Acupuncture and the Adrenal Glands

Acupuncture and the Adrenal Glands

The adrenal glands are two tiny glands that sit on top of the kidneys. They are part of the overall endocrine system that produces hormones that regulate the body. The adrenal glands produce three very important hormones, adrenaline, cortisol, and aldosterone. Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, prepares the body to spring into action during stressful or life-threatening situations. Cortisol helps regulate metabolism and assists the body in responding to stress. And aldosterone helps control blood pressure. When the adrenal glands are not functioning properly, many diseases can develop.

Adrenal fatigue is becoming increasingly common in the United States, despite the fact that most conventional doctors claim that there is no such thing as adrenal fatigue. However, excessive and chronic stress can indeed deplete the adrenal glands over time. Even though most Western medical doctors deny adrenal fatigue is a real diagnosis, it is impossible to deny stress plays a factor in how our bodies thrive and survive.

Chronic stress can have serious health implications. Stress causes the adrenal glands to produce excess cortisol and adrenaline, which puts these glands in a constant state of “fight or flight.” This can lead to symptoms such as poor sleep, weight gain, digestive issues and chronic illnesses. Cortisol normally helps the body convert food into energy while keeping the mind alert and reducing inflammation. This is why many people who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia are probably also clinically experiencing adrenal fatigue and chronic stress.

Traditional Chinese Medicine provides some of the best tools available to battle chronic stress and adrenal fatigue. Acupuncture is one of the tools in the toolbox of the TCM practitioner. Acupuncture uses hair-thin needles to stimulate acupressure points on the body. And studies have shown acupuncture treatments actually turn on or stimulate the relaxation areas of the nervous system, also known as the parasympathetic nervous system. When the parasympathetic nervous system is switched on, it helps to regulate the heart rate, improve digestion and balance sleep cycles. Many people who get regular acupuncture treatments actually fall asleep once the needles have been inserted.

Moxibustion is another modality commonly used by TCM practitioners. Moxibustion uses the herb mugwort to boost the functions of the adrenal glands and balance hormones. Crushed mugwort is placed on various acupressure points and then lit on fire. There are barriers between the herb and the body to prevent any actual scarring. Over time, moxibustion can help with many of the symptoms experienced by those suffering from adrenal imbalances.

In TCM, the adrenal glands are frequently included or related to the functions of the kidneys. Therefore, many of the points that help balance the adrenal glands are found along the kidney energetic pathways. Thus, by stimulating these acupressure points, the licensed acupuncturist can help regulate the hormones being produced by the adrenal glands. The pericardium energetic pathway also plays a vital role in helping balance the adrenal glands.


New York Sports Acupuncture

Bishara Wilson, L.Ac., MSTOM

www.nysportsacu.com

888.375.5444

Research Update – Acupuncture and the Adrenal Glands

Research Update – Acupuncture and the Adrenal Glands

In a recent paper published by the National Institutes of Health, researchers studied the effects of acupuncture on the adrenal gland peptides known as atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), as well as the content of corticosterone in the plasma of rats exhibiting chronic emotional stress and anxiety. The researchers did this to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in treating anxiety-related disorders. They took thirty-two healthy rats, split them into three groups and then proceeded to surprise two of the groups with unpredictable chronic emotional stress to establish the model of anxiety. What the researchers found was that the rats who were treated with acupuncture showed lower levels of both peptides and corticosterone. This leads to the conclusion that acupuncture treatments for anxiety help regulate the ANP and CNP in the adrenals, which then decreases the release of corticosterone throughout the body, ultimately decreasing the body’s stress and anxiety levels.

The adrenal glands are tiny glands that sit on top of the kidneys. They are part of the endocrine system in the body and they produce a variety of hormones including adrenaline and steroids like cortisol and aldosterone. These small little glands are vital to the well-being of all humans. The adrenal glands produce the hormones all day, every day. But they kick into overdrive when the body is stressed. And studies show that chronic stress can severely impact the adrenal glands ability to continually produce the hormones that are needed to sustain life. This is where the term “adrenal fatigue” comes into play.

