Dry Needling and Acupuncture, the real difference.
Video: difference between acupuncture and dryneedling
The difference between acupuncture and dry needling.
A historical and practical application.
Key words: Dry Needle, Acupuncture, Motor point needling, Ashi acupuncture, Tsubo acupuncture, Trigger point, Deqi, Meridian, Spasm, Fasciculation, adverse reaction, myofascial pain,
Acupuncture: “Technique for treating certain painful conditions and for producing regional anesthesia by passing long thin needles through the skin to specific points. The free ends of the needles are twirled or in some cases used to conduct a weak electric current. Anesthesia sufficient to permit abdominal, Thoracic, and head and neck surgery has been produced by the use of acupuncture alone. The patient is fully conscious during the surgery. Acupuncture as a method of medical investigation (but not for anesthesia) has been known in the Far East for centuries. But received little attention in Western cultures until the 1970’s.” (Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 16th Edition, 1989)
The online Miriam-Webster dictionary lists acupuncture as: “An originally ancient Chinese practice of inserting fine needles through the skin at specific points especially to cure or relieve pain (as in surgery).”
To understand it, let’s take the word acupuncture and dissect that; Acus, in Latin means ‘needle’, and puncture (common English) is to pierce. This term was coined in the 1700s and continues to be used today.
Acupuncture as we know it now is the application of filiform needles (without any tube to deliver liquid). These needles are sterile, generally blister packed and designed to be disposed of. The points that they are inserted in are very specific and have been largely agreed upon for thousands of years. Each of these points has been organized into meridian lines which correspond with a functional organ of the body. Basically, there are, in some cases over 1,000 points, but it is common to study about 365 points along 12 meridians. There are also special points that are not on those meridians but generally align with nerves.
As for spasm treatment, acupuncture and dry needling are very similar, in fact nearly identical. When I was in Japan, I did some training with a physiotherapist that happened to be an acupuncturist. He showed me a technique he simply called ‘Ashi’ (basically means ‘ouch’). The point of pain, as indicated by the patient and confirmed by the practitioner as a tight muscle with point tenderness (basically a trigger point) was used as the location of a larger diameter needle until it twitched or the patient felt what is called ‘De-qi’ or “Daychee”. De-qi is the excitation of the point releasing or moving the energy. It is a feeling by the patient of warmth, soreness, ache, distention, heaviness, dull pain and even a sensation of ‘energy’ by the patient. This can be quite substantial and is always a good sign that the point was, in fact, located. Occasionally the patient will feel sharp pain, usually described as a pinch or poke. This is an obvious sign of being poked with a needle and I do not consider it a good indicator of anything except possibly anxiety or a basically functional nervous system in the area.
Dry Needling: A newer term (not found in my Taber’s Cyclopedic Dictionary, 1989) Has also been called trigger point needling, myofascial needling, medical acupuncture and others. Initial research finds mention of it by Dr. Janet Travell. She was the modern founder of the trigger point therapy techniques.
It is also commonly held by practitioners in the West that Dry Needling has no ties to acupuncture historically, this, however is only partly true. Dr. Travel and others were using hypodermic needles to inject areas of muscle spasm as early as the 1940’s. The common fluid (medicine) injected as either Lidocaine, Novocain, and more commonly corticosteroids, sometimes even saline may be used as a counter irritant.
Dry Needling according to the National Institute of Health is; ‘dry needling is a skilled intervention that uses a thin filiform needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular, and connective tissues for the management of neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments’ Ref: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4117383/
In the 1970s it had been discovered that stimulation of the trigger point or spasm occurred even without injection of the medication at times. This stimulation and result came to be known as the ‘twitch response’. It could be created without anything in the needle at all, thus, ‘dry needle’ was coined.
It was found that the results of dry needle and wet needle were actually comparable and acceptable to both the provider and patient. There were no side effects nor problems with the medications.
Some of these side effects of using a medication for injection are; bleeding at the site of injection, increased pain, headaches, sleepiness, fever, high blood sugar, decrease in immunity because of suppressive effects of steroids, anxiety, stomach ulcers, avascular necrosis (death of the bone because the steroid interfered with blood flow), infection, cataracts…
Side effects of dry needling are similar to those of acupuncture and include; bleeding, ache, or pain at the site after treatment. Infection is also possible although extremely rare as in wet needling. As long as either practitioner uses good prep and disposal there is little concern for infection.
Notice that with the acupuncture and dry needling there are no ‘other’ symptoms related to an injectable substance because there is nothing injected and therefore no artificially provided biochemical change.
The attempt to separate:
Currently there is a turf war over this technique and its definition. Physiotherapists, medical doctors, physical therapists, chiropractors and acupuncturists are all vying for reimbursement from insurance companies. The reimbursement is always related to the specific definition of a condition and the treatment.
So each of the types of providers have a stake in the claim and do not want the others to have that patient base and ability to bill for a specific procedure. Therefore we have the definition wars. Each of the provider types have different, even if slightly, definitions of dry needing and acupuncture. This ensures (according to each of them) professionalism, accuracy, and technique boundaries. A simple web search will show this to be true.
In reality there is some difference in the practice but only in definition. We see words like twisting vs. rotation of a needle or ‘pistoning’ as a way to explain a needle manipulation of pushing and pulling the needle. Each of these are well defined and designed to be specific. Some of the definitions, including that of dry needling itself have been because of research articles written in each of the prospective practitioners’ journals. Once you start to really look and read the techniques, whether Eastern or Wester are, by and large the same.
The difference in practice:
So, the difference between acupuncture and dry needling is the topic here and that is what we need to focus on. In acupuncture, as it is largely practiced, deals with subtle energy and the flow of that energy as perceived by the practitioner not the patient (objective finding). Few patients will arrive complaining of a ‘slippery pulse’ in the spleen meridian. This is a rather typical finding in acupuncture used by a well-trained and proficient acupuncturist.
Having a muscle spasm is something that is both subjective and objective inspection. Having a spasm or ‘ashi’ point is in fact a part of acupuncture and is treatable with shallow needle work. Acupuncture generally goes to a depth of less than 1” (cun=body inch as indicated by the width of the patient’s thumb on their body). Since most spasms people complain of are on the back, it stands to reason that also the needling in those areas will be shallow (less than 1 cun). Of course this is only if the needle is inserted perpendicular to the surface. Angled insertion can go in much further.
There is no difference in the needles themselves. Unless the practitioner is using ‘real’ dry needling and wasting an entire syringe to do the work of a regular filiform needle. Acupuncture or dry needling needles come in various lengths. In my practice I use needles that are between 5 mm. in length (usually for hand, fingers, toes and facial acupuncture up to 125 mm. (that is about 5”, used at an angle mostly or in people with significant subcutaneous fat. This way I can get to the muscle tissue). Somewhere in the middle of that range is the length for acupuncture needles by any given practitioner. Some prefer shorter or longer depending on depth needed and technique.
Another measurement of the needles is the diameter. In my office I use a very thin .18 mm (about 2-3x the thickness of a human hair from the head) (Ref. http://www.schwarzkopf.com/en/hair-care/split-ends/hair-dictionary.html) to .60 of a mm. This of course also is related to the length, a thin needle that is too long is flimsy and difficult to manage. One that is too thick but short not only looks imposing but also unable to perform the needed manipulations in the muscle or deeper tissues it is designed for. However, taking a hypodermic needle diameter, they are generally measured in gauge. Typically from about 16 to 29 gauge. That is about 1.6 mm to .30 mm (the larger the gauge the smaller the needle) this is at its largest size (.30mm or 16 gauge) is the size of needle I prefer for most muscular dry needling. I often show people that I can put a few of my regular acupuncture needles inside a hypodermic needle. Most patients also relate this to possible perceived pain and helps with anxiety about getting the procedure. A smaller diameter needle will go in easier, a larger one will be more difficult to insert and will be felt by the patient more.
