Important recent research about the effects of acupuncture on the brain may provide an understanding of the complex mechanisms of acupuncture and could lead to a wider acceptability of the treatment in conventional health care. The study, by researchers at the University of York and the Hull York Medical School published in Brain Research, indicates that acupuncture has a significant effect on specific neural structures. When a patient receives acupuncture treatment, a sensation called deqi can be obtained; scientific analysis shows that this deactivates areas within the brain that are associated with the processing of pain. “These results provide objective scientific evidence that acupuncture has specific effects within the brain which hopefully will lead to a better understanding of how acupuncture works,” says Hugh MacPherson, M.D., of the Complementary Medicine Research Group in the University’s Department of Health Sciences. Neuroscientist Aziz Asghar, M.D., of the York Neuroimaging Center and the Hull York Medical School, adds, “The results are fascinating. Whether such brain deactivations constitute a mechanism which underlies or contributes to the therapeutic effect of acupuncture is an intriguing possibility.” Recent studies in the US have also shown that acupuncture affects the brain’s ability to regulate pain. Acupuncture increases the binding availability of mu-opioid receptors (MOR) in regions of the brain that process pain signals. Opioid painkiller medications, such as morphine, are believed to work by binding to these opioid brain and spinal cord receptors. The increased binding availability of these receptors stimulated by acupuncture is associated with reductions in pain. For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director, at (305) 595-9500. … Read More

Being obese in adolescence increases the risk of being severely obese in adulthood. Individuals with severe obesity encounter serious and potentially life-threatening health complications. … Read More

Nearly 80 percent of women experience hot flashes during menopause. Caused by changes in estrogen, hot flashes typically begin with a rise in body temperature followed by perspiration, rapid heart rate and discomfort. Lasting from 30 seconds to a minute, they often occur at night. Women usually experience hot flashes for four years while going through menopause. They may begin two to three years before the cessation of the monthly period and last up to five years after the cessation of menses. Hot flashes are associated with an increased blood flow in the blood vessels of the chest, back, neck, and face. Symptoms of hot flashes may include: • Flushing. • Body warmth. • Night sweats. • Facial redness. Finding effective treatment options for hot flashes can be difficult. Hot flashes have been conventionally treated with estrogen and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). However, HRT has been linked to an increased risk for heart attack, breast cancer and stroke. Acupuncture is a holistic therapy option for the treatment of hot flashes with virtually no adverse side effects. Acupuncture, when compared to drug therapy, has a longer lasting effect on the reduction of hot flashes. Women also report that acupuncture improves energy and alertness. … Read More

People experience fatigue when they cannot effectively manage daily activities and responsibilities while allowing time for their health. Many feel continually fatigued. Acute or chronic, fatigue can lead to exhaustion and constant low energy. Fatigue is not improved with sleep and can impair functioning and quality of life. … Read More

Nearly 30 percent of soldiers returning from combat in Iraq experience posttraumatic stress disorder or depression that affects their daily lives and activities. For as many as 14 percent of these veterans, PTSD and depression can cause severe impairment. Assessing health surveys from more than 13,000 Army and National Guard infantrymen who fought in Iraq, a new Archives of General Psychiatry study has determined that between 9 and 14 percent of the soldiers were diagnosed with PTSD or depression resulting in serious impairment, while 23 to 31 percent experienced some degree of impairment. The pre-deployment rate of PTSD and depression among the soldiers was about 3 to 5 percent, equivalent to that seen in the general population. The risk of mental health problems may be more persistent among National Guard soldiers. A greater proportion of men and women in the National Guard than in the Army were diagnosed with PTSD and depression one year after their return. The standard time between deployments, 12 to 18 months, may not be sufficient for many soldiers to recover, the study suggests. Acupuncture can be an effective addition to treatment regimens for PTSD, alleviating symptoms. PTSD symptoms acupuncture treats include: • Insomnia. • Stress. • Anxiety. • Depression. AMC’s Community Clinic offers free acupuncture to veterans on Fridays. If you are a veteran, call (305) 595-9500 to schedule your free acupuncture appointment. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director. … Read More

Therapeutic Massage In Health Care One of the oldest healing arts, massage therapy has been used over a time span of some 3000 years to treat and cure a wide range of common ailments and health conditions. Therapeutic massage effectively treats: • Lower back and neck pain. • Sprains and muscular strains. • Fatigue and stress. • Arthritis and inflammation. • Circulatory and digestive conditions. Today, therapeutic massage is utilized in a variety of health care settings, such as clinics, alternative health care environments, medical offices, and hospitals. Therapeutic massage is also incorporated into specialized treatment for orthopedics, geriatrics, chiropractic care, sports medicine, and physical therapy. Holistic practitioners tailor therapeutic massage techniques to enhance energy work. … Read More

