Published on August 19, 2022

Is there a need to ask if there are people who do not want a very clear? The truth is you can improve your vision without glasses, it all depends on your determination to comply with specific instructions. Actually, nothing too difficult about achieving a better vision without surgery or spend all that you have with contact lenses. However, achieving a better insight is not just about reading the article and listens to good speeches about your views; in fact it’s all about time-consuming process of self-determination and discipline. All you need to reach it is described in this article.

The secret to healthy vision is all about regular exercise. Not many people understand the important role of relaxation training and play in keeping our sights on better form. Many people take their phones and schedule meetings with their eye doctor after they began to feel funny about their attractions. Doctors are our friends, especially when it comes to health issues, but what about taking a break from work to rest our eyes for a while? Regular exercise will not be limited in other parts of the human body; we must exercise the muscles around the eyes always. As a matter of fact, it helps reduce the aging process.

While we celebrate and salute the brains behind the manufacture of computers and TV systems, we can not point to the fact that they cause much damage to our vision. Stay glued to your computer all day and all night weaken and cause a lot of strain on the eyes, so you’re still complaining of migraine and persistent headache. The solution lies in regular exercise, and regular intake of essential nutrients and vitamins.

One of the early sings of poor vision is blurred vision. This can be corrected through a series of exercises to improve your vision without glasses. There are different exercises that can help you achieve your goals. Bates Method which was introduced more than 100 years ago remains one of the bests. This method is based on a series of relaxation techniques and eye exercises to improve vision.

Expenditures that you need in terms of operating revenue at risk and contact lenses can not produce the expected results at the end of the day. Although not all special vision problems can be repaired or remedied through training and aware of the possibility of achieving a better vision without artificial means.

If you are looking for more tips about healthy vision, check out Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region now!

Published on July 26, 2022

Laser eye surgery refers to corrective surgical procedures currently used to treat a variety of visual disturbances. Better known as refractive surgery, vision correction procedures have undergone a very significant progress from its humble beginnings as radial keratotomy, or RK. RK began to be used in the early 60s in Japan and although it seems quite promising but not as expected. This procedure has many steps, including an experiment by a Russian ophthalmologist Fyodoroy to be done in the United States in 1978. Currently the operation has grown a variety of options to reduce dependence mat people of eyeglasses and lenses. In most cases, more patients opt to undergo laser vision correction surgery for cosmetic purposes.

Laser vision surgery is very useful for people who suffer from myopia or nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism of hyperopia. If you have myopia as a fuzzy object in the distance, but close objects clearly. Farsightedness is the opposite. It’s when objects appear blurry while close objects from a distance seemed so obvious. In hyperopia, the eye is too short to focus properly, thus causing the blurriness. Finally, astigmatism is when objects appear distorted or skewed because the surface of the eye is misshaped. The Eye has several focal points that cause the image curve. Laser surgery is not suitable for presbyopia or they are not able to see objects up close. Older people or those aged 40-45 years, usually become victims of this disorder. Another factor to consider when undergoing laser vision surgery is a specific medical condition and other eye diseases.

Laser vision surgery has come for cope with patients with these disorders. Options now include keratotomy or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ Keratomileusis Lasik. PRK reshapes the cornea using a laser to remove small tissue size of the base rate or the corneal stroma. A sophisticated computer system to track eye position up to 4000 times per second. In Lasik, a flap permanently formed in the underlying layers of the cornea.

Many people prefer Lasik than PRK because the procedure is not painful and recovery time is much less. However, there are some circumstances where PRK is the treatment of choice. This is important, therefore, undergo a thorough examination of the patient and thorough consultations with eye specialists to determine the most appropriate procedure to individual needs.

Published on July 14, 2022

God has blessed man with countless blessings. Some of them are being used all the time and people even do not realize the importance of that and never been thankful to God for this. But due to any incident or with the passage of time they lose it or may lose its efficiency only then they realize that their whole life depends on this and without it they can do nothing. One of these blessing is eye sight. If somebody lost his eye or lessens the eyesight then he becomes dependable on the artificial sources like spectacles or glasses. The modern way of artificially improving nearsighted eye vision, is contact lenses. But do you know the fact that these glasses and contact lenses are really harmful for the eyes.

On the other hand the economic factor also involves in it as the best quality glasses and lenses are really very expensive that a person cannot afford it easily. In order to Improving nearsighted eye vision, are there only the temporary and artificial methods available? No, because this period of time is blessed enough with the new technologies or techniques and at the same time researches that we can avoid such things and can improve eye sight by natural ways. Have you ever notice that the people live in countryside and the tribal peoples never wear the glasses.

The discovery channel show the programs on these people who live their lives on hunting, have you ever seen them in glasses? No. If no it’s mean they do not have Improving nearsighted eye vision. What the reason then? Answer is nature is the reason. They live a very natural life that’s why they about 0% ratio of this problem.

If you really want to get rid of glasses and contact lenses then there are 5 tips for improving nearsighted eye vision. By practicing these you can really see the change and 100% improvement. First of all see and closely observe your vision habits. Most of the time we lose our God gifted things because of our bad habits. Some of the people feel relax when the watch the TV in lying position, this is not only a bad habit but a worst thing for all of your physical health.

It leave a very worst effect on your eye sight and if your habitual of it and doing this practice from a long period of time then you must have a nearsighted eye vision problem. So first of all give up such king of bad habits. Always watch TV in proper recommended posture. Proper sitting position and a distance of at least 8 to 10 feet from the TV is the good one.

Do not do any kind of work in low light as it will create a stress on the eyes. Do some eye movements and exercise when get up for Improving nearsighted eye vision? Have a regular check up from your doctor. Always follow the direction of your doctor.

If you are looking for more tips about improving your eye vision, check out Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region now!

Published on June 29, 2022

You are easily able to see the people wearing nearsighted glasses to overcome the problem. During the myopia problem, the use of glasses on permanent basis is not good for your eyes. Besides, the use of glasses, people have to take the other remedial measures for removal of problem. Most of the people prefer to buy nearsighted glasses and willing to overcome the problem with the help of glasses. Some time they are reluctant to use the other remedial measures due to the cost factor but they have to analyze the expenses to buy nearsighted glasses as well as effects of it on your health.

Buy nearsighted glasses- a problematic expense

When people are intending to use the glasses as compared to the permanent cure of the problem, that option is not good for their long term eye health. In most of the situations, buy nearsighted glasses is not simple process and you have to face the problems due to non designing of it according to your desirability. Expert people in the field have recommended using the other permanent remedies besides going to buy nearsighted glasses during the problem. People can easily to avoid the use of the glasses with the help of natural exercise without facing tension in shape of money as well as of physical natural.

Buy nearsighted glasses- not good for your natural beauty

People are always keen to look beautiful and the use of the nearsighted glasses is a problem for the beauty conscious people. They are facing the problem in multiple directions that is in shape of money to buy nearsighted glasses and in shape of beauty related problems. These people have recommended using the technique of natural exercise which has no negative impact on their health. Further, they are also able to cure the problem on permanent basis. Through this way people can save their face beauties as well as they are also able to save required to buy nearsighted glasses. It is just a matter of knowledge which you can easily be able to get from the source.

Buy nearsighted glasses- avoidable through exercise process

When people are making themselves able to take the facilitation during their eye related problems, they have no worry about the expenses incurred to buy nearsighted glasses and other such type of expenses. To buy nearsighted glasses is really an ignorable happening with the help of exercises.

• Not good for your face beauty
• Permanent use is not acceptable
• Complication with the use of it
• Avoidable through exercises
• Not an attractive choice

If you are looking for more eye care tips, visit Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region now!

Published on June 08, 2022

Eyelid surgery is also called as Blepharoplasty. When the eyes become tired easily or if we feel like we are carrying bags in the eyes, then we can consider doing a eyelid surgery. Eyelid Surgery helps in reducing the bagginess from the lower eyelids and removes excess skin from the upper Eyelid. This procedure involves reduction of excess muscle, fatty tissues and excess skins. While it is a cosmetic surgery, Blepharoplasty is an effective way of improving the vision for older people. As the eyelid drops due to gravity and that interrupts their vision.

Normally eyelid skin loses its elasticity as the aging increases. As a result of less elasticity the thickness of the skin on upper and the lower eyelids increases. Excess skin on the lower lid causes wrinkles.

Upper lid becomes bulgy and creates an extra fold which hangs due to gravity and obstructs the vision. So this triggers Eyelid Surgery. There are no any age criteria, but in general the eyelid becomes bulgy for the aged people.

But if that happens due to genetic, it's better to consider an eye lid surgery. Most of the people who undergo this eye lid surgery will be above 35 years. Eye lid surgery helps in enhancing the physical appearance of the face and builds confidence. Hardly people can find out that you have undergone eye lid surgery.

Eye lid surgery will not alter your facial appearance. Think about how the face will look like before undergoing the eye lid surgery and discuss it with the surgeon.

Cost - Dependents and Independents!

Generally like any other surgery, we cannot determine cost of the eyelid surgery. It differs from place to place. Cost depends up on the cost of living in that particular location. Many eyelid surgeons attend cosmetic eyelid surgery or eyelid plastic surgery financial planning which helps the patient covers the cost of eyelid surgery. Once you have decided to take up an eyelid surgery, it is important to choose an experienced practitioner. He will then help you to decide on the cost of eyelid surgery.

In US, Los Angeles eyelid surgery is very familiar than any other states. In Los Angeles Eyelid surgery is less expensive when compared to any other place because of the number of people who undergo is high. And moreover, there are many hospitals that provide affordable low cost eyelid surgery with modern equipments

Eyelid surgery - Different Types, Different Practices

Different types are Upper eyelid surgery, Lower eyelid surgery, double eyelid surgery and Asian eyelid surgery. Cosmetic eyelid surgery will be performed using the common laser techniques. These laser techniques are applied either on lower eyelid surgery or upper eyelid surgery. In case of Upper eyelid surgery, the upper lid will be lifted and perform excess skin removal. While doing the lower eyelid surgery both depository of fats and excess skin is removed.

Both the eyelid surgeries make the face looks better and beautiful than before. Eyelid Plastic surgery is more famous in East Asia .Here more than 50% of the people will have less skin growth in their eyelids. They undergo eyelid plastic surgery to make the eyes look beautiful. In case of double eyelid surgery, both the eyelids are operated using cosmetic eyelid surgery methods.

Eyelid surgery recovery - A great remedial tool

Eyelid surgery recovery is comparatively easy when compared to any other surgeries. Most important thing is to follow the instructions instructed by the surgeon. Normally ointments and bandages are applied for protection. It is very important not to go outside on a sunny day after the eyelid surgery. There are many eye care centers that have specialists and visiting doctors who perform regular low cost eyelid surgery every now and then.

Consult an ophthalmologist first if you are planning to undergo eyelid surgery. Check out Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region to check your eye.

Published on May 28, 2022

In our daily life, we all know how important exercise is for a human body. It is not only the healthiest part of human's life but also plays one of the vital parts with regards to human health. So, we keep our body healthy with the daily exercise which includes swimming, jogging, brisk walking, running etc. Likewise, we also need to have a close watch on the health of your eye as well.

Eyes exercise is not only very important in maintaining healthy eyes, but also facilitates for a better vision as well. There are many advantages with eye exercises and most of the advantages are useful in quick relaxation of eyes helping for a better vision and healthier eyes.

Here are some of the tips and eye exercises that can be followed for maintaining healthy eyes. Have your eyes exercise daily.

Tips and Directions for a better eye exercise. One of the simplest eye exercises that give much relief are to just close eyes tightly for 5 seconds and open for 5 seconds. If this is further followed and repeated several times, the results would be fruitful

• Massaging your eyes lightly in a circular motion for a couple of minutes will also give a better relaxation.
• Rolling your eyes in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction blinking in between is also one of the worked tips.
• Looking through a blank wall and pretending to write with your eyes is also considered to be one of the successful vision eye exercises and is really fun to practice as well.Fun, Effective and UltimateThere are wonderful vision eye exercises available in the form of games that are not only effective in improving the eyesight, but also help for a better vision. Since these games being 3D, they also help the eyes in concentrating each and every object keenly to help for a better eye exercise.

One of the most famous eye exercises are the Chinese eye exercises and the reason why these are proved to be famous and effective is the fact that these exercises are based on acupressure technique. Regular practice of these exercises reduced eye disorders and defects as well. In china, one of the reasons for defect in eyesight is considered non-functioning of the liver. So in order to better the eyesight, the concentration is more on gradual improvement of liver function.

Most of the Chinese eye exercises do include yoga and meditation and reflexology. Following the vital Chinese eye exercises will keep you away from wearing spectacles, contact lenses as there is no point in wasting time and money on those expensive spectacles. Rubbing the eyelids and moving the eyes left to right, top to bottom, diagonally are some of the greatest Chinese eye exercises tips that are wonderfully effective and is a great medicine as well.Help and Tips by all meansThe best way to get information on these different vision eye exercises are by many ways. With the enhanced and advanced technology now-a-days, everything is available over the internet and so are some online eye exercises as well.

These exercises include great tips on eyesight, better vision improvement and many more tips. Also there are some great online eye exercises which also help to improve the blood flow and flow of oxygen to the eyes as well. These are healthy vision exercises that help to improve your eyesight in a much healthier way.

So what we can infer from the above article is that there are better ways to and great vision exercises which are really effective and help you to improve your eyesight with some great tips and exercises.

If you are looking for more tips about eye care exercise, check out Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region now!

Published on May 04, 2022

Eye problems conjunctivitis, there are two main types of this eye problem , often referred to as Pink Eye.

What is Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is an eye problem in which the conjunctiva, which is the mucous membrane that covers the eyelid and the white part of both eyes, becomes inflamed.

There are two main types of Conjunctivitis, or pink eye as it is more commonly referred to. The first results from a bacterial or viral infection and the other results from an allergic reaction.

The infective form of Conjunctivitis, if it's caused by bacteria, is highly contagious with the hands being the primary vehicle for transmission. Conjunctivitis that results from an allergic reaction is typically a seasonal condition as are most allergies.

Conjunctivitis can also result when a person is sensitive to certain facial products and cosmetics. This latter form is sometimes referred to as irritant Conjunctivitis. Allergic and irritant Conjunctivitis are not contagious.

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

The symptoms of the infective form of Conjunctivitis include discharge that is watery or sticky, eyes that water and feel gritty, and eyes that feel as if they have been glued together upon waking. Mild soreness is sometimes a symptom. The part of the eye that is normally white will also become red or pink, which is why Conjunctivitis has earned the nickname 'pink eye'. Because Conjunctivitis often develops along with a common cold, a person may also have symptoms of a cold including runny nose, mild fever and a sore throat.

With the allergic form of Conjunctivitis, eyes are itchy and the eyelids may appear puffy. There may also be a discharge from the eyes that appears white or watery or ropey.

Who is at risk?

Anyone is at risk of getting Conjunctivitis. Because it can be contagious, a person with Conjunctivitis needs to take measures not to spread it. It's difficult because it is normal to rub the infected eye as a way of providing temporary relief. However, if hands are not washed afterwards and the cause is bacterial, the bacteria can be transferred to another individual by coming into contact with the infected hands.

People who have a history of allergies, particularly hay fever, are at increased risk of developing the allergic form of conjunctivitis.

Early detection/treatment

Infective Conjunctivitis with its notable pink eye often will accompany a common cold making this eye problem rather easy to identify. Likewise a person with known allergies knows whether or not he has allergic Conjunctivitis.

Treatment for infective Conjunctivitis that is caused by bacteria includes the application of antibiotic ointment or antibiotic drops. If it is caused by a virus, typically the condition is left to heal on its own, much like a cold. Generally however, it is difficult to determine whether infective Conjunctivitis has resulted from bacteria or a virus so oftentimes, no treatment is prescribed.

In either case it is important to wash hands after coming into contact with the infected eyes using warm water and soap. Those with infective Conjunctivitis should not share their towels or pillows with others. Also when Conjunctivitis is present, contact lenses should not be worn until it has cleared.

If you are having eye problems, consult an ophthalmologist now!

Published on April 26, 2022

The vast majority of women that wear contact lenses also wear make up at least some of the time.

You can safely wear both contacts and make-up but it is important to keep a few basic usage tips in mind. It is also important to routinely clean your contact lenses as recommended by the manufacturer since tiny amounts of make-up can become stuck to the contact, leading to greater risk of bacteria problems or eye irritations.

Contact lenses and make up : prevent eye issues

One of the eye issues with both using make-up and wearing contact lenses is to make sure your hands are clean and dry before handling either contacts or make-up.

