Acupuncture Helps to Treat Cold and Flu Symptoms Before They Happen

by urban-acupuncture | Nov 1, 2019 | Acupuncture Columbus

Acupuncture: Your Best Defense Against Colds and Flu!

As the days grow shorter, the leaves turn brilliant colors, and the air grows steadily colder, we know that winter…and cold and flu season…are right around the corner. Of course we all know now that being cold, leaving the house with wet hair, and other “old wives tales” don’t really make you sick. It is true, however, that cold- and flu-causing viruses thrive in the cold, dry winter air and that our exposure to those viruses increases as we spend more time inside. So, as cold and flu season approaches, it’s time to take some proactive steps—like regular acupuncture treatments—to help ensure that you stay healthy!

While colds and flu are both caused by viruses and can be mistaken for each other, they are, in fact, two different illnesses. What we call a “cold” is an illness of the upper respiratory system that generally impacts the nose, sinuses, and larynx. Symptoms of a cold include nasal congestion (a runny nose), sneezing, coughing, sinus pressure and headaches, a sore, scratchy throat, and mild fatigue. Although uncomfortable, colds are usually mild and generally harmless. The flu, or influenza, is a much more serious viral infection that can be quite dangerous and may require medical intervention. While the symptoms of the flu may be similar to those of the common cold, they are usually more intense. Additional symptoms of the flu may include fever, body aches, weakness, and extreme exhaustion.

How Does Acupuncture Prevent Colds and Flu?

The human body has the amazing ability to protect and heal itself! It is constantly checking and re-checking our internal systems for signs of trouble; when a threat is detected, such as the presence of a foreign body like a virus, the immune system goes into overdrive to kick the invader out before it can cause any damage. Therefore, one of the best ways to keep yourself from getting sick is to ensure that your body’s natural immune system is strong, healthy, and well-balanced.

The goal of acupuncture is to do just that: restore and enhance your body’s natural self-healing mechanisms. When our internal systems are weak and/or out of balance, our ability to self-heal is reduced and we become vulnerable to the illness-causing effects of foreign invaders like viruses. Acupuncture strengthens and restores the body’s natural homeostasis, or balance, boosting its ability to fight off germs and other foreign invaders. In other words, acupuncture treatments before the onset of cold and flu symptoms ensure that your body’s natural defense systems are strong, balanced, and ready to help you stay healthy.

Benefits of Acupuncture During Cold and Flu Season

Regular acupuncture treatments throughout cold and flu season can help you stay healthy and if you begin to feel the onset of cold and flu symptoms, an immediate acupuncture treatment may help prevent the illness from getting worse. Acupuncture can:

• Boost the immune system for up to three days
• Stimulate hormonal homeostasis (balance) for maximum self-healing
• Relieve nasal congestion, sinus pressure, and sinus headaches
• Relieve discomfort caused by a “sore throat”
• Facilitate faster elimination of viruses and toxins
• Reduce fatigue and exhaustion
• Reduce body aches

It is important to note, however, that acupuncture is most effective before the onset of serious flu symptoms. If you have a fever or an active cough, acupuncture is not appropriate and we ask that you not come in for treatment. Lots of bed rest and fluids are important at this stage, and if symptoms persist or become serious, it is important to see a doctor right away.

For more information about how acupuncture and other 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.

High blood pressure (hypertension) treatment with acupuncture

by urban-acupuncture | Oct 7, 2019 | Acupuncture Columbus

About Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects about 75 million adults in the United States today: that’s 1 out of every 3! Sometimes called “the silent killer” by the medical community because of its lack of symptoms, high blood pressure can significantly increase your risk for heart disease and/or stroke. Yet many Americans don’t realize they have high blood pressure, and it’s estimated that only about half of people with high blood pressure have it under control.

Blood pressure is literally the force of your blood pushing against the walls of the blood vessels as it pumps through the body. Blood pressure is not a static measurement; it increases and decreases as we go about our normal activities. When blood pressure is high, the heart must work harder to pump blood around the body. And when our blood pressure is too high for too long, causing the heart to work constantly in overdrive, the result may be serious health conditions such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), heart disease, heart failure, and stroke.

