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How To Help Dependence on Hydrocodone and Other Opioid Pain Medication With Acupuncture and TCM
By Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D. & Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D.
Many people are prescribed strong pain medication when they are in need of pain relief. Opioid drugs may help relieve pain, but they can also create a physical dependence as a person develops a tolerance for the painkillers. Acupuncture and TCM offer an alternative to opiate drugs and opioids like Codeine and Vicodin for treating pain, and a way to help treat both opioid dependence and addiction.
We often hear in the news that the U.S. is facing an “opioid epidemic.” Recent statistics suggest that over ten million Americans may have an opioid use disorder. CDC data showed that over 75,000 people died from opioid overdoses in 2021.
Some of the most commonly used pain medications include:
- Oxycodone (Oxycontin)
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
- Oxymorphone
- Morphine
- Methadone
- Fentanyl
- Codeine
- Tramadol
- Buprenorphine
Opioid medications are also known as “narcotics.” “Opiate” drugs are derived naturally from the poppy plant. These include: opium, codeine, and heroin. “Opioids” are synthetically produced in a lab. These include: oxycodone and fentanyl.
People are prescribed opioids or opiates to help them deal with severe pain, but the medications themselves can then become the primary cause of suffering in their lives. Roughly a quarter of people who are prescribed opioid pain medications end up misusing them.
Opioid misuse can mean different things, like: taking more than the prescribed dosage, using someone else’s medication, or continuing to take the medication even though it is having a negative impact on your health and life.
Dependence on opioids is different from addiction, and it is possible to experience drug dependence with or without also having a substance use disorder.
When a person becomes dependent on a medication, it means that they require a certain dose of that substance in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms. This is why these medications are closely monitored by the prescribing medical doctor, so that the dosage is carefully controlled. A person may need to be slowly weaned off the medications when they are no longer necessary, so as to avoid withdrawal.
It is also possible for a person to develop an addiction to opioids, as they stimulate the release of endorphins, which help to block pain signals and produce positive feelings. When this process is repeated over and over, the body starts producing less endorphins naturally, and a higher dosage of the opioid medication is required to produce the same effect; this is what we mean by “tolerance” to the drug.
Addiction to opioids—or an opioid use disorder—is more likely the longer a person takes them—for example, for a chronic pain condition. Other factors, like depression or anxiety, high levels of stress at work or home, and use of other substances like tobacco and alcohol, can also play a role in addiction risk.
It can be difficult, even for doctors, to distinguish between physical dependence and addiction. Addiction is usually defined by “abuse” or “misuse.” When a person feels that they cannot live without the medication, though, there is clearly a problem.
Acupuncture and TCM may play an important role in helping both individuals, and society as a whole, overcome dependence on opioid pain medications because it addresses the problem in several ways.
Top 10 Reasons Acupuncture Is a Good Alternative to Opioids for Pain Relief
Acupuncture has a natural analgesic effect and can help relieve severe pain and chronic pain, without negative side effects.
- Acupuncture and other TCM modalities are an effective alternative for pain relief.
- Acupuncture can be used to treat both acute pain and chronic pain.
- Acupuncture can help reduce the need for opioid-like medications after surgeries, by helping relieve postoperative pain.
- Acupuncture and herbs can help postoperative wounds heal more quickly.
- Acupuncture can help cancer patients by providing pain relief and additionally helping to relieve nausea and mitigating other side effects of cancer treatment.
- Acupuncture provides pain relief without negative side effects.
- Acupuncture can help individuals who are trying to stop taking opiates avoid withdrawal symptoms.
- Acupuncture can help alleviate cravings for addictive substances.
- Acupuncture helps to effect the release of endorphins naturally, which provides the same good feelings as drugs initially do.
- Acupuncture can be a more cost effective way to treat pain and addiction than other methods.
