Help for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
"Overwhelmingly positive testimonials given by each patient I talked to – most had macular degeneration. Wow!”
~ Dr. Andy Rosenfarb, ND, LAc, Dipl Ac, DiplCH
What is Micro Acupuncture?
Micro Acupuncture is a contemporary acupuncture technique used to treat various eye conditions including both wet and dry type age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The Micro Acupunture system uses a unique set of points found primarily on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet which can be combined with traditional and scalp acupoints used to treat eye conditions. Conventional western medical treatments often focus on injecting anti-angiogenic medications directly into the eye or burning out abnormal blood vessels in the eye with high-energy laser light.
Studys at John Hopkins University and the National Institute of Health have shown the promise that Micro Acupuncture therapy holds for treating difficult to treat eye conditions. Besides Macular Degeneration, Micro Acupuncture can be used to treat cataracts, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, optic nerve atrophy, Usher's syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, Stargardt's Syndrome and many other chronic eye conditions. Micro Acupuncture treatments offer an alternative approach to patients keep their vision and restore health to their eyes.
Micro Acupuncture is a comtemporary acupuncture technique not taught in North American or Asian Universities. Micro Acupuncture certification requires post-graduate training to learn both application and location of the 48 acupoints unique to the Micro Acupuncture method. Travis McIndoe TCMP has completed the highest level of Micro Acupuncture certification under originator Dr Andy Rosenfarb in New Jersey. Travis has been practicing acupuncture and traditional herbal medicine for over ten years in Kelowna and holds a Master's Degree in Acupuncture from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine. Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine has been ranked the top TCM school in China three years in a row reflecting its excellence in research and education.
Chinese herbal medicine has been used for centuries for the prevention and treatment of eye diseases including Age-Related Macular Degeneration. In wet type macular degeneration several herbs and herbal formulas show great promise in potentially halting or reversing the condition. One of the herbs being studied is San Qi (pseudoginseng). One peer-reviewed study stated "Excitingly, some individual components of the TCM-based pharmaceutical composition have been shown to suppress oxidative stress, inflammation and vascular edema, which are hallmarks of AMD." San Qi (pseudoginseng is just one of many Chinese herbs used to treat eye conditions. Others commonly used herbs and formulas include Gou Qi Zi, bilberry, eyebright, Ju Hua, Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, and Ming Mu Di Huang Wan.
An Overview of Macular Degeneration
What is Macular Degeneration?
Macular Degeneration is a progressive eye condition due to damage to the central part of the retina called the macula. Damage to the macula results in the loss of central vision. Macular degeneration is most common in the elderly in which case it is referred to Age-Related Macular Degeneration or AMD.
Types of Macular Degneration
Macular Degneration can be divided into two sub-types: wet macular degeneration and dry macular degeneration. Dry type macular degeneration is more common comprising approxiamately 85-90% of cases. In dry age-related macular degeneration, white or yellow deposits called drusen start to form on the retina under the macula causing the macula to degenerate over time. Dry type macular degeneration can progress to the more serious wet type of the disease. In wet type macular degeneration abnormal blood vessels form under the retina (neoangiogenesis) and begin to grow toward the macula. These new blood vessels are not normal parts of the eye circulation and tend to break, bleed, and leak fluid resulting in damage to the macula causing it to tear amd separate from its base resulting in sudden and severe vision loss.
Common Symptoms of Age-Related Macular Degneration
- loss of central vision
- fuzzy, hazy, or blurry vision
- seeing straight lines as wavy
- central vision blindness
- difficulty reading
- dIfficulty seeing in low light
- seensivity to light/glare
- decreased night vision
- a decrease in the intensity or brightness of colors
- eyestrain
- Those with advanced AMD are considered legally blind.
