Category Archives: Pain Control

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


 


 

 

 

Acupuncture for Athletes

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Professional Athletes Turning to Acupuncture

 

 

In the 2009 baseball season, New York Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett played an integral role in his team’s rise to a World Series Championship, and did so without missing a single inning due to injury. For an athlete whose reputation for landing on the injured list had (until then) overshadowed his considerable talent, this was remarkable.

 

Throughout this career, Burnett suffered from a ruptured ligament in his thumb, a bone bruise, a stress fracture in his right foot, a right shoulder strain, and a host of other injuries that could derail a pitcher’s career.

 

That all changed when Burnett discovered acupuncture. He credits the therapy with helping him stay healthy. Burnett states, “I found that I responded really well to the acupuncture, how that treated my body and my nerves, and the release of stress.”

 

The trend isn’t a new one.

 

The use of acupuncture in professional sports has been growing for a while now.

 

For instance, National Basketball Association (NBA) stars Yao Ming and Allan Houston have both reported turning to acupuncture treatment to help recover from injuries, as have National Football Association (NFL) standouts Steve Young and Jerry Rice. Many professional sports teams, (including the Yankees) now employ a staff acupuncturist to help them gain a competitive advantage.

 

Dr. Martin’s Comments:  ”I’ve seen athletes, and athletic injuries respond very well, and very quickly to acupuncture treatment. Torn ligaments, tennis elbow, swollen knees, neck pain, pulled backs, sciatica, and all kinds of sprains and strains respond exceptionally well.   

 

It’s always funny to see a person’s response to an acupuncture treatment:

 

First, they are amazed that they never even feel the needles.  But they are also surprised when they get up off the table, at how much more relaxed and calm they always feel.  

 

 

Come on in!  You’ll like  that “floating feeling” you get on your way out.  

