Alternative Medicine

Clay Therapy

Posted by Alternative Medicine on June 30, 2010 in Health with No Comments


Clay or mud is an important as water as an external healing agent. The benefits derived from clay therapy are very much like hydrotherapy. Clay Therapy is a totally different experience altogether.Clay is used in the form of paste, clay can be directly applied as a salve, pack, or as poultice. Usually clay paste is applied to the abdomen and other parts of the body which show symptoms of the disorder. Clay absorbs toxins and removes them from the body, brings together the natural magnetism of the sun, air and water. Clay is used inside and used externally. Patients receiving clay water, there is improvement in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidney, skin, to treat gout and atherosclerosis, with anemia.

Clay or Mud packs are used for following purposes:
1. Clay pack is reducing the swelling of any part of the body.
2. The cooling effect of a mud pack has greater than the wet pack. In case of high fever, the mud pack helps to brought down the temperature.
3. Clay has the unique property of absorbing toxins from the body. You can use this power of clay is provide by the fact that if clay is applied to a boil or a suppurating wound, the pus is quickly drawn out and the wound gets clean.
4. A clay pack reduces the tension of the muscles and soothes over-stimulated nerves.
5. Clay paste or a mud lack gives immediate relief from pain.

The mud pack is prepared after obtaining clay from 4 inches below the surface of earth. Clay of any color can be used for this purpose. The clay obtained must not contain harmful materials or chemicals. When preparing the clay for application as a paste or pack with warm water, after removing pebbles, stones and other impurities and it is allowed to cool and later it is spread on a cloth piece. The duration is 10 minutes to half an hour. If you would leave clay paste or pack is uncovered, it has a cooling effect on the affected part. But if it is covered well with thick cotton or woolen cloth, generally a warming effect is developed.

Clay pack or mud pack is highly beneficial treatment in fevers, constipation, diarrhoea, gastric, duodenal and intestinal ulcers, bleeding of the uterus, piles, fissures, ear and eye troubles, appendicitis, stomachache, irregularity in menstruation liver and kidney troubles, tooth ache, head ache, and general body aches and such other disorders. The beneficial effects of the use of clay on boils, wounds, pain or swellings have been found to exceed all expectations. Mud pack reduces the swelling of any part of the body. In case of high fever, the temperature can be brought down with the help of clay pack. It has to be changed frequently till the desired lowering of temperature is effected.

Clay is found in different colures in different places, but no matter whatever the colour, it is quite beneficial.

Do You Want to Learn Reiki?

Posted by Alternative Medicine on June 24, 2010 in Health with No Comments


What is Reiki?

Reiki is a healing system that uses universal energy to heal on many different levels: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Reiki treatment clears imbalances in your body that can lead to illness and aids your body in healing itself. Reiki can be used to heal yourself and others. Do you have to have a particular belief system to learn reiki? No, anyone can learn reiki and become a reiki practitioner.

Benefits of Learning Reiki

Practicing reiki not only enhances your immune system, but it can also lead to personal growth. Other benefits of learning are:

  • Mental clarity
  • Reduced stress/anxiety
  • Feelings of deep relaxation
  • Releases emotional blocks
  • Heals holistically
  • Aids in toxin elimination
  • Enhances spiritual growth
  • Strengthens life force
  • Balances the body’s energies

Reiki Attunement

The very first step to learn reiki is receiving a reiki attunement. The attunement allows you to be able to channel reiki, so you can start using reiki energy for healing. A reiki master will attune you by placing symbols in your aura, which allow you to use reiki.

There are three different levels to reiki:

Level I The first level of reiki is an introduction to this healing system. At this level you can do hands on self-treatment and treat others.

Level II At the second level, reiki symbols are taught. These symbols can be used for distant healing and for treating the mental/emotional level.

Level III This is the level for reiki masters or teachers. The master symbol is taught and the ability to pass on reiki attunements.

There are various ways to learn reiki: by taking classes in the local area or taking online courses. Reiki can be learned during weekend workshops that pass on reiki attunements, as well as giving an introduction to reiki. Information is now readily available in books and dvd’s. There are many resources on the Internet, which include reiki forums or blogs. It doesn’t matter how you choose to learn reiki, just enjoy the journey and open yourself up fully to this wonderful experience.

