10 Things You Didn't Know About Acupuncture

Many people are not aware of many of the facts surrounding the ancient Chinese medical practice of acupuncture. The features and uses for this therapeutic practice may be surprising to some.

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that can do wonders for certain medical conditions. A thin needle is inserted along specific body points that run through the body's life force pathways. These meridians are where the body's energy or life force flow, and the insertion of the needles rebalance the flow of energy to accomplish healing goals.

Acupuncture can be thought of as "scary," though it need not be. Once the practice of acupuncture is better understood, people become more accepting of the procedure and find that their pain and discomfort can be better tolerated with these treatments.

Here are 10 things most people don't know or realize about the practice of acupuncture:

1. Acupuncture is recognized for treating at least 28 different conditions.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of 28 conditions, though that number may be much higher in actuality. Some of the conditions that WHO recognizes as treatable with acupuncture include hypertension, depression, and headache.

2. There are 350 acupuncture points on the body.

The body's life force is known as chi. Qi is the energy that flows along the body's pathways, and this energy flow can be accessed in 350 different spots. This many accessible points of entry allow acupuncture to work on specific body areas to relieve many varieties of conditions.

3. Acupuncture is related to neuroscience.

The needles that are inserted at the body's energy points can stimulate nerves, muscles and tissue, which in turn stimulates blood flow to enable the body's natural painkillers to be turned on, releasing endorphins and opioids, to relieve pain and aid with other ailments.

4. Utilizing acupuncture before and after surgery lessens pain and nausea.

Because of the efficacy of acupuncture to relieve pain and prevent nausea, fewer narcotic painkillers can be used when this Chinese medical treatment is employed during surgical procedures.

5. Acupuncture can also be useful for animals!

Veterinarians have been known to use acupuncture along with traditional therapies to treat pain and strengthen immune systems. A horse at The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech was successfully treated with acupuncture for an ankle infection, for example.

6. Pregnant women may benefit from acupuncture therapy.

The treatment can be very helpful in alleviating the indigestion that often accompanies pregnancy. Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy sometimes cause heartburn, stomach maladies and reflux. For severe cases, women can turn to acupuncture instead of resorting to medications, which may harm the fetus.

7. Acupuncture gained popularity in the United States in 1972.

Back when Richard Nixon was President of the US, he traveled to China. A New York Times reporter, James Reston, traveled with the President. Mr. Reston ended up required emergency surgery to remove his appendix in China. He received acupuncture to aid in his post-operative pain relief and wrote about how well it worked upon his return to America. This inspired many more Americans to try acupuncture over the years.

8. More than half of Americans who have employer-sponsored health benefits are covered for acupuncture treatments.

Health insurance companies recognize the benefits of acupuncture, and over 50% of health plans include benefit payments for receiving this type of treatment. Insurance companies such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Oxford, and United Health Care often cover these treatments, among other companies.

9. Acupuncture needles are so thin; they are not really painful.

Patients will feel a pinch upon insertion of these fine needles, but there is no major pain involved with acupuncture. The needles are inserted only less than half an inch into the skin. Thousands of years ago, when acupuncture was introduced in China, the needles were of materials such as bone, bamboo or even stone. These initial acupuncture tools were not used to pierce the skin, but rather to place pressure upon the acupuncture points. Modern-day needles are made of stainless steel that are very fine. In fact, they are about the width of two human strands of hair! The needles are sterile, come pre-packaged and disposable, so infection is not an issue either.

10. Acupuncture is an alternative to traditional medical procedures.

Acupuncture is a wonderful alternative to traditional medical procedures to help with nausea, especially useful during radiation treatments for cancer, for instance. This medical technique has not been around for thousands of years for nothing! Acupuncture works well for many people and many conditions. It is becoming more and more accepted in American and Western society in general.

Robert Vena is a top NJ Acupuncturist. Visit his website to learn more about acupuncture treatments.

What is Gua Sha?

The term Gua Sha itself is comprised of two Chinese characters, 'Gua' which means 'to scrape' or 'rub', and 'Sha', which is used to describe a 'reddish, elevated, millet-like skin rash,' also known as 'petechiae.'

Gua Sha is a scraping technique used to intentionally raise a reddish skin rash through repeated scraping movements and applied pressure while using a handheld tool.

