8-02-10 - Ancient Chinese Herbology

The following is an excerpt from a conversation I had with a student volunteer who is helping me out at my clinic this summer with the intention of learning as much as she can about the Oriental Medical Arts.

Student: Why are you buying an herbal pharmacy when you can do so much with acupuncture?

Me: Excellent question. The quick answer is that I'm getting herbs because not everyone likes needles. The longer answer is a little more in-depth. To understand why I am broadening the base of my practice we have to look at how each of the therapies work to promote health in the body. As we have already discussed, acupuncture works by stimulating the circulation of blood through the body through increasing the nerve conductivity of the proprioceptive nerves so that the body is better able to communicate with itself. The ancient Chinese described this process as the movement of Qi though the body. As I'm sure you remember, the movement of Qi describes the numerous circulations that exist within the body such as breathing, digestion, movement of blood, wake and sleep cycles, female menstrual cycles, and the aging process. Acupuncture works to promote the healthy flow of these and other cycles in the body, and if the cycles are flowing as they should then balance is reestablished and the body will heal itself to the best of it's ability.

Student: I remember our discussions over Qi, the flow of it through the body, and the ways that it can be effected with acupuncture and even our intentions, but what do herbs do in the body?

Me: Before I answer we need to take a brief glance back in history. Over the past 2,500 years Chinese herbalists have been observing plants, how they interact with their surroundings, when they sprout, bloom, seed, and die, in addition to what animals eat or avoid them. All of these observations were recorded and then taken into account when the herbalists began to gather and brew the herbs into teas. Frequently herbalists would drink the tea being sure to notice what effect the tea had on their body. Some of the famed herbalists would taste up to 60 herbs a day in an effort to expand their knowledge base on herbs. Once an herb had been tasted it's taste, thermal quality, and actions were recorded into one of 4 famous texts that have survived through thousands of years. From these compendiums of knowledge we can find herbs that will treat nearly the entire spectrum of human suffering. There are herbs that will treat the common cold, digestive issues, pain, female health concerns, anxiety, insomnia, and so many other dis-eases in the body we don't have time to name them all. Getting back to your question, when I treat a patient with herbs, after I diagnose I will write them a formula consisting of 10-15 herbs. A properly prescribed herbal formula is basically a snap shot of how we want the body to behave and a plan on how to obtain it. Herbs work in the body on what herbalists call the Xue (sh-way) level or blood level. The Xue level is deeper in the body than the Qi level where the Qi flows through. The Xue level is much more than the red stuff in our blood vessels. It is a large part of the form of our body, it is measurable, it is the structures of the body that exist for the Qi to flow through. If it is the structure that is damaged the body needs help more substantial that what acupuncture has to offer.

Student: I thought acupuncture could help the body repair itself, thus repair the structures in the process?

Me: It can but you are thinking to linear about things. Remember that within Chinese medicine there must be balance. Black will always have some white, wet will always have some dry, yin will always have some yang, and Qi level will always have some Xue level. They are inseparable in the medicine. It is the percentage of each that is the determining factors. Acupuncture works mostly on the Qi level which will effect the Xue level where as Herbal medicine works mostly on the Xue level which will effect the Qi level.

Student: Ok, I think understand. Regardless of the condition of the body if it isn't circulating then there is no reason for it to exist. Likewise if there is no body, then the circulations are pointless.

Me: Good job, that is close enough for this level of comprehension.

Student: Thank you. Please tell me about the herbs that you purchased.

Me: Gladly. In the US there are 3 forms that herbs can come in: bulk, pill, and granular.

Bulk herbs are the sticks, roots, leaves, and rocks that have been gathered, dried and packaged. These are the most effective form of herbs but they are also the most work since the patient has to boil the herbs for 5-30 minutes 2-3 times a day. My old pharmacy consisted of ground up bulk herbs which reduced the cooking time, but I found that my patients were not very compliant with taking their formulas consistently.

Herbs in pill form are easy for Americans to take since they are already use to the method of delivery and thus have a fairly high level of compliance. However, I'm not a fan of them. Since the pills come premade from the manufacturer as a classic formula it is impossible to customize them. If a patient has multiple diagnoses then I would have to give them a different pill for each diagnosis. The other down side to pills is that they tend to be the least effective form of herbal medicine.

Granular herbs are the happy compromise in my mind. They are customizable unlike pills and they don't have to be cooked like bulk herbs. Granular herbs are made by cooking the herb according to the classical preparation as described in the classic texts. Once cooked properly, the herbal decoction is concentrated and dried into a powder which is what it ultimately sold to me.

