Acupuncture

Super Specialty Clinical Acupuncture

Dr Anjali Sharma

What is Clinical Acupuncture

Treatment Protocol

What is Acupuncture

Modern techniques

History of Acupuncture

How Acupuncture works

Theoretical basis of Acupuncture

Scientific basis of Acupuncture

Information for Patients

Precautions in Acupuncture Treatment

What diseases are treated by Acupuncture

what is Clinical Acupuncture

Clinical Acupuncture, innovated and practiced by Dr Anjali Sharma, is the advanced acupuncture system which blends the benefits of Medical Acupuncture developed by western medical practioners and the Traditional Chinese Acupuncture which is in practice for thousands of years. It includes both ‘With Needle Acupuncture’ and ‘Needleless Acupuncture’. Its advantages are :

• It is scientific in Biomedical understanding based on anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pathology..
• It gives quick relief.
• It requires less time per session & fewer sessions.
• It retains the Holistic Health base of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture.

Treatment Protocol

Under Aseptic Condition –  Acupuncture treatment at Ethos is done strictly under complete aseptic conditions. International brand needles are used which are never reused even on same patient. Treatment protocol at Ethos includes following:

1. Holistic Diagnosis and Assessment – This includes collection of relevant information about sickness & its associated factors, clinical examination of patient and investigations. This is followed by diagnosis of the sickness, both clinical diagnosis and diagnosis of disorder on the basis of acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine.
2. Treatment Plan – A suitable treatment plan is designed on the basis of diagnosis. This is explained to patient along with its benefits and precautions.
3. Treatment sessions – Treatment sessions are then undertaken.
4. Follow up – A regular assessment of patient’s health and effect of acupuncture continues. On the basis of response, decision is taken about number and frequency of further sessions.

What is Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the drugless treatment technique in which specific points (called trigger points / acu points) are stimulated to relieve pain or to treat various diseases / disorders. These acu points are situated on meridians along which Qi (Vital Energy) flows. Each point relates to specific body organ & function. Such stimulation results in free flow of vital energy which helps in better functioning of organs, treatment of disease and restoration of good health. Acupuncture is :

• Safe – Only sterile needles are used in acupuncture and are discarded after single use.
• Painless – Very fine needles are used in acupuncture which does not cause more than mosquito bite sensation.
• Effective – World Health Organization has accepted effectiveness of acupuncture in various diseases & disorders. It is in practice all over the world.

Types of acupuncture treatment are as follows:

• Body acupuncture
• Scalp acupuncture
• Face acupuncture
• Ear acupuncture
• Hand and foot acupuncture

Types of traditional acupuncture techniques are as follows:

• Needle acupuncture including filiform needle, three edged needle, plum blossom needle, press needle, intra dermal needle etc.
• Moxibustion
• Cupping

Modern techniques of Acupuncture

There are some modern techniques in Acupuncture which can be utilized in conditions in which Classical Acupuncture with needles can not be used. These are more suitable for children, for people who are averse to needles, at sites where needle acupuncture is better avoided etc. Some of the techniques are :

• Electro Acupuncture
• Laser Acupuncture
• TENS Acupuncture
• Ultrasonic Acupuncture

History of acupuncture

Acupuncture is said to have originated in China. It is claimed that acupuncture dates back as early as 1600 BC. Some believe that during that period it was seen during wars, soldiers who were wounded with arrows reported improvement in diseases which were difficult to treat by other methods.  It is also claimed that tribals in India pierce some specific body points which are same as important acupuncture points. Acupuncture later spread from China to Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Europe etc where it developed in various forms. In 1970’s acupuncture started becoming known in USA. However in USA, the emphasis was more development of medical acupuncture which was less based on Traditional Chinese Theory of Acupuncture.

In 1997 National Institute of Health (NIH) issued a statement that there are sufficient evidences to support the effectiveness of acupuncture. In 2003 World Health Organization (WHO) published a report giving a list of diseases & ailments where acupuncture can be successfully used as effective therapy.

How acupuncture works in pain and diseases

Many physiological benefits are reported about acupuncture and its effectiveness in treatment of various diseases & disorders. Some are:

1. Analgesic (Pain relieving) effect – Acupuncture relieves pain and is getting accepted worldwide as one of the best option in pain control. It increases the pain threshold which is the level at which pain is felt. Similar effect is seen in acupuncture anesthesia.
2. Sedation (Tranquility) effect – Acupuncture results in calming down.  There is decrease in delta & theta wave activity in brain as seen in EEG. This calming down effect helps in conditions like insomnia, anxiety, mental agitation, Parkinson’s disease etc It is observed that after acupuncture treatment, there is rise in dopamine content in brain.
3. Homeostatic (Regulatory) effect – Acupuncture helps in normalization of internal environment in body. It helps in endocrine balance, sympathetic & parasympathetic balance of autonomic nervous system, cardiovascular & respiratory balance, metabolic balance, electrolyte balance etc. All this helps in bringing body functions to normal level.
4. Immune enhancement – Acupuncture helps in increasing resistance to diseases. It is said to increase antibody level, white blood cell count and activation of reticulo endothelial system. All this helps in better immunity.
5. Anti-inflammatory anti-allergic effect – Acupuncture reduces inflammation and has anti allergic effect. The release of interferons is said to be the basis such positive effect.
6. Better motor activity – Acupuncture has pronounced effects in musculoskeletal conditions like paralysis. It increases motor activity by stimulation of anterior horn cells.

Theoretical basis of acupuncture

 The Traditional Chinese Theory of Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. It believes human body is composed of vital energy system (Qi pronounced as Chi) which has two mutually dependent counterparts called Yin & Yang. This Qi flows in body in 14 meridians (or Channels) and nourishes & sustains the body, the body functions and the life. Health is a state of balance between Yin and Yang. In disease due to internal or external factors, there is disbalance between Yin and Yang. This results in obstruction, stagnation or depletion of Qi.  This state of Qi results in disorder in organ function & disease. With acupuncture, some specific points on meridians (Called acupoints) are either stimulated or sedated to bring back the balance & harmony in Qi which results in better organ function and good health.

Scientific basis of acupuncture

Acupuncture has been subjected to extensive scientific research. Many studies have found that acupuncture treatment has significant benefit and effectiveness in treatment of pain and diseases. Many theories have been forwarded to explain the scientific basis of acupuncture. The two important ones are:

• Gate Control Theory of Pain

According to this theory, pain feeling is modified by interplay between excitatory and inhibitory pain pathways. Acupuncture helps by influencing these pathways.

• Neurohormonal Theory

According to this theory, pain perception is influenced by release of certain neuro hormones like endorphins & enkephalines. It is proposed that acupuncture causes release of these neuro hormones.

• Neurotransmitter Theory

According to this theory, acupuncture works by releasing certain neurotransmitters like serotonin or noradrenaline.

Information for Patients 

1. Keep the body parts clean for treatment.
2. You must inform acupuncturist if you have any of the following conditions:

–  Diabetes mellitus

–  Hypertension

–  Epilepsy

–  Hepatitis

–  Pregnancy

–  On medication  for example anticoagulants like warfarin

–  Hemophilia or other bleeding disorder

–  Cardiac pacemaker or other metallic / electronic implants

–  Tuberculosis or other active infection

3. Avoid being too hungry, too thirsty or too tired before acupuncture treatment.
4. Avoid very tight cloths & outfits.
5. Do not change position or move during acupuncture. If you have to move, inform the therapist first.
6. Remain mentally and physically relaxed but do not fall asleep during acupuncture treatment.
7. Empty your bladder before acupuncture treatment.
8. Do not touch or remove acupuncture needles or acupuncture equipment.
9. There can be sensations like soreness, heaviness, fullness and / or warmth. These are normal in acupuncture treatment and go away on their own.
10. Those on medication like for high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, asthma etc must note that as the treatment progresses, there will be lesser need of medicine. Therefore, medicine dosage must be readjusted in consultation with the physician.

Precautions in Acupuncture Treatment

There are conditions in which acupuncture is avoided or used with great caution. Some are:

• Cancer & malignant conditions. Acupuncture can be of help in palliation.
• Mechanical obstruction like twisted loop of intestine or severed tendon.
• Surgical cases like fractured bone, dislocated joint, congenital defect etc.
• Fulminating acute infections. In resistant chronic infections, acupuncture can be used as support therapy.
• Pregnancy especially in first three and last three months.
• Hemorrhagic or bleeding disorders. Caution must be observed or laser acupuncture may be used.
• Certain states like very old, debilitated or dying patients.
• Excessive emotions and after sexual intercourse.
• Conditions like after hot bath, under alcohol influence, after excessive sweating.
• Patients with uncontrolled movements.

What diseases are treated by Acupuncture

World Health Organization WHO has accepted effectiveness of acupuncture in various diseases & disorders.  Some of the conditions which acupuncture treats are as follows.

Acupuncture is a system of healing that has been practiced for over 2,500 years.  It involves the insertion of solid filiform acupuncture needles into the skin at specific points on the body to achieve a therapeutic effect. It is a gentle and effective treatment that focuses on helping the whole person, aiming to improve their overall health and wellbeing,

Acupuncture needles are solid, usually stainless steel (they may also be gold or silver), and measure from 13-70 mm, although longer reusable ones up to about 150 mm in length can be purchased. The needles are very fine, flexible and rounded but sharp at the tip. They are ‘atraumatic’, meaning that they do not have a cutting edge like a hypodermic needle, which slices through tissue. Their design allows acupuncture needles to slide smoothly through tissues and makes them unlikely to cause bleeding or damage to underlying structures.

The needles are left in place for 15-30 minutes, and the practitioner may manipulate the needles to strengthen or reduce the flow of Qi. Lifting, twisting, and rotating are some of the needling techniques a practitioner may use.