This helps to prevent any bacterial or viral contamination and also reduces the chance that small pieces of dust or debris may come into contact with the eye at any time. Wash your hands with non-perfumed soap and rinse thoroughly before drying.

Any type of hand lotion or cream should be applied after you have handled your contacts, never before. If you have lotion on your fingers or hands it can form a thin film on the contact's surface that will cause vision problems. In addition the perfume or ingredients in the lotion or cream may also trigger allergic reactions in the eye that can possibly lead to keratitis.

Always clean and rinse your contacts or remove from the sterile packaging and place in the eye before applying your make-up. This prevents any contamination of the lenses with make-up residue that may be on your fingers.

It also helps to prevent any possibility that the contact may touch eyelashes or skin that already has make-up on. Having your contacts in prior to applying make-up is also beneficial since you can keep your eyes closed to protect the surface of the contact as well as they eye itself.

Contact lenses and make up : selecting the right make up

When selecting make-up it is also important to try to choose brands and types that are hypoallergenic, particularly any type of eye make-up. This will help reduce the risk of eye irritation when wearing contacts if there is any chance of an allergic reaction to the eye make-up. Most commonly this is an issue with eyeliner, mascara and eye shadow, particularly powdered or pressed forms that are applied with a brush. This make-up is so fine it can easily drift into the eye on application.

Keep your eye completely closed during application and use a clean brush or a cotton ball to remove any excess powder before opening the eye. Using eye liner on the inside or top edges of the lower eyelids is not recommended as this puts the make-up in direct contact with the contact and the cornea.

Contact lenses and make up : Hygiene routine

Always follow a hygiene routine with your eye make-up brushes and products. Wash all brushes with soap and rinse well and allow to air dry once a week. Avoid using older brushes and discard any brushes that are shedding bristles.

In addition check the usage on all mascara and eyeliner, the liquid products, and replace with new items every three months. This will reduce the chance of bacteria developing within the tubes that can lead to increased risk of eye infections.

If you are looking for more tips on how to prevent eye problems, check out Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region now!

Published on April 13, 2022

Laser eye surgery is in existence for over 23 years. Around the world, more than 36,000,000 surgeries have been accomplished successfully. Till date, it is one of the most promising eye surgeries which have provided vision to many. You would be quite surprised to know that people from all walks of life go for this wonderful surgical technique to improve their vision. The surgery is much safer than the use of contact lenses. The surgery is performed on the cornea present in eye. As cornea is highly delicate, the laser beams are used to adjust it in a way that vision gets improved.

On the successful completion of laser eye surgery, the cornea is rearranged in a way to improve vision. However, if you are really scared with even the thought of surgery on your eyes, then do not worry. You would be happy to know that numbing lotion is applied to the eye so that you don’t feel anything during the operation. During the surgery, the patient is leaned back in a reclining position. The eye surgeon places an eyelid holder on eyes, so that the eye does not blink during the surgery. The laser carves the corneal tissue in a way so that your vision could improve. Laser eye correction has been highly successful and has rendered a better life to many. Patients are recommended to take naps so that the eye could get rest. A patient can lead a normal life after the completion of surgery and can easily drive, walk and enjoy the normal routine.

However, after the completion of laser eye surgery, doctors recommend the patients to wear a transparent shield above the eye while sleeping to avoid accident application of too much pressure on eye. Your eye would take a few days to heal as in cataract surgery. In most of the cases, patients achieve a 20/20 vision after undergoing surgery. However, in people having dry eyes, the improvement rate of eye is lesser. It is advised to meet the eye surgeon beforehand to discuss all the pros and corns of the surgery. You can meet the surgeon if you have large pupils, thin corneas and poor vision so that you could benefit from his advice. Another important consideration before going for the surgery is your age. The surgery is not right for individuals who are less than 21 years old as the eyes are still growing at that age.

After the completion of laser eye surgery, it is advised to take care for a period of at least three months. External pressure can be very harmful to the treated eye therefore doctors suggest the patients to use a transparent shield on eyes while sleeping. In case, you are experiencing symptoms like irritation caused due to dry eyes, do not worry. This can be easily treated by using eye drops recommended by the surgeon. Discuss about all the precautions which must be taken by you with your surgeon. Have improved vision with the help of laser surgery!

If you are looking for more information about eye surgery, check Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region now!

Published on April 05, 2022

Proper prosthetic eye care is need to protect your eyes from further damages and to make sure that the artificial eye will last longer. Most wearers especially those first timers are not aware on the physical presence of the eye and when it needs special care such as removing, cleaning, polishing and applying the lubricant.

Before anything else, you should first learn the proper way on how to remove your prosthetic eye. To avoid further incident, cover your lavatory with towel so in case you accidentally drop the eye, it won’t break. Using your clean hands, face the mirror and tilt your head downward and rotate the prosthesis by looking at your eye in the mirror. The artificial eye will slide out by itself or you can pull it gently. After removing, rinse the eye with warm water. Avoid too much handling pressure and be careful not to drop it.

The most important prosthetic eye care is knowing how to clean it. As time goes by, your eye surface collects debris and protein and cleaning will help you have a healthy socket. Cleaning is usually done in two to three weeks or as soon as when it is needed. With your clean hands, rinse your artificial eye with ward water. Softly scrub it with your fingers to make sure that all debris will be removed. You can use soap or shampoo and dry it with soft tissue. While, eyelashes and eyelids can be cleaned without removing the prosthetics and you can use a wet tissue. You may apply lubricants or eye drops as much as you need it when you feel dryness, difficulty in blinking and irritation. Air-conditioning, dust, weather wind and allergies might affect the eye and cause to evaporate the moisture.

Polishing is done to remove proteins, bacteria and scratches and restore the natural look. It is done by ocularist every six months to make sure that it is still giving comfort to wearer and to avoid itchy and irritated lids. If incase the artificial eye is giving too much discomfort, infections or droopiness, then you should consider replacing it. But since surface of the prosthetic eye breaks down while the socket changes the shape that affects the comfort, and appearance, replacing should be done in every five years but still depends on how you take care of your eye.

Before wearing prosthetic eye, you should be aware on how to take care of it. Again, always clean your hands first before handling your artificial eye. Check the place and make sure that there are no things that might damage it in case you accidentally dropped it or lost it. Avoid too much handling as it can cause excess drainage, irritation. Remove your eye if and only if it is instructed by the ocularist. You can also wear eye glass to protect both of your natural and artificial eye from debris. In cleaning, never use alcohol, solvent or hand sanitizer, warm water is enough.

You can learn more tips about eye care in in Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region, so visit us now!

Published on March 29, 2022

LASIK - A now common procedure

One of the first things that springs to mind when considering corrective eye surgery is the term, "LASIK". An acronym for "laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis," this rather common procedure is used to correct certain vision problems through refractive surgery.

Since its debut in the 1980s, there have been conflicting stories about what LASIK entails and whether or not it's truly successful.

Laser eye surgery is typically used for those who suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Until the advent of LASIK, eyeglasses and contacts were used to treat these issues, but only served as aids to vision rather than corrections.

Those who have undergone a successful laser eye surgery procedure should find that their need for such aids are extremely diminished or eliminated altogether.

Reshaping your eyes

Technically speaking, LASIK eye surgery reshapes the cornea from within the eye itself using laser to accomplish the task.

If, for instance, your cornea is not shaped correctly to fit the dimensions of your eye, this procedure may be effective. By utilizing laser to extract bits of tissue from the cornea in order to reshape it, the refractive error can be corrected and the visual images will then be focused directly onto the retina, which may eliminate the need for aids such as eyeglasses and contact lenses.

After a thorough eye examination, you'll be expected to choose a doctor to perform the LASIK eye surgery. Once this has been done, you'll be scheduled for a consultation with the doctor to discuss the process, and you'll have the opportunity to voice whatever questions or concerns that you may have prior to the procedure.

Don't wear your glasses for up to a month before the op'

You should expect to be instructed not to wear your glasses or contact lenses for two to four weeks prior to your surgery, in order for the cornea to return to its natural shape, without interference from external visual aids.

When an individual wears contact lenses, for instance, the shape of the cornea is changed, so it's important to remove these and leave them out for up to a month before surgery.

In addition, your doctor will instruct you not to apply any lotions, creams, make-up or other products around the area of the eyes for awhile prior to the procedure.

On the day of your LASIK eye surgery, you'll receive anesthetic drops in each eye in order to eliminate pain. You'll then be placed on a table which is positioned underneath the laser equipment, and the doctor will instruct you to look up at a small blinking light.

During your laser surgery, a special instrument will be utilized to hold your eye open, allowing the doctor to perform the LASIK surgery, while the other eye is protected by a shield. With a couple of hours you'll be on your way home.

After making a small incision, the doctor will then expose the cornea, and apply the laser technology that's needed to reshape and repair the eye. Once accomplished, the flap that was cut open to expose the cornea will be put back into position and will heal on its own, without the need for stitches. An hour or two after the surgery is completed, you'll be allowed to go home.

Depending upon the individual, the amount of corrective treatment that was administered and the quickness of the healing process, what can be expected after surgery will vary from person to person.

Speak with your physician regarding recovery expectations before and after the surgery and follow any instructions that are given, in order to ensure a successful LASIK eye surgery experience.

If you are looking for an ophthalmologist, check us out now!

Published on March 25, 2022

A few side effects can be encountered during laser eye surgery. These side effects can be classed as temporary or permanent. It hinges on an individual’s ability to heal and the ability of their eyes to handle the surgical operation. Certain side effects can be overcome, but others cannot. The following list highlights the most frequent side effects and the possibility of them becoming permanent.

• Viewing a halo – In this common side effect through laser eye surgery, the patient views everything with a shadow or halo around it. Generally, this phenomenon will last only a few weeks. This situation, although irritating, can be tolerated with most activities until it disappears. If, however, it persists for more than two weeks, then the operating surgeon should be approached to ensure no other problems exist that may be causing the halo effect.

• Infected eyes – Improper hygiene in the operating theatre can lead to some patients contracting eye infections. Although a rarity, affected patients do notice a longer healing process is encountered. There are occasions when antibiotics are required to help in speeding up the healing process.

• Incorrect correction – On rare occasions a wrong prescription can be used by the physician with drastic results. Precautionary measures by operating surgeons are usually in place to offset this situation, though. Sometimes wearing prescription glasses will correct a problem, while other patients may require further surgery to overcome the incorrect procedure.

• Dry eyes – Besides being a side effect, this is also a risk being taken. For some patients, though, dry eyes are a temporary situation, with the natural eye moisture returning within a few weeks. The eyes may not be able to sustain its own moisture for a while, but eye drops can be used until such time as the eyes can create their own moisture.

This lists the side effects commonly encountered during laser eye surgery. Although many of these occurrences are rare, it is well to note them in readiness for when they actually do occur. With a reliable operating professional on board the chances of side effects occurring will be greatly reduced. The patient can do his bit to by listening to the doctor’s instructions regarding post operative care. Also, he should ensure post surgery appointments with his doctor are religiously maintained.

Click here to know more about eye surgery.

Published on March 16, 2022

The functional advantages of contact lenses over glasses can be felt in areas like sports, working in humid conditions and also in occupations where glasses can be very inconvenient and may not be compatible when using equipment like special headgear. Contact lenses also offer aesthetic advantages, as they do not alter the image of the person wearing it.

When contact lenses are worn correctly on the cornea of the eye, the vision is very similar to the natural vision. The objects are seen in the right size and position without any kind of distortion of the image. When glasses are worn, the distance between the glasses and the eye vary making the objects appear smaller or larger than the actual size, position etc.

Contact lenses are not altered by bodily movements, as in the case of sports or similar kind of activities. They remain stable providing stable and clear vision to the wearer. When glasses are worn, the vision is unstable while moving or running, in turn affecting the performance of the wearer.

Contact lenses provide a better and wider peripheral vision than the glasses. Contact lenses move with the movement of the eyes and the wearer always looks through the clearest part of the lens called the optic zone. When glasses are worn, it blocks the peripheral vision. When the eyes move to the sides, the sight is far from the optic center leading to distorted and blurred vision.

Contact lenses do not steam up due to body heat or perspiration. They also neither fog when exposed to cold weather nor get splattered in the rain. Glasses on the other hand fog up and the wearer cannot see completely during rain pour.

Contact lenses do not leave marks on the nose and are very comfortable to wear. No pressure is felt on the ears, temple, or nose unlike the glasses. Also glasses slide down from the nose during perspiration.

As told before, contact lenses do not alter the appearance of the person. They are boon for children who are often picked up at school for wearing glasses. Contact lenses provide both physical and psychological comfort to the wearer.

Also, after cataract operations, contact lenses provide the necessary protection more than the glasses. Contact lenses offer adequate correction when the visual acuity of the eyes are more than 2.5 diopters, which is not possible with the glasses.

If you are looking for more information about contact lenses, check out Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region now!

Published on March 10, 2022

With timely detection and care by multidisciplinary teams using current treatment protocols, more than 95% of patients can be successfully treated before the cancer spreads outside the eye. Retinoblastoma is fatal if untreated.

It is important to remember that each case of retinoblastoma, and each child with retinoblastoma, is unique. A treatment plan will be developed specifically for the affected child. Depending on the size and location of tumors, there are many treatment options available for retinoblastoma. These include laser therapy, cryotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy (both plaque and external beam), and enucleation. Regardless of the treatment options implemented the child will be monitored vigilantly through examinations under anaesthesia (EUAs). The interval between EUAs will vary from every three weeks to six months depending on tumor activity and treatment options employed. What follows is a brief description of some of the treatment options available for retinoblastoma contained within the eye.

FOCAL THERAPY

Focal therapy refers to a group of treatments that are applied directly to the eye. Focal therapy can be used as a primary therapy for tumors that are small and are not situated close to the center of vision or the optic nerve. If the tumor is too large to be treated with focal therapy, the child may first receive chemotherapy to shrink the tumor. Focal therapy can then be applied to residual tumors.

Focal therapy is performed during an EUA while the child is asleep. Focal therapy sessions must be repeated many times until all remaining signs of active tumor have disappeared. A notable side effect to focal therapy is scarring of the retina that will have an effect on the child’s vision.

There are three types of focal therapy used to treat retinoblastoma: laser therapy, cryotherapy and radioactive plaque (brachytherapy).

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy uses heat (in the form of a laser) to physically destroy tumor cells. During an EUA the laser is directed to the affected areas of the retina through the child’s pupil, widely dilated by use of pharmaceutical drops. Laser therapy is used for small tumors, residual tumors after chemotherapy, and recurrences after chemotherapy. Laser therapy is painless for the child, although the eye may be red following treatment.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is primarily used to treat small peripheral retinoblastoma tumors and for peripheral recurrences after chemotherapy.

Cryotherapy uses a special instrument held against the outside of the eyeball, at the point nearest the tumor to repeatedly freeze and thaw the tumor. It is the actual thawing process that kills the tumor cells as ice crystals pierce the tumor membranes destroying the cells. Following treatments the child’s eye(s) might be quite swollen and sore. Medication may be prescribed to alleviate discomfort.

Radioactive Plaque (Brachytherapy)

A radioactive plaque is a small disc that is surgically attached to the outer part of the eyeball, directly over the tumor. The disc contains a small amount of radioactive material that delivers a low dose of radiation directly to the tumor. The plaque is generally left in place for between two and five days before being surgically removed. Radioactive plaques are used to treat small isolated tumors situated well away from the optic nerve and/or center of vision. Plaques are often used for tumors that have not responded to laser or cryotherapy. A possible long-term side effect to a radioactive plaque is the development of a cataract. In most cases, once the retinoblastoma is under control the cataracts can be corrected with surgery.

CHEMOTHERAPY

Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer using a combination of specific anti-cancer drugs.

Systemic Chemotherapy

Unlike focal therapy where treatment is given directly to the eye, chemotherapy is given to the entire body through the bloodstream. Chemotherapy can be an effective treatment for retinoblastoma tumors that are too large to be controlled by laser and cryotherapy alone. Chemotherapy is also used to treat tumors that are located very near the optic nerve or center of vision. It can reduce the size of tumors without scarring large and visually essential areas of the retina. While chemotherapy is very effective, it is not enough to eliminate all active tumors. When the tumors have shrunk to a smaller size and/or away from visually important areas, treatment will be completed by laser and/or cryotherapy.

Chemotherapy is given intravenously through a device called a port-o-cath. A port-o-cath is a small device that is surgically inserted under the skin on the child’s chest and is attached to large blood vessels. The chemotherapy drugs are delivered via the port-o-cath directly into the bloodstream without risk of harm to the surrounding tissues. The chemotherapy drugs travel through the bloodstream to enter the blood supply of the tumor where they begin to destroy it. If systemic chemotherapy is being considered, parents will have in-depth conversations with a doctor specializing in the treatment of cancer, and specifically chemotherapy (an oncologist), who will outline the treatment plan, drugs to be used and their possible side effects, and both short and long-term follow up requirements.

