FM begins often following an infectious, or other medical disease, which can lead to retained pathogenic factors. It may also result from trauma, blood loss, chronic stress or chronic diseases. Stress, trauma and retained pathogenic factors result in obstruction and often also, secondary unstable Yang (Yin-Fire, Empty-Heat, Wind etc.) which can manifests as facilitated sympathetic nervous system and may depress..
When clinical research studies are undertaken it is important to know why the studies were done and for whom. Sometimes the reasons and target audience for a study become confused as researchers try to answer different questions for different reasons in the same study. Additionally, in acupuncture trials there have been calls for many years to ensure that the tested treatment is valid and that an appropriate control…
The concept of acupuncture points in Japan is unique. This is due in part to the history of setting aside the concept of meridians and treating points in their own right. In Japan active points are commonly called tsubo and these active points, rather than being fixed in location, are moveable changeable phenomena. As living phenomena, the active points in our body are in a constant state of flux so naturally their locations differs from person to person. Active points, or tsubo, are most often regarded as being tight or tender points. Many other “differences” are associated with active points, however…
Is there any proof that acupuncture improves fertility? Savvy patients and evidence-seeking western medical professionals will undoubtedly ask this question of any acupuncturist specializing in fertility treatment. When answering the question, what research studies should be cited? Should the research be applied to practice – and in what way? While the body of western-styled evidence is quite small…
The simplest means of assessing the presence of a cervical component in your patient is by performing a palpatory exam of the cervical and upper thoracic spine. When doing so, you most often encounter an ipsilateral muscular guarding in the segments just inferior to the segment of injury and a bilateral muscular restrictive process in the T4…
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…
Dong acupuncture theory maintains that it is unnecessary to needle along a specific meridian to affect its qi. Rather, in needling between channels, both meridians join forces in response to local stimulation. As such, points may be located along one of the twelve regular meridians, along the ren and du channels, or between any of these channels. The same theory applies to point selection along a channel; needling between acupoints will draw from the action of both surrounding points…
During a 24 hour-period, qi circulates through the meridian system in such a way that it peaks in each meridian in 2-hours time increments, then moves on to peak the function of the next meridian. Throughout the diurnal cycle, taking 24 hours to complete one full cycle through the 12 meridians, when the qi is in a certain meridian we say that the meridian is at its energetic peak. This 2-hour peak period is called the horary period…
The meridian system is an invitation to meditate on the nature of our lives in human form. The characters Jing Mai, as that system is called in Chinese, imply that. Jing is normally translated as a meridian, but it also means a sutra, or canonized classic as in Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor Inner Classic) or Xin Jing (Heart Sutra). The character implies an organized, systematized network, like the threads of silk…The character Mai means pulsation, or something that flows/pulsates in the body. We can say that the Jing Mai are the Sutra(s) on life’s pulsation, or life’s animation, and are thus an invitation to look deeply at life…
PCOS generally derives from a deficiency of Kidney Yang and Spleen Qi, in its inability to transform, transport and evaporate fluids in the lower burner. The accumulation of water in the pelvic cavity enlarges the ovaries, leading to phlegm damp and/or blood stagnation which manifests as abdominal masses. TCM seeks to readdress…
