Greenacres Acupuncture Archives - Allen Acupuncture and Wellness

September 27, 2019July 17, 2020

Celebrating 2 Years of Wellness

Happy 2 year anniversary to Allen Acupuncture & Wellness! Thank you to all the amazing patients that have allowed me to walk with them on their journey to wellness!

Happy BirthYAY Allen Acupuncture & Wellness!

Today we want to celebrate many of the ways that people have been helped by coming in for visits! Using acupuncture, herbs, allergy elimination, cupping, and diet/lifestyle changes, patients have made many strides with the help of Allen Acupuncture & Wellness:

Pain

People have avoided having back and neck surgeries, and are now pain free!
Knee pain, even from osteoarthritis, has vanished and function is restored.
People are able to go to work and function better without pain.
Headaches and migraines were successfully treated and prevented.
Inflammation has been reduced, and circulation has improved.
Grandparents can enjoy and play with their grandchildren.
Fibromyalgia patients have found relief and can now enjoy life.
Carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, and other arm issues have healed.
Plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuromas, and other foot issues are gone.
Post-surgery pain and adhesions were relieved.
Patients have started exercising and sleeping better now that they have less pain.

Allergy Elimination

People have been able to eat things that made them feel bad previously and participate fully at social functions involving food!
Visiting friends and family with pets is not a problem for them now that their allergy symptoms are gone.
Rashes and eczema symptoms have subsided once the source of the allergy was found.
Asthma and sinus symptoms have been reduced, and people can resume outdoor activities.
Crucial nutrients necessary for proper body function are better absorbed and utilized.

Women’s Health and Fertility

Acupuncture & herbs can improve hormone function and fertility.

Babies have been born with IVF support and fertility treatments.
Fibroids have been proven to shrink.
PCOS symptoms have vanished, and proper function restored.
Hot flashes and night sweats disappeared for many menopausal women.
Painful periods and hormone dysfunctions have improved.
Moms with morning sickness found relief, and milk production increased.

Emotional/Mental

Acupuncture & herbs can improve brain functions and emotional issues.

Stress, anxiety and depression disappeared for many patients.
Patients have overcome fear and anger that were making life difficult.
Relationships have improved with better flow of emotions.
Some have been freed of emotional traumas.
People suffering with ADHD symptoms have more calm and attention at school and work.
“Brain fog” was replaced with clear thinking and focus.
Insomnia and sleeping problems have improved, and better sleep was restored.
Cycles of addiction to sugar, nicotine, and other substances have been broken.

Other

Vision and eye function have improved, even in patients with macular degeneration.
People dealing with neuropathy, sciatica, and other neurological issues were resolved.
Patients no longer suffer with digestion, constipation, IBS, and gut dysfunctions.

The list goes on and on…

Celebrating 2 years of wellness TOGETHER!

So, Happy Birthday, Allen Acupuncture & Wellness, and congratulations to all the patients over these last 2 years whose bodies have healed and whose lives improved because of it.

What will the next year hold? STAY TUNED for updates!

How could Allen Acupuncture & Wellness help you, a friend or a loved on find Better Health for a Better You? Call 561-285-8562 to find out more with a free 15 minute consultation or to schedule an appointment.

Want to know if your insurance covers acupuncture? Click the button on the Insurance link to find out more.

If you are one of the people helped over the last 2 years, would you please consider leaving a review on Google, Yelp, Healthgrades, or Facebook?

THANK YOU!

July 4, 2019July 4, 2019

Health and Travel

According to AAA, almost 49 million people are traveling for July 4th weekend this year. What are the health benefits and challenges of taking time off and getting a little change of scenery?

Health Benefits of Travel

Travel provides time to connect with others.

Time to Rest. With hectic, reachable-at-every-minute work lives, people have more stress than ever from overwork. Physical problems such as weight gain, sleep issues, depression and anxiety, and inflammation worsen with long work days with far too little rest. Most people also work on days off, doing chores and catching up on projects that couldn’t be done on work days. This means people are in great need of rest!
Time to Connect. Whether you’re traveling alone or with a group, vacation or time away is a great time to reconnect with people. Take time to have conversations with strangers or loved ones. Enjoy the human experience by connecting with humans and shift focus away from production. Your heart will benefit!
New views. There’s nothing that invigorates the mind and soul more that seeing or experiencing something new! Whether it’s taking time to notice something you’ve been too busy to see like a sunset or a painting, or if you’re actually going somewhere new, a change benefits the body and mind.
Unplugging. Take a break or lessen the use of technology. In all the recent studies on the uses of technology, the results are the same: all our online connections and media make us more stressed and anxiety-ridden people. Read a real book instead of one on the phone. Play a card or board game. Reduce your viewing time and have more conversations. The blue light in our technology changes the serotonin/dopamine balance in our brains–so restore your body’s natural balance on vacation by having less screen time!