The handheld instrument, sometimes in the shape of a ceramic soup spoon or a thin disc (such as a coin), must have a curved surface. Many practitioners prefer to use the traditional tool; a polished water buffalo horn made specifically for use in Gua Sha.

The tool is positioned over troubled areas of the body and skin which have been lubricated with massage oil and scraped repeatedly with firm pressure. Such compression of the soft tissue raises the 'Sha,' causing what appears to be a temporary bruising.

Although this apparent bruising can sometimes be mistaken for a painful injury, it is usually completely painless. The marks usually fade quickly (usually within 2 - 3 days), and are actually regarded as part of the treatment. The 'Sha' also provides a visual cue that cues the practitioner of the condition of blood flow in the area where treatment has been applied. This diagnostic indicator can act as feedback before beginning treatments for anything ranging from neck tension to sciatica pain relief.

Application of the Gua Sha technique requires some knowledge of the way the muscles of the body connect and move together. Without some understanding of the anatomy of the human body, a novice can do little good using this technique. But a student well versed in human anatomy and physiology possesses all the necessary skills needed to evaluate, treat, and relieve bodily issues caused by tension, stress, and illness.

In the hand of a proficient practitioner, the Gua Sha technique can be used to address many different bodily ailments. And, although used most often on the back, buttocks, shoulders, and neck, Gua Sha can also be used to enhance function of the immune system and rid the body of toxins and pathologies such as the common cold. When used to address sciatica, sciatica pain relief can come quickly, with relief of the numbness and pain associated with compression of the sciatic nerve.

When used in conjunction with acupuncture, the red marks associated with Gua Sha are often used to indicate the presence of bodily toxins, oxygen deficiency, and the stagnation of Qi, or vital energy. Following the application of Gua Sha, your acupuncturist should easily be able to read these diagnostic signs and tailor an acupuncture session to target the particular problems shown. This identification and narrowing of the treatment area can be a wonderful diagnostic aid, allowing for a more focused treatment when applying acupuncture for stress management or any other condition requiring treatment.

Gua Sha can be used as a treatment for many ailments and conditions and is generally considered a safe healing modality. But, Gua Sha should not be applied:

• To people with weak constitutions
• During pregnancy
• Immediately following surgery
• To people suffering with bleeding disorders
• To patients taking anti-coagulant medications such as warafrin
• Over varicose veins, open wounds, or skin diseases

In addition to answering the question, "What is Gua Sha?," it is also important to address some of the precautions that should be taken following a Gua Sha session.

Following the application of Gua Sha, the patient should rest for a short while and drink some warm water. It is also recommended that the patient refrain from taking a shower or bath for at least one hour following the session, and that a cold water bath or shower should be avoided for at least 24-hours. In addition, it is important for the patient to keep all treatment areas warm, covered up, and protected from windy conditions following treatment.

Robert Vena is a top NJ Acupuncturist. Visit his website to learn more about acupuncture treatments.

The Health Benefits of Chinese Internal Style Martial Arts

When most people think of Chinese martial arts they likely think of what are known as the external style arts. These are practices such as the popular Shaolinquan and Wushu, which are known for their extremely explosive movements, aerial feats and of course their use in self-defense and combat. External martial arts focus heavily on strength, power and speed. They are often used for taking down opponents just like other Eastern martial arts.

Neijia, or internal style martial arts, are quite different. The three most widely known and practiced of the Chinese internal styles are Taijiquan, Baguazhang and Xingyiquan. These practices relate not to physical strength, but mental, emotional and spiritual strength.

About The Internal Style Martial Arts

The most fundamental principle of the internal style martial arts is the use of a strong mind to generate power. All motion starts with the mind. This takes the emphasis away from pure strength and allows practitioners to have more relaxed muscles as they perform various skills and exercises. The philosophical life energy, or Qi, is involved in all Chinese martial arts, but is of particular importance in Neijia. Neijia promotes the flow of one's Qi and harnesses that energy to create more power. The internal arts are extremely difficult to master and they are not immediately beneficial as a form of self-defense, but these practices are not without their benefits - in fact, far from it. The internal arts are rising rapidly in popularity in the Western world.

