Acupuncture Can Help Your Neck Pain
Acupuncture For Neck Disorders
More and more current research is being conducted on the multitude of uses acupuncture has. For all of us in the Traditional Chinese Medicine community we already know that acupuncture is extremely beneficial to a variety of different medicinal problems. But, acupuncture and TCM are still in the early stages of being understood by the scientific community. In this 2016 study published by The Cochrane Review, researchers began to look at the link that takes places between acupuncture and the treatment of neck pain and disorders.
The study had an ambitious overall goal in determining what effects acupuncture has on the function, disability, and patient satisfaction of those with neck pain. By reviewing 27 different trials the researchers examined patients ranging from acute to chronic neck pain, and they compared studies receiving actual acupuncture to those receiving sham acupuncture.
Although the study found some limited results due to the variability of individuals studied, a few important conclusions were able to be drawn from the evidence.
For those who received actual acupuncture as opposed to sham acupuncture it was noted that they experienced both more effective long and short-term pain relief. In addition those who experienced actual acupuncture received noticeably better pain relief than those who did nothing at all.
If you are having acute or chronic neck pain 4-5 acupuncture treatments would help immensely.
August is National Wellness Month
National Wellness Month: Prioritizing Well-Being with Acupuncture Self-Care Tips
August is National Wellness Month, a time dedicated to promoting overall well-being and encouraging individuals to prioritize their health. As an acupuncturist, this month provides a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about the benefits of acupuncture in enhancing one's wellness journey. In this article, we will delve into the significance of National Wellness Month and explore acupuncture self-care tips that can contribute to a balanced and vibrant life.
Understanding National Wellness Month:
National Wellness Month serves as a reminder to invest in self-care and prioritize our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It's a time to reflect on our lifestyle choices, establish healthier habits, and seek modalities like acupuncture that promote holistic healing.
Acupuncture and Self-Care:
Acupuncture, rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, focuses on restoring the balance of qi, or vital energy, within the body. It provides a natural and effective approach to self-care, addressing a wide range of physical and emotional conditions.
1. Stress Reduction:
Stress can take a toll on our overall well-being. Acupuncture helps to rebalance the body, calm the mind, and alleviate stress. Consider scheduling regular acupuncture sessions to support relaxation, improve sleep quality, and reduce the negative effects of stress on your health.
2. Nourishing Sleep:
Quality sleep is essential for rejuvenation and overall wellness. Acupuncture can help regulate sleep patterns, address insomnia, and promote restful nights. Prioritize a consistent sleep schedule, create a peaceful sleep environment, and consider acupuncture to support a good night's rest.
3. Mind-Body Connection:
Cultivating a strong mind-body connection is vital for wellness. Acupuncture sessions provide an opportunity for introspection and self-awareness. Take time to tune in to your body's needs, practice mindfulness, and embrace acupuncture as a tool to strengthen the mind-body connection.
4. Balanced Nutrition:
Acupuncture is not solely limited to needling. It encompasses a holistic approach, which includes dietary recommendations. Consult with your acupuncturist to understand how specific foods can support your individual constitution and optimize your overall health. Nourish your body with a balanced diet rich in whole foods, emphasizing fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
5. Movement and Exercise:
Physical activity plays a crucial role in wellness. Incorporate gentle exercises like tai chi or qigong into your routine to promote circulation, flexibility, and balance. Discuss with your acupuncturist how specific exercises can complement your acupuncture treatment and overall wellness goals.
6. Emotional Well-being:
Acupuncture can help regulate emotions and promote emotional well-being. Prioritize self-care activities that bring you joy, such as engaging in hobbies, spending time in nature, or practicing meditation. Acupuncture supports emotional balance, allowing you to navigate stressors with resilience and positivity.
7. Prevention and Maintenance:
Acupuncture is not only beneficial for addressing existing health concerns but also for preventive care. Regular acupuncture sessions can help maintain overall wellness, boost immunity, and promote longevity. Consider scheduling routine acupuncture treatments to stay proactive in supporting your health.
