Back in eighth grade, Mr. Hankinson, our shell-shocked gym teacher, used to yell in my ear, “Stand up straight, stick your chest out. Why are you breathing with your belly? Only BABIES breathe with their bellies. Breath into your chest like a MAN.”
He was right. Babies do breath into their abdomen. But good old Mr. Hankinson did not know that belly breathing is more natural and relaxing. Breathing with your belly maximizes the use of your diaphragm muscle, which is located between the chest and abdomen, and is the primary muscle of respiration.
Natural diaphragm breathing does not draw air into your stomach, but rather contracts the diaphragm, causing the abdomen to rise and fall. This reduces the use of the intercostals, which are much smaller and less efficient muscles, located in between the ribs. Mr. Hankinson’s chest breathing focuses more on the use of these intercostals muscles. So, it is actually less efficient than belly breathing.
Breathing impacts and reflects the state of the body and the mind. When you are scared, excited, or nervous, you breathe faster. But when you are calm or sleeping, you breathe slower. It also works in reverse. By controlling your breath you can impact your state of mind. Breathing is the easiest involuntary functions to influence.
Patients who practice natural diaphragmatic breathing tell me they experience greater relaxation, more energy, and less pain, particularly in the back and neck. This technique can also help regulate your bowel movements. Because the diaphragm gently massages the digestive track.
Practice your Natural Breathing
1. Sit on a chair with your feet on the floor or lie flat on your back.
2. Hold your hands just below your belly button. The palms should face your
abdomen.
3. Relax your shoulders and chest and breathe into your hands allowing your stomach to naturally rise and fall.
4. You can imagine a ball of energy in your hands which you are filling as you inhale. When you exhale, imagine releasing all the tension and stress in your body.
5. Do this for 5-10 minutes per day or whenever you feel particularly stressed. Gradually, this will become your normal breathing patter.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Acupuncture for Chronic Prostatitis Category III: Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
Men with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS), or Chronic Prostatitis Category III, suffer from pelvic pain, painful, frequent, urgent, or difficult urination, as well as sexual dysfunction. The pain can be intense or dull and is generally located in the between the testicles and anus, in the penis, scrotum, lower back, or the lower abdomen. These symptoms can be severe and affect all aspects of your life, resulting in depression, lost work and educational opportunities, and trouble in relationships. CPPS is the most common form of chronic prostatitis.
What Causes Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome?
The exact cause of Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome is not entirely understood. Prostatitis was originally thought to be caused by inflammation caused by a bacterial infection. But many men have symptoms without an infection.[ii] Some men who have CPPS symptoms do not even have any inflammation. Some physicians believe that CPPS may be caused by referred pain from muscle tightness in the pelvis and back, contracture of smooth muscle such as the bladder, emotional stress, and inflammation after an infection. [ii] Intrapelvic congestion of fluids may also be a factor.[iv]
How does acupuncture help treat Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome?
Treating CPPS requires a holistic approach addressing that naturally corrects the underlying cause of the pain and distress. Most people find the medications, such as antibiotics or alpha blockers, to be ineffective, and some have troubling side effects. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine provide a holistic approach to healing and are effective treatments to relieve the pain, improve sexual function, and decrease urinary problems, as well as relief depression associated with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome. Acupuncture is also a natural treatment, so as opposed to many of the medications for CPPS, there are very few side effects.
In fact, Chinese medicine’s 2000 years of history could possibly make it the most used treatment for Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome of all time. In one of Chinese medicine’s earliest text called Elementary Questions, TCM has described the diagnosis and treatment many syndromes characterized by painful, frequent, and urgent urination with pain and distention of the lower abdomen and pelvis.[i] Of course, this syndrome was not called Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome or Chronic Prostatitis at the time. But the practice of Chinese medicine has shown that those same principles of diagnosis and treatment are effective when applied to the symptoms caused by Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome.
