Trivia Tuesday: An Encyclopedic Brain

Did you know . . .The human brain cell can hold five times as much information as the Encyclopaedia Britannica!

How amazing is that. That's not even the entire brain, but just one single brain cell! Just think of all that we could accomplish if we could tap into that potential.

Well, we can. The key to doing so is meditation. In deep meditation you can gain access to a vast amount of information from the universe within you, as well as the universe around you.

Why not host an In-Home Meditation Retreat for you and your friends, and see just how deep you can get!

Online Resources for Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

For this weeks blog I thought I would do something a little different. Rather than discussing a particular concept, I thought I would provide some resources for you to find out more info when you need it. I am often asked by my clients where they can find more information about herbal formulas, Chinese Medicine, Licensing, and practitioners in their area. Below I have provided some links to a variety of online resources relating to Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for you to explore on your own. Enjoy, and as always Ancient Ways Healing is here should you have any questions or comments.

Find a Practitioner:
For Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in San Diego, Ancient Ways Healing should be your go to spot. If you live somewhere else though and you need to find yourself an acupuncturist, try the following sites:

-Acufinder: The largest and most comprehensive acupuncture directory online. A variety of search options will help you find the right practitioner for you.

-TCM Directory: Acupuncture directory and social networking all in one. try it for yourself and see.

TCM Schools:
Are you interested in becoming a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine? The following links can help you find the school that is right for you:

-Pacific College of Oriental Medicine: As a graduate of PCOM in San Diego, I highly recommend this school. The program is extremely comprehensive and well rounded. Locations in San Diego, Chicago, and New York.

-Acufinder School Search: To find a school in your area, Acufinder has set up a list of schools organized by state.

Licensing Info:
Curious about what it takes to become licensed in your state? The following links will give you more info about all of the various licensing requirements in order to practice as an Acupuncturist:

-CA Acupuncture Board: In CA, this is the licensing board in charge of testing and licensing in order to become an L.Ac, Licensed Acupuncturist.

-NCCAOM: The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Licensing regulations in each state is slightly different. Some states, like CA, require their own exam and license, while others accept the national exam and license. This is where the NCCAOM comes in. In order to become nationally licensed as a Dipl. OM, or Diplomat of Oriental Medicine, one must take and pass the national licensing exam.

Science and Studies:
People often ask about the "science" and "proof" behind Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. The following links should shed some light on these questions and offer "proof" of the validity of this medicine for those of you that are interested.

-World Health Organization: A link to a report on clinical trials conducted by the WHO and their results. This page lists the hundreds of conditions in which Acupuncture has been proven effective from a Western scientific point of view.

-The Journal of Chinese Medicine: The "foremost English language journal" on all things relating to Chinese Medicine from theory and philosophy to the latest cutting edge research. A phenomenal publication and website.

-Acupuncture Today: News, articles, and information related to Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

-NAJOM: The North American Journal of Oriental Medicine. According to their site,
"NAJOM was founded for the promotion and development of the Japanese approaches to Oriental medicine in North America."

Fun:
They say that laughter is the best medicine, so take a look at these acupuncture related cartoons and videos to put a smile on your face:

-Off the Mark: Wooly Mamoths, Porcupines, and Geppetto. Enough said.

-Acupuncture Comics: A handful of funny acupuncture related comics to make you chuckle.

-Acupuncture Cartoon: A silly cartoon discussion that sets the record straight.

CCSVI and TCM

First and foremost, a very happy 2012 to you! 2012 aims to be a great year full of exciting changes and transformation. With this is mind, I thought I would start the year with part 2 in my blog series about MS and CCSVI from a TCM perspective. After all, transformation and change are both types of movement, or in other words, kinds of flow. And it is flow, or lack there of, that this blog is all about.

Part 2:

            In this part of our series, we will look at CCSVI from a TCM perspective.

            What is CCSVI you may be wondering? CCSVI, or Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency, is a condition of obstructed blood flow in the veins that drain the central nervous system (the brain and spinal chord). Click Here for more info.

            From a TCM perspective, CCSVI would fall into the category of Blood Stagnation (Xue Yu). According to TCM theory, Blood Stagnation is a condition in which the Blood is unable to move freely and in a sense becomes "stuck." It is obvious from comparing these definitions that in essence we are talking about the very same thing.

            Now that we understand what Blood Stagnation is, the next question becomes, what causes Blood Stagnation? As with all things TCM, there is no one size fits all answer. We can, however, break the answer down into 5 main causes: Qi Stagnation, Qi Vacuity, Blood Cold, Blood Heat, and Trauma.

1.    Qi Stagnation refers to the idea that the Qi, or vital energy, in our body is not moving freely, and becomes stagnant. This can be caused by a variety of reasons from emotional stress, to diet, lifestyle, and more. In TCM theory it is understood that the "Qi moves the Blood." So naturally, if the Qi is not flowing correctly, the Blood will not flow correctly either.

2.    Qi Vacuity refers to a relative deficiency of Qi in the body. Again the causes are numerous, but the main point is that when Qi is insufficient, there is not enough "energy" to properly move the Blood, and once again Stagnation occurs.

3.     Blood Cold refers to the idea that the body is lacking sufficient warmth, and therefore there is a relative excess of Cold in the system. This Cold tends to slow down the Blood and cause stagnation, much like a frozen river no longer flows.

4.    Blood Heat, in turn, is the exact opposite.  While warmth is necessary in order for the Blood to flow smoothly, too much Heat in the body can actually congeal and thicken the Blood and cause stagnation, much like a chef will cook down a sauce until it is sufficiently thickened.

5.    Lastly, we get to Trauma. If you have ever had a bruise, and who hasn't, then you have seen and experienced Blood Stagnation as a result of trauma first hand. A bruise is a perfect example of Blood that has stagnated in a particular area and is no longer moving correctly.

           

            Now that we know what Blood Stagnation is, and how it can be caused, the final question becomes, how can we treat it? Fortunately, there are a variety of ways that Blood Stagnation can be treated depending on its severity, its cause, and its location. Two of the main treatment methods to deal with Blood Stagnation involve Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. Acupuncture can be very effective in treating less severe, acute, and local forms of Blood Stagnation, while Herbal Medicine tends to be more effective at treating more severe, chronic, systemic cases. In fact, there is an entire category of Herbal Medicine dedicated to "moving the Blood" and eliminating Blood Stagnation. As always though, it is important to consult with a qualified practitioner before you decide to start taking any herbal medicines, whether Chinese or other. Just because an herb is good for your friend, it may not be good for you, and vice versa.

            With that being said, Ancient Ways Healing is here to help you determine exactly what kinds of treatment would be best for you. Whether Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Qi Gong, Meditation, or a combination of these services, Ancient Ways Healing can help you " Find your Balance through Ancient Ways in Modern Days" and let 2012 be a year of great great change, transformation, and flow.

To schedule an appointment or find out more, call us today at (858) 255-1836 or visit us at Ancient Ways Healing.

Please note: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose or treat any illness or disease. TCM services should only be provided by licensed practitioners and should never be attempted without the proper training and certification.

Multiple Sclerosis and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Recently, I have had the honor and privilege of being asked to sit on the Science Board of the Hubbard Foundation, a non-profit foundation dedicated to researching the causes of, and treatments for, Multiple Sclerosis.

With that in mind, I present to you the 1^st in a 3 part series on the Traditional Chinese Medical view of MS, CCSVI (Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency), and their treatments. Part 1 will cover MS, part 2 will cover CCSVI, and part 3 will cover the use of the Chinese herb Dong Chong Xia Cao(Cordyceps) as the basis for a new Oral MS treatment.

Part 1:

First and foremost I should say that in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), MS does not exist. A little explanation of that statement is surely warranted. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, unlike in traditional allopathic medicine, we do not treat diseases, but rather categories of disease and patterns of disharmony. Knowing this, MS can be placed into the category of disease known as Wei Zheng, or “wilting condition,” based on the effects it has on the body. Furthermore, many of the symptoms of MS can be further divided into their own disease categories including Ma Mu(numbness and tingling), Xuan Yun(dizziness), and Ban Shen Bu Sui(hemiplegia), just to name a few.

These various disease categories are caused by different patterns of disharmony in the body, and the very same symptoms can be caused by very different patterns. What this means is that no two patients are exactly alike in terms of what is causing their imbalances, and how they should be treated. This is an area where TCM and Western medicine differ greatly. Although each patient is unique, there are 6 main patterns that are most often the underlying cause of imbalance in MS patients.

These patterns are as follows: Internal Phlegm Heat, Damp Heat Damaging the Sinews, Blood Deficiency causing Internal Wind, Liver Blood and Kidney Yin Deficiency, Qi and Yin Deficiency, and Kidney Yang Deficiency.

While it is beyond the scope of this blog to go into detail about the specific signs and symptoms of each of these patterns, the main point to take away is that each person with MS presents with a unique combination of these disharmonies at work. Because of this, there is no “one size fits all” treatment strategy from a TCM perspective. However, a variety of herbal formulas as well as dietary and lifestyle changes, along with consistent acupuncture sessions can be extremely effective in addressing these imbalances and restoring harmony to the system.

For more details about each of these patterns and their associated signs and symptoms, the following book can be consulted: The Treatment of Modern Western Medical Diseases with Chinese Medicine by Bob Flaws and Philippe Sionneau, and published by Blue Poppy Press.

To schedule an appointment at Ancient Ways Healing and discover what imbalances may be at work within your system, and how to correct them, call (858) 255-1836.

Please note: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose or treat any illness or disease. TCM services should only be provided by licensed practitioners and should never be attempted without the proper training and certification.

Beating Cold and Flu Season, the Ancient Way

As the warmth and sunshine of the Summer slowly fade into the background, Winter, and along with it, cold and flu season rapidly approaches. One of the most obvious signs of this change, besides the weather, are the commercials and advertisements for Flu Shots. The question becomes, “Do I need one?” From a Traditional Chinese Medical perspective, the answer is no, and here’s why:

   Chinese medicine believes that a person catches a cold or flu when their defensive energy, or Wei Qi (pronounced “way chee”), is weak. This weakness allows the pathogens of a cold or flu to enter into the body and create the unpleasant symptoms we are all familiar with. On the other hand, if a person’s Wei Qi is strong, then no matter how hard the cold and flu tries, it will not be able to enter into the body and cause dis-ease.

   If you think about it, you probably know someone who seems to catch colds all the time, and also someone who never gets them. Both of these people are exposed to the same conditions, the same pathogens, yet one gets sick and the other doesn’t. The reason is Wei Qi. The person who gets sick all the time most likely has very weak Wei Qi, while the one who never gets sick has very strong Wei Qi.

   So, how does one maintain strong Wei Qi in order to beat cold and flu season? With Ancient Ways of course! At Ancient Ways Healing, we have a variety of services with which to help you build your Wei Qi, and fend of any incoming colds or flus.

   Herbal Medicine: At Ancient Ways healing we have both single herbs, as well as herbal formulas designed to strengthen the Wei Qi and keep colds and flus away.

   Qi Gong: Certain breathing techniques and exercises are designed specifically to strengthen the Wei Qi and keep the body strong.

   Cupping: Cupping is another great way to strengthen the Wei Qi. It is also particularly useful in the beginning stages of a cold or flu as the process of cupping actually draws the pathogens out of the body, thus preventing the cold or flu from going deeper and getting worse.

   Acupuncture and Moxa: Both Acupuncture and Moxa are great ways in which to strengthen the Wei Qi and fend off any incoming colds or flus. When used in combination, they are even more powerful.

   These are just some of the many modalities available to you at Ancient Ways Healing to help you stay strong and beat cold and flu season, so call today, and get your Wei Qi working for you!