September is Pain Awareness Month

Pain impacts everyone at some point. It can exist in multiple forms and can last for various durations of time. Methods for pain management also vary in as many ways. Because September has been designated as Pain Awareness month, understanding the various types of pain and their treatments can bring a stronger awareness to those suffering from pain and the people around them that are/have been affected by their conditions.

Acute Pain

Acute pain may be mild or severe, and it can persist briefly, for weeks or months. It is different from chronic pain in that it has a specific beginning and end, and its sensations decrease as healing occurs.

The pain typically happens quickly and without warning. It may be excruciatingly painful and can trigger noticeable reactions such as tears, sweating and elevated blood pressure. Acute pain generally settles when it has been treated, managed or relieved by medication. Muscle pain is one of the most common types of acute pain, impacting 53 percent of all Americans. Lower back pain, another common form of acute pain, is the fifth most common cause for all visits to a doctor or physician.

Experienced during flares when an injury or disease is most active, this acute pain is known as a “breakthrough” pain. It is triggered by tissue damage such as a skin burn or broken/fractured bone. It generally accompanies an illness, injury or surgery and can manifest in almost any part of the body.

Chronic Pain

If not treated properly or quickly, acute pain can become chronic pain. Chronic pain is long-standing pain that can last for an indefinite amount of time, often beyond the expected recovery period for an injury or illness. The pain itself can be continual or intermittent. Considered the number one cause of long-term disability in the United States, it affects over 76 million Americans – more than cancer, heart disease and diabetes combined. It also:

● is often hard to control and difficult to treat or get rid of;
● can impact every aspect of a person’s life and his/her family;
● can be very stressful on the body, both physically and mentally, and can require a great deal of attention to be treated effectively; and
● can be stressful for professional care providers seeking to provide assistance.

Chronic pain can be caused by various injuries and illnesses, including fibromyalgia, lower back problems, arthritis, cancer, repetitive stress injuries, sciatica (which can be chronic or acute), headaches, shingles, nerve conditions and diabetic neuropathy.

Pain Management Through Acupuncture

Whether the pain is from a past sports injury or chronic illness such as fibromyalgia, the methods for pain management vary greatly. First, seek guidance from a primary physician regarding a pain management plan.

While traditional treatment methods typically include medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin and ibuprofen), acetaminophen or steroids, acupuncture can be extremely beneficial in alleviating physical pain symptoms, including:

● Back and neck pain
● Osteoarthritis
● Shoulder pain
● Chronic headaches and migraines
● Muscle spasms and pain
● Postoperative dental pain

Acupuncture can also be beneficial for patients undergoing cancer treatment, according to studies from the National Cancer Institute. Acupuncture treatment has been known to speed up recovery as well as lessen pain after chemotherapy sessions. While more research will be helpful, research supports acupuncture therapy as a viable, holistic adjunct treatment.

Acupuncture Balanced Health

Acupuncture Balanced Health wants to be your primary source of pain management and treatment. We are dedicated to reducing your particular pain symptoms and improving your quality of life. Our expert team utilizes both traditional Chinese and integrative medicines, along with proven acupuncture research, to create successful, personalized treatment programs. Contact us for a consultation today.

Living With Fibro: How to Ease the Pain

It’s been over a year since your primary care physician ran a series of inconclusive tests and diagnosed you with fibromyalgia. It didn’t seem like much was known about your condition. Since then your symptoms haven’t improved, and you’ve wondered if you were even diagnosed correctly. Is fibromyalgia real? If you’ve been diagnosed with fibro, what options do you have for treatment, and how do you ease chronic pain?

What Is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition known for its aching, widespread pain that’s often accompanied by tenderness of tendons and muscles. An estimated five million people in the United States alone suffer from fibromyalgia.

Typical symptoms of fibro can include:

Widespread or localized pain, described as burning, throbbing or sharp
Aches and stiffness in muscles, tendons and bones
Chronic fatigue
Sleeping disorders
Restless leg syndrome
Difficulties with concentration and focus due to “fibro fog”
Tension headaches or migraines
Cramping in the lower abdomen
Depression
IBS
Numbness or tingling of the extremities
Sensitivity to temperatures, noises, bright lights and/or potent odors
Dizziness and lightheadedness

Is Fibromyalgia Real?

Physicians today still remain skeptical regarding whether or not fibro is real. Not only does the condition vary from one individual to the next, but unlike other conditions, no test can diagnose fibromyalgia. Diagnosis usually involves considering the above symptoms and ruling out other conditions with blood tests such as CBC, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and thyroid function.

