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Gout… there is a cure – Tao to Wellness

A cure for Gout by Tao to Wellness

Ouch!  Gout!  If you’ve had a ’bout with gout’, you will never forget it!  It is very painful to say the least!

From a Western perspective, Google says, “Gout is a form of arthritis caused by excess uric acid in the bloodstream. The symptoms of gout are due to the formation of uric acid crystals in the joints and the body’s response to them. Gout most classically affects the joint in the base of the big toe.”

From a Chinese medicine perspective, gout is mainly caused by a Liver imbalance and some form of too-much-ness with a background of stress.   The Liver in Chinese medicine is in charge of stress, detoxification, blood flow, blood pressure, among many other things.  When the Liver organ becomes out of balance, it becomes stagnated, stagnation leads to a heat or fire buildup, which is inflammation, when the body is inflamed it has difficulty working probably, hence a build up of uric acid in the tissues and joints, which causes even more inflammation and tons of pain.  Do you know where most people experience a flare up of gout?  In the big toe!  Do you know why?  Western medicine wouldn’t know the answer to this question, but Chinese medicine does… it’s because the Liver meridian or pathway starts in the big toe.  The first acupuncture point on the Liver meridian is called DaDun or Liver 1.  Makes so much sense!

The most exciting news is a recent research study showing that Acupuncture and herbs actually beat out the gout drug diclofenac sodium.  Acupuncture and herbs actually got faster results in the control group receiving acupuncture!  Here is the link to the study here, which lays out exact point prescriptions for different inflamed parts of the body.

If you are battling gout and especially repeated flare ups, there is a cure.  We work closely with patients, to get them out of the initial flare up phase it doesn’t take any time at all, to get them closer to curing the issue, it can take months but it’s well worth it. The gout didn’t occur overnight- even though it seems like it does!  In reality, the body has been out of balance for quite some time so we need to rewind and that takes a little bit of time.

7 things you can do to heal your gout issue:

  • Limit purine-rich foods.
  • Eat more low-purine foods.
  • Avoid drugs that raise uric acid levels.
  • Maintain a healthy body weight.
  • Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks.
  • See an acupuncturist ASAP.
  • Get a proper consult for an herbal medicine formula.

Chinese medicine is a treasure trove of possibilities and healing in this situation.  If you have questions, we are happy to answer them, just give us a call.  510-883-0383opens phone dialer