Introduction: Anxiety is a prevalent mental health concern that affects millions of people worldwide. While various treatment options exist, an increasing number of individuals are turning to alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, to manage their anxiety effectively. Acupuncture, rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, is gaining recognition for its potential to alleviate anxiety symptoms and promote overall well-being.
How does Acupuncture work for Anxiety? When it comes to anxiety, acupuncture is thought to reduce stress and anxiety by calming the nervous system, releasing endorphins, and promoting relaxation. At Acupuncture of Iowa, using electroacupuncture, we can apply specific frequencies that are known to support neurotransmitters like endorphins and GABA, as well as serotonin, which are all understood to contribute to a greater balance between the Fight or Flight part of the nervous system and the Rest and Digest part of the nervous system. We have heard in person after person reports of feeling more balanced, less stressed, easier to relax, and better more restful sleep, as well as recovering faster from stressors and just feeling more centered. This result lasts longer and longer after each treatment.
What does Research Show about this? Research on acupuncture for anxiety is promising. Studies have shown that acupuncture can lead to significant reductions in anxiety symptoms and an improved quality of life. Because of this, pain is also reduced, and people can function better in their daily lives.
What can I expect from Acupuncture? One of the advantages of acupuncture is its minimal side effects, making it a safe option for those who want to avoid medication or other invasive treatments. It’s important to consult with a qualified acupuncturist or a healthcare professional to create a personalized treatment plan. During the initial consultation at our clinic, patients are given a clear idea of how many treatments might be needed to get to their goals.
In Conclusion: While acupuncture may not be a standalone cure for anxiety, it can be a valuable complementary therapy in a holistic approach to managing anxiety. Combined with other lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management techniques, acupuncture offers a truly holistic path to greater well-being and a more balanced, anxiety-free life.
Many people find acupuncture to be helpful in the management of joint pain and this is one of the most common reasons why people come to our clinic.
How Acupuncture helps joint pain:
Acupuncture is believed to stimulate the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, and improve blood circulation. This can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with joint issues. In our clinic we use specific frequencies on our electroacupuncture devices to increase not just endorphin levels but keep them high for longer and longer. Doing this requires 2-3 times weekly treatment for a few weeks, but is very helpful in many cases.
Types of Joint Pain we can help:
Acupuncture is commonly used for various types of joint pain, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and musculoskeletal pain. It can also be used for pain resulting from injuries or overuse of joints. Tendinitis and muscle inflammation often accompanies joint pain, and at our clinic we use frequencies that target inflammation by increasing levels of a chemical called acth in the body. We are seeing very good results with this approach.
What other things can help joint pain:
Acupuncture is often used as a complementary therapy alongside conventional medical treatments for joint pain, such as physical therapy, medication, and lifestyle modifications. We recommend that patients be evaluated by a physical therapist and integrate appropriate therapeutic movements into their lifestyle. Many people wish to avoid the side effects of pain medication and acupuncture is certainly a good substitute if used appropriately. Additionally, your acupuncturist can talk to you about other lifestyle changes such as weight loss and increasing exercise sensibly that can assist.
How well does acupuncture work for joint pain:
The effectiveness of acupuncture can vary from person to person. Some individuals experience significant pain relief, while others may not find it as beneficial. At Acupuncture of Iowa we know how to reduce the impact of several things that seem to make acupuncture work more slowly for some patients. When we evaluate you and make a treatment plan, we will talk to you about how we see those factors and what you can do about it to make acupuncture work well for yourself.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Acupuncture is generally considered safe when performed by a trained and licensed acupuncturist using sterile, disposable needles. It is a non-invasive and low-risk treatment option for joint pain.
How many times will I need to come for treatment?
Acupuncture for chronic joint pain typically requires multiple sessions. In our clinic we have a systematic approach to knowing how many treatments might be helpful for a given person. We usually recommend that a new person begin with 10 visits and that will enable them to see the benefit. At that point we will re-evaluate and consider a plan for moving forward. Many patients see significant benefit or complete resolution of their problems in 10 sessions; others need more visits to reach their goals. Generally, everyone sees benefit from acupuncture and it varies quite a lot from one individual to another.
