What is Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain is the second most common complaint received at an Acupuncture clinic. It just so happens that it is one of the many conditions that Acupuncture can treat very well.
A common finding is that a nerve that exits the spine into the trunk of the body may have been "pinched" by another structure which may be causing the pain.
The lower back is subjected to considerable mechanical stress and is frequently overloaded. The western medical standard treatment would include drugs to alleviate the pain and surgery may be required in severe cases. The drugs are not the most ideal solution as they do not treat the underlying problem and surgery always has risks involved.
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Acupuncture & Lower Back Pain
Your Acupuncturist can work out the cause of your back pain during their diagnosis. It may be found to be a stagnation of energy (qi or blood) in the lower back and in this case the treatment goal of your practitioner would be to move this stuck energy which in turn will alleviate the pain.
The pain may also be caused by an underlying deficiency in the kidney's in the way that they function in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The kidneys are responsible for the growth and development of the bones among many other things. Acupuncture can tonify this deficiency which will strengthen the lower back. A common treatment method for kidney deficiency is the use of chinese herbal therapy.
Acupressure has been found effective in reducing low back pain in terms of disability, pain scores and functional status as found by doctors at the National Taiwan University. Acupressure is the pushing of the fingertips at the same points on the body used in acupuncture. The doctors found an 89 percent reduction in physical disability compared with physical therapy and the benefits of the treatment were sustained for six months.
There are many different therapeutic techniques available for the treatment of low back pain including acupuncture needling, acupressure and herbal therapy. The length of treatment depends on the cause of the pain. If an underlying deficiency (kidney) is found then this may take longer to treat than a stagnation of energy (qi and blood). It also depends much on the individual. Nethertheless, acupuncture can provide an effective treatment for low back pain.
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What is asthma?
People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs. Exposure to certain environmental triggers narrow their airways which increase breathing difficulty.
Three main factors cause the airways to become narrow:
1) Infalmation (the inside lining of the airways becomes red and swollen) 2) Extra mucous (sticky fluid) may be produced 3)The muscle around the airways tightens (bronchoconstriction)
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Acupuncture & Asthma Treatments
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can be very effective for respiratory disorders including Asthma. There are many studies relating to the success of acupuncture treatment for asthma which have been reported in the medical journals.
In 1979 the World health Organisation listed 40 diseases for which acupuncture was considered to be beneficial and diseases of the respiratory tract including asthma and bronchitis were included in that list.
In a study conducted at the Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care in the University Hospital of Vienna revealed that over 70% of patients with long-standing asthma reported a significant improvement of their ailments after ten weeks of acupuncture treatment. In addition to acupuncture, an oral combination of three Chinese herbal extracts: Ling-Zhi (Ganoderma lucidum), Ku-Shen (Radix Sophora flavescentis) and Gan-Cao (Radix Glycyrrhiza uralensis) could be as effective as conventional medicines at alleviating asthma symptoms but without such severe side effects, report Chinese and American researchers.
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What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is caused primarily by dysfunction of the pancreas and is characterised by impaired carbohydrate metabolism due to inadequate insulin action or secretion. The condition is classified as Type I and Type II. In Traditional Chinese Medicine diabetes is referred to as "Wasting and Thirsting disorder". There is much scientific evidence to suggest that Acupuncture will help Diabetes.
A combination of Acupuncture therapy, herbal therapy, chinese dietary therapy and chinese exercise therapy would be very beneficial for Diabetic patients.
Australia has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the developed world. It is estimated that 7.5 percent of adults aged 25 years and over have diabetes and a further 16 percent of adults are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
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Acupuncture and Diabetes
Acupuncture Therapy:
Scientific studies and clinical tests in international research centers in the past 10 years have shown that acupuncture can help diabetic patients in many ways by lowering the blood glucose content, lowering the release of pancreatic glucagons and attenuate symptoms of polyphagia (the urge to eat too much), polydipsia (excessive thirst) and polyuria (excessive passage of urine).
Herbal Therapy:
Chinese medicine, relying mainly on herb formulas, but also on acupuncture, has been utilized extensively in East Asia to reduce blood sugar in persons with diabetes, especially those with the most common type (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, NIDDM). Based on extensive laboratory and clinical evaluations, about 20 herbs have emerged as primary candidates for herbal treatment of diabetes.
Exercise Therapy:
A team from The University of Queensland found that by performing the Chinese exercises Qigong and Tai Chi, participants significantly improved several indicators of metabolic syndrome including HbA1c, blood pressure, bodyweight and waist circumference. This effect on metabolism may play a role in developing secondary prevention strategies for Type 2 diabetes.
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Fertility
Acupuncture can play a role in the fertility of both the male and female.
In approximately 40% of infertility cases the problem is a male factor (eg. sperm dysfunction), 40% is a female problem (eg. ovulation failure, blocked or damaged fallopian tubes) and the remaining 20% the cause is unknown (idiopathic).
Good candidates for trying Acupuncture are people who have a functional, rather than a structural reason for infertility. (Eg: damaged fallopian tubes are structural). Men or women with functional infertility would be encouraged to try acupuncture.
