Alternative Medicine Resources

Our modern system of living has made us so focused in acquiring more money or in trampling the competition that there is no more or very little time for our family and for ourselves.  The average Joe now is overworked and overstressed.  Too much stress greatly weakens the health of the individual.  To combat stress and its negative effects, doctors turn to allopathic treatment that inhibits the stress symptoms but weakens the immune system and make the body more vulnerable to disease.

It is very comforting to know that the world has a safer way available for it to combat the stress in our body.  This way is nothing more than acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture Orlando is an ancient Chinese medicinal art that inserts ultra thin needles in body parts called acupuncture points, which run along energy vessels known as meridians.  Meridians are where life energy known as chi travel.  These energy vessels supply chi throughout the body especially the major organs.  When a person experiences extreme stress, chi and blood stagnates depriving the body which much needed blood and energy. As a result of this, sickness and ailments arise.

Stress reflexively puts the body into a flight or fight response.  In this state, cortisol is secreted which promotes in the person negative types of reactions which include bowel syndrome, PMS, body and head aches, depression, muscle pain in the shoulders and neck, sleeplessness, frustrations, anger and irritation.  These reactions increases blood pressure and weakens the immune system.  They also promote contempt for life and burn out the desire for living.

When acupuncture treatment for stress is done on a highly stressed individual, muscles and tissues and muscles get stimulated that aids in the movement of blood and chi. Acupuncture also stimulates the brain to produce release the body’s natural painkillers known as serotonins and endorphins which gives the body a feeling of deep relaxation which essentially removes stress.  Acupuncture as part of its work also lowers the level of cortisol in blood, detoxifies the body and greatly improves blood circulation.  It lessens the activity of the sympathetic nervous system greatly lowering blood pressure and regulating heart beat.

A patient experiences deep soothing comfort with just one session which often lasts 40 minutes to an hour.  The treatment is so relaxing that patients often fall asleep during the procedure.  The improved circulation of blood helps the muscles to relax removing muscle tension and stiffness thereby removing the pain and aches they entail.  The blood circulation also relieves the migraine pains and headaches of the patient.  The blood circulation improvement also provides more oxygen to the blood and cells thus providing the body with more energy to burn.

Be sure to get treatment from a licensed acupuncturist to avoid any painful procedures and other problems that may occur under the hands of an unlicensed and poorly trained acupuncturist.

For those couples who have tried every means to conceive and have failed, acupuncture Orlando may just be the treatment you are looking for.  Acupuncture surprisingly is very helpful in solving fertility problems in both male and female.  It is now one of the more popular treatment alternatives for many couples with fertility problems in achieving pregnancy.

Acupuncture in the treatment of infertility works for both sexes although obviously, the problem for men is fundamentally different from women although both strive for the same goal of fertilization and pregnancy.  An example would be some men wanting to have a larger sperm count to increase the chances of fertilization while some women want to have a regular menstrual cycle to boost the chances for fertilization.  More often than not hormonal imbalances, diseases and pollution get in the way of their dreams.  Acupuncture can effectively help them overcome their problems and the factors that block their dream of being parents.

For a majority of acupuncture treatments for infertility, the use of Chinese herbal medicine is included and taken in between sessions of acupuncture therapy.  However, if one is on an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program or is taking fertility drugs, it is not advisable to take herbs.  Herbal medicine might negate the efficacy of the fertility medicines and can also neutralize the positive effects of IVF.  Consulting with a physician who looks after your fertility problem before embarking on an herbal remedy is recommended to avoid unnecessary complications.

The process of acupuncture is about inserting very thin needles just beneath the skin at sites in the body called acupoints.  The needles should not cause pain; at worse, a slight sensation is felt during needling.  Mainstream medicine knows little about how acupuncture works.  This is because of the fundamental difference in how mainstream medicine and acupuncture views human health and how the human body works. Acupuncture believes that energy flowing in the body is what gives the body good health, growth, life and the ability to reproduce.  The energy flows in channels called meridians.  Any blockages in the meridians usually due to stress causes energy imbalance in the body which leads to many kinds illnesses.

