Posts by Karen
Eating to Alleviate Allergies
Brooklyn is alight with airborne allergens. If your airways are inflamed, nose running and raw, you may be looking for any little trick to manage your allergies. Consider the simplest trick of all: nutrition. Augment acupuncture and chiropractic treatment of your allergies by eating the right ingredients to stay above the weather during this beautiful season. High quality, high-power ingredients provide your body with two key ways of fighting allergies: preventing and lowering inflammation, and regulating the immune system.
Here are some great ways to get started:
Vitamin C comes in at the top of the list, for its role in helping antibody production and antihistamine action. Be sure to eat plenty of citrus fruits, bell peppers and leafy greens. Maximize Vitamin C’s effect by consuming the minerals Sulfur and Selenium, by eating nuts, fish and seeds.
Eat fish. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in high concentrations, particularly in salmon and halibut, as well as nut oils, are strong, natural anti-inflammatories.
Consume Calcium and Magnesium, complementary alkaline minerals. Calcium reduces histamine production. When magnesium levels are low, allergies are high.
Cut down on sugar: even little doses can suppress your immune system, an effect that can last for up to 5 hours, leaving you at the mercy of high allergy season.
At Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture, we want to be your first line of defense against allergies. Call our office at (718) 398-3100 to find out how our services and expertise can help you reduce symptoms and your dependence on allergy medication.
Dr. Karen Thomas, D.C., L.Ac.
Acupuncture for Allergies
Spring has sprung a heap of symptoms upon you: sneezing, runny noses, itchy eyes and skin, and headaches abound: the changing colors, warming weather and pretty sounds will not fool the poor allergy sufferer. Spending money on antihistamines brings temporary relief, but the symptoms are always waiting around the next corner. Allergies are a cruel trick: a hypersensitive immune system’s good intentions (to keep your body clear of harmful substances) backfire, taking emergency action to flush out the allergens. This inflammatory response is what leaves you sniffling. Allergies are also fickle: what affects one person does not affect the other, and some people’s bodies are more susceptible to the high allergy season. What treatments you choose and how you allocate your money are the main ways you can impact your allergy suffering.
For allergy season defense in Brooklyn, look to our practice at Community Chiropractic and Acupuncture. We do not interfere with your standard treatments: if you are finding success with antihistamines, more power to you. We offer parallel services that rely on natural methods to compliment these treatments. With acupuncture, there is often a sharp response to treatment: many patients experience relief immediately, and often times people can reduce their dependence on allergy medications, whose long-lasting effects are yet to be determined.
Acupuncture addresses allergies by needling along meridians that, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, can help ease the severity allergy symptoms. These meridians correspond with the functioning of the spleen, kidney and large intestine. TCM also diagnoses a deficiency in lung functioning when chronic allergies are present. We combine needling with nutritional advice: limiting your intake of dairy and sugar is particularly important. We use chiropractic adjustment to ensure that all systems of the body are working harmoniously.
I have years of expertise and success providing allergy relief through acupuncture. If your symptoms evade standard medications and allergy shots, do not despair! Call our office in Park Slope at (718) 398-3100 to schedule an appointment and find out how we can temper your allergy symptoms, allowing you to enjoy the sweet smells of spring.
Dr. Karen Thomas, D.C. L.Ac.
Chiropractic for Sinusitis
Traditional Chinese Medicine offers one approach to mitigating the severity of sinusitis and the accompanying symptoms. However, a problem of this nature calls for a multi-dimensional response; at Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture, we evaluate your condition through the lens of Western medicine as well. Chiropractic treatment is a powerful tool in the management of sinusitis. Both treatments are natural and seek to address the root cause rather than the surface symptoms.
That being said, our treatment works in stages: first, we reduce the severity of symptoms to give you immediate relief. Common symptoms associated with sinusitis include headache in the sinuses, stuffiness in the ears and fatigue. These symptoms are usually most pronounced in the morning, because the prone position allows for almost no drainage and mucus accumulates over night. Chiropractic adjustments seeks to remove interference between vertebral nerves and the sinus system. There are also dietary considerations: staying fully hydrated and consuming a diet high in fiber are conducive to healthy sinuses; likewise, exercise and movement are great at promoting air circulation and encouraging drainage.
With the onset of allergy season, sinus infections are on the rise. Before heading to the drug store or grabbing that next Kleenex, consider getting rid of your sinus problems for good by calling our office in Brooklyn at (718) 398-3100. There are so many ways to treat sinusitis naturally. With the expertise we offer, you can institute a plan that draws from all these areas to support your body’s natural mechanisms to fight the infection.
Dr. Karen Thomas, D.C., L.Ac
Fight back against tension headaches
For sufferers of chronic tension headaches, who have searched far and wide for relief, acupuncture offers an alternative, natural and safe treatment that is showing good results. Tension-type headaches generally involve bilateral pain (on both sides of the head), which can be moderate to severe, and often feels like a vice tightening around the head. Most people will experience a passing headache every once and a while, but for those who feel them more reguarly, it is worth considering acupuncture as a non-pharmacological alternative. At Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture in Park Slope, we synergize the powers of Western and Eastern medicine to provide a robust treatment plan for people experiencing chronic tension headaches.
