| Professional Edition Volume 1 Issue 3 March 10, 2007 |
Newsletter for Acupuncture Practitioners sponsored by Ashi Research |
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
By Penny Watkins
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is one of the most discouraging things that can happen to you. You feel lousy all the time, and nobody can find
out what is wrong with you. Sometimes health care professionals treat you like a crazy lady, and after a while you begin to wonder if they
are right. CFS really does exist. And you are not crazy. There’s a lot we don’t understand about this mysterious illness, but at least a million
Americans have it. That is, about a million Americans meet the strict “research diagnostic criteria” for CFS. Another ten million or more
have severe fatigue, but do not have all the accompanying symptoms. Women are four times more likely to have CFS than men are, and it
most often begins in their 40’s or 50’s.
SYMPTOMS: People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are tired. They experience extreme fatigue, and it doesn't get better with sleep. Stress
or activity can make it worse. These people are unable to function at the same level of activity they are used to. There is no diagnostic test
for CFS. The “diagnostic criteria” for CFS are:
• Severe chronic fatigue for at least six months PLUS four or more of the following symptoms:
• Poor short term memory
• Trouble concentrating
• Sore throat
• Tender lymph nodes
• Muscle pain
• Pain in more than one joint without redness or swelling
• Headaches
• Unrefreshing sleep
• Post-exertional fatigue that lasts more than 24 hours
• The accompanying symptoms must have persisted or recurred during at least six consecutive months, and
started after the fatigue began
• There is no other discoverable cause for the fatigue
CAUSE: The cause of CFS is unknown. Some possibilities include immune system disorders, endocrine disorders, nervous system
disorders, genetic factors, environmental factors, viral infections and others. One thing that has been established is that CFS is NOT
caused by depression, although many CFS sufferers do become depressed.
MEDICAL TREATMENT: There is no definitive treatment for CFS, and what helps one person may not help another. For the most part,
physicians treat the symptoms. Anti-inflammatory medications are given for pain. Antidepressants are used to treat depression if it is
present. Antidepressants may also help with pain. Sometimes stimulants, such as modafinil (Provigil) provide some relief from the fatigue.
Physical therapy may be very helpful in dealing with pain and in determining a tolerable exercise regimen.
For the most part, treating CFS involves lifestyle changes to manage the fatigue. Techniques that help some people include:
• Keeping a diary to find out what times of day your energy normally peaks, so that you can schedule activities during those times. This also
helps identify things that help or that worsen the fatigue.
• Massage therapy.
• Acupuncture.
• Chiropractic treatments.
• Therapeutic touch.
• Herbal treatments, such as ginko biloba.
• Omega 3 fatty acid supplements, such as fish oil or flax seed oil.
• Establishing a predictable daily routine.
• Pacing yourself.
• Avoiding stress.
• Getting some exercise every day.
• Expressing emotions, including the normal grief over the loss of energy and lifestyle, and depression.
• Getting good support. Sometimes a support group of other CFS sufferers helps.
• Stretching once or twice a day.
It may take some experimentation to discover what works for you. You will have to take charge of your own health if you have CFS; there is
not much your doctor can do to help you. There is, however, a lot you can do to help yourself. You will have limitations, and you will have to
learn to adapt to and live with those limitations, but having CFS isn’t a hopeless situation. You can still enjoy life and loving relationships
while living within your limitations.
By Penny Watkins
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is one of the most discouraging things that can happen to you. You feel lousy all the time, and nobody can find
out what is wrong with you. Sometimes health care professionals treat you like a crazy lady, and after a while you begin to wonder if they
are right. CFS really does exist. And you are not crazy. There’s a lot we don’t understand about this mysterious illness, but at least a million
Americans have it. That is, about a million Americans meet the strict “research diagnostic criteria” for CFS. Another ten million or more
have severe fatigue, but do not have all the accompanying symptoms. Women are four times more likely to have CFS than men are, and it
most often begins in their 40’s or 50’s.
SYMPTOMS: People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are tired. They experience extreme fatigue, and it doesn't get better with sleep. Stress
or activity can make it worse. These people are unable to function at the same level of activity they are used to. There is no diagnostic test
for CFS. The “diagnostic criteria” for CFS are:
• Severe chronic fatigue for at least six months PLUS four or more of the following symptoms:
• Poor short term memory
• Trouble concentrating
• Sore throat
• Tender lymph nodes
• Muscle pain
• Pain in more than one joint without redness or swelling
• Headaches
• Unrefreshing sleep
• Post-exertional fatigue that lasts more than 24 hours
• The accompanying symptoms must have persisted or recurred during at least six consecutive months, and
started after the fatigue began
• There is no other discoverable cause for the fatigue
CAUSE: The cause of CFS is unknown. Some possibilities include immune system disorders, endocrine disorders, nervous system
disorders, genetic factors, environmental factors, viral infections and others. One thing that has been established is that CFS is NOT
caused by depression, although many CFS sufferers do become depressed.
