One of the oldest and most trusted forms of alternative health care practices is acupuncture, and there are many different practitioners of it in the country today. And with over two and a half million residents in DFW area, North Texas is home to many different acupuncture clinics that can help you get relief from a variety of different ailments and regain your wellness. If you’re trying to find the best possible care for the different issues that this type of ancient remedy can help, knowing a bit more about it can help you do so.
Basically, acupuncture is the process of using hair-thin needles to help promote proper flow of energy throughout the body. It’s commonly believed that issues with the flow of energy in your body can cause muscular pain, headaches, digestive pain, and a wide range of other issues. And recent studies have found that in some cases acupuncture does indeed provide relief for certain types of pain and for certain issues. By alleviating stress and helping stimulate various aspects of your wellness, many have reported less pain, more energy, and better overall well-being as a result of their treatment.
Some experts suggest that a large part of why acupuncture is so effective at helping with so many different issues is that it manages to help alleviate stress and calm the mind and body. Since stress is such a leading cause of various illnesses and issues, just the ability to reduce that stress and relax the body’s muscles can often deliver very real results that can’t be ignored. Results could be immediate or cumulative, but the millions who swear by this alternative health care treatment will tell you that they are simply too real to be ignored.
To really get the maximum benefit from your acupuncture treatment, you’ll want to use it as part of a broad-spectrum treatment. This means that you should add it to a regular exercise regimen, nutrition counseling, massage, and other options. By focusing on a wide range of different issues you’ll be able to develop the best possible results. Try to find a good alternative health care center that utilizes acupuncture along with these other treatments to ensure you find the success that you’re looking for.
Call us today at 817.835.0885
To trying new things,
Mark Tryling, L.Ac.,
Phone # 817.835.0885
www.meridianharmonics.com
Meridian Harmonics Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
2044 Bedford Rd.
Bedford, TX 76021
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
The Ultimate Investment You Can Make…
If you're like most people, there are a few things in life that you consider to be important to invest in... your house, car, education, children's future, clothes, material items, and so on.
But if you think about it, there is one area of life that most of us DON'T invest in that is utterly critical to our overall happiness and fulfillment.
Without this, nothing else really matters...
You guessed it--your health.
Doesn't it seem ironic that we are all taught to invest in so many areas of life, but that our own basic level of health and well-being does not make it onto the top of our priority list?
Well, I want to suggest something radical here...
This may take a leap of faith on your part, or you may 'get it' already. But this has certainly been my own direct experience, along with so many of the patients I have worked with over the years.
When you invest in your health, every other aspect of your life becomes that much more abundant, fulfilling, and successful. This is because your health is the foundation for every aspect of your life.
Time and again, I have witnessed patients who commit to their health through acupuncture and the other natural approaches we offer, and almost as if by magic, they:
So, if there's something inside of you that KNOWS how important your health is.. And how being proactive about it will only lead to amazing outcomes in very facet of your life, then we invite you to call our office today at 817.835.0885.
As they say, 'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.'
Try something new.. Even if it's just coming in for a free consult. There's a good chance we can help!
To making your health first,
D. Mark Tryling, LAC, Dipl. AC,CH
Phone # 817.835.0885
www.mhaom.com
But if you think about it, there is one area of life that most of us DON'T invest in that is utterly critical to our overall happiness and fulfillment.
Without this, nothing else really matters...
You guessed it--your health.
Doesn't it seem ironic that we are all taught to invest in so many areas of life, but that our own basic level of health and well-being does not make it onto the top of our priority list?
Well, I want to suggest something radical here...
This may take a leap of faith on your part, or you may 'get it' already. But this has certainly been my own direct experience, along with so many of the patients I have worked with over the years.
When you invest in your health, every other aspect of your life becomes that much more abundant, fulfilling, and successful. This is because your health is the foundation for every aspect of your life.
Time and again, I have witnessed patients who commit to their health through acupuncture and the other natural approaches we offer, and almost as if by magic, they:
- Enjoy more success in their job or business because their internal energy is more balanced and heightened, giving them more confidence and clarity
- Attract relationships easier because they feel more beautiful on the inside and out
- Become more productive and organized because they have less stress and racing thoughts
- Acupuncture is a holistic form of medicine, meaning that this form of treatment is meant to improve you as a whole person, not just specific symptoms that you have. By investing in holistic treatment options, you will likely notice that every aspect of your life gets tuned up a few notches. Making your health and well-being your #1 priority will have a dramatically positive ripple effect though your entire life. Granted, most people don't do this.. But hey, most people are struggling more than they would like to, right?
