DIABETES THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

           What is diabetes?

In western medicine diabetes is a disease in which your immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Without the proper amount of insulin blood glucose levels are elevated. Glucose is the bodies main source of energy provided by the food we consume. Somtimes our bodies pancreas cannot produce or use insulin effectively. When this happens the glucose remains in the body and the cells care deprived. Overtime an excess of glucose in the body causes numerous health problems.There is no known cure for diabetes but you can take steps to manage your diabetes. 

            Are there different types of diabetes?

Western medicine recognizes 3 main types of diabetes 

       * Type 1

Thought to be an autoimmune disorder that is closely corelated to your generics and environment. Diabetes mellitus results from the autoimmune destruction of the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas.  The lack of insulin leads to increased blood and urine glucose. Type 1 usually presents in childhood,  but it could appear at any age. Type 1 diabetes requires daily insulin injections to stay alive. 

        * Type2

With type 2 diabetes the pancreas produces insulin but the body is unable to use the the insulin appropriately. Type 2 is closely linked to lifestyle choices, diet, exercise, as well as family history. Physical activity a clean balanced diet and close attention to blood glucose levels can greatly reduce symptoms of type 2 diabetes and help control blood sugar providing a better quality of life, with hard work type to diabetes can be cured. 

         * Gestational diabetes 

This type of diabetes develops during pregnancy and usually goes away after the birth of the child. If you have Gestational diabetes then you are more likely to get Type 2 later in life.

           How common is diabetes?

Approximately 1.5 million people are diagnosed  with diabetes each year. More Americans die each year from diabetes than AIDS and breast cancer combined. Almost 80,000 people each year die from diabetic complications.

           Symptoms of diabetes 

Frequent urination 

Excessive thirst

Extremely hunger

Slow healing cuts 

Extreme fatigue 

Numb limbs

Sweet taste and smell

Unexplained abnormal behavior 

            What are the treatments for diabetes?

Insulin is the main treatment for type 1 diabetes but there are many other things to do to help relieve symptoms. Massage therapy, healthy diet and exercise.  Testing blood sugar levels is very important in determining how much insulin to take. The invention of the insulin pump and CGM have greatly improved the life's of diabetics enabling  better control over blood glucose levels.

            How can massage benefit diabetes?

Massage is highly recommended for any type of diabetes. Some studies have shown it has great effect on lowering glucose levels and helping  neuropathy by bringing circulation to the affected area. Diabetic massage allows the muscles to relax and calms the mind. Reducing the physical and mental ailments associated with diabetes. Having diabetes is a life long condrion that takes an extreme routine lifestyle change and abundance of dedication to ones self. The client would benefit greatly from relaxation massage alone, because of the amount of care and mental stress that they deal with daily. Diabetics that often have hypoglycemia may experience a thickening of connective tissue. Massage can help loosen the muscle and tissue providing better circulation, range of motion and flexibility by relaxing the tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Foot massage is especially important because most diabetics eventually have restricted blood flow and circulation to the extremities causing neuropathy and can eventually lead to amputation. 

       What are the contraindications for massage?

There are not alot of Contraindications for diabetic massage, but it is very important to realize that a full body massage may drop blood glucose levels by 20-40 points and can result in hypoglycemia. It may be smart to keep orange or apple juice around in case of an emergency. Recognize the symptoms of a diabetic emergency:

         Excessive sweating 

         Trembling or shaking

         Pounding heart rate 

         Dizziness 

         Confusion 

         Personality change

         Unable to wake

         Non coherent communication

It is important that if your client is able to chew that you give them juice or something with a lot of sugar immediately. If they are not responding call 911 right away. You may also need to be aware of recent insulin injections sites and use universal precautions for any open wounds. Diabetics often have loss of pressure sensitivity so it is up to the therapist to judge how much pressure is appropriate.

           What does Traditional Chinese Medicine have to offer diabetics?

