Category Archives: Acupuncture

You Are How You Feel

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You Are How You Feel
by Dr. Randy Martin, OMD
Doctor of Chinese Medicine – Certified Homeopath
During this time, which for many of us is a transition time, or a time of difficulty, I would like to give some advice and recommendations.
Discomfort, difficulty, and pain, generally, for most people, exist as physical sensations.  That is not to say we don’t have thoughts and ideas about what is going on….. because we most definitely do.  And our thoughts definitely affect how we feel as well.
But all too often we tend to focus on what we think is wrong, either in the outer world or with ourselves.
My suggestion:  to focus on the actual body sensations rather than the thoughts….
In other words, our thoughts immediately come in and try to explain how we feel, but if we take a few moments to focus on the physical sensations, they sometimes will shift.   And it is within this shift, we find out the truth in what is going on with us.
It actually amazes me, time and time again, to what extent our sense of identity, of who we consider ourselves to be, and what we identify with, is so tied into our actual physical sensations ~ albeit often in an unnoticed, or only semi-conscious, state.
Here is an article I’ve written on this:  I hope you find it helpful…..
YOU ARE HOW YOU FEEL:
TAKING A MOMENT TO FOCUS, FEEL, AND SET YOUR HEALTH GOALS
How do you feel right now? No joke. Honestly. Close your eyes, plant your feet firmly on the ground, take three deep breaths, and feel yourself. Take this moment in time to go inside and feel yourself. Is there another moment more sacred than this one right now? Catch up to it. Feel it. Savor it. Document it in your mind, or jot down your perceptions, your sensations, and your micro-feelings. Catch the gestalt of it all.
This was a vivid experience for me: once, while I was driving on my way to work on Fourth Street in Santa Monica, just passing by Santa Monica High School, something hit me—a quick thought led me to a fleeting feeling—the feeling of how I felt, the overall sensation of how I felt.
I realized in that moment one critically important fact: that this sensation was my reality—nothing more and nothing less. My perception of how I was doing at that moment, had someone asked me, would have been conditioned to some limited extent by my thoughts, but more importantly, would have been dictated almost exclusively by my actual physical sensations.
If you were to walk into my office, as so many patients do day in and day out, asking me to help them to feel better, to get rid of their pain, to help them conceive a child, to get rid of fibroids, to feel more energy, or to quit smoking, I would need for you to do one simple (but often vastly difficult) task: stop and feel.
Many people I’ve asked to do this say they have no clue as to what I’m talking about. They are not aware of how they feel, and even if they did stop and sit and breathe, they could not describe their bodily sensations to any degree of depth or accuracy.
Homeopathic medicine is all grounded in the subjective presentation of the human being—in who a person perceives him- or herself to be. Sure, to some extent I’ll want to rely on blood tests and other objective measurements. But mostly, I’ll need for you to divulge your self to me. I’ll ask questions: How do you feel right now? When your boyfriend left you, what did it feel like? When you are lying in bed at night trying to get to sleep, what physical sensations are you having, or what thoughts are streaming through your mind?
So right now, stop whatever you’re doing. Close your eyes, take a couple of very deep breaths in, and perceive your eyes, your face, your neck and shoulders, your chest, your torso, your beating heart, your pelvis and your sexuality, your thighs, knees, calves, ankles, feet, hands, and fingers.
Feel the extent of it all. Take this moment to be present in your own state of relative comfort or discomfort. Breathe in through your nose, hold it, and let it out through your mouth. Allow extra oxygen to filter in through your nostrils, to fill your face, your brain, and your lungs. Feel the circulation through every cell in your body. Feel yourself coming alive with energy.
And now, feeling yourself, are there any aches or pains? If so, what do they feel like? Stabbing, aching, stitching, tingling, numbing? Any discomfort in your shoulders? Tension, spasms, shooting to the hands? How about in the legs? How strong do they feel? Cold? Hot? Are your eyes sharp or dull-feeling? How are your nose and ears? Cold or warm? Your feet? How do they feel? Now put it all together in the complete sensation of the you that you are. What is that? Can you register in your brain that moment-to-moment perception of who you are? Can you feel who you are as a whole?
Does the sensation of who you are resemble anything in the past? Let’s let go of our thoughts just for a few moments to let our memory trail back in time to a place of this same-feeling sensation. If you have any of these thoughts, record them along with the physical sensations.
Some people are much more into their thoughts than their feelings. If this is you, then try to let the thoughts go for a few moments and fall into the physical bodily sensations. Think for a second of looking at a beautiful painting or photograph. Can you see the individual elements of the artwork that draw your attention? Now, can you let your gaze grow foggy and focus on the entire piece of art, instead of on any one particular thing?
This is what I want you to learn to do. Instead of just focusing on the tired and sore muscles of the neck, or the toothaches, or the head pain, or the knee soreness, or whatever you may be feeling, try to focus on the whole gestalt, the entire body sensation.
I see too many patients who are unaware of how they feel. They suppress their bodily sensations completely, and when I ask, they truly don’t know. I also see a fair number of patients who are overly focused on how they feel, dwelling on every nuance and detail. Neither is the ideal. People must not ignore how they feel if they wish to heal completely, yet they also must not focus too much on the details.
Patience and focus are very important tools in the healing process. Cultivating patience and knowing when to consciously focus is crucial to the healing process. Being patient with yourself and allowing your symptoms to dwindle away one by one in their own time, after registering them internally, is a key to the growth process around healing. Another key is not grasping and pushing on your symptoms.
Realistic goal-setting is also very important. Let’s take a few moments during this time of inner clarity to focus on what it is we truly want in our lives relative to our health. Is it to be pain-free, to have a child, to have more energy, to have fewer headaches, to be rid of moles and warts, to reduce the lines on our face, to have better digestion or less constipation? Whatever your goals are, take a few moments to jot them down. Goal-setting is very important when it comes to the process of optimal health and aliveness.
I encourage you to find a holistic health practitioner to work with you on achieving your goals. It may be a simple or an arduous path, but either way, it will be a path of insight, vulnerability, greater feeling and, ultimately, integration. I hope you find and experience the sense of wonderment that comes with true healing.

