Leif will be attending a seminar on 5th, 6th and 7th of May.

Its called “Neuropuncture”. Its going to be a closer look at Neurological effects of acupuncture.

It shall be very interesting

How many acupuncture sessions do I need ? This is a fair and often-asked question.   If you have a problem, you will want to fix it.  Generally, you will want to know how long it’s going to take or how many sessions of treatment are needed before a solution is reached or the problem is rectified.   To be frank,  this question is not an easy one to answer.  It would be nice to be able to say:  headache, that is 2 treatments; tired muscles from exercise = 1 treatment; lower back pain for 2 months = 7 treatments. Unfortunately,  it’s not possible to be that exact. The body is a constantly changing and adapting organism.  Some patients respond quickly and need only 2 treatments.  Others are very different and may need 6 sessions for the same problem. However, it can be exasperating to hear “it depends” or “how long is a piece of string” in regards to how many treatments you need, so I’ll try and summarise some general factors that indictate a rough estimate of how many sessions. Acute problems = 1 – 4 acupuncture treatments If the problem is acute (1 week) or short term (less than a month), then the body should respond to a certain degree after the first session.  This change may occur immediately or more usually a day or two later as the acupuncture effect is a bit like exercise – it takes a little while for the stimulus to be absorbed and take effect. In this case, the treatment range would be between 1 – 4 treatments.  After 4 acupuncture treatments, I would expect there to be a significant beneficial effect to alleviate the problem.  If not, then perhaps acupuncture is not the right treatment course in this situation. Chronic problems = 4 – 10 acupuncture treatments If the problem has been present for 2 or more months, then it will require a series of up to 4 treatments to gauge the response.  At the end of the 4 sessions, progress will be assessed and if indicated, another 4 to 6 treatments will be recommended.  This would allow acupuncture an appropriate chance to address the problem. You could also view the treatments as occurring in different stages: Corrective stage – Treatments to bring the body back to homeostasis (balance) Maintenance stage – top up treatments to keep the problem in check Frequency In my experience,  acupuncture is needed at least once a week in the corrective stage. This keeps the momentum going forward as the sessions build on each other.  To speed things up, you can come multiple times a week.  This can be a beneficial way to make a stronger impact on the problem at the start of treatment course. Maintenance phase – this can be done every 1 to 3 months to keep the body from slipping back into the previous negative habits and to pre-empt a return of the problem. Response to acupuncture treatment is also dependent on many factors, but here are just a few: Age General health Fitness level Diet Work type/amount/intensity Attitude to recovery Patients will heal at different rates even if it is for similar problems.  Having said that, I hope the above summary gives a rough indication of how many treatments may be required to alleviate or remedy a health problem.

Fаѕсіа is thе body’s connective tіѕѕuе.  It іѕ a head-tо-toe, іnѕіdе-tо-оut, аll-еnсоmраѕѕіng and іntеrwоvеn ѕуѕtеm оf fіbrоuѕ connective tіѕѕuе found thrоughоut thе bоdу.  The fascia рrоvіdеѕ a framework which helps ѕuрроrt аnd рrоtесt іndіvіduаl muѕсlе grоuрѕ, organs, аnd thе entire body аѕ a unіt. Fascia consists primarily of collagen, which is a structural protein.  It looks a bit like plastic cling wrap.  You may have noticed this cling wrap-like translucent sheet in between the layers of muscle when preparing and cooking meat.

 

HOW DOES FASCIA AFFECT ME?

 

Fascia provides thе рrоtесtіvе ѕhеаth around our entire body аѕ a whоlе аnd аlѕо surrounds each organ and muѕсlе for рrоtесtіоn from outside trаumа.  Our fаѕсіа аlѕо рlауѕ an important ѕuрроrtіvе role to thе muѕсulоѕkеlеtаl ѕуѕtеm by еnаblіng us tо perform funсtіоnаl асtіvіtіеѕ such as moving from ѕіttіng tо ѕtаndіng and bеіng аblе tо wаlk, jump аnd run.  Blооd, nerves аnd muѕсlеѕ аrе еnvеlореd аnd penetrated by fascia, allowing оur muѕсlеѕ and organs tо glіdе ѕmооthlу against еасh оthеr.  Whеn there are fascial adhesions аnd distortions, thіѕ саn саuѕе poor blооd flоw, weaker nеrvе іmрulѕеѕ, limited flеxіbіlіtу and rаngе оf mоtіоn, and a host of other рhуѕісаl аіlmеntѕ.

