Neck and Shoulder pain is a fairly common complaint of the modern worker in the United States. This condition can affect anyone who uses his or her arms a lot in daily work, whether it is computer work, phone work, lifting, or any other repetitive movement of the upper body. It is treated exceptionally well with acupuncture and Chinese Herbs.
From a Chinese Medicine Perspective, Neck and Shoulder Pain is a symptom of stagnant Qi and Blood. This stagnation affects primarily the Urinary Bladder, Gall Bladder, and Small Intestine meridian channels. As this is an area many people carry their stress there is generally stagnancy and depression of the Liver Energy as well. The continuous holding of stress leads to Qi and Blood stagnation and to poor circulation in the muscles of the neck and shoulders, including the trapezius, the levetor scapulae, the scalene, the rhomboids, the infraspinatus and deltoid, creating a lot of stiffness and tension. This excessive tension limits the mobility of the neck, as well as the rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder joint, and the facet joints of the spinal column. This tension and stiffness of the muscles leads to an accumulation of lactic acid in the tissues and interstitial space. This excessive acid accumulation in the tissues can trigger inflammation and long term can lead to degeneration of the discs. Additionally, this continuous tension and stress in the muscles can lead to chronic headaches, poor memory, fatigue, poor decision making, eye strain.
The Standard Western Approach to Neck and Shoulder pain:
Starting with NSAID (Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs), painkillers and Muscle relaxers, progressing to cortical steroid injections, nerve blocks and Surgery may be an option in extreme cases. Side effects from these drugs range from mild to serious including: addiction, and even ultimately kidney failure.
The Chinese Medicine Approach:
The use of acupuncture for neck and shoulder pain is ancient. Points in the local area of the neck, base of skull, and shoulder blade are used to relax muscles, increase endorphin production, and increase circulation. Additionally, points are chosen to increase the functioning of the Liver the Kidneys and adrenal glands. Points are also selected along the Gall Bladder, Small Intestine and Urinary Bladder Meridians. Points may also be chosen to help with the general constitution as well. Electric stimulation to the needles may be used for increased endorphin response. Once placed, the needles will remain for 30 minutes while the patient relaxes and focuses on breathing.
Herbal wise, the approach to neck and shoulder pain is to increase circulation, dispel wind and dampness, strengthen the functioning of the Kidney, and alleviate stress from the Liver system.
A course of treatment with acupuncture is 10 sessions. It is best to have acupuncture more frequently in the early stages of treatment and then decrease frequency with time. Often times back pain will resolve within that time, and then the patient will use acupuncture as a preventive measure.
Justin Burkett, is a licensed acupuncturist and Master of Oriental Medicine with a practice onboard Carnival Conquest, sailing from Galveston, TX. He writing a book on an integrated approach toward natural health called, "Healthy People Don't Need Medicine". He is proud to be part of a tradition of medicine that is truly a treasure of world knowledge that stretches back across time and around the world.
To find a qualified licensed acupuncturist in your area, click here.
To learn more about herbs for allergies, click here.
You can learn more about Justin’s practice here.
To receive the podcast, "your chinese medicine minute" click here
You can sign up to receive regular updates here.
Showing posts with label health wellness alternative medicine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health wellness alternative medicine. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
All stuffed up? Try Chinese Medicine for Allergies.
If you suffer from allergies, you understand that you are not truly free. The degree of limitation caused by an allergy can vary from mild to severe. Some people might not be able to indulge in a favorite dessert; others might have to limit a social visit to a beloved due to the presence of an offensive animal, such as a cat (or dog); some may not be able to fully appreciate a spring day for the pollen; and still others may be living with an underlying fear of anaphylactic shock should a peanut come anywhere near them. Though different in degree, the underlying fundamental is the same: the body is over reacting to some substance in the environment.
Think of allergies as a culmination of a crisis. The stage has been set, and the body’s defenses are on hair trigger, (or dander trigger, or pollen trigger, or mold trigger, well, you get the point)
Let’s first look at rhinitis, or seasonal allergies, or hay fever. Symptoms include itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, stuffy nose and sinus congestion. Phlegm obstructs the nasal cavity; pressure begins to build in the sinuses; (the sinuses are hollow spaces in the skull that keep the head lighter and are also involved in sensing ambient pressure of the environment); Lymph nodes may begin to swell and a person may be prone to recurrent colds and flu's. Though manifesting in the eyes, face and nose, the phlegm is actually a product of a sub-optimal digestive capacity. In Chinese Medicine terms we talk about the Spleen function.
