National Acupuncture Detoxification Assocation (NADA)

As an acupuncturist, I have used the NADA protocol for controlling nicotine addiction, drug and alcohol dependency and sexual addiction on hundreds of patients, all with reasonable to great results. Not to mention great results with stress reduction.

The NADA protocol is simple, yet quite effective. Drug, alcohol and tobacco addictions are major problems that affect tens of millions of people in America. This is not just a problem in America, but is occurring worldwide.

The addition of acupuncture into the treatment for addiction seems to be very beneficial, and almost the single ingredient that helps the protocol succeed. There are numerous benefits for patients by using this protocol:

1. The protocol is calming.

2. The patients are more receptive to leaning.

3. It seems to clear the mind. It centers one's attention and allows patients to complete tasks.

4. It helps to reduces cravings.

5. It diminishes symptoms of withdrawal.

6. It helps to retain people in the treatment process.

7. Sleep is improved.

8. A person changes and becomes more comfortable with himself (or herself).

9. It improves the internal space of a person.

10. This treatment supports the recovery process.

A Brief History of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Addiction

Understanding the principles of both Chinese medicine and chemical dependency can lead to significant benefit in recovery from all forms of drug addiction as well as alcoholism and a variety of mental disorders. NADA protocols, especially designed for this type of treatment, have been carefully developed and extensively tested. More than 500 clinical sites in the US, Europe, Australia and the Caribbean currently utilize these protocols, even in settings where threats of violence had previously made it difficult to serve clients. While adapted to Western attitudes and conditions, the NADA method derives directly from Chinese medicine theory of detoxification.

In 1972 a neurosurgeon in Hong Kong, H.L. Wen, discovered that acupuncture could relieve symptoms and cravings associated with drug withdrawal. Because of its effectiveness in relieving symptoms as well as preventing relapses, his discovery gained more and more popularity and was used in hospitals and detox centers throughout the US. 1985 an official protocol was developed and the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) was formed. The protocol involved using five specific acupuncture points on the ear. In August of 2000, Yale University School of Internal Medicine conducted research further demonstrating the effectiveness of the NADA protocol for cocaine, heroin and methadone addiction.

It is my highest recommendation, that you seek out an acupuncturist to perform this protocol.

I have included the NADA protocol points on the ear that are used in the session and are done with tiny little needles that are inserted into these points. I also recommend that patients can certainly use some light massage on these points to stimulate these areas.

National Acupuncture Detoxification Assocation (NADA) Treatment Protocol

Lung 2 - addiction related lung issues

Shen Men - stress, anxiety, excessive sensitivity

Autonomic Point - balance symphathetic and parasymphathetic nervous systems, blood circulation

Liver - hepatitis, cirrhosis

Kidney - kidney disorders, urination issues

In our Alternative Answers health community, PHOTO section, you will find a picture of the ear and where these points are located. Go here.

Learn more about The NADA protocol for addiction, detoxing or in Chinese Medicine.

Noticing Nature In The Now

by Roseanna Leaton

When did you take the time to notice how much your immediate environment impacts upon your sense of well-being? Most of us are too busy these days to notice the things which are vitally important to our equilibrium. And so it is no wonder that so many people suffer from stress and anxiety, and lack a feeling of balance and groundedness. We do things on a "need to do" basis and yet do not consider what should be our most basic needs.

We do not, after all, live in a "vacuum". We are constantly affected by a steady stream of sensory input. We see, hear, smell, taste and feel our way through life, and our minds are so quick and bright that they make sense of this input in a fraction of a second. Without realizing it our energy levels are affected by every tiny little bit of this sensory perception. Each sound vibrates with its own frequency of energy, and we receive energy signals from all around us.

If you spend a lot of time in a hectic or negative environment you will be picking up on this energy and will eventual adjust to resonate with it. It is not surprising that it becomes easy to feel "out of sync" or "out of kilter". Your own energy is in effect being pushed off balance, away from your norm, away from a feeling of equilibrium. You can feel like a small sailing boat being buffeted by a storm. The choices one has when caught in a storm are limited; you could take the sail down and ride the storm out, or perhaps your boat has a powerful engine which can take you safely back to shore, or perhaps you no longer have the presence of mind to think straight and thus leave your sails up?

Everyone needs balance and internally craves to be in a place where they can feel comfortable and grounded. Yes, we need to step outside our comfort zones in order to grow and develop. But was also need to be able to return to a feeling of peace and tranquility. Our energy needs to be replenished from time to time, and an easy way in which to do this is to take a walk in beautiful surroundings, in the fresh air, amongst growing plants, flowers and trees. The energy from these natural growing and flourishing leaves and petals will reach out to you and you will instinctively resonate with it. And it's not only the energy from the plants that you will benefit from, it's the quality of natural light from being outside, the feeling of sunlight on your skin, the peaceful way in which water moves to and fro. All of this has an inevitable power to relax and relieve your stresses and strains.

