Having Trouble Going? Acupuncture Can Help

We all know the saying, “When you gotta go, you gotta go”.

But for many among us, having to go can be an unpleasant and painful process. Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS is the most common gastrointestinal disorder, affecting nearly 15% of the population. However, IBS is also one of the most underreported disorders in the country, as many people don’t even recognize the symptoms of IBS, or think that they are a problem than can be treated. IBS can cause recurring abdominal pain and discomfort, along with irregular frequency of bowel movements and consistency of stool.

Especially with all that is going on in the world right now, it is not uncommon for stress and anxiety to affect our bowel function and manifest in digestive discomforts. While a number of medical treatments that can help aid the symptoms, thankfully one alternative method has been proven to be most effective against one of the most common forms of IBS.

A recent study performed in China at Yiwu Central Hospital has shown acupuncture to be an effective treatment of IBS-D, the form of the disorder associated with diarrhea. Along with receiving herbal medicines, the test group was administered acupuncture at 7 key points, with the needles remaining in place for 30 minutes. The points were chosen because they’re known to benefit the liver and spleen—in particular, soothing the liver and strengthening the spleen. This helps firm the intestines, which prevents diarrhea from occurring.

The treatment was found to be effective and improve the symptoms in over 90% of the patients; in addition, it was found to completely cure the symptoms in nearly 35% of patients! If you or anyone you know is suffering from the symptoms of IBS, acupuncture could be the solution. Balancing the energy in the body helps in all facets of life, even the ones we don’t talk much about.  

Ready To Get Some Sun? Acupuncture Is Here If You Get a Little Too Much

Bust out the umbrellas, bathing suits, flip flops and pool toys—summer is just around the corner! A week from now Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of everybody’s favorite season. But one of the things that can hold you back from enjoying your summer to the fullest is a result of one of the things that makes summer so great.

Getting some sun is great. Getting too much of it is…well, not so great. In fact, it can be downright terrible.

You know the deal. Burning, scratchy, itchy and peeling skin that can take days to heal, all the while any movement or clothing touching the skin causes you to wince. There are some topical remedies that can help, but many of them are chemical based and can even dry out your skin even further.

When you’re sunburned, your body needs to be able to release heat and inflammation. Acupuncture is the best and most natural way to do both of those things.

We can hear you: the last thing I want to do after being badly sunburnt is to have needles inserted into my body!

The good news is that there are many acupuncture points that we can target to treat sunburn, and many are located in areas where sunburn is incredibly rare or not nearly as painful. Specifically to treat sunburn, acupuncturists can utilize the point UB 40, which is located on the back of knee and helps circulate cool blood. Additionally, GB 20 points on the base of the skull also help reduce body heat.

So if you plan on heading to the beach or pool this summer, you should always take the proper sunburn prevention precautions. But sometimes the best laid plans go awry. If you don’t want one fun day to ruin the next few, know that acupuncture can help you recover quickly and safely.

Controversial Research Sparks Heated Acu Debate in China

Acupuncture is an ancient practice that originated in China millennia ago. It is an incredibly popular form of medical treatment in China, not only because of its effectiveness for treating a number of ailments, but because it is an important part of Chinese culture.

Perhaps there’s no better sign of how important acupuncture is to Chinese history and society than the reaction to a recent study in one of China’s most respected medical journals.

Last year, the journal Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion published an article written by three respected doctors from Dongzhimen Hospital in Beijing. The article claimed that a new study conducted by the doctors that acupuncture that is administered to a parent could benefit that parent’s child. That is, if I a child is feeling ill, the parent undergoing acupuncture—not the child—could help treat the child’s illness or pain.

The doctors claim that the concept of “quantum entanglement” is responsible for this phenomenon. Quantum entanglement says that “two particles, no matter how distant from each other in space and time, can be inextricably linked, in a way that defies the rules of classical physics.” 

The authors backed up their theory with an experiment of 15 patients with pain symptoms and their direct relatives. Fourteen of the patients were in the room alongside their relative who was receiving acupuncture, while one patient was in a separate room. The study claims that all 15 subjects reported a decrease in pain, while four subjects said their pain disappeared altogether.