National Wellness Month serves as a powerful reminder to prioritize our well-being and embrace self-care practices. Acupuncture offers a holistic and effective approach to self-care, supporting physical, mental, and emotional wellness. By incorporating acupuncture self-care tips into our daily lives, we can cultivate balance, vitality, and a deeper connection with ourselves. Celebrate National Wellness Month by embracing acupuncture as a key component of your wellness journey.
Remember, always consult with a qualified acupuncturist to tailor the self-care tips to your specific needs and health conditions.
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14 Evidence-Based Medicinal Properties of Coconut Oil by: Sayer Ji
14 Evidence-Based Medicinal Properties of Coconut Oil
Friday, March 3rd 2023 at 8:15 am
Written By: Sayer Ji, Founder
This article is copyrighted by GreenMedInfo LLC, 2023
This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter
While coconut oil has dragged itself out of the muck of vast misrepresentation over the past few years as a 'deadly saturated fat,' it still does not get the full appreciation it truly deserves. Not just a "good" fat, coconut oil is an exceptional healing agent as well, with loads of useful health applications
Some examples of this "good" saturated fat's therapeutic properties include:
Fat-Burning: Ironic, isn't it? A saturated fat which can accelerate the loss of midsection fat (the most dangerous kind). Well, there are now two solid, human studies showing just two tablespoons a day (30 ml), in both men and women, is capable of reducing belly fat within 1-3 months.
Brain-Boosting: A now famous study, published in 2006 in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, showed that the administration of medium chain triglycerides (most plentifully found in coconut oil) in 20 subjects with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment, resulted in significant increases in ketone bodies (within only 90 minutes after treatment) associated with measurable cognitive improvement in those with less severe cognitive dysfunction.[i]
Clearing Head Lice: When combined with anise spray, coconut oil was found to be superior to the insecticide permethrin (.43%).[ii]
Healing Wounds: Coconut has been used for wound healing since time immemorial. Three of the identified mechanisms behind these healing effects are its ability to accelerate re-epithelialization, improve antioxidant enzyme activity, and stimulate higher collagen cross-linking within the tissue being repaired.[iii] Coconut oil has even been shown to work synergistically with traditional treatments, such as silver sulphadizine, to speed burn wound recovery.[iv]
NSAID Alternative: Coconut oil has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and fever-reducing properties.[v]
Anti-Ulcer Activity: Interestingly, coconut milk (which includes coconut oil components), has been shown to be as effective as the conventional drug sucralfate as an NSAID-associated anti-ulcer agent.[vi]
Anti-Fungal: In 2004, 52 isolates of Candida species were exposed to coconut oil. The most notorious form, Candida albicans, was found to have the highest susceptibility. Researchers remarked: "Coconut oil should be used in the treatment of fungal infections in view of emerging drug-resistant Candida species."[vii]
Testosterone-Booster: Coconut oil was found to reduce oxidative stress in the testes of rats, resulting in significantly higher levels of testosterone.[viii]
Reducing Swollen Prostate: Coconut oil has been found to reduce testosterone-induced benign prostate growth in rats.[ix]
Improving Blood Lipids: Coconut oil consistently improves the LDL:HDL ratio in the blood of those who consume it. Given this effect, coconut oil can nolonger be dismissed for being 'that saturated fat which clogs the arteries.'
Fat-Soluble Nutrient Absorption: Coconut oil was found to be superior to safflower oil in enhancing tomato carotenoid absorption.[x]
Bone Health: Coconut oil has been shown to reduce oxidative stress within the bone, which may prevent structural damage in osteoporotic bone.[xi] [Note: Osteoporosis is a Myth, as presently defined by the T-Score]
Sunscreen: Coconut oil has been shown to block out UV rays by 30%. Keep in mind that this is good, insofar as UVA rays are damaging to the skin, whereas UVB rays are highly beneficial (when exposure is moderate).[i] Make sure to check this list of other sun-blocking oils.
