CONDITIONS TREATED

Neuro Degenerative – Alzheimers – Dementia

Makari Wellness is leading the United State’s as one of it’s first and only dedicated Neuro-Vision clinics. Combining the best that alternative and complimentary medicine has to offer,  we are pleased to offer safe and effective treatments for many of the neuro-degenerative conditions that our aging population is challenged with.  Aging is the result of decreased neuro conductivity and decreased blood circulation as the body’s metabolic systems and circulation begin to decline.  It just happens that these are the bodily functions that Classical Chinese Medicine excels at treating. Continuously acknowledged and accepted for its efficacy in treating: fertility, Ob-Gyn, Cardiovascular, Stroke,  Pain and many other conditions, Chinese Medicine is showing positive outcomes in the treatment of early onset Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive and brain disorders (Autism, Cerebral Palsy, etc..).

Occurrences of Stroke, Cerebral Dysfunction, and Neurologically degenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s are on the rise. It is estimated that over 5.8 million adults are living with Alzheimer’s alone. All of these disorders can benefit far beyond typical expectations by combining Western Medicine with the Modern Application of Traditional Eastern Medicines. Makari Wellness offers Integrated Treatment Programs which can sometimes rollback and slow their progression.

With the average life expectancy on an American reaching approximately 79 years of age we witnessing higher incidents of neurological and cerebral disorders such as stroke, TIA, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. Acupuncture has been shown to be able to stimulate blood flow and hasten the development of neural plasticity. Modern medical institutions in China combine Traditional medicine’s use of Acupuncture and Chinese herbs with physical therapy to achieve outstanding results in recovery and return to life. The modern West has much to learn from the integrative approach of Modern China and other Asian countries utilizing both sides of medicine and having superior results.

We at Makari Wellness combine the most effective approaches of Stroke and Neurological Disease treatment to provide the most effective treatments possible for our clients. Combining ancient wisdom with modern methods will give our patients and their loved ones the best possible outcomes. We have personal experiences which motivate us to seek out and learn these techniques and systems which we then make available to others. We have seen many people diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s benefit from a single course of our combined scalp and XNKQ treatments with improved cognitive function, memory, less anxiety and improved sleep and mood.

The Makari Method of preventing or treating early onset Alzheimer’s and other cognitive disorders includes a detailed exam and pattern diagnosis and consists of program of 10-20 treatments. Much like all our other neuro and vision programs, the frequency must be 2-3x/week for a total of 10-20 visits to determine if an individual is responding. Programs consist of combining our XNKQ and Scalp Acupuncture systems, Home Exercise/rehab work and nutritional / herbal supplements. After the initial course- progress will be re-evaluated and if our client is responding ongoing maintenance treatment will be recommended. It is recommended to email or schedule a phone consultation to determine if a client may be a potential candidate- severe and violent, or individuals who cannot remain still for upwards of 40minutes are not candidates for care. Prevention is far easier than resurrection in these cases.

Xiao Nao Kai Qiao – “activating the brain and opening the orifices.”

Dr. Shi Xue-Min is particularly known for his creation of the stroke acupuncture technique Xing Nao Kai Qiao (XNKQ), which is translated as “activating the brain and opening the orifices.” During the Chinese Revolution, he was among a few who survived in his position. After establishing The First Teaching Hospital University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Tianjin, China, Dr. Shi’s leadership allowed the hospital to grow to an astounding degree, from 200 beds to 2,000 beds. Although initially seen as a premier means of treatment for stroke and extreme neurological detriments, these techniques have been shown to benefit innumerable conditions but especially those dealing with the brain and nervous system. Visit our Stroke and Neurological Page to learn more. Watch This 3 Part Interview With Dr. Shi Xue Min to learn more about his XNKQ Acupuncture system: Acupuncture Today Part 1,  Acupuncture Today Part 2, Acupuncture Today Part 3.

Scalp Acupuncture

Since 1992; stimulating areas of the scalp – which lie over hyperfunctioning, atrophied, or injured brain tissue – will increase blood flow, oxygenation and lead to improved function of brain tissues. Scalp Acupuncture has been practiced since the 1960’s in China. It was first developed by a Neurologist who was familiar with modern maps of the brain, which correlate with receptive and functional cortex zones that are well documented. This has been shown to be correct with functional MRI studies. Improvement at first is temporary but with persistent treatments, this improvement can become permanent. Long-lasting improvement is thought to represent increased circulation that may imply the development of collateral circulation and perhaps neurogenesis.   There have since been several styles and systems of scalp acupuncture developed, many of which we have been trained to offer here at Makari Wellness: The Jiao Shu Fa System, Dr. Zhu system, Dr. Lin System and Yamamoto Scalp systems.

In China scalp acupuncture is used in the treatment of many central nervous system diseases and protocols have been developed for diseases such as stroke, head trauma, cerebral palsy, encephalitis-meningitis sequale, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, ALzheimer’s disease. dementia, memory loss, cortical blindness, nerve deafness, and epilepsy.

Herbal Medicine & Nutritional Supplementation

Makari Wellness hosts a full custom herbal pharmacy and carries a number of nutritional supplements for various conditions. Please download our sheet of common recommendations below for things you may do in your own home.

