Case Study #1

Patient:

Male, 76 y.o.

Main Complaint:

Patient complained of delayed/inhibited ejaculation for 15 plus years. It took him 20-30 minutes of continual stimulation to reach climax. He was able to climax and ejaculate 6 out of 10 times but never under the time frame of 20-30 minutes.

Secondary Complaint:

Patient presented with asthma and allergies that have affected him is entire life. He had the following symptoms;  nasal and chest congestion, post-nasal drip, itchy eyes, tight chest, wheezing, fatigue, unable to take full breaths and occasional productive cough, slight yellow phlegm.

Third Complaint:

Patient had atrial fibrillation. He had corrective surgery during the course of our treatment and was seeking acupuncture to heal faster and return to normal sinus rhythm as quickly as possible.

OM History:

No headaches, no tinnitus, occasional foggy mind with allergies, no floaters, palpitations, sob, good appetite and digestion, no gas/bloating, occasional constipation due to medications, urination normal, general body aches because of age but no low back or knee problems, sleeps well, low stress, exercises regularly and eats a well balanced diet. The patient has no structural or organic problems with his sexual organs. He is a physician and still works full time.

History:

Erectile dysfunction, heart disease, asthma, allergies, diabetes.

Medications:

HCTZD, Coumadin, ASA, Testosterone, Flovent, Omeprozole.

Pulse:

Irregularly Irregular

Tongue:

Scarlet with a slightly yellow coat and distended veins

Diagnosis:

Erectile Dysfunction, Asthma, Allergies

Differentation:

LV/KI Yin Xu with HT Qi Xu, LU Qi Xu, Xue Yu and Damp Heat Retention in the Upper Jiao

Treatment Principle:

Nourish LV/KI Yin, Tonify HT and LU Qi’s, Move Xue and Clear Damp Heat from Upper Jiao

Points and Methods Used:

DU 20; BL 7; Yintang; Bitong; LU 1, 7, 9; LI 10, 4; PC 6; HT 7; RN 17, 15, 6, 3, 2; Tituo; KI 13, 8, 6; SP 10, 6; ST 36, 40; LV 8, 3; GB 34.

Estim applied to RN 2 to Tituo L; RN 3 to Tituo R – dense disperse on an intensity comfortable to the patient.

Needles retained for 30 minutes.

Herbs Prescribed:

Patient wanted herb for asthma only. Qi Wei Du Qi Wan – 4 pills 3xday.

Results:

Main Complaint:

After 6 treatments the patient experience significant improvement in with his delayed ejaculation. He is still currently being treated though he now, after 12 treatments of repeating the protocol above, has no more problems with his sexual health. His libido has improved, he gets and maintains healthy erections and can reach climax within 10 to 15 minutes.

Second Complaint:

After 1 treatment the patients’ allergies were completely resolved. His nasal and chest congestion clear, as well as his post-nasal drip and itching eyes. We will attend to his allergies only if they are troublesome now. He is still currently being treated for his asthma, though after one treatment he experienced an opening of his chest, no more wheezing and rarely has a productive cough. At this point the patients yellow coating became much lighter.

Third Complaint:

The corrective surgery for his atrial fibrillation, called catheter radiofrequency, was successful and the patient returned to normal sinus rhythm after 2 treatments of acupuncture. After his surgery and the two treatments his pulse became regularly irregular and his tongue lightened from scarlet to red and the veins under his tongue were no longer distended.

Conclusion:

The patient came to me with severe conditions that conventional medicine had done nothing to improve for him. After a few treatments for his various conditions, everything improved significantly. The improvement of his quality of life has been momentous. He is still currently under my care for maintenance of his 3 complaints, coming every to every other week. He is also taking his herbs continually. As we progress treatments will diminish to once every three weeks to once a month, which we will stick with due to the patients advanced age. If he needs to come more often, he will be treated accordingly.

Definitions:

Delayed/Inhibited Ejaculation – a condition in which an extended period of sexual stimulation is necessary for a man to reach sexual climax and ejaculate. In severe conditions, some may not be able to ejaculate at all. It can be a temporary or lifelong problem.

Atrial Fibrillation – is an irregular and often rapid heart rate that commonly causes poor blood flow throughout the body. When the hearts two upper chambers (the atria) beat irregularly/out of rhythm with or out of coordination/time with the two lower chambers (the ventricles) this is considered to be atrial fibrillation. Episodes can come and go or be chronic. Atrial fibrillation itself is not usually life-threatening, though it is a serious medical condition that requires treatment.

