Sinus Pain or Migraine?

Sinus pain and migraines often go together, making it difficult and perhaps unnecessary to differentiate if one seeks to strike the source of what boils down to a severe headache. Generally speaking, migraines are viewed as neurological and sinus problems are bacteriological in nature. Both are related in that they express as inflammatory phenomena. That is, even though they express differently, both are related to inflammation.

In Chinese medicine, inflammatory processes are often attributed to “wind” and “damp”. We all know that the Chinese writing system is pictographic in nature. Technically the Chinese writing system, often referred to as “characters,” is ideographic. Each ideograph conveys a symbolic representation of its referent. Fundamental concepts that were developed with genesis of ideographs are rife with meaning, and since Chinese medicine developed along with the writing system it is worthwhile to examine the meaning of certain characters for deeper understanding of their medical import.

The ideograph “wind” is comprised of an insect within an arch of sorts. Fast forward 3,000 years or so and germ theory affords us the vantage point of surmising that the ideograph for wind references airborne pathogens. Similarly, the ideograph for “dampness” possesses elements of water and fire, the later in the form that conveys its cooking function. If we put wind and damp together what we have is airborne pathogens that combine and cook with fluids: inflammation. If we further track the Chinese medicinal correspondences, we note that wind corresponds to the liver and by extension the neurological system and dampness corresponds with spleen, which deals with the digestive systems. Wind also denotes the effect that arises due to certain deficiencies, which more likely than not point to digestive, i.e., dietary deficiencies.

Proper treatment of wind-damp requires discerning which predominates, wind or damp, in addition to their ensuing effects, primarily fire and stagnation. Since some aspects of wind manifest as quick and sharp pain, acupuncture is extremely effective in accessing the same neurological system to alleviate pain. As some aspects of wind most certainly refer to airborne pathogens, Chinese herbs are essential for clearing the body of bacteria and viruses. For its part, the tumescent cooking of dampness responds best to herbs, though acupuncture can boost metabolic function to complement herbs. In particular, acupuncture is especially helpful for quelling the heat that arises from the long-term presence of dampness. There is also a category of herbs that specifically treats the combination of wind-damp, the herbs of which are known bio-medically to have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Interestingly, these are normally associated with use in treating arthritis, which typically arises when dampness and heat congeal to form phlegm. It is all related when pathogenesis is understood as a dynamic dance between the body’s defenses, its weaknesses and the advance of pathogens from the exterior to the interior.

The approach of Chinese medicine is to diagnose headaches within the context of the whole person, determining the preponderance of wind and damp. Sinus headaches and migraines may be two words to describe a snapshot of the same phenomenon or different stages along a continuum of pathogenic invasion. No matter which, acupuncture and herbs are an effective one-two punch to get to the headache at its root.

Lyin’ is for Fools: Musculoskeletal Pain and Acupuncture

Ahh, picture the scene of a serene setting with soft lights and relaxing music. The gentle wafts of incense lilt through the air. You see yourself relaxing comfortably, in a quasi-dreamlike state with needles stuck in your shoulder, knee, or back… the place you’re experiencing pain. You’re in your acupuncturist’s office.

Your pain? Oh, who cares? You’re relaxing and even though this is your fourth or fifth treatment with marginal progress, you enjoy the experience and have noted some unintended benefits of your treatment, perhaps better sleep, less overall tension, and a greater sense of well-being. You’ve heard of the benefits of acupuncture for pain and have little reason to believe that by lying on the table your treatment process is in any way lacking. Alas, gentle reader, this is where the sad fact must be divulged: lyin’ is for fools.

“What sayest thou?” you ask. Let me answer by laying a bit of a framework for understanding the “art” aspects of acupuncture. Within the body of acupuncture theory are numerous systems, which in my experience have varying effectiveness toward varying conditions. Some of these systems are classically based, meaning they were developed over 2000 yrs ago. Other systems are innovations, based on understandings of neurology, polarity, and Western-based science principles. Standard acupuncture education in China and in the US is based is an amalgam of Western-based science principles and classical indications, with an emphasis on the former, rather than the latter. Hence, it is most common for musculoskeletal conditions to be treated at the affected area, which makes sense. If your shoulder hurts, why not stick a needle in it?

