Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapies for Fibromyalgia

Traditional Chinese Medicine is known to be effective against a range of health conditions. Fibromyalgia is a long-term painful condition that affects between 2 to 5% of adults across the world. The main symptoms are chronic musculoskeletal pain and tenderness, excessive fatigue and poor quality of sleep. Troubles with concentration and memory are other symptoms of fibromyalgia, also termed as “fibro-fog”.

Traditional Chinese Medicine that has been in practice for more than two thousand years is known to be highly effective against any pathologies that involve pain. A National Institutes of Health consensus conference on acupuncture recommended the therapy for fibromyalgia. TCM believes that there is a blockage to “Qi”, the natural flow of energy that balances “yin” and “yang” forces in fibromyalgia. The imbalance of forces creates the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

A number of fibromyalgia sufferers nowadays seek the services of the best professionals in acupuncture within one to two years of diagnosis.

Causes of fibromyalgia

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, fibromyalgia is considered to be a muscle impediment or “ji bi”. The syndrome is further categorized into three patterns of xu lao marked by fatigue, yu sheng characterized by depression, and Shi mian, marked by insomnia.

TCM believes the liver-spleen disharmony to be the cause of fibromyalgia. The “jing luo” or the meridians run in a longitudinal pattern across the body and include the neurovascular system. The body’s vitality and health depends on the healthy functioning of this system.

TCM classifies organs of the body into yin and yang organs, and out of these, the liver and spleen are considered to have more responsibilities than other organs. A diet that is low in nutrition or emotions such as anger and stress can cause the liver and spleen to weaken. The consequence of this weakening is felt in the nervous system with a disruption of the normal neurotransmitter functions in the brain.

The neurotransmitter disruption leads to the typical symptoms of fibromyalgia of insomnia, fatigue, pain, depression, and anxiety.

Acupuncture for fibromyalgia

Research has shown the efficacy of acupuncture in regulating physiological and neurochemical functions.

Acupuncture, when delivered on traditional points, can regulate and improve the blood circulation, electroencephalogram patterns, and the rate of respiration. Studies have also shown that acupuncture is effective in stimulating the release of “happy hormones” including serotonin, beta-endorphin, and met-enkephalin. Acupuncture is also known to reduce levels of cortisol which is released during stress.

The best acupuncture therapists in Auckland has recommend acupuncture combined with Alpha-Stim cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES). The combined therapy gives optimal and fast relief from symptoms besides also being cost-effective. Similar to acupuncture, Alpha-Stim CES is also effective in normalizing the functions in the brain.

Acupuncture and Alpha-Stim are effective in providing pain relief and eliminating the symptoms of fibromyalgia including depression, stress, and anxiety. One of the other symptoms of fibromyalgia is the disturbance of cognitive functions with patients facing difficulty in concentration and memory. Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies restore the cognitive functions by stimulating the nerve cells to

Evidence for acupuncture’s efficacy in fibromyalgia

A systematic review by researchers was conducted on all randomized controlled trials available in the national databases including National Research Register, PubMed, and CENTRAL. The systematic review found evidence that the acupuncture method in Traditional Chinese Medicine was effective in treating stiffness and pain in fibromyalgia. There were notable improvements in sleep quality and fatigue levels as well with electro-acupuncture.

Another randomized controlled study was conducted with 114 outpatients diagnosed with fibromyalgia. A total of eighteen acupuncture treatment sessions were given in a progressive manner. One weekly session was followed by twice weekly, thrice weekly and the pain was assessed using a pain scale at the end of the sessions. More than 35% of patients reported a significant reduction in pain after the sessions.

A randomized, partially blinded controlled clinical trial involving 50 patients was conducted by the Mayo clinic. Half of the patients were given acupuncture treatment and the other half were placed in the control group. Researchers used a questionnaire and pain inventory scale to assess symptoms of fibromyalgia at baseline before treatment and immediately post-treatment. These tools were also used to assess the symptoms after one month and seven months. Researchers found significant improvement in pain, anxiety, and fatigue in the group that received acupuncture treatment.

Physiotherapy Treatment for Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries and the resulting shoulder pain is one the most common reasons why patients seek the services of the best professionals in physiotherapy clinics in South Auckland.

The shoulder joint

The shoulder has a ball and socket type of joint and is one of the major joints in the body. The joint connects the upper arm bone called humerus and the shoulder bone called scapula. The bony end of the scapula is the acromion. The rotator cuff is a group of four different muscles that surround and support the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff muscles include the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, Teres Minor, and subscapularis muscles. Besides these muscles, there are tendons and the bursa – a fluid-filled sac- that also cushion and support the shoulder joint.

