Acupuncture

ACUPUNCTURE

By Justin Burkett, L.Ac.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one branch of Chinese medicine. It is the use of sterile, disposable, one-time use only stainless steel needles to adjust the body’s energy flow. Needles are inserted into acupuncture points, which lie along meridian pathways. Meridian pathways are the routes through which bioelectricity (qi, or chee) flows into the major organ systems of the body. There are 12 main meridians, which pertain to the 12 zang – fu organs. Just as your appliances run on electricity, your organs, your cells and tissues run on bioelectricity. If there is an imbalance in this bioelectric flow, there will be a decline in health. Acupuncture aims to restore vitality to the human organism by improving the flow of bioelectric energy, or chi.

What is Acupuncture used for?

Acupuncture is an extremely versatile therapeutic tool that can be useful in the treatment of a wide variety of human ailments. In 1997 the NIH released a consensus statement regarding acupuncture. It found acupuncture to be an effective treatment for: back pain, joint pain, sciatica, nerve pain, fibromyalgia, bone pain, allergies, addictions, chronic fatigue, insomnia, IBS, Constipation, rhinitis, sinusitis, smoking cessation, tennis elbow, weight management, gastritis, headaches and more

A typical example of neck and shoulder pain:

Most famously, acupuncture is renowned for its ability to alleviate pain. A basic statement of fact in Chinese Medicine is that pain is the result of a lack of freely flowing qi and blood. Take for example neck and shoulder tension and pain. You are well aware that it takes energy for a muscle to contract. It also requires an energy investment for muscles to relax. If you are in a situation where for some reason, because of the work you do, or the way you hold your stress, there is chronic tension in your muscles. If these muscles don’t relax, there will be stagnation of qi and blood. When the qi becomes stagnant there is not the force to move the blood. When the blood becomes stagnant, then metabolic byproducts such as lactic acid will accumulate. Lactic acid will irritate nerve cells and cause pain. Additionally, lactic acid will distort the protein fibers in the muscles leading to more knots and stiffness. Stiffness and tension in a muscle will put unnecessary stress on the associated joints, possibly leading to pain in the neck, or pain in the shoulder joint.
Now consider all this tension in the neck and shoulders and between the shoulder blades. As you breathe in, your lungs should expand in all directions. Tension in this area will inhibit lung function, leading to a decrease in oxygenation levels, resulting in a decrease in energy levels. Decreased energy levels, further the downward trend because there is now not enough energy to completely relax the tension. So by inserting needles into precise points, we can cause the muscles to fully relax, and improve the circulation, taking away the accumulated toxins and bringing in new fresh blood for tissue repair. Also, due to the fact that there was a release of tension, and more oxygen in the body, then it is not uncommon to see an increase in energy levels as well.

How often does one need to get acupuncture?

That really depends on a variety of factors; from the nature of the complaint, the general state of health, your diet, whether you’re supplementing with Chinese herbs and your lifestyle. We say that a course of treatment is 10 sessions. Often times, a problem will resolve sooner than that, sometimes it may take longer. Acupuncture sessions have a cumulative and synergistic effect; so in the early stages of treatment, it is better to have 2-3 sessions in the first couple weeks, and then reduce the frequency of visits. Of course for more chronic conditions, such as arthritis or obesity, longer term treatment will be necessary
Acupuncture really excels as preventive medicine. It is said that in ancient times, the doctors were paid to keep their patients well. When the patient became ill, the doctor stopped being paid. The focus is on wellness, creating an environment for healing within the human organism. It is your focus that leads you to your goal.

A personal note on my hopes and beliefs

It is my hope for world that our goal is wellness: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Health is a state of peace and harmony, and from this state, only good things can come. Joy is the flower of good health.
It is my sincere belief that we are here on this planet for a specific purpose, and we are all here to make the world a better place in some way. It is only when we are free from the distortions that we can experience the world clearly. Our bodies are our vehicles, the cosmic instruments of our being. If we are ill or out of tune within ourselves, then we cannot experience the best of whom we are. When we are in tune with the flow of life in universe, then we are living at a higher level.
This is why I have chosen to practice this medicine. To do my part in making the world around me a better place every day by working with you, sharing this knowledge, knowing that everyday someone is having a better life with less pain, and greater understanding.

Chinese Herbal Secrets

Chinese Herbal Secrets

By Justin Burkett, L.Ac.

History:

Chinese Herbal Medicine goes back to pre-historical times. The earliest Herbal Medicine texts date from around 200 C.E. One of these earliest texts is called, Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, The Divine Farmer’s Material Medica Classic. Shen Nong is a legendary figure known to be the father of Chinese Herbal Medicine. He is said to have tasted over 100 herbs in a single day, to learn and experience their properties directly.

Concept:

Chinese Medicine is based on the concept that in a state of health the body exists in a dynamic equilibrium. When there is a free flow of qi internally, and all of the organs are getting the energy, blood and nutrients they need, health is abundant and life is experienced as the tao, one is with the flow of life. Illness and disease is an imbalance and blockage in the energetic flow internally. This blockage and imbalance creates deficiencies and excesses internally. There are patterns of disharmony that develop, and Chinese Medicine aims to correct these patterns of disharmony. 

Chinese herbal medicine is used to nourish life, boost the qi, prevent aging, and prolong life. Additionally, herbs are used to strengthen weak functioning organs, as well as to treat disease. 

Superior Herbs: nourishing herbs that are safe to take in large dosages for long periods of time with no harm, nor side effects.

Medium Herbs: Used for supplementing vacuity conditions, controlling disease, replenishing exhaustion. May or may not have side effects. Should be taken for only a limited time.

Inferior Herbs: Used specifically to treat disease conditions, may have some side effects and should not be taken for long periods of time.

Classes of Herbs:

Chinese Herbs are classified according different sets of criteria.
By the Part of the Plant: They are the root, rootstalk, stem, branch, bark or leaf.
According to yin or yang.
According to their flavors, i.e. salty, sour, sweet, bitter or acrid.
According to their nature: hot, cold, warm, cool.
According to the channels and organs they pertain to.
According to their function in the body:

• Herbs that Release the Exterior • Herbs that Clear Heat
• Herbs that Drain Dampness • Herbs that drain downward
• Herbs that dispel wind • Herbs that dispel wind-dampness
• Herbs that transform phlegm and stop coughing • Aromatic Herbs that transform dampness
• Herbs that Relieve Food Stagnation • Herbs that Regulate the Qi
• Herbs that Regulate the Blood • Herbs that Warm the Interior and Expel Cold
• Tonifying Herbs • Herbs that Stabilize and Bind
• Herbs that Calm the Spirit • Aromatic Herbs that Open the Orifices
• Herbs that Extinguish wind and Stop Tremors • Herbs that Expel Parasites
• Herbs for External Application

Formulas

Chinese herbs are never taken as single herbs. They are incorporated into Formulas where the combination of several herbs creates a synergy. Many formulas have been used since ancient times with great success. Often times a classical formula will be used as a basis for a larger formula, or maybe slightly modified to change its activity to suit a different pattern of disharmony.
A classic example is the formula, “Tranquility”. This is a modification of a classic formula that dates from the Tang dynasty, (around 800 C.E.) This formula in turn, is based on another formula, Si Ni San, a formula from around (200 C.E.).

Jou Herbs

Something very important to consider when using Chinese herbs is their purity, strength and effectiveness. Our herbs are grown in specific bio-regions of China, which have been used for growing Chinese Herbs since Imperial times. What this means is that because the herbs are grown in natural organic soil, they are not exposed to modern chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides. Additionally, the herbs are not stored in warehouses for years and are not fumigated with sulfurous preservatives. The herbs are taken from the fields to the manufacturing plant, which has been awarded certification for its Good Manufacturing Processes. The Herbs are cooked together at low temperature and the essential oils are collected and reintroduced into the formulas and are then concentrated and freeze dried into a powder and encapsulated in veggie caps for ease of absorption and maximum benefit. The net effect is a safe, effective herbal formula that is convenient to take.
Herbs must be taken daily over a period of time to see results. Often times, herbs are correcting a lifetime of nutritional deficiency, so a course of six months on a formula, followed by a rest for a month, then another 6 months is what is needed. Then, a person may switch to a tonic formula for continued maintenance.
Sometimes an herbal program may include a combination of different formulas to create the balance that is needed. For example, a person may have chronic low back pain, and at the same time have issues with constipation. Lower back pain relates to deficiency of Kidney Energy. Constipation re-circulates toxins into the blood stream and exposes the Kidneys and Liver to more toxicity. So it would be necessary to combine Intestinal Balance with Back & Knee Formula in a case like this. It is best to consult with an Acupuncturist to get the proper recommendation for Chinese Herbal Supplementation