Did You Know..?

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that affects the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. It can cause a range of symptoms, from numbness and tingling to muscle weakness and pain. 

Majority of the patients that I treat are diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy due to chemotherapy, Type II Diabetes, or autoimmune diseases or unknown cause.

Peripheral neuropathy can affect the body in different ways, depending on the type of nerves that are damaged. It commonly affects the sensory nerves, leading to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and burning sensations. Motor nerves can also be affected, causing muscle weakness and difficulty with coordination. In some cases, autonomic nerves may be damaged, resulting in issues with blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion. Patients often complain to me that they feel like they are walking on foam and can cause them to feel imbalanced and tentative when walking.

I find acupuncture is one of the best targeted way to treat neuropathy and with great outcomes, especially when conventional medical methods have been exhausted.

Overall, peripheral neuropathy is a complex condition that can have a significant impact on an individual's quality of life. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options, individuals can take proactive steps to manage the condition and improve their overall well-being.

~ Dr. Luo

Anxiety is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by feelings of worry, fear, and unease that can be mild or severe. Understanding the causes and symptoms of anxiety is crucial in managing and treating this condition.

What Causes Anxiety?

Anxiety can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events. Research suggests that certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine, play a role in regulating mood and anxiety levels.

How is Anxiety Treated with Acupuncture?

Acupuncture can naturally enhance the production and distribution of serotonin and dopamine in the nervous system to help regulate the body and calm the mind. Some patients may need to continue with anti-anxiety medication during this acupuncture treatment period, and some patients can completely get off of their medications overtime with acupuncture treatments.

A series of acupuncture treatments can help improve sleep quality and digestion exhibited in patients with anxiety. In some cases, herbal therapy may be recommended in conjunction with acupuncture treatments when necessary.

Consistent acupuncture treatments can definitely help to reduce anxiety level in patients and improve their quality of life.

~ Dr. Luo

Image credit to Burst

I always hear my patients tell me "don't get old".  I smile and reply "we are all going to get old one day and we have no control over that, but we CAN find ways to help ourselves not to feel our OLDNESS".  One of the ways is to get regular acupuncture treatments.  One of the most common complaints as we age is knee pain.  When we gain weight, it also puts extra pressure on our knees.  Did you know that every pound of weight you lose equals to 4 times less pressure on your knees?!  That makes a huge difference.  Knee pain can be felt at different locations, such as on top of the knee, medial side of the knee cap (most common), below the knee cap, and lateral side of the knee cap.  Pain on top of the knee might be related to tendonitis or swelling.  Pain on the inside of the knee may be due to arthritis, meniscus tear or ligament tear.  Pain under the patella may be due to overuse.  Pain on the outside of the knee may be also due to arthritis, ligament or meniscus tear.  MRI would provide the best image of the knee and diagnose the cause of the knee pain, so that appropriate treatments can be provided.  Physical therapy, chiropractic and acupuncture are alternative ways to help reduce knee pain, and important to try these modalities together before resorting to partial or total knee replacement.  Electro-acupuncture is often used to treat knee pain and also very effective in reducing pain and increasing flexibility and mobility.  Regular treatments are necessary to keep the pain away and help the body to learn how to protect itself from future damages.  With less pain, there is an improvement in quality of life and ability to exercise again.  In acupuncture, it would be best to treat the problem before it gets worse.  So I always tell my patients that as soon as they feel pain, seek out for acupuncture and take care of the pain promptly.  You should not deal with pain for more than a week.  When a condition has settled in for more than 3 months, it is considered chronic.  Use acupuncture to help you manage pain and start feeling better now.

~ Mei Lin Maunakea

Image credit to Matthew Henry

There are currently over 8 million people suffering with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the United States. People with PTSD continue to be depressed and anxious months or even years following the event.  The main treatment for patients with PTSD is psychotherapy, which may include Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), or Present Centered Therapy (PCT).  At our office, we treat many veterans with PTSD.  Acupuncture helps to balance the autonomic nervous system and induces the release of dopamine and serotonin to help stabilize mood and improve sleep quality.  Patients often have to take medications to regulate serotonin levels in the nervous system, but by receiving regular acupuncture treatments can achieve the same effect naturally.  In the long run, patients are less dependent on medications and their mood will naturally improve over time.  All of this can be achieved with just 30 minutes of acupuncture a week.  I am really not biased when I say that I strongly believe everyone can benefit from acupuncture!

