Migraine and Tension Headaches: A Natural Cure through Acupuncture

Acupuncture for Headaches and Migraines

Headaches fall into three main categories: tension-type, migraine and cervicogenic. Tension-type headaches are the most frequent. Patients who endure tension-type headaches usually feel mild to moderate pain on both sides of the head. The pain is usually described as tight, stiff or constricting, as if something is being wrapped around your head and squeezed tightly. Tension headaches are the most common headaches, and generally cause infrequent mild to moderate pain, but in a considerable number of patients, tension headaches are so frequent that they require treatment.

Migraine headaches, on the other hand, can be disabling and severe. Accompanying symptoms can include nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light.While migraines affect far fewer people than tension-type headaches and have a much shorter duration, their symptoms are much more severe. They typically affect women more frequently than men, with pain that usually occurs on one side of the head

Cervicogenic headaches are the most recently diagnosed type of headache and are musculoskeletal in nature. They may be caused by pain in the neck or spine that is transferred to the head. Many times, cervicogenic headaches go undiagnosed because of their recent classification.

Who suffers from headaches?

Nearly everyone will suffer a headache at some point in time. They are one of the most common physical complaints that prompt people to treat themselves or seek professional assistance. Some estimates say that up to 50 million Americans suffer from sever, long-lasting, recurring headaches. While most headaches are not necessarily symptomatic of another condition, they can be very distracting and account for significant amounts of time lost from work.

What causes headaches?

Emotional stress is a well known trigger for migraine. Japanese researchers have found that people living in fast-paced business centers in Tokyo tend to have an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system, specifically, an inhibition of the parasympathetic system that is active during relaxation, and an excitation of the sympathetic nervous system, which governs our response to stress. This type of imbalance is associated with other health conditions such as heart disease, insomnia, high blood pressure, and premenstrual syndrome.

In order to harmonize the autonomic nervous system, our acupuncture physician uses a special acupuncture technique called SES. The SES technique involves the shallow insertion of acupuncture needles just to the dermis of the skin, with manual needle stimulation given while the patient is exhaling and in sitting position. This technique was originally studied by professor Kazushi Nishijo of Tsukuba College of Technology in Japan, who found it had positive physiological effects on the nervous system. Recent studies suggest that this acupuncture technique may activate the parasympathetic nervous system and decrease muscle tension. Acupuncture points for this technique are usually chosen on the forearms and lower legs.

An imbalance of female hormones is another factor believed to be related to migraine. At Healthy Being Wellness Center, females with migraine outnumber males. Application of indirect heat using moxibustion, a traditional heat treatment that involves gently burning medicinal herbs over the skin on the lower abdomen, low back, and sacral bone may help balance female hormones.

Significant muscle tension in the neck and upper back is common in people with migraines, so reducing this tension is an important part of migraine prevention. Application of acupuncture needles to points on the patient's body found to be sensitive or reactive in order to cause an instantaneous increase in blood flow to those tight muscles

What can acupuncture do for headaches?

Acupuncture, as an effective treatment modality, has been applied to headaches from the earliest beginnings of TCM. Acupuncture involves penetrating the skin with thin, metallic needles at specific points. It is one of the main medical treatments in traditional Chinese medicine, where it came into being more than 2,000 years ago.

Since pain during a migraine is believed to be associated with dilation of blood vessels in the head, inducing this physiological reaction through the insertion of needles into the head and neck area would not be desirable during an attack. It may even temporarily worsen the patient's pain and accompanying symptoms such as nausea.

The head and neck areas are rarely stimulated to avoid unnecessary dilation of vessels in that area. In addition, the entire treatment is often done with the patient in sitting position rather than the usual lying position. This is because blood vessels are under greater control in sitting position, minimizing the chance of undesired dilation of the blood vessels following acupuncture. In certain situations, a high frequency (100 Hz) electrical current may be connected to the acupuncture needles to help constrict the blood vessels. Acupuncture for migraine prevention

Brian Berman, M.D., director of the University of Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine in Baltimore, confirmed that acupuncture is definitely becoming a more popular treatment option for Americans. "There is more evidence coming out showing acupuncture is safe and often effective and should be considered as part of a multidisciplinary approach for chronic pain," he said.