If you are interested in learning more, information is available at: http://learnreikinow.com Learn Reiki Now provides information and resources on reiki.

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Posted by Alternative Medicine on June 24, 2010 in Health with No Comments


Anybody suffering from cancer tries to take help of whatever he or she can to relieve the pain, stress, and anxiety associated with this dreaded disease. Alternative cancer treatments do not always offer cure for cancer, but cancer patients can definitely get some sort of relief. Whether somebody is suffering from liver cancer, breast cancer, or cancer in any other body part, alternative cancer treatment can lessen his/her pain. They are not natural cancer cures; and they are in no way substitutes to the conventional cancer treatments prescribed by the doctor.

Many such alternate treatment methodologies are yet to be proven and established, and can even have adverse effects. However, some of the treatment methodologies are quite safe and there are evidences that support the benefits one can expect from them. Now, we will explore briefly some of these safe, alternative cancer treatment methodologies. You need to work closely with your doctor to determine the right balance between conventional and alternative cancer treatment approaches.

Acupuncture

In this alternative form of cancer treatment, a practitioner inserts tiny needles into the skin of the cancer patient at precise points. Studies have established that acupuncture can provide some relief from the nausea caused by chemotherapy. It can also alleviate certain types of pain associated with cancer. Though safe, acupuncture should be done from a licensed practitioner only. The needles should be sterilized too. The method is unsafe for those cancer patients who have low blood counts. The doctor should be consulted first before going for acupuncture.

Aromatherapy

In aromatherapy, practitioners use fragrant oils to provide a calming sensation. The oils can either be used over the skin during massaging, or they can be applied to the bathing water. Sometimes the fragrant oil is heated to release their scents. Though aromatherapy cannot be categorized as natural cancer cures, it is helpful in lessening nausea, pain and stress.

Hypnosis

We all know that hypnosis is a highly powerful therapy for multiple ailments. It can also provide relief for cancer patients. During a hypnotherapy session, the therapist will hypnotize the patient using gentle voice and will be helping the patient to relax. The therapist will boost up the patient’s mental power and help him/her to focus on the goals at hand – controlling pain and reduction of stress.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is a form of exercise that stresses on gentle body movements and deep breathing. Tai Chi can be practiced under a qualified instructor, or can be learnt by reading books and watching videos. This alternative therapy is helpful in case the patient is finding difficulty to sleep at night.

Yoga

Yoga, one of the oldest curative therapies in the world, consists of stretching exercises and deep breathing. Yoga consists of “pranayamas” and “asanas”. The former consists of breathing techniques and the latter consists of body stretching and formation of several postures that help stimulate positive metabolic activities in the body. For cancer patients, yoga relieves stress, helps in getting good sleep at night, and reduces fatigue.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is another form of alternative cancer treatments that relieves muscular tension and promotes relaxation. There are various flavors of massage therapy. It can be light and gentle, or it can be deep with greater pressure. Several studies have established that massages relieve pain in cancer patients. It also helps in combating stress and fatigue. Do not go for massage therapy if you have a low blood count. Ask the therapist to avoid massaging near surgical scars, radiation treatment areas, or tumors. In case of cancer in bones, light pressure should be exerted.

Apart from these popular alternative cancer treatments mentioned here, there are other methods like – music therapy, biofeedback and physical exercise as well.

Fighting Insomnia: Alternative Methods

Posted by Alternative Medicine on June 20, 2010 in Health with No Comments


Millions of people suffer from insomnia, you may fall asleep then find yourself waking up during the night, tossing, turning and having a hard time going back to sleep can be so exhausting. Stress can cause you to suffer from sleep problems, poor diet and your lifestyle. Many do not know but the type of food you eat depends on what type of sleep you get.

Men and women suffer from this medical condition but women suffer more because of menopause, pregnancy and menstruation.

