Your first appointment will run for about 45-60 minutes, including a consultation and a treatment session. This will enable us to establish a solid history and have a good understanding of your condition. If your issues are purely muscular, a consultation may not be necessary.
Follow up appointments will usually be around 30-45 .
Your First Appointment
Once you make your first appointment, prior to your first visit, you may want to write down your health history, including surgeries, injuries, allergies and medications you are on. Please also write down how the current problem has developed and how it has been investigated and treated. Don’t forget to bring this information to your first appointment.
Recommendations for Your Acupuncture
Appointments
We recommend
you wear comfortable clothes that roll up to knees and elbows, or are easily
removable.
Do not come for acupuncture treatments on an empty or overly full stomach or having consumed drugs or alcohol.
Consultation and Treatment
Chinese medicine or acupuncture consultation looks into many aspects of your life, such as sleeping patterns, digestion, emotional state, diet, and lifestyle. Unique to Chinese medicine diagnosis, your tongue and pulse may be examined, and areas of concern may be explored. The practitioner will also make note of any non-verbal cues, such as your demeanour, movement, voice, bodily sounds, and complexion.
Your TCM provider is working under a set of diagnostic principles that strive to identify imbalance. This imbalance is made by patterns of disharmony.
An example of imbalance might be a headache.
The TCM provider would look at the headache in a large context, seeking to find if this disharmony is caused by excess (like too much stress or activity) or deficiency (like not enough food or sleep).
Once a Chinese medicine diagnosis is made, we will develop the treatment plan with you that is most suitable to your situation. The treatment could be acupuncture alone, herbal medicine alone or a combination of both.
Prognosis, Follow Up Consultation and
Frequency of Treatment
The
prognosis, and the amount and frequency of your treatment depend largely on the
severity of your health condition and how long it has been a problem.
Generally
1-2 acupuncture treatment sessions per week for 3-4 weeks are required to
achieve a satisfactory result for acute problems. For chronic problems, it
often requires weekly or fortnightly treatment over some months for progressive
results.
With Chinese
herbal medicine, formulas to restore chronic conditions may require weeks or
months of use, whereas formulas for acute colds, cough or digestive problem can
show positive results within a few days.
While you
may gain immediate benefits even after one treatment, progress in health
conditions is usually measured over a course of treatments, which involves 4-10
treatment sessions. This is done to ensure:
Sufficient time and treatment is given to see a
beneficial change.
The
beneficial changes are progressing and are measurable.
Enough
treatment is given to consolidate beneficial changes.
Follow up appointments often include a short consultation to check any arising issues and treatment.
Lingering pathogens are pathogenic influences that remain in the body and provoke a persistent immune response that produces characteristic signs and symptoms. Pathogenic influences in this context including living organisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites) as well as allergens, chemicals, drugs and environmental toxins.
Lingering pathogens manifest in a number of ways. An infection from the the past may still be making its presence felt with recurrent symptoms (often arising when the patient is stressed or run down), or is perhaps detectable as persistent antibodies or other markers, in blood tests.
In clinic we often suspect a lingering pathogen when the patient presents with a history that begins ‘I have never been well since…’. They are usually referring to an acute infection they suffered some time ago, and occasionally an immunisation. Alternatively, the initial insult which has left the patient with chronic or recurrent symptoms may have been exposed to environmental toxins such as volatile gases, fumes, heavy metals, or in some cases drugs or substances causing an allergic reaction.
In some cases, the initial infection or injury is not recalled or apparent, however the pattern of recurrent symptoms fits the picture of a lingering pathogen and will be treated as such.
How to Identify a Lingering Pathogen
There are a number of signs and symptoms that point to the presence of a lingering pathogen. Not all will be present in any particular individual, and their appearance can vary depending on any complicating condition, the age of the patient and any medications the patient may be taking.
A thorough physical examination is essential in the discovery of lingering pathogens, as signs like abnormal heat distribution or isolated sweating may be quite subtle and not obvious to the patient.
A physical examination, in the context of lingering pathogens, requires systematic assessment of the neck for lymphadenopathy, observation of the tonsils for swelling, and palpation of the skin of the arms and hands, chest, head and feet for abnormal temperatures sensation and moisture.
