Acupuncture Can Aid in Uterine Fibroid Reduction

Uterine Fibroids are incredibly common, but that doesn’t mean that they are harmless. Far from it.

Fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus that occur in women generally during childbearing years. They can vary in size and exact location, and there can be one growth or many; a good number of women do not even realize they have fibroids, because they may have one a single one or they are not large in size. In those cases, fibroids can go undetected because they cause no symptoms.

In other cases, however? Fibroids can be a serious detriment to quality of life. Among the symptoms of fibroids are increased menstrual bleeding, elongated menstruation cycles, back and/or leg pain, pain and pressure in the pelvic area, constipation, and more.

Fibroids causing fertility issues isn’t common, but they can up the risk of certain pregnancy complications, such as placental abruption, fetal growth restriction and preterm delivery.

There is no cure for fibroids, and any medications will only help the symptoms. Acupuncture, on the other hand, may be able to help the root cause. While there is no way acupuncture can fully remove fibroids, a study has shown that it can help reduce their volume, which lowers the risk that the fibroids will result in the worst of the possible symptoms.

Along with an herbal treatment, participants in the study were administered acupuncture at 9 specific points. for a total of 30 minutes a day for three months (aside from when the patient was menstruating). The results showed that fibroid volume was significantly reduced in the group that was administered acupuncture.

Fibroids can’t be prevented, but they don’t have to ruin your life, either. If you or someone you know is suffering from uterine fibroids, we’re here to help.

Medicare Will Now Cover Acupuncture for Low Back Pain

As of January 21st, the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) announced that acupuncture to treat low back pain will now be a covered benefit under section 1862(a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act. 

The benefit will encompass up to 12 visits within 90 days for covered Medicare beneficiaries if they meet the following criteria. Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is defined in their terms as pain that:

• Lasts 12 weeks or longer;

• Is nonspecific, meaning that there is no diagnosis of a metastatic, inflammatory, infectious, etc. disease)

• Is not associated or resulted from from surgery or pregnancy

On top of the initial 12 visits within 90 days, a patient may also be eligible for eight more sessions for those patients who are demonstrating a marked improvement in their symptoms. However, a maximum of 20 treatments may be administered a covered benefit per year.

And, if a patient is not showing signs of improvement or worse, is somehow regressing, their treatment must be discontinued.

The treatment must also only be performed by a qualified provider CSA defines qualified providers as: “Physician assistants, nurse practitioners/clinical nurse specialists (as identified in 1861(aa)(5)), and auxiliary personnel” that meet all applicable state requirements and have:

• Masters or doctoral-level degree in acupuncture or Oriental Medicine from a school accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM); and

• current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice acupuncture in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e. Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia.

Finally, the announcement states, “Auxiliary personnel furnishing acupuncture must be under the appropriate level of supervision of a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner/clinical nurse specialist required by our regulations at 42 CFR §§ 410.26 and 410.27.”

To find out exactly what this means for you, call us today to see what benefits you may have under your insurance and if acupuncture is considered a covered benefit for you. If not, don’t fret! We also offer affordable cash rate options for those without coverage — so that healthy healing is accessible to all.

NBA Star Gives Eye Acupuncture a Try

Basketball fans were given a special “treat” this week when NBA player Bismack Biyombo of the Charlotte Hornets shared a boomerang on Instagram of himself receiving eye-acupuncture.

👀👀👀🧐🧐 pic.twitter.com/od9Tk8woVK

— Bismack Biyombo (@bismackbiyombo) January 13, 2020

Well, not actually in his eyes of course — but within the surrounding eye area that is home to many sensitive acupuncture points.

In the video, you can see tears streaming down his face, a common reaction to acupuncture around this area — and that is a good thing! It means it’s working.

Why on earth would he receive acupuncture around his eyes, you may ask? Let us explain…

Anyone who is suffering from an eye condition including vision problems, light sensitivity, floaters, dried eyes, excessive tearing or swelling, and pain can benefit from this treatment. (When provided by a licensed acupuncturist only, of course.)