Sleep is very important to our health; not getting enough sleep can cause illness, medical conditions and change your appearance by increasing the signs of aging causing under eye bag, dark circles and lack of concentration. Feeling tired all the time is no picnic. Here are some tips on how to get a peaceful night sleep.

No coffee before bedtime everyone knows that caffeine keeps you going. If you drink coffee do it way before bedtime because it can take up to 6 to 8 hours for caffeine to leave your system.

Try to avoid going to sleep after eating heavy meals; they can make you sleepy which will cause you to take a nap, so try to stay awake so it won’t interfere with your nighttime sleep.

A sleepy hormone called melatonin that your body produces is also in the foods you eat. Scientists have discovered this hormone in foods like rice, oats, sweet corn, ginger, bananas and barley says Russell Reiter, PHD, of cellular and structural biology and author of Melatonin: Your Body’s Natural Wonder Drug.
Melatonin supplement sleep
Lack of Nutrition and Vitamins may affect your sleep cycle too. The better your diet is the greater your sleep will be. Studies have shown that people who do not get enough copper and iron into their diet have a longer time falling asleep. Shellfish have lots of iron in it; eating about 20 small steamed clams for example would provide 25 milligrams of iron or 139 percent of the daily value.

A sleep aid called Sleepwell Herbal if other methods are not convenient for you. It helps to overcome sleep disorders such as insomnia and restlessness by facilitating the process of falling asleep and providing restful, deep sleep. SleepWell contains proprietary blend of pure standardized extracts.

Drinking a cup of chamomile tea before bedtime relaxes you, it really prepares your body for sleep, warm milk is also has a calming effect to the brain.

Magnesium is another mineral that is essential for good sleep. Having low levels of it stimulates the brain neurotransmitters, which leads to over stimulation of the brain. Foods that contain this mineral are pinto and navy beans, green leafy vegetables like spinach, Swiss chard, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, wheat germ and almonds.

Vitamin B also is important when it comes to your diet. It has tryptophan, which is found in foods like turkey and dairy products. It helps the brain to relax and go to sleep. When we eat, it draws blood into the gastrointestinal tract and away from the brain, which then causes you to get sleepy.

Avoid drinking alcohol before going to bed, though it might make you past out it also makes you wake up during the night as well so alcohol plays with your mind and your body. Chocolate will interrupt your sleep cycle too, but only eating it before bed.

If you find yourself suffering from insomnia because of frequent urination during the night it could be a prostate condition when it comes to men, waking up to use the bathroom is the most common when it comes to getting up during the night. For women it could be a bladder condition or urinary tract infection. If you have a prostate problems getting a prostate health supplements that promotes prostate health is very crucial to your health it can prevent cancer and other medical conditions. Prostacet provides a comprehensive blend of vitamins and herbs that protect your body for greater health.

Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatments. Conclusion

Posted by Alternative Medicine on June 16, 2010 in Acupuncture with No Comments


Hard Drug Addiction: Some excellent research work has been done in this field, especially in Hong Kong. It is clear that acupuncture can help to solve the severe withdrawal symptoms experienced by those coming off hard drugs like heroin.

Smoking:
Acupuncture treatment helps about 40 per cent of people to give up smoking over a period of about six months. Again, it is essential to be well motivated before embarking on a course of treatment. Acupuncture does seem to decrease the desire to smoke and also to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms produced by abstinence from tobacco.
Mexican online pharmacy
Reduce the Discomforts and Side Effects of Chemo/Radiotherapy for Cancer:
The effect of acupuncture on chemotherapy-induced nausea, vomiting etc. has been studied over the past 20 years, and clinical evidence gathered to date has been favorable. Current practice guidelines recommend acupuncture as a complementary therapy for uncontrolled nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy.

The Use of Acupuncture in Obstetrics:
In China the major use of acupuncture in obstetrics is to provide analgesia (pain relief) during Caesarean section, and to correct foetal malpositions, such as breech (breech means when the baby is ‘bottom first’ rather than ‘head first’).

