Monday, January 25, 2016

11 Side Effects of Acupuncture

11 Side Effects of Acupuncture 

After I was diagnosed with scoliosis in 2014, everyone and their mother suggested that I get acupuncture done. Mind you, none of these people had ever done it before themselves, but they still swore that it would relieve my chronic pain and ease my anxiety in general. I accepted their recommendations with a stiff smile, only to roll my eyes privately.
Until very recently, I didn't have much experience with holistic health treatments. The chiropractor was as far as I would get from mainstream modern medicine, and that was good enough for me, thanks very much. Also, I'm deathly scared of needles. But when I kept waking up with a nasty backache every morning, I knew it was time to try something different.
I got in touch with an acupuncturist who came highly recommended and I booked a treatment. Her name was Seven. (No, really, that's her given name; she's part Native American.) I went into my first session with Seven feeling positive, but also sweating profusely because I was so nervous. What happened over the next three months was pretty wild, and a lot more good things happened than I expected.
Here are 11 things that changed after committing myself to acupuncture for three consecutive months.

1. I Had Less Back & Neck Pain
Obviously, I wouldn't have kept going back for that long if this wasn't one of the first changes I noticed. The morning after my very first treatment, I woke up with absolutely no pain for probably the first time ever in my life. I nearly cried into my coffee. While not all mornings were this heavenly moving forward, the vast majority of them were, and that was enough to keep me going back for a long time.
During the second month, I started seeing her twice a week. By then, I was feeling incredible. I could sit at my desk for an hour or two without experiencing extreme discomfort in my lumbar spine, and there was no more nerve pain in my neck.

2. My Period Became Regular
One of the first things my acupuncturist, Seven, always asks me at the start every session is when my last period was. It's one of the things I've grown to love about acupuncture — acknowledging that all parts of the body, including the reproductive system, work with each other and inform the state our bodies are in.
On our third appointment, I told her right off the bat that my period was eight days late but that I knew I wasn't pregnant. She told me that she could "needle it out of me." My initial reaction to something that ominous-sounding was No way, girl. But my desperation to menstruate prevailed, so I agreed to having a few extra needles stuck in.
That day, she put two needles in my feet for the first time. One of them hurt like hell upon entry. Then, she placed a couple extra in my lower back, right around the kidneys. The next morning I woke up astounded — my period had appeared in full force.
Right around the time of my period over the next two months, knowing that I struggle with irregularity, Seven did the same thing. Both months my period came right on time, on the exact day my Kindara app predicted.

3. I Slept More Soundly
Acupuncture has been connected to relieving insomnia in many people, and there are studies proving that this ancient Chinese treatment is significantly more effective than prescribed medication.
After a few weeks of acupuncture, my internal clock slowly got adjusted to where I could fall asleep around 10 p.m. and sleep for a solid seven hours without stirring, something that rarely happens. Also, on the mornings I had to set my alarm clock a bit earlier than usual, I wasn't dragging myself out of bed cranky and miserable. Vitality was the name of the game.

4. I Needed Less Coffee
This isn't as sad as it sounds. It's not like I stopped enjoying coffee; I just didn't need to throw back three or four cups a day to keep my energy up. At the end of my first month of acupuncture, I was perfectly happy with just one coffee in the morning. This also meant that I wasn't dealing with a massive caffeine crash at the end of the day.
Apparently, I'm not alone. Once you get needled on the regular, you usually have more energy to get things done without relying on substances. Even after just one treatment, some people report having a pep in their step for days or even weeks afterward.

5. I Sat Cross-Legged Less Often
Blame it on the new alignment, I guess, but it was suddenly uncomfortable to sit with one leg sexily crossed over the other. I wasn't instructed to make this change by my acupuncturist. I spontaneously discovered that positioning myself like this while working at a desk was seriously uncomfortable, and it was resulting in a dull ache in my lower back.

6. My Neck Grew Longer
I swear, I gained about a quarter of an inch on my neck. Because of my tight shoulders and the collapse in my cervical spine, my shoulders naturally creep up toward my ears all the time. This is neither physically comfortable nor aesthetically pleasing. Regular acupuncture fixed this up pretty quickly, though.
Within a month, my shoulders were more relaxed than ever before, allowing my neck to be beautifully exposed. The best part? Two friends pointed it to me, and dragged me to the mirror to see for myself when I refused to believe them.

7. My Anxiety Was Significantly Reduced
My most anxious time of the day arrives between 4-6 p.m., and it usually makes me crawl behind my couch for a self-induced timeout. However, the longer I stuck with acupuncture, the less and less that mean anxiety monster came to harass me. It didn't hurt that I left each session super duper Zen. Luckily, that feeling stayed with me for many hours afterward.
A 2013 study published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studiesshowed that just a 20-minute acupuncture session eased anxiety and increased memory strength in participants compared to subjects who received no treatment at all. The needles are meant to get your Qi flowing, which slows down the production of stress hormones.