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance will usually cover the cost of your treatments.

~~~~

Dr Randy Martin, OMD, LAc, PhD

Doctor of Chinese Medicine

Certified Classical Homeopath

 

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

 

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Acupuncture for Arthritis, Depression, Tennis Elbow

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June 13, 2010

 

Dear Friends ~ I’ve found some research to share with you on tennis elbow, arthritis, urinary infections, and depression.  Quite a wide array of problems. And acupuncture works well for them all.  Please encourage your friends to try some complementary methods to treat their problems.  I’m constantly amazed by how well and in some cases, how fast, acupuncture, homeopathy, and herbs really work.

Also, an increasing number of people are coming to see me for infertility treatments:  both men and women.  And fertility MD’s are also referring an increasing number of patients for infertility treatments.  

 

 

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Times are fast-paced, and an increasing number of people are coming to my offices for stress-related problems, which are manifesting as physical issues.  I encourage all of you to try and take time for yourself to relax, pray, and/or meditate daily.  

 

Find a special, sacred space, in your home, or in nature to spend time daily, to receive the revitalizing effects of slowing down, and listening to the inner wisdom of your higher self.  Spending time in nature is a particularly effective way to get rejuvenated quickly.

 

When you feel stressed, try to go easy on both yourself and those around you.  Kindness and gentleness go a long way to reducing stress.  Arguing, whether you “win” or “loose” only creates more stress in the long-run.  ”Win-Win” is the only true winner in our relationships, with both sides walking away feeling a sense of being heard, and honored.

 

Try to plan a nurturing activity for yourself, so that you feel you can give the nuturing you need to yourself, and not have to depend on others or on events in your life, in order to feel grounded and whole.

 

In Love and Healing,

 

Dr. Randy Martin, OMD, LAc, CCH, PhD.

 

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~Most Insurance Is Accepted~

 

 

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Acupuncture for Tennis Elbow 

 

In this study, 45 patiens were given two acupunctuure treatments per week for five weeks.  Two weeks after the treatments ended, the  group who received the acupuncture had significantly more strength, arm flexibility and less pain then the control group.  Two months after  the treatment ended, arm function was still significantly improved.   

 

(Rheumatology 2002; 41: 205-9.))

 

 

 

Acupuncture for Urinary Tract Infections

 

In this study, 94 women were given acupuncture two times per week for four weeks.  Of these women, all had gotten at least three UTI’s during the previous 12 months before the acupuncture treatment.  Of these women,73% remained infection-free during the six months after the treatment.  Of the women who didn’t received acupuncture, only 53% remained infection-free.

 

(American Journal of Public Health 2002; 92-1609-1611.)

 

 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Helpful in Treating Depression

 

Recent research has shown that people with depression have an abnormally low amount of PUFA’s (Omega-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids) in their blood cells, and in their dietary intake.  In this study, reported in European Neuropsychopharmacology (2003;13:267-271), 28 patients with major depression were given Omega-3 PUFA’s and found to have significantly less depression as a result.

 

 

 

Acupuncture Shown to Reduce Arthritis Pain 

 

Acupuncture, in addition to conventional therapy, reduces the pain suffered by people with osteoarthritis, according to the results of an NIH-supported study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine.

 

Dr. Brian M. Berman, from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore and his colleagues studied the impact of acupuncture on pain levels in knee arthritis among the elderly. The researchers evaluated 73 people with moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knee that could not be relieved by standard anti-inflammatory drugs. 

 

After 3 months, there were significant changes. Acupuncture did reduce their pain, they had less stiffness, and they were able to function better.

 

These results offer encouragement as he and his colleagues plan a larger trial of 570 patients.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr Randy Martin, OMD, LAc, PhD

Doctor of Chinese Medicine

Certified Classical Homeopath

 

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

 

 

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Acupuncture Success Stories

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ACUPUNCTURE SUCCESS STORIES

 

