La Acupuntura Puede Ayudarlo

Los dolores de espalda constituyen uno de los problemas de salud más frecuentes dentro del área laboral. Estos causan un notable descenso en la capacidad de producción, y en muchos casos, que el paciente falte a su trabajo. Pero los efectos de los dolores de espalda también se reflejan en las actividades diarias de cada persona, afectando el  nivel de energía y actividad de del individuo y contribuyendo a otro problemas de salud serios como la obesidad, problemas para dormir, depresión, etc.

La Medicina Tradicional China (MTC) busca identificar y resolver el desbalance energético que causa el dolor así como la causa energética que permitió que el dolor se desarrollara. De esta manera el doctor de MTC trata el síntoma y la raíz del problema.

Tomemos como ejemplo dos casos de dolor de espalda. Llamemos nuestro primer paciente Luis quien tiene 27 años de edad y se queja de dolor de espalda acompañado por espasmos en los músculos de la parte baja y media de la espalda, dolores de cuello y cabeza, llenura después de comer, y enojo con facilidad. Dentro de la Medicina Tradicional China Luis presenta un conjunto de síntomas que indica que la función energética del hígado y la vesícula están en desbalance. Ahora llamemos a nuestra segunda paciente Inés quien tiene 45 años de edad y se queja  de dolores en la parte baja de la espalda. Su dolor es profundo, no es severo pero es constante, el estar parada mucho tiempo lo empeora. Además del dolor de espalda se queja de baja energía, mala memoria, retención de fluidos en las piernas, problemas para bajar de peso, y depresión. Este conjunto de síntomas indican que la función energética de los riñones esta en desbalance y esta afectando la función del vaso.

En el caso de Luis el doctor en MTC crea un  plan de tratamiento que incluye acupuntura, ventosas, y suplementos de hierbas chinas que reduzcan la tensión muscular y balanceen la función energética del hígado y la vesícula. En el caso de Inés el doctor en MTC formula un plan de tratamiento que incluye acupuntura, moxibustion, y suplementos de hierbas chinas enfocadas en el fortalecimiento de la función energética de los riñones y vaso.

Algunas recomendaciones para mejorar el

• Si su trabajo requiere que este sentado(a) la mayoría del tiempo tome un descanso corto cada 45 minutos.
• Los baños de agua tibia con sal de Epson pueden ser muy beneficiosos. Puede llenar la bañera con agua tibia, agregarle una taza de sal de Epson, y sumergir su cuerpo por unos 30 minutos. También puede diluir una taza de sal de Epson en un galón de agua tibia a aplicarse compresas en la parte afectada.
• Los ejercicios abdominales pueden mejorar dolores de espalda crónicos. Consulte un profesional de la salud antes de empezar un régimen de ejercicios.
• Si su trabajo es físico asegúrese de utilizar una faja que estabilice la espalda adecuadamente.
• Aunque el masaje o las sobadas pueden ayudar con el dolor, también pueden agravar ciertos dolores se espalda causados por problemas en los riñones o intestinos.  Si el dolor se empeora o persiste después de un masaje o sobo busque la atención de un profesional de la salud.

La Medicina Tradicional China es una de las terapias naturales más efectivas para el tratamiento de los dolores de espalda. Esta no solo puede eliminar el dolor sino también la causa energética del mismo, previniendo así otras enfermedades que pudieran ocurrir si la función de los órganos en desbalance no es corregida.

The start of the new year is a time of looking back at what we have achieved in the past year and looking forward to the future. This period of remembrance and resolution may be challenging but it is both productive and rewarding. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help achieve the change you seek as it assists in illness prevention, stress relief, minimizes aches and pains, improves energy and nurtures balance. This calm and clarity strengthens your resolve as you take the next step in achieving your goals.

Here are a few ways that Acupuncture can help you achieve your goals:

Lose Weight

Losing weight is the most common New Year’s resolution. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you reach your goal weight and maintain it by promoting better digestion, smoothing emotions, reducing appetite, improving metabolism, and eliminating food cravings–all of which can help energize the body, maximize absorption of nutrients, regulate elimination, control overeating, suppress the appetite and reduce anxiety.

Get in Shape

Renewed enthusiasm to exercise in order to enhance fitness levels, train for a competition, or lose weight can come at a painful price for those who try to do too much too quickly. Recent studies show that acupuncture effectively treats sports injuries such as strains, sprains, musculoskeletal pain, swollen muscles and shin splints.

Eliminate Stress

Stress reduction is always on the top ten list for New Year’s resolutions and for a good reason; it is often the cause of illness and deterioration of health. Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of stress, anxiety and lowering blood pressure. In addition to acupuncture, Oriental medicine offers a whole range of tools that can be integrated into your life to keep stress in check.