Sterile?
Patients ask me if the needles I use are sterile. Today, the needles are manufactured at plants that may also make other medical grade instruments. Mainly as I have seen needles are sterile when they are made and come in blister packs of one to ten needles. Each needle is stainless steel and some are covered in silicone to make insertion easier. All the needles are intended to be disposed of after a single use. A single use is generally per patient but may also be single insertion depending on the technique and need of the situation. In history, since metal is very difficult to come by and manufacture, a single needle was used and used again on other patients. Boiling the needle to clean or with cleaners such as alcohol or fire have been used. Previously to that the needle was rubbed on the hair of the practitioner to clean. Sebum, the oil released by the sebaceous glands at each hair follicle is generally antiseptic and this was understood hundreds of years ago. (Note, in the West and the world, penicillin was not discovered or used until the 1940s.) So in brief, the needles are sterile, they are used once and disposed of. This is true of syringe needles and acupuncture or dry needling needles. This way, we can reduce the possibility of infection.
Dry needle theory:
Dry needling as explained using the filiform needles is as follows. There are a couple different theories and I will try to combine and explain in as little space as possible. First, there is the blood as an irritant theory. When a needle is pushed into the muscle tissue there is bleeding. This causes an inflammatory response including heparin, histamine and other chemical inflammation mediators. This attracts white blood cells to start a repair process. Many times, the chronic spasm has been ‘forgotten’ by the system. Likely this is because it was a constant and consistent set of impulses to the central nervous system that eventually became ‘background noise’ or was eventually ignored as an alarm and became a ‘normal’ action of that set of muscle fibers. The new injury from the needling caused a whole new alarm and set of steps to evaluate and fix the issue. This is also why people generally can feel achy for a day or so after the treatment. Not at the points of insertion necessarily but in the muscle treated overall.
Other theories go into inflammation response, the twitch response, muscle spindle or Golgi tendon organ stimulation etc. I have only outlined the basic most accepted reasoning.
This of course is not to diminish the work of acupuncture as it is done on the meridian points. Dry needling does not generally follow the specificity of the acupuncture points and may go far off a meridian line into a belly of a muscle elsewhere. This is the real only difference in the technique unless you are doing the ‘ashi’ style.
Trigger points have to be understood as well in this discussion. Dr. Travel and others found that there were two types of trigger points; latent and active. Active ones had referral pain that not always followed the nerve path, but did stick to the general myotome or dermatome. Latent ones were there when you palpated them but may not have symptoms otherwise. Once a trigger point, also commonly called knots or tsubos (Tsubos are tight points along the meridians in Japanese techniques. Ref: Tsubo, Vital Points for Oriental Therapy, by Katsusuke Serizawa, M.D.) are areas of increased tension in the set of muscle fibers. This blocks off incoming blood flow including nutrients like glucose, oxygen and water to the cells so that they can run properly. The tightness also reduces the release from the area of waste products such as lactic acid, carbonic acid, cellular debris and other products of cellular metabolism. To better understand this, please read about the pain spasm cycle for more detail.
Once the needle pierces the proper point on the muscle belly a twitch can be observed. This twitch is a good indicator that the muscle has held too much tension and is giving a release of physical, chemical and energetic tension. Other good signs are the ‘red flash’, a redness around the needle indicating a proper inflammation response. The duration and circumference of the red flash spot is an indicator of general function of the whole body and area being treated. Another sign it is working is the feeling of a deep ache or cramp by the patient in the treated muscle. This feeling will go away with some manipulation of the needle and will help the patient regain a communication with the area of treatment neurologically and consciously. Of course much of that is speculative and subjective. This is why acupuncture and dry needling do not react the same on every patient or even the same patient every time. Thinking holistically we have to also consider physical, physiological, psychological, environmental, cultural and even social aspects of the stress response and how the treatment will work. Many would simply write this all off to the placebo effect. We must also keep in mind that the placebo effect is present in every procedure that the patient is conscious and can be molded by all the expectations and suggestions involving the topics as listed above.
This brings us to the real difference between dry needling and acupuncture. Since traditionally performed acupuncture relies on insertion of needles into specific points called meridian points or acupuncture points and dry needling does not it stands that they are very different. Dry needling concerns itself with muscular pain and tension and may have points used not on the meridian system. However, taking into consideration the numerous ‘special points’ or exceptional points or whatever you would like to call them and that acupuncture does and has used needles to relieve spasm for over two millennia we are at an impasse. The dry needling practitioner does not need to know the meridians. Only knowledge of muscles, some physiology and general anatomy along with some palpation skill is needed by the dry needle practitioner. The acupuncturist may have knowledge of the meridians and the points but lack the palpation skills or musculoskeletal knowledge of the physiotherapist or chiropractor. Somewhere between the two we will find the answer. A practitioner of either sort would benefit from study of the other to enhance their skills and service to the public.
So, in my opinion, the only difference is the desired outcome by the practitioner. There is little to no real dry needling with a syringe done anymore. So I would venture to say dry needling is a part of acupuncture that was renamed for convenience. Call it what you will, the result is the goal. Pain free patients that can go about their daily lives in comfort.
The difference between acupuncture and dry needling.
A historical and practical application.
Key words: Dry Needle, Acupuncture, Motor point needling, Ashi acupuncture, Tsubo acupuncture, Trigger point, Deqi, Meridian, Spasm, Fasciculation, adverse reaction, myofascial pain,
Acupuncture: “Technique for treating certain painful conditions and for producing regional anesthesia by passing long thin needles through the skin to specific points. The free ends of the needles are twirled or in some cases used to conduct a weak electric current. Anesthesia sufficient to permit abdominal, Thoracic, and head and neck surgery has been produced by the use of acupuncture alone. The patient is fully conscious during the surgery. Acupuncture as a method of medical investigation (but not for anesthesia) has been known in the Far East for centuries. But received little attention in Western cultures until the 1970’s.” (Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 16th Edition, 1989)
The online Miriam-Webster dictionary lists acupuncture as: “An originally ancient Chinese practice of inserting fine needles through the skin at specific points especially to cure or relieve pain (as in surgery).”
To understand it, let’s take the word acupuncture and dissect that; Acus, in Latin means ‘needle’, and puncture (common English) is to pierce. This term was coined in the 1700s and continues to be used today.
Acupuncture as we know it now is the application of filiform needles (without any tube to deliver liquid). These needles are sterile, generally blister packed and designed to be disposed of. The points that they are inserted in are very specific and have been largely agreed upon for thousands of years. Each of these points has been organized into meridian lines which correspond with a functional organ of the body. Basically, there are, in some cases over 1,000 points, but it is common to study about 365 points along 12 meridians. There are also special points that are not on those meridians but generally align with nerves.
As for spasm treatment, acupuncture and dry needling are very similar, in fact nearly identical. When I was in Japan, I did some training with a physiotherapist that happened to be an acupuncturist. He showed me a technique he simply called ‘Ashi’ (basically means ‘ouch’). The point of pain, as indicated by the patient and confirmed by the practitioner as a tight muscle with point tenderness (basically a trigger point) was used as the location of a larger diameter needle until it twitched or the patient felt what is called ‘De-qi’ or “Daychee”. De-qi is the excitation of the point releasing or moving the energy. It is a feeling by the patient of warmth, soreness, ache, distention, heaviness, dull pain and even a sensation of ‘energy’ by the patient. This can be quite substantial and is always a good sign that the point was, in fact, located. Occasionally the patient will feel sharp pain, usually described as a pinch or poke. This is an obvious sign of being poked with a needle and I do not consider it a good indicator of anything except possibly anxiety or a basically functional nervous system in the area.
