Acupuncture & Herbs Healthcare Clinic, where ancient Oriental Medicine meets modern technology.
When most people hear the term “acupuncture” they think of needles being inserted into the skin. The term dry needling is often brought up for people suffering from pain as well and it also includes needles being inserted into the skin. But for the most part, that’s where the similarities end. Everything from their origins and benefits to how many needles and how long a session might take is different. Let’s take a deep dive into both. continue reading
At AcuBalance Center of Houston, the treatment of anxiety is acupuncture/auriculotherapy supplemented with herbal medicine, nutrition advise, relaxation, and life changes. The treatment modality comes from information and experience derived from both Western and Chinese Medicines.
Western Medicine:
The word anxiety comes from the latin word anxious, meaning a condition of agitation and distress. Anxiety Symptoms such as insomnia, heart palpitations, disorientation, shortness of breath, trembling, sweating, choking, nausea or abdominal distress, numbness, dizziness, feeling of detachment, hot flashes or chills, fear of dying, fear of going out of control, etc, can sometimes be very confusing and scary to the person having these symptoms. Some people may confuse them with other physical conditions, such as heart disease, digestive disorders, or mental illness.
When several of the above list of symptoms happen at the same time, you may be diagnosed with what is considered a full-blown panic attack. Often times, you may also have developed symptoms of agoraphobia (fear of open spaces) in order to avoid the panic attacks, and you avoid going to certain places, or being in some social situations by yourself.
Depending on the symptoms, you may be suffering from different types of anxiety and your doctor may prescribe medications. The need for medication depends on the severity of the panic attacks, and the number of symptoms you are having. While medication may be needed in some severe cases, many cases of anxiety can be treated by other methods including cognitive therapy, learning muscle relaxation, meditation, breathing exercises, guided imagery, gradual exposure to the feared situation, constructive ways of thinking to substitute the fearful thinking, assertiveness training, nutrition and supplementation, avoiding certain substances such as caffeine, nicotine, stimulant drugs (amphetamines, cocaine, etc.), salt, food preservatives, hormones in meat, sugar, etc.
To diagnose a person with anxiety, we must make a distinction between fear and anxiety.
Fear is something real and concrete that is in the external reality such as an object or situation. For example, you fear an exam, you fear your spouse’s reaction to something you are going to do or say, you fear an illness, an earthquake, etc. Something is actually happening or can happen. There is a factor of rationality.
Anxiety on the other hand, is more abstract and irrational. You have difficulty identifying the cause of it. The focus of anxiety is more internal than external. It is a vague, distant or unrecognized danger. You may feel anxiety about “losing control of yourself”, or have the feeling that “something bad is about to happen”. It is a physiological, behavioral, and psychological reaction all at once. On a physiological level, you may feel rapid heartbeats, muscle tension, dry mouth, clammy hands, etc. On a behavioral level, you may want to avoid certain everyday situations that you have identified as the cause of your anxiety. At the psychological level you may feel inadequate, have low self esteem, or feel shy to express your feelings because you fear disapproval from others.
In contemporary society it is normal to feel a certain level of anxiety which is appropriate for many situations in our demanding and competitive world. Also, there are some medical conditions which can trigger anxiety attacks including hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism, mitral valve prolapse, reaction to excess caffeine or withdrawal from substances such as alcohol, tranquilizers or sedatives, and other conditions.
Traditional Chinese Medicine:
According to Chinese medicine, Anxiety is a chronic state of fear and uneasiness which may derive from many emotions including fear, worry, excess joy, shock, guilt, shame or pensiveness . These emotions, eventually lead to Qi stagnation and heat which with time lead to blood and/or Yin deficiency which agitate the mind causing anxiety. Qi stagnation and Qi deficiency deriving from stress may lead to the formation of phlegm which may obstruct the mind and lead to more severe anxiety or panic attacks. The symptoms of anxiety are very similar to the Western view.
