As was mentioned in Part One, a good weight loss program includes nutritional counselling and exercise as well as a commitment to make permanent lifestyle changes.

Other important tools that can aid in weight loss are stress reduction techniques and a moderate exercise regimen. The acupuncturist can suggest various stress reduction methods that may include breathing exercises, Tai Chi, yoga or meditation. And since the goal of a weight program is not only weight loss but the maintenance of that loss, an exercise program that the patient likes is the best one to choose.

Chinese Herbal Medicine and Supplements

Next a good individualized nutritional supplement program is important because everyone has a different metabolism and different needs for nutrients. It may include vitamins, minerals and herbs. These will support the diet program and balance the blood sugar to help give the body the strength, energy and defence it needs to maintain the healthy life style that s/he has begun.
Chinese Herbal Medicine will be prescribed depending on the underlying pattern. A commonly prescribed herb is: Bo He Wan. This is a very effective and safe ancient Chinese herbaL formula for digestion. The ingredients are:

• Shan Zha (Fructus Crataegi) –promotes digestion of meat and fats; dissolves food accumulation
• Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven) — digests alcohol, rice and vinegar and dissolves food accumulation
• Lai Fu Zi (Semen Raphani) — digests starch (wheat and breads)
• Ban Xia (Pinellia), Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), and Fu Ling (Poria Cocos), — resolve dampness and food accumulations
• Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae) — clears stomach heat that may result from accumulated food that dries up the digestive liquid

An important concept of Chinese medicine is to diagnose properly and treat the patient with the correct herbs so as not to consume body fluids or disturb electrolyte balance.

Breathing and Abdominal Exercises

While the patient is undergoing the behaviour modification program and is successfully losing weight, it is a good idea to incorporate a set of deep breathing and abdominal exercises that utilize the acupuncture meridians or energy lines on the body to stimulate relaxation and digestion. If we practice deep abdominal breathing while lying down for a few minutes in the morning before we arise, we will not only take in more oxygen but will stimulate the stomach, spleen, kidney ,and reproductive energy lines that are all located on the centre of the torso . Digestion will be improved and all those organs will function more effectively. We will also start the day with more energy and clarity.

Another method of stimulating these same organs in the stomach region is the abdominal finger pressure massage that follows the direction of the large intestines. This massage may also be performed in bed in the morning and evening and will gently stimulate all the points on the central torso and will not only encourage proper digestion but will foster homeostasis or the harmonious balancing of the hormone and endocrine systems of the body.

Pressure Points

Last but not least, three pressure points on the body may be stimulated daily for two minutes each that will promote the general health as well as aid digestion, elimination and relaxation. These points are: Large Intestines 4 (HEGU); Pericardium 6 (Neiguan); and Stomach 36 (Zusanli). The points should be pressed with strong continuous pressure for approximately two minutes each and may be said to comprise a self-healing treatment.

While no guarantee may be given for acupuncture treatments for weight loss, the self-motivated patient who will take the time to practice most of the things outlined here will most likely be pleased with the results that she finds within a reasonable amount of time.

If you would like to discuss weightloss and the possible treatment options, please contact me at Acupuncture Studio at Pt Chevalier, Auckland city.

We know that acupuncture needles inserted into specific points on the body and in the ear release endorphins which have a calming and relaxing effect that makes it easier to deal with stress, frustration and anxiety that can trigger overeating and bingeing on fattening foods. Also endorphins affect the digestive and hormonal systems so acupuncture can help rebalance the organ systems that are running too fast- or in this case too slow—i.e., the metabolism and the will power.

Acupuncture is an ADJUNCT therapy. It is not a wonder cure in the treatment of weight control.

The Auckland Acupuncture Treatment

On the initial consultation the client’s particular pattern of overeating and any real digestive difficulties are discussed.  The acupuncturist would check your pulse to discern the general state of your energy and measure the health of your stomach energy in particular, and then they would look at your tongue to check for cracks, peeling or puffiness on the stomach area, or a suspicious yellow or thick white coating that might indicate troublesome heat or coldness in the stomach and would provide some clues as to why the person was gaining weight.

