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Curious About Acupuncture But Afraid Of Needles?

needlesWritten By Sara Calabro founder of AcuTake.

Curious about acupuncture but afraid of needles? Here are some things your acupuncturist wants you to know!

Most people, when they hear about the benefits of acupuncture, find themselves thinking, “That would be so good for me!” Less stress, more energy, better sleep and digestion… Who doesn’t want that?

But for many people, there’s one thing that holds them back from enjoying the benefits of acupuncture: Fear of needles.

There’s a spectrum of needle fears, ranging from downright needle phobic to being moderately concerned about the whole voluntarily-being-stuck-with-needles thing. Regardless, fear of needles is the number-one reason people choose to forego acupuncture.

5 things to remember if you’re scared of getting acupuncture

Acupuncturists get asked about the tool they wield all the time. Here’s what they tell people who say they’d love to try acupuncture but haven’t because they’re scared of needles.

They’re nothing like the needles you know.

“Needle apprehension is very common and natural, considering that we have been conditioned to associate needles with pain—think dentists, blood draws, and IVs,” says acupuncturist Kathryn Peak. “But acupuncture needles are hair-thin and nothing like the needles we are accustomed to in a medical setting.”

“Acupuncture is the most gentle form of needling possible,” adds acupuncturist David Bonilla. “If acupuncture was anything like getting a shot, I wouldn’t be in business!”

Most people who have never had acupuncture do not realize how thin acupuncture needles are. They bend when you touch them. For an up-close look at an acupuncture needle, check out this article.

You’re in control.

People commonly assume that they cannot move once the acupuncture needles are in place. That they need to lie there stiff as a board lest they endure excruciating pain or damage their insides. Understandably, this leads to a lot of anxiety and out-of-control feelings.

But it’s not true. A good acupuncturist will go at whatever pace you’re comfortable with. If you want to start with only a few needles and not keep them in very long, tell your acupuncturist that. If you want to pull out a needle that’s bothering you, go for it. If you get push back on this, find a new acupuncturist.

“I tell my patients that we can go as slow as they want so that they feel like they are part of the experience,” says acupuncturist Po-Hong Yu. “Acupuncture is not about something happening to you. You have a voice.”

One thing you can ask for is that your acupuncturist avoid acupuncture points in your arms.

Acupuncturist Kerry Jenni, a self-described needle phobe who realized after becoming an acupuncturist that acupuncture needles are nothing like the ones she’s scared of, says that keeping her arms free during her early days of receiving acupuncture was helpful.

“Moving during acupuncture is a weird sensation,” says Jenni. “With your arms free, you can be more in control.”

Acupuncturist Christina Morris makes sure that her fearful patients remain at ease once the needles are in. “I leave the patient with a pager so that they can alert me if they’re feeling overwhelmed when I’m outside the room.”

It’s not all about needles.

“If the needles really freak you out, there are other modalities that acupuncturists can use,” says acupuncturist Paola Acuna.

Acupuncturists are trained in several healing techniques, and only one of them uses needles. There’s acupressure, cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, ear seeds, qigong, herbs, among others. None of these things involve needles.

So, what do you say? Maybe 2016 is the year you overcome your fears and try acupuncture. Here are 16 reasons to go for it.

For the complete article  by Sara Calabro click here.

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Acupuncture Can Make 2016 Your Healthiest Year Yet

S.miska-acupuncture2Written by Stefanie Miska

As we come out on the other side of the holiday season, many of us have resolved to begin fresh by letting go of habits that no longer serve us or by adding ones that do.

Whether it be to spend more time physically moving the body, joining a new sports team, to begin meditating or sitting in stillness for five minutes each morning; this is a time where each of us reflects back on the past year and focuses on how we can improve and move forward in this coming twelve months.

Here are a few ways acupuncture can help:

Reduce stress – Often the holidays and returning to work afterwards can be stressful. Acupuncture has been proven to lower stress and help the body get out of the perpetual sympathetic (fight or flight) state. Many people report a Zen like experience during and after an acupuncture treatment, by attending regularly you can help prolong this feeling.

