Acupuncture & Massage BLOG

Chiropractors have long known that ‘cracking’ the neck to combat pain and stiffness can also lower blood pressure. University of Leeds scientists’ recent findings indicate that treatment for a stiff neck can not only lower blood pressure, but also heart rate and breathing. A team led by Professor Jim Deuchars examined pathways between the neck and the brain to determine how neck muscles could play a role in lowering blood pressure.

Their study, which appears in the Journal of Neuroscience, provides the first evidence for a link between treatment for a stiff neck and brain regions which control body functions such as breathing and blood pressure. “Cells in the area that receive neck signals jumped out at us when we labelled sections with particular markers. We wanted to know how these cells were organized and the other brain regions to which they were connected,” Deuchars said. The team found a link between these cells and the nucleus tractus solitarius, an area of the brain that is pivotal in control of autonomic functions—body functions under unconscious control.

They found that nervous signals from the neck could play a role in ensuring adequate blood supply is maintained to the brain. Previous reports indicate that treatment of the neck region helps to reduce blood pressure in some people.

Acupuncture can be effective in reducing chronic neck pain, according to a recent systematic review of research literature completed by Cochrane review authors to determine whether there is evidence that acupuncture is effective in treating neck disorders due to whiplash, muscle strain and other causes. Acupuncture can minimize neck pain, but there is no cure for the musculoskeletal system disorder. For some individuals, acupuncture may be the best treatment, while different combined therapies may work best for others.

Acupuncture & Massage College’s Masters of Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs prepare graduates for careers as acupuncture physicians and massage therapists. For program information contact Joe Calareso and for treatmenbt contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

Sixty percent of women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer experience a range of short-term side effects. These include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, gut lining inflammation, decreased number of red and white blood cells, and decreased number of blood platelets. Using Chinese herbs and acupuncture alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy may help protect a breast cancer patient’s bone marrow and immune system.

Recommended to counteract chemotherapy side effects, Chinese medicinal herbs include mixtures of herbal compounds or herbal extracts. A recent Cochrane Systematic Review set out to determine if evidence indicated that the herbal medicines are effective. The researchers identified seven studies involving 542 breast cancer patients. In three studies, women given Chinese herbal remedies saw a noticeable improvement in their number of white blood cells-a key element of the immune system. Two of the studies indicated herbal compounds appeared to have a general positive effect on quality of life.

By analyzing the data, the team concluded that the Chinese medicinal herbal treatment might reduce side effects. “Western physicians not trained in traditional Chinese medicine or the use of Chinese medicinal herbs should not dismiss these approaches as being without theory or clinical basis, and should likewise support further studies in the field,” the researchers concluded.

In addition to Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture can strengthen a weakened immune system by increasing red and white cell counts and T-cell count. Acupuncture also enhances humoral and cellular immunity in patients with immune-related illness. Immunity related disorders include cancer, allergies, asthma, chronic fatigue, hepatitis, colds, AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and immune deficiency syndrome.

Acupuncture can reduce symptoms, speed up healing and normalize the body’s immune response. By stimulating specific portions of the autonomic nervous system through selected acupoints, acupuncture can regulate immune function. For information about Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture for health and well being contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

Green tea could become a new treatment for skin disorders such as psoriasis and dandruff in the near future. Medical College of Georgia researchers studied a model for inflammatory skin diseases, which are often characterized by dry, red, flaky skin patches caused by the inflammation and overproduction of skin cells. Those treated with green tea showed slower growth of skin cells and the presence of a gene that regulates the cells’ life cycles.
“Psoriasis, an autoimmune disease, causes the skin to become thicker because the growth of skin cells is out of control,” says Dr. Stephen Hsu, a biologist in the MCG School of Dentistry and lead investigator on the study appearing in the August 18 edition of Experimental Dermotology. “In psoriasis, immune cells, which usually protect against infection, instead trigger the release of cytokines, which causes inflammation and the overproduction of skin cells.” Other autoimmune diseases with similar side effects include lupus, which can lead to skin lesions and dandruff.
Green tea has previously been shown to suppress inflammation. Green tea compounds aid by regulating the expression of Caspase-14, a protein in genes that regulates the life cycle of a skin cell. “That marker guides cells by telling them when to differentiate, die off and form a skin barrier,” Hsu says. “In people with psoriasis, that process is interrupted and the skin cells don’t die before more are created and the resulting lesions form.”
Models treated with green tea also showed reduced levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a gene expressed when skin cells multiply. In psoriasis, the gene is over-expressed and speeds production of skin cells. The research is relevant because some treatments for psoriasis and dandruff can have dangerous side effects. The traditional treatment of ultraviolet light and medication, while it can control lesions and be used long term, may cause cell carcinoma and lead to skin cancer. Green tea, which is plant-derived, may be an alternative. There is no cure for autoimmune diseases, but green tea may provide a non-toxic treatment for regulating them.
Acupuncture & Massage College’s Masters of Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs prepare graduates for careers as acupuncture physicians and massage therapists for program information contact Joe Calareso at (305) 595-9500. For information on treatment cantact Dr. Richard Browne at 305.595.9500.

