Acupuncture and Chronic Fatigue

Photo by Abbie Bernet on Unsplash

The British Acupuncture Council provides some great factsheets about the research evidence for different conditions, and acupuncture.  Here is the link to the acupuncture and chronic fatigue factsheet.

Strengthening Your Digestion

Acupuncture

Classical Acupuncture seeks to aid your body regain homeostasis and heal itself by achieving and maintaining an energetic balance throughout the body; this is achieved by treating at the level of the cause of the underlying imbalance.

Acupuncture can greatly help regulate your digestive system.  In addition you may experience a sense of relaxed calm and increased vitality, both of which will contribute greatly towards improving your digestion, as it has been shown that digestive problems can often be linked with stress and the person’s emotional state.

Dietary Therapy

Using food therapy and making the proper adjustments to your lifestyle will help restore you to a state of energetic balance, and encourage your body’s natural cycles to function efficiently again.

1. Include in your diet plenty of:

• Fresh, lightly cooked vegetables; avoid raw vegetables as they are more difficult for your stomach to process
• Fibres, especially from whole grains (but avoid wheat, especially white flour products) such as brown rice, quinoa, oats, millet, rye.
• Beans and lentils.
• Eat small amounts of animal protein as it is harder to digest and have fish and white meat rather than red meat or fatty meats (sausage, ham,…). Think of it as flavouring for your meals, rather than the core of it.
• These foods will help your digestion: carrot, potato, sweet potato, pearl barley, adzuki beans; in addition, adding aromatic spices and herbs to cooking like star anise, cardamom, coriander root, turmeric, cumin, caraway, marjoram and tarragon will help stimulate digestion.
• Linseeds in the morning will also help your digestion if it is sluggish; you can either have them on their own or sprinkled on your food.  You can get them from the health food shop.
• Probiotics can help strengthen your gut flora and can be either used as supplements or consumed through foods such as sauerkraut, miso, kefir, kemchi, among others.

2. Have herbal teas and plenty of water

Along with fibre intake, it is crucial to include plenty of fluids.  This may be water but in cases of constipation herbal teas can be a great help too.

There are herbs containing digestive enzymes that have been used for centuries to promote a healthy digestion and in many traditions herbal teas are taken daily as medicine.  For best digestive benefits, try drinking one of these teas 30 minutes to 1 hour after every meal:

• Peppermint: increases gastric secretions, relaxes the intestines, soothes spasms, settles the stomach and alleviates gas.
• Liquorice: thought to have soothing and anti-inflammatory action that help relieve gastro-intestinal irritations.
• Ginger: soothes the stomach's digestive lining and balance gastric juices. It also facilitates the absorption of nutrients and the elimination of wastes.
• Chamomile: excellent herb for settling the stomach. It also soothes the nervous system and relaxes the muscles, making it a perfect choice for the evening.
• If tea is not your thing, you can get digestive benefits from drinking a glass of hot water with fresh lemon juice squeezed in it first thing in the morning (before food!). This lemon drink will help cleanse and move the residues from your intestines.

3. Avoid foods that may impair your digestion

• Avoid sugar: Our digestion is adversely affected by an excessive amount of sweet foods in the diet - reducing sweets and high GI (glycaemic index) foods like fruit juices will help to improve your digestion.
• Avoid "sweet" tasting food; this includes fruit!  Although rich in fibres, fruit also have a high sugar content, and too much sweet foods can impair your digestion so avoid high quantities of fruit. You can have some but in moderation.
• Avoid cold foods and drinks: drink room temperature or warm water; if you want cold water, drink it not too cold and use lemon or mint to make it more refreshing.
• Eat very little greasy or oily food
• Avoid alcohol
• Avoid dairy
• Avoid caffeine, especially if your stools are dry: it is a diuretic and dries you out further.
• Avoid yeast
• Avoid processed foods and ready meals
• Spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper are beneficial IN MODERATION; too much of them leads to too much "heat" in your intestines, which you want to avoid when you have inflamed intestines or dry stools.

Avoid:

• Eating late at night
• Eating in a hurry
• Overeating
• Eating while stressed

4. Get moving

Regular exercise will get the energy moving in your body and should help a sluggish system where there is not enough energy to move the stool, as is often the case with constipation.

