According to a 2021 World Health Organization report, acupuncture is the most widely used traditional medicine practice globally.  Therefore, it is gaining popularity in the USA as well. Ultimately, this is true for pediatric patients as well. While children with musculoskeletal issues often seek acupuncture treatment, they also need help with enuresis. Also, parents seeking a non-drug, “non parent-intensive” approach to bed-wetting seek out acupuncture clinics. Read on to find out more on this in the post West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture Treats Bedwetting (Enuresis).

 

What is Nocturnal Enuresis in Children and Teens?

Firstly, nocturnal enuresis is involuntary voiding of urine during sleep in the absence of disease/physical disorders. Associated diseases/physical disorders causing night time bed wetting could be urinary tract infections (UTI), diabetes, or seizures. The frequency is two or more incontinent (involuntary voiding) occurrences in a month between the ages of 5 and 6. And one or more occurrences after age 6.

Secondly, nocturnal (occurring at night) enuresis is a distressing disorder for parents and children. It is hard on families due to increased bedding changes and the expense of replacements for mattress and covers. Certainly, the child involved may have greater issues with self-esteem. Children may have a more difficult time establishing relationships with peers and at school activities.

Thirdly, nocturnal enuresis is often categorized into primary and secondary causes. Primary nocturnal enuresis is the involuntary discharge of urine at night by children old enough to be expected to have bladder control. Secondary enuresis is defined as the presence of a prior history of continence (voluntary control of voiding) for more than a 6-month period. Many times, the regression in secondary enuresis is due to a stressful emotional event in the early years of life. Approximately 80% to 90% of childhood enuresis is the primary type.

Fourthly, primary nocturnal enuresis occurs in the developmental ages of 5 years or older. 5-7 million children in the United States are affected.  It is more common in boys than in girls. And an estimated prevalence of around 15% to 20% of 5-year-olds, 5% of 10-year-olds, and 1% of those 15 years and older have nocturnal enuresis.

 

What Causes Nocturnal Enuresis?

Nocturnal enuresis is a complex problem which involves several mechanisms.  Certain physical, mechanical, nutritional, as well as psychosocial (e.g. stress) problems can all cause forms of nocturnal enuresis.  Furthermore, nocturnal enuresis can be inherited.

Food allergies may play a role in detrusor muscle instability (functioning problems) leading to nocturnal enuresis. The walls of the bladder are mainly formed by the detrusor muscle.  This muscle allows the bladder to contract to excrete urine or relax to hold urine. Dairy products, carbonated drinks (e.g. cola), chocolate, and citrus may be the culprit.

Normal micturition (action of urinating) maturation occurs paralleling changes in bladder capacity and neural development (nervous system development). In the first 2 years, a child has little control over urination, yet senses when the bladder is full. By age 3, a child should have some development of daytime control. Next, by ages 4 and 5, the child should be able to control urination in mid-stream with starting and stopping at will. A delay in this normal maturation and a small bladder capacity (less than 50% of normal in 85% of enuretic children) seem to be a major factor.  

Abnormal diurnal rhythm (varying with time of day) of antidiuretic hormone (ADI-I) secretion.  Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) helps regulate the amount of water in your body. And if there is a decrease or absence during sleep, excessive amounts of unconcentrated urine accumulate. Interestingly, this maybe the cause for enuresis in older children, since one study found the bladder capacity of these children to be normal.

Acupuncture for Bedwetting (Nocturnal Enuresis) in Children and Teens at Meiri Chiropractic

Tuina (accupressure) vs. non-Tuina traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments for young children, acupuncture can help establish healthy patterns and alleviate various health issues. For example, for very young children who cannot tolerate needles, non-invasive techniques are available.  For instance, acupressure and shonishin (a specialized pediatric massage) are effective choices. So for children, we can utilize non-needle treatment strategies. Some of the methods used are gentle stroking of the acupuncture channels with the hands and with “teishein” tools/balls.  Children generally respond very quickly and very well to treatment.  Also, they tend to need less overall visits.

 

West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture Treats Bedwetting (Enuresis): Research

In research studies, acupuncture was utilized to treat the spinal micturition centers and the parasympathetic innervation to the urinary tract.  Furthermore, acupuncture treatment released enkephalins and endogenous (body’s natural) opioids. And this increased in both body plasma (fluids) and the central nervous system.  This was able to depress bladder contractions. In summary, the results suggested that acupuncture therapy was a viable natural solution in treating nocturnal enuresis without the adverse side effects of pharmacological therapy.

 

West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture Treats Bedwetting (Enuresis): More Research

In research studies, it was found the therapeutic effects of acupuncture can be achieved through the suppression of spinal and supraspinal reflexes that may not be functioning appropriately.  A spinal reflex is an automatic response to a sensory stimulus that is coordinated mainly by circuits within the spinal cord, without requiring conscious input from the brain. In contrast, a supraspinal reflex is a reflex response where the neural pathway travels from the sensory receptor up into the brain or brainstem (supraspinal level) before a motor signal is sent back to the muscles. This differs from a standard spinal reflex. A standard spinal reflex processes entirely within the local segments of the spinal cord. This spinal reflex mechanism allows protective actions, such as withdrawing from a sharp object, to happen quickly.  In contrast,  a Pupillary response is a supraspinal reflex where the brainstem takes part and takes longer to process.

So Voluntary control of micturition (urination) requires the following and is a supraspinal reflex:

1) Conscious awareness of bladder sensation

2) Assessment of environment to decide (e.g. is it safe and appropriate to urinate?)

3) Release of the bulbospinal reflex micturition reflex. Bulbospinal tracts are descending pathways originating in the brainstem that influence spinal networks.

4) Adequate sensorimotor function to relax the (EUS) External Urethral Sphincter and pelvic floor muscles.

And acupuncture increased maximum bladder capacity and normalized detrusor muscle activity in the studies. These functional changes might contribute to the improvement of nocturnal enuresis.

 

 

West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture Treats Bedwetting (Enuresis)

Acupuncture has been used for over 4000 years to treat pain and other health problems. Acupuncture effects what the ancient chinese practitioners called Meridians (energy channels) in your body under the skin. Traditional acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy, or “life force”, flows through the body in these channels called meridians.

Today, Researchers believe when an acupuncture needle is inserted, nerves are stimulated. This sends a message to your brain and nervous system. Ultimately, Acupuncture improves blood flow and calms the nervous system.  This triggers nerve signaling that affects the function of other parts of the body, including organs.

Dr. Natalie Meiri is a chiropractic physician, board certified in acupuncture with over 20 years of experience.  Call 561-253-8984 today!  Ask to make an appointment or find out more about: Chiropractor West Palm Beach:  Acupuncture Treats Bedwetting (Enuresis).

 

References: 

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/978-92-4-001688-0

Efficacy of Acupuncture in Children with Nocturnal Enuresis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4488007/

Acupuncture as a treatment for nocturnal enuresis

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1566070210001347

Tuina for Enuresis in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.821781/full

 

 

This post is about Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture Treats Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.  You may have pain in the neck and shoulder with numbness in the fingers. You may have diffuse (spread out) arm symptoms, including numbness and tingling. Often, you may describe the pain taking a path down the inside of your arm to the little and ring fingers. Also, when you do any overhead activity, it is often made worse. For example, overhead throwing, serving a tennis ball, and painting a ceiling may exacerbate symptoms. Frequently, you may have weakness radiating from the neck and shoulder and extending into the arm and hand.  Even driving and typing may sometimes be difficult.

