 Acupuncture and dry needling for TFCC (Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex) pain on the pinky side of the wrist after Krav Maga Complaint: persistent pain on the ulnar side (pinky side) of the wrist, that worsens with activity, especially when rotating the wrist. Xray is negative for fracture. MRI shows swelling but no tear. Was advised to take it easy, and take Advil as needed. Conservative treatment: acupuncture to increase blood flow to the affected area to promote healing and reduce pain.
Herbal Pain Patch after session to decrease pain.
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In this video lecture series Dr. Thomas N. Leung, Pharm BS., DACM, L.Ac, CEO of Kamwo Herbs discusses frequently asked questions regarding cancer and Chinese medicine:
Healthcare feels way too complicated these days. This video does a great job breaking down how people get sick from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective—lots of food for thought.
Microneedling, acupuncture and herbs for stress induced hair loss “Telogen Effluvium”
When hair loss is caused by stress it is called “telogen effluvium”. Telogen Effluvium (TE) is a non-scarring alopecia where a significant stressor (emotional, physical, or metabolic) shifts hair follicles prematurely from the anagen (growth) phase to the telogen (resting) phase. This results in diffuse hair shedding, usually occurring 2–3 months after the trigger. Under chronic stress Telogen Effluvium can last up to 7 years. Why Minoxidil and Finasteride Isn’t Always Effective for Chronic Hair Loss: Minoxidil acts as a vasodilator and prolongs the anagen (growth) phase, but it doesn’t address the upstream triggers of Telogen Effluvium, i.e., cortisol dysregulation, nervous system imbalance, systemic inflammation, or blood deficiency. It can sometimes help by forcing some follicles back into anagen (growth) but the benefits are inconsistent if the stressor remains. How does Microneedling (MN) help Stress-Induced Hair Loss? Mechanism: Microneedling can: • Increase local blood flow • Release growth factors (e.g., VEGF, IGF-1) • Boost collagen and extracellular matrix remodeling • Improve absorption of topical serums (herbal or cosmeceutical) Relevance for Telogen Effluvium: • If the stress is no longer active, Microneedling can help re-stimulate dormant follicles and restore a healthy cycle. • If chronic stress is ongoing, Microneedling may offer modest gains but won’t override the underlying cortisol imbalance or blood stagnation. Recommended Microneedling strategy: • Use lower needle depths (0.5mm once weekly.) • Pair with calming and follicle-nourishing topicals (e.g., Dan Shen + He Shou Wu serum). • Avoid overstimulation, as it can backfire in people with stress-induced inflammation. Acupuncture + Chinese Herbs for Telogen Effluvium: Why it works better long-term: • Acupuncture: Regulates the HPA axis, down-regulates cortisol, improves blood flow to the scalp, and calms the nervous system (shen). • Herbs: Address root patterns like Liver Qi stagnation, Blood Deficiency, Kidney Jing Depletion, or Spleen Deficiency (based on pulse, tongue, and constitution). Best Clinical Approach: You might consider: • Week 1-4: Acupuncture 2x/week + herbs (individualized) • Week 5+: Introduce MN (1x/week) • Continue acupuncture 1x/week for maintenance Summary: • Microneedling is a useful adjunct, but less effective as a primary treatment for Telogen Effluvium caused by chronic stress. • Acupuncture + Herbs remain the most effective tools for regulating stress response and restoring follicle function. • A combined protocol (internal + external) provides the best outcomes for stress-related hair loss. (written by Josh Nerenberg, L.Ac + Anna Hajosi, L.Ac) Chemotherapy-induced hair loss is a common side effect, and many people explore complementary approaches, supplements and natural herbs to support hair regrowth and improve overall well-being. While these approaches cannot prevent hair loss caused by chemotherapy, it may help support recovery post-treatment. In the video below, Dr. Thomas N. Leung, Pharm BS., DACM, L.Ac, CEO of Kamwo Herbs, discusses how Chinese Herbs can help with Chemotherapy-induced hair loss. Important Notes
In the video below, Dr. Thomas N. Leung, Pharm BS., DACM, L.Ac, CEO of Kamwo Herbs, discusses natural herbs that can improve circulation to the lower back, particularly for older athletes and individuals. According to Chinese Medicine, as we age, we lose our Yin, Yang, and Jing, leading to stiffness, increased brittleness, and various aches and pains. This herbal blend is designed to address this specific issue. While strengthening and stretching remain crucial, these herbs provide additional support. Buy a bag here. Acupuncture and Massage for Dupuytren's Contracture. Natural Healing Options for Hand Mobility3/18/2025  Acupuncture and Massage for Dupuytren's Contracture Dupuytren's Contracture, a condition affects the tendons in the hand, often results in pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Fortunately, acupuncture, massage, and herbal remedies can play an important role in managing symptoms and improving hand function. How does acupuncture help manage Dupuytren's Contracture symptoms? Acupuncture is very beneficial for treating Dupuytren's Contracture. This ancient practice works by relieving pain, reducing stiffness of the hand, and improving overall hand mobility. Acupuncture can also help slow the progression of the condition and promote healing by stimulating energy flow (Qi) and nourishing the tendons with improved blood flow. The Role of Massage in Treating Dupuytren's Contracture: Massage (with Tendon Lotion, a specialized herbal topical that helps to relieve pain, soften and relax the tendons) is another effective approach for managing Dupuytren's Contracture. Massage helps to improve circulation, reduce stiffness, and maintain flexibility in the fingers and hand.  