Posts Tagged ‘United States’

Acupuncture and ADHD

Schwartz Posted in Acupuncture，Tags: , , , , , , ,
15 September 2010
2

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common behavioral conditions among children. In the United States alone, approximately 4.5 million children between the ages of 5-17 years old are diagnosed with ADHD each year. Research indicates that when treating ADHD, a multidisciplinary approach is most effective; combining behavioral therapy, exercise, dietary changes and medication. Now acupuncture can be added as one of the treatment methods that can successfully manage ADHD.

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a condition of the brain that makes it difficult to concentrate or control impulsive behavior.

Children with ADHD generally struggle with paying attention or concentrating. They can’t seem to follow directions and are easily bored or frustrated with tasks. They also tend to move constantly and are impulsive, not stopping to think before they act. These behaviors are generally common in children. But they occur more often than usual and are more severe in a child with ADHD. The behaviors that are common with ADHD interfere with a child’s ability to function at school and at home.

Adults with ADHD may have difficulty with time management, organizational skills, goal setting, and employment. They may also have problems with relationships, self-esteem, and addictions.

Treatment for ADHD

Treatment for ADHD is multifaceted. It consists of ADHD medications, behavioral therapy and lifestyle and dietary modifications. ADHD is best managed when families, educational and health professionals work together to meet the unique needs of the child or adult who has ADHD to help them learn to focus their attention, develop their personal strengths, minimize disruptive behavior, and become productive and successful. Acupuncture is an excellent addition to any treatment plan as it is used to help the body restore balance, treating the root of the disorder, while also diminishing the symptoms of ADHD.

What acupuncture can help with:

• Improve focus and attention
• Manage moods
• Reduce fidgeting
• Lower hyperactivity
• Augment mood management techniques
• Enhance concentration

If you would like to learn more about acupuncture in the treatment for ADHD or one of the childhood ailments listed below, please call for a consultation.

Treating Children with Acupuncture

Children respond extremely well to acupuncture treatments for many conditions. When treating children, their comfort is of the utmost importance. Treatments tend to be shorter and acupuncture points are usually stimulated gently with very thin needles or with other techniques that do not involve needles.

Needle-free acupuncture treatments may include stroking, rubbing, tapping, and pressing the acupuncture points with tools such as brushes, rollers and blunt probes.

Common childhood conditions treated with Oriental Medicine:

• Failure to thrive syndrome
• Weak constitution
• Colic, excessive night crying, temper tantrums
• Indigestion, GERD, constipation, and diarrhea
• Night terrors
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Allergies, asthma
• Cough and colds
• Eczema and hives
• Ear infections
• Bedwetting

Ginger: Tool in Global Fight Against Childhood Killer?

Could one of the most widely used herbs in cooking around the world be just the right medicine for one of the deadliest conditions children face around the world?

That’s the promise pointed at by a study published in the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

In this study, researchers in Taiwan looked at the role of a ginger extract in blocking the toxin that causes 210 million cases of diarrhea worldwide. The toxin is produced by enterotoxigenic E. coli, which accounts for 380,000 worldwide deaths annually. The study found that zingerone, a compound in ginger, was the likely compound responsible for blocking the toxin.

Further study is needed to confirm these findings and determine appropriate dosage, especially for infants. But this natural wonder offers a very inexpensive alternative to drug therapy and great hope to thousands of children in poor countries around the world.

Source: American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2007

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Acupuncture Normalizes Dysfunction of HPOA

Schwartz Posted in Acupuncture, Fertility，Tags: , , , , , , ,
08 September 2010
0

Below is the abstract from a study conducted in 1997 by Dr. Bo-Ying Chen.

“This article summarizes the studies of the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in the regulation of the
abnormal function of hypothalamic pituitary-ovarian axis (HPOA) in our laboratory. Clinical observation
showed that EA with the effective acupoints could cure some anovulatory patients in a highly effective rate
and the experimental results suggested that EA might regulate the dysfunction of HPOA in several ways,
which rneans EA could influence some gene expression of brain, thereby, normalizing secretion of some
hormones, such as GnRH, LH and E2. The effects of EA might possess a relative specificity on acupoints. “

The study looks at ways in which acupuncture can cure anovulatory patients and several mechanisms are looked at. The take-home point is that acupuncture did help patients suffering from anovulation.

