Posts Tagged ‘western medicine’
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.
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