SG, Cedar Hills, UT

I had been in a serious car accident 6 1/2 years prior.  As a result of the car accident i have permanent damage to my back that is not surgical due to where the injury is.  Since my pain level is normally between 4 and 8 (with an occasional 10 that leaves me incapacitated), I have been living off mild pain meds during the day and narcotic pain meds at night.  I was also seeing a chiropractor once or twice a month to help.  After my first two weeks of treatment, my pain level was down to a 2 which I had never had before and I was able to go without my pain meds during the day and cut down on my pain meds at night to once or twice a week.  After a month of acupuncture, I was able to go off my pain meds at night because the pain was gone.  With all the physical therapies, chiropractic therapies, pain meds and other treatments over the past 6 1/2 years,  I have never had a pain free day until I started acupuncture. 

I also have stress headaches on a regular basis.  Since starting treatment on those they have decreased to almost nothing.  I also have a severe case of acid reflux that I not only took a daily medication for but Tums throughout the day as well.  We haven’t really focus on treating that but with a few points added in with the rest of them, I have been able to walk away from my bottle of Tums.  I suspect that if we focused on the acid relux, I’d be off the daily medication as well.

With the pain free days I’ve had over the past few months, I am a firm believer with acupuncture.  I just wished I had started it years ago.

LJ

American Fork, UT

RL

Saratoga Springs, UT

JS

Lehi, UT

CS

Highland, UT

Chinese Medicine has a long history of successfully treating allergies.  I have had many clients come in for treatment of seasonal allergies.  Many clients have had allergies their whole life relying on various medications to manage the allergies.  

Acupuncture and herbs focus on treating the root cause of disease as well as manifestation associated with allergies.  Many clients have been able to stop taking prescription and over the counter medications and achieve a greater sense of well-being.

The following herbal formulas are effective for the treatment of allergies:

Xanthium Relieve Surface (Bi Yan Pain):  Treats allergic reactions-allergic rhinitis, sinus congestion (stuffy nose), sinus headaches, and chronic aching muscles.

Nasal Tabs 2:  Acute and chronic congestion with thick, yellow mucous, sinusitis, rhinitis, hay fever, colds, and flu.

Astra C (Jade Screen):  Helps prevents colds and flu, Treat chronic and allergic rhinitis, strengthens immune system (Wei Qi).

There are many more that can help address the symptoms associated with allergies and strengthens your immune system.  An acupuncturist takes a very thorough examination to determine which herbal formula may be right for you.  If you or anyone that you know is suffering from allergies and/or other respiratory discoder, please call 801-756-3860 to set up a FREE 15 minute initial consultation.  This is an opportunity to come in and meet me, ask questions, and receive a FREE Chinese pulse diagnosis to see if you are a good candidate for acupuncture. 

I was referred to Lotus Spring Acupuncture and Wellness and it has completely changed my life. I am able to speak, eat, laugh, and live a normal life without having the horrible constricting pain. I can now be around others without the fear of a pain attack. I feel I have my life back, but only better. Thank you Lotus Spring Acupuncture for helping my whole health and well-being

Lori J.
Highland, UT

Current statistics state that one in five couples over the age of 30 have difficulty conceiving after one year of trying. Many of these couples are turning to acupuncture and Oriental medicine for a safe, effective and natural solution to have a healthy baby.

Oriental medicine has a long history when it comes to enhancing fertility for both men and women. In fact, evidence that acupuncture and herbal medicine have been used to aid fertility can be found in early medical literature dating back to 3AD.

Fertility treatments were first recorded by Zhang Zhong Jing, a famous physician from the Han Dynasty, in his discussion of diseases in women in the Jin Gui Yao Lue or Essentials of the Golden Cabinet.

How Acupuncture Can Enhance Fertility

According to the principles of Oriental medicine, a person’s health is determined by the quality of Qi, the vital life energy, and blood circulating through the body. When Qi and blood are circulating properly, the body is properly nourished and functioning optimally which, in turn, enhances fertility.

Researchers have confirmed its benefit in the following areas:

1. Regulate menstrual cycle.
2. Improve sperm count and motility.
3. Reduce stress and anxiety associated with infertility.
4. Normalize hormone and endocrine systems.
5. Improve blood flow in the uterus.
6. Decrease chance of miscarriage.
7. Increase the chance of pregnancy for women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Fertility treatments vary from person to person, but are usually scheduled for at least three consecutive cycles (twelve weeks). Treatments can include acupuncture, customized herbal therapy, stress reduction and dietary counseling. Treatments work alone but are an excellent addition to any Western intervention.

Please call for more information to schedule a free 15 minute consultation or your first appointment at 801-756-3860

Acupuncture Increases IVF Success by 65%

Women undergoing IVF were 65 percent more likely to become pregnant when they combined the procedure with acupuncture, a recent study has shown.

The remarkable success rate occurred across seven acupuncture trials involving 1,366 women in a systematic review and meta-analysis published in a February, 2008 issue of the British Medical Journal.

