"I lost my first patient recently, on the very doorstep of Autumn. He
was literally my first patient, the first person ever to come to me for
help. His condition was grave even from the beginning. Chronic renal
failure, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy that required a subcutaneous
morphine pump in his side in order to bear the constant agony,
wheelchair bound, legs swollen and edematous, skin unnaturally black,
heart failing. Friendly, personable, courageous. He got into this shape
via diabetes, during which his 5'9″ frame was forced to support over 300
lbs of weight, now shrunken to around 150 lbs. As a first patient, this
was very much being tossed into the deep end of the pool and finding
out if you could swim.
I was confident we could get him off dialysis, which he needed three
times per week. I told him as much. I had access to nearly unlimited
stores of Fu Zi and I knew how to use it. The fact that his radial
arteries were so devastated from constant dialysis that I couldn't get a
pulse didn't especially deter me, nor did the fact that he could only
take in a few ounces of liquid per day, nor did the fact that he spent
pretty much every waking hour hustling from one MD to the next to get
this procedure or that test or these medications. In Chinese Medicine
did I trust, and I would do my best."
What is Deepest Health site all about?
Deepest Health is a center for education and connection around one broad topic - Chinese Medicine.
Contributors to this website are united in their desire to see that relevant, vital and Classically based information about Chinese medicine be available to students, practitioners and interested members of the public.
A study published in the journal Pain shows promise for arthritis relief.
According to the abstract:
"Forty patients of either sex over 40 years with primary osteoarthritis knee were recruited into a single-blinded, sham-controlled study. For electro-acupuncture group the points were selected according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Meridian Theory. In the sham group needles were inserted at random points away from true acupoints and no current was passed. Both groups were treated for 10 days with one session every day lasting for 20-25 min. Pre- and post-treatment Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index of osteoarthritis knee and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain were recorded and blood samples were taken for the measurement of plasma cortisol and β-endorphin levels.
Following electro-acupuncture treatment there was a significant improvement in WOMAC index and VAS (p = 0.001), a significant rise in plasma β-endorphin (p = 0.001), and a significant fall in plasma cortisol (p = 0.016). In conclusion electro-acupuncture resulted in an improvement in pain, stiffness and disability. Of clinical importance is that an improvement in objective measures of pain and stress/pain associated biomarkers was shown above that of a sham treatment; hence demonstrating acupuncture associated physiological changes beyond that of the placebo effects."
9000 Needles is bringing acupuncture to the masses. The documentary follows Devin Dearth, a 40-year-old former bodybuilder, to China, where he is treated with acupuncture after suffering a massive stroke.
The film made a splash at several of last year's film festivals, including the Gotham Independent Film Awards, where it was a finalist. It was directed by Devin's brother, Doug Dearth, whose frustrations with the U.S. health insurance industry during his brother's recovery inspired him to research international options. He spent three-and-a-half months filming in Tianjian, China, where Devin participated in an affordable, comprehensive stroke rehabilitation program that included frequent acupuncture treatments.9000 Needles tells a unifying story of how Devin's family and local community put aside preconceived notions about medicine to embrace the solution that offered their loved one the most benefit.
Doug Dearth recently spoke with me about filming his brother's journey and how he hopes it will improve perceptions and accessibility of acupuncture in the U.S.
I always assumed that the doctors there would speak very metaphysically or philosophically, like there was something mysterious behind acupuncture. But talking with them was the same as talking to any neurologist here in the U.S. They were very medically sound in their opinions. All of their explanations of how the medicine works were based in science and medicine.
One of your initial drivers in making this film was highlighting the shortcomings of the U.S. insurance system. What is your mission for the film going forward?
It's two-fold: to gain awareness for acupuncture and then to allow that to improve accessibility. Better accessibility means that insurance companies support patients who choose this kind of care, and also that the mainstream medical community really accepts this as a viable treatment that should be integrated into our medical system. It makes nothing but sense for a stroke program to integrate acupuncture. There are no side effects; it can only help.
Good explanation of the role of the Kidney in TCM, written by TCM Directory.
"The ancient Chinese medical system based a huge part of its theories on observing the movement of the natural world and its interactive characteristics, which means the principles of Chinese medicine is largely based on metaphors.
