Fondation Espoir d'Enfants Fondation Espoir d'Enfants
Numero de charité : 86620 0991 RR0001

The Inner Workings of Acupuncture

The Inner Workings of Acupuncture

The art of acupuncture is a type of rehabilitation that encourages innate curative elements in the body. The methodology and capabilities of acupuncture requires the introduction of needles into precise points within the meridians of a person’s body. Acupuncture is described as a sub division of conventional Chinese medication, which took root in China some 5 millennia ago. Nowadays, almost everyone is familiar with acupuncture, as it is considered not dangerous. In fact, many people from varying cultural and social strata have experimented with acupuncture at one point in their lives.

The important advantages of acupuncture include relief from distress without using any form of drugs, Safe-guarding against various ailments, attacks the cause as well as the symptoms, a holistic loom to poor health and successfully takes care of various ordinary conditions such as colds and fever.

There are factions who swear by acupuncture, raving about its therapeutic effectiveness and that the methodology is truly a remarkable one. There are two ways in which acupuncture is employed; the conventional Chinese method, and the Western applications.

Conventional Chinese medication is an incorporated structure, which has been employed for thousands of years to take care of wounds and sickness. Acupuncture shapes one of the pivotal mechanisms to the conventional Chinese medication methods for alleviating pain and body disorders. In the conventional Chinese medication system of medicine, the body is viewed as an intricate balance of two contrasting and indivisible forces, which is the Yin and the Yang. Yin corresponds to the cold, unhurried, or submissive belief, while yang is the hot, animated, and vigorous belief.

Conventional Chinese medication relates the body to an elevated multifaceted electrical path, which must be maintained at optimum levels if it is to work cohesively. If the electrical path encounters problems, the body becomes ill. The pivotal supposition is that health is attained by sustaining the body in a perpetual balanced stance, and that ailments occur when there is an imbalance between the Yin and the Yang. This inequity results in obstruction of Qi, which translates as fundamental energy.

In the Western philosophical sense, acupuncture was initially integrated into western medicine in the 50s and 60s and has since become more popular into the next decades. Much research has been done on the subject of acupuncture and the essential effects on the human psyche.

However, even until today, there does not exist a proven scientific explanation on the theory that work in a partnership between the two acupuncture elements explains all of the physiological instruments as the causal effects of acupuncture. This is simply a problem for the Western scientific community as everything has to be based on solid and visual proof, which acupuncture has not been able to fully explain.

The good news is that acupuncture mainly constructs its property via adapting to the nervous system. When the nervous system is regulated, it helps the insurgence of pain-killing bio chemicals such as endorphins and immune cells at targeted parts in the body.

If you’d like to book an appointment with experienced acupuncturists, visit AB Acupuncture.

In conclusion, scientists have come to probable conclusions from examining several individual clinical effects of acupuncture employment.

Treatment for Infectious Diseases

Treatment for Infectious Diseases

There are many infectious diseases—as well as a multitude of microorganisms that cause them—and the range of treatments for these diseases is vast. Antibiotic drugs help eradicate illnesses caused by bacteria, but they are not effective against those caused by viruses, such as the common cold, most sore throats, and the flu. Some infectious diseases as yet have no cure. In these cases, preventing infection is key. Vaccinations are effective in preventing many devastating diseases and, as a result, save millions of lives.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics, also known as antimicrobials, anti-infectives, or antibacterials, are a huge group of drugs. This large group is broken down into classes, some of which include:

Fluoroquinolones

Macrolides

Cephalosporins

Penicillin

The various classes of antibiotics differ in their chemical makeup. They also target different bacteria, which is why certain antibiotics are better than others at resolving specific infectious diseases. Moreover, antibiotics vary in the ways they destroy bacteria. Before prescribing an antibiotic, doctors must take various factors into consideration. They must carefully choose the drug that will kill the specific microorganism that is making you or a member of your family sick.

Bacterial resistance

Following the discovery of antibiotics in the 1920s, and their general availability after World War II, illness and deaths from infectious diseases dropped dramatically. But during the past few decades, the improper use of antibiotics has resulted in a problem called antibiotic resistance. Many bacteria have become immune—resistant—to the antibiotics that once destroyed them, and antibiotic resistance is growing.

Resistant bacteria have mutated in a way that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of drugs used against infectious diseases. Today, a number of the disease-causing bacteria have become resistant. As a result, some serious diseases, such as tuberculosis and malaria, which were once well controlled, are gaining ground again.

Resistance also hinders the treatment of ear infections in children, meningitis, septicemia, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and sinusitis. Not surprisingly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified antibiotic resistance as one of the most pressing public health concerns of our time.

Preventing resistance

To help prevent bacterial resistance, take your antibiotics exactly as your doctor prescribes them, and keep taking them, even if you start feeling better. If you don't finish the entire prescription, only the weaker bacteria may be destroyed, leaving the stronger ones to possibly develop resistance. Remember, too, that antibiotics are effective only against bacteria and shouldn't be used to treat illnesses caused by viruses, such as colds and the flu. Never take antibiotics prescribed for someone else, and don't save leftover medicine to use at another time. When taking an antibiotic, be sure to alert your doctor if your symptoms are worsening.

Vaccinations

Most medications are therapeutic, meaning that they are used to treat a disease and its symptoms. Vaccines, however, are preventive. Vaccinations have nearly eliminated some deadly diseases, such as smallpox, diphtheria, and polio, from our society. In addition, vaccinations have helped save millions of children from serious illnesses, such as measles, mumps, and chicken pox.

How they work

The purpose of a vaccination is to give you immunity to a disease before it can make you sick. A vaccine is made from portions of the same microorganism that causes the particular disease you want to be protected against. For example, the measles vaccine is actually made from the measles virus. But the germs in vaccines have either been killed or weakened so that they can't make you sick with the disease.

A healthcare provider usually injects the vaccine into a patient with a needle. Thinking that a disease has invaded the bloodstream, the immune system reacts as if it were under attack—by making antibodies to destroy the invader. Once your body forms antibodies, it remembers them and provides you with immunity. If a vaccinated person is ever exposed to the real disease, the antibodies are there as protection.

Prevention

Especially during this time, it’s important to take care of your immune system and be cautious of environments and activities that can lead to virus exposure. Regular acupuncture treatment has been shown to help support immune system functions. Visit AB Acupuncture today to learn more.

Infectious diseases are spread from one person to another, often when one person touches the surfaces of objects an infected person has previously touched. Other ways infectious agents spread are through:

      • Skin-to-skin contact

      • Inhalation of airborne particles

      • Ingestion of contaminated food or water

      • Insect bites

      • Sexual contact

      • Entry through broken skin

Transmission from mothers to their unborn babies through the birth canal and placenta

You can help keep your family safe from many infectious diseases with some common sense practices.

Wash those hands

One of the most important preventive measures is simply washing your hands. Wash them frequently with warm water and soap, particularly during the cold and flu season. Make sure you also wash your hands before you prepare or eat food. Always wash them after you have used the bathroom, blown your nose, sneezed, coughed, changed a diaper, cared for a sick person, or played with a pet.

Washing with soap dislodges the microorganisms from your skin, and rinsing removes them. Make sure you wash them correctly: Wet your hands and apply liquid or clean bar soap; place the soap on a rack and allow it to drain; lather the surfaces of your hands, and rub them briskly together for 10 to 15 seconds; rinse them well, then dry them with a clean towel.

Be alert in the kitchen

      • You can take many preventive steps in the kitchen, too, to guard against foodborne illnesses such as those caused by salmonellae.

      • Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold until eaten or cooked

      • Be sure temperature controls in the refrigerator and freezer are working properly

      • Wash your hands before and after you handle food

      • Scrub counters, cutting boards, and utensils often with soap and hot water, especially after preparing poultry or other meats

      • Wash faucets, appliance handles, cabinet knobs, and high chairs

      • Launder dishcloths and dish towels often, and toss out dirty sponges

      • Wash fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly

Be especially careful with raw meats and poultry. Separate them from each other and from other foods, and wash your hands after you have handled them. Don't let cooked meat or poultry touch the same containers, platters, or cutting boards used for uncooked foods until you have washed them. It's important not to taste or eat raw, rare, or even pink ground meat or poultry in any form. Cook hamburgers, meat loaf, turkey, and chicken thoroughly (until the juices run clear).

In restaurants, order ground meats well done, and always know the contents of what you are eating. When you are shopping, buy refrigerated and frozen foods last. Remember to thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator or microwave oven and not on the kitchen counter or in the sink.

Eggs may also carry serious germs. Buy only clean eggs without cracks and keep them refrigerated. Don't eat raw or undercooked eggs in any form, even in Caesar salad dressing, hollandaise sauce, milkshakes, or batter. Cook eggs thoroughly—until the white is firm and the yolk hardens. Wash hands and all surfaces and utensils that come into contact with raw eggs, and always refrigerate unused or leftover food containing them.

Keep toys clean

Children often put their toys in their mouths. They also pass them around. This can be a problem because young ones may put their hands in their diapers or pants and transfer germs to the toy surfaces. Infected children can easily spread their illnesses. To help prevent transmission through toys, keep them clean. Throw away any that can't be thoroughly washed. Scrub them in warm, soapy water, using a brush to reach into crevices. Rinse them in clean water.

Use care around animals

Wild and farm animals are sources of infectious diseases. If an animal bites or scratches you, clean the wound with soap and water, and seek medical care immediately. Animals can also spread diseases through their droppings. Even household pets can spread intestinal roundworms to children who ingest soil contaminated with feces. Pet lizards, turtles, and other reptiles frequently transmit salmonellae. It is important to clean pet cages regularly, and collect and dispose of animal droppings from areas where children play.

Perhaps the most serious animal-borne disease is rabies. Make sure your pets are properly vaccinated. Unvaccinated pets can acquire rabies from infected mammals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats. Rabies spreads through bites or scratches. For their safety as well as your own, confine your pets to your property. Letting them roam increases their chances of infection. Signs of the disease include drooling, nervousness, aggressiveness, foaming at the mouth, and abnormal behavior. If you suspect an animal has rabies, notify the animal warden or health department. Don't try to catch the animal yourself. If untreated, rabies is always fatal to humans.

To keep your house free of rodents—and safe from hantavirus infection—make sure the areas around your house are free of food scraps and other debris. Seal any cracks in the foundation and secure your trash. Keep any pet food that is stored outdoors in animal-proof containers. Eliminate possible nesting sites, and place wood or hay piles and garbage cans 100 feet from the house. Remember to use safety precautions when cleaning areas that might be infested with rodents or contaminated by their droppings.

Keep your kitchen clean and store food and trash in containers with tight lids. If you visit an unused cabin, open it and air it out before you enter or clean it. Mouse or bat droppings could be everywhere. Before you start cleaning, wet down possibly contaminated areas with disinfectant. Try not to inhale any dust. Wear rubber gloves while you clean and disinfect them when you are finished. When camping, keep campsites clean.

When traveling

Before traveling to an undeveloped country or wilderness area, learn about the disease threats that exist in that region. Get all recommended immunizations and use protective medications for travel, especially to areas where malaria is a risk. If you visit places where ticks or mosquitoes are common, use insect repellants on skin and clothing. Don't drink untreated water while hiking or camping. If you become ill when you get home, tell your doctor where you have been.

Some general advice

When you're sick, give yourself enough time to heal and recover. If you have teenagers, remind them of the importance of safe sex in avoiding HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Always consult your physician or healthcare provider for the best course of treatment.

Sources of Stress

Sources of Stress

We would all become bored if nothing different or challenging happened in our lives. However, to maintain balance, we must have the ability to cope with changes as they occur.

Too much change too quickly can often be a major source of stress and imbalance in our lives. The demands of rapid change are simply too great for the body and mind to deal with in a short period of time.

If you are seeking alternative methods of coping with high stress levels, consider booking regular acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture is ideal for full body relaxation and can even provide pain relief from muscle tension due to stress. Visit AB Acupuncture to schedule your first treatment today.

Many of us certainly feel the pace of life has speeded up. It can seem there are constant pressures at work and at home. Three main factors of modern life are responsible.

The work factor

There have been huge changes in the way we work over the past few decades. Many organisations have downsized so that fewer staff have to work harder and for longer, while others have become temporary contracts. We in the UK also work longer hours than anywhere else in Europe, and technological advances mean we are bombarded with e-mails, faxes and phone calls wherever we are.

The home factor

Many people have moved away from their extended families, and they cannot turn to relatives – our ‘natural counsellors’– for moral support.

The gender factor

There are no longer clear-cut roles for men and women. Most women now have jobs and many have to juggle work and family commitments. Men feel under pressure to devote more time to the family, but may be unwilling to do so.

The lottery of life

Many experts believe modern culture is another powerful cause of stress. "We all want to be celebrities, millionaires, lottery winners", says psychiatrist Patrick Whiteside, author of the best-selling Little Book Of Bliss "This kind of culture puts us under pressure. People become hung up on success and money – wanting a bigger house, bigger TV and bigger car – and forget the importance of just being a good mum or dad," he says.

Often, of course, it may seem you have no choice but to carry on in stressful situations. But it is still important to try and stand back and consider your options. Consider the changes you could make to your lifestyle. If your stressful situation continues, you may have to give serious thought to a complete change of career or lifestyle, or your health may suffer.

The following are examples of sources of stress:

      • Change in working hours

      • Change of job

      • Death of a partner

      • Debt

      • Divorce or separation

      • Getting married

      • Holidays

      • Money problems

      • Moving house

      • New child

      • Trouble with the boss

      • Trouble with the in-laws

Physical Reactions to Stress

Physical reactions to strong emotions were designed to save us in the days of the cave man. To the stone-age man, the bodily response termed "flight-or-fight" prepared him for action. This reaction was very useful for the rare occasions when he was being chased by a saber-tooth tiger or was hunting a mammoth for food. Now, millions of years on, it has the same effect, but it is counterproductive with all the pressures we face in our daily lives.

What happens to our bodies during the flight or fight response is that our pulse and blood pressure rise, we breathe more rapidly and our ears, eyes and nose become more alert. These changes are the result of the chemicals being released into the blood stream in response to the stressful state.

When the stress response goes on for far too long, or occurs frequently and at the wrong time, it may lead to unpleasant feelings. Humans get fed warning signs from the brain that say STOP AND RELAX. When we refuse to take the advice given from the brain, it gives us physical signs. These may differ from person to person. The table below highlights the most common physical reactions to stress.

How your personality affects you

Some people seem to thrive on a hectic lifestyle. Others find quite small demands stressful. We are all unique in the way we deal with stress. Clearly, stress is not solely determined by what happens to us, but also depends on the way we think.

Psychologists argue that different personalities react differently to stress. Type A personalities – who are more likely to rush, be competitive and perfectionists – are more prone to stress. Type B personalities – who are more easy-going – cope better with stress.

Physical Responses to Stress

      • Butterflies in the stomach

      • Change in appetite

      • Chest pains

      • Diarrhoea

      • Dilated pupils

      • Dry mouth

      • Frequently passing urine

      • Headaches

      • Indigestion

      • Muscle tension

      • Over-alertness

      • Pins and needles

      • Rapid, uneven heartbeat

      • Sleep problems

      • Sweating

      • Unexplained pains

Emotional Reactions To Stress

The most important changes to watch out for are increased tension, irritability and moodiness. Small irritations may be seen as unbearable. For example, the fact that the children want to play a board game, when you have just come in from work and all you want to do is sit down with a drink and relax in front of the television, may lead you to want to put them up for adoption.

There may also be changes in appetite or weight. Some people lose interest in food, whereas others may have a constant desire to eat. Your ability to cope at home and at work may become extremely variable, and you may find you can’t quite get round to paying the bills and are sparked into action only when the phone is disconnected and your brain seems to go into reverse and your intray gets larger and larger. You smoke or drink (or both) more, which seems to fill in time in the evenings as you seem to have difficulty sleeping.

Emotional Responses to Stress

      • Becoming fussy or gloomy

      • Being unable to make decisions

      • Constantly worried or frightened

      • Fear of imminent fainting or collapse

      • Feeling under pressure

      • Feeling mentally drained

      • Feeling tense and unable to relax

      • Feelings of conflict

      • Impulse to run and hide

      • Increased tearfulness

      • Restlessness, inability to concentrate

Maternity 101: Massage during Pregnancy

Maternity 101: Massage during Pregnancy

It is always a great feeling when we are expecting a child in the family; it is refreshing and gives us the certain feeling that we need to step up in terms of being there for our love one when that day comes. Like any precious possession we have a mother’s womb should be taken at a great care as well. It is a source of life in which we are expecting. So clearly enough the mother’s womb needs something to make it relaxed, as all the stress during pregnancy stage comes out.

The sensitivity of pregnancy is very much documented, because in 9 months you will be playing the waiting game, you don’t know what will happens next, that is why it is considered as a “miracle” from God. Like everything else, there are methods on how to care for it. Being careful can be a good approach on it obviously. Massage during pregnancy has to be observed, it takes a lot of pressure off the one carrying the baby. To carry one’s life is such an obligation with greater responsibility, so in order to take care of the baby and also take care of you, massage during pregnancy is a vital part to help you get through it in with ease while the addition of the element of relaxation is present as well.

There are different approaches on it on paper of course, the experts or the massage therapists have methods on how to make you relax feel comfortable and be at ease as you take pregnancy throughout that pivotal 9-month period. As many pregnant moms have issued statements that during pregnancy they suffer from aches, stiffness, tensions and pain. Which in their position could cause stress and high pressure for them it is not easy at all and a way to go at it is by massage during pregnancy. Although it doesn’t require much on it, it is still safe to assume that necessary precautions and greater knowledge on the techniques on massage during pregnancy, because after all 2 lives are at stake on certain situations that may occur.

Most common aches that pregnancy causes are back pain. It is caused by a number of reasons and one main reason is because you carry too much weight on your stomach that it stresses your back or lower back area as the muscles are being forced. One way to go at it is by a gentle massage on your back overall, plus continuous rubbing massage to your feet, arms and neck to better balance the effect. Another problem that pregnant women encounter is the bad circulation which sometimes causes stiffness and numbness of the body. It can be relieved by a whole therapeutic massage to help you relax and give your body a good circulation to avoid the latter.

Massage during pregnancy is a vital part of the development of the baby as well. It can help in a lot of ways and can be sort of a prerequisite on them because as the body encounters a lot of changes it at least needs some careful help as you go along. It is something that can’t be ignored or taken granted for because, sensitivity of bringing another life is very much important and crucial.

Finding the right acupuncturist can make all the difference. Click here to discover more about acupuncture.

Understanding Green Tea

Understanding Green Tea

Green Tea – You’ve probably seen it touted on diet pills and flaunted on skincare products. It’s the supposed cure-all for everything from headaches to fatigue to acne to bloat and everything in between. Experts gush about its unique abilities to fight cancer while nutritionists swear by it as the ultimate solution for cleansing the body and boosting the immune system.

Yet what makes this Asian brew so special? Is it really the ultimate ingredient for a healthy life? Or have we simply overhyped its abilities because it’s been around for so long? Let’s take a closer look at its history to see if we can answer any of our questions.

