​Recently, as I was curled up with a cup of tea and a book riding out a spring blizzard, the concept of wind was brought (forcefully) to mind. When you visit your acupuncturist, for various aliments she may mention you have a wind condition, which may leave you scratching your head. The thing to keep in mind about diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is that the language we use is descriptive.

​In the case of wind, first we need to look wind in our environment. Wind is sudden, moving, causing movement and we tend to feel, hear or see it higher on our bodies or environment. Wind brings change. That is a pretty good basic description right? So how do we apply that to a person?

​Anything that is sudden, moving, causes movement, changes with these effects mostly in the upper body usually have a component of wind. This can include, colds, flu, allergies, some types of pain, itching and tremors or convulsions.

​Spring is the season of wind. For many, this is physically the windiest season. It is also the "windiest" season from a TCM perspective. It is a season of changes. Thing are growing, the weather is warming, but,  (at least where I live) still making quick, drastic changes. Just a few days ago I was living in a blizzard, today its sunny and in the 60's. There is no physical wind, but this is still "windy" weather just the same!

​So how does this affect the average Joe on the street? Well, this time of year is when we start seeing allergies flare up. Catching a cold is still common. Folks who suffer from migraines or cluster headaches frequently see these conditions get worse during this time of year, and skin conditions such as hives and eczema can be more common.

The physical winds of spring have shown to be connected to mood. There are explanations for this in TCM as well, but what I find fascinating is the evidence that western science is finding to support the mood changes people feel.

​Pause for a science break: Ion are molecules that have either a positive or negative charge. They gain this charge by either gaining or loosing an ion. In nature, wind tends to cause air molecules to pick up an ion, leading to "positively" charged molecules. Positive in this sense isn't positive. We can feel restless, agitated, irritated or depressed.
​On the other hand, negative ions have a positive effect. They increase the flow of oxygen to the brain, leading to a greater feeling of alertness, increases serotonin levels, and may protect against germs in the air.

​So where, in nature do we find these good guys? Water is a big one, especially moving water, but even a more humid environment helps. The air in the mountains or at the beach is said to contain tens of thousands, while the air in the typical home or office can be a low as zero.

​The point of all this is that wind has an impact on our physical and mental well being; and spring, the season of wind, can be the toughest time of the year. There are things you can do to help!

​1. See your acupuncturist! Get a seasonal tune-up, particularly if you have something that flares-up or gets worse this time of year.
​2. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, spring is a great time to try using natural, raw, local honey. If the bees have been picking up pollen in your area, then you can get small doses of your trigger in the honey and it may help your body not over react.
​3. Use a netti pot or saline. This will help keep your nasal passage clear of all the gunk in the air.
​4. If you live in a dry climate, a humidifier through the winter can help.
​5. You can try a salt lamp - they are said to increase the amount of negative ions.​
​6. You can also look at an ionizer, but buyer be ware! There is no standard for these machines and they can be expensive.

​On the bright side, something you probably do every day for free can help. Take a shower! Its moving water, which generates those negative ions, it cleans the air and just feels darn good!


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Recently a nutritionist friend of mine interviewed me for a series she is doing on different approaches to pain management. I thought a copy of her blog would be a great start to my blog. A getting to know you kind of thing. So, with out further ado here it is!

PS if you haven't spent anytime at nutritionsheila.com, you should!

An Eastern Approach to Pain: Acupuncture & Herbs4/14/2016
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This week the pain blog series continues by taking a look at the ancient practices of Eastern medicine with acupuncturist Stacy Davis of Peak Oriental Medicine in Cheyenne, Wyoming. I met Stacy in 2008 when I braved acupuncture in hopes it would help me with my seasonal allergies. It did more than help. I left Stacy's office without seasonal allergies for the rest of the year and, as an unexpected bonus, ZERO joint pain for the next 9 months. That stands out still to this day because I'd had chronic joint pain since the age of 8.

You can learn a little more about Stacy at her business at the end of this blog. 

DISCLAIMER: None of the information in this blog series is meant to take the place of your healthcare provider’s advice. Continue with your existing pain management plan and seek medical care as needed. Inform your healthcare provider of any changes, alternative treatments and self-care techniques you decide to implement.

Continuing with using my wrist injury as an example, Stacy and I discussed what it would be like for a patient to receive acupuncture and herbs as a treatment route for pain. Acupuncture is something that many of us here in the states haven't tried and being poked with needles sounds scary. 

Sheila Amir: Let's walk through what it is like to have acupuncture. I think to many it sounds horribly painful and a bit scary. I come to you as a patient explaining that I have severe pain in my wrists, especially the right wrist. I also tell you that I am experiencing loss of feeling and functionality in the right wrist several times a day. My neck and shoulders are tight. My elbows hurt as well. What happens first and where do we go from there?
 
Stacy Davis: Acupuncture is a called a practice for reason! No matter how long you’re in business, practitioners are always growing and changing. The way I practice now is very different from how I practiced even a few years ago, but the basic process is the same.
 
First the patient would fill out a thorough health history and we would discuss the information on that health history. Then we would get more in depth for the reason(s) for the visit and if this was a follow up visit I would ask about how the previous treatment went.
 
Next I would diagnose based on which meridians (energy pathways – like circuits) were involved with the problem, decide which meridians would best help balance the involved meridian and choose points based on what type of problem I was working on - a local area problem, functional problem or a complicated problem involving multiple meridians in multiple areas of the body.
 
