Happy New Year !!!

May It Be Your Best Year Ever !

Acupuncture Changed Our Lives This Decade!

Last week ABC news published an article entitled "50 Things That Changed Our Lives This Decade". You can imagine how rewarding it is for those of us who have been practicing TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and patients who have benefited from Alternative Medicine to see that it has been RATED #2 on the list! The direct quote is..."From acupuncture to herbal supplements to alternative ways of

My 10 Favorite Posts of 2009

1) U Michigan Study; How Acupuncture Affects the Brain’s Ability to Regulate PainUsing brain imaging, researchers at the U-M Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center are the first to provide evidence that traditional Chinese acupuncture affects the brain's long-term ability to regulate pain. To read more click here2) A Chicago Acupuncturist’s Open Letter to President ObamaAs a fellow resident of

Merry Christmas !

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas

I'm So Happy To Be On Vacation!

But I will be back ! Have a wonderful holiday and I look forward to reconnecting in the new year.

10 Posts For Stressed Out Parents

This was my last post of 2009 for the blog Hopeful Parents. I thought some of the readers here might enjoy it, let me know what you think.I went back through my blog and selected the 10 posts that I believe will be useful to the readers of Hopeful Parents. I wish all of you a happy, healthy, hopeful holiday season and new year. I look forward to sharing new ideas in 2010 and would like you to

Grapefruit Enhances The Liver's Ability To Remove Cancer-Causing Toxins

I was interested to find out that grapefruit is not only a excellent source of vitamin C, but this fruit also helps eliminate toxins including carcinogens. Below is an explanation from The World's Healthiest Foods of how grapefruit helps our liver do this important work.Grapefruit Boosts Liver Enzymes That Clear Out Carcinogens "Grapefruit juice significantly increases the production and activity

Acupuncture Can Treat Heartburn In Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a very exciting time, but it can get uncomfortable. In my Chicago practice I often treat pregnant women for a variety of complaints including; back pain, allergies, morning sickness and other digestive issues. Below Amy Chitwood Burslem L.A.c. gives a great explanation of why heartburn occurs in pregnancy and some recent research on how Chinese Medicine can help.Acupuncture And

Acupuncture Can Help You Beat The Flu

We are all trying to stay healthy this winter, I certainly am! In my Chicago office I have many patients who come in complaining of colds and flus this time of year. Personally I take Jade Screen everyday to ward off getting sick. Below is a article from acufinder.com that provides natural options for fighting off the flu.By: Diane Joswick, L.Ac., MSOMDid you know that Tamiflu, a drug used to

I Just Thought This Quote Was Funny And Had To Share The Smile

"My philosophy of dating is to just fart right away."Jenny McCarthy

Happy Hanukkah!

10 Credible Studies That Show Chinese Medicine Works!

I'm very excited to announce a new and very talented guest blogger. Her name is Yael Ernst and she comes to us all the way from Tel Aviv Israel. Yael's blog is called Chinese Medicine Notes, be sure to check it out.The following post from Yael's blog; 10 Studies That Prove Chinese Medicine Actually Works is a great resource for research on TCM.Don’t you just love it when you talk to people

Hope Means...

I got the inspiration for this post from my friend Christina’s blog; Hopeful Parents.I want to share this quote from Maria Robinson with you,"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”There are so many, many sayings about each new day; the most overused being “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” Ugh. The clichés get so

Forms Of Ginseng And Where To Find Them

Last week, I described the three different varieties of ginseng. Today, I want to explain the available forms of ginseng and where to find them.In Traditional Chinese Medicine, ginseng is usually used in a formula with other Chinese herbs, rather than alone. A skilled Chinese herbalist can recommend the right formula or type of ginseng for you. Ginseng also can be used alone as a tonic. Alone,

What I See When I Look At Your Tongue

Come to my Chicago office and I will ask you to stick out your tongue. A person's tongue says a lot about their physical and emotional well being. Want to know more? Perhaps even try a little self diagnosis? Read this helpful article from acufinder.com, written by Lynn Jaffee, LAc.When your practitioner looks at your tongue, he or she is looking at the shape, color, size, coating and positioning

All About Ginseng

Did you know there are different types of ginseng and they are all considered potent herbs for helping the body adapt to stress - both mental and physical. Ginseng is best known for its ability to stimulate your immune system and fight fatigue and stress. Several dozen studies have shown that ginseng enhances physical and mental performance, improves mood, and aids metabolic function. Other

Veteran Uses Acupuncture To Get Healthy

A hopeful story recently appeared in The journal Times.com from Wisconsin. It described a veteran who became addicted to drugs after his duty in Viet Nam. Finally, 25 years ago, he entered a Veteran’s Hospital Stress Unit where he was treated for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It was somewhat helpful.Recently, he turned to acupuncture after seeing a flier at the veterans center. Two local

Cupping Massage

A few months ago I ran across this massage technique while looking over the menu of services at Canyon Ranch Spa Club in Las Vegas. After a bit of googling, I came across the website and decided to pick up the DVD from Lhasa OMS along with a few new cupping sets.

The technique is adapted for body workers and uses much lighter suction than TCM cupping. The theory is that the lighter suction stimulates the lymph system to loosen adhesions and pull stuck fluid into the lymph system where it is easier to eliminate. I started utilizing massage cupping in my practice and found it is great to help loosen up the body before doing traditional cupping techniques. It is not as effective for those with significant stagnation, but it is great for those with mild blockages who also need a little detoxification and TLC.

I just had this done last week and found it wonderfully relaxing on areas of mild tension, but in the parts that need a lot of work, I was yearning a bit for some strong stationary cupping. If I could have followed it up with some acupuncture, it would have been perfect - I even fell asleep a bit during the treatment.

I contacted the founder and encouraged her to get certified as an NCCAOM CEU provider. The system is easy to learn and a great addition to practices that focus on the individual patient.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you have much to be thankful for.Happy Holidays!

Chinese Medicine May Provide Help Against The H1N1 Virus

By: Cathy Margolin L.A.c.Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is used by more than 3 billion people in the world.As temperatures begin to drop and winter approaches the seasonal flu and H1N1 cases begin to spread. There may be another alternative to Tamiflu & flu vaccines to battle the virus. Hong Kong based Rorric Bio-Technology Ltd. believes it may be able to offer a less invasive cure to H1N1

Why we use concentrated herbal extracts?

About our services

Ginkgo May Offer Protection Against Radiation

More good news about the positive effects of Chinese Herbs! In this article from The Chinese Medicine Times Attilio reports on a new study which shows that an Antioxidant in Ginkgo may protect cells from radiation damage."According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), the Ginkgo biloba (G. biloba) is one of the oldest types of trees in the world. Ginkgo

I Love This Quote, What Do You Think?

"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake" Napoleon Bonaparte 1769-1821I love this quote because it has a Taoist philosophy behind it. Though I doubt Napoleon knew that. This saying is the perfect example of how inaction and stillness often work in our favor. What do you think?

严重忧郁症病患的掌纹研究 (the palm studies of depression patient)

Please click these pictures to view the enlarged version.