Adrenal fatigue is more commonly known as HPA Axis Dysregulation. HPA stands for hypothalamus pituitary adrenal, which is all part of the endocrine system. When a person experiences HPA Axis Dysregulation, the adrenal glands have a difficult time producing the required levels of stress hormones and sex hormones and various neurotransmitters. This is why people with adrenal fatigue feel tired all the time. This is also the time that the body should be offered some extra support.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a wonderful way to support the body and rejuvenate the adrenal glands. Acupuncture is just one of the many tools in the kit of a licensed acupuncturist. Acupuncture can be a mechanical way to stimulate the body’s internal energy and bring areas of dysfunction back into balance. As mentioned above, the use of regular acupuncture can be very beneficial to the health of the adrenal glands.

In TCM, the adrenal glands are considered to be part of the water element, which is related to the kidneys. The kidney area is a key organ that helps determine the quality of life of the individual. Things like adrenal fatigue and low thyroid function can all be contributed to a deficiency of fire in the kidneys. Therefore, a TCM practitioner will focus on ways to warm the kidneys and stimulate energy flow from the adrenal glands, while increasing the basal metabolic rate of the body. Acupressure points like Stomach 36, Kidney 3 and Spleen 6, which are all located on the lower leg make great choices.

Acupuncture can be quite helpful in the fight against adrenal fatigue, stress, and anxiety. If you or somebody you know is suffering from fatigue, depression, anxiety or chronic stress, acupuncture and other facets of TCM might be very beneficial. 

New York Sports Acupuncture

Bishara Wilson, L.Ac., MSTOM

www.nysportsacu.com

888.375.5444

Research Update – Acupuncture and Men’s Health

Research Update – Acupuncture and Men’s Health

In a study published by the National Institute of Health, researchers looked at the effectiveness of using acupuncture to relieve the symptoms of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. After separating 100 participants into two groups, the researchers conducted the study using either seven actual acupuncture points or seven sham acupuncture points. Of the group that received actual acupuncture, 92 percent reported decreased symptoms associated with their ailments. This study demonstrates acupuncture as a viable option for men suffering from chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system that has been around for nearly 3,000 years. It combines nutrition, herbs, acupuncture and other modalities to help keep the body functioning properly, while also treating any ailments that might occur. TCM has been used to treat both men and women, regardless of age and it is frequently becoming the medical choice for those who prefer to treat things naturally.

There are certain health issues that tend to occur more frequently in men than women and many of these conditions can be easily controlled or treated using Traditional Chinese Medicine. Afflictions such as high blood pressure, depression, urinary issues, stress and prostate problems are just a few of the issues that affect men. And these ailments, along with many others, respond very favorably to acupuncture and TCM.

Most people think of acupuncture for pain relief. But the truth is it can treat so much more. Acupuncture can help with anxiety, depression, heart health, insomnia, digestive issues and of course any kind of pain. Acupuncture is most commonly thought of as a way of relieving pain and it is usually sought out after everything else has failed to provide adequate pain relief. Without purposely trying to cause a debate between the sexes, it is statistically shown that men are less likely to seek out help when they experience pain, as they don’t want to appear weak. This is where something like acupuncture can be a great asset for men. Regular acupuncture treatments as preventive medicine can help keep them in top shape, thus avoiding aches, pains, strains and pulls.

Acupuncture also calms the mind, the nervous system, and the endocrine system. All of these things work in conjunction to keep the body functioning properly. However, in the world we live in, stress, anxiety, and depression have become rampant. Specific acupuncture points can literally decrease the heart rate, slow breathing and relax the mind in a matter of seconds to minutes. This helps alleviate the added stress that men, in particular, feel on a daily basis.