“Is fibromyalgia real?” is still asked throughout the medical community because the causes of fibro are unknown. Since fibromyalgia tends to run in families, genetics might be a factor. Other theories involve infections and physical and/or emotional trauma.

Since pain is almost always involved in fibro, researchers also believe pain signals are amplified in the brain over time due to overstimulation and an increased release of certain chemicals.

Getting Treated For Fibro

Treatment for fibromyalgia focuses on providing relief from chronic pain, along with minimizing all symptoms present. You’ll need an experienced team of experts to put together a reliable treatment plan for you based on your medical history and current state of health.

In terms of medications, your medical team may recommend you use the following:

Pregabalin, to date the only pharmaceutical drug approved by the FDA to treat fibro
NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen sodium, to decrease pain and inflammation and relieve muscle aches
Painkillers, such as acetaminophen and prescription medication
Benzodiazepines, which can help with disruptive sleep, muscle tension and restless leg syndrome
Antidepressants to elevate chemicals in the brain that will elevate your mood, boost the effect of endorphins, stabilize your sleep patterns and reduce fatigue
Anti-seizure medications, also commonly used when treating fibro

Treating Fibromyalgia Naturally

Many individuals diagnosed with fibro address it with a combination of Western and Eastern medicine. This approach works best when it comes to maximizing relief from chronic pain and fatigue. Treating fibro naturally might include:

Learning to reduce stress levels, which might involve therapy, breathing exercises, yoga, meditation and massage.
Exercising regularly, which has been proven to help fibro patients immensely; stretching and low-impact aerobics such as walking, yoga and swimming are recommended.
Acupuncture, which could positively affect your blood flow and levels of neurotransmitters in the brain and spinal cord to effectively reduce pain.

Massage, which can reduce your heart rate, relax your muscles and increase the production of endorphins.

Eating healthy foods, such as organic fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants that can boost your immune system; ginger and turmeric powder are also said to have excellent anti-inflammatory properties.
Yoga and tai chi, which can reduce fibro symptoms by combining meditation, deep breathing and relaxation.

Addressing insomnia and sleep problems in order to boost energy and mood; this might involve following a sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, minimizing the length of daytime naps, and incorporating relaxation techniques before falling asleep. Some fibro patients also undergo acupuncture to cure insomnia.

The Next Steps

There’s no need to continue feeling fatigued, achy and living life unfocused and unable to accomplish much. Using evidence-based research, Acupuncture Balanced Health is dedicated to helping you overcome fibromyalgia. Our team of experts is ready to put together a plan designed to treat all of your fibro symptoms. Take the right step toward improving your quality of life, and contact us today to make an appointment.

How to Manage Chronic Constipation for Life

It’s happening again. You’re having dinner with some friends, and you’re becoming increasingly uncomfortable. You haven’t had a bowel movement in almost a week. You’re tempted to excuse yourself once again and head to the restroom, but you already know it’ll be pointless. You can’t even focus on the conversation – all you can think about is seeking relief. Your friends have quieted down and are staring at you. You give up and smile, heading to the restaurant bathroom once again. Surely there are some remedies for constipation you could try?

What is Chronic Constipation?

The last time you experienced serious constipation was when you backpacked through Europe a few years ago. Nowadays, it seems you’re spending much more time sitting on the toilet than you used to. While it’s normal for everyone to experience constipation occasionally, especially when your body is going through some changes or stress, chronic constipation is an issue that can interfere with your ability to go about your everyday life.

The term “constipation” comes from the Latin constipare meaning “to press, crowd together.” Medically, constipation can be defined as experiencing infrequent bowel movements or difficult passage of stools over an extended period of time.

Symptoms of chronic constipation include:

Having fewer than three bowel movements a week
Straining to have bowel movements
Having hard or lumpy stools
Not being able to completely empty your rectum
Emptying your rectum with help, such as pressing on your abdomen with your hands or manually removing stools with a finger

Causes of Chronic Constipation

Acupuncture for functional disorders has been shown to effectively help chronic constipation, but identifying the causes of constipation should be the first step. This will help your physician suggest remedies that address your specific needs. Knowing why you’re constipated is also important for ruling out more serious disorders that cause blockages in the colon or rectum. These blockages could be a sign of cancer, rectum and colon nerve problems, pelvic disorders or hormonal problems linked to fluid balance in the body, such as thyroid disease. Once any serious condition has been treated or ruled out, you and your physician can focus on finding a solution, which could involve a combination of lifestyle changes and incorporating several remedies for constipation.