If you have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, acupuncture can provide relief! We’ve got some great information to share below.

 

What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

The term “thoracic outlet” is the area between the neck and shoulder, over the top of the thorax (chest), and under the clavicle (collar bone). It is a space in the lower neck between the thorax and axilla (armpit) through which the subclavian vein, subclavian artery, and brachial plexus (network of nerves that provides movement and feeling to the shoulder, arm and hand) travel.

Moreover, compression at the thoracic outlet can involve the brachial plexus, subclavian artery, or subclavian vein at various sites as they travel downward into the arm. Indeed, several common sites are possible for compression.  And there are many causes of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Firstly, compression may be due to physical trauma such as from a car accident or a sports injury. Secondly, anatomical defects from birth may show symptoms later in life. Thirdly, tumors that press on nerves, though rare, are possible. Fourthly, the changes of pregnancy (e.g. postural, hormonal, swelling) may lead to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.  Lastly, poor posture such as a forward head carriage and rounded shoulders can lead to compression. And repetitive arm and shoulder movements and activity, such as from playing certain sports also are a potential culprit. These overuse injuries can lead to swelling and fibrosis causing compression of the nerves and vessels.  

Diagnosis is through history, examination and testing. Additionally, Nerve conduction studies or imaging (x-ray) studies may be ordered. Ultimately, this is to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. 

Compression at the Thoracic Outlet 

 

Cervical Rib

Compression may occur at an elongated C7 transverse process. It is a small bony projection off the right and left side of each vertebrae of the spinal column also called a “cervical (neck) rib”.  This is an abnormality only found in 1% of the population from birth. 

Scalene Triangle

Muscular compression can occur at the scalene (three paired muscles located in the lateral (side) aspect of the neck) muscles. This narrow vertical space formed between the two scalene muscles, with the first rib at the base, is called the scalene triangle. The major nerves and blood vessels supplying the upper extremity (limbs) lie within or next to the scalene triangle. Moreover, as they pass through the upper part of the thoracic outlet over the first rib, compression can happen. 

Subcoracoid Space</span>

The pectoralis minor is a small muscle that lies deep to the much larger pectoralis major muscle in the front of the upper chest. It arises from the upper ribs and runs upward to attach to a bony protrusion underneath the clavicle known as the coracoid process. Subsequently, the nerves and blood vessels pass underneath the pectoralis minor tendon through the subcoracoid space where compression may occur.

Costoclavicular Space

Compression can occur at the costoclavicular area. After passing over the first rib, the brachial plexus nerves, subclavian artery, and subclavian vein all pass together underneath the clavicle. Next, they cross underneath a small muscle that runs along the back of the clavicle, called the subclavius muscle. Additionally, this muscle attaches to the front part of the first rib, where it forms a band of dense connective tissue called the costoclavicular ligament. 

 

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture Treats Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Research

Firstly, in one study a patient with left shoulder pain and left arm numbness was treated with acupuncture. Acupuncture along with natural therapies (e.g. herbal medicine and physical therapy) was provided.  After 3 weeks of treatment, they were much improved. The case study concluded that an integrated approach along with acupuncture relieved the TOS.(1)

Secondly, in another case study, the long-time improper posture of holding a baby was the culprit of TOS in a new mother.  The mother’s muscle imbalance in the cervical vertebra and shoulder girdle caused muscular thickening and hyperplasia (increase in the number of cells causing tissue enlargement). For example, her scalene muscle and pectoralis minor muscle.  This caused thoracic outlet stenosis (blood vessel narrowing).  And acupuncture treatment was effective. (2)

Thirdly, numerous studies have shown that acupuncture can adjust the production of neurotransmitter, mainly 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin).  This reduces nerve sensitivity.  Serotonin, or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a neurotransmitter with an important physiological role in the human body. It regulates activities including behavior, mood, memory, and gastrointestinal homeostasis. Therefore, as an analgesic form of therapy, the effect of acupuncture has been considered as a safe therapy. (3).

 

 

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture Treats Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Acupuncture is a treatment that has been used for over 4000 years for health problems. Traditionally, Acupuncture has been reported to alleviate pain and discomfort by rebalancing the energy (Qi). It is based on the belief that an energy, or “life force”, flows through the body in these channels called meridians. It is a painless technique used to affect what the ancient chinese practitioners called Meridians (energy channels) in your body under the skin. In summary, acupuncture can regulate the balance of qi and blood by stimulating acupuncture points. And the aim is at improving physiological function.

Today, Researchers believe when an acupuncture needle is inserted, the sensory and proprioceptive nerves are stimulated. This sends a message to your brain and nervous system. Ultimately, Acupuncture improves blood flow and calms the nervous system.  This triggers nerve signaling that affects the function of other parts of the body, including organs.

 

Acupuncture Treatment at Meiri Chiropractic of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Dr. Natalie Meiri is a chiropractic physician, board certified in acupuncture with over 20 years of experience.  Call 561-253-8984 today!  Ask to make an appointment or find out more about: Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture Treats Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

 

 

References:

(1) A Case Report of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Improved by Integrated Korean Medical Treatment

 

https://www.e-jar.org/journal/view.html?uid=2144&vmd=Full

(2) Acupuncture Analgesia Thoracic outlet syndrome with drop shoulder

 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1003525719300170

(3) Acupuncture for treating chronic spinal pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC972641

 

From Dr. Natalie Meiri’s clinical pearl stories: West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Relief From Low Back Pain from Disc Disease With Acupuncture

This is my clinical pearl story about West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Relief From Low Back Pain from Disc Disease With Acupuncture.  She was a 62 year old female patient.  Her chief complaints were buttock and posterior (back) leg pain.  And it came on insidiously (gradual, subtle but with harmful effects) without any trauma.  To be HIPAA compliant, I will call her Julie instead of her real name.

Julie worked as an office worker her whole life. Consequently, she spent most of her days sitting at a desk.  She ate a healthy diet and exercised regularly.  One day she presented to my office reporting pain in the gluteal (buttock) region and wearing a back brace.  It was characterized as shooting, burning, or aching down the back of both legs. In addition, she reported numbness in the buttocks and tingling sensations. And it was along the distribution of the sciatic nerve.

Julie had seen previous chiropractors for many years due to chronic back pain.  She had all her current x-rays and MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging).  Furthermore, she was also seeing a physical therapist, but still wasn’t getting completely better. Julie didn’t want surgery and didn’t want to take conventional drugs for the pain. So that’s when she decided to come see me.  Julie thought the combination of chiropractic and acupuncture might help her. 

Julie’s Examination at Meiri Chiropractic

Upon examination, Julie tested positive for sciatica from Lumbosacral Disc Disease. .  Her x-rays and MRIs confirmed the degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) and disc disease. Julie’s diagnosis was Lumbosacral Disc Disease. Julie had all the typical symptoms of sciatica with back and leg pain  caused by the degeneration of the spinal discs in the lower back. Symptoms typically include lower back pain that radiates to the buttocks or legs (sciatica), numbness, and muscle weakness.

What is Sciatica?

