Acupuncture and PTSD: Radio Interview

On Wednesday, May 20, 2009, a volunteer from Acupuncturists without Borders (AWB) will be hosting a radio interview about veterans with PTSD and acupuncture.  Dr. Joe C. Chang will be interviewed on this program, and will be discussing his integrative medicine program at both Army and Navy military bases. Acupuncturists without Borders is a non-profit organization that trains acupuncturists to organize and help out in crisis situations, and has also started the Military Stress Recovery Projects (formerly known as the Vets Project). To listen to this interview, go to KSVY.org and click on the listen now button (1-2 pacific time on Wednesday).

Photo by heidiheimsal

What can TCM help with? Weight Loss

Weight loss is something many people struggle with at some point in their lives. For some, it is simple to drop a few pounds, but often it's a slow process that requires lifestyle changes and a dedication to taking care of our bodies. Acupuncture can be a great way to help with weight loss. The treatment may include the stimulation of acupoints in the hands, legs, and feet as well as the abdomen. The acupuncture points chosen by the practitioner are to help with craving for food, stimulate the metabolism, and boost energy.

Ear seeds by stillthedudeabides

When I am treating patients who are interested in weight loss, I often use ear seeds. These tiny seeds that stick to the ear using adhesive tape are to be pressed by the patient several times a day for one minute. They are very helpful in treating weight loss, and are painless and non-invasive. The auricular acupuncture points chosen are to help with craving for food, stimulate the metabolism, and boost energy. The points used might be Shen Men (to calm the mind), the Mouth point, and the Hunger point (enough said!)

There are also some good Traditional Chinese medicine herbal formulas that can help with weight loss. These are NOT formulas that contain huge amounts of ephedra, but are instead specifically aimed at the constitution of the patient. I would not recommend any of the fad diet regimes on the market today, so talk to your practitioner about an herbal formula that is tailored specifially to your needs and body type.

Taking the Pulse in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture London by glenimages

Taking the pulse in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a very important part of our diagnosis. A practitioner can tell a lot about you internally, even before you tell her or him. A lot of patients are mystified by this diagnostic skill (and they should be!). It's just one of the many different ways that acupuncture and alternative medicine differ from conventional medicine. Since a lot of my patients often inquire about what I'm doing when I take their pulses, I thought I'd write a post about why we take the pulse in TCM.

It's not something that practitioners can learn over night- it takes a lot of practice and taking several hundred (or thousand) pulses to get the technique down.  There are three positions a practitioner is looking for, and each position represents a different organ or part of the body.This is the reason we take the pulse on both sides, not just one. By taking your pulse, we can tell if your eating habits are good, if you have a cold coming on, and if your energy is high or low. We can also take note of how your organs are functioning at that time.

When an acupuncture practitioner takes your pulse, they are still counting the beats per minute, the way you would have done in the doctors office. However, we are also looking for certain "qualities" in the pulse. Some terms you might hear an acupuncturist say are "wiry" (if you are stressed out or in pain), "slippery" of you have a lot of phlegm, or even "rapid" of you have a fever.

Don't be afraid to ask the practitioner what they are feeling in your pulse- education is the best way to living a healthier life :)

Acupuncture for Portland

Acupuncture (for the Earth): by Cynner_SF

Happy Earth Day!

Last year, local artist Adam Kuby gave the city of Portland a much needed acupuncture treatment! In March of 2008, a 23-foot needle was installed in the south waterfront area of Portland. Several students from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine helped chose the most effective place (acupoint?) in the city.

Read this interesting article on Acufinder.com

TCM and Research

Photo by Snapjlr.

This weekend, I attended the 2009 Symposiun for Portland Area Research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (SPARC). SPARC is a yearly event where all Complementary and Alternative medicine come together to listen to new research presentations, view posters, and discuss research in the field of alternative medicine. The Helfgott Research Institute is the organizer of this event - you can check out their blog here.

Dr. Josephine Briggs, the director of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) gave a great presentation on how alternative medicine is changing in the west, and how it is sought out now compared to several years ago. For example, in a 2007 survey, the top three reasons patients seek acupuncture was for back pain, neck pain, and joint pain. Compare this to a 2002 survey where the common cold was the reason (now it's down around #7!). It's good to see that people are realizing the all-encompassing healing that is Traditional Chinese Medicine, and I can't wait to see what comes up in a future survey.