Dry Needling: A newer term (not found in my Taber’s Cyclopedic Dictionary, 1989) Has also been called trigger point needling, myofascial needling, medical acupuncture and others. Initial research finds mention of it by Dr. Janet Travell. She was the modern founder of the trigger point therapy techniques.
It is also commonly held by practitioners in the West that Dry Needling has no ties to acupuncture historically, this, however is only partly true. Dr. Travel and others were using hypodermic needles to inject areas of muscle spasm as early as the 1940’s. The common fluid (medicine) injected as either Lidocaine, Novocain, and more commonly corticosteroids, sometimes even saline may be used as a counter irritant.
Dry Needling according to the National Institute of Health is; ‘dry needling is a skilled intervention that uses a thin filiform needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular, and connective tissues for the management of neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments’ Ref: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4117383/
In the 1970s it had been discovered that stimulation of the trigger point or spasm occurred even without injection of the medication at times. This stimulation and result came to be known as the ‘twitch response’. It could be created without anything in the needle at all, thus, ‘dry needle’ was coined.
It was found that the results of dry needle and wet needle were actually comparable and acceptable to both the provider and patient. There were no side effects nor problems with the medications.
Some of these side effects of using a medication for injection are; bleeding at the site of injection, increased pain, headaches, sleepiness, fever, high blood sugar, decrease in immunity because of suppressive effects of steroids, anxiety, stomach ulcers, avascular necrosis (death of the bone because the steroid interfered with blood flow), infection, cataracts…
Side effects of dry needling are similar to those of acupuncture and include; bleeding, ache, or pain at the site after treatment. Infection is also possible although extremely rare as in wet needling. As long as either practitioner uses good prep and disposal there is little concern for infection.
Notice that with the acupuncture and dry needling there are no ‘other’ symptoms related to an injectable substance because there is nothing injected and therefore no artificially provided biochemical change.
The attempt to separate:
Currently there is a turf war over this technique and its definition. Physiotherapists, medical doctors, physical therapists, chiropractors and acupuncturists are all vying for reimbursement from insurance companies. The reimbursement is always related to the specific definition of a condition and the treatment.
So each of the types of providers have a stake in the claim and do not want the others to have that patient base and ability to bill for a specific procedure. Therefore we have the definition wars. Each of the provider types have different, even if slightly, definitions of dry needing and acupuncture. This ensures (according to each of them) professionalism, accuracy, and technique boundaries. A simple web search will show this to be true.
In reality there is some difference in the practice but only in definition. We see words like twisting vs. rotation of a needle or ‘pistoning’ as a way to explain a needle manipulation of pushing and pulling the needle. Each of these are well defined and designed to be specific. Some of the definitions, including that of dry needling itself have been because of research articles written in each of the prospective practitioners’ journals. Once you start to really look and read the techniques, whether Eastern or Wester are, by and large the same.
The difference in practice:
So, the difference between acupuncture and dry needling is the topic here and that is what we need to focus on. In acupuncture, as it is largely practiced, deals with subtle energy and the flow of that energy as perceived by the practitioner not the patient (objective finding). Few patients will arrive complaining of a ‘slippery pulse’ in the spleen meridian. This is a rather typical finding in acupuncture used by a well-trained and proficient acupuncturist.
Having a muscle spasm is something that is both subjective and objective inspection. Having a spasm or ‘ashi’ point is in fact a part of acupuncture and is treatable with shallow needle work. Acupuncture generally goes to a depth of less than 1” (cun=body inch as indicated by the width of the patient’s thumb on their body). Since most spasms people complain of are on the back, it stands to reason that also the needling in those areas will be shallow (less than 1 cun). Of course this is only if the needle is inserted perpendicular to the surface. Angled insertion can go in much further.
There is no difference in the needles themselves. Unless the practitioner is using ‘real’ dry needling and wasting an entire syringe to do the work of a regular filiform needle. Acupuncture or dry needling needles come in various lengths. In my practice I use needles that are between 5 mm. in length (usually for hand, fingers, toes and facial acupuncture up to 125 mm. (that is about 5”, used at an angle mostly or in people with significant subcutaneous fat. This way I can get to the muscle tissue). Somewhere in the middle of that range is the length for acupuncture needles by any given practitioner. Some prefer shorter or longer depending on depth needed and technique.
Another measurement of the needles is the diameter. In my office I use a very thin .18 mm (about 2-3x the thickness of a human hair from the head) (Ref. http://www.schwarzkopf.com/en/hair-care/split-ends/hair-dictionary.html) to .60 of a mm. This of course also is related to the length, a thin needle that is too long is flimsy and difficult to manage. One that is too thick but short not only looks imposing but also unable to perform the needed manipulations in the muscle or deeper tissues it is designed for. However, taking a hypodermic needle diameter, they are generally measured in gauge. Typically from about 16 to 29 gauge. That is about 1.6 mm to .30 mm (the larger the gauge the smaller the needle) this is at its largest size (.30mm or 16 gauge) is the size of needle I prefer for most muscular dry needling. I often show people that I can put a few of my regular acupuncture needles inside a hypodermic needle. Most patients also relate this to possible perceived pain and helps with anxiety about getting the procedure. A smaller diameter needle will go in easier, a larger one will be more difficult to insert and will be felt by the patient more.
Sterile?
Patients ask me if the needles I use are sterile. Today, the needles are manufactured at plants that may also make other medical grade instruments. Mainly as I have seen needles are sterile when they are made and come in blister packs of one to ten needles. Each needle is stainless steel and some are covered in silicone to make insertion easier. All the needles are intended to be disposed of after a single use. A single use is generally per patient but may also be single insertion depending on the technique and need of the situation. In history, since metal is very difficult to come by and manufacture, a single needle was used and used again on other patients. Boiling the needle to clean or with cleaners such as alcohol or fire have been used. Previously to that the needle was rubbed on the hair of the practitioner to clean. Sebum, the oil released by the sebaceous glands at each hair follicle is generally antiseptic and this was understood hundreds of years ago. (Note, in the West and the world, penicillin was not discovered or used until the 1940s.) So in brief, the needles are sterile, they are used once and disposed of. This is true of syringe needles and acupuncture or dry needling needles. This way, we can reduce the possibility of infection.
Dry needle theory:
Dry needling as explained using the filiform needles is as follows. There are a couple different theories and I will try to combine and explain in as little space as possible. First, there is the blood as an irritant theory. When a needle is pushed into the muscle tissue there is bleeding. This causes an inflammatory response including heparin, histamine and other chemical inflammation mediators. This attracts white blood cells to start a repair process. Many times, the chronic spasm has been ‘forgotten’ by the system. Likely this is because it was a constant and consistent set of impulses to the central nervous system that eventually became ‘background noise’ or was eventually ignored as an alarm and became a ‘normal’ action of that set of muscle fibers. The new injury from the needling caused a whole new alarm and set of steps to evaluate and fix the issue. This is also why people generally can feel achy for a day or so after the treatment. Not at the points of insertion necessarily but in the muscle treated overall.
Other theories go into inflammation response, the twitch response, muscle spindle or Golgi tendon organ stimulation etc. I have only outlined the basic most accepted reasoning.
This of course is not to diminish the work of acupuncture as it is done on the meridian points. Dry needling does not generally follow the specificity of the acupuncture points and may go far off a meridian line into a belly of a muscle elsewhere. This is the real only difference in the technique unless you are doing the ‘ashi’ style.