Aid digestion – Are you feeling bloated, distended, and gassy? Perhaps you over ate at Christmas dinner or over indulged on all the rum and egg nog? Acupuncture can help regulate the digestive organs by reducing bloating and moving any stagnation causing pain or distention.

Strengthen immune system – We are still in cold and flu season; whether you have been lucky enough to avoid this year’s bout or have been fighting off a lingering sore throat, acupuncture will help build the body’s natural resistance to disease. Acupuncture and Chinese medicinal herbs can benefit you whether it be the acute stage of a debilitating flu or you are feeling tired and run down since you were last sick.

Decrease pain – Do you suffer from chronic pain or have you been putting in extra hours at the gym this week? Acupuncture improves circulation and the release of pain relieving endorphins, which can benefit long term issues in addition to tight and sore muscles from sudden overuse. Often when we have pain we seek treatment locally to relieve the obvious tension, acupuncture will help relieve the localized discomfort, and in addition, by observing the body as a holistic being, your TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practitioner will address the root of the problem.

By incorporating regular acupuncture treatments into your new year’s resolution you will also see the benefits of more energy and better sleep.

Diversified Health is happy to welcome Stefanie Miska, a registered practitioner of Acupuncture & TCM (meaning she incorporates acupuncture, cupping, and herbal medicine into her treatments) to the clinic. She looks forward to helping you make 2016 your best year yet!

Call 250 382 0018 to book an appointment on Wednesday or Sunday with Stefanie. Here’s to you!

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Choosing your New Year’s Health Resolutions

Choosing your New Year’s Health ResolutionThis is that time of year when, individuals make various resolutions with the objective of getting rid of a bad habit and replacing it with good/healthy habit.  However, it is also a fact that most of the time people are not able to follow through on their resolutions.

The main problem is in the practical implementation of the resolutions.  People generally are eager to make resolutions but as soon as the time comes to get started, they begin to think of justifications why they should not continue and ultimately give up and in some cases before they have even started.  (You know who you are!)

Remember that it will be easier to incorporate and keep a small change rather than 1 huge generic goal such as “I want to lose weight”.

Listed below are 9 tips to help you achieve a healthier lifestyle.  Pick one tip and work on that one for 6 weeks.  Every 6 weeks add another tip to your daily routine and work on that for 6 weeks… before the end of 2016 you will have incorporated all 9 tips and will be living a healthier lifestyle.

Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

A serving size is: half cup of cooked vegetables, one cup of raw leafy vegetables or one small whole fruit.

Increase your fluids and decrease your coffee intake. 

Aim for 6 to 8 glasses of fluids per day. Have plain or lemon water, unsweetened juice, skim milk, or herbal tea, and keep the coffee to 1 or 2 cups a day.

Exercise on a regular basis.

An ideal combination includes aerobic exercise, weight-training, yoga, stretching, and recreational activities, such as dancing and swimming. Get exercise during your regular daily activities by walking at lunch and taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

Reduce the “bad” fats.

Reduce the amount of saturated fats and trans fatty acids in your diet. Saturated fats are found in animal products such as meat and processed foods. Processed foods contain trans fatty acids and partially hydrogenated oils. So limit your processed foods and cook with olive and canola oils.

Chew your food!

Many digestive problems such as bloating, gas, and stomach discomfort can be alleviated by taking the time to carefully chew food.

Limit your intake of sugar.

Sugar increases triglycerides, cholesterol, and insulin, and can impair the immune system. Check food labels and look for hidden sugars (corn syrup, sucrose, glucose, and lactose).

Make relaxation a regular part of your life

Chronic stress can lead the way to a weak immune system, high blood pressure, and many other conditions. Proper breathing and meditation are effective ways of coping with stress.

 Make sleep a priority.

Restful sleep is essential for a fully functioning mind and body. This means avoiding caffeine and alcohol, which can disrupt sleep. In addition, sugary snacks before bed can affect blood sugar levels and disturb sleep.

Develop and nurture your support network.

