Beating Cirrhosis Via a Combination of Western Medicine and Chinese Medicine Treatments

By Stephanie Harper | Published: April 24, 2017

Caused by chronic injury, cirrhosis is a condition in which the liver slowly malfunctions and degrades. Healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, obstructing partially blood circulation to the liver. Cirrhosis is the terminal stage of chronic liver disease

In the United States, chronic liver disease is commonly caused by:

o NASH or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and NAFLD or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
o Metabolic disorders of copper and iron (Wilson’s disease and hemochromatosis, repsctively)
o Long-term hepatitis B infection
o Long-term hepatitis C infection
o Disorders of the biliary system (the liver’s drainage system), such as primary sclerosing cholangitis and primary biliary cirrhosis
o Autoimmune inflammation of the liver
o Chronic alcoholism (see alcoholic liver disease)

Symptoms

At the onset of the disease symptoms tend not to appear or they may develop slowly. When they do arise, symptoms can include:

o Jaundice (yellowish eyes, mucus membranes and skin)
o Blood in the stools of vomiting blood
o Buildup of fluid or swelling in the stomach (ascites) and legs (edema)
o Red, small and spider-like blood vessels on the skin
o Clay-colored or pale stools
o Bleeding gums or nosebleeds
o Nausea and vomiting
o Problems thinking or confusion
o Low libido, impotence
o Stomach pain or indigestion
o Weakness
o Rapid loss of weight

The Treatment for Cirrhosis

Treating cirrhosis is usually based on the manifested complications and the cause of the disease. The aim of the treatment both in Chinese medicine and Western medicine is to retard the advance of scar tissue in the liver and treat or prevent the complications arising from the disease based on the condition of the patient.

A well-planned and nutritious diet can play a critical role in the treatment of the disease. Chinese medicine practitioners may suggest a well-balanced dietary plan. For this condition, it is important to restrict the intake of sodium. Cirrhosis sufferers should also avoid raw shellfish, because it contains bacteria that can worsen the infection.

Substances the might hurt the liver such as smoking and tobacco should be avoided. People with cirrhosis are advised to stay away from illicit substances and to not consume any alcohol since both only injure the liver further. Because a lot of prescription and over-the-shelf drugs and vitamins may affect the function of the liver, patients should always consult with a practitioner before taking them.

A patient with cirrhosis is highly advised to avail of Western medicine treatment as his/her primary mode of treatment. When complications cannot be bettered by treatment, a liver transplant may be required. Simultaneously, the use of acupuncture and Chinese medicine is very much recommended as a type of supplementary therapy particularly in diet and food management.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have the power to enhance and increase the liver and the other vital organs’ immune and self-defense system as well as balance the vital organs. In TCM or Traditional Chinese Medicine, food and herbs go hand in hand in affecting the energy fields of the body. The diet of the patient should complement the medications taken in order to experience good results. TCM has a complete system in diet and food management. It is a system that identifies well the various types of food that have a specific disadvantage or advantage to diseases such as cirrhosis.

Life style

Extremely important for the patient is getting enough sleep and rest. This disease should never be underestimated. The rise of cirrhosis is sometimes hidden, so to monitor his/her progress and situation, the patient needs regular check-ups.

The patient needs to stay optimistic and positive. The cirrhosis may come with certain levels of discomfort, and therefore the patient’s self-psychological adjustment is of extreme importance. In order to beat this disease, the patient needs to have strong determination and a build-up of confidence. With the hard work of both the practitioners and scientists, new treatments have been developed which hopefully can lead to a total cure in the near future.

Perform moderate exercises: Qi gong and Tai Chi are Chinese therapeutic exercises that are ideal to attain and maintain a stable condition. These two exercises are meditative, moving, and slow-motion designed to help you relax and achieve good health. Both exercises aim to help people redirect and regulate the flow of blood and qi within the body. They are ideal ways to bring back health after therapy

Eat the right diet: To facilitate the repair and rehabilitation of liver tissue adequate nutrition is needed. Avoid smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol. The liver can be seriously injured by alcohol. Stay away from hard-to-digest and spicy food. Eat lots of protein rich foods like eggs, soy milk, and milk. Also eat foods high in vitamins and eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Thrive Wellness Center is an acupuncture clinic in Fort Lauderdale, FL with licensed acupuncturists, physicians and therapists.

