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NEW! Celluma LED Light Therapy at Merulli Acupuncture & Wellness

 

 

ACNE • SKIN REJUVENATION• PAIN

What is Light Therapy?

Light Emitting Diode (LED) phototherapy is the application of light energy to tissue to obtain therapeutic benefits.  The energy is used to improve cellular performance.  

Phototherapy is known for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties and has a variety of applications across many medical fields.  Research has shown that phototherapy can: increase circulation, accelerate tissue repair, decrease wrinkles, decrease inflammation, improve skin tone and wrinkles, texture and clarity, ease muscle and joint pain, stiffness, spasm and arthritis and kill acne bacteria, and much more.

How Does Light Energy work?

Specific wavelengths of light energy, when properly absorbed, up-regulates compromised cells. The light (photons) energy is absorbed by photoacceptors in the mitochondria and used to create adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The ATP produced then stimulates various metabolic processes which can result in the repair and regeneration of cell and tissue components. In an article, “Therapeutic Light” – by Chukuku S. Enwemeka, PT, PhD, FACSM, he wrote “other reported mechanisms of light-induced beneficial effects include modulation of prostaglandin levels, alteration of somatosensory evoked potential and nerve conduction velocity, and hyperemia of treated tissues. The resultant clinical benefits include pain relief in conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, tendonitis, ankle sprain, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction, shoulder and neck pain, arthritis, and post-herpetic neuralgia, as well as tissue repair in cases of diabetic ulcer, venous ulcer, mouth ulcer, fractures, tendon rupture, ligamentous, tear, torn cartilage, and nerve injury.”

What is Celluma?

Celluma is unique and quite unlike any other low-level light therapy device available today. Based on NASA research, Celluma delivers blue, red and near-infrared light energy simultaneously to safely treat a wide variety of conditions. Each wavelength is absorbedby different molecules that act as a signaling mechanism for different cellular processes. For example, some reduce inflammation and some kill bacteria, while others enhance localized circulation. 

Celluma LED Light Therapy is available as an add-on service to any treatment at Merulli Acupuncture & Wellness.  Ask How Celluma May Benefit You & Your Family


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Understanding Ebola

Most of us are quite concerned and upset about Ebola and there is a quite a bit of fear spreading along with the virus.   The Washington Department of Health has a resource page for learning about Ebola, the risk factors, and how to protect yourself.

A few things you can find on the webpage include a fact sheet on Ebola translated into 7 different languages, an EBOLA infographic to print and share, as well as a link to more on Ebola and the national situation from the CDC. Ebola webpage

Additional Information about Ebola:

 

Ebola virus and Marburg virus (Mayo Clinic Article)

How Ebola Emerged Out of the Jungle

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

World Health Organization-Information about Ebola

 

Electron micrograph of an Ebola virus virion


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Sitting For Two Hours Is The Equivalent Of Smoking Two Cigarettes

We really weren’t made to sit for long periods of time. Sitting causes pain in your body and increases your risk of diabetes and heart disease.  See this article by Maureen O’Hagan.

Catena, who is starting a new Gait and Posture Biomechanics lab at WSU, said that as counterintuitive as it may sound, sitting puts more stress on the spine than standing.

“Our body is configured to stand. In our evolutionary history, people didn’t sit for long periods of time. They stood or they walked,” he said. “So sitting actually takes us out of our natural position.”

In a standing position, your spine is gently curved. “That curvature basically dampens the load of your body weight pushing down due to gravity,” Catena said.

If you’d like more information about how sitting messes with  your metabolism and body fat along with tips on finding a standing desk check this out.


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Unwelcome GMO Wheat Plant Found On Farm

We need to stop GMO all over the world.  I don’t believe you can isolate the location of a GMO or any crop even if you wanted to due to wind, rain and pollination. GMO wheat plants were found on an Oregon farmer’s land that he did not plant.  Many countries oppose GMO crops.  I believe if we allow GMO farming in our country, it will hurt our economy.

Read this article by Agriculture Correspondent Dan Charles of NPR:

 

Genetically modified wheat has been discovered growing in a field in Oregon. GMO wheat is not approved for sale in the U.S. Above, a wheat field in Arkansas.

Genetically modified wheat has been discovered growing in a field in Oregon. GMO wheat is not approved for sale in the U.S. Above, a wheat field in Arkansas.

Danny Johnston/AP

A farmer in Oregon has found some genetically engineered wheat growing on his land. It’s an unwelcome surprise, because this type of wheat has never been approved for commercial planting.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it’s , trying to find out how this wheat got there. The USDA says there’s no risk to public health, but wheat are worried about how their customers in Asia and Europe will react.

