Covid-19, Diabetes and Acupuncture

Published on 12/05/2020

Hello Readers!

Today we are going to talk scientifically about Covid-19 related to Diabetes and Acupuncture.

According to Gupta, R. et al (2020), in an article published in the journal Elsevier, it cannot be said that a diabetic patient is more susceptible to contracting Covid-19, however, there is a real risk that the disease will be more serious and lead to death patients with diabetes as a basic comorbidity. The numbers shown in the article are:

  • In a study of 26 fatal cases, 42.3% of the patients were diabetic.
  • Another study showed that of 150 people (68 deaths and 82 recovered) diabetes could be a danger alert for Covid-19 complications.
  • In 72314 cases an analysis showed that diabetic people raise Covid-19’s mortality statistics from 2.3% to 7.3%.

The Brazilian Society of Endocrinology, in March 2020, cited that diabetic patients infected with Covid-19 may have a lack of appetite, spend long periods without food and even, under the use of pain medications, fever, among others, can easily deregulate blood glucose levels. Thus, the recommendation is for the control of measures to be done more frequently.

Scientific studies of Acupuncture point out that the point E36 and VC12 are important allies in the control of blood glucose in patients suffering from diabetes. Kumar, R. et al (2017) mentioned in their article that VC12 stimulation immediately lowers glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Peplow, P. and Baxter, D. (2012) showed that the point VC12 and E36 when stimulated for an average of 30 minutes using electroacupuncture between 2 and 15Hz decreases blood glucose in humans and rats.

Based on this knowledge, would it be possible to help diabetic patients with Covid-19 inside hospitals, using the acupuncture points already studied with confirmation of their effectiveness? Would Acupuncture be a more natural glycemic control resource for patients who are hospitalized and need constant control? Would it be a safe technique, since excess medication can lead to hyperglycemia?

Currently, in Brazil, Acupuncture has no regulation. This means that visits within hospitals with this technique are not allowed or recognized. It is known that in Wuhan, the region where Covid-19 had its starting point for the world, Coronavirus treatments included, for the most part, Traditional Chinese Medicine resources, not only acupuncture points, but also herbal medicine, moxa therapy , among others, associated with western care.

It is necessary, that acupuncturists unite to show the effectiveness of the technique not only in its positive results reported by the patients, but also with scientific bases so that, in cases of great pandemics, we can help the patients also in the front line.

As long as this does not happen, we can continue using VC12 and E36 in diabetic patients, in our office, who are not contaminated with Covid-19, with the intention of helping with treatments to stabilize blood glucose and help with endocrine treatments of traditional Western medicine.

The benefits of acupuncture are certain. The more balanced a patient is in times of serious and opportunistic illnesses, the greater his chances of not being contaminated. And if contamination occurs, it is certain that your recovery will be faster.

There is no doubt that Acupuncture is a solid and safe way to protect the population.

A big hug to everyone.

Profa. Fernanda Mara

Bibliographic references:

Tradicional Chinese Medicine – Immunity – Part 2

Published on 14/04/2020

Hello Readers!-

In the last text I wrote about the reasons why certain situations harm our immunity. Now is the time to write a text about how we can improve our immunity with the resources that Chinese Medicine offers us:

Acupuncture Points – World Acupuncture Federation Guidelines
The World Federation of Acupuncture, at the beginning of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) crises, issued a statement to acupuncturists talking about the effectiveness of some acupuncture points that collaborate in improving the immune system, given their functions described below. The following were cited: LI-4, PC-6, SP-6, ST-36, VC-6 and CV-4.

  • LI-4: has action to regulate Wei Qi (defense energy)
  • PC-6: moves chest Qi
  • SP-6: strengthens the Spleen (organ responsible for Gu Qi, which is the raw material for defense Qi)
  • ST-36: regulates Wei Qi, expels the wind
  • CV-6: strengthens the original Qi (which circulates in the meridians)
  • CV-4: roots the mind (shen), nourishes the blood

These points must be done at least once a week with needles. If not possible, it is recommended that they are stimulated with moxa at least once a week. If the patient has more time available, he can use it every other day.

It is important that in this moment of crisis, the therapist can teach patients how to self-apply moxa, thus, they will be collaborating not only to improve the immunity of the patient himself, but also of his family members.

About therapeutic food, we already talked about in the last post, but it is worth remembering that neutral foods from the Earth, Metal and Water tables are good allies in strengthening immunity. The tables can be found at the link:

https://www.facilitatingacupuncture.com/therapeutic-food-tables/

Auriculotherapy can also be an ally in improving immunity. Ping Chuan points are particularly important in caring for the immune system. One is located inside the triangular fossa and the other in the antitrago region. In addition to Ping Chuan, it is considered important to place Shenmen, Kidney, Sympathetic, Spleen, Lung and the Anxiety point in case the patient is feeling particularly tense.

