Acupuncture

Arthritis is one of the most common joint ailments, affecting over 54 million adults in the United States. Caused by a swelling of the joints, it can range from bothersome to extremely painful and can be a hindrance to everyday activities. Arthritis, along with other types of joint health issues, can be one of the most life-altering conditions to live with—because it can hinder everything from one’s ability to get regular exercise to how much someone can go to work.

Thankfully, applications of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture can be amazingly helpful as arthritis treatments and general joint health maintenance protocol.

Within the theory of TCM and acupuncture, our essential life energy or qi (pronounced “chee”) flows along the meridians of the body. When the flow is constricted or imbalanced, we may experience illness or pain. The needles used in acupuncture are carefully placed along points connected to the meridians, stimulating those places to correct and encourage the flow of energy.

In TCM, the entire body is understood as a multifaceted mechanism whose parts function in concert—not silo-ed sections to be treated in isolation.

Various studies, including one by the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, found that patients felt significantly less pain and had an easier time walking after receiving legitimate acupuncture treatments.

Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

There are many different types of arthritis, some with very few treatment options as dictated by Western Medicine.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one variety that can be hugely disruptive to sufferers’ lives. RA is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease that’s linked with progressive joint damage, resulting in severe chronic pain and long-term mobility issues.

Western medicine comes up short when trying to treat RA. Yet many clinical trials have shown that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has advantages in the treatment of RA.

Osteoarthritis & Preventing Knee Replacement

Another common and very detrimental type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, particular in the knee joints, and especially affecting older adults. When knee osteoarthritis gets severe enough, total knee replacement is the final treatment option.

A wide-ranging study of over 34,000 patients in Taiwan showed that TCM treatments reduced risk of total knee replacement in patients with knee osteoarthritis, and that enhanced benefits results from long-term treatment. The longer a patient used TCM, the less likely they were to need a knee replacement.

Sources:
NCBI Article
Medicine Article
Arthritis Foundation Article

Getting outside does the body good. There are scores of scientific studies that confirm just how good! But “earthing” takes a walk outside to another, deeper, more healing level.

What Is Earthing?

Also called “grounding,” earthing simply means walking barefoot on a natural surface like grass, soil, or sand. It’s important to remember that it is different than just walking outside, although that, too, is beneficial in so many ways. Making direct physical contact with the ground—and that doesn’t mean concrete or other man-made surfaces—is what it’s all about.

The prominence of the element carbon is what designates something as organic matter—and I don’t mean “organic” like your groceries! All living things are carbon-based. If you do any gardening or backyard composting, you’ll probably recognize that term, “carbon-based,” as the “green” stuff you put in your compost: leaves, grass trimmings, veggie cast-offs.

Earthing is also different from forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, which is the Japanese practice of fully immersing oneself in nature.

How Earthing Works in Your Body

There are so many studies that confirm how beneficial earthing is for our bodies and minds. A research review led by Gaétan Chevalier of multiple studies published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health illustrates how earthing has been shown to reduce stress, support immunity, help moderate heart rate and glucose levels, and even help wounds heal faster.

While there is still a lot to learn about how connecting physically with Earth affects our bodies, research shows that it has a lot to do with electrons and electromagnetic charge. Walking barefoot on organic surfaces actually changes the electrical activity of our brain.

It can even produce “measurable differences in the concentrations of white blood cells, cytokines, and other molecules involved in the inflammatory response,” according to the review by Chevalier.

Amazingly, this presence of carbon seems to be what makes carbon-fiber mattresses so helpful for better sleep and pain relief!

According to a study in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, earthing may even help improve the function of red blood cells, a major factor in heart disease. Another study shows that earthing may help regulate both the endocrine and nervous systems.

Earthing is an amazing addition to your wellness care routine, just like regular acupuncture visits. Let’s schedule you for a spring tune-up to make sure you’re as healthy as you can be!

Sources:

Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth’s Surface Electrons, Gaétan Chevalier, Stephen T. Sinatra, James L. Oschman, Karol Sokal, Pawel Sokal

The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, James L Oschman, Gaétan Chevalier, and Richard Brown

Earthing the Human Body Influences Physiologic Processes, Karol Sokal, MD, PhD, and Pawel Sokal, MD, PhD

Spring is an amazing time to reconnect with the natural world. Did you know that being in and around nature actually improves our physical, mental, and emotional health?

Just in time for Earth Day on April 22, it’s time to commit to immersing yourself more regularly and deeply in nature.

Bring some nature indoors.

Did you know that adding houseplants to your space can actually make you healthier and happier?

Research shows that having plants indoors supports our health and wellness both physically and emotionally/mentally. They can improve mood, reduce stress levels, enhance memory and cognitive function, and developing research even shows that they improve indoor air quality.

Physically, houseplants have been shown to reduce blood pressure, fatigue, and headaches and other types of pain. Nowadays, thanks to this research, hospitals often put houseplants into patients’ rooms after surgery to help reduce pain and speed up physical healing.

Look out the window at some greenery.

It’s that simple! During the day, when you’re stuck inside, just gazing out a window at nature helps reduce stress, increase focus, and improve eye health. Studies show that not only is gazing at far-distance objects helpful, but also that the color green is particularly soothing for our eyes and brain.

It’s essential for eye and brain health to look at a variety of distances throughout our day, but our modern lives have us gazing at close-range objects almost all day! And the fact that these close-range objects are electronic screens makes for even worse eye/brain health.

Throughout your day, set an alarm for once every hour, and take 2-3 minutes to gaze out the window at trees or even grass. Soften your gaze and let your eyes relax.

Try forest bathing.

Forest Bathing or shinrin-yoku is the Japanese practice of taking walks surrounded by and fully immersed in nature. It does wonders for our nervous system.

The nervous system benefits of being in nature are immense. Even low-impact exercise like a walk or mellow hike releases endorphins that increase happiness and help soothe depression and stress. Physically, immersing ourselves in nature can reduce cancer risk, improve heart health, and so much more.

Schedule some time for Forest Bathing. Be sure to unplug from technology—either leave your phone at home or turn it on airplane mode. Try to find a location that is free from car noise and fumes. Move slowly, observe your surroundings with all your senses, and breath deeply. Forest Bathing is meant to be quiet, slow, and meditative.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Nature

Traditional Chinese Medicine and all of its branches, including acupuncture, are deeply related to the natural world. This medicine, after all, was developed in ancient times, before modern technology and industrial lifestyles that divided humans from nature and all its healing properties.

TCM’s goal is to create harmony and balance in the body by enhancing our natural defences. Ready to use natural methods and boost your body’s own defense systems to help get and stay healthy? Contact us today to schedule a visit.