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Traditional Chinese Medicine
3 Ways to Naturally Manage Migraine Headaches
Did you know that acupuncture has been proven to help with headaches and migraines? More often than not headaches will dissipate on their own, or can be cleared up quickly using over-the-counter pain medication; But for nearly 37 million Americans who suffer from migraines, the pain is complex and chronic. Migraines tend to run in families. About 90% of migraine sufferers have a family history of migraines. Migraines are complicated, and more than a passing headache. What differentiates a migraine from a headache are the vast array of accompanying symptoms. These symptoms include visual disturbances or “auras” prior to onset, increased sensitivity to light, nausea, and vomiting, and even speech and functional disturbances. For some, the pain can become so intense their lives get put on hold. Science still struggles to explain what causes migraines which makes it virtually impossible to find a simple “cure” that works for everyone.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (or TCM), the goal is to get to the root of the migraine, not simply manage the symptoms. Blood deficiency, which is a type of anemia, is a common cause for migraines resulting from a lack of blood nourishment to the head. Blood stagnation can also be a factor. After running the proper set of diagnostic tests, a TCM practitioner can address the correct cause(s) for the pain. A medical practitioner could then apply acupuncture and offer herbs, as well as massage therapy and other complementary treatments to facilitate blood flow and alleviate pain.
What can I do at home?
Along with in-office therapies, eating a balanced diet, exercising, and practicing some acupressure self-care can be very beneficial.
Acupressure
Acupuncture is part of the TCM system that has been around for thousands of years. However, it was only in the 1970’s that acupuncture officially made an appearance in Western medicine. Acupressure is an adaptation of acupuncture, just without the needles. Similar to acupuncture, acupressure uses specific points to balance energy within the body. When somebody is suffering from a migraine, all the energy rushes to their head. By stimulating or applying pressure to points lower on the body the energy can then be drawn downward and reduced, quickly decreasing the intensity of the migraine. Acupuncture also helps with the treatment of other symptoms frequently associated with migraines.
Nutrition
Diet plays such an important role in our lives. It is even more important to pay attention to what is being eaten for those who suffer from migraines. Gluten sensitivities can be a trigger for pain. Gluten is a component found in wheat and is known to increase inflammation in the body. Studies show many migraine sufferers have a deficiency in both magnesium and B vitamins. Magnesium blocks pain-transmitting chemicals in the brain, while B vitamins help decrease oxidative stress in the body that can lead to chronic pain and inflammation. Some foods have been shown to help migraines. Adding coffee, B3 (niacin, found in the liver), magnesium, potassium, calcium, spicy foods, ginger, and watery foods into your diet can be beneficial. A common herb for migraines is the magnolia flower. Others include lavender, peppermint, feverfew, and basil.
Exercise
Everybody knows exercise is good for the body, but for people with chronic pain, it is even more important. Exercise gets the blood pumping and increases oxygenation to the tissues, which are important for relieving pain and inflammation. Just sitting at a desk and working on a computer all day adds an additional 20 to 30 pounds of pressure to our necks! This can create stress and tension on the muscles and tendons in the neck and shoulder area, contributing to migraine pain and frequency. Studies show migraines and other chronic pain levels can be significantly reduced by doing 20 minutes of daily stretching.
If you are one of the 37 million Americans who suffer from migraines, you’re not alone. The silver lining is there are natural cures out there that can help you get your life back. Schedule your acupuncture tune-up in Duluth to get back on track to wellness.
How to Help Someone Suffering from PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a physiological disorder that can result from being exposed to trauma. Roughly 8 million Americans annually struggle with depression, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and flashbacks among many other symptoms resulting from this disorder. The effects of PTSD in someone’s life can be far-reaching and completely debilitating if left untreated. Feelings of hopelessness, shame, and despair, problems at work or with relationships, newly or quickly developing health problems, and the overuse of drugs and/or alcohol are all very common. Getting help can be difficult for a variety of reasons, all related to the complexity and severity of this condition.
