Bells Palsy

Bells Palsy can be a very frightening experience for people, as the symptoms mimic that of a stroke. Always go and see a medical doctor for a diagnosis first. Once you have your diagnosis, call your acupuncturist! Acupuncture can be very helpful and rapid for a persons recovery. The sooner you go for your first treatment, the faster it resolves and the better the longer term result for you. In the first week frequent visits are necessary. These are the spaced out depending on progress.

Lets first describe what Bells Palsy is and then as always some of the science.

Bells Palsy is a rapid, one sided weakness to paralysis of the face, that happens suddenly. It can then progressively worsen over the following 48 hours. It is a temporary condition. Generally, it is slow to heal taking 2 weeks, 1 months to 6 months on average. The more severe it is, the longer it takes to heal using a medicated approach. Occasionally it is permanent.

The treatment is usually a course of steroids, prescribed by your GP or a hospital doctor. There is ample evidence to support it's effectiveness (1). The steroids have to be taken within days of the first symptoms occuring.

Of course, the people we see as acupuncturists are generally those that it hasn't worked for. I would strongly suggest you consider using both concurrently, if you are taking steroids. There is no negative interactions between the two. Sometimes, the person simply does not want to take steroids because of their potential side effects. That is a discussion they have with their doctor first. The other people we see, are our clients that have been visiting our clinics regularly for different issues. Their faith in acupuncture is not blind faith, it is experiential with a very positive results for them.

Anti virals have not been found to be beneficial (2), even though a viral infection may be the cause of the Bells Palsy. Surgery that was used previously to relieve pressure on the facial nerve is not recommended, because of the risks in having the surgery.

The precise reason Bell's Palsy occurs isn't clear. It's often preceded by having a viral infection. There are at least 8 viruses that have been associated with Bells Palsy. There is also a list of other chronic health issues and traumas that can be associated with a person having Bells Palsy. Finally, there is thought to be a genetic component in some cases, where there is a family history and the person has repeated attacks.

It's believed to be the result of swelling and inflammation of the nerve that controls the muscles on one side of your face. The facial nerve controls a complex array of functions, so when it is damaged, the symptoms can vary in type and severity.

Signs are extensive and a person does not necessarily experience all of these. They can be very mild or severe

Change in the ability to taste

Difficulty speaking

Dizziness

Drooling

Eye or mouth dryness

Excessive watering in one eye

Headache

Hypersensitivity to sound

Pain in the jaw or behind the ear

Ringing in the ears

Trouble eating or drinking

There are various studies showing the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for Bells Palsy. Some of them recommend electroacupuncture (3). This involves a very mild electric current between needles, which is not a painful process. This study suggests it, as an add on to medication and physio. I personally have found Distal Needling Acupuncture alone very effective for people. It does not necessitate any needles in the face or the use of electro. Distal simply means away from the problem area. I have used electro acupuncture in the past and observed many treatments using electroacupuncture. All were very effective. The enormous relief it brings to people is understandably pure joy or very emotional.

There is a beauty in using two systems of medicine and the results of using both together, can improve a persons outcome dramatically (4). In some countries it is routine, to use the strengths of both Western Medicine and East Asian Medicine. Perhaps if there wasn't a hierachical view towards medicine, by some, there would be potential for a lot of money to be saved in healthcare, and enormous benefits to the taxpayer. A system where choice is accessible to everyone, would be very welcome by many people.

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any type of paralysis because you may be having a stroke. Bell's palsy is not caused by a stroke, but it can cause similar symptoms.

References

1. Madhok VB, Gagyor I, Daly F, Somasundara D, Sullivan M, Gammie F, Sullivan F. Corticosteroids for Bell's palsy (idiopathic facial paralysis). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD001942. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001942.pub5.

2. Gagyor I, Madhok VB, Daly F, Sullivan F. Antiviral treatment for Bell's palsy (idiopathic facial paralysis). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2019, Issue 9. Art. No.: CD001869. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001869.p

3. Gökçe Kütük S, Özkan Y, Topuz MF, Kütük M. The Efficacy of Electro-Acupuncture Added to Standard Therapy in the Management of Bell Palsy. J Craniofac Surg. 2020 Oct;31(7):1967-1970. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000006537. PMID: 32472874.

