The drug Botox, created from botulism toxin, has become a popular treatment for wrinkles. It works by paralyzing muscles under the skin, thus smoothing the facial wrinkles. The medication is also used for patients experiencing severe muscle spasms, such as with cerebral palsy or torticollis. However, in rare cases, the toxin can spread in the body from the site of injection, causing paralysis in other body parts. Dozens of negative reactions have been reported, including individuals who have died when the toxin paralyzed their lungs and prevented breathing. People should be aware that these risks are present when deciding on a medical approach to cosmetic concerns.

There are facial acupuncture points which are used to tighten the muscles under the skin, decreasing wrinkles. An acupuncturist trained in cosmetic techniques can provide this treatment and give the patient acupressure points to stimulate manually at home as a follow-up program. Combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle, this can be quite effective in combating wrinkles.

A small study in Sweden of 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis found that a vegan, gluten-free (no animal products or wheat) diet offered some relief from the pain and restricted joint movement. Although the researchers could not explain why the diet helped, they found the patients experienced less inflammation and swelling in their joints, and blood tests showed lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. The diet is presumed to have stimulated some function of the patients’ immune systems to help combat the disease. It is one approach that patients can try without financial strain or risk of side effects.

Studies of patients suffering from Fibromyalgia used brain scans to demonstrate that these individuals’ brains process pain differently than most brains. As a result, these patients do not respond to conventional painkillers like aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, or prescription opiates such as Vicodin. In June of 2007, the FDA approved a drug called Lyrica for analgesic use for these patients. Many patients have responded very well to this medication, but it does frequently cause several troubling side effects, including weight gain, dizziness, edema, and sleepiness. I have also received reports from patients complaining that it caused them to become confused and disoriented, and that they suffered withdrawal symptoms including nausea and severe perspiration when the attempted to discontinue its use.

If your physician recommends that you try this drug, you may consider receiving acupuncture treatments also, in order to control the illness and limit the amount of the drug you require. For a patient unable to take this medication, a combination of oriental medicine, gentle physical therapy, and appropriate nutritional support may be the preferred means to combat your pain, faitgue, and associated symptoms.

There are two objectives when treating this (or any other) type of injury: decrease pain and inflammation of the injured area, and prevent further injuries. The proper use of acupuncture and physical therapy modalities can aid in healing the injury by increasing the local microcirculation and attracting white blood cells to the area. This will speed the healing rate and aid in the resolution of bruising and swelling, thus decreasing the local pain. In addition, these treatments restore internal physiological balance and structural harmony, strengthening the body’s function. Regular treatments can identify imbalances prior to the athlete experiencing any negative effects on his or her performance. A skilled physical therapist will also analyze any problems in athletic technique and provide appropriate stretching and strengthening exercises to enhance the future athletic performance.

Top athletes and professional sports teams have long employed PT’s to keep them in top performance shape. It has recently become much more common for them to also have an acupuncturist on staff to help treat injuries and keep them performing at their peak. At Golden Leaf, you can receive both services in one treatment session, not only saving time and money, but receiving the best possible care from a specialist who understands both disciplines and integrates them for the most effective approach to resolving your injury and returning you to your sport as quickly as possible. So call Golden Leaf and get back in the game!

Rates of asthma in children are increasing every year, and doctors have been unable to explain why. But according to a study done at the University of British Columbia in Canada, the cause may be over-prescription of antibiotics. Researchers compiled data from several studies including 12,000 children and found that infants who received antibiotics during their first year of life were twice as likely to develop asthma later on. Pediatricians often give infants antibiotics for minor infections and earaches, even though antibiotics only attack bacterial infections, not viral ones. Although the study did not prove that antibiotics directly cause asthma, it did indicate that judicious use of the drugs is indicated. Shonishen, a needle-free form of pediatric acupuncture, is extremely effective in stimulating the immune system of infants and children, assisting the body to rapidly kill off infections on its own. This not only decreases the risk of possibly developing asthma, it also minimizes the need for the drugs, thus delaying the child’s eventual resistance to various medications.

Osteoarthritis is the wearing away of the cartilage coating the bones at a joint. As the cartilage deteriorates, bone rubs on bone, causing inflammation and pain. Many individuals tend to respond by moving the joint less, avoiding stress to the area. This often causes muscular weakness and imbalances which pull the joint out of proper alignment, resulting in further deterioration. It is a vicious cycle for which there is no cure.