Local Chemotherapy (Sub-Tenon’s Carboplatin Injections)

Local chemotherapy refers to the injection of one of the chemotherapy drugs (Carboplatin) behind the eye. This method of treatment offers an increased dose of chemotherapy directly reaching the tumor and is used to address difficult-to-treat tumors, often located close to the optic nerve or center of vision. The injections are given while the child is asleep during an EUA. The incision is so small that it does not require stitches, and generally heals on its own in a few days. Treatments are repeated every three weeks for several months. This type of treatment generally causes significant swelling that can last between two and five days. A cool compress may help ease the child’s discomfort, or, in some cases anti-swelling medication may be used.

RADIOTHERAPY

Worldwide, radiotherapy is now rarely given as the primary treatment for retinoblastoma due to the high risk of inducing second primary, non-retinoblastoma cancers, cosmetic side effects, and the fact that excellent results are achievable with other treatment options.

Scientific studies indicate that patients with heritable retinoblastoma (see the genetics section) who were treated with external beam radiation (EBR), particularly before the age of one, have an increased risk (up to 50%) of developing a second non-retinoblastoma cancer over their lifetime.

Notwithstanding the risks, EBR remains a useful treatment for retinoblastoma when chemotherapy and focal therapy have failed to control the tumor(s), the tumor has spread beyond the eye or in the attempt to save the last eye which has some visual potential. Radiation therapy is a painless, invisible form of energy (like X-rays) used as a medical treatment. Treatments are usually given for several minutes each day, over a period of several weeks. During radiation treatment for retinoblastoma the child wears a mask that has been molded specifically for him. The mask prevents the child from moving during treatment and allows a more precise delivery of the radiation dose. Some children may need to be sedated to help keep them still during treatment.

When the radiation treatment is complete the child will continue to undergo EUAs at various intervals to monitor the effects of the radiation. The benefits of radiation treatment are not seen immediately and may continue to show up for several months.

Regardless of when EBR is being considered as treatment for retinoblastoma, the potential benefits of radiation therapy must be weighed against the potential risks for each patient.

ENUCLEATION

The process of removing an eye while leaving muscle tissue intact is known as enucleation. For many cases of retinoblastoma, and particularly unilateral cases, enucleation is considered the primary treatment. Removal of the eye in unilateral, non-heritable cases is curative. While the child will suffer some peripheral vision loss as a result of the removal of an eye, the risks associated with attempted treatment, including spread of the tumor beyond the eye, are generally viewed as too great. Removal of the eye also spares the child invasive chemotherapy and its inherent risks. Bilateral cases of retinoblastoma, because of the threat of complete vision loss, are often treated more aggressively. An eye is generally removed only if there is a significant threat of the tumor spreading beyond the eye.

Can you tell which eye is real and which is the prosthesis?

The enucleation surgery normally lasts about two hours and is performed under a general anesthetic. The actual orbital implant, the shape of a ball, is inserted into the socket and the muscles are then attached around it to provide mobility to the artificial eye. The orbital implant will remain in place for life unless complications occur. For this reason the largest ball possible is fitted for young children so that the eye socket will have adequate support as it grows.

After the eye is removed, extensive bandages are placed on the eye to keep pressure on the socket to prevent swelling. These bandages are removed before the patient is discharged normally about 48 hours after the surgery. Bruising and swelling of the surrounding tissue is common.

It is normal for doctors to place a temporary conformer into the socket immediately after the enucleation. This allows the tissues to properly heal before a permanent prosthesis is fitted for the child, about 6-8 weeks later. The conformer may either be clear or painted like an eye. While every effort will be made to enhance cosmetic appearance, how well it fits is the priority in selecting a conformer.

Once healed, a mold will be taken off the child’s socket which is then used by an ocularist to produce a prosthesis specifically for the child. The mold may be taken during an examination under anesthetic or at the ocularist’s office with the child awake. The prosthetic sits under the eyelid and over the conjunctiva and muscles that contain the orbital implant. The tissue inside the eye is pink in color and closely resembles that of the tissue found inside of one’s mouth. The ocular prosthetic will match as closely as is possible your child’s natural eye, and is important to stimulate normal socket growth as the child grows.

Prosthetic Eyes

The creation of a prosthetic eye for your child is part art, part science. A mold will be made of your child’s socket after it has healed following removal of the eye, and at any time a new eye is needed. From the mold a prosthetic eye will be crafted. The prosthesis itself is normally made of either plastic or silastic. The iris is hand painted to ensure an exact match, and the eye is veined for a realistic appearance.

A child’s prosthesis should be replaced every few years to ensure optimal fit and appearance. It is possible to have the prosthesis modified, or “built-up” until a new eye can be made. Children, particularly small children, grow very quickly, and frequent visits to the ocularist may be necessary for children under five (perhaps as often as every three or four months). In adulthood the prosthesis is normally replaced once every 3-5 years. It may be necessary to have an ocularist polish the prosthesis annually to keep protein and bacteria build up to a minimum. The prosthesis can easily be removed from the socket by hand, or by using a small, specially designed suction cup. It is generally recommended to take the eye out once a month for cleaning, but beyond that the eye can be left in place. In fact, excess handling may cause the eye socket to become irritated.

At Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region, they are offering a comprehensive model of care with experienced specialists, ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians.

Published on March 03, 2022

Retinal Tear

Retinal tears commonly occur when there is traction on the retina by the vitreous inside the eye. In a child’s eye, the vitreous has an egg-white consistency and is firmly attached to certain areas of the retina. Over time, the vitreous gradually becomes thinner, more liquid and separates from the retina. This is known as a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).

PVDs are typically harmless and cause floaters in the eye; but in some cases, the traction on the retina may create a tear. Retinal tears frequently lead to detachments as fluids seep underneath the retina, causing it to separate and detach.

Retinal Detachment

A retinal detachment occurs when the retina’s sensory and pigment layers separate. Because it can cause devastating damage to the vision if left untreated, retinal detachment is considered an ocular emergency that requires immediate medical attention and surgery. It is a problem that occurs most frequently in the middle-aged and elderly.

There are three types of retinal detachments. The most common type occurs when there is a break in the sensory layer of the retina, and fluid seeps underneath, causing the layers of the retina to separate. Those who are very nearsighted have undergone eye surgery, or have experienced a serious eye injury are at greater risk for this type of detachment. Nearsighted people are more susceptible because their eyes are longer than average from front to back, causing the retina to be thinner and more fragile.

The second most common type occurs when strands of vitreous or scar tissue create traction on the retina, pulling it loose. Patients with diabetes are more likely to experience this type.

The third type happens when fluid collects underneath the layers of the retina, causing it to separate from the back wall of the eye. This type usually occurs in conjunction with another disease affecting the eye that causes swelling or bleeding.

Signs and Symptoms

• Light flashes
• “Wavy,” or “watery” vision
• Veil or curtain obstructing vision
• Shower of floaters that resemble spots, bugs, or spider webs
• Sudden decrease of vision

Detection and Diagnosis

Retinal detachments are usually found because the patient calls the doctor’s office with a symptom listed above. It is critical that these problems are reported early, because early treatment can greatly improve the chance of restoring vision.

The doctor makes the diagnosis of a retinal detachment after thoroughly examining the retina with ophthalmoscopy. The retinal surgeon’s first concern is to determine whether the macula (the center of the retina) is attached. This is critical because the macula is responsible for the central vision. Whether or not the macula is attached determines the type of corrective surgery required and the patient’s chances of having functional vision after the operation.

Ultrasound imaging of the eye is also very useful for the doctor to see additional detail of the condition of the retina from several angles.

Treatment

There are a number of ways to treat retinal detachment. The appropriate treatment depends on the type, severity and location of the detachment.

Pneumatic retinopexy is one type of procedure to reattach the retina. After numbing the eye with a local anesthesia, the surgeon injects a small gas bubble into the vitreous cavity. The bubble presses against the retina, flattening it against the back wall of the eye. Since the gas rises, this treatment is most effective for detachments located in the upper portion of the eye. In order to manipulate the bubble into the ideal location, the surgeon may ask the patient to keep his or her head in a specific position.

The gas bubble slowly absorbs over the next 1-2 weeks. At that time, an additional procedure is usually performed to “tack down” the retina. This can be done either with cryotherapy, a procedure that uses nitrous oxide to freeze the retina, sealing it in place, or with laser. Local anesthesia is used for both procedures.

Some types of retinal detachments, because of their location or size, are best treated with a procedure called a scleral buckle. With this technique, a tiny sponge or band made of silicone is attached to the outside of the eye, pressing inward and holding the retina in position. After removing the vitreous gel from the eye with a procedure called a vitrectomy, the surgeon usually seals a few areas of the retina into position with laser or cryotherapy. The scleral buckle is not visible and remains permanently attached to the eye. This technique of reattaching the retina may elongate the eye, causing nearsightedness.

In rare cases where other types of retinal detachment surgeries are either inappropriate or unsuccessful, silicone oil may be used to reattach the retina. The vitreous gel is removed and replaced with silicone oil, which presses the retina into place. While the oil is inside the eye, the vision is extremely poor. After the retina has resealed itself against the back of the eye, a second procedure may be performed to remove the oil.

If you are looking for more tips about eyes, check out Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region now!

Published on February 26, 2022

If you are a wearer of contact lenses, it is very important that you make sure that you understand what you need to do to wear contacts safely. If you fail to follow the safety rules associated with contact lenses, you can end up doing serious and irreversible harm to your eyes. Indeed, in the worst case scenario, you actually could cause such significant harm or damage to your eyes that you end up going blind.

Through this article, we provide you with some of the more important safety tips associated with the wearing of contact lenses.

Understand Your Eyes

The front covering of the eye is known as the cornea. It is one of the only areas of the body that receives its oxygen requirement directly and has no blood vessels to take the oxygen into the eye.

Protecting Your Eyes

Using proper safety precautions when wearing contact lenses will help you from developing an unhealthy cornea and creating an abnormal growth of blood vessels because of irritation or lack of oxygen.

Important Eye Safety Factors

Some important factors to be aware of in order to maintain healthy eyes when you are a contact wearer are to make sure and wear only contact lenses that are prescribed by a professional eye care specialist. Avoid the colored, decorative lenses that are used only for special effects. A rule of thumb is, if the contacts have not been approved by your eye doctor, do not wear them. There are many such contact lenses on the market and they are not safe for your use since the coloring in the contact has been shown to reduce the ability for oxygen to reach the cornea.

Avoid Sleeping in Contact Lenses

Contact wearers that wear their contact lenses overnight have a much higher frequency of getting eye infections. If you are one those people who leave your contacts in while you sleep, you must be extra cautious if you begin developing any redness, swelling or long-term dryness, and remove the contacts until the condition has subsided.

Clean Your Contacts As Directed

Also, make sure that you clean and store your contact lenses on a daily and use the proper products that were recommended by your eye care specialist. Good eye hygiene is imperative to prevent the possibility of eye infections or excessive irritation.

Don't Wet Contacts with Your Saliva

Another point to remember is that contact lenses should never be wet with your own saliva because hazardous microorganisms can live in the saliva and can cause infections. Make sure and have your contact carrying case with you and some solution so that you do not get into this bad habit.

In Case of an Emergency

Now in the case of an emergency when you have a toxic substance enter your eye, it is recommended that you immediately rinse the eye with water. Running tap water is the best. Always remember to not remove the contact until you have thoroughly rinsed the contaminate out of the eye. In many cases, you should consult your doctor or emergency medical care, if all symptoms do not subside.

Click here if you are looking for more tips about eye wear.

Published on February 08, 2022

Are you tired of wearing glasses but too afraid to have laser eye surgery? Eye braces may be just the thing you’ve been waiting for.

A long time ago, back in the 1960’s, two California doctors when getting feedback from their patients who wore contact lenses, kept hearing the same type of story over and over again. Many times their patients would leave their home, drive to work and then halfway through the day notice that they were not wearing their contact lenses. And they were seeing perfectly well. It appeared that the constant wearing of the contact caused a gradual reshaping of their cornea, improving their ability to see. This chance discovery eventually led to experimentations and studies on shaping the eyes using contact lenses.

Corrective eye braces or CRT (Corneal Refractive Therapy) lenses as they are formally known, are hard contact lenses that act much like a retainer or braces do on your teeth. You put them on at night just before you go to bed. During the night, while you sleep, they reshape the cornea of your eye. When you wake up in the morning, your blurred vision is gone. You can see the pictures on your wall, the buttons on your clothes, and the alarm clock on your dresser. You have 20/20 vision.

Unlike laser eye surgery, the changes are not permanent. The changes to the cornea will last only a day on some people. On others, it has lasted up to a week.

So who are the most likely candidates for these eye braces?

Young teenagers for one. Many good eye surgeons will not operate on a teenager or a person under 18 or 21 because the body, including the eyes. may still be growing and changing. At those ages, they doctor may legitimately determine that the risk is not worth it and rule out corrective eye surgery altogether. In this case, eye braces, may be a good alternative.

The eyes are one of our most important senses and many people are leery of making any type of permanent change to them. Add to that the growing number of malpractice lawsuits involving refractive surgery, and some people, especially those already wary of surgical operations, begin to look for alternative ways of improving their vision. For them, eye braces are a good compromise between permanent contact lenses and laser eye surgery.

Those looking for a bargain will also like eye braces. The cost of CRT lenses is much less than the cost of laser eye surgery.

The news is not all good, however. The braces have to be hard, in order to reshape the cornea. This can make them uncomfortable to wear. And although most people will get used to them, some find they can’t adjust.

Also, although relatively infrequent, the wearing of contact lenses, does increase the risk of microbial infections of the eye.

And thirdly, there have been no long term studies of the effect of wearing eye braces on a nightly basis for an extended period of time.

So if you want CRT lenses how do you get them? You can’t just go into an eye doctor’s office and order them. A CRT lens has to be prescribed by a doctor who has been certified in CRT lenses.

Want to try a comprehensive eye exam that provides the highest standard of services with excellence and compassion that will consistently exceed your expectations? Visit Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region to know more about it.

Published on February 08, 2022

We would like to take this moment to thank Dirk Wagner for contributing this article: Eye Exercises Proper Care for Strained Eyes. AllAboutMyopia is a always updating info center for the facts about Myopia, Lasik, Astigmatism and other eye diseases! And anyone that contributes to AllAboutMyopia is a welcome addition to AllAboutMyopia.com!

Our eyes are among the most important organs of our body; without the eye we will never be able to see the colors and beauty of the things around us. It helps us see things and helps us on our way when we´re walking, driving, etc. As it helps us go through our everyday activities, we should take care of our eyes. Proper eye care is needed to maintain the health or our eye; visual level depends on the condition of the eye. And because we are using our eyes everyday until we sleep, they sometimes went through a lot of strains and stress which if not properly attended to may result to eye diseases like glaucoma. Eye exercises are among the most advisable proper care measures for tired and strained eyes; this too is the cheaper preventive measure for your eyes.

Since our eyes always went through strains from working, either at the office, at home or at factories and farms; we should consider the value of eye exercises as a great help. Like body exercises, eye exercises help us maintain a healthy profile; only, we are doing it for our eyes. And in this modern period, where information technology is prevailing, we tend to use much of our eyes. The eyes takes a lot of beating when we tend to read, stare at computer monitors and other work that needs near-point reading or staring; hence, our eyes needs eye exercises and some times of rest. And if you´re planning to use your eyes longer, be sure to take care of them and have some eye exercises done than merely watching TV and sitting in front of computers after work.

At present, there are lots of eye exercises established and being advised by most eye doctors. Taking “eye breaks’ is an eye exercises you can do even at work. When you feel eye strains or stress, look into the distance and focus on many different targets. 3D images viewing is another eye exercises you can do both at work and at home. Just look for sites on the internet that offers parallel 3D viewing. How does 3D viewing help you? This eye exercises helps relax the muscles of the eyes just like staring at the distance. It is an eye exercise too that is in a form of aerobic and calisthenics for the intraocular eye muscles; this eye exercises can help your eyes have an increased dynamic flexibility of the visual system.

Aside from these, there are still many eye exercises and techniques to take care of your eyes. The See Clearly Method, for example, includes several eye exercises that helps maintain your eyes´ fitness. This method includes eye exercises like “clock rotation’, “tromboning’, scanning chart exercise and the acupressure exercise. The “clock rotation’ eye exercises are one of the new visual habits encouraged by See Clearly Method. In these eye exercises, you tend to imagine a giant clock and move your eyes from the center of the hour positions and back again. This eye exercises help improve control of the extraocular muscles. This too stimulates the flow of the nutrients around the eyeballs. Tromboning, on the other hand, are eye exercises that needs you to hold a small object at arm´s length and move the object in to touch the tip of your nose. After that, you have to exhale and move the object back out.