Acupuncture can be the key to naturally stopping smoking, and it is available through our Quit Smoking Now program at Acupuncture of Iowa.
As a result of quitting smoking a person will find they have more energy, resolve annoying health problems such as headaches, cough, aches and pains, and heartburn. They will also save money and reduce the chances of smoking-related illnesses over the coming years.
Drug-based methods for quitting smoking, such as nicotine patches and gum and psychoactive medications, have proven effective for many people but they can be expensive, are not always effective, and sometimes lead to new addictions and dependencies, as well as unwanted side effects. They can also be very expensive in the long run, maybe even more expensive than smoking. In the meantime, Acupuncture has been found to be very effective as a natural approach to quitting smoking.
Our protocol has been shown, in tens of thousands of patients, to completely eliminate cigarette cravings for 90% of people in 2 treatments. The other 10% may need one additional visit.
A key advantage of acupuncture for smoking cessation is no negative side effects. Unlike pharmaceutical options, acupuncture does not introduce additional chemicals into the body and does not create new addictions such as dependence on expensive nicotine patches that never resolve the addiction. Additionally, acupuncture addresses not only the physical addiction but also the psychological and emotional aspects of smoking. It helps eliminate withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and stress, which often trigger relapses.
Most people are looking for a simple solution to their smoking addiction and the pharmaceutical companies have capitalized on this, moving them from one addiction to another without real hope of an effective cure. Trading one addiction for another is not a true solution.
The cost of cigarette smoking for a pack-a-day smoker is now at least 7 dollars a day or 210 dollars per month. This comes to 2520 dollars yearly. The cost to the economy of the US, including health effects, lost wages, and other economic impact is $1436 billion per year. Despite the fact that many have quit, the economic impact still remains a huge to individuals, their families and our society.
Research on the effectiveness of acupuncture for smoking cessation is ongoing, but in the medical literature there are many reports of positive results, with reduced cravings and increased success in quitting using acupunctcure. Individuals who make a solid commitment to stopping smoking, and are supported by coworkers, friends, and family, will have excellent results.
Our quit smoking protocol signals nervous system that it no longer needs smoking to relax, and addresses a part of the brain that is involved in addiction, as well as the lungs and the autonomic nervous system. The points used will be in the ear, hands and feet. Patients will be treated for 20-30 minutes on two consecutive days at our clinic. A third day may be necessary for a small number of people
We are currently accepting new participants for our Quit Smoking Now clinic. Call 319-341-0031 to learn more and schedule your visits.
Acupuncture is an ancient healing technique rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, which has gained widespread recognition for its efficacy in pain relief. This holistic approach involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body, stimulating the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Over the years, acupuncture has emerged as a valuable tool in managing and alleviating various types of pain. In our clinic we blend traditional acupuncture with modern approaches for the best in natural pain treatment.
One of the primary mechanisms by which acupuncture provides pain relief is through the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. The insertion of needles triggers a response in the central nervous system, prompting the release of these feel-good chemicals. This not only diminishes pain but also promotes a sense of relaxation and well-being.
Furthermore, acupuncture promotes better blood circulation and reduces inflammation at the targeted sites, aiding the body’s ability to heal itself. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals suffering from chronic pain conditions, such as arthritis, back pain, or migraines.
Acupuncture’s non-invasive nature and minimal side effects make it an attractive alternative for those seeking pain relief without relying on pharmaceuticals. It can be used as a complementary therapy alongside conventional medicine or as a standalone treatment, depending on the individual’s needs and preferences.
In conclusion, acupuncture’s long history and growing body of scientific evidence support its effectiveness as a pain relief method. By stimulating the body’s natural mechanisms and promoting overall well-being, acupuncture offers a holistic approach to pain management that many find valuable in their quest for relief from discomfort and suffering.
Here at Acupuncture of Iowa we’ve been using electroacupuncture for a couple of years and we’d like to tell you what we’ve learned.
It is safe, comfortable, and effective. Those are the three big things.