Challenges of Travel

Travel can present some health challenges.

Exercise and movement. It’s important to get up and move every few hours if you’re driving or flying to prevent blood clots. And although resting is important, light exercise each day during your vacation will release endorphins to further reduce stress and cortisol levels.
Sleep. If you are already one of the 60 million Americans who suffer from insomnia and sleep problems each you, you may be dreading potential sleep loss on vacation. Bring along an eye mask to help darken a different room, and bring along a nightlight for the bathroom so the room stays darker when people get up in the night. Stay on the same sleep schedule you have at home. Avoid eating or drinking caffeinated beverages late at night. And if all else fails, try some herbs or CBD oil to help get to sleep when you’re wired.
Eating. Although it’s tempting to indulge on vacation, reserve the calorie splurges to once a day to help maintain a healthy weight and avoid digestive problems. If you do have stomach upset, a little ginger tea can help aid digestion.
The Unexpected. Try to have a positive attitude when encountering the unexpected–because it WILL happen. Whether it’s a travel or hotel problem, or traffic or an illness–let these experiences be part of the journey–and know that the things that go wrong often make the best travel stories when you get back! Take a few deep breaths, get a little perspective, and try to smile your way through it.

Allen Acupuncture on the Road

Follow our adventure on Facebook or Instagram.

The Allens of Allen Acupuncture are hitting the road for the next two weeks. Thanks to our house sitters for watching the 2 dogs, 1 hamster and a fish! And emergency acupuncture needs are being covered by Dr. Dongfeng Zhou of Zhou Wellness in Tamarac.

For the most part, we are trying to follow my travel advice with one exception: we want to take you along! Please follow our crazy cross-country travels on Facebook or Instagram! It’s going to be fun and full of adventure!

And before we know it, we’ll be back, hopefully refreshed, and with a few more stories to tell. Be sure to comment on Instagram or Facebook and share YOUR adventures! If you want to set up an appointment, please call 561-922-7535. And if you want to know if your insurance will cover acupuncture, click HERE.

June 8, 2019June 7, 2019

Is Sunscreen Safe?

It’s summer time and sunscreen season! Outdoor activities, from hikes to beach days to sports, require us to be in the sun. And no one wants a sunburn or sun-damage–or, worse, skin cancer. With many conflicting opinions, from dermatologists to organic product advocates, sunscreen use seems a little confusing. UNTIL NOW.

Let me preface this conversation by saying I do not sell any sunscreen products. Allen Acupuncture is all about wellness and helping people get or stay healthy.

Sunscreen chemical study

I read a disturbing article in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) from May 2019. This study reports the levels of sunscreen chemicals found in people’s blood plasma.

It has long been known that the skin absorbs what we put on it. This is the theory behind essential oils as well as medications that are delivered by patches (everything from nicotine patches to birth control). But for some reason, there has been some debate as to whether the skin absorbs sunscreen chemicals.

Now, we have a definite answer. YES, the body absorbs these sunscreen chemicals. Not only that, but the body doesn’t get rid of them well, and they accumulate in the blood (and therefore the body).

Let’s break down the study.

First, it was a small study involving 24 healthy people. Second, the people had to put on sunscreens over 75% of their body (like when wearing a bathing suit) every 6 hours. They did this for four days, and measured the results with bloodwork after a few hours, during the four days, and even up to seven days after the sunscreen applications. The POINT is that this mimics what a person would do if they were on vacation or in the sun a lot–or even more scary, if a person has sunscreen in their make-up, their lotion, and then applied it a couple of times during the day.

Sunscreen chemicals are absorbed through the skin.

The FDA hasn’t really studied the dangers of the sunscreen chemicals. First, we have to prove that these chemicals are found in the blood above 0.5ng/mL (that’s nanograms per milliliter). This is what the study was trying to do.