     Studies have shown that Thai chi can lower blood sugar, blood pressure, boost the immune system and even help with weight-loss. Western medicine says high blood glucose will damage the kidneys. Eastern medicine believes that both high blood sugar and the treatment affects the kidneys. Once the spleen and pancreas are showing problems the next major organ to be affected is the kidneys. Both schools of medicine agree that blood glucose is the main problem, but the treatments are very different. TCM uses herbs to strengthen the kidneys so they can better withstand the effects of high blood sugar. These same herbal remedies provide relief from many symptoms including frequent urination, cooling inflammation and adding nutrients to the digestive system, as well as tingling and numbness in extremities and blurred vision. With Type 2 diabetes the herbs will calm the intestines and stomach bringing the pancreas back to a normal state, resolving excessive thirst and hunger. Once the disharmony in the organs is addressed the blood sugar  should return to a normal level.

      TCM practitioners believe diabetes is a result of eating too much fatty, sugary, rich foods. They see poor diet as one of the four contributing factors pertaining to the root cause of diabetes. This is believed to be a depletion of the yin energy - a cool dark and earthy energy combined with excessive asthenic fire in body. It is recommended to avoid greasy, sweet food and alcohol, they exhaust the spleen and create  damp heat. Also an unstable emotional life disrupts the flow of Qi and causes stagnation leading to an excess of internal fire. One more note is that excessive sexual intercourse depletes the kidney essence imparing the ability to provide yin to the body.

     TCM divides treatments into three main sections the upper, middle,  lower wasting:

     Upper wasting: characterized by excessive thirst,  dry mouth and irritability. Red tongue with a thin yellow coating, and rapid pulse. Having lung heat with depletion Syndrome. Rise in internal heat in lungs and a deficancy in body fluids(yin jin). Treatment includes a concoction of coptis chinesis, ophiopogon japonica and radix Rehman.

     Middle wasting : Shows as excessive hunger, bad breath, weight-loss, constipation, dry stool, oral ulcers, excessive thirst and urine output. Also tongue will show red with a yellow coating and pulse is rapid. Stomach fire syndrome is resolved using a remedy known as Jade maiden decoction made with gypsum fibrosum, rhizome anemarrhenae and gardenia jasminoides.

     Lower wasting:  Can be described as excessive turbid urination, lower lumbar pain, knee weakness, fatigue, dizziness, tinnitus, dry lips and dry itchy skin. Tongue diagnosis shows a red tongue with little to no coating. The pulse is thin and rapid. Treatmentment consists of six-flavor rehmannia pills made with schisandra, Chinese yam and wolf berry or gogi berry.

        Acupressure Protocols      

SP Qi Deficiency  alone, with dampness or damp heat

LV Stagnation  alone, or with fire

☝ Upper Wasting - LU Heat

Symptoms: 

Dry throat and mouth 

Excessive thirst 

Frequent urination 

Tongue: Red with dry yellow coat

Pulse: Rapid 

Treatment points 

👉 St. John treatment points (modified)

👉 SP6 Tonify yin

👉 ST36 Tonify Qi

👉 LU 5 Clear lung heat

👉 UB13 LU Shu

✌ Middle Wasting - ST Dryness

symptoms:

Excessive hunger 

Epigastric pain

Constipation 

Tongue: yellow dry coat

Pulse: Rapid 

Treatment points 

👉 St. John treatment points 

👉 SP6 tonify ST/SP

👉 ST36 Tonify Qi 

👉 ST44 Clear ST Heat and dryness

👉 KD3 Tonify KD

👉 UB20 SP Shu

👉 UB21 ST Shu

👌 Lower Wasting - KD Yin and Jing

Symptoms: 

Sore back

Knee pain

Weak lower body

Dizziness 

Blurry vision 

frequent urination 

Dry mouth

Tongue: Red no coat

Pulse:fine, rapid

Treatment points 

👉 St. John treatment points  ( modified) 

👉 KD 6 Tonify yin

👉 KD3 Tonify KD

👉 CV4 Tonify Yin 

👉 SP6 Tonify ST/ SP Yin

👉 GV20 Raise the yang

👉 UB23 KD Shu

Spleen Qi Deficiency 

Symptoms: 

