Acupuncture Studies

Health Benefits of Acupuncture and Yoga

The Health Benefits of Acupuncture and Yoga

Acupuncture is an ancient healing technique originating in China over 5000 years ago. It is the process of moving qi (chee) or energy, in the body to decrease pain, facilitate health, wellness, and allow the body to heal itself. Disruption of qi energy is responsible for pain and illness in the body. By using certain acupuncture points, this energy is allowed to move freely and decrease pain and improve health.

The practice of yoga can be traced back to Northern India 5000 years ago. It incorporates body postures, meditation, breathing and relaxation techniques all dedicated to moving prana or energy.

Acupuncture and yoga share the philosophy of connecting the body, mind, and spirit. Through the practice of acupuncture and yoga, you can experience many health benefits.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine the benefits of acupuncture and yoga include….

*Pain relief, in particular, improving back pain.

*Easing arthritis symptoms.

*Benefiting heart health

*Relaxation for improved sleep

*Increased energy, brighter moods and mental clarity.

*Stress relief

Both and acupuncture and yoga benefit the whole person by enhancing health of multiple body systems and increasing the sense of well-being.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture to be helpful for many conditions affecting the body, mind, and spirit. These include pain, stress, nausea and vomiting, headache and sciatica, plus many more medical conditions.

Come enjoy Acupuncture with Jean Donati Acupuncture in Towson, MD., and Yoga with Janet. Your body will thank you for it.

Schedule an acupuncture appointment with Jean Donati Acupuncture in Towson, MD here https://www.East2WestMedicine.com

Schedule a virtual yoga class with Yoga with Janet here https://www.yogawithjanet.yoga/

Notes:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/286745

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/9-benefits-of-yoga

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/acupuncture#:~:text=Acupuncture%20points%20are%20believed%20to,physical%20and%20emotional%20well%2Dbeing.

https://holistic-health.org.uk/acupuncture-evidence-project-deeper-look/

https://holistic-health.org.uk/world-health-organisation-recommends-acupuncture-100-conditions/#:~:text=And%20based%20on%20their%20research,of%20all%20our%20world’s%20citizens

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156488#what-is-acupuncture

Author: Jean Donati PA-C, M.Ac, L.Ac.

Jean Donati is a Nationally Certified Physician Assistant, Licensed Acupuncturist and owner of Jean Donati Acupuncture. She specializes in Traditional Five Element Acupuncture, and Facial Rejuvenation for physical, mental and emotional concerns.

The Benefits of Acupuncture for Chronic Fatigue

The Mayo Clinic describes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) as a “complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that lasts for at least six months and that can’t be fully explained by an underlying medical condition. The fatigue worsens with physical or mental activity, but doesn’t improve with rest.” It’s estimated that there are more than 200,000 cases of CFS in the U.S. and research has proven that acupuncture, combined with other treatments can help to alleviate the symptoms that come with CFS. continue reading »

The Importance of Giving Thanks

Giving thanks can make you happier according to a Harvard study published in August of 2021. Often the holidays are associated with negative emotions such as sadness and anxiety due to seasonal depression or added family pressures, and of course, serious cases of depression should be dealt with the help of mental health professionals. But what about people who feel more down than usual this time of year? Research suggests that a fundamental element of the Thanksgiving season can truly improve your mood and overall outlook— giving thanks.

No matter your situation – try to be thankful for the great things and people that you do have in your life every day – it will probably make you happier. Gratitude is an appreciation that an individual has for the goodness in their lives and in positive psychology research, gratitude is very consistently correlated with higher levels of happiness. It can be applied to the past, present and future in the form of optimism. Regardless of your current relationship with gratitude, it’s a practice that can be learned and cultivated.

