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Showing posts from July, 2014

Acupuncture Relieves Hot Flashes

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Acupuncture reduces the frequency and severity of hot flashes, according to a meta-analysis published in the journal Menopause. Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine that has been practiced for at least 2,500 years. It consists of placing thin needles into parts of the body known as "meridians." which are determined by the specific health condition to be treated. In recent years, research by Western scientists has confirmed acupuncture's benefits for numerous health conditions, particularly pain, and it is now covered by some private insurance plans. All forms of acupuncture help Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms of menopause, reported by 85 percent of U.S. women. They can begin as early as three years before a woman's last menstrual period, and continue for up to 15 years after. Although the severity of hot flashes varies from woman to woman, they are often extremely uncomfortable. Some women may suffer up to 20 hot flashes pe...

What to Expect at Your First Acupuncture Session

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It’s completely normal to feel nervous prior to your first acupuncture session. The thought of someone jabbing you with needles might conjure up images of a medieval torture session, but the process is virtually painless. Take a deep breath and relax. Once you arm yourself with information and know what to expect, you’ll find that you’ll actually enjoy the experience (really!). Your first visit to an acupuncturist typically involves a consultation. The practitioner will take your pulse, ask you a variety of questions concerning your health history and lifestyle, examine your tongue, and palpate certain areas of the body to determine the appropriate acupuncture points. While a few of the questions and the tongue examination might seem irrelevant or strange, traditional Chinese medicine is based on a different diagnostic criteria than Western medicine. The information gleaned from the consultation is essential for developing a diagnosis and creating a treatment plan that meets your in...

Thyroid Juice Remedy

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Your thyroid is a set of multiple glands that work to keep your body running smoothly. They deliver messages (hormones) between themselves and other body parts so that all of those tiny cells are regulated and functioning at the proper levels. The hormones produced by the thyroid (T3 and T4) are essential for life and have many effects on metabolism, growth and development. Thyroid health is important, because if your thyroid isn't functioning properly it can lead to developmental defects or weight gain. Food is our medicine, so consuming the proper foods will help support your thyroid to ensure it remains in tip top shape. Carrots contain ample amounts of beta-carotene which is the precursor for vitamin A in the body. If you are low on vitamin A, your ability to produce thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is limited. This vitamin is required by the body to convert T4 to T3. B-complex vitamins are required for good thyroid function. Cucumbers contain B vitamins, so they are a...

Acupuncture Needles: Hair-Thin Instruments of Healing

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Although many fear hospital needles, those used in acupuncture are much less scary. Check out Groupon’s examination of acupuncture needles to ease any lingering aichmophobia. Acupuncture generally doesn’t draw blood—a testament to the skill of professional acupuncturists but also to the special needles they use. Unlike the needles commonly feared by hospital-goers, acupuncture needles are thin enough to slip through the skin without breaking any blood vessels. Although most are roughly the thickness of a hair or a pixie’s wand, they come in several varieties for different treatment types: thinner needles provide less stimulation and are often used for children or the elderly; shorter needles treat the head and face; and longer needles (up to 5 inches long) target the thighs and other fleshy areas to reach points along the body’s theoretical energy pathways, known as meridians. Filiform needles are the most common, comprising a stainless-steel wire sharpened at one end and wra...

Acupuncture Techniques in Traditional Chinese Medicine

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Learn how acupuncture can work for you in this free video on acupuncture in traditional Chinese medicine. Expert: Dr. Guan-Yuan Jin, MD, L.Ac Bio: Dr. Guan-Yuan Jin, M.D, L..Ac is an internationally renowned Qigong Master, Medical Acupuncturist, and Doctor. Dr. Filmmaker: Guan-Yuan Jin