by urban-acupuncture | Jun 11, 2016 | Acupuncture
What is Constipation?
Being constipated means your bowel movements are difficult or happen less often than normal. Almost everyone has it at some point in life, and it’s usually not serious. Still, you’ll feel much better when your system is back on track.
The normal length of time between bowel movements varies widely from person to person. Some people have bowel movements three times a day. Others have them only once or twice a week.
Going longer than three or more days without one is usually too long. After three days, the stool or feces become harder and tougher to pass.
What Are the Symptoms?
- Few bowel movements
- Trouble having a bowel movement (straining)
- Hard or small stools
- A sense that everything didn’t come out
- Swollen abdomen or abdominal pain
- Vomiting
Constipation Treatment
Treatment for chronic constipation usually begins with diet and lifestyle changes meant to increase the speed at which stool moves through your intestines. If those changes don’t help, your doctor may recommend medications or surgery.
Diet and lifestyle changes
Your doctor may recommend the following changes to relieve your constipation:
Increase your fiber intake. Adding fiber to your diet increases the weight of your stool and speeds its passage through your intestines. Slowly begin to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables each day. Choose whole-grain breads and cereals.
Your doctor may recommend a specific number of grams of fiber to consume each day. In general, aim for 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories in your daily diet.
A sudden increase in the amount of fiber you eat can cause bloating and gas, so start slowly and work your way up to your goal over a few weeks.
Exercise most days of the week. Physical activity increases muscle activity in your intestines. Try to fit in exercise most days of the week.
Don’t ignore the urge to have a bowel movement. Take your time in the bathroom, allowing yourself enough time to have a bowel movement without distractions and without feeling rushed.
Laxatives
Several types of laxatives exist. Each works somewhat differently to make it easier to have a bowel movement.
Examples of laxatives include:
- Fiber supplements. Fiber supplements add bulk to your stool. Common ingredients include methylcellulose, psyllium, calcium polycarbophil and guar gum. Brand names include FiberCon, Metamucil, Konsyl and Citrucel.
Stimulants.
- Osmotics. Osmotic laxatives help fluids move through the colon. Examples include milk of magnesia, magnesium citrate, lactulose, polyethylene glycol (MiraLax) and sodium phosphate enema (Fleet Enema).
- Lubricants. Lubricants enable stool to move through your colon more easily. One example of a lubricant is mineral oil.
- Stool softeners. Stool softeners moisten the stool by drawing water from the intestines. Examples include Colace and Surfak.
Alternative Treatments: Useful Acupuncture Points for Quick Constipation Relief
Stimulating these acupressure points with your fingers can help relax the abdomen and promote regular bowel movement without any pain or discomfort. They also help in relieving the associated symptoms of constipation such as abdominal pain, bloating and gas.
CV6
CV6 or Conception Vessel 6 is an important acupressure point for treating constipation. It is also named the Sea of Qi and this point is located exactly three finger widths below the belly button. This point should be stimulated using the fingertips gradually. The pressing should be no more than 1 inch deep. You will peel something firm with your fingers as you press. Maintain this firm pressure for 30 seconds as your breath normally keeping your eyes closed. This point helps in relieving pain in the abdomen, constipation, colitis and gas. It is also useful for treating hernia, irregular menstruation, impotence in men, digestive disorders and fatigue.
CV12
CV12 or Conception Vessel 12 is yet another vital acupressure point that is a solution for all types of digestive problems and provides quick constipation relief. It is known as the Center of Power and it can be found on the midline of the body, halfway between the base of the breastbone and the belly button. This point should be stimulated with great care and should not be pressed for more than 2 minutes at a stretch. It should be pressed on an almost empty stomach. It is best to avoid this point if you are suffering from heart disease, cancer or hypertension. It relieves constipation along with abdominal spasms, stomach pain, indigestion, heartburn and emotional stress. It is also an effective pressure point for dysentery, jaundice, insomnia and vomiting.
St36
St36 or Stomach 36 is a beneficial point of acupressure for constipation that relieves stomach and intestinal disorders, promotes digestion and strengthens the whole body. This is also known as the Three Mile Point and it is situated four finger widths below the kneecap, one finger width towards the outside of the shinbone. When you reach the correct spot, you will feel flexing of a muscle as you move your foot up and down. Use your palms to briskly rub this point for one minute on both legs. It is also a useful point for asthma, PMS, insomnia, depression and nervousness.
