Clearing blockages to healing

I recently returned from another German auricular acupuncture training in Ottawa, Ontario. (Maman, the giant spider pictured to the left, created by sculptor Louise Bourgeois,  is one of many signature images of Ottawa.) 

The training was called “Clearing Blockages to Healing,” a simple name with profound meaning. I knew the new information would allow my auricular acupuncture assessments and treatments to work on an even deeper level than before, but I was, once again, truly blown away by the healing potential of this modality. 

As discussed in a previous newsletter, one of the primary features that distinguishes German auricular acupuncture from other types of auricular acupuncture is focus therapy. A “focus” is a stubborn and hidden blockage to healing, due to a body/brain memory of a particular stress or trauma or from a physical/emotional wound that is concealed within the body. The body becomes consumed with healing these blockages and it can’t attend to healing other day-to-day issues. The person who has such a blockage will experience chronic conditions possibly without experiencing obvious injury or illness. Even perceivable, diagnosable conditions can be ameliorated by focus therapy, by lessening the stress load on the body.

The new protocol I use to find, prioritize, and treat focus activity takes great concentration on my part and is somewhat time-consuming. Ultimately, it is truly worth the extra time and energy. Already some of my clients have noticed a difference!Red Clover Clinic adds low-level laser therapy—no-needles, no pain

Let there be “laser” light!

Red Clover Clinic adds low-level laser therapy—no-needles, no pain

Another big announcement for my auricular practice is the addition of the RJ LaserPen.  With the LaserPen, I can give an auricular treatment with absolutely no pain or discomfort, and I can add healing bio-frequencies (electrical frequencies that resonate with particular tissues in the body), particular to the issues that I am treating. 

This is great news for anyone who is needle-phobic, children, and anyone who finds the heftier German needles to be a little uncomfortable! The LaserPen offers an auricular treatment that is at least as effective as a needle treatment. I’m sure this will come as a great relief to many of you! And, in addition to the LaserPen, I also have two other wonderful laser tools described below.

I  think we’re all a bit starved of light in this slow-to-emerge spring. We know that spring will come eventually, but in the meantime, we can turn our attention to getting light energy from sources other than the sun, namely, laser light.

If you want to know more about laser light and how it is used therapeutically, read on!

What is a laser?

LASER stands for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.” Basically, a laser amplifies light at a specific wavelength, in a very narrow bandwidth, with high coherence. (The peaks and valleys of the wavelengths are consistent and even.) Don’t worry, you don’t have to understand the physics of laser light to understand how it affects you physiologically! 

There are two types of medical lasers: lasers for surgery and lasers for biostimulation/biomodulation (the stimulation and modulation of the metabolic functions of the human organism).  The latter is known as low-level, or cold laser, and it is the type of laser used therapeutically by many healthcare practitioners. 

Low-level lasers are becoming more common to treat wounds, injuries, pain, and skin issues, as well as being used to stimulate acupuncture points. There is also the possibility to exert a more systemic effect with laser treatment, thereby treating cardiovascular issues, immune issues, allergies, fatigue, depression, fibromyalgia, diabetes, chronic liver and kidney diseases, among others. 

How do lasers work therapeutically?

The photons of light trigger the photoreceptors on the cells to transform light energy into cellular energy. The result is increased oxygen and ATP production. This increase in cellular energy stimulates systemic biochemical responses, including increased circulation and microcirculation, increased action potential of nerve cells, increased collagen synthesis (wound healing), balanced immune function, and mediation of pain signals. As you can see, laser light provides general stimulation of the entire organism.

A secondary effect of laser therapy is the transfer of bio-frequency information into the cells. Research has been done to determine which frequencies resonate with particular tissues. For example, treating nerve damage with laser light that has the frequency that resonates with healthy nerve tissue added to it, allows the nerve cells to synchronize with the healthy frequency for optimal results.

