There is a thick connective tissue that runs the entire length of the bottom of the human foot. It starts on the five toes and extends to the bottom of the heel. This tissue is known as the plantar fascia. While running,  runners land on the heels of the feet and then raise themselves on the toes before shifting the weight onto the other foot. This causes the plantar fascia to come under strain and when the strain becomes too much, the plantar fascia is likely to tear. Even if there is no tearing the strain can be felt and is an indication of plantar fasciitis. Mountain climbers, aerobics practitioners, and hikers can also become afflicted by plantar fasciitis due to constant strain on the plantar fascia during their exertions. Plantar fasciitis can also be caused by using the wrong footwear.

Asthma is a chronic disease affecting the airways of the lungs. The airways are tubes carrying air inside and outside the lungs. In asthma, the inside walls of the airways become sore and swollen. This makes them narrower leading to less air supply; in turn causing chest tightness, wheezing, coughing, and breathing trouble. These symptoms tend to worsen at night or in the early morning hours. In an asthma attack, the airways are blocked to the extent of interfering with oxygen supply to the important organs and may result in death.

Around 300 million people worldwide are affected by asthma including 7% from the United States and 6.5% British people. Of these, 6 million are children. In the US alone, 4,000 deaths are caused by asthma each year. This condition is irrespective of age but starts mainly in childhood. It may also be hereditary. Children of parents with asthma who also have a persistent history of respiratory infections, wheezing and allergies are at high risk of developing asthma, which continues beyond 6 years of age. Asthma attacks may also be triggered by stress.

Shiatsu healing therapy is a type of massage or bodywork with roots in Japan. Both shiatsu and acupuncture work along regulating positive qi (energy) flow through the body and are based on traditional Chinese medicine principles. A shiatsu practitioner uses thumbs, elbows, knees, and fingers to rebalance the patient’s body and leave him with a relaxed feeling. Shiatsu is truly a relaxing experience and regular shiatsu sessions help to prevent the build up of stress, which in turn helps asthma patients.

Shiatsu is quite suitable for asthma patients since it can be administered to people of any age, babies, pregnant ladies, and breast-feeding mothers. Shiatsu should be carried out on an asthma patient when he is completely relaxed and definitely not in the midst of an attack. Before commencing the treatment, the patient’s asthmatic and general health history is taken note of. Diagnosis is based on feeling the pulse, certain points in the back, palpitation of the abdomen, and observing the patient’s face, tongue, and posture. 

The patient while being fully-clothed is asked to lie down on a cotton futon on the floor. Extra bolsters and cushions may be used. Clothing should be loose and comfortable.

A shiatsu practitioner listens to the patient’s body while treating it and then responds to these signals. Certain designated areas are massaged for relief of asthma, namely around the center of the chest, on the hands and palms, and along the foot. These specific massage points are acted upon to relax the chest, quiet the nervous system, and clear the lungs. The massage can be carried out on a regular basis. However, in the event of an asthma attack, immediate medical attention should be sought.

Massage Therapy for Chronic Conditions



Massage therapy is a popular type of alternative treatment in traditional forms of medicine practiced in China, Japan, India, and Egypt.  As a means to prevent conditions arising from physical, mental, and emotional stress, and to complement a treatment for a particular ailment, massage therapy is preferred because it offers a non-invasive means to achieve wellness and good health.  It is also often recommended and used by individuals suffering from chronic conditions.  

The use of massage therapy is well-documented and supported.  In China and India, massage was used as far back as 4,000 years ago.  It was considered for its therapeutic properties in the West in 400 BC and was supported by medical practitioners in the U.S. in the 19th century.  It declined in use only in the 1940s when pharmaceutical drugs and medications became prevalent.  It has increased in popularity recently, thanks to an alternative medical practice review in the 1994 publication of the National Institute of Health and the use of massages in the field of health care.

Treating Chronic Conditions with Massage

Herbal Medicine for Eczema

It is estimated that over 10 million people in the U.S. suffer from eczema, a skin disorder that is often difficult to treat.  Although conventional treatments in the form of medications are often prescribed to relieve the symptoms of eczema, many individuals opt to use natural remedies, such as herbal medicine, either as an alternative or complementary treatment to more conventional methods.  

What is eczema?
Eczema is a skin disease classified as dermatitis.  It is characterized by the inflammation of the epidermis or top layer of the skin.  It is often manifested in the form of small, multiple red rashes that may crack, blister, flake, scale, or ooze.  Because rashes can sometimes be dry and itchy, scratching can sometimes cause them to bleed.  The tearing of the skin can then lead to scarring and skin discoloration.

The first time eczema appears in individuals is when they are still infants.  Rashes often appear on knees, elbows, and certain areas of the face.  In many cases, this skin disease resolves by itself and fails to cause any problems in adulthood.  However, eczema can persist in certain individuals, usually triggered by a bout of allergies to certain irritants such as chemicals or food ingredients.  It can also appear suddenly on people who suffer from frequent stress.  

Pacific College Participates in Vietnam Stand Down 2010 

The National Stand Down for Homeless Veterans is an annual event that honors and seeks to physically and emotionally help homeless veterans. Each summer in San Diego, hundreds of homeless veterans and their families are provided with a wide range of necessities such as food, shelter, showers, clothing, dental care, and medical care, including acupuncture and massage therapy. Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM) students and alumni will volunteer their time and services to this event. This year, the event will be held on July 16, 17 and 18, 2010, on the upper athletic field at San Diego High School.  

Massage is a form of touch therapy that has been prevalent for centuries. It is an ancient practice and conveys to the child a sense of security and trust that is very essential for the newcomer into the world. Touch is a sense that is one of the first to be developed in humans and probably all forms of life. It is said that a touch can convey more than a thousand words, and children are known to thrive with the right amount of physical contact. Children who grow up with healthy views of touch are known to grow up into adults with self-esteem and develop long standing relationships.

Massage as a Therapy
Customs in many countries include the use of massage therapy for children, especially infants, using oils and other herbs that further increase the benefits of the massage. Massage therapy can act as a stress buster for children, even when they have passed the stage of infancy. Children have their own exposure to stress, which can come from school going, family quarrels, or even playtime with their peers. This stress can cause imbalance in the immune system and hormonal imbalances as well. Massage practiced regularly can help a child reduce stress, which can in turn may help the child to sleep better.   

Children and Their Response to Massage
Children respond very positively to any form of massage. It is probably the sense of touch and the bonding it brings that has such a therapeutic effect on the child being massaged. For infants, the gentle gliding stroke with some oils is the best form of massage therapy. As children grow older, massage can include separate work on hands and feet, concentrating on the fingers and toes. Sessions for massage therapy should not last for more than a quarter of an hour, as children’s attention spans are small, and they may find longer sessions irksome. One may also find that the child falls asleep while it is being massaged. This is a positive sign and points to the positive effects of the therapy. 

TCM SOLUTIONS FOR OSTEOPOROSIS AND BONE DISEASES



Osteoporosis, commonly referred to as brittle bones, is a syndrome leading to the reduction of bone mineral density, and changes in the variety and amount of proteins found in bones. Patients with osteoporosis are at an increased risk of fracture; a hip or spine fracture would require immediate hospitalization and surgery. Spinal or vertebral fractures can also result in loss of height, severe back pain, and deformity. Risk factors for osteoporosis include:

• Of the 10 million Americans affected by osteoporosis, 80% are women. Women have lighter and thinner bones, and lose bone rapidly post-menopause.
• Age reduces bone density.
• Heredity and genetics determine if one is at risk.
• A smaller and thinner person is at a higher risk
• An adult who has broken one or more bones during his or her adulthood.
• There is a greater likelihood of people of Caucasian, Asian, or Latino descent to develop osteoporosis as compared to Africans. • Women with low estrogen levels, and men with low testosterone levels pose a similar risk. • A diet lacking in calcium, vitamin D, phosphorous, and essential vitamins.
• Too much animal protein in the diet can lead to loss of calcium through the kidneys.
• Eating too much sodium can cause bone loss.
• Inactive lifestyles combined with smoking and alcohol abuse increase the risk of osteoporosis.
• Certain medications may also make one more susceptible to osteoporosis.