Four chemicals were tested: Avobenzone, Oxybenzone, Octocrylene, and Ecamsule. Oxybenzone is in 95% of commercial suncreens. The BENZONES have been shown to be hormone disruptors that mimic estrogens in the body. They are closely tied to endometriosis. They are worse than BPA (which most of us know to avoid in plastics now) as hormone and immune system disruptors. There are actually 12 sunscreen chemicals that have NOT BEEN PROVEN SAFE. But the FDA needs to study them more with clinical trials to prove their toxicity.

FINDINGS–this is CRAZY!

DAY 1: The study showed that with just ONE application in ALL PARTICIPANTS, Avobenzone levels were higher than the allowed 0.5ng/mL within 6 hours of application. Oxybenzone levels crossed the threshold in 2 hours, and Octocrylene levels were elevated within 6 hours. Ecamsule levels on day 1 passed the maximum in 5 of 6 participants.

DAY 4: By the fourth day, the participants reached the maximum blood levels. If the recommended maximum is 0.5ng/mL, here’s the average levels on Day 4:

Avobenzone: 3.4ng/mL–680% more than FDA max
Oxybenzone: 191.3ng/mL–38,260% more than FDA max
Octocrylene: 5.5ng/mL–1100% more than FDA max
Ecamsule: 1.5ng/mL–300% more than FDA max

DAY 7: Blood levels were still elevated over the 0.5ng/mL levels, even though participants stopped putting on sunscreen on DAY 4. After application, some of the chemicals took over 84 hours to break down only HALF of them.

Why is this important?

If the FDA hasn’t studied the long-term or cumulative effects of these chemicals, and other studies have shown them to be hormone disruptors, commercial sunscreen brands can be MORE HARMFUL THAN HELPFUL. We just don’t know the effect of chemical levels that are 38,260% ABOVE the recommended FDA levels. We cannot assume that these chemicals are NOT the cause of cancers in the body. Many cancers are triggered by estrogens–and these mimic estrogens. This is SERIOUS stuff!

What IS safe?

First of all, the SUN provides our skin with the essentials for producing VITAMIN D. This is an essential nutrient associated with a strong immune system, healthy bones, and improved absorption of other minerals, to say the least. Supplements of Vitamin D are helpful, but can’t replace our own bodies’ Vitamin D production. We NEED about 15 minutes or more of sun exposure every day to make Vitamin D.

On the other hand, the SUN exposes us to harmful Ultraviolet rays (both UVA & UVB) that damage the skin. This is RADIATION. Side effects of UV rays are sunburn, sun poisoning, and skin damage–and ultimately, may cause skin cancers.

Here are the HEALTHY, SAFE OPTIONS:

Choose sunscreens with Zinc Oxide or Titanium Oxide. These chemicals have been proven SAFE for the body.
Cover up. Wear a “swim shirt” or cover up that blocks out UV rays. These shirts can get wet and then dry quickly. They also “breathe” so you don’t get overheated.
Wear a hat. A BIG hat. A baseball cap may shade the forehead and nose a bit, but the ears, cheeks, chin and neck are still vulnerable. A wide-brimmed hat with good ventilation is the best choice. One that can get wet and then dry quickly is a bonus.
Use an umbrella/parasol. They are not just to avoid getting wet. Many umbrellas provide great SPF protection from the sun and cooling shade, too.
Wear Sunglasses. The eyes can be severely damaged by UV rays, both in the short- and long-term. Cataracts, retina damage, and overgrowth of the whites of the eyes can be caused by UV radiation.
Limit Sun Exposure. The most damaging UV rays are between 10am and 4pm. Plan your days to be outside more in the mornings or late afternoons when the sun isn’t as strong.

The Takeaway

There are many ways to protect your skin from UV radiation

Remember that there is BIG money behind the commercial sunscreens. Big money means lobbyists advocating for sunscreen companies–to doctors, lawmakers, and the FDA. Just like many medications are being proven toxic and dangerous to the body LONG AFTER they have been used (Prilosec, Advil, etc…), we will eventually know for sure what is obvious right now: commercial sunscreen chemicals are absorbed through the skin and dangerous to the human body.

So have fun in the sun, and wear SAFE sunscreens. If you do get a burn, there are herbs and acupuncture that can help you recover faster. Click here to learn more about setting up an appointment.

May 27, 2019April 19, 2024

Medicare Supplement Acupuncture

Acupuncture can help get your smile back!

