by urban-acupuncture | Feb 1, 2020 | Acupuncture Columbus
Can Acupuncture Treat Skin Conditions?*
The skin is the body’s largest organ, serving both to protect us from the environment around us and to provide clues to what we can’t see underneath. In other words, the health of our skin can often be a reflection of our overall health and thus, skin disorders, whether chronic or acute, may be symptomatic of an underlying imbalance in the body. This holistic approach underpins the success of acupuncture in treating many difficult skin conditions. By identifying and focusing on the root cause of the problem, acupuncture can treat the visible symptom: an uncomfortable, itchy, unpleasant skin problem.
Acupuncture works by addressing systemic imbalances and weakness deep within the body. When treating skin conditions, acupuncture stimulates specific points along the body in order to simultaneously activate both the immune system and the endocrine systems. This simple action increases blood flow to key systems throughout the body and regulates proper hormonal balances. Put more simply, acupuncture stimulates and strengthens the body’s own natural defenses, enabling it to more effectively heal itself!
As with any medical approach, the first step is to identify the root of the problem. The acupuncturist will conduct a thorough evaluation, looking at and feeling your skin and tongue while asking many wide-ranging questions about your skin condition, your overall health, and your diet, exercise, and lifestyle routines. Once a course of treatment has been developed—every treatment is uniquely developed to address the specific needs of each individual patient—the acupuncturist will place sterile, high-grade needles at key points around the body to activate specific acupuncture points. In some cases, heat may be directly or, more commonly, indirectly applied to the acupuncture points for increased stimulation (moxibustion therapy).
What Skin Conditions Can Acupuncture Treat?
Acupuncture has been used successful to treat a wide variety of different skin conditions*, both acute and chronic, including:
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Psoriasis
- Perioral Dermatitis
- Herpes (zoster [shingles] and simplex)
- Eczema (including pomphlyx)
- Lichen Planus
- Viral Warts
- Chronic Hives
- and more
Whether acute or chronic, we understand that many patients have been suffering from the discomfort and embarrassment of problematic skin for a long time and want instant relief. It’s important to note that acupuncture is not magic! Addressing the underlying imbalances at the root of many of these difficult skin problems can take time, persistence, and patience. Moreover, acupuncture may be only one part of a comprehensive, holistic treatment approach.
The goal of acupuncture is to enable the body to heal itself by ensuring inner strength and wellness. Improving stress management, improving sleep problems, and addressing digestive issues can help promote overall wellness, thus contributing to a successful resolution of a difficult skin condition. Changes in diet, exercise, and other lifestyle habits may play a vital role in your treatment plan, as may Chinese herbal medicine and also, in some cases, modern medicine like prescription medications and/or topical ointments.
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.
*Disclaimer: Results may vary and cannot be guaranteed. Before starting treatment, including acupuncture, for any skin condition, patients should see a dermatologist and/or a primary care physician.
by urban-acupuncture | Jan 1, 2020 | Acupuncture Columbus
Acupuncture for Clearer, Healthier Skin!
Our skin is the body’s largest, most visible organ, so it should come as no surprise that there are literally hundreds of ailments that can potentially undermine the health and appearance of our skin. Skin disorders can range from mild to severe, from embarrassing to physically disabling, and everything in between. Some, like acne, are pretty common and can affect nearly everyone at some point in their lives; others are extremely uncommon and can be very difficult to diagnose. Some skin ailments are acute, appearing suddenly and unexpectedly, while others are chronic, developing and persisting over a long period of time. Yet any skin condition can dramatically undermine our appearance, our health, and our wellbeing.
Skin conditions can be exceedingly tricky to treat successfully. Often, patients repeatedly cycle through a variety of different treatments, including (but of course not limited to) topical creams and ointments, prescription medications, steroid injections, antibiotics, and even laser therapy. Yet all too often, these treatment approaches are either entirely ineffective or provide only temporary relief. Many individuals suffer for years with pain, discomfort, itchiness, dry and scaly skin, and other difficult symptoms, unable to find lasting relief.
For patients who have been unsuccessfully struggling with a skin ailment, acupuncture may provide a potential solution!* Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique that involves stimulating key trigger points across the body to activate the body’s self-healing mechanisms. The fact is, our body has the incredible ability to identify and resolve many health problems; unfortunately, critical imbalances within the body can block or hinder this self-healing capability. Thus, the goal of acupuncture is to enable the body to heal itself by addressing systemic imbalances and promoting inner strength and wellness. For individuals coping with skin ailments, acupuncture may help provide some relief from painful and embarrassing symptoms.
How Does Acupuncture Work to Treat Skin Conditions?
