Ever wonder what ailments Acupuncture can be used for? 

Below is a list of some things where Acupuncture is indicated.

• Autoimmune Disorders; Upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinusitis, rhinitis), sore throat, influenza (flu), acute and chronic bronchitis, cough, asthma, epistaxis (nose bleeds), haemoptysis (coughing up blood), loss of voice, hoarse voice, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.

• Cancer; Side effects from cancer treatment therapies (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, brachytherapy, drug therapy, and etc.).

• Cardiovascular Issues; High blood pressure, spider veins, cold hands/feet.

• Cosmetic / Weight loss; Eye bags, discoloration on face, sagging, puffiness, dark circles.

• Gastrointestinal Disorders; Reflux, nausea and vomiting, pain, gas, bloating, indigestion, regurgitation, constipation, diarrhea, IBS, dysentery, gnawing hunger or loss of appetite, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, colitis, parasitic infestation, hemorrhoids, food poisoning.

• Gynecological Issues; Painful periods, irregular periods, dysmenorrhea, premenstrual symptoms, pregnancy support, infertility, menopausal symptoms, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammation.

• Internal Disease; Supportive therapies are available for Liver/Gall Bladder diseases, HIV, Immune and Digestive support during chemotherapy and radiation therapies, lifestyle support for metabolic conditions.

• Mental/Emotional conditions; Anxiety, stress, addictions/compulsions (drugs, alcohol, tobacco, sexual) depression, recovery from traumatic events (childhood/adult emotional traumas such as abuse, divorce and the loss of a loved one), anger management, PTSD.

• Musculoskeletal Issues; Back pain, neck and shoulder tension, acute injury to muscles and ligaments.

• Neurological Disorders; Spasms and convulsions.

• Pain Management; Migraines and headaches, joint pain, chronic and acute pain, restless leg syndrome, sciatica.

• Skin Diseases; Acne, chronic rashes, eczema, psoriasis, external scarring.

• Systemic Issues; Autoimmune disorders, weakened immunity, allergies, arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, neurological disorders, chronic fatigue, cardiovascular concerns/prevention, vision and hearing disorders, sexual dysfunction, hypertension.

• Trauma; Recovery from strokes, surgery, pregnancy, accidents, sports injuries, scar tissue.

Ever wonder why you should see an acupuncturist? 

Acupuncture is a safe scientific medical system over 3,000 years based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  It is practiced worldwide (France, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, China, Japan, Vietnam, Canada, Mexico, United States, etc) as a primary and adjunctive for of treatment for a large range of conditions. Clinical success and the effective treatment of conditions is due to the practice and research of the medicine over thousands of years. 

Chinese medicine focuses on making a diagnosis to treat a condition by means of gathering information through signs, symptoms, tongue and pulse diagnosis, diet and lifestyle, palpation, and observation.  This range of diagnostic information allows an acupuncture physician to develop a treatment plan that is individual to you based on your needs in order to treat a condition and help the body heal itself.  

Not only should you see an acupuncturist based on thousands of years of information, but the effectiveness also is based on individual care.

What is ear acupuncture?

Ear acupuncture, also known as auricular therapy, is a scientific medical system based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.  This medical system is an approach that can diagnose and treat the whole body solely through the ears.  Diagnosis and treatment of the whole body does not only indicate the physical body, but the functional aspects, mental and emotional affects, energetic flow, and spiritual embodiment.  Just like the feet and hands, the ears are reflective of the whole body and emulate an upside down fetus.

Auricular therapy is based upon points, areas, zones, lines, groves and channels.  With over 100 acupuncture points in the ear, diagnosis and treatment is through point detection.  Through this detection, the points on the ear are able to regulate the body’s internal organs, structures, and functions.

A wide variety of conditions are treated with auricular therapy, including addictions, mood disorders, obesity, pain, gynecological issues, sleep disorders, digestive problems, and other conditions.

What are ear seeds?

Typically auricular therapy involves inserting very small acupuncture needles into the points on the ear.  The acupuncture points may also be stimulated for a longer period of time by using ear seeds.  Ear seeds are actually seeds from from the Vaccaria plant. These seeds are attached to and held in place over the auricular acupuncture point with a small piece of adhesive tape.

Over the next few days, and up to two weeks, the ear seeds continue to stimulate the acupuncture points they are placed over.  This allows for the extension of treatment to continue after the patient has left the treatment room.  Ear seeds are completely safe and typically fall off on their own.

For more information, please contact Dr Kerry Kott, DOM, LAc with HarmonyUs @ 813-375-2650.

**Always consult a health professional or your physician before taking any medication, or nutritional, herbal, or homeopathic supplement for a health problem.

Wei Te Ling is a Chinese Medicine formula.  It strengthens the Stomach, relieves Stomach pain, reduces heat and inflammation, neutralizes acidity, and eases indigestion.  In Western Medicine it would be applicable for hyperacidity, gastric reflux, bloating, heartburn, flatulence, duodenal or gastric ulcers. 