Fatigue 

Weakness

Poor appetite 

Loose stools

May generate dampness combined with heat

Tongue: pale with teeth marks coated dampness 

Pulse: empty, slippery with dampness 

Treatment points 

👉 St. John treatment points ( modified) 

👉 SP3 Tonify SP

👉 SP6 Tonify SP yin

👉 ST36 Tonify Qi 

👉 CV12 ST Mu

👉 UB21 ST shu

👉 in damp SP9

👉 if damp effecting head ST8

👉 if damp heat LI 11

LV Qi Stagnation 

Symptoms: 

Depression 

Anger

Belching 

Gas

PMS

Menstrual cycle irregularities 

Tongue: normal pale, purple ( red with yellow coat with liver fire)

Pulse: wiry (rapid with LV fire)

Treatment points 

👉 St. John's points(with modifications)

👉 LV3 with LI4 four gates TX harmonize  LV

👉 LV14 LV MU

👉 PC6 open the chest calm the spirit

👉 UB18 LV Shu

👉 if LV fire LV2

There are many more treatments out there but I hope that someone can use this information!

NS 2021

References:

 

https://www.humantouch.com/blog/all-things-considered-what-are-the-effects-of-massage-for-people-with-diabetes.html

https://www.massagetherapyreference.com/diabetes-massage-contraindications/

https://www.euyansang.com/en_US/home

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-history.html

http://www.diabete.qc.ca/en/understand-diabetes/all-about-diabetes/history-of-diabetes/treating-diabetes-1921-to-the-present-day/

Mayo Clinic

https://www.integrativehealthcare.org/mt/massage-therapy-and-diabetes

https://www.nwpc.com/

Yinyanghouse.com 

 

        

          

          

          

  

      

Migraines and the Efficacy of Massage Therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine

75% of adults ages 18-65 have reported experiencing a headache in the last year. 14.7% of the world population suffers from migraines, typically one a month. 2% suffer from chronic migraines, suffering 15+ days per month. Women are three times more likely than men to be afflicted. While headaches are common and tolerable, not affecting daily life, migraines are deeply misunderstood. The suffering is invisible, left at home, the afflicted cancelling plans last minute, calling out of work, remaining isolated for hours or even days. For those not understanding migraines, the thought of staying home from work or cancelling on friends for a mere headache seems like a cop out or of weak constitution. The misunderstanding is that a migraine is just another word for headache, synonymous in meaning, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

Migraine is defined by the Mayo Clinic as a severe throbbing pain or pulsing sensation, often presented on one side of the head (usually the left), and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound. They can last for hours or even days, with pain so severe it interferes with daily life. Four typical phases have been identified:

Phase 1 - Prodrome: warning signs up to 72 hours before a migraine hits, include severe exhaustion, hyperactivity, difficulty concentrating, food cravings, sleepiness, and/or neck pain;

Phase 2 - Aura: visual disturbance reported in 33% of those suffering from migraines and may last from 20-60 minutes. Vision may be interrupted by sparkly spots, zigzag lines, or tunnel vision; can present in vertigo, ear ringing, or temporary paralysis on one side of the body; pins and needles sensation in face, hands, arms or legs;

Phase 3 - Migraine Attack: throbbing, piercing, or pulsating, difficult to manage the pain with medication; sensitivity to light, sound, smell; nausea and vomiting; can occur over hours or days;

Phase 4 - Postdrome: recovery period in which the afflicted may feel exhausted, sluggish, confused, and/or depressed.

