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How to Treat Coughs by TCM and Acupuncture

By xiaomei | Published April 10, 2020

By Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D. and Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D.

Coughing is the body’s mechanism for expelling from the lungs and windpipe anything that shouldn’t be there. A cough can be an indicator of many different types of illness. If you or someone in your home is coughing, you are probably worried that it might be a symptom of the coronavirus COVID-19. TCM and acupuncture practitioner  use a complex set of diagnostic methods to determine what is causing a cough.

lungs
Coughing is the body’s way of clearing the lungs.

Right now, the world is gripped with a dangerously fast-spreading and deadly viral pandemic. No country, no community, no individual can avoid being affected by the situation that is quickly unfolding. Medical professionals around the globe are working as hard as possible to save those most vulnerable to novel coronavirus COVID-19, also called SARS-CoV-2.

As doctors of TCM and acupuncture with over 30 years of clinical experience in complementary and integrative medicine, we want to help the many people who may be struggling at home, unable to get in-person medical care because they are not in the highest risk groups. As TCM practitioners, we not only provide service for those who are sick, but also provide more health care services.

As of this writing, over 466,000 cases have been confirmed in the U.S. alone. Every day, the numbers of those who have tested positive for coronavirus, those hospitalized, and those dying increases. 

We now know that COVID-19 presents differently in different people. Some people have contracted the virus yet feel no symptoms. Others experience only mild cold and flu-like symptoms. Yet others develop very severe respiratory problems, and some of these people are dying. Because the sickness is moving so quickly, hospitals do not have enough staff or equipment to treat any but the most desperately ill patients. Most people simply have to care for their symptoms at home. One of the most common symptoms amongst coronavirus patients worldwide is a dry, persistent cough.

 

What Causes Coughing?

Coughingdiagram of lungs is one of the human body’s ways of expelling foreign objects and pathogens. This could be anything from a bit of food you’ve accidentally swallowed, to a bit of dust, pollen, or other allergen that is irritating, or mucus created by the body in response to a viral or bacterial infection. Many conditions can cause a chronic cough, including:

  • Cold or flu (viral infection)
  • Bronchitis
  • Pertussis
  • Asthma
  • Allergies
  • Acid reflux/heartburn
  • Pneumonia
  • Post-nasal drip 
  • Sleep apnea
  • Lung cancer
  • Smoking or smoke exposure
  • Tuberculosis

A cough involves a series of reflexive actions. Sensory receptors in the throat, trachea and bronchial tubes send messages to the brain when they are irritated; then the brain signals the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles to contract. This creates a vacuum in the lungs, into which air rushes to equalize the pressure. Then the abdominal muscles contract, the glottis opens, and the lungs force the air up and out through the respiratory tubes and finally, the mouth.

There are many different types of cough: A dry, hacking cough, a wet, “productive” cough, a cough that is worse at night, etc. The particular nature of the cough can tell a healthcare practitioner a lot about what sort of illness a patient may be suffering.

TCM for All Kinds of Coughs

cupping
cupping can help pull congestion from the lungs

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a system of health care that draws from a variety of modalities, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, bodywork/massage, meditation and forms of movement such as Tai Qi and Qi Gong. This tradition goes back thousands of years, with written records regarding treatments of all kinds of illnesses through the centuries. 

In a classic Traditional Chinese medical textbook written in the 1700s, Weng Bing Tiao Bian, Master Physician Wu Jutong offered specifics about various differentiations of “warm, seasonal” illnesses and how to treat them. He documented “Wen Yi,” translated as “Heat Disease,” which corresponds to our current scientific understanding of coronaviruses. So, we look at COVID-19 as a specific kind of heat condition. The virus clearly affects different people in different ways. This makes sense, from the TCM point of view. TCM always takes into account each individual’s constitution as a critical part of effective diagnosis and treatment. Each patient’s own health condition determines how the coronavirus will affect him or her, and the treatment of symptoms must be specific to that person.

In TCM, we don’t conduct testing to find specific microbial organisms such as bacteria or viruses. We treat the condition of a cough, for example, by looking and listening carefully to the patient’s symptoms, sensations, appearance of the tongue and skin, pulse, and even smell.

In Chinese medicine, we acknowledge four major factors that cause illness.

  1. External factors – According to TCM, here are six types of pathogens that make people sick. Wind, cold, summer heat, dampness, dryness, and fire.
  2. Internal factors – mood, emotions, and stress can cause illness: sadness, madness,  over joyment, grief, worry, fear. Stress, anxiety, and depression can cause a lot of physical problems. 
  3. Injury – a harm done directly to an area can cause blood stasis. For example, a broken bone might force a person to lie in bed, then they might develop complications that lead to other diseases.
  4. Toxins – inhalation or accidental consumption of toxins, overdose of medication, drug use, whether cumulative over time or sudden, can cause sickness.

COVID-19 coronavirus patients, in many cases, develop a cough with heat. Fever is the other most common symptom of the virus. People who are most vulnerable to severe symptoms are those who already have internal heat or Yin deficiency conditions. In a person who already has a lot of excess dampness in the body (often typified by being overweight), the virus can spread more quickly and linger longer. Traditional Chinese Medicinal herbs have been shown to be very effective helping alleviate all kinds of coughs.

