Acupuncture & Brain Science: Taming Chronic Pain

This week, we explore how acupuncture pairs perfectly with an article from The Epoch Times titled "Why Chronic Pain Is Driven by the Brain." The piece views chronic pain as the brain's protective shield, urging whole-person treatments over just pills or surgery.Brain's Role in Chronic Pain: Article RecapDr. Deepak Ravindran describes chronic pain as the brain's call to defend the body, shaped by past experiences, sensory signals, and interconnected systems like nerves, immunity, and hormones. It sorts pain into three types: from actual injuries, from nerve damage, or when nerves get overly jumpy (as in fibromyalgia). Meds help only about one in three folks, often with side effects; instead, try healthy eats, solid sleep, gentle movement, deep breathing, and trauma healing to dial down brain inflammation and reset those alarm bells.This lines up beautifully with acupuncture's core idea: balancing your energy (qi) while nurturing the whole body and mind, tapping into the brain's power to reshape pain stories.Expanding on the article, pain isn't alone in reacting to fear or threats—symptoms like ear ringing (tinnitus), dizziness, heart flutters (palpitations), irregular beats (arrhythmias), and gut troubles (such as IBS, bloating, or tummy upset) often stem from similar brain-nerve glitches. With over-sensitivity or stress at play, the brain's "guard mode"—fueled by anxiety, fear, or past wounds—can spark or intensify these issues without clear physical culprits, mirroring that overly jumpy pain type. Digestion feels it deeply through the gut-brain connection, where stress disrupts gut function and friendly bacteria.How Acupuncture Complements the ApproachAcupuncture supercharges the article's whole-person strategy for chronic pain and related woes:

• Tackling Sensitive Pain: It soothes hyper-alert nerves in conditions like fibromyalgia, fine-tuning brain signals for relief that meds often miss.

• Enhancing Everyday Habits: It teams up with anti-inflammatory meals, restful sleep, and activities like yoga; sessions can weave in breathing or mindfulness to relax nerves and boost immunity.

• Supporting Trauma Healing: It softly unlocks trapped emotions, helping the brain rethink threats—ideal for those with rocky childhoods.

Acupuncture connects the dots in blended care, encouraging folks to keep up habits with fast comfort and renewed hope. Research shows it's gentle, outshines placebo versions, and brings minimal risks to brain-centered plans. For extras like tinnitus, dizziness, or digestive drama, it steadies the body's autopilot and tamps down fear-fueled flares.Shared Mechanisms: Where Acupuncture Meets Brain ScienceThe article spotlights pain as a brain-built experience involving inflammation, immune signals, and nerve networks—acupuncture taps into these exact paths, confirmed by brain scans:

• Brain Rewiring and Adaptability: Needles nudge nerves to reshape pain handling in areas like the default mode network, thalamus, and cortex. This mends faulty wiring in ongoing pain, echoing the brain's "protect" instinct, and softens emotional spikes—handy for fear-sparked symptoms like heart flutters too.

• Easing Brain Inflammation: It shuts down troublemakers like inflammasomes and cuts harmful chemicals, stabilizing signals to combat the immune fallout noted in the article.

• Nerve-Immune Harmony: Via the vagus nerve and internal cues (as the article describes), it fosters anti-inflammatory chats between nerves and helper cells, cooling over-reactivity and building a sense of safety for all symptoms.

These effects are real and measurable, not mystical. Acupuncture can even adjust brain DNA markers for enduring relief, syncing with the article's take on context and memories.Science Backing ItStudies affirm acupuncture's fit for brain-powered pain relief:

• A 2022 brain scan roundup: Shifts key zones to ease back pain.

• 2024 review: Improves nerve pain, lifts mood, and boosts function.

• 2022 research: Essential in combo treatments, slashing opioid use.

• 2025 insights: Strong against immune-related pain by curbing inflammation and anxiety.

Acupuncture harnesses expectations and rituals to enhance brain perks, but controlled trials prove it surpasses mere belief. Imagine breaking free from pain's grip—not with a quick fix, but by harmonizing your body's inner wisdom with brain science. Acupuncture isn't just a needle; it's your ally in reclaiming vitality, taming fear-driven symptoms, and embracing a life of ease. Ready to rewrite your story? Book Now!

Healing the Mind, Healing the Body

As an acupuncturist with over 20 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how our thoughts and emotions shape our health. Chronic conditions like anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, Lyme disease, long COVID, and autoimmune disorders often stem from more than just diet or environment—our minds play a central role. Toxic emotions, amplified by the constant noise of social media and unfiltered global news, can keep our nervous system in overdrive, fueling these conditions. The good news? Acupuncture, rooted in the Tung family lineage I studied under Palden Carson, can help calm the mind and body, restoring balance. By combining treatments with simple practices like shoulder-dropping, mindful breathing, or limiting screen time, you can release emotional tension and support lasting healing. In today’s world, children, teens, and adults face unprecedented mental strain from social media’s unfiltered lens. Unlike the past, when parents curated a safe, vibrant world for their kids, today’s instant access to distressing news can overwhelm us. At Village Acupuncture, we’re here to help you reclaim a “sound mind” with affordable, community-focused care ($20-$50 sliding scale). Take Action Today

• Try this at home: Set gentle alarms every 2 hours to check and drop your shoulders, releasing tension and retraining your brain.

