Acupuncture benefits those with terminal cancer

Journal of Chinese Medicine. Number 97.October 2011

Patients with advanced incurable cancer appear to benefit from incorporating acupuncture in their treatment. Twenty patients receiving palliative care were randomised to receive weekly acupuncture or nurse-led supportive care for four weeks. Total symptom scores were reduced by an average of 22% after each acupuncture visit and by 14% after each supportive care visit. Compared with baseline, symptom scores at the end of the six-week follow-up period were reduced by 19% for the acupuncture arm and 26% for nurse-led supportive care. (Is there a role for acupuncture in the symptom management of patients receiving palliative care for cancer? A pilot study of 20 patients comparing acupuncture with nurse-led supportive care. Acupunct Med. 2011 Jun 11. [Epub-ahead of print]).

Why should I choose a Registered Acupuncturist?

Many people seeking out acupuncture treatments may find it extremely confusing when trying to decide on a practitioner. There are many health care practitioners who offer 'acupuncture treatments' or 'needling' and in B.C., this list includes; medical doctors, naturopaths, physiotherapists, etc. The problem that often arises, is most of the training programs offered to other practitioners are often condensed in theory and practice where occasionally only a few acupuncture points are learned and knowledge of TCM diagnosis and treatment protocols are limited. Some treatments may utilize needling practices such as; intra-muscular stimulation (IMS or iSTOP) or 'dry needling' which are loosely based on acupuncture and TCM principles but in practice-- very different. These techniques may target hyper-sensitive areas in the muscle or 'trigger points' for chronic pain. While eliciting a 'twitch' response in the muscle-- may help to release soft tissue, it can be extremely painful and does not necessarily get to the root of the problem preventing the chance of recurrence.

Only Registered Acupuncturists can claim the title of "acupuncturist" and bill accordingly. Many health care benefit plans offer coverage and it is also included in Medical Services Plan of BC (MSP) subsidized health plans.

Acupuncture is regulated by the BC government which has established the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners of British Columbia (CTCMA). The CTCMA is a self regulatory body that operates under the Health Professions Act and the TCM Practitioners and Acupuncturists Regulation and Bylaws to protect the general public. A valid license is required in order to practise Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture in BC, and this is only obtained through a (minimum of 3 years) training program, and extensive provincial written and practical exams.

*MD/Physiotherapist -- iSTOP (IMS)-- 50 hours

*MD/Physiotherapist, etc. --Acupuncture Foundation Level I -- 90 hours

*MD/Physiotherapist, etc. --Acupuncture Foundation Level II -- 195 hours

*MD/Physiotherapist, etc. -- Medical Acupuncture, UofA -- 200 hours

*Naturopathic physicians -- College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC -- 250 hours

*Registered Acupuncturist-- CTCMA (Ministry of Health) -- 2200 hours

Acupuncture is a very safe treatment option when administered by a Registered Acupuncturist (RAc.), Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (RTCMp.) or by a Doctor of Tradtional Chinese Medicine (Dr. TCM). You can be assured that they have received the most comprehensive acupuncture training of any medical profession, and will provide you with the best benefits acupuncture has to offer.

Chlorella! The Super Food!

Chlorella is a single-celled, green micro-algae that has been around for nearly 2 billion years! It is a super food containing; chlorophyll, protein, carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins, nucleic acids, beta-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and iodine. A perfect supplement for vegetarians who may struggle with getting enough protein and vitamin B12 from their diets.

Chlorella is gentle, yet effective for detoxification as it helps stop bacteria, yeast and fungal growth and can improve liver function. Chlorella is safe for seniors, and can help promote healthy growth patterns in children.

It helps to; regulate blood sugar, improve the immune system, increase white blood cell counts, support cancer treatment (both radiation and chemotherapy), aid in tissue repair, promote mental health, and can relieve symptoms of fibromyalgia. Chlorella can reduce high blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, decrease PMS and help to diminish the occurrence of asthma attacks. One study suggests that Chlorella contains a substance that appears to increase production of interferon- a chemical in the body that protects against harmful viruses.

Chlorella is a gentle and effective food source to help promote overall health and benefit any acupuncture treatment.

BC Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Day

Come on out and learn more about acupuncture for FREE!

Join the local acupuncture and TCM community to celebrate this alternative health system by participating in; complementary consulations, TCM and acupuncture seminars, a free clinic, and educational booths. Tai Chi seminars and Kung Fu performances will also be happening.

Come on and check it out.

