Good Morning and Happy Autumn!
I wanted to share with you a blog entry from The New York Times "Well Blog." This blog discusses the uses of acupuncture to treat side effects from breast cancer therapies. Acupuncture can be very helpful in minimizing/eliminating symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, hot flashes, as well as boosting the immune system.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/22/acupuncture-offers-relief-for-breast-cancer-patients/
Don't forget to do your monthly self-exams and schedule your mammograms!
In health,
Pat
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Ideas to Ponder
After last week's blog entry about Dr. Dyer and the Tao Te Ching, I thought it would be interesting to share some excerpts from this fascinating and insightful book. Just a little background to get you started: "the way" means the Tao and each entry in the Tao Te Ching is numbered, rather than titled. It is difficult to explain Lao Tzu's work and Taoism without losing it's intent; so rather than explaining them and analyzing them any further at this time, I'm just going to let you read them. Ponder the words and see what comes up for you. And if it is "the way" to discuss them further later, then it will be....
I
The way that can be spoken of is not the constant way;
The name that can be named is not the constant name.
The nameless was the beginning of heaven and earth;
The named was the mother of the myriad creatures.
Hence always rid yourself of desires in order to observe
its secrets;
But always allow yourself to have desires in order to
observe its manifestations.
These two are the same but diverge in name as they
issue forth.
Being the same they are called mysteries,
mystery upon mystery -
The gateway to the manifold secrets.
XXXIII
He who knows others is clever;
He who knows himself has discernment;
He who overcomes others has force;
He who overcomes himself is strong;
He who knows contentment is rich;
He who perseveres is a man of purpose;
He who does not lose his station will endure;
He who lives out his days has had a long life.
Reference: Lau, D.C, ed. (1963). Lao Tzu - Tao Te Ching; Penguin Classics. Penguin Books, Ltd.: Middlesex, England.
Have a wonderful and healthy week ahead.
Pat
I
The way that can be spoken of is not the constant way;
The name that can be named is not the constant name.
The nameless was the beginning of heaven and earth;
The named was the mother of the myriad creatures.
Hence always rid yourself of desires in order to observe
its secrets;
But always allow yourself to have desires in order to
observe its manifestations.
These two are the same but diverge in name as they
issue forth.
Being the same they are called mysteries,
mystery upon mystery -
The gateway to the manifold secrets.
XXXIII
He who knows others is clever;
He who knows himself has discernment;
He who overcomes others has force;
He who overcomes himself is strong;
He who knows contentment is rich;
He who perseveres is a man of purpose;
He who does not lose his station will endure;
He who lives out his days has had a long life.
Reference: Lau, D.C, ed. (1963). Lao Tzu - Tao Te Ching; Penguin Classics. Penguin Books, Ltd.: Middlesex, England.
Have a wonderful and healthy week ahead.
Pat
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Television Recommendation
While taking a break this afternoon and flipping TV channels, I came across a program that I want to recommend: "Dr. Wayne Dyer: Change your thoughts, change your life." It is currently being shown on our local KPBS channel as part of their fundraising drive. In this program Dr. Dyer talks about the Chinese Taoist classic, the Tao Te Ching, and how it's philosophies can be applied to everyday life. It is an excellent program and one that I encourage you to check out. It is being shown today (Sunday 9/7) until 2:30 pm and then replayed tonight at 12am. ...Hopefully, it is a program that they will show many more times during their fundraising, or future fundraising events.
The Tao Te Ching was written by Lao Tzu and is considered the principal work of Taoist philosophy. It's hard to describe Taoism in "20 words or less" but one of the key ideas is the practice of The Way, or non-action. Non-action doesn't mean "inaction": it means acknowledging that everything has a energy, a path, a way that it is supposed to work out and to allow things to follow their "way" and not meddle with them. (This is a gross over-simplification of the philosophy!) Another over-simplified way of stating this would be: going with the flow. ...For further philosophical discussions on the Tao, ask me at the office. ;-)
But back to my original intent: if you can, check out this program. If you're not in the San Diego area, check with your local PBS stations - see if they are going to be showing it soon. And if you can't catch the show, then take a look at Dr. Dyer's book on which the show is based: "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life: living the wisdom of the Tao."
