Period cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea, is one of the most common gynecological conditions seen in an OB/GYN clinic. Dysmenorrhea is clinically diagnosed into two catagories: Primary Dysmenorrhea (PD) which is cramping due to menstruation and Secondary Dysmenorrhea which is due to other pathologies including endometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, uterine malformation, chronic pelvic inflammation and interstitial cystitis. 75% of reproductive women will experience

There are more than 3 million U.S cases of migraines every year with even more countless cases of mild-to-moderate headaches. It is no wonder that the opioid medication market is a booming industry. But, with the side effects such as brain fog and sleepiness, more Americans are turning to alternative options with acupuncture being at the top of the list. How does acupuncture treat migraines/headaches? Acupuncture is a 5000 year old Chinese medical system that studied the an

Bell’s Palsy is a very mysterious onset of facial paralysis that causes one side of the face to droop. For now, the medical community still does not have an answer for why it happens, though the current theory is that the herpes virus that lays dormant in most people becomes activated by possibly stress or other physical symptoms and attacks the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). The standard treatment protocol is prednisone and time. The onset is often very sudden and sym

In the past 20 years, the medical community has started to combine acupuncture and hypnotherapy together to treat conditions with a psychosomatic (mind-body disorder) element. The results have been extremely positive. While acupuncture alone can create profoundly positive changes in the body, engaging the subconscious mind to help facilitate healing through hypnotherapy increases the effectiveness of acupuncture to new heights! Let’s take a look at these two therapies furth

In Taoism, the fundamental principal to a prosperous life is to practice balance between two dynamic opposing forces (i.e. yin and yang). To a Taoist, everything in life is either yin, yang or a mixture of the two. Day and night are opposing forces. Activity and rest are opposing energies. Man and woman are opposing in nature. And the list goes on. Both opposing natures are vital for existence and one cannot live in harmony without the other. Recognizing which energy t

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease. In short, it is a movement disorder. While the prognosis is terminal, advanced medical intervention has allowed many patients to live very long, very fulfilling lives. Mohammed Ali had Parkinson’s for over 30 years before passing away at the age of 74. Michael J. Fox has been diagnosed over 20 years ago and still lives. Since becoming an acupuncturist, I had realized that many people look for that one therap