In high-tech world, we often find open source utilities/software developed by the brightest individuals. They have a mindset of sharing their greatest talents with the rest of the world. These utilites are often practical and can be put to use right away, but without much hype and commercial packaging and fancy advertising. In the medical world, we have western pharmaceuticals that are patented and owned by corporations. We also have Chinese, ayervedic or native American or south American medicines passing down from generations. If you search online or internet, you'll see their medicinal properties recorded since ancient time. You maybe wondering: how on earth did they know all these without running them through the high-tech microscopes. Well, people back then might not have a lab full of rats to test. They often ingested these herbs and recorded the effects after ingestion. Chinese medicine, for example, is an experiment with human for over 5,000 years. So which one do you trust more? A medicine tried by mouse in the lab for 2-5 years or the medicine that has been in the human trial for 5,000 years? It doesn't take a genius to figure out.
The best Chinese medical text is Shang Han Lun, written by Dr. Zhang Zhong Jing in Han dynasty (around 2,000 years ago). Through his diligent studies of the ancient text and human trials, he authored Shang Han Lun that is still being studied and applied in modern days by a few. Imagine if Dr. Zhang chose to pass this greatest knowledge to his offsprings only, the Chinese medicine will be very different today. Sometimes I see a difficult case, I know I can always turn to Dr. Zhang's Shan Han Lun and look for answers. Dr. Huang in Taiwan used to say to his students, "When you don't know the meanings from a medical text, first go observe the nature. If there's still no answers, go ahead and face the wall and ponder more."
Don Elijio, a great Maya shaman (teacher of my Maya Abdominal Massage instructor Rosita Arvigo) used to say: "For every ailment on earth, God has provided a cure. Our task is to find them".
Open-source medicine offers an attitude of "paying forward". Great knowlege is recorded and selfishless shared, therefore, timeless. Great knowlege offers the ultimate truth, it is so powerful that its resonance would attract those who are ready to receive them and use them to benefit all the sentient beings.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Volunteer event for Tucson veterans
There's a free/community acupuncture event on 1/5/2008 for veterans who experience PTSD. I worked with a couple of veterans in my community clinic, and I often feel that veterans are not well taken care of by the government. One of my patients works as a janitor now and has very little money. He still experiences lots of psychological trauma from the war. Sadly, they are often put on psych medications which results in the need for even more medication due to side effects from the original meds. Energetic treatments such as acupuncture can really help people calm their nerves and be at peace.
The community event leader, Della Estrada, put together a training session for all the volunteers (seven of us in Tucson) last Saturday. It is very interesting because all of the points we will be using in this event are located in the ears. Ears mirror the entire body, so when we needle the ears, the intended area in the body is affected as well. Europeans have done lots of research proving how powerful auricular acupuncture can be for people. Google it online and you'll find plenty.
In this event, we are combining some points from NADA (an auricular protocol to assist people to quit smoking and other substance additions) as well some points from the European system. I experienced these points myself last week, and I have to tell you, it feels like I just walked out of an hour-long meditation. It is quite powerful and I believe this is extremely beneficial for veterans who experience PTSD. I will write an update after 1/5/2008 and report on how many people actually show up for the event. I am really thankful and grateful that so many people are doing so much work ahead of me, and they are willing to share all the success and miracles they have seen with acupuncture.
More later,
The community event leader, Della Estrada, put together a training session for all the volunteers (seven of us in Tucson) last Saturday. It is very interesting because all of the points we will be using in this event are located in the ears. Ears mirror the entire body, so when we needle the ears, the intended area in the body is affected as well. Europeans have done lots of research proving how powerful auricular acupuncture can be for people. Google it online and you'll find plenty.
In this event, we are combining some points from NADA (an auricular protocol to assist people to quit smoking and other substance additions) as well some points from the European system. I experienced these points myself last week, and I have to tell you, it feels like I just walked out of an hour-long meditation. It is quite powerful and I believe this is extremely beneficial for veterans who experience PTSD. I will write an update after 1/5/2008 and report on how many people actually show up for the event. I am really thankful and grateful that so many people are doing so much work ahead of me, and they are willing to share all the success and miracles they have seen with acupuncture.
More later,
Friday, December 7, 2007
Change is Inevitable, Growth is Optional
In my clinic, I see patients with complicated conditions. When patients are in an extremely poor state of health, I often query about their diet, exercise, sleep/rest and their emotional state. Often their diet is the SAD (Standard American Diet) which includes lots of milk, meat, starches, coffee, sodas and lots of fried or processed foods. Diet is the easiest and cheapest way to shift our state of being, also the hardest one because of our emotional attachment with foods, for example.
