Many of the greatest threats to women's health are often preventable. Chinese Medicine has always addressed the particular needs of women throughout their lives and many of the health issues that affect women respond very well to acupuncture treatment.
Although some of the following are not just illnesses affecting women, it is a list of conditions and concerns which acupuncture may help.
Cardiovascular Disease is the number one threat to women's health. 1 in 7 women die in the UK from Coronary Heart Disease. By changing lifestyle habits - eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight, stopping smoking, increasing physical activity and reducing stress - the risk of cardiovascular disease can be reduced by as much as eighty percent. See http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/epidemiology-of-coronary-heart-disease.
Acupuncture has been found to be particularly helpful in lowering blood pressure. By applying acupuncture needles at specific sites on the wrist, inside the forearm or on the leg, researchers have been able to stimulate the release of opioids, which decreases the heart's activity and its need for oxygen. This, in turn, lowers blood pressure.
Cancer is treated effectively by standard medicine. However, the treatments are often aggressive and cause numerous unwanted side effects as well as a lowered immune system. The three most common cancers among women are breast, lung and colorectal cancer. While breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, it is second in the leading cause of cancer death. Early detection screenings and recommended self examination should be taken seriously.
Acupuncture has received a lot of attention as an adjunctive therapy in cancer treatment for its use in pain control, reduction of side effects and acceleration of recovery.
Depression and Anxiety affects 10-25% of women at some point in their lives. Common symptoms of depressive disorders include - a decreased interest in most activities, insomnia, fatigue, and a felling of emptiness and worthlessness. At its worst, hopelessness sets in and suicide becomes a desperate option for approximately 15% of people who suffer from severe depressive disorders.
Chinese Medicine doesn't look at people as a collection of segmented parts to be treated independently, but rather it addresses the link between the body, mind and spirit. The aim is to bring all the body systems into a healthy balance.
http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-of-conditions/a-to-z-of-conditions/depression.html
Acupuncture has been shown to have a positive and holistic effect on depressed patients and can be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and medication or as a stand alone treatment for mild symptoms and prevention.
Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis are conditions associated with ageing.
Osteoporosis is characterised by a decrease in bone mass and an increased likelihood of fractures is not simply a calcium deficiency. It is thought that osteoporosis is largely preventable and that the behaviours developed in childhood, adolescence and into the early adult years may play a significant role in the development of the disease. That is because our bodies build up most of the bone mass until the age of 30. Then new bone stops forming and the focus switches to maintaining the old bone.
Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes the joints to become painful and stiff. It is the most common type of arthritis in the UK. The severity of osteoarthritis symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, and between different affected joints. For some people, the symptoms may be mild and may come and go, whereas others can experience more continuous and severe problems.
Almost any joint can be affected by osteoarthritis, but the condition most often causes problems in the knees, hips, and small joints of the hands.
The pain and stiffness in the joints can make carrying out everyday activities difficult for some people with the condition.
http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-of-conditions/a-to-z-of-conditions/osteoarthritis.html
Acupuncture coupled with a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise has much to offer in improving the quality of life for those who suffer from bone and joint problems.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) causes persistent fatigue that affects everyday life and doesn't go away with sleep or rest.
CFS is also known as ME, which stands for myalgic encephalomyelitis. Myalgia means muscle pain and encephalomyelitis means inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Both CFS and ME are commonly used terms.
CFS is a serious condition that can cause long-term illness and disability, but many people – particularly children and young people – improve over time. It is estimated that around 250,000 people in the UK have CFS.
Anyone can get CFS, although it is more common in women than in men. It usually develops in the early 20s to mid-40s. Children can also be affected, usually between the ages of 13 and 15.
Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. As well as widespread pain, people with fibromyalgia may also have:
What causes fibromyalgia? The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it's thought to be related to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain and changes in the way the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves) processes pain messages carried around the body.
It's also suggested that some people are more likely to develop fibromyalgia because of genes inherited from their parents. In many cases, the condition appears to be triggered by a physically or emotionally stressful event, such as:
Anyone can develop fibromyalgia, although it affects around seven times as many women as men. The condition typically develops between the ages of 30 and 50, but can occur in people of any age, including children and the elderly. It's not clear exactly how many people are affected by fibromyalgia, although research has suggested that it could be a relatively common condition. Some estimates suggest nearly 1 in 20 people may be affected by fibromyalgia to some degree.
One of the main reasons it's not clear how many people are affected is because fibromyalgia can be a difficult condition to diagnose. There is no specific test for the condition, and the symptoms can be similar to a number of other conditions.
Acupuncture can give relief to many of the accompanying symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia including
- improved sleep
- reduction in muscle pain and stiffness
- reducing stress
http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-of-conditions/a-to-z-of-conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome.html
http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-of-conditions/a-to-z-of-conditions/fibromyalgia.html
Although some of the following are not just illnesses affecting women, it is a list of conditions and concerns which acupuncture may help.