Unfortunately, modern medicine tends to view every problem in isolation, with the underlying assumption that a skin problem is caused by a problem within the skin alone. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including acupuncture, embraces a more holistic view of the body: that a problem in one area is likely connected to and caused by underlying problems across the body as a whole. A problematic skin condition may be only the most visible symptom of a systemic imbalance deep within the body. Thus, treating the skin condition requires identifying and treating the underlying imbalance!
In the treatment of skin conditions (broadly speaking), acupuncture is designed to stimulate specific trigger points along the body that regulate the immune and the endocrine systems. As acupuncture needles trigger “micro-traumas” in key areas, the body reacts by increasing blood flow throughout the body, as well as simulating a hormonal response. In addition, acupuncture improves the body’s natural immune system responses, thus reducing inflammation and clearing toxins that may be inhibiting the body’s ability to heal. Thus, by restoring the body’s natural homeostasis, it may be possible to resolve the visible symptoms on the skin caused by the original imbalance!
It is important to note that acupuncture is not a magic solution, nor does it work instantaneously. Restoring the body’s natural homeostasis causing a problematic skin condition may take time and persistence, and involve a variety of techniques integrated into a comprehensive treatment program. Acupuncture can also help promote overall wellness by focusing on stress management, sleep issues, and digestive concerns that may be undermining your health and contributing to skin ailments. Yet as part of a holistic treatment plan, acupuncture may help contribute to healthier skin, improve your energy levels, and stimulate your overall wellbeing!*
*Disclaimer: Results may vary and cannot be guaranteed. Before starting treatment, including acupuncture, for any skin condition, patients should see a dermatologist and/or a primary care physician.
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.
by urban-acupuncture | Dec 1, 2019 | Acupuncture Columbus
Increase IVF and IUI Success with Acupuncture
Coping with infertility can be both physically and emotionally challenging. For some couples, modern medicine in the form of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) can offer the chance of a successful pregnancy. And at the same time, ancient medicine can work in conjunction with modern techniques to improve the chances that ART results in a successful pregnancy. If you have been struggling with infertility and are utilizing ART or are thinking about utilizing ART, we encourage you to talk to your fertility doctor about whether the ancient art of acupuncture can help promote your chances of getting pregnant.*
The two most common types of Assisted Reproductive Technology are:
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI): Also called donor insemination, alternative insemination, or artificial insemination, IUI involves placing sperm cells directly into the uterus at the time of ovulation. This procedure increases the chance of a successful pregnancy by stimulating and regulating ovulation and minimizing the time and distance the sperm has to travel in order to facilitate fertilization.
- In vitro fertilization (IVF): IVF utilizes a combination of medication and surgical procedures to help promote fertilization and successful implantation in the uterus. IVF involves removing eggs from the ovaries and mixing them with sperm cells in a lab to promote fertilization. One or more fertilized eggs are then placed inside the uterus; if the eggs successfully implant into the lining of the uterus, pregnancy occurs. IVF is more invasive than IUI and usually requires several months to complete one round.
Benefits of Acupuncture During IUI/IVF Cycles
The goal of incorporating acupuncture into either IUI or IVF cycles is to more effectively prepare the body for pregnancy by increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs, specifically the ovaries and uterus. Improved blood flow can help ensure that these organs are functioning optimally to promote ovulation and successful implantation of a fertilized egg. Specifically, by increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs, acupuncture can improve oxygenation, which is always critical for healthy cells and organs, as well as improve delivery of higher-quality nutrition, anti-oxidants, and necessary hormones. Moreover, improved blood flow can help thicken the uterine lining, which is especially critical for successful implantation.
Acupuncture has been shown to improve blood flow to the reproductive organs over the short term. Thus, it may be appropriate to begin acupuncture treatments at the beginning of an IUI or IVF cycle and still experience the potential benefits. However, acupuncture may provide some additional benefits if begun well in advance of ART treatments. For instance, acupuncture has been shown to help normalize imbalances in the body by promoting better sleep, improving digestive function, reducing areas of inflammation, and improving circulation in general. In other words, preparing your body in advance for a successful pregnancy by improving overall health and wellbeing, reducing stress, improving circulation, and correcting any natural imbalances can help promote the success of ART treatments.*
If you are coping with infertility and considering ART treatments, we encourage you to speak with your fertility doctor about whether acupuncture treatments before or during IUI and/or IVF cycles may be appropriate for you. While no one can guarantee the success of any specific type of fertility treatment, the addition of acupuncture into your ART cycles may improve the chances of a successful pregnancy.
*Disclaimer: Specific results are not guaranteed. Results may vary from person to person.
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.
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.
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.
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.
