Acupuncture & Massage Blog

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.

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.

Posted in Health & Fitness, Massage | 3 Comments

Yoga Beneficial For A Wide Range Of Disorder

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Dr. Richard Browne

Yoga is commonly seen as a practice beneficial to body and mind. Increasingly, this ancient lifestyle practice for spiritual awareness is being taken a step further and applied as a form of complementary and alternative medicine in treating health disorders.

Yoga is being applied as a therapy for disorders such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and neuropsychiatric disorders, according to an article in the journal Biofeedback. However, yoga as a treatment faces many challenges to being accepted by the conventional medical community. Testing the neurobiological effects of certain yoga practices on healthy subjects can provide evidence of its benefits.

One study reported that OM chanting, a technique used in some yoga practices, produced deactivation in certain limbic areas of the brain. Patients with anxiety and depression have shown increased activation in these same areas.

Another study showed positive biological results, using the Sudarshan Kriya form of yoga as a sole form of treatment for depression. The amplitude of brain electrical potential elicited by neutral stimuli increased over three months and reached that of healthy subjects. Plasma cortisol levels, which can indicate stress or illness, were lower in those receiving yoga therapy, paralleling a reduction in depressive symptoms.

Yoga has many health benefits, including:

Increased range of motion.
Improved muscle tone.
Improved upper body strength.
Increased core strength.

Yoga has many health benefits, including:

Increased range of motion.
Improved muscle tone.
Improved upper body strength.
Increased core strength.

Posted in Health & Fitness, Meditation & Yoga | 4 Comments

Massage Lowers Blood Pressure

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Dr. Richard Browne

In WomenApproximately one in every three Americans, or 31.3 percent, has high blood pressure, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and high blood pressure is a risk factor for heart and kidney disease. Massage therapy can lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, according to a pubmed.gov abstract. The investigators set out to evaluate the effect of Swedish massage to the face, neck, shoulders, and chest on blood pressure of women with prehypertension. Fifty pre-hypertensive women were divided into control and test groups. The 25 patients in the test group received Swedish massage 10-15 minutes, three times a week for 10 sessions, and the control group’s 25 patients also were relaxed but received no massage. Their blood pressure was measured before and after each session. “Findings of the study indicated that massage therapy was a safe, effective, applicable, and cost-effective intervention in controlling blood pressure of the prehypertension women and it can be used in health care centers and even at home,” the investigators state. A complementary and alternative medicine therapy, massage has become a mainstream treatment offered in hospitals, medical offices, spas, and other wellness centers for the treatment and prevention of a wide range of health conditions. Benefits of massage: • Increases flexibility. • Manages acute and chronic pain conditions. • Restores balance. • Reduces stress. Massage is a holistic therapy which enhances the body’s natural healing abilities. By increasing flexibility and balance, massage can reduce muscular pain, stiffness and tension. Massage promotes relaxation, improves sleeping patterns and increases energy. 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.

Posted in Massage | 3 Comments

Treat Diabetes With Acupuncture

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Dr. Richard Browne

The prevalence of diabetes has risen or at best remained unchanged in virtually every part of the world over the last three decades. A new international study published in The Lancet collating worldwide data on diabetes since 1980 has found that the number of adults with the disease reached 347 million in 2008, more than double the number in 1980. As a holistic therapy, acupuncture can be utilized for the treatment of diabetes to normalize endocrine function.

Diabetes occurs when the cells of the body are not able to take up sugar in the form of glucose. As a consequence, the amount of glucose in the blood is higher than normal. Over time, this raises the risk of heart disease and stroke, and can also cause damage to the kidneys, nerves and retinas.

Approximately 70 percent of the recent rise in diabetes is due to population growth and aging, with the other 30 percent due to higher prevalence. The proportion of adults with diabetes rose to 9.8 percent of men and 9.2 percent of women in 2008, compared with 8.3 percent of men and 7.5 percent of women in 1980.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes:

Fatigue.
Blurred vision.
Frequent urination.
Increased hunger and thirst.

As a complementary therapy to allopathic treatment of diabetes, acupuncture can be effective in the management of diabetic symptoms. Acupuncture stabilizes blood sugar by correcting endocrine system imbalances, and produces no adverse side effects or contraindications.

