SOHMA Integrative Medicine

We offer the best of Eastern & Western medicine without using drugs or surgery

SOHMA Long Beach

5 Questions to Ask Your Medical Professional About Acupuncture

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Acupuncture has been known to help people manage discomfort and pain. Though many people are unsure of whether or not they should go through with treatment out of fear of needles. Or perhaps are generally unsure of how acupuncture works.

Many people know about Acupuncture as the traditional Chinese method that uses needles throughout the body but feel like they need a little bit more information. Today we are going to go through 5 questions you should ask a medical professional about acupuncture if you are unsure about receiving treatment.

What Conditions are Treated Using Acupuncture?

Acupuncture has been used primarily to relieve pain and irritation caused by a variety of diseases and conditions. As an example acupuncture can help with reducing nausea caused by chemotherapy or surgical anesthesia. Acupuncture has also been used in treating the following:

  • Oral/Dental Pain
  • Headaches and Migraines
  • Neck Pain
  • Lower Back Pain
  • Arthritis
  • Injuries
  • Tendonitis

Many people know how painful these ailments can be. Identifying if your condition can be treated by acupuncture  is an important question to ask, as a proper diagnosis is necessary in order to mitigate discomfort.

Do The Needles Hurt?

This may be the #1 concern of every patient prior to their first acupuncture appointment. People ask about the pain involved with having Acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture needles are extremely thin. The needles are no thicker than a human hair. Most people report feeling little to no pain when the needles are placed. Once the treatment session is over, patients tend to feel energized or relaxed. However, the needles can cause temporary soreness.

How Long Before I See Results?

This question has a varied answer depending on each individual patient. Usually it takes about 2-4 days to feel the therapeutic benefits. Though often a single session is not enough as a treatment and the majority of patients begin to feel long term results after about 3 treatment sessions while others may require as many as 6. 

Normally a single treatment session per week is advised for most people in order to manage their symptoms and lessen their pain. Though depending on the amount of pain being dealt with 2 sessions per week can be managed. Based on the progression of the condition, treatment can be reduced to a single session per week. After the patient’s condition has been cleared they could decide to end acupuncture treatment.

Is Acupuncture Safe?

Acupuncture treatment in modern days has become an extremely safe and reliable treatment. With the use of single-use disposable needles being standard practice, the risk of infection is minimal. 

There are a few exceptions, for example if you are suffering from a bleeding disorder or are taking blood thinners, this can increase the risk of bleeding from the needles. Having a pacemaker can also cause complications as some acupuncture therapy involves applying a small electrical pulse through the needles which can hinder the operations of a pacemaker. Most common side effects are:

  • Soreness
  • Minor Bleeding
  • Bruising

While current information indicates that acupuncture is safe for most pregnancies, it is generally  recommended to avoid the practice during the first trimester of pregnancy.

How Should I Prepare for Acupuncture

The first thing you should do is find a reliable Acupuncture practitioner. At SOHMA Integrative Medicine in Long Beach CA an experienced and licensed Acupuncture practitioner will be performing the treatments that last 20 minutes on average.

Avoid drinking coffee, sodas, or energy drinks containing caffeine for at least 2 hours prior to treatment. As caffeine can cause your body to increase its fight or flight response which can make inserting the needles difficult.

Wear comfortable loose fitting clothes so the practitioner can have easy access to your arms, legs and back.

Acupuncture on its own is a natural way for the body to begin recovery, though combining Acupuncture with other treatment options can increase results.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.

Does Cupping Remove Toxins?

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Cupping is a traditional Chinese medicine dating back thousands of years. It has been used to help in recovery, relieving pain, reducing inflammation and  promoting an increase of blood circulation in the area being treated. With Cupping gaining popularity in the mainstream with athletes and celebrities using it as part of recovery, many people wonder what Cupping is and what it does for you. Today we’re going to talk about how Cupping removes toxins from the body and why it is important.

How Does it Work?

