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In my last article, I discussed the use of Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang and Guan Xin Er Hao Feng in cardiovascular disease. In this article, I would like to continue this discussion by presenting two case studies. Both cases involve non-threatening cardiovascular disease presentations which were not resolved by…

I first met Tom Diferdinando 12 years ago when we were working behind the scenes at the Woodstock ‘98 concert. It was, hands-down, one of the highlights of my life as a bodyworker. One of the reasons for this was witnessing Tom’s work. While most of us were pleasantly distracted…

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…

Acupuncture is no different than placebo. The refrain is repeated over and over. For me, the question begins with: How do you know you achieved placebo? Were the results such that they could lower cost of care? Here is an example of policy development even with studies that show no…

In a way, the word “anti-aging” seems inappropriate. The process through which we are living is aging, not anti -aging. We are getting older; we are finite. However, anti-aging medicine is quite a large movement. One reason for the growth in the anti-aging business is that life span has increased.…

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, autism affects one in 110 kids. Autism is officially called autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and is classified as a neurodevelopmental behavior disorder. The origin of the disorder mainly resides in the brain. A small minority of experts, however, argue that ASD…

The dictionary defines deviate as “to turn aside from a course.” I think that definition fits what I want to write about perfectly. It is exactly what I want you to do. I want you to turn aside from a course. The one that will take you down a route…

Charles Dickens’ opening line to A Tale Of Two Cities is still accurate: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Some of us are living and breathing the best. We are witnessing the expansion of our practices and our profession. Acupuncture is increasingly in the…

Hyperthyroidism is an endocrine disorder that is characterized by an overactive thyroid gland with increased levels in secretion and circulation of the thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland is located in the neck and has an enormous impact on health and well-being. It secretes the thyroid hormone, which in turn regulates…

I recently had to appear before the Industrial Accident Board to describe my care of a patient. He had suffered a well-documented injury, and all the data supported a chronic diagnosis. The opposing counsel even presented information that the patient had already been deemed permanently disabled. I was asked to…

Acupuncture has shown an incalculable number of developments, styles, and approaches. There are estimated to be in excess of 300 styles of acupuncture practiced around the world today. Today, the acupuncture profession in America and Europe is being directly challenged by the scientific community and a therapy known as “dry…

Chinese Vice Minister of Health Dr. Guoqian Wang and a six-person delegation arrived in the U.S. on June 6 to embark on a four-day visit that included San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington D.C. The purpose of the trip was to meet with local Oriental medicine groups and practitioners, exchange…

I have been a practitioner of acupuncture and TCM for more than 22 years and have needled thousands of patients during this time. In addition to being a practitioner, I also design, import and distribute acupuncture needles throughout North America. I make it my business to know everything there is…

Hardly a month goes by that a current or prospective student doesn’t ask me, “Why don’t you have courses on medical palmistry? Why don’t you teach external qi gong ? Where can I learn more about Reiki?” and other similar questions. My answer is always the same: “We teach traditional…

There’s a new trend emerging in the field of traditional Chinese medicine; an increasing focus on legitimizing herbs as healthier alternatives to the synthetic chemicals normally used as pharmaceutical drugs. Several producers of herbal medicines are pursuing FDA clinical trials to market their products as drugs to U.S. and European…

According to the World Health Organization there are 1 billion people globally that are overweight and 300 million that are clinically obese. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination survey from 1999 to 2002, 65 percent of the U.S. population is obese or overweight and 30 percent are considered…

John

We Get Letters & E-mail: The TCM vs Five-Element Acupuncture Divide; What’s In A Name?; Brown Rice Cuts Diabetes Risk.

On Friday, May 21, 2010, President Bernard Li of Fu Jen Catholic University of Taiwan, Republic of China, signed a sister school agreement with the Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCTCM), in Austin, Texas.

Some days, around 10:40 am, just before the grace period ends to be declared late for group, a transvestite client who defines herself as female, comes to get a cup of detox tea. Let’s call her “Marti.” We always engage in a short conversation about why she has not yet…