April 23, 2012 - Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture was mostly developed as an evidence-based medicine based on anecdotal reports (individual stories) spanning several thousand years. Recently there have been more and more controlled studies of acupuncture, confirming what we already knew: that acupuncture can be effective treatment for a wide variety of conditions.
In 1997, the FDA recognized acupuncture as effective treatment and reclassified acupuncture needles from experimental to standard medical devices.
Acupuncture is like watering the lawn.
Grass that becomes brown and dry due to lack of water or nutrients is like parts of our body that become painful or dysfunctional due to a lack of Qi (energy) and blood flow. Depending on how long the grass has been starved of essential nourishment, it may need several days or weeks of regular watering to come back. Acupuncture treatments work cumulatively to change the ecology of your body and supply you with the Qi and Blood necessary to overcome sickness and pain. Once the grass starts growing, many conditions can be cleared up at once, because everything is interconnected.
What Conditions does Acupuncture Treat?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes that Acupuncture and Oriental Meidicine can treat 43 common disorders, including:
Gastrointestinal Disorders such as food allergies, peptic ulcer, chronic diarrhea, gastrointestinal weakness, constipation, anorexia, and gastritis;
Urogenital Dosorders such as stress incontinence, urinary tract infections, and sexual dysfunction;
Gynecological Disorders including irregular, heavy or painful menstruation, infertility in women and men, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS);
Respiratory Disorders including emphysema, sinusitis, asthma, allergies, and bronchitis;
Disorders of the Bones, Muscles, Joints, and Nervous System including arthritis, migraine headaches, neuralgia, insomnia, dizziness and low back, neck and shoulder pain;
Circulatory Disorders including hypertension, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis and anemia;
Emotional and Psychological Disorders including depression and anxiety;
Addictions such as alcohol, nicotine, and drugs; and
Ear, Eye, Nose, and Throat Disorders Supportive Therapy for other chronic and painful debilitating disorders.
Note: Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine should be viewed as complementary to western orthodox medical treatment. If you are sick, please see your primary care physician.
March 21, 2012 - Give your immune system a boost - come in soon for your Spring tune-up!
Did you see the hundreds of wildflowers sprouting in front of Brattleboro Acupuncture? Spring is here early. Crocuses, daffodils, and snowdrops are flowering, turning the yard into a green carpet polka dotted with purple, yellow, white, and golden stars. Soon the astragalus, calendula, spilanthes, and other medicinal herbs will be planted in the garden out back. Yesterday I foraged a basketful of yellow coltsfoot flowers - one of the best herbs to stop coughing.
Upcoming Events
April 3rd, 2012, Holistic Open House: Meet a wide variety of holistic practitioners from the Claremont area, including Bodyfit Therapies, Dionne Chiropractic, Sheri Roberts (Reiki Practitioner), Michelle M. Connair (Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), Reaching Roots Yoga, Twisted Fitness, and Pawsitive Remedy (a holistic animal massage therapist). Time: Wednesday April 3, 5pm to 7pm Location: Dunning Street, Claremont, NH.
May 5-6, 2012 The Three Mothers- Voices of the Sacred Feminine: A workshop that offers Sacred Sound Practices for Our Evolved Being (Bring your Voice!). Location: Chester, VT. For more information, contact Zacciah Blackburn, PhD, or visit www.TheCenterOfLight.net
Summer/Fall 2012, Kunye Massage Student Clinic: Receive a traditional One Hour Tibetan Kunye massage for $25, performed by students in the Shang Shung Institute Kunye Massage Program. All treatments supervised by Rgan Phuntsong Lak, Doctor of Tibetan Medicine. Specific dates and times TBA. Location: Pine St., Florence, MA. For more information please contact Michelle or Shang Shung Institute.
Kunye Massage
Michelle has spent the winter studying Tibetan Medicine and traditional Tibetan Kunye Massage, and is eager to incorporate these simple and effective techniques into her treatments, giving you an extra boost towards greater health and happiness. Kunye combines the application of herbs and oils with gentle massage techniques and pressure applied to specific points. It may also include lifestyle and nutritional advice for your specific constitution based on the Tibetan five elements, four seasons, and three humors.
Kunye is simple, gentle, and joyful to receive. It was first developed by the tantric yogis in the Himalayas as a method of bringing into alignment their subtle energetic pathways and chakras. It is an excellent way to reduce stress, maintain general health and well-being, and treat illnesses such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, cramping, pain and spasms, constipation, circulation disorders, vision disorders, and reproductive disorders. It is contraindicated for some conditions including chronic indigestion, diarrhea, bloating, skin inflammations, open wounds, and for those currently being treated with radiation or chemotherapy.
How it works- Kunye case study
A patient complains of insomnia, and after questioning, observation, and palpation of the pulse, the practitioner determines the cause to be a wind (rLung) imbalance. Treatment includes a Kunye oil scalp massage, along with suggestions to avoid of bitter, spicy, and astringent foods, and cold, windy places. The following formula is suggested: Melt 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter) on the stove. Add 3 tablespoons grain alcohol or red wine (the older the better) and 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup (darker types like Grade A are preferable). Drink warm every night 30 minutes before going to bed. NOTE: This formula will not help insomnia due to other conditions such as heat or phlegm.