Trigger points have to be understood as well in this discussion. Dr. Travel and others found that there were two types of trigger points; latent and active. Active ones had referral pain that not always followed the nerve path, but did stick to the general myotome or dermatome. Latent ones were there when you palpated them but may not have symptoms otherwise. Once a trigger point, also commonly called knots or tsubos (Tsubos are tight points along the meridians in Japanese techniques. Ref: Tsubo, Vital Points for Oriental Therapy, by Katsusuke Serizawa, M.D.) are areas of increased tension in the set of muscle fibers. This blocks off incoming blood flow including nutrients like glucose, oxygen and water to the cells so that they can run properly. The tightness also reduces the release from the area of waste products such as lactic acid, carbonic acid, cellular debris and other products of cellular metabolism. To better understand this, please read about the pain spasm cycle for more detail.
Once the needle pierces the proper point on the muscle belly a twitch can be observed. This twitch is a good indicator that the muscle has held too much tension and is giving a release of physical, chemical and energetic tension. Other good signs are the ‘red flash’, a redness around the needle indicating a proper inflammation response. The duration and circumference of the red flash spot is an indicator of general function of the whole body and area being treated. Another sign it is working is the feeling of a deep ache or cramp by the patient in the treated muscle. This feeling will go away with some manipulation of the needle and will help the patient regain a communication with the area of treatment neurologically and consciously. Of course much of that is speculative and subjective. This is why acupuncture and dry needling do not react the same on every patient or even the same patient every time. Thinking holistically we have to also consider physical, physiological, psychological, environmental, cultural and even social aspects of the stress response and how the treatment will work. Many would simply write this all off to the placebo effect. We must also keep in mind that the placebo effect is present in every procedure that the patient is conscious and can be molded by all the expectations and suggestions involving the topics as listed above.
This brings us to the real difference between dry needling and acupuncture. Since traditionally performed acupuncture relies on insertion of needles into specific points called meridian points or acupuncture points and dry needling does not it stands that they are very different. Dry needling concerns itself with muscular pain and tension and may have points used not on the meridian system. However, taking into consideration the numerous ‘special points’ or exceptional points or whatever you would like to call them and that acupuncture does and has used needles to relieve spasm for over two millennia we are at an impasse. The dry needling practitioner does not need to know the meridians. Only knowledge of muscles, some physiology and general anatomy along with some palpation skill is needed by the dry needle practitioner. The acupuncturist may have knowledge of the meridians and the points but lack the palpation skills or musculoskeletal knowledge of the physiotherapist or chiropractor. Somewhere between the two we will find the answer. A practitioner of either sort would benefit from study of the other to enhance their skills and service to the public.
So, in my opinion, the only difference is the desired outcome by the practitioner. There is little to no real dry needling with a syringe done anymore. So I would venture to say dry needling is a part of acupuncture that was renamed for convenience. Call it what you will, the result is the goal. Pain free patients that can go about their daily lives in comfort.
How do you know that adjustment was a good one?
Click, Clack, Clunk... Grading an adjustment
I have been practicing chiropractic for about 20 years now and have been exposed to, and taught a number of techniques to help realign and stabilize joints in the body.
One thing I have noticed is that none of the techniques* I have learned or studied have a grading system for the adjustments. Mostly it tends to be a functional matter; pain decreases, mobility increases, etc. But each adjustment can be so different and get the exact same results. Likewise, the same adjustment, even on the same person, can get different results each time. I generally use what is called a "diversified" technique, which really is not a technique at all, but a collection of procedures to move a vertebrae or other joint where you think and feel it should go. Most of the time, we get a 'pop', but not always.
When doing such adjustments (especially the spine) I am always looking for how well it worked. I have my own grading system... the "click, clack, clunk" range. When you perform a simple P-A adjustment (pushing on the back when the patient is face down) you typically get a sound as the joint 'cavitates' (More on that later). This results in a click if it is a surface joint, like the facets, a 'clack' if it is a deeper joint like the rib head or neck, and a distinct 'Clunk' with the deeper part, that being the disc.
Now, I have absolutely no research on this, and there are no studies that I know of that have researched if this is at all true. But, empirically, IN MY experience I see this as true. I figure I have done well over 75,000 adjustments in my career and that is what I base my info here on. I have also found that when we get the 'Clunk' the patient almost always has a great release of tension and takes a much needed and happy sigh.
.
Having said all that, the Click, Clack, or Clunk are really just sounds. I prefer to get the right sound at the right time for the right reason. This is all about personal preference of the patient, their goal for treatment and my sense of the issue at hand. Sometimes a 'clunk' would be a bad idea for someone that has never felt a real adjustment before, or for someone that has lots of pain. Again, I use common sense, compassion and experience...
We must also understand though, an 'audible' or pop, click, clack, or clunk is NOT at all necessary to have a good result. In fact, many techniques offer no such sound but have all the benefit of the later. Since anyone can push or hug someone and get a pop, that is not really doing an adjustment. An adjustment is a very specific intentional movement of a joint just past it's fixation point. Sometimes now called a 'High Velocity, Low Amplitude' (HVLA) manipulation, or in the physical therapy sense, a grade 5 manipulation or mobilization. To perform these types of treatments takes great skill and practice as well as a keen sense of anatomy of the area and possible pathological issues that may make the adjustment/treatment contraindicated... Most are pretty obvious and do not need to be reviewed.
Feel free to contact me at 720-325-9886 or send me an email with any questions or comments. Thanks!
Techniques that are used by chiropractors vary as wide as personalities it seems. You can find a list anywhere. Here are some that I use; Diversified, Gonstead, Full Spine Specific, Meric, Thompson, Cox Flexion Distraction, SOT, Activator, Motion Palpation, English Bone Setting, Tui Na, Mobilization, among others...
Of the techniques I use these are the ones that usually have no audible sound; SOT, Activator, and English Bone Setting.
I have been practicing chiropractic for about 20 years now and have been exposed to, and taught a number of techniques to help realign and stabilize joints in the body.
One thing I have noticed is that none of the techniques* I have learned or studied have a grading system for the adjustments. Mostly it tends to be a functional matter; pain decreases, mobility increases, etc. But each adjustment can be so different and get the exact same results. Likewise, the same adjustment, even on the same person, can get different results each time. I generally use what is called a "diversified" technique, which really is not a technique at all, but a collection of procedures to move a vertebrae or other joint where you think and feel it should go. Most of the time, we get a 'pop', but not always.
Now, I have absolutely no research on this, and there are no studies that I know of that have researched if this is at all true. But, empirically, IN MY experience I see this as true. I figure I have done well over 75,000 adjustments in my career and that is what I base my info here on. I have also found that when we get the 'Clunk' the patient almost always has a great release of tension and takes a much needed and happy sigh.
Having said all that, the Click, Clack, or Clunk are really just sounds. I prefer to get the right sound at the right time for the right reason. This is all about personal preference of the patient, their goal for treatment and my sense of the issue at hand. Sometimes a 'clunk' would be a bad idea for someone that has never felt a real adjustment before, or for someone that has lots of pain. Again, I use common sense, compassion and experience...
We must also understand though, an 'audible' or pop, click, clack, or clunk is NOT at all necessary to have a good result. In fact, many techniques offer no such sound but have all the benefit of the later. Since anyone can push or hug someone and get a pop, that is not really doing an adjustment. An adjustment is a very specific intentional movement of a joint just past it's fixation point. Sometimes now called a 'High Velocity, Low Amplitude' (HVLA) manipulation, or in the physical therapy sense, a grade 5 manipulation or mobilization. To perform these types of treatments takes great skill and practice as well as a keen sense of anatomy of the area and possible pathological issues that may make the adjustment/treatment contraindicated... Most are pretty obvious and do not need to be reviewed.