MEDICAL TREATMENT: There is no definitive treatment for CFS, and what helps one person may not help another. For the most part,
physicians treat the symptoms. Anti-inflammatory medications are given for pain. Antidepressants are used to treat depression if it is
present. Antidepressants may also help with pain. Sometimes stimulants, such as modafinil (Provigil) provide some relief from the fatigue.
Physical therapy may be very helpful in dealing with pain and in determining a tolerable exercise regimen.
For the most part, treating CFS involves lifestyle changes to manage the fatigue. Techniques that help some people include:
• Keeping a diary to find out what times of day your energy normally peaks, so that you can schedule activities during those times. This also
helps identify things that help or that worsen the fatigue.
• Massage therapy.
• Acupuncture.
• Chiropractic treatments.
• Therapeutic touch.
• Herbal treatments, such as ginko biloba.
• Omega 3 fatty acid supplements, such as fish oil or flax seed oil.
• Establishing a predictable daily routine.
• Pacing yourself.
• Avoiding stress.
• Getting some exercise every day.
• Expressing emotions, including the normal grief over the loss of energy and lifestyle, and depression.
• Getting good support. Sometimes a support group of other CFS sufferers helps.
• Stretching once or twice a day.
It may take some experimentation to discover what works for you. You will have to take charge of your own health if you have CFS; there is
not much your doctor can do to help you. There is, however, a lot you can do to help yourself. You will have limitations, and you will have to
learn to adapt to and live with those limitations, but having CFS isn’t a hopeless situation. You can still enjoy life and loving relationships
while living within your limitations.
A case of foot pain - letter from Dr. Peter Wong (peterkw8@msn.com)
Dear Ashi Research Team,
I have a new patient who has suffered from pain in her foot for long time. Before she came to my acupuncture clinic her western doctors
diagnosed the problem as neuroma in her foot and treated her pain by the injections of steroids. Recently, she has decided to stop the
steroid injections because of the potential severe side effects associated with long- term steroid therapy. I have several types of Ashi Pain
relief products in my clinic. I would like to know if I can treat her with the combination of acupuncture and Ashi Pain relief cream and if so,
which type of Ashi creams is the best for this case.
- Peter Wong, Orlando, Florida
Response from Ashi
Dear Dr. Wong,
Thank you for your inquiry. A neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue that may develop in various parts of the body. The most common
neuroma in the foot is a Morton's neuroma, which occurs at the base of the toes. It is sometimes referred to as an intermetatarsal
neuroma. "Intermetatarsal" describes its location - in the ball of the foot between the metatarsal bones (the bones extending from the toes
to the midfoot). Neuromas may also occur in other locations in the foot. The thickening, or enlargement, of the nerve that defines a
neuroma is the result of long term compression and irritation of the nerve. This compression creates swelling of the nerve, eventually
leading to permanent nerve damage. One of the most common offenders is wearing shoes that have a tapered toe box, or high-heeled
shoes that cause the toes to be forced into the toe box. People with certain foot deformities—bunions, hammertoes, flatfeet, or more
flexible feet—are at higher risk for developing a neuroma. Other potential causes are activities that involve repetitive irritation to the ball of
the foot, such as running or racquet sports. If a patient has a Morton's neuroma, he/she probably has one or more of the following
symptoms: Tingling, burning, numbness, pain, a feeling that something is inside the ball of the foot, or that there's a rise in the shoe or a
sock is bunched up. Pain due to Morton’s neuroma can be managed by the following methods:
1) Changes in footwear. Avoid high heels or tight shoes, and wear wider shoes with lower heels and a soft sole. This enables the bones
to spread out and may reduce pressure on the nerve, giving it time to heal.
2) Orthoses. Custom shoe inserts and pads also help relieve irritation by lifting and separating the bones, reducing the pressure on the
nerve.
3) Injection. In western medicine, corticosteroids are injected to the affected area to reduce the swelling and inflammation of the nerve,
bringing some relief.
Repeated injections of corticosteroids, however, may produce side effects and thereby should be avoided. Your patient’s decision to give
up steroid injections and seek your help is a smart choice. You can combine your acupuncture and Ashi Pain relief cream to achieve good
control of pain. We recommend that you let your patient apply Ashi Pain LW 2 to 4 times a day at the painful location(s). The cream will
suppress inflammation and improve blood circulation at the affected area, which is essential for healing the inflamed/injured nerves. The
Ashi cream also contains ingredients that can directly relief pain.
We hope the above information is helpful. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Ashi Research Team
www.ashi-research.com
Dear Ashi Research Team,
I have a new patient who has suffered from pain in her foot for long time. Before she came to my acupuncture clinic her western doctors
diagnosed the problem as neuroma in her foot and treated her pain by the injections of steroids. Recently, she has decided to stop the
steroid injections because of the potential severe side effects associated with long- term steroid therapy. I have several types of Ashi Pain
relief products in my clinic. I would like to know if I can treat her with the combination of acupuncture and Ashi Pain relief cream and if so,
which type of Ashi creams is the best for this case.
- Peter Wong, Orlando, Florida
Response from Ashi
Dear Dr. Wong,
Thank you for your inquiry. A neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue that may develop in various parts of the body. The most common
neuroma in the foot is a Morton's neuroma, which occurs at the base of the toes. It is sometimes referred to as an intermetatarsal
neuroma. "Intermetatarsal" describes its location - in the ball of the foot between the metatarsal bones (the bones extending from the toes
to the midfoot). Neuromas may also occur in other locations in the foot. The thickening, or enlargement, of the nerve that defines a
neuroma is the result of long term compression and irritation of the nerve. This compression creates swelling of the nerve, eventually
leading to permanent nerve damage. One of the most common offenders is wearing shoes that have a tapered toe box, or high-heeled
shoes that cause the toes to be forced into the toe box. People with certain foot deformities—bunions, hammertoes, flatfeet, or more
flexible feet—are at higher risk for developing a neuroma. Other potential causes are activities that involve repetitive irritation to the ball of
the foot, such as running or racquet sports. If a patient has a Morton's neuroma, he/she probably has one or more of the following
symptoms: Tingling, burning, numbness, pain, a feeling that something is inside the ball of the foot, or that there's a rise in the shoe or a
sock is bunched up. Pain due to Morton’s neuroma can be managed by the following methods:
1) Changes in footwear. Avoid high heels or tight shoes, and wear wider shoes with lower heels and a soft sole. This enables the bones
to spread out and may reduce pressure on the nerve, giving it time to heal.
2) Orthoses. Custom shoe inserts and pads also help relieve irritation by lifting and separating the bones, reducing the pressure on the
nerve.
3) Injection. In western medicine, corticosteroids are injected to the affected area to reduce the swelling and inflammation of the nerve,
bringing some relief.
Repeated injections of corticosteroids, however, may produce side effects and thereby should be avoided. Your patient’s decision to give
up steroid injections and seek your help is a smart choice. You can combine your acupuncture and Ashi Pain relief cream to achieve good
control of pain. We recommend that you let your patient apply Ashi Pain LW 2 to 4 times a day at the painful location(s). The cream will
suppress inflammation and improve blood circulation at the affected area, which is essential for healing the inflamed/injured nerves. The
Ashi cream also contains ingredients that can directly relief pain.
We hope the above information is helpful. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Ashi Research Team
www.ashi-research.com
- Notoginseng (San Qi) root is a frequently prescribed herb for many disease conditions in traditional Chinese
medicine (TCM). Two well known actions of notogiseng are to stop bleeding and to move blood. Do you know how
this single herb can have two apparently opposite effects and what clinical implications are.
- Notoginseng grows naturally in China and Japan. The Chinese refer to it as "three-seven", pronounced as “San Qi”
in Mandarin. This is because the plant has three leaves on one side, four leaves on the other, resulting in a total of
seven leaves together on each stem. The herb is a perennial with dark green leaves branching from a stem with a
red cluster of berries in the middle. The scientific names for the plant are Panax notoginseng and Panax
pseudoginseng. In Latin, the word panax means "cure-all".
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), notoginseng root is often used to stop bleeding due to traumatic injury and internal organ
hemorrhage, to protect tissue from ischemic/hypoxic damage (e.g. cardiac infarction and ischemic stroke), to alleviate inflammatory
disorders such as arthritis, to calm nerve and improve sleep, to regulate the metabolism of sugar, to protect liver, to suppress cancer
growth, to improve capillary circulation, and to delay aging process.
Five classes of natural compounds have been isolated from notoginseng and they are:
1. Essential oils.
2. Ginsenosides (Rb1, Rd, Re, Rg, Rg2, Rh1), notoginsenosides (R1, R2, R3, R4, R6) and gypenoside.
3. Dencichine (beta-N-oxalo-L-alpha, beta-diaminopropionic acid).
4. Amino acids.
5. Minerals.
Among these natural compounds, studies have found dencichine is the active ingredient in notoginseng that stops bleeding. This is
because dencichine strongly induces the release of coagulation factors from platelets, which promote platelet aggregation to block
bleeding. Dencichine is heat sensitive and it becomes inactive at high temperature. Therefore, for stopping bleeding, raw notoginseng
rather than prepared one should be used.
In contrast to dencichine, studies have shown that ginsenosides and notoginsenosides in notoginseng prevent coagulation and
dissolve thrombosis formed in blood vessels. These effects are due to their inhibition on cyclic AMP formation and thromboxane A2 (TXA2)
production in platelets and thereby suppressing platelet aggregation. Ginsenosides and notoginsenosides can also directly dissolve
fibrinogens in thrombosis. In addition, notoginsenosides have been shown to dilate blood vessels and thereby improving blood
circulation. All these effects account for the “move blood” effects produced by nonogiseng. Unlike dencichine, ginsenosides and
notoginsenosides in notoginseng are not heat sensitive. Therefore, when notoginseng is used for improving blood circulation, prepared
notoginseng is desirable.
Some clinical indications of notoginseng include (1) Different kinds of internal and external bleeding, especially bleeding accompanied
with blood stasis. It can be used alone by swallowing its unprepared powder or in different TCM formulas with unprepared notoginseng
power; (2) Traumatic injuries with blood stasis, swelling and pain. It can be used either orally or externally, alone or with frankincense,
myrrh and other Chinese herbs; (3) Cardiac ischemia or brain ischemic stroke, prepared notoginseng power can be used orally.
Although nonoginseng and its formulas are generally very safe, it should be aware that overdoses of notoginseng may increase
bleeding time or ever directly cause bleeding in rare cases.
Common pain relievers linked to higher blood pressure in men
From Archives of Internal Medicine
Men who regularly take commonly available and widely used pain relievers may have an increased risk of
high blood pressure compared with those who do not use these medications, according to a report in the
Feb. 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol), ibuprofen (e.g. Advil, Motrinand) and aspirin are among the most commonly used drugs in the United States,
according to background information in the article. Two large studies have recently suggested that these pain-relieving medications
(analgesics) may be associated with an increased risk of hypertension (high blood pressure) in women. However, the association has not
been extensively studied in men.
John P. Forman, M.Sc., M.D., of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, and colleagues followed a total of
16,031 male health professionals (average age 64.6 years) who did not have a history of high blood pressure. The men were asked in
2000 and again in 2002 about whether and how often they used three types of pain relievers: acetaminophen, non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, which include ibuprofen and naproxen) and aspirin. They were also asked to report if their physician had
diagnosed them with hypertension.
Over four years of follow-up, 1,968 men developed hypertension. Compared with men who did not take analgesics, those who took
acetaminophen six or seven days a week had a 34 percent higher risk of hypertension. Those who took NSAIDs six or seven days a week
had a 38 percent higher risk and those who took aspirin six or seven days a week had a 26 percent higher risk. The researchers also
looked at the total number of pain-relieving pills men took each week, regardless of type. Compared with men who took no pills, those who
took 15 or more pills each week had a 48 percent higher risk of hypertension.
All three types of analgesics may inhibit the effects of chemicals that relax the blood vessels, decreasing blood pressure, the authors
suggest. Acetaminophen also may impair cell functioning through high levels of oxygen (oxidative stress) or reduce the proper functioning
of blood vessel lining.
"These data add further support to the hypothesis that non-narcotic analgesics independently elevate the risk of hypertension," the authors
write. "Given their common consumption and the high prevalence of hypertension, our results may have substantial public health
implications and suggest that these agents be used with greater caution. The contribution of non-narcotic analgesics to the hypertension
disease burden merits further study."
From Archives of Internal Medicine
Men who regularly take commonly available and widely used pain relievers may have an increased risk of
high blood pressure compared with those who do not use these medications, according to a report in the
Feb. 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol), ibuprofen (e.g. Advil, Motrinand) and aspirin are among the most commonly used drugs in the United States,
according to background information in the article. Two large studies have recently suggested that these pain-relieving medications
(analgesics) may be associated with an increased risk of hypertension (high blood pressure) in women. However, the association has not
been extensively studied in men.
John P. Forman, M.Sc., M.D., of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, and colleagues followed a total of
16,031 male health professionals (average age 64.6 years) who did not have a history of high blood pressure. The men were asked in
2000 and again in 2002 about whether and how often they used three types of pain relievers: acetaminophen, non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, which include ibuprofen and naproxen) and aspirin. They were also asked to report if their physician had
diagnosed them with hypertension.
Over four years of follow-up, 1,968 men developed hypertension. Compared with men who did not take analgesics, those who took
acetaminophen six or seven days a week had a 34 percent higher risk of hypertension. Those who took NSAIDs six or seven days a week
had a 38 percent higher risk and those who took aspirin six or seven days a week had a 26 percent higher risk. The researchers also
looked at the total number of pain-relieving pills men took each week, regardless of type. Compared with men who took no pills, those who
took 15 or more pills each week had a 48 percent higher risk of hypertension.
All three types of analgesics may inhibit the effects of chemicals that relax the blood vessels, decreasing blood pressure, the authors
suggest. Acetaminophen also may impair cell functioning through high levels of oxygen (oxidative stress) or reduce the proper functioning
of blood vessel lining.
"These data add further support to the hypothesis that non-narcotic analgesics independently elevate the risk of hypertension," the authors
write. "Given their common consumption and the high prevalence of hypertension, our results may have substantial public health
implications and suggest that these agents be used with greater caution. The contribution of non-narcotic analgesics to the hypertension
disease burden merits further study."
| Ashi Pain Relief Products New Solution for Practitioers! Click here to order |
- Du Huo (Radix Angelicae Pubescentis) is a Chinese herb often used for wind-cold-damp painful obstruction,
especially in the lower back and legs, and for sickness induced by wind-cold-dampness. The herb is slightly
warm, acrid, bitter. It is attributed to the channels kidney and bladder in TCM. Du Huo is an ingredient in the
TCM formula Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (Du Huo, Sang Ji Sheng, Du Zhong, Niu Xi, etc.). The formula can be
used to treat arthritis and arthritic pain. The formula can also be used to treat back and leg pain. Du Huo is
an ingredient in the TCM formula Du Huo Xuan Li Tang (Du Huo, Xuan Hu, Yin Shu Ke, etc.). The formula can
be used to treat sciatica. Du Huo is also included in a number of topic salve formulas for local inflammation
and pain. The clinical actions of Du Huo may be associated with some of the following pharmacological
actions:
aggregation, and the inhibitory effect increases with the increase in extract concentration.
2. Anticoagulation. H6F4 has an anticoagulant effect. Du Huo can also partially dissolve fibrin.
3. Effects on various receptors and enzymes. Studies found that Du Huo extract has inhibitory effects on a number of receptors and
enzymes, including alpha-adrenoreceptors, calcium channels, angiotensin II receptors, HMG-CoA, and cholecystokinin receptors.
4. Anti-arrhythmia. H6F6, water-based extract of Du Huo, has an anti-arrhythmia effect, and it can counteract aconitine-induced cardiac
arrhythmia.
5. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Animal studies show that Osthol, an active component of Du Huo, can inhibit acetic acid-
induced pain, and carrageenin-induced edema.
6. Anti-cancer effect. Research shows that furocoumarin, a chemical isolated from active components of Du Huo, inhibits cancer cell
proliferation.
CONTENTS
Report from Dr. Alice Newton, L.Ac. (31 Jan 2007)
Ashi Pain UM to him. After using this pain relief cream for several days his pain in wrist was completely gone.
- One of my patients suffered from pain in his wrist for 30 years. He is now 80 year old and his pain has always
Ashi Pain UM to him. After using this pain relief cream for several days his pain in wrist was completely gone.
- I have another patient who suffered from pain in her knees for years due to arthritis. She used Ashi Pain LW
- I myself suffered from chronic neck pain that it bothered me a lot. I used Ashi Pain UW and had great relief from my neck pain. My
own experience on Ashi Pain relief cream is wonderful, which has convinced me to carry Ashi Pain relief cream products for treating
difficult pain problems in my clinic.
Du Huo
