Acupuncture Treatment of Recurring Nightmares

Digestive

Chief Complaint: Recurring Nightmares

History: Patient was an 23yr old female who had no previous major medical history. She had a tonsillectomy when she was in grade school (did not remember age) . No medications, no history of abuse and could not think of any specific physical or emotional trauma.

Symptoms: Recurring dream of being chased then strangled. Initial onset was about 1.5 months prior to tx with an occurrence about 2/3 times per week. Patient was having difficulty sleeping due to anxiety about having nightmare and would sleep very lightly. After dream would usually stay up about 2 hours to calm herself down. All other functions seemed normal.

Last modified: May 26, 2010 · al · No Comments
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Can You Wait 5 Minutes? A Guide to Quit Smoking

Acupuncture

You didn’t become addicted to cigarettes overnight, and in my personal experience, it is best not to try to quit overnight.

In this article I hope to provide those who want to quit smoking with a method that I used to quit. I found that breaking up this big job into a bunch of little ones made it much easier to do. It worked for me, and after ten years, I would go so far as to say that the process has been permanent.

Last modified: October 30, 2009 · al · One Comment
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The Acupuncture Treatment of Crohn’s Disease

Digestive

Chief Complaint: Crohn’s disease.

Medical History: Crohn’s disease first diagnosed twenty years previous to first visit (patient 52 years old). Soon after a right hemi-colectomy was carried out, and about 40cm of Small Intestine including appendix and ileal sphincter was removed. About 16 years of relative health followed, after which disease progressed to include ulceration in the colon. Prognosis was for a permanent stoma, and the aim of treatment was literally to see if any improvement could be gained. At time of first consultation, patient was suffering from frequent sudden senses of pain and distension, followed by immediate need to evacuate bowels. This occurred 6-7 times a day, and included bleeding

Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
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RSD Treated with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs

Neurological

Chief Complaint: Pain, constipation

Western Diagnosis: Total Body Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

Medical History: 46 year old, very active and successful, sportive white male, developed RSD after a de Quervain’s tendonitis from overusing his hand, doing repetitive movements. 4 weeks later his whole right hand was hurting, burning, sensitive to touch and AC, and turning blue. A stellate ganglion block revealed that he had developed RSD. Two month later he developed mirror image symptoms in his left hand, later in his feet. 1 years later he had total body RSD. Causing him excruciating pain, muscle twitches, difficulty in urination, constipation, depression, insomnia, poor memory, nightly hiccups, spontaneous localized sweating in the effected extremities, lethargy, skin sensitivity, hot flashes, migraines. The patient received during a period of 2 years 150 nerve blocks, and is on many medications (analgesics, anti-spasmodics, anti-depressants, tranquilizers, etc.) He still tries to stay active, since inactivity increases his symptoms. he can not use his hands very often, but can walk and swim. Good dietary habits, since red meet, alcohol and sugar make his pain worse. Patient is disabled.

Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
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The Use of Acupuncture and Herbs for Meniere’s Disease

EENT

Chief Complaint: Dizziness

Western Diagnosis: Meniere’s Disease

Medical History: 54 yo male with 15 year history of Meniere’s disease. Vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss, vomiting when severe. Tried diuretics, salt restriction, conventional medications, all without benefit.

Questioning exam: Had not tried alternative methods. Has had recurrent severe episodes with increased severity. (Always has the basic symptoms, however).The frequency of severe attacks has steadily increased, from 1 per year to 6 this summer.Heat exacerbates the symptoms. He also has a feeling of fullness in his ears.

Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
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The Treatment of Facial Flushing and Hot Flashes with Acupuncture

Well-Being

Chief Complaint: Facial Flushing

Western Diagnosis: Hot Flashes

Medical History: This patient, (a male), complains of hot facial flushing. This patient complains of blurred vision which is worse when he is tired. He states that he is irritable, is easily disturbed by situations, and is easily frustrated. He states that he has a dry mouth, dry lips, and dry skin. He states that he has palpitations. He has perspiration on his palms and soles, He complains of not having time to exercise or time for recreational activities, He also states that he feels moody, and occasionally has a sinking feeling from his heart. The flushing is located on both cheeks and lower portions of his ears. The flushing is intermittent, it feels hot to the patient, and is warm to the touch. No other treatment or medication has been taken. This patient does not smoke, use drugs or drink alcohol. His diet consists of “fast foods” and sometimes he skips breakfast. His blood pressure is 120/90. His pulse is 66BPM.

Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
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The Acupuncture Treatment of Bell’s Palsy

Neurological

Chief Complaint: Facial Paralysis

Western Diagnosis: Bell’s Palsy

Medical History: This 46 yr old female patient came to me with a recent case of Bell’s Palsy.(2 days). Complained of chronic low back pain, headaches, and a feeling of weakness for the last 3 months. Tried to eat conscientiousness but often had little to no appetite. too tired to work out because work schedule was too intense.Complained of being cold easily.

Questioning exam: Upon further questioning we discerned that she had much stress with her job. When asked if she felt that she had “support” in her life she admitted that that was precisely her personal complaint. (Low back pain can sometimes be an indication that the patient feels that he/she is unsupported).

Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
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The Acupuncture Treatment of Muscle Atrophy

Metabolic

Chief Complaint: Fatigue, post viral muscle atrophy, arm pains along radial bones in both arms, extreme shyness

Western Diagnosis: Post viral syndrome, muscle atrophy.

Medical History: Male age 21, suffered sever CFS at age 13-severe fatigue, fevers, weakness, immune dysfunction. History of following hopefuls of herbs, vitamin/mineral protocols and biochemistry adjustments. The illness left him with the above mentions complaints. Particularly the atrophy of muscles of upper arms and back and upper body. Lower half of the body was strong.

Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
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The Treatment of Ear Ache with Chinese Herbs and Acupuncture

EENT

Chief Complaint: Ear pain and head ache

Western Diagnosis: Ear infection and fluid accumulation

Medical History: Lower back pain(dull), inability to get pregnant for 4 months, 2 miscariages in the past.

Questioning exam: Appetite is well, sleep is well, urination bowel all normal. No cold hands feet, very seldom dizzy especially after squatting.

Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
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The Treatment of Headaches with Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

Neurological

Chief Complaint: Headache

Medical History: Patient is a 56 years old male with general normal appearance, obesity: weight: 213 Lbs, height: 5’4″, red face and strong voice.

Chief Complaint: headache on and off for about 5 months, the pain is mostly “behind the eyes” and on parietal side of head, sometimes accompanied with nauseous and vertigo, usually he has from 5 to 6 attacks/week. Blood tests are unremarkable, blood pressure in the range of 140 to 145/80 to 85 mmHg. MRI and X ray shown no abnormal. He recently eating a lot of “fast food” due to lack of time for meals at work. He drinks from 2 to 5 cups of coffee/day and 1 to 2 drinks (red wine) after diner. Lack of exercise and physical activities due to very tired and heaviness sensation in body. Taking medications for pain with temporary relief but having a lot of side effects (especially stomach problems).

Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
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