Recently I came across and article in The Wall Street Journal entitled "Decoding an Ancient Therapy: High-Tech Tools Show How Acupuncture Works in Treating Arthritis, Back Pain, Other Ills"
As many of you know I have always been interested in research and the process in which acupuncture research studies are carried out; below is part of the article from the WSJ showing just how it is being done:
"Acupuncture has long baffled medical experts and no wonder: It holds that an invisible life force called qi (pronounced chee) travels up and down the body in 14 meridians. Illness and pain are due to blockages and imbalances in qi. Inserting thin needles into the body at precise points can unblock the meridians, practitioners believe, and treat everything from arthritis and asthma to anxiety, acne and infertility.
As fanciful as that seems, acupuncture does have real effects on the human body, which scientists are documenting using high-tech tools. Neuroimaging studies show that it seems to calm areas of the brain that register pain and activate those involved in rest and recuperation. Doppler ultrasound shows that acupuncture increases blood flow in treated areas. Thermal imaging shows that it can make inflammation subside.
Scientists are also finding parallels between the ancient concepts and modern anatomy. Many of the 365 acupuncture points correspond to nerve bundles or muscle trigger points. Several meridians track major arteries and nerves. "If people have a heart attack, the pain will radiate up across the chest and down the left arm. That's where the heart meridian goes," says Peter Dorsher, a specialist in pain management and rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. "Gallbladder pain will radiate to the right upper shoulder, just where the gallbladder meridian goes."
The use of acupuncture continues to spread—often alongside conventional medicine. U.S. Navy, Air Force and Army doctors are using acupuncture to treat musculoskeletal problems, pain and stress in stateside hospitals and combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Delegations from Acupuncturists Without Borders are holding communal ear-needling sessions to reduce stress among earthquake victims in Haiti. Major medical centers—from M.D. Anderson in Houston to Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York—use acupuncture to counteract the side effects of chemotherapy."
To read the full article please click here
posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
"Chinese medicine plant may lead to anticancer drug"
"Traditional Chinese medicinal plants are used for a lot of maladies, but researchers at Johns Hopkins say one could serve as a starting point for development of new anticancer drugs.
The researchers found that a natural product isolated from a plant known as thunder god vine, or lei gong teng, and used to treat maladies including rheumatoid arthritis, works by blocking gene control machinery in the cell.
Their report was published in the March issue of Nature Chemical Biology.
“Extracts of this medicinal plant have been used to treat a whole host of conditions and have been highly lauded for anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, contraceptive and antitumor activities,” says Jun O. Liu, a professor of pharmacology and molecular sciences at Johns Hopkins. “We've known about the active compound, triptolide, and that it stops cell growth, since 1972, but only now have we figured out what it does.”
To read the full article please click here
Posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac.
The researchers found that a natural product isolated from a plant known as thunder god vine, or lei gong teng, and used to treat maladies including rheumatoid arthritis, works by blocking gene control machinery in the cell.
Their report was published in the March issue of Nature Chemical Biology.
“Extracts of this medicinal plant have been used to treat a whole host of conditions and have been highly lauded for anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, contraceptive and antitumor activities,” says Jun O. Liu, a professor of pharmacology and molecular sciences at Johns Hopkins. “We've known about the active compound, triptolide, and that it stops cell growth, since 1972, but only now have we figured out what it does.”
To read the full article please click here
Posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
"Need some ZZZ's?"
I recently came across this article on sleep disorders in an issue of Women magazine and how trying to "catch up" on sleep really doesn't work...
"The causes of sleep disorders and the reasons they persist vary. With insomnia, for example, different types of insomnia tend to have different causes. For instance, insomnia can be a conditioned response, meaning that it’s attributed to a significant event—such as a career change, divorce, or any stressful experience. The shock or anxiety associated with that event may trigger insomnia, but the disorder persists once the event has passed due to “strategies” that we put in place to cope with a lack of sleep."
"In general, says Allison T. Siebern, MD, associate director of the Insomnia and Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at Stanford University, “Insomnia is the most prevalent sleep disorder.”
Dr. Siebern says that sometimes people respond to inadequate sleep by trying to sleep more. This won’t work, she says, because “Sleep is a biological process—you can’t force it.” So, efforts to sleep more tend to backfire by raising something called the hyperarousal system. This system is responsible for the stress response known as fight or flight, and once it’s raised the mind becomes extremely alert and the muscles are tense. Naturally, this state makes sleep increasingly difficult. As a result, says Dr. Siebern, “People become very frustrated that they can’t sleep,” and the cycle of unsuccessfully trying harder to sleep continues; insomnia is thus maintained. “There are processes that help regulate sleep,” she says, “so if you try to sleep outside the times you normally sleep, you’re physiologically in a place where you’re not able to sleep.”