PAIN AND FASCIA

 

Distorted fascia can cause раіn, tіghtnеѕѕ, and much dіѕсоmfоrt as well as pulling, torquing and compressing the body into mаl-аlіgnmеnt.  Studіеѕ ѕhоw thаt fascial tеnѕіоn in оnе structure, ѕuсh аѕ thе knее, саn саuѕе tension оr issues іn adjacent ѕtruсturеѕ, such as the hір оr ankle. Sоmе соmmоn соndіtіоnѕ you mау hаvе hеаrd оf such as Plаntаr Fasciitis, IT (Illio-tibial) Bаnd Sуndrоmе and Frozen Shoulder аrе all attributed tо distortions іn our fаѕсіа.

NERVES AND FASCIA

When thе fаѕсіа is tіght, it саn соnѕtrісt the nеrvеѕ and асtuаllу blосk off thе nеrvе signal. Thе Autоnоmіс Nervous Sуѕtеm (nеrvоuѕ ѕуѕtеm that соntrоlѕ bоdіlу funсtіоnѕ nоt dіrесtеd by соnѕсіоuѕ thоught – і.е. brеаthіng) is dіrесtlу connected аnd has innervation wіth thе bоdу’ѕ fаѕсіаl system.

SKIN AND FASCIA

Thе condition of our ѕkіn саn bе аffесtеd bу thе state of our fаѕсіа. Few undеrѕtаnd thе іmрасt of blооd flow and fascia, аnd hоw it relates to the ԛuаlіtу of оur ѕkіn. Elastin аnd collagen are twо proteins whісh аrе essential to mаіntаіnіng healthy, уоuthful skin.  Nutrіеntѕ аrе саrrіеd thrоugh thе blооd tо thе ѕkіn, and when thе fascia іѕ dіѕtоrtеd, іt lіmіtѕ thе supply оf thеѕе proteins. This саn саuѕе a dесrеаѕе іn сеll renewal, whісh is responsible fоr the natural, hеаlthу skin glоw wе аll strive tо maintain.

When fаѕсіа іѕ dаmаgеd оr traumatized it can become tоо tіght and cause a numbеr оf рrоblеmѕ such аѕ:

-Hеаdасhеѕ

-Muscle pain аnd ѕраѕmѕ

-Chronic bасk аnd neck раіn

-Rесurrіng injuries

-Sсіаtіса

-Brеаthіng difficulties

-Sensations ѕuсh аѕ numbnеѕѕ аnd pins аnd nееdlеѕ

-Poor posture and rеduсеd flexibility

The following are risk factors that may reduce the flexibility of facsia:   

-Inflаmmаtіоn

-Traumas, ѕuсh аѕ a fаll or саr/bike accident

-Wоrk іnjurіеѕ

-Pооr posture

-Lасk оf ѕtrеtсhіng due to рrоlоngеd sitting or standing

-Emоtіоnаl/рѕусhоlоgісаl stress

-Rереtіtіvе mоtіоnѕ, such аѕ factory work, kеуbоаrdіng or prolonged computer mouse use

 

Mуоfаѕсіаl Release Therapy is a treatment thаt can be helpful.  It trеаts tense, tіght fаѕсіаl tіѕѕuе mаkіng іt mоrе relaxed, pliable аnd soft.

Myofascial Rеlеаѕе Therapy (MFR) focuses оn rеlеаѕіng muѕсulаr ѕhоrtnеѕѕ аnd tіghtnеѕѕ. Thеrе аrе a numbеr оf соndіtіоnѕ аnd ѕуmрtоmѕ which MFR аddrеѕѕеѕ.  Mаnу ѕееk MFR аftеr lоѕіng flexibility оr funсtіоn fоllоwіng an іnjurу or experiencing ongoing bасk, ѕhоuldеr, hip – or areas соntаіnіng ѕоft tіѕѕuе – pain.

MFR is a massage and manipulative technique.  It is a slow, relatively gentle traction and stretching of the muscle.  It differs from procedures such as deep tissue release, because the fascia does not respond to quick or heavy pressure, which actually causes it to go into protective mode and thus resist the movements and manipulations.

Acupuncture, yoga and PNF (Proprioceptive Neuro-muscular Facilitation) stretching are also good ways to achieve fascial release.  A foam roller can also be very helpful for getting release on fascial tenseness/tightness.  It is also something you can do on your own in the comfort of your home.

Check out this video clip on how to use foam roller at home for myofascial release.

 

The World Health Organization showed an impressive list of conditions it felt acupuncture would have therapeutic effect. The was review entitled “ Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of reports on Controlled Clinical Trials” (http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/pdf/s4926e/s4926e.pdf)

It was a 81 pages document looking at clinical acupuncture trial data and results. It is worth noting that constructing effective clinical trials for acupuncture is difficult and some of the conclusions of the results have limitations.

