What's Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

I get many cases of patients that come in complaining of carpal tunnel syndrome. It's such a commonly used phrase that most people are aware of the term, but often do not know what it means. Here's a simplified explanation...

The carpal tunnel is part of the wrist that nerves pass through. I like to explain the carpal tunnel as similar to a rubber band that hold together a bunch of asparagus. The asparagus represents a bundle of nerves. Carpal tunnel syndrome typically happens when there is wrist overuse (usually at a computer), and the nerves in the carpal tunnel get annoyed and act up with symptoms like pain and swelling. With so many people using the computer at their job all day, the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome is definitely going up. For more details on carpal tunnel syndrome, check out http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm

I am getting more and more cases of carpal tunnel syndrome. If you are concerned about this, have the ergonomics at your workstation re-evaluated. It's very important to be taking care that the body position that you are in for most of the day is a healthy one.

For more info on acupuncture, visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com, where Dorothy Pang, licensed acupuncturist, treats carpal tunnel syndrome and other conditions.

Gray Hairs Begone!

Most people think of acupuncture as something for stopping pain. While this is true, that's not all that acupuncture can be used to help with! I find that most people I encounter suffer from sub-par digestion. What does this mean? Well, first of all it means that their bowel movements may not be regular or well-formed. Why is that a problem?

When bowel movements are not great, that indicates that digestion is not great. Most people don't consider that a big deal. But, there are often big changes when digestion is restored to greatness! For example, I have had multiple clients tell me that once their bowels regulated, that their hair dressers will comment on their gray hairs... disappearing!

How does one explain that? Well, I like to say to my patients that bad bowel movements indicate bad digestion. If your body can't pull all of the nutrients out of the food that you are eating, that can reflect itself in your body as premature aging. Since your body can't process food properly, it's in effect, malnourished, no matter what you are eating. That can lead to things like gray hairs showing up. I have seen this happen in my office often enough to want to spread the message - you may be able to look better if you poop better! And Chinese medicine can be used help to promote proper pooping. That's why one of my specialties as an acupuncturist is digestive disorders such as IBS, colitis, chronic loose stool, and constipation. For more info, visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com and see "Conditions" Menu.

Acupuncture as a First Line of Defense

When is the right time to seek care? In an ideal world, potential clients would come to see me for acupuncture care at the proper stage of disease. Being an optimist, I used to believe that they could come in at any time and with enough patience, acupuncture care and maybe herbal medicine as well would be enough to get anyone better.

However, sometimes it's too late. And I find that it's such a tragedy. If only these people had come in sooner, I could have used acupuncture to naturally stop their pain and suffering. I like to think of acupuncture as a first line of defense. My clients that are properly educated in the workings of acupuncture share this line of thinking.

Clients that are properly educated in acupuncture and Chinese medicine know that it is a very powerful medicine. It can be used to treat a myriad of symptoms, such as stopping pain, reducing inflammation, restoring range of motion, ending diarrhea, controlling acid reflux, and enhancing fertility, just to name a few. My patients know that by the time their body lets them know something is wrong through exhibiting a symptom - that is already deep into the pathology process.

Since I can tell how a body is doing inside by taking the pulse and looking at the tongue, I can often tell if health is going downhill before a client can. Some of this is may be due to the fact that Americans are not taught to pay attention to their bodies. We are unaware of what normal function should be, and so don't really think of anything as 'wrong' until something like a recurrent pain sign occurs.

Studies show that acupuncture is great for relieving pain and inflammation. I must add, it seems to work best when applied sooner to a problem. This is not to say that those with a stubborn problem should not seek acupuncture care. I have been able to completely eliminate pain that was present for over 10 years. I write as an encouragement to seek care sooner in the process rather than later. Why suffer needlessly for weeks, months or years? Most of my clients tell me that they were scared that acupuncture would hurt. But, after they thought about it enough, they decided that the pain that they were already experiencing was probably worse. After they try a session, they realize that my style of acupuncture is very gentle, and just about painless, and they are really glad they decided to try it out. Their fears were for nothing. So I hope that fear is not the great un-motivator that I am hearing that it may be out there.

I cannot speak for all acupuncturists, as I have worked hard to develop an extremely gentle insertion techinique. I have heard some stories of other acupuncturists who do not use a light touch. But I do know that in my office, about 95% of the time, the patient feels nothing but a light tap or pinch. They look forward to their soothing and relaxing sessions.

I have managed to win over a lot of people. Even I am surprised sometimes with their passion and dedication to the medicine. It is only another tribute to the strength and range that this medicine is capable of. And, most effectively experienced when applied as a first line of defense. More information on my acupuncture clinic is available at www.AcuSpaWellness.com, for those that may be interested.

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