What is the difference between acupressure and acupuncture? When would you choose one over the other?
Well for some people the choice is simple. If you don’t like needles but you have heard that there is strong clinical evidence for the use of acupuncture points and Traditional Chinese Medicine then acupressure can be a nice alternative. It is also often more appropriate for children, partly because they don’t like needles and partly because they respond so well to acupressure and Tuina and don’t require needling. On the other hand you may be open to both but don’t know which one would be best. Well here are some of the pros and cons of both. Acupressure is more indicated in musculoskeletal conditions of pain due to contracted muscle tissue, scar tissue, etc. It can also be very relieving for digestive and bowel conditions such as IBS, diarrhea and constipation. Acupuncture is more indicated for non-musculoskeletal and can be particularly effective for conditions where heat needs to be released, such as inflammatory conditions where piercing the skin is said to allow pathogenic heat to leave the body. In our clinic we tend to mix both, as most musculoskeletal and digestive conditions will also respond quite well to needling. Acupressure and massage will tend to give immediate relief while acupuncture tends to work at a deeper and more precise energetic level to bring long lasting healing results. When massage and acupressure alone are used then relief may be quick but not long lasting and when acupuncture alone is used the result may often be delayed by a day or even 24 hours so there is long term healing, but not an immediate relief of symptoms. Using both Tuina (massage and acupressure work) and acupuncture is a most effective combination to work on both these levels and to provide the best possible service to our clients. Other techniques include warming with lamp or moxa and the use of cupping to enhance the effect of massage. Combined with massage, acupressure and acupuncture, this blend of ancient techniques can be highly effective in bringing both short and long term relief to a wide variety of conditions.
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What all of us who practice yoga know intuitively to be true (that it has a positive effect on mood), may be on track to being clinically proven.
Check out this article regarding the effect of Hatha Yoga on bipolar disorder and clinical depression in Psychology today. http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20001101-000022.html It sounds like a lot more work needs to be done, but these preliminary studies are a step in the right direction. Om Shanti, Liam. 1 in 10 People Affected
About 1 in 10 people or more are affected by IBS according to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. While there is no known cause for IBS, stress is a common factor which exacerbates symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating and cramping. The pain can be extreme in some cases and is thought to be caused by uncoordinated intestinal contractions, meaning that as one part of the bowel pushes the following area is not yet prepared, causing obstruction, spasm and pain. While the smooth functioning of the digestive system is dependent upoin the autonomic or involuntary nervous system, we know that stress activates sympathetic part of the this system, disrupting the harmony of the system. It is this component of IBS which lends itself to treatment via the practice of yoga and treatment with acupuncture. Yoga As Effective As Drugs in Clinical Trials Meditation and relaxation exercises have a deeply calming and relaxing effect which has been shown to carry over therapeutically to distress in the bowel. Studies conducted in India have shown that Yoga is as effective as the use of drugs for IBS while having none of the side effects but many considerable additional benefits. One study in Banaras Hindu University showed that a combination of drugs together with Yoga was considerably more effective than either drugs or yoga alone. Particularly useful poses include forward bends, side twists and poses that massage the abdominal area such as Prone Boat or Locust Pose. Acupuncture for IBS IBS may also be treated effectively by acupuncture. As stress is a component, acupuncture treatment is highly effective in beating the symptoms of stress. While acupuncture has not yet conclusively been shown to cure IBS, it has a known scientifically proven effect upon the autonomic nervous system which is linked to the pain and discomfort of this condition. For a detailed description, follow this link to hear Neelam Misra, MD, Assistant Medical Director, Manhattan Total Health, discuss the effect of acupuncture on the autonomic nervous system. We Recommend.... IBS is a widespread and poorly understood condition, however, a combination of prescribed medication, together with a course of yoga practice and 4 to 6 treatments of acupuncture can be a highly effective way of dealing with this problem. LIam Byrne Dip Ac, Lic Ac (China), Dip Tuina, MAFPA British Medical Association Recommends Acupuncture
After a two year study the BMA’s board of Science and Education recommended the use of Acupuncture for the treament of conditions including nausea, vomiting, back pain, dental pain and migraine headaches. See the article in the British Medical Journal here. As a practicing acupuncturist I am often confronted with scepticism about the benefits and effectiveness of acupuncture therapy. This no longer surprises me as despite being used for nearly 200 years in Western Europe, still the general level of knowledge about the scientific underpinnings of Chinese Medicine remains quite low, however, the BMA however, is one of the most respected medical institutions in the world and with this kind of backing the use of acupuncture gains immense credibility. Acupuncture in the Lancet While acupuncture may seem new to many, the history of its practice in the west is really quite extensive. While most people are aware that acupuncture has been used in China for several thousand years, not so many people know that already in the 1600s knowledge of this ancient practice was brought from China to Europe by Jesuit missionaries. Acupucture was then practiced quite extensively in Britain during the early 19th century. Indeed the very first edition of the Lancet in 1823 included an article on the effectiveness of acupuncture for a variety of conditions including rheumatism and ear infections. The literature today presented by the BMA recommends its use for muscular, bone and joint pain, IBS, migraine, dental and back pain (as mentioned above), nausea (including morning sickness and nausea induced by medications), accelerated recovery after stroke, support in withdrawal from drug use, and help for those suffering from asthma. Acupuncture: A Safe Therapy! Again the BMA recommends acupuncture for its excellent track record in safety, with the caveat that you should seek out a registered acupuncturist. Here in Ireland there is no state register for acupuncturists (although acupuncturists are pushing for this legislation), however, there are at least two main, well established and highly reputable professional associations for Chinese Medicine practitioners, the AFPA and the TCMCI. If you are seeking therapy in Ireland you should check to see with whom your practitioner is registered. Cost of Treatments Reimbursed Once your practitioner is registered with either of these associations then you should have no problem in claiming back in full or in part the cost of your therapy with the main health insurance providers. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have, leave a comment or find us on facebook and click the Like button to receive Eur 5 off your initial acupuncture consultation. Liam Byrne BA, Hdip, Lic Ac (China), Dip. Ac, Dip Tuina. People in my classes are often asking me what the diffeence is between Pilates and Yoga so here are a few words about the fundamentals of each and why you would want to choose one over the other.
Yoga is different to most forms of exercise in that it emphasizes the synchronizing of breath with movent, it includes balance exercises and inversions (poses where you are upside down) with a heavy emphasis on flexibility. Pilates also emphasizes the synchronizing of breath with movement but is unique for its emphasis on the building of core strength together with correct alignment of the spine. A typical yoga class will lead to greater flexibility than a Pilates class and will tend to improve balance more because of specific balance exercises and inversions. A typical Pilates class will tend to improve and maintain back health better than a yoga class because more of the class will focus on exercises to strengthen core and to maintain neutral alignment of the spine. A typical Pilates class will tend to focus more on your mid-section, toning up and strengthening the area around the abdomen, the tummy and the lower back. Yoga has a more global focuse and so does not focus so much on core and mid-section. Pilates has more of a musculoskeletal focus while yoga pays as much attention to the effect of poses on internal organs and on your state of mind, with attention drawn inwards or towards the breath. A yoga class may include some meditation and relaxation while a Pilates class tends to be all physical exercise. I hope this helps clear up the differences a little bit. I teach and practice both, finding them a perfect complement to each other. Of course to really understand the difference you need to come and try out a couple of classes, so check out our timetable if you would like to experience what the diffrence really is. Trial classes are always free. Look out for some Youtube clips coming soon to demonstrate some obvious differences between the two. Liam B. Very interesting snippet about telomeres on Today FM yesterday, but just as interesting (or even more so) was the conversation about Madame Jeanne Calment, the worlds oldest person. Mme Calment is now deceased but not until after she had reached her 122nd birthday! In her later years she took to ascribing her longevity to all manner of outlandish things, however, many believe that it was her constitutional inability to suffer from stress that gave her such a long AND happy life
However, to say this is constitutional is debateable to say the least. Mme Calment was know for saying that if you can't do something about a problem, then why worry about it? If a positive thought like this becomes a habit, a cognitive shift happens in the psyche which research into cognitive behavioural psychology shows will have an effect on emotions, on behaviour and ultimately on the body, immune system and so on. Yoga, hypnosis, CBT and all mind-body therapies have this effect. If Mme literally made a habit of repeating this thought when confronted by problems then the effects of stress would be ever more easily short-circuited as her body adapted itself to this effective way of thinking. This is the effect of yoga mantra, a hypnotic suggestion, an NLP reframe etc. In the truest sense of the word Mme Calment was practicing the essence of yoga which is, as described in the Aphorisms of Patanjali as 'control of the mind-stuff'. Mme Calment smoked, drank a glass of port wine every day and ate a kilo of chocolate a week. Here's to long life, happiness and to the remarkable Mme Jeanne Calment! Who hasn't heard the name Pippa Middleton over the last few weeks? Suddenly Kate's little sister is nearly as famous as she herself is. Wedding fans and celebrity spotters alike were amazed at this hitherto relatively unknown lady's beauty and trim figure. Now Pippa has revealed her secret which you can read in her own words. It turns out that her Pilates routine is an absoulute must a 'weekly necessity' and while she leads an overall sporty lifestlye, Pilates has certainly made a difference to that all important area of core strength located around the bodies mid section.
To hear all about it in her own words just follow the link to yahoo lifestyle. Not that we didn't know this already, but nice to see the evidence in someone with such a high profile. To learn more about where to do Pilates here in Wicklow, Arklow and Gorey check out our timetable and contact pages or email info@therapyandyoga.com, txt or call 086 408 2428. In the never ending quest to improve both our therapy service and yoga classes, I am very happy to announce (and provide some pictures of) our latest and greatest venue for classes and therapy in Gorey. Having practiced acupuncture and massage in the lovely offices of the Tropical Medical Bureau for the last nigh on two years, the time seems right now for a change and we have moved to the therapy rooms of the Gorey Holistic Centre on Fort Rd (continue up John St past Petits & Gorey Theatre on your right, King Cod on your left). The centre has been renovated and looks really beautiful now. I have already begun treating clients in the therapy rooms and will teach my first class in the yoga space this Friday May 20th. There is plenty of free on-street parking outside and you are within short walking distance of cafes & shops on and just off Gorey Main St. if you fancy it after / before your class or therapy. Any questions about finding us or about the Centre in general, don't be afraid to email or give us a call! Liam B. Another one is coming up... should we be afraid? Should we be very afraid??? I get the impression sometimes that as a yoga teacher and energy healer that my friends expect me to more superstitious than the average Joe. Ashtanga Yoga practitioners, for example, are not supposed to practice on full moon days. Yoga practitioners in general may be heard to chant mantras containing the names of exotic Gods such as Hanuman, Lakshmi, Kali, Shiva etc. Surely we are all prone to believing in the unseen and the unproven. While this may be the case for some, there is also a strong argument that a yoga practitioner may be in fact less prone to superstition than the average. All kinds of people with no particular religious belief will shy away from walking under ladders, opening an umbrella indoors, seeing a black cat, single magpie, etc. However, a yoga practitioner who bases their practice upon the text of the Aphorisms of Patanjali will see the world quite differently. What we experience is largely based upon 'mind-stuff', vrittis, the fluctuations within our own consciousness, and a dedicated practice of yoga helps us to look beyond these fluctuations to a state of mind that is more still, more grounded, less prone to be drawn constantly from one direction to the next. Equanimity and contentment are states of mind favoured by Patanjali yogis rather than states of fear, false expectation, excitement that are generated by superstition. There may or may not be some negative energy associated with Friday 13th, but to a Patanjali Yogi, this will not be matter of great concern, rather they will tend to the quietness and control of their own mind. Want to learn more about yoga then please check out some of the great books I have recommended from personal experience. Take Care, Liam B. We are now in what is commonly termed cold and flu 'season' with our doctors and nurses recommending flu jabs to prevent always unpleasant and unfortunately also potentially fatal bouts of the flu. The recommendations are targeted mostly at those of us in higher risk categories and such advice should of course be heeded. However, for the rest of us in non-high risk categories and in reasonable good health there is another way of strengthening your immune system to be more resistant to new strains of the common cold and flu viruses. Anyone who receives acupuncture regularly for general health will be able to tell you how their overall health has mysteriously improved and in particular how seasonal colds and flus have tended to disappear. So why would this be? Let's say you have been attending an acupuncturist for lower back pain and have continued with preventative treatment for some weeks. Then you find that perhaps that nagging cold you have had for some time has suddenly vanished! The reason for this is that acupuncture tends to be holistic in nature and will rebalance your energy system generally regardless of what your presenting condition to the practitioner is. Now how can acupuncture do this? Well, one of the ways is through the general stimulation of your bodies immune system. If you imagine that each needle introduced into your skin during treatment is treated as an 'invader' which needs to be repelled, then every acupuncture treatment, regardless of the specific health goal will have this effect of stimulating your immune system into action and helping to prevent relatively benign viruses such as the common cold from taking hold and gaining the upper hand. Regular acupuncture treatments at intervals of month or every six weeks or so can be very beneficial in helping you to beat the flu season and is certainly something to consider if you are prone to more than the usual number of colds and flus. If you are at risk and are going for your flu jab, acupuncture will of course help your body to assimilate the introduction of the vaccine into your system as there is always a very slight risk of developing some of the symptoms of the condition that a vaccine is intended to prevent. Take care, wrap up well and don't be afraid to contact us with any questions or comments at info@therpayandyoga.com *If you have a medical issue please consult with a medical professional. This blog is informational only and is not intended for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for professional medical advice. |
AuthorLiam Byrne, Yoga & Pilates Instructor, Acupuncturist, Physical Therapist, Sports Massage Therapist, Archives
January 2016
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