The Health Benefits of Neijia

Internal style martial arts have a lot of benefits that are common with meditation as well as yoga and Pilates. Some people actually consider these practices to be a form of mediation rather than martial arts, since they are less immediately useful in self-defense and they are not seen extensively in competition. The movements are slow and deliberate, beginning deep within the body. This slowness allows for more accuracy and precision. It gives an illusion of effortlessness, but the exercises are actually quite difficult due to their increased demand for precision and exactness.

Mental and Emotional Benefits

A lot of the health benefits of Neijia are going to be mental and emotional ones. Practitioners have a greatly increased awareness of their surroundings as well as of their own bodies. In order to complete the exercises, one must be aware of every part of their body involved in the motion. Removing the emphasis from physical strength also leads to practitioners experiencing a state of enhanced relaxation. Even people new to the internal arts will begin to experience these benefits right away. The external martial arts are not particularly relaxing.

These feelings of awareness and a more relaxed mind contribute to an overall feeling of emotional well-being. More awareness and alertness also impact things such as your reaction time in certain situations and even your thought process when you need to solve problems. You will have more mental clarity and feel more energized. The internal arts, again like meditation, are a great way to relieve stress and unwind after a long day or even a way to get you centered and going at the start of your day.

Physical Benefits

You may be surprised to discover that there are a number of physical benefits to the internal style martial arts as well. Although emphasis is taken away from strength alone, it doesn't mean that the internal style won't make you stronger. The push-hands exercises common in the internal arts look very basic and are often misunderstood. They actually tone and develop muscle, but in a low-impact fashion.

Neijia is also an amazing way to improve your posture and your flexibility - much like yoga. Along with relaxing your mind, it relaxes your body too. It relieves muscle and joint tension and enhances your range of motion. Because of its soft, low-impact nature, it's great for those that may not be physically able to practice the more high-intensity martial arts. Practicing the internal style arts alongside the external arts can improve performance thanks to a unified body and mind.

Robert Vena is a top NJ Acupuncturist. Visit his website to learn more about acupuncture treatments.

What is Electroacupuncture?

The exact origins of electroacupuncture are up for some debate, but most accept that it is a fairly modern technique compared to the ancient practice that is traditional acupuncture. 

Applying an electrical current to needles may have been practiced as early as the 1800s in Italy and France, but others believe it didn't come into existence until the 1950s. 

Today, it is widely practiced and offered by most practitioners of holistic and homeopathic medicine and is seen as an extension of both traditional acupuncture and hand manipulation.

Electroacupuncture provides stronger, as well as more prolonged stimulation, to the acupoints. It was found that traditional acupuncture did not provide strong enough stimulation to treat more difficult ailments and hand manipulation alone actually led to the practitioner becoming fatigued themselves before certain conditions could be properly alleviated. It came about as a way to solve these two common dilemmas of the more traditional techniques in order to provide increased relief.

Principles of Electroacupuncture

A low-level, pulsating electrical current is passed through specialized acupuncture needles in electroacupuncture. The needles are inserted into or near the normal acupoints except those points that are located near the heart. After the needles are inserted they're accompanied by some hand manipulation of the area to prepare the point. This also lets the practitioner choose the best frequency and intensity for the current based on the needs of the patient. A small electrode is then connected to the needle. A gentle, pulsing current is passed through the needle in order to provide constant stimulation to the point as the patient relaxes.

Modern electroacupuncture equipment allows for the intensity of the current to be easily adjusted and controlled by the practitioner. This allows for much stronger, but still very gentle, stimulation when necessary. Practitioners may also adjust the frequency of the pulses as well in order to optimize the results and speed the healing process. Both intensity and frequency used depends upon the exact condition being treated and assessments made during the beginning hand manipulation.

More Advantages and Benefits of Electroacupuncture

In addition to being able to prolong as well as control the stimulation of the acupoints, electroacupuncture also stimulates a much larger area. As a result, accuracy of needle placement is less important and fewer needles are needed. The use of needles is actually unnecessary in some cases. In these instances the electrodes are adhered directly to the skin. This is great for people who have a fear of needles or suffer from a condition that makes traditional acupuncture dangerous.