TCM and Acupuncture Differentiation of Coughs

cold windsAccording to TCM, coughs can be caused by external factors or internal factors.

Coughs due to External factor differentiations include:

  • Wind with cold – typically no fever but chills, heavy cough with white phlegm, stuffy nose, body ache, headache.
  • Wind with heat – loud, rasping cough, hoarseness, sore throat, hard to produce phlegm, sticky yellow mucus, thirsty, headache, mild chills.
  • Wind with dryness – dry, persistent cough, with a constant tickling sensation in the throat, thirst, little phlegm, hard to produce, headache.

Coughs due to Internal Factors include:

  • Phlegm and dampness – stagnant lung energy, chronic cough, very productive with relief after coughing up sticky mucus. Coughing more in the morning or after eating, no fever or chills.
  • Phlegm with heat – lung stagnation, phlegmy throat, sticky, hard to expel, chest pain, no fevers or chills.
  • Liver heat attacks the lungs – sore, dry, red throat, little phlegm, difficult to expel, thirsty, with a bitter taste in the mouth, worse with anger.
  • Yin deficiency in lungs – short coughs, little phlegm, maybe with a little blood, thirsty, dry, tends to be worse in afternoon or evening associated with warm hands and palms and soles, night sweats. This kind of cough can last a long time if not addressed correctly .

What Should I Do If I’m Coughing?

If you or someone in your household starts coughing, designate a room to keep them separate from everyone else. Bring them food and supplies, check temperature regularly. Call your healthcare provider and ask for advice. Due to the shortage of supplies for testing and treatment at medical facilities, most people, even with a cough and fever, must stay home and take care of themselves. Only those with the most severe inability to breathe should go to the hospital.

Home Remedies for Cough

  1. Gua Sha on inner arm
    Gua Sha therapeutic massage

    Take care to keep the throat moist at all times. We always recommend starting off the morning with body temperature lemon water. Drink lots of tea. Herb teas and green teas are preferable to black tea and coffee, which have high acidity.

  2. Dissolve 1 gm of salt into 100 gm of clean water and gargle with this solution.
  3. Gua Sha technique is a type of therapeutic massage. Use sesame oil, ideally, which is cooling and detoxifying, but olive or other types of vegetable oil will work. The person with the cough should lie on her stomach. With a smooth spoon, scrape down along the side of the spine, about two inches from the bony center, from the base of the neck all the way down to Sacrum area . Drag downwards on both sides, repeating until you see the skin become reddish or even purple. Do not scratch the skin. Then concentrate on the base of the neck; beneath where the C7 bone sticks out, scrape the area until it is red. If you live alone, Gua sha can be performed on the arms on both sides, palm facing up, from elbow down to wrist on thumb side, more at elbow area, until it looks like hive red color. Download video of Gua Sha technique.
  4. Ba Duan Jin – a series of breathing exercises, sometimes called the eight tapestries or silk brocades – is a very traditional practice in China. The earliest recording of these exercises dates back to the 12th century. Each exercise stimulates a particular meridian. Qi Gong exercise for the Lung system: Stand comfortably with legs parallel, shoulder width apart, arms at the sides. Breathe deeply into the abdomen, filling the lungs. Extend the arms side of body, upward with the inhalation. Mentally focus on collecting Qi (life force energy) from the sky/heavens. Exhale through the mouth, making a hissing sound: “Ssssssss.” This enhances lung function. Lower the arms and place them, palm-over-palm, on the lower belly/groin area (lower dantian) while exhaling. Men, touch the left hand to your groin with the right hand on top. Women, right hand on the tummy, with the left hand on top.
  5. Eat light, nutritious foods. Avoid fried foods and dairy. Emphasize fish and chicken for protein. Avoid spicy foods, coffee and alcohol–anything that adds more heat or dehydrates the body.
  6. Tangerine skin tea
    Tangerine skin tea

    Make tangerine skin tea: soak tangerines in salty water to clean it. Carefully remove the top of the tangerine, poke a few holes in the flesh of the fruit with a fork, sprinkle on a bit of salt, and replace the top. Place these tangerines into a bowl to collect juice. Steam the whole tangerines for 40 minutes, then eat the flesh. Then add more distilled water to the bowl, drink the steaming liquid as a tea.

 

*This article is for education from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine only. The education provided by this article is not approved by FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure human diseases. It should not stop you from consulting with your physician for your medical conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Qi, which is an invisible force that usually cannot be observed by modern science. Because science focuses on testing ideas about the natural world with evidence obtained through observation, these aspects of acupuncture can’t be studied by science. Therefore acupuncture and Chinese herbs are often not supported by double-blind, randomized trials, and they are considered alternative medicine therapies in the United States.

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How to Treat Menopause Symptoms With Acupuncture and TCM

By xiaomei | Published March 27, 2020

By Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D.

Menopause can be a smooth transition
A smooth transition into menopause is possible.

