A Monthly Publication

Tony Sugden has practised Chinese Medicine for the last 17 years in Cambridge, and having moved to mid Norfolk, has also started work in Hunstanton at the Serenity Natural Healing centre (Tel. 01485 535321). Tony has a degree in  Microbiology and many years of problem solving as a systems analyst. He is happy for anyone to contact him to discuss individual problems.

‘Well you’ve got arthritis, what can you expect’….. A common thing to hear at the first sign of any new ache or pain.  In fact once we’re over the age of 40 it’s assumed that joint & muscle pain comes with the territory. In my Acupuncture practice I have two approaches to joint pain.

FIRST  I look for muscular problems. Localized acutely tender points in muscle were first documented by Professor Janet Travell, a brilliant American physician. She mapped out areas of dull aching referred pain which often spread into joints and become confused with joint problems. Many of the muscles around the shoulder blade send aching into the joint for example, and often down the arm. Muscle ‘trigger points’ in the haunch may get confused as hip joint pain.

The answer it was found, is to use a needle to stimulate the muscle at the point which can then release it, thereby removing the pain.

If the muscle points are there you can easily tell because when those points are pressed, they hurt even though the area around doesn’t.

Clear the superficial problem first. If the muscle problem is gone and the pain goes also, we know it was being created by that muscle problem. If the pain’s still there then we know it’s probably created by the joint itself (In my experience, don’t assume that just because an x-ray says there’s arthritic change in a joint, that’s automatically going to cause all the pain).

SECONDLY if there are no muscle trigger points, or clearing them doesn’t resolve the pain, then I look at Classical Chinese Acupuncture where we use points away from the area as well as points around the joint to try and help blood flow in the tissues of the joint (helping to clear inflammation) leading to a possible, albeit gradual, improvement in joint health. Fact is, however it works, this kind of acupuncture has been used for over two thousand years and nothing survives that long if it’s just the latest health fad.

In some cases I also use Chinese Herbal Medicine. Plant-based medicine has been the primary form of medicine up to the last hundred years or so. In the Han dynasty of the second century AD. a sophisticated method of treating severe epidemic disease using combinations of plants (formulae) is well documented and that sophistication has developed over subsequent centuries. Certainly many plants we use have anti inflammatory properties and have been used in arthritic pain for at least one to two thousand years.

NEWS FROM CRYSTAL CAVE

Our best selling arthirache cream made by the Natural Skincare Factory in Aberdeen contains three main ingredients - eucalyptus for both its anti-inflammatory properties and for its ability to eliminate uric acid, a key cause of sore joints, and the combination of Rosemary and Lavender provide a synergy which provides both an analgesic and soothing effect. We also stock a muscle and joint gel super plus with Capsicum Glucosamine and essential oils, and a wide range of bath oils and massage oils for sore muscles and joints.

Also to keep those nasty airborne viruses at bay we stock a wide range of essential oils that can be great bug busters. The excellent antiseptic properties in lavender can be effective in the treatment of flu and bronchitis use it for room fragrancing, massage blends, steam inhalations and in the bath. Tea Tree is a stimulating and tonifying oil used primarily for its germicidal properties. It is highly antiseptic and can combat many different types of bacterial infection.

..........We are getting a little nearer to Christmas so just to add we have had a new collection of eye-catching jewellery with prices from £4.95 (Can't be bad), silver earrings from £5.95 and some lovely silver pendants and rings............just to mention a few gift ideas.......