Why does this formula work so well?  Wei Te Ling has for simple, but powerful ingredients that make it effective at healing the body.  Not only have I used this formula with my patients, but I have used it myself.  It’s amazing how quickly and effectively this formula works to heal digestive issues.

Ingredients

Hai Piao Xiao – Cuttlefish Bone

Yan Hu Suo – Corydalis Rhizome

Feng Mi – Honey

Tian Qi – Psuedo Ginseng

Formula Explanation

• Hai Piao Xiao

   Harmonizes the Stomach, promotes healing, stops uterine bleeding with vaginal

   Discharge, nocturnal emission, premature ejaculation, leukorrhea (thick, white or yellow

   vaginal discharge), epigastric pain, acid reflux, diarrhea, dysentery.

• Yan Hu Suo

   Invigorates blood, alleviates pain, pain from blood stasis and trauma, dysmenorrhea,

   chest pain, menstrual pain, hernial disorders, epigastric pain.

• Feng Mi

   Harmonizes the Stomach, relieves pain, moistens intestines, clears toxins, dry cough,

   constipation.

• Tian Qi

   Stops bleeding, traumatic injuries, invigorates blood, vomiting blood, nosebleed, blood

   in urine or stool, alleviate pain, reduce swelling from falls, fracture, sprains, chest and

   abdominal pain, joint pain from blood stasis.  

For more information, please contact Dr Kerry Kott, DOM, LAc with HarmonyUs @ 813-375-2650.

**Always consult a health professional or your physician before taking any medication, or nutritional, herbal, or homeopathic supplement for a health problem.

Ever wonder why your tongue as teeth marks around the sides?

Teeth marks on the sides of your tongue is an indication of Spleen deficiency/nutritional deficiency.  It is very likely that your digestion is impaired and your body is having difficulties absorbing nutrients from foods you eat.

The Spleen has many functions in the body.  It works with the Stomach to digest and absorb nutrients from foods and transforms worn-out red blood cells into iron to build new blood.  It also plays a role in neutralizing unhealthy bacteria, therefore strengthening your body’s immune system.  So when teeth marks appear on your tongue, it is a sign that your Spleen isn’t strong enough to properly perform these functions in your body.

Common signs and symptoms that you are Spleen deficient include: poor appetite, bloating after a meal, fatigue especially after a meal, loose stools, undigested food in stools, borborygmus, difficulty maintaining attention and focus, heaviness of your four limbs and body, and over-thinking.

So what do you do if this is you?  Eat foods that nourish your Spleen! 

Try these herbs, spices and foods:

garlic, black pepper, ginger, cayenne pepper, ginseng, cinnamon, horseradish, dill seed, astragalus, parsley

aduki beans, mung beans, kidney beans

alfalfa, lychees, fennel

chicken, fish

yellow squash, sweet potatoes, turnips, yams, celery, parsnips, beetroot,  carrots, root vegetables, pumpkin

barley, millet, oats

leafy greens, algae, kale, chard

Your initial intake with Dr Kott will include a thorough exploration of your past and present medical history and concerns along with your birth history information.  It will also include examination of your tongue and a complete pulse diagnosis.  All of this gathered information will give your practitioner information that will help with your diagnosis and guide therapeutic intervention.

The purpose for an extensive initial treatment is to account for multiple factors that contribute to an individual’s medical condition.  By acquiring this information it helps your practitioner to understand the disease process from its inception and provided the best therapeutic intervention.

For Your First Visit:

Please bring all medications, supplements, and/or herbs you are taking.  (It is best to bring the actual bottle so your practitioner can read the labels.  Sometimes companies give their products their own names and alter ingredients.)

• Eat a moderate meal a couple hours before your appointment.  It is important NOT to come to your appointment hungry or overly full.  *Acupuncture is NOT performed on individuals who are fasting.

• Please do not brush your tongue the day of treatment.  Tongue examination is an important tool in Chinese Medicine diagnosis.  Brushing your tongue changes the information on your tongue.

• Avoid alcohol on the day of treatment.

• After treatment, DO NOT engage in any stimulating activities for at least 3 hours.  It is best to be able to stay relaxed, have a nourishing meal, and/or take a nap after treatment.  Engaging in physical activity or a high stress environment may disrupt the healing process of the treatment.

For Return Appointments:

• Make note of any emotional and/or physical changes since previous treatment (both positive and adverse).  Paying attention to your health changes helps your practitioner to know whether he/she is on the right path to helping your body heal.

• Eat a moderate meal a couple hours before your appointment.  It is important NOT to come to your appointment hungry or overly full.  *Acupuncture is NOT performed on individuals who are fasting.

• Please do not brush your tongue the day of treatment.  Tongue examination is an important tool in Chinese Medicine diagnosis.  Brushing your tongue changes the information on your tongue.

• Avoid alcohol on the day of treatment.

