Acupuncture
What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the intestines. It causes belly pain, cramping or bloating, and diarrhea or constipation. Irritable bowel syndrome is a long-term problem, but there are things you can do to reduce your symptoms.
What causes IBS?
Doctors do not know exactly what causes irritable bowel syndrome. In IBS, the movement of the digestive tract does not work as it should, but there is no sign of changes in the intestines, such as inflammation or tumors. Doctors think that IBS symptoms are related to problems with the signals sent between the brain and the intestines. This causes problems with the way the muscles of the intestines move. For some people with IBS, certain foods, stress, hormonal changes, and some antibiotics may trigger pain and other symptoms.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are belly pain with constipation or diarrhea. Other common symptoms are bloating, mucus in the stools, or a feeling that you have not completely emptied your bowels. Many people with IBS go back and forth between having constipation and having diarrhea. For most people, one of these happens more often than the other. IBS is quite common. Most people's symptoms are so mild that they never see a doctor for treatment. But some people may have troublesome symptoms, especially stomach cramps, bloating, and diarrhea.
How is IBS diagnosed?
Most of the time, doctors can diagnose irritable bowel syndrome from the symptoms. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and past health and will do a physical exam. In some cases, you may need other tests, such as stool analysis or a sigmoidoscopy. A sigmoidoscopy lets a doctor look at the inside of the lower part of the intestine (colon). These tests can help your doctor rule out other problems that might be causing your symptoms.
How is it treated?
Irritable bowel syndrome is a long-term condition, but there are things you can do to manage your symptoms. Treatment usually includes making changes in your diet and lifestyle, such as avoiding foods that trigger your symptoms, getting regular exercise, and managing your stress.
There are also medicines that may help with your symptoms. If diet and lifestyle changes do not help enough on their own, your doctor may prescribe medicines for pain, diarrhea, or constipation.
For some people who have IBS, certain foods may trigger symptoms. The following suggestions may help prevent or relieve some IBS symptoms:
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Avoid caffeine.
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Limit your intake of fatty foods. Fats increase gut sensations, which can make abdominal pain seem worse.
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If diarrhea is your main symptom, limit dairy products, fruit, or artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol or xylitol.
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Increasing fiber in your diet may help relieve constipation.
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Avoiding foods such as beans, cabbage, or uncooked cauliflower or broccoli can help relieve bloating or gas.
Getting regular, vigorous exercise (such as swimming, jogging, or brisk walking) may help reduce tension and make your bowels more regular.
If stress triggers your symptoms, stress management may help you deal more positively with stress and help prevent or reduce stress-related IBS episodes.
Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in IBS treatment. According to Chinese Medicine, IBS is due to the unbalance of some internal organs, mainly the spleen and liver. Acupuncture can balance and harmonize internal organs.
In IBS treatment, acupuncture is mainly used to strength the spleen system and to soothe the liver Qi. The treatment usually involves a series of weekly or biweekly treatments with a total of 8-10 visits.
In general, after 4-6 visits, patients should notice some improvement, such as gradually returning to the normal bowl movement, decrease of stomach cramping and bloating sensation of abdomen. In addition, patients will gradually become notice of less anxiety, more relax, and increased energy level.
During my long time of practice, I have seen many IBS patients who had tried different types of therapy and did not gain much improvement. After using acupuncture treatments in my clinic, most of them have had very good results.
By Ronghua Jiang
Prosperity Acupuncture Clinic in Mt. Horeb and Madison
Ronghua Jiang, LAc
After a long, cold winter, spring is finally here. Flowers will gradually bloom and trees start to become green. But spring is also the season in which people have the most allergies and sinus infections. Sinusitis is the infection or inflammation of the lining of the sinus cavities. These are the hollow spaces found in cheeks and around eyes. Sinus infections often follow a cold and can cause pain and pressure in the head.
Sinusitis can be either acute or chronic, meaning either sudden or long term and reoccurring. With chronic sinusitis, the infection does not ever go away completely and some symptoms always remain. There are many things that can cause sinusitis including viruses, bacteria, and fungi. In most cases, the same viruses that cause the common cold are the ones that lead to sinusitis. When someone contracts a viral infection such as a cold, the lining of the sinus cavities swell. This swelling can block the normal drainage of fluid from the sinuses into the nose and throat. If the fluid is not able to drain, bacteria and fungi may begin to grow and the sinus infection may become worse and develop into a chronic condition. Allergies are another nasal problem that obstruct the nasal passage by causing inflammation, which allows fluid to build up in the sinuses and can lead to sinus infections.
