I used to think that this form of medical training and treatment was just a hoax and that people who were getting it, were just believing in hope so much that it “made a difference.” However, here’s why I really like getting needles stuck into my body. No, really: Acupuncture can have numerous benefits, and here’s why I have seen miracles happen and have turned from skeptic to believer.

Gut dysbiosis is becoming a widely talked about issue, especially amongst those who are interested in optimal health and longevity. We all have numerous colonies of bacteria and other microorganisms that call our gut “home.” Many of these microorganisms live symbiotically with us, meaning that we have a harmonious relationship that is good for both our bodies and for the microbes themselves. However, if the types of microorganisms that our gut contains do not have a harmonious effect on us physiologically (dysbiosis), this gives birth to symptoms, disease, entropy and decay.

Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, Lyme disease, Rheumatoid arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis… all these conditions are chronic, insidious and often degenerative. Anyone who has these conditions will confirm how awful they are. How much they steal your life away from you. How you lose so much of what you loved most in life such as social gatherings, being active and the ability to hike or travel. And sadly, most of what is available through standard care is designed to “manage symptoms.” Unfortunately, this still leads to further degeneration, lower quality of life, and even disability.

When it comes to the recent outbreak of COVID-19, aka the coronavirus, we have taken extra precautions to make sure that every patient and staff member is safe. We have limited the amount of patients we see in a given time to less than 9, we clean before and after every patient’s treatment, and we also make sure that each patient is secluded to their own room in guidelines of social distancing. We also sanitize our hands before and after every interaction with the patients, along with our health and wellness treatments that can help you avoid getting the virus. Stated below, are the guidelines and recommendations that the CDC has give to every business and clinic. We adhere to all of the following statements, taken from the CDC’s website.

Stress is something that affects everybody. Stress is defined as a state of mental or emotional tension or strain resulting from demanding or adverse circumstances. This can result in a multitude of symptoms, including headaches, muscle tension, pain, insomnia, worry, anxiety, depression and even disease. And according to a recent survey, nearly 77 percent of all Americans regularly experience physical or psychological symptoms caused by stress (American Institute of Stress, May 2017).

There are ways we can help our gastrointestinal tract and digestion, though. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a medical system that has been around for thousands of years, and it focuses on treating the person holistically, meaning every part is addressed at once instead of individually. TCM uses modalities like acupuncture, acupressure, herbs, formulas and nutrition to treat each patient. Here are some herbs used frequently in TCM to help with digestion and gastrointestinal issues.

To avoid disease, the TCM diet recommends things like steamed rice, cooked vegetables and small quantities of animal protein. Vegetables play a major role in draining dampness and are packed with nutrition. The more colorful the vegetables, the healthier they are for the body, as they contain lots of antioxidants that promote health and longevity. Your plate should begin with large quantities of brightly colored and lightly cooked vegetables. Leafy greens are very important also as they are some of the most balancing and nutrient dense foods available.

Another way acupuncture helps reduce stress is by keeping the heart rate normal. When the body is stressed, the heart tends to pump faster and in some cases, a person may even develop palpitations or atrial fibrillation. The heart rate is closely connected to the vagus nerve. If the vagus nerve is stimulated, so too will the heart rate. There are specific acupressure points on the arms and hands that can calm the vagus nerve and the heart.

Acupuncture helps with digestion because it treats the person holistically, meaning all parts are considered when treatment is rendered. There is no compartmentalizing as in Western medicine. So, a person being treated by a licensed acupuncturist or TCM practitioner will not only notice changes in their digestive issues, but they may also notice changes in their psyche too. And since the mind and body are closely connected, this can be very beneficial for the patient.

Lotus Springs Acupuncture and Wellness Inc. specializes in fibromyalgia treatment. The acupuncturist and owner, Dan Clark has a fibromyalgia program that includes herbs, acupuncture treatments and knowledge. This fibromyalgia treatment program has changed my life! I began treatment three months ago with a 10 point daily pain level and poor energy. Today I am pain free most of the time. After 25 years of painful suffering with fibromyalgia I recommend you give Dan and his fibromyalgia treatment program a try.

