Princeton Acupuncture

Menopausal Treatment

Acupuncture and the treatment of Menopause

Menopause is a naturally occurring physiological process which signifies a hormonal change in women  as the body chemistry changes which was commonly treated with hormone replacement therapy generally occurring in the late 40”s to the early 60’s. Up until recently the common medical treatment for this was hormone replacement therapy. Within the last few years studies have surfaced showing that HRT could increase the risk of cancer and heart disease. This has caused many women to look at alternative therapies for the relief of the symptoms of hot flashes.

 

 

Study shows that acupuncture can help significantly reduce the symptoms associated with menopausal syndrome:

Researchers at

Stanford

University

found that seven weeks of acupuncture treatment reduced the severity of nighttime hot flashes by 28% among menopausal women compared to women who had no acupuncture. This study included 29 menopausal women experiencing at least seven moderate to severe hot flashes per day. The study was published in the Sept. 2006 issue of Fertility and Sterility.

 

Main Symptoms:

The most annoying menopausal symptoms are: night time hot flashes and sweats which disturb the sleep and leave women feeling tired and drained during the day, anxiety, sleeplessness, brain fog, mood swings.  

 

How acupuncture works to relieve the symptoms of menopause:

Acupuncture works by looking at the body in terms of balance of energies. The two prevalent energies are yin and yang. Yin energy is thought to be cooling energy and yang energy is thought to cause heat symptoms in the body yin and yang are also represented by night and day, male and female, the moon and sun to give a few examples. As a women ages and moves towards menopause the yin energy fed by the reserve energy of the body (Jing) slows and declines which leads to heat symptoms. The Jing declines with age and is a natural part of the aging process. The decline in the cooling system in turn leads to some of the following symptoms: hot flashes, night sweats, nervousness, anxiety, heart palpitations, sleeplessness and changes in emotional states.  This whole process can be accentuated by poor life style habits such as, stress, overwork, poor diet and nutrition (excessive alcohol and drug, lack of exercise etc.

Through acupuncture we are looking to support and balance these energies of Yin and Yang thus reducing symptoms.

 

Call (609) 924-3733 for an appointment or consultation.

 

Fibromyalgia

ACUPUNCTURE AND THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC FIBROMYALGIA:

 

Fibromyalgia afflicts a broad range of people in the

United States.

It is second only to arthritis as the most frequent condition that a rheumatologist sees. This chronic condition affects approximately 3.4% of women and 0.5 % of men.. There are no specific lab tests that can confirm this diagnosis. Diagnosis is usually based on symptoms. A physician will diagnose fibromyalgia if the patient has had widespread aching over at least a three month period. There are 18 specific areas that are palpated on the body and if 11 of these are tender to the touch then a diagnosis of FM is arrived at. The areas of possible tenderness include sites such as the shoulders, neck, lower back, hips, elbows, knees and buttocks

The most common symptoms are:

-  Widespread pain, stiffness, and soreness of the muscles and tendons.

-  Pain changes location frequently.

-  Fatigue and or altered or disturbed sleep patterns.

-  Waking up feeling tired.

-  Headaches, jaw pain, and dizziness.

- Irritable bladder and intestinal discomfort.

- “Brain fog” - inability to concentrate.

-  Depression.

- Increased sensitivity to environmental changes; loud noises, change in the weather,  sensitivity to lights, and increased food sensitivity.

 

The symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary according to the weather, stress, physical activity. You may have fibromyalgia even if you don’t meet all of the above criteria.

 

Causes of Fibromyalgia:

Medical investigators have not determined any one single cause to explain the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Some possible causes of fibromyalgia include: sleep disturbance, injury, viral infection and changes in brain chemicals.