The Acupuncture Points

Then, armed with this information, the acupuncturist would devise a treatment protocol using a combination of ear and body points. 
Many of the points from ear acupuncture systems that are important for weight loss treatments are:

       Mouth – for the impulsive eater who may also smoke a lot and talk a lot

       Stomach – for the person who eats even after they’re full or who’s constantly nibbling

       Hungry – for general appetite control

       Lung – for food addicts, and people who love chocolate, sweets

       Shenmen – a calming point, for the psychology overlay for anxiety, anger, frustration, insecurity

       Endocrine – for water retention that’s responsible for some of the weight gain

       Adrenal and Ovary – if weight gain is due to menopause or P.M.S.

       Spleen – for sugar imbalances and hormonal disturbances

       Kidney – for water retention, and nervous system and hormonal imbalances

       Thyroid – for slow metabolism

The practitioner chooses two or more of these points for each treatment depending upon the patient’s problem and personality profile regarding overeating.

Next, body points would be selected based on the diagnosis.

The acupuncturist may use electro stimulation on some of these acupuncture points to increase the endorphin release and stimulate the metabolism. The needles would be kept in place for around thirty to forty-five minutes depending on how much support was needed for the patient, and after the needles are removed, ear tacs with adhesive on them are often placed in the same spots on the ear to continue the stimulation between treatments. The way it works is this: when the patient feels an urge to eat, s/he applies mild pressure to the point or rubs it back and forth for about 20 seconds. This type of acupressure stimulates the point, causes a mild endorphin release, relaxes the patient and helps them to regain their willpower or resolve about resisting the temptation to eat. The patient removes the tacs at home after three days and throws them away or takes them out sooner if there is any irritation or discomfort. It is a good idea to also remove oneself from the location, person or food that triggers the resistance to the diet or contributes to the breakdown of willpower. For example, one might want to stay away from the kitchen and refrigerator between meals.

The Treatment Plan

The number of acupuncture treatments necessary depends on the patient’s goals for losing weight, the speed at which they want to lose, and their commitment to keeping the weight off. For the average patient who wants to lose between five to ten kgs, one treatment every once or twice a week until they reach their goal is appropriate, and then a booster treatment once every two weeks is optimal. After a few booster treatments, the patient and practitioner will mutually decide when to terminate frequent treatments and then can aim to meet approximately four times a year at the change of seasons when energy levels are unstable and tonification and harmonizing of one’s system is appropriate for everyone.

If you would like to discuss weightloss and the possible treatment options, please contact me at Acupuncture Studio at Pt Chevalier, Auckland city.

Acupuncture Auckland: Article Series: 

Hayfever

Hayfever or rhinitis is a seasonal or perennial disorder characterised by episodes of nasal congestion, watery nasal discharge, sneezing and irritation of the mucous membranes of the throat and nose.  It is due to hypersensitivity of the nasal mucosa to pollen, dust mites, fungal spores, animal dander and saliva, fumes and certain food substances.

When rhinitis occurs in response to allergens like grasses and pollens which have a limited seasonal distribution, it is referred to as seasonal allergic rhinitis, or hayfever.  In between episodes of hayfever, patients are usually asymptomatic.  The main features are frequent attacks of sneezing with profuse watery nasal discharge and obstruction.

 The attacks usually last a few hours and can be accompanied by sore watery eyes.

Perennial rhinitis can occur at any time of the year in response to exposure to a variety of mostly non-seasonal allergens, like animal dander, house dust, fungal spores and irritants like cold air, smoke and perfume.  Perennial rhinitis may be intermittent or, in some cases, more or less continuous and in general the symptoms are less marked than seasonal rhinitis.  The main features are low grade itching, irritation and congestion of the nose and eyes, with occasional exacerbations.