Injuries resulting in shoulder pain

The common injuries in the shoulder that result in pain, stiffness, and weakness of the shoulder are:

Rotator cuff sprain/tear

The rotator cuff allows us to lift our arms above our head, play sports like tennis and swim.

Rotator cuff refers to a group of four muscles that support the shoulder and enable movement.

The four muscles are:

Supraspinatus muscle that holds the humerus or the long arm bone in its place and helps in lifting the armInfraspinatus muscle that helps in rotation and extension of the armTeres Minor that enables abduction or movement of the arm away from the body. Subscapularis that allows us to straighten lower or extend the arm.

Tendons and bursa which is a sac filled with fluid also support the rotator cuff.

The common symptoms of severe rotator cuff injury are pain, loss of movement and weakness of the shoulder. In partial tears of rotator cuff the symptoms are mild shoulder pain and popping sound while trying to lift the shoulder.

The rotator cuff can be damaged either due to weakness or wear and tear of the muscles and tissue. Repetitive actions that involve overhead arm extension such as in sports can lead to wear and tear of tendons and muscles.

A mild inflammation of the rotator cuff tendon is called tendinitis. Tendinosis is when there is degeneration of the rotator cuff tissue. Partial or incomplete tear of the rotator cuff tendon can cause severe pain and trauma and progress to complete tear if not treated with physiotherapy. In addition inflammation of the bursa, called bursitis can also result in similar symptoms.

Shoulder impingement

The condition is also called thrower’s or swimmer’s shoulder. Whenever the arm is lifted, the rotator cuff tendon has to pass through the narrow opening below the acromion (shoulder bone). With repetitive motion such as in swimming, the tendons become impinged as they move below the bone.

The shoulder is a large joint made up a ball and socket joint that makes movement in all planes possible. The joint is formed when the scapula or the shoulder blade joins the upper arm bone. The rotator cuff surrounds the shoulder and is made up of tendons and muscles that support the movements. Shoulder impingement occurs when the acromion or the bony end of the scapula presses on the irritated and inflamed muscles of the rotator cuff.

The typical symptoms of shoulder impingement are pain, loss of movement and weakness in the shoulder that is affected. Moving the shoulder overhead or stretching it can worsen the pain. Repeated actions such as those normally seen in swimming, overhead throwing and tennis are known to cause shoulder impingement.

When diagnosed early, most shoulder impingement and rotator cuff sprains can be effectively managed with physiotherapy. With early intervention there is complete resolution in 23% of new shoulder pain episodes, in a period of one month. About 44% of cases can be resolved in three months. Most acute shoulder injuries resolve within a period of six months to one year with appropriate physiotherapy interventions. When untreated, shoulder impingement can cause rotator cuff sprain or tendinitis. Long term sprain or injury to the tendons leads to tearing of the tendons in the rotator cuff.

Bursitis

The bursa is a fluid-filled sac that cushions and reduces friction between the bones and tissues in the shoulder. Bursitis is a condition where the bursa becomes inflamed due to the overuse of the shoulder or injuries sustained during falls.

Rotator cuff tendonitis

The rotator cuff tendonitis is a condition where the tendons and the muscles supporting the shoulder get inflamed and irritated. The inflammation usually happens because of repetitive motions that involve raising the arm over the head in sports like baseball, tennis, and in swimming.

AC joint sprain

Acromio-Clavicular injury is also known as AC joint sprain or “shoulder separation.”

The acromioclavicular joint connects the collarbone and the scapula or the shoulder blade. The AC joint allows movement of arms above the head and across the body. The joint also helps spread the pressure that comes from actions such as pulling, pushing or lifting to the rest of the body. The AC joint is supported by ligaments that hold the joint intact

Repetitive movements such as certain gym routines or falls during sporting events or running are some of the common causes of AC joint sprain. Such activities or falls cause the ligaments to stretch excessively while the scapula and collarbone separate.

Frozen shoulder

The shoulder joint is also called as the glenohumeral joint, which is made up of large bones that are supported by muscles, tissues, tendons, and bursa. The synovial fluid helps lubricate the bones in the shoulder joint. In adhesive capsulitis, the tissues that surround the shoulder joint become inflamed leading to the loss of synovial fluid and the thickening of the capsule that surrounds the joint.

Shoulder dislocation

Shoulder dislocations occur when the bones in the shoulder joint are not aligned. In a dislocated shoulder, the upper arm bone separates from the scapula or the shoulder joint. The symptoms are the same as that of fracture shoulder.

Fracture shoulder: Fractures refer to broken bones in the shoulder that involve the collarbone or the clavicle, humerus or the end of the upper arm bone or the shoulder blade also called scapula. The symptoms include pain, swelling and difficulty in lifting the arms overhead or across the body.