Maintain meaningful and fulfilling relationships with family and friends. These relationships nourish our heart, body, and soul.

Remember it’s never too late to start again.  It’s your life, take charge and decide who you want to be.

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Herpes Virus Includes 8 Different Viruses

cold-soresThe herpes family of viruses includes 8 different viruses: herpes virus 1 through 8 (HHV1 – HHV8).  The herpes viruses are a group of contagious virus that can be passed from person to person through direct contact.

Human herpes virus 1

HHV1 infections are contagious cold sores that are spread from skin-to-skin contact with an infected person through small lesions in the skin. The HHV1 virus is spread through sharing eating utensils, razors, tooth brushes, towels, kissing etc. from a person who has an active lesion.

Human herpes virus 2

HHV2 can cause genital herpes, a sexually transmitted infection spread through skin-to-skin contact.

Human herpes virus 3

HHV3 can cause chickenpox. It can also cause a recurrent virus infection called herpes zoster or shingles. The shingle lesions generally appear on one side of the body and are often painful.

Human herpes virus 4

HHV4 known as the Epstein-Barr virus is the major cause of mononucleosis.  It is a contagious infection that is transmitted through saliva, coughing, sneezing, etc. with an infected person.

Human herpes virus 5

HHV5 is know as cytomegalovirus, which can cause mononucleosis. It can be sexually transmitted and cause problems to newborns, and in people with weaken immune systems, and can cause hepatitis.

Human herpes virus 6

HHV6 causes roseola, which is a viral disease of young children in which a fever and a rose-colored rash occur in measles, typhoid fever, and syphilis.

Human herpes virus 7

HHV7 is related to HHV6.  Like all the herpes viruses, they are so common that most of the worlds population has been infected at some point.

Human herpes virus 8

HHV8 has recently been discovered in tumors (Kaposi’s Sarcoma) of people suffering from AIDS.

There is currently no cure for the herpes viruses. Once a person has the virus, it remains inactive in the nerve cells until something triggers it to become active again.  However, treatments such as acupuncture can relieve symptoms and shorten the healing time.

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Acupuncture Actually Works for Neck Pain, Study Says

acupunctureWritten by Mandy Oaklander

Two alternative therapies get a boost of scientific legitimacy in a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Acupuncture, the ancient practice of needle insertion, and the Alexander Technique, a program that teaches people how to avoid unnecessary muscle tension throughout the day and improve posture, coordination, balance and stress, are two complementary therapies often used to help treat neck pain. Treating it is often difficult, and it’s common for people to seek out alternative therapies.

The researchers wanted to see how well two of these worked. They assigned 517 people, all of whom had neck pain for at least three months (and sometimes many years), to the standard care for neck pain, which involves prescription medications and physical therapy. Some of the patients were assigned to also receive one of two extra treatments: a dozen 50-minute acupuncture sessions or 20 private Alexander Technique lessons—which focus on teaching people how to move their body to avoid or correct muscular pain.

A year after the start of the study, people in the groups doing acupuncture and the Alexander Technique had significant reductions in neck pain—pain was assessed by questionnaire—compared to those who just got usual care. Both groups reported about 32% less pain than they had at the start of the study, which is far greater than the 9% typically associated with physical therapy and exercise. The interventions also gave people in the groups more self-efficacy, which were linked to better pain outcomes.

The study adds to growing evidence suggesting that acupuncture is effective against pain; a landmark review in 2012 involving almost 18,000 people with chronic pain concluded that acupuncture was better than standard care and sham acupuncture (which proved the effect is not due to placebo of simply sticking needles in the body.)

“You get a two-fold effect with acupuncture for pain: a natural pain-relieving effect and an anti-inflammatory effect,” says Jamie Starkey, lead acupuncturist at Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Integrative Medicine, who was not involved in the new study.

Acupuncture manipulates the nervous system, she says, activating the release of pain-relieving endorphins. “With neck pain patients, a lot will get steroid injections or take a non-steroidal anti inflammatory, like ibuprofen or a prescription medication,” says Starkey. “Those medications or injections have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body, but the acupuncture needles can do that naturally.”

