|
Integrative Health Centers Acupuncture Blog
 |
Here is a helpful information on insomnia by Dr. Maoshing Ni, L.Ac., D.O.M., Ph.D.
Nearly two out of three Americans are affected by insomnia and other sleep disorders. With that many people resting poorly, it is a wonder anyone gets through the workweek—let alone their whole life! While there are many pharmaceuticals available to induce sleep, there are centuries-old traditional techniques that can get you your zzz’s naturally.
Acupressure for sleep enhancement
Acupressure is an ancient healing technique, in which you use your fingertips to press key points on your body to stimulate natural healing. Here are two acupressure points you can press to induce restorative sleep:
• Inner Gate, known technically as Pericardium-6 is three finger-widths above your wrist crease, between the two tendons on the inside of your left forearm. Apply moderate pressure with your right thumb, holding for 5 minutes and breathing deeply. Repeat on the other arm.
• Bubbling Spring, also known as Kidney-1, is on the bottom of your foot, at the center of the indentation below the ball of your foot. Press down with your thumb, hold for 30 seconds, relax for five, and again continue for five minutes.
For a deep, calming sleep, try to do 10 minutes of acupressure each night.
For more information please visit the following:
http://acupuncture.com/newsletters/m_apr10/sleep%20solutions.htm
One of the best remedies for the liver; 1 fld Ounce Aloe Vera Juice. 1 Tsp Turmeric
Yogic remedy to aid tight tendons and sinews: Warm milk with Turmeric and Saffron, add almond oil and honey. Drink before sleeping.
Many Chinese “herbs” are actually animal products. The Chinese as a rule are not disposed to vegetarianism, and medicinals derived from animals are thought to be extremely potent, as they are closer to us that plants. E Jiao is one such “herb”. It is basically donkey-hide gelatin, and is used for deficiency patterns such as dizziness, weakness, and any kind of bleeding disorders such as nosebleed, blood in urine, and irregular menstruation.
We are offering a discount on a 30 minute massage for all new and existing acupuncture patients through the end of May. We would like everyone to have an opportunity to experience the therapeutic benefits of massage. We are offering a rate of $25 for a 30 minute massage. You must be a current or previous acupuncture patient to qualify for the discount. We now have a massage therapist at all three of our locations.
Bel Air: 443.371.6413
Parkville: 410.882.4852
Towson: 410.296.5160
Appointments are available, Call Now!
April 24, 2010 – 12:20 pm
Minimize allergy symptoms naturally by including the following foods in your diet:
• Whole fresh foods: Eating healthy foods in general helps keep your body strong and able to fight off invaders like allergens and rid the body of toxins.
• Honey: Reduce pollen allergies by eating honey from locally grown wildflowers. Of course, honey contains quite a bit of sugar, even though it is a natural source, so a little moderation is in order.
• Fruits: Fruits are rich in antioxidants that improve lung function and many also contain natural antihistamines. Choose apples, berries, citrus, pineapple, papaya, bananas.
• Essential fatty acids: Best sources include coldwater fish (no more than 2-3 servings a week), olive oil, flaxseed oil, soybean oil, nut oils, raw walnuts and wheat germ—all contain allergy-fighting properties.
• Magnesium: Eat foods like spinach, artichokes, tofu, sunflower seeds, cashews, navy and pinto beans to reduce respiratory problems.
• Spices: Anti-inflammatory spices include ginger, turmeric, garlic, onions and pepper.
• Zinc: Choose pumpkin seeds, yogurt, beef, tofu, oysters, crab, dark turkey or chicken to strengthen your immune system.
• Minimize dairy consumption since it can add to mucous production.
• Get enough sleep (7-9 hours)—the body needs adequate rest to fend off that which inflames us.
April 12, 2010 – 12:23 pm
Ching Wan Hung: Chinese burn cream. Finally had a chance to try it out on a pretty series 1-2 degree burn on my fingers. The morning after; two of the involved fingers showed no signs of having been burned and almost no pain. The worst finger which had produced a good blister and significant pain the night before; no longer hurt. I continued to keep the area wrapped and covered in Ching Wan Hung for another 36 hours, then aspirated the blister using a Sieren#5 J-type needle. One week later the skin over the blister is still healing but does not appear to have an underlying wound; peeling much like a sunburn.
