Acupuncture Blog Minneapolis / Steven Sonmore, L.Ac. » alternative medicine

FREE Chinese Pulse Diagnosis May 26th

Steven Sonmore L. Ac. — Sat, 15 May 2010 13:46:34 +0000

Here’s your chance to receive a free Chinese pulse diagnosis. Stop by the YMCA – Southwest Area Health Fair at 550 Opperman Drive in Eagan, MN 55123 on Wednesday, May 26th from 2 to 5pm.

The most respected method of diagnosis in Chinese Medicine is “Pulse Diagnosis.” This method is a lost art with very few practitioners competent in its immense subtlety. Steven Sonmore, L.Ac. is personally trained in this lost art. Used correctly, the pulse can reveal anatomical problems such as soft tissue damage, allergies, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, ovarian cysts, bone spurs, gall stones, sinus infections, gastric ulcers and a host of other physical aliments. At the Complete Oriental Medical Care, LLC this method of pulse diagnosis is used daily in our treatment protocol.

P.S. Don’t miss this one!

For more than 20 years Steven Sonmore helped people transform health problems into solutions for attaining better health. Steven is a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist and certified Health Preservation Association instructor. He is licensed by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.

Read new articles at www.orientalmedcare.com about how Acupuncture and Chinese medicine will enhance your life. We love helping our patients and their friends and relatives through their tough times by getting them feeling better fast!

We are also here to help you STAY feeling better and looking younger! Don’t be a stranger. Call us at 612-866-4000 and we will assist you in putting together a customized preventative maintenance plan. It’s not an expensive luxury anymore! With our affordable fees, it’s less expensive than you think! You really can afford Acupuncture care!

Scientific Validation of Acupuncture for Pain Relief

Staff writer — Fri, 07 May 2010 19:10:44 +0000

Traditional Chinese medicine has offered effective pain relief to mankind for thousands of years. Now to confirm its scientific validity, this treatment of pain has received support in the May issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, the official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).

Dr. Philip Lang and fellow researchers of the University of Munich used quantitative sensory testing to detect changes in pain sensitivity with acupuncture in 24 healthy volunteers. After applying acupuncture to the leg, the researchers found that pain thresholds increased by up to 50 percent. Effects were noted in both the treated leg and the untreated leg.

Study Shows Measurable and Specific Effects of Acupuncture on Pain

Quantitative sensory testing is used clinically to help physicians understand specific injuries in nerve fibers associated with chronic pain. It includes tests of both thermal perception (heat and cold), and mechanical perception (pressure applied to the skin). The patterns of response provide diagnostic information in patients with nerve injury regarding the type of nerve involved, and possible treatments.

The results pointed to two nerve fibers—the “A delta” pain fibers and the “C” pain fibers—as being specifically affected by acupuncture. The researchers believe this provides a basis for future studies in individuals with chronic pain, where the effects might be more dramatic.

All treatments were performed by an experienced acupuncturist using acupuncture points commonly used for pain management.

The results provide a scientific background for the ancient practice of acupuncture, according to Dr. Dominik Irnich, head of the Multidisciplinary Pain Centre, Department of Anesthesiology in University of Munich. Dr. Irnich notes, “Our results show that contralateral stimulation leads to a remarkable pain relief. This suggests that acupuncturists should needle contralaterally if the affected side is too painful or not accessible—for example, if the skin is injured or there is a dressing in place.”

Dr. Steven L. Shafer, Editor-in-Chief of Anesthesia & Analgesia and Professor of Anesthesiology at Columbia University, views the results as an important preliminary finding. “Reproducible findings are the cornerstone of scientific inquiry,” Dr. Shafer comments. “The authors have clearly described their methodology, and their findings. If other laboratories can reproduce these results in properly controlled studies, then this provides further support for the scientific basis of acupuncture. Additionally, the ability of quantitative sensory testing to identify specific types of nerves involved in pain transmission may help direct research into the mechanism of acupuncture analgesia.”

