What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine that originated over 5,000 year ago. It is based on the belief that the body is viewed as a balance between two opposing forces known as the Yin and Yang. Vital energy call the “qi” circulates through twelve energy lines known as meridians. Each meridian is associated with a different organ system. An imbalance flow of the qi, therefore an imbalance between the Yin and Yang, throughout a meridian is the thought on how disease begins. The qi affects a person’s emotional, spiritual, physical and mental conditions.
Acupuncture typically involves penetrating the skin with thin, metallic needles that are manipulated by the fingers or by electric stimulation. The needles are inserted into specific points along meridian lines to influence the flow and restore balance of the qi. The unblocking of the qi allows the body to return to a balanced state and a healthy center. Most people feel a brief stinging or no pain and report feeling energized or relaxed from the therapy. There are over 1,000 acupuncture points on the body.
In 1997, acupuncture needles were reclassified from “experimental” to “medical” devices by the FDA. That same year, the National Institutes of Health released a consensus endorsing acupuncture for the treatment of a variety of conditions, such as pain relief and improved function for osteoarthritis, reduced post traumatic stress disorder and improved pregnancy rates following in vitro fertilization. The National Cancer Institute reports that acupuncture has shown many proven benefits for cancer patients. These benefits include improvement of the immune system response and reduction in pain, nausea and vomiting.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
There are many theories about how acupuncture works. Some of them include the following:
· Acupuncture stimulates the release of pain-relieving endorphins;
· Acupuncture stimulates circulation;
· Acupuncture influences the electrical currents of the body;
· Acupuncture influences the autonomic nervous system;
· Acupuncture influences the release of neurotransmitters, substances that transmit nerve impulses to the brain
Conditions Treated By Acupuncture
· Migraines and tension headaches
· Sinusitis
· Common cold
· Addictions (food, smoking, etc)
· Trigeminal neuralgia
· Meniere’s disease
· Tennis elbow
· Sciatica
· Arthritis
· Fibromyalgia
· Menstrual cramps
· Weight loss
· Low back pain
· Infertility
· Asthma
· TMJ
· Carpal tunnel syndrome
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Acupuncture is generally considered safe and adverse effects tend to be rare. Some people may experience dizziness, sweatiness and nausea or even lost of consciousness. However, these problems usually clear up on their own in minutes, without lasting harm to the patients. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports “there are fewer adverse effects associated with acupuncture than with many standard drug treatments used to manage painful musculoskeletal conditions.” While acupuncture is an extremely safe form of physical medicine, there are some contraindications and risks.
Precautions & Contraindications:
· Avoid blood vessels to prevent bleeding
· Points of the chest and back should be carefully needled to avoid injury to organs
· It is a contraindication to needle to abdomen of lumbosacral areas in a pregnant woman
Risks:
· Fainting
· Bruising
· Muscle spasm
· Bleeding
· Nerve damage
· Punctured lung
· Accidental injury to organs
Additionally, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine recommends that patients “do not rely on a diagnosis of disease by an acupuncture practitioner that does not have substantial medical training.” As part of Avecinia Wellness Center’s integrative approach to medicine and healing, we incorporate medical acupuncture with a variety of other healing modalities. Dr. Unaiza Hayat is one of the few Fresno based board certified physician who has been trained by the Pain Research institute in Medical Acupuncture. Each session is approximately 15-20 minutes and costs $65 for the first session and $40 for each session after (your insurance may reimburse, please speak to Colette for more information). We also offer Acupuncture for Weight Loss and Acupuncture for Infertility. Those programs start at $200. If you would like more information about acupuncture, please visit Avecinia Wellness Center’s website: www.avecinia.com and look under services for “Acupuncture” or call us at (559) 450-7299.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Skin Care
Skin Care
Your skin reflects your health. It is your body’s canvas and one of its most valuable assets. Good skin care and healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent many skin problems and delay the natural aging process. It’s the only skin you’ll ever get, so your daily habits mean everything. With proper skin care, your skin can stay fresh as you age. Follow the tips below and keep your skin healthy and glowing for the years to come.
Protect yourself from the sun
One of the most important ways to care for your skin is to protect it from the sun. Although sunlight helps your body make Vitamin D, which is important for good health, too much sunlight can be harmful. The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Lifetime sun exposure can cause dry, rough skin, discoloration, age spots, freckles, wrinkles, moles and more serious problems, such as precursors to and/or skin cancer.
