What is Acupressure:



Acupressure was developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago. It uses the fingers to gradually apply pressure to key healing points. Acupressure was developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago. it uses the fingers to gradually apply pressure to key healing points. Acupuncture and acupressure use  the same pressure points and meridians to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. Acupressure releases muscular tension and promotes better circulation. It is effective in pain relief and detoxifying the body. Please join me for the Acupressure Workshop. Click on the above Acupressure Workshop tab for details.

"Living with Pain" is this Your Only Option?

The American Chronic Pain Association estimates that 86 million Americans are "living with pain". Using the phase "living with pain" and not "suffering from pain" creates the impression that this is an acceptable "lifestyle". As an acupuncturist and practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine my approach is wellness not an acceptance of "un-wellness."
The following is an excerpt from a report by the American Pain Society:

How effective is the medical profession in meeting the need for pain relief?

Almost all chronic pain sufferers have gone to a doctor for relief of their pain at one time or another. Almost 4 of every 10 are not currently doing so, since they think either there is nothing more a doctor can do or in one way or another their pain is under control or they can deal with it themselves.

This is not the case with those having very severe pain; over 7 of every 10 are currently going to a doctor for pain relief. In addition, significant numbers of those with very severe pain are significantly more likely to require emergency room visits, hospitalization and even psychological counseling or therapy to treat their pain.

A significant proportion (over one-fourth) of all chronic pain sufferers wait for at least 6 months before going to a doctor for relief of their pain because they underestimate the seriousness of it and think they can tough it out.

Chronic pain sufferers are having difficulty in finding doctors who can effectively treat their pain, since almost one half have changed doctors since their pain began; almost a fourth have made at least 3 changes. The primary reasons for a change are the doctor not taking their pain seriously enough, the doctor’s unwillingness to treat it aggressively, the doctor’s lack of knowledge about pain and the fact they still had too much pain. This level of frustration is significantly higher among those with very severe pain where the majority have changed doctors at least once and almost of every 3 have done it 3 or more times. Their primary reason for changing was still having too much pain after treatment.

Doctors are not a major barrier when a patient asks for a medicine they saw or heard about; in the majority of instances the doctor prescribes it. Similarly, in the majority of instances when a sufferer has been referred to a program or clinic for relief, in the great majority of referrals their managed care or workman’s comp program permitted access.

Huangqin (Chinese Herbal Medicine)

Huangqin, 黃芩 (Scutellaria radix)
The medical functions of huang qin include: huang qin’s ingredient baicalin can promote secretion of bile. Alkaloids of huang qin possesses antihistamine effect; baicalein has anti-toxin effect, inhibits permeability of capillaries and anti acetylcholine and anti anaphylaxis effects, it also inhibits acute asthma attack and allergenic eczema; prevents atherosclerosis; ingredient wogonin has anti hepatitis B virus effects. In modern medicine, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of wogonin have been widely used in clinical treatment of inflammatory diseases, including atopic dermatitis, hyperlipemia, and atherosclerosis. It has been reported that wogonin has the potential for therapeutic use in the treatment of atherosclerosis and restenosis based upon its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and antiproliferative activities.
(Source: Dictionary of Chinese herbs; Molecular Pharmacology Vol. 60, Issue 3, 507-513, September 2001.)

Mountain Biking and Hip Pain

Hip flexibility is needed to relieve pressure on the knee and lumbar. During cycling the hip remains in a flexed position. Chronic tightness through TFL/ITB, iliopsoas and adductors is very common. This can lead to hip and groin problems. Gluteal and hamstring range needs to be maintained to sit comfortably in lumbar flexion, and avoid  falling too far into posterior tilt. Most hip and groin pain is related to the lumbar spine and pelvis. Acupuncture resolves pain issues.
(reference: Sports Injury Bulletin/Sean Fyfe)

Mountain Biking and Lower Back

Lower back injuries are similar to neck pain, except the aggravating positive is prolonged flexion. Ongoing back pain can be caused by muscle fatigue, chronic tension to posterior vertebra ligaments and prolonged compression to intervertebral discs. Your pelvic position while riding is significant, sitting in a  tilted position increases lumbar flexion.. The long period of flexed trunk position produces aches in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine. Acupuncture can relieve the pain. (reference: Sean Fyfe/Sports Injury Bulletin)

Mountain Biking and Knee Pain

The most common cycling injury is patellofermoral syndrome (knee pain).  As the cartilage breaks down, extra pressure is put on the bones at the knee joint, producing pain and inflammation. One of the solutions is acupuncture.

Ginger Beer a Turn of the Century Health Tonic

Herbal remedies have played a part in all cultures. (Take 8 oz with fish and chips)

This classic ginger beer recipe is taken from the book "Dr. Chase's Third, Last and Complete Recipe Book, Memorial Edition" by Dr. Alvin Wood Chase, M.D., published by F. B. Dickerson Company, Detroit and Windsor, in 1891.

Old English Ginger Beer Recipe

Loaf sugar, 2-1/4 pounds; cream of tartar, 1-1/2 ounces; gingerroot, 1-1/2 ounces; 2 lemons; fresh brewer's yeast, 2 tablespoonfuls; water, 3 gals.

Directions: Bruise the ginger, and put into a large earthenware pan, with the sugar and cream of tartar; peel the lemons, squeeze out the juice, strain it, and add, with the peel, to the other ingredients; then pour over the water boiling hot. When it has stood until it is only just warm, add the yeast, stir the contents of the pan, cover with a cloth, and let it remain near the fire for 12 hours. Then skim off the yeast and pour the liquor off into another vessel, taking care not to shake it, so as to leave the sediment; bottle it immediately, cork it tightly; in 3 or 4 days it will be fit for use.