Keeping your Acupuncture Appointment

It doesn't happen very often, but when it does, I try to explain why it's important to keep your acupuncture appointment instead of canceling.

You caught a bug- If you're unfortunate enough to get a head cold right before your appointment- still come in! Acupuncture, gua sha, fire cupping, and herbs all in conjunction do wonders on cutting down the length AND severity of your cold or flu. If a cough is one of your symptoms, fire cupping on your back right where your lungs are located brings that cough and any phlegm up and out. Sinus headaches from rhinitis can be diminished instantly (see my blog post about Bi Tong, the magical sinusitis point) with acupuncture and herbs. The treatment is shorter, only about 30-45 minutes, so you can get off the table and crawl right back into bed. In the case of Open Channel, an appointment for treating a cold is shorter and only $55 which includes the price of herbs. 

Unforeseen flareup- A lot of patients are receiving acupuncture for chronic, even life-long, conditions. Flareups happen. It's so tempting to skip your acupuncture appointment for the week and recuperate in bed. This is actually the most important time to see your acupuncturist. Chinese Medicine is best known as a preventative medicine but it also really shines during the worse times. Just like a cold, it reduces the severity and decreases the longevity of your symptoms. If you're already on an herbal formula, I'll want to either give you a new formula or tweak your existing one to accommodate you. Acupuncturists are also on the look out for serious symptoms- it might be a small annoyance to you but could be an indicator of a serious condition. It's important that I can check you out and monitor you, as one of your healthcare practitioners. (On a side note: If you are experiencing a worsening of your condition and you don't already have an appointment- now is a perfect time to make one).

Too stressful of a time- I'm personally guilty of this one. I had a deadline approaching and I wanted to just pound through the assignment without any interruptions. After being chewed out by my acupuncturist for canceling (how embarrassing!) I vowed to never do it again. This is an especially important time to come in. Tell your acupuncturist about your stress levels and how they're affecting you. There are point combinations to improve your sleep, improve your cognitive ability, improve your focus, keep you from getting sick, decrease any pain from tensing up, and even improve your digestion from stress tummy. Think of your acupuncturist as your ultimate partner in keeping you grounded during hectic times.

Menstrual pain- I'll let you in on a little secret: I have a plethora of ways to help you out during your period. Heating pads, direct moxibustion, moxa boxes, castor oil packs, all of these are heavenly for abdominal and lower back cramping. Feeling full of rage and so irritable that you chewed out your cat for looking at you funny? We have herbs for that. Did you cry earlier today because you dropped a spoon and it's just a metaphor for how your life is going at the moment? We definitely have herbs for that. 

The whole point of this blog post is this: Your treatment plan is modified and specific to you and your constitution. With that being said, it is not a strict regimented straight path to healing that cannot be changed. Acupuncturists are able to adapt and treat whatever problems you are walking in that door with.  

Magic Points Monday: Bi Tong

If you're breathing out of both nostrils without any trouble right now then you're blessed. To you readers with allergies or a sinus infection, my condolences. You really can relate .

I like to say I have a bag of magic acupuncture points. They're the quick and easy points that give a patient instant relief. They're the 'Aha! This works!' of Chinese medicine. Bi Tong is in my bag of tricks. A patient will come to me with a completely blocked nose and I stick this little puppy in and their nose instantly drains. To anyone who has suffered from seasonal allergies or sinusitis that just won't quit, this is heaven.  

Bi Tong (pronounced Bee Tawng)  is located right alongside your nose. Makes perfect sense why it works- it's right there at the sinuses, sending Qi straight to the source and opening it up. Bi Tong is a beautiful half to a nose-busting duo. I actually insert the needle at Large Intestine 20 (located next to your nostril) and superficially thread it up to Bi Tong. So the needle is now in line with your sinuses and they clear right up, giving you sweet relief.  

Now, like any ailments, a full acupuncture treatment is really going to be the most effective. If you have a cold, there are points on the arms and one right at the top of your head that will cut down your sick-time. And to really drive the point home, the herbal formula Cang Er Zi San drains sinuses without the palpation side effects of Sudafed. If you have chronic sinusitis or seasonal allergies and you're always a bit stuffy, then a few acupuncture appointments will be the best route for you. And you won't only get needles in your face! There are other points on your body that shoot straight up to the sinuses and help your 'constitution' to resolve the chronic sniffles. 

Don't be put off of the idea of needles "in your face". Acupuncturists (myself included) spent countless hours learning how to painlessly and safely needle these points! If you're currently suffering from a stuffy nose go ahead and push next to your nostrils and follow up alongside your nose. Mmmmmmm...

I'm not the only one saying it- check out this link for the research http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1530-acupuncture-relieves-rhinitis-prevents-oral-ulcers