Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

Decision Making, A Function of the Gallbladder

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:40:21 -0500

In traditional Chinese medicine, the decision making process is dependent on the strong energy of the Gallbladder. When the Gallbladder energy is weak, a person may have trouble making decisions. In Chinese medicine theory every organ has a physical and a mental function in the human body. The organs are paired according to yin and yang theory. The Liver and the Gallbladder are a yin yang pair. The Liver influences our capacity to plan our life and find a sense of direction. The Gallbladder influences our courage and conviction to make decisions to carry out that plan. When the Liver and Gallbladder are in balance, mentally and spiritually we are focused and decisive about our purpose in life. A person with a diagnosis of Gallbladder deficiency may appear nervous and timid. They may lack courage and initiative and may be easily startled. Physical symptoms may include dizziness, blurred vision, panic attacks and insomnia. Gallbladder deficiency may be congenital and...

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Chinese Herbal Formulas for the Common Cold

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 04:38:41 -0500

In the following article, Dr. Jake Fratkin discusses the many Chinese herbal formulas that can be used to treat the common cold and flu. Consult a licensed practitioner of Chinese mediicne to determine which formula should be used in any given situation. Treating Acute Common Cold BY Dr. Jake Paul Fratkin One of the great contributions Chinese medicine offers the West is the availability of herbs and herbal formulas that directly attack viral heat toxins causing the common cold, influenza, upper respiratory infections, and common pediatric diseases. Here, western medicine is at a total loss, offering at best bed rest and fluids, and at worse, antibiotics. Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections, doing nothing to alter the severity of symptoms or the time frame of an infection. However, they do negatively impact the body’s immune system by destroying the beneficial gut bacteria that neutralize harmful toxins. By destroying gut bacteria, one’s immune system becomes...

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Acupuncture for Common Colds and Flu

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:49:44 -0500

In the following article, Dr. John Amaro identifies common acupuncture points that can boost the immune system to alleviate the symptoms of, and may even prevent the common cold. An Extremely Effective, Simple Treatment for Colds and Flu BY John A. Amaro, DC, FIAMA, Dipl. Ac., LAc Some years ago, a group of esteemed scientists from the People's Republic of China were invited to visit the United States by the American scientific community. This event ushered in an exchange of ideas and an opportunity for two great nations to be able to corroborate on a number of issues vital to the health and welfare of the world. Over a period of two months, the Chinese scientists visited virtually every major research facility in the nation, followed closely by their American hosts, who were furiously taking notes and promoting discussion on matters from nuclear physics to aerospace, medical research and treatment approaches. The visit culminated in a banquet at Princeton University in...

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Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs for Kidney Stones

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:51:20 -0500

In the following article, Dr. Jake Fratkin gives us an acupuncture protocol to help pass kidney stones during an acute attack. He also, talks of an herbal product that he himself has formulated to treat and prevent kidney stones. Treating Acute Kidney Stone Attack BY Jake Paul Fratkin, OMD I created AMBER STONE FORMULA as a variation on PASSWAN, a Chinese patent medicine for the treatment of kidney stone from Bai Yun Shan Pharmaceutical Manufactory in Guangzhou. PASSWAN has become generally unavailable in the United States, and few American companies have elected to offer a kidney stone formula. The original name, PASSWAN, I suppose is a Chinese-English variation for Pass (the Stone) Wan (Pill). Its Chinese name is te xiao pai shi wan, which translates as “Specially Effective Expel Stone Pill”. The formula is certainly “Specially Effective.” I have heard of cases of acute stone impaction that would release within 30 minutes of taking the pill. The Herbal Formula. The...

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The Lung in Chinese Medicine

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 06:49:17 -0500

The Lung in Chinese medicine is a yin organ. It is paired with the Large Intestine, a yang organ. The most important function of the Lungs in Chinese medicine is to govern respiration - the inhalation of air, or pure qi. This pure qi inhaled by the Lungs is combined with the food qi extracted from food by the Spleen to produce the “gathering qi” that supports the functioning of the whole body after birth. The Lungs assist the Heart in the circulation of Blood. Qi and Blood flow together in the blood vessels. If the Lung qi is weak, it will not be able to push the Blood through the channels, and the limbs may feel cold, especially the hands. It is a well known fact in Chinese medicine that acupuncture points to treat various diseases can be chosen based on their anatomical location. For example, acupuncture points for bone disease are located close to bones. Acupuncture points close to tendons are powerful to treat tendon diseases. The source acupuncture point on the Lung...

