Acupuncture

Summer Fire and healing Heart energy

July 21, 2018 By Julie Silver Leave a Comment

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, each season is represented by one of the elements of nature (such as wind, cold, damp or heat). The element associated with summer is heat or FIRE!

Fire energy is considered YANG Energy. Yang is big, yang is expansion yang is excess. As you know, summer is all about expansion. The flowers are in full bloom, the days are long, we spend lots of time outside doing physical activity.

In TCM, every element is also associated with an organ. The organ associated with Fire is the Heart.

When we think about the summer and taking good care of our “heart” we should be thinking about the following.

The Heart Energy (qi energy) is thought to rule our spirit. We call this the shen. The shen oversees cognitive function and mental activity. The shen also oversees the seven main emotions (joy, anger, sadness, grief, fright, apprehension, worry). Oftentimes, emotional imbalances are associated with the Heart. [Read more…]

Dr. Tan’s Balance Method

July 10, 2018 By Karen Siegel Propis Leave a Comment

Karen Siegel-Propis , MSOM, MPH, R.Ac. Dipl CH, RD

A Different Take on Classic Acupuncture

Dr. Richard Tan was a practitioner and teacher of acupuncture. He brought old and new schools of thought together to create a powerful healing method. His family celebrates a long tradition of Chinese medicine, which gave Dr. Tan an understanding of ancient practices. He combined that knowledge with his education in engineering to create a new method that provides immediate relief for many patients.

How Does the Balance Method Work?

Chinese medicine utilizes an energetic model to provide healing and relief. Each organ in the human body and corresponding energy channels are connected to form a complex network. That means that one area can affect another.

The Balance Method requires deep knowledge of these channels to achieve a stronger effect whether the practitioner is using acupuncture, herbal medicine, or a combination of the two. For example, this method uses points associated with the channels causing discomfort. Pain on one side of the body may be treated by inserting needles into a point on the opposite side.

What is the Best Acupuncture Method for Me?

Knowing how to apply acupuncture requires significant knowledge and experience. There is a lot of potential for pain and symptom relief when working with a professional acupuncturist. The first step is scheduling an appointment with someone who understands traditional medicine and its applications. Contact Michigan Associates of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine in West Bloomfield, Michigan today to talk to and make an appointment with an expert. We can provide advice and make suggestions for holistic treatment options that could help you find a solution that best works for you.

Acupuncture for Arthritis

July 10, 2018 By Julie Silver Leave a Comment

Julie Silver, MSW, R.Ac.

Holistic Medicine Can Help Reduce Symptoms

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese Medicine that has been used for thousands of years. It is based on the theory that our body has its own ability to promote healing through balancing an energy in our body called “qi”.

The acupuncture process involves the placement of very thin needles into acupuncture points along energy pathways (called meridians) that run throughout the body. This process restores the flow of qi to allow healing and to improve health.

How Does Acupuncture Provide Arthritis Relief?

The root of arthritis is inflammation. Arthro = joint and itis = inflammation. Joint pain and swelling are among the most common symptoms of arthritis. Inflammation can occur in many parts of our body. It is well known that Acupuncture helps to reduce inflammation. According to the Health Medicine Institute, Acupuncture successfully down regulates a pro inflammatory biochemical which results in anti-inflammatory responses and acupuncture signaling stimulates anti-inflammatory effects.

Should I Try Acupuncture for Arthritis?

One of our skilled acupuncturists can help. Most professionals recommend starting with bi weekly treatments for the first couple weeks, until patients begin to experience benefits. Once there is an improvement, you can decrease visit frequency.

Acupuncture is often chosen by patients who have tried other conventional methods without success. You do not need to wait until you exhaust other avenues. If you are experiencing new pain or symptoms, or have had chronic pain, consider visiting an acupuncturist to help relieve your symptoms. Many patients have reported arthritis relief. Contact Michigan Associates of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine in West Bloomfield, Michigan for an appointment today.

Summer Cold Treatment

June 10, 2018 By Editor Leave a Comment

Summer colds make you feel miserable and can linger for days or weeks. They can ruin your plans to enjoy the season. Chinese medicine takes a holistic approach to cold prevention and treatment. Rather than worry about viruses and bacteria, it is best to focus on fortifying ourselves so that these invaders are not able to take hold.

Letting the Body Fight Summer Colds Naturally

There are several things you can do to help your body fight off a summer cold naturally. They include:

Maintain Your Qi

Qi, or healing energy, should be maintained in abundance. That means avoiding overdoing it, eating properly, and making sure you are getting sufficient rest.

Eat Well Every Day

Food has a powerful influence over your body’s ability to heal and remain balanced. Stick to regular small meals and avoid over-consuming chilled, frozen, or raw foods.

Take Care of Your Lungs

Lungs are an essential component within your immune system. They are also the first area to experience illness. Perform deep breathing exercises and make sure you rest your voice as needed.

Holistic Treatment for a Summer Cold

What should you do if you already have a summer cold?

Avoid dairy, ice, and sugar. These foods suppress immunity and produce phlegm.
Enjoy homemade chicken soup with garlic in the broth.
Try a natural bee pollen throat spray to relieve discomfort without chemicals.
Take Echinacea and Goldenseal. Increase potency by taking as an alcohol-based tincture.
Promote circulation and waste elimination with acupuncture.