The electrical devices that we use are very gentle yet powerful, and we have seen our treatments are more effective than ever using this help. They are run on common 9 volt batteries so there is no crazy shocking and nothing plugged into the wall. The stimulation can be very carefully regulated for your comfort. Many people say that they cannot feel the tapping sensation at all.
Why are we doing this? One of the most important resources in your body is electrons. Yes, electricity. It actually powers all the functions of your body. But over the course of our lives we run out of this resource. When disease or pain shows up, that’s a sign that you are low on voltage. Therefore we know increasing your voltage is one of the very best things we can do for you. Our treatments increase your body’s ability to heal itself by increasing your voltage. One of our mentors, Dr Jerry Tennant, has come up with this very comprehensive view of the importance of electricity for re-fueling the body, and we follow his model to a great degree
Electroacupuncture is especially effective for the kinds of tough problems our patients bring to us all the time. It is very well matched to the chronic problems that people are living with these days, and helps on many levels, not only getting rid of pain.
We see great results with fatigue, pain, neuropathy, post surgical problems, auto-immune issues, digestive illness, cancer support, anxiety, depression, insomnia,
and more.
Call our clinic today to learn more about how we can help! 319-341-0031 Acupuncture of Iowa
We are beginning to see a number of patients requesting help with post-covid long haul syndrome. Those symptoms may include fatigue, brain fog, insomnia, headache, and more. Acupuncture is being found to be helpful to these people, as is Chinese herbs and nutritional supplements. We are tracking current research in the field of professional Chinese medicine to learn specific techniques and herb formulas that are especially helpful. Laura is available by telehealth for consultation. Call our office to set up a visit by video chat. We do those visits first thing in the morning on weekdays. 319-341-0031
What will you do when you feel a sore throat, fatigue or fever?
It is so important to have tools at home in case you feel something coming on and need to treat yourself. With appropriate care you might well be able to stop the virus or at least make your illness much more mild and shorter. So what do you need to have on hand?
I am recommending 5 things to be used at the first sign of an infection:
Golden Flower Chinese herb tea (Wei Labs)
High dose Vitamin D3 (any brand is fine)
Elderberry syrup (many brands are good)
Viracid (Orthomolecular products)
Lauricidin (Monolaurin pellets)
Zinc in a lozenge
You can add:
Liposomal Vitamin C
Liposomal Glutathione
Higher dose Melatonin, 10-20 mg in sublingual tablets
Biocidin TS (Throat Spray)
Curcumin or Turmeric.Look for a newer one with higher absorption rates. This is especially important to lessen the likelihood of a severe inflammatory reaction. (Turiva from Orthomolecular is good, or Turmeric Forte from Standard Process)
Quercitin, 1000 mg daily (can be found in D-Hist from Ortho)
Resveratrol 100-150 mg twice daily
Green tea 4 cups daily (Costco has an excellent Japanese green tea)
Here is my protocol for if I get sick. At the first sign of a sore throat, unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, or fever, begin treatment. You might just stop the virus in a day or two. You will certainly reduce the severity and the length of an infection.
Take 5000-10,000 units of Vitamin D3 daily until your symptoms improve.
Start taking Golden Flower tea, 3 cups per day. This can stop an early stage infection. Continue with this tea throughout the time you feel sick.
Biocidin TS Throat spray, as desired, 3 spritzes 2-3 times daily
Elderberry syrup. As directed. 500 mg per day
Viracid, 2 capsules every 4 hours till your symptoms improve
Lauricidin 1/8 tsp 3-4 times daily
Zinc-glycinate, -gluconate, -citrate, or -picolinate lozenges 30-60mg daily
Liposomal Vitamin C, 1-3000 mg daily, at least
Liposomal Glutathione, 2-3 doses of 500 mg daily
Turmeric, 1000-2000mg per day in extract form
And for if the infection progressess with high fever, extreme fatigue:
Silver Flower Chinese herb formula from Wei Labs
Custom Chinese herbs formulated just for you by a professional herbalist
Stop the elderberry syrup and Biocidin TS
Continue the Zinc, melatonin, turmeric, Vitamin C, and Glutathione to reduce the likelihood of a serious blood clotting event.