Acupuncture for Multiple Sclerosis by Dr. Randy Martin

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Acupuncture for Fatigue Associated with Multiple Sclerosis
Here is nice article which shows the positive effects of using Acupuncture and Nutritional Therapies for the Treatment of MS.
In addition to the acupuncture, the following supplements proved useful:
*Vitamin D
*Vitamin B12
*Omega-3 Fatty Acids, including EPA and DHA
*Eliminating Gluten containing foods
My experience shows terrific results in treating my patients with Multiple Sclerosis.  I have seen nice recovery and stabilization of symptoms.   Of course it depends on so many factors, and each person reponds in a unique way.   But in general, I’m very optimistic and feel that research like this sheds light on my personal clinical experence as well.
Here is the full article:
Reference: Amantadine and the place of acupuncture in the treatment of fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis: an observational study. Acupunct Med. 2012 Nov 14.
Design: Observational, open clinical trial.
Participants: 31 female and 9 male (age 34.17±9.52 years) patients with a definitive diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis according to the McDonald criteria.
Study Medication and Dosage: Amantadine, 100 mg, twice a day. Acupuncture in non-responders (n=20), a total of 12 sessions and 10 acupuncture points, every other day.
Primary Outcome Measures: Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) score (FSS score greater than 30 was determined as significant and indicated further treatment).
 
Key Findings: Mean group FSS scores before and after two months of amantadine treatment were 48±8.6 and 40±12.6 respectively. Of the 40 patients eligible for the trial, 15 responded to amantadine treatment with a mean reduction in FSS score of 8±4 following two months of treatment. Of the 25 patients that were non-responders following two months of amantadine treatment, 20 patients responded to acupuncture with a mean reduction in FSS score of 13±6 (p<0.001). Additionally, five responded to combined amantadine and acupuncture treatment resulting in a mean FSS score reduction of 20.6±7.2.
There are several nutritional factors that may want to be considered in addition to acupuncture for multiple sclerosis patients. Vitamin D has recently been shown to modulate the immune system.1 In the cases of multiple sclerosis, higher levels of vitamin D are associated with decreased exacerbation risk in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis suggests a beneficial effect of vitamin D on the disease course of multiple sclerosis.2 Most integrative medicine, and now conventionally practicing providers, dose and treat with vitamin D using laboratory evaluation rather than non-specific dosing patterns or recommended Daily Reference Intake.
Vitamin B12 has been found to be low in the blood of patients with multiple sclerosis.3,4
Vitamin B12 may play a protective role in brain development and prevention of brain and neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis.5  In combination with medications, vitamin B12 was found to be effective in relieving the symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis.6  Similar to vitamin D, practitioners often choose to determine the dose and duration of B12 therapy based on objective findings. Serum or urinary methylmalonic acid and homocysteine as well as markers of macrocytic anemia can be more sensitive than serum B12.7
Omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, derived from fish oil, are important for brain function. Omega-3 fatty acids are shown to be promising as potential anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agents in both relapsing and progressive forms of multiple sclerosis.8
Curcumin, a dietary spice from turmeric, has outstanding anti-inflammation and neuroprotective effects.9 Curcumin inhibits neuroinflammation through multiple mechanisms in MS patients. Studies demonstrate that curcumin suppresses symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis.10
Antibodies to gluten have been linked to multiple sclerosis.11 Therefore, it would be prudent to eliminate gluten in the diet for patients with multiple sclerosis, as exposure to gluten could worsen the disease process and aggravate symptoms. Short term elimination of gluten is a safe therapeutic intervention regardless if it is involved in the reversal, remission, or limitation of the disease itself. Whether the elimination of gluten is necessary for all MS patients is yet to be fully illustrated by the evidence.
Partners in Reaching Your Holistic Health Goals for 2013

