by urban-acupuncture | Feb 1, 2021 | Acupuncture, Massage Therapy
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a general term for a variety of diseases relating to the health of the joints.
While the underlying causes of arthritis are often very different, depending on the specific disease, the symptoms are often quite similar. The most common symptoms of arthritis are joint pain, swelling and inflammation, stiffness, and decreased range of motion.
Most forms of arthritis are degenerative. Symptoms may alternate between mild and severe at any given time. But in general, they will continue to get worse. In many cases, arthritis leads to permanent joint damage.
Severe arthritis can be extremely debilitating. It is, in fact, the leading cause of disability in the United States today.
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. The two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While the symptoms may be similar, the causes of these two common diseases are very different.
- Osteoarthritis involves the gradual decay of the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bone. As the cartilage becomes damaged, the bones begin to grind against each other with every movement of the joint. The joint lining can become inflamed. Osteoarthritis can lead to deterioration of the connective tissues holding the bones and muscles together, and can even lead to changes in the bone itself.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. The body’s own immune system begins to attack the synovial membrane, a tough membrane encapsulating the parts of the joint. As a result, the synovial membrane becomes inflamed and swollen. Eventually, the disease begins to cause damage to the cartilage and bone at the joint.
While there is no cure for either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, acupuncture and massage therapy can play an important role in both pain management and managing symptoms such as swelling and inflammation. They can also help maintain mobility and range of motion.
How Does Massage Therapy Help Arthritis?
When incorporated into a comprehensive treatment plan for arthritis, the goal of massage therapy is to reduce pain and inflammation, as well as increase blood flow, to affected joints.
Moreover, by reducing inflammation and swelling and releasing muscles near affected joints, massage can help maintain range of motion and improve mobility.
And massage therapy contributes to pain reduction and overall health by improving sleep patterns and boosting energy levels.
How Does Acupuncture Help Arthritis?
Like massage therapy, acupuncture also helps manage the symptoms of arthritis by reducing pain and targeting areas of inflammation.
Acupuncture involves the use of very small, sterile needles placed in specific points along the body’s lines of energy called meridians.
By restoring the proper flow of energy (known in traditional Chinese medicine as “qi”) and fluids around the body, acupuncture can help fight swelling and inflammation at affected joints. Acupuncture can also be highly effective in reducing sensations of pain and discomfort related to different types of arthritis.
Can Massage Therapy and Acupuncture Be Combined to Treat Arthritis?
Both massage therapy and acupuncture are powerful stand-alone techniques. When performed by a licensed and experienced therapist, they can both play an important role in managing the symptoms of arthritis.
When combined into a single treatment, they actually augment the anti-inflammatory and pain reducing impact of each. They also have been shown to have a cumulative impact; in other words, they work better when performed regularly, as part of a holistic and comprehensive treatment plan.
If you are suffering from the symptoms of arthritis, acupuncture and massage therapy may be able to help provide relief. Be sure to your primary care physician and other medical specialists about whether acupuncture and massage might play a role in your arthritis treatment.
Contact Urban Acupuncture Center in Columbus, OH For More Information
For more information about how acupuncture, massage therapy and other alternative healing treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.
by urban-acupuncture | Jan 1, 2021 | Community, Diet
Autoimmune Protocol
Are you struggling with an autoimmune disease and its associated symptoms, like brain fog, fatigue, joint pain, anxiety, GI issues? You could benefit from the Autoimmune Protocol.
The Autoimmune Protocol, or AIP, is a powerful science-based strategy that uses diet and lifestyle to regulate the immune system while reducing the inflammation and giving the body the opportunity to heal.
Collaborating with UAC’s Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Certified Coach, Alissa Klein, can give you the support you need to go through the process (preparation phase, elimination phase at your own pace, re-introduction phase, etc), troubleshoot if needed and see amazing results.
More than 50 million Americans (20% of the population) is estimated to be affected by autoimmune disease (compared to 12 million with cancer and 25 million with heart disease). Despite that statistic, many people, including the individuals diagnosed with these diseases, struggle to understand the full scope of these conditions.
What is an autoimmune disease?
There are more than one hundred confirmed autoimmune diseases and many more diseases that are suspected of having autoimmune origins.