Several symptoms that may occur are headache, bad breath, coughing that produces mucus, fever, toothache, and reduced sense of smell or taste. Viral sinus infections usually go away on their own within 10 to 16 days. Antibiotics are ineffective for viral infections but there are other methods that may help to relieve the symptoms. A few of the home treatment methods that can alleviate the symptoms are drinking plenty of fluids, trying over the counter medications pain relievers and decongestants, and breathing warm, moist air from a shower, bath, or sink. Saltwater nose drops are also effective for keeping nasal passages open and free from mucus and bacteria.
According to Chinese medicine, sinus infections are due to certain Qi (natural vital energy, pronounced chi) deficiency, which also indicates an insufficient immune system. Lung, spleen and kidney meridians are the main Qi deficiencies causing sinus infections. To prevent and treat sinus infections, Chinese medicine advocates that the internal organs be enhanced to therefore boost the immune system. This will promote Qi circulation. The suggested treatment for acute conditions is to receive acupuncture treatments about once a week for 6 to 8 weeks along with herbal medicine to control symptoms. For chronic conditions, the recommended treatment is to receive acupuncture treatments once a month with herbs, although treatment may vary with individuals.
In order to prevent sinus infections, it is vital to have balanced nutrition, regular intake of vitamins and minerals, enough sleep, a sufficient amount of exercise, and a controlled level of stress to strengthen the immune system and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Oriental medicine and acupuncture are an important addition to a healthy lifestyle and can help prevent many illnesses like sinus infections and allergies. If you have any questions about this or any other conditions, please feel free to contact us at New Beginnings Chiropractic.
In my last article about keeping yourself protected and safe in this cold weather that never seems to end I spoke about maintaining cover around your neck. This month I would like to take the time to talk about the food you eat. The spleen and the stomach are the two first recipients of your food. They work together to separate what your body can use (fuel for life) from what your body can’t use (waste material for urination/defecation). These two organs are phenomenal at what they do. The stomach also uses some of the liquid in food/drink to create body fluids. The spleen uses the food you ingest to create blood for the body. The spleen is in charge of separating the pure from the turbid that is contained in our food. Once that separation process occurs the spleen sends the pure Qi up and throughout the body, while the stomach takes the turbid and sends it down to the small intestine for further processing.
Now that you have a brief idea of what each of these organs does in your body. You may ask, “Well, what does that have to do with staying warm in the winter time, Miguel?” My answer is right here:
Food helps to fuel the body’s ability to stay warm by increasing healthy circulation, not just of blood (which the spleen uses food to create), but body fluids (created by the stomach) as well. In the dry dry wintertime it’s important to stay plenty hydrated, just as it is in the summer time due to heat, not dryness. For example, cracked and dry lips as well as knuckles (which can be prevented by wearing gloves) and dry hands in general are commonly due to a lack of fluids as well as cold weather, so I repeat, stay hydrated in the winter time as you would in the summertime.
How can you use liquids besides just having enough in your system (by the way a general rule of thumb is drink a daily minimum of half your body weight in oz of water, tea counts, coffee doesn’t) to keep warm in the winter? Drink them warm or at room temperature. The colder a liquid is, the longer it takes the stomach and the spleen to heat up so that it can actually use it for digestion, circulation, etc. Often, when a liquid is too cold, I have been told by more than a few patients that they get bloating after drinking colder liquids or colder/uncooked foods. If the spleen is unable to deal with the too cold liquid, the first step is bloating and/or a heavy lethargic feeling. This is your body working harder to digest, which pulls energy away from the rest of your body, thereby decreasing circulatory movement and resultantly causing your body to feel cold. If the liquid is cold enough, the spleen will be unable to hold on to the liquid and diarrhea occurs. On the other hand if the liquid is too cold and the stomach can’t handle it, there can be vomiting. None of this is pleasant.
So here are some tips you can use to keep the cold at bay.
1. Drink room temperature water. If you don’t like the taste, squeeze some fresh lemon or orange into your water. It gives it some zing without using artificial or sugary sweeteners.
2. Eat soups with your salads (salads, with all the uncooked vegetables are very cold and cause the body unnecessary stress).