In order to achieve a good therapeutic effect with low-level laser therapy, it is important to use a laser that has enough power, but not too much. If there is too little power and subsequently too low a dose of laser light, there won’t be much of a therapeutic effect. Likewise, if the power and dosage are too high and fall beyond the therapeutic window, cellular response and function can be inhibited. 

This is why it is important to have high quality, well-researched equipment, that is built with the appropriate power and is programmed with settings designed to help the practitioner determine the proper dosages. With the right equipment, low-level laser therapy is completely safe, without negative side effects and highly effective.

The RJ LaserPen, designed and manufactured in Germany

The effect of the treatment also has a lot to do with the type (power, brand, accessory) of laser being used, the dosage of laser light given, and the tissue being targeted. 

The  RJ-Laser  equipment I am now using in my practice was designed and manufactured in Germany. RJ-Laser has been designing medical laser equipment for more than 30 years. They offer high-quality, well-researched products, with a wide assortment of laser tools for many different applications. 

At this time I have three different pieces of laser equipment, in addition to the base unit. The laser pen  featured above, can be used for auricular acupuncture as well as to treat body acupuncture points and small joints. I also have a cluster probe to treat larger muscles and joints, as well as a variety of skin pathologies. The most interesting attachment is the blood laser. This attachment targets the blood, offering a more systemic laser treatment. The blood laser will be featured in the upcoming issue of the newsletter with a more thorough explanation of how it works.

German auricular acupuncture: a case study and patient report

I continue to be impressed with the results of German auricular acupuncture on clients of Red Clover Clinic. I’d like to share a case study and first-person patient account of this powerful treatment.

If you recall, the last issue of Red Clover Clinic Newsletter described the concept of focus points in German auricular acupuncture. A quick review: our ears have points that harbor a body/brain memory of a particular stress or trauma we have experienced. ” Focus” activity can be a chronic burden on the system, preventing it from returning to its previous level of homeostasis. Treating focus points can help to clear the stressful body memory and potentially heal chronic afflictions that don’t seem to respond to other treatments. A few needles can clear past trauma and promote healing, as you shall see.

A case study

A 55-year-old woman who had been coming to me for acupuncture and bodywork was interested in experiencing a German auricular acupuncture session. She had a history of several injuries and two surgeries: an appendectomy and bunion surgery. Her main complaints were pain and tightness around her tailbone (pain level of 4 on a scale of 10) and tightness along her lower thoracic spine on the right side (pain level 2 on a scale of 10). These were chronic conditions for which she had undergone years of physical training and various treatments to correct. 

The injury that stood out as the most significant was a horseback riding injury at age 17. The saddle slid off the horse’s back, and she was dragged by her left leg.  She blacked out and remembers waking up with pain in her left hip and the right side of her back.

First, I did a preliminary scan of the ear, using a 3-Volt Hammer (a device with two points with opposite polarity), to determine which points on the ear needed to be tested for activity. The testing itself is done with a piece of equipment called the Pointoselct Digital DT. This tool measures the electrical conductance of each point. The lower the conductance, the more active the point. The most active points are the points selected for treatment. Five points were selected and needled–one that corresponds to the tailbone on both sides, a point that correlated with the thoracic region, and two functional points that help mediate pain.

While resting with the needles, the client had the sensation of having the wind knocked out of her two separate times. She had to concentrate on breathing through the episodes. After getting up off the table, she felt that her whole tailbone region had released. She felt no pain, and noticed that her leg stayed properly aligned when she walked. 

Twenty-four hours following the treatment, the client reported that her right lower back had loosened up a lot, which made any discomfort in her thoracic region and upper back almost disappear. She also mentioned that she had a slight fever the night of the treatment and into the next morning.

I find this case to be interesting, because not only was there a clear improvement in the symptoms, there was also a body experience that was relived and then released. This experience sped up the client’s progress in her physical training. She continues to get occasional auricular treatments when something feels stuck.