As well as inserting fine needles just under the skin, a practitioner may also use other techniques, such as cupping, in which small glass cups are used to massage the skin and massage. Most people find acupuncture relaxing and often feel very calm after a treatment.

Acupuncture is used to encourage natural healing, improve mood and energy, reduce or relieve pain and improve function of affected areas of the body. It is safe and effective and is often successfully used as an alternative to medications or even surgery. Relief is often obtained with acupuncture when traditional medical therapy has failed.

Acupuncture is a form of ancient Chinese medicine in which fine needles are inserted into the skin at certain points on the body.

The technique of acupuncture involves placing hair-thin needles in various pressure points (called acupoints) throughout the body. Approximately 2,000 different acupuncture points lie along the body’s meridians. Stimulating these points is believed to promote the body’s natural healing capabilities and enhance its function.

Acupuncture treatment is said to work by regulating a flow of energy in the body called qi, or chi, a central tenet to TCM. Disruptions in the flow of qi are thought to be responsible for all disease. Acupuncture stimulates points on or under the skin called acupuncture points or acupressure points, releasing the qi. The qi travels through channels called meridians.

The needles are left in place for 15-30 minutes, and the practitioner may manipulate the needles to strengthen or reduce the flow of Qi. Lifting, twisting, and rotating are some of the needling techniques a practitioner may use. Inserting needles at these points stimulates various sensory receptors that, in turn, stimulate nerves that transmit impulses to the hypothalamic-pituitary system at the base of the brain.

If you choose to have acupuncture, make sure that your acupuncturist is fully qualified and practices the treatment under safe and hygienic conditions.

Benefits of acupuncture

Acupuncture is a method of healing the body which was originated in China hundreds of years ago. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through the patient’s skin at specific points on the body – the needles are inserted to various depths.

Acupuncture therapy is considered to be one of the most popular methods of healing the body. You will find an acupuncture clinic in almost every major city of a nation. In spite of it being full of controversies, there are many benefits linked to it. Some of the benefits are listed below:-

Benefits

• It helps in strengthening of the immune system function
• It reduces post-surgical nausea and vomiting
• It reduces or eliminate the need to take drugs to control pain or symptoms
• Multiple emotional or psychological disorders can be treated by acupuncture
• Acupuncture therapy claims to heal various dangerous diseases after a few sessions
• It improves blood circulation
• Faster recovery from injuries
• Augmenting skin and muscle blood flow
• Decreasing heart rate and reducing elevated blood pressure
• Regulating autonomic nervous system
• Normalizing gastro-intestinal motility
• Balancing reproductive hormones
• When performed correctly it is safe
• There are very few side effects

• It is a very effective combination treatment
• It is effective in controlling some types of pain
• It may be considered for patients who do not respond to pain medications
• It is a useful alternative for patients who do not want to take pain medications

Acupuncture is one of the therapeutic methods in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with a history of several thousand years.bit includes acupuncture needling, moxibustion, cupping, massage, electro-acupuncture, ear acupuncture and acupressure.

To assure a safe and relaxing experience with acupuncture treatment, certain precautions should be aware of in order to reduce the risk of side effects.

• Describe your condition, the medication you take and other problems in detail to your acupuncturist, so that they can create a proper diagnosis and administer the right treatment.
• Notify the practitioner of any discomforts, pain felt or any other problems that need to be dealt with.
• On the day of acupuncture treatment, it is best to have a light meal one hour prior to the treatment. Being overeats or over-hungry will increase the risk of nausea or fainting.
• You should see the doctor open up a fresh packet of acupuncture needles every time in front of you for safety reasons.
• Avoid alcohol, heavy physical work or strenuous exercises. Physical strain immediately before or after acupuncture can weaken your body.
• Wearing loose, warm and comfortable clothing that will be easily rolled up to elbows or knees. Most commonly used acupoints are located at limbs.
• If you do not describe all the details of your problems and the medications that you take, the doctor may administer the wrong medications for the wrong body parts that could harm you further or interact with your medications in a deadly way.
• At the end of the treatment make sure to discuss the treatment performed, any side effects and the plan of action for your next appointment.

Acupuncture is commonly used as an alternative medical treatment.  It involves needles being strategically placed on a person’s body. There are many types of acupuncture.

TCM based acupuncture

This type of acupuncture not only involves acupuncture with needles, but also the burning of Chinese medicinal herbs. it uses eight principles of complementary opposites to create harmony in the body. These include yin/yang, internal/external, excess/deficiency, hot/cold. The herbs used along with the acupuncture treatment aid in strengthening the body.

Japanese acupuncture

This type of acupuncture uses smaller needles. It also focuses more on precision and efficient techniques that promote accomplishing bigger results using the smallest amount of stimulation possible.

Auricular acupuncture

Auricular acupuncture treats the entire body, just like other types of acupuncture, but it does so through particular points located in the patient’s ears. The acupuncturist pinpoints certain nerves found in the ear that relate to other parts of the body to help heal or alleviate pain in that particular part.

Korean hand acupuncture

Korean acupuncture contains some techniques and philosophies from TCM and Japanese acupuncture. In this particular style, the hands are seen as a microcosm of the entire body. Fine needles are inserted into specific points on the hand.

Cupping

Cupping is a technique used to influence the flow of Qi and blood throughout the body and/or meridians. Cupping is indicated in treating a myriad of conditions from the common cold and flu, to upper respiratory issues, digestive problems, muscular pain/spasms, arthritic pain, and headache. Contraindications – fever, skin diseases or tendency to bleed.

Moxibustion

The moxibustion involves burning mugwart, a spongy herb to warm specific acupuncture points. The heat combined with the herb stimulates circulation, warms meridians, and promotes the smooth flow of “qi.

Electro acupuncture

Electro acupuncture uses a small device that clips onto the needles. The device sends electric pulses that the acupuncturist can adjust depending on the intensity needed.

Medical acupuncture

Medical acupuncture is very similar to classical acupuncture, but it is performed by a licensed medical doctor. It incorporates the medical science surrounding neuromuscular anatomy. Some also include historically Chinese acupuncture patterns; thereby, creating a hybrid of western and eastern medical knowledge.

Cupping is considered to be a form of acupuncture. It is one of the oldest methods of traditional Chinese medicine. There are many styles and techniques of cupping, all of which use suction in cups to draw energy, blood, and fluids to the surface to promote circulation.

In a typical cupping session, glass cups are warmed using a cotton ball or other flammable substance, which is soaked in alcohol, let, then placed inside the cup. Burning a substance inside the cup removes all the oxygen, which creates a vacuum.

As the substance burns, the cup is turned upside-down so that the practitioner can place the cup over a specific area. The vacuum created by the lack of oxygen anchors the cup to the skin and pulls it upward on the inside of the glass as the air inside the jar cools. Drawing up the skin is believed to open up the skin’s pores, which helps to stimulate the flow of blood, balances and realigns the flow of qi, breaks up obstructions, and creates an avenue for toxins to be drawn out of the body.

Some practitioners will also apply small amounts of medicated oils or herbal oils to the skin just before the cupping procedure, which lets them move the cups up and down particular acupoints or meridians after they have been applied.

Cupping is used to treat –

• Coughs
• Asthma
• Common cold
• Muscle aches and pain
• Stress
• Tension
• High blood pressure

Cupping should not be performed with –

• Patients having inflamed skin
• Cases of high fever or convulsions
• Patients who bleed easily
• pregnant, have a circulation disorder, hemophilia, lupus, or diabetes

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing. It is a form of fire heat treatment that stimulates specific acupuncture points of the body.

According to practitioners, the heat generated during moxibustion helps increase the flow of vital energy (also known as “qi” or “chi”) throughout the body via certain pathways (known as “meridians”). In traditional Chinese medicine, stimulating the flow of chi is considered essential to achieving health and wellness. In fact, physical and mental health problems are thought to develop (in part) as a result of blockages in the flow of chi.

This technique is also based upon the theory of 12 standard meridians in the human body, which are divided into ying/yang groups. In this therapy, mugwort herb is used to burn certain points in the body to alleviate the disease. It can involve direct burning of body points or indirect transmission of heat through heating acu-needles with mugwort. The mugwort is aged and ground to a fluff, which is then burnt or processed into a stick.
There are two types of moxibustion: direct and indirect.

Direct moxibustion

In direct moxibustion, a small, cone-shaped amount of Ai Ye is placed on top of an acupuncture point and burned. The moxa is placed on the point and lit, but is extinguished or removed before it burns the skin. The patient will experience a pleasant heating sensation that penetrates deep into the skin, but should not experience any pain, blistering or scarring unless the mugwort is left in place for too long. A medium can be placed between the skin and mugwort, such as salt, ginger or garlic to change the aspects of the treatment.

Indirect moxibustion

It is the more popular use of moxibustion because there is a much lower risk of pain or burning. In indirect moxibustion, a practitioner lights one end of a moxa stick, roughly the shape and size of a cigar made with mugwort, and holds it close to the area being treated for several minutes until the area turns red. Another form of indirect moxibustion uses both acupuncture needles and moxa. A needle is inserted into an acupoint and retained. The tip of the needle is then wrapped in mugwort and ignited, generating heat to the point and the surrounding area. After the desired effect is achieved, the mugwort is extinguished and the needle(s) removed.

Acupuncture points are also called acupoints. They are located on the body that are the focus of acupuncture, acupressure, sonopuncture and laser acupuncture treatment. There are hundreds of acupuncture points along the body’s 14 major meridians, or energy-carrying channels. Sixteenth century Chinese doctors used the term “Qi” to describe the energy that circulates through meridians. The belief is that illness is caused by a disruption of Qi, which leads to an imbalance of energy. Acupuncture can correct this energy disruption.