Understanding how the sun is damaging to the skin is important and worth knowing. There are main 2 types of UV radiation: UVB and UVA. Although both are contribute to the risk of developing skin cancer, UVB rays causes sunburns and UVA rays causes tanning and aging. Sun protection recommendations include:
•Avoid the sun between 10 AM and 4 PM. This is when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
•Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts and pants. Shade your face by wearing wide-brimmed hats and protect your eyes with sun glasses that are UV-blocking. Dark colored clothing generally provides more protection than light colors. There is even special sun-protective clothing specially designed to block UV rays while keeping you comfortable and cool. This clothing will have a label listing UV protection factor (UPF) value on a scale from 15-50+, indicating the level of protection the garment provides. The higher the UPF, the higher the protection.
•Use sunscreen. Apply generous amounts of “broad-spectrum” sunscreen 30 minutes prior going outdoors and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or heavy sweating. Use sunscreen that have a sun protection factor (SPF) greater than 15 and that have both UVA and UVB protection. SPF indicates protection against UVB rays only. “Broad-spectrum” protects against both UVA and UVB radiation, but, unfortunately, there is no standard system for measuring protection from UVA at this time. Products that contain titanium dioxide, avobenzone (Parsol 1789), zinc oxide or ecamsule are likely to be effective against both UVA and UVB. Remember to always check the expiration date on the sunscreen container to be sure that it is still effective. Most products are no longer effective after 2 to 3 years. Also, “waterproof” and “water resistant” products do rub off on your towel when you dry yourself, so reapply. We carry Obagi SPF 35 and Vivite SPF 30 sunscreen. Both offer UVA and UVB protection and are highly recommended. For a limited time, both are only $30. Don’t forget lip balm that contains SPF to protect your lips and apply sunscreen to your ears!
•Avoid tanning beds. The give out both UVA and UVB rays.
Take note that UV rays reach the ground throughout the year, even on cloudy days. UV rays passes through water, so even if you feel cool in the pool, you aren’t safe. Sunlight also reflects off sand and snow and increases the amount of UV radiation you receive, so be careful at the beach and in the snow.
Avoid smoking
Smoking contributes to wrinkles and makes your skin look older. Smoking decreases blood flow to your skin by narrowing blood vessels, depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients and damages elastin and collagen. When these fibers breakdown, the skin begins to sag, stretch and lose its ability to go back into place. Smoking may contribute to wrinkles by the repetitive facial expressions of squinting your eyes and pursing your lips. If you already have fine lines developing, Obagi’s NuDerm system may help you combat them. Fine lines around the lips can be reduced with Vivite’s defining lip plumper. If you would like to quit smoking or know someone who does, make an appointment with Avecinia Wellness Center for our Smoking Cessation program.
Treat your skin gently
Properly cleanse your skin. If you wear makeup, be sure to remove all traces of it at the end of the day. Integrate a proper skin care routine into your day early. While you can’t replace the skin you have, you can nourish and pamper it to protect it for the future. The Obagi C-Rx System and the Vivite Vibrant System are excellent facial regimens we offer at the office.
Limit bath time. Long baths/showers and hot water remove oils from your skin. Use luke warm water rather than hot water when you bathe.
Avoid strong soaps that strip oil from your skin. Instead, use mild cleansers.
Gently pat dry after bathing with a soft towel and apply moisturizer when your skin is slightly damp for better absorption.
Manage stress
Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and prone to acne breakouts and other skin problems. A healthy state of mind will aid in healthier skin, so take steps to manage stress. Set reasonable goals and limits, prioritize and scale back your to-do list and make time for activities you enjoy. If you do have breakouts or acne problems, try Obagi CLENziderm system; it is currently 25% off the regular price.
Eat a healthy diet
A healthy diet will help you feel and look your best. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins and whole grains. Although the association of diet and acne is unclear, research suggests a diet low in fats and carbohydrates and rich in Vitamin C promotes younger looking skin.
Stay hydrated
You should drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated and to provide your skin with vital moisture from the inside.
Your skin reflects your health. It is your body’s canvas and one of its most valuable assets. Good skin care and healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent many skin problems and delay the natural aging process. It’s the only skin you’ll ever get, so your daily habits mean everything. With proper skin care, your skin can stay fresh as you age. Follow the tips below and keep your skin healthy and glowing for the years to come.