The article has caused a wave of backlash, with many doctors coming out and disavowing its conclusion. One doctor said he was “speechless” after reading the article…and not in the good way. On Weibo, China’s version of Twitter, one popular comment read “The only thing that the researchers of this paper prove, is that they themselves need to be treated,” and one hashtag around the controversy received over 4 million views.

While we know acupuncture is an effective treatment for numerous ailments and pain management—for adults and children alike—we’re holding off on the whole “quantum entanglement” idea…for now!

Acupuncture for Psoriasis

Dry, flaky or itchy red spots on the skin are an unfortunate dermal condition that affects up to 7.5 million Americans.

More common amongst adults but also known to afflict children too, its caused by rapidly multiplying skin cells that result in a build up of the dying cells beneath the skin’s surface. Typically, it looks like raised and red plaque with white scales ans is commonly found on the knees, elbows and scalp but can also affect other parts of the body.

Though frustrating and uncomfortable, there are a variety of treatments — mostly topical, — that can help to treat plaque psoriasis. But before you head to the pharmacy, you just might want to try acupuncture first.

According to a systemic review published in JAMA Dermatology as explained by Healio, alternative therapies are sought by up to 51% of patients with psoriasis. Popular among them — acupuncture.

Upon reviewing articles published between 1991 . and 2017, researchers shared the following findings:

• “one meta-analysis that concluded acupuncture improved psoriasis.

• three randomized clinical trials that found meditation and guided imagery therapies showed modest efficacy in psoriasis treatment.

• five randomized clinical trials that concluded topical indigo naturalis application significantly improved psoriasis treatment.

• three randomized clinical trials that found curcumin provided statistically and clinically significant improvements in psoriasis plaques.

• 20 studies that concluded that though fish oil treatment was not effective in randomized clinical trials in treating psoriasis, fish oil was effective when used daily.”

The powers of holistic therapy are nothing new, but any time the healing power of acupuncture and other noninvasive therapies are discovered, it’s worth celebrating.

If you are struggling with psoriasis or any other frustrating skin conditions, schedule an appointment with us today!

How Acupuncture Can Help Lupus Patients

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a form of the autoimmune disease also known as Lupus.

A difficult and often frustrating autoimmune disease, Lupus affects nearly 1.5 million people across the US with symptoms including inflammation, pain and tissue damage.

Patients are often willing to try anything to combat their symptoms and restore their immune systems. Thankfully, acupuncture can play a significant role in their efforts.

A recent article by Very Well explains how the ancient art of acupuncture just might help a Lupus patient.

It’s long been believed (and proven) that acupuncture can help reduce inflammation and pain by improving circulation and the proper flow of qi, and this can be especially importnat for someone with a Lupus diagnosis.

In fact, the 2008 study entitled 'Acupuncture for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A pilot study RCT feasibility and safety study' published in Sage Journals examined the role of acupuncture as a means of pain treatment within the Lupus population.

Twenty four patients with the SLE manifestation of Lupus were given either standard acupuncture treatment, acupuncture treatments performed with less needles, or to remain on their existing treatment plan without treatment.

The results?

“At the end of the trial, 40% of the patients in both the standard acupuncture treatment group and the minimal needling group experienced an improvement in their pain levels of at least 30%.”

Interestingly but perhaps unsurprisingly, “the group that remained on their usual care plan reported no improvement in their pain levels.”

Ultimately, “the study concluded that acupuncture is a valid, safe and effective method to treat pain in patients with SLE.”

If you hare struggling with a lupus diagnosis and the pain, inflammation and malaise that can typically come with it — you’re not alone. Let NJ Acupuncture Center help.

All About Equine Acupuncture

We’ve previously covered the benefits of acupuncture for both humans AND animals — further proving the efficacy, importance and versatility of acupuncture treatment. And while it’s becoming more widespread within the animal kingdom, perhaps the most success so far can be seen within the horse population.

As a recent article from Ocala.com explains, acupuncture is helping horses to heal, avoid surgeries, lessen pain, and release endorphins.

