Spoonful No.9 ~ Fact-upuncture

It's time to get all the facts on acupuncture (Get it? You see how I did a play on... never mind) and find out if its right for you. There are a number of studies that have shown this ancient healing art to be effective for pain, addiction, nausea, and even rehabilitation after a stroke!

According to traditional Chinese medicine, health is explained as a state of balance between the yin and yang. Disease affliction is associated with either of these forces being unbalanced, blocked, or stagnant. The yang force is the immaterial qi (pronounced chee, roughly translated as "vital energy") and the yin force is linked with the blood.

Chinese medical theory claims that acupuncture works by correcting the balance of qi in the body. This qi flows through 59 invisible channels called meridians. Here in the west, we've shone that acupuncture boosts production of endorphins, which helps explain the temporary pain relief one might feel, but not the effects acupuncture has on other conditions.

Not chomping at the bit to call your local acupuncturist yet? Oh, your concerned about the whole needle in the skin thing (I completely understand, BUT!...). Acupuncture needles are nothing like hypodermic needles (the needles that doctors use to take your blood). They are actually as thin as the hairs on your head (if you have thick hair I'm sorry for ya... just kidding). There are areas of the body that are going to be more tender than others like the backs of your hands, your fingertips, or your feet, but the pain you feel will be no more than that of a mosquito bite.

If you really just can't get over the fear of needles, you do have the option of acupressure. Acupressure follows that same model as acupuncture, only pressure is applied in the place of a needle. Acupressure is not as effective as acupuncture, but it does work.

Even though acupuncture is safe, precautions must be taken to keep it that way. Negative side effects are rare and internal injuries are almost unheard of, although bruising in not uncommon. Hepatitis, other blood-borne diseases, and infections can be spread through dirty needles, so make sure your acupuncturist uses disposable needles and cleans your skin before needle insertion. Also, for that extra feeling of comfort, make sure your acupuncturist is certified. Typically certification is national (NCCAOM) and those who have it have acquired a formal education and have met all accreditation requirements.

An average acupuncture session runs about $40-$90 and lasts about half an hour. Some insurance companies cover it and some don't. You may not have realized it but there are plenty of pain centers, clinics, and wellness centers in your local area that offer acupuncture therapy. So if you have a nagging condition that traditional Western medicine has not been able to treat, or if you are not satisfied with the type of treatment you are on, check them out and get your puncture on!~

Spoonful No.5 ~ No Pain No Gain

Whoever coined this phrase was right... and wrong! If you are working out and feel any pain beyond the normal burn one feels when they are pushing themselves, stop what your doing! That pain could be a sign that you are doing something wrong or doing too much, but that is another topic for another day. Right now I want to talk to you about what happens once you are already in pain, not necessarily from working out.

Lets just say that you fall and sprain your wrist while trying to save a litter of puppies from being run over by a drunk driver (I know... you are so brave!). Your mother, who arrived in a puff of smoke (as all mothers do when their children are hurt), tells you that you need to go to the hospital, but in the meantime you need to take something for the pain and swelling immediately. Does mother know best?...

No she does not! When the body incurs an injury such as this one, it goes through a healing process. One that I will simplify (I mean really simplify!) and briefly explain to you now.

The first phase your newly sprained wrist goes through is the acute phase, when the redness and swelling start. This occurs because nutrient rich blood and leukocytes (pronounced luke-o-sites, the body's clean up crew) flood the injured area. Depending on the severity of the sprain, there may be very little, if any, bleeding (don't worry, you messed yours up really bad). Within 5-10 minutes of your heroic mishap, blood vessels in your wrist are constricted to help control bleeding. A blood clot also begins to form in order to contain the controlled bleeding.

Once the area is cleaned of cellular debris, leukocytes, and the blood clot, you move onto the repair phase. It is important for the above steps to take place for your wrist to heal nicely. If taken too soon NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs i.e. ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.) can break this cycle. That is not to say that NSAIDs will stop the healing process if taken too soon, it will just slow it down.

So if you plan to take medication, wait about half an hour for the body's cellular and vascular response to occur. This time also allows for your heart rate, blood pressure, and other vitals to return to normal levels. NSAIDs should not be taken as a prevention tool (i.e. you had a hard workout and you know you will be soar in the morning so....) and contrary to some people's belief, they do not speed up the healing process.

P.S. Even with all this new and fascinating knowledge bouncing between your ears, you should still consult a medical practitioner for a professional assessment of your injuries.~