For a list of more research articles, check out Barbican Acupuncture's research page, or Chinese Medicine News.

Acupuncture and Allergies

Pollen from Scots Pine: by goforchris

Allergy season has been here in Portland for well over a month now, and I have been seeing a lot of people with seasonal allergy symptoms. There is no doubt we are in the great Northwest when everyone is sneezing and rubbing their eyes in unison (click here for the current pollen count)!

If you are currently suffering, acupuncture and herbs will effectively treat the symptoms, because they are aren't going to improve on their own.  Benadryl and other allergy medications are helpful, but these only mask the symptoms for a few hours.

You will most likely need treatment once a week for the first few months, and once the symptoms are under control, treatments can be stretched to once every other week or every three weeks.

Herbal medicine also works well in conjunction with the acupuncture.- check out my previous allergy post for links and information

Therapeutic animal massage by Rubi Sullivan

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxKCpBXofiM[/youtube] Last week, I attended a talk at Rose City Veterinary Clinic where Rubi Sullivan, CSAMP owner of Heal animal massage therapy discussed the benefits of massage for animals. Rubi is certified by the Northwest School of Animal massage in Washington, and works in the Portland area. She

She explained that massage can help animals heal faster after surgery or anesthesia, as the techniques she uses help with lymphatic draining. It also calms the dog and helps to 'initiate' a faster recovery time. Massage for animals affects them in a similar way it affects humans: it helps to reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and increases range of motion in arthritic joints.

Rubi  treats the animals in the comfort of their home, and while she usually treats dogs and cats, she has treated rodents as well.  The techniques used for each animal are similar in effect, but the style will vary depending on the size of the animal and their personality. Rubi contacts the veterinarian of each animal she works with be sure the dog is able to receive treatment.

You can find Rubi here:

Heal Animal Massage Therapy

www.healnw.com 503.380.4487 rubi@healnw.com

p.s.  If your dog enjoys massage, consider a yoga class.....

Acupuncture for children

Pediatric acupuncture is in the news again! Check out this amazing Good Morning America clip - the kids in the video really seem to enjoy acupuncture. The tools that the practitioner is using with the toddler are called Shonishin (sho=little, ni=child, shin-needle), a Japanese acupuncture technique which uses non-penetrating needles and tools to work with children.

It's also great how they discuss teens using acupuncture. Going through puberty can be a struggle both physically and emotionally, and I feel acupuncture would be a good way to calm the mind and allow teens to feel more comfortable with their changing bodies.

Food and Fertility

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ci3rWcrvDM[/youtube]

Jill Blakeway, LAc, is a practitioner in New York at the  The YinOva Center.  Her focus is on women's health and she also has an informative fertility and pregnancy blog. Jill has a book about acupuncture and fertility titled: "Making Babies: a proven three-month program for maximum fertility."  The book will focus on foods, lifestyle changes, and timing conception, and willbe available this summer.

In the meantime, have a look at Fertilityinfo.com for an informative list of foods to eat while trying to conceive. Some of this list includes organic foods whenever possible, and eliminating alcohol and caffeine and trans fats. Check out the list of nutrient rich fertility diet, and watch the video.

p.s. from the YinOva Center Blog - the post that is helping me break up with coffee....

New places for healing around Portland

Ba Gua from: Wikipedia

The Taoist Center in Southeast Portland is open for classes and treatments. The Taoist center is a space for the study of the Dao, but also hold classes, provides acupuncture treatment, and offers bodywork. I'm looking forward to watching the growth of this wonderful place. They also have a blog - check it out!

Working Class Acupuncture will be opening another clinic in Southwest Portland mid-April! So for those of us who don't seem to make it over to Northeast as often as we'd like, keep checking back here for more info about the opening, or check their blog.

TCM in Pediatric Hospitals

Photo by Spiderwoman

Childrens Hospital is integrating acupuncture into treatment plans for kids!

Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is collaborating with the Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine to provide acupuncture and Chinese medicine to pediatric patients. The Pediatric Acupuncture Program began treating patients in January of this year, and Dr. Jeffery Gold, the director of Pedictric Pain management stated that "...acupuncture may serve to harmonize Traditional Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine as a means of promoting preventive care and symptom management for children." More information on this collaboration can be read here.

Childrens Hospital Boston has been utilizing acupuncture to help with chronic pain management as well as diseases such as asthma, constipation, and dental pain. Acupuncture is used in conjuction with Western medical care at the hospital in order to “.... decrease children’s pain and symptoms so that they may participate in activities at school, in sports and with their peers,” reports Dr. Yuan Chi Lin, director of Children's Medical Acupuncture Services .

I look forward to seeing how many pediatric hospitals in the US and hopefully throughout the world will be using acupuncture to help children in the future!

Acupuncture and moxibustion for breech babies

Moxa by SuperFantastic A research paper was recently published concerning the efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of turning breech babies (meaning the baby's head is up instead of down near the birth canal). With the use of specific acupuncture points and careful moxibustion technique, the results of the review of trials were that Traditional Chinese Medicine is a safe and effective way to help turn breech babies.

By using a simple moxibustion method, a practitioner can help turn the baby in a painless and effective manner. I have spoken to many people who have used this method with great success, and once the baby turns, it stays that way. Check out this research article for the positive results of a moxibustion and breech presentation study.

However, there are many more ways (check out this list of 17) a women can turn her baby, though I think I'd prefer trying mosxibustion than some of these.....

Video Introduction to Acupuncture

Acupuncture Collage

Photo by kodiax2

Check out this quick video on what to expect during your first acupuncture treatment! Not all clinics look like this one, and not all treatments are going to be like a spa treatment, but it's a good way to see what you might expect.

Interview with a practitioner: Jennie King, LMT

1) What brought you to Portland?

I came to Portland for two reasons: The first reason is that I lived in Ohio and I wanted to live somewhere that fit my values. I always felt like I was swimming upstream. I love Portland and I feel like it is an oasis.

The second reason was that I wanted to develop a deeper relationship with my little brother.  He moved to the west coast right after he graduated from high school and I desired to have a friendship that wasn't based on our childhood but extended into adulthood as well.

2) Why did you decide to become an LMT?

I became a massage therapist because I think touch is invaluable. I wasn't always comfortable with touch- meaning touching other people or being touched. I love a good challenge and I could tell that I had a lot of potential for growth in that area. Also, I feel that there are so many violating ways that people treat each other, I wanted to be part of the solution to heal that manner of interaction.

3) Tell me about your practice.

My practice is based on everything I've learned translated through my belief systems.  I've studied the basic Swedish deep tissue massage, but have incorporated Shiatsu, myofascial and craniosacral massage.  My education in Chinese medicine at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine colors how I look at the body.  I love fusing the structural muscle work with the energetic, and I see it as a dance with the person on the table.

4) Where does your passion for the medicine of massage come from? My passion for my practice comes from a desire to change the world.  I feel like I can do it one person at a time.  I like to provide that space where people can recharge and remember who they are.  If I help them be the best that they can then they can go out and do their job better.  I love learning and the body is endless.

5) Any advice for patients? My advice for patients is to breath and ground, everything else flows from there.

6) What is your favorite Portland restaurant and why? There are so many great restaurants and I love to eat but if I had to pick one it would be The Farm.  The reason is fallen chocolate souffle, of course.

You can find Jennie at:

The Abbey House

2928 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Suite #104

Portland, OR 97214

phone: 503-740-5464

Massage Therapy in Portland

I am often asked if I know of any massage therapists in Portland, and while there are many great Licensed Massage Therapists (LMT) in the Portland area, I decided to dig a little deeper into what was out there. There are many styles of massage, and each practitioner has a different approach. When choosing a practitioner or a style of massage, it's about personal preference and level of comfort.

-This website claimed that Swedish massage, aromatherapy, and hot stone massage are the top three types of requested massage styles. Check them out and see for yourself. I feel the list is missing a few important styles, such as Tuina and craniosacral massage.

