Acupuncture, a safe and effective choice.

What are the benefits of acupuncture ? 

 Acupuncture is a part of a system of medicine called Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that has been in use for at least 2 thousand years in China as well as in Japan, Korea and Vietnam.   It is based on the theory that we have energy or Qi that flows through pathways called meridians which run throughout the body.  There are over 2000 acupuncture points located on the meridians which are each associated with an organ system. 

 How does it work? 

 According to TCM , When these meridians become blocked we have disruptions in the flow of qi putting the body out of balance.  These blockages can be caused by injury, poor diet, emotions, stress, lack of sleep, and external factors such as the weather, environment and pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.   By restoring the smooth flow of Qi the body can be brought back into balance and harmony. 

 Western science is still trying explain what happens but we do know that during acupuncture endorphins are released which are the body’s natural opioid hormones that relieve pain, induce sleep, and create a state of wellbeing. 

 It has been show to turn off pro-inflammatory cells known as M1 macrophages and it activates anit-inflammatory M2 macrophages at the same time.  These create an immune response which in turn reduce pain and swelling. 

 It may also work by stimulating the pituitary and hypothalamus glands which control many functions in the body as well as affect the neurotransmitters and neurohormes thereby changing the chemistry of the brain. 

 A Sept 2017 article in The Gardian reported on a study done at Massachussettes General Hospital in conjunction with Harvard Medical school where brain scans were used during clinical trials with acupuncture and fake treatments.  The patients receiving true acupuncture showed more opioid receptors activated in the brain and had lasting results three months later.  

 Acupuncture has been approved by the National Institute of Health for treating a wide variety of ailments including pain,  ( joint, back, sciatic, tennis elbow, dental, neck), injuries, arthritis, asthma, digestive issues, smoking cessation, headaches,  infertility, hormonal issues, depression, anxiety,  labor pains, stroke, nausea, and opioid addiction just to name a few. Millions of Americans use acupuncture to help resolve these health issues since it is often covered by insurance now and has no side effects.

 Acupuncture’s benefits include many other health conditions including mental health issues such as anxiety and depression in as little as 8 weeks. 

How many treatments of acupuncture are needed? 

 Depending on whether a condition is acute or chronic the length of treatment varies.  Often if a patient comes for an acute back spasm only 3 to 6 treatments are required. For long term issues due to stress or more constitutional imbalances such as digestive or menstrual issues treatments are needed for a few weeks or even months in order to bring the body back to balance and keep it there.  If the underlying stressor or cause is not removed then maintenance treatments are needed to keep things in balance.  

 Why is acupuncture a good choice?

There are no side effects from acupuncture and there are countless studies which show its efficacy, making it an excellent choice for many health issues and as part of a preventive maintenance program.  

Winter and the element of water in Chinese medicine

Although the season of winter started 2 weeks ago we are now fully in the season and the new year. In Chinese medicine winter corresponds to the element of water which is connected to the organs of the kidneys and bladder, to the cold and dark, the color dark blue, the salty taste, and to the emotion of fear. Water is an essential substance for sustaining life, flowing smoothly in nature and our body. If the body’s water element is in balance it creates strength and willpower.

Winter is the ultimate yin time of year, a time to slow down, turn inward and reflect. How did you treat yourself in 2021? What does your body need? Taking time to nourish the body and soul are important now in order to nourish and restore during this time of hibernation and reflection. The body’s Qi is retracting inward to a deeper level. Some people experience this as depression, loneliness, and seasonal affective disorder but this may be a sign of an imbalance that can be addressed. Others may find a welcome relief from the busy life with time to look inward.

It is a time to look at where we have been in the past year and to start fresh in the new. Take the time to write down your thoughts and goals, to pay attention to how you feel, to allow your body to rest and sleep, and to give your body a break from intense work outs, over eating and eating foods that slow you down. This inward attention will prepare our body to reemerge in the spring time like the green sprouts of nature.

Supporting the body’s ability to come back to balance, to boost immunity, and to restore is vital. One of the best ways to do this is with a seasonal acupuncture series. Winter sessions will focus on the kidneys and bladder, nourishing and restoring the energy of the body and strengthening the kidney qi and immune system.

