Stress and Anxiety

Holiday season is a supposed to filled with joy, peace, warmth and gratitude but that isn't always the case.   Often around this time people experience an increase in anxiety and stress.  This could be due to  difficult family visits, money worries, work demands or simply not enough rest from overbooked schedules.  If you are feeling the burden of the holidays take some time to reduce your stress and ease anxiety.

• Maintain your health and fitness regime.  If the gym or walking 3 times a week has been part of your schedule keep it up.  If you don't have a regular exercise plan there is no need to wait until January 1st to start incorporating exercise into your daily life.  Instead of meeting co-workers for cocktails head up to the mountain for a night of snowshoeing.  
• Avoid grabbing quick snacks and eating more processed, refined foods as they can exacerbate anxiety.  Instead take time to prepare a meal and enjoy it making sure to include high quality protein, whole grains and a variety of fresh vegetables which will help to calm nerves and ease the mind.  Even better invite friends over for a simple potluck so there is less prep, less stress and more time for fun and relaxation.
• De-stress with an acupuncture session to help rejuvenate your body and mind.  Acupuncture can help you reach a deep state of relaxation to calm the nerves, quiet the mind as well as regain clarity and focus.  Auricular or ear acupuncture has also been shown to be effective in reducing preoperative anxiety.  Although the setting is different the same type of protocol could be used for other anxiety inducing situations.
•  Incorporate calming activities such as yoga, walking meditation and deep breathing. 
•  Try herbal teas or supplements for calming the nerves.  Valerian, passionflower, chamomile and even green tea all have calming properties.  I also recommend ling zhi tea and Bach Flower Remedies.  

WHAT DO MEN WANT?

Better sex?  Longer life?  Less stress?  More sleep?

I don't know but I'm sure that like women it depends on the guy and what makes them feel good.  What I do know is that acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine can help with it all.

Let's talk about sex.

First it is an important component to overall health according to TCM philosophy.  Too little or too much sex can cause imbalances in the body and lead to certain conditions over time.  A common example is excessive sexual activity uses up Kidney energy.  The Kidney organ system is related to the low back and knees therefore if you are experiencing pain in these areas  don't be surprised if your TCM doctor asks you about your sexual activity.

A recent study shows that an active sex life has the following health benefits improved cardiovascular health, less depression, less prostrate problems and improved metabolism.  Not bad for an activity that can be for pure pleasure.

Unless one suffers from low libido or erectile dysfunction then sex may cause more stress than it alleviates.  Chinese medicine views dysfunction of the male sex organs as an imbalance in the Kidney organ system most commonly it is a deficiency of the Kidney Yang Qi, sometimes referred to as the ming men fire.  This is often treated with acupuncture to "stoke the fire" as it were or herbs that will strengthen the Kidney Yang energy.  Ideally an individual formula will be prescribed to address the individual's diagnosis.

Men's Health magazine has an online article discussing 5 benefits of acupuncture, which include treating neck and back pain, sports injuries, gastrointestinal issues plus anxiety and depression.

Addressing health concerns as they arise is key to a long healthy life, which may explain why men's life expectancy is increasing according to a recent article in the Globe and Mail.  TCM principles of longevity apply to everyone but change as one ages.  Ideally a person is living in harmony within their environment, following seasonal changes with activity and diet as well as striving for a balance between work and rest.    Work can refer to one's job or physical activity.

Sleep is one aspect of rest and an important one at that since it is the time when the body rejuvenates.  Good quality sleep can increase life expectancy and alleviate stress.  Chinese medicine can provide solutions to sleep problems through herbs or acupuncture.  Acupuncture allows the body to enter into a deep relaxed state which calms and regulates the nervous system.  Many people actually get caught up on lost hours during acupuncture where it is easy for them to enter a deep restful sleep.  Herbs can help with insomnia or frequent waking however they differ from pharmaceuticals in the way they work.  Sleeping medication is often used as a quick fix unfortunately it can be easy to rely on them as the body loses it's ability to recognize sleep signals.    Herbal formulas on the other hand work well when taken consistently to regulate the organ systems that are out of balance.

As always it is recommended that you see a registered Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DrTCM) or licenced practitioner to obtain a proper diagnosis before starting any treatment.

Mo' Men's Health

In the spirit of Movember I am focusing on men's health this month.  Movember has been great at creating  prostate cancer awareness, which is one of the top 5 causes of death for men.  The other four, heart disease, stroke, suicide and lung cancer, are all preventable diseases and treatable if found early.  Other common conditions are diabetes, liver disease, erectile dysfunction, kidney stones, urinary urgency/frequency and hair loss.  

Women typically live longer than men, however that gap is closing as more men are taking an interest in their health by eating healthier, exercising, stopping smoking and getting regular check-ups.

