The ups and downs of springtime

I don’t know about you, but I find springtime to be a bit challenging. I imagine that a bear coming out of hibernation must struggle for a few weeks to wake up and find its groove again too. I always feel an initial invigoration and delight as the light begins its return, but then I tend to crash for 3 to 4 weeks. I feel exhausted and overwhelmed and just want to stay in bed. I’ve been hearing similar reports from many clients. Those suffering from allergies don’t find spring to be a picnic either.

Springtime from a Chinese medicine perspective

This is the season associated with the liver. In Chinese medicine, the liver is responsible for keeping the Qi (energy) moving smoothly throughout the body. When it gets stuck, we develop symptoms, such as depression, frustration, neck and shoulder tension, digestive disturbances, disrupted sleep, fatigue, PMS, and more. We call this symptom profile Liver Qi Stagnation.

During the spring, the liver needs a little extra support to not fall into this pattern. We often hear that springtime is the best time to do a cleanse. This is definitely appropriate. Moving our bodies and eating lighter foods, such as fresh greens with the addition of sour flavors like lemon juice, is nourishing and soothing to the liver.

Stress can trip up the liver any time of year, but in the spring, when it is particularly vulnerable, it is best to avoid it. I know, that is easier said than done. Maybe that is the real reason behind spring break? Stress causes the liver Qi to stagnate, which causes the symptoms mentioned above. Acupuncture is particularly effective at breaking up stuck Qi and calming the body. Also, the Emotional Unwind Technique is powerful at shifting stuck emotions, another important piece.

The windy season

Wind is the element of spring in Chinese medicine. Wind is the element that most irritates the liver and disrupts the flow of Qi in the body. It can also carry pathogenic factors, such as viruses, into the body. What I notice on a windy day is that pollen and other allergens are particularly irritating to my eyes, nose, and throat. By the time this newsletter comes out, many of spring’s challenges will be starting to settle, but the allergies will continue for a few more weeks while all of the trees release their pollen.

I mentioned the Soliman Auricular Allergy Technique (SAAT) in first newsletter of this year, and I think it is worth mentioning again. It is super-helpful to reduce and often eliminate allergies to specific substances. Its effects hold quite well, but allergies can be re-triggered by an illness or change of environment. To learn more details about this amazing technique, please check out this issue of the newsletter. Now is also a good time to start preparing for fall allergy season.   

Are allergies giving you grief? Please ask us about the SAAT technique. I have been getting many reports of people experiencing great relief from their allergies since getting this treatment. Also, if this spring season has been challenging to you, remember that it is temporary, and summer is around the corner!

Marie's Body of Knowledge

Have you accepted that you have incontinence because you are getting older? Have you told yourself it’s a normal part of aging? The truth is, you do not have to accept it at any age as a normal part of life. There are exercises and daily habit changes that can help reduce incontinence.

There are two main types of incontinence. Stress incontinence is when your muscles aren’t able to prevent incontinence when performing activities such as coughing, sneezing, and going up stairs. Urge incontinence is a strong sudden urge to void that is often triggered by messages from your nervous system to void even when your bladder is not full. The messages from your nervous system can be triggered by things like pulling into the driveway, walking to or by a bathroom, or putting a key in the door. Anxiety, fear, and other emotional components can also trigger the nervous system and contribute to incontinence.

Both stress and urge incontinence are conditions that may become manageable with physical therapy interventions.

You say that you've already tried doing Kegels. The reality is many times people have not been taught how to perform Kegels correctly, and there are other exercises besides Kegels to help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. There are also other techniques to help manage nervous system input. 

Beyond exercises, myofascial release and soft tissue mobilization thru the pelvic floor and abdomen and pelvic symmetry may help reduce incontinence. Many foods, beverages, and medications are bladder irritants and can trigger incontinence. Changing liquid intake habits and timing of liquid intake also helps to manage incontinence.

A thorough evaluation by a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic health will identify an individual's specific issues contributing to incontinence and design an individualized program. You don't have to accept incontinence as something you have to live with or accept the belief that it is a part of aging. 

