by Carl Balingit
on April 7, 2016
Erector Spinae
This is not just a piece of meat. It is a section of human muscular anatomy, shown here to illustrate how tension in areas far away from the hips can lead to lumbosacral and/or hip pain.
Highlighted are sections of the erector spinae muscles. Though not evident here, they extend up to the cervical spine (neck). Poor posture can tax the erector spinae; and ladies, this muscle group can be stressed by wearing high-heeled shoes.
Tension or trigger points anywhere within this muscle group can affect movement involving the base of the spine (sacrum) and hips. Pain can occur either from tension itself, or from the subsequent hindrance of joint movement or blood circulation.
How Does Tension Cause Pain?
Tension can directly trigger the pain receptors of the nervous system. Other elicitors of pain, that are the byproduct of tension, may be (1) inflammation due to joint dysfunction, or (2) ischemia—diminished blood flow.
Since blood carries oxygen, blood stagnation also reduces local oxygen supply. This leads to anaerobic metabolism (energy production in the absence of oxygen), causing tissue irritation from the acidity of increased hydrogen ions (lowered pH).
Whether inflammation or ischemia, it is still the nervous system that sends the pain signal.
How Do You Treat the Pain?
The Bladder Channel runs through this muscle group. Acupuncture along this channel can restore function and relieve pain from erector spinae strain.
No Really, How Do You Treat the Pain?
[continue reading…]
Tagged as:
Pain Management
{ }
by Carl Balingit
on March 21, 2016
‘Coptis Japonica,’ by yukin_74 [flickr.com/112277123@N07]. License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/
Berberine is an active ingredient in two commonly used Chinese herbs:
huang lian (coptis rhizome) and
huang bai (phellodendron bark). It is also a constituent in goldenseal, first used in Native American medicine. There is no restriction on the use of these herbs in the United States. But in Singapore, berberine and herbs containing this compound were prohibited under the Poisons Act in 1978.
Coptis and phellodenron are used in Chinese medicine for infections, inflammation and ulcerative conditions. Both herbs are antibacterial, while coptis is also antiviral and antifungal. Because these herbs are so effective at treating virulent conditions, it would be unfortunate if their use were restricted. In fact, I recommend adding huang lian su (coptis tablets) to your travel kit, in case of dysentery.
The rationale for the Singapore prohibition was that berberine presented a risk to babies with the genetic disorder, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. These individuals were deemed at risk of their blood cells breaking down when exposed to berberine, leading to anemia.
However, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore—a regulatory body similar to the United States FDA—is fully lifting the berberine ban due to lack of evidence of safety concerns (Ref. Singapore HSA). Though, in disclaimer-fashion, they still recommend caution when using it with some individuals.
[continue reading…]
Tagged as:
Chinese medicine,
travel
{ }
