November 2006 [Volume 5, Issue 11]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Sorely in Need of an Acupuncturist
• Herb of the Month - Schefflera (qi ye lian)
• Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights From the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum

The impact of pain, particularly chronic pain, is far-reaching. It can affect everything from one's day-to-day activities and quality of life to the level of employee productivity at America's most powerful corporations. According to a recent report from the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately one in 10 adults suffers chronic pain lasting at least a year, and one in four reports suffering pain for at least an entire day during the previous month.

Adults 18 years and older were instructed to report whether they had experienced any of four types of pain during the three months prior to interview: low back pain, migraine/severe headache, neck pain, and facial ache in the jaw or joint in front of the ear. Respondents were asked to report only pain that lasted an entire day or more, excluding minor aches and pains. Low back pain was the most commonly reported of the four types of pain, the most common cause of job-related disability, and a leading contributor to missed work and reduced productivity. The second most frequently reported chronic pain type was severe headache and/or migraine.

Remember, you don't have to live with pain and you don't have to resign yourself to taking pain medications every day. Acupuncturists are experts in managing pain without the use of drugs. For more information on the benefits of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, visit www.acupuncturetoday.com.

Schefflera is a type of climbing vine found in the tropical and subtropical regions of China, Taiwan, Indonesia and Australia. It can reach a height of approximately 10 feet, with a thin, striated stem and palm-shaped leaves. The leaves, stem and roots are used in herbal preparations.

According to the concepts of traditional Chinese medicine, schefflera has bitter, sweet and warm properties, and is associated with the Liver meridian. Its main functions are to promote the circulation of the blood and to alleviate pain. Modern uses of schefflera include the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, numbness in the limbs, abdominal pain, headaches, arthralgia, and sore and/or swollen throat. Externally, it can be ground into a paste to treat injuries and stop bleeding.

The typical dose of schefflera is between 15 and 30 grams, decocted in water for oral administration. Schefflera tablets are also available, incorporating smaller doses (5-15 grams). Larger doses can be used externally. It is available in a variety of forms, ranging from crude herbs to capsules, tablets and extracts.

Because of schefflera's slightly toxic properties, it should not be taken by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or administered to infants and young children. Because of its anticoagulant effects, it should be used with caution by people taking blood-thinning medications. As always, consult with your acupuncturist before taking schefflera or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement. To learn more about the benefits of herbal medicine, visit www.acupuncturetoday.com/herbcentral.

The "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum provides a place for interested parties to ask questions about acupuncture and Oriental medicine and receive responses from a licensed acupuncturist. Here are a few of this month's questions and answers:

Question #1: Do you think acupuncture could help chest coldness - not a cold, but the feeling of a chill in the chest area? I am 75 and have had a cardio workup, etc., but the MDs cannot find anything wrong.

Answer: It is quite likely that an acupuncture treatment technique can help. The acupuncturist you see would diagnose you properly, but it is likely that moxibustion would be helpful. It is not the only treatment possibility, though. Moxibustion involves the use of heat to stimulate acupuncture points, which seems like a possible solution to your symptom.

Question #2: Can acupuncture help with weight loss?

Answer: Yes, acupuncture can help by reducing the appetite and balancing the metabolism. There are several methods of placing the needles, and dietary planning is part of treatment. Expect about one pound of weight loss per week.

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Have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit AcupunctureToday.com's "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum at www.acupuncturetoday.com/ask.

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