NEW ARTICLE Found that Acupuncture can help with Stroke Rehabilitation!

By Dr. Amerest Anderson | Published: August 18, 2009

Stroke Rehabilitation with Acupuncture, Tuina, and Tong Ren Therapy
Submitted by Chad Dupuis on Mon, 2009-08-10 12:26.
Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability in the US and the third leading cause of death. Every year strokes effect 15 million people worldwide with 5 million of those resulting in death. Of the remaining 10 million survivors at least 5 million of those will be disabled to varying degrees requiring immediate and long-term care to regain function, speech, memory, and other related impairments. Smoking, obesity, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and high blood pressure are important risk factors for stroke, with high blood pressure being the most strongly correlated.

High blood pressure, diabetes, and other risk factors for stroke are commonly treated with Chinese Medicine and other complementary therapies. For stroke treatment, acupuncture serves both a preventative and a rehabilitative role. For prevention, Chinese Medicine works to offset the systemic imbalances that contribute to stroke. These are issues such as long-term emotional and physical strain, overwork, poor diet and dietary habits such as eating too fast, at odd hours, etc. and an overall lack of relaxation. In Chinese Medicine terms these habits weaken the spleen, kidney, and liver systems over a period of time and contribute to the chances of having a stroke and/or developing other health issues.

On the rehabilitative side, acupuncture works along with other western therapies such as physical therapy and other rehabilitation specialists to help regain function. Generally treatment involves resolving the underlying causes, using points overall for the specific type of stroke in Chinese Medicine terms, and then points for local issues. These “local” issues may include paralysis or loss of control in various limbs, facial paralysis, speech problems, and more. Proper treatment, then, involves points and techniques for both systemic and local issues.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory divides stroke into two main types: flaccid (stemming from an overall deficiency) and tense (from an overall excess). Examples of symptom differences for these TCM diagnoses for stroke are as follows:

Flaccid type – sudden unconsciousness with flaccid signs such as closed eyes, open mouth, loss of bowel and/or urinary functions, cold limbs.

Tense type – sudden unconsciousness with tense signs such as clenching of the hands and/or mouth, redness of the head and/or face, no loss of bowel or urinary functions.

Treatment for each type will vary, and is described within our Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture for stroke section. Generally points which aid for stroke are used, then points to clear excess or to tonify deficiencies, and then overall for resulting symptoms such as the use of CV 23 for speech issues (aphasia), ST 4, ST 6, ST 7, and/or UB 2 for facial paralysis, etc. See our section on stroke treatment for more point examples.

Viewpoints outside of TCM Treatments for Stroke:

Outside of TCM acupuncture there are other systems for stroke treatment and rehabilitation. One of these systems is Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture (YNSA). Yamamoto is useful for stroke rehabilitaion and a variety neurological and musculo-skeletal disorders. There have been a number of studies performed with YNSA and the results are very promising. A general introduction to the system can be found on our YNSA section.

Another system for stroke treatment, and our primary system, is the Tom Tam Healing System. The Tam Healing System combines acupuncture, tuina (deep tissue massage), and tong ren therapy (a form of medical qi gong) to aid in the rehabilitation of stroke. For stroke rehabilitation, a combination of techniques in our opinion is preferable to acupuncture alone. Acupuncture needling has certain effects on neurological function, pain, and movement, tuina promotes greater circulation and removes impediments to nerve function in a quick fashion, and tong ren will promote nerve and blood circulation and overall relaxation. For all of these techniques the primary treatment points are focused on regardless which one you are using at the time. For acupuncture you would also use various TCM points as appropriate for the patients overall diagnosis and for tuina certain points will be highlighted particularly along the neck and spine as indicated below.

Tam Healing System Points for Stroke:
Treatments generally begin with Tong Ren Therapy, then deep tuina on appropriate points, followed by acupuncture, and finish with deep tuina again including general work on the neck and spine and specific problem areas.

Tiandong – used to effect the circulation within the vertebral artery. Useful for a range of neurological conditions including MS, alzheimer’s, and stroke.

SI 16 and TH 16- window of the sky point, used to effect circulation in the vertebral and occipital arteries. Used with a range of brain issues related to circulation.

