Acupuncture Needles Size Comparison 3 Acupuncture Needles (Seirin Japan) and Medical Syringe Acupuncture Needles Size (Seirin Japan) and Medical Syringe Original article and pictures take www.acupuncture-treatment.com site
Acupuncture May Help With Nasal Allergies, Doctors Say Bettmann/Corbis
If you've got a stuffy, drippy or itchy nose from allergies, figuring out which remedies help best can be tough.
New guidelines from the Academy of Otolaryngology should make it easier for people and their doctors to choose the treatments that will help the most, from over-the-counter remedies like antihistamines to more serious interventions like allergy shots and even surgery.
And because allergic rhinitis affects 1 in 6 Americans, that's a lot of stuffy drippy misery potentially avoided.
We talked with Dr. Sandra Lin, an associate professor of otolaryngology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and a guideline author, to find out what's new. Here goes:
Sublingual immunotherapy for grass allergies lets people with those allergies get the benefits of allergy shots without the shots. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2014.
Surgery is an option for people with persistent symptoms and obstructed nasal passages. But other, less invasive treatments should be tried first.
Acupuncture may help relieve symptoms and improve quality of life for people with perennial allergic rhinitis, and may help with seasonal allergies. too, according to several studies. Thus it could be an option for people looking for nonpharmaceutical treatments.
There's not enough evidence that traditional Chinese herbal remedies help, largely because there are so many different remedies and very little testing for safety and effectiveness.
The recommendation of acupuncture seems surprising, but Lin says, "I'm telling you there is some evidence base for it."
That and the question of traditional herbal remedies made for a lot of discussion "in a good way," Lin adds. The committee included not just ENTs but primary care doctors and patients.
The guidelines also provide a road map for treating allergic rhinitis, with over-the-counter medications and managing the environment as the first line of defense.
"There's so much available over the counter," Lin notes. But because there are so many options, it can be hard to match the drug with the symptoms, she says.
Antihistamines don't help for stuffiness, for instance, but they do help with sneezing and itch. Decongestants are good for stuffiness and drippy noses. One steroid nasal spray, triamcinolone (Nasacort), is now available over the counter. That and prescription steroid nasal sprays are good for treating stuffiness and mucus.
"One of the things I think is useful is to see your primary care physician and let them look at you so they can make the decision if you have environmental allergies," Lin says. "Sometimes what people think are allergies are not allergies."
If you're still having trouble after that, then it might be time to go to a specialist for allergy testing and discussion of other options, she says.
Original article and pictures take media.npr.org site
Acupuncture Marketing - Easy Strategies to Get More Patients Michelle Grasek, LAc, MSAOM $397.00 Small Group Coaching for Acupuncturists Michelle Grasek, LAc, MSAOM $149.00 Original article and pictures take assets.thinkific.com site
The Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis is doing groundbreaking work with acupuncture! They are offering acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy in the emergency room. Acupuncture is routinely used to reduce pain. By offering treatments in the ER the hospital looks to reduce the reliance on addictive opioid drugs.
"After tracking 182 patients, it reported this month that pain scores in those who received acupuncture alone dropped by the same amount as those who also received analgesic painkillers." - startribune.com
This is a fantastic and innovative way for the practice of acupuncture to collaborate with standard medical care. Clearly, acupuncture is not the answer when critical and life-saving care is needed. However, it is a great tool to reduce pain (and anxiety) in the emergency room. The hospital has completed its initial study and is now pursuing a grant for a larger study.
The attitude of those in the hospital is so perfect. I love this quote!
"It’s not about Western medicine” vs. Eastern medicine....“It’s not about the medication. It’s not about acupuncture. It’s about, what can we do to make the patient feel better?” - startribune.com
Yes. That should always be the goal.
For a the full report on this program please see the startribune.com
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Original article and pictures take www.albertwstern.com site
Acupuncture helps those with addiction, mental illness
Sometimes it's hard for Sandra Bauer to stop shaking.
The 56-year-old Dover resident struggles with anxiety that can be hard to control. She takes medication and sees a specialist from Connections Community Support Programs' Assertive Community Treatment team in Dover every month.
Last Tuesday, however, it was as if all that stress disappeared. Bauer felt at peace. Her mind was calm. But it wasn't medication that helped her feel at ease. It was five needles carefully positioned in her ears.
Bauer experienced acupuncture detoxification.
Known as acu-detox, the therapy utilizes standard acupuncture techniques to relieve stress, withdrawal symptoms and anxiety common in people living with addiction and behavioral health issues.
"I was trying to keep thinking about the beach," Bauer said. The relaxed feeling lasted for "quite a while," she said.