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TCM and Acupuncture for a Stronger Healthier Heart

By Stephanie Harper | Published: April 24, 2017

For a lot of people cardiovascular health is a very important aspect of their live, yet only a few people know of the incredible benefits that acupuncture offers to reinforce the health of this vital system. You may actually be surprised of the health benefits that you can receive with the right combination of needles (known as an ‘acupuncture point prescription’). Certain conditions related to your heart include high cholesterol, hypertension or high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and atherosclerosis. Bear in mind that even though acupuncture in Boynton Beach can help boost your heart’s health, you still need to heed the recommendation of your doctor and continue taking the drugs that he/she has prescribed. Acupuncture is an ideal treatment in that it can be used alongside prescription drugs. Acupuncture does not have any side effects and can even mitigate the side effects of the drugs you are taking.

In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) the Heart (capitalized to distinguish it from the anatomical heart) is responsible for the flow of blood in your body. When you have a healthy Heart, it means that your tissues are well-nourished; conversely, a weak Heart can result in chest pain and palpitations. The Heart has an extra role to play in TCM – it is known to be the place where your Shen or Spirit resides.

Practitioners of TCM view the Shen to be an important aspect of your health, as through it you are able to connect to the world and express emotional well-being, virtue and wisdom. Therefore, any problems with your Heart can also manifest as forgetfulness, joylessness, sleep problems, and even manic behavior, in severe cases.

Your facial complexion can actually reflect the health of your Heart, implying that a rosy complexion mirrors a healthy Heart, while a pale complexion means a weak Heart. Moreover, too much heat residing in the Heart will manifest in a reddish complexion, while a purplish face means you’re suffering from Heart stagnation.

Certain acupoints that can assist the health or your Heart are situated on your upper back, chest, forearm, and wrist. Acupoints found in other parts of your body would also be likely be used as support since TCM is deemed as a type of holistic medicine. To proactively increase the health of your Heart, it’s recommended that you do some light exercises (following your doctor’s advice, of course) and also add to your diet foods that are bitter in taste, as bitterness is the flavor that’s tied to the Heart. And since joy is the emotion associated with the Heart, saturate your life with lots and lots of joy!

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Why Acupuncture Works Perfectly In The Treatment of Hyperhidrosis

By Stephanie Harper | Published: April 17, 2017

Hyperhidrosis is a condition in which people often suffer from excessive sweating. Relief can be provided through acupuncture treatment helping them avoid adverse medications and more invasive medical procedures. Choosing acupuncture treatment in Boca Raton for excessive sweating can be especially beneficial because a qualified acupuncturist has the proper skill and training to assess the patient’s specific situation and come up with a plan of treatment to address the specific issues the patient has. Acupuncture treatment can be used to directly influence an overactive sympathetic nervous system, that can be the direct reason for the excessive sweating, or for other conditions whose symptoms include sweating. The treatment can also help reduce anxiety and alleviate stress – two factors that tend to aggravate or even trigger problems with excessive sweating.

Acupuncture’s one very good benefit is that it provides people with another option to conventional medical treatments that can involve drugs, exposure to chemicals, or even surgery. Patients with hyperhidrosis who have undergone Western medical treatments are usually exposed to strong chemicals through their use of antiperspirants or suffer from the side effects of prescription medications. Surgery, specifically, endoscopic thoracic surgery, may even be suggested for severe cases in order to halt the activity of the sympathetic nerve. These modes of treatment are not only very unpleasant or invasive they also are unable to explore the specific situation of the patient.

