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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…

If we ask ourselves what the simplest Chinese medicine definition of health and well-being would be, we might say harmony of yin and yang, and free flow of qi and blood. When we adopt the core qigong standing position (the standard preparation for a qigong session, as well as a…

In prior issues, Neil discussed the Kidney Official as a whole and specific points on the Kidney meridian, which included points 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8. His column in October 2019 featured points 24, 25, 26, and 27; while his January 2024 column focused on KI 9, 10, 12,…

In cases of chronic pain and chronic insomnia in which the standard protocols of differential diagnosis provide only temporary relief of symptoms, I use a three-point acupuncture prescription, inspired by my practice of Zhan Zhuang Qi Gong, which has shown to provide significant improvement.

While lack of insurance for acupuncture services remains a significant barrier to care, new findings suggest there is cause for optimism. According to a study published in JAMA Network Open, the percentage of adult low back pain (LBP) patients with one or more insurance claim filed for acupuncture increased from…

The he-sea points relate to the bowels, which is the area where the Divergent Channels are thought to diverge. The shu-stream point is associated with bi obstruction: lingering dampness causing heaviness and pain. The Nan Jing suggests combining these points with those on the hollows of the body, which are…

One of the things that makes acupuncture so difficult to measure is that the medicine actually does contain some esoteric aspects. There have been numerous studies that demonstrate the neurochemical reasoning behind why acupuncture points stimulate the autonomic nervous system to enact change However, not all the benefits of TCM…

Acupuncture Today interviewed Beverley de Valois, PhD, LAc, lead author of the recently published recommendations for the safe practice of acupuncture in cancer care, “the first international, multidisciplinary, peer-reviewed recommendations for the safe practice of acupuncture in integrative oncology. They are the result of a two-year collaboration of 15 international…