Constipation may not seem like a big deal, especially if your case is mild; however, it’s important to address the issue and avoid further complications down the road. These complications can include:

Fecal incontinence
Hemorrhoids
Anal fissure
Pelvic organ prolapse
Fecal impaction and bowel obstruction
Bowel perforation and stercoral peritonitis

Remedies for Constipation

Since healthy bowel movements are linked to fiber intake, an important step in treating your condition is increasing your intake of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Other remedies for constipation include:

Exercising daily, which tones intestines and can help regulate bowel movements.
Practicing yoga, breathing exercises, stress management and biofeedback, which involves training your pelvic muscles.
Changing your habits and listening to your body by never ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement.
Undergoing acupuncture for constipation.
Drinking plenty of water during the day.
Paying attention to your caffeine intake, as it can cause dehydration.
Avoiding laxatives, which can provide quick relief but can lead to dangerous addictions.
Adding fiber to your diet in the form of supplements if necessary.
Taking probiotics daily, which may improve whole gut transit time, stool frequency and stool consistency.

Acupuncture Balanced Health

Chronic constipation can hinder your ability to perform everyday tasks and enjoy physical and social activities. Acupuncture Balanced Health offers top-notch integrative medicine plans developed by our team of experts – traditional Chinese medicine physicians who work with our board-certified physician trained in integrative medicine and acupuncture research. There’s no need to keep suffering from your condition, so contact us today to make an appointment. Our list of happy, healthy clients speaks for itself.

How to Choose an Acupuncture Practitioner

As with all medical professionals you interact with, you want to find an acupuncturist who cares about your concerns and well-being. With acupuncture, you’re treating the whole self so it’s important you’re able to be comfortable and candid during treatment. Here are 4 steps for how to choose an acupuncture practitioner who can meet all your needs and truly treat the whole you.

Step 1: Specify Your Reason to See an Acupuncture Practitioner

Acupuncture is a wonderful mix of Eastern and Western medicine and a practice dating back centuries. To find the right acupuncturist for you, first identify why you want the treatment. It can be used to treat a wide array of conditions including:

Chronic pain caused by a car accident, illness or injury
Nausea, including morning sickness
Energy imbalance
Allergies
Stress
Arthritis
Digestive health illnesses such as irritable bowel syndrome

Your aches, pains and other uncomfortable symptoms may flare during some weather, especially in spring and summer when the weather is hot and there’s additional pollen and humidity in the air. Knowing the conditions or symptoms you need treatment for can help you to focus on the specialities and experience you’re looking for in an acupuncturist.

Step 2: Seek Recommendations

If you have family or friends who have gotten acupuncture treatment, ask them who their practitioner was and why they liked — or didn’t like — their experience.

Another way to get a recommendation is to look at testimonials or reviews online. You can do a simple online search of “acupuncturist in NC” to see what your options are in Chapel Hill and beyond.

Step 3: Choose an Acupuncture Practitioner

Consider the training and qualifications the practitioner has and whether he or she has the ability to treat your needs. At the very least, your acupuncturist should be either a Licensed Acupuncturist (L. Ac.), a medical doctor, an osteopath or a chiropractor. In North Carolina, a Licensed Acupuncturist means the person has completed:

A 3 year post-graduate program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
The clean needle technique course offered by the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
The NCCAOM written exam
The practical exam, the NCCAOM PEPLS

While physicians can legally perform acupuncture treatment without formal training, it’s best to seek a physician who does have formal training. Acupuncture takes years to master, which is why Licensed Acupuncturists are required to complete programs and exams. To ensure you receive effective treatment and have the best experience possible, consider focusing your search on people who specialize in acupuncture and apply the treatment frequently.

Based on your identified needs, the recommendations you found and the background research you did on the acupuncturists you’ve found, it’s time to choose an acupuncture practitioner.

Step 4: Schedule an Appointment

Schedule an appointment with your acupuncture practitioner and come to the appointment prepared to discuss your condition and/or what treatment you’re seeking. You should be ready to answer questions such as:

What conditions or symptoms are you hoping to use acupuncture as treatment for?
What other treatments have you tried?
How long have you experienced this condition or symptom?
What do you want to gain from acupuncture treatment?
Do you have any questions or concerns about acupuncture?

You should also consider asking questions such as:

What’s your experience with treating my condition?
How long can it take to treat my condition?
What do you recommend for treatment?

