Skip to content

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture and Minority Mental Health: An Underutilized Connection

In recognition of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month this July, we aim to shed light on an unconventional, yet increasingly valuable, approach to mental health treatment – acupuncture. This ancient practice, long revered in Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been making strides in modern integrative medicine and could offer unique benefits to minority populations battling with mental health issues. 

Understanding Minority Mental Health

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was established with the purpose of creating an inclusive and empathetic dialogue about mental health issues that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority groups. These communities face unique challenges, such as greater exposure to stressors like discrimination, economic disparity, and language barriers, which can directly contribute to mental health issues. Furthermore, they often encounter cultural stigma and lack access to adequate mental health resources, making the situation even more challenging.
 

The Potential of Acupuncture in Mental Health Treatment

Acupuncture, an age-old component of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been used for centuries to treat various ailments by inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. These acupuncture points are believed to balance the body’s energy, or “qi,” and promote healing. Recent scientific studies have indicated that acupuncture can help alleviate a range of mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

A meta-analysis published in the *Journal of Psychiatric Research* in 2021 found that acupuncture can significantly reduce symptoms of depression, rivaling the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication. Moreover, the *Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine* (2021) published a study revealing that acupuncture could decrease anxiety symptoms, even for those with generalized anxiety disorder.

Accessibility and Acceptance in Minority Communities

Acupuncture may hold special appeal to minority populations due to its holistic approach, non-invasiveness, and minimal side effects, offering an alternative for individuals wary of traditional psychiatric medications or therapy. It aligns well with many cultures’ emphasis on holistic and natural healing, potentially reducing the stigma associated with mental health treatment.

Moreover, community acupuncture clinics, providing services on a sliding scale, are growing across the country, making this therapy more affordable and accessible to economically disadvantaged communities.

Bridging the Gap with Research and Education

While promising, the research on acupuncture’s effectiveness for mental health disorders needs more randomized controlled trials, particularly focusing on minority populations. Addressing the diversity gap in research can help identify the specific needs and responses of these communities, tailoring treatments more effectively.

Educating minority communities about acupuncture and other integrative health options is also crucial. By incorporating cultural competence and sensitivity into health education, we can empower these communities to seek out and receive the help they need.

Let’s come together to create more inclusive mental health support systems. Be part of the change by raising awareness about the potential of alternative treatments like acupuncture. Remember, mental health is universal, and our approaches to addressing it should reflect the diverse needs of all communities.

Acupuncture Points Parents Can Use to Help Kids

Large Intestine 4 (LI 4) Found along the large intestine energetic pathway, located between the webbing of the index finger and the thumb, on the mound of flesh created when the two fingers are held together. This point improves intestinal function and helps relieve constipation, diarrhea and abdominal pain.



Stomach 25 (ST 25) Located two thumb-breadths away from the belly button on both the left and right sides. Stomach 25 is very useful for relieving diarrhea, constipation and other digestive/abdominal issues. This is another great pressure point to help your kids deal with that upset stomach.



Stomach 36 (ST36) Located on the lateral side of the lower leg, about four finger-breadths from the lower border of the patella or kneecap. This point is considered an overall energy and immune-boosting point. It can help with digestive issues, such as diarrhea, which are sometimes associated with a cold or flu.

Yin Tang Located directly between the inner ends of the eyebrows. This point is wonderful for relieving sinus pressure, curing watery eyes and decreasing stress, which may allow for better sleep. Many acupuncturists use the point in all their patients because of its calming effect. So if you have a little one that can’t sleep, massaging this point can be very helpful.



Du 20 (D20) Located on the top of the head, midway between the apexes of your ears. This point is known as governing vessel 20 (GV 20). It is one of the most powerful points in the acupuncturists’ arsenal. It raises emotional energy, which in turn can help alleviate depression. Applying pressure or lightly tapping this point is a great way to counter depression on your own and it can be done pretty much anywhere. Depression is becoming more prevalent with children because of the lack of personal interaction and bullying.



Parents can massage these points or apply light pressure and help their kids in so many ways. Give these points a try the next time your kids are experiencing illness or emotional issues. Not only is it a great way to help them heal, but it also increases bonding with your kids, which is something every child needs.

