According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the eyes relate to the internal organs. In Chinese medicine, each part of the eye is associated with a particular element and corresponding zang organ. The iris is represented by the liver zang. The heart zang relates to the corners of the eyes or the canthi, the upper and lower eyelids correspond to the spleen, the conjunctiva the lung, and the pupil the kidney.

Chinese medicine recognizes six environmental, or external, pathogens that can lead to vision loss. A person's resistance to environmental pathogenic factors is based on how healthy their immune system is, which, in turn, is a function of qi (a person’s energy, similar to a life force). Basically, if a person has strong qi and good resistance, he or she can ward off potential hazards associated with these external factors. According to TCM, a person with poor qi flow or imbalances in qi in any of the zang organs relating to the parts of the eye will have decreased resistance to the six specific environmental pathogens that can influence vision.

The Journal of Chinese Medicine has been the foremost English language journal dedicated to professional and student level information on the entire field of Chinese medicine for over 30 years. Pacific College of Oriental Medicine is pleased to be a partner with the prestigious Journal of Chinese Medicine as a co-publisher and U.S. distributor of the publication.

The Journal of Chinese Medicine was founded in 1979 at a time when information on acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine was hard to come by. Early issues focused on presenting clear, detailed information on basic Chinese medicine theory on a level unavailable elsewhere in English. Since then, the Journal - like the Chinese medicine profession in the West - has come a long way, and The Journal of Chinese Medicine is now recognized as the premier English language journal on all aspects of Chinese medicine. The Journal of Chinese Medicine is published three times a year: February, June, and October.

Volunteer Oriental medicine practitioners and students are increasingly joining traditional health delivery assistance programs, reaching out to people around the world who have little or no available health care. Like the Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that have gone before them, the ultimate goal of these new outreach health volunteers is to engage local groups as proactive health care participants, not as mere passive patients. However, such commendable goals don’t always work as expected. A recent startup NGO, Healer2Healer, is developing a different approach, working with local groups in Guatemala and elsewhere to foster self-reliance from the very beginning of each project, rather than hoping to transition at some later date.

    Doing More with Less

Ever since I first found out that the kidneys take part in the breathing process, I couldn’t help but wondering: How did the ancient Chinese figure that out? Whenever I could, I ran various experiments with breathing on myself, and I came across several rather curious observations that may shine some light on the kidneys’ part in the breathing process. Of course, there is no way of knowing whether or not my experiments resemble the ones that contributed to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), but considering that the philosophy of TCM is not based on faith but observation, these experiments shouldn’t be too far off.

Whenever you run to the point of being out of breath, you can witness the following: As you are trying to catch your breath, you are inhaling a lot of air, much more than you actually need. Yet, you feel that whatever you are inhaling is insufficient. Apparently, we judge whether or not we’ve inhaled enough air by the feeling of satisfaction that normally comes with every regular inhalation, and you find yourself gasping when the air that you draw in doesn’t bring you that satisfaction. In a minute or two, you start catching your breath, and this is when things become interesting. At this point, you can feel something tightening in your back, grasping an inhalation every time its movement reaches the inferior portions of your kidneys. And once that happens, every breath from that point on begins to bring the sense of relief (that is, satisfaction) as you continue catching your breath more and more. While this phenomenon is easier to observe after you run for a while, it also occurs in all other activities you do, because they all require breathing.

Cupping is a very effective but under-utilized healing technique. It is quick and simple to administer (once you get the hang of it), promotes detoxification, invigorates qi and blood, clears wind/damp/cold/heat stagnation in local skin and muscle tissue, regulates various aspects of the autonomic nervous system…and patients usually enjoy the experience of tension melting away under warm cups!

                  BENEFITS OF CUPPING THERAPY

ACUPUNCTURE IN LABOR AND DELIVERY: TWO EXPERIENCES, TWO BENEFITS

Acupuncture is finding its place in complementary medicine working closely with Western providers in many healthcare settings.  Acupuncture during Labor and Delivery has found its place in the birthing room, side-by-side nurses, residents, and Obstetricians. 

The practice of facial rejuvenation, also known as Cosmetic Acupuncture, enjoys a long history in China. Numerous medical classics have included a wide variety of herbal formulas for beauty purposes.

Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic(Huang Di Nei Jing) set up the solid medicinal and theoretical base for the formation and development of cosmetology with Traditional Chinese Medicine.

When most people think of massage, they most likely picture a quiet setting with white linens in which muscular pains are worked out and general relaxation is achieved. Some may know of the sports benefits or acupressure techniques or other specialties. However, people in general people may not recognize some of the larger social implications of massage. But today there may be more need than ever for massage to be incorporated as a healing mode of “social touch.” Through social touch, massage has the potential to improve human interconnectedness, regulate social emotions, and teach people more appropriate touch.

The modern world has placed mankind in an unusual state of disconnectedness. Whereas by nature humans are a very social creature that thrives through their connection with other humans, today we find ourselves more scattered and disparate. One reason for this may be technology. From the cell phone to the Internet, texting to the iPad, more and more we limit real person to person interaction in favor of these quicker, easier more fashionable modes. Some people in fact claim that the more they text on their phone the less they find to talk about verbally on the phone. Often friends can be physically in the same room but mentally attached to texting another person on their phone. Compare this high-tech trend to any Discovery channel show about early man sitting in small groups, grooming each other and touching affectionately.

“At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done, then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago.” −Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849−1924)

Chinese Medicine has been in existence for over 2,000 years long before written texts began, and has been an integral part of Chinese culture.   “For Centuries, if not Millennia, it was transmitted as an oral tradition, and the first book to systematically describe its practice, The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic…was probably compiled around 100BCE.”¹   Chinese Medicine has been intertwined with both spiritual and religious practice throughout Chinese history.   The fact that it thrived is a testament to its effectiveness in both the prevention and treatment of disease.   

Here we are, 7 weeks into the first trimester of our initiation into the world of Chinese medicine. It is amazing to see how much has transpired in such a short period of time, both in and out of the classroom. The experience is reminiscent of an ancient ritual trial or rite of passage.

Viewed through the mists of antiquity, the path towards becoming a healer has always been remarkably difficult. Those considered for this special role were seen to exhibit certain characteristics that gave them a predilection for this calling, such as a natural attraction towards healing, a special gift, or perhaps a talent for understanding medicinal methods. However, the most important quality and the highest requirement since time immemorial has always been compassion. Healers must care for the wellbeing of others to such a degree that they sacrifice themselves for others. More than a priority, commitment or responsibility and greater than duty, this must be a constant, unwavering desire.