By asking and answering these questions during your appointment your acupuncturist can be sure to care for you and offer you the best treatment plan they can, and you can begin to create a meaningful connection with the practitioner.

To find out what types of acupuncture we offer and learn more about our personalized approach to treatment, contact us to book an initial consultation.

Treat Swollen and Sore Lymph Nodes from CFS with TCM

It’s Saturday morning, and all you want to do is sleep. You’ve already canceled your plans to head out to Southern Village Farmers Market. Your swollen lymph nodes aren’t getting better, despite all the effort you’ve put into overcoming chronic fatigue. As you lie back down, your smartphone starts buzzing with incoming text messages. One friend tells you to feel better, while another suggests trying TCM. A quick Internet search reveals that TCM stands for traditional Chinese medicine, but you still frown. How could TCM relieve your swollen and sore lymph nodes?

What Is CFS?

Since you’ve been struggling with chronic fatigue syndrome for over six months, you’re already somewhat familiar with CFS – a disease that affects three out of every 1,000 Americans. You happen to be one of the unlucky ones. No medical professional or amount of online research can explain why you were diagnosed with CFS.

Possible reasons for getting diagnosed with chronic fatigue include:

Infections
Nutritional deficiency
Immunity dysfunction
Stress on the HPA axis (where the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands interact)
Abnormally low blood pressure

Before diagnosing you with CFS, your primary care physician conducted various tests to rule out other conditions, including sleep disorders and medical problems such as diabetes, anemia and hypothyroidism.

Individuals with CFS often have four or more of the following symptoms:

Short-term memory or concentration problems
Sore throat
Headaches
Joint pain
Muscle pain
Exhaustion
Poor-quality sleep
Brain fog
Irritable bowel syndrome
Balance problems and dizziness
Tender and swollen lymph nodes, usually in the armpits or neck

Dealing with a combination of these symptoms has made it impossible to go back to your normal active life.

Swollen Lymph Nodes

Think of lymph nodes as your health’s bodyguards. Lymph nodes are clusters of cells (lymphocytes and macrophages) that capture viruses, germs and foreign substances. These are broken down before they can do harm and are eliminated from your body.

Each group of lymph nodes is designed to drain a particular body area. Since CFS is poorly understood, its relation to lymphadenopathy – the medical term for swollen lymph nodes – is also unclear. However, some research has linked immune system problems to CFS, which could explain swollen and sore lymph nodes in some individuals diagnosed with chronic fatigue.

Don’t forget that swollen lymph nodes can indicate an infection or another medical problem. Even if you’ve already been diagnosed with CFS, it’s still important to consult a physician to rule out other possible conditions – especially if your immune system might not be functioning at its best. Your physician may order other tests, such as:

Blood tests, including liver function tests, kidney function tests and complete blood count
A lymph node biopsy
A chest X-ray
A liver-spleen scan

Using Traditional Chinese Medicine

Grounded in the ancient philosophy of Taoism, TCM dates back to over 2,000 years ago. TCM is said to treat illness while optimizing health and enhancing the body’s capacity for healing.

Top-notch integrative medicine clinics offering TCM can develop treatment plans that include various practices such as:

Acupuncture, which involves inserting fine needles into specific body locations to correct energy imbalances, promote blood flow and release tension
Herbal formulas that combine medicinal plants with immunomodulating, antiviral and antibacterial properties
Qigong, which integrates posture, breathing, focused intention and movement to boost physical and mental health
Acupressure, which uses pressure instead of needles on acupuncture points
Cupping, in which cups filled with heated air are positioned on painful body areas
Yoga, meditation and other relaxation techniques

Acupuncture for Swollen Lymph Nodes

According to the British Acupuncture Council, acupuncture can help over 60 conditions, including chronic fatigue. While the mechanism of acupuncture remains unclear, the stimulation of nerve fibers that send signals to the brain and spinal cord could trigger the release of hormones that block pain. This could help correct the energy pathways that flow throughout the human body.

Since acupuncture is often used to alleviate CFS, you may wish to try treating your chronic fatigue symptoms (including your swollen lymph nodes) with TCM.

Acupuncture Balanced Health

Acupuncture Balanced Health is dedicated to reducing all of your CFS symptoms and improving your quality of life by integrating Western and Eastern medicine into an individualized treatment plan. Our team of experts includes traditional Chinese medicine physicians and a board-certified physician with in-depth knowledge of integrative medicine and acupuncture research. You shouldn’t have to keep on canceling plans or calling in sick to work, so contact us today and request a free introductory acupuncture treatment.

