Treating Addiction with NADA Ear Acupuncture Protocol

Ear acupuncture, or auriculotherapy, is based on the principles of Chinese Medicine and is especially effective in the treatment of addiction, mood disorders, PTSD, and pain.

The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) developed a 5-point auricular (ear) acupuncture protocol specifically for the treatment of addiction, which is used by more than 2,000 drug and alcohol programs today. NADA is a not-for-profit training and advocacy organization, promoting community wellness through the use of a standardized auricular acupuncture protocol for behavioral health, addiction, mental health, and disaster & emotional trauma (https://acudetox.com). Most often, we use the NADA protocol to help people quit smoking.

An ear acupuncture or NADA treatment involves the gentle placement of 5 small disposable needles into specific site in each ear. These sites correspond to different parts of the body. The 5 designated acupuncture points that are used include: Lung, Kidney, Liver, Shen Men, and Sympathetic. The organ points, Lung, Kidney, and Liver, promote organ recovery and detoxification. Ear point Shen Men translates to “Spirit Gate” and is a powerful point to calm the mind and ease anxiety. The Sympathetic point relates to the autonomic nervous system and has a strong pain relieving and relaxing effect. Ear Acupuncture will help:

alleviate withdrawal symptoms

reduce cravings

promote organ recovery

ease anxiety + stress

promote restorate sleep

enhance will-power + motivation

improve sense of well-being

reduce a need for pharmaceuticals

The NADA treatment was designed to be a non-verbal approach to healing used in clinical group settings. At our clinic, your session will be private and there will be a brief intake at the start of your session. You will relax with the needles in for 30-45 minutes, allowing the treatment to take effect. Treatments are most impactful when received multiple times per week. We offer NADA treatment packages to keep your visits affordable.

Length of treatments and success varies for each individual. While some patients respond quickly to treatments, others may require a series of ongoing treatments. We will always strive to create an environment and treatment plan that is most supportive to you.

Acupuncture provides a foundation for recovery and rehabilitation, in addition to empowering you to create change. It is clinically effective, cost-efficient, and drug-free. Combining your acupuncture treatments with counseling, education, medical support and self-help groups enhances opportunities for success.

TO BEST ACHIEVE YOUR STOP-SMOKING GOALS, CONSIDER THESE TIPS:

~ Make a list of reasons to quit. Keep reminding yourself why you gave up the habit.

~ Surround yourself with supportive, like-minded people and reach out when you need encouragement.

~ Set boundaries. If possible, stay away from smokers in the first few weeks you are trying to quit.

~ Have an affirmation. This is a positive statement repeated often to create desired changes in your life. For example: “I successfully quit smoking. I am now healthier, happier and relaxed.”

~ Strategize. Plan what you will do during a craving, which can last 5 minutes. Chew licorice root sticks or gum; repeat your affirmation; breathe deeply; exercise; sing a song; dance; call your support person.

~ Out with the old! Throw away your ash trays, lighters, matches, and cigarettes. Remove indoor pollutants from your home. Fill your house with plants, which act as natural air filters.

~ Get moving. A quick walk after meals will help regulate blood sugar levels, boost your energy, decrease stress,, and increase metabolism.

~ Eat your fruits and veggies. They are high in fiber, nutrients, and antioxidants, and an important feature of a detox diet. Chlorophyl-rich (green) foods cleanse the lungs and blood.

~ Drink more water. Hydrate your body, soothe dryness, and flush out the toxins that have built up in your cells.

~ Practice deep breathing. Calm your nerves and strengthen your lungs. BONUS: Try pine essential oil in a diffuser or use a drop on your chest. Pine strengthens the lungs, improves respiratory function, and promotes will-power.

~ Create a new routine, change your current schedule, so there is no time for addiction.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

National Acupuncture Detoxification Association: https://acudetox.com

The Great American Smokeout: https://www.tobaccofreecampus.org/the-great-american-smokeout

The Most Essential Back-To-School Essential Oils

Back to school, back to school!