Add Myogen from Wei Labs to prevent clotting disorders from inflammation
I have openings immediately for telemedicine consultation to address all of your concerns. I can advise you on what to do if you feel sick and how to address your exact challenges. And if you have had the virus and are struggling to recover, I have ideas about how to treat yourself to enhance your energy.
Meet Laura
Laura specializes in treating pain, but has tools to treat most any health issue. She loves helping people figure out how best to get help,and is a premiere practitioner in the Iowa City area. She can work with you on what to eat, how to move, and who besides her might be a good person to have on your health care team.
Acupuncture reduces mortality from influenza. Two independent investigations confirm acupuncture’s efficacy for fighting influenza. One laboratory investigation tested acupuncture as a monotherapy and determined that acupuncture lowers mortality rates, increases serum interferon levels, and improves the phagocytosis of viruses. Another investigation finds acupuncture effective for enhancing the clinical effictiveness of anti-viral drugs. Let’s start with the integrative investigation and we’ll look at the acupuncture monotherapy next.
Researchers from the Taizhou Municipal Hospital combined acupuncture with standard drug therapy. Patients receiving both oseltamivir and acupuncture in a combined treatment protocol had superior patient outcomes compared with patients receiving only oseltamivir. [1] In an independent laboratory experiment, the researchers proved that acupuncture exerts an antiviral effect by increasing the serum level of interferon (IFN) and improves phagocyte function in rats with influenza virus infections. [2]
The research team of Lang et al. compared a control group receiving only oseltamivir (an antiviral drug, also known by the brand-name Tamiflu) and a treatment group receiving both acupuncture and oseltamivir. The treatment group patients had significantly shorter recovery times for relieving fever, sore throat, and coughing. The researchers conclude that the addition of acupuncture to an oseltamivir treatment regimen increases the effective rate of oseltamivir for the treatment of influenza. Furthermore, the researchers conclude that acupuncture is both effective and safe; acupuncture did not produce any severe adverse effects.
Results
Following treatment, the average recovery time from fever was 63.80 hours in the drug monotherapy control group and 57.05 hours in the acupuncture plus drug treatment group. On average, acupuncture reduced fevers by 6.75 hours.
The average recovery time from sore throat was 80.35 hours in the control group and 71.25 hours in the treatment group. Acupuncture improved the pharynx pain recovery time by 9.1 hours.
The average recovery time from coughing and other symptoms was 115.20 hours in the drug monotherapy control group and 104.70 hours in the acupuncture plus drug treatment group; acupuncture produced an improvement of 10.5 hours. The recovery time refers to the time it takes to completely relieve symptoms (including body temperature ≤37.4 degrees Celsius) for at least 24 hours from the start of treatment. The results showed that acupuncture significantly increases the total effective rate of oseltamivir and the combined therapy shortens the development course of H1N1 influenza.
Design
Researchers (Lang et al.) used the following study design. A total of 80 patients diagnosed with H1N1 influenza were treated and evaluated They were randomly divided into an acupuncture plus drug treatment group and a drug monotherapy control group, with 40 patients in each group. Inclusion criteria were established and included the following:
H1N1 influenza diagnosis
Body temperature ≥38 degrees Celsius
At least two indicative symptoms (e.g., sore throat, coughing)
Treatment Procedure
Both groups were given identical drug therapy. A total of 75 mg of oseltamivir was administered twice daily, for a total of 5 days as one treatment course. Symptomatic treatment (antipyretic analgesics, antitussives, or expectorants) were also given if necessary.
The treatment group received acupuncture treatment. The following primary acupoints were selected bilaterally for the treatment group:
LI11 (Quchi)
TB5 (Waiguan)
LI4 (Hegu)
LU5 (Chize)
Additional secondary acupoints were added based on symptom presentation:
High fever: GV14 (Dazhui)
Severe cough: LU6 (Kongzui)
Sore throat: LU10 (Yuji), LU11 (Shaoshang)
The Taizhou Municipal Hospital researchers determined that acupuncture improves outcomes for influenza patients taking oseltamivir. This includes reductions of fevers and symptomatic relief. Overall, the total recovery time improves when acupuncture is added to the drug therapy treatment regimen.
