Internal Medicine Articles Archive
Dr. Hammer's work charges us with a serious commitment to practice a truly individualized and preventive medicine in the context of a deeply grounded and searching therapeutic relationship. Given the role assigned to the heart in terms of awareness and housing of the Spirit, any attempt to demonstrate the basic congeniality of psychology and Chinese medicine must focus on this aspect of both psyche and soma.,,,We begin with a discussion of the natural functions of the Fire phase according to DRRBF. The Heart Yin is creative inspiration; the Heart yang is the organized and useful expression of creativity. Small Intestine allows for further clarification and the separation of ideas and feelings (Hammer 2005, p206). The Pericardium governs the protection and communication of these functions into the world. The Triple Burner serves balance, and integration (Hammer 2005, p209).
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We often describe ourselves as practitioners of the healing arts, and I have often wondered about the relationship between art and medicine. I believe we can clearly see that relationship between Japanese Meridian Therapy (MT) and wabi-sabi, a particular aesthetic in Japan. Many people are vaguely familiar with wabi-sabi. The Japanese are used to being asked to explain it - and they rarely succeed, simply because it is so elusive a concept.
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Because fibromyalgia (FM) presents with a variety of symptoms and fatigue is a common complaint, the disorder often falls within OM internal medicall and Painful Obstruction classifications. Stress, poor sleep quality, poor diet, insufficient rest, unresolved emotions (depression/anxiety/fear) or trauma can influence Organ functions, deplete True-Qi, Blood and fluids all of which may result in stagnation of Qi and Blood, formation of Dampness and Phlegm, and symptoms and signs of fibromyalgia...Although not necessarily an externally contracted disorder, many fibromyalgia patients present with a history of infectious disease, injury, and/or a severe medical condition - in which pathogenic factors often play a major role.
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Andrew Ellis first studied Chinese medicine with Dr. James Tin Yau So at the New England School of Acupuncture. He left New England in 1983 to study Chinese language in Taiwan and apprenticed with Chinese herbalist Xu Fu-Su there for several years. Later he studied internal medicine and gynecology at the Xiamen Hospital of Chinese medicine.
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I had easily caught colds for most of my life. I remember reading about yù píng fëng sân (Jade Windscreen Powder) and thinking my troubles were over. But, after taking it for a week or so, I woke one winter night in a panic thinking the house was on fire. It was not, but I had this odd smell of burning paper in my nose. Which followed me around for a few days until I stopped the Jade Windscreen.
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There are many ways to look at the state of acupuncture in America and the progress that has been made over the last twenty years. In this article I would like to discuss some of the really basic terms and concepts of Oriental medicine that, even after “all these years” of acupuncture in America, are still problematic. Looking critically and carefully at the past gives us many lessons for the present and future.
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The Ji Yin Gang Mu (Compendium of Benefits to Women, 1620, by Wu Zhi–Wang is a major TCM gynaecological text which contains gynaecological formulae arranged by disease category. It contains more than fifty formulas listed for these various conditions, as well as others that in the West might conceivably be thrown into the “post natal depression” basket, such as recurring hiccups or wandering pains. The commentaries included within the Ji Yin Gang Mu note that there are three major approaches to post-partum emotional disorders. One focuses on “bad blood” left over after the birth, which rushes to and disrupts the Heart shen. Another emphasises blood deficiency resulting from the birth process and its attendant traumas. The last points to pathogenic wind taking advantage of the blood deficiency to attack.
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I am offering this case study as encouragement for all in our profession as we proceed with often unheralded successes in areas where Western medicine has heroic, but sometimes less acceptable solutions. To quote one of "The Lantern" editors: “It is always important to remind everyone – ourselves included – what is possible with Chinese medicine.” I was privileged in this case to have the complete confidence of my patient and her faithful compliance with treatment, and especially fortunate to be provided with the report from a post-treatment Western medical screening, which substantiated the results.
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Most modern clinicians find that a majority of their patients suffer from the symptom complex generally referred to as “stress.” Emotional stress, however, is usually regarded as a confounding rather than a causative factor in pathophysiology. This assessment is contrary to the tenets of classical Chinese medicine, which originally regarded emotional imbalance as a spiritual affliction of primary significance.
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In Western medicine, there are three stages to a miscarriage or spontaneous abortion: 1) threatened miscarriage, 2) incomplete miscarriage, and 3) complete miscarriage. The most important rule to remember in treating threatened miscarriage with Chinese medicine is not to move the qi too forcefully or quicken the blood. Any medicinals with these functions will promote the likelihood of miscarriage.
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The ancient Greeks understood that important chemical changes took place during fermentation, calling it “alchemy.” As with dairy products, preservation of vegetables and fruits by the process of lacto-fermentation has many advantages beyond simply maintaining the edibility of fresh food. The increased vitamin and micronutrient levels in fermented foods are significant factors in the promotion of health.
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Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS) is reaching epidemic proportions within the population. As a disease entity, it has not been discussed in classical or modern TCM literature. In fact, taking a strictly classical Chinese medicine approach to LGS is often ineffective or only partially effective, because the disease is not addressed in all of its complexity. What modern event allowed Leaky Gut Syndrome to become a major cause of disease in modern society? Primarily it has been antibiotics, secondarily non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
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I have heard it said by several people that cancer patients should not receive acupuncture, as it can "spread the cancer". There is, as far as I can tell from a fairly extensive literature search, conversations with others, and many years of experience, absolutely no grounds for such an assertion. In my experience, cancer is far more likely to metastasise (spread) when the patient’s overall health deteriorates. If we can give regular, sustained, long term acupuncture, the effects are invariably positive.
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Historically, Chinese herbal medicine has been very effective against viral infections, even new strains. During the SARS outbreak in 2003, Chinese herbs were used to treat infected patients and protect the health care professionals from contracting the virus. A handful of Chinese herbs have been shown to have strong neuraminidase inhibitory effects, most notably, ku shen/sophora root and ban lan gen/isatis root . For these substances to be effective, it is important that they are administered at the right phase, with consideration to the patient’s pattern and in conjunction with other herbs in an appropriately matched formula.
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It is a common practitioner’s dilemma: many women show up in our clinics for fertility support, but getting male partners to come for treatment can be a challenge. The American Society of Reproductive Medicine reports that the male factor is responsible for one-third of fertility problems in this country, and male and female factors together are responsible for another third of fertility problems. 48% of miscarriages are thought to be due to abnormal sperm issues.
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