掌纹的生成和手部的神经、微循环及经络、穴位的分佈有密切关系。身斥个各部份的病理讯息都有可能反映在手掌上。这次，我将以一幅严重忧郁症病患的掌纹例图供大家参考。

我认为精神疾病不只是脑部的问题，其他的考虑因素可涉及內脏功能失调的问题，这也是我们中医千年以来强调治病的整体观念。

为了让大家更容易分析掌纹，我会拷贝同样的掌纹例图，并且以线条及形状显示特定掌的病理讯息。如果双手都出现一样纹理，右手将不会标上线条及形状，以供大家观察左右手的掌纹，起对比的参考作用。

1. 心理学研究发现，伴有短细杂线穿过的过长智慧线显示神经官能症、多虑症。这一些特征可以从这幅严重忧郁症病患的掌纹例图发现。

2.过长的智慧线尾部出现分叉，提示神经性头痛或神经衰弱等问题。

3. 后天八卦的〝兑区〞有〝米〞字状纹揭示病患的肠道吸收与排泄功能异常，同时也容易引起头痛、头昏、腹胀或腹疼。

4. 感情线在中指下流入食指与中指缝内，多显示病人自幼就患有胃病。

5. 指头及部份手掌呈瘀红色，提示气血运行不畅，多见于疲劳过度。

6. 〝内关〞穴位处有青筋，提示心脏方面的疾病，多出现心烦、心闷、心悸、失眠、多梦症状。

7. 右手智慧线起始处有分叉、分支纹状，反映食道、胃黏膜曾受损、有胃发炎的问题。

8. 后天八卦的〝艮区〞有网格纹，显示病患有严重的胃肠道功能紊乱综合症。

综合以上的掌纹分析，精神方面的疾病不只涉及脑、社会及个人心理因素，还可包括心脏、血管及消化系统的因素。唯有在治疗此病的同时也着手改善上述症状才能事半功倍。中医在运用〝全方位治疗法〞(Comprehensive Medicine)的原则上，可以在没有药物〝相冲〞及药物副作用的顾虑下，以一种特定调配的中药方剂同时治疗多个脏腑。再说，针灸在治疗精神方面的疾病可刺激病患的大脑分泌足够的血清素，安全及快速地穩定病情。

然而，世上并沒有十全十美的医生，如果病人不和医生充分合作，病人的精神问题不可能有痊愈的一天，特别是心病有赖于病人是否有康复的意愿。

By Master Ho

“Why Do I Have To Get Acupuncture Treatment So Often?”

New patients sometimes ask me, “Why do I have to come to acupuncture so often?” It is a particularly relevant question in a society like ours where doctors are visited to ‘fix’ a broken part but play very little role in keeping us healthy. Traditional Chinese Medicine has a different philosophy as well as a different practice.Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs and Cupping are healing and they do a

An Oatmeal Recipe To Keep You Warm And Healthy

Hey Folks, here is a wonderful winter recipe from from South Loop Acupuncture.OATMEAL TERI STYLEGood quality oatmeal (I usually use rolled oats or a combination of rolled w/ flax seeds)Rice milkWalnutsDried cranberries or goji berriesHoneyWalnuts are good for the brain. They are high in omega3 and contain good fats. They can improve brain function as well. The honey is a nice moistening agent for

Facelifts acupuncture - How it works

I am afraid of needles, does acupuncture hurt?

You can request Japanese acupuncture techniques, they are extremely gentle and comfortable and in fact, it is quite common for people to become so relaxed that they actually fall asleep during the treatment. The needles used for acupuncture are much thinner than the typical medical needles that one may have experienced in a doctor's office.

Should I tell my doctor if I receive acupuncture treatment?

If you are receiving treatment from your doctor then it is sensible to mention that you plan to have acupuncture. The acupuncture treatment may enable you to reduce or even stop taking some forms of medication, but you should always consult your doctor regarding any change of prescription. I need to know about any medication you are taking as this may affect your response to the acupuncture treatment.

Should I continue with my prescribed medication while undergoing a course of acupuncture treatment?

Yes, at least until you have discussed this with your doctor or the practitioner who prescribed the medication. Many people seek the help of an acupuncturist because of dissatisfaction with drug treatment, because it does not seem to be working or because the side effects are unacceptable. DO NOT stop taking any medication without professional guidance.

Is acupuncture right for me?

Our treatments are highly personalized and thus address your unique health concerns of our patients. We will work to bring you back to your optimal health both physically, mentally, and spiritually.

What should I do before treatment?

You should try not to have a large meal within 2 hours of your appointment as the process of digestion will alter the pattern of your pulse. You should also avoid alcohol and food or drinks which colour your tongue, such as coffee, immediately prior to treatment.

What can I expect for results?

A course of treatments is recommended and will vary depending on the severity of the condition, length of time with the condition, and your overall health, energy and commitment to healing. A minimum of 8 treatments is recommended; 20 treatments is an average course. Many people begin to see results in just a few treatments. Treatments may be scheduled weekly, monthly, or less if the problem is acute. The treatments will be less often as the conditions improve. Some people choose to include acupuncture treatments as a regular part of their regular healthcare coming weekly, monthly, or seasonally.

What is the feeling of being acupunctured?

The insertion of the needle might feel like a small pinch. After insertion sensations such as warmth, tingling, or fullness may be felt at the site of the needle or along its pathway. Most people feel a deep sense of relaxation; some even fall asleep during the treatment. Most people feel calm, relaxed, centered, and sometimes energized.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a 5,000 years old Chinese Medical System that helps to treat the body as a whole and to help with pain and a wide number of complaints. The goals of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are to restore the body back to health.

The acupuncturist will insert hair thin stainless steel sterile needles (single-use) to the skin, this will affects the body’s vital energy called Qi (Chi). The Qi travels along various pathways called meridians. They are rivers flowing bringing blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the different organs.

Acupuncture research has found that it boost the immune system, increases blood circulation, influences the central and peripheral nervous system, and releases pain-mediating chemicals such as endorphins in the brain to help relieve pain and to give one a nice sense of wellbeing.

Are There Risks Associated With Acupuncture?

People often ask me if there are risks or side effects associated with Acupuncture and I am happy to tell them that problems are rare. It's a good question and I understand why people ask. It might be counter-intuitive to voluntarily allow someone to stick needles in your body. But, Acupuncture is very safe and I went to graduate school for four years to learn how to to stick you with needles.

New Study Reveals Ginseng is Anti-Inflammatory and Boosts The Immune System

Ginseng is a very commonly known and used herb in Chinese Medicine. Here is an interesting article on some new research that has shown even more benefits to this ancient wonder herb.Ginseng: Nature's Anti-inflammatory?From ScienceDaily (May 14, 2009) — Laboratory experiments have demonstrated the immunological effects of ginseng. Researchers have now shown that the herb, much used in traditional

H1N1 Updates

I found this snippet about Chinese Medicine and H1N1 prevention/treatment, but the article also has some good stuff about other CAM therapies. I have been doing monthly acupuncture "flu shot" treatments on a lot of my patients using a blend of acupuncture and herbal therapies and so far, no flu!

Holistic treatments boost defense against H1N1
By Laura LaDue, LAc
from WillametteLive, Section Wellness
Posted on Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 10:17:14 PM PDT

This flu season, H1N1 is particularly prevalent. In addition to being a nasty virus, it carries with it a lot of cultural baggage in the form of fears and misconceptions.

Like seasonal flu, H1N1 is spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. It is possible to be infected and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.