Fertility and Gynecologic Problems:
Women who are having problems with conception, premenstrual symptoms or menopausal issues will often see positive results with Acupuncture medicine. It may be possible to reduce or eliminate the need for Western pharmaceuticals. If drugs or hormones must be used, side effects may be reduced. For women who are experiencing disorders of conception, my own experience suggests that acupuncture and Herbal medicine is more effective and much less unpleasant and dangerous than hormonal treatments or in vitro fertilization procedures.

Foetal Malposition:
The correction of foetal malposition is achieved by applying moxibustion to an acupuncture point. In about 60 percent of women the foetus turns naturally prior to the thirty-fourth week of pregnancy; this can be increased to 90 per cent with the aid of moxibustion. After the thirty-fourth week, when natural version is less likely, the Chinese claim that 80 per cent of foetal malpositions will be corrected permanently by this procedure. Once corrected, the malposition does not recur, provided moxibustion is applied daily. There seems to be no available physiological basis with which to explain this finding.

Anaesthesia for Labour and Delivery:
Acupuncture anaesthesia is widely used for caesarean sections in China. A report recently published, discusses the results of 1,000 cases managed in this manner. The Chinese Acupuncturist claim a 98 per cent success rate in the abolition of pain, a quicker recovery rate from the operation, less blood loss, and the obvious advantage of the mother being able to see the baby at, or soon after, birth. This report finds acupuncture a superior form of analgesia compared to other forms of pain relief (general or epidural anaesthesia) for caesarean section. Acupuncture can also be used to provide pain relief in normal obstetric deliveries. Adequate assessment of this form of obstetric analgesia has not yet been published, although the experience of a wide variety of acupuncturists in the western world would indicate that it is a useful and effective procedure.

Acupuncture Anaesthesia:
Acupuncture anaesthesia is widely used in China and it has been used in a wide variety of operations, from minor procedures to open heart surgery or brain operations. It is undoubtedly an effective form of pain relief in the majority of people, but there is always a small percentage who fail to gain adequate analgesia from acupuncture. In general, acupuncture allows for a safer operation, with less likelihood of complications, and a swifter post-operative recovery. (Excerpted from Acupuncture: It’s Place in Western Medical Science, George T. Lewith M.A., M.R.C.G.P., M.R.C.P. )

Dr. Shariq H. Khan
BUMS(DU) MD-medicine (Clmb.) TRCS(Pak.) DAc(Cylon) DTCM(China)
Associate Professor of Medicine
Govt. Unani – Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital.
Constituent and affiliated institute of the University of Dhaka
Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine Consultant

THE KHAN’S ACUPUNCTURE & HERBAL THERAPY CLINIC.
DHAKA, BANGLADESH.
Mobile / Cellular Phone: 0088-01710-155355, 0088-01819-215436.

The Use of Acupuncture in Addiction and Obesity

Posted by Alternative Medicine on June 15, 2010 in Acupuncture with No Comments


A large number of Western countries acupuncturists are using a variety of acupuncture techniques to treat obesity, smoking and hard drug addiction. There is some excellent physiological and clinical evidence to support the use of acupuncture method in these areas. The withdrawal symptoms experienced by people giving up smoking, or drugs, can be alleviated by raising the levels of endorphins in the nervous system. Some people believe that the desire to eat is also mediated by the endorphin level in the brain. It is clear that endorphin levels throughout the nervous system can be increased by Acupuncture. The techniques used to achieve an increase in endorphin levels center around the use of ear acupuncture. It must be stressed that acupuncture cannot replace willpower. It can only help the withdrawal symptoms, or hunger pains, experienced by those already motivated and committed to solving their particular problem.

Obesity: Acupuncture seems to relieve the problem of hunger usually created by dieting. Many people who receive acupuncture to help with weight loss also go on a diet at the same time. It is difficult to assess exactly which factors are responsible for weight loss, the acupuncture or the diet, or both in combination. Most acupuncturists claim that 40-50 per cent of their patients experience some significant weight loss during treatment.

Diseases of the Respiratory, Diggestive System.

Posted by Alternative Medicine on June 15, 2010 in Acupuncture with No Comments


Diseases of the Digestive System:
IBS: An increasing number of studies have been conducted on treating IBS, with promising results. These studies have documented that Chinese medicine can effectively treat IBS in a safe and drug-free way.