4. Effectiveness of strengthened stimulation during acupuncture for the treatment of Bell palsy: a randomized controlled trial. CMAJ. 2013 Apr 2;185(6):473-8

Menopause Series Cognitive Decline & Alzheimer's Disease

Without your brain who are you?

It gives you the ability to think, to learn new things, to remain independent, to maintain loving relationships, to know where you are, your location and time. Your brain provides you with the freedom of choice that you have currently. Conscious thinking forms part of your personality, some people might even say it is your personality.

Brain health is becoming increasingly more important, as we are living longer. Here are some tips on what is important to include, on a daily basis, for your brain health. Physical activities, brain activities, eat good quality nutrition, get good quality sleep, and significant social interaction. The latter is generally a task women are particularly good at. I appreciate COVID19 has put a bit of a spanner in the works for social meet ups, but there are plenty of online virtual social events to get involved in. It is not the same and doesn't provide the same experience, but the neurons (where all that physiology of thinking occurs) in your brain will benefit regardless. Getting a socially distant walk/run or swim in for now is available to all of us.

I hope you are ready for some of the science. Memory problems associated with menopause are multifactorial. Some of these factors are hormonal changes, such as differing oestrogen levels, higher cortisol (the stress hormone) levels, blood pressure, stress levels, if you have a chronic disease, energy levels, sleep quality etc

Ok first the bad news. The incidence of memory problems in menopause transition is reported by up to 2/3s of women! And the good news, it is thought that these are transient and do not become chronic postmenopausal issues. There is also no evidence that these, what are referred to as functional deficits, are indicative of dementia. (Wagner et al. 2020)

Thats great to know but can acupuncture help you during those years when you feel frustrated and for some women also fearful. You might be that woman who recognises a difference in the following areas of your life. Your mood might be low, your relationships might be difficult, finding the right words sometimes can be difficult and often remembering where you left your keys, your phone and your wallet are a challenge! The great news is yes. Acupuncture is incredibly helpful for brain health.

If you are to look at, Alzheimers Disease which is a disease that affects the brain, then yes acupuncture is effective. Most of you know someone of have met someone with this disease. A meta analysis study on this specifically (which is an examination of many independent studies on the same subject, in order to see trends) by Huang et al. 2019, found that acupuncture provided benefits for cognition (understanding and thinking). They found that acupuncture alone was better than conventional western medicine for the treatment of Alzheimers Disease. Just for clarity, I need to say that a diagnosis of Alzheimers is only given by a medically qualified doctor.

This was a rigorous excellent quality review of the evidence. They compared the use of acupuncture in people who were diagnosed with Alzheimers disease (which causes cognitive decline and is a cause of dementia) to those that were treated with medication alone. The results were conclusive. Acupuncture is better.

Acupuncture has been shown to be helpful in many of the factors, or areas, that are considered to play a role in declining brain health.

Menopause, Acupuncture and Osteoporosis

None of us can imagine getting older but ageing is inevitable . What you do today matters for your older years. How do you want to live them?

Menopause, Acupuncture and Osteoporosis

Acupuncture when used in conjunction with Western Medicine is hugely beneficial if you already have a diagnosis of osteoporosis. It also makes a lot of common sense, for a woman who is entering the menopausal years to avail of a therapy with known benefits to bone health. Menopause is a known risk factor for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis puts you at a higher risk of bone fractures. This can leave you with a disability later in life. It is why it is such an important topic.

Including acupuncture as part of a plan of action for your overall health is very worthwhile considering. There are no harmful side effects and lots of additional beneficial effects when you choose to see an acupuncturist, who works with women during the peri menopausal, menopausal and post menopausal years.

Of course, there are lifestyle modifications you can do yourself which your healthcare professional can advise you on, including many acupuncturists who are qualified and informed.

As always, it is important to reiterate menopause is a risk factor for osteoporosis and not an inevitability of menopause.

Here is a simple version of some of the science. I'd like firstly to clarify for you what osteoporosis is, elaborate a little on why it is so important, with the addition of a few Irish stats and then provide you with information as to why acupuncture is a useful therapy for menopausal women at risk.

Bone is a living tissue that is constantly being removed and replaced. As we get older, more bone is naturally lost than is replaced, but people with osteoporosis lose more bone than people who do not have the disease. Osteoporosis causes bones to become fragile and therefore they break easily e.g. through a minor bump or fall from a standing position or less.This came from the Irish Osteoporosis Society which was set up by Prof Moira O’Brien in 1996.