Acupuncture was delivered either just before or just after embryo transfer — a step in the process of in vitro fertilization (IVF) whereby one or several embryos are placed into the uterus.

The research was carried out by scientists from the University of Maryland in the United States and the VU University of Amsterdam in Holland.

It is thought that acupuncture stimulates the neurotransmitters that trigger the production of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, which controls the menstrual cycle and a woman’s ovulation.

Acupuncture is also thought to stimulate blood flow to the uterus and boost the production of endogenous opioids, inducing the body to relax.

Source: British Medical Journal, February 2008

Acupuncture Improves Sperm Quality

A study published in the July 2005 issue of the journal Fertility and Sterility found that acupuncture helped infertile men by apparently helping improve sperm quality in their semen.

In the research project, 28 men received acupuncture in addition to traditional infertility treatments, while another 12 men received only the traditional treatments. All of the men were diagnosed with infertility of unknown origin.

Acupuncture was associated with fewer structural defects in the sperm of men who received it, although it had no effect on other abnormalities, such as sperm immaturity or premature death.

Previous studies have shown a link between acupuncture and improved sperm production and motility.

Source: Fertility and Sterility, July 2005

If you or someone you know is suffering from infertility with or without western convention, please call 801-756-3860 to set up your first appointment or a free 15 minute initial consulation to see if acupuncture can help you. 

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine American Fork, UT
Holistic Medical Center Provo, UT

Approximately 38 million Americans suffer with chronic anxiety or depression.  One out of eight adults are currently taking antidepressant medications.  While these medications can offer support and benefit on certain occasions, there are indeed many people that do not respond well to this form of treatment.  This can be due to a number of factors including:

·         Various side effects that outweigh the benefits of the medication

·         A developed tolerance to the medication that causes the benefits to diminish

·         Excessive sensitivity to the concentrated nature of these medications

·         A belief system that suggests that the depression is not due to a biochemical imbalance, or that this imbalance is the result of a deeper spiritual issue         

In my clinical practice, I have worked with a number of patients who were convinced that they had run out of options after finding medications and/or talk therapy to be ineffective for their needs.  Many of these people try acupuncture as a last resort.  Based on the experience I have had in working with numerous patients who suffer from chronic depression, I now firmly believe that Chinese medicine, nutritional supplementation, meditation, and yoga can offer tremendously helpful support in healing the root causes of this epidemic.  This approach is much more comprehensive and much less invasive to the brain that using SSRI medications.  It accounts for not only biochemical factors, but also energetic, nutritional, and spiritual influences as well.

Acupuncture

Practiced for over 2,500 years, acupuncture is a branch of Chinese medicine that treats the energetic level of the human body/mind.  As surprising as it is to most people, acupuncture is usually a profoundly relaxing experience that establishes a deep quality of restoration and balance to the central nervous system.  Most people feel altered, floaty, dreamy, or sleepy after treatment.  This feeling tends to stick around for a few hours after the treatment and becomes a more continuous experience with repetitive treatment.  Acupuncture works by balancing the flow of Qi, or internal life force, in the body.  Anxiety is typically a byproduct of weak Qi in the heart or kidneys.  Other symptoms such as low back pain, heart palpitations, insomnia, irritability, or nightmares commonly accompany the depression.       

Chinese Herbs      

There are a number of Chinese herbal formulas that can work wonders for depression.  Here is a brief list of formulas I commonly use in my practice to treat this condition.  

·         gui pi tang

·         jin gui shen qi wan

·         bu zhong yi qi tang

·         cyperus 18 by 7 Forests

·         polygala far reaching by Health concerns

Western herbs can also be helpful.  Here is a brief list of herbs that can be bought at the local health food store:     

·         St. John’s wort

·         gingko biloba

·         rhodiola rosea

·         siberian ginseng

Nutrition

One of the most important considerations here is to maintain stable blood sugar throughout the day.  The majority of anxiety patients suffer from hypoglycemia.  They tend to eat refined carbohydrates and/or drink coffee to start the day, only to experience the typical ‘crash’ around 2-4pm.  To keep the blood sugar stable, begin the day with a high protein breakfast such as eggs, turkey bacon, whole oats, or smoothies with whey or goat protein in them.  Eat a low glycemic snack every 2-3 hours.  Avoid coffee and other forms of caffeine.  It can also be revealing to avoid allergenic foods such as wheat, gluten, pasteurized dairy and refined sugar for one month to see if the depression significantly improves.   Here is a brief list of nutritional supplements that can be very helpful in treating depression:  

·         5HTP

·         SAMe

·         Fish oil

·         B vitamin complex

Meditation and Yoga  

Many people find meditation and yoga to be their most powerful allies in healing depression.  With regular practice of various breathing techniques and yoga postures, people often feel that they have much more control over the depression and that it need not run their life anymore.  These practices can be direct gateways to the rest and restore mode of the nervous system.  On a deeper level, they can help us forge a spiritual connection with our lives that instills an unshakable sense of trust and safety in the workings of the universe.    

