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Acupuncture

Acupuncture stimulates powerful points on the body that can balance your body from within, allowing it to heal and restore function. Believed to be pioneered in ancient Egypt, it has its roots deeply planted in China and authorities state the science is between 5,000 and 7,000 years old. Acupuncture did not become known on a national level in the United States until 1971 when diplomatic relations between China and America became more relaxed.

Chinese medicine language tends to have a lot of symbolic terms, based on observations and concepts of cause and effect. A lot of people heard word Qi or Chi ("chee"), but may not understand the real meaning of it, which is basically a function of particular system, organ or tissue. Function or activity is closely relates to amount of movement. Some of it could be very easily determined by Western medicine diagnostic equipment - like ECG, or EMG or pulmonary function test. If there is a shortage of it we might call it deficiency, if there is a repletion - it is an excess. Adequate amount of function and movement means that the life will be sustained and health restored.

Movement very often associated with certain direction or path. So, in ancient times it was said that Qi is moving through meridians or channels. This is not an isolated anatomical structures, but rather have to be viewed as a functional connections between different regions of the body.

There are number of different theories and research studies on the subject of how exactly acupuncture and acupoints works. Most popular is the Gate control theory of pain, explaining analgesic effects of acupuncture. Nervous system involvement might modulate a brain responses and effect how body responses to stress. Now concept of significant involvement of fascia, a thin layer of fibrous connective tissue, which envelop all bones, muscles, blood vessels and nerves is emerged and under considerable development. It might explain better other effects of acupuncture, since fascia is effected not only by mechanical stimulation but chemical and temperature stimulation as well.

You don't have to "believe" in acupuncture in order to be effective. Studies showed that it works on animals and babies too. It is safe and effective branch of medicine. The only one thing you need to do to accept it as an important part of your healing process, which makes you stronger in the long run, and be consistent with recommendations given to you regarding frequency of care and other supporting steps like lifestyle modifications, food therapy.

Because level of the problem (superficial vs deep) or specific symptoms are very important, as well as duration and potential causes for it for proper diagnosis you will be asked number of questions. Your pulse characteristics (length, size, rate and rhythm)as well as tongue coating and shape and color of its body are two other traditional methods for Chinese medicine to make a diagnosis.

Depending on diagnosis and your constitution we choose appropriate acupuncture points to work with. Needles, mild electrical current, acubeads, magnets or acupressure could be used for stimulation of these points. If we decided that acupuncture is appropriate for your condition we use single-use sterile solid very thin needles.

Commonly treated conditions :

Acupuncture textbooks list well over one hundred different conditions that respond well to Acupuncture. The World Health Organization, working in close harmony with the International Acupuncture Training Center of the Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has indicated Acupuncture is effective in the following conditions:

Acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain relief:
Arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, lower back pain, neck and shoulder pain, sciatica, TMJ, muscle spasms or weakness, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis

Headaches:
Tension, migraine, menstrual, cluster and sinus

Neurological conditions:
Pain and associated dysfunction due to trigeminal neuralgia, Bells palsy, shingles; stroke rehabilitation, dizziness, numbness, tingling, phantom pain

Emotional conditions:
Anxiety, depression, stress, irritability, sleep problems, poor self-esteem, irritability, eating disorders

Respiratory problems:
Asthma, allergies, chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, colds, respiratory flu, prolonged cough after cold, frequent respiratory infections

Circulatory conditions:
High blood pressure, palpitations, edema, leg muscle cramps, atherosclerosis, angina

Digestive conditions:
Indigestion, ulcer, gastritis, peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, gastric reflux, stomach flu, colitis, constipation/diarrhea, food allergies

Hormone-related conditions:
PMS, menstrual problems (early, late or irregular period, heavy, painful menstruation, amenorrhea), female fertility problems, fibrocystic disease, menopausal symptoms, diabetes, hyper/hypothyroidism

Urogenital problems:
Urinary tract infections, bladder dysfunction, bed wetting, prostatitis, male reproductive problems, sexual dysfunction

Addictions:
Alcohol, nicotine, sugar, food, medications

Supportive therapy:
Cancer therapy support, chronic pain, post-operative side effects (pain, constipation, fatigue), improved sense of well being, cosmetic acupuncture

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Frequently we combine individual herbs or Chinese medicine herbal formulas with acupuncture, because it allows you heal better and faster. Taking herbs daily helps to support your body 24/7. Chinese herbal medicine started as a folk medicine and has been developed over centuries of clinical use. Now it is a sophisticated blend of knowledge between nature and science. When prescribed correctly, herbs will not have side effects, because they are balancing the whole body at once. Majority of Chinese formulas contain from 4 to 18 herbs to balance your unique condition, and it is more like having a good balanced meal then taking a dose of highly isolated and concentrated chemicals, which is often the case with Western drugs. We care about the highest quality herbs for our patients. We will take the same herbs from the same suppliers for ourselves and our family members as you. We get herbs only from those manufacturers/suppliers, which are GMPT certified and consistently provide proper quality control. Unfortunately, it is not always the case with some Internet sites, food stores and even clinics.