So, if there's something inside of you that KNOWS how important your health is.. And how being proactive about it will only lead to amazing outcomes in very facet of your life, then we invite you to call our office today at 817.835.0885.
As they say, 'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.'
Try something new.. Even if it's just coming in for a free consult. There's a good chance we can help!
To making your health first,
D. Mark Tryling, LAC, Dipl. AC,CH
Phone # 817.835.0885
www.mhaom.com
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Acupuncture Myths
Have You Heard These Acupuncture Myths?
As an acupuncturist, I do a lot of myth debunking. It’s understandable. After all, acupuncture speaks an entirely different language from the one through which most Westerners learned to see the world. However, with acupuncture continuing to grow in popularity and gain acceptance by mainstream medicine, it’s important to clarify a few myths and misconceptions that have a strong hold on our collective psyche.
Here are the five most common myths and misconceptions I hear about acupuncture.
“Acupuncture is only for pain.”
Ask most people what acupuncture helps with and the overwhelming majority will say pain. It is true that acupuncture can work wonders for back pain, headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, leg pain, postoperative pain, and pretty much any other kind of pain you can think of. However, pain is just one of many ailments for which acupuncture can provide relief.
Acupuncture alleviates digestive problems, menstrual irregularities, allergies, insomnia, stress and anxiety, asthma, and several other conditions. While many acupuncturists are generalists who treat a wide range of ailments, some specialize. So do a little homework before booking an appointment to find out whether an acupuncturist has experience treating whatever you need help with.
“Acupuncture doesn’t work because I’ve had it once and nothing changed.”
I hear this one a lot. It’s a myth that is easily debunked by thinking about your car. If you go for years without getting your car checked, when you take it to the mechanic it’s going to require more work than if you had come in for regular tune-ups. Similarly, if you’ve been experiencing back pain for six months, it will probably take more than one acupuncture treatment before you notice results.
After your first treatment, an acupuncturist usually will provide an estimate for how many treatments you’re likely to need. This is always an estimate because response times to acupuncture can vary widely, but it’s a good guideline.
Acupuncture is a cumulative process, much like going to the gym: You don’t start running faster or lifting heavier weights after just one trip. That said, most people notice at least some changes after 10 acupuncture treatments. If you haven’t seen any improvement after giving it 10 appointments, I suggest trying another acupuncturist.
“Acupuncture doesn’t work because we don’t know how it works.”
This is an understandable misconception. When it comes to concepts with which we are unfamiliar, it’s comforting to have solid proof. Although there is tentative evidence of acupuncture’s efficacy, definitive, Western-friendly proof of how acupuncture works is unavailable.
There is good reason for this. Controlled, double-blind trials are inappropriate for studying acupuncture. Most acupuncture research models look at a standard selection of acupuncture points to determine if they are effective for a certain condition. But from an acupuncture perspective, one condition can have several different causes—and therefore would require completely different acupuncture points.
Researchers are beginning to look at acupuncture using MRI. I believe this method of studying acupuncture is the most promising yet. Rather than concentrating on people’s perceptions, which can be misled by placebos or prejudices, the MRI studies look directly at how acupuncture changes brain activity. These MRI studies also address findings from previous research that show effects from fake or “sham” acupuncture. Through MRI, we know that both real and sham acupuncture relieve pain but that the effects on the brain are considerably different.
We may not know yet exactly how acupuncture works, but we are gaining a better understanding of the therapeutic effect that acupuncture causes.
“Acupuncture hurts.”
I disagree with acupuncturists who say that acupuncture needles are so thin you can’t even feel them. In my experience, most people feel acupuncture.
When needles are inserted in the right places, they often produce a feeling of heaviness, like a dull ache. Since this sensation is unfamiliar for most people who have never had acupuncture before, it’s commonly interpreted as pain.
If I describe this dull-achy feeling to people before beginning a treatment, they are less likely to experience the sensation as pain. They are prepared, which means their bodies are less tense. Often the “hurt” associated with acupuncture can be attributed to anxiety about the unknown.
I also make a point of telling my patients that acupuncture—rarely, but on occasion—can cause pain after a treatment. Sometimes needles in certain acupuncture points, after they’re removed, can cause a residual feeling of ache, almost like a bruise. When people understand ahead of time that this is a completely normal outcome, their perception of acupuncture as something that hurts seems to shift.
