by Debra Arko Novotny | Apr 6, 2016 | Acupuncture
Acne and Acupuncture
The idea that acupuncture can work for Acne or other skin conditions seems foreign to some people. When you think about it our largest organ is the covering around our body that we call, skin. Through it our body tries sometimes easily and sometimes with great effort to ‘get rid of toxins’ that are on the inside and could do harm to you.
The old saying, “you are what you eat”, it true. Foods high in chemicals or coloring are not digestible. Other toxins our bodies can’t always remove are air-borne chemicals. Allergies also can cause skin conditions. We recommend allergy elimination treatment. The normal method of elimination is going to the bathroom which isn’t always enough. So to protect your heart, kidneys, and other vital organs we push the poisons out through the skin literally!
In Chinese Medicine and Naturopathic science, we refer to physical conditions as heat toxins and yes acupuncture treats acne and skin conditions. This chapter from my upcoming book focuses on what Chinese medicine and other natural medicine can assist you. Also you’ll find plenty of ideas for home.
Skin Conditions That Acupuncture Treats
Those whiteheads or cysts are full of puss all over your face and back are your body is trying to push out junk. What kind of junk depends on your diet and habits. As kids we’re told its greasy foods but it’s more likely the whole super size quick meal than just the fatty hamburger.
Do you have blackheads or other conditions? Acupuncturists’ call this dampness and acupuncture can help your body balance this so you look young and have great skin.
Acupuncture can help end your nightmare with acne and reduce the redness. Our skin is built from the inside out so working with an acupuncturist that also does facial rejuvenation can be a bonus. We help you rebuild collagen, reduce wrinkles, and give you smooth, shiny skin.
Facial Acupuncture And Herbs
How do herbs help you have that shiny glow and pretty skin? In Chinese medicine, herbs play a powerful role internally to help you detox in some cases and in others to decrease heat or dampness created by your environment. Skin conditions often have food sensitivities or allergies associated. These can occur from your digestion or the world around you.
Some patients get rashes, for instance, being outdoors around certain plants while others live near an industrial business. Even past exposure years ago can be the root of skin conditions.
Skin Rashes and Other Skin Conditions
Personally I experienced a severe skin rash. It had to do with a preservative in a particular food. It took three years to narrow it down. The simple cure for me was to avoid this food preservative. Yet before my skin would clear up I used herbs for dampness and heat along with acupuncture.
For Your Medical Doctor:
There are four areas of dermatology where Chinese medicine is useful for your patients. Chang Yang (skin sores), Pi Fu Ling (skin disorders, such as eruptions), Gan Men Bing (rectal or anus disorders, such as hemorrhoids), and Za Bing (digestive disorders).
If you’re working with a physician, acupuncture assists with inflammation in the body, balancing the digestive system and supports your western care.
A few herbal formulas we use to further encourage for healthy skin have excellent results without chemicals that may further irritate the tissues. These formulas treat acne, eczema, dermatitis, rashes, and psoriasis. Many formulas have been in use for many centuries.
The four herbs — Rhubarb (Dai Huang), Sophora (Ku Shen), Phellodendron (Huang Bai) and Skullcap (Huang Qin) — were placed under scientific study and were found to have antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral qualities. Clinical research indicated that Phellodendron (Huang Bai) is excellent in treating eczema.
Nutrients – Homeopathy – Herbs
When it comes to what is on the inside, your best food defenses are antioxidants for healthy skin. I know you’ve heard that vitamin C and E work well but why and what foods.
These two vitamins and your primary minerals increase collagen in the skin. This is the stuff that makes your skin wrinkle free and smooth.
Chinese medicine has terrific formulas that clear up skin fast and reduce flare-ups as previously mentioned. All these are available to both acupuncture patients and our online clients!
My “Fave” Foods
Guava, strawberries, pineapple, papaya, and lemons. Eat more broccoli, kale and mangos too. Going for the white potatoes keep the skin on!
