Mosquito tips for a restful sleep

“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito in the room”  -Dalai Lama XIV

Totally love that quote, but did not like waking up at 4:30am the other night with me and my husband both trying to find the mosquito (or mozzy as my husband calls them) that was taunting us in our bedroom. One sure way to ensure that the nasty biters stay out is to mix 4 parts water to 1 part tea  tree oil, mix in a spray bottle and spray around he upper walls and doors of your room; apparently they dont like the smell.

Needless to say we slept great the next night ;)

 Here is a bog I wrote ages ago but it stills ring true...

Natural Mosquito Repellents

I was out at my mother and father's house on Sunday and noticed that my mom had lemon thyme plants growing in the backyard right in front of the back door that leads into the house. My mother explained that the lemon thyme works as a natural mosquito repellent and that every time she goes to sit in the backyard she takes a few leaves, bruises them by crushing them in her hand, and then places the essence from the leaves around her ankles, knees, elbows and shoulders. There are other natural plants that act as mosquito repellents such as Lavender, Rose Geranium, Lemon Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, and Citronella, which can be found in most health food stores. If you don't have a back garden or any place to grow these plants then I would advise buying natural sprays, lotions or candles from your local health food store.

Other tips to avoid getting bit by mosquitos are:

• Avoid dark clothing (dark clothes and foliage are initial attractants)
• Avoid floral or fruity fragrances (perfumes, hair products, and scented sunscreens, also watch for floral fragrance from fabric softeners)
• Avoid staying near standing water (even small amounts of water, for example: moist plants or mud puddles, will draw mosquitoes. Standing water also allows mosquitoes to reproduce.)
• Avoid excessive perspiration (you release more lactic acid when you have been exercising or after eating certain foods for example: salty foods and high-potassium foods)

   

Acupuncture Provides True Pain Relief in Study

A new study of acupuncture — the most rigorous and detailed analysis of the treatment to date — found that it can ease migraines and arthritis and other forms of chronic pain.
The findings provide strong scientific support for an age-old therapy used by an estimated three million Americans each year. Though acupuncture has been studied for decades, the body of medical research on it has been mixed and mired to some extent by small and poor-quality studies. Financed by the National Institutes of Health and carried out over about half a decade, the new research was a detailed analysis of earlier research that involved data on nearly 18,000 patients.
To read the full article, please click here

A new study finds that acupuncture affects sympathetic nervous system tone and increases peripheral blood flow

Very cool research being done studying the effects of acupuncture and blood flow...

"A new study finds that acupuncture affects sympathetic nervous system tone and increases peripheral blood flow. Researchers measured the physiologic effects of applying acupuncture to acupoint LV3 (Taichong). LV3 is located on the dorsum of the foot in the depression distal to the junction to the first and second metatarsal bones. The scientists created a study to measure the exact effects of needling a single acupuncture point on radial artery hemodynamics. Using high-resolution ultrasound with automated echo-tracking, the researchers discovered that applying acupuncture to LV3 causes an initial decrease in radial artery blood flow volume during the acupuncture treatment. Next, the radial artery blood flow volume significantly increases after completion of the acupuncture needling. The researchers also noted that acupuncture decreases systolic blood pressure following acupuncture treatments. Heart rate significantly decreased during acupuncture and returned to baseline approximately three minutes following the treatments."

Full article can be read here
 

Vitamin D and Prevention of Chronic Diseases/ Treatment for Psoriasis

Wonderful, informational (and funny) video on the importance of Vitamin D

please click here

Recent Study Shows Acupuncture Effective for Chronic Pain

Recent Study Shows Acupuncture Effective for Chronic Pain

A new study published last month in the Archives of Internal Medicine demonstrates that acupuncture is more effective for chronic pain than “sham acupuncture,” which is a placebo version of the treatment. This study has been touted as one of the largest, most rigorous and robust analyses to date on the effectiveness of acupuncture treatments for the amelioration of pain.