If you’re struggling with incontinence, please make an appointment with me so we can address it and improve your quality of life

Rediscovering scalp acupuncture

At the end of September, I had the opportunity to travel to Madison, Wisconsin, to attend a scalp acupuncture seminar taught by Suzanne Robidoux. I have occasionally used scalp acupuncture since learning the basics in acupuncture school over 10 years ago, but am now inspired to use it a whole lot more. I was aware of the effectiveness of the method, but needed the more in-depth instruction on how to understand it better and use it to achieve the best results possible. Over the past couple of weeks I have started to employ what I learned, and am pleased with the results so far.

Scalp acupuncture applies the ancient technique of acupuncture to a modern, scientific understanding of how the brain is mapped. The right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, and vice versa. The brain is further divided into different areas, each with specific jobs to control the various functions of the body: movement, feeling sensation, balance, optics, emotions, focus, and the rest.

Scalp acupuncture was developed by Dr. Jiao Shunfa in the early 1970s in China. Dr. Jiao suspected that he could effectively treat hemiplegia (one-sided paralysis) following a stroke by treating the area over the primary motor cortex of the brain on the opposite side of the paralysis. Dr. Jiao knew that the motor cortex controls how movement is initiated in the body. In the photo above, you can see the “Motor Line,” the line that Dr. Jiao first treated to test his theory.

As Dr. Jiao gained experience by treating many patients, he was able to define several areas that brought about particular therapeutic effects when stimulated with acupuncture needles. These areas were consistent with the already-mapped functional areas of the brain. He developed a comprehensive system to treat many neurological disorders, including stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, traumatic brain injury, and neuropathy.

Other doctors have expanded upon Dr. Jiao’s methods to treat even more neurological conditions. One example is Dr. Lin Xue Jian, who developed her method to treat autism, ADD/ADHD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and learning disabilities.

The beauty of scalp acupuncture is that not only is it extremely effective in treating these serious diseases, but it is also effective in treating many other conditions, including acute and chronic pain of any type, stress, digestive issues, colds, emotional upset, and more.

Scalp acupuncture is typically paired with electrical stimulation of the scalp points, by connecting the needles to a stimulater via electrodes, and a body acupuncture treatment. The needles are retained for 30 minutes. In cases of physical issues such as paralysis, tremors, pain, and numbness, some exercise must also be done with the scalp needles retained for the best effect, before leaving the office.

When our teacher insisted that a post stroke patient who is in a wheelchair should be up and walking within five weeks with two treatments per week, along with some dietary changes and herbal support, she really got my attention. I have already started to use this powerful method more in my practice, and am looking forward to helping more people feel better so they can more fully enjoy their lives.

How does acupuncture work?

To the typical Westerner, acupuncture may seem rather esoteric and unscientific. It doesn’t help that acupuncture is mostly explained with ancient Chinese metaphorical language and imagery. We typically hear about energy meridians that traverse the body through which energy (Qi) travels. Acupuncture points are described as areas where stuck energy can be unblocked, like turning on a light switch. The basic premise of Chinese medicine is that where Qi and blood are moving, disease can’t take hold.

After reading this, do you feel like you understand acupuncture any better than before? I know I don’t. I do get an inkling that there is truth in these statements, but the concepts are truly vague. You might wonder how I ever got through acupuncture school with these heretical assertions! 

Well, I did make it through school. I trusted that 3,000 years of positive results meant that there was a lot of truth to be found in the ancient Chinese medical texts, and that they just had to be interpreted through a lens of modern anatomy and physiology. Luckily, there are scholars who have dedicated their lives to truly understanding the ancient texts and making them not only more accessible, but more applicable for Western Chinese medicine practitioners like me. Here is a distillation for you, my clients.