Immune support, stress management, and mental focus are priorities this time of year. Here are our favorite essential oils for students and teachers:

grapefruit

Its healing properties include: antiseptic, antidepressant, and analgesic oil. As a citrus oil, grapefruit lifts the spirit, promotes mental alertness, and supports the immune system. Grapefruit in particular improves appetite and digestion, treats food stagnation, and regulates the flow of qi to relieve pain. This oil is best used in a diffuser.

lavender

Its healing properties include: analgesic, nervine, anti-spasmodic, hypotensive. Most famously, lavender relieves stress and tension. This calming oil also lowers blood pressure, promotes restful sleep, and enhances immunity. Lavender opens the chest and promotes smooth flow of liver qi. This oil can be massaged into the head, neck, and upper shoulders, or, used in a diffuser.

neroli

It’s healing properties include: sedative, anti-depressant. This pleasant floral oil eases anxiety and calms a worried mind, supports digestion, soothes a nervous stomach, and enhances overall emotional well-being. Neroli strengthens spleen qi and clears heart fire. Apply neroli to the center of your chest, inner wrists, and center of stomach. This is a wonderful and easy to use oil for children!

peppermint

Its healing properties include: anti-inflammatory, sedative, hypo-regenerative, carminative, antispasmodic. Peppermint boosts mental clarity and concentration (nourishes a visionary and promotes new ideas!); clears the sinuses and alleviates headaches; and improves IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Peppermint regulates the liver qi to relax emotions. Because peppermint is quite strong, dilute it with a carrier oil if using directly on the skin, or use straight in a diffuser. Peppermint is not appropriate for young children.

tea tree

Its healing properties include: anti-viral, anti-bacterial, disinfectant. Tea tree excels at reducing histamine levels. We often use it to boost immunity, strengthen the lungs, and protect against colds and allergies. Dilute the oil and use it as a chest rub, or use straight in a diffuser. Tea tree is safe to use for kids!

recommended carrier oils

almond, jojoba


CONTACT US TO PURCHASE YOUR FIVE-PACK OF BACK-TO-SCHOOL OILS!

The Spirit of the Small Intestine Acupuncture Channel

"The Small Intestine is responsible for receiving and making things thrive. Transformed substances stem from it."

- Su Wen, Chapter 8

In Five Element theory, each of the five elements has a correlating season and organ system pair. For the Fire element, the season is Summer and the organ systems are the Heart and Small Intestine. All of the body's organs represent "Officials", and each play an important role in keeping us physically, mentally, and spiritually balanced. 

In the Summer, the Fire element organs are the most active and therefore need the most attention and care. Here, the spotlight is on the Small Intestine- one of my favorite channels to use for clearing summer-related heat and dampness, and improving mental clarity, calming the spirit, and supporting digestion and gut health. She is small but she is mighty!

The role of the Small Intestine is to sort the pure from impure. 

This Fire element organ is a bit of an alchemist! It receives material and transforms it, and through the process of separation, sorts what to keep and what to discard. Everything we eat and drink passes through the Small Intestine and is transformed and sorted out through the process of digestion. Nutrients are absorbed into the blood and waste is eliminated. 

The Small Intestine’s ability to separate pure from impure also works on a mental, emotional, and spiritual level. In our fast-paced world, our minds have a lot to sort out! With constant input from 24/7 headlines and social media feeds, we have to be able to sort out what serves us and what does not. We have endless decisions to make and a million ways our choices are being influenced. A healthy Small Intestine system gives us the ability to clearly see our choices and make decisions. It gives us the power to find a way to extract what's good and discard the rest. 

What do we take in and what do we leave out? What should we absorb, what to eliminate? Because the Small Intestine's job is to separate the pure from impure, it also has the important role of discrimination. But as we are constantly faced with so many choices and influences, this can become an overwhelming task for the Small Intestine to take on.

When overwhelmed, the job of the organ Officials become impaired. When the Small Intestine can no longer discriminate, people can become easily confused or indecisive. We can feel ambivalent, and not even be able to see what we are supposed to be choosing from. We can feel mentally foggy, unable to make decisions, or evaluating what to do next.
 

