Acupuncture

While traditional treatments often focus on symptom management, acupuncture has emerged as a promising complementary therapy for alleviating peripheral neuropathy. 

In this article, we explore the therapeutic potential of acupuncture, the diagnostic process employed by acupuncturists, and provide some tips for individuals seeking relief from peripheral neuropathy symptoms.

The Therapeutic Potential of Acupuncture:

Acupuncture, an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has gained recognition for its holistic approach to healthcare. By inserting thin needles into specific acupoints on the body, acupuncture aims to restore the balance and flow of vital energy, known as Qi, and promote overall well-being. Research studies have demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture in relieving symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy.

A randomized controlled trial published in the journal Neurology investigated the effects of acupuncture on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The study found that acupuncture significantly improved neuropathic pain in cancer patients compared to a control group, highlighting its potential in managing treatment-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Furthermore, a study published in Diabetes Care examined the effects of acupuncture on diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The research demonstrated that acupuncture treatments led to improvements in nerve conduction velocity, sensory symptoms, and overall quality of life in individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Diagnostic Process:

Acupuncturists utilize a comprehensive diagnostic process to determine the underlying factors contributing to peripheral neuropathy. This process involves:

1. Thorough Patient History: Acupuncturists inquire about the onset, duration, and progression of symptoms, as well as the patient’s medical history, including any underlying conditions or potential risk factors.
2. Symptom Assessment: Careful observation and analysis of the patient’s symptoms, such as the location, intensity, and nature of the discomfort, are essential in determining the underlying patterns of peripheral neuropathy.
3. Physical Examination: Acupuncturists conduct a physical examination to evaluate sensory and motor function, reflexes, muscle strength, and coordination. This examination helps identify any visible signs or patterns associated with peripheral neuropathy.

Tips for Individuals Seeking Relief:

If you are experiencing peripheral neuropathy and considering acupuncture as a treatment option, here are some helpful tips:

1. Seek a Qualified Acupuncturist: Ensure that your acupuncturist is fully trained and licensed to practice acupuncture. Look for certifications and credentials to ensure you receive safe and effective treatments.
2. Communicate Your Symptoms: Clearly communicate your symptoms, including the location, intensity, and any changes you have noticed. This information will assist the acupuncturist in tailoring the treatment plan to address your specific needs.
3. Be Consistent with Treatment: Acupuncture is often performed as a series of sessions. Consistency and adherence to the recommended treatment plan are crucial for optimal results. Discuss the recommended frequency and duration of treatments with your acupuncturist.

If you are seeking relief from peripheral neuropathy symptoms and are open to exploring holistic treatment options, consider acupuncture as a potential therapy. Give us a call at (218) 724-3400 to discuss your symptoms so we can conduct a comprehensive assessment, and provide you with personalized treatment that addresses the underlying factors contributing to your peripheral neuropathy.

Incorporating acupuncture into your healthcare regimen may provide a holistic approach to managing peripheral neuropathy symptoms and improving your overall well-being.

No matter what you’re trying to accomplish, setting goals is one way to help you get there. Often, when people have no goals, they lack motivation, focus and direction. Setting goals also provides a benchmark to determine whether or not you are succeeding. But how do you set goals if you’ve never done so before? Or what if you have set goals in the past, but you didn’t achieve them? Do you just give up and tell yourself that goal setting doesn’t work? That’s one option, but let’s put things into perspective.

1. Set goals that motivate you. What does this really mean? The goals you set for yourself should be important to you, making you feel there is value in achieving those goals. Setting goals irrelevant to your life, will not inspire you to take action. To determine if a goal is important to you, write down “why” this goal matters.
2. Break the larger goals down into smaller, more specific goals. For instance, if your goal is to lose 60 pounds over the next year, break that down into smaller more achievable goals. Set a goal of losing five pounds per month for the next 12 months. This makes the larger goal more feasible and accessible.
3. Write down your goals. The physical act of writing down a goal makes it tangible and real. And writing those goals in ink versus pencil, makes it more permanent. Also, be conscious of the wording you use. In place of “I would like to” use “I will”. This gives your goals more power
4. Make an action plan to achieve your goals. In other words, don’t just focus on the end result. Spend time working on the steps it will take to get you to your ultimate goal.
5. Adjust your goals periodically. Goals may change as you age or as you start to change. Your goals should be adjusted accordingly, allowing for flexibility and growth.
6. Be specific. Even though your goals may change periodically, you still want to be as specific as possible when setting a goal. For example, don’t just set a goal of “getting fit”. Set a goal of running a 5K marathon by a certain date that will help you achieve the fit and healthy lifestyle you are ultimately striving for.
7. Don’t give up. Many times, when we are faced with failure, we tend to give up on our goals. But some of the most successful people in history failed numerous times before they got it right. And they all had to stop, adjust and reevaluate their goals as they went along. The difference between winning and losing is staying the course.

