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.
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 4, 2016 | Uncategorized
New product: Sample Oil Trio Cards from doTerra.
Single oil card includes Peppermint, Melaleuca, and Lavender.
Blend trio includes Breathe, On Guard, and Digest Zen.
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 6, 2016 | Art, Community
5th grade artists at Liberty Tree Elementary School, in the Olentangy Local School District, looked at the strong compositions of flower paintings by artist Georgia O’Keeffe. Students then set to work simplifying a flower into simple shapes and lines with an emphasis on the composition itself. Their goal was to reach all 4 sides of the paper and abstract the flower to take on a new life all its own. These images were rendered in water-soluble oil pastels, with attention to thoughtful color selections and pairings. The work will be on display at the Clintonville location until early May.
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.
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.