A patient report

“I have been a patient of Anita’s for a few years, to get rid of a chronic cough and deal with some premenopausal symptoms. Herbs, both western and Chinese, as well as regular acupuncture, were used with good effect over that period of time.

“As menopause approached and hot flashes increased, Anita mentioned that German auricular acupuncture was particularly effective for hormonal conditions. I was game to try, even though the needles used are slightly larger than for Chinese acupuncture and thus can be momentarily more uncomfortable.

“I always experience a feeling of relaxation during an acupuncture treatment, but the sensation was much more pronounced during my first German auricular session. I became aware of how much nervous tension I carry in my body. The calm, level feeling continued for a full day. I was hoping it would go on forever! Though it did not, alas, the overall effect of multiple treatments over time is noticeable.

“And what about the hot flashes? After two treatments, spaced a week apart, they virtually disappeared for a month. I thought that was that, but they did return, though fewer and less intense. A treatment every month or so has kept them under control.”

Herbal teas for cold and flu season

It’s that time of year, cold and flu season. If you are unlucky enough to succumb, the best antidote for a miserable cold with body aches, chills, and fever is to sweat. Drinking a warm herbal tea with diaphoretic (sweat promoting) properties and wrapping up in heavy blankets will help you to sweat out the illness and recover more quickly. Here are two tasty and effective options.

Yarrow, elderflower, and peppermint tea

• 1/2 tsp. dried yarrow flowers

• 1/2 tsp. dried elderflowers

• 1/2 tsp. dried peppermint leaves

• 12 oz. boiling water

A small teapot is convenient, because it has two necessary items: a lid and an infuser. A large mug can be used as well, but you will need either a disposable tea bag or a tea ball, as well as a small plate to use as a lid. The lid is important, because it traps all the volatile oils and prevents them from evaporating into the air. These oils are the active ingredients that promote sweat and circulation, so don’t lose them! 

Place the dried herbs into the infuser, pour the boiling water into the pot, and cover. Steep for 20 minutes. Pour the tea into a mug and enjoy. Then wrap yourself up in bed and sweat out your cold. This can be repeated 2-3 times per day until you feel better.

Ginger and honey tea

• 4 quarter-size slices of fresh ginger

• honey, to taste

Follow the directions for the previous tea, placing the fresh ginger in the infuser. Stir in the honey after removing the infuser. The addition of honey to this tea is particularly soothing to a sore throat. 

If you’re in need of a good source of high-quality, organic, dried herbs, I suggest Mountain Rose Herbs.

What is unique about German auricular acupuncture?

In the last issue of the Red Clover Clinic Newsletter you learned about German auricular acupuncture and why the ear provides us with such a powerful landscape from which to treat the whole body. Here’s a quick review: 

• The brain projects a representative map of the entire body onto the ear. 

• Any injuries and illnesses are part of this projection. 

• Treating these areas has a healing effect on the related parts of the body. 

Now I would like to focus on the different types of points that can be found on the ear, as well as what makes the German system of auricular acupuncture unique among its other auricular counterparts (Chinese and French).

Types of points on the ear

There are three types of points we look for and use on the ear: 

1. Reflex points, also known as anatomical points, are the most basic, shared in all the systems of auriculotherapy. Each part of the body (knee, forehead, liver eye, etc.) has a corresponding point on the ear. If you put a needle in the liver point, you have a direct effect on the liver. 

2. Functional points exert a certain influence on the body systemically. There are functional points that calm the nervous system, lessen inflammation, alleviate pain, regulate hormone levels, and more.

3. Focus points are reflex or functional points that harbor a body/brain memory of a particular stress or trauma on one’s body. Injuries, illnesses, surgeries and emotional trauma can all cause focus activity in a point.

What makes German auricular medicine unique?

It is recognition and treatment of focus activity (#3, above) that makes  German auricular medicine unique among its other auricular counterparts. This is very important, because a failure to heal may be due to focus activity that is still plaguing the body. Once the focus activity is cleared, the body can heal. In other words, people suffering from longstanding afflictions that don’t seem to respond to other treatments may have the opportunity to heal if old focus activity is cleared.