“Acupuncture is religious.” (Also known as “Acupuncture is voodoo.”)
I have been told, “I don’t believe in acupuncture because I’m a Christian.” Although it’s becoming less common as the general public gets more educated about acupuncture, the myth of acupuncture as a religion or supernatural phenomenon remains.
Acupuncture is not religious, nor is it voodoo. There is nothing supernatural or otherworldly happening during an acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture is a healthcare modality designed to help balance your body’s various, interconnected systems.
You don’t need to “believe” in acupuncture in order to experience its benefits because there is nothing to believe in.
I think some of the misinformation surrounding acupuncture’s origins and intentions stems from the word “qi,” which is often described as “vital energy.”
A better interpretation of what ancient Chinese practitioners meant by qi is simply oxygen. They understood that oxygen and nutrients were needed throughout the body in order for it to function properly. They called it qi and Blood, but acupuncture is merely a tool for moving the oxygen and nutrients that our bodies need to thrive.
For more information on acupuncture and Chinese medicine, check out my website.
As an acupuncturist, I do a lot of myth debunking. It’s understandable. After all, acupuncture speaks an entirely different language from the one through which most Westerners learned to see the world. However, with acupuncture continuing to grow in popularity and gain acceptance by mainstream medicine, it’s important to clarify a few myths and misconceptions that have a strong hold on our collective psyche.
Here are the five most common myths and misconceptions I hear about acupuncture.
“Acupuncture is only for pain.”
Ask most people what acupuncture helps with and the overwhelming majority will say pain. It is true that acupuncture can work wonders for back pain, headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, leg pain, postoperative pain, and pretty much any other kind of pain you can think of. However, pain is just one of many ailments for which acupuncture can provide relief.
Acupuncture alleviates digestive problems, menstrual irregularities, allergies, insomnia, stress and anxiety, asthma, and several other conditions. While many acupuncturists are generalists who treat a wide range of ailments, some specialize. So do a little homework before booking an appointment to find out whether an acupuncturist has experience treating whatever you need help with.
“Acupuncture doesn’t work because I’ve had it once and nothing changed.”
I hear this one a lot. It’s a myth that is easily debunked by thinking about your car. If you go for years without getting your car checked, when you take it to the mechanic it’s going to require more work than if you had come in for regular tune-ups. Similarly, if you’ve been experiencing back pain for six months, it will probably take more than one acupuncture treatment before you notice results.
After your first treatment, an acupuncturist usually will provide an estimate for how many treatments you’re likely to need. This is always an estimate because response times to acupuncture can vary widely, but it’s a good guideline.
Acupuncture is a cumulative process, much like going to the gym: You don’t start running faster or lifting heavier weights after just one trip. That said, most people notice at least some changes after 10 acupuncture treatments. If you haven’t seen any improvement after giving it 10 appointments, I suggest trying another acupuncturist.
“Acupuncture doesn’t work because we don’t know how it works.”
This is an understandable misconception. When it comes to concepts with which we are unfamiliar, it’s comforting to have solid proof. Although there is tentative evidence of acupuncture’s efficacy, definitive, Western-friendly proof of how acupuncture works is unavailable.
There is good reason for this. Controlled, double-blind trials are inappropriate for studying acupuncture. Most acupuncture research models look at a standard selection of acupuncture points to determine if they are effective for a certain condition. But from an acupuncture perspective, one condition can have several different causes—and therefore would require completely different acupuncture points.
Researchers are beginning to look at acupuncture using MRI. I believe this method of studying acupuncture is the most promising yet. Rather than concentrating on people’s perceptions, which can be misled by placebos or prejudices, the MRI studies look directly at how acupuncture changes brain activity. These MRI studies also address findings from previous research that show effects from fake or “sham” acupuncture. Through MRI, we know that both real and sham acupuncture relieve pain but that the effects on the brain are considerably different.
We may not know yet exactly how acupuncture works, but we are gaining a better understanding of the therapeutic effect that acupuncture causes.
“Acupuncture hurts.”
I disagree with acupuncturists who say that acupuncture needles are so thin you can’t even feel them. In my experience, most people feel acupuncture.