Similarly, the food we take in impacts the spirit of the Small Intestine. When overwhelmed with junk food and empty calories, the Small Intestine struggles to decipher what to keep as nourishment and what to let go of as waste. Our gut heath can become compromised, digestion impaired, and immune system out of whack. 

How can we support the spirit of the Small Intestine?

 The goal is not to go towards extreme purity (of food, exercise, water, spiritual practice, etc), as this also creates imbalances. The goal is to cultivate awareness, listen to our body, and strive for balance in our busy lives. Eating well, self-care, acupuncture, sleep, healthy boundaries, exercise, meditation… any of these practices will help support the spirit and health of the Small Intestine organ system.  

Here are some of our favorite acupuncture points to support the Small Intestine:

Small Intestine 4 (SI-4) “Wrist Bone”: Located on the wrist bone below the pinky finger, the Source Point of the Small Intestine is excellent for strengthening and calming all aspects of the organ. It improves a patient’s well-being and ability to separate pure from impure on all levels. It promotes peristalsis, supports a healthy gut lining, and stimulates the immune system.

Small intestine 5 (SI-5) “Yang Valley”: Located just below SI-4, the Fire point of the Small Intestine channel invigorates the Small Intestine and enables people to acquire greater mental clarity and calmness. It guides appropriate decision making, helping the Small Intestine to separate the pure from impure. This point also aids in digestion and nutrient absorption, and is effective for clearing heat and dampness from the body, 

Small Intestine 11 (SI-11) “Heavenly Ancestor”: Located on the center of the scapula (shoulder blade), this one of the most important spirit points on the Small Intestine channel. This point is used to help clear the internal mental and spiritual chaos of someone who has lost clarity and certainty. This point opens the chest and calms an anxious heart (the Yin organ pair of the Small Intestine). 

References:

Gumenick, Neil. "Spirit of the Points: The Small Intestine". Acupuncture Today, July 2019.

Hicks, Angela. "Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture". Elsevier Limited 2004.

It's All Connected: The Amazing Meridians

It may seem strange, at first, that when you get an acupuncture treatment for a backache we needle a point behind your knees, for a toothache we needle a point on your hand, or for gall bladder stones we needle a point on your foot.  

What makes it possible for points on the wrist to treat pain in the chest, or,  points on the back to treat the brain and mood disorders is a distribution network in the body called meridian systems. 

The meridians are like a giant web, circulating qi and blood throughout the body and linking different parts of the body together. 

Every organ has its own meridian, or channel, that traverses a certain area of the body. The flow of Qi in the meridians concentrate at certain areas- these are the acupuncture points. When needled, acupuncture points can regulate the way in which the body functions and has been shown to effect the electrical and nervous systems of the body, impact neurotransmitters, and reduce substance P (which is responsible for the sensation of pain).  

There are hundreds of acupuncture points located all over the body, from head to toe. How do we choose which points to use? 

Based on a person’s health history, chief complaint, tongue and pulse diagnosis (that’s a big, fascinating topic for another time!), and channel palpation (pressing along the channels to find areas of tenderness or pain), we establish a Chinese medical diagnosis and select a unique group of points that work together to treat the patient’s symptoms and their underlying cause. 

This is why acupuncture is a “root and branch medicine”. 

A treatment plan for a migraine may include points that stop pain and reduce tension (the symptoms, or "branch"), in addition to points that target the underlying pattern of imbalance, or root cause, such as Liver Qi stagnation. A treatment plan for allergies may use points to open the sinuses and stop sneezing (the branch) and strengthen deficient Lung Qi (the root). 

We consider which channels and organ systems are affected, and often chose local and distal points as part of your treatment plan. 

Remember: every part of your body is connected by the meridian system! 

Locally, acupuncture points can move qi and blood, stop pain, increase circulation and decrease inflammation at the site of injury or disease. Distal points will open the affected channels to move pain out, encourage circulation along the entire channel, and strengthen channel deficiencies.

