It’s Showtime for Acupuncture in Wellington, Florida

As Wellington welcomes back the equestrian community for the 2018 Horseshow and Polo Season, Lake Worth acupuncture physician Maria Chah discusses how acupuncture therapy and bodywork can benefit riders, trainers and grooms. While amateur and professional riders initially seek out acupuncture for back, hip or knee pain or injuries, many are also catching on to how techniques and therapies such as cupping and bio-puncture can improve their overall athletic performance and wellbeing.

Acupuncture has been in practice for thousands of years. The evidence collected based on those who have undergone this form of treatment has shown that it offers effective relief for many common ailments, including back pain, muscle soreness, inflammation, and joint pain. Ancient Chinese warriors found it so effective that they even began using this method to treat their war horses before and after battle to ease their anxiety, strain, and suffering.

Because many modern-day equestrians give of themselves so fully to embrace their lifestyle, many riders and equine caretakers experience chronic fatigue, muscle bound aches, and back and joint pain from the daily toll it takes to be a part of that life, and many of them are already having their horses treated with acupuncture, though they have not necessarily considered it for themselves! And why is that? Perhaps it is because we have been conditioned to believe that western medicine is the only way to go when it comes to human health... Perhaps it is because equestrians’ pain is so deep that they think acupuncture won’t be as effective as pharmaceuticals... But whatever the story may be, the evidence shows that acupuncture is an exceptional tool to use, either alone or in conjunction with western techniques, to relieve even some of the most unbearable pain. How so?

Since acupuncture has been shown to reduce inflammation and increase circulation, it triggers the body to utilize its own healing abilities, rather than merely cutting off the pain signals to the brain as many pharmaceuticals do. The pain relief experienced through acupuncture arises from the actual culprit of the pain being addressed by the body as it works to heal the source of the pain. This means that the effects are longer lasting, and that the body is actually brought to a strengthened state such that those who use it are able to get back to the life they love much quicker! Equestrians who only use pharmaceutical pain relief must rest longer in order to allow their bodies to heal over time, which means they risk further injury if they choose to go riding too soon.

With unique body work techniques such as bio-puncture (acupuncture needles treated with high quality homeopathies for targeted therapy) and cupping (heated cups used at specific points on the body to increase circulation), Dr. Chah can support riders in living their lives fully and getting them back in the saddle with limited downtime. A consultation can be scheduled by calling her office at (561) 249-0447.

Contributor: Melody A. Martin

Are you among the 1 in 6 Americans who suffer from Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis? Are you tired of taking a cocktail of pharmaceuticals in an attempt to find relief? Perhaps acupuncture is the answer.

According to a study published in 2013 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, acupuncture led to statistically significant improvements in disease-specific quality of life and antihistamine use measures after 8 weeks of treatment, as compared against sham acupuncture (randomly placed needles versus appropriate acupuncture points), or rescue medication, like antihistamines.

To conduct this study, researchers in Germany assembled a group of 422 people, ages 16 to 45, all of whom had pollen allergies. They divided the participants into three groups. The first group received 12 acupuncture treatments, plus allowed antihistamines to take as needed. Group two was treated with sham acupuncture, plus antihistamines as needed. And group three was allowed only antihistamines to address their symptoms. It was concluded after 8 weeks that patients treated with acupuncture used significantly less rescue medication than those who were treated with sham acupuncture or rescue medications alone.

Their findings have led some doctors of conventional Western medicine to step back and reevaluate their stance on acupuncture and acknowledge its benefits as an alternative to pharmaceuticals. Dr. Sandra Lin, an associate professor of otolaryngology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, said that “acupuncture may help relieve symptoms and improve quality of life for people with perennial allergic rhinitis, and may help with seasonal allergies. too, according to several studies. Thus, it could be an option for people looking for non-pharmaceutical treatments.

The study author, Dr. Benno Brinkhaus of the Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics at Charité University Medical Center in Berlin, wrote “From my experience as a physician and acupuncturist, and as a researcher, I would recommend trying acupuncture if patients are not satisfied with the conventional anti-allergic medication or treatment or they suffer from more or less serious sides effects of the conventional medication. Also because acupuncture is a relatively safe treatment.”

