In my Durango practice I’ve seen a wide range of carpal tunnel and tendonitis sufferers, from rock climbers to mountain bikers, surgeons, tennis players, florists, pregnant women, ASL translators to dental hygienists.  Basically anyone who uses their hands or arms in a highly focused and repetitive way is at risk for inflammation and arthritis of the tendons and ligaments, resulting in one or both of these issues.   Most of these patients find relief and even resolution with the help of Acupuncture, guasha and traumeel injections. 

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Numbness, tingling, weakness or muscle damage in the hand and fingers are the calling card of this incredibly common syndrome.  Whether you’re swollen from pregnancy or have been hitting the golf balls or climbing walls like it’s your job; your wrist may be paying the price of excessive pressure on the median nerve.  This is the nerve in the wrist that allows feeling and movement to parts of the hand. 

Epicondilitis, it’s not just for Tennis Players anymore

Epicondylitis, otherwise known as Tennis Elbow is an inflammation of the tendon or cord of fibrous tissue that attaches  muscle to bone. This pesky issue is often accompanied by tenosynovitis, which is an inflammation of the lining of the tendon sheath. Because tendons tend to have the blood flow of a paper cup, healing can be slow, often resulting in months or even years of down-time as they heal.  But don’t go hucking your golf club in a sand trap yet, because Acupuncture can help you get your swing back faster.

Why Acupuncture is the bomb at treating these issues

 A recent study at Massachusetts General Hospital found that Acupuncture not only reduces pain in CTS but also makes a quantifiable difference in how the brain processes nerve signals compromised by repetitive motion disorders.   This study found that Acupuncture not only reduced pain and numbness but (through functional magnetic resonance imaging taken before and after treatment) researchers were able to find improved nerve impulses in the wrist as well as brain remapping linked to long-term improvement in CTS symptoms.  Check out this study for details: https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/140/4/914/3058778

Acupuncture has a similar effect on Epicondylitis as it’s basically the Alex Honald of tendonitis treatments, which is to say that when it comes to increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation, Acupuncture excels and looks damn sexy while doing it. wink

Traumeel injections and Guasha to the rescue

Beyond Acupuncture, I’ve had a lot of success with treating both of these issues with Traumeel injections.  Traumeel is a homeopathic (all natural) alternative to steroid injections, renowned for its  incredibly anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects. Check out this post on the 14 reasons why I Love trammel.

Guasha; the gentle scraping of the myofascial train of the forearm with the smooth edge of a flat stone or soup spoon is another ancient Chinese technique that can yield profound results when it comes to relieving nerve pressure and inflammation.  This is a go-to for me in the office and can be used as self-care at home as well.  I even know a few climbers who take their guasha tool to the craig as well.  

I first experienced anxiety while pregnant with my second daughter when 20 minutes of Cormac Mcarthy’s post apocalyptic movie version of “The Road” threw me into a month long panic attack.  20 minutes of a movie was all it took to trigger my prenatal hormone frazzled amygdala into full blown cortisol driven alarm mode. This Anxiety ruined any semblance of sleep I was able to catch with a 2 year old in the house and sent me on a high tech home security search that became an obsession. As if the only thing standing between my family and a post-apocalyptic mob of cannibalists was an alarm system.  I knew I was being ridiculous, but my nervous system was beyond reason. Fortunately my initial glimpse into the discomfort of anxiety was short lived as a few weeks of hormone regulating Acupuncture (and perhaps a few glasses of wine) was all it took for me to get back my calm. For many though, Anxiety is a constant and relentless companion and something which I treat every day at Durango Acupuncture Clinic.

Introducing the Amygdala and Hippocampus and their role in Anxiety

The amygdala is like a family dog who spends his days in a kind of obsessive vigilance at the window just waiting to alert you and your brain to the presence of impending doom and danger, usually in the form of a UPS man.  This normally serves to keep us out of harm's way, but hormonal fluctuations, extreme trauma and stress can throw our amygdala’s off, resulting in everything suddenly becoming a major threat.

The hippocampus is a lot like your mother, in that it takes certain scary or threatening events (like that time you thought it would be fun to ride your bike with no hands and ended up in a cast for the summer) and never, ever lets you forget about them.  The hippocampus stores these frightening events in fragmented flashbacks in the brain to remind you to stay away from dangers in the future, but when your brain is imbalanced by severe trauma, these memories can lead to PTSD.

These two parts of the brain can act like sugar crazed kids at a slumber party who just had a seance and are freaking out!  They can trigger the increase of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine (which increases heart rate and blood pressure) and dopamine (which can increase feelings of dread) and decrease GABA and 5HTP, your body's go-to transmitters for inducing a state of calm and happiness.    

These brain centers and neurotransmitters are designed to make us safe and keep us out of harm's way, but when stress, trauma, thyroid issues, or hormone fluctuations come into play, they can lead to neurological imbalances and anxiety disorders.  

Fortunately, there are effective ways to reduce anxiety:

1. Get  Acupuncture: which has been shown in studies to reduce anxiety by altering the functional release of neurotransmitters to stop the autonomic response.  Which is like giving your amygdala a bone to gnaw on and your worried mother-like hippocampus a cocktail. It can also affect the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems by reducing cortisol and adrenaline and increasing serotonin levels.  There's a reason why you always seem to float out the Acupuncture room. Anxiety is something that I work with everyday at Durang Acupuncture Clinic and Acupuncture is completely safe for those currently taking anti-anxiety or SSRI medications.

2. Practice mindfulness through yoga and meditation.  Yoga is a wonderful way to soothe the nervous system through movement, you can join Michelle Lawrence and I at Yogadurango November 11th for a workshop of heart opening yoga followed by Acupuncture and guided meditation specifically geared toward treating anxiety.  This workshop sold out last year and we are so excited to offer it again!

3. Give your brain the building blocks for GABA and 5HTP:  Sometimes your brain needs a little help and there are a number of powerful herbal supplements that can give your body the building blocks it needs to create this vital neurotransmitters.  I carry a number of supplements by the brand Neuroscience, which are carefully designed to recalibrate your neurology in a way that is safe and incredibly effective. I love helping patients find the right one for them.

4. Get on the Adaptogen bandwagon:  Adaptogens are getting a lot of buzz lately and it's easy to see why.  Adaptogenic herbs like Ashwagandha, ginseng and Astragalus are herbal pharmaceuticals that work to counteract the effects of stress on the body.  They regulate a stable balance in the hypothalamic, pituitary and adrenal glands to essentially hack the stress response.. Reducing fatigue, depression and calming the central nervous system.  

Acupuncture For Labor induction and more.

My intro to Acupuncture for labor induction began in the spare room of my little adobe casita in Canoncito, Santa Fe, NM on September 19th 2004.  I remember the exact date because it was the day before my first daughter; Willow was born. A year into my Masters program in Acupuncture school,  I was both the patient and the Acupuncturist and this initial foray into Acupuncture induction was a complete success!

This success soon led to a cascade of induction requests from my many pregnant friends and evolved into what would later become my specialty after graduating from school 3 years later.  Whole Women Health, my first practice was born and I began working closely with several of the town’s most trusted midwives, offering my services to their pre and post partum clients.  Traveling throughout Santa Fe and the neighboring pueblos, I’d administer Acupuncture inductions or help to turn breech babies in people’s living rooms and attend the occasional homebirth to help with a stalled out labor or pain management.  Eventually, the local OB’s caught wind of these treatments and began referring their mom’s to be into my care and I began making hospital calls to the maternity ward as well. 14 years later, I’m grateful for the many open-minded and caring OB’s, nurse and lay midwives in Durango for continually entrusting me with the care of their clients and love this aspect of my practice.

What Acupuncture treats during pregnancy

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine has been helping women through their childbearing years for over 5,000 years.  Some of the most common complaints I see during pregnancy are:

• Breech babies

• Induction (for post-term mamas, those with medical issues who need to give birth soon or those whose water has broken with no signs of labor)

• Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure)

• Low back pain (or any kind of discomfort)

• Nausea

• Fatigue

• Anxiety

• Preparing the body for optimal labor (once weekly sessions beginning at 34-36 weeks)

What Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can treat post-partum

Acupuncture can help speed up recovery after childbirth, adjust hormonal changes, and reduce the stress of adjusting to parenthood.  I know getting out with a new baby can be difficult and always encourage my new mama patients to bring their babies to their appointments.  I’m happy to accommodate new moms in Durango and the Four Corners and help to entertain their babies while they rest.

• Lactation issues (difficulty, insufficient production, mastitis, irritation ect….

• Postpartum depression or anxiety

• Insomnia and fatigue

• Sore back, shoulders and neck (courtesy of awkward nursing positions and lugging heavy car seats around).

• Hormone balancing

Postpartum tips from the Ancient Chinese

Stay warm, in Chinese Medical theory, we believe that the reproductive system is especially susceptible to cold invasion after childbirth.  Therefore, it’s recommended that you avoid, ice, ice cream, too many raw vegetables and dips in cold water. Instead, eat plenty of soups like bone broth, eggs and steamed or cooked veggies. This Article gives more Check out this article for more tips on recovering faster by improving digestion from the Chinese Medicine perspective: https://www.thetot.com/mama/health-and-wellbeing/postpartum-recovery-using-chinese-medicine-improving-digestion/

Why it’s important to solve this little canary in the coal mine with more than a pill from the pharmacy.  

There are times, it seems, that you can’t go on a raft trip in Durango without half of the women on your trip having Hashimotos.  No seriously, our raft trip of 26 people last summer included 5 women with hashi’s and that number was low because most of the folks on the trip were either under 12 or male.  Had we organized a trip of 26 women aged 30-50 our thyroiditis numbers would have been astronomical. I say we because I’m a member of the unofficial Durango Hashimotos club as well.  Before we dive into the how’s and what’s of this issue, I’ll take a moment to introduce you to:

The long and wildly pathetic list of hashimotos symptoms:  These are merely the ones I see most often at Durango Acupuncture Clinic, for a more complete list of woes click here:  https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/symptoms/

Joint Pain Hair Loss Brain Fog
extreme fatigue Dry skin Insomnia
Depression Cold hands and feet PMS
Anxiety Weight Gain Constipation
Mood Swings Constipation Infertility

Just to name a few…

Hashi-what?

Hashimotos is an autoimmune disease which is usually born from the hot and steamy love triangle of leaky gut (digestive and dietary issues), major hormonal shifts (think pregnancy and menopause) and adrenal fatigue (stress in a nutshell).  These immune, adrenal and hormonal stressors trigger thyroid antibodies to go all Rambo and attack your thyroid (among other organs), resulting in the lovely list of symptoms above as a result of low Thyroid stimulating hormone. Genetics can also play a big role into our susceptibility.  In my family, we share autoimmune disease like some families pass on good china or silver, it’s truly the gift that keeps on giving!

And why can’t we just pop a pill and forget about it?

You can just pop pills, but...While pharmaceuticals can provide symptomatic relief and prevent further destruction of your thyroid, they fail to solve the autoimmune issue that got you on the hashimotos bus in the first place.  Relying on medication alone is kind of like hiding in the bathtub while your house is on fire, sure, you’re feeling swell now, but give it a minute (or years) and things are going to get pretty uncomfortable. When the root is left untreated, those symptoms that originally disappeared with medication, can begin to slowly pop up again, along with a host of new and exotic autoimmune issues involving other organs and systems. Fun!

So What’s a girl to do?

1. Chill the heck out! Stress and adrenal taxation are recipes for autoimmune issues (among most other diseases).  Delegate, meditate, practice yoga (my class is at 4:30 on Tuesday’s, just say’in), play with your kids, let the laundry pile up, soak in a hot spring, ride your bike (shut the Strava off), laugh, walk your dog, take a moment to be present.

1. Heal your gut. Ditch the bread to start, (I know, I know, you hate me already but...) gluten has been shown in studies to have the effect of canned spinach on your Popeyed antibodies, enhancing their thyroid bashing abilities. Seal your gut lining with collagen rich bone broth or bone broth powders.  Eat fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi or kombucha to help repopulate the gut with good bacteria.

2. Get regular Acupuncture:  Acupuncture is clinically proven to calm your central nervous system, lower cortisol levels and reduce stress. Goodbye Adrenal taxation!  It’s also a wonderful way to balance hormones, address digestive and immune issues, increase energy and the body's ability to heal itself.  

At Durango Acupuncture Clinic, I see you as more than your long and sorry list of thyroid symptoms, I see you as the beautiful stressed out and under appreciated superwoman that you are! You’ll be encouraged to commit to self care, given some serious nurturing, dietary tips and recipes, lifestyle and supplement suggestions, Chinese herbs and someone who has experienced all that you’re going through to really listen to you.

Bring your Hashimoto's under control or even remission!  Regain your energy, vitality and balanced emotions, and Kiss that long and sorry list of symptoms goodbye.  Schedule now:  970-442-0284 or click the schedule button on this page.  Let’s set this canary free!

Sciatica, it’s more than just a pain in the butt in Durango and Acupuncture can help.

While it’s physical manifestations may be confined to the buttocks or leg on one side, Sciatica, piriformis syndrome and herniated disks can create some serious limitations when it comes to doing the activities you love.  When an injury or condition keeps you off your bike, out of the gym, away from your yoga, running or hiking practice, the emotional pain of vulnerability and depression can be far worse than the original issue. Here are some of the common complaints I hear from my sciatic patients at Durango Acupuncture Clinic.

1. Pain in the butt that is worse with sitting, hello desk job!

2. Numbness or burning pain that radiates down the leg.

3. Pain worsened by exercise, and generally everything fun.

Causes:

Structural impingement or compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs through the buttocks and branches down the leg to the calf and toes is the underlying culprit.  While those with ultra tight hamstrings and back myofascial lines like couch potato’s, desk jockeys, car commuters and gym junkies compose the majority of the afflicted, yoginis aren’t in the clear either.  Hyperflexibility is often a liability when it comes to the health of your joints, fascia and tendons, landing a number of cirque de soleil style yogis in my office with butt pain in Durango.

Why Acupuncture is the bomb when it comes to pain relief

It stimulates the nervous system which then tells the brain to:

1. Increase blood flow to the area of pain.

2. Reduce inflammation and reduce muscle contraction.

3. Release a cascade of your body's natural painkillers like endorphins, serotonin and enkephalins.  Say goodbye to that pain in the tush!

How your MD treats Sciatica: Surgery, steroid injections, pain medications, hot and cold therapy and a surprising number of especially cool Doctors and PA’s are also referring their patients to Acupuncturists as well. :)

How I treat sciatica:  After a thorough intake where I gather as much information about you, your symptoms, and their physical and emotional impact on your life, I’ll check your pulse and tongue and begin to make a  Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis.

You’ll be invited to undress and slip under the warmed flannel sheets and blankets of my treatment table.  Using oil massage techniques, I’ll begin to examine your back, detecting adhesions and trigger points along the length of the back and glutes.  Once I find these active points, tiny needles are painlessly inserted. While your needles do their thing, you’ll be coaxed into deep relaxation through a short guided meditation after which you’ll be left for a few minutes of nap time with soothing music in the background.

These treatments also involve one or more adjunct therapies, including cupping, essential oils, moxibusition (heat therapy), myofascial release techniques, e-stim, guasha ( a deep tissue form of body work) or homeopathic traumeel injections.  Traumeel injections are an effective, safe, natural and practically painless alternative to steroid injections and can be added to your treatment for a small additional fee.

Your treatment will likely conclude with a brief and minimal front  treatment where distal points are used to increase circulation, blood flow and your body’s ability to heal itself.  Prepare to be nurtured, and to leave feeling incredibly relaxed!

Typical treatment plan

I like to get you back on your bike, hiking trails or couch as quickly as possible.  Often this requires twice weekly treatments for the first week or two. In this way, we’re able to ride the wave of progress we create together.  Notice that I say we, because you’ll be expected to take an active role in your healing, I may recommend specific therapeutic yoga poses, exercises, supplements, foods or rest to ensure that you get the most efficient and dramatic results possible.  Most patients experience significant results in these first few weeks and then gradually reduce their visits until they no longer need help or just come in occasionally for maintenance.

Ditch the Zyrtec™

and Smell the Wild Flowers!

When you grow up in New Hampshire and suffer from chronic seasonal allergies as a child, as I did, your doctors love to tell you that the solution to your sinus issues is to move to the desert. It wasn’t until finally moving to the Southwest in my early 20’s that I realized just how totally off the mark those East Coast doc’s were. Here in the high desert of the four corners area, we have some brutal allergens from pinions, junipers, cottonwood, flowers and grasses. I’ve even known certain people to head to higher elevations in the spring in search of escape from the endless sneezing and sniffles. So what’s a nature lover to do?

Try these tips to get to the root of your allergy issue.

Prevent histamine: Start taking quercetin and some variation of the Chinese formula Yu Ping Fan San, to stop allergies in their tracks by preventing the release of histamine and other inflammatory agents. I have many effective options in my office!

Heal your gut: Did you know that the root of many allergies often begins with the health of our gut? Dietary proteins that pass through the compromised lining of a leaky gut can trigger a cascade of autoimmune response, including allergy symptoms. Removing inflammatory foods like gluten and dairy can be a great start to solving this problem.

Get Acupuncture! Over the past 13 years, I have been implementing a special allergy busting technique that uses Acupuncture and Guasha (an anti-inflammatory massage technique) to give you instant relief while addressing the root cause of your allergies. I’ve helped hundreds of patients breathe freely again and significantly reduce or eliminate seasonal allergies.

Load up on quercetin rich foods like: swiss chard, carrots, beets, yams and cabbage, along with probiotic rich fermented foods like kombucha, kimchi and sauerkraut.

Stop avoiding the fields of flowers, schedule your appointment today and get out there! I’m offering a special promotion on Acupuncture Allergy 5 packs this spring, call to find out more!

Photo Credit: Alex Jones

Pediatric Acupuncture and why it’s all the rage among toddlers and babies in Durango.

While a life of sleeping, pooping and snuggles may seem easy, being a baby can be tough. immature digestive systems that lead to colic or reflux, teething troubles, eczema, difficulty sleeping, and underdeveloped immune systems susceptible to respiratory and ear infections, can all contribute to fussy little ones. Enter early childhood and bed wetting, nightmares, anxiety, and ADHD can be added to the list of possible pediatric ailments.

Fortunately, at Durango Acupuncture Clinic, I have a gentle and effective, needle-free solution to all of those common munchkin woes, and it’s called Shoni Shin. Shoni Shin is a Japanese form of Pediatric Acupuncture which uses tiny little tools to activate meridians and Acupuncture points without the use of needles. This method works best for those under age 7 and often results in some very happy little patients. Regular visits are also wonderful for keeping your little one in tip top shape, by strengthening their immune and nervous systems and establishing a life long resiliency to colds and flus.

I’ve been combining Shoni Shin with Pediatric Tuina (a form of Oriental physical therapy) to treat children for over ten years. I’ve had great success in reducing colic, fevers, allergies, chronic ear infections, fevers and anxiety issues in babies and young children. A typical half hour visit can involve these modalities in addition to; turning forks, Moxa heat therapy, dietary and supplemental advice and I often teach specific Chinese massage techniques for mom and dad to try at home.

Additionally, I carry a line of safe and effective Chinese Medicine Pediatric tinctures to help with anything from chronic ear infections, to tummy troubles, tender teeth, colds and flus and to help your little one focus at school.

Don’t let your little hipster miss out on the benefits of Chinese Medicine, pediatric visits at Durango Acupuncture Clinic are only $45 and even less with pre-pay packages. Schedule your Pediatric Acupuncture appointment today!