#acupuncture
Business Card Translation
郭大夫 Doctor Guo
针灸师 Master of Acupuncture and Moxibustion*
皂阜市大街23号 Zao Fu Shi Avenue Number 23
Notes:
皂阜市 is a bit of a mystery to me. I am assuming it’s some kind of joke, but I am not getting it.
皂 ‘zao’ can mean 'black’ or 'soap’
阜'fu’ means 'mound’ or 'abundant’
市 'shi’ means market
The problem is that you can’t just put these words together to make a compound noun like you can in English. 皂阜市 does not mean 'Soap Mound Market’.
If you have any idea what the joke is, let me know!
We have a winner! Thank you Ariaesfor pointing the obvious that I missed: Zaofu is the name of the city!
*Moxibustion is when you put tiny balls moxa (dried mugwort) on the acupuncture needles and light them.
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Stereo(2014)
As part of a treatment to cure hallucinations, our hero (Jürgen Vogel) is restrained while being hypnotised and given acupuncture.
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Acupuncture Days
SEX IZ AWKWARD (INSTALLMENT 23): WHEN PEOPLE TALK TO YOU ABOUT GETTING EATEN OUT AND/OR BONING IN GENERAL
There’s only one thing worse than not getting sex: not getting sex and having to listen to someone else tell you about how great their bedroom alter ego is faring. It’s uncomfortable in general to have to listen to someone–whether a close friend or random acquaintance–broach the subject of boning, but having to listen to another man or woman describe in detail how fantastic the head they got the other night is, hands down, the worst.
So how do you deal with it when another person tells you about how clean their pussy/dick was licked/sucked in the past few days? You take the Charlotte York in acupuncture approach: tune the fucker (literally) out until he or she realizes you’ve left the planet and finally decides to stop talking.
© Genna Rivieccio 2014
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I wish more people would try acupuncture *before* resorting to surgery.
There is definitely a bias in that I see SO MANY people for whom surgery either did not work, or made things worse. The ones who got better probably aren’t coming in to see me for back pain, right? Still, my perspective is that sometimes surgery and/or certain medications make my job of helping people reduce and eliminate pain *much* harder. Also, what people need to know is that it is usually not just one treatment, but a series of regular treatments, at least one per week. Sometimes, with severe or chronic disruptive pain, it is two or three times per week.
But still, read this article, written by an MD. In it, he writes,
there is very little evidence that spine fusion surgery for back pain is effective. It is very expensive (the implants alone are often tens of thousands of dollars per case), often leads to complications, often requires further surgery, is associated with increased mortality, and often does not even result in the spine being fused.
The rate of spine fusion surgery is increasing and has been increasing for many years. The rate in the US has gone way past the rate of one spine fusion per 1000 population per year. It has overtaken hip replacement surgery and continues to rise. The rates of surgery vary widely across the US, where back fusion is associated with a high degree of practice variation.
Several reasonably decent randomised clinical trials have been published comparing surgery to non-operative treatment for back pain. There have been no sham surgery trials, but the evidence from these [other] trials indicate that this surgery might achieve its results through the placebo effect.
So please consider giving acupuncture a good trial before resorting to surgery!
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“People with depression may benefit as much from acupuncture as they do from counseling, suggests a new study.Researchers found one in three patients was no longer depressed after three months of acupuncture or counseling, compared to one in five who received neither treatment.“For people who have depression, who have tried various medical options, who are still not getting the benefit they want, they should try acupuncture or counseling as options that are now known to be clinically effective,” said Hugh MacPherson, the study’s lead author from the University of York in the UK.”
I would love to see a really well-formed study that looks at several factors in treating depression: acupuncture, counseling, medication, community, and diet. Acupuncture certainly helps people feel better (as I’ve seen in treating thousands of people in my own practice). I think counseling and community are wonderful factors as well.
When it comes to medication, I feel less qualified to comment. Possibly there are people who can do without the medication, if they had a regular practice of meditation, exercise, and acupuncture. I offer acupuncture to anyone who comes to me, and I do my best to make it affordable.
For a qualified opinion, and to read in depth about prescription medications for psychiatric illness, including depression, consider this book: Anatomy of an Epidemic, by Robert Whitaker. Whitaker says,
“ In 1955, there were 355,000 adults in state and county mental hospitals with a psychiatric diagnosis. During the next three decades (the era of the first generation psychiaric drugs), the number of disabled mentally ill rose to 1.25 million. Prozac arrived on the market in 1988, and during the next 20 years, the number of disabled mentally ill grew to more than four million adults (in 2007.) Finally, the prescribing of psychiatric medications to children and adolescents took off during this period (1987 to 2007), and as this medical practice took hold, the number of youth in America receiving a government disability check because of a mental illness leapt from 16,200 in 1987 to 561,569 in 2007 (a 35-fold increase.) “ (emphasis mine).
I am pleased that acupuncture offers a viable alternative for those who need help and may not be able to tolerate pharmaceuticals. I choose to offer affordable options for acupuncture, which allows people to get long-term relief if they are willing to make the time to come for treatment.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-acupuncture-depression-idUSBRE98N17420130924
REGULAR acupuncture significantly helps people who suffer from a lot of ailments, including depression. My theory is that this is due to the parasympathetic activation that acupuncture creates. Here is a study which concludes, “ Emerging evidence indicates that acupuncture treatment not only activates distinct brain regions in different kinds of diseases caused by imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic activities, but also modulates adaptive neurotransmitter in related brain regions to alleviate autonomic response.”
Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3677642/
Another new study shows that ″A combination of aerobic exercise and focused-attention meditation performed twice weekly significantly improves symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) after just 8 weeks…
.“[We found that] combining these two important behaviors into people’s lives might be particularly beneficial,” lead author Brandon Alderman, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Exercise Science at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, told Medscape Medical News.“The data show meaningful improvements in cognitive function and symptoms of depression,” he added.Meditation and exercise are both commonly recommended for the treatment of depression. However, there have been no studies of the benefits of the two measures combined as a structured intervention, the authors report.The study was published online February 2 in Translational Psychiatry.”
Source: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/859066
If you or a loved one has mild to moderate depression or anxiety, consider combining regular acupuncture, regular exercise, and regular meditation along with a look at their diet (focus on increasing the amount of whole, organic, unprocessed foods and decreasing refined and processed foods with pesticides and chemical additives). Finally, connection and community are positively correlated with better outcomes. Try community acupuncture, group meditation, and group exercise!
Drugs have side effects and are often ineffective for fibromyalgia:
“Although doctors treat fibromyalgia with antidepressants or with a prescription drug-pregabalin (Lyrica), duloxetine (Cymbalta) or milnacipran (Savella)-people with fibromyalgia often continue to suffer. Other treatments, especially non-drug therapies with minimal side effects, would be very welcome.
Evidence-based medicine: Study shows effectiveness of acupuncture
“The acupuncture study was conducted in Seville, Spain. It included 153 patients with a history of fibromyalgia. They were randomized to receive either simulated acupuncture or personalized acupuncture for 20 minutes. Both groups received nine weekly sessions.In studying acupuncture, it is important to have a group that receives what appears to be acupuncture but actually is not. That way the researchers can compare the responses using the sham acupuncture group as controls. Acupuncture has a powerful placebo effect, and sham acupuncture is often surprisingly effective, regardless of the outcome being studied.The Results of the Study:Those receiving the real acupuncture needed less medication to treat the pain of fibromyalgia compared to the group receiving sham acupuncture.
After 12 months, those who had received true acupuncture had improved their pain scores by 20 percent, compared to 6 percent for the control group.
The investigators conclude: Individualised acupuncture treatment in primary care in patients with fibromyalgia proved efficacious in terms of pain relief, compared with placebo treatment.
The effect persisted at 1 year, and its side effects were mild and infrequent.
Therefore, the use of individualised acupuncture in patients with fibromyalgia is recommended.
Acupuncture in Medicine, Feb. 15, 2016″
source:http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2016/02/18/how-to-ease-the-pain-of-fibromyalgia-with-acupuncture
“Few people know that new prescription drugs have a 1 in 5 chance of causing serious reactions after they have been approved. That is why expert physicians recommend not taking new drugs for at least five years unless patients have first tried better-established options, and have the need to do so.
“Few know that systematic reviews of hospital charts found that even properly prescribed drugs (aside from misprescribing, overdosing, or self-prescribing) cause about 1.9 million hospitalizations a year. Another 840,000 hospitalized patients are given drugs that cause serious adverse reactions for a total of 2.74 million serious adverse drug reactions. About 128,000 people die from drugs prescribed to them. This makes prescription drugs a major health risk, ranking 4th with stroke as a leading cause of death. The European Commission estimates that adverse reactions from prescription drugs cause 200,000 deaths; so together, about 328,000 patients in the U.S. and Europe die from prescription drugs each year. The FDA does not acknowledge these facts and instead gathers a small fraction of the cases.