Acupoints used in treatment may or may not be in the same area of the body as the targeted symptom. The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory for the selection of such points and their effectiveness is that they work by stimulating the meridian system to bring about relief by rebalancing yin, yang and qi (also spelled “chi” or “ki”). This theory is based on the paradigm of TCM and has no analogue in western medicine.

Body acupoints are referred to either by their traditional name, or by the name of the meridian on which they are located, followed by a number to indicate what order the point is in on the meridian. A common point on the hand, for example, is named Hegu, and referred to as LI 4 which means that it is the fourth point on the Large Intestine meridian. Some points are considered more therapeutically valuable than others, and are used very frequently for a wide array of health conditions.

Each acupuncture point has one or more specific effects on some aspect of the body. Some act primarily in the area of the body near to the point. Others can have effects on the far side of the body. Still others have a systematic effect on the body. Using the science of Chinese medicine an acupuncturist knows which points to select to achieve a particular effect on the body that will bring it back to a state of health.

For thousands of years acupuncture has helped mankind in treatment of various diseases and in living a healthy life. Like any other medical science, acupuncture gives very high importance to correct diagnosis. It has its own system of diagnosis which assesses health & sickness status of entire body. Latest technology has helped acupuncture in making better diagnosis.

Computerized Acupuncture Diagnosis

Doctors and scientists have noted areas of altered electrical conductivity on the skin of patients with various diseases. These areas were found to be points as given in classical Chinese acupuncture meridians. These points are useful in both diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis is done with a computerized system measuring electrical conductivity of the skin. By measuring the conductivity of each meridian, energetic excesses and deficiencies is located. By measuring a set of points, a composite picture of entire body’s energy system is analyzed. It tells about excess / deficiency, left / right imbalance, upper / lower body imbalance, specific organ system imbalance, imbalance of body’s elements etc.

Treatment then consisted of re-establishing the order and balance of energy system by stimulating specific acupuncture points to either “tonify” a deficient meridian, or “sedate” an excessive meridian.

Advanced computerized acupuncture diagnosis at Ethos Healthcare

At Ethos we give very high importance to correct diagnosis for giving best results. For this we use world’s most advanced computerized acudiagnosis system. It has taken years of research and clinical trials to develop a computerized system which is quick, reliable and efficient. This system has proved a valuable tool in skillful hands to have a detailed and thorough assessment of patient’s health status.

Acupuncture for beauty care

Beauty cannot be obtained simply by slapping on colors and textures to the skin, because the skin reflects and reacts to your entire being –physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual. To keep you skin looking beautiful, wrinkle free, youthful and smooth on the outside, you must work on the inside of your body as well.

Acupuncture for facial beauty is a wonderful, holistic, alternative approach. Acupuncture is the practice of inserting needles into meridian points that affect the circulation of blood and Qi in the body. Though most acupuncture is used for illnesses, aches and pains, acupuncture for the skin, while less well-known, is based on the same healing principles.

Acupuncture can stimulate the formation of body fluids, nourishes the skin and encourages it to be moister, softer, smoother, and more lustrous. Metabolism is greatly improved through these treatments; profoundly affect the regulation of hormones in the body, conditions like acne and overly dry skin can be quite improved.

Acupuncture energizes you physically, mentally, and spiritually. It brings true health and true beauty to a person. From the Chinese medicine perspective, bringing beauty to the face is not a superficial thing; it is bringing true health to your life.

Auriculotherapy is also called auricular therapy, ear acupuncture, or auriculoacupuncture. This is type of acupuncture micro system developed by French neurologist Paul Nogier. It is based on the concept that all ailments of the body, both physical and mental are treatable by stimulating specific acupoints on ear.

Auriculotherapy for pain

In 1980 Department of Anesthesiology at UCLA School of Medicine’s Pain Management Center conducted a research study by Richard J. Kroeuning M.D., Ph.D and Terry D. Oleson Ph.D. This study reported in the medical journal, PAIN, verified the scientific accuracy of ear diagnosis. There is a statistically significant level of 75% accuracy achieved in diagnosing musculoskeletal pain problems in study of 40 pain patients.

Auriculotherapy for deaddiction and detoxification

Auriculotherapy is used around the world for deaddiction and detoxification. Apart from classical acupuncture, some protocols are also used by acupuncture practitioners. Two commonly used protocols are NADA Protocol and ACACD Protocol. Results are extremely positive. They help in both physical and psychological recovery and stability.

Auriculotherapy is also called auricular therapy, ear acupuncture, or auriculoacupuncture. This is type of acupuncture micro system developed by French neurologist Paul Nogier. It is based on the concept that all ailments of the body, both physical and mental are treatable by stimulating specific acupoints on ear.

In 1980 Department of Anesthesiology at UCLA School of Medicine’s Pain Management Center conducted a research study by Richard J. Kroeuning M.D., Ph.D and Terry D. Oleson Ph.D. This study reported in the medical journal, PAIN, verified the scientific accuracy of ear diagnosis. There is a statistically significant level of 75% accuracy achieved in diagnosing musculoskeletal pain problems in study of 40 pain patients

Acupuncture is painless in the hands of a good acupuncturist

Acupuncture is not magic but its results are like magic. It has been accepted by World Health Organization WHO as an effective therapy in pain management, deaddiction and disease management. Dr Anjali Sharma (DPT, PGDHH, MD Acu, PhD Acu) is one of the few acupuncturists in India who is practicing pure acupuncture based on original Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her soundness in acupuncture theory along with intense acupuncture training leads to successful cases and high patient satisfaction. She is often told by her patients that she is blessed by amazing healing powers and she is one of the best acupuncturist & acupuncture doctor in not only in New Delhi NCR but probably in entire India. Patients coming from big distance often remark that it is better to go the best acupuncture therapist even if they have to travel. After all it is not good to compromise when it comes to health.

Painless Acupuncture – Acupuncture is almost painless in the hands of a good acupuncturist. The best skill of Dr Anjali Sharma is her expertise in classical needle acupuncture which is proven as most effective form of acupuncture. This is almost completely painless in her hands. Often her patients exclaim – “I don’t feel the needle, I only feel the flow of energy”. In certain cases she also uses electro acupuncture, ultrasound acupuncture, laser acupuncture etc.

Specialization :

1. Pain Management

Patients with chronic sickness and in great painful suffering have found relief in first session itself. Her pain free acupuncture gives freedom from pain, new energy and a great new feeling to carry on with life. Some common conditions treated by her are – arthritis, backache (back pain), cervical spondylosis (neck pain), sciatica, slip disc or disc prolapse, frozen shoulder, heel pain, knee pain, neuropathy, tennis elbow, bone spur, carpel tunnel syndrome, headache, migraine, fibromyalgia, sports injury, gym trauma etc.

1. Infertility / Sterility

She helps childless couples in overcoming infertility or sterility. Her acupuncture treatment for infertility and sterility improves chances of natural conception. It is effective for both female causes of infertility and male causes of infertility or sterility. The acupoint treatment also helps in InVitro Fertilization IVF & supports Intra Uterine Insemination Treatment IUI.

1. Deaddiction

Her specialized acupuncture addiction treatment including ear acupuncture helps in overcoming substance abuse & addictions like drug addictions, alcohol addictions, nicotine smoking addiction, tobacco chewing addiction etc. Her treatment helps in overcoming craving as well as withdrawal symptoms of the abused substance.

1. Disease Management

Her methodical disease management helps people to control their sickness and enjoy better health. Conditions successfully treated by her include Diabetes Mellitus, Asthma, Allergy, Hypothyroidism, Hypertension, Impotence, PE, Chronic Renal Failure, Paralysis, Peripheral Neuropathy, Parkinson’s Disease etc.

Stress is a normal physiological response to the demands of life. A person can feel stressed at work or by relationship. Continuous stress can cause physical pain, high blood pressure and number of other problems. If you are someone who deals with stress on a regular basis, you may benefit from acupuncture’s stress reducing effects .And if your health is beginning to suffer because of stress and disease is occurring, acupuncture can treat and reduce or eliminate the problem.

Acupuncturist can relieve the sense of stress, or depression by encouraging the flow of qi in the chest and abdomen. It involves inserting fine needles at pressure points throughout the body. The needles stimulate the body’s natural healing processes in their energy system. When your body is subjected to constant stress, the Qi of the body becomes congested. This stagnation of the flow of Qi causes a variety of physical and mental symptoms, such as anger, depression, cold limbs, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), tight tendons and muscles, headaches, and pain. The most common Oriental Medicine diagnosis would be Liver Qi Stagnation, as it is the energetic function of the Liver to smooth the Qi of the body, allowing it to flow freely. By stimulating the points, the Qi can flow freely, thereby alleviating stress. Through acupuncture, the energy blockages can be addressed. Acupuncture points serve as the on and off ramps to the energy highway, and can help energy flow smoothly, and alleviate not only the symptoms of stress and anxiety, but the stress and anxiety itself.

Benefits of acupuncture for stress

• Acupuncture is very relaxing
• It works to balance the whole body
• It addresses the origin of the problem
• It reduces the painful symptoms that are affecting your health
• It helps you to manage stress more effectively.
• It also alleviate stress related health conditions

The sciatic nerve can literally be a huge pain in the butt.  It occurs when something pushes on the sciatic nerve.  This can be a muscle spasm, the spinal discs, and sometimes even the spine itself.   Most often this pain is due to muscle spasms or a slipped disc, but it can also be a sign of serious illness. When suffering from the debilitating pain of sciatica, most people will try anything to get relief. Sometimes conventional medicine is unable to effectively treat this painful condition, and physicians might recommend surgery as a last resort. As an alternative to surgery, numerous people have tried acupuncture for sciatica pain and numbness.