Keeping the internal harmony of both kidney yin and kidney yang will keep the body's organ system healthy. While the kidney yin revitalizes the physiological functions of the body, the kidney yang stores the kidney yin. Either way, the functions of the kidney yin and yang are interlaced with each other and its ongoing interaction would mean sustaining the existence of a healthy lifestyle.
The common manifestation of an imbalance in the kidney yin includes dry mouth and throat, hearing problems, lumbar pain and weakness, dizziness, knee pain and constipation. It can also cause a weak yet rapid pulse, hot palms as well as on the chest and soles, tinnitus, and excessive sweating."
Please go to the link at TCM Directory to read the whole article. TCM Directory is a good resource for acupuncturists and TCM practitioners. You can list your practice on Elie Goldschmidt's site too!
"NANJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese medical experts say Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), especially acupuncture, can help prevent suicide on the eve of World Suicide Prevention Day, which falls on Friday.
Du Wendong, president of the Institute of Psychology of the Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, said no suicide cases had happened in his university since 1985 when the school began to use TCM in students' mental crisis intervention.
According to TCM psychological theories, mental disorders can be cured through "coordination of yin and yang and treatment of both mind and body."
Chen Qing, Du's student, suffered from chronic diarrhea and was ill-tempered. She often clashed with classmates. After talking with Chen, Du realized that Chen suffered from depression due to study stress. Chen often told him she wanted to commit suicide.
TCM showed that Chen's diarrhea was caused by psychological disorders and her short temper was generated by "liver-yang hyperactivity," a TCM term indicating headache, dizziness and red eyes.
After applying some prescription, acupuncture and massage therapy, Chen's depression faded.
Du said such "mental crisis intervention" had helped prevent more than 160 suicide cases since 1985, and the school's psychological center had offered consultation to about 80,000 people.
Those who suffered serious depression or anxiety disorders would receive further treatment in the Nanjing Neurological Hospital, he said.
Chen Mingkang, who had been treated in the hospital, said the side-effects of anti-depression drugs were "scary" and caused insomnia, but it was gradually relieved after applying acupuncture, and his depression had not recurred for years.
The hospital said more than 500 patients had benefited from such combined treatment of acupuncture and drugs.
Zhang Ning, the hospital's vice president who specializes in treating mental disorders, said TCM-based treatment was more efficient than taking anti-depression drugs, and would improve sleeping.
He also said the recurrence rate was low and the side-effects few, both important factors when assessing depression treatment.
Young people's psychological problems have caused concern in China as experts found a high correlation between suicide and mental illness -- out of 287,000 people who committed suicide each year, 63 percent suffered mental disorders, according to research conducted by the government-funded Beijing Suicide Research and Prevention Center.
Zhang Chun, head of the Nanjing Psychological Crisis Intervention Center, said most people did not seek help before they committed suicide and he suggested depression sufferers try the TCM-based treatment.
The treatment has also been promoted in the United States, France, Germany, Portugal, Singapore and some other countries by foreign students studying TCM in Nanjing, he said."
This case is about cirrhosis 4th stage. The patient was
on the waiting list for a liver transplant when he came to my clinic. Here is
the story.
Back ground history
He attended a wedding ceremony. While he ate food, he
felt nausea and vomiting. He rushed to the toilet bowl and vomited lots of
blood, seeing only red blood, but no food at all. He went to an M.D. right
away. The M.D. examined him with an endoscope and found all veins in the
stomach and esophagus were like large varicose veins (esophageal varicose) with
a purple color. According to the test he received later, he threw up 1.5 liter
of blood.
He was sent to a large hospital Emergency Room
immediately. After all examinations and tests, he was diagnosed with cirrhosis
4th stage, meaning he needed liver transplant surgery. The hospital requested
that he be put on the waiting list at the liver donation center and now he is
on the waiting list. Being on the waiting list means you have to wait about three
years in most cases, however if his family or relatives are willing to donate
part of their liver and they match well, this period may be shortened. There is
no good match from his family.
During my diagnostic interview, he stated he didn't take
alcohol or smoke. After diagnosing him, I told the patient that the blood
vomited might come from lung, not from stomach, based on no foods in the vomit
and the red blood color of the blood. The patient was surprised a bit and
admitted that he had a few experiences of vomiting before. Each and every time
he observed some food, acid taste and sticky saliva from the mouth, but this
time strange enough only red blood. I also noticed his lung function was weak.
