Acupuncture

Latent heat (潜热 qiánrè) as a Chinese medicine concept has ancient origins dating to the Huangdi Nei Jing and the Shang Han Lun, first appearing in Chapters 3 and 5 of the Su Wen. It was used to explain how the exposure of a Cold pathogen, believed to occur in winter, changed to Heat in the spring. Latent Heat has developed into a useful concept to explain how Internal, Organ, or Blood Heat can arise without obvious disease proceeding through the Four Levels or Six Stages.

Shingles often arises in immune-deficient patients, the elderly, and people taking immunosuppressant drugs. Having shingles is a horrific experience. If a patient suffers a severe case, they will likely never have shingles again and do not need to be vaccinated against it. Since the COVID19 vaccines and boosters, viral outbreaks have become much worse. The problem is that the innate immune system can no longer control the situation, so we are seeing a steady increase in the number of cases of shingles, autoimmune diseases, and cancers. In the coming years, we can expect to continue to see our clinics fill with more and more patients struggling with a wide range of issues related to their compromised immune systems.

From a modern medicine standpoint, Bell’s palsy is often viewed as a benign condition that resolves on its own in most cases. Yet, some patients do not make a full recovery and are left with permanent facial paralysis. This article discusses treatment options including TCM approaches to help patients receive a full recovery.

The incidence of male factor infertility is believed to be increasing in the Western world. In Chinese, the word for sperm and essence is the same (jīng 精 ), that is, they have the same origin and are inextricably linked. According to Chinese medicine, the quality of sperm and its ability to fertilize an ovum is intimately linked to the health of the Kidneys and requires a number of factors to converge. 

Western studies have confirmed the efficacy of acupuncture for fertility outcomes. For over 20 years, Rachel Blunk, L.Ac., has worked with reproductive endocrinologists to help improve fertility outcomes for patients. In this article, Rachel discusses 2 cases where she used acupuncture and herbs for queer couples using IVF for successful implantation.

The classic writings I quote are taken from the Zhubing Yuanhuo Lun, the Mawangdui, and Sun Si Miao. They will offer you the ability to contemplate the first three of the ten lunar months of pregnancy, interpreted and practiced by the leading physicians of that time. In studying the ancients on their thoughts regarding pregnancy, we must realize that these teachings came from the astute observations and witnessing of nature in all its glory and violence. The lessons the ancients learned originated from watching the power and influence of the moon, sun and stars, the weather, seasons, elements, the sowing, cultivating, and harvesting of crops, the language of plants and animals, and bottom line, the interdependence of all these factors as they affect everything on earth.

Rhinitis, whether seasonal or perennial, is usually an allergic condition. In TCM terms we relate this concept to deficiency of wei qi. The wei (or protective) qi has its basis in Kidney yang and is distributed by the lungs to all the surfaces of the body.

Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United States and worldwide, closely followed by cancer, and then COVID-19. In this article, the risk factors of coronary artery disease will be described as well as the mechanisms that define how the condition progresses with a focus on atherosclerosis. In addition, there will be an explanation of how traditional Chinese medicine approaches a differential diagnosis and which herbal strategies may assist in supporting individuals who are coping with this condition.

Breathe your way to harmony, balance, health, and well-being. Practicing Qi Gong yourself and teaching it to your patients is one of the most beneficial aspects of Chinese medicine. It can be engaged anywhere and by anyone, including those who are bed-ridden or in a wheelchair. In Qi Gong breathing, the action is focused on the exhale by intentionally contracting the diaphragm and abdominal wall muscles, squeezing out the carbon dioxide until the lungs are empty.

A common archetype of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (or PTSD) is the aging, war-torn veteran, but in an era of constant and intimate exposure to tragic imagery and social injustice from across the globe, on top of the normal, daily stressors so many people experience, the signs of psychological wear-and-tear at the level of trauma are unfortunately frequent. Whereas we might expect the PTSD-sufferer to experience flashbacks, emotional outbursts, sleep issues, and extreme physical pain, these are just a few of the “re-experiencing” type symptoms of PTSD. Other symptoms of PTSD fall into three basic categories.

Depressed patients experience a range of symptoms in addition to the mood component, and it is helpful to think of depression as a disorder that interferes with the basic aspects of life: the energy for activity, appetite, sex drive and sleep.

In more than thirty years of clinical practice, I have never found any point to be more useful than Master Tung’s points called “Mu” or wood points. My teacher, Dr. Miriam Lee (1926-2009), fondly called them “The Wood Anger Points” because they have such a profound effect upon the nervous system and the liver.

The prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression has reached alarming levels. Isolation is a dangerous societal trend. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has highlighted the epidemic of loneliness and emphasized the significance of fostering social connections and building communities to enhance overall health and well-being. In response to this pressing crisis, Diana Fried, the founder of Acupuncturists Without Borders, has undertaken the creation of a pioneering pilot program.

Self-healing principles are about making small changes consistently, keeping promises we make for ourselves, learning to set clear boundaries, and healing our relationship with food. The key here is small bites - these aren’t promises like hitting the gym every day; it’s small promises like making the bed every day and something we can surely follow through on. The act of doing it helps to rewire the brain and invite the Yi back to the center again because we are no longer denying our own needs.

Obesity (fei pang 肥胖) is on the rise worldwide and is the most common nutrition related disorder in the developed world. Most commonly it is associated with an increase in the energy value and quantity of food consumed, coupled with a decrease in activity.