Details on Green Tea

Green Tea is created from the leaves of the Sinensis , and unlike other teas made from the same plant, Green Tea is steamed rather than fermented, which allows for the greatest concentrations of antioxidants and catechins. It is the second most popular drink consumed worldwide, and many cultures and customs involve Green Tea as part of certain rituals.

For over 4,000 years, this herbal beverage was used for its medicinal abilities and healing properties, but only recently has its true benefits been revealed through clinical research.

Benefits of Green Tea

In 1994, the Journal of National Cancer Institute published that a study on the benefits of drinking Green Tea. The results were surprising: those who drank green tea were less likely to develop esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly 60%. The studied revealed that the ingredients in Green Tea inhibited the production of cancer cells while simultaneously lowering LDL cholesterol levels.

Green Tea’s Health benefits are primarily due to its high concentrations of flavonoids (plant-derived antioxidants). These flavonoids are especially effective in cleansing the body of harmful bi-products called free radicals, inhibiting oxidative damage to cells and naturally boosting the immune system.

By drinking a cup of tea on a regular basis, you may experience the following benefits:

      • Decrease in appetite

      • Increase in energy

      • Boost in metabolism

      • Sharpening of mental acuity and focus

      • Lower cholesterol levels

      • Improved ability to cope with stress

      • Cleansed of toxins

      • Stronger bones

Conclusion

Green Tea provides a wide variety of benefits that are essential for maintaining a healthier body and living a longer life. Whether you’re looking to lose a few extra pounds or simply trying to find a healthy substitute for your daily cup of coffee, Green Tea appears to be a one of the best beverages available. You can also try an acupuncture session together with herbal treatments to improve your immune system. Click here for more details.

Common Male Infertility Treatments

Common Male Infertility Treatments

Common Male Infertility Treatments

Common Male Infertility Treatments

For male infertility treatments, Chinese medicine can help improve the quantity and quality of the sperm by correcting the imbalance and improving the physique with herbs and acupuncture. I have talked about the causes of male infertility in my previous article. Next I would like talk about the common male infertility treatments accordingly.

Male infertility treatments from different point of views

There is a very popular parallel between women and soil in Chinese medicine. If the soil is fertile, any plants can grow and thrive and bear good fruit. On the contrary, if the soil is infertile, it is difficult for any plants to grow on it. So the same is true to men. For male infertility, the priority is to improve their physique, which is the soil of the sperm.

From the point of view of modern medicine, a man may have a rare genetic or hormone deficiency which causes infertility. Clinically usually there are two types of male infertility.

      • One is azoospermia, which refers to no sperm seen on semen analysis.

      • The other is oligospermia, which refers to poor or low sperm count.

Given that sperm is the most vulnerable individuals, whose quantity and quality remarkably depend on the health of the internal environment of a man. Furthermore, external toxins and body fluids of pH play a decisive role on the vitality of the sperm.

Basic principles for male infertility treatments with Chinese medicine

The basic principles for male infertility treatments with Chinese medicine are to warm kidney, assist Yang, benefit and replenish kidney. However, the physicians should follow them wisely during therapies.

      • In the syndrome of Yang deficiency, it should obtain Yang energy from transforming Yin energy.

      • In the syndrome of Yin deficiency, it should benefit Yin energy from transforming Yang energy.

What’s more, while benefiting and replenishing kidney in male infertility treatments, we should pay extra attention to those secondary symptoms.

      • Add herbs of invigorating Qi in the case of Qi deficiency;

      • Add herbs of nourishing blood in the case of blood deficiency;

      • Add herbs of clearing heat and promoting diuresis in the case of dampness-heat;

      • Add herbs of removing blood stasis by promoting blood circulation in the case of blood stasis.

Specifically, from the perspective of Chinese medicine, there are four common male infertility treatments.

Male infertility treatment one: kidney deficiency

Chinese medicine thinks kidney dominates people’s reproductive health. And the most important thing for male fertility is the essence of the kidney. Also kidney governs part of the endocrine system, nervous system and circulatory functions.

      • In the case of kidney Yang deficiency, the symptoms include systemic metabolic dysfunction, energy deprivation and poor production of kidney essence.

      • In the case of kidney Yin deficiency, the symptoms include hyperactive systemic metabolism and fast consumption of energy.

Therefore, if male fertility is diagnosed as kidney Yang deficiency, the treatment should be taken with benefiting kidney while strengthen Yang.

The common formula for this type of male infertility is Zan Yu Dan, in which herbs include:

      • Ba Ji Tian (Radix Morindae Officinalis);

      • Yin Yang Huo (Herba Epimedii);

      • She Chuang Zi (Fructus Cnidii Monnieri);

      • Jiu Cai Zi (Allium tuberosum seed);

      • Xian Mao (Rhizoma Curculiginis Orchioidis);

      • Rou Cong Rong (Herba Cistanches Deserticolae);

      • Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni Officinalis).

If male fertility is diagnosed as kidney Yin deficiency, The common formulas for this type of male infertility are Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan or Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan, in which herbs include:

      • Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Glutinosae Praeparata);

      • He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum);

      • Gui Ban (Plastrum Testudinis);

      • Tu Si Zi (Semen Cuscutae Chinensis);

      • Gou Ji Zi (Fructus Lycii);

      • Huang Jing (Rhizoma Polygonati);

      • Shan Yao (Dioscorea opposita)

Male infertility treatment two: deficiency of both Qi and blood

If the male infertility sufferer has the following symptoms, it should adopt the treatment of invigorating blood and Qi.

      • Lack of semen;

      • Low sperm count;

      • Sallow complexion;

      • Weakness look;

      • Lazy words;

      • Unwillingness to speak;

      • Dizziness;

      • Pale tongue with thin white coating;

      • Weak deep thready pulse or systemic dysfunction.

The common treatment formula for this type of male infertility is Ba Zhen Tang, in which herbs include:

      • Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis);

      • Chuan Xiong (Radix Ligustici Wallichii);

      • Bai Shao Yao (Radix Paeoniae Lactiflorae);

      • Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Glutinosae Praeparata);

      • Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng);

      • Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes Rhizome)

Male infertility treatment three: dampness-heat in lower Jiao

If the male infertility sufferer has the following symptoms, it should adopt the treatment of clearing heat and promoting diuresis.

      • Erectile dysfunction;

      • Yellow viscous or non-liquefaction semen;

      • Dizziness and heaviness of the body;

      • Drowsiness and fatigue;

      • Abdominal bloating;

      • Yellow urine;

      • Pink tongue with thin yellow or greasy yellow coating;

      • Stringy and slippery pulse.

The common treatment formula for this type of male infertility is Bi Xie Feng Qing Yin, in which herbs include:

      • Bi Xie (Dioscorea hypoglauca rhizome);

      • Che Qian Zi (Plantago asiatica seed);

      • Fu ling (Poria);

      • Shi Chang Pu (Rhizoma Acori Graminei);

Male infertility treatment four: stagnation of liver Qi

If the male infertility sufferer has the following symptoms, it should adopt the treatment of dispersing stagnated liver Qi and clearing stagnated heat.

      • Low sperm motility and bad quality sperm;

      • Chest tightness;

      • Restless and hard time to fall asleep;

      • Pain and bloating in costal regions;

      • Dark tongue with thin yellow or thin white coating;

      • Stringy pulse.

The common treatment formula for this type of male infertility is Chai Hu Shu Gang Yin, in which herbs include:

      • Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri);

      • Zhi Qiao (Fructus Aurantii);

      • Bai Shao Yao (Radix Paeoniae Lactiflorae);

      • Xiang Fu (Nut Grass Rhizome);

      • Chen Pi (Citrus reticulata);

Male infertility treatments with Chinese herbs and acupuncture can improve the quantity and quality of the sperm greatly. Check out AB Acupuncture to know more about acupuncture. The theory is that Chinese medicine is not just eyeing on the individual sperm defect, instead male infertility is treated through improving the physique and internal condition. Therefore, Chinese medicine practitioners should collect and analyze data such as medical record, examination reports, inquiry, pulse taking and palpation before determining the type of male infertility, and then finally give prescription.

Chinese Cupping

Chinese cupping was commonly used in ordinary people for treating illness in China since Zhou Dynasty. It is more than 2000 years now. Chinese cupping is also one kind of physical therapy. What’s more, Chinese cupping is one of the best physical therapies. In ancient China, people usually used cups made of pottery, bamboo, hardwood and glass. Nowadays, glass cup is the most popular one.

Chinese cupping is so easy to follow that it is once regarded as one of important home remedies. However, how to use Chinese cupping effectively and safely?

What is Chinese cupping?

Chinese cupping is a very unique treatment method, which was practiced among ordinary people long long ago. The basic theory behind Chinese cupping is to create a partial vacuum inside a cup by burning a cotton wool ball soaked in alcohol or exhausting the air with other instruments. And then the evacuated cups are applied to the skin and draw blood with the help of the negative pressure.

Chinese cupping is called as the therapy for blood stasis. From the perspective of Chinese medicine, Chinese cupping works mainly to promote blood circulation and enhance metabolism. The suction of slight subcutaneous hematoma can help remove the blood stasis, dispel the pathogenic wind-cold and dredge the channels and collaterals and so on.

In modern medicine, Chinese cupping is to cause congestion by broken capillaries with method of physical stimulation and negative pressure, which stimulates the healing function of human stem cells and absorption function of damaged blood cells in order to enhance and regulate the immune system.

What Chinese cupping can do?

Chinese cupping can open the pores, dispel pathogenic wind, promote blood circulation, expel pathogenic cold, relieve swelling and stop pain. Therefore, Chinese cupping can be used in the following treatments.

      • Pain of rheumatoid arthritis;

      • Lumbar muscle strain;

      • Headaches;

      • Asthma;

      • Abdominal pain;

      • Trauma;

      • Congestion;

      • Common cold and flu;

      • Chronic low back pain;

      • Sequelae of stroke.