The cause behind migraine is fairly unclear, however, it is generally accepted that genetics and environmental factors play a role. Although previously considered a vascular issue, migraine is actually a neurological disease. Leading research focuses on interactions with the trigeminal nerve (a major pain pathway) or imbalances in brain chemicals (like serotonin) to try to find a cause. Triggers include: 

• hormonal changes in women, 
• drinks: alcohol, too much caffeine
• stress
• sensory stimuli: bright lights, sun glare, loud sounds, strong smells 
• sleep changes: lacking sleep, too much sleep, jet lag
• physical exertion
• weather changes/barometric pressure
• medications: oral contraceptives, vasodilators
• foods: types of food eaten or the lack of food/skipping a meal
• food additives: ex. aspartame

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views the cause of migraines either an environmental invasion of external wind, cold, heat, dampness (i.e. sitting directly in the fan of frigid air-conditioning) or poor lifestyle creating imbalances of the body’s vitals (i.e. poor sleep, high stress) (Quek). There are five types of migraine, according to TCM:

“1. Liver-Yang Aggression: Pulsaing/throbbing headaches triggered by heat, stress or foul temper, dizziness and confusion, dry mouth, insomnia, painful and itchy eyes, yellowish urine. 

2. Stagnant Blood: Localized sharp piercing pain with throbbing sensations, painful when pressed on even when not going through a migraine attack, dry mouth in the night, dried and flaky skin, sharp pains in the eyes. 

3. External Wind and Cold: Headaches triggered by cold or dry air, mild dizziness, stiff neck, aversion to cold environment, pain alleviated by a hot compress. 

4. Liver-Qi Stagnation: Expanding, throbbing headaches, triggered by stress or negative emotions, depression, mood swings, breathlessness, loss of appetite. 

5. Phlegm Blockage: Heavy and pulsating headaches, extreme dizziness and sleepiness, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, indigestion, reduced urination, irregular bowel movements.” (Quek)

TCM suggests treating migraine with acupuncture, typically most effective in the middle of an episode, but also effective at the prodrome or aura stages. TuiNa, especially for those with an aversion to needles, is effective for all stages of migraine and help with migraine prevention and symptom reduction. Scraping, to remove myofascial trigger points. And herbal medication, for all stages, to help alleviate symptoms.

Because TCM treats the person as an individual, there isn’t one single diagnosis. Western medicine has options for injections and medications, both prescription and over-the-top, to assist with oncoming attacks, during attacks, and the prevention of attacks. Research is still developing, and as with TCM, there is no one size fits all treatment in Western medicine. 

SOURCES

“Facts and Figures.” The Migraine Trust, 5 July 2019, www.migrainetrust.org/about-migraine/migraine-what-is-it/facts-figures/. 

Golden, Katie M. “Tackling Migraines Head-On: Massage Therapy Journal.” American Massage Therapy Association, 23 May 2017, www.amtamassage.org/publications/massage-therapy-journal/tackling-migraines-head-on/. 

“Migraine.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 16 Jan. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201. 

“People with Migraine Endure More Social Stigma than Those with Asthma.” American Headache Society, 16 Feb. 2016, americanheadachesociety.org/news/people-with-migraine-endure-greater-social-stigma-than-those-with-asthma-same-as-those-with-epilepsy-or-panic-disorder-2/. 

Quek, Ardy. “Migraine 101 - Causes & TCM Treatments.” PULSE TCM, 28 Oct. 2020, www.pulsetcm.sg/migraine-101-causes-and-tcm-treatments/#:~:text=There%20are%20two%20causes%20of,head%20and%20triggering%20migraine%20episodes. 

images: 

https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/can-headaches-worsen-in-number/

https://migrainebuddy.com/migraine/2018/9/27/the-stages-of-a-migraine-migraine-attack

https://sofiatrends.com/?s=headacheno,%20headache%20relief,%20tension%20headaches.html

Natural Therapies for Anxiety

Natural Therapies for Anxiety
Acupuncture & Herbs
Massage Therapy
Energy Healing
Meditation – QiGong – Tai Chi

See video at end -
Anxiety: Frankincense and Energy Work

Approximately 38 million Americans suffer with chronic anxiety or depression with one out of eight adults currently taking antidepressant medications for these symptoms. While these medications can offer support and benefit on certain occasions, there are many people that do not respond well to this form of treatment. What happens when you need to try something else?

