I’m always excited to talk about gua sha, but with cold/flu/vaccine/booster season upon us, I’m especially jazzed to share this research highlight: First, research finds that gua sha treatment upregulates heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1). HO-1 is anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and cytoprotective. In other words, gua sha boosts immune activity in the skin where it’s performed, and systemically. … Read more
Peripheral neuropathy, a type of nerve pain, occurs after injury or damage to nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. Common examples include: Research provides substantial evidence that acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for each of these types of peripheral neuropathy! Acupuncture safely manipulates opioids, cannabinoids, acetylcholine, serotonin/noradrenaline, and the activity of … Read more
Dysmenorrhea affects as many as 90% of women and can have a significant and detrimental impact on their quality of life. Cramping ranges from mild to severe and may last for a fleeting moment or several days. A 2014 review reported as many as 29% of women studied experienced severe dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea is thought … Read more
It’s never a good time to have a cold. Research has shown that acupuncture limits the progression of the common cold and is highly effective in treating the unpleasant lingering symptoms. How does acupuncture help treat the common cold? Acupuncture potentiates the cellular immune system by increasing levels of T lymphocytes (CD3, CD4, CD8), interleukins, … Read more
The study included a total of 31 randomized controlled trials. Seven of these trials were sham-controlled, and acupuncture was associated with reduced pain when compared to sham acupuncture. These findings call for additional research to identify which types of cancer pain are best treated with acupuncture, and to integrate these findings into clinical practice to … Read more
Whether mild or as part of bipolar disorder, anywhere on the spectrum, anxiety almost always pairs with a set of physical manifestations. Over time as our emotions affect our physiology and vice versa, the nervous system falls into a habit. Even if the source of anxiety disappears, the body may remember and be entrenched in … Read more
Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine provide a holistic, safe, and effective treatment for psoriasis. The following evidence-based recommendations may improve outcomes as part of a treatment plan with acupuncture and herbal medicine. Betsy Gordon Acupuncture in Portland, OR specializes in holistic dermatology, digestive, allergic, and autoimmune conditions. She provides a treatment plan which brings together … Read more
Most fungal infections of the skin respond well to over-the-counter antifungal creams or simple vinegar soaks, but sometimes they return and we have to treat them again. And again and again. If you experience recurring or chronic fungal infections, that’s frustrating and I’m sorry! You might wonder, why am I so vulnerable to this pest? … Read more
In an effort to continue provide accessible, high quality holistic health care no matter where my patients are, I have launched a new off…