Acupuncture for sciatica has become popular with many people who are unable to get relief from traditional medicine. Acupuncture for sciatica has been shown to significantly decrease the amount of pain that is experienced daily.

Acupuncture is based on the theory that an intelligent energy, qi (pronounced “chee”) influences our health. Qi is believed to flow in meridians connecting specific organs and glands, and a blockage of those meridians manifests itself in symptoms and ultimately pain and ill health. Your acupuncturist makes the diagnosis and then treats it by inserting needles into the proper points, which eventually corrects the underlying root of your sciatica. Acupuncture uses ultra thin needles, and sometimes electric current, to stimulate specific points on the body which either needs to have qi/chi added or drained. The treatment is usually painless and can be very effective for providing pain management when administered by a master practitioner.

Acupuncture will help to reprogram the muscles to stay relaxed.  In effect, this is working to help the body heal itself. Acupuncture treatment along with a balanced exercise program to increase the support of the muscles around the sciatic nerve is the most effective at relieving pain over the long term. Most acupuncturists will also advise starting an exercise program and changes in the eating habits of clients, because the goal of treatment is the overall health and well-being of the body.

Pain is caused by the brain recognizing something is not quite right, and that immediate attention should be paid to this problem. Acupuncture is an alternative medicine procedure where a patient has filiform needles inserted into certain points on their body for management of pain or other therapeutic purposes.

People use acupuncture for various types of pain. Back pain is the most commonly reported use, followed by joint pain, neck pain, and headache, fibromyalgia, menstrual cramps, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, and tennis elbow etc.
Acupuncture is a complimentary therapy that is being increasingly used in the day-to-day management of pain. It works by utilizing a system of meridians that correlate to the systems of nerves and blood vessels in the body. By knowing where these meridians flow, an acupuncturist can activate the circulation of blood and regulate the nervous system, which will in turn reduce pain.
Acupuncture can balance and energize the body so that the circulation is consistent and efficient. If the muscles have proper blood supply, then they are less likely to become sore or tight. If the nervous system is balanced and not overly excited by stress, then the blood vessels will not constrict and will not cause headaches. If the body’s digestion is efficient, then the nutrients that control the contraction of muscles will be better assimilated, and more available to the muscles, which will prevent spasms and twitching.

Acupuncture pain management is a safe, drug-free method to help relieve or eliminate pain in the body. Practitioners of acupuncture believe that the body has great capacity to heal itself, and placing needles at certain points can stimulate the body’s natural healing process. This helps the body to reduce pain and inflammation, increase circulation, enhance the immune system, and promote physical and emotional well being.

A woman’s menstrual cycle is often a very delicate hormonal balance. When this delicate balance is disturbed by various stresses and strains of life, problems occur.

Acupuncture is incredibly effective for gynaecological conditions and regulating disorders of the menstrual cycle. It excels at treating a host of menstrual disorders such as irregular or painful periods; and premenstrual issues such as irritability, breast tenderness, cramping and headaches.

The main organ system that distributes hormones through the body is the liver. When that organ system becomes taxed, (whether from genetic, environmental, or lifestyle factors) an imbalance in the energy flow of that system develops and symptoms of PMS or other hormonal imbalances occur including PCOS, endometriosis, and amenorrhea.

A combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and nutritional recommendations can be extremely effective at relieving PMS and other menstrual disorder symptoms. Acupuncture can help to boost endorphin and serotonin levels, regulate the endocrine system, relieve excess bloating and general discomfort, and reduce stress and anxiety. Acupuncture is notable for balancing energy or maintaining “Chi.” When Chi wanes, the body is susceptible to illness. Acupuncture unblocks energy allowing the body to heal itself.
A professional acupuncturist can locate a disturbance of energy in the body that can disrupt menstrual cycles. The practitioner places tiny, painless needles along the body that are similar to the size of salt crystals, while patients rest on the table. During the procedure that is also useful for smoking cessation, and weight loss women feel only a slight pressure. It can balance and regulate the release of hormones from the pituitary and endocrine glands. Acupuncture procedures are painless and without side effects.

Kidney is the organ to filter and purify blood in our body. Inadequate blood flow to the kidneys will cause renal ischemia and hypoxia which can cause damages, necrosis or even death of renal intrinsic cells, scarring of renal tissues, lesions of renal vascular, gradual loss of kidney functions and developing of various kidney diseases. Therefore eliminating blood clots and promoting blood circulation and other circulation systems is very important for relieving kidney disease symptoms and protecting residual kidney functions.

Acupuncture has been used to treat various chronic kidney diseases and pathological illnesses. In the view of Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are a series of channels run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. Once there is obstruction in Channels or meridians, our health will lose balance. Acupuncture can stimulate your meridians and remove the block, improving kidneys self-cure and promoting kidney functions.

Acupuncture can also relieve fatigue and general ill feeling. Kidney failure patients often feel tired, weak and fatigue due to too much accumulation of metabolic wastes in their body, renal uremia, poor appetite, etc. Acupuncture can much relieve their fatigue, improve their appetite and make them more energetic.

Acupuncture can help delay dialysis by relieving clinical symptoms, controlling complications. In addition, acupuncture is also a good choice for Kidney Stones. The treatment is unilateral to the affected side, with needles placed at special meridians. This will dilate the ureter and allow passage of the stone into the bladder, which helps deal with the kidney stones removal. It can reduce high blood pressure, which is often a problem in people with kidney disease. Acupuncture can also improve blood flow to the kidneys and reduce inflammation, maximizing the functioning of the kidneys and prolonging the patient’s lifespan.

What  is infertility

Causes of infertility

Diagnosis of  infertility

TCM basis of infertility

Acupuncture treatment of infertility

Enhanced Natural Fertility

What is infertility

Infertility is the state of not being able to get pregnant despite of frequent unprotected sex for at least a year. If the cause is due to male factor, it is called sterility.  It is estimated that about 10-15 % couples face this problem.  In about 20% cases, the cause is male factor (sterility). In about 30-40% cases it is due to both male and female factors. In rest about 50% cases it is due to female factors.

Causes of infertility

1. Female factors – The common female causes are fallopian tube block or damage, endometriosis, disorders of ovulation, hormonal disorders, ovary disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS or premature ovary failure, pelvic cause like pelvic adhesions, uterus cause like fibroids, disorders of menstruation like amenorrhea, premature menopause etc.
2. Male factors – Common male causes are disorders of sperm shape, disorders of sperm concentration, disorders of sperm movement, disorders like varicocele or undescended testicles, absence of semen, hormonal disorders like deficiency of testosterone, infection like orchitis, genetic defect, disorder of semen delivery like impotence, retrograde ejaculation, blockage of ejaculatory duct etc.
3. Common or general factors – Age, stress, malnutrition, obesity, alcohol / smoking / drugs, cancer & its treatment, injury, surgery, systemic disease like diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, anemia, exposure to chemicals etc.

Diagnosis of infertility

Diagnosis of infertility is crucial as it decides the course of management. It includes:

• Medical history
• Reproduction related history
• Clinical examination
• Hormonal assessment
• Test for ovulation
• Hysterosalpingography
• Laproscopy
• Ultrasound
• Genetic testing
• Semen analysis

TCM basis of infertility

Although hormonal changes or changes in ovary / uterus are direct causes of infertility but according to TCM there are some causes which leads to such hormonal changes or changes in ovary / uterus. According to traditional Chinese medicine, infertility is due to following factors:

• Congenital deficiency of energy system to support pregnancy
• Excessive and pathogenic emotions
• Excessive sexual activity
• Exposure to cold and / or damp

This leads to:

• Kidney yin or kidney yang deficiency
• Blood and/or Qi deficiency
• Blood and/or Qi stagnation
• Liver Qi stagnation
• Excess cold & phlegm in uterus

Acupuncture treatment of infertility

Acupuncture for infertility

Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles into specific acupuncture points that are located along meridians or channels that connect to the various organs in Chinese medicine.

Acupuncture can help increase your fertility. Acupuncture can be used to enhance fertility health. It is a great alternative for both women and men seeking to enhance their ability to successfully conceive. There are many causes of infertility in women. Causes due to problems in the endocrine system include diabetes, hypothyroidism, and adrenal insufficiency. Sexually transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia can cause infertility by damaging the fallopian tubes. Other common causes of infertility include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. Decreased sperm count and/or motility are common causes of infertility in men.

Acupuncture for men fertility

Acupuncture is one of the safest and most effective ways of improving the overall sperm profile. It increases blood circulation, supply essential nutrients to the pelvis and genitals. The needles have also been shown to trigger hormone regulation. This in turn promotes sperm production and quality. It also helps to balance men’s hormones and reduce overall stress, both of which have great impacts on fertility. Using acupuncture, sperm motility improves and the normal sperm ratio will also increase.

Acupuncture for women fertility

Acupuncture improves blood circulation to the pelvic organs in women. It also helps in improving the endometrial lining. It regulates ovulation and the menstrual cycle. It also decreases overall stress levels which weakens the body. It enhances the follicle development and improves the fertile mucous. In cases of tubal blockage or other conditions where surgical procedures may be needed acupuncture can improve circulation and healing after the surgery.
There are minimal risks in using acupuncture for fertility treatment. Fertility acupuncture treatments help balance the body’s natural hormone levels and reduce feelings of stress and optimize reproductive health.