TCM is also frequently used to regulate the circulatory system. Men, once again, tend to have higher levels of stress that can affect the heart and circulatory systems. Specific acupuncture points and herbs can easily lower blood pressure, calm heart arrhythmias and increase circulation to the peripheral areas of the body.

Men’s health can be a complicated web that has to be unraveled one strand at a time. But it is easy to see why choosing acupuncture to help keep the body in alignment is a great option for men of all ages.

New York Sports Acupuncture

Bishara Wilson, L.Ac., MSTOM

www.nysportsacu.com

888.375.5444

Acupuncture and Men’s Health

Acupuncture and Men’s Health

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system that has been around for nearly 3,000 years. It combines nutrition, herbs, acupuncture and other modalities to help keep the body functioning properly, while also treating any ailments that might occur. TCM has been used to treat both men and women, regardless of age and it is frequently becoming the medical choice for those who prefer to treat things naturally.

There are certain health issues more prevalent in men than women and many of these conditions can be easily controlled or treated using Traditional Chinese Medicine. Afflictions such as high blood pressure, depression, urinary issues, stress and prostate problems are just a few of the issues that are more frequently seen in men than women. And these issues, along with many others, respond very favorably to acupuncture and TCM.

Most people think of acupuncture for pain relief, but the truth is it can treat much more. Acupuncture can help with anxiety, depression, heart health, insomnia, digestive issues and of course any kind of pain. Acupuncture is most commonly thought of as a way of relieving pain and it is usually sought out after everything else has failed to provide adequate pain relief. Without purposely trying to cause a debate between the sexes, it is statistically shown that men are less likely to seek out help when they experience pain, as they don’t want to appear weak. This is where something like acupuncture can be a great asset for men. Regular acupuncture treatments as preventive medicine can help keep them in top shape, thus avoiding aches, pains, strains and pulls.

Acupuncture also calms the mind, the nervous system, and the endocrine system. All of these things work in conjunction to keep the body functioning properly. However, in the world we currently live in, stress, anxiety, and depression have become rampant. Specific acupuncture points can literally decrease the heart rate, slow breathing and relax the mind in a matter of seconds to minutes. This helps alleviate the added stress that men, in particular, feel on a daily basis.

TCM has a long history of being used to help with fertility issues and sexual vitality. As men age and life takes over, many men experience a lack of libido and decreased sexual function. Improperly balanced hormones affected by long hours at the office, improper diet and lack of sleep can all lead to sexual dysfunction and fertility problems. This all relates to the kidneys in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Regular acupuncture treatments and herbs are a great way to return hormone levels to normal and restore sexual vitality in men.

In much the same way that TCM helps balance hormones within the kidney and endocrine system, it is also frequently used to regulate the circulatory system. Men, once again, tend to have higher levels of stress that can affect the heart and circulatory systems. Specific acupuncture points and herbs can easily lower blood pressure, calm heart arrhythmias and increase circulation to the peripheral areas of the body.

This just touches the tip of the iceberg when it comes to men’s health. But it is easy to see why choosing acupuncture to help keep the body in alignment is a great option, especially for men.


New York Sports Acupuncture

Bishara Wilson, L.Ac., MSTOM

www.nysportsacu.com

888.375.5444

TCM and Libido in Men

TCM and Libido in Men 

If your love life is lackluster, have you considered Traditional Chinese medicine to help a sagging libido? Acupuncture and herbal formulas may just be the ticket to improve your sex life and reignite your fire.

There are many factors to consider that could be contributing to low libido in men, including stress, depression, age, drugs and alcohol, low testosterone and diabetes, to name a few. It’s important to find the underlying cause of low libido before treatment begins, and this is why a certified TCM practitioner gives a detailed history by asking a lot of questions concerning lifestyle, mood, diet, energy level and sleep.

In addition, to the varying factors above, there is a common testosterone decline seen in men over 50. Testosterone is a steroid hormone involved in muscle development, bone strength, fertility, libido, and sperm production. When this hormone is low, symptoms include low libido, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, a decrease in muscle mass, anxiety and insomnia.

