TMJ and Acupuncture

6 Feb 2017 Pain, Your Overall Health , ,

TMJ and Acupuncture

What is TMJ/TMD?

TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint.  The actual disorders associated with this joint are more appropriately termed TMD and refer to issues in the muscles and bones around the jaw.  Often patients report pain, clicking, lock jaw, headaches, and neck pain associated with TMJ dysfunction.

What causes TMJ/TMD?

The patient might have a history of clenching or grinding their teeth or inflammation in the joint itself.  This could be from an injury in the area or chronic muscle tightness in the neck that affects the jaw. Dental work can also contribute to TMJ pain.  The patient may feel jaw pain following a root canal, implant work, wisdom teeth extraction, amalgam removal etc.  Other possible issues that can contribute to or exacerbate pain in the jaw are fibromyalgia, stress, systemic imbalances, and sinus problems.

What can I do to relieve TMJ/TMD pain?Acupuncture can work wonders!

We look at patterns in the body and use needles and/or massage to open the channels and bring balance to the affected area.  Acupuncture helps to move qi and blood thereby reducing inflammation, increasing circulation and relieving pain.  Other specialists can help in conjunction with acupuncture such as chiropractors and physical therapists. We recommend seeking practitioners who look at the body as a whole to identify stress/injury patterns. Please ask for referrals if needed!

Case Study

A 48 year old male presents with TMJ pain after having several amalgams replaced by his dentist.  He was experiencing acute pain in his jaw accompanied by neck and shoulder pain, headaches, and sinus congestion. The range of motion in his jaw was limited. He had a chiropractic treatment to address the alignment and spacing in the jaw area and felt that after being adjusted, the pain remained and the range of motion had not improved. He had also tried physical therapy and diligently did the recommended stretches and strengthening exercises.  With this treatment, he felt some improvement but the issue was still unresolved.  The patient had been dealing with high levels of work-related stress for the past 6 months.

Outcome: After 6 acupuncture treatments, the TMJ pain had completely resolved and the range of motion returned to normal. The patient reported improved sleep as well!

The practitioner focused on opening circulation in the face and jaw area.  Reducing stress and rebalancing the channels was also a major component of the treatment plan.  His high levels of stress were causing an underlying holding and tightening in the body and face that was preventing the release of pain. The chiropractic treatment addressed the misalignment of the jaw. Physical therapy worked to strengthen and balance the muscles in the face area. Acupuncture addressed the stress patterns so the body was able to relax and release the tension.

written by Iris Martin

Craniopathy: relief from migraine pain, TMJ, and sinus congestion

6 Feb 2017 Women & Pregnancy, Your Overall Health , , ,

Craniopathy is used to determine and adjust misalignments of the separate cranial bones.  The cranial bones each have their own movement pattern with each breath as the CSF surges in the skull with each breath. The movement should be equal and free on both sides. One side or both sides of a particular cranial bone can be restricted due to muscle tension on the outside of the skull or due to an increase in pressure on the inside of the skull if the CSF flow is inhibited and therefore building up.

Sacro-occipital therapy (SOT) is a chiropractic technique that analyzes the body through the membranous connection of the sacrum to the occiput or skull. This membrane is called the dura. The dura has connections inside the skull, at certain points in the spine, and in the sacrum. The dura surrounds the brain and the spinal cord and holds them in the cerebral spinal fluid. This system works very closely with the respiratory system. With each breath the sacrum tilts forward just enough to create a pumping mechanism for the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). Circulation of the CSF serves an important role in flushing the brain of waste products and toxins.

Craniopathy includes craniosacral therapy but is more specific in correcting distortions in the cranial bones and in the micro movements of the cranial bones. The technique will include palpation of the cranial bones and of the palate to determine which corrections may be needed. The palate is an important part of the analysis as it relays information of the position of all the cranial bones. For this reason, it is important for all infants to have their palate felt by a certified practitioner as the infant may have a distorted pattern present due to the passage through the birth canal. The infant’s latch and suck reflex is directly affected by their palate as well.

The corrections are often performed with breaths and there are extra-oral (outside the mouth)and intra-oral (inside the mouth) techniques to make the adjustments. This technique is extremely gentle and is performed with light holds with the finger tips. Craniopathy is a branch under the Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT) which is considered a low-force technique. Practitioners certified in Craniopathy and SOT often will work in conjunction with dentists because the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) can be directly addressed with Craniopathy.

You may have cranial misalignments or asymmetries if you continue to have migraines or headaches, jaw pain, recurring sinus congestion, or low back pain or tightness that is not resolving with traditional care. Other issues that have plateaued may also be helped with cranial work.

Detox Water

6 Feb 2017 Recipes & Home Remedies

Detox Water Recipe

Detox water is water that contains ingredients that assist your bodies natural detox system making it function better. You can drink this water along with a detox or throughout the year to aid your body on a daily basis.

