As the Polish poet Stanislaw Jerzy Lec said well, “Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art”. As people age they require new ways to maintain and improve their wellness. Chinese medicine has been helping people age gracefully for over 3,000 years. It does this by using a variety of methods, including acupuncture, herbs, moxibustion, cupping, Chinese massage, dietary guidelines, and wellness exercises as well as unique diagnostic methods.
When a patient first sits down with a Chinese medicine practitioner there will be an in- depth discussion of what the patient’s overall health situation is. This discussion will include not just the immediate physical problem but also other aspects of wellness such as sleep, emotions, diet, digestion and elimination. Chinese medical practitioners place a great emphasis on treating not also the manifestation of physical ailments, but also the root of problems.
The most famous treatment method used in Chinese medicine is of course acupuncture. Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve physiological functions. This is done by inserting needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points. Evidence-based research has shown acupuncture to be a clinically effective and cost efficient approach for many age-related health problems. Acupuncture is shown to protect the immune system against the negative effects of stress and aging by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines, 4 modulating leukocytes and increasing T-cells. Some research shows acupuncture treats pain through an analgesic and antidepressant effect resulting from increasing endorphin, serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. Other research shows acupuncture improves microcirculation in the bodies.
Acupuncture provides relief without medications. It triggers natural painkillers, decreases inflammation, strengthens the immune system and improves circulation. The results are less pain, less anxiety, better sleep and better digestion. Moreover, acupuncture can also stimulate collagen and elastin production, improve lymphatic drainage, and restore your skin’s moisture and muscle tone. That is why acupuncture is the hottest new secret of anti-aging skin care.
Join Hands Acupuncture Wellness specializes in working with individuals to help them age gracefully. Acupuncturist Elizabeth Naijia Guo is a native of Taiwan who obtained her Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine and is licensed to practice here in California. She can be reached at (858) 568-5628 or www.joinhandsacupuncture.com.