When needles are inserted in the right places, they often produce a feeling of heaviness, like a dull ache. Since this sensation is unfamiliar for most people who have never had acupuncture before, it’s commonly interpreted as pain.
If I describe this dull-achy feeling to people before beginning a treatment, they are less likely to experience the sensation as pain. They are prepared, which means their bodies are less tense. Often the “hurt” associated with acupuncture can be attributed to anxiety about the unknown.
I also make a point of telling my patients that acupuncture—rarely, but on occasion—can cause pain after a treatment. Sometimes needles in certain acupuncture points, after they’re removed, can cause a residual feeling of ache, almost like a bruise. When people understand ahead of time that this is a completely normal outcome, their perception of acupuncture as something that hurts seems to shift.
“Acupuncture is religious.” (Also known as “Acupuncture is voodoo.”)
I have been told, “I don’t believe in acupuncture because I’m a Christian.” Although it’s becoming less common as the general public gets more educated about acupuncture, the myth of acupuncture as a religion or supernatural phenomenon remains.
Acupuncture is not religious, nor is it voodoo. There is nothing supernatural or otherworldly happening during an acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture is a healthcare modality designed to help balance your body’s various, interconnected systems.
You don’t need to “believe” in acupuncture in order to experience its benefits because there is nothing to believe in.
I think some of the misinformation surrounding acupuncture’s origins and intentions stems from the word “qi,” which is often described as “vital energy.”
A better interpretation of what ancient Chinese practitioners meant by qi is simply oxygen. They understood that oxygen and nutrients were needed throughout the body in order for it to function properly. They called it qi and Blood, but acupuncture is merely a tool for moving the oxygen and nutrients that our bodies need to thrive.
For more information on acupuncture and Chinese medicine, check out my website.
Thursday, March 01, 2012
Herbal Medicine: What it Is, What it Does
Herbal medicine is an integral component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is also one of the oldest (and most popular) forms of health care. Studies have shown that as much as 40% of all American adults use herbal products, with the amount of money spent on herbal remedies in this country each year in the tens of billions. The use of herbal medicine is even higher overseas, with some countries reporting a usage rate of 75% or greater.
The term "herbal medicine" refers to the use of a plant's seed, berries, roots, leaves, bark or flowers for medicinal purposes. While the scientific study of herbs in the United States began just over two centuries ago, herbs and botanical's have been used to treat a wide range of health problems in Asia for thousands of years.
When used to facilitate healing in chronic, ongoing problems, herbal medicine has a great deal to offer. Studies have shown that herbal products can treat a variety of conditions, including colds, digestive disorders, insomnia, headaches, arthritis, skin disorders, asthma, and a host of other problems usually treated with pharmaceuticals and prescription medications.
INSOMNIA
For example, patient complaints of insomnia are on the rise. Various factors contribute to insomnia in its three basic forms: 1) difficulty getting to sleep, 2) difficulty staying asleep once waking and 3) a combination of these two. Acupuncture itself can offer great relief for insomnia sufferers. However, most patients are not going to receive acupuncture treatments on a daily basis.
In most cases, I like to combine acupuncture with a customized herbal solution to address their problem. Chinese herbs can be used on a daily basis to treat many health conditions, especially insomnia. Chinese herbs are very affordable. A single daily dose of customized herbal remedies can cost less than a pack of cigarettes!
Prescription drugs to treat insomnia can be very effective. Unfortunately, all drugs have various side affects and may interact with other medications. Typical side affects of insomnia medications are: Diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness (including daytime drowsiness); "drugged" feeling; dry mouth; headache; nausea; nose or throat irritation; sluggishness; stomach upset; weakness.
More SEVERE side affects can include: Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the hands, legs, mouth, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; throat closing; unusual hoarseness); abnormal thinking; behavior changes; chest pain; confusion; decreased coordination; difficulty swallowing or breathing; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; memory problems (e.g., memory loss); mental or mood changes (e.g., aggression, agitation, anxiety); new or worsening depression; severe dizziness; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or actions; vision changes.
Most patients want to minimize their number of medications, side affects and drug interactions. Integrating Chinese herbal medicine into their lifestyle can easily do this. The nice thing about Chinese herbs is they’re safe, effective and actually treat the root causes of a particular problem, as well as the symptoms. Chinese herbs help to restore balance to the body’s internal organs, regulate blood flow throughout the body, strengthen the immune system, increase energy, reduce stress and provide a deep sense of health and wellness.
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