Category Archives: Acupuncture

How You Can Survive the Allergy Season

allergyImbalances in your body may come from a variety of causes, which includes stress, poor diet, constitutional weakness, pollutants and environmental toxins. Imbalances that remain in the body over time will affect the function of the Organ Systems. As some Organ Systems are involved in the production of Wei Qi (pronounced “way chee”) this can lead to a further decrease of quantity and quality of your health. In the theories of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, it is important to have the correct quality and quantity of Wei Qi flowing within the body in order to stay healthy.

Understanding Wei Qi?

Wei Qi is similar to the Western concept of the immune system. Wei Qi functions to protect and defend the body against foreign substances, that if not caught can lead to allergies. When Wei Qi is strong and abundant, we remain healthy. When the supply of Wei Qi becomes deficient, health is compromised and we become vulnerable to foreign invaders such as dust, mold, animal dander, bacteria, viruses, and pollen.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine support and strengthen the systems of the body that are involved in the production of Wei Qi. By building up the supply of Wei Qi, and facilitating the smooth and free flow of it through the body, symptoms and signs related to allergies can be greatly reduced or eliminated.

Allergies according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be due to a variety of factors. Below are some of the more common TCM diagnoses that your acupuncturist

may discover and treat.

  • Wei Qi deficiency
  • Spleen weakness
  • Kidney deficiency
  • Lung deficiency

How Can An Acupuncturist Help?

An acupuncturist will conduct a thorough exam, taking a complete health history. They will then develop a unique treatment plan that will address your specific concerns. The goals of the treatment plan will be to eliminate visible symptoms and signs, while addressing the root cause(s) and underlying imbalances affecting the quality and quantity of Wei Qi.

Acupuncture treatments may be combined with herbs, dietary changes, massage (tuina), or exercise. These therapies accelerate the healing process in order to balance, build, and support the body’s Wei Qi.

Tips for Survivng Allergy Season:

  1. Flush your nose with a Neti pot.
  2. Add spicy foods and omega-3′s to your diet.
  3. Keep your windows closed during allergy season to prevent dust and pollen from entering.
  4. Put on a dust mask when you are doing yard or house work.
  5. Do not hang your clothes out to dry in the sun, as they will gather dust, mold and pollen.
  6. Come in for an acupuncture tune-up.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are both drug-free, safe, natural and effective way to eliminate hay fever, allergies or the common cold.

Dr. Jay Sordean and The Redwood Clinic in Berkeley, California can help you better cope with allergy season. Call us at today (510) 849-1176 to set up a consultation.

Can Acupuncture Help Relieve Your Neck Pain?

neckModern times has led way to many life saving and modern convenience type lifestyles. We have become aware of the horrible neck pain that can sometimes occur in association to a whiplash injury. A more serious rising concern is related to people who suffer from chronic neck discomfort or are predisposed to acute and chronic neck pain due to their occupation. In recent years this neck pain and strain is also crossing over into our school age children. People who perform repetitive tasks including sitting for prolonged periods of time and while using their upper extremities are at a greater risk of developing neck pain. This is particularly concerning for the future when you think of the number of children that sit for hours each day. To add insult to injury our non working hours are filled with playing video games, surfing the net, and most commonly, usuage of our mobile phones.

The neck is one of the most flexible—and delicate—parts of the body. Throughout the day, many of us put stress on our neck without even realizing it. Unfortunately, this can result in a literal “pain in the neck,” causing stiffness, pain and limited movement in the neck and even the shoulders and arms.

If you suffer from neck pain, whether it is occasional or chronic, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may just provide the relief you need. In recent years, acupuncture has become well known as an effective treatment for various types of painful disorders. Acupuncture and TCM provide a natural, safe approach to treating neck pain and whiplash.

Why Does My Neck Hurt?