There are nearly as many approaches to treating arthritis as there are sufferers of the syndrome. Western medicine addresses the symptoms, attempting to relieve the pain, inflammation, and joint instability. Eastern medicine addresses the cause of the symptoms, attempting to balance blood and energetic nourishment to the joints. At Golden Leaf, I combine both approaches, relieving symptoms while enhancing the body’s natural healing abilities. I do this by combining acupuncture, physical therapy modalities, nutritional recommendations and supplements, and appropriate topical ointments. I also emphasize patient education regarding appropriate exercise levels, care of the joints, and prevention of further damage. If you’re suffering from arthritis, call Golden Leaf and find out what we can do together to help you to feel good again!

A new study out has found that 25% of people taking antidepressants were misdiagnosed and would recover without medical help. The study tracked 8,000 cases in America and found that one in four “depressed” patients were suffering a normal response to an emotional trauma, such as the loss of a loved one or a job. Unlike those who are truly clinically depressed, these people will naturally return to a normal emotional balance within a short time. However, when these people were seen by a physician, they also received a prescription for antidepressants. Americans are starting to think that any negative emotion is unnatural and that they should take medication for it. However, when we dull the pain with chemicals, not only does the patient have to deal with the side-effects of the pills, but we make it less likely for him to deal with the issues and make positive changes in his life.

Acupuncture is very often used to successfully balance the emotions without the after-effects of the medications. While just as successful, this approach allows the patient to remain clear-headed and alert, able to see the basis of his problems and deal with them.

Jumpy and aching legs can be very aggravating, and at night, disruptive to sleep, preventing a restful and recuperative sleep cycle. This syndrome has been receiving a lot of publicity recently, with television commercials touting the latest medications available. Unfortunately, the drugs are usually central nervous system depressants, anticonvulsants, or opioids (compounds created to mimic the effects of opium on the brain). These medications can be very beneficial, at least for a short time, but treating a leg problem by suppressing brain activity has consequences. Primarily, we need the brain to be active in sleep, producing dreams and managing other systems. Also, the brain has an amazing ability to accommodate to depressants, requiring ever-increasing doses to keep its function restrained. This suppression can spill over into the daytime in the form of mental sluggishness.

Fortunately, acupuncture is extremely effective for treating this problem, and has no side effects. Restless legs tend to occur due to an imbalance in the gallbladder energy, and 1 or 2 treatments plus a stretching program and the home use of a plum blossom hammer (an inexpensive device for stimulating the energetic pathway) for a few seconds prior to bedtime or when the symptoms occur usually resolves the problem. In addition, limiting the use of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco can help minimize the symptoms. Herbs or nutritional supplements of iron, folate, or magnesium may also be helpful. Exercise habits may need to be slightly altered as well, as they may be contributing to the problem. The holistic approach provided at Golden Leaf Health Services can help resolve the problem quickly and painlessly.

There are as many causes and types on neck and back pain as there are necks and backs. Often, by the time patients find my clinic, they have tried every approach they could think of, including medications, chiropractic, physical therapy, massage, etc. Frequently, I am told that all these treatments helped a little, but none completely resolved the problem. There seems to be a missing piece to the puzzle. Usually, the missing piece is the balance of the energetic flows. Treating only the structural manifestation while ignoring the underlying cause or contributing factors is a band-aid approach which will not bring lasting results. If there are internal or energetic imbalances contributing to the pain and tightness, they must be addressed in order for healing to take place. I address these patients’ problems in a holistic (whole body) manner. After a thorough interview and examination encompassing both eastern and western perspectives, I combine both the acupuncture and the physical therapy/manual therapy techniques indicated to resolve all facets of the problem. This comprehensive care resolves all aspects of the pain and tightness, allowing the body to balance itself on all levels and maintain a pain-free, normally functioning spine. . I then teach the patient appropriate exercises and care of his spine to allow him to maintain his pain-free state without continued clinic visits.

A common question I am often asked is whether acupuncture can help with weight loss. The answer is a qualified “maybe”. The qualifier is the source of the weight. If an individual is overweight due to over-eating, acupuncture can help to relieve the cravings for specific foods, but there are no magic needles to shrink fat cells. We can stimulate the metabolism and maximize the body’s use of the food it receives, but self-control will remain necessary in order to lose weight. The approach I take in treating weight loss is a holistic one. First, a history and examination must be completed to ensure that no disease processes exist, such as hypothyroidism. Then, energetic imbalances are addressed and treated with acupuncture. Finally, dietary and activity levels are addressed through patient education and physical therapy, if necessary. Many of us do not have the training to know what our body requires and when in order to maintain our ideal weight. Nutritional supplements or dietary changes are recommended to patients when necessary in order to balance the body’s metabolic processes and an appropriate personalized exercise/activity regime is developed to assist in achieving the patient’s goals.