Most people who have been sick with 2009 H1N1 virus have recovered without needing medical treatment. However, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred. You should seek urgent medical care if you experience severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, or persistent vomiting.

How does Chinese medicine prevent and treat the H1N1 virus?

From the perspective of Chinese medicine, swine flu is not so different from other types of flu and can most certainly be prevented and treated by means of Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicines for H1N1 do not attack the virus. Rather, they try to remove those internal conditions in the body that enable the virus to take hold and multiply. "There is no medicine to directly kill the virus. A virus is like a seed: it needs things like temperature and water to grow," Dr. Xu Wenbing, Chairman of the Hope Institute of Chinese Medicine in Beijing, said. "When you take away these conditions, the body will cure itself."

Acupuncture helps by bringing the body back into balance, making it more resistant to potential invading viruses. There are specific acupuncture points for boosting the immune system, including points for increasing your white blood cell count. If one is already ill, acupuncture can speed recovery and lessen the symptoms of illness.

Read More

Born To Be Wild?

"Born to be wild - live to outgrow it."Lao TzuA Chinese philosopher from the sixth century. Author of the “Tao-Te Ching and known as the father of Taoism

What Does It Mean To Forgive?

Here is another thoughtful post from one of my favorite writers (and mother) Dr. Linda Edelstein.

In preparation for leading a Yom Kippur discussion at the synagogue, I spent several months reading about the topic – How to Forgive. I started with the Buddhists, read some biblical material I received from an Orthodox Rabbi, and wound up with the folks who are most comfortable for me, the

What Foods Can Help You Beat The Flu?

Concern over getting the flu has been rampant since H1N1 came out. This information, from acufinder.com, gives some great food suggestions that can reduce your chances of catching the flu. Check it out...The Anti-Flu DietBy: Diane Joswick, L.Ac., MSOM A study, published by The American Physiological Society found that mice were significantly less likely to contract flu when given quercetin, a

Boo !

Happy Halloween!

More Scientific Evidence Of How Acupuncture Works

U.S. News and World Report’s Health Day section had a fascinating article in the August issue entitled, “Imaging Sheds Light on How Acupuncture Works”The writers acknowledge that acupuncture has become increasingly popular in the U.S. and cites a study published in the September issue of NeuroImage that concludes that acupuncture eases pain by regulating key receptors in the brain.Acupuncture

Insomnia Is Harmful; Chinese Herbs Can Help

By Cathy Margolin L.A.cAccording to several recent studies from the National Sleep Foundation and Science Daily the answer to that question is a resounding “yes”. Insomnia seems harmless enough. Perhaps you simply have a hard time falling asleep at night. Or perhaps you toss and turn for a few hours, and then wake up the next morning and drink an extra cup of coffee to make up for it. How could

New Study; A Mind/Body Approach Improves Fertility

This past week Reuters had an article about the benefits of stress management for fertility. Research presented at a meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in Atlanta suggests that including a mind/body approach while undergoing IVF treatments increases the chances of getting pregnant. Below are some excerpts from the article. "Alice Domar, who runs a fertility center in

Today Is National Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day

Acupuncture Relieves Low Back Pain for Pregnant Women

The September, 2009 issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, carried the results of a study that is of particular importance to pregnant women.Dr. Shu-Ming Wang and colleagues from the Yale School of Medicine, used pressure needles taped to the ear acupuncture points of pregnant women and found that they experienced significant reductions in lower back and pelvic pain as compared

疾病预测

欢迎阅览我为你们所准备的博文 (blog articles) ，身为中医工作者之一，我向你们表示崇高的敬意，在未来的日子里，我将与你们分享中医养生之道，并且盼望你能从中受惠。

我是何医师(Master Ho)，着手研究中医疾病预测学及个人化体质治疗学，这两个课题四年多了，实际上，我是继续父亲和老师的工作。好了，太难理解的大道理就不说了，先问大家，疾病的先兆可以被早期发现吗？

很多人都认为只要借着现代医学仪器定期化验血液、尿液或进行相关的X-光、超声波、磁共振等检查，必发现疾病的踪影。实际上，在社会人群里，有50%被现代医学标上〝健康〞的人，其实在若干层度上自觉身体不适，但是却说不出所以然。也有些人活得好好的，怎么突然录暴毙身亡或突然患上了不治之症，难道人生真的无常吗? 难道疾病真的好象突然降临的死神，谁也阻挡不了？

其实，疾病在初始阶段可以透过中医诊断的手法发现。有的时候，那些高明的中医还可以预知疾病的传变的规律性。病位在浅表时，可用推拿、刮莎、拔罐疗法；病邪在皮部与肌肉之间，可用针灸之法疏通经络气血；如果病位在内脏，就一定要使用汤药了。这种把疾病消灭于早期的治疗手段，我称之为〝截断治疗〞。

过去的一年半，我曾旅居泰国及马来西亚的柔佛州和沙巴州，仔细地研究当地的气候、居民的饮食及起居作息方式，当中的乐趣，日后有机会，一定会多写一些文章，告诉大家。特别是在亚庇(Kota Kinabalu) ，沙巴--我的故乡，调理一位高年龄的政治人物夫人长达8个月里，差不多每一个星期都在观察她的舌象、脉象、掌纹变化及经络气血检测，并且作了详细的记录。我们在掌握了她的体质概况和疾病的规律后，同时也〝创造〞对她身体有很稳定疗效的个人化--强效药物(Personalized Mega Medicine) 。

是的，这种费时、又吃力的诊治工作没有人愿意去作，我们甚至花时间免费培训好几个中、西医都没有得到太大的回响。不过，每当我们的仔细诊治的结果帮助到病人恢复健康时，我觉得一切的辛苦都是值得的！

曾经有一位大企业的执行人员还认为这种那么费心丝的治病服务，最适合政治人物、大企业CEO等权贵之士。起初我不明白他的用意，后来他才说，他们这些人，日理万机，饭局应酬又多，大鱼大肉之际，烟酒也很难离口，再加上睡眠不好，运动又少……身体健康都很差，所以他才渴望我们能长期在他们的身边，帮助他们恢复健康，要知道一个上下最少500人的大企业领导人如果突然中风或心脏病发倒下，企业的损失何其大呀！

当然我也希望每一个人都要多留意自己的健康，有些时候疾病是不会给你发出感觉症状，当你观察到时也许巳经病入膏盲了。在过去的5000年至今，中医在治疗疾病及养生的道理，还是很前卫的，以后我会一一地告诉大家。

Welcome to the world of TCM with Master Ho

Welcome to my blog! As one of the key member in Chinese physicians, I pay high tribute to you in the coming days, because I will be sharing my knowledge and experiences of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with you, and I am sure you will be able to live better with the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)!

I am a Chinese physician and acupuncturist, they call me Master Ho or Mr. Ho, I had been working on a few researches which related to the topic of “Disease prediction by TCM theory” and “Personalized TCM therapy” for about 4 years. Before that, my father and my master had being working on these many many years ago, and now I am the one who continue their works.

This is the first time for me to write about TCM in both English and Chinese languages, my writing skill might not be that good, but I believe if I practice more, I will become a better writer. Well, let me ask you a question, do you think disease can be predicted at a very earlier stage?