Traditional Chinese Medicine has a holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment, identifying specific imbalances in the body and using acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and acupressure to correct them. Correcting the imbalance does not just treat the symptoms or mask the condition, but rather corrects the root of the problem by encouraging self-healing of the body. Generally, the root cause of painful urination, voiding difficulties, and depression is an imbalance of the body’s vital energy, or qi. The two most common imbalances in qi that cause CPPS are when there is too little qi or when the qi circulation becomes impaired. One way acupuncture and Chinese herbs work is by helping to improve the circulation and the amount of qi.
Those with too little qi may experience the symptoms of poor digestion, bloating, loose and sticky stools, fatigue, shortness of breath, sinus headaches, soft voice, a weak pulse, and pale tongue. Qi stagnation, when the qi is not circulating well, can also cause pain. Those with qi stagnation will often get a cold after a stressful or emotional situation. They also may be prone to headaches, irregular bowel movements, ribside pain, irritability, anger, and depression.
What is the Chinese Medicine treatment like for Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome?
Chinese medicine works best as a combination therapy that includes acupuncture, tui na (acupressure), and gua sha (a spoon massage). Chinese herbs are also effective and may be required for certain people. Acupuncture diagnosis and treatment focuses on identifying the specific root imbalance causing the condition and tailoring the treatment for you. During the first visit, I will complete a medical history and an in depth physical examination, which focuses on an examination of acupuncture points and trigger points of the hips and pelvis. This information creates the picture of the specific imbalance causing the problem.
The treatment should decrease pain and urinary complaints, and improvement in sexual function. Many men find rapid relief, within a week or two of beginning the treatment. For others, it may take longer to have an effect. Generally, the pain and other symptoms are gradually lessened. It is like peeling off the layers of an onion until you correct the root cause of the problem. The results are usually long lasting and people find themselves symptom free.
[i] Wiseman N, Feng Y. Practical Dictionary of Chinese Medicine. Brookline, MA: Paradigm; 1998:583.
[ii] Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (Current Clinical Urology). Daniel A. Shoskes (ed.) Humama, Totowa, NJ. 2008.
[iv] Honjo H, Kamoi K., Naya Y, et al. The Effects if Acupuncture for Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome with Intravenous Congestion: Preliminary Results. International Journal of Urology. 2004 Aug; 11(8): 607-612.
What Causes Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome?
The exact cause of Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome is not entirely understood. Prostatitis was originally thought to be caused by inflammation caused by a bacterial infection. But many men have symptoms without an infection.[ii] Some men who have CPPS symptoms do not even have any inflammation. Some physicians believe that CPPS may be caused by referred pain from muscle tightness in the pelvis and back, contracture of smooth muscle such as the bladder, emotional stress, and inflammation after an infection. [ii] Intrapelvic congestion of fluids may also be a factor.[iv]
How does acupuncture help treat Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome?
Treating CPPS requires a holistic approach addressing that naturally corrects the underlying cause of the pain and distress. Most people find the medications, such as antibiotics or alpha blockers, to be ineffective, and some have troubling side effects. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine provide a holistic approach to healing and are effective treatments to relieve the pain, improve sexual function, and decrease urinary problems, as well as relief depression associated with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome. Acupuncture is also a natural treatment, so as opposed to many of the medications for CPPS, there are very few side effects.
In fact, Chinese medicine’s 2000 years of history could possibly make it the most used treatment for Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome of all time. In one of Chinese medicine’s earliest text called Elementary Questions, TCM has described the diagnosis and treatment many syndromes characterized by painful, frequent, and urgent urination with pain and distention of the lower abdomen and pelvis.[i] Of course, this syndrome was not called Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome or Chronic Prostatitis at the time. But the practice of Chinese medicine has shown that those same principles of diagnosis and treatment are effective when applied to the symptoms caused by Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome.
Traditional Chinese Medicine has a holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment, identifying specific imbalances in the body and using acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and acupressure to correct them. Correcting the imbalance does not just treat the symptoms or mask the condition, but rather corrects the root of the problem by encouraging self-healing of the body. Generally, the root cause of painful urination, voiding difficulties, and depression is an imbalance of the body’s vital energy, or qi. The two most common imbalances in qi that cause CPPS are when there is too little qi or when the qi circulation becomes impaired. One way acupuncture and Chinese herbs work is by helping to improve the circulation and the amount of qi.