Patients with rhinitis usually have swollen nasal mucous membranes, which can prevent sinus drainage, predisposing them to secondary infection and development of sinusitis.  The symptom picture of sinusitis and rhinitis overlap somewhat, but sinusitis usually exhibits maxillary and supraorbital pain, and less sneezing and itching.  See my previous article on Sinusitis for more details.

 TCM Persceptive

 Rhinitis is an allergic condition.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine terms we relate this concept to deficiency or wei qi.  The wei (or protective) qi has it basis in Kidney Yang and is distributed by the Lungs to al the surfaces of the body.  This includes the mucous membranes of the nose and throat.  If the functioning of wei qi at these surfaces is inadequate, the area will become irritated and inflamed, provoking mucous production and sneezing.

In a TCM context, the allergens which can trigger an episode of rhinitis are a form of external Wind.  This Wind is able to invade the nose in the absence of an adequate defense by wei qi, and remain there.

The typical TCM patterns that exist in a person suffering from hayfever are:

 Lung-qi Deficiency

This will be found in individuals who are constitutionally qi deficient, have a history of chronic Lung disease or who have damaged Lung qi with insufficient or excessive exercise.  Lung qi is also weakened by excessive or unexpressed sadness and grief.

Those with weak Lung qi tend to have weak wei qi and will be vulnerable to invasion by, and retention of, external Wind.

Kidney Deficiency

Kidney deficiency develops from chronic illness, ageing, overwork or is hereditary.  When the Kidney weakness is constitutional, the symptoms of allergic disease often start in childhood.  The Kidneys are the foundation of all the body’s qi (zheng qi) or which wei qi is one aspect. 

 Spleen Deficiency

Spleen function is usually damaged by bad eating habits and a diet of cold and Phlegm producing foods.  The weakened Spleen function means more Damp and Phlegm accumulcation and the rhinitis of this pattern will tend to generate more mucus that the others. 

 Acupuncture Auckland Treatment

In the acute phase treatment is focused on relieving symptoms.  A combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine is used and relief can be quick.  For those that have had hayfever for years the treatment should persist between episodes to build the constitution.  This is especially important in the months before the hayfever season.   Kidney deficiency rhinitis can take prolonged treatment to achieve satisfactory results.

 Self Help – Neti Pot – Sinus Wash

Sinus congestion, allergies and tendency to infection benefits considerably from daily washing of the sinuses with warm salty water (with good quality sea salt such as Himalayan salt).  This not only dislodges thick or hidden mucus and any focal infection but also tones the mucous membranes.  Several months of this practice are usually necessary in chronic cases.  The salt water is best introduced into the nose with a specialised pot such as a neti pot.  The warm salty water should come out through the other nostril. 

I stock a supply of good quality, NZ made ceramic Neti pots in the clinic for your purchase.

If you would like to discuss hayfever and the possible treatment options, please contact me at Acupuncture Studio at Pt Chevalier, Auckland city.

Acupuncture Auckland Article Series: In TCM bedwetting relates to Kidney-qi weakness.   The Kidney-qi governs the two yin – the anus and the urethra – and has an internal/external relationship with the Bladder.  If the Kidney qi is weak then the lower burner will not be strong, and the two yin orifices will be unable to hold the fluids; hence the functions of storage and retention of fluids is impaired.

The situation is further aggravated because the Kidney qi is unable to support the Bladder qi, and its function of regulating the water passages fails as well.  These two factors cause enuresis.

As well as this Kidney-qi weakness there are often other patterns associated with enuresis.   Individual diagnosis is made for each child after detailed questioning.  The following questions help to make this diagnosis:

• How much urine is passed during sleep?
• How often do they pass urine during the day and what is the colour, smell of the urine?
• Are they heavy sleepers?
• Does the child tend towards cold or hot, inattentiveness, nervousness, hyperactive in the evening or when overstimulated?
• Does the child catch colds easily; is the bedwetting worse when sick?
• Have they had recurrent infections requiring antibiotics?
• How would you describe the child emotionally?  Are they easily distressed?  Tantrums? Fearful?
• Does their bedwetting change when they are away from home?