I have spent countless hours interviewing herbal companies, checking on quality controls for the manufacturing processes, and determining the best herbs to have in my pharmacy to help the broadest spectrum of patients possible.

Student: Very cool. Are there any risks to taking herbs and can they be taken with western medicines?

Me: Generally, herbs are very safe for patients. The most common side effect of herbs is gas, bloating, and upset stomach. As for whether they can be taken with western medicines? When herbs are prescribed by a licensed practitioner, most of the time herbs are safe when taken with most medications. However, in some cases there are risks for interactions. So I always check a patients medications against a list of known herb-drug interactions when I prescribe a formula.

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If you are interested in being treated with Chinese herbal medicine or have questions, please Mountain Spirit Acupuncture at 303.929.7334.

7-08-10 - Smoking Cessation with Acupuncture

Stop Smoking with Acupuncture

Among current U.S. adult smokers, 70% report that they want to quit smoking and millions try to quit every year. If you have attempted to quit smoking, you know how difficult it can be. Nicotine is a powerful addiction. In fact, research suggests that nicotine is as addictive as heroin, cocaine, or alcohol.

It is estimated that most smokers will attempt to quit two or three times, or more, before finally kicking the habit. When conventional methods to quit smoking have failed, smokers often look outside mainstream approaches and turn to alternative medicine.

Acupuncture as an alternative approach to smoking cessation has a growing number of converts. In fact, acupuncture is often a court mandated treatment for drug addicts because of its ability to reduce cravings and alleviate withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety and difficulty concentrating.

A Formidable Addiction

More than 50 million Americans smoke. The numbers are even higher in other parts of the globe, with worldwide statistics showing that one out of three people over the age of 18 are smokers.

The reasons to quit smoking are endless. Cigarettes have 4,000 chemicals, including 43 known cancer-causing (carcinogenic) compounds and 400 other toxins. These include nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide, as well as formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic and DDT. According to the CDC, tobacco is the cause of 443,000 premature deaths each year, and is associated with emphysema, lung cancer, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, chronic cough and an increase in frequency of colds and flu.

Many people want to quit because of the enormous expense of a cigarette habit or are just plain tired of being dependent on a substance. There is also considerable social pressure not to smoke. Most smokers can recall a dirty look or rude comment from someone that was nearby when they lit up.

How Does Acupuncture Help Break the Cigarette Habit?

Acupuncture is successful with smoking cessation and has turned a growing number of cigarette smokers into permanent ex-smokers. Treatments take all of your symptoms into account and aim at balancing the energy within the body to optimize health.

The acupuncture treatments focus on jitters, cravings, irritability and restlessness; all symptoms that people commonly complain about when they quit. It also aids in relaxation and detoxification.

In one study conducted at the University of Oslo, Norway, acupuncture was found to significantly reduce the desire to smoke up to five years after the initial treatment. Subjects of the study also reported that cigarettes tasted worse than before treatment and that the treatments had effectively reduced their taste for tobacco.

The acupuncture needles used are hair-thin. They are superficially inserted into various points in the ears and body to assist with smoking cessation. In between treatments, small pellets are often taped to the acupuncture points on the ear. When a cigarette craving hits, gently pressing on the pellets stimulates the acupuncture points to calm the mind and eliminate the craving.

Acupuncture is not a panacea or a magic cure in the treatment of any addiction, including smoking. But, acupuncture is effective in making it easier to quit and remain smoke-free for good.

If you are ready to quit, call 303.929.7334 for a consultation to see how acupuncture can empower you to take control and begin a healthy and smoke-free life!

Source: Preventive Medicine. Volume 33, Issue 5, November 2001, Pages 364-372

Ten Tips to Quit Smoking

1. Make a plan. Spend some time to discover what triggers you to desire to smoke and write down a plan on how you intend to overcome your cravings.

2. Identify and write down WHY and WHEN you want to quit on an index card and carry it with you everywhere you go. Look at you list every time you light up prior to you quit date to remind yourself why you quitting and on what date you will be smoke free.

3. Exercise more. Getting moving is a great way to remind yourself why you shouldn't smoke. Exercise can reduce your stress and help you relax far better than cigarettes.

4. Get plenty of fresh fruit and vegetable juices to neutralize and clear the blood of nicotinic acid and to fortify blood sugar.

5. Carrots, Carrot juice, celery, leafy green salads, citrus fruits, and lemon juiced into water promote body alkalinity and decrease cravings.