Treatment for Opioid Dependence
Methadone Maintenance treatment (MMT) is widely used to treat opioid addiction or dependence. This method involves replacing the opioid drug with methadone, which is a synthetic opioid, so it acts on the same centers of the brain, which helps to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This can help people wean themselves off of pain medications or heroin. However, there can be side effects, and MMT does not help everyone stop using or misusing opiates or prescription pain medications.
Long-term use of opioids can be detrimental to a person’s overall health, both mentally and physically. Hydrocodone side effects and oxycodone side effects can include: drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, irregular heartbeat, and increased risk of respiratory problems for people with asthma or COPDs like emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
Mental health issues and opioid misuse often go together. People who suffer from depression or anxiety are much more likely to use opioids to treat pain and then become emotionally dependent on them.
Overall, evidence suggests that pharmacological methods for treating opioid misuse are not very successful. TCM and acupuncture offer an alternative treatment for opioid dependence.
Can Acupuncture Help Relieve Pain Better Than Opioids?
While there is still much to be done in the way of scientific research to demonstrate exactly how acupuncture is able to effect changes in the body and help relieve pain, there is ample enough evidence to convince the medical community that acupuncture does, indeed, have a significant analgesic effect. For two decades now, the WHO has recommended acupuncture and TCM for many different pain conditions, including:
- neck pain
- back pain
- low back pain
- Sciatica, hip pain
- postoperative pain
- headaches and migraines
- shoulder pain
- heel pain, plantar fasciitis
- TMJ pain
- Neuropathy pain
Acupuncture may work so well to relieve pain because it appears to have an effect on the central nervous system and opioid peptide neurotransmitters, including endorphins. This means that acupuncture works on the opioid receptors in the brain.
One study of patients who were in methadone treatment for opioid dependence found that people who received acupuncture were able to reduce the amount of methadone they needed.
A study on patients who had lumbar spine surgery to help severe back pain showed that acupuncture worked well as a postoperative analgesic.
Acupuncture Near Me for Pain Management and Opioid Dependence in Los Angeles
It is absolutely necessary for so many people to find pain relief when they have an acute condition, or a chronic pain condition, or are in treatment for cancer or other serious illness. Serious pain causes mental anguish as well as physical limitations. Acupuncture and TCM offer an alternative treatment for pain management that helps not only to block pain, but also to relieve stress and anxiety. At Art of Wellness, we have over 30 years of experience helping people to manage pain safely and effectively.
*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.
Chinese New Year 2023 Year of the Rabbit
by Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D. and Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D.
The Lunar New Year will begin on January 23, 2023. It is the Year of the Rabbit! The shift in energy will be significant as we move out of 2022, the Year of the Tiger, and into the more patient and gentle Rabbit Year 2023.
The Chinese Zodiac, like the Western Zodiac, is made up of twelve signs, each represented by an animal or magical creature. In Western astrology, the signs cycle through the twelve months every year, but in Chinese astrology, each sign gets a whole year to itself, and a cycle lasts twelve years.
Chinese Astrology also incorporates the five elements: Water, Metal, Wood, Earth, and Fire. The zodiac moves through a different element each year. 2023 will be the Year of the Water Rabbit. Because the Yin Water element is associated with the color black, some people call this the “Year of the Black Rabbit.”
The Yin Water element represents sensitivity, intuition, and, in its most positive form, the way of inner peace. The Water Rabbit Year promises a period of rest and reflection after the dynamic Year of the Tiger.
In Chinese culture the Rabbit is associated with the moon. According to ancient Chinese legend, the Jade Emperor disguised himself as an old beggar in order to find a trustworthy helper. The Rabbit offered itself as a meal to the starving man by jumping into the fire. The Emperor revealed his true self and took the generous Rabbit to the moon, where together they created the Elixir of Life. The outline of the Jade Rabbit can be seen on the moon, using a mortar and pestle to mix herbs into a powerful potion of healing and longevity.