Acupuncture creates internal order & equilibrium of health. Specific acupuncture treatment of infertility helps in restoration of natural fertility by:

• Improves natural conception abilities and chances
• Fights conditions which causes infertility like stress & its impact on body
• Improves and balances Qi (vital energy)
• Corrects Qi and blood deficiency and stagnation
• Removes excess cold & phlegm from uterus
• Improves all physiological body functions
• Corrects hormonal imbalance
• Corrects immunological system and antibodies thereby fights endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory diseases etc.
• Improves psychological status
• Improves reproductive organs and their functioning
• Improves ovulation with healthier eggs
• Improves uterus lining and conditions for implantation of fertilized egg and its stay in uterus
• Improves semen and sperm count and quality in males
• Improves blood flow and nutrition to uterus, ovaries, testis
• Improves uterus and ovary morphology
• Supports In Vitro Fertilization IVF treatment and Intra Uterine Insemination IUI treatment, improves success rate and eliminates side effects.

Treatment Plan

It is always customized and prepared depending on various factors like infertility cause, age, over all health status etc. The first consultation is towards diagnosis according to TCM and how the condition can be corrected. The treatment program will then be explained. It is better to start acupuncture treatment about 3 – 4 months before the desired time of conception.

Enhanced Natural Fertility

In addition to treatment, Dr Anjali Sharma helps couples in realizing their goal by providing guidance to enhance natural fertility. Some vital aspects are :

• Fertility diet – Changing the diet pattern and including fertility supportive food articles.
• Astro Fertility – Simple and easy to follow astrological suggestion.
• ReproYoga – Unique Yoga program to enhance fertility in both males and females.
• Exercise & Massage – Various exercise & massage techniques to improve fertility and reproductive function.
• Electrostimulation – Stimulating the reproductive organs and enhancing fertility.
• Destressing – Reducing the detrimental effect of stress on fertility.
• Homeopathy – Natural remedies to enhance fertility.
• Hypnotherapy – Hypnosis is stated to improve body functions.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is also known as spastic colon or mucus colitis. It is labeled a syndrome because is involves a group of symptoms that varies for each individual who is affected. Symptoms of IBS include abdominal cramping and pain, and constipation and/or diarrhea (often in alternating episodes). IBS may also be accompanied by other gastrointestinal problems, such as flatulence, bloating, and nausea. Symptoms are almost always aggravated by stress.

IBS symptoms seem to respond best to alternative and complementary medical treatment. Acupuncture, frequently in conjunction with the use of Chinese herbal and/or food medicine, is an alternative medicine that restores health by balancing and improving the flow of chi, the body’s natural energy flow, thus restoring proper function of muscles, nerves, vessels, glands, and organs

Certain acupuncture points along the meridians of the stomach and large intestine are located along the lateral side of the legs and arms. Acupuncture is used to remove dampness and heat from within the system by selecting these points.

An acupuncture treatment will strengthen the flow of chi or remove blockages in the meridians via the insertion of very thin, flexible acupuncture needles, from a depth of just beneath the skin to about an inch, at various acupoints along the meridians.  As the acupuncture needles are inserted into the acupoints the patient may feel nothing, or a sensation of tingling, aching, warmth, or heaviness. Most people report no pain from the needles, just an odd or unusual physical sensation that is different but not unpleasant. Typically the needles remain in place for twenty to forty minutes. The number and frequency of treatments will vary with both the practitioner and the illness being addressed, but may range from a single session to several appointments a week, possibly over a period of several months.

Hypothyroidism is a very common chronic health problem. it is the inability of the thyroid gland to function optimally. The thyroid gland is located at the front and lower part of the neck. It is an endocrine gland that secretes the hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine, which are generally responsible for balancing our metabolic body processes. The shortage of these hormones is referred to as hypothyroidism. Thyroid disorders cause multiple health problems together at the same time and often interfere with the autoimmune, cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, and musculoskeletal systems, accompanied with emotional problems, etc.

Acupuncture has over 25 pressure points specific to the thyroid which makes it one of many thyroid remedies that you should consider. It has been successfully employed to treat thyroid disorders and there is no doubt about its effectiveness. It works by balancing the overall system and bringing the over or under active thyroid back to normal working conditions. Endocrine diseases such as this are effectively treated by acupuncture since its relaxing effect has an impact on brain and hormone activity within the body. In addition to treating the thyroid directly, acupuncture is also extremely valuable in its ability to address the uncomfortable symptoms of thyroid disease. It involves several needles inserted painlessly in the ears.

Acupuncture is more effective when the needles are heated using the technique called as ‘moxibustion’. This is the method in which, an acupuncturist lights a small bunch of the dried herb called moxa or mugwort and holds it above the acupuncture needles. The herb burns slowly, steadily and gives off a little smoke with pleasant incense like smell. This enhances the efficacy of the needles and gives the desired results quickly.

Acupuncture vitalizes the blood, stimulates, and strengthens the immune system of the body. It is wonderful at calming the hyperactive symptoms of hypothyroid disease.

High blood pressure is a situation where the blood starts exerting pressure against the walls of the veins, arteries and several chambers of the heart. Over an extended period of time, this heavy pressure of blood begins to damage the lining of the blood vessels

Hypertension can be effectively managed through acupuncture treatment. High blood pressure acupuncture is a drug-free solution that utilizes the body’s innate physical, energetic and psychological ability. Experts declare that the acupuncture is more aggressive than any single- drug therapy or life-style modification. An acupuncturist, by analysing the clinical phenomena of the cases, such as the symptoms and signs, including the pulse conditions and the tongue appearances, determine the type and nature of the case, and then choose an appropriate method to treat it.

In order to cure BP, several needles are inserted on the forearm; wrist or legs, so as to excite the opioid chemicals located in the brain and lessen the excitatory activities of the cardiovascular systems. Such a decrease in the heart activities and increase in the need for oxygen can reduce the BP greatly. It also helps in healing some of the other heart-related ailments such as myocardial ischemia and hypertension.

Puncturing the skin with a very thin needle is the usual method, but practitioners also use heat, pressure friction, suction or the impulses of electromagnetic energy to stimulate the points.

The treatment of hypertension by acupuncture has some advantages: for example, its effect is mild; the patients will not feel discomfortable when the elevated blood pressure is lowered. Furthermore, no side effects will appear when a patient is treated for a long time. However, it should be seen that the anti -hypertensive effects of acupuncture are limited.

Headaches are often related to stress or can occur along-side fatigue, muscular pains or insomnia and migraines are often accompanied by nausea, dizziness and aversion to bright lights. In all of these cases, acupuncture can be used to treat the root cause of the problem as well as dealing with the manifestation.
Acupuncture is one of the world’s oldest healing practices, seeking to restore and maintain health by stimulating specific points on the body to maintain a balance of body energies.

In the ancient language of acupuncture, headaches and migraine are caused by ‘Qi Stagnation’ around the head and possibly neck. There are many ways of categorising headaches and migraine according to the Chinese theory. The location, nature of the pain, severity, and accompanying symptoms are all used to get a detailed picture of what is causing the attacks. The acupuncturist will also ask about your general health, take your pulse and look at your tongue. This is a very precise way of looking at the causes of your headaches or migraines, and it allows the acupuncturist to work out a treatment that is specific to your symptoms, and overall health.
Acupuncture points to treat headaches are located all over the body. During the acupuncture treatment, tiny needles will be placed along your legs, arms, shoulders, and perhaps even your big toe. When an acupuncture specialist inserts needles into different areas of the body, it improves the flow of blood to the brain, which alleviates the pain of a migraine. Neurotransmitters affect your blood vessels and therefore play a part in migraines; the tiny acupuncture needles promote balanced serotonin levels, which ease the pressure.

In addition to needling treatment, acupuncturists may recommend lifestyle changes, such as suggestions for specific breathing techniques, qi gong exercise, and changes to your diet.

Introduction

Eye is window to the world. We perceive the world around us mostly through eyes. The importance of eyes can never be exaggerated in a person’s life. It is said to be the light of life.  Unfortunately there are many diseases which can take away this light. In many such conditions, medical science has no effective answer. But there is hope and the name of that hope is acupuncture. Accepted by WHO as effective treatment, acupuncture today is helping millions of people around the world. It is found effective in preservation of eye sight.

TCM basis of Eye Diseases

Acupuncture can be used for treating a wide range of eye disorders, from conjunctivitis and hay fever to glaucoma and macular degeneration. It has successfully restored even the lost vision. It has successfully treated many eye conditions. Acupuncture helps at two levels. At local level it improves energy and blood supply to eye and causes better nourishment of eye tissues. It also helps in regeneration of eye tissues including in conditions like retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy etc. At the general level it balances the energy system and body elements. This leads to reestablishment of order in vital organs which are said to be the root cause of such eye diseases.

When you are treated for an eye condition with acupuncture, any underlying imbalances that are attributing to your symptoms will be addressed.  The eye problems will also be treated directly by promoting circulation of Qi (life force) and blood around the eyes. There are several powerful acupuncture points around the eyes that promote eye health.  These points bring Qi and blood to the eyes to nourish the tissue and improve the condition of the eyes.

According to Chinese acupuncture professionals, the impaired functioning of the liver is the major contributor to vision disorders. As a result, most acupuncture practitioners use needles to strengthen the liver and restore energy balance associated with the liver. In some cases, acupuncture treatment for eyesight may also focuses on the relieving of stress, depression and anxiety, because these factors are also reported to cause vision problems. Eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataract, optic neuritis or vision loss are often associated with systemic health problems. Since there is a close interconnection between eyes and whole body health condition, acupuncture and Chinese medicine are utilized to treat the eye problems as well as the whole body conditions at the same time to correct the problems of the eyes and rebuild the balance of the body.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM, on which acupuncture is based, eye can be affected by two types of disorders. One group is those of eyes itself and other group due to disorder of vital organs like liver, heart and kidney. This is even confirmed by western medicine and iridology. Every internal vital organ is linked to some sensory organ.  According to TCM whenever body is affected by external pathogen or internal pathogen, there is imbalance of energy. This leads to disorder of these vital organs. This disorder is manifested in the form some eye disease like glaucoma, optic atrophy, cataract, retinitis pigmentosa etc. Another associated factor is the disorder in body elements. Different parts of eye like cornea, lens, retina etc correspond to various elements. Any disorder of body elements leads to eye diseases.