Observations are made:

• Timbre of the voice is assessed
• Whether the child is overweight or skinny
• Tongue is observed
• Pulses are felt.  These are usually a reliable indicator of what is happening
• Lymph glands in the groin and neck are felt (if indicated)

The underlying causes of bedwetting then are:

• Constitutional weakness (Research shows that bedwetting is likely to run in families)
• Long-term or severe  illness
• Repeated coughs and colds
• Inappropriate use of medicines
• Inappropriate diet – too much damp and cold foods or spicy junk foods
• Constrained emotions (sometimes counseling can be recommended)

General Advice:

• Children should not be given anything to drink after 4pm and should empty their bladders before bed
• Appropriate diet should be recommended according to pattern
• Some factors in a child’s life tend to cause the qi to leave the lower burner and rise up to the head: school work, TV, computer games.  These should be discouraged just before bed time.
• Emotional crisis – whether at school or home will aggravate or indeed cause the problem.  Counseling may be a consideration.

• Pull-up disposable underpants are a short-term option and can be especially useful for hassle-free family holidays or if your child wants to go to sleepovers without the risk of wetting the bed. These can be used discretely, and may offer your child added self-esteem. It must be noted that while pull-ups may be convenient, they often do not solve the long-term problem!

Auckland Acupuncture Treatment

For some children (and parents!) the thought of acupuncture needles is too frightening.  In these cases we can use a combination of moxibustion, acupressure and/or Chinese herbs to great effect.   Parents are taught some basic acupressure techniques to do each night.  Moxibustion is the burning of the Mugwort herb.  It creates a warm and pleasant sensation and helps to tonify the Kid-qi.   If the child can tolerate needles, very thin needles are used.  Often needles are not retained, only placed in and out of the acupuncture points very quickly.

The time required to cure these children depends on the extent of the deficiency.  In a reasonably strong child, three to four treatments will be sufficient, but in a weaker child, more will be needed.

Research

Acupressure Helps Relieve Bed-Wetting

The authors assessed the efficacy of acupressure for treating nocturnal enuresis compared with oxybutynin (medication used to relieve urinary and bladder difficulties). Parents of twelve patients administered acupressure at acupuncture points Gv4, Gv15, Gv20, B23, B28, B32, H7, H9, St36, Sp4, Sp6, Sp12, Ren2, Ren3, Ren6, K3 and K5. Twelve control patients received 0.4 mg/kg oxybutynin. Parents were asked to record incidences of bed-wetting and patients and/or parents completed a questionnaire 15 days and one, three and six months after the start of treatment.

In conclusion, nocturnal enuresis can be partially treated by oxybutynin but acupressure could be an alternative non-drug therapy. Acupressure has the advantages of being non-invasive, painless and cost-effective.

Yuksek, M.S. et al. Acupressure versus oxybutynin in the treatment of enuresis. The Journal of International Medical Research 31(6): 552-6.

Aucupuncture Auckland:  Acupuncture Studio

If you would like to discuss bedwetting and the possible treatment options, please contact me at Aucupuncture Studio at Pt Chevalier, Auckland city.

Acupuncture Auckland

Children vary greatly in their ability to control their bladders at night. While most children stop bedwetting between the age of three and five years old, some may only reach this developmental stage much later. Approximately 20 percent of children over the age of five still wet their beds.  It is quite normal for a child under the age of five to wet the bed occasionally, and boys often take longer than girls to become dry at night. ‘Accidents’ do happen and should be dealt with kindly and sensitively.

Although bedwetting is generally not a cause for great concern, it can be a strain on both parents and child, and as children get older, the problem tends to be associated with emotional stress.

While most of these children will grow out of this phase before they reach puberty, a select few suffer from bedwetting right through their teens and even into adulthood.

Bedwetting that continues through the later years of childhood and adolescence can be extremely distressing and may lead to emotional and personal problems.  By age 7, most children who still wet their bed begin to feel embarrassed and ashamed about their problem. It may become limiting, as these children will often avoid partaking in certain activities like sleeping out or camping, for fear that they might wet their bed. At the same time, it may also become a struggle for parents dealing with continuous bedding changes, wet mattresses (however pull-ups minimises this problem), and an anxious child.

Western Medical Perspective­­­­­­­

Western doctors believe that bedwetting is usually caused by an immature bladder or the inability to wake up due to very deep sleep states. In both cases, they say this is typically something your child will grow out of in time as the bladder matures and the mind becomes more sensitive to the bodies’ cues to wake up.

Your doctor will begin by getting a detailed history of your child’s bedwetting, as well as any other symptoms that might be experienced. Depending on the circumstances, a full medical check, including urine analysis and blood tests, may be done to rule out medical conditions such as diabetes or a urinary tract infection. If your doctor suspects a physical abnormality, an X-ray or scan of the kidneys and bladder may be done or you may be referred to an urologist for further testing. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause and the seriousness of the problem.

A number of treatment options are available to help treat bedwetting, including behavioral changes, moisture alarms, drug treatment and psychotherapy.

Stay tuned for my follow-up article where we will look at the Traditional Chinese Medical Perspective on Bedwetting and effective treatment options.  If you have any queries regarding this topic please do not hesitate to contact me at the Acupuncture Studio.

Read the next part of this article in Bedwetting Part Two

Acupuncture Auckland

Physical Activity

It is important for woman to find a form of gentle, stamina building exercise that suits her lifestyle.  This should be invigorating but not exhausting.  Good examples are: walking, swimming, Tai chi or yoga classes designed for pregnancy.  In the latter stages of pregnancy it is suggested that a woman creates a “down time” during the day when she can just rest or have a sleep.

Diet

Dietary recommendations include avoiding spicy, pungent and greasy foods.  I often find there is a problem of excessive mucous production in the later stages of pregnancy, as women tend to increase their consumption of damp-producing foods (for example dairy products, rich meats, bananas and concentrated juices, especially oranges and tomato) in the belief that these are healthy and that they need the extra calcium or iron these foods provide.

Emotions

It is useful for women to pay attention to activities that upset them and not dismiss these feelings as “just hormonal”.  It might be helpful to avoid watching disturbing films, reading sad books, or listening to negative news reports and instead, where possible, concentrate on more positive events.

Acupuncture can be used in two main ways in the later stages of pregnancy. 

1. Specific prebirth treatments, in the form of a standard set of points, help prepare a woman’s body for birth, with an emphasis on preparing the cervix and pelvis for labout
2. Treatment can be given to deal with medical conditions such as pregnancy-induced-hypertension and symptoms such as insomnia, heartburn and haemorrhoids.

Acupuncturists are trained to provide individualised treatments according to each patients presenting pattern. 

There are many other ways in which women can prepare for a natural birth – finding supportive midwives, practising yoga for pregnancy, hypnobirthing and taking naturopathic or homeopathic supplements.  I find that acupuncture sits alongside these perfectly.

These prebirth visits provide an ideal opportunity to discuss the use of acupressure points in labour for pain relief and increasing labour efficiency.  I find that the partners love having something to do during labour that helps reduce pain!   I will often place tiny press needles (tiny needles on a plaster) over the commonly used points which can act as a guide for point location.

I recommend you download this brilliant booklet produced by Debra Betts which details how Acupressure can be used during labour.  Click the link below to download now:

Acupuncture Auckland: Childbirth

Books I would recommend:

Active Birth – Janet Balaskas.  Good one to get out of the library for effective labour positions

The Baby Book – Martha and William Sears.  This is one to buy.  Our bible for the first two years with our first boy.  Focused on the attachment parenting model.