The simple fact is that the things which are natural in our environment have the power to recharge our energy and revive us. Things which are unnatural can never quite imitate this natural reaction. If you are feeling "out of sorts" you can try a simple thing - go for a walk, somewhere in the countryside if at all possible, and intentionally notice everything around you. Take each of your senses in turn and notice what comes into your awareness. Really notice every moment - be "in the now". In doing this you are achieving more than you may think was possible. Firstly, you are directing your focus upon nature and in doing so you will feel greater impact from the energy this provides. And secondly, as your attention is absorbed "in the now" you are effectively distracting yourself from worries, tensions or fears.

It may take some effort on your part to keep your attention focused in the now, but you will get better with practice. You can also obtain hypnosis downloads which will speed up this process and make it more and more automatic for you. Another benefit of hypnosis downloads is that you can mentally "go for a walk" when you are unable to do so in physical reality. Hypnosis is a state which allows greater ability to imagine things and you can visualize a perfect natural landscape and in effect create a "mental holiday" for yourself. Hypnosis is a state of relaxation and allows you to take a step back, enabling you to get back "in sync" and bring balance back into your life.

Roseanna Leaton, specialist in hypnosis downloads for your well-being.

About the Author: With a degree in psychology and qualifications in hypnotherapy, NLP and sports psychology, Roseanna Leaton is one of the leading practitioners of self-improvement. You can get a free self hypnosis mp3 from http://www.RoseannaLeaton.com and peruse her extensive library of hypnosis mp3 downloads for self-help and success.

Nerve Damage Pain And How To Reduce It

submitted by Ellen DeWise from painmanagement.org

Damaged nerves continue to be a difficult condition for medical practitioners to treat. Severely damaged nerves often have a slower and longer success rate in healing back into working form. Mildly damaged nerves can result in pain, tingling and/or itching. This can be annoying or even debilitating.

Nutritional supplements should have a place in your effort against damaged nerves. Mild nerve damage can result in tingling, burning, itching, numbness or pain. Many times the damage is the result of trauma and will repair itself with time and proper nutrition. If this type of damage is the result of an internal imbalance, such as diabetes, it will have a chance to improve if this balance is addressed first.

If you are experiencing nerve damage complications such as neuropathy, itching, numbness or tingling L-Carnitine, Borage Oil (for Gamma Linolenic Acid content), and Alpha Lipoic Acid have each been shown to help reduce symptoms in studies on humans.

Other substances that have shown promise in human studies include Inositol, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12. Inositol is a particular form of Vitamin B3. Vitamin B6 can cause neuropathy if you are deficient or are taking too much. Doses of 150 mg of B6 have helped people with neuropathy. Doses over 500 mg per day have caused sensory neuropathy. Vitamin B12 is used at the 1000 mcg dose for neuropathy. We have looked for combinations that will suite these needs but did not find any.

Traditional Chinese Medicine balances different kinds of weakness in the body. The body is weak inside if you regularly experience discomfort or pain from feeling too hot or too cold. This is a key indicator. Once your body becomes weak, any kind of change--including outside temperature, exposure to toxins or bacteria or physical injury, can affect you much worse than it would have if your body had been in balance.

Many people experience chronic pain after surgery, even if the surgery was aimed at reducing pain. Many people also find post- surgery physical therapy painful. This does not mean that the surgery was not successful nor that the physical therapy is not working. Rather, it is evidence that an additional, interim therapy such as Acupuncture and Herbs is needed to restore balance so the body can truly recover from surgery and heal properly.

Acupuncture has been used in the treatment of various pain problems, including different regional myofascial pain disorders, tendonitis, joint pain and pain from nerve damage. Acupuncture has also been used for improving problems related to some internal organ functions, such as nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, sinus congestion, and diarrhea. In addition, acupuncture has been used to aid in the management of some emotional disorders. Acupuncture also has been used to help individuals maintain a sense of well-being and "balance".

Acupuncture and/or movement therapies can be combined with chiropractic manipulation for an amplified effect.

Animal studies showed that Spinal Manipulation by a chiropractor can produce a number of physical responses, such as decreased blood pressure and renal and adrenal nerve activity. It may also enhance immune function by increasing metabolic rates of certain white blood cells and increasing other substances that play a role in immune regulation and inflammation. These studies also show that spinal adjustment can reduce levels of inflammatory Prostaglandins and possibly increase levels of beta-endorphins, the natural painkillers in the body.

