Acupuncture Blog
Treatment of Acute Pain
Treating Acute Pain and Inflammation You've been injured. You rolled your ankle or twisted your knee. Or, you're my age and you sneezed aggressively and pulled a muscle in your back. Whatever the case, what's the best way to treat an acute injury and the subsequent inflammation? It boils down to a debate about R.I.C.E. or M.E.A.T. No, this isn't another vegetarian vs carnivore debate. R.I.C.E. For the longest time, the advice for an acute has been to use the R.I.C.E protocol, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. On the surface (key theme here), this makes sense. You roll your ankle- you see it ballon up- the immediate instinct is to grab some ice, put some compression on it and elevate it to keep the swelling down. In addition, anti-inflammatories and pain relieving medications like Ibuprofen and other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories are (NSAIDS) are recommended. What if this is [...]
Acupuncture for Migraines
ACUPUNCTURE FOR MIGRAINES If you’ve ever suffered with a Migraine, you know how debilitating it can be. In the US alone over 30 million people suffer with migraines. Migraine is the #6 leading cause of disability worldwide. Ninety-one percent of migraine sufferers miss work or can’t function normally. The estimated cost of lost productivity is between $5.6 to $17.2 billion. It’s estimated that Migraine sufferers spend between $13,000-$18,000 per year on their care. Symptoms of Migraines Typical migraine symptoms may include an aura, pounding or pulsating pain in the head, blurred vision, tunnel vision, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and/or sound, or balance issues. Migraines can be debilitating and greatly decrease a patient’s quality of life. Causes of Migraines There is no one definitive cause of Migraine headache. There is definitely a familial (genetic) link. It is estimated up to 70% of migraines are related to a genetic link. There [...]
Long Haul Covid
COVID19 Long Haulers I recently posted a link to a study showing over 200 symptoms associated with COVID19 long haulers. These symptoms affect every system of the body. COVID19 19 Long haulers may experience: Brain fog Sleep problems Fatigue Persistent fevers Shortness of breath Cough Palpitation Loss of smell and taste Joint/muscle pains Neurological Symptoms Obviously not a complete list, but you can see the multiple systems involved. How does this happen? To figure that out we need to walk through some terminology and concepts that may seem a little odd. Latent Pathogens and Biofilms In Chinese medicine, conditions like Long Haul COVID19 are labeled as Latent Pathogens. A Pathogen is something that makes you ill- (bacteria, viruses, fungi, mold etc).. Latent means lying in wait. A latent pathogen is literally lying in wait for [...]
Microbiome and Chinese Medicine
Your Microbiome and you It is estimated that 60-70 million people in the United States suffer with a digestive disorder1. Some of the more common digestive disorders include constipation, diarrhea, Irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, heartburn, nausea, bloating, and gas. and inflammatory bowel disorders such as Celiac Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Chron’s disease. In addition to these known digestive disorders, evidence shows that digestive problems can lead to other illnesses including: arthritis, inflammation, depression, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, migraines, and menstrual disorders. Functions of the Digestive Tract Two of the main functions of the digestive tract are to breakdown the food we eat into nutrients to fuel the body’s processes and to eliminate waste. It turns out there is so much more going on. The digestive tract is home to approximately 80% of our immune cells2 and 95% of the body’s serotonin3. Serotonin, mostly known for its influence on mood, actually [...]
Acupuncture and Depression
A couple of recent studies have highlighted the benefit of acupuncture in the treatment of depression. It’s important to note that these studies looked at acupuncture in conjunction with ‘usual care’ (medications) and not as a replacement to regular treatment.
Acupuncture for Insomnia
We get many calls asking if Acupuncture can help treat insomnia. The answer is an emphatic yes! Insomnia is typically characterized as an inability to fall asleep, stay asleep or waking up unrefreshed in the morning. I’m sure everyone has experienced this from time to time. Is there anything more frustrating than lying in bed staring at the ceiling knowing you should be asleep? Whether you suffer from chronic sinusitis, acute sinusitis or allergic sinusitis, or infectious sinusitis, acupuncture can help.
“I am better able to deal with stress, my sleep quality has improved and Mark has been able to help me with a number of issues from allergies to digestion.”
“After many years of suffering with digestive issues, I found permanent relief via the acupuncture treatment Mark provides. Through treatment sessions and Chinese herbs, I am regular and do not suffer from gas and bloating. I also have more energy.”
“After a few acupuncture sessions I saw signs of change in my sleep and headaches. I am sleeping much better and for my headaches, I have not had an aspirin/Tylenol for 5 months as I write this.”
“I cannot say enough good things about Mark and how professional he is. There is a gentleness about him that complements his knowledge of acupuncture and truly makes his techniques effective … If you are going through IVF, I highly recommend that you see Mark.”
“I first started acupuncture with Mark to help heal a heel spur and the resulting plantar fasciitis. From the first session Mark was extremely easy to work with. Thanks to Mark, I am back on the streets jogging and improving the pain I experience week to week.”
“I was recommended to see Mark Whalen at Five Points Acupuncture and Wellness by a loyal friend. I had a sharp pain in my lower back which made it difficult to walk. After five appointments with Mark, I am pain-free and walking fine.”