Weight loss

Acupuncture for Weight Loss

Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States. One quarter of all Americans are considered overweight. Nearly $33 billion will be spent annually on weight loss programs. Almost 85 percent of those trying to lose weight will fail. There are many reasons why Americans are getting larger waistlines, but ultimately, the individual can still control their weight.              

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a non-invasive, safe and effective method for helping with weight loss. Acupuncture is not a “quick fix," but if a person is willing to take control and be held accountable for their actions and decisions, then acupuncture can be very helpful with shedding pounds.       

Multiple studies have shown that when acupuncture is combined with traditional methods of weight loss, people lose more weight. Many top UFC fighters like Joanna Jedrzejczyk have turned to acupuncture to support their weight cuts heading into fights. Traditional Chinese Medicine views the body and how it functions differently than Western medicine. In Traditional Chinese Medicine every cell in the human body is a form of energy.  When there is an imbalance of energies throughout the body, then disease or illness may arise. Obesity is a disease that requires balancing. 

The three areas that focus on weight loss in Traditional Chinese Medicine are: the spleen, liver and kidney meridians. These are the powerhouses of the body. The kidney meridian, which equates to the endocrine system, is treated to reduce water retention and to rebalance hormone levels. The spleen meridian is targeted to regulate sugar metabolism. The liver meridian is treated to reduce stress, which can lead to binge eating and other unhealthy eating habits. Increased levels of stress can also deplete the hormones that are responsible for metabolism in the body.         

Acupuncture for weight loss is not a silver bullet and traditional methods should be used in conjunction with acupuncture. Obviously monitoring the diet and getting proper exercise and rest are all crucial when trying to lose weight. When all these things are done together, losing weight will still take time but can be achieved without extreme difficulty.

Seven Ways Acupuncture Can Help Mothers

One of the best gifts you can give your mother this Mother’s Day is the gift of acupuncture. Acupuncture can help with an abundance of health problems and get you feeling one hundred percent again. Mom’s make the world work, it’s a known fact. So this holiday season you should give your mother the gift of acupuncture, here are seven reasons why.

1. Acupuncture is great for pregnancy. In the first trimester of pregnancy, many women turn to acupuncture when they are looking for a non-medicated way to treat what ails them. The number one reason women seek acupuncture in their first trimester of pregnancy is morning sickness.

2. Acupuncture can help cure and alleviate stress. Mom’s have to deal with a lot of stress, so what is better than getting a cure for that this mother’s day? Send your mom to an acupuncturist so she can reap the benefits of calming stress relief.

3. Acupuncture is a great cure and preventative measure for anxiety. There are many acupuncture points on the body to calm the mind and bring us down from our stresses and anxieties. Such as Pericardium 6, Liver 3 and Stomach 6.

4. Acupuncture is very beneficial for those experiencing arthritis. There are different types of arthritis and different treatment plans which include acupuncture, herbs, changes in diet and exercise. Traditional Chinese Medicine just might be able to help you move better and find relief.

5. Kiss migraines goodbye. Acupuncture is a great cure for migraines, it also can help prevent them from happening too. It is possible to stop a migraine in its tracks if one is able to see an acupuncturist during the acute stage of migraine.

6. Acupuncture can alleviate insomnia. We all know that mom’s have to put up with so much throughout the day, by being overworked and overstressed it may cause them to get insomnia. Acupuncture needles are strategically placed on points that will calm the mind, balance hormones and settle the nervous system. Most people will notice some change after just one treatment, but to get the full effect and truly eliminate insomnia, you should commit to several treatments.

7. It improves digestive function. Acupuncture is effective in improving the digestive function within individuals. There are numerous acupuncture points on the body that can help with digestion. Two of the best are located on the stomach energetic meridian, Stomach 25 and Stomach 36.

Acupuncture for Addiction

Acupuncture for Addiction

Addiction is defined as the compulsive physiological need for and use of a habit-forming substance, which means addiction can come in a lot of different forms.  People can be addicted to illicit drugs like heroin just as easily as they can be addicted to sugar. But for the purpose of this article, let’s stick to illicit drugs and alcohol.  

