Tag Archive for: COVID-19

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5 Ways to Improve Your Pain Tolerance

5 Ways to Improve Your Pain Tolerance. But, first…

 

Where Low Pain Tolerance Comes From

  • Trauma
  • PTSD/ PTS
  • Genetics
  • Pandemics/ Disasters/ Wars

Your Pain Tolerance can say a lot about you.

Interestingly, studies have found red heads to have lower pain tolerance. There may be more than one factor at play…

 

Genetics can influence our Pain Tolerance, according to research. In my clinical experience, this is often true.

 

Trauma- Having a low pain threshold can come from past trauma such as early childhood trauma, including abuse/neglect.

It can also be a response from adult trauma or abuse.

Natural Disasters, Wars and Pandemics increase the stress response and can affect Pain.

 

PTSD is a condition that can affect Pain tolerance. It is often called PTS (dropping the “D” for Disorder can lessen the stigma).

Pandemics can cause a form of PTSD or PTS. 

Did You Know?…Acupuncture can be effective for the PTSD Person suffering with Anxiety, Sleep and Stress. It is true. I have seen it and experienced it.

Check Back for More on PTSD Here 

 

It will be interesting to see how the current COVID-19 Pandemic affects people in relation to Pain tolerance!

 

CBD Topicals and Oil taken by Mouth can Help with Pain and Stress.

Practitioner Grade CBD Products are sold here at Aleesha D Acupuncture. 

 

Read More on CBD  Here

 

5 Ways to Improve Your Pain Tolerance (Reasons it May be Low)…

  1. Sleep
  2. Stress-Reduce it!
  3. Stress-Take on Less
  4. Movement
  5. Breathing 
  6. Talk Therapy
  7. Meditation

 

By the Way, Acupuncture is Great for Pain!

How does Acupuncture Work on Pain?…

Acupuncture Activates the Nervous System which then tells the brain to release pain-relieving chemicals like endorphins.

 

Sleep- Sleep is huge! Sleep is when your body repairs. Those who have a deficit of sleep show lower pain tolerance. 

Stress- If Stress makes Pain Worse, then Let’s lower our Stress. There are ways we can improve our stress. It is true that sometimes genetics has an influence. However, we do not need to take on new stress. Say “No” to new responsibilities if you are already stressed. Reduce the stress you already have (see other ways on the above list to help).

Movement- We can do daily movement. If we are too stressed out to do strenuous exercise (like H.I.I.T. training) or Hot Yoga, we can opt for slower, more gentle options. This is often not a very Western way to look at self-improvement. We often think we need to Go-Go-Go and Work-Work-Work. We think Faster and More is better. Well, I am here to tell you that in my early twenties I had a lesson in this…

I did Qigong for the first time for 45 minutes and didn’t think anything of it other than it was an interesting activity to try that “old” people do just to do something…Boy was I WRONG. DEAD WRONG. Then next day I awoke to soreness in muscles everywhere. Muscles I did not even know I had. Movements like Qigong (Chigong), TaiChi and Gentle Yoga stretches can have a profound positive effect on our bodies since they use all muscles. Sometimes keeping muscles taut and stretching them gently in order to release long-held stress.

Meditation is great for reducing stress. I am a lifelong participant and recommend DAILY practice to reduce your stress. It has even been proven to lower blood pressure! Perhaps this is why doctors of old would prescribe petting a cat to their bp patients.

 

Meditation Resources Here

 

Breathing exercises- Becoming aware of the breath can be a life saver for stressful times in our lives. Hey! We will always be jumping through hoops of fire in life. We need to train ourselves to stop and breathe. Like acupuncture, breathing can get you out of the Fight or Flight and back into the Rest and Digest. I like a few techniques and will share two:

  1. The 1-2 count: Breathe in on count of 1; breathe out on count of 1. Then breathe in on count of 2; breathe out on count of 2. Repeat. If you forget which number you are on, start at 1 again. So Simple. The brain can easily return to this even when stress is causing fuzzy thinking. 
  2. The 4-7-8 Breathe in for a count of 4-hold breath for a count of 7-exhale out for a count of 8. This one helped me be able to hold my breath for over a minute! It takes practice so start slowly. Check with your doctor before holding your breath longer than this exercise.