Low Grade Fever and Abnormal Heat Sensations A fever is an abnormal elevation, or the perception of an elevation in body temperature, that may be either systemic or localised. The fever type most typical of a lingering pathogen is a low grade fever, but depending on the duration of the condition, the degree of dampness and any complicating deficiency, the heat sensation can vary considerably. Abnormal heat sensations in the body may also point to the possibility of a lingering pathogen, and these may be subjective or objective. When subjective, the patient feels hot or heat intolerant in one part of the body – the hands and feet, head and chest are common. The heat may be suggested by symptoms such as night sweats, flushing, light or inadequate dressing for the weather, or throwing the bedclothes off the feet at night. When objective, the patient is generally unaware of any heat, and it is detected by the practitioner during the course of the examination.
Swollen Lymph Nodes and Tonsils Palpable lymph nodes in the neck are common findings, and often the initial clue that points towards a lingering pathogen diagnosis. The nodes have a very specific feel. Lymph nodes suggestive of a lingering pathogen are non tender or slightly tender, well defined, round, soft or slightly rubbery and yielding. They feel like small peas under the skin, and are able to be moved slightly over the subcutaneous tissue. Lymph node swelling can come and go during to course of the prolonged lingering pathogenic illness. The more swollen the glands are, the more tender they can be.
Chronically swollen tonsils are another important indicator, especially in children, and obvious with oral examination. The tonsils are enlarged, but not red or inflamed. There is rarely any pain, but the enlarged tonsils may cause some irritation or difficulty swallowing.
Abnormal Sweating Abnormal sweating is a common finding in patients with lingering pathogen, and one that is easy to overlook. Troublesome, debilitating or embarrassing sweating will be reported, but patients are often insensible to sweating, or it is considered normal and thus disregarded. Some abnormal sweating includes:
> Night sweats > Spontaneous sweating > Sweating on parts of the body (such as on the hands and feet, chest, head and neck, upper abdomen, armpits or genitals) > Sour, strong or otherwise unusual smelling sweat
Muscle and Joint Aches The aching is felt deep in the muscles and tends to be diffuse. It can be associated with a distinct feeling of heaviness or weakness, and most commonly affects the large proximal muscles. The thighs and hips, buttocks and waist, and the upper arms are common locations. Soft tissue around joints can be affected as well, so both muscles and joints may ache.
Energy Levels Persistent fatigue since previous illness, or sudden and otherwise inexplicable drop in energy lasting from a few hours to days or longer, may suggest a lingering pathogen, when accompanied by abnormal heat, sweating or lymph node swelling.
Tongue Certain features of the tongue, in particular the prominent red protrusions (thorns) that appear anteriorly, around the edges of the tongue and on the root of the tongue, are suggestive of a lingering pathogen. The distribution of the thorns can give clues as to the depth of the pathogen. The other main benefit of the tongue is as a prognostic indicator and a measure of how well a treatment is progressing.
Skin Lesions and Rashes Skin lesions and rashes characteristic of lingering pathogens include macules, papules and vesicles. Macules and papules often appear together as a maculopapular rash.
> Macules are flat, dull red, brown or purple, contiguous with the skin, and may appear on the trunk and extremities. > Papules are raised lesions like small pale pimples, appearing mostly on the trunk. > Vesicles are small fluid filled blisters which can appear anywhere on the body.
Etiology
Weakness of anti-pathogenic qi Any per-existing constitutional or acquired weakness can predispose patients to a pathogenic invasion, which they cannot repel. Weakness of Lung and Spleen qi can enable a pathogen to penetrate into the qi level. Weakness of the Kidneys can enable deeper penetration in the ying, blood and shaoyin levels.
Overwork One of the most common contributing factors is failure to rest and look after oneself during and acute illness. Patients who try to ‘sweat it out’ and soldier on, or simply ignore illness and continue to work through it, are especially likely to end up with a lingering pathogen.
Overwork in general, both physical and mental, drains the basic reserves of yuan qi and weakens the Kidneys. This weakness enables a pathogen to easily enter, and once in to linger.
Immunisation Immunisations may cause a lingering pathogen in some circumstances. Patients who are weak to start with, or who are vaccinated during an acute illness, are especially vulnerable.
Antibiotics during acute viral illness Antibiotics are bitter and cold, and can weaken Spleen yang qi. They effectively clear out heat, but are unable to completely disperse the pathogen, so a residue, often from damp, is left behind, crating a medium from repeated infection.
Wrong Treatment Wrong or poorly administered treatment for the type or location of a pathogen can weaken anti-pathogenic qi, trap pathogen or drag it deeper into the body.
