Acupuncture, Botanical Medicine and Homeopathy for Lipoma Treatment
A lipoma is a painless, non-cancerous (benign), harmless, slow growing sponge-like growth between the skin and muscle. It can develop anywhere in the body but is often found on the head, neck, back and shoulders. It does not dissipate on its own and can be treated by conventional medicine with steroids or surgery. However, lipomas are rarely recommended to be surgically removed unless very large or painful. They can often grow back on other parts of the body as well as leave a severe scar at the removal site.
Acupuncture, botanical medicine and homeopathy may be a better choice to reduce, and in some cases eliminate, lipomas naturally.
Moving Empty Energy
Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) considers slow or stuck energy the major cause of most ailments. For lipomas, getting this energy to move is the primary goal of using acupuncture as a peripheral treatment to other naturopathic remedies such as botanical medicine and homeopathy.
“According to the Longevity Center of Classical Chinese Medicine, acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, your body’s natural pain-killing chemicals, strengthens your immune system and helps balance qi, restoring the flow of energy through your meridians.” (Livestrong 8/16/13)
The acupuncture points that may be concentrated on would primarily include Liver and Spleen. These are essential meridians that, using the concepts of CCM, can be stimulated by acupuncture to manipulate energy that may be causing the lipoma.
Classic text, The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine (the Neijing Suwen) – 240 B.C. describes fat (lipoma) as being empty energy on the interior. As a result, an acupuncturist versed in CCM approaches a lipoma by attempting to tonify it first and then disperse it. This is where the Liver and Spleen meridians come into play.
The Liver is the major organ for storing essential qi (chee – life force) as well as strengthening ligaments and tendons. The Spleen helps to control the flow of blood within blood vessels and affects muscle and limb tone (because it helps distribute nutrients containing purified qi around the body). These are both major factors in lipoma healing.
In addition, lipomas could be related to the specific effects of outside factors, particularly Cold.
The Neijing states,
“When the energy cannot circulate freely, the Cold penetrates the body, reaches the meridians and provokes obstructions. If the superficial energy of the epidermis circulates poorly, one will see appear abscesses and swellings.”
Points used to dispel Cold may also be utilized.
An Herbal Approach
Botanical medicine consists of specific plant based remedies with various healing compounds. When it comes to lipomas, many botanicals are used as a salve. Each herb for this treatment possesses a unique ability to attempt to lessen the size of the lipoma. By directly applying a homemade salve to the skin and then covering it up often allows for such actions as drawing out toxins, minimizing fat and/or enhancing circulation.
Working with a naturopathic doctor, these salve remedies are mixed into a paste, applied to lipomas and covered with a bandage daily. In due time (a few weeks to a few months) there is a potential for the lipoma to shrink or fade away.
Two common salve remedies are:
Sage – Medical News Today reports that, “Due to its high antioxidant capacity, sage can help protect the body’s cells from damage caused by free radicals, which often results in cell death, impaired immunity, and chronic disease.” The sage is ground up and mixed with neem oil, flaxseed oil, or green tea.
Turmeric (Curcumin) – According to Dr. Weil, renowned medical doctor and champion of alternative medicine, “Turmeric contains more than two dozen anti-inflammatory compounds, including six different COX-2-inhibitors (the COX-2 enzyme promotes pain, swelling and inflammation; inhibitors selectively block that enzyme).” Mix with extra virgin olive oil into a paste.
Homeopathy for Reducing Lipoma Vibrations
Working with homeopathy, the centuries old recipes of prepared remedies that adhere to the like-cures-like application, may also be an excellent adjunct tool for lipoma treatment. Using this treatment has shown to have the potential to reduce the lipoma mass considerably. It is a remedy that doesn’t treat the ‘disease in the man’ but rather the ‘man in the disease’.
Under the guidance of a naturopathic doctor trained in homeopathy, common remedies may include:
- Baryta Carbonica
- Bryonia Alba
- Calcarea Carbonica
- Hepar Sulphuris Calcareum
- Nux vomica
- Silicea
- Thuja occidentals
The three pronged approach of acupuncture, botanical medicine and homeopathy for lipoma treatment may be a successful start. There are other approaches to treating lipomas including a detoxification due to a slow or clogged liver. At Integrative Med Solutions, we will design an acupuncture and naturopathic treatment program that works for you. In many cases, insurance covers portions of the acupuncture treatment. Allow us to support you to achieve optimal health. To make an appointment or find out more about how acupuncture and naturopathic medicine can benefit you, please call our office at 914.337.2980 or CLICK HERE to schedule an online appointment.
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