Radiofrequency Ablation – a process where a thin flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into a vein in the arm or groin. It is then threaded through the blood vessels into the heart. Heat (radiofrequency) is then applied through the catheter to destroy identified heart tissue causing a heart condition.

Testimonials

Simply put, Lisa Lapwing is a gifted healer. She has developed this gift through her work as a personal trainer and acupuncturist. I began training with her in 2007 to address specific chronic health concerns. She was instrumental in introducing me to new ways of exercise that would strengthen the muscles around my weak joints. Over time, she also encouraged me to embrace a healthier diet and acupuncture for my joints and for stress relief. The results can be seen in my continuing physical strength and general health, not to mention my cheery disposition! I am consistently impressed by Lisa's knowledge of Western medicine and her ability to combine this knowledge with her expertise in Eastern medicine. Her treatments are well coordinated with the treatment I receive from MDs. I cannot recommend her highly enough!

--Lauren

I came to be treated by Lisa, a Medical Doctor whom specializes in palliative care, for erectile dysfunction initially. I had my reservations about whether acupuncture would actually work since I was coming from a Biomedical background. Right away, Lisa made me feel at ease and exhibited extensive knowledge and understanding about my condition. She knew exactly what she was talking about and could explain to me how acupuncture was going to work for my condition so that, as a Doctor, I could understand and relate. After about six treatments or so I began to experience significant results. I was so impressed and satisfied with the results for my erectile dysfunction, I asked Lisa if we could work on my asthma and allergies. After only one treatment I felt improvement that medications had never given me. I was and am convinced that acupuncture and Lisa’s craft of it, works 100%! I now refer friends and patients of mine to her. I came from a skeptical frame of mind and Lisa has proven to me the importance of acupuncture and Oriental medical care.
                                                                                       --Dr. Jim K.

I started getting treatments from Lisa when she was a student at AOMA. She has since helped me with a variety of issues ranging from anxiety to insomnia and some in between. I always feel so much better after getting a treatment, which consists of acupuncture and cupping or tuina as needed.
Lisa is very attentive to her clients and has an amazing ability to intuit her their treatment needs. A perfect example of this happened earlier this year when I was going through a really stressful time. I had read my horoscope that suggested that I should imagine an acupuncturist inserting a needle in the “spirit gate” point to allow the spirit to come and go as it needs. I had told Lisa about the horoscope at my next appointment. She explained to me what it was and what the benefits were. Ironically, at my previous appointment with her, she had placed ear seeds on me on that same exact point because she just felt like I needed them. I was absolutely floored! It was like she has a sixth sense!
Lisa is extremely knowledgeable and professional, and gives great suggestions on how to manage my symptoms in between treatments. I am practically symptom-free now and just go in for maintenance. Lisa genuinely cares about her clients’ health and well-being which is evident from the first time you meet her. She is a truly gifted healer and I recommend her wholeheartedly. I feel so fortunate to have found her and you will too.

--Monica L.

Lisa Lapwing is a Master Acupuncturist and body work therapist. Her treatment has greatly alleviated pressure and chronic pain I regularly experience on the left side of my body from a dislocated shoulder and rib. Her focused and delicate treatments put me at ease despite my fear of needles and uncertainty about acupuncture in general. She is able to talk me through the process and allow me to receive the healing benefits of this age-old practice. After only two treatments with Lisa, my protruding rib has receded by at least a half an inch, the bloating and discomfort I experienced due to displacement of ribs and pull from my shoulder has subsided, and I am standing taller, breathing deeper, and sleeping more comfortably. I have had other acupuncturists, chiropractors and cranial sacral therapists in the past, but Lisa has a certain gift for individualizing her treatments and making the healing aspects stick. I will return to her for treatment whenever I am in the Austin area. She is an absolute master, and I recommend her with high regard.

--Jessica F.

Acupuncture & Why It Works for Pain

An article for you...
http://blogs.menshealth.com/health-headlines/does-acupuncture-actually-do-anything/2010/12/05

Acid Reflux

I've just recently had a client & 2 patients suffer from acid reflux bouts. Which aside from being uncomfortable to painful, if it occurs often enough, can cause pre-cancerous cells in the esophagas. So how does one prevent it?

To start, watch your water intake during meals. I preach drinking lots of water, you shouldn't quit but when you drink a lot of water during your meal you flush away the gastric acids you need to digest your food. Then, the food stays in your stomach digesting longer creating uncomfortable gas which can lead the bubbling up of acidto acid or constipation because your food hasn't fully digested. So give yourself at least 15mins before your meal & another 15 after w/out liquids, to help prevent this. If your going to have wine or beer w/ your meal, just be sure to sip it slowly, savor it.