The good news is that high blood pressure can be treated before it leads to serious health concerns! Usually, the prescribed treatment involves (1) lifestyle changes and (2) medication. For some adults, lifestyle choices such as quitting smoking, choosing a low sodium diet, and increasing exercise may be sufficient to bring their blood pressure under control. For others, especially those whose blood pressure may be related to genetics and family history, physicians often turn to one or more of the hundreds of blood pressure medications currently available.

Studies Show Acupuncture May be an Effective Treatment Option for Hypertension

For years dismissed by the medical community, an increasing body of scientific literature is showing that acupuncture may present an effective third option for hypertension. For individuals with mild or moderate hypertension, regular acupuncture treatments in combination with important lifestyle changes may be sufficient to bring high blood back within normal limits; for other adults, especially those with severe high blood pressure, acupuncture may be effective in combination with lifestyle changes and prescription drugs.

Acupuncture involves stimulating different acupuncture points around the body with specially-designed needles; by providing a “counter-irritant” at those specific points, the treatment effectively helps restore the body’s natural balance and, literally, heal itself. For instance, several recent studies indicated that acupuncture points SP9, LV3, LI4—among others—are particularly effective at targeting high blood pressure. Electroacupuncture, in which a small current is used to increase stimulation at each acupuncture point, may be especially effective in combating high blood pressure; one study indicated that over 70% of participants receiving electroacupuncture showed a noticeable drop in their blood pressure!

Some adults, especially those who have faced daunting medical tests with large hypodermic needles, can find the idea of acupuncture unsettling. In fact, most patients who have had acupuncture find it extremely relaxing! The needles are extremely small, thin, and flexible and require no more than a gentle tap to penetrate the acupressure point. Each treatment is adjusted to the comfort of the patient, and we encourage each patient to communicate with their acupuncturist throughout the treatment.

High blood pressure is a chronic condition, and whether you make lifestyle changes, take a daily medication, turn to acupuncture, or some combination thereof, it’s important to remember that any treatment must be done regularly in order to build up a cumulative and sustained effect on the body. If you have high blood pressure and you feel that you might benefit from acupuncture, we encourage you to consult with one of our licensed acupuncturists to discuss a customized treatment plan designed to improve your health and your well-being.

For more information about how acupuncture and other 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.

Acupuncture May Help Chemotherapy Side Effects During Cancer Treatment

by urban-acupuncture | Oct 1, 2019 | Acupuncture Columbus

Can Acupuncture Help Relieve Side Effects of Cancer Treatment?

Thanks to amazing advances in medical science, doctors today are able to diagnose and treat many types of cancers more effectively than ever before in history. Yet despite those advances, cancer treatment continues to be difficult for most patients; indeed, some patients complain that the treatment is worse than the disease. Unfortunately, the powerful drugs—taken together as chemotherapy—and radiation therapy required to kill the cancer also wreak havoc on the body’s healthy cells, causing significant and even debilitating side effects during and after treatment.

Today, cancer patients and oncologists are increasingly turning to the ancient Chinese medical practice of acupuncture to help relieve some of the most common side effects of cancer treatment. While modern researchers continue to question exactly “why” and exactly “how” acupuncture works, a variety of scientific studies over the past decade clearly indicate that this ancient practice provides real and verifiable relief from nausea and vomiting, pain, and fatigue, for example, as well as a general improvement in depression, stress, and overall mood. For patients who have experienced the numerous benefits of this ancient practice, acupuncture has played a vital role in their fight against cancer.

Benefits of Acupuncture During Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy

The goal of acupuncture is to help the body, through the gentle and careful stimulation of specific acupuncture points, restore a natural balance (homeostasis) that has been undermined by disease (such as cancer). In essence, acupuncture enhances the body’s natural ability to cope with the traumatic impact of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. While this may sound somewhat unscientific to some people, in fact, the benefits of acupuncture are both concrete and measurable.

• Nausea and vomiting: One of the most common and most unpleasant side effects of chemotherapy is nausea and frequent vomiting. Studies by the National Cancer Institute have shown that acupuncture can significantly reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea. Generally speaking, receiving an acupuncture treatment the day before chemo is the most effective way to offset the nausea and vomiting associated with chemo.
• Pain management: Unfortunately, pain is another common and often debilitating aspect of cancer and its treatment; pain can stem from the cancer itself, from surgeries required to treat the disease, or from nerves damaged by chemotherapy and radiation (neuropathy). While acupuncture may not totally replace the need for pain medication, it may significantly reduce the amount of medications required. Moreover, by improving circulation, acupuncture may help regenerate damaged nerves and heal scar tissue.
• Fatigue: Several recent studies have shown that acupuncture can provide significant improvement for patients suffering from fatigue related to cancer and/or cancer treatment. Acupuncture has also been shown to improve quality of sleep generally, which can also contribute to combatting cancer-related fatigue.
• Depression, anxiety, and stress: In general, restoring the body’s natural balance through acupuncture can help reduce feelings of depression and anxiety and improve the ability to cope with stress. This is especially true for patients who are undergoing treatment for cancer: many patients who utilize acupuncture during treatment report feeling less worried and less anxious, and generally calmer and more emotionally stable.

