Stay Healthy This Season

Doctors in Ancient China were paid only as long as their patients were healthy. As soon as the patient fell ill, payment to their doctors stopped. Chinese medicine still has a tremendous emphasis on the preventative aspect of medicine.

Flu season is burgeoning. With the recent swine flu epidemic, it is now, more than ever, important to know how to take care of ourselves and keep ourselves healthy. We all know that exercise, fresh air, and whole foods are key factors in supporting our immune system, but did you know that Chinese Medicine can also be a tool in the fight against colds and flu? Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can be a valuable resource in the prevention of colds and flu and can also help us recover from them quickly.

Prevention
It has been determined that acupuncture is effective in boosting the immune system. It is possible to use acupuncture to prevent colds and flu from happening altogether or to prevent them from becoming full-blown infections. If you're feeling relatively healthy, it is advisable to come for acupuncture once a month during cold and flu season to strengthen your immune system. If you are prone to infections, you may want to come in 2 or 3 times a month to keep yourself from getting sick. When people around you are getting sick, while you are receiving acupuncture, your body is better able to fight off illnesses and remain healthy.

Treatment
If you do happen to catch a cold or the flu, acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help lessen the severity and hasten you recovery. A visit to the acupuncturist at the first signs of a cold or flu can repair immunity and fight symptoms so your body can fight an infections.

Weight Loss

Massage Magazine put out a very interesting article on the connection between weight loss and vitamin D levels

Vitamin D levels in the body at the start of a low-calorie diet predict weight loss success, a new study found. The results, which suggest a possible role for vitamin D in weight loss, were presented at The Endocrine Society's 91st Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

"Vitamin D deficiency is associated with obesity, but it is not clear if inadequate vitamin D causes obesity or the other way around," said the study's lead author, Shalamar Sibley, MD, MPH, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota.

In this study, the authors attempted to determine whether baseline vitamin D levels before calorie restriction affect subsequent weight loss. They measured circulating blood levels of vitamin D in 38 overweight men and women before and after the subjects followed a diet plan for 11 weeks consisting of 750 calories a day fewer than their estimated total needs. Subjects also had their fat distribution measured with DXA (bone densitometry) scans.

On average, subjects had vitamin D levels that many experts would consider to be in the insufficient range, according to Sibley.

However, the authors found that baseline, or pre-diet, vitamin D levels predicted weight loss in a linear relationship. For every increase of 1 ng/mL in level of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol—the precursor form of vitamin D and a commonly used indicator of vitamin D status—subjects ended up losing almost a half pound (0.196 kg) more on their calorie-restricted diet. For each 1-ng/mL increase in the active or "hormonal" form of vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol), subjects lost nearly one-quarter pound (0.107 kg) more.

Additionally, higher baseline vitamin D levels (both the precursor and active forms) predicted greater loss of abdominal fat.

"Our results suggest the possibility that the addition of vitamin D to a reduced-calorie diet will lead to better weight loss," Sibley said.

She cautioned, however, that more research is needed. "Our findings," she said, "need to be followed up by the right kind of controlled clinical trial to determine if there is a role for vitamin D supplementation in helping people lose weight when they attempt to cut back on what they eat."

Here at Whole Body Balance, we offer a variety of holistic ways to assist you with weight loss: Cold Laser, a very successful coupling of Naturopathic Medicine and Cold Laser, and Acupuncture.

Need to Shed a Few Extra Pounds?

Article by Diane Joswick

Acupuncture is growing in popularity as an effective weight loss tool. With this rise in the use of acupuncture for weight loss came the need for a critical assessment of the studies that have been performed.

The International Journal of Obesity just published a review of 31 studies on the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of obesity. The systematic review was comprised of 3013 individual cases where acupuncture was used to reduce body weight.

The aim of this review was to critically assess evidence for reduction of body weight and to evaluate adverse events of acupuncture therapy based on the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluate the effect of various types of acupuncture therapies.

The results of this review showed that compared to control of lifestyle, acupuncture was associated with a significant reduction of average body weight (95% confidence interval, CI) of 1.72 kg (0.50–2.93 kg) and was associated with an improvement in obesity (relative risk=2.57; 95% CI, 1.98–3.34). Acupuncture significantly reduced a body weight of 1.56 kg (0.74–2.38 kg), on average, compared to placebo or sham treatments. Acupuncture also showed more improved outcomes for body weight (mean difference=1.90 kg; 1.66–2.13 kg), as well as for obesity (relative risk=1.13; 1.04–1.22), than conventional medication.