I generally DO NOT needle the area with the problem, because that can just make the area mad and I find it is more effective to treat a problem from a different limb of the body any way. With each visit I would evaluate progress and determine a course of action.

In general when just starting treatment a minimum of 1 treatment a week is effective, though if the patient can come 2 or more times a week, it will reduce how long it takes to get better. 

A good rule of thumb for how many treatments you will need is 1 month of weekly treatments for every year you have had a problem. Usually it takes less time, but can also take longer. When it’s less than a year or six months, it can go pretty quick. The shorter amount of time you have the problem, the sooner it takes to work. Again, this is different for everyone.

SA: After leaving your office what is recommended to get the most out of the acupuncture treatment and is there any regimen for the patient to follow?
 
SD: In general acupuncture doesn't have to include lifestyle changes, but I frequently recommend, stretching, dietary and supplement changes that can help with overall health and speed healing.
 
If an injury is due to a particular activity I usually ask that the patient try to avoid that activity until they are better, but I realize that life doesn't always cooperate. When they do get back to health I provide some ideas on how to stay that way and recommend that patients come back as soon as possible if symptoms come up again. 

​This greatly reduces the length of treatment needed, and I find that the spacing between "flare-ups" gets further and further apart. The best course is for the patient and I to figure out a good time frame and set up regular appointments for "tune-ups".
SA: What are some self-care recommendations that you would suggest?
 
SD: One of the biggest things I recommend for people is yoga. To age gracefully we need to maintain our balance, strength and flexibility. Yoga helps with all these.

Thanks to a brilliant nutritionist I know, :::blushing::: I recommend vitamin D, sometimes magnesium and ALWAYS a good probiotic. The research out there on the importance of a healthy microbiome for all manner of health problems from digestion, to mood, to immunity and pain just gets more and more compelling. If appropriate I will prescribe an herbal formula or recommend individual herbs such asginger or turmeric.
For those interested in trying yoga, Stacy (who also happens to have 200 hour yoga teacher training under her belt, uses and recommends Manduka Pro Mats because they are thicker and thus easier on the needs. Check for more recommendation by Stacy after her bio at the bottom.​
SA: Pain is multifaceted. What other health care approaches would you recommend in addition to acupuncture?
 
SD: As I mentioned before, I like to recommend yoga. I also believe strongly in the importance of regular message and on occasion I will also recommend chiropractic care.

I also like patients to be working with a primary care physician if appropriate, though they usually are and have usually tried many other things before getting to me. I'm often a last resort.

Good reasons to try acupuncture first: the less time you have had a problem, in general, the quicker you get better. I also recommend acupuncture before surgery. If the acupuncture doesn't get you better, at least it won't make it worse. Plus after surgery you have scar tissue I have to try to work around and that may add to pain and or limited range of motion.

Folks that have a generally good diet tend to move through acupuncture treatment more quickly. In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) the thought is that you should start with least invasive and work up from there. So nutrition, acupuncture, herbs, western medicine then surgery. We seem to almost go at it backwards in the US.
SA: Would you recommend doing other treatments such as physical therapy and/or chiropractic care on the same days as acupuncture or spread them out?
 
SD: While it doesn't hurt the treatment, I would rather other therapies be used on different days. I don't like giving the body too many different messages. Though acupuncture can be good before, during and after physical therapy.
 
SA: Do you see any difference in patient outcome based on their nutritional status?
 
SD: In general, the healthier the patient the more quickly he get results, so yes nutrition is important.
 
SA: Can you explain some of the points you would work on and what they do from an Eastern medicine stand point to those who know nothing of acupuncture?
 
SD: Boy that is a big question! In acupuncture two people can come in for say wrist pain and receive completely different treatments, depending on where EXACTLY the pain is, how long they have had it, if there was an injury or if there is a specific time that it hurts, among other defining characteristics. Points are chosen based on anatomical similarity (ex.wrist/ankle), with the goal to balance a whole meridian, or to balance the whole body.
 
SA: Would you recommend herbs in this case?
 
SD: In general I don't recommend herbs for pain, unless it is long term, then I will look at adding herbs that are anti-inflammatory in nature, such as ginger or turmeric.

The most common way I use herbs is in Chinese Patent formulas - with a few single herbs being the exception, and the best way to incorporate those is in food. Ginger goes well in soups, stir fry and sauces. I don't really know how to cook with turmeric, so I have a bottle of tincture that I drop under my tongue.
 
SA: What else would you like to add?
 
SD: Chinese medicine is a different way of looking at the body then what people a usually used to. We (Eastern medicine practitioners) take the body as a whole. It is also about balance.

From the Eastern medicine viewpoint, any time there is something wrong in your body it is because something is out of balance. Whether it is out of balance hormones causing cycle problems or hot flashes, or a muscular weakness/tightness causing pain, something is out of balance. My job is to bring the body back to balance.
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One of the biggest things we need to do is learn to pay attention to the clues our bodies give us, not ignore them until they become a bigger problem.
SA: I met you back in '08, how long have you been in practice and how did you become an acupuncturist?
 
SD: I have been in practice for almost 9 years, 8 of which I have been a sole proprietor. I am licensed as a Dr. of Oriental Medicine in NM. There is currently no licensure in WY, but it is looking like when that does happen I will be a licensed Acupuncturist.

I maintain my national certification through the National Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), which is Diplomat in Oriental Medicine. I have an Associates of Science in Sociology, a Bachelors of Science in Health and a Master's of Science in Oriental Medicine.