Acupuncture & Massage BLOG

MASSAGE THERAPY CONSUMER USE INCREASING

More than 39 million Americans received a massage in the last year, according to an annual survey commissioned by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). More than half (53 percent) who discussed massage with their healthcare providers say their doctor recommended they get massage therapy.

“Our latest survey shows that 40 percent have had a massage to relieve pain,” says Mary Beth Braun, president of the AMTA. “While we have seen a strong interest in massage therapy for health reasons from all age groups, there’s been a real increase in understanding of the value of massage among Generation Y (18- to 24-year-olds).”

According to the survey, 92 percent say they believe massage can be an effective way to relieve pain, while 48 percent have already had a massage to relieve pain. “Younger people are telling us that massage can be a valuable part of their personal health routine,” says Braun.

Among the survey results:
• Men and respondents 65 and older are especially likely to get massages for medical/healthcare reasons
• Women indicated massage therapy was their first choice when asked “what gave you the greatest relief from pain?” (24 percent versus 19 percent for men)
• Almost one out of three (32 percent) of Hispanic respondents chose massage therapy as their preferred choice of pain relief, and more than half (57 percent) of Hispanics have had a massage to relieve pain
• The number of people who indicated having their massage paid by an insurance company or a co-pay doubled from 5 percent to 10 percent this year

“As the medical community increasingly recognizes its benefits, and as more insurance companies begin to include it in their plans, massage will become a more common component of people’s health and wellness practice,” says Braun. For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Massage Therapy program featuring a Japanese Shiatsu specialization, call Joe Calareso at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

DIGESTIVE DISORDERS AND ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture is effective in treating most digestive disorders ranging from bacterial infections, peptic ulcers and heartburn to food allergies, hiatus hernia syndrome, lactose intolerance, and hiccough. TCM utilizes several techniques to treat digestive conditions, including acupuncture, moxibustion (burning mugwort or other medicinal herbs on selected acupuncture points) and Chinese herbal formulas.

Symptoms of digestive disorders are dry skin, anemia, fatigue, concentration difficulties, muscle cramps, weight loss, low energy, and hair loss. The spleen is the primary organ involved in digestive disorders. The four most common patterns differentiated when digestive disorders are diagnosed from a TCM perspective are: Spleen qi deficiency (caused by chronic illness or fatigue), damp heat retention (caused by infections, environmental factors or diet), liver/spleen disharmony (emotional causes), and spleen/kidney yang defiency (caused by aging or chronic illness).

Acupuncture treats these condition patterns by nourishing related organs, reducing damp heat, balancing yin/yang, and improving qi flow. Acupuncture, in conjunction with herbal medicine and stress reduction techniques can contribute to the healthy functioning of the digestive system. Diet is also an essential component of digestive disorder treatment.

Two classic formulas effective in treating digestive disorders are Minor Bupleurum Combination and Cinnamon Combination. Minor Bupleurum Combination (hoelen, licorice, bupleurum, ginseng, ginger) reduces inflammation of the pancreas and stomach, promotes digestive processes, alleviates stress in the chest, increases energy, and rebalances circulation between body surface and internal organs. Cinnamon Combination (ginger, licorice, peony, cinnamon) improves digestive functions, increases qi and improves circulation.

The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as an effective treatment for digestive disorders as well as a wide range of medical conditions. For more information on digestive disorders and acupuncture contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

MOOD SWINGS AND ACUPUNCTURE

Mood swings may have several causes, including chemical imbalances and hormonal changes. Various types of physical illness can cause mood highs and lows. Feelings such as happiness, stress, or anxiety occur when the brain releases neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, norepenephrine). People who experience mood swings might have an imbalance of the neurotransmitters. Various medications and therapy techniques are designed to establish a balance of the release, reuptake, and absorption of these key neurotransmitters.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs often reduce mood swings. Acupuncture removes energy blockages, stabilizes hormonal fluctuations, and may heal nerve damage, which in turn reduces mood fluctuation. Acupuncture increases production of endorphins (the body’s natural opiates) and serotonin (the body’s natural mood enhancer). Increase of endorphins can stabilize mood swings. A stable brain serotonin level is associated with a positive mood state.

According to TCM, the primary energetic imbalance that causes mood swings is liver qi stagnation. Additional diagnoses of mood swings may attribute to blood deficiency or uprising deficiency heat. The three diagnoses present similar symptoms of irritability, nervousness and emotional instability. Classic Chinese herbal base formulas commonly used for mood swings are prescribed according to how the symptoms present. Liver qi stagnation symptoms of irritability, nervousness and emotional instability may be treated with a formula of bupleurum and peony (jia wei xiao yao).