Another eye exercises of the Method is the Scanning Chart exercise, where you position the chart just into your blur zone then makes you jump fro dot to dot; you will need music or exercise video for this. The acupressure is an eye exercises that needs you to apply firm pressure to specific points surrounding the eyeball. You have to then press for a second and then release. This eye exercises is a massage procedure for the muscles surrounding your eye. Other simple eye exercises that you can do at work or at home, when you feel that your eyes is a little tired or strained is looking at greens. You may look at trees and plants, green places like lawns, mountains, or green objects. This will give rest and relaxing effect on your tired eyes.

Looking for an easier and more convenient way to eye care needs? Visit Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region for more details.

Published on January 19, 2022

As long as we can see and our eyes give us no trouble, most of us find it hard to believe that things could go wrong. As we age, however, the risk of conditions such as cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration increases. So the sooner you start taking care of your eyes the better.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common problem, affecting as many as one in four people by the age of 75. It affects the central part of the retina known as the macula: the part of the eye that distinguishes fine detail. First symptoms include a blurring or distortion of vision followed by a gradually enlarging central blind spot. Eventually the condition stabilises and people with AMD rarely lose their sight completely - they are usually left with enough peripheral vision to get around, but driving and reading can become impossible and even watching television may be difficult.

Causes: AMD has been linked to hardening of the arteries and poor circulation, excessive exposure to sunlight and smoking. Long hours spent in front of a computer screen and low levels of antioxidant nutrients may also be factors.

Cataract is another common problem that develops in later years when the protein fibres that make up the lens of the eye undergo chemical changes. The process is similar to that which takes place in the white of an egg as it is cooked. Cataracts usually develop in both eyes, although one is usually more advanced than the other.

Causes: Most cataracts are the result of age but they can develop after an eye injury. Other causes include diabetes, smoking, a diet low in vegetables and fruit, excessive exposure to sunlight, raised blood pressure and the simple fact that we tend to live longer than we used to.

Glaucoma results from raised pressure inside the eyeball. The ball itself is divided by the iris into two compartments, one in front of the lens and the other behind it. A fluid called aqueous humour normally flows freely through a narrow drainage channel. Glaucoma develops when the fluid is produced faster than it drains away or because the drain becomes blocked.

Causes: Glaucoma tends to run in families, so if any of your relatives have been affected it is sensible to have regular checks from the age of 40 onwards. It can also occur as part of the natural ageing process or after an eye injury.

If you need an ophthalmologist to check your eye, visit us now!

Published on January 12, 2022

Vision therapy can be very intimidating for people who has just begun. Where to even begin right? In this article, I want to introduce you to the basic concepts of natural vision therapy and end with one basic eye exercise for you to try out. With that said, let’s get started.

Unlike traditional vision theory, natural vision improvement involves relieving stress out of your eyes. Stress on your eyes originates from bad vision habits that you may have unconsciously learned. Some of the bad vision habits include staring, refusal to blink or prolonged period of usage despite the need to rest.

These bad habits places strain on your eyes. Meaning, your eye muscles have to exert itself, much like your biceps have to strain itself when you’re carrying weights. When the strain is continuously placed on those muscles, the muscles soon become chronically strained. That means it went out of your control. No longer can you relax it when you want to.

Unlike traditional approaches, the objective of natural vision therapy is to relax those eye muscles by correcting your vision habits. Once you’re back to seeing the way your eyes is meant to be used, those eye muscles will naturally go back.

But you and I know both know that habits are difficult to kick… especially those we are not even aware of. This is where eye exercises come in.

The term “eye exercises” should not be interpreted literally. The meaning is more like “breathing exercises” – they don’t strengthen your lungs, they merely teaches you how to breathe properly. When you perform eye exercises religiously, over a period of time, you’ll once again learn how to see correctly. These eye exercises, of course, are specifically designed to simulate how healthy eyes see.

That is the gist of vision therapy. Here, try this eye exercise:

Close your eyes and place your palms on them so that you block all light. Be careful not to press on your eyes though. When you’re “palming”, breathe abdominally and think of the most relaxing scenery you can imagine.

What you imagine – you literally see. To your brain, there’s no difference. Brain scans showed the same neurons are activated when you imagine and when you see. Thus when you imagine a relaxing scene, you’re actually relaxing yourself – including your eyes.

This vision therapy is great not just to improve your eyesight, it’s also great when you’re under a lot of stress and you just want to “chill out”. Instead of watching TV, try this instead. Palm at least for 10 minutes, 3 times a day. Once right after you wake up, once during your break from work and another one before you go to bed.

If you need more tips to take care of your eyes vision, visit Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region.

Published on January 04, 2022

Less or blurred vision is becoming a common problem among children and grownups, and want a way out to overcome it. There are many solutions to this problem, but after scoring different methods we can conclude that natural is the BEST! We all need a vision correction method that last long. Here are some of them:

Glasses - are no doubt, the oldest and most common vision improvement option. But our vision doesn’t remain stable and degree of imperfection keeps on varying after a short span of time. And of-course visits to doctor charge high fee and leave us with a prescription of stronger eye glasses.

We think that this is the only way to improve eyesight, ignoring the fact that stronger eye glasses are good for nothing to address the underlying root of vision health. Glasses do not even protect eyes from ever-continuing attack of free radical damage. In fact they make eye muscles lazy, resulting in even poor eyesight. So, this ways doesn’t prove out to be that good.

Lenses: Next favorite alternative of vision improvement is contact lenses. Without knowing the risk of several serious conditions like eye infections and corneal ulcers, we opt for lenses. Worst part is, these conditions can occur very quickly and can be very serious. Sometimes, these can cause even blindness. And how can we forget expenses of solution and lenses that comes every 3 months. So, are your ready for a solution like this. (Not, me at least!)

Surgery: When we are fed up with glasses and lenses, next solution we get is a surgery. Big budget Lasik surgery gives freedom from lenses and glasses, yet these are not 100% successful.

So, why to go for solutions that are full of risks? Opt for something natural that is not dangerous and expensive. William Bates Method of improving vision is a safest method to gain your lost vision back within a short span of time.

All it needs is few simple exercises that you can do at your home or at work also.

Palming: Cover eyes with the palms of your hands, in a way that there should be no contact between your palms and eye balls. Main purpose of eyes palming is to extract light from the eyes. Performing this action in a darkened room can be more helpful.

Sunning: Sunning is another important technique to improve eyesight. In this, you just need to get out into sun and enjoy the sunlight. Perform this action with closed eyes. Trying this with a desk lamp is an easiest option, as it is constant and controllable. You can bring the light closer if you are feeling comfortable with it. After some time, start moving your head slowly in left and right direction. This movement should be slow and steady, (takes approx. 3 seconds).

Swing: This is also a strong technique of Bates Method. In this technique, eyes and mind create a healthy connection by consciously perceiving the movements that are ever present. If we elaborate this concept, then one will focus on a constant object then move the head or entire body from side to side while keeping the eyes fixed on that particular object. If your eyes feel uncomfortable while doing this technique, then stop action, rest and palm for a while and try again later. And if you feel enjoyable, you can continue it for 10 minutes or more.

Swing technique has four different types; The Long Swing, The Head Swing, The Prayer Swing, The Optical Swing, The Drifting Swing. All of these are providing slightly different emphasis that offers a unique experience and learning opportunity to improve vision with natural ways.

Color Days: Color Days is a technique that can help your vision inordinately. In this, you have to choose a color of your choice in the morning and spend as much time as you can with a color. Make sure to pick a new one for every new day. But if you forgot about the color, then also no need to anguish about that! Go for a color walk and spend time finding your color.

Visit an ophthalmologist regularly to keep a check on the health of your eyes.

Published on December 28, 2021

If you’ve been led to believe that the only ways to increase your eye health and vision were to get glasses, contact lenses, or undergo expensive and somewhat risky laser surgery, you’ve been fed a bowl of lies.

Millions of people all over the world suffer from decreased vision, especially those of an older generation. This can equal pretty big bucks for those in the business of creating products to boost or supplement vision, and as such they don’t really want you to know that there are some pretty awesome natural ways to boost and recover your eye health. It would just be bad for business.

The cause of most vision problems

Outside of obvious trauma or medical condition, most people begin to experience vision deterioration because of the amount of stress that we put on our eyes daily. This wasn’t nearly as large of a problem for our pre-electricity ancestors but is a very serious (and trending upward) problem for us of the modern age. Each and every day we spend more and more time bombarded by artificial lighting, TV sets, and computer screens, and all of this over exposure has been taking a toll on our delicate but resilient eyes.

While the medical field has produced some absolute wonders and advances in medical technology to treat poor vision, the truth of the matter is that for many people it’s just too expensive and for others they don’t like the invasiveness. There are other options though, and it is possible to have natural eyesight repair that have long term corrective properties as well as permanent reversal. It’s something to look into for sure.

How to improve your eyesight naturally

There are a couple of different steps to improving your eyesight naturally, and all of them are based around subtle lifestyle changes that will replace and cut down on the time you spent on your daily eye sight regiment (you know, getting and cleaning your glasses each morning, or putting in contact lenses and then taking them out at the end of the day).

Give your eyes a workout

One of the best ways to increase your eyesight and vision is to perform eye exercises daily. These only take a couple of minutes maximum each day, and even the busiest of us should be able to beg off a couple of minutes to boost our vision. Just about every exercise can be conducted without the use of any extra instruments or practice, and you can have results just about instantly.

Kick your bad eating habits

There is little debate that our modern diet is wreaking absolute havoc with our bodies. Each and every day we put more and more horrible food in our mouths simply because it’s often cheaper and easier to do than cook fresh ingredients. I get it – sometimes you’re in a crunch for time. But the adage “You are what you eat” rings incredible true, and if you’re serious about your eye health you need to kick it up a couple notches with your diet. Begin by supplementing with green leafy veggies like lettuce, lots of fresh fruit, and also eating the old standard for eye health – carrots. Pumpkins can also be a welcome shift when they are in season, as they have the same kind of eye healing properties.

Reduce stress

Like I said earlier, eye strain is one of the major reasons that our vision begins to fail. If you’re starting to notice a bit of a drop, try to reign in your exposure to computer monitors and televisions, as well as super bright artificial lighting. It’s also a good idea to do all of your reading in a well lit area, and if you can close you eyes, cover them with your hands, and then tilt your head back for a couple of minutes each day. It doesn’t hurt to make sure you’re also getting enough sleep.

To know more on how to improve your eyesight, visit Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region.

Published on December 21, 2021

Have you ever been hard at work studying for an exam and after hours of reading and concentrating on research, maybe on the computer as well as books and found your eyes really red when you looked into the mirror? If you have then you probably know about our topic here, it’s eye strain. During that cramming for the big test you have effectively overworked your eyes to the point that they are screaming “Enough!”. That is essentially what happens with other muscles in the body, overuse brings inflammation that brings pain and a host of other symptoms. Lets take a peek at some of the eye strain symptoms you should watch out for in order for you to know what is going on and treat it.

The first symptom we will cover is redness. It can look as if you were caught in a paint storm, the inside and sometimes outside of the eyes, rims included, will be a vibrant or deep red because of the inflamed vessels. The redness can be likened to what one’s eyes would like after a day of swimming in a heavily chlorinated pool.

Pain is another symptom that is hard to ignore, your eyes not only look bad but feel like they look! There are different causes of pain from the eye strain, one type can be from the vessels being inflamed and another from the overworked eye muscles. Inflamed blood vessels in the eye not only cause the redness, but a painful, irritated and sometimes scratchy eye. The muscular type pain is caused from the fatigue of the eye muscles, even in the area surrounding the eyes there can be pain felt. This symptom is usually worse when moving the eyeball.

Maybe you have been reading and working on something in the laboratory for hours, and you started seeing not so clearly, hopefully you didn’t get into those toxins you were studying! Seriously though, blurring of the vision means super tired eyes. When your visual accuracy is starting to wane, you know it may be time to wrap it up and rest those tired eyes to prevent further harm and discomfort to the eyes. Sometimes it may lead to double vision, but that is in extreme cases of eye strain and fatigue.

Headaches are a big and annoying way to find out that you have overdone it with your eyes. With fatigue comes increased tension no matter where in the body. When there is increased tension, there can be pain. Headaches that involve the eyes and eye area are very common with eye fatigue but not to be confused with painful eyes themselves or pain in the eye area.

Your eyes are a precious thing and need to be taken care of properly. Follow the warning signs and take steps to prevent further episodes of eye strain. Some of the best steps to take are cool or warm wet compresses to the eyes and good rest for the eyes in a darkened area with them kept closed so as not to have to focus on anything.

Are you looking for an ophthalmologist to check your eye? Visit us at Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region and make your reservation now!

Published on December 16, 2021

What does cataract treatment involve?

It’s a matter of worry when crisp and clear world around you starts getting blur. Get the problem checked before it gets worst. We need to take good care of our eyes, as they are one of the most important sense organs, which help defining things around us.

Time and again we need to visit professional optometrist for getting our eyes tested that measures acuity of eyes and their health.

Doctors check eyes with the help of various eyesight test charts that allow determining visual acuity. Even if you are trying hard to improve your eye vision naturally using techniques like Bates Method, then also you need an eye chart.

Eye test charts can be used for performing various eye exercises and offers an objective way to see your personal progress. You can experiment with various vision improvement techniques while eyesight test charts will allow deciding which exercises are working well for you.

Normal eyesight acuity is expressed in a fraction as 20/20 by optometrists. It means persons with normal vision can clearly see objects from a distance of 20 feet.

Snellen Eye Chart

It is commonly found standard eye test chart used by eye specialists around the globe. It checks how normal your eyesight is and determines visual acuity. Snellen Chart was designed by a Dutch Ophthalmologist, Dr. Hermann Snellen in 1862. It is printed with eleven lines of block letter. The first row contains single letter “E”, as we go further the number of letters progressively keeps on increasing while their size keeps on decreasing. The second last line gives standard acuity 20/20.

The “Tumbling E” Eye Chart

There are some cases where standard Snellen eye chart is not apt. For example if patient is illiterate, unfamiliar with letters, handicap & can’t speak, a young child who doesn’t know alphabets, or shy enough to read letters aloud, Snellen chart can not be used.

So, a modified version of Snellen chart known as “Tumbling E” was created to help in such situations. The “Tumbling E” Eye Chart features capital letter “E” in different spatial orientations on the similar scale as Snellen chart. Optometric ask person to show direction of E using hand. This chart virtually measures visual acuity same as standard Snellen chart.

LogMAR Chart

This chart was developed at the National Vision Research Institute of Australia by Ian Bailey and Jan Lovie in 1980. Its name LogMAR is derived from the Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution. LogMAR chart contains equal number of letter in each row and their sizes progress systematically in geometric progression. Letter size of each line is denoted as logarithm to the base 10 of decimal visual acuity. This means line defining 6/6 (or 20/20) is LogMAR 0.00 and 6/60 (20/200) is LogMAR 1.0. It offers finer grading scale allowing greater accuracy and improved reliability.

Limitations of Eye Chart

Eye test chart only determines visual acuity and don’t define depth perception, peripheral vision, color perception, ability to perceive contrast or other problems. It can’t be used to measure health of your eyes like eye fluid pressure, shape of retina or more.

It is recommend to visit a professional optometrist at least ones a year, or more frequently (as recommended by a local optician) for a complete eye examination for overall checkup of eyes. Here at Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region has the best optometrist.

What does cataract treatment involve?

The first time I heard my grandmother describe her upcoming cataract surgery, I was confused by the expression she used. She told me the right eye was "ready for surgery, but the left eye still needed to ripen." I have heard the term so often since then that I long assumed it was a valid concept, endorsed by ophthalmologists, and that it referred to a process of maturation that was necessary to make a surgical remedy possible. As it turns out, the need for a cataract to "ripen" before surgery is a myth.

A cataract is a clouding of the lens that prevents light from passing through it; because the lens focuses images on the retina (which then carries visual signals to the brain), it is vital to vision that the lens be clear.

The condition is common. Of an estimated 30 million persons with blindness worldwide, cataracts are estimated to account for half. Although the most common cause of cataract in developed countries is advanced age, the lens can lose its clarity in a number of other ways, including injury, infection, inflammation, certain medications, a genetic disorder or radiation (as with treatment of a tumor). Fortunately, surgical removal of the cloudy lens and insertion of a plastic or silicone lens has become rather routine and is generally considered minor surgery with a remarkably high success rate.

