NOTES: 2012: The Year of the Water Dragon:
Didn't those holiday's fly by? Whew! New year already. In Chinese tradition, the new year is celebrated on the first new moon of the year. This year it's on Jan 23rd. I like having a little more time to adjust to the new limits and the new freedoms each year brings. In Chinese culture, it's out with the old, in with the new. People clean our their houses, get haircuts, wear red, and celebrate with family, good food and fireworks! Last time it was the year of the Water Dragon, it was mostly 1952. An interesting year - you may want to google it! Chinese Medicine's cultural history and traditions is as rich and interesting as the healing arts aspect of it. Good stuff!
I enjoyed a low key holiday with the family and took advantage of the mini break ya'll gave me. Thanks!! I'm rested and renewed for the new year ahead.
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Center for Acupuncture & Natural Health is a special place for change and healing, located conveniently in San Marco Jacksonville, close to downtown, San Jose, Southside, and Avondale & Riverside. I have given well over 23,000 acupuncture treatments to this community over the last 17 years. Interest in natural medicine continues to grow. Come learn how Chinese Medicine can help you.
Traditional Chinese Medicine incorporates:
Chinese Medicine Might Be MoreAncient Than We Thought!
The practice and theory of Chinese Medicine in China historically dates back over 3,000 years ago. But, the recent discovery of several mummies with tatooed acupuncture meridians in Siberia, Peru & Chile have lead historians to speculate whether or not Chinese Medicine was known and practiced over 6,000 years ago worldwide. Check out my blog for more information on the mummies.
Ancient cultures understood that living in harmony with the flow of nature, they not only survived longer, but maintained health & aged more gracefully. Us modernites don't do so well with aging. And, for all our convenience, we're not so healthy and happy. The universal laws or principles of nature taught within Chinese Medicine still apply to our lives today. Learning them and using them you can survive longer, age healthier, and LIVE a more peaceful, joyful life.
At my clinic, I do more than just stick you with needles for an instant enjoyable endorphin release, although there's nothing inherently wrong with that. I can do that. But the focus of my practice is about activating the natural healing intelligence within your DNA and reconnecting you to that process. We can do it - together. Here's how.
From Ba hooey To Cutting Edge Science
In the 1960's, North Korean researcher, Bonghan Kim discovered microscopic physical structures in the body that correspond to the classical acupuncture point meridians now becoming known as Bonghan Ducts, or Bonghan Threads - (pictured above)VERY INTERESTING! Only now in the 21st century, have we discovered a particular kind of dye (trypan blue) which will show these structures on film. South Korean and European researchers have found that these channels are filled with Hyaluronic Acid which is central to regulating cell growth and renewal. In fact, this acid is found extensively in connective, epithelial, and neural cells and has become a very popular anti-aging tonic, dubbed as the "fountain of youth" due to it's positive anti-wrinkle properties. The fluid in the Bonghan channels has also been found to contain DNA and certain hormones. The research has exploded - (overseas you might note.) See my blog for more information.
Along the microscopic pathways inside the body are tiny areas going up to the surface of the skin that have less electrical resistance. We know this after the development of ohmmeters that measure the skin's electrical resistance and conductance. In ancient Chinese medical theory, these areas are known as "acupuncture points" where channels can be accessed with heat from burning mugwort or by contact with metal needles or probes. Scientific research of the body with specialized ohmmeters have proven that these points lay exactly where the Chinese put them thousands of years ago.
Additionally, it has been discovered that cell structure under your skin is horizontally fashioned, but at the classical acupuncture point locations, the cell structure is vertical, not horizontal. Stimulating these vertical cells activate circulation of negatively charged acids in the channels and microscopic nerve endings in the flesh to affect the central nervous system, particularly the limbic portion of the brain.
Different points stimulate different types of functioning within the internal organs through the endocrine chemical release system. We are now learning how light transmits enormous volumes of information. Did you know that your DNA releases light in the form of bio-photons within the acupuncture channels to control communication and functioning within the body? From science fiction to fact. Gotta love modern technology.
If your body's chemical supply and circulation is deficient or blocked, your body will lose a proportional segment of it self regulating abilities resulting in pain or illness. Acupuncture points are treated to replenish the supply of necessary chemicals and to recharge it's electrical reserves so your body will produce energy and function correctly -- which positively influences the health and repair of your entire being.
In my Center, I utilize several clinically proven forms of acupuncture therapy including:
- Balance Method
- Traditional Chinese (TCM)
- Japanese & Koren influenced styles, and
- western Five Element techniques
Where appropriate, I will also use Chinese Prescriptive Herbs and Medical Qigong to help my clients overcome long standing medical problems to achieve and maintain, better health and greater vitality. Below is some information about Chinese herbs, if we decide it could be helpful to your case.
For Real - TMI: Too much information!
Information about Chinese herbology has remained intact and consistently utilized for over 3,000 years. They invented the printing press in the 400's & have been researching and cataloging herbal information since then. The herbalists were elite scholars. They could read and write. Much of the information about European traditional remedies were only known by uneducated midwives who passed knowledge down verbally, only to be killed en mass by the church. That was beneficial. NOT!
So, besides thousands of years of well documented, printed clinical history, what's the big difference between herbs and western drugs?