The rain barrel theory

Focus activity tends to be a chronic burden on the system, preventing it from returning to its previous level of homeostasis. A great illustration of how focus activity overloads the body is the rain barrel theory. 

The body collects the impact of stress, injuries, and trauma as if it were a rain barrel. As the rainwater level reaches the top, there is a danger of it spilling over. Sometimes it takes just one or two drops too many to cause the barrel to overflow. Each individual has the capacity to handle only so many stressors before their rain barrel overflows and a cascade of symptoms appear.

In order to effectively recover from these types of scenarios, you must either make your rain barrel bigger, or drain it. It is possible to make your rain barrel bigger by reducing stress, improving diet, getting better sleep, exercising, meditating, and taking more vacations.  To drain your rain barrel, German auricular medicine is a good choice, because it offers methods to both identify and clear focus activity. 

How full is your rain barrel?

Blue Vervain - identification and uses

Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) has many medicinal uses. I primarily use it to calm and ease all types of tension in the body. Tension can result in many conditions including spasms, tremors, pain, hypertension, headaches, dizziness, emotional tension, ADHD, menstrual and menopausal complaints, and more.

Blue Vervain is an attractive plant that produces spikes of small purple flowers. It is a North American native that grows abundantly throughout the Great Plains region and beyond. It is a close relative of its European cousin, Verbena officinalis.

It is important to distinguish Blue Vervain from another North American cousin, Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta) when collecting for medicinal purposes. Even though these two plants have a lot in common, their medicinal effects are slightly different.  The most noticeable distinguishing characteristic is that Hoary Vervain has fuzzy leaves, and Blue Vervain doesn’t. Hoary Vervain’s flowers are also slightly bigger than Blue Vervain’s.

Blue Vervain – Verbena hastata

Hoary Vervain – Verbena stricta

German auricular acupuncture: its history and how it works

Over the past few months, I have been learning and practicing German auricular acupuncture, and have been very impressed by the results. The first question everyone asks is: “German acupuncture??” And the second question is: “Why the ear?” Read on for the answer to these questions. I hope to pique your interest in this interesting and effective medicine in a two-part article that will continue in the next issue.

History of auricular acupuncture

The two words “German” and “acupuncture” don’t seem like they should go together. But in fact, they do. Body acupuncture, the acupuncture that first comes to mind, is definitely of Chinese origin. Auricular acupuncture began in China as well, but its in-depth development occurred in Europe, beginning in the 1950s. As the story goes, the French neurologist Dr. Paul Nogier noticed a scar on the ears of several of his patients. The patients reported that the scars were the result of an effective treatment for sciatica, performed by a lay practitioner. Nogier was intrigued, and proceeded to do further research, ultimately discovering that the entire body is mapped on the ear in the configuration of an upside down fetus.

In 1956, Nogier’s findings were published in an international acupuncture journal. The Chinese adopted this ground-breaking, foundational information, and built upon it using the traditional Chinese medicine system. As Nogier continued to research auriculotherapy, he worked together with Dr. Frank Bahr of Germany and Dr. Rene Bourdiol of France. Through these connections, European auriculotherapy continued to develop in France and Germany.

The French, German, and Chinese systems share a lot in common, but there are distinctive features within each system. Next month I will explain what makes the German system unique and powerful.

Why the ear?

As Nogier discovered, the ear contains a representative map of the entire body, including the musculoskeletal system, the organs, and the central nervous system. This map is projected onto the ear by the brain. The brain is a relay of sorts, by way of which we recognize and experience illnesses and pain syndromes in our body. Those experiences are then projected by the brain onto the ear. By treating the ear, a signal is recognized by the brain, and sent to the part of the body in need of help. In other words, the ears give the practitioner a two-way avenue for direct communication with the brain in a way that impacts healing anywhere in the body.