Integration with Physical Therapy and Neurological Plasticity Training

After blood circulation to the brain and the neuroplasticity has been stimulated by special acupuncture techniques, each patient must perform therapeutic exercises to train the brain and the bodies function to recover. This is a necessary part of treatment and at Makari Wellness we have extensive training in stability progressions and specialized exercises for certain symptoms and parts of the body.  Performing eye exercises and other executive actions may be prescribed to activate various parts of the brain and may require the use of an Ipad or tablet for home use.

Acupuncture Benefits Alzheimer Patients

Acupuncture improves drug effectiveness for the treatment of Alzheimer disease (AD). Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies and found that acupuncture plus the drug donepezil is more effective than using only donepezil as a standalone treatment. In a surprising finding, six randomized controlled trials in the meta-analysis found acupuncture more effective than drug therapy. No severe adverse events occurred. As a result, the researchers conclude that acupuncture is a safe treatment modality for Alzheimer disease patients. Donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor used in the treatment Alzheimer disease related dementia including cognitive impairment, personality changes, and memory disorders. Taking orally, it is used for improving memory, focus, communication, functional activities, and mental clarity. Six out of ten randomized controlled trials found acupuncture combined with donepezil more effective than only donepezil. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores improved significantly when adding acupuncture to the drug treatment regime. The MMSE helps to diagnose dementia and assess both progression and severity. The exam tests cognitive abilities including memory, attention, and use of language. It is a short exam consisting a basic questions. Patients are asked the year, month, ability to identify a simple object, copy a simple pattern, follow a simple command, repeat a statement, etc…. A poor score on this exam indicates cognitive impairment. Acupuncture improved MMSE scores for patients taking donepezil. Ten randomized controlled trials consisting of 585 patients met the meta-analysis inclusion criteria. This was sorted from a total of 1,324 studies that included 77 randomized controlled trials. Three of the accepted studies used electroacupuncture and seven used manual acupuncture. The period of treatment duration was from four to twenty-four weeks across the accepted studies. The researchers note that “the treatment of AD with acupuncture was clinically meaningful with respect to improving cognitive function.” Drugs evaluated in the meta-analysis included donepezil, almitrine, raubasine, dihydroergotoxine, nimodipine, and piracetam. Four of the randomized controlled trials found acupuncture “superior to drugs.” The researchers add that the results are “meaningful for clinical practice” and the data indicates “that acupuncture may be better than drugs and may enhance the effect of donepezil in term(s) of improving the cognitive function of AD patients.” The researchers note that “the results of the meta-analysis indicate that acupuncture may be more effective than drugs, and may also enhance the effect of donepezil in improving the cognitive function of patients with AD.” In addition they note, “Acupuncture might also be more effective than drugs in improving the ability of daily living of patients with AD. Moreover, acupuncture is safe for treating patients with AD.” The results are promising and indicate that future research is warranted to confirm the findings. The researchers suggest rigorous randomized controlled trials with large sample sizes and reporting of hippocampal volume. There is no known cure for Alzheimer disease. The findings indicate that adding acupuncture to drug therapy improves cognitive functioning for AD patients. The results are hopeful in the fight against this trying and difficult illness. Laboratory results indicate that acupuncture benefits the brain and protects it from Alzheimer disease pathogenesis. A study published in Neural Regeneration Research shows that brain structures are preserved by the application of electroacupuncture and moxibustion. Acupuncture was applied to acupoints DU20 (Baihui) and BL23 (Shenshu) on laboratory rats with induced AD. Electron microscopy revealed that the rats treated with electroacupuncture had a preserved structure of the brain, the hippocampus. The researchers note that “neuronal cell injury was markedly reduced” as a result of acupuncture. The control group that received no acupuncture or moxibustion showed severe damage to the hippocampus. In addition, electroacupuncture and moxibustion successfully downregulated axin protein expression and upregulated beta-catenin protein expression. Scientific human investigations confirm the results. MRI imaging demonstrates that acupuncture enhances brain activity in Alzheimer disease patients. Researchers investigated the effects of two important acupuncture points on the human brains of Alzheimer disease patients using fMRI imaging. The researchers discovered that acupuncture “can enhance the hippocampal connectivity in AD patients.” The MRI scans demonstrate that acupuncture “increased connectivity” in the hippocampus in patients with AD. After acupuncture, MRI imaging revealed that AD patients had significant improvements in connectivity for both frontal and lateral temporal regions of the hippocampus. The researchers note, “Due to the cognitive impairment associated with AD, acupuncture on specific acupoints can modulate the cerebral blood flow and strengthen the hippocampal connectivity in AD patients.” References: Zhou, Jing, Weina Peng, Min Xu, Wang Li, and Zhishun Liu. “The Effectiveness and Safety of Acupuncture for Patients With Alzheimer Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Medicine 94, no. 22 (2015): e933. Zhou, H., G. Sun, L. Kong, Y. Du, F. Shen, S. Wang, B. Chen, and X. Zeng. “Acupuncture and moxibustion reduces neuronal edema in Alzheimer’s disease rats.” Neural Regeneration Research 9, no. 9 (2014): 968. Wang, Zhiqun, Peipeng Liang, Zhilian Zhao, Ying Han, Haiqing Song, Jianyang Xu, Jie Lu, and Kuncheng Li. “Acupuncture Modulates Resting State Hippocampal Functional Connectivity in Alzheimer Disease.” PloS one 9, no. 3 (2014): e91160