Natural therapies can offer tremendously helpful support in healing the root causes of this epidemic. This approach is much more comprehensive and much less invasive to the brain than using SSRI medications. Oriental medicine looks at the whole mind-body-spirit, and treats on all 3 levels.

Acupuncture

Practiced for over 2,500 years, acupuncture is a branch of Chinese medicine that treats the energetic level of the human body/mind. Did you know acupuncture is usually a profoundly relaxing experience that establishes a deep quality of restoration and balance to the central nervous system? Many people report a pleasant feeling of an altered mind state, floaty, dreamy, or sleepy after treatment. This feeling tends to stick around for a few hours after the treatment and becomes a more continuous experience with repetitive treatment.

Acupuncture works by balancing the flow of Qi, or internal life force, in the body. Energetically, anxiety is considered a byproduct of weakened Qi in the heart or kidneys. Other symptoms such as low back pain, heart palpitations, insomnia, irritability, or nightmares commonly accompany the anxiety and are naturally included as part of the treatment.

Chinese & Western Herbs

There are a number of Chinese herbal formulas that can work wonders for anxiety disorders. Here is a brief list of formulas an acupuncturist may use to treat anxiety followed by several common Western herbs that can be easily found at your local health food store:

• Peaceful (or Calm) Spirit
• Salvia and Amber
• Heavenly Emperor's classic formula
• Free and Easy Wanderer – one of our favorites!
• Suan Zao Ren Tang
• chamomile
• valerian
• lemon balm
• passion flower

Massage Therapy

Many people have found Massage Therapy to have a wonderful effect in relaxing the body-mind and re-integrating a sense of peace and calm into the nervous system. Regular massage, which we suggest either once a week or every other week for about one season, trains our body to attain and maintain a strongly serene state. It can become much easier to avoid or release the feelings that anxiety brings on.

Energy Healing

Many people find light touch/no touch energy healing helps them to reach a mind state that is so relaxed it becomes a mentally transformative experience.  In this altered state, it can feel like floating, energetic sensations throughout the body or in focused areas, and simultaneously being in a deep sleep while being aware of not being asleep.  Medical QiGong Energy Healing uses the same energy pathways as acupuncture, and externally re-balances energy (Qi) flow to assist in healing symptoms.  The therapist helps the energy of your heart and kidneys communicate harmoniously again so that deep healing can occur.

Meditation – QiGong – Tai Chi

Many people find meditation, qigong, and tai chi to be their most powerful allies in healing anxiety. With regular practice of various breathing techniques and tai chi postures, people often feel that they have much more control over their anxiety and that it need not run their life anymore. These practices can be direct gateways to the rest and restore mode of the nervous system. On a deeper level, they can help us forge a spiritual connection with our lives that instills an unshakable sense of trust and safety in the workings of the universe. 

From a holistic perspective, our symptoms are never random. There is always a reason why they creep up. In the case of anxiety, it is helpful to disengage from our personal feelings about it and look at the bigger picture. What is the anxiety telling us about ourselves and where we are at in life? Is it a warning sign that something is amiss and needs to be acknowledged or changed? In any regard, the practices mentioned here can offer a profound level of support in getting to the root of the problem and inducing a gentle course in a new direction of calmness and insight.

Abdominal Cupping Treatment

Overview of an excellent Abdominal Cupping Massage our students learn. Digestion is so important to our overall health, and this treatment has numerous therapeutic benefits including weight loss, bloating, constipation, and more. We offer this as a specialty treatment in our professional clinic, and also in a supervised advanced student clinic.

5 Best Ways to Use Massage Therapy

Getting a massage here and there when we’re stressed out or sore is great, however getting a massage on a regular basis has some huge benefits worth looking at.

Depending on our health goals and the resources we commit to our self-care, regular massage can be once a week, once every other week, or once a month.