Acupuncture for Fertility

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Acupuncture for Fertility
Here is nice article in the LA Times about the success of one couple who used Acupuncture to help in their efforts to get pregnant.
My experience is that Acupuncture is quite effective.  I regularly have women and men come to me with fertility issues who have success.  Some are sent by their fertility doctors.
And remember men – acupuncture and Chinese herbs also help you as well as your women partners.
Things such as energy, vitality, and overall stamina and athletic performance will benefit by Acupuncture.
Partners in Reaching Your Holistic Health Goals for 2013

Holistic Headache Treatments

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Treating Your Headaches:   A Holistic Approach
by Dr. Martin Martin, OMD, LAc
TYPES OF HEADACHES AND ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS
I was listening to a local talk radio show, and a commercial came on for headache control using over-the-counter pain medications. While I’m a big proponent of taking Western pharmaceuticals and using surgery on an as-needed basis, I feel that many of us use medications due to laziness or a lack of knowledge rather than real need.
            When you have the facts, you’ll see that almost all headaches, including migraines, can be successfully treated without the use of Western medications. The goal should always be first to try to treat pain problems without the use of Western medications. Then, if that doesn’t work, you can always take the “easy way out” and take a pill. Out of all the cases of headaches that I see in an average year, there are only a few that don’t respond to complementary healing methods.
            This issue of my online newsletter will discuss the four most common types of headaches and the treatments that work for them most of the time.
1.     The Migraine Headache
            I won’t discuss the Western physiology behind the migraine, because if you get them, you most likely already know all about the aura that precedes the headache, how it can last a number of days, and that you feel better in a dark room, etc.
            Complementary medicine treats migraine headaches very successfully. As with all headache treatments, I first look at diet. The important factors are to reduce sodium and increase protein intake to three or four times per day. Blood sugar and allergies often set off a migraine, so it’s important to eliminate dairy, gluten, citrus, chocolate, and nuts. Staying out of direct sunlight is also recommended.
            I use liver and colon detoxification pills for about one month to balance and regulate the body and to throw off many of the accumulated toxins. Supplements are very important, including magnesium, calcium, chromium, and a high-potency multi-vitamin.
            Acupuncture is indispensable and is done once weekly for ten weeks, or discontinued earlier when improvement is seen. The homeopathic remedies most often effective in treating migraine headaches are Natrum Mur, Lachesis, andMagnesium phosphoricum.
2.     The Stress Headache (also called neck- and shoulder-tension headaches)
            This type is usually caused from poor diet, ineffective coping mechanisms when under stress, or poor ergonomics at work. If your neck is tilted and your arms are too high at your computer, it will throw the spine out of alignment and cause the muscles in the back and neck to contract, resulting in poor blood flow.
            For stress headaches, I use the same liver detoxification and colon detoxification program that I do for migraine headaches for the first month of treatment. The supplement program consists of doubling the magnesium-to-calcium ratio. I also always do a blood lab analysis to see if minerals, protein, and red blood cells are at healthy levels.
            Acupuncture is performed once weekly until the desired results are achieved, which is usually from four to eight weeks. I sometimes use a homeopathic remedy for stress and muscle tension such as Kali phos, Avena sativa or Magnesium phos.
3.     The Sinus Headache
            This headache can be caused by allergies and is often accompanied by a sinus infection, dizziness, and other flu-like symptoms. I use the same detoxification pills for this type, but I also emphasize digestion and cleaning out the colon more than in the previous two types.
            Supplements include a good probiotic and digestive enzyme to ensure assimilation and breakdown of food. Magnolia flower, Pe Min Kan Wan, or another such Chinese herbal formula is also used, depending on the exact symptoms.
            Acupuncture is done mainly on the face for the sinuses and on the back of the neck for relaxation of the muscles of the upper back, neck, and head. Homeopathy is not usually used unless hay fever symptoms are prevalent; if they are, I prescribeAllium cepa, Pulsatilla, or Kali Mur for the congestion. If there is vertigo or dizziness, I may also use Cocculus.
4.     The Hormonal Headache (PMS or Menopause)
            This is, by far, the easiest type of headache to cure. I prescribe the same two detoxification pills that I use for the previous three types of headaches, in addition to a Chinese herbal formula called Free and Easy Wanderer.
            Acupuncture is used twice per month: just after the menstrual period has ended and just before the period starts. The homeopathic remedies that have proven most helpful for the PMS type of headaches are Sepia, Natrum Mur, Lachesis andNux vomica, depending on the specific symptoms.
    Note that treatments for all four common types of headaches may vary, depending on individual symptoms.  And the length of time it takes to cure the headaches will also vary, from about one to four months.
    Generally, the shorter time you’ve had the recurring headache, the easier it is to cure it. The best time to treat headaches is when you are not actually in pain. Occasionally, headaches will resolve and never return after just one acupuncture treatment or one dose of the correct homeopathic remedy.   I have seen this happen multiple times when treating pregnant women for headaches.

Often I’ll get a call at my office from a desperate patient who has a throbbing headache and wants an immediate cure with acupuncture. Traditionally, the superior Doctor of Chinese medicine would only use acupuncture as a last resort. First, he or she would use nutrition, diet, Chinese herbal treatments, and massage, and only if none of these worked would he or she resort to acupuncture. Sometimes these desperate patients leave my office with relief of their headache. But the importance of preventive treatment cannot be overemphasized.