Appointments are available Mon-Saturday. Please call 727-502-3464 or visit our website: www.healthybeingllc.com to book your appointment online.

St. Petersburg Acupuncture Clinic offers Acupuncture for Joint Pain, Muscle Pain, Strains, Sprains, Soft Tissue Injury, Sports Injury and Aches

Acupuncture for Muscle and Joint Pain.

Pain due to muscle or joint dysfunction affects us all at some time or another. Whether you injure yourself exercising, develop a problem from hours spent at a computer, or suffer arthritic pain, our acupuncture can provide you with the pain relief you need (and it’s drug free).

Everyday we treat a wide variety of painful conditions due to muscle and joint dysfunction. The majority of our clients report a significant improvement after the first treatment, including many people who’ve had no success with physiotherapy and /or chiropractic.

Our approach is to fix the cause of your painful condition, and to teach you how to prevent the problem from coming back. We use the best techniques from traditional and modern medicine to find a solution that works for each patient. We understand that because no two bodies are the same, no two painful conditions are the same.

Whether you have a sore shoulder, bad back, tight neck or achy knees, call us today to make an appointment and get on the road to recovery.

Read what our expert acupuncturist, Jill Pahl says about the treatment of pain:

Jill, how do you identify a muscle or joint (musculoskeletal) problem?

Obviously pain is present in the majority of muscle problems. Pain can manifest in many ways: as an ache, dull pain, sharp (stabbing) pain, or a feeling of tightness. However, there are many more indicators of musculoskeletal dysfunction: swelling and/or redness (these indicate inflammation); pins & needles or numbness (these can be symptomatic of nerve involvement); or decreased range of motion (showing problems with joints, ligaments, tendons, or muscles).

There may be a history of trauma, such as an accident or sporting injury; or history of overuse such as long hours of sitting at a computer for work, or repetitive movements. Knowing the cause of the pain will help our diagnosis and treatment, and give you tips on how to avoid it coming back.

What are the most common causes of musculoskeletal pain?

In my experience the most common cause of muscle pain are ‘knots’ in muscle, leading to tight muscles and connective tissue (tendons and ligaments), or even nerve impingements. This can occur in any part of the body. Of course soft-tissue injuries such as strains and sprains, as well as scar tissue from old injuries are also predominant causes.

Can you explain a little more about muscle ‘knots’?

When a muscle is overworked or overloaded a ‘knot’ develops, which is a tight band within the muscle. This leads to pathological muscular contraction and pain. Often, a person with muscle pain will have multiple knots in several muscles. Without treatment these knots get progressively worse until the pain becomes so bad that it forces a person to seek help. Acupuncture doesn’t mask pain like painkilling medication does, but treats the cause, which is better for your body.

A healthy muscle should be able to fully relax and contract: a tight muscle, then, because it cannot totally relax, is also weakened.

Why is acupuncture so effective for pain?

I insert the acupuncture needle into the muscle, sometimes directly into the knot. This stimulates the muscle to relax, and produces a ‘muscle twitch’ or ‘muscle release’. I am able to see and feel such muscle twitches, and often the patient can too.

I also use my knowledge of acupuncture channels to make a comprehensive diagnosis. Using both western anatomy and physiology with traditional acupuncture gives me a full picture of what’s causing a person’s pain, and allows me to know exactly how to treat it.

Acupuncture also improves circulation through areas of pathological muscular tension, reduces inflammation and stimulates the healing process in muscles. This latter effect helps to avoid the development of fibrocytic scar tissue or adhesions (hardened, inelastic tissue) where musculoskeletal problems are, resulting in a full recovery and a decreased risk of future relapse (the problem occurring again).

Do you use other techniques when treating pain? If so, why?

Yes. While traditional acupuncture forms the primary treatment, I regularly use other techniques, such as remedial massage; electro-acupuncture; cupping; guasha and moxibustion. No two patients are the same, so no two problems are ever quite the same. This is why my treatment is always different for each person. These other techniques can, when appropriate, greatly complement and strengthen the effect of the acupuncture.

Who’s at risk of musculoskeletal pain?

