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Supplements: do they really contain what the label says?

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What is on the label? Do you buy over the counter dietary supplements? Whether it be Vitamin D or something called Immune Support, or just a simple multivitamin? I bet all of you! I too, am one of those people. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Lisa. I am one of Laura’s assistants. Laura and I had a long conversation the other day. It was about how companies DON’T have to put what it says on label in the actual bottle. The FDA does not require a supplement to contain what it says on the label. So supplement companies can put more, less or none of the ingredient that is listed. It both angered and frightened me. So much that I had to write about it. So, here it goes!

For an example, let’s say you’re buying Vitamin D. It says that each dose contains 2500 % of your daily value or 10,000 units in each dose. The fact of the matter is, that’s not always the case. It could be that is what is actually in the bottle is only 100 % and 500 units in each dose. In some cases, there’s actually no Vitamin D in it what so ever. Maybe, it’s actually double the amount it says. This could cause toxicity, especially in infants and children.  Below is and example of a Multivitamin label.

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It says it contains 800 mcg of Folate, but that doesn’t mean that it’s true. It could only have 150 mcg, or mabe none at all. Also, there could be ingredients in it that’s not even listed. Very scary to think about. Especially, if your are allergic to something that may be in the bottle, but doesn’t state it on the label. For these reasons, you should always go to someone who specializes, and is certified, in herbs and supplements. This way, you know you’re getting exactly what it says on the label. Laura specializes, and is Certified, in the world of Chinese Herbs and Supplements. She is a fantastic resource to come to.

You may not realize that there are lines of supplements, or brands that are only sold by physicians and healthcare professionals. Among the thousands of brands out there, this amounts to only two companies, Orthomolecular Products and Zymogen. All other supplement companies can sell things to anyone without any supervision of the actual use of the supplement, and will allow their product to be sold by poentially unscrupulous sellers on the internet.

Why are is it better to use supplements that come from a professional? Because that person has a medical license of some kind. They are liable for the outcomes of the use of products that they make available to patients, and they have the most at stake to assure that the product is safe and contains exactly what it says on the label. As the old saying goes, “accept no substitutions.”

Following is part of a post from Frontline that I just had to share:

” Supplements and Safety, a FRONTLINE investigation in collaboration with The New York Times that premieres tonight, raises tough questions about how vitamins and supplements are marketed and regulated, and examines how it’s often hard to know what’s really in the bottles you’re buying.

In short, unlike with medical drugs, companies making vitamins and supplements do not have to prove that their products are safe and effective before putting them on the market — unless they’re introducing a new ingredient that’s never been marketed before.

That fact wasn’t sitting well with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals, as a dramatic scene from Supplements and Safety recounts.

Pharmacists there were seeing families “showing up literally with shopping bags full of dietary supplements,” Sarah Erush, the hospital pharmacy’s clinical manager, tells FRONTLINE in the below excerpt from the film.

Erush was concerned: If a patient or their family brings a medication into the hospital, pharmacists are required to verify that the medication is what its packaging says, that it’s labeled appropriately and that it’s being dosed appropriately — but no such requirements exist for supplements.

So in 2013, Erush and her colleagues took action. They decided to ask supplements manufacturers to prove that their labels were accurate by submitting certificates of analysis from an independent party.

Ninety percent of the companies never responded, says Erush’s colleague, Paul Offit, M.D.

“And of the 10 percent that responded, often, they would send us certificates of analysis where what was on the label wasn’t even close to what was in the bottle,” according to Offit.

Those kinds of discrepancies could have dire consequences, especially for the hospital’s tiniest and most vulnerable patients. Erush gives correspondent Gillian Findlay the example of a vitamin D drop.  This was going to premature infants, where the true dosage was more than double the amount necessary.

“So if we’re dosing premature infants who need very tiny doses of this drug, we’re now potentially giving them double what they should get. This could really put them at risk for toxicity,” Erush says.

In the end, only 35 supplements met the hospital’s standards.

Erush was left, in her words, “worried and dismayed.”

“It is a complete unknown when you are buying a dietary supplement, unless you have some proof of what is in that product,” she says. “It could be anything.”

Lisa here again. So what this says is that basically, you could dry out some grass, powder it up, put it in a pill ,and call it whatever you want. You can say that it’s Magnesium Oxide with 400 mg in each dose. It’s really sad that companies can do this, and get away with it.

SOOO, this is where we are….look for the seals below. These companies verify that what it says on the label is what is actually in the bottle.

 

Here is some more information about these companies:

*Companies whose supplements meet the group’s standards – which ensure purity, identity and potency, among other things – are allowed to carry an official “USP Verified” seal on their labels. The group maintains an evolving list of the brands that have received its seal and the places where they can be purchased. That list can be found on the group’s website. But, keep in mind that there are some companies that print the letters “USP” on their labels without the official USP Verified seal. This usually means that the company claims to produce its supplements in accordance with United States Pharmacopeia standards. But it is not the same as the distinctive black and yellow “USP Verified” seal, which means that the product has actually been vetted by the United States Pharmacopeia. Only a handful of brands carry the seal. A few of them are Nature Made, Kirkland Signature and TruNature, for example.

In products from Orthomolecular Products and Zymogen, only USP ingredients are used whenever possible. USP is not always granted for some components such as herbs, but for basic chemicals such as Vitamin E, it is used.

*Another nonprofit group that independently certifies some supplements and their ingredients is NSF International. The group certifies such supplements as fish oil and multivitamins. It also has an “NSF Certified for Sport” program that is especially useful for athletes and other people who use sports supplements such as protein powders, amino acids and creatine. These products have been found in some cases to be deliberately spiked with steroids and prescription drugs. The blue and white NSF seal means that a product has been independently vetted to ensure that it is not adulterated, and that it contains the ingredients listed on its label.

