Blog
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.
Acupuncture for First-Trimester Pregnancies
How can you ease the discomforts of pregnancy and fight back against the aches without the use of medication? For many women in the early stages of pregnancy, suffering from mild to severe symptoms of morning sickness, this is a question that can be answered with acupuncture. It is a safe treatment that is shown to relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting and reduce stress levels during the first phase of pregnancy. At Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture, you can trust in being treated by a licensed practitioner who has a wealth of experience using acupuncture to support the maintenance of a healthy pregnancy.
In the first trimester, as the body commences with fetal development and prepares for the physical changes to come, hormonal adjustments can cause stress and irritability, raising cortisol levels. Raised cortisol levels can hamper progesterone production, a hormone that nurtures the fetus. Acupuncture works to correct the imbalance of hormones by boosting the body’s production of endorphins, naturally lowering cortisol levels.
An early side effect of pregnancy that tends to show up between weeks six and seven is the nausea associated with morning sickness. These external symptoms are likely caused by intense hormonal changes in the body. We focus on gently needling points along the insides of the wrists, which has been shown to ease the severity of nausea and vomiting during the first trimester.
We want to maximize your health and the health of your baby from day one of your pregnancy; acupuncture is an effective tool in this endeavor. If you are seeking the benefits of acupuncture to support the early phase of your pregnancy, call our office in Park Slope at (718) 398-3100.
Dr. Karen A. Thomas, D.C., L.Ac.
Acupuncture for Fertility
Acupuncture is the practice of gently inserting thin needles into strategic points along the body. There are fourteen major pathways known as meridians which regulate the flow of qi, or energy, throughout the body and its internal organs. In this immense network, there are over 2,000 points that can be used to treat all forms of body disharmony. For couples looking to become pregnant, acupuncture increases the chance of conception without the side effects associated with fertility drugs.
I am excited about acupuncture’s role in treating infertility. Acupuncture facilitates enhanced blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, which means a higher amount of nutrients flowing to the egg. It reduces stress and balances the endocrine system, which is vital to a woman’s chance of conceiving.
When stress is reduced, great things happen! Acupuncture reduces stress, which is linked to fertility in both men and women. When stress is elevated, the hormone cortisol is released in higher volumes, creating endocrine system imbalance. This balance is vital to the entire conception process. Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins in the brain, which negates the effects of cortisol release. Your mood will improve and so will your chances of pregnancy.
Fertility drugs do improve pregnancy chances, but are linked to side effects such as bloating, weight gain and nausea. Acupuncture, achieves the same end goal with little to no side effect. It stimulates the hypothalamus to maintain healthy homeostasis, balances the entire endocrine system and regulates reproductive hormones. I have experience and expertise to offer you in your quest to conceive. Call our office in Park Slope today at (718) 398-3100.
Karen A. Thomas D.C., L.Ac.
Replacing coffee with green tea
Green tea is no joke. If you are looking for a way to make an instant positive impact on your overall health, green tea is a great place to start. Excessive caffeine consumption can lead to muscle spasms and back pain. Compared to a cup of black coffee, which generally hovers around 95 mg of caffeine per cup (8 oz.), green tea has considerably less caffeine: between 25-45 mg/cup. However, this disparity is more than offset by the health benefits that you reap from drinking green tea regularly. Besides fighting cardiovascular disease and cancer, besides its positive effect on skin complexion and its well-documented metabolism boosting effects, green tea is also great for back health.
Green tea is a fat burner. Boosting metabolism is a great way to start losing weight. With less weight to support, the spine is more likely to achieve its maximum health potential. Weight can also cause complications when trying to heal the back from acute injuries.
Drinking green tea helps the body break down toxic compounds, keeping them from harming cellular structures in the body. It backs up the bodies natural supply of antioxidants which fight to keep your cells and molecules healthy and free from the damage of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that are missing one electron in their outer shell; in order to fill this vacancy, they sometimes take an electron from another cell, resulting in damage to that cell. Damage occurs when free radicals set off a chain reaction and multiple cells are damaged; bones and soft tissue that support the back can be harmed by free radicals. Antioxidants work to stop these chain reactions. Green tea can help maintain healthy levels of antioxidants, including one of the most potent antioxidants known as Epigallocatechin Gallete.
Though we cannot say that green tea is the healthiest drink on the planet, we can say that replacing coffee with green tea will go a great length to helping your nervous system and overall musculoskeletal health. Green tea is just one example of diet’s affect on your overall well being. In conjunction with our chiropractic and acupuncture services in Park Slope, we offer nutritional advice to keep you feeling healthy and pain free. Our office in Brooklyn can be reached at (718) 398-3100, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Karen A. Thomas D.C., L.Ac.
The Wonders of Potassium
In keeping with the theme of nutrition and how it relates to spinal and overall health, I will highlight potassium, a common and crucial mineral found in the human body. Your body uses potassium to support a whole range of its most crucial functions- neurological signaling, kidney processes and muscle movement. It helps regulate the heart and its distribution of blood throughout the body. While it is recognized for all these effects, a less well-known benefit might be its key role in maintaining bone health. Potassium’s role finds itself in the middle of the fight to maintain fluid balance within and surrounding the cells.
As metabolic processes create acid byproducts, your blood, tissue and other fluids contribute alkaline compounds that they have captured and stored from food to create a steady pH balance. Your bones contain alkaline reserves that act as the last line of defense: when alkaline levels run low in the blood and other fluids, the bones can transfer these reserves to maintain balance. Bone structures are weakened when they are called upon to transfer their alkaline reserves.
This is where potassium steps in. Certain compounds contained within potassium act as alkalizing agents; they can neutralize the acid byproducts. They can be called upon to create fluid balance instead of draining the reserves from your bones, making them weaker. Lifestyle and national dieting trends have both contributed to a chronic shortage of potassium levels in the population. Convenient eating, processed foods and a shift away from eating well-sourced produce puts everyone in danger of potassium deficiency. The recommended daily amount for potassium intake is 4,700 mg for adults. Here are some easy food options that add significant potassium into your diet:
A medium sized baked potato = 800 mg
A medium sized banana= 450 mg
½ cup of avocado= 680 mg
½ cup of tomato paste= 1,221 mg
As we get older, we are already struggling from other factors that seek to weaken our bones. Potassium is a great tool for keeping your bones at optimal strength. Let us help you get the right amount of potassium into your diet. At Community Chiropractic and Acupuncture we practice a complementary approach to health that starts with nutrition. We then build upon this base line of a healthy diet with chiropractic treatment, acupuncture and exercise. If you are interested in finding out more about nutrition and its role in an overall body of health call our office in Brooklyn at (718) 398-3100 .
Karen A. Thomas D.C., L.Ac.