Talk Therapy- Many with intensified pain have had Childhood trauma, especially during the early formative years (ages 1-3) and also on up to age 7. I am not going to get real science-y here and you can do your own further research into this. Just know that the memory of trauma affects the nerves when the brain is “triggered” and we carry these traumas in our tissues. Ever feel the stress in an injured area of your body?-It is kind of like this.

These days almost everyone has seen a talk therapist so get the stigma right out of your head! Seeking help from a licensed therapist can help you to see why you are holding stress in your body and you can begin (under the care of a professional) to work through this and improve your body’s response to stress and your ability to improve your pain tolerance can follow.

These days therapy can be done through virtual means (in the middle of a pandemic) thanks to companies like Telehealth and Zoom. No excuses. Take care of yourself. Time for Self Care. Especially during a Pandemic, do the Self-Care.

 

Remember, our Minds and Bodies are Connected into this one Being we call Self. Often, emotional pain goes un-noticed until physical pain manifests. And it ALWAYS Manifests Physically, eventually. Now, go take care of Yourself. You are investing in Your Now Self & Your Future Self. Show them both some Love. Perhaps the Love & Care You did Not Get in Childhood.

Check Back for a Great Stress Reduction Therapy You Can do Anywhere. Anytime.

 

Thanks for Reading!

Written by Aleesha Ackerman, LAc

Aleesha Ackerman is a certified and state licensed acupuncturist with a Master’s degree in acupuncture. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree from Hamline University. Aleesha owns and operates Aleesha D Acupuncture clinic for Pain and Women’s Health in Anoka, MN.

She became interested in acupuncture and holistic medicine when acupuncture cured her of debilitating migraine pain after an auto collision with a semi-truck. Aleesha specializes in treating acute and chronic pain and Women’s Health. Women come to her everyday with issues such as hot flashes, mood imbalance, low energy and for Cosmetic Acupuncture for wrinkles, crow’s feet, laugh lines and improvement in overall skin tone . Read more about Aleesha and what she specializes in Here.

Patients at Aleesha D Acupuncture say they feel cared for and listened to. They are happy to get the much-needed pain and stress relief from their treatments!

Aleesha D Acupuncture is located in historic downtown Anoka at 229 Jackson Street just off Highway 10 with free parking.

Get in and Feel Better, Move Forward!

DISCLAIMER

This article is not intended to replace any health care. No information on this site should be relied on to determine medical diagnosis or treatment for a medical condition. As with any health concerns, always be sure to consult your health care provider with any health concerns.

Licensed Acupuncturist in Anoka Serving Andover, Anoka, Big Lake, Champlin, Circle Pines, Columbus, Coon Rapids, Dayton, East Bethel, Elk River, Forest Lake, Fridley, Ham Lake, Isanti, Lino Lakes, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Now Then, Oak Grove, Osseo, Ostego, Ramsey, Saint Francis, Saint Paul, Shoreview, Spring Lake Park, Vadnais Heights and White Bear Lake.

Zip codes we treat: 55304, 55303, 55309, 55014, 55316, 55433, 55448, 55327, 55330, 55432, 55040, 55401, 55402, 55403, 55404, 55406, 55407, 55408, 55409, 55410, 55411, 55412, 55413, 55416, 55418, 55419, 55421, 55422, 55011, 55311, 55369, 55102, 55103, 55104, 55105, 55106, 55107, 55108, 55101, 55109, 55110, 55111, 55113, 55114, 55116, 55117, 55120, 55124, 55125, 55115, 55118, 55119, 55121, 55122, 55123, 55126, 55129, 55130, 55146, 55127, 55128, 55133, 55144, 55145, 55155, 55164, 55165, 55166, 55166, 55168, 55170, 55175, 55187, 55188, 55171, 55172, 55014, 55025, 55371, 55398, 55308, 55960

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What are Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency?