Convincing Friends and Family: bulletpoints!

Alright, patients, listen up—I’m arming you with the perfect pitch to trick—er, encourage—your pals to book a slot and keep my needles buzzing! Picture this: your friend’s moaning about their achy back or how they’re one email away from a meltdown. You swoop in with a sly grin and say, “Hey, you gotta try acupuncture—my guy’s a wizard, and I’m basically doing you a favor.” Here’s your ammo to pack my waiting room:

• Pain? Poof! Gone!: Tell ‘em studies—like the fancy ones from the National Institutes of Health—say this stuff zaps chronic pain. Back, neck, migraines? My needles are like tiny superheroes, unleashing endorphins and telling pain signals to take a hike. “You’ll thank me when you’re not wincing every step!”

• Stress Slayer: Your buddy’s a walking stress ball? Acupuncture’s their chill pill—minus the pill. A 2017 review (yeah, I’ve got receipts) says it slashes cortisol and makes sleep a dream. “You’ll be so zen, they’ll think you’ve joined a cult—but nope, just my needles!”

• Mystery Bonus: Some folks whisper it might even juice up your whole vibe—wellness, resilience, you name it. The World Health Organization’s cool with it for tons of stuff. “Could it fix your life? Who knows—roll the dice and find out!”

• Needle Ninja Bragging Rights: Drop this: “My acupuncturist’s so good, they’re juggling 15+ patients a day—probably blindfolded. You’re next in line for the magic touch!” (Okay, don’t say blindfolded, but you get it.)

So, lean in close, flash that “I’ve got a secret” smirk, and hit ‘em with: “Try it—no big beliefs required, just show up. Worst case, you’ve got a hilarious story; best case, you’re my new BFF because I saved your sanity!” With millions hooked and science nodding along, they’ll be begging for my number—and I’ll be over here, needles ready, thanking you for the full house! Now, go fill my schedule—I’ve got a yacht to buy! (Kidding… or am I?)

The link between GERD and Osteoporosis

There is evidence suggesting that most cases of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) might actually be caused by deficient stomach acid production rather than hyperacidity, and this has implications for the link between GERD and osteoporosis:

◦ Low Stomach Acid and GERD:

◦ Underproduction Hypothesis: Some research indicates that GERD symptoms may arise from low stomach acid rather than an excess. This perspective suggests that the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) might not function properly without adequate acid to trigger its closure, leading to reflux.

◦ Treatment with Acid Suppression: Ironically, the common treatment for GERD involves medications like Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) which further reduce stomach acid. This treatment strategy might exacerbate the condition in some cases if the root cause is low acid.

◦ Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) and Osteoporosis:

◦ Calcium Absorption: The use of PPIs, which can exacerbate or be a response to low stomach acid, has been associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis. This is thought to occur because stomach acid is necessary for calcium absorption. Reducing acid levels could impair this process, leading to reduced bone density over time.

◦ Nutrient Deficiencies: Beyond calcium, low stomach acid can affect the absorption of other nutrients like vitamin B12 and vitamin D, which are crucial for maintaining bone health.

◦ Observational Evidence:

◦ Bone Health Before PPI Use: There's evidence suggesting that individuals with GERD might already have compromised bone quality, possibly due to the effects of low stomach acid on nutrient absorption before even starting PPI therapy.

◦ Increased Fracture Risk: Observational studies have linked long-term PPI use with an increased risk of bone fractures, particularly in older populations or those with other risk factors for osteoporosis.

◦ Alternative Perspectives on GERD Management:

◦ Reassessing Treatment: If GERD is more commonly linked to low stomach acid, treatments that aim to increase or normalize acid levels might be more beneficial in some cases. This could reduce the reliance on PPIs and potentially mitigate the risk of osteoporosis.

◦ Public and Medical Awareness:

◦ There's an evolving understanding among healthcare providers that not all GERD cases might benefit from acid suppression in the long term, especially considering the potential for adverse effects like osteoporosis. This has sparked discussions on alternative GERD management strategies that support or maintain adequate stomach acid levels.

In summary, the link between GERD and osteoporosis can be viewed through the lens of low stomach acid production. If most GERD is indeed caused by deficient acid rather than excess, then the traditional approach of using acid-suppressing medications might inadvertently contribute to conditions like osteoporosis due to impaired nutrient absorption. This underscores the importance of personalized treatment based on understanding the underlying cause of GERD in each individual.

