Why Acupuncture?
It works! it's safe, there are no side effects, and you the patient, are in charge of you.
I took acupressure and massage classes in the 1990s. I began integrating those skills with nursing, then experienced acupuncture for myself, and was intrigued by the idea that here is a simple, effective and safe means of restoring health or preventing disease that has been used for thousands of years.
"Medicine is politics. Antibiotic resistant bacteria and ISIS have been created by the same world view." ~ Lonny Jarrett, a leading scholar in the field of Chinese medicine since 1980.
Read this: How Acupuncture Can Relieve Pain and Improve Sleep, Digestion and Emotional Well-being by UC SAN DIEGO center for integrative medicine
What kind of acupuncture do you practice?
I almost always begin with KAN, Korean Acupuncture Nei Jing Style, and once I have Yin and Yang balanced and the channels balanced I may then incorporate TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Master Tung, or Esoteric Acupuncture to address the presentation. I may use an adjunct modality such as cupping, guasha or moxibustion.
What is Korean Acupuncture Nei Jing Style?
Dr Jae Hoon Kim taught a method that goes back to the foundational text of acupuncture, the Huang Di Nei Jing. This ancient collection of guidelines for oriental medicine practitioners tells us to first balance Yin and Yang. Through pulse diagnosis, selection of corresponding acupoints, and logical treatment harmony among channels, systems and levels of being is restored and optimal functioning of the body is supported.
What can I expect?
There may be some surprising questions. Traditional Asian Medicine makes connections and correlations that are not part of western culture so the questions will be different than what your doctor or nurse practitioner asks. The interview helps determine the patterns and cause of your experience. In East Asian Medicine the patterns are as important as the disease - twenty people may have a cold but all of them have different patterns that contribute or create their personal experience of it.
I may use touch or massage to discover the condition of the different body systems and channels. I may feel pulses at different places. I may ask to look at your tongue and teeth and gums, so on the day of your visit avoid brushing your tongue or eating something that will stain it. Arrive a little early and enjoy a relaxing cup of tea so your pulse normalizes.
Traditional Asian Medicine is not just acupuncture. Depending on your conditions we may use Tuina which is a form of bodywork /massage; Acupressure which stimulates the points or regions with fingertip or device; Guasha- coining/scraping to express stagnation and move Qi and Blood; Tapping with a plum blossom device, again to move Qi and Blood. Cupping - the application of suction with glass, plastic or silicone cups to move Qi and Blood; Moxa which is the application of infrared heat to a point or region to nourish or move Qi and Blood; and/or raw or processed Herbs to be taken internally or applied topically.
What can I do for myself?
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When you are happy it is easier to make wise choices and gather good energy, the mind has more to do with health than the body so nourish it first:
General Recommendations
Read the Sara series by Esther and Jerry Hicks explaining the teachings of Abraham- this is at the top of the list for a reason! It's a fun and easy read with tons of wisdom that is easily assimilated.
Laugh more - substitute comedy for drama, watch funny videos- daily!
Practice Compassion - always start with yourself, practice throughout the day, learn how from sensei
Do something exhilarating on a regular basis, could be a walk, see some art, music, nature , weekly
Get this toolkit from Sensei KC WarEagle treasure it and make it your means to skillful attainment
Do Qigong daily- read The healing promise of Qi : creating extraordinary wellness through Qigong and Tai Chi by Roger Jahnke
Meditate daily- read these notes from a Meditation Class I gave at Arts West in Athens Ohio in the Spring of 2012.
Investigate the link between body and mind - read The Biology of Belief by Bruce H Lipton, PH.D.
What should I eat?
Listen to your body-mind. Don't believe everything you think or have been sold. The eyes are easily fooled but the nose is much more discerning. Taste is primarily smell. Then there is texture - and this is really primal, we need substance and fiber. We need to chew to initiate the digestive process, mastication mixes the food with the saliva to start the process. This takes time, we are not just reducing the size to swallowable here, we are prepping the food for the stomach, the real sorting room. While we are chewing the body is analyzing the value of whatever it is, just like the mundane mind does with ideas. If we pay attention during this time we can make the choice to continue with that item or not. Science has often claimed to match mother nature but don't fall for it - real nutrition comes from the ecosystem we are part of.
How does asian medician view nutrition?
The five flavors: bitter, sweet, pungent, sour, bland and 3 temperatures: cold, hot or neutral are each properties that have specific effects on the body systems. These properties have been understood and associated with certain foods for centuries or thousands of years. Dietary choices are made according to effects desired or likely needed according to the season, constitution, age or condition. Eat to feel better, think clearer, and live longer.
In the stomach and small intestine the food has to be the right temperature for many of the enzymes to work - in our evolution we adapted to cooked food because that saved us from the living organisms - parasites, bacteria and viruses that might come along with it. It also softened the fiber that came in abundance with the edibles found by our hunter gatherer ancestors. And they knew better than to eat much frozen food, it is hard on the digestion which then drains the other body systems that support its work.
All of this takes a lot of water, staying hydrated is essential to good health. There are a lot of scary stories surrounding the water we drink and the safety of tap water today. It is still among the safest in the world and far better than recent generations had it, If you are concerned, invest in a filter system. Bottled water has less oversight than tap water. Ice cold drinks are toxic - the body has to warm up what ever comes into it and that drains the resources of every system. At least room temperature but warm is better.
Whatever you eat remember "Everything in moderation." Eat a variety, avoid factory produced meals, eat local and eat less. Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, supper like a pauper. Eat mindfully - it's the unconscious snacking for emotional soothing that generally adds to the spare tire. And Enjoy Your Food! When you feel good about what you eat it will be good for you in unexpected ways. Be kind to yourself, that will ease your digestion.
A great reference on using food for health is The Tao of Nutrition by Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease.
Daverick Leggett has a few great articles on East Asian Medicine perspective on diet at
http://www.meridianpress.net/articles.html
A great online resource for up to date western perspective on nutritional news is http://www.mercola.com/
Where can I learn more?
Some Explanation About...East Asian Medicine:
How Does This (Acupuncture, East Asian Medicine) Work?
How To Get The Most Out Of Your Acupuncture Session:
For more information about Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine:
(in no particular order)
Read:
Why Did You Put That Needle There? By Andrew Wegman
Easy read and clear introduction to Acupuncture.
The Web That Has No Weaver By Ted Kaptchuk
A very in depth resource for anyone interested in Acupuncture by a respected leader in the field.
Acupuncture for Body, Mind and Spirit by Peter Mole
“Written by one of the UK's leading practitioners, this authoritative and accessible introduction to acupuncture reveals everything you need to know before you step into the acupuncture clinic.”
The Healer Within By Roger Jahnke
Great resource for anyone especially regarding Qigong.
A Tooth From The Tiger’s Mouth - How To Treat Your Injuries With Powerful Healing Secrets Of The Great Chinese Warriors By Tom Bisio
Outstanding resource for athletes with great well rounded introduction to the medicine.
Acupuncture Is Like Noodles By Lisa Rohleder
Great introductory book to community acupuncture, how and why this medicine woulda-coulda-shoulda be changing our society.
The Spark in the Machine: How the Science of Acupuncture Explains the Mysteries of Western Medicine by Dr Daniel Keown
A recent western science perspective that covers some aspects of East Asian Medicine
Watch:
TEDxBratislava - Charmian Wylde - The wonder of Chinese medicine
https://youtu.be/iQJFp5UIaOY
AMERICAN DRAGON PRESENTS: Chinese Medicine In America
http://www.americandragon.com/AmericanDragonPresents.html
From the website:
“A video project designed to teach the basics and benefits of Chinese Medicine to the English speaking public. It includes lectures on the fundamental concepts of Chinese Medicine and interviews with prominent practitioners, authors and educators.”
And please enjoy this amazing video that inspires and uplifts me about Community Acupuncture!
It works! it's safe, there are no side effects, and you the patient, are in charge of you.
I took acupressure and massage classes in the 1990s. I began integrating those skills with nursing, then experienced acupuncture for myself, and was intrigued by the idea that here is a simple, effective and safe means of restoring health or preventing disease that has been used for thousands of years.
"Medicine is politics. Antibiotic resistant bacteria and ISIS have been created by the same world view." ~ Lonny Jarrett, a leading scholar in the field of Chinese medicine since 1980.
Read this: How Acupuncture Can Relieve Pain and Improve Sleep, Digestion and Emotional Well-being by UC SAN DIEGO center for integrative medicine
What kind of acupuncture do you practice?
I almost always begin with KAN, Korean Acupuncture Nei Jing Style, and once I have Yin and Yang balanced and the channels balanced I may then incorporate TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Master Tung, or Esoteric Acupuncture to address the presentation. I may use an adjunct modality such as cupping, guasha or moxibustion.
What is Korean Acupuncture Nei Jing Style?
Dr Jae Hoon Kim taught a method that goes back to the foundational text of acupuncture, the Huang Di Nei Jing. This ancient collection of guidelines for oriental medicine practitioners tells us to first balance Yin and Yang. Through pulse diagnosis, selection of corresponding acupoints, and logical treatment harmony among channels, systems and levels of being is restored and optimal functioning of the body is supported.
What can I expect?
There may be some surprising questions. Traditional Asian Medicine makes connections and correlations that are not part of western culture so the questions will be different than what your doctor or nurse practitioner asks. The interview helps determine the patterns and cause of your experience. In East Asian Medicine the patterns are as important as the disease - twenty people may have a cold but all of them have different patterns that contribute or create their personal experience of it.
I may use touch or massage to discover the condition of the different body systems and channels. I may feel pulses at different places. I may ask to look at your tongue and teeth and gums, so on the day of your visit avoid brushing your tongue or eating something that will stain it. Arrive a little early and enjoy a relaxing cup of tea so your pulse normalizes.
Traditional Asian Medicine is not just acupuncture. Depending on your conditions we may use Tuina which is a form of bodywork /massage; Acupressure which stimulates the points or regions with fingertip or device; Guasha- coining/scraping to express stagnation and move Qi and Blood; Tapping with a plum blossom device, again to move Qi and Blood. Cupping - the application of suction with glass, plastic or silicone cups to move Qi and Blood; Moxa which is the application of infrared heat to a point or region to nourish or move Qi and Blood; and/or raw or processed Herbs to be taken internally or applied topically.
What can I do for myself?
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When you are happy it is easier to make wise choices and gather good energy, the mind has more to do with health than the body so nourish it first:
General Recommendations
Read the Sara series by Esther and Jerry Hicks explaining the teachings of Abraham- this is at the top of the list for a reason! It's a fun and easy read with tons of wisdom that is easily assimilated.
Laugh more - substitute comedy for drama, watch funny videos- daily!
Practice Compassion - always start with yourself, practice throughout the day, learn how from sensei
Do something exhilarating on a regular basis, could be a walk, see some art, music, nature , weekly
Get this toolkit from Sensei KC WarEagle treasure it and make it your means to skillful attainment
Do Qigong daily- read The healing promise of Qi : creating extraordinary wellness through Qigong and Tai Chi by Roger Jahnke
Meditate daily- read these notes from a Meditation Class I gave at Arts West in Athens Ohio in the Spring of 2012.
Investigate the link between body and mind - read The Biology of Belief by Bruce H Lipton, PH.D.
What should I eat?
Listen to your body-mind. Don't believe everything you think or have been sold. The eyes are easily fooled but the nose is much more discerning. Taste is primarily smell. Then there is texture - and this is really primal, we need substance and fiber. We need to chew to initiate the digestive process, mastication mixes the food with the saliva to start the process. This takes time, we are not just reducing the size to swallowable here, we are prepping the food for the stomach, the real sorting room. While we are chewing the body is analyzing the value of whatever it is, just like the mundane mind does with ideas. If we pay attention during this time we can make the choice to continue with that item or not. Science has often claimed to match mother nature but don't fall for it - real nutrition comes from the ecosystem we are part of.
How does asian medician view nutrition?
The five flavors: bitter, sweet, pungent, sour, bland and 3 temperatures: cold, hot or neutral are each properties that have specific effects on the body systems. These properties have been understood and associated with certain foods for centuries or thousands of years. Dietary choices are made according to effects desired or likely needed according to the season, constitution, age or condition. Eat to feel better, think clearer, and live longer.
In the stomach and small intestine the food has to be the right temperature for many of the enzymes to work - in our evolution we adapted to cooked food because that saved us from the living organisms - parasites, bacteria and viruses that might come along with it. It also softened the fiber that came in abundance with the edibles found by our hunter gatherer ancestors. And they knew better than to eat much frozen food, it is hard on the digestion which then drains the other body systems that support its work.
All of this takes a lot of water, staying hydrated is essential to good health. There are a lot of scary stories surrounding the water we drink and the safety of tap water today. It is still among the safest in the world and far better than recent generations had it, If you are concerned, invest in a filter system. Bottled water has less oversight than tap water. Ice cold drinks are toxic - the body has to warm up what ever comes into it and that drains the resources of every system. At least room temperature but warm is better.
Whatever you eat remember "Everything in moderation." Eat a variety, avoid factory produced meals, eat local and eat less. Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, supper like a pauper. Eat mindfully - it's the unconscious snacking for emotional soothing that generally adds to the spare tire. And Enjoy Your Food! When you feel good about what you eat it will be good for you in unexpected ways. Be kind to yourself, that will ease your digestion.
A great reference on using food for health is The Tao of Nutrition by Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease.
Daverick Leggett has a few great articles on East Asian Medicine perspective on diet at
http://www.meridianpress.net/articles.html
A great online resource for up to date western perspective on nutritional news is http://www.mercola.com/
Where can I learn more?
Some Explanation About...East Asian Medicine:
How Does This (Acupuncture, East Asian Medicine) Work?
How To Get The Most Out Of Your Acupuncture Session:
For more information about Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine:
(in no particular order)
Read:
Why Did You Put That Needle There? By Andrew Wegman
Easy read and clear introduction to Acupuncture.
The Web That Has No Weaver By Ted Kaptchuk
A very in depth resource for anyone interested in Acupuncture by a respected leader in the field.
Acupuncture for Body, Mind and Spirit by Peter Mole
“Written by one of the UK's leading practitioners, this authoritative and accessible introduction to acupuncture reveals everything you need to know before you step into the acupuncture clinic.”
The Healer Within By Roger Jahnke
Great resource for anyone especially regarding Qigong.
A Tooth From The Tiger’s Mouth - How To Treat Your Injuries With Powerful Healing Secrets Of The Great Chinese Warriors By Tom Bisio
Outstanding resource for athletes with great well rounded introduction to the medicine.
Acupuncture Is Like Noodles By Lisa Rohleder
Great introductory book to community acupuncture, how and why this medicine woulda-coulda-shoulda be changing our society.
The Spark in the Machine: How the Science of Acupuncture Explains the Mysteries of Western Medicine by Dr Daniel Keown
A recent western science perspective that covers some aspects of East Asian Medicine
Watch:
TEDxBratislava - Charmian Wylde - The wonder of Chinese medicine
https://youtu.be/iQJFp5UIaOY
AMERICAN DRAGON PRESENTS: Chinese Medicine In America
http://www.americandragon.com/AmericanDragonPresents.html
From the website:
“A video project designed to teach the basics and benefits of Chinese Medicine to the English speaking public. It includes lectures on the fundamental concepts of Chinese Medicine and interviews with prominent practitioners, authors and educators.”
And please enjoy this amazing video that inspires and uplifts me about Community Acupuncture!