Tendon Lotion helps to soften the stiff Dupuytren's Contracture tissue Natural Herbs for Healing Dupuytren's Contracture: Dupuytren's usually starts in middle age or later, though it can sometimes develop in younger adults. As we age our Jing (our vital energy) starts to deplete and the tendons and ligaments become depleted and not sufficiently nourished. Besides staying hydrated and eating well this Bone & Tendon Healing Soup can help restore the declining vital substances and promote healing of tendons, ligaments. Plus it tastes yummy!  Natural Herbs for Dupuytren's Contracture How Many Sessions Are Needed for Dupuytren's Contracture Treatment?
The number of acupuncture sessions varies depending on the severity of the condition. Initially, we recommend two sessions per week. As the hand softens and mobility improves, the frequency can be reduced to one session per week. In between acupuncture sessions I highly recommend using the Tendon Lotion 3-4x daily to soften the stiffness in the hand. Drinking the Bone & Tendon Healing Soup daily for tho-three months can further support the healing process. If you're suffering from Dupuytren's Contracture, don't wait. Book your appointment today and experience the healing benefits of acupuncture, massage, and herbal remedies. We are located in Midtown New York. In this post I’m going to discuss successful options for osteoarthritis for those not wanting surgery or constantly rely on painkillers. I am going to explain how acupuncture, dry needling, massage, exercise, heat therapy and herbs provide pain relief, improve quality of life, and decrease overall discomfort. Osteoarthritis usually occurs when cartilage is torn, or becomes worn, causing the articular surfaces of the bones to rub. Cartilage can be damaged by a single injury, or through chronic misuse, like living with poor posture, carrying excess body weight or training with poor alignment.  Dry needling and Trigger Point Acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis pain Bones and muscle have good blood supply, so a fracture or muscle strain heals fairly quick. Tendons and ligaments have limited blood supply, so healing takes longer. Cartilage contains no nerves and does not have a full blood supply. As such, cartilage does not have the capacity to heal on its own. The only true cure for osteoarthritis is joint replacement surgery. The treatment goal for the conservative treatment is to provide pain relief, decrease inflammation, preserve joint function and improve quality of life. Living with osteoarthritis can be painful and frustrating, however the following options can help manage the uncomfortable symptoms: Acupuncture / Dry Needling: The problem with osteoarthritis is that it is not only bone rubbing on bone, causing pain, swelling and discomfort, but also the surrounding tissue, the tendons, ligaments and fascia tend to stiffen up to protect the joint, causing more pain, discomfort and limits joint movement. Acupuncture and dry needling breaks up this stiffness and restores movement. Also during the treatment other acupuncture points are used to to provide pain relief and decrease stress in the body. Massage: similar to acupuncture and dry needling, just not as deep tissue work, because with acupuncture the needle punctures through the skin requiring healing reaction from the body. Massage also loosens up tight, restricted tissue and helps with pain relief and to restore joint mobility, tissue flexibility. Topicals: for mild osteoarthritic pain - I recommend my patients to rub U-I Oil into the painful area. Use it 2x a day morning & evening, or before and after training. The trick is that you not just put it on the skin like you would a body lotion, but it has to be rubbed into the tissue for a couple of minutes. Click here to purchase a few bottles.  U-I Oil for mild osteoarthritis pain For moderate to severe osteoarthritic pain a stronger topical is needed: Tiger’s Invigorate Collateral Liniment - best is to apply the liniment on the tissue, then apply a hot pack over it and hang out 10-15min 2x day. Click here to purchase a few bottles. Why heat and not ice? Chinese medicine practitioners don't use ice, we use various cooling herbs to control pain and inflammation; and we only use them at the initial stage of healing. Later stages we suggest heat and warming herbs because limiting blood flow causes pain in itself. Osteoarthritis doesn't happen over night, we consider them a chronic stage issue, therefore suggest heat for pain relief, and to decrease discomfort.  Collateral Liniment for severe osteoarthritis pain Herbs can also be taken internally - to help decreasing pain, inflammation and to treat other issues you may have going on. For herbs I suggest seeking help from your local Chinese medicine practitioner, because herbs need to be modified frequently to address changes in your health.