We often think of PTSD as something that will develop quickly in someone suddenly exposed to the brutality of war. However, the American Psychological Association claims that motor vehicle accidents and domestic abuse are the leading causes of PTSD in the United States. It is also a common misconception that PTSD develops simply from a single exposure to trauma. In domestic cases, trauma often grows in severity, leaving the victim unable to see the seriousness of their situation until they are in a safe environment.
How to Help Someone with PTSD
Watching someone you love and care about suffer from PTSD can be difficult. You may feel uncomfortable and struggle to relate to them. The first step you can take is learning more about PTSD and what it means to suffer from it. Take the time to understand the causes, symptoms, and effects to make sense of what your loved one is going through. When things get tough, it is easy to get frustrated with someone who is dealing with this disorder. Remember they are going through something out of their control and your support could be imperative to their recovery.
Listen, be Patient
To overcome PTSD or any other anxiety disorders, we must first acknowledge this is a stress response. One that naturally interferes with our ability to process emotions properly. Acknowledging there is a fundamental problem with your emotional processing is not an easy thing to do and certainly does not happen overnight. The Mayo Clinic states that “post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may start within one month of a traumatic event, but sometimes symptoms may not appear until years after the event.” While it is important to encourage treatment, this decision needs to be made by the victim. Do not push them to talk. Instead, let them know you’re always around to listen without judgment when they find themselves ready to talk.
Understanding Triggers and Symptoms
If you are living with someone with PTSD, it is important to recognize their triggers. Unfortunately, the word “triggered” has taken on a much more diluted meaning in the common eye. Being triggered, as it relates to PTSD, is much more than simply disliking or having an aversion to stimulus. Triggers can be anywhere, sometimes an object, person, place, or even a feeling that reminds them of their traumatic experience can cause complications. Many who suffer from PTSD report feeling as if they were reliving the trauma in the presence of triggering situations. Ask your loved ones to explain their triggers so that you can help them avoid situations or develop a plan with healthy coping skills.
Make Sure to Take Care of Oneself
Being around someone who is struggling with PTSD is not only hard for them, but can take a toll on your mental health as well. If you feel overwhelmed or stressed, pause, and don’t forget to take time for yourself to distress and relax.
There is good news here, and that is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has proven to be incredibly effective in helping those who are suffering from PTSD find relief. TCM offers a vast array of therapies to calm the mind and help the body find balance. Such therapies include acupuncture, herbal remedies, feng shui, diet therapy, tai chi and so much more. Give Heidi a call today at (218) 724-3400 for more information.
Immunity Optimizing Recipes
We’re in the cold and flu season, and this year it’s a HOT topic for many of us. But fear not, there are things that you can do, right now, from the comfort of your home. Considering a Traditional Chinese Medical perspective can help.
The following are different at-home Immune Optimizing recipes that you can make to help your body navigate this season of cold, flu, and virus.
SINUS & NASAL IRRIGATION
Ingredients: 8 oz squeeze bottle, 1 tsp sea salt, warm water
Preparation: Warm the water and salt (ensure it’s not too warm or this may cause nasal irritation)
Setting: Bend over your sink and look straight down at the sink basin while turning your head to a 45-degree angle. Tip the squeeze bottle into your nostril until the liquid runs through your sinuses and leaves the other nostril. (Search “Neti Pot” Instructions online for more detailed instructions).
CAYENNE, HONEY & LEMON TEA
Ingredients: 1 whole lemon, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tbsp honey, 3 ½ cups water
Preparation: Boil the above ingredients together for upwards of 10 minutes and strain when finished
Setting/Frequency: Drink this tea three times per day.
DANDELION SMOOTHIE
Ingredients: 1 head of cabbage, 2 cucumbers, 2 oranges, and 1 cup of dandelion greens.