Bring Forth the Pioneers! TCM’s Spring Personality

Many of us have noticed a dandelion pushing itself through a crack in concrete, and may have even stopped to marvel at its sense of determination to live and grow. This little wonder is the energy of Spring, the energy of new life bursting into existence. 

In Chinese Medicine theory, that energy that comes with springtime is represented by the element wood. Wood is the first element in the 5 element cycle, it is the birth phase and witnessed in nature when seeds and buds explode into new growth, when grass pushes through the earth, or trees extend themselves with new shoots and leaves. Each element is also aligned with a personality type. In this case, it is the Pioneer.

The Pioneer breaks new ground. This is the explorer, the creator of new paths. They break tradition to discover new things. Whether we think about that dandelion working its way to the surface or a pioneer on the Oregon Trail, we can admire the will power it takes to move forward despite challenges. It takes vision to set sail to new horizons, but the Pioneer doesn’t stop there. They take the necessary action; they move. 

Are You A Pioneer?

  • Do you consider yourself motivated?
  • Do you work well under pressure?
  • Do you sometimes have a hard time relaxing?
  • Do you enjoy travel?
  • Have you ever started a new business?
  • Do you work in an innovative field?
  • Do you like to be the boss?
  • Do you exude confidence?
  • Do you sometimes lose patience?
  • Do you get frustrated with injustice?

The wood-type personality can sometimes be seen as harsh, given the tenacity they naturally embody. They can also be prone to anger, the emotion associated with liver energy, when there is stagnation within or around them. Liver is the wood element’s organ and the organ of springtime. In our bodies, the liver likes to get our qi moving after winter’s lull and can make us feel irritated if hindered in any way. It is important for wood-types to work on adjusting their speed and intensity to not feel either stifled or burned out. They must find the right pace as they pioneer through life and learn to be flexible like the new spring branches that bend (and not break) with the wind.

Pioneers can keep balance by finding time to slow down when necessary, get regular massages to loosen tight muscles and stiff joints, and enjoy but not overdo spicy or sour foods. Green is a great color for these wood types to align with the natural expression of springtime. Wearing green or keeping some indoor plants can help a wood-type whose lifestyle may keep them indoors for periods of time. Simple adjustments like these can help to prevent some of the health issues Pioneers may face like tension headaches, high blood pressure, or  burnout fatigue.

If you don’t see yourself as a pioneer but know someone who is, offer them a ‘thank-you’ for paving the way for the rest of us. (They love that! ..and deserve it.)

No matter what element you resonate with the strongest, acupuncture can help you align with the season. Call to book your Spring acupuncture sessions to keep your wood element in balance and help you feel as alive and proud as that little dandelion that burst through the concrete to smile at the sun!

Five Reasons to Get Acupuncture for Allergies

Allergies, seasonal or otherwise, is one of the biggest health issues people deal with in the United States. And the numbers are rising every year. Part of this is because our agricultural practices have changed drastically in the past 40 years and our bodies are not accustomed to dealing with genetically modified foods or the excessive amounts of pesticides now being put in and on our food. We are also being over-medicated with antibiotics used in livestock we eat and that we are prescribed by our own doctors. This has created superbugs like MRSA that no longer responding to antibiotics. Our immune systems just can’t keep up. So every year, the number of people experiencing allergies is increasing.

But what if there were a way to combat seasonal allergies without the harsh side effects of medications and to actually get to the root of the problem instead of just masking the symptoms? There is a way to do this and it’s called acupuncture.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine offer a permanent solution to seasonal allergies and relief from everyday allergies with an all-natural approach that will ultimately save you money. Since TCM attacks allergies in a much different method than Western medicine, there is a good chance your allergies will cease to be a problem. Western medicine knows how allergies work and what happens to the body, but there is still no explanation as to why. But, TCM doesn’t need to know why because it looks at the body as a whole and uses an elemental system to determine where there are excesses and deficiencies in each person. So the TCM treatments are completely customized to each patient, thus making them much more effective than one-size-fits-all over-the-counter medications.

