en-us New articles added to FindMyAcupuncturist. http://www.findmyacupuncturist.com http://www.findmyacupuncturist.com/article-36.htm http://www.findmyacupuncturist.com/article-36.htm Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0800 FindMyAcupuncturist.com How Acupuncture Works Acupuncture is one of the oldest continuously practiced healing systems in the world. The origins of Acupuncture first recorded found 4,700 years old is the The Yelow Emperor Classics of Internal Medicine (Huang Di Nei Jing) documenting theories about circulation, pulse and heart. This is said to be the oldest medical text book in the World -- 4,000 years before the West had any concept of them. This system of medicine is highly effective in restoring and monitoring health. Chinese medicine views the natural world and human life as completely interconnected. The basis of Acupunctue is that the body has an energy force running throughout it - known as Qi (Chee) - consists of all essential life activities which include the spiritual, emotional, mental and the physical aspects of life. A person’s health is influenced by the flow if Qi in the body, in combination with the universal forces of yin (receptive, cold, dark, moist, female energies) and yang (active, light, warm, male energies). Yin/Yang are opposite forces that when balanced work together. When there is a insufficient, unbalanced or interrupted flow of Qi in the body, illness may occur. Qi travels through the body along special pathways that run vertically up and down the surface of the body. These pathways or meridians are the same on both sides of the body. There are 14 main meridians. The acupuncture points are specific locations where the meridians come to the surface of the skin andare easily accessible by nedling, moxibustion (applying heat with burning mugwort) or acupressure. The connections between them ensure that there is even circulation of Qi, and a blance between Yin/Yang. All of nature can be can be understood through the lens of natural phenomena found in the five elements of Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal. The five elements function according to natural laws that also govern the human body and all aspects of the cycle of birth, life and death. In humans these forces manifest in five different ways, five distinct emotions, five pairs of organs, five specific areas where we can detect our strengths and weaknesses. Each element creates the different organs of the body and in nature the seasons of the year. The Chinese call life energy “chi” or “Qi” and have mapped out its flow through the body along specific pathways called meridians. When your Qi is full and flowing, you experience health. When your Qi is obstructed or imbalanced, illness and pain can occur. Symptoms experienced are signals that treatment Is needed to restore balance. From this perspective diagnosis of blocks that are causing physical, mental or spirit level distress are made and treated. By working with the elemental root of imbalance, the practitioner guides a person’s energy back towards its healthiest and highest potential, healing in accordance with natural processes. Five element acupuncture treatments help a person return to balance and, when appropriate, can be combined with medical treatments and life-style adjustments for optimum benefit. Five Elements To Health The model of the Five Elements, handed down from ancient China, is both the foundation for a system of medicine and a symbolic representation that provides a way “to live the fullest life.” The elements are essentially universal archetypes that can guide us in the art of living. From Wood we experience the energy of creation and, like the Spring season, we are encouraged to give birth to new ideas or possibilities and find the attributes that permit growth. Fire teaches us compassion, passion, love and warmth and the value of relationships, helping us discover that we, too, have the potential to become a source of light both within and without. The Earth supports us in nurturing others as well as ourselves, preparing for the “harvest” of ideas and emotions – it reminds us to connect with the soil. Metal points to the spirit, the ethereal, heavenly father that gives us inspiration. Helping us to receive all that has meaning and quality and to let go of what no longer serves us. From the Water element we learn to flow with changes and understand the importance of rejuvenating by resting and allowing our reservoirs to fill. Through an archetypal approach to Chinese medicine we can uncover a way to heal the seemingly insurmountable problems of modern times, which have their origins in the widespread alienation from the natural world.  http://www.findmyacupuncturist.com/article-32.htm http://www.findmyacupuncturist.com/article-32.htm Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700 FindMyAcupuncturist.com Acupuncture performed on the ear is known as Auricular acupuncture. An ancient medicinal practice originating in China, Acupuncture is better known as the science of healing by inserting fine needs at the specific meridian points in the body. Of late, there are numerous groups of acupuncturists that specialize in one or more areas of this traditional Chinese healing science. Auricular acupuncturists focus on the acupuncture techniques of the ear and certified acupuncturists are familiar with over 200 meridian points that are known to exist on the outer ear for providing relief. However, it is of vital importance to be informed that acupuncture needles are never put into the auditory canal but specific super fine needles are only inserted into the fleshy part of the ear or auricle (pinna). The insertion of fine needles on the outer ear is known to help cure a wide variety of diseases. This auricular stimulation enhances the blood flow in the body. Each point has a correspondence to the kidney, liver, shoulders, hips, knee, heart, lungs and other parts of the body. The needles that are inserted into the ear can even stimulate the brain or activate a particular organ whose connecting nerve has been activated. Many people opt for auricular acupuncture as a therapy form for drug and alcohol rehabilitation or as a support system with other rehab therapies. This form of acupuncture is also know to relive muscle and joint pain, and vitalize organs and the brain apart from numerous therapeutic effects. The standard size of the needles is 3 mm to 5 mm and they are inserted for about 