Many people may agree that regular health check such as blood test, urine test or the associated X-ray, ultrasound, MRI are good enough to tell a story of our health. What if the modern medicine diagnosis system is right, why are there many healthy people still not feeling “excellent” at all time? And what happen to those who living a healthy lifestyle and one day, they go into sudden death or suffering from incurable disease. Does illness really seemed suddenly upon without any signs?

In fact, in the initial stages of the disease can be found through TCM diagnosis methods. A wisdom Chinese physician has eyes for detail; their strong observation can help them to predict the change regularity of disease in a human body (I will write more about this interesting topic in the future).

If the disease’s Qi (or we called it the negative energy) located in the superficial, the Tui Na (Chinese Massage), scraping “Sha” or cupping therapy can help; if the disease’s Qi reaching the layer of the skin and muscles, the acupuncture and moxibustion can use to detoxify meridians channel in order to promote good Qi; If the disease’s Qi located in the viscera, it is necessary to treat with herbal soup. The Chinese physician viewing the treatment of eradicate of the disease at an early stage as a very important solution for recover health.

This reminds me of a true story that happened in Nan Jin, China 2 years ago. An old patient was send to Dr. Chou Zhong Yin (a famous Chinese physician in Nan Jin) for treatment. According to the modern medicine diagnosis report, this patient’s cancer marker CA50 is more than 150, that indicated tumor appear in his body. But the strange thing is, doctors from the hospital couldn’t find his tumor by the latest medical equipments, they also don’t know the reason of causing this old patient become so weak and so sick. Dr. Chou using the Traditional Chinese Medicine theory to diagnose this patient, he come to a conclusion that this patient has weak kidney’s Qi (according to TCM theory),therefore he prescript herbal soup which formulated to revitalize kidney’s Qi. After 1 year of treatment, this patient not only becomes healthier than before, his cancer marker CA50 rating has drop down to the normal level! This is really amazing, isn’t it?

Over the past year and a half, I have lived in Thailand and Malaysia (Johor state and Sabah state), I study the local climate, diet and the living lifestyle of residents. In Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, I had treated a politician wife (about 76 years old) for about 8 months, I carefully observe and recorded her Tongue, pulse, palm line and the meridian changes weekly. After analyzed her body type for such a long time, we are now become more confidence to select a series of herbs which can heal her body effectively, we called it “The Personalized Mega Medicine”.

People often ask me, why I have to do such a time-consuming job? My answer is: the more effort we put in, the more confidence we gain for treating a disease, and there isn’t any short cut for it. The moments when we see our patient restore their health, I believe everything we do is really worth it!

I remember one of my client (a company director) tell us that he like our program very much, he believe that our health program suitable for politician, corporate CEO and leaders. As far as he concerns, these people not only spend a lot of effort in managing their works or company, but also have to attend a lot of appointments, and it all end up with too much foods, alcohol and tobacco. Of course, the worse scenario is to cope with poor sleep or lack of sleep and lack of exercise for a long period of time, this can really jeopardized their health. If they are not feeling well or facing the worse health condition, their businesses may affected and they will need to taking the risk of losing a lot of opportunities in their life.

Therefore, I strongly believe that health should come first. What we are doing now, will affecting the quality of our senior life in the future. Let’s work together, and I will ensure you have a quality and prosperous life Through TCM!From,Master Ho

Halloween In China?

I love Halloween! It may be my favorite holiday.Countries in the East do not have Halloween, but they do celebrate something similar. Just as the Western festival focuses on ghosts and ghouls, the Eastern celebration is about the departed spirits of the underworld, also known as The Feast of the Hungry Ghosts. It is celebrated in July in China, Singapore, Malaysia and other countries.The

Wanna Be Like Madonna???

You don’t have to sit in ice, you probably are not dating a model half your age, but you can have acupuncture and feel like dancing!!!In an interview with Rolling Stone, the 51-year-old performer admitted she has to sit in a bath of ice and have acupuncture treatment after her concerts. She said: "My ankles get taped before the shows and I have treatments and physical therapists…."It's from years

I wanted to sneak this in here because after walking around the polytrauma unit in the VA this week, my aspirations to use my nurse practitioner and acupuncture skills in this population grew exponentially. The Louisville VA is one of the best in the country - the staff is always smiling and polite and the hospital itself is holding up well when they could have let it go to pot since plans are in the works for a new facility. The time may be ripe for a proposal, especially since it is a growing trend.

Acupuncture Today November, 2009, Vol. 10, Issue 11

Comprehensive Military PTSD Treatment Programs

By Joe C. Chang, MAOM, Dipl. OM, LAc

So far, there are four comprehensive posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and combat stress treatment programs in the U.S. Army that have incorporated different CAM approaches in their treatment programs.

Many of these comprehensive programs started as a result of the Ft. Bliss Restoration and Resilience Center, near El Paso, Texas. This integrative approach treats many of the symptoms of PTSD that are not addressed through the standard mental health protocols that included cognitive-behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy. The Ft. Bliss program incorporated medical massage, meditation, yoga, acupuncture, marital/family therapy and Reiki with standard treatment protocols . Additionally, soldiers go through a daily 45-minute "power walk" and play water polo three times a week.

At the Warrior Combat Stress Reset Program at Ft. Hood (near Killeen, Texas), their intensive, combat-stress three-week program focuses on the reduction of hyperarousal and reactivity. Reducing these core symptoms of combat stress and posttraumatic stress disorder allows other treatments to be more effective. The program includes group counseling, biofeedback, individual counseling and alternative therapies (massage, acupuncture, yoga and Reiki).

Read More

Chinese Herbal Medicine For Insomnia

By Cathy Margolin L.A.c.According to a USA Today article, in the 1950s approximately 7.5 hours of sleep a night was the norm for most Americans. These days, the average American sleeps for around 6.5 hours a day, and if you’re a full time student chances are you get even less. So how DO we all function with so much less sleep? That’s a whole night of sleep, missing from our lives each week.

More Research On Why and How Acupuncture Works!

This is a very interesting article from the Examiner.com. It not only talks about exciting new research into acupuncture, but also about acupuncture's use in the military and scientific research going back to the 1960's. Check it out!New Scientific Breakthrough Proves Why Acupuncture WorksBy Tima Vlasto - NY Holistic Science & Spirit ExaminerNew groundbreaking research shows that the insertion

Hallelujah, Proof Is Here!

Some said they did not believe in bacteria until they saw it under a microscope. Later others doubted the atom until the advent of the electron microscope. Now, we have the chance to prove meridians exist through light conduction studies. Can proof og Qi be far behind? We shall see!

New scientific breakthrough proves why acupuncture works

New groundbreaking research shows that the insertion of an acupuncture needle into the skin disrupts the branching point of nerves called C fibres. These C fibres transmit low-grade sensory information over very long distances by using Merkel cells as intermediaries. Dr. Morry Silberstein of the Curtin University of Technology will publish his research in the Journal of Theoretical Biology later this year.

Dr. Silberstein mentions that they have known, for some time, that the acupuncture points show lower electrical resistance than other nearby areas of the skin. His research specifically pinpoints that the C fibres actually branch exactly at acupuncture points. Scientists don’t know exactly what role C fibres play in the nervous system, but Dr. Silverstein theorizes that the bundle of nerves exists to maintain arousal or wakefulness. The insertion of the acupuncture needle disrupts this circuit and numbs our sensitivity to pain.”