Chiropractic care is a cost-effective alternative to the management of neuromusculoskeletal conditions. It is also safer, increasingly accepted by the public as reflected in the growing utilization and high patient retention rates and there is much and repeated evidence that patients prefer chiropractic over other forms of care for the more common musculoskeletal conditions. The integration of chiropractic into the health care system should serve to reduce health care costs, improve accessibility to needed care, and improve health outcomes. There is an extensive body of literature demonstrating that chiropractic care for NMS disorders is effective.

Treating A Pinched Nerve

by Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac

"Pinched nerve" is a general term that is used to describe the compression of individual nerves or groups of nerves.

Motor fibers and sensory fibers emerge from the spinal nerves. The motor fibers innervate particular muscles, while sensory fibers innervate particular areas of the skin. A skin area innervated by the sensory fibers of a single nerve root is known as a Dermatome.

A group of muscles primarily innervated by the motor fibers of a single nerve root is known as a Myotome (muscle). There is a total of 31 sets of nerves branching out of the spinal cord.

A Plexus is formed by the remaining anterior nerve divisions, which then distribute to the rest of the body. The nerves from each plexus innervate specific muscles and areas of skin in the body and are numbered according to the location in the spine from where they exit. The following are the four main plexuses:

The Cervical and Brachial plexuses innervate the upper limbs. The Lumbar and Sacral plexuses innervate the lower limbs.

Cervical plexus, C1 - C4, innervates the diaphragm, shoulder and neck

Brachial plexus, C5 - T1, innervates the upper limbs

Lumbar plexus, T12/L1 - L4, innervates the thigh

Sacral plexus, L4 - S4, innervates the leg and foot.

Having knowledge of dermatomes and myotomes can help us to differentiate different dysfunctions.

The Cervical and Brachial plexuses innervate the upper limbs and are often the cause of a pinched neck, shoulder, under arm or arm in general. The Lumbar and Sacral plexuses innervate the lower limbs and often the cause of a pinched nerve in the sacrum, the sciatic nerve and the legs or feet.

The pain may be coming from a muscle spasm or strain that's putting pressure on the nerve, so you can try relaxing your muscles. Consider these remedies for relief:

- Alternating between heat and ice on the affected area: switch between them every 20 minutes and remember to wrap the heat and ice packs in a towel before putting them on your skin.

- Take a hot shower

- One of my favorite remedies is to Lay down with a rolled up towel under your neck. First fold the towel in half, the long way, then roll the towel up tight and lay on the floor or hard surface with the towel under your neck. The back of your head should be touching the floor once the towel is under your neck. Relax here for 15- 20 minutes. Repeat this three times a day. This helps to relax the muscles around the neck and shoulder, releases pressure around the dermatomes and helps to reshape the muscle memory around the curve of the neck.

- Use a handheld massager

- Get a massage

- Although you may not feel like it, you may want to try simply keeping your body and joints moving to find relief from pinched nerve pain.

Pinched Nerve in Shoulder/Neck

A pinched nerve can result in severe pain and disability in the shoulder and upper arm. After treating the pain with moist heat, consult your physician. Exercise therapy is one of the first courses of treatment.

Shoulder Shrugs

Stand up and put both arms at your side. Shrug your shoulders up to your neck and try to rotate them toward your back before returning them to the starting position. Do 15 - 20 of these shrugs, take a 30-second break and repeat the set. Do this exercise, three times in a day.

Chin Extension

Sit in a chair and interlock your fingers behind your head. Slowly move your chin toward your chest and turn to the right at the same time that you lower your chin. Hold this position for 15 - 30 seconds, then relax and return to your original position. Repeat this same movement to the left. Do it at least five times to each side. Do this exercise, three times in a day.

Pinched Nerve in Sciatic Region

Do these exercise up to 4 times a day. They help to relieve pressure on the nerve, decrease inflammation and help to retrain the muscles area affected around the nerve.

Exercise: The Back Strengthener

Lay on the floor, stomach down. Slowly lengthen out the spine as you raise one arm and the opposite leg. Exhale as you raise up into an arch. Hold this as your take two deep breaths. Slowly release back to the floor. Inhale, as your raise up the other arm and opposite leg, exhale. Hold this arch agian for two deep breaths. Lower down. Inhale. Then raise both arms, leaving both feet on the floor. Exhale. Hold the arch as you take two deep breaths. Slowly lower down. Inhale. Raise both feet off the ground, leaving both arms on the floor. Exhale. Hold the arch for two deep breaths. Slowly lower down. Inhale. Lastly, raise both arms and both legs off the floor. Exhale. Hold this full arch for two deep breaths. Slowly lower down. Inhale. Repeat entire sequence one more time. This exercise should flow easily with the breath. (Always feel the energy pulling out in both directions from the top of the head and hands and out the bottom of the feet.) Try to arch up further each time. This amazing exercise will relieve back pain!

