Interested in learning more about the beauty benefits of acupuncture, such as wrinkle reduction through facial rejuvenation acupuncture, clearer skin, and weight loss? This Yahoo! News article has some good information.
To learn more about Affinity Acupuncture’s services in these areas, please visit http://www.affinityacupuncture.com/conditions-treated/ or call us at 615-939-2787.
Turmeric and ginger are highly revered for their medicinal benefits. Both are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. To boost your body’s immunity, try this soothing brew.
Golden Milk: Turmeric and Ginger Tea with Coconut Milk
Yields 2 cups
1 1-inch knob of fresh turmeric
1 1/2 inch knob of fresh ginger
2 t ghee
1 c full-fat coconut milk
1 c coconut water
1 T honey
Peel the turmeric and ginger, and grate them finely into a paste. Blend well with the ghee.
Pour the coconut milk and coconut water into a saucepan, and add the paste.
Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
Remove from the burner and allow the turmeric and ginger to steep for 3 minutes.
Strain through a mesh strainer or cheesecloth, stir in the honey, and enjoy
Last night, we lost power for a while around
11:30. Of course, that woke the twins, now 22 months old. As I was positioning our son for a diaper change, I felt a sharp pain on the right side of my back. I pulled part of the latissimus dorsi, right over the ribs. There was searing pain every time I moved my torso or took a breath. In the past two years, I have changed thousands of diapers, and there’s no way to estimate how many times I have lifted a child. But there it was: I injured myself during an activity I do many times a day.
And that’s how it happens. No one plans on being hurt or getting sick. Regardless of how well you take care of your body, it’s vulnerable. Acupuncture is a great protective shield. It can help our bodies reach optimal health, decreasing the risk of illness and injury. And it can help our bodies recover from illness and injury faster, kicking our immune systems into high gear, improving circulation, and much more.
If you’re looking to improve and protect your health, give us a call at 615-939-2787 or schedule on line at http://www.affinityacupuncture.com. We offer convenient evening hours three days a week a well as two Saturdays a month to help fit your busy lifestyle.
The leaves are starting to change in Nashville. Temperatures are cooling off, and people are transitioning to fall wardrobes. Pumpkins and squash are readily available, and Pinterest is full of seasonal recipes and crafts.
The transition to fall, while beautiful with its rich colors, isn’t always easy on the body. With kids back in school, germs are being spread quickly. Changes in the barometric pressure affect a lot of individuals with chronic headaches. Shorter daylight hours can impact energy levels. Autumn allergies strike, causing runny noses and itchy eyes.
Affinity Acupuncture offers a variety of treatments to help boost the immune system and decrease symptoms of colds, allergies, and fatigue. We offer nutritional counseling as well as acupuncture treatments and Traditional Chinese Medicine to help your body perform at its best. Did you go the whole summer without having a massage? We offer that as well, and yes, you deserve it. Call 615-939-2787 today, or book your appointments on-line. 
The study finds acupuncture effective in reducing pain intensity levels, increasing mobility and improving quality of life scores. A subgroup analysis reveals that patients receiving acupuncture treatments for intervention periods greater than 4 weeks have greater reductions in pain intensity levels than patients receiving acupuncture over a shorter duration of time.Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and affects millions of people worldwide. It affects joints in the body including the hands, lower back, neck, knees and hips. This type of arthritis is often associated with ‘wear and tear’ degeneration of joint cartilage over time. Risk factors include aging, diabetes, injuries, gout, hypothyroid conditions and obesity. Symptoms and signs include pain, lack of flexibility and bone spurs.
Conventional treatments include medications to control pain and inflammation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, cortisone and hyaluronic acid derivative injections, and joint replacement surgery. The Mayo Clinic staff notes on their website that studies show acupuncture, Tai Chi and yoga may help reduce osteoarthritis pain and improve mobility. This University of Manitoba study confirms that acupuncture is effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
The researchers cite several modern investigations finding acupuncture effective for the treatment of several types of pain related conditions including fibromyalgia, lower back pain and osteoarthritis. Their investigation also cites studies demonstrating that acupuncture is a cost-effective treatment and is a “safe non-pharmacological treatment of musculoskeletal pain.” The researchers note, “we found acupuncture administered to adults with osteoarthritis to be associated with a statistically significant reduction in pain intensity, improved functional mobility and improved health-related quality of life.”