The root cause of all autoimmune diseases is pretty much the same: our immune system, which is supposed to protect us from invading microorganisms, turns against us and attacks our organs instead. Which organs are attacked determines the autoimmune disease and its symptoms. In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the thyroid gland is attacked. In Rheumatoid arthritis, the tissues of your joints are attacked. In psoriasis, proteins within the layers of cells that make up your skin are attacked. However, the root cause is the same (genetic predispositions, inflammatory diet, chronic stress, lack of sleep, inadequate exercise).
The Paleo Autoimmune Protocol, or AIP, is a science-based powerful strategy that uses diet and lifestyle to regulate the immune system while reducing the inflammation and giving the body the opportunity to heal.
How does someone develop an autoimmune disease?
Autoimmune disease occurs because the body’s natural defenses — the immune system — attack the body’s own healthy tissue. Researchers have several ideas about why this happens.
When the body senses danger from a virus or infection, the immune system kicks into gear and attacks it. This is called an immune response. Sometimes, healthy cells and tissues are caught up in this response, resulting in autoimmune disease.
Many scientists believe this is what causes rheumatoid arthritis, a type of autoimmune disease that attacks the joints. It’s also common that after having strep throat, people develop psoriasis, an autoimmune condition that causes patches of thick, scaly skin.
Other types of autoimmune disease may come from the body trying to fight specifically against cancer cells. Orbai points to scleroderma, a disease that causes thickening of the skin and connective tissues. “The thought is that when the immune system gets rid of the cancer, there is a leftover inflammatory response because of that fight,” she says. Johns Hopkins researchers studied patients who developed both scleroderma and cancer to try to clarify this relationship.
Autoimmune disease symptoms:
The early symptoms of many autoimmune diseases are very similar, such as:
- fatigue
- achy muscles
- swelling and redness
- low-grade fever
- trouble concentrating
- numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
- hair loss
- skin rashes
Individual diseases can also have their own unique symptoms. For example, type 1 diabetes causes extreme thirst, weight loss, and fatigue. IBD causes belly pain, bloating, and diarrhea.
With autoimmune diseases like psoriasis or RA, symptoms may come and go. A period of symptoms is called a flare-up. A period when the symptoms go away is called remission.
What are the prominent root causes of autoimmune diseases?
Doctors don’t know exactly what causes the immune-system misfire. Yet some people are more likely to get an autoimmune disease than others.
According to a 2014 study, women get autoimmune diseases at a rate of about 2 to 1 compared to men — 6.4 percent of women vs. 2.7 percent of men. Often the disease starts during a woman’s childbearing years (ages 15 to 44).
Some autoimmune diseases are more common in certain ethnic groups. For example, lupus affects more African-American and Hispanic people than Caucasians.
Certain autoimmune diseases, like multiple sclerosis and lupus, run in families. Not every family member will necessarily have the same disease, but they inherit a susceptibility to an autoimmune condition.
Because the incidence of autoimmune diseases is rising, researchers suspect environmental factors like infections and exposure to chemicals or solvents might also be involved.
A “Western diet” is another suspected risk factor for developing an autoimmune disease. Eating high-fat, high-sugar, and highly processed foods is thought to be linked to inflammation, which might set off an immune response. However, this hasn’t been proven.
A 2015 study focused on another theory called the hygiene hypothesis. Because of vaccines and antiseptics, children today aren’t exposed to as many germs as they were in the past. The lack of exposure could make their immune system prone to overreact to harmless substances.
Does conventional medicine really treat autoimmune diseases?
Treatments can’t cure autoimmune diseases, but they can control the overactive immune response and bring down inflammation or at least reduce pain and inflammation. Treatments can also help relieve symptoms.
Will a Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet/lifestyle help treat autoimmune disease symptoms?
The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) is a diet that aims to reduce inflammation, pain, and other symptoms caused by autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Many people who have followed the AIP diet report improvements in the way they feel, as well as reductions in common symptoms of autoimmune disorders, such as fatigue and gut or joint pain. Yet, while research on this diet is promising, it’s also limited.
Contact us to schedule a introduction AIP coaching session and determine how we can work together.
An AIP coach can help clients navigate the autoimmune elimination and reintroduction diet and lifestyle protocol, which allows them to explore the potential root causes of their autoimmune disease(s). The goal of the protocol is to reduce inflammation in the body and promote nutrient density, giving the body the best chance at overcoming autoimmune symptoms.
Alissa is currently the only AIP certified coach in central Ohio. If you or someone you know suffers from an autoimmune condition call to talk to her today.
