Acupuncture for Boosting Your Circulation

 Acupuncture
Feb 032020
 
Share

Healthy blood circulation is a vital component of life for human beings. Without proper blood flow, life would cease to exist. Blood isn’t the only thing that’s important, it’s what the blood is carrying that makes circulation so important. Blood carries fresh oxygen, hormones and nutrients that we absorb from our food. Without these components, the organs and tissues of the body become depleted, weakened and eventually stop functioning. Any blockages in the veins and arteries can deprive the brain and the rest of the body from the needed oxygen, which can then lead to a plethora of other medical issues.

A Blood Flow Overview

Poor circulation is a problem that affects thousands of people around the world, and  decreased circulation is frequently referred to as a silent killer. Many people assume that blood circulation issues aren’t a worry that needs to be prioritized until it’s too late and gets overlooked for years. Poor blood flow can cause pain, numbness, tingling, cold hands/feet and even heart rhythm irregularities.

Another complication of poor circulation is the possibility of blood clots. Blood clots can be very dangerous. They can dislodge and travel to the heart, lungs or brain and block major blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack or a stroke.

There are many causes of poor circulation including excessive cholesterol buildup in the arteries, obesity, diabetes, poor lifestyle choices, improper diet, smoking, alcoholism, pinched nerves, bacterial and viral infections and even excessive stress. The symptoms of poor circulation include weakness of the limbs, loss of sensation, extreme sensitivity, tingling, numbness, burning sensation and pain. If circulation issues are left untreated, it can eventually lead to the tissues turning black and dying, which is then a case for amputation.

Modern medicine treats poor circulation using prescription medications, angioplasty, surgical placement of stents and even amputation. All of these treatments can have serious side effects and any time surgery is done, there will be down time for recovery that may be extensive. But there are alternatives too.

TCM and Circulation

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient medical system that has been around for thousands of years. TCM uses modalities like acupuncture, acupressure and herbal formulations to treat the effects of poor circulation, while actually addressing the root cause too.

Acupuncture in particular is great for increasing blood circulation because the use of acupuncture needles stimulate nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide is a key regulator of localized circulation. Therefore, the more nitric oxide, the greater the blood flow and circulation to the tissues.

Acupuncture treatments have also been shown to stimulate the release of compounds like leukotrienes and antihistamines that both dilate the blood vessels, while also reducing swelling of tissues. This leads to increases in blood flow to the areas of the body deprived of oxygenated blood.

Another element of TCM is the use of herbs and herbal formulations. Foods, such as garlic, ginger, turmeric and cayenne pepper can be very beneficial for those suffering from poor circulation. However, we advise that adding these herbs needs to be discussed with a physician if you are already taking blood thinners for a circulatory problem.

Poor circulation can be painful and can even be deadly in some cases, but it doesn’t have to be. Ask me to find out how TCM and acupuncture can help you with your circulation problems.

Click for detailed story

5 best energy-boosting herbs in Ayurveda

 Ayurvedic
Nov 022017
 

Do you feel sleepy or sluggish all the while? Poor stress management and digestion are two major causes for your condition. According to Ayurveda, ‘digestive fire’ or ‘agni’ is the foundation for overall health, and your energy level is directly related to how strong or weak your ‘agni’ is.

Women are prone to suffer from low energy levels than men, due to various reasons like menstrual cycle, pregnancy, childbirth, lactation etc. Women also tend to develop disorders like anaemia, osteoporosis, thyroid problems etc. Ayurvedic herbs are a wonderful option for maintaining women’s health and stamina.
One of the first steps towards fuelling your digestive fire is to drink warm water with a dash lemon as your first drink of the day. But, when toxins get deeply lodged, ayurvedic supplements with the following herbs can play a major role in fighting fatigue and boosting energy levels. They also play a major role in improving immune system functions.

Ashwagandha:

Ashwagandha helps to co-ordinate the main stress response axis in the body. This wonder herb is an adaptogen, implying, it helps your body adapt to stress. Ashwagandha helps by supporting the adrenal glands in response to stress. The herb brings back healthy hormonal balance. It promotes release of hormones that improve digestion and enable smooth absorption of nutrition. The hormones maintain healthy sleeping pattern, sharpen brain functions to improve over-all health of a person. For women, the herb helps in regulating menstrual cycle and curbs symptoms associated with menopause, helping them to maintain energy and stamina. Ashwagandha is one of the best ayurvedic herbs to increase energy levels.

Brahmi:

Brahmi, literally means ‘energy’ or ‘shakti’. It helps in co-ordinating brain’s response to stress. Rather, it can help dampen the impact of stress on the brain, so that, the brain functions optimally. Brahmi is considered to be an energy food that helps us deal with tiredness, particularly, because it improves our mental clarity and alertness and other mental processes like attention, memory, and general cognitive function. Once mental clarity is achieved, people generally feel energetic and carry on with their normal day-to-day activities.

In fact, Ashwagandha and Brahmi, when taken together, can typically offer the best effect.

Triphala

Triphala is one of the most commonly used digestive rasayanas or rejuvenating tonics that promote healthy digestion. Inflammation and toxins can form a barrier in your gastrointestinal tract, which makes absorption of nutrients difficult, leading to fatigue. Triphala reduces inflammation in the intestinal tract, and also removes toxins from your body, thereby improving nutrient absorption. Triphala can be consumed in the form of powder with warm water, or as a pill.

Shilajit

Shilajit is also known as a vitality enhancer and an anti-ageing herb for both men and women. It supplements a range of nutrients, increases frequency of energy producing reactions in body. The herb cures several disorders, helps in secretion of healthy hormones, and helps in management of healthy cholesterol and sugar levels. It protects organs from ageing, and boosts immunity. Due to its efficacy in improving energy levels, Shilajit is referred to as ‘queen of herbs’.

Shatavari

This women-friendly herb is a boon for women, as it rejuvenates the entire body and reproductive system. It increases the body’s healing power and maintains stamina and energy levels. Being a nutritive and an efficient hormone balancer, it provides sound physical and mental health. Shatavari revitalizes kidney functioning, and thus, straightens immune system. It flushes out toxins from the body, helps with energy flow and gives us a boost of fresh energy when consumed.

Apart from taking herbal supplements, do not forget to drink enough water, as this can help fuel the digestive fire in a natural way, giving you a natural energy boost.

(Note: Any of these ayurvedic herbs should be taken only on discussion with an Ayurvedic practitioner and in appropriate dosages.)

Click for detailed story