Headaches are one of the top pain complaint seen in our office, right up there with low back and neck pain. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can provide a powerful natural solution for many types of headaches, including chronic migraines.

There are three main types of headaches for which people seek out alternative medicine. All three can be chronic, reoccurring, and interfere with life and work. These are migraines, tension headaches and sinus headaches. These all will usually respond well to acupuncture treatments, with tension headaches being the most amenable, next Sinus headaches followed by migraines.

Tension headaches are usually associated with stress, poor posture, vision problems, structural problems or injury, and have a high response rate to acupuncture after only a few weeks of treatment. Sinus related headaches require treatment of the underlying infection, and draining of the sinuses cavities. This can be accomplished well with acupuncture and herbs working in together.

Migraines are a much more complicated situation, and the treatment requires patience and consistency. Many people arrive at our acupuncture clinic with a migraine history of many years. Migraines indicate an enduring imbalance in the body that can be related to genetics, stress, diet and the menstrual cycle. Again, although the main treatment may be acupuncture, herbal medicine may play an important roll in achieving good results.

Most people have been to a western trained doctor, and have tried a number of medications without success by the time they seek out an acupuncturist. Some patients, such as pregnant women, are looking for a treatment that doesn’t involve taking medications. With chronic headaches, it is important to see an MD in order to rule out other possible health problems such as tumors, meningitis or hypertension, which may present with headaches. It is also important to remember that excessive use of pain medications, even over the counter ones such as ibuprofen and aspirin (NSAID) all carry the risk of stomach and intestinal bleeding. Frequent use of these medications may also trigger headaches themselves, known as a “rebound headache.”

After understanding what kind of headache you have from a western diagnosis, an acupuncturist needs to translate this into the system of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). To do this, I need to know what makes the pain worse or better, times of onset, patterns of pain, location and type of pain and any foods, or emotional states that may trigger it. This is why we start with a fairly extensive questionnaire. I also will combine this with a reading of your pulses and a brief examination of your tongue to further complete the picture.

After we have this information we can begin the treatment. Many people are anxious about where the needles will be placed. Most of the needles are placed on the lower legs, feet and hands and wrist areas. A few may be placed on the head in areas of recurrent pain, and a few may be put in the ears (called auricular acupuncture). In treating tension headaches, needles are often put on the neck, shoulders, and places where tension builds. The treatments are relaxing and restful.

The best time to treat headaches are at the very onset, before it has gotten too severe. However, prevention is the true goal of headache treatment. And this means regular treatment between times of headache occurrence.

To successfully prevent migraines, it is important to commit to treatment at least twice weekly for about 8 weeks, regardless of whether a headache is occurring. After this period there should be a noticeable reduction in the frequency and intensity of the headaches. Treatment should be continued once weekly for several more months with continual improvement noted.

Acupuncture benefits for treating headaches:

• Stimulates the release of the bodies natural pain killing opiates
• Eases neck and shoulder tension, and the muscle spasms that start headaches
• Releases bodily stress
• Balances the nervous system
• Drains and clears sinus pressure
• No Harmful side effects

Australian researchers, conducting a study with nearly 3,500 women in several countries compared the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine to other therapies, and a placebo in relieving menstrual cramps.  Menstrual pain effects half of all women, and an even larger percentage of teenage girls.

The lead author Xiaoshu Zhu from the Centre for Complementary Medicine Research at the University of Western Sydney, said the trials confirmed the effectiveness of  Chinese herbs over NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) Heat treatment, placebo, no treatment, and interestingly, even acupuncture.  Significantly, the researches found the treatments to reduce the recurrence of the pain for over three months.

A new German study released this February showed that acupuncture can help relieve menstrual pain.   The study comprised of 201 women compared acupuncture to a group receiving no treatments.  Although the researchers admitted there was no control group, such as a group receiving “sham acupuncture,”  they still felt the study was able to show the benefits of acupuncture in treating dysmenorrhea, and recommended it be made available through the health-care system.  The research was published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Although larger and more thorough studies need to be done, these two western studies confirm what I see in my clinical practice daily.  Chinese medicine and acupuncture excels at treating menstrual cramps for both woman and teenage girls.  I am not surprised the herbs edged out acupuncture in the first study.  Herbs can be taken in advance of the pain, which can do a great deal in preventing it’s onset.  In addition, certain types of severe pain that we acupuncturists refer to as “blood stasis,” will respond better to herbs, especially when given over time.