LI4
LI4 or Large Intestine 4 is by far the most famous acupressure point that is a solution for various health issues and is an important point for constipation acupressure. It is called the Joining Valley point and it is located on the fleshy muscle between the index finger and the thumb. Spread your thumb and in index finger apart and stimulate this point by squeezing the fleshy webbing with your fingertips for 1 minute while you take long, deep breaths. Now, switch sides and press the point on the other hand for 1 minute. It helps to relieve constipation, chronic pains, eye problems, toothache, and allergies and boosts the immune system. This point is forbidden for pregnant women because stimulating this point can lead to premature contractions of the uterus.
Contact Us 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 | Jun 1, 2016 | Acupuncture
What causes diarrhea?
Diarrhea may be caused by a temporary problem, like an infection, or a chronic problem, like an intestinal disease. A few of the more common causes of diarrhea are:
- Bacterial infections. Several types of bacteria, consumed through contaminated food or water, can cause diarrhea. Common culprits include Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, and Escherichia coli.
- Viral infections. Many viruses cause diarrhea, including rotavirus, Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, and viral hepatitis.
- Food intolerances. Some people are unable to digest some component of food, such as lactose, the sugar found in milk.
- Parasites. Parasites can enter the body through food or water and settle in the digestive system. Parasites that cause diarrhea include Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, and Cryptosporidium.
- Reaction to medicines, such as antibiotics, blood pressure medications, and antacids containing magnesium.
- Intestinal diseases, like inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease.
- Functional bowel disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, in which the intestines do not work normally.
Some people develop diarrhea after stomach surgery or removal of the gallbladder. The reason may be a change in how quickly food moves through the digestive system after stomach surgery or an increase in bile in the colon that can occur after gallbladder surgery.
In many cases, the cause of diarrhea cannot be found. As long as diarrhea goes away on its own, an extensive search for the cause is not usually necessary.
When should a doctor be consulted?
Although usually not harmful, diarrhea can become dangerous or signal a more serious problem. You should see the doctor if any of the following is true:
- You have diarrhea for more than 3 days.
- You have severe pain in the abdomen or rectum.
- You have a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
- You see blood in your stool or have black, tarry stools.
- You have signs of dehydration.
What is the treatment?
In most cases, replacing lost fluid to prevent dehydration is the only treatment necessary. Medicines that stop diarrhea may be helpful in some cases, but they are not recommended for people whose diarrhea is caused by a bacterial infection or parasite—stopping the diarrhea traps the organism in the intestines, prolonging the problem. Instead, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics. Viral causes are either treated with medication or left to run their course, depending on the severity and type of the virus.
Acupuncture to treat diarrhea
There are the acupressure points for relieving Diarrhea. Working on these points can help you get better quicker. You do not have to use all of these points. Using just one or two of them whenever you have a free hand can be effective.
- Points (A) — Abdominal Sorrow
Location: Below the edge of the rib cage one-half inch in from the nipple line. Benefits: Relieves diarrhea, ulcer pain, indigestion, appetite imbalances, and abdominal cramps.
- Points (B) — Sea of Energy
Location: Two finger widths directly below the belly button. Benefits: Relieves chronic diarrhea, constipation, and gas; strengthens the abdominal muscles.
- Points (C) — Three Mile Point
Location: Four finger widths below the kneecap, one finger width on the outside of the shinbone. If you are on the correct spot, a muscle should flex as you move your foot up and down. Benefits: Strengthens the whole body, tones the muscles, aids digestion, and relieves stomach disorders.
- Points (D) — Travel Between
Location: At the juncture of the big and second toes. Benefits: Relieves diarrhea, stomachaches, headaches, and nausea.
- Points (E) — Grandfather Grandson
Location: On the arch of the foot, one thumb width in back of the ball of the foot. Benefits: Relieves indigestion, diarrhea, stomachaches, and nausea.
It’s important to drink plenty of warm water after the massage, to help clear away toxic substances in our body.
