Specific Treatments

Abdominal Problems

Abdominal distension

Recurring abdominal distension is a common problem, particularly in women. It is most commonly due to dysfunction of the colon. Some cases can be helped enormously by Electro-Acupuncture but often a dietary approach should also be considered. Most effective is to avoid foods such as sugar and yeast as distension is often due to candida (a Yeast-like organism) in the gut. Candida growth is stimulated by yeast and sugar.

Colitis

Colitis is inflammation of the colon. The symptom is often loose bowels, with mucous and sometimes blood passed. Conventional approaches to colitis can sometimes be alarming involving steroids. In the worst possible cases removal of the affected part of the colon is necessary. Simple first aid approaches such as Electro-Acupuncture are therefore welcome at the early stages. Attention to diet is also beneficial. Colitis can in most cases be due to food sensitivity. The most common foods involved are milk and dairy products. Temporary avoidance of these foods is well worth experimenting with.

Constipation

All people with constipation should pay particular attention to diet. A high roughage routine eating wholemeal bread (never white), lots of vegetables, particularly raw carrots, cauliflower and cabbage is recommended. Processed foods should be reduced as much as possible. It is also advisable to eat plenty of fresh fruit. Consider treating anxiety and stress points.

Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids are varicosities of the veins around the lower end of the rectum. One of the points used by the Chinese is situated on the top of the head. The mind boggles as to how this could possibly help haemorrhoids, but I well remember seeing a case in China of prolapsed haemorrhoids reducing in front of my eyes, at the same time as the point on the top of the head (Gv20) was stimulated. I can offer no explanation as to why this should work.

Heartburn

Heartburn is due to regurgitation of stomach acids up the oesophagus. It is sometimes an accompaniment of hiatus hernia where the top part of the stomach (the so-called fundus) herniates up into the chest. This is often associated with patients who are overweight and therefore weight loss can be very helpful.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea, if it is chronic, is commonly due to colitis. If acute it may be infective. Acute infective diarrhoea is most often due to a virus but in some cases can be due to a more serious infection such as salmonella. In these cases appropriate medical advice should be sought with a view to treatment and it's containment. If diarrhoea is accompanied by blood, a doctor should be consulted prior to treatment.

Liver trouble

Liver trouble is often accompanied by general biliousness and intolerance to fatty foods. Intake of dietary fats should be reduced as it is the liver that has to cope, in the main, with these fats.

Liver Problems including Hepatitis

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver which can be caused by three different viruses. The progress of the disease follows a similar pattern in all three viruses. It is essential that you consult your doctor if liver problems are suspected.

Nausea - Sea Sickness - Motion Sickness

Nausea can occur for many reasons, but Electro-Acupuncture offers a useful aid.

Upper Abdominal Pain - Stomach Ache

Upper abdominal pain is a very common problem and diagnosis is essential. The problem sometimes arises in the stomach, (for example, due to a peptic ulcer), or in some cases the gall bladder.

Gallbladder Disease

Inflammation of the gallbladder is relatively common. Correct diagnosis is essential as many other conditions mimic gallbladder disease. Dietary approach is important, and avoidance of fatty foods is essential. It is entirely acceptable to treat gallbladder disease with Electro-Acupuncture, even if small stones are present. Large gall stones are usually removed surgically. Treat the points indicated as and when the pain occurs.

Gallbladder Colic (Biliary Colic)

This is pain caused by a stone in the bile duct that passes from the gallbladder into the duodenum. This is colicky pain, which comes in spasms. While medical advice should be sought, treatment with Electro-Acupuncture is often successful.

Hiatus Hernia

This is a bulging of the stomach through the diaphragm at the weakest point where the oesophagus (food pipe) passes through. The hernia is not visible and often symptomless. Symptoms when present are those of indigestion.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

This is a disorder of the bowel. It is brought on by stress, anxiety or mild depression which cause the muscles of the lower colon to become overactive.

Crohn's Disease - Regional Ileitis

This is an inflammation that usually affects the ileum (the lower part of the small bowel) and occasionally other parts of the digestive tract. This is most common in people in their twenties. A balanced diet including appropriate vitamin and mineral supplements can be of great value

Diverticulitis

Inflammation of one of the pouches formed in the intestine by Diverticular Disease of the Colon. A high roughage diet, with plenty of fresh vegetables, cleansing of the colon and appropriate vitamin and mineral supplements is strongly recommended

Liver Problems including Hepatitis

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver which can be caused by three different viruses. The progress of the disease follows a similar pattern in all three viruses. It is essential that you consult your doctor if liver problems are suspected.

Duodenal Ulcer

This is an ulcer occurring at the outlet where the stomach joins the duodenum (the first few inches of the small intestine) and the duodenum itself. It is three to four times more common in men than women.

Specific Treatments

Chest Diseases

Asthma

Electro-Acupuncture can offer a successful approach to asthma and although many people have successfully replaced all drugs with electro-acupuncture it should not be taken as a complete substitute for drugs until definite progress is being made, and then only after consultation with your physician. This applies particularly to severe attacks and if no immediate result is obtained with Electro-Acupuncture, the bronchodilator drugs should be taken. If steroids/antibiotics have been taken for some time, advice is needed for actions to boost your own auto-immune system. Avoid the same foods as per eczema as well as avoiding other irritants.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis can occur during the winter months or in more chronic cases, all the year round. It is important that patients with bronchitis stop smoking and avoid polluted places as much as possible such as city centres or factories. If steroids/antibiotics have been taken for some time, advice is needed for actions to boost your own auto-immune system. Avoid foods as eczema.

Croup - Laryngeal Tracheaitis

Croup is characterised by severe laryngeal spasm, causing great difficulty in breathing. It is often due to a virus, and can be greatly helped by humidifying the atmosphere (keeping a kettle boiling in the room). Electro-Acupuncture should be used on this condition, treatment often needs to be given half hourly until the acute situation settles.

Cough

If you have a persistent cough you should seek medical advice. If there is no serious cause then treatment using Electro-Acupuncture is a good method of control.