I do find acupuncture quite effective for other types of menstrual pain, especially if a patient comes in complaining of cramps or low back pain.  It can usually be greatly improved by the end of the session.

Spring is here and the flowers are going crazy in San Diego.  Unfortunately, so is another fixture of our local canyons and parks, poison oak.  I have been an avid mountain biker for years, and have never allowed poison oak to dissuade me from riding a favorite trail.  Usually, I never pick it up unless I get lazy and forget to apply my secret mountain biker’s tip that I am about to share with you.

The secret is, never letting the oils stay on your skin long enough to start the reaction.  What you need is to keep a bottle of Windex and a roll of paper towels in your car.  There are some more pricey  products on the market that you can buy at REI, but I find ordinary Windex works just fine.  If you suspect you’ve touched poison ivy, after your ride or hike, spray down your exposed skin and wipe of with the paper towels.  The glass cleaner will break down the oils from the poison oak before it gets a chance to start causing a reaction.  Time is of the essence here, so try not to delay wiping down when you get back to your car.  Once you get home, shower off to remove the Windex, and be sure to wash any clothes that may have contacted the offending plant as well.

Enjoy the flower viewing while it lasts!

How many of us are not affected by the daily toll of stress?  Most of us living in San Diego are aware of the stress that comes from trying to make it in one of America’s most expensive cities.  It is said that stress plays a roll in a majority of complaints that bring people to the doctor’s office, from migraine and tension headaches to ulcerative colitis.  It plays a role in our illnesses, and having the illness creates more stress in a seeming vicious cycle.  Western medicine does not have a lot to offer in treating stress related disorders, which often tend to be chronic conditions. 

In the fertility clinic, stress is huge.  Many women, who are already stressed out from daily life, suffer the greatly added stresses of not being able to conceive.  Chinese Medicine understands the role of mood and emotions in the menstrual cycle.  Western medicine recognizes the “hypothalamic, pituitary ovarian axis.”  It is hard to imagine the brain playing no role in our reproductive health.  In fact, stress is often the fertility patients main secondary complaint.

Stress plays a major role in back pain, especially upper back pain and neck pain.  The “fight or flight response” come into play when we feel “under attack.”  We instinctively tighten up those muscles that would protect our vulnerable neck area.  When animals fight, they bite.  I can’t tell you how many times I see “jaw clenching, or grinding” checked off on the intake chart. 

After being set off by stress, one condition gives rise to another.  Tension headaches may follow the previous example.  Tense low back muscles are more easily pulled, and sprained.  These low back injuries may seem to come out of nowhere.

An acupuncturist should factor in stress whenever they create a treatment plan for a patient.  The effects on a patients stress levels are immediate and sometimes dramatic.  Some points have a very direct effect.  Certain acupuncture points have been shown to stimulate the brains secretion of natural opiates  These have a calming, pain reliving effect.  The pulse usually slows and relaxes, and the blood pressure usually goes down.

There is a very profound calming effect from the insertion of an acupuncture needle, that most people will notice shortly after they begin acupuncture treatments.  Even simply treating tender muscle spasms on the back or neck will usually leave the patient melting on the table, reluctant to get up.

Although acupuncture can help mitigate the effects of stress on the body, we ultimately need to counter stress with proper relaxation, recreation, exercise and sleep.  I refer to this method as “relaxation, recreation and meditation,” which will the the subject of a future article.

It might be a bit of a chore, but I find temperature charting to be an invaluable tool in the treatment of female fertility related problems. Tracking your basal body temperature allows us a glimpse into the unique cycle of your body. It gives me, the acupuncturist, objective information that we can compare to your pulse, tongue and case history info, in order to correctly diagnose your problem. It is best to have at least three months of charts to see what the established patterns are.