Exercise: Abdominal Work

Ab work can be done on a daily basis. By strengthening the abdominal wall you are helping to support the lower back. 300, 400, 500 situps are not only a waste of time but allows for that many more attempts to injure yourself. It is the quality not the quantity of sit ups that makes all the difference. SLOW and controlled is the most powerful approach. Stretching a sore back will actually enhance the healing process. One good stretch for lower back pain is to gently bring your knees up to your chest. Once there, put a little pressure on your knees. Stretch, then relax. Repeat. Stretching will help the muscle calm down sooner than just waiting for it to calm down on its own.

Exercise: Sciatic Pain

Sciatic pain is generally the result of pressure on the sciatic nerve. When an intervertebral disc presses on the nerve root as it leaves the spine it causes pain and often numbness along the route of the nerve which travels down the buttock, down the thigh and sometimes down into the lower leg. This can result in a feeling of weakness as well. This is sometimes caused by a disc prolapsed or "slipped disc". Since sciatic pain can be the result of a disc prolapsed, it is the prolapse that we need to understand. The prolapse is most often the result of a harmful habit or pattern of bending and putting stress on the spine. A herniated disc in the back, spinal stenosis and piriformis syndrome are also medical disorders that can cause sciatica.

Stretching a sore back will actually enhance the healing process. One good stretch for lower back pain is to gently bring your knees up to your chest. Once there, put a little pressure on your knees. Stretch, then relax. Repeat. Stretching will help the muscle calm down sooner than just waiting for it to calm down on its own.

A variation on this exercise is to lay on your back and gently bring one knee up to the chest. Keep the opposite leg elongated along the floor. Keep the energy of that foot moving out through the foot. Squeeze and hold the knee to the chest. You can make small circles with the knee. Pull your abs in and slowly lower the knee. Switch sides.

Stabilizing exercises are also best for strengthening the back. The most important aspect is sensing and controlling motion in the spine. Once learned, the body can eventually take over and do this without the level of concentration it takes early on.

Exercise 1.

In a standing position, cross right ankle over left knee. Now slowly bend your standing leg. Sit back in the position so you feel a stretch in the buttocks. To increase this stretch, use one hand and gently evert your foot by simple pulling the toes toward you. Keep the foot on the knee. Make sure you sit back into the buttocks in this sitting position. Switch legs.

Exercise 2.

Laying on the floor with knees bent, arms at sides, tighten abdomen and slowly raise alternate legs 3-4 inches from the floor. With the arms, lower the opposite arm over the head.

Exercise 3.

Laying on the floor with knees bent, feet on the floor, bridge upward, slowly raising the buttocks from the floor. These should all be performed with a rigid trunk. The pelvic tilt will be used to find the most comfortable position for the low back.

Exercise 4.

This same pelvic position is maintained while performing stabilizing exercises from the prone (on the stomach) position: With elbows bent and hands under the shoulders, raise one leg 2 to 3 inches from the floor. With elbows straight and arms stretched about the head, raise an arm and the opposite leg 2 to 3 inches off the floor.

Exercise variation can be done on hands and knees, raising the arms and legs only as high as can be controlled, maintaining a stable trunk and avoiding any twisting or sagging.

Raise one leg behind with the knee slightly bent and no arch in the back or neck. Raise one leg with the opposite arm with the knee slightly bent and no arch in the back or neck.

Exercise: Piriformis Syndrome

Lay on your back and gently bring one knee up to the chest. Keep the opposite leg elongated along the floor. Keep the energy of that foot moving out through the foot. Squeeze and hold the knee to the chest. You can make small circles with the knee. Pull your abs in and slowly lower the knee. Now gently stretch the knee so that it crosses your midline and hold the knee there for 15-30 seconds. Switch sides.

Acupuncture has been used in the treatment of various pain problems, including different regional myofascial pain disorders, tendonitis, joint pain and pain from nerve damage. Acupuncture has also been used for improving problems related to some internal organ functions, such as nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, sinus congestion, and diarrhea. In addition, acupuncture has been used to aid in the management of some emotional disorders. Acupuncture also has been used to help individuals maintain a sense of well-being and "balance".