After practicing acupuncture for 35 years Dr. Huisheng Xie recently opened the Equine Acupuncture Center in Reddick, Florida. It is there that horse owner Lousia Flaig sought treatment for her 14 year old horse Songline, who had previously had surgery for an injured tendon. Unfortunately, the surgery was unsuccessful, and the horse had not been able to return to his prior activities in eventing, and a s a stallion.

Flaig explained, “We were looking for an alternative. He already had surgery once. I feel doing this, we can’t go wrong, and with surgery we can make it worse.”

So, Xie performed acupuncture treatment on Songline, inserting acuneedles along points in the horse’s back and leg, and connected them to electric stim. Perhaps surprisingly or perhaps not for true acupuncture believers, “Within minutes the horses lower lip began to droop, a sign of a relaxed horse.”

Xie explained this as the release of endorphins having a morphine-like effect.

In further support of veterinary acupuncture, recent vet school grad Emily Roth said that throughout her experience with the practice being used on animals, “I really saw very profound results. Predominantly, pain relief in a lot of lameness cases and chronic pain issues. It treats the whole body and helps the body heal itself and ultimately that should be the goal in medicine versus using more invasive techniques.”

Instead of subjecting animals to surgeries that require extensive healing time and further rehabilitation, more and more anecdotal evidence as well as research supports . the notion of trying acupuncture first, or in conjunction with more traditional therapies.

Acupuncture and Herbs for Autism?

Diagnoses of disorders along the Autism Spectrum continue to rise throughout the United States, now affecting nearly one in 68 children, according to the CDC. 

As more and more children struggle with the wide range of social, emotional and intellectual struggles that come along with living with Autism, treatment options are seemingly rising to the occasion to help, too. 

While we're well aware of the physical benefits of acupuncture treatment, a recent study from Hebei Province has yielded some promising results — that acupuncture combined with herbal medicine can help children with autism. 

How? According to the study, acupuncture has shown to be able to potentially improve, “communication, language, physical movement and sensory perception.” Additionally, it reports that children whom participated in the study also demonstrated improvements in self-care, another area that some children on the spectrum struggle with.

Within the study, 92 children were randomly assigned to either receive “standard rehabilitation” or treatment that included acupuncture and herbs. With results measured using the ABC Checklist (Autism Behavior Checklist) and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) both groups showed significant improvements, but the effective rate in the group that received acupuncture was 89.96%, versus 65.22% in those who did not receive the added holistic therapies.

Overall, the conclusion is that the addition of acupuncture and herbs are, “both safe and effective for the treatment of children with autism.”

If your child, or someone you know has been diagnosed on the spectrum, acupuncture may help to provide supports in addition to traditional therapies including speech, physical and occupational therapy, and education.

While acupuncture may not be for every child, it’s worth considering and speaking with providers to find a potential fit for your child’s unique needs.

Acupuncture for the Aging

One of the inevitable, often dreaded but yet beautiful aspects of life is the physical process aging and the gift of getting older.

Though it means we’ve been blessed with the gift of longevity, there are some inevitable aches, pains, physical changes and other maladies that can come along with it, too.

Luckily, acupuncture can help.

We’ve already outlined how acupuncture for anti-aging beauty can be powerful here.  Considered an all-natural facelift of sorts, it can take the place harsh chemicals and restore your skin to a more youthful state. But what else can it do for the aging? 

Acupuncture can actually help with most complaints from seniors, including sleep issues, muscle pain and tension, arthritis, energy, mobility and mood.

Explained in this article on Chinese Medicine Living, as we age we see a gradual decline in our “Jing” which is considered to be the vital energy, or life source we all embody. It is believed that we are only born with a finite amount, and lifestyle can impact how and when it is used, and whether it’s used “wisely.”  Acupuncture treatment can help to reduce the loss of Jing which can cause symptoms of premature aging, thus potentially improving your vital energy.

Additionally, acupuncture is considered extremely safe in the aging.  Many senior citizens may find themselves taking various medications to treat medical conditions that have arisen through the years — but unlike other conventional or pharmaceutical interventions, you don’t have to worry about any potential interactions when it comes to acu.

