Exploring the Use of Acupuncture and Aromatherapy For Pain Relief

Andy Lee RN, Dipl. Ac, LAc

cupuncture

What is Acupuncture?

True definition includes:

*acupuncture proper‐employing the use of tiny hair thin needles inserted into the body

*moxabustion‐ mugwort herb used in a variety of fashions

*tui‐na‐ Chinese body ‘massage’

*nutritional and or herbal therapies

Aromatherapy

• the use of essential oils either alone or in a blend used in a variety of methods including:

*Aerosols‐ room distilled, direct inhalation, bath,plug ins

*Diluted for skin massage‐ oils,rubs

*Ingestion*‐ limited and organic only

1 Acupuncture

3000‐5000 years old depending The documented History Han dynasty‐206 on literature beginnings in anecdotes B.C.‐220A.D. China c 1000B.C.

Acupuncture history anecdotes

1920’s‐1950’2 206BC‐220AD •Needles inscribed with •Medical classics: •President Nixon discussions of medical •Yellow Emperor’s Inner •Henry Kissenger •Han dynasty‐ medical •Acupuncture banned by problems classic •James Reston theory/practice in place government •Simple quesitons •Yin/Yang, 5 phases •Mao Zedong brought •Spiritual Axis •Needle methods back TCM

1000B.C. 4th century AD 1970’s

Aromatherapy History anecdotes

• Ancient sumerians using 1500B.C. •1930’s‐Gattefosse scented herbs such as cypress •1946‐Valnet and myrhh •Papyrus listing over 850 •1978‐Belaiche botanical remedies is •1980‐1990‐Viaud and dsscovered in 1870’s Franchomme • Tisserand, Worwood

Medical 4000years ago aromatherapy

2 QI

 “Qi is the root of a human being. It is the basis of all phenomena in the universe.”

 ‐ Giovanni Maciocia

 “To live is to have Qi in every part of your body, to die is to be a body without Qi. For in order to be healthy the proper balance of Qi must be obtained, neither too much nor too little.”

 ‐ Classic Text, Nan‐ching,5th century B.C.

It’s all about the chi baby

Qi Chi Ki Prana

Organ Chi

Ancestral QI Channel QI

Nourshing Protective QI QI

3 Acupuncture –MOA’s

Autonomic Neurotransmitter Vascular Nervous System Interstitial Theory theory Theory*

Gate Control Blood Chemistry Theory* Theory

Aromatherapy ‐MOA

 Inhalation Method ‐> molecules are carried through the lining of nasal cavity from the olfactory nerves to the limbic system. This inhalation method can be the most direct method of delivery.

 Topical Method ‐> absorbed into the skin and into the bloodstream. From there the oils disperse to the specific organs and systems they work on.

Case Studies

Head, Shoulders, Knees and …….

Migraine Headaches

Acute Shoulder injury

Chronic knee pain

4 Essential Oils Used

 Peppermint

 Black pepper

 Rosemary

 Birch

 Clove or ginger

Resources

 NCCAOM‐ for licensed/certified acupuncturists in your state. Some do take insurances and WC

 Certified in aromatherapy‐



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