*Lastly, there are at least two independent laboratories that routinely test a range of dietary supplements and then publish full reports with their findings. One is ConsumerLab.com, which frequently tests products, and maintains an archive of reports on its website. Another testing company is LabDoor. On its website, you can find reports and rankings of protein powders, fish oil, probiotics, vitamin D, and multivitamins. Both websites charge a fee for access to their reports.

Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that supplements will do what they say they do. Or, that they are safe. Or, won’t interact with any medications you may be taking.  There is no guarantee that what it says is in the bottle is actually what’s in the bottle. But, there are several steps people can take. This is so they can have some reassurance that at least some of the supplements they buy actually contain what they advertise on the label – and nothing else.

There are two things people can do to assure they are getting what they pay for. For one, you can look for products that receive a seal of approval. Which are the ones I pointed out above. But, the best way, would to go to someone, like Laura, who specializes in this area. I can not stress this enough….how important it is to go to someone who is certified in this. Laura is trained in Functional Medicine through a series of professional development courses, she is nationally Certified in Oriental Medicine, is a licensed acupuncturist in Iowa, and is very experienced as a Chinese Herbology Practitioner.   This means, by coming to her to get the supplements and/or herbs that you want, you will get EXACTLY what the label says is in it. All of the herb suppliers that she use are providing only the highest quality herbs that meet US safety and purity standards or better.

So just give us a call at 319-341-0031, to set up an appointment to get the right supplements and herbs you need. Or, just come on in, and see if we have what you need on our shelf. If we don’t have them on hand, we will order them at no extra cost. Let us help you get your health back on track the right way.

Stay tuned for our next blog. It will be discussing home remedies and quick Chinese Herb combinations to help with common everyday issues. As always, have a peaceful and blessed day. Hope to see you soon!

New Study….Acupuncture better than Pain Medication.

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New Study Says Acupuncture Could Be Viable Alternative To Pain Medication

By @M_Matthews m.matthews@medicaldaily.com
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The traditional Chinese treatment acupuncture could be a possible alternative to addictive drugs.
Acupuncture is often thought of as an alternative therapy, but a new study validates the treatment for use in relieving pain. Researchers at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, conducted the largest ever randomized controlled trial to look at acupuncture use in emergency rooms, and found the practice to be an effective pain reliever for some patients.

Read: Valium For Lower Back Pain? Diazepam As Effective As Placebo, Study Says; Yoga, Acupuncture And Other Alternative Treatments

The team studied 538 patients experiencing acute low back pain, migraines or ankle sprains that sought treatment in emergency rooms. Pain was ranked on a scale of 10 points, and those who scored at least a four received either acupuncture, acupuncture and medicine, or just medicine. About an hour after being treated, less than 40 percent reported feeling any relief. However, within two days, almost everyone fared better. About 82 percent of those who only received acupuncture said they would opt for that treatment again, compared to 80 percent who received both and 78 percent who were prescribed medication only.

Study co-author Professor Marc Cohen, from RMIT’s School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, said that acupuncture is actually widely used as a pain treatment, just not in hospitals.

“While acupuncture is widely used by practitioners in community settings for treating pain, it is rarely used in hospital emergency departments,” Cohen said in a statement. “Emergency nurses and doctors need a variety of pain-relieving options when treating patients, given the concerns around opioids such as morphine, which carry the risk of addiction when used long-term.”

There’s been a lot of talk about the opioid epidemic recently. As we previously wrote, The New York Times reported that last year’s death rates by drug overdose is on pace to surpass 59,000 people, which is the largest per-year increase ever.  The paper points out that drug overdoses have become the main cause of death for those under 50 years old. Although a complex situation that isn’t likely to be solved anytime soon, many healthcare and policy experts have an idea of how to help the situation, including fewer prescriptions for pain medication. Some believe that doctors are far too liberal with offering up opioids and should be more prudent when prescribing. Finding solutions, such as acupuncture, could be one more way to decrease addiction.

“Some Australian emergency departments already offer acupuncture when trained staff are available but further studies are needed on ways to improve pain management overall in emergency departments, and the potential role for acupuncture in this,” Cohen said.

Of course, this research is just a starting point. Science still needs to figure out the best uses for acupuncture.

“We need to determine the conditions that are most responsive to acupuncture, the feasibility of including the treatment in emergency settings, and the training needed for doctors or allied health personnel,” Cohen explained.

Acupuncture Meridians Pathways of Chi Energy

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Acupuncture meridians are called many names. These names includes Chinese meridians, energy meridians, and Chi meridians, just to name a few. These meridians carry the energy that vitalizes all life forms and allows them to flourish and grow. Different cultures call this life force by different names: Chi, subtle energy, Prana and vital energy to name just a few.

Similar to electricity, this energy is invisible to the human eye. However, experienced Chinese doctors can feel and trace these pathways of energy with their hands. About 5,000 years ago they mapped these meridian lines. With this understanding, acupuncture was developed to balance Chi.

Think of these acupuncture meridians as streams or rivers flowing with energy or information. Like a river that provides life-giving water to its surrounding areas, these channels distribute revitalizing energy and carry information to the surrounding area of the body.

Acupuncture Meridians Chart

Sometimes, however, the flow of energy is disrupted. An overload of energy in the form of strong emotions and trauma can block or disrupt the flow of Chi. It is like a surge of electricity going to your TV and causing a circuit to blow. Optimal health depends on energy consistently flowing; balanced, free, and uninterrupted throughout the entire body.

You can also think of it in terms of an information current or download. If the data size is too large, and your computer capacity can’t handle it, the download is very slow or gets stuck.

This is where Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) comes in. Practicing EFT will help clear the stuck energy from your acupuncture meridians. Allowing energy to once more flow freely to all parts of your body. Go to EFT Tapping to learn more about this amazing meridian tapping technique.