Medicare Supplement policies are now covering acupuncture! This is great news for many seniors 65 and over who have a medicare supplement policy! A list of supplemental policies that may cover acupuncture is listed at the bottom of this post.

This is even better news because most of these policies are covering the visits at 100%. They are usually 30 minute visits that can make a great impact on health. They have the potential to reduce the need for medications and alleviate symptoms.

Medicare supplement policies covering acupuncture is GREAT NEWS!

Acupuncture can help with so many issues! In 1999, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed conditions that have been proven by clinical trial to be effectively treated with acupuncture.

Here’s a list of conditions treatable with Acupuncture:

Allergic rhinitis/Hay fever	Knee pain
Abdominal & Epigastric pain	Low back pain & Sciatica
Acne	Male sexual dysfunction
Alcohol dependence & detox	Menstrual pain
Arthritis of shoulder	Morning sickness
Asthma	Nausea and vomiting
Bell’s palsy	Neck pain
Brain injury	Neuralgia
Cancer treatment reactions	Neurodermatitis
Cardiac neurosis	Obesity
Dental pain & TMJ	Osteoarthritis
Depression	Postoperative pain
Diabetes mellitus	Premenstrual syndrome
Earache/Ménière disease	Prostatitis
Eye pain	Quit smoking
Facial pain/spasm	Raynaud syndrome
Female infertility & PCOS	Rheumatoid arthritis
Fibromyalgia and fasciitis	Schizophrenia
Gallbladder problems	Sjögren syndrome
Gallstones	Sore throat & tonsillitis
Gouty arthritis	Spine pain
Headache	Sprain
High cholesterol	Stiff neck
Hypertension & Hypotension	Stroke
Induction of labour	Tennis elbow
Insomnia	Ulcerative colitis
Itchiness	Urinary-tract infections & retention
Kidney stones/renal colic	Vascular dementia

In addition, other cases that WHO says acupuncture is “worth trying” is: deafness, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and pulmonary heart disease.

The list is extensive! If acupuncture can improve overall health and wellness and reduce the need for medications, that is money well-spent by the insurance companies or even individuals.

What medicare supplement insurance companies are Allen Acupuncture & Wellness in-network with?

United Healthcare (some policies cover acupuncture)
Cigna

The only way to know for SURE if a policy covers acupuncture is to VERIFY BENEFITS using the medicare supplement card and entering the information HERE or click on the insurance tab and Click the “Verify Benefits” button.

Call 561-285-8562 for more information.

Better Health for a Better You!

April 24, 2019July 17, 2020

Compassionate Care for Infertility

Acupuncture & Infertility book available on Amazon

This week is National Fertility Awareness Week. Celebrities such as Dylan Dreyer on the Today Show and others are sharing their personal infertility struggles and finding support from friends, family, and medical interventions. At Allen Acupuncture & Wellness, achieving a healthy pregnancy is one of my specialties–in fact, I have co-authored a book called Acupuncture & Infertility, available on Amazon.

What is INFERTILITY?

It is the inability to achieve or retain pregnancy while trying for a certain amount of time–the amount of time varies, depending on whose definition is used. Some conditions causing infertility are:

Infertility can be overcome with natural therapies.

Endometriosis & Fibroids
PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) or POI (premature ovarian insufficiency)
Thyroid dysfunctions
stress, malnutrition, celiac disease
poor egg quality, high FSH, and immune imbalances
poor sperm quality and quantity
recurrent miscarriages

If the person has never been able to conceive, it is categorized as primary infertility. But just as devastating is secondary infertility, which is the inability to conceive or retain pregnancy after previously giving birth.

I utilize acupuncture, herbs, and nervous system balancing techniques to help women achieve fertility in a compassionate setting.

How can acupuncture , herbs, and other therapies help?

Acupuncture has been proven to increase the odds of pregnancy with IVF, with some estimates as high as a 40% increase. Alone, acupuncture has been shown to reduce stress, balance hormones, and increase circulation to the ovaries and uterus, or testes in men. This helps couples get pregnant!

Herbs help treat underlying problems of infertility.

Herbs enhance fertility and increase the value of treatments. With many herbs that improve circulation to the abdomen and nourish the reproductive system, egg and sperm quality is improved, pregnancy is retained, and healthy babies are born!