The Gall Bladder meridian, for example, descends from the head and temples to the ribcage and hips, and then travels down the legs to the fourth toe. Needling Gall Bladder points on the feet can treat issues at the opposite end of the channel, like head aches, gall bladder disease, and rib pain. 

Each point has its own special action on the body, and each point works at both a physical, mental, and spiritual level. 

The location of the point, its associated organ system and meridian, and even its name indicates what that point can do. Acupuncture point Pericardium 6 (PC-6), is a point along the pericardium channel which begins at the middle finger, travels up the arm and ends at the center of the chest.

Anatomically, the pericardium is the membrane that surrounds the heart. In Chinese Medicine theory, the pericardium is called “the heart protector”. The name of this particular point, “Inner Gate”, refers to how the heart regulates its boundaries: what gets let in, what gets let out. The point functions to open the chest, stop chest pain, circulate heart qi and blood, and calm anxiety. It’s location over the median nerve at the wrist makes it a great point to treat carpel tunnel syndrome and other arm and wrist issues.

Acupuncture allows us to access our health and wellness from a holistic perspective. It acknowledges that everything is connected, and that it is possible to address multiple issues with one singular treatment!

The Benefits of Acupuncture for College Students

Test anxiety, soccer injuries, poor focus in class, frequent colds, nicotine addiction, stress headaches and neck tension... Can you relate to any of these common student afflictions? Acupuncture can help!

Acupuncture is one of the best tools out there for helping you cope with the daily stresses of your college and social life. As a holistic medicine, acupuncture looks at how root imbalances affect the whole system. When one thing is out of whack, it can affect you in multiple ways. Acupuncture excels at tackling multiple symptoms all in one treatment.

Acupuncture is a “root and branch” medicine. In other words, treatments alleviate the physical and emotional symptoms you experience and also correct the underlying imbalances of Qi in the body that may be causing your symptoms. Spleen Qi deficiency, for example, is a pattern of imbalance often associated with anxiety and worry, over- thinking, low energy and poor appetite.

Lauren Becker, Balance owner + acupuncturist, started using acupuncture herself during her sophomore year of college at the University of Maryland. The Student Health Center amazingly offered acupuncture as a service to students. Receiving treatments once a week helped relieve her allergies, asthma, and anxiety, and most importantly, enjoy college life feeling really great.

Acupuncture is much more than throwing an ice pack on your ankle sprain, or taking a Tylenol for your migraine. By treating the root of the issue, you will decrease the incidence of those migraines, prevent recurrent injuries to that vulnerable ankle, and boost your overall well-being. Acupuncture is most well-known for its ability to “take the edge off” and calm the nervous system, helping you feel less affected by and better equipped to manage the stressful aspects of life.

Bonus: many people notice improved mental clarity after acupuncture!

Autoimmune Conditions + Chinese Medicine

Autoimmune disorders affect many individuals, posing daily physical and emotional challenges, sometimes to the point of disability. The spectrum of autoimmune disorders range from mild to severe, examples including allergies, Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and lupus.

Under normal physiological functioning, our immune system protects us against harmful and toxic substances like viruses and bacteria. In an autoimmune condition, however, the immune system has an inappropriate reaction against healthy cells and tissues and attacks the body. Consequently, autoimmune disorders affect the bones, joints, skin, blood, and organs.

Doctors often will prescribe medications that provide symptomatic relief of inflammation and pain, as well as immunosuppressant drugs to control the immune system. Those with autoimmune conditions commonly experience fatigue and mental-emotional distress along with other physical symptoms.

As a holistic medicine, acupuncture is a very helpful ally in the treatment of autoimmune disorders because it addresses both the root of disease and the associated physical and emotional symptoms.

In Chinese medicine, autoimmune disorders arise when patterns of disharmony in the body cause the immune system to act out of balance. The goal of acupuncture treatments is to bring the body back into balance, alleviate pain, and strengthen and regulate the immune system. For those on immunosuppressant drugs, acupuncture becomes an important adjunctive therapy to encourage healthy functioning of the immune system in the long-term.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine also promote restful nights, which is essential for maintaining and restoring good health. Studies have shown that lack of sleep increases pro-inflammatory processes of the body that cause pain and inflammation, the major symptoms of autoimmune disorders. 

