According to traditional Chinese medicine, each season is ruled by an element. Summer is associated with the element of Fire. The ancient theory of The Five Phases was introduced almost two thousand years ago, and discusses the idea that the structure of the cosmos reflects the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each …
Women of all ages and backgrounds can be affected by the condition of endometriosis. In fact, an estimated five to seven million American women currently suffer from this condition, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. Endometriosis is derived from the word “endometrium,” which is the lining of a woman’s uterus. In this …
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Traditional Chinese medicine is a large practice composed of many aspects. There is acupuncture (the use of small needles to free and aid one’s qi), qi gong (a self healing art that combines meditation and movement), massage therapy, herbs, and various manners of meditation, to name a few. Each practice has specific ailments that it …
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The acronym ‘CAM’ stands for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that include treatments such as herbal remedies, naturopathy, acupuncture, and meditation. CAM is currently not considered to be a part of conventional medicine, and because of this, it is not covered by …
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Restless Leg Syndrome, also known as Ekbom Syndrome, can affect anyone, but it seems to most commonly affect women past the age of fifty. About ten percent of the population of the United States and Europe suffer from some degree of this condition. There is no specific known cause of RLS, but it is thought …
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Traditional Chinese medicine takes into account both external and internal factors in the creation of an individual’s diagnosis. The current emotional state of the patient is one internal factor that traditional Chinese medicine believes to be very important. In fact, emotions are believed to directly correlate to specific organs and their states of being. Traditional …
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To everything, there is a season. Our physical and emotional health is no exception. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is nationally recognized during the month of December and throughout winter, is an example of how a change in seasons can affect our wellbeing. Between 4 and 6 percent of the U.S. population suffer from SAD. …
The very essence of traditional Chinese medicine is qi. Loosely translated, ‘qi’ means “vital energy”. But it is far more than that. In the TCM tradition, qi is thought of as the essence that animates all things. In the human body, qi flows through meridians, or energy pathways. It is over this network that qi …
Skin is the body’s largest organ. It is also the most visible and vulnerable organ. Skin conditions are very common and the discomfort of conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin is often followed by distress over their appearance. While acne is most common in adolescents, and eczema is becoming increasingly common in …
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Over the last 10 years, in my practice I have specialized in TCM Ophthalmology. I have made quite a few significant clinical observations through diagnostic testing, treatment, and direct feedback from my patients. In my clinical practice I incorporate TCM with nutrition and “functional medicine.” Functional medicine uses methods to measure how weak (yin) or …
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