In his book The Dao of Chinese Medicine, Understanding an Ancient Healing Art, author Donald Kendall discusses various interpretations of Chinese medicine throughout history, then adds his two cents. He prefers to translate Qi as vital air, AKA oxygen. He believes that blood carries oxygen through the vessels (another name for meridians). In other words, acupuncture theory relates to the circulatory system.

I’m currently in the midst of taking a 55-hour course on Neuro-Meridian Integrative Acupuncture taught by Poney Chiang. Chiang offers a slightly different interpretation of what the ancients are describing. He believes that the nerve pathways relate directly to the meridian system. He shows how each acupuncture point directly targets a specific structure, such as a nerve trunk, a nerve branch, or a nerve’s entry point into a muscle. He believes that each point has its own very specific function, which is never repeated by another point. Therefore, in-depth knowledge of each point, including its precise location and intended action, allows the acupuncturist to achieve specific results with acupuncture treatment.

Interestingly, these two interpretations of the Chinese medicine texts are actually quite similar. Nerves supply stimulation to the blood vessels. The nerves and the blood vessels often travel together, forming neurovascular bundles. Therefore, when you insert an acupuncture needle, you are often stimulating a neurovascular bundle of nerves and blood vessels.

Each needle that is inserted into the body triggers a cascade of physiological events. As Kendall puts it, “Needling therapy activates complex defensive mechanisms in the body, involving the immune system, tissue reactions, blood vessels, sensory nerves, somatovisceral pathways, autonomic nervous system, central nervous system, brain, and endocrine glands.”

Ultimately, acupuncture increases blood flow to organs and tissues, it stimulates atrophied muscles, and it releases overly tightened muscles. Acupuncture also exerts a more systemic effect, via the nerve pathways, to regulate the nervous system. 

The remarkable thing about the ancient Chinese medicine practitioners is that they determined exactly where all of these important, tucked-away anatomical structures are in the body and how to access them with an acupuncture needle. To acknowledge the correlation of acupuncture points with our modern understanding of anatomy and physiology is to acknowledge that acupuncture is grounded in science. This makes it much easier for our modern brains to grasp.

Interrupting the pain cycle

When it comes to pain, it’s all in our heads. 

 Actually, pain is experienced by way of our brains, via a cycle described in detail below. Pain can be acute, resolved quickly, or chronic, variously defined as lasting longer than 3 to 6 months. Acupuncture is particularly helpful in interrupting the pain cycle, especially for chronic pain. Herbs and bodywork are useful as well, depending on the condition.

 The pain cycle

Pain receptors, called nociceptors, are found in any area of the body that can feel pain. These sensory receptors respond to any dangerous stimulus, to warn us of potential injury or illness. A perfect example is if you stick your finger into a flame. The nociceptors in the skin of your finger are activated when the stimulus reaches a certain threshold and transmit a warning signal to the brain. The brain then sends a pain signal, causing you to pull your finger back out of the flame. 

 Communication between your finger and your brain is complicated by chemical mediators, which increase the sensitivity of the nociceptors, and hormones, which increase the sensation of pain and cause inflammation. To use the finger/flame example, the more inflammation there is in the body, the more painful that flame will feel. In other words, your state of health, including your stress levels, may contribute to prolonged or exaggerated pain.

 In cases of chronic pain, nociceptors become sensitized and overreact to a normal stimulus. This is the case when the original source of the pain is completely healed, but the person still experiences great pain or when the experience of pain exceeds the extent of the injury. In essence, the brain gets stuck in a rut and continues to send pain signals unnecessarily.

 In Chinese medicine, it is believed that pain is caused by the stagnation of Qi and blood. To treat the pain, we must move Qi and blood and break up stagnation. If the condition is particularly chronic, it is likely complicated by inherent deficiency in the body. Manual therapies like acupuncture and bodywork physically break up stagnation in the body, and allow it to heal. Herbs that move Qi and blood help to support this healing process. In the cases complicated by deficiency, herbs are particularly useful, to tonify and nourish the system and speed up the healing.