8. I Drank More Water Throughout The Day
It all started because I left my first session dying for a bottle of water. I ended up drinking an extra liter of H2O that day, which, trust me, never happens. This habit continued for the entire three months as I turned into an acupuncture junkie.
Seven told me it's pretty standard for people to become more conscious of what they're putting in their bodies when they engage in holistic treatments. They tend to make better choices in their diet and pay attention to what their bodies are truly in need of.

9. I Was More Flexible In Yoga
I felt like I had a new body in my hot yoga classes. My thoracic spine was feeling especially open and bendy, and I could explore postures in ways I never thought possible. Because those small needles can get in between tight muscles in ways that a massage therapist's hands never could, I was experiencing flexibility in the most unexpected of places. Subsequently, I was stretching deeper into the poses, and this granted me even more relief than the acupuncture treatments alone.

10. My "Tickle Tension" Spots Vanished
Tickle tension is real, people! You might think you're just, well, ticklish, but oftentimes these spots in our body indicate that something else is going on underneath the surface. Maybe it's due to an injury from years ago, or perhaps the muscles in that area are just extra tight.
There was a spot smack dab in the middle of my back, to the left of my spine, that used to make me giggle so hard that massage therapists couldn't even put pressure on it. Seven spent a lot of time in the neighborhood, though, and by the third month, she could dig into any part of my back without my laughing like an idiot.

11. I Became More Aware Of Physical Pain & Discomfort
We've all heard about the new level of awareness that comes with things like yoga, meditation, and holistic treatments such as acupuncture. Fortunately, I'm here to report that they're not legends. I truly did achieve a new level of consciousness in my own body after being needled so often in that three-month period. Acupuncture helped me identify the different sensations that popped up in the small corners of the body, and figure out if they needed my time and attention.

So now, I guess I've become one of those people who highly recommends you try acupuncture, too.


Thursday, January 14, 2016

Acupuncture & Newborns Addicted to Opiates

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a group of problems that occur in a newborn who was exposed to addictive opiate drugs while in the mother's womb.




Adjunctive laser acupuncture reduces the need for morphine therapy in neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). In a randomized trial in neonates with NAS, 28 infants received either laser acupuncture combined with pharmacologic therapy (morphine and phenobarbital) or pharmacologic therapy alone. Compared with those in the pharmacologic therapy alone group, infants who also received laser acupuncture required morphine therapy for a shorter period and had a significantly reduced hospital stay (Raith W, et al.Pediatrics. 2015;136[5]:876-884).

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Acupuncture- Is it safe for children?

Acupuncture- Is it safe for children?



A new study finds massive benefits — and no side effects — in giving acupuncture to children with chronic pain.


There is a growing body of evidence that acupuncture, the traditional Chinese technique of inserting hair-thin needled into strategic points on the body, is safe with no adverse effects and some real benefits: Relieving muscle aches, migraines, stomach cramps, respiratory troubles, and even emotional trauma. That's great for adults, but what about kids? Is acupuncture safe for them?

The latest study seeking to answer this question, from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, offers solid proof that acupuncture is something parents should consider for their kids. A team of Western and Eastern medicine practitioners recruited 55 children and teens who'd been miserable for months with chronic pain and gave them up to eight 30-minute treatments. Every one of these kids reported having significantly less pain after receiving acupuncture. The greatest reductions came right away, after the first few sessions, but their pain continued dwindling throughout the trial. They didn't have any adverse side effects from the treatments either, expect maybe feeling slightly tired after a session. Their parents also noticed big improvements in their children's moods, social lives, and ability to focus at school.

"Many Western practitioners had been hesitant to recommend acupuncture for their young patients either because of the lack of research or because they just assumed parents wouldn't be interested," says study author Angela Johnson, a licensed acupuncturist. "Now we have proof that, when done by an expertly trained provider, acupuncture is very low risk. When you weigh the pros and cons, it's a very safe and effective thing to at least try."



The fear for a lot of folks who've never tried acupuncture is that it'll hurt. "When most people think about needles, the first image they have is a big stick needle or a blood draw," Johnson says. "But acupuncture needles are incredibly tiny and flexible and sterile, so some people feel a slight pinch or sense of warmth for a quick second, but it goes away." However, convincing a kid that getting stuck won't hurt can be tough. "Needles can be scary, so it's important to find a practitioner who's good with children and knows how to gain their trust," Johnson adds.

Above all, though, it's imperative to find an acupuncturist who's licensed and has the proper credentials, says Johnson. The requirements for practicing vary from state to state, so she suggests going to the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine's website to learn your state's rules and find a capable provider. 