In TCM the kidneys deal with sexual reproduction, libido, bone development, and health. If the kidney energy is weak, it is known as yang deficiency. The kidneys contain both yin and yang energy, ideally in a comfortable balance. The yin is what is dark, cool, moist and still. Yang is hot, dry, moving, outward and bright. If there is an imbalance, as in yang deficiency, for example, the symptoms include feeling cold, a sore lower back, pale complexion, weak legs, and knees. This is because yang energy is deficient (due to aging, lifestyle or poor diet) making the yin, the cooler energy, appear relative to that imbalance.

A popular formula for yang deficiency is called Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan or Kidney Pill. This formula warms and strengthens the kidneys. The advantage of taking a formula it is generally safer if one herb is particularly strong and the other herbs mitigate the effect. Taking one herb, for example, ginseng, could be too warming for an individual and cause other problems such as high blood pressure, anxiety, headache, and palpitations. It is best to see a qualified herbalist or TCM practitioner to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment; it is not advisable to self-diagnose and treat oneself with herbs. Acupuncture, herbs and warming moxibustion on the lower back can help with low libido, along with lifestyle changes in diet, sleep, and adding light exercise.

In addition to the above diagnosis and treatment, another common factor for low libido could be stress, anxiety or depression. TCM can treat stress as the root cause of low libido (an emotional and physical stagnation) with acupuncture and herbal formulas. Light exercise such as tai chi or qi gong could be beneficial as well.

Other common herbs and food that can help low libido include horny goat weed, ginseng, sea vegetables, bone broth, figs, bananas, lamb and goji berries.

New York Sports Acupuncture

Bishara Wilson, L.Ac., MSTOM

www.nysportsacu.com

888.375.5444

Seven Ways Acupuncture Can Help Men’s Health

Seven Ways Acupuncture Can Help Men’s Health

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system that has been around for nearly 3,000 years. It combines nutrition, herbs, acupuncture and other modalities to help keep the body functioning properly, while also treating any ailments that might occur. TCM has been used to treat both men and women, regardless of their age, and TCM is frequently becoming the medical choice for those who prefer to use holistic forms of medicine to heal themselves.

There are certain health issues more prevalent in men than women, and many of these conditions can be easily controlled or treated using Traditional Chinese Medicine. Afflictions such as high blood pressure, depression, urinary issues, stress and prostate problems are just a few of the issues that are more frequently seen in men than women. And these issues, along with many others, respond very favorably to acupuncture and TCM.

Prostate issues are a prominent concern for men. From enlarged prostates to prostate cancer, this area of the body gets a lot of attention. One of the most common problems facing men is benign prostatic hyperplasia or what is commonly called the enlarged prostate. An enlarged prostate often leads to bladder, kidney and urinary problems, especially urinary retention. This is very easily controlled with acupuncture and herbs because the combination of the two help alleviate the inflammation of the prostate allowing the urine to flow freely.

Cardiovascular disease is another big concern for men and it is the leading health threat to men. Acupuncture has been found to be particularly beneficial in lowering blood pressure, which often helps prevent cardiovascular disease. Acupuncture stimulates the release of natural opioids in the body, which then decreases the heart’s activity and lowers the need for excess oxygen. All of this lowers blood pressure.

Another area where men need more help is dealing with mental health issues and depression. Men are much less likely to discuss their feelings and emotions, which can frequently lead to depression and even thoughts of suicide. In fact, men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women. Acupuncture helps balance the chemicals released by the brain and the hormones released by the endocrine system. All of these imbalanced chemicals can lead to mental health issues that manifest over time.

Insomnia and sleep-related disorders are another major concern for men. Acupuncture has been shown to be beneficial at restoring balance and allowing the body to relax and rejuvenate. In fact, acupuncture often times outperforms many prescription and over-the-counter sleep aids.