SOURCES: Anesthesia & Analgesia, The Medical News

Integrative Medicine For Diabetes Mellitus

Jillian Capodice — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:13:05 +0000

Diabetes mellitus (DM) refers to a group of common metabolic disorders related to hyperglycemia. While there are many different types of DM, DM is increasing in incidence worldwide and predisposes one to numerous other medical conditions including cardiovascular, renal disease, lower extremity amputations and adult blindness.

The two classes of DM are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. DM Type 1 is characterized by total or near-total insulin deficiency and Type 2 DM are a heterogeneous group of disorders that all have defining features based on:

• degree of insulin resistance
• impaired insulin secretion
• increased production of glucose

The etiology of DM Type2 are numerous and include genetic defects of insulin or beta cell function, exocrine pancreatic diseases, endocrine disorders such as hyperthyroidism and Cushing’s syndrome, drug induced DM, pregnancy induced DM, and increased prevalence of obesity and reduced activity levels worldwide. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that between 1980-2005, the number of Americans with DM increased from 5.6 to 15.8 million and that people aged 65 years or older accounted for approximately 38% of that total.

Acupuncture for Diabetic Neuropathy

There are a number of diabetic neuropathies and a few acupuncture studies that are beginning to look at how acupuncture may provide symptom relief for the DM patient with neuropathy.
Types of diabetic neuropathies

Generalized neuropathy
• hyperglycaemic neuropathy
• symmetric distal polyneuropathy with/without autonomic neuropathy
• acute painful sensory neuropathy variants

Focal and multifocal neuropathy
• cranial neuropathies
• focal limb neuropathies
• thoracolumbar radiculoneuropathy
• lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy (Bruns-Garland syndrome)

In general, the most common symptoms reported for leg and foot neuropathy include complaints “of tingling, buzzing or prickling sensations affecting the feet, which may also feel tight or hot or cold. The symptoms are often, but not exclusively, symmetric in distribution. The patient may complain of numbness or “as if my feet are wrapped up in cotton wool.” 15

A recent pilot study in humans tested TCM and Japanese style acupuncture for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy. Out of seven patients enrolled, three received Traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA) while four received Japanese-style acupuncture (JA). Of six evaluable subjects, JA subjects noted a greater decrease in pain, but the decrease was less durable than the TCA subjects. The TCA subjects also noted greater sensation improvement in cooling and warming.

Conclusions
In conclusion, there is considerable research being done on…acupuncture for symptom management in the patient with DM. The outcomes of these studies will help to inform how herbs, lifestyle interventions and acupucnture are imperative in the comprehensive approach to diabetes care.

About the author: Jillian Capodice is the Director of Acupuncture and Integrative Service at the Center for Holistic Urology, Department of Urology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York. She is an active lecturer and has extensive publications on myriad topics such as acupuncture, complementary and alternative medicine and integrative urology.

If you suffer from diabetes call our Minneapolis Acupuncture Clinic at 612-866-4000 for relief from your symptoms and to improve the quality of your life. Or visit us at www.orientalmedcare.com

Happy Chinese New Year!

Staff writer — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:31:36 +0000

“The Tiger symbolizes passion, power and daring. The Year of the Tiger is bound to be a big, bold year.”

It’s coming up quickly! Are you ready? Drama, intensity, change and travel will be the keywords for The Year of The Tiger which begins on February 14th, 2010. It won’t be a dull 12 months for anyone. The Year of the Tiger will bring far reaching changes for everyone. New inventions and incredible technological advances have a good chance of occurring. For all of the Chinese horoscope signs, this year is the one to be active…seizing opportunities and making the most of our personal and individual talents. Everything happens quickly and dramatically in a Tiger year…blink and you could miss an important chance of a lifetime!

The Tiger is the proverbial King of the Jungle, admired for his vivid stripes that symbolize the balanced forces of Yin and Yang. According the Chinese zodiac, the year of the Tiger is traditionally associated with massive changes. One thing you do not want to leave to chance in such times is your health. At Complete Oriental Medical Care you get effective, affordable and reliable health care. Ask about our acupuncture package rates.