How acupuncture helps in Eye Diseases

Acupuncture has successfully restored even the lost vision. It has successfully treated many eye conditions. Acupuncture helps at two levels. At local level it improves energy and blood supply to eye and causes better nourishment of eye tissues. It also helps in regeneration of eye tissues including in conditions like retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy etc. At the general level it balances the energy system and body elements. This leads to reestablishment of order in vital organs which are said to be the root cause of such eye diseases.

Treatment Protocol

Treatment protocol at Ethos varies with the type of eye disease. Common treatment protocol at Ethos includes following:

1. Holistic Diagnosis and Assessment – This includes collection of relevant information about sickness & its associated factors, clinical examination of patient and investigations. This is followed by diagnosis of the sickness, both clinical diagnosis and diagnosis of disorder on the basis of acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine.
2. Treatment Plan – A suitable treatment plan is designed on the basis of diagnosis. This is explained to patient along with its benefits and precautions.
3. Treatment sessions – Treatment sessions are then undertaken.
4. Follow up – A regular assessment of patient’s health & vision and effect of acupuncture continues. On the basis of response, decision is taken about number and frequency of further sessions.

Common eye diseases treated by acupuncture

• Amblyopia  also known as lazy eye is a disorder of the visual system that is characterized by poor or indistinct vision in an eye. Commonly it is a developmental disorder. Toxic amblyopia is reduction in visual acuity as a result of a toxic reaction of the optic nerve. It can be caused by various toxic and nutritional factors. The main symptom is painless vision loss. Alcohol, smoking, lead, methanol, drugs like chloramphenicol, digoxin,  ethambutol, deficiencies of protein and antioxidants are likely risk factors.
• Behcets Disease is a form of vasculitis that can lead to ulceration and other lesions. In eye it can lead to eye inflammation, iritis, uveitis, retinal vasculitis, cells in the vitreous etc.
• Biettis Crystalline Dystrophy is a rare autosomal recessive eye disease characterized by crystals in the cornea, yellow, shiny deposits on the retina, progressive atrophy of the retina, choriocapillaries and choroid causing progressive night blindness and visual field constriction.
• Blepharitis is characterized by chronic inflammation of the eyelid margins causing redness of the eyes, itching and irritation of the eye with gritty sensation
• Blepharospasm is an uncontrolled and abnormal contraction or twitch of the eyelid. It can lead to functional blindness.
• Cataract is a congenital or degenerative opacity of the lens characterized by gradual, painless vision weakness and blurring. Apart from aging risk factors include trauma, smoking, alcohol, exposure to x-rays, infrared exposure, disease like diabetes, uveitis,  drugs like corticosteroids, chronic ultraviolet exposure.
• Chalazion is a cyst in the eyelid that is caused by inflammation of a blocked meibomian gland characterized by heaviness, tenderness & swelling of the eyelid and sensitivity to light.
• Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva due to an allergic reaction or infection characterized by redness, irritation, and watering of the eyes.
• Corneal Ulcer is due to injury, inflammatory or infective condition of the cornea involving disruption of its epithelial layer. It is characterized by redness, foreign body sensation, intense pain, photophobia, and lacrimation and vision loss.
• Diabetic Retinopathy is damage to the retina caused by complications of diabetes mellitus and which can lead to blindness. It leads to blurred vision, black spots or flashing lights and  painless vision loss.
• Dry Eye Syndrome an eye disease caused by decreased tear production or increased tear film evaporation causing dryness, burning and a sandy gritty eye with irritation, pain, redness, a pulling sensation, and pressure behind the eye.
• Glaucoma is an eye disease commonly with elevated intra ocular pressure in which the optic nerve is damaged leading to progressive, irreversible loss of vision. Angle closure glaucoma cause pain in or around the eye ball, headache, nausea, vomiting and visual disturbances like halos around lights.
• Hypertensive Retinopathy is damage to the retina due to high blood pressure leading to vision loss. It does not cause early symptoms and is recognized when damage has already occurred.
• Keratitis is a condition in which the eye’s cornea becomes inflamed. The condition is characterized by moderate to intense pain, impaired eyesight,  photophobia, lacrimation, and blurring.
• Macular Degeneration AMD is the condition which results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field because of damage to the retina. It is characterized by loss of visual acuity, blurred vision, central blind spots, distorted vision, loss of contrast vision. Risk factors include genetic variants, smoking, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diet low in ω-3 fatty acids and dark green leafy vegetables and growing age.
• Nystagmus is a form of involuntary eye movement. It affects vision.  It could be due to some neurological disorder or substances like alcohol, drugs like lithium, phenytoin etc.
• Ocular Histoplasmosis Syndrome is a condition characterized by vision loss due to peripheral atrophic chorioretinal scars, atrophy or scarring adjacent to the optic disc and maculopathy.
• Optic Atrophy see Optic Neuropathy
• Optic Neuritis is the inflammation of the optic nerve that may cause a complete or partial loss of vision. Most common cause is multiple sclerosis. Other causes include infectious diseases (eg, meningitis, viral encephalitis, sinusitis, TB, syphilis, HIV), tumor metastasis to the optic nerve, chemicals and drugs (eg, arsenic, lead, methanol, quinine, antibiotics).
• Optic Neuropathy is the damage to the optic nerve due to any cause like methyl alcohol, glaucoma, optic neuritis, loss of blood supply to optic nerve etc. It causes loss of vision.
• Pterygium is the benign growth of the conjunctiva. It causes redness, inflammation, foreign body sensation, dry and itchy eyes and in advanced cases the pterygium can affect vision. Risk factors include ultraviolet light exposure, low humidity, and dust.
• Refractive Error is an error in the focusing of light by the eye and this causes reduced visual acuity and blurred vision. These are myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. They occur due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
• Retinal Detachment is a disorder of the eye in which the retina gets detached away from its underlying layer of support tissue causing vision loss and blindness. Risk factors are high myopia, post eye surgery, diabetic retinopathy. Warning signals are symptoms like flashes of light, a sudden increase in the number of floaters, a ring of floaters or hairs just to the temporal side of the central vision, a  feeling of heaviness in the eye, a dense shadow, a veil or curtain over the field of vision, straight lines appear curved, central visual loss.
• Retinitis Pigmentosa is a type of genetic progressive retinal dystrophy of the photoreceptors (rods and cones) or the retinal pigment epithelium of the retina that causes progressive visual loss. It causes defective dark adaptation or night blindness, reduction of the peripheral visual field (also known as tunnel vision) and loss of central vision.
• Scleritis is an inflammatory disease that affects the white outer coating of the eye, called sclera. It causes redness of the sclera and conjunctiva, severe pain, photophobia,  lachrymation, decrease in visual acuity and slight loss of vision.
• Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned with each other preventing binocular vision and depth perception. Acquired strabismus can result from high refractive error like myopia,  tumors like retinoblastoma, head trauma, neurological conditions like cerebral palsy; spina bifida; paralysis of the 3rd, 4th, or 5th cranial nerves, viral infections like encephalitis, meningitis.
• Stye is an infection of the sebaceous glands of Zeis at the base of the eyelashes, or an infection of the apocrine sweat glands of Moll. They cause redness, swelling and pain. Risk factors include poor nutrition, sleep deprivation, rubbing of the eyes, sharing of infected items etc.
• Usher Syndrome is a  genetic disorder that is a leading cause of deafness and blindness.
• Uveitis to inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, called uvea.  It causes redness of the eye, blurred vision, sensitivity to light called photophobia, dark  floating spots, eye pain.  It may be associated with many systemic disorders like ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, sarcoidosis etc.

Modern medicine perspective of disease management  Acupuncture and TCM perspective of disease management

Advantage of Acupuncture Disease Management 

                       Diseases treated by Acupuncture
Modern medicine perspective of disease management

You call it disease, sickness, illness or ailment or you call it by name like arthritis, asthma, diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypertension, depression, irritable bowel disease, allergy etc. The core fact of all these is the DISORDER in the body functions with or without damage to body tissues. Every disease has some basic facts :

1. Cause of disease
2. Onset of disease
3. Progression of disease
4. Effects of disease
5. Outcome of disease

According to modern medicine, a diseased state is managed as follows

• Complete history of sickness including its onset and progress
• Clinical examination
• Investigation
• Diagnosis
• Treatment medical and/or surgical
• Lifestyle correction

But despite great advances, modern medicine at times struggle as there is insufficient relief from suffering. Around the world people are looking towards additional and alternate methods of treatment. In the process various traditional healing methods have been put under scientific studies and research. Many of them have proved effective. Of these acupuncture stands tall. In its long journey since 2500 BC, acupuncture has established itself as one of the most promising & result oriented treatment method of various diseases. Research has proved it as effective therapy. It has been accepted by World Health Organization WHO & other prominent international health organizations as a significant & useful treatment method.

Acupuncture and TCM perspective of disease management

Practitioners of acupuncture therapy give due consideration to clinical diagnosis based on modern medicine but in addition their main diagnosis of disease / disorder is based on traditional Chinese medicine’s principles of health and sickness.

