acupuncture

Surfer,Girl,On,Surfboard.,Surfer,And,Wave

Acupuncture & Surfing: Treating Injuries

Athletes are prone to injuries, including ankle sprains,  tendonitis, and repetitive strain.  Surfer’s have some unique challenges. Before surfer’s can catch a wave they paddle to it. Sometimes, it takes as many as 70 strokes to reach the wave.  Paddling requires surfers to lay prone on their board, arching their back. This static posture makes neck, and low back problems particularly common amongst surfers.  Surfers also struggle with shoulder and knee problems.

That’s where acupuncture helps.

Each of these sports injuries has common features that I address using acupuncture.

1.   Inflammation
2.   Pain
3.   Muscle spasm
4.   Loss of mobility

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury. Armies of white blood cells are sent to the injured area to protect and repair the damaged tissue. Swelling impairs circulation of energy and fluids; this leads to pain. In turn, pain causes muscle spasm, which causes a loss of mobility. Ultimately, rigor-mortis set in.

 

Young girl surfing in crouched position

All injuries, whether recent or ancient, cause energy to become trapped, stagnant and blocked. Acupuncture restores the flow of energy to the injured area. I typically use acupuncture points that are far away from an injury (distal points) to remove the energetic block, improve blood flow and reduce pain. As the muscle spasm subsides, mobility is restored. Acupuncture restores your mobility.  Acupuncture taps the body’s innate ability to heal.

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Chart of hormonal changes in women's monthly cycles- shows fluctuations of estrogen, testosterone and progesterone.

Can Acupuncture Help with Hormones?

Women’s menstrual cycles are directly related to a series of changes of three key hormones: estrogen, testosterone and progesterone. In the first two weeks of the cycle, estrogen and testosterone rise significantly. This can result in an increase of social interest and libido.

Following ovulation, estrogen and testosterone plunge, progesterone rises. As estrogen levels fall, there is a concurrent drop in serotonin, which is closely related to mood regulation. This change helps to explain why in the third week of a women’s cycle, there may be an increase of irritability, an increase in appetite and a decrease of social interest, libido and sleep.

During the fourth week, estrogen and testosterone plunge. It is at this time that some women experience PMS.

Hormonal imbalances are not an uncommon problem for women. Health challenges including migraines, infertility,  irregular periods, sleep problems, irritability, and, hair loss are often linked to a hormonal imbalance.

Acupuncture is an important tool that can help regulate hormonal imbalances for both sexes. My studies with Kiiko Matsumoto, Japanese acupuncturist have helped me develop a comprehensive approach to supporting hormonal balance.

During palpation, discomfort from slight pressure applied to reflex point shows me which hormonal systems are out of balance. For example, a person that has chronic exhaustion could be suffering from an adrenal imbalance or a thyroid problem. With the use of palpation, I can find which system is out of balance. As the treatment progresses I use the reflex points to monitor progress. As a Five Element Acupuncturist, my goal is to resolve these issues by treating the whole person, not just the symptom. Regular treatments lead to increased vitality and health.

The contents in this article are not meant to be diagnostic or prescriptive. Women’s hormonal problems are often complex and a physician should always be consulted before choosing a course of treatment.

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Female Pelvis - Female pelvis including bladder, urethra, vaginal canal, vagina.

Best Treatments for Fibromyalgia

Urinary tract infections are a significant health issue.  This problem affects hundreds of millions of women around the world each year. On average, these infections tend to last six days.

Women’s UTIs tend to be recurrent.  Chronic UTIs can lead to inflammation of the urinary bladder called cystitis. Is this problem inevitable? Not for most women.

First, let’s look at women’s anatomy and microbiology. The female bladder drains through the urethra, exiting the body in front of the vagina. Similarly, the uterus opens to the vaginal canal and into the vagina. The vagina is host to the healthy bacteria lactobacilli, more famously known as the friendly bacteria of the intestines. In the vagina and urethra, these bacteria provide protection against bacterial intruders. A healthy colony of lactobacilli in the vaginal region can not only prevent UTI’s and but also prevent yeast infections in the vaginal canal.

More than two thirds of all UTIs are caused by E-coli or staphylococcus saprophyticus bacteria. To complicate this picture, the antibiotics prescribed in the treatment of UTIs often destroy the lactobacilli colony. The E-coli or staph take up residence in place of the lactobacilli. Recurrence of infection almost becomes inevitable.

What can you do? For hundreds of years, women have used a folk remedy which today, is being shown to have a scientific basis. You can cultivate healthy bacteria in the vaginal region. This can be done in several ways. One simple method is to implant lactobacilli in the vaginal canal by using a tampon or sponge soaked in plain yogurt with an active culture. Alternatively, a lactobacillus suppository can be used to cultivate healthy flora in the vaginal region. These methods are sometimes used as treatment where antibiotics are not available. For those who do take antibiotics, lactobacillus implants can also be used to re-establish a healthy microbial environment and prevent the recurrence of UTIs.

In addition to the home remedies we listed, acupuncture is a powerful tool to assist the body to heal from infection. Unlike antibiotics, with acupuncture there are no rebound effects and the treatments will strengthen the immune system, helping you to prevent recurrence. A one year study in Norway  of 100 women  showed that acupuncture reduced the incidence of cystitis by more than half. Call us now (973) 509-8464 or schedule online for your next appointment.

