Constance Scharff, PhD

Constance Scharff has a PhD in transformative studies from the California Institute of Integral Studies. The focus of her research is on the spiritual and transformative experiences of alcoholics and addicts. She can be reached at cscharff@sbcglobal.net.

Previous Articles

From a Patient's Perspective: Creating Trusting Practitioner Patient Relationships
September 2011 (Vol. 12, Issue 09)
From a Patient's Perspective: Herbs Work Better When You Take Them
April 2011 (Vol. 12, Issue 04)
The Key to Treating Suicidal Patients
February 2011 (Vol. 12, Issue 02)
When You Love Your Acupuncturist
October 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 10)
The TCM Vs. Five-Element Acupuncture Divide
July 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 07)
Patient Noncompliance
April 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 04)
Treatment Away from Home
January 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 01)
From a Patient's Perspective: Touching the Patient
October 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 10)
From a Patient's Perspective: Half-Truths, Omissions and Lies
September 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 09)
From a Patient's Perspective: Creating Rapport
August 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 08)
From an Acupuncture Patient's Perspective, Part I
July 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 07)
Trending
Diagnosis
That Nagging Qi Stagnation Between the Shoulder Blades (Pt. 2)
That Nagging Qi Stagnation Between the Shoulder Blades

After a thorough examination to rule out the cervical and thoracic spine, what you have left is sharp, localized qi stagnation of the soft tissues causing the “rhomboid pain.” If it’s not the C or T spine causing the problem, then what could be causing this tissue issue? It can be a bunch of different reasons such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, poor posture, muscle imbalances, trauma, deconditioning, overuse, etc.

Christopher Chapleau, DAc, LAc, Dipl. Ac., AIT, IMT, MSHP, CES, HMS
Herbal Medicine
TCM for GERD, Gluten Intolerance
TCM for GERD, Gluten Intolerance

The patterns expressed under the umbrella of a GERD diagnosis typically include various combinations of liver qi stagnation (potentially with depressive heat), spleen qi deficiency, rebellious stomach qi, stomach fire, food stagnation, and stomach yin deficiency. In long-term cases of GERD, it is not uncommon for three to four patterns to overlap at the same time.

Craig Williams, LAc, AHG
Your Practice / Business
The Benefits of Building a Referral Culture in Acupuncture
The Benefits of Building a Referral Culture in Acupuncture

As licensed acupuncturists with the ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat using a variety of modalities, including herbal medicine, we are entrusted with a high level of clinical responsibility. Yet in an age of professional forums, online groups and social media communities, there is a growing trend of practitioners asking for case-specific treatment advice instead of referring the patient in question to a trusted colleague.

Shabnam Pourhassani, LAc, QME, DACM