13 Ways Acupuncture Can Change Your Life This Year

It may be 2014 instead of 2013, but the list still applies. Make this New Year all about your health and give acupuncture a try if you haven't already.  Read this article for reasons to include acupuncture in your life.

Here are 13 specific ways that acupuncture can change your life in 2013.

1. It will open your mind.

Acupuncture requires us to think about health in entirely new ways. Despite noble efforts by many to find one, there is no biomedical equivalent for qi or meridians. Acupuncture turns mainstream medical tenets on their head. It will remind you that there are multiple ways of seeing the world.

2. It can help make you less stressed.

Acupuncture takes the edge off. It removes you from the perpetual state of sympathetic dominance in which so many of us find ourselves. By mellowing out the nervous system, acupuncture can help you feel less affected by and better equipped to manage the stressful aspects of life.

3. It will inspire you to get outside more.

In acupuncture theory, humans are viewed as microcosms of the natural world that surrounds them. Things like weather and seasonal shifts factor significantly into acupuncture diagnoses and treatment plans. When you start thinking about health in this way, realizing the intimate relationship that humans have with nature, it inspires a desire to get outside and commune with your natural habitat.

4. It can help give you more energy.

Although it's common to find yourself in "acu land" -- a somewhat dazed, blissfully-relaxed state -- immediately following acupuncture treatment, the after effect is usually increased energy. Many people report having more energy in the hours, days and even weeks after acupuncture treatment. You may notice that you're avoiding that post-lunch coma, feeling more motivated to hit the gym, or just sensing a little extra spring in your step.

5. It will clear your head.

In addition to the surge of physical energy that follows emerging from acu land, many people notice improved mental clarity after acupuncture. They're able to make decisions faster with greater confidence. They feel more motivated and resolute about tackling items that have been lingering for months on their to-do lists. It's as if the mental cobwebs have been cleared out. Suddenly, you will be out of your own way.

6. It will allow you to give yourself a break.

Acupuncture looks at how root imbalances affect the whole system. This means that when one thing is out of whack, it can affect you in multiple ways. Many of us are quick to beat ourselves up when we can't muster energy for something that used to come easy, or when we fail to accomplish all the things we "should" be doing.

By thinking of yourself as a complex, interconnected system, it becomes easier to understand why you might be feeling incomplete or depleted. Acupuncture broadens your awareness of the things that can potentially influence your physical and emotional health. This, hopefully, will help you be a little kinder to yourself.

To read more:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sara-calabro/acupuncture-benefits_b_2398193.html

Tried And Tested: Facial Acupuncture Rehauls Your Skin Inside And Out

In the field of acupuncture we practice different methods such as cupping, which increases blood flow and circulation. This can improve the appearance of fine lines and increase the elasticity of collagen. The following article discusses how one woman tried acupuncture and cupping in lieu of traditional cosmetic procedures. I thought it was an interesting read and I hope you do as well. 

I’ve had acupuncture before but never in my face. And I’m not crazy about needles, but as long as I can’t see them I’ll be fine, I reason. (Because they’ll be in my face, right?)

Hence I’m unsure of what to expect when I arrive for my acupuncture rejuvenation facial at London’s Corinthia Hotel, but I’m guessing it’s along the lines of a few painless jabs before being left in a dark room while mandolin music of some description plays.

As it turns out, it’s not like that at all, but luckily ESPA Life’s James Mutkin leaves no stone unturned in talking me through what’s about to happen and more importantly, what it all means.

Acupuncture can be used on the face as well as the body (file picture)

Ancient Chinese medicine, James tells me, is designed to rectify ailments internally, not just topically.

To read more:

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/12/27/facial-acupuncture-review-corinthia_n_4378243.html

Acupuncture Lowers Fatigue & Ups Endurance - New Research

If you experience constant fatigue and need another outlet other than caffeine, try acupuncture. This article is very interesting.

New research demonstrates that acupuncture prevents fatigue and enhances athletic endurance. Acupuncture benefits athletic performance. Scientists measured the effects of three acupuncture points on the swimming task ability and liver mitochondrial function of laboratory rats in a highly controlled investigation. The results revealed that the normal control group and model group had significantly shorter swimming exhaustion times than the acupuncture group, which demonstrated objective improvements in athletic endurance. The acupuncture group also demonstrated improvements in liver mitochondrial-respiratory function with a significantly lower oxygen consumption rate than the normal control and model groups. The acupuncture group also demonstrated significant improvements in the liver mitochondrial respiratory control rate (RCR) and the ratio of phosphorus to oxygen (P/O).

