"Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic" – Hormones Gone Wild

If, like me, you were a flannel-decked teen in the '90s, chances are you’ve blasted the Red Hot Chili Peppers' “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” on your discman on your walk to school, while pretending to be in a music video. These days, the song is more than a nostalgia trip—it’s the oddly perfect anthem for what I see in my clinic: the hormonal chaos linking female fertility patients and older male veterans.

What could they possibly have in common? Insulin resistance. It’s not sexy, but it is powerful—and it’s messing with everyone’s hormones.

It All Starts with Blood Sugar

Thanks to genetics, stress, and a diet heavy in processed carbs and sugary drinks (yes, even “healthy” ones like Vitamin Water), insulin resistance is now practically a rite of passage. When patients wear continuous glucose monitors, they’re shocked to find that pizza and bagels spike their blood sugar more than candy.

And that sugar rollercoaster? It’s not just about diabetes—it’s hijacking your hormones.

Ladies First and the HOrmone Spiral

In women, insulin resistance often fuels PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), which is more metabolic than gynecological—despite the name. Here’s what happens:

• Elevated androgens like testosterone lead to acne, facial hair, and hair loss.

• That testosterone then converts into estrogen, causing estrogen dominance, weight gain, and a higher risk of fibroids and cysts.

• Meanwhile, progesterone drops, periods get irregular or disappear altogether, and ovulation takes a hit—bad news for fertility.

Now the Fellas, The Estrogen Belly suprise!

In men, insulin resistance does the reverse. Belly fat becomes a factory for converting testosterone into estrogen. The result?

• Less muscle,

• More fatigue,

• Disappearing libido,

• Elevated risk of heart dieasee.

• And Body hair fading like your memory of the 90”s.

  Basically, your belly is working against your masculinity.
  
  Cortisol: The Hormone Saboteur

  Stress makes everything worse. Chronically high cortisol levels spike blood sugar just as much as dessert does. (Ever worn a CGM during tax season?) Many of my patients—especially those with PCOS—show sky-high cortisol on lab tests, making hormonal balance nearly impossible.

  Don’t Forget Your Gut

  Constipation is another common link, especially in PCOS. If you're not pooping regularly, you’re not clearing out excess estrogen—it's just getting reabsorbed. Add in microbiome imbalance, and you've got the perfect storm for hormone dysfunction.

So What’s a guy or gal to do?

1. Calm the Heck Down

Stress spikes cortisol. Cortisol spikes blood sugar. Find your zen: walk, meditate, laugh, delegate. And if that fails, hug your dog.

2. Cut the Sugar

No soda, sweet tea, juice, or sneaky “health” drinks.

• Eat more protein (grass-fed meat, nuts, legumes).

• Get at least 5 servings of real veggies daily (V8 doesn't count).

• Hydrate like it’s your job.
  
  

3. Try Acupuncture

It helps with hormone balance, gut health, stress reduction, and calming the nervous system. Bonus: it’s nap therapy with needles.

4. Use Plants, But Wisely

I’ve had great success with berberine, myo-inositol, DIM, vitex, and spore-based probiotics. But this is not a DIY project—what works for one patient may backfire for another. Hormone, blood sugar and microbiome testing is key, all of which I offer in my office.

Final Thought

Whether you're a woman struggling with fertility or a man watching his energy and libido fade, blood sugar isn’t just about diabetes—it’s at the root of a lot of hormonal misery.

So yeah, maybe “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” was never meant to be a hormone anthem. But if it gets stuck in your head every time you reach for a donut... I won’t be mad about it.

Maya Abdominal Massage

I recently returned from a three week trip to Guatemala with Bridging Worlds Midwifery where I took a deep dive into the art of Abdominal Massage. The local Indigenous Mayan Midwives we had the honor of learning from serve their communities as healers, pediatricians, spiritual guides, fertility experts and of course midwives, continuing a centuries old tradition. The midwives not only shared their lineage of ancient healing techniques with us, but also initiated us into their rites of ceremony; as ritual and connection to the elements play an essential role in the ability of the healer to make an affect on their patient.

Maya Abdominal Massage is a technique that uses manual external maneuvers to help realign the internal pelvic organs and relieve tension in the diaphragm. This massage improves organ function, releases physical and emotional blockages and improves blood flow and circulation in the pelvis.

Benefits: Maya Abdominal massage can help to contract the uterus back to its ideal position, tilted, prolapsed or misaligned uteruses can result from birth, miscarriages, abortions or physical trauma. This ancient technique can return them to their proper alignment to enhance fertility, lymph and blood circulation as well as facilitate the restoration of qi and energy. Digestive issues can also benefit from the gentle massage of the stomach, liver, colon and intestines.

Issues that can Benefit from Maya Abdominal Massage:

• Painful/irregular periods

• Amenorrhea

• Hormonal migraines

• PMS

• Endometriosis

• Uterine Polyps

• Ovarian Cysts

• Fibroids

• Vaginitis

• Uterine Infections

• Hormonal Imbalances

• Difficult Menopause

• Painful Intercourse

• Infertility

• Difficult pregnancy or delivery

• Premature deliveries

• Lower Back Pain

• Varicose Veins

• Chronic indigestion and heartburn

• Gastritis

• Frequent or painful urination

• Bladder Infections

• Recurring Miscarriages

• Constipation

• Prostate Issues

Contraindications for massage:

• Durring Menstruation

• When an IUD is present

• During Pregnancy

• At least 2 hours before meals

Maya Massage can be added onto an Acupuncture session for the ultimate experience or can be scheduled as a solo 30 minute session. Click the button below to begin your journey.

Chances are high that you or someone you know has undergone some sort of medical intervention in order to get pregnant.  According to the CDC, roughly 1 in 5 women are unable to fall pregnant after one year of trying, and of these cases, nearly half have shown male infertility to be a contributing factor. Over the years I’ve noticed a steep incline in the number of patients I see who are enhancing their ART (assisted reproductive technology) procedures with Acupuncture as prescribed by their doctors. Recent studies have shown Acupuncture to improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates by 42%, prompting many fertility clinics to feature in-house acupuncturists and strongly encourage their patients to receive Acupuncture throughout the various stages of their IVF experience.  This upsurge of IVF patients in my practice has inspired me to take various courses and undergo my own research into the world of this unlikely friendship of advanced and cutting edge Western technology with ancient Chinese energy medicine.  The data is fascinating and It’s been an adventure to assist my patients as they go through the many stages and emotional peaks and valleys of the ever changing landscape of ART.  An endeavor that is not for the faint of heart, my IVF patients are some of the most dedicated, resilient and tough women I see and It’s an honor to be included in their journeys from retrieval to post-partum and all the bumps along the way. If you or someone you know has endeavored on an ART journey for fertility you know exactly what I’m talking about, it takes a lot of heart, hormones, needle jabs and perseverance and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help with the merging of these two very different yet complementary and incredible medicines.

The physiological effects of Acupuncture on the reproductive system as backed by scientific studies!

1. Acupuncture communicates with the central nervous system; Acupuncture has an effect on the HPO and HPA axis, meaning that it can modulate the release of gonadotropins and luteinizing hormone to alter reproductive organ and hormone levels. Which is a complicated way of saying that it positively influences fertility and while supporting healthy pregnancy. Electric stimulation in particular has been shown to stimulate the release of sexy hormones and opioids like serotonin, oxytocin, and neuropeptides, all of which harmonize the reproductive system. 

2. Acupuncture affects blood flow to the uterus and ovaries:  Studies show Acupuncture to lower pulsatory index (PI) to increase circulation and blood flow to the uterus resulting in thickening of the endometrial lining so vital for embryo implantation. A certain protocol involving electrically stimulated needles at specific locations has been proven to be especially beneficial for encouraging blood flow and endometrial thickening prior to embryonic transfer. 

3. Reduces stress:  Let’s face it, being poked and prodded while voluntarily exposing yourself to a myriad of hormones over several months can be incredibly stressful, fortunately, Acupuncture can help. Acupuncture inhibits the sympathetic nervous system which in-turn activates the reproductive stimulating effects of the parasympathetic nervous system resulting in reduction of stress, cortisol and prolactin levels.  

4. Regulates hormones: Due to Acupuncture’s communication with HPO and HPA axis levels, treatments can have a direct effect on hormones.  The regulating effect of Acupuncture on these axises can result in menstrual cycle regulation, increased Oocyte quality, ovulation, and endometrial lining generation.

When to get Acupuncture to enhance fertility 

• If possible, it’s best to begin treatments as much as three months prior to egg retrieval, beginning with once weekly treatments and building up to twice weekly in the weeks leading up to retrieval.  This is also a great time for us to enhance follicle development and quality with certain supplements and Chinese herbal formulas.

• For those undergoing frozen embryo transfer (FET) it’s common to undergo more than one retrieval. Acupuncture can be a great way to help you recover from any medication side effects while also helping to reduce stress and help ensure a good follicle count.  

• In the months or weeks leading up to transfer, Acupuncture is essential for maintaining a relaxed nervous system as stress reduction is especially helpful for IVF success.

• In the month prior to transfer once weekly treatments are recommended to help stimulate uterine blood flow for a healthy endometrium lining for implantation.  Day-of before and after transfer acupuncture is also recommended, if you can find a practitioner able to treat you directly after transfer in the recovery room.

• 
  Treatments can be resumed 10 days after treatment, weekly for the first trimester and bi-monthly for the duration of your pregnancy. 

You know that feeling you get when you’ve recently been near your friend’s snot covered toddler or your co-worker with the hacking cough or that lady in line at the coffee shop who couldn’t stop sneezing and now you’ve got that tickle in the back of your sinuses and you’re fairly certain that you’ve picked up the flu or a cold or the freaking delta variant and should probably start downing every antibacterial herb you have stashed away in your cabinet before it’s too late? Well my friends, that’s the perfect time to send me a text and come in for a quick and painless Wellness shot.

What is a Wellness Shot you ask?

Well, a Wellness Shot is an intramuscularly injected homeopathic and vitamin elixer designed to jazzersize your immune system. It’s key ingredient Homeopathic Engystol has proved itself in numerous scientific studies by increasing white blood cell (your body’s defense mechanism) counts by 41%! Beyond that, when combined with B12 these mighty little injections have been shown to reduce severity and duration of acute infections while also guarding you from contracting infections in the future.

Why is it worth getting one?

• They may reduce cold and flu symptoms: so long sore throat, sneezing, sinus congestion and chills

• Clinically and scientifically proven effective in the prevention of viruses like: influenza, herpes simplex 1, Rhinovirus and RSV.

• May reduce viral infection duration.

• Safe for children, elderly and adults.

• Zero side effects, but may make you feel exceedingly awesome.

Do Wellness Shots Hurt?

I use the tiniest of needles resulting in injections that are totally painless to most. In fact, after two days of pleading with my incredibly needle sensitive eldest daughter the other day, I was able to finally convince her to get one and she didn’t feel a thing! She also got over her cold in two days! So if you’re looking to give your immune system a little boost, schedule online or send me a text to see if I can get you in for a quick shot.

🌱 The Secret World of Your Microbiome

Remember the Dr. Seuss book Horton Hears a Who? Where Horton goes a little nutty after discovering an entire world living on a speck of dust? That’s exactly how I imagine our microbiome — a whole Seussian universe of quirky characters living inside our gut, skin, and mouths.

Yep, despite our best 2020-level OCD cleaning habits, we’re crawling with bugs — and it’s fabulous. ✨ Like any bustling civilization, our microbiome is made up of average joes, quirky sidekicks, and a few troublemakers who all play a huge role in everything from our digestion to our mood.

For decades we focused on killing off bacteria, but science now shows us: the “good guys” are the real heroes of our immune system. Without them, we’re in trouble.

🧪 Meet Your Microbes (for real)

I now offer the GI-MAP stool test — one of the most advanced tools for discovering exactly who’s living in your personal “dust speck” and what they’re doing.

This lab doesn’t just identify the organisms in your gut — it maps out your microbial balance, detects pathogens, shows how your digestive + immune systems are functioning, and helps us create a highly targeted plan for your health.

Because honestly? You may not be as in control as you think (haha).

🦠 Why Your Microbes Matter

Your microbiome influences:
🌸 Allergies (food + seasonal)
🌸 Digestion (IBS, candida, Crohn’s, etc.)
🌸 Heart health + blood pressure
🌸 Blood sugar + diabetes
🌸 Mood + depression (hello gut-brain axis)
🌸 Autoimmune disease
🌸 Addiction pathways (!!)
🌸 Obesity + metabolism
🌸 Cancer risk + prevention
🌸 Arthritis + inflammation
🌸 Immune strength overall
🌸 Neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, MS, Parkinson’s)

Basically: your microbes are pulling a lot more strings than you think.

👶 From Birth Canal to Backyard

From the moment we’re born, bacteria are shaping our health. Babies pick up bugs from mom’s birth canal (yep, my daughter also made the “eww gross” face when I told her), then diversify through breastfeeding, pets, playing in dirt, and eating all the things.

Studies even show kids raised with dogs have fewer ear + respiratory infections. And kids raised in overly sterile homes? More allergies and sensitivities later.

So yeah… your slobbery labradoodle is probably doing your kid’s immune system a solid. 🐾

🌿 7 Ways to Supercharge Your Microbiome

1. 📊 Get tested with a GI-MAP stool test at the clinic.

2. 🐕 Snuggle a pet (or three).

3. 🧼 Wash hands instead of sanitizing when possible (ditch the antibacterial soaps).

4. 🥬 Eat local, organic, soil-rich veggies.

5. 🌸 Acupuncture: shown to encourage beneficial bacteria + boost mood via the gut-brain axis.

6. 💊 Take the right digestive enzymes + probiotics (I’ll help you pick what actually works).

7. 🥒 Load up on fermented + polyphenol-rich foods (sauerkraut, kombucha, kimchi, blueberries, cocoa, pomegranates, green tea, and yes — red wine 🍷).

✨ Bottom line: The more diverse your microbes, the healthier you are. If you want to peek into your personal microbial universe (and get targeted strategies to balance it), ask me about the GI-MAP stool test at your next visit.

Your gut bugs will thank you. 💚

Mountain dwellers are no strangers to arthritis, years of carving powder turns, climbing frozen waterfalls and shoveling out driveways can lead to the pesky and problematic accumulation of cold, dampness and wind in the joints which the Chinese refer to as Bi syndrome.  

Bi syndrome; It’s not just for the elderly anymore

Characterized by painful, stiff and swollen joints, Arthritis can be the result of prolonged cold exposure, scar tissue from old injuries, repetitive motion through work or play, underlying deficiencies, auto-immune issues or yes, the wear and tear of old age.  Whether you’ve been diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout or ankylosing spondylitis; your treatment plan will vary according to TCM (traditional Chinese Medicine.) 

Types of Bi Syndromes: 

• Wind Bi:  Characterized by pain that moves from joint to joint with an overall limitation of movement.  

• Damp Bi:  Pain and swelling in a fixed location, accompanied by a feeling of heaviness and numbness that is worse with cold/damp weather.  

• Cold Bi:  Aversion to cold, severe pain usually on one side of the body that limits movement.

• Heat Bi:  Severely painful joints that are hot to the touch, red and swollen. Usually occurs after chronic cases of any of the above types. 

• Phlegm Bi:  Is actually worse than it sounds (hard to believe with a name like that) this can be the result of any of the above Bi syndromes when left untreated.  Characterized by muscular  atrophy, swelling and deformity of the bones in the joints.  

Chinese Medicine to the rescue

While the steroids, opioids and NSAIDS you get from your doctor can take the edge off the pain, they do nothing to address the root cause of your arthritis woes.  At Durango Acupuncture Clinic, I use a combination of Acupuncture, cupping, Moxibustion heat therapy and Chinese herbs to not only reduce pain and discomfort but resolve the underlying factors that got your joints all up in a knot in the first place.  

5 Arthritis relieving Allstars:

1. Get Moxa-fied: When it comes to Bi syndrome, Moxibustion is key:  Moxa (a form of herbal heat therapy) has been used for thousands of years to treat arthritis.  Moxa helps to draw cold, dampness and phlegm from the bones, resulting in a significant reduction of pain and occurrence.  

2. Inject your pain away: Many of my patients have found lasting relief from Homeopathic injections like Traumeel and Zeel which help to reduce inflammation and pain while helping the cartilage to heal.  

3. De-inflame: I carry a number of anti-inflammatory and pain relieving Chinese herbal formulas, supplements and cbd’s. Magic ingredients to look out for when it comes to arthritis are: turmeric, frankincense, Boswellia, tang-kuei, aconite, cinnamon and myrrh as well and fish oil.

4. Salve it up: CBD salves and Chinese herbal compresses or linaments can provide lasting topical relief that is easy to control and use as needed. Many of you have already experienced the incredible pain relieving effects of the 2,500 mg cbd salve I carry in the office. Additionally, there are a number of Chinese herb patches that address different types of Bi syndromes; hot patches for cold types and cooling patches for hot types.

5. Collagen-ate: lubricate those joints by supplementing with a high quality, organic collagen or bone broth, you can find a simple recipe here or ask me for my favorite flavorless collagen powder suggestions.

Additionally, send those achy joints packing by reducing sugar, avoiding nightshade vegetables, losing weight and exercising regularly.

If this week of wintery weather has left your knees, knuckles, elbows, shoulders, low back or neck in the lurch, schedule yourself so we can get you back out on your skis, snowshoes or shovel before the powder melts away!

I get asked this question quite a lot and, unfortunately, there’s no real universal answer. In the grand scheme of things, our approach to health and wellness here in America is a bit backwards compared to many other parts of the world.

From a fireman’s perspective, we tend to concentrate more on the drama of putting out the flames that are engulfing our living room (or gallbladder) rather than focusing our attention on not playing with matches in the first place. To our credit, we in the Western world have some pretty amazing and inspiring ways of putting out fires when it comes to health. We are fortunate to have incredible life saving medications, surgeries and diagnostics at our fingertips, which are wonderful but can often be relied upon in ways that create a pretty unhealthy approach to health. And I get it, putting out fires is sexy, surgeons don’t spend 8-10 years in school and residencies so that they can tell you to eat more apples and go for a walk, they are in it for the love of the heroics behind the surgery.

In China, at least in the good ol days when Chinese Medicine was the only medicine; you paid your Acupuncturist when you were well. What a novel idea right? Imagine if we paid our physicians for keeping us well, for helping us avoid illness and disease rather than for saving us from the very thing that might have been prevented in the first place. Kind of crazy to wrap your mind around, isn’t it?

We don’t operate that way, most of us have grown into a society that waits until things are broken to fix it, rather than thinking about how we can prevent the break in the first place. I get it, we’re busy, we don’t always have time to eat right, work-out, meditate and visit our Acupuncturist, chiropractor or massage therapist regularly.

In my practice, I do quite a bit of putting out flames, but I always search for the underlying cause, the secret pyro that lit the fire in the first place. While we can often achieve results after one treatment, it usually takes 3-10 treatments to really resolve the issue. Because we are so used to taking a pill to mask our symptoms without ever addressing the underlying root cause, this approach can feel a bit daunting to some. Getting to the root takes time, and the longer you’ve been battling pain or disease, the longer it can take to unearth the underlying catalyst. Fortunately, I’m a pretty impatient Acupncturist, I like to see results and make them stick fast. Over my past 12 years of practice, i’ve discovered that the closer we can cluster those first 3-5 treatments, the more effective and efficient our results will be. Once we get you to a place where you feel human again, we can then stretch the time between treatments farther and farther apart until you are no longer in need of my services. At that point, you can switch to a more preventative approach to healing, by coming seasonally or at the very beginning stage of pain or illness, at the point where we can set you straight with just one or two treatments.

Plantar Fasciitis 

If you’re an avid runner or hiker,  chances are you’ve experienced some amount of pesky heel pain that just won’t quit.  Durango seems to be home to an unusual amount of foot issues, from Mortons Neuromas to bunions, but by far plantar fasciitis seems to be the foot issue most popular among the cool kids in Durango.  

Why does my heel hurt so much?  

Plantar fasciitis is a result of inflammation or injury of the thick band of fascia that runs along the bottom of your foot from heel to toes, resulting in a build-up of calcium deposits which form painful bony protrusions.   This issue can be a real downer for those who love to run, hike or even walk as it can severely limit your ability to get around.  

How your heel can get its mojo back with Acupuncture…

About 7 years ago, while taking a yoga teacher training in Santa Fe, I discovered the magic of the myofascial trains, (as detailed in my blog post “Where in the world is my myofascial?”) lines of fascia that follow roughly the same course as the meridians all over the body.  The back myofascial line runs from the base of the skull to the heel of the foot and is the holy grail when it comes to treating plantar fasciitis.  

Rarely, if ever is heel pain not also accompanied by some other snag along the back myofascial line such as hip, knee, SI joint or sacrum pain.  That’s because these muscle groups are all held together by the same fascia train which means that by treating trigger points found in the gastrocnemius, glutes and sacrum I can often pin down the culprit of your heel pain woes and get you back on your feet again.  So if the idea of getting a needle in your heel makes you woozy, don’t worry, I often only use Moxibustion (a Chinese Herbal heat therapy) on the sole of the foot and heel to stimulate the points and soften spurs. Moxa feels amazing and works incredibly well when it comes to warming the tendons and ligaments and increasing blood flow to excelerate healing.

“After just one treatment, I felt immediate relief from the heel pain I’d been experiencing for over a year, the pain stayed away for good after a course of 4 treatments and Megan was able to significantly reduce my hip pain as well.” -S.C

5 Heel Healing Tips to make your heel feel healed…

1. Lose the flats: If you’re walking on a thin strip of leather with zero support, your heels will hate you for it.  Opt for running shoes or slip some insoles in your cute shoes to give your feet a bit of cushion.

2. Avoid Tiles:  Going barefoot on cold/hard surfaces like tiles can be torture for heels, wear socks to keep them warm.

3. Soak those puppies:  Slip your feet into a nice hot epsom salt foot bath every night if you can to help break down those calcium deposits.

4. Roll:  Gently stretch the fascia by rolling the hips, glutes, and calves on a foam roller, then work the sole of the foot with a lacrosse or tennis ball. 

5. Slather:  Give your calves and heels a good rub throughout the day with the incredibly strong CBD salve I carry at the office or Zeng Gu Shui (a potent Chinese liniment) which I also have in stock. 

Most importantly:

Give it a minute!  Patients often feel so good after their treatments that they go right back to doing the things that got their heels in trouble in the first place.  Long term results require a few weeks of commitment to treatments, self care and most of all; hammock time!

Feeling triggered?  Acupuncture can solve your Trigger Finger

If you’ve ever had your finger get stuck in a bent position and then snap straight you’ve experienced first hand, the annoying and painful condition known as Trigger finger.  

What is Trigger Finger?

When inflammation narrows the space within the sheath that surrounds the tendon of an affected finger it can result in the locking of that finger in a permanent or semi-permanently bent position.  Repetitive gripping actions through work or hobbies are often the culprit and this condition is seen more often in women or those with diabetes.

Symptoms

• Finger stiffness, especially first thing in the morning

• Popping or clicking with movement

• Tenderness or nodules in the palm at the base of the finger

• Finger catching or locking in bent position

• Finger locked in bent position and unable to straighten

Western Treatment

Your MD may recommend NSAIDs, splints, steroid injections or surgery.  All of which can further complicate the issue.   

Get Trigger Happy with Acupuncture

Acupuncture works surprisingly well for trigger finger, in fact, I’ve helped dozens of patients reduce or even resolve their issue completely.  By needling points around the affected area we are able to gently release the constriction or stagnation that’s blocking the smooth motion of the tendon.  Additionally, by injecting homeopathic Traumeel into the affected area, we can reduce inflammation and pain while promoting healing.  Moxibustion, a form of herbal heat therapy can be applied to the hand and finger as well to help increase blood flow and warm away arthritis. 

Five steps you can take right now to reduce your trigger finger:

1. Schedule an Acupuncture treatment

2. Start taking vitamin B6. B6 Pyridoxine has been shown in studies to significantly reduce trigger finger in many adults, especially those with swollen hands. Take the P-5-P version of B6 to avoid toxicity at 25-50 mgs daily.

3. Take magnesium: magnesium not only amplifies the effects of B6, but also encourages muscle relaxation and calms the nervous system.

4. Try some stretches; check out a few here.

5. Self massage the palm and any nodules along the finger joint.

🤚 Carpal Tunnel, Tennis Elbow & Other Wristy Business

In my Durango practice, I’ve seen carpal tunnel and tendonitis show up in just about everybody: rock climbers, mountain bikers, surgeons, tennis players, florists, pregnant mamas, ASL translators, even dental hygienists. Basically—if your hands are your livelihood (or your obsession), you’re at risk for inflamed, cranky tendons and ligaments.

The good news? Relief is absolutely possible. Acupuncture, guasha, and Traumeel injections are my MVPs for helping patients get back to doing what they love—without the ache.

✨ What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

If your fingers are tingling, your grip feels weak, or you’ve got pins-and-needles vibes in your hand, your median nerve is probably crying for help. Whether you’re pregnant, golfing, or scaling cliffs like Spider-Man, too much pressure on this nerve = numbness, weakness, and wrist pain that just won’t quit.

🎾 Epicondylitis: Not Just for Tennis Players

“Tennis Elbow” sounds cute, but the reality? Not so much. Epicondylitis is basically when your tendons throw a tantrum. Add in tenosynovitis (inflammation of the tendon sheath) and you’ve got a recipe for pain that heals slower than watching paint dry.

But don’t toss your racket (or your golf club) into the nearest sand trap just yet—acupuncture can help speed up recovery and get you swinging, lifting, or typing again way faster.

🌟 Why Acupuncture Rocks for Wrist & Elbow Pain

A study out of Massachusetts General Hospital found that acupuncture not only reduced pain and numbness in Carpal Tunnel patients, but actually rewired the brain to process nerve signals better. Think of it as hitting “refresh” on your nervous system.

And when it comes to epicondylitis? Acupuncture is like the Alex Honnold of treatments: precise, effective, and kind of badass when it comes to increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation.

💉 + 🪨 Traumeel & Guasha = Dream Team

✨ Traumeel injections: A natural alternative to steroids, this homeopathic formula dials down inflammation and pain like magic.
✨ Guasha: The ancient art of “scraping” with a smooth stone (or even a soup spoon!) works wonders on stuck fascia, tension, and nerve pressure. Some of my climber patients even carry their guasha tool to the crag—because forearm love is real.

👉 Bottom line: If your hands are buzzing, aching, or holding you back, don’t just tough it out. Acupuncture, Traumeel, and guasha might just be your secret weapon to getting back in action.