The nervous system balancing techniques are unique to Allen Acupuncture and Wellness. Using a massage technique called Tui Na, I help balance out the nervous system and eliminate dysfunctions. For example, I have seen fibroids shrink and endometriosis vanish. Hot flashes and irregular menstruation from hormone imbalances become a thing of the past.

Dietary and lifestyle changes can have a HUGE impact on fertility. For example, in some women, cutting out sugar for a few months can help them get pregnant. For others, choosing the right forms of exercise with the right intensity will be the difference. Individualized recommendations are made based on the individual patient. No two people are the same, so the treatments will not be cookie-cutter either!

What now?

If you are struggling with infertility, please know YOU ARE NOT ALONE! There are others dealing with the same issues you are. And you will find compassionate, holistic care here.

If you know someone who is struggling with infertility, or miscarriage, it is so important to show support. And may I offer some tips to communicate well with your friend or loved one?

tell them you are here for them and share your love and concern.
avoid sharing success stories of others you know–each person’s case is unique and the details of an acquaintance may not be encouraging to the person struggling.
don’t say it will be okay. It might not be, and it definitely doesn’t feel that way.
please allow your friend to share their feelings… or not share…
if you are pregnant and your friend is struggling, don’t feel guilty! The person who is struggling with infertility is happy for you. Just be sensitive.

The takeaway…

There is hope! Acupuncture, herbs, and balancing techniques are just the start of what can be done to help a couple with infertility. In addition, stress and anxiety about the whole process will be reduced through these therapies.

The good news is that, while many insurance companies do not cover infertility treatments, many DO cover acupuncture! You can verify your insurance benefits HERE.

Help is just a click, call or text away! Call 561-285-2862 for more information how acupuncture could help you fulfill your dreams of a child.

April 18, 2019April 18, 2019

Cupping–Spring Cleaning for Muscles

What does cupping have to do with Springtime? Spring is a time for new beginnings. For flowers and trees to bloom. For Konmari-ing the house. But what many may not know is that our bodies needs a little spring cleaning, too! (Keep reading to discover more and for a special discount offer!)

Spring’s energy has a direction, which follows the growth of seeds: the inside (seed) moves outward (seedling) in the process of germination. Some ancient texts also call the direction “upward”. The same direction occurs in our bodies. In South Florida, the direction may not be as dramatic, but as warmer temperatures arrive, the blood vessels dilate, and circulation moves closer to the surface so the body can better regulate the body in warmer temps and more physical activity.

As stated in a previous post about eating for the seasons, it is easier for the body to go WITH the nature of the season, instead of fighting against it. So, at this time of year, it is very beneficial to have cupping done.

Spring is the time for Cupping!

Cupping is the application of a cup-like device to the body with negative (suction) pressure. It pulls from the deep tissue (inner) toward the surface (outer). It follows the direction of Spring, and going with season is synergistic for healing.

Why cupping?

Cupping is an ancient therapy that dates back thousands of years. The first “cups” were animal horns, then bamboo or clay pots. The suction of the cups was produced by rapidly heating the air inside the cup and quickly placing it on the skin. The heated air creates the negative pressure to pull the skin/tissue into the cup. In modern times, this practice is called “fire cupping” and utilizes glass cups. Another form is with silicone cups. The last is with plastic cups with a valve at the top. A pump pulls a metered amount of air out of the cups; the advantage to using these cups is complete control of the suction on the cup.

Cupping has many advantages. One relates to the negative pressure on the tissues. It is the opposite of touch. The pulling can release muscles spasms, break up adhesions, and, most importantly, pull toxins to the skin’s surface such as inflammatory markers, lactic and uric acid, and “old” blood residues that have been sitting deep in the tissue. The skin can better circulate these painful chemicals away to bring relief. Fresh blood supply can then come in to better heal the tissue. In addition, it can help the body release its own opioids for pain relief, and most patients find it very relaxing.

Cupping can also activate the immune and lymphatic systems and has been well-documented to treat skin issues such as herpes zoster, acne, boils, etc… Cupping on certain areas has been shown to clear respiratory infections and activate white blood cells to fight infections.

For more “scientifically worded” info on the benefits, please feel free to click on the following links:

NCCAOM-Science of Cupping

Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine: Medical Perspective of Cupping

Modern Cupping

Many celebrities and athletes advertise the advantages of cupping. Michael Phelp’s bruises in the 2016 Olympic Games announced the advantages of this therapy to the world. He used it to recover from strenuous workouts and the rigors of competition. In 2013, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, and others have sported their round skin marks publicly.