Unfortunately, many seniors are often finding themselves alone, with feelings of loneliness or isolation. So, an acupuncture regimen with a friendly practitioner can also help to provide a bit of the social and emotional connection they have been longing for.

If you are or happen to know a senior who might benefit from acupuncture to help improve their daily life — call to schedule an appointment today!

Acupuncture Helping Those Who Respond to Natural Disasters

The past year has seen a number of devastating natural disasters in our country. Hurricane Harvey caused massive destruction in Texas, primarily the Houston area, while Puerto Rico is still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Maria. Right now in Northern California, the Carr Fire continues to cause massive damage, the 6th most destructive wildfire in the state’s history.

In all of these situations, first responders come to the affected area to provide the area with crucial services, including help to the victims and those who need to be evacuated. That work is incredible demanding on the body, and in such a high-pressure, stressful and fast-paced environment, first responders aren’t easily able to remember to take time to care for their bodies. And waiting months after the incident to treat injuries and pains makes the road to recovery that much more difficult.

Thankfully there are organizations out there that head to disaster areas with the goal of helping those in need and the first responders who are working to provide aid, such as Acupuncturists Without Borders and the Disaster Acupuncture and Massage Project. And new research shows that this type of treatment is very beneficial to its recipients. The study looked at over 1,000 victims and first responders in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Joso City Flood.

The victims were suffering all sorts of injuries and the first responders were frequently dealing with back, shoulder and knee issues brought about by the intense physical work of disaster relief. The study found significantly decreased pain in those who were administered massage and acupuncture.

Acupuncture helps folks recover from pain brought on by all sorts of situations. It’s great to know that it’s helping those who put their lives on the line in response to natural disasters.

One Woman Shares What Happened When She Tried Acupuncture for PMS

When you’re suffering from a bad bout of PMS, you’re bound to try just about anything to find relief.

But instead of turning towards anti-inflammatories and painkillers, and curling up on the couch with a heating pad, why not try acupuncture? The noninvasive therapy can help to combat the unpleasant exhaustion, headaches, mood swings, cramps and just about every other side effect of your monthly “gift.”

In a recent Bustle Article, writer Emma McGowan shared her experience when she turned to acupuncture for some holistic relief.

Struggling with suffering from nearly two weeks of both the physical and emotional ramifications of PMS (due to irregular periods) she opted not to go on hormonal birth control, and instead followed her aunts suggestion that she try acupuncture. (Her aunt is an acupuncturist, after all.)

With confliction options around the efficacy of acupuncture for PMS (though we’re firm believers in it’s power!) she decided to go for it, and her experience was met with big results.

After six months of treatments she shared, “First of all, I can tell you that my physical symptoms pretty much disappeared within the first couple months of doing weekly treatments. No or minimal boob swelling and nipple soreness and I only feel like I want to crawl out of my skin for a day or two, as opposed to two solid weeks.”

As far as her emotional issues, she said they did seem to amplify as her physical ones passed, though she acknowledges, “But there was also a lot going on in my life during that time, so it can be a little hard to gauge.”

Overall, would she recommend acupuncture to anyone considering it? She says, “Sure! If it’s affordable for you, give it a shot. The risks are low. And it might just make you feel 10 times better.”

More Evidence Points to Acupuncture Helping Menstrual Cramps

If you’re a woman, you know the feeling. That time of month rolls around, and the cramps start to flare up. Unfortunately, cramps are never convenient, and our lives don’t stop for them. Work, errands, and family still need to be taken care of, causing many women to deal with pain from menstrual cramps by taking pain medication.

Whether your menstrual cramps are minor or severe, they can take a toll on a woman’s quality of life. Acupuncture is thankfully there as a remedy, and now more evidence is pointing to acu’s viability as a long-term solution for menstrual cramps, not just a temporary fix. One of the reasons acupuncture works as a long-term solution to menstrual cramps is because of its ability to treat the root source of the problem, not just the symptoms, and its versatility in treating other side effects that severe menstrual pain can contribute to.