Well, the answer might lie in the basic purpose of Chinese medicine, which is fundamentally about balance. There are many ways in which balance may be affected, but needling the problem area is likely the least of these. The art aspect of the practice centers about finding the balancing point, the point where the least amount of intervention occurs with the greatest benefit for the patient.

This brings us to why, lyin’ on the table for musculoskeletal conditions is foolish. Let me offer a recent case of a 41 y.o. female with a toe-sprain, where she was unable to place weight upon her foot without excruciating pain. The patient stated the pain was at a 10 when walking and 8 without walking. Upon selecting a balancing point, which most certainly was NOT in the foot, the patient instantly felt improvement. Then, she was asked to place weight upon the foot, while the balancing point was stimulated. We walked around the room while she “tested” it out. The needling lasted about 15 minutes and she walked, tender, but able to place weight upon her foot. The pain diminished by her account to a 3, when walking and NO pain otherwise. There are possibly many explanations why active acupuncture is so darn miraculous. To my mind, it has to do with the balancing that occurs between the injured area and the balancing point through movement.

In my experience passive, relaxing treatments are appropriate for internal conditions, such as insomnia, gastro-intestinal disorders, and emotional imbalance but are not effective for musculoskeletal conditions. If you experience shoulder, knee, hip, back or elbow pain and do not experience at least a 30% improvement after your two acupuncture treatment and were treated passively, I strongly recommend looking about for an acupuncturists who employs an active approach. The active approach provides instant feedback on the effectiveness of treatment and allows for on the fly adjustments based on the body’s feedback. No such dynamism can occur in a passive treatment. You will notice a huge difference in the reduction of pain and increased functionality.

Acupuncture: Striking a Balance for Musicians

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The LA musician’s life is one driven by a love for the muse. As such, this calling requires many lifestyle sacrifices that have deep implications for overall health. Accountants, engineers, hairdressers, and teachers all face risks unique to their professions. Musicians, however, face work-related risks that resemble those of swing-shift workers. Some of these problems are insomnia, fatigue, and hypertension.

The body’s natural rhythms are naturally governed by the sun. These rhythms are called “circadian.” The circadian rhythms control the release of hormones, regulating digestion, sleep, and metabolic functions of the entire body. Unpredictable schedules disrupt the circadian rhythms as any exposure to light will disrupt melatonin production, the hormone that induces sleep and night-related metabolic processes.

Interestingly enough, within the Chinese medicine system, there exists a strong understanding of circadian rhythms. In fact, this understanding is integrated into the system of “energy circuits,” called meridians or channels. There are 12 main channels which cover the body, in addition to two channels forming the anterior and posterior “seams.” Each channel is dominant for two-hours during the day, equaling 24 hours, the same number of hours in a day.

Acupuncturists are specialists in interpreting and treating signs of circadian imbalance. Whether the problem stems from jet lag, swing-shift work, or the jagged schedule of a musician, acupuncture can make a big difference by doing two things: addressing the branch expression of circadian imbalance and by providing tools to empower individuals to prevent further occurrences—all without drugs.

Here’s once such tool that a person can try for himself to see how it works. It involves massaging the ears. Basically, two hours before the gig and then every-two hours afterward, the ears should be massaged. Do a good job by massaging each ear for about 30 seconds, covering the whole ear. There is absolutely no need to get inside the ear canal. Attention need only be directed to the easily accessible aspects of the outer ear.

The ears have unique qualities relative other organs and acupuncturists make good use of them. Even though needling the ear may sometimes prove more effective, a regular ear-massage routine is essentially akin to acupressure and can be self-applied. This can make a world of difference in terms of cost and convenience.

It is difficult to imagine that one’s musical expression would not be affected by one’s physical and emotional state. The demands of a musician’s life mean that having an established sleep routine that harmonizes with the cycles of the sun is unrealistic. Fortunately, acupuncture and the system of Chinese medicine provides a natural solution that can make a real difference in terms of how you feel. This difference occurs by stimulating points along the energy channels of the body, channels that are already understood to be under the influence of the sun. Ear massage is an easy and near effortless way for the individual to balance the body to prevent some of the effects of circadian imbalance.