In Chinese Medicine, this process: the transformation of the food we eat into a substance our body uses to make energy, is one function of the Spleen system. The Spleen also governs the transportation function in the body. If the Spleen function is impaired the body will not transform the food more easily create “dampness”. When the dampness does not resolve, when it accumulates and combines with heat it turns to phlegm, (think of making pudding.) This phlegm starts to coat the linings of the body, including the lungs and throat and nose. This phlegm can also coat the linings and tissues of the internal organs as well. Phlegm can even lodge in the muscle tissues. One the thing about phlegm is that it inhibits the electrical conductivity through the body. It prevents the free flow of qi and blood.
Chinese Medicine speaks about connections:
The nose is the portal to the Lungs.
The eyes are the portals to the Liver.
The mouth is the portal to the Spleen.
The tongue is the portal to the Heart.
And the ears are the portals to the Kidney.
When there is an issue with a particular sense organ, there is a connection with an internal organ system. For example, continuing with our example of seasonal allergies: the eyes being a portal to Liver, the itchy watery eyes speak of congestion within the Liver system. Some of the function of the Liver includes cleansing the Blood. The phlegm that is generated by the immune system is sticky stuff and must be dealt with by the Liver.
The stuffy nose and sneezing, this speaks of the phlegm accumulating in the Lungs. Chinese Medicine states that the Lungs dominate the defensive Qi. When the defensive energies are weak, the body may over react to perceived pathogens with the big guns, thus creating an allergic reaction.
Additionally, Chinese Medicine recognizes the meridians of the body as pathways of energy flow pertaining to various organs. Where there is a problem, says something about that meridian. The sinus congestion relates to the Stomach and Large Intestine meridians. So issues of allergies may have a contributing factor from the Stomach and Large Intestine functions as well.
So, to sum up: seasonal allergies, hay fever, sinusitis is a situation of phlegm obstruction. This phlegm is a product of a sub-optimal Spleen system. There is an obstruction in the nasal cavities, the portal of the Lungs. There is related obstruction in the flow of the Liver causing itchy watery eyes, and blockage and accumulation of toxins in the colon, manifesting as pressure build up in the sinus.
Thus the goal of treating allergies is strengthening the function of these systems. Starting with symptomatic relief, acupuncture can be very effective in opening up the nasal passages, draining the sinus congestion, restoring proper breathing, clearing up the muzziness in the head.
Long term relief and prevention and overcoming allergies involve changing the internal environment. The Spleen and Lung functions must be fortified. The Spleen does not like foods that create dampness, such as greasy food, fried food, rich food, sweet food, and refined flour. Additionally, the Spleen function is hampered by overconsumption of cold food, (think iced-beverages) the Spleen benefits from whole grains, and vegetables that have been quickly cooked, but not overcooked.
The Lungs and Large Intestines benefit from aromatic pungent foods, like onions, garlic, scallions, ginger, and spices. The Liver benefits from foods that have a strong tart or sour taste, like lemons, berries.
Additionally, Chinese herbal medicine that addresses correction of these organs is absolutely essential in getting out of a state of being allergic.
A course of treatment with acupuncture is 10 sessions. It is best to have acupuncture more frequently in the early stages of treatment and then decrease frequency with time. Often times symptoms of allergies will resolve within that time, continuing with herbs and regular maintenance acupuncture treatments.
Justin Burkett, is a licensed acupuncturist and Master of Oriental Medicine with a practice onboard Carnival Conquest, sailing from Galveston, TX. He writing a book on an integrated approach toward natural health called, "Healthy People Don't Need Medicine". He is proud to be part of a tradition of medicine that is truly a treasure of world knowledge that stretches back across time and around the world.
To find a qualified licensed acupuncturist in your area, click here.
To learn more about herbs for allergies, click here.
You can learn more about Justin’s practice here.
To receive the podcast, "your chinese medicine minute" click here
You can sign up to receive regular updates here.