While this review did show that acupuncture is an effective treatment for obesity, the researchers expressed that they would like to see more well-planned, long-term studies to address the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating obesity and weight loss.

Treating Moodiness with Acupuncture

(Article by Diane Joswick)

Everyone suffers from irritability and moodiness from time to time, but if you find that a short temper and frustration are becoming a constant issue for you, then acupuncture may be able to help.

Often irritability and moodiness are the consequence of chronic stress in your life. Over time these emotions can progress into more serious emotional conditions such as anxiety and depression as well as other health conditions such as digestive problems, trouble sleeping and the tendency to get sick more frequently.

Liver Qi Stagnation and Emotions

Within Oriental medicine, emotional disorders can be associated with a number of different patterns of disharmony; however, anger, irritability, and frustration are all signs that our qi (life force) is not flowing smoothly. The liver is responsible for the smooth flow of qi throughout the body and for smoothing our emotions. When the liver’s function of moving qi is disrupted, qi can become stuck. This is referred to as liver qi stagnation.

Liver qi stagnation is one of the most common patterns of disharmony seen in today’s patients. In addition to irritability and moodiness, signs and symptoms may include: distending pain in the area below the ribs, stuffiness of the chest, sighing, abdominal distention, nausea, sour regurgitation, belching, diarrhea or constipation, feeling of a lump in the throat, irregular periods, painful periods and distention of the breasts prior to periods. Liver qi stagnation is commonly associated with PMS.

Acupuncture is excellent at relieving liver qi stagnation. Treatment for irritability and moodiness associated with liver qi stagnation focuses on moving qi and supporting the liver and spleen organ systems with acupuncture, lifestyle and dietary recommendations and perhaps an herbal formula.

If you are concerned that your emotions may be interfering with your health and wellness, please call Whole Body Balance to see how acupuncture can help.

Move Your Qi!

The liver is responsible for the smooth flowing of Qi (life force) throughout the body. When the liver functions smoothly, physical and emotional activity throughout the body also runs smoothly. So, for optimum health, move your Qi!

Stretch - The liver controls the tendons. According to Oriental medicine, the liver stores blood during periods of rest and then releases it to the tendons in times of activity, maintaining tendon health and flexibility. Incorporate a morning stretch into your routine. Try yoga or tai qi.

Eye Exercises - The liver opens into the eyes. Although all the organs have some connection to the health of the eyes, the liver is connected to proper eye function. Remember to take breaks when looking at a computer monitor for extended periods of time and do eye exercises.

Eat Green - Green is the color of the liver. Eating young plants - fresh, leafy greens, sprouts, and immature cereal grasses - can improve the liver’s overall functions and aid in the movement of qi.

Try Something Sour - Foods and drinks with sour tastes are thought to stimulate the liver's qi. Put lemon slices in your drinking water, use vinegar and olive oil for your salad dressing and garnish your sandwich with a slice of dill pickle.

Do More Outdoor Activities - Outside air helps liver qi flow. If you have been feeling irritable, find an outdoor activity to smooth out that liver qi stagnation. Try hiking or take up golf.

Enjoy Milk Thistle Tea - Milk thistle helps protect liver cells from incoming toxins and encourages the liver to cleanse itself of damaging substances, such as alcohol, medications, pesticides, environmental toxins, and even heavy metals such as mercury.

Get Acupuncture Treatments - Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help improve the overall health of your liver as well as treat stress, anger and frustration, which are often associated with liver qi disharmony.

Signs and Symptoms of Liver Qi Stagnation

Periodic acupuncture treatments can serve to tonify the inner organ systems and can correct minor annoyances before they become serious problems.

Here are some of the symptoms commonly associated with liver qi stagnation.

• Pain or discomfort anywhere along the sides of the body
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Sighing
• Hiccups
• Frustration
• Inappropriate anger
• Sensation of a lump in the throat
  
• Difficulty swallowing
• Bitter taste in mouth
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Abdominal distention and discomfort
• Stomachache that improves after massage
• Stomachache that worsens with anger
• PMS with irritability or swollen breasts
• Irregular or painful periods
• Poor appetite
• Churning sensation in stomach

Allergies? Study shows Acupuncture can offer relief.

