You may have heard about Oriental or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and / or Acupuncture, but not know much about what they do or how they are used. Following are a list of conditions that may benefit from using Traditional Chinese Medicine and / or Acupuncture.
Neurological & Muscular disorders
- Headaches
- Carpal Tunnel
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Bell's Palsy
- Neck pain
- Low back pain
- Sciatica
- Arthritis
- Knee pain
- Frozen shoulder
- Tennis elbow
- Tendonitis
- Stroke
- Parkinson's Disease
These conditions are most responsive to acupuncture, which may be supplemented with electrostimulation, heat therapy, massage, and Traumeel® (a homeopathic analgesic cream).
Headaches are especially responsive to Chinese Medicine, both acupuncture and herbs. There are many different kinds of headaches, and it is important for the acupuncturist to determine the root cause. For immediate relief of headaches, we find our aromatherapy Headache Blend is very helpful. but for long-term treatment, by treating the root cause, we can reduce the incidence of headache and their intensity.
Bell's Palsy is a condition in which the face becomes paralyzed, usually on one side. The patient may first notice a droopy eye, and a downturn of the mouth. It is usually a temporary condition and responds to medical treatment in a few months. However, Bell's Palsy is best treated immediately using acupuncture, which significantly reduces the amount of time to recovery.
Stroke patients, especially those who receive acupuncture treatment soon after their stroke, report a great improvement in their post-stroke condition. With continued therapy, they will usually continue to improve their mobility and their speech.
Parkinson's Disease is usually very difficult to treat, but a master acupuncturist in Orlando, Florida, Dr. Huo, has gotten excellent results for this and other "shaking syndromes" in as few as seven treatments. I am a student of Dr. Huo's and are using his techniques in our clinic with similar results.
Respiratory disorders
- Sinusitis
- Sore throat
- Bronchitis
- Cough
- Asthma
In the acute stage, we treat these with acupuncture, but for chronic conditions, we typically use herbal and homeopathic treatments. In addition, to offer immediate relief, we have found aromatherapy treatments are particularly helpful.
Digestive disorders
- Gastritis
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Spastic colitis (irritable bowel syndrome)
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting.
These conditions also respond well to acupuncture but for long-term relief for chronic conditions we recommend herbal therapy.
Acupuncture and acupressure can help pregnant women who suffer from "morning sickness."
Urinary complaints
Frequent urinary tract infections, or prostate problems respond well to Chinese herbs and dietary therapy. Because the effects of herbs tend to be cumulative, it may take several weeks of therapy before you see results.
Reproductive disorders
- Painful menstruation
- Frequent or heavy periods
- Infertility
- PMS
- Menopausal symptoms
Many women who suffer from painful periods experience such pain that it interferes with their lifestyle, and may lose a couple of days of work each month. It doesn't have to be this way. In a few treatments, you can find relief from this pain, as we isolate the cause of the pain, and treat that root cause. Herbal supplements also help.
Menopause is a natural process that all women experience. But not everyone experiences it in the same way. Mood swings, weight gain, insomnia, dry hair and skin don't have to be a way of life for you. If cannot or choose not to use Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), or as an adjunct to HRT, you will find relief from these symptoms very quickly, and once again feel "back to normal."
Miscellaneous
- Obesity
- Smoking cessation
- Addiction problems
- Insomnia
- Physical problems related to stress
- Emotional conditions such as depression and anxiety
- Immune system disorders
- Sexual dysfunction
It's not easy to lose weight, quit smoking, or recover from addictions. Acupuncture, especially ear acupuncture are especially helpful. In fact, acupuncture is commonly used in Dade County, Florida in the prison system to help combat these problems. It can help you too.
Insomnia is either the inability to fall asleep, or difficulty in staying asleep. As with the treatment of other conditions, it is important to determine the root cause.
For short-term relief, especially for patients who are just going through a temporary "bout" of insomnia, our aromatherapy Insomnia Blend can give you immediate relief.
But for those for whom insomnia is a chronic condition, once again, we determine the root cause, and treat that with a combination of herbal therapy and acupuncture. In addition, we offer hypnosis, meditation, and relaxation technique training to augment those therapies and retrain the body how to sleep.
Many patients are surprised to discover how effective acupuncture can be in the treatment of mild to moderate depression or anxiety. We also recommend herbal therapy for these disorders. Patients are amazed at how quickly Auricular (ear) acupuncture affects their mood.
Many therapists recommend medication for their patients to help with "talk therapy." However, more and more therapists are recommending acupuncture and herbal therapy as a "first resort."
Viagra has brought sexual dysfunction into the open, but many people are concerned about its side-effects. A program of acupuncture therapy and herbal treatment can help both men and women increase their sexual responsiveness.
Most of us can benefit from a boost to our immune system, especially as cold and flu season begins. But for those who's immune system is compromised as a result of disease or disorders such as hepatitis, HIV, and AIDS, the boost offered by acupuncture and herbs is a necessity.