– Melaina Juntti



Read more: http://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/health/is-acupuncture-safe-for-children-20151228#ixzz3x8hHpvBL

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

    The Leading Treatments: Manage and Ease the Pain of Fibromyalgia Naturally



Fibromyalgia and You

The chronic pain of fibromyalgia affects about 1 in 50 Americans. Because there is no cure for fibromyalgia and the cause is not understood, the quest to find the best fibromyalgia treatment is ongoing. Many people find fibromyalgia help through natural treatments — about 90 percent of those with fibromyalgia have tried some form of them. Because there are few clinical studies on most of these treatments, the only way to see if any work for you is to try them. Talk to your doctor about what might be most appropriate for you.

Vitamin D as Fibromyalgia Treatment

Both vitamin D and magnesium levels have been found to be low in people with fibromyalgia, but as of yet there is no evidence that taking vitamin supplements are an effective fibromyalgia treatment. Vitamin D, known as the sunshine vitamin, does have some effects on nerve and muscle function, and some studies have suggested that low levels of vitamin D may be associated with chronic pain of fibromyalgia. In a small clinical study published online in the January 2012 issue of Pain Medicine, fibromyalgia symptoms improved in 30 women after 8 weeks of vitamin D supplementation. However, other researchers have failed to find any association between fibromyalgia and vitamin D levels.

Fibromyalgia Help From Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of treatment for chronic pain and is based on ancient Chinese medical practices. There have been several studies on the usefulness of acupuncture in treating the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Three studies support the use of acupuncture combined with a pulsed electric current, a treatment called electroacupuncture. Although this fibromyalgia treatment seems to relieve pain, the results are not long-lasting.

S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) for Fibromyalgia

Because SAMe is a naturally occurring substance throughout the body and involved in many of the body’s processes, its role as a pain reliever has been studied. SAMe has been shown to relieve depression and the chronic pain associated with osteoarthritis. Some studies show that taking SAMe may reduce fibromyalgia symptoms of pain, fatigue, and stiffness. The studies supporting the use of SAMe for fibromyalgia help are small, and not all have found a benefit. More research is needed. SAMe is not found in food, but can be taken as a supplement in the form of a tablet.

Massage Therapy for Fibromyalgia
Massage therapy is another alternative pain treatment that is one of the most commonly tried for fibromyalgia. The benefits of massage are hard to demonstrate in a clinical study, but it does seem to be helpful for many types of muscle pain, including fibromyalgia. Massage is generally safe. It may certainly relieve tightness and promote relaxation, but it is not likely to provide any long-term fibromyalgia help.

Capsaicin Application for Fibromyalgia
Capsaicin comes from pepper plants and is considered a natural pain reliever. It’s the active ingredient in a variety of over-the-counter sprays and lotions. When applied to a painful area of the body, it stimulates the release of a body chemical called substance P. As substance P is depleted, the pain sensation seems to decrease. Capsaicin has been used for chronic pain in diabetes, cancer, and cluster headaches. It may also temporarily relieve fibromyalgia pain.

Biofeedback for Fibromyalgia Pain

Biofeedback is an alternative therapy that uses the mind-body connection to help you learn to control your chronic pain with the power of your mind. The feedback may come in the form of muscle tension, skin temperature, or brain wave measurements. Biofeedback is helpful for many painful conditions when it is used along with other therapies. There are not enough good studies to say for sure whether biofeedback is an effective fibromyalgia treatment yet.

Chiropractic Manipulation for Fibromyalgia Pain

Chiropractic medicine is an alternative form of treatment that uses spinal manipulation and realignment to relieve pain, improve function, and promote natural healing. Chiropractic has been studied in many chronic pain conditions. Most studies suggest it may be effective for relief of back, neck, or headache pain. As far as fibromyalgia help, the National Institutes of Health state there is insufficient evidence to recommend it.

Melatonin Hormone Help for Fibromyalgia

Melatonin is a natural hormone found in the body, thought to be involved in promoting sleep. Melatonin in pill form is often used as a sleep aid, but it has also been used for depression, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia. Again, the experts say there is not enough evidence to support its use for the chronic pain of fibromyalgia. However, many people do get fibromyalgia help from natural and alternative treatments despite the lack of research support. If you want to try one of these fibromyalgia treatments, always check with your doctor first.

  • 2 / 9   Vitamin D as Fibromyalgia Treatment

    Both vitamin D and magnesium levels have been found to be low in people with fibromyalgia, but as of yet there is no evidence that taking vitamin supplements are an effective fibromyalgia treatment. Vitamin D, known as the sunshine vitamin, does have some effects on nerve and muscle function, and some studies have suggested that low levels of vitamin D may be associated with chronic pain of fibromyalgia. In a small clinical study published online in the January 2012 issue of Pain Medicine, fibromyalgia symptoms improved in 30 women after 8 weeks of vitamin D supplementation. However, other researchers have failed to find any association between fibromyalgia and vitamin D levels.