I recommended him to take acupuncture treatments. Liver
transplant surgery just replaces a diseased liver with other person's liver. If
the patient has a problem with the blood stream in and out through liver, there
is a good chance for a new replaced liver to become bad due to improper blood
circulation through the liver. We explain this function in Traditional Korean
Medicine as 'the meridian may be blocked'. As long as this was a possibility,
it is better to help proper blood circulation with acupuncture and Oriental
medicine, and also have the transplant surgery. Acupuncture treatment doesn't
exclude the planned transplant surgery. He understood the concept and the
treatments began.
Acupuncture treatments
His anxiety began to disappear after 2 treatments. His
tiredness also diminished. He used to become tired after one hour of driving
and had to take a rest. He could work at his normal daily job without much
difficulty. This was big progress for him.
When I suggested taking oriental herbs, he preferred not
to take herbs as his M.D. told him not to take any herbs and asked him to write
down all foods he takes.
I explained the progression of liver disease to him using
TCM theory. Normal liver condition changes into hepatitis, inflammation of
liver. This means liver produces heat. The heat consumes moisture, and then
liver becomes hardened causing cirrhosis. If this continues without treatment,
this turns into cancer. He used to feel fever, lassitude, and loss of appetite.
He even he walked to one side instead of walking forward sometimes. I suspect
he might suffer chronic hepatitis. He didn't have proper treatment for this
matter, and is hoping he recovers soon.
I told him he lost lots of blood when vomiting. I also
asked him how he will make up all the lost blood. This is the first reason he
needs herbs. Taking just iron is not enough to make new blood. We are able to
use herbs to make new blood. I removed all unnecessary heat from liver already,
and your liver needs more moisture and blood, since liver stores blood,
according to acupuncture theory. He told me that he prays for more wisdom as
his M.D. and I suggested differently. He decided to take herbs one week later
and told me that my advice is more convincing and understandable. He also told
me that I made his health better.
Unusual experience
After seven treatments, he experienced very unusual
things. He awakened about 2 o'clock in the morning. Suddenly he felt that all
the energies around him were being sucked into him. His expression was that 'it
was like vacuum cleaner sucking up dirt.' His mind became calm, all worries
disappeared and he became very peaceful. He experienced the same thing again 6
o'clock in the morning. This one happened slowly and for a longer period.
Regular check up by his M.D.
He got treatments three times a week from me. After 12
treatments, I told him that his condition was improved and treatments just two
times a week may be alright. After 14 sessions he had a regular check up from
his M.D. There were 2 surgeons and 10 interns around the table waiting for him.
They checked him by listening with a stethoscope, took his blood pressure and
number of pulses per minute, etc. They looked around at each other and wondered
what happened.
They expected he would be suffering from ascites (ascites
is excess fluid in the space between the tissues lining the abdomen and
abdominal organs) on his abdominal area or would have become emaciated by now.
What they saw was a perfect healthy man sitting there instead of a sick person.
They asked him what happened. He told them he got acupuncture treatments. One
surgeon nodded and said "I don't have any objection to acupuncture." However
the patient didn't tell them he took herbs, as he believed they may be
disapproving. His M.D.'s decided no more surgery was required, but the application
for a liver donation will not be cancelled just in case.
The patient is going to take acupuncture treatments once
a week or every two weeks until his next regular check up from his M.D.
Lesson about second opinions and integration of Eastern and Western medicine
1. All hepatitis or cirrhosis may be caused due to poor
blood circulation into and out of the liver. Obviously this is one of causes.
We call this meridian obstruction. If the problem was begun due to poor blood
circulation, surgery alone may be not enough. Any transplant must consider
acupuncture, too. This idea should apply to kidney transplants, too.
2. Patients need a second opinion. This opinion should
include not only Western doctors, but also acupuncturists. Western medicine may
not tell about meridian theory (proper blood circulation) in my opinion.
Eastern medicine can't do the surgery. Eastern and western medicine combined
may provide the best service to patients.
Big Surprise at
Seminars - People are surprised
when acupuncture quickly helps pain
I am invited to seminars once in a while at churches or
health clubs. During my talk I introduce how traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
developed. I provide information about what foods should be taken depending on people's
individual constitution based on TCM.