Over the next month I'll be posting links to recent studies in men's health as well as articles on how acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine can treat or prevent some common conditions.  The only thing I won't be doing create awareness of men's health is sporting a moustache.

If you have any specific questions related to your health or someone you know please email info@meridianflow.ca

Using TCM to Treat Anxiety

Anxiety can be a normal reaction to stress which helps people cope with isolated situations such as an exam, new job or activity, however according to the National Institute of Mental Health there are roughly 40 million American adults over the age of 18 that have an anxiety disorder in any given year.  This means approximately 18% of the adult population suffers from some type of anxiety disorder whether it be post traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder or phobias.

Pharmaceuticals and psychotherapy are mainstream treatments for anxiety however some people look to more natural therapies for treating anxiety conditions.   A recent study confirmed there are natural therapies that are effective.  Some specific herbs such as passionflower and kava along with nutritional supplements have shown positive effects for anxiety or anxiety related disorders.

Herbs such as passionflower are different than the herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. In TCM herbal prescriptions are created based on symptom analysis and the resulting diagnosis.  Herbs are combined to maximize the efficacy and minimize side-effects and toxicity.  There are some common herbs used in prescriptions based on which organ systems are involved.  According to Chinese medicine theory anxiety is primarily related to imbalances in the Heart, Kidney and Lung organ systems.  Herbs such as, dan shen (salvia), hu po (amber), he huan pi (mimosa tree bark), fu xiao mai (wheat), long yan rou (dragon eye flesh fruit), fu ling pi or fu shen (poria fungus skin or around root), wu wei zi (schizandra fruit) and lian zi (lotus seed) are frequently used in formulas used to treat anxiety.  As mentioned previously they are usually taken in combination with other herbs according to the individual's diagnosis.

Acupuncture is also very effective for treating anxiety often people coming in for other conditions will report they feel calmer, more centred and able to cope with stressful situations better.  Acupuncture treatment like Chinese herbal medicine is based on an individual's diagnosis and a point prescription will be formulated accordingly.  There have been some studies that show both body and ear acupuncture have some benefit for reducing anxiety symptoms.

Other alternative treatments such as Reiki, massage, music and binaural sound have also shown to be effective therapies for anxiety.  As with any condition it is recommended to consult your healthcare practitioner to assess which therapy will be most beneficial for your condition

Healthy Brain

There is lots of talk these days about how to keep your brain healthy and functioning optimally into old age.  People worry that our constant twittering, texting and computer time will have a negative impact on memory, concentration and long term brain function hence the development of new games and products such as nintendo ds brain age and the new found popularity of classics like crossword puzzles to stimulate brain activity.  

It is recommended to learn new skills to create neural pathways in the brain to keep it healthy over time.  Language and dance are often touted as good activities for the brain and recent research on bilingual children confirms it.  Multilingual children were found to adapt to changes easier and focus better in confusing environments.  In one study bilingualism helped to slow the onset of dementia, including Alzheimer's by about 4 years.

Diet plays an important role in overall health including brain health.  The nutrient luteolin which is found in vegetables and herbs such as carrots, peppers, celery, rosemary, peppermint and olive oil has been found to decrease inflammation in the brain which can be responsible for decreased memory and cognitive function.

A Finnish study analyzed the link between B12 and Alzheimer's.  Two components related to B12 were monitored in Finnish seniors aged 65 to 79.  Homocysteine, which is and amino acid related to mental decline, heart disease and stroke and holotranscobalamin, the marker for B12 in the body were tested.  Those with higher levels of homocysteine had a greater chance of developing Alzeheimer's over a seven year period, while each unit increase of holotranscobalamin reduced the risk of developing Alzheimer's by 2%.  

There are many approaches to helping prevent or delay the onset of dementia or Alzheimer's.  Although leisure activities can be beneficial to brain function it is important to protect your brain from injury.  Trauma to the head from bike accidents, contact sports, skiing and skating increase the chance of developing Alzheimer's later in life.  It is also important to get regular restful sleep, manage stress and find time for relaxation where the brain has a chance to recharge.  Activities such as yoga, meditation, tai chi and breathing exercises are all beneficial.

From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective acupuncture is a great way to reduce stress, improve sleep and allow the body to enter deep relaxation to enhance rejuvenation.  There are even certain acupuncture points which can impact the brain.  Although the terminology in TCM for enhancing brain function is different, we talk about strengthening Kidney Essence, nourishing Heart Blood and tonifying Marrow, which is the spinal cord, brain, bones and bone marrow.   Acupuncture is just one of a few modalities that can help brain function, herbal and dietary therapies are also beneficial.