Water infused water bottles can make it easier to do more regularly but are not necessary. Here is a link to one type of bottle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L36V3FG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00L36V3FG&linkCode=as2&tag=lwbe-28-20&linkId=A55GOESK42QJJIQF

Infuser Pitcher:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0023UL86A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0023UL86A&linkCode=as2&tag=lwbe-28-20&linkId=7BWKEKDHMLYBCUE3

This Recipe based on a 2qt pitcher or bottle.

Cucumber Metabolism Booster
½ gallon purified water
½ lemon, sliced
½ lime, sliced
½ grapefruit, sliced
1 cup cucumber, sliced

Ginger Energy Detox
1 inch Ginger Root, peeled and sliced
1 cup Frozen Mango- fresh is fine too

Place either in bottom of pitcher or a water diffuser covered with ice and place in the fridge 1-hour minimum before consuming. Can refill up to 2 times before the water will lose its flavor.

Holiday Spiced Nuts,  “the easy way”

5 Dec 2016 Recipes & Home Remedies ,
  • 1 cup untoasted walnut halves
  • 1 cup untoasted pecan halves
  • 1 cup unsalted, dry roasted almonds
  • 1 cup unsalted, dry roasted cashews
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 Tablespoon Butter or substitute

Pre-heat Oven to 350 Degrees.  Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.

Combine all the nuts in a bowl.  Add pepper, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt and toss to coat.

Heat sugar, water and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until butter is melted.  Cook for 1 minute and remove from heat.  Slowly pour butter over nuts and spices and mix.

Transfer nut mix to baking sheet and spread out.  Bake the nuts for 10 minutes and stir till the mixture clings to the nuts.  Bake until nuts are sticky and roasted about 6 minutes.  Allow to cool before serving.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

5 Dec 2016 Your Overall Health , ,

As the seasons change and the weather gets colder, do you feel yourself getting glum?  The days are shorter, and we don’t see much sunlight after work hours as the sun sets earlier.  If you are among the 10-20% of people who suffer from some seasonal depression, there are things you can do to combat these shifts.

Get acupuncture

Acupuncture is extremely effective at treating many forms of depression.  There are many points to help calm the spirit which is helpful in easing anxiety as well.  Depression is different for everyone so the treatment is tailored to each patient’s specific needs and manifestations.  Some common depression-related issues we treat are insomnia, overthinking, lack of energy and/or motivation, and changes in appetite.  You can feel better and acupuncture can help you get there.

Take herbs

We have several herbal formulas that can help to get you over the hump of these seasonal changes.  Herbs can be extremely helpful for those who feel they just need an extra boost as well as for those suffering from more severe depression.  We offer herbal consultations for those interested in herbs but not acupuncture.

Take supplements

Some supplements we recommend for depression are:

Vitamin D–When the weather shifts and we aren’t getting it from the sun, taking it orally can do just the trick.

Fish oil–This is helpful in boosting our brain chemistry and making sure nerve signals are transmitting as they should.

B-complex vitamins–B3, and B6 help boost serotonin and B12 helps to boost dopamine and norepinephrine.If you are feeling down, it is important to share it with people you care about and your health care providers so that you have the support you need to feel better.  We are here to help you feel your best!

Natural Digestion Aids for your Gut

5 Dec 2016 Tips & Tricks, Women & Pregnancy, Your Overall Health , ,

So the holidays are coming or your neighbors annual BBQ is around the corner, but all of these events just give you heartburn, gas, constipation or diarrhea.  This may be a sign that you have some food allergies, our gut needs to heal from something, or it may be as simple as needing some digestive assistance.  Here are our quick and easy digestive help aids. Remember if these aren’t the answer, talking to one of our doctors may be a better long-term solution.

  • Heartburn – Marshmallow tea or Slippery Elm powder (powder’s are nice since they heal mouth the stomach)
  •  Slow Digestion – Digestive enzymes (amylase, lipase, proteases)- help break down items like steak or holiday goodies
  •  Tummy ache – papaya enzymes or activated charcoal
  •  Diarrhea – Probiotics 50 Billion, Glutamine Powder
  •  Constipation – Probiotics 25 Billion, Yellow aloe

Gut Brain Axis

5 Dec 2016 Your Overall Health

We have long since discovered the brain to be the master control center of of the body and its organ systems. More recently we have begun to understand that the body has a “second brain” via the vast network of neurons in the gut known as the enteric nervous system. The number of neurons in our gut equals that in our spinal cord which we suspect is so vast for the purpose of regulating the trillions of microbes that reside there.

Though it seems some people still want to believe that what we eat doesn’t have a big impact on health, there is plenty of research to suggest otherwise. For example, our diet and gut health directly impacts our mood because ninety percent of the serotonin in our system is made in the gut. Serotonin keeps our mood balanced and a deficiency leads to depression. In turn, neurotransmitters including serotonin are key regulators in gut function.

The brain is still the master controller of the body and it communicates with the gut via neurons, neurotransmitters and hormones. We would have to further discuss each one of these pathways to see all the ways our digestion can be affected. Digestion is so much more than eating and having a bowel movement. It determines the health and integrity of our tissues and if structure is negatively impacted then so will function.