We all are. Different groups of people tend to suffer different pain problems:

• Office-workers and students tend to spend long hours sitting at a computer desk. These people often develop neck, shoulders, elbows and wrist problems. These painful conditions have often been present for a long time, as they tend to gradually get worse over time.
• Sports people: back, hamstrings, groin; legs, shoulders; these people often develop pain problems in the major muscles of the body due to their exercise regime. These painful conditions can happen suddenly (traumatic injury) or over the long term due to repetitive movements.
• Mature people: degenerative and inflammatory conditions e.g. osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, tennis elbow and frozen shoulder, often affect people from their fifties. Such problems tend to have joint inflammation with associated muscular tension.

How long does it take to fix muscle pain?

A general rule is that the longer you’ve had the problem the longer it takes to sort out. For example, in the case of acute neck pain (torticollis) – when someone wakes up and can’t turn their head, usually only 1-2 treatments are necessary. However, for a person who has OOS (Occupational Overuse Syndrome – formally known as RSI) of the wrist due to years of long hours of computer use, it’s expected to take longer until the pain is totally gone. Such people may need 6-8 treatments or more.

It’s important to be aware of this though: that although you might have experienced the pain for a relatively short time (say, for example, 3 weeks), the knots in your muscles may have been developing over a much longer period. I can always tell if this is the case by palpating (feeling) and sometimes just looking – muscles which have been in distress for a long time are hard and tender to touch and usually have multiple knots.

Do you give your patients exercises or stretches to do at home to help with their treatment?

Yes, absolutely. And these stretches are simple and take very little time to do, so my patients can easily fit them into their busy schedule. As my patients improve I give them more advanced stretches to do.

Do you have any tips for people to prevent muscle pain from developing?

Yes, I have many! Here are a couple:

Posture

Get into the habit of having good posture – although it may feel relaxing, slouching (whether standing or sitting) places strain on muscles.

Take regular breaks from the computer – stretching during this time is very beneficial (these breaks also help avoid eye strain).

Have your work-station assessed ergonomically – a desk and chair that is the right fit for you will relieve some of the strain on your body during all those hours you spend at work.

Get a back-pack – they may not be fashionable, but carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder places great strain on the body and often leads to neck, shoulder and back problems.

Always lift heavy objects with good posture – use your knees to lift instead of your back.

Exercise

Always warm-up and cool-down before and after physical exercise – this decreases the risk of sprains and strains.

If you start to feel an unusual pain during an exercise – stop or at least slow down – it may be a signal from your body telling you that something is wrong and shouldn’t be ignored.

Do a variety of exercises – e.g. if you are a runner, swap one of your runs each week with a swimming session or a bike ride – this works different muscles (giving your running muscles a chance to have a little break), while still contributing to improving fitness.

Eat well

Eat plenty of nutritious food and stay hydrated – muscles require proper nutrition in order to repair/heal properly and grow.

Get treatment

Don’t put off getting treatment if something hurts – the longer you wait the more serious it becomes and the longer it will take to rectify. Call us to book an acupuncture treatment and schedule a massage to work out tight, sore and "knotted" muscles. 727-502-3464.

Visit our website for more information

St. Petersburg Stress Relief Management and Stress Relief with Acpuncture

It's not uncommon in every day life to experience stress. Who isn't stressed from work, family and even the internal stressors of self-doubt, the need to achieve and perfectionism? Just how intense stress is on our health is often overlooked. Stress is a silent killer. It creates chronic conditions that lead to more significant health concerns.

Your body's stress mechanisms were designed to support you during stressful times, like in an emergency. But not during the constant stress to which we are often exposed. Stress can be externally produced by an unfulfilling job, a difficult supervisor, a stressful home life, caring for an aging parent, or by uncertainty about the circumstances around you, either about work, or world issues.

All these factors combine to put the calmest person into a frazzled frenzy. Internally stress can deplete your nervous system, lymphatic system, kidneys and adrenal glands. This sets the stage for a wider array of more serious ills. Studies have shown that increased and constant stress can decrease the number of white blood cells, which defend us against viruses. This leads to a wreaked immune system and emotional instability.