How Acupuncture Affects Patients with PCOS

Your five-year plan is almost right on track. You just got promoted at work, you’ve bought a house in Wexford and you’ve married the love of your life. The only thing missing is starting a family. And no matter how hard you try, your monthly pregnancy tests continue to be negative. Are ovarian cysts the cause of your fertility issues? Should you undergo ovarian cyst surgery? Have you been diagnosed with PCOS? If so, what should you do about it?

What Are Ovarian Cysts?

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop in your ovaries. Ovaries produce eggs, as well as estrogen and progesterone. Since ovaries are a major part of the female reproductive system, cysts can sometimes interfere with a woman’s fertility.

Ovarian cysts are easily identified during an ultrasound exam, but removing them is not always necessary.

Your gynecologist may advise undergoing ovarian cyst surgery if a cyst:

Is suspected to be cancerous
Measures more than 2.5 inches in diameter
Is solid rather than complex or partially filled with fluid
Causes pain

There are alternatives to ovarian cyst surgery. Other treatment for ovarian cysts involves taking birth control pills to decrease the chances of new cysts forming during future menstrual cycles.

If an ovarian cyst doesn’t have any alarming symptoms, your physician may recommend follow-up pelvic ultrasounds at regular intervals to closely monitor your ovaries. Sometimes an ovarian cyst can disappear on its own.

What About PCOS?

Only two types of cysts can interfere with fertility. These include endometriomas – cysts caused by an abnormal growth of tissue lining your uterus – and cysts caused by Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), also called polycystic ovary disease. PCOS is an endocrine system disorder characterized by the growth of small, benign cysts in a woman’s ovaries.

PCOS is associated with irregular ovulation, which can lead to fertility problems in some women. To diagnose you with PCOS, your physician will look for the following three main signs:

The presence of polycystic ovaries
A history of irregular or absent menstrual periods
An excess of androgen, which causes the development of some male sex characteristics such as hirsutism, a deepened voice and male pattern baldness

Other typical PCOS symptoms include:

Acne
Weight gain or obesity
Infertility
Insulin resistance
Decreased breast size

Symptoms of PCOS can occur at puberty, but most women are diagnosed with PCOS in their 20s or 30s, sometimes after gaining a significant amount of weight.

Causes of PCOS are often initially due to the overproduction of luteinizing hormone, released by the pituitary gland. This causes an abundance of the male hormone androgen and a severe deficiency of follicle stimulating hormone, which stops the ovaries from releasing an egg. This egg slowly develops into a cyst.

Since studies have linked PCOS with increased risks of heart disease, as well as hypertension, Type 2 diabetes and endometrial cancer, it’s important to seek proper PCOS treatment once you get diagnosed.

What PCOS Treatment Should You Seek?

There are many treatments available if you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS. Based on your medical history, conventional PCOS treatment might include taking drugs such as:

Oral contraceptives and progesterone to regulate your menstrual cycle
Glucophage to treat insulin resistance
Androgen blockers, such as spironolactone

If you’re trying to get pregnant, your physician may prescribe a medication that triggers ovulation, such as clomiphene.

You may also wish to change your eating habits, such as following an anti-inflammatory diet, avoiding the ingestion of raised cattle and dairy products (which may contain hormones) and consuming foods that contain isoflavones, such as soy products. Isoflavones have been shown to possibly contribute to the regulation of hormone imbalances.

If you’re looking for alternative PCOS treatment, you may wish to:

Try traditional Chinese medicine by visiting an integrative medicine clinic and adding herbs to your diet under the guidance of an experienced professional
Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly
Undergo acupuncture sessions, which could help regularize your menstrual cycle or reduce the impact of PCOS. The efficacy and safety of acupuncture have been established by hundreds of randomized controlled trials.

Acupuncture as a PCOS Treatment

A fact sheet assembled by the British Acupuncture Council states that acupuncture may help symptoms of PCOS by specifically:

Impacting beta-endorphin production, which may affect gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion
Regulating follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and androgen levels
Modulating the activity of the sympathetic nervous system and improving blood flow to the ovaries
Regulating steroid hormone/peptide receptors
Reducing and controlling the expressions of serum levels of testosterone and estradiol
Controlling hyperglycemia by increasing insulin sensitivity and decreasing blood glucose and insulin levels
Acting on brain areas known to reduce sensitivity to pain and stress
Increasing the release of adenosine, which has antinociceptive properties
Reducing inflammation by promoting release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors

Acupuncture Balanced Health

Acupuncture Balanced Health offers individualized treatment plans for many types of health issues, including fertility problems and PCOS. Our practicing physicians have decades of experience treating chronic medical conditions with an expertise that combines traditional Chinese medicine with a conventional Western approach. The use of acupuncture, especially, has been linked to achieving higher fertility rates. If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS, don’t wait any longer and contact us to make an appointment.