The use of acupuncture for hyperhidrosis is based on the underlying cause of the problem. People suffering from primary hyperhidrosis profusely sweat for no known reason, although this condition is believed to be due to sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity. People suffering from secondary hyperhidrosis may see their sweating to be the result of another condition or disease like hyperthyroidism. In treating hyperhidrosis, the practitioner thoroughly evaluates what its cause or causes are prior to treatment. He or she will then insert needles into the determined dermatomes or nerve points to stop the symptom and the root cause of the problem.

Acupuncture stress and anxiety that are associated with or contribute to the rise of hyperhidrosis. Stress and anxiety can trigger an attack or it may simply make the problem worse. Hyperhidrosis definitely causes anxiety as it can be embarrassing and unpleasant. Under the hands of a qualified and skilled practitioner, acupuncture can lower the stress a patient is feeling and help balance the body’s energy which can help reduce sweating, that leads to less stress and less worry.

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Why It Makes Sense to Try Acupuncture and Alternative Medicine For Your Health

By Stephanie Harper | Published: April 17, 2017

Chinese medicine and acupuncture can save you money. In the world of healthcare, a common misconception running around is that when compared to modern western medicine, alternative medicine is a more expensive treatment. The fact is alternative medicine is actually a heck of a lot cheaper than standard western medicine. In a couple of different ways is this true. One is that in Chinese medicine and acupuncture, the actual cost of treatment is strikingly less than Western medicine. Two, the preventative aspect of Chinese medicine and acupuncture is also much less costly than the actual treatment of a disease when it does develop.

A number of studies have actually been conducted as to how much money one can save by using acupuncture, not just about how well it works in the treatment of illnesses. One classic example of this was a study that was featured in the 1992 issue of the Acta Anethesiol Scand. It revealed that because of acupuncture, seven of the 29 patients who were to undergo surgery were able to cancel their operation which led to a $9000 in savings cost per patient.

Another example was a study published in 1994 in the medical journal Neurology. It showed that the acupuncture treatment in post stroke patients helped them reduce their hospital stay by half (from 161 days to 88 days) which led to each patient saving $26,000.

In 1980, the Journal Spine published a study which also showed how acupuncture can help people save money. In the study 18 out of the 29 people suffering from low back pain who were given the treatment were able to return to work compared to only four out of the 27 people who were given conventional treatment. The companies saved on money when their workers returned to work while the out-of-work patients also gained by having less debt.

When seeking acupuncture treatment you should always keep in mind that it leads to a direct cost savings for you. Fees can be as high as $265 if you’re consulting with a Western medical doctor and this can jump to as high as $325 if you’re visiting a specialist. A visit to an acupuncturist, on the other hand, may cost you a measly $60 to $70 on average. That’s a huge difference! You may be able to get around five visits to your acupuncturist for the cost of one visit to a specialist.

Acupuncture can also save you money because of its preventive approach to health. This very important aspect is usually overlooked and people pay very little attention to disease prevention and maintaining health. The aim of Western medicine is to fix things that are dysfunctional and broken. Drugs have become the most common way to treat illness which in the long run cost more, than preventing illness in the first place. In Western medicine, if you think you might be developing hypertension, diabetes, etc. you might be prescribed with low doses of the same drugs that they use to treat the condition when it is full blown all under the pretense of preventive medicine.

Preventative medicine to the acupuncturist is a very important aspect of healthcare. Chinese medicine at its highest level is basically about the prevention of disease. In China, there is an old saying that goes like this: the best physicians treat the disease before it has that chance to show up while the lowest level physician only addresses the problem once it has occurred. It is the job of the acupuncturist to determine where your body is getting out of balance and fix it before the imbalance turns really big. Illnesses and diseases start once the imbalance has gone on for a long time or has become too big. This balance restoration and prevention can be attained through lifestyle and diet recommendations, Chinese herbal remedies, acupuncture, and more. What’s really great about this is that food and exercise, acupuncture, and herbs are significantly cheaper than treating high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. Moreover, they have no side effects!