The contents in this article are not meant to be diagnostic or prescriptive. Urinary tract infections are sometimes complex, and a physician should always be consulted before choosing a course of treatment.

 

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Man walking with dog.

Can Acupuncture Improve Men’s Sex Drive?

We all know that men and women are biologically different, but perhaps less different than you think. While there is limited evidence for a male monthly cycle, a man’s hormonal balance changes greatly throughout the span of a lifetime. These hormonal changes can affect  mental state, mood, muscle mass and sexual function. A couple of key hormones to watch in men are testosterone and cortisol.

Testosterone affects male fertility, libido and aggression. Testosterone also declines as we age. Normally, testosterone production peaks in adolescence and early adulthood. Starting at around age thirty, men’s testosterone diminishes by about one percent a year. Diminished testosterone may contribute to reduced energy, strength, endurance, sex drive, erectile function, enjoyment of life, and performance at work.

Cortisol is the stress hormone. In crisis situations, (when you are about to be eaten by a tiger,) cortisol and adrenaline help us to respond with the fight – flight response. If stress becomes constant, which seems all too common in our modern times, cortisol levels can become chronically elevated. As Cortisol becomes elevated, testosterone drops. And a drop in testosterone can cause other things to drop. According to experts at The Cleveland Clinic, erectile dysfunction affects over 40% of men over the age of 40 and 70% of men over the age of 70%.

Acupuncture can be highly effective in helping to regulate hormonal imbalances and maintain healthy testosterone levels in men.  Hormonal reflexes are palpated to reveal which hormonal systems are out of balance.  For example, someone who has chronic exhaustion may have an adrenal imbalance. Chronic exhaustion could also be due to a thyroid imbalance. 

Through palpation, I can pinpoint where the problem is, and monitor how the patient is responding to treatment. It is particularly important to tease out and treat the underlying issues that are creating the patient’s symptoms. The reproductive system works in concert with the heart – on both physical and emotional levels. When men are plagued by erectile dysfunction, a successful treatment utilizes a holistic approach to address the overall health.

Treatment is focused on the underlying cause or fundamental weakness within your constitution (your unique energetic makeup.) In Five Element Acupuncture, we call this weakness the Causative Factor (the one element which is most out of balance).

Think of each of the Five Elements as a member of a team (wood, fire, earth, metal, water.) If one of the players has a problem, the whole team has a problem. If the team member or element is supported well, she can overcome her problems and become stronger. Everyone on the team benefits from the renewed health of this player. By providing the appropriate support to the weakest element the whole system improves.

So, if you are experiencing hormonal problems, fear not. Acupuncture can help to reduce these imbalances and improve your overall health. As your hormonal balance improves, you can develop more strength, energy, endurance and sex drive.

 

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Acupressure Point to facilitate labor

Can Acupuncture Make Childbirth Less Painful?

Acupuncture is a powerful tool to help manage many of the problems women face during pregnancy. Exhaustion, depression, digestive issues, constipation, hemorrhoids, headaches, heartburn, insomnia, low back pain, nausea and stress related symptoms are successfully treated within the scope of acupuncture. It can also be helpful as an adjunctive therapy for gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory infections, UTI’s and more. 

Weekly acupuncture during the last four weeks of pregnancy focuses on the preparation of a woman’s body for natural childbirth.

The goals of treatment include:

  • Helping the cervix to ripen or soften for the passage of the baby. 
  • Positioning of the baby for the best presentation. 
  • Supporting the energy and stamina of the  pregnant woman.

Studies have shown that pre-birth acupuncture significantly lowers the incidence of medical interventions including C-sections, epidurals and episiotomies. Women who have pre-birth acupuncture have shorter labors with less discomfort.

Acupressure can be utilized to support a woman during labor. Prior to labor the acupuncturist instructs  the  woman’s partner or labor coach on how to administer acupressure to specific points that will help to facilitate the childbirth process. For some childbirth pairs, we mark the most important points on the women’s body so they are easily accessed when needed.

For childbirth support during labour, I recommend using two or three points together. I’ll  share the name of each point and a little about the spirit of each point. Please note: Some of these points are contraindicated during pregnancy.

Acupressure for Reinforcing Labor

SP6 The United Crossing of Three Yins – This is an earth point. Here, the spleen,  kidney and liver channels meet and the nourishing force of Qi joins with vitality and strength (earth, water, wood.) This meeting point joins these great resources.

LI4 Union Valley –  This is a metal point. Valleys are lush with resources and this point helps clear the body of what is no longer needed, and does so with great vitality, helping the energy to flow.

Acupressure During Labor

GB21 Well of the Shoulder – Baby Descending Point. Wood. Helps us to shoulder life’s burdens, to stand upright and remain balanced. Fresh water gives us inspiration and reserves to shoulder our responsibilities.

BL32 The Second Sacral Bone Notch – This is a water point – water always reaches its destination, it is both soft and strong. In addition to helping babies find their way into the world, it reduces pain during contraction, facilitates dilation.

Maintaining Stamina During Labor

KD1 Bubbling Spring – Also a water point. Bubbles up from the ground with great vitality. The source of vision which comes from growth. This spring taps into knowledge, tranquility, wisdom, creativity and courage.

ST36 To Walk in the Great Strength of Stillness – Earth point. Storehouse for putting things into action and moving with extra strength when things are difficult.

Pregnancy and childbirth are a treasured and sacred journey. Both acupuncture and acupressure are wonderful tools that can provide support for the transition. 

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