Yoga Classes I would recommend:

Suzi Carson at Four Winds yoga in Ponsonby puts on excellent pre and post birth classes.  http://yoga.net.nz/pregnancy-program/    Ph: 09 4822901 Mob: 027 4822901

Acupuncture Auckland: Acupuncture Studio

Create the labour experience you want. If you would like to discuss prebirth acupuncture, please contact me at Aucupuncture Studio at Pt Chevalier, Auckland city.

Acupuncture Auckland

The study conducted in Germany demonstrated that the mean duration of labour in a group of women giving birth for the first time was reduced from 8 hours and 2 minutes in the control group (70 women) to 6 hours and 36 minutes in the group of 70 women who had received prebirth acupuncture.  Midwives report that acupuncture noticeably helps the cervix to soften and dilate prior to labour commencing, a desirable outcome and one that is a positive indicator for an efficient labour. 

Acupuncture is an ideal method to help women prepare themselves to have the most efficient labour possible.

Western Medical Information

In preparation for birth, a woman’s doctor or midwife will usually recommend weekly visits when the gestational age of 36-37 weeks has been reached.  During these visits the foetus is checked to detect its position and heartbeat.  Monitoring is carried out for gestational diabetes and pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia.

‘Minor’ discomforts that women may be experiencing around this time, and which are considered normal by western medicine practitoners, include heartburn, constipation, varicose veins, haemorrhoids, leg cramps, bleeding gums, nasal congestion, nosebleeds, backache, swelling of the hands and feet, difficultly sleeping, and increased anxiety and tiredness.  It is also considered normal for the women to have profuse transparent leucorrhoea and to experience frequent urination as the baby drops and places further pressure on her bladder. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Viewpoint

TCM has a long history of advocating that women modify their lifestyle throughout pregnancy to ensure healthy babies and efficient births.  Many of the above ‘minor’ discomforts are not viewed as such and treatment is aimed at alleviating many of these symptoms.  A balance of physical activity and rest, suitable diet and maintaining a calm emotional state is recommended.  Acupuncture treatment is focused on regulating a woman’s qi and blood, regulating the 5 emotions and ensuring there is organ harmony (“if the qi is correct and if the blood is circulating well labour is described as harmonious”)

Part Two will look at this in more detail, talk about Acupressure during labour and give my recommendations on books etc.

Acupuncture Auckland:  Acupuncture Studio

Create the labour experience you want. If you would like to discuss prebirth acupuncture, please contact me at Aucupuncture Studio at Pt Chevalier, Auckland city.

Acupuncture Auckland

Auckland Acupuncture Article Series:The nutrients most often needed to cure blood deficiencies are iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12.  Copper and vitamin C are needed in order to absorb iron.  Good sources of iron are found widely among animal proteins but if you are vegetarian –  plant foods including vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts and seeds contain high levels.

Moreover, when a variety of these foods are consumed in their unrefined states, abundant protein, copper and B vitamins necessary for iron absorption will be available.

One of the richest plant based sources of iron, in a vegetarian diet, is the algae, including both seaweeds and micro-algae such as spirulina.

Vitamin B12

Vit B12 is the nutrient that is most difficult for vegetarians to obtain.  It is required for red blood cell formation and normal growth, important for fertility and during pregnancy, builds immunity and treats some degenerative diseases.

Anyone, vegetarian or omnivore, with weak digestion – whether from a poor constitution, faulty nutrition, or an imbalanced lifestyle – can become Vit B12 deficient.  There are also other factors that deplete the body of Vit B12:

• birth control pills and antibiotics
• intoxicants (alcohol, cigarettes, coffee)
• stress from any source, especially from injury, surgery, or trauma
• liver diseases and chronic illness

The majority of high Vit B12 sources are animal products so what are the vegetarian sources of Vit B12?

1. Fermented foods – miso, soy sauce, tempeh, pickles and sourdough
2. Micro-algae and Seaweeds – spirulina, chlorella, hijiki, kombu, wakame, kelp and nori
3. Nutritional Yeast – brewers yeast

Due to modern sterile food processing environments the levels of Vit B, even in the above foods, is minimal.  It is recommended that strict vegetarians get their Vit B levels tested and supplement as needed.