The main thing to remember is that the use of Chinese medicine and acupuncture is a lot less expensive than modern western medicine. And if you’re able to stay healthy, you need have to undergo medical treatments for illnesses. What’s more, the treatments are virtually free of side-effects. In dollars and cents, acupuncture and alternative medicine really make a lot of sense!

Amy-SuiQun Lui, L.Ac.
Asian Health Center
27059 Grand Army of the Republic Hwy
Cleveland, OH 44143
Tel: (440) 833-0983

There is a Natural, Safe, Effective and Drug Free Alternative.

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Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Using Traditional Acupuncture and Electro Acupuncture

By Stephanie Harper | Published: April 10, 2017

Acupuncture is a treatment involving the application of thin needles into various parts of the body known as acupoints or acupuncture points. This treatment is a relatively new medical practice in the United States despite the fact that it has been used for various types of conditions in China and the Far East for thousands of years. The Acupuncture Today published new studies that show acupuncture in Bellmore as a very good type of pain treatment for a number of musculoskeletal conditions; however acupuncture research dealing with plantar fasciitis treatment is scant.

Local Points

A lot of the acupoints selected to treat plantar fasciitis are located on the ankle and foot. The acupuncturist, after thoroughly evaluating the patient, will determine which points are to be used for treatment based on the symptoms of the patient. The acupoints Bladder 60 and Kidney 3 found between the Achilles tendon and ankle bones are usually selected. Other points such as the Bladder 62 and Kidney 6 points may also be included. They are found below the ankle bones bilaterally (on both legs). The sole of the patient’s foot will also be palpated by the acupuncturist and needle any body parts that are particularly tender.

Distal Points

There is usually tightness in the calf area that accompanies a plantar fasciitis condition. When there is tightness in the lower leg muscles, more pressure is placed on the foot’s plantar surface and this may lead to plantar fasciitis. Several acupoints on the lower leg may be used by the acupuncturist to alleviate this muscle tightness and to rectify the possible causes of plantar fasciitis. A lot of these acupoints are found on the back of the lower leg within the calf’s muscle belly.

Pattern Points

After a comprehensive examination, patients will be given a diagnostic pattern by their acupuncturist. This is the same as a diagnosis that Western medicine doctors give their patients. An acupoint is added by the acupuncturist for treatment based upon the diagnostic pattern. These acupoints will address the patient’s constitution and resolve any underlying causes of the illness. The pattern points are usually found in regions of the body that are remote to the actual site of pain. (i.e. the upper part of the body). The acupoints will differ from patient to patient.

Treatment Procedure

Usually, plantar fasciitisis is treated for about a month, two sessions per week. Each session typically lasts for about 45 minutes. The needles are left inserted into their respective acupoints for about 20 minutes. Electrical stimulation is commonly added to the treatment. The “Journal of Medical Acupuncture,” has stated that the combined use of traditional acupuncture and electro acupuncture to the ailing foot musculature led to a significant decrease in pain and functional improvement with a limited number of treatments. Many acupuncturists will massage the affected area after the needles are removed. They will instruct their patients in a stretching routine to be done in the comfort of their homes many times per day.

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Seek Acupuncture Scar Treatment for Removal of Painful Scars

By Stephanie Harper | Published: April 10, 2017

Scars can be a constant unsightly memento of surgeries or painful accidents. Treatments to cosmetically conceal them are often time consuming and expensive, and sometimes may require invasive surgery and long recuperation periods. In the United States, acupuncture is more and more being availed of by people to treat a slew of conditions, symptoms, and illnesses including the treatment of scars, particularly ones that cause other dysfunctions in the body and ones that are painful.

What Causes Scarring?

