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Integrative Health Centers Acupuncture Blog
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January 30, 2010 – 2:44 pm
In traditional Chinese medicine, the lungs represent the first line of defense against external pathogens. The nose begins the filtering process of collecting these pathogens or environmental irritants. By irrigating the nasal cavities, one is further cleansing the body of these impurities. A very effective way to cleanse the nose is by using a neti pot.
For thousands of years, neti pots have been used in India to cleanse and irrigate the nasal passages. These ceramic vessels made with a long spout can hold a salt-water solution that one pours directly into the nasal cavity and allows to drain out the other side. This application is repeated in both nasal cavities allowing debris and impurities to be removed. To learn more about how the neti pot may benefit you, check out the following link from Dr. Oz: http://www.neti-pot.com/Dr-Oz-Neti-Pot-Article.pdf
January 29, 2010 – 9:17 am
Flexibility and core strength are essential to spinal health. In order to prevent injury and/or manage chronic pain, it is important to follow an at home regimen on a regular basis. Once the pain has been reduced to a reasonable level the task becomes one of prevention. Without maintaining ROM and core strength there is little doubt symptoms will return at some point in the future.
This is why we are offering one on one training sessions at our Towson location to provide our patients with the knowledge they need to manage pain during and after they have finished their treatment. Maria is a certified personal trainer and massage therapist having worked with patients for over 10 years. She incorporates her knowledge of physiology and the human body with her training background to provide patients with a low impact program they can use in the privacy of their own home.
For more information please call our Towson office at 410.296.5160
January 23, 2010 – 1:19 pm
In my practice, it is interesting to see that once patients receive a number of acupuncture treatments, they often have further questions about the medicine as a whole – how it works, what it can treat, level of training required to become an acupuncturist, etc. (All very good questions.) I truly love this part of the process because it is fun to educate patients and empower them. One resource that I have found invaluable is the website www.acufinder.com. It contains a wealth of information on acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) from finding a practitioner (and credentialing to look for) to looking up different conditions that it can treat. In addition, there is a “top 10 list” of common questions that many people have before their first acupuncture visit. I would definitely recommend this site to anyone who wants to learn more about acupuncture and TCM and how it can improve their health and overall wellbeing.
January 22, 2010 – 2:50 pm
The Chinese herbal pharmacopia is vast and ancient. In these blogs I’m going to pick one and discuss it. Today’s herb is he shou wu. The herb is named after a legendary Mr. He in the ancient Tang dynasty, who allegedly had a bit much to drink one night, fell asleep in the woods on the way home, and had a dream about a vine pulsating with energy. He found and cultivated the vine, cut and dried it into a powder and consumed it. Over time his strength and vigor increased to the point where at 58 years old he was able to marry and have children. Supposedly he and his progeny not only lived unusually long lives as a result of taking this herb regularly, but their hair retained it’s lush, black color. In fact this herb was called the “immortal herb”.
I use this herb today for people with low energy and dizziness, people with hair loss, and people with migraines which get worse with fatigue. Unlike many other Chinese herbs it can be taken over a long period of time, and also unlike other herbs it is often taken by itself, rather than mixed in a formula with other herbs.
January 17, 2010 – 9:33 am
This study at the Henry Ford clinic shows that acupuncture can have positive long term effects for suffers of hot flashes, night sweats, and reduced libido due to hormone therapy. Their study shows that acupuncture is safe and more effective then traditional pharmaceutical therapies for such conditions. If you or someone you know is suffering through the side effects of hormone replacement therapy pass along the good news.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091229105908.htm
January 15, 2010 – 5:58 pm
Acupuncture and Herbs are a big part of Traditional Medicine in many countries.
Here are some interesting facts from the World Health Organization (WHO)
- In some Asian and African countries, 80% of the population depend on traditional medicine for primary health care.
- Herbal medicines are the most lucrative form of traditional medicine, generating billions of dollars in revenue.
- Traditional medicine can treat various infectious and chronic conditions: new antimalarial drugs were developed from the discovery and isolation of artemisinin from Artemisia annua L., a plant used in China for almost 2000 years.
- More than 100 countries have regulations for herbal medicines.