Firstly, the sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body. Sciatic nerves originate from several nerves in your lower back. These nerves branch outward from the spine. And then it comes together at each buttock to form the sciatic nerve, which then radiates down each leg.

Secondly, the word “sciatic” is defined as relating to the hip or ischium or to any structure in its vicinity, as the sciatic nerve. The ischium is a paired bone (one on each side) of the pelvis that forms the lower and back part of the hip bone(s). 

Thirdly, sciatica is defined as irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve that causes pain in the buttock area with radiation to the lower leg. It is a condition characterized by pain along the course of the sciatic nerve.  This is usually a neuritis (inflammation of a nerve).  It is generally caused by mechanical compression or irritation of the lumbar and sacral spinal nerve roots.

Fourthly, many cases have a spinal cause, such as disc herniation/bulge causing impingement of L5 or S1 nerve roots. Other common causes include spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease (wear and tear arthritis/osteoarthritis), and spondylolisthesis. There are also other causes of sciatica, which are less common. These include piriformis, trauma, post-operative complications, gynecologic conditions, and herpes zoster (shingles).

 

West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Efficacy of Acupuncture Research on Low Back Disc Disease in One Study

Firstly, one study sought to show the improvement with acupuncture in some low back muscle pain in patient’s with disc disease. These muscles included: multifidus, erector spinae, and psoas major muscles, along with their “fatty infiltration”.  And these were patients diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation treated through acupuncture.

Secondly, muscle fat infiltration is the replacement of healthy back muscle fibers with fatty deposits. In low back disc disease, spinal instability and nerve compression cause deep stabilizing muscles to “stop working”. This chronic disuse leads to muscle atrophy and “fatty replacement”.  Ultimately, this leads to continued lower back pain and stiffness.

Thirdly, in the same study, participants were divided into acupuncture and rehabilitation therapy groups. The acupuncture patients received treatments at specific acupuncture points, while the rehabilitation group received “traditional rehabilitative therapy”. In conclusion, “this study demonstrates that acupuncture treatment is significantly more effective than traditional rehabilitation therapy in improving paraspinal muscle function, reducing muscle fat infiltration, and alleviating lumbar and leg pain in patients with lumbar disc herniation”. (2)

 

 

Julie’s Chiropractic and Acupuncture Treatments at Meiri Chiropractic

Julie started her care at my office with chiropractic care 2-3 times a week. She showed improvement after 2 weeks and then I incorporated acupuncture 1-2 times week.

Julie reported that she was starting to feel better after the initial visit.  And after the acupuncture treatments, she was no longer wearing a back brace and moving much better. After 3 months of continued weekly care, Julie was mostly pain-free.  Also, she was able to do many more activities now that her low back was better.

 

West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Relief From Low Back Pain from  Disc Disease With Acupuncture

Firstly, Acupuncture is a treatment that has been used for over 4000 years to treat pain and other health problems. It is a painless technique in our office and we use very thin needles. The needles affect what the ancient chinese practitioners called Meridians.  These are energy channels in your body under the skin.

Secondly, Acupuncture’s effectiveness has been well documented in musculoskeletal pain disorders and other ailments.  

Ultimately, Acupuncture treatments stimulate the meridians.   The goal is to activate the body’s natural healing abilities.  

 

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Relief From Low Back Pain and  Disc Disease With Acupuncture

Meiri Chiropractic offers acupuncture for low back disc disease and many other ailments. Dr. Natalie Meiri is a chiropractic physician, board certified in acupuncture with over 20 years of experience.  Call today for your acupuncture treatment at 561-253-8984! 

 

References:

1. Thomas Souza, (2018) Differential Diagnosis and Management for the Chiropractor

2. 2024 Nov 6:15:1467769. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1467769. eCollection 2024.

Efficacy of acupuncture for lumbar disc herniation: changes in paravertebral muscle and fat infiltration – a multicenter retrospective cohort study

Liang Yan ^{#  1} , Jiliang Zhang ^{#  2} , Xianliang Wang ^{#  3} , Qinming Zhou  ⁴ , Jingdong Wen  ⁵ , Haihong Zhao  ⁶ , Kai Guo  ⁶ , Jianhua Zeng  ⁶   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39568818/

 

 

This post is about Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture for Low Back Pain from a Femoral Nerve Injury. You may have pain that radiates from the back and hip into the legs.  And walking and moving may be difficult. Also, it may present as buttock pain radiating to the groin and knee. Moreover, do you have a “loss of sensation” over the superior (top) and anterior (front) part of the same knee?

The National Institutes’ of Health (NIH)-funded study supports acupuncture as a safe and effective pain treatment. According to the study, “older Americans with chronic low back pain who received acupuncture had greater improvement in physical function and reduced pain. This was in comparison to those who received usual medical care only, generally prescribed medications or physical therapy. Chronic low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and affects over one-third of older adults in the United States. Treatment options range from pain-relieving drugs to complementary therapies, including acupuncture. The NIH concluded there is an urgent need for safe, effective, and non-addictive pain management approaches”.

If you have pain due to a femoral nerve injury or dysfunction, acupuncture treatment may be your best choice for relief! 

How is the Femoral Nerve Injured? 

The femoral nerve can be injured by “mechanical stressors”, pathological (abnormal), traumatic and metabolic mechanisms.

Firstly, entrapment between muscles in athletes participating in certain sports (e.g. horse back riding) along with hyperextension (excessive backward motion) of the hip joint are mechanical stressors. So entrapment of the femoral nerve happens during long periods of hyperextension or stretching of the nerve as it exits the lumbar plexus (web of nerves). Additionally, it can happen from sudden flexion and extension of the lumbar spine. 

Secondly, child birth can cause a femoral neuropathy (nerve problem that causes pain, numbness, tingling, swelling).  

Thirdly, traumatic femoral injuries can be from a fall.

Fourthly, post-surgical scar/adhesions or a soft tissue congenital (born with it) anatomical variant may be the issue (e.g. iliopsoas variant).

Lastly, metabolic disorders such as diabetes, shingles (Post-Herpetic Neuralgia) or drug abuse can also, through biochemical interactions, alter nerve function and result in neuropathies.

 

Femoral Nerve Anatomy

The femoral nerve innervates (supplies) the muscles and skin of the hip and thigh. It originates from the lumbar plexus. The lumbar plexus is a complex neural network formed by the lower thoracic (T12) and lumbar (L1-L4) nerve roots. The femoral nerve is formed from the anterior (front) division of spinal nerves L2-L4. In fact, the femoral nerve is the longest branch of the lumbar plexus.

 

Entrapment of the Femoral Nerve

Femoral nerve entrapment may occur due to compression under the inguinal ligament.  The inguinal ligament is the thickened lower border of the aponeurosis (fibrous collagenous connective tissue) of the external oblique muscle of the abdomen.  

As with all peripheral (reside outside your brain and spinal cord) neuropathies, it must be distinguished between a proximal (center of body) or a peripheral nerve problem in order to treat it properly. In other words, distinguishing between the L2-L3 nerve root or a peripheral entrapment of the femoral nerve is important. This diagnosis will be made by your doctor.

Electromyography can usually confirm whether the tissue damage is a lumbar root, plexus, or femoral nerve involvement.  However, electromyographic study is unnecessary to start treatment.  Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) are tests that check how well your muscles and the nerves that control them are working. Both NCS and EMG record electrical activity in the peripheral nerves and muscles.

 

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture for Low Back Pain from a Femoral Nerve Injury: Research

Firstly, in one case study, A “35-year-old woman visited the university acupuncture clinic because of severe difficulties in hip flexion, extension of knee, and sensory loss on the medial side of leg on the right side. The diagnosis of femoral nerve injury was confirmed by physical examination and nerve conduction study (NCS). Acupuncture treatment was done three times a week for 12 sessions”.  A post-treatment physical examination and NCS showed improvement in the patient’s motor and sensory symptoms. The patient continued to improve at the follow-up physical examination 7 months after treatment.

Secondly, in conclusion, this case report provides clinical and NCS evidence that acupuncture may effectively treat a chronic severe femoral nerve injury.  Indeed Acupuncture, with its unique benefits, including anti-inflammation, analgesia, and speeding up nerve repair, could be a safe, effective, and less painful alternative for repairing peripheral nerve injury”.

 

 

 

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Incredibly, 90 to 95% of diabetics in the United States have type 2 diabetes.   In fact, Type 2 diabetes may affect as many as 20% of the senior U.S. population (ages 65 to 74 years). Approximately 5.4 million adults in the United States have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.  Appropriate lifestyle changes can reverse or prevent type 2 diabetes.

Chiropractor in West Palm Beach: Acupuncture for Diabetic Neuropathy is about how acupuncture can help your pain and dysfunction.

 

What is Diabetes Mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus is a disorder that results in chronic hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) due to absence of insulin, decreases in insulin, and/or decreased sensitivity of insulin receptors (areas on the outer part of a cell that allow the cell to join or bind with insulin that is in the blood). Generally, Diabetes mellitus is evident in two forms: (1) type 1, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and (2) type 2, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Usually, type 1 diabetes becomes apparent in childhood or adolescence.  And type 2 diabetes shows up later in life (over the age of 40).

Microvascular complications of diabetes are those long-term problematic changes to small blood vessels. Unfortunately, it can lead to various health problems such as: retinopathy (disease of retina of eye), nephropathy (kidney disease), and neuropathy (nerve damage disease).

Moreover, it is estimated that 40% of  people in the United States are prediabetic according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Also, it appears long-term damage occurs in the pre-diabetic state (especially to the cardiovascular system) prior to the full development of diabetes. 

PHYSIOLOGY regarding Diabetes Mellitus

Firstly, your Glycemic metabolism is controlled by the interaction of insulin (which has mainly a hypoglycemic/lowers sugar or glucose function) and hormones that are referred to as counterregulatory.

Secondly, these counterregulatory hormones include glucagon (hormone that your pancreas makes to help regulate your blood glucose), epinephrine/norepinephrine (chemical messengers also known as adrenaline, that play an important role in the body’s fight or flight response), cortisol (steroid hormone that is produced by your 2 adrenal glands, helps in immune response and metabolism), and growth hormone (secreted by pituitary and helps metabolism).

Thirdly, in general, these hormones act to stimulate glycogenolysis (happens in the liver and kidney to produce glucose for balancing the blood sugar) and gluconeogenesis (process in the liver when glucose is formed from non-carbohydrate sources).

Fourthly, Catecholamines (e.g. adrenaline) in particular, suppress insulin secretion and stimulate hepatic (liver) glucose production.

Fifthly, the hypoglycemic function of insulin is various.  This includes promoting the uptake of glucose by mainly muscle and adipose tissue (fat), inhibiting the breakdown of glycogen (promotes glycogen/”glucose”stores), and inhibiting the production of other sources of energy such as from free fatty acids.

Symptoms of diabetes may include:

-increased urination and thirst

-loosing weight even if not trying to

-Diabetes can damage nerves and cause problems with the sense of touch

-Diabetes can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, chronic kidney disease, neuropathy and vision loss.

 

Chiropractor West Palm Beach:  Risk Factors for Diabetes Mellitus

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune reaction (the body attacks itself by mistake). Risk factors include:

• Family history: a parent, brother, or sister with type 1 diabetes.
• Age: While you can get type 1 diabetes at any age, it typically develops in children, teens, or young adults.

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes

So Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes have similar risk factors. To start with, if you already have prediabetes, this is an added risk factor to develop type 2 diabetes. Additional risk factors are:

-Are overweight or obesity.

-Are age 45 or older.

-Your parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes.

-Are physically active less than 3 times a week.

-Have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

-You had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or given birth to a baby who weighed over 9 pounds.

-Are an African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, or Alaska Native person. Some Pacific Islander people and Asian American people also have a higher risk.

 

How Does Acupuncture Help Diabetes Mellitus?

Acupuncture’s anti-inflammatory effect has been observed in several studies. This includes those on asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, epicondylitis, complex regional pain syndrome type 1, and vasculitis. Furthermore, acupuncture treats diseases of the nervous system.  For instance, it helps reduce the doses of dopaminergic medications in patients with Parkinson’s disease.  Moreover, Acupuncture may relieve nerve dysfunction in the motor, non-motor, pre-motor, and autonomic nerves.

Indeed, acupuncture has been proven to be beneficial and effective for pain relief.  For example, such as for lower back pain, chronic tension-type headaches, and migraine prophylaxis. Furthermore, various studies have reported that acupuncture can effectively modulate hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes mellitus. Taken together, these results suggest that acupuncture could be considered as a viable natural treatment for diabetic neuropathy.

Research on Diabetic Neuropathy and Acupuncture?

With Diabetic Neuropathy, you will typically have low back pain along with burning pains in the lower extremities (limbs) and poor balance. Also, it can affect your arms and hands with numbness and pain. Indeed, neuropathy is a diabetes complication that causes nerve damage throughout your body.  Hence, about half of all people with diabetes have some form of neuropathy. Furthermore, it is more common in those who have had diabetes for many years. 

Manual Acupuncture versus Routine Care for Diabetic Neuropathy

Firstly, One study indicates that manual acupuncture is possibly more effective than routine care (stabilizing blood sugar, managing daily pain, and protecting vulnerable areas from injury) in relieving pain. And acupuncture may significantly improve nerve conduction velocity when compared to routine care. A nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test measures how quickly electrical impulses move through a nerve. 

Secondly, A study looked at the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture as a treatment for diabetic polyneuropathic-related complaints. Patients with type II diabetes and symptoms of neuropathy in the lower limbs were included. A total of 12 acupuncture treatments were administered over 8 weeks. The study found Acupuncture leads to a significant and lasting reduction in diabetes related complaints.  This is in comparison to routine care. 

Thirdly, another study found acupuncture improves the motor and sensory nerves function in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. In conclusion, acupuncture can be considered an appropriate safe and nonpharmacological complementary option for type 2 diabetic polyneuropathy. 

Lastly, scientists discovered improvements in diabetic polyneuropathy pain symptoms improved sleep, fatigue, mood, function, and  the ability to work.

 

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture for Diabetic Neuropathy

Acupuncture has been used for over 4000 years to treat pain and other health problems. Acupuncture effects what the ancient chinese practitioners called Meridians (energy channels) in your body under the skin. Traditional acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy, or “life force”, flows through the body in these channels called meridians.

Today, Researchers believe when an acupuncture needle is inserted, nerves are stimulated. This sends a message to your brain and nervous system. Ultimately, Acupuncture improves blood flow and calms the nervous system.  This triggers nerve signaling that affects the function of other parts of the body, including organs.