Acupuncture and/or movement therapies can be combined with chiropractic manipulation for an amplified effect.

Animal studies showed that Spinal Manipulation by a chiropractor can produce a number of physical responses, such as decreased blood pressure and renal and adrenal nerve activity. It may also enhance immune function by increasing metabolic rates of certain white blood cells and increasing other substances that play a role in immune regulation and inflammation. These studies also show that spinal adjustment can reduce levels of inflammatory Prostaglandins and possibly increase levels of beta-endorphins, the natural painkillers in the body.

Chiropractic care is a cost-effective alternative to the management of neuromusculoskeletal conditions. It is also safer, increasingly accepted by the public as reflected in the growing utilization and high patient retention rates and there is much and repeated evidence that patients prefer chiropractic over other forms of care for the more common musculoskeletal conditions. The integration of chiropractic into the health care system should serve to reduce health care costs, improve accessibility to needed care, and improve health outcomes. There is an extensive body of literature demonstrating that chiropractic care for NMS disorders is effective.

Understanding the Nervous System

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) controls bodily functions not under our conscious control such as the beating of our hearts and the fluctuation of hormones. It is divided into two systems, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic.

The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) can be seen as the Yang or active energy. In a threatening situation, the sympathetic nervous system triggers the release of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol. Our heart rate increases, our brain becomes instantly conscious and aware and our digestion diverts blood to its large muscles. This is our "fight or flight" response.

The Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) can be seen as the Yin or passive energy. Once the system no longer sees a situation as a threat, the PNS decreases heart rate, relaxes blood vessels and clears metabolic waste products such as adrenaline and lactic acid. The parasympathetic system repairs and rebuilds the body after exposure to stress.

The more we are stressed, the more energy it takes our bodies to recover. This vicious cycle leads to such diseases as a weakened immune system, migraines, frequent headaches, repetitive strain injuries, backaches or peptic ulcers. The body is out of balance. It then struggles to re-balance by finding ways to slow us down. Here are some ideas for re-balancing your system and finding peace:

Acupuncture: Traditional Chinese Medicine teaches that channels of energy flowing throughout the body, may be manipulated by pressure known as acupressure or with the insertion of fine needles, called Acupuncture. By manipulating the Qi, our vital life force or energy, good health is brought into balance.

Biofeedback: Biofeedback is the innate ability to influence the automatic nervous system through the exertion of will and mind. Chances are you have used biofeedback yourself. You've used it if you have ever taken your temperature or stepped on a scale. These devices "feed back" information about your body's condition.

Energy Balancing: Energy medicine is based on the belief that the human body is composed of energy fields. When the energy is properly distributed and circulating freely, the body is healthy. Imbalances or abnormal amounts of energy are believed to indicate an excess or deficency.

Guided Imagery: The power of visualization and guided imagery is one of our most powerful gifts! A healing tool we all have with in us - the "power of the mind!"

Meditation: Meditation is a time-honored technique that can take you into infinite dimensions of consciousness. It is a simple effort that becomes effortless as we do it more and more.

Spiritual Practice: To recognize a power that is greater than our own is to recognize our Spirituality. We understand the mind/body relationship to be inspired by alignment with one's Highest Spiritual Principle and by that awareness we can choose Truth.

Yoga Therapy: Practicing yoga is associated with establishing harmony, equanimity, balance. The therapeutic aspects of yoga go beyond the physical and can transcend to spiritual.

Making and Keeping New Year's Resolutions

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

The New Year brings the opportunity for a new beginning. Although, we are lucky enough to be able to start a new, each day, some people need the turn of a New Year to find the motivation to do so.

The Top 10 Most Common New Year Resolutions include:

1. Lose weight
2. Stop smoking
3. Stick to a budget
4. Save or earn more money
5. Find a better job
6. Become more organized
7. Exercise more
8. Be more patient at work/with others
9. Eat better
10. Become a better person

Choosing a New Year's resolution is usually the easy part. Committing to your choice is another story. By the end of the second or third week, some of us even forget what our goal was! Here are ten ways to see your resolution through and achieve your goal:

1. Choose a resolution that is realistic.
2. Take your choice and follow it through on a day to day basis.
3. Reward yourself in two week or one month increments.
4. Keep a journal of your progress.
5. Get others involved or find like people working toward the same goal.
6. Keep motivated with a calendar, friends, diary, partner.
7. Be patient!
8. Be grateful that you have the opportunity to do this.
9. Find the fine line between motivation and obsession.
10. Make your goal a lifestyle change, not just a means to an end.