Believe it or not, regular acupuncture treatments can increase your willpower. Acupuncture is just one subset of an ancient medical system known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). But it is by far, the most commonly known and used. In TCM, the word for will is zhi. In TCM, Zhi is associated with the kidneys. So if the energy of your kidneys is strong, the will is also strong, this is how acupuncture can help increase willpower. The needles used in acupuncture treatments actually stimulate the energy of the kidneys, thus increasing willpower.

Each season is also connected to one of the main organ networks and a related element, both based on associations with what is happening in our bodies and in the natural world. In spring, Chinese medicine says we should be attentive to our livers. Springtime is all about new life and life-giving processes. The liver provides essential support to our lungs, heart and circulation system – in other words, all the life-giving systems in our bodies. The liver also stores and distributes nourishment to the whole body. It also filters toxins from the blood and breaks them down for elimination.

There are many facets to traditional Chinese medicine and nutrition is one of the most important. The ancient Chinese observed what took place in nature and followed those cues accordingly. So when the season changed to fall and the amount of daylight decreased and the temperatures cooled, the Chinese began to eat what was available. This is what it means to “eat for the season.” By eating according to the season, we can avoid many illnesses and diseases. If we continue to eat raw, cold foods during the cooler fall and winter months, then we set ourselves up for digestive problems, colds, sinus infections and even painful joints. When a person eats seasonally, they will inevitably notice that certain foods are no longer abundant or available. During fall, one should fill his or her cupboards with dried foods, heavy grains, seeds, roots and squashes. In TCM, these foods help move the body’s energy or qi (pronounced “chee”) inward.

When people cannot become pregnant they often go to their doctor. Many doctors cannot always provide the answers about what is causing infertility and may quickly prescribe medicines, like clomid, to increase the chances of conception. While prescribing medicines to treat infertility is not inherently bad, instantly jumping to a fertility drug can mask underlying issues. Acupuncture is a better first step when you are considering pregnancy because it helps keep your body in balance. It does not mask underlying issues, but instead focuses on overall health and well-being, which better supports reproduction.

Most kids, as well as a lot of adults, are afraid of needles. So the pairing of acupuncture and kids might not be an obvious one. However, more and more parents are seeking alternative methods of treatment for their children, because our conventional medical system is faltering a bit. Pharmaceuticals are proving to be more harmful than beneficial for many people, especially kids, whose brains and bodies aren’t yet fully developed.

Governing Vessel 14 is called The Great Hammer. This point is located below C 7 on the spine. C 7, the seventh cervical vertebrae is the one which is the most prominent. Traditionally the vertebrae were referred to as hammers because of their resemblance to the tool. This point is great because it is the intersecting point for all of the Yang meridians in the body. In winter time, this point is often used to treat colds and other illnesses that are common this time of year.

There are several acupressure points that are known to treat stress and stress related symptoms. It’s important to understand that acupressure is not the only form of treatment and having a balanced diet, exercise regime and lifestyle will also decrease the chances of stress being a factor in your life.

Acupuncture has been employed as a health care modality for over 5,000 years. Modern science has begun to understand the secrets of this ancient medicine with the support of new studies conducted by leading scientists, hospitals and medical research facilities from all over the world. Today, acupuncture is receiving wide acceptance as a respected, valid and effective form of health care. Questions involve around “What Can Acupuncture Treat?” . However, there are many health issues that may be addressed by acupuncture that may surprise you.

Don’t let the winter get you down, embrace Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The dark days of winter can be hard on both your body and your mind. The practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine recommends that you should live according to the seasons for optimal health and well being. In Utah, that can be especially challenging since the days are short and cold, and the winter seems to stretch on. Winter doesn’t have to be time to endure. Acupuncture and other Traditional Chinese Medicine can help you balance your energy and find wellness. With these practices, you can learn to embrace winter and see it as a time of rest and recharging.

While there is no clear cure or one-size-fits-all treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome, acupuncture can help with both the mental and physical symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Since the early 2000s researchers have been looking into the benefits of acupuncture for treating chronic fatigue syndrome with promising results. Recipients of treatment showed marked improvements in their mental and physical states, as well as overall pain.