A recent study concludes that acupuncture affects the attention function of the brain. The study measured the effects of acupuncture points Ht7 (Shenmen) and Lu9 (Taiyuan). Researchers discovered that Ht7 had a “greater influence on the attention function of the brain.” The goal of the study was to investigate the effects of needling Ht7 and Lu9 on human attention brain function and also to explore methods to research brain function as it relates to acupuncture stimulation.The researches used EEG (electroencephalography) to measure ERP (event-related potentials). EEG measures electrical activity of the brain and ERP is a measure of brain responses related to thought and perception. ERP is an electrophysiological measurement of stimuli to the brain. Researchers looked for changes in P300, a brainwave reflecting cognitive function in decision making processes, after application of manual acupuncture at Ht7 and Lu9. A subset of P300 is P3a. This brainwave measures attention and orientation to changes in the environment. Researchers noted that acupuncture at these points affected P3a and another P300 brainwave known at P3b. P3b measures information processing and recognition of improbable events (things that defy ordinary expectations). The more unlikely an event, the greater the P3b brainwave.EEG brainwaves now measure what has been known to Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Ht7 (Shenmen, Spirits Gate) is an acupuncture point at the wrist crease known to be calming and restful to the heart and ‘spirit’. It is traditionally used for mental restlessness, mania, palpitations, disorientation, depression, and poor memory. Lu9 is known more for its affect on lung disorders so it is not surprising, from a Chinese medicine perspective, that EEG measurements more strongly connect Ht7 to changes in brainwave states associated with attention and cognition. (http://www.healthcmi.com)DrMLucas@AcupunctureWoman.comHost a Cosmetic Acupuncture party and receive a $200 discount on your own Mei Zen Cosmetic procedure.follow this blog at http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=777691 read more..
Sunday, 5 January 2014
Function Of The Brain-Brain Responses-Brain Function-Acupuncture
Saturday, 4 January 2014
Chronic Pain Conditions-Acupuncture Clinic-Profound Results-Shoulder Pain-Common Health
Acupuncture is famous for the treatment of chronic pain. Chronic pain is one of the most common health concerns I see in my NYC acupuncture clinic. Back pain, headaches, migraines, shoulder pain, knee pain, neuropathy, arthritis, and other chronic pain conditions. Patients can have profound results. In the clinic we know acupuncture is effective for [...] read more..
Wednesday, 3 October 2012
The Canadian Medical Association Journal-National Institute For Health-Chronic Headaches
For people receiving health care for low back pain, symptoms will improve significantly in the first six weeks, but pain may linger even after one year, according to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. As a holistic therapy, acupuncture for low back pain offers short-term decrease … read more..
Too Many Painkillers Maybe Causing Your Headache
Many people with chronic headaches take pain killers almost daily. But a report from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in the United Kingdom asserts that taking too many pain killers is actually making your headaches worse. The guidelines define overuse of pain medication for more than 15 days out of the month. Types [...] read more..
Friday, 28 September 2012
Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital-Archives Of Internal Medicine-National Institute Of Health
Acupuncture is the use of tools on the superficial
aspect of the body to effect change of the life force
or Qi in the bodyA new study funded by the National Institute of Health and headed by researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, has been published in the The Archives of Internal Medicine. It is the most rigorous and comprehensive western study of acupuncture and its effects to date, involving data on over 18,000 patients.
The study involving over thirty researchers from around the world, using the raw data of the most sophisticated trials to date, took six years to complete.
The study showed that acupuncture outperformed sham (placebo acupuncture) and standard western care therapies in pain relief.
It showed that over 50% of acupuncture patients suffering from chronic pain issues such as arthritis, migraines, and back pain, received relief in comparison to 30% of patients receiving western standard care.
The authors of this study showed statistically that the positive therapeutic effects of acupuncture were more than placebo effects.
For those of us who understand the power of East Asian medicine, this comes as no surprise, but for many people unfamiliar with acupuncture, this study will help open their perspective and willingness to understand the wealth of healing strategies offered by East Asian medicine.