In addition, Chinese cupping is also an important auxiliary treatment for the pain caused by any other diseases.

How to use Chinese cupping effective and safely?

Nowadays more and more people use Chinese cupping as one of important home remedies. However a lot of them have no idea how to use Chinese cupping effectively and safely?

Before you decide to use Chinese medicine, it is always a good idea to go to the hospital to identify the cause first. The causes for pain is rather complex. For example, if the pain is induced by some chronic diseases, fatigue or stress, such as lumbar muscle strain and so on, this kind of operation with Chinese cupping is relatively easy. And the accuracy of positioning of the acupuncture points is no so demanding. In such case, you can use Chinese cupping in your home once mastering the methods under the guidance of a doctor.

However, some other pains have relatively stricter requirements on the selection of acupuncture points, operation methods and time. It might be difficult to grasp for an amateur in a short period of time. In such case, you’d better go to the hospital for the Chinese cupping.

Who should avoid Chinese cupping?

Chinese cupping is not suitable for everyone. The following people should avoid Chinese cupping.

      • Those who are extremely weak physically;

      • Those who have scars, inflammation and ulcers and so on;

      • Those who suffer from bleeding disorders (such as hemophilia, thrombocytopenia, etc.);

      • Those who are right after illness, postpartum, or excessive bleeding.

How long cups should be left on the skin?

Many people would think that the longer of the time, the results of Chinese cupping would be better. Some even think that cup should be left until the skin turns blue. Is that true? Actually it is a very wrong idea. Usually no more than 10 minute is considered as the best length of time for Chinese cupping.

The mechanism behind Chinese cupping is negative pressure rather than the length of the time.If in the condition of high pressure, longer time would cause blisters or even infection to the skin. Of course, due to the physical conditions vary from person to person, 10 minutes are a relative length of time. Generally it is appropriate that the cups should left until the skin turns blue but not hurting the skin.

Basically, Chinese cupping is worth a try if you never experience it before. Click here to know the best treatment for you.

Vitex – Fertility Herbs

Vitex – Fertility Herbs

Vitex agnus-castus is one of important fertility herbs for women who try to get pregnant quickly. Also known as chaste berry, vitex agnus-castus actually is not a native Chinese herb. The native vitex in China is the close relative to European vitex agnus-castus. They are different but both chasteberry can be used as fertility herbs clinically.

Chinese vitex agnus-castus

In China, Chinese vitex agnus-castus is also traditionally used as a medicinal herb, which mainly grows in subtropical regions of China. According to records from “Compendium of Materia Medica” by Li Shi Zhen, Chinese chaste berry was widely used in treatments of dampness-phlegm, asthma, deafness, cancer and vaginal discharge in women and other symptoms.

Chinese people even used native vitex agnus-castus as supplements to diet on daily basis. They collected and stored chaste berry during harvest season. Not only chaste berry was used as herbal tea to quench thirst during busy farming seasons, also it was used to relieve symptoms such as headache and sneezing when catching a cold. Especially during months after birth, in some regions women must take a bath with boiled water of vitex leaf or vitex berry to prevent post-natal headache caused by pathogenic wind attacks.

If one woman had dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation and other women’s diseases, even infertility problem, some experienced herbalists would give priority to consumption of vitex agnus-castus tea in order to relieving symptoms and bringing them back to health. From this perspective, it now appears that the way Chinese ancient herbalists used vitex chaste berry as fertility herb coincides with their western counterparts.

Vitex herb

With modern technology, researchers have conducted a series of chemical composition analysis and experimental studies on vitex agnus-castus. In addition to confirm the chasteberry fertility theory handed down from ancient herbalists, they also found that chaste berry has more significant potentials on natural health care, which is waiting a further exploitation in the future.

For example,

      • Vitex is a rare natural anti-aging herb because it contains rich flavonoids, which is an antioxidant to oil;

      • Vitex extract may lower blood fat to treat liver steatosis and fatty liver;

      • Vitex extract may act on the liver and gallbladder and protect them;

      • Vitex extract may lower blood pressure.

Vitex and fertility herbs

For women with infertility problems, it is believed that vitex changes the ratio of estrogen to progesterone by balancing the hormones. Vitex affects the luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone and other reproductive hormones may contribute to the level of the menstrual cycle. Clinical experience also shows that vitex is extraordinarily beneficial for women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). It seems that vitex helps improve the symptoms greatly before the menstrual cycle such as irritability, flatulence and depression.

Taking vitex to boost fertility ability is a natural fertility method. That is why chaste berry is so popular now. So what is the secret in this fertility herb? Actually the secret about vitex is that it can regulate ovulation and help infertile women to correct luteal phase defects and thus falling pregnant. So women experiencing from hot flashes, sweating, vaginal dryness or depression due to hormonal imbalances and menopause can benefit from vitex as well.

Besides from that, vitex can minimizes the pain and discomfort due to the proliferation of women’s fibrous breast. And endometriosis and acne related with menstrual cycle can receive good response from vitex too.

For those women who want to get pregnant when all else fails, vitex agnus-castus might be one of the best fertility herbs. Of course, chaste berry is not is not the cure-all. Anyway, vitex is worth a try as it is safe to take during the entire menstrual cycle until getting pregnant.

Acupuncture is one of the alternative treatments to increase the fertility rate. Click here to know more.

Massage Therapy in Classical Chinese Physical Medicine

Massage therapy is one part of traditional Chinese medicine. Massage was established in the Sui Dynasty (589-617) as an area of specialization.

From the viewpoint of social development, man at first worked solely with his two hands, and it was only later when he had accumulated working experience that he gradually came to use all types of tools. When in the course of work he would occasionally meet with injury or develop pains, he found that rubbing would diminish the pain or make it disappear entirely, and was thus useful. Afterwards man continued from this foundation to accumulate practical experience which he organized and developed into massage therapy.

In the Song, Jin and Yuan periods massage therapy developed in techniques and applications. The Ming Dynasty placed special emphasis on massage therapy, ranking it as a separate clinical department in medicine. At the same time, because of the continuous development of this type of therapy, there arose a tendency toward specialization, massage finding application especially in pediatrics. Thus in the Ming Dynasty works related to pediatric massage were particularly numerous. In the Qing Dynasty, massage therapy advanced further still from the foundations of its predecessors.

Since 1949, Chinese medical work has entered a new historical era of prosperous and vigorous development. Massage therapy, like all other specialties in traditional Chinese medicine, has taken on a new look. However at present there are still many methods of massage therapy dispersed over various localities. Let us, with Chinese Western medicine working together, strive unceasingly to uncover, sort out, Synthesize, and elevate these methods so that they can play a greater role in preserving the people’s health.

Massage, as used in the treatment Of illness, makes use of hand techniques to affect the entire body, causing meridians to clear nutrient qi and defensive qi to harmonize, and qi and blood to flow normally. Through it, yin and yang achieve relative balance and the body's natural ability to fight disease is stimulated.

In traditional Chinese medicine the meridians are held to fulfill an extremely important physiological function, since the functioning of the five zang-organs, six fu-organs, four limbs, bones, skin, flesh, muscles, nerves, etc. depends on their connections. If the meridians are not clear, then they cannot perform their Connecting and liaison functions and the workings of various organs will not be coordinated. If qi and blood are in disharmony, – all types of diseases will appear. If this happens, massage therapy can be used to improve the physiological Junctions of the meridians and regulate the activity of qi and blood.

The list of diseases for which massage 1s appropriate IS wide-ranging. For instance, massage is effective for obstructive pain syndrome, numbness and paralysis; soft tissue ailments and sprain of the joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments; pains in the stomach and ribs; etc. Furthermore, asthma, menstrual cramps and other types of diseases can all be effectively treated by massage therapy.

Although massage therapy is believed to be a very effective therapeutic method, it cannot be used to treat all kinds of diseases. Clinical practice shows that massage cannot be applied to the following situations: contagious Or ulcerated skin diseases, e. g. sores from scabies; leprosy; open wounds; scalds; during menstrual period; in the case of extreme fatigue and hunger or after the patient has drunk wine; serious cases of Pulmonary consumption, heart disease, malignant anemia, acute contagious disease, benign or malignant tumors, tubercular arthritis, high fever, and acute conditions.

Finding the right acupuncturist can make all the difference. Visit AB Acupuncture to book an appointment with trained professionals.

Meridian-based Free Weight Loss Workouts

Meridian-based Free Weight Loss Workouts

There are lots of tips out there about weight loss workouts. However, people always still look for so-called ways of quick weight loss, best weight loss, something like these. Unfortunately, finally we realize that it is just too good to be true. Weight loss is a long-term project, hence we need not only a lot of patience, but also the right weight loss workouts to help burn calories.

What are the right weight loss workouts? Your own meridians probably will let you know the answer you have been looking for, according to the meridian theory of Chinese medicine.

Weight loss workouts and meridians

As we know that poor eating habits and lack of exercise tends to lead to overweight. However, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), overweight is something associated with our meridians and internal conditions. Different types of meridian imbalance can lead to different types of overweight. In other words, certain overweight requires its own right meridian-based weight loss workout.

For different types of meridian imbalances, I recommend meridian-based weight loss workouts as follows.

Weight loss workout one: imbalance of Liver & Gall-bladder Meridians

Characteristics of this type of overweight:

      • Fat in inner and outer thighs;

      • Fat around the waist.

Both of liver and gall-bladder have the function of detoxification. Bile helps digest fats and fresh blood and Qi can expel the wastes and toxins from our bodies.

