Acupuncture & Massage BLOG

Acupuncture for digestive problems is effective in treating many digestive disorders including: Bacterial infections, peptic ulcers, heartburn, lactose intolerance, gastrointestinal tract bleeding, inflammatory conditions, and hiatus hernia syndrome. Acupuncture for digestive problems treats digestive condition patterns by nourishing related organs, reducing inflammation of the stomach and pancreas and improving digestive functions.
By selecting certain acupuncture points on the body, acupuncture for digestive problems speeds up metabolism, increases gastrointestinal muscle contraction and relaxation, reduces gastric acid secretion, regulates small and large intestine function, and restores stomach acidity to normal levels. In conjunction with Chinese herbal medicine and stress reduction techniques, acupuncture for digestive problems is beneficial in the treatment of general gastrointestinal symptoms.
In addition to acupuncture for digestive problems, moxibustion may be utilized as an anti-inflammatory agent and to tonify imbalances. Individuals often experience long-term symptomatic relief with acupuncture for digestive problems, as well as decreased stress and improved energy. Acupuncture for digestive problems may integrate recommendations for diet and lifestyle modifications in order to correct dietary imbalances and regulate digestion. The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture for digestive problems as an effective treatment for digestive imbalance.
Digestive disorders may be caused by a variety of factors, such as a high-fat diet, chronic stress, and overeating. Acupuncture for digestive problems can treat digestive imbalance by reducing stress and regulating the endocrine and nervous system hyperactivity that often accompanies digestive disorder patterns. Acupuncture for digestive problems can be integrated into allopathic medical care without negative interactions. Acupuncture for digestive problems is a medication-free health maintenance therapy.
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 call Joe Calareso at (305) 595-9500. For acupuncture therapy, request Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician.

Sciatica is pain in the lower back or hip that radiates down into the back of a leg, often caused by a herniated vertebral disc pressing on the sciatic nerve. When the sciatic nerve is pinched, inflamed, or damaged, pain may radiate along the length of the sciatic nerve to the foot.

Allopathic medicine most often treats sciatica with physical therapy and pain medication or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These drugs provide short-term pain relief but also decrease blood circulation to the muscles and joints. NSAIDs also have potential side effects such as liver damage and gastric irritation. Avoiding the side effects of various pain medications is one reason to consider acupuncture.

Acupuncture causes the body to produce natural steroids and promotes the production of natural endorphins. Steroids decrease inflammation, while endorphins produced by the body reduce pain. By alleviating pain, acupuncture decreases use of pain medications and reduces recovery time. Acupuncture can maintain treatment outcomes for up to six months or longer without the negative side effects that occur with traditional treatment regimens. Acupuncture physicians treat sciatica with acupuncture at both local pain sites and distal points away from the pain area to reduce pain symptoms and treat the condition.

Your acupuncture physician may recommend exercises to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles, which are helpful when the sciatic pain is being treated by acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Acute pain may resolve in a few sessions. More treatments may be necessary if there is chronic sciatica, or reoccurring pain.

The National Institutes of Health states that acupuncture is an acceptable alternative to conventional therapies for low back pain. It has been estimated that up to 80% of the world’s population experience back pain at some point in their lives, with the lower back as the most common location of pain. Acupuncture can maintain treatment outcomes for up to six months or longer without the negative side effects that occur with traditional treatment regimes. Look in your local yellow pages for a licensed acupuncturist for treatment of sciatica. For more information on Acupuncture treatment contact Dr. Richard Browne at 305.595.9500.

