Qi | Michigan Associates of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine

How does acupuncture work?

October 1, 2018 By Julie Silver 1 Comment

It is hard to make sense of something that is difficult to make sense of! Most people who come for acupuncture come without knowing much about “how it works”. We take time in our initial session to explain the premise behind acupuncture. In explaining it – it makes so much sense!

Acupuncture is based on the belief that our body has the ability to promote its own healing. What underlies our body’s ability to heal is an energy called Qi. We cannot see qi. It is an invisible force that is known by its effect. [Read more…]

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.

Boost that Immune System

August 8, 2017 By Julie Shindler-Cohen Leave a Comment

Even the cleanest schools (and children) are germ factories, and back to school time seems to inevitably lead to increased colds and infections in our kids. In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control says that elementary school children get up to 12 colds during the school year. Then they pass it onto their parents, who give it to their co-workers, who hand it off to the neighbors …

Help break that chain with acupuncture and Chinese medicine, each of which supports the body’s innate immune system in both children and adults. How? Click here to read all about it.

Everything You Wanted to Know about Acupuncture Needles!

August 7, 2017 By Karen Siegel Propis Leave a Comment

Here’s everything (and probably more) that you always wanted to know about acupuncture needles, which are used to stimulate the flow of qi energy.

They are made from stainless steel and flexible are like a wire (but not hollow)
They’re not much thicker than hair, and much thinner than a sewing needle or the hypodermic needle used to give a shot

[Read more…]

A patient weighs in on how acupuncture helped her migraines!

August 5, 2016 By Karen Siegel Propis Leave a Comment

As an acupuncturist, we often get feedback about how our clients are doing. I was recently asked to share an exciting patient testimonial!

You’ve made me feel like a whole person again. I barely even recognize myself I feel so good.

This comment was from a patient who came in describing debilitating headaches each month, like clockwork, the week before her period. She also was very irritable and emotional with her PMS and had painful cramps during her menstrual cycle. The combination of the premenstrual migraines, the emotional volatility and menstrual pain put her out of commission for almost 2 weeks each month. [Read more…]

All we are is a moment in time…

October 16, 2014 By Editor Leave a Comment

Most of you probably know what Chinese animal you are from going to eat at Chinese restaurants… what does it mean? What do those animals represent and what is the connection between “what animal we are” and the reasons we are getting sick at times or experiencing life in a certain way? And how is it related to acupuncture?!

[Read more…]

Why Choose Acupuncture?

April 3, 2012 By Julie Silver Leave a Comment

I first started with acupuncture as a patient. I was living in Chicago – in my mid 30’s and I was dealing with a number of physical health issues – nothing too serious – and many that were caused by the stress in my life. I was not “sick”. There really was no need for me to go to the doctor. Why would I anyway? I had great respect for my internist and knew that she was an excellent diagnostician. If there was any test that were needed – I would be there in a heartbeat. However, I also knew that what I was experiencing was considered “normal” by many standards.

I was working in a stressful job – in sales and marketing – overseeing a large geographic area – metropolitan Chicago. [Read more…]

Chinese Medicine 101: What is it?

July 20, 2011 By Julie Shindler-Cohen Leave a Comment

The practice of traditional Chinese medicine (CM) is very complex. People often ask “how does acupuncture work?” or “what types of conditions can acupuncture treat?” The answers to such questions are much more involved than a simple list of ailments. Simply put, and CM is an ancient, energetic, holistic medicine that takes into account all aspects of a person’s lifestyle and symptoms in order to make a diagnosis and treatment strategy. Let’s break this down more clearly. [Read more…]

Acupressure for Children

March 16, 2011 By Monica Mae Leibson 4 Comments

Acupressure can be a great way to help your child heal quickly from illness. Choose a time of day when your child is most calm, be it after a bath or just before bedtime. Kindly let them know that this will feel good and help them to get better. Gently put pressure on the acupuncture point/channel. Use as much pressure as your child tolerates and watch for signs of discomfort. Acupressure (as opposed to massage) can cause slight irritability when you hit the right point. Don’t continue with that point once your child feels “the qi”.

As far as the acupressure point locations, please refer to www.acupuncture.com

There you can click on “Acupuncture point location”. You choose which meridian (which is the organ name, for example Stomach). Then click on the point number and you will be directed to a picture as well as a written location.

Constipation

Acupressure Treatment: Stomach 36, Spleen 6, Bladder 20

Other suggestions:

Regular feeding (avoid snacks & avoid overfeeding)

Easily digested foods (avoid bananas, cows milk, peanuts)

Increase fish oils

Increase water

Diarrhea

Acupressure Treatment: Stomach 36, Large Intestine 11, Bladder 20/21/25, Stomach 44, Spleen 9, DU 10, Spleen 4

Other suggestions: BRAT (green bananas are better than ripe) & Vitamin Water

Teething

Acupressure Treatment: Large Intestine 4, Stomach 44

Other suggestions: Homeopathic teething tablets

Fever

Acupressure Treatment: DU 14, Large Intestine 4, Gallbladder 20, Lung 7, San Jiao 5, Stomach 36

Other suggestions: Chinese Medicine recommends keeping a child warm and encouraging sweating. A child can sustain a fever of 104 if it rises slowly (or only at night). Febrile convulsions occur when the temp goes up rapidly. Drink warm lemon and honey to stay hydrated. Do not make children with fevers eat. They are not hungry because their body is trying to heal. Also, it is recommended to keep children home for as long as they had their fever.

Cough

Acupresure Treatment: Ren 17, Ren 22 (note: these can bring up a lot of phlegm so do these points AFTER they wake and see how much phlegm they encourage.)

Lung 5, Lung 7, Lung 10, Large Intestine 4, Bladder 12/13

Other suggestions:

Honey for DRY cough, not as much for a wet cough

Cough with phlegm: avoid cows mlik, cheese, peanuts, peanut butter, sugar, bitter oranges

Acupuncture successfully treats in children:

Digestive dysfunctions, Respiratory dysfunctions, Infectious diseases, Insomnia

Eczema, Failure to thrive, Learning difficulties, Enuresis, Urinary Tract Infection

Puberty/growth concerns, Mononucleosis, Anemia, Anxiety/depression