For more information about how acupuncture and other treatments can help you, please contact Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist, Steve Drugan,B.S., L.Ac., at 614.218.6287 or click here. Taking new patients in and around Columbus, Ohio
by urban-acupuncture | May 15, 2016 | Acupuncture
Ulcer Treatment
Until quite recently ulcers were thought to be one of the crosses hard-working executives had to bear. They were the mark of a striving go-getter, who strode from power lunch to stock-market take-over bid, pausing only to swallow a packet of antacid tablets. Normally, so the theory went, the stomach doesn’t digest itself because a coating of mucus protects it from the hydrochloric acid which, together with an enzyme called pepsin, breaks down the food. But stress and anger can increase the amount of acid in the stomach while aspirin and other drugs can reduce the protective mucus and so the acids begin to eat away at the walls of the stomach or duodenum, creating crater-like sores which can be very swollen and tender. Classic symptoms include burning, intense pain in the mid-upper abdomen, and waking in the early morning, often with a sensation of abnormal hunger.
Peptic ulcers are the most common type of ulcer in the gastrointestinal system and can cause stomach acid and severe pain. Other symptoms can include weight loss, decreased appetite and nausea. Aspirin and NSAIDS are commonly used to treat pain conditions but then easily cause peptic ulcers. Another major cause of peptic ulcers is the helicobacter pylori bacteria. The World Health Organization (WHO) endorses and recommends acupuncture in the treatment of peptic ulcers.
Clinical trials have demonstrated that acupuncture for peptic ulcer helps. Chinese herbs can also be used to treat peptic ulcers.
Most Common Ulcer Signs & Symptoms
- Abdominal pain – H. pylori can cause painful inflammation of the stomach and small intestine lining. Pain can also be caused by a build up of gases, and constipation.
- Heartburn – Also called acid reflux, or GERD. When acid is low, digestion of food becomes slow and difficult. The result is that food sits in the stomach too long and gives off gases which can cause burning sensations in the stomach and throat.
- Anemia – Or iron deficiency – this is closely linked with an H. pylori infection. When an H. pylori infection has caused low stomach acid, it becomes particularly difficult to digest protein (which contains iron).
- Mild Abdominal Discomfort – Typically felt 2 – 4 hours before or after meals
- Bad Breath – H pylori organisms present in stomach acid create ammonia, which results in bad breath.
- Chest Pain – When H. pylori infection causes an inflammation in the stomach, the pain signals from the stomach can reflex into the chest, shoulder blade and stomach areas
- Constipation – When H. pylori causes low stomach acid, food is not processed properly causing undigested food to be released into the intestine.
- Diarrhea – The diarrhea may only happen infrequently, or it may happen almost daily, depending on how chronic the infection of H. pylori is.
- Gastritis – Gastritis is characterized by an inflammation of the stomach lining. H. pylori uses it’s corkscrew shape to burrow into, and injure the stomach lining, which results in inflammation.
- Nausea & Vomiting – H pylori causes nausea, but the reason for this is not clear. It is thought that as the body attempts to rid itself of the infection, the ejection happens through the process of vomiting. These symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for morning sickness in pregnant women.
What causes peptic ulcer according the Chinese medicine?
According to Chinese medicine, there can be a number of causes of peptic ulcers. Sometimes the liver is the cause of the problem and it is mainly stress and irritability that that upset the liver. Traditional Chinese medicine theory views that when the liver is over worked from excess emotional turmoil such as anger and irritability, the pressure in the liver builds up. This pressure is eventually released and then attacks sideways and affects the stomach. The stomach is affected by the heat of the liver and this extra heat from the liver burns away at the stomach.
This is why patients find it strange that their acupuncturist has put in needles into acupuncture points on the liver meridian to treat their burning stomach pain.
Research has also shown that certain aspects of the tongue can change during the course of acupuncture and Chinese herbs. One such example, is the observance of purple veins underneath the tongue that became reduced as treatment progressed and the helicobacter pylori infections resolved.
Results for Ulcer Treatment with Acupuncture
Tests on patients who have undergone acupuncture treatment for stomach ulcers show that acupuncture procedures can normalize certain processes of the gastro intestinal tract. There is not much evidence available to show exactly how effective acupuncture is as a treatment for stomach ulcers caused by H. pylori. Acupuncture is a painless treatment with thin metal needles being inserted to varying depths, and at specific acupuncture points. The needles are usually left inserted for 15 – 30 minutes. Treatment normally involves multiple sessions over a period of weeks or months.
For more information about how acupuncture and other treatments can help you, please contact Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist, Steve Drugan,B.S., L.Ac., at 614.218.6287 or click here. Taking new patients in and around Columbus, Ohio.
