Acupuncture & Massage BLOG

About 26 million individuals have chronic seasonal allergies and the number of people with milder symptoms might be as high as 40 million, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Many options are available to treat seasonal allergies. Medications can aid in reducing chemical, inflammatory or immune allergic reactions. Environmental controls, such as air filters and air purifiers, can also aid in allergy symptom management.

Conventional therapies for seasonal allergies include nasal corticosteroids, antihistamines, decongestants, non-steroidal nasal sprays, and allergy shots. These medications can help prevent symptoms of allergies, but often result in side effects such as increased nasal congestion, nose and throat dryness, fatigue, insomnia, sinus headache, and drowsiness. Each person has their own seasonal allergy reactions, which may include runny nose, sneezing, burning eyes, and itchy throat, as well as their individual reaction to various medications. A treatment plan should address your specific allergy symptoms.

With the start of spring allergy season, more people are benefiting from acupuncture for allergy symptom management. As a primary therapy modality or in combination with conventional medication, acupuncture effectively addresses the root cause of perennial allergic rhinitis, or seasonal allergies, by correcting the underlying immune system imbalance. A comprehensive treatment program combining acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, diet modification, and supplements can decrease inflammation, congestion, constriction of bronchial passages, and reactions to allergens.

Many individuals experience reduced dependency on medication after three to four acupuncture sessions. While results vary from person to person, many report decreased congestion as well as an improvement in their allergy symptoms within a few days after treatment. Seasonal allergy sufferers should begin acupuncture treatment early in the allergy season.

For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs call Joe Calareso at (305) 595-9500. For information about acupuncture for seasonal allergies ask for Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician and Homeopath.

Acupuncture can lower blood pressure by as much as 40 percent, according to a study recently released by the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, Irvine. Findings indicate that acupuncture can help normalize blood pressure—lower pressure when it is elevated or raise pressure when it is too low—and complements treatments for cardiovascular patients.

Though drug therapy and healthy lifestyle changes related to diet, exercise and weight loss are typically utilized to treat high blood pressure, some patients are looking for alternative solutions. “In our real world of clinical practice, we’re encountering patients who find it difficult to make these changes or who continue to have high pressure despite making real changes. They’re looking for something else, and acupuncture is a potential solution that’s relatively painless,” said Dr. John Longhurst, director of the Susan Samueli Center and study leader.

The Samueli Center’s research also found that acupuncture has a slow onset and prolonged effect. If treatments were stopped, the pressure would stay down for another month or so, and then rise over a period of weeks. “We believe these new findings on acupuncture and hypertension will help educate both Western and alternative medical practitioners while encouraging dialog on developing integrative treatment solutions,” said Longhurst.

Elevated blood pressure is due to either increased vascular constriction, or to the heart pumping excess volume into the blood vessels. Diuretics and other antihypertensives typically help with the latter; acupuncture appears to help with the former. Other recent studies from the Susan Samueli Center indicate that acupuncture relaxes vessels mainly through the central nervous system.

Acupuncture is an effective complementary modality for essential hypertension for both prevention and treatment. Anti-hypertensive effects of acupuncture are best for treatment of mild or first stage hypertension. Acupuncture is especially suitable for hypertensive individuals with existing liver or kidney complications that have low tolerance for anti-hypertensive medication.

For more information about acupuncture for normalizing blood pressure call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician and Homeopath at (305) 595-9500. For Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy program information ask for Joe Calareso.

The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) received official approval from the Department of Veterans Affairs declaring that U.S. veterans can receive reimbursement for the costs of the NCCAOM certification examinations. The examinations that qualify for reimbursement are the Acupuncture and Point Location Module, the Foundations of Oriental Medicine Module, the Biomedicine Module and the Chinese Herbology Module.

Candidates must meet eligibility requirements in order to be approved to take the NCCAOM exam(s). Education must be obtained from an education program that is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) or a program that has reached candidacy status with ACAOM.

“NCCAOM submitted an application to the Department of Veteran Affairs for veteran reimbursement for the NCCAOM examination costs in order that veterans who have courageously and selflessly served our country will be able to benefit from beginning a new career as an acupuncturist by becoming NCCAOM certified”, said Kory Ward-Cook, Ph.D., CAE, NCCAOM Chief Executive Officer. “NCCAOM is proud of the men and women who have sacrificed so much in service to our country and this is one way that we can give back to them.”

NCCAOM certification is a requirement for licensure in most states. A voluntary certification organization, the NCCAOM does not award licenses to practice acupuncture or other forms of Oriental medicine. In the United States, licensure laws vary among the states and the District of Columbia.