The researchers note that the most common acupuncture points used for the sample size of 1,763 patients were ST36, ST34, Xiyan, GB34, and SP9. Other acupuncture points include SP10, ST40, LV3, ST44, GB29, SP5, DU20, BL60, GB43, GB30, and extra points including EX31, EX32, and EXLE5. Most studies included manual acupuncture techniques to evoke de qi at least once during each treatment period. De qi is a combination of bodily sensations induced by acupuncture needling combined with physiological responses to the stimulation. De qi sensation is often described as dull, heavy, deep pressure, pulling, numb, aching, spreading, radiating, electrical, refreshing, relieving and tingling.
Huazhong University of Science and Technology researchers measured de qi’s relationship to changes in blood flow, tissue displacement, myoelectricity and brain MRI signals. They note “intrinsic change(s) of (the) human body” are induced by de qi during acupuncture. The team added that the “de qi elicited significant response(s) to acupuncture in (the) specific brain regions….” Other researchers note that achieving de qi at acupuncture points elicits distinctly different cortical responses than at non-acupuncture points. Specific acupuncture points demonstrate a consistent and unique ability to stimulate specific brain regions upon de qi stimulation. By contrast, non-acupuncture points did not induce unique responses. Researchers from the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Medimar International Hospital and the European Foundation of TCM performed a meta-analysis of the medical implications of de qi. The findings suggest a direct correlation between ancient acupuncture techniques and improved positive patient outcomes. 
The osteoarthritis researchers at the University of Manitoba note studies showing that, “Electrical needle stimulation can enhance the effects of acupuncture.” This study only examined manual acupuncture and excluded electro-acupuncture to eliminate electrical stimulation as a variable. The sorting process was stringent and excluded non-randomized studies and studies wherein superficial needling was used as part of the sham acupuncture techniques. The researchers found 14,449 relevant citations and sifted this number down to 12 unique trials of 1,763 patients to ensure that only quality studies were examined in the meta-analysis.
Several important strengths become apparent. First, manual acupuncture without any additional electrical stimulation is effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Acupuncture was found both safe and effective in the quality studies reviewed. Additionally, acupuncture was found cost-effective for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
The findings are not unique. For example, research published in Rheumatology, one of the Oxford Journals, concludes that “Sham-controlled RCTs suggest specific effects of acupuncture for pain control in patients with peripheral joint OA (osteoarthritis). Considering its favourable safety profile acupuncture seems an option worthy of consideration particularly for knee OA.” That study examined 18 randomized controlled trials of both manual and electro-acupuncture. The wide body of research supporting the use of acupuncture for the treatment of osteoarthritis as a safe and cost-effective modality suggests that further integration into biomedical settings and protocols is warranted.
For many of us, a cup of coffee is as much a part of the morning routine as brushing our teeth. By the time we’ve started our morning commute, the caffeine has kicked in, and we’re ready to take on the day. Two hours later (if not sooner) many of us are feeling sluggish again and pouring the next cup.
Coffee itself is not a bad thing – in fact, it has some great antioxidant benefits and may even reduce the risks of dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Excessive consumption can be problematic, though, especially in how dehydrating coffee is. And if you’re buying special brews from coffee shops, it can take a real toll on the wallet and waistline (there are 48g of sugar in a very popular coffee beverage that is available in the fall…).
There’s something you can do as a more effective wake up in the mornings than a cup of coffee:
Drink 8-16 oz. of water.
Your brain is primarily made up of water. Our bodies are dehydrated in the mornings. Having a glass of water before your coffee or tea helps replenish the body and refresh all of the systems. Adding a slice of lemon also adds some great antioxidant benefits and flavor benefit. 
strates that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of vascular dementia. Published in the Chinese Journal of Gerontology, clinical and laboratory research finds acupuncture significantly effective in improving cognition and memory. Laboratory results and objective measurements confirm these findings; acupuncture successfully increases glucose metabolism in the brain areas related to cognition and memory. In addition, cerebral blood flow improves with acupuncture. As a result, the researchers note that acupuncture is effective in alleviating vascular dementia. The research team investigated Professor Jingyuan Han’s approach to clinical care for patients with vascular dementia. His treatment protocols employ three main Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) protocols for the application of acupuncture: tonify qi, regulate blood, essence nurturing. The approach is based in the three jiao vaporization protocol. This technique focuses on unblocking obstructions as the primary mode of care followed by tonification as the secondary mode of care. From a biomedical perspective, this translates into an approach to care that primarily focuses on enhancing the micro-circulation of blood and nutrients to affected regions of the brain. Secondarily, stimulation of nutrient production for strengthening purposes is then accelerated with acupuncture techniques.