Contact her at Urban Acupuncture Center in Columbus, OH For More Information
For more information about how acupuncture, massage therapy and other alternative healing treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.
by urban-acupuncture | Dec 23, 2020 | Community
Understanding Autoimmune Disease
by Urban Acupuncture Center’s Autoimmune Protocol coach, Alissa (central Ohio’s only certified coach)
Deepen your understanding of autoimmune disease, and learn the truth about the development, management, and reversal of symptoms.
Date And Time
About this Event
More than 50 million Americans (20% of the population) is estimated to be affected by autoimmune disease (compared to 12 million with cancer and 25 million with heart disease). Despite that statistic, many people, including the individuals diagnosed with these diseases, struggle to understand the full scope of these conditions.
This is your chance to learn the truth about autoimmune disease! Join Health and Wellness Coach and Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Certified Coach Alissa Klein for an intriguing discussion that will deepen your understanding of autoimmune disease.
In the webinar, Alissa will address:
- What is an autoimmune disease?
- How does someone develop an autoimmune disease?
- Is an autoimmune disease truly your body’s attack on itself?
- What are the prominent root causes of autoimmune diseases?
- Does conventional medicine really treat autoimmune diseases?
- Is holistic medicine worth exploring?
- Is it possible to eliminate autoimmune-related symptoms?
- Can autoimmune diseases be cured?
Alissa is currently the only AIP certified coach in central Ohio. If you or someone you know suffers from an autoimmune condition, you won’t want to miss this talk!
Cost:
Urban Acupuncture Center is committed to providing professional and affordable healthcare services. This class will be offered on a sliding payment scale. Pay what you can between $15-30.
Virtual Event:
This event will take place via Zoom. An access link will be emailed to registered attendees prior to the event.
About Alissa: https://urbanacupuncturecenter.org
About Urban Acupuncture Center: https://urbanacupuncturecenter.org/about-us/
by urban-acupuncture | Dec 14, 2020 | Acupuncture, Massage
Virtual Acupressure Treatment
Balance is at the heart of your health and wellness. If your vital life energy, or qi, flows naturally and freely along your body’s meridians, your body is in balance and better able to resist illness and heal itself. When your qi becomes blocked, and doesn’t flow freely through the meridians, your body is out of balance, more susceptible to illness, and less capable of self-healing from disease and injury.
The goal of acupuncture and acupressure is to restore the flow of qi through the meridians and bring the body back into balance by stimulating specific points along the meridians. Acupressure utilizes very fine, sterile needles to stimulate those points. However, they can also be stimulated by pressure. This technique is called acupressure.
If you feel out of balance and in need of relaxation, but are either unable to visit our office or feel uncomfortable receiving in-office treatments during this time, self-applied acupressure can help!
Urban Acupuncture Center is now offering Telehealth for Acupressure. Using our safe and easy online portal, doxy.me, you can speak directly with a licensed acupuncturist who will guide you through a comfortable and effective acupressure self-massage routine designed to address your specific and unique health concerns.
Does Acupressure Self-Massage Really Work?
Yes, self-massage at specific acupressure points along the body’s meridians really does work to relax the muscles and bring the body back into balance!
During your telehealth consultation, our specialists will identify the correct acupressure points to massage and teach you the basic principles of acupuncture. Some tips to remember include:
- Be sure you are comfortable and relaxed before beginning self-massage. Closing your eyes and breathing slowly and deeply can help the effectiveness of the massage.
- Identify the specific acupressure point or points to massage, then use firm, deep pressure to stimulate that point.
- Stimulate that point for several minutes at a time by firmly moving your finger in a rotating or up-and-down movement across the acupressure point.
Your acupuncturist may also teach you specific breathing techniques and calming exercises to augment the effectiveness of the self-massage.
Acupressure is safe and can be repeated as often as you want throughout the day, as long as it is comfortable and does not cause pain. If you would benefit from acupressure in a hard-to-reach spot, a family member or close friend can perform the massage on you as well.
What to Expect from your Telehealth Consultation
Taking advantage of our Telehealth for Acupressure service is simple and easy.
The first step is to make an appointment for your consultation with one of our licensed specialists.
To utilize our telehealth platform—doxy.me—you will need a tablet, phone, computer, or other electronic device with an internet connection, camera, and microphone.
To check in before your appointment, simply follow these easy steps:
- Start your device and test out the microphone and camera and microphone to be sure they are working correctly.
- Enter the Urban Acupuncture Center doxy.me web address into your internet browser.