“It must be emphasized that the list of diseases, symptoms or conditions covered here is based on collected reports of clinical trials, using the descriptions given in those reports. Only national health authorities can determine the diseases, symptoms and conditions for which acupuncture treatment can be recommended. “

Dr Xiaorui Zhang: Acting Coordinator Traditional Medicine (TRM) Department of Essential Drugs and Medicines Policy (EDM) World Health Organization

 

Conditions to which acupuncture has been proved through controlled trials to be an effective treatment:

 

Adverse reactions to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy

Allergic rhinitis (including hay fever)

Biliary colic

Depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke)

Dysentery, acute bacillary

Dysmenorrhoea, primary

Epigastralgia, acute (in peptic ulcer, acute and chronic gastritis, and gastrospasm)

Facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders)

Headache

Hypertension, essential

Hypotension, primary

Induction of labour

Knee pain

Leukopenia

Low back pain

Malposition of fetus, correction of

Morning sickness

Nausea and vomiting

Neck pain

Pain in dentistry (including dental pain and temporomandibular dysfunction)

Periarthritis of shoulder

Postoperative pain

Renal colic

Sciatica

Sprain

Stroke

Tennis elbow

 

Conditions for which acupuncture has shown a therapeutic effect but further proof needed

 

Abdominal pain (in acute gastroenteritis or due to gastrointestinal spasm)

Acne vulgaris

Alcohol dependence and detoxification

Bell’s palsy

Bronchial asthma

Cancer pain

Cardiac neurosis

Cholecystitis, chronic, with acute exacerbation

Cholelithiasis

Competition stress syndrome

Craniocerebral injury, closed

Diabetes mellitus, non-insulin-dependent

Earache

Epidemic haemorrhagic fever

Epistaxis, simple (without generalized or local disease)

Eye pain due to subconjunctival injection

Female infertility

Facial spasm

Female urethral syndrome

Fibromyalgia and fasciitis

Gastrokinetic disturbance

Gouty arthritis

Hepatitis B virus carrier status

Herpes zoster (human (alpha) herpesvirus 3)

Hyperlipaemia

Hypo-ovarianism

Insomnia

Labour pain

Lactation, deficiency

Male sexual dysfunction, non-organic

Ménière disease

Neuralgia, post-herpetic

Neurodermatitis

Obesity

Opium, cocaine and heroin dependence

Osteoarthritis

Pain due to endoscopic examination

Pain in thromboangiitis obliterans

Polycystic ovary syndrome (Stein–Leventhal syndrome)

Postextubation in children

Postoperative convalescence

Premenstrual syndrome

Prostatitis, chronic

Pruritus

Radicular and pseudoradicular pain syndrome

Raynaud syndrome, primary

Recurrent lower urinary-tract infection

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy

Retention of urine, traumatic

Schizophrenia

Sialism, drug-induced

Sjögren syndrome

Sore throat (including tonsillitis)

Spine pain, acute

Stiff neck

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction

Tietze syndrome

Tobacco dependence

Tourette syndrome

Ulcerative colitis, chronic

Urolithiasis

Vascular dementia

Whooping cough (pertussis)

Acupuncture is a complete healthcare system with a proven record of success for many physical as well as emotional imbalances.  With the ability to target specific pain areas, whilst addressing the overall symmetry of the body, it is the treatment of choice for many patients suffering from back pain.

The beginning of the New Year is a great time to get off to a healthy, balanced start. Contact us at the clinic today for your body tune up.

BACK PAIN IN THE PHYSICAL BODY

Over our lifetime – illness, poor posture, accidents and over-exertion – can lead to sudden, persistent and long lasting back pains.   According to recent reports, back pain is the number one cause of job disability all over the world.  It has also been reported that Australians alone spend more than $1 billion every year on back pain treatments, not to mention indirect associated costs, such as loss of wages and productivity.

Common causes of back pain:

• Facet Joint Syndrome
• Displaced Intervertebral Discs
• Poor Posture

Facet Joint Syndrome:

Facet or zygapophyseal joints

 

Facet joint syndrome is a common culprit of back pain. The facets joints are synovial joints* located between the vertebrae of your spine and are responsible for the elasticity of your back.  Nerves from the spinal cord feed through these facet joints to other parts of the body.  They enable the movement of the spinal column and when swollen and irritated become painful.

A common symptom you may have experienced is a sharp, focused, stabbing pain in the muscles next to the spine, often intensifying when you breathe in deeply. These joints can also become inflamed from over-use.  Or, like other joints in the body, suffer from degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis. Once the joint has been released and has regained movement, the pain will dissipate and it can recover.

