By Jeff Denny

Millions of people in the United States and around the world endure daily pains and discomfort due to back injury, strain, or disorder. Back pain has become more commonplace among those who primarly spend their working days in a seated or sedentary posture and with others who perform repetive duties throughout the day. The demands of jobs may have changed considerably in the past two hundred years but the worker remains relatively the same. The ancient wisom of the Oriental Medicine and Chinese herb therapy maintains its practically and effectiveness for regaining the spine's strength, stability, and flexibilty.

By Laura L. Ecklund

Made from the dried leaves of the camellia sinensis plant, green tea came from China between 4,000-5,000 years ago. The legend is told that an ancient Chineses Emperor was boiling water and some leaves fell into his pot. Today, green tea is popular all over the world, not only for the taste but also for its many health benefits. For centuries Chinese medicine has used green tea for headaches, digestive problems, lack of energy, and immune enhancement to name a few. Today green tea is available flavored or natural- a taste that is pleasing to anyone.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 97.1 million adults are overweight, and 39.8 million of those people also meet the criteria for obesity. Approximately 280,000 deaths and 39.3 million missed workdays are attributable to obesity each year.

While Americans spend $33 billion annually on weight-loss products and services, the prevalence of obesity increased by almost 30 percent between 1991 and 2000. Those seeking an alternative to diet fads and short-term solutions are turning to lifestyle changes that often include the use of acupuncture and tai chi.

Sexual health is a topic we often find difficult to define and master. Many obstacles - physical, psychological and emotional - can become barriers to fulfilling and health-enhancing sex lives. Chinese medicine, with its focus on whole body wellness, supports sexual vitality in an active, complete way. In the age of quick-fix healthcare, it is becoming more necessary to slow the pace and reconnect with ourselves on a deeper level.

Sexuality is not widely considered a healthcare issue, but sexual desire can be a powerful source of healing and personal growth. When it is suppressed, diminished or dysfunctional, it can have negative effects on wellness. Sexual energy and passion make up a portion of our qi and feed positive aspects of our overall welfare. Men and women's sexual health< can be greatly enhanced by principles inherent in Chinese medical philosophy.

Feet are an important and often ignored part of the body's health system. Three out of four Americans experience a serious foot problem in their lifetime, many of which are treatable and preventable. In Chinese medicine, the condition of the feet is crucial to overall health and is considered a separate body related to all body parts and organs.

The Podiatric Medical Association says that an average day of walking brings a force equal to several hundred tons down on the feet. This helps explain why the feet are more subject to injury than any other part of the body.

Physical and emotional stress is a fact of modern life. Natural disasters, war, and general unrest are painting an uncertain picture of the future, which can leave many people with undue stress. Although the American Psychological Association reports that 63 percent of Americans say they are taking action to reduce their stress levels, 43 percent suffer adverse health effects due to stress. Studies show that Chinese medicine, which includes acupuncture, massage, Tai Chi and Qigong, can significantly help reduce stress.

The body's reaction to stress is meant to protect us. Our body adjusts to its surroundings to maintain homeostasis. Our natural reactions to danger or challenge can be positive, but when we feel intense pressure or feel out of control these reactions become negative stress. The "fight or flight" response from the sympathetic nervous system occurs as we react to physical and mental changes in our equilibrium. In Chinese medical language, excessive emotional stimulation or suppression causes imbalance of qi, thereby injuring the body and producing disease.

This March will mark the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation's sixth annual National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. As we continue to learn more about this illness, research suggests that alternative medicine may play an important role in both prevention and treatment. Colorectal cancer is the second largest cancer killer in the U.S., but is highly treatable when found in the early stages.

Most colorectal cancers are caused by tissue growth in the center of the colon or rectum, known as colorectal cancer polyps Adenoma polyps can become colorectal cancer polyps, but early removal may prevent colorectal cancer polyps from developing. Early detection is therefore a vital tool in cancer death prevention. In 2002, Dr. Yang Cai and Dr. Robert Schoen began a study of tongue diagnosis for colorectal cancer. In this study, computerized images of patients' tongues are analyzed to determine whether or not early indications of colon cancer can be observed.

Oriental medicine places high value on diet and nutrition. However, rather than the popular "you are what you eat" dogma, Oriental medical theory asserts that balanced dietary practices are just one piece of a healthy lifestyle.

"There are four basic foundations of achieving and maintaining good health," said Bob Flaws, popular author and translator of Chinese medical texts. "These are: diet, exercise, adequate rest and relaxation, and a good mental attitude."

by Angela Johnson, MPH (PCOM – Chicago)

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the number one cause of death among women and men in the United States?1-2 Estimates suggest that every 29 seconds someone in the United States suffers from a coronary event, and every 60 seconds someone loses their life as a result. According to the American Heart Association, in 2003 one in every five deaths was associated with CHD, causing an estimated 479,305 fatalities.3

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, and Chinese medicine has many treatments for this common eye disorder. Gradual blockage of the outflow of aqueous humor (a frontal compartment eye fluid) is the main glaucoma cause. If enough pressure builds, blood vessels and nerve fibers can become compressed and cause irreparable damage. Any glaucoma symptom, such as loss of small areas of peripheral vision (blind spots) may result. Herbal remedies, herb-derived eye drop formulas, a combination of both, and acupuncture have shown promising results in relieving fluid pressure in the eyes.

Because fluids, which are yin in nature, tend to be downward draining, other disorders are usually present in order to cause fluid accumulation in the upper areas of the body. Yang-influenced disorders flow upward like the flames of fire in nature. In the case of glaucoma, a fire syndrome is created internally and carries fluids upward and into the eyes. This explains the glaucoma symptom of pressure build-up in the eyes. In the case of glaucoma, the cause is first thought to be internal in nature rather than environmental. Internal disorders are generally influenced by age and genetics.