Layman's Guide to Acupuncture

I found the Layman's guide to acupuncture while surfing around today. It has solid information on all aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
If you have time go check it out at www.acupuncture.edu.

Sullivan Acupuncture FAQ: What is Qi?

Qi is a difficult concept to talk about. Essentially, one can say that if you are eating properly, getting enough sleep, moderating the lifestyle and relatively healthy then it is possible to say that you have "good qi". Many authors have written that qi equates to life force energy. While this is true, it has much deeper meanings associated with the climate, atmosphere, seasons, structure of the body, etc. For more info go to this Wiki page.

Sullivan Acupuncture Q&A: What does acupuncture treat?

For complete article go here:

In an official report, Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials, the WHO (WHO) has listed the following symptoms, diseases and conditions that have been shown through controlled trials to be treated effectively by acupuncture:

* low back pain
* neck pain
* sciatica
* tennis elbow
* knee pain
* periarthritis of the shoulder
* sprains
* facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders)
* headache
* dental pain
* tempromandibular (TMJ) dysfunction
* rheumatoid arthritis
* induction of labor
* correction of malposition of fetus (breech presentation)
* morning sickness
* nausea and vomiting
* postoperative pain
* stroke
* essential hypertension
* primary hypotension
* renal colic
* leucopenia
* adverse reactions to radiation or chemotherapy
* allergic rhinitis, including hay fever
* biliary colic
* depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke)
* acute bacillary dysentery
* primary dysmenorrhea
* acute epigastralgia
* peptic ulcer
* acute and chronic gastritis

Acupuncture for PMS

Acupuncture is one of the best treatments used for women's health. It can treat everything from PMS to Irregular Cycles to Infertility and more. The crew over at Tao of Health wrote a great article for Acupuncture.Com.
Here is the article:
A Cure for PMS

By the Staff at Tao of Wellness

Premenstrual Syndrome & Chinese Medicine"Premenstrual syndrome” (PMS) is the cyclic recurrence of a group of symptoms that peak 7 to 10 days before menstruation and disappear a few hours after the onset of the menstrual flow. This condition is characterized by multiple and diverse symptoms including, but not limited to: breast tenderness, transient weight gain, bloating, constipation, insomnia, acne, headache, pelvic pain, irritability, depression, mood swings, poor concentration, confusion, social withdrawal, impulsiveness and appetite changes. While many women experience mild symptoms of short duration, other women have more severe symptoms that last for many days and temporarily disturb their normal functioning.

PMS is due to unbalanced hormonal fluctuations. A mixture of correct diet, adequate exercise, and emotional clarity, along with acupuncture and Chinese medicinal herbs can correct imbalances and bring long-term relief.

Balanced nutrition is crucial for overcoming PMS. Certain foods such as alcohol, caffeine, cold temperature foods, sugar, salt, and animal fats exacerbate symptoms of PMS and should be avoided. In addition, commercial red meats and poultry, which have a residue of steroids composed of female animal sex hormones, should be eliminated from the diet. Food necessary for a harmonious menstrual cycle include: plenty of organic vegetables, small amounts of fruit, whole grains, legumes (especially soy), seaweed, small amounts of lean hormone-free meats, and fish (especially salmon, tuna, trout, and mackerel).

Exercise plays an important role in the treatment of PMS. Thirty to forty-five minutes of cardiovascular exercise at least three times per week improves blood circulation and significantly helps reduce symptoms.

In addition to diet and exercise, some form of meditation can be very helpful. Our emotions and hormones influence each other, since they are registered in the same part of our brain. Stress can cause hormonal imbalances and therefore worsen the symptoms of PMS. Some quiet time everyday helps bring emotional and physical equilibrium.

Chinese medicine offers even more tools to address premenstrual syndrome. Acupuncture removes energy blockages and in turn stabilizes hormonal fluctuations. It also provides deep relaxation that helps to calm the mind. Chinese herbs work together with acupuncture to regulate the flow of energy and substances in the body. Together they stimulate the body’s natural functions and encourage it to establish optimum balance.

Women do not have to accept and live with premenstrual syndrome. When the symptoms of PMS are reduced or eliminated, women feel more energetic -- physically, mentally, emotionally and creatively.