Acupuncture meridians can be found throughout the body. There are many acupuncture points along these meridians that serve as energy reservoirs where energy is collected over time. These meridian points can be stimulated with needles, physical pressure, or tapping to release or redistribute this energy.

There are 12 primary acupuncture meridians. These channels surface to the skin twelve separate times and appear to be segments. However, under the surface, these meridians interconnect with one another. Each one is named for the primary organ or system they distribute energy to. Two pathways, called the central and governing meridians, are considered meridians as well, even though they do not correspond to a particular major organ system.

Each Chinese meridian has a time period where its particular energy is strongest. They are also associated with specific emotions.

Listed below are the twelve primary energy meridians, their time periods and the main emotions linked with them:

1. LUNG MERIDIAN (3am – 5am); grief, intolerance
2. LARGE INTESTINE MERIDIAN (5am – 7am); guilt
3. STOMACH MERIDIAN (7am – 9am); disgust, greed
4. SPLEEN MERIDIAN (9am – 11am); worry, anxiety about the future
5. HEART MERIDIAN (11am – 1pm); joy, anger
6. SMALL INTESTINE MERIDIAN (1pm – 3pm); insecurity, sadness
7. BLADDER MERIDIAN (3pm – 5pm); fright, impatient, restless
8. KIDNEY MERIDIAN (5pm – 7pm); fear, indecision
9. PERICARDIUM/CIRCULATION-SEX (7pm – 9pm); hurt, extreme joy, jealousy, regret
10. TRIPLE WARMER/THYROID MERIDIAN (9pm – 11pm); hopelessness, depression, despair
11. GALL BLADDER MERIDIAN (11pm – 1am); rage, wrath
12. LIVER MERIDIAN (1am – 3am); anger, unhappiness

The tapping points for EFT are located at specific points along the Chinese meridians. These points are at the beginning or end of the pathways or where the pathways rise close to the surface. Here is the list of tapping points for the Short-Cut Version of EFT and their associated meridians ( see EFT Learning for point location on the body):

1. Karate Chop Point – Small Intestine Meridian
2. Top of Head – Governing Meridian
3. Beginning of Eyebrow Point – start point of the Bladder Meridian, Stomach Meridian
4. Side of Eye Point – end point of the Triple Warmer Meridian, beginning point of the the Gall Bladder Meridian, Small Intestine Meridian
5. Under the Eye Point – Stomach Meridian
6. Under Nose Point – end point of the Governing Meridian, Large Intestine Meridian
7. Chin Point – end point of the Central or Conception Meridian, Stomach Meridian
8. Collarbone Point – Kidney Meridian
9. Under Arm Point – ending point of the Spleen Meridian

To learn more on how acupuncture improves energy click on the site below:

http://austinhealingacupuncture.com/acupuncture-and-energy-a-traditional-method-in-the-modern-world/

Infertility…Came across this article and had to share!

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When used in conjunction with Western fertility treatments, acupuncture increases conception rates by 26%. A recent study from Tel Aviv University reports, ““When combining IUI with TCM treatments, 65.5 percent of the test group were able to conceive, compared with 39.4 percent of the control group, who received no herbal or acupuncture therapy.” For the 4.5 million couples experiencing infertility each year, acupuncture may be just what the doctor ordered.

Acupuncture can increase fertility by reducing stress, increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs and balancing the endocrine system, according to several studies and medical research. “The goal of an infertility treatment from a Chinese Medicine perspective is not just to get pregnant, but to stay pregnant and to have a healthy baby,” says Deb Davies, LAc, a Pacific College alumnus who practices at Herbin Acupuncture and Wellness in San Diego. Among many other benefits, acupuncture can provide better blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, creating a stronger chance for an egg to be nourished and carried to term.

Acupuncture consists of the gentle insertion and stimulation of thin, disposable sterile needles at strategic points near the surface of the body. Over 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body connect with 14 major pathways, called meridians. Chinese medicine practitioners believe that these meridians conduct qi , or energy, between the surface of the body and internal organs. It is qi that regulates spiritual, emotional, mental and physical balance. When the flow of qi is disrupted through poor health habits or other circumstances, pain and/or disease can result. Acupuncture helps to keep the normal flow of this energy unblocked, thereby increasing a couple’s chances of conceiving.

Acupuncture infertility treatment can improve almost every cause of this obstacle. While 40 percent of infertility is caused by problems in the female, another 40 percent is caused by problems in the male, such as low sperm count or motility. The cause of female infertility stems from problems such as anovulation and endometriosis. The remaining 20 percent is caused by unknown factors.

One of the ways acupuncture infertility treatment increases fertility is by reducing stress, which is often a key factor in the fertility of both men and women. When people are under stress, the hormone cortizol is released in the brain. This alters the brain’s neurochemical balance, thus changing hormone levels and disrupting the pituitary balance that is key to the reproductive cycle. “Chinese medicine can help support a woman through this important time in her life—whether that is emotionally or physically, acupuncture can help with much more than just conception. It can help with morning sicknesss, nausea, aches and pains (low back pain, for example), anxiety preparation for birth, and insomnia, among many others,” explains Davies.

Because of the delicate balance between the hypothalamus, pituitary, and reproductive glands, stress is capable of preventing a woman from ovulating entirely. This can contribute to the cause of female infertility. Stress can also create spasms in both the fallopian tubes and the uterus, which can interfere with movement and implantation of a fertilized egg. In men, stress can alter sperm counts, motility, and cause impotence. Acupuncture infertility treatment counters the effects of stress and cortizol by releasing endorphins in the brain. An herbal impotence cure is also an option for men and can reduce stress.