6. Avoid junk food, sugar and coffee. They can upset blood sugar levels and increase blood acidity which can aggravate smoking withdrawal symptoms.

7. Lobelia Tea or Green Tea can be sipped daily during the detox period to keep tissues flooded with elements that discourage nicotine cravings. Lobelia is traditionally used to rid the body of a strong toxin such as a snake bite.

8. Drink water. Research shows that dryness causes cravings. Sip water frequently throughout the day.

9. Practice deep breathing exercises to increase body oxygen and keep calm.

10. Come in for your acupuncture treatment.

6-05-10 - Treatment of Headaches with Acupuncture

The other day I had a meeting with a sales rep who very clearly had a headache. Half way through the meeting she stopped to dig through her purse for some pain medicine. The following conversation ensued:

Me: Before you take your pain medicine please tell me on what region of your head your headache is on and how intense is it on a scale of 1-10.

Sales Rep: I have pain at the back of my head that is shooting through to my left eye. I'd say it's about an 8/10.

Me: And how long have you had your headaches?

Sales Rep: They started 15 years ago after I was in a car accident. I went to the doctor after the accident to be told that I was fine. A few weeks after the accident the headaches begun. We've tried nearly a dozen drugs and a few MRI scans with little to no results. About 10 years ago I resigned myself to living my life in pain. Ever since then I have had a low grade headache with daily spikes of pain that last for hours. The headaches are usually worse right before my menses begin and are accompanied by nausea and light sensitivity.

Me: Interesting, thank you for sharing. Want me to take care of it for you?

Sales Rep: You're welcome to try.

Me: Great! There is a balancing point in the palm of your hand that can address the type of headache that you are presenting with. If I may, please let me see you right hand.

Sales Rep: But the pain is on the left.

Me: I know. Most people are cross wired such that the most effective side is the one opposite from the pain. It is tender here?

Sales Rep: Yes, but I don't know why.

Me: [ putting firm pressure on the tender point ] As I was saying, your body has balancing points located all over it. This point in your hand happens to balance out the pain that you have in your head. It is my “acupressure band-aid” point for nearly all headaches because it works so well. People get headaches for lots of reasons. In your case we have trauma as the precipitating event, but headaches can come from numerous sources in Chinese medicine. For example, having a poor diet, poor sleep, being dehydrated, or inappropriate moderation of stress can all lead to headaches. Regardless of the cause, the result is your body communicating with you that something is wrong. There is a line in the ancient texts that states that “where there is no free flow there is pain, where there is pain there is no free flow.” Simply translated pain tells you that something is stuck. My job is to figure out what is stuck and help to unravel the cause of the pain so that eventually it goes away. Speaking of which, how's the headache?

Sales Rep: Um … wow! It has decreased to a 3/10 but moved into my temple.

Me: It's a good sign that it has moved. Is this point in your hand tender anymore?

Sales Rep: No

Me: [ adjust pressure point to correspond with new pain location ] How about here?

Sales Rep: Yes, how do you find those points?

Me: The Chinese mapped out the entire body in relation to itself. In reality there are at least half a dozen points that I can use to treat your headache. The only reason I'm using this one is because it's the easiest to get to since many of the others are on your feet. In a full treatment we would start by investigating your diet, sleep patterns, digestion, levels and causes of stress in addition to your menstrual cycle. Once I've had a chance to fully diagnose you we would do a complete acupuncture treatment, give you an herbal formula and possibly a some nutritional suggestions. How's your head?

Sales Rep: Pain free! How did you do that?

Me: The secrets of Chinese medicine lie in their approach to the body. Their entire medical model is based on a system of excesses and deficiencies. You had an excess in you head and all I did was find the corresponding deficiency and give it some attention. Your body did the rest.

Sales Rep: Amazing! How long will this last?

Me: That depends on you. What kind of day have you created for yourself? Is it a stressful day filled with running from meeting to meeting or do you have plans to take some time to nourish yourself? The more time you can spend nourishing yourself the greater your reserves will be for you to draw off of during your times of stress.

Sales Rep: Food for thought. Thank you for sharing.

Me: My pleasure.

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8.10.10
Follow up: The Sales Rep booked an appointment a few weeks later and after a series of treatments has had her headaches reduced in intensity and to occurring only around menstruation.

Acupuncture does not have the unwanted side effects of pain medications and can give you relief in a very short period of time. Furthermore, the main goal of acupuncture is to treat the root of the problem, not just the symptom of the headache, so the patient can experience permanent relief from the headaches.

If you are experiencing headaches, give Mountain Spirit Acupuncture a call today at 303.929.7334 to schedule an appointment and begin your path to wellness!