Menopause is a natural, transformative process that is experienced by half of the population of the world. Like any life process that involves change, it can be accompanied by intense discomfort. Menopause symptoms affect women in middle age physically, emotionally, and mentally. TCM and acupuncture treatment are ideally suited to bring balance and allow women to navigate this time with greater ease and menopause symptom relief. Several studies have shown that the three most commonly prescribed forms of Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) or Hormone Replacement all increase the risk of breast cancer, and the risks increase the longer these therapies are used. Acupuncture and TCM treat menopausal hot flashes effectively without any side effects.

Signs of Menopause Symptoms: Hot Flashes, Night Sweats and More

Menopause is technically defined as when a woman has not had a period for a full twelve months. The period of time during which a woman begins experiencing symptoms related to menopause is actually the pre-menopausal or “perimenopausal” state. This phase can unfold over the course of a few months or up to several years; the average amount of time is about four years. Most women begin experiencing perimenopause in their 40s, although some women begin feeling different and having irregular periods as early as their 30s, and other women don’t feel changes until their 50s. 

Perimenopausal symptoms and signs can include:

  1. Irregular menstrual periods
  2. Hot flashes, hot flushes, night sweats
  3. Difficulty sleeping, sleep apnea, snoring
  4. Vaginal dryness
  5. Low libido
  6. Urinary incontinence
  7. Loss of bone density
  8. Higher “bad” cholesterol and lower “good” cholesterol
  9. Anxiety, irritability, depression, PMS or PMDD
  10. Headaches
  11. Weight gain
  12. Itchy skin, pruritus

About 80% of women will experience hot flashes at some point during their perimenopausal phase. These sudden hot flushes are caused by lower estrogen levels, which can confuse the brain’s typical regulation of internal temperature. These episodes can feel really disconcerting and disruptive. 

Acupuncture for Menopause Treatment and Menopause Supplements

meditation
Finding balance to relieve anxiety and irritability.

Studies have shown that acupuncture treatments can reduce the frequency of hot flashes. As few as three treatments produced significant positive results, while a full course of treatment (at least eight sessions) provided relief for many women for up to six months. In addition to relieving hot flashes, acupuncture also improves quality of life in many other ways: reducing headaches and other body aches, alleviating anxiety and depression, and improving sleep. TCM also offers customized herbal formulae that support the body’s hormone balance and help with menopause symptom relief.  In many ways, the effects of perimenopause and menopause are not quantifiable, as some are more emotional in nature. This change occurs not just in the body, but in the mind. At this time, a woman is seeing herself differently, reevaluating her own sense of identity and purpose, and in some cases, shifting her focus and energies in life.

Acupuncture for PMS Symptoms and Menopause

Physically, a woman goes through many significant changes over the years, and different factors come into play. If a woman’s body is out of balance — due to trauma, stress, illness, injury, diet, environment, etc.–she may experience difficulties with her female organ function. Painful periods, irregular periods, cysts, fibroids and endometriosis are all common conditions — but they do not happen without some imbalances causing them. A lifetime of choices, experiences, pains and pleasures add up to create the health status we live with now, in this moment.

Women’s health issues can be addressed, at any stage of life, with acupuncture and herbs, as well as the right kind of food and lifestyle choices. If a woman finds and partners with a good healthcare practitioner, and practices a lifestyle that helps her achieve optimal health, she does not have to suffer through years of PMS, unpleasant symptoms during pregnancy like morning sickness, nor through years of menopausal symptoms, either. Unfortunately, many women do not know there is an alternative to using pain relief medicines, oral contraceptives and hormone replacement to manage symptoms. These drugs do not offer a real solution to the problems; they mask them. As women, we are often expected to simply accept these problems and learn to cope. But why settle for that, when we have the means to correct them?

What is a Natural Remedy for Hot Flashes? Acupuncture and Menopause Supplements

TCM looks at female care as “ovarian care.” Besides paying attention to our liver, heart, lungs, and kidneys, we also focus on menstrual and premenstrual care, pregnancy and postpartum care, and menopause care. These are unique to women. The ovaries are the major players when it comes to female hormones, cycles, and reproductive health. Girls, young women and older women can all benefit from regular treatment, herbal supplementation, and lifestyle improvements to encourage healthy and smooth functioning of these processes. If, as a younger woman, you are able to manage your hormones, then, when menopause comes, it hopefully will not be too much of a problem. If you are already experiencing menopause symptoms, it is not too late to get Yin and Yang balance restored, so that you can enjoy this phase of life and many healthy years to come! 

According to TCM, most menopausal disorders fall under kidney and/or liver Yin deficiency. This manifests in hot flashes, waking often at night around 3:00-4:00 a.m., dreamy light sleep, irritability, memory loss, dry eyes, mood swings, and irregular periods. A smaller percentage of symptoms fall under kidney Yang deficiency; low back soreness, incontinence, water retention, fatigue, indigestion, and weight gain. We use very specific acupuncture points to help with each of these different problems, and are able to treat each woman’s unique combination of issues. We also have our unique techniques (needling and massage) and herbal products to help skin stay firm and smooth.

