Acupuncture for Foot Pain

A few years ago I presented at the grand rounds for the Podiatry department at MGH. I spoke about conditions that I’ve treated such as plantar fasciitis, morton’s neuroma, fractures, sprains, and neuropathy from chemotherapy and diabetes. Although there are acupuncture points on the feet, these points do more than just treat pain in the feet.

As acupuncturists we treat the body holistically, not just putting needles in the site of the pain. There is a whole process that leads up to the first needle insertion. First we review a patient’s health history then check the tongue, pulse, and palpate the body. This gives us information on what channels or organ systems we want to work on. Next, we think of which points will be most effective. They will be a combination of local points in the area of the pain as well other parts of the body. When inserting the needle we keep in mind how we want to use the point and what type of needling technique will be most effective.

The bladder, gallbladder, stomach channels originate on the head and end on the feet. This is why points on the feet can resolve a headache, stomach ache or dental pain. The liver, spleen, and kidney channels originate at the feet and end on the trunk of body. This is why when someone comes for treatment for one specific condition, other seemingly unrelated symptoms start to resolve as well.

If you've been struggling with pain from plantar fasciitis, morton’s neuroma, sprains, or neuropathy, try acupuncture and you may notice your other ailments resolve as well!

 CLICK HERE if you have additional questions or to schedule an appointment.

Squash Your Winter Blues With Seasonal Vegetables

The sky is darker and the nights are cooler.  Winter is on the way! Changing our diet is a simple way to prepare our bodies for a healthy winter. It’s time to put those cold smoothies and refreshing salads to rest. Everyone is surprised when I suggest this, as a salad is considered to be healthy.  And they are; raw foods are perfect in the spring and summer, but not for the winter. In the winter our bodies want cooked foods.

Just look around at the farmer’s markets. Nature is telling us what we should be eating. In the spring and summer it provides us with tender leafy greens, tomatoes,  summer squash and other vegetables that don’t take much effort to eat raw.  You can pretty much eat them off the vine.  But come late fall we are provided with hard winter squash.  You can’t just take a bite out of that! All of the root vegetables are available now and need to be roasted, steamed, or put in to soups to eat.  When was the last time you ate a raw beet?

The winter squash in particular can be intimidating because they are so physically hard! But don’t let that scare you off. They are loaded with flavor, nutrients, and fiber. In Chinese medicine their bright orange flesh and sweet flavor correspond to the Earth element and support the Spleen and Stomach qi.  They are beautiful with varied colors and fun names like Delicata, Sweet Dumping, Carnival, Kabocha, Spaghetti, and, of course, Butternut and Acorn. 

Score the outside of the squash and roast it whole in a baking dish at 350 for 45-60 minutes or until desired softness.  You don’t even need to cut it! When you take it out of the oven it will be soft. Just slice in half and scoop out the seeds and flesh. It’s that easy!

The amount of flesh that you get will depend on the type of squash you choose. I recommend roasting 2-3 at a time and freeze any left overs in 1-2 Cup portion sizes. That way you’ll always have it on hand to throw together an easy meal.

Now what? Here are a few easy ideas to incorporate these lovely vegetables into your diet. Have fun and experiment! You don’t need to have an exact recipe but there are plenty floating around foodies blogs and sites if you want exact measurements.

• Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a little butter and you're all set!
• Dry roast hemp seeds and sesame seeds in a pan with cumin, coriander and smoked paprika until toasted. Sprinkle roasted seeds on the squash, then drizzle with olive oil.
• Sautee onion, garlic, and ginger.  Add squash, coconut milk and vegetable stock, simmer then puree for a creamy soup.
• Add maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, then cook down until it thickens to make “pumpkin butter.”
• Make a pie! Add eggs, milk (or dairy free version) and your favorite spices.   Any of the winter squash can be substituted for sugar pumpkin. Once you make a pumpkin pie from scratch you won’t go back to store bought versions. The texture and flavor are amazing!
• Make squash pancakes! They taste just like sweet potato pancakes with a dash of cinnamon and a little maple syrup.
• Slice the squash in half, scoop out the seeds then stuff the center with your favorite stuffing. Maybe a wild rice of quinoa pilaf?
• Make a frittata. Take 4 eggs, 1 C milk (or dairy substitute) then add 1/2-1C squash plus any of your other favorite vegetables. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes.

Any of these ideas will keep your body nourished and happy as it burns extra energy keeping you warm this winter. Feel free to check out my Facebook page, where I'll be sharing even more recipes for the long New England winter. Enjoy!

What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?