Insect Repellant: Amazingly, coconut oil was found to be more effective than DEET at repelling insects. Read our article on the topic here: Coconut Oil Beats Toxic DEET at Repelling Insects.
Of course, when speaking about coconut oil, we are only looking at one part of the amazing coconut palm. Each component, including coconut hull fiber, coconut protein and coconut water has experimentally confirmed therapeutic applications.
References [i] Mark A Reger, Samuel T Henderson, Cathy Hale, Brenna Cholerton, Laura D Baker, G S Watson, Karen Hyde, Darla Chapman, Suzanne Craft . Effects of beta-hydroxybutyrate on cognition in memory-impaired adults. Neurobiol Aging. 2004 Mar;25(3):311-4. PMID: 15123336 [ii] Ian F Burgess, Elizabeth R Brunton, Nazma A Burgess . Clinical trial showing superiority of a coconut and anise spray over permethrin 0.43% lotion for head louse infestation, ISRCTN96469780. Eur J Pediatr. 2010 Jan ;169(1):55-62. Epub 2009 Apr 3. PMID: 19343362 [iii] K G Nevin, T Rajamohan . Effect of topical application of virgin coconut oil on skin components and antioxidant status during dermal wound healing in young rats. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2010 ;23(6):290-7. Epub 2010 Jun 3. PMID: 20523108 [iv] Pallavi Srivastava, S Durgaprasad. Burn wound healing property of Cocos nucifera: An appraisal. Indian J Pharmacol. 2008 Aug;40(4):144-6. PMID: 20040946 [v] S Intahphuak, P Khonsung, A Panthong. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities of virgin coconut oil. Pharm Biol. 2010 Feb;48(2):151-7. PMID: 20645831 [vi] R O Nneli, O A Woyike. Antiulcerogenic effects of coconut (Cocos nucifera) extract in rats. Phytother Res. 2008 Jul;22(7):970-2. PMID: 18521965 [vii] D O Ogbolu, A A Oni, O A Daini, A P Oloko. In vitro antimicrobial properties of coconut oil on Candida species in Ibadan, Nigeria. J Med Food. 2007 Jun;10(2):384-7. PMID: 17651080 [viii] Graciela E Hurtado de Catalfo, María J T de Alaniz, Carlos A Marra. Dietary lipids modify redox homeostasis and steroidogenic status in rat testis. Phytother Res. 2010 Feb;24(2):163-8. PMID: 18549927 [ix] María de Lourdes Arruzazabala, Vivian Molina, Rosa Más, Daisy Carbajal, David Marrero, Víctor González, Eduardo Rodríguez. Effects of coconut oil on testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia in Sprague-Dawley rats. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2007 Jul;59(7):995-9. PMID: 17637195 [x] Lauren E Conlon, Ryan D King, Nancy E Moran, John W Erdman. Coconut Oil Enhances Tomato Carotenoid Tissue Accumulation Compared to Safflower Oil in the Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). J Agric Food Chem. 2012 Aug 7. Epub 2012 Aug 7. PMID: 22866697 [xi] Mouna Abdelrahman Abujazia, Norliza Muhammad, Ahmad Nazrun Shuid, Ima Nirwana Soelaiman. The Effects of Virgin Coconut Oil on Bone Oxidative Status in Ovariectomised Rat. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012 ;2012:525079. Epub 2012 Aug 15. PMID: 22927879
Originally published: 2012-09-03
Article updated: 2019-06-29
Sayer Ji is founder of Greenmedinfo.com, a reviewer at the International Journal of Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine, Co-founder and CEO of Systome Biomed, Vice Chairman of the Board of the National Health Federation, Steering Committee Member of the Global Non-GMO Foundation.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of GreenMedInfo or its staff.