 “After having my menstrual cycle for twelve years, and feeling like it was an enemy and not a beautiful time for my body, I was really up for trying anything,” Kenslee, a 25 year old told Bustle.com. “My menstrual pain and fatigue decreased immensely, and it also helped with my hormonal acne. I began sleeping better, and my mood swings around my cycle became less severe.”

"[Acupuncture] promotes optimal blood flow to and through the reproductive organs, reduces chronic inflammation, improves hormone balance, and reduces stress,” Merritt Jones, an acupuncturist and founder of Natural Harmony Reproductive Health and Jones Family Acupuncture told Bustle.

Over the past few years, numerous studies have been done that show acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating menstrual cramps and other issues in the reproductive system. Hopefully more and more women come to experience acupuncture as the safe, natural, reliable, and long-lasting treatment option for pain from menstrual cramps that it is.

Acupuncture Shown to Improve IVF Success Rate

Infertility is one of the most under-talked about issues facing women and families across the world. There are many reasons women may struggle with infertility, and every women is different. Whether the cause of infertility is known or unknown, it can be a stressful and difficult thing for women and families to cope with.

When struggling to get pregnant naturally, many families will turn to alternative fertility methods. Success rates vary depending on the individual, but intrauterine insemination (commonly known as IUI) has an average success rate of 20%, while In Vitro Fertilization (commonly known as IVF) has an average success rate of 40% for women under 35, with decreasing rate at older ages.

These treatments are incredible modern medical marvels, and their success rates will only likely rise, but they can be very costly and time consuming for families. What if there were a natural, safe way to increase the chances of a procedure like IVF working to bring a beautiful baby into the world?

That might just be happening. A recent study conducted at Homerton University Hopsital in London, UK reveals that acupuncture has been shown to significantly increase the success rate of IVF. In the study, the ongoing pregnancy rate of those who received acupuncture was over 53%, and just under 28% for those who did not.

“The protocol uses acupuncture points to stimulate blood circulation to the ovaries in order to achieve good follicle quantity and size,” says Karen Gillerman,LAc, BSc (Hons), MBAcC, the lead author of the study. “It also uses points to stimulate blood flow to the uterus and improve the uterine lining, as well as points to relax the patient.”

Infertility can be one of the more trying things for a family to endure, something we wish on nobody. But acupuncture is here to help.

The Versatile Benefits of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is becoming more and more popular around the world as its wide-ranging benefits become more well-known. But exactly how many different disorders and diseases can acupuncture treat? While the number is by no means exact or binding, the World Health Organization currently recognizes acupuncture as an effective treatment for 47 diseases.

Many people seek out acupuncture as a treatment for general pain. But that pain is usually associated with a larger disease or disorder that is acting as the root cause. Those diseases are too often treated with medications that, while come can be effective, many times bring about a whole set of negative side effects as well. And we’ve learned more and more about the addictive properties of opioids, which many people are prescribed to treat all sorts and levels of pain.

“A lot of people are seeking a natural treatment in order to reduce the number of medications they take,” says Ning Qian, licensed acupuncturist with the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners who has been performing acupuncture for decades.

Qian treats patients who have consistently dealt with what are considered common illnesses, such as sinusitis, the flu, allergies and tonsillitis, as well as diseases and disorders like Parkinson’s Bell’s palsy, hypertension and more.

The fascinating and thing about acupuncture is that it doesn’t input anything into our body that isn’t already there. That’s why it is both such a safe and versatile treatment. Licensed acupuncturists know the body’s 360 major acupoints and which ones need to be stimulated based on the patient’s pain or disease they may be suffering from.

“When the needle is placed into the acupoint,” Ning says, “it allows blood and energy to flow into the targeted area.”

Acupuncture is also beneficial to people who haven’t been diagnosed with any disease or disorder, but want to increase their day to day energy and vitality. Qian treats patients who have consistently dealt with what are considered common illnesses, such as sinusitis, the flu, allergies and tonsillitis, as well as diseases and disorders like Parkinson’s Bell’s

How To Find Out if Acupuncture is Covered By Your Insurance

Medical bills and dealing with insurance companies can often be quite stressful, to say the least. When trying to find a holistic treatment that can help solve an array of. Different maladies and symptoms, it can be even more frustrating. To help, here are some helpful tips that can make navigating the process a bit easier, and hopefully lead to a resolution.