1.  Detox with massage
In today’s world filled with pollution, environmental chemicals, and industrialized food, it’s difficult if not impossible to not be affected by all of this.  Detoxing our body becomes a priority to consider.  There are many great ways to do this, like cleansing fasts, juicing, bathing with essential oils, and more – and getting a regular massage complements all of them because of the way it releases substances held in our tissues.  Once released, these waste products go back into circulation to get flushed out.  That’s one reason massage therapists always remind us to “Drink More Water” afterwards.

2.  Supercharge your immune system
There is tons of research on this topic.  When our immune system is healthy and vibrant we have a much better chance at warding off colds, the flu, and even things like cancer that show up when our immune system is highly compromised. Gotta care for our little T-Cells!

3.  Reduce injury intensity (pain sensation) and duration with massage
Hopefully we won’t get injured, but if we do, people who get regular massage experience less pain and heal noticeably faster.  This is great for outdoorsy athletes, and especially everyone over 40 because of the way our healing response slows with age.  Even if we don’t get regular massage, when massage puts our body into the relaxation response, it reduces the sensation of pain everywhere in our whole body.

4.  Avoid common effects of stress and muscle constriction
It’s estimated that up to 85% of Dr. visits are related to the effects of stress in some form.  For example, digestive issues and ulcers, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and more.  When we’re stressed out and our muscles constrict this causes decreased circulation and holding toxins in our tissues which greatly contributes to headaches, migraines, chronic pain, and skin issues. Get a massage and get those muscles relaxed and flowing.

5.  Build a more intuitive relationship with yourself
Studies have shown that people who do yoga and get regular massage tend to eat better and generally take more control over their own health.  A huge benefit of experiencing our natural state of relaxation and flow is that we can become very aware of things that take us out of that.  We notice when our breathing shifts, when our intestines rebel, when our emotions constrict our neck and shoulders, and we can actually do something about it right in the moment.  #SelfLove, one of the most important things in life.

Stress, Diabetes, and Massage Therapy

By Rosie B.

Stress causes the release of stress hormones and those hormones can affect the diabetic’s blood sugar control negatively. It’s hard to think of stress as being or causing a series of chemical reactions in the body, but it does. Stress is a normal part of life, but how we deal with that stress can keep it from spiraling into a health problem.

Stress and diabetes sometimes results in high blood sugars. Massage has been shown repeatedly to have a beneficial effect on anxiety. Diabetics experiencing anxiety are at risk for poor blood sugar control. Massage therapy for diabetics helps reduce that stress.

Massage calms the nervous system, bringing stress hormones down to normal levels; in turn blood sugars are easier to control.

Diabetes can have a dangerous effect on the circulatory system. Diabetics tend to have problems with circulation because high blood sugars can cause hardening of the arteries. This poor flow of blood tends to occur first in the feet, since they are so far from the heart.

Massage improves circulation of blood in general, including to the extremities, decreasing this blocking effect of diabetes. When poor circulation occurs, poor healing of wounds and infections also occurs. That is why diabetics sometimes develop sores on the foot. Massage therapy for diabetics improves feeling (sensation) and circulation, so it can help prevent this common problem. With improved blood (and lymph) flow from therapeutic massage, the body is more able to fight infections in the body. Circulation is critical for good health. It is impaired in the diabetic. Massage improves circulation dramatically.

Elevated blood sugars, because of stress hormones and poor circulation, cause the tissues around the muscles and tendons to become thicker. Diabetes can cause stiffness and decreased mobility in the diabetic’s muscles and other soft tissues. Massage therapy for diabetics treats this problem directly by manipulating these tissues in a way that causes them to be less stiff. Range of motion improves, so does general mobility of the whole body. Improved bodily movement enables the diabetic to do more exercise which has a beneficial effect on diabetes. 

More Hospitals Now Offer Complimentary Alternative Medicine

A career in Complimentary Alternative Medicine includes Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Chiropractic and more. At The Oriental Healing Arts Center, we all love our jobs! This link is to a great article on how a career in this field is expanding in hospitals, offering wider employement opportunities and income options. Why? Because the public loves us!! (And we love them too!)

http://www.nursezone.com/nursing-news-events/more-features.aspx?ID=18812