Because of the continuous and consistent stimulation it provides, electroacupuncture can help to speed the healing time of some conditions and patients often require fewer treatments overall. Patients also don't require constant attention from their practitioner and the practitioner may see other patients while the current is being applied. This allows the practitioner to truly maximize their time and provide relief to many more people.

What Conditions Can It Treat?

Electroacupuncture can be used in place of hand manipulation as well as traditional acupuncture, but is particularly ideal for more difficult to treat ailments such as neurological conditions. Like traditional acupuncture it is great for a wide variety of conditions from many degrees of pain and muscle spasms to acne and nausea. Chronic pain is best dealt with using electroacupuncture because both stronger and more prolonged stimulation is needed for relief. Migraines as well as sciatica and optic nerve pain are all effectively treated as well. Knee, elbow and shoulder injuries are also commonly treated using electroacupuncture because it promotes healing as well as relieves the pain associated with the injuries.

In addition, recent studies have also indicated that electroacupuncture may lower blood pressure and even reduce the risk of heart disease when used regularly. Regular treatments provide all patients with increased vitality and a greater sense of well-being, just as traditional acupuncture does. Some practitioners have also seen results using these techniques to treat various forms of paralysis. All of those makes electroacupuncture a viable and highly useful part of a health regimen as well as treatment option. 

Robert Vena is a leading Acupuncturist in NJ with additional offices in New Jersey. Learn more about acupuncture treatments by visiting his website.

How Moxibustion Helps the Body Heal

For thousands of years, moxibustion has been a staple of traditional Chinese medicine. It calls for the use of burning moxa, which comes from dried mugwort.

Mugwort is a common aromatic plant found throughout Europe and Asia that has some culinary uses along with medicinal ones. The moxa used in moxibustion comes from the Chinese mugwort specifically.

Thanks to its amazing healing properties, the use of moxibustion spread quickly to other parts of the East including Japan, Tibet, Korea and Vietnam where it also became part of their herbal medicinal practices.

What Is Moxibustion?

Moxibustion is still used today and is seen in many holistic and homeopathic treatments of a variety of conditions. It is a form of heat therapy that is often used alongside acupuncture. It involves the same acupoints as well as Qi energy meridians that appear in many forms of Chinese medicine. Historically, it was likely developed at the same time as the very ancient practice of acupuncture.

Moxibustion Techniques and Methods

Chinese mugwort is aged and dried until it looks like a type of fluff - this is the moxa. The fluff can be made into a cigar-shaped stick and burned or the moxa fluff may also be bundled and burned as is without further processing. Today there are even smokeless varieties of moxa for those that suffer from asthma or other respiratory conditions.

If the burning and smoldering moxa doesn't contact the patient's skin then the practice is known as indirect moxibustion. Some indirect techniques call for the moxa to be applied to acupuncture needles before their insertion. The moxa sticks may also be burned near the acupoints as the needles are inserted, infusing the needles with the substance. The most common moxibustion technique used today involves burning moxa sticks very near to the skin at the acupoints. The burning moxa is held in place until the skin starts to turn red.

There are also some moxibustion techniques where the moxa is actually applied to a patient's skin and then burned. When the moxa is applied to the skin in this way, it is known as direct moxibustion and can be either scarring or non-scarring.

In scarring moxibustion the moxa is burned completely away and this often results in the skin blistering. The blisters scar, which is how this uncommon method received its name. In non-scarring moxibustion the burning moxa is removed before it can burn the skin and blister. These two techniques can both be painful, so most practitioners opt for one or more of the indirect methods instead. The exact mode of moxibustion depends largely upon the condition being treated.

Moxibustion and Healing

Moxibustion has amazing warming effects. The sensation experienced is often described as penetrating, radiating warmth. These warming properties improve circulation and help to relieve pain as well as create a feeling of well-being throughout the body. Improved circulation promotes blood flow as well as flow of mystical Qi energy. Moxa is sometimes combined with other herbs that have similar heating properties like ginger and garlic to further enhance the effects.

Encouraging good blood circulation is a major factor in the recovery from both injury and illness. Injuries that moxibustion can aid with include everything from surgical cuts to torn muscles. It speeds the healing process and repairs damage. Illnesses treated by moxibustion include a variety of infections and other "stagnant" conditions. Colds and their associated symptoms are also relieved by this warmth, and so is arthritis pain.