Huatuo of C1 – effects communication to and from the brain and promotes circulation in the GV 20 area.

GV 20 – useful for stroke and all motor cortex issues.
LV 3 – descend liver wind and promote smooth circulation of energy.
LI 4 – clear wind from the face and head.
SI 17 – window of the sky point, very useful for facial issues, paralysis, headaches, TMJ, as well as high blood pressure.
ST 36 – tonify overall energy and promote proper circulation.

* Important points for tuina: Tiandong, all sky window points, GV 20, huatuo of C1 and then generally in the neck and spine through to problem areas.

Between prevention and rehabilitation there are acupuncture points and herbal medicines which can be used at the time of stroke to prevent complications. For completeness sake, I will mention these briefly, but it is best to obtain western medical care promptly if at all possible as western medicine excels in the treatment of acute medical emergencies such as stroke.

Acupressure/Acupuncture for Acute Stroke
- In an emergency situation acupressure or acupuncture may be used on the acupuncture point GV 26. GV 26 is located between the nose and the upper lip on the midline of the body and you can press it deeply with a fingernail or with your thumb. GV 26 is the command point (link) for fainting and collapse and is used to help people regain consciousness from a variety of causes.

Herbal Medicine for Stroke (Acute, Prevention and Rehabilitation)
- There are a variety of herbal formulas that are useful for stroke, many containing herbs from the “open the orifices” and “extinguish wind” categories. While it can be useful, herbal medicine must be used appropriately and should never be used, specifically in serious medical conditions such as stroke, without proper consultation from a professional practitioner. A few of the more commonly used formulas are listed below:

Zhi Bao Dan – expels phlegm-heat and wind, useful for fever, coma, stroke, and/or convulsions.

Qiang Li Tian Ma Du Zhong Pian – expels wind and improves circulation, useful for paralysis from stroke, high blood pressure, and to aid in prevention of stroke.

Xin Nao Xue Shuan Pian – promotes circulation and activates the collaterals, useful for stroke, headache, numbness of the extremities and/or fatigue.

For more information related to the treatment of stroke, our website has a complete section for the treatment of stroke with Chinese Medicine. As the human and medical costs of stroke are very high, acupuncturists have an increasingly important role to play in the field of prevention and stroke rehabilitation. Proper use of these techniques can reduce disability in patients and lessen the overall strain on our medical system. As practitioners we should continue promoting health prevention through acupuncture and associated techniques as well as to further educate the public on the uses of acupuncture for stroke rehabilitation.

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Acupuncture and Pain

By Dr. Amerest Anderson | Published: July 21, 2009

Clinical studies support that acupuncture is an effective modality in the treatment of almost all kinds of pain conditions, including the following: migraines, neuralgia, neck pain, back pain, herniated disc, TMJ, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, frozen shoulder, shoulder pain, fibromyalgia, dysmenorrhea, osteoporosis, sports and other injuries, surgical pain and even cancer pain. Researchers have discovered beneficial immune and endocrine alterations following acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture may actually help prevent pain by acting on the sympathetic nervous system and by stimulating the body to produce biochemical substances, such as endorphins, to help reduce pain.

Acute and chronic pain syndromes, as some of society’s most costly health problems, have an enormous impact on individual, national, and global levels. In the United States, chronic pain is the third most common health-care problem, behind heart disease and cancer, with the combined annual costs of lost work days, doctor visits, hospital stays, pain-reducing drugs, and disability totaling an estimated $100 billion.

Long lasting pain often creates a chronic pain cycle: Pain, lack of exercise, limited physical activity, chronic fatigue, stress, depression, muscle tension, tightness, cramping, sensitive nerves, and again, pain. Patients suffer from this pain cycle. Some patients even feel that their quality of life changes completely due to a chronic pain condition.

Sometimes, we can’t find an obvious cause of a patient’s pain syndrome, even with X-rays, MRI’s, and lab tests. We have to assume then that the cause is neurogenic- from the brain, nervous system, or even the psyche. Pain can be a manifestation of emotion. Your brain interprets and creates nerve signals. There’s nothing wrong, or less valid about that kind of pain.  Sometimes pain has to be “unlearned.” This process may be accomplished with acupuncture.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), nothing in the human body can function independently. Pain is the body’s warning alarm. It tells you something is wrong. If you ignore your body’s alarm, similarly to the fire alarm in your house, severe problems can form soon.