Weight loss workouts recommended:

      • Massage the liver meridian located in inner thighs. Specifically, each night push with palm from upper thigh to the knee nearby about 100 times;

      • Massage or knock the gall-bladder meridians located in inner thigh with empty fist. Please note that the power needs to penetrate into the muscles and you need to feel a little bit of numbness when knocking along the acupuncture points of Yanglingquan (GB34);

      • Lie on the floor and knock around Belt Channel (around waist) for about 100 times each day. This weight loss workout can get rid of the fat around waist.

Weight loss workout two: imbalance of Spleen & Stomach Meridians

As we know that spleen governs transportation and transformation of food and water. If spleen meridian is out of balance, overweight can be easily form due to the accumulation of toxins and wastes inside our bodies.

Characteristics of this type of overweight:

      • Stomach bloating right after eating or even no eating;

      • Drooling during sleep.

Weight loss workouts recommended:

      • Massage left spleen meridian located in inner calf;

      • Look for the paint points from top to bottom and then rub them softly till feeling good.

Weight loss workout three: imbalance of Kidney & Bladder Meridians

An old saying goes like “pathogenic wind enters human body from the nape and pathogenic cold rises from the bottom of the feet.” It refers that both pathogenic wind and cold enters human body via bladder meridian. If bladder meridian can not function properly, overweight can occur as well.

      • Characteristics of this type of overweight:

      • Fat in back and buttocks.

Weight loss workouts recommended:

      • Massage or the gua sha treatment (skin scraping) along bladder meridian.

      • Brisk walks gradually leading up to jogging.

Weight loss workout four: imbalance of Lung & Large Intestine Meridians

Characteristics of this type of overweight:

      • Indigestion;

      • Stomach bloating even just eating little;

      • Arm fat;

      • Constipation.

Weight loss workouts recommended:

      • Walk on knees for 10 minutes each time;

      • Knock large intestine meridian with empty fists, which locates in arms.

Weight loss workout five: imbalance of Heart & Small Intestine Meridians

Characteristics of this type of overweight:

Fat and slack muscles in inner arms.

Weight loss workouts recommended:

      • Massage the left small intestine meridian located in inner arms;

      • Raise your left hand in parallel and massage from armpit downwards to elbow.

If you persist on these weight loss workouts every day, it could not only lose weight, but also improve the heart function of blood supply. Furthermore, it also benefits to cervical spondylosis.

Weight loss workout six: Pericardium & Triple Heater Meridians

Characteristics of this type of overweight:

      • Feel oppressed during sleep and need to open the window;

      • Short of breath when walking a little bit faster.

The toxins and wastes inside our body can be transported by fresh blood. Only if the function of heart is strong enough, the excessive fat can be consumed by blood and Qi while the rest of them are expelled from our body.

Weight loss workouts recommended:

Rub Pericardium Meridian by thumb.

For general meridian-based free weight loss workouts, you can also refer to my other article of Free Natural Weight Loss Exercises. From the perspective of Chinese medicine, just like any other diseases, in nature overweight is something associated with the imbalance of meridians. If we can fix the imbalance of meridians, weight loss can also be achieved naturally.

Treatments such as acupuncture may also help you lose weight. To know more about this treatment, visit AB Acupuncture.

Diagnosing Methods of Chinese Medicine

Diagnosing Methods of Chinese Medicine

In Chinese medicine, doctors use various methods to get full and detailed information about the patients and to guide their treatment, via observing, listening, smelling, and touching. They also talk to the patients or their relatives.

Tongue

To treat diseases, doctors use the methods of observation, auscultation and olfaction, interrogation, and pulse feeling and palpation. These methods, known as the four major methods, each have their distinctive function and doctors can make a correct analysis of diseases by applying all of them.

Interested in trying acupuncture for yourself and experiencing its healing effects? Visit AB Acupuncture now to book an appointment.

The acupuncture reduces weight exclusion mistake understanding

The acupuncture reduces weight exclusion mistake understanding

The obese is also a kind of disease according to puncture a doctor to introduce, fat because the fat stores excessive, exceed positive constant ratio, can result in various human body damage thus.The light degree fat often has no symptom, the mid-degree obese can appear to fear much hotter sweat, easy fatigue and breathe short and dizzy headache, heart palpitates, abdominal distension, legs anasarca etc.;The heavy degree obese can cause chest stuffy air to urge, love to sleep;The serious can cause lung function’s crocking up.Fat often the companion has the coronary, high blood pressure, diabetes and gout, stone calculus disease and menstruation the scarcity dysmenorrhea even, this kind of foot has already caused disease occurrence of obese call obesity.Therefore, the obese also wants to find out a cause of disease in time and cures to the disease.

The acupuncture reduces weight the essence that the essence acupuncture reduces weight to lie in the foundation that cures obesity to up reduce weight and returns a person with the healthy physique while reducing weight.The Chinese medicine thinks that puncture to reduce weight to stimulate whole body veins and arteries, but the human body veins and arteries spread all over whole body, inside allied internal organs, outside reach muscle skeleton skin etc. is all organizations and each organ and connect human body an organic whole.The veins and arteries can circulate spirit blood, promise human body nourishment material of supply, and then regulate yin and yang, make the function activity of human body been placed in dynamic equilibrium.Fat is because Pi kidney debility, muddy phlegm, spirit the evil wayses, such as Zhi and extravasated blood…etc. are stopped to inside the body to.The acupuncture stimulates Yu cave to pass the adjustment function of veins and arteries and strengthen the function of Pi kidney all over and help sense of right, and then pass dredging of veins and arteries the function dispel in addition to the evil ways in the body.The acupuncture reduces weight is exactly pass to hand is exorcising of method to attain the purpose of reducing weight the workout.

The acupuncture of individuation reduces weight special feature acupuncture and reduces weight and follows the Chinese medicine special theories system, therefore, at clinical up often meet and arrive is a together fat the method used but isn’t same.The doctor explains that puncture a characteristics for reducing weight, namely dialectical Shi Zhi, reduce weight to each one according to the individual body condition to design to fittingly reduce weight a method to, while reducing weight, carry on to the machine body positive regulate.There being also a characteristics is the method that using is natural and is good for a human body to reduce weight.Traditional acupuncture plus safe Chinese herbal medicine, massage, and Chi Kung…etc., is also have 100 benefits to the human body but neither harm.

Associated reduce weight the rebound doesn’t sprung after reducing weight worry most of the problem is to reduce weight, doctor reminds a sufferer, the acupuncture reduces weight not a dynasty one night, need press treat a distance to carry on, then can obtain a little bit well in the near future curative effect and long-term curative effect. But if reduce weight participation not sport, don’t control food, again successfully reduce weight is also a bite on granite.Therefore, even if reduce weight a curative effect satisfaction, should match with sport to wait other reduce weight a method to attain the effect of half effort and double results.

Finding the right acupuncturist can make all the difference. Visit AB Acupuncture to book an appointment with trained professionals.

Alternative Therapy Guide - Acupuncture

Alternative Therapy Guide - Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the art of inserting very thin needles just under the skin to stimulate specific points on the body in order to bring about relief of pain and wellness to the body. This is accomplished by restoring the balance of qi to the body.

Qi is the life force which is found in every thing, both human and non human, from breath to the blood that flows through us, and the movement of qi throughout the body is a sensation brought about by acupuncture that you will not want to miss. It kind of feels like blood flowing, as if you could hear it, but not really. When the acupuncturist takes the needles out of your body you can almost feel the qi moving, it feels like a thread being pulled from your leg, or foot, or wherever the needle is being drawn out from. It is a very calming experience. Simply, the flow of your qi is being restored by stimulating it using needles.

The philosophy of Dao, yin and yang, must be understood in order to understand acupuncture.

Dao is the way of life in Chinese Medicine and acupuncture. Dao advocates living in moderation, and striving for balance with nature. The Chinese believe that moderation is the key to living a long life, and use the practice of acupuncture to balance bodies and spirit to maintain health and to bring into balance ill health.

We are made up of three elements, qi (pronounced Chee) is our energy, Shen is your spirit, and Jing is the essence of ourselves. Qi establishes the interconnectedness with everything and is found in ones blood and heart, lungs and oxygen. Shen is compared to ones soul in that it provides thought and the awareness of the self. Jing helps us grow and reproduce. Once we lose jing, it can not be replaced, as the Chinese believe that we are each born with a finite amount. Because we lose jing if we live carelessly, acupuncture can reduce the loss by balancing the qi, or energy, helping to preserve jing. When our Jing is used up, we die.

Now onto yin and Yang, the other elements of life, when these two opposing forces are balanced we are at peace, we are much more likely to let things slide and take life easy, when they are out of balance we exhibit arrogance, pride, lust, gluttony, and the other excesses of living which eat away at our Jing. The emotions run amok and we become sick.

This is also why acupuncture is often used in cooperation with herbal therapy. Acupuncture works with the yang because it comes from outside the body and goes inside (the act of inserting the needle), while herbal therapies are considered to be ying therapies because they move throughout the interior of the body.

While acupuncture is widely thought to be used primarily to control pain, acupuncture can benefit a host of other illnesses, such as respiratory ailments (asthma), cataracts, hiccups, ulcers, migraines, and toothache, just to name a very few.

The truth is that I have never seen an ailment that can’t be alleviated with acupuncture, including alcoholism and addiction cravings. There is a point in the ear which can help alleviate cravings of all addictive behaviors, and acute withdrawal from alcoholism can be helped with the point used for the liver.

Western medicine is beginning to concede to acupuncture for its use in alleviating chronic pain, such as neck and back, which a lot of westerners suffer from. We are only now beginning to accept the fact that it can also be used to help anxiety and chronic fatigue, and more and more medical insurance is beginning to include acupuncture on claim forms.

This article is meant to be informative only, and does not go into the detail that acupuncture deserves; please see a practitioner of Chinese medicine for more information. Finding the right acupuncturist can make all the difference. Visit AB Acupuncture to book an appointment with trained professionals.