Recent research, as well as my clinical experience since 1983, has proven to me that acupuncture can be extremely effective for the following woman’s health problems.  These include the acupuncture “face lift”, PMS, endometriosis, infertility, cysts, fibroids, breast augmentation and menopause.In addition, there are great clinical and scientific studies on acupuncture for low back pain, sciatica, fatigue and anxiety.   To summarize some of my experiences:PMS Eileen, a 27-year-old psychologist, came to my office with symptoms of severe PMS, which were threatening to interfere with her relationship with her fiancé.  After discussing her symptoms and taking a complete health history, it became evident that she had what is called “Type A PMS.”  Type A refers to PMS where there is an overabundance of estrogen with a lack of progesterone.  Her symptoms consisted of anxiety, irritability and mood swings.   This is the most common type of PMS.Eileen’s treatment lasted three months and she received acupuncture twice per month.  She also took a Chinese Herbal supplement to balance her female hormones and detoxify her liver.After the three months of treatments, she was 85% free from her original PMS symptoms and her relationship with her fiancé was flowing very smoothly.  Eileen periodically came in for “tune-up” treatments, about once every three months, and reports she was still doing really well.LOW BACK PAIN WITH SCIATICA George, a 48 year old male, came to my office complaining of acute lower back pain that had started about three weeks before when he lifted a box and “pulled something” in the back.  George wanted to try acupuncture only, without the use of Chinese herbs or homeopathic remedies.  He came in twice per week and after the first week, his pain had diminished by about 75%.Acupuncture was performed on his lower back, buttock area, legs and ankles.  The treatments lasted between 20-30 minutes each.  After three weeks, George’s pain was about 95% better, on a scale of 0 – 100% (with 100% being totally free of pain.).I told George to come back in for treatment on an as-needed basis.  I see him every six months or so for a tune up treatment.  Georges’ case is a bit unusual, due to the fact that normally I’ll treat low back pain and sciatica using herbs and homeopathic remedies in addition to the acupuncture.  But this case is a great example of lower back pain with sciatica that resolved very effectively with acupuncture only.PMS:  DEPRESSION, HEART PALPITATIONS, WITH ANXIETY Julia, a 28-year-old secretary came to me to work on her symptoms of anxiety, agoraphobia, depression, and racing heart or palpitations.  Her symptoms began after breaking up with her boyfriend after a five-year relationship.   She had also been to a psychiatrist who had placed her on an antidepressant prescription medication, and she was also in weekly psychotherapy.  Her primary problem was that she had trouble getting to sleep at night due to her overactive mental chatter.For the first three weeks I saw Julia twice a week for acupuncture and gave her the homeopathic remedy Coffea cruda* 30C to take at bedtime.  She immediately reported being able to get to sleep more quickly and the heart palpitations were lessoning as well.I kept Julia coming in once weekly for acupuncture for another ten weeks, at which time she reported her anxiety and other symptoms had been almost totally eliminated.  This ended her treatment and I told her to come back if and when, she wanted to try and get off the prescription medication.

CHRONIC FATIGUEMy experience treating CFIDS, or chronic fatigue syndrome and Fibromyalgia is that 80% of my patients feel substantially better within four weeks after beginning treatment.  Jill, a fifty-year-old single mother of two teenagers was under a significant amount of stress when she came in.  She had been trying to treat her self using vitamins and herbs for her severe muscle and joint pains and progressive fatigue for a period of about four years with mixed success.A friend who had seen me for the same problem told her about acupuncture, so she decided to try it.  She came in weekly and I did acupuncture and had her get blood work.  Her blood tests revealed a severe deficiency in protein, sodium, calcium and magnesium.  So along with the acupuncture she increased her protein intake, decreased her carbohydrates in the diet, and began to take the mineral supplements I suggested, which were easier to assimilate than the ones she had previously been taking.Jill improved very quickly and after only six weeks, she reported an 80% increase in energy, and the only time her muscles and joints hurt was when she exerted herself too much in the garden, or didn’t get her full eight hours of sleep.   She continues to come in once a month for her acupuncture “tune-up”.ACUPUNCTURE FOR ANXIETY Marcia, a 42-year-old movie producer, came to me wanting to get off the antianxiety prescription medications he had become addicted to over a period of three years.  This is one of the more difficult treatments using acupuncture alone, so we placed her on a detoxification diet and herbal regimen, without changing her prescription medications.  Checking her blood tests showed her liver enzymes were significantly elevated, so I targeted the liver and created a detoxification regimen for her.After ten weeks of detoxification, the liver enzymes came down on the blood test and with her doctor’s supervision we began to lessen her prescription medications.  