Acupuncture is an effective way to deal with infertility in both men and women. Please contact us to schedule a personal consultation regarding infertility.

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Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with acupuncture

Schwartz Posted in Acupuncture, Fertility，Tags: , , , , , , ,
04 September 2010
0

Many scientific studies have been conducted over the past two decades that have shown a strong correlation between acupuncture and its influence on the many variable that contribute to infertility. Below is the summary of a study done during the mid-nineties that shows a reduction of blood flow impedance.

“In order to assess whether electro-acupuncture (EA) can reduce a high uterine artery blood flow impedance, 10 infertile but otherwise healthy women with a pulsatility index (PI) ?3.0 in the uterine arteries were treated with EA in a prospective, non-randomized study. Before inclusion in the study and throughout the entire study period, the women were down-regulated with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) in order to exclude any fluctuating endogenous hormone effects on the PI. The baseline PI was measured when the serum oestradiol was ?0.1 nmol/l, and thereafter the women were given EA eight times, twice a week for 4 weeks. The PI was measured again closely after the eighth EA treatment, and once more 10-14 days after the EA period. Skin temperature on the forehead (STFH) and in the lumbosacral area (STLS) was measured during the first, fifth and eighth EA treatments. Compared to the mean baseline PI, the mean PI was significantly reduced both shortly after the eighth EA treatment (P < 0.0001) and 10-14 days after the EA period (P < 0.0001). STFH increased significantly during the EA treatments. It is suggested that both of these effects are due to a central inhibition of the sympathetic activity.”

Source: European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology

Please contact us to schedule a personal consultation. We specialize in treating female infertility with acupuncture and herbs.

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Chinese Herbs Found to Ease Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Schwartz Posted in Chinese Medicine, Oncology，Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
27 August 2010
0

Yung-Chi “Tommy” Cheng
Yung-Chi “Tommy” Cheng

August 18, 2010

“New Haven, Conn. — A combination of Chinese herbs in use for more than 1,800 years reduced the gastrointestinal side effects of chemotherapy in mice, while actually enhancing the effects of the cancer treatment, Yale University researchers report.

The formula used in the experiment consists of four herbs, called PHY906, and is based on a herbal recipe called Huang Qin Tang, used historically to treat nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The study, published August 18 in the journal Science Translational Medicine, asked whether the use of the formula could reduce gastrointestinal effects of a common chemotherapy drug without affecting its ability to kill cancerous cells.

Video: Yung-Chi “Tommy” Cheng, Henry Bronson professor of pharmacology, co-director of the Yale Cancer Center’s Developmental Therapeutics program and senior author of the paper. Watch »

Chemotherapy causes a number of toxic side effects, which are usually treated with several different drugs with mixed success.

“Chemotherapy causes great distress for millions of patients, but PHY906 has multiple biologically active compounds which can act on multiple sources of discomfort,” said Yung-Chi “Tommy” Cheng, Henry Bronson professor of pharmacology, co-director of the Yale Cancer Center’s Developmental Therapeutics program and senior author of the paper.

Mice undergoing chemotherapy that were given PHY906 lost less weight and experienced more anti-tumor activity than mice not given the formula, the team reported.

The herbal formula reduced toxicity of the chemotherapy by multiple mechanisms, including the inhibiting inflammation and promoting the creation of new intestinal cells, the team reported. This cannot be accomplished by current drugs, which usually target only one mechanism.

“This combination of chemotherapy and herbs represents a marriage of Western and Eastern approaches to the treatment of cancer,” Cheng said.

Cheng is the co-discover of PHY906 and, with Yale, has a financial interest in PhytoCeutica Inc., a New Haven company developing the formula.

The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health.

Wing Lam of Yale was lead author of the paper. Other Yale authors include Scott Bussom, Fulan Guan, Zaoli Jiang, Wei Zhang, Elizabeth A. Gullen, Shwu-Huey Liu, Yung-Chi Cheng.”

Source: Yale University

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Research on the role of acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility

Schwartz Posted in Acupuncture, infertility，Tags: , , , , , , ,
21 August 2010
0

Read below to find out about the results of a study that sought to review literature and scientific studies on the role of acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility.