The concept of Qi energy is one of the fundamental principles in Chinese medicine. It is believed that Qi blockages and uneven Qi flow lead to a variety of ailments. Poor Qi flow just like poor blood flow can slow down the healing process. Problems with Qi are reduced with moxa on acupoints or on the body's major meridians. It breaks up these blockages which lead to aches, pains, chronic conditions and even emotional and digestive problems. A regular moxibustion regimen may also help ward off sickness and keep you feeling your best even if you aren't recovering from a sickness or injury.

Robert Vena
NJ Acupuncturist
Acupuncture-in-NJ.com

Creating a Healthy and Historically Accurate Thanksgiving

Today's football-filled and turkey-stuffed Thanksgivings are much different from the first Thanksgiving that took place nearly 400 years ago in 1621. The first Thanksgiving was a three-day celebration of the fall harvest.

The pilgrims of Plymouth invited the neighboring Wampanoag Indians to participate in the festivities. They cooked and ate both meat and the products of their harvest.

Today's Thanksgiving

Americans eat around 550 million pounds of turkey every Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving and turkey have become almost synonymous. Our domesticated turkeys are bred to be eaten and are so large that they can't even fly.

Turkey is naturally quite low in fat and our turkeys have ample breast meat. The skin is very fatty though and the dark meat is much more greasy with higher levels of saturated fat and about 30 more calories per ounce than white meat. With the skin, you add on another 10 or so calories per serving.

The stuffing that goes with our turkey is typically bread-based. The average serving contains around 550 calories and 45 carbs. This is true whether you cook your stuffing inside of your turkey or separate. Adding gravy just adds on more calories and carbs.

Cranberries and cranberry sauce are other foods closely associated with Thanksgiving today. The tart little berries themselves are low in calories and great for you. The sauce we often add to our holiday meals though is full of sugar and one serving contains around 100 more calories than the original berries.

Potatoes, candied yams and corn are three other common Thanksgiving foods. Potatoes are highly nutritious, but less so if you drown them in butter. Yams, or sweet potatoes, are a valuable source of fiber, but adding the components to candy them also adds calories. Corn is a powerhouse with lots of fiber, especially sweet corn. For dessert, you probably plan on pumpkin pie. Pumpkin is loaded with nutrients, but the pie crust adds a lot of carbs and calories.

The First Thanksgiving Menu

Very few of our Thanksgiving foods today were on the first Thanksgiving menu, which surprises a lot of people. It is unknown whether or not turkey was eaten. If it was then it was wild turkey, which is substantially more lean and smaller than today's turkey. There is documentation that the pilgrims ate fowl, but this could also include duck and goose, which were native to the area as well. A lot of us enjoy ham on Thanksgiving, which was nowhere to be found on the first Thanksgiving table. The meat definitely on the menu was venison. Deer meat is one of the healthiest of all meats, especially if it's wild and fresh. One serving of deer contains only 1 gram of fat and 33 calories per ounce.

Stuffing is a fairly modern invention. The pilgrims had no wheat flour and no access to ovens so breads were not made at all. For flavor, they instead cooked their meats with herb rubs or stuffed with onions and nuts. It was also common to cook the meats into stews with a variety of vegetables.

Cranberries, though native, were too tart to be eaten raw like blueberries, raspberries and other berries. These other berries were probably served, but not cranberries and certainly no cranberry sauce because by the time the first Thanksgiving rolled around, sugar supplies were very low. Cranberries weren't eaten until around 50 years later. Potatoes, sweet and otherwise, were not yet cultivated in North America so they wouldn't have been found on the table either. Corn was there, but it wasn't our sweet or yellow corn. Instead, it was what we call "Indian corn" and it was removed from the cob and made into a porridge.

Pumpkin was also present, but not as pumpkin pie. Again, there was no way to bake the pie nor make a crust. Pumpkin was simply cooked and eaten along with similar squash. In addition to colorful squash, other vegetables eaten at the first Thanksgiving included leafy greens such as spinach, cabbage, beans, carrots and maybe peas. These could all be incorporated into stews or cooked over fires.

