Your eyes are two of the most complex organs in your body, but can often be taken for granted. Chinese medicine can help your eyes more than you know. It’s never too late to start taking better care of your eyes.

People with cataracts (which includes nearly all adults over the age of 65) are told there is nothing that can prevent the growth of cataracts and therefore to wait until the cataract “ripens” (gets more opaque) and then have it removed surgically, according to acufinder.com

Have you ever had an inexplicable ringing in your ears, but don’t know why or how to get rid of it? You may have a condition called Tinnitus, and there is a wide array of causes. Exposure to sudden, loud music or explosive noises can cause Tinnitus, a nerve disorder that involves a consistent ringing sound in a person's ears. At its worse, Tinnitus can lead to deafness. Tinnitus affects one in 10 people, and can range from mild to chronic. While it is a common problem for veterans and the elderly, other common causes include whiplash or even dental work. While it is a difficult phenomenon for Western and East Asian medicine doctors to treat, tinnitus is not incurable.

In Chinese medicine, chronic Tinnitus is believed to be caused by kidney weakness, according to Pacific College of Oriental Medicine Faculty Member Dr. Mohammed Javaherian. Acupuncture is recommended and treatments will focus most likely on the kidney meridians, as well as on points along the liver and gallbladder meridians to help strengthen the root of the problem.

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between Chinese and Japanese acupuncture? Is one better than the other? Maybe you’ve never had acupuncture before and you’re not sure who to go to...well, today we’re going behind the scenes with Japanese Acupuncturist and Pacific College Faculty Member KC Conover, as well as Chinese Acupuncturist and Pacific College Clinic Director Dr. Greg Sperber to uncover some of the unique qualities that distinguish these two acupuncture styles.

First off, let’s look briefly at the history of acupuncture. This healing method originated in ancient China and from there, expanded into Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Every culture since then has developed their own signature style of acupuncture, but the roots remain grounded in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This means that Japanese acupuncturists are taught TCM to begin with and from there pursue a Japanese traditional, apprentice-style training to develop the Japanese style.

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.   

by Ted Kardash

This is the second in a series of six articles on fundamental Taoist principles.  Each commentary will focus on explaining and understanding a separate principle along with its application to daily living.

by Ted Kardash

This is the first in a series of six articles on fundamental Taoist principles.  Each commentary will focus on explaining and understanding a separate principle and its application to daily living.

Everyone has allergies from time to time, but imagine your life if you had a stuffy or runny nose, headache, or sinus pressure every day? This is what it’s like for those with chronic sinitus. There is something natural that can not only reduce these symptoms, but make you feel more energized, boost your immune system, and can even improve your skin and hair health: eating foods that fight inflammation.

Traditional Chinese medicine has long held the belief that the foods you eat and the lifestyle you lead can impact your health as much as any medical regimen       . Inflammation is the root cause of chronic sinus problems, as well as allergies and hay fever.

Did you know that more people complain about headaches than any other type of ailment?  There are approximately 45 million Americans suffering from chronic headaches each year, or about one in every six people, according to IHateHeadaches.org, and some of your choice painkillers may actually be triggering MORE headaches (these are known as “rebound headaches”, but we’ll get to those later).

This month, June, is National Headache Awareness Month, and with headaches mild to severe running rampant across the country, it seems appropriate to look into the different types of headaches that are plaguing people and to explore some Chinese medicine treatments that can help.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) recently published a report that 42 percent of responding hospitals offer one or more Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies, up from 37 percent in 2007, and 26 percent in 2005.  This shows that the positive trend-lines are steady and that CAM is growing in popularity and acceptance.

Vice President for Quality and Patient Safety at AHA Nancy Foster said, “Hospitals have long known that what they do to treat and heal involves more than just medications and procedures. It is about using all of the art and science of medicine to restore the patient as fully as possible.”

Did you know that the chia pet of your childhood can also be grown in your garden as an incredible superfood? Chia seeds are edible on their own or cooked, baked, or mixed into other delights. This seed comes from the desert plant, Salvia hispanica, which is a member of the mint family.

The sprouts became famous as the Chia Pet, but the seeds of the plant have always been the most sought after portion. Common in southern Mexico, the chia plant was an integral part of the ancient Aztec and Mayan diets. To give you an idea of this power food’s origins, “Chia” is the Mayan word for strength. It’s making a major comeback today, as people realize the incredible health benefits of this tiny, versatile seed.