Those with too little qi may experience the symptoms of poor digestion, bloating, loose and sticky stools, fatigue, shortness of breath, sinus headaches, soft voice, a weak pulse, and pale tongue. Qi stagnation, when the qi is not circulating well, can also cause pain. Those with qi stagnation will often get a cold after a stressful or emotional situation. They also may be prone to headaches, irregular bowel movements, ribside pain, irritability, anger, and depression.
What is the Chinese Medicine treatment like for Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome?
Chinese medicine works best as a combination therapy that includes acupuncture, tui na (acupressure), and gua sha (a spoon massage). Chinese herbs are also effective and may be required for certain people. Acupuncture diagnosis and treatment focuses on identifying the specific root imbalance causing the condition and tailoring the treatment for you. During the first visit, I will complete a medical history and an in depth physical examination, which focuses on an examination of acupuncture points and trigger points of the hips and pelvis. This information creates the picture of the specific imbalance causing the problem.
The treatment should decrease pain and urinary complaints, and improvement in sexual function. Many men find rapid relief, within a week or two of beginning the treatment. For others, it may take longer to have an effect. Generally, the pain and other symptoms are gradually lessened. It is like peeling off the layers of an onion until you correct the root cause of the problem. The results are usually long lasting and people find themselves symptom free.
[i] Wiseman N, Feng Y. Practical Dictionary of Chinese Medicine. Brookline, MA: Paradigm; 1998:583.
[ii] Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (Current Clinical Urology). Daniel A. Shoskes (ed.) Humama, Totowa, NJ. 2008.
[iv] Honjo H, Kamoi K., Naya Y, et al. The Effects if Acupuncture for Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome with Intravenous Congestion: Preliminary Results. International Journal of Urology. 2004 Aug; 11(8): 607-612.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Immunity and Qi
As we move into fall, a lot of people are worried about getting sick. I am cautious too, because during the change of seasons we are especially vulnerable; a sneeze, cough, or a cold wind can easily give you a cold. For some, once they get the cold, it can be hard to fight it off. The sniffling, coughing, or sneezing may not go away and can even last all winter long. But boosting your energy, or qi, can help improve your immunity, which will help you get colds less frequently and improve your ability to fight them off. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are powerful therapies to build up immunity and qi.
How Are Qi and Immunity Related?
As you all know, the immune system is responsible for protecting you from all types of invaders like viruses and bacteria. In Chinese medicine, immunity comes from qi, the body’s energy. Qi is similar to our general idea of energy in the West. It is the energy that gives us the power to do things, like work, study, grow, and exercise. It also protects us from getting sick. When we say, “I am wiped out, I have no energy,” you can also say you have no qi. The main way we build qi is through eating a good diet. We also store it while we sleep. This is why having good digestion is vital for having enough energy and building up your immunity. It is also why we often get sick easily when we don’t sleep well.
One difference between the idea of energy in the West and qi in Chinese medicine is that qi circulates through the body in channels, or meridians. Sometimes, qi slows down or gets blocked, which is a major cause of disease. We call this qi stagnation and it often happens as a result of emotional stress. This is why we get sick when we are under a lot of stress.
In Chinese medicine, poor immunity usually comes from a qi imbalance. Sometimes there is too little qi or the qi can become stagnated. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs work by helping to improve the circulation and the amount of qi.
Those with too little qi may experience the symptoms of frequent colds, fatigue, shortness of breath, coughing, soft voice, poor digestion, a weak pulse, and pale tongue. This is also true often for people with chronic respiratory infections or autoimmune conditions, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, or sinusitis and chronic sinus headaches.
Qi stagnation, when the qi is not circulating well, can also cause frequent colds and makes it difficult to fight them off. Those with qi stagnation will often get a cold after a stressful or emotional situation. They also may be prone to headaches, irregular bowel movements, ribside pain, and painful menstrual cramps.
How Does Chinese Medicine Boost Immunity?