The Mayo Clinic study of the use of Acupuncture to treat Fibromyalgia:

The Mayo Clinic conducted a study where patients diagnosed with Fibromyalgia were treated with a pilot test of six sessions of acupuncture. The results of the study revealed that fibromyalgia patients experienced significant symptomatic relief after the sessions of acupuncture. Dr David Martin, M.D.,Ph.D., the Mayo Clinic anesthesiologist the study’s lead investigator said, “ Our study was performed on patients with moderate to severe fibromyalgia. It’s my speculation that if acupuncture works for these patients with recalcitrant fibromyalgia – where previous treatments had not provided satisfactory relief – it would likely work for many of the millions of fibromyalgia patients…….This study shows there is something real about acupuncture and its effect on fibromyalgia……...Acupuncture could fill a gap in available therapies for the disease as something additive to what medications can already can provide…..We expected acupuncture to improve the pain. We didn’t expect the largest benefit to be in fatigue or anxiety.”

Link to full article: http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2005-rst/3000.html

 

 

How Acupuncture works to decrease the symptoms of fibromyalgia:

 

Acupuncture works on the principal that where there is pain there is blockage in the flow of qi and blood in the region. When Qi becomes impeded or the flow to an area diminished, pain, stiffness and other symptoms related to fibromyalgia can appear. Inserting very fine acupuncture needles into specific points along energy meridians causes the release of these blockages in the muscles, tendons and tender points to help decrease inflammation and pain. This is analogous to a kink in a garden hose which reduces the flow of water from the hose – by straightening out  the hose the flow is then normalized. 

 

Acupuncture has an overall effect on the body to improve generalized circulation of Qi or energy and balance the system enabling the body to deal with stress more effectively which in turn improves sleep function and general energy.

 

The frequency of acupuncture sessions ranges widely from patient to patient mainly based on degree of symptoms. Dr. Martin stated that patients would sustain improvement with ongoing acupuncture…” It’s a reasonable expectation that if they received acupuncture after two to three months, they would have maintained their improvement……acupuncture works for about three months, and then patients need a less-intensive treatment session. These patients would need more acupuncture periodically for as long as they experience fibromyalgia symptoms. “

 

To schedule an evaluation call (609)-924-3733

 

Neck Pain

CHRONIC OR ACUTE NECK PAIN:

Neck pain is a common complaint that most of us will suffer from at some point in our lives. Some people will suffer from it on an occasional basis while others, less fortunate, will have pain on an ongoing basis. The reasons for neck pain can be numerous. The most prevalent contributing factor to neck pain is degeneration of the lower cervical vertebrae which can result in pain, tightness and decreased range of motion or stiffness. Neck pain is often not directly caused by the degeneration but by other initiating factors for example:

 

- Recent or prior auto accidents, falls, sports trauma causing sprains and strains.

- Previous injuries to the neck from accidents.

- Occupational stress, working with heavy equipment or repetitive motions.

- Poor posture – sitting at the computer all day at work.

- General stress which causes chronic muscle tension or tightness.

- Arthritis,

-  

The main symptoms of neck pain are:

-Pain radiating into the back of the head or to the shoulder and in extreme cases down the arm.

-Restriction of the head and neck movement.

-Pain worse on one side of the head and neck more than the other.

- Acute pain. Sometimes one may wake up with severe neck pain and limited ability to turn your head often as a result of poor sleeping position.

- Tenderness of trigger points ( tender points in the muscles that form as a result of previous trauma) around the back of the head and the muscles supporting the neck and head such as the trapezius and cervical muscles.

 

Treatment:

If you are suffering from acute or chronic neck pain acupuncture Traditional Chinese medicine can provide a way for you to eliminate your pain and restore normal function to your neck.  The treatment involves an evaluation of the neck and shoulder muscles as well as a whole body approach to rectify other imbalances and underlying causes in the system that may be contributing to the neck pain and tension.

 

We use acupuncture to help relieve spasms, pain and improve circulation to the muscles. One of our specialties is the Kaufman trigger point pain neutralization technique which is performed in conjunction with acupuncture or without needles for those who would prefer this non-invasive technique for resolving pain

 

Numerous studies have shown that acupuncture is effective in treating neck pain and improving mobility. With regular treatment the constant pain and diminished range of motion can be normalized.

To set up an appointment for an evaluation call (609)924-3733