5-18-10 - Chilly Wet Water

Drink to Your Health . . . With Water! Mother Nature's Healthy "Cocktail"
    Some nutritionists insist that 80% of the country is walking around dehydrated. We drink too much coffee, tea, and sodas containing caffeine, which prompts the body to lose water. More troubling is that fact that when we are dehydrated, we don't know what to drink. The answer is simple: drink water!
Water is pure liquid refreshment and accounts for a large percentage of what makes each of us "human." The average 150 lb. adult body contains 40 to 50 quarts of water. Almost 2/3rds of our body weight is "water weight":

●    Blood is 83% water
●    Muscles are 75% water    ●    The Brain is 74% water
●    Bone is 22% water

The Fountain of Youth, Health, and Everything Else that's Good
    Water is necessary for your body to digest and absorb vitamins and nutrients. It also detoxifies the liver and kidneys, and carries away waste from the body. And when it comes to digestion . . . it's just not happening without water. Fiber alone cannot aid proper digestive function by itself. In fact, without water as its partner, good fiber goes bad, causing constipation and extreme discomfort.
    If you're dehydrated, your blood is literally thicker, and your body has to work much harder to cause it to circulate. As a result, the brain becomes less active, it's hard to concentrate, your body feels fatigued, and you just "poop out."

Water - The Miracle Worker
    Simple water -- when it's pure and free of contaminants -- is truly a "wonder drug." Without chemicals, additives, or anything unnatural, a steady dose of 8 glasses of water a day (ideally ½ your body weight in ounces of water) will:

●    Improve Your Energy
●    Increase Your Mental and Physical Performance
●    Remove Toxins & Waste Products from your body
●    Keep Skin Healthy and Glowing    ●    Help You Lose Weight
●    Reduce Headaches and Dizziness
●    Allow for proper Digestion
●    Help to keep you more Alkaline

Drinking Water is Heart-Healthy
    The findings of a six-year study of more than 20,000 healthy men and women aged 38-100 in the May 1, 2002 American Journal of Epidemiology found that women who drank more than five glasses of water a day were 41% less likely to die from a heart attack during the study period than those who drank less than two glasses. The protective effect of water was even greater in men.

Drinking Water and Weight Loss
    Water is a natural appetite suppressant, so developing a good water drinking habit can be a long-term aid in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Doctor F. Batmanghelidj MD, author of "Your Body's Many Cries For Water" says most times your “hunger” is your body asking for water – not food.
It's also important to remember that when the body is dehydrated, fat cells get "rubbery" and cannot be easily metabolized. This means that it's harder to lose when you don't drink your water.

Who Can Benefit From A Water Regimen? Everyone . . . including YOU!
    Water is especially important for pregnant women and nursing mothers. For athletes and work-out fanatics, drinking water reduces cardiovascular stress and improves performance. And, since water reduces body temperature, it makes the whole exercise process safer and more effective.
    Water is also an important "healing tool" for people with a history of kidney stones. Since water dissolves calcium in the urine, downing at least 8 glasses daily reduces the risk of stone formation. Drinking water is also valuable in preventing urinary tract infections in both men and for women, flushing impurities out of the system.
    Even mild dehydration makes you more susceptible to viruses. When your body is hydrated, drainage from allergies and colds doesn't stick and collect in your throat and lungs, and your cough is more "productive". Even cold sores that appear on the lips are minimized by drinking water because those eruptions tend to favor dry areas on the body.

4-14-10 - Moxa 101

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing. Moxibustion has been used throughout Asia for thousands of years; in fact, the actual Chinese character for acupuncture, translated literally, means "acupuncture-moxibustion." The purpose of moxibustion, as with most forms of traditional Chinese medicine, is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of qi, and maintain general health. Translated in to Western terms it is the metaphoric multivitamin of the acupuncture world in terms of its ability to increase the strength of a treatment through the increase of blood circulation and oxygenation of body tissues.

How does moxibustion work? Does it hurt?

There are two types of moxibustion: direct and indirect. In direct moxibustion, a small, cone-shaped amount of moxa is placed on top of an acupuncture point and lit, but is extinguished or removed before it burns the skin. The patient will experience a pleasant heating sensation that penetrates deep into the skin, but should not experience any pain, blistering or scarring unless the moxa is left in place for too long. Indirect moxibustion is currently the more popular form of care because there is a much lower risk of pain or burning. In indirect moxibustion uses both acupuncture needles and moxa. A needle is inserted into an acupoint and retained. The tip of the needle is then wrapped in moxa and ignited, generating heat to the point and the surrounding area. After the desired effect is achieved, the moxa is extinguished and the needle(s) removed. Another form of moxibustion, a practitioner lights one end of a moxa stick, roughly the shape and size of a cigar, and holds it close to the area being treated for several minutes until the area turns red. Due to legal concerns, most acupuncturists in America tend to only use indirect moxibustion if they use moxa at all.