Acu-detox therapy is making a comeback in Delaware's substance abuse and mental health community. It is not new by any means, just uncommon. Though its roots are in Eastern medical philosophies, it's been practiced in modern medicine off and on for nearly four decades. Experts stress that it's not a standalone therapy, but used as a supplement to a person's treatment plan.
Starting in the mid-90s, the Kent and Sussex County Detox program in Ellendale offered acu-detox for patients until the center closed after 15 years. Delaware's only detox facility, NET Kirkwood Detox, offered the treatment, but has since discontinued it.
Staff at Connections are currently being trained in the therapy to treat people with substance abuse and mental health issues. It's just another tool in their toolbox, said Cathy McKay, Connections' president and chief executive officer.
The state's drug epidemic has prompted officials to get creative with treatment options while securing millions of dollars in funding to counter the rising tide of drug use. Some of that money will go toward opening a new 16-bed detox center in Harrington, run by Connections, which will help people withdraw from alcohol and drugs. It is expected to open in August.
McKay said she would like at least three nurses trained in acu-detox so they can practice at the new facility and at other outpatient locations.
"There's a lot of different ways for people to get clean and you want to offer all the options so that people can see what works best for them," McKay said. "It's our intention to use all means that are available, that are evidence-based and proven to work."
How it works
While acupuncture can be done on any part of the body, acu-detox is a treatment specifically concentrated in the ears. Therapy is typically done with a group, but it can be useful in a one-on-one situation.
"The ear is a microcosm of the whole body," explained Tita Gontang, a social worker for the state, acupuncturist and licensed acu-detox trainer. She led the training last Tuesday for the Connections community team in Dover that treated Bauer and others.
Trained in accordance to protocol from the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, Gontang worked at Ellendale years ago and has worked with local organizations to train staff.
The inner ear has five points that connect to bodily responses throughout the whole body, she said. The points are linked to "shen men," the sympathetic nervous system, kidney, liver and lung.
Shen men represents a person's chi, Gontang said, or their positive and negative energy. The sympathetic nervous system connects to a person's fight or flight response and the kidney, liver and lungs represent organs that filter the body of toxins.
When touched by a needle, each point releases stress. The needles used to stimulate those points are fine and stainless steel – as thin as a strand of hair.
Think of the ear as a clock, Gontang said. An acu-detox specialist will place needles in the areas of 12 o'clock, 3, 6 and 12. They stay in the ear for about 30 to 45 minutes and fall out on their own.
Monique Boggs, 24, of Dover, was not at all impressed with the acupuncture session last Tuesday. She lives with bi-polar disorder and had never tried the acupuncture as an alternative to medication. The needles pricked too hard, she said, so she left the session early on.
"It was OK," she said, but was unsure if she would go to another session..
The remaining patients at Connections kept the needles in their ears and drifted into a calming stupor after about 20 minutes.
Heads flopped down. Bauer opened and closed the palms of her hands and tilted her head upwards. Afterwards, Robert Bulson, 22, said, "It felt like my body was inside my body."
Camden-Wyoming resident Lisa Parte, 50, closed her eyes to try to be as sensitive as possible to the acupuncture. Parte has insomnia, anxiety and admittedly "bad tempers." She couldn't get enough of the session.
"I get this real mellow feeling like I am in an open pasture," Parte said.
Cheyenne Luzader, the integrative health coordinator for Beebe Healthcare, has been leading a small acu-detox program for smoking cessation over the last six or seven years.
In terms of addiction, nicotine is one of the most difficult to stop, she said. Luzader works with as many 10 patients a year for eight weeks.
"It's part of a whole other protocol. Acupuncture is just one of the coping mechanisms," she said.
Even so, Stephanie Raffer, a 35-year smoker, credits Luzader's acu-detox with helping her finally break the habit. Nicotine lozenges and other cessation tools had never really helped, she said. Going cold turkey was too difficult.
She had acu-detox sessions once a week for about three months.
"You kind of close your eyes and you just wander away," said Raffer, 63, of Rehoboth. "I found it very relaxing, which helped keep me from reaching for my cigarettes."
Going forward
According to the state, there are four licensed detox specialists in Delaware. Trainees can have a background in medicine or social work, but they must have 70 hours of training under their belts, Gontang said.
Jaimie Stafford, pschiatric nurse practitioner for Connections' Dover Act team, studied the benefits of acu-detox during her master's program at Johns Hopkins University and is excited to train with Gontang.
There's also an economic benefit, she said.
It costs $30 for a box of 500 needles. To treat close to 5,000 people five times a week for 50 weeks, it would only amount to a little over $4,200, she said.
