Kristin Ebbert's Acupuncture Blog

More Science Behind Acupuncture & Pain Relief

Mice getting acupuncture… you heard it here first! Actually, a study published in Nature Neuroscience in May 2010 shows how acupuncture increases the concentration of the body’s natural painkiller, called adenosine. Neuroscientists tested acupuncture on the knees of mice then measured the positive effects. Read more about the study at ars technica.

Sports Stars Credit Acupuncture As Key

For you basketball fans, the Phoenix Suns forward Grant Hill loves his acupuncture! The 37-year-old Hill, who has been playing NBA ball for 16 years, frequently sees his acupuncturist to treat his injury-prone ankles, muscle contusions, low energy and even allergies. “I can’t explain or understand it all,” Hill said in an article called “Hurting? If a Few Needles Can Help Hill, They Can Help Me” on the NBA’s website. “But I’m going to keep doing it, even after my playing career. I want to be able to keep on being active, playing with my kids and someday grandkids.”

And for baseball fans, there’s this article from the NJ Star-Ledger: “Yankees Starter A.J. Burnett Credits Acupuncture With Helping Him Stay Healthy.” Author Marc Carig writes, “In the past year-and-a-half, [Burnett] has begun a transformation from one of baseball’s most injury-plagued players into one of its most reliable, a drastic change he attributes to his use of acupuncture.” The article quotes Yankees general manager Brian Cashman as saying, “[Acupuncture is] something that’s part of his routine, his structure, his discipline … It’s vital to him and his mind. Therefore it’s vital to us.”

Both Grant Hill and A.J. Burnett are experiencing the profound benefits of acupuncture for enhancing sports performance. See “Ergogenic Effect of Acupuncture in Sport and Exercise” on the U.S. National Library of Medicine website for details.

Enjoy Eating Again! 10 Tips for Avoiding Heartburn

If you suffer from heartburn, here are some easy suggestions for effective food therapies.

1. Avoid tomatoes, dark chocolate, raw onions, fried food, mint teas, and red wine.
2. Drink demulcent teas such as slippery elm, marshmallow and licorice. Fennel tea is also good. Stay away from peppermint tea, which relaxes the esophagus and can actually contribute to reflux.
3. Drink carrot juice (1-2 cups/day). Carrots are alkaline-forming and anti-inflammatory and help many digestive problems.
4. Eat fresh papaya or take papaya enzymes.
5. Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
6. Take acidophilus or other probiotics, or drink kefir.
7. Drink other fresh vegetable juices such as cabbage, celery and even raw potato (leave skin on).
8. Avoid eating for at least 3 hours before bedtime.
9. Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen, which can aggravate heartburn.
10. Reduce carbonated beverages and caffeine.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are also great for reducing heartburn as they can resolve “Stomach Heat,” the most common Chinese diagnosis for heartburn and GERD.

Follow these guidelines for a month and see how much better you feel! You might even be able to eat a bowl of spaghetti bolognese again without worry.

Curious About Ayurveda?

Curious about Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India? Discover which of the three energies (doshas) predominates in your constitution with this diagnostic test, then get balanced and maintain best health through food therapy, massage and yoga. Many of the questions are things you’ve probably never asked yourself!

RECIPE: Good Chai: 2 c. water; 3 peppermint teabags; 1 qt. cow or soymilk; 1 stick cinnamon; 1/4 t. ground cloves; 1 t. dry ginger; 3/4 t. ground cardamom; 1 t. black peppercorns; 2 T. honey. Pour boiling water over teabags, steep 20 mins then remove. Add milk, spices and sweetener. Heat on low for 30 mins, then strain. (From The Ayurveda Cookbook).

How Much Water Is Enough for You?

I hear it all the time, that my patients feel like they simply can’t drink the “recommended” eight large glasses of water each and every day, on top of juice, tea and other beverages. But is eight glasses the right amount for everyone, or simply an arbitrary guideline that’s become the accepted standard?

Adults lose about 2 liters (8.5 cups) of water daily through sweating, breathing and excretion, and replenish that amount through eating and drinking. According to many doctors, the most important concept here is fluid replacement and keeping your blood moving (i.e. at the proper viscosity), but not “flushing impurities” through extra water intake. This only depletes the body of sodium and other minerals and can lead to poor nutrient absorption, fatigue and weakness.

Ideally you should be eating lots of fresh foods with high water content, such as soups, fruits and vegetables. Beyond that, your thirst level should be the number-one signal for fluid replacement. So pay attention when you’re thirsty, drink until satisfied, and forget the guilt if it doesn’t add up to eight!

