Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Atlanta Acupuncture GA helps IBS, anxiety, insomnia, and stress


Soothing Your Stress with acupuncture

Soothing Your Stress As a normal part of life, stress enables us to get things done. Left unmanaged, however, stress can lead to emotional, psychological, and even physical problems. Stress causes a disruption in the flow of vital energy, or Qi, through the body. This can throw off the immune system and cause new symptoms or aggravate already troublesome health conditions and, over time, more serious illnesses can develop. Stressful situations that last over a long period of time can create an ongoing low-level stress that puts continual pressure on the nervous system and can cause the overproduction of stress hormones (such as cortisol). The extra stress hormones sustained over an extended period of time may wear out the body's reserves, leading to fatigue, depression, a weakened immune system, and a host of serious physical and psychological ailments. Stress is often the cause of illness and the deterioration of health. Finding a release valve for your stress can help you stay healthy. According to Oriental medicine, stress, frustration, and unresolved anger can play an important part in throwing the immune system off and allowing pathogens to affect the body. Through acupuncture, these energy blockages can be addressed. Acupuncture points can help energy flow smoothly, and alleviate not only the symptoms of stress and anxiety, but the stress and anxiety itself. Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of stress. Acupuncture improves circulation of blood throughout the body, which oxygenates the tissues and cycles out stress hormones like cortisol and other waste chemicals. The calming nature of acupuncture also decreases heart rate, lowers blood pressure and relaxes the muscles. In addition to acupuncture, Oriental medicine offers a wide range of tools and techniques that can be integrated into your wellness plan to keep stress in check. These tools include Tui Na, Qi Gong exercises, dietary therapy, meditations and acupressure that you can administer at home. While it isn't always possible to remove the external forces causing stress, the ability to effectively deal with stress is a choice. Take time for yourself to cultivate the energy you need to handle your stress more skillfully and effectively. If you or someone you know is experiencing stress or a related disorder, contact us for more information about how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you regain peace of mind and stay healthy!

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Vitamin D deficiency is related to depression and over weight

According to several new studies, Vitamin D deficiencies—especially in African-Americans and people with darker skin tones—could raise the risk for developing conditions that include depression, weight gain, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, bone fracture, autoimmune disease and cardiovascular disease. 

 As many as 36 percent of Americans are vitamin D deficient, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. That number could be more than double for African-Americans. Vitamin D deficiency is called a “hidden epidemic” for darker-skinned people who have more melanin in the skin. High levels of melanin reduce the body’s ability to make vitamin D from sunlight exposure. In addition, African-Americans prone to develop lactose intolerance which further compromise Vitamin D absorption from foods. The regular multivitamin tablets only have 200 international units, which is not potent and is not enough. Some experts believe that adults should take between 800 and 1,000 international units Vitamin D3 a day to adequately prevent bone loss and protect against chronic disorders. Vitamin D is fat soluble vitamin, so it has to be in the capsule form and in the dark colored bottle to be more potent. In addition to supplements, fatty fish, egg yolks and fortified foods are good dietary sources. It is estimated that 10 minutes of daily sun exposure could provide adequate vitamin D. Over dosing of Vitamin D supplement can cause toxicity as Vitamin D is fat soluble vitamin, it can stock up in fatty cells and livers. Vitamin D is not regularly checked in the doctors’ office unless you request it. Vitamin D deficiency exists when the concentration of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25-OH-D) in the blood serum occurs at 12 ng/ml (nanograms/milliliter), or less. The normal concentration of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D in the blood serum is 25-50 ng/ml. It is suggested that all adults who are vitamin D deficient be treated with 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 once a week for eight weeks to achieve a blood level of 25(OH) D above 30 ng/ml, followed by maintenance therapy of 1,500-2,000 IU/day.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Cupping treatment help back pain and stress

Cupping treatment is under the scope of Chinese medical practices. It is used whenever a patient has pain and energy stagnation. It is common that there are cupping marks left on the skin when patients have blood stagnation (toxins) in the body. Gua Sha is one technique that intentionally raises a rash or petechiae on the skin. In Vietnam, the technique is called Cao Yio; in Indonesia : Kerik; in Laos : Khoud Lam. The color of the cupping mark (Sha) is both diagnostic and prognostic. Very light colored Sha can indicate deficiency of blood. If the Sha is purple or black, the blood stasis is long-standing. Dark red Sha can indicate heat. As the treatment progresses, when the patients have less blood stagnation (toxins), the petechiae will not form and the skin will only turn pink. The Sha petechiae should fade in 2-4 days. Please let it air dry. Cupping treatment has been practiced frequently by acupuncturists all over the world and is accepted by patients, including celebrities in the US. The following link shows actress Gwyneth Paltrow with cupping marks on her back. http://www.laineygossip.com/pics/gwynnie cupping marks.jpg There are lots of videos on YOUTUBE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIEakMcIQ8w&feature=fvst More videos about cupping treatment on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_Wu77FttBU&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMNMvOXhuwc&feature=related The cupping marks are dark when you have lots of energy stagnation. They will fade away in few days.What is Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)?