Know The Terms

This may sound simple, but so many people are not aware of what. Is considered a covered expense, and what is not. Terms like “in network”, “out of network”, “deductible” and “out of pocket max,” are also enough to make your head spin.

This might help:

In-Network: A provider has agreed to join the network of providers for your specific insurer, and accept their rates/amounts for services.

Out of Network:  A provider who does not accept the plan or insurer and often is not covered, or is covered at a lesser amount that is reimbursable.

Deductible: A deductible is a specific dollar amount that your health insurance company may require that you pay (of your own money) each year before your plan starts to make payments for claims. But, not all health plans require a deductible. Most of the. Time, HMO plans typically do not require a deductible, while most Indemnity and PPO plans do. (So it’s important to know which one you have.)

Out of Pocket Max: A set figure that once. You have met, you no longer have to pay your own money for any covered services within that specific year.

Ask Your Provider & Insurer

Next, what’s most important is to first ask your desired acupuncture provider if they, in fact, even accept insurance. (NJ Acupuncture Center does!) Then, ask if they “take” and are “in or out of network” with your specific plan. If they are out of network, it is then important to call your insurance company (or check your coverage online) to see if they provide any coverage or reimbursement for out of network services. If not, it can never hurt to ask your preferred provider if they offer any special rates or discount specifically for cash-pay, or uninsured patients.

It’s also really  important to know where you stand with your deductible. If it has been met, then your coverage has kicked in. If it hasn’t yet, you might be responsible to pay in full for services until it is met. What’s even better, is if by chance your out of pocket maximum has been met, then you may not have to pay anything for the remainder of the calendar year.

For any insurance questions or concerns, we are always more than happy to help navigate and find out your coverage for you! 

Acupuncture shown to restore facial movement in stoke patients

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. 140,000 people in the US each year die due to a stroke. However, there are many different levels of stroke, and not all are fatal. In fact, stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the country.

Strokes occur due to restricted blood flow to the brain. When that happens, oxygen is cut off and can’t reach the brain. Depending on the level of the stroke, even a survivor may incur physical ailments as a result of the episode. These include numbness, soreness, muscle weakness and more. One common side effect is facial paralysis, one that can have a very long lasting and difficult, day-to-day impact on health and quality of life.

Thankfully, a recent study shows that one treatment in particular can help restore facial movement in stroke patients: acupuncture.

In fact, it’s a combination of acupuncture treatments that was deemed most successful. Fujian Ningde Hospital in China conducted a study of 60 patients diagnosed with post-stroke paralysis over a two-year period. All patients were administered body acupuncture, while half of the group were administered an additional acupuncture procedure to the scalp.

It’s not surprising that the body acupuncture was found to be quite successful on its own. The results of the study showed a 71% effective rate for those who received only the body acupuncture. But the addition of the scalp acupuncture raised the effective rate to just over 93%. The combination of the two was shown to bring back facial movement in nearly every patient.

“In related findings, laboratory research confirms that acupuncture supports brain repair after a stroke,” the study notes. “Yang et al. note that acupuncture “promote[s] the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in the brain.”

Acupuncture is a safe, non-invasive and effective way to treat many stoke side effects, including one of the most common and life-altering.

Aches and pains? Ditch the Ibuprofen.

We all know the feeling. Maybe you slept in the wrong position, or upped your physical exertion in an effort to exercise more. Maybe you banged a knee or elbow playing a sport or stretched too far while horsing around with your kids. Or maybe you’re just getting old (it happens!). Worse off, those who complain about consistent aches and pains may suffer from arthritis.

It’s almost like second nature for many of us to head straight to the medicine cabinet and grab for the ibuprofen bottle. Pop a few in and go on with your day. The problem is that medications like ibuprofen only address the symptom and don’t have any regenerative ability. While tears and serious injuries may require surgery and/or physical therapy, the root cause of every day aches and pains can get worse if only treated with something like ibuprofen and physician prescribed pain killers (not to mention the addictive properties of the latter).