Some Famous Tigers are: Natalie Wood, Agatha Christie, H.G. Wells, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Dickinson, Isadora Duncan, Roberta Flack, Jodie Foster, Stevie Wonder, William Hurt, Dylan Thomas, Marilyn Monroe, Demi Moore, Beatrix Potter and Lionel Ritchie.

Tigers are truly a force of nature. They are known to be dependable, unpredictable, fearless, stout hearted, tender and loving. Tigers have the ability to think on their feet and have a primal desire for adventure and first hand experience of life.

Tiger people are aware that the best way to thrive in unpredictable times is to rely on known protection. Our Minneapolis Acupuncture Clinic has been known for improving people’s health for over 16 years. May the Year of the Tiger bring you prosperity, happiness and health!

Can Acupuncture Help Your Back Pain?

Steven Sonmore L. Ac. — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:56:53 +0000

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention. It is one of the most frequent causes of missed workdays and one of the most expensive conditions in the United States; according to a recent government report nearly one million people in the U.S. took time away from work to treat and recover from some sort of back pain.

Back problems can be caused by an inordinately wide range of problems. It can exist alone, or it can be caused by a condition that occurs elsewhere in the body, with the pain being transmitted (referred) to areas of the back by the nervous system. The majority of backache sufferers complain of pain in the lower back; the second most common site of discomfort is the base of the neck.

Who Suffers From Back Pain?

Half of all adults will experience some form of low back pain during their lifetime. The fact that humans walk upright puts great pressure on the spine and the muscles that support it. Over time, factors such as disease, accidents, poor posture and overexertion can lead to immediate and/or long-term back problems.

Most back pain is muscular in nature. Muscle pain perpetuates what is known as the pain cycle, a phenomenon of which the back is particularly susceptible. In the pain cycle, pain causes a muscle to spasm, which may distort the discs, joints and nerves of the spine. This spasm leads to further pain, leading to further spasm, which compounds the original problem. If the nerves are irritated enough, it may cause pain to radiate down into the leg, similar to pain experienced via a herniated disc.

In most cases, people who experience an episode of acute back pain will recover in 3-12 weeks. For those who don’t recover, however, chronic back pain can be a significant source of inconvenience and suffering.

What Can Acupuncture Do For You?

Acupuncture plays a vital role in the reduction or elimination of back pain by reducing recovery time and preventing a chronic condition from developing.

Research has shown that acupuncture causes the body to produce natural steroids and promote the production of natural endorphins. Steroids decrease inflammation, while endorphins are produced by the body to kill pain. Both substances can play an integral part in the breaking up of the pain cycle.

By reducing acute back pain, acupuncture can also reduce the chances of chronic back pain from occurring. It can help avoid the need for costlier and more invasive surgical procedures. And if back pain can be significantly reduced with acupuncture, it also lowers the need for painkillers or other medications that can either cause unwanted side-effects or prolong a patient’s condition. To schedule your appointment for a pain free back call our Minneapolis Acupuncture Clinic at 612-866-4000 TODAY or visit http://www.orientalmedcare.com/ .

Pomegranate A Day Keeps The Doctor Away?

AHHA — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:50:06 +0000

Pomegranates are becoming a popular subject of research for prevention and treatment benefits for a wide range of conditions. Pomegranates are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, but could there be synergetic actions from other aspects of this fruit? The most headline-catching research is detailed in “Anticancer Effects of Pomegranate” as compiled by the Natural Standards Research Collaboration and presented in the January, 2010, issue of Integrative Medicine Newsletter. You might find this information worth reading.

Source : AMERICAN HOLISTIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION
http://ahha.org

H1N1 Boosts Natural Products Sales

John Weeks — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:59:15 +0000

Research from Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ) suggests that the H1N1 virus has fueled supplement sales around the globe. NBJ research cited accounts from Australia to South Korea to Germany to the Philippines to South Africa which affirmed the view. The chief spike in sales is in immune-support supplements. Richard Henfrey, director of people and strategy at Blackmores, an Australia-based firm, is quoted as saying the “in recent months, global health concerns, including H1N1, have resulted in a high demand for general health and immunity products.” The NBJ reports that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have issued 147 warning letters since May 2009 to companies marketing products—from air filters and face masks to shampoos and supplements—for prevention or cure of H1N1 flu.