The American Journal of Epidemiology recently published a study that showed that acupuncture can significantly relieve allergic rhinitis symptoms.

In this German study, 5,237 men and women were analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in addition to routine care in patients with allergic rhinitis compared with treatment with routine care alone.

In this trial, patients with allergic rhinitis were randomly allocated to receive acupuncture for a 3 month period or to a control group that received no acupuncture. All patients were allowed to receive usual medical care. The Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) and general health-related quality of life (36-Item Short-Form Health Survey) were evaluated at baseline and after 3 and 6 months.

Improvements were noted at the 3 month and the 6 month evaluation for the patients receiving acupuncture. The authors of this trial concluded that treating patients with allergic rhinitis in routine care with additional acupuncture leads to clinically relevant and persistent benefits.

Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2008 Nov;101(5):535-43.

Thanks to Acufinder.com for this article.

Acupuncture's Effect on Fibromyalgia

Effectiveness in Fibromyalgia Treatment
Acupuncture and acupressure have actually shown to relieve pain symptoms caused by fibromyalgia. In a recent study performed by the Mayo Clinic, fibromyalgia acupuncture treatment was shown to reduce pain and depression. Acupuncture for fibromyalgia was also shown to increase energy and reduce fatigue. Other studies have illustrated that acupuncture remains effective for up to one month after treatment.

Another recent acupunture trial has also shown that stimulation in certain areas of the body is particularly helpful for relieving fibromyalgia pain. In the study, a needle was inserted into the trapezius muscles (near the back and shoulder) of both fibromyalgia patients and healthy controls. The needles helped to increase blood flow in fibromyalgia patients to a much greater degree than in the healthy controls. this increased blood circulation helped to reduce the number of tender points and increase muscle health.

New Research
A recent study done by the Mayo Clinic investigating specifically the affects of acupuncture on fibromyalgia found that fibromyalgia symptoms were reduced when patients received acupuncture. For the study, 50 patients were divided into two groups: one received acupuncture while the control group was given simulated acupuncture. Both groups had six sessions over a two to three week period.

In their findings, researchers noted that the most significant improvements were found in fatigue and anxiety levels. Most of the patients said they enjoyed receiving the acupuncture and side effects were minimal but included bruising and soreness in those that had true acupuncture. Overall, though, researchers found that the reported relief acupuncture provided patients was on par with medications, such as anti-depressants and acetaminophen.

This study is one of just three randomized and controlled studies looking at the effects of acupuncture on fibromyalgia. While one of the other studies found that acupuncture was not effective for pain relief, the other reported similar results to those noted by the Mayo Clinic. While more research clearly needs to be done, the findings so far do seem promising.

The Session
At your first acupuncture or acupressure session, your therapist will go over your medical history with you. This is in order to get information about your general health and the symptoms that you would like to see treated. Your therapist may ask specific questions about your symptoms and any fibromyalgia treatments that you are currently using.

Treatment usually begins with your therapist checking your pulse and assessing the color and texture of your tongue. This is in order to discern which acupoints should be targeted during the session. Up to fifteen points may be pinpointed by your therapist in one session. Your therapist will begin applying pressure or inserting needles into these acupoints. You should not experience any pain, but you may feel aching or tingling at the site.

Thanks to Fibromyalgia-symptoms.com

How alternative treatments can make your pregnancy more comfortable

Pregnancy can be taxing on the body. Here are some great articles describing how massage and acupuncture can help alleviate the discomfort of being pregnant.