What is moxibustion used for?

In traditional Chinese medicine, moxibustion is used on people who have a cold or stagnant condition. The burning of moxa is believed to expel cold and warm the meridians, which leads to smoother flow of blood and qi. In Western medicine, moxibustion has successfully been used to turn breech babies into a normal head-down position prior to childbirth. A landmark study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 found that up to 75% of women suffering from breech presentations before childbirth had fetuses that rotated to the normal position after receiving moxibustion at an acupuncture point on the Bladder meridian. Other studies have shown that moxibustion increases the movement of the fetus in pregnant women, and may reduce the symptoms of menstrual cramps when used in conjunction with traditional acupuncture. In addition to treating female health concerns, moxa has been shown to increase energy levels, promote circulation of blood and healing of injured tissues, and improve overall well being.

Why do acupuncturists use mugwort? Why not use some other herb?

Mugwort, also known as artemesia vulgaris or ai ye in Chinese, has a long history of use in folk medicine due to its malleability, slow burning rate, and ease of use for the practitioner. Research has shown that it acts as an emmenagogue – that is, an agent that increases blood circulation to the pelvic area and uterus and stimulates menstruation. This could explain its use in treating breech births and menstrual cramps.
Are there any precautions I should be aware of?
Although moxibustion has been safely used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, it is not for everyone. Because it is used specifically for patients suffering from cold or stagnant constitutions, it should not be used on anyone diagnosed with too much heat. Burning moxa also has the potential to produce a great deal of smoke and a pungent odor and should be used with caution for people who have respiratory illnesses.

3-29-10 - Cupping 101

Cupping 101: a brief history

Sixteen hundred years ago in China a famous herbalist by the name of Ge Hong wrote about a method of treating patients through the application of suction cups or cupping in his book A Handbook of Prescriptions. Later books written during the Tang and Qing dynasties described cupping in great detail; one textbook included an entire chapter on “fire jar qi,” a type of cupping that could alleviate headaches, dizziness and abdominal pain.

Over the centuries, cupping has been discovered to be an effective method of treatment for ailments such as:

Asthma
Colds
Cough
Stomach pain
Back pain
Shoulder pain
Leg pain or injury

Cupping 101: the technique

For a practitioner to obtain a therapeutic amount of suction on the body, most find it necessary to do what's called “fire cupping”. Fire cupping is done by soaking a cotton ball on the end of a hemostat in rubbing alcohol, lighting it of fire, and placing the fire up inside of the cup to burn out the oxygen thus creating a vacuum. With the formation of a temporary vacuum inside the cup, the practitioner quickly removes the cotton ball and places the cup on to a predetermined area on the body. The application of suction to the body pulls the skin up inside the cup which increases blood flow to the area and can pull toxins out of the tissues. To increase the therapeutic efficacy of cupping, practitioners will either use numerous cups or apply a liniment to allow the cup to smoothly slide across the skin.

Cupping is generally used on parts of the body where there is lots of muscle and connective tissue, such as the back, legs, or shoulders. It is not used on areas affected by skin disease, on bony areas such as the hands, feet, and face, or on the abdomen or lower back of pregnant women due to the risk of causing a miscarriage.

Modern day cups are made out of glass because they are easy to clean, and the practitioner can see through them and closely monitor their technique. Historically cups were made of bamboo, animal horns, or earthenware. Bamboo is still used today by some practitioners, but horns are not used due to animal protection laws and advancements in technology.

Cupping 101: the results

Cupping is considered relatively safe although it can cause some swelling and bruising on the skin due to the nature of the procedure. Typically patients have a series of faint circular bruises that feel like a mild skin burn for a day or two. Depending upon the diseased state being treated and the intensity of the treatment, some patients have bruises that look like they lost a wrestling match to an angry octopus. This type of result occurs most commonly in people who have a lot of tension in their back from either traumatic injury or years of carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. Regardless of the intensity of the bruises, they tend to last for 1-2 weeks and heal faster if the patient is diligent about keeping themselves warm, covered up, and well hydrated.

Cupping can be a great way to augment an acupuncture treatment. It can increase the therapeutic effects of acupuncture needles and help you heal faster.

3-09-10 - How to Palpate for a Heart Attack

The following blog entry is written for my colleagues in Chinese Medicine although patients, friends, and family members may get something out of it as well.

Eighteen months ago I came across the teachings of Dr. Jimmy Wei-Yen Chang who has a unique perspective on interpreting the anatomy of the classic Chinese Pulse. His diagnostic methodology does away with the traditional 29 pulse qualities that are taught in Oriental Medical Schools around the globe, and in its place he has developed a system that encompasses both an eastern and a western medical diagnosis. Although his system is too complex and in depth to describe in a blog, there is a pulse presentation that I have had the unfortunate pleasure of palpating a handful of times.

Dr. Chang calls the pulse a “constrained pulse” and describes it as being “the center of the left Cun position is Wiry, fine, firm and appears with strength.” He goes on to describe the pulse as “feeling like there is a bundle of electric wires (that are thin, straight, tight) within the artery with the tautness of the outside artery varying.” To feel the pulse you need to flatten the artery and feel for a thin, straight tight “wire” inside that cannot be rubbed away. We know from the Traditional Chinese pulse positions that the left Cun position is related to the heart and the same holds true for Jimmy's system. According to Dr. Chang a constrained pulse in the left cun position is an indicator of severe cold in the heart and is a warning sign for Xiong Bi, myocardial infarction, or coronary heart conditions. In other words it is necessary to get the patient to the Emergency Department as fast as possible (note ... do not drive them yourself unless you want the liability). So far in my career I have sent 3 patients to the hospital who had this pulse presentation. One of them ended up having a heart attack while in the hospital, one had evidence of a recent heart attack and one of them had a pulled an intercostal muscle in the left rib cage causing chest pain. Fortunately all 3 patients were able to get the help that they needed to keep their pulses flowing for another day. Of interest the 3^rd patient ended up being diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes which upon later inspection of the pulse was also present.

While I am still in the process of learning from Dr. Chang's 30 plus years of clinical experience I am grateful for the information of his that I have been able to assimilate so far. If you are interested in Dr. Chang's method look for his seminars through elotus.org. I hope today's post has given you a very tool that you will never need to use. I end this blog with some information from The American Heart Association that is good for all of us to review.

Heart Attack Warning Signs
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense - the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, have it checked out (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number.

Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive - up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too. It is best to call EMS for rapid transport to the emergency room.

3-04-10 - Shen: The Intersection of Mind and Body

The Shen, often translated as the spirit or mind, plays a vitally important role in determining out state of health. Ancient Chinese medical texts place great importance on the delicate interaction between the emotions and physiological functions of the body. As such, the shen represents both the aggregate of all mental and physical activities as well as the chief executive of the human system. Physical distress causes the shen to go into decline, while a weakened spirit will also manifest in physical dysfunction.

Illness creates a complex circle of emotions and psychological associations that are often difficult to release ourselves from. While acupuncture and herbal medicine strongly benefit the spirit, a regular practice of meditation is the most effective way the “dust off the mirror”. 15-20 minutes of daily focused breathing and quiet reflection can clear the mind of unneeded clutter and relieve psychological and emotional stress at the deepest levels. The results are a healthier body, quieter mind, and brighter spirit.

2-21-10 - Treating the Patient, Not the Disease

The importance of individual characteristics in the disease process has been recognized in China for centuries. Each individual has their own unique constitution, a physique that whether through nature or nurture can become unbalanced and eventually develop illness. It is however, possible in many cases to recognize this imbalance before illness takes hold and to correct it through a combination of treatment methods and conscientious changes in lifestyle. The emerging modern concept of “preventative medicine” is an accurate reflection of the Chinese tenet that “to treat an illness that has already formed is like digging a well when one is already dying of thirst, like sharpening one's weapons when the battle has already begun.” (SuWen)

2-14-10 - Year of the Tiger 2010

Happy Chinese New Year! We are finally leaving the slow moving Year of the Ox behind and transitioning into the aggressive and active nature of the Year of the Tiger. The following article contains all you will need to know about the Year of the Tiger and how to thrive throughout the next 12 months.

Mountain Spirit Acupuncture would like to wish you a prosperous and healthy Year of the Tiger. We hope that you find the following article educational and think of us help to support you whether you need pain management, help balancing emotions, treatment for gastrointestinal disease, are a female with health concerns, or simply want to be healthier. Be well.

The Year of the Tiger – 2010

by Dr. Maoshing Ni, Ph.D., D.O.M., ABAAHP, L.Ac.