 The researchers measured additional interesting findings. They compared acupuncture point prescriptions. Group 1 received electroacupuncture at CV4 (Guanyuan) and ST36 (Zusanli) plus manual acupuncture stimulation at GV20 (Baihui). Group 2 received electroacupuncture at CV3 (Zhongji) and SP9 (Yinlinquan) and manual acupuncture stimulation at Yintang (EX-HN3). Group 1 demonstrated significantly better scores than group 2 thereby demonstrating that the CV4, ST36, GV20 acupuncture point prescription has markedly greater anti-fatigue effects.

The investigators note that the treatment principle for the CV4, ST36, GV20 acupuncture point prescription is Shuanggu Yitong, “strengthening both the congenital foundation and the acquired constitution and regulating the yang-qi of the body.” The measurements were geared to quantify the anti-fatigue effects of the point prescription by measuring physical activity capabilities and liver functions in laboratory rats. The researchers concluded that, “Electroacupuncture of CV4 and ST36 plus manual acupuncture stimulation of GV20 can improve the anti-fatigue capability in aging rats with yang-deficiency, which may be related to its effects in reducing liver mitochondrial oxygen consumption and increasing liver mitochondrial RCR and ratio of P/O.”

Read more:

http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1201-acupuncture-lowers-fatigue-ups-endurance-new-research

Acupuncture Eases Endometriosis Pain - New Study

Endometriosis is a very painful disease and any non-narcotic treatment plan is worth looking into. Take a look at this article.

Researchers find that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are effective for the relief of endometriosis pain. Acupuncture is shown at ST25 and CV6.
Local Abdominal Acupuncture
The total effective rate for auricular acupuncture was over 90%. The total effective rate for Chinese herbal medicine was 60%. A closer look revealed that the effective rate for mild to moderate dysmenorrhea due to endometriosis for both auricular acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine was similar. However, auricular acupuncture showed greater efficacy for the relief of severe dysmenorrhea due to endometriosis.

A total of 24 studies were reviewed for this investigation. One of the studies met all of the inclusion criteria and was the basis for the research conclusions. The study inclusion criteria ensured that only credible research meeting the toughest standards underwent evaluation. The study had to be a randomized, blinded controlled trial of women that are of reproductive age. Additionally, a laparoscopy was required to confirm the diagnosis of endometriosis.

The study reviewed by the researchers meeting all inclusion criteria consisted of 67 patients. Based on the positive clinical outcomes reviewed, the researchers suggest that additional studies are appropriate to investigate the efficaciousness of acupuncture for the treatment of endometriosis related pain.

In related findings, Dr. L.C. Giudice, MD, PhD cited acupuncture as effective for the treatment of endometriosis related pain in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Dr. Giudice cited another randomized, sham-controlled trial of women suffering from endometriosis pain. The study concluded that acupuncture definitively and significantly reduces endometriosis related pain.

Read more:
http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1225-acupunctureendometriosispainst25cv6

What Can Acupuncture Teach Us About Gratitude?

Acupuncture is a great teacher on gratitude. The driving idea behind acupuncture is that we already have everything we need to be well. In contrast to biomedicine, which is premised on the notion of external intervention, acupuncture takes what's already there and rearranges it into something positive.

Acupuncture doesn't add or subtract anything. Rather, it prompts or reminds the body to do what it knows how to do. An acupuncture perspective teaches us to appreciate what we have rather than what we want. This is gratitude, and it has profound implications, especially this time of year.

Acupuncture As an Antidote for Black Friday

One of the most troubling phenomena of our time -- about to be kicked into overdrive this Friday -- is our ever-growing pile of "stuff."

SUVs, flat-screen TVs, DVDs, clothes, more clothes, clothes for our dogs, hats, shoes, bags, iPhones, iPods, iPads, kitchen appliances, bathroom appliances, power tools, toys, video games... The list goes on and on.

Bombarded by advertising and peer pressure, we become convinced that we need these things. And then we need another. This epidemic of stuff creates an ongoing cycle that perpetuates feelings of dissatisfaction, since nothing is ever enough, and warps our perspective on how to care for ourselves.

Unfortunately, mainstream health care might be the worst offender of all. MRIs, CT scans, and lab tests are sometimes ordered before laying a hand on the patient. Antibiotics and antidepressants are sometimes prescribed without so much as a second thought. Doctors are trained to solve problems by adding more stuff, in large part because stuff is what insurance companies pay for.

We don't make it easy for them either. We've come to expect tests and prescriptions, so when a doctor says "no," we're not always willing to accept it. We want answers and we want them now. And so the cycle continues. Bring. On. More. Stuff.