As Verywell Health explains, the following acupuncture points aim at treating a variety of eye ailments:

The following areas are focused on during acupuncture for eye health.

• Jingming (UB-1) - Jingming means "bright eyes" and is located in the inner corner of the eye. This point is thought to bring Qi and blood to the eyes and to help eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, night blindness, conjunctivitis and blurry vision.6

• Zanzhu (UB-2) - The Zanzhu point is in the crease at the inner end of the eyebrow. This point is the focus when patients complain of a headache, blurred vision, pain, tearing, redness, eye twitching, and glaucoma.7

• Yuyao - Yuyao is the in the middle of the eyebrow right above the pupil. This point is used for treating eye strain, eyelid twitching, ptosis (upper eyelid that hangs low), cloudiness of the cornea, redness, and swelling.8

• Sizhukong (SJ 23) - The Sizhukog area is located in the hollow area at the outside part of the eyebrow. It is thought to be a point where acupuncture can be performed to help eye and facial pain including headaches, redness, eye pain, blurred vision, eye toothache and facial paralysis.9

• Tongzilia (GB 1) - The Tongzilia is located on the outside corner of the eye. This point is thought to brighten the eyes. Manipulation of this point also helps treat headache, redness, eye

If you are suffering from eye issues and would like to give acupuncture a try, please contact our office to schedule your free consultation and first appointment.

One Woman Shares How She Beat Her Migraines with Acupuncture

If you’re one of the million Americans who, unfortunately, suffer from migraines — you’re not alone. We know how desperate you might be to find some relief, and we’re happy to say we can help.

But, don’t just take our word for it. Meet Samantha Fletcher, who recently told the Daily Mail all about her struggles, and how she found relief through acupuncture.

Struggling since age 13, Fletcher said, “the migraines were mild and rare at first, but they became frequent and unmanageable. Two years ago, at the age of 26, I was having two a week.”

Despite medications and other traditional approaches to find relief, she then decided to give acupuncture a try.

She describes her thoughts during her first treatment saying, “I lay there for half an hour, then she returned to the room, took them out and sent me on my way. To my surprise, the next week was the first in years when I didn’t have a migraine. Had I found something that worked, or was it a fluke?”

It most definitely wasn’t a fluke.

Going once a week for several months that followed, Fletcher says, “I would leave feeling calm and less tense — and I had only two migraines in nine months while having acupuncture.”

Fletcher concluded, “Without the migraines, I have more energy, I feel happier, I can exercise again and it’s much easier to work. Skeptics may say it’s just the placebo effect — but I don’t mind if it is.”

We believe in the healing powers of acupucnture. If you’re struggling with migraines, let us help.

What is a Massage, Really?

You know they feel amazing and you know they help with stress and tension — but what is a massage, really?

What’s the purpose, the point? How do they work and what are the different kinds?

It’s important to know what type of service you’re going to receive, so we’re here to help. Here’s all you need to know about the three most common types of massage we offer: acupressure, deep tissue, and relaxation.

Acupressure

Acupressure massages are highly effective when performed by properly trained therapists. Using the same underlying philosophy as acupuncture, the approach uses firm pressure at acupoints and pressure points as opposed to acuneedles. During acupressure, physical pressure from the fingers is applied to acupuncture points throughout the body with the ultimate goal of clearing blockages within the affected meridians. The specific points of treatment will depend on the patient’s chief complaints and/or wellness goals.

Deep Tissue

If you find you’re suffering from muscle tension, cramping, anxiety or those pesky shoulder knots that develop over time from tension and poor posture — a deep tissue massage is the best option from you. Using firm and targeted pressure, the therapist will use deep pressure with slow strokes that are relaxing but also purposeful as they aim to reach the deep layers of your connective tissues and muscles. Though these massages are targeted and you should feel pressure, be sure to speak up if you feel pain. And, drink plenty of water after to help flush out the toxins!

