Brown Acupuncture Los Altos http://brownacupuncture.com Brown Acupuncture Los Altos Sun, 29 Apr 2012 23:26:56 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 April Newsletter http://brownacupuncture.com/april-newsletter/ http://brownacupuncture.com/april-newsletter/#comments Sun, 29 Apr 2012 23:26:56 +0000 Karen http://brownacupuncture.com/?p=1381 .

Qi Mail™
The Acupuncture Newsletter		 April 2012
Karen Brown California Licensed Acupuncturist
Brown Acupuncture
881 Fremont Avenue, Suite A5
Los Altos, CA 94024
408.202.9375

Manage Your Reproductive Health with Acupuncture

 

Oriental medicine has a long history when it comes to enhancing reproductive health and fertility for both men and women. In fact, evidence that acupuncture and herbal medicine have been used to aid fertility can be found in early medical literature dating back to 3 AD.

Statistics state that one in five couples over the age of 30 have difficulty conceiving after one year of trying. Many of these couples are turning to acupuncture and Oriental medicine for a safe, effective and natural solution to have a healthy baby.

Fertility treatments were first recorded by Zhang Zhong Jing, a famous physician from the Han Dynasty, in his discussion of diseases in women in the Jin Gui Yao Lue or Essentials of the Golden Cabinet.

According to the principles of Oriental medicine, a person’s health is determined by the quality of Qi, the vital life energy, and blood circulating through the body. When Qi and blood are circulating properly, the body is properly nourished and functioning optimally which, in turn, enhances fertility.

Researchers have confirmed the benefits of acupuncture and Oriental medicine for:

      * regulating the menstrual cycle
      * improving sperm count and motility
      * reducing stress and anxiety associated with infertility
      * normalizing hormone and endocrine systems
      * improving blood flow in the uterus
      * decreasing the chance of miscarriage
    * increasing the chance of pregnancy for women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)

Fertility treatment approaches can vary from person to person, but are usually scheduled for at least three consecutive cycles (twelve weeks). Treatments can include acupuncture, customized herbal therapy, stress reduction and dietary counseling.

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties with their reproductive health please call to see how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Gynecological conditions including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), fibroids, endometriosis, menopause and infertility are some of the problems treated most successfully by acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Oriental medicine has long recognized that health and vitality can be sustained over a woman’s lifetime by restoring balance within the body and supporting the natural production of essential hormones.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Premenstrual syndrome covers a broad spectrum that can include emotional symptoms such as depression, irritability, sadness, anxiety, or poor concentration and can also include physical symptoms, such as breast tenderness, a change in bowel habits, acne, or loss of libido. Symptoms can change from month to month and vary widely in terms of severity. Imbalances can arise from a variety of factors, including poor diet, too much work, physical or emotional trauma, constitutionally weak Qi (energy) or stress.

In Oriental medicine, the liver is considered responsible for the smooth flow of Qi (life force) throughout the body and for smoothing our emotions. When the liver’s function of moving Qi is disrupted, Qi can become stuck. This is referred to as Liver Qi Stagnation and is commonly associated with PMS. In addition to irritability and moodiness, signs and symptoms may include: distending pain in the area below the ribs, stuffiness of the chest, sighing, abdominal distention, nausea, sour regurgitation, belching, diarrhea or constipation, feeling of a lump in the throat, irregular periods, painful periods and distention of the breasts prior to periods.

If you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome call today to see how acupuncture can help!

 

Pregnancy & Childbirth

Pregnancy is an amazing time in a woman’s life. Many women report feeling healthier than they have ever felt before; however, the physical growth of the baby and changes in hormone levels can bring about pain, discomfort and a variety of health problems.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can provide a safe, effective alternative for many of the health complications that may arise before, during and after pregnancy. A growing number of women are choosing acupuncture to manage their health throughout their pregnancy and as an optional treatment for an overdue or difficult labor.

Planning for a Healthy Baby

Healthy parents produce healthy babies. With acupuncture and Oriental medicine, parents can improve their health to create the most optimal environment for their unborn child. In addition to their ability to strengthen, support, and balance overall health and well-being, acupuncture and Oriental medicine are effective treatments for regulating menstruation and hormone levels, reducing stress and addressing any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns.

Acupuncture during Pregnancy

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can play a vital role in the comfort of a pregnant woman. There is strong evidence to support the belief that acupuncture is highly effective in treating some of the most common problems experienced during pregnancy.