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” ~Hippocrates
Essential Oils
Melaleuca, Alternifolia, Chamomile, and Lavender can all work for skin conditions. Of course we have these and more available for you through office. You don’t have to have acupuncture treatment to be a client. Our clients live throughout the USA and work with us by phone!
Mindset
Stress plays a big part in skin health. Each morning says to yourself, ‘I have a stress free day ahead and meet it with a radiant smile. ‘
“Health is not simply the absence of sickness.” ~Hannah Green
In our upcoming book, “33 Things Acupuncture Treats” you’ll learn about back pain, arthritis, even women’s health. Acne and Skin Conditions is one of many things we can help you with.
Interested in living healthy? Find out more by calling our offce. Call today!
720-515-4602
Images copyright 2016 Fotolia and BigStock
by Debra Arko Novotny | Feb 4, 2015 | Functional Medicine, Nutrition, Products
“Last night I closed my eyes only to wake a full hour before I had to get up. I can’t sleep once again. Worse yet it is Saturday; my only morning to sleep in.” It’s been a busy week and like you, I need sleep to recoup my energy. Clients share some version of their insomnia with me weekly. This is just one that I heard recently. Many people can’t sleep. The reason varies. There are many natural ways to get a good nights’ sleep.
Copious numbers of people try prescription drugs like Ambien or Lunesta only to experience horrible side effects. They range from bad dreams, sleep-walking, not being able to wake up. Lower Libido is another complaint I keep hearing too. The one time I tried it I hallucinated!
Even some forms of natural medicine can have side effects. My advice don’t give up with holistic aids there is more than the name of the product or ingredient to consider. There is the cultivation and the foods you consume. That’s right your mix of foods, and natural substances, when you can’t sleep, can interact.
Why Our Minds Can’t Sleep
When we can’t sleep, it may be our minds are over-busy, or we suffer from physical pain. These are the two most common problems that create the sleeplessness. Increasingly a high percentage of sleep issue is hormonal in both men and women! I’ve seen patients with insomnia for many reasons; I don’t give up and encourage you to not either.
Our brain and nervous system need neurotransmitters or chemicals to function. When our minds can’t slow down, these chemicals don’t activate correctly. Acupuncture is an extremely helpful part of a healing program for long-term or chronic sleepless nights. There’re three types of sleep aids I like to recommend to help you when you can’t sleep. I’ll cover one in this article, share a few, and include the others in another article.
The Body’s Hormone For Insomnia
Melatonin, for instance, is a natural hormone made by the Pineal gland inside the brain. Our brain knows to stop making it from light hitting the eye. Because we stay up late, have on bright lightening, the Pineal gland doesn’t get the signal.
I had to try a few brands to find one that didn’t cause nightmares for me. This is a common consequence, especially when taken within 2-3 hours of drinking alcohol. Some clients do better with a sublingual form over a capsule. For me, it doesn’t matter it’s how it made. This is why I encourage people to try numerous brands before giving up on Melatonin.
A few other forms we use are a homeopathic remedy and slow release blend. Sometimes the type of Melatonin you take makes the difference for insomnia.
How melatonin works in our body is different from the other sleep-aids I’ll share with you in this article. It is similar to a clock starting to increase around 9 pm making you sleepy and decreasing to untraceable levels at 9 am. Lowering lights, turning down the TV, or shutting it and computers off at 9 pm can enhance your ability to fall asleep naturally. If you don’t go to bed until a few hours later, fill this time reading in a gentle light that doesn’t fill the entire room.
When You Can’t Sleep Try Natural Options
Melatonin isn’t the only natural formula I recommend to clients with insomnia. When I can’t sleep a few specific herbal prescriptions or my favorite, a neurotransmitter work wonders. Gaba or Gamma-Amino Butyric acid is another neurotransmitter. It acts as a tranquilizer for most people. It is non-habit forming and it is a chemical that is made in the brain.