Physiotherapy for shoulder injury/pain

All of the above conditions respond well to physiotherapy. Physiotherapists begin with an accurate assessment and diagnosis that are followed by an individualistic treatment course. Patient education is an important part of physical therapy sessions. The most competent practitioners of physiotherapy clinics in Auckland will determine the extent and nature of injury by ordering X-rays and MRI scans if necessary. X-rays will help understand if there is a fracture of shoulder bones.

Physiotherapy exercises including stretching and massaging help restore the normal lengths of muscles which can be shortened in acute injury while improving blood circulation.

A number of treatment modalities are used to ensure relief of symptoms and joint mobility.

Some of the treatment modalities include:

The use of sling if required to immobilize the jointTapingExercises to mobilize the jointA range of motion stretchesStrengthening exercisesStrengthening of the scapulohumeral complex or the upper shoulder jointAcupuncture

Physiotherapy treatments are focused on providing maximum pain relief with soft tissue massages, therapeutic taping and other therapies.

Once the pain is minimized, a combination of strengthening and mobility exercises involving acupuncture, exercises to improve joint mobility and strength, and stretching exercises are prescribed. Furthermore, some exercises to perform at home on a long-term basis are also prescribed to prevent future injuries.

Addressing Lower Back Pain with Physiotherapy

About one in five New Zealanders suffer from chronic back pain issues. Chronic back pain is also one of the top reasons for seeking the best professionals in Acuphysiohealth: Physiotherapy South Auckland region. Chronic back pain severely affects the quality of life with limitations in mobility and psychological distress.

Prompt attention with back exercises, appropriate self-care and physiotherapy can help prevent the worsening of pain and manage the condition better. When neglected for a long period of time, the back pain can worsen leading to other serious issues including sciatica, degenerative disc conditions or spinal stenosis.

Seeking the help of the most competent professionals in Acuphysiohealth: Physiotherapy South Auckland region has on offer is important to address chronic back pain.

Your physiotherapist will address the back pain with a detailed and accurate assessment and a phased treatment protocol.

Relieving pain: Pain is the symptom that makes people seek physiotherapy and this is also the symptom that can be relieved first. In the first phase of treatment, your physiotherapist will use a combination of acupuncture, electrotherapy, ice and soft tissue massage to bring pain relief.

Restoration of strength and range of movement: After obtaining pain relief, you may feel much better but this is also the phase which increases your risk of further injury to the back. In the second phase, the physiotherapist will concentrate on treating the underlying causes by stabilising the lower abdomen muscles that support the back. In addition, the physiotherapy protocol includes normalising the range of motion in the lumbar spine, working on gait, balance, length and resting tension of muscles.

Restoration of function: In the third phase, the physiotherapist will customise the back rehabilitation exercises to suit your specific needs and condition. Restoration of the full range of function of the back to allow you to get back to resume your usual activity level is the physiotherapist’s objective.

Preventing a relapse: Your physiotherapist will work with you to identify the specific back exercises that will be required to prevent any further relapse of the back pain. Exercises for both short and long-term prevention are prescribed at this stage.

How does Acupuncture Help in Weight Loss

One in three adults in New Zealand is obese. Obesity increases the risk for chronic lifestyle diseases including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

Acupuncture has been practiced since ancient times in China and used the world over to treat many disorders. Randomized controlled trials suggest acupuncture is effective in weight loss along with dietary and lifestyle modifications. A systematic review of 31 studies revealed acupuncture was more effective in achieving a significant average body weight loss compared to lifestyle modifications and conventional medications.

Acupuncture therapists in Auckland recommend acupuncture as a safer way to achieve weight loss as compared to weight loss surgeries. Following are the ways in which acupuncture can help achieve weight loss and improve the overall health.

Appetite control A randomized study found transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on specific auricular acupuncture points resulted in appetite suppression that helped in weight loss. By manipulating the levels of hormones, that control appetite, such as leptin and ghrelin, acupuncture can help control bingeing and habitual overeating. Regulation of these hormones also helps improve the sensitivity to the feeling of satiety or the feeling of being full.

Management of stress Stress makes people overeat, ultimately leading to obesity and other chronic health conditions. Acupuncture therapy helps stabilize the mood and controls stress by stimulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin and endorphins, besides controlling cortisol which is the stress hormone.

Pituitary health The pituitary gland regulates the thyroid hormones which in turn control the rate of metabolism. The basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the rate at which the body can burn calories at rest and is regulated by the thyroid gland. Acupuncture therapists in Auckland prescribe therapies that can re-energize the pituitary and thyroid glands to boost metabolic rates.