Environmental Exposure Repeated exposure to certain climates, chemicals or toxins can lead to a lingering pathogen pattern. The climatic factors are the most common, with prolonged exposure to hot or humid weather, a damp house or frequent contact with water, especially when tired or vulnerable, enabling dampness and damp heat to seep into the body.
Exposure to farm and industrial chemicals, pesticides, volatile fumes and pollutants can induce a lingering pathogen reaction in some people, especially those already weakened or vulnerable due to constitution, age or pre-existing illness.
Strong Pathogen A strong or epidemic pathogen can overwhelm even the most robust of defences, deplete qi and damage yin, and become persistent. This is seen in certain new strains of flu and other viral and bacterial illnesses.
Drugs Some drugs weaken the Spleen and can damage qi, for example, laxatives and antibiotics. Some drugs deplete yin, weaken the Kidneys and open the shaoyin to invasion. These include stimulates such as amphetamines and cocaine, antidepressants, steroids and cytotoxic agents.
Emotional Factors Any emotional factor that leads to depletion of Spleen, Lung or Kidney qi can enable a pathogen to get past the body’s defences and into the deeper levels where the weak qi is unable to adequately expel it.
Treatment
Acupuncture is the treatment of choice and herbal medicines are recommended to support correcting any systemic imbalances that may be present.
Sweating occurs constantly and is essential to the body as a means of temperature regulation and as a pathway of elimination. Sweat increases in response to elevated environmental or internal temperatures and serves to assist the body in shedding heat by way of evaporative cooling. As external and internal temperature decreases, sweating stops to prevent heat loss. Sweat glands are under control of the autonomic nervous system. Increasing sympathetic nervous system activity in response to stress and arousal can lead to increased sweating.
Sweating is not perceived as a problem until it impacts on daily life. The most likely type of abnormal sweating to present in the Chinese medicine clinic is night sweats, as these are distinctly uncomfortable and can be a significant disruption to sleep and wellbeing. Patients with excessively sweaty palms can also present as clammy hands are considered a liability in business and social situations.
Varieties of Abnormal Sweating
Night sweats
Spontaneous sweating
Unilateral sweat
Yellow sweating
Physiology of Sweating
Sweating is an important mechanism by which the body maintains the balance of yin and yang. Sweat is derived from body fluids, which in turn are derived from ingested food and fluids. Sweating is closely associated with the function of the Heart, Lungs and Spleen, and is a function of the relationship between yin fluids and yang qi, in particular the yang qi that inhabits the surface, the wei or protective qi. The wei qi functions as a gatekeeper, allowing the escape of excess physiological heat as sweat, while preventing incursion by external pathogens. Similarly when heat needs to be retained the wei qi shuts down the exits and prevents excessive cooling.
Heart Sweat is the fluid of the heart. The heart governs the blood, and both blood and sweat are derived from the essence of food and fluid. Excessive sweating can deplete the blood and damage the Heart.
Lungs Wei qi is contiguous with Lung qi, and controls the closing of the pores. Any factor that weakens the Lungs will weaken wei qi and the control of the surface.
Spleen and Stomach The Spleen and Stomach are the root of acquired qi and thus the qi of all organ systems. Weakness of the Spleen in gathering sufficient qi is a common contributor to weakness of wei qi. The Spleen and Stomach control the limbs, and pathology of the Spleen and Stomach is often implicated in sweating on the hands and feet.
Liver
The Liver plays a secondary role in sweating. The Livers main influence is through the generation of internal heat from constrained qi, and the weakening of the Spleen and qi that results when the Liver and Spleen axis is disrupted. Prolonged Liver qi constraint can generate heat, which in turn scorches the yin, eventually leading to unrestrained and ascendant yang. The expansive nature of heat and ascendant yang, in concert with the body’s attempt to shed the heat, results in sweating.
Pathology
There are two broad types of abnormal sweating, excess and deficiency. The excess types are due to the presence of a pathogen, typically heat or damp heat, that the body is trying to eliminate. The deficiency types of sweating are associated with weakness of the surface and inability of wei qi to keep the pores properly closed, or creation of internal heat and the expansive force of unrestrained yang.
