Lili Tom is a dual-licensed family nurse practitioner (Kaiser Permanente, Berkeley, Calif.) and acupuncturist, grounded in both allopathic and traditional Chinese medicine. Special populations include LGBTQ, survivors of trauma, and marginalized communities. Areas of interest range from medicine in austere conditions to somatic therapy, intersectionality and self-care. She received her Master or Science in Oriental Medicine (2005) and Doctorate of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (2023) from Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College.
One of the longest nerves in the body is known as the vagus nerve (VN). The VN is the 10th pair of cranial nerves that originates at the brain stem in the medulla oblongata. This nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is a part of the ANS. Research suggests ear acupuncture can activate the VN.
Migraines are unilateral, throbbing headaches, often with concurrent nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia. Approximately 10% of the global population suffers from migraines, with women more than three times as likely as men to experience them. Medication remains a mainstay treatment option, making nondrug alternatives critical to safer practices. New research suggests auricular acupuncture may be one such alternative.
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How much training in gua sha did you get in acupuncture school? If it was not much more than an introduction, now is the time to revisit this powerful healing modality. I’ve found gua sha to be one of my go-to skills to address myofascial dysfunction, all sorts of pain, limited range of motion, and even to promote general well-being. Let’s discuss the keys to effective gua sha treatment, which I hope will get more acupuncturists using it in the clinic.