Human body functions are dependent on the life force energy-(Qi). Qi and blood flow through the meridian system, nourishing and protecting body tissues and helping them maintain their functions. If, however, the body is beset with disease or injury, normal pathological symptoms will appear and affect the organs and meridian. Once the meridian is blocked, the Qi and blood are not able to move along smoothly. As a result, the affected area will not be able to get enough nutrition. In response, the patient feels pain, tingling, stiffness, bloating, or numbness. Hence the old TCM saying, “There is a blockage, there is pain. Otherwise, there is no pain.”

The meridian system is just like a network. Each meridian is connected with a specific organ. The organ damage may show up from the meridian, and the local blockage of the meridian can affect the internal organ as well. That is why in TCM, when treating a pain condition, the doctor will not usually only focus on just the local pain, but also (and sometimes more important) work to rebalance and harmonize the whole body.

Meridian blockage can be caused by external reasons such as excessive cold, wind, dampness, dryness, fire (heat) or injury. It also can be caused by emotional change such as anger, sadness, fear, stress, or depression. Generally speaking, relieving blood and Qi stagnancy, balancing the energy, nourishing the tissue, increasing circulation, and building up deficient organs are all ways that TCM treats pain.

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Lower Back Pain

By Dr. Amerest Anderson | Published: June 30, 2009

Low back pain is one of the most common conditions in the U.S. and is one of the leading causes of physician visits.  At least four out of five adults will experience it at some point in their lives.  There are many causes of lower back pain; most cases can typically be linked with some general cause such as a muscle strain or something more specific such as degenerative disc changes, or a herniated disc.
For many people, low back pain follows a fairly predictable course.  Nagging pain, that lasts a few days or weeks, it goes away and then returns when something is done to provoke it.  So what can you do to get out of the ongoing routine of pain?
Clinical trials indicate that chiropractic care is as safe and effective as conventional treatments. Among people seeking back pain relief alternatives, most choose chiropractic treatment.  About 22 million Americans visit chiropractors annually.  Of theses 7.7 million, or 35% are seeking relief from back pain from various causes, including accidents, sports injuries, and muscle strains.
Chiropractors use hands-on spinal manipulation and other alternative treatments, the theory being that proper alignment of the body’s musculoskeletal structure, particularly the spine, will enable the body to heal itself without surgery or medication.  Manipulation is used to restore mobility to joints restricted by tissue injury caused by a traumatic event, such as falling, or repetitive stress, such as sitting without proper back support.
Chiropractic is primarily used as a pain relief alternative for muscles, joints, bones, and connective tissue, such as cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.

People who have osteoporosis, spinal cord compression, or inflammatory arthritis, or who take blood-thinning medications should not undergo spinal manipulation.
There are a few symptoms that indicate a possible serious medical condition requiring surgery. Patients with these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms include:
Sudden bowel and/or bladder dysfunction (cauda equina syndrome)
Progressive weakness in the legs (cauda equina syndrome)
Severe, continuous abdominal and low back pain (see abdominal aortic aneurysm)
People with fever and chills, history of cancer with recent weight loss, or who have just suffered a severe trauma should also seek immediate medical attention.
For more information on Chiropractic care and back pain: http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/chiropractic-treatments-back-pain

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Migraines

By Dr. Amerest Anderson | Published: June 30, 2009

Pain in the Head?

Migraines are extremely painful headaches that many people suffer from on an ongoing and chronic basis.  Because there is not a clear cut “cause” of migraine, many will see medical practitioners, and try several medications without success or relief.  There ARE other natural options that have less side effects and great results for many sufferers.  Chiropractic manipulations, acupuncture, as well as several herbs have been shown to help.  Your chiropractor should be able to help you modify your diet and identify triggers to your headaches as well.   If you or someone you know is struggling with headaches and migraine pain, read the following article, as well as the links to other articles.  Chiropractic care and Acupuncture work!