Acupuncture cannot cure cancer. But it can help make the cancer journey more bearable by helping to relieve some of the worst side effects of cancer treatment. Our goal is to work in conjunction with your oncology team to determine the safest and most effective method of incorporating acupuncture into your cancer treatment.

For more information about how acupuncture and other 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.

Can acupuncture help treat nausea and morning sickness?

by urban-acupuncture | Sep 16, 2019 | Acupuncture Columbus

Morning Sickness

Morning sickness affects 50% to 90% of all pregnant women, leading to complaints of nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. 1 Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is the extreme form of morning sickness, occurring between the fourth and sixth week of pregnancy, causing intractable vomiting; dehydration; electrolyte disturbance; a 5% weight loss with ketosis; disturbed nutrition; acid aspiration; retinal, kidney, or hepatic damage; or neurological alterations in some individuals.1,2 Both conditions can significantly impact the quality of life of those who experience it.3

Regarding prescription medications used in the treatment of morning sickness, an FDA-assigned pregnancy category A indicates that adequate and well-controlled studies have not demonstrated a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy and that there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters.1 Currently, there are no prescription medications for the treatment of morning sickness that are classified with a pregnancy category A. Due to the fact that many pharmacological agents usually prescribed for this condition may also induce symptoms of morning sickness and that research is not conducted on pregnant women due to the uncertainty of the teratogenic effects of medications, acupuncture is a viable alternative for treating pregnant patients seeking relief.

Research and acupuncture for morning sickness

Several studies have been done on acupuncture and morning sickness. A meta analysis on electro-acupuncture and acupuncture in pregnancy has shown that electro-acupuncture and acupressure reduced nausea and vomiting. And a 2011 literature review by Freels shows that acupressure on P6 reduces the nausea symptoms.

Nausea and Chinese medicine

It is interesting that most of the research has been done using one specific acupuncture point P6. Situated on the inside of the arm, this point is well known for its anti-nausea properties. It is also very easy to find. That’s one of the reasons why it is used with travel sickness bands. However, there are many more points combinations that can be used in Chinese Medicine to help and support pregnant women.

As it is usually the case, there is no direct relationship between the Western diagnosis of ‘morning sickness’ and one single Chinese Medicine diagnosis. A full history will allow the acupuncturist to make his diagnosis and establish the points prescription specific to that particular woman. The practitioner will also be able to give some dietary advice depending on the diagnosis.

Other Benefits of Acupuncture During Pregnancy

Many people credit acupuncture for easing a wide range of pregnancy symptoms including heartburn, swelling in the legs, constipation, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica and more.

Here are some of the pregnancy symptoms acupuncture can relieve that science has studied:

Lower back and pelvic pain

Research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology reports acupuncture could reduce pain in the lower back along with pelvic pain. And a 2015 Cochrane Review for treating low back/pelvic pain in pregnancy found that acupuncture improved pelvic pain more than usual prenatal care.

Depression

Depression during pregnancy is common, affecting nearly one in four women — but a targeted type of acupuncture may help. For a 2010 study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, during eight weeks clinically-depressed pregnant women who weren’t previously taking antidepressants received general acupuncture, acupuncture specific for depression, or massage. The severity of depression symptoms decreased most among women who received acupuncture for depression. And 63 percent of the women who received the depression-specific acupuncture responded to the treatment, compared to 44 percent in the general acupuncture and massage groups.

Headaches

Research has shown that acupuncture can reduce pregnancy-induced headaches; women who received it also used less medication.

Sleep Problems

Getting to sleep and staying asleep is trickier than ever during pregnancy — but some research has shown that women who receive acupuncture sleep better during pregnancy, too.

For more information about how acupuncture and other 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.