Cardiovascular Disease is the number one threat to women's health. 1 in 7 women die in the UK from Coronary Heart Disease. By changing lifestyle habits - eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight, stopping smoking, increasing physical activity and reducing stress - the risk of cardiovascular disease can be reduced by as much as eighty percent. See http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/epidemiology-of-coronary-heart-disease.
Acupuncture has been found to be particularly helpful in lowering blood pressure. By applying acupuncture needles at specific sites on the wrist, inside the forearm or on the leg, researchers have been able to stimulate the release of opioids, which decreases the heart's activity and its need for oxygen. This, in turn, lowers blood pressure.
Cancer is treated effectively by standard medicine. However, the treatments are often aggressive and cause numerous unwanted side effects as well as a lowered immune system. The three most common cancers among women are breast, lung and colorectal cancer. While breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, it is second in the leading cause of cancer death. Early detection screenings and recommended self examination should be taken seriously.
Acupuncture has received a lot of attention as an adjunctive therapy in cancer treatment for its use in pain control, reduction of side effects and acceleration of recovery.
Depression and Anxiety affects 10-25% of women at some point in their lives. Common symptoms of depressive disorders include - a decreased interest in most activities, insomnia, fatigue, and a felling of emptiness and worthlessness. At its worst, hopelessness sets in and suicide becomes a desperate option for approximately 15% of people who suffer from severe depressive disorders.
Chinese Medicine doesn't look at people as a collection of segmented parts to be treated independently, but rather it addresses the link between the body, mind and spirit. The aim is to bring all the body systems into a healthy balance.
http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-of-conditions/a-to-z-of-conditions/depression.html
Acupuncture has been shown to have a positive and holistic effect on depressed patients and can be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and medication or as a stand alone treatment for mild symptoms and prevention.
Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis are conditions associated with ageing.
Osteoporosis is characterised by a decrease in bone mass and an increased likelihood of fractures is not simply a calcium deficiency. It is thought that osteoporosis is largely preventable and that the behaviours developed in childhood, adolescence and into the early adult years may play a significant role in the development of the disease. That is because our bodies build up most of the bone mass until the age of 30. Then new bone stops forming and the focus switches to maintaining the old bone.
Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes the joints to become painful and stiff. It is the most common type of arthritis in the UK. The severity of osteoarthritis symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, and between different affected joints. For some people, the symptoms may be mild and may come and go, whereas others can experience more continuous and severe problems.
Almost any joint can be affected by osteoarthritis, but the condition most often causes problems in the knees, hips, and small joints of the hands.
The pain and stiffness in the joints can make carrying out everyday activities difficult for some people with the condition.
http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-of-conditions/a-to-z-of-conditions/osteoarthritis.html
Acupuncture coupled with a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise has much to offer in improving the quality of life for those who suffer from bone and joint problems.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) causes persistent fatigue that affects everyday life and doesn't go away with sleep or rest.
CFS is also known as ME, which stands for myalgic encephalomyelitis. Myalgia means muscle pain and encephalomyelitis means inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Both CFS and ME are commonly used terms.
CFS is a serious condition that can cause long-term illness and disability, but many people – particularly children and young people – improve over time. It is estimated that around 250,000 people in the UK have CFS.
Anyone can get CFS, although it is more common in women than in men. It usually develops in the early 20s to mid-40s. Children can also be affected, usually between the ages of 13 and 15.
Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. As well as widespread pain, people with fibromyalgia may also have:
- increased sensitivity to pain
- fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- muscle stiffness
- difficulty sleeping
- problems with mental processes (known as "fibro-fog") – such as problems with memory and concentration
- headaches
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – a digestive condition that causes stomach pain and bloating
What causes fibromyalgia? The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it's thought to be related to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain and changes in the way the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves) processes pain messages carried around the body.
It's also suggested that some people are more likely to develop fibromyalgia because of genes inherited from their parents. In many cases, the condition appears to be triggered by a physically or emotionally stressful event, such as:
- an injury or infection
- giving birth
- having an operation
- the breakdown of a relationship
- the death of a loved one
Anyone can develop fibromyalgia, although it affects around seven times as many women as men. The condition typically develops between the ages of 30 and 50, but can occur in people of any age, including children and the elderly. It's not clear exactly how many people are affected by fibromyalgia, although research has suggested that it could be a relatively common condition. Some estimates suggest nearly 1 in 20 people may be affected by fibromyalgia to some degree.
One of the main reasons it's not clear how many people are affected is because fibromyalgia can be a difficult condition to diagnose. There is no specific test for the condition, and the symptoms can be similar to a number of other conditions.
Acupuncture can give relief to many of the accompanying symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia including
- improved sleep
- reduction in muscle pain and stiffness
- reducing stress
http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-of-conditions/a-to-z-of-conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome.html
http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-of-conditions/a-to-z-of-conditions/fibromyalgia.html