Acupuncture Blog Minneapolis / Steven Sonmore, L.Ac. » Pain Relief

Treating Migraines with Acupuncture

Steven Sonmore L. Ac. — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 20:05:14 +0000

Did you know that the National Headache Foundation has estimated as many as 28 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches? More women than men suffer from this condition. Migraines are one of the most severe kinds of headaches, creating a throbbing or pounding pain in the head. Migraine headaches can occur on one or both sides of the head, lasting anywhere from 4 to 72 hours, and are often accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light, sound or smells. Here we will focus on migraine headaches, although acupuncture can be an effective treatment for any kind of headache.

Migraines often run in families. They can be triggered by a variety of factors including stress, poor diet, hunger, allergens, red wine, cheese, chocolate, menstruation, changes in the weather, inadequate sleep, bright lights, changes in barometric pressure or lack of exercise. We treat them everyday at our Minneapolis Acupuncture clinic.

When you get treated here at Complete Oriental Medical Care, migraine prevention acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points located on the arms and legs. Acupuncture point selection varies from person to person based on their traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis. This is determined through a thorough medical history plus Chinese pulse diagnosis. Using this information the acupuncturist is able to develop an acupuncture treatment plan for you, as well as suggestions for herbal or dietary therapies.

At our Minneapolis clinic we use a pain rating system of 0-10 with 0 being no pain and 10 being the highest. I have had patients who have come in with migraines that they rate as high as an #8. Five minutes after I get the needles in, that pain level can often come down to a #2 level. Often when the patient leaves our clinic the pain is gone.

Acupuncture can be used as a preventative in the treatment of migraines as well as during an acute attack. Studies show that acupuncture is an effective treatment for migraines, decreasing the duration and severity of an attack as well as the frequency of occurrences. The National Institutes of Health have recommended acupuncture as a treatment for headaches. Some studies show a 90% effectiveness in decreasing the frequency and duration of migraines and a reduction in medication used for the treatment of migraines after a series of acupuncture treatments. An Italian study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine revealed that patients who received acupuncture experienced fewer migraine episodes, missed fewer days from work, and suffered no side effects compared to the patients using conventional drug therapy.

If you suffer from migraines, acupuncture may be of great benefit to you. Acupuncture is safe and effective. Improve the quality of your life with acupuncture and live migraine free.

Tired of agonizing migraine pain? Call now for your FREE REPORT on the Real Truth About Your Headaches And How To End Them.

Dial 612-866-4000 for complete relief. Or visit us at www.orientalmedcare.com

Free Chinese Pulse Diagnosis at Richfield Health Fair – October 17th

Steven Sonmore L. Ac. — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:38:23 +0000

Here’s your chance to receive a free Chinese pulse diagnosis. Stop by Richfield Lutheran Church on the corner of Nicollet Avenue S. and 60th Street, Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 10am to 3pm in Minneapolis, MN.

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!

The Secret Season of Chinese Medicine

Steven Sonmore L. Ac. — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:41:56 +0000

Did you know Chinese medicine actually has five seasons instead of our typical four?

Summer is divided into 2 parts…summer and late summer. Late summer or
“Indian summer” is that special time at the end of summer and before autumn
when there often is a hot spell.

The Spleen and Stomach rule the summer season. What this means is these two
organs are now more active and more vulnerable to problems at this time
of year. The Stomach and Spleen are related to the “Earth element.” Our earth provides
support and nourishment for all life. Your Spleen and Stomach provide
nourishment for your body. Your food is ingested, digested, transformed,
transported and assimilated into your physical body creating muscle, bone,
blood and energy. You are what you eat.

“The Spleen and Stomach are sentries guarding the governmental storage
rooms.”

The health of these two organs is critical to your total well-being….when your Spleen is out of whack your entire body is not up to par. So many people suffer from digestive problems today. Thirty-eight million Americans are victims of digestive disorders, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, celiac disease, IBS, constipation, diarrhea, GERD, Candida and food allergies.

The economic impact of digestive disorders is $123 billion per year, compared
to $17 billion for cancer.

Just walk down to your local drugstore and look at how many products are for
sale to suppress various symptoms of poor digestive health. The only problem
is they don’t address the root cause of the problem. They just sedate the ill
feelings and sensations.

The ancient founders of Chinese medicine taught that those who follow the laws
of nature and use proper diet will be free of disease and their spirit of life will not
be easily exhausted.

As a licensed health professional and practitioner of Chinese medicine I have
been able to help many people with many kinds of digestive problems. Here is
just one example:

Marie, 27, a single mother, on first glance appeared in good health. But for
many years she had suffered with severe stomach pain. For pain relief she
used strong prescription drugs, a method which was not always effective for
her.

Marie explained that, for years, she had been maintaining an intense study
schedule that involved staying up late to prepare for her bar exam. From a
Chinese medical perspective, excessive concentration can weaken the Spleen,
which is part of the digestive system and converts food essences into Qi
(pronounced “chee”) or vital life energy.

Upon initial examination, I found Marie’s pulse to be wiry, which indicated to me
that she had Heat in the Stomach and Liver. Chinese medicine diagnoses the
body climatically; so, heat, cold, wind, dampness, and dryness are viewed as
possible pathogenic factors. The nature of Heat is to accelerate metabolic
activity, activate circulation, and dilate blood vessels. In Chinese medicine, it is
not necessary to have a fever recorded on a thermometer to verify the
existence of excess Heat. Hot conditions are often associated with thirst,
dryness, constipation, agitation or difficult urination.

