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To paraphrase the Tao de Jing; a bowl is useful because of the empty space. Recent anatomical research uncovered evidence for previously undescribed large-scale pathways that span organs, blood vessels and other connective tissue. These pathways are defined by what is known as the interstitial space between cells. The newer…

Primary hypertension is defined as elevated blood pressure readings consistently exceeding 140/90 with no known causative conditions or factors. Presently, there are four categories of medications designed to treat hypertensive disorders from a conventional model. Recently, research has shown how several different nutrients share the properties and modes of action…

Arthritis literally means “joint inflammation.” Any movable joint in the body can be affected. The common syndrome between them is blood stagnation – sharp pain in a fixed site. Heat excess (inflammation) may or may not be a significant symptom. Most cases of chronic arthritis fall into one of two…

As we move into the Year of the Snake, let’s embrace the snake’s deep-thinking nature and ask ourselves four important questions, all of which relate to a single journey: advocating for our medicine by educating others about its value. Now is the time for all acupuncturists to come together to…

Fatigue is among the most frequent concerns reported by patients, often linked to deficiencies in nutrients like vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, or essential minerals such as iron, magnesium, and potassium. However, one of the most overlooked contributors to chronic fatigue is mitochondrial health.

John

What’s the single most important thing to ensure your patient gets better? The key is patient education and scheduling appropriately. But how do you do that in a clinically relevant way that is representative of a medical professional? The answer lies in the most fundamental aspect of our intakes: OPQRST(L).

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…

It’s hard to say why qigong tends to have such a low profile, even among acupuncturists, although I can suggest a few possible reasons. Beginners quite commonly report feelings of frustration and discomfort when asked to stand silently or perform movements coordinated with deep, slow breathing. It is also true…

When an insurance plan allows 24 acupuncture visits per year, does this allow the patient to use 24 visits automatically? This is an often-confusing statement from an insurance plan and in terms of how it is interpreted by the patient. They see they get a set number of visits and…

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…

A herniated disc in the lumbar (lower) spine is the most common cause of chronic sciatica, a condition in which back pain extends down the leg. The affected nerve is the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down the back of the legs and is the largest nerve…

Oksana

Traditional Chinese medicine and the Vedic traditions both offer rich frameworks for understanding human health, emphasizing the balance of physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. The concept of “souls” or spiritual components in TCM, namely Hun, Po, Shen, Yi, and Zhi, bears significant similarities to the yogic concept of koshas. Their…

Think of your most difficult patient – the one you try to motivate and work so hard with to develop a realistic treatment plan with achievable and measurable goals. Week after week, you see this patient struggle, sinking deeper into hopelessness as their health and quality of life continue to…

When a new 61-year-old female patient told me 10 years ago that her primary care physician referred her to me for treatment of her neuropathic pain in her legs due to her diabetes and feet, I was puzzled. I asked the patient to show me her feet. While the patient…

How often do you see a patient with that allusive pain between the shoulder blades with the catch-all name “rhomboid pain”? That nagging ache or stabbing, knife-like pain that when once activated, likes to be persistent and hang around for a while, disturbing sleep and disrupting pretty much everything. I…

In my previous article, I discussed the importance of goal setting and understanding patient expectations during the intake process. In this follow-up, let’s explore the practical aspects of creating a treatment plan, managing patient expectations over time, and the critical role of documentation in ensuring successful outcomes

Laser therapy has emerged as a powerful tool in the realm of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This new modality fits beautifully into the toolbox of the modern acupuncturist, as it can be used as a hybrid form of stimulation to acupuncture points, meridians, organs, nerves, and symptomatic areas in a…