8 Self-Care Best Practices for Menopause

goji berries
Eat goji berries and other superfoods

Acupuncture and herbal modalities have been taking care of these women’s health issues for thousands of years.  Besides seeking these professional services, there are many things you can do at home to facilitate a smooth transition:

  1. For Yin deficiency, stick with cooling and juicy foods like fresh veggies, fruit, yams, sweet rice, mung beans, lotus roots or seeds. Stay away from alcohol, coffee, and spicy foods which increase internal fire or heat. Snacking on Goji berries is recommended, drinking chrysanthemum tea, chamomile tea or Art of Wellness’s own Night Tea can help you rest and sleep better.
  2. For Yang deficiency, drink warm lemon water upon rising, eat more cooked and warm food, nuts, especially walnuts and pecans, stay away from dairy, icy foods and drinks and greasy, heavy meals. 20-30 minute hot foot spa before bedtime is recommended. Rub the low back along the midline of the spine and on both sides until very warm.
  3. For saggy or loose skin, facial rejuvenation acupuncture needling will help stimulate collagen production and improve facial circulation.
  4. Speed-walk 30-45 minutes per day.
  5. Rub hands to warm them, then rub the soles of each foot 100 times. Practice daily.
  6. Meditate 20 minutes daily, in the morning or ideally, at bedtime.
  7. Suggested Menopause Meditation: focus on the lower abdominal area (Dan Tian), until it feels warm. Then, move the warm sensation into your kidney area.
  8. Try this Lotus smoothie recipe. Good for anyone, but especially for women experiencing menopausal symptoms: ½ cup lotus seed, ½ lily bulbs, 1 tablespoon mung beans, 1 tablespoon sweet rice, 10 pieces of honey dates. Rinse all ingredients but dates. Add 6 cups of water, cook for 20 minutes. Blend. Garnish with a few goji berries. Make 4 servings. Serve warm for breakfast, or cold for an afternoon snack. Feel free to add fruit, such as banana, berries, apple, pear, etc.

If you or a woman you care about is experiencing menopause symptoms, look for acupuncture near me, and call Art of Wellness, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, CA. Our clinic is one of the top 19 pick among 825 similar clinics in the great Los Angeles area. Our doctors have over 30-years experiences of practicing TCM and acupuncture. Dr. Cai is a specialist in all women’s health issues.

 

*This article is for education from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine only. The education provided by this article is not approved by FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure human diseases. It should not stop you from consulting with your physician for your medical conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Qi, which is an invisible force that usually cannot be observed by modern science. Because science focuses on testing ideas about the natural world with evidence obtained through observation, these aspects of acupuncture can’t be studied by science. Therefore acupuncture and Chinese herbs are often not supported by double-blind, randomized trials, and they are considered alternative medicine therapies in the United States.

 

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How to Treat Stress with TCM and Acupuncture

By xiaomei | Published March 13, 2020

by Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D.

 

Nowadays, we hear pretty constantly that everyone is “under a lot of stress.” But what is stress?

Stress affects our physical and mental health
Stress affects our physical and mental health

Stress is a natural reaction in the body to any difficulties or changes that we face in life. Stress affects health at every level: physically, mentally, and emotionally. Stress can bring a lot of negative effects to your health and your career. TCM and acupuncture offer a unique treatment to stress management without any of the side effects that anti-depression drugs cause. Acupuncture treatment often brings people immediate stress relief, as they leave the clinic feeling calm, relaxed, sometime even euphoric. But TCM and acupuncture can also provide meaningful reduction in the toxic effects of long-term stress over time.

In this article we will discuss stressors, stress symptoms, and how to combat the negative effects of stress on your body, mind and spirit.

What Are Stress Symptoms?

“But he was so young!” “But there wasn’t anything wrong with her!” Have you heard of someone you know–maybe a friend or a relative, maybe someone famous you admire–dying, suddenly? It’s hard to take it in; we don’t want to believe that these things can happen, especially when someone is only middle aged. It forces us to look at our own lives. Are we taking the time to take care of ourselves? Or are we rushing around from one crisis to another, always stressed out?

Stress is the body’s natural reaction to any difficulties that appear in our lives, physically or emotionally. It’s a normal response to adverse conditions. It’s actually healthy to experience some low-degree, short-term stress occasionally, because this lets the body practice protecting itself. Unfortunately, our modern lifestyle creates a lot of stressful situations for us to endure, and most people are not taught or encouraged to release the effects of stress from their bodies and minds. When stress builds up, it can lead to health problems. It may be that when you go to an M.D. who orders tests, nothing shows up in a scan or a blood test. But that does not mean you don’t have a serious problem.

Chronic stress can cause a variety of symptoms and illnesses and affect overall health and well-being. Many diseases, including cancer, can be linked to stress. Job changes, the illness or death of a family member, relationship issues, financial or business difficulties, caring for and educating children – we all face these stressors at one time or another. For some people, the problems begin in childhood. If a child experiences trauma–parents fighting, or bullying at school, for example–that kind of severe stress can develop into permanent health problems as he or she grows up.

What Does Stress Do to Your Body?

Stress can affect all systems in the body. It starts with the central nervous system and the endocrine system. When something unusual happens, the brain gets a signal: something needs to be done! The brain sends out a message, alerting the body to start producing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline increases the heart rate, elevates the blood pressure and boosts energy supplies. Cortisone increases sugar in the bloodstream, enhances the brain’s use of glucose and increases the body’s ability to repair tissues.

The body’s initial reaction to stress is to protect itself. But if you are under this kind of stress constantly–think about it–your body will keep producing adrenaline, causing the heart to beat constantly at a high rate and keep the blood pressure high. Eventually, the body will become exhausted, leading to chronic fatigue, hypertension, diabetes, risk of stroke and heart attack. The lungs become vulnerable, which can trigger asthma, and allergic reactions such as eczema or hives rash. When the cortisone level is high, it causes a constant immune response. Eventually, the immune system becomes imbalanced. 

When stressful periods are prolonged, the body can lose the ability to shut off the alert that says something is wrong: what we call the “fight or flight” response. Say you send a soldier to a war zone. The soldier’s job is to shoot the enemy. When the enemy approaches, the soldier starts to shoot. But if the soldier is there fighting for days, weeks, years, and his job is to keep shooting, at some point he stops recognizing who is an enemy or who is an ally. He will shoot anybody. Likewise, the body loses the ability to recognize what is good and what is not good. Stressful life events are often a main factor in the onset of an autoimmune condition, like ALS, MS, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis. When a person has experienced shocking, perhaps life-threatening, events such as being attacked or surviving in a war zone, he or she may exhibit PTSD symptoms, depression, or panic attacks.

When a person is under chronic stress, the liver has to work much harder. We rely on the liver to clean the blood, but if it gets tired out, it can’t do its job. So toxins don’t always come from outside the body; they can come from stress, when the body becomes more acidic and toxic, increasing inflammation and risk of cancer. Liver Qi problems are a major factor in women’s health problems, including PMS and PMDD.

When we’re upset, the appetite changes, causing us to eat too much or too little, affecting our nutrition. Many digestive problems are related to long term stress: heartburn and reflux, ulcers, cramping, nausea, vomiting, obesity, constipation, bloat, IBS, diarrhea. Sometimes stress shows itself externally, on the surface of the skin, as with eczema or psoriasis.

Stress causes the muscles to become tight and makes the nerves more sensitive. This causes more pain and inflammation.

The reproductive system and the sex drive are, naturally, affected by hormone imbalances. For women, this can cause PMS, fertility issues related to ovarian function, blocked tubes, or unstable uterine lining, and more severe menopausal symptoms. For men, long term stress can cause the testosterone level to drop, the prostate and the urethra to become inflamed and prone to infection. With all of this, it is no wonder that libido and sexual function (erectile dysfunction) take a dive, too.

Stress Management by TCM and Acupuncture

TCM is based on the philosophy that the body, mind, and spirit are inextricably linked. It is only in recent years that Western science has begun to acknowledge the

Acupuncture
Acupuncture

connection between the emotions and our physical health. In TCM, we always look at the whole person. If the emotions are out of balance, the body’s functions will be, too. Keep in mind that without a spirit, the body is nothing more than a container: a box. Likewise, if the body is not healthy, the spirit doesn’t have a good home to live in. That is why we treat stress, emotional fluctuations, and balance the body’s organ systems all at the same time with acupuncture.

Acupuncture is one great way to help you manage your stress and protect you from permanent health damage. Even though you may not be able to avoid stress, you do have the power to manage stress better so that it can’t build up, hurt you internally, and turn into serious health issues.

Top 7 Habits for Stress Relief

Every day, we encounter people and situations that cause frustration. Sometimes several minor incidents over the course of a day can build up until we feel we are at the end of our ability to cope. Other times, we are hit with a big problem that we have no choice but to face. These  stressors are unavoidable. What we can do is pay attention to our responses, and train ourselves to respond more calmly when situations arise. 

Here are some things you can do in your daily life to manage stress.

  1. Change the way you view problems. It is human nature to protect ourselves from danger by recognizing the negative energies coming at us. But we can become too accustomed to looking for the “dark side.”A lot of time we needlessly take things negatively. Say you wake up to the sounds of a bird, chattering in a tree. You can think, “Ah, the beautiful music of nature!” Or you can get annoyed. Same situation, different response. Learn how to think positively. Often I ask a patient to “show me your hand.”  They show me the palm side, but don’t think to look at the back of the hand. In the world, nothing can exist that has one side only. This is the concept of Yin and Yang; nothing is only good or only bad. There is good and bad in everything. Learn to pay attention to both, but “accentuate the positive.”
  2. Connect yourself to nature; consciously choose to make yourself one with the Universe. Connect to energy outside of yourself by going to the mountains or the
    Spending time in nature can alleviate stress
    Spending more time outdoors can help alleviate stress

    beach, walking barefoot on the sand and listening to the waves. Sit by a river and feel the flow of the water. When you feel anger inside, go out and face something – a mountain, or the woods – breathe out, remove that negative energy from your body, absorb positive energy; make that exchange. By doing this, you gain the perspective of playing a small, yet integral part within the greatness of the universe. This will release stress and give you new strength.