Treatment

Treating chronic pain can be challenging. I like to use a combination of treatments, depending on the situation. First, I would encourage you to clean up your diet, avoiding inflammatory foods (sugar, fast and processed foods, vegetable oils, refined grains, additives, excess dairy, commercially produced meats, and alcohol) and increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil, nuts, seeds, and wild-caught fish.

Acupuncture is particularly effective in treating chronic pain. One of its mechanisms is to interrupt the habituated pain signal to and from the brain. By distracting the brain with the insertion of an acupuncture needle or two, the brain can reset itself, allowing the body to return to a state of homeostasis. This treatment may need to be repeated several times, to retrain the brain permanently.

In cases of chronic degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis in joints, acupuncture is useful to manage the pain and slow down the degenerative process. It decreases sensitivity, moderates inflammation, and calms the nervous system. Treatment intervals vary greatly in these cases, depending on the person and the severity of their condition.

Bodywork is particularly useful for chronic pain conditions involving tight muscles and fascia. Bodywork helps to increase circulation and flush out contracted tissues. If pain is caused by active trigger points, bodywork is very effective. The March/April 2012 Red Clover Clinic newsletter discussed treating myofascial pain (pain in the muscles and connective tissues). 

Finally, herbal medicines help heal pain in particular structures in the body, such as the joints, the spine, the nerves, and spastic muscles. Other herbs work to increase circulation and decrease inflammation. 

If you have concerns with chronic pain, contact me at Red Clover Clinic.

Spring allergies: a personal case history

I thought you might enjoy a spring allergy story–mine. Herbs came to the rescue, though I had to try a few to get full relief. These may or may not work for you; everyone’s case is different and ought to be assessed.

A few weeks ago, my throat started to feel sore, and I felt congested. It didn’t really feel like a cold, and I’m not accustomed to allergy symptoms. The symptoms just hung around for a few days and I was getting more and more irritated by them. Then, they got worse. 

I woke up one morning and my throat was sore and itchy, I had post-nasal drip, and I sounded very congested. When I got to work, the first herb I though of was burdock, my favorite herb to treat allergies. I took 6 drops of tincture under my tongue and waited a few minutes. It felt like my symptoms were calming down a bit. So, I took another 6 drops. My sinuses cleared out a lot, but I still sounded congested. I decided I was on the right track, and continued taking the burdock tincture throughout the day, every hour or so. 

By the next morning I felt a lot better. While driving to work, however, my eyes started running like a faucet. My nose joined in. I knew I better act fast. I went back to my herb kit and tried a couple of different things… nothing worked. Then I thought of nettles, which is very astringent/drying and commonly used to treat allergy symptoms. I took 6 drops and felt an improvement within a couple of minutes. I took another dose, and my eyes cleared completely. Throughout the day I continued to take both burdock and nettles, whenever I started to feel symptoms. During the 3 following days, I took approximately 3 doses per day. And now I’m down to 1 to 2 doses per day. 

Whatever the allergen was, it is either barely affecting me, or it got washed away in the rain. Either way, I’m thankful for my green friends. Today, on my walk, I took photos of these powerful plants to share with you.

Burdock

Nettles

Pain in the muscles and connective tissues

At some point we have all experienced pain in the muscles and their surrounding connective tissues, known as myofascial pain. Some people experience this kind of pain, whether widespread or localized, at all times.

Regardless of level of severity, it is important to address myofasical pain and whatever is causing it, whether to prevent the pain from becoming more chronic or to prevent structural changes that may occur due to chronically tightened and shortened muscles. In most cases, these conditions respond well to a combination of acupuncture and bodywork. Let’s look at the various conditions and how Red Clover Clinic addresses them.

Fibromyalgia

Chronic, widespread myofascial pain is often diagnosed as fibromyalgia, a term that has gradually seeped into everyday usage over the past 20 years and become a well-recognized condition. It is estimated that 2 to 4 percent of the population suffers from fibromyalgia. In addition to chronic myofascial pain, symptoms include sleep disturbances, mood disorders, and fatigue. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it is definitely triggered and exacerbated by emotional and physical stress.