Neck pain can be caused by a wide range of factors, including wear-and-tear, strains or sprains, or inflammation. A few of the most common culprits include:

  • Bad posture: Bending or hunching forward for prolonged periods can cause strains (overstretched muscles), sprains (injuries to ligaments) or other problems. This can happen at work when sitting in front of the computer, during long drives, when reading in bed or even talking on the phone. Sleeping in an awkward position is another common cause.
  • Injuries, trauma and motor vehicle accidents: This is a major cause of acute neck pain and whiplash. Common injuries include falls, sports-related injuries, direct trauma and auto accidents.
  • Medical conditions: Conditions such as arthritis can cause chronic pain and stiffness. Herniated disks in the neck can also cause pain, as can illnesses like the flu. Jaw injuries or conditions may also cause neck pain.
  • Stress: Being stressed or anxious can cause tension in the muscles of your neck, shoulders and back.

Neck pain according to TCM can be caused by a variety of factors. Below are some of the more common TCM diagnoses that your acupuncturist may discover and treat.

  • Overuse
  • Strain
  • Muscle tension
  • Invasion of cold, wind and/or damp
  • Bi Syndrome

Can Acupuncture Be A Solution?

A study published in British Medical Journal states that, “Acupuncture can be a safe form of treatment for patients with chronic neck pain if the objective is to obtain relief from pain related to movement and to improve cervical mobility. As neck pain may be a chronic condition, single forms of treatment may be inadequate, and acupuncture merits consideration.” Other studies suggest that acupuncture can treat degenerative disorders of the neck and spine. According to a study published by U.S. National Institutes of Health in 2010, it was concluded that, “Traditional acupuncture can relieve pain intensity and improve the quality of daily life with a relative long-term clinical efficacy in patients with chronic neck pain.”

Acupuncture and TCM take a holistic, or whole-body, approach to health. In TCM, Qi (pronounced “chee”) is the vital energy that animates the body and protects it from illness. It flows through pathways called meridians to nourish all of the body’s organs, muscles and cells. When there is an imbalance or blockage in the flow of Qi, physical symptoms such as pain may result.

Naturally Safe with No Side Effects.

Your practitioner will take a detailed health history and perform a physical exam to find out where and why your body’s vital energies have become blocked and out of balance. He or she will work to not only relieve your pain, but to identify and treat the underlying causes. During treatment, fine, sterile needles will be inserted at specific points along the meridian pathways in order to restore the balance and flow of Qi. Your practitioner may also perform acupressure or other types of therapy, based on your unique issues and symptoms.

Your practitioner may also recommend herbs, changes in diet, stretches and other exercises to work in conjunction with acupuncture treatment. These adjunct therapies help you regain your health and prevent future problems. By working together with your acupuncturist—and taking good care of yourself—you will be on your way to a healthier, pain-free future before you know it.

Dr. Jay Sordean and The Redwood Clinic in Berkeley, California can help relieve your neck pain. Call us at today (510) 849-1176 to set up a consultation.

Look at Your Options for Treating Multiple Sclerosis

MSMultiple Sclerosis, also known as MS, is a complex condition that currently affects hundreds of thousands of people in the United States alone. This chronic disease causes uncomfortable, sometimes debilitating symptoms that can make it difficult to perform even simple everyday tasks.

What is Known of this Unstable Disease Process

The exact cause or causes of MS are not yet understood, and currently there is no specific cure, although many advances have been made in the treatment in recent years. Western medicine defines MS as an autoimmune condition, which is a condition that occurs when the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. With MS, the immune system appears to attack and break down a substance called myelin, the sheath that surrounds the nerve fibers of the central nervous system. Myelin is an insulation layer between nerve cells that helps to maintain the speed of transmission through the nerves as well as preventing cross communication between nerve cells. As the myelin sheath is eroded away so does the speed and quality of communication between the brain and the body.  In the early stages of the myelin eroding there are very few if any symptoms.

