Acupuncture & Massage Blog

Mantra-based meditation can have a positive impact on emotional responses to stress, fatigue and anxiety in adults with memory impairment and memory loss, researchers at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital have determined. Their findings are published in the recent issue of Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine.

Their study placed 15 older adults with memory problems ranging from mild age-associated memory impairment to mild impairment with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease on a regimen of Kirtan Kriya, a mantra-based meditation, for 12 minutes a day for eight weeks. A control group was assigned to listen to classical music for 12 minutes a day for eight weeks.

Earlier results from the study showed significant increases in cerebral blood flow in the prefrontal, superior frontal and superior parietal cortices as well as improvements in cognitive function.

“We sought to determine if changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) had any correlation with changes in patients’ emotional state, feelings of spirituality and improvements in memory,” says Andrew Newberg, M.D., research director at the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine. “Age-associated cognitive impairment can be accompanied by depression and changes in mood. Mood disorders can aggravate the processes of cognitive decline.”

Participants who performed the mantra-based meditation reported improvement in tension, fatigue, depression, anger, and confusion, with significant improvement in tension and fatigue over the control group. Improvements in confusion and depression were related to cognitive improvement. There was no change observed in spirituality.

Health benefits of meditation:

• Strengthens the immune system.
• Lowers blood pressure.
• Reduces stress.
• Enhances overall health.

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.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its symptoms, such as snorting, gasping or stopping breathing while asleep, are associated with depression, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For individuals experiencing depression, acupuncture can stabilize mood and combat stress-induced fatigue. Acupuncture also can be utilized as a primary or complementary therapy for the treatment of sleep apnea and many other sleep disorders.

“Snorting, gasping or stopping breathing while asleep was associated with nearly all depression symptoms, including feeling hopeless and feeling like a failure,” says lead author Anne Wheaton, Ph.D. “We expected persons with sleep-disordered breathing to report trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, or feeling tired and having little energy, but not the other symptoms.”

The study, appearing in the journal SLEEP, is the first nationally representative sampling to examine this relationship, surveying 9,714 adults. Wheaton, an epidemiologist with CDC, said the likelihood of depression increased with the reported frequency of snoring and/or instances when breathing stopped in the study.

Acupuncture treats sleep apnea and other sleep disorders by reharmonizing the sleep-wake cycle and has a calming effect on the nervous system. Acupuncture also increases production of serotonin, a chemical in the brain that aids sleep. Benefits of acupuncture for the treatment of sleep disorders:

• Better sleeping patterns.
• Improved digestion.
• Deeper breathing.
• Reduced stress.

Acupuncture goes beyond sleep medications to address related disorders that may interfere with the ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Stress, sciatica, digestive disorders, depression, and acute and chronic pain disorders are some of the ailments and conditions that acupuncture can treat.

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.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released an announcement and draft guidance which will protect consumers from future false and misleading health claims by the tobacco industry about its tobacco products. As a primary or complementary therapy, acupuncture is a natural, drug-free way to stop smoking.

The guidance proposed a rigorous compliance process for the tobacco industry to claim that its products are not as harmful as products currently being sold. Under the Tobacco Control Act it is required that before allowing any modified harm claims be made, scientific research must be conducted to evaluate the validity that these products are truly less harmful, modified risk tobacco products.

Health risks of smoking:

• Coronary heart disease.
• Reduced circulation.
• Bronchitis.
• Lung, stomach, esophagus cancer.

“The tobacco industry has a long and terrible history of misleading the American public on the health risks associated with its products—including ‘light,’ ‘low-tar’ and ‘mild’ cigarettes,” says Charles Connor, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “Today, FDA has rightly proposed a high standard of scrutiny for any modified risk tobacco product.”

If you feel it’s time to kick the habit, you should consider acupuncture treatment for smoking cessation. Acupuncture is a holistic therapy that can help to manage withdrawal symptoms, including: Increased appetite, sleep disturbances, irritability, restlessness, headaches, anxiety, and concentration difficulties.

Acupuncture for smoking cessation utilizes select acupoints which clear the lungs and product a calming effect. Often, a combination of ear and body acupoints can ease breathing, improve circulation and normalize blood pressure.

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.

Who gets massage? An average of 25 percent of women and 10 percent of men receive at least one massage annually—approximately 18 percent of adults, according to the American Massage Therapy Association. Spas are where many people receive massage.

Is massage important for health? Yes, in addition to research showing massage’s therapeutic benefits, nearly 85 percent agree that massage can reduce pain and is beneficial to health. Of individuals receiving massage in the last five years, 54 percent had massage for pain relief. Annually, 29 percent of adults who had a massage received it for health or medical reasons.

Do people receive massage to reduce stress? Yes, nearly 40 percent of adults say they have had a massage to reduce stress or to relax.

Is massage recommended by health care providers? Increasingly so—on an annual basis, over 39 million American adults (16 percent) have discussed massage therapy with their doctors or health care providers. Of those 16 percent, 31 percent of their health care providers strongly recommended massage. Approximately 75 percent of massage therapists indicate they receive referrals from health care practitioners.

