Recently, physical therapists (PTs) have added acupuncture to their repertoire in order to help treat musculoskeletal problems. PTs call their style of acupuncture “dry needling” and the law allows them to use it to release “trigger points”. A few PTs will use this acupuncture technique for other reasons, but they are operating illegally, outside their […]
Dizziness is a very disturbing, but extremely common problem. Officially termed vertigo, it is distinguished from being light headed and syncope, by a feeling that the room is spinning and a loss of balance. Frequently, vertigo is accompanied by: nausea, vomiting, nystagmus (eyes ticking back and forth), and an inability to walk or even move […]
In my last article on menopause, I wrote how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views this life transition through its cultural and societal lenses. Now we will look at how TCM treats menopause on a physical and psychological level. Since TCM views menopause as a natural life, event as opposed to a medical problem, it tends […]
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as well as many cultures around the world, view menopause as a sacred right of passage for women, denoting a shift in a woman’s role in the community from that of mothers and professionals, to that of the matriarch and sage femme. It is believed that the cessation of menses creates […]
It is said in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that a women’s menstrual cycle is the bell weather of her health. A normal cycle is indicative of metabolic and hormonal balance. The average menstrual cycle is between 24 – 30 days in its entirety, with 4-7 of those days for menstruation. In this article, abnormal menstrual cycles […]
Many people are familiar with the idea of using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for back pain, arthritic pain or even headaches. Fewer people know just how good TCM can be for menstrual pain – but Asian women have relied on TCM’s gentle and effective techniques for thousands of years to provide comfort! Here we are […]
Depression is a sometimes hidden, but very common mood disorder. It is estimated that 16 million Americans suffer with chronic depression. Depression casts a dark cloud over all aspects of living, robbing a person of experiencing daily joy. It can impact all aspects of life including relationships to self and others. Similar to anxiety, most […]
Anxiety is a mood disorder that plagues a great many people in the U.S. It is estimated that as much as 18% of the population have been diagnosed with anxiety disorder and that there is additional 10-15% who might be undiagnosed. Like stress or blue moods, all of us are likely to experience some anxiety […]
There are multiple adjunctive treatments of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that an acupuncturist might utilize. The most well known modalities used alongside acupuncture would be massage, moxabustion, cupping, and gua sha. Gua sha, which translates to “red marks”, in Chinese is a highly descriptive name. Typically it is performed with a specific tool made for […]
During the 2016 Summer Olympics many Americans were introduced to cupping therapy thanks to Michael Phelps, one of the world’s top, elite swimmers who has brought home a record amount of gold medals. Media paid close attention to this athlete and was naturally intrigued by the circular bruises that appeared on the swimmers back and […]