Hormonal balance does not have to be disrupted by cortizol to cause infertility. The most common cause of female infertility is an ovulation disorder, in which the release of a mature egg from the ovary is prevented, usually because of a hormonal imbalance. Without enough progesterone, for example, the fetus is unable to attach to the uterus. High levels of prolactin, the hormone that stimulates the production of breast milk, can also prevent ovulation.

An imbalance in reproductive hormones can also negatively affect male reproductive function, such as sperm motility and production. However, the fertility drugs that stimulate ovulation in women by regulating the hypothalamus and pituitary, the glands that control reproductive hormones, don’t perform nearly as well for men (success rates are about a third of those for women), nor have they been approved for men by the FDA. Male infertility treatment must take another track. An herbal impotence cure — if impotence is a factor in a couple’s infertility — causes no side effects and has a reported success rate when taken in conjunction with male infertility treatment.

While the fertility drugs commonly prescribed for women can produce a 20 to 60 percent pregnancy rate, they also commonly include such side effects as abdominal tenderness, bloating, fluid retention, weight gain, and nausea. Some studies show that they may also cause breast cancer.

Acupuncture infertility treatment, by contrast, produces few or no side effects while performing the same function as the drugs do: stimulating the hypothalamus to effectively balance the endocrine system and its hormones and to get to the root cause of female infertility as well as male infertility.

Great Facts About Acupuncture Restoring Health!

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Acupuncture Facts – Restoring Health with Needles in the Skin

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By Health & Wellness

For centuries cultures around the world have been intrigued by the fascinating art of restoring health by inserting small, seemingly innocuous needles in the surface of the skin. Chinese explanations of how acupuncture works are rooted in Chinese medical philosophy and theory. Eastern concepts about the cause of disease do not have specific counterparts in Western science. Terms such as yin/yang and Qi (pronounced chee) do not have exact English equivalents. Western scientists are uncomfortable, at best, with concepts like, “balancing energy”, that the Eastern theorists and practitioners use to describe a healthy mind/body relationship.

Western scientists want to know exactly what is happening when an acupuncture treatment seems to get results. They want to be able to describe the process in the scientific jargon which they are most familiar. Westerners believe they can understand how a process operates when it can be broken down into elements that can be named and measured while being reproduced in the laboratory. Quantifying these dynamics in terms of electrical current, chemical compounds, and substances whose size, shape, and temperature can be described are essential for acceptance in the Western scientific community.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
For three thousand years or more, acupuncture has been used to treat pain. Less than forty years ago, with the revival of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China, acupuncture was brought into modern operating rooms to control pain, during and after surgery. Western Physicians learned of acupuncture’s dramatic effectiveness when in 1972; James Reston had gone to Beijing at the invitation of the Chinese government. During his first visit, he had to undergo an emergency appendectomy. His Chinese doctors used acupuncture for his postoperative pain, and Reston recovered quickly. Upon his return delegations of Western doctors went to observe for themselves the “miracle” that traditional practitioners had been working there since 1000 BC

ENDORPHINS DISCOVERED
acupuncture-facts-1Just a few years later, in 1976, the actual mechanism by which morphine and aspirin “kill” pain was discovered. Scientists isolated a group of substances called endorphins that are released by the pituitary gland in the front part of the brain. Receptor sites in the brain respond to these endorphins by blocking pain sensations. Substances such as aspirin and morphine, as well as, processes like acupuncture stimulate the natural production of endorphins.

Our bodies manufacture endorphins under various conditions, for example, when we experience severe physical trauma or intense emotional distress. Individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents often report that they experienced no pain until after the immediate danger was past. In such instances, the body produces endorphins, numbing the pain until people can act to save themselves and get medical attention, which generally includes receiving “something for the pain”.

Endorphins are chemical messengers of a type known as neuro-transmitters, which communicate between nerve cells. These cells, called neurons, are not connected physically to one another. Nerve impulses are actually electrical charges that travel from one end of the elongated neuron to the other; coming to a complete stop at the end of the neuron in a structure called the axon. At the end of the axon is physical gap called a synapse. Nerve impulses cannot jump across the synapse to the next nerve cell without the help of chemical transmitters that are merely messengers that move the impulse across the gap. Neurotransmitters move at very high speeds and interact with specific receptors at the next nerve cell, passing information to them. This process occurs rapidly and constantly throughout the entire nervous system.

SCIENCE AND ACUPUNCTURE
After the breakthrough discovery of endorphins in 1976, a Canadian Physician named Bruce Pomeranz with a Ph.D. in neurobiology conducted a series of experiments that provided the first physical evidence that acupuncture stimulates endorphin release. His work demonstrated that pain relief from acupuncture was mediated through endorphins. He theorized that acupuncture killed pain by stimulating the release of endorphins.

Subsequent experiments were directed at measuring pain intensity and how well acupuncture could control it. These experiments demonstrated that pain sedation actually occurred in a time release fashion as endorphins with varying molecular structures were produced and released. These were named alpha, beta, and gamma endorphins. The pain relieving effects of the alpha and beta-endorphins are short-lived, peaking at about twenty minutes. The gamma endorphins, however, may not reach their peak effectiveness for as long as four hours.

EASTERN VIEW
Chinese scientists are convinced that endorphin release is central to acupuncture pain relief because they have measured elevations of endorphins through radio wave analysis of the entire brain. They are not convinced that endorphin release is the only mechanism involved. In recent years, numerous other substances whose release is stimulated by acupuncture have been identified and isolated. Some of these substances include serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, acetycholine, glycine, gamma-aminobutyrill (GABA), and glutamate.

