Saturday, September 6, 2008
5 Element Acupuncture
Something awesome has entered, heart and soul, into my practice of this medicine. Many of you have probably heard me talk of the 5 Elements (wood, water, fire, earth, metal) @ An Sen Clinic. But it hasn't been until this past year, that I have had the opportunity to study into the depths of this ancient practice. What I have come to realize is a few profound things: 1. I am ever humbled, and I mean humbled by the boundless study of the 5 Elements and their correspondences within nature (in which we are all apart of too.) 2. Extreme gratitude to those teachers including David Ford, David Berkshire, and Alan Shaw who have introduced me to its power and
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Pediatric Tuina & Chinese Medicine for Treatment of Colic
Recently I have had the opportunity to treat my friends newborn baby @ An Sen Clinic using a combination of Pediatric Tuina, Herbal Medicine & Dietary & Nutrition advice. For those of you unfamiliar with the term Tuina, it means 'Finger Pressure', in Chinese. It is a form of massage and acupressure techniques based on many of the same guiding principles that are used in Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine. You can actually use Acupuncture on newborns and babies, but Pediatric Tuina is a little less invasive, which in my experience- offers mothers a chance to feel more comfortable bringing their newborns into the crazy & unfamiliar world of Chinese Medicine for the first time. I learned the techniques of Pediatric Tuina from one of my teachers, Dr.Yan Lu, during my schooling @ the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. Pediatric Tuina can be used as a form of therapy for, well, just about any Pediatric condition. Bedwetting, Colic, Phlegm, Earaches, Cold's and Flu's, you name it. It's about bringing the babies bodies/organs, minds and sprits back into balance. Besides, who wouldn't feel better getting a little massage anyway?!!
On the first visit to the clinic, (We'll call him Baby E) Baby E showed no letting up on his crying fits. I barely had the opportunity to even attempt the Pediatric Tuina on him. (For I wanted him to associate the treatments with something happy and fun, so I did not want to push his little buttons without him being in a good place emotionally). So I did just a little, but I showed his mom all of the techniques and wrote them down for her and explained what they were going to do for the little man, and that she should do them daily- any chance she got him into a relaxed state. With baby in carriage intact,( alongside him I also included his herbal granule formula & dietary and nutritional recommendations), he and mom were on their way until his follow-up visit one week later.
Colic is considered 'food stagnation' in Chinese Medicine, (aka indigestion, gas, bloating and possible acid reflux in Western medical terminology). Plain and simple, babies just aren't comfortable, with all of that stuff going on down there. Would you? From a Western and Eastern perspective, babies digestive systems are not fully developed yet (which is why they cannot eat big ole cheeseburgers right out of the womb), thus thanks to the powers that be, mother's milk was created! Whala! But even this can sometimes be overpowering to a newborns digestive tract. There are different patterns of colic pathology in Chinese Medicine. For instance there's 'hot colic', 'cold colic, 'Liv Qi stagnation Colic', etc. so no baby is treated exactly the same. I try to hone in on the babies total symptom picture before coming up with the Pediatric Tuina prescription, and herbal formula. Mom's of course need to be involved as well, as 'feeding on demand' is not advised in Chinese Pediatric recommendations, rather 'feeding on schedule' is the preferred method, as well as restricting mom to certain foods that may be causing that unwanted gas.
As for baby E, the second visit into the clinic proved uplifting. His facial color was richer, and his eyes were more focused and sparkling, and this time he did not cry but rather laughed and smiled all through his Pediatric Tuina Session. And, mom reported that he even slept a whole 6 hours through the previous night before. A record for baby E! Along they went again, with a refill of his formula and a much more content baby and experienced mom!
On the first visit to the clinic, (We'll call him Baby E) Baby E showed no letting up on his crying fits. I barely had the opportunity to even attempt the Pediatric Tuina on him. (For I wanted him to associate the treatments with something happy and fun, so I did not want to push his little buttons without him being in a good place emotionally). So I did just a little, but I showed his mom all of the techniques and wrote them down for her and explained what they were going to do for the little man, and that she should do them daily- any chance she got him into a relaxed state. With baby in carriage intact,( alongside him I also included his herbal granule formula & dietary and nutritional recommendations), he and mom were on their way until his follow-up visit one week later.
Colic is considered 'food stagnation' in Chinese Medicine, (aka indigestion, gas, bloating and possible acid reflux in Western medical terminology). Plain and simple, babies just aren't comfortable, with all of that stuff going on down there. Would you? From a Western and Eastern perspective, babies digestive systems are not fully developed yet (which is why they cannot eat big ole cheeseburgers right out of the womb), thus thanks to the powers that be, mother's milk was created! Whala! But even this can sometimes be overpowering to a newborns digestive tract. There are different patterns of colic pathology in Chinese Medicine. For instance there's 'hot colic', 'cold colic, 'Liv Qi stagnation Colic', etc. so no baby is treated exactly the same. I try to hone in on the babies total symptom picture before coming up with the Pediatric Tuina prescription, and herbal formula. Mom's of course need to be involved as well, as 'feeding on demand' is not advised in Chinese Pediatric recommendations, rather 'feeding on schedule' is the preferred method, as well as restricting mom to certain foods that may be causing that unwanted gas.
As for baby E, the second visit into the clinic proved uplifting. His facial color was richer, and his eyes were more focused and sparkling, and this time he did not cry but rather laughed and smiled all through his Pediatric Tuina Session. And, mom reported that he even slept a whole 6 hours through the previous night before. A record for baby E! Along they went again, with a refill of his formula and a much more content baby and experienced mom!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Rediscover the true you and your highest potential.