Feel free to contact me at 720-325-9886 or send me an email with any questions or comments. Thanks!
Techniques that are used by chiropractors vary as wide as personalities it seems. You can find a list anywhere. Here are some that I use; Diversified, Gonstead, Full Spine Specific, Meric, Thompson, Cox Flexion Distraction, SOT, Activator, Motion Palpation, English Bone Setting, Tui Na, Mobilization, among others...
Of the techniques I use these are the ones that usually have no audible sound; SOT, Activator, and English Bone Setting.
Website: https://www.thenaturalbodyworks.com
Discus: https://discus.com/by/rev_sean
Phone: 720- 325 9886
Address: 12539 N. Highway 83, Unit B
Parker Colorado 80134
Here is the text for
the Gall Bladder cleanse, you can also see it on my blog https://drseanthompson.wordpress.com/...
The information in
these videos are for education only, there is no intent to diagnose, treat or
render an opinion. Any incidental
diagrams, drawings, music, video, or other recording are used under the
copyright fair use for education and or satire.
Use your own brain, go see a qualified provider if there is any
question…
Not responsible for
you, you are.
#chiropractor
#chiropractic
#acupuncture
#acupuncturist
#health
#backpain
#migraine
#holistic
Chemotherapy and acupuncture
Thinking of getting acupuncture for the effects of chemotherapy? Well in Parker Colorado you can.
Nausea from Chemotherapy:
When people are under treatment for any cancer the drugs can wreak havoc on the
body’s systems. Nausea is a main
complaint (along with fatigue and other not so fun stuff). Acupuncture (along
with some easy home care stuff) can greatly reduce the symptoms and let you get
back to life quicker. For quick results
it is recommended that you come in for around 8 visits over 12 weeks. I even
like to add in some ‘self-physiologic control practice and training’ (basically
meditation techniques to help you better tune into your body and control
it.) There are also some great self-care
tricks I can teach you. Acupuncture also
helps get your energy level back to normal, instead of that wonky fatigue heavy
feeling. Let’s be real though, not
everyone can benefit from just a few visits, and healing takes time. Check out
the articles I found below for more information.
Acupuncture is only $60 a visit, and to make it even better,
we have plans that make the per-visit charge even cheaper. Probably a good investment to feel more
normal. Call or text for an appointment
720-325-9886
Well the next question is how it works. Best we can surmise is, first of all, it relaxes you. This is an essential part of any healing process. There may also be benefit from the stimulation of the mediators of inflammation and healing. In the process of acupuncture you get little red marks around the needle point insertion. This is a histamine response and is actually a wake up call to your immune system.
Acupuncture also works on a very subtle form of energy we can call Chi or Ki. Simply said, it is the energy that on can feel and manipulate. It surrounds everything, and even goes through it. You CAN feel it if you practice. It is not as hooey as you would think. In fact. There is a way with acupuncture to really focus that energy and healing power, redirect it to where it is deficient.
The way I do a treatment is to first set the stage. We need a cozy and warm place that smells nice. Not too much like a clinic. With chemotherapy you have had more than enough of the smell of gloves and rubbing alcohol. You will be instructed to lie on your back and breathe using the diaphragm. The needles will be placed (ouchlessly) in very specific spots to get just the results we want, whether that is for the nausea or fatigue or to improve general vitality. Then a warm stone is placed on your belly to help you focus your breathing and really enhance the healing energies where we need them. This is totally YOUR time. I will come back a couple times during the treatment to help guide your thoughts back to the process and to manipulate the needles.
When I manipulate the needles I am trying to refocus your mind both consciously and subconsciously on the points and the energy.
Website: https://www.thenaturalbodyworks.com
Discus: https://discus.com/by/rev_sean
Phone: 720- 325 9886
Address: 12539 N. Highway 83, Unit B
Parker Colorado 80134
Here is the text for
the Gall Bladder cleanse, you can also see it on my blog https://drseanthompson.wordpress.com/...
The information in
these videos are for education only, there is no intent to diagnose, treat or
render an opinion. Any incidental
diagrams, drawings, music, video, or other recording are used under the copyright
fair use for education and or satire.
Use your own brain, go see a qualified provider if there is any
question…
Not responsible for
you, you are.
Acupuncture for allergies
Allergies: With 12
treatments over 2 months and you can significantly reduce your allergy symptoms
without the use of antihistamines!
Using a set of specific points and techniques, acupuncture can reduce
the frequency of allergy attacks and help your antihistamines work better,
meaning you will have to take less. (Taking less drugs is a good thing!) Let’s be real though, not everyone can
benefit from just a few visits, and healing takes time. Also consider cupping for the detoxification
benefits! Take a look at these articles for more information!
Phone: 720- 325 9886
Address: 12539 N. Highway 83, Unit B
Parker Colorado 80134
Here is the text for
the Gall Bladder cleanse, you can also see it on my blog https://drseanthompson.wordpress.com/...
The information in
these videos are for education only, there is no intent to diagnose, treat or
render an opinion. Any incidental
diagrams, drawings, music, video, or other recording are used under the
copyright fair use for education and or satire.
Use your own brain, go see a qualified provider if there is any
question…
Not responsible for
you, you are.
Offices are located in Parker, Colorado
There is no Flu Season
No Flu Season.
 |
| No season for a jab |
So recently, there has been lots of talk about ‘Flu
Season’. People urging others to get the
flu shot, other people pleading with others not to. What is a holistic practitioner to do?
Typically flu ‘season’ is from October to May, with a peak
in February. Like ‘Fire Season’ there
is really no set dates it all of the sudden starts and stops. You can get the flu virus infection literally
any time of the year.
In fact, I got a doozy of the flu last August! I had to close the office for almost a week to
recover, but that is another story I will tell you later.
Why are we so scared of a little virus? Check out the flu pandemic (Pan means
worldwide) of 1918. (Site: http://www.history.com/topics/1918-flu-pandemic)
The Spanish Flu was brought to the US
by soldiers returning from WWI. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_flu
Remember, in 1918 (100 years ago) there was NO antibiotics,
no antivirals, none of the common chemical and technological conveniences we
now have. In fact, many people in the
United States had no indoor toilets, or electricity. (The light bulb was barely
40 years old). Some accounts state up to
100 million people died of this flu outbreak.
Today, even though the effectiveness of the flu shot is as
low as 10% and possibly as good as 60% they (‘they’ as in pharmaceutical
companies, and health organizations) still keep saying it is not too late nor
too risky to get the flu shot.
Let’s take a look at the numbers. Just the math… New strains of shots are developed twice a
year, and sometimes they miss the mark on which strain would be active. In 2016-17 the CDC stated that the
effectiveness was 42%. But what you
didn’t know is that many people use natural or alternative methods
(complimentary methods like herbs, vitamins, and home remedies) as well as had
the shot. How many of them are accounted
for? None. Therefore the total effectiveness of the flu
shot cannot possibly be as high as stated.
The influenza virus is a living being.
Therefore it has the ‘will’ to survive and adapt, hide or
get around regardless of our efforts. If
you don’t believe that, just try and get rid of bed bugs, cockroaches, mice or
even garden weeds. You can see how
difficult it is. The vaccination you get
has either been deactivated or killed but there is still something out there
that is at work…
In 2016-17 the CDC reported that 34% of adults 18 years old
to 64 years old got the flu shot (some reports show 42 %+/-) so let’s see what
that actually means.
