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Those of you who have read “Student Corner” in the past know that this column has tended to focus on what a TCM practitioner should be, or more importantly, what a TCM practitioner could be. This month’s article takes this idea and steps into the “real world:” How do we…

This article examines the mechanisms of addiction and how they relate to traditional Oriental medicine theory and treatment. In part one, I stated that an addiction is a complicated disharmony that has involvement in every phase of the Chinese Five Elements. Making use of this model, it broke the sequence…

Answer for the question: I have, on many occasions, not been completely aware of what my patient’s insurance specifically covered, and to the patient’s and my astonishment, a very large balance was left due. Do you have a checklist or format my staff and I could use that would allow…

Chinese exercises appeal to many beyond our profession. Their wide variety can attract people with many different interests. Young people appreciate the physical discipline of learning a martial art and the self-esteem one gains in strengthening and training the body. These benefits certainly extend to adults and, as people mature,…

In part one of this article (November 2006 issue), I addressed the integration of Western herbs with Chinese medicinals in treating respiratory disorders. In this article, I will continue discussing the topic of respiratory health by examining two Chinese medicinals that are, in my opinion, underused in the West and…

A colleague whose opinion I respect read my previous two articles on healing and the environment. His response was very favorable, but he made a comment that really struck me. He said it didn’t go far enough. I’ve always considered less to be more and subtlety an art form, so…

This month, we welcome the year of the Golden Pig, which only happens every 600 years. When I think of the term golden, I reflect on the first part of the word: gold. In this, the year of the prosperous pig, and with your latest New Year’s resolutions fresh in…

The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) is in the process of moving its headquarters from Alexandria, Va., to Jacksonville, Fla. The organization hopes to complete the transition by early February 2007.

This is a case study regarding Ramsey-Hunt Syndrome, which is defined as an invasion of the 8 th nerve ganglia of the facial nerve by the herpes zoster virus, producing severe ear pain, hearing loss, vertigo and paralysis of the facial nerve.

On Dec. 20, 2006, Ontario became the second Canadian province to regulate traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) when Bill 50 passed the Legislative Assembly of Ontario with royal assent. TCM is the first new health profession in Ontario to be regulated since 1991. Ontario joins British Columbia as the only Canadian…

During the fall 2006 textbook season, which began in late August and extended through early October, Redwing Book Company, a major book distributor in the acupuncture industry, noticed an unprecedented decline in sales to schools of acupuncture and Chinese medicine all over the United States. Because Redwing must anticipate in…

Approximately 40 acupuncturists from 22 states converged on Portland, Ore., in late October 2006 to learn more about a powerful new energy wave within the American acupuncture profession - community acupuncture.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the Seven Hermetic Laws that have been recognized throughout human history as a basis of energetic healing and magical practices, and to give practical examples of their remarkably effective applications for acupuncturists. Taking a bit of time to read…

Remember when you were a student or a brand-new practitioner? Chinese medicine was endlessly fascinating and working with each new patient was an exciting challenge that propelled you to your office each day with a combination of joy and curiosity.

As acupuncturists, we are proud to call ourselves holistic health care practitioners. We emphasize the importance of the entire body working together and the interdependence of its parts instead of simply focusing on symptoms. Yet, even though we gained insightful knowledge on the connection between emotions and corresponding acupuncture points…

As reported in the December issue of Acupuncture Today , SBCOM has made the decision to close after 25 years of dedication to the field of Oriental medicine. We have made arrangements to finish our commitment to those students who have a year left of studies by arranging a “teach…

The monthly cycle is the body’s reflection of the ebb and flow of yin and yang. Yin dominates the first half of the cycle and yang dominates the second half. Yin represents the luteal or estrogen-controlled phase of the monthly cycle, while yang represents the follicle or progesterone-controlled phase. Miscarriage…