Reprint from January 2010 edition of John Weeks’ Integrator Round-up http://integrativepractitioner.com .

Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions

Steven Sonmore L. Ac. — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:19:41 +0000

Are you getting excited about 2010 – I am! It’s coming at us quick.

Have you noticed?

And 2009 is losing its grip a little bit more every day. I’m ready, are you?

2009 was a great and transformative year. Moving productively from 2009 into 2010 – and having someone you can count on to support you to do it makes it easier. That’s why we at Complete Oriental Medical Care are here to assist you in creating a whole new possibility in your health.

It is no surprise that many of the top ten New Year’s resolutions are related to better health. Number 1 is to “lose weight,” number 2 to “quit smoking,” with “exercise more” and “eat healthier” also among the top ten.

But no matter how committed you may be to your new health resolution, it is much too easy to become sidetracked. We are all constantly bombarded with commercials that make the least healthy foods look and sound irresistible. Smoking is promoted as something that makes you look “cool” and calms you down. This is where your vision comes in:

1. Define what you want to change – lose weight, quit smoking, etc.

2. How will this change fit into the health vision for your life? Will you feel better, have more energy, worry less about your long-term health?

3. Give your new health vision power. Write it down, share it with others, find images from magazines to make a collage that represents your new vision. Hold images of yourself in your mind achieving your goal, feeling better, and having more energy. Imagine exactly how it will feel to take excellent care of yourself. Picture yourself walking through your life feeling confident about your health. Write all of this down to review whenever you feel tempted to quit.

4. Activate your new health vision. Take the first action toward your goal. Don’t fall into the trap of needing immediate gratification. Think of each step that you take as one step closer to your ultimate goal. Whenever you feel tempted to give up, go within and connect with your vision.

Your Plan for Better Health

In order to stick with your New Year’s resolution and see it through, you need to have a plan, and you need to have ways to deal with temptation when it hits – because it will! Here are some tips to get you through the rough spots:

1. Create a detailed plan to reach your goal. If you’re not sure how to reach it, do some reading, or find someone who can help you. There are numerous diets and recipes available for healthier eating, as well as many strategies to help you stop smoking.

2. Find a great exercise professional to help you with your health vision. Exercise helps detoxify the body and makes you feel more alive. This can be a yoga teacher, Qi Gong instructor, and/or personal trainer. Do whatever you need to nurture your body and mind through the process.

3. Remind yourself that YOU are in control of your life and your health. Your cravings are not in control. If eating better is your resolution, keep a log of everything you eat. This will not only prevent you from cheating, but it will help you discover which foods make you feel best.

4. Find one great person who completely supports your new health vision. This will be someone you can call if you are struggling to stay with your resolution. Make sure it’s someone who will hear you without judgment and offer gentle but firm encouragement to keep going. In other words, find positive influences to counteract the negative influences that come from the media.

5. Work with affirmations and images. Write positive affirmations to keep you focused on the goal and to saturate your subconscious mind with your intention. “Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better” is a simple and classic affirmation. Another possibility is “I draw people to me who support my smoke-free lifestyle.”

6. Find an experienced, licensed acupuncturist to help you quit smoking, lose weight, and reduce cravings. This time proven system of Oriental medicine has worked for thousands of years.

Don’t forget that healthy living is an ongoing process. It’s a lifestyle that is evolutionary, not fixed. So, make this the year that you devote yourself to greater health. Live longer, increase your energy, and enjoy your life more!