Protect yourself from the sun
One of the most important ways to care for your skin is to protect it from the sun. Although sunlight helps your body make Vitamin D, which is important for good health, too much sunlight can be harmful. The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Lifetime sun exposure can cause dry, rough skin, discoloration, age spots, freckles, wrinkles, moles and more serious problems, such as precursors to and/or skin cancer.
Understanding how the sun is damaging to the skin is important and worth knowing. There are main 2 types of UV radiation: UVB and UVA. Although both are contribute to the risk of developing skin cancer, UVB rays causes sunburns and UVA rays causes tanning and aging. Sun protection recommendations include:
•Avoid the sun between 10 AM and 4 PM. This is when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
•Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts and pants. Shade your face by wearing wide-brimmed hats and protect your eyes with sun glasses that are UV-blocking. Dark colored clothing generally provides more protection than light colors. There is even special sun-protective clothing specially designed to block UV rays while keeping you comfortable and cool. This clothing will have a label listing UV protection factor (UPF) value on a scale from 15-50+, indicating the level of protection the garment provides. The higher the UPF, the higher the protection.
•Use sunscreen. Apply generous amounts of “broad-spectrum” sunscreen 30 minutes prior going outdoors and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or heavy sweating. Use sunscreen that have a sun protection factor (SPF) greater than 15 and that have both UVA and UVB protection. SPF indicates protection against UVB rays only. “Broad-spectrum” protects against both UVA and UVB radiation, but, unfortunately, there is no standard system for measuring protection from UVA at this time. Products that contain titanium dioxide, avobenzone (Parsol 1789), zinc oxide or ecamsule are likely to be effective against both UVA and UVB. Remember to always check the expiration date on the sunscreen container to be sure that it is still effective. Most products are no longer effective after 2 to 3 years. Also, “waterproof” and “water resistant” products do rub off on your towel when you dry yourself, so reapply. We carry Obagi SPF 35 and Vivite SPF 30 sunscreen. Both offer UVA and UVB protection and are highly recommended. For a limited time, both are only $30. Don’t forget lip balm that contains SPF to protect your lips and apply sunscreen to your ears!
•Avoid tanning beds. The give out both UVA and UVB rays.
Take note that UV rays reach the ground throughout the year, even on cloudy days. UV rays passes through water, so even if you feel cool in the pool, you aren’t safe. Sunlight also reflects off sand and snow and increases the amount of UV radiation you receive, so be careful at the beach and in the snow.
Avoid smoking
Smoking contributes to wrinkles and makes your skin look older. Smoking decreases blood flow to your skin by narrowing blood vessels, depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients and damages elastin and collagen. When these fibers breakdown, the skin begins to sag, stretch and lose its ability to go back into place. Smoking may contribute to wrinkles by the repetitive facial expressions of squinting your eyes and pursing your lips. If you already have fine lines developing, Obagi’s NuDerm system may help you combat them. Fine lines around the lips can be reduced with Vivite’s defining lip plumper. If you would like to quit smoking or know someone who does, make an appointment with Avecinia Wellness Center for our Smoking Cessation program.
Treat your skin gently
Properly cleanse your skin. If you wear makeup, be sure to remove all traces of it at the end of the day. Integrate a proper skin care routine into your day early. While you can’t replace the skin you have, you can nourish and pamper it to protect it for the future. The Obagi C-Rx System and the Vivite Vibrant System are excellent facial regimens we offer at the office.
Limit bath time. Long baths/showers and hot water remove oils from your skin. Use luke warm water rather than hot water when you bathe.
Avoid strong soaps that strip oil from your skin. Instead, use mild cleansers.
Gently pat dry after bathing with a soft towel and apply moisturizer when your skin is slightly damp for better absorption.
Manage stress
Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and prone to acne breakouts and other skin problems. A healthy state of mind will aid in healthier skin, so take steps to manage stress. Set reasonable goals and limits, prioritize and scale back your to-do list and make time for activities you enjoy. If you do have breakouts or acne problems, try Obagi CLENziderm system; it is currently 25% off the regular price.
Eat a healthy diet
A healthy diet will help you feel and look your best. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins and whole grains. Although the association of diet and acne is unclear, research suggests a diet low in fats and carbohydrates and rich in Vitamin C promotes younger looking skin.
Stay hydrated
You should drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated and to provide your skin with vital moisture from the inside.
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