The influx of new research has helped legitimize alternative therapies like acupuncture, says Starkey. “That’s really brought acupuncture to the forefront of people’s minds and attention, and physicians are a lot more willing to refer their patients to an acupuncturist.”

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Sore Muscles… Here’s What You Can Do!

Sore Muscles... Here's What You Can Do!All of us have suffered from sore muscles at some point in our lives, the good news is, there are many ways to treat sore muscle pain.

Post-workout muscle pain is the most common cause of sore muscles, and is known in the medical community as “DOMS” or delayed onset muscle soreness.

DOMS occurs when an exercise, or a repetitive motion causes stress to muscle tissue. The tissue develops microscopic tears, causing inflammation followed by pain, usually 24 – 36 hours after the incident.

Using these 5 tips will help you mange the pain and speed up your recovery.

Hydrate ~  Make sure you are properly hydrated.  Your  body and your muscles need water, especially when they are sore.

Alternate ice and heat ~ Ice works wonders for sore muscles. Once the onset of soreness occurs, use ice and alternate with heat a few hours later. Ice helps in decreasing swelling, and heat will increase blood flow and  help relax the muscles.

Stretch ~ Your muscles need to be stretched back to their normal length. Warming up the muscles properly and  stretching before physical activity is a superb way to prevent or minimize most muscle soreness.

Walking ~ Muscle soreness is a result of tiny muscle fiber tears, and it’s also a result of a buildup of lactic acid. Going for a walk helps to  decrease that buildup of lactic acid.

Rest ~ Sleep allow muscles to regroup and rebuild.

The following disciplines and techniques can be extremely beneficial when dealing with sore muscles, so talk with your health care practitioner and find out which techniques are right for you.

Massage is used to relieve pain, relax, stimulate, by working on the soft tissues, the muscles, tendons, and ligaments to improve muscle tone.  Massage stimulates blood circulation and assists the lymphatic system (which runs parallel to the circulatory system), improving the elimination of waste throughout the body.

Acupuncture is used to encourage the body to promote natural healing and to improve function. Acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body’s own internal regulating system.

eToims produces painless deep twitch contractions that stretch and relax damaged muscles. This produces an inflow of fresh blood and tissue oxygenation to tired muscles as pain-producing chemicals simultaneously outflow from affected areas.

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Study finds acupuncture beneficial for managing hypertension

Acupuncture320x213
Written by Newswise:
Patients with hypertension treated with acupuncture experienced drops in their blood pressure that lasted up to a month and a half, researchers with the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine have found.

Their work is the first to scientifically confirm that this ancient Chinese practice is beneficial in treating mild to moderate hypertension, and it indicates that regular use could help people control their blood pressure and lessen their risk of stroke and heart disease.

“This clinical study is the culmination of more than a decade of bench research in this area,” said Dr. John Longhurst, a University of California, Irvine cardiologist and former director of the Samueli Center. “By using Western scientific rigor to validate an ancient Eastern therapy, we feel we have integrated Chinese and Western medicine and provided a beneficial guideline for treating a disease that affects millions in the U.S.”

Longhurst and his UCI colleagues Dr. Peng Li and Stephanie Tjen-A-Looi conducted tests on 65 hypertensive patients who were not receiving any hypertension medication. Separated randomly into two groups, the subjects were treated with electroacupuncture – a form of the practice that employs low-intensity electrical stimulation – at different acupoints on the body.

In one group of 33 receiving electroacupuncture on both sides of the inner wrists and slightly below each knee, the researchers found a noticeable drop in blood pressure rates in 70 percent of participants – an average of 6 to 8 mmHg for systolic blood pressure (the high number) and 4 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure (the low number). These improvements persisted for a month and a half.

Also in this group, the team identified significant declines in blood concentration levels of norepinephrine (41 per cent), which constricts blood vessels and increases blood pressure and glucose levels; and renin (67 per cent), an enzyme produced in the kidneys that helps control blood pressure. In addition, the electroacupuncture decreased aldosterone (22 per cent), a hormone that regulates electrolytes.