-Rehabilitative massage for chronic diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis, scoliosis and fibromyalgia: Harmony Therapeutic Bodywork

-Prenatal and post partum massage for women: Mothertree Birth Services and Earth Mama both offer massage specifically for mothers-to-be and new moms. Earth Mama also offers infant massage.

- Sports injuries: Gateway Sports Medicine offers acupuncture and physical therapy as well as massage.

-For a lower-cost option, check out a massage by students at the two schools in the Portland area: the Oregon School of Massage in Southwest Portland, and East-West College in Northeast Portland. The Oregon College of Oriental Medicine offers Shiatsu and Tuina massage treatments as well.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Breastfeeding

According to Bob Flaws in "A Handbook if TCM Pediatrics," breast milk is the single best food for infants. Children who are breast fed have better immune systems and gastrointestinal health than those who aren't. Breastfeeding induces the release of oxytocin, a hormone that causes uterine contractions and helps the mother's body recover from giving birth. Acupuncture is a beneficial way to treat the mother should any any problems arise, such as mastitis (the inflammation and infection of breast tissue).

Mastitis in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) terms is "Toxic Heat accumulation with Qi and Blood Stagnation," which is actually similar to the Western diagnosis of inflammation and infection. The TCM diagnosis is an interesting holistic view of the body, as the lower part, (mainly the uterus) is Cold and Deficient from giving birth, but the upper part of the body (the breasts) has Heat and Stagnation.

A TCM practitioner will use acupoints and prescribe herbs that can either be taken orally or as an herbal pack to place on the breast. Dandelion (Pu Gong Yin) and honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua) are commonly used to treat mastitis, as their action is to clear heat and toxicity out of the affected area. TCM offers many formulas that a nursing mother can safely take, including Shen Hua Tang, (the formula recommended in the post on TCM and Postpartum care), and the use of acupuncture relaxes the mother and ensures the smooth flow of Qi, or energy throughout the body (note: acupuncture points used to treat mastitis are rarely directly on the breast).

Check out this acupuncture website for an in-depth view of eating habits during breastfeeding, and the La Leche League for more resources.

Traditional Chinese Medicine: Childbirth and and Postpartum Care

Kinsey & Zander

Bringing a new life into the world is an amazing process, but the time spent in labor and delivery takes a toll on the mother's body. After giving birth, a woman's body is depleted, and needs to be nourished by her environment (calm, quiet and warmth) and the foods she eats. She needs to take care of herself more than ever at this point, but must also take care of her infant. Balancing these can be difficult for the first few weeks, until both the mother and child are on a regular schedule.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine are extremely helpful in recovery after childbirth. The new mother will be sleep deprived and extremely tired due to the loss of blood and energy in labor and delivery. She may also have some post-partum blues due to the hormonal changes. There are acupoints that practitioners use to help the mother recover physically and emotionally, and other techniques, such as moxibustion to warm the body and help her heal.

A Chinese recipe from Angela Wu's "Fertility Wisdom" involves poaching an egg or chicken pieces with ginger, sesame oil, and rice wine. These foods have properties to warm the body after giving birth. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, the process of birth can create a coldness in the lower abdomen, as well as stagnation. Shen Hua Tang, or the "Generation and Transformation" formula, is a traditional formula often used to help with lower abdominal pain after childbirth.

Interview with Joseph Coletto, ND, LAc

Tenets of Naturopathic Medicine Photo by annfonfa@aol.com

[Joseph J. Coletto, ND, LAc, received a Bachelor of Science in education from the University of North Dakota in 1975, an Naturopathic Doctor degree (ND) from National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) in 1983, and an Oriental medical diploma from Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) in 1989. He has been teaching in various capacities since 1974 and is a master-teacher who mentors other faculty. He is currently in private practice as a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist, and is the Chair of Biomedicine at OCOM.]

1. What brought you to Portland?

I came to Portland in 1979 to study at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, now called the National College of Natural Medicine.

2. Why did you decide to become an LAc?

During my study of Naturopathic medicine, I was introduced to Chinese medicine. It resonated with me, so I continued by education after I graduated from NCNM and eventually received my L.Ac. I thought that I would be able to help a lot of people by using Chinese medicine in combination with my Naturopathic training. 3. Tell me about your practice

I have a part time practice; I practice one day each week. My educational background is in education, and I enjoy teaching. I spend most of my week teaching and doing some administrative work. In my practice, I see patients of all ages with many different problems, from acute illnesses to chronic diseases. With my background in both Naturopathic and Chinese medicine, I combine several different frameworks and modalities in my interactions with patients. 4. Where does your passion for the medicine come from?