Signs of an Overactive Response to Stress:

• Anger/frustration
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Digestive problems
• Headaches
• Heart disease
• High Blood Pressure
• Insomnia
• Joint pain
• Tight neck and shoulders
• Weakened immune system
• Weight gain

If you suffer from two or more of the signs of an overactive response to stress above - you might want to consider a solution. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have been shown to be one of the most effnective ways to reduce the devastation of stress and activate the relaxation response. Acupuncture causes your body to release pleasant, happy chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins are natural opiates, which relieve pain and increase a person’s sense of relaxation and well being. They can give a person a “natural high” similar to the feeling we have at peak experiences in our lives. This is one of the reasons that acupuncture is so useful in the treatment of depression and anxiety.

Acupuncture also encourages relaxation by loosening tight muscles. You can leave a session feeling as if you had a good, deep massage. Many of our patients walk into their first session dreading needles and walk out of their first session feeling as relaxed, calm and rejuvenated.

This is what a Healthy Being Wellness Center Patient experiences:

"Stress Relief at it's Greatest! I consider myself a healthy person and try to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes I forget to incorporate massage, acupuncture and detoxification services as a part of my monthly regimen. I was so delighted to find a place as SPECIAL as Healthy Being Wellness Center and the staff that works there - everyone is so positive, friendly and you can tell they are experts in their respective fields. After one Acupuncture Session I felt more balanced throughout the week and was even given ear seeds by Jill to destress throughout the day."

~ Ann L. (from a review on Google Pages)

Set up your appointment today for stress free, optimal health. 727.502.3464

The Why, What, How & Treatment Options for Lymphedema in Cancer Survivors

How does lymphedema affect some survivors?

Lymphedema affects the lymphatic system. The lymphatic tissues and organs produce, store and carry the white blood cells that help fight infections and other diseases. There is an accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the interstitial spaces of an affected body part due to a blockage or malfunction in the lymphatic system. It is often associated with swelling that you can see and feel. This occurs most frequently in the arms and legs.

The swelling of arms, legs, trunk, or other body part occurs from the build-up of lymph fluid. Lymph fluid is the clear fluid that travels through the lymphatic system and carries cells that help fight infections and other diseases. There are two types of lymphedema: primary and secondary.

Sometimes radiation damages lymph nodes and these changes can contribute to lymphedema. In addition, surgeries that remove lymph nodes are sometimes a necessary part of treating cancer. The side effects from some treatments can cause lymphedema.

Lymphedema can occur during treatment, immediately following treatment, or years after cancer treatment ends. Because there is not an exact risk time period, it is important to go for regular check-ups and look for changes in your body that might be symptoms. Whether or not you will get lymphedema really depends on the type of treatment you had, other predisposing factors, and your body's response to treatment.

If you do experience lymphedema, it does not mean that your health care team did not do a good job. The primary goal of your health care team is to treat your cancer. They then work to manage any aftereffects you might experience. It is important to be aware of the risks of lymphedema and other aftereffects of treatment. Watch for symptoms to increase your chances of early detection. This will enable you to inform your doctor and get treated as early as possible.

What are some symptoms of lymphedema?

Symptoms and swelling may appear for a short time, disappear without treatment, and then return. If you notice any symptoms, write down when they happened, what you were doing and if anything made it better.

Sometimes, when the swelling comes and goes often, it might be the beginning of chronic lymphedema. Early detection and treatment are very important. Once swelling becomes chronic, it is only manageable and not reversible. You are likely to be the first to notice symptoms of lymphedema. Check your body regularly for changes.

Lymphedema can affect survivors physically and emotionally. You may have concerns about your appearance, increased risk of infections, functional limitations and pain. Talk with your doctor about any concerns you have.

Common symptoms of lymphedema include:

• Swelling of the arms, legs or trunk on the affected side of the body
• Feeling of heaviness or discomfort in an arm or leg
• Loss of flexibility in the hand, wrist, or ankle
• Difficulty fitting into your clothes
• Tightness of rings, watch or bracelet
• Infections that won't go away or keep coming back in the same area
• Feeling of tightness in the skin (this may be felt even before there is noticeable swelling)
• Pitting of the skin

Why does cancer and treatment sometimes cause lymphedema?

