A study conducted by researchers at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and published by the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, revealed the possible mechanism by which acupuncture treats Crohn’s Disease. This mechanism had been previously unknown, although studies concluded acupuncture and moxibustion can relieve intestinal inflammation in patients suffering from the disease. This study identified there are two subsets of T-lymphocytes, Th17 and Treg cells, that are involved in the development of Crohn’s Disease and that acupuncture and moxibustion can help restore the balance between the cells, which could lead to a breakthrough in treatment of the disease.

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The Small Intestine is part of the gastrointestinal tract. It is comprised of three separate parts, the duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum. The Small Intestine measures upwards of six to seven meters long and comprises a surface area of over 200 meters. It is estimated that 90 percent of the digestion and absorption of food occurs in the Small Intestine and its main function is the absorption of minerals and nutrients from the food we ingest.

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Summer is a time of abundant energy, long sunshine-filled days and warmth. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, summer has many different associations that help define it. The element of summer is Fire, the colour of summer is red, the emotion of summer is joy and the governing organs are the Heart and the Small Intestine. But what does all of this mean?

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Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) is one of the oldest medical traditions , tracing its roots back more than two thousand years. Chinese Medicine treats the patient holistically, and focuses on the cause as well as the symptoms. Hence diet and nutrition are very important part of treating a patient. Therefore it is not surprising that Acupuncture has been shown to be effective at treating a wide variety of ailments, including digestive issues.
Science is proving what TCM practitioners have known for centuries, our digestive health is vital for the cells of the body to function optimally.

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In Traditional Chinese Medicine, each season is ruled by a particular organ system and spring is connected to the Liver. What does this mean? Well, you probably notice changes in the way you feel, both physically and mentally, as the seasons change. I know I tend to feel a bit more contemplative and introspective during the winter months. Once spring hits, I’m ready to recharge and get things done. The Liver energy is strong and assertive, the type of energy you need to create plans and then propel them into motion. However, if your Liver energy is a little out of balance, you might notice you are more irritable or on edge than usual.

Here are a few signs that your Liver is in need of an acupuncture tune-up:

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Acupuncture for pre conception fitness

Most women seek acupuncture for help with fertility after trying to conceive for some time. Trying for a baby can be one of the most stressful times in a woman’s life, as evidenced by the disappointment that comes with each monthly cycle.

Stress is believed to have an effect on fertility because it affects hormones, which affects the monthly cycle which affects fertility which if you are trying for a baby, causes more stress… Multiply that by however many number of months trying to conceive and the vicious cycle of compounded stress starts to emerge.

Anyone who is trying to conceive or has had trouble conceiving in the past will recognise this pattern.

Modern women don’t have the time or want to wait two years to find out if they can conceive naturally, which is why I recommend that women seek out acupuncture before they start trying for a baby.

The best time to start Acupuncture for pre conception fitness is 3-4 months before you want to start trying for a baby.

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Most people discover acupuncture when other treatments fail. This was the case with my patient Nicole, who suffered from lower back pain and has kindly consented to write up her notes for this case study.

Nicole suffers from recurring sciatica and chronic lower back pain.

She first experienced lower back pain as a teenager as a result of an over exuberant bear hug from her father. She felt something go and was in pain for days. Pregnancy and then two further accidents aggravated the original injury.  Over the years she Nicole tried everything from painkillers and prescription drugs to exercise and physiotherapy, these gave her some relief but no long-term benefit.

She contacted me out of desperation, as nothing seemed to help. Nicole had been in constant pain for a few months but the lower back pain suddenly increased in intensity to the point where movement was difficult affecting daily activities. Working as a college lecturer, the lower back pain had become so severe that she was finding it challenging to stand up.

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Acupuncture Awareness Week is upon us once again, and this year’s focus will be on back pain, a common ailment that affects most people at some time in their lives.

A recent survey of 5,000 adults around the country carried out by the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) revealed that 76% of adults have suffered from back pain in the past, and a significant number of people (40%) have recurring back pain issues, with 48% reporting that back pain has curtailed their physical activities.

The vast majority of people (70%) reported taking painkillers or prescription drugs to deal with their back pain and discomfort. But I think it’s appropriate to mention that the use of painkillers deals with the symptoms but not the root problem.

Acupuncture can be a very effective treatment for back pain because it treats the symptoms as well as the root cause. Endorsed by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence, Acupuncture is an effective treatment for lower back pain.

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Acupuncture Awareness Week, takes place from 3-10 March 2014.

The event is an opportunity to discover more about acupuncture and how it can benefit your general health and well-being.

The objective behind Acupuncture awareness week is to help people be better informed about the ancient practice of traditional acupuncture.

For example did you know that over 2 ½ million acupuncture treatments are carried out by members of the British Acupuncture Council, making it the most popular complementary therapy practiced in the UK today?

Yet despite it’s popularity, most people discover acupuncture as a last resort, when all other therapies and orthodox medicine has failed.

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