Sweedish Massage

If you are in need of some “me” time and relaxation, a “typical” Sweedish massage is definitely what you’re after. This full-body, gentle massage is good at relieving tension and just feels really good, too. While it can also help to relieve muscle knots, it’s a great option for clients that might be new to massage, or are pretty sensitive to firmer pressure. Your therapist will use long, slow strokes across your body which will help to improve circulation and blood flow, promote relaxation, and maybe even soothe you off to sleep!

Before booking, be sure to consult with your therapist as to which type of service is best for you.

Enjoy!

How Cupping Can Help Ease Your Lower Back Pain

Pain in the lower back can be debilitating or it can be nagging, but regardless of its severity it results in a lowering of quality of life. Anytime your lower back is bothering us, so many of our daily routines are affected. Walking, reaching, even just sitting or laying down are made more difficult.

There are many different ways to treat lower back pain, depending on the severity of the problem, but almost always the best way to go is holistically— helping the body heal itself. We here can treat back pain multiple ways, and one of the preferred methods is the ancient Chinese practice of cupping.

You may have seen dark circles on the backs, arms and shoulders of athletes on TV. While they might not be the most attractive marks, they are not permanent…and most importantly, they are signs that the body is in a much more restorative state than it was before.

Cupping is the act of using suction on the skin to help pull muscles and tissue upwards to heal. Like acupuncture, it doesn’t hurt, so there’s no reason to be apprehensive about it. Dr. Kelsey Tangel tells Popsugar, “By gently pulling up the muscles and fascia upwards, it draws toxins to the surface of the skin where the immune system is better able to eliminate them.”

But cupping isn’t able to heal a major issue like lower back pain simply by helping the body better eliminate toxins—though that’s part of it. Cupping causes the body to increase bloodflow and white blood cells to the affected areas, which improved blood circulation and reduces inflammation.

Lower back pain cannot be cured by either cupping and/or acupuncture, but they both remain among the most effective and safe ways to treat the resulting pain and inflammation. Cupping can help improve your quality of life and get you moving freely again.

How Acupuncture Can Help Those With Lupus

Though it is notoriously very difficult to properly diagnose, over 1.5 million people in the United States suffer from lupus, an auto-immune disorder which causes the body’s immune system to attack normal, healthy tissue. The result? Unpredictable bouts of painful Inflammation, swelling, and eventual causing of damage to the joints, skin, kidneys, blood, heart, and lungs.

Lupus predominantly occurs in women, and mostly women of color—unfortunately, it is a disorder that many people don’t know that they have. And when they do have it, treatment options are limited to improving quality of life through managing symptoms, pain and discomfort.

“"Awareness of lupus in Chinese medicine goes back at least to the Qing Dynasty, according to traditional texts,” according to Pacific College. “The knowledge gained during that period points to a blood-based heat toxin that, when aggravated by summertime heat or sunlight, results in the distinctive red patches associated with the disease.”

Acupuncture does not cure lupus, but we do know that acupuncture addresses the root causes of disease and disorder in the body by balancing the body’s yin and yang. That makes acupuncture, along with herbal treatments, a uniquely effective treatment for the many problems caused by lupus.

Due to the yin-yang imbalance, sufferers of lupus experience everything from aches, intolerance to cold temperatures, loss of appetite, swelling, pain in the joints, and numbness in the arms and legs. Acupuncture and herbal treatments can be specifically tailored to restoring the ying-yang balance, helping specifically with those various symptoms.

Nearly 1 in 250 people have or will develop lupus in their lifetimes. If you or someone you know suffers fro m this frustrating and elusive disorder, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medical treatments might be just what you need to start restoring quality of life.

Acupuncture and Depression

Suffering from the winter blues? Or perhaps it’s something a bit more — like depression?

We understand. In fact, it’s quite common to experience a bit of a low period following the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. So, let acupuncture help.

As recently reported by HealthCMi, when acupuncture is combined with herbal medicine, it is effective for alleviating depression.

Researchers in China concluded that “a modified version of the herbal formula Chai Hu Shu Gan San plus acupuncture is effective for the treatment of depression. By using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, serum cytokine (correlated with markers of depression) and neurotransmitter levels, they determined a total effective rate of “100% for patients receiving both acupuncture and herbal medicine.” T

Those who received acupuncture only had an 85% total effective rate, and only herbal medicine had a 87.5% total effective rate. Thus proving that when the two treatments are combined, it is undoubtedly most effective.

The groups that received acupuncture received treatment at the following acupuncture points:

• Yintang (extra point)

• Baihui (DU20)

• Sishencong (extra point)

• Shenting (DU24)

• Neiguan (P6)

• Shenmen (HT7)

• Sanyinjiao (SP6)

• Hegu (LI4)

• Taichong (LV3)

• Taiyang (extra point) 

Throughout all the highs and lows of life, acupuncture can help you to restore a sense of well being and relaxation — providing a bit of peace and calm we all deserve.

 And of course, if you’re severely struggling or are having thoughts of self-harm or harm to others, seek professional help immediately or call 911.

How Acupuncture Can Help with Your Resolutions

Happy New Year, everyone!

We hope your New Year’s Eve was fun and festive, and that 2019 is off to a great start for all.

One of the most exciting parts of flipping the calendar is setting new goals and intentions for the year ahead. So as you forge forward into 365 new blank pages, we’re here to support you regardless of the resolutions you have chosen for yourself.

Here’s how acupuncture can help aid you in the process of sticking to the four most popular New Year’s resolutions.

Weight Loss

The most popular resolution year after year, weight loss is a challenge many of us have taken at one point or another. Luckily, acupuncture can help by improving digestion, reducing inflammation, and helping to manage your appetite.

Save Money

This might sound counterintuitive, but it’s not. The cost of regular acupuncture (especially if it’s covered by your insurance) is far less than what over the counter remedies, prescriptions and specialist visits will amount to through the year. By taking preventative measures, you can take charge of your health now to prevent costly encounters later.

Stress Less

In this fast pace life where we are connected 24/7, it’s easy to get stressed. And aside from the unpleasant emotional toll stress can cause, it can wreak havoc on your physical body, too. Luckily, acupuncture can help restore the relaxation in your life. By giving you quiet time to yourself, increasing endorphins and aiding in sleep, regular treatments will leave you feeling calmer and energized instead of frazzled and weary.

Be Present

We are all too often distracted from the present moment. But at NJ Acupuncture Center, you can disconnect from everything and just relax during your session — clearing your mind, focusing n your breathing, practicing meditation — whatever helps you live in the “now”, instead of the past or the future.

How Acupuncture Helped One Woman's Chronic Knee Pain

We know very, very well that acupuncture can help with pain. But hearing personal stories of success and relief is what really, really warms our hearts over and over again.

Recently, reporter Laura Belle of Elemental + shared her story of how acupuncture helped her recover from a torn meniscus. As a busy bother of two, her incredibly active lifestyle began to deteriorate with what first started as foot problems. She explained I did not make the connection until after a meniscal tear and multiple surgeries that my physical issues during pregnancy had weakened the meniscus in my right knee.”

After one orthopedic surgeon told her she would never run with her sons again, she found an orthopedic surgeon who agreed to repair her meniscus. After the successful surgery, she faced a grueling recovery process and was simultaneously diagnosed with a rare joint disease called pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) which caused a painful but benign tumor to grow on her left knee joint. She, unfortunately, she needed additional surgery.

She said, “I went from being an active mother of two to a shell of my former self. Every step I took was painful. Stairs, housework, and exercise were out of the question. Standing at social gatherings was excruciating. I had full range of motion in both knees thanks to physical therapy, but injections and over-the-counter pain medications were not providing the relief I needed to function well with two active boys. The chronic pain from the surgical recovery combined with the osteoarthritis was preventing me from doing what my knees needed most: consistent low impact exercise.”