With fibromyalgia, the body has become hypersensitive to stimulus, which is registered by the brain as pain. Acupuncture can often interrupt this pain circuit, thereby reducing the client’s level of pain. Acupuncture is also a great way to reduce overall stress, by switching the nervous system from “fight-or-flight” (sympathetic) status to one of rest, relaxation, and digestion (parasympathetic) mode.

Bodywork is also useful in treating fibromyalgia, but it is crucially important to work within the limits of the client’s pain tolerance. Interestingly, pain tolerance increases when the body is in a parasympathetic state. Deep tissue work is therefore typically not recommended; gentle myofascial release is preferred.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome and localized pain

With myofascial pain syndrome the pain is less widespread than it typically is in fibromyalgia. It is typical for a person with this condition to feel some level of localized pain at all times, as well as decreased range of motion and sleep and mood disturbances.

Myofascial pain syndrome pain tends to be referred pain caused by trigger points. As we learned in the January/February 2012 Newsletter a trigger point is a specific, tender point in the myofascial tissue that, when stimulated, elicits referred pain, that is, pain that occurs at a distance from the specific tender point.

We know that trigger point locations and pain patterns are consistent from person to person and that they become activated by lack of blood flow in the local area. This lack of blood flow could be caused by either metabolic reasons (nutrient deficiencies, for example) or physical stress (posture issues, repetitive use injuries).

For myofascial pain syndrome and localized myofascial pain, the primary focus is to treat active trigger points, and release the fascia where it is restricting proper function and causing pain. Acupuncture can be used as described above, with the addition of needling the active trigger points directly. This will often help to restore circulation in the local area and reset the muscle.

Bodywork is a very important part of treating this kind of pain. A combination of neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release, and positional release therapy work wonders to release the chronically tightened tissue, reduce pain, and restore proper function to the muscles. See the previous issue for definitions of these techniques.

Red Clover Clinic offers “Mix and Match” sessions which allow enough time to treat chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia and myofacial pain syndrome, that require a combination of acupuncture and bodywork.

A testimonial

Anita provides a unique combination of therapeutic techniques that have been instrumental in decreasing both my direct as well as related symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome. Through careful interviewing at the start of each session, she is able to determine where the needs of the day reside within the whole treatment plan, which she has carefully developed over several weeks, beginning with an in-depth 90 minute intake interview/consultation.

Given the fact that myofascial pain is often exacerbated by stress and can be accompanied by migraines and sleep difficulties, Anita frequently varies treatments to address these concerns. Various modalities that have been very beneficial for me have been primarily a combination of acupuncture and massage, but also some cupping, electrical stimulation, and oriental medicine (herbs).

My greatest reasons for trust in Anita as a healer comes not only from her extensive and solid experience and competence, but from her warm and caring demeanor that leads the patient to feel that they are always welcome and never a burden. This is truly the measure of a great practitioner. –A.S.

Herbs influence our emotions

When analyzing pharmaceutical medications, we generally discuss their therapeutic actions, chemical properties, and possible side effects. Many people approach medicinal herbs in the same manner. I think this is shortsighted, however, because plants interact with and nourish us on many levels–nutritional, medicinal, cultural, emotional, and psycho-spiritual.

I recently discovered a charming 20-year-old book called Herbal Therapy for Women, by Elisabeth Brooke (Thorsons, 1992). Brooke discusses the emotional as well as the physical uses of each plant. Some of her ideas were very familiar to me and some were new. 

Here are a few highlights of Brooke’s emotional uses of a three local plants, accompanied by photos that I took last summer.  

Linden Blossom

“A remedy for those who need more love in their lives, who find it hard to receive love, to express love. Such people may have been damaged as children, suffered cruelty at the hands of others; perhaps they have had traumatic experiences in relationships or been abused. They hid their vulnerability behind a mask of coldness and indifference, but they are highly sensitive. [Linden blossom] is for those who are givers, but find it hard to receive; for those who seem cut off from warmth, who are distant, who are difficult to reach. It softens, warms and helps build trust and a willingness to open up to others.”