Acupuncture Face Lift

Acupuncture Face Lift

When it comes to signs of aging, nowhere is it more obvious than on your face. Unfortunately, your face is your most important asset in daily life. It’s how people remember you and describe you. In this respect, it’s truly better to be thought of as youthful and energetic rather than wrinkled and tired. That’s why more and more people are trying acupuncture face lift treatments because they’re far less of a commitment than traditional face lift surgery.

A real face lift surgery involves local anesthetic, incisions, and a lengthy recovery process. It can also cost thousands of dollars for only an hour or so of work. Acupuncture face lifts promise the same results for much less, but it comes with a catch.

A real face lift surgery involves local anesthetic, incisions, and a lengthy recovery process. It can also cost thousands of dollars for only an hour or so of work. Acupuncture face lifts promise the same results for much less, but it comes with a catch.

Acupuncture is an ancient Taoist therapeutic practice originally developed in China. The idea is that two life forces known as the yin and the yang must be balanced to produce the life force, known as chi. This chi energy flows through the body along fourteen different pathways. The idea is that wrinkles and sagging in the face are caused by life forces out of balance in other parts of the body. By inserting small needles just beneath the skin, acupuncture supposedly modifies the energy flow in the body by releasing endorphins and other chemicals.

The use of acupuncture for the face has been in practice for just over 20 years. It is believed that wrinkles evolve from specific muscular movements. A skilled and licensed acupuncturist can examine your body and identify the root cause of your facial wrinkles. Treatment will then commence on a weekly or bi-weekly basis for several weeks. Younger patients only require a month and a half worth of treatment, while older ones will probably require two to three months. The needles won’t necessarily be inserted in your face. If a specific wrinkle is caused by imbalances in the spleen, for instance, the needles will be inserted in the spleen area. With each successive acupuncture therapy, patients typically notice gradual improvement of their energy levels and skin tone.

The cost of an acupuncture session varies, but is usually below a hundred dollars. That’s a great price compared to a thousand dollar one-time cosmetic surgery. However, that’s where the catch lies. Most acupuncturists insist on a weekly or bi-weekly program for several months. Even at $50 a visit, acupuncture costs could eventually outpace a cosmetic face lift surgery.

Critics also mention that acupuncture is not scientific enough to merit medical attention. The lasting benefits of acupuncture face lifts are still under debate. Regardless, a new generation of people is flocking to acupuncture face lifts as an alternative to a surgical operation.

Finding the right acupuncturist can make all the difference. Click here to discover more about acupuncture.

What Is Acupuncture

What Is Acupuncture

Many thousands of years ago in china ancient people would pray when they suffered from disease. At this same time of prayer they would also press certain areas of the body with pieces of sharp stone. Unexpectedly when the same areas where stimulated with a sharp piece of stone the disorder would be relieved. After a long accumulation of such information the therapeutic method of acupressure and the use of Bian Stones finally came into practice.

Acupuncture has been a very important part of Chinese medicine which has been practiced for at least 3000 years. According to findings from ancient records and ancient unearthed artefacts acupuncture may have been practiced even before the creation of Chinese characters.

“I want to treat disease without using toxic drugs and not using bian stones*, I apply fine needles to remove obstruction and regulate the circulation of blood and Qi”

Miraculous Pivot (2nd century BC)

*Bian Stone – thick needles used prior to the creation of filiform needles

How Does Acupuncture Work?

The aim of Ryan Funks acupuncture treatments is to prevent or treat disease by puncturing certain points on the body with small needles to specific depths treating the cause of a disease. Each point will be specifically picked after an in depth diagnosis has been completed by a knowledgeable acupuncturist. Only when your acupuncturist has an understanding of your individual disorder can specific points be chosen. A successful acupuncturist will choose points not by your symptoms but by understanding your disease. The Aim of traditional Chinese medicine is to treat the cause and not the symptoms. Acupuncture balances the body by eliminating excess and tonifying deficiencies.

When explaining the fundamentals of how acupuncture works, it is like any other science , it gets more complicated and detailed once you start getting into the if’s and buts of it. In Chinese medicine, pain and disease is the outcome of an unbalanced body and acupuncture is one of the main ways to regain the body’s natural balance. One of the most popular uses for acupuncture in the west is pain relief. The cause of pain in Chinese medicine is due to poor circulation of Qi or blood or phlegm which stagnates and creates a blockage in a specific area (some what like a bruise). Acupuncture is able to help the body restore proper circulation in the specific area eliminating pain and restoring smooth circulation to balance the body.

What Disorders Can Acupuncture Treat?

Acupuncture is not limited to pain relief! Acupuncturists have been treating thousands of disorders which acupuncture can either help or cure! Many people have found acupuncture to be beneficial to treat such disorders as: infertility, impotence, gastritis, constipation, diarrhea, endometriosis, menopause, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, uterine bleeding, leucorrhea, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), prolonged labour, vertigo, hypertension, paralysis, depression, attention deficit disorder (ADD), Bi-polar, insomnia, palpitations, common cold, flu, jaundice, urinary disorders, oedema, herpes zoster, …

What Should I expct on My First Acupuncture Treatment?

Sterilized acupuncture needles will be inserted through out your body to a depth of ¼ - 1 inch in depth depending on the area of the body. The depth that each needle will be inserted also depends on ones age, body size and constitution. As each needle is inserted by your acupuncturist their should be a cramping, heaviness, distention, tingling or electric sensation which is felt at the insertion point or up or down the meridian pathway. In china these types feelings are known as “suan” or sensation as it is not a true type of pain.

Preparation for Each Acupuncture Treatment

A patient will experience less effective results if they come for treatment while hungry, after a large meal, excessively fatigued, emotionally upset (although acupuncture is able to calm people effectively) or intoxicated.

Cleanliness is also very important before each treatment to help prevent possible bacterial infections (infections are very rare due to acupuncture). You should wear loose, comfortable clothing which can be easily moved to reach area’s like shoulders, knees, thighs, …

How Frequent are my Acupuncture Treatments?

Generally Acupuncture is needed to be applied 1-3 times per week for a duration of 1-3 months depending on the type of severity of the disorder being treated. The amount of acupuncture treatments greatly depends on the age of the patient, the severity of the disorder and the nature of their illness. Acute problems can be successfully treated in a shorter period when compared to that of a chronic problem that someone has had for months or even years.

Some patients may experience dramatic results after their first acupuncture treatment with an immediate total or partial relieve of their pain (or other symptoms). Other patients there may be no immediate relief of their symptoms.

Are Acupuncture Needles Safe?

The acupuncture needles used by acupuncturist Ryan Funk are factory sterilized and immediately disposed of after each use making it very safe. Every patient treated with acupuncture receives new needles and the needles are never re-used.

What are the Possible Problems with Acupuncture?

During an acupuncture treatment some people may feel dizziness, nausea, cold sweat, shortness of breath (mainly occurring with nervous first time patients). If you have any of the symptoms listed above you should inform the acupuncturist (Ryan Funk) right away so he can re-adjust or remove the needles.

After each treatment some of the areas which are punctured may bleed slightly or a small bruise may develop. These are not harmful but please talk to your acupuncturist if you have any concerns.

Modern Western Medicine and Acupuncture

Modern Western medicine is unable to explain exactly how acupuncture works but I believe in time they will develop a scientific device which will provide enough scientific evidence to understand our ancient medicine. Because modern medicine can’t understand how acupuncture works does not mean it doesn’t work, they just haven’t figured it out yet!

Acupuncture claims are accepted from the WCB, ICBC, VAC and most insurance agencies in British Columbia (BC Canada).

Ryan Funk Graduated Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Registered Acupuncturist in Langley B.C.

Want to know more about acupuncture? Visit AB Acupuncture.

Acupuncture For Weight Loss and Behaviour Modification

Acupuncture For Weight Loss

Acupuncture can be very helpful for Behaviour Modification in the overweight.

The psychological and self-image aspects are involved. The bikini clad beauty on television constantly reminds us that we are overweight. This influence is often inappropriate and dangerous. Some of us who are not really overweight could suddenly start to believe that we have a weight problem. This of course could develop into an obsession and could eventually lead to illness such as Anorexia Nervosa or malnutrition. In Chinese Medicine, the obsession could complicate into pathologies of the Earth organs (stomach and spleen systems) that could further add to the detriment of the individual.

Permanent weight loss can only be achieved by a commitment to a total change in lifestyle. Excess weight is the result of more than just poor food choices. Clearly a behavioural modification approach that encourages self monitoring and stimulus control are necessary. Social support is also important.

Social Support

Social support is required. The overweight person need to be taught how to evaluate his or her social environment and how to determine whether anyone in the environment could aid or prevent their efforts. The family for example could represent a source of stress and intimidation rather than a source of strength and intimacy. Often self help groups offer much needed peer support.

Stimulus Control

There are many underlying reasons that cause an increase in body weight. Behavioural tendencies play a major part. People respond to stress, to changes in life and to feeling of deprivation quite often by over-eating. In these circumstances, food is not only used as a form of nourishment, but it is used to comfort and distract us from situations that are uncomfortable. It is just a way of dealing with these problems.

Overeating can be triggered by a whole series of emotions, such as depression, anger, boredom, loneliness, fear, guilt, sadness and grief. This is the area where acupuncture helps a lot. These can develop into obsessive or compulsive eating habits. These habits may have been formed unconsciously of course. We need to realise the connection between these feelings and overeating.

Feeling negative towards ourself and if our self-image is low, self-esteem would also be low; therefore we resort to over-eating. It serves to fill this psychological gap. If we are overweight and have low self-esteem, it is unlikely that we will engage in activities that could reverse this feeling, such as, try on or buy new clothes. This would make us feel worse. Eating is the way out as it takes care of our bad feelings and restores our confidence.