I encourage you to read the NY Times article at this link:
NY Times Cites Study on Efficacy of Acupuncture in New Groundbreaking Study. read more..
Monday, 24 September 2012
Gastrointestinal Pain-Research Psychologist-Acupuncture Research
As a Research Psychologist I appreciate that we are doing research to "prove" that acupuncture works. The latest report is that it works for pain. Really!? We have known that for thousands of years. People forget that the case study (individual patient) is a bona fide research tool that demonstrates results and we have tens of thousands of those. We have proven for years that acupuncture not only works for pain (migraines, sports injuries, PMS, gastrointestinal pain), works for fertility (PMS, seeming inability to conceive). I hope to present a case study at the Society for Acupuncture Research about a 29 yr old woman who was told she had little to no chance of getting pregnant. Just received a picture of her baby on ultrasound. It works for keeping yourself healthy, warding off the flu and other colds, anti-aging - it is the TRUE anti-aging medicine because it keeps your body working well.
For more information on how Chinese Medicine (acupuncture) can improve your life, call 303-94706224 or email me at DrMLucas@AcupunctureWoman.com.
I bill health insurance so let's see if you are covered.
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Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease-Acupuncture Successful-Acupuncture Treatments-Functional Dyspepsia
The research conclusion: “Acupuncture is effective in the treatment of functional dyspepsia, and is superior to non-acupoint puncture" -- which is one reason why it is important to see an Acupuncturist who is a Practitioner of Chinese Medicine rather than a professional w/ only 40 to 300 hours of training (vs 4 years of full time Chinese Medicine school). Ask me more about this at DrMLucas@AcupunctureWoman.com. You may notice that, in this study, the patients were treated 5 times in a week for 4 weeks -... this is why I have said for years that once a week acupuncture is not the most effective way to be treated. Frequent treatment >>>> cure >>>>>see you in a month or so for future prevention. You don't take your Nexium once a week do you? Or your anti-depressant? Why then rely on once a week treatment for relief or resolution of your symptoms/condition?Dyspepsia is indigestion and involves symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, an uncomfortable sensation of heaviness or fullness after eating, nausea, belching and heartburn. Dyspepsia is often linked to GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), gastritis and gastrointestinal ulcers. In many cases, dyspepsia is not linked to an underlying organic disease which makes it another perfect condition to be treated with Chinese Medicine. In allopathic/Western/modern medicine, dyspepsia is often treated with prescription drugs (proton pump inhibitors). However, **long term use of PPIs is linked to gastric cell atrophy, which may lead to cancer**.Researchers examined a total sample size of 712 patients. Patients received 5 acupuncture treatments per week for a period of 4 weeks. Follow-up was documented 12 weeks following the treatment period. All groups improved, however, Group 1 ("real" acupuncture points) had over a 70 percent success rate. Group 1 received specific acupuncture points on the stomach meridian. The group with the lowest success rate was the sham acupuncture group with only a 34.75 percent improvement. At The Colorado Center of Traditional Medicine we bill health insurance when acupuncture or manual therapy is covered. Follow this blog at http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=777691 read more..
Saturday, 25 August 2012
Weight Loss Success Story-Chinese Herbs-Acupuncture
Working on another weight loss success! Patient started treatment seeing for weight loss about 8 weeks ago and has lost 13 lbs! I was a bit worried too in the beginning because she wasn't really controlling her diet very well and doesn't get much exercise. It is my policy that acupuncture and Chinese herbs are an adjunct to your exercise and food plan but I also believe that acupuncture will make the digestion work better and improve the overall metabolism. So, she has been very faithful with her treatments and little by little she has been eating less because her appetite is well controlled. She is also very faithful with her acupuncture appointments.
DrMLucas@AcupunctureWoman.com
303-947-6224 - call me to see if your health insurance policy covers acupuncture
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Thursday, 9 August 2012
Acupuncture Treatment-Unexplained Syndrome-Connective Tissues-Adjunctive Therapy
Fibromyalgia is a medically unexplained syndrome affecting the muscles and connective tissues. Currently, the disease affects as many as 12 million Americans and has been reported two times as prevalent in deployed veterans. Acupuncture may be helpful as an adjunctive therapy for fibromyalgia.“Agonizing pain, debilitating fatigue, joint stiffness, and … read more..