Tom Mondell, Master Herbalist, Transformational Kinesiologist & Matrix Energetics Specialist will be in Portland from April 17th-May 1. What Tom practices is simple, yet powerful & especially effective for symptoms such as anxiety, depression, chronic illness, & musculoskeletal tension.
“There’s a part of you of which you may not be aware. It’s a place that is very simple, quiet and humble yet is the most powerful of energies. Unlike the annoying ego self, it expresses itself as a longing to be remembered. Once it is recognized and acknowledged all things are put right.”
"Most diseases can be traced back to diet, lifestyle and the subconscious. I can help uncover the cause with the cooperation of the client. Once the causation is identified I can recommend the proper protocol". Tom Mondell, Master Herbalist
What Tom practices is simple, yet powerful & effective. If you are interested in finding out more or scheduling a treatment session he can be reached at: 877.297.8737 or mondell@fyi.net
“There’s a part of you of which you may not be aware. It’s a place that is very simple, quiet and humble yet is the most powerful of energies. Unlike the annoying ego self, it expresses itself as a longing to be remembered. Once it is recognized and acknowledged all things are put right.”
"Most diseases can be traced back to diet, lifestyle and the subconscious. I can help uncover the cause with the cooperation of the client. Once the causation is identified I can recommend the proper protocol". Tom Mondell, Master Herbalist
What Tom practices is simple, yet powerful & effective. If you are interested in finding out more or scheduling a treatment session he can be reached at: 877.297.8737 or mondell@fyi.net
Spring, The Wood Element, & Chinese Medicine
We too, like every living thing in the universe- are a part of nature. Harmony & balance can can be obtained throughout the year by free flowing with the cycles of the seasons.
Spring is a time for blossoming, new growth, life, and awesome weather spectacles. Spring is a time for change, & for beauty. In Chinese Medicine, Spring is associated with Wood element & the Liver/Gallbladder organs. The Liver/Gallbladder organs are associated with the eyes, the color green, the emotion of anger(when out of balance or in excess), individuality and creativity (when in balance),and the flavor of sour.
Spring is the season for regeneration and renewal of body/mind/spirit. It's time for cleaning out heavy, dampening foods from the hearty winters fare; and breaking out of the hibernation state of inactivity.
The ancient Chinese looked at spring as the time of year to "rise early with the sun" and take brisk walks. The recommended diet of this season is light and fresh, with yang type foods that accentuate the ascending and expansive quality of spring. Some examples include any type of vegetables like kale, collard greens, corn, asparagus and celery. Berries also help cleanse the Liver including stawberries, rasberries, blueberries and cranberries. Better yet, try adding frozen or fresh berries to your MediClear smoothie! Since the sour flavor has an affinity to the Liver and Gallbladder, you might also try this simple cleanse to be done once or twice a year.
The Following Wood-Excess/Liver Cleanse Recipe was gathered from one of my favorite books "Wood Becomes Water ; Chinese Medicine in Everyday Life"-by Gail Reichstein.
Fast or eat lightly for several days and ingest a mixture of two tablespoons organic extra virgin olive oil and the juice of half a lemon or lime (or one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar) first thing in the morning. This process draws toxins out of the Liver so they can be eliminated and after three to six days of it the whole body feels renewed. This is also a good remedy for depression, though it should not be taken for more than a week.
Enjoy Spring from An Sen Clinic!
Spring is a time for blossoming, new growth, life, and awesome weather spectacles. Spring is a time for change, & for beauty. In Chinese Medicine, Spring is associated with Wood element & the Liver/Gallbladder organs. The Liver/Gallbladder organs are associated with the eyes, the color green, the emotion of anger(when out of balance or in excess), individuality and creativity (when in balance),and the flavor of sour.
Spring is the season for regeneration and renewal of body/mind/spirit. It's time for cleaning out heavy, dampening foods from the hearty winters fare; and breaking out of the hibernation state of inactivity.
The ancient Chinese looked at spring as the time of year to "rise early with the sun" and take brisk walks. The recommended diet of this season is light and fresh, with yang type foods that accentuate the ascending and expansive quality of spring. Some examples include any type of vegetables like kale, collard greens, corn, asparagus and celery. Berries also help cleanse the Liver including stawberries, rasberries, blueberries and cranberries. Better yet, try adding frozen or fresh berries to your MediClear smoothie! Since the sour flavor has an affinity to the Liver and Gallbladder, you might also try this simple cleanse to be done once or twice a year.
The Following Wood-Excess/Liver Cleanse Recipe was gathered from one of my favorite books "Wood Becomes Water ; Chinese Medicine in Everyday Life"-by Gail Reichstein.
Fast or eat lightly for several days and ingest a mixture of two tablespoons organic extra virgin olive oil and the juice of half a lemon or lime (or one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar) first thing in the morning. This process draws toxins out of the Liver so they can be eliminated and after three to six days of it the whole body feels renewed. This is also a good remedy for depression, though it should not be taken for more than a week.
Enjoy Spring from An Sen Clinic!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
So what is Chinese Medicine anyway?
For a wealth of quality information regarding Chinese Medical Theory and Philosophy, comparisons to Western Medicine, syptoms lists, etc etc please visit the "TCM" page of my website www.portlandacupuncture.net or click here: clinic. Have fun!
Monday, June 18, 2007
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