Most if not all of us have experienced neck pain at some point in our lives. For some it is short lived acute pain lasting only a day or two, for others the pain becomes chronic and unbearable lasting months, even years if left untreated.
What is Neck Pain?
Neck pain is defined as pain or discomfort in the region above your shoulders and below your head. It could result from many reasons including physical abnormalities, poor posture, emotional stress, vascular diseases, vertebral compression or subluxations, thyroid disease, esophageal disease, and nerve pain.
Medical doctors will diagnose neck pain by asking the patient questions about the pain and possibly palpating the region. (more…)
Ever wonder why you are so tired all of the time? Do you have trouble concentrating? Are you cold and achy? Are you finding that you do not enjoy the things that used to make you happy? Why they heck have you been gaining weight even though you eat right and exercise daily? Are you depressed?
If you are having these feelings it is important to know that you are not alone. There are literally thousands of people with symptoms of hypothyroidism with blood tests that do not reveal anything out of the ordinary. Why is this happening to so many people and what can be done for those who have no explanation for their symptoms?
Basic Anatomy & Physiology
The thyroid gland resides in the neck just in front of the larynx. It produces hormones that play a role in just about every bodily function. One of the reasons why it is so hard to diagnose a thyroid condition is because it is only a small part of a complex and intricate matrix called the endocrine system. The endocrine system consists of 8 main glands and secondary sex glands.
The hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, pineal, thymus, ovaries in women, testes in men, and the placenta in pregnant women are all apart of the endocrine matrix. The endocrine system is responsible for regulating hormones. If there is a shift in balance in any part of the endocrine system, then all of the endocrine structures will be affected. The key is targeting where the glitch in the system lies.
Hypothyroidism: The Western View
Hypothyroidism is defined as the circumstance of having inadequate thyroid function. Persons with hypothyroidism have a slow or under active thyroid gland in which little or no hormones are produced. The thyroid produces 2 main hormones, Thyroxine T4 and Triiodothyronine T3. Both T4 and T3 direct cellular metabolism (4. p18). T4 is the most abundant thyroid hormone in the blood stream. It is large and slow acting. It is broken down in the liver to T3.
T3 is faster acting and smaller so it can easily pass through the nuclear pores and bind to DNA (4. p34). Thyroid hormones regulate how your cells use oxygen as an energy source. Other important hormones include Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). TRH is released from the hypothalamus, which directs the pituitary gland to release TSH.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism are high cholesterol, fatigue, lethargy, headaches, moodiness, slow weight gain, feelings of cold, and memory and cognition difficulties. A regular allopathic western doctor will use a thyroid panel that includes anywhere from 1 – 10 thyroid related hormone test. Proper western drug therapies include administration of synthetic or natural hormone replacement therapies. Hypothyroidism is not easy to diagnose because most patients will not have all of the symptoms.
What makes it even harder to diagnose is that some people have symptoms but their blood test do not reveal an under active thyroid. In fact so many people are wrongly diagnosed as having chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia who actually have a thyroid imbalance. Doctors call this “subclinical disease” in which there are no detectable clinical characteristics of the disease.
Hypothyroidism: The Eastern View
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, symptoms of a thyroid imbalance are indications of an imbalance of yin & yang in the body. Yin qualities are darker, heavy, night, moon, feminine, inactive, slow, moist, cold, and receptive. Yang qualities are lighter, warmer, daytime, masculine, fast, active, and dry. What makes the Chinese Medical system work so well is that it’s the entire person that is being treated, not just the disease. An oriental medical doctor does not need to read lab tests in order to diagnose a patient. Instead, the patient’s color, tongue, pulse, scent, signs, and symptoms are all carefully observed by the practitioner. In general, hypothyroidism can be diagnosed as an over abundance of Yin with Yang Deficiency.
According to diagnosis, we would use formulas such as Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan to warm the yang and tonify qi, Si Ni Tang which warms the interior, Zhen Wu Tang to tonifiy kidney yang, or Tou Gui Wan to nourish kidney yang. In laboratory studies, certain yang tonic herbs were proven to the raise body temperature of mice (3.). Using tonification technique and or moxibustion, points on the San Jiao and Pericardium channel are commonly used for hypothyroidism. Herbs and acupuncture are particularly useful for symptoms such as feelings of cold, cold hands & feet, fatigue, body aches, poor memory & concentration, foggy thinking, melancholy, depression, insomnia, trouble waking up in the morning, weight gain, constipation, and dryness.