What does the science say? Psychologists Dr. Robert Emmons from UC Davis and Dr. Michael McCullough from the University of Miami are responsible for much of this research. In one study, participants had to write down a few sentences each week. One group recorded the things they were grateful for that had happened that week and a second group wrote down all of the irritating or negative things that happened to them. The third group was told to write about events that affected them with no emphasis on the events being either negative or positive. 10 weeks later, the group that wrote more about gratitude were more optimistic and positive about their lives. Interestingly, they were also more physically active and had fewer doctors visits than the other groups.

There are many social studies that have examined how thankfulness can improve an individual’s relationships. In one couples study, individuals who made it a point to express gratitude for their partners felt more positive toward the other person and were more secure in expressing concerns. In another social study at the University of Pennsylvania, two groups of fund-raisers were randomly divided into two groups. The first group made phone calls to ask for donations from alumni in the same way they usually did. But the second group received a pep talk from a director who told the fund-raisers how grateful she was for their hard work. After the fundraiser, it was found that employees who received the message of gratitude made 50% more calls than the other group.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier

Gratitude helps people deeply appreciate what they already have, as opposed to constantly looking for new things, people or achievements to stimulate short term positive emotions. Being thankful is a way to focus on what you have, not what you lack, and it’s a mental state that grows stronger with use.

Show some gratitude to YOUR body and mind. Treat yourself to an acupuncture treatment. Give us a call today!

Author: Jean Donati PA-C, M.Ac, L.Ac.

Seasonal Affective Disorder and Acupuncture

Acupuncture and Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms
Acupuncture is known to be one of the cures to combat symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. SAD affects millions of Americans a year and can turn a once productive person to a tired and depressed individual. Although, SAD has various symptoms, probably the most common is depression. And, acupuncture has been shown to work great when treating symptoms of depression.

WHAT IS SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER?
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is related to the change in seasons and tends to begin and end around the same time each year for those affected by it. SAD is a type of depression and should be taken seriously.

WHAT THE STUDIES HAVE TO SAY
A study published by the National Institute of Health looked at the management options for treating depression. Depression is one of the most prevalent symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. This study was conducted by the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments.
They looked at multiple complementary and alternative methods for treating depression, including light therapy, acupuncture, exercise, yoga and natural health supplements like Omega 3 fatty acids and St. John’s Wort. The study concluded acupuncture is most commonly used as a third line of treatment for those seeking alternative methods to deal with depression, despite the fact it tends to be very effective.
Researchers recognize acupuncture does provide benefits to treating depression, but more work must be done to truly realize the full capacity of those benefits.

ACUPUNCTURE FOR SAD
Clearing the meridians or pathways of energy in the body can be beneficial in the alleviation of symptoms of SAD. Here are some calming acupuncture points.

GV 20: There is a point located on the top of the head, midway between the apexes of your ears. This point is known as governing vessel 20 (GV 20). GV 20 is one of the most powerful points in the acupuncturists’ arsenal. It raises emotional energy, which in turn can help alleviate depression.
Applying pressure or lightly tapping this point is a great way to counter depression on your own and it can be done pretty much anywhere.
LV 3: Liver 3 (LV 3) is located on the top of the foot between the big toe and the second toe, where the metatarsal bones meet. Stimulating this point helps stagnant blood to move freely again.
Imagine a beaver dam on a river. If there is a lot of debris built up against the beaver dam, then the river can’t flow freely. This same analogy can be used when describing what happens to blood flow
in the body. When the blood flow becomes stagnant and minute, then depression can set in because the body isn’t getting the proper nutrients it needs to function. In Chinese medicine theory, stagnant blood flow can lead to depression. Liver 3 is used frequently in traditional Chinese medicine treatments to re-establish the flow of blood throughout the body.
HT 3: Heart 3 (HT 3) is located on the inside of the elbow. When the elbow is flexed, the point is midway between the inner end of the elbow crease and the tip of the elbow bone itself. In traditional Chinese medicine, the heart meridian is often treated when depression is a presenting complaint. Depression causes the heart meridian to become deficient in energy. HT 3 stimulates the energy needed to combat depression symptoms.

Author: Jean Donati PA-C, M.Ac, L.Ac.