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Showing posts with the label TCM

The Future of Acupuncture: The Intersection of Acupuncture and AI

  Will acupuncture survive in the age of evolving artificial intelligence? I've been wondering as an acupuncturist how the quickly developing AI technology would impact manual acupuncture in the future. This article is based on my short conversation on the future of acupuncture with AI.  Q) Do you think that acupuncture will endure AI advances?   >AI replied: Yes, acupuncture will survive and even thrive in the AI-driven era. It offers unique benefits that modern AI-based technologies cannot entirely replicate, including its deeply personalized, human-centered approach to healing and its focus on energy balance.  Acupuncture excels at treating chronic conditions and pain, and AI integration enhances its diagnostic and treatment precision, bringing acupuncture into alignment with evidence-based practice. AI tools will not replace acupuncturists but rather act as complementary resources.  From wearable devices monitoring patient vitals to predictive analyt...

Smoking Cessation with Traditional Chinese Medicine /TCM

  Smoking cessation is a significant milestone in improving overall health, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a holistic approach to support individuals who are trying to quit smoking. TCM not only addresses the physical aspects of addiction but also acknowledges the emotional, psychological, and social factors that contribute to the habit. By using acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and lifestyle modifications, TCM helps individuals manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and restore balance to the body. The Challenge of Smoking Cessation One of the biggest hurdles in quitting smoking is managing withdrawal symptoms. The first week after quitting is often the most difficult, with intense cravings and emotional symptoms. These can include: Physical symptoms : increased appetite, hunger, irritability, fatigue, and digestive issues (like constipation and mouth ulcers). Emotional symptoms : anxiety, depression, mood swings, restlessness, and a genera...

Cervical Dystonia and Traditional Chinese Medicine/TCM: A Holistic Approach to Treatment/Management

What is Cervical Dystonia? Cervical dystonia (CD), also known as spasmodic torticollis, is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary muscle contractions in the neck, leading to abnormal head postures and painful spasms. People with cervical dystonia often experience their head tilting to one side, twisting, or turning in unnatural directions, which can cause significant discomfort, limited neck mobility, and pain. The exact cause of cervical dystonia remains unclear, but it is believed to result from dysfunction in the brain’s motor control regions, particularly the basal ganglia. While Western medicine often focuses on symptom management through medication, botulinum toxin injections, and physical therapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a holistic approach that seeks to restore balance to the body’s energy (Qi), alleviate symptoms, and improve overall health. Let’s   explore how TCM can help manage cervical dystonia through acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, he...

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine: Holistic Solutions for Insomnia

Are sleepless nights taking a toll on your health and well-being? Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine/TCM offer effective, natural remedies to improve sleep quality and treat insomnia without relying on medication.  Understanding the TCM approach to Insomnia In TCM, insomnia is viewed as a result of internal imbalances. This holistic persecctive allows practitioners to address the root causes, which often include: 1. Excessive Stagnation Stress, emotional overload, poor dietary habits, or an imbalanced lifestyle can lead to stagnation of Qi/vital energy, heat, or damp/phlegm. This bloackage disrupts sleep and is commonly associated with the Liver and Stomach in TCM.  2. Deficiency States Deficiencies in Qi, Yin, or specific organ functions, such as the Heart, can make falling or staying asleep difficult. Symptoms may include vivid dreams, restlessness, fatigue, loss of appetite, etc.  TCM-based Tips for Better Sleep  Adopting these natural practices can impr...

Shine Your Glabella with Acu-Tox!

  The Glabella area is regarded as a passage of luck in traditional physiognomy. Therefore, it is considered positive when the Glabella region is brightening and relaxing.  For frowned Glabella, expressive tendencies are like slamming the door shut on the flow of positive energy.  At the heart of the Glabella area is Yin Tang, a significant acupuncture point. Needling Yin Tang is used to alleviate emotional turmoil, anxiety, insomnia, and others associated with emotional stability by calming the spirit. In addition, it is attributed to teh location of the upper Dantian in Qi Gong tradition as well as the third eye in traditional cultures.  The recurrent expressive movements of the local muscles in response to the emotional stressors and aging skin result in the Glabella lines. Enhancing the Glabella expression transforms the facial image that boosts your self-confidence. Before the lines dont get longer and deeper, treatment is preferable. Make an appoint with Naum A...

Does Acupuncture/TCM herbs assist to reduce pain following lumbar surgery?

  "I had a lumbar fusion performed five years ago with the hope that the discomfort would subside. But now when I move, every part of my body hurts and aches. My shoulders and neck are hurting as well. Should I seek TCM or acupuncture to treat my discomfort, or  another surgical procedure again?"  Pain syndrome If you experience persistent pain following a lumbar fusion for a disk herniation, it is referred to as a pain syndrome. In this instance, the pain does not lessen; rather, it persists. Following surgery, pain temporarily subsides and then resurfaces, sometimes accompanied by various new symptoms or even numbness in the legs. Why does pain persist following surgery? There are many reasons for persistent pain in the post-operative condition such as when a needless surgery was done, when the lumbar surgery resulted in tissue adhesion or nerve damage, when the surgical fusion’s metal plate caused problems, when the underlying causes of pain was left unresolved, or wh...