• After treatment, DO NOT engage in any stimulating activities for at least 3 hours.  It is best to be able to stay relaxed, have a nourishing meal, and/or take a nap after treatment.  Engaging in physical activity or a high stress environment may

Cordyceps (Caterpillar Fungus) is known in China for nearly 2,000 years as an aphrodisiac.  It is known to replenish sperm and relieve impotence.  Clinical trials on both men and women with reduced libido showed 66% improvement of symptoms and desires.  Modern studies on Cordyceps shows possibility in improving infertility as well.  In a male study it has shown to increase sperm count, decrease sperm malformation, and increase survival rate after 8 weeks of supplementation.

Cordyceps is also useful for:

* Improving auto-immune system.
* Protecting the Kidneys from toxins.
* Protecting the Kidneys from exhaustion.
* Protecting the Liver from toxins & treats & prevents cirrhosis of Liver.
* Protecting the Heart from the damaging effect of ouabain (C29H44O12.8H2O).
* Anti-arrhythmia.
* Anti-rejection effect in cornea transplant.
* Antibiotic effect.
* Inhibiting contraction of smooth muscles.

For more information, please contact Dr Kerry Kott, DOM, LAc with HarmonyUs @ 813-375-2650.

**Always consult a health professional or your physician before taking any medication, or nutritional, herbal, or homeopathic supplement for a health problem.

By Laura Drago

http://acutakehealth.com/the-4-things-every-acupuncturist-wants-to-know-about-you

Have you seen that commercial with doctors doing “non-doctor” jobs? It’s airing a lot lately in Los Angeles, where I live and practice acupuncture. It’s an ad for the heartburn drug Nexium. The implication is that, just like a doctor attempting to play the violin, regular non-doctor people are unqualified to self diagnose and treat their own health problems.

While there is some truth to this, particularly in regard to medications, I disagree that we must always defer to doctors. We can become experts on our own health.

Given the onslaught of medical information bombarding our daily lives, it’s hard to know where to focus when examining our states of health. By creating a barometer for gauging our own symptoms, we develop a clearer understanding of our physical and emotional health. We’re able to discern between feeling slightly off and feeling really off.

The Four Pillars of Health

The following four health indicators—the building blocks of that barometer we want to create—will be familiar to anyone who has had acupuncture. Almost every acupuncturist asks about them as part of their intake and diagnostic process.

From an acupuncture perspective, these are the four pillars of health:

Food

You really are what you eat, according to acupuncture. Dietary habits can contribute significantly to how you feel. If your body is not being properly nourished on a regular basis, it’s going to face an uphill battle when trying to heal itself.

Here are some questions to ask yourself: Do you have a big or small appetite? How often do you eat every day? What do you eat every day? Do you have cravings? If yes, when and for what? How do you feel before and after you eat?

Sleep

Insomnia is rampant in our society. It is one of the most common complaints seen by acupuncturists. Some people have grown so accustomed to not sleeping well that they no longer consider it a problem worth mentioning. But difficulty falling or staying asleep can severely impact quality of life and overall health.

Ask yourself these questions: Are you able to fall asleep easily? Do you stay asleep? If you wake up, why? When? Do you feel rested when you wake up in the morning? Do you have pain, phlegm or other issues upon waking? Do you dream regularly? Are these dreams disruptive or disturbing to your sleep?

Poop

Questions about bowel movements, even within a healthcare setting, are often met with discomfort or surprise. But elimination is a critical measure of how a person’s whole system is functioning. This is why acupuncturists love talking about poop!

So be brave and ponder the following questions: How often do you have a bowel movement? What time of day does it normally occur? Is there a strong odor to your bowel movements? Are your stools loose, formed, hard, soft, discolored? Is there pus, blood or undigested food in your stool? Do you feel depleted after having a bowel movement?

Energy

Energy levels naturally shift throughout the day, the seasons, and through whatever circumstances you’re dealing with. But generally speaking, most of us fall somewhere specific on the continuum. This is an important factor to consider when analyzing physical symptoms or mood changes.

Think about these questions concerning energy level: In general, are you a high, medium or low energy person? Do you typically experience a dip in energy at any point throughout the day? What are your best and worst times of day for energy level? Is there a difference between your physical and emotional energy level? Do your emotions affect your energy positively or negatively?

What Do I Do With This Information?

A complete picture of health is comprised of more than just these four areas. However, they are a solid place to start, a reference point that can lend perspective to how we’re feeling.

So, just start paying attention. Ask yourself the above questions on a fairly regular basis so that you notice patterns and changes when they develop. The point is not to judge your responses but rather to become an astute observer.

By being in touch with our own definitions of “normal” according to these basic building blocks, we’re able to ask better questions—of ourselves and our healthcare providers—and draw more detailed conclusions.

Doctors, while wise informants in so many cases, are not the bosses of our bodies. With trained focus on the four pillars of health, we can play more active roles in understanding and addressing our unique health concerns.