Etiology
External Pathogens Sweating is a feature of any acute febrile illness, but the sweating is secondary to the other symptoms of fever, cough, diarrhea and so on. Persistent sweating as a presenting symptom is more common in the aftermath of acute febrile illness, and may persist for some time after the initial illness has passed. Emotional Factors Any emotional state that weakens the Lungs, Spleen or Heart can lead to sweating. Worry, brooding, sadness, rumination and isolation can deplete the Lungs and Spleen, and lead to the decrease in production of qi, including wei qi. Repeated invasion in response to repressed emotion will also lead to depleted qi. Any situation that disperses Heart qi, such as a sudden or severe shock or prolonged extreme stress, can lead to chronic sweating.
Constitutional Factors Constitutional or inherited weakness of the Lung and Spleen is often associated with poorly controlled sweating. Patients will also experience general weakness and lack of vitality, respiratory problems such as asthma, and poor immunity. A constitutional weakness of the Heart qi can also contribute. These patients tend to be anxious and nervous individuals from an early age. The sweating is triggered by stress and anxiety.
Drugs Some medications can cause excessive sweating. These include pseudoephedrine, antidepressants, aspirin and non steroidal anti-inflammatoiries (NSAIDs), hypoglycemic agents, caffeine, theophylline and withdrawal from opiates. Excessive alcohol consumption can also contribute to chronic increased sweating.
Treatment
Acupuncture is the treatment of choice and Chinese herbal medicines are recommended to support correcting the imbalances that may be present.
Numbness is diminished or loss of sensation in the skin. Paresthesia is abnormal sensation in the skin, such as tingling and pins and needles. In Chinese medicine, numbness and paresthesia are due to failure of blood to reach and nourish the skin. The skin relies on a steady supply of blood to maintain its elasticity and sensitivity. If blood is inadequate, poorly distributed or blocked by a pathogen, numbness and paresthesia can result.
Etiology
External Pathogens External pathogens such as wind damp and damp heat can infiltrate the surface and block the distribution of qi and blood though the superficial tissues.
Qi and Blood Deficiency Factors which weaken qi and blood can lead to numbness and paresthesia. An inadequate diet, or any factors that weaken the Spleen, can lead to reduced supply of qi and blood to the skin. When qi is weak, it may be unable to lead blood up to the most superficial layers of the skin. Weak qi can also lead to a failure of protective wei qi, enabling external pathogens to gain access. Qi and blood deficiency can also be caused by factors such as overwork, prolonged breast feeding or loss of qi and blood from hemorrhage during child birth.
Yin Deficiency There are two mechanisms whereby yin deficiency can cause numbness and paresthesia; failure of yin to nourish the tissues, and failure of yin to restrain the yang leading to creation of internal wind. Both are associated with a decline in yin from ageing, depletion of yin by fever or chronic disease, or damage to yin by a heating diet, chronic damp heat, drug use or deterioration of qi and blood deficiency. Yin and blood share the role of nourishing, moistening and maintaining the elasticity of skin, hair, joints and sinews. Weak yin can lead to dryness and thinning of the skin, with loss of sensitivity.
Phlegm Phlegm causes numbness and paresthesia by congealing in the tissues, obstructing the network vessels and impending the circulation of qi and blood.
Blood Stasis Numbness and paresthesia from blood stasis can be acute or chronic. When acute, it is usually the result of physical trauma or surgery. When chronic, it is the end result of other pathology that slows or impedes blood flow, such as Liver qi constraints, cold, phlegm, damp heat or deficiency of yang qi, blood or yin. Blood stasis that contributes to numbness can also result from prolonged inactivity, and awkward sleeping position, sitting in one position for long periods of time, heavy cigarette smoking and dehydration. In general, blood stasis causes complete loss of sensation and a wooden feeling in tissues.
Nerve Compression Interference with sensory nerves as they exit the spinal cord, or at some paint along the nerve pathway can cause numbness and paresthesia. This can be caused by a narrowing of the gap between vertebrae due the thinning of the intervertebral disc, growth of osteophytes or muscle spasm. A number of common types of numbness and paresthesia are due to temporary nerve compression. Numbness in the hands and fingers, for example, often wakes people from sleep and can can be caused by an awkward sleep position.
Pathology of the Network Vessels
The network vessels are fine vessels that branch off from the main channels. They are widely distributed through the surface tissues of the body, and enable distribution of qi and blood to the surface beyond the main channel pathways. They reinforce the links between the yin and yang pairs of channels. They also connect the main channels to the surrounding tissues. The network vessels serve to maintain a balance in the ebb and flow of yin and yang through the channels system. They also connect the surface of the body to the internal organ systems, via the intermediary of the main channels.