What Is IBS and How Can I Treat It?

You’ve been spending the entire day at University Mall on a mission to find the perfect dress or pants to attend an upcoming wedding. You head home with a smile on your face. Your endurance has paid off – or so you think. As you slip on your spectacular outfit, a prehistoric growl rises from your stomach. You frown: is IBS declaring war on you again? Your stomach has bloated to the size of a small pumpkin, and no matter how hard you try, there’s no way you can squeeze back into your new clothes. Recover your wellbeing and equilibrium after an IBS attack through acupuncture treatments.

What Is IBS?

Irritable bowel syndrome is estimated to occur in about 10 to 20 percent of the population in the U.S. Symptoms occur when stress results in colon spasms, resulting in abdominal pain and discomfort.

There is no specific test to diagnose IBS, and its causes are unknown. Some studies suggest that a glitch in the nervous system may heighten the sensitivity of the lower digestive tract. This means that harmless muscle contractions or simple gas lead to pain, bloating and a plethora of other problems.

Typical symptoms of IBS include:

Abdominal cramping
Bloating
Diarrhea
Constipation
Discomfort
Gas
Fatigue
Headaches

Since these symptoms occur frequently with other disorders, your physician will most likely rule out other possible diseases before diagnosing you with IBS. Chances are that if you’re also experiencing weight loss, rectal bleeding, nausea, fever, or anemia, you’ll need to undergo further testing.

Keep in mind that as unpleasant as IBS can be, your intestines remain unharmed, so you and your healthcare professional should focus on how to prevent the reoccurrence of symptoms.

Treatment for IBS

IBS symptoms vary from person to person, so there is no set treatment course for the disorder. Treatment includes:

Keeping a food diary to identify foods that seem to trigger your IBS symptoms
Visiting an integrative medicine clinic, such as Acupuncture Balanced Health, to learn about pain and stress management techniques
Integrating yoga, meditation and breathing techniques to lower your stress levels
Consulting your physician to learn more about your options for prescription medications, such as anticholinergic and antispasmodic drugs, or antidepressants for pain management
Trying acupuncture for digestive disorders
Trying hypnosis
Increasing your exercising habits, which help reduce stress and maintain bowel regularity

What About Nutrition and Natural Supplements?

Avoiding foods that cause IBS symptoms seems like an obvious step, but it can take up to a month or so to correctly pinpoint what foods propel you to groan and moan. However, a 2005 study on IBS patients published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology linked excess bloating and gas to consuming wheat, beef, pork, lamb and soybeans.

Individuals have also reported relief after taking other measures. You may also wish to:

Increase your fiber intake.
Avoid dairy foods, stimulants and non-nutritive sweeteners.
Refrain from overeating.
Take probiotics.
Ingest peppermint oil 15 to 30 minutes before eating.
Start taking turmeric powder – turmeric is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and it also reduced IBS symptoms by 50 percent in a 2004 pilot study.

Acupuncture for Digestive Disorders

According to the British Acupuncture Council, spasms in the colon are closely related to the sympathetic nervous system’s response to stress. Acupuncture can activate the opposing parasympathetic nervous system, initiating the ‘rest and digest’ response. Some IBS patients have reported experiencing great relief with acupuncture.

Acupuncture Balanced Health

If you’re tired of planning your social life (or lack thereof) around your meals, contact us to make an appointment. By offering traditional Chinese medicine and integrative medicine consultations, Acupuncture Balanced Health is dedicated to reducing your IBS symptoms and improving your quality of life. Bringing you the best of Western and Eastern medicine, our team of experts includes traditional Chinese medicine physicians and a board-certified physician with expertise in integrative medicine and acupuncture research. Acupuncture Balanced Health is committed to assembling a personalized plan that will meet all of your individual needs and health goals – including ensuring your new clothes still fit you after a shopping spree.

7 Methods of Treatment for Arthritis Patients

Unless you or someone you love has arthritis, chances are you won’t know the exact causes, signs and definition of arthritis. If you or someone close to you has just been diagnosed with this condition, you may not be sure about the arthritis treatments out there.

