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Mountain West Wellness Health Tips, Issue #029
May 02, 2015
Hi

Well May has finally arrived and spring is in full bloom. Everyone is preparing for BBQs, Mother's Day, and Memorial Day. This month we are offering a special for all mothers to celebrate their day. In this issue of our newsletter we are also including a couple of interesting articles about treating arthritis and allergies with acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. Hope you enjoy it.

PS... One more thing, we have extended our $25 Acugraph Electronic Meridian Evaluation and a stress relief acupuncture treatment until May 15. To learn for about Acugraph click here. This offer is for everyone - new, old, and current patients are all welcome to take advantage of this.

Free Mothers Day Evaluations

For the entire month of May we will be performing Free "Health and Wellness Evaluations for all mothers. These no cost and no obligation 30 minute appointments are available to all mothers. To schedule or find out more just contact the office.

How Acupuncture Can Safely Help With Allergies and Asthma

Do you suffer from allergies or asthma? If so, you aren't alone. It's estimated that more than 26 million Americans have the chronic inflammatory disease asthma, and more than 50 million Americans have nasal allergies. While most people resort to harsh prescription drugs to treat these conditions, a safer and more effective solution may lie in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture.

Some people might turn your head at the thought of treating asthma by placing small needles under your skin. However, this ancient practice is believed to be effective in the treatment of numerous respiratory disorders, including asthma. The World Health Organization (WHO) even listed asthma as being “a condition for which the therapeutic effect of acupuncture has been shown but for which further proof is needed.” This doesn't necessarily mean that acupuncture will cure your asthma, but it can help alleviate the symptoms and reduce the frequency of flareups.

Acupuncture involves the placement of fine needles in specific points of the body, known as acupuncture points. The idea behind this practice is that placing the needles in these areas will restore the body's flow of energy (Qi). When Qi becomes stagnant, it leaves the individual susceptible to disease and illness, which is why it's important to keep it moving throughout the body. Professional acupuncturists often treat asthma by using acupuncture points found in the Lung, Stomach and Kidney meridians.

Of course, acupuncture may also help those who suffer from allergies. Allergies are the result of the immune system's wrongful identification of what it believes to be a foreign invader. When you are exposed to an allergen, for instance, your immune system may view the substance or pathogen as being a foreign invader, at which point it responds by manifesting symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, etc.

By restoring the body's Qi, the immune system is given a helpful boost of energy that allows it to properly identify what's a foreign invader and what's not. Whether your allergies are minor or severe, you should consider seeking the services of an acupuncturist. It's a safe and painless process that can reinvigorate your body and mind, alleviating the symptoms of both allergies and asthma. A study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine found acupuncture to offer greater relief of allergies when compared to both antihistamines and sham acupuncture.

Acupressure for Asthma

Affecting nearly 1 in 12 people worldwide, asthma is an all-too-common respiratory disease. It's characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways, which subsequently triggers a wide range of symptoms like wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest. While some people assume asthma is nothing more than a mild condition with no real health implications, this couldn't be further from the truth. In 2011 alone, a quarter of a million people lost their lives as a result of asthma-related complications.

If you or someone you know suffers from asthma, you should consider using acupressure to treat it. While there's no known cure for asthma, many people have reported significant relief through acupressure.

What Is Acupressure?

Not to be confused with acupuncture, acupressure is a form of alternative medicine that involves pressure exerted on specific areas of the body in an attempt to restore the body's flow of life energy (Qi). Treatment typically involves placing the fingers, hand or elbow on the problematic meridians and pressing down with moderate pressure. By placing pressure on these areas, the body's Qi is able to flow freely once again; thus, relieving a wide variety of adverse symptoms and conditions.

In 2011, researchers performed a systematic review of the effectiveness of acupressure to treat various symptoms (e.g. nausea, pain, insomnia). In 35 of the 43 controlled trials analyzed, researchers found acupressure to be an effective form of treatment. Another study conducted that same year found acupressure to effectively relieve pain during child birth.