Cupping, or suction cup therapy, is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) method of stimulating acupuncture points by applying a glass, bamboo or metal cup to the skin. A vacuum created by heating and depressurizing the air draws the skin and superficial muscle layer into the cup. This technique stimulates blood flow, relaxes congested muscles, treats general stiffness in the body, and relieves back pain.

Frequently applied after acupuncture, cupping is used for treatment of sprains, soft tissue injuries, fluid retention in the lungs, bronchitis, congestion, asthma, and chronic cough. Cupping is also recommended for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Alleviating swelling and pain, cupping addresses a variety of acute ailments by removing stasis, or energy blockages. Cupping therapies often follow the acupoint selection pattern used in acupuncture therapy; back points in fleshy areas of the body are preferred sites. Increased blood flow into the cupping area allows the body region to heal more quickly and brings toxins to the surface, which can be released through the pores.

By causing tissues to release toxins, cupping clears energy blockages and activates the lymphatic system. Several cups may be placed on the body simultaneously and left in place for up to 15 minutes. Traditional cupping utilizes heated cups that simulate the moxibustion therapy applied during acupuncture. Acupuncture physicians may utilize cupping in addition to acupuncture when acute or chronic deep tissue pain affects certain regions of the body. In some cases, fixed position cupping is combined with a technique called gliding cupping in which the cups may be moved to other acupoint locations along different energy channels or meridians during a treatment session.

Acupuncture & Massage College’s Masters of Oriental Medicine program prepares graduates for careers as acupuncture physicians. For more information about the program call Joe Calareso at (305) 595-9500 or visit AMC’s website at www.amcollege.edu for complete program information and class descriptions. Prospective students are welcome to visit for a campus tour or attend classes.

Acupuncture therapy minimizes asthma, fatigue, sinus headache, and other allergic reactions. Acupuncture focuses on symptom relief while aiding the body’s capacity to process allergens. As a primary therapy modality or in combination with conventional medication, acupuncture effectively addresses the root cause of allergies by correcting the underlying immune system imbalance.

Medication side effects (drowsiness, fatigue and insomnia) cause many to seek alternative therapies including acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to manage their allergies. Acupuncture treatment also prompts the brain to increase endorphins and other chemicals that reduce congestion by improving blood circulation. A comprehensive treatment program combining acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Chinese food therapy, and supplements can decrease inflammation, congestion, constriction of bronchial passages, and reactions to allergens.

Acupuncture therapy minimizes allergic symptoms by stimulating various acupuncture points located on the wrists and around the sinuses. Selection of these acupoints in treatment can reduce nasal secretion while increasing natural healing abilities and enhancing the flow of qi, or vital energy. Many patients benefit from reduced nasal congestion, discharge and itching following the first few acupuncture treatments.

For individuals experiencing seasonal allergies, the ideal time to begin treatment is at least one month before symptoms typically occur; often a course of four to six treatments is sufficient. For perennial, year-round allergy symptom management, a course of six to ten weekly treatments is recommended. Treatment for allergic symptoms may include acupuncture combined with moxibustion (burning of the mugwort herb on selected acupuncture points) to enhance symptom improvement.

Acupuncture & Massage College’s Masters of Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs prepare graduates for careers as acupuncture physicians and massage therapists. For program information contact Joe Calareso, for treatment ask for Dr. Browne (305) 595-9500.

Acupuncture, when used in conjunction with disease modifying agents, may reduce the joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, tendonitis, and knee and hip osteoarthritis. Acupuncture frequently reduces chronic pain and joint stiffness and is effective in the symptomatic treatment of joint conditions for individuals who are unable to tolerate medication side effects resulting from intake of analgesics and muscle relaxants.

For arthritis sufferers, acupuncture often reduces the number of tender joints and decreases joint pain, stiffness and swelling. As a stand-alone therapy, acupuncture frequently reduces the fatigue and chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia. When used as a primary treatment for tennis elbow and other forms of tendonitis, acupuncture reduces the pain at or near a joint and the swelling around the joint area.

Medication, physical therapy, and various forms of exercise often utilized in allopathic health care of chronic joint pain conditions may not result in effective pain management. A tailored acupuncture treatment program can improve joint function in as few as eight to ten treatment sessions, allowing the individual to return to normal activities. Acupuncture increases muscle and tendon relaxation around the affected joint area and increases levels of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. Your acupuncture physician may recommend Chinese herbal medicine to reduce soft tissue inflammation.

Individuals experiencing osteoarthritis, when treated with acupuncture, often show significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life compared to those who undergo routine allopathic care alone. Acupuncture can be a valuable treatment option when combined within a multidisciplinary integrated approach to treat the disorder. Acupuncture therapy for osteoarthritis often results in reducing dependence on pharmacotherapy and improves functional ability.

Acupuncture & Massage College’s Masters of Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs prepare graduates for careers as acupuncture physicians and massage therapists. For program information contact Joe Calareso at (305) 595-9500.