When numbness is the main complaint, the disease is usually located in the network vessels. Because the network vessels are so fine and diffuse, obstruction within them is insufficiently concentrated to produce pain, the classic feature of qi and blood blockages. When a pathogens is restricted to the network vessels, numbness and paresthesia are the main symptoms. As the disease progresses and moves deeper into the channel system, the blockage becomes more focused and intense, and pain, weakness and wasting start to develop.
Treatment
Acupuncture is the treatment of choice and herbal medicines are recommended to support correcting any systemic imbalances that may be present.
Diabetes mellitus is an increasingly common disorder in both affluent and developing societies. Diabetes millitus (DM) is a syndrome of impaired insulin secretion and/or resistance of cells and tissues to the influence of insulin. The end result is abnormally high blood sugar levels – hyperglycemia. Chronic diabetes is almost always complicated by other phenomena attributed to persistent hyperglycemia. It is these complications that account for the majority of the mortality and morbidity seen in chronic diabetics. The main cause of death related to diabetes are cardiovascular disease, stroke and kidney failure. Contributing to morbidity are blindness, gangrene, sensory deficit, peripheral neuropathy and chronic skin infections.
Type 1
Type 1 DM usually occurs during adolescence and is associated with autoimmune or infectious destruction of insulin producing cells of the pancreas. A genetic susceptibility, in combination with viral or environment exposure to triggers, starts a cascade of events resulting in the destruction of these cells. Destruction progresses subclinically over time until few cells remain, and insulin levels are too low to maintain blood glucose control. Since the pancreas no longer produces insulin, the insulin must be replaced and patients are medicated with insulin injections.
Type 2
Type 2 DM is characterized by resistance of target cells to the influence of insulin. Insulin levels in the blood are high, especially in the early stages, but insulin cell receptors are insensitive and glucose is not transported into cells. The glucose remains in the blood stream, resulting in hyperglycemia. Type 2 DM usually appears in middle age, develops gradually and may take years before diagnosis, at which time around 35% of patients develop complications. There is a strong link to obesity, however patients can be obese without developing diabetes, not all type 2 diabetics are obese. Some people have a genetic predisposition to insulin resistance, while others develop the condition because of an unhealthy diet, lifestyle and high stress. A diet high in carbohydrate and sugar causes the pancreas to overproduce insulin. The cells of the body are overwhelmed by this excess insulin and protect themselves by reducing the number of insulin receptor sites on their surface. Consequently there are too few sites for insulin to carry out its normal function of allowing glucose to pass through the cell wall to be converted into energy.
Signs and Symptoms
The classic symptoms of DM are: > Polydispia: increased thirst due to decrease in fluid volume and dehydration from excessive urination, and increased osmolarity of blood and extracellular fluids. > Polyphangia: Increased hunger as glucose lost in the urine is unavailable for essential metabolic activity. > Polyuria: Increased urinary frequency and volume caused by osmotic diuresis from high levels of glucose in the urine; fluid loss leads to low blood pressure and dehydration. > Hyperglycemia can also cause weight loss, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and predisposition to bacterial or fungal infections. > Dehydration and inability of glucose to enter cells causes weakness and fatigue, and, when severe, cognitive disturbances.
Chinese Medicine Pathology
The pathology of DM can be seen in terms of the six divisions. The majority of diabetic pathology occurs within the taiyin and shaoyin divisions. The taiyin pertains to the Spleen and Lungs, while the shaoyin pertains to the Kidneys and Heart. Hyperglycemia is common to both type 1 and 2 diabetes, and is due to failure of Spleen transformation. In type 1 DM, failure of the Spleen transformation is due to the Spleen not being supported by the Kidney; in type 2 DM it is due to direct damage to the Spleen by diet or emotional factors.
Type 2 DM starts with taiyin dysfunction, which over time, starts to involve to support taiyin. In practice, the majority of patients have impairment of both the taiyin and shaoyin divisions to one degree or another. The more chronic and severe the disease, the more shaoyin pathology, and the more the Heart and vessels are damaged. When uncontrolled, shaoyin pathology can lapse into the final and severe jueyin division, leading to coma and death.