Each body has unique constitution. Some have a cold body and
their hands and feet always are cold. Some feel they have to apologize to the
other party when they shake hands, as their hands are very cold. Some can't go
to bed without wearing socks during sleep.Some people have a warm body. Certain foods may help this body
condition. If anyone eats by the opposite way, for instance cold body with cold
foods, this will harm the body. I believe that some say we have to eat all varieties
of foods. This idea is not always right as this common theory doesn't consider
our constitution.
After the seminar, I give a free acupuncture treatment
depending on the situation. If I do, I offer the treatment to as many patients
as possible. I usually ask them to give me only one symptom they really want to
treat, as we have only limited time. Many
people complain of neck and shoulder or arm pains; a whopping more than 30% of
the attendances. This means they live with pains everyday without proper
treatments. Some couldn't move their neck or have constant neck pains. Some
couldn't raise arms, or their range of motion is very limited. Some can move,
but they feel the pain in a certain position or make a funny sound from the
shoulder.
This is what I usually do during the treatment. I want to
find the painful spots; sometimes only one spot, or multiple spots. When I
press this spot, the patients screams instantly or makes frowned face. This
simple procedure eliminate all kinds of tests, such as MRI, Cat Scan etc. (These
tests try to find where the pain is and how the pain area looks. A person who
doesn't have health insurance may not be able to afford these very expensive diagnostic
procedures.) These tests don't include proper treatment such as prescribing
pain killers, massages, physical therapy, chiropractic methods etc. If all treatment
methods do not work, the other option is a surgery.)
I as an acupuncturist try to find what causes the pain. As soon as the original cause is removed, the
pain will disappear. Tendon inflammation, or tear are western names. I try to interpret
this into acupuncture theory. Inflammation means "caused by heat". Pinched nerve
means stagnation. There are more causes such as Qi and blood deficiency or
stagnation, blood stasis, damp accumulation or phlegm etc. I often explain
these in detail at the seminar. So what I do is just to remove the heat or
stagnation etc. with acupuncture.
After finishing the diagnoses, I tap acupuncture needles on
the patients. People surrounding the patient ask questions such as 'is there is
any pain when tapping in acupuncture needles?' The answer from the patient is
no pain at all or a touching feeling. They wonder how this could happen. The
next thing I do is to press the same painful area or spot to check whether the
pain is reduced or not. About 50% of cases say there is no more pain or don't
scream or make a frowned face instantly. Some say even though there is still
lingering pain, the pain is less than before. Everyone is amazed by the fast response.
Some even ask whether needles are coated with narcotic drugs. Of course, there is
very small group saying there is no change at all. But they also say the pain is
reduced substantially when I remove needles after 30 minutes. The acupuncture treatment
generally lasts about 30 minutes.
Some patients who have had a surgery come to clinic, as
pains still remain the same. Some doctors want to do another surgery, but the patient
has realized that all surgeries are not successful. Please note that any person
with a surgery has a tendency for a slower healing process with acupuncture
treatments. I think this is due to damage on the subjected meridian. I strongly
suggest trying acupuncture treatments before considering a surgery. If
acupuncture treatments don't work in your case, you still have an option for a
surgery. The surgery may be a last option.
I wonder why so many people suffer these kinds of pains,
even though acupuncture is an effective way to make them free from pains, such
as neck, shoulder and arm pains? One reason is we haven't had any education
about acupuncture theory in school and acupuncture is not well-known in the
Western culture. Sometimes they say they are 'afraid of needles' and they don't
realize an acupuncture needle is usually a very small hair-thin needle, not at
all like the large needles used to give vaccinations at their doctor's office. Many
people think acupuncture is kindof mystical, superstitious and non-scientific. The
truth is that acupuncture is very simple, inexpensive and effective and fast treatment.
Anyone considering an alternative treatment for their health problems should read this article "Should you try acupuncture? from the Huffington Post. It explains what acupuncture is, addresses insurance concerns, and says that the new medical model of integrative medicine in patient centered and embraces any and all effective solutions to patient's health problems.
"According to the TCM view, a vital energy called qi flows through the body along channels called meridians. I like to think of these channels as a sprinkling system for the body, bringing qi to vital organs and extremities in much the way hoses bring water to your garden. In the TCM model of health and disease, when qi flow is blocked it stagnates. Stagnating qi causes illness. Acupuncture therapy unblocks the qi flow, strengthens or weakens the qi (think opening and closing the garden spigot) and directs it to areas of need.