Dr. Natalie Meiri is a chiropractic physician, board certified in acupuncture with over 20 years of experience.  Call 561-253-8984 today!  Ask to make an appointment or find out more about: Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture for Diabetic Neuropathy.

 

References:

1)  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm. Effect of Acupuncture on Diabetic Neuropathy: A Narrative Review

Eunwoo Cho ¹, Woojin Kim ^1,* Editor: Kazunori Sango¹ PMCID: PMC8395323  PMID: 3444528  nih.gov/articles/PMC8395323/

2) Acupuncture for the treatment of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Chunliang Wang ^a, Yuzhu Fan ^b, Guiting Liang ^b, Qiang Wang ^a, Hui Gao ^a, Junhong Duan ^b 10.1016/j.ctcp.2024.101889

 

This post is about Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Leg and Foot Neuropathies Acupuncture Can Help- Sural Nerve Pain.  Peripheral Neuropathy is a general term for when there is damage to the peripheral nerves. And Peripheral nerves connect your brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body. Neuropathy can be caused by various disorders and dysfunctions (e.g nerve entrapment, diabetes). Fortunately, if you have peripheral neuropathy of the leg or foot, acupuncture can provide relief! We’ve got some great information to share below about Sural Nerve Entrapment/Neuropathy and how Acupuncture can Help.

 

Sural Nerve Entrapment and Neuropathy

Do you have persistent pain, burning, aching, or numbness in the back side of your leg, ankle, or foot?  These are all symptoms of Sural Neuropathy. 

 

Anatomy of the Sural Nerve

The sural nerve is a cutaneous (affecting the skin) nerve. So it is purely sensory. It provides only sensation to the posterolateral (back outside) aspect of the distal (away from body) third of the leg and the lateral (outside) aspect of the foot, heel, and ankle.

It is formed by terminal (ending) branches of the tibial and common peroneal nerves (both branches of the sciatic nerve) that join together in the distal third of the leg.

The Sural Nerve descends between the two heads of the gastrocnemius (calf muscle).  Next, it pierces the deep fascia (casing of connective tissue holding muscles) in the middle or upper part of the back of the leg. Then it is joined by the sural communicating branch of the common peroneal nerve. Finally, it continues to the lateral malleolus (bump of bone on the outside of your ankle). 

 

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Leg and Foot Neuropathies Acupuncture Can Help -Examination

Typically, patients are diagnosed by the physical (orthopedic, neurological etc.) examination.  However, your doctor may order a nerve conduction study in a difficult unremitting case.  Often, you may also need an x-ray. 

 

Entrapment Sites

Sural nerve entrapment/neuropathy most commonly occurs in the ankle/foot area. The entrapment site located approximately two thirds the distance between the knee and the heel is a less common entrapment location.  The  most common sites are in the fascia just above the ankle and behind the lateral malleolus.

Sural Neuropathy/Nerve Entrapment Causes

Your pain and paresthesias (numbness and tingling) could have come on insidiously (gradually).  However, Sural neuropathy/nerve entrapment can be due to various causes such as trauma, bakers cyst, scaring, fascial restrictions and vascular problems.

Firstly, tight boots and lacing may be the cause of compression of the sural nerve. 

Secondly, different forms of trauma can be a leading cause of sural nerve pain. For instance, after an ankle sprain or an ankle fracture.  Afterwards, this can create significant pulling and traction on the nerve. Additionally, direct impact to the nerve from being kicked, falling, or an accident can be a cause.

Thirdly, entrapment sites are areas along the nerve’s pathway that may become entrapped, causing more pressure on the nerve. For instance, like carpal tunnel syndrome in the hand.

Fourthly, trauma from surgery can cause sural neuropathy. Sadly, this may be a common cause of chronic pain CRPS (Complex regional pain syndrome). And this is often in the news because of the American opiate crisis.   Patients are taking harmful drugs due to pain. And some of these patients’ pain could be related to this painful sural neuropathy. Various surgeries in the ankle, foot and leg can injure the sural nerve, resulting in sural nerve pain.

 

Here are some examples of  Sural Neuropathy after surgery:

• Heel Fractures: Surgey is performed on the outer side of the heel bone which is next to the pathway of the nerve. A post-surgical scar can occur which irritates the nerve. So the nerve can become entrapped and tangled in the scar.
• Achilles Tendon Repair: Similarly, surgery performed on the achilles tendon for repair or lengthening places the nerve at a risk for injury.
• Ankle Surgery: Any ankle surgery may also cause injury to the nerve.

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Leg and Foot Neuropathies Acupuncture Can Help-Sural Nerve Pain-Research:

First, in one study, among patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), acupuncture helped the sural nerve.  Acupuncture helped by enhancing structural regeneration of the sural nerve.  This was according to study findings published in the journal Phytomedicine. 

Second, Chemotherapeutic agents cause cellular and DNA damage and inflammation which evoke peripheral nerve degeneration and small fiber neuropathy. To evaluate whether acupuncture may improve symptoms of CIPN, the Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy (ACICIN) study was conducted between 2012 and 2015 at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf in Germany. Patients received weekly acupuncture for 10 weeks.

Third, in the same study, Acupuncture was also associated with improvements in burning pain, numbness, hypesthesia dorsum of foot, cramps, frequency of symptoms, and unsteadiness of gait.

Fourth, researchers concluded, subsequent studies should investigate the possible preventive effect of acupuncture if applied during chemotherapy.”

 

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Leg and Foot Neuropathies Acupuncture Can Help-Sural Nerve Pain: How does Acupuncture help?

Acupuncture is a treatment that has been used for over 4000 years to treat pain and other health problems. It is a painless technique used to affect what the ancient chinese practitioners called Meridians (energy channels) in your body under the skin. Traditional acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy, or “life force”, flows through the body in these channels called meridians.

 

Today, Researchers believe when an acupuncture needle is inserted, the sensory and proprioceptive nerves are stimulated. This sends a message to your brain and nervous system. Ultimately, Acupuncture improves blood flow and calms the nervous system.  This triggers nerve signaling that affects the function of other parts of the body, including organs.

 

Meiri Chiropractic offers acupuncture for sural nerve pain and many other ailments.

Dr. Natalie Meiri is a chiropractic physician, board certified in acupuncture with over 20 years of experience.  Call 561-253-8984 today!  Ask to make an appointment or find out more about: Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Leg and Foot Neuropathies Acupuncture Can Help- Sural Nerve Pain. The next post will be on leg, ankle and/or foot neuropathies involving diabetes acupuncture can help.

 

References:

Friedemann T, Kark E, Cao N, et al. Acupuncture improves chemotherapy-induced neuropathy explored by neurophysiological and clinical outcomes – the randomized, controlled, cross-over ACUCIN trial. Phytomedicine. Published online June 26, 2022. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154294

 

 

This post is about Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Leg and Foot Neuropathies Acupuncture Can Help (Part 1).  Peripheral Neuropathy is a general term for when there is damage to the peripheral nerves. And Peripheral nerves connect your brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body. Neuropathy can be caused by various disorders and dysfunctions (e.g nerve entrapment, diabetes). Fortunately, if you have peripheral neuropathy of the leg or foot, acupuncture can provide relief! We’ve got some great information to share below about Peroneal Nerve Entrapment/Neuropathy and how Acupuncture can Help.

