Acupuncture & Massage Blog

Top Ten Foods For Heart Health

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Dr. Richard Browne

Tasly pharmaceutical corporation has published its top ten list of healthy foods for the heart. Tasly is recognized for producing the first FDA phase-two approved Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of heart disease, presently in its phase-three trial. The top ten foods include:

Oatmeal. This fiber-rich superfood can lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and contains omega-3 fatty acids, folate and potassium.
Salmon. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon can effectively reduce blood pressure.
Avocado. Packed with monounsaturated fat, avocados can lower LDL levels while raising the amount of HDL cholesterol in your body.
Olive oil. Full of monounsaturated fats, olive oil lowers bad LDL cholesterol.
Nuts. A great source of healthy fat, walnuts are full of omega-3 fatty acids and, along with almonds and macadamia nuts, are loaded with mono- and polyunsaturated fat.
Berries. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries are full of anti-inflammatories, which reduce risk of heart disease.
Legumes. Fill up on fiber with lentils, chickpeas and black and kidney beans. They’re packed with omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and soluble fiber.
Spinach. Helps to maintain heart health thanks to its stores of lutein, folate, potassium, and fiber. Increasing servings of any vegetable can benefit heart health.
Flaxseed. Full of fiber and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, sprinkle a little flaxseed on oatmeal or whole-grain cereal for a heart-healthy breakfast.
Soy. Soy lowers cholesterol and is low in saturated fat. A great source of lean protein. Look for natural sources, like tempeh, organic silken tofu and soy milk.

Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture, massage therapy and herbal medicine for the treatment of a wide range of health conditions as well as for overall wellness. To schedule an appointment call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director.

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Consumers Increasingly Using Massage For Health Benefits

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Dr. Richard Browne

Consumers are progressively integrating massage therapy into their regular health maintenance routines, according to a recent AMTA survey. Health benefits in particular are a key motivator for people seeking massage. Nearly 90 percent of the survey respondents perceived massage as effective in reducing pain.

Hospitals are taking a cue from this growing trend of massage for health benefits. In a recent survey conducted for the American Hospital Association by the Samueli Institute, 42 percent of hospitals surveyed offered some form of a complementary and alternative medicine service, and of those 64 percent offered massage for outpatient treatment and 44 percent for inpatient treatment.

Consumers are also taking notice. According to a recent Consumer Reports survey, respondents indicated that they view deep tissue massage, along with yoga and Pilates, as effective as prescription medication for the relief of back pain.

These survey results build upon the foundation of growing research on this subject. Last year researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles reported findings demonstrating that people who received a Swedish massage experienced significant decreases in levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can strengthen the immune system.

Health benefits of massage:

Treats back pain.
Reduces stiffness.
Regulates blood pressure.
Reduces stress.

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Chinese Herbs For Allergies

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Dr. Richard Browne

Complementary and alternative medicine may give allergy and asthma sufferers new options for treating symptoms, according to allergists at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Phoenix.

Allergists discussed how herbal treatments may be integrated into conventional allergy treatments, including a novel Chinese herbal formula for treating all types of food allergies. “Integrated therapies blend the art and science of medicine,” says allergist William Silvers, M.D., of the ACAAI Integrative Medicine Committee. “This exciting area of medicine offers a variety of complementary approachments, so each patient receives truly individualized care.”

One promising remedy is the Food Allergy Herbal Formula 2 (FAHF-2), a Chinese herbal formula currently being tested for use to treat food allergies. FAHF-2 consists of nine herbs chosen from the traditional formulations of Wu Mei Wan and Ling-Zhi, which have a long history of use in China.

Food allergy symptoms include:

Wheezing, nasal congestion.
Abdominal pain.
Dizziness.
Itching or hives.

Early research of FAHF-2 showed significant reduction in peanut-induced anaphylaxis. Phase 1 clinical studies have shown that FAHF-2 is safe in humans. The Phase 2 trial currently in process is testing the formula to determine its ability to reduce food allergy symptoms associated with peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, and shellfish.

“FAHF-2 has been shown to have a prolonged preventative effect up to 40 weeks,” says allergist Helen Chan, M.D., of the ACAAI Integrative Medicine Committee. “It has also been shown to be safe, with very few side effects, and is a one-course treatment for all allergens.” The use of substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods and vitamins, can be helpful in treating various allergies when combined with traditional therapies.

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Acupuncture For Shoulder Pain

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Dr. Richard Browne

Acupuncture is an effective alternative to conventional orthopedic treatments for chronic shoulder pain, according to a new study from Germany’s Ruhr University Bochum, a public university.

For the study, 424 patients were examined in 31 orthopedist offices. The participants were randomized to three groups, with each group receiving either 15 treatments of acupuncture or orthopedic care. One group received standard acupuncture, a second received acupuncture applied to non-relevant acupoints and a third group received conventional orthopedic care.