Cupping works by setting a cup directly on the back, shoulder, neck, arms or legs, once the cup is applied to the skin suction begins. The suction pulls up on the skin, muscle and fascia stretching the tissue. This will draw fresh oxygenated blood from the surrounding tissue to the muscle being treated, flushing out the localized area and increasing blood flow. This results in increased recovery, and a round mark left by the cup. This marking is harmless and usually lasts between a couple hours to a week. The marks can actually tell you about the condition of the area being treated based on the color after a Cupping session. Cupping practitioners use this type of therapy to help with a variety of ailments such like:

  • Fever
  • Headaches
  • Leg Pain
  • Cramping
  • Nasal Congestion
  • Poor Appetite
  • Lower Back Pain

Feel free to ask the helpful staff at SOHMA Integrative Medicine in Long Beach CA for more information about Cupping Therapy or read our blog where we have more articles about the benefits of Cupping Therapy.

Removing Toxins

Of course we have organs within our bodies to deal with and remove toxins already, but living in modern, metropolitan cities we sometimes overwork our natural system. A buildup of toxins can appear in our bodies because of a poor diet, stress and since we live in a large city we are constantly being exposed to toxins and pollutants such as smoke from cigarettes, cars and wildfires, chemicals and heavy metals.

When the body is overloaded with toxins it can prevent the production of hemoglobin in your blood by damaging your enzymes which can accelerate aging. This can also lead to a lack of energy, making you feel sluggish and lower your protection against oxidative stress. Oxidative stress happens when there is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and antioxidants. Which can lead to pain, swelling and in extreme cases diabetes or cancer.

Increased Blood Flow

With skin, muscle and other soft tissues being pulled into the cup due to suction, this will naturally increase blood circulation to the area being treated. The increased flow will flush out any stagnated toxins in the blood as well as attract immune cells to the treated area. The increased oxygenated blood can then assist with cell repair and help new connective tissues form. By focusing the blood flow to affected areas it helps your body’s lymphatic system to remove built up toxins. The lymphatic system includes organs like the spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow. 

This increased blood flow has the added benefit of helping reduce inflammation which will help with pain management and reduce the amount of time needed for the body to naturally repair itself.

We are here to help you recover naturally, Cupping Therapy is just one way we try to achieve this. The final decision to improve your life is ultimately up to you. 

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.

Top 5 Questions You Should Ask Before Starting Tai Chi

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Many people’s first experience with Tai Chi is seeing others practicing it outdoors in a park. Tai Chi, with its slow deliberate movements, emphasis on relaxation, and breathing is being practiced by countless people for more than just fitness. 

Many practitioners of this martial art have shown a variety of mental health benefits which include reduction in:

  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Blood pressure

Physical benefits like an increase in:

  • Flexibility
  • Balance
  • Agility
  • Stamina

Tai Chi has also been shown to aid in

  • Improvement in mood 
  • Reduce the risk of falling in older adults
  • Improvement in reflexes

Although Tai Chi is very inclusive and available to most people, we understand if you have some reservations about starting to practice this martial art. 

Below we outline 5 questions we recommend you should ask yourself, your primary care provider, or our staff at SOHMA integrative medicine in Long Beach CA prior to joining a Tai Chi class. Whether it’s our free Tai Chi for beginners at Heartwell Park in Long Beach (by the duck pond) or an online option like the 8 part series Tai Chi for beginners on YouTube.

What if I have Disabilities or Health Problems?

When taught and practiced properly Tai Chi is one of the safest form of exercises that exist for anyone who may be be suffering from disabilities of other health conditions, that being said it is important for you to talk to your primary care provider and ask if they feel like there is any potential risk that they can foresee with you when deciding to practice Tai Chi. An example can be exercising too soon after a surgery, as maybe you have to let your body heal before beginning Tai Chi.

The movements done while practicing Tai Chi should never feel forced, therefore even if you feel like you may have limited mobility you can and should modify the movements to fit the range of motion you are comfortable with.

Is Tai Chi safe to learn?

With Tai Chi being practiced by people of all ages, it is okay to presume that Tai Chi is a safe form of fitness. Because there are no high impact movements such as jumping, and movements are slow and soft there is minimal strain to your joints and muscles. Since all the movements are deliberate and careful there is little to no chance of falling. This is why you tend to see many older adults participating in Tai Chi classes. Though everyone is welcome to join regardless of age or fitness level.

How can I get started?