Military service is a cause of post-traumatic stress disorder in some veterans and is also associated with multisymptom illness, gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and psychiatric problems such as anxiety disorder, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine, the latest update in a series of reports on the Gulf War and veterans' health. Some veterans suffer a range of symptoms whereas others experience specific, isolated health problems or no ill health. It is likely that post-traumatic stress disorder and multisymptom illness result from the interactions between environmental exposures and genes, and genetics may predispose some individuals to illness. Veterans who continue to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and multisymptom illness deserve the very best that modern science and medicine can offer to speed the development of effective treatments, cures and prevention. Fridays from 1pm to 4pm, veterans can receive free acupuncture treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic, located at 10506 N. Kendall Drive, Miami. Acupuncture can be an effective addition to treatment regimens for PTSD, alleviating symptoms including: • Insomnia. • Stress. • Anxiety. • Depression. If you are a veteran, call today to schedule your free acupuncture appointment at (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director. … Read More

For long-term weight maintenance, women who are middle-aged or older must exercise daily, incorporating at least 60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity into their schedule, according to a new Journal of the American Medical Association study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital. … Read More

Fridays from 1pm to 4pm, veterans can receive free acupuncture treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic, located at 10506 N. Kendall Drive, Miami. Call (305) 595-9500 to schedule an appointment. Classified as an anxiety disorder, PTSD can result from the experience or witnessing of traumatic or life-threatening events such as terrorist attack, violent crime, torture, genocide, natural disaster, and military combat. Symptom clusters of PTSD include re-experiencing of the event (intrusive memories, flashbacks), emotional numbing, behavioral avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, and hyper-arousal (difficulty sleeping, irritability, being easily startled). According to the National Center for PTSD (US Department of Veterans Affairs), about 30 percent of the men and women who have spent time in recent war zones experience combat-induced PTSD, a categorization of PTSD more difficult to treat than PTSD caused by other traumas. Acupuncture can be an effective addition to treatment regimens for PTSD, alleviating symptoms. PTSD symptoms acupuncture treats include: • Insomnia. • Stress. • Anxiety. • Depression. If you are a veteran, call today to schedule your free acupuncture appointment at (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director. … Read More

Increasing numbers of American women are becoming obese and physically inactive, leading to more women experiencing arthritis. While women in the United States have an arthritis prevalence of over 23 percent, women in Canada have a significantly lower rate of 19.6 percent, according to a new Toronto Western Research Institute study, which compared data from both countries. “Our study results suggest that the higher prevalence of arthritis in the U.S. may be a consequence of greater obesity and physical inactivity in that country, particularly in women,” says lead author Elizabeth Badley. “Public health initiatives that promote healthy weight and physical activity may benefit from including arthritis concerns in its message, and could potentially reduce the incidence of arthritis,” Badley says. The study appears in the March issue of the journal Arthritis Care & Research. Certain factors have been shown to be associated with a greater risk of arthritis. Some of these risk factors are modifiable while others are not. Modifiable risk factors include: • Overweight and obesity. Excess weight can result in knee osteoarthritis. • Infection. Microbial agents can infect joints and contribute to the development of multiple forms of arthritis. • Joint damage. Injury can result in the development of joint osteoarthritis. Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and massage therapy can aid in alleviating the pain, stiffness and inflammation associated with all types of arthritis. Traditional Chinese medicine uses a multidimensional approach, treating arthritis with acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, bodywork, diet modification, and supplements as necessary depending on the type of arthritis and the symptoms. … Read More

Heart disease prevention remains important for women, even though awareness is on the rise. Millions of women are at risk at increasingly younger ages. Nearly 80 percent of midlife women, ages 40 to 60, still have one or more of the modifiable risk factors—high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes, and smoking. Sixty percent of younger women, ages 20-39, have one or more of these risk factors. There are also high rates of overweight/obesity in younger women, which can lead to higher rates of heart disease in later years. Women can prevent heart disease by: • An annual physical to check blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index. • Incorporating heart healthy eating. • Getting regular physical activity. • Maintaining a healthy weight. • Not smoking. "Women are developing heart disease at younger ages, and our research shows that many women, particularly at younger ages, still do not recognize their personal risk," says Susan Shurin, M.D., acting director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The Institute is currently reminding all women of the importance of heart disease awareness through its Heart Truth campaign. "What young women need to realize is that leading a healthy lifestyle in their 20s and 30s sets them up for a long and healthy life,” says Shurin. The late 20s and early 30s is a critical time for women to take action to reduce their heart disease risk. Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and massage for the treatment of a wide range of health conditions as well as for overall wellness. 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