“Although the understanding of acupuncture is based on ancient medical theory, studies have

suggested that certain effects of acupuncture are mediated through endogenous opioid peptides in the

central nervous system, particularly ß-endorphin. Because these neuropeptides influence gonadotropin

secretion through their action on GnRH, it is logical to hypothesize that acupuncture may impact on the

menstrual cycle through these neuropeptides. Although studies of adequate design, sample size, and

appropriate control on the use of acupuncture on ovulation induction are lacking, there is only one

prospective randomized controlled study examining the efficacy of acupuncture in patients undergoing IVF.

Besides its central effect, the sympathoinhibitory effects of acupuncture may impact on uterine blood flow.”

Source: http://www.aborm.org/research/research.16.infertility.pdf

Buckhead Acupuncture and Herbal Center specializes in the treatment of infertility. Read our testimonials from female patients we have helped and then give us a call to schedule a personal consultation.

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TCM and Insomnia: Types, Causes, and Treatment

Schwartz Posted in Chinese Medicine，Tags: , , , , , , ,
11 August 2010
0

Insomnia is characterized as a sleep disorder. It can mean difficulty falling asleep, difficulty remaining asleep, early awakening, and light sleep characterized by dreams and/or nightmares.

Sleep
Image by bitzcelt via Flickr

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) considers most cases to be caused by a deficiency of some sort, usually liver qi deficiency or liver deficiency.

Below is a brief summary of the TCM approach to insomnia as well as a common example of a root cause.

“In modern TCM literature, there is agreement of five common differentiations, two being excess patterns, and three being deficiency patterns.2 Excess patterns tend to be more recent in onset, while deficiency (usually of qi and blood, but also yin) accounts for most of the chronic and prolonged cases. There also exists mixed deficiency and excess types, which are primarily deficiency with excess arising later. Excess can be due to emotional factors or overwork. Deficiency may be due to weak constitution, prolonged illness, worry and anxiety, which can aggravate or cause deficiencies of qi, blood or yin.

Stagnation of Liver Qi Transforming into Liver Fire. In this excess pattern, prolonged emotions such as anger, suppressed depression, shock or worry lead to stagnation of liver qi. As this transforms in to liver fire, it flares up to disturb the mind. This is the cause of the “difficult to fall asleep” pattern, and is different from deficiency fire (described below), which tends to cause “light sleep.” There is an inability to fall asleep until later, and may be followed by vivid or manic dreams.”

At Atlanta Acupuncture, we consult with you to determine the underlying reasons for your insomnia. We will ask you many questions including when you go to bed, how long you sleep for on average, when you wake up, and many more questions that help us determine what is causing the insomnia. We will also measure your pulse to determine any deficiencies and teach you effective relaxation techniques that can help make sleep easier to achieve. Please contact us to schedule an appointment with a licensed acupuncturist.

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How Acupuncture Helps with Insomnia

Schwartz Posted in Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, Herbs，Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
27 July 2010
0
2D-structure of zolpidem (Ambien)
Image via Wikipedia

Sleep is of vital importance. Lack of sleep has been shown to cause, or worsen, health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and obesity. With millions of Americans suffering from some sort of sleep disorder, it is apparent that sleep disorders are increasingly prevalent in our society.

The most common, and well recognized, sleep disorder is insomnia. It is characterized by either difficulty going to sleep or difficulty staying asleep. Many pharmaceutical companies have offered pills (such as Ambien) to help with this condition, but dangerous side effects have been observed with these drugs and many are habit-forming.

With acupuncture and Chinese herbs, there is an alternative treatment for insomnia without side effects. Please contact us in Atlanta for more information or to set up a consultation where we can help identify the root of your insomnia and offer customized treatment.

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Acupuncture and Infertility: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Schwartz Posted in Fertility，Tags: , , , , , , ,
16 July 2010
0
Acupuncture needle.
Image via Wikipedia

One of the health conditions that can cause infertility in women is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Women with this condition can have a difficult time conceiving. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective at treating PID. A study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility showed remarkable results.

“Research has demonstrated [acupuncture] to be effective at treating pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the pelvic organs that can cause infertility. In severe cases, PID requires a hysterectomy to resolve the problem.

A 1989 study of PID patients looked at who had failed to respond to previous courses of antibiotics for the disease and later had acupuncture and Chinese herbs and compared them with patients currently taking antibiotics.