To read the full article please click here
"The causes of sleep disorders and the reasons they persist vary. With insomnia, for example, different types of insomnia tend to have different causes. For instance, insomnia can be a conditioned response, meaning that it’s attributed to a significant event—such as a career change, divorce, or any stressful experience. The shock or anxiety associated with that event may trigger insomnia, but the disorder persists once the event has passed due to “strategies” that we put in place to cope with a lack of sleep."
"In general, says Allison T. Siebern, MD, associate director of the Insomnia and Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at Stanford University, “Insomnia is the most prevalent sleep disorder.”
Dr. Siebern says that sometimes people respond to inadequate sleep by trying to sleep more. This won’t work, she says, because “Sleep is a biological process—you can’t force it.” So, efforts to sleep more tend to backfire by raising something called the hyperarousal system. This system is responsible for the stress response known as fight or flight, and once it’s raised the mind becomes extremely alert and the muscles are tense. Naturally, this state makes sleep increasingly difficult. As a result, says Dr. Siebern, “People become very frustrated that they can’t sleep,” and the cycle of unsuccessfully trying harder to sleep continues; insomnia is thus maintained. “There are processes that help regulate sleep,” she says, “so if you try to sleep outside the times you normally sleep, you’re physiologically in a place where you’re not able to sleep.”
To read the full article please click here
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Can eating red meat help stop your baby from crying?
I came across this article recently that suggests that "Mothers-to-be who boost their intake of a vitamin found in steak during the first three months of pregnancy are up to eight times more likely to have babies who cry less".
This research was published in the Early Human Development journal and involved nearly 3,000 pregnant women.
"The researchers found that those women whose test results showed they had the least B12 were up to eight times more likely to give birth to a child who cried for prolonged periods than those who had the most.
On average, five per cent of mothers lacking B12 had a distressed baby while just over one per cent of women with the most B12 reported their baby cried excessively.
The researchers, from the Public Health Service in the Netherlands, concluded: 'This study provides first evidence for an early nutritional origin in infant crying behaviour.
'The results suggest infants born to women with a low B12 status during pregnancy are at a higher risk for excessive crying behavior in their first months of life.'
The researchers suggest that a lack of B12 may affect how much of a supportive tissue known as myelin, which surrounds and protects the nerve cells, is produced in the brain. Less myelin could cause irritability, they suggest.
They also say B12 could affect sleep cycles because low levels prevent the release of the body's sleep hormone, melatonin."
To read the full article please click here
This research was published in the Early Human Development journal and involved nearly 3,000 pregnant women.
"The researchers found that those women whose test results showed they had the least B12 were up to eight times more likely to give birth to a child who cried for prolonged periods than those who had the most.
On average, five per cent of mothers lacking B12 had a distressed baby while just over one per cent of women with the most B12 reported their baby cried excessively.
The researchers, from the Public Health Service in the Netherlands, concluded: 'This study provides first evidence for an early nutritional origin in infant crying behaviour.
'The results suggest infants born to women with a low B12 status during pregnancy are at a higher risk for excessive crying behavior in their first months of life.'
The researchers suggest that a lack of B12 may affect how much of a supportive tissue known as myelin, which surrounds and protects the nerve cells, is produced in the brain. Less myelin could cause irritability, they suggest.
They also say B12 could affect sleep cycles because low levels prevent the release of the body's sleep hormone, melatonin."
To read the full article please click here
Friday, April 1, 2011
"The End of Ouch?"
"One of the best imports from Eastern medicine — acupuncture — comes from a time before ibuprofen and Bengay. Not everyone agrees on how acupuncture works, but physicians believe it activates endorphin systems, and many consider it a highly effective complementary therapy"
Monday, March 28, 2011
Testimonials
Over the years I have received various Thank you's and testimonials from my patients; I would like to share a few:
I have always believed in Eastern medicine, but I also believe in finding the right practitioner...having been on the hunt for a good acupuncturist since moving to NY several years ago, I am so glad I found Sharon Wyse. Not only has each session with Sharon been thoroughly relaxing, but any ache, pain or ailment that I have walked in with, I have well and truly walked out leaving behind. I would highly recommend Sharon to anyone who is both experienced and new to this type of treatment.