Some patients request that I diagnose their problem from the point of view of Chinese medicine, and this diagnosis is much more complicated than in Western medicine. For instance, the diagnosis of headache in Chinese medicine can be sub-divided into many different categories, and each one requires a completely different type of treatment. These categories do not correspond to the above four types of headaches we find using the Western medical model.

     In practice, I usually combine the previous Western medical model with the Chinese medical model that follows. By using both, and getting the best from both, patients will have the combined benefit of East and West in their diagnosis and treatment options.

     Acupuncture and Oriental medicine evolved in a culture with an entirely different view of the world and of the human body. It views the human body as a whole and uses terminology that reflects this different worldview. Here are some of the most common diagnoses and treatments of headaches using Chinese medicine:
1.     Wind Cold: This type of headache is usually encountered in winter or when you are exposed to a cold draft or air conditioning. Symptoms usually include aversion to cold, shivering, possible fever, cough, sneezing, a blocked or runny nose, and pale urine. Often the neck and shoulders are very tight, and the headache is worse in the back of the head. One of the best ways to avoid this type of headache is to use a scarf to protect the back of the neck from the cold. The primary herbal formula used for this type of headache is Yin Chiao. The acupuncture points used are GB 20, 21, 2, and 43.
2.     Wind Heat: This type of headache feels as if the head is too full and is usually accompanied by a fever, thirst, sore throat, red eyes, dark urine, constipation, a rapid pulse, and a tongue that may have a bright red discoloration on the tip. The most common herbal formulas for this type are Gan Mao Ling and Gentiana Formula. The acupuncture points used include GV 20, 4 Gates, and St 45.
3.     Internal Dampness: This is most frequent in damp areas in individuals who have a weak spleen condition, according to Chinese medicine. Common symptoms include a swollen tongue with teeth marks, bloating, dull headaches with a heavy feeling in the head, a feeling of being in a fog mentally, a runny nose, a lack of appetite or nausea, a craving for sweets, and a sticky tongue coating. The most common Chinese herbal formula for this type of headache are Ginseng and Cardamon Formula or Prosperous Farmer Formula. Acupuncture points used might include Sp 4, 6, St 36, CV 12.
4.     Blood Stasis: This type of headache will have a stabbing pain and be long-term and chronic. It may come from an injury like whiplash or a chronic muscle spasm in the neck or shoulder that was never completely dealt with. Other sources might be from chronic allergies or chronic sinus problems. The pain may feel as if a nail were being driven into the head, and there may also be painful menses with dark, clotted blood, or pain in the lower-left portion of the abdomen. The tongue might have a purple spot or have a purple tinge throughout. Formulas for this type of headache include Corydalin and Meridian Passage. Acupuncture points used include GB 21, 2, 43, St 30, 28, and Yin Tang.
  This is just a small sampling of the Chinese diagnostic categories for headaches and their treatments. There are many more types of headaches according to Chinese medicine, and there are also many other Chinese herbal formulas and acupuncture points that I might use in treatment of the headache depending on the severity and longevity.
  The recommended herbs mentioned above are not just painkillers. Rather, they will work to change the underlying condition that is causing the headache. In addition to these formulas, I also recommend using herbal and natural pain relievers as much as possible. These have no side effects, cause no toxicity to your liver or kidneys, and are preferable to the use of drugs. Some herbs are also designed to help you to get to sleep when you are in pain.
    In addition to Chinese herbs and acupuncture, I will usually recommend a homeopathic remedy and a dietary change of one type or another. Often, headaches are caused by an allergy to certain foods, by low blood sugar, or by blood sugar swings. Diet can play an important role in regulating and treating headaches.
     Finally, exercise is critical in the treatment of headaches. It’s important to keep the energy, or Chi, flowing smoothly, the thyroid functioning well, and the adrenal glands working optimally.
    You can win the battle against headaches by educating yourself as to the type of headache you have, getting the appropriate testing, immediately starting complementary therapies, and sticking with the treatment. With this combination, you will have success.
    Headaches are one type of problem that almost all of us have at one time or another, and fortunately, most health insurance companies will pay for your treatment. If you have health insurance, whether an HMO or PPO, you are most likely covered for acupuncture treatment.
     Some of the insurance companies that almost always pay for acupuncture to treat headaches include Facey, Kaiser, Anthem, Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United and most worker’s compensation claims and auto insurance accident claims.
      I’ll see you in the treatment room….. and — oh – by the way, the acupuncture treatment is extremely relaxing…

