Acupuncture for pain management in the hospital Emergency Room








Abbott Northwestern Hospital is the largest private hospital in the Twin Cities, Abbott Northwestern is reconized nationally and locally for its exceptional expertise and care. Each year, the hospital serves more than 200,000 patients and their families from across the Twin Cities and Upper Midwest. Abbott pioneers acupuncture in the Emergency Room. 


Abbott Northwestern Hospital is reporting success using acupuncture in its emergency room to treat condition ranging from car accident injuries to migraines to kidney stones, and hoping to prove that the traditional Chinese treatment can reduce doctors' reliance on addictive opioids to manage patients' pain.

The Minneapolis hospital was the first in the nation to staff its Emergency Room with an acupuncturist two years ago, as part of  a broader campaign to promote Eastern remedies as complements to Western mainstream medicine.



Proving acupuncture could sometimes replace opioids would be meaningful because there is growing evidence that the drugs are being overused and causing addictions and overdose deaths, said Dr.Chris Kapsner, the medical director of Abbott's Emergency Room.

Minnesota overdose deaths have risen sixfold, according to state death records, a trend that has corresponded with rising prescription rates.

Emergency Room Patients are choosing Acupuncture Instead of Painkillers at Minneapolis Hospital.



Last year there were 336 people died from the side-effect of the Painkiller pills in Minnesota 


Since the hospital using acupuncture for pain management in the ER, they have reduced 20% of the Opioids usage and also reduce the cost.

Note: Opioids are mainly used for moderate to severe pain treatment, such as cancer pain. Opioid analgesics include codeine, dihydrocodeine, hydromorphone, oxycodone, methadone, morphine, fentanyl, pethidine (meperidine) and tramadol and so on.

ABC News report the Acupuncture in the hospital ER(Emergency Room)




10 Ways that Acupuncture can help Fertility

No.1: Reduces stress & promotes relaxation


No.2: Regulates hormones – better quality eggs



No.3: Improves ovarian function – more follicles, better egg production

No.4: Improves ovarian blood flow, increasing ovarian response


No.5: Strengthens the immune system


No.6: Increases blood flow to the uterus, improving the endometrial lining

No.7: Improves sperm count, motility, morphology


No.8: Lessens side effects from hormonal treatment

No.9: Decreases uterine contractility at implantation

No.10:Decreases the chance of miscarriage



Or Call Oriental Acupuncture Clinic today at 416-800-3978

to set up your first appointment!

Healing from the root, beyond treating symptoms.
So you can experience greater health and well-being!
With our Therapist's 30+ years clinical experience, 
you will feel the difference.

check our other blog: Can acupuncture boost my fertility?

Acupuncture and moxibustion of traditional Chinese medicine Video intro


Acupuncture and moxibustion are forms of traditional Chinese medicine widely practised in China and also found in regions of south-east Asia, Europe and the Americas. The theories of acupuncture and moxibustion hold that the human body acts as a small universe connected by channels, and that by physically stimulating these channels the practitioner can promote the human body's self-regulating functions and bring health to the patient. This stimulation involves the burning of moxa (mugwort) or the insertion of needles into points on these channels, with the aim to restore the body's balance and prevent and treat disease.

In acupuncture, needles are selected according to the individual condition and used to puncture and stimulate the chosen points.


Moxibustion is usually divided into direct and indirect moxibustion, in which either moxa cones are placed directly on points or moxa sticks are held and kept at some distance from the body surface to warm the chosen area. Moxa cones and sticks are made of dried mugwort leaves. 

Acupuncture and moxibustion are taught through verbal instruction and demonstration, transmitted through master-disciple relations or through members of a clan. Currently, acupuncture and moxibustion are also transmitted through formal academic education.

Acupuncture moxibustion for PCOS Uterine Fibroids Infertility


Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is systemic and has many manifestations. While its name clearly indicates that ovulation is affected, the widespread effects of the core imbalance can show up in skin, hair, mood, sleep patterns, fat storage, and just about any other body system. This is because, at its root, what we have decided to label as “PCOS” is really a whole body issue and, in fact, the ovarian aspect is only a side-effect. There are commonalities among those patients with PCOS, but in the end each case is completely unique. So our acupuncturists need to detect, understand, and address each case differently for its unique aspects. Traditional Chinese Medicine sees the body as a Universe. In this Body-Universe, the foods we eat, the thoughts and feelings we dwell upon, the environments we frequent, and the lifestyle choices we make, all have dramatic impacts. Even subtle changes in these areas can produce dramatic changes in the powerful cues that drive our nervous, endocrine, immune, digestive, and metabolic systems. As an example of the amazing subtlety of our bodies, note that hormones are typically measured in pictograms per milliliter of blood. That’s one TRILLIONTH of a gram per milliliter. The difference between baseline estrogen of 50 pg/mL and the ovulatory peak of 250 pg/mL is 200 trillionths of a gram, or 0.0000002 milligrams. Talk about subtle! We can potentially see some dramatic effects if we help the body adjust its levels by 5 or 10 trillionths of a gram using acupuncture, moxibustion, herbs, mind-body exercises or food therapy! 

Acupuncture and moxibustion — along with the herbal, nutritional, and mind-body approaches of Traditional Chinese Medicine — is all about bringing this Body-Universe back into its natural balance. Rather than a forceful override, we use acupuncture, herbs, foods, and mind-body exercises to gently adjust the body’s intrinsic hormonal pathways. In essence, we “teach the body to fish”, letting its innate healing systems handle the situation. This is something we always stress to our patients: Your body already contains the blueprint to balance and profound healing. It already knows exactly what it needs to do to bring you back to a state of vibrant wellness, where all systems — reproductive included — work together in complete harmony. We don’t have to micromanage the situation at all. The less we try to inject our analytical thought process into the vast, organic, non-linear world of Body-Universe, the better. In other words, we give the body the support it needs, and then we get out of the way and let it work its magic. We have seen this approach work wonders time and again not just with PCOS, but with just about any health condition you can imagine. We have come to learn that addressing PCOS first requires that we understand that the imbalance that is most prevalent in YOUR body. If we begin from preconceived notions — that PCOS is insulin-driven, or that it is always related to body weight, or that it is driven by excess androgens — we may miss things that are unique to your situation, driving your body to imbalance. And when we miss these important things that fall outside the conventional picture, we often get incomplete results. In these cases, clomid, femara, metformin, follistim, provera, IUI, IVF… nothing seems to work. This is because while we everyone is busy trying to treat the obvious part of the issue (the ovaries, the insulin, the blood glucose, the androgen), nobody is getting to the root cause of the problem. 

Three Commonly Overlooked Endocrine Disruptors here , there are three main areas that drastically impact hormonal balance that are overlooked or poorly addressed. When any one of these is not functioning properly it is difficult, if not impossible, for any other system to heal. These are: No.1 the digestive tract, No.2 sleep patterns, and No.3 glucose metabolism. 

The Impact of Digestive Imbalance  An inflamed, stressed, inefficient digestive tract leads to problems of both assimilation and elimination. The supply of nutrients critical for proper function of our hormonal system can be significantly impaired; the body’s normal elimination of hormones can be disrupted. Essential nutrients that support nervous, circulatory and endocrine function must be processed and absorbed by the digestive tract. Keep in mind that both the nervous and circulatory systems are also crucial for hormonal balance, as the brain and nervous system are involved in hormonal signals and the blood is what carries those signals. Inflammation in the gut affects levels of B Vitamins essential for nervous system function, as well as trace minerals crucial for glandular function. The bowel is a primary site for hormone elimination and, if it becomes chronically inflamed, hormonal excess can result. This can disrupt the body’s ability to regulate hormonal cycles like the fertility cycle. So, how do we ensure a healthy digestive tract? For everyone this is different. But, there are some things you can try to see how they work for you.  First, try avoiding over-consumption of foods that commonly cause inflammation of the mucosa. These include wheat flour and other wheat products, animal dairy and white sugar. If you can significantly reduce these foods for a week or two, and you notice a flatter stomach, more energy, and a more regular bowel movement, you may be intolerant to one or more. Add them back in one by one and you’ll discover the culprit or culprits. Second, ensure adequate intake of fermented foods and/or probiotics. Non-dairy sources include sauerkrauts and other fermented vegetables. The live cultures in fermented foods have widespread beneficial effects for the digestive tract and ensure the body’s primary barrier of assimilation and elimination functions at a high level.  Third, get a handle on your stress. The nervous system that controls the digestive tract only operates properly when we are relaxed. Chronic stress affects everything from food transit times, to secretion of bile and enzymes, to the fluid balance in the colon. This is where acupuncture can be of great benefit. Not only is it legendary for its stress-reducing, relaxation-enhancing properties, it has also shown promise in many studies for calming digestive upset.

The Importance of Healthy Sleep Patterns  Poor sleep patterns are devastating to hormonal function. When we don’t get adequate sleep, our adrenal glands are unable to express their natural daily cycle, and their function suffers. Among other things, the adrenal glands are essential for proper steroid hormone synthesis. If they are out of balance, reproductive function can suffer tremendously.  How do we ensure healthy sleep? First, keep a regular bedtime, and make it as early as possible after sundown, preferably around 9 – 10pm. This time is most in sync with our natural biology which has evolved over many thousands of years under the influence of sun/moon cycles. Second, turn off computers and televisions about a half-hour before sleep. The bright, flashing, stimulating light from TVs and computer screens can delay the onset of our natural sleep cycle and over-stimulate our nervous systems. Allow yourself some quiet time before bed. Third, take 20 – 25 deep, relaxed belly breaths as you lie down to sleep. This calms and resets your nervous system prior to the onset of sleep. Again, acupuncture shines here, as it is an effective therapy for insomnia and poor sleep.


Proper Glucose Metabolism Both glucose and insulin have significant impacts on hormonal systems. While it is well known that PCOS can be related to glucose and insulin, a well-known PCOS-related system, the way it is conventionally managed often falls short. In our experience, carbohydrate sensitivity varies greatly among individuals. Metformin or other glucose-lowering and insulin-sensitizing medications don’t always produce desired results. This is because it may not address individual variations. The most effective way to manage glucose and insulin systems is via diet and exercise. While medications may be necessary for a time, they are not a shortcut to true internal balance. Nothing substitutes for a healthy diet over the long-term. The difficult part for many is finding the best eating pattern for their unique constitution. How do we ensure our blood sugar is in balance? First, pay attention to how you feel after meals. If you feel fatigued within 1 hour, your glycolic system is out of balance and something you ate is the reason why. The most likely culprits are starches, flours, or sugars (including fruit sugars). Second, avoid caffeine whenever possible. Caffeine wakes us up by raising our blood sugar, among other effects. And, excessive consumption taxes the adrenal glands which are crucial for proper reproductive and nervous system function. Third, start the day with a high-fiber, high-protein meal. The “model” breakfast is oatmeal and eggs (or egg-whites if cholesterol is a concern). This starts your metabolic day on smooth footing, and ensures your body isn’t working hard the rest of the day to get things back into balance. Finally, make sure you are drinking adequate water. For most people, around 3 liters a day is a starting point. 

So, why apply acupuncture? As your body is working to change its hormonal patterns, acupuncture provides exactly the type of support it needs. The relaxation and stress reduction ensure the nervous and endocrine systems have minimal interference as they work to adjust their function. The sleep-enhancing and gut-balancing effects of acupuncture further assist the body’s efforts to return to balance. Finally, acupuncture’s proven modulatory effects on the Central Nervous System have shown tremendous benefit for PCOS and other endocrine imbalances. Acupuncture, and the system of Traditional Chinese Medicine from which it originates, may hold the key that finally unlocks your unique healing process to help you conquer PCOS. Whether you are using conventional methods and are looking to enhance your efforts, or want to employ all-natural approaches, We encourage you to see our chinese acupuncturist (Jarry Liu) , with his 27 years clinical experience,you will feel the difference. Book appointment with Jarry online at www.Oclinic.ca or call 416-800-3978 to set up your first appointment. Also feel free to send email to Jarry@OrientalAcupuncture.ca for free consultation.





【Case report】Cancer patient got stress and pain relief after the first acupuncture treatment


Jarry got a patient who got breast cancer and turned into liver cancer. She was told by her doctors that no treatments for her anymore. So she started searching for other remedies, she was told by friend that Chinese medication will help, then she came to Jarry for acupuncture treatments. She was surprised that right after the first session she felt the difference, the pain and the stress was relieved a lot right away. 

For cancer control, acupuncture can do a lot more than just pain or stress relief, it can also help cancer patients gain back their energy and immunity to fight the cancer by themselves.  


Acupuncture for tumor control and Cancer pain control


For Jarry's acupuncture treatment, feel free to book online at http://www.Oclinic.ca or call Oriental Acupuncture clinic at 416-800-3978



Is acupuncture effective for Sciatica Back pain Leg pain Feet pain?

Sciatica occurs when something pushes on the sciatic nerve.  This can be a muscle spasm, the spinal discs, and sometimes even the spine itself.   Most often this pain is due to muscle spasms or a slipped disc, but it can also be a sign of serious illness and it is important to go to you doctor for a diagnosis. Technically, sciatica is not a disease, but a group of symptoms that affect the region of the sciatic nerve.  Radiating pain is one of the more common and intense symptoms, there can also be numbness and tingling starting in the lower back radiating down the leg. Furthermore, sciatic nerve compression can be caused by several different types of spinal disorders such as: 1) a herniated disc 2) lumbar spinal stenosis 3) spondylolisthesis 4) trauma 5) piriformis syndrome 6) spinal tumors.
                     

Treating sciatica with acupuncture is helpful because it can really relieve the pain and inflammation within the sciatic nerve. Meiji University of Oriental Medicine did research on the effectiveness of acupuncture on sciatica treatment; they found that acupuncture not only influence humans’ pain inhibitory system, it participates in causing a transient change in sciatic nerve blood blow, including circulation to the cauda equine and nerve root. To further your understanding of how acupuncture relieves sciatic nerve pain: there are important acupuncture points within our back that can effectively trigger the sciatic nerve, thereby decreasing inflammation, numbness and pain.
Jarry Liu: Chinese acupuncturist since 1989. Lots of his patients came to him for acupuncture treatment for Sciatica back pain leg pain feet pain etc. here's One of the Jarry's case 

Acupuncture and Natural Therapies for Sciatica


Book an Appointment with our Therapists online Now

Or Call Oriental Acupuncture Clinic today at 416-800-3978
to set up your first appointment!

Healing from the root, beyond treating symptoms.
So you can experience greater health and well-being!

What is cupping and how does it work?

What is cupping and how does it work?

“I’ve been doing it for a while,” Phelps said, after racing through the semi-final of the 200-metre butterfly event. Cupping is a form of alternative therapy and acupuncture, which is currently under the spotlight at the Olympics.
It involves, as the name suggests, a series of glass or plastic cups being placed on the recipient’s skin. The cups are heated and come into effect upon cooling; the air trapped between the cup and skin contracts, creating a suction-like effect that pulls the skin upwards, drawing blood to the surface to increase blood flow and give the resulting marks their deep crimson-purple colour. At times, vacuum pumps can be used along with the cups to aid the process of suction.
The marks can last from anywhere between a few days to more than a week, but who came up with the idea in the first place?

Origins of cupping


Hailing from the east, the origins of cupping have been pinned to ancient China, where the practice was deemed to be a medical treatment serving as a form of healing and recovery. 3,000 years ago, cupping had an even greater significance to some Chinese practitioners, who would say that it, “helps open up channels of qi, or the body’s life force”.
It has roots in the Middle East too, with the practice of Hijama(the Arabic word for wet cupping) in the Muslim world well-documented. Hijama is slightly different to traditional cupping in that it involves a small skin incision and was endorsed by Greek physician Hippocrates.

Why are Olympic athletes using it?

Cupping therapy aids recovery, acting as a deep tissue massage, a form of rehabilitation, and a way of reducing pain. In a competition where quick recovery is pivotal to enhancing performance, athletes like Phelps are trying such methods. more questions about cupping, please check Cupping FAQs


Oriental Acupuncture Clinic has cupping reflexology therapy, acupuncture / moxibustion and massage therapy to treat all types of issues, including chronic pain, infertility, digestion problems,chronic fatigue, allergies......Call 416-800-3978 or text 416-655-1311 for your appointment. or book it online at http://www.Oclinic.ca

Why are Olympic athletes covered in spots?Cupping Therapy in Rio Olympics

You wouldn't need to have an eagle-like eye to notice the black purple circular marks on Phelps' back as he exited the pool. They're not a result of a tattoo mishap or a secret symbol only known to members of the US Olympic swim team. According to The Washington Post, the circles came from cupping, a technique used by trainers who attach suction cups to pull blood to sore and injured areas to speed healing.



Cupping therapy treatment is used by Olympic athletes to treat sore muscles. 
Here's how it works. 



It's a form of therapy in traditional Chinese medicine.that is used for health purposes such as treating congestion, reducing soreness and increasing blood flow.
The aim is to balance one's "chi" or vital energy. Practitioners believe that sickness or injury happens when too much energy is concentrated in one part of the body.
Cupping helps to redistribute that energy. 


Cups are placed on the section of the body in need of repair to create suction. The cupping therapy has been practiced in China for more than thousand years to draw out toxins, mobilize blood flow, alleviate muscle pain,soothe sore muscles and even help cure insominia and improve sleeping quality.

拔火罐是一种中医疗法。拔火罐通常借助热力排气吸附在皮肤上。这种疗法能排毒,促进血液流动,缓解肌肉酸疼,甚至改善睡眠。 
traditional Chinese medicine(简称TCM):中医

最传统的拔火罐是真正用火点燃,
现代也用抽气法。
拔火罐的在西方有大批粉丝. 



"What Are the Purple Circles on Michael Phelps? Cupping Has an Olympic Moment!"

菲尔普斯身上的紫圈圈是什么东西? 拔火罐在奥运会亮相了。


Michael Phelps接受采访说

"I have done it for awhile but I haven’t had bad ones (marks) like this awhile though," Phelps, who in 2015 posted an Instagram photo of himself receiving the therapy, told reporters on Monday. "That’s where I hurt the most," he said of the marks on his shoulder.

“I’ve done it before meets, pretty much every meet I go to,” Phelps said on Monday. “So I asked for a little cupping yesterday because I was sore." 

参加比赛我会去拔罐,基本上每次都会去拔。昨天我就去了,因为我身体有点疼。

And it’s not just Phelps sporting the patches either. U.S. gymnast Alex Naddour, 25, and Belarusian swimmer Pavel Sankovich are also fans of the procedure. Naddour posted a selfie with a big cupping mark on his shoulder last week,According to Naddour, the marks are as a result of something, “better than any money I’ve spent on anything else”. while Sankovich, 26, posted a photo on Instagram in June saying, "This kinda Saturday morning. Cupping is a great recovery tool."

Actresses Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston and pop star Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga have also been photographed with the distinctive large circles on their backs and chest.

However, while the therapy dates back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures, it has been less popular among more skeptical Western medical societies. 
"There is no scientific rationale for expecting any health benefit from cupping," the American Cancer Society said in a statement on Monday.
However, Jessica MacLean, acting director of the International Cupping Therapy Association, said she has seen a 20 percent increase in purchases of cupping therapy equipment and a 50 percent increase of healthcare practitioners seeking out their cupping certificates over the last three days.
MacLean, who receives cupping therapy daily and has been performing the procedure on people for 24 years, said she saw a similar trend after the “The Karate Kid” movie was released in 2010, which featured the therapy briefly.

“Every time we see something like this happen in the media, it piques people’s attention,” said MacLean. "When people get the treatment and they recover really fast, they don’t care about the scientific evidence - they just care that it works."
What's cupping and how does it work?


为什么女性的忧郁症比男生严重 - 腦科學揭露女人思考的秘密

为什么女性的忧郁症比男生严重?
为什么先生太太吵架时,太太还在生气,先生已经呼呼大睡?

这是台湾中央大学认知神经科学研究所所长洪兰教授的TED演讲,非常值得花上十几分钟倾听。风趣幽默,把深奥的科学简单明了化,观众在笑中得知了其中的奥秘...


另外值得一提的是东方针灸对忧郁症的治疗效果有时是出乎意料的,参考针灸师刘医师的案列之一:http://www.orientalacupuncture.ca/2016/04/case-reportdepression-patient-felt.html

Who is the biggest winner of Rio Olympic Game? 奥运最大的赢家是谁



31-year-old Phelps led the US team win Olympic gold metal, 
and became 19th Olympic Gold metal winner.
Attentive audience found his body has a lot of dark marks on his shoulder, 
at first glance, we thought it was bruised after being hit, 
and when you look closer ......
Actually these are cupping marks.
The British "Daily Mail" had reported that cupping therapy has been Phelps' favorite treatment for injury hurt.

31岁的菲尔普斯带领美国队取胜,而他也就此成为奥运“19金王”。
  细心的观众发现他的身上有很多圆形的一块一块的深色印记,初看以为是被打后的淤青,再仔细看……
这其实就是拔完火罐后的印记。
  此前英国《每日邮报》就曾报道,菲尔普斯最喜欢的疗伤方式,就是我们中国人最熟悉的拔火罐。
Fellow U.S. swimmer Natalie Coughlin, also a winner of multiple gold medals, has shown herself using the therapy on social media.

Lots of Olympic athletes have cupping marks, no wonder many people said that it seems the Traditional Chinese Medicine is the biggest winner of the Olympic game.

不少运动员身上都有拔罐的印记,难怪有网友说,看来这次奥运最大的赢家是中国老中医。

拔火罐为啥这么火?中国中医药报揭秘拔罐与运动员之间的"特殊关系"!


拔火罐为啥这么火?中国中医药报揭秘拔罐与运动员之间的"特殊关系"!


最近在里约奥运会赛场,除了运动员的飒爽英姿,还有一个“中国印”成了赛场上亮丽的风景线,并成为各国媒体报道的焦点,迅速火爆社交媒体,大家有没有被它刷屏呢?外国运动员身上这些圆圆的,颜色或浓或淡的印记,就是拔罐留下的。


8月9日,菲尔普斯在比赛中。当日,在2016年里约奥运会男子200米蝶泳决赛中,美国选手菲尔普斯以1分53秒36的成绩夺冠。 新华社记者费茂华摄

在世界体坛,菲尔普斯不是第一个体验拔火罐的外国选手,但肯定是最大牌的一个。如今,“美国飞鱼”已经成了外国选手中的“头号拔罐粉”,他在自己的个人社交平台上多次发过带有“拔罐印”的照片,甚至在其最新宣传片《Rule Yourself(掌控你自己)》中,还专门有镜头记录了他进行拔火罐的过程。






菲尔普斯在接受真空罐治疗

在菲尔普斯的推广下,美国体操队也爱上了拔火罐。




拔罐,这种源自中医传统外治领域的非药物疗法,以其简验效廉的特征,已征服了众多奥运明星。除了治病之外,拔罐与运动员之间的关系,很多人其实并不了解。下面就一起来涨姿势吧!针对运动员,拔罐有这几大法宝:

1、扶正祛邪,保护运动员免疫系统

赛前生病是教练和运动员最不愿意看到的,因为这都会或多或少影响运动员的状态发挥,所以预防工作尤为重要。南京市中西医结合医院针灸科副主任中医师戴奇斌介绍,中医认为:“正气存内,邪不可干。”疾病的发生、发展过程,就是人体的正气与外邪相争的过程,若正气盛,邪不得侵,则病退;若邪气旺,正不胜邪,则病进。拔罐疗法能激发经络之气,振奋衰弱的脏腑机能,提高机体的抗病能力,同时,通过吸拔作用,能排吸出风、寒、湿邪及瘀血,发挥扶正祛邪的作用。对于游泳、跳水、体操等运动项目的运动员来说,容易受凉,他们拔罐最重要的原因之一就是祛除体内的寒气。



现代研究表明,拔罐疗法可增强白细胞和网状内皮系统的吞噬功能,增强机体的抗病能力。在背部两侧强力拔罐,拔罐前后,比较白细胞的吞噬菌指数及血清补体效价,都明显提高。背部膀胱经走罐,能明显提高正常人红细胞免疫功能。另外,拔罐疗法由于有很强的负压吸附力量,使局部毛细血管破裂,局部瘀血,引起自身溶血现象。释放组织胺、5—羟色胺等神经介质,通过神经体液机制,刺激整个机体的功能,能有效地调动免疫系统,对治疗运动员过敏性疾病、免疫功能低下所造成的低热不退等,都有较好的疗效。拔罐疗法能促进肺部血液循环,改善支气管分泌和纤毛运动等作用,从而加速呼吸道炎症的消除。在肺俞、风门穴拔罐,能改善呼吸道的通气功能和换气功能,常用于防治风寒咳嗽、慢性支气管炎、哮喘等病。

2、疏经通络,调节神经兴奋性

武侠电影中经常会有打通任督二脉的镜头,这样的人会功力大增。对于运动员而言,如果经络不通,功力也会大减。南京市中西医结合医院针灸科李广林中医师介绍说,中医认为:“经脉者所以决死生,处百病,调虚实,不可不通。”经络是人体气血运行的通路,使人体各部分的功能保持相对的平衡与协调。如果经络气血功能失调,会出现气滞血瘀、经络阻隔、不通则痛等病理改变。拔罐能激发和调整经气,疏通经络,并通过经络系统而影响其所络属的脏腑、组织的功能,使百脉疏通,五脏安和,达到“通则不痛”的疗效。因此,拔罐对于缓解一些运动员的疼痛症状有一定的作用。

很多运动员在奥运赛场会出现两个不利于比赛的状态,一个是过度兴奋,一个是慢热,兴奋度太低。这也是教练比较在意的问题。这个问题用拔罐的方法也可以帮助调节,为什么这么说呢?现代医学研究认为:拔罐疗法是一种负压机械刺激作用,这种刺激可以通过皮肤和毛细血管的感受器,经过传入神经纤维至大脑皮质,反射性地调节兴奋和抑制过程,使整个神经系统趋于平衡。拔罐疗法具有双向调节功能,针对人体病理特征来进行良性调节。当身体处于兴奋状态时,拔罐可使其转为抑制;当身体处于抑制状态时,拔罐可使其转为兴奋。


有的运动员如果过于紧张、疲劳或者热身运动不充分,可能会出现肌肉痉挛,拔罐疗法能通过肌肉牵张反射直接抑制肌肉痉挛,又能通过消除疼痛病灶而间接地解除肌肉痉挛。拔罐可刺激某一区域的神经,调节相应部位的血管和肌肉的功能活动,反射性地解除血管平滑肌的痉挛,获得比较明显的止痛效果。

3、活血化瘀,消肿止痛

对于竞技运动来说,运动员跌打损伤是很常见的事情,也难免会出现红肿热痛的症状,甚至有瘀血。南京市中西医结合医院运动保健咨询门诊李靖教授介绍说,中医认为,气血“内溉脏腑,外濡腠理”,是构成人体的基本物质,人体的一切组织都需要气血的供养和调节才能发挥功能。若气血失和,则脏腑组织的功能活动发生异常,而产生一系列的病理变化。拔罐疗法具有调和气血,促进气血运行的作用。刺络拔罐疗法能够活血祛瘀,通络止痛。这是因为拔罐能加快静脉回流,有利于水肿、血肿的吸收。拔罐疗法能够促进炎症介质的分解、排泄,消除无菌性炎症,达到镇痛作用,尤其是刺络拔罐法的止痛效果尤为突出。在拔罐疗,对局部皮肤有温热刺激,能使局部的浅层组织发生被动充血,局部血管扩张,促进局部血液循环,加速新陈代谢。局部血液循环的改善,可迅速带走局部堆积的炎性渗出物及致痛物质,从而消除肿胀和疼痛。

4、调节肠胃,预防水土不服

李靖介绍说,对于参加奥运会的运动员们来说,绝大部分都是客场比赛,有的甚至要飞跃万里,所以,难免出现水土不服的症状,这些问题会直接影响运动员们正常水平的发挥。如何调理肠胃呢?拔罐疗法通过调节脏器的运动和影响消化酶等途径而发挥作用的。当胃肠蠕动亢进时,吸拔腹部和背部的脾俞、胃俞穴,可出现胃肠蠕动的抑制状态。吸拔腹部穴位能加强和调整胃液分泌功能,并能促进腹腔血液循环,从而增强消化和吸收功能。对于便秘、腹泻等疾患都有较好的疗效。

不过,中医专家提醒,刚拔完火罐后的几个小时是不能洗澡或者下水游泳的,宜适当保暖,“刚拔罐结束会‘腠理’,也就是西医讲的毛孔是张开的,与肌肉血管有通联,这时如果游泳反而会影响伤势的恢复。几个小时后,‘腠理’会自己慢慢闭合,这个时候再游泳或者洗澡就没有什么影响了。”

那么,拔罐疗法是如何发展起来的呢?

中国中医药报社文化传播中心主任王敬介绍道,拔罐,也叫拔火罐,在我国历史悠久,远古时候中国人即会用动物的犄角(如牛角等)制成筒状,用于吸伤口内脓血和治疗痈疽,故拔罐法古称“角法”。

历史很悠久

拔罐疗法的记载最早见于湖南马王堆汉墓出土的《五十二病方》,书中即有以角治疗痔疮的记载。唐代拔罐疗法已成为一门比较完整成熟的学科。纵观历史,汉、晋、唐、宋、明代虽然在罐器制作与选材以及吸附方法等方面都有所发展,但在临床方面仍以治疗疮疡外科疾病为主。清代拔罐疗法在各方面均有长足发展。

拔罐方法多样,除了留罐以外,闪罐和走罐也是常用的方法。闪罐即在某一部位如穴位、病灶点进行反复吸附并立即使之脱落的一种手法。走罐指罐体吸附肌肤后,用手握着罐体在皮肤上进行移动,以皮肤上出现红、紫、黑色斑为度的一种手法。

疗法广受欢迎

拔罐疗法的预防保健作用又包括健康保健预防与疾病防变两类。拔罐在临床治疗方面,从单纯吸拔脓血治疗疮疡外科疾病发展到现在能治疗内、妇、儿、外、骨伤、皮肤、五官等科数百种病症,尤其用于治疗落枕、肩颈部疾病、感冒、咽喉疼痛、头痛疾病。拔罐还广泛用于日常保健,像减肥、预防消化不良、缓解疲劳等,效果非常明显。因为它具有操作容易、无副作用等优点,深受广大群众喜爱。

拔罐疗法作用部位是体表皮肤,皮肤是机体暴露于外的最表浅部分,直接接触外界,且对外界气候等变化起适应与防卫作用。皮肤所以具有这些功能,主要依靠机内卫气的作用。卫气出于上焦,由肺气的推送,先循行于皮肤之中;卫气调和,则“皮肤调柔,腠理致密”。健康人常做背俞穴、足三里等穴位的拔罐,可增强卫气,卫气强则护表能力强,外邪不易侵表,机体自可安康。若外邪侵表,出现恶寒、发热、鼻塞、流涕等表证即感冒及天热中暑,及时在肺俞、大椎、中府等穴处拔罐,常可收到立竿见影的作用。

中医常说:“不通则痛,痛则不通。”经络气血通达则人体健康,经络气血不通则人生百病。拔罐可疏通经络,在相应病所即经络不通之处拔罐,可使阻塞的穴位、经络得以开通,气血得以通达。所以,颈椎病、肩周炎、腰疼腿痛等痛症病人拔罐效果颇佳。

拔罐疗法可以内病外治。拔罐刺激脏腑俞、募穴为主的体表穴位,可以治疗一些内科常见病症包括气管炎、支气管哮喘、胃肠疾患、胆绞痛等,也可收到较好疗效。

治病机理有这些

现代医学认为,拔罐治病原理有二:

一是改善全身血液循环,拔罐可使局部皮肤充血、毛细血管扩张,血液循环加快;另外拔罐的吸附刺激可通过神经—内分泌调节血管舒、缩功能和血管壁的通透性,增强局部血液供应而改善全身血液循环。

二是自家溶血现象,拔罐可使吸附部位毛细血管破裂,继而局部出现血液凝固,但不久即崩溃而引起自家溶血现象,随即产生一种新的刺激素即一种类组织胺的物质,随体液周流全身,刺激全身组织器官,增强其功能活动。自家溶血是一个延缓的良性弱刺激过程,可以刺激增强免疫机能,提高机体的抗病能力。

* 家庭拔罐注意事项

拔罐时,尤其要注意起罐后的处理。起罐后一般无需进行特殊处理,被吸附部位局部可涂上润肤剂,以防干裂疼痛。天寒时,体弱患者注意拔罐处的保暖,以免受风寒。拔罐后2小时内,拔罐吸附处皮肤忌用凉水。起罐后应让患者饮用一杯矿泉水或温凉开水,以补充津液以增强活血通络、托毒外透之功效。起罐后若被吸附的皮肤表面出现水珠、黄水、红水等,可用干净棉球或纸巾拭干。若皮肤上出现水疱,可让其自行吸收,或用消毒针或一次性针灸针刺破,用医用棉球擦干,局部涂上紫药水即可。

作者:杨璞 江苏省南京市中西医结合医院、王敬 中国中医药报社文化传播中心主任


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