Russian researchers in 1991 at The Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine in Novosibirsk, USSR, in a research project lasting several years, discovered how the human body conducts light. They found that the light conducting ability of the human body exists only along the meridians, and can enter and exit only along the acupuncture points. Dr. Kaznachejew, a professor of physics said:

“This seems to prove that we have a light transferal system in our body somewhat likeoptical fiber. It appears that the light can even travel when the light canal is bent, or totally twisted. The light appears to be reflected from the inner surface, appearing to go in some sort of zigzag track. You can explain this through traditional electromagnetic light theory as it is used in optical fiber communications.”

This finding has been confirmed by a 1992 study in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and a 2005 study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine where moxibustion and infrared thermography were used to trace meridian pathways.

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What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine Used For?

Many ailments can be treated by Traditional Chinese Medicine. TCM is also used in prevention of illness and to stimulate the immune system.Some Commonly Treated Conditions Are:HeadachesDigestive and urinary disorders DiarrheaConstipationIBSBloatingAcid refluxNauseaMorning sicknessGynecological disorders PMSIrregular periodsInfertilityDiscomfort during pregnancyPCOSMenopausal

Emerson On Health And Wealth

"Health is the First Wealth" Ralph Waldo EmersonThis is so true!

Acupuncture for Caesarean Prevention and Healthy Delivery

Given the generous litigation latitude in Kentucky that is driving competent OBGYNs out of the state and preventing Midwifes from practicing in it at all, I doubt we will see acupuncturists in the hospital delivery room here anytime soon. With an unpublished C-section rate of 40% in one of our area hospitals and a total disdain for natural childbirth from many staff members (I have actually heard comments such as "there is nothing natural about natural childbirth" and "you have to push harder, I don't have all day"), I abhor having to tell moms to be that I can't help them out with pain management on the special day. With hope, there will be more advocates like Debra Betts who can help women have safe, healthy childbirth without having to go under the knife.

Oct 09, 2009 03:30 ET

Studies Show That Acupuncture Decreases Caesarean Rates

Acubalance Wellness Centre of Vancouver presents Debra Betts, an international expert, educator and author of the Essential Acupuncture for Pregnancy and Childbirth.

There are more and more studies showing that acupuncture can decrease the rates of caesarean delivery. This fits right into the new campaign launched by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) to 'normalize' childbirth and reduce Canada's soaring caesarean section rate."

The SOGC claims 20% fewer caesarean sections could be performed if doctors and hospitals followed guidelines aimed at lowering unnecessary surgeries and if women had support during labour.

Studies have shown that women receiving prebirth acupuncture compared to a control group had:

- An overall 35% reduction in the number of inductions (for women having their first baby this was a 43% reduction)

- A 31% reduction in the epidural rate

- A 32% reduction in emergency caesarean delivery

Breech birth, where the baby is delivering bottom-first rather than head first, is one area under scrutiny by the SOGC. They say that women should have an option to deliver vaginally with a breech presentation rather than have an automatic caesarean delivery. Moxibustion, an ancient Chinese treatment that involves heating acupuncture points with the Chinese herb called mugwort, has been used to turn breech babies for centuries. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that, at 35 weeks gestation, 75.4% of the babies in the intervention group (whose mothers had received moxibustion) had changed to a head-down position versus 47.7% in the control group.

According to Betts, acupuncture during pregnancy helps numerous conditions, including: nausea, high blood pressure, back pain and cervical ripening (which helps shorten labour), and can naturally induce labour.

One thing that Betts is particularly excited about teaching is acupressure for pain management during labour. "We know that if women can manage their pain there is less drugs, less intervention and far fewer C sections." says Betts. "What's important is that these acupressure points are easy to use, can be used at the beginning of labour by the support people, and that there are consistent effects. From my own clinical followup, 86% used it successfully in labour to significantly reduce their pain."

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Professor Wins Award For Her Pioneering Research On Acupuncture For Women

I am happy to report that Associate Professor Caroline Smith, from the Centre for Complementary Medicine at the University of Western Sydney, recently won the inaugural Award for Translational Research at the National Institute of Complementary Medicine's symposium in Brisbane. This is a major award and she earned it for her pioneering clinical research into acupuncture techniques for women.One

Professional Footballer Kenny Miller Is Using Acupuncture

Scottish professional footballer Kenny Miller is using acupuncture as part of his plan to recover from a hamstring injury. Kenny is a Striker for the Rangers and had to sit out a couple of big games. His team has not done well without him. While he was able to play recently against the Celtics and scored the winning goals for his team, it took a toll on his health. "His Manager Walter Smith was

Have A Headache? Try Some Ginger Tea

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine can significantly reduce headaches and relieve the often crippling pain. Ginger is a wonderful spice and herb often used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I often recommend it to my patients for many ailments. The information below, is from acufinder.com and shows how ginger can help headache sufferers."Numerous clinical studies have shown that ginger can be

H1N1; How Traditional Chinese Medicine Can Help

Many People are concerned about catching the H1N1 Virus. Chinese Medicine has several herbal remedies for colds and flu. Plus acupuncture boosts the immune system and relieves unpleasant symptoms like congestion, nausea and body aches.Below is a very helpful and informative post from The Portland Acupuncture Blog by, Amy Chitwood Burslem LAc "I wasn’t planning to write a post about the flu, but

Oscar Winner Sandra Bullock Makes Acupuncture Part of the Set

I love it! Sandra Bullock expects acupuncture to be on her movie set, check it out.From Acupuncture TodayNovember, 2002, Vol. 03, Issue 11Celebrities are renowned for the free gifts, or "perks," they have written into their contracts before going on tour or starting work on a new movie. Actress Sandra Bullock, the star of movies such as "Speed" and "Miss Congeniality," has taken the idea of perks

Acupuncture Use in the United States

I have often joked that it takes 18 months for someone who says they are interested in trying acupuncture to actually go through with it. Unfortunately this is often after an occasional stiffness and twinge in the back has tuned into a chronic and severe pain both limiting mobility and requiring hydrocodone four times a day. The following was published a couple of years ago but I find the data relevant in my practice. I am certainly getting more physician referrals as they hear their patients tell them about success with musculoskeletal pain. Natural seems to be in. With the surge of natural prescription medications like Loveza (omega-3s) and Florastore (probiotic), I am waiting for shan zha and chuan xiong to be marketed by Pfizer!

Acupuncture use in the United States: findings from the National Health Interview Survey.

Burke A, Upchurch DM, Dye C, Chyu L.

Institute for Holistic Healing Studies, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA. aburke@sfsu.edu

OBJECTIVE: Acupuncture has become an important provider-based complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatment. To improve understanding of its role in personal health care, an analysis of national data was conducted to examine user sociodemographics, conditions treated, and the relationship of use with conventional Western medical care.

DESIGN: A nationally representative cross-sectional survey.

SETTING: The 2002 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), conducted in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-one-thousand and forty-four (31,044) adults who completed the NHIS Sample Adult Core.

OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was recent use of acupuncture, defined as use within the previous 12 months.

