Qi Mail™
The Acupuncture Newsletter November 2009
Brought to you by Acufinder.com
Barbara Burns, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist, Traditional Chinese Medicine
41 East Foothill Boulevard, Suite 200
Arcadia, CA 91006
626-446-5900 www.barbaraburns-lac.com
The Acupuncture Newsletter November 2009
Brought to you by Acufinder.com
Barbara Burns, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist, Traditional Chinese Medicine
41 East Foothill Boulevard, Suite 200
Arcadia, CA 91006
626-446-5900 www.barbaraburns-lac.com
In This Issue
- Treating Autoimmune Disease with Acupuncture
- Acupuncture Effective for Crohn's Disease
- 6 Food Tips for Autoimmune Disorders
- Barbara's October/November Update
Treating Autoimmune Disease with Acupuncture
Treating Autoimmune Disease with Acupuncture Over 50 million Americans suffer from autoimmune disease; an autoimmune disease occurs when the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue. Autoimmune disorders include Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, thyroid disease, Addison's disease, pernicious anemia, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis and Guillain–Barré syndrome. Due to the complexity of treating autoimmune disorders, integrative medicine solutions including acupuncture and Oriental medicine have received much attention as successful therapies in their treatment. Acupuncture is specifically noted for its use in pain relief, regulating the immune system, managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
What Causes Autoimmune Disease?
Under normal conditions, an immune response cannot be triggered against the cells of one's own body. In certain cases, however, immune cells make a mistake and attack the very cells that they are meant to protect. This can lead to a variety of autoimmune diseases. They encompass a broad category of over 100 diseases in which the person's immune system attacks his or her own tissue.
The exact mechanisms causing these changes are not completely understood, but bacteria, viruses, toxins, and some drugs may play a role in triggering an autoimmune process in someone who already has a genetic (inherited) predisposition to develop such a disorder. It is theorized that the inflammation initiated by these agents, toxic or infectious, somehow provokes in the body a "sensitization" (autoimmune reaction) in the involved tissues.
As the disease develops vague symptoms start to appear, such as joint and muscle pain, general muscle weakness, possible rashes or low-grade fever, trouble concentrating, or weight loss. The following symptoms may point toward something being wrong: numbness and tingling in hands and feet, dry eyes, hair loss, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, or repeated miscarriages can also be caused by an autoimmune response.
How Acupuncture Treats Autoimmune Disorders
According to Oriental medicine, autoimmune disorders occur when there is imbalance within the body. Imbalance can come from an excess or deficiency of yin and yang that disrupts the flow of qi, or vital energy, through the body. Acupuncture is used to help the body restore balance, treating the root of the disorder, while specifically addressing the symptoms that are unique to each individual.
Clinical research has shown that acupuncture causes physical responses in nerve cells, the pituitary gland, and parts of the brain. These responses can cause the body to release proteins, hormones, and brain chemicals that control a number of body functions. It is proposed that, by these actions, acupuncture affects blood pressure, body temperature and the immune system.
In addition to acupuncture, your treatment program to manage your autoimmune disorder may involve a combination of therapies including stress reducing exercises, moderate physical activity, herbal medicine, nutritional support and bodywork.
To learn more about how acupuncture can safely and effectively be incorporated into care for people with an autoimmune disorder, please call for a consultation today.
What Causes Autoimmune Disease?
Under normal conditions, an immune response cannot be triggered against the cells of one's own body. In certain cases, however, immune cells make a mistake and attack the very cells that they are meant to protect. This can lead to a variety of autoimmune diseases. They encompass a broad category of over 100 diseases in which the person's immune system attacks his or her own tissue.
The exact mechanisms causing these changes are not completely understood, but bacteria, viruses, toxins, and some drugs may play a role in triggering an autoimmune process in someone who already has a genetic (inherited) predisposition to develop such a disorder. It is theorized that the inflammation initiated by these agents, toxic or infectious, somehow provokes in the body a "sensitization" (autoimmune reaction) in the involved tissues.