Holistic Approach to Curing Allergies

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Allergies:   A Holistic Approach by Dr. Martin Martin, OMD, LAc
Allergies can be divided into two general groups:  food allergies and environmental allergies.  Environmental allergies can be further divided into airborne and household.  Airborne allergies consist of pollens, dust, exhaust fumes, etc., and household allergies include animal hair, mites, molds, detergents, cleansers, bedding, synthetic fibers in clothing, etc.
My approach to curing allergies from the holistic perspective is two-fold. First, is to eliminate the allergen (i.e. the irritating substance).  Second is to strengthen your body so that the allergen no longer bothers you.  In my practice, I have seen many people cured of all types of allergies using natural methods without the use of drugs.
Symptoms of allergy are highly individual.  The most common symptoms are nasal congestion, sore throat, coughing, red and itching eyes, headaches, depression, fatigue, muscle cramps, indigestion, acne, runny nose, skin rash and hives, mental fog, irritability and anxiety.  But there are many other symptoms experienced by different individuals.
There are many ways to “test” for allergies.  These include blood tests, skin scratch tests, pulse tests, dowsing and muscle testing.  Depending on the person and their financial constraints, I use any variety of these test in my practice.  Each has certain strengths and weaknesses.
Food allergies are treated by eliminating the suspected foods while at the same time strengthening the digestive system.  Often there is “Leaky Gut Syndrome” and we need to treat that as well.
The most common foods that people are allergic to are dairy, wheat, gluten, chocolate, citrus fruits, sugar, red meat, and barley.  Other common food allergens are eggs, shellfish, tomatoes and potatoes.
The reason a particular food manifests as an allergen in your body is because your digestive system is sensitive to that food and cannot break it down into its basic parts.  As a result, whole food “particles”, so to speak, enter the blood stream as poisons and then circulate throughout the body to produce allergy symptoms in the weakest area of your body.  We call this Leaky Gut Syndrome.  And there is a blood test we can use to detect and accurately diagnose this condition.
The treatment used to cure food allergies is to strengthen the digestive tract, which will help with the breakdown and assimilation of food.  This is done by treating the weak meridians using acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas.  Digestive teas, specific enzyme formulas, probiotics, and homeopathics are also used.  Some of the most common herbs used include mint, gentian root and ginger root.
Depending on the individual symptoms, the following homeopathic remedies may also be used:
1.  Pulsatilla:  when fats are the major problem, in a person who craves fats, and is emotionally rather soft, needy, or desiring a lot of support;
2.  Nux vomica:  for toxicity in the liver with a craving for spicy foods and stimulants; constipation; rather angry and irritable emotionally and tends to be a workaholic type;
3.  Lycopodium:  for a lot of flatulence, right sided pains, sciatica, shoulder pain, irritability, craving for sweets and an explosive temper, but only around those he or she is close to; can be emotionally very sweet at work and social situations;
4.  Carbo veg:  for flatulence and general indigestion with bloating and a slow metabolism;
You can also use homeopathic remedies which are made from the foods you are allergic to, in much the same way as allergy shots work.
Allergies to airborne and pollens are also treated very effectively with acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and homeopathy.  Specific homeopathic remedies for airborne allergies may include the following:
1.  Pollintinum:  composed of a variety of the most common pollens;
2.  Histaminum:  to suppress the histamine reaction of watery and itchy eyes, asthma or runny nose;
3.  Euphrasia:  for red, burning or itching eyes;
4.  Allium cepa:  for a runny and burning nose with much coryza;
5.  Sabadilla:  for uncontrollable sneezing;
6.  Baptisia:  for a skin rash and hives with itching;
7.  Cat or Dog Hair:  to desensitize you to an allergy to cats and dogs.
Depending on the individual symptoms, I also often use Chinese herbal formulas.
Usually a person with allergies also has toxicity in their liver meridian andherbs to detoxify the liver can be very helpful. 
When you are allergic to household products, the treatment approach is to try to eliminate all the offending products, while at the same time work to boost your immune system.  The basic treatment consists of herbs and nutritional supplements and lifesyle counseling.  Acupuncture is used at well to balance and strengthen immunity.
Nutritionally, foods to avoid when trying to build your immune system include sugar, excessive red meat, coffee, dairy products and fats, but this list varies tremendously from person to person.
And, of course, acupuncture is very effective at healing allergies.  Many of my patients ask me to add extra allergy points when I am treating them for other problems.   
Specific vitamins and herbs which may be used to boost immunity include vitamin C (buffered), vitamin E (dry), beta carotene, zinc and selenium.  Bee pollen, barley green, sun chlorella, acidophilus, ginseng, codenopsis and astragalus are also commonly used as tonic herbs.
If you think you are experiencing allergies, please talk to me or another trained medical practitioner who has experience diagnosing and treating allergies.  It is often difficult to differentiate allergic reactions from Candidiasis (a yeast infection), dysglycemia (blood sugar swings), Epstein Barr Virus and (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome).  So these problems must also be considered.
Here are the two most common herbal products I use for allergies:

 

*Acupuncture*
*Homeopathy*
*Chinese Herbal Medicine*
*Nutritional Counseling and Diet*
Dr Randy Martin, OMD, LAc, PhD, CCH
Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Certified Classical Homeopath

 

 

 

 

Link to Dr. Martin’s Book on Amazon – also available as Audio Book and EBook

 

 

 

Encino Office:  MAILING ADDRESS

Tuesday and Thursday

12:30 – 7:30 pm

17000 Ventura Blvd #220

Encino, CA 91316

Telephone: 818 905 6171

 

