Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Blog

This morning we have a case of influenza that indicates a genetic drift away from the strains in the 2013 vaccine with more similarity to the strains from 2005-08.  The following herbs may be helpful in treating cases of the flu that resist or relapse after treatment with classical or modern TCM formulas.  The 2013 vaccine contains strains from 2009 and 2010 as well.

Influenza 2005/Influenza 2006/Influenza 2007/Influenza 2008 (viral 1C, ph ht 23C) – Ya She Huang (Herba Lippiae), Shi Wei (Folium Pyrrosiae) Ma Bian Cao (Herba Verbenae).

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

This is my FIRST post of the new year…. How exciting!!!

Okay so all the fun parties with all the delicious holiday food is over now (until Chinese New Year!) so what’s left? Maybe some acid regurgitation?

If so, this is the perfect time to tune into Dr. Jimmy Chang’s 1 hour class focusing on acid regurgitation!

During the webinar, Dr. Chang mentioned that acid is controlled and governed by the Liver. (Don’t forget the Liver when acid is involved!) Also, it’s not necessarily the Liver function that is affected, it could be related to emotional problem.

Here are the 3 pulses Dr. Chang says relates to acid regurgitation.

Half bump on right guan. (Bump is closer to cun position). When this half bump is found on the left side, it means there is something swollen like a hiatal hernia.

Turtle pulse in right guan (convex pulse that takes the entire length of guan). This pulse is usually jumpy & forceful so there’s some kind of inflammation like a H.pylori infection.

Empty straw-like. Forceful and sometimes superficial. Superficial means heat is all over the body. This is the pulse that is wiry which relates to Liver. This is the Wood overacting on Earth.

And the appropriate formulas to treat acid regurgitation??? You’ll have to catch the recording for yourself. I didn’t want to spoil it for you!

CLICK HERE to watch the Acid Regurgitation webinar!

~Donna

For more great and FREE recordings of past 1-hr webinars, click here for the TCM Wisdom Tube!

This was a really great webinar for someone who is not a "computer person", doesn't know how to use a computer well, or interested in being their own Tech when it comes down to eLotus webinars.

In the 1 hour with Thomas Chao (our eLotus tech consultant), I was able to understand how my computer responds when I tune in for a live webinar. This is awesome!! Especially if I experience any technical difficulites. I like to fix things/figure things out on my own so I'm really glad Thomas was able to share his 2 cents.

Here's the BIG take home message:

If you're experiencing any problems with a live webinar (audio/video not in sync, no audio, bad connection), go to www.speedtest.net. The download speed should preferablly be over 4 Mbps.

If it is not, click here to watch a 1 hour recording of what to do so that you have a GREAT eLotus webinar experience (and have a better understanding of your computer when you do other computer related stuff)!!

~Donna

For more great and FREE recordings of past 1-hr webinars, click here for the TCM Wisdom Tube!

It was such a treat to hear Bob Doane talk about herbs... and ONLY herbs (some pulse) for this 1 hour webinar! The webinars I've been to have mainly focused on treating pain with acupuncture (some herbs) and spritiuality/meditation. What a treat!

So here's some background information first: Bob studied pulse diagnosis from the great Master Jimmy Chang. Dr. Chang's pulse diagnosis is different from what we learned in school. The finger positions are a little bit different and the pulse descriptions are very different. Dr. Chang is known for correlating definitive pulse diagnosis with Western conditions. (Amazing!! I know!) And if you want to learn more about how to do this, Dr. Chang has a book called Pulsynergy OR you can watch the Pulsynergy Made Easy series (1, 2, 3). Seriously... Dr. Chang's work is legit. So after getting a very good diagnosis by just reading the pulse, you will be able to prescribe a customized herbal formula for your patient (just like Bob and Dr. Chang do).

If you are just a beginner, just starting out, and a little curious about this whole pulse taking diagnosis, here is some great information Bob shared with us yesterday:

First things first... what organ is represented in each pulse position:

Another great webinar with Dr. Robert Chu!

We had Part 2 of Master Tung's Points for Sport Injuries focusing in on back strain, sciatica & piriformis syndrome, knee sprain, ankle sprain, and plantar fasciitis. Dr. Chu not only went over Master Tung acupuncture points but also some herbal formula recommendations too!!

Oh and FYI... if you wanted to listen in on Part I of the class, you can click here.

Here are a couple treasures that I took away from watching the webinar:

• Inhale with your diaphram like in yoga, qi gong, or even singing, so that you can fill your Lungs more deeply. It's a good idea to instruct your patients to do this too!
  
• How to explain De Qi. Imagine a fish biting on the hook, pulling the line downward. The hook is like the needle and the fish is the qi. You don't need to manipulate it, the qi will come to the needle.

Purchase and watch the course, Master Tung's Points for Sport Injuries, Part II here.

 ~Donna Chow, L.Ac.

For more great and FREE recordings of past 1-hr webinars, click here for the TCM Wisdom Tube!