Veterans who qualify for examination reimbursement must submit their official NCCAOM examination results and receipt for the cost of the examinations to the appropriate processing center of the Department of Veteran Affairs for reimbursement.
For more information visit the Department of Veterans Affairs web site at www.gibill.va.gov and the NCCAOM web site at www.nccaom.org.

For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs call Joe Calareso at (305) 595-9500.

It’s the morning of your big presentation and you have an ugly cold sore on your upper lip. Why do cold sores always seem to appear when you have something important to do? Is it just bad luck?

What causes the cold sore is a virus called herpes simplex type 1 or type 2. Almost everyone in the whole world carries this virus. Stress is the main trigger for causing the virus to become active and appear as cold sores to break out.

Read the full Acupuncture for Cold Sores article at http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com/ailments/Acupuncture-for-Cold-Sores.htm

A new study published in the Archives of Surgery has found that massage may complement routine care to reduce pain after major surgery. In the study, a group of 605 patients were assigned to three groups. Those who received daily 20-minute back massages in addition to routine care for four days after the surgery reported a significant decrease in postoperative pain and anxiety. Patients who had massage also experienced a faster reduction in pain intensity and unpleasantness compared to those in the control group.

Pharmacologic interventions alone may not effectively address the postoperative pain experience and can raise concerns about medication side effects. Massage therapy can play an important role in pain management. Therapeutic benefits of massage therapy include increased lymphatic and venous circulation, enhanced healing of the connective tissues, reduced lactic acid levels in the muscles, and reduced blood pressure and heart rate.

As the medical community increasingly recognizes its benefits, massage therapy is becoming a mainstay health care component within hospitals. CAM hospital programs have more than doubled and massage therapy is among the most popular inpatient and outpatient services. Patients and healthcare providers are also using massage therapy to treat other health conditions as well as for pain management.

More than 39 million individuals 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. This latest survey also showed that over 40 percent have had a massage to reduce pain.

For those considering becoming a licensed massage therapist these findings are encouraging, offering career path options to work in hospital settings. Hospitals that have traditionally been structured into restricted healthcare fields are now expanding into new hospital staff options for massage therapists.

Acupuncture & Massage College’s Massage Therapy program offers body therapy classes in Japanese Shiatsu, Swedish and medical massage. For program information call Joe Calareso at (305) 595-9500. For information about complementary and alternative therapies for wellness ask for Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician.

Massage therapy is often integrated into treatment plans for several specific diseases and conditions. A seven-year, international study published in February finds that some alternative therapies such as massage are better choices for managing most common neck pain than many current practices. Also included in the short-list of best options for neck pain management are acupuncture, exercise, neck mobilization, low level laser therapy, and pain relievers.

The Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders review of the current research on neck pain is published in the journal Spine. The Task Force was created to help neck pain sufferers and health professionals use the best research evidence to prevent, diagnose and manage neck pain.

“Neck pain is not a trivial condition for many people,” says Task Force president Dr. Scott Haldeman, clinical professor, department of neurology at the University of California, Irvine. “It can be associated with headaches, arm and upper back pain and depression. Understanding the best way to diagnose and manage this condition is of high importance for those who are suffering and for those who manage its care.”
The study found that neck pain is a recurrent condition for the majority of sufferers. Neck pain is a common health problem, especially among older adults, and affects between 10 and 15 percent of the population. It is disabling for approximately two out of every 20 people who experience neck pain and affects their ability to carry on with daily activities.

Therapies such as neck collars and ultrasound are not recommended. Study findings indicate that neck pain sufferers should stay as active as possible, exercise and reduce stress. Trying a variety of therapies or combinations of therapies may be most effective.

Acupuncture & Massage College’s Massage Therapy program includes courses in Japanese Shiatsu, Swedish and medical massage. For program information call Joe Calareso at (305) 595-9500. For information about complementary and alternative therapies for wellness ask for Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician.

Homeopathic treatment for ear infections is a natural alternative to antibiotic treatment. Homeopathic treatment for ear infections effectively treats bacterial, viral and fungal infections of the ear. Homeopathic treatment for ear infections also reduces inflammation and boosts immune system functioning. Homeopathic treatment for ear infections can effectively prevent infection recurrence, thereby guarding against hearing impairment caused by chronic ear infections.

Antibiotics, antihistamines and ear tubes may provide symptomatic treatment, but often persons given these medical treatments tend to experience recurrent ear infections. Homeopathic treatment for ear infections is natural, safe, regulated by the FDA, and produces no side effects. To stimulate the body to fight the infection, homeopathic treatment for ear infections uses highly diluted, nontoxic doses of a natural substance that would produce the symptoms of an ear infection if given in full strength to a healthy person. Homeopathic treatment for ear infections consists of remedies tailored to the person’s specific symptoms.

