Diabetes

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

Diabetes is a major worldwide health problem, especially in the United States. Diabetes affects more than 20 million Americans. Over 40 million Americans have pre-diabetes (early type 2 diabetes). Research in China suggests that the combination of Chinese and Conventional medicine for Diabetes is better and more effective than either alone. When one combines Chinese and Western medicines one gets all the power and speed of the Conventional Western drugs while typically requiring a lower dose and fewer different medications. In addition, the Chinese medicine is commonly able to eliminate any side effects of the Conventional Western medications.

The traditional Chinese medicine perspective on Diabetes

Acupuncture and herbal medicine have been used to treat diabetes for over 2000 years. “Xiao Ke” or “wasting and thirsting disease” is the Traditional Chinese medical term for diabetes. The patient is described as having symptoms of excessive hunger and thirst, frequent urination and rapid weight loss; all symptoms of diabetes. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiao-ke is attributed to three main factors: improper diet (consuming large quantities of sweets, fatty or greasy foods, alcohol, and hot drinks such as hot coffee or tea), emotional disturbances (stress, anxiety, depression,) and a constitutional Yin deficiency (fatigue, weakness, lethargy, pale complexion).

Unlike Western medicine, which is focusing with measuring and monitoring blood glucose levels in diabetic patients, Traditinal Chinese Medicine provides a whole body approach and aims to optimize the body’s ability to function normally. The treatment for diabetes will focus on regulating the circulation of blood and Qi and balancing the organ systems to improve pancreatic function and dispel internal heat and tonify Qi and Yin. Studies from around the world have clearly demonstrated the ability of acupuncture to stimulate peripheral blood circulation, which is common in diabetics and leads to a variety of complications.

We Can Help You

Mr. Jiang has been trained in both conventional and Chinese medicine and therefore he can understand the reasoning and prescribed treatments within each system. This is a great benefit for the diabetes patient that comes to treat his diabetes and symptoms in our clinic. Mr. Jiang offers a comprehensive way to address each patient individually to eliminate the symptoms associated with diabetes and reduce the need for insulin. He utilizes a variety of techniques during treatment including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, massage, and lifestyle/dietary recommendations.

The cupuncture points Mr. Jiang chosen are based on patient’s medical history, and specific stage of diabetes advancement, and highly differentiated from individual to individual. The chosen acupuncture points can be all over the body and on several meridians. The points such as yishu, quchi , sanyinjiao and zusanli are the most common used main points for treating diabetes.

Mr. Jiang believes that herbal medicine is an important component to the treatment of diabetes. Different formulas may be effective for different conditions. After analyzing patient’s symptoms and details of his/her health and lifestyle, Mr. Jiang will choose individualized formulas for each patient. Different formulations are readily available as tablets, pills, or granules (the latter are dried herbal teas that are swallowed down with a glass of water).

Mr. Jiang emphasizes the great role that diet therapy pays for the treatment diabetes. As a general rule, one with diebetes should eat less of foods high in sugar, high fat. It is also importnat to select some prescription for dietary therapy to restore balance to the body. Based on each patient’s condition, age, nature of work, activities, strength, and dietary habits, Mr. Jiang will provide peronalized diet recipes suitable for different needs.