10 to 20 minutes as per the diagnostics of the therapist. As with any form of acupuncture, each point in the outer ear is related to other parts of the body. The density of acupoints in the outer ear is extremely high which explains the need for the specialization of auricular acupuncture therapy. http://www.findmyacupuncturist.com/article-34.htm http://www.findmyacupuncturist.com/article-34.htm Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700 FindMyAcupuncturist.com Five-Element Acupuncture is one of the various forms of ancient treatments that are used to treat patients at the mind, body and spirit level for a harmonious living. The ailments that affect the person are treated considering emotions and the complete lifestyle. The harmony of body mind and spirit is achieved by looking at the person as a whole being which includes all emotional, physical and mental symptoms and treatment is given accordingly. The Five-Element Acupuncturist lays significance upon the understanding of a patient’s physical and emotional condition, their history and environs, while focusing on the working of the Five Elements in his or her life. These Five basic elements; Wood, Fire, Earth, Water and Metal are considered the building blocks of the existence and functioning of human beings. Each element has its own specific color and functioning while the personality traits are attributed or judged as per the balance of these Five Elements. Specific training allows them to diagnose, treat and heal the person as a whole by treating the root cause of the discomfort or illness. Most acupuncturists are trained to treat immediate ailments and symptoms; however Five Element Acupuncturists dig deeper to heal the cause. The ultimate goal of these Acupuncturists is to create harmony and eliminate disease by diagnosing and treating the mind, body, and spirit as a whole. Wirth the use of numerous diagnostic methods, they look for disharmony amidst the Five Elements such as any blockages in the flow of energy within the acupuncture meridians that flow through the body. Upon discovery of these blockages, they will judge which of the Five Elements has higher influence and which one has the most weakening effects leading to the cause of the disease. Treatment of the problem or discomfort is performed using fine needles to clear blockages for free energy flow leading to harmonization. http://www.findmyacupuncturist.com/article-35.htm http://www.findmyacupuncturist.com/article-35.htm Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700 FindMyAcupuncturist.com Japanese Acupuncture is based on the basic Chinese medicine theories, but trials and tests have improved to created and formulate a unique system of acupuncture that has been accepted worldwide as a separate style. The foundation has remained the same but the techniques are different. The basis of Japanese acupuncture is to use the slightest stimulation while creating the highest effect in the individual seeking treatment. Japanese acupuncturists use smaller and finer needles than Chinese acupuncturists. These needles are also inserted at a more shallow depth. Fewer points are used with higher precision thus requiring more highly developed skill. This delicate technique is challenging for the acupuncturist but reduces the level of pain for the individual undergoing therapy. Due to the accurate and precision based stimulation, Japanese acupuncturists require a longer training period that their contemporary Traditional Chinese medicine acupuncturists. With shallow insertions, usually the patients are not even aware of the pricks leading to a sense of higher relaxation during treatment. Japanese Acupuncture treatment has two different categories- local and root methods of treatment. The local treatment refers to providing relief to the problems of the patient and the Root treatment address the energy balances and structural issues to provide body, mind and spirit harmony. In most cases, local treatment resolves the issues but in many cases, there is a need to bring relief from long term or complex issues that have been plaguing the patient. Japanese acupuncturists put emphasis on finding the exact acupoints or active points for stimulation leading to balancing energies for healing. With energized points or acupoints stimulation, the energies of the body are activated bringing a complete healing of mind and body, resolving temporary and chronic problems. http://www.findmyacupuncturist.com/article-37.htm http://www.findmyacupuncturist.com/article-37.htm Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800 FindMyAcupuncturist.com Food as Medicine Increasingly, research is showing that food is now as important to our health and wellbeing as any medicines we may be using. It actually assists patients in creating balance in their health. Recently there was an excellent demonstration of how diet can impact health in Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s documentary, “The Last Heart Attack” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Unn7LjFkI). The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) states that over half of the US population is deficient in vitamins and minerals leading to essential nutrient insufficiences. One reason for this is that our crops have been developed to increase yields without respect to maintaining the nutrient loads. Much of our diet is very low in colors and fibers – leading to a diet that creates inflammation in our bodies. Inflammation is the source of most of our chronic disease int he population today. In fact researchers are now saying that cancer is only 5-10% genetic and that the rest of the factors are environmental – including diet! As an example, some essential nutrient insufficiencies linked with the top causes of death in the US are: Heart Disease: Ca, Mg, Zn, Se, K, Cr, Cu, and Vitamin D Malignant Neoplasms: Ca, Mg, Zn, Se, Cu, and Vitamin D Chronic Respiratory Disease: Mg, Se Diabetes: Ca, Mg, An, Se, Cr, and Vitamin D Alzheimers: Mg, Se, and Cu Nephritis and Nephrotic Syndrome: Zn, Se Liver Disease: Zn and Se Hypertension: Ca, Mg, Zn, Se, K, Cr, Cu and Vitamin D The message is clear that it is important to pay attention to your diet – and that your diet is the best way to obtain these nutrients. In the next week I will be providing additional information regarding how to assess your current diet and determine how to easily optimize your approach to what you eat to obtain optimal health and wellness