People often ask, "Is acupuncture just for pain?" Far from it! Acupuncture is very effective for a huge array of conditions. Here are some conditions that my colleagues and I treat all the time, with very good results in many cases:
- Anxiety and stress - New Yorkers are stressed out! Each week, I see quite a few people coming with anxiety and stress as their main complaint. Acupuncture can help calm the central nervous system, soothe anxiety, and decrease stress. Ear points can be especially helpful for anxiety and stress. We use acupuncture and herbs to calm the spirit, both in the short term and over time. Many people ask if they can do acupuncture and herbs while taking prescribed medication for anxiety; this is not a problem at all, although it is important that the herbalist check for possible herb-drug interactions before recommending Chinese herbs.
- Depression and bipolar disorder - In a small study of women with major depression, the researchers found that acupuncture was helpful in treating the symptoms of depression. Acupuncture moves the qi (energy) which, when stagnant, can cause someone to become depressed. Depression is frequently accompanied by anxiety and a variety of physical symptoms, which also respond to acupuncture. I like to use essential oils to treat depression as well as acupuncture and herbs. Again, simultaneous treatment with prescribed medication is safe and can be very useful for people suffering from depression.
- Insomnia - There are lots of reasons that we can't sleep, and acupuncture can be very effective in addressing most of them. Frequent or chronic insomnia is usually caused by some imbalance in the body which manifests with difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Acupuncture and herbs work to correct these imbalances so that you can sleep at night. I also like to discuss someone's daytime and nighttime routines, so that sleep is less of a struggle.
- Infertility - There are different statistics out there, but some estimate that up to 10% of American women of childbearing age may have difficulty getting pregnant. Many of these women opt to use in vitro fertilization (IVF) or assisted reproductive therapy (ART), and there have been several studies showing that IVF or ART is significantly more likely to be successful if combined with acupuncture. This study on infertility is one of the more well-known - it indicated women who had acupuncture immediately before and after the IVF transfer had significantly higher rates of success with their IVF. Another option is for the patient to use acupuncture and herbs alone, without ART or IVF procedures.
- Migraines and chronic headaches - Anyone who has ever had a migraine knows that it can ruin your whole day. Imagine having a migraine or a severe headache almost every day, as some people do. Migraines and headaches can be triggered by many factors, but there is often an underlying condition that allows them to happen frequently. Acupuncture and herbs can help correct these underlying factors, whether it is altered circulation of qi and blood to the head, a tendency towards excessive heat or cold, stress that leads to migraines, or some other factor. I have treated many people with chronic migraines and headaches, and I have had success in reducing or eliminating these headaches.
- Pain of all kinds - There is a reason that everyone associates acupuncture with pain. Acupuncture is very useful in treating pain of all types: acute pain from accidents and injuries, chronic pain from long term conditions, pain in pretty much any area of the body... Back pain is a common complaint in my office; this is an abstract summarizing a study of acupuncture in people with chronic low back pain, where acupuncture appeared to be effective in relieving the pain. Acupuncture can also be a successful treatment for neck pain and shoulder pain. Some pain can be relieved through stretches and yoga, but other people may require more targeted treatment. I often use cupping, gua sha, and tui na to get good results in pain cases - you can read more about these techniques on my website.
- Digestive problems - Sometimes we all run into a little digestive trouble, either from traveling, over-indulgence, or food poisoning. But some of us also suffer from chronic digestive problems such as constipation, frequent diarrhea, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), nausea, bloating, and more. Acupuncture and herbs can help "regulate the middle" - disharmony in the organs of digestion that needs to be corrected, and acupuncture is effective at doing this. I also spend lots of time talking about eating habits and helping people improve their food choices and dietary habits to optimize digestive health.
- Allergies and asthma -This is a very common complaint as we move into allergy season in New York. A tendency towards these and other respiratory conditions suggests that the body's defensive qi is not protecting the body as well as we might like; acupuncture and herbs can help get your body's immunity back in check so that you can enjoy the outdoors without sneezing, sniffling, and watery eyes. In a recent blog post I cited some research studies about allergies and acupuncture, and discussed use of the neti pot as a way to keep your sinuses clear of allergens and other debris.
- Yeast infections, urinary tract infections (UTI), pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) and other gynecological conditions - This is a big area of treatment for me and for many acupuncturists I know. Acupuncture and herbs can help regulate the menstrual cycle when periods are irregular, reduce menstrual cramps, and improve mood around the period. There are herbal treatments that specifically target active yeast infections and UTI symptoms, and for those who suffer from frequent or chronic yeast or UTIs, we identify and treat the underlying condition that allows these symptoms to keep returning. I have had great success treating both chronic and acute yeast infections, using acupuncture, herbs, and diet and lifestyle modification.
- Common colds and weakened immunity - Most of us get a couple of colds during the year, especially around the change of seasons. But some people seem to be sick more often than not! For these people, I recommend an herbal formula to take daily during especially germy times of the year (like now, for example!). We can also use acupuncture points, essential oils, and short-term herbs to address acute symptoms of colds. Most people who walk into my office with a cold walk out feeling significantly better. We also use different points, foods, herbs, and other Chinese medicine healing modalities to reduce fevers, which can greatly speed healing. For those who have weakened immunity due to a long-term illness, acupuncture and herbs can boost your body's ability to heal from, and fend off, germs and other disease-causing pathogens.