To address Marie’s condition, I administered acupuncture to strengthen her Spleen,
calm her mind and smooth out her excess Liver energy, The first treatment had
amazing results. Marie’s stomach pain was completely gone. And she felt very
calm and refreshed

But acupuncture is just one of many tools of Chinese medicine. Next, we needed to
address her condition nutritionally. I prescribed a Chinese herbal formula based on
her tongue and pulse diagnoses. This formula strengthened her Spleen, calmed her Shen
(Chinese for Mind/Spirit) and sedated the rising heat from her Liver. Today she is a
successful lawyer working for the state of Minnesota.

Over time, eating a poor diet together with irregular eating habits, eating
late at night, over concentration, worry, or sitting too long can injure your
Spleen and Stomach. By adjusting your lifestyle, adopting new eating habits
your digestion will function better. As a result, your entire health will
improve. You can enjoy more energy, better concentration and more fun! Caring
for your health naturally with acupuncture and Chinese medicine will help get to
the root of digestive problems.

Bon Appetite and enjoy the summer!

For more than 20 years Steven Sonmore 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, and nutritional counseling.
He is licensed by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.

Schedule an appointment for better health today. Call 612-866-4000 or visit www.orientalmedcare.com.

Chinese Medicine Health Tips – Cirkla Radio Interview

Steven Sonmore L. Ac. — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 19:45:50 +0000

Can you believe it’s August already? Hope you’re having a wonderful summer.

Join me at 7pm this Wed, August 3rd when I’ll be interviewed on the Cirkla Radio Show with Amy Jewell.
Learn Chinese medicine health tips needed to take care of yourself.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cirklagirl
Call-in Number: (718) 508-9274

In Health,
Steven Sonmore, L.Ac.

For more than 24 years Steven Sonmore helped people transform health problems into solutions for attaining better health. Steven is a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist and a certified instructor by Health Preservation Association. He is licensed by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice and certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Visit www.orientalmedcare.com.

What is Tylenol Doing To Your Liver?

Steven Sonmore L. Ac. — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:48:33 +0000

Have you ever wondered if over the counter pain medications like Tylenol, aspirin-free Anacin, Excedrin and various cold medicines could damage your organs? Well, listen to this study that was published in the Journal of American Medical Association (7/5/06, Vol. 296, No.1). 145 adults were given either a placebo or four grams of acetaminophen. The study was inpatient and diet controlled (meals were provided).

ALT is an abbreviation for alanine aminotransferase (there’ll be a quiz next week), which is what is released in the blood when liver cells are damaged. The ALT levels increased to almost 5 times normal in 19% of the subjects that were given the acetaminophen. No increases were detected in the placebo group.

Even the FDA recently discussed the risks that acetaminophen can have to consumers for liver damage due to overdosing on the drug. It is one of the most commonly used active ingredients in medicines to relieve pain and fevers. It is also in prescription drugs.

The FDA Advisory Committee voted on July 1, 2009 to recommend that Tylenol and similar medications containing acetaminophen should be given in lower doses. They also voted that prescription drugs that contain both acetaminophen and narcotics, such as Vicodin and Percocet, be taken off the market. The agency gave no indication when it would act. Overdoses with acetaminophen is the leading cause of liver failure in the U.S. and sends 56,000 people to the emergency room annually. Approximately 400 die each year, according to studies done between 1990 and 1998.

And did you know that the preferred method of suicide in Europe is an all night binge on Tylenol and alcohol?

OK, so now you have the American Medical Association and the FDA warning you against the toxic effects of over the counter medications. So where are you going to turn for relief? Maybe it’s time to consider some viable alternatives for pain relief that would actually be good for you.

Alternatives for Pain Relief That Work

Chinese medicine has offered pain relief for thousands of years in both acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas. Chinese herbs can offer pain relief from sports or traumatic injuries, sprains and strains. Herbs properly prescribed by a health professional (Licensed Acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist) can reduce pain due to strenuous exercise or repetitive movements (i.e. golfers, tennis players, grocery checkers/packers, warehouse and assembly-line workers). Some herb formulas have anti-inflammatory actions that reduce pain and inflammation, analgesic influence to relieve pain as well as antispasmodic effects to relax muscles and tendons.

And let’s compare the risks of drugs vs. herbs. Drug therapies have a significantly higher risk to them, more on the order of 1:500 or even higher. Herbs are natural products. There are reported world wild only 1:1,000,000 incidents of herbal therapy causing poisoning.

Chinese herbs are being used by every kind of athlete including Olympic athletes. Many of the world’s most famous body builders use Chinese herbs. Yao Ming, the star basketball player, announced that he would use traditional Chinese medicine to help his recovery from surgery on his ankle. Chinese scientists have studied herbal remedies – some based on recipes dating back hundreds of years. Even the current President of the United States reportedly sometimes takes herbs.

So the next time you need alternative pain relief you might consider calling your local Chinese medicine clinic instead of reaching inside of your medicine cabinet for Excedrin or Tylenol.

About the Author: Steven Sonmore’s Minneapolis Chinese medicine & Acupuncture clinic offers pain relief daily. We use both Chinese herbal formulas custom tailored to your condition along with safe and effective acupuncture. Visit us at www.orientalmedcare.com .