Some patients come in to the acupuncture clinic with a number of charts, which is great. If you have never done it before, you will need a regular digital thermometer. Any kind is good, as long as it gives tenths of a degree. The other thing you will need is a chart. You may down load them here free to print out from my resource page. It has places to note everything about your cycle, such as the days of the month, boxes to check if you are ovulating, and many more important details.

Start charting on day 1 of your cycle (first day of your menses). The temperature needs to be taken first thing upon waking, before you get up, go to the rest room, or start moving about. It is important to note that you will need to take you temperature around the same time each day. If you take your temperature at different times each day, you will get false readings.

After a month goes by, you will end up with a nice chart, which can tell us many things about your body. It can confirm if ovulation did happen that month, and about when it did. It can give us some indication on the strength of your progesterone levels, after you have ovulated. It can help an acupuncturist know if your treatments, or Chinese herbal therapies are working. And if you miss your menses, it can help indicate if you are pregnant.

Men with sperm quality issues may do well to cut down on cell phone usage.  In a study published by Fertility and Sterility, research suggests a tie between cell phone usage and poor semen quality.  I fear this study may not get enough attention.

Using 361 male subjects, the study found that the more hours the men spent talking on cell phones, the greater the percentage of abnormal sperm.  How cell phones could alter sperm quality was not known, only that there appears to be an association with heavy cell phone use.

In advising fertility patients at our San Diego clinic, I recommend to our male patients  to avoid carrying cell phones in their front pockets, or belts.  Now, I am inclined to ask them to reduce excessive talking on them if they can.  Although I am not convinced of the safety of Blue Tooth devices, they are probably a degree safer, and allow you to keep the more powerful phone away from your body.  Since the pituitary gland in your brain is considered the “master gland” it would best to expose it to as little electromagnetic radiation as possible.

Low morphology is becoming an increasing factor with couples experiencing infertility.  My concern is that the advent of the iphone, and other such devices, will only encourage longer exposure to cellphone radiation.

A new study is helping to show the effectiveness of acupuncture’s to help women undergoing IVF get pregnant.  The analysis was lead by Eric Manheimer, a researcher at University of Maryland School of Medicine, and funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

 The study combines the results of seven smaller studies from the United States, Germany, Australia, and Denmark involving 1,366 women.  All the women were undergoing in vitro fertilization.  The study suggested that acupuncture boosted chances of pregnancy from 45-65%.  The study was published 2/8/2008 in the British Medical Journal.

An IVF cycle can cost up to $15,000 in San Diego.  The researcher said acupuncture could save money in the long run by increasing the chances of success.

Anybody who is having trouble conceiving, or is worried they are having fertility problems, would do well to follow very some good ancient and modern advice.

Consider Chinese Dietary Therapy:  If your daily meals resemble the “typical American diet,” chances are that the foods you are eating run counter to what Eastern medicine would consider the optimal diet for fertility.  Even so called “health foods” such fruit smoothies are a poor choice according to Chinese dietary principals.  Many American women consume a diet loaded with cold, sweet drinks, raw salads, excessive fats and maintain an irregular eating patterns.  This can create a sluggish, bloated digestive system, excessive mucus, poor circulation and coldness in the uterus.

Cut down on coffee:  Drinking coffee can over stimulate the kidneys.  In Chinese Medicine, the strength of the kidneys plays a vital role in the health of the overall reproductive system.  In western medicine we know that an over stimulation of the adrenals glands, can adversely affect cortisol levels and your fertility.  Green tea makes an excellent substitute for coffee containing a much smaller amount of caffeine.  In addition, you avoid all the milk and sugar normally consumed in a latte.

Exercise:  With exercise, it is usually a case of too much, or not enough.  If you are a lean fitness fanatic who has had a problem with amenorrhea, you may be consuming too much of your bodies energy needed for reproduction.  If you are noticing you are gaining weight, fatigued and prefer the couch to getting out and moving, you will defiantly benefit from a moderate exercise program.  Exercise moves the blood, increases the energy levels and prevents the formation of fats around the abdomen.  Obesity is suspected as a factor in lower ovarian function.