The skin must undergo cellular renewal whenever any layer of the epidermis suffers a cut, tear, or rupture in order to repair the damaged area. In a lot of instances, the new skin does not grow perfectly and this results in scarring. There are several factors that can cause scarring and the magnitude of the scar and its type depend on various factors including how big the original wound is, the direction of the scar, the healing ability of the person, and the manner in which the wound was inflicted.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture is a Chinese method of treatment that’s thousands of years old. It involves the application of tiny solid needles into specific points on the skin called acupoints to treat illness and pain anywhere in the body. It works on the principle that blood and energy or “qi” flow along channels known as meridians. Pain and illness occur when a meridian develops a blockage that stagnates or slows down the flow of qi and blood. Acupuncture needles are used to remove the blockage to restore normal flow resulting in the removal of the pain and illness. The application of the needles for the treatment of scars also triggers the natural healing response of the body.

When to Seek Treatment

Cosmetically speaking, most scars can be annoying and unsightly features of the body. Some scars, however, can lead to dysfunctions in the body and cause pain and therefore need to be treated. If a person has a scar anywhere on the body that is painful to the touch, this could mean a meridian in that area has an interrupted flow of qi or blood that should be properly evaluated and then treated. Seeking treatment for scars on the stomach, back, scalp, neck, and face is especially important because major meridians lie in those areas.

Procedure

Slender acupuncture needles are stuck at various acupoints along the scar, generating a specific response from the body that boosts blood circulation to the area. This stimulates the lymphatic system and causes breakdown of scar tissue and dead skin as well as the disposal of the dead skin cells. Treatment is progressively slow but over time the scar gets to be less noticeable.

Contraindications

Because of risk of infection, scar acupuncture treatment should only begin at least a month after the scar has developed. Cancer patients, diabetics, the elderly and people suffering from neurological disorders require special care when they undergo acupuncture scar treatment. They should look for a qualified acupuncturist who has experience in treating such patients.

Eastern Healing Solutions, LLC
10875 Grandview St #2200
Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 549-4322

There is a Natural, Safe, Effective and Drug Free Alternative.

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A Customized Acupuncture Treatment Plan Is Needed To Treat TMJ Symptoms

By Stephanie Harper | Published: April 10, 2017

Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome or TMJ for short involves a condition associated with the mandible (the joint that connects the jaw to the skull). A person suffering from TMJ may experience a number of symptoms that can include pain radiating to the shoulders and neck, headaches, popping or clicking sound in the jaw joint, locking of the jaw, difficulty in opening the mouth, and myofascial pain.
TMJ may be caused by overstretching the jaw during surgical or dental procedures, bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), repetitive mouth movements (chewing gum), and injury. A connection may exist between some autoimmune diseases and TMJ. Over half of people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis also suffer from TMJ.

The NIH (National Institutes of Health) believes that about 25 million people experience all of or some of these symptoms. Women are more susceptible to TMJ than men although both sexes can develop this condition. Conventional Western treatment includes oral splints, anti-inflammatory medications, and surgical correction, in 5-10% of patients

The NIH formed a panel of pain specialists in 1997, who stated that “acupuncture can be an acceptable alternative or useful adjunct treatment” for TMJ. These days, acupuncture in Pembroke Pines is commonly and successfully used in the treatment of TMJ.

The main idea behind acupuncture is that a life force circulates through certain energy pathways called meridians. When a blockage develops along these pathways, disease and pain result. Extremely thin acupuncture needles are inserted into points on the affected meridians to facilitate the smooth flow of energy which leads to pain relief. The human body has twenty meridians, four of which flow straight through the jaw joint.

There are acupuncturists who choose to insert needles locally on the site of the pain (along the jaw or around the ear). The meridian system is a very complex system in which several inter-connecting relationships and pathways exist between the meridians that render the need for local needling totally unnecessary. In the treatment of TMJ, some of the most powerful points are situated near the knees, elbows, and big toe. Within minutes of inserting these distal needles, the patient usually experiences positive results in the jaw – greater range of jaw motion and less pain. If there is grinding of teeth an experience point on the lower leg is added to treat bruxism.