Acupuncture, herbal therapy, and qi gong (which are physical stretches and exercises for your qi) help beat a lingering cold or reduce the frequency of colds, infections, and asthma attacks by correcting the imbalances in qi. Even doing one of these three simple activities can greatly improve your immunity.
Previously, I’ve written about how acupuncture helps the body to heal itself. Another way acupuncture does that is by stimulating the immune system cellular activity and gene expression as well as influencing enzyme activity.1 In Chinese medicine terms, we say that acupuncture is boosting the qi.
Many Chinese herbs also improve the immune system. For example, ginseng, an herb known for its ability to boost qi and improve immunity, has been shown to prevent colds and upper respiratory tract infections in a nursing home.2 Also cordyceps, a mushroom originating from Tibet, is now widely used to improve immune function. This herb can help in the winter and the change of seasons to boost immunity when everyone else is getting sick. It is especially good for those with chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and sinusitis. Remember, Chinese herbs are most effective when taken in a formula that is tailored to your specific imbalance. It is important to get a recommended formula from a Chinese medicine practitioner.
Qi gong exercises are another simple activity that boosts the qi. These slow moving meditative exercises help increase energy, improve circulation, reduce stress, and, over time, improve immunity.
It is best to improve your immune system in the fall in order to prepare for the upcoming winter. Be prepared. Follow these simple tips and you’ll also have a better immunity this winter!
1. Rho SW, Choi GS, Ko EJ, Et. Al. Molecular changes in remote tissues induced by electro-acupuncture stimulation at acupoint ST36. Mol Cells. 2008 Apr 30;25(2):178-83.
2. Predy GN, Goel V, Lovlin R, Donner A, Stitt L, Basu TK. Efficacy of an extract of North American ginseng containing poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharides for preventing upper respiratory tract infections: a randomized controlled trial.CMAJ. 2005 Oct 25;173(9):1043-8.
How Are Qi and Immunity Related?
As you all know, the immune system is responsible for protecting you from all types of invaders like viruses and bacteria. In Chinese medicine, immunity comes from qi, the body’s energy. Qi is similar to our general idea of energy in the West. It is the energy that gives us the power to do things, like work, study, grow, and exercise. It also protects us from getting sick. When we say, “I am wiped out, I have no energy,” you can also say you have no qi. The main way we build qi is through eating a good diet. We also store it while we sleep. This is why having good digestion is vital for having enough energy and building up your immunity. It is also why we often get sick easily when we don’t sleep well.
One difference between the idea of energy in the West and qi in Chinese medicine is that qi circulates through the body in channels, or meridians. Sometimes, qi slows down or gets blocked, which is a major cause of disease. We call this qi stagnation and it often happens as a result of emotional stress. This is why we get sick when we are under a lot of stress.
In Chinese medicine, poor immunity usually comes from a qi imbalance. Sometimes there is too little qi or the qi can become stagnated. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs work by helping to improve the circulation and the amount of qi.
Those with too little qi may experience the symptoms of frequent colds, fatigue, shortness of breath, coughing, soft voice, poor digestion, a weak pulse, and pale tongue. This is also true often for people with chronic respiratory infections or autoimmune conditions, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, or sinusitis and chronic sinus headaches.
Qi stagnation, when the qi is not circulating well, can also cause frequent colds and makes it difficult to fight them off. Those with qi stagnation will often get a cold after a stressful or emotional situation. They also may be prone to headaches, irregular bowel movements, ribside pain, and painful menstrual cramps.
How Does Chinese Medicine Boost Immunity?
Acupuncture, herbal therapy, and qi gong (which are physical stretches and exercises for your qi) help beat a lingering cold or reduce the frequency of colds, infections, and asthma attacks by correcting the imbalances in qi. Even doing one of these three simple activities can greatly improve your immunity.
Previously, I’ve written about how acupuncture helps the body to heal itself. Another way acupuncture does that is by stimulating the immune system cellular activity and gene expression as well as influencing enzyme activity.1 In Chinese medicine terms, we say that acupuncture is boosting the qi.