Homeopathic treatment for ear infections is mild, relies on the body’s own healing mechanisms and is based on prevention rather than treatment of health conditions. Both homeopathic treatment for ear infections and Chinese herbal medicine offer beneficial forms of treatment. Homeopathic treatment for ear infections can strengthen health and minimize the cyclic pattern of developing ear infections. Homeopathic treatment for ear infections can relieve the pain of an ear infection quickly and gently.
Homeopathic treatment for ear infections treats the individual holistically rather than only treating the illness. Homeopathic treatment for ear infections treats the individual both physically and psychologically, taking into consideration the individual’s physical appearance, likes and dislikes and temperament. Homeopathic treatment for ear infections is effective in the diagnosis and treatment of not only ear infections but also many common ailments.

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 and homeopathic treatment, request Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician and Homeopath.

Lifestyle modifications, including nutrition for health, can protect against heart disease while offering health benefits such as lowered blood pressure and lessened risk of diabetes. Nutrition for health can lower levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart disease. Nutrition for health can increase HDL, or “good” cholesterol, protecting against heart disease.

Nutrition for health may be combined with lifestyle changes that include exercise and stress reduction. Nutrition for health plans often include diets high in soluble fiber (carrots, Brussels sprouts, citrus fruits, oats, lentils, barley) and have been shown to reduce total cholesterol levels. Although allopathic medications can lower cholesterol, side effects may include headaches, rashes, muscle damage, digestive disorders, liver damage, and dizziness. Nutrition for health can reduce arterial wall buildup, improve blood flow and widen arteries.

Nutrition for health may also include Chinese herbal formulas, which have anti-hypertensive and vasodilatation effects on peripheral blood vessels. Chinese herbal formulas in nutrition for health programs can tonify qi, increase cardiac output, enhance immune system abilities, treat angina, tonify blood, and reduce blood pressure. Traditional Chinese Medicine defines a healthy lifestyle as one that includes a balanced nutrition for health practice. Nutrition for health Chinese food therapy categorizes six food groups: spices and herbs, vegetables, grains, fruit, meats, and dairy.

Appropriate nutrition for health combines acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to achieve an optimal health state. Based on the principles of yin and yang and five element theory, each nutrition for health food is characterized by its energies, therapeutic actions and flavors. Related to yin/yang, nutrition for health food properties are further divided into four energies (cold, cool, hot, warm). The four energies of nutrition for health foods should be balanced in the diet. Nutrition for health food intake should correspond to the related organ systems that require strengthening. Nutrition for health should be tailored to individual constitution to preserve health and treat illness.

For more information about nutrition for health call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician and Homeopath at (305) 595-9500. For Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy program information ask for Joe Calareso. Jan. 17.

Homeopathic treatment for heartburn offers a safer alternative than allopathic medication in the treatment of heartburn. Homeopathic treatment for heartburn is based on the principle of “like cures like.” Homeopathic treatment for heartburn consists of remedies which are dilutions of natural substances from minerals and plants that are selected to specifically match an individual’s symptom pattern. For individuals who are unable to manage heartburn with lifestyle and dietary modifications, homeopathic treatment for heartburn may aid in curing this condition.

In combination with homeopathic treatment for heartburn, lifestyle and dietary modifications such as avoiding trigger foods, smoking cessation, eating small frequent meals, and weight control may aid in reducing the symptoms of heartburn. Homeopathic treatment for heartburn uses tiny doses of a carefully chosen substance to stimulate the individual’s body to heal itself. Homeopathic treatment for heartburn addresses the underlying root of the health problem and corrects the condition, thus improving the individual’s health holistically.

Allopathic medications such as acid blockers block hydrochloric acid production in the stomach and reduce symptoms of heartburn; however, they do not address the cause of the heartburn. Homeopathic treatment for heartburn aids the body to normalize its production of hydrochloric acid and improve overall wellness. In addition, homeopathic treatment for heartburn utilizes doses that are so small there are no side effects. For moderate heartburn conditions, homeopathic treatment for heartburn can offer a safe and mild remedy.

Homeopathic treatment for heartburn should be sought from a professional homeopathic practitioner. Homeopathic treatment for heartburn requires a homeopath’s diagnosis and treatment for cases ranging from mild symptoms to more advanced digestive conditions. Homeopathic treatment for heartburn will not only relieve the acute symptoms the individual is experiencing but can also prevent symptom recurrence. Homeopathic treatment for heartburn consists of constitutional homeopathic remedies that can strengthen an individual’s digestive system. Homeopathic treatment for heartburn can also moderate food allergies and imbalances in stomach acid and digestive enzymes.

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 and homeopathic therapy, request Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician and Homeopath.