Increased Blood Flow

Did you know that many health issues stem from poor circulation? Acupuncture has a remarkable ability to improve blood flow, benefiting various conditions:

1. Fertility: Enhances blood flow to reproductive organs, supporting egg quality and uterine health.

2. Pain Relief: Increases circulation to affected areas, reducing inflammation and promoting healing.

3. Headaches: Improves blood flow to the head and neck, easing tension and discomfort.

4. Digestive Issues: Boosts circulation to the gut, aiding digestion and nutrient absorption.

5. Stress Reduction: Promotes overall circulation, helping to calm the nervous system.

The Long-haul

It’s obvious to anyone treating patients that there has been an influx of Dysautonomia. That’s a big word, and I don’t want to get into the weeds here, but it’s basically the inability of the autonomic nervous system to self regulate properly. It may make me sound smart, but I had no idea what that word meant until I started seeing patients presenting with it in 2021…A LOT of patients. It presents itself in various ways in different individuals. Many diseases such as POTS, Brain/Gut axis disorders such as IBS with anxiety, Vagus nerve disorders such as abdominal pain, reflux, and dysphagia can all be symptoms of Dysautonomia due to Long-Haul COVID or Long post-COVID vaccination syndrome.

Take POTS for example. POTS stands for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and basically means that when you go from a reclined position to standing you could feel quite dizzy and see your heart rate go into the hundreds. As debilitating as POTS is, I had never seen a patient with that diagnosis nor even heard of it until 2021. Then all of a sudden I was seeing it in new patients every week. Odd, right? I had been in medicine in 2002 and never seen it, nor in 2003 or 4 or 5 or lets skip to 2020, yup still never seen it. What was so special about 2021?

That’s right, we had a a novel new virus, a never used before vaccine technology and a lot of isolation without human contact. What could go wrong? It seems to me that a lot has gone wrong, and many of my patients, young and old alike, are suffering from these diseases, undiagnosed, unsupported, and often unheard.

Please let people know that Chinese Medicine can provide them the explanations, treatments and relief they are seeking. We have been treating post-infectious diseases for thousands of years with Chinese Herbs and Acupuncture. The name for these Long-haul syndromes in Chinese Medicine is Gu-syndrome. The NIH looked at the idea of using the principles of Gu Syndrome for the treatent of Long COVID and defined Gu syndrome as: diseases that are recalcitrant, debilitating, present disparate symptoms, are resistant to standard forms of treatment and originate from an external infection. However, part of the syndrome definition notes that there is often a preexisting condition that has enabled the infection to take root.“

That’s what is happening today. People with underlying (undetected) conditions are infected with a strong pathogen at a vulnerable time. Their iimmune system is weakened and the pathogen , unchecked, invades through multi system pathways. It’s a long process to reverse these conditions as often times the patient has had them for years, but with commitment and persistence one can make a full recovery, and maybe even start feeling better right away.

Inflammation Starts in the Gut

Do you have Endotoxins leaking from your colon into your bloodstream right now? Don’t be so quick to think you don’t. It's a staggering statistic but “leaky gut” actually affects about 80-90% of people today, and the symptoms affect the whole body not just the digestive system. I assume that most people coming to see me for Acupuncture and are complaining of chronic systemic inflammation are also suffering from leaky gut.

This problem is made even worse because most drugs that Doctors use to allay the symptoms and that most of my patients are initially using such as NSAID’s, Statins, PPI’s (reflux), laxatives, and of course antibiotics all create more metabolic dysfunction within the gut. They disturb the balance of the gut microbiome and further enhance gut dysbiosis. That is why they come with a long list of side effects that appear to be worse than the original disease. Everyone knows that antibiotics are not good for the body’s microbiome, but try and digest this little known fact; IBUPROFIN can wipe out your gut flora on par with antibiotics. But I’ll bet your Doctor has never suggested probiotic therapy after Ibuprofin use.

Acupuncture in most instances can alleviate physical symptoms of disease better than drugs or any other intervention and meanwhile we address the underlying causes through acupuncture, dietary interventions and lifestyle modifications. After all, you can’t drug yourself back into good health.

Here in my clinic I realize that you want to get to the root of your issues. You want to feel great and you don’t mind making changes if they make a real difference. You don’t want to pop pills and mitigate their side effects with more pills that will have more side effects. I like my job because I get to provide you with real answers, solutions you can implement and a path forward that looks like it is leading you out of the tunnel instead of into it.

Please take the time to watch this video by Cardiologist Dr. Pradip Jamnadas at Cardiovasular Interventions in Orlando, Fl. Dr. Jamnadas is at the top of his field and after 35 years of practicing cardiology, he has come to some pretty amazing conclusions that can change your life.