Auricular acupuncture is the most common technique used when treating addiction. There is a specific protocol utilized for treating addiction. It is called the NADA protocol. NADA stands for National Acupuncture Detoxification Association.  NADA was established in 1985 to promote education and training. The NADA protocol utilizes five specific points in the ear that not only address substance abuse, but also the emotional, physical and psychological attributes involved in addictions. This five-point protocol allows one practitioner to treat many patients at a time, making it more time-effective, as well as more cost-effective.

The NADA protocol consists of five specific points, the sympathetic point, Shen Men, the kidney point, the liver point and the lung point. The sympathetic point balances the nervous systems and has strong analgesic effects. Shen Men has a relaxing effect and helps alleviate anxiety and nervousness that may accompany withdrawals. The kidney point boosts the source energy of the patient while helping to resolve fear and increase willpower. The liver point promotes the repair of the liver and aids in resolving anger and aggression. The lung point strengthens the immune system and accelerates detoxification. It also helps addicts deal with grief and letting go.  When somebody is going through the initial detoxification process, it is important to receive acupuncture treatments until you are able to remain clean.       

Acupuncture provides a solid foundation for recovery and rehabilitation. Acupuncture works to enhance overall functioning in several ways. Because it is nonverbal, it helps reach patients that are resistant to change. It has been shown to reduce anxiety and agitation. And it helps develop an inner meditative state in those who are fearful or severely troubled.

Acupuncture for addiction and substance abuse offers a proven method of assisting people in the process of recovery without any side effects. Acupuncture provides relief from anxiety, depression, cravings and other withdrawal symptoms.  Freedom from addiction is just a phone call away.

 

Acupuncture and Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States with about 60,000 deaths from it every year. Like all cancer, treatment can be long, uncomfortable and come with many side effects. Those getting chemotherapy may experience nausea, vomiting, postoperative pain, cancer related pain, insomnia and anxiety. The chronic pain can significantly impact quality of life. Most patients are prescribed medications such as opioids for pain that have side effects and are highly addictive.

Going through chemotherapy treatment can cause severe fatigue. One study showed that acupuncture resulted in a 30 percent improvement in a baseline fatigue score.

Insomnia and anxiety are one of the most common symptoms that cancer patients experience. Acupuncture has been proven in numerous studies to be just as effective, if not more than prescription drugs in improving sleep and decreasing stress and anxiety levels. This alternative treatment has also been shown to improve overall mood.

Acupuncture can help boost the immune system. Chemotherapy can greatly lower the body’s immune defense, leaving one in a vulnerable state due to a decrease in white-blood cell count. By increasing blood flow and stimulating Qi, acupuncture is a great way to improve immune function.

Cancer and cancer treatment is nothing to take lightly. A diagnosis can drastically change one’s life not only physically but mentally as well. If you have been diagnosed with colon cancer and/or are going through chemotherapy, it is important to remember that there are alternative, safe treatments that can help make the process easier. If a loved one is going through treatment, support is the best thing you can do for them. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and there is no better time to get tested and become educated on the facts.

https://coloncancerfoundation.org/treatment/complementary.html
http://bit.ly/1olvPDB

https://theory.yinyanghouse.com/conditions-treated/alternative-natural-options-for-colon-cancer
http://bit.ly/1Toqw3p

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2642987/
http://1.usa.gov/1SQPl8h

Five Foods To Avoid For A Healthy Colon

If you want to keep your colon clean it is important your diet reflects that. Optimal colon health is very dependent on what you are or are not putting into your body. There are specific foods that don’t help out your colon at all. Take a look at these five foods you should avoid to make sure your colon is healthy and functioning at its highest possible level.

1. Processed Meats

One of the most important things to avoid if wanting a healthy colon is processed meats, and this can be hard to do. In the food culture we are surrounded by, processed meats are on a regular display. Lots of restaurants and grocery stores are doing a better job of avoiding processed meats now, but it can still be hard to avoid them. You want to make sure you do though, as they have been linked to an increased risk of colon cancer.

2. Alcohol

Alcohol can be detrimental to your body. An increased risk of colon cancer, damage to the digestive tract and liver damage are all risks you take when partaking in heavy consumption of alcohol. So do your colon a favor and limit your intake.

