In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), human health has long been considered to be closely tied to nature. The natural world is thought of as a holistic entity in itself, and man’s health is determined both by his inner balance as well as in relation to the surrounding environment. Since ancient times, Chinese medicine practitioners have studied and developed complicated parallels between nature and health. In fact, the Yin Yang and Five Element Theories in Chinese medicine are two examples of entire medical philosophies that are based on the holistic elements of nature as related to wellbeing.

As organic creatures, it stands to reason that humans are affected, directly and indirectly, by the natural environment. Humans can be affected by a variety of natural changes including those related to the weather, climate, or duration of daylight. For example, in TCM, a change of season causes the rate, rhythm, volume, and tension of a person’s pulse to vary. In Chinese medicine, there are specific corresponding changes that a person can make with each new season in order to improve health.

By: Arya Nielsen, PhD

Traditional East Asian medicine (TEAM) has come some distance to us: more than 2,000 years of history, a scholarly archive, and many ‘barefoot miles,’ to now be situated in professional clinics and labs of research globally. Gua sha is a modality used across Asia both in the clinic and in the home and now in the West. Gua sha is a part of acupuncture therapy, but not limited by law to acupuncture practice. Research into the physiology of therapies like acupuncture and gua sha qualifies what the ancients ‘knew’. With respect for those who have given us this gift, science works to clarify both benefit and risk of our medicine.

By: Arya Nielsen, PhD

Traditional East Asian medicine (TEAM) has come some distance to us: more than 2,000 years of history, a scholarly archive, and many ‘barefoot miles,’ to now be situated in professional clinics and labs of research globally. Gua sha is a modality used across Asia both in the clinic and in the home and now in the West. Gua sha is a part of acupuncture therapy, but not limited by law to acupuncture practice. Research into the physiology of therapies like acupuncture and gua sha qualifies what the ancients ‘knew’. With respect for those who have given us this gift, science works to clarify both benefit and risk of our medicine.

Whether you’re ready or not, the holidays are upon us! Don’t panic, we’ve got you covered. Over the next few weeks we’ll be giving you fantastic gift giving ideas for everyone within the Chinese medicine and Asian Bodywork community (including the little ones!). Here are our suggestions for gifts we know your favorite massage therapist will love this season:

Martin Heskiers OneTool    $85

In the aftermarth of Superstorm Sandy, Pacific College New York has teamed up with acupuncturists throughout the tri-state area to lend a helping hand. Pacific College is providing free community acupuncture treatments for stress relief throughout the month of November at the college clinic.

Pacific College Alumnus Julie Cho, was one of a team of acupuncturists who aided in relief efforts across New York and several locations in New Jersey. Cho is part of Acupuncturists without Borders (AWB), an organization which provides relief to communities in times of trauma.

We hear a lot about hearts this season. It’s the time of year that giving is on our minds. We open our hearts and homes to family and friends, and think about showing our generosity more than at any other time of year. But what about your own heart? Are you at your own personal optimal health? With the season of celebrating and giving upon us, give yourself the very best care. 

The traditional heavy diet and abundant treats of winter surround us. Try supplementing your food with some of these suggestions that can boost your heart health. Lower cholesterol, increase circulation, and fend of illness with these simple herbal and supplemental suggestions:

When used in conjunction with Western fertility treatments, acupuncture increases conception rates by 26%. A recent study from Tel Aviv University reports, ““When combining IUI with TCM treatments, 65.5 percent of the test group were able to conceive, compared with 39.4 percent of the control group, who received no herbal or acupuncture therapy.” For the 4.5 million couples experiencing infertility each year, acupuncture may be just what the doctor ordered.

Acupuncture can increase fertility by reducing stress, increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs and balancing the endocrine system, according to several studies and medical research. “The goal of an infertility treatment from a Chinese Medicine perspective is not just to get pregnant, but to stay pregnant and to have a healthy baby,” says Deb Davies, LAc, a Pacific College alumnus who practices at Herbin Acupuncture and Wellness in San Diego. Among many other benefits, acupuncture can provide better blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, creating a stronger chance for an egg to be nourished and carried to term.

New York, NY –

Pacific College of Oriental Medicine is providing free community acupuncture treatments for stress relief at the college throughout November, beginning tomorrow, Friday, 11/9/12, from 2:30-6:00pm at 915 Broadway at 21^st Street, 5^th floor (additional dates/times list follows).

When allergies strike, it can affect almost every activity you do—from your voice and breathing, to headaches, and how you approach your workflow, allergy symptoms can make it difficult to get through the day. One of the most common forms of seasonal allergies is allergic rhinitis, which affects the sinuses. Symptoms include sneezing, congestion, runny nose and red, itchy eyes. Western medicine typically prescribes antihistamines, decongestants, or drugs that act on the nervous system. Steps can also be taken to avoid the allergens altogether. While these prescriptions may be effective in treating the allergic response, they often have undesirable side effects, such as drowsiness, immune system suppression, or over-reliance on medications.

Holistic medicine like traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can offer a natural alternative to these Western approaches, one that doesn’t include side effects. TCM strives to treat the whole person and recognizes that people with chronic allergies often show signs of other health imbalances like what’s known as spleen or kidney deficiency, or even lung problems. TCM considers allergies or hay fever as a manifestation of wind invading the upper body. This occurs because one's qi (or energy source) has been weakened, which explains why a Chinese herbalist may address these allergies by building up the body's immunity and defensive qi.

“The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.”

~Ann Wigmore