Researchers at the University of Michigan Health System have found that acupressure keeps students awake during class and reduces sleepiness. Students attending all-day lecture classes who practiced a regimen of acupressure focused on stimulation points were less sleepy than those who applied the same technique on acupressure relaxation points on their legs, hands, feet, and heads. The report appears in a recent issue of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

“Our finding suggests that acupressure can change alertness in people who are in classroom settings for a full day—which could be very good news for students who have trouble staying alert at school,” says researcher Richard E. Harris, PhD, of the University of Michigan Health System’s Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center. The 39 students who participated in the study were in a University of Michigan clinical research design course that included three days of all-day lecture classes.

Students were taught how to self-apply acupressure regimens on either five stimulatory points or five relaxation points. The regimens consisted of light tapping with the fingers and massaging with thumbs or forefingers. The class was divided into two groups. One group of students applied acupressure to stimulation points on the first day, followed by relaxation points on days two and three. The other group applied acupressure to relaxation points on day one, followed by stimulation points for days two and three.

“The study showed that a stimulation acupressure regimen leads to a statistically significant reduction in sleepiness compared to an acupressure treatment that focuses on relaxation,” says Harris. “The idea that acupressure can have effects on human alertness needs more study, including research that can examine the scope of influence acupressure can have on alertness and fatigue. Ideally, research in the future will help us determine whether acupressure also can have an impact on performance in the classroom as well.” Previous acupressure studies have not characterized its effects on alertness. For information about Traditional Chinese Medicine for health maintenance and well being call Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

Eczema is an itchy, red rash that varies in size from a small patch of affected dry skin to larger portions of the body. Originating at any age and capable of persisting into adulthood, eczema is one of the most chronic skin conditions.

Eczema is an allergic reaction that manifests as an inflammation of the upper layers of skin. Allergens that trigger eczema range from cold, grass, pollen, and chemical agents to insect bites, certain foods, perfumes, and medication. Eczema may appear abruptly on any part of the body and can produce a red skin rash, flaking, severe itching, dry, thick skin, serum oozing, and bleeding. The primary allopathic treatment for eczema is corticosteroid ointments applied topically.

In a study appearing in the August issue of the British Journal of Dermatology, doctors at the Chinese University of Hong Kong describe how they have ascertained the effect of five Chinese herbs that traditionally have been used to treat eczema. Between February 2004 and July 2005, they recruited 85 children suffering from eczema; 42 of them were given capsules containing extracts of the five herbs twice daily for 12 weeks, while the remaining 43 children were given placebos.

By the conclusion of the treatment, the conditions of the children who were given the herbs improved and their use of corticosteroid creams and ointment was reduced by one-third, the researchers determined. Corticosteroids are hormones which are effective in suppressing symptoms but do not provide a cure. “Such chronic diseases cannot be cured. But Chinese herbs can help some patients control and manage their condition,” says Ellis Hon, one of the researchers and associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The five herbs are Flos Ionicerae (Jinyinhua), Herba menthae (Bohe), Cortex moutan (Danpi), Rhizoma atractylodis (Cangzhu), and Cortex phellodendri (Huangbai).

For information about Traditional Chinese Medicine for health maintenance and well being contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

Stress results in tense neck and shoulder muscles, leading to stiffness, headaches and more stress. Massage helps to relax the mind, body and spirit, providing time and space for self, and a feeling of peace, calm and well-being. It allows the nervous system to normalize itself, and may reduce many stress-related conditions, such as palpitations and raised blood pressure.
Prolonged periods of stress can subconsciously affect many systems of the body. Stress has been shown to aggravate, or even cause, such conditions as heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders, memory loss and decreased immune dysfunction. Massage therapy is one of the best antidotes for stress. Massage boosts the body’s immune system, which can become compromised from extended periods of stress. Tension can build up in the muscles, causing a decrease in circulation and nutrient delivery to tissues.

With a therapeutic massage, stress can be significantly reduced. This, in turn, will increase energy and improve life outlook. When sustained stress is experienced daily, the brain responds in a manner known as “fight or flight”. This signals the sympathetic nervous system, which is controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain. Muscles tighten in our neck, shoulders and back, blood vessels constrict, eyes dilate, large amounts of energy are expended as the adrenal glands excrete hormones.
Massage breaks this tension by triggering the parasympathetic nervous system (the body’s way of conserving and restoring energy). Stretching and kneading releases tight muscles and natural endorphins. This results in decreased pain, decreased heart rate and a sense of calm. Massage, when combined with traditional medical treatments, can reduce stress and promote healing in people with certain health conditions.
Massage and bodywork techniques are therapeutic in addressing chronic muscle and soft tissue strain patterns created by stress and aligns the muscles and soft tissues of the body by using a combination of specialized and advanced massage techniques. Some techniques may include: Functional muscle assessment (visual, kinesthetic, palpation), myofascial release, neuromuscular, deep tissue massage techniques, structural balancing (positioning and mobilizing), and external hot/cold applications. For more information contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.