There are 325,719,178 +/- people in the United States (last
census, accounting for growth etc. to 2017) 28% under the age of 18, 15% over
the age of 65… that leaves 57% between the ages of 18-65. Accounting for about 186,659,951 people in
that range… whew… (Almost done)… if 40% (let’s be generous) got the shot. That is 74,400,000!
But wait… there’s more.
About 83% of people in the age group (18-65) take supplements… On the
other hand… There are about 2% of those that got the shot that have a serious
problem with it… Guillain-Barre Syndrome (basically get paralyzed) (Site for
reference: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/guillain-barre-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20362793
) that is about 7-14 MILLION people… WHAT????
Check the math… Don’t freak out yet.
There are many ways you can get this condition, including just having
the flu… (Can we not win?) Only about 3% will die from GBS… well, too
many indeed. That is, IF it is diagnosed
and reported as GBS and not some other disease.
Other bad reactions to the flu shot can be found ad-nauseum
all over the web. But let’s take a step
back. How can you not get the flu? Number one, stay away from other people and
all the things they touch, wash, don’t breathe, live in a bubble etc.… c’mon you see the trend? We are closing the door after the horse has
escaped.
Building resistance.
Remember that 83% that take vitamins and supplements? Get on that band wagon. There are far more benefits of maintaining a
healthy body than hoping the jab will do.
I do not encourage nor discourage people getting the flu shot. I do not get it, never have. Yea, I have had the flu… but I was ok. This past year, it turns out 7 of the 8
people that got the flu and DIED had received the injection…! YIKES… (here is the site: https://healthfreedomidaho.org/7-of-the-8-individuals-who-died-of-flu-had-received-the-flu-shot) and https://www.healthnutnews.com/8-die-of-flu-in-2-weeks-in-santa-barbara-7-had-their-flu-shot/
OK, so what else? The
CDC does not keep records on those that have died AND took the flu shot, and
most death certificates have no place nor ability to determine such cases. Largely they are written in as complications
of the flu. (Pneumonia).
But back to math… guhhhhh…
Deaths from the flu last year were about 36,000… Seeing that 40% got the
flu shot, you are looking at about 12,600 that died even though they got the
shot. It is not a serious help. Commonly it is blamed on a different
strain, co-morbidity etc. However, we
have to look logically and not so emotionally nor ‘scientifically dogmatic’ (I
put the math in for those people.)
Taking all that into account, you will either get the flu or
not, you will either die from it or not.
It is funny to me that when people get the flu and have had the shot it
is always stated that ‘at least it wasn’t as bad as if you didn’t get the shot’
how the hell do you know? Parallel
universe travel!?
So, don’t get the flu!
Anything you can do to help, helps your odds. So what can you do?
In Acupuncture and Oriental medicine there are plenty of
ways to fight it. From exercises (Qi
Gong) to herbal stews, teas and patches to one of my favorites, CUPPING.
Cupping has been touted as ‘The Chinese Flu Shot’ but I hate
using that term, because it is not just China but all over the world that
cupping is used. Cupping before or
during a flu season helps you fight it off naturally, and if you do get it, it
does make you feel better. No side
effects!
Chiropractic for the flu?
Well, no. Any chiropractic
treatment for the flu itself is just a dumb idea. Getting adjustments for general health is a great
idea. It is a pretty well known among
both chiropractors and osteopaths that manipulations helped during the 1918
Spanish Flu epidemic. Many cite really
good results and even fewer deaths than allopaths. I don’t know how much of it is myth and how
much is truth. I cannot find any
documentation, it has been mostly handed down to osteopaths and chiropractors
in story.
Getting adjustments does help the immune system as well as
your own resilience to emotional, mental, chemical and physical stress. Here is one example of how chiropractic
manipulations of the spine can affect immunity.
https://www.danmurphydc.com/Rhodes_Flu.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4486990/. By making sure that the muscles are loose
and the joints around the spine are in good moving order, the body becomes more
at ease and therefore better prepared to fight infection all by itself, just
like it was designed. http://icpa4kids.org/Chiropractic-Research/studies-on-effects-of-spinal-manipulation-on-the-immune-response.html
Go ahead and take your vitamins. I would suggest more Zinc (slows the
reproduction of the virus) (Site reference http://time.com/4779655/zinc-lozenges-cold/)
If you look it up you will see that most of the time Zinc is for colds. Three is really not much difference to you or
me, so go for it. (Site reference: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm)
Wash your hands, cover your mouth, stay warm and dry, get
good rest, eat good food, drink water.
Stay away from things that reduce your immune response; stress, cold,
over work, alcohol, and other vices. In
other words, the best defense is a good offense. Stay well…
Also take plenty of Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) and vitamin D3
(it helps with hormone, and immune factors that your body builds and needs to
fight infections)
But back to cupping… In my book Cupping Therapy for Detoxification and Health: https://www.amazon.com/Cupping-Therapy-Detoxification-Health-Physiology-ebook/dp/B01N7AJM1P/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=cupping+for+detoxification+and+health&qid=1549731934&s=gateway&sr=8-7
Physiology
and practice guidelines for pneumatic cupping. I do explain a bit about how it
works.
Here is a recap: The cup is placed on the back usually, with an
active infection you put more on the upper back near the lung fields. The suction pulls the skin up and causes a
negative pressure vacuum. This draws the
skin up and fluids out of their places; veins, venuoles, arterioles,
capillaries, interstitial spaces, lymph spaces, and intercellular spaces. This fluid being brought into the ‘wrong’
place makes the body react with a response of inflammation regulation,
swelling, and new fluid flow into the area.
The flu is a respiratory dis ease process. It affects the whole body but the lungs are
especially affected. In acupuncture
theory we say it is an invasion of cold wind or air into the usually hot
interior of the body. When this happens.
Recently, there is new info on the measles outbreaks in both
Western United States as well as in the central Phillipines (Visaya). Everyone wants to blame a few people who
have not been vaccinated when that is really not a correct stance. Remember when I mentioned that a virus is a
living being with a ‘will’ to survive?
Well it wants to continue on and will adapts where and when it can. For example, in 1987 in Texas an outbreak of
measles happened in a vaccinated community.
Statistics showed 99 percent of that population was vaccinated for
measles. Yet, NOT every non vaccinated
person got the measles, and as many as 12% of the students that were vaccinated
came down with the measles. Of course,
there is a waning effect on all vaccines, but that cannot be determined and is
not the reason for that and other outbreaks.
There are many conditions to consider not only in a community of people
but also in individuals, the environment as well as the season. This year, 2019 there have been just over
80 cases of measles reported (remember the population of the United States is
over 300 million) With the current vaccination rates around only 70% of the
population, that puts about 100 million at risk, but only 80 or so cases have
been reported. Why?
Well, one reason is the general vitality and health of the
individuals, the cleanliness of communities compared to ‘the past’ and other
factors such as improving treatment (even though typical treatment is to rest
and wait it out…)
This outbreak was both a battle cry for both pro vaccine
people that simply wanted more vaccinations.
(Often fueled by panic and well worded press releases from
pharmaceutical bodies) as well as for the so called anti-vaxxers that claim all
sorts of mishaps because of vaccinations.
We also have to look at the history of disease to determine
the communal anxiety surrounding them.
The Flu was highlighted by the 1918 outbreak that did kill
millions. Vaccines were not available
then. Diets were relatively terrible and
sanitation was an issue for many in the United States. Remember, most people were still rather rural
and horses still outnumbered cars. Then
there is measles, which if you look back at the word ‘measles’ means pustule in
old Dutch and eventually became synonymous with Leprosy. Leprosy is a terribly disfiguring disease
that caused many societies to ban those infected to islands or areas away from
the general public. We still have a hint
of that panic in us today. Leprosy
(also known as Hansen’s disease) https://www.cdc.gov/leprosy/index.html
is from a slow growing bacterium, not a virus.
