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)

This post has moved to Dao-vida.com

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.