Herbs and food can be used to help balance out organ systems which may contribute to declining brain function later in life or they can be directly used to promote cognitive function.  Certain foods are considered to be brain tonics, such as walnuts, blueberries, kiwi, kidney beans and supplements like vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids which can be found in salmon, tuna, halibut as well as some nuts and plant sources.

There are many herbs used to prevent mental decline some well known such as gingko biloba, ling zhi, ginseng, gou ji berries and others used more in traditional Chinese medicine formulas to strengthen the Kidney essence such as he shou wu, rou cong rong and wu wei zi.  

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is breast cancer awareness month according to the NCCAM, which is part of the National Institute of Health in the states.  Awareness for different types of cancer primarily focuses on raising money for finding a cure.  This post will cover more complementary therapies and how they can help people cope with the side effects of cancer treatment both physical and emotional.  The site breastcancer.org covers several types of alternative therapies which can be used in conjunction with standard medical treatment. 

Acupuncture has been shown in some studies to help with various symptoms related to cancer treatment such as fatigue, nausea, anxiety, depression, hot flashes and insomnia.  With regards to breast cancer and acupuncture a recent study has reported that acupuncture has some benefit for relieving vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes in women receiving antiestrogen treatment.  In addition to relieving the hot flashes participants reported increased libido, improved mental clarity and energy.  Another study found that joint pain and stiffness, which is a side-effect of aromatase inhibitor therapy for breast cancer can be improved with acupuncture treatment.  The National Cancer Institute provides a summary of acupuncture, results of studies using acupuncture as a modality for various types of cancer, including breast cancer. 

Traditional Chinese medicine, which includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, qi gong and meditation is discussed in a three part series.  Part one discusses herbal therapy in the prevention of breast cysts, while part two has a special focus on pre and post operative acupuncture, post operative herbal perscriptions and radiation.  Part three discusses acupuncture and herbal remedies to manage side-effects of conventional treatment such as nausea and vomiting, depressed immune function and peripheral neuropathy.

Chronic Pain - types, treatments and self care

WHAT IS CHRONIC PAIN?

• pain continuous for more than 3 months
• pain has persisted after a condition or injury has healed
• pain frequently recurs 

WHAT ARE SOME COMMON TYPES OF CHRONIC PAIN?

• low back pain
• headaches/migraines
• arthritis
• nerve pain
• pain associated with long term illness such as cancer

How pain becomes chronic varies depending on the condition.  In the case of low back pain it may have started out as an injury which may have never completely healed.  Osteoarthritis on the other hand is a condition that progresses over time due to deterioration of the cartilage which provides cushioning for the joint.  Nerve pain may develop from a long term condition such as diabetes whereas headaches may be due to long standing stress or tension.

HOW DOES CHRONIC PAIN IMPACT THE BODY?

• loss of appetite
• sleep disturbances
• depression
• decreased energy

WHAT ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR CHRONIC PAIN?

• acupuncture
• herbal remedies or supplements
• massage/tui-na
• tai chi
• qi gong
• meditation

HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE TREAT CHRONIC PAIN?

Acupuncture needles are inserted into specific areas of the body to regulate the flow of Qi.  When Qi is blocked there will be pain.  Qi can become blocked through various mechanisms such as trauma or injury to the body, long term emotional distress, internal imbalances such as digestive, circulatory, respiratory and gynecological disorders will all disrupt the flow of energy or Qi in the body.  Specific points are chosen for their pain relieving quality as well as to balance the body.  

From a more Western perspective acupuncture has been shown to affect areas in the brain that are related to pain control.  As well acupuncture has been shown reduce pain transmission by overloading nerve gates with impulses.  Acupuncture also affects blood vessels by causing constriction or dilation through the release of vasodilators.  Endorphins, serotonin and noradrenaline are also released during acupuncture.  Although they may not directly affect pain they do have the affect of promoting a sense of well being.

Several studies on acupuncture and different types of pain have been done.  Below are links to a few.
Osteoarthritis of the knee
Headaches/Migraines
Low back pain
As well studies have been done on pain and other complementary therapies
Tai chi and osteoarthritis
Yoga and back pain
Meditation and pain

Please check with your health care provider to ensure a particular therapy is appropriate for your condition

Fibromyalgia & TCM

Fibromyalgia has become a common diagnosis in recent years to explain symptoms of fatigue, all over body pain, difficulty in concentrating and retaining new information, sleep disturbances, exercise difficulties, digestive disturbances and headaches. There are many other symptoms that are common among those with FM.

Traditional Chinese medicine views fibromyalgia as a blockage of qi and blood in the channels that circulate through the body. Blockages can occur due to stress or emotional changes affecting the liver system which has the responsibility of regulating the smooth flow of qi in the body. Therefore if the Liver system is out of balance qi and blood will not flow smoothly causing blockages. Also if there is insufficient qi or blood flowing through the meridians there won't be enough nourishment to muscles, organs, bones and brain.  Deficiency in qi and blood can result from being overworked mentally and physically, poor digestion or improper eating and sleeping habits.