The main aim of treatment in diabetes is to regulate blood glucose levels while correcting the imbalances that enabled it to occur. Exercise, management of the diet, weight loss are the first line of therapy for all type 2 DM patients, and in many cases acupuncture and herbal treatment can help keep the blood sugar under control, while gradually improving their constitutional health and general wellbeing.
Edema is a disorder with demonstrable accumulation of excessive fluid in the subcutaneous tissues, which manifests itself as puffiness of the head, face, eyelids, limbs, abdomen, back and scrotum or even general anasarca. It may be accompanied by hydrothorax or ascites in serious cases.
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, edema is considered as water excessively accumulated in the body. It can be caused by many factors. Many common causes of edema are related to lungs, kidneys and spleen. When these organs fail in their functions of transforming, transporting and distributing fluids, excess water overflows into the interstitial tissue in the muscle and the skin.
Pitting and non-pitting Edema
One of the key features in differentiating edema is whether or not it is pitting. When finger pressure levels a persistent indentation in the edematous area this is pitting. The ability of tissue to fill out following focal pressure depends on the flow of yang qi in the flesh and skin. In excess patterns, the still intact yang qi in the tissue will move fluids back into the indentation made by the pressing finger. When yang qi is deficient, it is unable to mobilize qi and fluids, so the pit fills slowly and the indent remains. The rate of filling of the indent reflects the degree of deficiency; the slower to rebound, the greater the deficiency.
Etiology
Some causes of Edema have been listed below > External pathogens such as damp > Trauma, boils and toxic lesions such as surgery, scarring, toxic heat and damp heat Diet and medications such as restrictive or fad diets, the use of appetite suppressants and slimming aids, some over the counter medications > Emotional factors such as emotions repression and chronic stress > Overwork and exhaustion such as working excessively long hours or laboring to the point of exhaustion > Some people inherit a tendency to edema
TCM practitioners attempt to identify and treat the underlying deficiency and imbalance that cause edema by using herbal medicine and acupuncture.
Diarrhea is defined as the frequent passage of loose or watery stools. Diarrhea causes distress and embarrassment. In TCM terms diarrhea is frequently associated with the presence of Dampness and thus most commonly involves the Spleen, either as a primary source of the Damp, or as the target of external Damp.
External Pathogens
Diarrhea as a result of invasion by external pathogens is common and occurs in all climates. Both adults and children are susceptible, but children are particularly vulnerable due to the fragility of the immature Spleen.
The primary pathogen is always Dampness, in association with seasonal factors.
There are four common types of external pathogenic diarrhea: > Damp Heat – with external symptoms (by convention Summer Damp) – with out external symptoms > Damp or Cold damp – with external symptoms (by convention of Summer Damp) – without external symptoms
In general, the summer disorders are a species of pathogen that are seasonal, often occurring during humid or wet weather.
Diet
Numerous dietary factors can cause diarrhea. Some of these include:
> eating spoiled food > changes in dietary routine (such as while traveling) > too much cold matured or raw food > eating irregularly, missing meals, eating at odd hours, or late at nigh > eating while stressed or upset > dairy products and excessive quantities of sugar or sweet foods
Emotion
Emotional stress is an important cause of a verity of digestive complaints, and a common cause of diarrhea. The gastrointestinal tract is sensitive and easily disturbed by emotional stress.
Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency
Overwork, excessive worry or mental activity, irregular dietary habits, lack of physical activity or prolonged illness can weaken qi.
Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency
Spleen (with or without Kidney yang) yang deficiency diarrhea is usually a chronic condition.
Blood Stagnation
Blood stagnation is most commonly the product of chronic localise irritation of the Large Intestine by a focal stagnation.
Diagnosis
Treatment
The patterns discussed here may appear separately or in combination, and patterns can change into one another overtime. A prescription of Chinese herbal medicines and acupuncture after being diagnosed is the recommend treatment.
What is Ear Acupuncture? Ear acupuncture, also known as auricular therapy, is based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Auricular therapy is widely used for many conditions, including addiction treatment, mood disorders, obesity, pain, and other conditions. This medical system emphasizes a holistic approach to medicine, an approach that treats the whole person. The acupuncture points found on the ear help to regulate the body’s internal organs, structures, and functions.
Benefits One of the benefits of ear acupuncture is its ease of application. It can be provided while the patient is fully clothed. This quickly became an attractive option for many people. It’s also an effective way to treat pain without applying needles to the area that hurts.