Enter, acupuncture. After a failed first experience with the treatment, she found Dr. Yang, who listened to her history and, “examined various areas of my body by brushing over them gently with her hands. When her fingers arrived at my knees, she placed slight pressure on some areas and made note of the pain sensations I felt. She caressed the inflammation around my knees gently and declared, ‘I can help you, but you must be patient.’”

And so she was patient. And now, she says that “acupuncture has offered me relief from chronic pain due to knee osteoarthritis. My orthopedic surgeon released me from care a year earlier than expected and my knees have already outlasted his predictions of failure.”

We couldn’t love this more.

Let us help you manage and resolve your chronic pain. Call for a consultation today!

Acupuncture at the Border

Regardless of which side of the political spectrum you align yourself with, one thing is inarguable — tensions are high amidst the tragedy at the border. And believe it or not, acupuncture is helping.

As USA Today reported, acupuncturists are helping migrants stranded in Mexico deal with their physical and mental stressors.

Teams of volunteers lead by Acupuncturists Without Borders, or AWB (a nonprofit that treats people in disaster zones and refugee camps and trains other acupuncturists around the world) are actively providing individuals and families with free treatments throughout border towns in Mexico. 

Using NADA, the 5-point protocol that consists of ear acupuncture points to reduce stress, hundreds of migrants have received treatment this year alone, Diana Fried, AWB’s founder and co-executive director, told USA Today. Ear seeds are also used.

She told the publication, “They’ve been through enormous levels of challenges.” “It’s a very powerful experience for people who are in such a state of trauma to experience such a simple healing treatment.”

Acupuncturists Without Borders first began when Fried and a few volunteer acupuncturists traveled to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The group, “ treated residents, first responders, roofers, construction workers and federal officials – more than 8,000 people in the course of a year.”

Now, they’re helping with the border crisis, too.

This story speaks to the power of acupuncture beyond what it is typically known for. Aside from physical healing, acupuncture plays a tremendous role in mental and emotional health as well. We are so grateful to be a part of the holistic healing community for those who need it the most.

Botox, or Cosmetic Acupuncture?

We’ve covered the benefits of facial or cosmetic acupuncture before — but recently, Forbes published an article that we were oh so happy to see..

Entitled, Is Cosmetic Acupuncture The New Botox? (we think so, yes!) Forbes investigated the benefits of cosmetic acupuncture as it gains in popularity across the globe, especially in the US and the UK.

Diving into the work of Dr John Tsagaris, a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine who was one of the first in the UK to offer facial acupuncture, the article provides an in-depth look at the treatment and its benefits and results.

Much like we do here at NJ Acupuncture Center, the article explained that “Dr. Tsagaris uses acupuncture, specific bodywork, as well as herbal, supplement and lifestyle recommendations to help clients “age well” rather than to try to artificially hold back time. His signature treatment, ‘beauty acupuncture,’ combines acupuncture with traditional facial treatments.“

Yes, acupuncture can both help battle signs of aging and help prevent signs of aging. It’s a win/win.

The relatively painless and minimally invasive procedure typically utilizes nearly 50 acuneedles placed throughout the face that work together put the facial skin into “repair mode" this, “increasing circulation and oxygen supply to the skin. The technique, inspired from traditional acupuncture, encourages production of newer, stronger collagen and elastin fibres resulting in improved firmness, elasticity, reduced fine lines and a healthier complexion and texture overall. This micro-wound healing response, unlike Botox, can influence the longterm health of the skin, working on more than just the superficial signs of aging.”

So in a sense, it’s better than Botox, a least, in our opinion, because facial acupuncture works harder and has longer-lasting benefits without the injection of chemicals into the body.

If you’re interested in pursuing cosmetic acupuncture to help achieve your beauty and wellness goals, please contact us for a free consultation. We’d love to help you along your journey and to assist in achieving your goals.

Acupuncture Can Help With This Side Effect of Cancer Treatment

This week, a study was released that showed supportive evidence that acupuncture can help those suffering from dry mouth — a common side effect of many cancer treatments.