As the disease develops vague symptoms start to appear, such as joint and muscle pain, general muscle weakness, possible rashes or low-grade fever, trouble concentrating, or weight loss. The following symptoms may point toward something being wrong: numbness and tingling in hands and feet, dry eyes, hair loss, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, or repeated miscarriages can also be caused by an autoimmune response.
How Acupuncture Treats Autoimmune Disorders
According to Oriental medicine, autoimmune disorders occur when there is imbalance within the body. Imbalance can come from an excess or deficiency of yin and yang that disrupts the flow of qi, or vital energy, through the body. Acupuncture is used to help the body restore balance, treating the root of the disorder, while specifically addressing the symptoms that are unique to each individual.
Clinical research has shown that acupuncture causes physical responses in nerve cells, the pituitary gland, and parts of the brain. These responses can cause the body to release proteins, hormones, and brain chemicals that control a number of body functions. It is proposed that, by these actions, acupuncture affects blood pressure, body temperature and the immune system.
In addition to acupuncture, your treatment program to manage your autoimmune disorder may involve a combination of therapies including stress reducing exercises, moderate physical activity, herbal medicine, nutritional support and bodywork.
To learn more about how acupuncture can safely and effectively be incorporated into care for people with an autoimmune disorder, please call for a consultation today.
Acupuncture Effective for Crohn's Disease
In a study published in the journal, Digestion, acupuncture was found effective for treating Crohn's disease.
Crohn's disease is an autoimmune disease which involves chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The main symptoms of Crohn's disease are abdominal pain, fever, fatigue and persistent, watery diarrhea. Symptoms range from mild to severe, and can come and go with periods of flare-ups.
In this German study, 51 patients with mild to moderately active Crohn's disease had a decrease in disease activity after receiving 10 sessions of acupuncture. Study members also showed an improvement in general well-being and reported an improvement in quality of life.
Source: Joos S, Brinkhaus B, Maluche C, Maupai N, Kohnen R, Kraehmer N, Hahn EG, Schuppan D. Acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of active Crohn's disease: a randomized controlled study. Digestion. 2004;69(3):131-9.
Crohn's disease is an autoimmune disease which involves chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The main symptoms of Crohn's disease are abdominal pain, fever, fatigue and persistent, watery diarrhea. Symptoms range from mild to severe, and can come and go with periods of flare-ups.
In this German study, 51 patients with mild to moderately active Crohn's disease had a decrease in disease activity after receiving 10 sessions of acupuncture. Study members also showed an improvement in general well-being and reported an improvement in quality of life.
Source: Joos S, Brinkhaus B, Maluche C, Maupai N, Kohnen R, Kraehmer N, Hahn EG, Schuppan D. Acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of active Crohn's disease: a randomized controlled study. Digestion. 2004;69(3):131-9.
6 Food Tips for Autoimmune Disorders
A class of plant chemicals known as bioflavinoids has been found to dramatically reduce inflammation and improve symptoms associated with autoimmune disorders.
Tea: Both green and black tea contain the flavenoids, catechins and theaflavins, which are beneficial in autoimmune disease.
Apples: Apples, contain the flavanoid, quercetin that can reduce allergic reactions and decrease inflammation. Quercetin occurs naturally in certain foods, such as apples (with the skin on), berries, red grapes, red onions, capers, and black tea.
Carrots: Carotenoids are a family of plant pigments that include beta-carotene. A lack of carotenoids in the
Apples: Apples, contain the flavanoid, quercetin that can reduce allergic reactions and decrease inflammation. Quercetin occurs naturally in certain foods, such as apples (with the skin on), berries, red grapes, red onions, capers, and black tea.
Carrots: Carotenoids are a family of plant pigments that include beta-carotene. A lack of carotenoids in the
diet is thought to promote inflammation. Good sources of carotenoids include apricots, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach, kale, butternut squash, and collard greens.
