Acupuncture Therapy for Asbestos-Related Diseases
Posted on July 2, 2009
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Many people who are diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses like malignant mesothelioma have begun turning to alternative and complementary treatments as a form of pain management, to improve general health, and to provide relief from disease symptoms. Acupuncture is the most widely accepted alternative therapy and many insurance companies even offer coverage for it.
The foundational theory of acupuncture is rooted in a principle that entails treating the entire body rather than just the affected organ or area. According to this set of theories, diseases are caused by an disparity of factors called Yin, Yang, Qi, and Blood. In this practice, treating disease involves manipulation of the body to improve balance among these four factors. Acupuncture employs the use of fine needles into the body’s defined ‘pressure points’ to improve the flow of the four factors in the body, and improve the body’s balance and harmony.
Those coping with asbestos-related diseases, like asbestosis and mesothelioma, can use acupuncture to treat symptoms of pain, stress, and anxiety. Many patients with asbestosis who have tried acupuncture say the treatment helps relieve pain and makes breathing much easier.
During an acupuncture session, an acupuncturist asks their patient a number of questions relating to their health and symptoms. They also examine certain points of the body, such as the face, mouth, and specific acupuncture points, to decide the best course of treatment. This primary examination permits the acupuncturist to determine which pressure points must be manipulated for the patient to be relieved of their symptoms.
It has been advised that people with bleeding disorders and those taking blood thinners should avoid acupuncture. In addition, those with infusion pumps, cardiac pacemakers, or any other electrical device are advised to avoid electroacupuncture.
Rolfing + Yoga = Better Health
Posted on June 30, 2009
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The practice of yoga focuses on bringing balance and strength to the body by using movements and poses. The practice of rolfing focuses on bringing balance and proper structure to the body through movements and soft tissue manipulation. This, of course, points out the similarities between rolfing and yoga, as well as pointing out the subtle differences. But the best part about these two practices is that they can be used, and often are used, together to produce the same effects.
Since yoga does not use soft tissue manipulation, it is thought by rolfers that it is not quite a perfect method of helping and therefore healing muscular and body structure problems. However, combining rolfing with yoga adds the need to manipulate soft tissues to complete the lengthening process of the tissues, thus bringing the body into balance.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE HERBS
Posted on June 29, 2009
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“There are three categories of drugs; the lowest one of which is poisonous, the second one is a little poisonous, the highest one is no poison. The lowest drug cures 6 out of 10 sicknesses, leaving poisons in the patients. The middle one cures 7 out of 10 sicknesses, leaving a small amount of poison. Even the highest medicine cure only 8 or 9 out of 10 sicknesses. The sicknesses that medicine cannot cure can be cured only by foods.” Nei Ching
The second tier of Asian medicine, after Food Therapy, is traditional chinese herbs - therapy chosen because of its relevant affective strength on the human body. Herbal therapy is applied to open the channels with specific influence on the underlying cause of imbalance and related symptoms. Comprehensive knowledge of herbal medicine is necessary or harm may be done. Herbal medicines have the same strength as food except that it does impacts the body directly. When reduced to an extract level which equals about 4-5 times the strength of the basic herbs, the effect is quicker and stronger. Natural herbs do not heal any better than synthetic medicines but they can help the body to fight disease, strengthen the body’s immune system, and help to harmonize the body’s functions. After a master herbalist learns about individual herbs then a herbalist will proceed to herbal formulas which make a greater impact to energize, reduce or harmonize more body parts in the restorative process. Traditional Chinese herbs deserve respect because harm can occur if not applied correctly. Though not as dangerous as synthetic medicines, imbalances can occur if rendered inappropriately. On the positive side, they can achieve freedom from imbalances and pain, quickly, while rooting health.
THE 4 NATURES, 5 TASTES, 4 ACTIONS & THE MERIDIAN ATTRIBUTION
These characteristics are found in food and herbs and influence the body’s reception of the herb’s medicinal qualities.
FOUR NATURES OF HERBS
The four natures of herbs are:
| · Hot | · Cold | · Warm | · Cool |
The “Nei Jing”, an ancient book of Chinese herb wisdom, says, “if the body is cold, heat it; if the body is hot, cool it”. The herbs that are used to treat hot type dysfunction are typically cold or cool. Herbs that are used to treat cold type conditions are generally warm or hot in nature. There are some herbs with a more subtle nature. They are categorized as neutral in impact on the body. Essentially every neutral herb may be deemed slightly warm or cool, so we can refer to the basic four natures.
The FIVE TASTES OF HERBS
| · Spicy | · Sour | · Sweet | · Bitter | · Salty |
Herb tastes affect different body functions. Every herb has its unique nature and taste. Herbs with the same nature may have the same taste. Or herbs with their similar tastes may have different natures. Therefore, the study of tastes and natures can be very complicated.
The Nei Jing says:
“spicy and sweet tastes move fast so they, characteristically, belong to yang constitution types.
