We are part of Nature and channeled into the cycles of Nature. Hence the Five Element theory, which provides us with a set of correspondences by which we can link our physical and psychological characteristics with the seasons, the elements, times of day, specific foods, animals and so on. In ancient rural China this was a far simpler process than in our modern Western highly urbanized society and yet the rules remain unchanged. The health and sense of wellbeing of the individual is in direct relationship with his or her social and environmental matrix. This includes such factors as the quality of our food and water, the air we breathe, weather conditions, relaxation, sleep, work, exercise and relationships of all kinds.
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Adrenal fatigue often occurs when people are stressed out at work or home. During periods of excessive stress, our adrenal glands become overworked and produce excess levels of cortisol in response to the body’s fight or flight response. This prevents the adrenal glands from producing other hormones we need.
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Congrats to PCOM - San Diego alumna Eleonora Bowers on the
Pike County Courier article
about her second
Zen for Life Wellness
location, in Milford, PA! The new location opened in mid-July; her first is in Secaucus, NJ. Eleonora also studied in China at the Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Eleonora treats pain, digestive problems, stress, obesity, addiction, headaches, insomnia, gynecological problems, anxiety and depression, while working to uncover the root problem causing the troublesome symptoms.
Eleonora’s website:
www.zenforlifewellness.com
Eleonora’s Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/zenforlifewellness
Pike County Courier article:
http://goo.gl/kEtmZd
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has its very own lingo and is based on the idea that all phenomena of the universe and nature can be broken down into five elemental qualities. Take a look at this fun graphic to familiarize yourself with these elements and the vocabulary of TCM!
PCOM continues to deepen relationships with various institutions in Asia.
On March 14
th
, PCOM had the honor of hosting visiting scholars from China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS). Located in Beijing, China, CACMS is a national comprehensive institution for scientific research, clinical medicine and medical education on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). As the largest research organization on TCM throughout the country, the academy has 13 institutes, six hospitals (which integrate Eastern and Western medicine), the Graduate School, the Publishing House of Ancient Chinese Medical Books and the Journal of TCM, as well as three World Health Organization (WHO) centers.
During their visit, CACMS directors Wei Cao, Dongli Gu, Liang Li, Xiaobei Ma, and Hui Zhao, were gracious enough to speak with us about the academy and its TCM research. By the end of 2005, the academy had taken on a total of 450 research projects. Today, 1,000 research projects are underway, covering a broad range of subjects from oncology to HIV/AIDS. Along with their extensive medical research projects, CACMS is working on another task: digitizing rare, precious Chinese texts. The goal of the project is to allow valuable TCM information to be searchable and sharable for all.
Each year at the academy, around 130 master’s students and 50 doctorates go on to graduate and continue the practice of East Asian medicine. The CACMS and its students ensure that the practice of TCM will remain intact for many years to come.
Visiting scholars with PCOM SD staff:
During the month of March, PCOM also welcomed returning visitors from Morinmoya University in Osaka, Japan. Here for a week’s duration, the group consisted of seven students and two administrators. The main objective of their visit was to deepen their relationship with PCOM and to learn and explore more about East Asian medicine orthopedics and facial rejuvenation. All seven students had the chance to attend lectures and demonstrations with Dr. East Haradin, LAc on facial rejuvenation and Ian Armstrong, LAc on orthopedics. The students participated in clinical case rounds in various locations including Old Town Acupuncture , Cinnabar Acupuncture, and RIMAC. They were also given the opportunity to carry out clinic case rounds with PCOM San Diego Clinic Director, Greg Lane, where each student received acupuncture treatments.
Take a look at the “Thank You” card we received from the students after their visit!
You know it when it rolls around—that time of year when everyone in the office seems to be coughing, sneezing, and sniffling. Sore throats and fevers act as unruly personal thermostats. The flu may be common, but the discomfort and inconvenience it causes can be extraordinary.
In most Western medical cases, a sick patient is prescribed an anti-viral medication, but Eastern medicine takes a different approach to treating those who routinely suffer from colds and the flu virus.
In Chinese medicine, herbs play an important role in warding off sickness, as does acupuncture. The use of natural herbs, such as angelica root, combined with the ultra-fine needles of acupuncture enable a person to recover from colds at a faster pace and even to avoid the illness altogether.
If you have already fallen victim to the flu, there are still a number of herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that can aid you.
In our article
we explain some of these more in depth, and go into some of the many studies that have been performed to test the efficacy of medical herbology. For example, according
to a double-blind study conducted by Hancke, Burgos, Caceres, and Wikman, the herb Andrographis reduces the severity of cold symptoms by strengthening the immune system. Now, doesn’t that sound lovely? A medicine that you can ingest in your tea or soup!
Whether you have detected a cold in its earliest stages or are already bed-ridden with the flu, a mix of Chinese herbs (which can come in many forms from a tincture to a decoction, or even raw), and acupuncture could be your heal-all remedy!
