Hair loss usually happens on the scalp area. It also can occur around eyebrows, eyelashes, and other areas. Hair loss is a signal that the body is unbalanced. It may relate to heredity, hormonal imbalance, aging, poor circulation, acute illness, surgery, radiation exposure, skin disease, sudden weight loses, high fever, iron deficiency, diabetes, thyroid disease, some drugs, stress, poor diet, and vitamin deficiencies. Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that hair is the end of the chain that is nourished by the blood vessels. If the Chi and blood supply is sufficient, the blood can reach the end of the blood vessels to boost the hair. When the Chi and blood is deficiency, the hair will be short of the nutrition to die and fall out.

In traditional Chinese medicine, hair loss is caused by a deficiency of the kidney, the liver, the spleen, the lungs and the heart. The kidneys, in traditional Chinese medicine mean the entire system, which includes the bladder, adrenal glands, prostate gland and the genitals. This system controls hormones, heredity and aging.

The liver in traditional Chinese medicine is in charge of storing and providing blood in much the same way as a bank. The spleen in traditional Chinese medicine also contains the function of the thyroid and the pancreas. The spleen and the kidneys are the main blood producing organs. The lungs in traditional Chinese medicine have the function of exchanging the Chi of the inside and the outside of the body and of transferring the blood to the hair. The heart in traditional Chinese medicine is responsible for pumping blood to the whole body. Restful sleep can nourish the heart and balance the hormones.

If one or more of the organs is energetically low or if one of the organs has problems, the blood will find it difficult to arrive to the end of the blood vessels which nourish the hair and hair loss will occur.

When heredity is the cause of hair loss, it means the last generation had a body imbalance which has not been solved and has passed it on to this generation. Poor circulation, surgery or stress can cause blocking and stagnation of blood circulation and can influence the blood supply to the hair. Acute illness, radiation exposure, high fever and taking drugs are the external reasons which cause the deficiency of the Chi and blood. Iron deficiency, diabetes, thyroid disease, pregnancy and menopause are related to organs low energy or dysfunction and result in the deficiency of the Chi and blood. Poor diet, vitamin deficiencies and sudden weight loss create a lack of balanced nutrition to cause the deficiency of the Chi and blood.

Traditional Chinese medicine uses various methods to help reduce hair loss. Acupuncture is one of them. Acupuncture does not add anything to the body. It treats the body naturally. It can stimulate the body’s energy and open the channels to let blood move better sending nutrition through the blood to the hair.

Acupuncture also can improve breathing and heal damaged organs as well as the scares from surgery. It also releases stress quickly and improves sleep. Acupuncture can detoxify the body and improve immunity. Generally, I will suggest an individualized diet and exercises program for each person’s condition. Healthy hair is not only beautiful, but also is the symbol of good health.

Contact Li Hua L.Ac. TCMD at Atlanta Acupuncture Center or 404-250-9903 or e-mail lihua@aac2000.com or surf her web site at www.aac2000.com