The acupuncture and Oriental medicine community has a history of responding in times of crisis. Perhaps it's the compassionate nature of the care we provide, or a reflection of who we are as people. More than likely, it's a wonderful combination of the two.
The acupuncture profession's response to a crisis situation was highly evident in the days and weeks following the terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. Almost immediately, licensed acupuncturists converged on the disaster sites, providing compassionate care with every ounce of energy they could muster.
Today, a new national crisis is upon us. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, hundreds of thousands of men, women and children have been displaced, not just from the dwellings they inhabited, but their homes " the family foundation; the place where friends and loved ones came together and felt safe and whole in this all-too-uncertain world.
Acupuncture Today offers its sincere condolences to all those affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. As we are a publication, finding ways to help beyond giving money can be challenging. (AT's staff was quick to donate toward the relief efforts, which was matched dollar-for-dollar by our publisher.) Here's what else we've decided to do in this time of crisis:
In the coming months, we will do our best to publish as many stories as possible in Acupuncture Today, which we hope will serve two purposes. First, we hope these stories will inspire other acupuncturists who have yet to donate to the relief effort, to do so. Second, we hope these stories will serve as a reminder that while Hurricane Katrina may have come and gone, its effects will continue to resonate throughout the Gulf Coast. Long after the television cameras leave Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, there will still be months, perhaps years, of work to be done to restore these locations to their previous condition and help life return to normal.
The victims of Hurricane Katrina need help, and they need hope. We " the practitioners, publications, associations, and other organizations that make up the acupuncture and Oriental medicine community " can provide both. This is an opportunity for the community to come together and provide some sense of peace, comfort and stability to those affected by this horrible disaster. Whether you offer your expertise, your money, a job, food, clothing, or even a room in your home, the difference you make will positively impact someone's life, and your own.
Over my almost 30 years in clinical practice, I have used Chai Hu Long Gu Mu Li Tang extensively for a wide array of clinical presentations ranging from chronic headaches to anxiety, insomnia, and prescription drug withdrawal symptoms if these situations fit the appropriate patterns – all with extremely positive clinical outcomes.
There’s no doubt that many of your patients visit your practice because they are in pain. And there’s certainly no doubt that curcumin from turmeric (Curcuma longa) can be incredibly effective in stopping that pain, whether due to chronic conditions like arthritis or acute pain from intensive workouts. But your patients may also benefit from curcumin for other reasons.
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Low back pain is defined as pain the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS), and it can be acute or chronic, localized or radiating. It is a common ailment for adults in the United States, with a lifetime prevalence as high as 65-80%. Whether or not an MRI is available to provide definitive knowledge of a structural issue, acupuncture can be an effective treatment for low back pain.
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