After the removal of the needles, relief will be experienced in various ways between patients. Several treatments will most likely be necessary if the TMJ is chronic. Acupuncturists usually apply small seeds to the surface of the ear over acupoints that are associated with the jaw. In between treatment pressure is applied to the seeds so that the benefits can be extended.

Disease and pain is classified by Chinese medicine in terms of the energy in the body being out of balance. This imbalance can be diagnosed either as a deficiency, excess or both. The practitioner will collect information about the development of the disease, ask the patient as to what factors alleviate or aggravate the symptoms, take the pulse, examine the tongue, and analyze all bodily functions. A pattern of disharmony between the meridians’ associated organs and the meridians themselves within the body becomes apparent.

Besides the sticking of needles to address the jaw symptoms, extra needles may be used to treat the root cause of the condition. Due to this customized approach, an acupuncturist may see 10 TMJ patients and treat them all in different ways, based on their Chinese medical diagnosis. An herbal formula may be recommended in certain instances.

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Acupuncture and Some Healthy Tips to Help You Stop Smoking for Good

By Stephanie Harper | Published: April 3, 2017

If you want to break the smoking habit for good, acupuncture treatment in Reading is the easiest and most effective way to do it. It helps reduce the anxieties, stress, and cravings that you have to endure during the withdrawal process. It also boosts lung capacity and even has the ability to change the smell and taste of your cigarettes that they seem less appealing to you.

Acupuncturists who treat smoking addiction will need to treat you multiple times (perhaps 10 auricular and acupuncture treatment sessions) once or two times a week. To help you quit smoking for good, the following are certain techniques and tips that can help you increase your chances of success:

Identify the Triggers: Observe and understand what factors cause you to reach for and light up a cigarette. They may involve places, people, and situations that make you want to smoke. Write them down in a journal or diary. Then come up with a plan of action or some possible substitution habits to avoid those triggers.

Support: If you are a smoker, one of the most important decisions you can make is the decision to quit smoking. This is because when you quit, you will experience very unpleasant and formidable symptoms along the way. Having someone to support you is extremely important in order to succeed. You will need someone who will listen to you, support you, and give you strength and encouragement along the way.

Ditch the Coffee: Coffee creates cravings and dehydrates your body. Also smoking and coffee are closely associated with each other, which mean drinking coffee can set off your desire to smoke. Relationship to all ‘drugs,’ whether it is caffeine or nicotine, needs to be broken. These are stimulants that activate the same pleasure centers in the brain. If you want to succeed, it is important to cut out all stimulants.

Boundary Setting: If you have decided to stop smoking for good, you need to tell all your smoking associates about it. You need to also ask them politely that if they do smoke, to not do it around you. If that’s not possible, leave the place where smoking is going on. The urge to light up when others are doing so is STRONG. Prepare for these situations by coming up with a plan of action when they occur. Be strong enough to support your goal by taking care of yourself.

Drink Water the Whole Day: Water prevents dehydration (which activates cravings), cleanses the body and helps curb cravings. Bring along a bottle of water with you all day. The amount of water you need to drink each day can be known by dividing your body weight in half. The quotient reflects the number of ounces you need to be drinking every day.

Smart Eating: While you are trying to break the habit, you might find it difficult not to gain weight. To offset weight increase, you need to watch what you’re eating. Stack your fridge with veggie snacks such as celery, or a carrot stick. For protein, I suggest bringing along a bag of almonds when you’re away from home. These foods will provide you with oral stimulation and the right amount of nutrition that will help you stay healthy and not fat.

Meditate: Visualization and deep breathing exercises have been proven techniques that alter brain patterns and relax the body helping overcome anxiety, cravings, fear, and doubt related to quitting smoking. If you are newbie to meditation, a guided meditation can start you on the right path. You can listen to it on a computer, cd, or mp3 player.

Aromatherapy: The brain can be positively stimulated with the right aromas. Place a few drops at the top of your head, at the temples, between the eyes, or on your wrists in the morning. Before your identified trigger moments or every time you feel a craving coming on, breathe these aromas in.