If there is something you want to achieve, set a goal to get there. And above all, never give up. We are capable of doing and achieving so many things in our lives. All it takes is determination and goals.

A study published by the National Institute of Health looked at the management options for treating depression. Depression is one of the most prevalent symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. This study was conducted by the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments. They looked at multiple complementary and alternative methods for treating depression, including light therapy, acupuncture, exercise, yoga and natural health supplements like Omega 3 fatty acids and St. John’s Wort. The study concluded acupuncture is most commonly used as a third line of treatment for those seeking alternative methods to deal with depression, despite the fact it tends to be very effective.

Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, is really a form of depression that affects people worldwide. It is most commonly experienced during the fall and winter months. The symptoms of SAD include depression, hypersomnia, lethargy, difficulty concentrating, overeating, negative thoughts and decreased social interaction. Higher levels of anxiety are experienced at the end of the summer season as those who suffer from this ailment start to anticipate the coming months of less sunshine and increased symptomatology. Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture are great choices for treatment of this condition.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is very effective in treating depression, including Seasonal Affective Disorder. Modern medicine usually treats depression with antidepressants and psychotherapy regardless of the presenting symptoms. In contrast, TCM diagnoses each patient on an individual basis and treats the specific symptoms, while also addressing the root of the illness. TCM incorporates multiple modalities such as acupuncture, Chinese herbs, tuina massage, cupping and exercises like qigong to help restore balance to the body. Traditional Chinese medicine also treats the person holistically instead of treating mind and body separately.

The theory behind treating depression using TCM, all revolves around the concept of Qi (pronounced “chee”). Qi is considered the vital energy that flows through the body and animates everything. When Qi is blocked or stagnant, illness can take root, either physically or mentally. Qi flows throughout the body on energetic pathways or meridians. Each energetic meridian is associated with an organ and each organ has its own emotion.

Acupuncture releases endorphins. By doing so, it improves the flow of Qi throughout the body while eliminating blockages and bringing balance to the mind and body. Endorphins counter the symptoms of depression and allow the person to resume a normal life.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help alleviate symptoms of depression while also attacking the root cause(s), thus bringing the body and mind back into balance. The body and mind are inseparable and should be treated as a whole, which is the approach used by acupuncturists.

If you are suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder or depression and are looking for a natural way of dealing with it, contact us to find out more about how acupuncture may be right for you.

SOURCE: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4994794/

Everybody experiences times where they have no motivation. Lack of motivation can be caused by many things: the weather, depression, nutritional deficiencies, rejection and even not exercising. For many, this seems contradictory. If I have no motivation, how am I supposed to go exercise? Well, it all comes down to choices and doing what is best for your body.

Lacking motivation can be detrimental to your health. Even though everybody knows they should be exercising, eating right and getting proper sleep, many of us choose not to. This becomes a bad habit that can actually develop into depression, fatigue, insomnia and even nutritional deficiencies that cause worse physical problems. We tell ourselves we don’t have time or we have no motivation or willpower. These are just stories we tell ourselves. Everybody has time to care for themselves. It’s just a choice we have to make. So here are some ways to help us wake up, get motivated and get moving.

1. Acupuncture – Acupuncture can help put the pep in your step when it comes to motivation. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), lack of motivation is considered a sort of blockage along the energetic pathways that run throughout the body. Most commonly, this affects the gallbladder and liver pathways. Over time, this lack of motivation frequently develops into depression. When the body is depressed, nothing seems possible. But there are underlying causes to depression that begin with lack of motivation.
2. Feng Shui – This ancient art is used to energetically balance the home through the placement of the furnishings inside. The bedroom is particularly important because we spend so much time there. Feng Shui tells us your bed should be placed where it allows you to see the door without being in the direct path of the door opening. This allows for a sense of security, which can lead to more restful sleep.
3. Gratitude – Being thankful for everything you have in your life really does make a difference. Instead of seeing the day ahead of you as a burden and worrying about everything you have to do, be thankful you woke up again. This will shift how you look at things throughout the day and the rest of your life.
4. Exercise – Whether you’re a gym rat or not, exercise is vitally important. Going for a walk or a jog first thing in the morning can be refreshing and get the blood pumping. Studies show regular exercise in the morning can actually lead to more energy the next day.
5. Meditate/Pray – Meditation and prayer allows the body to relax and the mind to calm down. Using this tool shortly before going to bed can be very beneficial. And as we all know, when the mind is quiet, the body relaxes more and we get better, more restful sleep, which gives us more energy and motivation to tackle the next day.

Try incorporating one or all of these practices into your life and see how much it affects you. And remember, studies show it takes 21 to 30 days of doing something consistently for it to become a habit. Are you up for the challenge?