January 25, 2012 Is the oldest treatment really the best?
Acupuncture is becoming a common word in the mainstream media. It is an effective treatment for migraines, arthritis, and back pain, CBS News reports in a short video HERE.
"If its safe and it works, mind over matter is a good thing"
One of the largest observational studies in the history of medical research was completed in Germany regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture for conditions such as Migraines, Back Pain, and Arthritis of the Knee. Overall, results were promising, with 54% of patients scoring "moderate improvement" and 21.8% scoring "vast improvement" by their physicians. Based on this evidence and many other studies, German insurance companies will now provide coverage for acupuncture treatment for low back pain, osteoarthritis, and possibly headaches. We can only hope that the American health care establishment will follow in their footsteps, so that in the future, complementary medicines will be available to everybody who wants or needs this care.
January 23, 2012 Happy Chinese New Year 2012!
Today marks the first day of the Year of the Dragon. Compared to last year's Year of the Rabbit, 2012 is predicted to be more lucky, fast-paced, and spectacular. The Dragon constellation in Chinese Astrology is the guardian of the eastern sky, bringing in the Four Blessings of the East: Virtue, Wealth, Harmony, and Longetivity. The Dragon holds the Wood element energy of potential, growth, creativity, excitement, and destruction. It is a great year to start new projects and pursue business ventures, especially in the Spring, the season associated with the Dragon.
The dragon is firey and moves fast, so be prepared for constant shifts and unexpected changes to your plans. Luckily, 2012 is also a Water year, the peaceful wisdom of water nourishes the Dragon's ambition and unpredictability, providing us with the perfect opportunities to realize ambitious dreams! How will you fly with the Water Dragon in 2012?
"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” -Lao Tzu
January 3, 2012 Can Emotions Cause Illness?
According to Oriental Medicine theory, emotions are often a contributing factor to disease. Below is an excerpt from an essay written by a highly regarded doctor, Subhuti Dharmananda, Director of the Institute of Traditional Medicine (ITM). On a side note, ITM is the source of the Seven Forest and Pine Mountain brand herbal pills that I frequently prescribe in my practice, with great results.
Disease Prevention and Restoring Harmony: Control the Emotions by Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D.
Most people recognize that emotional distress can contribute to disease. The emotions, or their immediate secondary effects--such as digestive stress and disturbed sleep--may weaken the body and make one susceptible to infection. The emotions may also trigger flare-ups of chronic diseases; many patients with autoimmune disease mention that this occurs after an emotionally stressful time. But, the question is, how to regulate the emotions so that resistance to disease remains strong?
The Canon of Medicine (Nei Jing) advises, in summing the experiences of centenarians in remote times: 'Do not be weighed down by perplexing thoughts; strive to be calm and optimistic; be complacent [calm in the face of situations that can cause anger]; keep sound in body and mind. This way, one can live to the age of 100.'
The Canon of Medicine recognizes that emotional and psychological factors are important causes for illness. It indicates that excessive emotion impairs the internal organs of the human body. 'Anger hurts the liver, joy hurts the heart, brooding hurts the spleen, and melancholy hurts the lungs.' Hence, it proposes regulating the emotions by 'keeping the heart calm and cheerful and the mind free of worries.' 'Where can disease come from when the emotional state maintains inner composure?'
Shi Tianji, a scholar on the art of healthy living in the Ming Dynasty in China, proposed 'Six Always' for maintaining a calm and cheerful state of mind:
1. Always be peaceful in mind. 'If one has few desires, his mind will naturally be peaceful. Just look at secluded hills and remote valleys! Most people there enjoy long life spans because they have few desires and always remain peaceful in mind.'
2. Always be kind-hearted. 'When others are evil, I remain upright; when others are vicious, I remain kind-hearted; when others stir up troubles, I strive to alleviate troubles; when others harm people, I serve people. If I act in this way, I shall have a clear conscience and naturally feel calm and tranquil in mind.'
3. Always uphold justice. If one maintains his awareness, upholds integrity, and remains clear-headed and sharp-eyed, he will naturally be free from worries and troubles. 'When the sun shines in the sky, obscurity is naturally cleared away. When one grasps this miraculous concept, he will be cured of disease and attain longevity as well.'
4. Always be cheerful. As Bai Juyi says in a poem: 'Be cheerful, whether rich or poor; he who does not laugh can only be a fool.'
5. Always be pleasant. Be amiable, modest and prudent, broad-minded and magnanimous; do not be calculating and do not worry about trifles. To be amiable in dealing with others will bring happiness to both the others and oneself.
6. Always be contented. 'Just step back to think everything will naturally be all right.' Whenever there is adversity, compare it with a worse circumstance and one will feel calm and cheerful.