  3. Learn some techniques: Tai Chi, yoga, meditation, Qi Gong. Tai Chi, for example, trains you physically and emotionally at the same time, cultivating your internal Qi. Deep breathing will make your body more balanced and calm; exhale negative energy and inhale fresh air and energy.
  4. Engage in regular physical activity, especially cardiovascular varieties. Walk, jog, bike, swim. Going outdoors, getting fresh air and sunshine, is even more beneficial than going to the gym.
  5. Encourage yourself to engage in some social activity. Stress can cause sadness and depression. People tend to close themselves off. So, you must push yourself to go out, keep up your activities. Talking with friends will release the stagnation from your body and mind. Sign up to volunteer; helping other people will reduce your stress.
  6. Take time for a hobby. Whatever you enjoy: walking, swimming, reading, listening to music, going to dance class, fishing, golfing. Do it regularly. But it should be something active for your body or mind. Inactive pastimes– like watching television or playing video games, surfing the internet–may seem relaxing, but they can actually increase stress long term. Keep time spent on those passive activities to a minimum.
  7. Work on your sense of humor! When you laugh, you are happier and so are others around you. Be generous with your positive energy and others will be there to help you when you need it.

Managing stress will pay off, not only by making you happier, but probably also allowing you to enjoy a longer and healthier life.  Practicing stress management will help you to recover from existing conditions and prevent other issues from becoming serious in the future. If you need treatment and look for acupuncture near me, come to our clinic Art of Wellness, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, CA. Our clinic is one of the top 19 pick among 825 similar clinics in the great Los Angeles area. Our doctors have over 30 years of experience of practicing TCM and acupuncture. 

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How To Treat Sprained Ankles by Acupuncture and TCM

By xiaomei | Published February 28, 2020

by Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D.

acupuncture for sprained ankle
Acupuncture treatment for sprained ankles


Prompt treatment of sprained ankles by Acupuncture and TCM can reduce pain, swelling, and recovery time. Acupuncture improves circulation to alleviate inflammation and generates the flow of endorphins to relieve pain.

A sprained ankle is one of the most common injuries. It can happen to kids and adults of all ages. It can happen when you’re actively playing a sport, or just walking around in your own home. A sprain is a soft tissue injury that results from the overstretching or tearing of ligaments due to the ankle being pushed beyond its normal range of motion by a sudden twist or turn. Ligaments are the strong tissues that stabilize all of the small bones of the foot and support the joint where the leg bones meet the foot. This injury most often affects the outer side of the ankle.

Acupuncture Near Me for Sprained Ankle

Acupuncture treatment can provide immediate analgesic pain relief for soft tissue injuries such as an ankle sprain. The stimulation of appropriate acupoints has been proven to release natural endorphins in the body that reduce pain while also blocking the nervous system processes that signal pain. Soft tissue injuries are those that affect the ligaments, tendons and muscles. Symptoms of soft tissue injuries such as sprains and contusions include pain, swelling, bruising and limited ability to use the affected area. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat these types of injuries. Inadequate care for a sprained ankle or other similar injury can lead to a long-term loss of mobility and strength in that part of the body. That’s why we recommend you seek acupuncture treatment as soon as possible after the occurrence of the sprain and continue until the area is truly healed.

 

3 Types of Ankle Sprain

A sprain can be one of three severity levels:

  1. Grade I
    A minor sprain can occur when you are just walking. The ankle turns in sharply, causing the muscles and ligaments to pull and tear slightly.
  2. Grade II
    A moderate sprain might happen when running, or because of a fall. In this case, the ankle is twisted further in, causing a partial tear of the ligament.
  3. Grade III
    A severe sprain happens because of significant impact—such as a fall at great speed or from a height, or a fall compounded by another person’s weight, such as might happen while playing a sport like football, soccer or baseball. In this case, the ligament might be torn completely. In very severe cases, it may also cause some fracturing of the ankle and/or even dislocation.

The ankle is a wonder of design; it is a very stable joint that not only carries your body weight, but withstands a lot of pressure and impact when you run and jump.

It is really made up of two joints; the true ankle joint is formed by the meeting of three bones–the tibia, fibula and talus—and works like a hinge to create the up and down movement of the ankle. The subtalar joint is formed by the talus and the calcaneus, and allows for the side-to-side motion of the ankle. Ligaments are the soft tissues that connect bones to bones, while tendons are the soft tissues that connect muscles to bones; both are made up of small fibers of collagen. Cartilage is the tough yet soft, slippery tissue that creates cushioning and slip between the bones. A sprained ankle can result in torn tissues in the muscles, tendons or ligaments, damage the cartilage, and in severe cases, may involve fractures in the bones.

The pathology of a sprain begins in the acute stage—the first 1-2 days–with internal bleeding at the injury site. Fluid builds up in the tissues of the joint, which leads to swelling. After a few days, the active bleeding stops and inflammation begins to exert pressure around the area, compressing the blood vessels and slowing down the flow of fresh blood. This results in blood stagnation.
When blood has built up in the joint and stopped moving freely, it has a negative effect on the healing process. Incomplete healing can mean that the ankle loses some of both its stability and flexibility. The tendons and ligaments can become fragile, which means the joint is now more susceptible to re-injury. 