No consequential blood pressure changes were found in the group of 32 who received electroacupuncture at other acupoints along the forearm and lower leg.

Although the blood pressure reductions in the first cohort were relatively small – mostly in the four to 13-mmHg range – the researchers noted that they were clinically meaningful and that the technique could be especially useful in treating systolic hypertension in patients over 60.

“Because electroacupuncture decreases both peak and average systolic blood pressure over 24 hours, this therapy may decrease the risk for stroke, peripheral artery disease, heart failure and myocardial infarction in hypertensive patients,” Longhurst said.

Participants were treated at UCI’s Institute for Clinical & Translational Science. Study results appear in Medical Acupuncture.

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Is Your Low Energy Due To Vitamin Deficiencies?

multivitamin-tabletsWe all need vitamins and minerals for good health, well being and energy; but did you know that vitamin deficiencies can lead to low energy?

Particular nutrient deficiencies are associated with reduced energy and chronic tiredness; these can include iron, magnesium, B12 and folic acid.

We’ve gathered some information on these nutrients/vitamins and how  deficiencies can contribute to low energy.  We will also discuss symptoms, and how to test for the appropriate levels in your body.

Iron

Iron is an essential mineral needed for the manufacture of hemoglobin, the part of the red blood cells that carries oxygen, which is needed for energy production. ( 14 to 18 mg for adult men, and 12 to 16 mg for adult women). When iron levels are low, red blood cells can’t carry enough oxygen to the body’s tissues, causing fatigue.

Symptoms of deficiency are fatigue (especially on exertion); weakness, shortness of breath, pale lower eyelids & tongue, headaches, and constipation.

You can also help increase your hemoglobin by eating iron rich foods such as red meat, shrimp, tofu, almonds, dates, and lentils.

Iron cannot be fully absorbed by the body without the help of vitamin C; so make sure that you are getting the correct amount of vitamin C daily.

Iron levels are tested easily with blood samples, but it’s important to check your iron levels before using an iron supplement because excess iron absorption can also causes chronic tiredness.

Vitamin B12

B12 is needed for the manufacture of red blood cells and helps the body’s use the iron that is also required for proper digestion, the absorption of foods, and the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats.

Vitamin B12 is largely found naturally in animal products such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy products, making vegetarians and people with digestive disturbances at the most risk for a B12 deficiency.

Symptoms of deficiencies are fatigue, weakness, dizziness, memory problems, confusion, irritability, depression, moodiness and paleness.

B12 deficiencies are common due to declining B12 levels in food by the increased use of antibiotics and digestive problems. You can help increase your B12 levels by eating fortified soy products like silken tofu and B12-fortified breakfast cereals.

B12 levels can be measured with a simple blood test.

Folic Acid

Folic acid is a B vitamin needed for the manufacture of red blood cells, and because folic acid is easily destroyed during cooking, it is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies. Folic acid allows the body to perform many essential functions DNA synthesis and repair, and red blood cell creation.

Symptoms of deficiencies are fatigue, digestive disturbances, insomnia, memory problems, weakness, shortness of breath, and anemia.

You can help increase folic acid levels by eating dark leafy greens, citrus fruits, beans, lentils and nuts.

Folic acid levels can be measured with a blood test.

Magnesium

Magnesium is needed for the production of ATP, which is the main energy-producing molecule in the body. When magnesium is deficient, our cells are less able to produce energy which leads to chronic tiredness.

Symptoms of deficiencies are fatigue, irritability, spasms or muscle cramps, rapid or irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and insomnia.

Leafy green vegetables,eat plenty of raw foods You can help increase Magnesium levels by eating leafy green vegetables, eating plenty of raw foods, and limiting refined sugar.

Magnesium is not generally tested by blood test, but by hair analysis.

If you are experiencing fatigue or you are chronically tired please contact your health care practitioner before making any changes to your health routine. Vitamin deficiencies can lead to low energy, however, chronic fatigue can be caused by other factors.