Exercise: exercise is important for managing weight (taking pressure off of the joint), but also we lead such a forward lifestyle with sitting, driving, texting. Poor posture predisposes us for faulty movement patterns, which leads to wear and tear in the joints, causing osteoarthritis over time. Therefore posture correction, strength training, and training against tendency is very important to help people with osteoarthritis. I also believe in doing full body exercises, like in yoga and Pilates, because the body moves as a single unit. CLICK HERE to book your appointment today if you need help managing osteoarthritis. We are located in Midtown Manhattan. American Ginseng vs Asian Ginseng - Learn the Four Key Takeaways How to Choose the Best One for You2/21/2025 Ginseng is a fantastic herb for those looking to: - boost energy, - improve stamina, - immunity, memory, - enhance sexual function, - and offers numerous other benefits. Ginseng is commonly used in teas, soups, and herbal formulas, it provides sustained energy without the crash of stimulants. Ginseng however, it’s often misused.
The takeaways:
Purchase raw, Red, Asian Ginseng (Ren Shen) here Purchase raw, White, American Ginseng (Xi Yang Shen) here  Treatment of Sciatica with Acupuncture in a Marathon Runner. Acupuncture and dry needling of sciatica treatments depend on where the compression of the sciatic nerve is. Is it in the low back? In the butt? Hamstrings? Is it due to core weakness? A misaligned hip? If the compression is in the low back, such as in the case of a herniated / bulging disc pressing on the sciatic nerve:
If the compression is in the butt (tight piriformis?) or in the hamstrings (tight hamstrings?) causing the sciatic nerve to be trapped:
If the compression is in the low back due to spinal stenosis or in the hips due to a misaligned hip:
Should you just get acupuncture? Or combine the sessions with physical therapy?
How many sessions will you need?
CLICK HERE to book your appointment today if you experience sciatica. With proper evaluation and treatment, healing is very much possible. Hair in Chinese Medicine reflects the state of internal health, more precisely the state of Blood and Essence. Aging, the fast life, overworking, or childbirth tax our health, deplete the body (Blood & Essence) resulting in hair loss, poor hair quality, premature graying, split ends, etc. In this video below Dr. Thomas N. Leung, Pharm BS., DACM, L.Ac, CEO of Kamwo Herbs explains how the blend of these fruits and herbs have been used for hundreds of years to stop hair loss and maintain youthful hair. Purchase the herbs here Read more about the role and importance of Essence here In this post I am going to go over the products I use most frequently in the clinic, recommend patients for home use between sessions, and to keep in the home emergency kit for pain relief and faster recovery. These formulas have been around for centuries, used by generations of martial arts practitioners, Chinese medicine practitioners, sports medicine doctors, and bone setters. They are all safe, tried and tested, natural herbal products to aid healing and recovery. There are three stages of injury healing: acute or stage one, subacute or stage two, and chronic or stage three. Acute/ Stage One: This stage starts from the moment the injury happens and usually lasts 1-7 days. If the trauma is minor, this stage may only last 2-3 days. If it is more severe, it may be a full week before swelling, bruising and pain begin to subside. Stage One injuries are characterized by swelling, pain, bruising, and possibly a local sensation of heat (inflammation in western medicine). Treatment goals for Stage One is to restore normal circulation at the injury site: reduce swelling, pain, inflammation and stopping infection. At this stage, external herbal formulas tend to be relatively cooling or neutral in temperature, while internal formulas generally focus on restoring circulation, removing stagnation and stopping pain and infection. Chinese medicine is about balance - warming and cooling. In Stage One we avoid heat, hot compresses, warm soaks, heating pads, and hot tubs. Adding heat to an already inflamed tissue is like throwing gasoline on the fire. Heat results in more swelling and pain, thereby delaying the healing. Warming therapies are useful in the Stage Two (Subacute) and Stage Three (Chronic) phases when the initial inflammation and swelling is greatly reduced or absent. External use:
The second product worth keeping at home for emergencies is Herbal Ice, or San Huang San, for pain, swelling and inflammation:
An other poultice worth keeping at home for emergencies is Stage One Trauma Ointment: this one is for bruises.