Improved Quality of Life

If pain is keeping you from living life to the fullest, acupuncture can help as it has no side effects and can be helpful for all types of pain, regardless of the cause or where it is located. Increasingly, people are looking for more natural approaches to help relieve painful conditions instead of relying on medication. In addition to reducing pain, acupuncture also hastens the healing process by increasing circulation and attracting white blood cells to an injured area.

We can help you achieve your health goals for this year. To find out how call our office today 630-837.4241

Mas de 95 millones de personas en los Estados Unidos sufren de problemas digestivos que van desde estreñimiento, diarrea y síndrome del colon irritable hasta problemas mas serios como reflujo, colitis y Crohn’s. De hecho en los Estados Unidos se realizan mas de 35 millones de visitas médicas al año relacionadas con problemas gastrointestinales.

Diagnostico y Tratamiento de Problemas Digestivos Con Medicina Tradicional China

La evidencia de que la Medicina Tradicional China trata problemas digestivos se remonta a literatura escrita mas de mil años atrás, cuando aparecen prescripciones de puntos de acupuntura y formulas de hierbas chinas para el tratamiento de ruido en los intestinos, dolor en el abdomen y diarrea.

De acuerdo a la sabiduría de la medicina oriental, la mayoría de los problemas digestivos son causados por desbalances energéticos del bazo y el estomago. Estos órganos juegan un papel esencial en la salud y vitalidad del cuerpo, ya que dirigen los procesos de transformación y asimilación de nutrientes, los cuales son fundamentales para la producción de energía dentro de nuestros cuerpos. La salud del bazo y estomago es esencial para mantener una buena salud y vitalidad.
En el tratamiento de problemas digestivos con Medicina Tradicional China primeramente se determina el patrón de desbalance que existe de acuerdo con el conjunto de síntomas que el paciente presente, la calidad del pulso y lengua,  y la vitalidad general del paciente. En nuestra clínica también realizamos un examen computarizado que refleja la condición energética actual de los órganos internos. Una vez identificado el patrón patológico causante de los síntomas y enfermedad, se formula un plan de tratamiento personalizado que generalmente incluye acupuntura, suplementos de hierbas chinas, moxa, ventosas, recomendaciones nutricionales, y ejercicios de respiración y meditación.

Algunas Recomendaciones Para Mejorar Su Digestión

1. Siempre comer algún tipo de comida cocinada: muchas personas en su intento de perder peso basan su dieta en comidas frías y/o crudas como ensaladas y frutas, y no consumen suficientes alimentos cocidos. Este tipo de dieta, en la mayoría de las personas, debilita el metabolismo y causa acumulación de nutrientes en el cuerpo.
2. Masticar bien las comidas: cuando usted mastica bien la comida los órganos del sistema digestivo trabajan mucho menos forzados y pueden transformar y transportar los nutrientes de manera mas efectiva.
3. No coma frutas junto con sus comidas: esto disminuye la capacidad del estomago de digerir adecuadamente los alimentos. La unica excepcion son las frutas citricas como la naranja y el limon. Estas pueden ser consumidas despues de comer.
4. Incluya suficiente fibra en su dieta: la mayoria de los vegetales y granos son altos en fibra. Si usted es una de esas personas que no tienen tiempo o no le gusta comer vegetales puede utilizar productos como GreensBest Superfood (www.biogreens4life.com) para suplementar su dieta.
5. Enfóquese solamente en sus alimentos a la hora de comer: el comer mientras trabaja, mira televisión, o lee afecta negativamente la digestión y es una de las causas principales de indigestión dentro de nuestra sociedad.

¿Su sistema digestivo trabaja bien? La acupuntura y Medicina Oriental son muy efectivas en al tratamiento de muchos problemas digestivos. Si sufre de problemas digestivos o conoce alguien que los padezca por favor llámenos para obtener mas información o para hacer su cita. (630) 837-4241. 

Blueberries - Well known for their role in improving motor skills and overall learning capacity, blueberries are rich in antioxidants  that are great for boosting your brain and helping to reverse the  effects of aging on the brain. Most berries contain fisetin and  flavenoid, which are great for improving your memory and allowing you to easily recall past events.

Fish - Omega-3 rich wild salmon, tuna, and herring help brain  function by providing more oxygen, allowing it to retain new information while remembering old information. It also coats neurons with good fat, allowing them to move easier through the brain. Eating one serving of  fish a week can decrease your chances of getting Alzheimer’s.

Leafy Green Vegetables - Vegetables such as cabbage, kale,  spinach, collards, turnip greens and others are rich in vitamins,  folate, and iron, all of which are essential for memory recall and  increasing cognitive activity.