However, when myelin insulation layer is “broken” and the nerve cells of the spinal cord and brain are exposed, nerve impulses are slowed down and cross communicated, leading to a progression of neurological related problems. So of the more common neurological symptoms include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Loss of balance
  • Poor coordination
  • Slurred speech
  • Fatigue
  • Memory problems
  • Numbness or weakness of the limbs

The symptoms of MS vary from person to person, can range from minor to severe and can even disappear for periods of time only to flare up unexpectedly.

Options for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Depending upon your symptoms and the progression of the disease, your doctor may suggest medications designed to slow the disease and/or medications for the symptoms.

It is important to take an active role in your treatment. More and more, people living with MS are choosing to complement their Western treatment with acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Acupuncture and TCM can provide a safe, natural way for those living with MS to stay as healthy as possible. Including acupuncture and TCM in your treatment plan can help boost your overall health and relieve symptoms. Practitioners of TCM view MS differently than Western medicine practitioners, taking into account each individual’s overall health, lifestyle and emotional well-being—not just their symptoms.

TCM is based on the concept that Qi (pronounced “chee”), or vital energy, flows through the body in channels called meridians. If Qi becomes stagnant, unbalanced or deficient, symptoms such as those linked to MS can result. This can occur for any number of reasons, from an inherited constitutional imbalance or illness to stress or an external invader such as wind or dampness.

Your practitioner will work to determine the condition at the root of your symptoms in order to create a treatment plan. For example, the muscular stiffness and numbness associated with MS are often related to excessive dampness within the meridians, or a deficiency in the liver and kidney organ systems.

Based on their diagnosis, your acupuncture practitioner will work to balance the Qi in the body’s organ systems by manipulating corresponding points on the body with hair-thin acupuncture needles. While acupuncture alone can’t cure MS, it has been found to be particularly useful in managing symptoms such as pain, muscle spasms and bladder problems.

Helpful Tips For Living with MS

MS can have an impact on every part of your life. To help support both your physical and emotional well-being, your practitioner may suggest some of these lifestyle changes and self-care techniques.

  • Herbal remedies – Your practitioner may provide herbs or nutritional supplements designed to help relieve symptoms and boost your overall health. Be sure to let your other health care providers know if you take supplements in order to avoid any potential drug interactions.
  • Staying cool – Heat can make symptoms of MS worse. Tepid baths, cool drinks and air conditioning may help make you more comfortable.
  • Exercise – Yoga and Qi Gong can help improve strength, balance and depression. Consider adding gentle aerobic exercise as well to improve your overall health and reduce stress.
  • Stress relief – Stress can exacerbate symptoms and cause other health problems, so it’s important to keep your stress levels in check. Meditation or deep-breathing techniques can help you stay calm and relaxed. Massage is another great way to help relieve stress and loosen tense muscles. If your anxiety becomes overwhelming, consider talking to a professional.

MS is a serious condition, but many people with MS live long, happy, fulfilled lives. Acupuncture and TCM can provide the support you need to cope with MS and its effects. If you or someone you love is facing MS, contact an acupuncturist today.

Dr. Jay Sordean and The Redwood Clinic in Berkeley, California can help you live with MS. Call us at today (510) 849-1176 to set up a consultation.

A Safe and Natural Approach to IBS

IBSIrritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a complex disorder which affects the intestines ability to effectively move their contents; most often too fast but other times too slow. The main symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and/or constipation. Less frequently occurring symptoms of IBS include headaches, fatigue, depression and anxiety. Symptoms are often triggered by stress, dietary changes, emotional upsets, hormone levels and even medications.

Offering a Safe Natural Approach

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can offer a safe, effective, natural and drug-free way to address IBS. This holistic healthcare system looks at the body differently than Western medicine. According to Chinese medicine, the body is like a garden that must be cultivated and maintained in order to grow strong and remain healthy. Good health happens when all of the organs and meridian systems are balanced and working together.

How Can We Help?