The Divergent Meridians

In Classical Chinese Medicine, your practitioners may choose to work with the Divergent Meridians, a channel system that is especially helpful for autoimmune disorders. The name of this system speaks to exactly what it does: the meridians “divert”, or re-direct, pathogens away from attacking healthy cells and tissues. Using this meridian system protects the joints, bones, and organs from the autoimmune processes.

In theory, the Divergent Meridians deal with our Wei Qi and our Yuan Qi. Wei Qi can be likened to our immune system, protecting and defending the body from disease and pathogens. Yuan Qi refers to our constitution, and the things that make up who we are: our DNA, genetics, and our vital organs.

Working at the Wei Qi and Yuan Qi levels, the Divergent Meridians represent the process of autoimmune disorders, where the immune system (Wei Qi) acts out of balance and threatens the body’s organs and vitality (Yuan Qi).

As a treatment option, the Divergent Meridians are a fascinating channel system and relate to the complex nature of autoimmune disorders.

Acupuncture for Emotional Balance

Chinese Medicine offers an opportunity to improve your mental and physical health and to help you understand how your physical and emotional symptoms are related.

With a strong treatment focus on the connection between emotions, stress, trauma, and physical pain, acupuncture effectively addresses general health, emotional, and psychiatric concerns. Acupuncture is a “root and branch” medicine, meaning it treats the symptoms of a disorder as well as its underlying cause.

In Chinese Medicine theory, emotions and mental functions are viewed as components of Qi (the body’s vital energy) and blood. There are acupuncture points along meridians located all over the body that affect the brain and mental activity. The goal of treatment is to correct the movement of qi and blood in the meridians and bring balance back to the mind, body, and spirit.

Acupuncture induces a relaxation response, has been shown to affect the nervous system, and positively impacts neurotransmitter activity. Acupuncture can also help regulate the hormones, immune system, digestion, nutrient absorption and metabolic activity as well as modulate the body’s inflammatory response, all of which, when impaired, can influence one’s emotional wellness.

Acupuncture can help treat a wide range of emotional and psychological disorders, from mild to debilitating, including:

Depression * Anxiety * Panic Attacks * Fears and phobias * Lack of motivation * Hopelessness * ADD/ ADHD * PTSD * Eating disorders * Addiction * Stress* Insomnia * OCD * Borderline Personality Disorder * Bipolar Disorder

Auriculotherapy and the NADA Protocol

Ear acupuncture, or auriculotherapy, is based on the principles of Chinese Medicine and is especially effective in the treatment of addiction, mood disorders, PTSD, and pain. The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) developed a 5-point ear acupuncture protocol specifically for the treatment of addiction, which is used by more than 2,000 drug and alcohol programs today. We offer ear acupuncture to those struggling with addiction or an emotional crisis.

While acupuncture will not, of course, change the circumstances of a person’s life, it does provide a foundation for recovery and rehabilitation, in addition to empowering the individual to create change. Acupuncture can work synergistically with other behavioral therapies.

Treating Tennis Elbow with Acupuncture

In a city full of athletes and weekend warriors, we see a lot of sprains and strains come through our clinic doors. One of the sports injuries we encounter most often might come as no surprise: tennis elbow!  

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, occurs when tendons in the joint become inflamed due to overuse and repetitive motion of the forearm and wrist (as in swinging a tennis racket). It can cause pain with certain movements, weakness, and limited range of motion in the joint.

Don’t let tennis elbow keep you on the bench- acupuncture can help!

When doctors at the Mayo Clinic used acupuncture to treat 22 people with chronic tennis elbow, they found that and 80% got complete and lasting relief, while an additional 10% experienced a marked improvement.

Peter T. Dorsher, MD and consultant in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the clinic, explains: “We were treating the worst of the worst—patients who had been seriously disabled by their tennis elbow pain for an average of 14 months before starting acupuncture treatment.” Participants of this study had failed to find relief with all standard treatments for tennis elbow, including anti-inflammatory drugs, cortisone injections, and wearing braces.