Illustration By BruceBlaus [CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
by urban-acupuncture | May 11, 2016 | Acupuncture
What is Fibromyalgia (fy-bro-my-AL-ja)?
Fibromyalgia is a common and complex chronic pain disorder that causes widespread pain and tenderness to touch that may occur body wide or migrate over the body. Along with other symptoms, pain and tenderness wax and wane over time. Fibromyalgia (FM) affects people physically, mentally and socially. Approximately 10 million Americans (2-4%) have FM with a ratio of about 8 to 2, women over men. It occurs in people of all ages, including children. The literal translation of the word fibromyalgia is pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons. But FM is much more than pain and presents with many other symptoms that vary from person to person.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Chronic widespread body pain which can wax and wane is the primary symptom of fibromyalgia. Both men and women with fibromyalgia often experience moderate to extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances, sensitivity to touch, light, and sound, and cognitive difficulties. Many individuals also experience a number of other symptoms and overlapping conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome,TMJD, lupus and arthritis. Stress often increases symptoms of fibromyalgia.
- Pain – The pain of fibromyalgia is profound, chronic and widespread. It can migrate to all parts of the body and vary in intensity. FM pain has been described as stabbing and shooting pain, with deep muscular aching, throbbing, and twitching. Neurological complaints such as numbness, tingling, and burning are often present and add to the discomfort of the person with fibromyalgia. The severity of the pain and stiffness is often worse in the morning. Aggravating factors that affect pain include cold/humid weather, non-restorative sleep, physical and mental fatigue, excessive physical activity, physical inactivity, anxiety and stress.
- Fatigue – In today’s world many people complain of fatigue; however, the fatigue of FM is much more than being tired after a particularly busy day or after a sleepless night. The fatigue of FM is an all-encompassing exhaustion that can interfere with occupational, personal, social or educational activities. Symptoms include profound exhaustion and poor stamina.
- Sleep problems – Many people with fibromyalgia have an associated sleep disorder that prevents them from achieving deep, restful, restorative sleep. Medical researchers have documented specific and distinctive abnormalities in the Stage 4 deep sleep of FM patients. During sleep, individuals with FM are constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity, limiting the amount of time they spend in deep sleep.
- Other signs, symptoms, and overlapping conditions – Additional symptoms may include: irritable bowel and bladder, headaches and migraines, restless legs syndrome (periodic limb movement disorder), impaired memory and concentration, skin sensitivities and rashes, dry eyes and mouth, anxiety, depression, ringing in the ears, dizziness, vision problems, Raynaud’s Syndrome, neurological symptoms, and impaired coordination.
Fibromylagia Treatment
An estimated 3% – 6% of the American population suffers from the chronic disorder known as fibromyalgia, which causes widespread pain, fatigue, and even anxiety. The exact cause of the disorder is unknown, and its duration and intensity varies for each patient. For those living with it, it can be a life-altering condition, leaving them unable to enjoy activities that others take for granted. While there are many variations in the treatment of fibromyalgia, acupuncture provides a safe method which has been shown to greatly reduce the associated symptoms.
Although there is no known cure for fibromyalgia, a multidisciplinary team effort using combined treatment approaches, including patient education, aerobic exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy and pharmacologic therapies have been shown to improve symptoms and function in patients with fibromyalgia. Helping patients to identify which combination of these therapies makes the most impact on their quality of life can be part of a successful symptom self-management system. Education is paramount to the success of this kind of protocol, both for healthcare professionals as well as the patient.
Among the benefits fibromyalgia sufferers stand to gain from acupuncture are:
- Reduced Pain
- Relaxation
- Improved Sleeping Habits
- Boosted Immune System
Additionally, other treatment methods may be applied to work in conjunction with acupuncture therapy. A well-rounded treatment plan is key to successfully treating the disorder. Rather than relying on medications such as pain relievers or antidepressants which alter brain chemistry, relief may be found in combining acupuncture with some or all of the following:
- Chiropractic Care – Fibromyalgia causes muscle tightness, discomfort, and a loss in mobility over time. Gentle chiropractic adjustments can help the muscles regain their pliability without causing damage.
- Cold Laser Therapy – Muscle tissue has been shown to have reduced healing capabilities in fibromyalgia patients. Cold laser therapy not only stimulates tissue healing, but decreases pain sensations as well.
- Exercise – Staying physically active is crucial for patients, allowing them to retain higher levels of comfort and flexibility. Aerobic exercise seems to be particularly helpful.