Congratulations to the Acupuncture & Massage College students who participated in the Chinese New Year celebration held at Miami Dade College Kendall campus last Sunday! Acupuncture & Massage College students who participated in this event included: Loren Browne, Yanely de Armas, Dionne Ambert, Angel Collins, Jennifer Broadwell, Tammy Anderson, Michelle Daniels, Luis Sanchez, Carmen Garcia, and Rosa Cerda. The students were terrific and offered mini-massages, stress surveys and information about AMC’s Clinic services and Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs to event attendees. A very successful day! For information about our classes or treatment please call 305.595.9500 … Read More

Each year, hundreds of people attempt to stop smoking with hypnosis, nicotine replacement and prescription medications. Acupuncture is a drug-free way to stop smoking and stay nicotine free. Acupuncture stimulates natural endorphin release, which reduces nicotine cravings and detoxifies the body. Acupuncture treats many of the symptoms people experience when quitting smoking, including: • irritability • sleep disturbances • concentration difficulties • restlessness • headaches • fatigue • increased appetite • weight gain When combined with acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine can aid in the smoking cessation process. Often herbs are recommended to control cravings or withdrawal symptoms. Your acupuncture physician will interview you to learn more about your smoking habits in order to create an individualized treatment program that eases the emotional and physical symptoms you may experience when quitting smoking. Acupuncture therapy aids in addressing your particular triggers for smoking and how to avoid them. Exercise and dietary modifications may be recommended to help cleanse the body of toxins and prevent relapse. Your acupuncture physician may incorporate stress management techniques and tips for dealing with cravings. For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs call Joe Calareso, Admissions Director, at (305) 595-9500. Dec.20. … Read More

Female veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are less likely to complain about painful health conditions than male veterans, according to a new study. Findings of the study of more than 91,000 veterans indicate that 43 percent of veterans reported some type of health complaint over one year. Of those, 44 percent of men reported experiencing pain, compared with 38 percent of women. Of those evaluated for persistent pain, 21 percent of men reported symptoms compared with 18 percent of women. Study data contrasts with painful health conditions experienced among the general population, where women often have higher rates of acute and chronic pain disorders and ailments. The findings appear in the journal Pain Medicine, with research led by Dr. Sally Haskell of the VA Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven. While Haskell and her researchers cannot identify why the percentages differ from those in the general population, they believe that combat exposure could be a factor. Higher percentage rates of pain conditions among male veterans may be due to more men serving in a war zone than women, with more of them experiencing injury or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). "A better understanding of the prevalence of pain, as well as sex-specific variations in the experience and treatment of pain, is important for policy makers and providers who seek to improve identification and management of diverse pain disorders,” says Haskell. According to the National Center for PTSD (US Department of Veterans Affairs), about 30 percent of the men and women who have spent time in recent war zones experience combat-induced PTSD. Classified as an anxiety disorder, PTSD can result from the experience or witnessing of traumatic or life-threatening events such as terrorist attack, violent crime, torture, genocide, natural disaster, and military combat. Symptom clusters of PTSD include re-experiencing of the event (intrusive memories, flashbacks), emotional numbing and/or behavioral avoidance of trauma-related stimuli and hyper-arousal (difficulty sleeping, irritability, being easily startled). Acupuncture can be an effective addition to treatment regimens for PTSD, alleviating symptoms including insomnia, stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also reduce body pain without medication side effects. Use of complementary therapies (acupuncture, massage and herbal supplements) is widespread among active military veterans. Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers holistic therapies for the treatment of PTSD and many other stress-related conditions and ailments. To schedule an appointment at the Clinic call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director. … Read More

The path from enrollment to graduation can be extremely challenging for college students diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Students with ADHD may have difficulties with assignments, reading comprehension, note-taking, tests, and time management, which can result in poor organization, academic underachievement and procrastination. Students with ADHD may also experience distractibility and difficulty focusing. Teen and adult students with ADHD often have to work harder in the less structured college setting. They may want to take steps, including: • Joining study groups • Developing tailored learning plans • Taking a smaller course load • Setting and maintaining academic goals • Scheduling regular meetings with faculty Academic services are often available to students with ADHD, such as study skills assistance and extended time for tests. As many as 3.8 million students in the United States are diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, making it one the most common behavioral disorders. At least 2 million students with ADHD take Ritalin and other prescription stimulants and medications. Acupuncture is an effective therapy for the treatment of ADHD, without the side effects of medications. Many commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD alleviate symptoms but do not treat the root cause of the disorder. Acupuncture can aid students with ADHD in their ability to focus, improve concentration and reduce the need for Ritalin and other medications. Symptoms of ADHD can be reduced with acupuncture, usually after one to four months of weekly acupuncture treatment sessions. A comprehensive program including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and nutritional supplementation can often effectively treat mild cases of ADHD. Acupuncture may also be used as an adjunct therapy in more severe cases to aid in lowering medication dosage and to reduce side effects. Acupuncture is often one of the first treatment choices for teen and adult students with ADHD and is a safe, holistic therapy. For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs call Joe Calareso, Admissions Director, at (305) 595-9500. Dec.1. … Read More