Some of the problems that an acupuncturist often treats during pregnancy include:

      * nausea, vomiting and morning sickness
      * heartburn
      * constipation
      * edema and swelling
      * pelvic pain
      * neck and back pain
      * sciatica
      * leg cramps
      * fatigue and exhaustion
      * insomnia
      * anxiety and depression
    * water retention

Acupuncture for Childbirth

While there are acupuncture points that can provide natural pain relief during labor, acupuncture is more commonly used to induce labor. There are several points that stimulate contractions and influence cervical ripening. There is also an acupuncture point that has been found to turn a breech baby.

Postpartum Recovery

Many women feel depleted after the birth experience. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help smooth the transition during those first few months after birth to ensure a quick recovery.

Some postpartum disorders that can be treated with acupuncture:

      * fatigue
      * postpartum depression
      * mastitis
      * insufficient or excessive lactation
      * post-operative healing
    * night sweats

Postpartum care focuses on the physical, emotional and psychological recovery of the mother from the effects of pregnancy and labor, as well as encouraging breast feeding.

If you would like learn how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can facilitate your postpartum recovery, please call for more information.

Free Consultation!

I offer a free 10 minute consultation to all new patients! Please call if you would like to learn more about acupuncture and how it can help you!

Karen A. Brown L.Ac.

408 202 9375

In This Issue

  • Manage Your Reproductive Health with Acupuncture
  • Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  • Pregnancy & Childbirth
  • Postpartum Recovery
  • Male Reproductive Health
  • Prostate Health
  • Menopause

Male Reproductive Health

Oriental medicine can help treat various male disorders. As men age a decrease in the function of male reproductive organs occurs and they experience andropause, or male menopause. Andropause differs from menopause as there is not a dramatic or marked physiological change.

Unlike the more dramatic reproductive hormone plunge that occurs in women during menopause, changes in men occur gradually over a period of many years.

Some male reproductive health conditions that acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help include:

      * premature ejaculation
      * low sperm count
      * diminished motility
      * impotence
      * hernias
      * testicular pain
      * prostatitis
      * male infertility
    * andropause

If you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms associated with any of these conditions, call today!

Prostate Health

The prostate is prone to enlargement and inflammation as men age, affecting about half of men in their sixties and up to ninety percent of men as they approach their seventies and eighties. If left untreated, benign prostate gland enlargement, which presents with symptoms such as frequent nighttime urination, painful urination, and difficult urination, can lead to more serious conditions such as prostate cancer, urinary tract infections, bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones, and incontinence.Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can be used to treat prostate problems to relieve the urinary symptoms and prevent more serious conditions from occurring. The few studies completed on acupuncture and prostatitis show positive results with participants noticing a marked improvement in their quality of life, a decrease in urinary difficulties and an increase in urinary function.Call today to see how acupuncture can improve your prostate health!

Menopause

Menopause is a transitional period marking the cessation of ovulation in a woman’s body. Symptoms are brought on as a woman’s body tries to adapt to decreasing amounts of estrogen. Varying from mild to severe, symptoms can include hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, fatigue, mood swings, memory loss, dryness, headaches, joint pain and weight gain.With its deep understanding of the female body, Oriental medicine has always addressed the special needs of women throughout their lives. Menopause, in particular, is an area in which Oriental medicine shines.Acupuncture and Oriental medicine have the ability to detect energetic changes that occur in the body and quickly relieve uncomfortable symptoms that accompany the onset of menopause.Oriental medicine does not recognize menopause as a particular syndrome and treats symptoms unique to each individual using a variety of techniques to restore imbalances found in the body.
Qi
]]> http://brownacupuncture.com/april-newsletter/feed/ 0 Acupuncture Helps Atrial Fibrillation http://brownacupuncture.com/acupuncture-helps-atrial-fibrillation/ http://brownacupuncture.com/acupuncture-helps-atrial-fibrillation/#comments Sun, 22 Apr 2012 23:17:54 +0000 Karen http://brownacupuncture.com/?p=1376 A recent small study compared patient chronic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation treated with acupuncture and amiodarone and found similar results.  The patients who experience 10 weeks of acupuncture had significant reduction in the number and duration of atrial fibrillation that the patients experienced.  This is promising results since acupuncture has no side effects.  Chinese medicine has been helping patients for over 3000 years to improve and maintain their health.  Please see http://tinyurl.com/75udmb2 to read the complete abstract on PubMed.