What are Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency?…

  • Depression 
  • Fatigue
  • Bone Loss
  • Hair Loss
  • Frequent Illnesses
  • Slow Healing Wounds

The above Signs/ Symptoms may or may not be from deficient vitamin D in your body. 

However, most of the population, especially here in Minnesota (far from the equator) need to supplement with Vitamin D.

“D” for Depression…

I always think of Vitamin D Deficiency as “D” for Depression. This is because so many of my patients have come to me with Low Mood and Low Energy and when I urge them to get their Vitamin D levels checked by their doctor, they are often times deficient. Sometimes, vitamin d deficiency is so low they have to take a 50,000 I.U. dose at once! I have family members who have had to take this dose as well.

Most take only 1,000-5,000 per day! So, you can see how deficient one must have to be in order to be prescribed 50,000 I.U. dosage of vitamin d! This is a real problem where we live and I wish more doctors screened for it with a simple blood test before grabbing for anti-depressants.

“D” for Dementia…

Western medicine is necessary and I am so grateful that we have it, however we NEED to get to the ROOT CAUSE of issues if we are going to have prevention of disease.

If you just were to take medication for mood, but low mood was from low vitamin d, you could end up with long-term consequences of brittle bones/fractures, heart issues, and dementia.

This is because vitamin d is required for absorption of calcium. Calcium is needed for bone health and heart health.

Autopsies reveal more and more who suffered with Dementia were also deficient in Vitamin d. 

Parkinson’s patients are known for having low vitamin d.

Parkinson’s Aside: Did You Know… Research is being done on positive brain affects after cycling with Parkinsons? Look it up! 

 

The vitamin d3 that I take and carry for my patients has vitamin k2 for better absorption of the d. However, If you take blood thinners like Coumadin® avoid taking vitamin k as it can interfere with the effects of this drug. Always check with your doctor first before adding anything to your supplements regimen.

That’s not All!…

 

Read Vitamin D Deficiency and COVID-19 

 

Everything needs to remain in balance for us to stay in optimal health. 

 

Who is Prone to Vitamin D Deficiency?

 

Is Vitamin D Deficiency a New Thing?

Why was vitamin d deficiency not a problem in Grandma’s day?…

People used to get their vitamin d from foods such as lard, fish and whole milk with natural vitamin d already in the foods. Lard with vitamin d is more difficult to find. Less people drink full fat milk with vitamin d, and even less eat fish, especially cod liver. There is not enough natural occurring vitamin d in cod liver oil supplements for most people who are deficient in lab results. So if low in d, you probably still need to supplement as well and need to check with your doctor on this before doing so anyway.

I remember my dad used to make me eat a cod fish oil capsule every week. When I asked him “Why?” he just said, “‘Cuz it’s good for you.” I don’t think he really knew why. He took it because his grandma told him to. Being Swedish, she probably knew it was necessary to eat oil from the the liver of cod. Swedes are low in vitamin d, too unless they supplement with food or supplements due to also being far from the equator. When your skin is exposed to sunlight, your body makes vitamin d, BUT…

that only applies if you are close enough to the equator. For those of us who live in the northern latitude of the world (like Minnesota) exposure of arms and legs for 15-20 minutes per day should suffice during the summer; during the fall and winter months you will most likely have to take a vitamin d supplement if your labs reveal deficiency. This is because you could lay out naked all day in the sun during the winter without it affecting your vitamin d synthesis. We are just not at the correct angle in relation to the sun here at that time. That is why some call vitamin d the “Sunshine vitamin.”  Check with your doctor to be sure vitamin d supplementation is right for you before doing so.

 

Summary of Vitamin D Deficiency

So, look out for Low Mood and Low Energy-it Could be Low Vitamin D. Ask your doctor to order a blood test to screen for vitamin d deficiency. If it is not low, then you have ruled out one possible cause to your low energy and mood. Always check with your doctor first before taking new vitamins or minerals supplements.

Note: many doctors in private practice (like my primary care doc) actually like to see vitamin d level higher than what conventional family medicine doctors deem as “healthy range” levels of vitamin d. Why? This is because vitamin d level can be high enough to keep you alive, though may not be “optimal” for your health as an individual.