What Is Arthritis?

The first question you probably have about this disease is what the actual arthritis definition is, and this is where things start to get complicated. That’s because there’s no single cause of arthritis.

The cause of your arthritis will depend on what type you have: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or some other form. It may be caused by mechanical wear and tear on the joints, issues with bone density or autoimmune conditions. Your doctor may need to run extensive tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.

While there are multiple causes of arthritis, the symptoms of most forms of this disease are relatively similar, and everyone with the condition will experience some or all of these signs of arthritis to some degree at some point:

Joint swelling and pain.
Reduced mobility in joints.
Stiffness, particularly first thing in the morning.
Redness or warmth around a joint.

Diagnosing your exact type of arthritis will require a medical history, X-rays and tests, and it may be a little while before you have a precise diagnosis. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, arthritis is close to a BI syndrome, which commonly caused by COLD, WIND, HEAT or DAMP invasion, or KIDNEY deficiency. You can read more about this here.

Treatment for Arthritis

Once you have experienced signs of arthritis and been diagnosed with one of the many forms of the disease, it’s important to realize that all of your arthritis treatments will be geared toward treating the symptoms of the disease rather than curing the underlying cause.

Thus far, there is no known cure for arthritis, and there are no known methods for repairing the damage that may already be done by the wear and tear on your joints that this disease causes.

Once your doctor has diagnosed the type of arthritic pain you are dealing with, they will work with you to create a comprehensive treatment plan that may include many different parts, including the following seven methods of treatment for arthritis patients:

Dietary changes.
Customized exercise programs (usually low-impact exercises and strength training).
Lifestyle changes, including weight loss for overweight patients and sleep pattern changes for patients with poor sleep patterns.
Physical therapy or massage.
Pain management treatments, including acupuncture.
Heat or ice treatments.
Medications, including pain relievers, autoimmune medications and steroids. Drugs will be prescribed based on the type of arthritis you have been diagnosed with.

Arthritis is a chronic disease, and the primary goals of treatment are to slow the progress of your symptoms and to manage the pain associated with this disorder. BI syndrome in Chinese Medicine means stagnation or blockage of something in joints or damage in joints. Acupuncture is one of effective tools to relieved the pain by unblock the stagnation. Be sure to consult your doctor and explore both complementary and traditional treatments, which have been known to help provide significant relief for sufferers. It may take some time to find the right balance for you, but once you do, you can certainly minimize the effects of the condition.

Understanding Seasonal Allergies and Their Triggers

Oh, the weather outside is … no longer frightful. Spring has sprung, and that can mean several things here in North Carolina. For the 50 million Americans with seasonal allergies, this time of year foreshadows weeks (and sometimes months) of itchy throats, watery eyes and runny noses, and struggles breathing. To offset the negative expectations of the seasonal days to come, let’s discuss what it means to have allergies during this time of year.

Understand the Condition

“Allergy” is a small word that encompasses a variety of conditions. By definition, an allergy is a reaction to a substance, commonly known as an allergen, that is considered foreign or dangerous to the body’s immune system. The body responds to allergens by releasing histamines to resist the incoming threat. This response shows in the following signs that people with allergies know all too well: frequent sneezing, rashes, stuffy noses and other symptoms affecting the eyes, lungs and sinuses.

Unlike perennial allergies (which occur year-round), seasonal allergies occur because of concentrated allergen levels in the environment at certain times of the year. The most notable allergen is tree pollen, but other allergens such as ragweed, dust and mold are also more widespread during particular months of the year.

Recognize the Triggers

Understanding seasonal allergies is only half the battle; having an awareness of what can cause flare-ups is the other.

For people with pollen allergies, simply walking out the front door can trigger an allergic response. Outdoor allergens can be inhaled, touched or attached to clothing or anything that has been exposed to pollinating trees — and during the first months of spring, pollen is everywhere! With the diverse types of trees in North Carolina — oak, ash, hickory and cedar, to name just a few — the pollen triggers are nearly infinite.

Another common allergen is ragweed pollen. With over 17 different types of ragweed throughout the United States, it is imperative to know which types are local to avoid pollen inhalation. In North Carolina, the most prevalent species of ragweed is Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common ragweed).

While dust can be considered a perennial allergen, its increased presence during “spring cleaning” makes it as much a concern for people with seasonal allergies as pollen. Common dust triggers include cleaning, vacuuming and sweeping. Living and nonliving triggers existing in dust – including mites, animal fur, airborne mold spores and cockroaches – can also affect dust allergies. Likewise, mold allergies can be triggered by overexposure to and inhalation of the fungus, whether outside near moist, decomposing leaves or inside in moisture-rich basements and bathrooms.