When: Sunday, July 24th -- 10am - 5 pm

Where: Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver, 50 East Pender Street

Cost: FREE

www.qatcma.org/cp-33-4_Annual_TCM.html for more info.

June is Bike Month!

With Spring upon us, and Summer just around the corner; days are lasting longer which means more opportunity to enjoy the outdoors! Lucky for us Vancouverites, there is no limitation for outdoor adventure, especially when it involves hopping on a bike and enjoying awesome local road and/or mountain biking anywhere from long stretches of smooth pavement to gnarly single-track trails. A perfect time to tune-up the bicycle and the body to help prevent injuries and maintain strength and endurance. Acupuncture helps promote healing for sprains and strains, can decrease pain, improve local circulation and decrease inflammation and recovery time. Post-ride visits to your Registered Acupuncturist can help flush out lactic acid build-up from strenuous work-outs and keep muscles supple and loose. Periodic treatments can help improve immune system function to keep you out on the bike all Summer long!

June 19th is Car Free Day in Vancouver, stop by Main Street from 12-8 pm and say hello to some of the wonderful practitioners and therapists from Klinik. Our table will be located between 17th and 18th Avenue.

Why I LOVE Moxa!

'Moxa', 'Moxibustion', or 'Moe Kusa' in Japanese which translates to 'burning herb' is-- that exactly! -- a herb that is burned to heat a specific area of the body for the purpose of treating disharmony.

Moxa is Mugwort or chinese Wormwood that comes from the 'sage' family and is also called Artemesia vulgaris or Artemesia argyi. It is wonderful to use as it is the most readily available combustible that does not flame and can provide a temperature of 670 degrees centigrade. Recent analysis indicates the chemical richness includes; protein, sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, aluminum, magnesium, adenine, choline, and Vitamins A,B,C and D. Crazy!!

Moxa is awesome for: warming cold conditions, expels dampness, opens up the meridians and boosts Qi (energy) and blood! Excellent for conditions like; arthritis, asthma, vomiting, diarrhea, rheumatic and abdominal pain. Awesome for menstrual cramps! Moxibustion directed towards UB67 (corner of the nail on the baby toe) has good results in correcting breech presentation with expectant mothers.

Moxa can be found in; cones, sticks, moxa box, or in it's loose form. Moxa doesn't hurt, it is very soothing and excellent for cancer patients.

Ask your Registered Acupuncturist more about this wonderful, warming herb that has a multitude of uses.

Help out for a good cause! Bake for the Quake!!

http://bakeforthequake.com/2011/04/klinik-heath-collective/

Seasonal Allergies & Acupuncture

Spring time!!! And with those lovely cherry blossoms that line the streets with pink, also start a vicious cycle of allergies in many people, that can potentially last from early Spring until the late Fall. What constitutes an allergy? Essentially it's the body's over-reaction or sensitivity to an allergen. Typically in Spring it involves airborne particles from trees and weeds -- pollen. What's really happening? While the body's response is to produce IgE antibodies that attach to white blood cells, when these cells are stimulated they release histamine causing allergic symptoms such as; runny nose, sinus congestion, itchy/watery eyes, and sneezing. Western medicine treats allergies with antihistamines like Benadryl or Chlortriplon or allergy shots by injecting small amounts of an allergen and gradually increasing to desensitize the body's response. While these methods are effective at treating the symptoms, there are also side-effects (drowsiness, urinary retention, dry mouth, blurred vision...etc.) Acupuncture is a natural alternative that works not only to relieve irritating symptoms but also to help build up a tolerance to the allergen. Acupuncture treatments before spring starts, will also help diminish the hypersensitive allergic response and help build-up the body's immune system.

CTV British Columbia - Acupuncture can ease cancer symptoms, patients say - CTV News

CTV British Columbia - Acupuncture can ease cancer symptoms, patients say - CTV News

Acupuncture improves symptoms after cancer therapy

from The Journal of Chinese Medicine, #95, February 2011, North American Edition:

Having weekly acupuncture treatment following chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) may reduce patients' symptom severity and decrease the amount of time they need to undergo tubal feeding. In a retrospective case series, ten American patients with HNC were treated with weekly manual and electroacupuncture for radiation-induced dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and xerostomia (dry mouth). Nine out of ten patients reported subjective improvement in swallowing, xerostomia, pain and fatigue levels. Six out of seven patients had their feeding tubes removed after acupuncture, at a median duration of 114 days post CRT, which represents a relatively short time under such circumstances. (Acupuncture for dysphagia after chemoradiation therapy in head and neck cancer: a case series report. Integr Cancer Ther. 2010 Sep;9(3):284-90).
Meanwhile, a Norwegian study has examined the quality of life of breast cancer patients on anti-oestrogen medication, two years after receiving acupuncture treatment for hot flushes. Forty-one women from an acupuncture treatment group and 41 women from a sham acupuncture control group had received a course of 15 acupuncture treatments over a period of 10 weeks showed that women previously treated with sham acupuncture complained that hot flushes were still a problem, whilst those previously treated with traditional Chinese acupuncture found them less problematic and generally had a more positive outlook on life. (Quality of life of breast cancer patients medicated with anti-estrogens, 2 years after acupuncture treatment: a qualitative study. Int J Womens Health. 2010 Sep 28;2:319-25).

