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In my last column, I discussed basic, potential formula combinations for use in cold/flu presentations. In this month’s article, I will continue the discussion of formula combination by addressing common TCM pattern presentations found in gynecological pathologies.

Our modern medical system offers many effective treatments for injuries, infections and life-threatening diseases. Survival rates have improved for patients with heart disease and cancer. Yet, medicine offers few viable answers for patients with degenerative neuromuscular conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) and Parkinson’s. This means…

It has never been easy to become an acupuncturist. The rigors and requirements are strenuous and the costs tremendous. The process takes forever and generates lots of stress. Becoming a sacrificial lamb is inherent. Murphy’s Law that “everything that can go wrong will go wrong” seems to visit every acupuncture…

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights conservatively estimates there are more than 17 million refugees and more than 25 million internationally displaced individuals worldwide. 1 Although Western biomedicine may be ideally suited to deal with acute epidemics and physical trauma, it often is not available and may not be…

Acupuncture has a long and turbulent history, yet it has survived. There is some discussion that it began with a legend of a soldier with a frozen shoulder cured when he received an arrow shot into his leg. No one is completely sure how acupuncture works. To some, it’s like…

Last year, a survey conducted by the Gilmore Research Group and commissioned by CodeBlueNow! sampled the opinions of registered voters in Iowa regarding health care. 1 The demographic mix of those participating in the survey was similar to that of the state. The topic of the survey was “Iowa Health…

Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB) came about in 2005 as a result of a grassroots effort following Hurricane Katrina. Practitioners from all over the country responded to AWB's call and came to greater New Orleans to use acupuncture to help heal people. AWB set up clinics on street corners, in firehouses,…

A study recently published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology sought to establish the effectiveness of needle acupuncture in treating the common and often disabling issue of pelvic and back pain during pregnancy.

Without a doubt, the events of 9/11 were among the most shocking and traumatic in U.S. history; particularly for residents of New York City. For some residents, the road to recovery has been a long and painful one. In response to this ongoing need for trauma care - even seven…

A 42-year-old weekend athlete consulted my office, complaining of disabling right-wrist pain from which he’d been suffering for more than a year. He stated the pain was so intense that his three-times-a-week tennis match had been put on hold, and he had been forced to resign from his company’s softball…

I often find myself scanning the press for articles of note that point to issues of great significance in the health realm, which seem to vindicate ideas long held in natural medicine circles but considered outside the mainstream thinking. A recent article about shift work and cancer caught my attention.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease of the central nervous system in which communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted. There are multiple scars on the myelin sheaths comprised of a fatty layer surrounding and protecting the neurons of the brain and spinal cord.…

To give you better insight on how to get into a busy medical practice and earn the money you deserve, I would like to share the story of my life path. When I was an intern four years ago, I was unable to keep my full-time day job as a…

Metabolic syndrome describes a cascade of symptoms and physiological presentations due to elevated insulin and glucose in the blood. It is synonymous, or at least directly leads to, type 2 diabetes. 1 It’s important to know the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Both show increased blood glucose…

As we celebrated the Year of the Earth Rat in February, life was a party and a time for family, friends, food, beverage and lots of very loud fireworks. Thanks, Buddha, for the great tea in this land, as it has again proven itself to be the best cure for…

In medicine, the study of etiology refers to the study of the origins of disease. The study of pathogenesis is the study of the actual processes within the body whereby disease occurs, develops and changes. One of the most central concepts of TCM is that of the intimate connection between…

Bioelectromagnetic therapy (BT) is the application of electromagnetic fields to treat and prevent disease and promote health and longevity. Electromagnetism is a powerful clinical tool, simple to apply yet complex in its biological effects. Whenever current (I) passes through a wire, it induces a magnetic field (B) (see below). Although…

I recently had a patient present to my office for acupuncture. She had seen a documentary on TV about how acupuncture could help with weight loss. During the consultation, I told her, “Yes, acupuncture can help with weight loss, but we also need to talk about diet and exercise.” She…

Medi-Cal Acupuncture Still Available in California Last month, Acupuncture Today reported on the California state budget crisis posing a threat to acupuncture for Medi-Cal patients. On Feb. 15, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the 2008-2009 budget, which included a 10 percent across-the-board reduction in Medi-Cal reimbursements.

Currently, the practice of Chinese medicine is a medical modality that has personalized diagnosis, herbs and treatment. I think it’s possible for Chinese medicine to skip the mass, dehumanizing health care stage and go directly to custom-made products and personalized service, with the backing of the highest level of scientific…