Blood defiency generalized emotional instability may have an herbal Rx of ginseng and longan combination (gui pi tang). Uprising deficiency symptoms of irritability and nervousness may be treated with artemisia and turtle shell (qing hao bie jia tang). Sedating or cooling herbs to calm the heart and sedate the spirit may be added to formulas based on diagnosis to improve treatment. For more information about acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and mood disorders call Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500 or consult your yellow pages for a licensed acupuncture physician in your area.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

Sleep disorder and Acupuncture

People with sleep disorders may have difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia), obstructed breathing (sleep apnea), inability to wake up and fall asleep at regular times (delayed sleep phase syndrome), fall asleep spontaneously (narcolepsy), grind teeth (bruxism), enact REM phase violent dreams (rapid eye movement behavior disorder), and move legs while sleeping (restless legs syndrome).

Sleep disorder symptoms can be magnified by: Stress, congestive heart failure, neurological disorder, chronic/back pain, sciatica, environmental noise, and nutrition (stimulants and quick-energy foods).

Allopathic remedies for sleep disorders are grouped into three categories, behavioral/psychotherapeutic, medication, and other somatic therapies, which are typically aimed at symptomatic treatment. TCM, with its focus on treating syndromes as well as individual symptoms, is widely used to treat sleep disorders. Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, tui na, and qigong can aid in sleep difficulties.

Acupuncture is particularly indicated for re-harmonizing a disturbed sleep-wake cycle and has a calming effect on the nervous system. It clears obstructions in the muscle and nerve channels and facilitates flow of qi. Common noted benefits of acupuncture include deeper breathing, better sleeping patterns, decrease in various pains that cause sleep difficulties. Acupuncture can reduce chronic pain that may exacerbate sleep disorders. Sleep difficulties may be caused by deficiency of endorphins; acupuncture can increase levels of endorphins.

Chinese herbs effective in treatment of sleep disorders (longan fruit, golden thread, mimosa bark, sour jujube seed) may be combined in formulas prescribed and tailored to individual symptoms. Tui na can improve flow of qi along the vertebral back region, reducing chronic back pain that may contribute to sleep difficulties. Tai chi or qigong exercises balance staying fit with staying relaxed. If frequent sleep difficulties or daytime fatigue occurs, treatment should be sought. For more information about acupuncture and Chinese herbs for treatment of sleep disorders, contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

What is stress and how does it effect you?

The wikipedia describes stress as: Stress (roughly the opposite of relaxation) is a medical term for a wide range of strong external stimuli, both physiological and psychological, which can cause a physiological response called the general adaptation syndrome, first described in 1936 by Hans Selye in the journal Nature.

Today as we rush to gather gifts for the holiday celebration we can experience the effects of stress on all levels. As the holiday season over takes our everyday life we can still feel the overwhelming effects of our daily stress from work and our household duties.

Twenty years ago our lives seems to be better off than it is today. Where is all this stress coming from? In this modern computer age we seems to be doing everything quicker and faster than the speed of light.

Stress can be emotionally disruptive and is capable of affecting our physical health. As an Acupuncture Physician I see the affect of stress on my patients and over the years I have noticed eight symptom of stress. Most people live with stress as if by not acknowledging it, it will go away.

The eight symptoms of stress are: Headaches, Fatigue, Pain, Sleep Disorder, Mood Swings, Digestive Disorders, Sinus and Allergies and Reproductive Issues (such as menstrual dysfunction, menopause, infertility and low libido).

Stress does not cause migraine headaches but can trigger a migraine headache. The symptoms of stress are an indication of how and where the stress is having a damaging affect on your internal organs. As you review the eight symptoms of stress you will be able to understand to what degree you are inundated with stress. More than one symptom of stress can tell you your need for help. Three or more symptoms are a loud call for immediate help. Please learn to listen to the voice of your body.

Here are some of the things you can do to reduce the affects of stress on your body and on your life. Start the day off with exercise and meditation. Develop a light routine of stretching and sitting meditation for 20 minutes. End the day in the very same way. Schedule a massage once a week. Get eight hours of sleep every niht. And if you have more than three symptoms of stress find a good acupuncturist and get a series of Acupuncture treatments. I can guarantee you that it will be the best investment you will make for your health and happiness.