Studies published in the Oxford journal of Rheumatology had similar results: a randomized, controlled study done in 2002 found a 50% pain reduction after only 2 weeks of acupuncture treatments.

Acupuncture has been repeatedly proven to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain and increase blood circulation.  It does so by activating qi and blood along meridians, or channels, that travel the length of the body.

Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment option for all injuries, and there is no risk of side effects that are often associated with cortisone shots and anti-inflammatories. Even better, acupuncture also improves your sleep, energy, and overall wellbeing. If you have tennis elbow, consider acupuncture to get you back in the game!

Resources:

1. Devitt, M. “Acupuncture for Tennis Elbow: Study Suggests Treatment is Effective, Even in Difficult Cases.” Acupuncture Today (2002).

2. Fink, M. “Acupuncture in chronic epicondylitis: a randomized controlled trial.” Rheumatology (Oxford) 41.2 (2002): 205-209.

Summer Self-Care from a Chinese Medical Perspective

Hello, 90 degree temps and long sunny days! Whether you thrive in the heat or want to melt away, self-care is essential this time of year.

The transition from Spring to Summer is represented by the wood element moving into the fire element. The new growth and budding energy of spring is now exploding into summer vibrance and abundance! The organ system related to the fire element is the heart, so our summer our self-care routine should support a healthy heart and circulatory system. Acupuncture, essential oils, herbs and nutrition will keep your body in balance during this seasonal transition.

As the Heat Turns Up, Here Are Our Favorite Ways To Stay Healthy:

1. ACUPUNCTURE. Acupuncture quickly and effectively invites change and balance in our body. No surprise here, that acupuncture is our #1 go-to for self-care, especially with regards to seasonal change. Points to balance the "fire element" and boost the health of its corresponding organ pair, the Heart and Small Intestine, become essential during these steamy summer days!

2. HERBAL TEA. The name of the game this time of year is to clear heat, nourish the fluids, and replenish depletion. The Chinese herbal tea blend, Dao Chi San, tackles all three! Herbal iced teas that are RED are also very beneficial. Red is the color of the fire element and red herbs tend to favor heart health! Some of these herbs include hibiscus, rooibos, and hawthorn.

3. ESSENTIAL OILS. As the temperature climbs, cooling oils like peppermint and geranium are excellent summer allies. A drop of peppermint on the back of your neck or chest will quickly clear summer heat and treat summer bugs or heat exhaustion. Geranium is cooling and also nourishes yin, keeping your body and skin hydrated and refreshed.

4. EATING WITH THE SEASON. In the warmer months, our diet should be light, cooling, brightly colored, and hydrating. Now is the time to include more raw food into the diet. Our absolute top favorite for beating the heat is watermelon!

5. STAY ACTIVE. The Wood Element of spring enjoyed some good stretches and lots of walks. Soon, our focus turns to the heart and the fire element. A healthy heart and circulatory system requires regular exercise. Get in some good cardiovascular exercise and try to build a sweat, which helps to cleanse toxins from the body.

6. ENJOY LIFE TO ITS FULLEST. The hot, sunny, long days of summer invite the Fire in us to come out and play. The emotion of the fire element is joy, and its sound is laughter. Hanging out with friends and family, throwing backyard bbq parties, going to the beach or to the ball game supports the social inclination of the Fire element and encourages a happy heart. A sense of humor, having fun, and a good laugh just might be the best medicine!

7. BALANCE FIRE WITH WATER. Not surprisingly, it becomes easy to push our Fire to its limits. Symptoms like fatigue, lethargy, dehydration, insomnia, and irritability are signs that the Fire element needs extra attention. The job of the five elements in Chinese Medicine is to keep each other balanced and in check. It’s important to balance the hot, active, yang energy of the fire element with its polar opposite: the cooling, nourishing, slow, yin energy of the water element. Take time to slow down with a nap, yoga or meditation. Or more literally, get in the water! Connecting with the water element is grounding and helps to keep your fire from flaring and burning out.