(305) 595-9500
Women with menstrual cramps are often offered either nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or oral contraceptives. Many women find that these treatments are not effective or they cannot take the drugs, and more women would prefer a non-drug alternative, such as Chinese herbal medicine. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been used for centuries in China, being used in public hospitals to treat abdominal cramping that occurs prior to or during menstruation (primary dysmenorrhea). CHM results in significant improvements in pain relief when compared to pharmaceutical drugs. Chinese herbal medicine reduces overall symptoms and is better at alleviating pain than heat compression and NSAIDs. Herbal interventions for the treatment of menstrual cramps are most effective when started 5 to 7 days before menstruation and continued for about 10 to 15 days—until the second day of menstruation or throughout menstruation. Chinese herbal medicine can: • Yield better pain relief than conventional pharmaceutical therapies. • Relieve pain better than over-the-counter herbal health products. • Improve overall symptoms more effectively than conventional treatments. • Reduce dependency on medications. Chinese herbal formulas are often more beneficial than single herb remedies because the herbs work synergistically for conditions such as menstrual cramps. Chinese herbal formulas can regulate the menstrual cycle, relieve cramps, nourish and strengthen blood circulation, and enhance the flow of qi, or vital energy. Replacing NSAIDs with Chinese herbs can minimize the risk of adverse side effects, such as upset stomach, heartburn and ulcers while keeping you pain-free. … Read More
Recent Posts
Tai chi exercise appears to be associated with improved quality of life, mood and exercise self-efficacy in patients with heart disease, according to a study in JAMA’s Archives of Internal Medicine. Historically, patients with heart disease were considered too frail to exercise and, through the late 1980s, avoidance of physical activity was a standard recommendation. Meditative exercise may have benefits for patients with heart disease. Gloria Yeh, M.D., of Harvard Medical School, and colleagues evaluated 100 outpatients with heart disease. Fifty patients were randomized to a 12-week tai chi-based exercise intervention group and 50 were randomized to an education group. The tai chi intervention group consisted of one-hour group classes held twice weekly for 12 weeks. The education sessions were also held twice weekly for the same duration as the tai chi lessons. At completion, there were no significant differences in change in six-minute walk distance and peak oxygen uptake when comparing the tai chi and education groups; however, patients in the tai chi group had greater improvements in quality of life. The tai chi group also showed improvements in exercise self-efficacy (confidence to perform certain exercise-related activities), and related feelings of well-being. Tai chi exercise, a multi-component, mind-body training modality that is safe and has good rates of adherence, may provide value in improving daily exercise and quality of life. Health benefits of tai chi: … Read More
Tocotrienols, which are members of the Vitamin E family, are effective in lowering the levels of triglyceride, a form of fat in the blood. High levels of triglyceride are closely linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Gamma and delta tocotrienols, derived naturally from palm oil, are potent in lowering triglyceride levels in the blood by 28 percent after two months of supplementation, according to a new Singapore study. Tocotrienol-treated individuals also show decreasing trends in average weight, body fat mass, body fat percentage, and waist measurement. This form of Vitamin E has potential as a natural remedy in combating obesity. Tocotrienols in Vitamin E do not have any observable side effects. An elevated triglyceride level is one of the risk factors for the identification of metabolic syndrome, which is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke. Tocotrienols in Vitamin E may also inhibit the development of atherosclerosis, a medical condition in which fatty plaque builds up inside the arteries, by enhancing the removal of LDL-cholesterol from the blood. In addition to Vitamin E supplementation, acupuncture can assist dieters with their weight loss plan when combined with a reduced calorie diet and exercise. Acupuncture normalizes both the digestive and hormonal systems, regulates metabolic rate and reduces food cravings, which can aid in curbing binge eating. Tips for weight loss: • Make gradual changes in diet and exercise. • Reduce overeating with smaller and more frequent meals. • Balance food intake according to the season. • Avoid over-the-counter weight loss products which can cause weight to cycle. … Read More
An April 15th vote in favor of the House Republican budget ends Medicare and slashes Medicaid spending by $1.4 trillion. This will have a major, adverse impact on seniors. Medicare is primarily intended for people over 65 years of age, and the Medicaid program is the largest single payer of long-term care, including half of all nursing home costs. “The Republican budget ends Medicare, raises the cost of prescription drugs for seniors and cuts nursing home care for seniors and the disabled,” says U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), explaining why he voted against the Republican Budget and for the Democratic budget alternative. “It makes college more expensive for America’s students, kicks children out of Head Start, and makes us more dependent on foreign oil. It then takes all the money it ‘saves’ from those lopsided cuts to the middle class and the poor and shovels it to the biggest oil companies in the world, the wealthiest American taxpayers and corporations that ship our jobs overseas.” Republican budget key points: • Ends Medicare. • Gives tax cuts to oil companies and the wealthy. • Takes money from middle class and low-income seniors. • Reduces resources for children and the disabled. “The Republican budget is unfair and unbalanced and makes the wrong choices for our economy and our future,” says Miller. While seniors bear the brunt of the proposed Republican health budget cuts, many millions of children will also be harmed. Middle-class families will be denied real help that they need for health insurance to protect themselves. “It is ironic and outrageous that these cuts are included in a budget that also extends huge, unneeded tax cuts for the wealthiest people in America,” says Miller. … Read More
For years, studies have offered conflicting opinions on whether exercise is good for knees. A new report from the American College of Sports Medicine provides evidence that exercise is, in fact, good for the knees. Acupuncture can also improve knee health by relieving pain and strengthening joint function. “Several studies have already examined the impact of physical activity on the knee as a whole, but none have looked at the effect of physical activity on individual parts of the knee,” says Flavia Cicuttini, M.D., of the Monash University in Australia. “As it turns out, exercise affects each part of the knee differently, which helps explain why there have been conflicting reports for so long.” While exercise is linked to osteophytes, or bony spurs, there are no detrimental changes to joint space, the place where cartilage is housed. Exercise has beneficial effects on cartilage integrity, with evidence of greater volumes and fewer defects. Acupuncture can be beneficial for individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Acupuncture can decrease symptoms and improve quality of life when integrated into routine care. Acupuncture is most effective for individuals with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis who have moderate pain despite conventional medical therapy. Acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis: • Decreases swelling. • Reduces stiffness and pain. • Improves functional ability. • Reduces dependence on medication. Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture, herbal medicine and massage for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis as well as a wide range of other health conditions. 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. … Read More
From 1965 to 2007, the percentage of people who smoke 10-20 or more cigarettes per day declined significantly, with these declines greater in California than in the rest of the U.S., according to a new JAMA study. Acupuncture for smoking cessation can help you manage the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms. Since the first surgeon general’s report on smoking and health (1964), there has been a major decline in smoking prevalence. During this period, California has consistently led the United States in using public policies to reduce cigarette smoking, and there were faster declines in lung cancer rates in California compared with the remaining United States. “The rapid decline in prevalence of 10 or more cigarettes per day smoking is consistent with the increased incidence of cessation that occurred following the dissemination of early reports that smoking caused cancer,” the authors say. If you feel it’s time to finally kick the habit, but don’t have the willpower, you should consider acupuncture treatment for smoking cessation. Acupuncture can ease breathing, improve circulation and normalize blood pressure. Benefits of smoking cessation with acupuncture include: Reduced cold and flu illnesses, decreased rates of pneumonia and bronchitis and improved health. Acupuncture effectively manages withdrawal symptoms such as: • Increased appetite. • Sleep disturbances. • Concentration difficulties. • Irritability. Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture and herbal medicine for smoking cessation as well as a wide range of other health conditions. 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. … Read More