Chiropractic for Migraine Relief

Nearly everyone experiences a headache or migraine at some point in his or her life. In fact, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the American Council for Headache Education (ACHE), nearly 95 percent of women and 90 percent of men will have at least one headache within their lifetime. Additionally, over 25 million people in the United States suffer from chronic migraines; the manifestation of which results in more than 112 million bedridden days per year and a loss of over $13 billion to employers. Statistics and financials aside, migraines and headaches aren’t fun; it’s almost, if not strictly, impossible to go about one’s normal life when suffering from one.

Of course, there are options. When considering a treatment, many people choose the pharmaceutical approach although almost all of these individuals find themselves unhappy with their decision; dissatisfied with the both immediate and long-term benefits as well as the accompanying side effects. As with most chronic conditions, there are, however, several natural, alternative treatment options. Chiropractic care, for one, has proven to be most successful both in the reduction and the elimination of headaches and migraines.

There have been several clinical trials to support this claim. One such prospective study, performed by researchers at the Chiropractic Research Center of Macquarie University, found that 72 percent of the participants reported a significant reduction in migraines after only 2 months. 72 percent!! In addition, participants continued to show statistically significant improvement after a six month follow up. Subsequently, these same researchers performed a randomized, controlled trial which found the initial results to be accurate. In another poignant study, researchers at the Northwestern College of Chiropractic, Center for Clinical Studies, found that, when compared with Amitriptyline, a drug commonly used for migraines, chiropractic care showed greater sustained benefits and fewer side effects than the pharmaceutical alternative. These are only 3 of the many trials which have been performed to date.

Given the stellar results, I’d say that chiropractic is a good treatment option; so if you’re one of the unfortunates who suffer from a chronic nagging, aching pain in the head, you may want to consider a visit to your local DC (Doctor of Chiropractic) – It’s proven to work.
Found at: http://ccwwellness.blogspot.com/2008/07/guest-post-chiropractic-for-migraine.html
Other studies:

  1. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/migraine-headache-000072.htm
  2. http://www.news-medical.net/news/2005/05/22/10268.aspx
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Acupuncture and Weight Loss

By Dr. Amerest Anderson | Published: June 30, 2009


Can acupuncture help me lose weight?

Acupuncture is becoming increasingly more popular for weight loss, as many people in Western counties struggle with obesity.  Acupuncture affects weight loss by suppressing your appetite and increasing self control.  It also focuses on reducing the feelings of anxiety, depression and anger, helping you relax and gain control of your emotions and cravings.  Acupuncture may help you gain control of your eating habits, empowering you to have the self control and will to eat healthful foods in healthful amounts.  All of these functions assist you in your goal of weight loss, but they will NOT cause you to lose weight in any magical way.
Patients that have their mind made up that they want and need to lose weight have the best results.  Acupuncture alone will not cause you to lose weight.  You will still need to eat healthily and exercise to lose weight.    Acupuncture provides emotional support for you, on a very individual basis through the stimulation of your chi (energy) flow by activating key emotional processes.  Although it is not a “magical” solution people that use acupuncture to support their weight loss efforts report that it is INDEED EFFECTIVE in making the process easier.
Treatment consists of needles being placed at variously selected points (based on each individual) and will last 25-40 min.  In most situations small ear tabs will then be placed in the inner ear at very specific points.  These points are meant to help the patient between sessions to control their cravings, and remain in place for 2-4 days.  Patients stimulate the ear tabs prior to meals as well as during cravings to assist in reducing appetite.  Treatments may be placed at weekly intervals for 6-8 weeks and combined with some diet and exercise counseling for maximum results.
As with all acupuncture therapy there is very little risk, and the treatment is very affordable.

