If you can't read this email properly, click here to open a new window and read online
| Summer 2009 | Volume 4 Issue 2ISSN 1750-4414 | |
 |
 |
|
 |
||
In This Issue
Tell a FriendIf you know anyone that would like to read our free Chinese medicine and acupuncture ejournal, click here to forward them a message.
Latest Book ReleasesChinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd editionBuilding Your Acupuncture Practice Through Your Website eBookPractice Advertising Guides eBookHow To Locate Acupuncture Points - The Definitive DVDAcupuncture: an Aid to Differential DiagnosisHandbook of Obstetrics & Gynecology in Chinese Medicine: An Integrated ApproachCosmetic AcupunctureQuick Links
Seirin 0.18 x 30mm Yellow Acupuncture NeedlePregnancy and GestationThe Essential WomanAn Mo Rou Tui na Massage LotionApplied Channel Theory in Chinese MedicineTreatment of Infertility with Chinese MedicineSeirin 0.12 x 30mm Dark Green Acupuncture Needle |
Dear Colleague,Welcome to volume 4, issue 2 of the Chinese Medicine Times (CMT) ejournal. We are now offering FREE SHIPPING on all Churchill Livingstone and Thieme titles within Europe. Click here to take advantage of this great offer. CMT is pleased to announce that it will soon be selling online audio lectures by Jane Lyttleton on infertility. Click here to find out more. Articles in this IssueChannel Theory and the Ultimate Sources of the Inner Classic – Part Twoby Jason D. RobertsonIn the previous issue, I sketched an overview of how the ideas from the Han dynasty likely came forward to us as the Inner Classic we consult today. The focus of the following section will be on time going back from the Han dynasty. How did the Inner Classic, so revered in Chinese culture, develop from the mists of pre-history? What follows is a very brief summary of some recent research on the earliest period of Chinese medicine. At the very point when portions of the Inner Classic were likely compiled, the relative opacity of Chinese pre-history begins to clarify with written, verifiable texts. This was a time of significant development not only for the field of medicine but for Chinese culture in general. Most notably for the field of medicine, historians seem to agree that the last centuries B.C. witnessed a kind of intellectual cross-fertilization amongst traditions of self-cultivation and the earliest form of needle therapy. The result is the concept of a system of qi circulation in the body that finally culminated with the compilation of many of the texts which were eventually incorporated into the Inner Classic in the process described in the previous issue. The Dawn of the Han Dynasty Scholarship available in English by sinologists Nathan Sivin, Donald Harper, Elisabeth Hsu, Vivienne Lo and Paul Unschuld has shed a great deal of light on the previously little-understood very early eras of Chinese medical history. Their research in both ancient and modern Chinese language sources opens a window onto some of the major intellectual trends that eventually gave rise to the first synthesis of channel-style physiology described in the Inner Classic. The period in question begins with the latter years of the Warring States period (475-221 B.C.) and continues through the early centuries of the Han dynasty (200 A.D.). The general impression presented by the work of these scholars is one of a complex cross-fertilization of ideas during a time of social and political chaos which gradually gives way to the first organized Chinese imperial state. During the Warring States, ideas took shape, which continue to influence the lives of Chinese people even to the present day. The death of Confucius occurred at the very end of the previous Spring and Autumn period (479 B.C.) and, for the 250 years of the Warring States, debates swirled amongst the famous 'Hundred Schools of Thought'. During this time, itinerant philosophers traveled the various states plying their intellectual wares at courts vying with aggressive neighbors for military and cultural predominance. It seems to have been the very chaos of the time which stimulated exciting debate. It was the period of Meng Zi (Mencius), the inheritor of Confucianism and of Zhuang Zi (??), the storyteller of the Taoists. The Dào dé jing, was likely compiled during this time although debate goes on as to when (or if) Lao Zi actually lived. [read more] A Discussion on Wang Shu He Pulse Classic - Part Twoby Leon HammerThe Choppy quality has small `hills' and `valleys' as one rolls one's finger along the pulse. One commentator mentions that since the `hills' or "bumps" are of differing height, this is the equivalent of a quality I describe as `Changing Intensity or Amplitude', which also varies in height. The argument is, therefore, that Changing Intensity and Amplitude are signs of blood stagnation because like the Choppy quality, there is a variation in height. As mentioned above, the Choppy quality is relatively stable and fixed in terms of the vertical movement and has little of the restive wave activity associated with Changing Intensity. The `hills' and `valleys' are stationary. `Changing Intensity and Amplitude' are moving & dynamic which you can feel while the fingers are stationary, while with the Choppy pulse one need to roll the fingers to feel the differing heights. There is nothing in the terms "scraping bamboo" or "a washboard effect" that suggests the movement that characterizes the movement inherent to the qualities Changing Intensity and Amplitude. Another case of mistaken identity. Again, if the stability of the circulation is compromised there will be some blood stagnation. That does not mean that `Changing Amplitude and Intensity' is a sign of blood stagnation. Endless times I have felt pulses whose Amplitude and Intensity are Changing and simultaneously in the same position have a Choppy grating to the finger like rubbing ones finger across a washboard. Similarly, even more times, I have felt `Changing Intensity and Amplitude', with absolutely no clinical sign or symptom of blood stagnation. Again, where, how and when do we determine the threshold of blood stagnation.[read more] Postpartum Weight Loss for Nursing Mothers Using TCM and Modern Techniquesby Juliette AiyanaOver the past few years, there have been many published studies, articles and one book written on the effectiveness of acupuncture and Chinese herbs for weight loss and weight management. However, none have focused on post-partum weight loss. Now that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has become extremely popular for fertility, gestational diseases, and labor induction; practitioners have the opportunity to follow-up with these same patients for post-partum healthcare. Many pregnant and post-partum mothers are concerned about losing the "baby weight" as soon as possible. During pregnancy it is contraindicated to lose weight, but we can assist with weight management techniques to control weight gain during pregnancy if needed. In addition, we can educate mothers about how to safely and effectively lose weight after the baby is born. Many new mothers focus on losing weight as quickly as possible after her baby is born. However, as practitioner's we ought to teach these mothers to lose weight healthfully and slowly for the sake of their personal health and the health of their nursling(s). Weight Loss in the first six weeks Post-Partum It is not advisable to begin any special weight loss dieting during the first eight weeks postpartum so that the mother can recover her energy and heal from the birth. Eating a healthy, balanced and varied diet is advisable. In fact, nursing mothers need to eat an extra 500 calories per day to support milk production. A nursing mother's diet should be 1,800 calories per day and definitely not less then 1,500 calories per day. Most women can begin exercising at about six weeks post-partum. Most women lose about ten pounds (4.5kg) during the birth: the baby, the placenta and the amniotic fluid. Nursing the baby helps the uterus to shrink which will also result in weight loss. Typically in the first few weeks after birth, the mother will spontaneously lose about 5 to 8 pounds of leftover fluid weight, without the need for special weight loss techniques. That water is commonly lost through urine and sweating. Post-partum sweating occurs frequently in the form of night sweats, day sweating, and sweating while nursing the infant. All of these types of sweating result in water weight loss and are such sweating is usually considered normal and is not classified in TCM as pathological fluid (Yin) loss. [read more] An Overview of Breech Births and Treatment using Acupuncture and Moxibustionby Anthony MonteithBreech Birthing - An Overview In breech births, the position of the baby in the uterus changes so that the buttocks appear first, rather than the head. Breech birth usually occurs in cases of premature delivery. Other cases of breech birth include multiple pregnancy, i.e. triplets and twins, foetal anomalies; anencephaly, hydrocephaly, or other congenital abnormalities, uterine abnormalities, or excessive amounts of amniotic fluid. Normally, at twenty-eight weeks gestation, all babies are at breech position. By forty weeks, the position of the baby changes and the number of breech presentations normally falls to around 3% to 4%. Breech births are categorised into four main presentations; Frank breech, complete breech, footling breech, and kneeling breech. Around 65-70% of breech babies are in the Frank breech position. In this breech position, the baby's legs remain flexed at the hips while the knees are extended. In cases of a normal birth, the uterine contractions regularly, which cause the cervix to open. In breech deliveries, the baby remains in the oblique position. The baby's bottom and head are more or less of the same size. As soon as the internal rotations start, the pelvic floor muscles cause the baby to turn its position. The baby now faces the inner thighs. The baby's shoulders and hips follow suit and now faces the back of the mother. [read more] The Treatment of Fibromyalgia Using Acupunctureby Janet BardiniIntroduction Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain illness affecting approximately 3-6% of the U.S. population, with a higher percentage being women of all ages and races1. It is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal aches, pain, and stiffness that comes and goes with varying intensity. Other signs and symptoms include soft tissue tenderness, fatigue and sleeping disorders. Currently there are no lab tests available for diagnosing FM. An exam based on the standardized American College of Rheumatology is performed by a medical doctor to determine the presence of multiple tender points at characteristic locations. To receive an FM diagnosis, the patients must have: 1) widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body for a minimum duration of three months; 2) tenderness or pain in at least 11 of the 18 specified tender points when pressure is applied. The causes of fibromyalgia remain unknown. Research shows that FM may be a disorder of central processing - pain being caused by abnormal sensory processing in the Central Nervous System (CNS). Other scientific studies on FM patients have shown increased levels of substance P (an excitatory neurotransmitter) in the spinal cord, limited blood flow to the thalamus region, hypo function of the HPA axis, low levels of the hormones serotonin and tryptophan, and abnormal cytokine function. More recent studies have found that there may be a genetic predisposition to FM. [read more] News & What's New?NewsAcupuncture reduces post-op nausea and vomiting Acupuncture or acupressure stimulation of Pericardium 6 (P6), a point on the wrist, is safe and effective for reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting, according to a review of studies appearing in The Cochrane Library for April 14. The results show that compared with a sham treatment, P6 stimulation reduced nausea by 29 percent, vomiting by 30 percent, and the need for rescue antiemetics - drugs that suppress nausea -- by 31 percent, study co-authors Dr. Anna Lee and Dr. Lawrence T. Y. Fan, from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, report. Click here to read more. Acupuncture Eases Radiation-Induced Dry Mouth In Cancer Patients Twice weekly acupuncture treatments relieve debilitating symptoms of xerostomia - severe dry mouth - among patients treated with radiation for head and neck cancer, researchers from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center report in the current online issue of Head & Neck. Click here to read more. Acupuncture better than drugs for acne Both acupuncture and medication can effectively promote the recovery of the affected skin, and lower serum IL-6 level in acne conglobata patients. The effect of acupuncture is stronger than that of Isotretinoin Capsules in lowering serum IL-6 content and has fewer adverse effects. Click here to read more. Electro-acupuncture better than standard techniques at improving post-stroke limb function Three weeks of transcutaneous electrical stimulation to lower leg acupuncture points, given 5 times a week within 10 days post-stroke, significantly decreased ankle plantarflexor spasticity, and increased dorsiflexor strength concomitant with a decrease in antagonist co-contraction. Click here to read more. Traditional Chinese Medicine Eases Eczema Traditional Chinese medicine seems to safely and effectively treat eczema, according to a new study presented at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Also known as dermatitis, eczema causes red, swollen, itchy skin and may result from factors such as allergies or exposure to skin-irritating substances. Click here to read more. Acupuncture Relieves Trigeminal Neuralgia A recent study in the journal Medical Acupuncture demonstrated a significant beneficial effect when acupuncture treatments were administered to patients who were suffering from Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN). Click here to read more. Kings College gets Funding to Unify Western and Chinese Medicine The project entitled 'Good Practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine Research in the Post-genomic Era' (GP-TCM) will review the current status of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) research, identify problems and propose solutions by applying modern methods of investigation, as well as providing a forum for the exchange of opinions, experience and expertise among scientists in the EU and China. Click here to read more. Scientists find acupuncture can help to relieve chronic back pain Using acupuncture to treat chronic back pain is more effective than standard treatments alone, a leading scientific study has found. Click here to read more. What's NewOnline Seminars We offer a range of online seminars from leading experts in their field as either audio or video, starting with Jane Lyttleton discussing infertility. Click here to find out more. |
Latest OffersTewa 0.16 x 15mm Plastic Handle Acupuncture NeedleAcupuncture: A Comprehensive TextTewa 0.18 x 30mm Acupuncture NeedleSports Acupuncture: The Meridian Test and Its ApplicationsBollmann Alternative Case, BlackThe Clinical Practice of Chinese MedicineGrasping the Wind, the Meaning of Chinese Acupuncture PointsThe Essential Guide to Acupuncture in Pregnancy & ChildbirthSeirin 0.20 x 30mm Blue Acupuncture NeedleA Manual of Acupuncture |
| © 2009 Chinese Medicine Times - Keeping you informed | ||
To unsubscribe from the ejournal click here.