West Los Angeles/Santa Monica Office:   

Wednesday

12:30 pm -7:30 pm

1444 Carmelina Blvd #132

West Los Angeles, CA 90025

Telephone: 310 979 6495

 

Valencia Office:

Saturdays and Mondays

12:30  - 6:00 pm

23332 Valencia Blvd

Valencia, CA 91355

Telephone:  661 312 9868

 

Email:  drrandymartin@gmail.com

On the Web:  www.drrandymartin.com

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Endometriosis – Cysts – Fibroids – Fertility

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ENDOMETRIOSIS – FIBROIDS – CYSTS – FERTILITY
 
Endometriosis is a gynecological condition that creates an overgrowth of the endometrium and can cause severe pain during menses.
Endometriosis, fibroids and cysts, will often also interfere with fertility and childbirth!
Endometrios is typically seen during the reproductive years and has been estimated to occur in roughly 5–10% of women.
Having treated endometriosis successfully for 25+ years, the most common question I get from women is this: “Can you cure it?” And as with most other problems, like fibroids and breast and ovarian cysts, the answer is yes!
My unique treatment protocol takes into consideration each woman’s individuality — In Fact: nine out of ten women generally recover to the extent that they are symptom-free, and able to successfully get pregnant, after three to six months.
Yet, endometriosis, fibroids and cysts are complex disease processes that can only be completely cured with the active participation of you, the patient. Often, diet and patient-specific emotional issues must be addressed as an adjunct to the healing work.
Endometriosis is most frequently associated with the Liver and/or Spleen Meridians in Chinese medicine.
Its presence means that there are deep-seated problems in these meridians and organ systems.
What women suffering from endometriosis can do is follow a strict diet based on their particular meridian imbalances. And doing emotional work is important to weed out unconscious patterns that have created the “stuck” and congested energy in the lower abdomen.
Chinese herbal formulas and acupuncture are also used to break up the congestion. Homeopathic remedies are helpful and can often facilitate the healing process—they can even cut healing time in half.
Vitamin supplements are used in some cases, depending on the eating habits and constitution of the person. The most common supplements for this condition are high-potency antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, beta carotene, selenium, glutathione, and zinc.
Some of the herbs I use to help heal women with endometriosis include the Cinnamon and Hoelen Formula, Resolve Lower, and dandelion root.
Other herbs are used to match the symptoms of the particular person. Fatigue, abnormal menstrual flow, and cramping are some of the most common symptoms that require specific and unique herbal formulas geared to the individual woman.
Some people are purists and prefer to be treated with only one modality. I believe that each patient should take charge of her own healing process and decide for herself what she intuitively feels will work best.
Homeopathy is many people’s preference. It is a good choice as a stand-alone healing modality since it treats the whole person. I have also had success using only diet and nutritional recommendations!
Lastly, there are specific herbs and homeopathic remedies that can be used to dissolve the old scar tissue that is so common with this problem. Herbal formulas include Resolve Lower, and Blossom, and the recommended homeopathic isThiosinaminum.
Scar tissue from endometriosis is sometimes a major factor in a woman’s inability to get pregnant, so it’s very important to breakdown the scar tissue.
If you are struggling with this problem, please note that if you stick to the program we work on together, and make a commitment for at least six months, you definitely stand a very good chance to cure your endometriosis, fibroids, or cysts using these holistic methods.
And if your goal is to get pregnant, please see my many testimonials for how well it will work.

*Acupuncture*
*Homeopathy*
*Chinese Herbal Medicine*
*Nutritional Counseling and Diet*
Dr Randy Martin, OMD, LAc, PhD, CCH
Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Certified Classical Homeopath

 

 

 

 

Link to Dr. Martin’s Book on Amazon – also available as Audio Book and EBook

 

 

 

Encino Office:  MAILING ADDRESS

Tuesday and Thursday

12:30 – 7:30 pm

17000 Ventura Blvd #220

Encino, CA 91316

Telephone: 818 905 6171

 

West Los Angeles/Santa Monica Office:   

Wednesday

12:30 pm -7:30 pm

1444 Carmelina Blvd #132

West Los Angeles, CA 90025

Telephone: 310 979 6495

 

Valencia Office:

Saturdays and Mondays

12:30  - 6:00 pm

23332 Valencia Blvd

Valencia, CA 91355

Telephone:  661 312 9868

 

Email:  drrandymartin@gmail.com

On the Web:  www.drrandymartin.com

 

Alternative or Western Medicine: Which if Best?