Self Monitoring

Behavioural changes as a lifestyle is necessary and important. A completely different pattern of eating need to be re-established regardless of how much weight you have to lose; you need to live life as a slim healthy person. You also need to be patient and be very aware of these changes in lifestyle.

Documentation in form of a record is beneficial, not only when we actually eat but how we felt at that time. This unconscious act serve to distract us from the real situation.

Will power, of course is necessary. I always include acupuncture points to help increase will power or loss of self control. Behavioural Principles

Here are some basic principles from Frankle and Yang (1988) that will help in your acupuncture treatment for weight loss.

On Self Monitoring:

Keep a diet diary that includes:

On Stimulus control:

Shopping:

Plans:

Activities:

Holidays and Parties:

Looking for other articles about acupuncture? Visit AB Acupuncture.

Why Does My Medication Give Me Side Effects

Why Does My Medication Give Me Side Effects

The cold remedy you take makes you sleepy. The sinus decongestant makes your heart race. The antidepressant gives you a headache. Why are side effects so common?

Medicines often work by taking the place of the body's regulating chemicals to readjust balance. This seemingly simple idea is complicated by the fact that the body often uses the same chemical to regulate more than one process. The drug is not selective and therefore affects the target problem and other aspects that do not need adjusting. Examples include Viagra a drug that helps with erectile dysfunction or impotence but can also cause flushing, headaches, nasal congestion, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and painful urination. The antidepressant Zoloft eases depression but also causes blurry vision, dry mouth, constipation, weight gain, changes in sex drive or ability, and sleepiness. It is impossible to know what side effects you will experience as no two people taking the same drug will experience the same effects. In fact when millions of individuals use a drug the list of side effects seems endless. This does not even begin to note the long term effects that are often discovered after years of customer use and requiring that the drug be pulled from the market. I am sure we all remember Vioxx's recent appearance in the news. Long term effects where shown to be quite serious including heart attack, stroke, blood clots, and possible kidney failure. Anti depressants now have a new label warning patients that risk of suicide may increase with use. Our nation as a whole seems to be searching for a quick fix and pill popping is quick; but at what price? Side effects alone can lead to serious health risks. You must educate yourself to the drugs expected benefits and the potentional side effects. If the risk seems to great know there is new hope for relief!

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are options that help guide the body to heal itself, naturally and without side effects.

*One study conducted on impotence involved 93 cases. Treatment involved the use of Chinese herbal medicine. Of the 93 individual participants 66 (70.9%) were cured and 21 cases (22.7%) improved with a total amelioration rate of 93.6%. No participants incurred any side effects from treatment

*Psychologist John Allen and acupuncturist Rosa Schnyer conducted a study on treating depression symptoms with acupuncture. Over 50% of the participants no longer met the diagnostic criteria for depression after the study. The study findings suggest that using acupuncture alone could be as effective as other types of treatments for relieving depression such as psychotherapy and drugs.

*Acupuncture offers powerful pain relief due to its anti-inflammatory properties; acupuncture presents an effective and safe alternative to prescription pain medications. A recent study involved 48 patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. The participants received both acupuncture and massage therapy for pain relief. 91.7% of the participants felt the treatment was effective in relieving symptoms.

Viagra, Zoloft, and Vioxx (now being replaced with Celebrex) are three powerful medications mentioned here that you can see through scientific research are no longer your only option for relief of impotence, depression, and arthritis. Many medications are over prescribed but remember never stop a current medication without consulting with your doctor. If you like to learn more about how acupuncture works, visit AB Acupuncture.

Taking Your Medicine Naturall-Chinese Food Therapy

Taking Your Medicine Naturall-Chinese Food Therapy

You go into your kitchen after a long day's work and open the refrigerator. The availability of food isn't looking good for you again. It's either left over pizza, or another microwave meal. You find the fastest and easiest solution so that you can continue with your day and not let the food stop you from getting what you need to done.

According to Chinese medicine, this can be one of the major causes of illness. Not eating balanced and properly can lead to a stop in the right energy flow in your body, causing your body to not have the ability to process its nutritional needs correctly. The alternative that is suggested is Chinese food therapy, where there is a balance between the food that you eat and the nutrition that you get.

The philosophy behind Chinese food therapy is that everything must be balanced. This begins by discovering the polar opposites of foods that are available and combining them for a middle ground. Yin and yang are the philosophy that is used for foods, giving the best combination of elements for health. Yang is known to increase body heat, which will raise the metabolism to process nutrients. Yin then combines with this to decrease the body heat, which will balance the nutrients that are being processed in the metabolism.

In order for Chinese food therapy to work properly, there has to be an understanding of how your body reacts to specific things. If you are completely balanced, too much of either yin or yang will cause a reaction by your body, allowing you to stay balanced. Everything that your body does, when using Chinese food therapy, will be communicating to you how to use your food and balance it out properly.

If your body is imbalanced, you can use some foods in order to use the Chinese food therapy correctly. For example, some foods may cause your energy to be lower. You can use roots of foods in order to increase this, which are directly linked to the Yang foods. Ginseng is one popular example that will help to increase circulation and the metabolism. This is one of several examples that can help you to heal and balance naturally.

Next time you are ready to eat your meal, make sure that you have both Yin and Yang in combination with each other. Over time, you will notice that the balance of your energy, as well as the various effects of the food makes a difference in how you function. Using Chinese food therapy as a method of health is one of the easiest ways to help chewing in your health.

Click here for more tips about traditional chinese medicine.








Through several years of clinical and subjective experience and also with the help of natural applications for health, cupping has been generated. It came from an ancient practice in which a woman uses a cup to create suction in the skin and muscles for the purpose of pulling negative pressure. It has been in practice throughout European history when production of artificial medicine was also rampant. It was considered as the most convenient and natural process for households, particularly women. The process is simpler and less complicated because you simply have to use a specialized cup accompanied with proper techniques and method from lymphatic to deep tissue release.

Despite the production of the scientific model of medicine during this period, nothing can stop the application of cupping especially when it was discovered that such a procedure creates therapeutic feeling and treatment to women’s bodies. Thus, its effectiveness was confirmed through the efforts of collaboration between China and Soviet Union.

Through the years, cups have been developed from pottery cups to glass cups for the purposes of avoiding vulnerability and accomplishing proper objective of such treatment. Its objective is to utilize the qi or chi in your system to allow you to obtain a healing and normal flow. This is also to avoid body ailments to easily enter into your body. However, disregard of this treatment will cause danger and risk to your health and might even cause stagnant qi, which would be easier for pain and diseases to dominate your body.

Effect of Cupping is designated in two areas such as Local and General. Local effects include increased blood circulation, loosen adhesions and lift connective tissue, increase synovial fluids in joints to help joint rheumatism and stimulated organs. On the other hand, General effects include increased blood circulation, reduction of toxins, improvement of circulatory functions and better functioning of sweat and sebaceous glands.

The purposes of Cupping Therapy include Softening of tight muscles, lessening of adhesions, bringing of hydration and blood flow to body tissues, stimulating of skin by increasing circulation and promoting or smooth and health glow in skin. To accomplish this, cupping should be applied in the inflamed area of your body or the source from which injuries, pain and stress are discovered.

Cupping also includes proper techniques to be applied such as Stationary, which is used by placing and leaving the cups on your skin. It also includes Gliding, which is used by moving the cups to pull out the pressure from the skin or muscles. You can apply it circular, long or vibrational motions. You can also apply it by using oils or liniments to ease the movement of the glass cups and to assure that you will not experience any friction. The process will then be smooth and convenient.

The after effect of Cupping Therapy includes marks, which appear as successful result of your application due to pathogenic factors. To make sure that you are safe in applying this treatment without having to suffer injuries, you simply have to remember not to use cups with sharp edges and to apply lightly on painful surfaces. If dry method makes you uncomfortable, use lubricants and everything will flow smoothly and comfortably. Cupping is indeed a healthy process and treatment for your body.

You might also want to know about the benefits of acupuncture, visit AB Acupuncture.

Acupuncture: Seeking Remedy For Healthier Benefits

Benefits of Acupuncture

Acupuncture originated in Chinese and Japanese era. In fact, it has been in practice for many generations. Many people have already applied it and have also imparted it in their health rituals. What is even more advantageous is that it provides the best feeling in your body. Specialized needles are used to create pathway for easier circulation and passage of positive energy to stimulate your chi or qi in your system. Placing needles on your body will not cause any pain or damage. It is a painless yet rejuvenating process. The procedure is also natural.

You do not need any artificial process or procedure with it.

In addition, many health ailments have been treated using Acupuncture. If you are suffering from arthritis, joint problems, digestive tract problems and other internal issues in your body, this natural process will do its job. It relieves you from pain and provides a relaxing and lighter feeling in your inner system. In fact, even if you are not suffering any ailments, you still need to maintain and improve your body to avoid any future health issues. You need to make sure that your force energy or field is stimulated and improved well. You need to make sure that you create an easier pathway or passage for positive energy to have access into your system.

Chi or qi refers to your life force or life energy. It defines your feeling, your mood, your everyday functions. This is the very reason why you need to provide a natural and healthier outlet so that you will be able to avoid future or further body ailments that will pose a great risk in your health. As a matter of fact, back when Chinese era depended on herbal medicines, the people resorted to Acupuncture, which they considered the best and most effective means to cure body ailments. Even today, studies have shown that this is the best remedy for those suffering from health problems.

Nonetheless, if you need operation or surgery and urgent need for your open injuries, Acupuncture is not really your remedy because you can only resort to this for treating internal issues. Thus, you still need medications and other alternative medicine to cure you from open wounds or injuries. Nevertheless, there is no disadvantage in relying on Acupuncture because this natural medicine gives you nothing but only what is best and relieving for your health and body.

