Pain Relief

Pain Relief through Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

April 17th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

Tip! A survey conducted by California Acupuncture Association in 1993 reveals that a professional acupuncturist can earn from $30,000 to $100,000 per year. Perhaps to date, those figures have already doubled or even tripled and quadrupled.

The World Health Organization (WHO) references acupuncture as being an effective treatment for the management of many types of pain, both acute and chronic.

There are 3 proven mechanisms that explain how acupuncture relieves pain;

1. Gate Theory
Once inserted, the needle activates the myelinated nervous system fibers which ultimately stops the pain message from getting to the T-cells in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord (closes the ‘Gate’). Therefore the pain message does not transmit to the thalamus/cortex in the brain (these areas normally interpret these messages and make you feel pain)

2. Opiate Theory
Once inserted, the needle activates the midbrain to release beta-endorphins into the cerebral spinal fluid and met-enkephalin into the plasma. This cascade causes the release of other neurotransmitters that block the sensations of pain. Both endorphins and enkephalins are naturally occurring opiate-like substances produced by the body in situations that require analgesia. Opiates are the fundamental compounds that Pharmaceutical painkillers such as codeine and morphine are built from.

Tip! Although acupuncture has been an accepted form of treatment, for many years, it still involves a certain amount of risks. A hematoma or nerve damage could occur, if the wrong body parts are punctured.

3. Antihistamine Theory
Once inserted, the needle activates a process which regulates (reduces) the amount of histamine and bradykinin in the blood. These substances are what causes inflammation and pain when chronic or acute injury occurs.

Traditional Acupuncture Theory

Energy (Qi) circulates within the body through a series of pathways called meridians, similar to blood vessels. Wherever blood flows it brings with it nourishment and life giving qualities to the surrounding tissues and organs. Qi is the vital force necessary to keep the heart pumping so that blood will be transported as needed. More broadly, Qi gives that same life force to every single cell, tissue, muscle, organ, and gland in the body. Therefore, a blockage of the flow of Qi anywhere in the body will inhibit the amount of nourishment that reaches our cells, tissues, muscles, organs, and glands.

Tip! Visit traditional chinese medicines or infertility and traditional chinese medicine or acupuncture schools for more information on acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

Many things can cause Qi to become blocked: poor diet, physical trauma, emotional trauma, inherited weakness, many disease processes, and chemical, physical, and emotional stress, just to name a few.

By inserting fine sterile needles at specific points, blockages of Qi that cause pain are cleared and smooth flow is restored. Once this is accomplished, pain will vanish.

Treatment Protocols

It is not uncommon for there to be significant relief after just one treatment. Most often with acute pain, between 2-4 treatments for 1-3 weeks is usually required to obtain optimal pain relieving effects. As for chronic pain, 1-2 treatments per week for longer durations is usually necessary.

Any pain condition may involve combination with other pain relieving modalities (yoga, fitness rehabilitation, physiotherapy, etc). Herbal salves and preparations along with certain recommended supplements may also enter the scope of treatment. Other traditional techniques such as cupping and moxibustion are also frequently employed. You may also be asked to perform some simple techniques at home or work between treatments to aid treatment efficacy.

Tip! But apart from the financial benefits of a career in acupuncture, practicing it is a form of performing an art for many. Acupuncture is something they are passionate about.

Spence Pentland of Vancouver BC Canada received his five year Doctor of TCM education from the International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Vancouver. To complete his studies he spent 500 hours at Anhui Hospital of TCM Hefei City, in the Peoples Republic of China. He is a licensed and registered member of the Canadian Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, is the President of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association of British Columbia (TCMABC http://www.tcmabc.org), and practices at Acubalance Wellness Centre (http://www.acubalance.ca)where he treats only Men’s reproductive health (http://mens.health-info.org)and Women’s fertility issues.

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Acupuncture - Don’t Be Afraid Of Needles

April 12th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

Tip! Sujok Acupuncture � the acupuncture schools offers this unique technique where the expert uses only his hands and legs. He inserts microscopic needles into the points or even a sesame seed and small magnets that relieve the patients instantly.

Lots of times, how people deal with an ailment, depends on their incomes. People with plenty of money may go visit the doctor whenever their bodies feel abnormal. People with very little money will probably wait until an ailment becomes a major problem before they think about visiting a doctor. The medical and drug industries are very lucrative and for the most part, they work hand and hand. Neither industry would like it, if their patients found other ways to deal with their health problems. There have been quite a few alternative medicines, offered to the public, over the years, but one of the oldest is acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a technique used to heal the body, by inserting and adjusting needles, into specific acupuncture points. The theory behind acupuncture is to let out excess energy or blood, by making holes in the body along certain pathways, called meridians. Sometimes it’s required to let out blood and not energy; while other times, the energy gets let out and not blood. There is an assumption, that diseases enter the body, through the skin. So, if a needle can be inserted into the body, at the same level of the disease, then the disease could be let out.

Tip! Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners or TCM physicians claim that acupuncture can help you to lose body fat by making you feel full and so will eat less. This curbs excess caloric consumption in the patient treated with acupuncture and is a great help in the patient’s weight loss program.

Acupuncture started in China, more than 2000 years ago. Because of improved communications, Chinese medicine made its way into Japan, during the 6th century. In the 17th century, Sugiyama created the insertion tube, which is the tube that needles are inserted through. Acupuncture reached the West, in the early 1900s, by way of France. By 1950, acupuncture was known all over Europe, but it wasn’t until the 1970s, that America started to recognize it. The first acupuncture clinic, opened in Washington, D.C., in 1972.