This study received major news coverage from news entities all over the world, proving that acupuncture has been and will continue to be used for pain management effectively throughout the world. The NCCAOM used the momentum created by this important news to send out a nation-wide press release to promote the safe and effective practice of acupuncture by NCCAOM certified Diplomates with special attention to how to find a certified Diplomate via the NCCAOM website. You can read the press release via the NCCAOM website

Acupuncture Improves Sleep

A recent study shows that acupuncture as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has immediate effects in reducing nocturnal respiratory events, sleep disruptions, and desaturations (low oxygen levels in the blood). The researchers hypothesize that this improvement is due to acupuncture’s effects on serotonergic pathways and also acupuncture’s anti-inflammatory effects. Both manual acupuncture and 10Hz electro-acupuncture techniques were found effective. Both techniques produced superior clinical outcomes compared with 2Hz electro-acupuncture.
Discussion of Acupuncture and Airflow
The researchers note that the acupuncture points of the neck are of specific interest because they stimulate the genioglossus muscle (secondarily, the mylohyoid muscle) on deep insertion. They note that stimulation of this lingual muscle affects airflow dynamics and may be a key reason as to why acupuncture is effective for improving the symptoms of patients with sleep apnea.
To read the full article please click here
Posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac
 

Why Are You Doing That Point? Spleen 6

"Ever wonder why acupuncturists choose certain points? The AcuTake “Why Are You Doing That Point?” series has the answer.
So far we’ve looked at Liver 3 and Large Intestine 4, two popular acupuncture points that are frequently used together; Stomach 36, known for its energizing qualities; and Governing Vessel 20, a conversation-starter located on the top of the head.
This time we’re looking at a very widely used point called Spleen 6.
Spleen 6—also known as Sanyinjiao (Chinese name), Three Yin Intersection (English translation) and SP6 (acupunk lingo)—is located on the inside of the lower leg.
To find it yourself, place the pinkie-side edge of your hand against the high point of your medial malleolous (the big bone on the inside of your ankle). Spleen 6 is directly above the malleolous, at the other, index-finger edge of your hand (see picture below).

Spleen 6 Is a Three-for-One Deal

The location of Spleen 6 is what makes it so widely used. Spleen 6 is the point at which the Spleen, Liver and Kidney meridians intersect—hence the name, Three Yin Intersection.

This means it can be used to address issues having to do with any of the three channels. And that means Spleen 6 is used an awful lot.
John Pirog, in his great book The Practical Application of Meridian Style Acupuncture, says that naming all of Spleen 6′s indications would “require an entire text.”
In A Manual of Acupuncture, author Peter Deadman calls Spleen 6 “one of the most important and widely used of the acupuncture points.”
It’s not just that Spleen 6 is a three-fer. Moreover, Spleen, Liver and Kidney—arguably more than other channels—are principally important in a significant number of functions throughout the body.
Westerners in particular, plagued by our overworked and stressed-out lifestyles, are disproportionately afflicted with patterns that affect the Liver and Spleen meridians. For this reason, Spleen 6 is included in almost all acupuncture treatments for general-wellness, balancing, and stress-reduction.
We could all use a little more Spleen 6 in our lives.

Ladies, Remember This Acupuncture Point

Although Spleen 6 is used for many, many conditions, there are a few for which it is known to be especially effective. Gynecological conditions are at the top of the list.

Anything gynecological—PMS, irregular or painful menstruation, infertility, delayed or difficult labor, genital pain or itching—is from an acupuncture perspective directly related to Spleen, Liver and Kidney. Gynecological issues can stem from any (or all three) of these systems, so a point that influences them all is efficient and effective.
In fact, Spleen 6′s effect on a woman’s reproductive health is so powerful that the point is contraindicated during pregnancy.
Spleen 6 also addresses reproductive health in men. It is frequently used on men who complain of impotence, seminal emission and genital pain.

Spleen 6 Is A Lot to Digest

After gynecology, digestion is the next best-known area that warrants love from Spleen 6.
Often used in combination with acupuncture point Stomach 36, Spleen 6 is particularly focused on resolving digestive and abdominal problems due to what is known as Dampness.
As it pertains to digestive disorders, Dampness can cause diarrhea, undigested food in the stool, abdominal distention or fullness, and weak appetite. Many of these symptoms are seen in that overworked and stressed-out Westerner mentioned above, because Dampness often is a sign of deficiency in the Spleen caused by an overactive Liver.
Spleen 6, in addition to being chosen when digestive or abdominal symptoms suggest Dampness, also is a go-to point for women whose digestive disturbances are accompanied by gynecological problems.
Other uses for Spleen 6 include difficult or painful urination, insomnia, dizziness, low back and knee pain, as well as ankle and foot pain because of its location.
As the connection point for the body’s Spleen, Liver and Kidney energies, Spleen 6 is multifaceted and powerful in its effects. Don’t be surprised if you see it pop up in your next acupuncture treatment.
Next up on “Why Are You Doing That Point?” is Yin Tang. Look for it."
By Sara Calabro
Reposted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac