tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1250480 %ISSUE_DATE%T09:25:32-07:00 How-to's and tips for the professional. TypePad tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-32510 2012-01-01T12:00:32-07:00 2012-01-01T12:00:07-07:00

During a recent teaching trip around Europe, I stared transfixed as young women in Rome teetered and stumbled in their impossibly skinny high heels across cobblestones and broken sidewalks. Where the women saw "high fashion," I just saw potentially twisted and broken ankles, knee stiffness, lower back pain and postural distortions. When I complimented one woman who removed her shoes and padded along cobblestones barefoot, she smiled and said, "aaah, I'm Irish" as though that explained everything.

By Pamela Ellen Ferguson, Dipl. ABT (NCCAOM), AOBTA(R) and GSD-CI, LMT (TX) During a recent teaching trip around Europe, I stared transfixed as young women in Rome teetered and stumbled in their impossibly skinny high heels across cobblestones and broken sidewalks. Where the women saw "high fashion," I just saw potentially twisted and broken ankles, knee stiffness, lower back pain and postural distortions. When I complimented one woman who removed her shoes and padded along cobblestones barefoot, she smiled and said, "aaah, I'm Irish" as though that explained everything. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-32094 2009-12-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-12-01T12:00:07-07:00

The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon (Neijing) was compiled in 200 BC and is still considered the bible of Chinese medicine today. The Neijing discusses four major healing modalities: acupuncture, pharmacology (herbs), massage and qi gong. Qi gong was then called dao yin, which translates as "guiding and pulling" but is sometimes called "gymnastics" in translated texts. Early Chinese medicine and Daoist texts frequently grouped massage and qi gong together as the two most powerful methods of self-healing. Qi gong became an official part of Chinese court medicine by the Tang dynasty, and it is likely that massage therapists were already part of court medicine before that time.

By Suzanne Friedman, LAc The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon (Neijing) was compiled in 200 BC and is still considered the bible of Chinese medicine today. The Neijing discusses four major healing modalities: acupuncture, pharmacology (herbs), massage and qi gong. Qi gong was then called dao yin, which translates as "guiding and pulling" but is sometimes called "gymnastics" in translated texts. Early Chinese medicine and Daoist texts frequently grouped massage and qi gong together as the two most powerful methods of self-healing. Qi gong became an official part of Chinese court medicine by the Tang dynasty, and it is likely that massage therapists were already part of court medicine before that time. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-32047 2009-09-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-09-01T12:00:07-07:00

There are systems of facial reflexology that use the acupressure points to bring about healing and balance elsewhere in the body. In facelift massage work, we try to focus on the Chinese facial rejuvenation acupressure points.

By Rita Woods, LMT There are systems of facial reflexology that use the acupressure points to bring about healing and balance elsewhere in the body. In facelift massage work, we try to focus on the Chinese facial rejuvenation acupressure points. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31925 2009-04-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-04-01T12:00:07-07:00

One of the most intrigue puzzles in Chinese medicine is that nobody has yet found any trace of meridians, despite the incredible usefulness of meridians in diagnosis and treatment of diseases. We favor the explanation that meridians are made up of aligned stable water clusters that have an electric dipole moment, with a positive charge on one end and a negative charge on the other. Since these stable water clusters are made up of only water molecules, it is impossible to find them among ordinary water in the tissue.

By Yin Lo, PhD One of the most intrigue puzzles in Chinese medicine is that nobody has yet found any trace of meridians, despite the incredible usefulness of meridians in diagnosis and treatment of diseases. We favor the explanation that meridians are made up of aligned stable water clusters that have an electric dipole moment, with a positive charge on one end and a negative charge on the other. Since these stable water clusters are made up of only water molecules, it is impossible to find them among ordinary water in the tissue. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31921 2009-04-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-04-01T12:00:07-07:00

An ovarian cyst is an abnormal collection of fluid (clear or bloody) with a thin wall that can appear in or on an ovary.1 They range in size from 2 mm to greater than 10 cm; from the size of a pea to a cantaloupe. They are almost always benign, and most premenopausal women will develop them. Many cysts go away by themselves, or shrink and expand with the menstrual cycle. Fifteen percent of postmenopausal women will also develop them. Herbalists will see patients when they complain of pain or unusual bleeding.

By Jake Paul Fratkin, OMD, LAc An ovarian cyst is an abnormal collection of fluid (clear or bloody) with a thin wall that can appear in or on an ovary.1 They range in size from 2 mm to greater than 10 cm; from the size of a pea to a cantaloupe. They are almost always benign, and most premenopausal women will develop them. Many cysts go away by themselves, or shrink and expand with the menstrual cycle. Fifteen percent of postmenopausal women will also develop them. Herbalists will see patients when they complain of pain or unusual bleeding. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31918 2009-04-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-04-01T12:00:07-07:00

As a practicing acupuncturist, I find that I continually wonder how a few well-placed needles can have such transformative results in my patients. Over the past 10 years I have read explanations that vary from the vague and mystical idea that the needles move qi in the meridians to scientific explanations where the effects of acupuncture stimulus are explained entirely by its influence on the nervous system. I read all of these theories with interest, but somehow they do not quite explain the day-to- day changes that I see in my clinic. Most of these theories seem limited and tend to restrict or underestimate the diversity of healing responses that I see in my patients.

By David Milbradt, LAc As a practicing acupuncturist, I find that I continually wonder how a few well-placed needles can have such transformative results in my patients. Over the past 10 years I have read explanations that vary from the vague and mystical idea that the needles move qi in the meridians to scientific explanations where the effects of acupuncture stimulus are explained entirely by its influence on the nervous system. I read all of these theories with interest, but somehow they do not quite explain the day-to- day changes that I see in my clinic. Most of these theories seem limited and tend to restrict or underestimate the diversity of healing responses that I see in my patients. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31917 2009-04-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-04-01T12:00:07-07:00

Recently, I have received several requests for information on battlefield acupuncture. The term battlefield acupuncture was first used in 2001 by my friend and colleague Col. Richard Niemtzow MD, PhD, who serves as a consultant for complementary and alternative medicine to the Surgeon General of the Air Force. I have served with him on the Board of Directors of the Auriculotherapy Certification Institute.

By John Amaro, LAc, DC, Dipl. Ac.(NCCAOM), Dipl.Med.Ac.(IAMA) Recently, I have received several requests for information on battlefield acupuncture. The term battlefield acupuncture was first used in 2001 by my friend and colleague Col. Richard Niemtzow MD, PhD, who serves as a consultant for complementary and alternative medicine to the Surgeon General of the Air Force. I have served with him on the Board of Directors of the Auriculotherapy Certification Institute. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31908 2009-03-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-03-01T12:00:07-07:00

It has been very interesting for me as a practitioner of an alternative healing modality to have made this long pilgrimage to the East to present my facial acupuncture protocol at an international TCM symposium in Shanghai. Our medicine enjoys an enviable position at the pinnacle of the healing arts. Acupuncture and herbs are integrated with Western medicine in modern state-of-the-art facilities.

By Mary Elizabeth Wakefield, LAc, Dipl. Ac., MS, MM and MichelAngelo , MFA, CTM It has been very interesting for me as a practitioner of an alternative healing modality to have made this long pilgrimage to the East to present my facial acupuncture protocol at an international TCM symposium in Shanghai. Our medicine enjoys an enviable position at the pinnacle of the healing arts. Acupuncture and herbs are integrated with Western medicine in modern state-of-the-art facilities. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31907 2009-03-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-03-01T12:00:07-07:00

There has been a huge amount of recent research into the healing effects of light on our bodies. What once seemed like the practice of fringe healers is now firmly moving into mainstream medicine. Various forms of light therapies have been around since ancient times. There are accounts of healing temples from ancient Egypt and Greece. According to an article by Tama Day: "The Ancient Greeks were the first to document both the theory and practice of solar therapy. Heliopolis, the Greek city of the sun, was famous for its healing temples, in which sunlight was broken up into its spectral components (colors), and each component was used for a specific medical problem. Color, being a manifestation of light, held a therapeutic, as well as divine meaning for these historical cultures."

By Darren Starwynn, OMD, LAc There has been a huge amount of recent research into the healing effects of light on our bodies. What once seemed like the practice of fringe healers is now firmly moving into mainstream medicine. Various forms of light therapies have been around since ancient times. There are accounts of healing temples from ancient Egypt and Greece. According to an article by Tama Day: "The Ancient Greeks were the first to document both the theory and practice of solar therapy. Heliopolis, the Greek city of the sun, was famous for its healing temples, in which sunlight was broken up into its spectral components (colors), and each component was used for a specific medical problem. Color, being a manifestation of light, held a therapeutic, as well as divine meaning for these historical cultures." tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31898 2009-03-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-03-01T12:00:07-07:00

Karen and Josh wanted me to help them fix their relationship. According to Josh, she was too domineering, controlling and bossy. Her reply: "Well, I wouldn't need to be if you would just pull your own weight around the house. You leave everything up to me and then get upset if I am not cheerful when I try to get it all done." "What are you talking about?" he bellowed. "You are such a control freak. I don't get to contribute to anything in our lives unless it is on your terms."

By Felice Dunas, PhD Karen and Josh wanted me to help them fix their relationship. According to Josh, she was too domineering, controlling and bossy. Her reply: "Well, I wouldn't need to be if you would just pull your own weight around the house. You leave everything up to me and then get upset if I am not cheerful when I try to get it all done." "What are you talking about?" he bellowed. "You are such a control freak. I don't get to contribute to anything in our lives unless it is on your terms." tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31895 2009-03-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-03-01T12:00:07-07:00

Tension headaches, which have been described as a dull pain, almost as if there was a tight band around the head, are one of the most common forms of headaches. Individual studies have shown promising results for the use of acupuncture to treat this type of headache, but a 2001 meta-analysis that combined the results from 26 individual studies, six of which focused on tension headache, found, "The quality and amount of evidence are not fully convincing." The authors of this study added, "There is an urgent need for well-planned, large-scale studies to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture under real-life conditions." Now, an updated meta-analysis has found that the evidence for acupuncture in treating tension headaches is indeed convincing.

By Editorial Staff Tension headaches, which have been described as a dull pain, almost as if there was a tight band around the head, are one of the most common forms of headaches. Individual studies have shown promising results for the use of acupuncture to treat this type of headache, but a 2001 meta-analysis that combined the results from 26 individual studies, six of which focused on tension headache, found, "The quality and amount of evidence are not fully convincing." The authors of this study added, "There is an urgent need for well-planned, large-scale studies to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture under real-life conditions." Now, an updated meta-analysis has found that the evidence for acupuncture in treating tension headaches is indeed convincing. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31891 2009-02-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-02-01T12:00:07-07:00

By John Chen, PhD, PharmD, OMD, LAc tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31889 2009-02-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-02-01T12:00:07-07:00

By Steven Alpern, LAc tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31888 2009-02-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-02-01T12:00:07-07:00

By Craig Williams, LAc, AHG tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31878 2009-01-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-01-01T12:00:07-07:00

By Andrew Rader, LAc, MS tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31869 2009-01-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-01-01T12:00:07-07:00

By Tina Beychok, Associate Editor tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31861 2008-12-01T12:00:32-07:00 2008-12-01T12:00:07-07:00

By Gregory Ross, LAc tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31845 2008-11-01T12:00:32-07:00 2008-11-01T12:00:07-07:00

By Mary Elizabeth Wakefield, LAc, Dipl. Ac., MS, MM and Susan Russell, PhD, LAc, Dipl. Ac. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31842 2008-11-01T12:00:32-07:00 2008-11-01T12:00:07-07:00

By Craig Williams, LAc, AHG tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31838 2008-11-01T12:00:32-07:00 2008-11-01T12:00:07-07:00

By Yin Lo, PhD tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31828 2008-10-01T12:00:32-07:00 2008-10-01T12:00:07-07:00

By Gregory Ross, LAc tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31814 2008-10-01T12:00:32-07:00 2008-10-01T12:00:07-07:00

By Editorial Staff tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31813 2008-10-01T12:00:32-07:00 2008-10-01T12:00:07-07:00

By Tina Beychok, Associate Editor tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31800 2008-09-01T12:00:32-07:00 2008-09-01T12:00:07-07:00

By Neil Gumenick, MAc (UK), LAc, Dipl. Ac tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31791 2008-08-01T12:00:32-07:00 2008-08-01T12:00:07-07:00

By Ronda Wimmer, PhD, MS, LAc, ATC, CSCS, CSMS, SPS tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31786 2008-08-01T12:00:32-07:00 2008-08-01T12:00:07-07:00

By Yin Lo, PhD tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31775 2008-08-01T12:00:32-07:00 2008-08-01T12:00:07-07:00

By Editorial Staff tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31764 2008-07-01T12:00:32-07:00 2008-07-01T12:00:07-07:00

By Andrew Rader, LAc, MS tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31759 2008-07-01T12:00:32-07:00 2008-07-01T12:00:07-07:00

By Darren Starwynn, OMD, LAc tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31732 2008-05-01T12:00:32-07:00 2008-05-01T12:00:07-07:00

By Randal Lyons, AP, LAc, DOM