St. John’s Wort

“St. John’s Wort is used for [those] who have lost their direction in life, who need to contact their inner selves, who want to reorientate. It is especially useful for strong, capable people, who for various reasons have lost sight of themselves and need help to find their road again.” 

Yarrow

“Yarrow is [a] warrior herb. For the fighters, who are defenders of the weak, the needy, the helpless, who want to fight institutions, patriarchal structures, injustice wherever it occurs. It is also for those fighting internal battles against addictions, mental illness, depression and fear. Yarrow strengthens and solidifies, and gives courage and energy to continue struggling.”

Healing after a whiplash injury

Every day, on average, 85 Minnesotans are injured in car accidents. And the most common injury that results from car accidents is whiplash.

If you or anyone you know is suffering from a recent or long-ago whiplash injury, I encourage you to not give up. Healing is possible, through a combination of acupuncture, bodywork, and herbs.

It is important to seek treatment as soon as possible and to be consistent, as the greatest degree of improvement happens in the first six months after injury–not to mention, this is when motor vehicle accident insurance funds are available.

Let’s look at the nature of a whiplash injury, and what I can do to help you heal.

Nature of the injury

During a whiplash injury, also known as an acceleration-deceleration injury, the soft tissues of the neck become inflamed and bruised. There may also be structural damage such as muscle tears, ruptured ligaments, disc herniations, fractures and dislocations.

Symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, pain between the shoulder blades, low back pain, headache, numbness and tingling in the arms and hands, and vertigo. Often the symptoms don’t appear until 48 to 72 hours after the accident. Many people will recover within a few weeks, but others may be left with recurring symptoms.

In Chinese medicine we also recognize the deeper physiological and emotional effects of physical trauma. All trauma causes an emotional shock to the heart, which has an impact on heart function, thereby decreasing circulation. Decreased circulation can have detrimental long-term effects on the body. It is therefore also important to resolve the emotional shock.

An informative Canadian study showed that acupuncture stimulated emotional releases in whiplash patients, which promoted further and more complete recovery.

Treatment through acupuncture, bodywork, herbs

In my experience, each whiplash injury is unique. There are certainly common symptoms, but the treatment approach varies from person to person, depending on specific symptoms and how recent or old the injury is. Recent injuries respond more quickly to treatment, but regardless of when treatment begins, it must be consistent for a period of time. Chronic cases may take more time, but healing is definitely possible.

In all cases, I prefer to use a combination of acupuncture and bodywork to directly address the injured tissues. And, I like to use herbs to calm the spasm and pain and address the circulation, in order to protect the heart function.

Acupuncture manages and remedies pain of all types, releases muscle tension, and balances the nervous system. Bodywork soothes and improves circulation in inflamed tissues and breaks up adhesions in fibrotic tissues. Positional release therapy and trigger point therapy in particular can be useful to release and reset hypertonic muscles. Myofascial release addresses connective tissue restrictions. And craniosacral therapy is useful in all cases, but most specifically in cases of tension and migraine headaches.

These are the treatment modalities that I use to treat whiplash injuries, but I always support an integrative approach, and often refer to other practitioners, including neurologists and orthopedists for diagnostics and imaging, and chiropractors and physical therapists for further treatment and rehab.

For your convenience, Red Clover Clinic accepts personal injury insurance for those who have suffered a motor vehicle accident.

Whiplash Testimonial

Anita’s exceptional grasp of anatomy and muscle movement, combined with years of clinical experience, enabled true healing work to emerge. After my car accident, I was in significant discomfort. Her unique approach of healing, which integrates bodywork, acupuncture and herbs, carried me through the most painful moments of my recovery and eventually guided me to a functional and vibrant place. I am so grateful to have had her as my primary care practitioner throughout this experience. She is the most thorough, well-trained and practical healer I have worked with. – J.C.