According to Chinese medical theories, there are several possible causes for IBS including imbalances of the spleen, liver, or kidneys.

One of these is an imbalance of the spleen. The spleen is the organ in charge of digestion and assimilation of foods and liquids. One of the main functions of the spleen is to aid in the production of spleen Qi. Spleen Qi is the energy that provides power and nourishment for the entire body. Another function of the spleen is to produce blood from the food it breaks down and to convert it into usable energy to power your body. If your spleen isn’t properly cared for, the body’s energy levels will not be supported and illness may occur. The spleen is easily affected and weakened by poor eating habits and diet, antibiotics, excessive worry, or a weak constitution. When a weakened spleen cannot metabolize or process food efficiently, “dampness” appears in the body. Dampness occurs when rotting, undigested food sits in the gut, causing a variety of symptoms. If dampness “rises” to your head, you may experience headaches, a “foggy” feeling and an inability to concentrate. Over time, dampness can lead to bloating, fullness and loose stools.

Another possible scenario is an imbalance in the liver. According to Chinese medicine, the liver is associated with emotional health. Stress and anger directly influence the function of your liver. Alcohol, drugs and medications, or a poor diet further compromise its function. When this happens, your liver energy overflows, in a figurative sense, and attacks the spleen. If your spleen is already weakened, it can be easily overcome. The result can be stress-induced IBS. If your liver is compromised, you may experience alternating diarrhea and constipation, as well as bloating, gas, headaches, and dull pain. In this case, your liver may be the root of the problem, and your spleen the secondary problem.

An imbalance in kidney Yang could also cause IBS symptoms. Kidney Yang is energy that provides warmth for your body. This energy warms up your spleen to aid in the digestion and breakdown of food. If your kidney energies are compromised, you may experience early-morning diarrhea and possibly bladder incontinence, cold limbs, weak knees and a sore back.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can create a clear picture of the root imbalance(s) that lead to IBS symptoms. When you meet with your practitioner, he or she will determine what organ and meridian systems are contributing to your IBS. They may also suggest adjunct therapies such as herbs, dietary changes, breathing techniques and exercises in order to maximize your healing.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can provide a safe, natural, drug-free and effective way to address IBS.

Dr. Jay Sordean and The Redwood Clinic in Berkeley, California can help you with your IBS. Call us at today (510) 849-1176 to set up a consultation.

Natural Flu Prevention with Acupuncture

fluEvery year, complications from the flu virus cause tens of thousands of people to be hospitalized. Regrettably, most of us do suffer with the “flu,” or “influenza,” virus at least once in our lifetime. The symptoms and signs linked with the virus are very familiar: fever, sore throat, congestion, fatigue, muscle and body aches, runny nose, dry cough, sneezing, watery eyes and generally feeling miserable.

Although colds are recognizably less severe than the flu, the same viruses and germs cause colds. The symptoms that colds produce are less severe and may include: nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, and light headaches. Though it may make you feel miserable, getting a cold is not always un-beneficial. Instead recognize that it is a sign that the body’s resources are strong and vital, and working hard to return you to a state of good health. However, if your immune system is already depleted, a cold could further weaken your body, leaving you open to a more serious illness.

Strengthening You Immune System

Clinical studies have suggested that using acupuncture as a preventative approach to colds and flu can reduce the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection and shorten the length of the illness should you become ill. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine work by re-balancing the body’s systems, regulating the body’s healing energies, which in turn enhances the immune system.

We are surrounded by germs, bacteria, and viruses. They are in the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink and are necessary for our Earth’s life balancing ecosystem. Illness occurs from these organisms when certain organ systems are weak and out of balance. When our bodies are in a weakened and unbalanced state, a hospitable environment is created for germs, bacteria and viruses to thrive, leading to the expression of a cold or flu.

One strong foundation supporting acupuncture and its treatment of the strains of the cold and flu virus is Wei Qi.