Some scents known to inhibit cravings include:

• Eucalyptus and Marjoram – Has anti-inflammatory qualities can be used against cough.
• Rosemary – For mental stimulation and stress
• Spearmint – For cravings

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Treat Iron Deficiency Anemia with Traditional Chinese Medicine

By Stephanie Harper | Published: April 3, 2017

Western medical doctors generally deem anemia to be a symptom/sign of another condition. The most common type of anemia is iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Among menstruating women, it is the most common cause of anemia. Moreover, almost half of all pregnant women suffer from iron deficiency. The human body cannot produce enough hemoglobin without enough iron. Hemoglobin is a substance found in red blood cells that transports oxygen to all tissues of the body.

Causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia

IDA can be caused by the body’s rise in the demand for iron during events such as a pregnancy; poor iron absorption due to intestinal problems or gastric bypass surgery; colon cancer; internal bleeding; heavy menstruation; or chronic blood loss due to ulcers.

Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia

 Chest discomfort
 Difficulty concentrating
 Cold hands and feet
 Light-headedness
 Shortness of breath
 Weakness
 Pale eyelids, lips, and skin
 Extreme fatigue

Diagnosis

Diagnostic procedures used will be based on what is believed to be causing the anemia. For simple issues associated with vitamin or iron deficiency, the diagnostic method is usually straightforward and may begin with a few blood tests. When the physician suspects that it may be tied to a more grave condition, the diagnostic method may be more comprehensive and may include genetic testing, a biopsy of the bone marrow, imaging exams, colonoscopy, urinalysis, and stool sampling.

Western Medical Approach to IDA

Western conventional IDA treatment usually involves dietary changes and the use of iron supplements. Elevating the levels of iron in the body may take at least half a year and should be carefully observed by the doctor. Iron injections may be needed from time to time if the patient does not improve with oral therapy.

Chinese Medicine Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia

The Chinese medicine way of treating IDA is based on what is known as “Differential Diagnosis”. This is a process that consists of a very comprehensive evaluation of the signs and symptoms of the patient in order to come up a specific and correct diagnosis. A specific set of symptoms is known as a “pattern” in Chinese medicine. In IDA, the pattern known as “blood deficiency” is the most common pattern you will see in IDA. A person may suffer from one or more patterns all at the same time within his/her body. For example, besides having a “blood deficiency” pattern, a person with IDA may also be suffering from another pattern known as “spleen qi deficiency”. The type of pattern manifested by the patient will determine the kind of treatment he/she will get.

Treatment

Treatment of any kind of condition in Chinese medicine is always aimed not only at treating the symptoms but the root cause of the illness, as well. The commonly used treatments to against patterns related to IDA are diet, massage, acupuncture, and Chinese herbs. Acupuncture and designer herbal formulas are used to improve digestion, normalize menstruation, regulate qi and blood, and halt the bleeding without any unpleasant side-effects. A diet rich in vitamins and iron combined with a few advices to improve digestion is crucial to a successful treatment. Massage has proven to help boost circulation and red blood cell count.

Combining Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western Medicine

The integration of Chinese medicine and Western Medicine is perhaps the best way to treat IDA. Your acupuncturist and doctor can cooperate with each other to provide you with a complementary plan of treatment that is both effective and safe.

Opening Up Communication between Your Doctor and You

If you’re suffering from IDA and would like to try Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment, don’t be afraid to tell your doctor. Most doctors are open to alternative modes of treatment anyway.

Acupuncture Plus
11851 Jollyville Rd #102
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 453-5352

There is a Natural, Safe, Effective and Drug Free Alternative.

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The Three Phases of Acupuncture Treatment

By Stephanie Harper | Published: April 3, 2017

Patients are often reminded by their acupuncturists that to remain healthy, they need to practice self-care, self-awareness and undergo preventative therapy. In order to enjoy optimal health, one should know the health benefits that acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can provide as well as the underlying principles of care.