But there is no need to wait for the cataract to "ripen" — in fact, cataract surgery can be successfully performed at any time during the process of cataract development. As with any other intervention, the timing of surgery depends on the balancing of risk vs. benefit. For example, if a cataract is tiny and does not affect vision, the anticipated benefits of surgery are small or nonexistent, and the operation should be delayed. The cataract may worsen so slowly that surgery may not be required at all. On the other hand, proceeding directly to surgery may be appropriate if a cataract significantly reduces vision, especially if the other eye is not perfect either. Decisions about surgery are also affected by the person's overall health, lifestyle and individual preferences. The same degree of cataract might be well-tolerated by one person and disabling in another.

When cataract surgery was a riskier operation, it was delayed longer, until symptoms were severe; this waiting period was likened to fruit ripening on the tree. The notion, as with many myths, likely comes from an incomplete understanding about the underlying condition and from terminology that is appealing but inaccurate. With the advent of safer procedures, the concept is even less appropriate.

In most cases, an early cataract is watched over time, and when it causes enough problems, surgery is recommended. To think of the cataract as "ripening" over that waiting period does not usually get in the way of proper care. But there may be occasions when referral to or follow-up with an ophthalmologist is delayed because of this mistaken concept — in those circumstances, it is important to identify the myth for what it is. A lens, or a cataract within it, has little in common with fruit and does not ripen — in fact, it only worsens — over time.

If you are interested in more information about cataracts, check out Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region.

What does cataract treatment involve?

Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. Cataracts result in decreased vision and can become progressively worse over time. Treatment for cataracts is usually optional. It is done primarily to improve vision and quality of life. In most cases, the decision to have surgery is the patient's. More rarely, cataracts may impair the doctor's ability to see or treat other eye problems. If this is the case, the physician may require surgery. Possible treatment options for cataracts include surgery and stronger glasses or bifocals. Patients with cataracts should discuss these possibilities with their ophthalmologist in order for the best decision to be made for each individual.

Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery removes the natural, clouded lens of the eye and replaces it with a clear, artificial one. It is usually performed under local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. The entire process usually takes less than an hour. There are several variations in both the removal and the replacement portions of the surgery. The technique used depends on both the patient and the physician.

Removing the Lens

Replacing the Lens

What are the risks of cataract surgery?

Cataract surgery is generally considered to be safe and effective, but like any surgical procedure, there are certain risks associated with the procedure. The following is a list of complications that may occur following cataract surgery and lens implantation:

Most of these complications are very rare. Discussing the surgery with a qualified ophthalmologist ahead of time and following the doctor's recommendations may reduce the risk of complications. Most patients report good results from their surgeries, including improved vision. Check out Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region to learn more about what treatment is good for you.

Professional medical vocabulary identifies a headache being a state of the head of a person that gives ache inside the head. Because of the power of pain and irritating levels of ache which are related to this sort of condition, sets suffering people in a determined seek of ease for home cures for headaches. Of a typical pain together with all covering conditions, severe headaches list one of the top noted grievances where discomfort is involved.

To affected people acquisitions, in acquiring practical home cures for headaches, it is encouraging to understand exactly what elements bring about headaches. As a motivating ahead, the wide range of severe headaches is harmless and limited to people’s confined situation among occurrence. Common contributing factors to the growth and development of headaches, consist of, cluster, lack of fluids, eyestrain, migraine headaches, sinus problems, tension, and stress. Onsets of the bodily-caused headaches are frustration, hormone problems, and damage to the head. Serious conditions, integrating headaches, are situations like cancers, cerebral aneurysms, raised blood pressure, meningitis, and encephalitis. As a result of more prevalent and regular natures of headaches validates people going through such momentary conditions to obtain home cures for headaches.

Being a preface to getting choices in home cures for headaches, a general and historical assessment is for those who are afflicted by general headaches to evaluate the circumstance that could develop or stimulate noticed headaches.

In most circumstances, the appearance of headaches could be tracked either to food items or anxiety. Therefore, a preventive secure method including home cures for headaches could be to figure out the sources that trigger headaches. As an example, if a particular food is a reason, the person affected needs to get rid of this sort of component from the person’s diet regime. Should anxiety be the driver of headaches, changes in surroundings might be of interest.

In the consideration, regarding the very best modes of the affected, in figuring out optimum home cures for headaches, it’s encouraging for such people to have consciousness, as to the natural structure of a headache. In itself, your brain is without any awareness of the ache that is related to headaches. Your brain just isn’t structurally composed with such neural fibers to feel immediate degrees of pain. Other parts of the head feel pain, and, like a thought outcome, hurt.

An intricate system of nerve fibers that cover numerous nerves inside the top of the head, face, mouth, and throat, as well as connected arteries and muscle tissue inside the head, perceive the pain sensation, which, consequently, is well-realized by people experiencing a headache. Thus, as a result of localization and level of pain, triggers the affected person to search out elimination among home cures for headaches. In deriving the best span of energetic cure amongst homemade remedies for headache, would be to measure the kind of headache being shown. Headaches, within their particular nature, are probably the following 5 groups - inflammatory, cervicogenic, vascular, and myogenic-muscle tension.

Amongst determining therapy methods in home-based treatments for headaches would be to realize every group as well as its outcomes. Migraines, that fall into the vascular sort, are incredibly difficult and devastating, because of the seriousness of pain on either one or both sides of the head, and they are medically identified as neurological. An additional character of vascular-related head pain is actually clustered head pain which will develop into repeated events of agonizing pain, due to high blood pressure levels. Whenever a headache relates to tense and tight forehead facial and neck muscle tissue, it’s typed being a myogenic or muscle-related headache, medically called myogenic.

Headaches which are recognized along with physiological structure by means of cervical rooting, tend to be tightly related to a neck problem of some variance, and, are clinically established because carcinogenic in nature. Involved elements include restricted mobility, neck motion, uncomfortable placement of the head, make as well as arm ache. Inflammation or grip-related headaches are characteristic of different issues including such illnesses as sinus problems or heart stroke.

Comprehensive for an affected person exploring home cures for headaches is to use details regarding the sort and character of the shown headache, in creating proper home cures for headache. Amongst the most typical types of severe headaches tend to be tension, hemicranias migraine, hypertension, ictal, thunderclap, vascular, brain freeze, toxic, coital, rebound, red wine, and spinal-related.

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for headaches, it is proven that help muscles relax, stimulating nerves, and releasing hormones like endorphin to your body, click here to know more about how it can help relieve and reduce chronic headache pain.

Reduced Range of Motion in the Shoulder Joint Capsule

Adhesive Capsulitis - Adhesions in the Joint Capsule

Frozen Shoulder, not to be confused with Shoulder Impingement Syndrome, occurs as the result of a shoulder injury to the shoulder joint capsule. The injury could be related to the Rotator Cuff, bursitis, or even tendinitis. Shoulder injuries of this nature result in a considerable amount of shoulder joint pain.

The "freezing" process that occurs

When the shoulder joint capsule is injured, a considerable amount of inflammation occurs. The inflammation causes the body to build up scar tissue in the shoulder joint capsule. That scar tissue becomes thicker and thicker over time. As the scar tissue builds up, the shoulder joint capsule becomes smaller and smaller. As the shoulder joint capsule becomes smaller and smaller, it begins to “stick” or adhere to the head of the Humerus, the bone in the upper arm that begins at the shoulder and ends at the elbow. The end result of the adhesion and smaller shoulder joint capsule is not only severe pain but a severe range of motion reduction.

Frozen Shoulder Introduction

Okay so I think I have Adhesive Capsulitis, what now?

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome is a similar condition, so you need to have a Frozen Shoulder Assessment performed in order to distinguish one from the other. Bursitis, tendinitis, or arthritis could also mimic Adhesive Capsulitis.

While waiting for your results from the doctor, you can also seek out alternative treatments for the shoulder pain that may help you manage the symptoms in the meantime. Acupuncture can reduce the inflammation in the shoulder area and improve your mobility. Visit AB Acupuncture to schedule an appointment.

What should the medical history tell me?

The medical history portion of the Frozen Shoulder Assessment should tell us that the shoulder received some kind of trauma or injury that resulted not only in pain but in limited mobility over a period of time. Numerous questions about any kind of shoulder or neck trauma need to be answered, especially because neck trauma can be directly related to shoulder pain or injury. We need to be able to dismiss any other type of occurrences such as arthritis or bursitis to consider the elimination of unrelated causes. If these questions about past medical history are not asked, they will not likely be answered at all.

Were there any Imaging Diagnostics taken?

Arthrography can help the diagnosis. It is the process of injecting a special dye into the shoulder joint and taking an x-ray of the dye–injected shoulder to reveal a shrunken shoulder joint capsule.

Utilize a Pain Scale Map to get a Visual Representation of Pain Scale Levels and Representation.

The Pain Scale Map is a visual map of an illustration representing the human body. There should be a Legend of symbols that represent different forms of soft tissue dysfunction and joint position such as Spasm, Trigger Point, or Rotation and Elevation, as well as pain scale levels. A 0-4 pain scale indicates pain experienced at a functional level. A pain scale of 5-7 indicates pain at an uncomfortable level. When the pain scale hits 8-9, that is a level of pain that causes a person to become bed-ridden. Unbearable pain is when the pain scale hits 10. The diagram should then be mapped with the appropriate symbol, pain scale, and location

What makes the pain better or worse?

Ask about what movements make the pain better or worse, and how the movements increase the pain if the pain is continuous or intermittent, and what time of day the pain is at its worst, and what has or has not been done to decrease pain.

Are there any Visual Symptoms I can expect to see, and what can I do to reveal them?

It would be difficult to tell if a person has Adhesive Capsulitis just by looking at it. Visual signs of swelling are not normally associated with a frozen shoulder, but if any kind of atrophy is seen, that is something that needs to be looked at further.

What should the affected areas feel like when palpated?

Palpate the shoulder area before and after the Range of Motion Testing. Check for individual temperature, tone, pain, and tenderness surrounding the entire shoulder. Increased temperature indicates possible inflammation; decreased temperature is more in tune with frozen shoulder related to poor circulation due to decreased mobility and the effect upon the nerve structures. Muscle tissues should be supple because hypertonicity or flaccid tissues indicate possible circulatory or nerve-related problems. Don’t forget to check around the border of the Scapula as well. Check to see if Trigger Points are present in the soft tissue structures.

Range of Motion for Frozen Shoulder Assessment will help us to discover where the problem is.

Range of Motion Testing is the foundation of the Frozen Shoulder Assessment. It will tell us if the shoulder joint capsule is restricted and exactly how it is restricted. If this process is not undertaken, the resulting treatment will be a shot in the dark.

Shoulder Pain Assessment and Examination

What Frozen Shoulder Assessment Range of Motion Tests should I be doing?

Active(AROM), Passive(PROM), as well as Resisted Range of Motion(RROM) Testing for both shoulders should be performed as well as the neck. We must specifically determine the movements that exacerbate pain, how the pain scale for each movement is affected, the ROM for each movement in terms of degrees of range of motion, and the quality of the movements as to whether the movement is smooth, segmented, spastic, or rigid. Why both shoulders? You need to be able to make a comparison between the affected shoulder and the shoulder that should be functioning normally. Why the neck? It has been my experience that Brachial Plexus Nerve Compression, a Thoracic Outlet Syndrome component, is frequently associated with Frozen Shoulder. If this is happening, any type of shoulder treatment is severely limited if this is not addressed first.

What else should we look out for?

We must absolutely check for proper Movement of the Scapula because the restricted scapular movement can fool us into believing that Adhesive Capsulitis is in play. Check for elevation, depression, protraction, retraction.

Options for Improving Your Weight, Health, and Immune System

Obesity is linked with viruses. Look to Massage Therapy, Integrative Manual Therapy, Acupuncture, Qigong, Reflexology, and Laughter for supporting the immune system.

Infectobesity, a term coined by a university professor and scientist Dr. Nikhil Dhurandhar, refers to obesity due to a chronic viral infection.

For some of the 58 million overweight Americans, their diet is the problem; for others, it is a lack of adequate exercise; but for a percent, according to Dhurandhar's research, the excess weight could be virus-related.

The National Institute of Health is calling obesity an epidemic, a term often associated with infections.

In a 2004 article from Drug News Perspectives, entitled "Contribution of pathogens in human obesity," Dhurandhar lists, "seven pathogens reported to cause obesity in animals. Canine distemper virus was the first reported obesity-promoting virus. Rous-associated virus-7, an avian retrovirus, causes stunted growth, obesity, and hyperlipidemia in chickens. Borna disease virus was noted to cause obesity in rats. Scrapie agents were reported to induce obesity in mice. These pathogens appear to produce obesity by damaging the central nervous system."

Adenoviruses

The other three viruses are adenoviruses, which according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are linked with respiratory illness (such as the common cold, pneumonia, croup, bronchitis), gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis (inflammation in the eye), cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), and rash illness.

Acute respiratory disease (ARD), first recognized among military recruits during World War II, can be caused by adenovirus infections during conditions of crowding and stress. Other researchers have linked adenovirus with toxic shock syndrome. (Price, 2001).

Chronic Viral Infections

The CDC has reported that adenoviruses can be chronic in nature and acquired early in childhood. "Some types are capable of establishing persistent asymptomatic infections in tonsils, adenoids, and intestines of infected hosts, and shedding can occur for months or years. Some adenoviruses (e.g., serotypes 1, 2, 5, and 6) have been shown to be endemic in parts of the world where they have been studied, and infection is usually acquired during childhood."

This would fit the profile of some people struggling with weight-related issues. Dhurandhar noted, the adenoviruses SMAM-1 and Ad-36 are associated with obesity in humans.

Treatment

Management of adenovirus symptoms or no treatment is standard, according to the CDC. "Most infections are mild and require no therapy or only symptomatic treatment. Because there is no virus-specific therapy, serious adenovirus illness can be managed only by treating symptoms and complications of the infection."

In general, of course, there are several ways to deal with viruses.

1. Avoid contact with the virus. Prevention is a great approach, although for many people either they have already been exposed or their busy lifestyle brings them in contact with a variety of people and situations.
2. Vaccines are an option for some viral infections, but in the case of the common cold and other adenoviruses, this is not a solution.
3. The best option is to develop a healthy immune system that can deal with anything with which you may come in contact.

A Healthy Immune System

There are lots of options in the development of a healthy immune system, including a healthy diet (Mouth Revolution) that provides enough vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, protein, antioxidants, and is low in pesticides, additives, and allergens.

Especially during this time, it’s important to build and maintain a healthy immune system to fight off viruses. Click here to learn more about how a healthy lifestyle combined with regular acupuncture treatments can improve your body’s virus defense.

There should be nutritional and lifestyle support for the adrenal glands. These are the organs that sit on top of the kidneys and react when we come in contact with stressful situations.

So, if you want to live well at a healthy weight: eat healthy, exercise, and take care of your immune system.

Many mothers choose not to breastfeed or are unable to breastfeed their infants for many different reasons. Infant formulas are designed to meet the nutritional needs of these infants for the first year of life. Babies and children requiring tube feedings may also require formula for their sole nutrition. The following information regarding infant formulas will apply to babies requiring tube feeds as well. Older children (1-10) will require a follow-up formula, or one specifically designed for their age group.

There are several categories of infant formulas for meeting the different needs of formula-fed infants. The main categories are standard-milk based, soy-based, and hypoallergenic. Follow-up formulas are available for older infants and toddlers consuming solid food. Nutrient-rich formulas for premature babies and formulas for metabolic problems are also available but they are less common.

1. STANDARD MILK BASED formulas are made from cow's milk. Because cow's milk was not designed for people, it needs some adjustments before being suitable for infants. The amount of some of the milk's nutrients is adjusted, the protein is changed making it more easily digestible, the butterfat is decreased or removed and vegetable fats are added providing more essential fatty acids. Extra nutrients are added, such as vitamin c, iron, and zinc. These are the most common formulas and are adequate for most babies. These formulas contain twenty calories per ounce. Cow's milk contains thirty-two different proteins with high allergic potency, causing many infants to have allergies or sensitivities to cow's milk formula.
2. SOY BASED formulas are useful for babies with cow's milk allergies or sensitivities. Greater amounts of vitamins and minerals are added to soy formulas because soy formulas contain compounds that may decrease the amount of nutrients absorbed. Soy formulas also contain twenty calories per ounce.
3. HYPOALLERGENIC formulas are designed for babies with digestive problems, allergies, and/or sensitivities to both milk and soy. They contain twenty calories per ounce as well. The idea behind this class of infant formula is to break down the protein (from whatever the source) into small enough units (the process is called hydrolysis*) that the body's immune system does not recognize it as a foreign body and defend against it, causing the unwelcome symptoms that accompany such reactions. Because the proteins in these formulas have been broken down, they are easier to digest and move through the digestive system faster than the standard formulas.
4. FOLLOW UP or FOLLOW ON formulas are designed for older babies and toddlers. Generally iron-fortified and cow milk-based or soy protein-based these formulas typically have higher levels of calcium and phosphorus than those for younger infants.
5. NUTRIENT RICH formulas for premature babies are made for low birth weight babies to help them grow quickly. These formulas are all milk-based and range in calories from twenty to twenty-four per ounce. They have more nutrients than standard formulas.
6. METABOLIC infant formulas are for infants with disorders of amino acid metabolism. These have a selected balance of amino acids. Each of these formulas is created without the primary offending amino acid(s) for the specific disorder they are intended.