The rabbit is a symbol of good luck. In Chinese philosophy, rabbits are also considered to be emblematic of patience. So, as long as you can bide your time until the moment is right to act in 2023, you should experience some lucky breaks!
What Is My Sign In Chinese Astrology?
To find your Chinese horoscope, look for your birth year:
(As the lunar year begins on a different date each year, check more closely if your birthday lands in January or February)
- Rabbit 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
- Dragon 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
- Snake 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
- Horse 1942, 1954,1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
- Goat 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
- Monkey 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
- Rooster 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
- Dog 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
- Pig 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
- Rat 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
- Ox 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
- Tiger 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Rabbit Horoscope
2022 was the Year of the Water Tiger. The Tiger was brave and ambitious, ready to pounce when the moment of opportunity presented itself. Then, there were periods of rest, like afternoon naps after a good lunch. The Water element served to soften Tiger’s sharp edges.
As you might imagine, the Rabbit is known for its gentle spirit. Rabbits tend to be “homebodies,” content to wait patiently, studying and paying attention to every detail. People might underestimate the Rabbit’s quiet strength, but make no mistake; the rabbit can move with speed and agility when the time is right.
Rabbits are social and attractive to many, but they may be reluctant to be very open with their true feelings. They can charm people with their warmth and good manners, and always want to make a good impression. They like to escape into stories or wear stylish fashions to keep things interesting. Rabbits may need a lot of assurance that they are lovable.
How to Create Good Luck for The Water Rabbit Year 2023
If you were born in a Rabbit year, then 2023 is your “ben ming nian.” When it’s “your year,” it can be an exciting yet tumultuous time of new beginnings. According to tradition, is it wise to take certain precautions to protect your health and your luck during your ben ming nian.
Wearing the color red or a jade amulet can help ward off misfortune, while following good Feng Shui arrangements in your home can help maintain a peaceful atmosphere. This is especially true for Rabbits, who tend to favor the colors red and pink, and because of the rabbit’s legendary association with jade.
Avoid risky trips or big renovation products that could cause a commotion. Instead, focus on giving back to your community in any way you can and attending joyous celebrations whenever possible.
Chinese New Year Traditions
The gift-giving tradition of Chinese New Year centers around the iconic red envelope. Within the family, children and adults can both look forward to receiving packets filled with crisp, new bills. Tradition dictates that one give and receive the envelope with both hands—and that the envelopes must never be opened in the presence of the giver. Wait to open it later!
In Chinese culture, there are many ways to extend wishes for a “Happy Lunar New Year” to others. One way to greet people in Mandarin during the New Year season is to say, “新年好!” which translates as “New Year Goodness!”
Feng Shui for Chinese New Year 2023
Giving your home a thorough cleaning and reorganizing is really the most important tradition to observe going into the New Year. A fresh start creates a positive outlook and harmonious setting for your New Year’s celebration and will hopefully carry you through the first months of the year.
Making your bedroom a soothing place for rest and rejuvenation is important.
Happy New Year From Art of Wellness Acupuncture Los Angeles
Chinese New Year is a time of sharing and togetherness, of preparation and taking care of ourselves and others. We take special care of our homes and loved ones, and we take care of our own health. It is a perfect time to come in for acupuncture treatment. Chinese medicine has always been an excellent form of preventive medicine. Taking the time to reset your system is a way of investing in your future good health.
From everyone at Art of Wellness Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, we wish you 岁岁平安 Peace all year round!
*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.
How to Treat Constipation With Acupuncture and TCM
By Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D. & Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D.
Using a laxative or stool softener so that you can have a bowel movement? Everyone experiences constipation once in a while, but chronic constipation can be a serious issue. Acupuncture and TCM offer a natural way to get constipation relief.
Having difficulty going to the bathroom (pooping) is unfortunately a very common problem. Millions of people see their doctor seeking constipation treatment every year. People of all ages—children, adults, and older people—can suffer from slow digestion and hard bowel movements.