Peroneal Nerve Entrapment and Neuropathy

Do you have pain and burning over the outer border of the distal (closest to foot) calf and dorsum (top) of the foot and ankle?  Perhaps you also have numbness and paresthesia (pins and needles)?  These are all symptoms of superficial peroneal nerve entrapment and neuropathy. 

 

Ankle/Foot Pain Due to Superficial Peroneal Neuropathy

If you are exercising, you may experience a loss of sensation or pain along the lateral calf.  Additionally, swelling may occur locally in your foot.  At other times, the pain may localize to a distal part of your leg.

 

Common Peroneal Nerve versus the Superficial Peroneal Neuropathy

Injury to the common peroneal nerve results in a foot drop described as slapping or tripping. Pain and parethesia (pins and needles) may occur at the site of compression as well as distally into the lateral leg. At times there may be a radiation of pain into the thigh. Numbness and tingling can occur along the lateral leg and dorsum (upper surface) of the foot. Peroneal neuropathies occurring at the fibular (outer of two bones of the lower leg) neck (upper part of fibula) affect the DPN (deep peroneal nerve).  The SPN (superficial peroneal nerve) entrapment occurs in the lower leg at the ankle frequently due to a twisting of the ankle.

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Leg and Foot Neuropathies Acupuncture Can Help (Part 1): Causes

Runners involve the superficial peroneal nerve frequently due to repetitive stretching.  This happens during inversion (turning sole of foot inwards) and plantar flexion (turning foot towards sole of foot), causing the nerve to push up against the fibula neck (top part of outer of 2 leg bones). 

You may have had a lateral (side) ankle sprain.  This may have also stretched and damaged the superficial peroneal nerve at the level of the fibular head (top of side leg bone). Similarly, a previous problem with this nerve may create a weakened peroneal muscle. And the peroneal muscle is essential for ankle positioning (especially for inversion) and stability. Next, this results in recurrent ankle sprains. 

Other causes may be:

-prolonged knee crossing (especially if you have recently lost a large amount of weight)

-tight knee band or cast

-repetitive trauma

-ganglions, cysts, or tumors

 

Anatomy of the Superficial Peroneal Nerve

Firstly, the superficial peroneal nerve originates from the common peroneal nerve along with the deep peroneal nerve. The superficial peroneal nerve is the smaller of the two common peroneal nerve branches.

Secondly, the common peroneal nerve arises from spinal nerves L4 through S1. Furthermore, the common peroneal nerve branches out from the sciatic nerve, which is composed of fibers from spinal nerves L4 through S3.

Third, the sciatic nerve terminates at the popliteal fossa of the knee.  It divides into the common peroneal and tibial nerves as it wraps around the top of the fibular bone.

Fourth, after separating from the common peroneal nerve, the superficial peroneal nerve courses through the peroneus longus muscle. The superficial peroneal nerve provides motor stimulation to the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles (group of muscles that run along the outside of the lower leg and attach to the bones of the foot).

Fifth, the superficial peroneal nerve leaves the peroneal muscles on the anterolateral (front and side) aspect of the lower leg above the ankle joint.

Sixthly, the medial and intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerves appear from the superficial peroneal nerve. And these nerves provide sensory innervation to the leg’s anterolateral aspect, the dorsum (top) of the foot, and the dorsal (top) aspect of the toes, except the 1st interdigital space (between toes), which is innervated by the deep peroneal nerve. 

 

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Leg and Foot Neuropathies Acupuncture Can Help -Examination

Typically, patients are diagnosed by the physical (orthopedic, neurological etc.) examination.  However, your doctor may order a nerve conduction study in a difficult unremitting case.  Often, you may also need an x-ray. 

Sites of possible entrapment of the superficial peroneal nerve include the following:

-deep fascia of leg, extensor digitorum longus muscle

-extensor hallucis longus muscle (lower leg muscles that move the foot and big toe)

-superior and inferior extensor retinaculum (thickened fascia located at the ankle joint).

 

Research on Acupuncture for Superficial Peroneal Nerve Pain and How it Works

Firstly, one review aimed to assess the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of neuropathy of various etiologies (cause). Acupuncture appears to improve nerve conduction study parameters in both sensory and motor (movement) nerves. A nerve conduction study (NCS) is a diagnostic test that measures how fast and effectively electrical signals travel through your nerves. So this study focused on acupuncture and it’s effects on nerve function.

Secondly, traditional Chinese Medicine’s explanation is that channels of energy called meridians run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These energy (called Qi) channels, nourish the tissues. Moreover, with acupuncture treatment, there is an improvement and balance of energy.  Ultimately, this results in stimulating the body’s natural healing abilities.  Lastly, it promotes physical and emotional well-being.

Thirdly, the modern scientific explanation is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system.  Ultimately, this releases chemicals (e.g. enkephalins and endorphins) in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals can dramatically relieve pain.  Also, they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones.  And this further influences the body’s own internal regulating system.

Fourthly, once these neurotransmitters are moving about, your blood vessels vasodilates. And this gets blood into the affected areas, initiating healing. Indeed, Acupuncture improves blood flow and calms the nervous system. 

 

Are your suffering from leg, ankle and/or foot pain from Neuropathy?

Meiri Chiropractic offers acupuncture for superficial peroneal nerve pain and many other ailments. Dr. Natalie Meiri is a chiropractic physician, board certified in acupuncture with over 20 years of experience.  Call 561-253-8984 today!  Ask to make an appointment or find out more about: Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Leg and Foot Neuropathies Acupuncture Can Help (Part 1). The next post will be on leg, ankle and/or foot pain involving the Sural Neuropathy/Nerve Entrapment.

 

References:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5359694/

J Altern Complement Med. 2017 Mar 1;23(3):164–179. doi: 10.1089/acm.2016.0155

Acupuncture for the Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

 

 

 

 

Posttraumatic headaches in automobile accidents, falls and/or contact sports with head and neck trauma are commonly seen in a Chiropractor’s office. This post is about Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Relief of a Concussion.

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head.  Moreover, it could be a hit to the body that forces the brain to rapidly move inside the skull. This disrupts normal brain function. Ultimately, this requires physical and cognitive rest to heal properly. Most likely, with direct trauma to the head, injury may occur. Next, a cerebral contusion (bruise) may occur. Typically, headaches can surface immediately or later. 

Frequently, patients with head trauma and loss of consciousness get a CT or MRI prior to presenting at our office.  Also, they may have already seen another specialist to rule out any severe brain injury.   

 

Symptoms of a Concussion

Firstly, even with neurologic function being intact, headaches from a concussion can be severe.  It can feel like a dull tension headache. 

Secondly, it can feel like a non-throbbing, persistent headache. And it is felt in the frontal or occipital (front and back of head) areas. It is often worse upon awakening. 

Thirdly, it may resolve during the day, but worsen in the late afternoon. Unfortunately, these headaches have been reported to last as little as months to as much as years.

Fourthly, other symptoms of a concussion are cognitive, visual, vestibular (sensory network in your inner ear that controls balance and spatial orientation), physiological, or of cervical spine (neck) origin.

 

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Relief From a Concussion- Causes and Treatment

First, there are a number of possible causes for post-concussion symptoms. Indeed, there is evidence supporting various theories. For example, it may be brain blood flow abnormalities, metabolic/inflammatory contributors, visual and vestibular disorders, and cervical spine dysfunctions.

Second, in a case study series, researchers found the manual therapy as provided by chiropractors for the symptoms of concussions beneficial. Additionally, this seemed to be the case whether the concussion was sports or non-sports related. Also, the case studies involved acute thru the chronic stages of concussions. 

Third, the treatment plans in the studies above included soft-tissue therapy and spinal manipulation. And patient education on visual/vestibular rehabilitation exercises were provided. The researchers concluded chiropractors should be part of the interdisciplinary healthcare team for patients with post-concussion symptoms.

Fourth, a ‘brain recovery diet’ high in unrefined carbohydrates (i.e. real fruit juices, brown rice/pasta) was encouraged in the studies. So this was to try and counteract the possible blood-brain-barrier dysfunction. This was to fight the reduced intra-cerebral glucose levels that have been associated with a concussion. The ‘brain recovery diet’ consisted of three balanced meals. Specifically, the patient was encouraged to avoid refined sugars/carbohydrates (i.e. white flour products) and select natural sources of carbohydrate instead.  Also, patients were encouraged to select quality sources of protein (i.e. lean cuts of grass fed, free-range meats), to include quality fats (i.e. products high in omega-3 fatty acids), and select foods rich with natural antioxidants.

 

 

 

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Relief From A Concussion

Meiri Chiropractic serving West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach and the surrounding areas offers chiropractic care for concussions. Your chiropractor will examine, diagnose and determine your best course of chiropractic treatment for concussions . Call us in West Palm Beach at 561-253-8984 to schedule an appointment or to find out more about Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Relief From A Concussion.  Start getting relief today!

 

 

This post is about Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture Helps Stress. Stress is defined as “a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation” (1).  Psychosocial stress pervades modern life and is known to have an impact on health. You can experience stress from your environment, your body, and your thoughts. For instance, negative changes such as an illness, injury, job loss, or a relationship break-up can contribute. Similarly, positive changes such as a promotion, a mortgage, or the birth of a child still produce stress. 

Moreover, a state of continual stress ultimately wears out the body. And it especially effects the immune response and increases susceptibility to illness and slows healing.  Researchers estimate that stress contributes to many major illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, endocrine and metabolic disease, skin disorders, and infectious ailments of all kinds, insomnia or other changes in sleep patterns, and/or gastrointestinal disorders. Most definitely, almost all body functions and organs are effected. 

Chronic stress can lead to physical symptoms such as: 

1. headaches
2. muscle tension in the face, neck, back
3. shoulder/ chest pain
4. an upset stomach
5. elevated blood pressure
6. exhaustion
7. sexual dysfunction
8. increase or loss of appetite
9. problems sleeping

Acupuncture Can Help Your Stress

Firstly, acupuncture has been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety. Even one treatment has been shown to be of benefit. Additionally, with a full course of care, the benefits have been shown to last many months to a year.

Secondly, Acupuncture helps to reduce stress by balancing the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. So Chronic stress can create havoc in your body. It can disrupt hormonal balance, which can influence everything else in your body. It can cause mood swings, thyroid issues, immune problems, and even fertility issues. Therefore, acupuncture can be part of a complete and holistic treatment plan to manage any disorder.

Lastly, not only can Acupuncture help you reduce stress, it can help improve your mood. 

 

Our bodies release stress hormones 

These include adrenaline, nor-adrenaline and cortisol. And the hormones create physiological changes to help us cope with the threat or “danger”. And the “fight or flight” response and is apparently designed to prepare one to face an immediate danger.

Firstly, the endocrine system gets activated with stress. The endocrine system plays an important role in regulating mood, growth/ development, tissue function, metabolism and reproductive processes. Furthermore, our metabolism is affected. Your hypothalamus located in the brain plays a key role in connecting the endocrine system with the nervous system. The hypothalamus sends Stress signals to activate the release of stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine (adrenalin) from your adrenal glands.  Next, glucose (blood sugar) is produced by your liver to provide the extra energy. Thereafter, most people reabsorb the extra glucose when the stress subsides.  However, for some people there is an increased risk of diabetes.  Subsequently, the Cortisol released as a consequence to stress suppresses the immune system and inflammatory pathways.  As a result, we become more susceptible to infections and chronic inflammatory conditions. In other words, our ability to fight off illness is reduced.

Secondly, stress can effect your gastrointestinal system. Heartburn and acid reflux might begin if you have changed your eating habits.  For instance, you may be eating more or less.  You may have started eating more fatty and/or sugary foods. So the ability of our intestines to absorb nutrients from our food may be reduced. The result may be stomach pain, bloating and nausea, diarrhea or constipation.

Thirdly, heart rate and blood pressure increase when you are stressed. Once the stress passes, it returns to normal.  However, if chronically experienced, damage to blood vessels and arteries may occur. You will have an increased risk for hypertension, heart attack or stroke.

Fourthly, your respiratory system is working to breathe harder and more quickly with stress. This is to quickly distribute oxygen-rich blood around your body. For asthmatics, this could be a problem. For others it can cause hyperventilation. The last scenery is more likely if someone is prone to anxiety and panic attacks.

 

We can’t avoid stress in life, but acupuncture can help relieve your stress

Acupuncture improves blood flow and calms the nervous system.  Researchers believe when an acupuncture needle is inserted, the sensory and proprioceptive nerves are stimulated. This sends a message to our brain and nervous system.

Our body’s enkephalins and endorphins are released.  These are our body’s natural opioids and can dramatically relieve pain.  Additionally, once these neurotransmitters are moving about, our blood vessels vasodilates. And this gets blood into the affected areas, initiating healing.

Recently, a team of researchers led by neuroscientists at Harvard Medical School has looked at the underlying neuroanatomy of acupuncture that activates a specific signaling pathway.  In this study, they specifically investigated acupuncture as a potential treatment for inflammation.  They found “acupoints” or acupuncture points on the body’s surface are mechanically stimulated, triggering nerve signaling that affects the function of other parts of the body, including organs.

 

Research on Acupuncture and Stress

There is evidence that acupuncture decreases the stress response.  Heart rate variability (HRV), a noninvasive autonomic measure has been utilized to acupuncture interventions. This was in controlled academic settings to compare points used, types of stimulation, or the HRV parameters measured.

In one study, cases of patients presenting to a private acupuncture clinic was utilized. Moreover, these Patients received manual body acupuncture from published protocols for hypertension treatment.

So the Ancient Chinese Medicine doctors understood that a predictable-unchanging regularity of heart rate is a sign of disease, age, and stress. In contrast, a Variable heartbeat is a sign of good health.  Therefore, Heart rate variability (HRV) is a noninvasive monitor of autonomic balance (eg, a measure of physiologic stress). Indeed, there is evidence that acupuncture decreases the stress response and increases HRV in both human and animal subjects.

 

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture Helps Stress

Acupuncture has been used for over 4000 years to treat pain and other health problems safely and effectively. The acupuncture treatment stimulates the pathways called meridians. This activates the body’s natural healing abilities.  Ultimately, this brings balance back to your body. Acupuncture has a beneficial effect when treating many diseases and painful conditions.