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Acupuncture

By Dr. Amerest Anderson | Published: June 30, 2009

What it is, Where it came from, and what YOU can use it for!
Acupuncture is a form of treatment that is used in Chinese Medicine.  It is based on the principle that there are energetic pathways, or channels, throughout the body that influence associated internal organs and structures.  Energy from these pathways surfaces at various pints on the body, identified as acupuncture points.  Each of these specific points serves as a access route to the deeper circulatory channels within.  Extremely fine gauge needles are inserted at selected points, stimulating these points and thereby activating the body’s natural healing abilities.
Legend states that acupuncture was developed when early Chinese physicians observed unpredicted effects of puncture wounds in Chinese warriors.  The oldest known text on acupuncture dates back to 282 A.D.  The original text of Chinese medicine is estimated to be at least 2,500 years old.
The Chinese system believes that emotions and mental states are as influential on disease and pain syndromes as physical mechanisms.  It considers factors like work, environment, lifestyle, and relationships as fundamental to the overall picture of health.
Today acupuncture is being practiced in all 50 states by over 9,000 practitioners.  It is included in the practice of many MDs, DCs, and other natural healers. Acupuncture has shown notable success in treating many conditions, and over 15 million Americans have used it as a therapy.
Chinese medicine views disease as an imbalance in the organ system, or chi meridians.  The goal of any treatment is to assist the body in reestablishing its innate harmony or equilibrium, Disease/pain can be caused by internal factors like emotions, external factors like environment and weather and other factors like injury, trauma, diet and germs.  Illness is seen as a weakness in the energy of the body which is allowing a sickness to occur.  In Chinese medicine, no two illnesses are ever the same, as each body has its own characteristics of symptoms and balance.  Acupuncture is used to open or adjust the flow of chi throughout the organ system, which will strengthen the body and prompt it to heal itself.
Acupuncture needles generally do not cause pain.  Some patients report a pinching sensation and often pleasant sensations as the body experiences healing.  Depending on the problem the acupuncturist might spin, or move the needles, or even pass a slight electrical current through some of them.  The needles are always sterilized, and acupuncture is a very safe procedure.
Acupuncture is used to treat a myriad of different medical conditions, pain syndromes, as well as in general wellness, anti-aging and stress reduction.  Conditions include: migraine, back pain, fibromyalgia, infertility, weight loss, anxiety, depression, arthritis, allergies, sciatica, circulation problems, face lift and many more.
For more details visit the following website: http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/alternative-care/acupuncture-ancient-treatment-a-current-problem

Experience what your body can do for you, and schedule your acupuncture treatment today.

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Chiropractic Care

By Dr. Amerest Anderson | Published: June 30, 2009

What it is? What conditions it can help, and Who should try it!

Chiropractic is a profession that specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and overall management of conditions that are due to mechanical dysfunction of the joints and muscles and its effects on the nervous system.

The philosophy behind chiropractic is that the body has the capability of healing itself.  If factors of accident or lifestyle lead to poor, inadequate, or incorrect function in the spine or the joints, irritation of nerves and muscles can occur, causing direct or referred pain or discomfort, or even disease. Chiropractors use their skills and techniques to detect signs of restriction of movement, and to restore normal function and allow self-healing.

The term ‘chiropractic’ is derived from two Greek words, ‘cheir’ and ‘praktikos’, denoting treatment by hand, or manipulation. Chiropractic manipulation uses gentle hand movements known as ‘adjustments’

Treatment consists of rapid, highly specific adjustments to the affected joint and sometimes soft tissue massage. Although normally painless, treatment may result in a ‘popping’ noise, which is due to pressure changes within the joint and has no significance. A treatment program is tailored for each individual, and appropriate techniques are selected to suit that patient’s age and overall condition. Manipulation of the spine is aimed at reducing the effects of stress on the particular spinal nerves that are associated with the patient’s symptoms.

Chiropractic treatment is suitable for people of any age, including babies, pregnant women, and the elderly, and for a wide range of conditions, including back pain; sciatica; tension headaches; migraine; “pinched nerve” sensations, neck, shoulder, and arm pains; TMJ, carpal tunnel, sports injuries; repetitive strain injury; and many other joint and muscle disorders.

Many people have had success with chiropractic treatment where other forms of treatment and medicine have failed.  Others find that regular adjustments help them to feel less stress, manage daily pain, and feel more energy and overall wellness.  There is virtually no risk in having a manipulation, and the treatment is affordable and in most situations offers fairly immediate relief.

Make an appointment and begin living WELL today!

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