Symptoms of constipation can include:
- Dry, hard stool
- Having less than three bowel movements per week
- Bowel movements are difficult and/or painful
- Bloated stomach
- Abdominal cramps
- Nausea
Basically, constipation occurs when the muscles of the large intestine are not properly moving matter through and out of the colon. Slow movement can result in too much water being absorbed by the colon, causing hard, dry stools.
In general, “normal” bowel movements should be soft and easy to pass, and should happen daily. However, it is not at all uncommon for people to have painful constipation and only go a few times a week, or have even less frequent bowel movements (severe constipation).
There can be many different reasons why there is an imbalance of water in the colon, or that the muscles aren’t functioning well enough. These deeper causes need to be addressed if chronic constipation is becoming an issue.
Fortunately, TCM treatment for constipation includes traditional herb formulations that have been used for centuries as a natural laxative, and acupuncture, which can help strengthen the muscle action of the intestines.
Constipation Causes
Constipation can occasionally occur due to short-term circumstances. Many people experience temporary constipation while they are on a trip and using unfamiliar bathrooms. Eating foods that are unusual for you or low in fiber, becoming dehydrated, not getting any physical activity for several days—these situations could all cause sluggish elimination.
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), which is considered a functional gastrointestinal disorder, often involves periodic constipation (or diarrhea).
Chronic constipation or severe constipation can have many causes. Sometimes constipation can be caused by a bowel obstruction, or something physically blocking the intestine.
Constipation can also be a secondary condition related to another chronic health problem.
Conditions that cause damage to nerves may disrupt the signals that tell the muscles of the colon to move. These could include:
- Diabetes
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Stroke
- Injury to the spinal cord
Hormonal imbalances or fluctuations can also lead to constipation. Hormone-related conditions that could contribute to constipation include:
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Menstrual cycle, PMS, Period
- Hypothyroidism
- Hyperparathyroidism
Some medications can cause constipation, such as:
- Narcotics, opioid pain medications (such as Vicodin)
- NSAIDs, like ibuprofen
- Some antidepressants (like Zoloft)
- Blood pressure medications
- Sedatives
- Iron supplements
- Antacids like Maalox or Mylanta
- Diuretics
- Medications for overactive bladder, like Ditropan and Detrol
- Parkinson’s medications, like Sinemet
- Nausea medications
Using laxatives and other over-the-counter constipation remedies as a habit can, unfortunately, perpetuate the cycle and lead to ongoing, chronic constipation.
Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety can also affect regularity. TCM and acupuncture can help improve mental health as well as physical health to help bring constipation relief.
Constipation Side Effects
It is very important to find the root cause of constipation and find a solution. Chronic constipation can lead to other serious complications, such as:
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal fissures
- Diverticulitis
- Fecal impaction
- Stress urinary incontinence
Fortunately, acupuncture and TCM offer natural remedies for constipation without habit-forming medications.
Can Acupuncture Help Relieve Constipation?
In TCM, we diagnose a condition based on the pattern of symptoms each individual person is experiencing, as sometimes the same condition—in this case, constipation—can actually be influenced by many different variables. The diagnostic pattern gives us information about what acupuncture points and herbs will help treat that individual case.
According to TCM theory, constipation can present as:
- Yin Deficiency
- Excess Heat
- Qi Deficiency
In older people, chronic constipation is often related to weakness in the kidneys and liver, which leads to malnourishment and stagnant Qi.
In general, TCM constipation treatment will focus on helping to bring more moisture into the colon and clear heat, while activating the Qi (energy) of the bowel and removing physical and energetic blockages.
Many people who suffer from constipation don’t have enough microbiota or “good bacteria” in their colon. Acupuncture and herbs can help to improve the gut biome.
One study showed that electro-acupuncture helped a significant number of people with chronic constipation have more frequent bowel movements.