Peace,
Pat
The Tao Te Ching was written by Lao Tzu and is considered the principal work of Taoist philosophy. It's hard to describe Taoism in "20 words or less" but one of the key ideas is the practice of The Way, or non-action. Non-action doesn't mean "inaction": it means acknowledging that everything has a energy, a path, a way that it is supposed to work out and to allow things to follow their "way" and not meddle with them. (This is a gross over-simplification of the philosophy!) Another over-simplified way of stating this would be: going with the flow. ...For further philosophical discussions on the Tao, ask me at the office. ;-)
But back to my original intent: if you can, check out this program. If you're not in the San Diego area, check with your local PBS stations - see if they are going to be showing it soon. And if you can't catch the show, then take a look at Dr. Dyer's book on which the show is based: "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life: living the wisdom of the Tao."
Peace,
Pat
The Healing is Mutual
Many times I have been asked by patients, "Don't you ever get tired of listening to us talk or complain?" To which I always answer, "No! Definitely not." First off, from that talking or "complaining" often comes diagnostic clues which I can use to better treat my patients: clues in the tone of voice, the topics people bring up, what they chose to share during a treatment and what they don't. These things can provide valuable information on the nature of patients' conditions; how they are coping, or not coping, with their illnesses or injuries; and to their overall constitutions. Secondly, it is sometimes through a patient's words that I receive inspiration and healing. While the primary focus of a treatment is on my patient's well-being, sometimes my patients present healing gifts to me - it is at moments like these that the healing is mutual.
Sometimes these gifts are simple and lighthearted. They may be recommendations for movies or restaurants. They may be ideas about places to see and great vacation getaways. Sometimes it's a very funny joke that keeps me giggling and smiling to myself the rest of the day. (Remember, one of the things I love most is the sound of laughter in the office.) Sometimes it's even a suggestion for a blog entry that results in a flurry of ideas for me to jot down and save for later.
Other times these gifts are instructional and educational. It could be an older patient sharing with me wisdom and insights on historical events. How did he/she survive challenges like war, economic depressions, political upheavals - with those insights containing advice on how we can get through our current political and economic challenges. Or it could just be sharing knowledge on day to day interests: computers, cooking, DIY house projects, etc.
But sometimes the gifts are much more profound. I learn so much from my patients about health, living, and healing. We all have days when the world looms large and intimidating, or when we wonder if our goals will comes to fruition, or when we just need an "atta boy" to encourage us to keep going. I'm no exception. ...Sometimes it is in the course of giving someone else a treatment that I receive a gift of encouragement, hope, and inspiration. It's always spontaneous and usually quite unexpected, albeit always very welcomed.
From my patients I have seen, and continue to see, patience and "staying tough" in the face of adversity; whether it be searching for a new job, raising children as a single parent, or addressing challenges in a marriage. I regularly see patients facing their illnesses and injuries with determination: seeking out additional modalities to help them heal, and not resigning themselves to "well that's just the way it is"; or choosing new health patterns (eg. yoga, dietary changes, counseling) that boost their energy and change their lives. And on occasion I have watched patients face life-threatening and terminal illnesses. I have had the honor to spend time with these individuals as they face the greatest battles of their lives with courage and dignity - celebrating what they can still do instead of mourning the things they have lost. I have learned that diagnosis and prognosis is no match for the will of the human spirit.
So, yes, I do know that my needles and knowledge do a lot of good for my patients and for their lives. And I am very grateful to be able to be of service and to help people on their healing journeys - it's one of the things I love about my work. ....But I also wanted to share that healing can go two-ways and that there are many times when the healing my patients give me is just as profound and appreciated.
In gratitude,
Pat
Sometimes these gifts are simple and lighthearted. They may be recommendations for movies or restaurants. They may be ideas about places to see and great vacation getaways. Sometimes it's a very funny joke that keeps me giggling and smiling to myself the rest of the day. (Remember, one of the things I love most is the sound of laughter in the office.) Sometimes it's even a suggestion for a blog entry that results in a flurry of ideas for me to jot down and save for later.
Other times these gifts are instructional and educational. It could be an older patient sharing with me wisdom and insights on historical events. How did he/she survive challenges like war, economic depressions, political upheavals - with those insights containing advice on how we can get through our current political and economic challenges. Or it could just be sharing knowledge on day to day interests: computers, cooking, DIY house projects, etc.
But sometimes the gifts are much more profound. I learn so much from my patients about health, living, and healing. We all have days when the world looms large and intimidating, or when we wonder if our goals will comes to fruition, or when we just need an "atta boy" to encourage us to keep going. I'm no exception. ...Sometimes it is in the course of giving someone else a treatment that I receive a gift of encouragement, hope, and inspiration. It's always spontaneous and usually quite unexpected, albeit always very welcomed.