Stafford said she was drawn to the practice because it engages a person holistically and can help treat a dual diagnosis of substance abuse disorder and mental illness.
For substance abuse treatment in particular, it can help with withdrawal symptoms in a different way than opiate replacement therapy like methadone or suboxone can. Potentially people will have shorter says in rehab, she said.
"There's no stigma attached with this," Stafford said. "It's something everyday people do."
At the same time, there's no movement away from using medications, McKay said. Each treatment plan has to be individualized. Medication management works for some, talk therapy works for others.
"Nobody wants to take methadone," she said. "I think you have to use all the tools in the tool box."
Jen Rini can be reached at (302) 324-2386 or jrini@delawareonline.com. Follow @JenRini on Twitter.
Original article and pictures take www.gannett-cdn.com site
I am a qualified veterinary acupuncturist and have been for the last 7 years. The majority of my acupuncture patients are senior pets. There are many benefits to your pet by treating them with acupuncture. It can significantly improve their quality of life particularly when it comes to controlling their pain associated with arthritis without affecting their other organs.
My oldest patient was a 21 year old cat named Misty (pictured above) who bless her soul would hiss and carry on every single time I placed the acupuncture needles and would then drift off to sleep for the next 20 minutes whilst she waited for her treatment to finish. She was being medicated for high blood pressure and kidney failure so traditional Western Medicine treatments were not an option. Fortunately she responded beautifully to acupuncture as she had quite severe arthritis in her hips. So she was a perfect example of using acupuncture for senior pets.
5 reasons to look into acupuncture for senior pets
First do no harm – acupuncture will not harm your pet’s liver, kidneys or gastrointestinal system unlike some medications
After a few “loading” treatments they often only need “top ups” every 3-6 months depending on the severity of the condition
Western medicine has its limits, acupuncture is something else that can help to improve your pet’s quality of life.
Senior pets often have concurrent conditions that can preclude the use of traditional arthritis medications such as anti-inflammatories. By offering acupuncture it gives your pet the opportunity to escape some of their discomfort without further compromising their liver/kidney function
Acupuncture does more than just alleviate the symptoms of arthritis, it can be used to stimulate appetite, help relieve urinary incontinence, control nausea, resolve trigger points (muscle knots) and increase your pet’s general vitality.
So, if you haven’t considered acupuncture for your pet, I hope this might change your mind. Acupuncture is not for all pets. Some pets like people don’t tolerate the needles well. Some get too stressed by the vet visit and any benefit from the treatment is lost due to anxiety taking over. This doesn’t mean it’s not worth a try, you’ll know pretty quickly if acupuncture is or isn’t a good option for your pet. Acupuncture for senior pets to me just makes sense.
For more information about acupuncture why not read my previous blog post here.
Original article and pictures take drbelindathevet.com site
Acupuncture for Pain Management Brilliant Trick Melts Belly Fat Overnight (Do This Tonight!) This Simple Method "Ends" Ear Ringing (Tinnitus) - Try It
When most people think about pain management, they often think about drugs (prescription or over the counter). They picture themselves going to their doctor’s office and undergoing treatment after treatment.
However, acupuncture is an alternative method of pain management that has been around for ages and that a lot of people have used to get relief.
Despite the fact that it has been around for centuries, most people are not familiar with acupuncture, what it is, and how it works. Therefore, what follows are some questions that you may have and the answers to go along with them.
The best patient is an informed one. So, this is your chance to learn as much as you can about acupuncture so that you can decide if it is the pain management option that is right for you.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture itself involves having several very small metal needles inserted into your skin at various points in your body (called meridians).
The goal, according to Chinese medicine, is to get the energy flow within your body (commonly referred to as your “chi” or “qi”) restored so it is balanced as they believe that it is the imbalance that allows certain diseases and conditions to take hold in your body.
Variations with the small needles include introducing other factors, such as heat or electrical current, to get your chi flowing properly.
And, they’re inserted at varying depths, depending on what the practitioner believes is necessary to restore your balance, with their length ranging from 13 to 130 millimeters.
However, some Western doctors view it in a more scientific manner as they believe that this process stimulates your muscles and nerves, thereby getting your body to produce its own natural painkilling endorphins and neurotransmitters. It’s the same process overall, but they hold different beliefs as to why and how it works physiologically.
What is it used for?
According to WebMD, acupuncture is used for a variety of pain related conditions. These include headaches, chronic back pain, fibromyalgia, tennis elbow, menstrual cramps, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
In addition, some people find that this treatment method helps them with temporary pains such as those associated with dental work or birthing labor pains.