Also in many developed countries, 70% to 80% of the population has used some form of alternative or complementary medicine (e.g. acupuncture).
Herbal treatments are the most popular form of traditional medicine, and are highly lucrative in the international marketplace. Annual revenues in Western Europe reached US$ 5 billion in 2003-2004. In China sales of products totaled US$ 14 billion in 2005. Herbal medicine revenue in Brazil was US$ 160 million in 2007.
However, with the growing market there are many concerns growing as well. Counterfeit, poor quality, or adulterated herbal products in international markets are serious patient safety threats.
To cope with these safety concerns, all herbal products at Integrative Health Centers are purchased from Mayway (Plum Flower Brand), one of the most reputable and respected herbal companies in the US and Europe, which abides by “Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)” and follow various strict quality assurance and control protocols.
For more information please visit https://www.mayway.com/store/qa_chinese_medicine_quality_main.jsp
By Seok Park, L.Ac.
January 15, 2010 – 3:45 pm
As the glitz, glam and overindulgence of the holidays fade from view, reality sets in. We may contemplate why our pants are fitting a bit tighter (perhaps the dryer was set on high). Or regretting the first full week back to work (is it time for a new job?). Whatever the circumstances, the New Year can provide a fresh start and new commitments to a happy and healthier you. Whether it’s (re)joining the gym, updating your resume, or learning to create downtime in the day for you, now is the perfect time to start! Make yourself a priority. Create time in the day for meditation and breathing techniques. Join a yoga class and invite a friend. Tap into the mind-body connection with acupuncture or massage. Learn how healthy food can taste great and be great for you with a nutrition counselor. Dust off those running shoes and start walking. Reignite your passion for life. Whatever it is that will truly make you happy – go for it! You deserve it. Happy New Year, Happy New You.
January 14, 2010 – 10:40 am
It’s a pet peeve of mine but science seems to bear it out: supplements and vitamins are no substitute for a good diet. Recent studies have shown that supplements have failed to prevent Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart attacks, strokes, type 2 diabetes, and premature death. Folks, mother nature knows how to package our nutrition better than any lab. This is why Chinese herbs are so effective. We do not try to extract or mimic the one magical ingredient from a plant. The entire plant substance is used. Any given plant has more in it than science understands, and teasing out this or that constituent will inevitably leave behind the complex array of organic components that deliver the healing effect. Sadly this is why Chinese herbs will perhaps never be fully understood by western medical means. Looking for this or that particular enzyme or flavinoid misses the point of the intricate symphony of molecules, let alone the intrinsic “qi” of the plant, that Chinese medicine has observed empirically over several thousand years. No doubt your own mother echoed the wisdom of mother nature: eat your veggies – and as many different kinds and colors as possible. And if you want a stronger healing effect from the plant kingdom, consider Chinese herbs. I’m going to be posting blogs about various Chinese herbs so stay tuned . . . .
January 10, 2010 – 12:25 pm
The phrase “Going Cold Turkey” is one we are all familiar with, but are we taking it literally enough? One history of this phrase has it that alcoholics and smokers who wanted to stop the addiction cycle would actually eat cold turkey meat. As we all know turkey contains high amounts of the amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, meaning that it can not be synthesised by the human body and must be supplemented in ones diet. It is an important precursor to making serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter which has a direct effect on the mood, emotions, sleep, and appetite in humans. Serotonin can in turn be converted to melatonin which may help to reduce agitation, improve sleep and enhance mood while one is going through the withdrawal phase of addiction. Supplementing the serotonin and melatonin in one’s diet as the nicotine or the alcohol is withdrawn may make a big difference in ones ability to stop smoking or drinking. The use of acupuncture has been shown to have a direct effect on both dopamine and morphine receptors within the neurosystem, which is invaluable in helping to reduce cravings for the addictive substance. My recommendation for anyone battling addiction is a dietary supplement of tryptophan during the day and melatonin at night with acupuncture 4-5 times per week during the acute withdrawal period. This regiment helps to address both the chemical and mental aspects of addiction and can make a big difference in one’s efforts to quit.
January 6, 2010 – 12:03 pm
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Integrative Health Centers
Parkville
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
Lutherville, MD 21093
Phone (410) 296-5160
Fax (410) 296-5161 |
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