When using TCM to treat allergies, practitioners focus heavily on something called Wei Qi. Wei Qi is similar to the immune system in Western medicine. Wei Qi protects the body against foreign materials that can lead to inflammation and eventually allergies. People with lower immunity/Wei Qi are more susceptible to allergies and frequent colds. Acupuncture helps to boost the Wei Qi making it more difficult for allergens to attack the body. This is one of the best reasons to get regular acupuncture treatments if you suffer from allergies of any kind.

When energy becomes blocked due to inflammation caused by allergies, symptoms will flare back up. Acupuncture helps re-establish the flow of energy throughout the body. This will help to alleviate allergy symptoms. Many people who receive acupuncture treatments report they notice changes immediately. And over time, this will help to bring the body back into balance permanently.

Acupuncture has been shown to decrease heat associated with allergies. This can manifest as a sore throat, swollen sinuses and red eyes. There are specific acupressure points on the body that can almost instantaneously relieve these symptoms.

Many allergy sufferers also report pain in various areas of the body, especially the eyes and head. Relieving pain is what acupuncture is most frequently used for and it is also what most scientific studies focus on. The pain associated with allergies can prevent people from enjoying life. But regular acupuncture treatments can help resolve that and allow people to be more active and happy.

Probably the biggest reason to seek out acupuncture for the treatment of allergies is the amount of money a person will save. People spend over $18 billion per year on over-the-counter allergy medications, most of which only give minimal relief and have side effects like drowsiness and immune system suppression. TCM can provide relief without adverse side effects and for a lot less money overall.

The Effects of Acupuncture on Allergies

Millions of people (as many as 50 million per year) suffer from recurring allergy symptoms. The causes of allergies are as many as the people who suffer from them. The severity of an individual’s reaction to a given allergy can vary greatly from one person to another and one allergic event to the next. Allergies range in severity from minor to mild, to irritating to severe, and some allergies can even be deadly. 

The most common, most problematic allergic sensitivity is Hay Fever or allergic rhinitis. Many people miss work and other important activities on a seasonal basis when severe Hay Fever symptoms are not controlled.
For these reasons, many people seek relief from allergies, and fortunately there are many healthcare options available for those who are looking for better ways to treat their allergies. One of the most promising, and often overlooked treatments can be acupuncture and acupressure.

The Effect of Acupuncture on Allergies

While medication can reduce inflammation and suppress other symptoms of allergies, medications almost always come with undesirable side effects. Few medications can resolve the underlying problem that makes a given person allergic to a given substance. Conversely, acupuncture has been used for a number of years now by a wide range of practitioners to successfully relieve allergy symptoms.

Acupuncture is an ancient practice developed in mainland China. It has been used for a wide variety of conditions. Since becoming popular in the West, it has been frequently used as a complement to western medicinal options..  Acupuncture helps to correct functional imbalances and restore the flow of your body’s innate energies, thus returning you to a more natural state of well-being. And hopefully allergy-free!

Acupuncture, and Its Effect on Allergic Rhinitis

This study took aim at the most troublesome of all allergies, allergic rhinitis. It corroborates the reports by patients and practitioners that acupuncture is an effective way to treat allergies.

The study looked at 422 patients who tested positive for pollen allergies and presented with allergic nasal symptoms. The researchers randomly assigned participants to three different groups. One group was given 12 acupuncture treatments and took antihistamines as they normally would. The next group took 12 sham acupuncture treatments and antihistamines as they would normally do to combat symptoms. The third group took only antihistamines with no acupuncture treatments.

The research team found that those who received both real acupuncture and antihistamines reported the largest decrease in symptoms. They also reported using antihistamines less frequently than the other two groups.

While this study was limited to one allergy, it is promising that other, if not all chronic allergies, can be successfully treated through the regular use of acupuncture and/or acupressure.

If you or someone you know suffers from allergies, give us a call at (218) 724-3400, maybe acupuncture can help.

Source: ​​https://annals.org/aim/fullarticle/1583575/effects-acupuncture-seasonal-allergic-rhinitis

2187243400 Directions Contact/Schedule