The health of our lungs isn’t necessarily talked about a lot when general health is discussed. Typically, cardiovascular health, chronic pain, cholesterol and stroke risk tend to be the more common topics. Many don’t think about lung health until there is a problem and then improving it becomes priority number one. continue reading
According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, almost 50,000 people die every year from opioid overdoses, more than 10 million misuse opioids in a given year, and opioids are a factor in 72% of overdose deaths. You hear about the opioid crisis on the nightly news frequently but what can be done to help people deal with chronic pain (the reason they are likely taking the opioids in the first place). Can acupuncture really help? continue reading
In a nutshell, traditional acupuncture, also known as Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM, works under the belief that the body is controlled by a flow of energy called qi traveling through pathways in the body that are called meridians. Acupuncturists believe that when these pathways become blocked and the energy can’t flow freely, various health problems begin to appear. continue reading
Five element theory is one of the major systems of thought within Chinese medicine. From a historical perspective it is an important underpinning of medical theory and serves as one of the major diagnostic and treatment protocols. In modern clinical practice the five element theory is used in varying degrees depending on the practitioner and style of acupuncture that they practice.
For practitioners or Traditional Chinese Medicine, the theory may be used to help form a diagnosis when there is conflicting signs and symptoms. Additionally, elements of the theory are useful for assisting patients with nutritional balancing and/or working through emotional issues. The theory is used extensively by Japanese acupuncturists within the five phase treatment protocols and by Classical five element practitioners, such as those who follow the teachings of the late J.R. Worsley. The information below discusses the Five Element theory and clinical applications in detail. For a more general interest description of five elements theory, you may read “A Discussion of Five Element Theory and Applications to Life.”
Why do some of the world’s top athletes look as though they’ve been on the receiving end of a brutal paintball firing squad?
US swimmer Michael Phelps’s skin is strewn with livid polka dots, and his compatriot, the gymnast Alex Naddour is also sporting circular welts.
But this is not the result of a corporate team-building exercise. The athletes are among the latest adherents to the traditional Chinese medicine treatment known as “cupping”.
Cupping is one of the best therapies around. It is a proven method for effectively treating illness and disease, as well as for muscle injury, overuse or poor circulation. A partial vacuum is created in a cup placed on the surface of the skin over an area that features enough soft tissue (without hair) to allow the cup to adhere.
A gentle vacuum is created by using a pump attached to the stem of the cup. The cup is applied directly to the skin and the underlying tissue is drawn up into the cup. Cups are left on anywhere from 5-15 minutes, sometimes resulting in circular bruises that vary in color from light red to red to purple. The skin and muscle are not damaged and any bruises that form fade within a few days.
The earliest written record of cupping in Chinese Medicine is from silk texts, discovered in a tomb said to be sealed in 168 B.C.E. Throughout the ages, cupping has been used to treat headaches, muscle aches and pains, respiratory conditions such as asthma, abdominal pain, digestive problems, the common cold, menstrual disorders, dizziness, and skin conditions. More recently it is also used in the treatment of anxiety.
Cupping continues to be one of the most effective musculo-skeletal therapies available. Whether you’re a competitive athlete, weekend warrior or simply an active person who occasionally overdoes it, cupping will help you feel better immediately.