Let’s see what poor function means for the two systems in question. Some indications of poor brain function are poor memory, inability to find words, and difficulty learning new things. Indications of poor digestive function are difficulty digesting food, constant episodes of bloating and gas, alternating constipation, etc.

The first thing we can do to directly impact and help our gut’s micro biome is to take probiotics. If there has been no significant change after a course of probiotics, it would be wise to do an anti-inflammatory diet or a blood test to rule out any food intolerances that would be causing inflammation and an adverse environment in the gut. We can also rule out vagal nerve involvement by doing a few tests in the office. Let’s discuss the vagus nerve more and give it its due reverence.

The vagus nerve is the direct nerve pathway by which the brain communicates with the gut but it also innervates the heart, lungs, throat and facial muscles. The vagus nerve is responsible for calming down the organs after stress or a period of the fight or flight response. The better your vagus nerve is working, the more quickly your body can be calm again and resume its healthy and regular activities. If the vagus nerve is functioning sub optimally and one of its organs, such as the gut, is compromised we can prescribe exercises that would bring it back into full gear. The vagus nerve can also be kick started with coffee enemas.

Here is the take-home message: If your brain or gut function is not working at the level you want it to, you can take steps now to begin to address that. We can help.

Cupping Technique

26 Sep 2016 Your Overall Health ,

Cupping has gotten a lot of press lately, especially after the Olympics.  Many athletes were pictured with large, unsightly round bruises on various parts of their bodies and the benefits of cupping were widely discussed.  So here are the basics.

What is cupping?

Cupping is an ancient Chinese practice used to relieve many ailments.  Today it is most commonly used for muscle aches and pains, though it can also be used for chest colds, skin conditions, arthritis and more. Cups are placed in specific areas on the body and suctioned tightly to the skin.

What does cupping do?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine most cases of pain are diagnosed as qi and blood stagnation.  The reason for the stagnation depends on the patient but common causes are repetitive use of muscles, scar tissue, and inflammation/injury. A healthy body is one in which the qi and blood moves freely and without obstruction.  When muscles knot or enflame or when scar tissue blocks one or more channels, the qi and blood cannot move as it should and this causes pain.  By cupping the afflicted area, the stagnation of blood and qi rises to the surface of the skin and out of the damaged tissues helping to release tension and promote blood flow.

Does it hurt?

You might feel a tightness or a pulling sensation during the treatment and the circles that result may be a little tender for a day or two.  Generally, people feel much better following a treatment.

How long do the circles last?

It depends on the patient.  It is like a bruise.  So, expect it to take as long as a bruise would take to heal.

Is it safe?  Are there side effects?

Cupping is very safe. It is important to have the treatment performed by a licensed practitioner so that proper application is used. Side effects include mild discomfort and bruising.  Blistering can occur if the cups are too tight or are left for too long. This is uncommon though.

Thank you to all the athletes who wore the (temporary) brand of our medicine!

Essential Oils

26 Sep 2016 Healthy Child, Women & Pregnancy ,

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years but are recently a popular natural healing choice for many families. The most common ways they are used is aromatic diffusion, as a topical application, and a dietary consumption.

These methods can help achieve a healthy balance in the body and aid in healing. The following are the essential oils that help us achieve a better state of mind.

Happiness Orange, Rose, Jasmine, Ginger, Cloves, Cinnamon, Geranium
Joy Sandalwood, Frankincense, Lemon, Petitgrain, Orange, Bergamot
Peace Chamomile Roman, Neroli, Juniper, Frankincense, Melissa, Yarrow
Positive Basil, Lemon, Grapefruit, Myrrh, Patchouli, Geranium, Frankincense
Restfulness Lavender, Geranium, Clary sage, Neroli, Sandalwood
Creativity Bergamot, Lemon, Frankincense, Neroli, Rose, Jasmine, Cloves
Contentment Cypress, Lavender, Bergamot, Orange, Sandalwood, Clove, Ylang-Ylang
Alertness Basil, Bergamot, Black Pepper, Grapefruit, Peppermint, Rosemary

There is an overlap for many of the oils. Nature gives us positive side effects rather than negative side effects. Whole Foods has a few choices of Essential oils.

When beginning to combine the oils, do only 2 oils together at a time and work up to a max of 5 oils to create the best blends for you and your family.

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) Milkshake

26 Sep 2016 Recipes & Home Remedies

Dr. Walker Loves Her PSL…
Author: Megan from a Dash of Megnut
http://www.adashofmegnut.com/vegan-pumpkin-spice-latte-milkshake/

Prep time:  5 mins
Total time:  5 mins

Serves: 2 servings

INGREDIENTS
2 cups sugar-free vegan ice cream such as So Delicious (or other favorite ice cream)
1 cup pumpkin puree
½ cup – 1 cup brewed coffee, chilled
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice*
½ Tbsp – 1 tbsp maple syrup
½ tsp vanilla
whipped coconut cream, to top

Add all ingredients to the blender. Process until smooth.
Add additional coffee if needed to thin out the milkshake or additional maple syrup to taste.
Top with whipped coconut cream if desired.

*If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, you can make my homemade version:
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp allspice
pinch of cloves

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