After three more months, although she was not off the prescriptions entirely, she managed to reduce them significantly.  She continued acupuncture once every three weeks while taking her herbs, and reported that she had not felt that clearheaded in years!BREAST AUGMENTATION Breast augmentation, or natural breast enlargement, is possible by stimulating the body’s own, naturally existing hormones.  This is done through the use of acupuncture, herbs, homeopathy and specific nutritional supplements aimed at increasing and balancing the body’s own, naturally occurring hormone levels.The effects are always more substantial in younger woman.  Most of my experience has been with women in their late twenties and early thirties.Linda, age 27, came to me for breast augmentation after deciding she didn’t want to suffer the possible side effects of implants.  I saw Linda twice weekly for the initial four weeks and performed acupuncture, and then she came weekly until she received the results she was wanting.Her weekly acupuncture lasted another fifteen weeks and then monthly for another four months.  Needles were placed along the meridians, which travel through the breasts, including the liver and stomach meridians.  Points were also done on the Spleen and Chong Mo meridians, on the stomach, and insides of the wrists and legs, all governing hormones.Linda was also taking a constitutional homeopathic remedy, which in her case was Sepia.  She also took a Chinese herbal supplement called Venus.  She was delighted with her results.   Before and after breast measurements gave her what she was wanting.  In addition, because the treatment was holistic and aimed at balancing the body’s hormones, her overall level of health, and the feel and look of her skin and her energy were better than ever!The average cost for breast implants is from $4,000 to $10,000.   For the acupuncture, the average cost is $2,000 to $2,500.COSMETIC FACE LIFT Acupuncture face-lifts are very effective.  The purpose of the treatment is to strengthen the overall vitality, or chi in the body, thereby creating firmer skin with less wrinkles.  Wrinkles will lesson as specific Chinese herbs are used, diet is changed and needles are placed on the wrinkles themselves.The needles are placed on the face, hands, legs, and stomach, strengthening the meridians, which run through the facial area.  This type of treatment works best if done twice weekly for a minimum of ten weeks.  Then we take a break of about one month, and perform another cycle of treatments of ten weeks at twice per week.Results will vary, depending on the overall level of health and vitality of the patient.  If the digestion is good, and the diet is healthy, good results will be achieved by the end of treatment.  This treatment can also be complemented by home, self-stimulation of the meridians through acupressure and with an electrical acupuncture device held in the hand.The average cost of a traditional face-lift is from $4,000 to $10,000.   The acupuncture facelift from $2,000 to $3,000, and in addition to the facelift, the patient ends up with a much greater level of health.

 

 

 

 

Dr Randy Martin, OMD, LAc, PhD

 

Doctor of Chinese Medicine

Certified Classical Homeopath

 

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

 

 

 

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Fibromyalgia Solutions and Research

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Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) affects an estimated 2 percent of the population. Conventional therapies are limited in the success of treating this complex and unexplained condition. Current treatment is largely comprised of prescribing different medications for the varying symptoms in a trial and error approach. Research shows that as many as 90 percent of people with fibromyalgia have turned to complimentary and alternative medicine to manage their symptoms. Acupuncture, in particular, has become a popular treatment choice and has shown to be an effective treatment for FMS.

What is Fibromyalgia Syndrome?

Fibromyalgia is a medically unexplained syndrome characterized by chronic widespread pain, a heightened and painful response to pressure, insomnia, fatigue, and depression. While not all affected persons experience all associated symptoms, the following symptoms commonly occur together:

• chronic pain
• debilitating fatigue
• difficulty sleeping
• anxiety and depression
• joint stiffness
• chronic headaches and jaw pain
• difficulty swallowing
• dryness in mouth, nose, and eyes
• hypersensitivity to odors, bright lights, and loud noises
• inability to concentrate (called “fibro fog”)
• incontinence
• irritable bowel syndrome
• numbness or tingling in the fingers and feet
• painful menstrual cramps
• poor circulation in hands and feet (called Raynaud’s phenomenon)
• restless legs syndrome

Fibromyalgia is diagnosed when there is a history of widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body for a minimum duration of three months and pain when pressure is applied to at least 11 of 18 designated tender points on the body. This condition does not result in any physical damage to the body or its tissues and there are no laboratory tests which can confirm this diagnosis.