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Painful Injuries-Heart Failure-Acupuncture
I see a lot of patients in my practice that are battling serious diseases – cancer, heart failure, diabetes – or very painful injuries – torn ligaments, back pain. These patients have found that acupuncture can help relieve pain, ease symptoms and strengthen their body to better fight the disease or condition. But, it should [...] read more..
Acupuncturist-Acupuncture
The process of treating back pain with acupuncture, or any pain for that matter, is complex. As an acupuncturist, we have many factors to consider in the treatment. Important factors for the acupuncturist to decide are what acupuncture points to use, how long the needles stay in, what position the patient should lie, the use [...] read more..
Sunday, 5 August 2012
Active Ingredients-Detectable Levels-Chickens-Tylenol-Arsenic
In a recent NY Times article it was revealed that chickens tested in the U.S. contain detectable levels of arsenic, and the active ingredients found in Tylenol, Bendadryl, and Prozac. In addition, a class of antibiotics that includes the brand name "Cipro", called quinolones were found in chickens. These antibiotics are supposedly banned in poultry production.
If you are alarmed, you should be.
It seems that profit driven agri-business may not be telling the consumer what is in the foods that we consume.
The NY Times article went on to discuss how independent studies conducted on ground chicken feathers prove the presence of the substances since feathers will accumulate concentrations of chemicals in the food that chickens are fed.
Chickens are being purposely fed these substances to raise profit margins. Arsenic is used in low levels in the chicken food to lower infection rates and to cause the meat to take on a pink color which is considered more desirable by consumers. The Times article notes that chickens are fed caffeine to help them stay awake longer in order to eat more so that they will grow faster. They are fed the active ingredients of Prozac and Tylenol to keep them from being anxious which can affect the quality and size of the bird. Its ironic that they are being fed both stimulants and sedatives.All of this leads to increased profits for the producers.
What else are they not telling us?
Within one generation, sperm counts have begun to fall globally. Sometimes by as much as 50% in some populations. Nobody has yet determined the cause of this, but it is postulated that the increasing toxicity of food, water and the environment may be a contributing if not principal factor.
Cancer rates continue to increase.
I think this is a wake-up call. Until there is accountability for the products that we are consuming- it doesn't make sense to assume that the corporate foods that we are being fed are healthy.
I encourage you to eat lower on the food chain. Eat as many whole foods as possible and avoid processed foods. Consume less animal proteins. It is better for the environment, leaves a smaller carbon footprint and will ensure that you are eating healthier. Animal fats can have concentrations of toxic chemicals.Eat organic, local produce. Buy your food as close to the source of its growth as possible.Support local organic farmers.You can join local food cooperatives, go to farmer's markets and join community sponsoredagriculture groups which sell shares in a local organic farmer's harvest. read more..
Monday, 30 July 2012
Western Medical Practitioners-Traditional Chinese Medicine-Traditional Medicines
Although many western medical practitioners are not familiar with traditional Chinese medicine, with time EAM is beginning to make inroads to the western consciousness. Western researchers are beginning to understand that the traditional medicines of the world may hold valuable insights into treating diseases, especially with herbs. In recent years much attention has been paid to a number of herbs and foods of Asia that are used in the treatment of cancer. Turmeric being one that has garnered much attention. In a recent NY Times article on Qinghao, the herb credited with providing the source of anti-malarial medication, they paid great tribute to the research and development by Chinese scientists who went back to their traditional medicine doctors to find an herb, Qinghao, (Artemisia Annuae, Sweet Wormwood), that contains chemicals that revolutionized pharmaceutical care in treatment of malaria, worldwide.Please follow the link here to read this fascinating NY Times article. read more..