What about the Bruises??

First, let’s be clear: these marks look like bruises but do not hurt. Bruising with cupping is common, and each bruise type signifies a different underlying problem in the body. In a healthy body with good circulation, bruises can last 3-4 days. If they last longer than 7 days, the body has a circulation problem and may need acupuncture or herbs to help increase circulation. Here’s what the cupping bruises can mean:

Light purple: insufficient blood supply in the tissues

Dark purple or brown: old blood sitting deep in the tissue, also called “stagnation”

Red or brown flecks: toxins or “heat” in the muscles–the kind that sometimes cause the burning sensation in the muscle (don’t worry, the cupping doesn’t “burn”).

Cupping at Allen Acupuncture & Wellness

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Back-Cupping.jpeg — Cups for back pain relief

Typically, cupping can be included in an acupuncture treatment along with needles, allergy elimination, or auricular therapy. The tight or painful areas can be cupped, releasing the tissue and relieving the problem. Most people find it relaxing because it also releases endorphins just like acupuncture. Kids and adults LOVE it! Children as young as 7 to adults in the 80’s regularly request cupping along with their other therapies because it helps them feel better.

WHAT’S THE DEAL???

Here’s the DEAL! I think everybody should at least TRY cupping! To help expose more people to the benefits, Allen Acupuncture is offering a SPECIAL, 20-30 minute cupping session for only $35! That’s cheaper than a crappy massage!

Tell your family, friends, co-workers, etc… to call or text (561-922-7535), click or email Allen Acupuncture & Wellness for this special deal, now through May 15th, 2019. Make that appointment today!

December 17, 2018December 20, 2018

Year End Health Savings

The year is almost at a close. In addition to health insurance, many people have Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) to help pay for deductibles, medications and copays.

Most people don’t realize that HSAs and FSAs can be used to cover acupuncture visits.

These funds can be used to cover acupuncture even if the insurance policy doesn’t cover acupuncture.

HSA funds can usually rollover to the next year, but normally, any left over money over $500 in FSA accounts normally cannot be carried over to the next year–this is the last week to use what’s there. In many ways, that money has already been spent, but it hasn’t been used. It’s “use it or lose it.” What better way to use that money than on health and wellness?

Why use HSA or FSA for acupuncture?

An appointment at Allen Acupuncture & Wellness can help address many health concerns: joint or back pain and discomfort, digestive or weight problems, allergies and symptoms, anxiety, depression, insomnia, hormone imbalances, colds, flus, and weakened immune systems… The list goes on and on!

Besides the health benefits, acupuncture is very relaxing. Many patients say that they feel like they’ve spent a day at the spa–yet appointments typically last about an hour. Acupuncture can help reduce holiday stress. It can improve sleep as well, so patients wake up with more energy for daily activities.

Allen Acupuncture & Wellness focuses on holistic medicine and the underlying cause for a symptom. We treat the person as a whole, not just the problem.

Not just acupuncture.

A “visit” at Allen Acupuncture & Wellness might include acupuncture, but often includes cupping, tuina (a Chinese manual therapy), acupressure, muscle testing utilizing applied kinesiology, food therapy and lifestyle tips, and herbal recommendations.

Get a “Second Opinion” on your health.

Why not get another perspective on your health? A “second opinion” on your condition from a holistic perspective? Sara Allen, AP, Dipl OM, works alongside your doctor’s diagnoses and treatments to provide the very best of integrative medicine.

Call 561-922-7535 today to see how you can have Better Health for a Better You before your HSA or FSA closes out for the year and the new year begins!

Do you have health insurance? Be sure to check whether your insurance company covers acupuncture HERE.

June 16, 2018June 18, 2018

Are Side Effects Making People Sick?

by Sara M Allen, AP, Dipl. OM

Why is a newly-released study on side effects so important?

How many prescription drugs does the average person take? According to a 2013 study by the Mayo Clinic, 70% of Americans take at least one prescription drug, 50% take at least two, and 20% take FIVE or more medications. Each of these have a list of side effects. The latest June 2018 Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) studied the side effect of depression caused by taking medications.

When a new prescription medication is filled at the pharmacy, a long list of possible side effects accompanies the drug. How many people read the list? Pay attention once taking the medicine? Or have had a doctor follow up with questions about side effects? And sometimes, because the medication is “necessary,” negative side effects are countered by another medication with another list of side effects, which causes side effects that must be countered by another medication, and the wheel keeps spinning.