Even WebMD has acknowledged the use of acupuncture as an effective way to relieve Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis. “This ancient Chinese procedure has been used to treat a number of allergy symptoms, from sneezing and runny nose to puffy eyes… It is common to see improvement even after the first treatment.”

Allergy season is upon us, and we would be honored to support you in finding a more holistic way toward relief. Call us to discuss scheduling a set of appointments that will be the most beneficial for your particular needs. And in addition to acupuncture therapy, you can be clear from Claritin^® with Hevert’s^® Homeopathic Sinus and Allergy Relief tablets, also available through our office. We can be reached at 561-249-0447 to answer any questions you may have, or to schedule your first appointment for the season! Namaste.

Written by Melody A. Martin

Boost Your Immune System with BioPuncture

It’s that time of year again! No, not pumpkins and turkeys and twinkling lights- Flu season!

As much as none of us wants to think about that when there are so many amazing festivities happening, we still get to honor our bodies and take whatever preventative measures we can to ensure we don’t contract, and then spread, the flu virus. No one likes to have the sniffles during family gatherings, and the flu is a lot more than just the sniffles! Over the last 10 years, an average of 32,743 people have died each year as a result of complications with contracting the flu virus. As terrifying and heartbreaking as that is, measures to help reduce exposure, susceptibility, and intensity are abundant, and all it takes is some dedication on our parts to utilize those measures as a means toward protecting ourselves and our loved ones. One such option is called Acupuncture Injection Therapy, a natural, botanical flu prevention technique.

Acupuncture Injection Therapy, also known as Biopuncture, combines acupuncture point stimulation with homeopathic injected substances. It is a synergistic protocol that allows natural botanical liquid medicine to enter the body through specific acupuncture points. The advantage of this method is that it allows therapeutic substances to by-pass the digestive system, which allows for reduced doses, as well as faster cellular uptake with no side effects (granted a preliminary allergy test prior to the therapy indicates you are not allergic to any of the homeopathic substances to be used). It is a fast, safe, and effective way to boost the body’s immune system to help you protect yourself this flu season.

As physicians of natural medicine, we view our practices as a catalyst for the individual’s innate power of self- healing. Biopuncture is one such catalyst. The reason we utilize Biopuncture therapy is because it allows us to administer a very minimal number of dosages. Western medicine protocols, in conjunction with excessively rich diets, has led many Americans to experience toxic symptoms of consumption overdose, meaning that our digestive tracts are being overworked. It takes up to 50% of the body’s energy just to breakdown, transform, and transport what it consumes. Continual overconsumption creates a systemic burden to your health, and Biopuncture is one method that can give your digestive system a welcomed break.

If you are seeking an alternative immune system boost as opposed to that dreaded flu shot this year, feel free to reach out to us at 561-249-0447 with any questions you might have. We look forward to hearing from you.

Contributor: Melody A. Martin

In recent years, the FDA has been strengthening their warnings on the regular use of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. This is because of growing concerns about their side effects which have been tied to an increase in the risk for heart attack and strokes, gastrointestinal issues, and sudden kidney failure in those with kidney disease. Each week, over 60% of Americans are taking some form of NSAIDs for pain relief, despite the warnings that have been being published with growing regularity.

To address these warnings, more and more experts are lending their voices to these concerns in talks with their patients and have begun recommending alternate treatments for patients who suffer from different forms of chronic pain, including acupuncture. Case-controlled clinical studies at the University of California San Diego have shown that acupuncture has been an effective treatment for a vast number of ailments and diseases including headaches, neck pain, and back pain, to name only a few.

With the growing evidence to support acupuncture as a safe form of treatment, both proactively and preventatively, and the growing evidence against the safety of NSAIDs, why are 60% of Americans still ignoring these findings? Perhaps because they simply still haven’t heard about it… If you or someone you know is still regularly taking NSAIDs for pain relief, please set an appointment for consultation with us, and Dr. Chah can discuss natural pain solutions with you, such as homeopathic biopuncture, to begin moving you away from these common pharmaceuticals that are costing you your health. You can set an appointment here, or by calling 561-249-0447.

By Melody A. Martin