Naturopathic doctors look at this way as well. Like acupuncturists, we look at medicine from a prevention perspective. It is a different medical paradigm than the Western one which is focused on treating a disease. Both types of medicine are needed and each has its time and place, for sure. 

Low Mood or Energy? Low Libido or Imbalanced Hormones? Aleesha Treats Mood, Energy, Hot flashes and Fertility, too.

Go online to Schedule at: AnokaAcupuncture.com

 

Thanks for Reading!

Written by Aleesha D Ackerman, LAc

 

Aleesha Ackerman is a certified and state licensed acupuncturist with a Master’s degree in acupuncture. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree from Hamline University. Aleesha owns and operates Aleesha D Acupuncture clinic for Pain and Women’s Health in Anoka, MN.

She became interested in acupuncture and holistic medicine when acupuncture cured her of debilitating migraine pain after an auto collision with a semi-truck. Aleesha specializes in treating acute and chronic pain and Women’s Health. Women come to her everyday with issues such as hot flashes, mood imbalance, low energy and for Cosmetic Acupuncture for wrinkles, crow’s feet, laugh lines and improvement in overall skin tone . Read more about Aleesha and what she specializes in Here.

 

Patients at Aleesha D Acupuncture say they feel cared for and listened to. They are happy to get the much-needed pain and stress relief from their treatments!

 

Aleesha D Acupuncture is located in historic downtown Anoka at 229 Jackson Street just off Highway 10 with free parking.

Get in and Feel Better, Move Forward!

 

DISCLAIMER

This article is not intended to replace any health care. No information on this site should be relied on to determine medical diagnosis or treatment for a medical condition. As with any health concerns, always be sure to consult your health care provider with any health concerns.

Licensed Acupuncturist in Anoka Serving Andover, Anoka, Big Lake, Champlin, Circle Pines, Columbus, Coon Rapids, Dayton, East Bethel, Elk River, Forest Lake, Fridley, Ham Lake, Isanti, Lino Lakes, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Now Then, Oak Grove, Osseo, Ostego, Ramsey, Saint Francis, Saint Paul, Shoreview, Spring Lake Park, Vadnais Heights and White Bear Lake.

Zip codes we treat: 55304, 55303, 55309, 55014, 55316, 55433, 55448, 55327, 55330, 55432, 55040, 55401, 55402, 55403, 55404, 55406, 55407, 55408, 55409, 55410, 55411, 55412, 55413, 55416, 55418, 55419, 55421, 55422, 55011, 55311, 55369, 55102, 55103, 55104, 55105, 55106, 55107, 55108, 55101, 55109, 55110, 55111, 55113, 55114, 55116, 55117, 55120, 55124, 55125, 55115, 55118, 55119, 55121, 55122, 55123, 55126, 55129, 55130, 55146, 55127, 55128, 55133, 55144, 55145, 55155, 55164, 55165, 55166, 55166, 55168, 55170, 55175, 55187, 55188, 55171, 55172, 55014, 55025, 55371, 55398, 55308, 55960

Why Do I Need to Take Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is needed in order to absorb calcium properly in the body. Many middle aged and older females struggle with bone density issues in the developed world and many are low in vitamin D.

Vitamin D is important for regulating mood, energy and body healing mechanisms.

Vitamin D is important for immunity.

Vitamin D is especially important now during COVID-19 pandemic.

Autopsies are finding those who die from the virus are deficient in vitamin D. Remember, it helps with Immunity! 

 

Read How Sun Exposure Helps Your Body Make Vitamin D Here

You could be naked outside in the sunshine all day long this far north and it would still not be sufficient enough for helping with vitamin D (except for during the summer months).

 

Where to get Vitamin D and What Type Should I Take?

Fortunately, You can get Vitamin D here at Aleesha D Acupuncture. I use and carry the liquid form of vitamin D 3 for guaranteed absorption and control over the dosage (each drop equals 1,000 mg). I also like it with k2 as this vitamin helps aid the absorption of vitamin D (do not take vitamin k if you take blood thinners like Coumadin or have thin blood).