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Master Tung Acupuncture for Upper Back Pain

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 04:16:51 -0500

Upper back pain is a condition that I commonly treat in my acupuncture practice. Often this type of pain is related to occupational repetitive motion injuries. Dentists, teachers, hairdressers, and band directors have sought my help in addressing upper back pain. Sometimes this type of upper back pain is associated with a cervical disk nerve impingement that may also cause neck pain and pain radiating to the shoulder and down the arm. Stress related neck and shoulder tension may also be the culprit. Usually my patients have already seen their physicians for diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause of their upper back pain from a western medicine perspective. This is important to rule out the remote, yet critical possibility, that their pain is related to heart disease or a tumor causing the nerve impingement. When the pain is strictly a muscular-skeletal issue, it responds very well to acupuncture treatment.

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Back Shu Acupuncture Points

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:13:59 -0500

A collection of twelve very important acupuncture points called the Back Shu, or Back Transporting points are located on the Bladder meridian along the spine. There is a Back Transporting point for each of the six yin organs and each of the six yang organs. They are called “transporting” points because it is said that they transport “Qi” to the inner organs. These acupuncture points are located on the inner Bladder meridian path, which is about an inch and a half from the mid-line of the spine. The Back Transporting points affect the organs directly and are especially important in the treatment of chronic diseases. Each of the points is named after the organ that it is associated with. For example, Bladder-13 connects with the Lung and is called Lung Shu. The Back Shu points also have the ability to affect the sense organ associated with the organ it is named for. For example, Bladder-18, the Back Shu point of the Liver is often used to treat eye diseases, because it is said...

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Congee A Porridge with Healing Power

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 04:37:59 -0500

Congee is a thin porridge or gruel most often made from rice. Congees strengthen the Spleen energy and nourish Blood. Congee is very commonly eaten for breakfast in China. Because of the nourishing properties of congee, and the fact that it is very easily digested, congees are often prescribed for elderly or chronically ill patients with weak blood and low energy. Congee made with brown rice is often given to nursing mothers to increase milk supply. The therapeutic properties of congee may be enhanced by adding traditional chinese herbs or other nutritional foods with properties known to address specific health issues. To make a rice congee, use at least six times the amount of water as you do rice and simmer covered for at least one hour. One cup of rice usually makes two or three servings. Crockpots are great to prepare congee. Set the crockpot on low and leave for at least four to six hours. It is better to use too much water than too little. The longer the congee...

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The Spleen in Chinese Medicine

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 04:13:22 -0500

The Spleen in Chinese medicine is a yin organ. The Spleen is partnered with the Stomach, a yang organ. Together they are responsible for transforming food and drink into Qi and blood during the digestion process. When the Spleen energy is strong, appetite and digestion are good. When the Spleen function is weak, there may be poor appetite, abdominal bloating, water retention and weight gain, and loose stools. The Spleen controls the muscles and four limbs. When the Spleen is strong, nutrition from food is extracted efficiently and energy is distributed to the muscles. When the Spleen is weak, a person feels fatigued, especially after eating. Muscles will be weak. In severe cases, muscles may atrophy. The Spleen not only distributes the essence of food to the body, it is also responsible for the transformation of fluids. Poor distribution of fluids may result in edema or the production of phlegm. The Spleen dislikes dampness. Dampness can hamper the function of the...

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Medicinal Ginger

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 04:46:18 -0500

Ginger has been used for centuries in China for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Used in many forms - fresh ginger, dried ginger, ginger tea, ginger juice, or ginger oil – ginger is an important herb in the Chinese diet. Sheng Jiang, fresh ginger, is said to be warm, acrid and mildly diaphoretic. It enters the Lung, Spleen and Stomach meridians. Ginger is very commonly used to treat the early stages of the common cold and may even prevent catching a cold during cold or rainy weather. For this purpose, several slices of fresh ginger are boiled in water for about 10 minutes with brown sugar added at the end. The tea is typically taken in the evening just before going to bed so that the patient can "sweat the cold out". Fresh ginger warms the Lung and helps stop coughing. Xing Su San is a famous herbal cough formula which has ginger as an ingredient. Ginger warms the stomach and is a very powerful herb to relieve nausea and vomiting. A simple ginger tea has been shown...

