Category: Acupuncture

Acupuncture Treatments Tampa St Pete: Acupoint Injection Therapy

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Posted by Anne Hermann on Tue, Mar 13, 2012 @ 09:13 AM

By Terry Graham, D.O.M., A.P., L.M.T

Acupuncture has long been recognized as an effective means to prevent and treat a wide range of diseases and health concerns. An adjunct technique developed over the past sixty years sought to combine the principles of traditional acupuncture and Oriental medicine with modern injection therapies.

This technique was first called Biopuncture in Europe, and in the United States is recognized by the term Acupuncture Point Injection Therapy (APIT). APIT is thus defined as:  the injection at an acupuncture point of a small amount of one or more sterile biological substances in order to gain the dual benefits of stimulation of the acupuncture points with the pharmacological effect of the selected substance. Some of sterile substances successfully used for APIT might include: normal saline, nutritional substances – such as vitamin B1, B6, or B12, homeopathic solutions, and Chinese herbal extracts. Acupoint Injection Therapy employs very gentle injection techniques with very fine gauge needles similar to those used for insulin injections. In general the insertion is shallow – within the dermal layers of the skin.

A representative list of diseases that have often responded successfully to treatment with acupuncture combined with point injection therapy include:

  • Chronic pain, and inflammatory conditions, including arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, and others
  • Autoimmune disorders such as fibromyalgia and, chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Chronic and latent viral disease – shingles, hepatitis
  • Sports injuries, including “tennis elbow”, “golfer’s elbow”, back pain
  • Cosmetic acupuncture – facial rejuvenation, wrinkle reduction, tissue toning, cellulite reduction

Acupuncture point injection therapy has the potential to broaden the scope of any condition responsive to acupuncture, often providing a more rapid initial response with longer lasting effects as the medication is directed to the target area through the carefully selected acupuncture points.

Terry Graham has a background in nursing and has been a licensed and Board Certified Acupuncture Physician since 2008. To book your appointment in our convenient locations in Tampa, St. Petersburg/Clearwater or St. Pete Beach, call (813) 902-9559.

This post was written by Anne Hermann. Follow Anne Hermann on Google, Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

Why Thousands of Women are Choosing Acupuncture Facelift Over Surgery

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Posted by Anne Hermann on Wed, Feb 29, 2012 @ 06:43 PM
Laura Bertoncini, DOM

Do you want to slow down the signs of aging? Acupuncture facelift is a non-surgical, relative pain-free anti-aging procedure that effectively reduces the signs of aging. Recently Dr. Oz featured the acupuncture facelift. The acupuncture facelift will make you look and feel younger. The rich and famous are using acupuncture facelift as an anti-aging protocol. It is the perfect solution for anyone concerned about surgery, scaring, incisions that causes swelling and down time for healing.

Research shows: The 1996 International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture revealed the results of an eight-year study on the facial acupuncture. They conducted 300 case studies having just one course of treatment, 90% saw a marked improvement in elasticity, a reduction of fine lines and a smoother complexion.

Acupuncture facelift has been around for thousands of years. However, only recently has this method reached the general public. Thousands of years ago the royal families in China used acupuncture. They received regular facial massages in certain acupuncture points. The results were increased dramatically when acupuncture needles were used instead of massage.

How does the Acupuncture facelift work? First, you complete an intake on medical information.  Our questions are more detailed than your traditional western doctor.  We ask ten questions regarding lifestyle, digestion, sleep, bowel movements and more. Next, we perform a physical and mental balancing treatment on the back known in TCM as the
back shu treatment which puts the body in homeostasis or balance.  This balance will help the body accept the front treatment.  Afterward, we turn you to the spine position and insert
approximately 25 fine, hair thin needles to specific points on the face. The needles gently stimulate andactivate the energy flow along the pathways to generate and circulate blood and restore collagen. This has the effect of nourishing, hydrating, toning and diminishing the appearance of wrinkles.  The doctor adds an electrical stimulation machine to energize certain acupuncture points. Finally, the doctor uses another modality to the face called cupping. Cupping uses small plastic cups that help promote blood and circulation to the face. We usually perform additional points to help enhance treatment and wellness. The result is a firmer, healthier and more
radiant complexion.