~ Mei-Lin Maunakea

Image Credit to Gordon Hatusupy from Burst

I have closed my practice for the month of April to help the community to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19.  Needless to say this virus is destroying humanity globally.  We must stay strong and work together to combat this virus!  I am staying home just like you.  Now we have the perfect opportunity to work on our health while we are staying home to avoid being infected.  In the morning, start with a teaspoon of Bragg's organic apple cider vinegar and 8 ounces of warm water to clean your digestive system and minimize the amount of acidity in your blood to decrease overall inflammation.  Consume more fruits like oranges, strawberries, and blueberries to boost your immune system.  Drink herbal teas with dandelion root to detoxify your body.  I also recommend taking Andrographis as a preventative to catching colds and flu.  We have used this herb in Chinese Medicine for thousands of years to treat common cold and flu symptoms.  Astragalus is another popular herb used in Chinese Medicine to help boost the immune system.  We can use this herb in soups or teas, and a little goes a long way.  Another great herb full of antioxidants is Go Ji Berry.  Place at least 10 berries in a cup of hot water, let it steep for a minute, drink the water, and eat the berries afterwards.  Go Ji Berries are great for the Liver and brighten the eyes, especially helpful in women's health.  Another herb that can help is Elderberry.  You can find this in the supplement isle at Whole Foods or Down to Earth.  Now, don't go crazy taking all of these herbs at once, you can overwhelm your system.  You can alternate from day to day.  Of course, at least 30 minutes of exercise and stretching will be beneficial along with taking antioxidants to enhance your immune system.  I also highly recommend Tai Ji, Qi Gong, or Yoga Stretch videos on YouTube.  Grab your partner or your pet, and get moving.  I hope this will be helpful, for you and your family.  I wish the best for everyone to stay safe and healthy during this unprecedented global crisis, and hope to see you all real soon!

~Mei-Lin Maunakea

~Image Credit to Pegleess Barrios

We love to eat!  It's a nuisance to constantly worry about what to eat and what NOT to eat in order to keep your acid reflux in check.  When it gets bad, symptoms can even resemble a heart attack like chest tightness and difficulty breathing.  Most of the time, patients might experience chronic sore throat, cough, and bloating.  Some patients might already have the diagnosis of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).  However,  the more anti-acid medications you take, the body becomes dependent on them to digest food.  This is why some people are stuck taking anti-acids for the rest of their lives.  But... there is still hope.  Acupuncture can help to increase your metabolism and regulate the acid production during meal times.  Accompanied with Chinese herbal formula, acid reflux can be treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine.  With consistent and frequent treatments, improvements can be seen within a month to two months.  Why not treat your body better and give acupuncture a try?!

~ Mei Lin Maunakea

Image Credit to Matthew Henry

More than a third of adults have prediabetes that can develop into Type II Diabetes if left untreated, and majority of these patients don't know that they have it unless blood work is done.  Most patients have to take medications to lower their blood sugar, because their bodies have developed insulin-resistance.  So how does acupuncture fit in the picture?!  Well, thousands of years ago, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Diabetes was described as the "Wasting and Thirsting Disease" or "Xiao Ke", where symptoms included excessive thirst, irritability, itchy skin, dry mouth and red, swollen gums.  Acupuncture can help to restore Qi/Vital Energy in the body and improve blood flow while nourishing and enhancing internal organ functions.  This prevents the condition from worsening. Acupuncture alone is not sufficient to treat this inflammatory disease, but along with proper dietary changes, exercise, and appropriate lifestyle changes, Diabetes can be prevented or possibly even reversed in the early stages.  Regular acupuncture treatments can also help to prevent the increase in dosages of diabetic medications.  There is very little risk in trying acupuncture compared to typical and sometimes severe sides effects of medications.  It's never too late, your body wants to be healthy, and acupuncture can help bring you one step closer to achieving that goal.  

~ Mei Lin Maunakea

Image Credit to Sarah Pflug

What is sciatica?  It is pain affecting the back, hip, and outer side of the leg, that can be caused by compression of a spinal nerve root in the lower back, often due to degeneration of an intervertebral disk.  Sciatica can occur at any age.  Sciatic pain is so prevalent, but can be easily corrected when treated in the early stages.  Some patients end up in emergency rooms hoping to get relief from this excruciating pain.  Unfortunately, typical medical or hospital treatments for pain are medications or injections.  Yet, acupuncture is not mentioned at all as an alternative treatment for sciatic pain.  Of course, when there is a structural issue, such as severe stenosis or disc herniations, acupuncture is not going to be the best option.  However, the important message is to treat the pain early and prevent the condition from further deterioration.

When it comes to pain, my experience is to treat it right away with acupuncture and the body will heal so much faster.  Acupuncture helps and enhances the body's natural healing capabilities, preventing the condition from worsening or even reoccurring in the future.  Patients usually show improvements in 2-3 weeks of treatments.  Acupuncture can help to reduce pain and inflammation locally, and also improve blood flow in the area that is experiencing pain.  

If you have been self-medicating as a form of pain management, maybe it's time to think about acupuncture as an alternative instead.  It doesn't hurt to try, and acupuncture doesn't make the condition worse, it can only help.  

~ Mei Lin Maunakea

Image Credit to Nicole De Kohrs