The Treatment Process While ear acupuncture can be used as a stand-alone treatment, it is often added to full body acupuncture sessions as a way of reinforcing the therapy. The treatment involves the application of ear seeds, or pellets that stimulate the “points”. These seeds are traditionally vacarria seeds (which resemble poppy seeds) and are on small bandages that hold them in place. Leaving those seeds for a few days allow the benefits of treatment to continue after the patient leaves the clinic. They are barely noticeable and don’t get in the way of normal activities.
Prior to treatment, a consultation needs to be done with a practitioner to diagnose any internal issues. This will determine which points to attach the seeds to.
To assist the treatment process, two to three times each day or when you have symptoms, apply pressure by rubbing the seeds with a circular motion for one to three minutes.
Ear seeds may fall off on their own after about three to five days. It’s not recommended to leave them on for more than five days, even if they’re still in place.
Have you ever awakened in the morning with a sore jaw, or found that it is painful to open your mouth? Perhaps your jaw clicks on one side or even both. Do your ears feel clogged even though you don’t have an infection? Maybe you have dizzy spells, ringing in the ears or unexplained headaches. If you experience any of these, you may be suffering from TMJ disorder. TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, refers to the complex joint where the lower jaw hinges with the upper jaw. When it is working properly, you can open your mouth wide and slide your lower jaw from side to side as well as a little forward and back! You can’t do that with your knee or hip—so think of how many muscles must be involved!
Stress and anxiety cause many people to clench their jaw and grind their teeth at night. This continual flexing of the jaw muscles leads to chronic tension and even little knots in the muscles. Think how much your hand would hurt if you clenched your fist as hard as you could most of the day and night! TMJ pain is usually felt at the joints, just in front of the ears, but can also be felt in the muscles that operate the jaw causing headaches, neck pain, and even ear conditions like a “clogged” feeling or tinnitus. Muscle tension in the neck and shoulder can pull your jaw out of alignment, which can lead to TMJ, as can trauma to the head or jaw or habits like gum chewing, only chewing food on one side of the mouth and even fingernail biting.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the best ways to treat
TMJ disorder. Acupuncture can relax the local muscles and decrease the
symptoms of pain and ear discomfort. In addition to acupuncture, herbs,
tuina, nutrition and meditation can be used to ease anxious tension,
which allows the jaw to return to a proper alignment and produces more
restful sleep.
For structural damage caused by trauma, or where uneven use has lead
to teeth problems, a dental specialist must also contribute to the
healing process. Even in these cases, TCM works as a great addition to
help ease pain both before and after the procedures.
What is a Temporomandibular Joint Disease? TMJ or temporomandibular joint disease is a common problem with a complex treatment. The usual symptoms are: numbness of the jaw and temporal area, and dull and/or sharp pain of previously mentioned areas (temporal headache).
Some of the causes of TMJ include stress (grinding the teeth), direct trauma, or bad diet habits. The majority of these patients use dental appliances or pain medication with no avail.
Treatment: Unfortunately, pharmaceutical treatments only provide symptomatic relief of TMJ. However, acupuncture can target the root cause of the condition by balancing the mind and body through a network of energy channels called meridians, helping to reset the neuromuscular tension in the jaw. Often TMJ is due to underlying stress held in the jaw or contracted muscles in the jaw and face. Acupuncture can help to both relax these targeted muscles and decrease the overall stress level in the body to relieve TMJ discomfort.
Acupuncture is frequently used to treat TMJ with positive results. As a long-standing treatment approach, research has determined the recommended acupuncture points, frequency, and duration of acupuncture treatment for TMJ-related problems. In treating TMJ, acupuncturists often find a deficiency in Qi in the liver (LV) meridian and an excess of Qi in the gallbladder (GB) meridian.
The treatment frequency is once a week for 4-6 weeks. Within 6-8 treatments, the patient should be able to feel some improvement. Pain and/or burning is reduced, the range of motion of the jaw is increased, and pain medication is reduced or discontinued.
Although millions of people use acupuncture each year, often for chronic pain, there has been considerable controversy surrounding its value as a therapy and whether it is anything more than placebo.However, research of traditional Chinese medicine revealed that acupuncture is effective in the treatment for temporomandibular disorders and myofascial pain
As with almost all muscles disorders, the recommendation of the appropriate massage and stretching exercises for the muscles involved will assist in a speedy recovery. A course of daily massage and stretching is recommended as part of the protocol to reduce stress of the temporomandibular joint. It is convenient to apply heat for 15 to 20 minutes before the stretching exercises are done to increase the elasticity of the muscles.