Dr. Richard Browne is a license Acupuncture Physician in Miami, Fl. He has been in practice for over 25 years and specializes in disorders due to stress. For further information you may contact him at (305) 595-9500

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

INTEGRATED THERAPY REFERRAL SITE EXCLUSIVETHERAPIST.COM LAUNCHED

Two Harvard-trained psychiatrists, Drs. Robert Irvin and Srini Pillay, have created www.exclusivetherapist.com, a multi-disciplinary referral website that connects healthcare providers and clients in an integrated therapy context. Modalities included on the website include: Acupuncture, massage therapy, energy healing, yoga, psychotherapy, medication management, physical training, and nutrition.

Registering practitioners must have a current and valid license or certificate to practice in their state (launch of the website includes free healthcare provider sign-up). Acupuncture physicians and massage therapists, among other practitioners, can form a therapy team online and track its progress as well as provide an online schedule that allows clients to make appointments in available time spots. The site also offers ongoing client referral, peer consultation, client-practitioner consultation and informational resources.

Clients have free access to therapists in a variety of health-related disciplines with contact information for local providers in their area. Irvin and Pillay, the site’s creators, were motivated by the need to integrate the different forms of therapies using a combination of research and intuitive care. “Clients and providers will have access to cutting edge technology including online scheduling in an effort to cut down on phone-tag,” says Irvin.

The site, described as “timely, research-based and well-integrated” by Shervert Frazier, M.D., Professor Emeritus at Harvard Medical School, provides the opportunity for clients to interact with practitioners in the various healthcare modalities. The 20 questions client-practitioner consultation section allows patients to have focal health questions answered by experts on a daily basis for a small consultation fee rather than the usual office visit cost.

“It is a very creative site with a lot of hard work to help people integrate the wealth of information out there,” says Dr. Christopher Palmer, Director of Continuing Medical Education at McLean Hospital, Harvard’s largest private psychiatric hospital.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

REPORT SAYS VA’S MENTAL HEALTH FUNDS SPENDING SLOW

The Department of Veterans Affairs did not spend all of the extra $300 million it budgeted for veterans’ mental health care and did not keep track of how some funds have been used, according to a Government Accountability Office report released Monday. The report stated spending of the budgeted funds was too slow to effectively treat the mental health needs of veterans, including those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The VA launched a plan in 2004 to improve mental health services for veterans, with the $300 million budgeted to fill gaps in early assistance services for veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who have combat stress, mental health treatment programs for female veterans and programs for veterans with serious mental illnesses. Funds were to be distributed to the VA’s regional networks of hospitals, clinics and medical centers for new services.

“Without the commitment to fully fund the mental health care proposals…improvements in VA’s mental health services will not be achieved,” Rep. Mike Michaud, ranking Democrat for a Veterans Health subcommittee, wrote in a letter last week to VA Secretary Jim Nicholson. Michaud cited statistics showing that the VA saw almost 18,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during fiscal 2006.

VA reported in September that over a third of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who sought medical services from the VA in the 18 months prior reported symptoms of stress or other mental disorders. Roadside bombings, daily attacks, and longer and multiple deployments are cited as reasons for the increased reports. Democrats have stated they want to increase veterans’ health care funding, in particular its mental health services for returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans when they take over Congress next year.

The VA provides health care to over 5 million patients. It treats homeless veterans, veterans with serious mental illnesses and combat veterans for conditions such as PTSD. Acupuncture & Massage College is offering acupuncture to veterans as part of a PTSD study. For more information contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE

Chinese herbal medicine uses more than 600 different herbs prescribed in different combinations to treat specific diseases. There are hundreds of classic formulas, composed primarily of herbs of plant origin. Chinese herbal formulas take into consideration the therapeutic effect of each herb as well as the combined effect of the herbs when processed together.

After administering acupuncture treatments, a TCM practitioner often prescribes an herbal formula that enhances the energetic rebalancing efforts of acupuncture. The formula herbal combination and dosage changes over time to correspond with changes in the patient’s condition. Chinese herbal medicine is used internally and externally. Internal formulas are prepared as powders, teas (decoctions), extracts, and pills. External types are liniments, powders, extracts, pastes, and salves.