From my patients I have seen, and continue to see, patience and "staying tough" in the face of adversity; whether it be searching for a new job, raising children as a single parent, or addressing challenges in a marriage. I regularly see patients facing their illnesses and injuries with determination: seeking out additional modalities to help them heal, and not resigning themselves to "well that's just the way it is"; or choosing new health patterns (eg. yoga, dietary changes, counseling) that boost their energy and change their lives. And on occasion I have watched patients face life-threatening and terminal illnesses. I have had the honor to spend time with these individuals as they face the greatest battles of their lives with courage and dignity - celebrating what they can still do instead of mourning the things they have lost. I have learned that diagnosis and prognosis is no match for the will of the human spirit.
So, yes, I do know that my needles and knowledge do a lot of good for my patients and for their lives. And I am very grateful to be able to be of service and to help people on their healing journeys - it's one of the things I love about my work. ....But I also wanted to share that healing can go two-ways and that there are many times when the healing my patients give me is just as profound and appreciated.
In gratitude,
Pat
Monday, September 1, 2008
Strengthening Your Immune System
Well, September is here, the Autumnal Equinox not far behind, and with them come the change of seasons and the start of the "cold and flu" season. This month is an excellent time to begin strengthening your immune system so that when the colds and flus do arrive, you have a better chance of fending them off. In this article I will discuss some very simple ways that you can to start building up your immune system.
Protect your neck - In Chinese medicine we call conditions like colds and flus exterior attacks meaning that a pathogen from outside your body has somehow penetrated it and is now waging a battle with your protective Qi/Energy. These pathogens can enter the body via exposure to wind, cold, heat (and sometimes dampness, but that's for a different article); but they can only enter the body if your protective Qi is insufficient. ...Another way to explain this... imagine someone trying to enter your house: if your doors are locked and the windows are closed, it's very difficult to get in; but if your windows are open (maybe the screens are missing) and your front door is wide open, then it's very easy to get inside. Some parts of the body are more sensitive and vulnerable to exposure: specifically the back of the neck and shoulders. Many of the points located in these areas are translated as "wind points" because of the sensitivity they have to wind, cold and heat. So, that said, in Chinese medicine we believe that protecting the neck and shoulder from drafts, winds, and the elements is very important for preventing exterior attacks - especially in the late Summer and Fall when we are experiencing the change of seasons. This includes air conditioning drafts, ceiling fans, and cold night air. Wearing a scarf, light jacket, sleeping with the covers over your neck and shoulders are all ways to protect those wind points on your neck and shoulders. ...Turns out your mother was right: "wear a scarf"!
Get Plenty of Sleep - Our bodies heal and rejuvenate themselves when they sleep. So making sure you get plenty of restful sleep is very important in maintaining a healthy immune system. Ideally, we get adequate, restful sleep at night, but if this isn't always the case for you - consider maybe a short afternoon nap. It is believed that even a 20 minute "power nap" can help re-energize the body and strengthen our immunity.
Eat Well/Good Food Choices - Remember, we get much of our energy/Qi from the food we eat. The more natural and fresh our food is, the more Qi it contains. Try this simple experiment: go to a Farmers' Market and check out the organic produce. Smell the fruits and vegetables, feel them, look at their beautiful colors - can you feel the energy in them, the vibrancy, the life? Now go to your local grocery store and pick up a frozen dinner or a package of potato chips - feel anything? Probably not much, huh? So, the fresher the foods you eat, the more Qi you are giving your body to work with.
Get Regular Exercise - Moving about and getting regular exercise is another way to build up your Qi/Energy. Whether it is a morning walk around your neighborhood or a trip to the gym, moving will help build up your immune system! Some types of exercise are particularly good at building up energy: Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Yoga are all excellent ways to increase your Qi.
Have a Positive Attitude - feelings of Gratitude and Forgiveness are being shown more and more to have a profound affect on our health and our immune systems. When we are feeling grateful we tend to have a more positive outlook, feel better about ourselves, have more energy, and may experience less depression and negative thoughts. If you don't already do so, I recommend keeping a daily "Gratitude Journal." ...I have kept a Gratitude Journal for many years: every night before I go to bed, I write down 5 things for which I am grateful for that day. It is an opportunity to reflect upon each day's events, give thanks for the many blessings I have received, and to let go of any negativity or frustrations I might have experienced that day.
Take Your Vitamins and Supplements - If you don't already take vitamins, I recommend taking a good multivitamin each day. Our bodies are exposed to so many stressors and pollutants these days, it is important to make sure we supplement our food with a good vitamin. If you tend to catch colds easily, there are also some excellent Chinese herbs that can help build up the immune system. One commonly used formula is called Yu Ping Feng San, or Jade Windscreen. This formula contains three herbs which work together to build up the Protective Qi, expel External Pathogens, and strengthen the body overall. Ideally, this formula is started 3 months before the start of cold and flu season to allow the body time to build up its immune system.