One study conducted in China found that, after 20 sessions, gastrointestinal patients who received acupuncture for constipation had a success rate of over 82%, meaning they had more frequent and easier bowel movements.
Another study showed that patients who went through a series of acupuncture treatments sustained longer-lasting efficacy from their treatment than patients who had used medicinal laxatives.
One commonly used Chinese formulation for constipation has been shown to help increase levels of oleamide, which is associated with intestinal motility.
Acupuncture Near Me for Constipation in Los Angeles and Santa Monica
At Art of Wellness, we often treat patients for constipation, whether that is their primary complaint, or sometimes a secondary issue to their other concerns. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are excellent modalities for helping people achieve regularity and better overall digestion.
*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.
How to Treat Colitis With Acupuncture and TCM
By Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D. & Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D.
Diarrhea, bloody stool, fatigue, fever? These could be colitis symptoms. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes swelling in the large intestine, abdominal pain, bloating and bloody diarrhea. Acupuncture and TCM can offer an alternative colitis treatment to help relieve ulcerative colitis symptoms.
Colitis is a gastrointestinal disease in which the colon—also known as the bowel, or the large intestine—becomes inflamed and can develop open sores, or ulcers.
Ulcerative colitis is the term for colitis that is caused by an autoimmune disorder. The immune system launches an attack on the tissues of the intestinal lining, causing inflammation and sores. It is similar to Crohn’s disease: an autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the digestive tract.
What causes colitis? There are several problems that can lead to abdominal pain and diarrhea, and sometimes it can be difficult to discover what is causing a person to have colitis symptoms.
Parasites, bacterial infections, or food poisoning can cause pain, inflammation in the colon, and diarrhea. For example, e coli bacteria, sometimes found in improperly cooked beef, can cause colitis symptoms. This is known as e colitis, or hemorrhagic colitis.
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) symptoms can seem similar to those of colitis. People who suffer from IBS can have abdominal pain and diarrhea, urgency and mucus in their stool. However, IBS is considered a functional gastrointestinal disorder, not a disease. IBS does not cause permanent damage to the intestinal lining, while colitis can.
Ischemic colitis is a specific type of colitis caused by a blockage of blood flow to the intestine. This is more common in older adults, and can be the result of a blood clot in an artery, or low blood pressure due to heart failure or recovery from some major surgery. Some conditions, like lupus or sickle cell anemia, can restrict blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract. It could also happen due to a bowel obstruction caused by a tumor or hernia. Some medications can also restrict blood flow to the intestine.
TCM and acupuncture treatment, whether alone or as an adjunct to conventional treatment, can help relieve the symptoms of colitis by reducing inflammation in the intestine, helping to stop bleeding and helping to restore normal bowel movements.
Colitis Symptoms
Ulcerative colitis symptoms can be mild at first and become more persistent and/or severe over time. Some common symptoms of colitis, or IBD symptoms, include:
- Loose stool, loose bowel movements, diarrhea
- Urgency to go to the bathroom, feeling like you have to poop all the time
- Feeling like you have to poop, but not being able to
- Bloody stool, bloody poop
- Mucus in stool
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal cramps, cramping
- Rectal pain
- Fatigue, feeling tired all the time, no energy
- Fever
- Weight loss
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis can come and go, or “flare up” at times. When symptoms abate, this is called “remission.”
Children can have colitis, which may cause them to not grow properly.
Colitis Treatment
Testing for IBDs might start with some basic blood tests and a stool sample test to see if there are any bacterial or parasitic causes of diarrhea. If inflammation needs to be looked at more closely to discover its location and cause, a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy may be done. Imaging—X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI—may be used to show if there is some kind of obstruction of the intestine.
If testing and treatment have ruled out IBD and other potential causes, a tissue biopsy may be used to diagnose ulcerative colitis, the autoimmune form of colitis.