A formula typically consists of 4-20 herbs to treat related secondary aspects of the illness as well as the main pathology and to reduce side effects of individual herbs. Herbs have four properties: Temperature, taste, affinity, and primary action. Temperature characteristics are described as cooling or heating. Taste properties include: Sour, bitter, sweet, bland, spicy, and salty. Affinity refers to an herb’s relation to a particular organ system. Primary action is the effect of a specific herb. Combinations of these four properties result in herb formulas tailored to treat different conditions and yin/yang energy imbalances.

Common herbs used in formulas include: Astragalus for colds, Chinese angelica for anemia, Chinese yam for chronic cough and wheezing, eucommia bark for back and knee ache, ginger for circulation, ginseng for immune system, and licorice for allergies. Chinese herbal medicine is effective in treating digestive disorders, fatigue, influenza, chronic headaches, skin disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis, among other conditions. Chinese herbs are also effective in health maintenance and disease prevention. For more information on Chinese herbal medicine contact Dr. Richard Browne at 305-595-9500. To learn more about Chinese herbal medicine within TCM education ask for Joe Calareso.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

CHRONIC TENSION HEADACHES EASED BY ACUPUNCTURE

Several types of nonpharmacologic treatment, including physical exercise, relaxation training and acupuncture provide long-lasting improvements for patients with chronic tension-type headaches (CTTH), physical therapists in Sweden report in the November issue of Cephalalgia.

CTTH is defined as headache occurring 15 or more days per month for at least 6 months. Because continued use of pain medications can lead to medication overuse headache, “it is important to reduce analgesic consumption as a first step in the treatment of tension-type headaches,” states lead researcher Dr. Elisabeth Soderberg and associates.

The research team, at Sahlgrenska Academy, Goteborg University, designed a study in which 90 participants, who had CTTH for an average of 7 years, were randomly assigned to physical training, relaxation training or acupuncture. Physical training included neck and shoulder exercises, cycling and stretching. The relaxation training group learned breathing and stress coping techniques. The participants receiving acupuncture were treated with 30-minute sessions for 10 to 12 weeks.

Physical and relaxation training resulted in reduced headache intensity. Acupuncture significantly reduced headache intensity at 3 months and 6 months in within-group comparisons against baseline. Soderberg and her associates conclude that a combination of all three types of treatment may produce the most favorable outcome.

According to a recent online National Headache Foundation survey, prevalent triggers include stress, sleep routine changes, and smoke/perfume. An estimated 58 percent of headache sufferers have tried an alternative therapy because of medication ineffectiveness or side effects. The most common CAM therapies include massage for muscle tightness in the head, neck and shoulder area and acupuncture for headache pain relief.

Individuals who experience more than a few headaches a month should seek treatment. For more information on a holistic treatment program including massage, acupuncture, and herbal medicine consult your yellow pages for a licensed acupuncturist or call Dr. Browne at 305-595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) represents a broad system of medicine that includes acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, tui na (massage), exercise, breathing therapy (qigong), and diet. TCM emphasizes a holistic approach to understanding normal function and disease processes and focuses on prevention as well as treatment of illness.

From the TCM viewpoint, the body is a balance of two opposing forces (yin/yang). Health is achieved by maintaining the body in a balanced state. Disease is a sign of yin/yang internal imbalance, which is reflected in various mind-body aspects including: Qi (energy) and blood flow, jing (essence) and shen (spirit). Disease-related imbalance could be due to excess of yin, excess of yang, deficiency of yin, and deficiency of yang. Chronic illness is yin dominance; acute illness is yang dominance. TCM focuses on treating the underlying causes of the imbalance as well as the disease symptoms.

Based on the four diagnoses of questioning, observation (tongue), palpation (pulse being most characteristic), and listening, individualized treatment consists of primarily acupuncture, Chinese herbs and tui na to correct the imbalance and restore health. Diagnosis and treatment are conducted with reference to models of the body in addition to yin/yang including: Five elements (related organs and senses), zang fu theory (organ syndromes), the meridian system (qi flow), and others to further differentiate energetic imbalances, syndromes, symptom patterns and the nature of a patient’s condition.

TCM can be more effective than allopathic remedies in the treatment of chronic and routine ailments including: Fibromyalgia, chronic pain, allergies, arthritis, stress, common cold, headache, PMS, toothache, sciatica, sinusitis, and digestive disorders. Today TCM is practiced in allopathic hospitals and in conjunction with conventional medicine. TCM practitioners may be doctors as well as licensed acupuncturists. For more information on acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500. if you are interested in TCM as a student ask for Joe Calareso.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”