In fact, worry about export markets is the main reason why genetically engineered wheat isn’t on the market in the first place.

The biotech company Monsanto did create varieties of wheat that tolerate the weedkiller glyphosate, or Roundup — just as it created “Roundup Ready” corn, soybeans, cotton and canola. It also carried out field trials of this wheat in 16 different states.

Read more…

 

 


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Asparagus Lowers Blood Pressure-Research Shows

Asparagus lowers blood pressure.  Modern research supports the wisdom of ancient Chinese Medicine.  To encourage you to take advantage of the seasonal bounty, I’ve included a quick and easy recipe below.

Asparagus Reduces High Blood Pressure – New Discovery

13 May 2013

By Health CMI News

New research concludes that dietary intake of asparagus lowers blood pressure. The researchers were able to isolate an active compound found in asparagus that was found to have an antihypertensive effect. An ACE inhibitor was purified and isolated from asparagus. ACE inhibitors, often concentrated into pharmaceutical medications for the treatment of hypertension, cause dilation of the blood vessels which results in lower blood pressure. The researchers note that the ACE inhibitor in asparagus exerts its medicinal effect in the kidneys and that this may preserve the normal function of the kidneys and prevent hypertension.

In a related discovery by the same research team, asparagus intake significantly raised the creatinine clearance rate. This is the rate at which blood plasma is cleared of creatinine and is an indicator of overall kidney health. The research suggests that asparagus has an overall effect of benefitting the kidneys and lowering blood pressure for cases of hypertension. The study was published in the prestigious Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

The research builds on a long history of dietetics information demonstrating that deep green colored foods have antihypertensive effects. This concept has its roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Five Element theory within this system notes that deep green foods often have antihypertensive effects, including green asparagus as noted in this new study.

An emerging trend of noting the relationship between the color of food and its medicinal effects exists in biomedicine. Although an ancient concept within Traditional Chinese Medicine, modern biomedical research now supports many aspects of Chinese Medicine Five Element food color theory. A plethora of new research demonstrates that the yellow-orange coloring from betacarotene found in many foods is indicative of medicinal benefits. Resveratrol, a red-brown coloring found in many foods such as red wine and grapes, has also been linked to important health benefits. These findings coalesce ancient wisdom with modern scientific analysis.

The Healthcare Medicine Institute (HealthCMi) presents Chinese Medicine dietetics and Five Element food theory in detail. HealthCMi live webinars and anytime online courses for acupuncture continuing education CEUs feature a combination of Chinese Medicine dietetics theories with modern biomedical analyses. The professors from HealthCMi present common recipes to resolve specific medical ailments and general health tips on topics such as weight loss, cholesterol reduction, headache elimination, fertility enhancement and the control of high blood pressure with simple recipes and modest changes to dietary intake. Learn more at HealthCMi about these online courses featuring Chinese Medicine dietetics.

Reference:
Matsuda, Sanae, and Yasuo Aoyagi. “Green Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) Prevented Hypertension by an Inhibitory Effect on Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Activity in the Kidney of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2013).

Easy Asparagus Recipe:

Asparagus is very detoxifying and helps to rid the body of stagnant water.  Fresh asparagus is in peak season for flavor and nutrients in the Pacific Northwest right now.

Lectin Free, Gluten Free and Dairy Free
1-2 Pounds Of Fresh Asparagus
2 T Olive Oil
Lemon
Salt & Pepper

Steam asparagus until tender. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice for a savory treat.

Feeling puffy? Save the steaming water and drink it for additional detoxification. Your body will thank you for it.

Enjoy!


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Acupuncture Helps Fibromyalgia

By Health CMI

New research concludes that acupuncture reduces pain sensitivity for patients suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The study also showed that patients receiving acupuncture had significant reductions in anxiety and depression. Further, the overall quality of life score improved for FMS patients receiving acupuncture therapy.

Acupuncture reduces pain in patients with FMS. The treatment method was the application of five acupuncture points at a rate of once per week. The points were located in areas of discomfort near the occipital bone, rhomboid and trapezius muscles and in the region of the upper chest and lateral epicondyle. The results were published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies.