They found that the group who had acupuncture and Chinese herbs showed improvements in 88.4% of cases and of those, 46% got complete relief from all their symptoms.

The antibiotic group had a 52% improvement rate with only 16% attaining complete relief from all their symptoms.

If you are suffering from PID or are otherwise unable to conceive, please consider acupuncture for your infertility problems. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or if you would like to schedule an appointment for a personal consultation.
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Why the Move Towards Infertility Specialization?

Mark Schwartz Posted in Acupuncture, Fertility，Tags: , , , , , , ,
21 May 2010
1

As early as my student clinic days at the Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin, I decided that I wanted to specialize in the treatment of gynecological disease. I was passionate about my interest in Chinese medicinal herbs and had an opportunity to work at our school’s herbal pharmacy for 2.5 years while a student. In China, Chinese Medical Gynecology is almost exclusively herbal based. I prescribed raw herbal formulas to most of my patients and asked friends who worked in the student clinic to send me patients who were interested in taking raw herbs. This request brought me many female patients who were trying to conceive, overcome painful periods or PMS, and deal with perimenopause. I was very impressed with how effective Chinese herbs and Acupuncture were to treat these conditions.

Lotus flower at West Lake, Hangzhou

Image by Pedronet via Flickr

After Graduation, I decided I did not fully have the all tools necessary to help my GYN patients, so my family and I decided to move to China where I continued my studies by following senior Chinese medical doctors in the hospital in Hangzhou. About 80% of that first year was spent in the gynecology department, and the remaining time in Internal Medicine. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to study with Doctors Fu Ping, Wang  Mingde, He Jialing, and Wu Boping.  During my 2 years I continued to study Chineseand improve my ability to read medical Chinese.

There is a growing trend among acupuncturists to specialize, just as our western medical colleagues do. In Chinese medical hospitals in China, everyone specializes in one department:

Gynecology
Dermatology
Oncology
Auto-immune disease
Gastro-intestinal
Pediatrics
Acupuncture
Etc……

We are all very very good at treating pain, and with my experience treating patients at the Anxiety & Stress Management Institute I am excellent at treating various psychological conditions. However, as time goes on, I am accepting very few new patients who are not looking to work on infertility. I am extremely grateful to my current and previous patients as well as local physicians who continue to support my move towards specialization by referring patients to me

Mark Schwartz, FABORM, L.Ac.

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Mark Schwartz:
Fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine!

Mark Schwartz Posted in Fertility，Tags: , , , , , ,
18 May 2010
1
Guanyin and child, similar to a Madonna and Ch...

Image via Wikipedia

I am very pleased to announce becoming a Fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (FABORM).

The ABORM has been formed by leading professionals in Oriental
Reproductive Medicine who have come together voluntarily with a resolve
to meet the patient and physician demand for a demonstration of
knowledge of care in this field. We have recognized the need for a
certification to maintain that practitioners who are treating patients
with Oriental Medicine in the field of Reproductive Health are doing so
with an advanced knowledge and experience, and to allow practitioners to
demonstrate their knowledge through the process of voluntary examination.

The ABORM is a non-profit 501(C)6 corporation devoted to
teaching, research, and the practice of Oriental Medicine as it relates
to the treatment of reproductive disorders. The ABORM respects the
training and lineage of all practitioners who work with reproductive
disorders. Our medicine is holistic in nature, and that holism must be
retained as we choose to gain advanced knowledge in the treatment of
fertility with Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. In the interest of the
health of all our patients, and the advancement of the AOM profession,
ABORM asserts the right of any practitioner to gain advanced knowledge
in any area he or she chooses to study.

For me this accomplishment conveys to local OB-GYN‘s, Reproductive Endocrinologists from Atlanta‘s four infertility centers, and my patients that infertility is truly my specialty and not just something I occasionally treat. Every acupuncturist can treat pain, but not all can help you realize your dreams of becoming a parent. If you are having trouble conceiving, you will not go to a neurologist/orthopaedist, rather you will seek out a specialist who treats infertility. Likewise when you are seeking an acupuncturist you should select one who is a specialist.
I welcome  your comments and questions here on our new blog about how we can help  you conceive naturally or in conjunction with your physician and maintain a healthy pregnancy.

Best Wishes,

Mark Schwartz, FABORM, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.

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