Acupuncture can help treat a lot of different illnesses by relieving the pain associated with the illness. Some of the conditions that can benefit from acupuncture are, menopause, diarrhoea, chronic pain, anxiety and high blood pressure. Acupuncture may not apply to all problems, so people need to make sure their illness will benefit from the treatment. Also, breast implants, pregnancy, a pacemaker and drugs, may increase the danger of using acupuncture.

Although acupuncture has been an accepted form of treatment, for many years, it still involves a certain amount of risks. A hematoma or nerve damage could occur, if the wrong body parts are punctured. Brain damage or stroke is possible, with deep needling at the base of the skull. If needles aren’t properly sterilized, then diseases could be transferred. Side effects from using acupuncture, are actually considered lower than using conventional treatments, but it’s important that the public knows that there are risks to consider before they choose acupuncture.

Tip! Before deciding to go for acupuncture as a remedy for your weight loss, be sure to make sure you are using a reputable weight loss practitioner. If treated by an expert practitioner, acupuncture can be an easy way out to free you from the shackles of excessive fat accumulated in your body.

Acupuncture was not a widely accepted treatment, when it began. It took many years for people to even consider it as a form of medicine. Although medicine has made many advances over the years, there’s still a market for non-conventional treatments. Acupuncture has proven its effectiveness over the years and now, many people gladly choose acupuncture over conventional treatments.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Acupuncture

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Pain in the Neck could be from Your Computer

April 12th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

Tip! A recent European study divided patients into three groups for treatment. The group that received traditional Chinese acupuncture reported the most significant neck pain relief in the short term and over time, compared with those that underwent massage therapy or laser treatment.

Neck pain can really get irritating if it persists for long periods of time. The pain can get unbearable that’s why some people succumb to taking medications or pain relievers only to find out that they don’t do them any good. Let’s check out these simple and basic tips on how to treat and relieve you from neck pain.

1. Get spinal checkups regularly.

It is very important to always keep your spine aligned. This can ensure the proper functioning of your neck and back, specifically the upper region. Your chiropractor will do spinal adjustments on you. This can decrease the stress on your thoracic and cervical spines. It also improves the communication between your brain and all parts of the body. As a result, a happier and healthier you.

Tip! Several studies have shown that strength training the neck reduces neck pain in most individuals. It has also been show to increase neck strength and increase range of motion.

2. Always be conscious of your posture.

There are a lot of people who exhibit poor posture. When asked to stand up straight, they are unable to exude the proper posture anymore. This is because they have been used to that kind of posture and they are unaware of it already. Proper posture does not only involve the back, as lot may think. It also includes the neck. Poor posture, if not dealt with can give rise to neck pain as well.

3. Exercise regularly.

Exercising does not only do good to the body’s muscular and cardiovascular system but to the skeletal system, too. For an efficient and effective program, you have to do at least three sessions a week for about forty minutes. In order to be more inspired to do these exercises, involve the whole family and your friends. It will benefit, not only yourself, but your loved ones as well.

Tip! Perhaps one of the most common health complaints in our hectic lives today is chronic neck pain. Neck pain can disrupt our lives, limit our ability to enjoy our favorite activities and can even make a normal workday unbearably agonizing.

4. Eat well and eat right.

Naturally, you keep your body healthy by eating the right food at the right amount. When you observe proper diet and nutrition, your body will the given the appropriate energy or fuel that can increase your endurance and performance. It can also increase your body’s immune system to fight injuries and sickness. It can speep your recovery from injury and it also makes you feel good. If you are having a hard time eating right, you might as well consider taking up dietary supplements to cover up for vitamin and mineral deficiencies in your body.

5. Manage stress.

There are a lot of techniques devised to relieve stress, if not to eliminate it totally. Usually, stress is carried on the upper back, the shoulders, and the neck. If you prefer, go to your nearest chiropractor to ask about these techniques and how to do them the right way.

6. Do not put pressure on your neck.

For example, while using the telephone, do not use your neck and shoulders to hold it while you talk. In the office, always sit properly and keep your neck straight by working at eye level. You can unconsciously get neck pain during sleep because you are unaware of your movements. You can use a cervical pillow for this. You can also roll a towel and put it around the curve of your neck while you sleep. Never sleep on your stomach.

Tip! Pain management doctors are specialists at diagnosing the reasons for your pain as well as treating the pain itself. Arthritis, back and neck pain, cancer pain, nerve pain, migraine headaches, shingles, and phantom limb pain for amputees are among the most common pain problems they usually manage.

7. Stretch.

It is always best to do stretching if possible. In the office or at home, you can take short breaks just to reduce the tension. Some massage won’t hurt either. It can decrease the tension not only on your shoulders but also on your neck.

Do not let yourself get weighed down by neck pain. If you are one of those people suffering from neck pain, do not fret. There are a lot of simple techniques and remedies you can get and use wherever you may be.

There are other risks as you sit in front of that computer but it would be to much to write about in this article, so if you would like to learn more about other risks such as:

Eye strain

RSI (Repetitive Stress Syndrome)

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Constant Head Aches

Dizziness

Breathing Problems

Difficulty Concentrating

Tip! As a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist, I take a different approach to the treatment and prevention of neck pain. After a thorough neurological examination, I determine which part of the nervous system is not functioning properly.

You can learn all about this in the book: “The Painless PC”

Hege Crowton is establishing herself as an expert copywriter.
She is known for doing in-depth research before writing her articles.
Many of her articles are posted on http://www.ezinecrow.com
and she also does a lot of writing for http://www.CrowSites.com

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