As US News & World Report reports, our of over 300 patients who were undergoing radiation treatment for head and/or neck cancers in both the United States and China, those who had regular acupuncture treatments had fewer symptoms of dry mouth (also known as xerostomia) than those who didn't have acupuncture.

Those patients who were a part of the placebo group received “sham” or “fake” acupuncture and experienced about the same relief as the no-acupuncture group, which is what we would expect. These individuals received treatment at a spot that is not known to help with dry mouth, treatment using spots that have no known therapeutic benefits, and also placebo needles.

After one year, results showed that 35% of acupuncture patients had dry mouth, as opposed to 48% of those given fake acupuncture and 55% of those who didn't get acupuncture.

US World & News Report consulted lead investigator Lorenzo Cohen, director of integrative medicine at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. who said, "Dry mouth is a serious concern for head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. The condition can affect up to 80% of patients by the end of radiation treatment,"

He added, "The symptoms severely impact the quality of life and oral health, and current treatments have limited benefits.”

We are excited for these results that further prove the seemingly endless benefits of acupuncture treatment, and we are honored to help those going through cancer treatments, and any other health issues as well..

Join us Tuesday, December 10th!

We are so excited to be a part of a very special event to be held at https://beonesol.com/pages/events

Ani, our owner and lead acupuncturist will be a guest speaker and performing demos at the second installment of One/Sol’s Winter Workshop Series — this one entitled SANITY 101 - Part 2 - HORMONES: THE STRUGGLE IS REAL.

Led by Lorraine Maita, MD, The Happy Hormone Doctor, an in-depth discussion will be had specifically for those going through hormonal challenges including thyroid disorders, adrenal fatigue, and menstrual issues (PMS, migraine, perimenopause, menopause and andropause). A variety of experts, including Ani, will talk about steps you can take to balance your mood, improve your energy, manage your weight, and heal any underlying conditions you may have.

Acupuncture and acupuressure can help you manage any hormonal struggles you are currently facing. Join us at the event (register here!) and schedule a free consultation with us today!

Why Acupuncture Can Help You Through The Most Wonderful (And Stressful!) Time of the Year

It seems like each year the decorations go up earlier, the sales get pushed up a bit, and the radio stations start pumping out the same 8 songs over and over again before everyone’s even ready. But now there’s no escaping it—we’re officially in the throes that is the Holiday Season.

Even for those of us whom this is the best time of the year, the holidays are never not stressful. There’s lots of running around to see family and friends, work to get done before the calendar turns over, turkeys and desserts to be made, gifts to be bought. And for some out there, the hustle and bustle of the holidays can exacerbate our anxieties and lead to high stress.

It’s as good a time of year as ever to take advantage of acupuncture’s unique ability to help the body and mind relax, reduce anxiety, and operate at its peak. Acupuncture improves myriad bodily functions, particularly the nervous system which controls so much of how our mind feels and what response it creates in the body,

“Depending on where the needles go, acupuncture can cause the nervous system to produce painkilling chemicals, jump-start the body’s natural ability to heal itself, or stimulate the part of the brain that controls emotions, including anxiety,” writes Everyday Health.

The holidays are a time that can feel very go go go, where we don’t have as much time as we normally do to ourselves to recharge and relax. Acupuncture isn’t going to make your life less busy, but by regulating the body’s energy (or qi), consistent treatments can help you make the most of the time your body and mind is supposed to be is relaxing, like when you’re sleeping.

In a personal testimonial at You Beauty, writer Avital Norman Nathman shared, “I would always have the best sleep of the week the night after my acupuncture appointment. And I would also feel lighter. My chest wouldn’t be clenched as tightly and the raw current of anxiety that seems to continuously float just beneath the surface of my skin was dissipate for a while, allowing me to experience a semblance of normalcy, if only for a little while.

This year, let the holidays the special time of year they’re supposed to be by making acupuncture a regular part of your mental, physical, and emotional wellness routine.

That Ringing In Your Ear? Acupuncture Can Help it Go Away

As we approach the time where we ring in the new year, you may have tried many things to get rid of that ring in your ear.