Spinal and Extremety care

Chiropractic care benefits all aspects of your body's ability to be healthy. This is accomplished by working with the nervous system--the communication system between your brain and body. Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy/Spinal Manipulation or "adjustment"/correction used for spinal, pelvic, cranial and extremity misalignments (subluxations) and performed by gentle pressure or a high-velocity low-amplitude thrust to help restore function and motion to restricted area. When misaligned, these structures create an imbalance in surrounding muscles and ligaments, as well as blood and lymphatic flow. Additionally, the resulting nerve system stress may affect the body's ability to function optimally. The manipulation helps to reduce pain, relax local musculature and improve circulation . The noise that can be heard with an adjustment is that of release of nitrogen gas from a joint capsule. It has been researched and documented that motion is restored following an adjustment but no bones are moved for this to happen.

There have been many studies that have proven its effectiveness, safety, and high levels of patient satisfaction. As a result, in 1994 the U.S. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research published this technique as a gold standard for low back pain. Since then more research has been done on neck pain, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, infantile colic and rehabilitation, all supporting the role of Chiropractic and its manipulative procedures.

Some of my patients initially wonder how chiropractic fits in to the TCM model of healthcare. One of the branches of Chinese medicine is bone-setting. It been used for extended period of time to reduce joint dislocation or "re-set' bone fracture, but they could be found too forceful for minor problems of spinal or extremity articulations dysfunction. Chinese massage (tuina) methods might be gentler, but not always site specific. Chiropractic techniques then fits beautifully in that gap, providing specificity and appropriate amount of force to restore the function of the joint. Chinese orthopedic specialists realized it several decades ago and started to learn and use chiropractic methods in the outpatient clinics and in the hospitals.

According to the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), which "recognizes that in a theoretical and clinical framework of the Webster Technique in the care of pregnant women, sacral subluxation may contribute to difficult labor for the mother (i.e., dystocia).Dystocia is caused by inadequate uterine function, pelvic contraction, and baby mal-presentation. The correction of sacral subluxation may have a positive effect on all of these causes of dystocia.
In this clinical and theoretical framework, it is proposed that sacral misalignment may contribute to these three primary causes of dystocia via uterine nerve interference, pelvic misalignment and the tightening and torsion of specific pelvic muscles and ligaments. The resulting tense muscles and ligaments and their aberrant effect on the uterus may prevent the baby from comfortably assuming the best possible position for birth. In regards to pregnant mothers, Dr. Webster reported that when a mother sought care and her baby was in a breech position, the restoration of pelvic neuro-biomechanics with this adjustment also frequently facilitated optimal fetal positioning. There are cases published in the chiropractic literature that support this theory.

The obstetric literature has determined that correct positioning of the baby in-utero affect birth outcome and decrease the potential for undue stress to the baby's developing spine and nerve system. Obstetric literature has determined the importance of normal pelvic neuro-biomechanics including uterine function and pelvic alignment for the prevention of dystocia (difficult birth). It has also determined that correct positioning of the baby in-utero affects birth outcome and decreases the potential for undue stress to the baby's developing spine and nerve system. Chiropractic literature has determined the significance of sacral adjustments in normalizing pelvic neuro-biomenchanics.
It is therefore considered prudent that this specific sacral analysis and adjustment be used throughout pregnancy to detect and alleviate sacral imbalance and optimize pelvic neuro-biomechanics in the mother. Because of the particular female adaptations from the increase of hormones, weight gain and postural adaptations, pregnant mothers have a greater chance of sacral subluxation and neuro-biomechanical imbalance than the general population. Additionally, because of the effect the chiropractic adjustment has on all body functions by reducing nerve system stress, pregnant mothers may have significant benefit by having their spines checked regularly throughout pregnancy, optimizing health benefits for both the mother and baby."

Chinese medicine food therapy

Simply stated, you are what you eat. Often, the difference between regaining health and remaining ill is the patient’s eating and drinking habits. During your initial consultation, you will be asked specific questions to determine if you require special nutritional advice. It is critically important part of your care. Chinese medicine has a unique way of looking at the food. Every dish or drink, as well as their individual ingredients have very specific energy temperatures, flavors and specific properties, which can help to heal or hinder recovery. We might discuss with you basic food therapy guidelines for specific condition and help you to select individual foods to balance specific problems.
Environmental and lifestyle stresses can increase the needed level of essential nutrients beyond what can be supplied by a balanced diet.
Some of the common stresses that increase this load would include:

Regular alcohol use
regular coffee use
chronic dieting
use of prescription or illegal drugs
heavy exercises or lack of exercise
cigarette smoking
poor digestion
surgery
infections, illnesses, injuries or wounds
Exposure to radiation, air/water pollution, pesticides, preservatives
increased emotional or occupational stress

We can compare that to a car, which has a good mileage, but if it needs to carry heavy load up to a steep hill it will require more fuel to go the same distance. The same true with us. In some cases, good diet still might be not enough to bring desired change with health problems. Then we might suggest to use additional vitamins, minerals, probiotics or enzymes. It is not a substitute for a good diet, just support to go through obstacle course of life.

Exercise counseling

Life is a movement in the body and the body itself. Even when we are asleep hundreds of movements occur. Sometimes due to pain, bad memories, fright or laziness we stop use our body properly. That on its own creates considerable problems, leading to health deterioration. Exercises will help to reverse it and improve your physical body and mind. We help to find the most appropriate movements for your condition and initiate those first steps to whole body recovery. When needed we provide referrals for more advanced expertise from Qi Gong, Tai Chi masters, physical therapists and personal trainers.

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