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Alternative or Complementary Medicine:

Which is Right?
 ~Your personal guide for finding your place on the healing journey ~
I had a patient today who was sharing her recent experience with her medical doctor. She was really frustrated because all her doctor could see was the option of giving her drugs.
Another of my patients today was similarly frustrated with her doctor who could only see the option of surgery.
Both of these patients expressed anger and frustration because their doctors were not open to seeing alternatives and complementary approaches to their health problems….. they only saw drugs and surgery as the only options.
While I’m a big supporter of Western medicine and I always support the use of drugs and surgery as needed, there are certainly other options much of the time.
Your medical doctor may not be studying these other options as a part of his or her training in medical school.
Last week I had another patient who was frustrated with her medical doctor when she asked her if she could get a prescription to see me in order to try acupuncture and have it covered by her health insurance — just to see if it could work for her migraine headaches.   The medical doctor replied, “But you might get hepatitis from the contaminated needles, so I wouldn’t try it if I were you!”
This just shows the ignorance of some medical doctors.  I want to emphasize my support and understanding of Western medicine.  But to suggest that one should not at least try acupuncture to see if it works, or to suggest that one might contract hepatitis from acupuncture needles, simply stems from complete ignorance of the fact that the acupuncturist uses pre-sterilized needles and only uses each needle one time.
In my 30 years as an acupuncturist, I’ve never come across a patient who had any sort of infection from my treatment.
And I have seen many patients who were able to forego surgery or the use of drugs because they first tried acupuncture, herbs, homeopathy and a change in their diet.
I want to encourage everybody to open a peaceful, and thought-provoking dialogue with your medical doctor.  A dialogue that is not based on conflict or confrontation — but is based on education.
Just as your medical doctor can teach you a lot about healing from the outside, you can share your positive experiences with your doctor about alternative medicine as well.
The feminine approach to healing is holistic, and from the inside out — looking at all alternatives.   Whereas Western medicine is more of a masculine approach to healing — from the outside — using a mechanistic approach.
Both approaches need to be integrated — the masculine with the feminine. The doctor of the future will appropriately apply both Western and alternative approaches – each as needed – to maximize their effectiveness in healing the patient.
If you choose to speak to your medical doctor about this subject please speak respectfully and in a kind tone.
If you attack or confront, the conversation won’t get anywhere.  Education must be done from the feminine energy, the receptive energy, and the loving energy of the heart.  This is what others can hear.
Sharing your own experience is often the most effective way to educate your doctor, your family and friends.
Healing in this life is much more complex than a simple two-dimensional mechanical model of how the body works.  The more we’re learning about how disease begins, the more we realize that the energy around us, our emotions, and our life situation, play as significant of role in disease as does genetics and hereditary factors.
So let us educate and support each other into opening up and expanding our ideas of what healing is really about.
Energetic forms of healing like homeopathy, acupuncture, reiki, yoga, and tai chi are sometimes as appropriate as a mechanistic approach like drugs or surgery.  And often, when used together, we achieve maximum effectiveness.
One of my patients last week told me that her surgeon suggested she use homeopathic Arnica, Arnica cream, and acupuncture, to recouperate faster from her surgery. So we can all applaud the fact that change and integration is occuring!
Herbal product links I’d like to share with you:
*Acupuncture*
*Homeopathy*
*Chinese Herbal Medicine*
*Nutritional Counseling and Diet*
Dr Randy Martin, OMD, LAc, PhD, CCH
Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Certified Classical Homeopath

 

 

 

 

Link to Dr. Martin’s Book on Amazon – also available as Audio Book and EBook

 

 

 

Encino Office:  MAILING ADDRESS

Tuesday and Thursday

12:30 – 7:30 pm

17000 Ventura Blvd #220

Encino, CA 91316

Telephone: 818 905 6171

 

West Los Angeles/Santa Monica Office:   

Wednesday

12:30 pm -7:30 pm

1444 Carmelina Blvd #132

West Los Angeles, CA 90025

Telephone: 310 979 6495

 

Valencia Office:

Saturdays and Mondays

12:30  - 6:00 pm

23332 Valencia Blvd

Valencia, CA 91355

Telephone:  661 312 9868

 

Email:  drrandymartin@gmail.com

On the Web:  www.drrandymartin.com

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Importance of Acupuncture Tune-Ups

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The Importance of Acupuncture Tune-Ups
Acupuncture Tune-Ups are Incredible!!!  Most of my patients like to do it once per month.
You will find, that over time, you feel so much better, your life functions more effectively, your hormones are balanced, you sleep better, have more energy, and are in less pain!
These are not exagerated claims.  They come from my patients who have regular Acupuncture Tune-Ups.
Try It!  I’m positive you are going to feel the effects in a very positive way in your life.

Acute vs. Constitutional Treatments by Dr. Martin

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What Is The Difference Between Constitutional