“Perhaps this is “the price of progress”? For example, about 170 million Americans take a prescription drug, and many benefit from the drug. For some, drugs save their life or keep them alive. About 80 percent of them are generic; that is to say, drugs whose benefits and risks are better known. If we suppose they all benefit, then 2.7 million severe reactions is only about 1.5 percent.
“But as far as we can tell (very little research is funded on prescription drugs as a health risk compared to less deadly risks like diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease), millions who take new, patented drugs experience only modest benefits over established drugs. Only a small percent of new drugs provide significant advantages for patients to offset these risks of harm. Independent reviews over the past 35 years have found that only 11 to 15 percent of newly approved drugs have significant clinical advantages over existing, better-known drugs. These contribute to the large medicine chest of effective drugs developed over the decades. But the 85 to 89 percent with little or no clinical advantage flood the market. About four-fifths of the additional $70 billion spent on drugs since 2000 in the U.S. (and another $70 billion abroad) have been spent on these minor new variations rather than on the really innovative drugs.”
– Harvard University, Center for Ethics Source:http://ethics.harvard.edu/blog/new-prescription-drugs-major-health-risk-few-offsetting-advantages
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I forgot my phone today- it was quite nice but I did miss taking a pic of Odin in his ‘smart’ outfit just relaxing at home I’ve been really tired and feeling crap lately. I’ve been to the osteopath and going for acupuncture soon, but more importantly I’m on the internet searching for my next hair extensions- I can’t stand my short hair and can’t wait for it to grow here’s a pic of me at work yesterday, I’ve got some amazing new cashmere jumpers to share with you tomorrow and a sale coming up next week woop!! Enjoy your lie ins tomorrow, Mummies! @ilovechatsworthroad is currently in the kitchen making me a cake #hairextensions #tiredmummy #kimberleytybee #mothersday2016 #osteo #acupuncture (at Hackney E5)
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I’m a little hippie who *may* have clapped, giggled and quickly agreed to cupping when my amazing acupuncturist (Nila @balancewithinyou) brought it up. Y’all. It was way better then my little tree hugging heart could have imagined.
The hickies are another issue
@benny_haddad
#slidingcupping #acupuncture #cuppingmassage #naturalpainrelief #cuppingtherapy #acupunctureworks #healthandfitness #sporttherapy #recharge #summertime #sfvalley #toohotforclothes (at Los Angeles, California)
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0KMbJrjl-7/?igshid=q3felo8rp0bh
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Nobuko,
From your last discussion concerning your visit to Yuri I yearned for her to be free, something that we do not like to say to each other. But most of my life Yuri’s spirit has been a comforting factor in all matters to our lives in struggle. A true ally and sister, friend and comforter. The last stages of her mental capacity must have been a task for her to comprehend. But knowing her and the many agendas she entertained, no thought, no statement, no directive did not have a precise objective. She was a person with a driving thirst to accomplish, and in her next life we better get on our p’s and q’s. She will be guiding our lazy spirits that yearn for rest. We must answer Yuri’s call and her example of a thriving spirit in all stages of existence.
She called my name and remembered my love for her. I am thankful. For me it’s an affirmation of the role she will play in my life at her next stage. I will always love her and remember her. Hear from you later Yuri. Enjoy the ride. I see your beautiful smile already.
Fate is a strange and twisted fiber that runs through the material of our lives. The inevitable meeting between Yuri and I was not by chance. The combined destiny of our lives, at least for me, was spiritual. We followed each other in a dynamic evolution. I benefited extraordinarily from sister Yuri’s sacrifices and audacity in the struggle.
She became a bridge to her world that I did not know. I began to see through her eyes, meeting brothers and sisters of I Wor Kuen, discovering acupuncture from her introduction. And she followed me to places, unbeknownst to my then young mind, in search for the truth. As part of the Republic of New Africa, we went together to Mount Bayou Mississippi to El Malik. She followed to help me watch my steps, never untangling or disloyal to our collective fate.
I’m not missing you Yuri, for you are within me. Your life has set a standard with which solidarity is built. There are very few in the world that can compare a lifestyle I committed myself to over these years to give honor to your mentorship. I’m so thankful for your example. Much of what our struggle has accomplished, you have been a driving force. I am so thankful.