WELCOME to the Chinese Year of the Tiger, which begins on February 14, 2010! Every year for almost twenty years, I’ve written forecasts based on the ancient Taoist system of Five Elements Phase Energetics that predict global trends that affect us personally. By attuning yourself to these forecasts, you can side-step or minimize negative tendencies, whether in health, relationships or finance, and make the most of positive trends.

In Chinese astrology, the Tiger is a dynamic and powerful sign. Its nature is unpredictable, courageous and volatile. Therefore, the Year of the Tiger is usually associated with big change and social turmoil, making 2010 likely to be a volatile year globally and personally. Those who gain an understanding of it through this article and their own spiritual awareness should have the flexibility to adapt to changes and keep a steady hand on the keel through rough waters.

In the Chinese calendar, 2010 is represented by the elements of metal and wood. The elemental interaction is symbolized by an ax cutting down a tree. What this means is the potential for more conflicts on the world’s political stage. It is a more combustible year resulting in increased military engagements. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that a troop surge in Afghanistan will take place, and threats from North Korea and Iran might continue to escalate. It is critical for world leaders to exercise calmness when dealing with confrontations and to seek peace and harmony as the ultimate objective in any interaction.

Dogged by worldwide recession, countries will continue to wrestle each other over protectionist policies enacted in response to weakened domestic economies. However, with optimism from the Tiger, economies around the world should stabilize and improve in 2010. The conflicting dynamics of the metal and wood elements shall spark more volatile times ahead for both the economy and the stock market. Industries favorable for an upturn include precious metals, finance, entertainment, energy, defense industry, high tech, engineering, machinery, cars and airlines. Sectors like banking, insurance and mining will see more stability and investments. Challenging industries that may lag include wood products, paper, newspaper and magazines, fashion, textile, furniture, property development and forestry, as well as ocean shipping, transportation and communications.

Environmentally, 2010 may be challenged by extremes of hot weather and droughts, flooding, man-made damages and natural disasters. Possible environmental disasters include nuclear accidents, earthquake and volcanic eruptions. Evidence of global warming will become more obvious as leaders of nations and industries work to hammer out agreements that will limit greenhouse gas emissions.

On the health front, metal represents the lungs, colon, skin and the immune system. Therefore, you may be predisposed to develop conditions like sinus allergies, infections, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, constipation, rashes, compromised immunity or autoimmune inflammatory conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and eczema. The Wood element corresponds to the liver, gall bladder and nervous system, which may lead to increased stress, tension, depression, anxiety, gallstones, hepatitis and cirrhosis. I would advise you to work on prevention of immune, respiratory, digestive and nervous system conditions. Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, effectively manage your stress and see an acupuncturist or Chinese herbalist regularly.

Consistent and regular exercise strengthens your respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Learning and practicing mind-body exercises like tai chi or chi gong will induce deep breathing that helps make your lungs stronger and will reduce stress and tension by lowering your stress hormones. Incorporating functional foods that possess healing properties into your diet helps you to avoid illness. This is the foundation of Chinese medicine. Increasing your intake of the following foods can be beneficial: dill, oregano, cilantro, rosemary, sage, peppermint, turmeric, basil, coriander, fennel, anise, cardamom, ginger, collard greens, Swiss chard, kale, mustard greens, parsley, dandelion greens, daikon radish, turnip, beets, artichoke, pear--especially Asian pear--persimmon, papaya, pineapple, cherry, grape, blueberry, almond, pine nuts and flax seeds while avoiding dairy, alcohol, caffeine, sugar, wheat, deep fried and fatty foods, processed and refined foods, excessive red meat, tomato, eggplant, peppers and potatoes.

To support your health and wellness proactively, visit an acupuncturist or Chinese herbalist regularly and take the appropriate herbal and nutritional supplements. Herbs and nutrients are part of my family’s diet, and for many years we have used them effectively for prevention. In addition, taking fish oil, probiotics, digestive enzymes and a quality vitamin and mineral supplement will round out your nutritional program.

In summary, the Year of the Tiger will bring about more change, even turmoil in the world and in your life. However, by using this as an opportunity to shape your life as if you were using metal such as an ax or chisel to sculpt a beautiful and useful object out of raw wood, you can ride the tiger triumphantly toward your goals. Cultivate patience, kindness and peace so that your interactions with others can promote harmony and love. Take walks and spend time in nature to refresh your lungs. Undertake cleansing and detoxification programs at the start and throughout the year to support your liver and other body functions. Eat well, get plenty of sleep and cultivate health in the five areas of your life—body, mind, spirit, finance and relationships—so that you will manifest balance, wellness and fulfillment in 2010.