Secondly, to help prevent it, watch the amount of acidic foods you eat. Such as; citrus fruits, coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, etc. Stress level also greatly affects acid reflux. So try to chill out the best you can. And all though when its bad all you want to do is lay down, you shouldn't. It can encourage the upward flow of the acid. So try to stay sitting up at least slightly.

When in a bout of acid reflux, drink water slowly, avoid all things acidic as well as dairy and sorry but, stick to a bland boring diet at through your bout and a day or two after to insure it won't just get irritated again. BRAT - bananas, rice, applesauce (sometimes it can be a no-no) and toast.

Good luck keeping that tummy healthy & your stress down!! The enteric system (stomach & intestines) are our second brain & we need to treat it well!!

To Sneeze or Not To Sneeze?

I know my answer, not to sneeze. Well here in Austin, allergy season is in full force!! Ragweed, Molds, Grasses & different tress have declared war!!

So if your not wanting to jump right to harsh antihistamines or antibiotics, try some homeopathic & Chinese herbs to soothe your scratchy throat, watery eyes & runny or stuffy nose. Unless you really are very sick or running a fever, then please see your acupuncturist or physician.

At your local natural health food & vitamin store, I suggest picking up a product called Umcka Cold + Flu to take the minute your symptoms begin. You can take 1-3 a day until symptoms cease. Also add Elderberry extract daily to help boost your immune system when the seasons/weather is set to change to give yourself a head start. &/or Echinacea tea daily. Stay on both until the weather stabilizes.

At your local Chinese herb store, or if a local acupuncturist may carry the products, ask for Yin Qiao San the minute you begin to feel the symptoms of allergy or cold, follow the directions on the label & do not stay on it longer than a week. Also, to give yourself a head start you can take Yu Ping Feng San or Gan Mao Ling, to try to catch that illness before it goes deeper into your system. The Yu Ping Feng San is safe to be on continuously & the Gan Mao Ling should not be taken longer than a week.

All of the above, western & Chinese alike are safe & effective & will not interact with any other of your medications. Its best to take them separate (an hour to 2 hours before or after) any other medications your taking. & please, if your doctor has put you on a medication for these symptoms, do not go off of it with out speaking with them first. & it is still a good idea to check with them or your herbalist before adding any herbs or supplements to your daily regime.

You can also try to keep allergies at bay in your home by having protective covers on your mattress & pillows. Wiping pets down when they come in from outside to get the pollens off their hair. & change your air filters often!!

As for you diet, as always, plenty of water, avoid dairy as it builds up mucus, & lots of veggies & fruit to keep getting your vitamins!!

Finally, if your body & mind are telling you to sleep & rest, do it. You will be better for it!!

Good luck this autumn allergy season. & if you have any questions please let me know I'll answer what I can for you & am always up for treating you!!

Important Statement Released Supporting Acupuncture

AAAOM, the American Association of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine's Position Statement in Support of the Designation of Acupuncture as an Essential Health Benefit Service.

AAAOM supports designating acupuncture as an Essential Healthcare Benefit (EHB) for the following reasons:
 1. acupuncture is safely & effectively practiced nationally by state licensed & regulated health care professionals who are trained in institutions whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education;
2. acupuncture is a proven, cost-effective & comparatively-effective medical treatment for commonly occuring illnesses as enumeratedby the World Health Organization (WHO) & the National Institutes of Health (NIH);
3. acupuncture is an important aspect of integrative medical care whereby thousands of trained licensed acupuncturists & physicians are practicing acupuncture in clinics, hospitals, universities, veterans' care facilities, & military establishments;
4. acupuncture reimbursement for treatment by licensed acupuncturists & physicians is available through federal, state, & private third party payers;
5. acupuncture, a medically-effective service, has an unparalleled safety record with far fewer side-effects than conventional therapies such as prescription drugs & surgery as well as consistent meaningful improvement outcomes;
6. acupuncture is sought after by the public as there is an established need for increased patient access to care; and
7. acupuncture meets the EHB criteria & services, & at minimum, serves five of the EHB categories of care.

#5 is my personal favorite!! Sign the petition & show your support!!
http://aaaom.rallycongress.com/

Bye-Bye Food Pyramid

Well I have to say its about time! I never understood how a person could honestly follow that thing! I have been teaching clients & patients food proportions for years now & am happy to see the plate for serving size come into play. While I related it to a person's hand so portions are more exact to the individual (palm + fingers = protein, palm alone = starchy carbs, palm = half of the fingers = fruits & veggies), the plate works as well! Check out the article below to read further & see a picture of the new plate way of eating healthy.


http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20110602/plate-replaces-pyramid-as-diet-guideline-icon