Acupuncture has been shown to improve fatigue and anxiety associated with fibromyalgia.  Pain may also be reduced through acupuncture although greater improvement is associated with more frequent sessions 3/week compared to 1/week.  Cupping may also be beneficial as it stimulates the flow of qi and blood targeting specific muscle groups.

A recent study on Tai Chi reported improved sleep, mood and quality of life for those with fibromyalgia.

May is Arthritis Awareness Month

Looking at Arthritis, Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine - Part One
Arthritis comes in several forms, the most prevalent being osteoarthritis (OA), affecting approximately 10% of the adult population. Below are some quick facts on OA plus links to well known studies. The traditional Chinese medicine viewpoint will be discussed along with the benefits of acupuncture and herbal therapy.

Osteoarthritis

• symptoms include pain and stiffness of the joint with the possibility of locking
• due to degeneration of the joint cartilage, frequently in hands, feet, knees, hips and spine
• risk factors include old age, previous injury, obesity and hereditary factors
• treatment includes medications, physiotherapy, exercise and weight loss
• acupuncture may be used to reduce pain and increase mobility

One well known study looked at the effect of acupuncture on osteoarthritis of the knee and found that by the end of the study those that received acupuncture had a 40% reduction in pain and almost a 40% improvement in function compared to baseline levels. The course of treatment consisted of 24 sessions during a 26 week period. By the 8th week there was a marked improvement in pain. Read the press release for more details.

In TCM assessment of the joint function and pain is important including which factors aggravate or improve the condition. The overall body condition including sleep patterns, energy, digestion and mood will also be taken into consideration when developing a treatment strategy.

In OA age is often a factor and as we age our kidney qi starts to decline, the kidney energy is also related to the back and the knees, therefore acupuncture points or herbs to strengthen this energy may be used.

If a previous injury has predisposed a person to arthritis there may be residual blood stasis or swelling. Acupuncture or herbs may be used to reduce swelling, reduce pain and heal injuries by improving blood circulation in the body.

Often a person is limited in the amount and type of exercise due to pain and mobility of the joint either from the arthritis or a prior injury. Exercise can be beneficial to maintain range of motion, joint stability through strengthen the surrounding muscles. Physical activity has the added benefit of keeping weight at a healthy level thereby taking pressure off of joints especially knees and hips.

The Burning Question - What is Moxa?

Moxibustion is a therapy often used in conjunction with acupuncture. Therapeutically moxibustion stimulates acupuncture points through the application of heat. The primary herb used in clinical practice is Ai Ye (artemisia vulgaris) or mugwort.

What action does burning moxa have on the body?

• activates qi and blood circulation
  
• eliminates cold and damp
  
• disperses swelling
  
• reduces pain
  
• strengthens the body's yang qi which in turn helps prevent illness
• enhances the therapeutic action of the acupuncture points when used in conjunction with needles

Moxa can be applied in the following forms:
Stick - the leaf is dried and rolled into a stick which can be used to warm the needles or areas of the body.
Floss - is a form which can be made into cones to apply on the body or tops of needles. Other herbs may be used with the moxa cones to enhance the therapeutic effect. Sliced ginger to help treat vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping. Garlic helps to detoxify and reduce swellings. Salt helps to tonify the yang qi.
Smokeless - spray and stick for use in clinics where air circulation is an issue.

TCM Diagnosis Part I - Observation of the Tongue

Observation is an important part of the diagnostic process in Chinese Medicine, which includes observing the patient's complexion, eyes, skin, demeanour, gait, spirit and tongue . Tongue diagnosis is divided into 2 major parts - tongue body and tongue coating.

The colour, shape, size and presence of other abnormalities such as cracks, teethmarks or prickles make up the tongue body. Whereas the coating can be described in terms of wetness, colour, texture and thickness. The location of these signs on the tongue also have diagnostic significance according to the organ systems. Areas of the tongue divided representing different organ systems as you can see by the image above.

What does a healthy tongue look like?
The tongue body should be pinkish-red, moist, moves easily inside the mouth. The tongue coating should be thin and white.

What are general indications?
Dark red, bright red tongue body and dry, yellow, peeling coat indicates heat in the body, whereas a pale body, white, moist, wet fur indicates cold, deficient qi or blood.

What does the location of imbalance indicate?
At the back of the tongue, which corresponds to the kidney and bladder is related to an imbalance with metabolism, storage and urination. The middle portion of the tongue is related to the spleen and stomach, therefore abnormalities indicate digestion and absorption of food is not optimal. The front third reflects the heart and lung and subsequently the transportation of qi and blood in the body.