Lifestyle Changes

In TCM each organ has an associated emotion and excesses of this emotion are one of the leading causes of imbalance or disease within the body. The emotion of the Spleen, the organ primarily concerned with blood generation, is worry.

Worry and anxiety, examples of excessive thinking, greatly injure the spleen-pancreas and its blood-producing, nutrient-assimilating functions.  It is commonly known in China that worry causes grey hair.  Worry accelerates aging in general because it weakens the blood, which carries nutrients necessary for cell regeneration.  Also, since worry damages the pancreas and its enzyme production, nutritional problems of every sort are more likely.

Worry can be defined as repetitious, compulsive thinking.   Often the motivation behind worry is an attempt to “figure things out” from every perspective because of doubt and insecurity.   But when one has faith in a unified life process – for example, that life proceeds according to its own perfection – then real acceptance of life becomes possible, and the busy mind can relax.

Doing some kind of mind calming exercise, whether it be meditation, qi gong, tai chi, counselling or simply walking is an important part of treatment for blood deficiency.

Aucupuncture Auckland:  Acupuncture Studio

If you would like to discuss anemia and the possible treatment options, please contact me at Aucupuncture Studio at Pt Chevalier, Auckland city.

Acupuncture Auckland

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) anemia is primarily due to Blood Deficiency.  In TCM, the concept of blood includes an understanding of the inherent energy within the blood.  Blood is created in part from nutrients extracted in the digestive tract as a result of the action of the spleen-pancreas; blood is formed when this extract is combined with the kidney essence known as jing.  Much of the body’s jing is stored in the bone marrow, which correlates with the contemporary Western knowledge that blood is generated in the marrow.

Signs and symptoms of anemia:

• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Dizziness or light-headedness (especially when standing up or with activity)
• Headaches
• Problems concentrating
• Shortness of breath (especially during exercise)
• Chest pain

Some types of anemia may have other symptoms, such as:

• Constipation
• Problems thinking
• Tingling/numbness

The signs and symptoms of anemia mirror the Chinese medicine signs of blood deficiency.  Blood deficiency has some addition signs of: paleness of lips, nailbeds, tongue and complexion in general, spots in the field of vision, unusual hair loss, premature greying and thin, dry hair, dry skin.

Blood deficiency is caused by:

• inadequate intake of nutrients,
• by the inability to absorb nutrients,
• by the loss of blood through gastro-intestinal bleeding or excessive menstrual flow,
• chronic diseases and stagnant blood that inhibits formation of new blood.

There are a number of natural ways in which you can build blood – acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, correct nutrition, naturopathic supplements and lifestyle changes.  Let us take a look at each of these.

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine

Acupuncture is aimed at strengthening the Spleen-pancreas.  Absorption of nutrients is maximised by encouraging healthy Spleen-qi.   The Kidneys are often tonified to support the bone marrow and red blood cell formation.  Any other underlying disharmonies which may affect the building of blood are also addressed.

Chinese herbal medicine is a very important part of blood building therapy.  If blood deficiency is severe or prolonged some form of supplementation is useful, at least in the short term.  Herbal combinations are used to supplement blood and strengthen Spleen as well as deal with any other disharmony.

Nutrition

To enrich and build the blood through nutrition, there are two general approaches:

• increase the digestive absorption of nutrients
• add those specific nutrients which generate healthy blood.

To encourage absorption, we build the qi energy of the spleen-pancreas and reduce any damp/mucus conditions.  If damp is an issue then it is advisable to avoid or severely restrict damp forming foods.

Blood Deficiency Diet

Blood building requires a greater protein intake.  The best sources of protein for Blood building are animal proteins, in particular chicken.  It is possible to build Blood on a Vegetarian diet, but the results are much slower.  The best Blood foods are those that have concentrated jing, the animal proteins.  Stocks and soups can be made with organic chicken or beef bones which release pure jing from their bone marrow.