Want to find out more about acupuncture? Click here to learn the best alternative medicine for your needs.








Acupuncture Triggers The Body’s Natural Healing Power

Acupuncture Triggers The Body’s Natural Healing Power

In these present times, there are different forms of treatments and remedies that are made available to the public. There are those that have been proven to be the most effective treatments. There are also those that do not truly provide outright relief. Nowadays, acupuncture is actually gaining wide popularity especially in the Western part of the world. There are countless people who are trying out acupuncture and incorporating it in their lifestyle. But, what is acupuncture really about and how does it treat a person’s ailment.

Acupuncture is actually a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has its origin in China. It has been practiced and used by the early Chinese in order to treat various ailments such as fevers, coughs, wounds and even infections. In the early days, not much is known about acupuncture. But, the early Chinese used it because it has been passed down from generation to generation as a traditional treatment to find easement from various conditions and diseases. Nowadays, there are numerous people who are introduced to this form of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Because it has its origin in China, it is also referred to as Oriental medicine.

Acupuncture actually uses acupuncture needles which oftentimes frightens some people. These needles are basically different from the ordinary needles that are used to sew clothes or those that are used in hospitals or clinics. These acupuncture needles are specifically made for acupuncture medicine only. These are smaller and thinner than the ordinary ones. They are actually designed to stimulate the body’s acupoints. A person has several acupoints in the areas of his body. These acupoints trigger the body’s natural healing properties.

There are some people who do not understand the workings of acupuncture or how acupuncture works. But, actually, there have been countless researches and studies that provide proofs that acupuncture has major improvements and positive results in a person’s health ailment. There are some people who underwent tests for several months and used acupuncture to treat their ailments. At the end of the trial month, they observed major improvements in their health. A number of ailments such as PMS, muscle pain, joint pain, arthritis and many others can be treated with acupuncture. In fact, this Oriental medicine is known to be the safest and most effective treatment around. There are no known side effects to using acupuncture because it is a natural way of triggering the body’s healing power.

Want to find out more about acupuncture, then visit AB Acupuncture.

Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome With Acupuncture

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment

There are studies that show that one in five adults suffer from chornic fatigue syndrome. This kind of medical and health condition intervenes with a person’s daily life. It is because of a person’s inability to function well. In fact, it even affects his personal and work life. With this, it is important to resolve and treat chornic fatigue as soon as it strucks as person. Chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS is actually known as the Crohn’s Disease. It is evident that a person has chronic fatigue syndrome when for at least six consecutive months, he feels tired or fatigued all the time.

CFS or Chronic fatigue syndrome impacts young and adult alike. The different types of symptoms that person may experienced recur from time to time. Presently, there has been no direct and actual medication for chronic fatigue. Prescription drugs and pills may have temporary relief but in the long run they caused more harm than good to a person. Hence, the treatment is not a long lasting relief. However, there are some people who choose Traditional Chinese Medicine such as acupuncture treatment for a faster and more effective relief.

Before understanding the benefits of acupuncture, it is vital to recognize the different signs and symtoms of CFS or chronic fatigue. Among them include sudden and extreme exhaustion due to fever and flu, low grade fever and chills, sore throat, swollen lymph glands in the neck and armpit areas of the body, muscle and joint pains that occur without any swelling, headaches, insomnia, poor memory or inability to focus, concentrate or remember and even mood swings.

The causes of chronic fatigue syndrome vary from one person to another. However, the most common reason as to why CFS occur is due to a person’s weak immune system. His immune system’s reaction to a virus triggers this chornic fatigue syndrome. That is why, there are times that a person experiences flu-like illnesses that do not easily disappear. In addition, a person suffering from CFS also has a loss of appetite which triggers him to obtain poor eating habit and consequently makes him weak and fragile. Depression has also a big role to play when a person suffers from CFS.

Fortunately, acupuncture as part of the Traditional Chinese Medicine treat chronic fatigue syndrome. A number of benefits include less pain, better sleep, enhanced immune system, relaxation, and better overall health condition. Acupuncture provides positive results to patients. There is even a study that shows major signs of improvements to patients suffering from chronic fatigue. The major improvement lasted for three months due to discontinuance of acupuncture treatment. That is why, patients who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome incorporate acupuncture therapy to their daily lifestyle in order to prevent recurring effects of CFS.

Want to know more about the other benefits of acupuncture? Visit AB Acupuncture.

Fibromyalgia: Can Acupuncture Help With Its Symptoms?

acupunture for fibromyalgia

If you’re one of the estimated 10 million people in the United States suffering from fibromyalgia, you know that this chronic condition can be extremely painful and debilitating. The good news is that acupuncture has been shown to be an effective treatment for relieving many of the symptoms associated with this condition.

Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localized areas. Other symptoms include sleep disturbances, cognitive difficulties, and irritable bowel syndrome. While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, treatments aim to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.

Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. This ancient practice has been used for centuries to treat a wide variety of conditions, and recent studies have shown that it can be effective in treating fibromyalgia as well.

Acupuncture can be an effective treatment for various Fibromyalgia symptoms such as pain, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Studies have shown that acupuncture leads to improvements in pain severity and quality of life in people with Fibromyalgia. It's thought that acupuncture works by stimulating the nervous system and releasing endorphins, which are natural painkillers.

One study found that after eight weeks of acupuncture treatments, people with Fibromyalgia had less pain and felt more alert during the day than they did before treatment. They also had better sleep quality and required less pain medication than they did at the start of the study. If you're considering acupuncture as a treatment for Fibromyalgia, be sure to give it some time; you may not see results immediately but give it a few sessions and you may be pleasantly surprised.

Although acupuncture is generally considered safe, it's always important to consult with your doctor before beginning any new treatment, especially if you have a medical condition. Once you've decided that acupuncture is right for you, finding a qualified practitioner is crucial. Make sure to do your research and only see someone who is licensed and has experience treating people with Fibromyalgia.

If you’re suffering from fibromyalgia, you may want to consider acupuncture as a treatment option. This ancient practice has been shown to be an effective treatment for reducing pain and improving the quality of life in people with this condition.

If you suffer from this condition and haven’t tried acupuncture yet, we highly recommend it. AB Acupuncture is here to help you feel better. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment!






Acupuncture Doctor Shows You How To Avoid Medical Mistakes>/h1>

In my daily contact with acupuncture and Chinese medicine patients, I often advise them of the many good reasons why they should learn about their illness. You should know about that too. The main reason however is to help you avoid medical mistakes. Sometimes a simple procedure, or a procedure that is performed many times everyday, can go wrong and be disastrous for you.

Below are some steps you should take to make sure you do not become a casualty of medical mistakes.

If medical Tests or Procedures are going to be performed

If you are going to have Surgery or an Operation

Early Warning Signs of Macular Degeneration

early symptoms of macular degeneration

Macular degeneration is a condition that affects the macula, which is the central part of the retina and the part of the eye that provides sharp, clear vision. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The macula is responsible for our central vision, which we use for tasks such as reading and driving.

There are two types of macular degeneration: dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration is more common and usually less severe than wet macular degeneration. Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid or blood. This type of macular degeneration can cause rapid vision loss.

If you have macular degeneration, you may not notice any changes in your vision at first. But if you have dry macular degeneration, it could progress to wet macular degeneration over time, so it’s important to be aware of the early warning signs. Here are four early warning signs of macular degeneration:

Blurry Vision

One early warning sign of macular degeneration is blurry vision. This happens because the macula is not functioning properly. You may notice that straight lines appear wavy or that you have trouble seeing fine details.

If you notice any changes in your vision, it’s important to see an eye doctor right away so they can diagnose the problem and recommend treatment options.

Dark or Empty Areas in Your Field of Vision

Another early warning sign of macular degeneration is dark or empty areas in your field of vision. This happens when the cells in the macula begin to die. You may notice a dark spot in the center of your field of vision or see blank spaces in what you’re looking at.

If you notice any changes in your field of vision, it’s important to see an eye doctor right away so they can diagnose the problem and recommend treatment options.

Difficulty Reading

Macular degeneration can also cause difficulty reading because it affects your central vision. You may find yourself having to hold books or other reading material closer to your eyes than usual or squinting to see clearly. If you’re having difficulty reading, it’s important to see an eye doctor right away so they can diagnose the problem and recommend treatment options.

Changes in Color Perception

Macular degeneration can also cause changes in color perception. This happens when there is damage to the cells in the retina that are responsible for color perception. You may notice that colors appear faded or that there are changes in how you perceive colors. If you notice any changes in your color perception, it’s important to see an eye doctor right away so they can diagnose the problem and recommend treatment options.

Macular degeneration is a serious condition that can have a significant impact on your life. It is important to be aware of the early warning signs so you can seek treatment as soon as possible.

While macular degeneration cannot be cured, there are treatments available that can help slow its progression and preserve your vision. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms we have described, please call or stop by our office at Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region right now. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have and schedule an appointment for you with one of our experienced ophthalmologists.






Comment nous contacter...

Administrateur Web : smgconcept@hotmail.com

Copyright©2000 - Fondation Espoir d'Enfants

[ Accueil ] [ Service ]
www.smgconcept.50megs.com

Ce site a été réalisé gracieusement par SMG Concept Multimédia enr. Envoyez un courrier électronique à smgconcept@hotmail.com pour toute question ou remarque concernant ce site Web .

Dernière modification : 30 Mai 2001

Copyright©2000 - SMG Concept Multimédia enr.
La Fondation dans les Medias...<<ici>>

Nouveau!!! Venez consulter ou participer a notre forum.

AB7Be Amicale de Behcet en Belgique

Remerciement à nos commanditaires
Envoyez un E-cards a vos amis !
Nouveauté de la Dernière mise a jour!