Preparation: Juice the above ingredients and pour them into a glass
Setting/Frequency: Drink 3 glasses daily
ANTIOXIDANT-RICH NUT MIX
Ingredients: Pine nuts, goji Berries, blueberries (dried), and Brazil nuts
Preparation: Mix together each ingredient to taste preference
Setting/Frequency: Eat once daily as a snack, keep the recommended calorie count in mind with consumption of this mixture.
Keep in mind that there are various ways you can take care of your body in order to bolster your immune health the best chance at fighting illnesses and functioning properly. These include avoiding smoking and taking drugs (that aren’t prescribed by a doctor), which are known for depleting the body’s qi and weakening it. Additionally, keep your emotions in check, negative emotions, stress, and anxiety can suppress immune function. Do your best to remain optimistic and keep a positive attitude with everything going on in the world around us. Start with the basics – exercise, eat right, sleep and stay hydrated to maintain your body’s balance.
Give Heidi call today at (218) 724-3400 to learn more about how Traditional Chinese Medicine can help you stay healthy!
Long Haul Covid: TCM vs Western Perspectives
It’s bad enough having Covid, but dealing with lingering symptoms after fighting the infection is downright unfair. Why can’t some people (actually as many as almost half of those infected ) make a clean recovery from Covid? “Long-Haul Covid” (LHC) describes a condition of covid-related symptoms that can last for months after infection, and for some, even longer. This phenomenon is currently being studied so we can better understand the how and why.
The list of possible lingering symptoms is long and conveys the reach of this virus
and its effects on nearly every system of the body: Fatigue, fever, headaches, dizziness, cough, chest pain, heart palpitations, numbness, brain fog, changes in taste and smell, sleep problems, digestive issues, joint pain, rashes, menstrual cycle disturbances, anxiety, and depression. And the list goes on. For some it may only be one stubborn disturbance, for others, it may be a debilitating combination of symptoms.
Lingering symptoms can be from direct harm done to the body by the virus. Covid can take a toll on the body from the level of organs to organelles (microscopic cellular structures) and everything in between. Damage to the body’s organs and tissues may cause various systemic long COVID symptoms. Mitochondrial damage is another focal point of research as this organelle is responsible for energy production in the body and is a target for viral damage. This is an important area of study as ‘covid fatigue’ is one of the most common long-haul symptoms.
The immune system itself can also cause harm when unregulated. Cytokine storms are an over-aggressive immune response that can lead to persisting inflammation in the body. Many people with long-haul COVID have elevated cytokine levels, suggesting hyper-inflammation plays a role in LHC.
Another possible immune response scenario is that the stress of COVID confuses the body, triggering an autoimmune response, where the immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells, tissues, and organs. There are also theories that the immune system is not actually confused, but going after viral remnants that have gone deeper into hiding and our own tissues become collateral damage in this war. Another related theory proposes that COVID-19 infection could reactivate, or wake up, other viruses in the body that have gone dormant, resulting in various immune reactions.
LHC from a Chinese Medicine perspective takes into account that COVID is generally considered to be a ‘damp’ pathogen, affecting fluid balance in the body. This imbalance causes inflammation and the main symptoms of cough and fatigue. As the body works to restore balance by redistributing fluid and energy, as well as expelling the pathogen, some may need extra help depending on their constitution, environment, lifestyle and the strength/amount of the pathogen. If help is not received and the imbalance persists, it can manifest in 4 main ways.
Deficiency. The infection drained the body of qi (energy), blood, or body fluids. The key symptom of deficiency is fatigue.
Excess. Covid’s signature effect of ‘dampness’, in excess, can lead to feelings of heaviness and stiffness, as well as symptoms like diarrhea and bloating. Excess heat from the virus in the body can also manifest in things like chronic fever or red itchy rashes.
Stagnation. This is any scenario where the virus has blocked the free flow of the blood and energy in the body. In this form the prominent symptom is pain. The more severe the blockage, the more severe the pain.