Avoid the Triggers

Unfortunately, there is no panacea for all things related to allergy issues. However, here are several tools and tips to preempt allergy-related triggers:

Pay attention to mold and pollen reports. Most local and national weather forecasts typically report information about daily amounts of allergens. There are also several reputable smartphone apps that provide allergy and pollen forecasts.
Skip unnecessary outdoor activities when allergen counts are high. Allergen counts are usually highest between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Wash hair, hands, body, clothes and bedding more frequently. Outdoor allergens can hitch a ride inside and keep causing respiratory havoc. Protect the inside of your home by cleaning anything that has been exposed to outside elements.
Use air conditioning in the car and home during allergy season. Outside air can be more of a curse than a gift during allergy season. Avoid opening car and home windows when possible. Use HEPA filter attachments for air conditioning units and carpet vacuums.
Wear a mask when cleaning indoors or working outside. Because most seasonal allergens are microscopic and can become airborne, inhaling them can increase the chances of allergic reactions. Covering your mouth and nose with a filter mask while doing chores can reduce the risk of allergens affecting your respiratory functions.

Relief with Acupuncture

Many people with seasonal allergies have used targeted, consistent acupuncture to greatly lessen and even stop their symptoms of nasal congestion and allergic rhinitis altogether. This is because the effects of acupuncture are cumulative. When combined with an herbal formula your acupuncturist will create for you that you take at home, acupuncture can offer a full-spectrum solution that will leave you with little to no symptoms and allow you to go for weeks or months without needing additional sessions.

Regardless of the relief methods you choose, the keys to controlling seasonal allergy outbreaks are to be mindful of local allergens, recognize the onset of seasonal symptoms and stay environmentally aware and proactive during seasonal changes.

How Integrative Medicine Boosts Natural Healing

There was a time when doctors focused only on the physical. They treated things that they could see, quantify and measure, while ignoring everything else. The state of modern health care is a clear indication that a single-minded approach to medicine does not work.

In spite of near-miraculous advances in medicine over the decades as well as a deeper understanding of the mechanics of our bodies, we are seeing more cases of chronic diseases and lifestyle-related problems than ever before. Rushed lives, bad diet, stress and environmental factors mean that even with all those advances, we’re still not as healthy as we should be.

This is part of the reason why even traditional medical practitioners are turning to integrative medicine more frequently.

What Is Integrative Medicine?

Integrative medicine is a holistic approach to health that incorporates traditional medicine and its focus on the mechanics of the body, but also includes mental health, spiritual wellness and even environment.

It is not strictly limited to natural cures, natural healing, complementary medicine or any other element of the medical spectrum, but aims to combine them all in a health care approach that is best for the patient.

Because integrative medicine encompasses so many different areas of medicine, it can also be a collaborative approach, with western doctors working with alternative health practitioners, acupuncture specialists and many other specialists to create and deliver a whole-body approach to health and wellness.

How Prevalent Is Integrative Medicine?

There was a time when natural cures were written off as irrelevant by the world of conventional medicine. But as their benefits are proved time and again in study after study, more and more medical professionals are incorporating nontraditional methods of natural healing into their health plans for their patients.

Patients with stress-related heart conditions, for instance, are being treated by their cardiologists but are also referred to yoga practitioners so they can learn stress management techniques that support their medical treatment. Patients with cancer might be referred to an acupuncturist to assist with pain, while simultaneously using traditional cancer treatments, dietary changes and counseling to manage other elements of their condition.

The fact is that integrative medicine is pervasive and becoming more so, because it has proven health benefits.

Whole Life Medical Solutions

Perhaps the best way to look at integrative medicine as a method of natural healing is to see it as a “whole life” approach to health, rather than limiting treatment to the body.

By incorporating acupuncture, biofield therapies, guided imagery, hypnotherapy, mindfulness and yoga with more traditional medical treatments, your medical team can address all elements of your overall health at the same time, and that means better, longer-lasting health results.

Ideally, your traditional medical team should be able to help you find the right combination of conventional, alternative and natural cures to treat every aspect of your body, not just the causes and symptoms of your main condition. If not, don’t be afraid to seek out an integrative medical practice that can supplement your treatments. It is your body and your life, and if you feel that you should be treating all aspects of it, there are solutions out there.