it is or making changes to improve your personal situation will help your mental outlook. also, flexibility in terms of an open mind will arm you through future upsets or disappointments.
  2. Get moving. Again, this is both literal and figurative. Movement, in the form of physical activity, will help improve your mood through the production of endorphins, the feel-good chemicals in your brain. Research studies are clear on this: physical activity is an effective way to relieve depression-in some cases as effective as medications. Emotional movement in terms of trying something new or a new solution is also a way to rise above your depression.
  3. Get enough sleep. While insomnia may be a component of depression, do everything you can to get a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep will only make you feel worse.
  4. Eat well. Healthy foods that you can easily digest will help combat lethargy and fatigue. Eat a good breakfast to maintain your energy; and eat lost of well-cooked vegetables, fruits, whole grains and a little protein at each meal.
  5. Keep a gratitude journal. Research has shown that just writing down a couple of things each day for which you are thankful can in some instances be as effective as antidepressant medications. Remembering those positive things and people in your life helps you will shift your thinking from your glass being half empty to being half full.

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