Thea Elijah has been a practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine for more than 20 years. She is the former Director of the Chinese Herbal Studies Program at TAI SOPHIA and at the Academy for Five Element Acupuncture. She has studied with Ted Kaptchuk, Leon Hammer, and Lonny Jarrett. (Note her herbal article in Lonny Jarrett’s book, The Clinical Practice of Chinese Medicine.) Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee and J.R. Worsley have been equally influential in shaping her understanding of the depth of Chinese medicine. She lives in Vermont with her family, and teaches widely. For more of her articles, audio and teaching schedule: www.perennialmedicine.com.
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.
In prior issues, Neil discussed the Gallbladder Official as a whole (March 20 including points 17 and 24); points 37-41 (June 2013); points 1, 16, and 20 (May 2021); and points 2-3, 8-9, and 12-13 (April 2024). This article focuses on GB points 7, 10, 14-15, 18-19, 21, and 23.
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of pain and disability, often managed with pharmacological and surgical interventions. However, acupuncture has long been used as a non-invasive treatment for knee pain, and recent research provides new insights into its underlying mechanisms.