Infertility problems such as low sperm count, poor sperm quality and motility, erectile dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, luteal phase defect, anovulation, irregular menstruation, poor egg quality and egg and sperm incompatibility among others (as long as the infertility problem is not based on a structural defect) can ably be treated with acupuncture.  As mentioned before, stress and extreme negative emotions play an important role in infertility.  Removing stress and having a tranquil and relaxed mind are basic positive steps one needs to do to effectively treat infertility.  Acupuncture has that ability of removing stress from the mind and body and calming relaxing a person removing any extreme emotions the person might have.

Medical science “experts” in the West often belittle traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).  Now the consensus is changing over its efficacy especially with acupuncture Orlando (a part of TCM), which is slowly but surely garnering more and more adherents in the Western world over time.

For over 5,000 years, acupuncture has been a treatment for various kinds of maladies by people in East Asia.  Contrast this fact with the existence of major Western places such as the United States (230+ years old), London (2000 years old or even Rome (2,700 years old) one can see how long acupuncture has been in existence and through several millennia has benefited the health of countless numbers of people.

Acupuncture and TCM is based on the notion that a person has life-giving energy that flows along energy vessels throughout the body.  When the energy vessels become obstructed life energy stagnates, the body’s health deteriorates producing symptoms.  The healing art of acupuncture is applied to remove any obstructions to energy flow.  The life energy flowing inside all human beings is called Qi or chi by the Chinese, which means vital force or vital energy.

The main problem for people in the West regarding acupuncture treatment is its necessity to use needles.  No one wants to be pricked with needles because they cause pain.  Almost everyone in the Western world have been exposed to needling in one way or another especially during vaccination.  However, the needles used by acupuncture is not as big as those used for vaccine shots.  The needles are as thin as human hair and non-hollow since they are not meant for injecting substances or for extraction or infusion of fluids in the body.  Compared to the standard hospital needles, acupuncture needles do not elicit a painful sensation.

Acupuncture needles are used to remove the obstructions that may have been caused by a number of factors.  Once the obstructions are removed, normal energy flow is restored leading to the treatment of the disorder and the relief of its symptoms.

Acupuncture can give so many health benefits to a person.  It is used for the treatment of  obesity, sinusitis, sciatica, headaches, acute and chronic low back pain, acute and chronic neck pain and body aches to mention just a few.  Researches all over the world have validated the efficacy of acupuncture in relieving the atrocious side effects of chemotherapy in cancer patients.

Once ridiculed by most mainstream Western medical science “experts” as quackery or pseudo medicine, acupuncture is now getting the respect it so rightly deserves.  A lot of mainstream physicians are now licensed acupuncturists and they are practicing a modern version of acupuncture called medical acupuncture whose theory lies more on medical and biological science rather than on the concepts of TCM.  The theory may be different from TCM but the results are the same as acupuncture treatment based on TCM.

Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM for short, is a collection of ancient healing practices, which acupuncture is a part of.  Acupuncture Orlando is a treatment that uses needles inserted in certain areas in the skin that connects to meridians inside the body.  Acupuncture is a verified effective tool for treating various medical conditions.

Qualified acupuncturists practice an ancient knowledge that has treated ailments and diseases for millennia.  Nothing has changed in modern times, as acupuncture is still as potent as ever especially now that modern technology has provided this modality more efficient and effective ways of restoring people back to good health.  Even Western medicine professionals have relied on this magnificent treatment from time to time.

The meridians or energy networks inside the body usually has energy flowing in them like blood.  The energy flow nourishes the spleen, stomach, large intestines and lungs and the rest of the major organs of the body.  TCM believes correctly that energy circulation along the meridians can block or cause problems in the flow leading to many kinds of sicknesses and ailments.