An ounce of prevention

It’s that time of year, when everyone is worried about catching a cold or flu, or, as we say in Chinese medicine, being attacked by wind. There are many things you can do to boost your immune system and keep yourself and your family healthy. 

 First and foremost, it is important to eat a clean and healthy diet. Avoid processed foods and simple sugars, including white sugar, high fructose corn syrup and processed grains. Secondly, manage your stress, get moderate exercise, and enough sleep. In addition to these year-round health guidelines, you can turn to a few plant-based medicinals, which are all available at Red Clover Clinic, to give you an extra ounce of prevention.

Elderberries

Throughout history, many cultures have revered the elder plant for its protection from evil spirits. In herbalism we use it to protect from wind evils, i.e. colds and flu. Studies have shown that elder has compounds that are active against flu viruses, not to mention that it prevents the viruses from invading the respiratory tract cells. Furthermore, it gives the immune system a boost. If you have already come down with a viral infection, elder can help you to recover more quickly as well. Elderberries offer a delicious way to keep you healthy…even children love this medicine!

Resistance–Yu Ping Feng San, modified

Resistance, a Blue Dragon formula, is an enhanced version of the traditional Chinese formula Yu Ping Feng San, also known as Jade Screen. This formula is used to build up the body’s resistance to viral and bacterial infections, i.e. colds and flu. In fact, Yu Ping Feng San was the basic formula recommended by Chinese health authorities for the prevention of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), several years ago. This formula has been shown in many clinical trials to significantly reduce the frequency of the common cold and bacterial infections in the respiratory tract in people who suffer from chronic bronchitis and in children who are susceptible to colds and flu.

Naiouli Melablend

This blended essential oil is designed to support the health of the respiratory tract. When inhaled, it has an anti-microbial and anti-fungal effect, cleansing the tissues as it makes its way through the sinuses and into the lungs. Either diffusing the oil into the air or inhaling it from a tiny inhaler, offers protection from colds and flu, especially when someone in your home or your work environment is sick.

Tools for combatting headaches

Headaches come in many forms, all of them distressing. I commonly see people in the clinic who suffer from tension headaches, sinus headaches, cervicogenic (stemming from the neck) headaches, migraines, or various combinations of these. 

Fortunately, there are a number of methods to combat headaches. Acupuncture, herbal therapy, and bodywork (particularly trigger point therapy and positional release therapy) can reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches and, in some cases, get rid of them entirely. 

Each personʼs headache is unique and thus requires a unique combination of treatment methods. 

To create an appropriate treatment plan, we must first determine the cause of the headaches, whether muscle tension in the neck and upper back, hormonal fluctuation, emotional stress, or hypersensitivity to various triggers, such as light, strong smells, chemicals, or certain foods. Second, we need to determine the Chinese medicine pattern, based on pulse and tongue diagnosis. Pattern differentiation is particularly important in order to create an appropriate herbal formula, as well as for the proper selection of acupuncture points.

Acupuncture treatment can be used to prevent headaches long-term as well as treat an acute headache. Chronic and severe headaches may require a period of regular treatments in order to regulate the system, release patterns of tension, and manage stress. 

To alleviate discomfort of an acute headache, treatment first involves a general treatment to reduce the intensity of the headache, followed by chasing the pain, one needle or trigger point at a time, until it is gone. 

What about medication and headaches? Can acupuncture provide an alternative? Most headache sufferers are accustomed to taking medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, antihistamines, corticosteroids, opioids, and triptans. We are certainly lucky to have these options, but continued and frequent use can lead to rebound headaches, which often occur daily. 

Acupuncture, bodywork, and herbal treatments are great tools to manage headaches while patients decrease their medication and are going through withdrawal. Magnesium is another tool that can be helpful to lessen muscle tension and reduce migraine headaches; my preference is magnesium glycinate. 

