AboutTamsen Staniford, L.Ac. Expertise Please ask me about acupuncture and oriental medicine, nutrition, dietary supplements, and herbs. I am always happy to answer questions about how any of these areas relate to your health and well-being, specific conditions, or simply if you would like some information. I specialize in acupuncture for palliative care, acute injuries, chronic illness, autoimmune disorders, bone health, and western supplements.
Experience I am a licensed acupuncturist in the state of California and hold a Master's degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine. This degree includes training for acupuncture, herbs, nutrition, exercise and bodywork. I have work for a decade in the natural products industry both at the retail and manufacturing levels. I have worked using acupuncture in private clinics, community clinic settings and in inpatient care facilities; including hospice and supportive housing residences. I currently practice in San Francisco in a private clinic, making house calls for home bound patients, and working on grant funded community acupuncture projects.
Education/Credentials Master's in Traditional Oriental Medicine, Certified Massage Therapist and Health Educator, Reiki Practitioner.
Past/Present Clients Everyone from the stressed out worker, to the detoxing substance user, to the dying, to the new mother. Acupuncture can help them all.
Question i'm writing to ask a second opinion about a condition that i've been seeing an
acupuncturist for. i've been taking acupuncture for about 6 months, every 2-
3 weeks, and while i've experienced some relief from my symptoms, even my
practitioner is confused by the lack of improvement.
i've always had a very healthy lifestyle, but a few years ago i was taking
ephedra. after a year of doing so, i knew i was endangering my health and
couldn't do it anymore. i just stopped one day, cold, and from that day my
belly swelled up like a balloon and it's been that way ever since.
i used to have a lot of pain in my gut and liver, but acupuncture has taken
that away. however, the swelling is still there, and while it's not painful, it's
very uncomfortable.
the only thing i can compare it to is being bloated while on my period. it just
lasts all the time.
my acupuncturist has been working on points related to my stomach and my
liver--usually the needles go into my abdomen and my legs. i'm also taking
an herbal formula, mu xiang.
in the last couple of weeks, my lower legs have started to hurt. the pain is
located on the outsides of my shins, and it feels like tingly pressure. i feel it
sometimes in the top of my feet, as well.
i'm hoping that the pain means the treatment is starting to work better. but
i'd really like to hear another acupuncturist's opinion about what might have
caused it and if there's anything i could do better to relieve the huge bloating.
thank you so much!
Answer Acupuncture should work; when it doesn't, that's a signal to work with your acupuncturist to learn more about the condition and yourself.
Without seeing your tongue and checking your pulse and feeling your abdomen I have no input as far as the specifics of your treatment. However, I will be happy to comment in generals.
Typically if acupuncture treatment is not helping the condition there is some hidden factor like a structural change, genetics, or some type of biochemical imbalance (hormones, neurotransmitters), etc... Acupuncture should help in any of those cases, but will only do so when targeting the problem correctly.
I know from personal experience that in cases like that I will refer my patient to a different practitioner to see if they get better results. Although we all start with the same basic knowledge, each practitioner is unique and different in their experience, specialized knowledge, and approach to treatment. Another practitioner may pick up on some aspect your current one isn't seeing.
You should also follow up with an MD or NP to rule out structural problems in the abdomen; for example organs out of place, organ pathologies, or pathologies with the cardiovascular system. This will help you get the most accurate information regarding the problem, which will help focus the treatment to best help you.
Also, look at all of the other aspects of your life that are factors in your overall health. Getting sporadic acupuncture treatments and taking herbs is only a fraction of your life. Your work, your home environment, your relationships, your food, your emotions, etc... all effect your health. All of these influences should be addressed in order to create the type of balance your body needs to return to a state of health.