Many individuals experiencing depression cannot tolerate the side effects of antidepressant medications and seek alternative management therapies. Complementary and alternative modalities such as stress management, diet therapy, homeopathy, and acupuncture may be helpful for people suffering from depression. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture treat depression by addressing specific depression symptoms that are unique to the individual using a variety of techniques such as Chinese herbal medicine, energetic exercises and tui na massage.
Major depression affects more than 11 million people annually in the United States. Extremely common, depression is among the ten more frequently reported medical conditions. Allopathic medicine treats depression with psychotherapy or antidepressive drugs. As an adjunct or stand-alone therapy, acupuncture treats depression.
For those with a medical illness complicated by reactive depression such as chronic pain, chronic fatigue, arthritis, cancer, anemia, and endocrine abnormalities, acupuncture treats depression by alleviating physical symptoms occurring in conjunction with depression. Acupuncture treats depression by increasing cerebral serotonin, which has anti-depressant analgesic effects. Insomnia, fatigue and other symptoms of depression can be minimized with acupuncture therapy.
In conjunction with Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture treats depression by correcting the internal imbalance or root origin of the disease. If you are taking antidepressants, your acupuncture physician can prescribe Chinese herbs that work synergistically with your medications to treat symptoms.
Acupuncture treats depression by elevating mood. After one to two months of weekly therapy, individuals typically experience reduced depression symptoms. The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged acupuncture treats depression effectively. While acupuncture treats depression by resolving symptoms, in order to sustain results, your acupuncture physician may recommend diet and lifestyle modifications.
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 call Joe Calareso at (305) 595-9500. For acupuncture treatment, request Dr. Richard Browne.

Individuals pursuing a medical or health profession career might like to consider the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture. Although acupuncture colleges typically teach TCM acupuncture practices, some schools vary in their focus and incorporate methods from Japanese, Korean and Western medical acupuncture. Presently, 50 schools are either accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) or are accreditation candidates.
Accreditation by ACAOM ensures schools maintain standardized education in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Accredited schools also provide the training necessary to obtain licensure in most states. Admission requirements at accredited schools include 60 semester credits at the baccalaureate level, with specific science courses. Individuals receiving training to become an acupuncture physician complete a graduate level program that lasts from three to four years. The length of the program is determined by the training of the individual institution.
Training usually consists of a solid foundation in Chinese acupuncture, Western sciences, nutrition, Oriental bodywork, clinical practice, and herbal medicine. Common course topics include: Beginning to advanced acupuncture, point location and techniques, physical examination, supervised clinical practice, and Chinese herbal medicine. Additional courses may include business management and marketing. Training in the field of TCM requires respect with regards to Oriental medicine tradition and is rigorous. Most schools require completion of the core curriculum.
Annual tuition costs vary among acupuncture schools, typically ranging from $10,000-$15,000 per year. Often there are additional costs for attended seminars and texts. Many acupuncture schools offer Pell Grants, direct loans and other forms of financial aid. Presently, over 7,000 students are enrolled in accredited programs. The field of acupuncture has become one of the fastest growing health care professions. The median salary for acupuncture physicians is $45,000.
For information about acupuncture schools contact Joe Calereso at the Acupuncture and Massage College at 305.595.9500. For information on health and wellness call Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

A hypnotized state produces mental and physical benefits. Hypnotherapy is a group of techniques that allow individuals to strengthen the mind-body connection to promote healing. Hypnotherapy lowers blood pressure, heart rate and respiration. Hypnotic sessions often begin with breathing exercises that aid in developing a deeper, healthier breathing pattern. Hypnosis also reduces stress. A majority of illnesses are stress-related; stress weakens the immune system, elevates cholesterol and blood sugar levels and strains bodily systems and functions.
Three types of hypnotherapy are often utilized to create positive change through the subconscious. By working with the subconscious, negative thought and behavior patterns can be reframed. Suggestion therapy is effective with issues including smoking, examination nervousness and public speaking anxiety. Solution focused therapy aids in issues such as panic attacks and weight control while increasing self confidence. Analytical therapy is used for issues that have causes in the past; the cause is identified with hypnotherapy and its negative effects are removed.
During hypnotherapy, the subconscious mind is capable of interpreting positive ideas and suggestions to resolve habits, cravings and negative response patterns. Benefits of hypnotherapy sessions include eliminating limiting self-beliefs, negative habits and phobias, incorporating positive issue-solving techniques, and reducing stress. Hypnotherapy is effective in addressing a wide range of conditions which involve motivation and situational response. Hypnotherapy has benefits in the treatment of post-traumatic stress, insomnia, neurological conditions, hypertension, and pain management. Hypnosis also improves concentration and awareness and enhances learning.
Hypnotherapy has become accepted as a means of therapy and does not rely on pharmaceuticals or have side effects. Hypnosis may be included in a wider therapeutic health plan and is often a component in a myriad of therapy and clinical programs. Hypnotherapy is also a means of self empowerment through becoming aware of learned patterns stored in the subconscious. For more information about complementary and alternative therapies for health and wellness call Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.