Results showed greater range of motion including abduction and arm-above-head-test for the standard acupuncture group compared to the other two groups. Pain level reductions were also assessed. The standard acupuncture group had a 68 percent improvement in shoulder pain compared to 40 percent in the non-relevant acupuncture group and 28 percent in the orthopedic treatment group.

Conventional therapies for shoulder pain include medications, stretching, isometric exercises, and steroid injections. Acupuncture is a drug-free therapy for shoulder pain which can:

Increase motion range.
Reduce inflammation.
Alleviate night pain.
Reduce general discomfort.

Acupuncture can be useful in cases where conventional therapies have been ineffective. Your acupuncture physician may recommend a physical therapy program in addition to acupuncture treatment.

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Massage And Acupuncture For Osteoarthritis

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Dr. Richard Browne

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease, affecting 27 million Americans. Many people experiencing osteoarthritis choose massage and acupuncture for the treatment of the inflammation, pain and stiffness associated with the condition.

New research explores the role that inflammation plays in the development of osteoarthritis. Investigators at the Stanford University School of Medicine have shown that the development of osteoarthritis is in great part caused by low-grade inflammatory processes. This is at odds with the prevailing view attributing the condition to a lifetime of wear and tear on joints.

“It’s a paradigm change,” says William Robinson, M.D., the study’s senior author, of the implication of the findings. “People in the field predominantly view osteoarthritis as a matter of simple wear and tear, like tires gradually wearing out on a car.”

By targeting the inflammatory processes that occur early on in the development of osteoarthritis, well before it progresses to the point where symptoms appear, the condition might someday be preventable.

For individuals experiencing knee osteoarthritis, massage can relax muscles, joints and tendons and eliminate painful muscle spasms. Massage, when combined with muscle strength training, can improve the stability of the knee joint. Massage can reduce inflammation and improve flexibility.

Massage therapy can be combined with acupuncture to provide pain relief and improve function. Acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis should be seen as a long term process, especially in cases where the condition has been present for several years. Your acupuncture physician will tailor therapy to your particular presentation following diagnosis. Benefits of acupuncture:

Improves functional ability.
Reduces dependence on medication.
Can relieve both knee and hip osteoarthritis pain.
Improves quality of life.

Acupuncture can be integrated into an allopathic treatment plan as an adjunct therapy and is most effective for individuals with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis who have moderate pain that is not resolved with conventional medical therapy.

Posted in Acupuncture, Massage | 1 Comment

Smokers Benefit From Acupuncture And Other Treatments

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Dr. Richard Browne

Most American adults who smoke wish they could quit, and more than half have tried within the past year, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. For those who have attempted to quit smoking previously without success, and who are motivated to kick the habit, acupuncture can be an effective therapy for smoking cessation.

Approximately 69 percent of current adult smokers say they want to quit, and 49 percent of smokers who saw a health professional in the past year recalled getting advice to quit. Nearly 32 percent used counseling and/or medications in the past year. The use of these effective treatments, when combined with acupuncture, can almost double to triple rates of successfully quitting.

“Other measures of increasing the likelihood that smokers will quit as they want to include hard-hitting media campaigns, 100 percent smoke-free policies and higher tobacco prices,” says CDC Director Thomas Frieden, M.D.

Making health care settings as well as all workplaces and public places smoke-free offers smokers additional encouragement to help them quit, according to the report. The health care industry can increase successful quit attempts by providing comprehensive insurance coverage with no deductibles or co-payments for cessation treatments and services.

Smoking can lead to health problems and illnesses including:

Shortness of breath.
Chronic cough.
Increased frequency of colds and flu.
Emphysema.

Quitting smoking can be challenging. Acupuncture can help you manage the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms such as: Increased appetite, sleep imbalances, dizziness, headaches, restlessness, tiredness, and concentration difficulties.

Posted in Acupuncture, Health & Fitness | 1 Comment

Planning Your New Year’s Weight Loss Resolution

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Dr. Richard Browne

Breaking down your New Year’s weight loss resolution into small, manageable tasks you can work on every day is the best road to success.

“Instead of making the number on the scale the focus, look for other ways to find to measure success,” says Stefanie Barthmare, a psychotherapist with the Methodist Weight Management Center in Houston. “I worked with a patient recently who said that when she lost 60 pounds she was going to sign up for a half-marathon. She signed up last June and is running the full 13 miles in January.”

Once you set a goal, it’s important to have a vision for what it will look like. That might be a smaller size of pants you will be able to wear, or participating in activities that you physically could not take part in when you were overweight. After the goal is set, break it down and begin to eliminate foods from your diet that are bad for you a little at a time.