It is highly contagious but much more treatable now. Only about 60 cases were even reported in the
United States in 2015. Again, it is
largely due to better hygiene, living conditions, diet and sanitation. There is and has been no vaccine for
Leprosy.
There are many non-allopathic (that is the term for Western
medicine doctors, allopath) treatments for any ailment. Some are complete hooey, and some are well
known and even studied. However, one you
can make money on is by far more studied and ‘verified’ than any ‘folk remedy’
or wives tale.
I would suggest using both.
It is fine to use a screw driver to put in a screw but easier if you use
an electric one or a drill with a screw driver bit. Right? Use the best tool available, but don’t only
rely on that. There are far more risks
in doing nothing than there are going to an allopath, getting a medication and
using the tried and true traditional remedies.
It is the result you are after not the process.
In the end, you are the one responsible for your own
health. If there is an outbreak of
something, don’t go there. Stay healthy
in the first place. Get the shots if you
want, but don’t assume anyone else should or has and don’t assume that it
worked if they did. Having ‘blind faith’
is no more a cure than doing nothing.
Keep yourself healthy. That is
the best start.
Many times the vaccines are no where close to being as effective as a placebo. For example, this year 2019 the CDC published, like it always does, the stats on effectiveness. There is some good info and stats there. Check it out here.
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6806a2.htm
I am not saying get a jab or not, it is totally your decision. However, having blind faith in 'science' because it is scientific is as dumb as listening to a seer to determine your future. Good food for thought but that should be about it.
Many times the vaccines are no where close to being as effective as a placebo. For example, this year 2019 the CDC published, like it always does, the stats on effectiveness. There is some good info and stats there. Check it out here.
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6806a2.htm
I am not saying get a jab or not, it is totally your decision. However, having blind faith in 'science' because it is scientific is as dumb as listening to a seer to determine your future. Good food for thought but that should be about it.
#virus
#fluseason
#flu
#flushot
#influenza
#vaccine
#antivaxer
#getyourflushot
#fightflu
#influenza
#measles
#health
Website: https://www.thenaturalbodyworks.com
Discus: https://discus.com/by/rev_sean
Phone: 720- 325 9886
Address: 12539 N. Highway 83, Unit B
Parker
Colorado 80134
Here is the text for the Gall
Bladder cleanse, you can also see it on my blog https://drseanthompson.wordpress.com/...
The information in these videos
are for education only, there is no intent to diagnose, treat or render an
opinion. Any incidental diagrams,
drawings, music, video, or other recording are used under the copyright fair
use for education and or satire. Use
your own brain, go see a qualified provider if there is any question…
Not responsible for you, you are.
#chiropractor
#chiropractic
#acupuncture
#acupuncturist
#health
#backpain
#migraine
#holistic
Enzymes for inflammation
Enzymes for inflammation
Many people know and understand that enzymes are useful in weight loss as well as for digestion. However, there is a little known super benefit of some enzymes. They can help with inflammation including arthritis, sinusitis, and ...
First of all we have to understand what we are talking about. Enzymes are actually proteins made by certain cell organs called organelles. More specifically they are made by a little cell organ called the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum merely means it appears rough under a microscope and that it is inside the plasma or gel that makes the cell matrix. The 'reticulum' part means the same as a reticulated python, you know those big snakes? They do not commonly coil but instead just fold up, reticulated. Anyway, that little organelle (little organ) makes proteins for a living depending on what the nucleus of the cell determines based on the DNA of the cell. It could be a hormone, a neurotransmitter, a lipid fat, a carbohydrate or even an enzyme.
Enzymes are proteins. Well, most of them are, the enzymes we are talking about here are. There are at least 50,000 kinds of enzymes that make all your metabolic actions run smoothly. In fact, you cannot live without enzymes. Most are what are called catalysts. Catalysts are things that speed up a reaction. Think of gasoline as a catalyst to a fire. It speeds ups a reaction that is already occurring.
Most of us know enzymes are used to help digest food. It is pretty well accepted that your enzymes for digestion start to decrease in quality and quantity after about age 35. This is why some foods will bother you more after 35, especially foods eaten late. I used to have an 'iron stomach' could eat a hearty meal at ten at night then sleep like a baby. Now, if I eat heavy red meats after 7:00 p.m. I will be up half the night with some sort of gastric distress.
Interesting fact. Pepsi, derived in part from the word pepsin which is an enzyme your pancreas makes to help you digest proteins once was a digestive elixir. Enzymes have been known for a long time to help digestion. Pepsi has been on the market since 1898! To help a condition called dyspepsia. (basically indigestion, or not digesting well).
Basically, enzymes are proteins, they may help you in many chemical functions of your body including digestion. Here I will show you how they can help with inflammation.
Now that we understand a little more about enzymes, we can now look at inflammation.
Inflammation is a natural process your body goes through constantly. Whenever there is an injury to the body the infammatory process begins. It is controlled by certain white blood cells that help you maintain a good chemical balance in your body.
Inflammation on a bigger scale has four main signs we can see. If you get poked by a thorn there is a reaction... actually there are four reactions going on. In Latin we learned them as Rubor, Calor, Dolor and Edema. In plain English that is Redness, Heat, Pain and Swelling, respectively.
When there is an injury like a poke from a thorn, white blood cells called Mast Cells, they make and release heparin which reduces blood clotting so things can get to where they need to and histamine which attracts other cells called Macrophages (big eaters) to help in the clean up of an injury and damage.
Enzymes help this process along and help in the cleanup and repair of the tissues that were damaged. Some enzymes help those macrophages eat faster or more so they can do more work, some help with repair and others can slow down other process we want to hold for a bit. These are generally the proteolytic enzymes.
I had been prescribing patients enzymes for digestion for years before I really looked into the inflammation process and how enzymes can help. In the 1990's it was still kind of considered a bunch of hooey that nutritional supplements can do much. There are still some that think that way, but now with more studies and experience (empirical evidence) we are starting to see more acceptance of what works and why. I was speaking with some friends about their dog which was having problems with some food allergies and fur and skin troubles. This dog was a big guy and was pretty old so he was showing some slowing down because of arthritis. They had started giving him enzymes for digestion originally and then noticed that he was doing better on all fronts in just a couple weeks. They were giving the enzymes as treats, because they were chew-able. I too was giving my dogs some enzymes commonly for digestion mostly because they liked the smell and taste. When ever I was taking them they begged me for them.
Here is a list of some of the most useful enzymes for inflammation.
Protease (breaks up proteins), Papain (from Papaya, good for proteins), Bromelain (from pineapple, a big anti inflammation helper), Amylase (for carbohydrates and sugars), Amylogucosidase ( ), Celluase (helps with cellulose, the cell walls of plants), Invertase (Changes sucrose to a more usable sugar for cells), Pectinase (helps break down pectin that is in apples and most fruits ), Lactinase (works on Lactose which is a sugar common in dairy ), and Lipase (for lipids and fats). These main ones not only help you with basic digestion of what you eat, but also help with many processes that can help individual cells. Some help with reducing the swelling (edema) or maybe increasing blood flow (remember heparin and histamine from the Mast cells?)
Ok, so now we know more about enzymes and what they can do as well as what inflammation is. Now what? Well, I have worked with a company called Xymogen to produce a product just for inflammation AND digestion. I call it 'Inflamma-Zyme' It has all the enzymes I mentioned and more!