3. Drink hot teas. If you like ginger tea for digestion, I suggest being judicious in its use, because it has a drying effect and winter is already dry enough. Mint teas are tasty as well as Rooibos.
4. Avoid lotions with alcohols and petroleum based ingredients –they are drying, which can cause cracks and thereby let the cold in under your skin. Instead use lotions that contain oils, like aloe, coconut, jojoba and palm.
5. Eat as many warm/hot meals daily as you can.
6. Minimize thicker foods, like milk, ice cream, cheese (yes I know which state I am living in) and greasier meats like venison and brats. They can make digestion sluggish, thereby decreasing body fluids and their distribution. A quick and easy remedy to eating heavier meats in the winter is to accompany them with dark green leafy vegetables, like kale, broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts, etc. The effect of the dark green leafies is to cut the greasiness of the meat and make them more digestible.
As soon as winter is over I will write more about how to keep cool and keep the heat at bay, but until then keep your necks covered and keep the circulation moving and stay warm!
Traditional Chinese Medicine
is a comprehensive health care system. It includes acupuncture and herbal medicine,
TuiNa (therapeutic massge), dietary therapy, meditation, exercise, etc. The theoretical
basis of Chinese medicine is ancient philosophies such as ying-yang theory, five
element theory and essence-qi theory. Chinese medicine works to promote natural
vital energies, inherent in all living things, and to enhance the body’s
ability to heal itself. Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into
the body at specific points to treat certain health problems. These points have
been mapped by ancient Chinese physicians and now electromagnetic research has
confirmed their locations.
How do Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Work?
Chinese medicine is based on an energetic model rather than the biochemical
model of Western medicine. The ancient Chinese recognized the vital energy within
all life forms and life processes. They called this energy Qi (pronounced chee).
During long term treatment and preventing of disease, the ancient Chinese physicians
discovered a system of cyclic energy flowing in the human body along specific
pathways called meridians. Each pathway or meridian is associated with a particular
physiological system and internal organ. The pathways of energy communicates with
the surface of the body at specific locations called acupuncture points. Each
point has a predictable effect upon the vital energy passing through it. Disease
is considered to arise due to deficiency or excess (unbalance) of vital energy
in energetic pathways and their associated physiological system. Acupuncture manipulates
needles at specific points on the body and stimulates the flow of Qi or the natural
healing energy to areas where it is needed. In this way, acupuncture harmonizes
and balances the body and then cures diseases. Herbal medicine, massage,
moxa (heat therapy) and other types of treatment all work to regulate and balance
ying-yang and Qi-Xue (blood), harmonizing the whole body in order to prevent ailments.
In addition, Chinese medicine also emphasizes well-being by educating clients
about dietary therapy, exercises and meditation such as Taichi and Qigong.
Is
Acupuncture Safe?
Yes, it is safe. Acupuncturists are licensed by state
regulatory boards. The needles are sterilized and disposable. There are no side
effects from acupuncture. Is Acupuncture painful? Acupuncture needles
are fine and flexible, about the diameter of a thick hair. In most cases, insertion
by a skilled practitioner is performed with minimal discomfort. Most patients
find the treatment very relaxing and may fall asleep during sessions. In some
cases, acupressure or therapeutic massage can be used instead of acupuncture. First
Visit When you first visit the clinic, you will have an interview with the
acupuncturist to discuss your health problems. You will be given a consultation
about your daily diet and nutrition. The type of treatment depends on what kind
of condition you have. Usually, acupuncture is the most common therapy but sometimes
it needs to be combined with herbal medicine or other therapies. In some cases
only therapeutic massage or moxa will help. The first visit usually 70 minutes
to two hours. Subsequent visits last 40-60 minutes. Traditional Chinese
Medicine is a comprehensive health care system. It includes acupuncture and herbal
medicine, TuiNa (therapeutic massge), dietary therapy, meditation, exercise, etc.
The theoretical basis of Chinese medicine is ancient philosophies such as ying-yang
theory, five element theory and essence-qi theory. Chinese medicine works to promote
natural vital energies, inherent in all living things, and to enhance the body’s
ability to heal itself. Acupuncture is the insertion of
fine needles into the body at specific points to treat certain health problems.