WESTERN VIEW
acupuncture-facts-2The belief that other neurotransmitters may be involved in needling effects is supported by evidence concerning some significant differences between morphine and acupuncture use. Morphine and other opiates depress respiratory functions; acupuncture does not. Acupuncture relieves constipation, bronchospasms, and gastrointestinal spasms; opiates have the opposite effect. Constriction of the eye’s pupil is a characteristic effect of morphine-like substances; no such constriction occurs during acupuncture. Needling points promotes the release of corticosteroid from the adrenal cortex; opiates depress the cortex.

Dr. Yoshiaki Omura of Manhatten College in New York City thinks that acupuncture may release a large molecule from the pituitary called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The level of this substance stimulated by acupuncture may explain the prolonged pain relief provided for joint and motor disorders, both acute and chronic. Furthermore, increased serum serotonin levels may account for the relaxed, sleepy sensation that often follows an acupuncture treatment.

OTHER HYPOTHESES
Numerous other hypotheses have emerged to explain the diversified effects of acupuncture in non-pain related disorders. The FENG and SHIZEN Hypothesis attempts to relate the diverse effects of acupuncture to target cells in the brain, which are stimulated by acupuncture.

The PNS theory asserts that energy channels (called meridians) parallel the distribution of nerves throughout the body and that the stimulation provided by the acupuncture needles has a normalizing effect within the channel, as well as, a spillover effect on the nerve supply to the associated area.

VARIOUS APPLICATIONS
Like anything else, there is a wide range of ways that you can use acupuncture. You should know that acupuncture is not right for everyone and not all techniques are right for everyone. The acupuncturist will determine what is best for you and your ailments. You will find that this type of therapy can help you with stomachaches, headaches, arthritis, infertility, back pains, and certain diseases or conditions. You will find that it can help you with just about any type of pain and your pain can be improved or eliminated by the use of acupuncture.

DIVERSE STYLES OF ACUPUNCTURE
When considering any form of acupuncture, many consider it to be Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Although most popular in the world overall and certainly within the United States, TCM acupuncture is not the only technique that can help you improve the impaired flow of energy it is designed to correct. Regardless of the particular style of acupuncture employed needles only slightly thicker than hairs are inserted into the body in multiple spots, called meridians, in order to improve the energy flow of the body, called qi (chee).

acupuncture-facts-3Japanese acupuncturists have a slightly varied technique. When it comes to getting Japanese acupuncture, you will find that it can be less intrusive and rigorous, but you may also find it to be more pleasing and appealing. They often use thinner or shorter needles. Japanese acupuncture also uses fewer needles in general.

Another technique is Korean hand acupuncture. This is a good type for those who have issues with sitting or lying for long periods. It is also a good way to begin acupuncture if the methods are at first a bit scary to you. Korean hand acupuncture not only targets problems with the hands and fingers, such as arthritis, but you will find that there are points on your hands that will affect the entire body. Learning these many points is an art and a science. Korean hand acupuncturists are highly skilled professionals.

Another highly effective form of acupuncture that can be performed for those who cannot tolerate needles being placed at all points on the body is called auricular acupuncture. With this form of acupuncture the needles are placed at various locations in and around the ears. This has been proven to be very effective in drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs.

A YING/YANG CONCLUSION
In the final analysis no completely satisfactory explanation of the effectiveness of needling has been agreed upon. Obviously, it works. Just as obviously a multifaceted, multidisciplinary approach is needed to unravel the mysteries of acupuncture to the satisfaction of the rational minds in medicine. We must remain aware of how the various parts of the body are connected, how they communicate, and how distress in one area affects the other areas. Further research must continue in body chemistry, the electrical functioning of the nerve cells, and the nervous system as a whole. When considering acupuncture, we must conceive of the body as a system of complex interdependencies, which is precisely the view-point that Traditional Chinese medicine has emphasized for thousands of years.

Many many reason to try Acupuncture. It’s pretty amazing!

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Here are 13 more specific ways that acupuncture can change your life in 2017.

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.

7. It can help you sleep.

Insomnia is one of the most common complaints seen by acupuncturists, and acupuncture can be highly effective at helping it. But even in people who do not recognize or mention sleep as a problem, acupuncture has a tendency to produce more restful nights. This often goes unnoticed until asked about on a follow-up visit. Many acupuncturists hear this refrain multiple times a day: “You know, now that you mention it, I have been sleeping a lot better since I started coming for acupuncture.”

8. It will get you thinking differently about food.

Whether you’re Paleo, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, or free of any restrictions, acupuncture will lend some interesting perspective to your food choices. In acupuncture, foods often are thought about in terms of temperature. Some people, because of their constitutions or root imbalances, need warming foods while others need foods that cool. And this can change significantly based on the seasons. Everyone is different. Acupuncture dietary theory sheds light on why some people can eat certain foods and feel unaffected while others can’t even look in their direction.

9. It will help you embrace change.

Conventional medicine requires us to think in absolutes, to label things good or bad, black or white. We’re either sick or we’re healthy. Our numbers are too high or too low. We’re happy or we’re depressed. Yet in between these extremes, subtle yet significant shifts occur. Acupuncture works in this gray area and teaches us to reflect on the small changes happening within and around us all the time. In acupuncture, this is progress.

Unwillingness to accept change is a huge source of stress and anxiety for many people. Through reframing change as a marker of progress rather than something to be scared of, you will learn to love it.

10. It will give you something to talk about at parties.

Acupuncture is a crowd pleaser! Next time you’re feeling awkward or bored at a social gathering, mention that you recently had acupuncture. You’ll be an instant sensation. People love learning about acupuncture. Did it hurt? Did she stick them in your eyes? People also love sharing their own acupuncture experiences, so it’s a quick way find common ground and make friends.

11. It will make you more patient.

We loooove technology. Whether it’s the latest product from Apple or a cutting-edge MRI, we lust after shiny tools that promise to make us better. Technology, while awesome, acclimates us to quick fixes and perpetuates an “I want it now” mentality. This creates chronic impatience.

