The Limbic System and Acupuncture

July 26, 2011 By admin

fMRI of Limbic System sections, courtesy of the NIH

Last month we published an article on the Limbic System, describing its function and positing acupuncture’s effects on it. This month, we found a study that supports this idea: Effects of Electroacupuncture versus Manual Acupuncture on the Human Brain as Measured by fMRI, published in the academic journal Human Brain Mapping in 2005.

This study was funded by the NIH and conducted by Harvard University at Massachusetts General Hospital. Researchers used fMRI’s on 13 healthy participants. Brain activity was measured at just one acupuncture point, ST 36, using four mechanisms:
1. manual acupuncture
2. electrical stimulation at 2 Hz
3. electrical stimulation at 100 Hz
4. placebo acupuncture creating a tactile sensation as a control

Please note: electrical stimulation utilizes a machine that attaches to the needles to amplify their effect. ST 36 is a major, commonly-used point for its many functions supporting overall health. For those of you who receive acupuncture treatment, it is located below the knee, on the outer side of the leg.

While the researchers found that electrical stimulation increased desirable effects in specific regions of the brain, overall their study supported the “…hypothesis that the limbic system is central to acupuncture effect regardless of specific acupuncture modality.”

To read this study is humbling, for it requires advanced knowledge of the brain’s anatomy and physiology. In a nutshell, it found the first three mechanisms listed above had a regulating effect on the limbic system, while the placebo of tactile control had little or no change. That is, where it is beneficial for activity to increase (a biological call to action) or to decrease (a biological call to calm), real acupuncture, with the help of the electrical stimulation machine or alone, affected this part of the nervous system in the manner intended.

http://mountaintopacupuncture.com/the-limbic-system-and-acupuncture

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At Mountaintop Acupuncture, we have a combined 34 years of experience. To read more, please click here.

If you have questions and concerns about acupuncture treatment, we offer a free 20-minute phone session: click here for contact information to call or e-mail us. We practice in two New York City locations: Flatiron & Greenwich Village.

Insurance is welcome and accepted.

 

Filed Under: Herbs and Acupuncture, Philosophy, Research, Stress Busters, Theory Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Endocrine System Overview

June 21, 2011 By Mountaintop Blog
The seat of the pituitary gland

The seat of the pituitary gland

The body’s metabolic functions are set in motion by a series of electrical and chemical reactions that keep its systems running smoothly. In order for us to have a good quality of life, each body system must work efficiently and harmoniously with the other systems. Therefore, it is critical that there be a communication network for this to occur. We have already touched upon one of the communication systems, the nervous system, now here is an overview of the endocrine system.

The endocrine system (ES) and the nervous system (NS) are intrinsically connected, regulating all the body’s activities. The NS uses electrical conduction along nerves to communicate, whereas the ES uses chemical messengers, via the bloodstream, to signal for a physical reaction to occur.

 

The ES uses two types of glands to deliver its chemical messages as hormones: the endocrine and exocrine glands.

  1. Exocrine glands secrete hormones or other substances into body cavities and onto the body surface using ducts
  2. Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream

 

Hormones are made up of amino acids or lipids and act as messengers that reach its target cell. Practically every cell has the ability to secrete and receive a hormone or hormone-like chemical, to elicit the desired changes needed to create balance.

 

The communication between the nervous system and the endocrine system happens between the hypothalamus, located in the brain, and the pituitary gland. This relationship is called the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, and is key to how we deal with any kind of stress. The autonomic nervous system recognizes a stressor and commands the release of hormones from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland, in order to stimulate or inhibit the secretion of regulatory hormones. This series of events creates a cascade of reactions in the body, depending upon the stressor.

 

The hypothalamus is a powerhouse, with many diverse functions. In addition to working with the pituitary gland to release and stimulate many hormones, the hypothalamus is a relay center for autonomic functions associated with digestion and plays a role in the alerting system, body temperature control, our sleep, our sense of pleasure and other emotional behavior, and hunger and satiety.

 

The pituitary gland is known as the “master gland” because of its regulatory affect on the other endocrine glands that control many metabolic activities. The pituitary gland lies below hypothalamus and sits in the center of the sphenoid bone on the sella turcica (Turkish Saddle). The sphenoid bone is the floor of the cranium, and connects with all the bones of the skull, with the exception of the mandible.

 

Another close connection between the NS and the ES are the messenger substances, the neurotransmitters and hormones. These two chemicals are the same, except that neurotransmitters are chemicals released at the end of the nerve’s axon, and hormones, as previously mentioned, are released from glands.

 

Hormones can either stimulate or inhibit a reaction. The endocrine system’s hormones can have a long-lasting effect on the body, from hours to weeks. Excessive and sustained stress and anxiety can affect the NS, keeping the body’s natural balance from correcting itself, potentially creating future problems. Some of the diseases of the ES are the result of hyper-secretion (hormone excess), hypo-secretion (hormone deficiency), or tumors (malignant or benign).

 

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs have been shown to have a regulating effect on the nervous system, and so by extension, the endocrine system. It is recommended to get a yearly physical that includes blood tests of hormone levels. Early detection can manage and in some cases eradicate a problem, using western medicine protocols in conjunction with acupuncture and Chinese herbs.

http://mountaintopacupuncture.com/endocrine-system-overview

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At Mountaintop Acupuncture, we have a combined 34 years of experience. To read more, please click here.

If you have questions and concerns about acupuncture treatment, we offer a free 20-minute phone session: click here for contact information to call or e-mail us. We practice in two New York City locations: Flatiron & Greenwich Village.

Insurance is welcome and accepted.

Filed Under: Conditions Treated, Health Tips, Research, Stress Busters, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Power of Culinary Herbs

June 3, 2011 By Mountaintop Blog

basil_iowastateu“Kitchen herbs” are foods so named in Chinese dietetics because they are added during cooking and eaten on a regular basis, to ensure their medicinal benefits will be received at a slow and steady rate. We have western herbs and spices that do this, too.

In addition to flavoring a meal, culinary herbs help you digest that meal. They also have high cancer-preventing anti-oxidant values, are anti-viral, anti-bacterial and possess many other properties, as you shall see. Here are a few culinary herbs, to give you the idea.

Basil aids digestion and has a mildly sedative quality for the relief of pain. Its properties are warm, aromatic, and pungent; its pharmaceutical name is Ocimum basilicum. Basil is in the mint family, which medicinally is one of the most useful families of herbs. Google Scholar and PubMed searches yielded many research studies of Ocimum basilicum, including anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, insect-repelling, and hair growth. World-wide, the chemical constituents of the plant’s oil are being studied for diverse conditions such as irritable bowel disease for its effects on the immune system, and stroke for its ability to prevent clot formation.

Oregano stimulates digestion and eases GI tract spasms that create gassiness. Its properties are warm, aromatic, and slightly bitter; its pharmaceutical name is Origanum vulgare. Oregano is also in the mint family. Google Scholar and PubMed searches yielded many research studies of Origanum vulgare, including anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and insect-repellant properties, and the ability to promote hair growth.

Tarragon aids digestion and promotes appetite. Its properties are warm, strongly acrid and aromatic; its pharmaceutical name is Artemesia dracunculus. Tarragon is in the wormwood family, from which vermouth is made. Tarragon has the same chemical composition as anise, which is good for abdominal distention and pain. Google Scholar and PubMed searches yielded many research studies of Artimesia dracunculus, including testing its anti-fungal, anti-convulsant, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-parasitic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and insect-repellant abilities.

Plants are complex constructs of many chemical compounds. What makes them medicinal powerhouses are their volatile oils, which have a molecular weight so light they are characterized as “sublime” or “ethereal” in the literature. Many studies have been and continue to be done, testing their effects on the central nervous system.

With some exceptions, culinary herbs are best consumed in their fresh form, but that is not always practical in our busy lives. Therefore, the rule of thumb to get the most benefit of their properties is to use 1 teaspoon of a dried herb and multiply that by roughly 4 when using fresh. Beginning with this quantity you can assess if it’s too much or too little and make adjustments to your taste.

When buying dried herbs it is preferable to spend a little more for the organically grown product, since it has become the standard practice of large manufacturers to irradiate herbs to increase their shelf life, and they are not yet required to label this practice.

http://mountaintopacupuncture.com/the-power-of-culinary-herbs

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At Mountaintop Acupuncture, we have a combined 34 years of experience. To read more, please click here.

If you have questions and concerns about acupuncture treatment, we offer a free 20-minute phone session: click here for contact information to call or e-mail us. We practice in two New York City locations: Flatiron & Greenwich Village.

Insurance is welcome and accepted.

 

Filed Under: Conditions Treated, Cooking Basics, Health Tips, Research, You Are What You Eat Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nervous System Overview

May 30, 2011 By Mountaintop Blog

goof_buttoncomThe nervous system is the body’s communication system, the superhighway of a vast network of nerves that connect in a series of electro-chemical reactions, often referred to as “impulses.” The nervous system allows the myriad biological functions of the body to work together smoothly. Without the nervous system, we would not be able to move, think, smell, see, hear, feel, or taste. We would be no different then a tree.

The nervous system has far-reaching effects, connecting systems and maintaining specific physiologic functions through its gathering and sending of data. From the subtle signaling of the endocrine system’s hormones, to the inflammatory and immune response systems, to moving your arm, to taking in a sensory experience and deciphering it, to digesting a meal- these actions are all possible because the nervous system is intact.

As you might expect, the nervous system is complex, so it has been broken into sub-sections in order to understand its interconnected workings. To begin, there are two anatomical sections: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

The CNS is the processing center, located in the brain and the spinal cord, where information from all areas of the body and the external environment is received, interpreted, and responded to, sending out signals where needed.

The PNS is made up of nerves that connect the CNS to receptors, muscles, and glands. The PNS is basically the hard wiring that connects every muscle, organ, and gland to the CNS. Just like your electrical appliances need to be connected to its power source with wires, the PNS needs nerves to conduct the impulses from brain to its target cells.

CNS, PNS, and further divisions of the PNS:
1. Central nervous system (CNS) → The brain and the spinal cord
The brain is a complex organ, containing billions of neurons and is the main control center for the entire body
The spinal cord, protected by the vertebral column, is a relay center for sensory and motor impulses to and from all areas of the body

2. Peripheral nervous system (PNS) → 12 cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves
Physiologically the PNS is divided into afferent (sensory) and efferent (motor, away from the brain) systems. The afferent nerves send signals from sensory receptors to the CNS and the efferent nerves sends signals from the CNS to the muscles and glands.

220px-descartes-reflexThe efferent system has two subdivisions of activity:
i. The somatic nervous system sends signals to skeletal muscles only, which are under voluntary control
ii. The autonomic nervous system sends signals to smooth muscles, cardiac muscle, and glands, which are under involuntary control

The autonomic nervous system has two branches, the Sympathetic (“fight or flight”) Nervous System and the Parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) Nervous System. These two branches work together to stimulate and inhibit the organs of digestion and assimilation. The Parasympathetic and Sympathetic are designed to balance each other out, slowing down or speeding up organ functions as needed. In the case of stress, something most of us feel in the course of a day, this balance can go awry, giving rise to medical complaints, such as digestive or respiratory difficulties, headaches, insomnia, or anxiety.

There are several, overlapping theories medical science has tested to explain how and why acupuncture works. It has been established through research that acupuncture affects the nervous system. For example, chronic pain can be an indication something is wrong along a musculoskeletal pathway in the nervous system, and randomly controlled trials demonstrate the ability of acupuncture to reset the neural pathways, effectively eliminating the pain. Research on acupuncture’s effect on the nervous system is ongoing, as science continues to map the brain.

From our perspective at Mountaintop Acupuncture, keeping the nervous system healthy is important and it’s achievable. Establishing regularity in one’s daily habits, which include some form of exercise, eating well, breathing correctly, sleeping soundly, challenging the mind and resting the mind will tone the nervous system so that it responds appropriately when the true call for alarm arises.

http://mountaintopacupuncture.com/nervous-system-overview

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At Mountaintop Acupuncture, we have a combined 34 years of experience. To read more, please click here.

If you have questions and concerns about acupuncture treatment, we offer a free 20-minute phone session: click here for contact information to call or e-mail us. We practice in two New York City locations: Flatiron & Greenwich Village.

Insurance is welcome and accepted.

 

Filed Under: All Things Exercise, Research, Stress Busters, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Miso in a Nutshell

April 11, 2011 By Mountaintop Blog

Miso is a fermented product of legume, bean, and grain, alone or in combination. Miso is such a nutritionally concentrated food, you might want to consider adding it to your diet.

Miso contains per portion a dense source of specific nutrients. For this reason, claims of what miso is good for include cardiovascular health, improved digestive function, and as a toxic- waste cleanser.

Science:

Contains ample living enzymes, friendly bacteria lactobacillus, and minerals zinc, manganese, phosphorous, iron, and copper per portion. Research is currently underway on the role of lactobacillus in digestion.

Cooking:
Serving size- one heaping teaspoon per person
Use- comes in a paste, a texture great for soups, dressings, and sauces
Flavor- supporting role: complements and adds texture to the key ingredients in the recipe

IMPORTANT POINT: Cooking destroys the live components in miso, so add at end of cooking or stir in heated water- as long as there is no exposure to boiling temperature

Shopping:
Ingredients and fermentation time affect the color (light to dark, pale yellow to dark red, flavor (miso is a salty product), and texture (thick paste)

In addition to miso made from chickpea, brown rice, and aduki bean, there is soy miso, soy and white rice miso, soy and barley miso, soy and buckwheat miso, soy and brown rice miso, and ginger and soy miso.

http://mountaintopacupuncture.com/miso-in-a-nutshell

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At Mountaintop Acupuncture, we have a combined 34 years of experience. To read more, please click here.

If you have questions and concerns about acupuncture treatment, we offer a free 20-minute phone session: click here for contact information to call or e-mail us. We practice in two New York City locations: Flatiron & Greenwich Village.

Insurance is welcome and accepted.

 

Filed Under: All Things Food, Cooking Basics, Research, You Are What You Eat Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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