Fibromyalgia is a pain syndrome affecting the soft tissues and often involves sleep disturbances, tenderness at specific points, muscle pain, fatigue and depression. A literal translation of the term is pain of the muscles and fibrous tissues. Fibromyalgia is distinguished from most other forms of pain because it is non-nociceptive. Nociceptive pain involves inflammation and is triggered by pain receptors in the skin, muscles, joints and other tissues. FMS and other non-nociceptive types of pain conditions do not inherently involve inflammation and is a result of a disruption in central processing. Examples of non-nociceptive pain include irritable bowel syndrome, migraine headaches and FMS. It is estimated that FMS affects up to approximately 4% of the US population. In Chinese Medicine, FMS is due to Liver Qi stagnation, Bi syndrome, dampness with Wei Qi  obstruction, Qi deficiency and Yin deficiency. Acupuncture and herbal medicine are commonly used to treat FMS. Biomedical treatments for FMS include anti-depressants, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, sleep drugs, pain medications and nutritional supplements.

More Research
Another recent study published in Clinical Rheumatology concludes that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome. The researchers concluded that acupuncture demonstrates definitive “beneficial effects” in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore also conclude that acupuncture is significantly effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome in their new research. Other research performed at the prestigious Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester concluded that acupuncture is effective in treating fibromyalgia and showed specific efficaciousness in its ability to reduce pain, fatigue and anxiety.

The mounting evidence suggests that acupuncture is a primary treatment for FMS. Emerging integrative medical clinics within the hospital and general medical system are helping in the delivery of acupuncture services to patients. However, most acupuncturists have individual or family group style medical practices in the US.

Acupuncture Numbers
Currently, there are slightly over 20,000 licensed acupuncturists in the USA. California has the most acupuncturists with a total of 6,682. New York has 1,909 licensed acupuncturists followed by Florida with a total of 1,719. Those numbers are up from 2009 when California had 6,578 acupuncturists, New York had 854 licensed acupuncturists and Florida had only 2,027 licensed acupuncturists. Massachusetts comes in fourth place with a total of 1,048 licensed acupuncturists. Colorado has 893 acupuncturists, Oregon has 830 acupuncturists, Texas has 796 acupuncturists and Washington has 753 acupuncturists. The numbers begin to drop-off at this point with Maryland having 667 acupuncturists, Illinois with 587 and New Jersey with 567 acupuncturists. Many states have under 100 acupuncturists and 6 states do not even have acupuncture licensing laws at all. Acupuncture has been proven to be an important and effective method for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome but access to care remains an issue.
References:
Bastos, Jessica Lucia Neves, et al. “Effect of Acupuncture at Tender Points for the Management of Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Case Series.” Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies (2013).

An overview of systematic reviews of complementary and alternative medicine for fibromyalgia. Rohini Terry, Rachel Perry and Edzard Ernst. Clinical Rheumatology
Volume 31, Number 1 (2012), 55-66, DOI: 10.1007/s10067-011-1783-5.

Berman BM, Ezzo J, Hadhazy V, Swyers JP. Complementary Medicine Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21207, USA. The Journal of Family Practice [1999, 48(3):213-218].

Mayo Clin Proc. 2006 Jun;81(6):749-57. Improvement in fibromyalgia symptoms with acupuncture: results of a randomized controlled trial. Martin DP, Sletten CD, Williams BA, Berger IH. Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota.


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Study-Acupuncture Improves Sleep

Many people fall asleep during their sessions and find acupuncture improves sleep quality even when they are coming in for non-sleep issues.  Getting the proper sleep is essential for our health and well being.

13 January 2013

By Health CMI News

Electrical engineers in a medical research team discovered how acupuncture benefits sleep. They did it by measuring brain activity with EEG (electroencephalography) before, during and after an acupuncture treatment. Results were conclusive, acupuncture significantly increases slow wave activity of the brain relative to fast wave activity in both the frontal and central lobes. This phenomena is known to benefit the quality and duration of sleep.

acuEEGst36The acupuncture point used in this study increases the delta band power density, a known sleep related brain wave band. In addition, acupuncture at this point downregulates alpha and beta band activity relative to delta band activity. The decreases in these bands also enhances sleep quality.

The researchers applied manual acupuncture to humans at acupoint ST36. It was found that this acupoint significantly increases the power ratio index of slow waves to fast waves following an acupuncture treatment. Stainless steel 0.2 mm diameter acupuncture needles were applied to the subjects. The needles were applied and retained for an initial two minutes followed by manual rotation of the needles applied for another two minutes. Measurements were taken throughout the brain of the delta (0 – 4 Hz), theta (4 – 8 Hz), alpha (8 – 13 Hz) and beta (13 – 30 Hz) bands. Notably, there were increases in the delta band power in five major brain areas during and after acupuncture.