It is also considered a viable treatment for asthma and can be used with patients who are rehabilitating from a stroke.
Acupuncture is said to help relieve the nausea and vomiting that is brought about by chemotherapy and some therapists use it to help drug addict’s deal with withdrawal symptoms and/or reduce their chances of relapse.
There is also some belief that clearing the chi flow will increase fertility. Thus, some women may use acupuncture in an effort to get pregnant.
How does it work?
Although every acupuncturist is different, most follow some basic procedural steps. First, they will likely do an assessment to ascertain your overall health (prepare for approximately one hour for a complete evaluation).
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They’re going to question you as they want to know what you’re having problems with as this may hold the key to where your chi is most disrupted.
It’s very important to be extremely honest with any questions asked of you so that the acupuncturist can easily pinpoint your problem areas.
Put thought into your answers and bring up any issues you are suffering with, regardless of how minor they may seem to you.
It may be the simplest piece of information that holds the most important clue for the acupuncturist and helps him or her treat you with more accuracy and success.
The physical examination they conduct may consist of visual inspection of the parts of your body that are causing you pain, noting the condition and shape of your tongue (as it may hold many clues in relation to organs such as your heart or liver), appraising the smell of your breath, listening to the sound of your voice, and considering the coloring of your skin. He or she may also check your pulse for strength and rhythm.
Next, they will place the needles at the precise points in your skin that are related with the areas that will get you some much needed pain relief. Generally, this involves using 5-10 needles (contrary to the images that often portray hundreds of needles emanating from a person’s body)and they typically use a plastic tube for guidance.
They are tapped in relatively quickly and, as stated previously, they may be placed at various depths depending on what the practitioner believes is required for the issues that you’re contending with.
If necessary, the needles may need to be manipulated to help you even more. This could involve moving them around or twirling them.
And, as stated above, some practitioners choose to add heat or electrical impulses to them for an added healing effect.
After 10-20 minutes, the needles are removed. Usually the entire session lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Some require ongoing visits (like 6-12 or more) to find relief, so you need to be prepared for this possibility if this is what the practitioner feels you need to achieve pain management success.
Does it hurt?
This is probably the biggest concern that people have when it comes to acupuncture. After all, the idea of several needles being placed into your body can be quite disconcerting to say the least.
However, you’ll be pleased to know that most people report absolutely no pain whatsoever in their acupuncture treatments.
You may feel pressure, tingling or a little discomfort, but that is about it. Some people do feel soreness or have some bleeding at the sites where the needles were placed and you may also notice some bruising. This is all completely natural.
Is it safe?
A lot of jurisdictions require that acupuncturists be certified, which helps to ease your mind as you know that your practitioner has been properly trained. And, you may ask to see your acupuncturist’s credentials if you’re concerned about their legitimacy.
Most licensed practitioners discard their needles after every use, but some use disposable needles and sterilize them between uses. Each jurisdiction has different regulations on whether or not this re-use is allowed but, if this is of concern to you, you may choose to stick to an acupuncturist that only uses the disposable options.
There are certain individuals though that should not have acupuncture. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you are pregnant, you don’t want to undergo this alternative treatment as it may induce early labor.
Also, if you are on blood thinners or have a blood disorder, acupuncture may not be the best option for you.
Finally, if you have a pacemaker, you’ll want to avoid any treatments with electrical stimulation. They may cause your pacemaker to malfunction as the electrical current can interfere with its ability to work properly.
Will insurance cover it?
Some insurance policies will pay all or some of the cost of acupuncture, so you’ll need to check with your individual provider to know for sure.
It is possible that all you would have to pay is a deductible, which would certainly ease your financial considerations with this form of treatment.
Also, ask your practitioner if he or she has a fee scale for people that pay out of pocket. You may be able to save yourself some cash just by asking this one simple question.
Do I have to do anything to prepare for the treatment?
Some treatments and tests that you endure medically require you to fast, not wear certain items, skip deodorant, and more. However, with acupuncture there is nothing you need to do in preparation for your treatment session.
Simply show up and be willing to let the practitioner work his or her “magic” to get you as pain free as you can possibly be.
You may be asked to disrobe either partially or fully though so that they can access the proper points with the needles, so that is something to keep in mind when choosing what type of clothing you choose to wear for your acupuncture sessions.
How do I know if it is working?
People have different responses to acupuncture treatments. Some feel relaxed and others feel invigorated and full of energy.
However, generally speaking, the symptoms that originally sent you to the acupuncturist should start to ease up after a couple of weeks.
If they don’t or you aren’t experiencing the relief you expected, discuss it with your provider. It is possible that acupuncture isn’t going to work for you.Or, they may modify their methods to find you more relief.