RESULTS: In the 2002 NHIS sample, 4.1% of the respondents reported lifetime use, and 1.1% (representing 2.13 million Americans) reported recent use of acupuncture. Recent use (n = 327) was positively associated with being an Asian female, living in the West or Northeast, having poorer self-reported health status, a higher level of education, and being an ex-smoker. Among recent users, the most typical treatment regimen was two to four treatments (34.5%), with musculoskeletal complaints being the most frequently reported conditions, led by back pain (34.0%). Reports of perceived benefit were generally high. Respondents indicated that acupuncture was used both as an alternative and as a complementary therapy. A reasonable number also reported being referred to acupuncture by a conventional medical professional (25.3%). The cross-sectional nature of the data precluded analysis of transitions in health care use (between conventional and CAM treatments) over time.

CONCLUSIONS: Utilization of acupuncture was somewhat lower than expected given its significant national and international recognition and its visibility in the media. This may in part be a function of provider availability and cultural factors.

Acupuncture For Headaches

Another great article from acufinder.comHeadaches are extremely common. While everyone experiences an occasional headache, statistics show that 1 out of 6 people suffer from chronic headaches.Acupuncture can effectively relieve headaches, as well as treat their underlying causes. In fact, headaches are one of the conditions most commonly seen in acupuncture clinics today. It can offer powerful

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Let Your Expectations FALL Away

Fall has returned! In this season, nature lets go of its abundant creation of the past year in a grand final display. Leaves turn brilliant colors and drop back to the earth, enriching it to promote (nourish) the coming growth. In autumn, we can learn more about ourselves because, after a harvest, everything is bare. Autumn marks the end of the growing season, so it becomes a natural turning

Thomas Edison Never Failed...

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”Thomas EdisonOne of the most famous and hard-working inventors in history.Some of his most used inventions are the light bulb and the gramophone.

Hot Acupuncture News for Your Hot Flash

A multicenter study was recently conducted to assess acupuncture’s effectiveness for menopausal hot flashes. Dr. Einar Kristian Borud led a team of 10 researchers. They conducted a randomized, controlled trial that compared women who received a series of 10 acupuncture treatments in 12 weeks plus advice on self care with a group of women who only received advice on self care.Even with this

Research Shows That Acupuncture Is Effective For Headaches

Headaches often bring people to my Chicago office. Acupuncture is a great alternative to drugs and often works quickly to relieve the pain. The article below is from acufinder.com. It details two studies which showed how effective acupuncture is for relieving the pain and frequency of headaches.Studies Show that Acupuncture Stops HeadachesTwo separate systematic reviews by Cochrane Researchers

Helena Bonham Carter Used Acupuncture For Fertility And It Worked!

I’ve always loved the work of actress Helena Bonham Carter. You may have seen her in Room with a View, Harry potter, Sweeny Todd, Fight Club and others. Well, she has earned my admiration again. At 43, Helena used acupuncture in conjunction with fertility drugs to help her get pregnant and it has worked. She has been spotted out and about with all her glorious curves. This ought to give

Cat Fancy

My Mother , my sister and I are all proud cat owners. We used to be a dog family and while we still love them, we have been slowly converted into a cat dominated family. We have always adopted adorable kittens. This year mom ventured forth and rescued an older cat, and wow, I have never seen her so immediately fall in love. Besides the many photo shoots, the email updates to my sister and I,

Fibromyalgia: Traditional vs Sham Acupuncture Success

In the past year there have been several studies that confirm acupuncture is more effective for back pain than the typical lortab, physical therapy, epidural, and surgery regimen touted by western pain management specialists. The studies included a fake or "sham" acupuncture treatment group along with a real or "traditional" acupuncture treatment group. The problem with these designs was the lack of studies comparing traditional and sham acupuncture. When the results of the studies showed statistically insignificant difference in effectiveness, the conclusions make the reader think all you have to do is stick some needles randomly in your back, not necessarily by a qualified acupuncturist, and the placebo effect will take over from there. The following abstract was pulled from Pub Med and discusses the short and long term effects of traditional acupuncture on pain receptors in the brain for fibromyalgia.

Traditional Chinese acupuncture and placebo (sham) acupuncture are differentiated by their effects on mu-opioid receptors (MORs).

Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. reharris@med.umich.edu

Controversy remains regarding the mechanisms of acupuncture analgesia. A prevailing theory, largely unproven in humans, is that it involves the activation of endogenous opioid antinociceptive systems and mu-opioid receptors (MORs). This is also a neurotransmitter system that mediates the effects of placebo-induced analgesia. This overlap in potential mechanisms may explain the lack of differentiation between traditional acupuncture and either non-traditional or sham acupuncture in multiple controlled clinical trials. We compared both short- and long-term effects of traditional Chinese acupuncture (TA) versus sham acupuncture (SA) treatment on in vivo MOR binding availability in chronic pain patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FM). Patients were randomized to receive either TA or SA treatment over the course of 4 weeks. Positron emission tomography (PET) with (11)C-carfentanil was performed once during the first treatment session and then repeated a month later following the eighth treatment. Acupuncture therapy evoked short-term increases in MOR binding potential, in multiple pain and sensory processing regions including the cingulate (dorsal and subgenual), insula, caudate, thalamus, and amygdala. Acupuncture therapy also evoked long-term increases in MOR binding potential in some of the same structures including the cingulate (dorsal and perigenual), caudate, and amygdala. These short- and long-term effects were absent in the sham group where small reductions were observed, an effect more consistent with previous placebo PET studies. Long-term increases in MOR BP following TA were also associated with greater reductions in clinical pain. These findings suggest that divergent MOR processes may mediate clinically relevant analgesic effects for acupuncture and sham acupuncture.

Acupuncturist Provides Relief To Injured Marines

Since I’ve been in this field, I’ve seen acupuncture become more and more mainstream and now even the military recognizes its benefits. The Star News Online recently reported that Karen Vaughn a Wilmington, Delaware, acupuncturist, volunteers her Fridays at Camp Lejeune performing free acupuncture procedures to help Marines injured in combat deal with their pain and stress. Check out the

Acupuncture Is For The Dogs

Phoenix Metro News recently ran a cute story about a German Shepard named Margo receiving acupuncture treatments from her vet. The story went on to say that the needles will not cure the cancer in the dog’s leg, but does help with the pain and keeps her calm. Check out Margo's story below.Popular Stress Relief Treatment Going To The DogsReported by: Corey Rangel Email: crangel@

I'm On Vacation !

Happy Labor Day Everyone !I will be on Vacation this weekend (yea!) but will be back to posting regularly after the holiday.

Athletics, Acupuncture and Philosophy

I just read about my acupuncture soulmate. Haro Ogawa, MSOM, LAc, CMT, ATC, acupuncturist for the SF Giants, national basketball teams, and NASCAR drivers was interviewed by Acupuncture today and he shared some of his background and philosophy"My treatments are basically the same for every sport because meridian therapy is a balance treatment. It increases the human immune system and also

The Many Health Benefits Of Blueberries

I love blueberries! I can eat a whole container in one sitting. So I decided to investigate some of the many health benefits blueberries can offer us. The Worlds Healthiest Foods is a great web site for learning about the health benefits of many popular fruits and vegetables. The information below is excerpted from their site. Check it out...."Blueberries are literally bursting with nutrients and

Use Acupuncture To Treat Running Injuries

I am happy to announce a new guest blogger Amy Chitwood Burslem BA, MAcOM, LAC. Amy has a great blog and occasionally I will be reposting some of her articles here.The Chicago Marathon is soon approaching and acupuncture is wonderful for easing the pain and inflammation that comes from running injuries. In this post Amy talks about the benefits of acupuncture for runners.Acupuncture for Running

The Real Housewives of Atlanta Need Some Balance

Okay folks, it's confession time....I watch and enjoy The Real Housewives of Atlanta on Bravo TV ! The show started me thinking about all the reasons these ladies could benefit from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) because TCM is rooted in the concept of balance, you know, yin and yang , and balance is a belief that is sorely lacking in the ladies’ lives.