The researchers note that “acupuncture at ST36 can induce obvious changes in different EEG rhythms in healthy subjects.” They also note that acupuncture modulations of brain activity resulting from acupuncture point stimulation show “that the  brain plays a key role in acupuncture research.” They also suggest that “cortical electrical activities may be an important mechanism by which acupuncture exerts its complex multisystem effects.”

 

 

acupuncturest36thetaST36 Acupuncture EEG


Reference:
Chin. Phys. B Vol. 22, No. 2 (2013) 028703. Modulation of electroencephalograph activities by manual acupuncture stimulation in healthy subjects: An
autoregressive spectral analysis. Yi Guo-Sheng, Wang Jiang, Deng Bin, Wei Xi-Le, and Han Chun-Xiao.
a)School of Electrical and Automation Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
b)Tianjin Key Laboratory of Information Sensing & Intelligent Control


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Acupuncture Found Effective For Plantar Fasciitis

Acupuncture Reverses Plantar Fasciitis – New Research

14 DECEMBER 2012

By Health CMI News

New research concludes that acupuncture is effective for treating plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammatory foot condition. Plantar fasciitis typically presents with pain on the underside of the foot and heel. The pain is often most severe when first stepping out of bed onto the floor in the morning. Another telltale sign of plantar fasciitis is pain upon dorsiflexion, lifting the foot towards the shin.

Acupuncture for PainIn this controlled clinical investigation, the acupuncture group demonstrated a significant reduction in foot pain while the control group showed only minimal changes. The control group received five weeks of analgesic medications, stretching exercises and shoe modifications. The acupuncture group received the same therapies plus electro-acupuncture treatments. The researchers concluded that, “Electro-acupuncture coupled with conventional treatments provided a success rate of 80% in chronic planar fasciitis which was more effective than conventional treatments alone.”

Another recent study demonstrates that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of plantar heel pain. The researchers note that acupuncture has more significant improvements in both pain relief and the restoration of function than a standard regime of care that includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Based on these findings, the researchers formally recommend acupuncture for the treatment of plantar heel pain.

In yet another study, investigators concluded that acupuncture at acupoint P7 (Daling, “Big Tomb”) relieves the pain of plantar fasciitis. P7 is located in the middle of the transverse crease of the wrist. P7 is a Shu-Stream point and Yuan (Primary) acupuncture point that is known for the treatment of Heart and Spirit related issues including myocarditis, palpitations, insomnia, mental illness, irritability, and cardiac pain. P7 is also used for Stomach related conditions, however, nearby point P6 is a more common point for the treatment of Stomach issues such as stomachache, nausea, and vomiting.
According to Chinese medicine and acupuncture theory, Shu-Stream points treat a heavy sensation of the of the body and painful joints. P7 is therefore a common point for the treatment of wrist pain because it is a Shu-Stream point located at the wrist . However, the researchers have chosen P7 for the wrist’s distal relationship to the ankle and heel region. At a six month follow-up examination, the P7 acupuncture group showed a significant improvement over the control group.
Plantar fasciitis affects approximately 2 million US citizens annually. These findings demonstrate that acupuncture is an important treatment modality for inflammation of the connective tissue on the bottom of the foot. Advantages to acupuncture treatment are that it is both safe, acupuncture is nontoxic and is nonsurgical, and effective.

References:
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, An International Journal of Comparative Medicine East and West. Efficacy of Electro-Acupuncture in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Wipoo Kumnerddee and Nitsara Pattapong. Volume 40, Issue 06, 2012.

Shi Ping Zhang, Tsui-Pik Yip, and Qiu-Shi Li.  Acupuncture Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Six Months Follow-Up. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative, Medicine, Volume 2011 (2011), Article ID 154108.

Acupunct Med. doi:10.1136/acupmed-2012-010183. The effectiveness of acupuncture for plantar heel pain: a systematic review. Richard James Clark, Maria Tighe.

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Acupuncture More Effective than Topiramate in Reducing Number of Migraine Headaches, the Consumer Justice Foundation Reports

October 11, 2012

By Health CMI

The Consumer Justice Foundation, a for-profit corporation whose team of professional consumer advocates provides continuous updates regarding free online information relating to the potential dangers of using certain prescription medications, has a Web site URL that is located at http://www.topamaxbirthinjury.com. The CJF hereby reports that a study published by researchers in Taiwan concluded that the use of acupuncture by people suffering from migraine headaches reduced the episodes of those headaches by a larger degree than the patients who used topiramate, which is the active ingredient in Topamax.

