At the UCLA Integrative Urology Program, our Acupuncturist, Marc Ryan, specializes in the treatment of Urinary, Neurological and Muscular Disorders. He combines various modalities including acupuncture, herbal therapy and emotional freedom therapy (EFT). All of these treatment modalities are designed specifically for each patient and are explained below:
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical procedures in the world. Originating in China more than 2,000 years ago, acupuncture began to become better known in the United States in 1971, when New York Times reporter James Reston wrote about how doctors in China used needles to ease his pain after surgery.
The term acupuncture describes a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques. American practices of acupuncture incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries. The acupuncture technique that has been most studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) currently funds acupuncture research and, The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems, including:
Digestive Disorders : gastritis, hyperacidity, ulcer, colitis, constipation, spastic colon, IBS, dysentery, and diarrhea.
Respiratory Disorders : sinusitis, allergies, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, and chest infections.
Neurological and Muscular Disorders : headaches, bell’s palsy, facial tics, neck pain, rib neuritis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, various forms of tendinitis, lower back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis, and nausea.
Urinary Problems : incontinence, enuresis, dysuria, auria, bladder infections, urinary tract infections, and prostate problems.
Menstrual and Reproductive Problems : infertility, PMS, menstrual cramps, cysts of uterus and ovary, menopause syndrome, and hot flashes.
Herbal Therapy:
Herbal therapy works by providing the nourishing support for the energetic re-balancing efforts of acupuncture. Just as soil becomes depleted by overuse, our bodies become weakened by overwork, emotional tension, and inadequate diet or rest. Herbal therapy helps to restore what has been depleted. Our Acupuncturist will design and/or select an herbal formulation for each patient’s condition. Every patient has different needs, our bodies are different, and illnesses stem from different causes. Consequently, these prescriptions are individualized for each patient and are monitored and adjusted throughout the course of treatment.
Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT):
EFT was developed by Gary Craig, a life coach and retired engineer from Stanford. It uses the principles of Chinese Medicine and employs a gentle tapping on acupuncture points to release emotional and psychological blockages. It is a powerful technique and can be used to treat:
