Calgary’s best Community Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic
Acu Community Location
5504 Macleod Trail SW #160
Give us a Call
(403) - 667-8391
Send us a Message
info@acucommunity.com
Opening Days
Tuesdays & Thursday

Month: August 2022

Community Acupuncture & TCM in CalgaryBlog2022August
By admin 0 Comments Acupuncture , ,

Modern Day Qi

The character Qi

If we look at the character (Qi) in Traditional Chinese calligraphy, we find that it is made up of two characters. the first character is Qi and it means air (the air we breathe) and the second character is Mi and it means rice or grain. So, a modern interpretation of the character Qi is,  cultivated energy from air and food. The name Life force or vital force made sense thousands of years ago but in modern days with the advancement of science and medicine, we are able to explain how the body cultivates the energy using air(oxygen) and rice( simple food). This leads me to talk briefly about the process of producing energy without turning this into a biochemistry class. the star of the show here is Adenosine triphosphate.  ATP is the body’s cell currency and it is the main source of energy for metabolic processes. It is produced from the metabolism of glucose. Glucose is a simple sugar and is the most common and easily available molecule in food to produce energy from. Other molecules can also produce energy such as complex sugars, fats, and proteins but they would have to be converted into glucose or assist in the metabolism of glucose. There are 3 ways of harvesting energy from glucose, two are efficient and require oxygen(Qi) the third one doesn’t require oxygen and not as efficient, in fact, it produces a by-product called lactic acid. 

The Chinese figured out thousands of years ago the formula to produce energy (QI). Qi in Chinese Medicine has to be cultivated through an easy and simple process that does not cost the body in ATP more than it harvests in energy.

I could safely say that we have come to the conclusion that Qi is not a mystical force that is cultivated by some sort of an ancient practice, it is simply eating and breathing right.

By admin 0 Comments Hijama, Wet Cupping

Wet Cupping and Frequent Acupuncture Treatments For Erectile Dysfunction

Wet cupping proved to be effective in the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction in cases of Excess Cold and Blood stagnation.

Cold (Excess Cold) can enter the body when an individual is exposed to cold temperatures Externally and Internally.

External exposure to cold temperatures such as swimming in cold water, ice fishing, sitting on cold surfaces, exposing the region located between the  umbilicus and the pubic bone or the lumbar and sacral region to a direct breeze or cold air (cold air, topless)

Symptoms of Excess cold: ED, painful erection, excess water retention in the abdominal region, frequent urination, lower back pain, knee pain, clear profuse urine, prostate issues, Low sperm motility and poor morphology.

Internal Exposure to cold is caused by consumption of cold food and drinks for a prolonged period.

Blood Stagnation has many causes that pertain to ED where wet cupping is effective in the treatment of ED such causes are, trauma to the region located between the umbilicus to the the pubic bone and the lumbar to the sacral region (lower back injuries, surgeries), exposure to cold temperature s for a prolonged period of time, inflammatory intestinal issues.

Symptoms of Blood Stagnation: sharp pain, in the abdominal region, lower back pain, painful ejaculation, low sperm count and poor morphology.

Wet cupping works hand in hand with Warming Herbal Formulas in cases of a cold invasion (External & Internal Excess Cold) and Moving Herbal Formulas in cases of Blood Stagnation.

in some cases an individual can have both, a Cold invasion (Excess Cold) and Blood Stasis (Blood Stagnation).

Moxibustion proved to be a great help in cases of Excess Cold and Blood Stasis (due to a cold invasion).

Duration of treatments vary from one individual to another, the more sever the symptoms the longer the treatment and the younger the individual the faster the recovery. results vary from slight improvements to complete recovery.

Other factors that cause ED where wet cupping isn’t a direct treatment option.

Excessive sexual activities and ejaculation.

Excessive physical activities.

Malnourishment and malabsorption. 

Stress.

Sitting for long periods.

By admin 0 Comments Acupuncture, Hijama, Wet Cupping , , ,

Bleeding The Ear Apex for Headache Relief

Bleeding the ear apex is very beneficial to help reduces the intensity and frequency of Migraine headaches as long as they are caused by an excess condition.

It requires minimum time and setup to perform, alcohol swabs, gloves and disposable lancets.

The quantity of blood drawn is very minimal, few drops of blood brings immense comfort to the right candidate.

Other benefits to bleeding the ear apex is to help reduce the frequency and intensity of eye styes and neck pain due to an excess condition.

Acupuncture for Stress
By Bob Monroe 0 Comments TCM ,

Acupuncture for Stress Relief

Stress affects us all. Whether it’s work stress, stress due to your personal life, or even stress with unclear origins, it can cause a great deal of daily trouble and can have major impacts on our overall physical health. Stress management is an extremely important tool in day to day life, and with the all too often non-stop workflow expected in our society, it is often overlooked in favor of productivity. 

Did you know that stress has a significant impact on our digestive systems? Stress management is a key factor in dealing with issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic diarrhea, and heartburn (Acid Reflux). In many cases, people dealing with such issues seek over the counter or prescription medications that take a variety of other tolls on the body when used for long periods of time and often function only to mask or hide symptoms rather than truly resolve them.

The impacts of stress on our health and wellbeing are well documented and easy to understand from both a medical and a personal standpoint, but how do you manage it? Acupuncture has enormous capability for stress relief, as well as supportive and even corrective effects on such digestive issues as mentioned above. It helps relieve stress by facilitating relaxation, both of mind and body, causing muscles to loosen and minds to calm; slowing from the breakneck pace of everyday life and allowing room to breathe and think without the distractions we have all come to accept as part of our day-in day-out routines.

It may seem strange that a handful of small needles could relieve the burdens of stress that we tend to carry (sometimes without even knowing it), but the effects can be quite impressive, and the treatments are painless.

Dr. Bob Monroe,

R.Ac, TCMD