Exercise also will often help your body relax which will also help a slow digestion so whether you prefer yoga, a run outside or a brisk walk along the seafront get moving as often as possible.

Acupuncture and Skin Problems

Other conditions that can sometimes flare up in the Spring are some skin problems, especially eczema.  Although it may come as a surprise, acupuncture can be extremely useful for skin conditions, from eczema to psoriasis or urticaria. Factors leading to skin problems vary from environment allergens such as pollen, chemicals, soaps or specific fabric to stress or even the change in seasons!  It is often useful to address any potential dietary issues as our intestinal health is directly related to our immune system strength, and all those skin conditions are to some extent an overreaction of the immune system leading to inflammation to the skin.

How can acupuncture help?
Acupuncture often needs to be combined with dietary therapy when dealing with skin conditions. In terms of Chinese medicine, skin problems are associated with heat (if the skin is red and itchy or feels hot to the touch), dampness (if there are signs of oozing or fluid accumulation) among other things.  Some acupuncture points help the transformation of fluids in the body while other points are used to "clear heat" or cool the body.
Depending on the diagnosis and your diet/lifestyle, it may be useful to avoid certain types of foods while including others in your diet.  In most cases it will be helpful to avoid processed foods, dairy products (especially cow's milk), wheat products, sugar, fried and fatty foods, alcohol and it will be beneficial to include probiotics in your daily routine, as well as eating green leafy vegetables (the list of beneficial foods is likely to vary depending on the individual diagnosis however).  In addition, starting the day with lemon in hot water or wheat grass or a green juice will help stimulate the liver's ability to rid your body of toxins, which may also in turn help your skin.

Other helpful treatments
In some cases a food allergy test will isolate foods that may cause the problem.  To alleviate the symptoms topically you may find that creams and moisturisers with calendula, yarrow, lavender or chamomile are helpful in reducing the irritation.

Allergy Season is Back!

Spring is here and although most of us are rejoicing at the smell of orange blossoms and blooms in our gardens, those of us suffering from hay fever are most likely dreading this time of year! A time of growth in nature, spring is associated in Chinese medicine to the Wood element and when out of balance this time can give rise to irritations, which with hay fever usually begins at our nose and can travel, according to Chinese medicine, in eight directions! (east, west, south, north, in, out, up and down) to cause itchy eyes, sinusitis, headaches, sore throat, ear congestion, dizziness and infections.

Allergies are due to a hypersensitivity of our immune system to air-borne substances such as pollens, dust, dust mites, animal fur, feathers, spores, moulds, plants and chemicals. The condition is commonly called allergic rhinitis with symptoms of running nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes and sore throat. If it affects the trachea and the lungs it may cause shortness of breath, chest congestion, wheezing and asthma. In severe cases hay fever can turns into a sinus infection.

Treatment

Avoiding allergens can keep the symptoms at bay but it is often hardly practical. Conventional therapies include antihistamines, decongestants, oral steroids, and corticosteroid sprays, bronchodilator inhaler, and allergy injections. However, these are not always sufficient and may have side effects over the long term.  Sometimes, using a combination of natural remedies and alternative treatments such as acupuncture may be all you need to relieve the symptoms.

Chinese medicine views the cause of allergies as an imbalance of our organ system. This imbalance can be caused by excessive stress in our life, poor dietary choices, sluggish digestion or hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menopause. A return to a state of balance, often through acupuncture as well as changes in dietary habits and lifestyle, leads to an improvement of the allergies.

For more information on managing your allergies naturally you can also read:
- Spring, the hayfever season where you will find our 10 tips to reduce your exposure to pollen
- Beating your allergies naturally, using acupuncture, diet and detoxing your liver

Tips

Sleep: a good night of sleep helps to calm our nerves and reduce our hypersensitivity, including to allergens. Most adults need about eight hours of restful sleep, while children need nine to ten hours.

Regular exercise: helps improve blood circulation, relax the nervous system and strengthen our immune system.