(PRWEB) October 10, 2012

The Consumer Justice Foundation, a for-profit corporation whose mission is to provide the public with free online informational resources regarding the potential dangers of using certain prescription medications, hereby alerts the public to the results of a study conducted in Taiwan concerning the use of acupuncture versus topiramate by patients suffering from migraine headaches. The study concluded that the patients who were given acupuncture treatments saw a greater decrease in the number of migraine headaches suffered as well as a lower rate for adverse responses to the respective treatments. Topiramate is the active ingredient in the migraine medication known as Topamax.

The study, which was entitled, “Acupuncture Versus Topiramate in Chronic Migraine Prophylaxis: A Randomized Clinical Trial” that was conducted in Taiwan by Dr. Hen-Hong CHANG at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, broke people who suffered from regular migraine headaches into two groups: one group used topiramate to treat their migraine headaches and the other group was administered regular acupuncture treatments of 30 minutes each at twice per week over 12 weeks.

The results revealed that the acupuncture group showed a drop in the average monthly number of migraine headaches from 20.2 to 9.8 as compared to the topiramate group, which showed a drop from 19.8 to 12.0. In addition, the rate of adverse responses to the acupuncture treatments registered at 6 percent as compared to 66 percent for those who used topiramate. The study stated with regards to its conclusion that acupuncture led to “a significantly larger decrease in the mean monthly number of moderate/severe headache days.”

Topiramate is the active ingredient in the prescription medication known as Topamax, and Topamax is manufactured by Johnson & Johnson. It was approved for the treatment of migraine headaches in 2004 by the FDA, but the drug has been changed in terms of its pregnancy category by the FDA from C to D because of alleged links to birth defects in children whose mothers took Topamax during the early stages of pregnancy.

About the Consumer Justice Foundation

The Consumer Justice Foundation, whose Web site can be found at http://www.consumerjusticefoundation.com, is a for-profit organization that serves two purposes for consumers: (1) to provide educational information regarding the policies and procedures of large corporations and how they affect the average consumer; and (2) to provide news updates and resources that continue to update consumers regarding developments taken by corporations that include pharmaceutical drug companies, auto manufacturers and insurance companies so that consumers who have been harmed can use these informational resources to connect to an experienced professional who can help them. The team at the Consumer Justice Foundation is staffed by experienced and passionate consumer advocates whose mission is to raise the awareness of issues that could pose a risk of harm to those who may not otherwise be aware of the dangers they face.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/10/prweb9994680.htm

Source: prweb


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Acupuncture Reduces Cancer Pain – Univ. of Maryland Study

By HealthCMi:
Acupuncture relieves cancer pain due to medication side effects according to new research conducted at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. Treatment for multiple myeloma (MM), cancer of plasma cells that affects bone marrow, is treated with the pharmaceutical drug bortezomib. Peripheral neuropathy, damage to peripheral nerves, is a common side effect causing pain in cancer patients taking bortezomib. The new research finds that acupuncture is effective for relieving peripheral neuropathy pain due to bortezomib intake in cancer patients. This finding affects cancer treatments in that bortezomib induced pain is a dose-limiting factor. The researchers conclude, “Acupuncture is a viable treatment option for MM patients experiencing painful BIPN (bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy).”

Acupuncture Prescription
Acupuncture CEUs OnlineAuricular AcupuncturePatients were given acupuncture at a rate of 1-2 times per week or once every two weeks dependent upon clinical pain reduction responses. Acupuncture needles were retained for a total of 25 minutes per treatment. Points used in the study were: auricular shen men, auricular point zero, two auricular points where electro-dermal signals were detected, LI4 (Hegu), TB5 (Waiguan), LI11 (Quchi) , ST40 (Fenglong) and Bafeng. All patients experienced pain reduction immediately following the first acupuncture visit. No adverse reactions were associated with the acupuncture treatments and patients experienced long lasting pain relief.

About HealthCMi:
Healthcare Medicine Institute authors and presenters provide acupuncture continuing education for acupuncture CEUs online and publish the HealthCMi internet news service.

Reference:
Ting Bao, Lixing Lao, Michelle Medeiros, Ruixin Zhang, Susan G. Dorsey, and Ashraf Badros. Medical Acupuncture. September 2012, 24(3): 181-187. doi:10.1089/acu.2011.0868. The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. The University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland.

 

http://www.healthcmi.com/index.php/acupuncturist-news-online/620-acupunctureceucancerpainbaltimoremaryland