3. Burned or Charred Foods

It is best to utilize cooking methods that decrease the risk for colon injury or cancer. Burning or charring foods creates carcinogens, which can lead to an increased chance of colon cancer. Take care of your foods when barbecuing and avoid eating over blackened or charred areas.

4. Fast-Food

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Don’t eat fast-food. Just do yourself a favor and avoid these foods high in fat, sodium and cholesterol. Help out your colon, pass on the fast-food.

5.  Limit Sugar

Diets high in sugar have been shown to increase the chance of colon problems, such as Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis. Sugar has yet to be directly linked to colon cancer, but it is linked to weight gain and obesity.  

 

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Hello Spring!

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Spring is right around the corner! Can you believe it? With the change of the seasons comes a lot of shifts within our bodies. Have you ever noticed you might be a little more sluggish or perhaps a bit down during certain times of the year? The changing of the seasons can play a role in how you feel both emotionally and physically.

The good news is acupuncture is a safe, non-invasive way to treat those symptoms, along with others. The folks at livescience described this process well by saying:

In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is linked to the belief that disease is caused by disruptions to the flow of energy, or qi, in the body. Acupuncture stimulates points on or under the skin called acupuncture points or acupressure points, releasing this qi. The qi then travels through channels called meridians, according to the Center for Spirituality & Healing at the University of Minnesota.

Beyond the traditional Chinese medicine beliefs, it has been proven time and again that acupuncture offers scientifically proven benefits. In this day and age a lot of people have a tendency to turn to various websites, looking for a cure to what ails them. Instead of diagnosing yourself with one of the millions of ailments listed on the web, why not try a session of acupuncture. Just last week I had a client (who gave me permission to post this) feel immediate relief from her lower back pain, as well a release of the extreme tightness she experiences in her lungs due to an autoimmune disease. We also did points for seasonal allergies and her itchy eyes are doing much better now!

I am really excited to have the ability to help my clients find a healthy and non-invasive way to find relief from their discomfort. I would love to talk to you about how I can help you, too! Until then, Happy Spring!

 

 

 

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Acupuncture & Chronic Pain Relief

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If you are one of the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic pain, Acupuncture may help! Chronic pain can stem from a previous injury, manifest due to an autoimmune disease or because of many other reasons. Stacey Keay is trained to help find beneficial solutions to ease your pain. With regular treatments, many patients find that in addition to pain decreasing, they see an increase in the ability to sleep and have a better sense of well-being overall.

So how does this process work, you ask? Acupuncture is the practice of inserting needles at specific points on the body to strengthen, stimulate, and relieve various symptoms. In Chinese medicine, the belief is that there is energy (Qi) constantly moving through the body. Energy can get blocked, which causes imbalance and disharmony, and illness can occur as a result. The goal of acupuncture treatment is aimed at moving blockages and stagnation, and it promotes a smooth, appropriate flow of energy through the body.

When it comes to chronic pain sufferers, Acupuncture has the ability to unblock energy within the body that may be causing pain.

However, we do live in a science-based world, and everyone is beginning to understand how acupuncture works within that realm. When we experience a stressful thought or event, our bodies produce hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. As a result the heart beats faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, and our breath quickens. This is the “fight or flight” response, and it helps us stay focused and alert in emergencies. Unfortunately, over time the “fight or flight” response can stop being helpful and can cause damage to the mind and body.

Acupuncture activates the nervous system, initiating a cascade of hormones and neurotransmitters that influence the body's own internal regulating systems. This promotes health and healing. During an acupuncture treatment, the body goes from the flight or fight response that coincides with pain and stress, to a restorative state. This leads to a deep state of calm that effects the rest of the day, and often for many days following. 

Tests show that acupuncture:

  • promotes blood flow
  • relieves pain
  • reduces inflammation
  • restores homeostasis (internal conditions within the body)

Do you have questions about chronic pain relief with acupuncture? Contact Stacey to discuss acupuncture options that can help!

 

On Point Acupuncture provides affordable acupuncture treatments that help people reduce stress, improve sleep, increase energy, enhance physical performance, prevent illness and alleviate pain.

Schedule an Online Appointment