Indigestion: Exact figures for success rates are not available, but the ‘clinical impression’ that arises from a number of acupuncture doctors indicates that about 60 per cent of patients gain some long-term relief of their symptoms with acupuncture.

Diseases of the Respiratory System:

Asthma: Acupuncture causes the contracted muscular walls to dilate; the mechanism of this is unknown, but there is good Western research data to support this claim. A recent Chinese clinical trial on asthma showed that some 70 percent of asthmatics gained a ‘very good effect’ from acupuncture and moxibustion. The acupuncture treatment was able to decrease the frequency and intensity of asthmatic attacks over a period of a year or more. This result is encouraging as it shows that acupuncture and moxibustion can affect the response of the body to the environmental stimuli causing asthmatic attacks. Our clinical experience also supports this efficacy of Acupuncture and Moxibustion medicine.

Bronchitis: Acupuncture cannot rebuild lung tissue, but by opening up the breathing tubes it can allow the remaining lung tissue to function efficiently. The mechanism of acupuncture in bronchitis is probably much the same as in asthma, allowing more air to enter the lungs. Recent Chinese research works has shown that about 50 per cent of bronchitis ‘benefit’ from acupuncture. The treatment must be repeated regularly if the effect is to be maintained for long period. On the other hand acupuncture treatment also help to control the infection effectively in bronchitis.

Diseases of the Heart and Blood Vessels:
In China it is a common and acceptable form of treatment for some of these problems. A variety of experiments carried out in the western countries give clear support to the idea that acupuncture does have an effect on the circulatory system.

Angina: Using sophisticated measuring equipment the Chinese researchers have completed a variety of trials to assess the effects of acupuncture on the heart, and they have shown a marked increase in the functional ability and efficiency of the heart muscles after acupuncture. This is further supported by clinical work, which shows that some 80 per cent of patients with angina have improved after acupuncture. When acupuncture is used to treat angina a course of treatments is given, and then followed by booster treatments.

The Correction of Abnormal Heart Rhythms: Heart diseases can frequently cause an abnormal rhythm to the heart beat; this may manifest itself as palpitations, an irregular heart beat, or dropped beats. Acupuncture can correct a small number of these arrhythmias. In established atrial fibrillation (irregular heart beats), acupuncture affects a small percentage of cases, some 1.5 per cent, although in recently acquired arrhythmias, acupuncture can be effective in up to 70 per cent of cases.

Diseases of the Nervous System

Posted by Alternative Medicine on June 15, 2010 in Acupuncture with No Comments


Strokes: A stroke is caused by a disturbance of the blood supply to the brain. The blood vessels that normally supply blood to the brain can be compromised by becoming blocked or bleeding. This result in a deficient blood supply to the brain tissue and these events can be precipitated by a variety of factors such as raised blood pressure, hardening of the arteries and severe head injury. The brain is divided into many different functional areas, one area controlling speech, while another dominates the sensations of touch and pain. The functional impairment that occurs with a stroke depends on the area of the brain that is damaged; if the speech area is damaged by a lack of blood supply then the patient may be unable to speak properly. In China, acupuncture is the standard treatment for strokes. In the Western countries, the mainstays of stroke treatment are speech therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, but the Chinese feel that these methods have less to offer than acupuncture medicine. Both scalp and body acupuncture are techniques that can be used to aid recovery from a stroke. The research work suggests that acupuncture increases the blood supply to the brain, and for some unexplained reason this seems to improve functional ability and acts as a stimulus to recovery after a stroke.

Clinical trials completed by the Chinese doctor’s state that some effect can be gained from acupuncture in about 80 per cent of strokes. The success rate claimed is very high but to some extent this success rate is mirrored by the experience of a variety of doctors in the West. Western medicine often has little to offer the stroke patient and therefore acupuncture therapy is always worth considering. Ideally strokes should be treated within six months of the damage occurring. The Chinese doctors also treat their patients for long periods and a stroke patient may receive one hundred or two hundred acupuncture treatment sessions before being declared a success or a failure.