Even though other non-cancer conditions can cause lymphedema, it often happens after a treatment that changes your lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels. Lymphedema does not happen because treatment was not done correctly.

The lymphatic system can function at a higher level when your body needs it to do so--but only for a brief period of time. Once the lymphatic system fails to keep up with how much fluid your body needs it to pump, it may not be able to move the fluid where it needs to go in your body.

An infection can also cause damage to the lymphatic system. It is very important to protect the body from infection in order for the lymphatics to work as well as they can.

Certain types of treatment may bring a greater risk for lymphedema. Talk with your health care team about treatments whether there is a risk for you. Ask what can be done to try to prevent this from happening.

Cancer-related procedures that may bring increased risks of developing lymphedema include:

• Biopsy: A biopsy is when your tumor and surrounding tissue is removed for testing. This may damage lymphatic pathways and may allow bacteria to enter the body through the break in the skin. Damage to the lymph pathway and infection both cause increased congestion. This can be a first step in the development of lymphedema.
• Surgery: You may have lymph nodes removed during surgeries for melanoma or breast, gynecological, head and neck, prostate, testicular, bladder, colon or other type of cancer. Lymph vessels may also be cut during the course of surgery to remove tumors and surrounding tissue. This puts survivors at risk of developing lymphedema.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation kills cancer cells that might be left behind after surgery. Radiation therapy often causes fibrosis or thickening of the tissues in the area of your body that received radiation. The thickening of the tissue may make it harder for lymph fluid to flow from your legs and arms into the middle of your body.

Lymphedema can be managed with effective treatment, but there is no cure. However, it is believed that an early diagnosis and treatment of any temporary swelling can help prevent chronic lymphedema from happening.

Who might be at most risk for lymphedema?

People who have had the following surgical procedures may be at greater risk for developing lymphedema:

• Biopsy
• Lumpectomy
• Simple mastectomy
• Modified radical mastectomy with node dissection in the armpit
• Surgical removal of lymph nodes
• Traumatic injury
• Radiation
• Infection
• Impaired lymphatic structure and function
• Surgery or biopsies that sample lymph nodes or disrupt lymph flow in the groin or axilla (armpit).
• Individual predisposition and basic conditioning factors yet to be fully understood

Survivors of the following cancer types are at risk for developing lymphedema:

• Breast cancer
• Melanoma
• Prostate cancer
• Ovarian cancer and other gynecological cancers
• Head and neck cancers
• Colorectal cancer
• Cancers involving lymph node sampling or dissection
• Radiation to the lymph nodes

Other factors can also put a survivor at risk for lymphedema. These include being seriously overweight, having diabetes and taking certain medications. However, there has not yet been a great deal of research about how or whether these factors increase your risk for lymphedema. Discuss these factors with your health care team, if they apply to you.

What can be done to minimize risks for developing lymphedema?

To decrease your risk of developing lymphedema, talk with your health care team about treatment alternatives. Ask about strategies to minimize your risk and learn about lymphatic therapy. Contact Melissa Gallagher, Certified Lymphatic Therapist for more information.

Works Cited

Lymphedema Risk Reduction Practices – National Lymphedema Network http://www.lymphnet.org/pdfDocs/nlnriskreduction.pdf

Ridner SH. "Breast cancer lymphedema: pathophysiology and risk reduction guidelines." Oncology Nursing Forum 29(9) (Oct. 2002): 1285-93.

National Lymphedema Network Position Papers online:http://www.lymphnet.org/lymphedemaFAQs/positionPapers.htm

Lymphatic Decongestive Therapy and Manual Lymphatic Drainage for Mastectomy, Lumpectomy, Radiation and Breast Cancer Surgery in St. Petersburg, FL 33

As a Lymphatic Drainage Therapist, I work with a large client base of Women who have had mastectomies, lympectomies with the removal and/or radiation of the axillary lymph nodes as a result of breast cancer surgery.

I'd like to share a few techniques and therapies that I utilize with my electro-lymphatic therapy tool that helps to drain unilateral lyumphedema on the upper torso (arms, chest and neck).