Wordplay aside, many people suffer from tinnitus, the hallmark of which is a constant or coming-and-going ringing or buzzing sound in one or both ears. Tinnitus can accompanied by hearing loss or it can be standalone, and can also be a sign of other health issues. It’s important to consult a doctor about the ringing or buzzing in your ears.

But regardless of whether or not your tinnitus is part of a larger problem or not, it can be an incredibly frustrating thing to deal with. Tinnitus isn’t white noise—you don’t simply get used to it. And always struggling to hear what others are saying because of the constant noise in your head can negatively affect your quality of life.

Targeted acupuncture helps by releasing serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins in the central nervous system, as well as changing the blood flow in the different parts of the brain. Tinnitus has always been very difficult to treat—but then again, not many people think to seek out acupuncture treatment for it. Acupuncture won’t necessarily cure one’s tinnitus, but studies have shown that its benefits can greatly reduce the volume and severity of the noise, and also help patients improve their sleep and stress levels that so often are negatively impacted by the constant noise.

Tinnitus affects nearly 12 million people in the US each year. And many people go on living through its worst effects without knowing that acupuncture can help. If you or someone you know suffers from tinnitus, acupuncture is here to help lower the beeping and buzzing and improve your quality of life.

Study Shows Benefits of Acupuncture Versus Drug Treatments

If you’re familiar with our blog, you know that we cover acupuncture’s many benefits and recent studies that show its effectiveness for treating a wide variety of conditions, diseases and discomforts. One of the common themes that pop up across much of our coverage is that acupuncture is a holistic remedy—not only does it use the body’s natural pain-relief and healing possibilities, but it doesn’t come with any major side effects.

We recognize that many times medication is necessary or is the preferred method of treating a disorder by some patients. Any many medications are indeed effective at their designed treatment. But too often medications are effective at one thing at the expense of the rest of our body’s health. And now a recent study illuminates the difference between acupuncture and medication for the treatment of a specific disorder, and how acupuncture is able to help out without sacrificing other wellbeing.

Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Traditional Chinese Medicine University recently conducted a study comparing the effect of acupuncture and herbs versus medication for treating Restless Leg Syndrome. The disorder, which brings about an irresistible urge to move the legs due to an uncomfortable sensation, affects about 3 million people in the US a year; unfortunately there is no cure for it.

Many people who suffer from RLS are prescribed gabapentin, which is a nerve pain and anti-convulsant medication. The study compared what patients experienced when taking gabapentin versus receiving treatment of acupuncture plus herbs. The study concluded that both methods of treatment worked about equally as well in terms of reducing the severity of their RLS and improving their sleep. The difference, however, was in the cost of that improvement.

Nearly 40% of the group that took the gabapentin experienced major side effects, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and drowsiness. The acupuncture group? No such side effects.

This is true of many instances where people default to taking pharmaceutical medications. As always, please consult a medical professional on the proper treatment plan for you. But acupuncture is here to help your body heal without the cost associated with taking many medications.

Acupuncture Shown To Improve Bladder Function For Diabetics

Diabetes, which results in too much sugar in our blood, affects millions of people across the country and is one of the more well-covered diseases. But one of the more lesser-known side effects of diabetes is also it’s most frustrating, painful, life-changing, and difficult to treat.

One of the results of having too much sugar in the blood is a negative effect on our nerve fibers. Damaged nerve fibers can cause a number of problems in the body, including bladder issues. Damaged nerve fibers in the bladder can lead to either going too frequently or not feeling the urge to go often enough, the inability to fully void the bladder, leaking, loss of bladder control, and more.

Not only are these issues painful and difficult to deal with, they can great affect one’s quality of life.

While there are medications that can be taken that are designed to help restore the bladder’s functionality, research shows that the safest, most natural treatment for diabetes-driven bladder issues is acupuncture. Jiaozuo Hospital in Henan, China conducted a study which broke a group of patients into two groups, one who received acupuncture plus a B-12 vitamin supplement, and those who received only the supplement. The results clearly showed that acupuncture helped the patients: urinary frequency dipped, while urinary output rose. “Participants in the acupuncture group experienced significantly greater improvements across all measures of bladder function.,” the study concluded.