The Neuralgias (Nerve Pain): Trigeminal neuralgia usually presents with severe unilateral facial pain. Its cause is unclear but the painful facial spasms are often precipitated by cold or wind. The Chinese acupuncturist claim to be able to gain improvement, with acupuncture, in about 70 per cent of cases of trigeminal neuralgia. Judging by the experience of Western acupuncturists this success rate represents a rather high figure, although acupuncture can undoubtedly have a beneficial effect on this type of pain.

Postherpetic neuralgia is the pain that occurs after an attack of shingles. Shingles is a viral infection of the nerves, and the nerves affected by shingles can occasionally continue to cause severe pain after the shingles has cleared. It seems that of those patients with established postherpetic neuralgia, about 40 per cent gain some degree of long term benefit from acupuncture treatment. There are a vast number of aches and pains that are often described as neuralgic. Many of these occur as facial pain and most of them cause severe discomfort. It is always worthwhile to attempt to alleviate these pains by using acupuncture treatment.

Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia and Other Nervous Disorders: It is difficult to be objective about the treatment of disorders such as anxiety, Insomnia and depression, as the problems themselves are difficult to assess objectively, and therefore no good clear figures are available about their treatment with acupuncture. In spite of this, many acupuncture doctors, including the Chinese, treat a wide range of ‘mental disorders’ and insomnia (sleep problem) with acupuncture. Many people have stated that acupuncture is clearly effective in helping symptoms such as insomnia and bed-wetting, and can also create a feeling of general well-being. The Chinese doctors have completed trials on some of the more clearly defined and serious mental diseases, such as schizophrenia. In a trial involving over 400 patients they claim a 54 per cent cure rate for this disease, with a further 30 per cent showing ‘significant improvement’. However, from a variety of excellent research papers it is clear that acupuncture can influence quite radically many areas of the central nervous system, as well as neurotransmitters and others brain functions also. Therefore this therapy has a great role in brain related problems or neuro-developmental dysfunction.

Nerve Paralysis: Paralysis can also be treated by a variety of acupuncture techniques. The acupuncture must be continued for a long period. Sometimes daily for six months and the results from some of the Chinese research works are very encouraging. Chinese doctors claim that some 50-60 per cent of patients are likely to gain significant return of function if treated with acupuncture.
Facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy) is a disease of sudden onset that causes one side of the face to lose muscular power; the cause of this is unknown. Acupuncture and moxibustion can be used to treat this and the research claim a 75 per cent complete recovery rate but, again, this disease allows a significant percentage of spontaneous recovery. The Chinese research also claim that a further 20 per cent gain benefit from acupuncture, although not complete recovery. Even allowing for the known level of spontaneous resolution in facial paralysis it does seem that acupuncture has something extra to offer.

Parkinson’s disease, Epilepsy, nerve deafness etc: Acupuncture has been claimed to be effective in Parkinson’s disease, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, nerve deafness, and a large variety of other problems. According to some studies, Parkinson’s disease may be accompanied by an imbalance of energy along one or more meridians. The muscle stiffness, soreness, imbalance etc. of Parkinson’s may be alleviated by a series of treatments. It is always wise to remember that acupuncture is a harmless technique and can sometimes give excellent results in above casese where other medical methods have failed.

Autism /ASD, Cerebral Palsy etc: Acupuncture along with herbal therapy have been found highly effective for treating children with brain dysfunction, resulting in improvement in the patient’s overall functional abilities. Excellent results are being achieved through simultaneous application of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine in the cases of ASD / Autism and Cerebral Palsy in different countries of the world. There are several research papers, articles etc. that has been published all over the world about the efficacy of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicines in this context. In my clinical practice I am also getting very effective result by applying integration of Acupuncture and Herbal treatment. I noticed that, formulated Herbal Medicine along with acupuncture session gives much result other than only Acupuncture treatment or only Herbal Medicine. Like other diseases, I treated several patients. Some of them improved tremendously just after few days of treatment.

