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Family Acupuncture Log
with Kay Madsen, Licensed Acupuncturist
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Q & A With Kay
In each issue of the Family Acupuncture Log, I will answer a question from a reader. Submit your question here.Q: "I've been following your newsletters for the past few months and I really enjoy them! I have noticed that you seem kind of critical of doctors. Do your patients need to stop regular medical care when receiving acupuncture treatment?"
Thanks
Marcus D.
A: Hi Marcus,
Hmm. Well, yes, I can be a little pointed in my comments! My general tone regarding mainstream Western medicine is no doubt a function of both personal experience and that of my patients. While I have often threatened to write a book on that topic, I won't do that here. (The title "Doctors Say the Darndest Things!" springs to mind.) Let's just say that many of my patients find their doctors less than comprehensive and caring.
For me, there are two primary issues. First, I find the Western medical perspective in general very narrow and limited. Not wrong per se, just limited in ways that often lead to ineffective, overly invasive, or undesirable treatment strategies. The second issue that I have is that the medical field in general has an embedded arrogance that holds itself superior to all other forms of medicine, such as acupuncture. This dismissive attitude leaves countless patients suffering and unaware of easily obtained relief. What happened to "First, do no harm?"
That all being said, I do not believe that Western medical treatment is always "bad" or to be avoided. I believe that it is highly effective and even necessary in very many instances. And, yes, I treat many patients who are concurrently receiving mainstream medical care. What I suggest to my patients is that they fully inform themselves of the pros and cons of all available treatment strategies (Western, Eastern or any alternative form) when making their health care decisions.
Kay
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Monthly Testimonial
"I happened upon a workshop flyer for Kay Madsen at my hairdresser's. Although I couldn't attend that event, I was drawn to her practice by her flyer questions, one of which was "do you have symptoms that no one seems to know how to treat?"
I came to Kay initially to help me with a strange eyelid rash and to transition off of hormone replacement therapy. Since that initial visit, she has helped me with those problems, as well as to heal an impinged shoulder and tennis elbow. And we are now working on my thyroid nodules. If I show up with a cold, she treats that, too! (But I have very few to none of those anymore!)
Kay uses a combination of Chinese herbs, acupuncture, diet recommendations, and shares a massive amount of information and education about Chinese medicine! I am at a point where I use NO prescription medicines. My lab results are great. I feel healthy and able to help myself when certain symptoms arise. If not, I have absolute trust that Kay will be able to help me with whatever comes up.
Kay has rocked my world and changed it for the better. I recommend her to everyone."
Jeannette Feldner
Have something good you'd like to share about your treatment with Kay? Submit your testimonial here.
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Greetings!
Well this spring has certainly been quite a wild ride for us here in the DC area! Slow to start; a bump of summer in the middle; then back to below normal temps. Spring energy can certainly lack smoothness, but this year takes the cake.
As our bodies try to follow this rather erratic energy pattern, it can stir up some rather "windy" internal forces. For many people this means spring allergies. And, as we have already seen, the pollen crop came in an all at once explosion. Seems timely to discuss how a little Chinese medicine can help, so you're not afraid to get out there and experience the return of the warmth and light. Enjoy!
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Survival Guide to Spring Allergies 
As a health care practitioner, effectively dealing with seasonal allergies has been a continuing challenge. As a (mostly former) sufferer of allergies myself, there is a uniquely personal note added to the quest for workable solutions. In years prior to my exposure to Chinese medicine, I tried everything - from pharmaceuticals to natural supplements to homeopathic remedies. I cannot claim that any of these roads led to very satisfying results for either in the moment relief or more permanent resolutions. Indeed, each passing year brought a more severe allergic response.