 

Is What You Eat (Wheat) Eating You?… 

There may be a connection to the non-0rganic wheat we eat here and malabsorption of vitamin D in the body. The glycophosphate-based pesticide that starts with “R” and ends in “up” is what I used to have to spray on the driveway cracks to get rid of weeds as a kid. This pesticide has been outlawed in many other countries because of it’s connection to Cancers. We know more about it now and how it wrecks our guts, among other things it does. It doesn’t just destroy exoskeletons of bugs!  This is why it is outlawed in countries like France, Italy and most of Canada.

Unfortunately it is still used here in this country in wheat production. The glycophosphate pesticide we ingest in our wheat here may get in the way of vitamin d absorption in the gut…

This may help explain why so many (even in southern states) now need to supplement with vitamin d on a daily basis, despite sun exposure.

 

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EFT Tapping Acupressure Points for Anxiety (Yes! Same Points as Acupuncture)

EFT Tapping Acupressure Points for Anxiety (Same Points Used in Acupuncture)!

Did You Know EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Tapping uses Acupuncture Points for Anxiety?

It’s True! 

This is Helpful to go along with our AcuPRESSURE sessions (Patients doing the 1-on-1 Free Video Sessions with me during the COVID-19 Pandemic while we Stay-at-Home to help flatten the curve).

These are points you can use at home to help move from Fight-or-Flight back into the Rest and Digest

aka “chilling in a hammock” state of being. 

This can help in all types of situations, not only during a scary, stay-at-home-we are in a Pandemic” kind of situation!

 

For the point of this simple version (and because I do not care for doing the self-talk therapy along with it), we will leave out the affirmation/ self-talking part of the technique.

That is the beauty in most things in life, if ya don’t like part of something or it just doesn’t work for you, you can leave it out. Stick with what works! GET IT? “STICK!” Never mind.

 

You shouldn’t be sticking yourself with needles anyway-unless you are a licensed acupuncturist like me, of course or a phlebotomist or a nurse (by the way, acupuncture needles are not hollow like a hypodermic used by a nurse because it does not need to carry anything like a vaccine into your body.

 

That is why some call it “DRY NEEDLING.” It is also why the needles acupuncturists use do not hurt the way the hypodermic needles do-well that and you can fit like 10 acupuncture needles into a hypodermic! They are about 1/10 the diameter or thickness so WAY more comfortable!

 

So as to not get off track…

EFT Tapping-How to:

To do the EFT Tapping on acupuncture points (OR for you, acuPRESSURE), 

Tap Points: Simply tap lightly with a finger on each point. Be gentle. You don’t have to leave a mark to be effective. More pressure is not better, necessarily. 

 

Sequence of Points: I like to go in order of  outer hand, below pinky finger (at 2nd crease) aka the “karate chop” point. You know, right where you strike when you karate chop all those wooden boards in your garage (or in your mind if not trained), then top of head, going in downward direction to each point, ending at side of torso/ under the arm.

 

# of Taps Per Point: Tap each point 5-7 times. Then go on to next point.

 

How Many Times Should I tap the sequence of points?

Rinse and Repeat.

You can repeat this as many times as needed until you feel more chill. Let your Highstrung-ometer be your guide to how many times to repeat in one session.  Sometimes I like to do this in traffic, like when another driver tries to kill me by cutting me off or  driving so close behind that I cannot see the first 1/3 of their car (and cannot move any further than the bumper in front of me).

Or-like now during a friggin’ PANDEMIC!

—Who is NOT Stressed? 

Some of us, pendulate back and forth between a healthy state of,

“I’m okay, You’re Okay” to “OMG-When will Life EVER Go Back to some type of NORMAL again?”

I digress. Again. What can I say? I’m a story teller. A close friend recently told me that one of the things her husband really likes about me is my story-telling ability!

Wow, that really FELT GOOD to hear!

 

Back to it: So like I said, repeat as many times as possible. Some like to talk about what is bugging them while doing this. I am not one of those. I like to keep things As Simple As Possible. Lots of other stuff can’t be simplified. I believe THIS can be simple.