A home remedy of saline drainage can also be helpful in some situations. Mix three teaspoonfuls of salt with warm water. In the shower, tilt your head back and slowly pour the saline water into your nostrils. It may burn initially, but you may also feel better in the morning when you wake up.

Acupressure: A frequently used point, Large Intestine 20, located right next to both sides of the nose, in the groove beside each nostril, is an effective point for sinus allergy (see image below for location). Massages can also be applied on this point by using both index finger, applying steady, penetrating finger pressure to both points for three minutes every half hour until symptoms get better.

Herbs such as stinging nettle, chrysanthemum, angelica or magnolia, can be used for sinus allergy and infection.

Preventive measures are often the most effective and should be considered as the allergy season begins.  This can include acupuncture as well as lifestyle changes if necessary.

Acupuncture for Eczema and Psoriasis - research and information

From www.acupuncture.org.uk

There are few published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of the effects of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic eczema and psoriasis. Two small RCTs found that acupuncture reduced itch in patients with atopic eczema (Pfab 2011; Pfab 2010). On the other hand, a small RCT of acupuncture for psoriasis concluded that classical acupuncture is not superior to sham acupuncture (Jerner 1997). Sham interventions are not inactive placebos, but effectively different versions of acupuncture, so their value in evaluating treatment efficacy is highly questionable.

In general, acupuncture is believed to stimulate the nervous system and cause the release of neurochemical messenger molecules. The resulting biochemical changes influence the body's homeostatic mechanisms, thus promoting physical and emotional well-being. Stimulation of certain acupuncture points has been shown to affect areas of the brain that are known to reduce sensitivity to pain and stress (Hui 2010)

Acupuncture may help to relieve symptoms in people with atopic eczema and psoriasis by reducing inflammation, by promoting release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors (Zijlstra 2003; Kavoussi 2007);regulating mediators of the allergic reaction to extrinsic allergens, for example Ig-E (Rao 2006), serum cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IFN-, Ig-E) (Okumura 2002), and basophils (Pfab 2011);enhancing natural killer cell activities and modulating the number and ratio of immune cell types (Kawakita 2008);increasing local microcirculation (Komori 2009), which aids dispersal of swelling;

Acupuncture for polycystic ovaries and PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)

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Moxa and Moxibustion

Acupuncture is about more than just needles. In fact, the Chinese word that typically gets translated as acupuncture, zhenjiǔ, actually means “acupuncture and moxibustion.” Though not as well known as acupuncture, moxibustion is a treatment with an important role in traditional Chinese medicine. Moxibustion involves burning moxa (a herb also known as mugwort or artemisia vulgaris) on or near an acupuncture point.  Moxibustion generates heat on the point or in the area and is thought to strengthen blood, promote the free flow of energy and blood throughout the body, and enhance wellbeing.

What is moxibustion like?

Moxibustion can be used in many ways, either as a moxa stick over an area (great for period pain, or joint aches and pains), at the end of a needle or directly on an acupuncture point. Direct moxibustion relies on placing the burning moxa on the skin, while indirect moxibustion is when the burning moxa is held an inch or so above the skin. Although generally used in conjunction with acupuncture, it can be used with or without acupuncture needles. In some cases, the moxa is set on ginger or salt to create a barrier that protects the skin.

Moxibustion is particularly effective for cold, damp and stagnant conditions and is often a calming and pleasant therapy at it creates a pleasant sensation of warmth throughout the body.

What is it used for?

Moxa typically is applied to places where there is stuck energy or pain, or where the body feels cold and can also be used to strengthen the immune system (because of its effect on the blood). Issues treated by moxibustion include obstetrical conditions, such as breech babies, menstrual cramps, pain from injury or arthritis, digestive problems, frozen shoulder, and even colds and flu.
Generally, during an acupuncture treatment, moxa is used on areas corresponding to acupuncture points, which is why moxa is said to enhance the effect of acupuncture needles. A classical Chinese text about acupuncture says, “When a disease fails to respond to medication and acupuncture, moxibustion is suggested.”

Moxibustion is however not indicated if you present symptoms of internal heat, it is therefore important to ask your practitioner if the practice is right for you.

Does moxa hurt?

Moxa should not hurt but if however the moxibustion ever feels too hot, tell your acupuncturist and he or she will remove it immediately.

What does moxa look like?

There are many different types of moxa (see image below). There is loose moxa, moxa that has been molded into sticks, and okyu (moxa that’s rolled into small pieces about the size of a rice grain). There are also moxa boxes, moxa sticks, smokeless moxa sticks, tiger warmers among others.

Certain moxa types are better suited for smaller areas while others are used to bring heat to a larger area on the body.

Can I do moxa on myself?

Yes. One of the safest ways to do moxa on yourself is to use a moxa stick, which does not get applied directly to the skin but held about an inch above the skin to produce a warming effect on the general area.
At this time of year, when we are feeling the lingering chill of winter, moxibustion can go a long way in making you feel better.

Better Sleep with Acupuncture

Almost half of us suffer from disrupted sleep, yet very few people know of alternatives to medication to help us sleep.  Acupuncture, now tried and tested over centuries, has shown to be effective in regulating sleep.  In addition, some simple lifestyle changes can make a world of difference to your sleep patterns.

• If the insomnia is stress related, maybe you can find ways to manage the stress better, such as: getting regular exercise or taking up activities like yoga, taichi or meditation.
• Working late at night or watching TV in bed before going to sleep could be too much stimulation for your brain just before bed. Indeed people tend to sleep better if by the time they go to sleep they have had some time to unwind and rest their minds.
• If you are going to sleep after a heavy meal, it can make it harder to get to sleep, so is having caffeine.

If you are guilty of any of these habits, trying to change them may be all you need to do.  If however your sleep doesn't improve, acupuncture is a natural option to tackle the issue.  In addition, it has none of the side effects that sleeping pills can have and you may find that other aspects of your physical and mental state improve.  Acupuncture aims at restoring balance overall and common effects of treatments are feeling more relaxed, more energy, having better digestion, and better sleep.

Studies have shown effectiveness


A 2007-2008 study in Taiwan involving 33 patients with primary insomnia found that acupuncture was as effective as the drug zolpidem (sold under the brand names of Ambien, tilnox, and Sublinox). In that study, participants were either given one acupuncture treatment per week or 10 mg of zolpidem per night. "Researchers found both groups improved over time at a similar rate," said summary of the study, suggesting that acupuncture may be an effective therapy for insomnia.

Another 2013 study concluded that a combination of acupuncture and moxibustion for the treatment of insomnia. Across the board improvements included better sleep quality, better time to fall asleep and improved daytime function in the group receiving both acupuncture and moxibustion.

The most common treatment for insomnia is, unfortunately, medication - not just sleep aids but also benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants. The tricyclic antidepressants can have debilitating and undesirable effects too, such as dry mouth, orthostatic hypotension (dramatically decreased blood pressure upon standing or standing too quickly), urinary retention or heart arrhythmias.

Acupuncture allows for an individualized approach

Acupuncturists take a detailed history, which includes questioning, pulse analysis and tongue diagnosis, to give a complete picture of the patient as a whole. As a result, two different patients with insomnia are likely to get different treatments, depending on each person's constitution (strength and type of overall body and health) and other factors (overall health, emotional state, etc).

In general, you are most likely to get your best night's sleep right after your acupuncture treatment, and the effect may subside after several days.  Therefore, you will generally need a course of acupuncture treatment to have a more sustained effect and to fully resolve chronic insomnia.

Suffering through Menopause? HRT isn't the only answer

"What is happening to my body?" is the question many women ask themselves in the midst of the many hormonal changes leading to menopause and many women suffering acutely wish there was a way out of going through "the change".  Although there is no way to avoid this natural transition in a woman's life, there are many things that can help ease the unpleasant symptoms and reinforce the positive benefits of becoming a post-menopausal woman.

Menopause is a transitional period marking the cessation of ovulation in a woman's body. This time of change may last a few months to several years. Symptoms vary from mild to severe, and are brought on as our bodies try to adapt to decreasing amounts of hormones. Symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, fatigue, mood swings, memory loss, vaginal dryness, headaches, joint pain, and weight gain.  Medical treatment is usually through Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).  While this may alleviate hot flashes and prevent osteoporosis, it will also increase the risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer, and have a number of significant side-effects, hence the confusion and debate surrounding this therapy.