My passion for medicine in general comes from my desire to help relieve suffering. Suffering can take many guises on many different levels, but that is my goal. Helping people realize optimum health and potential would be the ultimate goal. I am passionate about seeing people change, hopefully in positive ways. I feel that my contribution to my patients and students is to help create a better world in which to live.

4. Any advice for patients?

Moderation, including moderation in moderation! Eat whole organically grown foods as much as possible, including a lot of vegetables and fruits. Drink clean water. Exercise daily. Meditate or do something for relaxation daily. Think good thoughts. Connect with others. Smile as much as possible.

5. What is your favorite restaurant in Portland and why?

I have to give you two, Higgins and Alexis. Higgins has exquisitely prepared and tasty food, cooked with local organic ingredients as much as possible in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Alexis is a Greek family restaurant that has great food in a family centered environment.

Dr. Coletto currently practices at the OCOM clinic: 10525 SE Cherry Blossom Drive Portland, OR 97216

Appointments: 503-253-3443 x146

Acupuncture in the military

The US Air Force is using acupuncture! This is such exciting news, as military doctors who have training in are able to treat soldiers in pain without using high doses of narcotics.  "Battlefield acupuncture," which is the method developed by Air Force Physician Col. Richard Niemtzow, uses small auricular needles that fit under the soldiers' helmets. They are able to perform their duties while getting some relief from pain.

The Air Force currently runs the military's only acupuncture clinic, but next month, a pilot program will train 44 Army, Navy, and Air Force doctors to apply acupuncture as part of emergency care in war zones, as well as on bases.

We already know many of the positive effects that acupuncture can have on soldiers when they come back from the front lines, but it would be even better to receive treatment while still on base. Check out the article here!

Winter and the Water Element

Snow berries: Photo by leojmelsrub

Winter has arrived. It seemed to take a while, but when it did, it was quite dramatic. Weeks of snow (with more to come!), wind, and chilly temperatures have clearly notified us that the season of Winter is here. Staying indoors and sleeping are more appealing as our bodies try to keep us warm, and cravings for certain foods may also be at the forefront of our minds. This is the season in Chinese Medicine of TCM organs the Kidneys, which holds the essence of  our being and our energy.

	WATER	WOOD	FIRE	EARTH	METAL
Season	Winter	Spring	Summer	Late Summer	Autumn
Climatic Qi	Cold	Wind	Heat	Damp	Dryness
Yang Organ	Bladder	Gallbladder	Small Intestine	Stomach	Large Intestine
Yin Organ	Kidney	Liver	Heart	Spleen	Lung
Sense Organ	Ears	Eyes	Tongue	Mouth	Nose
Body Tissue	Bone	Sinews	Blood Vessel	Muscles	Skin
Emotion	Fear	Anger	Joy/Shock	Worry	Sadness
Color	Black	Green	Red	Yellow	White
Taste	Salty	Sour	Bitter	Sweet	Spicy

Chart borrowed from: http://www.chinesemedicinesampler.com/theory5elements.html

Winter is also the season that shows the most "Yin" aspect of Chinese medicine.  Yin is darker, movement is slower, and it is a cooler outside. This is compared to the "Yang" summer season, where it's light outside much longer, there are a million things happening, and it's usually warm. In winter, it's a good time to stay inside, sleep in a little bit, and take some time for some reflection after the mayhem and social activity of the holidays. Eating warm foods such as nourishing soups and fragrant stews help our bodies be still and prepare for the coming of Spring in a few months. Elson Hass, MD wrote an interesting book: "Staying Healthy with the Seasons," that discusses how to eat and exercise with each season and the changes that occur in nature and within our own bodies.

It's also important to keep up with some form of exercise routine, such as yoga, (read this article for more information), and to continue drinking water. Even though we may not be sweating as much, out bodies still need water in this season. After all, it is the season of the Water element...