Acupuncturists use needles at sites called acupuncture points or acupoints.  These sites connect to the meridians and the needles cause adjustments in the energy flow enabling energy to pass through other pathways or remove the blockage altogether.  Acupuncturists work on meridian maps charted thousands of years ago and with their experience properly identify where the needles should be applied for a specific type of ailment.  Treating the right pathways always leads to the resolution of the problem.

The conditions that acupuncture has treated are varied and numerous.  Acupuncture has been used to treat addiction, internal problems, depression, migraines, arthritis, anxiety, emotional problems, obesity and many kinds of pain among others.

For those without any knowledge of acupuncture a little research on this treatment can make you realize its potential benefits for you.  Be sure that acupuncture is a valid treatment for your health problems; not every illness or disease can be cured by acupuncture but if it does, it can be a superior alternative to conventional Western medicine.  It is best to look around for a qualified and experienced practitioner.  There are excellent acupuncturists who are advertising online; however it s best if the acupuncturist comes highly recommended by your physician, family or friends.

With, a good acupuncturist, the treatment session should be pleasant without any complications or side effects, which is what acupuncture is supposed to be; side effect and complication-free.  An experienced acupuncturist knows how to apply the needles in a painless and soothing manner.

Acupuncture is a completely natural and safe treatment.  It is no doubt an effective treatment for many kinds of conditions and compared to Western pharmaceutical drugs, it is completely natural with zero negative side effects.

Extreme fatigue is more than dragging oneself into doing and going through unpleasant, unwanted and dissatisfying activities or being sleepy all the time.  It can present itself as sleeplessness and/or pain felt allover the body.  Fatigue can also be a sign of an underlying disease such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraines and allergies (asthma) to name a few.  However, extreme fatigue can be ably treated with acupuncture Orlando.

The Chinese who invented acupuncture believe that a vital energy called chi, like blood, flows within the body through invisible energy network pathways called meridians.  A fatigued person has one or more meridians blocked and acupuncture is the most efficient treatment to reestablish unhindered chi flow in the body to help bring back the body to its most healthy and balanced state.

Stainless steel single-use, disposable and sterilized hair thin needles are inserted into sites called acupoints, which themselves are connected to the obstructed meridians.  The neurons under the skin are activated by the needles that signal the brain to produce and secrete specific hormones as well as endorphins that work in allaying the aches and pains associated with fatigue.  Some medical researchers argue that acupuncture increases the flow of blood to the thalamus, which is the gland responsible for sending out pain messages to the body.

As an alternative to the needles, some handheld gadgets that produce electromagnetic wave impulses to mimic the same stimulating effects of acupuncture are available in the market although instead of the entire body being manipulated, only the hand and palm is.  This is just fine since the hand and palm also possess many vital acupoints that connect to virtually all the parts of the body especially the major organs and other vital parts.  This gadget uses electronic acupuncture and is very handy in delivering electromagnetic energy into the precise acupoints for the treatment of fatigue.

Because fatigue may affect multiple organs, the treatment often would entail several needles for several organs.  A weakening of energy caused by chi stagnation on an organ such as the kidney may affect the energy balance of the lung, heart, liver, spleen etc.  Therefore, it is often the case for extreme fatigue that several organs are treated all at once.  Multiple acupoints are common for extreme fatigue and besides correcting energy imbalances, some needles are also utilized to help stimulate beneficial chemicals and hormones as well as remove energy blockages to help the body feel relaxed and calm.  This will result in the raising of the energy of the body, the removal of stress and pain, the mitigation of the other symptoms of fatigue and the normalization of body functions, which will allow the body to feel refreshed, rested and revitalized.

Acupuncture Orlando is getting to be known as a great tool in neutralizing various kinds of addiction., from heroin addiction and alcoholism to overeating and cigarette smoking.