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Seasonal Allergies

allergiesIf you suffer from seasonal allergies you might want to consider visiting an acupuncturist.  The goal of the acupuncturist is to develop a plan which addresses the person’s acute symptoms and provides relief, while addressing the underlying immune system imbalance which is thought to be at the root of the person’s allergies.

Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies

  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Watery eye
  • Nasal congestion
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Postnasal drainage
  • Ear congestion
  • Itchy sinuses, throat, eyes, or ear canals
  • Adenoid swelling -this occurs when the lymph tissue that line the back of the throat swells
  • Dark circles under the eyes – caused by swelling and discoloration from congestion of small blood vessels beneath the skin in the eye area.

If your symptoms are persistent and last for more than two weeks you should see your allergist  or acupuncturist for proper testing, diagnosis and treatment. Finding and treating the source of your suffering can also clear up other unwanted symptoms. Less common symptoms may include: headache, shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing.

Decreasing Your Summer Allergy Triggers:

  • Try to stay indoors whenever the pollen count  is high – Pollen levels tend to peak in the morning
  • When the day is wind, pollen counts surge
  • Vacuum often and clean air filters regularly
  • Keep your doors and windows closed to keep allergens out, and use an air purifier
  • Wash bedding and rugs in hot water to eliminate dust mites and other allergens
  • Shower, and change clothing after going outside to wash away pollen

 If these steps still don’t provide any relief, and before you turning to over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays and eye drops speak with your healthcare practitioner to discuss all your options for treatment; including acupuncture.

A recent study conducted in South Korea examined the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis.

Acupuncture treatment plans for allergies will vary greatly from person to person.  The possible results will range from temporary relief to complete remission. Acupuncture frequently relieves nasal congestion and sneezing as soon as the needles are inserted.

If you suffer from seasonal allergies please contact our acupuncturist for more information on how she can help with your allergy symptoms.

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Natural Stress Relief

ExteriorNearly one in three people view their lives moderately to severely stressful, and more than 50% feel that stress has a moderate to severe impact on their health problems. We’ve identified some symptoms of stress, and some ways to approach natural stress relief.

Symptoms of Stress

Stress has been linked with detrimental health effects including heart disease and even brain shrinkage. Below are just a few of the symptoms cased by stress.

  • Trouble sleeping
  • Feeling irritable and defensive
  • Headaches
  • Trouble concentrating or remembering
  • Tense, tight muscles
  • Anxious, jittery, or nervous feelings
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Upset stomach, diarrhea, or constipation
  • Having trouble making decisions
  • Frequent colds, viruses, or infection

Having stress is not necessarily bad, but you need to be aware of the sources of stress and have a way to cope. There is no “right” way to handle stress – you need to find out what works for you.

  • Eat well. Good nutrition can improve your mood and your ability to handle stress.
  • Get enough rest, but don’t stay in bed to avoid problems;
  • Avoid using caffeine, cigarettes, or alcohol
  • Simplify your life by setting priorities for yourself.
  • Exercise at least three times a week.

Massage

Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress.

  • Improved circulation – Having an increase in blood flow and circulation to areas of your body helps promote cell growth and organ function.
  • The feeling of well-being – Massage increases the available levels of dopamine and this explains the satisfaction experienced during and after a massage.

Acupuncture

The body secretes hormones into the bloodstream as a reaction to stress. Acupuncture can block the chronic, stress-induced elevations of these hormones leaving you with a sense of calm & relaxation.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy can assist decease stress levels through manual therapy. Manual therapy involves manipulation of muscles and tissues in the body. This technique is used to reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and carry fresh oxygen to tissues in the body.

Chiropractic

One of the effects of chronic stress is prolonged muscle tension. This muscle tension can leads to mis-alignments of the spine and the other joints in the body. These mis-alignments can cause common conditions such as; back pain, neck pain, and headaches. Chiropractic adjustments correct these mis-alignments, reduce nerve irritation, improves circulation, and releases muscle tension.

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