]]> http://brownacupuncture.com/acupuncture-helps-atrial-fibrillation/feed/ 0 Acupuncture Treats Allergies http://brownacupuncture.com/acupuncture-treats-allergies/ http://brownacupuncture.com/acupuncture-treats-allergies/#comments Fri, 09 Mar 2012 02:51:03 +0000 Karen http://brownacupuncture.com/?p=1371
Qi Mail™
The Acupuncture Newsletter		 March 2012
Karen Brown California Licensed Acupuncturist
Brown Acupuncture
881 Fremont Avenue, Suite A5
Los Altos, CA 94024
408.202.9375

Prepare for Allergy Season with Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been used to treat seasonal allergies for centuries with great success. According to traditional medicine, treatment is directed toward clearing the nasal passages, supporting the immune system and strengthening the systems of the body to prevent allergic reactions from recurring.

What Are Seasonal Allergies?

Commonly called hay fever or allergic rhinitis, a seasonal allergy is an allergic reaction to a trigger that is typically only present for part of the year, such as spring or fall. Pollens that are spread by the wind are usually the main cause of seasonal allergies. People who are allergic to pollens are also often sensitive to dust mites, animal dander, and molds.

Spring is traditionally the main season when allergies blossom because of new growth on trees and weeds. Fall, which ushers in a whole different set of blooming plants, as well as leaf mold, is a close second. Airborne mold spores can be found almost year round, along with other common allergens such as dust, dust mites, and animal dander.

About 26 million Americans endure chronic seasonal allergies, while the number of people with milder symptoms may be as high as 40 million, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

Seasonal allergies are caused by the body’s hypersensitivity to substances in the environment. Symptoms primarily involve the membrane lining the nose, causing allergic rhinitis, or the membrane lining the eyelids and covering the whites of the eyes, causing allergic conjunctivitis.

While there are many Western medications to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies, these treatments can cause unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness and immune system suppression as well as an over-reliance on medications. These side effects have motivated many people to search for alternative approaches like acupuncture and Oriental medicine to manage their allergies.

How Acupuncture Treatments Provide Relief from Allergies

According to Oriental Medicine, allergic rhinitis is related to Wind and a deficiency of the Protective Wei Qi. Wei Qi is the Qi, or energy, that flows at the surface of the body as a protective sheath and is responsible for resistance to colds and other respiratory infections. People with a deficiency of Wei Qi catch colds easily and are more susceptible to allergens.

When treating with acupuncture, underlying imbalances within the body are addressed and a treatment plan is developed to relieve the acute symptoms of allergic rhinitis while also treating the root problems that are contributing to the body’s reaction to allergens. Treatments often include dietary modification, the use of specifically chosen herbal formulas, and acupuncture.

Seasonal acupuncture treatments just four times a year also serve to tonify the inner organ systems and can correct minor annoyances before they become serious problems. If you experience seasonal allergies, now is the time to schedule an appointment. Call for a consultation today!

Foods for Seasonal Allergies

Ginger: Ginger is a natural antihistamine and decongestant. It may provide some relief from allergy symptoms by dilating constricted bronchial tubes.

Apples: Some foods contain the flavonoid quercetin that can cross-react with tree pollen. Quercetin can reduce allergic reactions by having an antihistamine effect. It also decreases inflammation. Quercetin occurs naturally in certain foods, such as apples (with the skin on), berries, red grapes, red onions, capers, and black tea.

Carrots: Carotenoids are a family of plant pigments that include beta-carotene. A lack of carotenoids in the diet is thought to promote inflammation in your airways. Good sources of carotenoids include apricots, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach, kale, butternut squash, and collard greens.

Omega-3: Omega-3 essential fatty acids can counter the formation of chemicals that cause inflammation of the air passages. Good natural sources include flaxseed oil and salmon.

Yogurt: Food sensitivities seem to be connected with seasonal allergies. In a study conducted at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, patients who were fed 18 to 24 ounces of yogurt a day experienced a decline in their environmental allergic symptoms by 90 percent.

Fiber: A healthy and active colon can decrease food sensitivity, which, in turn, can lighten the burden on your immune system and may reduce the impact of seasonal allergies. For maximum colon health, increase the fiber in your diet.

 

Help me grow my business!  I love referrals!

Email me at karen@BrownAcupuncture.com if you would like to receive my monthly email directly.

In This Issue

  • Prepare for Allergy Season with Acupuncture
  • Foods for Seasonal Allergies
  • Colds and Influenza
  • Point: Dazhui

Colds and Influenza

This year there will be 1 billion colds and 95 million cases of influenza in the United States alone. While the misery of colds and flu might be inevitable, one thing is changing: where we look for relief.