Giovanni Maciocia, one of the most prominent writers and professors of Chinese Medicine in the Western world, noticed that there is also a constitutional tendency for anxiety, and he observed that there is also a familial tendency for anxiety, since many times he treated several members in a family who suffered from the same illness. He also mentioned that an irregular diet is another factor which may cause anxiety. Irregular eating causes deficiency of Qi and Yin of the Stomach which in the long run also affects the Heart and leads to Heart-Yin Deficiency and anxiety. Another factor mentioned in his book is overwork. Overwork depletes the Kidney Yin eventually affecting the Heart Yin and causing chronic anxiety. In Chinese medicine, any kind of imbalance in the body such as too much or too little of Yin, Yang, Blood, Essence, or Qi will cause illness.
The treatment of anxiety in Chinese Medicine depends on the diagnosis made according to the acupuncture meridians involved, the assessment of the pulse and tongue, the signs and symptoms, and other assessment measures acupuncturists use to determine the diagnosis.
Emma McKenzie, MS Psy., L.Ac.
AcuBalance Center of Houston
Bibliography:
1. Bourne, Edmund J. The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook. New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 1990
2. Maciocia, Giovanni. The Practice of Chinese Medicine. Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier. 2008
3. Pharmacology, 5th ed. Harvey, Richard. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2012
I have been treating people with different kinds of pain. Some come with tingling and numbness in their limbs, others with migraine so bad that have to be driven to my place by a friend or relative, or with a back pain that prevents them to do their normal jobs. Physical pain causes them to have insomnia, nausea, constipation, light headedness, lack of appetite, irritability, and other detrimental symptoms which interfere with their job, their family, and their social life. Other people suffer from depression due to the loss of a very close person, or from anxiety which prevents them from doing things they want or need to do. Ninety or more percent of those who come for treatments also have very stressful jobs and suffer from different stress related illnesses. In short, most of the people who come to see me have some kind of pain. Sometimes a psychological pain reflects itself as physical pain, and needs to be attended to before it causes severe illness. Most patients get treated at my office with traditional acupuncture which involves the insertion of very thin needles in special spots in their body called acupuncture points.
Some people are afraid of needles, and they want an alternative method. In those cases, I treat them with LLT (low laser therapy) and other techniques available to acupuncturists. When we use these methods, we still implement the same treatments we do when using needles, but with a different instrument, and the results are the same. A significant number of my patients are getting rid of their pain, sleeping better, increasing their energy, and are being able to get more enjoyment in their lives.
The advantages of using acupuncture over medications are many, and they have been recognized by the World Health Organization and by many health practitioners in the US and many other countries in the world. When you use acupuncture you are not putting anything harmful into your body such as opioids or steroids, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories which may have severe side effects in the long run. Acupuncture is a holistic natural therapy which stimulates your immune system and body chemistry to heal your body and reduce inflammation and pain. At the same time, it regulates the production of some neurotransmitters and other body chemicals acting in the nervous system to promote your emotional health.
Try acupuncture for relief of your pain. Make an appointment at AcuBalance Center of Houston. Press the red Schedule an Appointment button in the upper right corner of this page and book a free interview or call 713 444 3249. Become one more of my free of pain and satisfied patients.
Emma McKenzie, MS., MAOM., L.Ac.
Today I came across a very interesting article about back pain. It is interesting not only as a health provider, but because I also suffer for back pain. It was no surprise to me to read about how it may have its roots in psychological disorders and stress. In essence, it gives some facts I want to share with you, and if you are interested in the mind-body connection, there are lots of fascinating articles and studies in the internet on this topic. Some that seemed interesting were writings from Shannon Harvey, Louise Hay, Deb Shapiro, Moises Velasquez-Manoff (When the body attacks the mind), Juan David Nasio (Los Gritos del Cuerpo), and many other authors who have written in the topic either from a physical or a psychological standpoint.
The article I am going to refer about was written by researchers in Angelia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK The researchers investigated low to middle income subjects with back pain in 43 different countries. They found that in those countries, back pain affected 35.1% of the population. One may think this is understandable, given that it involves the working class population, and they may have physically straining jobs.