There is usually a misunderstanding about the therapeutic benefits of acupuncture in Vancouver. Finishing a proper course of acupuncture treatment could spell the difference between getting relief and continuing to struggle with a chronic health problem.

Good circulation is vital for good health. Blood and Qi Stagnation is a common condition that is usually successfully resolved with acupuncture and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). TCM recognizes Qi as a type of bioelectricity that flows with blood throughout the body. Pain is blockage to the flow of blood and qi hindering the transport of healing agents (within qi and blood) to the problem area.

If you know how the heart pumps blood through the entire body, it will be easy to understand how Blood and Qi Stagnation come about. The heart pumps blood into the arteries. The arteries propel the blood with considerable pressure through the contraction of the heart muscles. The blood coming from the arteries then flows into very tiny vessels called capillaries which send the blood out into interstitial space, which the narrow space between the body cells. The cells extract nutrients from the blood. Injury can damage the blood vessels and block circulation. Circulation can also be impeded by artery clogging meals, poor posture, and muscle tension. An example of Blood and Qi Stagnation is when you squeeze your hand it tends to block the flow of blood in your knuckles. And if you keep on squeezing your hand, you would soon begin to feel tingling and numbness and eventually pain, which means blood and qi flow has slowed down in the hand.

When healing agents in the qi and blood cannot reach to treat the injured area chronic pain arises. Acupuncture can help strengthen circulation and bring back the natural healing abilities of the body. To restore harmony and correct an imbalance in health, treatment usually requires more than one session. It is important to know that acupuncture treatment has certain phases in order to properly apply treatment for the relief of chronic pain and other health issues.

Three Phases of Acupuncture Therapy

1. Relief Therapy: Treatment of imbalance and pain. Requires frequent treatments.

2. Stabilization Therapy: To prevent symptoms from returning, relief therapy needs to be stabilized. This phase requires less frequent treatment sessions.

3. Maintenance Therapy: As the name suggests, this phase helps maintain the results of the therapy. Entails occasional treatments.
It is natural for a newbie acupuncture patient to ask how many treatments are needed to resolve his problem. No acupuncturist will give you a straight definite answer. Each patient is treated with a unique type of treatment that specifically addresses the patient’s own imbalances. The duration and results of the treatment vary according to the health of the patient and the severity of the condition. A chronic illness, for example, may necessitate longstanding care compared to an acute illness. More therapy may be required for a patient with a weak constitution than for someone with a healthy constitution.

Acupuncture needles are solid, sterilized, and very thin. Acupuncture treatment does not entail the injection of substances into a patient’s body.

To stir the natural healing abilities of the body and produce more beneficial and accumulative effects, frequent acupuncture treatments need to be done. The treatment’s therapeutic effects build up in the body making the succeeding sessions more potent. For chronic pain, blood and qi flow is obstructed hindering the delivery of the healing agents to their respective areas. Acupuncture improves circulation which eventually leads to the relief of pain. A treatment plan is deemed successful when it produces a beneficial effect within 10 to 12 sessions. If after a couple of sessions, a patient decides to stop treatment, he/she has not given the body the chance to gain the benefits of the treatment.

To significantly relieve pain and bring back normal function, relief therapy may require two or three sessions each week for several weeks. The acupuncturist will not stop the treatment even if benefits are experienced. During this phase, healing is usually incomplete and so to prevent the recurrence of symptoms, pain stabilization therapy is needed. Treatment may be one treatment every other week or once a week. A patient progresses into maintenance care which could be one session every few months or every month if the acupuncturist sees that the patient’s condition has stabilized.

Acupuncture focuses on the maintenance and promotion of health as opposed to Western medicine’s focus on trauma. An internship for a medical doctor is often done in a trauma focused environment – an emergency room.

Maintenance treatment is very much promoted by TCM and acupuncture practitioners. TCM encourages prevention of health condition through therapies such as meditation, Qi gong, Tai Chi, healthy lifestyle choices, diet therapy, herbal medicine, and acupuncture.

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