Hypothyroid patients will often have faint, slow, and weak pulses. Their tongues could be wet, swollen, and pale. Some research has shown that acupuncture can stimulate the release of TSH and ACTH and other pituitary hormones (4. p140). Other research has shown moxibustion was able to reduce antibodies in the peripheral blood of patients with Hashimoto’s disease and bring their thyroid back into balance (1. p14).
Hyperthyroidism, being the opposite of hypothyroidism, would generally be diagnosed as an overabundance of Yang with Yin Deficient Heat. According to diagnosis, good herbal remedies include Liu Wei Di Huang Wan to tonify liver and kidney yin, Zhi Zi Qing Gan Tang or, Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan to nourish heart and kidney yin. Using the dispersion technique, acupuncture is incredibly useful in treating hyperthyroid symptoms such as racing heart, palpitations, anxiety, feelings of heat, weight loss, and jumpy moods like anger and irritability. Hyperthyroid patients generally have red tongues with rapid and big or rapid and thin pulses.
Integrative Medicine
The future of medicine will be a combination of both western and eastern medicine. Persons with clinical hypothyroidism in which their blood test reveal a thyroid imbalance would do best by taking a western thyroid supplement along with chinese herbs and a weekly acupuncture treatment (2.). Patients who have symptoms of a thyroid imbalance with normal blood results may not need to take a hormone replacement. These patients may improve just by using traditional Chinese medicine and alternative therapies.
A weekly acupuncture treatment can help balance hormones and alleviate stress. Alternative therapies such as herbs, acupuncture, dietary modifications, and engaging in stress relieving activities such as yoga, meditation, or exercise have already been proven to be beneficial.
Simple dietary habits that could improve the thyroid’s function include increasing your intake of selenium, including foods that contain iodine like fish and sea veggies, eating foods like meat and fish that contain the amino acid l-tyrosine, restricting raw cruciferous vegetable intake, taking a good multivitamin that includes A, C, D, E, Zinc, and the B vitamins, and of course eating plenty of fiber rich fruits, veggies, and whole unprocessed grains.
It is my belief that we must educate the patient on the importance of life long proper dietary habits, the importance of exercising daily and having good stress relieving tools, and most importantly the power of positive thinking. We must first educate the patient to take control of their own health by using preventative measures now to keep their bodies functioning optimally as long as possible, and to not leave their destinies up to a stranger in a cold and sterile operating room.
References
A study on the clinical effects and immunololgical mechanism in the treatment of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis by Moxibustion. Hu G., Chen H., Hou Y., Cheng Z., Wang R. Shanghai research Institute of Acupuncture & Meridian. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. March 13, 1993 pg 14 – 8.
Chinese herbal medicines for hyperthyroidism. Zen XX., Yuan Y., Liu Y., Wu TX., Han S. Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews. April 18, 2007. Pg. CD005450
Effects of yang-restoring herb medicines on the levels of plasma corticosterone, testosterone, and triiodothyronine. Kuang A., Chen J., Chen M. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Zi Zhi. December 9, 1989. Pg 710, 737-8.
Thyroid Balance: Traditional and alternative methods for treating thyroid disorders. Rothefeld G., Romaine D. Adams Media Publishing Co. 2003
As always consult your primary care physician before making any major health decisions.
Book online to schedule the next available appointment with Dawna Ara, L.Ac. If you are a new patient, please download and fill out the New Patient Form
Autumn is here and the Santa Ana winds are blowing pollen, dust, and mold through the air causing peoples allergies to act up. An allergy attack can feel like a cold or flu leaving you feeling miserable.
Headaches from sinus pressure are common as well as runny nose, itching, sneezing, and coughing. Before you go to the drug store and purchase antihistamines here are 5 natural things you can do to keep your allergies in check this season:
1. Get a netti pot.
When suffering from nasal allergies a netti pot can save your life. Use it twice daily to irrigate your nasal system and clear out unwanted allergens from your nose. A netti pot can wash away allergens, lessen mucus, and and relieve sinus pressure. They cost about $10 at your local drugstore.