Acupuncture, because it works but rarely overnight, can help us combat this. Acupuncture is an ongoing process that requires an investment of time and a willingness to let go of our desire for instant gratification. It will make you a more patient person.

12. It will make you tough.

It’s not always easy to embrace acupuncture. Most doctors, as well as some family, friends and colleagues, regard mainstream medicine as the only acceptable form of health care. The constant barrage of pharmaceutical advertising is hard to ignore. It takes courage to go against the grain.

Acupuncture, although becoming more popular, is still not the norm. It requires a conscious commitment to understanding ourselves in a way that the majority shuns. This is the harder path toward health but ultimately the most rewarding.

13. It will make you believe in yourself.

The driving idea behind acupuncture is that we’re already in possession of everything we need to be well. Acupuncture does not add or subtract anything. Rather, it prompts the body to do what it already knows how to do. It reminds you that you have the power to heal yourself.

This does not mean that external interventions such as pharmaceuticals or surgery should always be shunned — in many cases, these are life-saving measures. But it does mean that becoming healthier, whatever that means to you, is within your control. When it comes to improving our physical and emotional health, most of us are capable of a lot more than we think. By using a therapy like acupuncture, which embraces rather than ignores our innate healing capacity, you’re making a statement that you believe in yourself.

 

Can acupuncture help improve cancer patient’s side effects of chemotherapy and radiation? The NCI says YES!!

Can an Ancient Healing System practiced for thousands of years be useful in the modern cancer care setting? The National Cancer Institute says YES!

 

Acupuncture has demonstrated benefit to cancer patients in the following areas:

Pain Management: Acupuncture is very effective for managing pain related to tumors, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and inflammation. Cancer itself is a painful disease and the treatments for cancer cause pain, swelling and inflammation. Additionally, many of the treatments for management of cancer pain cause side effects such as constipation, confusion, nausea, difficulty urinating and respiratory depression. Patients who receive acupuncture may be able to use lower doses of pain medications.

Immune System Modulation: Many cancers and many cancer treatments cause a suppression of the bone marrow, the source of blood cells that are the army of the immune system. Acupuncture increases blood cell production and enhances Natural Killer Cells and Lymphocytes which leads to increased immune response and decreased risk of infection.

Inflammation: Increased inflammation is a part of the physiology of cancer. Many of the treatments for cancer such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery also cause painful inflammation. Acupuncture reduces the pain and swelling related to inflammation.

 

 

Nausea and Vomiting: Acupuncture has been shown to reduce the intensity and frequency of nausea and vomiting in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Dry, Painful Mouth and Throat: Cancer patients receiving radiation to the head and neck experience dry mouth due to the reduction in saliva production. Additionally, radiation treatments lead to pain and swelling in the mouth and throat making it very difficult to swallow. These patients often lose their sense of taste as well. Acupuncture has been shown to decrease these side effects allowing the patient to be able to swallow, eat and drink normally, protect the health of the teeth and gums and reduce the incidence of infections, pain and swelling in the mouth and throat during radiation therapy.

Sleep: Cancer patients suffer sleep disruption and insomnia due to post-surgical discomfort, anxiety and depression and physical pain. By relieving these symptoms the cancer patient is able to get the deep sleep and rest required for recovery and healing.

Hot Flashes in Breast Cancer Patients: Many women undergoing hormonal treatment for breast cancer experience hot flashes that disrupt sleep and activities of daily living. Acupuncture has been shown to decrease the frequency and intensity of hot flashes for breast cancer patients. Although these studies on management of hot flashes with acupuncture were done in women breast cancer patients, men with prostate cancer also experience hot flashes during hormonal treatment and would benefit from acupuncture.

 

Quality of Life: By managing the side effects of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hormonal therapies, reducing pain and inflammation, improving sleep, supporting normal digestive function and reducing stress the quality of life of cancer patients is improved by acupuncture treatments. Eugene Mak, MD, a board certified oncologist states that acupuncture “ can also add to the patients’ sense of well being and decrease the malaise associated with any chronic disease, especially cancer….and imparts a sense of well being and accelerates patients’ recovery.”

Research on the use of acupuncture in the cancer care setting is ongoing. Investigations include the benefits of acupuncture to treat many cancer related symptoms including loss of appetite, diarrhea, weight loss, cough, bone pain, chest pain, dizziness, fatigue and anxiety and depression in cancer patients.

Acupuncture is recommended to cancer patients at the Mayo Clinic and at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Today, many oncologists refer their patients for acupuncture treatment to manage cancer symptoms and cancer treatment related symptoms. Many cancer treatment centers now have Licensed Acupuncturists on staff to help patients manage the many challenges of the cancer journey.

Learn more about acupuncture

Dr Chilkov serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Mederi Foundation, which serves to promote a holistic, integrative approach to healing through education and clinical research programs with an emphasis on providing primary healthcare to those with cancer and chronic illnesses.

Spring time means Allergies and Sinuses…Come in and get your D-Hist and Rootology Breathe Free! We carry both!

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Natural D-Hist

Natural D-Hist

Natural D-Hist from Ortho Molecular is the ideal solution for allergy sufferers. Unlike other over-the-counter products which only mask symptoms, Natural D-Hist provides support to sinus and nasal passage tissues to help inhibit the bodys allergy defense mechanisms. Quercetin – a powerful natural flavonoid that has been shown to inhibit certain compounds that typically affect sinus and respiratory health. Stinging Nettles Leaf – studies have shown that Stinging Nettles provide support for nasal passageway health. Bromelain – a strong pineapple enzyme, Bromelain has proven mucolytic properties which support normal mucosal tissue function and enhances the absorption of Quercetin. N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) – an amino acid that is a natural mucolytic and helps reduce the viscosity of mucus.