Chinese medicine provides us many ways to prevent and treat summer colds. Contact Michigan Associates of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine today to make an appointment and learn more about holistic treatment options.

The Benefits of Acupuncture Support Post Surgery

June 4, 2018 By Monica Mae Leibson 2 Comments

Monica Mae Leibson, R. Ac., Dipl. Ac.

While surgery may be necessary, it can cause discomfort and limit the patient’s ability to move and function for a period of time. Some turn to acupuncture as a way to help the healing process after undergoing a surgical procedure. What are the modern benefits of this traditional Chinese treatment?

Acupuncture Can Boost Your Immune System

If you have to stay in the hospital after surgery, then you need a healthy immune system to help you recover and fight off any germs in the area. Acupuncture helps normalize immune response so that you are better equipped to overcome illness.

Acupuncture Can Decrease Postoperative Pain

Pain after surgery is normal. Acupuncture can help you stay comfortable so you require fewer pain medications while you recover. That also means you’ll experience fewer side effects often associated with pills.

Acupuncture Can Help Reduce Surgical Scars

Scarring can happen after a surgery, especially those that require multiple or larger incisions. An acupuncturist can work under the scar. A procedure known as moxibustion may be used. This needleless treatment uses the herb Artemisia vulgaris, or mugwort, to bring qi, warmth and blood flow to the surgical region to promote healing. It is also used to fortify the immune system.

Schedule Acupuncture for Surgery

Acupuncture can also be used pre-op to help calm anxiety. To learn more about the benefits of acupuncture before or after surgery, contact Michigan Associates of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine in West Bloomfield, Michigan. We are available to help you decide if this is the best treatment option for you.

Can Acupuncture Help Treat Headaches and Migraines?

June 4, 2018 By Julie Shindler-Cohen Leave a Comment

Julie Shindler-Cohen, R. Ac., Dipl. OM, FABORM

Headaches are a common problem that affect people all over the world. Finding the right treatment can be difficult because headaches occur for different reasons. Many patients have found relief through acupuncture, a traditional Chinese practice that has been used for thousands of years.

Acupuncture for Tension Headaches

Tension headaches can cause significant discomfort. The symptoms include dull aching in the head, neck tenderness or tightness, and feelings of pressure behind the eyes, along the forehead, or on the sides or back of the head.

Acupuncture interacts with the nervous system to signal the brain to direct blood flow to the affected region. This helps relax muscles and reduces pain and tension. The procedure also causes the release of endorphins and enkephalins, which naturally stop pain.

Acupuncture for Migraines

A study was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal that involved nearly 500 adults with migraines. Some participants were treated with real acupuncture while others were treated with a fake imitation involving needles inserted at nonspecific points in the body. Participants had no idea which they received during the four-week-long study.

While both groups experienced some relief immediately, only those who received real acupuncture reported long-term improvement. On average, those who received acupuncture had reduced migraine intensity and frequency three months later while those who received the sham treatment did not.

Acupuncture for All Other Headaches

Acupuncture offers a holistic alternative to conventional medical treatments for all headaches and migraines. Contact Michigan Associates of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine in West Bloomfield, Michigan to make an appointment with one of our experienced and highly trained acupuncturists.

Thank You for Your Service

May 25, 2018 By jackie Leave a Comment

Acupuncture in Michigan Memorial Day 2018

This Memorial Day weekend Michigan Associates of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine honors those who bravely served and have given their lives, the ultimate sacrifice, for our freedom.

The Challenges of Infertility

April 10, 2018 By Julie Shindler-Cohen Leave a Comment

The Challenges of Infertility

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can help

By Julie Shindler-Cohen, Dipl. Ac.

Whenever I visit a reproductive medical office, it boggles my mind that couples would undergo infertility treatment without incorporating acupuncture and Chinese medicine. The entire process of infertility treatment can feel like an emotional rollercoaster and acupuncture is a healing modality that can benefit both the mind and body.

There are countless studies coming out that show the benefit of integrating acupuncture with traditional medical treatment but, as a practitioner, I have come to realize many more benefits that are not so obvious. [Read more…]

Reproductive and Integrative Medicines – the perfect match!

April 8, 2018 By Julie Silver Leave a Comment

Over the last 20 years, we have become more aware of the many challenges couples face in getting pregnant. Individuals are marrying later in age and couples are waiting longer to have children.

In addition, environmental toxins and our own diet can directly impact our health and trying to conceive. From a Western medical viewpoint, advanced age and ovulatory dysfunction, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), thyroid issues and male fertility can all play a part in having difficulty conceiving.

During these times, many couples turn to integrative medicine as an alternative or in complement with western medicine. There are many ways to take care of our bodies and support a successful pregnancy. Here’s a brief overview. [Read more…]

Supporting your Wife Through the Infertility Process

April 1, 2018 By Monica Mae Leibson Leave a Comment

Calling all partners!

The unrequited longing for a child brings many challenges to couples. It causes strain on the relationship — emotional, physical, hormonal and financial. At our clinic, we find that women and men perceive the fertility struggle very differently. Although one can never generalize completely, there can be very obvious differences that are worth addressing. Here are a few tips to help partners along the way. [Read more…]