Acupuncture can be used to encourage optimal sperm production and function in the male and adjusting endocrine function and balancing hormones in females.
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Fertility & Acupuncture
Male Fertility: Studies confirm that environmental factors, such as pesticides, exogenous estrogens, and heavy metals may negatively impact male sperm count. A number of nutritional therapies have been shown to improve sperm counts and sperm motility, including carnitine, arginine, zinc, selenium, and vitamin B-12. Numerous antioxidants have also proven beneficial in treating male infertility, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, and coenzyme Q10. Acupuncture, as well as specific botanical medicines, have been documented in several studies as having a positive effect on sperm parameters.
Female Fertility: Research has shown that acupuncture may adjust endocrine function of the generative and physiologic axis of women, thus stimulating ovulation.
Research has also shown that auricular Acupuncture seems to offer a valuable therapy for female infertility due to hormone disorders.
Treatment: There are many different treatment methods for infertility including Acupuncture needling, electronic stimulation of Acupuncture points, dietary therapy, herbal therapy, exercise therapy and of course general lifestyle advice. Your Acupuncturist will determine which method or combination of methods is best suited for your individual condition.
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Acupuncture & Migraines
Acupuncture can help reduce the severity and recurrence of migraines. Studies have also shown that Acupuncture is just as effective as the standard drug treatment for migraines.
There are many causes of migraine in Traditional Chinese Medicine and alot of these can be related to lifestyle, diet or emotional stress.
It is always advisable to avoid excessive physical or mental activities that may cause fatigue which may bring on migraines. Certain foods and beverages such as alcohol, caffeine, dairy, chocolate, wheat and spices should also be avoided or moderated as they may trigger a migraine.
During an attack of migraine there are some things you can do to help reduce the pain being experienced. Try some of the following:
Lie down in a dark room away from any bright lights.
Acupressure (Press or massage) the fleshy area between your thumb and forefinger.
Tilt your head to one side and then to the other side to stretch out your neck muscles. Try massaging any tight muscles you encounter.
Your Acupuncturist can work out the cause of your migraines during their diagnosis. Treating and alleviating the pain is usually part of the initial treatment. Depending on the individual and their symptoms your practitioner may recommend ongoing treatments to help maintain or control the symptoms. Your practitioner may find that the cause of your migraines is a deficiency in the body and this will be addressed in the ongoing treatments.
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Acupuncture & Neck Pain
Pain originating in the neck, can be referred to the head, shoulder, arm or upper thoracic area. The distribution of the referred pain gives an indication of the location and nature of the disorder.
Diagnosis:
Myofascial trigger points are palpable nodules that are said to be small contraction knots. The points are a common cause of pain and have characteristic patterns of referred pain which can be recognised if they are familiar.
If the pain or paraesthesia (a skin sensation, such as burning, prickling, itching, or tingling) is distributed along a dermatomal region this indicates disorder at the relevant spinal nerve or adjacent structures.
Two types of underlying dysfunction, while not necessarily producing pain themselves, are frequent contributors to the development of neck disorder. These are degeneration of the spinal tissues and excessive muscular tension.
Common disorders:
Degeneration of the lower cervical spine.
Excessive tension in the muscles that support and move the neck and head.
Acute stiff and painful neck (Wry neck)
Cervical joint disorder - C3 - C7 / Posterior cervical muscle triggers.
Levator scapulae trigger points
Whiplash
Upper cervical pain and stiffness
Tight neck with no stiffness
Neurological signs and symptoms arising from within the neck
Scalene trigger points.
Chronic neck pain
Treatment:
There are many approaches to neck pain that your practitioner may decide to utilise during a treatment.
Traditional Chinese Remedial Massage:
A common therapeutic method used for neck pain is Traditional Chinese Remedial Massage (also known as An Mo Tui Na). Remedial massage applied to the neck area will loosen up the muscles.
Acupressure:
Acupressure, pressing of the fingers on Acupuncture points can also be used on local Acupoints that affect the neck.
Acupuncture can be applied to the neck area to release any muscles that may be tight and requiring release.
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Acupuncture & Menstrual pain (Dysmenorrhoea)
The pain that you are experiencing is a common feature during the onset of a menstrual cycle. This pain usually occurs in the lower abdomen and may occur in the low back as you have experienced.
The term given to the occurence of painful menstrual cramps of the uterus is Dysmenorrhoea. It is one of the most common gynaecological conditions that women face.
A little pain and discomfort is considered to be normal and is referred to as primary dysmenorrhoea. If the pain and discomfort increases over time then further tests may be required to rule out any other causes of the pain. Secondary dysmenorrhoea is caused by an underlying process occuring. In teenagers, an inflammatory condition called endometriosis is a common cause. Other causes of secondary dysmenorrhoea are polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), infection, miscarriage or eptopic pregnancy.
The usual Western Medical therapy involves non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or the oral contraceptive pill. Both these methods reduce muscle activity in the uterus. These drugs have several side effects. These treatments are aimed at the symptomatic relief of the condition.
Acupuncture is indicated as a useful method for treating dysmenorrhoea. The acupuncture will work well for the pain which depending on the person will usually subside after a few treatments.
There are many different treatment methods for menstrual pain and discomfort including Acupuncture needling, electronic stimulation of Acupuncture points and herbal therapy.
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What is Muscle Strain?
When musclular or tendinous tissue is stretched and torn an inflammatory response is triggered. The complex of damage and response is called a strain. They can occur as a result of one severe trauma, usually when a contracted muscle is forcefully stretched, or from a series of very small, even microscopic tears.
They can occur:
in a muscle belly (common in hamstrings, abdominals)
at a musculo-tendinous junction (e.g. gastrocnemius)
in a tendon (e.g. supraspinatus)
at a tendino-periosteal junction (eg. adductor longus)
They are usually acute and, because muscle tissue is well supplied with blood, heal well.
A mild strain (grade I) will be painful on momvement but there will be little or no loss of strength. A more severe strain (grade II) will cause a loss of strength and mobility. The most severe strains (grade III) involve a complete rupture of a tendon. These cases present with obvious deformity and usually require surgical repair.
Acupuncture is indicated for treatment of muscle strains.
In the first 24-48 hours the RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) protocol should be used.
Rest
Reduce regular exercise or activities of daily living as needed. Your health care provider may advise you to put no weight on an injured area for 48 hours. If you cannot put weight on an ankle or knee, crutches may help. If you use a cane or one crutch for an ankle injury, use it on the uninjured side to help you lean away and relieve weight on the injured ankle.
Ice:
Apply an ice pack to the injured area for 20 minutes at a time, 4 to 8 times a day. A cold pack, ice bag, or plastic bag filled with crushed ice and wrapped in a towel can be used. To avoid cold injury and frostbite, do not apply the ice for more than 20 minutes.
Compression:
Compression of an injured ankle, knee, or wrist may help reduce swelling. Examples of compression bandages are elastic wraps, special boots, air casts, and splints. Ask your provider for advice on which one to use, and how tight to safely apply the bandage.
Elevation:
If possible, keep the injured ankle, knee, elbow, or wrist elevated on a pillow, above the level of the heart, to help decrease swelling.
In the sub-acute stage Acupuncture and Moxibustion (heat) may be applied by an Acupuncturist.
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What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a widespread non inflammatory painful condition affecting certain muscles and their attachments. It has a lot in common with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and the same patient may be diagnosed as having either or both, depending on the practitioner.
The patient will rarely present with the muscle pains alone and there are usually other accompanying systemic symptoms.
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Acupuncture & Fibromyalgia
Acupuncture has been shown to relieve the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. These symptoms include numbness and tingling, headaches, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, abdominal bloating and constipation and depression.
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What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process beginning in the articular cartilage. The irritation caused by the degeneration eventually leads to inflammation. Degenerative changes appear long before the onset of symptoms, and many cases (especially of spinal pain) have been wrongly diagnosed as osteoarthritis from signs of degeneration found on X-ray.
It usually manifests after middle age and, contrary to popular belief, is not just a normal ageing process. At the very least there will be factors that reduce the strength of articular cartilage or increase the forces to which it is subjected.
Predisposing causes :
Excessive load eventually damaging the cartilage
1) Total force is too great due to excess heavy work, obesity, dysfunction elsewhere throws excess weight onto the affected joint, eg: an ankle problem on the other leg.
2) The force is distributed through an area that is too small due to malalignment of joint, deformity (congenital or acquired), dysfunction elsewhere altering the line of weight distribution.
Previous injury or disease, e.g. gout, rheumatoid arthritis, damaging the cartilage.
Pathology
The cartilage becomes generally undernourished and wears most in the areas of increased stress, giving it an irregular and pitted appearance. Eventually it becomes calcified and pieces can flake off and become embedded in the synovium.
The underylying bone becomes sclerosed.
The joint capsule becomes more fibrous leading to a shrinking of the joint space and a reduced range of movement of the joint.
The bone at the margins of the joint can become hypertrophied, forming projections known as osteophytes.
Signs and Symptoms:
Pain - after rest and sustained use, at the end of passive range.
Tenderness around joint line.
Stiffness - initially only after rest but can increase until constant.
Deformity - capsule shrinkage, muscle weakness and wasting, swelling, osteophytes.
Giving way - due to nipping of synovial fringe or the presence of a loose body within the joint (possibly an osteophyte breaking off)
X-ray - a decreased joint space, sclerosis of pressure area and subchondral bone, presence of osteophytes.
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Acupuncture & Osteoarthritis
Acupuncture shows significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life in patients with chronic pain due to Osteoarthritis of the knee or the hip. Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have found that traditional Chinese acupuncture significantly reduces pain and improves function for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who have moderate or more severe pain despite taking pain medication. Patients receiving the acupuncture reported a 40 percent improvement in both pain and function from their baseline scores.
Acupuncture can reduce pain and improve joint functioning in the short-term for people with osteoarthritis of the knee.
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