Natural D-Hist Product Description

Natural D-Hist from Ortho Molecular is the ideal solution for allergy sufferers. Unlike other over-the-counter products which only mask symptoms, Natural D-Hist provides support to sinus and nasal passage tissues to help inhibit the bodys allergy defense mechanisms. Quercetin – a powerful natural flavonoid that has been shown to inhibit certain compounds that typically affect sinus and respiratory health. Stinging Nettles Leaf – studies have shown that Stinging Nettles provide support for nasal passageway health. Bromelain – a strong pineapple enzyme, Bromelain has proven mucolytic properties which support normal mucosal tissue function and enhances the absorption of Quercetin. N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) – an amino acid that is a natural mucolytic and helps reduce the viscosity of mucus.

The Natural D-Hist formula includes optimal support for nasal and sinus passageways for individuals who anticipate seasonal changes.

Natural D-Hist is a targeted blend of flavonoids, antioxidants, proteolytic enzymes and botanicals designed to provide comprehensive support for seasonal challenges caused by common environmental allergens. The formula includes quercetin, bromelain, stinging nettles leaf, and N-acetyl cysteine. The powerful combination actively promotes healthy nasal and sinus passages for individuals with elevated histamine and respiratory irritation.

Suggested Use

Loading Dose: 2 capsules three times per day for 7-10 days or as recommended by your health care professional.

Acute: 2-3 capsules as needed or as recommended by your health care professional.

Maintenance: 1 or more capsules per day or as recommended by your health care professional.

  • Supports Immune Balance in Hypersensitive Individuals
  • Supports Sinus and Respiratory Health
  • Promotes Normal Viscosity of Mucus
  • Clears Nasal Passages

Quercetin

Quercetin has strong antioxidant activity and has been shown to support immune health by mediating the release of inflammatory compounds including leukotrienes and prostaglandins. Quercetin is known for its ability to stabilize mast cells, diminishing the release of histamine, the compound known to cause hypersensitivity reactions during seasonal changes.

Stinging Nettles Leaf Extract

Stinging nettles leaf is a plant that has been shown to balance immune response, specifically in the airways and nasal passages. Studies have shown that the extract of stinging nettles leaf balances a variety of inflammatory activities that affect respiratory health.

Bromelain

Bromelain is a plant enzyme naturally found on the stem and fruit of the pineapple plant. Bromelain is a proteolytic (protein-digesting) enzyme that aids in in the breakdown of large protein complexes, including antigenic compounds, and has been shown to enhance the absorption of quercetin. Bromelain has been shown to reduce circulating allergenic protein complexes associated with hyper-immune sensitivity and seasonal discomfort.

N-Acetyl Cysteine

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is an amino acid precursor to one of the most important antioxidants in the body, glutathione. Both glutathione and NAC help reduce the viscosity of the mucus allowing for clearing of the airways and improved respiratory health.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C cannot be synthesized by humans and is therefore an essential nutrient that must be consumed in the diet. Among its numerous health-promoting properties, vitamin C is an essential vitamin that supports the immune system and is also a potent antioxidant. When the body is under a significant amount of stress, both emotional and environmental, vitamin C is excreted rapidly. Vitamin C has many immune boosting properties, but is distinctively beneficial for individuals with seasonal discomfort because of its ability to deactivate histamine.

 

Rootology Breathe Free
  • Fast-acting, non-drowsy, year-round, natural nasal & sinus support, including against irritation caused by pollen, dander, dust, mold, pollution, chemicals, smoke and other irritants.
  • 13 powerful herbal extracts for sinuses, congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itchy watery eyes, cough and headache, no matter the cause of discomfort.
  • 100% Money Back Guarantee and Doctor Recommended: Feel confident trying.
  • Directions: Take 2 capsules as needed. You may open and mix contents of capsules with food if you have trouble swallowing. Rootology does not need to “build up” in your system nor need to be taken daily, though some feel best results after doing so. Rootology is effective on its own, but you may combine it with other products: find what works best for you.
  • One 40 Capsule Bottle: each 2 capsule serving of herbal extract is equivalent to 6,700 mg of herbal powder. Supplement Facts and ingredient functions in the photos above.

Acupuncture….the alternative medicine!!

The Point About Acupuncture: It Works

 

Acupuncture is used for everything from pain relief to helping people quit smoking. (Getty Images)

Earlier this year, I was working with a 36-year-old patient who was having trouble getting pregnant. She did not want to put any medications into her body, and she asked me if there were alternatives to hormonal therapy.

I asked her a question I once never would have thought to ask: Had she considered acupuncture?

I attended medical school at The Ohio State University, steeped in a Western practice known as allopathic medicine. Any exposure to Eastern medicine was limited. Which brings me back to my original point (pun intended).

After several months of treatment with one of our acupuncturists, she stopped me in the hallway one day and almost jumped into my arms to share the news. She was pregnant.  She was also thankful that I had respected her concerns about hormonal therapy and found an integrative approach that worked for her.

That one patient encounter helped me to really appreciate the value of Eastern medicine practices – especially acupuncture.

For more than 3,500 years, acupuncture has been providing relief to people around the world. Originally developed and practiced in China, this soothing therapy is today embraced by patients who seek to alleviate symptoms caused by ailments that range from arthritis to migraines to the aftereffects of chemotherapy. It has even been proven effective in helping people stop smoking.

Acupuncture draws on the belief that an energy called Qi (pronounced chee) circulates through our body, from the top of our head to the soles of our feet. When we experience good health, this energy flows unobstructed along pathways in the body called meridians. Each meridian is believed to be connected to a specific organ system, and when an energy flow is disrupted by a disease or an injury, illness or pain occurs. Acupuncture is then used to balance the flow of Qi and stimulate our body’s natural ability to heal.

