August 20, 2008
Many types of skin conditions can be aggravated by the heat and humidity of late summer. Most people don’t think of acupuncture for managing skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, acne, and heat rash; but Chinese medicine can be very effective at treating these conditions.
Treatment, whether acupuncture or herbs, works on two levels. First, it can clear heat and dampness from the skin to relieve symptoms such as redness, itching, swelling, and weeping lesions.
Second, herbs and acupuncture address underlying imbalances that cause the skin condition and make it difficult to heal. This may include strengthening and balancing the immune system; building up blood and fluids, and helping the body circulate them to the surface to nourish the skin; correcting any internal heat or dampness that may be “venting” through the skin; or regulating hormonal fluctuations that lead to acne outbreaks.
Acupuncture treatment can provide quick relief for acute skin rashes, such as heat rash or poison ivy. With sustained treatment, it can also provide significant and lasting relief from more chronic skin conditions, even when Western medicine considers them chronic or untreatable.
Entry Filed under: Skin, Uncategorized. Tags: acupuncture, herbs, Chinese herbal medicine, eczema, poison ivy, rash, heat, dampness, skin conditions, traditional chinese medicine, tcm, heat rash, rosacea, psoriasis, nourish blood, redness, itching, swelling, weeping lesions, acne.
1.
Clear | August 20, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Acupunture does work wonders for a lot of skin conditions. However, I can’t stand the herbal tea the Chinese doctors prescribe for you to take at home. Their so bitter.
2.
myacupuncture | August 22, 2008 at 1:30 am
It’s true, the herbal formulas can taste pretty nasty. It depends on the formula and the person — sometimes people really don’t mind the taste, and other times people really have a hard time with it.
Although Chinese herbs are traditionally taken in tea form, many formulas also come in pills, and powdered formulas can also be put into capsules. So, there are some options if it’s just too gross!