Self Care for Sprained Ankles

For immediate home care of a sprain, follow the Universal Rule of RICE.

  1. R – Rest
  2. I – Ice

    Acupressure point for sprained ankle
    Acupressure Point for Sprained Ankle
  3. C – Compression
  4. E – Elevate

Ice a new injury for the first three days. Then, begin alternating between ice and heat. For chronic pain conditions, use a heating pad more than cold therapy.

You can stimulate Xiao Jie acupressure point with gentle pressure. Press this point on the base of the thumb joint: right thumb for left ankle, left thumb for right ankle.

Do not massage the area during the first week of recovery. After that, gentle self-massage between the knee and ankle, focusing on releasing tightness in the shin and calf, is best. Don’t walk or put any weight on the foot for 3-7 days, depending on the severity of the injury. When you are ready to begin exercising the ankle, begin with gentle, non-weight-bearing movements.
A good exercise to try is the “A to Z Exercise”:
Lift the injured leg, or cross it over the other leg so the ankle and foot can move freely. Using the big toe as the point of your “pencil,” draw the letters of the alphabet in the air, using at first very small, circular movements of the ankle joint. Gradually, work up to making the letters larger.
After 2-3 weeks, you may be ready to begin engaging in activities that increase the range of motion, yet still keep most of your weight off the ankle, doing exercises such as pedaling a bike, swimming, or walking through water.
Gradually, after 4-5 weeks, you will be able to resume walking on a flat surface.

7 Ways to Prevent Sprained Ankles

A person who has sprained an ankle is more susceptible to future injuries in that area. To prevent such injuries:

Man running on a mountain road
Exercise smart to strengthen your ankles
  1. Regularly practice exercises to strengthen and improve the flexibility of the ankle.
  2. Practice all-over muscle strengthening exercises and focus on balance training.
  3. Wear properly supportive shoes, both when playing sports and in normal everyday life. (Minimize wearing high heels, flip-flops, etc.)
  4. Always warm up before engaging in sports and workouts.
  5. Be extra careful walking on uneven surfaces. 
  6. Wear a stretchy brace if you start feeling soreness.
  7. Receive acupuncture “tune-ups” regularly to maintain good flow of qi and blood.

It is good to see your acupuncturist as soon as possible after spraining an ankle. We use various modalities including acupuncture, herbal supplements to facilitate healing, and possibly moxibustion to bring more energy to the area.  The treatment will focus on stopping the internal bleeding and reducing the swelling of the joint. Minimizing inflammation and maximizing the constant circulation of blood will speed healing and help to ensure that the injury does not become a chronic one.

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How to Treat Infertility in Women with Acupuncture and TCM

By xiaomei | Published February 14, 2020

by Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D.

Heart Hands on Belly
TCM for Infertility

About one in ten women who are ready to conceive find that they have trouble doing so naturally. Infertility in women is thus a very common condition, one that has a profound impact on women and their partners. Acupuncture and TCM is proven to be extremely beneficial to women who are trying to get pregnant, both as primary and complementary care. 

Dr. Cai at Art of Wellness has thirty years of experience, both in China and in the U.S., as a specialist in women’s healthcare and infertility in women. She has studied and worked with some of the most influential doctors in the field in both countries, and has helped hundreds of women achieve healthy pregnancies.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)  is a system of health care that goes back thousands of years. Women’s health care has been a key part of this system all of that time. Conditions such as irregular or painful menstrual periods, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and infertility have all been recognized, studied and effectively addressed by TCM for many centuries. Women who are having difficulty solving these problems with their medical doctor may find not only relief from pain, but a true solution that addresses their whole being–body, mind, and spirit.

Diagnosis of Infertility in Women in 8 Exact Steps

Any time a woman of childbearing age has a partner with healthy sperm, and they’ve been trying for two years without conceiving, we define this as infertility. But age makes a difference. If the woman is over 35, and it has been one year, we will diagnose infertility.

There can be many factors or causes involved in the infertility diagnosis, some chemical, some mechanical: 

Fertilization
Fertilization
  1. Hormonal imbalances can cause irregular cycles, which means shorter or longer than the usual number of days (28-30), sometimes with no sign of ovulation, sometimes with high FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). 
  2. Fallopian tubes may not be open due to scarring or previous PID (pelvic inflammatory disease). 
  3. Endometriosis or an STD (sexually transmitted disease) can also cause blockage. 
  4. Sometimes the uterus can be congenitally misshapen, or inside there may be fibroids, polyps, lining issues, twisting, chronic inflammation, etc. 
  5. Occasionally, antibodies can get into the cervix and block the sperm.
  6. In rare cases, the uterus may be tilted to the front or back, positioning the cervix so that it is either very high or very low or over to the side, making it difficult to receive sperm. These patients must rely on IUI (intrauterine insemination) to get the sperm where they need to go.
  7. Autoimmune issues can cause a woman’s immune system to produce antibodies that reject the sperm. 
  8. Blood incompatibility between the parents–for example, if the woman is RH (Rhesus factor) negative with a RH positive man–can happen sometimes after a first pregnancy or miscarriage. This is more common in older women.