Within the framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the location of symptoms is very important. By listening to your descriptions of the pain, its triggers and factors both external and internal, we can pinpoint the root of the headache according to TCM. By doing this, we go beyond Western Medicine’s more rigid classification system and delve into the specifics of your headaching. We seek to treat the root- what is causing the pain, and the branch- the pain itself. There are acupuncture points for headaches located along meridians all over the body and, through needling or acupressure, we facilitate the flow of energy through these pathways and stimulate release of the body’s natural pain-killers. The calming influence of acupuncture helps people deal with stress, another leading cause of headaches.
Structurally, tension headaches are often caused by slight misalignments in the cervical region of the spine, meaning that chiropractic adjustment can also help relieve your pain. Getting the best treatment means getting diagnosed by a professional practitioner of TCM; I can help you effect improvements in the severity and frequency of your pain. If you are ready for a change from chonic head pain, call our office in Brooklyn at (718) 398-3100. We want you to listen to what your body and your pain is telling you.
Dr. Karen A. Thomas, D.C., L.Ac.
An alternative approach to managing migraines
Migraines are a bully: the pain they cause is destructive and there is no shortage of studies linking the chronic migraine sufferer with depression and lower quality of life. Though the physiological cause is unknown, there is a standard process: at the beginning, oxygen-rich blood flowing to the brain is restricted creating tertiary symptoms such as tingling or sensory sensitivity. When oxygen is inhibited, neurotransmitters are released, causing rebound dilation: blood vessels expand and blood flow is increased. This over dilation causes the intense, throbbing pain that is associated with migraines.
Acupuncture needling generally involves insertion and manipulation of thin needles in specific points to promote blood flow through the tissues in a process known as axon reflex. Because migraine pain is linked to the dilation of blood vessels in the head, creating this effect through needling could exacerbate symptoms. Therefore, we take a different approach when treating someone in the throes of migraine pain.
Acupoints in the head, neck, and to a certain extent, the upper body, are to be avoided. In order to avoid promoting increased blood circulation in the head, we focus on points in the lower body, including the arms and legs. Furthermore, as needling is usually done in a prone position, we treat the migraine sufferer in a recumbent position, to allow their body to exert greater control over blood vessel dilation. If deemed appropriate, an electrical current can be attached to the needles to help with constricting vasodilation.
Traditional Chinese Medicine has been used in the treatment of headaches for thousands of years. At Community Chiropractic and Acupuncture in Brooklyn, our treatment is gentle and non-invasive and there are very few side effects in comparison to pharmaceutical and over the counter drugs. Acupuncture is not a cure-all in the quest to conquer migraine pain; it is, however, another tool that can be used to lessen the hold of migraines on your daily life and improve your overall well-being. Call our office in Park Slope today at (718) 398-3100 if you are interested in learning how acupuncture can be used to manage your migraine pain.
Dr. Karen Thomas, D.C. L.Ac.
Mastitis
Mastitis occurs when bacteria enters the breast of a newly lactating mother through tiny abrasions in the breast or nipple, creating an infection that can multiply in the milk ducts. Symptoms include high fever, inflammation and swelling of the breasts, redness and nipple discharge; considering these symptoms, it is easy to appreciate how mastitis can make nursing very difficult.
Indeed, mastitis can prevail when a mother experiences difficulty with breastfeeding. Learning proper latching-on and feeding techniques is essential to preventing mastitis: when the breast is not fully drained during a session, the milk duct is at an elevated risk for infection. But mastitis can occur through no fault of the mother: the strenuous process of birth can leave her immune system weak and vulnerable to any infection. Additionally, if the baby is in poor health, they are more likely to harbor bacteria in the mouth and throat, which can find its way into the mother’s breast.
While Western medicine is effective at treating mastitis through the use of antibiotics and painkillers, some new mothers worry that the medication can be passed on through breastfeeding, adversely affecting the developing child. Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a drug-free, natural treatment option for preventing and treating mastitis. Our treatment at Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture in Park Slope treats mastitis by boosting your immune function to fight infection.
For new mother’s suffering from mastitis, acupuncture needling can provide instant relief from the pain of infection by releasing endorphins. Needling is also effective at reducing inflammation in the breast and clearing out blocked ducts. We recommend the use of herbs specific to nursing mothers, and consult on lifestyle adjustments that may be worsening your condition. Traditional Chinese Medicine is an effective approach to preventing infection or encouraging your recovery from mastitis. For new mothers in Brooklyn, our office is a resource for the natural treatment of postpartum issues. Call us today at (718) 398-3100.