What is striking is that those who had back pain were 2 times more likely than people without back pain to experience anxiety, depression, psychosis, stress, and sleep deprivation. Furthermore, people with chronic back pain were 3 times more likely to also experience a depressive episode, and 2.6 times more likely to experience psychosis.
In another study from the Hospital for Special Surgery in NY City, the investigators found that adults with spinal deformities showed that 36.5% also suffered from psychological disorders. Older adults (55-74 years of age) more often suffered from anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders, whereas younger adults more often suffered from substance abuse. In conclusion, the study showed that one in three adults with spinal deformities also show at least one psychological disorder.
Both articles suggest that the link between these physical and psychological conditions has not been extensively investigated. There’s arguments on both sides. In other words, we still don’t know which condition came first. However, for us, as part of the population of people who suffer from chronic back pain, it is evident that we need treatment from any of these conditions sooner than later before it gets to where we have no choice but to get surgery of the spine, and/or tons of psychotropic medications with their inevitable side effects.
If you are one of those people who have chronic back pain and/or anxiety, depression or insomnia, make an appointment today at acubalancecenter.com to get treatments and relief from physical and/or psychological pain.
References:
The pain game: The connection between chronic pain and psychological illness by Nancy Gahles, DC, CCH, RSHom(NA), OIM
Back pain may raise risk of mental health problems in low- and middle-income countries General Hospital Psychiatry 6th December 2016 209
Your Body and Mind Relationship, Revealed. By Ed and Deb Shapiro
When the Body Attacks the Mind. MOISES VELASQUEZ-MANOFF JULY/AUGUST 2016 ISSUE
Los Gritos Del Cuerpo. By Juan David Nasio.
I found this article today and thought it might help some of you. It’s always good to know some home care and preventive remedies.
Taking an antihistamine isn’t the only way to battle fall allergies. If seasonal sneezes — not to mention a runny nose, watery eyes and congestion — are making you miserable, there are some foods that might ease your pain.
Just know that none of these noshes replace traditional allergy treatments. “[They] have anti-allergic properties … [but] none of these can be used in place of medications in patients who have severe allergies,” Talal M. Nsouli, M.D., a clinical professor of pediatrics and allergy-immunology at the Georgetown University School of Medicine and spokesperson for the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, told weather.com.
But certain foods can help, which can be key for your health.
Fatty Fish
DHA and EPA, two types of healthy omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish and other sources, have been known to ease allergy symptoms. “If we eat foods that contains these omega-3 fatty acids, the EPA and the DHA, [there’s] an anti-allergic property [and] decreasing of the allergic reaction … to a certain extent,” Dr. Nsouli said.
Eating your omega-3s — as opposed to taking a supplement — is the best way to go about it, as numerous studies have shown that the health benefits of vitamins, minerals and healthy fats are most effective — or even only effective — in food form.
Mackerel, salmon, sardines, trout, tuna, bluefish and herring are all great sources of omega-3s, Dr. Nsouli said. “However, one has to be careful because it has been shown that fish may contain mercury,” he said. For that reason, reach for fish that’s wild, not farmed, whenever possible, he suggested, in line with studies from the early 2000s that found higher levels of toxins in farmed U.S. fish than wild. (Although now, the scientific consensus is the health benefits of fish outweigh any potential risks.)
Plant sources of omega-3
Walnuts and Flaxseeds
Certain tree nuts, such as walnuts and flaxseeds, also contain omega-3 fatty acids; however, plants contain the ALA chain, which simply facilitates the production of EPA and DHA in your body. “One can eat one handful of walnuts, for example, this could be [equal to] about 3 to 3.5 ounces of salmon,” Dr. Nsouli said. (Although, in a perfect world, you’d eat both fish and tree nuts twice a week or so.)
Flaxseeds also contain selenium, a mineral that can help reduce an allergic response
An essential antioxidant
Broccoli, Cabbage and More
Quercetin, a flavonoid found in some foods, is believed to help reduce the inflammation associated with allergies. The thought is that it prevents immune cells from releasing histamines, or an allergic response.