“Literally, start by cutting down your intake of soda from three a day to one for the first week, and the next week maybe eliminate cheese from your sandwiches,” Barthmare says. “It’s also important to realize that depriving yourself never works. By refraining from one behavior that you know is potentially causing weight gain, you will begin to accumulate small successes. These positive actions and resulting good feelings give you the momentum to keep going and eventually reach the goal you set for yourself.”

Doing a little at a time will keep you from being overwhelmed, and keep you on track for keeping the pounds off and keeping your New Year’s resolution.

Tips for weight loss:

Consume fewer calories than you use.
Increase calories burned with regular physical exercise.
Keep a food diary to track your diet.
Aim for losing weight gradually at one to two pounds a week.

Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and massage therapy for the treatment of a wide range of health conditions as well as for overall wellness. To schedule an appointment call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director.

Posted in Health & Fitness | 2 Comments

Maintaining Health With Acupuncture And Massage

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Dr. Richard Browne

Acupuncture and massage can aid in maintaining and optimizing your health, whether you are seeking care for an acute or chronic condition or for relaxation and stress reduction. Acupuncture and massage can assist you in reaching your health care goals and can treat a wide range of conditions.

Acupuncture can treat: Sleep disorders, sciatica, stress, arthritis, back pain, headaches and migraine, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia, anxiety, infertility, addiction, weight gain, and circulatory problems, among many others. Acupuncture can be used as a primary or complementary therapy in the treatment of both acute and chronic disease. It can also be used preventatively to maintain health and wellness.

Massage can treat: Stress, inflammation, swelling, poor circulation, neck and back pain, muscular strains, fatigue, sprains, fibromyalgia, headaches and migraine, and arthritis, among many others. Therapeutic massage can be incorporated into specialized treatment for chiropractic care, sports medicine, physical therapy, and orthopedics.

Benefits of acupuncture and massage:

Acupuncture strengthens constitution and the immune system.
Acupuncture can enhance health for those who have a general sense of malaise without experiencing an adverse health condition.
Massage can increase flexibility, energy and range of motion.
Generalized pain syndromes can be alleviated with massage.

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Chinese Herbal Medicine Improves COPD Symptoms

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Dr. Richard Browne

A traditional Chinese herbal paste known as Xiao Chuan, or XCP, may help reduce respiratory symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a new study conducted by researchers in Beijing.

“We had performed observational studies of XCP which had shown the paste decreased the frequency of COPD symptoms, but this study is the first showing the effectiveness and safety of XCP in the prevention of COPD symptoms,” says study author Yongjun Bian, M.D., researcher in the respiratory department of Gunag’anmen Hospital in Beijing. “These data confirmed the beneficial effect of XCP on the prevention of COPD symptoms.”

Xiao Chuan paste has been used in China for centuries to aid in breathing disorders, including COPD and asthma. To treat symptoms of COPD and other breathing problems, the paste is applied on specific acupuncture points on the back.

“The herbs contained in XCP and natural remedies may have some immune regulation properties, which in turn may aid in their ability to prevent COPD symptoms,” Bian says. The researchers enrolled 142 patients and randomized them to receive either XCP or a placebo paste. Both pastes were applied on the same back points four times during an eight-week period.

“Treatment with XCP significantly reduced the frequency of symptoms compared with patients treated with placebo,” Bian says. “XCP patients experienced significant reductions in steroid use and episodes of shortness of breath, and XCP patients also reported an improved quality of life.”

Chinese herbal medicine is used to treat many health conditions, including:

Flu and the common cold.
Fibromyalgia.
Migraine headaches.
Irritable bowel syndrome.

Posted in Herbs & Medicine | 2 Comments

Massage For Stress

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Dr. Richard Browne

Findings from the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Stress in America survey raise red flags about the long-term impact that chronic stress can have on our physical and emotional health. Massage is beneficial for the treatment of stress as well as several other health conditions including:

Sprains and strains.
Neck and back pain.
Arthritis and joint problems.
Sciatica and fibromyalgia.

The survey showed that Americans appear to be caught in a vicious cycle where they manage stress in unhealthy ways, and lack of willpower and time constraints impede their ability to make lifestyle or behavioral changes. This is particularly true for those who believe themselves to be in fair or poor health.

“America is at a critical crossroads when it comes to stress and our health,” says psychologist Norman Anderson, Ph.D., APA’s chief executive officer. “Year after year nearly three-quarters of Americans say they experience stress at levels that exceed what they define as healthy, putting themselves at risk for developing chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. All of us, including the medical community, need to take stress seriously since stress could easily become our next public health crisis.”

People are also saying they are having difficulty implementing the changes they know will decrease their stress and improve their health. Many individuals continue to seek massage because it provides multiple therapeutic benefits, including stress relief, at an affordable price. Massage can relieve stress symptoms like chronic migraines and high blood pressure.

Posted in Health & Fitness, Massage | 3 Comments