It is used for relieving anxiety, improving mood, reducing symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and treating attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is also used for promoting lean muscle growth, burning fat, stabilizing blood pressure, and relieving pain, according to WebMD.
Even deficiencies in micronutrients can cause insomnia. We offer testing to help you get to the root of the problem and treat it naturally.
I’ve had patients who haven’t had a good night’s sleep in years start sleeping better with acupuncture and one of these various natural supplements. To learn more about the other insomnia options schedule your visit today.
More at http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/tc/melatonin-overview
by Debra Arko Novotny | Nov 25, 2014 | Acupuncture
Acupuncture Points To Boost Your Immunity
I think it’s important to empower people with tools to help themselves especially when it comes to their health. Herbal medicine, homeopathy, and acupuncture easily treat the common cold. Knowing a few acupuncture points you can perform acupressure on at home can be another tool in your ‘Home Medicine Cabinet’.
Marcie a mother of two young children felt run down working full time and carrying for a family. She came down with every cold or virus her kids brought home from school and daycare.
Knowing Acupuncture Points Can Help At Home
She made a decision to change her health and enjoy life realizing she was spiraling down. One of the things we did was teach her some acupressure for home if she couldn’t visit our Littleton acupuncture office. This is part of our health coaching program.
You can use these same points along with the essential oils, herbal remedies, immune boosting foods I have shared in other articles in the knowledge bank.
Acupuncture is Part Of Chinese Medicine
Typically, Chinese medicine focuses on the external causes of a cold. Things such as the weather and too much stress in your life are likely things that are causing your illness. In Marcie’s case and many others, being with family or co-workers who are sick can be all it takes if you are not at your best.
Chinese medicine is more than acupuncture it’s herbs too. We use formulas made from forsythia and honeysuckle in an easy to take tablet. Depending on your symptoms, a mix of different herbs can treat a cold or flu as well as provide other significant health benefits such as rest and relaxation.
Acupressure For Home And Family
To do acupressure, you use acupuncture points. Using your index finger gently massage the places described below. Direction is important. Some points or places on your body reduce fever, while others increase white blood cells or your immune system.
Some of my favorite acupuncture points to help you feel better quicker are called 4-gates. These coupled with LI11, and ST36 boost the immune system and help you detox the virus from your tissues.
4-gates is 2 places on your body. The hill or highest place between your thumb and index finger on the top of your hand is LI4. Be sure to rub this area clock-wise; it increases white blood cells. Coupled with LI4 is the area just below [LV3] the web between your big toe and the next. Rub this point or place counter-clock-wise. Be sure to do both your left extremities and right too. When we apply gentle pressure to these acupuncture points this is called acupressure.
LI11 is the area next to the elbow bone; if you place your hand palm-side-down on your stomach it is the side of the elbow you can see if you look down at your arm. Massage this point rather than moving in a specific direction.
More Acupuncture Points for the Common Cold
The same motion is true for ST36. This acupuncture point is harder to find. It located on the outer edge of leg below the knee about 3 inches. I show patients that visit the office how to find this place on your leg. If you’re not a patient or can’t get in, search for a tender spot and that’s usually it!
With Chinese medicine, you no longer have to reach for an over-the-counter medicine. Marcie, regained your energy and today has a strong immune system. She came in for acupuncture weekly, worked with me as a health coach client learning the best foods to support her health. She also used what I call Primary Foods – relationships, career, activity, and spiritual path to empower herself.
Having more energy, she was able to build a better relationship with her children smiling more and creating memories of active play. She realized her job wasn’t the career she wanted and put in for a position she really wanted – an got it! Most people believe in a divine intelligence of some nature. Marcie began exploring her inner strength and purpose discovering herself and feeling more joy.
You can empower yourself and regain your life just like Marcie. Try these acupuncture points or call to learn more about health coaching and wellness care with me.