And we have one more tool–most of my headache clients are big fans of auricular semi-permanent (ASP) ear needles. These are semipermanent needles that are shaped like tiny darts. Once inserted in particular points in the ear, they are covered with a tiny piece of tape to keep them secured in place, and can be retained for several days. These little darts offer great relief between acupuncture treatments. To see a photo of ASP ear needles in action, click here.

For further reading: A systematic review of scientific studies concluded that acupuncture provides greater relief for headaches than either medication or a placebo. 

Wildcrafter’s corner: learn about our herbs

Burdock

Seen as a weed by most farmers, the burdock root, also known as gobo, is a treasured, healthy food in Japan. It is also one of the most-used herbs in my pharmacy to treat many conditions, including asthma, allergies, acne, eczema, and headaches.

Yellow Dock

This plant produces a beautiful, juicy, yellow root that is high in iron and, interestingly, treats both diarrhea and constipation.

Mullein

Every part of this plant–roots, leaves and flowers–is used in herbalism. I love to use the root, in particular, to treat various spinal issues.

Managing stress with acupuncture

You know what it feels like to be stressed out. Your nerves get jangled, and you can’t relax. You may experience muscle tightness and pain. You may develop a headache. Your heart may even feel like it is going to jump right out of your body.  The scary thing is that when you feel like this on a regular basis, it not only feels uncomfortable, but it also slowly erodes your health. 

Chronic stress causes a continuous stream of cortisol, a stress hormone produced in the adrenal glands, to be released into your bloodstream. Excess cortisol can interfere with mood-enhancing brain chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine, leading to depression and anxiety. It can also breakdown healthy tissues, including skin, bone and connective tissues. Excess cortisol suppresses the immune system, affects memory, raises blood pressure, and causes blood sugar imbalances. Furthermore, stressed out adrenal glands can’t attend to their other important hormone-regulating duties, thereby diminishing thyroid function and shutting down the reproductive system. Generally speaking, as you become more and more stressed, and your adrenal glands become exhausted, the following symptoms begin to appear: insomnia, fatigue, weight gain, depression, fuzzy thinking, etc.

So, what do you do to halt this cascade of events? You could choose to exercise, or maybe meditate.  And, deep breathing usually helps. But, if you feel like you just can’t break the cycle on your own, you should give acupuncture a try. 

If you think that being poked with a needle sounds like it would cause more stress, think again. Acupuncture needles are quite fine and usually don’t cause much more than the sensation of a mosquito bite. They do cause the body to release endorphins and other mood enhancing substances, such as those mentioned above. They do induce a deep parasympathetic relaxation. And, they do alter brain wave activity, signifying a deeply restorative, meditative state.  

At the time of the treatment, acupuncture almost instantly induces a relaxation response, reminding the body what it feels like to be relaxed. Many people feel the calming effects for several days. By getting regular acupuncture treatments, you build resilience to stress, and are better equipped to manage whatever life presents to you. 

In search of health

As this year comes to a close, I am filled with excitement and gratitude as I think of all the wonderful people who have walked through the doors at Red Clover Clinic. I have witnessed some profound shifts towards health during the past year…pain has decreased, anxiety has become manageable, depression has lifted, digestion has improved, and other complaints have faded away. The shift that has impressed me the most, and seems to be a common thread in all of my clients, is a new respect and understanding of how to nurture one’s body and one’s health.

In a world where searching for the cure seems to be the focus, holistic medicine teaches us that health is rarely about simply curing a particular ailment, but more about learning how to work with our bodies within the context of our lives and the world in which we live.  How do we nourish ourselves? How do we manage our stress? How do we use our bodies correctly to avoid pain? How do we best support our immune system? Certainly, there are treatments to take away pain and to help us recover from disease, however, if we haven’t learned how to respect and nurture our health through the recovery process, we will only stumble into sickness and discomfort again, and again.

Nurturing health and wellness is a life-long pursuit and learning process, and it requires patience, persistence and awareness. It requires us to make healthy choices, and to find help and support when we need it. I am grateful to all of you who have allowed me to be a part of your journey to discovering and maintaining your health. Thank you.