Mind-Body Medicine
Acupuncture
What is Acupuncture?
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Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical technique which uses sterile, single-use very thin needles to stimulate energy points in the body and promote natural healing. While I do not practice acupuncture myself, I have had extensive experience with it as a patient because my husband, George Mars MD, is a Chinese medicine pratitioner, as well as a physical medicine and rehabilitation medical doctor. His office is located across the hall from the Women’s Wellness Center, making for easy referral and cooperation on patient care. In addition, we have jointly published research on using acupuncture for female sexual dysfunction.
Many
of my patients benefit from acupuncture treatment for various
conditions. Dr. Mars’ background as a medical doctor specializing in
treating pain and musculoskeletal problems enables him to diagnose and
treat a wide variety of conditions from which women often suffer.
Acupuncture is now paid for by many insurance plans.
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Acupuncture
is recognized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World
Health Organization (WHO) as effective in treating many conditions. The
following is a partial list that may be of particular interest to
women:
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How Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture is one of the oldest holistic medical systems in the world. It works by stimulating certain points in the body in order to balance the flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”), or vital energy, as it flows through the body. Qi flows through specific pathways called meridians connected with organs and glands. Obstructions in the flow of chi due to the stresses of life can result in pain, lack of well-being and ultimately disease. In addition to a western medical assessment, Dr. Mars performs a traditional Chinese medical history and physical examination in order to detect specific imbalances in Qi and create a treatment plan. Though modern science has difficulty explaining the effectiveness of acupuncture, it may be related to stimulating the body’s nervous, circulatory and immune systems by altering the release of naturally occurring hormones and transmitters in the body.
Would I Benefit from Acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been shown to be of benefit for many conditions that plague women, and I have personally experienced and observed amazing results for a variety of conditions. Dr. Mars is particularly skilled at treating pain syndromes, such as back pain, painful periods, arthritis and even sexual pain. Acupuncture is also particularly good at treating “functional,” conditions, where no physical abnormality can be found but a body system is not functioning properly, such as irritable bowel syndrome, overactive bladder and unexplained infertility.
Clinical trials supporting the effectiveness of acupuncture are consistently strong for a number of medical problems that are quite prevalent in our female population, including migraine headaches, painful periods, insomnia, PMS, allergies, nausea and anxiety. Many studies show that results of acupuncture treatment for these conditions is at least as good as prescription medication. Dr. Mars and I recently conducted a pilot study, in conjunction with UNR Orvis School of Nursing, showing effectiveness of acupuncture for female sexual dysfunction, particularly low libido, published in the journal Medical Acupuncture: http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acu.2011.0867
Clinical trials supporting the effectiveness of acupuncture are consistently strong for a number of medical problems that are quite prevalent in our female population, including migraine headaches, painful periods, insomnia, PMS, allergies, nausea and anxiety. Many studies show that results of acupuncture treatment for these conditions is at least as good as prescription medication. Dr. Mars and I recently conducted a pilot study, in conjunction with UNR Orvis School of Nursing, showing effectiveness of acupuncture for female sexual dysfunction, particularly low libido, published in the journal Medical Acupuncture: http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acu.2011.0867
Mindfulness/Meditation
Mindfulness is the capacity to bring our awareness to each moment as it arises, just as it is.
When we begin to relax with each moment just as it is by loosening our grip on how we might otherwise want it to be, we encounter life with less reactivity, tightness, and aggression. Studies show that mindfulness and meditation have an important role to play in health.
As far back as the 1960s, the "relaxation response" induced by meditation was shown to decrease blood pressure, decrease pain and mitigate the effects of stress, in turn reducing negative health consequences. Recently mindfulness has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, a contributing factor to many disease states such as autoimmune diseases, cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Through a daily meditation practice that is easily learned, in as little as eight weeks inflammatory markers have been shown to return to healthier levels.
As far back as the 1960s, the "relaxation response" induced by meditation was shown to decrease blood pressure, decrease pain and mitigate the effects of stress, in turn reducing negative health consequences. Recently mindfulness has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, a contributing factor to many disease states such as autoimmune diseases, cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Through a daily meditation practice that is easily learned, in as little as eight weeks inflammatory markers have been shown to return to healthier levels.
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Mindfulness also allows for the awareness to making better health choices such as what you eat, whether to exercise, or how to address a difficult topic with a family member. Ultimately these moment to moment choices have an integral influence on health. Mindfulness and meditation should be considered an essential element of wellness.
Sherri teaches mindfulness and meditation as tools for patients to begin a discovery process of turning toward an understanding of their own minds, which is beneficial for health, longevity and relationships. For an introduction to mindfulness meditation, please see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nwwKbM_vJc. |
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For an inspiring story of how "Quiet Time" meditation is transforming inner city schools in San Francisco, please see newspaper article and video at: http://www.tm.org/blog/students/meditation-transforms-roughest-san-francisco-schools-sf-chronicle/
Integrative Medicine
Nurse practitioner Sherri Aikin has completed a fellowship in Integrative medicine.
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Integrative Medicine (IM) is a multi-dimensional healing-oriented model to wellness that assesses the whole person, mind, body, spirit, lifestyle, and environment. Health prevention and health promotion are its foundation. IM coordinates with traditional medical treatments and prescribes alternative therapies when appropriate. Sherri’s role as an IM provider is to help guide her patients in making educated and prudent choices in health, well-being and disease management. She develops a therapeutic relationship with her patients to empower the patient with health choices. For more information on Integrative Medicine, see
http://integrativemedicine.arizona.edu/index.html. |
Mindfulness Meditation as a Therapeutic Tool
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Mindfulness is the capacity to bring a moment to moment awareness to choices made in all aspects of life. Whether making a choice on what to eat, whether to exercise, or how to address a difficult topic with a family member, ultimately these moment to moment choices have an integral influence on health. Teaching mindfulness and meditation is the cornerstone to health promotion and prevention. For more information on meditation, see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nwwKbM_vJc. |
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Health Issues That Can Benefit From Integrative Medicine
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Weight Loss/Management, Anxiety, Depression, Menopause, Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), Constipation, Diarrhea, Fibromyalgia, Fatigue, Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and many others. Sherri’s role as an IM provider is to help guide her patients in making educated and prudent choices in health, well-being, and disease management. She develops a therapeutic relationship with her patients to empower the patient with health choices.
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