I have been getting patients that have had surgeries on it, improving their healing times. I have prescribed it for people that have chronic muscle tension and even fibromyalgia with really good success. I don't push supplements at my office. I do offer them and so far, almost everybody comes back and buys more. Because it works for them.
You don't have to buy my supplement, but I would appreciate it. You could also simply clean up your diet and add foods that naturally have those enzymes or the building blocks of the enzymes.
So think of these questions if you are considering starting enzymes-
Are you over 35 and have noticed digestion just 'aint' what it used to be?
Do you feel bloated? (That is a sign of inflammation)
Do you have arthritis? Sinusitis? Fibromyalgia?
Even Ileitis, colitis, gastritis, hepatitis... (Notice the pattern? Pretty much any word that ends in 'itis' is an inflammation process.
Do you have chronic muscle pains in the back or shoulders? or pretty much anywhere.
Do you get dyspepsia?
Now, if you answered yes to at least two of those I think your are a great candidate, but don't think it is a panacea (a medicine that cures everything) because it is not. The body and each condition is very unique and needs a real good look to really be understood. Enzymes like these can help, but they may only be a small part of a much bigger set of supplements and even medicines you may need to get your body back to its best functioning.
If you want the enzymes that I have from my office you can come on in and pick up a bottle, or contact me via email and we can make sure you get a bottle or two my mail. They are $23.00 + Shipping and handling which will depend on where you live. You will get a bottle of 60 vegetarian caps from my very own label: Dr. Sean's Formulas!
Many people know and understand that enzymes are useful in weight loss as well as for digestion. However, there is a little known super benefit of some enzymes. They can help with inflammation including arthritis, sinusitis, and ...
First of all we have to understand what we are talking about. Enzymes are actually proteins made by certain cell organs called organelles. More specifically they are made by a little cell organ called the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum merely means it appears rough under a microscope and that it is inside the plasma or gel that makes the cell matrix. The 'reticulum' part means the same as a reticulated python, you know those big snakes? They do not commonly coil but instead just fold up, reticulated. Anyway, that little organelle (little organ) makes proteins for a living depending on what the nucleus of the cell determines based on the DNA of the cell. It could be a hormone, a neurotransmitter, a lipid fat, a carbohydrate or even an enzyme.
Enzymes are proteins. Well, most of them are, the enzymes we are talking about here are. There are at least 50,000 kinds of enzymes that make all your metabolic actions run smoothly. In fact, you cannot live without enzymes. Most are what are called catalysts. Catalysts are things that speed up a reaction. Think of gasoline as a catalyst to a fire. It speeds ups a reaction that is already occurring.
Most of us know enzymes are used to help digest food. It is pretty well accepted that your enzymes for digestion start to decrease in quality and quantity after about age 35. This is why some foods will bother you more after 35, especially foods eaten late. I used to have an 'iron stomach' could eat a hearty meal at ten at night then sleep like a baby. Now, if I eat heavy red meats after 7:00 p.m. I will be up half the night with some sort of gastric distress.
Interesting fact. Pepsi, derived in part from the word pepsin which is an enzyme your pancreas makes to help you digest proteins once was a digestive elixir. Enzymes have been known for a long time to help digestion. Pepsi has been on the market since 1898! To help a condition called dyspepsia. (basically indigestion, or not digesting well).
Basically, enzymes are proteins, they may help you in many chemical functions of your body including digestion. Here I will show you how they can help with inflammation.
Now that we understand a little more about enzymes, we can now look at inflammation.
Inflammation is a natural process your body goes through constantly. Whenever there is an injury to the body the infammatory process begins. It is controlled by certain white blood cells that help you maintain a good chemical balance in your body.
Inflammation on a bigger scale has four main signs we can see. If you get poked by a thorn there is a reaction... actually there are four reactions going on. In Latin we learned them as Rubor, Calor, Dolor and Edema. In plain English that is Redness, Heat, Pain and Swelling, respectively.
When there is an injury like a poke from a thorn, white blood cells called Mast Cells, they make and release heparin which reduces blood clotting so things can get to where they need to and histamine which attracts other cells called Macrophages (big eaters) to help in the clean up of an injury and damage.
Enzymes help this process along and help in the cleanup and repair of the tissues that were damaged. Some enzymes help those macrophages eat faster or more so they can do more work, some help with repair and others can slow down other process we want to hold for a bit. These are generally the proteolytic enzymes.
I had been prescribing patients enzymes for digestion for years before I really looked into the inflammation process and how enzymes can help. In the 1990's it was still kind of considered a bunch of hooey that nutritional supplements can do much. There are still some that think that way, but now with more studies and experience (empirical evidence) we are starting to see more acceptance of what works and why. I was speaking with some friends about their dog which was having problems with some food allergies and fur and skin troubles. This dog was a big guy and was pretty old so he was showing some slowing down because of arthritis. They had started giving him enzymes for digestion originally and then noticed that he was doing better on all fronts in just a couple weeks. They were giving the enzymes as treats, because they were chew-able. I too was giving my dogs some enzymes commonly for digestion mostly because they liked the smell and taste. When ever I was taking them they begged me for them.
Here is a list of some of the most useful enzymes for inflammation.
Protease (breaks up proteins), Papain (from Papaya, good for proteins), Bromelain (from pineapple, a big anti inflammation helper), Amylase (for carbohydrates and sugars), Amylogucosidase ( ), Celluase (helps with cellulose, the cell walls of plants), Invertase (Changes sucrose to a more usable sugar for cells), Pectinase (helps break down pectin that is in apples and most fruits ), Lactinase (works on Lactose which is a sugar common in dairy ), and Lipase (for lipids and fats). These main ones not only help you with basic digestion of what you eat, but also help with many processes that can help individual cells. Some help with reducing the swelling (edema) or maybe increasing blood flow (remember heparin and histamine from the Mast cells?)
Ok, so now we know more about enzymes and what they can do as well as what inflammation is. Now what? Well, I have worked with a company called Xymogen to produce a product just for inflammation AND digestion. I call it 'Inflamma-Zyme' It has all the enzymes I mentioned and more!
I have been getting patients that have had surgeries on it, improving their healing times. I have prescribed it for people that have chronic muscle tension and even fibromyalgia with really good success. I don't push supplements at my office. I do offer them and so far, almost everybody comes back and buys more. Because it works for them.
You don't have to buy my supplement, but I would appreciate it. You could also simply clean up your diet and add foods that naturally have those enzymes or the building blocks of the enzymes.
So think of these questions if you are considering starting enzymes-
Are you over 35 and have noticed digestion just 'aint' what it used to be?
Do you feel bloated? (That is a sign of inflammation)
Do you have arthritis? Sinusitis? Fibromyalgia?
Even Ileitis, colitis, gastritis, hepatitis... (Notice the pattern? Pretty much any word that ends in 'itis' is an inflammation process.
Do you have chronic muscle pains in the back or shoulders? or pretty much anywhere.
Do you get dyspepsia?
Now, if you answered yes to at least two of those I think your are a great candidate, but don't think it is a panacea (a medicine that cures everything) because it is not. The body and each condition is very unique and needs a real good look to really be understood. Enzymes like these can help, but they may only be a small part of a much bigger set of supplements and even medicines you may need to get your body back to its best functioning.
If you want the enzymes that I have from my office you can come on in and pick up a bottle, or contact me via email and we can make sure you get a bottle or two my mail. They are $23.00 + Shipping and handling which will depend on where you live. You will get a bottle of 60 vegetarian caps from my very own label: Dr. Sean's Formulas!
Website: https://www.thenaturalbodyworks.com
Discus: https://discus.com/by/rev_sean
Phone: 720- 325 9886
Address: 12539 N. Highway 83, Unit B
Parker
Colorado 80134
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