- Diet – Fresh and organically grown foods have less stress on the body, helping it function at its maximum capacity. A diet consisting of foods such as soy, nuts and berries, brown rice, and hormone-free chicken and turkey will be beneficial.
Fibromyalgia can be a frustrating and debilitating illness for the millions of individuals who struggle with it each day. It often leads to multiple doctors, different treatment plans, and a dependency on a range of pharmaceutical drugs. Thankfully, acupuncture can be a highly effective option, resulting in drastically reduced pain and fatigue for months at a time. Furthermore, when combined with complimentary therapies and appropriate lifestyle changes, it can mean a radical change in the quality of life for fibromyalgia patients.
Contact Us 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 | Apr 7, 2016 | Acupuncture
Relieve Allergies the Natural Way
Acupuncture has been used to treat a number of allergy symptoms, from sneezing and runny nose to puffy eyes.
People suffering from food allergies aren’t always aware that their symptoms are caused by the food they are eating. It often can be more difficult to discover that a person is allergic to a certain type of food, as opposed to discovering that a person is allergic to a bee sting, for example. Some people suffering from food allergies continue their day-to-day life with symptoms such as headaches or fatigue and have no idea that their symptoms could be from food allergies.
What is a food allergy?
A food allergy is a reaction of the body’s immune system to otherwise harmless substances in certain foods. This is different from a food intolerance, which does not necessarily involve the immune system. Although 25% of people believe they are allergic to certain foods, only 4 to 8% of children and 2% of adults have diagnosed food allergies. While most food allergies are mild, in some cases they can cause anaphylactic shock, a serious, sometimes life-threatening reaction. Food allergies affect mostly young children, and about 90% of these allergies are caused by 8 foods: cow’s milk, eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, fish, and shellfish. With the exception of peanut allergy, the majority of children outgrow their food allergies by early adolescence.
Symptoms of food allergies include:
- fatigue
- hives
- eczema
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- nausea
- vomiting
- nasal congestion
- cough and asthma
More severe symptoms:
- difficulty breathing
- decreased blood pressure
- increased heart rate
- dizziness
- mental confusion
- slurred speech
- anxiety attack
- cardiovascular collapse
Food allergy causes:
In most cases, allergies occur when an individual who has a genetic sensitivity to certain allergens is exposed to the substance. Foods frequently responsible for food allergies include:
- Shellfish, such as shrimp, crab, and lobster
- Tree nuts, including walnuts, almonds, and pecans
- Peanuts
- Fruits, particularly strawberries, but also melons, pineapple, and other tropical fruits
- Tomatoes
- Fish
- Food additives such as dyes, thickeners, and preservatives, (monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a common food allergy in this category).
Foods that may cause intolerance include:
- Wheat and other gluten-containing grains
- Cow’s milk and other dairy products
- Corn products
Food allergy natural treatment options
Many herbalists consider two major systems when dealing with allergies – the immune system and adrenal-stress handling system. These two systems are under great pressure due to environmental changes. The fast pace of modern living and working may have an adverse effect on these systems, as well.
There are many natural ways to nourish the immune system and lessen the impact of stress on the body’s systems: meditation, walking, breathing exercises, a diet of whole, organic foods and a network of loving relationships.
The most obvious way to avoid an allergic reaction to food would be to take that type of food out of a person’s diet. But, if a person is allergic to many different kinds of foods, it can be impossible to stop eating everything he or she is allergic to.
Acupuncture Treatment
The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture endorses the use of acupuncture for allergies such as food allergies. Acupuncture can help restore normal immune function. A Chinese medicine practitioner will select acupuncture points and herbal formulas that support the functioning of the organs, dispersing unhealthy excess patterns and nourishing deficiencies. Chinese medicine is a safe and effective way of treating food allergies.
Herbal Treatment
A study published in 2002 reported a 95 percent effective rate when using Chinese medicine to treat 20 patients suffering from food allergies. The patients, all between six and 67 years old, complained of food allergy gastritis after eating certain food. They were each given a daily formula consisting of prepared Chinese herbs. In result, 14 patients were considered cured, and five patients improved. The Chinese medicine approach for some in the study, helped the body respond normal to certain foods instead of having to completely cut these foods out of a person’s diet.
