More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles
Acupuncture For Psoriasis and Eczema
For people with psoriasis and eczema, suffering from painful symptoms like inflamed, itchy, flaking and red skin is not pleasant.
The chronic skin conditions are sometimes due to an overactive immune system and can be triggered by a number of internal and external factors. Many Western treatments include steroid creams and oral medications that come with unwanted side effects.
Below are alternative treatments that are safe and natural and can help reduce symptoms of psoriasis and eczema, leading you back to better health and clear skin.
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese medicine includes both acupuncture and Chinese herbs and takes a holistic approach with the body and symptoms you may be experiencing. By returning the body to its natural flow, acupuncture can help reduce the intensity of psoriasis and eczema symptoms.
Chinese herbs can be used internally to ease symptoms and to treat the root of these skin conditions, and topically, to soothe the skin.
Many patients get significant relief from using both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Our immediate goals for treatment may be to reduce the inflammation, itching and soreness associated with the psoriasis or eczema patches or psoriatic arthritis. Underlying each treatment and herbal formula prescription will be some acupuncture points and herbs to also address what we have diagnosed as the root, or cause, of the problem in the first place.
Meditation
Mindfulness and meditation practices have been found to be effective in people suffering with chronic conditions like psoriasis, eczema and psoriatic arthritis.
Meditation is the practice of focusing your attention on the moment and ridding yourself of all external thoughts you may be having. This can lead to a state of relaxation and calmness, bringing balance to your body and mind.
Mindfulness, which is practiced in meditation, includes becoming completely aware of your body, externally and internally. This can be a seated meditation that is focused on awareness of mind, body and senses.
Exercise
Not only is exercise important to maintain overall health and wellness, it is especially beneficial for people with inflammatory skin conditions and for pain associated with them.
Sometimes aquatic exercise programs can be an effective alternative that is easier on the body and still allows you to build endurance and strength.
Yoga is a wonderful way to exercise the body and calm the mind and fits in very well with your meditation practice. Developing this form of body-mind connection can be very helpful in calming the stress response in the body that can make these skin problems flare.
Massage
Seeing a licensed massage therapist can help reduce symptoms and pain. Massage promotes the function of muscle and connective tissue and can increase relaxation and circulation in the body.