An Electrical Sensation

Acupuncture treatments involve placing hair-thin needles of varying lengths into certain areas of the skin. The number of slender needles – as few as three, as many as 20 – and the length of time they are kept in place depends on the ailment being treated

During the treatment, the needles may be twirled, warmed or electrically energized to intensify healing effects. Sessions with the acupuncturist take up to 60 minutes. Patients lie on a padded table, and soothing music plays in the background, allowing for deep relaxation. Some patients may feel an electrical sensation during a treatment, which is good – that means healing energy is moving through the body.

How does acupuncture work to provide relief for so many painful conditions? Most acupuncture points are near nerves. When stimulated, the point sends a message along the nerve to the brain and spinal cord. This causes the release of serotonin, dopamine and endorphins – chemicals our own body produces that alter or eliminate the message of pain being delivered to the brain. The release of these “feel-good” mood-regulating chemicals makes people feel better physically and emotionally. And when someone’s emotional outlook improves, their quality of life improves.

Clinical studies have shown that acupuncture bolsters the body’s nervous and endocrine systems, and has an anti-inflammatory effect. And for my faithful readers, you know how much I preach about lowering inflammation to reverse disease. Acupuncture decreases the inflammation associated with different diseases and relieves muscle spasms and strain.

I have referred patients with emotional disorders such as depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia for acupuncture – and have seen great success. Many of my oncology colleagues will refer patients for acupuncture to assist in reducing adverse reactions to chemotherapy, including fatigue, generalized pain, dry mouth, peripheral neuropathy, nausea and vomiting.

I think it’s important to remind ourselves that acupuncture is not intended to replace Western medicine practices. My practice is a “bridge” between the best of Western and Eastern practices. Acupuncture and traditional medicine complement one another. In many instances, patients appreciate that integrative medicine like acupuncture can work as an adjunct to a traditional treatment plan.

Going back to my original example, my patient who used acupuncture to conceive will now see my colleague trained in allopathic medicine for her prenatal care and eventual delivery. For me professionally, this is a beautiful complement between two very different practices of medicine.

 Until next time, be well.

Chinese Medicine and a few thing it has to offer!!

In Chinese Medicine, health is an ongoing process of maintaining balance among all the organs and systems of the body.

Treatments

Acupuncture

The Acupuncture points are on pathways of energy called meridians through which “Qi” or life energy flows. Acupuncture has been used in China for over 3000 years to correct the flow of Qi through the meridians. When the flow of Qi is disrupted, symptoms occur. Chinese Medicine connects symptoms to underlying patterns of disharmony. These patterns are treated with very specific acupuncture points and Chinese herbal prescriptions. Chinese Medicine can treat the underlying cause of illness to alleviate symptoms as well as prevent future illness by promoting harmony and balance within the body.

Many studies have documented the positive effects acupuncture can have on many illnesses. Some studies suggest that acupuncture invokes an analgesic effect by somehow altering the body’s own pain-relieving opiate system. Another theory suggests that acupuncture may regulate the hypothalamus and pituitary glands resulting in a broad range of systemic effects including changes in the secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones and changes in the blood flow.

Herbology

According to traditional practices, herbs were boiled to make a tea or ground and mixed with honey to make pills. In more modern times, we use prepared liquid tinctures and herbal granules, which are similar to instant coffee, to make herbal preparations customized for an individual health problem. These are more convenient and often just as effective as boiled herbs. For those with sensitive tastes, herbal tablets and pills are available.

All herbal recommendations are based on a thorough Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis. An herbal formula can include commonly used herbs such as licorice root and cinnamon and more obscure herbs such as oyster shell and lily bulb. A group of anywhere from two to twenty herbs comprise a formula, and each herb plays a role in healing the condition. Traditional Chinese formulas have been safely used for thousands of years when made by the hands of a skilled practitioner. All herbal formulas sold at Emerging Energy conform to GMP standards for purity. We do not sell herbs to the public unless prescribed by a practitioner of chinese medicine.

Dermatology

For thousands of years, the ancient Chinese have treated dermatological conditions without the use of steroids and immunosuppressants. These modern medications often make skin problems worse or provide only temporary relief with the risk of permanent skin damage. At Emerging Energy, we custom tailor your treatment to the nature of your skin disease. This personalized treatment addresses the root cause as well as provides symptomatic relief. By treating treating the root cause of the problem, we get better results. While you may want instant relief, skin changes take time. Most conditions tend to improve in the first few weeks of treatment but may take 3-6 months of herbal treatment to fully resolve. Some stubborn or longstanding cases can take even 6-12 months. We treat eczema, perioral dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen planus, and acne safely and effectively.

Infertility & Women’s Health

Chinese Medicine is very effective in enhancing fertility in both men and women. Studies have shown Acupuncture can be used in combination with western medical treatments such as Invitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) to improve the likelihood of pregnancy. Chinese Medicine can also be used alone to regulate a woman’s cycle so that pregnancy happens naturally. It has also been shown to treat certain disorders that contribute to male infertility, such as Varicocele.

Acupuncture has been safely used for thousands of years to treat common ailments in pregnancy such as nausea, back pain, sciatica, migraines, anxiety and more. Treatment can be done in any trimester as well as postpartum to aid in recovery.

Other Women’s health concerns commonly treated are PMS, Irregular Periods, Painful Periods, Endometriosis, PCOS, Menopausal complaints such as hot flashes and night sweats, and more.

Massage

Therapeutic massage is a natural form of medicine, as well as an effective approach to preventative care. Getting a massage can do you a world of good, and getting a massage frequently can do even more.  Just because massage feels like a pampering treat, doesn’t mean it’s any less therapeutic. It can help soothe anxiety and depression, ease pain, improve sleep, and enhance immunity. Ultimately, the better care you take of your body, the richer you will be in spirit and soul.

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