04.27.09

How to Prevent and Heal Flu and Common Cold Using Acupressure and Acupuncture

Posted in Acupressure, Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture, Cupping Therapy, Diseases & Health Conditions, Infectious Diseases, Influenza & Cold, Moxibustion at 8:58 pm by Dr. Pharm Tao

How to Prevent and Heal Flu and Common Cold Using Acupressure and Acupuncture

(Journal of Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture, Volume 2, Number 2, 2009)
ISSN: 1946-1909

PharmTao.com (Editor)





Flu and common cold are preventable even without drugs or herbs. Natural methods from traditional Chinese medicine including acupressure and acupuncture can be used for the prevention and treatment of influenza and common cold. These prevention methods, including folk remedies, have been proven quite effective in history and are still used today.

For healing colds and flu, non-drug methods and time-tested acupuncture point prescriptions are collected here. These natural healing methods include acupressure, acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping therapy, and auricular (ear) acupuncture. Locations of these acupuncture points are provided to facilitate clinical practice. Differential diagnosis types of colds and flu are described for personalized treatment. Therapeutic principles and needle manipulation methods are recommended for each type.

In addition, acupuncture point prescriptions from some ancient traditional Chinese medicine classics are collected, such as The AB Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (“Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing” in Chinese). These classics provide the guidance of selecting the most effective acupuncture points from hundreds of years of experience.

Flu and common cold may occur throughout the year, but are mostly seen in winter and spring. Common cold and flu may have symptoms such as nasal congestion and discharge, cough, fever, sneezing, headache, chilliness, sore throat, general aching of the body, and melancholy. Non-drug natural methods such as acupressure and acupuncture methods can be used to prevent and relieve these symptoms, and promote the healing of the root of the diseases.

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10.18.08

Acupuncture for Weight Loss and Treatment of Obesity-Related Diseases

Posted in Acupressure, Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Acupuncture Points, Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Obesity & Weight loss at 11:07 pm by Dr. Pharm Tao

Journal of Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture

Published online by PharmTao.com.

Volume 1, Number 11, 2008

Acupuncture for Weight Loss and Treatment of Obesity-Related Diseases

Description:

Currently effective remedies are hard to find for the treatment of obesity. The discovery of new therapies for obesity is becoming urgent. As a complementary medicine, acupuncture is becoming more and more popular as an alternative solution that is safe and inexpensive. Clinical and scientific studies have confirmed that acupuncture is effective for weight loss without adverse reactions. In addition, it can help heal obesity-associated diseases including cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, fatty liver, diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Different methods of acupuncture have been used for weight control. These methods include manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, acupressure, and auricular or ear acupuncture. The effects and different methods for weight loss using acupuncture are introduced here. Acupuncture may help with weight management through adjusting the functions of the nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system. It can also improve mental health. Current studies on these mechanisms are reviewed.

Table of Contents

Part I. Acupuncture for Weight Loss: Effects and Methods
1. Acupuncture for Weight Loss and the Treatment of Obesity: The Benefit is Beyond Weight Management
2. Acupuncture Has Good Effects on Improving the Body Mass Index and Waist-Hip Ratio in Obese Patients
3. Auricular Acupuncture for Weight Loss and the Treatment of Obesity: Methods and Mechanisms
Part II. Acupuncture and the Healing of Obesity-Associated Diseases
4. Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Healing Obesity-Associated Cardiovascular Diseases and Hypertension
5. The Effects of Electroacupuncture on the Treatment of Obesity Complicated with Fatty Liver
6. Multiple Benefits of Acupuncture on Weight Loss: The Effects on Diabetes and the Reduction of Blood Cholesterol Levels
7. Acupuncture for the Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Obesity
Part III. Acupuncture for Weight Control: How It Works
8. The Mechanisms of Acupuncture on Weight Loss: The Effects on the Nervous System and Emotional Factors
9. Acupuncture Treatment for Weight Loss Can Regulate Functions of the Vegetative Nervous System and Adrenal System
10. Acupuncture on Obese Patients May Adjust the Immune System
Part IV. Seeking the Optimal Programs for Healthy Weight Loss
11. The Potential of Mind-Body Interventions for Weight Loss
12. Is Acupuncture A Better Method for Weight Loss than Diets and Exercises?
13. Combined Alternative Interventions Have Good Effects for Natural Weight Loss