Sour and bitter tastes move body functions downwards so they reflect the yin body types.
Salty taste moves energy downward too, so it also is yin in quality.
Bland (a subtle sweet taste) permeates so it belongs to yang.
Additionally spicy, sweet, and bland attributes are distinctively yang.
Sour, bitter, and salty attributes are yin in their affect on the human body.”
The FOUR ACTIONS OF HERBS
The four actions of herbs are:
| Ascending | Descending | Floating | Sinking |
These four actions are directly related to the human body. The great Herbalist Li Dong-Yuan said, “herbs have the properties of ascending, descending, floating and sinking, transformation, giving birth, growth, harvesting, storing, and completion”. It so happens, these same actions match up with the four seasons - spring/ascends, summer/floats, autumn/harvests, winter/stores, central earth/transforms.
Herbs, whose taste are weak, will ascend and rise (give birth).
Herbs, whose natures are weak, will descend and restrain (harvest).
Herbs, whose natures are strong, will float and grow.
Herbs, whose taste are strong, will sink and store.
Herbs, whose nature are neutral and tastes are bland, will transform and complete.
Yang ascends, Yin descends, Yang floats, and Yin sinks. Spicy, sweet, and bland have the yang characteristics of the earth. Sour, bitter and salty have yin traits. Yin and Yang descriptions aid the TAM practitioner relative to understanding the affect a herb will have on the body.
YANG characteristics are related to:
| High Energy | ||
| Light | Upper | Dry |
| External | Hot | Excess |
Yin attributes will be associated with:
| Low energy | ||
| Darkness | Lower | Wet |
| Internal | Cold | Deficient |
Additionlly, herbs that are light will usually ascend or float and herbs that are heavy will usually sink or descend. Flowers and leaves will float while seeds or roots will descend or sink. Keep in mind that Chinese Herb Medicine also includes the mineral and animal products, which have their own properties.
The MERIDIAN ATTRIBUTION OF HERBS
There are 12 channels in the human body. These clearly defined channels are influenced by historically beneficial herbs that are known to impact a specific channel. Additionally, The various herbs can affect the functions of the body with multiplicity. For instance, when a person has a hot type imbalance, the herbs recommended must be cool or cold, and if the person suffers from a cold type disease the herbs that should be taken are warm or hot. A hot type disease may be liver-heat or stomach-heat; a cold type disease may be lung-cold or spleen-cold conditions. Here is where a thoughtful practitioner shows their value. Herbs that can purge liver heat may not be able to rid stomach heat; herbs that can warm a cold spleen may not be able to warm cold lungs. Therefore, different herbs have been assessed for their multiple affect on the functions of different organs. The functions of the herbs and the 12 meridians can be interrelated and this is what is meant by the meridian attribution of herbs. Herb have been researched, observed for centuries and well documented for their specific influence on the channels. In particular, well trained master herbalists will know which channel and at what point along the channels, the herbs impact. Below are common Traditional Chinese herbs used by a herb master.
Common Traditional Chinese Herbs include the following:
| American Ginseng | Chinese Scullcap | Licorice | Shiitake |
| Asian Ginseng | Corydalis | Ligustrum | Fo-ti |
| Astragalus | Dong Quai | Maitake | Chinese Ginger |
| Bitter Melon | Eleuthero | Reishi | Ginkgo biloba |
| Bupleurum | Green Teas | Schisandra | Longan fruit |
Herb therapy when combined with compatible food therapy can be extremely valuable in aiding an ailing person towards normal balance. When you add exercises (Tai Chi & Qi Qong) that wake up the natural restorative energies of the body then the potential for optimal health is achievable.
Mark Hammer C.M.H. Master Herbalist Longevity Mountain 5/09
Rolfing and Criticism
Posted on June 14, 2009
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Surprisingly, there is less criticism for rolfing that there is for many other types of alternative therapies and natural healing practices. This is partly due to the fact that rolfing has some proven success. Research has shown that patients suffering from illnesses like cerebral palsy and chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as patients suffering from chronic lower back pain, have noted improvement in their physical well being. Unfortunately, there is not conclusive proof to solidify rolfing’s place as a medically recognized therapy.
There is no evidence that rolfing is harmful to the body, so any relief brought to a patient is a benefit. However, as with soft tissue manipulation techniques like massage therapy, people who have skeletal problems, blood clotting disorders, and pregnant women should consult a medical professional before receiving rolfing therapy. This is because there is little scientific study done on rolfing in general, let alone on rolfing as it affects conditions like these.
Joint Pain: Alternative Understanding & Unraveling The Cause
Posted on May 28, 2009
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JOINT INFLAMMATION is a very painful, with multiple sets of conditions (100), progressively leading to joint damage, deformity and loss of mobility. Swelling of extremity joints is the hallmark of the syndrome. Chronic pain, disability and death are unfortunate results.