What health conditions can massage treat? Massage treats a wide range of conditions, including: Sprains and strains, joint disorders, tension headache, migraine, arthritis, bronchitis, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, anxiety, stress, and hypertension, among others.

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.

There has not been significant change in the prevalence of overweight in the U.S., with data from 2009-2010 indicating that about one in three adults and one in six children and teens are obese; however, there have been increases in certain demographics, according to two JAMA studies. As a holistic therapy, acupuncture effectively addresses both the psychological and physical aspects of weight loss.

Researchers analyzed data from the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to determine rates of overweight and obesity in the U.S. In the analysis for overweight prevalence among adults data was compared with that for 1999-2008, with measured heights and weights for 28,773 adults.

In 2009-2010, the obesity prevalence was 35.7 percent. Among men, the prevalence was 35.5 percent. There were significant increases in obesity for men over the period 1999-2010. For women, the prevalence of obesity was 35.8 percent. Over the period from 1999 through 2010, there was no significant increase among women overall, but increases were significant for non-Hispanic black women and Mexican American women.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity combined was 68.8 percent overall, 73.9 percent among men, and 63.7 percent among women. Among children and teens, prevalence of overweight and obesity was 31.8 percent.

Health risks of being overweight:

• Type 2 diabetes.
• Metabolic syndrome.
• Sleep apnea.
• Osteoarthritis.

For individuals who have tried to lose weight unsuccessfully, acupuncture can aid in losing weight and in maintaining weight loss. When combined with the essential components of exercise and a reduced calorie diet, acupuncture can suppress appetite and minimize overeating, binging and compulsive eating. Call the AMC Clinic today to learn more about acupuncture for weight loss.

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.

FAQS: Acupuncture And Digestion

Digestion is one of the main reference points for gauging one’s overall health. Some frequently asked questions about acupuncture for the treatment of digestive disorders:

What causes digestive disorders? Digestive disorders can be caused by diet, disease and stress.

What are the symptoms of digestive disorders? Symptoms of digestive disorders include:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Bloating.
• Constipation and diarrhea.
• Abdominal pain.

How does acupuncture treat digestive disorders? Acupuncture treats digestive imbalance by reducing stress and regulating endocrine and nervous system hyperactivity. Acupuncture nourishes related organs and reduces inflammation of the stomach and pancreas.

Which digestive disorders can acupuncture treat? Acupuncture is effective in the treatment of many digestive disorders including: IBS, enteritis, bacterial infections, gastrointestinal tract bleeding, hyperacidity, peptic ulcers, heartburn, and GERD.

Does acupuncture treatment include medication? In conjunction with Chinese herbs and stress reduction techniques, acupuncture is a medication-free therapy for digestive system maintenance which can also provide symptom management.

How many treatments are required? The course of therapy will depend on how long your symptoms and condition have persisted, condition severity and your overall health. For most people with digestive disorders in relatively good health, a course of therapy of 12-24 treatments are recommended.

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.

While many people rejoice when the weather gets warmer, it’s not always a pleasant time for everyone. Those who suffer from seasonal allergies know to expect difficulties around this time of year, but the severity of allergy season can vary. By strengthening the immune system, acupuncture can be an effective therapy for long-term allergy management.

The presence of the common causes of spring allergies—pollen and mold—can fluctuate depending on a number of weather-related factors. According to experts at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, some conditions that can affect pollen counts include: Longer growing seasons, erratic weather, heavy rainfall during spring, and dry and windy weather.

Since so many factors contribute to high pollen counts, it’s all but impossible to predict how intense an allergy season will be. However, in addition to taking steps to limit your exposure to allergens that affect you, seeing your acupuncture physician for treatment a month prior to the start of each season can help you find relief.

Why see an acupuncture physician for the management of your allergies? Acupuncturists are trained to:

• Treat symptoms.
• Identify the source of your allergies.
• Develop a customized treatment plan.
• Help you avoid triggers that affect your allergies.

As a primary or complementary therapy, acupuncture effectively addresses the root cause of seasonal and perennial allergies by correcting the underlying immune system imbalance.

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.

Digestion is one of the main reference points for gauging one’s overall health. Some frequently asked questions about acupuncture for the treatment of digestive disorders:

What causes digestive disorders? Digestive disorders can be caused by diet, disease and stress.

What are the symptoms of digestive disorders? Symptoms of digestive disorders include:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Bloating.
• Constipation and diarrhea.
• Abdominal pain.

How does acupuncture treat digestive disorders? Acupuncture treats digestive imbalance by reducing stress and regulating endocrine and nervous system hyperactivity. Acupuncture nourishes related organs and reduces inflammation of the stomach and pancreas.

Which digestive disorders can acupuncture treat? Acupuncture is effective in the treatment of many digestive disorders including: IBS, enteritis, bacterial infections, gastrointestinal tract bleeding, hyperacidity, peptic ulcers, heartburn, and GERD.

Does acupuncture treatment include medication? In conjunction with Chinese herbs and stress reduction techniques, acupuncture is a medication-free therapy for digestive system maintenance which can also provide symptom management.

How many treatments are required? The course of therapy will depend on how long your symptoms and condition have persisted, condition severity and your overall health. For most people with digestive disorders in relatively good health, a course of therapy of 12-24 treatments are recommended.

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.