TCM Diagnosis

In TCM terms, we say the Lung is the “tender organ” because it is directly exposed to the environment via the respiratory process and in its role in regulating the exterior. A wide variety of external factors can affect the Lung, including the five environmental factors of Wind, Cold, Heat, Dampness and Summerheat, as well as miscellaneous factors like pollen, animal dander, smoke, and environmental pollution. In this article, Mark Frost provides a deep dive on three important formulas that address specific Lung pathologies seen in clinical practice.

For countless generations, Jade Windscreen (Yu Ping Feng San) has been utilized to address surface deficiency patterns that lead to aversion to wind and frequent invasions of common pathogenic influences. These complaints are the result of surface deficiency due to deficient or unregulated Wei Qi. The etiology of Wei Qi deficiency are manifold and determined by a comprehensive differential diagnosis. The most common causes of deficient Wei Qi include Lung, Spleen and Kidney deficiency patterns.

Acupuncturist Skye Sturgeon reviews a case study of a 68-year-old male whose chief complaint was cold feet, intermittent low back pain, and chronic tinnitus. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment plan is defined along with acupuncture points.

Many acupuncturists are gradually reopening their practices. At the same time, a second wave of COVID-19 is sweeping through the country as people are becoming impatient with sanitation protocols and social distancing. Even while we have compassion for the hardships that the pandemic has created, it is ever more important to safeguard ourselves and our clinics and not let our guard down just because we wish to believe that the crisis is over. This article discusses Cupping and Master Tung points for promoting wellness along with protecting yourself and your practice.

Summer is the time of year we are out in nature and enjoying the world around us. With nature in full bloom, not all of our friends and neighbors are necessarily enjoying all that nature provides. For some, Summer can also be a time of red irritated eyes, runny noses, sneezing, scratchy throats, and cough and wheezing, resulting from a combination of Wind and Wei Qi deficiency. Sang Ju Yin is highlighted as a summer formula for cooling summer heat.

As we slowly re-open our clinics, there are a few reasons to feel optimistic while still being cautious and very careful. Whether patients have had the virus or not, bodies, hearts and minds have certainly been stressed more than normal times. In the office, we may see patients that are recovering from milder illnesses as well as new pathologies and possibly aggravations of underlying constitutional conditions. With this in mind, I'd like to share my thoughts on some straightforward prepared herbal formulas to address a variety of clinical pictures you may encounter in the weeks and months ahead.

Michael McCulloch of the Pine Street Foundation talks about Coronavirus COVID-19 statistics, clinical trials, and ways to support patients using Traditional Chinese Medicine. Watch the March 20th & April 15th webinar recordings for free on our website!

Damp is one of the six exogenous pathogenic influences defined in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In English, as an archaic medical term, the word “damp” originally meant “vapor”, “steam" or "smoke", especially that which was harmful or noxious. In this article, we will focus on the concept of Dampness specifically as it relates to Lung health in TCM, particularly in light of the pathogenesis of Damp.

Taking into account the symptoms and characteristics of how the acne presents is vital to diagnosis. If pimples are primarily red, swollen, hot, painful, then it indicates true heat. If redness, swelling, heat and pain are less pronounced, then it is likely due to deficiency heat. Pronounced itchiness is likely due to wind, and pus is usually due to dampness. If pimples expel yellow pus, then it indicates damp-heat. If fresh blood comes out after a pimple bursts, it indicates heat in blood, which is forcing the blood out erratically. If pimples congeal and harden, particularly if they do not resolve for long periods of time, we must consider blocked Qi and stagnant Blood. However, we always need to consider the entire patient presentation, not just these symptoms.