Nuts/Seeds - Rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, folate,  vitamin E, vitamin B6 and zinc all of which allow you to think more  clearly. Choose seeds and nuts rich in thiamine and magnesium, which are great for memory, cognitive function, and brain nourishment.

Whole Grains - Rich in folate, thiamine, vitamin B6, and zinc,  the nutrients found in whole grains increase blood flow to the brain,  improving the quality and quantity of brain function and recall.

A neurological disorder refers to a problem with the nervous system,
which is a complex, sophisticated system that regulates and coordinates
the body’s activities.  Nerve pain can arise from trauma, inflammation,
stroke, disease, infection, nerve degeneration, exposure to toxic
chemicals, and nutrient deficiencies.

Nerve pain is usually a sharp shooting pain or a constant burning
sensation.   Typically occurring in the same location with each episode,
it can often be traced along the nerve pathway.   Sometimes weakness or
impaired function in the affected area occurs and the skin may be
either overly sensitive or numb.

Some common neurological disorders acupuncture treats include:

Peripheral Neuropathy – damage to the peripheral nervous system, which
transmits information from the brain and spinal cord to every other part
of the body.  Neuropathy caused by diabetes often affects the feet.

Trigeminal Neuralgia -  facial pain, sometimes called Tic Douloureux,
affects the trigeminal nerve which is responsible for impulses of touch,
pain, pressure and temperature sent to the brain from the face, jaw,
and gums.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – also known as median nerve entrapment, it
occurs when swelling or irritation of the nerve or tendons in the carpal
tunnel results in pressure on the median nerve.

Headaches – Headaches that can be treated with acupuncture include
migraines, tension headaches, headaches occurring around the menstrual
cycle, sinus headaches and stress-related headaches.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine have been found effective as a
conjunctive therapy for several neurological disorders and in treating
pain and inflammation.

If you or someone you know is suffering from a neurological disorder
or nerve pain please contact us for more information or to schedule an
appointment!

Food poisoning arises from eating contaminated foods containing a variety of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses and parasites and is also known as food-borne illness, infectious diarrhea, or gastroenteritis. The most common bacteria to cause food poisoning are salmonella, staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and shigella. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can relieve symptoms, hasten recovery and strengthen the digestive system to prevent future incidents of food poisoning, avert development of chronic immune deficiencies and increase energy levels.

Food poisoning is marked by severe diarrhea, fever, cramping, abdominal pain, flu-like symptoms, vomiting and diarrhea. Most cases of food poisoning clear up on their own within a week without any medical assistance; however, it can take several months before bowel habits return to normal. Often the digestive system is severely weakened after a bout of food poisoning, making the infected person more susceptible to food poisoning in the future. A small number of persons with food poisoning develop an autoimmune disease called Reiter’s syndrome. It can last for months or years and can lead to chronic arthritis.

Treatment of food poisoning is rest and hydration to prevent fluid and electrolyte loss due to vomiting and diarrhea. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can be used to relieve nausea and vomiting, hasten recovery by assisting the body to eliminate the pathogen faster, and strengthen the digestive system to prevent any re-occurrences or development of a chronic immune disorder. After acute symptoms subside, acupuncture treatments focus on strengthening the digestive system and improving energy levels to bring about a full recovery

More than 95 million Americans suffer from digestive
disorders ranging from constipation, diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome to
more serious conditions such as acid reflux (GERD), ulcerative colitis and
Crohn’s disease. In fact, more than 35 million physician office visits a year
are due to gastrointestinal complaints. Reports are confirming that acupuncture
and Oriental medicine can offer relief from even the most complex digestive
problems.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive Disorders

Evidence that Oriental medicine has been used for digestive disorders can be
found in early medical literature dating back to 3 AD, where specific
acupuncture points and herbal formulas for borborygmus (rumbling or gurgling in
the intestines), abdominal pain and diarrhea with pain are discussed.

According to Oriental medical theory, most digestive disorders are due to
disharmony in the spleen and stomach. The spleen plays a central part in the
health and vitality of the body, taking a lead role in the assimilation of
nutrients and maintenance of physical strength. It turns digested food from the
stomach into usable nutrients and qi (energy). Many schools of thought have
been formed around this organ; the premise being that the proper functioning of
the “middle” is the key to all aspects of vitality.

By taking into account a person’s constitution and varied
symptoms, a treatment plan is designed specifically for the individual to bring
their “middle” back into harmony and optimize the proper functioning
of the digestive system. A variety of techniques can be used during treatment
including acupuncture, lifestyle/dietary recommendations and energetic
exercises to restore digestive health.

