Essence & Qi

It’s not rude today, so stick out your tongue! Did you know that the tongue is used in Chinese medicine (CM) as a key patient diagnosis tool? It’s true! The tongue is the only muscle in the human body that is visible to the naked eye, therefore, acupuncturists look at different qualities of the tongue to tell what is going on in the rest of the body and to then diagno

se their patient. Color, cracks, texture, spots, and other qualities can tell you probably more than you ever thought about your body. These characteristics help the acupuncturist know which “channel” in your body to treat. So stick out your tongue and take a look. You can even use this chart to compare…which tongue are you?

In Oriental medicine (OM), different foods are often prescribed for different conditions. Did you know it’s actually possible to tell a lot about a food’s effects just by its taste? According to the cookbook: “Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen,” by Yuan Wang, Warren Sheir, and Miko Ono, each taste is linked to a different therapeutic effect. Enjoy some of these common foods and learn what they can do for you!

Tastes and Popular Foods:

• Sour - A sour taste is associated with the liver channel in OM and is used to counteract symptoms such as diarrhea and excessive sweating. Foods with a sour taste, such as lemons, grapes, zucchini, and cashews are good examples.

• Bitter - A bitter taste is associated with the heart channel in OM and can improve appetite, treat fever, constipation, some types of cough, and arthritis. Examples of bitter foods include: corn, tomatoes, sunflower seeds, and cherries.

• Sweet - Most people love sweets, and too many ca

  

  n lead to fatigue and overweight problems, but some sweets can help harmonize many systems of the body. Sweet taste is associated with the spleen channel and can address conditions such as weakness, dry cough, and thirst. Healthy sweet food examples include: strawberries, pineapples, carrots, a

  

  nd pine nuts.
• Spicy/Pungent - These tastes are associated with the lung channel and help with blood circulation and treating the common cold. However,too many of these foods can cause skin problems, restlessness, and sleep disorders. Some foods to try are: onions, almonds, rice, and pears.
• Salty - Salty foods, in moderation, can address cyst

  

  s, inflammatory masses, and connective tissue accumulation. The salty taste is associated with the kidney channel and tends to soften firm masses. Try all sorts of beans: black, pinto, kidney, and also raspberries and walnuts.

With so many massage types or “modalities” out there, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which one is right for you.  Each massage modality is unique and uses different techniques to best address the needs of the patient. One common trait you will find amongst the Asian modalities is that they are performed with the patient’s clothes on, unlike Western “Swedish” massages, which use oils and are done without clothing. Find out more about the different styles below and click on the links to watch short video demos of each, performed by Pacific College faculty experts.

Swedish Massage: This is the most commonly practiced form of Western massage. If you’re going to a spa, they will offer Swedish massage. It uses a variety of techniques to relax muscles by applying light, moderate, or deep pressure to muscles and bones, and increases the range of motion at joints and promotes blood circulation to the heart. The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles. If you’re looking for a relaxing massage to help you unwind, you can’t go wrong with Swedish. See a Swedish demonstration HERE .

Shiatsu: (Japanese from ‘shi’, meaning finger, and ‘atsu’, meaning pressure) is a traditional hands-on therapy originating in Japan. There are two main Shiatsu schools: one based on Western anatomical and physiological theory and the other based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Shiatsu is an evolving form, and its various styles incorporate (to differing degrees) aspects of Japanese massage traditions, Chinese Medicine practice, and Western anatomy and physiology. This modality is usually performed on the floor and uses pressure points, applied through the fingers instead of the entire palm, so pressure may feel more firm. Shiatsu has been used to treat a wide array of conditions including headaches, insomnia, injury recovery, and more. See a Shiatsu demonstration HERE .

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OM in the news this week…Check it out!

• Massage for HIV Patients - from Integrative-Healthcare.org. Massage studies are showing that massage can help a weakened immune system and on deeper cellular level for HIV patients.
• Excessive Sweating? Try Acupuncture! - from O.Canada.com. Check out how acupuncture and herbs can help balance the body and curb excessive perspiration.
• AHNA’s Holistic Nursing Standards EBook is Available - from EBooks4U. Curious about what it means to be a holistic nurse? Check out the EBook endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Association.