Prenatal massage benefits:

http://www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/connecticut/ECTprenatalmassage.htm

Acupuncture relieves stress and sickness:

http://www.pregnancytoday.com/articles/comfort-in-pregnancy/acupuncture-1241/

http://acupuncture.com/newsletters/m_jun05/main1.htm

Is Acupuncture safe during pregnancy?:

http://www.babycenter.com/406_is-it-safe-to-receive-acupuncture-during-pregnancy_1246184.bc

Alternatives to Surgery for Back Pain

A few years ago, my husband--now ex--was told he needed to have a spinal fusion. Being in intense pain, stooped forward--in a position that honestly looked completely uncomfortable to ME and I often and most unsympathetically told him, "maybe your back would feel better if you didn't slouch"--he was about to JUMP onto the operating table. ( It's funny how the prospect of being pain free will drive us to try all sorts of risky things. ) I convinced him to at least TRY an alternative treatment before fording into surgical waters. He, perhaps out of love but most likely to get e off my soap box, agreed. A chiropractor put him in traction; it helped but didn't stop the pain, nor was it offering relief quickly enough. So after stumbling around options, we landed on acupuncture. It worked wonders! A treatment greatly reduced his pain. And he avoided surgery. ...for a while that is. :( After our divorce, strangely, he gave up acupuncture and is now needing to consider surgery again.

Will he "remember" the wonders of acupuncture? Or will he fling himself into the arms of his surgeon?? Wish I could say. Funny, he doesn't listen to my advice these days...

For more on the effects of acupuncture on back pain: http://www.acupuncturearticles.com/Article/Acupuncture-and-Back-Pain/27

Find out how Acupuncture can help sports injuries

Acupuncture and Sports Medicine

By AMY Dickinson Many of us in Boulder County have a passion for sports and outdoor activity, and for many of us, the primary factor for moving here in the first place. Being sidelined due to an injury can have tremendous effect on us, both physically and mentally. The goal of every athlete, whether we’re weekend warriors or elite athletes, is to get back to doing the sport that we love as quickly as possible. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can be a useful addition to your ‘gym bag’, and can keep you healthy and in the game.

Injury may occur as we push ourselves beyond our limits. In our fast-paced lifestyle, we frequently don’t have the time or the patience to allow ourselves to heal completely. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help you to recover more quickly by increasing the circulation of your body’s energy (Qi) and blood, and by encouraging your body to do what it does naturally- heal itself. By using Acupuncture and, if indicated, herbal therapy, you should recover faster and with less pain.

Despite the strange vocabulary, acupuncture is neither magic nor a folk-medicine. It is a scientific process that has evolved over thousands of years. Acupuncture uses fine needles (about the size of 3 of your hairs) to encourage the circulation of your body’s healing and nourishing energy (qi). We use the analogy of a plant and a hose- when there is a kink in the hose, nourishment will not flow, and the plant will suffer. Your nourishing qi operates under the same principle- without proper flow, the muscles, tendons, bones and ligaments will not receive proper nourishment. Signs and symptoms of this lack of nourishment (Qi deficiency or inadequate flow) include injuries which are slow to heal, swelling, bruising, stiffness, tendonitis, and sub-optimal performance.

As an athlete, you may experience sprain, strain, repetitive stress injuries, physical trauma, overexertion, overtraining, or emotional stress. All of these can be helped by improving the circulation of qi throughout your body. Chinese herbal therapy may also be recommended. External herbal therapy is applied directly on the injured tissue to promote circulation and therefore the healing of the injury. Internal herbal therapy may be recommended to address constitutional imbalances that may be either aggravating or slowing the healing of your injuries. Herbal therapy may also be used during the training period (without an injury) to address any health issues that may be preventing the athlete from performing optimally.

Injury may occur as we push ourselves beyond our limits. In our fast-paced lifestyle, we frequently don’t have the time or the patience to allow ourselves to heal completely. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help you to recover more quickly by increasing the circulation of your body’s energy (Qi) and blood, and by encouraging your body to do what it does naturally- heal itself. By using Acupuncture and, if indicated, herbal therapy, you should recover faster and with less pain.

Chinese Medicine works well in conjunction with other therapies- an athlete need not choose between acupuncture and other therapies. It can be used in conjunction with massage therapy, personal training, and chiropractic. Progressively-minded Physical Therapists are finding that their patients PT regimens often go better when acupuncture is used adjunctively. Chinese Medicine can be a very useful addition to any athlete’s health care team.

Amy Dickinson comes from a long line of Sports Medicine Doctors, but she is the first to use Chinese Medicine. Her father was the Sports Medicine Doctor for the 1976 US Olympic Cross Country Ski Team. She likes integrating the precision of Western Medical Diagnosis with the long-standing wisdom of Chinese Medicine. She has been a ski instructor in Colorado, Alaska, and Japan.