Dr. Karen Thomas, D.C. L.Ac
Postpartum: Improving Low Milk Supply with Acupuncture
For new mother’s struggling to breastfeed because of low milk supply, acupuncture offers an alternative approach to stimulating milk production. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, low milk supply is linked to an insufficient flow of energy through the body. From a TCM perspective, the blood supply that nourished the placenta is converted into breast milk once the baby is born. This requires a certain amount of energy regulation that can be negatively impacted by loss of sleep, tending to the baby around the clock, and exhaustion from labor.
A woman’s natural ability to produce milk is subject to myriad factors which can negatively impact quality and quantity of milk production. To this end, TCM is applied uniquely to each individual. At Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture, we screen the individual for her particular impediment and create a course of chiropractic and acupuncture treatment that will help increase energy and improve milk supply.
Acupuncture is an external technique that focuses on stimulating milk production and release. Acupuncture works to stimulate milk secretion after childbirth by increasing prolactin levels in the blood. We can also positively impact breast milk production with nutrition. Herbal supplements and a protein-rich diet that includes organic, free range poultry and red meat form the basis of a healthy milk supply for your newborn. For a holistic approach to creating a healthful, productive supply of milk postpartum, call our office in Park Slope at (718) 398-3100 .
Dr. Karen Thomas, D.C. L.Ac
Post-Partum Acupuncture
With so much information and research devoted to fertility and the maintenance of a healthy pregnancy, it is easy to overlook the post-partum period. This too is a period of great hormonal upheaval and your body deserves a support network dedicated to helping you recover from labor and birth. Traditional Chinese Medicine dictates that a new mother’s qi and blood flow is significantly lowered after delivery. Besides treating post-partum and regulating hormonal imbalance, acupuncture after birth focuses on returning blood flow to the entire body and maximizing her qi.
It can stimulate milk production and is beneficial for many common post-partum ailments including:
- Depression and anxiety
- Mastitis
- C-section recovery
- Hemorrhoids
Receiving acupuncture treatment after birth is just as vital to a new mother as it is to a woman in the throes of the second trimester. At Community Chiropractic and Acupuncture, we are experienced in using acupuncture to increase the mother’s flow of healing energy. I can offer you professional perspective and insight that will give you a better understanding of what your body is going through and how you can participate in returning your body to a state of ideal reproductive health.
Congratulations on your new child! Let us help you to fully access the wonders of newfound motherhood by keeping your body in a state of good health and recovery. Call our office in Park Slope at (718) 398-3100.
Dr. Karen A. Thomas, D.C., L.Ac.
Second-trimester acupuncture
The second trimester is generally the most prosperous period of pregnancy. The period of intense hormonal change in the first trimester gives way to feelings of joy and excitement for what is to come. Women in this phase of their pregnancy (between weeks 13 and 27) can still reap the benefits of acupuncture. At Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture of Park Slope, we use acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine to maintain the health of the baby and mother-to-be at all phases of the pregnancy.
Acupuncture in the second trimester can help with a variety of commonly occurring ailments. By releasing endorphins, the body’s pain-killing chemical, acupuncture can ease the back pain brought on by the increasing weight and shifting center of gravity that the baby causes. Other regular complaints that we treat with acupuncture during the second trimester include:
- Edema (swelling)
- Heartburn
- High-blood pressure
- Hyper-tension
- Insomnia
- Stress/anxiety
Each problem will respond to a different set of acupuncture points. When performed properly, acupuncture is a safe and effective method for easing the common discomforts of pregnancy. The frequency of treatment you receive depends on your individual situation; if you have a specific complaint that has been interfering with your pregnancy, let us know so we can address it together. Call our office in Brooklyn at (718) 398-3100.
Dr. Karen Thomas, D.C., L.Ac.
First Trimester Acupuncture continued
Acupuncture is a safe and effective alternative to drug therapy for many pregnancy complaints. At Community Chiropractic and Acupuncture in Park Slope, our goal is to enhance the wellness of mother and child from conception to birth and beyond, using careful consideration, and the highest of safety standards. I want to show you how acupuncture can ease painful symptoms, reduce stress and ensure the proper growth and nurturing of the fetus from day one.
Acupuncture in the first trimester is highly effective at combatting the nausea of morning sickness and reducing stress levels of the mother, but it is also beneficial to the developing fetus. The placenta connects the fetus and the uterine wall, allowing the mother to move nutrients to the fetus and for the fetus to dispose of waste and carbon dioxide through the mother’s blood supply. By improving blood flow to the placenta, acupuncture facilitates an enhanced flow of nutrients from the mother to her developing fetus.
Acupuncture is a wonderful and safe option for supporting the optimal health of the mother and fetus during its early stages of development. I am a specialist in acupuncture for pregnancy and have been a member of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine since 1997. You can be confident that your body and your pregnancy will be treated with the utmost skill and care. If you are looking to optimize the health of your pregnancy through the power of acupuncture, I urge you to call our office in Brooklyn at (718) 398-3100.
Dr. Karen A. Thomas, D.C., L.Ac.