Meiri Chiropractic offers acupuncture for Stress relief and many other ailments. Dr. Natalie Meiri is a chiropractic physician, board certified in acupuncture with over 20 years of experience.  Call 561-253-8984 today to find relief from stress.

References: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4203477/

Med Acupunct. 2014 Oct 1;26(5):286–294. doi: 10.1089/acu.2014.1050

Does Acupuncture Reduce Stress Over Time? A Clinical Heart Rate Variability Study in Hypertensive Patients

Kristen Sparrow ^1,✉, Brenda Golianu PMCID: PMC4203477  PMID: 25352944

This post is about Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture for Wrist Pain Relief.

First, Your wrist is made up of eight small bones (carpal bones) plus two long bones in your forearm — the radius and the ulna. Your wrist functions as the link between the hand and the forearm. In your wrist, a tendon functions to move the bone. A ligament is a fibrous connective tissue that attaches bone to bone. There are no tendon attachments that function at the wrist. Tendons cross the wrist to insert into the hand, fingers, and thumb. Similarly, there are ligaments holding and stabilizing your wrist bones in place.

Second, Problems affecting muscles that originate off the elbow and forearm may show up as pain at your wrist. For example, Wrist conditions are often the result of trauma, overuse, and arthritis.

Third, in athletes, positions that strain muscles repetitively are likely to cause an insidious (gradual) onset. Ultimately, this may lead to tendonitis. Tendonitis is inflammation or irritation of a tendon. For instance, Weight lifting, gymnastics, rowing, and racquetball are culprits. Also, Overuse with typing is a common problem. Finally, You may be a professional musician or be in assembly line movement patterns at work.

Below are conditions causing Wrist Pain and 5 Tendonitises Acupuncture Can Help With

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

You will have radial (thumb side) wrist pain. It may happen after forceful gripping activities with ulnar deviation (bending the wrist to the little finger) or repetitive use of the wrist or thumb.

Cause:

A synovial tendon sheath surrounds your wrist tendon. This is a lubricated layer of tissue in which the tendon is housed and through which it moves. And stenosing tenosynovitis is inflammation of a tendon and its synovial sheath.  With de quervain’s tenosynovitis, two thumb muscles, the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) tendons  at your wrist become stenosed.

 

Intersection Syndrome

You will have pain and crepitus (“creaky” joints) 2 inches above the wrist on the dorsoradial (back side, above thumb) aspect. This is usually after repeated wrist flexion (bending palm down) and extension (raising back of hand) movements with occupational or sports activities.

Cause:

An inflammatory response and possible bursitis occurs at the crossing of two groups of tendons: the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) tendons crossing over the top of the wrist.  Bursae are fluid filled pads that act as cushions at the joints. Bursitis is inflammation of bursae. This occurs most often at joints that perform frequent repetitive motion. For example, Intersection syndrome is more common in canoeists, weight lifters, and recreational tennis players.

 

Other Tendinopathies of the wrist:

 

Extensor pollicis longus (EPL)tendinitis/tendinosis

This muscle arises dorsolaterally (back or upper surface) from the middle part of the ulna (long forearm bone closest to fifth finger) and ends at the distal (tip) of the thumb. The EPL extends the thumb (moves the thumb  away from the hand and parallel to the palm). For example, this tendonitis is seen in drummers, athletes involved in racquet sports, and patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

 

Extensor indices proprius (EIP) syndrome and extensor digiti minimi (EDM) tendinitis/tendinosis

The Extensor indices proprius (EIP) is a narrow, elongated muscle in the deep layer of the dorsal (back of ) forearm. Its tendon goes to the index finger, which it extends (bends backward).

The extensor digiti minimi (EDM) is also a narrow muscle which originates in the lateral humerus (elbow area) and attaches to your 5th digit (5th finger). The EDM is a two joint muscle. It acts as an extensor in both joints. The EDM extends the wrist and the little finger.  This means it moves the back of the hand toward the back of the forearm and straightens the little finger from a fist.

 

Extensor carpi ulnaris tendonitis/tendonosis

This muscle originates in the lateral humerus (elbow area). And it inserts into the 5th metacarpal (5th bone in palm of hand).  The extensor carpi ulnaris serves to extend and adduct the hand (moving a hand toward the body) at the wrist. On the whole, it is a relatively common tenonitis found in occupations or sports requiring repetitive wrist movement.  For example,this includes racquet sports, rowing, golf, and baseball.

 

How Does Acupuncture Work to Relieve Wrist Pain?

First, Acupuncture is a treatment that has been used for over 4000 years to treat pain and other health problems. Moreover, it is a painless technique used to affect what the ancient chinese practitioners called Meridians (energy channels) in your body under the skin.

Second, Traditionally, acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy, or “life force”, flows through the body in these channels called meridians. Also, this life force is known as Qi (pronounced “chee”).

Third, Acupuncture Needles work by increasing the blood flow to the painful area, increasing and facilitating the flow of the “Qi”.  Subsequently, the goal is to activate the body’s natural healing abilities. Ultimately, it improves the function of your entire body.   

Fourth, the needle reduces the accumulated exudate (fluid that leaks out of blood vessels) at the site.  Additionally, it reduces inflammation, edema and increases joint movements.

 Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture for Wrist Pain Relief Research

Firstly, in one study, with 622 participants Acupuncture proved effective and safe for short-term pain reduction and functional improvement in hand-and-wrist conditions.  For rheumatoid arthritis, 1 trial showed significant pain reduction and functional improvements post treatment and short-term. And in carpal tunnel syndrome, 1 trial showed significant pain reduction and functional improvements. In tenosynovitis, 1 trial showed significant pain reduction and functional improvements short-term. Also, for poststroke impairments, 1 trial showed significant functional improvements.

Secondly, in another study, stated acupuncture facilitates the blood flow, Qi flow and restores lost energy.  The treatment itself improves the general condition of the body. Furthermore, Acupuncture reduces inflammation, pain and improves joint movements.  According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), “if there is a blockage of the Qi flow, acupuncture can improve the Qi flow and blood flow to the body restoring lost energy”.

 

Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture for Wrist Pain Relief

Acupuncture has a beneficial effect when treating many diseases and painful conditions. Meiri Chiropractic offers acupuncture for wrist pain and many other ailments. Dr. Natalie Meiri is a chiropractic physician, board certified in acupuncture with over 20 years of experience.   

Acupuncture is a holistic and natural way to treat existing injuries and disorders to keep your body in its best working condition.  Contact Meiri Chiropractic today at 561-253-8984 for your acupuncture treatment.

 

References:

Thomas Bergman, David Peterson, Chiropractic Technique Principles and Procedures, 3rd edition, 2011

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35251436/

The Effect of Acupuncture on Hand and Wrist Pain Intensity, Functional Status, and Quality of Life in Adults: A Systematic Review

Kien Trinh  ^{1   2} , Fangwen Zhou  ³ , Nikita Belski  ⁴ , Jiawen Deng  ³ , Chi Yi Wong  ³

PMID: 35251436 PMCID: PMC8886934  DOI: 10.1089/acu.2021.0046

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336140902_Acupuncture_treatment_in_hand_and_wrist_pain

Acupuncture Treatment in Hand and Wrist Pain Jihe Zhu, Blagica Arsovska and Kristina Kozovska, International Journal of Current Advanced Research ISSN:O: 2319-6475, ISSN: P:2319-6505, Impact Factor 6.614