Chemotherapy Patients-Treatment Of Cancer-Moxibustion Therapy-Powerful Tools-Cancer Patient
In my practice I have treated a number of people who are undergoing oncological treatment. Chemotherapy and radiation are powerful tools in the treatment of cancer. In the clinic I help patients deal with a number of the issues related to side effects from these treatments. Using dietary therapy, qigong exercises and treatments, acupuncture, moxibustion therapy and sometimes herbal therapy as well (when the western doctors will agree to it), there is a lot that the Chinese medical practitioner can do to help ease the side effects for the patient.I have also come to understand that the emotional strain of undergoing oncological treatment can be quite high and so I also help support the nervous system and a patient's will to continue forward.
I recently found a wonderful short video about the use of acupuncture for chemotherapy patients with neuropathy in the hands and feet. I'm posting it here so that my readers can get a further sense of what Chinese and East Asian medicine can offer the cancer patient.
I hope you find it useful. read more..
Friday, 20 July 2012
Tues Night Sessions-Acupuncture-Goalkeeper-Soccer
Our indoor women's team needs a goalkeeper for Tues night sessions. Any of you interested in playing that position w/ us or know someone who will or can lead me to a list (not Craig's, already done that) where we might contact a goalkeeper?
303-947-6224 for both the soccer contact stuff and to make an acupuncture appointment! read more..
Junior High School Days-Business Professional-Chinese Medicine-Science Teacher-Acupuncture
Not long ago I met with a business professional who I will not describe other than to say he had the worst bad breath that I’ve endured in a long time. It brought me back to a science teacher from my junior high school days, Mr. Y. His formidable breath was suffered so widely that it earned him the nickname Scope. In fact, many students didn’t even know his real name, rather, they would just say, “Hey, I’ve got Scope for seventh period biology.” . . . ? Read More: Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture for Bad Breath read more..
Saturday, 14 July 2012
Bone Mineral Density-Dietary Calcium-Acupuncture
According to a new study, acupuncture increases bone mineral density. Remember too, dietary calcium is most important but if you must take a calcium supplement, take your 1200 mg/day in smaller doses (5oo to 6oo mg). Your body can't metabolize all 1200 at once! Add Vitamin D, weight bearing exercise, and acupuncture and your risk of breaking a bone will go down. I've been post-menopausal for about 7 years and according to my latest bone density test my bone density hasn't changed a bit!
http://www.healthcmi.com/index.php/acupuncturist-news-online/569-acupunctureceusosteoporosisovaries
For an appointment call 303-947-6224 or email me at DrMLucas@AcupunctureWoman.com.
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Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Organic Food Production-Informative Article-Corruption Issues-Organic Standards
Yesterday in the Times there was an informative article about the corruption issues with organic food production. Big companies have been getting into the organic market for years because it makes big profits. The author highlights how many corporations don’t care much about organic standards and healthy food. They care more about their profits. For [...] read more..
Monday, 9 July 2012
Tension Headaches-The Headaches-Acupuncture
A recent patient with headaches at my New York acupuncture reminded me of the powerful way acupuncture treats the whole person. She was coming in for tension headaches which were exacerbated by seasonal allergies. Stress was also a major factor. The acupuncture had almost an immediate effect in reducing the headaches. After 4 treatments she [...] read more..
Sunday, 8 July 2012
Traditional Chinese Medicine-Herbal Prescriptions-Killer Diseases-Heart Disease
Considering that heart disease is still one of the top killer diseases in the U.S. acupuncture is good news! And lest you not forget that Traditional Chinese Medicine's (TCM) herbal prescriptions and nutritional/lifestyle advice are all about longevity and prevention of disease.
http://www.healthcmi.com/index.php/acupuncturist-news-online/582-acupunctureceusheartattackshrvlosangeles
Call 303-947-6224 or email me at DrMLucas@AcupunctureWoman.com for more information or an appointment. Let's see if your health insurance covers acupuncture or other TCM therapies.
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Thursday, 5 July 2012
Everyday Occurrence-Joint Stiffness-Common Ailments-Lower Back Pain-Acupuncture
When I think about the most common ailments my patients are battling, pain is definitely at the top of the list. Whether it’s migraines, neck pain, joint stiffness, arthritis or lower back pain, dealing with pain is an everyday occurrence for many. Pain is – unfortunately – extremely common. In fact, a national NIH survey [...] read more..