Acupuncture was first utilized as a supplementary modality for methadone treatment, however, physicians began seeing acupuncture alone as a better treatment that methadone therapy was scrapped altogether from the therapy.  Some research indicated that the efficacy rate of acupuncture as compared to mainstream therapies is qualitatively higher.  Furthermore, since methadone is highly addictive itself, used in lieu for heroin for heroin abusers, acupuncture creates no such dependency issues since it is a procedure that allows the body to heal itself efficiently and in a natural safe way as well as useful for treating various kinds of addictions.  It is used for the treatment of cocaine and crack addiction, heroin addiction, alcoholism, LSD users and amphetamine and barbiturate abusers.  Addicts manifest a substantial waning in drug cravings, a substantial relief from withdrawal symptoms and feelings of tranquility and improved sleep after treatment with acupuncture.

Acupuncture increases endorphin production and secretion in the nervous system. Endorphins are the body’s natural opiates and act as natural painkillers of the body. They are usually released through exercises such as distance running and cause the feeling aptly named “runner’s high”, a delightful sensation long-distance runners who have ran a five-mile line experience.  Doctors have discovered that withdrawal symptoms caused by people quitting drugs or cigarette smoking are mitigated by stimulating the increase of endorphin level in the central nervous system.  They also observed that food cravings are likewise lessened by the increase of the body’s endorphin level.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) premises itself on the existence of two forces of yin and yang – complementary opposite forces believed existing in all of nature. Healthy individuals have a relative balance of yin and yang. In an addict, yin deficiency is experienced. TCM states that yin relates to substance, passivity, quietness and the water element. Yang is associated to kinetics, function and the fire element. When yin is weak, fire runs “amuck” or rages uncontrollably. If there is not enough or no yin to nourish it, then yang burns on with no substance to actually burn, hence the term “empty fire.”  On an emotional dimension, this imbalance engenders experiences of despair and meaninglessness.  On the biological level, the opposite manifests in extreme hyperactivity.  The person is compelled to abuse and the drug stokes the fire more and causes further weakening of yin; hence, the illusion of power is felt, joy and elation he/she feels is superficial and fleeting sinking the person more into deeper desperation.

The treatment is about inserting needles at specific points in the ear for about 45 minutes. The treatment often creates a soothing sensation on the body and mind – tranquility and completeness flood the mind and body of the patient. The treatment reinvigorates the lungs, kidneys and liver; the affected organs of yin-yang deficiency.

Obesity is a very serious problem in the United States.  Almost 35% of the population in the US has a body mass index (BMI) of 30%.  A BMI of 30% is defined as obesity.  Obesity can lead to diseases such as cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

Too many calorie intake is a major reason for the obesity epidemic in the US.  The proliferation of fast-food chains serving fatty foods and sugar rich foods and drinks have made it difficult for Americans to resist the urge to eat, especially foods peppered with monosodium glutamate or MSG, which tricks the brain into eating more even if the body has consumed more than enough of its fill.  MSG is a neurotransmitter, which excites the brain to overeat.  The over stimulation of the brain does not benefit the body, over stimulation, in fact, kills the brain cells.  The body’s reactions to MSG are varied and all negative.  MSG can cause headaches, diarrhea, stomach pains, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.  Therefore, this flavor enhancer does not only indirectly cause obesity, but damages the brain when consumed for a long time.

Genetic predisposition also is a factor for obesity though a family sharing a common unhealthy lifestyle that engenders obesity may muddle obesity as genetically caused  a bit.

There are treatments offered by western science for obesity.  One is through surgery.  Bariatric surgery is a radical way to lose weight.  This surgery reduces the size of one’s stomach or re-routes the small intestines to a small stomach pouch.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there is an energy called chi flowing throughout the body through networks called meridians.  Acupuncture points are connected to the energy meridians. Blockages in the meridians due to several causes such as the environment, extreme emotions, pathogens and injuries can cause an imbalance of chi in the body.  The imbalance causes sicknesses.  To remove these blockages acupuncture needles are inserted into specific acupuncture points in the body and face area. With TCM, excess appetite and obesity are seen as deficient chi in the stomach or spleen, heat in the stomach and intestine or a primary chi deficiency. The 14 major meridians in TCM are what western science refers to as the major organs in the body.