Let’s start with the Southern ladies

Boost your immunity and fight off the flu before it fights you!

With concern over the effectiveness and availability of the H1N1 and influenza immunizations, the best treatment to combat these viruses is prevention. Throughout the flu season, September-March, Jing Acupuncture is offering $25 acupuncture sessions designed to help keep you healthy through the fall and winter. It is the perfect introduction for those curious to learn about the benefits of acupuncture and for acupuncture veterans to have a mini-treatment added on to a regular session.

Don't forget to follow these tips:

Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective but can be a bit harsh to the skin. Bath and Body Works has an excellent alcohol-free spray hand sanitizer that I love.

Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.

Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. A fever is a temperature that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Look for signs of a fever if the person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering. Remember, if there is no fever, there is no flu!

Stay home if you have flu or flu like symptoms for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever; this should be determined without the use of fever reducing medications (medications that contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen). This is hard for a lot of people who feel they need to "fight through it," but taking the day off and getting good rest, hydration, and nourishment will not only speed your recovery, but will keep you from spreading your illness to friends, family, and colleges.

New Research: Chinese Herb's Benefit Heart Health

For years, I have touted several herbs for improving heart health, so I am particularly pleased to read the results of a new study showing the benefit of using Chinese Herbal Medicine. The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston suggests that ancient Chinese herbal formulas used primarily for cardiovascular conditions including heart disease work because they enhance the amount of

Acupuncture Reduces Stress And Improves Fertility

The Baltimore Sun ran an article reminding all of us that stress may interfere with couples getting pregnant. 1 in 8 couples experience fertility issues, according to the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth. How Stress WorksIncreasing, research has shown a link between stress and fertility in several ways. One, stress can prevent pregnancy by increasing too many of the

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Acupuncture a Powerful Complementary Therapy for Cancer Patients

By Jack Bleeker
Mesothelioma.comDirector of Content Development/Outreach CoordinationThe 21st Century has been accompanied by great strides in cancer treatment for patients of many different malignancies. Among the many reasons for this progress is the growing popularity of what is known as “integrative” oncology. Integrative oncology is a more comprehensive cancer treatment model that utilizes

Giants Love Acupuncture

Maybe the giants in fairy tales didn’t love acupuncture, but certainly the SF Giants do. I’ve told you about many reports of athletes turning to Chinese Medicine, particularly acupuncture (check out some of my posts about the use of Chinese Medicine at the Olympics). Now, the SF Giants’ team acupuncturist has given an interview to Acupuncture Today (8/09, V10 #8) and it is a good read.Haro

Acupuncture and Cancer

A couple of new studies have appeared concerning the effect of acupuncture treatment on breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and side effects of radiation or chemotherapy treatment. I am happy more of the studies are looking not just at sham acupuncture vs. real acupuncture vs. no acupuncture, but actually looking at the longevity of the therapies used. Here are a couple of abstracts:

Breast Cancer; New breast cancer research from J. Hervik and colleagues discussed

In a prospective, controlled trial, 59 women suffering from hot flashes following breast cancer surgery and adjuvant oestrogen-antagonist treatment (Tamoxifen) were randomized to either 10 weeks of traditional Chinese acupuncture or shamacupuncture (SA). Mean number of hot flashes at day and night were recorded prior to treatment, during the treatment period as well as during the 12 weeks following treatment. A validated health score (Kupperman index) was conducted at baseline, at the end of the treatment period and at 12 weeks following treatment. During the treatment period mean number of hot flashes at day and night was significantly reduced by 50 and almost 60%, respectively from baseline in the acupuncture group, and was further reduced by 30% both at day and night during the next 12 weeks. In the sham acupuncture group a significant reduction of 25% in hot flashes at day was seen during treatment, but was reversed during the following 12 weeks. The researchers concluded: "This treatment effect seems to coincide with a general health improvement measured with the validated Kupperman index."

Hervik and colleagues published the results of their research in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment (Acupuncture for the treatment of hot flashes in breast cancer patients, a randomized, controlled trial. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 2009;116(2):311-316).

Ovarian Cancer; New ovarian cancer research from W.D. Lu and colleagues discussed

A standardized acupuncture protocol was employed with manual and electrostimulation. The frequency of treatment was 2-3 times per week for a total of 10 sessions, starting 1 week before the second cycle of chemotherapy. The setting was two outpatient academic centers for patients with cancer. Twenty-one (21) newly diagnosed and recurrent ovarian cancer patients were the subjects. WBC count, ANC, and plasma granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were assessed weekly. The median leukocyte value in the acupuncture arm at the first day of the third cycle of chemotherapy was significantly higher than in the control arm after adjusting for baseline value (8600 cells/mu L, range: 4800 12,000 versus 4400 cell/mu L, range: 2300-10,000) (p=0.046). The incidence of grade 2-4 leukopenia was less in the acupuncture arm than in the sham arm (30% versus 90%; p=0.02). However, the median leukocyte nadir, neutrophil nadir, and recovering ANC were all higher but not statistically significantly different (p=0.116-0.16), after adjusting for baseline differences. The researchers concluded: "A larger trial is warranted to more definitively determine the efficacy of acupuncture on clinically important outcomes of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.."

Lu and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia in Patients with Gynecologic Malignancies: A Pilot Randomized, Sham-Controlled Clinical Trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2009;15(7):745-753).

Acupuncture As A Treatment For Fibromyalgia Syndrome

From Acufinder.comBy: Diane Joswick, L.Ac., MSOMFibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) affects an estimated 2 percent of the population. Conventional therapies are limited in the success of treating this complex and unexplained condition. Current treatment is largely comprised of prescribing different medications for the varying symptoms in a trial and error approach. Research shows that as many as 90

Wisdom Never Goes Out of Style

Lao Tzu, a sixth century philosopher, is known as the father of Taoism and the author of the “Tao-Te Ching. Tao means ‘the way of all life’, Te means ‘the fit use of life by men’, and Ching mean ‘text’. This ancient Chinese text is the world’s most translated classic after the Bible.

Lao Tzu was not his real name, but an honorific title given to the sage, meaning “Old Master.” I have found

Author (and My Mom : ) Linda Edelstein Ph.D.

I am proud to report that my mother Dr. Linda Edelstein was recently interviewed for akgmag.com check it out!

Author, Linda N. Edelstein Ph.D.

I’m a clinical psychologist, author and professor. I have a private practice in Chicago and Evanston, Illinois, where I work with individuals and couples. My course at Northwestern University is entitled, “Adult Development” and comes from my years of

Chinese Herbs Help Prevent Painful Menstrual Cramps

Many women deal with painful menstrual cramps every month. Chinese Medicine can work wonders when it comes to PMS. Both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can reduce cramping, bloating, and irritability that often accompany a woman's monthly cycle. This article discusses some of the commonly used Chinese herbs for PMS.By Cathy Margolin L.A.c.Jun 1st, 2009Do painful menstrual cramps plague

OT: Husband's Book is Available for Pre-Order!!!