Thankfully, there is another way—acupuncture. And a recent study performed in China has put some data behind what is becoming more commonly known; that aside from being the safer, natural alternative, acupuncture is more effective at treating arthritis than ibuprofen.

Researchers at Yueyang Hospital sampled 80 patients who suffer from arthritis, administering either ibuprofen or a combination of acupuncture and tui na massage. The second group received acupuncture treatment daily for 20 minutes for 20 days, followed by a 20 minute massage treatment. The acupuncture and tui na treatments were successful in 90% of patients as opposed to 87% in the ibuprofen group – a small but meaningful difference given the safety and holistic differences in the two approaches.

A further study showed that of acupuncture and tui na, acupuncture was the more meaningful and effective of the two treatments for arthritis. We figured!

Avoid Bee Sting Acupuncture!

Those who turn to acupuncture treatments for their specific goals and ailments are typically open to holistic and creative ways to improve their health and wellness. However, it’s important to be an educated consumer, one that does their own research and only seeks out treatments that are as safe as they are effective.

While you can enjoy acupuncture with confidence in its safety and efficacy, one thing that should be avoided is “Bee Sting” acupuncture, especially after a woman from Spain has recently died as a result.

As cosmosmagazine.com explains, the death was reported in the Journal of Investigational Allerology and Clinical Immunology, and has raised red flags about the practice. With roots in Korea and China, “Bee Sting Acupuncture” includes, “the application or consumption of bee products such as pollen and royal jelly in a quest to alleviate a wide range of symptoms.” The use of actual bee stings as a treatment method is controversial, and has raised some eyebrows.

A woman earlier this year claimed that the application of bee stings cured her persistent migraine headaches, and while her back was in fact covered in, “scares and lesions from the practice,” the doctors concluded, “any relief gained was psychosomatic, and that the sting applications represented an extension of a long clinical history of self-harm stemming from mental illness.”

However, in the case of the woman. Who passed away in Spain, there was no indication of any mental illness. Unfortunately, she had been receiving bee acupuncture, “every four. Weeks for two years,”  and at her last session, she developed wheezing, labored breathing, and lost consciousness. She died of multiple organ failures. 

It was said, “this is the first. Reported case of death by bee venom apitherapy due to. Complications of severe anaphylaxis in a confirmed sensitized patient who was previously tolerant.”  Doctors advise that bee acupuncture, “is both unsafe and unadvisable.”

The bottom line? Stick to traditional acupuncture, provided by licensed professionals, who only use approved acuneedles.

Acupuncture for Energy

Feeling tired? Acupuncture can give you a boost.

School, work, kids, family, keeping a home, being constantly on the move throughout all the facets of life. Day after day, all of it can often feel like too much. Sometimes, just getting through a normal day can be a slog.

Fatigue isn’t something to take lightly. It can take a mental and physical toll on us. It’s important that we feel well-rested and energetic as we go through our day. Many people suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a disorder where these symptoms and side effects can be even more severe. Many people who suffer from fatigue try supplements or chemicals like caffeine for a boost, but many of these are mere quick fixes. And the crash afterwards can often be much worse.

One of the best ways to infuse the body and mind with a natural, long-lasting boost of energy is acupuncture. Penka Slavova was suffering from fatigue due to the day-to-day rigors of being a mom on the move. She tried many solutions, but was always curious about acupuncture. She decide to give the treatment a chance, and saw Ian Cyrus of Philadelphia's Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Center. Slavova instantly felt that the treatments were helping her relax more, which naturally gave her more energy throughout the day.

Acupuncture helps for fatigue because it stimulates the nervous system, opening up energy and circulation pathways which are crucial for the body and mind to feel more energetic. “After a few treatments, patients' systems learn to develop a different frame of reference,” Cyrus said. “They know the difference between what they've grown accustomed to and what they should feel like.”