Acupuncture, through its gratitude-inspiring theoretical orientation, can help us reverse this trend of unbridled excess. It helps us reframe our desires so that we can better understand our motivations and have greater gratitude for what is.

So if this Thursday you find yourself reflecting on the things you're thankful for, give some props to acupuncture and share with others why you're mentioning it. It might help everyone hang on a little longer and tighter to their reflections of thanks.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sara-calabro/acupuncture_b_2166450.html

4 Acupuncture-Inspired Ways to Stop Compulsive Phone Checking

This is a great article and everyone should read it...

Acupuncture can help alleviate a modern epidemic from which many of us suffer: compulsive phone checking. This occurred to me after reading a recent New York Times articlethat discusses how our relentless drive to stay connected through technology is dwindling our ability to converse and self-reflect.

Specifically, the author's comments on solitude got me thinking about how acupuncture can help.

"When people are alone, even for a few moments, they fidget and reach for a device," writesSherry Turkle. "In our rush to connect, we flee from solitude, our ability to be separate and gather ourselves."

Why Are We Obsessed With Our Phones?

At the root of our uneasiness with solitude is uncertainty about what we might find. We reflexively reach for our phones because we lack the confidence that tells us we alone are enough.

We do the same thing with pharmaceuticals, doctors' advice, junk food, alcohol, you name it. Anything to avoid facing what's in front of us and trusting our ability to handle it. This is why acupuncture can be so profoundly transformative -- and also why it remains so misunderstood and underutilized in our fast-paced, over-stimulated society.

Photo by Sara Calabro

Acupuncture, in essence, forces us to put down the phone.

Acupuncture demands that we pay attention to the things we've gotten used to blocking out. It does not take away or add anything. Rather, it challenges us to wrap our heads around the idea that we already possess everything we need to be okay.

Acupuncture Strategies for Disconnecting in Order to Reconnect With Yourself

1. Sit on your hands.

Psychological reasons may be the primary drivers behind compulsive phone checking, but after a while, we also start to develop a hand fixation. Too many minutes without swiping that screen and we actually get jittery, unsure of what to do with our hands.

Photo by Sara Calabro

Help yourself resist the temptation by sitting on your hands. Do it the way that probably feels counterintuitive, with the back of your hand touching your pants and the palm touching the seat (see picture).

Most compulsive phone checkers readily admit that stress and anxiety contribute to their bad habit. This technique is great because it prohibits you from reaching for the phone and also gives a nice stretch to the Pericardium meridian. Located along the inner wrist and arm, Pericardium is a go-to meridian for treating stress and anxiety with acupuncture.

2. Play with your ears.

Again, you want to keep those hands occupied. The most widely used acupuncture protocol for drug and alcohol addiction is called NADA, which consists of five acupuncture points in each ear. NADA is so effective at reducing drug and alcohol, as well as smoking and food, cravings because it reduces anxiety and can calm the nervous system.

While it may not be as serious as substance abuse, compulsive phone checking really can be an addiction.

You don't have to worry about hitting the exact NADA points for this to be effective. Just grab hold of your ears and massage them all over. AcuTake contributing writer Eric Kerr shows how to do this in this video.

Read more:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sara-calabro/acupuncture-tips_b_1485446.html

Acupuncture: As Good as Botox?

This would really be an awesome alternative...

Cosmetic acupuncture, a favorite among celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, and Madonna, is on the growing list of natural alternatives to procedures such as face-lifts and Botox and collagen injections.

Cosmetic acupuncture targets specific points on the face, with the tips of dozens of tiny needles (like standard acupuncture procedures), placed beneath the skin to stimulate blood flow as well as the production of collagen and elastin. The goal of cosmetic acupuncture is essentially to “over-stimulate” certain areas.

This holistic cosmetic process can help to fade age spots, improve fine lines, diminish deep wrinkles, even out and brighten skin tone, reduce jowls, rosacea and acne, and reduce facial puffiness.

The side effects of cosmetic acupuncture are not too shabby either.  Reducing pain, stress, symptoms of depression and anxiety, minimizing hot flashes and night sweats, and improving digestion and sleep cycles are some of the overall holistic benefits of acupuncture that are often noticed by patients who are simply seeking a natural approach to looking younger.

To read more about Acupuncture go to http://scacupuncture.com/latest-research-about-acupuncture

To read more about acupuncture for cosmetic and anti-aging procedures, click on the following link:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/north/2013/11/14/acupuncture-offers-holistic-alternative-botox/IZcab9Gv5phyNy4LeG28VP/story.html