Understanding Wei Qi

The concept of Wei Qi is similar to the Western concept of the immune system. Wei Qi functions as a barrier protecting and defending the body against foreign substances, which can cause illness and disease. When Wei Qi is strong and abundant, we remain healthy. When the supply of Wei Qi becomes inadequate, health is compromised and we become vulnerable to outside intruders.

Gifts for Health:

  • Drink a minimum of eight to ten glasses of clean water throughout the day.
  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat a healthy, balanced, and preferably organic diet, which includes foods with beta carotene (carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, garlic and tomatoes)
  • Limit the amount of sugar. Sugar taxes the immune system, especially when feeling under the weather
  • Take Vitamin C and herbs to support the immune system, especially in the “cold and flu” season. Please ask for assistance.
  • Get plenty of rest
  • Enjoy with fun and relaxing activities
  • Stimulate specific acupuncture points that support Wei Qi
  • Follow a regular acupuncture program to support the body’s self-regulating, self-balancing and healing systems

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are drug free, safe, natural and effective ways to support and be pro-active in strenghthening the body’s self-regulating, self-balancing and healing systems. If illness does occur, acupuncture can help you get back on your feet again, helping to stave off prolonged illness without the use of medication and over-the-counter drugs.

Dr. Jay Sordean and The Redwood Clinic in Berkeley, California can help you treat flu naturally. Call us at today (510) 849-1176 to set up a consultation.

Don’t Fear Cancer, Fight Cancer!

cancerOne of the most feared words today is Cancer. The diagnosis that often elicits a strong emotional response. It can leave you feeling frightened, uncertain, hopeless, helpless and powerless. If you or a loved one are facing cancer, it’s important to have hope. In many cases, cancer can be cured, especially when it’s detected early. There are more treatments available now than ever before to cure cancer or slow it from spreading, relieve its symptoms, and help you live a healthier life.

It’s also important to know that you have options in addition to standard medical therapies. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have been used for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of conditions. It can safely be used to naturally support your body and mind as you undergo conventional cancer treatments.

Helping You Understand Treatments And Their Side Effects

Cancer is an overall term for a group of diseases that occur when cells begin to reproduce abnormally, eventually damaging or killing healthy tissue. Most cancers are named according to where they begin in the body, and there are more than 100 different types. The most common are breast cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer.

Your treatment plan will be based on many factors, including the type and stage (how far it has spread) of the cancer and your overall health. While cancer treatments have proven to be effective, they do have serious side effects to take into account. The most common treatments include:

Surgery: Performed to remove the cancer if possible. Surgery may be used alone or along with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or biological therapy.

Chemotherapy: The use of medications to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy generally lasts from 3 to 9 months, and can have side effects including fatigue, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, early menopause, and hot flashes.

Radiation therapy: The use of high doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells. Side effects generally include fatigue, hair loss, and skin darkening at the site of the treatment.

Biological therapy: This treatment works by boosting the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. Side effects depend on the specific type of therapy, but they can include rashes or swelling, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite.

How Can Traditional Chinese Medicine Help?

Fu Zhen means strengthening what is correct. It is an immune enhancing herbal regimen using specific herbs. The objective is to support and stimulate deep energy systems within the body to make it stronger and more resistant to degeneration.

Gu Ben refers to strengthening and supporting the body to regenerate and repair.

Treatments may include:

  • Removing toxins that may contribute to cancer
  • Increasing the flow of blood and Qi
  • Removing accumulations of tissue that are believed to be the tumor
  • Restoring self-regulation and balance among the Jing, Qi and Shen

The Network of Support

Acupuncture and TCM have been used for thousands of years to maintain health and relieve symptoms. Practitioners work to treat imbalances in the body’s Qi, or vital energy, by inserting fine, sterile needles at specific acupoints.