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Kidney 1 Body, Mind, and Spirit Acupuncture Point

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 04:52:06 -0500

Kidney 1, named “Bubbling Spring”, is the first acupuncture point on the Kidney meridian. It is the only meridian point on the sole of the foot. Kidney 1 is a major energy vortex that has the ability to revitalize body, mind and spirit. This point can be activated with acupuncture, acupressure, herbal plasters, exercise and even floral essences. Recently, I had an awe-inspiring personal experience with this point that I would like to share with you. A patient of mine is in the final stages of lung cancer, finding it difficult to breathe, talk or swallow. She was just hospitalized to remove fluid from her chest. And if all of that wasn't bad enough, her husband called me to tell me that she suffered a stroke when she arrived home. The stroke left the whole left side of her body paralyzed. He asked if I would consider trying acupuncture to restore movement on her left side. His thinking was that if she had this functionality, she might be able to get out of bed and sit in a...

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How to Calm Down When Feeling Overwhelmed

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 04:09:10 -0500

Life is full of stressful situations. To varying degrees, we all have some level of fear and anxiety. Maybe it's a stressful job or maybe a more specific deep seated fear like fear of flying, fear of the dentist or even fear of failure. For me, it is definitely a fear of public speaking that will fray my nerves. I was first introduced to a product called Rescue Remedy when I was in acupuncture school. Several students were putting a few drops under their tongue right before final exams. They said that it was an amazing way to calm yourself if you were a person who suffered from test anxiety. I never really had a problem with test anxiety as long as I knew I had studied sufficiently. But tell me I had to give a talk in front of an audience and I would feel total panic. I decided to try this product a few years ago when the local news asked me to do a live television interview. After a few drops, I felt a calm come over me, and just a subtle feeling that I could do this. ...

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Master Tung Acupuncture Points for Genital Herpes

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 14:30:57 -0500

As an acupuncture student, you spend the better part of three to four years memorizing exact anatomical locations of hundreds of acupuncture points and a recipe list of common indications for their use. It is a necessary task to get a basic understanding of Chinese medicine. And it is required to have this knowledge under your belt to be able to pass the NCCAOM national board exam in order to get licensed in most states. But I am eternally grateful to Dr. Richard Tan and Master Tung for showing me the true power of acupuncture meridian theory. Understanding that the human body is holographic in nature with each body area reflecting the whole body, opens the door to dozens of possibilities in the treatment of almost any condition. And, though I do tend to stick to some common point combinations that almost never seem to fail me for common ailments, for a certain percentage of people who don't fall into the majority, they have taught me how to put on my thinking cap and try a...

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TCM Herbal Remedy for Chronic Asthma

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 03:00:00 -0500

In upstate NY, we are finally in the throes of heat and humidity or what we call the dog days of summer. This is the time when thousands of people in mainland China are lining up at special clinics in their local hospitals to start herbal plaster therapy, or fu tie, for chronic asthma and other respiratory diseases. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is common knowledge that the best time to treat a chronic winter disease is during the hottest time of the year. In summer the yang (hot) energy of the universe is at its peak and the yin (cold) energy is at its lowest point. Chinese medicine believes that the human body is a microcosm of the universe, and therefore the same principal holds true. People who suffer from pulmonary disorders that are aggravated by cold weather typically are constitutionally deficient of yang energy and therefore susceptible to an invasion of pathogenic cold. Summer is the best time to strengthen the yang energy of the body. The treatment...

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Relieve Menstrual Cramps!

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 06:36:21 -0500

Millions of women suffer from painful periods. Often the pain occurs the day before the period starts. Some women experience menstrual cramps during the period. And some feel exhausted and achy when the period is over. Chinese Medicine explains menstrual period cramps in terms of the proper flow and quantity of Qi (energy) and Blood. By asking very detailed and specific questions about the menstrual cycle a practitioner can determine the underlying cause of menstrual cramping. Both acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas are very effective to resolve the vast majority of painful period cramps. To determine the pattern of imbalance in the body that is causing the painful period symptoms, questions must be answered as to the timing of the pain, the location of the pain, the character of the pain and whether or not it is aggravated or relieved by cold, heat or pressure. The regularity and length of the cycle, the quality of the pulse and the color of the tongue may also be...

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