Digestion and gut health Digestion and the absorption of nutrients is key to avoiding chronic health conditions and obesity. Gut microbes are increasingly being studied for the role they play in health and diseases, including obesity. Optimal functioning of the digestive system is essential to ensuring a healthy gut. Acupuncture improves the digestive system by regulating motility of the gut, acid secretion, and neurohormonal changes. Acupuncture can help strengthen the immune system and eliminate digestive disorders such as bloating, flatulence, and constipation that lead to lethargy and impaired gut health.

Anti-inflammatory Inflammation is associated with weight gain and the levels of certain inflammatory markers are raised in obese individuals. Inflammation can also lead to chronic conditions including diabetes and cancers.

Improves Mood Acupuncture is able to induce the release of endorphins in the body, which are feel-good hormones that can quickly eliminate stress and anxiety. Many people overeat when they have high levels of stress hormones, or are feeling overwhelmed. Acupuncture can help to eliminate those urges.

Reduces Inflammation Inflammation or tension in the gut, muscles and other tissues of the body can slow down the metabolism, put strain on the immune system, and even impact heart health and digestion. By relieving tension and regulating the immune response of the body, acupuncture for weight loss can lower your levels of oxidative stress and optimize your body for weight loss. Studies have shown acupuncture can reduce the levels of inflammation which in turn helps lose weight.

Stops Water Retention By stimulating the nerves of the kidney and endocrine system, it is possible to stop water retention in the body. This is a very quick way to lose some weight, and help to keep it off, by preventing your body from storing more water than it needs.

Hormone Production If your hormone levels are out of balance, many different bodily processes can be negatively affected, from digestion and cognition to healing and immune system function. Acupuncture of the spleen and shenmen are highly effective in balancing hormone levels.

Benefits Of Acupuncture For Weight Loss One of the best reasons to use acupuncture for weight loss is that it is able to provide long-lasting relief without the need for crash diets, invasive surgery, dietary medications and excessive exercise. It requires a small amount of energy, a moderate amount of time, and a willingness to trust in traditional medicine. Acupuncture helps to align the body with your weight-loss goals, namely through its effects on metabolism and hormones, but it doesn’t replace the need to eat properly and exercise regularly.

Improving Ovarian Function And Egg Quality Through Traditional Chinese Medicine

One of the most common causes for infertility, is low levels of follicle stimulating hormone or FSH, for which women seek treatment from the best acupuncturists, Auckland. The hormone produced by the pituitary gland controls the egg production in ovaries besides regulating the menstrual cycle. FSH also helps the uterine lining to thicken which prepares the womb for pregnancy.

In some women, levels of FSH can be low or the ovaries do not respond to the hormone to produce eggs. In both these cases, women face difficulty in attaining pregnancy. The normal levels of FSH in women are between 0.3 to 10.0 mIU/ml. According to experts anything above 10 denotes suboptimal functioning of ovaries while a level below 3 denote pituitary problems.

Traditional Chinese Medicine may improve ovarian function and quality. Providing the ovaries and uterus with nourishment and increased blood circulation may help increase production of estrogen and progesterone. This promotes the growth of healthy follicles and improves egg quality while thickening the uterine lining to facilitate the implantation of an embryo.

Research on the effectiveness of acupuncture to improve ovarian functions

Traditional Chinese medicine considers kidneys, spleen and liver to be the meridians to the female reproductive system. “Qi” which is the vital energy that supports body functions and blood, is considered essential to maintain a healthy reproductive system. The liver regulates the nervous system while kidneys are similar to endocrine system in function.

In all these cases described below the traditional Chinese medicine treatment protocol was administered by acupuncturists in Auckland. The protocol involved acupuncture to strengthen and nourish ovaries, uterus, kidneys, spleen and liver. This promotes hormone regulation and production, the production of blood to nourish the ovaries and uterus, and stress reduction.

In the first case a 31 year old woman who had absence of periods for eleven months was found to have smaller ovaries than average. Treatment for four months with acupuncture restored the size of ovaries and the woman was able to conceive within seven months.

The second case is of a 35 year-old woman who came in for acupuncture when her first IVF cycle had to be canceled due to lack of follicles. The FSH level was 17 prior to treatment which went down to 8.1 post the three month treatment protocol. She underwent the second cycle of IVF successfully.

Hysterosalpingograph revealed the small uterus size of a 34 year-old woman who had amenorrhea with a FSH level of 25. The three month treatment protocol was followed by a drop in FSH to 5.4. Her menstrual cycles regularized and she was able to conceive after five months when her uterus attained normal size.