There are no symptoms, until you have what's referred to as a fragile fracture. A DEXA scan is the test that is used to check bone density.

Without wanting to frighten anyone, but also wanting to emphasise the importance of bone health and doing what you can to prevent this becoming an issue for you, here are some stats. Ireland has one of the highest osteoporosis rates globally. Research from Edwards et al, which was published in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (2007), showed that up to half of all patients suffering a hip fracture have had one or more previous fragility fractures. Ireland also has the sixth highest rate of hip fracture in the world today.

So where can acupuncture play a role?

There are several large scale reviews that indicate acupuncture can help. A 2018 systemic review and meta analysis (an examination of data from a number of independent studies) by Pan et al included 35 studies with 3014 participants. It found compared to pharmaceutical (medications) treatment alone, warm needle acupuncture increased bone mineral density of the femur (large thigh bone) and the lumbar spine (bones that go all along the midline of your back). It also increased blood markers (there are certain body chemicals related to bone health that can be measured in a blood test)and reduced pain. There was a further review in 2020 by Xue et al that supported those results. They found high quality evidence that acupuncture and moxibustion (a heat therapy your acupuncturist uses)can improve bone mineral density (so stronger bones) in primary osteoporosis. Primary just means that its cause is only due natural process of ageing.

Technology and Your Health

On the 21st June I will be fully opening my clinic in person YAY.I don't like to wish time away but it can't come quickly enough.

Until then I am so grateful to be working via...possibly a word that will go down in history as double edged! ZOOM. It enables us to connect. It also challenges the human part of us that requires presence.
It's been a long haul for everyone. I work with people, who are people with unique human qualities and challenges.For now it needs technology.

Technology for sure has it's place and medicine generally speaking has benefited enormously. The less talked about aspects of human beings are often in .....another department! Try mentioning the personal challenges you have experienced to your surgeon. Give it a couple of seconds to land. Watch their eyebrows move slightly North or alternatively eyes glazing over. This doesn't mean they are not people. It is simply a different approach and perspective towards health. Mine is holistic.I don't think you can say one aspect of a persons health i.e.mental emotional, spiritual or physical impacts more on a persons wellbeing. They all count and some are more or less important at different times during peoples lives.

Prevention is the advice given for staying healthy. It may very well be the answer but it does carry bias towards the 'healthy' people as generally perceived by society. Often I see people who believe it's too late for them. My answers always the same. No matter where you are on then health spectrum, prevention is never too late. I am a living breathing example of that, so you will not win that debate with me!
Another aspect of your health is timing. At different times during your day and at different times in you life, everyone thinks about their health. How often do you ignore that time and think another time will be a better time.

When you have time or you are watching time passing and feel like you are not living that time, I can guarantee you that is your perfect time. It is the right time to get to know why you are where you are in your life right now. Living with stress or anxiety that is roller-coasting through you day is wasting you valuable living right now time.

This lady I met at her right time.

Positive Emotions Open the Mind

Our perspective on life, regardless of our circumstances is what allows us to see the bigger picture. Perspective enables you to feel those moments of joy and laughter and connection with others. I really believe this. I’ve met too many ‘happy’ people (in the real sense of the word), who have challenges where many would have buckled at the knees. I noticed in these people, a brief buckle of maybe a year and then a sense of purpose for their life and a knowing of the value of having a life.

In my experience, looking inward is necessary…..looking at the science about it shows us that self awareness is precisely 20% useful….but looking outward with an enlightened perspective is where people flourish. Nobody sails through life without challenges in different guises. The learning we can gain can catapult us with purpose.

This is the type of work do. I engage with people, from all walks of life, in small groups and one to one where we briefly look in. Then we open up horizons and relationships and get focused for a life (personal/professional) filled with purpose that is fulfilling.

This is a great short video, of Barbara Fredrickson PhD, sharing the findings of research in a language that makes sense to all of us. I hope you enjoy it.

The Only thing holding you back is thinking too hard...

If thinking was the solution, do you not think….excuse the pun! you would have thought yourself out of everything you don’t like to think about…

What Is my Online Mental Fitness Program about...

The amount of anxiety, that has been created, on a worldwide scale needs rebalanceing. As humans, our ability to recalibrate in challenging circumstances is always available to us. That very much includes you.