So, these are some general "helpful hints" for staying healthier in the months to ahead. If you have additional questions about herbal formulas, or anything else, please feel free to email me. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can be VERY helpful in strengthening the immune system, relieving cold and flu symptoms (should you happen to catch a "bug"), and treating conditions like coughs, sinus congestion, asthma, and bronchitis.
May this Autumn be a season of excellent health for you and yours.
In health,
Pat
Protect your neck - In Chinese medicine we call conditions like colds and flus exterior attacks meaning that a pathogen from outside your body has somehow penetrated it and is now waging a battle with your protective Qi/Energy. These pathogens can enter the body via exposure to wind, cold, heat (and sometimes dampness, but that's for a different article); but they can only enter the body if your protective Qi is insufficient. ...Another way to explain this... imagine someone trying to enter your house: if your doors are locked and the windows are closed, it's very difficult to get in; but if your windows are open (maybe the screens are missing) and your front door is wide open, then it's very easy to get inside. Some parts of the body are more sensitive and vulnerable to exposure: specifically the back of the neck and shoulders. Many of the points located in these areas are translated as "wind points" because of the sensitivity they have to wind, cold and heat. So, that said, in Chinese medicine we believe that protecting the neck and shoulder from drafts, winds, and the elements is very important for preventing exterior attacks - especially in the late Summer and Fall when we are experiencing the change of seasons. This includes air conditioning drafts, ceiling fans, and cold night air. Wearing a scarf, light jacket, sleeping with the covers over your neck and shoulders are all ways to protect those wind points on your neck and shoulders. ...Turns out your mother was right: "wear a scarf"!
Get Plenty of Sleep - Our bodies heal and rejuvenate themselves when they sleep. So making sure you get plenty of restful sleep is very important in maintaining a healthy immune system. Ideally, we get adequate, restful sleep at night, but if this isn't always the case for you - consider maybe a short afternoon nap. It is believed that even a 20 minute "power nap" can help re-energize the body and strengthen our immunity.
Eat Well/Good Food Choices - Remember, we get much of our energy/Qi from the food we eat. The more natural and fresh our food is, the more Qi it contains. Try this simple experiment: go to a Farmers' Market and check out the organic produce. Smell the fruits and vegetables, feel them, look at their beautiful colors - can you feel the energy in them, the vibrancy, the life? Now go to your local grocery store and pick up a frozen dinner or a package of potato chips - feel anything? Probably not much, huh? So, the fresher the foods you eat, the more Qi you are giving your body to work with.
Get Regular Exercise - Moving about and getting regular exercise is another way to build up your Qi/Energy. Whether it is a morning walk around your neighborhood or a trip to the gym, moving will help build up your immune system! Some types of exercise are particularly good at building up energy: Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Yoga are all excellent ways to increase your Qi.
Have a Positive Attitude - feelings of Gratitude and Forgiveness are being shown more and more to have a profound affect on our health and our immune systems. When we are feeling grateful we tend to have a more positive outlook, feel better about ourselves, have more energy, and may experience less depression and negative thoughts. If you don't already do so, I recommend keeping a daily "Gratitude Journal." ...I have kept a Gratitude Journal for many years: every night before I go to bed, I write down 5 things for which I am grateful for that day. It is an opportunity to reflect upon each day's events, give thanks for the many blessings I have received, and to let go of any negativity or frustrations I might have experienced that day.
Take Your Vitamins and Supplements - If you don't already take vitamins, I recommend taking a good multivitamin each day. Our bodies are exposed to so many stressors and pollutants these days, it is important to make sure we supplement our food with a good vitamin. If you tend to catch colds easily, there are also some excellent Chinese herbs that can help build up the immune system. One commonly used formula is called Yu Ping Feng San, or Jade Windscreen. This formula contains three herbs which work together to build up the Protective Qi, expel External Pathogens, and strengthen the body overall. Ideally, this formula is started 3 months before the start of cold and flu season to allow the body time to build up its immune system.
So, these are some general "helpful hints" for staying healthier in the months to ahead. If you have additional questions about herbal formulas, or anything else, please feel free to email me. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can be VERY helpful in strengthening the immune system, relieving cold and flu symptoms (should you happen to catch a "bug"), and treating conditions like coughs, sinus congestion, asthma, and bronchitis.
May this Autumn be a season of excellent health for you and yours.
In health,
Pat
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