Treating Depression with Acupuncture

Acupuncture have shown in randomized, controlled, double-blinded studies to be effective in the treatment of *depression, stress and anxiety. A study done at the University of Arizona showed that over 50% of the participants that received acupuncture over 2 months for 12 sessions no longer met the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for depression after the study.

In general most patients feel a sense of calm and well-being after treatments. For severe cases of depression patients would need regular treatments, as in the study above, for a while until there has been a marked improvement in the condition. Due to the side-effects and addictive nature of anti-depressants, acupuncture should be considered a viable alternative to medication. Acupuncture can also help alleviate withdrawal symptoms experienced when coming of anti-depressants. However, a sudden stopping in the medication is not advised but rather a gradual tapering of as advised buy a doctor accompanied by acupuncture to help the patient stay calm.

*Allen, J. J. B. (2000). Depression and acupuncture: a controlled clinical trial. Psychiatric Times Online, 22, 3.

Tian, C. H. (2002). Acupuncture treatment for depression. New England Journal of Traditional Medicine, 1, 4-7.

To view the page on my website or book a treatment for depression go here.

Treating Acne with Acupuncture

A recent scientific study has shown that acupuncture is more effective than medication in treating acne. Furthermore, unlike medication the acupuncture also has no side-effects. From my own practice I can confirm that acupuncture is very effective in treating acne. There is usually a noticeable improvement within a few sessions. Even patients coming for other complaints often notice an improvement in their skin.

Self Medicating?

It is alarming the percentage of people I come across that are self medicating. They are often taking very strong medication for far longer than the prescribed period or sometimes they buy over-the-counter medication for years without getting a professional opinion. They develop 'un-explained' illnesses they never had before which leads to further over-the counter experimentation. When they finally see a doctor they don't necessarily 'declare' their extended self-medication which then leads to further prescription of medication and so on.

Symptoms often include various skin problems, headaches, ulcers, unexplained pains 'crawling skin', digestive problems, respiratory problems, addiction, swelling in the body etc. to name but a few. One can only appeal to the person's logic; If they are taking something and it is not improving their condition, in fact it may have even worsened and they have symptoms they did not have before, then why are they taking it? When in doubt rather consult your GP or specialist. Always read the leaflet supplied with the medication. Pay special attention to the dosage, prescribed period, contra indications and possible side-effects.

People also do not consider that taking supplements, herbs and essential oils etc, can create problems over a long period of time. Just because it is natural does not mean that your body should be ingesting it and that it will be beneficial for it. Too much of any particular substance is not good for the body. eg. No one will dispute how healthy fresh fruit is, however taken in excess will cause diarrhoea. Now consider any form of medication, natural or chemical, the aim of which is to create a particular change in the body and take it for prolonged periods of time. It stands only to reason that it will cause an imbalance in the natural functioning of the body.

Spirit ™

I keep coming across various websites and advertisements where individuals are trademarking a supposed spiritual path, activity or exercise. Surely this is the height of delusion, arrogance and greed. It is contrary to the basic principal of spiritual practice which is to share. It reminds of the Catholic church in the middle ages which required you to give money to a priest in order to be saved. i.e. you need to bribe a middle man to receive God's grace!

The way I see it, the ™ phenomena tends to happen when a person has not reached any depth within a spiritual system. They then alter the practice (which they don't understand in the first place) and put a personal spin on it which then gets trademarked. This then not only gets marketed as the next thing since sliced cheese, but also a big secret which is available to you if you part with large sums of your money.

Unfortunately most people aren't prepared to admit(even to themselves) that they are being had and go into a state of denial. ' I feel so wonderful, its really working...' only to wake up ten years later finding themselves no better off then they were before.

My suggestion is that if you see anything spiritual being trademarked; run the other way!

Tai Chi preconceptions

I stumbled upon a post by someone commenting on their first Tai Chi lesson. As an instructor it made me realise the Tai Chi preconceptions that I'm up against.

The women indignantly commented on how 'wrong' it all was. First of all the lesson was in a dingy community hall (there were no pagodas, weeping willows and manicured gardens), the students looked like 'a bunch of misfits' and her legs were stiff the next day! She finished her post by commenting that if one is to do Tai Chi, one has to do it 'properly'. A whole host of people then all agreed with her.

Although I don't know the teacher or venue in question, all I can say is that one will never discover the essence of Tai Chi with preconceptions like that. As much as I agree that Tai Chi should be practised properly, my suggestion would be to do some proper research on Tai Chi in something other than a tourist brochure or a Jet Li movie.

If I've learnt one thing from years of practice its that Tai Chi is not about artifice, silk pajamas and pretense. Its about discovering your self nature and doing away with the ego and any form of preconception or judgement. If you'll excuse me being crude for a second, you are more likely to find enlightenment meditating in a stinky public urinal than on a Himalayan hilltop. In other words, if your environment is difficult or unpleasant it motivates humans to push forward and transcend or improve their environment. If its too pleasant humans get lazy and complacent.

Through the study of self nature, meditation or Tai Chi, society and individuals bloom and it is expressed through all the wonderful art, culture and architecture that can still be found in the east. However starting with the expression of an art form instead of the sincere practise, study and search for its essence won't amount to anything.

Tai Chi FAQ's

I often find that prospective students' only reference to Tai Chi is large groups of elderly people moving in slow motion or, on the other end of the visual spectrum, martial arts action films which is based in fantasy. Based on these observations they then form various misguided views and either dismiss Tai Chi and never try it out or, are disappointed when they join because it does not match their fantasy. i.e. both deductions causing the person to miss out on possibly the most positive and life enhancing experience of their lives.

A question and answer format is probably the best way of dealing with various queries:

Can anyone do Tai Chi?

"I'm completely unfit... I've never done martial arts before... I haven't done any exercise in years... I have no coordination... I'm a teenager... I'm 80 years old... can I mange Tai Chi?" There are many variations of this question but all with the same answer. Yes. With time and patience anyone can become adept at Tai Chi. Obviously someone who already possess a certain level of coordination will pick it up quicker, however Tai Chi is not a competition and every student is able to progress at their own pace and skill.

Can I do Tai Chi if I have an injury?

Tai Chi is arguably the best exercise to help one recover from injuries. Most normal exercise involves fast and sudden movements that impact on the joints and strains muscles. Furthermore this is usually done without the body being maintained in a 'structurally sound' position with constant opportunity to slip, fall, bump or twist the body into an awkward position and exacerbate the injury.

Tai Chi on the other hand is slow and gentle without any impact. Practitioners can easily adjust postures before any injury occurs. All postures in Tai Chi are 'structurally sound' and geared towards bringing the entire body into the correct shape. Whether you have a problem with your back, knees, ankles, hips, shoulders etc. Tai Chi is designed to help recovery. The physical as well as 'internal' aspect of Tai Chi often leads to 'miraculous' improvements of injuries.

Can I do Tai Chi if I am recovering from illness?

Yes. According to Chinese medicine and philosophy, illness often occurs when various internal organs stop to function properly and become out of sync with one another. Tai Chi helps to harmonise and strengthen the various organ functions which will create the necessary environment for the body to heal itself. Students sometimes suspend their training when they get colds and flu, but this is exactly when they should keep training as it is a sign that their metabolism is not functioning properly. Research studies have shown that Tai Chi benefits recovery from various serious illnesses such as diabetes, TB, arthritis, immune disorders, etc.

Do I get a workout from Tai Chi?

It is probably one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding Tai Chi. Typical exercise junkies think that they won't get a proper 'workout' from Tai Chi and are often surprised by the level of exertion, effort and mental control required to learn to Tai Chi. All I can say is you are likely to have stiff legs the day after your first lesson! It is said that Tai Chi apparently burns the same amount of calories as surfing.

At an advanced level the practitioner should try and avoid using physical energy, however a lot of sweat is required to reach that level.

Feel free to post any questions.

Welcome

There seem to be a need for information surrounding the practice of Chinese martial arts and related health systems such as acupuncture, tui-na and moxibustion. Unless you have practiced martial arts or received any of these treatments their practice and application can seem very strange to the Western mind. This blog is aimed mainly at novices and the public at large to help dispel myths, create awareness and encourage students.

I am a yang style Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Kung instructor and a practitioner of various Chinese health therapies. For more information about me visit my website.

Kind regards

Arnold