I use a system called Positive Intelligence for myself and with clients. I work with groups of 5, for now, as it makes it very affordable for people. Anxiety makes pain worse. It increases underlying anxieties that you already have. It causes or worsens insomnia. It drains you of whatever energy level you started from. Lets turn that around. Anxiety is very manageable. It just takes a little work.

My program WAS called Life Is Short #FeelFreeNow. EDIT 10TH APRIL. I DECIDED TO GET RID OF THE ‘CATCHY!!’ TITLE. MENTAL FITNESS DOEOSN’T NEED IT.

That name comes, as a result of my quest, with life threatening health challenges, to life life to it’s fullest. Your circumstances should not dictate your quality of life. Once you fully realise that, you will have such freedom from everything going on in your life. You will value every moment.

Does this sound like you…It’s that blooming’ virus….It’s my hormones….It’s my mother….It’s my kids….It’s my job…It’s my partner…..It’s because I am single…..It’s my body…..It’s my poor health…If that was ok, your life would be perfect right!! You are human, as am I, so no judgement here.

I want to provide you with an option to change that record. Your circumstances are your circumstances. Everyone has them to a greater or lesser degree. You are actually doing great. Once you become aware of why you think the way you do, it opens up your world. When you have awareness you have choices. You can live differently. I know some of you don’t agree with me, which is perfectly fine. Change after all is scary. I would love you to prove me wrong over the space of 6 weeks.

What does it involve?

The Feel Free Now 6 Week Program is combined with an app, that you use daily, with approx 2 minute exercises. You get a reminder for these 4 times a day. It gets phenomenal results for people. The researchers shared their stats. Once a week, I lead the group, where I expand on the theme for that week. Then you you get your opportunity to talk, about how you are getting on, any challenges you might be having with the exercises. I should state this is not therapy. It is not necessary to bear your soul. The group can be people you know or don’t know.

The impact on everyones health, working together, in a non judgemental space, is a privilege to be part of. We are all human. Working as part of a group, establishes accountability. In layman’s terms, the science shows a 500% increase in completing what you start, when you do it as part of a group. As a result, your own self worth and confidence grows, in every area of your life.

A commitment of 15 mins daily and 1 hour coaching a week for 6 weeks can significantly improve your life. How does living with ease and flow sound and feel to you?

When I originally did the 6 weeks, I was so skeptical. Yes I was open to trying it and seeing if made a difference for me, but I didn’t anticipate it being that significant. For me it has made a big difference.

If you are prepared to invest a small amount in yourself, in order to change your quality of your life, and commit to putting the effort in…I am prepared to refund the full cost of the Program €300, if you believe it has not helped you. Positive Intelligence is currently charging $997.

Let me clarify. You have to do the daily exercises for 6 weeks, to show up for the 1 hour weekly group sessions for 6 weeks and fully participate. I want participants who want more from life and who are ready for change. If your energy levels are low, all this requires is a willingness to give it a go. Don’t let that stop you. I have 5 seats available if you would like to apply.

Email me sineadd@onthepulse.clinic

End date for application group 3 Fri 15th Jan 2121 for Start date Mon 18th Jan 2021

Do you use alcohol for your anxiety...

During lockdown the consumption of alcohol increased significantly. The WhatApp jokes were flying around, and the normalisation, that alcohol is an acceptable way to self sooth or self medicate was an inviting option. The repercussions for many relationships and womens health in the form of increased anxiety and depression, were not quite as funny as the WhatsApp messages, which quite frankly became less jovial. This was not your solution and you know it.

Because work is such a huge part of our lives, and a lot of our colleagues are people we socialise with, there was suddenly a big gap of human connection, which is essential for us as functioning human beings. We are social creatures, even those of you that are introverts. You may not talk as much but it doesn't make you any less part of a group.

Isolation, loneliness and the unknowing of when will this all be over can create huge anxiety for people. Alcohol can block that out briefly.

For some of you the second lockdown, you reassessed and quite simply stopped. For others it has not been so easy.

here is a fine line between chronic overindulgence and an addiction to alcohol. I help women who need support for anxiety and low mood without the need for alcohol.

#wellbeing #anxiety #selfcare #sleep #lowenergy #health

No More Sleepless Nights For You

I'd love to help you sleep soundly again

Have you spent years being the person that gets up during the night to look after your kids? or finish a work project or 10 for your employer or customer? You really can sleep well again. It is a myth to believe that it is not possible for you get good quality sleep back into your life.