ADD and ADHD: Acupuncture can help the patient to manage the Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), and may provide some relief which will help the patient to gain greater benefit from the therapies available to him or her, and can help with the side effects of those therapies. Taking advantage of everything the medical knowledge of both hemispheres has to offer is a great way to ensure the most effective treatment for this disruptive, often limiting and painful condition. Acupuncture can be an excellent complementary therapy for the treatment of ADD and ADHD. In some cases Acupuncture works as a magic bullet for the treatment of ADD and ADHD. A research showed that, Acupuncture treatment has a good effect on infantile attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, its total effective rate was higher and the changes in abnormal electroencephalogram and the curative effect were better.

Diseases of the Muscles, Bones and Joints

Posted by Alternative Medicine on June 14, 2010 in Acupuncture with No Comments


The muscles, bones and joints are usually called collectively the musculo-skeletal system. When disease or damage occurs to this system it nearly always results in pain, and most people use words such as rheumatism or arthritis to describe this type of pain.

There are three main types of damage that occur to the musculo-skeletal system; the first is a sudden injury or sprain which might be a domestic injury, or might be incurred during a sporting activity or in a car accident. This usually causes local pain and bruising lasting for a few days, or even a few weeks or more. The other main group is arthritis and this can be divided into two important types, Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Sprains: Sudden injury or sprains usually respond well to acupuncture. The pain resulting from a sprained shoulder, ankle etc will often continue for some days or weeks after the initial injury. Once a clear diagnosis has been made acupuncture can usually be used to relieve this type of pain.

The experience of a many of Acupuncture doctors, shows that, of the people treated for differing acutely painful conditions, about 70 percent obtain swift and significant pain relief. If a fracture of the bone is present then the pain relief gained from acupuncture is less effective than if the injury is due to a strain or tear of the muscles, tendons or ligaments. The main advantage of treating these acute pains with acupuncture is that chronic pain can be avoided. A sudden shoulder injury may produce pain and immobility for many months, sometimes years, but if acupuncture is used when the pain occurs then it seems that chronic pain may be avoided.

Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis and the rheumatic pains that result from this type of joint damage are quite a common problem. People frequently complain that their arthritic knee pain is worse in cold or damp weather and this demonstrates quite clearly the origin of the concept of pathogens in traditional medicine. The pathogen in osteoarthritis is almost always cold or damp and therefore these pains should be treated by moxibustion.

A great deal of research work has been done to investigate the effects of acupuncture on the pain caused by osteoarthritis. Clinical trials have been completed on knee, hip, elbow, neck and lower back pain, and the information from these trials shows that significant pain relief can be achieved in about 70 per cent of those who receive acupuncture. Some work suggests that only 50 per cent of people benefit from acupuncture while other trials show 95 per cent of the patients benefiting. Acupuncture also has a ‘magical quality’ that drugs do not have, so it is difficult to sort out the effects of the ‘magic’ as compared to the real effects of acupuncture. In spite of these problems, acupuncture is a safe and effective form of treatment for osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: The effects of acupuncture on rheumatoid arthritis are not so clear cut. During the early, acute, inflammatory stage of rheumatoid arthritis there is some evidence to suggest that Acupuncture might worsen the pain (though which usually may subside gradually) and therefore many acupuncturists do not treat acute rheumatoid arthritis. After some months the acute inflammatory stage subsides and the residual joint destruction may then lead to the development of a secondary osteoarthritis. This type of pain is amenable to acupuncture and responds in the same way as other osteoarthritic aches and pains. Chronic pain, due to disease of the musculo-skeletal system, is frequently amenable to acupuncture treatment. The published research shows that pain which has been present for many years can respond as well as pain that has been present for only a few months; therefore, from the available information, it is fair to say that acupuncture is ‘always worth a try’ in this type of condition.