Creating a Healthy and Historically Accurate Thanksgiving

The first Thanksgiving dinner didn't include a lot of carb-heavy breads, fatty and sugary foods or dairy. It was very vegetable-oriented with plenty of meat, including fish and shellfish. In general, it was lower carb, lower cholesterol and more nutrient-rich than today's Thanksgiving dinners.

If you don't want to forego your turkey then stick to eating skinless white meat and try stuffing it with vegetables as well as onions, and herbs like rosemary for added flavor. Steamed spinach or kale makes a great side and a mixture of squash is very colorful and naturally sweet. Fruits, berries and nuts make great desserts and snacks in the form of custards or even raw.

Robert Vena
NJ Acupuncturist
Acupuncture-in-NJ.com

Boost Your Diet with 5 Healthy Fall Foods

Eating healthy during the summer is not a problem for many because of the endless amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables that are available. But it may seem to be more difficult during the fall, which is probably why people will normally add a few extra pounds during the fall and winter months.

This year, why not try boosting your diet with these healthy fall foods. Remember that it is better to buy organic if possible for fresher fruit and vegetables, better taste, and lower amount or no chemicals applied to your food.

1. BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Brussels sprouts are high in fiber and will help to boost your metabolism by causing your body to work harder to digest your food. They are also rich in protein, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. The best way to prepare Brussels sprouts is to steam them for 8-10 minutes, or until they are tender to pierce with a fork. This will maximize the nutrition and flavor of the vegetable. Next, lightly coat with butter, or substitute with a low-fat olive oil or extra virgin oil.

2. CAULIFLOWER

Cauliflower is a non-starchy vegetable and is associated with helping to lower risks of cancer. This vegetable contains Glucosinolates, which will activate your body's detoxification system. It also contains the minerals Potassium and vitamin C. The best way to cut back on your calorie intake is to mash cauliflower instead of potatoes. To cook cauliflower, bring water to boil, and then reduce heat to low. Allow the cauliflower to simmer for about 10 minutes or until it has become a crisp-tender. You should be able to pierce the florets with a fork. Drain water and mash. Mashed cauliflower contains about a ¼ of the calories that mashed potatoes do.

3. SWEET POTATOES

Sweet potatoes can be tricky. The majority of recipes will call for adding ingredients that will increase the amount of carbs and calories, but when prepared in a healthy way, this vegetable can have great health benefits. Sweet potatoes are high and fiber, and will boost your metabolism my working harder to rid your body of waste. A great way to prepare sweet potatoes is to roast them with other vegetables. Add all your vegetables together and add a little butter. Roast your vegetables in the oven on 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 45 minutes. Add a little brown sugar, nutmeg and ginger if desired.

4. SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Spaghetti squash is a great fall food that will help boost your diet. This vegetable has only 42 calories and 10 carbs for every 1-cup serving, so this is a good alternative for pasta. It is also contains the mineral manganese and a wide range of vitamins. To prepare Spaghetti Squash, you first want to wash and dry the outside of the squash. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and poke several holes on the outside the same way you would a potato. The squash needs to bake in the oven for at least an hour; remove the squash from the oven when you can easily pierce the shell with a fork or knife.

Let squash cool for at least 15 minutes. Once cooled, slice the squash in half and remove the seeds from the inside of the squash. Next, use a fork to loosen all the "pasta-like" pieces from the inside. Cover your "noodles" with your favorite pasta sauce, and then return to casserole dish, with lid, to oven for at least 20 minutes.

5. KOHLRABI

This German turnip is a member of the cabbage family and can be eaten raw or cooked. This healthy fall food has a low amount of calories and carbohydrates, and has a fair amount of protein. Kohlrabi has the amino acids arginine and isoleucine which are known to help reduce body fat, so this is a great food to eat to help boost your diet this fall. To prepare this food, just peel and slice and add to your salad. You can even cook Kohlrabi in place of your favorite cabbage recipe.

Fall foods don't have to be packed full of calories and carbs to taste great. You can still choose to eat healthy and boost your diet with healthy fall foods. The vegetables listed above are just a few simple ways to add variety to your meals, and still taste good.

Robert Vena
NJ Acupuncturist
Acupuncture-in-NJ.com