Constipation is difficulty in passing stools, prolonged intervals between stools, or a desire to defecate without the ability to do partially or completely. The stools may be hard, dry and pebble like, or essentially normal (this is, moist and well formed).
People have widely varying ideas as to what constitutes a normal bowel pattern. To some individuals, one motion per week is normal, while others consider themselves to be constipated if the defecate only once daily. In TCM the baseline for ‘normal’ is at least one unforced stool everyday or second day.
Constipation is a common problem, and in the western world appears to be largely related to diet and sedentary habits. Constipation can also an acute event associated with other primary illnesses, typically those characterised by fever or dehydration. In these situations however, the constipation itself is unlikely to be the presenting problem, although it will certainly be considered in the treatment strategy.
Constipation can be broadly divided into two types, excess and deficient. the excess patterns are characterised by the presence of a pathogen (typically Heat or Phlegm) or by pathological accumulation of qi that blocks the qi mechanism and the decent of Large Intestine qi. The deficient patterns are characterised by dryness from insufficient fluid lubrication in the form of body fluids, Blood or yin, or lack of propulsion through the digestive tract from deficiency of qi or yang.
Heat Heat causing constipation can be external or internal origin. When external Heat causes constipation, it may be systemic Heat (as in Heat in the Blood), or more commonly, Heat in the qi level, this is, Heat invasion of the Lungs and/or Stomach and Intestines.
External Heat Heat in the Lungs Invasion of an external Heat pathogen, or other pathogen which transforms into heat once the body, will dry body fluids and parch those parts of the body most sensitive to dryness, the Lungs and Intestines.
Heat in the Stomach and Intestines Heat invasion of the Stomach and Large Intestine is described ad yang ming syndrome.
Internal Heat The most common cause of internal Heat type constipation is diet (see below). Internal Heat can also be generated by prolonged frustration, resentment, or other emotional turmoil that impends the movement of Liver qi. The transformation of stagnant qi into Heat is aided by consumption of heating foods and beverages, especially alcohol, rich, fatty or supplementing foods. In addition, cigarette smoking, or working in a very dry or dehumidified environment can dry the Lungs, and by extension, the Large Intestine.
Diet The type of food consumed and the way it is consumed are important factors in the genesis of constipation. the western diet is, for the most part, heavy in protein and fat, and light in dietary fibre. Dietary fibre, from the cell walls of grains, vegetables and fruits is largely composed of cellulose, and is indigestible in humans. Fibre acts as a bulking agent, increasing the volume of the stool, thus triggering the stretch receptors in the intestinal wall. This in turn stimulates intestinal peristalsis and decreases transit time of waste material through the intestine. Insufficient fibre and high proportion of fat, which slows transit time, contribute significantly to sluggish movement of waste material through the bowel, and thus constipation.
Emotion The Stomach and Intestine rely on the smooth passage of Liver qi for their orderly function, and to some extent on the unimpeded descent of Lung qi. A combination of stress and inactivity or sedentary occupation which weakens Lung qi and causes a general sluggishness of qi, can lead to general derangement of gastrointestinal function.
Yin, Blood and Fluid Deficiency Yin, Blood and fluid deficiency patterns are very common causes of chronic constipation and are due to insufficient lubrication of the bowel by yin fluids, including Blood. Yin and Blood deficiency patterns frequently occur in elderly and postpartum patients because their yin is naturally depleted.
Qi and Yang Deficiency Qi and yang deficiency types of constipation are due to a lack of qi movement in the Intestines, compounded in the case of yang deficiency by Cold which ‘freezes and constricts’ movement through the intestines, further slowing the passage of stools.
Lack of Exercise Insufficient physical activity can contribute to constipation. People who sit all day tend to have systemically sluggish qi, which impends movement of qi and thus waste material through the Intestines. Similarly, lack of exercise weakens the Spleen and Lungs. When the Spleen is weak, the qi mechanism is easily disrupted, stomach qi fails to descend properly and qi movement through the abdomen slows.
Diagnosis Of the excess patterns, the most frequent cause of constipation in the western world is insufficient dietary fibre. With rich, high density, supplementing foods like fats and meat. colonic transit time is slowed and food stagnates.
Treatment Traditional Chinese herbs and acupuncture can be useful in speeding recovery.