In Better Health,
Steven Sonmore, L.Ac.
612-866-4000
www.orientalmedcare.com

About the Author: For more than 20 years, Steven Sonmore has helped people transform health problems into solutions for attaining better health. Steven is a licensed acupuncturist, Oriental bodywork therapist, and herbalist. He offers complete health care with acupuncture, Chinese herbs, nutritional counseling, Oriental massage, and facial rejuvenation. He is licensed by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice and certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.For more information visit www.orientalmedcare.com or call 612-866-4000,.
Copyright by Steven Sonmore. All rights reserved.

November is National Healthy Skin Month

Steven Sonmore L. Ac. — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:25:27 +0000

While modern technology has enabled us to use surgery and Botox (injecting botulinum toxin into facial muscles) to look younger, you might ask what are these people going to do 5 years down the road? Before you schedule an appointment for Botox, you might want to know a little more about it.

Botox uses the substance that causes botulism, a sometimes fatal form of food poisoning. Botox interrupts nerve impulses to muscles in the face. The crow’s feet that appear when you squint, the lines that furrow your brow when you raise your eyebrows and the creases between the eyebrows when you frown can be caused by tension in underlying muscles, which contract the skin. Botox keeps this from happening temporarily.

If your doctor makes a mistake you can lose the ability to raise your eyelids all the way. If you’re getting shots around the mouth, a mistake could leave you drooling. Or you may not be able to raise your eyebrows, squint or frown.

Although muscles can cause some wrinkles, many result simply from the loss of elasticity that comes naturally with the aging process, causing the skin to sag and droop. Botox will NOT help wrinkles caused by aging and may make these kinds of winkles look even worse.

So what is the natural cure to looking younger? Many are now using the Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture also known as cosmetic acupuncture. I prefer the former name because this treatment works on not just the cosmetic level. Procedures like Botox or surgery are only band-aid solutions. Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture addresses reasons that we look old. While adjusting internal organ functioning, Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture will increase collagen production, tone facial muscles, make your skin look tighter, reduce fine lines AND you’ll feel more energy and vitality. That’s right – there is no recovery time like you experience with plastic surgery.

Research by the International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture revealed that 90% of participants got better (i.e. better complexion, leveling of wrinkles, general rejuvenation not just confined to the face) using Cosmetic Acupuncture. But don’t take our word for it. Listen to this video of one patient’s testimony. The focus of Chinese medicine has always been for thousands of years to help people live longer and healthier naturally.

What are the benefits of Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture?

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture can take years off your face. It helps to eliminate fine lines and makes the deeper lines look softer. It can also help to minimize dark circles, puffy eyes, sagging skin, and dropping eyelids. Other benefits include:

• Increases circulation, oxygenates the skin
• Tightens the pores
• Nourishes the skin, giving you a healthy complexion
• Moisturizes the skin from the inside
• Helps lift sagging skin, puffy or droopy eyelids
• Increases collagen production
• Brightens the eyes
• Improves muscle tone and dermal contraction
• Improves hormonal balance to reduce acne
• Improves facial color and tone
• Softens scars
• Increases blood, energy and lymph circulation
• Leaves you feeling refreshed, relaxed and rejuvenated

Q: Can I do Cosmetic Acupuncture if I already had botox?

A: Yes, Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture will maintain the effects of botox naturally.

Schedule Your Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture Series for a Younger Looking You Today! Call 612-866-4000.

For more than 20 years Steven Sonmore helped people transform health problems into solutions for attaining better health. Steven is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist. He is licensed by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice and certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Visit his clinic web site at http://www.orientalmedcare.com.

Enjoy the Energy of Fall

Steven Sonmore L. Ac. — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:03:36 +0000

“In ancient times those people who understood Tao (the way of self cultivation) patterned themselves upon the Yin and the Yang (the two principles in nature) and they lived in harmony…” The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine

There is a slight nip in the air. The days are starting to get shorter. And just as the squirrels have gotten down to the business of storing nuts for the winter, we find ourselves a little more serious and less carefree than in summer. Whether you’re preparing for school or preparing for a new business venture, you know that Fall has arrived.