Nanjing University
In another investigation, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) researchers investigated the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on rats infected with influenza virus. They found that both acupuncture and moxibustion decrease the mortality rate and increase the average survival time. In addition, they document that both TCM therapies significantly increase the serum level of IFN and improve phagocytosis of viruses.
Interferon (IFN) plays a major role in defective neutrophil recruitment and influenza virus killing. [3] The researchers conclude that both acupuncture and moxibustion are effective for the treatment of influenza. Notably, acupuncture produced superior outcomes over moxibustion therapy.
Three groups were compared. The first group received acupuncture. The second group received moxibustion. The third group was a control. For the acupuncture treatment group, a needle was inserted into one single point (Dazhui, GV14) and was manipulated with the twisting technique with a frequency of 30–50 times per minute. For the moxibustion treatment group, 10–15 mg of moxa cigar cuttings were applied upon the acupoint Guanyuan (CV4). A total of 4 cuttings were used in one treatment session. The above treatments were conducted daily, for 3 consecutive days in total. The control group received no treatment.
The mortality rate of the acupuncture treatment group was 63.5% and was 78.6% for the moxibustion group. The control group mortality rate was 96.4%. In addition, overall survival times improves in the acupuncture and moxibustion groups.
Summary
The aforementioned independent investigations indicate that acupuncture reduces mortality from influenza and acupuncture is an important treatment option for the treatment of influenza. Acupuncture improves the serum level of IFN and improves phagocytosis of viruses. Patients are encouraged to contact local licensed acupuncturists to consult about treatment options.
References [1] Lang BX, Jin LQ, Liu SN, Liu XR. Clinical observation on the effect of acupuncture combined with conventional therapy on influenza H1N1 [J]. Chinese Archives of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2011, 29(2):411-412. [2] Chou YF, Cao YM, Wang JL, Yang ZM, Qiu ML. Protective effect of acupuncture on mice infected with influenza virus [J]. China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, 1990(2):16-18. [3] Wenjing Li, Bruno Moltedo, Thomas M. Moran. Type I Interferon Induction during Influenza Virus Infection Increases Susceptibility to Secondary Streptococcus pneumoniae Infection by Negative Regulation of T Cells [J]. Journal of Virology, Oct 2012, 86 (22) 12304-12312.
Acupuncture for Stress to be your best self. Everyone is feeling very stressed right now. And we know from research that stress suppresses the immune system. So it is more important than ever that we practice all the stress management techniques that we have. Acupuncture is one of those.
Consider scheduling an acupuncture treatment to help your nervous system settle, enhance the function of your Qi in being able to defend you from infection and keep your Qi strong to get through this challenging time. If you’ve had acupuncture before, you know very well how rested and refreshed you can feel after a treatment and for days after.
Chinese herbs can also be very helpful in strengthening our Qi, balancing whatever might be out of balance, and optimizing our health. In professional Chinese medicine we can treat the “constitutional disharmony” that underlies all your health issues. That can very much help keep you healthy in the face of current situations.
At our office we are keeping our waiting room free of patients, repeatedly sanitizing all surfaces during the course of the day, asking patients to wash hands as they enter the clinic and as they enter their homes. We are sanitizing every surface such as credit card machine and all door handles, as we always do. We want you to feel safe in attending your appointment.
If you are an older person or in poor health, we are recommending that you stay home and do not come to the clinic.
At your appointment we can make recommendations about how to support your immune system with nutrition and supplements and other lifestyle supports.
Science tells us that this virus will be with us for quite a long time and that we must all make changes for the long haul. We are doing our best to support you during this time.
Many people find acupuncture to be helpful in the management of joint pain and this is one of the most common reasons why people come to our clinic.
Meet Laura
Acupuncture for Stress to be your best self. Everyone is feeling very stressed right now. And we know from research that stress suppresses the immune system. So it is more important than ever that we practice all the stress management techniques that we have. Acupuncture is one of those.