- When asked “Would you like to share camera and microphone with doxy.me?”, click “Allow”.
- Type your name where required and click “Check In”.
- Once your telehealth visit starts, you will be able to see and hear your practitioner quite normally.
During your telehealth acupressure consultation, your acupuncturist will ask questions about your overall health and specific concerns. After working with you to develop a customized acupressure plan, your acupuncturist will demonstrate and guide you through the proper acupressure techniques.
You should feel comfortable and safe discussing your health and concerns with your acupuncturists. And you should feel free to ask questions yourself! Acupressure self-massage will only work if you fully understand the techniques to use, so if you are unsure, ask! The more questions you ask, the more you will be able to ensure that you achieve your acupressure goals.
Contact Urban Acupuncture Center in Columbus, OH For More Information
For more information about how acupuncture, massage therapy and other alternative healing treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.
by urban-acupuncture | Dec 1, 2020 | Acupuncture Columbus
Herbal medicine treatment is a natural and time-tested approach to healing that uses plant-based remedies to support the body’s health and restore balance. Rooted in ancient traditions from cultures around the world, herbal medicine offers a holistic alternative to conventional treatments by addressing the root cause of illness rather than just the symptoms. Whether you’re managing chronic conditions, boosting immunity, or seeking natural ways to enhance overall wellness, herbal treatments provide gentle yet effective support using the power of nature.
Herbal Medicine Treatments
You’ve probably heard people talking about taking herbs to help aspects of their health: ginko to boost memory, flaxseed to prevent high cholesterol, or Echinacea to prevent colds, for example. And you may have asked yourself: Do these herbal remedies really work?
On the one hand, it’s true that certain herbs can be highly effective in addressing certain ailments. On the other hand, it’s usually not as simple as picking up an “herbal supplement” from your local drug store.
Herbal medicine is an integral and highly complex element of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has been used for thousands of years to prevent and treat a wide range of different conditions and ailments. And to be truly effective, it requires a prescription developed just for you by a licensed and experienced herbalist.
What is Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Like acupuncture, herbal medicine is premised on the belief that a body that is out of balance is more susceptible to pathogens and injury, and cannot self-heal effectively. Your unique herbal medicine formulation is designed to help bring your body back into balance and boost its ability to fight pathogens and heal itself from illness and injury.
The key to the effectiveness of herbal medicine lies in the properties of each herb and how they interact synergistically within a unique formula to address your specific imbalances. Most formulations contain four or more distinct plant-based ingredients, including leaves, flowers, bark, roots, and seeds. Your specific herbal medicine formula may be in the form of tea, powder, pills, tinctures, syrups, or topical ointment.
When is Herbal Medicine Appropriate?
By helping to re-establish your body’s natural balance—or homeostasis—Chinese Herbal Medicine can be highly effective in helping the body cope with:
- Fatigue and sleep issues
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Breathing
- Digestion
- Autoimmune disorders
- Pain management
- Mental and emotional health, including stress, anxiety, and depression
- Menstrual concerns
- Morning sickness
- Menopausal concerns
- Male and female fertility issues
- Assisting in recovery from side effects relating to cancer treatments
- Assisting in rehabilitation from chronic disease
Chinese herbal medicine is not a substitute for conventional diagnosis, treatment, or medications. However, Chinese herbal medicine can complement more traditional treatment options. Before beginning an herbal remedy, be sure to consult your medical provider.
How Can I Get a Prescription for an Herbal Remedy?
Herbal formulations must be prescribed by a Board certified herbalist who has extensive training in Chinese herbal medicine. At Urban Acupuncture Center, your initial consultation with our herbalist can be in-person or through our safe and secure online telehealth system.
During your consultation, which should last about an hour, your herbalist will discuss your general health, medical history, and lifestyle patterns, as well as your specific medical concerns and symptoms you are experiencing. If in-person, they may also perform several diagnostic measurements, such as pulse and heartrate.
Based on this initial assessment, our herbalist will prescribe a formula for the treatment of your specific health concerns. Through our convenient email system, you can purchase your prescription from our safe and reputable suppliers to be shipped directly to your home. Regular follow-up appointments with the herbalist will review the efficacy of the treatment and make adjustments as necessary.
Contact Urban Acupuncture Center in Columbus, OH For More Information
For more information about how acupuncture, massage therapy, electroacupuncture and other alternative healing treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Columbus, Ohio (Clintonville) (614) 725-2488 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.