January is often a time that people give up certain foods or alcohol, for instance. This is a wonderful tradition since it is the best time to give the body a break. A winter cleanse is perfect for helping the body to slow down and detox. The best foods for a winter cleanse are warming and light like soups and light cooked foods.

If you are interested in finding out about my cleanse starting on January 17th and about acupuncture sessions please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Yours in health,

Donna

donna bunte whole health
donna bunte msom, l.ac.
Office 203 698-0793
cell 203 253 9885

health@donnabunte.com
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Treating women's health issues with Chinese medicine

More and more people are turning to Chinese medicine to find relief from symptoms and for healing in the long term for many health concerns.  Treating women’s issues is one of the areas that Chinese medicine has been used effectively for thousands of years.  This subject covers countless issues from puberty through menopause.  Most people in the US know about acupuncture for pain but that is really the tip of the iceberg with regard to what Chinese medicine can treat.  

Chinese medicine includes Chinese medical diagnosis, acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, and mind body exercises such as qigong and tai chi and meditation which are used in combination depending on the condition of the patient. 

Women’s health issues can begin during adolescence and might include weight fluxuations, skin problems, PMS,  depression and anxiety, menstrual irregularities and contraception. 

 When a woman reaches child bearing age there can be concerns with ovulation, PCOS, fibroids, endometriosis, and of course infertility, pregnancy and postpartum issues.  

During the midlife years women can become concerned with perimenopause and menopausal issues such as hot flashes, irritablility and depression, anxiety, and insomnia.   

After menopause issues such as vaginal dryness, osteoporosis, loss of skin firmness and vitality can become major concerns.  

Many women turn to western medicine to treat these issues but there are sometimes side effects and health repercussions to consider.  

From a Chinese medicine perspective Women’s health and fertility is based on healthy reproductive function.  Anything that disrupts that function, brings hormones to an unbalanced state,  or slows down or clogs blood flow will disrupt the delicate balance in the reproductive system and cause any of the problems mentioned above.  Birth control in effect, does this by suppressing hormones and blocking blood flow.  For women who have been on birth control for many years it can take a long time to bring the body back to a balanced state. 

Traditional Chinese medicine identifies a few differentiations to be the main causes of womens reproductive issues.  The first is kidney deficiency with possible symptoms of extreme fatigue, scanty periods, low back pain, and heat or cold. The others are blood deficiency with scanty periods, pale skin, and chilliness:  liver stagnation with painful menstruation, tender breasts, irritability and heavy flow: dampness and blood stagnation can present with pain, and other various symptoms,.  Each can have western medical correlations with relation to hormones, thyroid and other issues. But one must remember that these are ways that Chinese medicine diagnoses and are treated with Chinese herbal formulas, acupuncture, diet and lifestyle changes that address all the presenting signs and symptoms.  

So how do women attempt to prevent these issues from occurring and maintain a healthy reproductive system?  A balanced lifestyle is key.   Eating a balanced healthy diet that is right for each individual and for the season is very important.  For instance, if a woman tends to get cold easily she should avoid cold, damp foods, icy drinks, and submerging in cold water.  Foods that throw off the balance of gut health can easily change ones chemistry causing imbalances in the reproductive system.   Not eating too late in the evening is also beneficial for digestion as well as for sleep.  Going to bed before midnight and sleeping at least 8 hours is vital for the body, its organs and immune system in order to restore itself. 

Exercise incorporated into ones lifestyle will keep many systems of the body healthy whether it is running, walking, yoga, tai chi, or any other form of movement.  Besides the physical benefits, exercise increases endorphins which are mood enhancing hormones and help to create a state of wellbeing.  

Lastly, stress reduction techniques or mind body exercises like meditation, breathing exercises, qigong and tai chi are not to be forgotten.  We all have hectic lifestyles these days so it is more important than ever to stop the constant overstimulation and calm the mind and the nervous system.

A Chinese medical practitioner can help a woman find out where her imbalances are in any phase of her life.  They will develop a treatment and maintenance plan incorporating acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary guidelines with food and necessary supplements, mind body exercises as well as suggestions for selfcare allowing the woman to take part in her own healing and to reach her desired heath goals.  

Please contact me if you have any questions about how to treat women’s issues or any of your health concerns.

email me at health@donnabunte.com