Sometimes I need to discuss life beyond Acupuncture News:

When I met my husband, he had just come back from Iraq and started falling into the PTSD patterns of behavior including lots of eating and drinking to "feed the soul hole." He was one of the most influential military bloggers while he was over there and loved being a solider but when he came back he lost himself.

One of his therapies on the road to recovery was to put the experience in writing. After a few years of trying to find a publisher and hearing "the Iraq market is saturated" or "it isn't political, you have to make it more anti-war/Bush" or "not enough combat and pro-military content," the book is finally going to come out this year in November. I am so proud of this story and his coming out about his experiences with PTSD which will hopefully show that average guys in stressful situations are allowed to ask for help when things fall apart.

Here is some more about the book and the publisher:
hellgatepress.com/display_book.php?id=84

It is defiantly a feel good memoir that provides insight into a soldier's experience sans political ramblings one way or another. So for readers on your Christmas list . . . .

Surgery Patients at Duke Are Benefiting From Acupuncture

Surgery patients at Duke University Medical Center are finding that acupuncture relieves pain after surgery. A reporter from Durham, N.C., did a story describing how doctors from Duke are using acupuncture with anesthesia to speed recovery and reduce discomfort in patients.When Dr. Gan uses acupuncture for surgery, he keeps the needles in place during the surgery, but remove them immediately

The Benefits Of Acupuncture For Cancer Patients

By Timothy CavanaughThose coping with cancer and other forms of disease often look to acupuncture and other alternative therapies to provide relief for pain, stress and anxiety. Practiced as early as the Stone Age, acupuncture has been a source of relief for numerous conditions for thousands of years. The exact way the technique was discovered or developed is not well-understood, but one legend

U Michigan Study; How Acupuncture Affects the Brain’s Ability to Regulate Pain

The University of Michigan Health system has just released the results of a new UM study that showed Chinese acupuncture affects your brain's ability to regulate pain.I’ve written about many Traditional Chinese Medicine studies but this one is particularly important because it was done at a prestigious US university and it attempts to explain how acupuncture works on the cellular level.Using

Migraines & Families: Headache Blog Carnival

Today the blog Somebody Heal Me by Diana Lee is having a headache blog carnival and I'm in it!Check it out Here

Chinese Medicine For Insomnia

Chinese Medicine is not a well known treatment option for insomnia, but it is effective nonetheless. In my Chicago practice, I have great success treating people who suffer from insomnia with acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas. If you have experienced sleeplessness, you know that having chronic sleep problems affects every aspect of your life.I recently came across this article in which a

British Weather Reporter Clare Nasir Credits Acupuncture With Helping Her Conceive

The UK Site The Daily Mail Online recently reported that the GMTV weather presenter Clare Nasir is 5 months pregnant and was looking great as she walked the Red carpet in a tight red dress showing off her baby bump."Clare, who is married to BBC 6 Music DJ Chris Hawkins, is five months pregnant and has called her unborn child a 'miracle baby'.Eight years ago, she suffered debilitating fibroids in

Common Questions About Acupuncture Answered

As an acupuncturist, there are some questions I am often asked. Here they are and here are my answers.Q. What should I expect?A. I will ask you for a detailed history, and will check your tongue and take your pulses. I will decide on whether to treat you with acupuncture, herbs, cupping, moxa or some combination of techniques based on what you have told me. After the treatment, you may want to

Alternative Medicine Is Big Business And Its Use Is On The Rise

Take a look at the latest U.S. News & World Report article on the increased use of alternative care. They have done articles like this in the past. The trend is toward more and more individuals turning to acupuncturists, chiropractors and other alternative medicine specialists.Alternative Medicine a Big Business in U.S.: ReportJul 30, 2009WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Complementary and alternative

Great Quote From Helen Keller

"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit."Helen Keller

Bolstering the Immune System Using Chinese Herbs to Fend Off Swine Flu

I know people are still very concerned about the H1N1 virus (also known as the Swine Flu) and what can be done to help protect them from getting sick. Here are some great ideas from an article by Cathy Margolin L.A.c., originally posted May 4th, 2009.Everyone wants to know what can be done to increase our body's natural resistance to a variety of infections, including the now-emerging swine flu

Why Acupuncture Reduces Pain; A Harvard Study

One question that I am often asked by pleased and surprised patients is, “How does acupuncture work to reduce pain?” I find it easier to provide the explanation in terms of Chinese Medicine but I know that can frustrate people who want to understand its effectiveness in Western terms. Well, we may have a Western answer. A study conducted at Harvard Medical School and reported in Behavioural

Maintain Your Health with Ginger

Ginger is a common recommendation in my clinic. Ginger is wonderful for digestive disorders and it is anti-inflammatory. Below is a very informative article, from Natural News.com, on the many benefits of ginger, it's history and use in Chinese herbal medicine.by: Adrian Baume L.Ac., citizen journalistJuly 25, 2009Ginger has been cultivated and taken as a medicinal by numerous cultures for

Chinese Herbs Provide Relief Following Surgery For Endometriosis

British researchers have concluded that Chinese herbs may provide more relief than drugs following laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis. In a review of Chinese research studies, some of which had to be discarded because of poor methodology, women had comparable benefits fewer adverse effects if they treated by Chinese herbal medicine.Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder affecting as many

The Chinese Medicine View Of The Menstrual Cycle

Women generally learn to be aware of the emotional, physical and hormonal ups and downs of their menstrual cycles. In addition to knowledge of your own body, I thought that you would find it interesting to know that Chinese medicine describes 4 universal stages of the menstrual cycle.The 4 stages include:Stage 1 - Chinese medicine considers the actual bleeding period as stage 1. These days

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Attention Chicago Marathon Runners

4 reasons why acupuncture is an essential aspect of successful training1. Acupuncture helps keep you in top form, healthy, high energy and pain free! It boosts your energy when you are awake and helps you sleep at night.2. Acupuncture can help reduce inflammation and relax muscle tension.3. Acupuncture helps injuries to heal faster so you do not miss training time.4. Acupuncture reduces and

Acupuncture and PCOS

PCOS seems to be one of the culprits of infertility these days, not to mention a major risk factor for other serious diseases including insulin resistance, heart disease, and obesity. Even with all of the big time fertility drugs out there, many women put their bodies through a lot of hormonal fluctuations only to wind up getting IVF. Often twice. A small pilot study shows acupuncture and exercise are promising for decreasing the sympathetic nerve activity which is a hallmark of PCOS.

Acupuncture and exercise may bring some relief to the one in 10 women of childbearing age who suffer from a common endocrine disease called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Women with the condition have elevated levels of androgen hormones—including testosterone—and often develop ovarian cysts, irregular menstrual cycles and infertility. A key feature of the disease is an increase in the high muscle sympathetic nerve activity. This regular constricting of blood vessels, which normally occurs during the body's fight or flight response to danger, can increase a woman's chances of developing diabetes and high blood pressure or having a heart attack or stroke.

"The findings that low-frequency electro-acupuncture and exercise decrease sympathetic nerve activity in women with PCOS indicates a possible alternative non-pharmacologic approach to reduce cardiovascular risk in these patients," researcher Elisabet Stener-Victorin of the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, said in a news release

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