Karen's Blog

Acupuncture Improves Fertility Drug Success Rate

2012-05-21T18:16:40Z

Acupuncture in combination with clomiphene (clomid/clomifert) increases ovulation and pregnancy rates more than just taking clomiphene alone.

In a recent study researchers measured changes in ovulation, endometrial thickness, cervical mucus, pelvic fluid, and follicular development. Those taking the medication and receiving acupuncture had singnificantly higher rates of both ovulation and conception than those receiving medication only.

Have you been taking Clomid? Thought about adding acupuncture to increase your fertility success?

Knee Pain and Function Improved by Acupuncture

2012-04-10T20:10:37Z

New research concludes that acupuncture “may improve knee pain and function.”

The research reviewed 60 studies from which 13 met the inclusion criteria of a randomized controlled study.

Four major groups were investigated. Group one examined post-operative knee pain. The second group looked at the effects of acupuncture on non-placebo controls and the third group examined non-penetrating placebos. A fourth group included penetrating placebos.

Much of the public interest in acupuncture for the treatment of knee pain and dysfunction began with NIH (National Institutes of Health) research into the subject. A 2004 report of the study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine specifically states that acupuncture is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis of the knees.

Acupuncture and Curcumin Protect the Liver

2012-04-01T16:34:38Z

New research demonstrates that acupuncture combined with oral curcumin, a supplement derived from the Indian spice called turmeric, provides significant protection against hepatic fibrosis. Researchers examined the efficacy of curcumin and acupuncture both separately and combined for their ability to prevent liver fibrosis.

The researchers discovered a synergistic effect when curcumin and acupuncture are combined.

They concluded that, “Acupuncture combined with curcumin potently protected the liver from injury and fibrogenesis.”

Top 3 Reasons Americans Use Acupuncture

2012-03-14T11:22:04Z

According to a new study people use acupuncture as a complementary and alternative approach to conventional treatment as well as a preventive modality to promote general health.

The top three reasons given for going to an acupuncturist were for:

A specific health problem (87.1%)
Medical treatment did not help (47.0%)
Family and friends recommended (45.1%) or health care provider recommended (27.3%).

The findings showed that acupuncture was also used for general wellness (42.3%), enhanced energy (24.0%), and improved immune function (21.7%). About 10% of recent visits were because of medical treatment being too expensive.

Safety, effectiveness, and doctors’ negative opinions did not affect people’s decision of whether or not to use acupuncture.

What's your reason?

Sore Muscles from Working Out?

2012-02-23T13:46:26Z

You start working out with a new routine. Maybe it's Crossfit, weightlifting or even walking. You push through it and it feels great.

Until the next day or the day after that. Then your muscles start feeling really stiff and sore. Ouch! Scientists call this "delayed onset muscle soreness" or DOMS.

According to this study acupuncture can reduce inflammation and lessen pain caused by DOMS. They conclude that acupuncture treatment may be effective on myofascial pain syndromes.

This has been very true in my practice. I have treated a lot of sore muscles resulting from boot camp, physical therapy and springtime gardening.

How are you dealing with your pain?

Acupuncture Helps with PCOS

2012-02-07T21:03:54Z

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a female endocrine disorder, is a common condition that I am treating more and more often in my clients.

PCOS is a condition in which there is an imbalance of a woman's female sex hormones. This hormone imbalance may cause changes in the menstrual cycle, skin changes, small cysts in the ovaries, infertility, and other problems.

Hormones help regulate the normal development of eggs in the ovaries during each menstrual cycle. PCOS is related to an imbalance in these female sex hormones. Too much androgen hormone, usually testerone, is made, along with changes in other hormone levels.

While it is not completely understood why or how the changes in the hormone levels occur, a recent study demonstrates that acupuncture can help with PCOS.

“The study shows that both acupuncture and exercise reduce high levels of testosterone and lead to more regular menstruation,” says associate professor Elisabet Stener-Victorin, who is responsible for the study. “Of the two treatments, the acupuncture proved more effective.”