Getting good quality sleep is so beneficial to your overall health. You know that already, right? Improved energy levels are a given when you sleep. It significantly improves motivation and ensures you fully participate in life. Sleeping really does mean life feels easier and less stressful. So many studies to choose from but his one .https://doi.org/10.5665/sleep/32.1.55 clearly demonstrates my next point. Your concentration levels significantly improve and this means you are a lot more productive in your work, so you get an incredible amount done so much faster!

Sleeping leaves more time for the fun stuff! With quality sleep you have a more balanced life and clarity on the direction you are heading in. If you want to get in touch with the younger you, enthastic about life, good quality sleep is essential. Your body thrives on restful sleep.

There is a short term place for medications, of course, but most people don’t like the side effects. That foggy brain is no better than your lack of sleep. If you have been self medicating, and losing yourself with a glass or 2 or bottle of wine…. you are moving further and further away from what you truly want in your life.

Lets not forget better sleep, means you look healthier because you are healthier. There is nothing more charismatic than a calm confident version of you. We all want to know how that person is that fabulous, or more precisely how they achieved it.

Life is short & getting good quality restful sleep is absolutely essential to life.

If you would like information on improving your health including sleep please click on the subscribe don the bottom of the page. I will send you my free handout with useful pracical simple steps you can follow.

"Acupuncture at Anytime of your Cycle is Effective for PMS" Review

Pre Menstrual Syndrome is one of the most common gynaecological issues for women.

In this blog I am going to talk about pre menstrual syndrome, discuss a review of many studies (RCT) and talk a little about what you can expect during a visit to a good Acupuncturist.

In this review a total of 15 studies, comprising of 1103 cases, were included. This review showed that acupuncture at anytime of the month is effective for PMS. I have found this to be true in my practice also. I am specifically referring to pre menstrual syndrome. If you have symptoms like bloating, nausea, headaches, moodiness, tearfulness, cramps, headaches, breast tenderness, water retention and back pain. It can be one of a combination of those. If you are putting up with PMS every month, you really don’t have to.

The review tells us that, there are lots of different recommended protocols (treatment strategies) for Pre Menstrual Syndrome but no one single agreed protocol. In layman’s terms, that means a specific placement of a combination of needles. However, it’s important to note, that all Acupuncturists will all use some of the same acupuncture points. There will be commonalities.

This is not necessarily a bad thing. It allows for flexibility in treatment.

Once you are going to an Acupuncturist that is qualified and a member of one of the professional organisations, Acupuncture Council of Ireland or the Acupuncture Foundation Professional Association they can do a correct Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis, and you will get results.

Of course, it is always beneficial that the Acupuncturist has a very good understanding of any health issue from a Western Medicine perspective, because firstly that is the language we are more familiar with in the West. It is easier for you to understand what is being explained to you about your issue. This is important. Secondly, it’s important when going for any treatment that the Acupuncturist has a good understanding of your overall health, and history previous to you current problem. Finally, it allows for better communication with your health care provider, your doctor or nurse

Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory has inbuilt flexibility, so approaches can be tailored to the person in front of the Acupuncturist. One of the major differences between Chinese and Western Medicine is that the same disease in Traditional Chinese Medicine e.g. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Migraine or PMS can have 5 or 6 different patterns. A pattern simply is the combination of signs in the body that you are asked about when you first meet your acupuncturist. In other words your complete medical history. This is combined with tongue and/or pulse diagnosis. Sometimes palpation, is used, where gentle to firm pressure is applied. with your consent and sometimes the ear is observed. Usually it’s a combination unless your practitioner specialises in specific type os diagnosis. I specialise in using pulse diagnosis, as I have found t to be most accurate. Some of the questions you are asked during a first consultation may seem unusual, but only because you won’t have been asked those by your GP.

Two examples:

What is the quality of your sleep like when you attend for a pain in your knee.

Questions about your menstrual cycle when you come for headaches that are not necessarily associated from your GPs perspective. .

For other gynaecological issues , timing can be very relevant. Make an appointment and the Acupuncturist will discuss a plan of action, dependant on your problem.

The review found that

“overall, acupuncture significantly increased the effective rate of PMS compared with medicine and sham acupuncture. Subgroup analyses showed no significant difference among different intervention time to start acupuncture treatment.”