Fall is the beginning of the yin cycle when the daylight lasts less than twelve hours. It’s a time of harvest when we gather the colorful fruits and vegetables for winter storage. Pumpkins and squashes are our symbols of bounty. We also store wood for the fire and get out our warm clothes for the colder, darker days of winter.

According to Chinese medicine, the season of autumn is associated with the element of Metal, which governs organization, order, communication, the mind, setting limits, and protecting boundaries. It’s a good time to finish projects that you began in spring and summer – harvesting the bounty of your hard work. Of course, it’s also the perfect time to begin more introspective, indoor projects.

During the summer, which is ruled by the Fire element, we deal more with the external – traveling and playing outdoors. Fall, on the other hand, is a time of organizing your life for the winter season ahead and coming more inside your body and mind to reflect on your life.

The lung and large intestine are the internal organs related to Fall and the Metal element. Lung is associated with the emotion of “letting go.” This process is difficult for those who love the summer. They find it hard to give up the long days of sunlight, warm temperatures, and open windows. Others feel differently and love autumn, from the crisper air to the vivid red, orange, and yellow leaves on the trees. If letting go of summer is hard for you, extra support from your licensed acupuncturist may be in order to help you make the transition. That’s right…acupuncture works on releasing emotional issues as well as physical ones.

Various systems of self-mastery teach that by controlling your breath, you can achieve and maintain physical vigor, mental clarity and emotional tranquility. The ancient Taoists developed a practical discipline of breathing called Qi Gong to increase vitality, extend lifespan, and prevent disease. This is a wonderful skill to learn as the Summer gives way to Fall.

Sleep is another important aspect of staying healthy in the Fall. The ancients advised that people should retire early at night and rise with the crowing of the rooster during the autumn. “Soul and spirit should be tranquil and to keep their lung pure they should not give vent to their desires.”

Lung is considered by Chinese medicine to be the “tender organ.” This is because the lung is the uppermost organ in the body and especially susceptible to wind and cold. During the change in temperature, be sure to dress for the weather! I see too many people still dressed for summer at the beginning of autumn, which is an open invitation for coughs, sore throats, and the common cold.

The lungs control the circulation of the Wei-Qi, which is the defensive Qi that protects you from the invasion of flu and colds. The Wei-Qi circulates on the surface between the skin and muscles and works to warm the body. If the Wei-Qi is weak, the skin and muscles will not be warmed properly. This is why people tend to feel cold when they’re sick. A weakness in the lungs can lead to a weakness in the Wei-Qi, making a person prone to frequent colds.

The nose is the opening to the lungs, and you can prevent colds by keeping your nose and sinuses clean and clear. Using a netti pot with some sea salt and water helps rid the nose of excess mucus. If you suffer from a runny nose or sinus infections, acupuncture and Chinese herbs are wonderful for alleviating that problem.

What you eat also greatly affects the health of your lungs. Eating excess cold and raw foods creates dampness or phlegm which is produced by the spleen and stored by the lungs. Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, cream, and butter also create phlegm, while moderate amounts of pungent foods like garlic, onions, ginger, horseradish, and mustard are beneficial to the lungs.

The transition from Summer to Fall is a time when the Qi is instable. The Qi from healthy lungs should descend. If the Lung Qi goes upward, it is “rebellious,” and the person experiences a cough. The Lungs inhale the Heavenly Qi (air) and exhale the “dirty “Qi (carbon dioxide). Now is the time to strengthen your Qi to prepare for winter and get a “tune-up” from your licensed acupuncturist to strengthen your immune system.

“There was temperance in eating and drinking. Their hours of rising and retiring were regular and not disorderly and wild. By these means the ancients kept their bodies united with their souls, so as to fulfill their allotted span completely, measuring unto a hundred years before they passed away.” Huang Ti Nei Jing Su Wen

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For more than 24 years Steven Sonmore helped people transform their health problems into solutions for attaining better health. Steven is a licensed acupuncturist, Oriental bodywork therapist and herbalist. He offers complete health care with acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and nutritional counseling. He is licensed by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice and certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
For more information visit www.orientalmedcare.com