Laura Bertoncini, DOM, practices in the holistic medical office of Anne Hermann, MD in Tampa, FL.  To schedule an appointment, please call (813) 902-9559.

This post was written by Anne Hermann. Follow Anne Hermann on Google, Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

How to Achieve Natural Beauty

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Posted by Anne Hermann on Fri, Feb 24, 2012 @ 03:38 PM

Anne Hermann, MD

Vitamins for Skin, Hair and Nail Health:  Vitamins C, E, Niacin, Zinc, Selenium, CoEnzyme Q10 and Biotin are powerful anti-oxidants that prevent collagen breakdown.  Vitamin K reduces bruising under the eyes.  Retinols, derived from Vitamin A, exfoliate the skin and prevent skin cancer in addition to fighting fine lines and discoloration.  Alpha lipoic acid and Omega 3 are natural skin plumping agents. Studies show that these vitamins are the most effective when they are all used together, rather than one at a time.  Omega 3, Selenium and Biotin are best taken in oral preparations, while Vitamins C, E, Niacin, zinc, Alpha-lipoic acid, Coenzyme Q10 are very effective when used topically.

You are what you Eat:  Detoxification:  Detoxification diets can clear up acne and rosacea, jump start weight loss, reduce inflammation and energize the body.  We accumulate toxins in our body through air, food, smoke, pesticides, and medications.  Just like your car needs an oil change once in a while, you need to clean out your system.  The best way to do this is a detox diet, which is an organic diet devoid of toxic substances.  Typically, you should follow the diet for one to four weeks depending on your goals.  After a detox program, most people have less inflammation which means they feel less aches and pains.  Often people lose 10 to 20 pounds and radiate with vitality.

Natural Skin Tightening:  Radiofrequency is technology similar to laser treatments that is FDA approved for removing fine lines, wrinkles, cellulite and skin laxity.  The beauty ofradiofrequency is that it is comfortable, noninvasive and leaves no scars or down-time.  The procedure uses heat to break up collagen.   As the collagen remodels, skin becomes firmer and tighter.  Radiofrequency technology can be used anywhere on the body or the face to turn back the clock naturally.

Hormone Balance:  Hormone fluctuations are a big part of aging.  Thyroid, cortisol, and reproductive hormone imbalances will affect energy level, weight, hair growth, sex drive, skin health, and even mood. A holistic medical doctor can correct imbalances through nutrition, supplements and bio-identical hormone replacement when indicated.

Acupuncture Facelift:  Our St. Petersburg Acupuncturists trained in this technique, insert tiny needles to increase circulation and open blockages of the channels of the face. The treatments decrease wrinkles and sagging naturally without negative side effects. There are many other benefits of acupuncture, including improvement in sleep and energy.

The integrative medical offices of Dr. Anne Hermann, MD, are conveniently located in St. Petersburg and Tampa, FL.  To schedule your appointment, call (813) 902-9559.

This post was written by Anne Hermann. Follow Anne Hermann on Google, Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

Acupuncture for Symptom Management in Cancer Patients

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Dr. Anne Hermann

From the emotional impact of the diagnosis to the side effects of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, cancer can be traumatizing. Over the past decade, acupuncture has become an accepted part of cancer treatment centers all over the country, from Harvard’s Dana-Farber to the famed Mayo Clinic. As more physicians and hospitals offer acupuncture, the medical community has become less skeptical about acupuncture. There are many well-done studies that demonstrate that acupuncture does indeed relieve pain, nausea, hot flashes, improve saliva production and reduce stress. I have taken the time to summarize the studies that demonstrate that acupuncture is helpful for cancer symptoms because I would like doctors and patients to have this information when they are deciding how to treat the symptoms below. Below is a summary of well performed studies, published in medical journals that demonstrate that acupuncture is effective for these cancer-related symptoms.

Hot Flashes: In one study, 50 patients with breast cancer received 12 weeks of acupuncture or
venlafaxine (a prescription medication for hot flashes).  Both groups had decreases in hot flashes, depression and  improvements in mental health from pre- to post-treatment.  Acupuncture was as effective as venlafaxine. Two weeks after treatment, the medication group had return of hot flashes while hot flashes in the acupuncture group remained low. The venlafaxine group experienced 18 adverse effects; the acupuncture group experienced none. Acupuncture had the additional benefit of increased sex drive, improvement in energy, clarity of thought, and sense of well-being.  Acupuncture is as effective in treating hot flashes and has no side effects compared to medication.