Ginger: Recent studies show that ginger reduces inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin and suppresses the immune system's production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, reducing disease severity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Omega-3: Omega-3 essential fatty acids can counter the formation of chemicals that cause inflammation. Good natural sources include flaxseed oil and salmon.
Fiber: A healthy and active colon can decrease food sensitivity, which, in turn, can lighten the burden on your immune system. For maximum autoimmune health, increase the fiber in your diet.
Ginger: Recent studies show that ginger reduces inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin and suppresses the immune system's production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, reducing disease severity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Omega-3: Omega-3 essential fatty acids can counter the formation of chemicals that cause inflammation. Good natural sources include flaxseed oil and salmon.
Fiber: A healthy and active colon can decrease food sensitivity, which, in turn, can lighten the burden on your immune system. For maximum autoimmune health, increase the fiber in your diet.
Barbara's October/November Update
Hi and welcome to flu season!
With the new flu virus H1N1 threatening our peace of mind, it pays to be smart in managing your immune system reserves. So, if you are feeling punk but thinking you should “man up” and get to the gym anyway, consider this:
Feeling sick? Don’t work out. At any level of exertion, you risk making the illness more severe. And the more strenuous the workout, the more severe the depletion. It just makes physiological sense. If your core temperature is already elevated due to fever and you increase that temperature by working out, the virus will multiply faster at the higher temperature. And, if you still feel weak from the flu but are not fully recovered (and figure sweating it out at the gym will help you get rid of that last sick bit), a workout can invite serious relapse and result in longer recovery time. And remember, if you are feeling weak, you are at greater risk for injury during your workout.
And, when you do work out, it is wise to wipe the equipment down before and after, drink plenty of fluids and don’t touch your hands to your eyes, nose or mouth while exercising.
Feeling well? Make working out a habit. A small study published in SPORTS & EXERCISE in 2003 discovered that immune function improved in adults who exercised moderately three times a week as compared to the group who did no regular exercise. Both groups had flu vaccinations and for the first few months the number of virus-killing white blood cells of both groups was the same. However, after 10 months (and a second seasonal flu shot) the exercise group showed a greater antibody concentration indicating more resistance to the virus as well as a greater number of virus-fighting blood cells. The authors of the study concluded that exercise is a significant adaptogenic activity. That is, one which improves the body’s ability to cope with stressors – in this case, viral infection.*
So, be smart, come get your seasonal acu-boost, and stay well this flu season.
Barbara
*Source: Los Angeles Times, HEALTH, September 14, 2009.
With the new flu virus H1N1 threatening our peace of mind, it pays to be smart in managing your immune system reserves. So, if you are feeling punk but thinking you should “man up” and get to the gym anyway, consider this:
Feeling sick? Don’t work out. At any level of exertion, you risk making the illness more severe. And the more strenuous the workout, the more severe the depletion. It just makes physiological sense. If your core temperature is already elevated due to fever and you increase that temperature by working out, the virus will multiply faster at the higher temperature. And, if you still feel weak from the flu but are not fully recovered (and figure sweating it out at the gym will help you get rid of that last sick bit), a workout can invite serious relapse and result in longer recovery time. And remember, if you are feeling weak, you are at greater risk for injury during your workout.
And, when you do work out, it is wise to wipe the equipment down before and after, drink plenty of fluids and don’t touch your hands to your eyes, nose or mouth while exercising.
Feeling well? Make working out a habit. A small study published in SPORTS & EXERCISE in 2003 discovered that immune function improved in adults who exercised moderately three times a week as compared to the group who did no regular exercise. Both groups had flu vaccinations and for the first few months the number of virus-killing white blood cells of both groups was the same. However, after 10 months (and a second seasonal flu shot) the exercise group showed a greater antibody concentration indicating more resistance to the virus as well as a greater number of virus-fighting blood cells. The authors of the study concluded that exercise is a significant adaptogenic activity. That is, one which improves the body’s ability to cope with stressors – in this case, viral infection.*
So, be smart, come get your seasonal acu-boost, and stay well this flu season.
Barbara
*Source: Los Angeles Times, HEALTH, September 14, 2009.