Using 10 drops of propolis dissolved in a glass of water once a day and consuming a small portion of royal jelly (the size of a soy bean under your tongue) every day for at least a month will keep your immunity strong.

We need to understand that often, the best way to attack is to defend ourselves.

I hope the text was helpful.

A big hug to everyone.

Profa. Fernanda Mara

Tradicional Chinese Medicine – Immunity – Part 1

Published on 07/04/2020

Good morning Readers

In times of pandemic, there is an urgent discussion on how we can improve our immunity to prevent the spread of opportunistic diseases. Everyone knows that maintaining a good diet, sleeping well, avoiding emotional stress and engaging in moderate physical activity are Western Medicine recommendations.

Chinese medicine basically follows the same recommendations and has precise explanations for each one, in addition to offering the possibility of treatment for each of the situations, as we will see below:

  1. Good nutrition
    In Chinese Medicine the main organs related to immunity are: Spleen, Lung and Kidney:
    – Spleen: produces Gu Qi, that is, the essence of food. The Spleen receives the food digested by the Stomach and transforms it into the energetic part of the food that will serve as raw material in the formation of the defense energy, known as immunity, in Oriental Medicine.

– Lung: receives Gu Qi from the Spleen and Qi from the air. With the sum of these two energies, it transforms into Wei Qi (Defense Qi). When the defense Qi is good, the patient’s immunity is good. If the Lung lacks energy to transform Wei Qi or the Spleen to form Gu Qi, the patient will suffer from low immunity.

– Kidney: it is the basis of vital energy. Distributes energy to all organs and viscera. Low Kidney energy may reflect low energy for all organs, that is, decrease the production of food and defense energies, mentioned above.

In addition, the Deficiency of Kidney energy, by law of 5 Elements, will consume the energy of the Lung, leaving it weak, preventing the production of Wei Qi.

In this way, foods that strengthen these organs are indicated. Neutral foods are suggested in the therapeutic feeding tables, found at the link:

https://www.facilitatingacupuncture.com/therapeutic-food-tables/

Choose foods that you like and consume at least one of each table per day.

2. Sleep well

– Sleep, in general, restores the energies of our body. Sleeping well and waking up rested ensures that the kidney preserves our vital energy. When we spend long periods without sleeping well, or being able to sleep, but waking up tired, we have an additional expenditure of the Kidney Yin energy.
When there is Kidney Yin Deficiency, we cause internal heat, with long-term dryness of fluids, especially Lung Yin energy.
-As previously explained, when the Kidney is weak, it consumes the energy of the Lung (Law of the 5 Elements) impairing immunity.
-To sleep better, consider using points: Yintang, PC-6 and SP-6.
-To improve the quality of sleep, black sesame and jasmine teas can be used.
-In auriculotherapy, Anxiety, Tension and Heart points can be used.

3. Avoid emotional stress

-Emotional stress can cause internal imbalance in all organs. In general, Liver is the most affected when we refer to stress itself and also due to irritability, frustration and impatience.
-When the Liver Yang rises, due to the insult cycle of the 5 elements, there is a Lung Deficiency, which will be impaired in the production of Wei Qi.
-Therefore, we must avoid stress, however, when we find ourselves stressed, we must use points LR-2 and LR-3.
-In auriculotherapy, Liver Yang and Emotional Tension are indicated.
-Blackberry leaf tea and lemon water are great for reducing liver heat.

4. Practice moderate physical activities

-Moderate physical activity is one that does not cause extreme tiredness, but it is enough to keep the body warm, the blood vessels dilated and a harmonious flow of Qi and Blood.
-It is suggested that this activity take place for 30 to 40 minutes, 3x a week. It can be walking, Yoga, sit-ups, weight training, that is, any physical activity that pleases the individual.
-By avoiding the stagnation of Qi and Blood, the organs are well nourished and avoid any kind of pathology.
-If you feel very tired doing physical activity, it is suggested that you do it for less time. Massage for 3 minutes, bilateral at points ST-36 and Ki-1 will help with the disposition.
-Ginger and cinnamon teas will help the circulation of Qi and Blood.

Following these tips, we will be in agreement with Western Medicine in terms of preventing the loss of immunity.

We will continue debating this subject in another text on how to increase immunity!

A big hug to everyone!

Profa. Fernanda Mara