Cloud Gate Kate's Blog

Hello world!

cloudgatekate — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 11:25:22 +0000

My first BLOG! Oh gosh, I’m excited and nervous by the prospects….In starting this new project, I will try my best to be consistent and to update with interesting and useful information! My intention is to create a space to share with my readers articles and cool things about my passions…Traditional Chinese Medicine, cooking/baking, gluten free (my new endeavor), gardening and my hopefully bountiful Chinese herb garden (new in 2010), health & wellness, canning and jewelry design (in no particular order). Well, maybe TCM and herbs come first, since that is my job!

A video link to Melinda Beck’s acupuncture treatment for neck and shoulder pain

cloudgatekate — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 13:52:59 +0000

This looks like a very minimalist treatment for neck and shoulder pain, but easy to film! I would usually treat a neck & shoulder pain patient face down (unless it was their first treatment) so I could more easily access the points close to the affected area, as well as distal points on the channels that run through the area of pain. My patients also get Chinese massage (tui-na), cupping or gua-sha to invigorate blood flow and speed relaxation of the muscle fibers which are constricted and tight.

http://online.wsj.com/video/testing-acupuncture/C66816BC-2110-402B-B254-61668040B9D0.html

Decoding an Ancient Therapy High-Tech Tools Show How Acupuncture Works in Treating Arthritis, Back Pain, Other Ills

cloudgatekate — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 13:27:09 +0000

Check out this Wall Street Journal article by Melinda Beck.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704841304575137872667749264.html

While scientists say further research is essential, some studies have provided evidence of acupuncture’s effects.

Arthritis of the Knee: Acupuncture significantly reduced pain and restored function, according to a 2004 government study.
Headaches: Two 2009 reviews found that acupuncture cut both tension and migraine headaches.
Lower Back Pain: Acupuncture eased it in a big study last year, but so did a sham treatment where needles didn’t penetrate the skin.
Cancer: Has proven effective in reducing nausea and fatigue caused by chemotherapy.
Infertility: Improves the odds of pregnancy for women undergoing in-vitro fertilization, according to a 2008 review of seven clinical trials.
Addiction: Often used to help quit smoking, drinking, drug use and overeating, but there is no conclusive evidence that it works.