Think of allergies as a culmination of a crisis. The stage has been set, and the body’s defenses are on hair trigger, (or dander trigger, or pollen trigger, or mold trigger, well, you get the point)
Let’s first look at rhinitis, or seasonal allergies, or hay fever. Symptoms include itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, stuffy nose and sinus congestion. Phlegm obstructs the nasal cavity; pressure begins to build in the sinuses; (the sinuses are hollow spaces in the skull that keep the head lighter and are also involved in sensing ambient pressure of the environment); Lymph nodes may begin to swell and a person may be prone to recurrent colds and flu's. Though manifesting in the eyes, face and nose, the phlegm is actually a product of a sub-optimal digestive capacity. In Chinese Medicine terms we talk about the Spleen function.
In Chinese Medicine, this process: the transformation of the food we eat into a substance our body uses to make energy, is one function of the Spleen system. The Spleen also governs the transportation function in the body. If the Spleen function is impaired the body will not transform the food more easily create “dampness”. When the dampness does not resolve, when it accumulates and combines with heat it turns to phlegm, (think of making pudding.) This phlegm starts to coat the linings of the body, including the lungs and throat and nose. This phlegm can also coat the linings and tissues of the internal organs as well. Phlegm can even lodge in the muscle tissues. One the thing about phlegm is that it inhibits the electrical conductivity through the body. It prevents the free flow of qi and blood.
Chinese Medicine speaks about connections:
The nose is the portal to the Lungs.
The eyes are the portals to the Liver.
The mouth is the portal to the Spleen.
The tongue is the portal to the Heart.
And the ears are the portals to the Kidney.
When there is an issue with a particular sense organ, there is a connection with an internal organ system. For example, continuing with our example of seasonal allergies: the eyes being a portal to Liver, the itchy watery eyes speak of congestion within the Liver system. Some of the function of the Liver includes cleansing the Blood. The phlegm that is generated by the immune system is sticky stuff and must be dealt with by the Liver.
The stuffy nose and sneezing, this speaks of the phlegm accumulating in the Lungs. Chinese Medicine states that the Lungs dominate the defensive Qi. When the defensive energies are weak, the body may over react to perceived pathogens with the big guns, thus creating an allergic reaction.
Additionally, Chinese Medicine recognizes the meridians of the body as pathways of energy flow pertaining to various organs. Where there is a problem, says something about that meridian. The sinus congestion relates to the Stomach and Large Intestine meridians. So issues of allergies may have a contributing factor from the Stomach and Large Intestine functions as well.
So, to sum up: seasonal allergies, hay fever, sinusitis is a situation of phlegm obstruction. This phlegm is a product of a sub-optimal Spleen system. There is an obstruction in the nasal cavities, the portal of the Lungs. There is related obstruction in the flow of the Liver causing itchy watery eyes, and blockage and accumulation of toxins in the colon, manifesting as pressure build up in the sinus.
Thus the goal of treating allergies is strengthening the function of these systems. Starting with symptomatic relief, acupuncture can be very effective in opening up the nasal passages, draining the sinus congestion, restoring proper breathing, clearing up the muzziness in the head.
Long term relief and prevention and overcoming allergies involve changing the internal environment. The Spleen and Lung functions must be fortified. The Spleen does not like foods that create dampness, such as greasy food, fried food, rich food, sweet food, and refined flour. Additionally, the Spleen function is hampered by overconsumption of cold food, (think iced-beverages) the Spleen benefits from whole grains, and vegetables that have been quickly cooked, but not overcooked.
The Lungs and Large Intestines benefit from aromatic pungent foods, like onions, garlic, scallions, ginger, and spices. The Liver benefits from foods that have a strong tart or sour taste, like lemons, berries.
Additionally, Chinese herbal medicine that addresses correction of these organs is absolutely essential in getting out of a state of being allergic.
A course of treatment with acupuncture is 10 sessions. It is best to have acupuncture more frequently in the early stages of treatment and then decrease frequency with time. Often times symptoms of allergies will resolve within that time, continuing with herbs and regular maintenance acupuncture treatments.
Justin Burkett, is a licensed acupuncturist and Master of Oriental Medicine with a practice onboard Carnival Conquest, sailing from Galveston, TX. He writing a book on an integrated approach toward natural health called, "Healthy People Don't Need Medicine". He is proud to be part of a tradition of medicine that is truly a treasure of world knowledge that stretches back across time and around the world.
To find a qualified licensed acupuncturist in your area, click here.
To learn more about herbs for allergies, click here.
You can learn more about Justin’s practice here.
To receive the podcast, "your chinese medicine minute" click here
You can sign up to receive regular updates here.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
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
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