Subacute / Stage Two: This stage usually begins within a week after the initial injury and can last up to three weeks, depending on the severity of the injury and the patient's condition (a younger, healthier person usually recovers faster). By Subacute / Stage Two the swelling, heat, and pain is reduced, but the tissue is often stiff and needs to be broken up and mobilized. In Stage One we don’t recommend using heat or warming herbs, but in the Subacute / Stage Two we switch to more warming herbs, topicals, poultices and liniments. Treatment goals for Stage Two is to resolve the residual swelling, improve circulation for healing and reduce stiffness. Stiffness usually develops from the lack of movement, so we use herbs (and acupuncture and manual therapy and exercise) to relieve stiffness in the joints and tissue.
Chronic / Stage Three: This stage begins 3-4 weeks after the injury. Swelling is usually gone, but stiffness, pain and restricted motion, adhesions may still be present. Minor injuries should be healed by this point, especially if they were treated properly at the beginning. However, injuries to tendons and ligaments can take up to 6-8 weeks to heal completely and in severe cases, or in depleted individuals can take even longer. Stage Three herbs are quite warming and tonifying, in this stage we don’t use cold or cooling, because we believe cold constricts and slows the healing progress. Externally continue use the Tendon Lotion and U-I oil to aid healing, if the tissue hasn't healed yet.
Also worth getting acupuncture in all three stages.
In Stage One various acupuncture points are used to decrease pain, swelling, aid healing and calm the nervous system (so the body can focus on healing). In Stage Two the acupuncture needle is invaluable to break up the tight, stiff tissue and to promote healing. In Stage Three acupuncture is used mostly to tonify the body and calm the nervous system. For questions email us for acupuncture make an appointment. Hi there - in this article I am going to cover two of my favorite pain patches I use on myself and also on patients. I like them for both acute and chronic pain relief. I use them for neck pain, when I slept wrong, thumb pain, when I worked a lot, give it to patients for low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, muscle spasm, Achilles tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, bruises etc. I like them, because besides the commonly used methyl salicylate, menthol and camphor they contain various plant extracts, so you get the therapeutic effects of plants as well, not just symptom relief. Also, because they stay on for hours even after multiple handwashing. Their similarities: 1. they both have a strong minty smell - they both contain menthol, camphor and methyl salicylate (wintergreen oil). These three often used together to topically relieve mild to moderate pain, irritation and itching. The strong minty smell and cooling provide a distraction, different sensation to the brain, so the body can focus on a different narrative besides the pain. 2. they both contain various plant extracts that have pain, swelling, inflammation relieving and tissue regenerating properties. This is what differentiates them from other over the counter pain patches. 3. They are pretty long, the 701 Plaster is 3.93 x 157 inches long. The Wu Yang Patch is 3.9 x 78.7 inches long. The differences between the two and how to choose which one to use:
They have different ingredients, as different plant extracts are used in them. The Wu Yang Patch can be used for all stages of injury. It can also be used instead of ice (in Chinese Medicine we believe, that ice delays the healing), because it has herbs in it that reduce pain, swelling and inflammation. The 701 Medicated Plaster is a slightly warming plaster. It is used for older injuries (subacute or chronic phase), because it contains herbs that are more warming (think pepper), that may aggravate a new (acute) injury. Examples for usage: When you just threw your back or neck out: use Wu Yang Patch. Old chronic neck / low back pain: use 701 Plaster When you fell off a bike and have a massive bruise: use Wu Yang Patch Acute Achilles pain: use Wu Yang Patch Old Achilles pain: use 701 Plaster Old injury that is painful in the cold: use 701 Plaster. Old shoulder pain: use 701 Plaster Arthritis: use 701 Plaster Old Bunion pain: use 701 Plaster Gout: use Wu Yang Patch You get the idea... New injury: you want to cool (but not ice), so use Wu Yang Patch. Old injury: you want to warm (please never ice an old, chronic injury...) use 701 Plaster. For