In addition, those suffering from the more serious and professionally-diagnosed CFS can benefit from acupuncture treatment. The Shenzen Hospital of Chinese Medicine conducted experiments which showed that acupuncture treatment in the eight influential points showed a 90% total effective rate and a 50% total recovery rate in CFS patients.

If you think you might suffer from CFS, be sure to see a medical professional for a diagnosis. Whether or not you suffer from CFS, feeling tired throughout the day is never fun. If you’re looking to boost your overall energy, consider acupuncture. It might just help you conquer the day, whatever it may bring.

How Acupuncture Can Help to Ease Pregnancy Discomforts

Pregnancy is a time of great joy, and great change. 

By now, you've probably heard of the documented benefits that acupuncture can have on fertility and in supporting the efficacy of fertility treatments, but what about acupuncture during pregnancy itself?

If you're looking for relief from some of the physical or mental woes that accompany your miracle,  tiny acuneedles can provide a great benefit. Here's how. 

According to the famed What to Expect website, science has studied that can relieve the following pregnancy symptoms:

• Morning sickness (acupuncture points around the rest can be targeted. to help reduce the unpleasant nausea and vomiting that might come along, especially in the first trimester.) 
• Lower back and pelvic pain (You're bound to have some aches and pains as your uterus expands and you're gaining weight. According to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, acupuncture can help relieve this by targeting points on the ear. In fact, a study revealed that 80% of women in a group who had this type of treatment had a clinically significant reduction in pain, compared to 56$ of women who had "fake" acupuncture, and 36% of women who received no treatment.) 
• Depression (Hormones are bound to make your emotions feel a little out of whack, but actual depression while preggo is fairly comment too, affecting nearly 25% of women. In a study from the journal titled Obstetrics & Gynecology, a clinical trial revealed that 65% of  clinically depressed pregnant women who received acupuncture specifically for depression responded to treatment, while only 44% of women who received general acupuncture or massage responded.) 
• Headaches (Restoring the balance of qi and blood flow can help to relieve the pain brought on by pregnancy induced headaches.)
• Sleep Problems (Though pregnancy is exhausting, many women find it difficult to sleep. Acupuncture can help people restore their sleep cycles and get meaningful rest, whether they are pregnant or not.) 

Incorporate Acupunctue in to your Pre-Wedding Routine

Congratulations! You're getting married!

While an engagement is undoubtedly one of the happiest times in your life, it's not always smooth sailing for most. 

Brides-to-be often find themselves jam packed in the weeks leading up to their wedding - with days filled with beauty treatments, hair and makeup trials, spa treatments, dress fittings and workouts.

While on a quest to be your bridal best, there is one thing that might be missing from your pre-wedding  to-do list, and that's acupuncture. With physical, mental AND cosmetic benefits, here’s why you should schedule an acupuncture appointment stat.

Cosmetic

Aside from the wellness benefits that will leave you glowing from within, acupuncture has some pretty significant cosmetic benefits, too. From AcuScupltÔ to anti-aging treatments, acupuncture treatment can help you to slim, tone, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and appear more rejuvenated.

As explained in detail in this Vogue article, acupuncture “facials” can help to eliminate facial puffiness, clear up acne, soothe rosacea, brighten, tighten and tone the skin. Before splurging for expensive, often invasive facials that may utilize harsh chemicals, give this holistic treatment a try.

Wellness

There’s no doubt that planning a wedding is stressful, and all that stress can leave you feeling exhausted, tense, and anxious. To help calm and restore the mind, tiny acu-needles can pack a serious punch. In fact, in as little as one treatment you can leave feeling more balanced and calm, and improve your sleep. Oh, and those annoying tension headaches that just might pop up anytime someone mentions a budget or seating arrangements? Acu can help those, too.

Health

By restoring the flow of qi, acupuncture and accompanying targeted massage can help to soothe sore muscles and release tension by improving blood flow and releasing adhesions that might be causing pain. With improved circulation and less pain, you’ll be ready to tackle your walk down the aisle, first dance, and party all night long while being pain free.

Before your first appointment, be sure to explain your goals for treatment with your practitioner. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy.