Alcohol Detoxification with Acupuncture

Long before alcoholism, for most people there was a time when they didn’t actually like the taste of liquor. Over time, the body got used to the alcohol and eventually became chemically and/or emotionally dependent on it. One of the things acupuncture can do is stimulate certain chemicals in the body that help it return to its natural state of disliking the taste of alcohol again. When the body doesn’t “want” alcohol, it’s a lot easier to stay away from it.

Alcohol Detox: The Process

When a patient comes in for alcohol detox (or other forms of detox), we talk about their reasons for drinking. We talk about the details of consumption now — as well as in the past. Once I fully understand the nuances of that particular patient situation, we begin slowly easing into the detox process. We reduce the alcohol intake slowly while beginning with the acupuncture treatments. We use acupuncture to stimulate the body’s liver to help with the detoxification and eliminate toxins easier and faster. We use acupuncture to help the patient get out of the “stuck” patterns and lifestyle of drinking and for their energy to begin following again in ways that support change. We balance weak meridians, increase strength and inner strength … and often through doing so increase self-worth and will. We further reduce any emotional dependency on alcohol (or drugs) by helping the patient feel different in their body —feel as they did before addiction.

Acupuncture Detox Beyond Alcohol

Acupuncture is amazing support for detoxification from drugs such as cocaine as well as smoking and sugar addictions. In these cases, acupuncture helps balance the chemicals in the brain so that the patient doesn’t have the same urges and cravings.

I worked with a senior who began smoking at age 19. After a lifetime of trying, he finally quit with the help of acupuncture. Our work together was both about balancing the body and helping him find the habits and activities in life to replace the time he used to spend smoking. Another patient had a serious sugar addiction, and as her body chemistry changed from the acupuncture treatments, her cravings ceased. We supplemented the acupuncture with conversations about nutrition so that she would know how to eat differently (and think differently about food) once the cravings were completely gone.

Detox and withdrawal symptoms would be a challenge for even the most mentally and physically fit person. Fortunately, acupuncture is there to simplify and accelerate the detoxification process, while improving overall health at the same time.

Quite frequently, people come to Eastern Medical Center looking for help with getting off “lifelong” Western medications. Often I hear about symptoms such as sluggishness and tingling in the fingers and toes, which are common side effects of many drugs. Fortunately, acupuncture is a powerful tool for getting off of medications while balancing the body so that it doesn’t “need” the pills to sustain stable health. We can use acupuncture to taper off medications in a safe, gradual way and balance the chemicals in the brain so that the patient doesn’t suffer withdrawl symptoms.

It doesn’t matter if the patient has just been diagnosed and still has a prescription slip in hand or has been taking the same medication for a decade. In either case, there’s almost always an alternative to a lifetime of medication use.

It’s also important to reiterate that someone can appreciate the benefits of Western medications while still desiring to get off of them. Western treatment and drugs play a critical role in medical care — especially in acute, short-term situations. But that doesn’t mean we want to be at the mercy of medications for a lifetime! I often say that pills can create temporary stability, but acupuncture can achieve sustainable natural health.

In the next post, I’ll discuss how acupuncture can help the body detoxify from drugs (recreational or medical) and alcohol. This is a key piece of the puzzle because after the body has been subjected to external influences over an extended period of time, it needs to flush out all those toxins before truly being well again. So please stay tuned for that!

Simply put, when your body’s energy systems and blood flow are brought back into a natural, balanced state through acupuncture, the body can do what it’s designed to do: function properly. Health conditions are various forms of dysfunction in the body as a result of toxins and clogging and imbalances. A body that’s in balance is a healthy body. We may never put a needle at the sight of your health issue; but when the needles that are placed help to correct the underlying imbalances, the health issue becomes less and less noticeable … and in many cases just vanishes completely. That’s not magic; that’s just a body working the way it’s meant to do.

Many people have been in discomfort or pain or illness for so long that they’ve forgotten what being healthy actually feels like. That’s the state acupuncture helps restore.

Now, let’s be clear: There is certainly a time and a place in our society for taking your concern directly to Western medicine. If someone’s in a car accident and is in critical condition, that person should go directly to the hospital for acute care. But in pain management, accelerating recovery and rehabilitation, acupuncture would be of great service to that individual.

Major Conditions Treated by Acupuncture:

According to sources as official and recognized as the World Health Organization and National Institutes of Health, acupuncture is useful in the treatment of:

Chronic and acute pain: Injuries, headaches, neck and back pain, tendonitis, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia

Neurological disorders: Post-stroke recovery, Bell’s palsy & Trigeminal neuralgia, movement disorders

Upper respiratory disorders: Asthma, allergies, bronchitis, sinusitis, sore throat, laryngitis, colds and flu

Digestive disorders: Irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, constipation, diarrhea, gastritis, heartburn, food allergies, ulcers

Urinary and reproductive disorders: Cystitis, menstrual cramps, irregular or heavy periods, infertility, menopausal symptoms

Immune function: Recurrent infections, supportive treatment for cancer and AIDS patients

Addictions: Dependency on nicotine, alcohol or drugs

Eye and ear disorders: Tinnitus, Meniere’s disease

Depression, anxiety & insomnia

Much more … Please click this link for additional details about our acupuncture services and benefits.

If you or someone you care about has a specific health concern (whether on this list or not), please feel free to call us at Eastern Medical Center at (925) 847-8889 to discuss how acupuncture or other forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine might be able to help.

It’s a Quality of Life Question

It’s a question that can be answered on a number of different levels. My thoughts immediately go to quality of life for those who aren’t finding relief using our society’s default approach to medicine. In our culture, we pop pills, treat symptoms (rather than root causes) and if things get really bad, have surgery. But if you’re still suffering through daily experiences with pain, low energy, emotional distress or a million other nagging conditions, what’s the cost of that? What do you miss when you’re always sick or weak … or are distracted by pain or symptoms? How many side effects do you have to deal with from prescription medications before looking for a better way? How much do you have to struggle before you’re worth the cost of a better life? To me, the real “cost” is in not seeking natural and effective treatment methods to have a healthy body and well being.

It’s a Dollars and ‘Sense’ Question

But most people aren’t necessarily looking for a philosophical discussion. They’re looking for numbers and dollars. Well, we can certainly do that, too! The easy answer is Western medicine is dramatically more costly than acupuncture and other natural treatment methods. Take one statistic as an example. According to a recent Associated Press article, Americans spend a staggering $86 billion a year treating back pain without even finding much relief. The vast majority of that care is Western in its medical nature, from scans and X-Rays to pain pills to other drugs. Speaking of medications, the latest statistics I can find from the U.S. Department of Labor state that the average American spends $335.36 on medications each year, with the average American family spending $185 per year on over-the-counter drugs. And the cost of prescription medication continues to rise steeply, contributing to the health care crisis that prompted recent national legislation.

It’s About Prevention

In comparison, acupuncture is far more cost effective than surgery and a lifetime of lab work and expensive medications. An acupuncture treatment center at Eastern Medical Center costs $80. If you have an acute condition, you might have to come back once a week or so for a while. When your body is back to its natural state of good health, those sessions will become once a month or once every two months.

And while acupuncture will help you get through any current health difficulties, acupuncture by its very nature is about prevention; it’s about preventing you from getting sick, which also prevents you from having to spend money on medical care. Regular acupuncture prevents heart attacks, strokes, illnesses resulting from a weak immune system, diabetes and unnecessary surgeries, just to name a few. This is possible by keeping the body in natural balance, where it functions properly and can really take care of itself. In addition, people who cannot derive the energy they need to recharge themselves (such as with fibromyalgia), people whose lives are filled with constant stress and people who cannot seem to fully recover from illness using conventional Western techniques, these patients can all benefit from regular acupuncture. Why wait until you get diabetes to start taking medication? If you know you are pre-diabetic, did you know that acupuncture, natural herbs and diet change can help prevent the onset of diabetes?

Not to mention, when getting acupuncture treatments regularly, many other symptoms start going away as well. Acupuncture can help the body with so many ailments that I will normally see a patient for one reason, and end up helping with that and healing something else entirely. That’s two medications off the monthly books — along with all the out-of-network specialist visits. And most insurance plans cover a number of acupuncture treatments, and at Eastern Medical Center we accept Workers’ Compensation and auto accident claims.

I hope this helps explain how much acupuncture costs. I also hope it helps even more to explain the cost of not seeking better, more natural care.

It sounds dramatic, but it’s true. Acupuncture can be a powerful tool when it comes to detox from alcohol.  Do you remember your first drink of alcohol? Chances are that you didn’t really like it. That’s because your body was balanced. But when you get out of balance, you get addicted to things that aren’t natural. Do you know anyone addicted to broccoli or apples? I doubt it. But anything unnatural such as alcohol, coffee or sugar is easy to get addicted to.

When you balance the body, it returns to its natural state and doesn’t crave these substances. When you activate certain points, it helps release toxins stored in the body and relax the mind.

Acupuncture can also work to reduce detox withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, dizziness or anxiety. Stimulating specific points will bring you calm, balance and relaxation that can help calm your symptoms and make it easier to go through the detox process.

When you come to a session with me, we’ll talk about your particular situation and goals. I’ll check your tongue and pulse, which tells me about your overall health and then decide on a treatment plan.

Supporting your detox with a healthy diet, lots of water and positive mental changes can be a profound way to release yourself from alcohol addiction.

So whether you want to kick the alcohol habit for the first time, you’ve tried everything else and you don’t know where to turn, or you want an adjunct to support your detox, come in for acupuncture and kick the habit for good.

1. Reduce Cravings. Once the energy is unblocked and the body goes back into balance, cravings seem to disappear. For example: After surgery, sometimes people start having cravings they’ve never had before. They can get hypoglycemic and start desiring things like desserts. One patient I had never liked sweets. But after her surgery she started craving chocolate! Acupuncture can help balance cravings. Since an important part of losing weight is eating properly, this can help you take off the pounds and keep them off.

2. Balance Hormones. When your hormones are balanced, your metabolism is revved up. A lot of times change in hormones is a deficiency in yang energy, or active energy. If that energy is slow, then everything slows down. We can help you by increasing your yang energy.

3. Improve Digestion. When your body digests more efficiently, you don’t keep on unwanted excess weight. In addition to acupuncture, herbal medicine, teas and supplements can keep your digestion flowing smoothly.

4. Reduce Stress. Many of us over-eat, or feel the need to eat lots of sugars and carbohydrates when we’re stressed. Stress releases adrenalin in the body, leading you to feel that it needs to replenish with these “fast energy” foods. An acupuncture session can calm the nervous system and balance the body. When you are calm, you don’t want to eat “comfort” foods. And if you do feel stressed, you can try doing something else instead, like drinking water or exercising.

5. Trim your Waistline. At Eastern Medical Center, a popular treatment for weight loss is abdominal acupuncture. It’s is a combination of acupuncture, acupressure, and cupping that is directed toward slimming the waistline. By stimulating the area, it tightens the stomach by moving out fat and stored energy. People who want to slim and tone the area seek out this natural treatment. It’s a great fit for people struggling with a potbelly, women after childbirth and anyone who wants a longer and leaner look.

For more about fire cupping, please check out our dedicated post on that topic. Below are the details of our current cupping special to give you even one more reason to pick up the phone and make a cupping treatment appointment!

Cupping can help you feel better, lose weight and look younger! Call EMC today for special rates and packages.

Weight Loss/Cellulite/Skin-tightening Cupping Special!
Cupping will increase local and whole-body circulation on all the trouble spots in your body … and much more. For a limited time, cupping treatments are only:

• $300 for a 10-treatment discount package
• $40 for a single treatment

Check out Cosmetic Acupuncture and Cupping for Weight Loss
Using the secrets of the Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture system, we can help you lose inches off your waist naturally!

This special includes acupressure, cupping in all the trouble areas and Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture all together for an amazing treatment.

For pricing on this special offer, please call Eastern Medical Center at (925) 847-8889. We are happy to answer all your questions and are excited to help you feel better and look your best with cosmetic acupuncture and cupping!

Acupuncture, acupressure and cupping are some of your most powerful tools in keeping toxins going out and nutrients coming in with the proper healthy flow. These treatments activate the body’s healthy energy and entice more toxins to move out. Our acupuncture and acupressure treatments have a lymph drainage function to assist in good flow. When proper flow is restored, any symptoms you’re experiencing will go away.

Studies have shown that toxins will actually leave through the acupuncture meridians stimulated during treatment. And anyone who has received acupuncture knows what it feels like to have a point with a lot of blockage stimulated, where the circulation starts moving better. When a more serious lymphatic issue is present, I will work on particular channels such as the spleen and stomach channels to help the body recover.

Because the lymphatic system doesn’t have its own pump (like the heart), cupping is particularly effective in inducing the proper flow. The suctioning affect cupping creates forces the movement the lymphatic system needs to clean out toxins. It’s like clearing a traffic jam that bogged down the body. Cupping can be used on the arms, shoulders, back, legs and even stomach to compel energy to move and force out stuck toxins. Cupping is also a fantastic alternative for anyone who is squeamish about being poked with needles during acupuncture.

All of these techniques help the whole body to feel better, more relaxed and better balanced. When everything starts flowing well, you feel stronger, more centered and more alive.

If you know your body could use a little help or you could really use some calming, balancing and relaxation, now is a perfect time to come in to Eastern Medical Center. We’re currently running a cupping special and offer acupuncture treatment packages. Please call (925) 847-8889 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

The lymphatic system, which is closely linked with the immune system, helps to clear the body of harmful metabolic waste products, foreign material and cell debris. But if there are too many accumulated toxins in the body, overwhelm the lymphatic system and affect lymph flow … which makes eliminating more of those toxins increasingly difficult. It’s a vicious cycle that can result in a range of health concerns including poor circulation, varicose veins, hormonal imbalances and enlargement of the heart and spleen. Those conditions then further slow blood circulation to and from the organs of the digestive system, which can stress the heart and raise of blood pressure. It’s a domino affect of a most unfortunate kind.

It all starts with having so many toxins in the system that the body isn’t able to clear itself out and do what it naturally wants to do.

What Causes Poor Lymph Flow & How Can You Prevent It?

There are many reasons a person could have a buildup of toxins in the body, ranging from a conscious choice such as poor eating habits to an unknown food allergy that’s having a toxic impact on the system to drinking unfiltered water over time from a source containing small amounts of chemicals. When those problem areas are not countered by positive activities and choices such as regular exercise, the toxins build up and begin to hurt the body. When that happens everything starts to become “high.” It could be high blood pressure or high cholesterol or high anxiety levels. And just as it took time for these toxins to accumulate to the point of health problems, it will take doing little things every day to get those toxins cleared out of the body:

• Drink good, alkalized water.
• Regularly exercise.
• Eat less acidic foods.
• Cut out junk and fast foods and eat healthy, well-balanced meals (local and organic when possible).
• Help your body relax and reduce stress (meditation, deep breathing, Qigong, yoga, peaceful walks — whatever you love that calms you).
• Get acupuncture, acupressure and cupping treatments for healthy energy flow and body functions

All of these things literally change your body chemistry and help things get moving in the right direction.

I have alkalized water available at Eastern Medical Center for patients to drink and feel the difference. The pH of the water in the waiting room is 8.0, which helps reduce the acidity in the body and retain good minerals. Water of pH level 9.0 and above is available on request.

In Part II of this post, I’ll talk about why acupuncture, acupressure and cupping are some of your most powerful resources for preventing and recovering from toxic buildup and lymphatic issues.