Excerpts from “Acupuncture for Weight Loss and Treatment of Obesity-Related Diseases”:

“… electroacupuncture was performed using the ear points including …. The results showed that there was a more significant weight reduction in the electroacupuncture group than in the diet restriction control group…”

“… treated with body acupuncture using the acupuncture points (acupoints) including …, and auricular acupoint … the improvement of waist circumferences and waist-hip ratio in the acupuncture group was significantly better than those in the medication group…”

“…auricular acupuncture is an effective therapeutic method for weight loss, probably through suppressing the appetite. Various methods can be applied for auricular acupuncture, including…”

“In addition, the therapy of traditional Chinese medicine helped solve the problem of overeating, and improved indexes of the blood pressure, .… acupuncture and moxibustion are effective therapeutic methods for obesity-related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and hypertension…”

“…the total effective rate for weight loss was 80.0% and the total effective rate for curing fatty liver was 80.0%…”

“These effects indicate that acupuncture has potentials as a treatment of obesity-related diseases such as diabetes…. It can reduce the serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol levels…”

“…acupuncture could relieve psychological symptoms and emotional factors including…”

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09.14.08

How to Prevent and Heal Diarrhea Using Acupressure and Acupuncture

Posted in Acupressure, Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture, Moxibustion at 3:47 pm by Dr. Pharm Tao

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the concepts of acute and chronic diarrhea include acute and chronic enteritis, and gastrointestinal dysfunction in Western medicine. Acute diarrhea can be caused by exogenous pathogenic factors such as dampness, and improper diet such as eating too much, or eating too much greasy, cold, or stale foods.

Pathogenic factors of cold or dampness in the spleen can lead to its dysfunction in the transformation and transportation of foods. Overstrain can cause the malfunction of the spleen and stomach and chronic diarrhea. Mental or emotional upsets such as stress and anxiety can result in the malfunction of the liver, and the inhibition of the spleen by the liver-Qi. On the other hand, prolonged diarrhea may lead to the dysfunction of the kidney and deficiency of the kidney Yang.

To prevent diarrhea, a regular lifestyle, especially diet, is important. Do not eat too much, and do not eat too much cold foods. Improving emotional health through practicing relaxing exercises such as Qigong can also help.

Acupressure at certain acupuncture points (acupoints) can help prevent and heal diarrhea. For example, Taichong (LV 3) and Yanglinquan (GB 34) are useful points for acupressure. For diarrhea caused by cold, heating pads on the abdominal area and at acupuncture points Zhongwan (CV 12) and Tianshu (ST 25) are very helpful. More selections of acupuncture points are available here.

Acute diarrhea is classified into three types, cold-dampness, dampness-heat, and indigestion. Chronic diarrhea, which often occurs in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), can have different types including the inhibition of the spleen by the liver, the deficiency of the spleen, and the deficiency of the kidney.

Detailed information and instructions on how to use acupressure, acupuncture (including ear), and moxibustion for the treatment of different types of diarrhea are available in Prevention and Healing of Diarrhea Using Acupressure and Acupuncture. Time-tested acupuncture point selections and prescriptions from ancient classics of traditional Chinese medicine, and effective treatments demonstrated by scientific studies are also provided here.

References:

Prevention and Healing of Diarrhea Using Acupressure and Acupuncture: Effective Methods from Ancient Classics and Modern Research

How to Use Cupping Therapy and Moxibustion for Natural Healing of Diseases

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