The weather is lovely outside and that means that lots of us are trying to burn off some of that extra adipose tissue that we have collected over the colder months. So we all need workouts that are both healthy and smart. I recommend something that is low impact and not too stressful on the body. Rebounding exercises are a great way to start. If you don’t have a trampoline try putting on your thickest socks and do some jumping jacks on your thickest carpet. For those of us with joint problems of the knees, hips, or lower back something low impact like a stair-climber, elliptical machine, stationary bike, or rowing machine is always a better option. Walking is also a simple and effective way of dropping a few extra pounds, but if you must run then choose a surface with a little more give like a rubberized track or simply grass. A great way to increase oxygen exchange during your workout is to apply a small amount of Castor oil over the lungs, kidney, and liver areas of the chest and abdomen. For an explanation of all of Castor oil’s benefits and an introduction to Castor-cising visit Dr. Ali’s site http://www.majidali.com/castor_oil_a_premium_dysox_remedy.htm.
For any muscle or joint pains that will not resolve on their own why not come in and enjoy some acupuncture or tuina. It is the perfect answer for achy muscles and joints, and we will have back out there enjoying your workout in no time.
The US Military has recognized the benefits of Auricular Acupuncture and is currently using it on the battlefield throughout the world mostly for pain management with good results.
The benefits of Turmeric are particularly helpful at this time of year when pungent foods are useful for clearing phlegm conditions. Turmeric is cleansing to the liver, helps in bile production, and is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory.
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/turmeric-000277.ht
Orthopedic massage may be defined as therapeutic assessment, manipulation, and movement of the body’s soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and joint capsules) to reduce or eliminate chornic pain or injuries.
A broad spectrum of techniques and approaches are used to treat soft tissue dysfunction. As a comprehensive system, orthopedic massage is capable of integrating a wide variety of techniques in the treatment of soft tissue dysfunctional pain and injuries. It includes:
deep transverse friction
trigger point therapy
myofasccial release
cross fiber and muti-directional strokes
neuromuscular therapy (muscle energy techniques)
scar tissue mobilization
stretching
and neuromuscular re-education
The nature of each condition is considered by the practitioner to determine the most effective treatment. An example would be treating upper back and neck pain. Instead of immediately using deep tissue techniques on the trigger pain spots in the upper back, particularly the rhomboids, I will treat the anterior (front) neck and shoulders of the body. Why? So many clients are rotated forwarded in the shoulders due to poor posture and repetitive motions that make the muscles in the front of the body tight and contracted. These include: the pectoralis major/minor, subclavius, and subscapularius, while the opposing mucles, (such as rhomboids in the mid back area) become weakened and over stretched. This imbalance often causes the head to thwart forward, and wreaking havoc on the front (anterior) and back (posterior) neck muscles.
Very good results often occur when the therapist first addresses the treatment of the neck and front shoulders first, using myofascial, cross-fiber, and multi-directional techniques, allowing the cause factors of pain to improve and start releasing.
And when there is pain relief and range of motion improves, it makes retraining poor posture habits more effective.
Next time I’ll write how orthopedic massage can help with carpal tunnel syndrome, and how this technique has often improved that condition and thus saving people from needless surgery.
|
|
|
|
Integrative Health Centers - Baltimore
9403 Harford Road, Suite #7
Baltimore,
MD
21234
Phone
(410) 882-4852
Fax
(410) 882-4853
Integrative Health Centers - Towson
1300 York Road, Suite #149, Building B
Towson,
MD
21093
Phone
(410) 296-5160
Fax
(410) 296-5161
Integrative Health Centers - Bel Air
407 E. Churchville Rd., Suite #103
Bel Air,
MD
21014
Phone
(443) 371-6413
Fax
(443) 371-6415
Local SEO by WebTiger Search Marketing | Website Design by CONCEPTS BY Q
|
|
|
|
|
|