While acupuncture does not cure cancer, acupuncture treatments can vastly improve quality of life post-chemo and radiation. Relieving symptoms such as: proctitis, pain, edema, nausea/vomiting, low energy levels, constipation; acupuncture is a natural, non-invasive approach.

Happy Heart Day!

Valentine's day, what a perfect time to take care of the body's largest and most important muscle!
In general, the heart's main function is to pump oxygen-rich blood through the arteries into all parts of the body. In Traditional Chinese medicine it also determines the state and strength of our constitution. A strong heart equals a strong, vigorous, active person with a 'hearty' constitution. The Heart is also connected with the spirit or "Shen". Mental activity resides in the Heart, which results in its affect on our emotional health, memory, thinking and sleeping. With a strong healthy Heart, comes a mind that is peaceful and happy, a balanced emotional world and sleep that is sound. A Registered Acupuncturist can help your mind and body function better. If you or a loved one, are experiencing any of the above symptoms contact your Acupuncturist today, and help take care of your Heart!

Feeling Good? -- Keep that feeling going with Acupuncture!

Allergies diminished? Back pain feeling better? PMS under control ...at the moment?
There is no better time, even when one is feeling great, to come in for a treatment to help keep that good feeling going!

Quite often I hear the words "I'll come in when the pain returns..." or "I'll come in when I NEED to...". With initial acupuncture treatments, it may take a few sessions to help build or balance the body's energy. Once this has occured, quite often it only takes one treatment down the road to bring everything into check again, to provide a "tune-up" to keep things moving properly. It makes sense to have a maintenance treatment to keep the body balanced and the energy harmonized rather than more treatments when a crisis occurs.

Acupuncture can work very well as a form of preventative medicine, which can mean a boost in the immune system, faster recovery time, and less intense pain with pre-existing, chronic injuries. Feel good all the time with regular monthly or seasonal treatments, or schedule a session before a stressful time-- this combined with moderate exercise and a healthy diet can help you take control of your health and allow you to enjoy life!

Loy Krathong/Light Festival

By lighting a balloon into the night, rids one of a year's worth of bad luck or regrets. Allowing for a new year of hopes and dreams. February 3rd, 2011 marks the start of the 'Year of the Rabbit', may it also bring good luck to you!

Acupuncture Treatment for Chronic Sinusitis

Chronic Sinusitis is a condition that affects millions of Canadians each year. It is a condition that involves inflammation of the paranasal sinuses due to; infection (bacterial, viral or fungal), allergies, or autoimmune disorders. Symptoms may include; nasal congestion, facial pain or pressure, headaches, tightness or fullness of the sinuses, pain when bending foward, and dizziness lasting longer than three months.
Chronic Sinusitis is typically treated with antibiotics, cortico-steroids or even surgery, but natural alternatives like acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine have proven to be very effective.
Regular acupuncture treatments can help ease the symptoms snd clear the root cause. Points located near and around the nasal cavity, aided with supplemental points are well known to dispel congestion and get the energy flowing more freely. Another technique known as 'Guasha' is also effective in helping ease and prevent chronic sinusitis.
Ruling out dietary sensitivities/allergies such as dairy or wheat may prove to be useful, as well as environmental factors such as temperature variations (damp cold) and mold.
With the use of a 'neti pot' , a small teapot helps to flush out the nasal cavity with a saline solution, by clearing congestion and aiding in breathing. The use of essential oils can be beneficial when doing a steam inhalation. Eucalyptus and Japanese Mint oil are well-known to improve sinus congestion, Thyme oil is excellent as an anti-sinusitis oil and is known for having anti-bacterial properties as well. Place five drops in a bowl of hot water. Place a towel over the head, inhale the steam and allow the sinuses to clear for approximately five minutes.
Natural alternatives can provide lasting relief from chronic sinus pain, which doesn't result in harmful side-effects. Contact your Registered Acupuncturist for more information.