best outcome and proper healing use pain patches as a modality besides acupuncture, corrective exercises and other therapeutic methods. Do not use pain patches on open wounds. For open wounds, cuts, abrasion use San Qi, buy here. If you have delicate skin, be careful of wearing the patches on the same spot repeatedly, or day after day, because the skin may get irritated beneath the patch. Also if the pain is recurring or not getting better it’s better so seek help from a health care professional you trust - your doctor, acupuncturist, physical therapist, chiropractor, whomever you trust. Pain is often a signal of improper body use, which can cause joint and tissue damage. Simply masking the pain allows one to continue the misuse without correcting it. Pain is a sign that something is not right and with ample focus and quality care pain - even chronic pain - can be lessened or even completely fixed. Buy 701 plaster here. Wu Yang Patch here. This short post explains how acupuncture helps keloid scars that are painful and itchy. Itchiness, tenderness or pain in keloid scars is usually felt while the keloid is growing, and it stops once it's finished growing, but not always. Keloids can also restrict how far you can move or stretch, especially if the scar covers over a joint. How does acupuncture help keloid scars?
 Acupuncture for Keloid Scar that is still painful and itchy Between acupuncture sessions I often give this topical to my patients for home use to help with the pain and itch. Just spray on the affected area, and gently massage into the skin.  Topical that eases itch and pain in keloid scars. CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment if you have a keloid scar that it painful or itchy. Acupuncture is more widely accepted and used than herbs for wound healing. Acupuncture increases blood flow to the wound site, which is important for healing. This study by Pubmed https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3529882/ revealed that at 7 days the wound size in acupuncture-treat group was decreased more significantly compared to the control group, when they examined whether acupuncture has an effect on wound healing in injured rats. In this video below Dr. Thomas N. Leung, Pharm BS., DACM, L.Ac, CEO of Kamwo Herbs explains how San Qi (Pseudoginseng) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala) facilitates closing of open bedsores, non healing ulcers and diabetic sores. Read more on non healing sores here, here and here. Purchase a jar of Regenicare here and San Qi here.
Joint limitation leading to pain in other parts of the body - importance of full body mobility. What is the difference between movement therapy, sports acupuncture, chiropractic care, and sports massage - and which one is better?
Because these professions overlap, this page explains what each one does and how they intersect. The main goal of pain relief is to help the body move out of positions it is “stuck” in and toward positions it has difficulty going into. • Chiropractic adjustments do this at the joint level using a short, rapid motion. • Joint mobilization uses slower, broader techniques to improve joint movement. • Soft tissue mobilization, such as structural integration, acupuncture, cupping, and massage, aims to influence soft tissues to help reposition the body. • Movement therapists, such as yoga teachers, Pilates instructors, and personal trainers, help you access your own muscle activation and relaxation, particularly in muscles that are lengthened or underutilized, to support movement into these restricted and underutilized positions. While these approaches do not produce identical tissue responses, understanding both their similarities and differences can help clarify how each modality contributes to pain relief and improved movement.
How does acupuncture and dry needling help fix muscle pain?  Dry needling of the gastrocnemius muscle in a marathon runner Muscles need two things in order to properly work: activation and strength. 1. Needling motor points of injured muscles will help activating the muscle and through the muscle's motor neuron it help reconnecting it with your brain 🧠. 2. Needling around the injury site the needle breaks up accumulations and cause micro trauma. Blood then brings the healing cells of inflammation, nutrients and oxygen and carries away waste products. 3. Various Traditional Chinese Acupoints stimulate circulation, reduce pain, swelling, inflammation and move energy. CLICK HERE to book an appointment today if you are in pain.
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