Symptoms often begin after a physical or emotional trauma, but in many cases there appears to be no triggering event. Women are more prone to develop the disorder than are men, and the risk of fibromyalgia increases with age.

From an Eastern Perspective

The Oriental medicine theory of pain is expressed in this famous Chinese saying: “Bu tong ze tong, tong ze bu tong” which means “free flow: no pain, no free flow: pain.”

Pain is seen as a disruption of the flow of Qi within the body. The disruption of Qi that results in fibromyalgia is usually associated with disharmonies of the Liver, Spleen, Kidney and Heart Systems.

The Acupuncture Treatment

Oriental Medicine does not recognize fibromyalgia as one particular disease pattern. Instead, it aims to treat the specific symptoms that are unique to each individual depending on their constitution, emotional state, intensity and location of their pain, digestive health, sleeping patterns and an array of other signs and symptoms. Therefore, if 10 people are treated with Oriental medicine for fibromyalgia, each of these 10 people will receive a unique, customized treatment with different acupuncture points, different herbs and different lifestyle and dietary recommendations.

Because the symptoms of fibromyalgia are highly variable form one person to another, a wide array of traditional and alternative treatments has been shown to be the most effective way of treating this difficult syndrome. A treatment program may include a combination of psychological or behavioral therapies, medications, exercise, acupuncture, herbal medicine and bodywork.

If you have fibromyalgia, acupuncture and Oriental medicine may be what you’ve been looking for to ease your symptoms and reclaim your health and vitality. Please Email or call for a consultation today.

Hot Link To Consultation information – Dr. Martin’s Website 

 

Study on Acupuncture and Fibromyalgia

A recent study from the Mayo Clinic found acupuncture helpful in treating the fatigue and anxiety commonly experienced by fibromyalgia patients. In the trial, patients who received acupuncture to counter their fibromyalgia symptoms reported improvement in fatigue and anxiety, among other symptoms. Acupuncture was well tolerated, with minimal side effects.

In the double-blind study, Mayo Clinic doctors gave 25 fibromyalgia patients acupuncture, and 25 “sham” acupuncture treatments. Patients received six treatments during the two- to three-week study. Those who received acupuncture treatments reported less fatigue and anxiety one month following after treatment than did the “sham” group.

“The results of the study convince me there is something more than the placebo effect to acupuncture,” says David Martin, M.D., Ph.D., lead author of the acupuncture article and a Mayo Clinic anesthesiologist. “It affirms a lot of clinical impressions that this complementary medical technique is helpful for patients.”

Dr. Martin says the study demonstrates that acupuncture is helpful, and also proves physicians can conduct a rigorous, controlled acupuncture study. Future research could help physicians understand which medical conditions respond best to acupuncture, how to apply it to best relieve symptoms, and how long patients can expect to their symptoms to decrease after each treatment.

Dr. Martin performed the study at Mayo Clinic Rochester with co-authors Ines Berger, M.D.; Christopher Sletten, Ph.D.; and Brent Williams. The study used only two acupuncturists and examined only patients who reported more severe symptoms, offering better experimental control. Still, the Mayo Clinic doctors urged more study to see how acupuncture can best be used in treating fibromyalgia patients.

Source: Mayo Clinic (2006, June 13). Acupuncture Relieves Symptoms Of Fibromyalgia, Mayo Clinic Study Finds.

from AcuFinder.com


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Acupuncture and Homeopathy for Headaches, Pregnancy, Fertility and other Issues

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ACUPUNCTURE SHOWN TO RELIEVE TENSION HEADACHES

German researchers found that acupuncture is an effective treatment for people suffering from tension headaches. Over an 8 week period, this team of acupuncturists in Germany compared a group of people who regularly experienced tension headaches. One group received acupuncture and the control group received no acupuncture and a 3rd group received both conventional Western treatments and acupuncture. The headache rate in the group given the acupuncture and the group that received acupuncture and traditional Western treatments was the same — 7 fewer days of headaches in the 4 weeks following the treatments. The control group, which received no treatments, had only 1 1/2 fewer days of headaches. According to the researchers, acupuncture cut the rate of headaches by nearly half.

Source: “Acupuncture shown to relieve tension headaches,” July 29, 2005: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/acupuncture.

ACUPUNCTURE MAY IMPROVE SPERM QUALITY