Is your digestive system functioning as well as it could? Acupuncture and
Oriental medicine are extremely effective at treating a wide array of digestive
disorders. Please call us for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, most commonly known as IBS, is a digestive condition that causes alternating episodes of diarrhea, loose stools, constipation, and dry stools. Other symptoms might include abdominal cramping pain, sensation of uneasiness in the abdomen, anxiety, and lethargy. These symptoms are often triggered by stress, excessive mental work, eating in a rush, and lack of exercise. Other common symptoms experience by many of my patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome include menstrual cramping pain, disturbed sleep, difficulties losing weight in spite of “proper diet” and exercise, and lower back pain.

In the context of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Traditional Acupuncture, these symptoms are caused primarily by energetic dysfunctions of the Spleen, Stomach, Liver, and Gallbladder. Imbalances of these organs systems affect the production and distribution of nutrients needed by the body to produce enough blood, body fluids, and metabolic energy (QI) to efficiently carry-on with the its vital functions.

Acupuncture treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

A practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture will first identify the primary and secondary meridian imbalances causing the irritable bowel syndrome, and formulate a treatment plan aimed at alleviating any pain and discomfort, and to help the patient to better cope with their daily stress.

The treatment plan often includes a combination of acupuncture, herbal remedies, cupping, breathing exercises, meditation techniques, and dietary recommendations. The combination of these therapies work by reducing or eliminating the symptoms associated with IBS, correct the energetic root cause of it, and give the patients tools to prevent the reoccurrence of the condition in the future.

Some recommendations to help with Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms

• Chew your food thoroughly: your digestive system can better brake down small pieces of food.
• Avoid eating while you’re working, watching TV or reading: this activities will often produce strong emotional reactions and affect the digestion of food
• Drink something warm five minutes before your meal: this will help your digestive organs to better assimilate food
• Stop eating before you feel full: don’t make your digestive system work overtime
• Eat at regular hours and avoid eating heavy meals passed 7pm.
• Avoid highly stimulating foods and drinks: since they impact your emotional state
• Rest for at least 20 minutes after eating before you go back to work if at all possible

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be very effective in the treatment and prevention of irritable bowel syndrome. During my 11 in practice and after seeing hundreds of these cases, I can say that TCM is far more effective in the treatment of IBS than conventional medicine.

If you decide to try acupuncture for your IBS, always look for the care of licensed acupuncturist trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine and not for a health practitioner practicing cookbook acupuncture, as it is often the case with many chiropractors, naturopathic practitioners and medical doctors. These will ensure the best possible results with acupuncture.

Anxiety is one of the most common symptoms experienced by many of my patients. According with National Institute of Mental Health, 40 million adults in the US (roughly 18% of the population) suffer from anxiety, and $42 billion dollars are expended every year to “treat” this condition.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views anxiety as a consequence of energetic imbalances that affect the flow of vital energy (QI) and Blood. This impaired flow distresses the normal function of the internal organs, giving rise to diverse physical symptoms that further aggravate emotional and mental processes.

Anxiety is often caused by a complex pattern of energetic imbalances often involving several organs. For example, if a patient tends to worry too much, as it is the case in Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and she/he is also overweight or obese, has low energy, and either excessive or low appetite; the Spleen is at the root of the anxiety. If for instance, the patient also experiences migraines, feels bloated after eating, and tends to have excessive burping, there is more likely a Liver and Spleen imbalance. There are several other patterns of symptoms that indicate imbalances in different organ’s systems. Our job as TCM practitioners is to identify what’s causing the anxiety and to formulate a treatment plan to correct it.

Acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, and meditation techniques are all tools that a licensed acupuncturist employees in the treatment of anxiety. All of these therapies are natural, safe, and effective; and target the cause of the anxiety as opposed as trying to patch it.

Some Tips to Help with Anxiety

• Avoid consuming stimulants such as caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, rich foods, and drugs.
• Try not to eat late at night, but if your schedule forces you to eat at night then consume light foods.
• Avoid activities that over stimulate your mind before bedtime.
• Practice deep abdominal breathing throughout the day, but especially at bedtime.
• Drink a warm relaxing herbal tea before bedtime. Chamomile is an excellent choice.
• Exercise at least 3 times a week, but avoid working out in the evening if you notice that it affects your ability to fall sleep. Physical jobs don’t count as exercise. Tai Chi and yoga are excellent forms of exercises to combat anxiety.

Traditional Chinese Medicine identifies and treats the source of the anxiety in natural, safe, and effective way. Always seek for an acupuncturist trained in TCM and not for healthcare professionals practicing cookbook acupuncture.

Our center offers Oriental Medicine for the treatment of anxiety, depression and several other conditions. For more information visit our website www.OneAcuCenter.com or call us at 630.037.4241.