Multiple studies have suggested that GERD, or gastrointestinal acid reflux, may be a hereditary condition. If you or any of your family members are showing signs and symptoms of GERD, you may want to consider treatment. Visit IES Medical Group to learn more about what options are available to you.

In most cases, sufferers of acid reflux respond to drug medications, lifestyle changes, and natural treatments. However, there will always be cases where acid reflux surgery becomes necessary. Here then are answers to your burning questions about the surgical procedure that ought to provide relief from your symptoms.

If you’re seeking acid reflux surgery and expert care from a team of skilled professionals, visit IES Medical Group here.

Definition

The standard surgical treatment for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), which is the medical term for acid reflux, is called fundoplication. Depending on your condition, your doctor will perform either the more invasive technique of Open Nissen fundoplication or the minimally invasive procedure of laparoscopic fundoplication. In either case, the stomach’s upper portion is wrapped around the esophagus’ lower portion that, in turn, is attached to the diaphragm. Fortunately, you will be anesthetized during your acid reflux surgery so you don’t have to worry about somebody, even if it’s a qualified surgeon, doing gross if beneficial things to your stomach!

Post-Surgery Expectations

Basically, your acid reflux ought to be remedied after surgery. Without going into medical terms, your stomach’s entrance will now boast of a strong flap valve that can regulate the passage of materials into and out of the stomach.

Reasons for Performing It

Just because you have acid reflux does not necessarily mean that you are a possible candidate for a fundoplication. Your doctor will assess your eligibility for acid reflux surgery through the following criteria:

• Drug medications, lifestyle changes, and natural remedies don’t stop or even control, the symptoms.
• Medication on a lifelong basis will be necessary without the surgery

Complementary Medicine in a Mainstream World



It may seem strange that bending in half or putting both legs overhead is how many people relax, but yoga, which is no stranger to both of these goals, has indeed become one of the most popular forms of exercise across the United States.

Of course, yoga is not the only type of balancing act to come out of the ancient traditions of the East. In recent years, most forms of alternative medicine have come out from the shadows to be part of the mainstream culture in America. Though the actual prevalence of these methods changes from area to area, there is still a huge push for more holistic methods of preventative medicine.

In a 2012 study done by Men’s Health magazine, over half (about 53%) of Americans were shown to regularly use some form of complementary or alternative medicine. This includes those that do yoga as well as those that participate in medical acupuncture, meditation, mantras, aromatherapy, and many other types of complementary medicine.

The Chakra Unlocked

Whether you are just trying out different types of medicinal helps for the fun of it, are a devotee of complementary medicine and all of its benefits, or are somewhere in the middle, there are apps created for you.

It would be hard to put these apps into a single group because they can vary in purpose. For example, you could download an app that gives you new ideas or challenges for yoga poses every day, give the nearest location of an acupuncturist, or provide soothing sounds or mantras to help you center yourself.

All of these apps are wonderful tools for helping you to keep the chakras in balance, but not all apps are available to every type of phone. The new iPhone 4, for instance, allows you to look at possible apps through iTunes, but does not allow you to look at any other options.

To free up app possibilities and unlock the ability to tap into alternative methods with mainstream gadgets, many find it is best to unlock iPhone 4.

Though there may be a lot of good help with apps already available to the users of iPhone 4, this will help you not only to utilize those apps, but also to have the opportunity to explore your options.

A Beautiful Balance

Working toward achieving and taking advantage of complementary medicine may be a little daunting, especially if you are trying to fit them in between work, family, and a social life. Using the tools provided by apps, however, can give you a good head start.

Providing a way for you to find the best types of complementary and alternative methods for healing is the purpose of many apps. By opening up new avenues for self-discovery and mastery, you will find that your mind and spirit will have more opportunities to be opened.

By taking the example of over 150 million Americans and opening yourself, and your iPhone 4, to new ideas and experiences, you can discover yourself from the inside out, no matter what types of mainstream stresses are trying to make their way in.

Acupuncture for Back Pain



The occurring of back pain means something wrong with some part of your body. As for treating back pain, today acupuncture for back pain is one of popular treatments and it can bring the natural back pain relief you are seeking.

Understanding lower back pain

As a matter of fact, low back pain is not a disease but just a symptom of some kind of underlying disease. Through the outer symptom of low back pain, the body is telling you that one certain part of your body is out of function now. The problem can be critical in some cases and likely results in serious consequences if left untreated. On the contrary in some others back pain is just as well though this kind of severe back pain sometimes can cause a lot of unbearable pains.

It is a very important step to distinguish these two different types of back pains as it is the direct based evidence that which back pain relief products should be taken. If common lower back pain treatment is being adopted in some critical cases, you can picture that what consequences would happen to the sufferers next. On the contrary, once the diagnosis of common chronic back pain is confirmed, it can assure that you don’t need to worry too much. Some common lower back pain exercises and the changing of your life style can lose the back pain as well.

Causes of back pain

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), pains are caused by the stagnation of Qi-blood and the blockade of meridians. It’s like that old saying goes:

Pain means blockade, which is caused by the stagnation of Qi-blood. Once the blockade is removed, pains would be gone as well as Qi and blood recover in harmony now.

From the perspective of TCM, back pains can be classified into two basic types, either excess or deficiency. The deficient type is typically caused by deficiency of both liver and kidney or deficiency of both Qi and blood. The excessive type is typically caused by stasis, cold-dampness and dampness-heat.

Acupuncture and low back pain

Acupuncture is a treasure of Traditional Chinese Medicine. As early as in the ancient age, people began to use stone needle for medical treatments. Acupuncture therapy uses acupoints as the stimulating points and the relationship of meridian as basis of the treatment. Meridian consists of major channel and branches of channels, which refer to the network that runs Qi-blood, contact the viscera, communicate the internal and external and run through up and down inside the body.

Acupuncture is using these passages through which vital energy circulates and regulate bodily functions. Acupuncture stimulates the acupoints, deep or shallow, strong or weak, to arouse the meridian and Qi-blood, which can adjust the overall function, dredge the channels, regulate the internal organs so as to encourage the vital energy and achieve the purpose of medical treatment in the end.

As for sever lower back pain, acupuncture can stir up the Qi of meridian, regulate Qi and blood, clear channels so as to bring natural back pain relief. Acupuncture treatment uses The Great Law of Bu-Xie, namely tonification (Bu) and of sedation (Xie), to cure back pain. In addition, acupuncture can also ease muscle spasm, promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, diminish inflammation and swelling and promote tissue repair function. In a word, acupuncture can cure for lower back pain by addressing both the symptoms and root cause.

Common points in acupuncture for back pain So what are the common acupoints in acupuncture? Back pain is closely associated with the following acupoints, which actually are taken in most cases of acupuncture for back pain.

      1. Jian Jing (GB-21), which means Shoulder Well in English. It is on the shoulder, at the midpoint of a line connecting GV-14 (Da Zhui) and the acromion at the highest point of the shoulder. Don’t insert deep or it might damage apex pulmonis and lead to pneumothorax.

      2. Tian Zong (SI-11), which is on the scapula, in the depression of the centre of the subscapular fossa, and on the level of the 4th thoracic vertebra. Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-0.7 inch.

      3. Bing Feng (SI-12), which locates directly above SI-11 in the center of the suprascapular fossa, found in a depression when the arm is lifted. Puncture perpendicularly 0.3 inch.

      4. Qu Yuan (SI13), which is at the medial extremity of the suprascapular fossa midway between SI-10 and the spinous process of T2. Puncture perpendicularly 0.3-0.5 inch.

      5. Jian Wai Shu (SI 14), which 3 cun lateral to the spinous process of T1 (GV-13). Puncture perpendicularly 0.3-0.6 inch.

      6. Hua Tuo Jia Ji points, which locates at 0.5 to 1 cun lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the twelve thoracic and five lumbar vertebrae.

      7. Ashi point, which refers to acupoint selection in accordance with tenderness point.

      8. The urinary bladder channel on back.

      9. Wei Zhong (B 40), which locates at the middle of jarring mark in popliteal space.

      10. Houxi (SI3), which is at the end of a palm print. The depression at the back of the 5th Metacarpophalangeal joint is like a brook. Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-0.8 inch.

      11. Yanglingquan (GB34), which is at in a depression anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula. Puncture perpendicularly or obliquely 1-1.5 inch.

Acupuncture for back pain is a very simple yet effective back pain treatment. However, here is a just brief introduction. If you are interested in knowing more about acupuncture for neck and back pain, you can book an appointment at AB Acupuncture.

Acupuncture Allergy Treatment



Acupuncture allergy treatment is one of popular methods currently due to it is totally natural and effective. Here let’s take rhinitis as example to explain the mechanism of acupuncture for allergy. You may or may not give it a try before. However it always does good to you if you know more about it no matter before or after you take Acupuncture allergy treatment.

Causes of allergy

The causes for allergy are complicated. Generally the theories of acupuncture allergy treatment believe that allergy such as rhinitis is caused by deficiency of lung Qi, spleen Qi even kidney Qi, which reduce the body’s ability to resist pathogens. Lung connects nose. If lung is invaded by pathogenic cold, cold would bully nose as well. Another reason is that if a person is weak, which would lead to fragile Wei Yang, thus vulnerable to allergy.

The specific causes of rhinitis are as follows:

      • The accumulation of heat in lung channel results in nasal congestion. Incomplete treatment of chronic nasal diseases, or remaining heat after illness would contribute to heat accumulation in lung channel. If the person is attacked by pathogenic wind-heat or wind-cold, lung would fail to function right. Therefore, the stagnated pathogenic heat blocks lung channel and steam upward to lead to nasal congestion.

      • Deficiency of lung and spleen Qi leads to pathogens lingering in nasal passage. Nose is the open end of lung. Lung functions correctly, nasal passage would be clear and sensitive. If lung Qi is deficient and the outer defense is fragile, lung would be vulnerable to the attacks by pathogens and lose its functions of clearing, which finally leads to lingering pathogens in nasal passage. Or other causes such as hunger, full and fatigue can also damage the functions of stomach and spleen. Hence it leads to deficiency of spleen Qi and function failure. In this case, spleen fails to perform its job right to raise the useful essence and drop that unnecessary residue. In the end, the turbid residue stagnates in nasal passage and block channels, which results in poor running of blood-Qi and nasal congestion.

      • Lingering pathogens lead to Qi stagnation and blood stasis. The vital Qi in people with weak health fails to defeat pathogens, which lead to the long-termed stagnation in nasal passage. Therefore, they would block channels and the normal running of blood-Qi.

Regular acupuncture allergy treatment

Acupuncture allergy treatment focuses on improving the human condition and the vital energy. The basic idea is to reduce the body sensitivity to allergens through supplementing lung Qi, spleen Qi and kidney Qi. Through physical conditioning, it can improve the status of nasal sensitivity, thereby eliminating the allergic manifestation. Generally for most people, acupuncture allergy treatment combined with herb decoction can receive a significant result. Common treatments include techniques of filiform needle acupuncture, moxibustion, acupoint injection, point embedding and ear acupuncture therapy and so on.

Methods of acupuncture allergy treatment have been documented in Chinese ancient books long ago. In recent years, acupuncture for allergy treatment receives more and more attentions clinically due to its efficacy. Clinically common prescriptions are as follows:

      • Unblocking the lung Qi;

      • Dredging channels;

      • Reconciling blood-Qi;

      • Promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis.

The main acupuncture points are as follows:

      • (EX) Bitong;

      • Yingxiang (LI20);

      • Fei Shu (Bl 13);

      • Da Zhu (BL11);

      • Feng Men (BL 12);

      • Tsusanli (ST 36).

Another popular acupuncture allergy treatment is auricular-point-pressing therapy. The method is simple, less pain and with remarkable effect. Common ear points include acupoints of ear, internal nose, external nose, lung, adrenal gland, Shenmen (H 7), endocrine and allergic district. It can cure allergy by regulating nasal passage, desensitization, diminishing inflammation, stopping itching and pain.

For many others, acupuncture allergy treatment is not something new. Anyway, it is not doubt that it is one of the best natural allergy relief currently. However, you must to find a good and experienced acupuncturist first, which is the key to cure your allergy. If you are still looking around for a natural way to get rid of your allergy or what are the benefits of acupuncture, why not give it a try to acupuncture allergy treatment?

Lump in Throat Feeling



Lump in throat feeling, also known as Mei He Qi in Traditional Chinese medicine, is a clinically common disease. Another term for lump in throat feeling in West medicine is globus. Main symptom of lump in throat feeling is a sensation of an imaginary lump in the throat where no true lump exists. The annoyance of lump in throat feeling is that you can neither spit it out, nor swallow it. Globus can be seen very often in middle-aged women. In most clinical cases, lump in throat feeling will just hang there no matter how hard you try to clear your throat.

Ancient medical documents about lump in throat feeling/Mei He Qi

      • The name of Mei He Qi (lump in throat feeling) was first introduced in “Nanyang Huo Ren Shu” in Song Dynasty;

      • However, the disease of Mei He Qi (lump in throat feeling) was first recorded in “Lingshu – Chapter of Pathogens and Visceral Diseases” in the late Warring States Period, which read: “Large pulse of heart indicates that lump in throat.”

      • “Jin Gui Yao Lue” in Han Dynasty described the symptoms and treatment about lump in throat feeling in women.

Analysis to lump in throat feeling/Mei He Qi

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that lump in throat feeling (Mei He Qi) is caused by mood disorders. The main steps would be developed as follows:

      • Mood disorders contribute to stagnation of liver Qi;

      • Stagnated liver Qi rises upwards along the meridian and knots in the throat or bullies the spleen and invades the stomach;

      • The impaired spleen-stomach fails to run normally;

      • Since the spleen-stomach is the sea of grain and water, the failure of fluid transportation results in accumulation of phlegm;

      • Lump in throat feeling thus occurs under the combined action of Qi and phlegm.

Pathological Causes of lump in throat feeling/Mei He Qi

Modern medicine believes that the pathological causes for lump in throat feeling can be divided into organic and non-organic cause.

Organic cause

      • Elongated styloid process;

      • Cervical disease;

      • Chronic inflammation of the upper respiratory tract;

      • Spasm of pharynx and esophagus muscle;

      • Reflux esophagitis;

      • Esophageal hiatal hernia and gastric disease;

      • Throat and tonsil disease;

      • Chronic sinusitis;

      • Cricoarytenoid arthritis;

      • Early stage of cancer in pharynx, larynx, esophagus and cardia.

Non-organic cause

      • Throat neurosis;

      • Hysteria;

      • Hypochondriacal neurosis;

      • Schizophrenia and so on.

This type of lump in throat feeling can be seen very often in women of 30 to 40 years old. Women tend to have a higher prevalence rate than men.

Types and treatments for lump in throat feeling/Mei He Qi in Chinese medicine

Main protocol for treatment of lump in throat feeling/Mei He Qi is to relieve Qi stagnancy in liver, guide the Qi downwards to remove stagnation and clear the accumulation of phlegm.

Specifically, from the perspective of Traditional Chinese medicine, there are two types of Mei He Qi/lump in throat feeling.

1. Lump in throat feeling caused by stagnation of liver Qi

Due to stagnation of liver Qi, sufferers of lump in throat feeling are often found accompanied with following symptoms:

      • Feeling depressed;

      • Feeling suspicious;

      • Chest tightness and bloating in both sides but eating properly;

      • Feeling upset and irritable;

      • Belching very often;

      • Sighing frequently;

      • Pink tongue with white coating;

      • String pulse.

The treatment protocol for this type of lump in throat feeling is to relieve liver Qi and dispel melancholy. Main prescriptions include:

      • Ban Xia Hou Po Tang in “Jin Gui Yao Lue” by Zhang zhongjing;

      • Xiao Yao Wan;

      • Dan Zhi Xiao Wan.