Prof. Han commented on the research. He notes that the pathogenesis of vascular dementia within the TCM system involves three main components: kidney deficiency, phlegm stasis and turbid toxins. He adds that many internal organs, both zang and fu, are involved in all three jiaos. As a result, his approach focuses on stimulating invigorating and restorative functions throughout the body. Prof. Han uses a variety of TCM acupuncture points based on classic differential diagnositcs including Danzhong (CV17), Zhongwan (CV12), Qihai (CV6), Zusanli (ST36), Xuehai (SP10), and Waiguan (SJ5).
Clinical research on human subjects demonstrates that this approach to care is effective for the restoration of cognition and memory for vascular dementia patients. Laboratory results confirm that this approach improves the ability to learn, re-learn and memorize. Objective measurements reveal that acupuncture protects against oxidative damage by improving SOD and GSH activity in the brain. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total glutathione (GSH) are antioxidant enzymes. Acupuncture also successfully downregulated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), a key enzyme for generating nitric oxide (NO). Additionally, acupuncture improved cerebral blood flow and cerebral glucose metabolism.
This approach to acupuncture care was shown to increase the expression of GLUT1, glucose transporter 1, in cases of vascular dementia. GLUT1 is involved in cellular respiration, regulation of glucose levels and vitamin C uptake. Upregulation of GLUT1 promotes intercellular transport and benefits brain glucose metabolism. The laboratory results indicate that upregulation of GLUT1 by acupuncture alleviates ischemia and anoxia related cognitive impairment.
– See more at: http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1360-acupuncture-ups-memory-for-dementia-patients#sthash.SAmEq6D7.dpuf
It’s that time of year again! The kids are back in school and day care, and they share nothing better than germs. No matter how good we are at washing hands, those pesky bugs travel with people of all ages, and suddenly cold and flu season is upon us.
Acupuncture is a great way to keep your immune system in fighting shape. Regular visits can boost your systems and keep your body in great condition so you are in a better position to resist infection. Did you already catch a bug? We offer Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques, such as Tui Na and cupping, that can help shorten the duration of illness. We also have herbal remedies available for symptom relief without medicine head side effects. To learn more, please visit http://www.affinityacupuncture.com/traditional-chinese-medicine/, or call 615-939-2787 to set up your appointment today.
For almost everyone who has asked themselves that question, the answer is YES.
Most of us know that acupuncture can help with chronic pain associated with arthritis, injury, and demanding lifestyles. Acupuncture is growing in popularity for other areas, as well, including allergy treatments and fertility. There is a whole host of other conditions that acupuncture can bring great relief for, also, including digestive issues, sleep disturbances, menopause, stress/anxiety, smoking cessation, and weight loss. Acupuncture can even help improve your sex life and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
If you’re sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, or if you’ve reached a point when feeling ok just isn’t good enough, congratulations! Realizing that you deserve more is one of the best things that you can do for yourself. Making a commitment to take the steps to change how you feel is the next step. Affinity Acupuncture in Brentwood can help you on your wellness journey. We offer acupuncture, massage therapy, nutritional counseling, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Our services are safe and highly effective, and we offer evening and weekend appointments for your convenience, as well as cost-saving packages and an exclusive membership program.
Call us at 615-939-2787 or visit our website, http://www.affinityacupuncture.com, to schedule a free consultation today. 
Occasionally, the systems in our bodies get thrown off balance. Most of the time, it’s due to a trauma of some sort – illness, injury, or stress. In acupuncture speak, that creates a blockage that may affect other systems, as well. For women, it can create irregular periods or severe PMS symptoms. The application of acupuncture needles can help open up the blockages and return your body to a more normal state of function.
A lot of women experience imbalance in their menstrual cycles, or unpleasant symptoms associated with menopause. Their periods are irregular, or particularly light or heavy. Acupuncture can help regulate the system so your body restores that balance. It can also help with many of the symptoms women experience during and around menopause and periods, especially with bloating, temperature fluctuations, and mood swings. Our treatments can help you get to a better state of normal, which is especially helpful if you are trying to become pregnant, or hope to conceive in the next few years.
Your “monthly gift” doesn’t have to be a burden. If you are experiencing irregularity with your period, or are struggling with PMS symptoms, call us today to find out how we can help get you to your desired level of health. You can schedule through our website, http://www.affinityacupuncture.com, or by phone or text at 615-939-2787.
Affinity Acupuncture Nashville 