What I have discovered as both practitioner and patient is that long-term regular acupuncture treatment greatly improves airborne allergies, regardless of whether they are being directly addressed by treatment. Acupuncture works to resolve each person's unique imbalances. With each year of ongoing treatment, allergy symptoms become less and less exaggerated until they virtually disappear. The allergic response is the body reacting to harmless particles (dust, pollen, mold spores) as if they were a real threat to the body. With prolonged treatment, the body corrects its pathological expression of being overly reactive to its otherwise benign surroundings. As an aside, most acupuncture patients also handle stress more easily, as the mind learns to not emotionally react to every situation as if it were a real threat. Stressors are put into their proper perspective and there is less emotional upheaval. It's the same energetic pattern as the physical allergic reaction.
RELIEVING SYMPTOMS NOW - IN HOME CARE Long term acupuncture treatment is of little comfort when the pollen is driving you crazy right now. There are a number of in-home strategies you can use to get sweet relief.
Steam Infusions
The primary system affected by allergy symptoms is the Lung Qi system. According to the Chinese medical classics, the Lungs respond well to being misted with warm vapors. Place steaming water in a large bowl. Add a few drops of essential oils. Breathe infused steam for 5 to 10 minutes. Use a towel drape to intensify. (My favorite oil combination is peppermint, tea tree and eucalyptus.)
Neti Pots
Daily irrigation of the nasal passages gives surprisingly good results in keeping allergy symptoms at bay. Neti pots are readily available at health food stores and even some mainstream pharmacies. A mild saline solution is placed in the ceramic pot and poured through the spout into one nostril at a time, as it drains out the other. It can be a little awkward at first, but once mastered, it is quick and not as uncomfortable as it sounds!
Chinese Herbs
In the rare event that I may still suffer a short stint of allergy symptoms, I turn to Chinese herbs. The most effective formula I have found is Aller Ease by Blue Poppy Herbs. My patients and I have found that it is as effective as over the counter pharmaceuticals for symptomatic relief, without any of the side-effects. (Sorry, but I haven't found the multitude of herbs and formulas at the health food store to give much relief. Some of them have the same or very similar names, but the herbs in them are not. If you have any trouble finding the Blue Poppy formula, drop me a line here.)
Good Diet
Eating a diet that avoids phlegm production will help clear your head. That means limiting or avoiding processed foods, dairy, refined flour, sugars, artificial sweeteners, and food additives. Focus of fresh veggies, whole grains and good quality meat.
No Cold or Iced Drinks
Really! This makes a big difference. The Lung Qi can't handle cold and responds by "rebelling" upwards. That translates into coughing or sinus and nasal congestion. PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT If you find that you need more power to keep allergy suffering at bay, acupuncture treatment can offer significant short-term symptomatic relief. I particularly like using non-needle electrical stimulation to help alleviate sinus and/or nasal congestion and irritated itchy eyes. For coughs and chest congestion, gua sha (Chinese skin scraping technique mentioned in many of my past newsletters) on the upper back is particularly effective. I hope the tips above provide useful insights into your comfort and care. I wish you a healthy, productive and joyous spring! |
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ABOUT ME
After leaving behind a decade of practicing as an attorney, I received my Masters of Acupuncture in 2002 from the Traditional Acupuncture Institute in Columbia, Maryland. It certainly was an interesting career shift! Every day I am increasingly grateful to do this amazing work. I guess I still use some of my old attorney skills to piece together every patient's experiences to create a new picture of their health concerns from a Chinese medical perspective. From there we fashion a strategy toward healing together. It never gets old to watch a person's sufferings unravel. Sure beats interpreting government regulations for a living!
I keep balance in my own life by sharing my love of outdoor experiences with my husband and daughter. Camping, hiking and critter watching are much loved family activities. It's important to me to see that my daughter learns to attune herself to the movement of the seasons and the many lessons they offer, so that she can appreciate balance from an early age.
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Kay Madsen, M.Ac., L.Ac., Dipl.Ac. (NCCAOM)
Licensed Acupuncturist
13415 Connecticut Ave.
Suite 204
Silver Spring, MD 20906
(240) 393-5420
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Copyright © 2012. All Rights Reserved.
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