It is very important in the treatment of unilateral secondary upper extremity lymphedema,especially in cases where lymph node groups are removed and/or radiated to incorporate deep lymphatic drainage therapy techniques. Manual lymphatic drainage therapy only impacts the superficial lymphatic system and it becomes extremely important for the deeper lymphatic system to be drained. Often it is required to utilize anastomosis on the affected side to create new lymphatic pathways for enhanced drainage.

A common question we hear with new clients is how long will I need to wear my compression garments and how many treatments will I need before my arm and side swelling goes down? With lymphedema, if an extremity is considerably swollen, it is not recommended to treat the entire extremity during one setting. It is imperative that clients wear their compression garments as directed. We will recommend a variety of at home based therapies clients can do on their own to also enhance the flow of lymphatic fluid. A treatment plan would proceed in steps to prevent overload of the healthy lymphatics in the drainage areas. For many of my clients who have had mastectomies, there are often pockets of tight severe swelling around the shoulder, around the scar/surgery site of the breast and often under the side of the breast bone. In these cases, we will incorporate several treatments that first address the swollen pockets to reduce the lymphatic overload and as the flow moves - we can then work the upper arm and then past the elbow.

Often there will be pockets of lymphatic fluid pooling along the outer arm and along the elbow, in these cases we will push the fluid via our tool and traditional manual lymphatic drainage techniques to redirect flow via the anastomosis up the arm towards the lymph nodes in the clavical and neck region. Often we will also push the fluid to the back and then open the thoracic duct in the abdomen to release the fluid.

It's an amazing process and we can actually visualize fluid reduction occurring instantaneously. Clients report regaining feeling and a reduction in the numbness and puffy, stuffy and swollen feeling in their limbs.

If you suffer from lymphedema or swelling/water retention- lymphatic drainage therapy is an essential ingredient on your path towards wellness. Our goal is to initially help our client's bodies manage lymphatic flow by creating lymphatic movement and assisting the body in restablishing lymphatic pathways. Over time, we seek to see our clients on a maintenance only schedule once pathways are created and lymphatic fluid movement is consistent.

Please call us (727-502-3464) if you have any questions or view FAQ about Lymphatic Therapy.

2012 Valentine's Day Spa Packages and Valentines's Day Gift Ideas in St. Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater, Largo, FL 33702. 727-502-3464

Healthy Being Wellness Center offers Valentine's Day Spa Packages for him and her in Tampa Bay. We are a full service Holistic Day Spa Spa in St. Petersburg, Fl 33702. Treat your loved one to a relaxing spa gift certificate this Valentine's Day.

Valentines Day Spa Service Menu

Dark Chocolate Moisturizing Facial 50 min, $55

Rose Petal Anti-Aging Facial 50 min, $55

Hot Chocolate Stone Massage 50 min, $50 (massaged with warm chocolate infused body oil)
Rose Bouquet Therapeutic Massage 50 min, $65 (massaged with rose oil)

Rose Petal Body Wrap 50 min, $70

Couple’s Romance Massage 50 min, $130 per couple (massaged with warm chocolate infused body oil)

PACKAGES:

Sweet Love 60min, $60

Mini Dark Chocolate Facial, Mini Rose Bouquet Therapeutic Massage

Death by Chocolate 110min, $120

Dark Chocolate Moisturizing Facial, Hot Chocolate Stone Massage

Valentine's Bliss 125min $120

Dark Chocolate Moisturizing Facial & Rose Petal Body Wrap

My Sweetheart: Head to Toe Bliss 130 min, $170

Rose Petal Anti-Aging Facial, Stimulating Scalp & Moisturizing Hair Treatment, Hot Chocolate Stone Massage, Detox Foot Spa

Cupid’s Rescue 125 min, $180
Dark Chocolate Moisturizing Facial, Rose Petal Body Wrap, Hot Chocolate Stone Massage

It’s All Chocolate & Roses 175 min, $260
Dark Chocolate Moisturizing Facial, Rose Petal Body Wrap, Hot Chocolate Stone Massage

Couple’s True Love 175 min, $350 (per couple)

Side by Side Treatments – Couples Romance Massage & Chocolate Moisturizing Facial & Rose Petal Body Wrap Body

Call to book your appointment: 727-502-3464

or

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