Retained Pathogen/Latent Heat: Similar to the idea that viral remnants remain in the body to either confuse or overstimulate the immune system, ths Chinese Medicine concept of ‘retained pathogens’ refers to when a pathogen gets ‘stuck’ in the body, because the body is too weak to fully drive it out. It can stay at an intermediate level in the body causing flu-like symptoms (ie: body aches and fatigue), or go deeper to ‘hide out’ as “Latent Heat” to come
If you are dealing with Long-Haul Covid, it’s been long enough! Heidi can address the specific patterns and factors that have prevented full recovery and help bring you back into a state of balance and health. Call us at (218) 724-3400 today!
How Acupuncture Can Help Covid Long-Haulers
Chinese Medicine has a beautiful way of getting to the core principles of a disorder as an efficient way to inform appropriate treatment. While terms like deficiency, excess, stagnation, and retained pathogens may seem simple, they can be related to modern medical explanations of diseases (like post- COVID syndrome). Western biomedical research into Long-Haul COVID (LHC) looks at immune and cellular dysfunction that can lead to organ and tissue damage.
These play out in the body in ways that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recognize as specific patterns of imbalance. TCM considers these imbalances the root of the various LHC symptoms like fatigue and chronic pain. There’s actually a lot of overlap in Eastern vs. Western understanding of possible causes…Chinese Medicine’s just been treating it a lot longer.
Acupuncture actually has a long history of treating lingering symptoms from epidemics. Throughout the past 2,000 years, acupuncturists have documented how to successfully treat these patterns. Chinese physicians described methods of acupuncture to re-energize the patient, move blocked energy, clear pathogenic “dampness” (ie: fluid imbalance, mucous and biofilm buildup etc.), and cool or warm the body as needed. They also laid out treatment approaches for difficult relapsing cases where the wei qi (immunity) was weak.
Acupuncture has thus had many years to hone its skills in treating post-viral syndromes. And while research on long covid has only just begun (and many clinical trials are currently underway) there is already a growing body of present-day evidence supporting its worth. Data collected from the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) showed an overall positive response to acupuncture.
Many patients reported improvement with long Covid symptoms like chronic fatigue, heart arrhythmias and nausea. In another analysis of acupuncture for LHC, it was shown to help with headaches, myalgia, and abdominal pain. Preliminary findings from some of the new clinical studies show strong support for the role of acupuncture in the treatment of post-COVID syndrome.
One study involving 85 patients found that over 70% were cured of irregular menstruation, while over 80% of all participants were cured of fatigue, shortness of breath, body pain and/or brain fog.
So how is it actually helping, from a biomedical perspective?
Here we’ll look at 2 main mechanisms of action relevant to the current understanding of LHC.
IMMUNE REGULATION
The latest research suggests that acupuncture’s overall regulatory effects come from its interaction with our nervous and immune system and this gives it the upper hand in dealing with LHC. Through its ability to stimulate or sedate immune function, evidenced by measurable changes in various immune cells, it can both help to fight infections and calm any immune over-reactions. When acupuncture successfully regulates immunity, it in turn protects the cells, tissues and organs from further harm from infection and inflammation, and allows the body to shift into healing and repair mode.
MITOCHONDRIAL SUPPORT
The mitochondria is an intracellular structure that is known as the ‘powerhouse’ of the cell because it is the site of ATP (energy) production. Viral diseases, like SARS-CoV-2,
are known for their ability to disrupt the intracellular environment, with a special focus on our little energy factories. Not only does this activate inflammatory pathways via the immune system, it of course deprives the body of energy leading to what many know as “covid fatigue” and “brain fog”.
Increasing evidence supports the efficacy of acupuncture for improving the mitochondrial structure and protecting mitochondrial functions. Acupuncture intervention has even been shown in numerous studies to reverse mitochondrial damage. Acupuncture, with very few side effects, is known in TCM to boost qi (energy) and its role in mitochondrial support looks like it could be one of the main ways it accomplishes this.