Typically one of the first questions someone asks me about acupuncture is, “Does it hurt?” Many are so convinced that these tiny, thin needles will hurt that it discourages them from discovering the many benefits of acupuncture.

What does acupuncture feel like? It doesn’t hurt but there is a unique sensation. It can differ from person to person and from acupuncture point to point. Sometimes people feel a tiny pinch when the needle is inserted.  It’s nothing like the hypodermic needles that are used for injections and blood draws.  As you can see from the comparison chart above, acupuncture needles are many times thinner than hypodermic needles.

When an acupuncture needle is inserted the range of sensation can go from “Oh, I didn’t feel that at all,” to “That was a little pinchy.”  Once a needle is inserted, a mild dull ache, warm, or heavy feeling may persist at the needle site or radiate down the body.  This is good as it signifies de qi, the arrival of the body’s energy at the insertion point and the therapeutic effects of acupuncture.

The needles are in, what can you expect now? This is when the fun begins! Some say it feels like waves are passing through them, a heaviness like they are sinking into the table, or a weightlessness floaty sensation.  One person described it to me as feeling, “minty” meaning cool and tingling.  Another person told me,  “It felt as though my hands were getting really big, like filling with sand.  As soon as I opened my eyes to look, the feeling went away.”

If there is any uncomfortable sensation, speak up!  The needles can be removed or adjusted at any time so that you can relax and be comfortable.  Treatments are always geared toward the best therapeutic effect that is within your comfort zone.  It’s not a “no pain, no gain” situation.  You don’t need to lie perfectly still with the needles, small movements to maintain comfort are ok. It is surprising to those who have never had acupuncture to learn that most people find their treatments so relaxing that they fall asleep on the table, sometimes even before I’m done putting them all in!  I have heard many snores coming through my treatment room doors.

If you are still curious about what acupuncture feels like, come in and give it a try!

Acupuncture Care in Boston - 3 Ways to Relieve your Headaches and Migraines

Any type of pain is exhausting and distracting.  It takes precious time away from your responsibilities and the things that you enjoy.  As annoying as it is, pain has an important purpose.  It is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong and needs attention.  Just taking pain medication is like putting ear plugs in to muffle the sound when your fire alarm goes off! Something is askew.  It’s likely that you’re having other discomforts in addition to the headache or migraine, your whole body is affected.  Chinese medicine does not just treat one symptom.  It looks at groupings of symptoms as a manifestation of a pattern of imbalance within the body.  To treat any condition effectively we need to know your health and family history, the location of the pain, what makes the pain better or worse, triggers, and other associated symptoms.  All of this, in addition to taking your pulse and looking at your tongue, provide important information about what is going on within your body.

Acupuncture treatments are customized to each person. For example, two people present with migraines. Person A may be very frail and always runs cold. He is pale and has digestive problems, frequently gets nausea with his migraines and loose stools. His migraines are worse at the end of the day and they are better with rest. Person B is very robust. She has a lot of energy and runs warm. She has no problems with her digestion but notices that alcohol is a trigger. Exercise and movement help to dissipate her pain.  Many times patients with such differing constitutions and patterns are taking the same medications. However they would receive very different acupuncture treatments. The acupuncture points selected and the stimulation technique used at the points would also differ for each individual.

Here are 3 tips for preventative care and treatment to get you back on the road to feeling better!

Stay hydrated:  As the weather gets warmer proper hydration is key. We typically remember to stay hydrated when we’re physically active. It is just as important to keep drinking plenty of fluids during the regular work day too.   When you feel the sensation of thirst you are already dehydrated. Coffee and caffeinated tea are diuretics. For every cup of coffee or tea make sure to drink an additional cup of water. For a tasty little electrolyte drink to get you jump started click here.

Pay attention to what you eat: Unfortunately food intolerances and allergies have been the culprit of many health concerns lately.  Read labels.  Something that you’re eating may be a trigger.  Perhaps start a food journal or log to discern help the patterns. Sometimes a reaction is not immediate but symptoms may manifest within 24-48 hours as your body is metabolizing what has been consumed.  Try an elimination diet to figure out if there is a food triggering your migraines or headaches.  For more information on an elimination diet click here.

Acupuncture:  Chinese medicine treats the whole person not just symptoms.  Since we are treating more than just your headaches and migraines, you’ll notice that you will start feel better over all.  In addition to improvement with your headaches or migraines you may notice that your energy, sleep, mood, and digestion are also improving.  Treatments may also help to reduce negative side effects of medications that you are on.  It is and effective treatment in providing immediate and sustained relief especially combined with the self care strategies above.   

To experience the benefits of acupuncture, contact me and we can schedule a time to get you back to feeling great!