Ear or auricular acupuncture is the most common choice to treat obesity. The vagus nerves in the ear are connected to the brain as well as to the digestive tract. Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins that helps reduce the food cravings of the person and at the same time feel a sense of elation and relaxation.  Acupuncture  Orlando balances and removes any energy blockages in the body and allows the body to fight the craving with the release of endorphins in the body.

Ancient Chinese medicine for thousands of years have known of  pathways or distribution networks for the force of chi.  Though similar to the body systems of the blood and neural networks, meridian systems cannot be seen physically and thus have no tangible anatomic map in western biological science.

These distribution networks are called meridian systems and they look more like electronic circuits in a motherboard or a huge spider web.  Meridian lines connect different areas of our body together. These networks supply chi energy to every part of the body. It is the meridian system that enables us to live, grow and reproduce.  It also explains how we become sick.

Interestingly, the earth has also meridian lines crisscrossing its surface.  The Chinese call these lines as ley lines. The ancients have known earth energy in ley lines that intersect.  They have been attempting to harness and use this earth energy by building structures like Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Gaza, being the most popular ones, to contain the powerful energy contained therein.

Unlike blood, chi can not be seen.  It can only manifest its existence by the state of the person’s well being.  Chi stagnating in one part of the body would make a person suffer diseases related to that part of the body.

The closest analogy to chi and the meridian systems would be the body’s nervous system where invisible electrical pulses crisscross the body’s neural network to transmit command signals from the brain to various parts of the body.

Researchers have been in the process of mapping out the body’s meridian networks for decades and someday a detailed intricate map of the meridian systems will be developed to better understand the chi’s influence on the person’s whole being.

Many theories abound of how the meridians were discovered.  In ancient times, the Chinese would observe that by inserting a needle in certain parts of the body, it would elicit reactions, moods and physiological changes from the subject.  This observation prompted them to further experiment and record their findings, which would eventually become part of the archival knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Thus, meridians are basically, a collection of Orlando acupuncture points.  The meridian networks have specific acupuncture points in certain of the skin’s surface.  Needles applied on these acupuncture points affect the internal organic processes of our body.

Organs are classified as yin or yang organs.  Yin organs are known by the absence of any cavity in them.  The liver, heart, spleen, lungs, and kidneys are yin organs. Yang organs such as the gall bladder, small intestine, stomach, large intestine and bladder each have an empty cavity.  Meridians are linked to either the yin organs or yang organs, and they are known obviously, as yin meridians or yang meridians.

One of the most traumatic events the body can experience is a spinal cord injury. The aftermath of this debilitating injury is almost always severe and in the most extreme of cases can result in death or permanent paralysis. When the nerve roots or fiber tracts of the spine are damaged, signals to and from the brain fail to occur, or have difficulty happening, thus causing the impedance of certain motor functions. Acupuncture in Orlando and massage therapy have proven to be highly effective in helping aid patients with spinal cord injuries.

The road to recovery after a spinal cord injury can be a long and enduring. But there are many options available to help treat this condition. Aside from Western medical practices, the combination of Oriental medicine and physical therapy has proven to be effective as well.

In a clinical study carried out in 2003, a team of doctors directed by Alice M.K. Wong, M.D., began spinal cord therapy through acupuncture on a group of patients recovering from their injuries. The doctors found that after beginning treatment at various acupoints including the bilateral Hou Hsi (SI3), Shen Mo (B62), the antihelix, helix, and the lower portion of the ear-back areas, patients were showing significant improvements. Neurological behaviors including sensory and motor skills improved greatly in the patients who were put through a regiment consisting of Oriental medicine (including acupuncture and massage), and physical therapy. The team of doctors and researchers concluded that the use of these therapies, when implemented early in acute spinal cord injury, contribute to significant neurological and functional recoveries.

In addition to several studies that prove Oriental medicine can help spinal cord injury patients, one of the most critical and important pieces of evidence is the therapies” ability to increase a patient’s ASIA impairment scale ratings.