~Jen Thomas, Astoria NY
"Sharon’s acupuncture as worked wonders for my asthma. As soon as she starts placing the needles I can feel my chest begin to open up. I used to take Singulair every day. Now I only take it when I really need it. I definitely recommend anyone with asthma to give it a try."
-New York, NY
“I struggled with pain in my shoulder and arm for years. I had gone to no less than 5 western practitioners who diagnosed me with various issues and were indifferently suggesting surgery. Immediately after my first treatment with Sharon Wyse I started to feel better. She had not only worked on my arm when I started seeing her but approached my ailment in a holistic manor paying attention to my asthma and tendency to hunch over – creating strain on my neck and shoulder muscles. No one else had ever connected them to my ailing shoulder but it made perfect sense. Not only did it help my arm and relieve me of that pain, but I found myself craving treatments in general. I have been seeing her ever since for any ailments that come up or even if I just feel unbalanced. Her treatments are like a day at the spa for me. I always leave Sharon’s treatments feeling so good and relaxed”.
32y/o New York, NY
"I started seeing Sharon back in 2003 for a chronic digestive problem (IBS) I had suffered with for about 2 years. I had tried everything and was even told by a medical doctor that it was "all in my head" and that I should "try to relax" Within 2 treatments I had seen a huge difference in my bowel pattern and bowel consistency; within 2 months of acupuncture treatments and herbs I was back to "normal" I didn't even realize how bad my quality of life was until I was able to look back and compare how I was feeling- I couldn't believe how long I had to suffer for nothing?! Sharon spent time with me explaining what she was doing and I felt like (and still feel like) I was in such great hands and so cared after during her treatments. I still continue to see Sharon for other ailments that come up and she even made me an herbal emergency kit for those times that I come down with a cold! “
Sue F., 34
“As a fellow acupuncturist and herbalist who worked with Sharon for over two years I admire Sharon's expertise in Chinese medicine and her devotion to wellbeing of patients. She always inspired me to look deeper into patient’s cases and generously shared her extensive knowledge as we discussed treatment strategies. She sees patients as whole complex beings and treats that way. I was lucky to have many acupuncture sessions with Sharon. They were very effective in reducing various ailments such as headaches, colds, backache, digestive problems, and fatigue. And they always were painless and relaxing! Sharon's needling technique and bedside manners are exceptional! I feel confident every time I give Sharon's card to people seeking for a great acupuncturist in the area.”
Angela Gabriel L.Ac.
“I first met Sharon through a friend that was going to see her for acupuncture treatments. At first I was skeptical but I was experiencing so much pre-menstrual pain that I decided to give it a try. My western MD told me that I had endometriosis; he prescribed me pain killers and told me that I would need surgery. I started getting weekly acupuncture and taking the herbal medications that Sharon prescribed. My menses came the following month and I realized that I didn't have the pain like I normally do and even the achiness in my back was gone. I usually have very bad pre menstrual symptoms like tender breast and emotional mood swings but I noticed a huge difference within that first month. After the second month I had no pain what so ever, I couldn't believe that I didn't need to take off of work like I usually had to on the first day of my period. Needless to say I am still pain free and didn't have to have the laparoscopy surgery. I would recommend Sharon to anybody!”
Joanne T.
“Sharon Wyse has helped me in so many ways. I suffer from anxiety and in the height of it all I was willing to try anything to find relief. After listening to me patiently, Sharon explained to me what was happening to my body and how acupuncture will help. For the first time in a long time I had felt a sense of calmness because she cared and made so much sense. Sharon started treating me with acupuncture and herbs which I have found to be a great help in my recovery. I would recommend and do recommend Sharon to everyone I speak to! “
S.M, 33
“Sharon is one of the brightest people I know. She has a kind heart and a very special way about her that lets you know that you are important and cared for. Sharon is a skilled acupuncturist and herbalist who possess the rare ability to treat her patients with intelligence and kindness at the same time.”
Stephanie Duggins L.Ac.
I had a slight discomfort in one of my testicles, and I went to a urologist for fear
of testicle cancer. After careful examination, the urologist found nothing wrong, and basically told me to 'live with it' and it 'might go away on its own'.
Well, it did not 'go away on its own'. Nor did it get worse. It just stayed continually uncomfortable. A cousin of mine had recommended acupuncture as a possible cure, and had highly recommended Sharon Wyse.
I was skeptical, but was willing to give it a try.
I know this may sound crazy, but Sharon cured me in ONE VISIT. I am not joking! Even though I no longerhad any discomfort in my testicle after just one treatment by Sharon, I continued to see her for several months just to keep my body in balance.
It is now almost 9 months later, and I still have no discomfort in my testicle, and feel terrific.
Thank you, Sharon!!
Scott
New Jersey
~Jen Thomas, Astoria NY
"Sharon’s acupuncture as worked wonders for my asthma. As soon as she starts placing the needles I can feel my chest begin to open up. I used to take Singulair every day. Now I only take it when I really need it. I definitely recommend anyone with asthma to give it a try."
-New York, NY
“I struggled with pain in my shoulder and arm for years. I had gone to no less than 5 western practitioners who diagnosed me with various issues and were indifferently suggesting surgery. Immediately after my first treatment with Sharon Wyse I started to feel better. She had not only worked on my arm when I started seeing her but approached my ailment in a holistic manor paying attention to my asthma and tendency to hunch over – creating strain on my neck and shoulder muscles. No one else had ever connected them to my ailing shoulder but it made perfect sense. Not only did it help my arm and relieve me of that pain, but I found myself craving treatments in general. I have been seeing her ever since for any ailments that come up or even if I just feel unbalanced. Her treatments are like a day at the spa for me. I always leave Sharon’s treatments feeling so good and relaxed”.
32y/o New York, NY
"I started seeing Sharon back in 2003 for a chronic digestive problem (IBS) I had suffered with for about 2 years. I had tried everything and was even told by a medical doctor that it was "all in my head" and that I should "try to relax" Within 2 treatments I had seen a huge difference in my bowel pattern and bowel consistency; within 2 months of acupuncture treatments and herbs I was back to "normal" I didn't even realize how bad my quality of life was until I was able to look back and compare how I was feeling- I couldn't believe how long I had to suffer for nothing?! Sharon spent time with me explaining what she was doing and I felt like (and still feel like) I was in such great hands and so cared after during her treatments. I still continue to see Sharon for other ailments that come up and she even made me an herbal emergency kit for those times that I come down with a cold! “
Sue F., 34
“As a fellow acupuncturist and herbalist who worked with Sharon for over two years I admire Sharon's expertise in Chinese medicine and her devotion to wellbeing of patients. She always inspired me to look deeper into patient’s cases and generously shared her extensive knowledge as we discussed treatment strategies. She sees patients as whole complex beings and treats that way. I was lucky to have many acupuncture sessions with Sharon. They were very effective in reducing various ailments such as headaches, colds, backache, digestive problems, and fatigue. And they always were painless and relaxing! Sharon's needling technique and bedside manners are exceptional! I feel confident every time I give Sharon's card to people seeking for a great acupuncturist in the area.”
Angela Gabriel L.Ac.
“I first met Sharon through a friend that was going to see her for acupuncture treatments. At first I was skeptical but I was experiencing so much pre-menstrual pain that I decided to give it a try. My western MD told me that I had endometriosis; he prescribed me pain killers and told me that I would need surgery. I started getting weekly acupuncture and taking the herbal medications that Sharon prescribed. My menses came the following month and I realized that I didn't have the pain like I normally do and even the achiness in my back was gone. I usually have very bad pre menstrual symptoms like tender breast and emotional mood swings but I noticed a huge difference within that first month. After the second month I had no pain what so ever, I couldn't believe that I didn't need to take off of work like I usually had to on the first day of my period. Needless to say I am still pain free and didn't have to have the laparoscopy surgery. I would recommend Sharon to anybody!”
Joanne T.
“Sharon Wyse has helped me in so many ways. I suffer from anxiety and in the height of it all I was willing to try anything to find relief. After listening to me patiently, Sharon explained to me what was happening to my body and how acupuncture will help. For the first time in a long time I had felt a sense of calmness because she cared and made so much sense. Sharon started treating me with acupuncture and herbs which I have found to be a great help in my recovery. I would recommend and do recommend Sharon to everyone I speak to! “
S.M, 33
“Sharon is one of the brightest people I know. She has a kind heart and a very special way about her that lets you know that you are important and cared for. Sharon is a skilled acupuncturist and herbalist who possess the rare ability to treat her patients with intelligence and kindness at the same time.”
Stephanie Duggins L.Ac.