Lungs Taking a Punishment

The lungs are our first line of defense. We breathe in five litres of air every minute! This means that our lungs are constantly filtering airborne pathogens and pollutants. In busy urban areas like Los Angeles, lung-related physical complaints abound. Exposure to harmful pollutants from coal-fired plants, work-related exposures, travel, and even exercise mean that the lungs are taking a lot of punishment.

Foreign particulate matter that lodges in the lungs will produce an immune response, an inflammatory response. Immune responses that begin in the lung can spread throughout the body, setting up a pattern of systemic inflammation. Just as research has shown that oral hygiene has broad-reaching effects for overall health, the same can be said for any other part of the body. After all, every system of the body coordinates with every other system of the body to work as a whole. The thing is that the lungs are the first line of defense. Hence, clearing the lungs of lingering infection has broad implications for overall health.

In Chinese medicine, the lungs regulate respiration, movement of blood through the circulatory system, and are responsible for the first-stage of immunity. The lung system is related to the skin and the nasal passages. The skin is recognized as the largest organ in the body and the first line of defense. Nasal complications and their relationship to breathing difficulties are obvious. Understanding the relationship of pathogens and pollutants to the natural immune response can provide a helpful framework to approach the systemic problems arising from constant environmental assault.

Chinese medicine most popular modality is acupuncture. It has fabulous immune modulating effects, but Chinese herbalism is much more appropriate for the following reasons. Much has been made recently of “super bugs”, those bacteria and viruses which have grown resistant to the best that modern medicine has to offer by way of drugs. Prescription overuse and abuse have rendered many bugs extremely virulent. The recent scare surrounding H1N1 and bird-flu have not only highlighted the limitations of modern approaches to pathogens, but has also revealed the utility of Chinese herbalism in killing viruses and bacteria.

Many herbs, contrary to single drug prescriptions, have dual function. An herb like reishi, which has been touted for its immune boosting and cancer-fighting properties, also has the ability to down-regulate the immune system. This is extremely important because the worst effects from the flu have not been due to a depleted immune system, rather the opposite, an immune system that elicits such an extreme response that it begins to attack the body. The most common example of such a response is the allergies exhibited by those allergic to shellfish and peanuts, called anaphylaxis. It more generally can be referred to as a cytokine storm, a phenomenon that is a positive feedback loop between the immune response and the markers (cytokines) for immune activity. Chinese herbs therefore not only boost immunity but can directly address the most dangerous aspects of virulent pathogenic invasion: cytokine storm.

It is often the long-term presence of environmental pollutants that elicits a constant inflammatory immune response that paves the way for more serious auto-immune conditions later in life: pulmonary fibrosis, lupus, rhinitis, and arthritis to name a few. Specific Chinese herbs have the ability to leach pollutants from the body, remove immune-exciting cytokines from the bloodstream, and reduce inflammation. This means that it gets at the root of the problem in addition to all of the fallout from the aggravating agents.

Those conscientious about caring for their body temple are becoming more and more wary of standard biomedical prescriptions due to side-effects. It would be foolish to maintain that Chinese herbs do not have side-effects. Any medicine can function as a poison if misused or used by untrained individuals. Fortunately, the side-effects of herbs are usually much less severe because herbs are not concentrated singular molecules, but rather complex molecular compounds comprised of the whole plant. The whole plant is what accounts for the dual function of herbs and is an invaluable approach to a constantly changing picture of health.

Chinese herbalism is an invaluable tool for giving love to your lungs and entire respiratory system. It can not only knock out the bugs that give rise to infection but can also leach out the pollutants often responsible for systemic inflammation. Anyone living in today’s modern world is affected by environmental pollutants. The key is not to simply boost the immune system, but rather to balance immunity in light of one’s presenting condition. Often, it is an overactive immune system that is problem. A Chinese medicine herbalist can help tremendously in getting to bottom of systemic imbalance, offering solutions for those who seek either to complement their standard medical course or those who are seeking a completely natural option.