Since acupuncture has few side effects, it can be safely used as a complement to conventional cancer treatments. In fact, in many cancer cases it’s recommended as a way to soothe and reduce side effects. According to the National Institutes of Health, acupuncture has been found to be effective in relieving:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Post-surgical pain

Acupuncture and TCM can also help relieve stress, depression, and anxiety, which can greatly improve your quality of life during this challenging time.

In addition to acupuncture, your practitioner may also provide massage, acupressure, nutritional counseling, or an exercise program designed to help you stay as healthy as possible. He or she may also recommend herbal medicines or vitamin supplements.

Remember to always communicate with your health care providers about these and any other medications you take in order to avoid any drug interactions.

Treating the person, not just the disease Acupuncture practitioners take a holistic, or whole-body, approach to cancer care. This means that not only will your symptoms be considered, but also your lifestyle, emotional state, and overall health. Your whole being will be taken into account, not just the cancer. When you work with your practitioner to improve your health and relieve your side effects, you are not only helping yourself get the most from conventional treatments, you’re taking back the control of your own life.

The American College of Chest Physicians recommends that acupuncture be used for patients who experience fatigue, dyspnea, chemo-therapy induced neuropathy or to soothe symptoms of pain or nausea and vomiting. Especially in patients who have cancer of the lungs.

Dr. Jay Sordean and The Redwood Clinic in Berkeley, California can help you cope with your cancer. Call us at today (510) 849-1176 to set up a consultation.

Create a Treatment Plan to Tackle Your Autoimmune Disease

ResultsOver fifty million Americans are living with the diagnoses of an autoimmune disease. These diseases go by many names: Lupus, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and Crohn’s disease just to name a few. If you are facing one of these life long conditions, you know how crucial it is to have a treatment plan in place to help you manage your symptoms to help you live the healthiest, most active life as possible.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be powerful allies in living with an autoimmune disease. They can help:

  • Strengthen your immune system
  • Relieve painful symptoms
  • Reduce your stress
  • Bolster your overall health

Perhaps most importantly, your practitioner will focus on YOU as an individual. Your care will be tailored to your specific needs and symptoms, so you won’t ever receive a “one-size-fits-all” treatment.

What Went Wrong?

To understand autoimmune disease, we must first understand how the immune system works. The immune system generally acts as the body’s protection against foreign substances and microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. When the immune system is working properly, it can tell the difference between the body’s own tissues and outside organisms.

In the case of autoimmune diseases the immune system stops being able to differentiate, and begins to attack the body’s own cells, tissues, and organs. This immune response causes harmful inflammation that eventually leads to an autoimmune condition. There are about 80 recognized autoimmune diseases, and several other conditions such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and fibromyalgia that are currently believed to have an autoimmune component.

Autoimmune conditions are often difficult to diagnose and treat because their symptoms and progression can vary from person to person. These conditions may either affect many organs or target one specific part of the body. The symptoms may be persistent, get progressively worse, or go into remission with occasional “flare-ups,” and can range from being mild to so severe that they become disabling.

The exact causes of autoimmune diseases are unknown, but since many conditions run in families, it’s believed there is a genetic relationship. Since women are at a much higher risk for many autoimmune diseases, hormones may also play a part.

Treatments generally rely upon a variety of medications, which can help to relieve symptoms, but may have uncomfortable side effects.

Cooperating Together for Better Health

Acupuncture and TCM take a holistic, or whole body approach to healing based on the idea of Qi, or vital energy. Qi flows through pathways called meridians to nourish all of the body’s organs, protect us from illness and keep us healthy. When the flow of Qi becomes diminished or blocked, disease can result.

The goal of treatment will be to find and treat the underlying imbalances that are affecting the flow of Qi. By addressing the root cause of the disease, TCM can help your body regain balance and help improve your overall health. Acupuncture and TCM can also help reduce inflammation, soothe uncomfortable symptoms, relieve side effects from medication, and increase your energy levels.