If you are looking to get started with Tai Chi, but you are unsure about how to get started let me start off by saying, getting started in Tai Chi is less complicated than you may think. Even though Tai Chi has its origins in ancient China, and is a martial art It’s not required to learn about Chinese history or philosophy to get started. Unlike other martial arts out there like karate or boxing, Tai Chi is easier on the individual with limited mobility whether it’s due to age or injury. As well as being more inclusive Tai Chi does not require special uniforms, protective gear or special equipment that can be expensive to buy. All you need to get started is a pair of sneakers, comfortable clothes, a little bit of time  a week and an open mind.

Where can I learn Tai Chi?

Now that you have decided that you want to give Tai Chi a try, where do you go from there? With all the resources that exist in the modern age, finding a Tai Chi class or a video with the introduction to Tai Chi is fairly easy. As mentioned before, we offer completely free Tai Chi classes for beginners every Sunday at Heartwell Park in Long Beach CA by the duck pond from 9:30am to 10:30am. But this isn’t the only resource we have. 

You can also get started by watching our 8 part Tai Chi for beginners course on YouTube where I give you step by step instructions on getting warmed up, how to perform each movement as well as what each movement is called. Even though this is a great tool to learn the basics I recommend joining us for the class so that you can receive feedback, and guidance from everyone there, though I understand that not everyone is able to go out and join us at the park right now.

Do I have the time to practice Tai Chi?

Depending on your schedule you may think to yourself that you don’t have the time to dedicate to learning Tai Chi. You’d be surprised however, as you can gain health benefits with as little as 10 minutes a day. Though in order to learn proper technique and form it is recommended to participate in a class if possible, if not you can do your best by following instructional classes online like the ones mentioned earlier.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.

3 Reasons To Consider Joint Injections

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There are millions of Americans suffering from joint related pains every day, whether it is caused by tendonitis, arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome, perhaps you have a nagging knee, ankle or shoulder injury. If the pain you are suffering is becoming more frequent or more intense you may need to look into getting Joint Injections.

What are Joint Injections?

At SOHMA integrative medicine in Long Beach CA, we use Cellular Regenerative Therapy, as well as Platelet Rich Plasma. This unique approach to repairing the human body aims to regenerate and replace damaged tissue and restore your body’s health and natural functions.

What is Platelet Rich Plasma and Cellular Regenerative Therapy?

Blood is first drawn from the patient, following this the plasma is separated from the red blood cells.This process does not remove platelets leaving a concentrated platelet rich plasma behind to be injected back into the patient joints where the Platelet Rich Plasma can help in reducing pain, inflammation, improve joint function and in some cases halt or slow down the damage to the joint. Cellular Regenerative Therapy is also used as a treatment for repairing and regenerating damaged tissue. Also known as Human Cellular Tissue Products (HCTP), these injections support the body’s healing without the need for surgeries or the use of modern pharmaceuticals.In today’s article I’m going to give 3 reasons as to why you should consider joint injections to aid with your pain and recovery.

Aging

Growing old is normal, but with it comes natural wear and tear. Slowly our bodies begin to break down, we lose muscle mass, our tendons and ligaments become less flexible, loss of bone density, and cartilage within joints wears away. These changes can cause a number of problems for our bodies including arthritis which limits the range of motion of your joints as well as causing swelling, stiffness and pain especially in your hands and feet.

Joint Injections can be used to slow the wearing down done to the cartilage in your joints caused by aging. By reducing the swelling in the affected area Joint Injections can aid in regaining some mobility to your limbs. Depending on the severity, Joint Injections may not be able to reverse all the damage done to the soft tissue, though Platelet Rich Plasma Injections and Cellular Regenerative Therapy have been shown to aid in relieving pain. Do not ignore your symptoms, beginning treatment as soon as possible can help in mitigating long term effects.

Injury

Accidents and injuries can leave long term damage to your body, causing lingering discomfort and pain. Many times these can damage soft tissue. Chronic injuries which are injuries caused by overuse of a joint or muscle group can develop slowly and over time. If these are not treated in a timely manner they can result in pain, inflammation, and discomfort for years or in some cases permanently.

Due to the nature of some injuries, a full recovery may not be possible, especially if the injury is left untreated for an extended period of time. However, Joint Injections can be used to reduce swelling and pain giving you relief. 

For more serious injuries you may require more than just Joint Injections for your recovery. Feel free to ask the helpful staff at SOHMA about complementary treatments such as Chiropractic Care or Massage Therapy which combined with Joint Injections can be used as a more well rounded treatment.