From a holistic perspective, our symptoms are never random.  There is always a reason why they creep up.  In the case of depression, it is helpful to disengage from our personal feelings about it and look at the bigger picture.  What is the depression telling us about ourselves and where we are at in life?  Is it a warning sign that something is amiss and needs to be acknowledged or changed?  In any regard, the practices mentioned here can offer a profound level of support in getting to the root of the problem and inducing a gentle course in a new direction of inspiration and insight. 

Questions? Feel free to call Lotus Spring Acupuncture and Wellness Inc at 801-756-3860

Approximately 44 million Americans have been diagnosed with arthritis. Many of these people are being treated with Western medications such as steroids and anti-inflammatories, while many others’ symptoms are left untreated, as they do not want to pursue conventional Western treatment options.

In my clinical practice, I have worked with people with all forms of arthritis and I have helped many of them get off of pain killers and steroids. This is possible by using a combination of acupuncture, herbs, nutritional supplements, and possibly techniques such as yoga or meditation. I am always pleased (as is the patient) when we can use natural therapies for pain management because they do not have any side effects, unlike most of the Western medications for pain relief, which can cause a host of complications. Many of these medications weaken the body over time, which, in my opinion, causes premature aging and general debility.

Below are several natural herbal and nutritional supplements that have proven effective in overcoming the pain and inflammation of arthritis. It is always best to seek out the services of a healthcare professional if you are interested in using these products.

Nutritional Supplements

·         Fish Oil: Taking a high quality essential fatty acid complex can be very helpful for reducing pain and inflammation and increasing synovial fluid in the joints. Fish oil can also help any depression that accompanies the chronic pain. Start with 3,000mg daily.

·         SAMe: This is a naturally occurring metabolite found in the human body and plants. The active ingredient is methionine. SAMe has been shown to alleviate depression, reduce appetite, and improve neurotransmitter synthesis and receptor binding. I will often use SAMe when there is a combination of depression and chronic pain, as it reduces inflammation and regenerates joint tissue. It is excellent for both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Start with 200 mg early in the day on an empty stomach, increase to up to 1,000 mg over a period of a few weeks as needed.

·         MSM: 2 grams daily prevent cartilage breakdown

·         Vitamins and Minerals: Key nutrients that manufacture synovial fluid are vitamins A, B complex, C, D, and E. Calcium, selenium, magnesium, and zinc are also crucial. Vitamins C and D are most important for nourishing bones and connective tissue.

·         Cetyl myristoleate: This is a form of fatty acid that has extraordinary qualities for joint lubrication. It needs to be taken constantly at a dosage of 500-1000mg/day. It is useful for both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

Herbs

·         Evening Primrose Oil: This wonderful herb has been found to reverse cases of mild to moderate arthritis.

·         Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang: This is a formula used for systemic blood stagnation characterized by sharp and severe pain throughout the body. It is useful for muscle spasm, inflammation, and pain that is fixed in nature.

·         Juan Bi Tang: This is a classic formula for arthritis. In Chinese medicine, Bi is a syndrome that is characterized by certain elements such as wind, damp, or cold lodging in the body causing pain. This formula is helpful for achiness and stiffness primarily in the upper body.

·         Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang: This formula is useful for Bi syndromes that affect the lower back, legs, and knees. It helps to relieve achiness and tension.

·         SPZM: This is a Health Concerns formula that is useful for muscle spasm, particularly in the upper body.

·         Channel Flow: This is a Health Concerns Formula that is useful for pain anywhere in the body. It can help with moderate or severe pain.

Nutrition

The following basic dietary tips will be very helpful for managing the symptoms of arthritis:

·         Start eating an organic whole foods diet that is rich in fish, chicken, vegetables, fruit, and whole grains. This diet is rich in essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber.

·         Avoid refined sugars and carbohydrates: These foods promote inflammation and pain and weaken digestion and vitality.

·         Avoid synthetic additives and sweeteners and genetically modified foods.

·         Avoid coffee and alcohol: Both of these are irritants to the liver, colon, and stomach. They can exacerbate pain and emotional ups and downs.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the greatest therapies available for healing arthritis. It has been clinically proven to reduce pain and inflammation, improve circulation, and trigger the rest and restore mode of the nervous system. Acupuncture should be painless and deeply relaxing. I recommend getting weekly treatment for 6-8 weeks for chronic arthritis, then assessing for progress.

Meditation and Yoga

Meditation and yoga have been practiced for thousands of years in many different cultures. They have stood the test of time because they have enormous healing benefits for the mind and body. If practiced appropriately, meditation and yoga can offer profound support for managing chronic pain, overcoming fatigue, and improving flexibility.  

Call Lotus Spring Acupuncture and Wellness Inc. today at 801-756-3860 to set up your first appointment today!