Generally, once colitis or inflammatory bowel disease has been diagnosed, the main goal is to reduce inflammation in the colon. Anti-inflammatory drugs will usually be prescribed. Anti-diarrheal medications and pain relievers provide some symptomatic relief.
Ulcerative colitis is usually treated with a combination of anti-inflammatories and immunosuppressants. Unfortunately, these types of medications can have significant side effects. Long term use of corticosteroids can cause bone loss and swelling, while immunosuppressants can stress the liver and pancreas.
Newer pharmacological treatments include “small molecules,” like Xeljanz, which act as anti-inflammatories and immunosuppressants. However, these drugs have been flagged for potentially causing heart problems, and maybe even cancer.
When medications and dietary changes don’t help enough, surgery to remove part of the large intestine may be sought.
Acupuncture and TCM offer an alternative treatment for colitis, which may help relieve symptoms without side effects.
Can Acupuncture Help Colitis?
TCM herbs and acupuncture treatment are excellent modalities for helping to reduce inflammation. In the case of colitis and ulcerative colitis, the central problem is that the body is producing an inflammatory response in the large intestine that leads to pain and dysfunction. According to TCM theory, imbalances in the internal organs can cause heat, dampness, or blood stasis. In different people, the ways that colitis shows up may vary, depending on the pathogenic forces at work.
Acupuncture points to help relieve diarrhea, bloating, and bleeding in the colon will be combined with beneficial herbs to help clear heat and dampness. One study done in China showed that patients with ulcerative colitis who received acupuncture and herbal supplements in addition to conventional pharmaceutical treatments healed more quickly than those who did not receive TCM. They also reported feeling less anxiety and depression.
A systematic review of studies done regarding TCM for colitis concluded that acupuncture and herbs were effective compared to medical treatments.
Studies have shown that acupuncture can help balance the gut biome and help strengthen the intestinal walls.
Acupuncture has been shown to help people whose colitis is in remission to maintain better function.
TCM herbs, used in combination with conventional treatment, may help improve the healing of the mucosal lining of the intestine. One study showed that herbs helped stop bleeding from the colon in patients with ulcerative colitis.
Moxibustion has also been shown to help as a treatment for IBD, helping to relieve diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping.
Acupuncture is believed, in part, to help regulate inflammatory bowel diseases by providing positive stimulation of the vagus nerve, which plays an important role in inflammatory responses.
Acupuncture Near Me for Ulcerative Colitis in Los Angeles and Santa Monica
Acupuncture can be an excellent adjunct to standard treatment for gastrointestinal disorders of all kinds, including: IBS, Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, and Candida. At Art of Wellness, we have over 30 years of experience helping people with IBD and colitis to improve their quality of life.
*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.
How to Treat Aphasia With Acupuncture and TCM (Scalp Acupuncture)
By Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D.
Difficulty speaking, reading or writing due to brain damage is known as “aphasia.” Different types of aphasia can develop after a person has a stroke or head injury. Aphasia can also be a symptom of dementia. Acupuncture—especially “scalp acupuncture”—can help a person regain brain function and speech.
Aphasia—sometimes called “dysphasia”— is a language disorder that occurs because a part of the brain that controls speech, comprehension, and communication is not functioning correctly. This is usually due to damage or pressure on that part of the brain.
Scalp Acupuncture, sometimes called “neuroacupuncture,” is a specific technique that combines Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medical understanding of neurology. Acupuncture needles are used to stimulate points on the head, or scalp, that have a direct effect on brain cells.
Scalp acupuncture can be helpful in treating acute and chronic central nervous system disorders that cause aphasia, as well as cognitive difficulties, trouble with motor skills, and even paralysis.
Scalp Acupuncture can be used to help people regain brain function after having suffered a stroke or injury to the head. Aphasia is generally considered to be related to this type of damage, but speech problems and trouble with cognition and comprehension can often occur with other neurological disorders, too.