* A “Synovial Joint” is a joint that is surrounded by a flexible, membrane-formed sac containing fluid that lubricates the joint.  These joints are highly innervated by nerve fibers, and can become very painful when restricted, caught or stuck.  When you get a “pop” or “crack” in the joint, it is an indication the joint has been mobilized, and range of motion has been regained.

 

Displaced Intervertebral Discs:

Intervertebral Discs

Displaced intervertebral discs are another common cause of back pain.  The intervertebral discs are spongy cushions that connect the vertebrae of the spine.  These discs are responsible for important tasks including; shock absorbing, keeping the vertebral column stable and providing flexible points to allow movement.  Made up of two parts: An outer shell and a jelly-like contents, they are able to tolerate a lot of pressure, but over exertion can compromise the outer shell, pushing the jelly-like contents out, causing pain.

Over time, the discs will suffer some wear and tear. They can lose height; from compressive loading of standing upright, or bulge out; from side bending or torsional loading from twisting, often from incorrectly lifting a heavy load, resulting in a sudden, sharp, debilitating pain.  The good news is that even with disc injury, the body can repair itself to a great extent and become healthy again.

Poor Posture:

Back pain can be the result of poor posture: body and spine misalignment while standing, sitting in chairs that are not supportive, shoulders hunched over looking at a computer screen, incorrect or no exercise, even wearing the wrong types of shoes can cause back pain.  It may be worthwhile to address Lifestyle factors and consider changes to reduce the risk of injury and increase the opportunity for a balanced body.

Acupuncture Treatment for Back Pain:

It is estimated that a person will experience severe back pain at least once if their lifetime, and most sufferers of back pain will recover completely. Given time and the right treatment plan, back pain can be resolved in days to, if extremely chronic, several months.

Acupuncture and massage aid greatly to speed up the healing process, by targeting the specific dysfunctioning joints and addressing the overall symmetry of the body.  It’s also important to identify any underlying disharmonies that may be contributing to the condition. For example, a weak immune system may be hindering the clearing of inflammation of a joint.  Acupuncture also assists in treating these underlying disharmonies, and when used in conjunction with massage, reduces tension, clears inflammation, and promotes healthy alignment of the spine and overall balance of the body.

Acupuncture or Alexander Technique both proved clinically significant in the reduction of neck pain.

A randomised controlled trial of 12 acupuncture sessions or 20 one on one Alexander Technique lessons proved a better reduction in pain and associated disability vs usual care (physical therapy and drugs).

Criteria for trial inclusion was neck pain for more than 3 months . Median duration for neck pain was 6 years. 517 Participants were requited and randomly assigned into the 3 groups.

 

At the 12 month follow up the results were:

Acupuncture = 3.92 % reduction in NPQ pain questionnaire (Northwick park questionnaire)

Alexander Technique = 3.79 %  reduction in NPQ pain questionnaire

As compared to usual care of physical therapy and drugs.

 

Compared to baseline measure at the start of the study they were

Acupuncture = 32 % reduction in NPQ pain questionnaire (Northwick park questionnaire)

Alexander Technique = 31 %

12 month follow up

 

What is Alexander technique:
A form of postural training that teaches people how to avoid unnecessary muscular and mental tension during every day activities.

Read more

Sourece : http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/853883
http://annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/M15-0667&an_fo_ed#

 

One of Australia’s former Prime Minister used acupuncture to calm nerves and gain focus before high pressure work commitments. Acupuncture can give you the calm focus you want without have the negative chemical effects of pharmaceuticals.

One of Paul Keating’s 7 top tips for winning at life.

*Acupuncture works

During that ’92 self-doubt wobble, Keating’s first call was to his Canberra acupunturist, who came to The Lodge to steady the PM’s nerves before a 7.30 Report interview. “Acupuncture makes you relaxed but sharp. Valium makes you relaxed but dull.”

Source: Huffington Post

 

In recent times, dry needling has gained momentum as a great alternative treatment for muscular problems. It has some similarities to acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  However, it can be quite confusing as to what both methods of treatment entail and what they offer to alleviate pain.

This article explores the difference between acupuncture and dry needling.

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American Express are having their “shop small promotion” again in November. If you spend $20 at participating stores you get a $10 credit from American Express.

https://shopsmallaustralia.com/

Feel free to use your American Express card on your next visit

Acupuncture is not a one-shot deal. It works cumulatively, meaning one treatment builds on the next.

There are certainly instances of acupuncture producing immediate results. However, this is more an exception than the rule—and when it happens, the results tend to be short lived.

If you want lasting results from acupuncture, especially for a chronic condition, you must commit to the process.

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