Health

According to TCM, health is a state of equilibrium within the body and with the environment. Within the body this equilibrium is the dynamic balance between different forms of Qi (vital energy) as well as dynamic balance between five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal and water) which makes the human body and helps it in functioning well. The wholeness of this equilibrium is represented as mutual and dynamic interplay of Yin and Yang. So, the three factors responsible for the state of health are:

1. Qi – The vital energy which keeps us alive. It is congenital inherited from parents and acquired from food & environment. It flows in body in fourteen channels called meridians. Its free flow is must for good health.
2. Five elements – Wood, fire, earth, metal and water are the five elements which constitutes our body and which are in constant state of transformation. Their relative balance is must for good health.
3. Yin and Yang – The structural and functional wholeness of human body is composed is composed of two factors called Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang are mutually interdependent, support as well as oppose & consume each other and can be transformed into each other. Yin and Yang must remain in balance for good health.

Disease

According to TCM, disease is a state of disequilibrium in the energy system. It can be of three types:

1. Disorder of Qi (vital energy) balance
2. Disorder of five elements balance
3. Disorder of Yin and Yang balance

Cause of disease

There are various factors which can cause these disorders. These can be exogenous factors, endogenous factors or miscellaneous factors.

1. Exogenous (external) factors

1. Pathogenic (disease causing) wind
2. Pathogenic (disease causing) cold
3. Pathogenic (disease causing) heat
4. Pathogenic (disease causing) dampness
5. Pathogenic (disease causing) fire
6. Pathogenic (disease causing) dryness
7. Pathogenic (disease causing) noxious agents

1. Endogenous (internal) factors

1. Disorder of preexisting internal wind, heat, dampness, dryness, fire and cold.
2. Excessive pathogenic (disease causing) emotions like anger, worry, grief, sadness, joy, fear, fright.

1. Miscellaneous factors

1. Improper diet
2. Overstrain & stress
3. Lack of exercise
4. Excessive sexual activity
5. Lack or excess of sleep
6. Injury or poisoning

One or combination of these factors leads to various pathogenic (diseased) state. These are broadly divided into eight syndromes according to TCM.

1. Exterior syndrome
2. Interior syndrome
3. Heat syndrome
4. Cold syndrome
5. Deficiency syndrome
6. Excess syndrome
7. Yin syndrome
8. Yang syndrome

These syndromes are manifested as disorders of various body organ systems. These are diagnosed by

• History of disease / disorder to find cause and onset
• Clinical examination to find type of syndrome and disbalance

Treatment

According to TCM, the focus of treatment is to reestablish the equilibrium in

• Qi (energy system)
• Five elements
• Yin and Yang

Various techniques used in TCM to achieve this equilibrium are Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Cupping. The treatment is applied at certain specific points called acupoints which results in achieving balance.

Advantage of Acupuncture Disease Management

There are many advantages of acupuncture treatment which makes it one of the most popular and widely accepted treatment method around the world. Some of them are:

• It is a drugless therapy. There are no side effects or chances of toxicity.
• It is non invasive.
• It has been found useful in many surgical cases and avoids surgery.
• It improves body organs and functions like digestion, sleep, mental activity etc.
• It balances body systems like hormonal system, nervous system, heart & blood circulation.
• It relieves pain and suffering immediately in most cases. It is getting accepted as best treatment option in pain management.
• It improves internal body environment and energy system.
• It detoxifies body by improving elimination of wastes and toxins.
• It improves immunity and body resistance against environmental hazards and sickness.

What diseases are treated by Acupuncture

World Health Organization WHO has accepted effectiveness of acupuncture in various diseases & disorders.  Some of the conditions which acupuncture treats are as follows.

Diabetes is a chronic disease wherein the body is unable to properly metabolize sugar.  The percentage of people with diabetes is rising rapidly as obesity increases.  Complications of diabetes include blindness, heart disease, circulation problems, kidney disease, eye disease, and erectile dysfunction.

Acupuncture has been used to treat diabetes for over 2000 years. The acupuncture points used to treat diabetes are all over the body and on several meridians

Acupuncture can help diabetic patients in the following ways:

• lower blood glucose content
• reducing appetite and thirst
• lower the release of pancreatic glucagons
• attenuate symptoms of polyphagia (the urge to eat too much), polydipsia (excessive thirst) and polyuria (excessive passage of urine)
• prevent slowing of motor nerve conduction
• manage cholesterol levels
• improve microcirculation and myocardial contractility;
• enhance blood outflow and regulate vascular peripheral resistance;
• exert antiatherogenic, antioxidant and immunomodulating effects;
• obliterate antheroscelerosis of the legs;
• induce secretion of endogenous beta-endorphin;
• elevate a lowered pain threshold; and
• Increase cell proliferation and neuropeptide Y levels.

Acupuncture treatments for diabetics are usually on-going and used long-term to manage symptoms of diabetes.  Treatments are recommended 1-2 times per week in relation to blood sugar levels and symptoms.  Acupuncture is usually combined with herbal remedies for best results.

Depression is a mental disorder characterized by low mood, low self esteem, loss of interest, loss of pleasure, pessimism and in severe cases suicidal tendencies. It has flared up as major problem for the modern world because of complex and fast changing scenarios. A typical example is recent recession affecting the world which has caused a large number of patients of depression. So what is depression ?

According to National Institute of Mental Health everyone occasionally feels blue or sad, but these feelings are usually fleeting and pass within a couple of days. When a person has a depressive disorder, it interferes with daily life, normal functioning, and causes pain for both the person with the disorder and those who care about him or her. Depression is a common but serious illness, and most who experience it need treatment to get better.

There are several forms of depressive disorders.

Major depressive disorder, also called major depression, is characterized by a combination of symptoms that interfere with a person’s ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy once–pleasurable activities. Major depression is disabling and prevents a person from functioning normally. An episode of major depression may occur only once in a person’s lifetime, but more often, it recurs throughout a person’s life.

Dysthymic disorder, also called dysthymia, is characterized by long–term (two years or longer) but less severe symptoms that may not disable a person but can prevent one from functioning normally or feeling well. People with dysthymia may also experience one or more episodes of major depression during their lifetimes.

Psychotic depression, which occurs when a severe depressive illness is accompanied by some form of psychosis, such as a break with reality, hallucinations, and delusions.

Postpartum depression, which is diagnosed if a new mother develops a major depressive episode within one month after delivery. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is characterized by the onset of a depressive illness during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. The depression generally lifts during spring and summer.

Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness, is not as common as major depression or dysthymia. Bipolar disorder is characterized by cycling mood changes-from extreme highs (e.g., mania) to extreme lows (e.g., depression).

Symptoms of depression include:

• Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” feelings
• Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness
• Irritability, restlessness
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
• Insomnia, early–morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
• Overeating, or appetite loss
• Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
• Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment

There is no single known cause of depression. Rather, it likely results from a combination of genetic, biochemical, environmental, and psychological factors.

Research indicates that depressive illnesses are disorders of the brain. Brain-imaging technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have shown that the brains of people who have depression look different than those of people without depression. The parts of the brain responsible for regulating mood, thinking, sleep, appetite and behavior appear to function abnormally. In addition, important neurotransmitters–chemicals that brain cells use to communicate–appear to be out of balance. But these images do not reveal why the depression has occurred.

Some types of depression tend to run in families, suggesting a genetic link. However, depression can occur in people without family histories of depression as well. Genetics research indicates that risk for depression results from the influence of multiple genes acting together with environmental or other factors.

In addition, trauma, loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or any stressful situation may trigger a depressive episode. Subsequent depressive episodes may occur with or without an obvious trigger.

Treatments available.

Depression can be treated with

• Anti depressant Medication
• Psychotherapy
• Electroconvulsive Therapy
• Complimentary & Alternative Treatment

Complimentary and Alternative treatment has come up significantly in recent years. Many studies have been published about their effective role in treatment of depression. One such treatment is age old Acupuncture which has already proved its effectiveness in treatment of physical disorders. Now it is proving helpful in treatment of mental disorders including depression. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine mental disorders are also reflection of imbalance in harmony of person’s energy system.

In one such study The benefit from whole body acupuncture in major depression
Journal of Affective Disorders, Volume 57, Issue 1, Pages 73-81
J.Röschke concluded that acupuncture helped the patients of depression.

Human organism is made of five elements and it is necessary for these elements to remain in order and harmony for good health. These five elements have unique characteristics and therefore the depression surfacing because of disorder in one particular element will have specific features.

Wood Element – Anger is the emotion related to Wood. Person with disorder of wood element will have disturbances of anger with shouting, tears. Suppressed anger may be a major cause. This person may have alternation of aggression and disappointment. Anger will remain buried beneath sadness.

2. Fire Element – Joy is the emotion related to fire. Such person under depression will not be able to feel joy. He or she can not have satisfying relationships.  They may have major heartbreaks. They may have associated heart symptoms and sleep disorders. Extreme cases may become suicidal.

3. Earth Element –  The emotion of earth is sympathy and empathy. They believe in need of give & take of care. When disturbed they develop insatiable desire for care and sympathy & get depressed without it. They will have associated digestive complaints.

4. Metal Element –  The emotion of metal is grief. When disturbed such person will get stuck in grief, will not let go & will not move forward. They will sigh often. They may also have respiratory complaints.

5. Water Element – The emotion of water is fear. Such person will lack in will and courage. The feeling of inability to do things will cause depression. They feel totally helpless and sink deep. This can prove most dangerous depression. There can be associated renal disorder.

Every case of depression has peculiarities and when such peculiarities are well identified, these cases can he managed with good success rate. Working on same principle, we conducted a study on depression. 40 cases of depression were selected. They were diagnosed on the basis of element disorder and treated with acupuncture accordingly. Out of 40 cases 31 cases showed significant improvement in condition.