Headaches: Headaches can be due to a multitude of factors; arthritis of the neck, dental problems, psychological problems, sinusitis, stress and tension, and head injury are a few of the many causes. Headaches are a common complaint and a notoriously difficult one to treat effectively, and they can be the cause of a considerable amount of distress and marital disharmony. Acupuncture treatment has been used to treat a wide variety of headaches, particularly migrainous headaches, and the results obtained have been very encouraging. The published work suggests that between 65-95 per cent of all headache sufferers obtain significant and long lasting pain relief from acupuncture treatment. Migraines seem to respond as well as, if not better than, other types of headache. Acupuncture therapy for headaches may cause the headaches to vanish completely, or occur with a markedly decreased intensity and/or frequency. The pain relief resulting from acupuncture treatment can sometimes be maintained for some years and re-treatment is usually required less frequently for headaches.

Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatments

Posted by Alternative Medicine on June 14, 2010 in Acupuncture with No Comments


Acupuncture and Moxibustion is a medical treatment that has been practiced for thousands of years in China and other Asian countries as well as now around the world. It is used as a means of treating and preventing disease. Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific sites (acupuncture points) along the body’s meridians to clear energy blockages and encourage the normal flow of energy (Qi) through the individual.

The general theory of acupuncture is based on the premise that there are patterns of energy flow (Qi) through the body that are essential for health. Disruptions of this flow are believed to be responsible for disease. Acupuncture corrects imbalances of flow at identifiable points close to the skin. Today, acupuncture is an effective, natural and increasingly popular form of health care that is used by people whole over the world.

Acupuncture needles are so fine that there is no discomfort when they are inserted but a slight tingle (known as needle sensation) may be experienced. The needles are usually left in for approximately twenty minutes to more; during this time there may be a heaviness of the limbs and a feeling of relaxation. The Doctor / practitioner may also stimulate the acupuncture points using other methods, such as moxibustion (a traditional technique that involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb used to facilitate healing), cupping and electro-stimulation etc. in order to re-establish the flow of qi.

Since Acupuncture and moxibustion Medicine promotes the body’s natural healing ability, many conditions can be treated. It is also a comprehensive system of preventative health care and maintenance. The effectiveness of acupuncture is well-documented. Throughout its long history, acupuncture has established a solid reputation as an excellent alternative for health care that actually works, and is very effective to treat some diseases, where other methods of treatment could not achieve good result or failed.

An Acupuncture medicine doctor should possess adequate knowledge and experience for providing proper treatment to his/her patients. To avoid the unwanted complications in Acupuncture treatment please avoid taking treatment by quack / fake Acupuncturist. There are many around us without proper qualifications. Because inadequate knowledge and experience may lead to serious medical problems.

The World Health Organization recognizes Acupuncture as a viable means of treatment for a wide range of conditions. In an official report, Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials, the WHO has listed the following symptoms, diseases and conditions that have been shown through controlled trials to be treated effectively by acupuncture:

low back pain, neck pain, sciatica, tennis elbow, knee pain, periarthritis of the shoulder, sprains, facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders), headache, dental pain, tempromandibular (TMJ) dysfunction, rheumatoid arthritis, induction of labor, correction of malposition of fetus (breech presentation), morning sickness, nausea and vomiting, postoperative pain, stroke, essential hypertension, primary hypotension, renal colic, leucopenia, adverse reactions to radiation or chemotherapy, allergic rhinitis, including hay fever, biliary colic, depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke), acute bacillary dysentery, primary dysmenorrhea, acute epigastralgia, peptic ulcer, acute and chronic gastritis.

In the field of acupuncture some good clinical researches have been completed, and there has also been some follow-up assessment of many of the conditions that have been treated by Acupuncture Doctors. Some diseases are more successfully treated by acupuncture and Moxibustion where other methods of treatment could not achieve good result or failed. Though this method of treatment has already been started in our country but due to quite less number of medically qualified acupuncture doctors available in our country and lack of proper perception about the application of this method in some specific diseases, the patients are depriving from the advantages of Acupuncture & Moxibustion treatment.

So, I have made an attempt to provide little information about the effects of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in few diseases. Many of the facts and figures quoted in the following sections are the results of my own experience and clinical trials carried out in China and others countries.
THE KHAN’S ACUPUNCTURE & HERBAL THERAPY CLINIC.
DHAKA, BANGLADESH.