What can I do to improve the results?
When it comes to dealing with pain, anything you can do that will minimize the sensations and let you live a normal life is a bonus.
With that in mind, there are some lifestyle changes you could make that could potentially make your situation more tolerable.
They include:
Eating a healthy diet. The better fuel you put into your body, the stronger your immune system and the more capable it is to responding to the pain that you feel on an everyday basis.
Choose foods that are high in nutritional value, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and complex carbohydrates.
Drink a lot of water to keep yourself hydrated and limit your consumption of processed foods, alcohol, sugar and white flour products.
Stay active.You don’t have to join a gym and work out for hours at a time to enjoy the benefits of staying physically fit. You can do just as well by taking daily walks to ease your pain and yoga is great too as it isn’t high impact and it focuses on the energy in your body, similar to what acupuncture does.
Keep warm.When you are cold, your body tenses up. So, the more comfortable you can keep the temperature in your environment, the better you’ll likely feel.
This doesn’t mean that you have to move to a warm climate or pay an outrageous heating bill; just make sure you dress appropriately for the conditions and you’ll feel much better in the long run.
How is acupuncture different than acupressure?
Although both methods of healing deal with the same premise (that you need to clear the meridians in your body to allow your chi to flow properly), they are each handled slightly differently.
Acupuncture involves using needles to restore your balance, whereas acupressure involves applying pressure without being as invasive.
When performing acupressure, the practitioner uses his or her hands, elbows, feet or special devices to apply pressure to the specific areas of your body that they deem as blocked. It’s similar to a massage, but they focus more on your chi points than they do trying to loosen your tight muscles.
Some common points they typically focus on include the web between your forefinger and thumb (which affects your large intestines), the skin between your big and second toe (your liver), and the area above your ankle bone (your spleen).
However, there are several hundred, so your treatment could involve any number of areas depending on what issues you’re trying to resolve.
Does acupuncture really work?
This is one question that is repeatedly asked. Does acupuncture actually work or is it some sort of hocus pocus that is more in your mind versus something that is truly beneficial to your body? The best way to answer that question is to consult what research has found.
In one article published by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), they spotlight research that was conducted on almost 18,000 people who used acupuncture for various chronic pains (such as back pain, headaches and osteoarthritis).
Their study concluded that “acupuncture is more than just a placebo and a reasonable referral option for patients with chronic pain” as a majority of the participants were afforded some sort of pain relief when undergoing acupuncture therapy.
The British Acupuncture Council concurs with this statement and points to several other studies which have similar findings.
They seem to take the Western approach and indicate that it is the stimulation of the nerves and muscles that help chronic pain sufferers find relief with this method of treatment.
It is also suggested that the more you believe in it, the better your results. Perhaps this is true with most any method of treatment, as researchers have proven time and time again with placebo based trials.
So, if you want to be on the safe side and increase the likelihood that this pain management method will work for you, choose to believe that it will work.
Let your mind direct your body to receive the benefits. What do you have to lose, other than the pain?
How can I find an acupuncturist?
There are several ways to go about locating an acupuncturist to help you with managing your chronic pain. One of the simplest is to ask friends and family who they have used.
That way you’ll be able to talk to someone that has used the particular practitioner and can get a feel for whether or not they are the one for you.
You can also do a search online. One place to start is Acufinder.com. This is an online acupuncture referral site that lists over 30,000 different professionals in over 65 different countries.
Whether you live in the United Kingdom, United States, Austria or Venezuela, they can connect you with a practitioner in your area to help you with your acupuncture needs.
Each professional on their site has a profile in which you can learn about the business as well as the practitioner who operates it.
They share any additional memberships that the person holds as well as their treatment techniques, areas of expertise and styles of acupuncture.
They also give you their physical location, telephone number and a link to their website if you want to learn more.
Putting it all together
Although acupuncture has been around for centuries, it is just now emerging as a valid form of chronic pain management.
The last 10-20 years have brought forth a tremendous amount of research that proves that this is a viable option that should be considered if you live with pain day in and day out and want some relief.
Admittedly, it isn’t for everyone. But, in fairness, the same can be said about any form of treatment. What works for one person does not necessarily work for another.
It is a matter of finding a method of pain management that your body responds to. With that being said, you won’t know if acupuncture is right for you until you try it and give it a chance.
At least be open to it as an alternative. If it works, then you’ve found a way to live a life that doesn’t involve a tremendous amount of pain from sun up until sun down. If it doesn’t, then you move on to finding another alternative that may.
Living in pain is bad enough. But, living in pain when there is a viable solution is just unnecessary.
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