Using Acupressure To Treat Asthma

One of the many benefits of acupressure is that it can be performed anywhere, anytime. Furthermore, you can perform it on yourself, negating the need for a therapist.

If you suffer from asthma, try placing pressure on your upper left or right chest area, about three finger widths under the collarbone. Using two or three fingers, gently press this area and hold it in place for 30-45 seconds before releasing. In addition to treating asthma, this acupressure point is also known to relieve chest congestion, coughing and difficulties breathing.

Another helpful acupressure point for asthma sufferers is found next to the breastbone, also below the collarbone. Simply follow the steps outlined above by placing two or three fingers here and you should notice an improvement in your symptoms.


7 Ways to Alleviate Arthritis Pain

Arthritis is a condition characterized by painful inflammation and stiffness in the joints. According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 52.5 million U.S. adults suffer from either arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, fibromyalgia, or lupus1. If you have arthritis, you should try the following tips to alleviate your symptoms.

#1) Maintain a Healthy Weight

The first step in reducing the pain and inflammation of arthritis is to manage your weight. Individuals who are overweight will experience more arthritis flareups, and with worsening symptoms. The excess weight places pressure against the already inflamed joints, causing additional pain and stiffness.

#2) Take a Joint Supplement

Whether your arthritis is minor or severe, you should get into the habit of taking a daily joint supplement. Glucosamine and chondroitin are powerful compounds which have been proven to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis. These two compounds are building blocks of cartilage, and taking a supplement containing them will protect strengthen your own body's cartilage while subsequently protecting your joints.

#3) Exercise

It's difficult to stay active when the slightest movements cause sharp pain shooting through your joints. However, you must learn to cope with the pain so your arthritis symptoms will subside. Studies have shown that regular, low-impact exercise (e.g. walking or swimming) will reduce the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.

#4) Meditate

You might be surprised to learn that meditation can alleviate arthritis pain and discomfort. The National Institute of Health (NIH) even published an article on its website, citing meditation as being an effective form of treatment for people with joint pain.

#5) Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for good health, but they are particularly beneficial for people suffering from arthritis. Omega-3s strengthen and protect the joints, which in turn alleviates the symptoms of arthritis. Wild-caught fish is an excellent source of omega 3s, as well as extra-virgin olive oil.

#6) Massage Therapy

While most people seek massage therapy for its stress-reducing benefits, it's also known to help fight arthritis. Massaging the joints affected by arthritis reduces swelling, stiffness and even pain, giving the individual greater freedom of movement.

#7) Acupuncture Even acupuncture can help to alleviate the pain and discomfort of arthritis. This centuries-old practice involves the placement of fine needles to restore the body's flow of energy (Qi) and stimulate its self-healing mechanism. When performed by a licensed acupuncturist, it can strengthen the joints and ward off arthritis.

1. http://1.usa.gov/1awEzzE

Acupuncture Helps Relieve Arthritis Pain
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of Arthritis among adults and affects joints in the hands, lower back and neck, causing great discomfort and reduced mobility for millions. A large meta-analysis consisting of 12 trials and 1,763 patients with osteoarthritis has revealed acupuncture to be an effective way of treating arthritis pain, rivaling conventional medicine. Researchers also said that electro-acupuncture would likely increase the effectiveness of acupuncture but it was excluded from the meta-analysis to rule out electrical stimulation as a variable. Not only was acupuncture found to be an effective way of treating osteoarthritis but is also a safe and natural way to treat the ailment. If you suffer form arthritis then you should consult and acupuncturist about treatment for your symptoms as it can greatly improve your quality of life. Source: http://bit.ly/1yvQEAR


New Classes

Beginning in May we will start offering some new classes. May 28th from 5:30-6:30 - Free Spring Health Class June will begin our 3 month qigong workshop. For more details follow us by liking Mountain west Wellness Acupuncture on Facebook or just call the office.

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Stay Healthy!

Jack, Kim, and Lynn



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