Get Better Faster
If you have already come down with a cold or the flu, acupuncture treatments can help relieve symptoms you are currently experiencing including chills, fever, body aches, runny nose, congestion, sore throat and cough. While bringing some immediate relief, treatments will reduce the incidence of an upper respiratory tract infection and shorten the length of the illness.

Prevention
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can prevent colds and flu by strengthening the immune system with just a few needles inserted into key points along the body’s energy pathways.

If you catch colds easily, have low energy and require a long time to recuperate from an illness your wei qi may be deficient.

Call today to see how Acupuncture can help you!

Point: Dazhui

One particularly important point for supporting the Wei Qi is Dazhui, or Du 14. Translated as “Great Vertebra” in English, it is located below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebrae, approximately where the collar of a T-shirt sits on the neck.Du 14 activates the circulation of blood and Qi to strengthen the outer defense layers of the skin and muscle (wei qi) so that germs and viruses cannot enter through them.

This point is often used to ward off, as well as shorten, the duration colds and flu.
]]> http://brownacupuncture.com/acupuncture-treats-allergies/feed/ 0 Acupuncture for Weight Loss http://brownacupuncture.com/acupuncture-for-weight-loss/ http://brownacupuncture.com/acupuncture-for-weight-loss/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:27:29 +0000 Karen http://herbitat.com/wordpress/?p=14 Patients often ask if acupuncture can help with weight loss. It can. It reduces the cravings for food and calms the spirit. Combined with a controlled calorie intake and regular exercise, it can be an effective boost. Here is a quote from an article on DrWeil.com that talks about using acupuncture successfully for weight loss.

“There have been a number of small studies that support ear acupuncture as a treatment for obesity. The most recent was published in 2003 in Medical Acupuncture. It found that ear acupuncture can help when combined with a 2,000 calorie a day diet and 15 minutes a day of walking. This was a very small study of only 20 obese women, ranging in age from 22 to 42. Half of them received weekly 15-minute sessions of acupuncture at relevant points in the ear. By the time the eight-week study ended, the women receiving ear acupuncture had lost a mean of 10.3 pounds while the women who didn’t get acupuncture lost a mean of 3 pounds. All of the 10 women who received the acupuncture treatments reported a decrease in appetite compared with only one woman in the control group.”

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA400015

Call for a free consultation today!

]]> http://brownacupuncture.com/acupuncture-for-weight-loss/feed/ 0 Getting up at night more often? Acupuncture helps nocturia! http://brownacupuncture.com/getting-up-at-night-more-often/ http://brownacupuncture.com/getting-up-at-night-more-often/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 04:52:09 +0000 Karen http://herbitat.com/wordpress/?p=383 Many people end up getting up at night to urinate as they age.  This is called nocturia.  This sleep disruption can be effectively treated by acupuncture.  Many patients see relief with a just a few treatments.  Chinese medicine uses a differential diagnosis to treat your specific symptom. Acupuncture can help to lift the normal function in your body and return you to a regular nights sleep.

]]> http://brownacupuncture.com/getting-up-at-night-more-often/feed/ 0 Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture http://brownacupuncture.com/300/ http://brownacupuncture.com/300/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:52:39 +0000 Karen http://herbitat.com/wordpress/?p=300 Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture

Auricular acupuncture or ear acupuncture originated over 2000 years ago. All of the 12 major meridians or vessels enter the ears directly or indirectly allowing the acupuncturist to use points on the ear to treat your conditions.

Over the last 50 years, research has been done to refine the acupuncture prescriptions used to treat major complaints using just the ears. A few conclusions of these studies are listed below:

Auricular acupuncture is clearly beneficial for cancer patients for treating pain. Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 21, Issue 22 (November), 2003: 4120-4126 2003 American Society for Clinical Oncology

Auricular therapy is effective in treating anxiety in otherwise healthy adults. Using ear acupuncture treatment is especially effective for postoperative anxiety. Acupuncture Today, Vol 02, Issue 05, (May), 2001.

Auricular acupuncture is more effective than herbs for treating painful periods resulting from endometriosis. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, December 2992L22(4); 282-285.

Auricular acupuncture is effective in reducing pain post operatively after a hip replacement. Pain, Volume 114, Issue 3, Pages 320-327

Auricular acupuncture reduces acute pain by 23% in emergency room patients as compared to the control group, which experienced no change. Military Medicine, Oct 2006

Auricular acupuncture resulted in 81% of patients having no further headaches. Medical Acupuncture September 2007, 19(3): 137-140.