Posted in Acupuncture | 1 Comment

Tai Chi For Psychological Well-Being

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Dr. Richard Browne

Tai Chi For Psychological Well-Being

Tai chi, a low impact martial art, has been associated with reduced stress, anxiety and depression, and enhanced mood, in both healthy people and those with chronic conditions. A tai chi review, published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, found that tai chi appears to have positive psychological effects.

Dr. Chenchen Wang, an associate professor from Tufts University School of Medicine in Massachusetts conducted the metastudy, working with a team of researchers to pool the results of 40 smaller studies examining the mental health effects of tai chi.

“Tai chi, the Chinese low impact mind-body exercise, has been practiced for centuries for health and fitness in the East and is currently gaining popularity in the West,” says Wang. “It is believed to improve mood and enhance overall psychological well-being, but convincing evidence has so far been lacking.”

Wang found that practicing tai chi was associated with reduced stress, anxiety, depression and mood disturbance, and increased self-esteem.

“More detailed knowledge about the physiological and psychological effects of tai chi exercise may lead to new approaches to promote health and treat chronic medical conditions,” says Wang.

Tai chi has many health benefits:

Improves muscle strength.
Increases flexibility.
Instills balance.
Provides aerobic conditioning.

Posted in Health & Fitness | 1 Comment

Red Meat Increases Risk Of Diabetes

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Dr. Richard Browne

There is a strong association between the consumption of red meat—particularly when the meat is processed—and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a new Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) study. The study also shows that replacing red meat with healthier proteins, such as low-fat dairy, nuts or whole grains, can significantly lower the risk.

An Pan, Frank Hu and colleagues from the HSPH analyzed questionnaire responses in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and the Nurses’ Health Study I and II. They also conducted an updated meta-analysis, combining data from their new study with data from existing studies that included a total of 442,101 participants, 28,228 of whom developed type 2 diabetes during the study.

The researchers found that a daily 100-gram serving of unprocessed red meat (about the size of a deck of cards) was associated with a 19 percent increased risk of type 2 diabetes. They also found that one daily serving of half that quantity of processed meat—50 grams (for example, one hot dog or sausage or two slices of bacon)—was associated with a 51 percent increased risk.

Symptoms of diabetes:

Excessive thirst and appetite.
Fatigue.
Increased urination.
Unusual weight gain or loss.

“Clearly, the results from this study have huge public health implications given the rising type 2 diabetes epidemic and increasing consumption of red meats worldwide,” says Hu. Worldwide, diabetes has reached epidemic levels, affecting nearly 350 million adults. In the U.S. alone, more than 11 percent of adults over age 20—25.6 million people—have the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Posted in Acupuncture, Health & Fitness | 1 Comment

Acupuncture For Weight Loss

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Dr. Richard Browne

Behavior-oriented interventions can help overweight adults achieve meaningful weight loss, suggests findings of an Archives of Internal Medicine systematic review. As an alternative therapy, acupuncture can help you to lose weight, when combined in a comprehensive weight loss program with diet modification and exercise.

“Experts recommend that primary care clinicians offer overweight adults interventions that promote weight loss,” says Erin LeBlanc and colleagues from the Center for Health Research in Portland, Oregon. However, evidence on the effectiveness of primary care-relevant weight loss interventions for overweight adults is insufficient, they add.

To address this, the team performed a systematic review of 58 trials assessing the benefits of weight loss intervention. Of these, 38 (13,495 participants) involved behaviorally based interventions, 18 (11,256 participants) involved orlistat treatment plus behavioral interventions and three (2,652 participants) involved metformin treatment plus behavioral interventions. The researchers say that most trials showed that behavioral interventions had a significant effect on weight loss.

Unlike over-the-counter weight loss products and fad diets which cause weight to cycle, acupuncture is a natural means to achieve weight loss. Acupuncture has no adverse side effects or addictive stimulants.

Acupuncture for weight loss:

Improves digestion and absorption.
Has a calming effect.
Regulates metabolic rate.
Curbs overeating and bingeing.

Your acupuncture physician will assess your diet and eating patterns and any existing health conditions you may have. A structured acupuncture treatment plan will address triggers such as stress or anxiety, which can cause overeating. Biweekly treatments until the target weight is reached are recommended.