If you have been diagnosed with PCOS, have you tried acupuncture? Let us help you.

Acupuncture Relieves Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

2012-02-01T21:53:00Z

You're working away at your computer trying to ignore the the tingling and numbness in your hand and wrist. Or you notice a sharp pain shooting up your arm from your wrist. More than likely you have carpal tunnel syndrome. What is it and can acupuncture help?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful progressive condition is caused by compression of the median nerve inside your wrist. It can occur with repetitive work and uninterrupted typing.

According to a recent study published in the "Journal of Research in Medical Sciences," acupuncture is effective for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

There were 72 subjects in this randomized controlled study. The acupuncture treatment group received 8 acupuncture treatments over a period of 4 weeks and night splinting was used as an additional component to the medical are. The control group received night splinting, sham acupuncture (use of non-relevant acupoints in relation to carpal tunnel syndrome), vitamin B1 and vitamin B6.

A follow up after the treatment regime measured a clinically significant nerve conduction velocity difference between the groups. The acupuncture group measured significantly better according to the nerve conduction study’s electrophysiological measurements. The researchers also conclude that acupuncture is effective in relieving the subjective symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Have you ever tried acupuncture for carpal tunnel? Did it help?

Are You Sitting Too Much?

2012-01-18T15:25:16Z

When a client comes to me—whether it is for stress, depression or even pain management—I always emphasize the importance of physical activity. Staying physically active is key, right?

Well, it turns out that sitting for long periods of time is hazardous to your health. Even for people who exercise daily. This increases the risk for obesity, diabetes and cancer.

According to AARP Bulletin, Americans are now sitting more than they are sleeping. Even those who are diligent about staying active. We now spend an average of 10 hours a day sitting in a car, at work, or in front of a television. Nearly 75% of older Americans are sedentary and almost half get no leisure-time physical activity at all.

One solution: set your computer on a surface that allows you to stand up while you work. Gradually increase your standing time. Your body willl thank you.

Are You Feeling the (Winter) Blues?

2012-01-09T20:24:48Z

Do winter’s shorter days and longer nights bring you down? How about winter’s cloudy, overcast days? If you feel depressed and sluggish only during the winter months (and not the rest of the year), you may be experiencing seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Symptoms of SAD include sadness, anxiety, mood swings, craving carbohydrates, fatigue or exhaustion, sleeping a lot, craving carbohydrates, brain fog, and weight gain. These symptoms greatly improve once the days get longer in the spring and summer months.

Women seem to be more affected by SAD than men. Plus, there is a genetic disposition so it tends to run in the family.

While full sunlight is preferred for SAD, light boxes may be effective for the treatment of the condition. Studies show that sitting in front of a light box for 30 minutes to 2 hours in the morning and/or evening can help.

In addition, acupuncture and herbal medicine can stimulate the body to heal itself and be very beneficial for SAD symptoms such as depression, anxiety, fatigue and craving carbohydrates. Please call The Healing Acupuncture Center today so you can start feeling better.

Austin Humane Society's Rags to Wags Gala

2011-12-09T14:47:54Z

The following is from guest blogger, Maya.

Sometimes, especially during the holidays, many animals get left out in the cold. Rather than just whimper about it, this year my mom and I are teaming up to find a way to help.

The humans at the Austin Humane Society work like, er, dogs to provide shelter and find homes for animals less fortunate than me. I only heard about their Rags to Wags Gala on the Dec 8th and the Gala is December 10th!

We gave AHS a call and found out that we we still had time to contribute to their auction. Whew!

So if you were already planning to attend then be sure to look for The Healing Acupuncture Gift Certificate at the auction table and bid on it. I ain't lying when I say it will really make you feel good to help them out.

Come on out. There's gonna be food, a show and, of course, the silent auction.

Click here to go to the Rags to Wags Gala site for the details.