tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1250480 %ISSUE_DATE%T09:25:32-07:00 Opinion, research and treatment methods. TypePad tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-32308 2010-11-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-11-01T12:00:07-07:00

In Western medicine, there is a lab test called the blood sedimentation rate (BSR) that measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a test tube in one hour. The more cells that fall to the bottom, the higher the sed rate. When inflammation is present, certain proteins cause the red blood cells to clump together and descend more rapidly than normal. These proteins are created by the liver and the immune system in response to certain types of infection, autoimmune diseases and cancer.

By Wendy A. Williams, LAc, Dipl. Ac. In Western medicine, there is a lab test called the blood sedimentation rate (BSR) that measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a test tube in one hour. The more cells that fall to the bottom, the higher the sed rate. When inflammation is present, certain proteins cause the red blood cells to clump together and descend more rapidly than normal. These proteins are created by the liver and the immune system in response to certain types of infection, autoimmune diseases and cancer. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-32305 2010-11-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-11-01T12:00:07-07:00

The Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic (CMCC), located in Oakland, Calif, opened its doors in 1991 offering free state-of-the-art complementary medicine services to uninsured or under-insured women with cancer. Founders were guided by the belief that everyone should have access to the full range of evidence-based treatments, programs and resources that could potentially benefit those diagnosed with cancer. Furthermore, they were committed to providing education so that women could make informed choices about their health care and their lives. CMCC's vision of health care was based on ensuring equal access as a matter of social justice.

By Kristen Porter, MAc, LAc and Beth Sommers, PhD, MPH, LAc The Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic (CMCC), located in Oakland, Calif, opened its doors in 1991 offering free state-of-the-art complementary medicine services to uninsured or under-insured women with cancer. Founders were guided by the belief that everyone should have access to the full range of evidence-based treatments, programs and resources that could potentially benefit those diagnosed with cancer. Furthermore, they were committed to providing education so that women could make informed choices about their health care and their lives. CMCC's vision of health care was based on ensuring equal access as a matter of social justice. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-32239 2010-07-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-07-01T12:00:07-07:00

Q: Why is it that many patients with pain don't respond to skilled treatments? A: The body is a very sensitive electrical entity that operates in accordance with the subtle energy fields of the earth. Pain is a cry for help when physical, energetic or emotional blockages are restricting the flow of energy and blood circulation. For most patients, acupuncture, energy stimulation, exercise and bodywork can promote better circulation of qi and blood to relieve pain and help them to feel better. When patients do not respond it is usually due to a combination of lack of proper diagnosis and therapy and deep life lessons that have not been completed yet.

By Darren Starwynn, OMD, LAc Q: Why is it that many patients with pain don't respond to skilled treatments? A: The body is a very sensitive electrical entity that operates in accordance with the subtle energy fields of the earth. Pain is a cry for help when physical, energetic or emotional blockages are restricting the flow of energy and blood circulation. For most patients, acupuncture, energy stimulation, exercise and bodywork can promote better circulation of qi and blood to relieve pain and help them to feel better. When patients do not respond it is usually due to a combination of lack of proper diagnosis and therapy and deep life lessons that have not been completed yet. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-32237 2010-07-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-07-01T12:00:07-07:00

As the health care debate rages on, so much of it hinges on the diagnosis of "chronic" illness. The label, the stigma and the prophesy it foretells can often cause more problems that whatever was being diagnosed. Attention shifts the present uncomfortableness to a future of doom. While we would all agree about getting the care to the people that need it, we might also ask ourselves if the label of "chronic" is really appropriate to begin with.

By James Rohr, DOM As the health care debate rages on, so much of it hinges on the diagnosis of "chronic" illness. The label, the stigma and the prophesy it foretells can often cause more problems that whatever was being diagnosed. Attention shifts the present uncomfortableness to a future of doom. While we would all agree about getting the care to the people that need it, we might also ask ourselves if the label of "chronic" is really appropriate to begin with. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-31947 2009-05-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-05-01T12:00:07-07:00

In my last two articles, I briefly explored the ideas of the TCM pathology of blood stasis in light of modern research concerning chronic degenerative joint disease. In this final installment, I will focus on the contributing factor of phlegm in chronic degenerative joint disease, explore the important complication of blood stasis combined with phlegm, and discuss ways to integrate Western supplements into TCM protocols to improve therapeutic outcomes for patients suffering with chronic, degenerative joint issues.

By Craig Williams, LAc, AHG In my last two articles, I briefly explored the ideas of the TCM pathology of blood stasis in light of modern research concerning chronic degenerative joint disease. In this final installment, I will focus on the contributing factor of phlegm in chronic degenerative joint disease, explore the important complication of blood stasis combined with phlegm, and discuss ways to integrate Western supplements into TCM protocols to improve therapeutic outcomes for patients suffering with chronic, degenerative joint issues.