 

 I DO like to work on breathing techniques. This can cause more anxiety, however if you find you start trying to control the breath or the mind starts to ask you, “Are You SURE You’re DOING this RIGHT??!”

 

Don’t get stuck! Get it? Okay, okay. I’ll stop.

…So, if you find focus on breath is more of a hassle at  first, leave it out. Remember, as with most thing, you gotta do what works for you. We have all self-soothed with a healthy tool, only to start going down a dark rabbit hole of over-thinking!…

There are a lotta tools in life. Use the best tool that works for you. Lefties  don’t like Right-handed scissors for a reason!

Do not Overthink it!

Find Other Meditation/ Breathing Techniques Here

 

Does it Matter Which Side You Do First?

You can do one side, then alternate to the other.

You can do left side a couple times, then right side. 

For some points you can choose the side with the most tender spot (under the clavicle or collar bone). This is often tender while feeling anxious.

Recap: 

  1. Starting with Karate chop point on hand. Then at top of head, progressing down body to last point which is located under arm.
  2. Tap each point gently about 5-7 times each.
  3. Repeat sequence as many times as you need.
  4. Keep reading my posts and leave some feedback here!

Thanks for Reading!

Check back next week for some Qi Gong (“Chee Gong”). If you are a patient of mine, it will pair well with our Free Video 1-on-1’s during the COVID-19 stay-at-home time!

Written by Aleesha D Ackerman, LAc

 

Aleesha Ackerman is a certified and state licensed acupuncturist with a Master’s degree in acupuncture. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree from Hamline University. Aleesha owns and operates Aleesha D Acupuncture clinic for Pain and Women’s Health in Anoka, MN.

She became interested in acupuncture and holistic medicine when acupuncture cured her of debilitating migraine pain after an auto collision with a semi-truck. Aleesha specializes in treating acute and chronic pain and Women’s Health. Women come to her everyday with issues such as hot flashes, mood imbalance, low energy and for Cosmetic Acupuncture for wrinkles, crow’s feet, laugh lines and improvement in overall skin tone . Read more about Aleesha and what she specializes in Here.

Patients at Aleesha D Acupuncture say they feel cared for and listened to. They are happy to get the much-needed pain and stress relief from their treatments!

Why wait? Start Your Relief Today- contact Aleesha D Acupuncture in Anoka this summer to schedule!

Aleesha D Acupuncture is located in historic downtown Anoka at 229 Jackson Main Street just off Highway 10 with free parking.

Get in and Feel Better, Move Forward!

 

DISCLAIMER

This article is not intended to replace any health care. No information on this site should be relied on to determine medical diagnosis or treatment for a medical condition. As with any health concerns, always be sure to consult your health care provider with any health concerns.

Licensed Acupuncturist in Anoka Serving Andover, Anoka, Big Lake, Champlin, Circle Pines, Columbus, Coon Rapids, Dayton, East Bethel, Elk River, Forest Lake, Fridley, Ham Lake, Isanti, Lino Lakes, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Now Then, Oak Grove, Osseo, Ostego, Ramsey, Saint Francis, Saint Paul, Shoreview, Spring Lake Park, Vadnais Heights and White Bear Lake.

Zip codes we treat: 55304, 55303, 55309, 55014, 55316, 55433, 55448, 55327, 55330, 55432, 55040, 55401, 55402, 55403, 55404, 55406, 55407, 55408, 55409, 55410, 55411, 55412, 55413, 55416, 55418, 55419, 55421, 55422, 55011, 55311, 55369, 55102, 55103, 55104, 55105, 55106, 55107, 55108, 55101, 55109, 55110, 55111, 55113, 55114, 55116, 55117, 55120, 55124, 55125, 55115, 55118, 55119, 55121, 55122, 55123, 55126, 55129, 55130, 55146, 55127, 55128, 55133, 55144, 55145, 55155, 55164, 55165, 55166, 55166, 55168, 55170, 55175, 55187, 55188, 55171, 55172, 55014, 55025, 55371, 55398, 55308, 55960

 

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