A study of 1,200 basketball players with reported ankle sprains was conducted by the Department of Physical Education at Changsha Normal University and in conjunction with the Institute of Sport at Jishou University, to look at the efficacy of acupoint application and acupoint massage in treating these injuries. The participants were treated with routine care, such as icing, compression, elevation and stabilization, as well as acupuncture and massage. The results of the study showed the participants who received the additional acupuncture and massage had shorter hospital stays, less pain and less need for pain medications. 

Sprains and strains are common, not just in athletes, but also the everyday person. A sprain is defined as a stretch or tear of a ligament. A strain, on the other hand, is defined as an injury to a muscle or tendon. Sprains can result from a fall, a sudden twist or a blow to the body that forces a joint out of place, while a strain can happen from twisting or pulling a muscle or tendon.
        
Instinctively, when a person experiences a sprain or a strain, either learned first aid skills take over or they may immediately go to the emergency room. Things like taking the pressure off the joint, raising the joint and applying ice to alleviate swelling and inflammation are all great places to start and many times this is exactly what happens in the emergency room. Icing a sprain or strain is only good for the first 48 to 72 hours, as it will help decrease swelling. However, prolonged use of ice may impair movement and also interfere with the healing process because it constricts the tissues and impedes blood flow. But there are other possible solutions to healing a sprain or a strain. And one of these would be to see an acupuncturist or Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner. 
        
TCM practitioners have many tools at their disposal that can assist in increased healing of a strain or sprain. When either of these injuries occur, the muscles surrounding the area tighten up in an effort to protect the injured site. This can then lead to stiffness in that joint. This is the body’s natural defense mechanism that decreases strong blood flow to the area. TCM practitioners use acupuncture and other modalities to help loosen up the muscles and increase blood flow to the area, which brings in tissue-healing oxygen and nutrients.  
       
Increasing blood flow is just one way a TCM practitioner can help. There are also specific acupressure points that reduce swelling, decrease inflammation and alleviate pain. Through the use of regular acupuncture treatments immediately following a sprain or strain injury, the body can heal faster.  The more frequently the person can come in for treatments, the quicker the results will occur. 

In a 2014 study published by the World Journal of Gastroenterology, researchers found a positive link between acupuncture and the treatment of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Researchers were able to prove through meta-analysis that acupuncture does indeed help prevent and heal symptoms those with IBS may be facing. 

The study involved using randomly-controlled trials in order to evaluate the specific efficiency of acupuncture for IBS. The researchers sifted through various information from MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials in order to come up with their information. Both double-blind and placebo-controlled trials were looked at in their research in order to determine acupuncture’s effectiveness on treating the symptoms of IBS.
Although there is still no universally-accepted cure for IBS, the researchers found information to determine that acupuncture is one way to help improve the quality of life of those afflicted with IBS.
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If you or someone you know may be experiencing symptoms of IBS, send them to your local licensed acupuncturist and get them on a treatment plan right away, it could make a big difference in their daily routine as they try to cope with IBS. 

More Americans want to live longer. Over 53% of the respondents in an MDVIP and Ipsos survey revealed that they even wanted to reach the age of 100. That reveals a startling phenomenon: most people focus on their lifespan—not their "health span." As you enter your later years, it's important to remember that you'll be more vulnerable to illnesses and injuries. To truly live a longer life and enjoy it, you thus have to age gracefully. 

The key to aging gracefully involves supporting not just your longevity, but your vitality. By using strategies that tackle all aspects of your health, you can enjoy the benefits of a strong mind and body for longer without running into serious health conditions. Here are some of the best holistic practices you can try that will help you age gracefully. 

The Mediterranean diet 

How you nourish yourself can significantly affect your short- and long-term health, which is why balanced meals are crucial for establishing both longevity and vitality. That's also what makes the Mediterranean diet one of the best in the world for living longer. Mediterranean cuisine leverages ingredients like fresh produce, fruits, nuts, seafood, and olive oil, all containing a diverse range of nutrients great for reducing inflammation and boosting your immune system. Studies thus find that starting this diet can lower your risk of developing chronic conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes—and, potentially, even slow cognitive decline to shield you against dementia and Alzheimer's for longer. The best part is you don't necessarily need to eat Mediterranean cuisine itself on the regular. As long as you prioritize the same ingredients in your meals while minimizing your intake of dairy, red meat, and food with added sugars, you can enjoy the benefits of this holistic eating practice. 

Yoga 

Healthy diets are best paired with regular exercise, and there are few physical activities out there that are better for aging gracefully than yoga. This holistic practice can do more than just teach you calming breathing techniques and improve your flexibility. When you start doing yoga, you use your own body weight to engage several muscle groups at once—a form of strength training that, over time, will bolster your cardiovascular health and keep your bones and muscles from weakening as you age. In the process, yoga's relaxing motions can also help relieve aches and pains. That includes the chronic pain brought about by age-related conditions like arthritis. Ultimately, it can help you maintain your vitality for longer in multiple ways. The best part arguably lies in the fact that yoga is a low-impact exercise, meaning you can easily begin it no matter your age or fitness level.

Recreational therapy 

Your mental health and well-being should be another aspect you should focus on when aiming to age gracefully. Researchers from Colorado State University emphasize the link between mental and physical health, highlighting that caring for the former can enhance the latter to improve overall longevity and vitality. Doing so will also put you in the best state of mind possible to enjoy your golden years to the fullest. When looking for a holistic practice that will help you do just that, consider recreational therapy. This strategy essentially involves taking up hobbies that do everything from improving cognitive function and relieving stress to helping you socialize and enhancing your physical strength. It's even easier to get started: choose practically any activity you prefer, whether it's dancing or arts and crafts, and decide whether you want to try it in a group setting or one-on-one with a relative or friend.  

Acupuncture

Though the above strategies can help you significantly progress toward the goal of aging gracefully, there's one holistic practice you should definitely have on your list--something that can get to the root of improved longevity and vitality itself by improving your immune system. That something is acupuncture. This Chinese medical practice upholds Wei Qi, a form of protective energy that permeates the body and protects it from invading pathogens. Acupuncture strengthens immunity by balancing that energy, which is why its primary benefits will see you enjoying increased white blood cell production and a more regulated immune response. As with the other practices in this piece, however, it can do even more. The secondary benefits of acupuncture include stress relief, improved sleep quality, and pain management, all of which can assist you in living longer while enjoying a more robust vitality. If you're curious about what acupuncture can offer you, consider booking an appointment with us online at All Ways Well. 


Article written by Lana Preston

A study published by The National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health looked at the effects of acupuncture on the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism in patients suffering from metabolic syndrome. The study followed 76 metabolic syndrome patients over a period of time and divided them into two groups. The first group received only conventional medical treatments/pharmaceuticals, while the second group received conventional medical treatments plus regular acupuncture treatments. The body mass index (BMI), blood lipid, blood glucose and comprehensive therapeutic effects were compared before and after treatment in both groups. The results revealed the group that received acupuncture plus conventional medical treatments had superior improvement over the group that only received conventional medical treatments. The subjects showed improvement in BMI, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting insulin and insulin resistance index. This study provides strong evidence that acupuncture can greatly improve the health of patients suffering from metabolic disorders, when coupled with conventional medical treatments.

Metabolism is defined as the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life. That’s not something that most people consciously think about. It just happens and we automatically assume it will happen, regardless of what we do on a daily basis. But this isn’t always the case. Some people are born with genetic defects that can mess with their metabolism. Others develop metabolic disorders over time from not taking proper care of themselves. Metabolic disorders can also be trauma induced. 

As with most health issues, conventional medicine typically treats metabolic issues with pharmaceuticals. For some this works very well. But there are always side effects with pharmaceuticals and the body can also develop a resistance to them over time. So when it comes to metabolic disorders, a natural approach is usually a better long term choice. This is where acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can be very beneficial.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), all disease occurs in the body due to either a lack, excess or blockage of energy. TCM treats these energy imbalances using a host of modalities, but acupuncture is the most commonly known and used. Most metabolic diseases are a result of an imbalance of hormones such as insulin, glucose and thyroid hormones. These three components are key to keeping the body functioning properly and can easily be thrown off. Too much stress, poor dietary habits and lack of exercise are all reasons why the body’s metabolism may not be functioning correctly.

Acupuncture has been shown to balance hormones when accompanied by lifestyle modifications. Acupuncture helps control food cravings, boosts metabolism, improves digestion and helps the liver function optimally. The liver produces chemicals that help break down fat, while filtering out toxins that can slow our body’s ability to digest and regulate. Excess stress can lead to a slower metabolism, an increase in body fat and poor sleep. Regular acupuncture treatments can help reduce stress

If you’re feeling tired or sluggish, put on some weight, or are dealing with stress and depression, acupuncture can definitely help.