I take the prerogative to thank you for the many who are waiting for you in the universe, and the many who are unaware of your transition. We love you so very dearly. I will continue to follow your example, and spread that special love for life and justice all over the world.
It is said that still waters run deep. But your love, Yuri, was never still, yet very deep. Troubled waters was when you shined and made love manifest. Such love is always in the eyes of the stars.
We will never forget WA 6-7412. Look out comrades out there in the universe! Here she comes!!! What a show. And to the Kochiyama family, lest we forget, love goes on forever because it is born in a part of us that cannot die. I love you all and thank you for being Yuri’s rock and inspiration.
Love you always.
Stiff resistance,
Your brother,
Dr. Mutulu Shakur.
P.S.
For all the P.O.W.’S, P.P.’S, exiles and martyrs.
Dr. Mutulu Shakur is a Black nationalist political prisoner and acupuncturist. He is currently incarcerated in the U.S. Penitentiary, Victorville, in Adelanto, CA.
Making Periods Better Series: #2
HEAVY CRAMPING & BLEEDING because of uterine position:
First of all, what does uterine position mean? Start by reading here. Your uterus can be tilted forward or backward or side to side, and that can be doing a few things, like make it harder for your uterine muscle to cramp down & expel the uterine lining, or it might be decreasing blood flow to one or both ovaries which reduces their ability to function well & release the right hormones at the right times.
- Mayan Abdominal Massage is a type of external abdominal massage that is said to bring the uterus back into position, releasing the tension on the ligaments & improving period cramps/bleeding, fertility, and postpartum healing. There has not been any research on this modality, so I can’t give you percentages or solid information, but anecdotally people find a lot of relief from it. Find a provider near you by googling or searching here.
- Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that uses very fine needles to stimulate nerve pathways and improve blood flow to certain areas of the body, which can in turn improve all sorts of things, especially cramping & mental health menstrual symptoms like anxiety/depression/moodiness, etc. Acupuncture has a lot of research to back it up. Sources: X,X,X,X,X,X,X,X,X.
- Red Raspberry Leaf is an herb that is completely full of incredible nutrients, so is generally great for your body, but also specifically has an alkaloid called Fragarine, which is known to strengthen the uterus. [Source: X,X,X,X] Not only does it strengthen the uterus, but it also improves the coordination of uterine muscle, which makes each contraction of the muscle more efficient. If you have discussed this herb with a healthcare practitioner & together you decide it’s a good idea to try, it can be taken by capsule or infusion. For the infusion, take 1 oz of dried herb and add 1 qt of boiling water to steep x4hrs or overnight. Drink 1-3 cups daily. As a supplement, I recommend 400-500mg daily.
Always talk to a healthcare provider before deciding to do something that might affect your health, whether that’s a pharmaceutical medication or an herbal one.
[Now remember, this series is specifically about non-hormonal methods. If you’re interested in learning about hormonal birth control & how it can help, search my blog here.]
Making Periods Better Series: #1| Making Periods Better Series: #3
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MAKING PERIODS BETTER? ✨✨✨
After my last post lots of folks were asking me to talk about ways to improve heavy, crampy periods without using hormonal birth control. It’ll be hard to write just one post, since there are so many different things that can cause periods to be intense. I think maybe I’ll make this a series? I’m not sure how else to cram all this info together.
Bad cramps happen when the uterus has to work harder than normal to shed the uterine lining that has grown over the course of the cycle, which might happen because the contractions that do the work are uncoordinated or inefficient, maybe because of:
- Structural abnormalities (fibroids, polyps, uterine position)
- Endometriosis/adenomyosis (bits of uterine lining showing up where it shouldn’t be)
Sometimes irregular bleeding is caused by:
- Hormonal imbalances (age, PCOS, ovarian malfunction)
- Bleeding disorders
There are plenty of other reasons for heavy/crampy/irregular periods as well, but these are the main ones. The CAUSE of the heavy bleeding/cramping will guide what you use to treat it, since there is no single cure.
SO WHAT DO YOU DO?
If your periods are crampy and you decide that hormonal birth control isn’t for you right now, you have a few options. Herbs can help strengthen the uterus, physical manipulation of the uterus can improve its position to streamline contractions, and acupuncture can improve blood flow to both the uterus & hormone producing glands to regulate hormone levels.
See: Making Periods Better Series: #2
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