J Clin Oncol 2010,Feb,01;28(4):634-40

Peripheral Neuropathy: We are performing a pilot study on chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy at Moffitt.  So far, about 75% of patients do improve with acupuncture.   One study on people with carpel tunnel syndrome (CTS), a form of peripheral neuropathy, compared 4 weeks of prednisolone to 4 weeks of acupuncture.  After 13 months, acupuncture group reported 81.6% improvement versus 48.7% in the steroid group. The acupuncture group had a significantly better improvement on neurologic testing when compared to the steroid group as well.  It is important to note that the improvement lasted over a year.  Acupuncture has been proven to improve carpal tunnel syndrome 2:1 over steroid medication.

Yang CP, Wang NH, Li TC, Hsieh CL, Chang HH, Hwang KL, Ko WS, Chang MH., A randomized clinical trial of acupuncture versus oral steroids for carpal tunnel syndrome: a long-term follow-up. J Pain. 2011 Feb;12(2):272-9., 2010 Nov 26

Nausea and Vomiting: There are so many studies that prove that acupuncture helps with nausea and vomiting, that I think it’s best to mention the Cochrane Database review of 40 trials involving 4858 participants.  This review compared sham treatment to acupuncture for nausea; vomiting, and the need for rescue nausea medications. Acupuncture was found to be as effective as standard anti-nausea medication typically used in chemotherapy.

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009,Jan,01;(2):CD003281

Pain after Surgery: Randomized controlled trials of acupuncture with electricity report reduction in pain after surgery.  In one study, 23% of patients having received acupuncture with electricity required no morphine-like medication after lung surgery.  They also had shorter stays in the recovery room and better tolerance to physical therapy.  Acupuncture can aid physical therapy and replace the need for medication. 

Thor Surg 1985; 39462-5

Joint Pain Caused by Chemotherapy: Breast cancer patients treated with a chemotherapy called aromatase inhibitors may experience joint pain.  A study performed at Columbia University compared true acupuncture versus sham acupuncture twice weekly for 6 weeks in women who had musculoskeletal pain related to their chemotherapy. Women treated with True Acupuncture had significant improvement of joint pain and stiffness, which was not seen with Sham Acupuncture.

Crew KD, Capodice JL, Greenlee H, Brafman L, Fuentes D, Awad D, Yann Tsai W, Hershman DL.  Randomized, blinded, sham-controlled trial of acupuncture for the management of aromatase inhibitor-associated joint symptoms in women with early-stage breast cancer. Clin Oncol. 2010 Mar 1;28(7):1154-60.  2010 Jan 25.

Xerostomia or Poor Saliva Production: A study of 46 patients with reduced saliva after radiotherapy for head-and-neck cancer .  Two 6-week courses of acupuncture were given.   Saliva production was measured at baseline and up to 1 year after treatment completion.  All acupuncture patients had improvement on questionnaire and increase in measured saliva production at 3 and 6 months aftertreatment.

Wong RK, Jones GW, Sagar SM, Babjak AF, Whelan T. A Phase I-II study in the use of acupuncture-like transcutaneous nerve stimulation in the treatment of radiation-induced xerostomia in head-and-neck cancer patients treated with radical radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2003 Oct 1;57(2):472-80.

Depression or Anxiety: In this study, 56 patients with  depression or anxiety were randomly assigned to true acupuncture vs. sham acupuncture.   After 10 treatments, the true acupuncture group had 60.7% improvement vs. 21.4% in sham. Acupuncture addressess depression and anxiety.

Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr. 2000 Mar;68(3):137-44

Anne Hermann, MD: I treat cancer patients in my private practice and at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, where I am the medical acupuncturist in the Integrative Medicine Department.   As an Internal Medicine physician and holistic medical practitioner, my goal is to help patients tolerate their treatments as well as possible.  Again, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at (813) 902-9559 or (727) 278-3992 – Anne Hermann, MD

This post was written by Anne Hermann. Follow Anne Hermann on Google, Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.