During treatment, fine, sterile needles will be inserted at specific points along the meridians in order to unblock any obstruction and allow Qi to flow freely. Your practitioner may also help improve your nutrition, reduce your stress, or start you on an exercise program.

In addition, your practitioner may recommend herbal remedies and supplements designed to support your health and boost your immune system. It’s important to communicate with all of your health providers in order to maximize your healing potential.

Acupuncture and TCM have proven effective against a wide variety of health concerns. By incorporating these powerful tools into your treatment program, you’re making the decision to support and nourish your body and take control of your autoimmune condition.

Dr. Jay Sordean and The Redwood Clinic in Berkeley, California can help you cope with your Autoimmune Disease. Call us at today (510) 849-1176 to set up a consultation.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, How Can an Acupuncturist Help?

CarpalTunnelDo you experience tingling, numbness, loss of sensation or power in your hand or fingers? Do you wake up with these symptoms or do these symptoms wake you up at night? Do you have pain that radiates from your wrist to your shoulder? Is holding or working with small objects difficult? If so, you could be suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), an uncomfortable and sometimes disabling condition that affects several million people worldwide.

The good news is that lifestyle changes can relieve symptoms, and there are many treatments available to help. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can effectively treat CTS without side effects or harmful medications.

Understanding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist that protects the median nerve which innervates the hand as well as tendons that control the fingers. This nerve controls sensation and muscle movements in the hand. If the carpal tunnel becomes narrowed from swelling or injury, the nerve is compressed and impinged. This can cause numbness, pain, and severe weakness in the hands.

There are several causes of CTS, but the main culprit is repetitive flexion and extension of the tendons in the hands and wrists, especially when performed for long periods, leading to Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI).

Symptoms usually start with dull wrist pain that gradually worsens. Other symptoms may include:

  • Loss of feeling in the fingers
  • Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the fingers or hand
  • Pain extending from the wrist up the arm to the shoulder or down into the palm or fingers
  • Weakness in the hands and difficulty holding objects

How do Acupuncturists Help Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Typically, treatment for CTS is based on how severe the symptoms are, and may include immobilizing the wrist and hand, using anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids to reduce swelling, and surgery in severe cases. Acupuncture and TCM can safely be used in conjunction with Western treatments to relieve CTS symptoms.

Self-care for a pain-free life

Actively taking part in your treatment is key. Consider these self-care techniques:

  • Take plenty of breaks during the day, especially if you perform repetitive tasks.
  • Try yoga to increase your flexibility and strength.
  • Remember to gently stretch your hands, arms, and shoulders throughout the day.
  • If you work at a computer, consult an ergonomics specialist to ensure that your workstation is set up properly.
  • Ask your practitioner about supplements such as B2, B6, and Omega-3 fatty acids for reducing numbness and inflammation.

Studies suggest that acupuncture can both reduce swelling of soft tissue and stimulate production of cortisol, a hormone that reduces inflammation. Since CTS is caused by the swelling of the soft tissue that leads to inflammation of the carpal tunnel, acupuncture can be effective in treating CTS. In addition to improving your CTS, treatment may also improve other symptoms often associated with this condition such as headaches, neck pain, and shoulder stiffness. More importantly, acupuncture and TCM can help relieve the emotional stress of living with this painful condition.

Your practitioner will create a unique, personalized treatment plan designed to address your body’s imbalances. During treatment, fine, sterile needles will be inserted at specific acupoints along the meridians in order to support and strengthen your body and eliminate pain.

Your practitioner may also recommend herbal remedies, vitamin supplements, massage, and stretching as part of your treatment.

Acupuncture and TCM offer a safe, pain-free, natural way to treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. With proper care, you can recover from CTS. As you continue with treatment, you may even find that your overall health and well being improve along with your symptoms.

Dr. Jay Sordean and The Redwood Clinic in Berkeley, California can help you with your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Call us at today (510) 849-1176 to set up a consultation.