This type of acupuncture treatment can also help people with neurological conditions such as:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple Sclerosis/MS
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Guillain Barre Syndrome
- Ataxia
- Bell’s palsy
- ADD/ADHD
Neurological disorders cause problems with the way the brain communicates information and instructions to the organs and limbs via the nervous system; this is what leads to a wide variety of language and movement disorders.
Scalp acupuncture can be used to help these conditions because it can stimulate malfunctioning brain cells to begin working properly again, encourage the growth of new brain cells, and reestablish connections between the brain and the rest of the central nervous system.
Acupuncture can help improve some of the most common symptoms of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and MS, including:
- Aphasia
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Muscle spasms, stiff muscles
- Seizures
- Tremor
- Paralysis
Scalp acupuncture can be an effective form of integrative medicine to help people overcome these symptoms, whether they are recovering from a stroke or suffering from a neurological disorder.
What is Scalp Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of several modalities used in TCM, which is a complete medical system with a history going back thousands of years. The stimulation of points on the head and/or scalp has always been used as a method for treating all types of symptoms and underlying conditions.
“Scalp acupuncture” is a term that refers to a more specific, contemporary acupuncture technique that combines ancient TCM knowledge with modern medical understanding of the anatomy of the brain and the way parts of the brain interact with the nervous system to control various bodily and sensory functions.
In Chinese Medicine, acupuncture points are usually chosen based on the theory of the meridians—channels along which Qi (energy) moves through the body. Along each meridian lie several points that connect organ systems and parts of the body. This concept of a network system of meridians is more metaphorical in nature, rather than based on actual physiology. In TCM we may consider that a problem in one part of the body is related to an imbalance in a (seemingly) different organ system. For example, anxiety and heart palpitations might be treated by needling a point on the head that is on the Stomach meridian.
In Western medicine, “somatotopic arrangement” describes the understanding of how parts of the brain, and particularly the nerve endings on the scalp, are arrayed in a pattern around the skull and correspond to different sensory functions, such as speech, visual perception, balance, and motor skills. With MRI technology, scientists have been able to “map” out how parts of the nervous system on the scalp correspond to parts of the body, like the feet, and the hands, etc.
With the practice of scalp acupuncture, we are combining these concepts and using acupuncture as a way of directly influencing parts of the brain, like the cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, cerebellum, etc. This can help both to heal parts of the brain that might be damaged due to a stroke, and to regulate functioning of those parts, so as to help restore proper functioning of motor activities and the senses.
This technique involves the insertion of small acupuncture needles into the tissues just beneath the surface of the skin on the scalp. Then, the needles may be be stimulated, either by manually twisting, or with electro-acupuncture (sometimes called “electro-stim”). Here, we attach small electrodes to the needles, and a mild to medium level of electric current flows to activate a vibration and/or rotation.
As part of the goal is to reactivate nervous system connections, the patient may be asked to be active during the treatment; that is, by moving the part of the body that is experiencing weak movement, or at least, to visualize or imagine themselves performing the movement.
One study of patients being treated with scalp acupuncture for aphasia showed that 46% showed “marked improvement,” while almost all patients showed some improvement.
In a study of scalp acupuncture for treatment of paralysis, all patients showed improvement, while 68% were cured.
While more research is needed, it is also believed that scalp acupuncture may be a good alternative therapy to help treat mental health issues, like depression, anxiety, and PTSD, as well as sleep disorders, like insomnia.
Scalp Acupuncture for Aphasia and Stroke Recovery in Los Angeles
At Art of Wellness, we have over 30 years of experience treating neurological disorders of all kinds. Our training in China gave us a thorough understanding of integrative medicine, using both TCM and Western medicine knowledge to provide the best possible outcomes for our patients. We have continued to grow and learn, while working closely with doctors and patients in Los Angeles since 1995. If you or someone you love is recovering from a stroke, or living with a chronic neurological condition, please consider trying acupuncture as an adjunct treatment.
*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.