 But HRT isn't the only solution. Menopause is an area in which Oriental Medicine shines. Acupuncture has the ability to detect energetic changes that occur in the body and quickly relieve symptoms such as hot flashes, foggy mind, and irritability. According to Chinese Medical theory, menopause occurs when a woman's body begins to preserve blood and energy in order to sustain her vitality and longevity.  Thus, in the Chinese Medicine system, menopause is seen in a more positive light and in fact Asian women tend to suffer less from unpleasant symptoms comes the menopause.

Evidence that acupuncture has been used for women's health in China can be found in early medical literature dating back over 2,000 years and recent studies suggest that acupuncture is an effective treatment for hot flashes, anxiety, insomnia and many other symptoms associated with menopause. A 1989 study into the effectiveness of acupuncture for hot flushes showed that 85% of women reported an improvement, including 20% who experienced complete remission.  More recent research (University of Tromsø, 2009) showed that 10 acupuncture treatments over 12 weeks could reduce hot flashes and improve sleep.

Traditional Chinese Medicine does not recognize menopause as one single condition. Instead, it aims to treat the specific symptoms that are unique to each individual using a variety of techniques such as acupuncture, lifestyle/dietary recommendations and exercises to correct imbalances found in the body.

Although these suggestions work for many women, every woman is different and Chinese medicine treatments are tailored to the individual.  For more information or an appointment with Carole Duménil, call 693 939 188 or visit www.5element-acupuncture.com. 

Acupuncture and Back Pain

Back pain is one of the leading causes of work-related sickness absence. Approximately 40% of people experience lower back pain at some point in their adult life. Acute episodes are usually less than 6 weeks in duration, while chronic lower back pain can last for more than 12 weeks.
The causes can range from strains in the muscles of the back, or a structural problem like a damaged vertebral disc which can result in a pinched or irritated nerve. Back pain can also be a symptom indicating a kidney infection. Western medical treatment in the acute phase is generally by pain relief with Paracetamol, and anti-inflammatories such as Diclofenac. In the long term physiotherapy is used to encourage, through exercises, the strengthening of the muscles of the back.

Traditional acupuncture regards symptoms like back pain as an indication that the body's Qi (or energy) is out of balance in some way. The nature and extent of the imbalance is determined through diagnosis, and this is achieved through asking the patient to relate the history of the complaint, the nature of the symptoms, and information about what improves or aggravates them. The practitioner will also need to examine the pulse, which is felt at both wrists, with particular attention being paid to qualities such as strength, depth and rhythm.

Treatment can be directed at either the root of the imbalance or the outward manifestation. In the case of lower back pain there are specific acupuncture points which can address the root or systemic cause of the problem; or points which can be used to alleviate the immediate pain and inflammation. It s not unusual to treat both the systemic cause and the outward manifestation in the same treatment.

Modern research has generally  shown that  acupuncture is significantly better than no intervention, and at least as effective as the standard Western medical interventions (more information on http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-of-condiions/a-to-z-of-conditions/back-pain.html).  The use of traditional acupuncture in the treatment of low back pain received a significant endorsement in May 2009 when the National Institute of clinical Excellence, NICE published a guidance paper for GP's recommending that they offer a course of 10 sessions of acupuncture as a first line treatment for persistent, non specific lower back pain, http://www.nice.org.uk/CG88

To find a qualified practitioner in your area please use the following link:
http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/find

See how acupuncture helped plumber Stephen with his back pain (British Acupuncture Council):

Arthritis and Acupuncture

Osteoarthritis is, as anyone who has this condition will know, can be extremely painful, and debilitating. From a biomedical standpoint it affects the cartilage and other parts of the body's joints; mainly the knee and hip. The condition is characterised by short or extended episodes of significant pain and loss of function, that is often accompanied by inflammation. The treatments which western medicine have developed to treat osteoarthritis range from various pain relief and steroid preparations to joint replacement.