If you don't go into the cave of the tiger, how are you going to get its cub? -- Chinese Proverb

2-01-10 - The Root of Illness

Chinese medicine teaches that all chronic illness represents a decline in the body's vitality, or Zheng Qi. This results in a weakened immune response that is strong enough to challenge the pathogenic qi that has taken up residence within the body, yet not healthy enough to overcome and expel it. Therefore, the body become akin to a battle-ground where symptoms reoccur intermittently as the body alternates between the accumulation of resources and the active struggle to regain balance.

The body is divided into three main regions based upon their energetic composition and function, referred to as the upper, middle and lower burners. They maintain a complex relationship characterized by constant cyclic movement both horizontally within a single layer, and vertically through multiple layers. The root of illness lies in the breakdown of this movement due to two main factors: insufficient storage and transformation of essence in the lower burner and poor production and circulation of energy and blood in the middle burner. Therefore, treatment is focused mainly on these underlying problems to restore a natural state of energetic balance among the three burners. It is far less concerned with any given symptom, which is treated as no more than a localized manifestation of a much larger systematic problem.

1-01-10 - How Acupuncture Works from a Western perspective.

Acupuncture works. In fact it works very well. To truly understand the how of why it works, you either need to spend 4 years getting a Master's Degree in Oriental Medicine or for a general idea please continue reading.

To simplify the following explanation, we will use an example of acupuncture for pain management. In order for the body to experience pain there are 2 nerves that play a crucial role: the Afferent nerve fibers which are responsible for the “ouch” sensation, and the Proprioceptive fibers which tells the brain where the problem is. The combination of the two nerve signals alert the brain to the pain which triggers the body to restrict blood circulation to the area. Why restrict blood circulation? The body is unsure as to why there is pain so it defaults to addressing the worse case scenarios of either tissue damage or infection. In either case the body wants to isolate the area to prevent further damage to the rest of the system. If the body is able to determine that there is no infection or damage to the tissues it will release enkaphlins (endorphins) which plug up the pain receptor sites around the injured area. With the receptors on the afferent nerve fibers plugged two processes occur. First, the pain sensation is eliminated; second, normal blood circulation is returned to the area.

That's all fine and good if you've just stepped on a child's rouge matchbox car in the middle of the night. The pain is nearly gone before the swearing stops. However if the a fore mentioned toy causes an unplanned physics experiment in the rapid acceleration forces of gravity and the sudden body traumatizing stop that occurs at the bottom of the stairs then the body will clearly need more than a few seconds to heal itself. So you head to the Emergency Department to make sure your body is merely bruised and not broken. After being given a diagnosis and a few pain killers you wonder how long it will take for your body to heal itself.

In the above example, the body is unable to heal itself quickly and so it continues to produce a pain signal that there is something wrong. The problem is that the flow of blood to the area is restricted due to the body's natural response to pain which in turn prolongs the healing process. The pain killers also add to the problem since they decrease pain in the body by slowing down the Central Nervous System which in turn slows down the circulatory system thus decreasing the flow of blood around the body. To get the body to heal itself quicker an alternative to western medicine needs to be sought out.

Enter the Acupuncturist. Thousands of years ago the ancient Chinese described the root cause of pain in the following medical proverb: “Where there is pain there is no free flow; where there is free flow, there is no pain.” The term “free flow” in this proverb implies circulation of blood into the pained area. To treat pain with acupuncture, an acupuncturist needs to promote the circulation of blood thus “freeing the flow” and stopping pain. To accomplish this, acupuncture points or nodes are stimulated along proprioceptive nerve fibers that are associated with the problem area. By stimulating these points the nerves are better able to communicate with the brain where the afferent nerve fibers are that are sending the pain signal. With a clearer message reaching the mid-brain, the body is able to confidently release the enkaphlins to plug up the pain receptors thus stopping the pain. Once the brain no longer receives a signal of pain, it frees the flow of blood by dilating the blood vessels so that blood can bring oxygen, nutrients, and the immune system to the damaged area. With all the essential components present for tissue to heal itself the injured area gets to work repairing the damage. Depending upon how serious and how chronic an injury is will determine the amount of time the body will need in order to heal itself. Remember, not even paper cuts go away over night.

This same process of increasing the nerve signal to the brain to treat dis-ease in the body is virtually unchanged for the 50 plus diseases and aliments that the World Health Organization and National Institute of Health recognize as being effectively treatable by acupuncture.

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