Yankees starter A.J. Burnett credits acupuncture with helping him stay healthy

Yankees starter A.J. Burnett credits acupuncture with helping him stay healthy
By Marc Carig/The Star-Ledger
May 25, 2010, 6:00AM

NEW YORK — Brian Cashman had to be sure.

The Yankees general manager heard the reports out of Toronto, the ones that said that A.J. Burnett had been reformed. Gone was the pitcher who leaned on raw talent and little else to get by, the one with the nasty streak of a bulldog but the durability of a Ming vase. Inspired by the great Roy Halladay, Burnett had learned the virtue of preparation and thus discovered the key to staying healthy.

Still, Cashman had questions for Burnett when he became a free agent. So they talked about preparation, about lifting weights, running and throwing between starts, all the mundane work it takes to do the extraordinary. Then, Burnett told Cashman about the thing that he believed had made all the difference: his devotion to acupuncture.

“Do you guys have something like that?” Burnett asked.

In the winter of 2008, the Yankees did not. However, with the team still stinging from missing the playoffs and in dire need of high-end arms, Cashman told Burnett he was prepared to change that.

“It was a promise I made to him,” Cashman said. “Clearly, we want to keep this asset on the field. We want him right.”

With that, the Yankees closed the book on two signings that shaped the 2009 championship season: Burnett, who helped the Yankees win the World Series; and Gil Chimes, a Connecticut chiropractor and the first acupuncture specialist employed by the Yankees under Cashman’s watch.

“It’s something that’s part of his routine, his structure, his discipline,” Cashman said. “It’s vital to him and his mind. Therefore it’s vital to us.”

It takes only one glance to realize a few important things about Burnett. Tattoos cover his body, growing like ivy over his skin since he got his first ink as a teenager in Arkansas. Clearly, he has no problem with breaking from the mold, and he has no issues with needles. Which leads to another important point about Burnett.

In the past year-and-a-half, he has begun a transformation from one of baseball’s most injury-plagued players into one of its most reliable, a drastic change he attributes to his use of acupuncture.

No one area of Burnett’s body is routinely targeted, he said. The number of needles used and where they are placed varies every time he receives treatment.

“I believe in it,” said Burnett, who starts for the Yankees today against the Twins. “There’s no doubt in my mind that I think it’s helped.”

Since his major league debut in 1999, Burnett has landed on the disabled list with a ruptured ligament in his thumb, a stress fracture of his right foot, a bone bruise, a right shoulder strain and a break-up of scar tissue in his right elbow, ultimately a side-effect of the granddaddy of all pitcher’s injuries, a right elbow ligament that required Tommy John surgery.

For all of Burnett’s ferocity on the mound, he had come to be defined by his fragility.

But for the first time in his career, Burnett strung together back-to-back seasons (2008-2009) in which he threw at least 200 innings and made more than 30 starts.

“A.J. has come to a better understanding of what to do to stay healthy,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “Sometimes, when you’re young and have a great arm, you just go out and wing stuff. And he’s kind of a free spirit. But over the years ... he’s really learned what he needs to do.”

In 2003, before undergoing Tommy John surgery, Burnett made four starts for the Florida Marlins. So when the Marlins won the World Series, Burnett received a ring he hardly wore because he felt as if he hardly deserved it.

When the Yankees received their championship rings for last year’s World Series title, Burnett said he planned to wear the ring proudly. This time, he had earned that right. On a staff that featured renowned grinders such as CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte, Burnett was the only member of the Yankees rotation who didn’t miss a single inning to injury.

“That’s what I’ve tried to do for 10 years but I just haven’t been able to,” Burnett said.

Until recently.

Burnett first tried acupuncture in 2007 while with the Blue Jays. Massage therapists employed by the team suggested the technique. Burnett figured it couldn’t hurt.

“I wasn’t afraid of it,” Burnett said. “I’ve seen people do it before. After a while, I loved it.”

By 2008, Burnett underwent acupuncture treatments as often as three times a week.

“I found that I responded really well to the acupuncture, how that treated my body and my nerves, and the release of stress,” Burnett said. “And I bought into it big time.”

PROOF IS IN THE INNINGS

The results made him a believer.

In his final season with the Blue Jays, Burnett made a career-high 34 starts. He also set career-highs in victories (18), innings (221 1/3) and strikeouts (231). It was only the second time that he crossed the 30-start plateau and the first time since 2005, his final season with the Marlins.

His timing couldn’t have been better. Heading into his free-agent year, Burnett had plenty of financial motivation to show that he could stay healthy. The pitching-starved Yankees were convinced, signing the right-hander to a five-year contract for $82.5 million — and a team-employed acupuncture specialist.

“(Cashman) basically told me, ‘Hey, we want you to have the exact same program that you have,’ ” Burnett said. “In a sense, I live by it in a way. I love it because I really feel like it helps.”

In the days leading up to his starts, it’s not uncommon to see Burnett return to the clubhouse, still trying to fully emerge from his slumber.

“I try to pass out every time,” he said. “It’s a different kind of sleep. It’s like a heavy coma.”

He can be out for as much as half an hour at a time while undergoing treatment, occasionally remaining asleep even after the needles have been removed from his body. Sometimes, however, Burnett has been seen sound asleep, with needles sticking out of his body.

“Yeah, it’s bizarre,” Yankees bullpen coach Mike Harkey said. “It’s a thing he’s been doing for a while now. He trusts it, he enjoys it, and he seems to think he gets results from it. That’s all that matters.”

Sometimes, Girardi walks by the trainers and catches glimpses of Burnett in the middle of an acupuncture session. The manager can barely stand the sight.

“I cringe because there’s no way I could do it,” said Girardi, who recalls a few teammates through the years giving acupuncture a chance. “He’s always trying to get me to do some, but I don’t think I could take it.”

Indeed, acupuncture may not be for everyone. But what’s most important for the Yankees is that Burnett knows it’s for him.

“The bottom line is that I was on the field for 35 starts,” he said. “That’s my main goal.”

Marc Carig may be reached at mcarig@starledger.com
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Do You Or Someone You Love Suffer With Chronic Pain?

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The physical toll of loneliness

The physical toll of loneliness

Loneliness doesn't just cause wear and tear on the psyche -- it may also affect blood pressure, as a new study reveals.

Researchers surveyed 229 people ages 50 to 68 who were part of the Chicago Health, Aging, and Social Relations Study, a longitudinal study of white, black and Latino men and women. They were given a survey in which they were asked to rate their feelings about questions such as, "I lack companionship," "I feel in tune with the people around me," and "My social relationships are superficial." Other features about the participants were noted, such as smoking status, physical activity levels, body mass index and cardiovascular health.

The participants were monitored for five years. Researchers noted an association between feelings of loneliness and high blood pressure. People who ranked as feeling most lonely had blood pressure levels 14.4 points higher than those who felt least lonely. Increases in systolic blood pressure were cumulative, so those who had higher levels of loneliness at the beginning of the study had greater blood pressure increases over the years. The findings held true when researchers accounted for factors such as age, race and ethnicity, gender, cardiovascular risk factors and depression.

"Loneliness is characterized by a motivational impulse to connect with others but also a fear of negative evaluation, rejection and disappointment," said Louise Hawkley, senior research scientist with the Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at the University of Chicago, in a news release. Hawkley, lead author of the study, added, "We hypothesize that threats to one's sense of safety and security with others are toxic components of loneliness, and that hypervigilance for social threat may contribute to alterations in physiological functioning, including elevated blood pressure."

The study appears in the March issue of the journal Psychology and Aging.

-- Jeannine Stein

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2010/03/the-physical-toll-of-loneliness.html
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High Doses of Vitamin D May Cut Pregnancy Risks

High Doses of Vitamin D May Cut Pregnancy Risks

May 5, 2010 — Women who take high doses of vitamin D during pregnancy have a greatly reduced risk of complications, including gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and infection, new research suggests.

Based on the findings, study researchers are recommending that pregnant women take 4,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D every day -- at least 10 times the amount recommended by various health groups.

Women in the study who took 4,000 IU of the vitamin daily in their second and third trimesters showed no evidence of harm, but they had half the rate of pregnancy-related complications as women who took 400 IU of vitamin D every day, says neonatologist and study co-researcher Carol L. Wagner, MD, of the Medical University of South Carolina.

Wagner acknowledges the recommendation may be controversial because very high doses of vitamin D have long been believed to cause birth defects.

"Any doctor who hasn't followed the literature may be wary of telling their patients to take 4,000 IU of vitamin D," she says. "But there is no evidence that vitamin D supplementation is toxic, even at levels above 10,000 IU."

Fewer Complications With High Vitamin D Doses

Most prenatal vitamins have around 400 IU of vitamin D, and most health groups recommend taking no more than 2,000 IU of the vitamin in supplement form daily. Wagner says it took months to get permission to do a study in which pregnant women were given doses of the vitamin that were twice as high as this.

The study included about 500 women in Charleston, S.C., who were in their third or fourth months of pregnancy. The women took 400 IU, 2,000 IU, or 4,000 IU of vitamin D daily until they delivered.

Not surprisingly, women who took the highest doses of vitamin D were the least likely to have deficient or insufficient blood levels of the vitamin, as were their babies.

These women also had the lowest rate of pregnancy-related complications.

Compared to women who took 400 IU of vitamin D daily, those who took 4,000 IU were half as likely to develop gestational diabetes, pregnancy-related high blood pressure, or preeclampsia, Wagner says. They were also less likely to give birth prematurely.

The research was presented over the weekend at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Infants with very low vitamin D levels are at increased risk for soft bones, or rickets -- a condition that is now rare in the U.S.

But over the last decade, more and more studies suggest that vitamin D also protects against immune system disorders and other diseases, Wagner says.

Fortified milk and fatty fish are common food sources of vitamin D, but most people get only a small fraction of the vitamin D they need through food, Wagner says. Instead, the body makes vitamin D from sunlight.

But even in sunny climates like Charleston, few people are now getting adequate levels of vitamin D from sun exposure.

At the start of the study, deficient or insufficient levels of vitamin D were seen in 94% of the African-American women, 66% of Hispanic women, and 50% of white women who participated.

Vitamin D and Pregnancy: Is More Better?

University of Rochester professor of pediatrics Ruth Lawrence, MD, has been recording vitamin D levels in new mothers and their infants for three years. She did not take part in the new study.

Lawrence, who chairs the breastfeeding committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics, says exclusively breastfed babies whose mothers have low vitamin D levels and who don't take vitamin supplements are most likely to be deficient.

"It is clear that both for mothers and their babies, vitamin D levels are low," she tells WebMD. "This is true in northern areas like Rochester and in sunny climates like Charleston."

Lawrence sees no problem with the recommendation that women take 4,000 IU of vitamin D daily during pregnancy, although she says the impact of high doses of vitamin D on pregnancy-related complications remains to be proven.

"Four thousand IU may sound outrageous to some, but I believe it is really not unreasonable," she says.

"We have been searching for the causes of preeclampsia and premature birth for many years. It is reassuring that the risk of these complications are lower for women taking extra vitamin D, but it is premature to say it is the cause."

The independent health policy group the Institute of Medicine recommends 200 IU to 400 IU of vitamin D a day for everyone, including pregnant women, but this recommendation is under review. Revised guidelines are expected late this summer.

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TOURING ACHES & PAINS CRIPPLE MADONNA

TOURING ACHES & PAINS CRIPPLE MADONNA

MADONNA has to sit in an ice bath for 10 minutes after every concert and undergo acupuncture therapy to relieve her aches and pains on the road. The 51-year-old pop superstar admits age and years of abuse on her body have caught up with her and now she has to take extra care to make sure she's always in tip-top form onstage. She tells Rolling Stone magazine the first few minutes in the ice bath is always painful, but "it feels so good afterwards". And her pre and post-gig regime now includes a lot of tender loving care.The Like A Virgin hitmaker adds, "My ankles get taped before the shows, and I have treatments and physical therapists. It's from years and years of abuse, dancing in high heels, which is not great on your knees. "All dancers have injuries, but we just deal with them. We get acupuncture and therapy, and just keep going."

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/134605/
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12 Food Additives to Avoid

12 Food Additives to Avoid
By Jean Weiss for MSN Health & Fitness

Whoever coined the term food additives had it all wrong. Including something new in a food doesn't always add up to more, at least when it comes to your health. Studies that test the safety of additives are based on animal trials. It is difficult to deduce whether the results of an animal study equate to human health, though many of these studies show that some additives could be cancer-causing.

1. Sodium nitrite
The list of the 12 most dangerous additives to red flag—until we know more—includes the preservative sodium nitrite, used to preserve, color, and flavor meat products. Sodium nitrite is commonly added to bacon, ham, hot dogs, luncheon meats, smoked fish, and corned beef to stabilize the red color and add flavor. The preservative prevents growth of bacteria, but studies have linked eating it to various types of cancer. "This would be at the top of my list of additives to cut from my diet," says Christine Gerbstadt, M.D., M.P.H., R.D., L.D.N., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. "Under certain high-temperature cooking conditions such as grilling, it transforms into a reactive compound that has been shown to promote cancer."
2. BHA and BHT
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydrozyttoluene (BHT) are additional additives to red flag. They are antioxidants used to preserve common household foods by preventing them from oxidizing. Both keep fats and oils from going rancid and are found in cereals, chewing gum, potato chips, and vegetable oils, but there is concern that they may cause cancer. "The structure of BHA and BHT will change during this process [of preserving food], and may form a compound that reacts in the body," says Gerbstadt. "BHA and BHT are not stable or inert. They're not just hanging out and being excreted by the body." Gerbstadt says that they are obviously not added for the purpose of giving people cancer, but for some people, some of the time, there may be that risk.
3. Propyl gallate
Propyl gallate is another preservative to avoid. It's used to prevent fats and oils from spoiling and is often used in conjunction with BHA and BHT. This additive is sometimes found in meat products, chicken soup base, and chewing gum. Propyl gallate has not been proven to cause cancer, but studies done on animals have suggested that it could be linked to cancer, so it is an additive to be concerned about. "It's important to read the label," says Gerbstadt. "You really have to carry a cheat sheet around in the supermarket. I try to buy as few foods as possible containing preservatives."
4. Monosodium glutamate
Monosodium glutamate is an amino acid used as a flavor enhancer in soups, salad dressings, chips, frozen entrees, and restaurant food. It is commonly associated with Asian foods and flavorings. MSG can cause headaches and nausea in some people, and animal studies link it to damaging nerve cells in the brains of infant mice. Gerbstadt recommends replacing MSG with a small amount of salt when possible. "Why bother using MSG when you can live without it?" she says. "MSG can cause migraine-like headaches and create other adverse affects for certain people. It is a flavor enhancer, but you’d be better off putting in a few grains of salt."
5. Trans fats
Trans fat makes it onto our dirty dozen list because eating too much of it leads to heart disease. "Trans fats are proven to cause heart disease, and make conditions perfect for stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and limb loss due to vascular disease," says Gerbstadt. "It would be wonderful if they could be banned." Manufacturers have modified product ingredients lists to reduce the amount of trans fats, and are required to label trans fats amounts, but restaurant food, especially fast food chains, still serve foods laden with trans fats. Experts recommend we consume no more than two grams of trans fat per day, an amount easily accounted for if you eat meat and dairy.
6. Aspartame
Aspartame, also known by the brand names Nutrasweet and Equal, is an additive found in so-called diet foods such as low-calorie desserts, gelatins, drink mixes and soft drinks. It also comes in individual packages used in place of sugar as a sweetener. The safety of aspartame, a combination of two amino acids and methanol, has been the focus of hundreds of scientific studies. Conclusions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the World Health Organization, the ADA, and the Food and Agriculture Organization indicated that the additive is safe. Conversely, the Center for Science in the Public Interest gave it their lowest ranking in a review of food additives, quoting animal studies in 1970 and in 2007, which suggest that there is a link between aspartame and cancer. Gerbstadt, spokesperson from the ADA—an organization that supports the general safety of aspartame—says that the additive might be unhealthy for some people—especially those with the disease phenylketonuria, an enzyme disorder—because it contains phenalalanine. "Some people may be sensitive to it, and it's easy to avoid," she says.
7. Acesulfame-K
This is a relatively new artificial sweetener, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1998 for use in soft drinks. It is also found in baked goods, chewing gum, and gelatin desserts. Acesulfame-K—the "K" is the chemistry symbol for potassium—is considered 200 times sweeter than sugar. While Gerbstadt isn't specifically concerned about this sweetener when used in moderation, there is a general concern that testing on this product has been scant. Some studies showed the additive may cause cancer in rats, but the substance makes top 12 lists of additives to avoid because further study is needed to conclude whether or not acesulfame-K is harm8. Food colorings: Blue 1, 2; Red 3; Green 3; and Yellow 6
You may think that all dangerous artificial food colorings were banned by the FDA long ago, but there are five still on the market that are linked with cancer in animal testing. "Always opt for the product without the color, if you have a choice," says Gerbstadt. "I'm not saying to avoid all coloring. Many are made from natural sources. But some specific dye colors do promote tumor formation, in the right combination and conditions." Blue 1 and 2, found in beverages, candy, baked goods and pet food, are considered low risk but have been linked to cancer in mice. Red 3, used to dye cherries, fruit cocktail, candy, and baked goods, has been shown to cause thyroid tumors in rats. Green 3, added to candy and beverages, though rarely used, has been linked to bladder cancer. Studies have linked the widely used yellow 6—added to beverages, sausage, gelatin, baked goods, and candy—to tumors of the adrenal gland and kidney.
9. Olestra
Olestra, a synthetic fat known as the brand name Olean and found in some brands of potato chips, prevents fat from getting absorbed in your digestive system. This often leads to severe diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and gas. "If you eat fat when taking Olestra, the fat is going to go right through you," says Gerbstadt. More significantly, though, Olestra inhibits healthy vitamin absorption from fat-soluble carotenoids that are found in fruits and vegetables and thought to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. "It blocks fat absorption, but it also blocks vitamin absorption," says Gerbstadt.
10. Potassium bromate
Potassium bromate is rare, but still legal in the U.S., and used as an additive to increase volume in white flour, breads, and rolls. Most bromate rapidly breaks down to an innocuous form, but it is known to cause cancer in animals—and even small amounts in bread can create a risk for humans. California requires a cancer warning on the product label if potassium bromate is an ingredient.
11. White sugar
Some foods, such as fruits and carrots, natur
ally contain sugar, but watch out for foods with added sugars, such as baked goods, cereals, crackers, even sauces and many other processed foods. Gerbstadt includes white sugar on the list of 12 because although it is non-toxic, large amounts are unsafe for our health and promote bad nutrition. "Simple sugars shouldn't take up more than about 10 percent of the total calories you consume daily," says Gerbstadt. Yet most Americans already are eating way over that amount, consuming 20, 30, or 40 percent of their calories from simple sugars, she says. Too much sugar not only leads to problems with weight control, tooth decay and blood sugar levels in diabetics; it also replaces good nutrition. "In addition to providing unnecessary calories, your body needs nutrients to metabolize sugar, so it robs your body of valuable vitamins and minerals," says Gerbstadt.
12. Sodium chloride
A dash of sodium chloride, more commonly known as salt, can certainly bring flavor to your meal. But salt is another hidden food additive that can lead to health issues. "Small amounts of salt are needed by the body and are beneficial in preserving food," says Gerbstadt. "Excessive amounts of salt can become dangerous for your health, affecting cardiovascular function, leading to high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure."

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Press Release for Your Natural Baby Fair Sunday, May 23rd, 8:30 am - 5 pm

Attention All San Diego Parents and Parents-to-Be:
Are you a trying, expecting, or seasoned parent? Are you a practitioner or business that focuses on the health and well being of children and families? If so, we have got an educational, entertaining, all-day event planned just for YOU!

Your Natural Baby Fair, for all your fertility, pregnancy, birth, and baby care needs, will be held at Renew Integrative Health Center in Pacific Beach on Sunday May 23rd. This all-day event kicks off at 9am with family fitness in mind. Choose from mommy-baby or prenatal yoga presented by Nature’s Whisper, or a Stroller Strides demo class for you and your little ones. Our main event begins at 10am, and is filled with educational presentations by local experts, demonstrations, raffle, yummy food, vendors and shopping, kids’ entertainment, and FREE goodie bags for the first 200 to arrive! Bring your children along; we have a childcare area provided with face painting, balloons, a bounce house, and even Hullaballoo at 11:30! It is fun for the whole family!

Following our main event, Jan Roberts, special guest speaker and internationally acclaimed author on naturally improving fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and newborn health, will be speaking on how to ‘build better babies.’ Beautiful, healthy, happy babies don’t happen by accident! They begin well before conception even takes place. Beginning at 3:30pm, Jan will discuss the various dietary, lifestyle, environmental and mental and emotional issues that need attention even before you conceive. This is a must-attend – whether your baby plans are for the immediate or distant future.

This event is for anyone who is interested in learning more about all things natural for creating a healthy family. Whether you are a practitioner, expert, parent or someone interested in learning the most recent trends in health and wellness for you and your family, we will have something worth your while!

Join us for our main event from 10am to 3pm for FREE! Register now for our pre- and post-events and save at www.YourNaturalBabyFair.com. On-site registration for the fitness-focused pre-events begins at 8:30am. Prices are $10 pre-registered or $15 at the door. The post-event registration begins at 3pm, and is $15 pre-registered, or $20 at the door. Details and additional information can be found at www.YourNaturalBabyFair.com.

Raffle tickets can also be purchased online ahead of time... avoid the lines or join in the fun even if you can't attend! http://yournaturalbabyfair.com/Natural_Baby_Health_Fair/Pre_Post_Event_Registration.html

Your Natural Baby Fair is brought to you by Natural Baby Pros, Renew Integrative Health and Discover PB, and will be located at 2206 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92109

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Acupuncture Pins Down Allergy Relief

Acupuncture Pins Down Allergy Relief

By Dr. Manny Alvarez


FoxNews.com managing health editor Dr. Manuel Alvarez
Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, was a firm believer in the body's ability to heal itself, saying, "the natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well."

But long before Hippocrates, the ancient Chinese were already practicing what he would later preach, through the art of acupuncture.

With seasonal allergies torturing one-third of Americans, ancient acupuncture can provide a new kind of relief. While over-the-counter medications often come with unwanted side-effects, acupuncture does not. This makes it a welcome alternative for people looking for a new way to combat allergies this season.

Acupuncture is defined as a method of preventing and treating disease, illness, injury or pain by allowing the body to heal naturally and improve the way it functions. This is done by stimulating biologically significant points on the surface of the body.

In traditional Chinese medicine, these strategic points are usually stimulated by the insertion of acupuncture needles. However, in the current Westernized version of acupuncture, they can be stimulated through non-invasive techniques such as lasers.


No matter what type of stimulation is used, there is never any introduction of chemical substances into the body.

Getting to Know Acupuncture

The traditional Chinese medicine approach to acupuncture treatment is predicated on eight principles:

• Qi (sometimes spelled "chi") - This is the energy that gives life to all living matter. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi typically refers to the functions of the internal organs as well as life force or energy.

• Yin and Yang - These two opposites make up the whole. To be healthy involves balancing Yin and Yang. Illness occurs when one of the two is either too strong or too weak.

• The Five Phases of Transformation (also known as the Five Elements) - The five elements are Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth. They are related to the various organs in the body and to one another in a complex manner.

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• Channels – Qi flows through a system of ducts. These ducts form a network of main channels, minor capillaries and collaterals. There are 14 main interconnected channels called "meridians" through which Qi flows. Each meridian is named for the organ it is related to e.g. Heart channel.

• Points (also known as acupuncture points) – More than 400 locations on the skin connect to the 14 main meridians or channels. The stimulation of different acupuncture points can influence the activity of the corresponding meridian in a specific manner.

• Diagnosis – It is believed that the pathological changes of the internal organs are reflected on the body surface. That is why a diagnosis is made by observation of the skin, eyes, tongue, and pulse.

• Zang-Fu Theory – This explains the physiological function, pathological changes, and inter-relationships of internal organs. The five Zang organs are the Lungs, Heart, Spleen, Liver, and Kidney. The six Fu organs are the Gall Bladder, Stomach, Large Intestine, Small Intestine, Urinary Bladder and "Triple Warmer" (three areas of the body cavity).

• Chinese Syndrome – There are eight general principles that are used to differentiate among syndromes:- Yin and Yang- Exterior (Biao) and Interior (Li)- Xu (deficiency) and Shi (excess)- Cold and Heat.

Acupuncture and Allergies

How do all of these elements fit together in the treatment of seasonal allergies? Kath Bartlett, owner of the Asheville Center for Chinese Medicine in Asheville, N.C., noted that they are used in a two pronged, "root and branch" approach. Kath has an M.S. in traditional Chinese medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, San Diego campus. She is also Board Certified in Oriental Medicine by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

She explained that during allergy season, when a patient comes in with a runny nose, watery eyes, and uncontrollable sneezing, the treatment emphasis is on the symptoms, or the "branch." In between allergy seasons, the patient would continue to receive treatments, but this time the emphasis is on strengthening the immune system, or the "root," also refered to as "The Righteous Qi."

Diagnosing an allergy using traditional Chinese medicine is far more individualized than it would be with Western medicine. Allergies are analyzed by the pattern of symptoms seen in the specific patient, and the treatment is designed to relieve these particular symptoms.

The diagnosis begins with the basic belief that all allergies contain an element of dampness, which is a pathological accumulation of water. At this point, Kath explained, the acupuncturist looks at the symptoms to differentiate the nature of the allergy by determining heat and cold conditions.

In a heat condition, the phlegm or expectorant is green; there is a redness or yellow coat on the tongue, and the patient has a rapid pulse. In a cold condition, the phlegm or expectorant is white or clear and the tongue has a white coating. Once this determination has been made, the acupuncturist can target the specific acupuncture points that will alleviate symptoms.

Another technique used in addition to needle insertion is what's known as "cupping." This methodology is used to help Qi circulate. "In traditional Chinese medicine, a glass glass cup is usually used. There are also bamboo and plastic ones. A flame is put in and out of the cup, which causes the air inside to evaporate. This creates a vacuum effect. I put the cup on the lungs to pull out the phlegm," described Kath.

Some acupuncturists also have herbal training, like Kath; and they incorporate herbs into the allergy treatment. She uses raw herbs or parts of the plants that are cut and dried and can be brewed into the strong-flavored teas that most people associated with herbal remedies. For patients who are turned off by the pungent flavors, granulated herbs can be mixed with water and drunk that way.

Is Acupuncture Effective?

How effective is traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of seasonal allergies? In a study published in the September 2004 issue of Allergy magazine, the researchers concluded that a combination of Chinese herbs and weekly acupuncture sessions showed promise as a treatment for relieving the symptoms of seasonal allergies. The authors of the study recommended that future research investigate the effectiveness of an acupuncture and herb combination in the treatment of other conditions.

The study was done with 52 participants, between ages 20 and 58. The first group received a 20-minute acupuncture treatment weekly for six weeks, with points on the Large Intestine, Gallbladder, Lung and Liver meridians stimulated. Additional points were selected based on each patient's individual symptoms. They were also given an herbal blend of schizonepeta, chrysanthemum, cassia seed, plantago seed and tribulus.

Patients in the control group were given acupuncture, but at the same non-acupuncture points, which were away from meridians. They were treated with needles smaller than those used on the traditional Chinese medicine patients. Control patients also received a non-specific herbal formula comprised of coix seed, licorice, poria, hops, oryza, barley, hawthorn fruit, and medicated leaven.

At the end of the study period, participants in both groups were rated on their level of improvement. The first group treated with traditional Chinese medicine patients demonstrated improvements in allergy symptoms in the eyes and nose, higher levels of physical activity, and an improved psychological condition compared to patients in the control group.

For seasonal allergy sufferers still suffering with traditional Western medical treatments, or weighed down by unwanted side effects like drowsiness, may find relief in acupuncture. In fact, these patients may discover what Hippocrates learned centuries ago, the body has its own incredible power to heal.
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