Men tend to suffer from pain more than women, just because their jobs can be more physical. It is statistically shown that men are less likely to seek out help when they experience pain, as they don’t want to appear weak. This is where something like acupuncture can be a great asset for men. Regular acupuncture treatments as preventive medicine can help keep them in top shape, thus avoiding aches, pains, strains and pulls.

Fertility is not something that usually comes to mind when it comes to men’s health issues. However, stats show that 35-40 percent of all fertility issues are male conditions. Studies have shown acupuncture and Chinese herbs are very effective at improving sperm quality and the instructional integrity of the sperm. This is why many acupuncturists who focus on fertility issues treat both the male and the female as a team.

Lastly, acupuncture is a great way to combat digestive issues frequently related to added stress and this occurs more in men than it does in women. The most common digestive disorder is heartburn or acid reflux, which is usually caused by stress and poor diet. When stress levels are decreased, then stomach acid can decrease also, thus alleviating heartburn.

These are just a few of the issues acupuncture can help with when it comes to men’s health. But it is easy to see why choosing acupuncture to help keep the body in alignment is a great option, especially for men.

New York Sports Acupuncture

Bishara Wilson, L.Ac., MSTOM

www.nysportsacu.com

888.375.5444

Healthy Eating for Summer

Healthy Eating for Summer

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a medical system that is thousands of years old and incorporates many different modalities. TCM theory emphasizes that Mother Nature provides the right kind of food for the right kind of environment. For instance, if the weather is cold, then warming, nutrient-dense foods are best for the body. Likewise, when summer rolls around, it is best to partake of cooling foods and foods that are abundant during this season.

Summer is a time of great abundance. Or as the Chinese refer to it, the time of utmost yang. The days are longer and warmer. And everything and everybody seems to be more active. The warmth of the summer sun encourages growth and maturation. In TCM, summer relates to the element of fire and the heart and small intestine energetic pathways or meridians. Because summer is a time of growth, many fruits and vegetables become abundant during the season. And because the season tends to be the warmest, it is important to stay cool and hydrated.

The body is thought to contain a substance the Chinese call Qi (pronounced “chee”). This Qi is frequently translated into the term energy in English. When a person’s Qi is low, then a deficiency develops. Conversely, when there is an excess of Qi, problems may arise indicative of this. Sweat is the fluid of the heart. When a person sweats excessively, the Qi of the heart becomes scattered and weak. This can weaken the mind and cause symptoms like depression, restlessness, insomnia and irritability. But this can be countered by eating foods salty and sour in nature. This includes foods such as miso, pickles, lemons, limes and sour plums.

The summer months are generally hot and therefore the body needs to be kept cool. This is the perfect time to eat more raw foods that clear heat. But as with anything, don’t overdo it. Too much cold or raw foods can wreak havoc on the digestive tract causing spasms, tightness and contractions. This will make the body work harder to warm the food being eaten, which can then deplete the Qi of the spleen and stomach meridians. Therefore cooked foods and even soups are still recommended during the warm summer months. They are usually made with seasonally-available foods or eaten at room temperature to avoid any digestive conflict.

It is best to avoid heavy, greasy and fried foods during the summer months, as they can clog up the digestive system. They can also create excess phlegm in the lungs leading to respiratory problems. And when cooking during the season of summer, it is best to create meals quickly and simply by grilling or stir frying.

Examples of foods beneficial for the summer months include peppers, eggplant, cabbage, kale, broccoli, spinach, melons of all kinds, beets, berries, pineapple, cucumbers, grapefruit and mushrooms. If you need more help understanding or designing a proper seasonal-eating plan, contact your local acupuncturist or TCM practitioner. They will definitely be able to help you identify what plan works best for you.

New York Sports Acupuncture

Bishara Wilson, L.Ac., MSTOM, DACM(c)

www.NewYorkSportsAcupuncture.com

888.375.5444