Auricular acupuncture can be an effective treatment for weight loss. Medical Acupuncture, January 2003, Vol 14(2).

Auricular acupuncture is a great way to experience how effective acupuncture treatments can be.  .

People suffer from stress today. You can feel more relaxed in just thirty minutes using auricular acupuncture.  This offers you an opportunity to experience the stress reducing effects of auricular acupuncture on a monthly basis at my office.  This is a half hour treatment, in a group setting, designed to help calm the spirit and increase a sense of relaxation. Feel your own healing power when you come to our spa hour.

Options for patient who do not wish to use needles are available.

]]> http://brownacupuncture.com/300/feed/ 0 Acupuncture Treatment for Depression Equal to Medication in Recent Study http://brownacupuncture.com/acupuncture-treatment-for-depression-equal-to-medication-in-recent-study/ http://brownacupuncture.com/acupuncture-treatment-for-depression-equal-to-medication-in-recent-study/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:30:23 +0000 Karen http://www.brownacupuncture.com/?p=1157 A recent study comparing acupuncture to Fluoxetine Hydrochloride showed that acupuncture was equal in effectiveness for treating depression but acupuncture showed less side effects.  For centuries Chinese medicine has treated mood disorders as a symptom of imbalance in your body.   It can be an effective way of changing your moods.  Call for a free consultation to see if Chinese medicine is the right choice for you and read the abstract on this study at http://tinyurl.com/6vkfh7x.

]]> http://brownacupuncture.com/acupuncture-treatment-for-depression-equal-to-medication-in-recent-study/feed/ 0 Acupuncture Reduced Joint Pain from Cancer Treatments http://brownacupuncture.com/acupuncture-reduced-joint-pain-from-cancer-treatments/ http://brownacupuncture.com/acupuncture-reduced-joint-pain-from-cancer-treatments/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:09:44 +0000 Karen http://www.brownacupuncture.com/?p=1088 Breast cancer patient who are treated with aromatase inhibitor (AI) treatments can develop joint pain and stiffness. A small study was done comparing patients receiving acupuncture with those receiving a sham acupuncture (acupuncture treatments that would not be expected to treat pain). The study showed that the 80% of patients who received acupuncture showed an improvement in symptoms compared to 22% of patients who received the sham acupuncture. To see the summary of this study on the National Cancer Institute website use this link: click here.

Call for a free consultation at 408 202-9375!

]]> http://brownacupuncture.com/acupuncture-reduced-joint-pain-from-cancer-treatments/feed/ 0 Acupuncture Helps Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) http://brownacupuncture.com/acupuncture-helps-polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-pcos/ http://brownacupuncture.com/acupuncture-helps-polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-pcos/#comments Mon, 27 Feb 2012 23:54:00 +0000 Karen http://www.brownacupuncture.com/?p=1086 Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects up to 10% of childbearing women. Symptoms include irregular periods or no periods at all. Other symptoms include fatigue, hair on the face and body, being overweight, high insulin and blood sugars as well as high testosterone. The women were divided into three groups: the first group was required to exercise three times a week, the second group was treated with acupuncture and electrical stimulation of needles, and the third group was the control group. Results: both the acupuncture and the exercise group showed improvements in testosterone levels, weight and menstrual regularity compared to the control group. The acupuncture group showed the best results overall. See the complete study summary by connecting to Acupuncture Today’s website: click here to view the article.

Call for a free consultation 408 202-9375!

]]> http://brownacupuncture.com/acupuncture-helps-polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-pcos/feed/ 0 Understand How Acupuncture Stops Pain http://brownacupuncture.com/understand-how-acupuncture-stops-pain/ http://brownacupuncture.com/understand-how-acupuncture-stops-pain/#comments Mon, 27 Feb 2012 21:42:47 +0000 Karen http://www.brownacupuncture.com/?p=1097 A recent study presented at the Radiological Society of North America meeting has shown physiological changes occurred during acupuncture pain treatments.   Specifically the areas of the brain that process pain.  Subjects were subjected to electrical stimulation that caused ankle pain without acupuncture then again with acupuncture.  When acupuncture was added, the patient’s brain was significantly less stimulated in the pain processing area.  This indicates that the patient’s perception of pain would be reduced.   See the complete summary through this link.

Acupuncture increases the flow of qi and blood to the area experiencing pain.  It brings all of the factors that your body needs to help heal the cause of the pain and reduce the perception of pain.  This study directly addressed the anesthetic nature of acupuncture.

If you are suffering from painful conditions, call for a free consultation at 408 202-9375!

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