Acupuncture offers a useful option in management of depression. Further studies are recommended to explore its effectiveness.

What is addiction

Addiction is a disease like any other disease. It is a neurobiological disorder characterized by irresistible, obsessive and compulsive dependence on some substance or activity. It can have detrimental effect on

• Physical health
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Social relationships
• Professional or academic performance

Common addictions

Addictions are many but commonly seen are :

1. Drug abuse or drug addiction like heroin, cocaine, barbiturates, LSD
2. Alcohol addiction
3. Tobacco, nicotine or smoking addiction
4. Coffee addiction
5. Sweets addiction
6. Food addiction
7. Sex & pornography addiction
8. Gambling addiction
9. TV, computer or internet addiction
10. Shopping addictions

Characteristics of addiction

The substance abused or activity takes the major role in person’s life. There are three main characteristics of addictions

• Continuation of use or preoccupation with substance or activity despite detrimental effect.
• Impaired control over being in use with substance or activity
• Deviant behavior due to substance or activity or due to association with substance or activity.

Risk Factors

There are said to be three risk factors leading to addiction. These are :

• Dose – How much is the quantity of substance or amount of activity consumed
• Frequency – How often is the interaction with the substance or activity
• Duration – For what duration of time this interaction is going on

The larger the dose, more frequent the interaction and longer the duration of interaction, there is more probability of getting addicted.

How to identify addiction

There are certain warning indicators about addictions in addition to obvious engagements. These are more pronounced in substance abuse addictions. Some of them are:

• Excess or lack of energy.
• Abnormally fast or slow movements
• Sudden mood changes, restlessness.
• Excess or lack of speech
• Excess or lack of sleep
• Abnormal eating habits
• Sudden change in weight
• Peculiar behavior like abnormal clothing
• Preference for loneliness
• Deviant or Antisocial behavior
• Unusual calmness or irritability

Causes of addiction

There are two major causes of why someone gets into a state of addiction and why he or she finds it difficult to come out. These are:

1. Physical dependence – Physical dependence is the state which is characterized by certain physical discomforts and symptoms when the person does not take the substance. It can be restlessness, pain, soreness, difficulty in breathing, lethargy, disturbed body functions etc.
2. Psychological dependence  – Psychological dependence is the state which is characterized by certain mental discomforts like craving for substance or activity, irritability, disturbance in sleep, anguish etc.

Many theories have been proposed to explain the basis of addictions. Some are :

1. Pleasure theory – According to this theory addictions are due to learned behavior to seek pleasure and avoid discomfort.
2. Disease theory – According to this theory addiction is a disease due to neurochemical changes in brain.
3. Genetic theory – According to this theory addictions are due to genetic factors and run in families.
4. Circumstantial theory – According to this theory addictions are due to circumstances faced by the person and this includes easy availability of substance, having plenty of free time, presence of role model etc.
5. Other theories like experimental theory (experience by experiment), opponent effect theory (opposing effect of substance), allostatic theory (stability through change), cultural theory (effect of culture), moral theory (lack of morals),  habit theory (habit formation), rational theory (rational response).

Conquering addiction

Most important thing to remember about addictions is that it can be treated. There is no need to feel devastated or hopeless. It is a disease and needs proper treatment and management. There are certain necessary elements which are important in making the treatment a successful one. These are:

• Do not feel threatened, accept it as treatable disease.
• Get aware about it, read literature but only authentic one.
• Get support of family, friends or special organizations
• Get correct treatment
• Follow healthy lifestyle
• Eat healthy diet and exercise regularly
• Work on holistic personality development
• Get help on stresses of life
• Maintain positive social life
• Get engaged in constructive activities like art, music etc.
• Do not give up due to slips

Acupuncture management of addictions

Acupuncture has come up as one of the most effective and promising treatment method of addictions. It has some unique advantages which are difficult to achieve otherwise. Ear acupuncture is a specialized branch of acupuncture which is getting very popular in treatment of addictions. Some of its established benefits are:

• It removes craving and reduces withdrawal symptoms. This is said to be done by release of certain internal endorphins in brain which have positive effect.
• It improves body’s physiological functions. This leads to better sleep, better digestion, better breathing, better blood circulation etc.
• It detoxifies by enhancing elimination
• It improves energy levels.
• It gives mental calmness but does not make numb. It helps in achieving emotional balance.
• It causes internal homeostasis leading to better internal environment in body.
• It helps in smooth recovery and prevents relapses.

Constipation is one of the most common digestive complaints. Although constipation can affect anyone, it’s more common in women and in people over age 65. Constipation may present itself in a variety of ways, depending on your overall health and body type. Some people experience fullness in the abdominal area or become bloated and feel that they don’t totally evacuate when they have a bowel movement. Others feel the stool wanting to come out but cannot eliminate, no matter how hard they push.

Acupuncture is an effective remedy for treating constipation. Based on energy points in the body, acupuncture is used by many people over medical procedures for many conditions, with gastrointestinal issues such as constipation being one of them.

Acute constipation is relatively easy to resolve with one or two acupuncture treatments and herbal laxatives. The most important acupuncture point for this condition is Stomach 25 (“Heaven’s Axis”), located on either side of the navel.

Benefits

• Acupuncture helps restore proper circulation
• It helps to eliminate pain
• It helps to relax the colon, spleen and stomach to stimulate movement.
• It balance the body

Electronic acupuncture for constipation

There are several key acupuncture spots on your left hand and palm that can be manipulated to release energy blockages within your intestinal tract to regulate your bowel movements. With the handheld wand of an electronic acupuncture device, you can deliver electromagnetic wave impulses directly into these key acupoints.

Back pain is one of the top reasons people seek medical treatment. The good news is chronic low back pain is one of the conditions that research suggests acupuncture may be an effective tool for treating.

Acupuncture for back pain involves inserting very thin needles to various depths into strategic points on your body. The needles can stimulate the blood vessels and give the patient a quick remedy, The placing of the needles is not dedicated to just the back. There are the local needles, placed at the source of the aches, as well as distal, which are away from the aches. The distal needles can be equally if not more important than the local ones because it treats the acute pain. if someone has pain in their back, they may be getting needles in their feet, their ears or somewhere else distant from the actual site of the pain. The treatment may also include electricity and using suction cups on specific spots. There are many different forms of acupuncture. One form of acupuncture completed by one acupuncturist may be quite different than another, and any given practitioner may perform the acupuncture differently than another.

Benefits of acupuncture for back pain

• Acupuncture is used to improve blood circulation to the entire lumbar region and spinal cord.
• It relaxes paraspinal muscles and provides relief from muscle spasms.
• It releases the natural opioids. It may sound strange, but our brain can release certain chemicals that will lessen the pain we are feeling.

Thus, acupuncture can be extremely effective in reducing back pain symptoms. It is an ancient, time-tested form of therapy that seems to have exceptionally few side effects and appears to be safe for pain management.

Asthma is an immune disorder. It is a chronic disease of the lungs. It is also one of the most common diseases for which patients turn to alternative therapies such as acupuncture for treatment and relief.  Many people report significant, lasting benefits in just a few sessions of treatment.

Acupuncture is an ancient form of treatment based on the medical philosophy that energy flows through the human body in opposing “positive” and “negative” forces, yin and yang. Diseases, including asthma, are thought to represent an imbalance of these forces. Energy is said to flow through the body along certain specific paths, called meridians. By introducing needles into the skin at certain identified points along these meridians, the balance of forces is thought to be modified to the benefit of the patient.

The acupoints for asthma

Asthma can be tackled with acupuncture in a variety of ways. Points are selected according to the patient’s unique combination of symptoms and the acupuncturist’s style of practice. Most acupuncture treatments for asthma include:

• The lung acupuncture points
• The kidney acupuncture points
• The stomach acupuncture points
• The bladder acupuncture points

Once the energy blockages in these areas are corrected, optimum health is hopefully achieved.

Benefits of acupuncture for asthma

Acupuncture has been shown to have beneficial effects on the symptoms of asthma.

• It can improve pulmonary function
• Lessen the severity of asthma attacks.
• It help breathing in asthma

As an alternative or supplement to medication, acupuncture can alleviate some of the safety concerns associated with prolonged use of asthma drugs.

Acupuncture is an incredible treatment for anxiety. According to Chinese medical theory, anxiety blocks the free flow of energy through our body. This is thought to be a cause of muscle pain in areas such as the back and neck where energy is being blocked. Other areas negatively impacted by blocked energy may include digestion, blood pressure and your ability to get a good night’s sleep.

Acupuncture for anxiety involves placing needles in certain body points. These body points or pressure points can be located at specific parts all over a person’s body. By accessing them, it allows the blocked energy from the passageways to open up. If these passageways are blocked, other parts of the body may be affected as well that causes stress. Stress on the other hand, attacks the body that causes muscles to tense up, blood pressure to rise and other physical symptoms can arise.

Acupuncture treatment takes one or two sessions. Sometimes, however, a treatment is required for a few months. The duration of a treatment differs upon the difficulty of the patterns of imbalance. Nutrients, herbs and vitamins are a great supplement to acupuncture in balancing and nourishing the body.

Benefits of Acupuncture for Anxiety

• It addresses the imbalances in the body.
• It also prevents the diseases that may arise caused by anxiety and stress.
• It heals the imbalances of the heart and the kidney. It aims to harmonize the imbalances in the body and soothe the excessive heat in the heart.
• It can immediately help the patient to feel better compared to pharmaceutical interventions that takes hours or days to relieve anxiety
• It also aims to treat physical health problems cause by anxiety attacks such as chest pain, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, nausea, and headache.
• It can also help relax muscles without prescriptive medication, improve blood circulation, lower your heart rate and blood pressure