acupuncture-tcm: March 2009 Archives

 "Practitioners use moxa to warm regions and acupuncture points with the intention of stimulating circulation through the points and inducing a smoother flow of blood and qi.

Research, for example at Mugwort (Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine by Clare Hanrahan) has shown that mugwort acts as an emmenagogue, meaning that it stimulates blood-flow in the pelvic area and uterus. It is claimed that moxibustion militates against cold and dampness in the body and can serve to turn breech babies.

Medical historians believe that moxibustion pre-dated acupuncture, and needling came to supplement moxa after the 2nd century BC."

Wikipedia article describes moxa treatment.

The photo, taken in Xingping, China, is on Johey24 Flickr photstream, plus more photos.

The Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights (BCRHHR) at Boston Medical Center recently treated many of the large number of Tibetan refugee monks who fled violent religious persecution. These individuals arrived in Boston suffering from symptoms of traumatic stress, interfering with their meditative practice. The monks were diagnosed by their traditional healers as having srog-rLung, a life-wind imbalance. Recognizing that barriers exist between western and eastern medicine, the BCRHHR researched and implemented its own complementary therapy options to heal them. These findings appear online in the March issue of Mental Health, Religion and Culture...

According to the researchers, in order to provide complimentary therapy for the monks, eastern and western medicine needed to be integrated to properly address both conditions.

... Ancient Tibetan Bon tradition of yogic practice was used to induce the mind into a relaxed state necessary to purify oneself through motion. This yogic practice combines movement of the body and controlled breath with movements of the mind to bring mental stability and offers an alternative to the monks' inability to eliminate invasive thoughts. Another therapy that was used is singing bowl therapy--a form of music therapy, as sound has a direct connection to the heart, which aligns with srog-rLung experienced by the monks...

"This research and treatment involving patients accustomed only to traditional medicine, presented an opportunity for the acceptance of non-traditional therapeutic approaches," explains Michael Grodin, MD, professor of health law, bioethics and human rights at Boston University School of Public Health, and professor of psychiatry, sociomedical sciences and community medicine at Boston University School of Medicine. "The difference between Tibetan and Western disease pathologies represents the need for evidence-based complementary therapies...

Grodin said the refugee health center at BMC integrated techniques of western medicine, such as anti-depressant prescribing and psychotherapy, with Tibetan healing practices, including medicines prescribed by Tibetan Amchi, meditation advice, Tai Chi and Qi Gong exercises. Grodin is trained in traditional Chinese medicine, such as acupuncture and meditation.

Source: Boston University. Go to the link for complete article

http://sciencemode.com/2009/03/13/treatment-of-traumatized-tibetan-refugee-monks/

Acupuncture for Weight Loss & Acupuncture for Facial Rejuvenation (NCCAOM PDA Points: 14)

Speaker:Prof. Wenzhu Ma, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, China
Location:155 First Street, Mineola, NY

The lectures will be given in Chinese and translated into English

Seminar 2-1: Acupuncture for Weight Loss

Date: 10 AM - 6 PM, Sunday, 04/26

Fee: $135; fee for NYCTCM alumni or other school students, $108. fee for NYCTCM students: $70

Course objectives: Acupuncture for weight loss: the relationships between obesity and meridians, and viscera; TCM etiology and pathogenesis of obesity and the differences and similarities between Chinese and Western medicine; acupuncture differentiation for weight loss; other acupuncture methods like auricular acupuncture, electro-acupuncture.

Seminar 2-2: Acupuncture for Facial Rejuvenation


Date: 10 AM - 6 PM, Monday, 04/27

Fee: $135; fee for NYCTCM alumni or other school students, $108. fee for NYCTCM students: $70

Course objectives: Acupuncture for facial rejuvenation: the relationships between the meridian, viscera and the skin as well as the other factors like emotion, sleep, and menstruation. The course will introduce skin disorders: acne, freckles, chloasma, wrinkles, etc., and their etiology, pathogenesis, acupuncture diagnosis and treatment

About the Speaker: Dr. Wenzhu Ma, Professor and Director of Clinical Teaching Dept., School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Univ. of Chinese Medicine, China. She specializes in cosmetic acupuncture, simple obesity and other miscellaneous disorders like menstrual disorders and chronic fatigue. She has participated in more than 20 research projects and clinical trials. She has published over 40 articles and 10 books, and won 5 awards for excellent performance in research and teaching.

A TCM tongue diagnosis exercise for the general public. There are pictures of all the different categories of tongues with a suggestion as to their meaning; the user clicks on the tongue that looks like theirs. The acupuncturist says that people should consult a TCM practitioner for a real diagnosis. Beyond Well Being Tongue Diagnosis.