Joint inflammation has an estimated prevalence of 1 to 2%. Prevalence increases with age, approaching 5% in women over age 55. The average annual incidence in the United States is about 70 per 100,000 annually. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs two to three times more in women than in men. Although rheumatoid arthritis may present at any age, patients most commonly are first affected in the third to sixth decades.
Joint inflammation, collectively affect nearly 46 million adults and 300,000 children in the U.S. It is not selective. The condition can happen to anyone. All arthritic conditions impact the musculoskeletal system and specifically the joints - where two or more bones meet.
Joint inflammation problems include:
- pain
- stiffness
- damage to joint cartilage (the tough, smooth tissue that covers the ends of the bones, enabling them to glide against one another) and surrounding structures.
HOW DO WE GET JOINT INFLAMMATION?
JOINT IMBALANCE doesn’t happen overnight and once understood, can resolve quicker than you realize. According to Traditional Chinese herbs and medicine, the primary problem underlying arthritis is obstruction with painful results. With varying degrees, there is an exhaustion of both the Liver and Kidneys and insufficiency of the physical energy (qi). The blood has become blocked by external cold or hot-damp or drying imbalancing influences. The condition includes:
- cold or hot and painful joints
- difficulty in flexing and extending the joints
- aversion to cold or hot with attraction to the opposite condition
- In some cases the limbs and joints will be aching, numb, painful
- overall physical body feels heavy.
- tongue is pale or the opposite
There are graduating arthritic conditions where the site of pain and deformity are more intense, with heat or cold predominating, however, the primary approach is to get the obstruction to move. This is done by changing the internal environment by opposing the wind-cold/hot-damp/dry and altering any external conditions contributing to the obstructions. Additional attention needs to be given to the general emotional state that may indirectly support the blockage.
HOW DO WE GET BETTER?
JOINT INFLAMMATION: FOOD THERAPY & HERBAL HERBS
“We are what we eat.” Most of us would agree that most conditions of imbalance are determined by what we put in our mouth. We unknowingly create imbalances by not being aware of how critical this area is, especially in the latter years. If we are choose foods and supplements which worsen our condition then it would serve us well to become very aware of our body type and foods which enhance balance. Below, you can begin to choose foods that deliver balance for this obstructive condition:
Foods That Benefit & Foods To Avoid
Foods to Counter Joint Pain: Asparagus, Cabbage (poultice & ingestion), Celery, Cod, Cherry, Chives, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Garlic, Ginger, Goats milk, Grape, Kelp, Oranges, Papaya, Pineapple (Bromelain), Pumpkin Seeds, Royal Jelly, Scallions, Sesame oll, Spelt, Spirulina, Soy products, Strawberry, Sprouts (mung, red clover, radish, mustard, lentil, adzuki, garbanzo, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds), Tumeric, Water melon, Barley products, Wheat grass products, Alfalfa products (tablets, tea), Chlorophyll foods, Almonds (5-6 dy.),
Foods to Avoid: Excess meat (some fish is best), Excess protein, Intoxicants (alcohol, coffee, tobacco, marijuana, etc.), refined sugar and other sweets, Oxalic acid foods (rhubarb, cranberry, plum, chard, beet greens, spinach), Solanine foods (Nightshade family veggies: tomato, eggplant, bell pepper, potato, if sensitive), Dairy (cow’s milk & bi-products), Nuts, Nut butters, oil-rich seeds,
“When the heart is calm, pain seems negligible.” — Inner Classic
HERB FORMULAS FOR PAIN Formulas are created and rendered, taking into consideration, a person’s constitution, environment, life energy (qi), lifestyle and emotional status to name a few concerns. Traditional Chinese Herbs and medicine focuses on bringing all these areas into balance. The chief focus is to provide a formula that specifically targets the painful site, resolves the underlying imbalance in the body without inciting more physical maladies.
Additionally, the quality of the herbs are not the same. If lesser quality is contained in a formula then the results will not hold up as indicated in research findings. While it may sound impressive to make marketing statements that a formula containing an herb is beneficial it is not enough. The grade of herb is critical. Ginseng alone has more than 6 grades and each level provides a different result. Quality, alone, can determine whether the formula works or not. A seasoned herbologist does not skimp in this area, while many commercial manufacturing operations prefer profit when dealing with innocent distributors, who sell to wholesalers, retailers and then to you the consumer. This practice in America gives herbology and products a bad name. This bait and switch practice eventually erodes trust by consumers where when a real herbologist comes forward then it is difficult to move ailing customers to take the leap of beneficial faith.
Mark Hammer, C.M.H., Master Herbalist, Longevity Mountain, May, 2009
Sources:
Paul Pitchford, “Healing With Whole Foods”, 3rd Edition.
George Mateljan, “The World’s Healthiest Foods” Dan Bensky, “Treating Painful Obstruction: Ten Methods, Ten Formulas” by Zhang Qi
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