Top 5 Different Causes of Infertility in Women

Infertility can feel isolating
Infertility can feel isolating

According to TCM, there are several differentiations of an infertility diagnosis. TCM practitioners differentiate between various causes and treatment plans for dysmenorrhea based on when the pain occurs (before the onset/during the period), the quality and location of the pain, associated symptoms like bloating, the appearance and volume of flow and accompanying emotions and sensations such as dizziness or fatigue. Some types are due to an excess, either of cold, or of stagnation of qi or blood. Others are due to a deficiency of qi or blood.  

  1. Kidney Deficiency – If a woman’s menarche occurred later than usual (typical is age 12-14), that might indicate some weakness of the reproductive system. To perform its normal functions, the uterus needs a rich and plentiful blood supply. Constriction of the capillaries that supply blood to the uterus occurs when there is too much cold in this area. Certain lifestyle behaviors can cause diminishment of ovarian health, sometimes leading to premature ovarian failure. Naturally over the age of 35, many women can begin to show signs of kidney deficiency.
  2. Blood deficiency – Poor digestion or a diet with insufficient nutrition can create a situation in which blood is not providing enough nourishment to support the ovaries and uterus.
  3. Liver qi stagnation – Long periods of emotional stress and irritability can cause qi/blood flow to become stagnated, interrupting the flow of energy through the system.This can cause irregular periods or a lack of ovulation. Blockage in the flow of qi restricts the supply of necessary energy to developing eggs, fertilized egg or embryo.
  4. Dampness – Insufficient nutrition from diet, poor digestion, and/or being overweight can cause dampness and water retention to accumulate in the reproductive system. This condition can lead to pelvic inflammation, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), painful periods and blockage of qi.
  5. Blood stasis – Can be caused by physical trauma to the uterus due to surgery or injury. It can also stem from a Cold uterus condition (too much cold exposure or icy-cold drinks/raw food during periods). Lack of proper blood circulation relates to painful conditions such as the formation of clots, ovarian cysts, tumors or fibroids that create a physical blockage. Blood stasis can also lead to thin lining or even absence of periods.

Both kidney and blood deficiency can cause irregular periods, anovulation, short cycles, light flow, poor uterine lining, and the type of pain during periods that is helped by massage or heat.

Blood stasis and dampness can cause endometriosis, severe menstrual pain (not helped by heat or massage), ovarian cysts, strong hormone suppression, and lack of ovulation.

Top 5 Infertility Treatments with TCM

moxibustion
moxibustion

TCM treatments for the different kinds of infertility in women include: 

  1. Acupuncture: In TCM, the objective is always to use the stimulation of specific points to clear blockages in the systems in order to keep qi and blood moving fluidly, clearing the way for harmonious cooperation between the organs involved in the system. Weak areas are tonified, or strengthened, while areas bloated with excess are relieved of pressure. 
  2. Cupping: This is a method of acupressure that uses glass cups to create a vacuum effect in specific points. It is used to dispel stagnation and excess heat and stimulate circulation of blood and qi.
  3. Moxibustion: burning a stick made of mugwort near a specific acupuncture point is something patients can do at home to help a cold uterus condition.
  4. Herbal supplements: Herbs can really help to support the woman’s cycle and even re-activate ovaries until average menopause at age 45-55.
  5. Nutrition and Lifestyle Guidance: An acupuncturist will recommend an appropriate diet for nourishing the whole body as well as correcting any Yin/Yang imbalances. In addition, certain behaviors related to bathing, exercise and even clothing choices may be affecting a cold uterus condition and need attention and adjustment.

TCM Doctors Offer Solutions for Infertility in Women

Welcoming a new baby
Helping women have healthy babies

Advances in technology in recent years have been a boon to couples who are struggling, especially for women who have physical barriers to achieving conception and carrying a pregnancy, such as blocked tubes. IVF (in vitro fertilization) allows us to move past these roadblocks with surgery.

However, a woman still needs good hormone levels for better outcomes for conception, pregnancy and birth. For those with elevated FSH or low AMH (anti-müllerian hormone) who require IVF, adjunctive acupuncture and TCM will help to address these problems and increase the chances of success. One German study showed that success with IVF cycle was 15% higher than without acupuncture.

Each woman’s situation is unique and personal to her. Scientific study and medical research are only in recent decades beginning to acknowledge the connections between a person’s thoughts and emotions and her physical well-being, but women intuitively know that their less visible, harder-to-describe feelings are inextricably linked to their reproductive processes. Finding an acupuncturist who really listens and understands this might be the key to reaching a new level of quality of life, as well as realizing a dream of having a child.

For additional resources, visit our Fertility FAQs page. For more examples, visit our success stories of women who found solutions from Dr. Cai’s treatment. 

Acupuncture can also effectively treat Oligospermia, low sperm count, and male infertility. If your family suffers from infertility and  you are looking for infertility clinics, visit Art of Wellness at Santa Monica, Los Angeles, one of top 19 picks among 825 clinics in the great LA area.

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