vs. Acute Symptoms

by Dr Randy Martin, OMD, LAc, PhD

Q:             What is the difference between acute and constitutional treatments?
A:             Constitutional treatment is kind of like the Constitution of the United States. The US constitution deals with the principles upon which the United States was founded. It’s the foundation and the soil that the rest of United States’ history is based on and legally defined.
Constitutional treatment deals with your genetics, the biological foundation with which you came into the world. It’s your programming, and it’s what determines your predisposition and propensity to get acute diseases and imbalances.
Acute treatment is treatment of the actual current problem you may have, and it only treats that specific problem.
Q:             Can you give me some examples?
A:             Yes. For example, if you have hot flashes, PMS, or uterine fibroids, I can treat either the acute symptoms, or I can work on the cause of the symptoms so that once they are gone, they are less likely to come back. This way, your overall health will also improve.
Another example: if you have herpes, I can either treat your herpes eruptions themselves (acute) or I can treat the underlying immune and emotional condition deeper within you (constitution) that is allowing the herpes eruptions to keep coming back.
Q:             Which treatment do you think works best?
A:             There is no single best type of treatment for everyone or for every health issue. It really depends on your individual goals. It also depends on when you are seeking treatment relative to the onset of your disease. About 80% of my patients seek relief for acute problems only. They prefer using alternative methods such as acupuncture, homeopathy, herbs, and nutrition, instead of Western medicine. Using alternative medicine in this way doesn’t have the side effects that Western medicine has.
The treatment you receive is always up to you. There are different options, and your practitioner or doctor will select which types of treatments resonate for you. There may be some times when acute treatment is what you need most, and at other times you may want constitutional treatment.
Each person needs an individualized type of treatment. It is my belief that a doctor should never impose his or her personal beliefs or philosophy on the patient. On the contrary, it’s important to work as a team to create the best treatment approach possible, given each person’s unique situation and set of experiences.
Q:             What’s the next step?
A:             Always feel free to discuss with your doctor any questions you may have regarding your treatment or the approach you wish to take. Your doctor should be comfortable referring you to other health professionals, should he or she feel that you could benefit by a different type of treatment than the one they are experienced in.
Together ~ Let’s Make 2013 a Pain-Free Year
*Acupuncture*
*Homeopathy*
*Chinese Herbal Medicine*
*Nutritional Counseling and Diet*
Dr Randy Martin, OMD, LAc, PhD, CCH
Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Certified Classical Homeopath

 

 

 

 

 

Encino Office:  PRIMARY MAILING ADDRESS

Tuesday and Thursday

12:30 – 7:30 pm

17000 Ventura Blvd #220

Encino, CA 91316

Telephone: 818 905 6171

 

West Los Angeles/Santa Monica Office:   

Wednesday

12:30 pm -7:30 pm

1444 Carmelina Blvd #132

West Los Angeles, CA 90025

Telephone: 310 979 6495

 

Valencia Office:

Saturdays and Mondays

12:30  - 6:00 pm

23332 Valencia Blvd

Valencia, CA 91355

Telephone:  661 312 9868

 

Email:  drrandymartin@gmail.com

On the Web:  www.drrandymartin.com

 

 

 
Dr. Martin’s Book Optimal Health is now available on Kindle and in ITunes


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acupuncture for Pain – Neck and Back

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Acupuncture Medical Treatments for Neck and Back Pain

by Dr Randy Martin, OMD, LAc, PhD

Every week, I have patients who come into the office with excruciating neck or back pain.  They usually come in as a last resort, having found me on their insurance plan website, or decided they are tired of taking over the counter pain medications.  
Sometimes, they have tried many drugs, painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications prescribed by their medical doctor, and now their doctor has only one option for them—surgery!
They come to me, hoping, sometimes beyond hope, that acupuncture will in some way perform the miracle that drugs could not. Their pain is an 8 or 9 on a 1 to 10 scale. Pretty bad.  And it’s bothering them all the time – in bed, while at work, and while trying to relax as well.
 
Back and neck pain are two of my favorite things to treat with acupuncture, because they almost ALWAYS EXPERIENCE IMMEDIATE RELIEF WITHIN JUST A FEW TREATMENTS.  Sometimes it takes 6 treatments – but I cannot think of an instance where acupuncture didn’t work.
I almost always also recommend they take natural muscle relaxer products at the same time:  Magnesium, or Calcium, or Pain X.   These will relax the muscles.  I also recommend they use Traumeel Ointment as a topical to reduce the inflammation and pain in the area.
Many of my patients also say that by doing yoga, walking or other light stretching exercises in conjunction with the acupuncture, it really helps.
During an acute painful episode of back or neck pain, try to remember that you have the option of acupuncture.  And if you continue after the pain is gone, once per month acupuncture, it will keep the pain from coming back as well.
 

Together ~ Let’s Make 2013 a Pain-Free Year
*Acupuncture*
*Homeopathy*
*Chinese Herbal Medicine*
*Nutritional Counseling and Diet*
Dr Randy Martin, OMD, LAc, PhD, CCH
Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Certified Classical Homeopath

 

 

 

 

 

Encino Office:  PRIMARY MAILING ADDRESS

Tuesday and Thursday

12:30 – 7:30 pm

17000 Ventura Blvd #220

Encino, CA 91316

Telephone: 818 905 6171

 

West Los Angeles/Santa Monica Office:   

Wednesday

12:30 pm -7:30 pm

1444 Carmelina Blvd #132

West Los Angeles, CA 90025

Telephone: 310 979 6495

 

Valencia Office:

Saturdays and Mondays

12:30  - 6:00 pm

23332 Valencia Blvd

Valencia, CA 91355

Telephone:  661 312 9868

 

Email:  drrandymartin@gmail.com

On the Web:  www.drrandymartin.com

 

 

 
Dr. Martin’s Book Optimal Health is now available on Kindle and in ITunes