I had a slight discomfort in one of my testicles, and I went to a urologist for fear
of testicle cancer. After careful examination, the urologist found nothing wrong, and basically told me to 'live with it' and it 'might go away on its own'.
Well, it did not 'go away on its own'. Nor did it get worse. It just stayed continually uncomfortable. A cousin of mine had recommended acupuncture as a possible cure, and had highly recommended Sharon Wyse.
I was skeptical, but was willing to give it a try.
I know this may sound crazy, but Sharon cured me in ONE VISIT. I am not joking! Even though I no longerhad any discomfort in my testicle after just one treatment by Sharon, I continued to see her for several months just to keep my body in balance.
It is now almost 9 months later, and I still have no discomfort in my testicle, and feel terrific.
Thank you, Sharon!!
Scott
New Jersey
Thursday, March 24, 2011
The Art of Breathing
The Art of Breathing
By Sharon A. Wyse L.Ac.
Breathing seems pretty basic. You inhale... You exhale... You repeat.
It seems odd that one would need lessons on how to breathe, but more and more I am finding myself educating new patients on the importance of deep abdominal breathing. Usually, the topic of breathing first comes up while the patient is lying comfortably on the acupuncture treatment table. As I ask them to take a relaxing deep breath in, I usually see only their upper chest expand and rise.
Imagine a baby breathing; they resemble a little baby Buddha with their belly extending in and out. The breath is deep, even and slow, easy and calm. You will see that it is not the chest that is rising and falling, but rather it is the abdomen moving in and out.
It seems odd that one would need lessons on how to breathe, but more and more I am finding myself educating new patients on the importance of deep abdominal breathing. Usually, the topic of breathing first comes up while the patient is lying comfortably on the acupuncture treatment table. As I ask them to take a relaxing deep breath in, I usually see only their upper chest expand and rise.
Imagine a baby breathing; they resemble a little baby Buddha with their belly extending in and out. The breath is deep, even and slow, easy and calm. You will see that it is not the chest that is rising and falling, but rather it is the abdomen moving in and out.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine we refer to this area of the body as the Tan Tien. It is described as an important focal point for internal meditative techniques and refers specifically to the physical center of gravity located in the abdomen three finger widths below the navel and two finger widths deep within the abdomen.
Over the years, life in a crowded city with chronic pollution problems, lack of fresh air, stationary work environments and overall stress can result in the gradual shift from abdominal breathing to chest breathing. To figure out if you are breathing correctly place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen. When you take a deep breath in, the hand on the abdomen should rise higher than the one on the chest. This insures that the diaphragm is pulling air into the bases of your lungs.
Instructions for proper abdominal breathing:
Over the years, life in a crowded city with chronic pollution problems, lack of fresh air, stationary work environments and overall stress can result in the gradual shift from abdominal breathing to chest breathing. To figure out if you are breathing correctly place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen. When you take a deep breath in, the hand on the abdomen should rise higher than the one on the chest. This insures that the diaphragm is pulling air into the bases of your lungs.
Instructions for proper abdominal breathing:
| Inhale slowly and deeply through your nostrils into the bottom of your Tan Tien When you've inhaled fully, pause for a moment and then exhale fully through your mouth. Purse your lips and imagine that you are blowing on a hot spoonful of soup. As you exhale, just let yourself go and imagine your entire body going loose and limp. It should take you twice as long to exhale as it did to inhale. |
Learning and using proper breathing techniques is one of the most beneficial things that can be done for both short and long term physical and emotional health. Abdominal breathing helps to relax the nervous system, reduces stress and tension, lowers blood pressure, and calms the mind. Practicing abdominal breathing also massages and tones the internal organs - particularly the digestive organs.
We all live in and around this city together and experience the stresses and crowds that come with it. Stress is inevitable; coping is the key. Here are a few simple techniques that I have incorporated into my life and have shared with my patients:
- If you work in an office desk environment, place a sticky note on the corner of your computer that simply says "sit straight and breath deep," to remind you to practice abdominal breathing throughout your day.
- When you find yourself in a store waiting on line, use that time to practice your abdominal breathing. Incorporate the breathing techniques while commuting; chances are you won't mind the wait or the commute as much.
Getting back to proper breathing isn't hard but it does take practice. So, make it a point to integrate abdominal breathing at least two to three times into each day and you will see a transformation in your physical and mental health transform.
As always, if you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me directly via email Sharon@wyesacupuncture or by phone 917.603.8081
Be well and breath on!
Sharon Wyse L.Ac
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)