According to a study reported in the July 2005 issue of Fertility and Sterility, acupuncture may improve sperm quality in male infertility. Of the 40 men in the study, 28 received acupuncture twice weekly for 5 weeks. Their semen samples were then randomized with semen samples from the 12 men in the untreated control group. The results showed a positive effect on sperm concentration and motility, and an increase in testosterone in the treated group.

The study also showed an increase of normally shaped sperm and a decrease in abnormal sperm.

Source: Laurie, Barclay, MD, “Acupuncture May Improve Sperm Quality,” Medscape Medical News, July 25, 2005: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/50885?print (July 29, 2005)

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES EFFECTIVE IN TREATMENT OF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

According to the July/August 2004 issue of Homeopathy Today, there are a number of effective homeopathic remedies which have been used by doctors to treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

The following remedies can be used in either 6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X or 30C, and taken either once, twice or three times per day. The first to try is always Arnica. Apply it both topically and in potency for a new flare up of CTS.

Causticum is used for long lasting or recurring CTS. There may be a feeling of contraction of the tendons and muscles, stiffness, weakness and even atrophy of the muscles. Ruta grav is the remedy used when the overuse of the area brings a bruised and aching sensation. For Ruta grav to be effective, there is often a previous injury, or sprain to the tendons and ligaments in the arm. Rhus tox is often indicated when the pain is better when there is movement or use of the area and it’s worse when the arms are at rest.

Finally, I often use the oil of Vitamin E rubbed on the arms as well as the use of vitamin B-6, in the form of P5P. The use of acupuncture points P6 and TH7 are also commonly used effectively.

EFFECTIVE REMEDIES TO BRING ON LABOR IN DELAYED SITUATIONS

The question of overdue babies is a vexing one, because doctors and midwives can often disagree over the baby’s exact due date. When unnecessary intervention or Cesareans are the last resort, it is often a good idea to immediately start with acupuncture and homeopathy. I have often been called in, with almost 100% success, to help bring on labor in a delayed pregnancy.

A few doses of Caulophyllum or Pulsatilla will often start a labor when combined with some stagetically placed acupuncture points. If the baby is ready to come out and the mother’s body is correspondingly ready to deliver, a woman can take a dose of 30C or 200C daily for two days. If labor doesn’t start after the second day, then another homeopathic remedy and additional acupuncture points should be chosen. For Caulophyllum to be effective, the woman will usually be in an anxious state, and in Pulsatilla, the emotional state will be more weepy and sad.

Fibromyalgia Treated Successfully with Acupuncture

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According to a study reported at the 11th World Congress on Pain in Sydney, Australia in August 2005, acupuncture was very successful at alleviating the symptoms of fibromyalgia. This study was conducted by the International Association for the Study of Pain. Results of the study showed that of the 50 patients who met the American College of Rheumatology’s criteria for fibromyalgia, and who had tried other Western treatments without relief, almost all felt a significant improvement in pain relief.

Patients received a total of six treatments over a two- or three-week period. Before the first treatment and immediately following the last treatment and at one and seven month intervals thereafter, patients completed a series of questionnaires to determine the severity of their symptoms. According to the study, the greatest improvement occurred at one month following the last treatment.

Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire before the first treatment, after the last treatment and at one-month intervals after the last treatment. The last questionnaire was at seven months. All the patients experienced significant improvement in pain relief. The doctors conducting the study said that they were also surprised because they expected only to see vast improvement in pain relief, and had not expected to also see improvements in relief from fatigue and anxiety. But all patients reported improvements with all three symptoms.

The doctors said that had the patients continued their treatments longer, they would have all had more far reaching cumulative effects that would have lasted even longer.

Fiibromyalgia is defined as having multiple points of pain and tenderness, not caused by other diseases. Also known as Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome (CFIDS), symptoms also often include sore throat, headaches, trouble sleeping, fatigue and anxiety.

Most patients with fibromyalgia do not realize there are options to treatment other then conventional painkillers. Most Western doctors treat with anti-depressant medications. But, in fact, I have found that if people are willing to change their diet and take nutritional supplements, amino acids, herbs and homeopathic remedies, almost 80% will experience complete relief of their symptoms within two to four months.