First of all, Chinese herbs are not molecularly changed or adulterated for patent or profit purposes. Because they remain in their natural molecular state, your body can easily recognized and utilize their healing properties without side effect. These herbs are from nature's intelligence. In Chinese medicine, we believe nature is smarter than man. What nature makes for us is better than what we can make for ourselves. The rebalancing, healing, restoring function inherent in nature is also inherent within us. We have yet to truly understand the long term effects of what molecular modification to our elements and to our environment is doing. But, we've endorsed it for ease and greed. BPA in plastics having an estrogen effect on us and other wildlife is a recent example. Fish genes in your strawberries. Oh, Boy!
Next, Chinese Medicine has a very sophisticated method of diagnosis. You are visiting me here today because you have a problem. Your doctor has probably named your symptom for you. But, has your doctor told you WHY you have this problem? Do you know what is causing your issue? It is extremely easy to get your doctor to say "I don't know." Just ask him or her why you have a problem. It's almost funny - give it a try.
Conversely, good luck trying to get an "I don't know" from your acupuncturist. "I don't know" really isn't an option. Every disease has a cause. We'll be happy to tell you how you got your problem. We'll also be happy to tell you how to get rid of your problem and improve your health and well being.
Because of this ability, there is no guess work in Chinese medicine. Chinese herbs are NOT given for symptoms. Chinese herbs are prescribed to heal the underlying problem causing the unwanted symptoms of illness - unlike medications and western herbs which are only given to relieve or arbitrarily stop symptoms. This difference accounts for the amazing success, effectiveness and lack of side effects when taking Chinese herbs correctly under the supervision of licensed acupuncture physicians.
For example, if you have the symptom of anxiety, most likely you and everyone else with the same symptom of anxiety will be prescribed the same drug to stop your body from producing anxiety like symptoms. You will be diagnosed with "anxiety" although you will not know why you have it, nor will your doctor be able to tell you why you have it. If you stop taking the drug, the symptom of anxiety returns. Since the drug for anxiety, just like the drug for pain relief, or the anti-inflammatory, or the anti-hypertensive only works to stop the symptom, doing nothing to cure the underlying problem that was causing the symptom, you must take the drug forever or just suffer. They gotcha!
On the other hand, if you go to a Chinese herbalist for help with your symptom of anxiety, before you can be prescribed anything, the physician must first determine WHAT is CAUSING your symptom of anxiety. In Chinese medicine, you can feel anxiety for a variety of reasons.
- You can have digestive problems that cause anxiety.
- You can have metabolism issues that cause anxiety.
- You can have a cardiovascular source for your problems.
- Even pathogenic factors like excessive heat can cause anxiety.
The herbs you would take for anxiety would be different depending on which of those factors are causing it. So, no two anxiety patients would receive the same prescription herb. We are all individuals; unique and different in our own special ways.
For this reason, Chinese herbs are only supposed to be available by prescription from a licensed acupuncturist or Chinese herbalist. However, many diet and vitamin companies take advantage of lax regulation of herbs and have made them available without prescription. It is very unwise to take Chinese herbs without knowing your CHINESE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS first. If taking the wrong thing, which can easily happen if you are taking herbs based on a symptom, you can make yourself sicker. I've seen many cases where people have messed themselves up with herbs they got online or at health food stores and not even known that it was the herbs that harmed them. They can be dangerous when mixed with prescription drugs and should be taken with caution and respect. Herbs are not always appropriate. Sometimes, it's just best to change your diet or only do acupuncture.
Chinese diagnosis speaks in terms of functioning of the internal organs and whether there is deficiency or stagnation. (For example: Liver Qi Stagnation or Kidney Yin Deficiency.) You must know which internal organ is causing your problems and how - before you take Chinese herbs. It is best to consult a qualified practitioner.
Most importantly, because the Chinese herbs are working to change the way your body functions - you only take herbs for short periods of time, until your functions improve. Then you STOP taking the herbs, because you are better. (getting better- another novel Chinese medicine concept!!)
We offer several different forms of herbs depending on what best suits your lifestyle and health goals. We have a full line of herbal teapills and capsules, the easiest way to take Chinese herbs.
Additionally, for our OB/GYN patients, we offer raw herbs that are boiled into a tea for drinking. This method allows for individual customization and rapid delivery which is necessary in pregnancy and/or some fertility treatment protocols.
Most of the bottled herbal formulas I prescribe are American manufactured for your peace of mind. The raw herbs are non-sulfured, organic and 1st grade where available.
Please Note: Patients of JCRM, FIRM and Dr. Brown are
NOT given herbal therapy while undergoing IVF cycles out of
respect for their doctor's wishes.
Chi Kung / Qi Gong (chee kong) Therapy
Chi Kung or Qigong literally means "to be skillful with one's energy." With the advent of Quantum Physics and our ability to understand and document the nature of "energy," it is no wonder that forms of medicine based upon energetic theoretical models are gaining wide popularity here in the West. Qigong therapy is the ultimate expression of that trend.
Qigong is a set of meditation and moving exercises that develop your ability to sense and feel energy in and around your body. Initially, we work on releasing tension and patterns of stagnation in your body, then we set about building your energy and learning how to store it. Metaphorically, it is kind of like cutting up your credit cards and starting a savings account -- but not with money - with energy in your body. Qigong can be done by yourself or with another who has cultivated their energy to levels where they can sense and enhance yours. Qigong treatments are very relaxing, energizing and enlightening. Call for more information on how you can experience and learn this wonderful ancient art form. Classes in progress seasonally.