Post Surgery Recovery

Sometimes after all alternative treatments are exhausted you may ultimately require surgery. Not only are surgeries expensive, recovery time from these procedures can be days, weeks or months. Many of us don’t have that kind of luxury.

Joint Injections have been used  to help patients heal from surgeries more swiftly. By increasing the level of Platelets or Human Cellular Tissue Products in the affected area, inflammation can be reduced and tissue can be regrown and repaired. This can greatly reduce the necessary time needed for recovery and shorter recovery periods means getting back to your normal life sooner.

The goal is to return you back to a pain free lifestyle the most natural way possible.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.

What are the Benefits of Using Cupping?

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If you are not yet familiar with cupping, allow me to introduce you to this therapy which has been used by celebrities and professional athletes alike. Today we’ll go over a little bit of Cuppings history as well as the benefits cupping therapy provides. 

You may be asking, what is Cupping? How is it beneficial?

Like many alternative wellness practices, Cupping has been around for thousands of years and can be traced back to traditional Chinese medicine. In recent history Cupping has been popularized in the west by Olympic athletes as well as professional football players when reporters noticed circular marks on the back and shoulders of these athletes.

Cupping is known as a form of alternative medicine, in which localized suction is applied to the skin in order to stretch the tissue and increase blood flow. This will draw fresh oxygenated blood to the targeted area. The suction also stretches the fascia which are layers of tissue around the muscles. Many who use Cupping regularly have seen noticeable improvements when suffering from various conditions such as:

  • Fever
  • Lower Back Pain
  • Poor Appetite
  • Nasal Congestion
  • Cramping
  • Knee/Leg Pain
  • Headaches
  • Mental Health

Now that you are a little more familiar with cupping, here are a few of the benefits of using Cupping.

Increased Circulation

Sometimes due to our lifestyle choices our organs designed to remove toxins from our body need some help in order to keep up. 

As stated previously by having the skin and muscle be stretched into the cup, your body will naturally increase blood flow into the treated tissue. The increase in circulation can then flush stagnated toxins as well as attract immune cells. Increased immune cells and blood flow can then assist with cell repair and help new soft tissue to form. The additional blood flow can also help reduce inflammation which has the added benefit of reducing healing time of aches and pains.

Mental Health

Cupping has the ability to help you relax during the treatment, this feeling of relaxation will continue on after the Cupping session is done. This can help insomnia by improving the quality of sleep as well as how long you can remain sleeping through the night. Sleep helps with physical and mental recovery, poor sleep can lead to poor physical recovery. When you are not feeling physically well then it becomes difficult to fall asleep.

Cupping therapy can soothe the parasympathetic nervous system when the therapist slides the cups across your exposed skin, these are the nerves that manage the organs that help cleanse the body of toxins. When the parasympathetic nervous system is engaged it will encourage relaxation, it will then help alleviate stress and eases anxiety.

Pain Management 

Many athletes use Cupping as a form of pain relief for chronic pain. This is not exclusively for elite athletes who push their bodies to the limit of human capabilities though. Shoulder pain and lower back pain can affect anybody regardless of whether you are an office worker or representing your country at the olympics.

When using Cupping to mitigate pain the stretching of the muscle in the cup soothes can soothe the overactive muscles causing pain. As Cupping promotes blood circulation this can bring with it endorphins which are a naturally occurring pain reliever your own body creates. Resulting in pain reduction and an elevated mood.

Scar Tissue and Varicose Veins

The final benefit I want to talk about is Cupping has the ability to reduce scar tissue, stretch marks and varicose veins. The increased blood flow aids your body in flushing out toxins and helps remove excess fluid. It can also help break down scar tissue adhesion, this helps reduce the appearance of scarring even when the cup isn’t being applied directly over the scarred tissue.

Varicose veins look like swollen and bruised veins just under your skin, usually appearing on your feet and legs. They occur when the valves within the vein do not work properly which leads blood to congest within them and the vein itself to swell. Cupping’s ability to bring an increased flow of fresh oxygenated blood into the problem areas, you may notice the the varicose vein begin to lose their color after only one session, though for longer lasting results you may need multiple sessions.

Feel free to ask us any questions you may have about Cupping therapy, our helpful staff is always willing to help with any concerns you may have about cupping therapy. Our goal is to provide healing and wellness in the most natural way possible.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can reach out to us and ask us about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.