The ASIA impairment scale is the American Spinal Injury Association’s standard of assessing the neurological status of a person who has sustained a spinal cord injury. When this rating increased in patients who had undergone acupuncture treatments, the scientific evidence revealed that Oriental therapies such as acupuncture and massage indeed did improve the body? Neurological response times, and helped patients with spinal cord injuries on the long road to recovery.

Recently a number of clients have asked about the relationship between acupuncture in orlando and fertility. Planning a pregnancy is an exciting time in a person’s life since it is filled with new expectations, experiences and discoveries; it is also a time of reflection as well as one of looking towards the future, and an ideal time to explore optimal health. For over 2,500 years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners have been examining the most effective ways to help naturally boost fertility as well as to ameliorate imbalances that contribute to reproductive difficulties. The practice of TCM includes acupuncture, nutrition, herbal medicine and gentle energy building exercises.

There are many different factors that play a role in determining the chances of conception and carrying to term. Some of these factors require aggressive treatment or are irreversible such as menopause, and should be ruled out. However, much of the time, natural medicine and moderate lifestyle changes have powerful results without any adverse side effects. Additionally, acupuncture is regularly utilized in conjunction with Assisted Reproductive Therapies to increase their effectiveness.

It is important for the prospective mother to become intimately familiar with the body’s rhythms and cycles. This can be done by charting early morning temperatures, examining cyclical changes throughout the menstrual cycle, and using non-invasive home test kits to determine hormonal shifts. This serves several purposes: one is to know the time during the menstrual cycle when conception is most likely to produce ovulation; another is to bring to light the underlying blockages or deficiencies that need to be addressed. Lastly, it helps women to be in touch with their bodies. Patients are encouraged to become curious observers of the interconnected nature of all life. This is elegantly demonstrated as body temperature, fluids, and emotions all ebb and flow together.

A balanced diet is of utmost importance where reproductive health is concerned. Reduce the intake of caffeine, alcohol, sugar and foods high in saturated fat, while eating plenty of color rich vegetables and essential fatty acids is the key to health. Only buy organic foods to avoid pesticides and additives. If one eats meat and dairy, choose those that have not been hormone fed. More specifically, there are foods and herbs that facilitate balance, based on each individual’s needs. Chinese medicinal herbs – with over 25 centuries of continual use – can be safe, effective and nourishing when prescribed by a Nationally Board Certified Herbalist. Additionally, incorporating gentle energy building exercises – such as Tai qi, Qi gong, or Yoga – nourish the spirit, calm the mind and strengthen the body.

Through acute observation and analysis the TCM practitioner is able to assess disharmony. The strength of Traditional Chinese Medicine is that it takes into consideration every aspect of one’s life, including factors such as sleep patterns, stress level and digestion. There are a lot of imbalances that seem unrelated reveal underlying patterns of disharmony that can contribute to infertility. Acupuncture works by treating the “root” of the problem as well as the “branch” to enhance overall functioning. In real meaning, acupuncture gives the body an opportunity to properly attune itself rather than only suppressing symptoms.

Today scientists are attempting to translate the effects of this ancient medicine into modern biophysical terms as more research comes out in support of acupuncture’s effect on fertility. A lot of western medical theory holds that acupuncture initiates electromagnetic signals via the nervous and endocrine systems, to the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is responsible for the hormonal activity that is directly connected to ovulation, menstruation and conception. Furthermore, by mediating the sympathetic nervous system (which is easily and often over-taxed due to stress), acupuncture stimulates vasodilation and effects blood flow to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. This, in turn, increases the viability of the ovum, thickens the uterine lining, and assists implantation of the fertilized egg – while decreasing the likelihood of miscarriage.

It is important to note that statistics show at least 30% of infertility cases are caused by male factors and another 30% involve a combination of both male and female. A recent study indicates that acupuncture improves sperm count, motility and quality.

Traditional Chinese Medicine’s goal is to harmonize the entire being, tilling the soil for the creation of an overall environment that nurtures growth and well-being. Acupuncturist works in partnership with their patients to address specific needs and objectives.