A holistic practice, acupuncture seeks to re-establish the body's healthy equilibrium and function, as opposed to forcing healing using surgery or pharmaceuticals. Interestingly, Chinese practitioners were not the only (and may not have been the first) to identify these energy pathways in the body. The frozen body of a man recovered well-preserved from the Alps features tattoos that correspond to Chinese acupuncture's qi meridians."
"Some folks, including older Western M.D.s, still talk about whether or not they "believe" in acupuncture. Such thinking is ill-informed and outdated. One might as well speculate about whether to believe in aspirin, morphine, insulin, surgery or an MRI. The question is not whether acupuncture works, but how it works, and whether it is the appropriate therapy for a particular syndrome, problem, symptom, disease or patient. In a clinical setting and performed by a licensed professional (licensure is by state) acupuncture is effective for a variety of complaints."
Arthritis is one of the most pervasive diseases in the United States
and is the leading cause of disability. According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention one out of every three Americans (an
estimated 70 million people) is affected.
For most people arthritis pain and inflammation cannot be avoided as
the body ages. In fact, most people over the age of 50 show some signs
of arthritis. Joints naturally degenerate over time. Fortunately,
arthritis can often be managed Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis isn't just 1 disease; it's a complex disorder that
comprises more than 100 distinct conditions and can affect people at any
stage of life. Two of the most common forms are osteoarthritis and
rheumatoid arthritis. While these 2 forms of arthritis have very
different causes, risk factors, and effects on the body, they often
share a common symptom--persistent joint pain.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis in
the United States, affecting an estimated 21 million adults. OA begins
with the breakdown of joint cartilage, resulting in pain and stiffness. OA
commonly affects the joints of the fingers, knees, hips, and spine.
Other joints affected less frequently include the wrists, elbows,
shoulders, and ankles. When OA is found in a less frequently affected
joint, there is usually a history of injury or unusual stress to that
joint. Work-related repetitive injury and physical trauma may contribute
to the development of OA. If you have a strenuous job that requires
repetitive bending, kneeling, or squatting, for example, you may be at
high risk for OA of the knee.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can affect many different joints
and, in some people, other parts of the body as well, including the
blood, the lungs, and the heart. Inflammation of the joint lining,
called the synovium, can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, and
redness. The affected joint may also lose its shape, resulting in loss
of normal movement. RA can last a long time and can be a disease of
flares (active symptoms) and remissions (few to no symptoms).
Diagnosis and Treatment of Arthritis with Acupuncture and
Oriental Medicine
According to Chinese medical theory, arthritis arises when the
cyclical flow of Qi in the meridians becomes blocked. This blockage is
called, "bi" type pain and is widely studies and successfully treated
using a combination of acupuncture and/or Chinese herbs.
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine have been found to be extremely
effective at treating the pain and inflammation associated with all
types of arthritis. The acupuncture points and herbs that are used
depend on if the blockage of Qi (arthritis) is caused by the pathogen
wind, cold, damp or damp-heat.
Traditional Chinese Medicine does not
recognize arthritis as one particular syndrome. Instead, it aims to
treat the specific symptoms that are unique to each individual using a
variety of techniques such as acupuncture, Chinese herbs, bodywork,
lifestyle/dietary recommendations and energetic exercises to restore
imbalances found in the body. Therefore, if 10 patients are treated with
Oriental medicine for joint pain, each of these 10 patients will
receive a unique, customized treatment with different acupuncture
points, different herbs and different lifestyle and diet
recommendations.
Your acupuncturist will examine you, take a look at the onset of your
condition and learn your signs and symptoms to determine your Chinese
diagnosis and choose the appropriate acupuncture points and treatment
plan.
The Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncture points to treat Arthritis are located all over the body,
not just directly over the affected area. During the acupuncture
treatment, tiny needles could be placed along your legs, arms,
shoulders, and perhaps even your little toe!
There seems to be little sensitivity to the insertion of acupuncture
needles. They are so thin that several acupuncture needles can go into
the middle of a hypodermic needle. Occasionally, there is a brief moment
of discomfort as the needle penetrates the skin, but once the needles
are in place, most people relax and even fall asleep for the duration of
the treatment.