While osteoporosis is a serious condition, traditional Chinese medical modalities show promise in helping patients.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) centers on the balancing of energy (qi) in each human being. TCM focuses on restoring the body to health through herbs and diet as well. According to TCM, the loss of Kidney Qi and blood stagnation are mainly responsible for osteoporosis.

The herbal decoctions used for bone remedies strengthen the kidneys, build qi, as well as work towards regeneration of new bone cells. A variety of herbs are used such as liquorices root, fresh ginger, Chinese taxillus herb, fresh oyster shell, white peony root, cassia bark, etc., are used to help patients with osteoporosis and other bone diseases. 

Clinical research conducted at the Traditional Medicine Research Institute, has found that Chinese medications containing rich kidney tonic ingredients, amino acids, and compounds could revitalize the cell systems and help in the treatment of osteoporosis. Other clinical research found that the herbs were effective in faster recovery from traumatic fractures. The formulas had anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, lessened pain and swelling, and improved blood circulation and microcirculation of injured tissue and organs. 

Sciatica Relief Using Massage Therapy

The sciatic nerve is a nerve bundle that is thumb size and is composed of several nerve roots that originate in the lower back and sacral area. This nerve goes down to the lower leg and foot and down the back of the thigh between muscles like the piriformis which run down from the sacral area to the legs. A tightening of these muscles can cause the sciatic nerve to get compressed and cause pain. The pain can be mild and cause just a little tingling. But severe sciatic pain can cause the sufferer to find it hard to move or even lie down.  

Sciatica Diagnosis and Sciatica relief    

Acupuncture and Moxibustion have been used for people with diabetes to normalize his or her endocrine function. According to clinical studies, acupuncture is beneficial in lowering glucose levels.

Many people around the world suffer from diabetes. In fact, it is one of the most widespread chronic illnesses in the United States today. Conventional medicine for diabetes is geared towards the regulation of blood sugar with a combination of oral pharmacological agents and insulin. Change of diet and regular exercise are also recommended for people with diabetes. Although TCM and western medicine are geared towards the same goals, the diagnosis and the treatment are not similar. While Western medicine targets the cause of an illness and eventually tries to get rid of the root cause, traditional Chinese medicine focuses on the big picture and fixes the problem by fixing the whole.

Traditional Chinese medicine has existed for thousands of years and has evolved into one of the most reliable systems of medicine. The most common Oriental treatment for diabetes and other illnesses is acupuncture, but other methods such as diet therapy, Chinese herbal medicine, tui na, qi gong, and tai ji are also used.

According to Oriental medicine, the human body should be viewed in a holistic way. From this standpoint, every single symptom is related to the whole well-being of a person and unlike conventional medicine, TCM concentrates more on disharmony between two forces: Yin and Yang.  A person’s Yin and Yang are interdependent, one cannot function or exist without the other. So this means that the different energies of a person should be directed to the right places to achieve equilibrium.

Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy have been used for people with diabetes to normalize his or her endocrine function. According to clinical studies, acupuncture is beneficial in lowering glucose levels.
Another integral part of TCM is the use of herbal medicine. The Chinese have utilized herbal medicine for over 2000 years and many of these medicines have been used for diabetics. The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic, dating back to the Han Dynasty, has a list of 13 herbal formulations for the treatment of diabetes. These medicinal herbs usually have four components which include the principal ingredient used for the treatment of the disease, an assisting ingredient that is also good at fighting the disease, another assisting ingredient that enhances the effects of the principal ingredient, and an envoy ingredient that makes sure the effects of the other ingredients are merged into an effective brew.
The prescribed herbs for diabetes however differ from one person to another depending on the predominant symptoms of a patient.