Proper rest and relaxation:  The harder you work, or the more you exercise, the more rest and sleep you need.  If you don’t give yourself time to recuperate you reserves, you won’t have the extra energy needed to promote pregnancy, and later bring a baby to term.  “Relaxation” means taking some downtime from frenetic daily activity.  Certain exercise such as Tai chi and Yoga count, as they have a very calming and balancing effect on the nervous system. You can also accomplish nearly the very same thing by doing hobbies that you love, reading a book or just “veging out.”

Develop a positive mental outlook:  Having a history of fertility problems usually brings with it a fair amount of mental baggage.  It is very difficult to avoid the monthly, mental roller coaster, and not to succumb to depression, if the cycle passes without achieving the goal.  However, it is vital to view fertility enhancement as a longer-term project, rather then a monthly mission in order to avoid burnout.  Mental states such as anxiety, obsessive thinking and depression have a counterproductive effect on the balance of the, hormones and the nervous system. 

Make the most of your acupuncture treatments:  When you are having an acupuncture session, view it as part of you relaxation program.  Don’t just lie there thinking about all the things you need to get done, or where you need to speed off to next.  Focus on abdominal breathing, and being here in the moment.  Calm your thoughts and clear you mind.  Take a power nap!  This is your time to heal.

If you are unsure how to relax yourself, or how to calm your busy mind during your session, ask your acupuncturist.  There are some great techniques we can teach you for breathing and general relaxation.  And once learned, these methods can be used anytime throughout your day whenever needed.

Did you know that 80% of Americans will be affected by back pain at some point in their lives? Even more shocking, is that 50% of all patients who suffer from an episode of low back pain will have a recurrent episode within one year. The main causes of back pain are strain to the back muscles and direct spinal injury. Luckily, early intervention can prevent injury and aggravation of past ones. Here are some simple steps to prevent back injuries:

1. Maintain Good Posture. While sitting, make sure your back gets sufficient support. If you spend long periods of time sitting, be sure to get up and walk around every hour or so. If you stand all day, try bending over to touch your toes every once in a while, be sure to bend at the knees.
2. Lift Properly.We’ve all heard the saying “bend at the knees- not your waist!” Always remember to lift with your leg muscles, not your arms and back. In addition, keep the object you are lifting close to your body. Don’t twist your body, be sure to have a good grip on the object, and lift slowly and smoothly. Do not jerk the load you are working with.
3. Sleep Right. If you sleep on your stomach, try placing a pillow under your stomach to keep your spine in a neutral position. This also works when sleeping on your back if you tuck a pillow under your knees. The best position for sleep is on your side, legs bent, with a pillow tucked between the knees.
4. Stretch. Simple stretches throughout the day can strengthen and protect the muscles. Attempt to do these every hour for 5 seconds each. While standing, place your hands on your lower back and lean backward, without tipping your head back. Stretch your hamstrings by leaning against something for support while standing and bend one leg up, holding your thigh and straightening the leg. While sitting, bend your chest down to your thighs to stretch the muscles and unload the joints at the base of the spine.
5. Exercise. Your back muscles and abdominal muscles work together so proper care of both are equally important in back care. Weak abdominals can lead to excessive spinal arch. Crunches are a great way to safely strengthen your abs. Walking briskly for 30 minutes a day and swimming are other great ways to strengthen your muscles.
6. Lose Weight. If you are overweight, chances are your protruding belly is adding excessive force onto your spine. Losing a few pounds can go a long way.
7. Acupuncture. Maintenance acupuncture visits can prevent back pain from returning. How often you visit depends on individual cases. Severity of the injury, age, and whether arthritis and degeneration are prevalent are all factors to be considered.

By following these prevention tips and making them a part of your lifestyle you will be taking an active part in preventing pain in your back. Don’t let yourself become a statistic! Beat the odds and avoid the pain. Your back will thank you.