For more information about how acupuncture and other treatments can help you, please contact Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist, Steve Drugan,B.S., L.Ac., at 614.218.6287 or click here. Taking new patients in and around Columbus, Ohio.
References: Zhang Xin-Cheng, et al. Xin Zhong Yi. #9 pp. 59-60. 2002
by urban-acupuncture | Apr 1, 2016 | Acupuncture
Approximately 38 million Americans suffer with chronic anxiety or depression. One out of eight adults are currently taking antidepressant medications. While these medications can offer support and benefit on certain occasions, there are indeed many people that do not respond well to this form of treatment. This can be due to a number of factors including:
- Various side effects that outweigh the benefits of the medication
- A developed tolerance to the medication that causes the benefits to diminish
- Excessive sensitivity to the concentrated nature of these medications
- A belief system that suggests that the depression is not due to a biochemical imbalance, or that this imbalance is the result of a deeper spiritual issue.
Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common mental illnesses worldwide. Many people suffer some form of anxiety occasionally but others cannot manage this natural response to a stressful situation. When a person experiences a highly stressful or threatening scenario, the mind can be overloaded and fail to develop ways of coping.
Although the symptoms can be as manageable as an ominous feeling in the pit of the stomach, some suffer much worse. Anxiety can trigger the following responses:
- Physical, such as an irregular heartbeat
- Cognitive, which can cause negative thoughts
- Behavioral, which may include uncharacteristic aggression or restlessness
- Emotional, such as fear
Depending on which of these symptoms are suffered, different anxiety disorders may be diagnosed. These include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Managing severe anxiety can be tricky because it generally includes therapy, which might not provide results for months, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. What’s more, it can require medication, which can have serious side effects, says Ladan Eshkevari, PhD, CRNA, LAc, a certified acupuncturist, a physiologist, and the assistant director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program at the School of Nursing & Health Studies at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Yet when acupuncture for anxiety is effective, symptoms lessen after the first few visits, and practitioners like Eshkevari are confident it attacks the problem at its roots.
Not just for pain, acupuncture is a natural way to treat anxiety. It works faster than therapy and keeps you drug-free.
Traditional Chinese medicine relates anxiety to an imbalance of the heart and kidney. Fire represents the heart and joy according to the five elements. The diagnosis is that too much heat in the heart will imbalance the interaction with the kidney (represented as water and fear). This will result in the water organ failing to contain the fire organ rising up to the mind, leading to anxiety. Acupuncture on points around the heart, kidney, spleen and ear are used to treat anxiety.
How Acupuncture for Anxiety Works
How does it work? Led by Eshkevari, researchers at Georgetown University used lab studies to demonstrate that acupuncture slows the body’s production of stress hormones.
Like blood in the circulatory system, Qi moves throughout the body via pathways called meridians. When factors like injury, stress, poor nutrition, or a change in environment disrupt the flow of Qi, health issues follow, according to the University of Miami Health System. By inserting needles at specific points in the body, acupuncturists restore the balance of Qi and the body’s overall health, University of Chicago Medicine reports.
Depression
It is estimated that approximately one in five people will experience clinical depression at least once in their lifetime. Although it is natural to feel sad and down at times, especially after experiencing loss, these slight effects can be managed with gradual lifestyle adjustments. Clinical depression, however, refers to a long-lasting and intense emotional, physical and cognitive state that greatly affects day-to-day life. Symptoms include:
- Loss of positive associations and sense of achievement (lack of interest in normally pleasurable activities)
- Negative thoughts (often worrying about the future)
- Irritability, agitation and exhaustion
- Changes in sleeping patterns (too much or too little)
- Hopelessness (feeling trapped or suicidal)
The causes of depression are known to be similar to the causes of anxiety. It is traditionally treated with antidepressant medication, psychological methods or a combination of both.
Depression is also considered to be a problem with circulating Qi around your body. Anxiety and depression remain two of the most common mental disorders worldwide. As further research continues, acupuncture and other forms of complementary therapies are gradually being proved to be legitimate treatments for anxiety, depression and other illnesses. Perhaps more important than anything for our health is varying our lifestyles by trying alternative therapies, including exercise, yoga and meditation. It is important, however, to always get a second opinion and consult a doctor any time complementary therapies are tried.
What are the side effects?
When it comes to trying acupuncture, you have nothing to lose. With a certified acupuncturist, the risks are almost nonexistent and are far outweighed by the potential benefits.
Contact Us 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.