2. Lump in throat feeling caused by accumulated phlegm due to deficient spleen

For those who are with accumulated phlegm due to deficient spleen, they tend to have symptoms as follows:

      • Lump in throat;

      • Excessive phlegm in throat and hard to spit it up;

      • Or coughing with white phlegm;

      • Limbs tiredness;

      • Loss of appetite;

      • Abdominal distension;

      • Enlarged tongue with white and greasy coating;

      • Slippery pulse.

The treatment protocol for this type of lump in throat feeling is to strengthen spleen, guide Qi downwards and transform the phlegm. Main prescriptions include:

      • Er Chen Tang in “Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang” by Chen Shi Wen;

      • Si Jun Zi Tang;

      • Chen Xia Liu Jun Zi Tang;

      • Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan.

Lump in throat feeling is not a major illness. However lump in throat feeling has a huge impact on the quality of life. Or it would develop into other serious diseases if left untreated. Compared with taking placebo or oryzanol in West medicine, Chinese medicine offers better solutions for lump in throat feeling.

Self-care and managing stress are also essential to help resolve a lump in the throat feeling. Acupuncture sessions by AB Acupuncture can help reduce stress and elevate your mood.

Male Infertility Causes



Male infertility is regularly considered as deficiency disease, according to the theory of Chinese medicine. In other words, the causes of male infertility are mainly the deficiency of Yang. As a matter of fact, clinically most cases of male infertility are of the constitution of both deficiency and cold.

Male infertility causes in Jingui Yaolue

Jingui Yaolue, also known as Synopsis of Golden Chamber, ever talked about infertility as follows:

“If a man’s pulse is floating, weak and astringent, he must suffer from infertility. The root cause is that his vital essence and energy are scant and cold.”

This paragraph talks about the relationship between male infertility and poor innate endowments. A disease-free man’s pulse can not be floating without root, weak and astringent for no reason. The weak pulse indicates the lack of fluid while astringent pulse indicates the lack of blood. If an ordinary man with this kind of pulse, it must relate to his poor innate endowments. Scant-cold vital essence and energy, in other words, refers to low sperm count, low sperm motility, bad quality sperm and lack of semen.

Therefore, we realize that men with this kind of pulse or constitution are prone to suffer from male infertility.

The above is just a general cause for male infertility. Specifically, from the perspective of Chinese medicine, there are six causes for male infertility.

Male infertility cause one: Cold sperm

So what does cold sperm mean? Given that Lower Jiao is deficient and cold, and the fire of vital gate is weak, the temperature of the sperm is so low, even as cold as stone, that it is difficult to make the woman pregnant.

Male infertility cause two: Qi depletion

Qi depletion generally refers to the dysfunction of Zang-fu viscera, or shortage of nutrient substance in the body, especially refers to the deficiency of kidney Qi. The deficiency of kidney Qi results in the lack of intrinsic motivation to produce kidney essence, in turn lack of kidney essence finally leads to male infertility.

Male infertility cause three: excessive phlegm

Excessive phlegm usually is related with the function of spleen and lung. Chinese medicine considers that spleen is the source of phlegm while lung is storage of phlegm. Chinese medicine also thinks that spleen is the source for the production and transformation of Qi and blood. If dampness-phlegm stagnates in the space of spleen-stomach, it must lead to shortage of genuine Qi and consumption of essential Qi, which thus causes male infertility.

Male infertility cause four: hyperactivity of ministerial fire

The so-called hyperactivity of ministerial fire refers to excessive fire due to yin deficiency. Because of excessive fire due to yin deficiency, the sperm is forced to ejaculate. Chinese medicine considers kidney is Zang organ of yin nature, which contains both water and fire, such as kidney-yin and kidney-yang. Physiologically it needs to maintain a relative balance between fire and water. If kidney-yin is deficient, kidney-yang would become excessive.

In this case, men would suffer from symptoms such as hypoactive sexual desire, nocturnal emission, and premature ejaculation and so on, which thus results in male infertility finally.

Male infertility cause five: low sperm count

Low sperm count refers to deficiency disease and lack of semen. This kind of male infertility might be caused by congenital deficiency, or intemperate sexual intercourse, which thus leads to depletion of vital essence.

Male infertility cause six: stagnation of Qi

Stagnation of Qi is one kind of syndrome of stagnation. It is caused by depression of emotion and folded liver Qi. Stagnation of Qi can result in blood stasis, erectile dysfunction (ED, “male impotence”) and ejaculation problems, which thus lead to male infertility finally.

Tips for treatment of male infertility

Since we already know the above-mentioned six causes of male infertility, the rest for us is to choose the corresponding treatments based on the specific symptoms. Anyway, as I have repeated many times that there are no invariable drugs for any diseases with Chinese medicine. So the same is true to male infertility. Clinically most cases of male infertility are of deficiency type. However, male infertility can be both of deficiency type and excess type. Knowing the causes of male infertility is just the start, next I would continue talking about the specific common treatments for male infertility with Chinese herbs and acupuncture. To learn more about how acupuncture treatment can help treat male infertility, check out AB Acupuncture. Stay tune.

Fissured Tongue with White Dry Coating



To get to know this kind tongue manifestation, first we have to know something about fissured tongue (or cracked tongue).

Fissured tongue is also known as ‘scrotal tongue’ or ‘lingua plicata’, which is characterized by one or more fissures or grooves on the tongue surface.

Category of fissured tongue

Fissured tongue can be either congenital or acquired.

Congenital fissured tongue might be caused by dysplasia of lingualis, which can be seen in approximately 0.5% healthy population. Congenital fissured tongue, which is normal and different from acquired fissured tongue, does not need any treatments.

Anyway, for the acquired fissured tongue, we should pay extra attention and need to analyze them from the perspective of Traditional Chinese medicine. To know more about the meaning of cracked tongue in Chinese medicine, visit AB Acupuncture.

Diagnosis for fissured tongue with white dry coating

The tongue coating, thin or thick, is white in color, with rough and loose particles, which looks like dry and hard gravel, and feels rough if touching by hand. This kind of tongue manifestation is called white dry tongue coating.

If the particles are small in size, hard in quality and paved with vertical and horizontal fissures, it is called fissured tongue with white dry coating.

The causes for fissured tongue with white dry coating

White coating and dry fissured tongue can be seen at the same time, which is always caused by sudden loss of fluid due to sudden and violent interior-heat.

This kind of tongue manifestation can be seen very often in patients with acute febrile diseases with hyperthermia. The heat occurs so abruptly that kidney-Yin is nearly exhausted and there is no time for tongue coating to turn yellow.

If the tongue coating is white and fissured but not so dry, it is often associated with impaired Qi by summer febrile disease combined with dampness within.

Ancient document about fissured tongue with white dry coating

Bian She Zhi Nan or “Tongue Diagnosis Guide”

“Fissured tongue with white dry coating is the result of misusing drugs of warm and tonifying nature, which scorches and injures genuine Yin.

But why it does not turn into yellow tongue or black hairy tongue since the heat is so violent?

The reason is that genuine Yin is exhausted so quickly that there no fluid to supply to the tongue in time, which allows no time for already dried coating to turn yellow or black. “

Main diseases indicated by fissured tongue with white dry coating

This kind of tongue manifestation hosts:

      • Fluid deficiency induced by abrupt violent heat.

      • Treatment should be promoting fluid production and clearing heat.

      • Qi injury by summer febrile disease, combined with dampness within.

      • Treatment should be clearing summer heat and benefiting Qi.

Clinically fissured tongue with white dry coating can be seen often in patients suffering from febrile diseases and acute infectious diseases.

Ready herbal drugs recommended for fissured tongue with white dry coating

      • Chai Xue San;

      • Ling Qiao Jie Du Wan;

      • Ban Lan Gen Chong Ji;

The best prevention against fissured tongue is to practice proper oral hygiene, including cleaning of the mouth at least twice a day and regular visits to the dentist.

Vomiting After Eating



Vomiting after eating might be one of the most harmful things to the health. According to Chinese medicine, our blood and body fluids are one of most important elements for our health. What is the source of that nourishment which maintains our growth and replacement of tissues on daily basis? Chinese medicine considers that all those fine essential substance comes from water and grain transformed by our spleen and stomach.

So it is quite simple that what is the immediate reason for vomiting after eating might contribute to worsening health. How could our body function properly without the adequate supply of energy?

Types of vomiting after eating

According to the difference of clinical manifestation, vomiting can be classified as three different types.

• Vomiting with both sounds and contents;
• Vomiting with sounds but without contents;
• Vomiting with contents but without sounds.

Actually clinically these three types of vomiting are very difficult to tell them apart completely. Vomiting after eating is a symptom of many diseases in western medicine, such as acute gastritis, nervous vomiting, cardiac spasm, pyloric spasm and the obstruction, pancreatitis and gall bladder disease.

Vomiting after eating and spleen- stomach

Since we know that vomiting is the involuntary emptying of stomach contents through the mouth, which is one of common symptoms in a variety of acute and chronic diseases. If vomiting after eating keeps occurring for some time, it would cause some serious consequence to the health, even life threatening in some cases.

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese medicine, stomach is the ocean of water and grain for our body, namely the storage and manufacturer of all the nutrient supplies. Stomach likes moisture while disliking dryness. The descending stomach Qi is the normal form. If stomach Qi rises, food, phlegm and fluids would be vomited through the mouth. Thus vomiting after eating is caused by the imbalance of stomach Qi.

Specifically, there are four different causes in terms of vomiting after eating.

Causes of vomiting after eating: The invasion of exogenous pathogen

The exogenous pathogens, such as pathogenic wind, cold, dampness and turbid Qi, attack the Fu viscera of the stomach, which causes the imbalance and rising of the stomach Qi, in turn the contents would follow the rise of stomach Qi, thus vomiting occurs.

According to the comments in “Vomiting – Ancient and Modern Medical Commission”: “Vomiting after eating occurs suddenly. It must be caused by the invasion of exogenous pathogen in Fu viscera of the stomach. During summer, vomiting is committed by pathogenic heat. During autumn and winter, vomiting is committed by pathogenic wind and cold.”

Causes of vomiting after eating: Improper eating habits

Eating too much, cold greasy food, or contaminated food can result in the damage of the spleen and stomach, which finally lead to the stagnation of food and failure to transform into nutrient supplies. Then the stagnation blocks stomach Qi from descending, therefore stomach Qi rises to force the vomiting.

Causes of vomiting after eating: Emotional disorders

Anger injures liver. The liver Qi fails to stretch out smoothly. And then the stagnated liver Qi goes nowhere but invading the stomach. The attacked stomach Qi is forced rising to cause the vomiting.

Anxiety or worry injures spleen. The spleen fails to function properly. And then the food can not consume and transform into the nutrient supplies. The stagnated food makes the imbalance of the stomach Qi. Finally the rising of stomach Qi lead to the vomiting.

Causes of vomiting after eating: Deficiency of spleen-stomach

Overwork might deplete and injure the Qi in middle burner. Or chronic illness might also lead to withered Yang in middle burner. The deficient spleen can not afford the water and grain and fail to transform them into Qi and blood. The stagnation of cold and turbid contents in the spleen thus causes vomiting. Or the accumulation would transform into phlegm by the processing of stomach heat. Thus when the pathogenic fluid-retention turns upwards, vomiting occurs especially after eating.

Anyway, vomiting after eating also can be triggered by deficiency of stomach Yin. Because of lack of the moistening of stomach Yin, the Qi of stomach fails to be guided downward. In this case, vomiting after eating might occur thereby.

“Supplement of Syndrome Treatment • Vomiting” ever said:

“Vomiting can be caused by not only the illness of stomach, but also the deficiency of Yin. That is to say, vomiting can be triggered as well by depletion of stomach Yin”

The basic rules on the treatments of vomiting after eating

The first rule for treatment of vomiting after eating is to identify the syndrome is deficiency type or excess type.

• Most excess types of vomiting might be caused by exogenous pathogens or improper diet habit, which are usually acute and last short duration.
• Most deficient types of vomiting might be caused by receded capabilities of spleen-stomach, in which onset usually is slow and tends to last longer course.
• “Jing Yue Quan Shu” classified vomiting as two different types according to syndrome differentiation.
• The excess type of vomiting should be treated with expelling exogenous pathogens and eliminating pathogenic fluid-retention, in combination with harmonizing the stomach and guiding stomach Qi downwards.
• The deficiency type of vomiting should be treated with warming the middle burner and strengthening the spleen, in the combination with nourishing Yin and benefiting stomach plus strengthening the vital Qi.

Vomiting after eating sometime can occur in some severe diseases, such as blocked intestine, gall bladder diseases, brain cancer, ulcers, meningitis, appendicitis and migraine headaches etc. Anyway, no matter what the diseases they are, the treatment of vomiting after eating by Chinese medicine should stick to the basic rules and basic types.

In the treatment of vomiting after eating, the versatile principle of syndrome differentiation in Chinese medicine makes sense as well. Click here if you want to know what treatments that help to improve health.

Lose Weight in 10 Easy Steps with Traditional Chinese Medicine



Every few years another weight loss drug gets thrown out because of their proven health risks. It used to be Redux and Fen-Phen. Yet, the FDA still approves new diet drugs, despite potential side effects that may be damaging to the heart. Is there another, safer way to lose weight?

The majority of people who resort to drugs to help them lose weight have previously tried dieting. Unfortunately, many studies indicate that as many as 95% of these people regain all their weight within a year?

The problem with many diets and diet drugs is that both approaches attempt to eliminate excess weight quickly by treating only the symptom. Because they don’t reach the root of the problem, the results are not long lasting and may even be damaging.

It seems to be time to begin looking at the weight issue in a more holistic fashion. Let’s look at weight loss through the eyes of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

For thousands of years, TCM has compared digestion to a pot on a flame. In order for proper digestion to take place, it is essential to keep the flame burning. Digestion is a warming process and cold tends to freeze, constrict, and slow down the normal digestive functions. Anything that might smother or put out the flame can cause digestive disturbances, which can lead to sluggishness in the digestive process. Improper digestion impairs the body’s ability to transport and transform food and fluids, leading to a build-up of dampness and phlegm, or what we know as excess body fat.

      1. Avoid very cold foods. Ice water and drinks will shut down your digestive fires. Don’t eat food directly from the refrigerator. WARM it up!

      2. Reduce intake of sugars and sweets, fried, greasy foods, and milk and dairy products. Sugars and sweets cause an increase of fluids in the body, creating excess phlegm, dampness, and digestive problems. Fried, greasy foods do the same. Milk and dairy products are considered both cold and sweet and create much phlegm.

      3. Eat more cooked and less raw food. Although many people think they receive more nutrients by eating some foods raw (e.g., fruits, vegetables, and salads), according to TCM, raw foods are too cold and difficult to digest, thereby not allowing the body to actually absorb all those nutrients. Lightly cooked foods make digestion easier and allow a higher net gain of nutrients through better absorption. (Some raw foods are okay to eat during the hot summer months to create balance.)

      4. Chew food very well. Digestion begins in the mouth. Chewing warms the food and breaks it down, making it easier on the stomach.

      5. Avoid constant nibbling. Nibbling all day can cause food retention and digestive stagnation.

      6. Don’t eat late at night. Metabolism is slower at this time of day and food tends to just sit there causing stagnation and weight gain.

      7. Avoid overeating. Overeating can smother the digestive fires and cause food retention.

      8. Avoid eating when under emotional stress. According to TCM, stress upsets the liver’s energetic functions which then hinders normal digestive functions.

      9. Reduce salt intake. Salt retains fluids in the body and too much of it will make it more difficult to eliminate excess fluid.

      10. Exercise! Exercise is a must for a successful weight loss program.

Some people may do all of the above and still not lose weight. They may give up on the more natural, effective weight loss program and try drugs or fad diets. Too often this is counter-productive. The problem may well be that after years of impaired digestion, their metabolism may simply not be functioning as well as it should. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs may be used to stimulate the metabolism, dissolve fatty accumulations, regulate the appetite and strengthen the digestive system. By “reinforcing the flame under the pot,” TCM gets to the root of the problem, brings the body back into balance and allows the body to heal itself.

Interested in trying acupuncture for yourself and experiencing its healing effects? Visit AB Acupuncture now to book an appointment.

Acupuncture Therapy: Origins and History



The practice of acupuncture therapy as an ancient form of natural healthcare has a recorded history of at least 2000 years dating back to one of the earliest and most important texts written on traditional Chinese medicine the Nei Jing (Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen) which is also know as “The Inner Cannon of Huang Di” or “Yellow Emperors Inner Cannon.

Note: Recent examinations of Ötzi, a 5000-year-old mummy found in the Alps, have identified over fifty tattoos on his body, some of which are located on acupuncture points that would today be used to treat ailments Ötzi suffered from.