Green leafy vegetables, that is, those that are chlorophyll rich are especially beneficial, as they not only contain iron, but have other components that assist in the absorption and utilisation of iron, and manufacture of Blood.

Blood quality is also directly affected by the level of additives in food, especially hormones and excessive sugar and salt.  Meat should be organic, or at least chemical free, When liver is used it must be organic as the liver concentrates additives in animal feed.

Examples of every day western foods that can be used to build Blood

• Rice porridges with soya milk or rice milk, apricots and almonds
• Dark leafy green salads with avocado and grated beetroot
• Warm chicken salad with artichoke and grapes
• Scrambled Eggs with parsley
• Mussel Chowder with calamari
• Snacks of dried apricots and almonds
• Kidney bean and mushroom lasagne with a spinach salad
• Any red meat or chicken dish. (Note that in traditional Chinese medicine meat is viewed as a strong tonifing food to be eaten in small amounts so that serving sizes are based around two to four ounces per serving, taken several times a week depending on individual energetic patterns).

Foods to avoid or restrict

Cold natured, uncooked and raw food: salads, raw fruits (whole and juiced, especially citrus), wheat, sprouts, raw vegetables, tomato, salt, too many sweet foods and concentrated sweeeteners.

Congesting and Damp generating foods: ice cream and dairy  (except a little butter and yoghurt), sugar, chocolate, nuts  (unless slightly roasted)

In Part Two we will look at the nutritional supplements and lifestyle changes are recommended in order to recover from anemia.

If you have any queries regarding anemia please ring the Auckland Acupuncture Studio and find out how we can help.

Acupuncture Auckland

Acupuncture

Acupuncture offers a real alternative to simply putting up with nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.  In the majority of cases treatment offers a dramatic improvement.  Please note however that no matter how good you may feel following treatment, the nausea is likely to return if you overstep your body’s limits, for example by eating inappropriate food, skipping regular meals or snacks, staying up late etc.

By incorporating certain life-style changes a women can ensure that she helps her body and gets the full benefit of any treatment given.

Fluid intake

It is essential to avoid dehydration. Becoming even slightly dehydrated will make any nausea more intense.  Dry lips, feeling thirsty and a reduced urinary output are signs fluid intake is insufficient.  Soups are an excellent way to take in liquids, ie, vegetable or chicken broths, potato soup.  Herbal teas, especially ginger or peppermint are useful.

Snacks

Regular small snacks to keep blood sugar levels stable.  One snack every one to two hours.  It can be helpful to give up breakfast, lunch and dinner and instead snack throughout day.  Sugary foods need to be avoided.  Everybody responds to different foods but some useful nausea reducing foods are as follows:

• Almonds, baby rice porridge, crackers, dried fruit (especially apricots, mango and raisins),  grapefruit, yeast extract, miso, noodles, pasta, peaches, pears, potatoes and yoghurt.
• Foods that are easy to digest and gentle on the digestive system, for example baked vegetables, cooked and raw fruits, well-cooked grains, soups and gravies.

Rest

Try and arrange for rest at the time of day when they are most prone to feeling nauseous.  It’s ok to go to bed at 7pm!  This tiredness is a message from your body to rest.

Smells & Medications

Sensitivity to odours can be overwhelming.  Try using aromatic oil burners to burn peppermint oil in the bedroom at night so that they experience its effect on waking, and using vanilla essence in the kitchen.  Natural smells such as lemon can also be useful.

Antiemetics may be prescribed.  Using them in combination with acupuncture can be useful.  Chinese Herbal Medicine is safe and can be very effective.

Acupuncture Auckland: Acupuncture Studio

If you are currently suffering from morning sickness -  suffer no more!  Enjoy this time of your pregnancy.  Give Acupuncture Studio in Auckland city a call.  We can help.

Acupuncture Auckland