Acupuncture, on the other hand, is based on the principles underlying traditional Chinese medicine theory. It may, as a stand alone treatment or in combination with western medical treatment, help relieve pain and improve movement for patients suffering from osteoarthritis. Acupuncture has, as an underlying principle a holistic approach to health, and it recognizes that we are all closely connected with nature and the earth. From a scientific point of view we are composed of the same fundamental constituents that are found in all elements of life and we are also subject to the same cycles that exist in nature. Another important concept underpinning acupuncture and Chinese medicine is that of Qi or vital energy. Symptoms or conditions such as osteoarthritis are thought, from the standpoint of Chinese medicine to arise from imbalances in the body's Qi.

Acupuncture seeks to treat the person as a whole rather than specific symptoms in isolation. This is achieved by correcting the imbalances in the flow of Qi, which are diagnosed through taking a detailed medical history, examination of the tongue coating and reading the pulses at the wrist. The treatment is carried out by the insertion of very fine needles into specific points. An important aim of treatment is also to improve the harmony of the body's natural cycles and in this way help maintain health.

If you would like more information about acupuncture in the Costa del Sol please visit costadelsolacupuncture.es.

In addition, the British Acupuncture Council website has facts sheets about the condition: http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-of-conditions/a-to-z-of-condit...

and Arthritis research UK also has lots of helpful information http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/support-us/get-involved/national...

Acupuncture Helpful for Fibromyalgia, According to New Study

The June 2013 edition of the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies reports on a study that found acupuncture helpful with fibromyalgia symptoms, including reducing pain sensitivity ...

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is believed to affect between 3% and 5% of the population according to a survey in five European countries. Conventional therapies often have limited success in treating this complex and unexplained condition and the treatment strategy often consists in prescribing different medications for the varying symptoms in a trial and error approach. A vast majority of fibromyalgia sufferers tend to turn to complementary therapies to manage their symptoms. Acupuncture, in particular, has become a popular treatment choice and has shown to be an effective treatment modality.

What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain and profound fatigue.  The pain is often described as a diffuse, aching or burning sensation and may change in intensity and change location although it is commonly more severe in parts of the body that are used the most. The accompanying fatigue may range from feeling tired to experiencing the exhaustion of a "flu like" illness.  It can come on suddenly, leaving the person feel completely drained, as if someone just "pulled the plug". While not all affected persons experience all associated symptoms, the following symptoms commonly occur together:

• chronic pain
• debilitating fatigue
• difficulty sleeping and unrefreshing sleep
• joint stiffness
• chronic headaches (ranging from ordinary headaches to migraines) and jaw pain
• hypersensitivity to smells, bright lights and loud noises 
• lack of concentration ("foggy or fuzzy head") and poor memory
• irritable bowel syndrome
• numbness or tingling in the fingers and feet
• poor circulation in hands and feet

Although fibromyalgia is not new, it can be difficult to diagnose as the condition cannot be identified through standard tests (X-rays, laboratory tests) but the widely accepted criteria for diagnosis are:
- pain in all four quadrants of the body for a minimum duration of three months and
- pain on pressure in at least 11 of 18 designated tender points on the body

Most people report that their symptoms started after a physical or emotional trauma, a period of stress or overwork, sometimes accompanied by a bout of flu or other illness that the person didn't fully recover from although in some cases there appears to be no triggering event. Fibromyalgia affects more women than men and age may be a factor too. 

Eastern Perspective on Fibromyalgia

As with any other Western "disease" or pathology, Chinese medicine does not classify fibromyalgia as one specific disease pattern.  Rather it looks at the condition as a disruption of the flow of energy or Qi in the body which may be characterized by a stagnation or a deficiency of Qi in several areas (more commonly affecting the Liver, Spleen, Kidney and Heart meridians).

Treatment then aims to address the specific imbalance unique to each individual depending on the intensity and location of the pain, the person's constitution, emotional state, digestive health, sleeping patterns and an array of other signs and symptoms. Therefore, if several people presenting with fibromyalgia are treated with acupuncture, it is very likely that they would receive a different treatment involving the use of different acupuncture points and different lifestyle and dietary recommendations.

If you suffer from fibromyalgia, acupuncture may be able to ease your symptoms and help you get back your health and vitality.  Contact us for more information.