The length, number and frequency of treatments will vary. Typical
treatments last from five to 30 minutes, with the patient being treated
one or two times a week. Some symptoms are relieved after the first
treatment, while more severe or chronic ailments often require multiple
treatments.
Chinese Herbs for Arthritis
There are many Chinese Herbal formulas that are prescribed for
arthritis. Your acupuncturist will examine you, take a look at the onset
of your condition and learn your signs and symptoms to determine which
herbs are best for you.
Here are some commonly prescribed Chinese herbal formulas for
arthritis:
Remove Painful Obstruction Decoction (juan bi tang)-
For joint pain that increases with cold and is possibly accompanied by
heaviness and numbness in the limbs.
Cinnamon Twig, Peony, and Anamerrhena Decoction (gui zhi
shoa you zhi mu tang)- For swollen and painful joints that are
warm to the touch and worse at night.
Angelica Pubescens and Sangjisheng Decoction (du huo ji
sheng tang)- For heavy and painful sensations at fixed
locations in the lower back and lower extremities accompanied by
weakness and stiffness.
Studies on Acupuncture and Arthritis
Several studies have shown that acupuncture can help people with
arthritis and related auto-immune diseases.
In one Scandinavian study 25 percent of arthritis patients who had
been scheduled for knee surgery cancelled their operations after
acupuncture treatment. In the study, researchers compared acupuncture
with advice and exercise for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip.
Thirty-two patients awaiting a total hip replacement were separated
into 2 groups. One group received one 10-minute and five 25-minute
sessions of acupuncture, and the other group received advice and hip
exercises over a 6-week period.
Patients were assessed for pain and functional ability: Patients in
the acupuncture group showed significant improvements, while no
significant changes were reported in the group that received advice and
exercise therapy. The results of this study indicate that acupuncture is
more effective than advice and exercise for the treatment of
osteoarthritis of the hip.
Another study at the University of Maryland showed that elderly
arthritis patients with knee pain due to arthritis improved
significantly when acupuncture was added to their treatment.
The randomized clinical trial, performed at the University of
Maryland School of Medicine, determined whether acupuncture was a
clinically safe and effective adjunctive therapy for older patients with
osteoarthritis of the knee.
The study addressed these questions:
Would the addition of acupuncture to conventional therapy produce an
added measure of pain relief?
Would the effects of acupuncture last for 4 weeks following the end
of treatment?
Would acupuncture have any side effects?
Seventy-three patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group
received twice-weekly acupuncture treatments and conventional therapy
for 8 weeks, and the other group received conventional therapy only.
Patients who received acupuncture had significant pain relief and showed
improvement in function. Those who did not receive acupuncture showed
no significant change. No patients reported side effects from any
acupuncture therapy session.
Safe Alternative to Medication
Even without the studies, the popularity of acupuncture for arthritis
continues to grow because more and more people have found significant
relief from Oriental Medicine without the negative side effects that
come from Western pharmaceuticals.
Lifestyle and Dietary Instructions
Your diet plays a crucial role in helping you avoid or control
arthritis. The first objective of a healthy diet is to help you lose
weight if you are overweight. Being overweight can cause additional
stress to your joints.
The second way a balanced, varied diet can help ease the pain of
arthritis is by providing vitamins and minerals that keep your joints
healthy and avoiding "damp" foods such as dairy products and greasy or
spicy foods.
If you have arthritis or knee or hip pain, vitamin C and vitamin D
can help prevent bone and cartilage destruction. And a multivitamin can
help ensure that you always get the nutrition you need.
Here are some other healthy (and delicious) choices to include in
your diet.
Ginger - A natural anti-inflammatory, available as
powdered extracts in capsules as well as alcohol-based extracts. Follow
the dosing directions on the label. Or make tea by combining one-half
teaspoon of grated ginger root with eight ounces of boiling water. Cover
and steep for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain and add honey to taste.
Fresh pineapple - Bromelain, an enzyme in
pineapple, reduces inflammation. Be sure the pineapple is fresh, not
canned or frozen.
Cherries - Recent research has shown that tart
cherries are an excellent source of nutrients that may help to reduce
joint pain and inflammation related to arthritis.
Fish - Cold-water fish such as salmon and mackerel
contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep joints healthy as well as
reduce pain and swelling. If you don't care for fish, consider
supplementing your diet with fish oil capsules.