Among the acupuncture points that were administered to the patients were CV6, located on the abdomen and a key point for many digestive system and diseases of the intestines, as well as CV4, which affects chronic diseases and is a key area because it is a crossing point for the Liver, Kidney and Spleen channels.

Living with diabetes can be difficult, and adding bladder issues on top of it can be very frustrating. Anyone with bladder issues—diabetic or not—should consider acupuncture as a healthy, holistic treatment option.

Kansas City Hospital Using Acupuncture To Help Kids In the ER

The Emergency Room is a stressful place to be. The uncertainty of not knowing what’s next, and the close proximity to others in distress and pain—not to mention the pain or discomfort that brought one there in the first place—add up to create an environment in which it can be difficult to relax.

We have previously covered how acupuncture is being used in emergency rooms across the country, and why its use should become commonplace. Particularly, now that we know more about the addictive and destructive powers of opioid pain medication, it is high time that caretakers use alternative methods of reducing pain, inflammation, and discomfort.

And if we know that treatments like acupuncture are not only effective but much, much safer than taking high-powered medication, wouldn’t we want to do the same for our children if, unfortunately, they found themselves in the ER?

Thankfully, Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri appears to be on the forefront, showing how acupuncture can be used to ease pain and reduce stress for youngsters who are being treated in the hospital.

The hospital is beginning by offering children, usually aged 10 and up into the teens, a few types of acupuncture treatments—Battlefield Acupuncture, which consists of small insertions in the ear that can stay inserted for a few days, as well as “4 Gates” acupuncture which inserts a needle in each hand and foot for a period of about 20-30 minutes. Both can be effective at reducing pain and inflammation, and helping relax the body and mind and thus lowering stress.

“Parents want what’s best for their kids, and sometimes that might not always be a pill. Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for pain. It’s well tolerated by most children and teenagers,” said pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Dilts to KCTV News.

And acupuncture’s benefits for children don’t only exist in a hospital. Many pains or discomfort children are experiencing can be treated safely and effectively with acupuncture. Don’t make the mistake of thinking acupuncture is only for adults.

How Acupuncture Can Improve Your Sex Drive

Having a low sex drive can be a difficult thing to deal with. It can affect not only individuals but those who they are in relationships with, too. And because it can often be misconstrued or feel embarrassing, many opt to not share their difficulties with low libido and rather keep their struggle to themselves.

Low sex drive is actually a lot more common that we’d like to believe. About 1 in 3 women between the age of 30 and 70 say they have low sexual desire, and men can also be similarly affected, particularly as they age.

One might not think of low sex drive as a condition or a disorder, or anything that can be “cured”. That is partially true—there may be no one thing that acts as a cure. But acupuncture can definitely help.

Knowing what we know about acupuncture and its efficacy at regulating and balancing certain imbalances in the body, and what contributes to low sex drive, we can determine how acupuncture can help those who are looking for a way to increase their sex drive.

One of the key causes of low sex drive is stress. Stress and libido have an inverse relationship; as stress increases, libido decreases. Depression, fatigue, anxiety and more can all cause high levels of stress, with knock-on effects that can be a detriment to one’s sex drive. The good thing is that acupuncture is one of the most efficient, natural remedies for reducing both mental and physical stress.

In addition, low sex drive can also be a result of hormonal imbalances. Acupuncture is also an effective treatment for re-balancing hormones, in particular, estrogen, progesterone and estradiol, which can all contribute to throwing a woman’s sex drive out of whack. And to show that, again, this isn’t solely a women’s issue, research shows that acupuncture can be an affective and holistic treatment for men'‘s libido issues, too.

Feeling like you have a low sex drive isn’t anything to be embarrassed about. And there are avenues for help that are safe, holistic and effective. Acupuncture is one of them, so don’t hesitate to try it if you think it can help.