Every medicine has side effects, and it is unknown how taking multiple medications will potentiate or compound those side effects. In this study on the side effect of depression in JAMA, of the 6.9% of those in the study taking 3 or more medications that have a possible “depression” side effect, 15% of those actually had depression, versus 4.7% which were not on medications with the side effect of depression. This study showed that taking multiple medications with the same possible side effect increases the likelihood of that side effect. (It should be noted that this study excluded people taking anti-depressants for pre-existing depression).

What does the study mean for you and your medications?

Make sure your doctor knows all of your medications and supplements. Make a list of medications before appointments along with dosages. If there are any known drug interactions, it is more likely they will be prevented if your doctor and pharmacist know what you’re taking. Ultimately, you and your doctor are a team to determine which medications you need to be on and whether any of those medications can be reduced or eliminated.
Be educated about your medications. Read the packaging that comes with your prescriptions. Watch out for symptoms and side effects. Sometimes these effects are cumulative and may take a while for your body to express. And sometimes, as this study shows, less-likely side effects may be more likely when combined with other medications.
More is not better. Not only are prescription medications expensive and drive up health insurance costs for everyone, but they have powerful, unknown effects on the body. Modern medicine is a very young medicine, less than 200 years old, and the long-term and drug-interaction effects of pharmaceuticals are too new to fully know. There are few studies like the one in this month’s JAMA which show how drugs may interact with each other. The FDA doesn’t require it, and it would be impossible to study how thousands and thousands of drugs interact when taking 3, 4… or even 9 different combinations of them. Therefore, limit your exposure to these interactions and side effects by limiting your medications whenever possible, and discuss your options with your doctor.
Check out alternative medical solutions. The U.S. Pharmaceutical Industry makes over 440 billion dollars a year. Drug companies and pharmacies make money on prescriptions. Many of these medications just alleviate symptoms of a disease but do not help the body heal. Be willing to check out other options for wellness, which can lessen one’s dependence on drugs. These might include:

Diet and lifestyle changes. Let’s be honest. Change is difficult and sometimes inconvenient, but changes can bring health from the inside out. These choices are long-term, life-giving options that do not come with negative or dangerous side effects. For example, diabetic or blood-pressure medications may be reduced by losing weight and exercising.
Alternative therapies. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, chiropractic care, and physical therapy are a few alternative therapies that may help with whatever condition you are treating with pharmaceuticals. The goal of these alternative or integrative medical therapies is to help the body heal or treat the underlying cause of the disease or problem. Because these therapies are a process of healing in the body, symptom relief may not be as immediate as popping a pill, but with a little patience and determination the body can heal itself.
Herbal formulas, natural supplements, and essential oils. Many modern pharmaceuticals began as plant-based remedies. Almost every civilization on earth has had its special plants for certain diseases. The chemical properties of these remedies have been isolated and improved upon to target a disease or symptom. But what if the lesser-concentrated, holistic plant-package is actually less harmful to the body than its lab-concocted cousin?
- Chinese herbal formulas have been safely used for thousands of years, and the herbs in these formulas are balanced with each other to minimize the side effects. Only an Oriental Medicine or Chinese herbal practitioner can safely prescribe herbs perfectly tailored to your body and symptoms.
- Also, supplements can be taken to help the body function properly. Many supplements can take the place of over-the-counter or prescribed medications. Check with your healthcare practitioner to find out which ones might be right for you (and remember, as with prescription drugs, more is not necessarily better!).
- One of my new favorites, which is actually very ancient, is the use of essential oils to treat certain conditions. When used as directed, essential oils are an excellent alternative to certain prescription or over-the-counter drugs (more to come on essential oils–stay tuned).

Many other side effects can be treated effectively with acupuncture. There are points on the body that help certain problems and symptoms and treat the body’s underlying condition. Whether a medication is causing depression, dizziness or diarrhea, acupuncture can help lessen the side effects of medications. No one should be stuck on the hamster wheel of taking more and more medications to combat the side effects of medications.

(If you are feeling depressed, please speak to a healthcare practitioner, counselor or mental health provider. And if you are considering suicide or hurting yourself or others—please reach out to someone and get some help, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.)

Hope that’s some helpful information to help you have Better Health for a Better You!

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