2. Increase your intake of horseradish, chili peppers, and hot mustard.
These foods are natural decongestants. They cause your nose to run and therefore expel allergens. Add them to your diet by cooking them in your favorite dishes.
3. Replace your air filters with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter attachment.
HEPA filters can trap dust and mold spores and stop them from circulating in your home. Use them with your vacuum and air conditioner system.
4. Get a weekly acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture works by balancing the body and strengthening the immune system. A weekly acupuncture treatment will not only help keep allergy symptoms away but it can also help other symptoms not related to allergies. You may notice that after your treatment you can sleep better, you are less stressed, and the back pain that has been bothering you for weeks has practically disappeared!
5. Use herbal and natural supplements instead of over the counter antihistamines or prescription steroids.
When it comes to allergies and herbal medicine you have plenty of options. Here are just a few natural supplements you can take:
Astragalus otherwise known as huang qi, is an amazing Chinese herb that can strengthen your immune system. You can buy it in single herb form or in a formula with other immune boosting Chinese herbs.
Ginseng aka ren shen is probably the most famous Chinese herb. It too strengthens the immune system and can be taken alone or in a formula with other Chinese herbs. Ginseng will also give you a natural boost of energy and help combat stress.
Quercetin a bioflavanoid, can block the release of histamine and prevent inflammation.
A daily multivitamin is a good start but if you want added defense against allergies then especially increase your intake of vitamin A, vitamin C & vitamin B complex.
CoQ10 is also an immune booster that counters histamine.
As always consult your primary care physician before making any major health decisions.
Book online to schedule the next available appointment with Dawna Ara, L.Ac. If you are a new patient, please download and fill out the New Patient Form
There has been quite a bit of debate going on regarding the new H1N1 aka swine flu vaccine. Some are saying its a necessity, that every man, woman, and child need to get the shot in order to survive. But why then if it is so important are some of our top doctors and nurses willing to lose their jobs over their right to NOT get the flu shot?
As usual, the answer is complicated. With all the hype and attention the swine flu has gotten you would think we would have enough information to all be experts by now. The reality is that there has been so much false information tangled up with the truth that it has been nearly impossible to make an educated decision. So in a better effort to help you decide if the flu shot is right for you, I have added some links from reliable sources for you to view.
A little note on the healing benefits of Chinese Medicine. Whether you decide to get the flu shot or not, Chinese Medicine can help your body protect itself from getting sick. Chinese Medicine works by strengthening what is weak, and sedating what is excess. This means that if you get sick often because your immune system is low (weakness), it can help you build up your body’s natural defense mechanisms so you have the strength to fight off the flu (excess) with or without help from the flu vaccine.
If you decide not to get the flu shot Chinese Medicine can help you keep your immune system up and your body strong. If you do get the flu shot, it can help make sure you and the flu shot are working together in harmony to keep invaders out. Of course always consult your primary care physician before making any major health decisions.
As always consult your primary care physician before making any major health decisions.
Book online to schedule the next available appointment with Dawna Ara, L.Ac. If you are a new patient, please download and fill out the New Patient Form
Chinese Medicine is an ancient health system aimed at bringing the entire body into balance. It is an intricate system that includes the use of acupuncture, herbs, and dietary therapies. Acupuncture is the insertion of tiny needles into specific points on the body.
Disease in Chinese Medicine is said to take place as soon as Qi or Life force gets “stuck” or “stagnates” in the body. A skilled acupuncturist carefully chooses points that will help move the qi in its proper direction and allow it flow freely.
Here are some of diseases that the World Health Organization says acupuncture is suitable for:
Book online to schedule the next available appointment with Dawna Ara, L.Ac. If you are a new patient, please download and fill out the New Patient Form
After the first session 95% of the pain in my leg and hip went away! I have been back twice since then for other minor issues and both times I had a great experience. Gisele L.Yelp
Dawna Ara is a Licensed Practitioner of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine in the state of California. She has over 10 years experience in the health field and provides Acupuncture in Pasadena and Los Angeles. More»
Most if not all of us have experienced neck pain at some point in our lives. For some it is short lived acute pain lasting only a day or two, for others the pain becomes chronic and unbearable lasting months, even years if left untreated.
About the author: Dawna Ara is a 