Some scientists believe that this is evidence that an ancient medical therapy such as acupuncture or acupressure massage would have been practiced elsewhere in Eurasia during the early Bronze Age to promote ane maintain health and used as insurance againse illness and disease.

According to an article published in The Lancet by Dorfer et al.: "We hypothesized that there might have been a medical system similar to acupuncture (Chinese Zhenjiu: needling and burning) that was practiced in Central Europe 5200 years ago...A treatment modality similar to acupuncture thus appears to have been in use long before its previously known period of use in the medical tradition of ancient China. This raises the possibility of acupuncture having originated in the Eurasian continent at least 2000 years earlier than previously recognized."

This ancient Chinese medical book which was written around 100 BCE is considered to be the original source of what is today referred to as TCM (Traditional Chinese Mediciine) and is comparable in importance to western medicine’s Hippocratic Corpus.

The main text of the Nei Jing text is thought to be a collection of traditions handed down over the centuries and to this day is often referenced in support of particular therapeutic techniques.

The concepts of channels (meridians or conduits in which the Chi (vital energy or life force) flows had been well established by this time, although accurate anatomical locations of acupuncture points may have developed at a later date.

The Nei Jing is composed of two texts:

1. The Su Wen – also known as the “Simple Questions” deals with the basic theory of Chinese medical diagnosis.

2. The Ling Shu – more commonly known as the “Spiritual Pivot” discusses acupuncture therapy in great detail.

Although there are hundreds if not thousands of books related to acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine available today, the Nei Jing is still considered to be the original source of knowledge for acupuncture theory and guide for the treatment of illness.

Acupuncture – Basic Theory

Chinese medical doctors of ancient times believed if a persons energy (Chi) became obstructed for any reason illness would result.

According to TCM theory this Chi (life force energy) can be positively affected by inserting very fine acupuncure needles on various acupuncture points located on specific areas of the body.

Most of the major acupuncture points are located on twelve primary meridians which traverse the anterior, posterior and bi-lateral regions of the body.

Today acupuncture is used not only in China but in nearly every developed country in the world. From Japan to Australia the USA, Canada and Europe - acupuncture and TCM are to be found in medical hospitals, private clinics and in some cases even on the battlefield.

Acupuncture Styles

Since it's origins in ancient China, the use of acupuncture has spread diversified and has been adapted by many nations and cultures today.

Some of the major acupuncture styles would be:

      • Five Element Acupuncture

      • Eight Principle Acupuncture

      • Japanese Acupuncture

      • Korean Acupuncture

      • European Acupuncture

      • Pediatric Acupuncture

      • Medical Acupuncture

      • Electro Acupuncture

      • Moxabustion Acupuncture

These different styles of a natural and ancient healing technique have somewhat different diagnostic and therapeutic methods but retain the core philosophy and teachings of the ancient texts.

Interested in trying acupuncture for relaxation and healing? Book your appointment now at AB Acupuncture!

Definition of Stress: An Acupuncture Chinese Medicine Viewpoint



What is stress: Acupuncture and Chinese medicine assigns the definition of stress to any factor that requires you to make a response or change.

This factor, or stressor, can be actual (real) or perceived. The source can be emotional, physical, social, economic, or anything that changes your normal behaviour in response to a stressor. For example, during good economic times you may be pressured or exhausted from a hectic work environment whereas during poor economic conditions, such as the 2008-2009 Global Financial Crisis, job losses, loss of wealth or financial devastation easily lead to a variety of stress and anxiety manifestations.

The cause of the disease is an important consideration when formulating a treatment plan with acupuncture or Chinese medicine, which is very effective for stress and anxiety.

In essence, stress in not what happens to you, but how you react (physically, emotionally, mentally...and spiritually) to what happens.

Exposure to stress can have a positive or negative impact on your body. It can have a positive or negative influence in your life and causes wear and tear on your body’s physical and mental resources. How much damage is caused depends on the nature and degree of stress, that is, the severity of stress and how you cope with it.

Some people perform better or thrive on stressful situations, such as in competitive sports or during examinations. On the other hand, others do not cope very well with stress, even on exposure to mild forms of stress.

Stress has been theorised as a major contributing factor in many physical diseases, for example asthma or heart disease. Once a response or change is required, the body’s physiology also changes. For example, separation from parents can cause a young child to cry. Another example is an increase in body temperature when you become dehydrated.

Fundamentally, there are two forms of stress - acute short term and chronic long term. Both have different consequences on health and wellbeing.

Acute short term stress can be a near-miss car accident on the road and chronic long term stress can be constant deadline pressure or having major relationship difficulties with spouse, family, friends or work colleagues.

Chronic long term stress usually leads to chronic disease or contribute to the early development of disease. What this means is that the more stress you experience, the more likely you will become sick. The immune system become suppressed or become less active, making you susceptible to catching colds, the flu or infectious diseases. Chronic stress or constant pressure will eventually lead to 'burn-out'.

When you are under any type of stress, the body normally reacts by making itself ready for the event – heart rate, blood pressure and muscles tension rise quickly. Some people even experience racing thoughts, anxiety and panic.

Overtime, this rise in heart rate can lead to arrhythmia (absence or irregularity in normal heartbeat); the rise in blood pressure develops into hypertension (high blood pressure); and increases in muscle tension become headaches or migraines. In addition, unusual activity in the intestinal tract can lead to diarrhoea, constipation or Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Click here to learn more about the benefits of acupuncture.

Stress, High Blood Pressure, and Acupuncture



When a person is under stress, their body starts what is known as a stress response. A number of chemicals are released into the bloodstream, the heart beats faster, breathing becomes more rapid, and muscles tense up. If the person is planning on running away from a large animal, these are all very good responses. For the businessman at his desk taking a phone call, these are not good reactions. The body easily takes care of an occasional response like this, the chemicals are cleaned out, and the body becomes relaxed once again. However, when this reaction occurs a number of times a week, the stress starts to affect the resting state of the body. Muscles no longer entirely relax, and the frequent release of these chemicals create other problems. Chronic stress can cause such problems as sleeplessness, stomach and digestion problems, panic attacks, and pain of some sort (such as frequent headaches). Long term problems related to stress include strokes, high blood pressure, and colitis or other bowel problems.

A person may try to handle stress on his or her own, by finding something to mask it. Alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, and even lots of sugar can make the person feel better. One of the most common "pills" after a stressful moment is a cup of coffee and a doughnut, or possibly a cigarette. Physicians can also prescribe medications to combat some of these symptoms, both psychological and physical. Antidepressants, one of the more common medications for this, only offer short-term relief at best.

The obvious answer is to remove the source of stress. However, many times that simply is not possible. Is there another solution? One of the most successful results from acupuncture is the acupuncture treatment results in a healthier body as well.






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Acupuncture and Western Medicine



Nearly all of us have grown up with the same kind of medical treatments, and go to the doctor when we have a sore throat or a sore foot. American doctors, and in general, western medicine, have always been interested in the structure of the body, and how each individual organ structure should look when it is healthy. The tools western medicine has developed have been to see these structures better: the microscope, MRIs, and the x-ray camera. In contrast, Chinese medicine, the basis for acupuncture, has been interested in how natural forces, functioning both externally and internally, have affected people. Chinese medicine developed an understanding about how the circulation of blood and energy (called Qi) affect the state of health, and how seasons, emotions, and weather may disturb these flows. The result of this is that western medicine has developed a remarkable array of solutions based on anatomy, whereas the science behind acupuncture has developed many applications of a few basic principles based on physiology.

This study of health also is reflected in the analysis of body chemistry. Western medicine is again interested in the structure of many different fluids and can tell you what the normal range for sodium ions is, or what shape red blood cells should and should not be. Chinese medicine and acupuncture focuses on Qi energy, the circulation of Qi, polarities (such as Yin and Yang), climatic conditions, and the connection between physical substances and energy. Chinese medicine considers fluids and tissues important, but mainly for their reactions to the more fundamental processes.

Western medicine also differs in a view of acceptable treatment. This can be seen by looking at how a viral infection is treated, where the main problem is the virus. Once the virus is rendered harmless, the patient is viewed as cured. In some special cases, such as transplant patients or HIV positive patients, there is considerable effort taken to address the immune system as well. The philosophy behind acupuncture considers that the most likely reason that the virus was able to flourish in the patient is due to an imbalance in the patient's physical or emotional state, their personal habits, and possibly the climate. The virus is addressed, but the entire well being of the patient is much more important.

Another difference is in the way that Chinese medicine views emotional and mental problems. These have traditionally always been a part of any acupuncture diagnosis and treatment. An emotional imbalance may be a cause for a physical ailment, however, this is not looked upon as a "psychosomatic disorder" and dismissed. This emotional imbalance can also be treated with acupuncture, in order to restore the correct flow of energy, and hence the physical ailment and emotional ailment will both be addressed and treated. Western medicine has only started to treat mental illness as a component of physical health in the last thirty years, and again, by relying on such things as blood analysis

Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and western medicine have all made great contributions to the healing arts. They come from two distinctly different viewpoints and methods of practice. Hopefully this discussion has given some insight into the differences between the two, and a starting point for thought the next time a health problem needs to be addressed.

Looking for more information about acupuncture? Visit AB Acupuncture.






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Why Healthy People Turn To Acupuncture



Acupuncture is a traditional and natural medical practice that originated during the era of the Chinese and Japanese period. In fact, it had been found out that at that period where artificial medicine was not formulated or when herbal and natural forms of treatment were trending, many have put Acupuncture into practice. Chinese and Japanese ancestors believed that applying or using natural means of relieving one’s pain will help the human’s circulation and development in his system. Thus, this practice is not just for physical pleasure but also for spiritual and internal well-being.

Acupuncture is done with the use of specialized needles. These needles are like no other because when they are placed on your body, they are painless. As a matter of fact, you will feel even more relaxed and relieved. The needles work as a path opener where each makes a passage for the flow of positive vibration to your chi or qi. Thus, this allows you to sense the enormous amount of relief from pain, stress and worries.

Moreover, there are special points on your body where these needles are inserted. It takes an experienced expert to place these needles because each has an important and crucial function. It is your body that we are talking about here so never risk it while you are also finding ways of eliminating your ailments.

Chi or qi represents your life force or energy. Failure to pamper it will put you to risk. In fact, when you refuse to meditate or apply Acupuncture into your system, you will easily be attacked by ailments and your health will also easily deteriorate. You will not be able to function well at work or even at home. You may even start looking for artificial vitamins or remedies to cure your fatigue when in fact the only way to relieve you from such is to allow positive vibration and normal circulation to enter into your system.

The following ailments that Acupuncture cures are diabetes, arthritis, joint problems, indigestion, stress and also fatigue. Normally, when people feel these health issues, they immediately resort to artificial medical prescription when it fact, it should not be that way. The best remedy is a natural treatment where it can definitely go deeper into your system to eliminate these ailments. Remember the Acupuncture is not a remedy or alternative for surgery. This is only a natural treatment to relieve you from stress and fatigue that you are feeling due to several injuries, which are responsible for causing you such discomfort. Nevertheless, it is one of the many ways that will give you health benefits.

Want to find out more about acupuncture, then visit AB Acupuncture to learn how to choose the best acupuncture alternative medicine for your needs.

Acupuncture for Back Pain: Is It Effective?



An estimated 60 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, according to the Institute of Medicine. That’s more than the number of people who suffer from diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined. If you’re one of the millions of Americans who live with chronic back pain, you know how debilitating it can be.

You also know how difficult it is to find an effective treatment. Opioid drugs are commonly prescribed for chronic back pain, but they come with the risk of addiction and other serious side effects. So, what are your other options?

One possible treatment is acupuncture. Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of conditions. Acupuncture works by stimulating the nervous system to release chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals either change the experience of pain or trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones that influence the body's self-regulating systems.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of acupuncture to treat chronic pain, including back pain. But does it work? Let’s take a closer look at the evidence.

A 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis looked at the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic low back pain. The review included 31 randomized controlled trials with a total of 17,922 participants.

The researchers found that acupuncture was more effective than no treatment at all in reducing pain intensity and improving function. Furthermore, they found that acupuncture was as effective as other commonly used treatments, such as massage, heat therapy, and spinal manipulation.

Acupuncture is thought to work by stimulating the nervous system and releasing endorphins, which are natural pain relievers. It is considered a safe treatment when performed by a trained professional. The most common side effects are minor and include bruising, soreness, and bleeding at the site of needle insertion. Serious side effects are rare but can include punctured lungs and broken ribs if needles are inserted too deeply.

If you’re living with chronic back pain, you know how difficult it can be to find an effective treatment. Opioid drugs are commonly prescribed but come with the risk of addiction and other serious side effects.

Acupuncture treatments are a possible alternative that has been shown to be effective in reducing pain intensity and improving function. It is considered a safe treatment when performed by a trained professional and has few side effects.

Talk to your doctor about whether acupuncture could be right for you.

How to Slow Down the Progression of Fuchs Dystrophy



Fuchs dystrophy is a degenerative eye disease that slowly destroys clear vision. It is a genetic disorder that affects the cornea, which is the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye. The cornea is responsible for focusing light into the eye, so when it becomes damaged, vision is affected.

Fuchs dystrophy usually affects both eyes and can lead to blindness if not treated. There are, however, ways to slow down its progression and preserve your vision. Here are four things you can do:

Get regular comprehensive eye exams

This is probably the most important thing you can do to slow down the progression of Fuchs dystrophy. Comprehensive eye exams can detect early signs of the disease and allow for early treatment. Treatment options include eyedrops, special contact lenses, and surgery. The earlier you catch Fuchs dystrophy, the better your chances are of slowing down its progression.

Quit smoking

Smoking is a risk factor for many degenerative diseases, including Fuchs dystrophy. Quitting smoking can help slow down the progression of the disease and preserve your vision.

Eat a healthy diet

Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been shown to help slow down the progression of degenerative diseases like Fuchs dystrophy. Foods that are especially good for eye health include leafy green vegetables, carrots, sweet potatoes, and salmon.

Take supplements

Certain supplements have been shown to be helpful in slowing down degenerative diseases like Fuchs dystrophy. Supplements such as CoQ10, lutein, and zeaxanthin can all help preserve vision and slow down disease progression. Talk to your doctor about which supplements are right for you.

Fuchs dystrophy is a serious degenerative eye disease that can lead to blindness if left untreated. However, there are things you can do to slow down its progression and preserve your vision. Be sure to get regular comprehensive eye exams, quit smoking, eat a healthy diet, and take supplements as recommended by your doctor. By taking these steps, you can help slow down the progression of Fuchs dystrophy and preserve your vision for years to come!

With this information, you are now equipped to make an informed decision on how to slow the progression of Fuchs dystrophy. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to give us a call at Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region. We would be happy to help you in any way we can.

The Stages of Lyme Disease



Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected black-legged tick. Lyme disease can cause a wide range of symptoms, which can make it difficult to diagnose.

Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics, and most people make a full recovery. However, some people may experience long-term effects from the disease. Lyme disease is classified into three stages: early localized, early disseminated, and late disseminated.

Stage One: Early Localized Lyme Disease

Stage one of Lyme disease begins at the site of the tick bite. A small red bump, called an erythema migrants (EM) rash, will appear at the site of the bite within 3-30 days. The EM rash is often described as looking like a “bull’s eye” and is usually accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, and fatigue. If left untreated, stage one Lyme disease will progress to stage two.

Stage Two: Early Disseminated Lyme Disease

Stage two of Lyme disease occurs when the bacteria from the initial tick bite begin to spread throughout the body via the bloodstream. The bacteria can cause the EM rash to spread to other parts of the body.

Additionally, stage two Lyme disease may cause neurological symptoms such as Bell’s palsy (paralysis of facial muscles) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord). If left untreated, stage two Lyme disease will progress to stage three.

Stage Three: Late Disseminated Lyme Disease

Stage three of Lyme disease occurs when the bacteria from the initial tick bite continue to spread throughout the body and begin to attack different organs such as the heart or joints. Stage three Lyme disease can cause serious complications such as carditis (inflammation of the heart), arthritis (inflammation of the joints), or cognitive problems such as memory loss or difficulty concentrating. If left untreated, late disseminated Lyme disease can be difficult to treat and may lead to long-term health problems.

Lyme disease is a serious condition that can have long-term effects if it goes untreated. However, with early diagnosis and treatment, most people make a full recovery. If you think you may have Lyme disease, or if you have been bitten by a tick, see your doctor right away. Acupuncture can also be helpful in treating the symptoms of Lyme disease. At AB Acupuncture, we offer acupuncture treatment that can help relieve your pain and get you on the road to recovery. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.






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