Turmeric - Another natural anti-inflammatory. Look
for an extract of whole turmeric, in health-food stores; follow the
dosage directions on the label.
Find an Acupuncturist
Today, acupuncture is an acknowledged and respected field of medicine
which requires formal training and certification in order to practice.
In most States, provinces and countries, acupuncture is legislated in
order to assure quality of treatment.
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine is an art and a science that takes
years to master. Look for an acupuncturist with formal training and
experience in the treatment of Arthritis on www.Acufinder.com or at the NYCTCM Find an Acupuncturist page.
Community Healthcare at NYCTCM's Teaching
Clinic
New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NYCTCM)'s
Teaching Clinic
offers Acupuncture and Chinese Healing Arts to the community while
providing our advanced students with a clinical internship.
Our interns are senior-level students at the acupuncture
school in New York who have passed a series of qualifying exams that
allow them to diagnose and prescribe therapies for the patients who come
to our clinic. Licensed Acupuncturists and Traditional Chinese Medicine
practitioners supervise our interns. Many of our supervisors have M.D.
degrees from China, and all have considerable clinical and teaching
experience.
Acupuncture Treatments in NYC and Mineola
Clinic at NYCTCM's school in Mineola, Long Island, New
York
Rheumatology in Chinese Medicine, 2002. By G. Guillaume
& M. Chieu Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies,
1990. By Dan Bensky & Randall Barolet Acupuncture: A
Comprehensive Text By Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese
Medicine, 1981
It is a disease that is defined as a metabolic disorder that is characterized by either abnormally low or high blood sugar levels that lead to a variety of metabolic derangements. It is commonly characterized by fatigue, excessive urination, excessive thirst, and excessive hunger. In this country, it is the biggest cause of death or disability. In developed countries, the incidence of diabetes has doubled in the last 15 years and its going to double in the next 15 years. The worst part of this situation is that one out of three people do not know they have diabetes. For those that are diagnosed have had it for much longer amount of time and wind up with complications such as neuropathies. According to Clinton J. Choate's article "Diabetes Mellitus (Part One)", it is estimated that 60% to 70% of diabetics have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage.
The symptoms range from:
Pain in the feet and legs.
Cramping, tenderness, and muscle weakness. They can occur in the legs and feet along with the arms and hands.
Paraesthesias- pricking, tingling, or numbness along the skin.
Blurred vision.
Impotence
In allopathic medicine, the treatment for diabetic neuropathies involve physical therapy, medications and in severe circumstances, surgical intervention. The some of the medications used to treat paraesthetic pain and other neuropathies are tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Even though these specific medications are used in the treatment of depression, they are also used in treating peripheral neuropathies. However the side-effects are numerous and seem counterintuitive when one looks at them. For example, the antidepressant Imiprine (Tofronil) treats peripheral neuropathies by releasing norepinephrine in the central pain modulating pathways located in the brainstem and spinal cord. However a side-effect of Imiprine is impairment of mental or physical abilities and cardiovascular disease. When you look at those side-effects and compare them to the risk that diabetics have with cardiovascular disease, it seems rather counterproductive. According to Subhuti Dharmanada, "Acupuncture therapy is a common approach to treating diabetes in China. Many Americans assume that acupuncture is only suitable for treating pain, perhaps because the initial introduction of acupuncture was mainly for this application. Increasingly, people with pain and other health problems for which acupuncture is selected also have diabetes." Acupuncture can treat neuropathies by bringing blood flow and nerve conduction to the skin to treat numbness and tingling in the extremities. Another point to mention is that blood flow and nerve restoration can also be accomplished in regards to the treatment of blurred vision and impotence. Unlike the medications mentioned, acupuncture has no side-effects.
Bibliography Dharmanda Ph.D., Subhuti "Treatment of Diabetes with Chinese Herbs and Acupuncture" web posting date: January 2005 www.itmonline.org pg.14
Choate, Clinton J. "Modern Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine: Diabetes Mellitus (Part One)" Journal of Chinese Medicine Number 58 September 1998 pg.4
Echeverry, MD, MPH, Diana M. "Diabetic Neuropathy: Treatment and Medication" updated April 4th, 2007 http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/315434-treatment
Acupuncture on the Big Screen
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