TIP: To make plain water more appealing, put 1/2 cup of unsweetened cranberry juice in a one-liter, reusable water bottle, top off with filtered tap water, and sip throughout the day. The safest plastic bottles are those made from HDPE #2, LDPE #4 and PP #5, according to GreenerPenny.com.

Acupuncture Calms Anxiety at the Dentist

Are you a Nervous Nelly/Ned when seeing the dentist? A new study shows that acupuncture helps calm anxiety while you’re getting dental work and is a common dual procedure in Britain. Here in the US, just schedule some acupuncture before heading to the dentist and ask for “ear seeds” to keep the calmness going. Stop avoiding your dentist and get back your clean, beautiful smile!

What Were Ancient Acupuncture Needles Like?

If acupuncture is thousands of years old, what did they use for needles back then? Early on, stone tools were used for medicinal purposes and over time were formed into thin needles. Next they were made from bone and bronze. In the 2nd century BC, needles began to be made using gold and silver. Today, we use stainless steel needles that are sterile, filament-thin, flexible, single-use, and relatively painless. They are properly disposed of after every treatment.

“Finding Science in Acupuncture” article from The Wall Street Journal

Image by Vitaly Napadow

There was a very positive article on the medical benefits of acupuncture in the March 22, 2010, issue of the Wall Street Journal. MRI scans of the brain show the “calming effects” acupuncture has on patients with chronic pain. Interestingly enough, the article explains that, “U.S. Navy, Air Force and Army doctors are using acupuncture to treat musculoskeletal problems, pain and stress in stateside hospitals and combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan.” It also explains that acupuncture “cause[s] the release of endorphins,” brain chemicals that naturally relieve pain and promote a feeling of well-being, and is “generally safe.”

Cold Hands, Warm Heart: How to Deal with Raynaud’s

Some people suffer from severe cold hands or feet caused by blood vessel spasms, termed Raynaud’s syndrome. In this painful but common condition affecting mostly women during episodes of stress and cold weather, the hands turn white at first. As they become deprived of oxygen, they turn blue and numb, then flush red when the vessels again relax.

Acupuncture helps people with Raynaud’s: In one study, acupuncture reduced attacks by 63% (Journal of Internal Medicine, 1997). Certain Chinese herbal formulas containing cinnamon are also beneficial for circulation, and the following home remedies will help you during an attack:

✔ Swing your arms in circles to force blood vessels to relax and open.

✔ Soak hands and feet in warm (not hot) water while massaging them.

✔ Use microwave hand warmers to get blood flowing. You can easily make your own by filling a sock or cloth bag with dried beans or rice and microwaving it for 30 seconds or until toasty.

8 Simple Steps to 8 Hours of Sleep

Did you know that the most common symptom of stress is insomnia? Did you also know that people who sleep fewer than seven hours a night are three times more likely to get a cold?

By sleeping longer and more deeply we can protect our health. But how do you do this if you suffer from insomnia? Sleep therapists long ago developed “sleep hygiene,” also known as good sleep habits. I’ve adapted the rules of sleep hygiene into the following eight simple steps to help you get better ZZZZ’s:

(1) Sleep in a cooler room. As night falls and body temperature drops, the brain slows down and drowsiness sets in. Turning down the thermostat can facilitate that.

(2) Make your room completely dark. Cover up all LED lights (even tiny ones) on alarm clocks and any other electronic equipment. If it’s still not dark enough, buy some classic eyeshades available at most drugstores.

(3) Don’t fall asleep to the TV (it’s too stimulating); even better, move the TV out of the bedroom.

(4) Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.

(5) Avoid alcohol, caffeine and heavy meals at least 4 hours before bedtime.

(6) Exercise regularly but not within 2 hours of retiring.

(7) Establish a pre-sleep ritual such as a bath or reading.

(8) Avoid sleeping pills. The so-called Z drugs (Ambien, Sonata and Lunesta) only increase total sleep time by 28 minutes compared to a placebo, according to a 2005 NIH study. They may be habit-forming, cause next-day drowsiness and memory loss, and mask the fact that your underlying cause of sleeplessness could be depression, anxiey or simply poor sleep hygiene.

Of course, acupuncture is well-known as a beneficial treatment for short- and long-term insomnia, and Chinese herbs such as suan zao ren (Zizyphus) are natural and safe alternatives to prescription sleeping pills.

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