To The Point
Summer, 2007 #2
Welcome to the latest issue of To the Point. I‘ve had terrific response to the first issue and I am grateful that so many of you have taken the time to read and respond to the newsletter. I am working hard to provide you with helpful, accurate information from the world of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
In this issue:
- Research shows acupuncture is an effective treatment for arthritis
- 5 great foods to help relieve arthritis symptoms
- Dr. Oz does it again. Acupressure tips are featured on Oprah
- Scott loves acupuncture…and writes about it
- A little information on 2 great seminars I recently attended, one on the ancient points of Master Tung and the other on treating infertility
- Why won’t I be working Tuesday night this summer? Yoga on the Lake is a Great FREE class, held Tuesday evenings at Belmont Harbor
- Please review me on Citysearch.com
- Rate Reminder
Dr Brian Berman, University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, conducted one of the world’s longest and largest clinical trials to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture in treating osteoarthritis. His team found significantly reduced pain and improved mobility.
NCCAM director Dr Stephen Straus said: "For the first time, a clinical trial with sufficient rigor, size, and duration has shown that acupuncture reduces the pain and functional impairment of osteoarthritis of the knee.
"These results also indicate that acupuncture can serve as an effective addition to a standard regimen of care and improve quality of life for knee osteoarthritis sufferers. NCCAM has been building a portfolio of basic and clinical research that is now revealing the power and promise of applying stringent research methods to ancient practices like acupuncture."
The study, ending in 2004, was funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the National Institute of Arthritis and Muscoloskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) treated a total of 570 patients aged 50 and older. Click here to read more.
May was National Arthritis Month and it is a good reminder that we ought to include some healthy (and delicious) foods in our diets to alleviate arthritis symptoms.
- Ginger is a natural anti- inflammatory and can be used as tea or as seasoning for foods.
- Fresh pineapple contains bromelain, which reduces inflammation.
- Tart cherries are being touted as an aid to reducing joint pain and inflammation.
- Cold-water fish such as salmon and mackerel contain omega-3 fatty acids, wWhich help keep joints healthy as well as reduce pain and swelling. If you don't like fish, consider supplementing your diet with fish oil capsules. Generally the brands that need to be refrigerated are the best.
- Turmeric is another natural anti-inflammatory. Look for an extract of whole turmeric, which can be used as a seasoning. Read more on wikipedia.com
Dr. Oz has already introduced Oprah to acupuncture. He acknowledges that acupuncture is a terrific way to get relief, but not a technique people can do at home. For simple relief of headaches and stress, Dr. Oz likes acupressure: "The basic principle of acupuncture and acupressure are the same…The traditional Chinese technique is that you actually have energy meridians that go up your arm, and these lines of energy get disrupted sometimes and they can cause some of the subtle things that we complain about."
To get more specific acupressure techniques read more oprah.com.
Dr. Oz illustrated the science of acupressure with an interesting example. Pushing on the area of the foot next to the pinky toe can cure blurry vision and other eye problems. With advanced imaging techniques, the Western scientific explanation of the relationship between the pinky toe and eye function became clear. When pressure was exerted on that section of the foot, the brain function lit up in the back of the brain. "And guess what?” Dr. Oz says: “ The back of the brain (the occipital lobe) controls your eyes.” Western medicine doesn’t understand how acupressure does it but the relevant area of the brain lights up.
You can read more at oprah.com.
My enthusiastic patient Scott thoughtfully sent me his musings about acupuncture.
From Scott’s blog: “I hate pills. The whole premise sucks. I take a pill to mask the pain that is actually a signal by my body that something is wrong. I still will take pills when necessary, but it just doesn't work for me to pop a pill when I have a significant ache or pain. That thinking led me to try out acupuncture and I have never regretted it.”
You can read the rest at scottdblog.com.
I have recently attended 2 very important seminars. The first was conducted by a disciple of Master Tung Ching Chang who has been referred to as The Greatest Acupuncture Technician who ever lived. The second was taught by the very alive, internationally known Jane Lyttleton, a master practitioner/author in the field of fertility. Here is a very brief idea of what these amazing teachers have to offer us.
Master Tung Ching Chang. He was a scholar of the I-Ching, and a traditional Chinese physician from the Shandong Province in Northern China, famous for the miraculous and spontaneous results he would obtain using just a few needles. The acupuncture points he used are unique because they are located opposite the affected area. In most cases, the patient notices the effect immediately upon insertion of the needle.
Dr. Tung's Points were a treasured family secret, handed down and refined over many generations. After fleeing for his life during the Cultural Revolution in China, Master Tung began to teach his secret acupuncture point system. His student’s student, Frank He spent the day going through the points and theory behind Master Tung’s system. This system ties in with balance method I have learned from the well-known Dr. Tan and I’m sure many of you have seen me use it in the clinic.
Second Seminar - Treatment of Infertility and Chinese Medicine
I spent Memorial Day weekend in Toronto at a seminar given by Jane Lyttleton, BSc (Hons) NZ, M Phil (London), Dip TCM (Syd), Cert Acup/Herb (China).
Jane made a sharp career path change in the late seventies from scientific medical research to Chinese medicine. Her subsequent studies in Australia and China steeped her in the very different medical system of TCM. Now, 25 years on, she sits comfortably with the logic of both Chinese medicine and western science and has brought the best of Traditional Chinese Medicine to her Australian practice. This 3-day seminar went over treating infertility with TCM and combined it with western medical practices. She also citied numerous studies showing how both acupuncture and herbal medicine can improve fertility. The IVF clinic in the U.S. with the highest success rate in the country uses acupuncture.
Yoga by the Lake starts June 5th. This is a wonderful FREE class taught by Dave Norfleet (Thank you Dave!) Location, times and more info is at yogadave.com
Please review me on citysearch.com. If you run into trouble writing a review, I have instructions (and a long list of favorable adjectives). Thanks!
As of June 1, 2007, the rate for all appointments is $85, BUT, mention this newsletter and get $5 off your next treatment until July 1, 2007.
You can contact me by:
Phone: 312-399-5098
E-mail: tcm007@rcn.com
Web site: www.tcm007.com
Thank you for your continued support and be healthy.