My book, Optimal Health, How to Get It, How to Keep It, has an extensive chapter on my treatment philosophy for treating fibromyalgia.

In every case, the patient can choose to receive only acupuncture, or also take homeopathy remedies, herbs and nutritional supplements. Again, I have found that healing is accelerated if the patient chooses all types of treatment simultaneously. Acupuncture alone, however, is also successful in many patients. And remember, your health insurance almost always covers at least part of your costs in getting acupuncture treatments!

If you, or someone you know has fibromyalgia, or any type of pain, feel free to pass this information on to them. You can help yourself or someone else from a lifelong dependency on drug therapy and return to living symptom-free.

Acupuncture on the BBC

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A friend of mine emailed me this link on the BBC News website with a lot of very, very interesting information on Acupuncture Research. So many people are always asking me for the latest research on acupuncture. Because I work so intuitively, based on the more Traditional Laws and Rules in Chinese medicine, I don’t really keep up much on the latest research. So that is why I was really inspired to share this link with you. Take Care.

Here is the BBC News link for the latest in Acupuncture research: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4631930.stm

TMJ – Jaw Pain by Dr. Martin

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Treatments Take the Bite Out of Jaw Pain  

It’s Easter Sunday morning and I get an emergency phone call from an anxious patient. “My husband says I’ve been ‘tapping’ my teeth together at night. Can this lead to seizures?” This patient, who affectionately calls herself “Your Anxious Patient,” witnessed a close friend having seizures a few years back and is understandably petrified of getting them herself.  

I returned the call and assured her that this was not related to a seizure disorder but that she should go to her medical doctor on Monday for a complete check-up and ask him all her questions. I told her she also should insist on getting a complete blood work-up, since I’d been wanting her to get this anyhow since her initial visit with me.   I then told her to keep an eye out for, and a daily health diary of any jaw crackling, grinding the teeth, jaw or facial pain, or headaches, because she may have Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD).

I also mentioned that the “teeth tapping” her husband heard could just have been a sign that she was in a dream state.   TMD is a very common problem, affecting many more people than one might imagine. A lot of headaches are related to TMD, or TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Pain) as it’s also called.

When we grind our teeth at night, it causes the musculature to tighten up, leading to headaches and dental problems. Your dentist can give you a custom-made occlusal (biting) appliance, made of hard plastic, to protect the teeth and minimize the grinding, but I have also had great success treating TMD/TMJ using a combination of acupuncture, dietary changes,herbs and homeopathy.   According to Chinese medical theory, the primary meridian, or invisible energy channel which runs through the Temporomandibular Joint, is the Stomach meridian.

The Large Intestine meridian also runs through the area of the jaw, as does the Gall Bladder meridian. So we have three different possible “causes” of TMD/TMJ to work with in its diagnosis and treatment.   And all are related to digestion.  

The basic principle is to take the “blocked” energy, or Chi, in the jaw and joint area and to unblock it and move it out from that stuck place. It’s as if a beaver had built a dam across a small river or creek. At the point of the dam, the water would build up in back of the dam.

This is similar to what happens in the jaw area when you grind your teeth. The energy gets blocked and builds up.   The insertion of acupuncture needles at the appropriate spots will act to unblock the dam and begin the process of alleviating the pain. The needles may be placed in the feet, hands, shoulders, or in some cases, in the jaw and temple area on the face.  

If you’ve never had acupuncture before, this may seem like a barbaric and painful solution to the problem, but actually it’s rather high tech. Ninety-nine point nine percent of my patients tell me the treatment was very relaxing and they look forward to the positive, endorphin-enhancing effects. The needles are about as thin as a strand of hair, and it’s not painful.   In addition, and as a complementary treatment to the acupuncture, I’ll prescribe anti-inflammatory herbs and a homeopathic remedy which matches your unique set of symptoms!

It’s that simple, and the results are both dramatic and rather quick. Usually in a matter of four to six weeks, depending on how long you’ve had the problem, you’ll experience extreme, if not complete, relief.   What have you got to loose? Traditional Western medical treatment consists of using prescription medications, physical therapy, and injections of local anesthetics into the facial muscles . . . ouch! You can always fall back on the traditional methods, but why not first give the alternative a try?