Posts Tagged ‘acupuncture’
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.
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.
Why is it important to see a licensed acupuncturist?
Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine based on a method of study that manipulates strategic points along the body. Together these points form a map known as the energy meridian. When thin needles are inserted into these points, corresponding parts of the body can be isolated and targeted for therapy.
It is important, therefore, to have the treatment performed by a professional who is trained in the application of the science of acupuncture. At Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture, we use acupuncture specifically to treat pain resulting from trauma, sports injuries and repetitive stress injuries. Most studies indicate that needle acupuncture, when practiced regularly by skilled hands, can relieve pain in a matter of weeks.
Acupuncture is one of the safest forms of therapy and has far fewer side effects than traditional methods of treating pain. When combined with sound chiropractic therapy, acupuncture can create a multi-dimensional blueprint for your specific ailment. My team at Community Chiropractic and Acupuncture in Brooklyn wants to show you how acupuncture can be added to your treatment plan in order to weaken the hold that chronic pain has on your life.
Dr. Karen A. Thomas, Chiropractic Neurologist and Licensed Acupuncturist
Nutrition
Diet and Nutrition
They’re right. You ARE – and WILL BE – what you eat.
Foods. Fluids. Supplements. Dietary aids. Medicines. All contribute to the bio-chemical makeup of our bodies.
Many people do not maintain healthy diets and may suffer from digestive disorders and other conditions aggravated by poor eating habits. Studies show that 80% of American adults are chronically dehydrated. The balance of macro-nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats), as well as micro-nutrients (vitamins, minerals, and enzymes), is essential for the cells and organs of the body to function properly. Poor supplies of macro- and micro-nutrients to the cells and tissues make it difficult for the body to work properly. Sluggish cell activity may result in overall body fatigue, susceptibility to infection, chronic inflammatory disorders – including digestive problems, arthritis, and allergies.
In the emerging field of nutrigenomics studies show that all ‘sizes’ of nutrients do not fit all people. In other words, every individual has an optimal caloric standard, as well as a nutritional combination that best suits them. The science of nutrigenomics advocates that we adopt an ODA (Optimal Daily Allowance) to reflect this finding, and abandon the model of RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) that is based on a generalized global ‘minimum’ of nutrients necessary to avoid disease.
The current so-called “Modern American Diet” is high in meat sources, processed foods, sweets, colas, alcohol, coffee, tobacco, and pharmacologic medications. This diet contributes to a high-acid (low pH) condition in the body that injures cells and impairs the ability of the body’s organs – including the brain – to function optimally.
The American diet and its resulting high levels of systemic acids is made worse with the sedentary lifestyle many people have adopted. Inactivity does further damage to the internal workings of the body. Lack of fresh air, shallow breathing, and reduced oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange add to the body’s acidic state.
Systemic acidosis is associated with chronic inflammatory disorders (arthritis, lumbago, headache), auto-immune diseases (RA, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia), cardio-vascular disorders (leading to increased risk of heart attack and stroke) and even certain types of cancer.
The good news is that we are ever changing organisms and many high-risk conditions can be reversed with improvements in diet and nutrition.
At Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture, with re-education, instruction, and routine monitoring we help patients recover their health. We recommend dietary changes, vitamin and mineral supplements and new eating habits.
Increasing intake of healthy proteins like chicken, fish, or non-meat sources such as beans and nuts; fresh leafy green vegetables; complex carbohydrates, and thirst-quenching health drinks invigorate the cells, the organs, and the entire body.
With a helping hand, food choices and eating habits improve. Results become evident with more energy, less pain, clearer mental function and lost inches.
A healthy diet that includes appropriate, individually prescribed nutritional supplements, is essential to rebuilding lasting health and well-being. No one is ‘put on a diet’. We educate and encourage informed healthy choices. As you learn about and make improved food choices, you will begin to look better and feel healthier.
Energy Balance
Acupuncture / Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Increasing Energy Flow, Establishing Balance & Creating Internal Harmony
TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is an ancient healing art founded nearly 4,000 years ago in the Buddhist monasteries of China and Tibet. It integrates spiritual beliefs with theories of life-force and bio-energetics, Qi ( or Chi, pronounced “chee”). The priests treated members of their communities with herbs, animal products, acupuncture, cupping (pressure cups applied to the back), and moxabustion (a warming herb that is ‘smoked’ along meridian points). Needle acupuncture (insertion of thin, sterile needles along energy points of the body) evolved from a discernment of energy meridian points along the skin’s surface that correlates with organs such as the lungs, liver, stomach and kidneys. All forms of body disharmony, illness and disease are effectively treated by restoring harmony to the qi along the meridians and thus healing organs and body systems.
Western medicine is currently researching the ways in which TCM and acupuncture actually work. Modern science has developed the technology to detect and measure the subtle bio-energy and confirm the acupuncture points along the meridians. Although this research is still ongoing, Western medicine has acknowledged the positive health effects of TCM, particularly needle acupuncture.
According to TCM, the meridians traverse all tissues and organ systems of the body. As a result acupuncture can affect all aspects of health.
At Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture located in Park Slope, Brooklyn 11215, acupuncture treatment is provided for musculo-skeletal conditions including:Repetitive stress injuries such as CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from clicking the computer mouse)Sports injuries involving nerves, muscles, joints, discs, ligaments, and tendonsTrauma due to work accidents, motor vehicle accidents or personal injuries
Dr. Thomas, a Brooklyn Chiropractor & Acupuncturist helps treat disorders of bodily systems, including:Digestive system treatment (irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); constipation; acid reflux; bloating and gas)Respiratory system treatment (colds; flu; asthma; allergies; sinusitis)Reproductive system (premenstrual syndrome (PMS); infertility; menopausal complications; dysmennorhea)Emotional disturbances (post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); depression; anxiety)Aging (arthritis; memory loss; motor and sensory changes)Behavioral (smoking cessation; eating disorders)