Apples, onions, berries, cabbage, cauliflower and tea all contain quercetin
Fruits to reach for
Oranges, Peppers and Strawberries
Vitamin C is thought to help control allergy symptoms; like omega-3s, it’s best to get your C from foods, not supplements. Oranges, red peppers and strawberries are some of the fresh fruits best known for their vitamin C content. It’s also in broccoli and other foods that contain quercetin.
“Taking a vitamin tablets might not be as effective as having one or two oranges [or other vitamin C-containing foods] per day,”
“Having the vitamins in the foods that you eat is much more effective than saying, ‘OK, I’m going to take a multivitamin, end of story.’ It’s very important to focus on the foods that are fresh.”
Garlic
Recently, a study — the most rigorous to date — demonstrated that garlic extract can help decrease an allergic reaction and can help prevent allergy by blocking the production of the chemicals that cause allergic reactions, Dr. Nsouli said.
Any recommendation for how much garlic to eat for allergies is at this point an educated guess, but Dr. Nsouli said two to three times a week might be enough to help. Garlic supplements are also available, but as with other foods, the health benefits are best when the plant is eaten directly
Yogurt
Some research has found that the probiotics, or bacteria, contained in yogurt reduce allergic reactions to pollen, helping the symptoms of allergic reactions in children Dr. Hakimi said it’s because these probiotics help decrease the body’s immune response to allergens, reducing inflammation in the body. Digestive enzymes can also help, he said.
But some individuals have reported issues with allergies and dairy products. If you think dairy might be a problem, try an “elimination challenge” test. Go off all dairy products for two weeks to see how you feel, then add in two or three portions of dairy a day for two weeks, and compare how you feel. During this process, it’s also important to check in with an allergist to confirm what’s bothering you, and explore other treatment plans.
Another spice
Turmeric,
A native Indian spice found in curry and other dishes, is known to have a powerful anti-inflammatory response. You can spice your food with this brightly colored powder, or take supplements — it just depends on what works with your lifestyle.
An essential mineral
Magnesium
Foods rich in magnesium are believed to help control allergies. But it also opens up and relaxes the muscles, which can be beneficial as well.
High-magnesium foods include cashew nuts, wheat bran and kelp.
Thanks for reading. I hope it helps.
Emma McKenzie, L.Ac.
I recently had the pleasure of visiting AcuBalance for a series of acupuncture sessions, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was calming and welcoming, which immediately put me at ease.
Emma was incredibly knowledgeable and took the time to understand my specific needs and concerns, particularly my sciatic/ lower back pain. The sessions themselves were both relaxing and rejuvenating. I noticed a significant reduction in my chronic sciatic
I started coming to Emma 7 months ago to address my neck and back pain. During our initial visit, I was interviewed thoroughly regarding my symptoms, concerns, eating and sleeping habits, stress level, activity level, etc. Emma determined I was suffering from worry, anxiety, stress and some depression which she immediately went to work on first through placing needles and recommending some herbs. She has helped me so much to get past my troubles and now been whittling away at
... Read more »I suffer from Essential Tremor disorder which is a neurological condition that causes my hands to shake. The cause is not known, but it is often passed down genetically and can progressively worsen. There is no cure. I read an article that acupuncture is being researched as an aid in helping individuals have better control with the strength & control of their hands. I’ve been going to Emma several months and have seen progress with handwriting and even holding a
... Read more »I have been working with Emma for about 6 months on curing a very large and unsightly cyst on the side and under my big toe, caused by pressure on the foot from my shoes and dancing. The foot doctor advised surgery, but there can be serious risks and/or side effects associated with this type of treatment and the cyst can return. The electro-therapy is slowly but surely reducing the cyst and I expect it to disappear completely. There are
... Read more »I have had sciatic pain now for over three years. I have had every imaginable treatment, including cortisone injections. None have worked. I started seeing Dr. Emma six weeks ago, and it is the first time I have been pain free in a long time. She is a God sent!
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