Plantar Fasciitis Acupuncture Treatment of Heel Pain

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, and occurs in all types of athletic and active individuals. However, simply walking and standing on a hard surface may also cause symptoms. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation and irritation of the plantar fascia, the connective tissue that supports the arch. Some orthopedic texts suggest the possibility of micro-tears in the fascia at or near its attachment to the calcaneus.....Shimian M-LE-5 as the “target” zone for local treatment. This point is located on the centre of the heel in the region of the attachment of the plantar fascia to the calcaneus.  Read more...

 

Expressions of the Heart

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).   Read more...

 

High Fever and Antibiotics

This article is a case record from Jason Blalack's clinical practice in Boulder, Colorado that highlights the strength of Chinese medicine’s treatment for common colds and flu. It also illustrates a problem with the health-care system in the U.S. and hopefully will spark a deeper much needed dialogue between Western and Chinese medicine.  Read more...

 

A Journey into Gentle and Simple

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.  Read more...

 

Fibromyalgia

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.   Read more...

 

2013 Year of the Water Snake

According to Chinese astrology, it is useful in any year to keep in mind the strengths and weaknesses of the animal of the year - to accentuate the strengths, and bring awareness to the potential pitfalls in order to avoid them. In the water snake year it is advised to plan things well beforehand with care and caution, to evaluate situations adequately before taking action, and to keep the lines of communication open thus avoiding surprises and misunderstandings.   Read more...

 

Discussion of Huang Qin (Scuttellaria baicalensis)

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.  Read more...

 

Reflections on the German Acupuncture Studies

Many thanks to Stephen Birch and The Journal of Chinese Medicine. This article, first published in The Journal of Chinese Medicine, issue 83 February 2007, is reprinted by kind permission of his publishers.  Read more...