The practitioner inspects the ear for changes in structure, color, tenderness, and electrical conductance that signifies pain, illness or any other physiological change. The “active” points that relate to the pathology are then treated with a needle or electrical stimulation. This treatment will interrupt the brain’s “sick” communication signal, and allow the body to restore its natural balance, thereby correcting the pain and/or illness.

As discussed in the May-June 2012 Newsletter , chronic pain is often perpetuated by a habituated pain cycle, long after the tissues are healed. When this communication signal is interrupted, the body can heal itself and return to a state of balance. Auricular acupuncture is an effective and efficient way to interrupt the pain cycle, thereby decreasing one’s level of pain.

Testimonials

After several car accidents, I was struggling with lower back pain due to a herniated disc and pain in my right hip and sacrum. I consulted with several chiropractors and received many treatments over the course of four months’ time. During this time I saw slight improvement, but it was rather minimal. I became depressed and hopeless, unable to exercise, sit down for longer than 15 minutes, bend or lift. The only way I could experience comfort was by reclining. Eventually I had to go out on disability, unable to perform the functions of my job.

Willing to try anything, I consulted with Anita Teigen from the Red Clover Clinic. She has helped me in the past with various ailments, and I thought she may have some insight about my current situation. She suggested trying out German auricular acupuncture. I had never heard of this, but she thought it would be particularly helpful because not only could it treat the problem quickly, but she had noticed it tended to clear issues for the long-term, not requiring multiple follow-up visits. I figured I would give it a try. After the first visit, I noticed my pain was reduced slightly. However, it was the second visit that really convinced me.  After the second visit, my level of pain went from a 6 to a 2. I can now sit for hours at a time, bend more easily and even exercise. My range of motion is greatly improved and I am no longer in constant pain. I did not believe this would be possible after four months of chiropractic treatment that led nowhere, but the auricular acupuncture really did the trick for me.  I am still battling some back issues, but they are nowhere near what they used to be. My life has dramatically improved and I owe that to Anita!  -M.S.

I was really excited about my recent EAR TREATMENT. The pain and stiffness in my neck and low back is very persistent and has been a recurrent challenge for years. I typically handle this problem with acupuncture, chiropractic, and yoga as well as massage. These treatments always feel good, but these areas are still tied up in knots. However, I immediately felt a difference in the pain and stiffness. The area of complaint is now isolated to just the left side. I have way more mobility in my neck and back. It is such a change. I am really looking forward to seeing how follow up treatments will improve not only this area, but others! Woo Hoo! Thanks Anita.  – M.L.

A summer herb walk

Red Clover

The herb red clover is, of course, the namesake of Red Clover Clinic. I am often asked the question: “Why red clover?” 

I have had a fondness for red clover since I was a child. I’m pretty sure that along with dandelions, red clover was one of my first live herb interactions. I remember running through the pasture on my grandparents’ farm, picking red clovers and plucking out the individual petals to suck the sweet nectar out of them. I have always thought that red clovers have a joyful, playful energy, so what better name for my clinic? 

Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a lymphatic herb and is used to treat abnormal swelling.  It is also cool and moistening to dry and irritable tissues.

Motherwort

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is a member of the mint family and is one of the most commonly used herbs in my clinic.  It is soothing to highly stressed people, suffering from anxiety, palpitations, and insomnia. It is a heart tonic, and it calms the sympathetic nervous system. Though quite bitter, people really enjoy motherworts soothing effects.

Sweet Leaf

Sweet leaf (Monarda fistulosa) is a wonderful herb that is native to North America. It is known by many names, including wild bergamot, bee balm, and wild oregano. Like motherwort, it is also a member of the mint family.

Sweet leaf is pungent and stimulating, much like its cousin oregano. It is especially useful when the digestion isn’t working properly, be it constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, gallbladder congestion, etc. It is also effective in cases of urinary tract infections, both acute and chronic, as well as fevers.