Many Chinese herbs also improve the immune system. For example, ginseng, an herb known for its ability to boost qi and improve immunity, has been shown to prevent colds and upper respiratory tract infections in a nursing home.2 Also cordyceps, a mushroom originating from Tibet, is now widely used to improve immune function. This herb can help in the winter and the change of seasons to boost immunity when everyone else is getting sick. It is especially good for those with chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and sinusitis. Remember, Chinese herbs are most effective when taken in a formula that is tailored to your specific imbalance. It is important to get a recommended formula from a Chinese medicine practitioner.
Qi gong exercises are another simple activity that boosts the qi. These slow moving meditative exercises help increase energy, improve circulation, reduce stress, and, over time, improve immunity.
It is best to improve your immune system in the fall in order to prepare for the upcoming winter. Be prepared. Follow these simple tips and you’ll also have a better immunity this winter!
1. Rho SW, Choi GS, Ko EJ, Et. Al. Molecular changes in remote tissues induced by electro-acupuncture stimulation at acupoint ST36. Mol Cells. 2008 Apr 30;25(2):178-83.
2. Predy GN, Goel V, Lovlin R, Donner A, Stitt L, Basu TK. Efficacy of an extract of North American ginseng containing poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharides for preventing upper respiratory tract infections: a randomized controlled trial.CMAJ. 2005 Oct 25;173(9):1043-8.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Acupuncture for Breast Cancer
Here is a great short article on the New York Time Well Blog acupuncture's treatment of side effects from breast cancer therapy. Women who received acupuncture had less hot flashes, greater energy, and an increase in libido compared to those taking the drug Effexor. I am very excited to see more coverage about this capability, because improving quality of life is the central goal of my work as a practitioner.
It mentions that acupuncture resulted in longer lasting effects. This is because acupuncture treats the root imbalance of a disease, and leads to longer term results.
It mentions that acupuncture resulted in longer lasting effects. This is because acupuncture treats the root imbalance of a disease, and leads to longer term results.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Alternative Medicine in Hospitals
A story last week in USA Today showed that more and more hospitals are integrating Alternative and Complementary Medicine. I worked a at hospital that gave acupuncture. It really works well to reduce stress and pain. And reducing of stress can help people heal better.
I hope to see more places incorporating CAM soon.
I hope to see more places incorporating CAM soon.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Chinese Cupping at Olympics
The current Olympics in China are bringing many Chinese customs and traditions to the mind of Americans. And Chinese medicine is just the same.
Here is a picture of one of the Chinese swimmers who just had a cupping session for back pain. Cupping is an ancient therapy which reduces pain and promotes healing by increasing the circulation. In the procedure is quite simple and effective. A vacuum is created in a cup through the use of a small flame. The cup is "stuck" to the patients body, creating small round bruises. The cups stay on for about 5-10 minutes.
It is a great therapy, I do it all the time.
Here is a picture of one of the Chinese swimmers who just had a cupping session for back pain. Cupping is an ancient therapy which reduces pain and promotes healing by increasing the circulation. In the procedure is quite simple and effective. A vacuum is created in a cup through the use of a small flame. The cup is "stuck" to the patients body, creating small round bruises. The cups stay on for about 5-10 minutes.
It is a great therapy, I do it all the time.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
An Orthopedic Nightmare
In Tuesday's NYTimes, there was an alarming article about lack of evidence in knee and hip replacements. Apparently a number of surgeries, more than anyone would hope, are not effective, or worse, have bad side effects. Some patients ended up with more pain than before and many have to have a second surgery. No one knows how many, because there is no good tracking system for this data.
A number of very concerned and responsible orthopedic surgeons are working on how to correct this issue. But the manufacturers have been slow to respond, often blaming doctors for not knowing the correct technique for the surgery. Altogether a scary situation for the patient and greater motivation to avoid surgery such as acupuncture and tai chi.
A number of very concerned and responsible orthopedic surgeons are working on how to correct this issue. But the manufacturers have been slow to respond, often blaming doctors for not knowing the correct technique for the surgery. Altogether a scary situation for the patient and greater motivation to avoid surgery such as acupuncture and tai chi.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)