These points have been mapped by ancient Chinese physicians and now electromagnetic
research has confirmed their locations. How do Acupuncture
and Chinese Medicine Work? Chinese medicine is based on
an energetic model rather than the biochemical model of Western medicine. The
ancient Chinese recognized the vital energy within all life forms and life processes.
They called this energy Qi (pronounced chee). During long term treatment and preventing
of disease, the ancient Chinese physicians discovered a system of cyclic energy
flowing in the human body along specific pathways called meridians. Each pathway
or meridian is associated with a particular physiological system and internal
organ. The pathways of energy communicates with the surface of the body at specific
locations called acupuncture points. Each point has a predictable effect upon
the vital energy passing through it. Disease is considered
to arise due to deficiency or excess (unbalance) of vital energy in energetic
pathways and their associated physiological system. Acupuncture manipulates needles
at specific points on the body and stimulates the flow of Qi or the natural healing
energy to areas where it is needed. In this way, acupuncture harmonizes and balances
the body and then cures diseases. Herbal medicine, massage,
moxa (heat therapy) and other types of treatment all work to regulate and balance
ying-yang and Qi-Xue (blood), harmonizing the whole body in order to prevent ailments.
In addition, Chinese medicine also emphasizes well-being by educating clients
about dietary therapy, exercises and meditation such as Taichi and Qigong. Is
Acupuncture Safe? Yes, it is safe. Acupuncturists are licensed
by state regulatory boards. The needles are sterilized and disposable. There are
no side effects from acupuncture. Is Acupuncture painful? Acupuncture
needles are fine and flexible, about the diameter of a thick hair. In most cases,
insertion by a skilled practitioner is performed with minimal discomfort. Most
patients find the treatment very relaxing and may fall asleep during sessions.
In some cases, acupressure or therapeutic massage can be used instead of acupuncture. First
Visit When you first visit the clinic, you will have an
interview with the acupuncturist to discuss your health problems. You will be
given a consultation about your daily diet and nutrition. The type of treatment
depends on what kind of condition you have. Usually, acupuncture is the most common
therapy but sometimes it needs to be combined with herbal medicine or other therapies.
In some cases only therapeutic massage or moxa will help. The
first visit usually 70 minutes to two hours. Subsequent visits last 40-60 minutes. In Oriental Medicine, smoking
reflects an energetic imbalance in the body. Smokers use tobacco in an attempt
to restore balance, but tobacco works only for the short term, so continuous use
is needed for long-term balance. Thus, addiction begins. There are familiar and
dangerous side effects that come with such long-term use of tobacco. However,
acupuncture can successfully restore that imbalance safely and permanently. Even
the World Health Organization officially recognizes acupuncture as a safe and
effective way to quit smoking. Treatments may consist of
tiny thin acupuncture needles inserted in the ear lobe at key acupuncture points.
Then a faint, low level electrical current is applied to the needles. The current
is scarcely felt. The needles remain in place about 20-40 minutes. During that
time, many people report feeling a deep sense of relaxation and may even fall
asleep during the treatment. For those who are shy about needles, electro-acupuncture
can be applied alone without the needles. Small intradermal needles or acupressure
beads may be taped onto the earlobe after the treatment. The patient can press
on these to activate and stimulate acupuncture points whenever the urge to smoke
arises. Attempts to smoke after the treatment may be met with a surprising sensation
of nausea. The familiar taste of tobacco may not be as pleasant. Eighty
percent of the population usually responds within the first three treatments.
More or less treatment is needed, depending on how long and how much one smoked.
Although there does need to be a certain minimum level of motivation to quit,
acupuncture can simply alleviate the urge or desire to smoke. Smokers seem to
lose interest. And after 2-3 weeks, most are “unhooked”. Some
former smokers can remain in balance for a long time after treatment, sometimes
permanently. Others may slowly become imbalanced again and need an occasional
-energetic boost with a follow-up treatment, perhaps in 1-6 months. The
cost of a treatment is often less than a 2 month supply of cigarettes, or a half
dozen cartons. Here’s what smoking costs you: At
$4 a pack: One pack daily $1500
Two packs daily $3000
Three
packs daily $4500 All up in smoke! Quitting smoking
can save you a lot of money that could be used for other enjoyable things like
vacations or paying off bills. Former smokers can also avoid diseases like emphysema,
cancer, and heart disease. It can also help remove nicotine from the blood and
accumulated tar from the lungs.
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