Acupressure Points

Curious About Acupuncture?  Here’s What to Expect

If you’re curious about trying acupuncture and have any reservations, rest assured it is a wonderful experience.  Usually the first thing people want to know is—does it hurt?  For the most part, no it doesn’t, sometimes you barely feel it, and here is what else I tell all new patients...  The needles are very fine and thin, like a few strands of hair thick, kind of like a dog’s or cat’s whisker.  They are either inserted with a guide tube or ‘free handed’ by the acupuncturist.  Because the needles are so thin and the insertion is swift, sometimes you do not feel it at all, or if you do it is just a tiny poke that dissipates.  If it stays feeling sharp, tell us, we will adjust or remove it.  After that, you may sometimes feel a dull ache or pressure sensation that comes to the needle, then goes away within seconds.  This is a good sign, we call this the arrival of the Qi or energy to the point, it is being activated, energy is moving, and if in a sore muscle, those fibers are releasing.  Sometimes you can feel a warming, spreading or travelling sensation, but it is not an electric sensation, we know where nerves are and we avoid them, we are not stimulating nerves, we are stimulating designated acupuncture points. 

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Take Charge of Your Thyroid Disorder with Acupuncture Pressure Point #17: The Small Intestine

As a complete system of medicine, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treats and supports not only pain, which is what brings most people in, but in fact anything health and medically related, including endocrine issues such hyper- and hypothyroid.  The approach in diagnosis and treatment is much different than a western medical doctor, of course, but one that can be integrated into a healthcare plan to help encourage healing and even thriving.

Chinese medicine attributes many functional aspects to the organs that do not always correspond to how western medicine explains how they work.  In Chinese medicine the organs create, regulate, and circulate Qi, blood, and body fluids as well as help to transform, move and excrete food, fluid and substances.  The Spleen, for example, has almost nothing in common with the biomedical spleen, and is more closely related to the pancreas, although this organ is not mentioned in Chinese medical texts.  

With any one disease, an acupuncturist will look for

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Setting an Intention: Mental Health Tips

Simplicity is the antidote to complexity. In light of the experience of anxiety, depression and racing thoughts, simplicity helps the mind to gain clarity and settle down.  A mistake that can be made while setting an intention is the assumption that you won’t be met with challenges. As is shown in the tai ji symbol, challenges are unavoidable.The tai ji symbol (yin/yang symbol) shows us the law of nature where there is a balance of opposites. Where there is change, there is stability, where there is day...

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The Kidney: The Body’s Energy Foundation

During ancient times, the Chinese medical doctors who had the least ill patients were considered the best. Traditionally, the practice of Chinese medicine was used to prevent disease, maintain health and contribute to longevity as well as to treat all kinds of illnesses. So, receiving regular acupuncture treatments can not only help prevent the occurrence of many diseases, but help you live longer. Treatments can help strengthen the body to improve immune function, inhibit disease growth, protect the organs to ensure their healthy functioning, and calm the mind and emotions.

Simply by living our lives and aging there is a natural amount of depletion we experience, so it is important to find ways to continually build our bodies and minds... 

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Aging & Organ Health: Goji Berry’s Role

When we think of anti-aging herbs we look beyond herbs that simply address the skin and consider those herbs that address a dysfunction in the body. Aging is not just the breakdown of skin but also the breakdown of organ functioning and their communication with the other organ systems in the body. One of the herbs that comes to mind is gou qi zi (pronounced ‘go- chee-tze’). Gou qi zi, a.k.a. goji berry, has been used classically to address aging related issues such as visual decline. You will find this herb as a common addition to formulas that address ‘kidney and liver deficiency.’ For the goji berry, youth preservation ties into healthy organ function, immune function, cellular nourishment and the mitigation of cellular damage.

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Chinese Herbal Medicine & COVID-19

This article discusses the benefits of Traditional Chinese Herbal Therapy for COVID-19 prevention, initial onset of symptoms, progression of symptoms and recovery. If you are interested in Traditional Chinese Herbal Therapy for COVID-19, the Stram Center is offering telemedicine consults only through May 4 to safeguard our patients and staff against COVID-19.

In order to receive Chinese Herbal Therapy telemedicine services, new and existing patients must sign an informed consent, which is available in our patient portal. Please contact us regarding next steps.

Please note: if you live outside of New York State and are seeking Traditional Chinese Herbal Therapy for COVID-19, we may not be able to treat you due to our current licensing, even if you are an existing patient. Please contact us with questions.

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Acupressure (P6) For Nausea & Anxiety Relief

Acupoint pericardium 6 is the primary point for nausea and can also help relieve anxiety.

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