Posted in Acupuncture, Health & Fitness | 2 Comments

Stress Management Programs And TCM

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Dr. Richard Browne

Stress management programs like Transcendental Meditation should be implemented to help manage coronary heart disease in patients, according to a new editorial written by a Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute physician, C. Noel Bairey Merz, M.D., and published in Archives of Internal Medicine. Acupuncture and other TCM therapies can treat symptoms of stress including: Headaches, pain, fatigue, sleep disorders, mood swings, allergies, sinus conditions, and reproductive disorders.

Bairey Merz is calling upon medical centers to institute stress management programs to improve health in heart patients. Effective stress management programs could be as effective as beta-blocker drugs in improving health outcomes for the more than 13 million coronary heart disease patients in the U.S.

The commentary is in response to a new, nine-year trial that concluded coronary heart disease patients who practiced the stress-reducing Transcendental Meditation technique had nearly 50 percent lower rates of serious coronary heart disease events compared to patients enrolled in a health education group. The study was conducted at the Medical College of Wisconsin in collaboration with the Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University of Management in Iowa.

A comprehensive treatment plan including relaxation, exercise, lifestyle changes, and acupuncture therapy can be very effective in managing stress-related health conditions. Acupuncture alleviates stress by:

Releasing endorphins, the body’s natural pain-killing chemicals.
Decreasing heart rate and blood pressure.
Relaxing muscles.
Improving blood circulation and oxygenating tissues.

In comparison to conventional therapies and medications for stress management, acupuncture is a safe, non-invasive and drug free therapy.

Posted in Acupuncture, Health & Fitness | 1 Comment

Yoga For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Dr. Richard Browne

Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis who practice yoga show significant improvements in disease activity, according to a new Emirates Arthritis Foundation study.

Among 47 participants (26 yoga practitioners and 21 non-practitioners), findings demonstrated that individuals who completed 12 sessions of Raj yoga showed improvements in disease activity scores and health assessment questionnaires. Raj yoga is one of the gentler styles of yoga, combining exercise and breathing techniques.

“Most patients with rheumatoid arthritis do not exercise regularly despite the fact that those who do report less pain and are therefore more physically active,” says Humeira Badsha, M.D., founder of the Emirates Arthritis Foundation. “Our study’s results show clear benefits for those who regularly practice Raj yoga. We believe that practicing yoga long-term could result in further significant improvements.”

Results of a separate study show the positive effects of yoga on the quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia, a long-term condition which causes generalized body pain. After an eight session classical yoga program which combined gentle yoga postures, breathing techniques and medication, individuals showed a decrease in anxiety, a key symptom in patients with this condition.

Health benefits of yoga:

Increased range of motion.
Improved muscle tone.
Better posture.
Lowered blood pressure.

Yoga practitioners also have lower responses to stress. People can eventually learn to respond less strongly to stressors in their everyday lives by using yoga and other stress-reducing modalities.

Posted in Health & Fitness, Meditation & Yoga | 3 Comments

Treating Pain With Hypnosis

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Dr. Richard Browne

Many people recognize the benefits of using hypnosis to lose weight, stop smoking or to manage stress. However, few have benefited from hypnosis to treat pain. Hypnosis is a state of altered awareness in which thoughts and feelings are relaxed and more easily distracted from painful or negative ones.

People undergoing hypnosis often respond to suggestions about improved sleep, increased energy and reduced pain. Although the brain continues to register the sensation of pain, hypnosis can aid individuals in shifting their sensation of pain away from suffering. Hypnosis can help to moderate pain symptoms.

Hypnosis can relieve pain associated with a wide range of conditions, including:

Knee and hip pain.
Neck and shoulder pain.
Headache and migraine pain.
Fibromyalgia and arthritis pain.

Individuals who receive hypnosis training experience a reduced intensity of pain over time, compared with those that do not receive hypnosis training. Those who can be hypnotized more easily report greater benefits from hypnosis.

Hypnosis can be used as an adjunctive treatment for medical patients experiencing pain. Although hypnosis is not at present standard practice for treating pain-related conditions, it has therapeutic potential worth examining.

In addition to hypnosis, acupuncture can effectively treat many acute and chronic pain conditions. One of the primary reasons individuals receive acupuncture is to alleviate pain relating to an illness or ailment. Acupuncture can serve as a primary therapy or as a complementary therapy to standard pain management care.

Posted in Health & Fitness | 7 Comments