I recently met a patient (patient X) who is extremely sick and suicidal. She is on many meds and can't get out of bed because of extreme fatigue and depression. At the 1st visit last week, I realized that she would need to make a tough choice real soon - give up processed foods, eat more vegitables. As the body is polluted with junk foods constantly, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that the healing progress will be limited.
Medication is another concern because its side effects often outweight the benefits. I looked at her case on and off for 3 days, and determined that unless she changes her diet, she would have to come to see me for a LONG LONG time. I felt the only ethical way for me to do is to share my thinking with her. I didn't want her to spend extra $$ on unnecessary treatments. I called her right away and explained to her that unless she is willing to change her diet, I feel that I won't be the right practitioner for her and I will be happy to refer her to someone else. Like a successful marriage, it takes two to make it work.
A couple of days ago, she came back for her 2nd visit. Her cleaner diet (contains no processed foods and meat) has made her feel lighter, but she is still in extreme depression. We did our session (acupuncture + tuning fork + energy work). The left-brain part of me relies on pattern differentiation of Chinese medicine, and the right-brain of me always prays for the patient and asks for guidance. In the treatment room, I often listen for guidance on how to proceed and my prayer is often answered. The patient called me last night and thanked me for helping her to feel so wonderfully that she hadn't felt for years and years. I know that she still has quite a way to go, but hope and faith can often carry us through the toughest moments of our life. In her case, it's a long moment of 20+ years.
Bravo for patient X and her courage to grow and transform. Nothing touches me more than seeing patients renew their faith and believe that they can truly heal themselves. Chinese medicine is all about empowering and awakening our inner healing master. I feel grateful and honored to be able to walk with these souls through their healing journey.
I recently met a patient (patient X) who is extremely sick and suicidal. She is on many meds and can't get out of bed because of extreme fatigue and depression. At the 1st visit last week, I realized that she would need to make a tough choice real soon - give up processed foods, eat more vegitables. As the body is polluted with junk foods constantly, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that the healing progress will be limited.
Medication is another concern because its side effects often outweight the benefits. I looked at her case on and off for 3 days, and determined that unless she changes her diet, she would have to come to see me for a LONG LONG time. I felt the only ethical way for me to do is to share my thinking with her. I didn't want her to spend extra $$ on unnecessary treatments. I called her right away and explained to her that unless she is willing to change her diet, I feel that I won't be the right practitioner for her and I will be happy to refer her to someone else. Like a successful marriage, it takes two to make it work.
A couple of days ago, she came back for her 2nd visit. Her cleaner diet (contains no processed foods and meat) has made her feel lighter, but she is still in extreme depression. We did our session (acupuncture + tuning fork + energy work). The left-brain part of me relies on pattern differentiation of Chinese medicine, and the right-brain of me always prays for the patient and asks for guidance. In the treatment room, I often listen for guidance on how to proceed and my prayer is often answered. The patient called me last night and thanked me for helping her to feel so wonderfully that she hadn't felt for years and years. I know that she still has quite a way to go, but hope and faith can often carry us through the toughest moments of our life. In her case, it's a long moment of 20+ years.
Bravo for patient X and her courage to grow and transform. Nothing touches me more than seeing patients renew their faith and believe that they can truly heal themselves. Chinese medicine is all about empowering and awakening our inner healing master. I feel grateful and honored to be able to walk with these souls through their healing journey.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Community Clinic - dream came true
I have been dreaming about offering a community clinic for a few years now, and that dream came true in September 2007 after my trip to China. Oh, I promised some friends that I would share my study tour experience with Honso in China. To be frank, I was quite disappointed about how much western medicine I observed at the TCM hospital (Yue Yang Hospital, a teaching hospital belongs to Shanghai Chinese Medicine University). I heard a few doctors commenting about "we can't diagnose at this point until the western tests results come back". This is quite strange because in the Chinese medicine realm, you diagnose/differenciate patterns based on 4 methods: touching, hearing, seeing and smelling. Five thousand years ago, there were no advanced scientific devices and yet many strange diseases were treated and cured. For those Chinese medicine doctors who count on tests to make their diagnosis/pattern differenciation, they are actually practicing western medicine, not Chinese medicine. So, my conclusion is that studying the classics diligently is the only way to master our medicine - Chinese medicine. Dr. Ni (http://www.hantang.com/) in Florida and Dr. Huang (http://www.doctorhuang.url.tw/)at Yang Mei, Taiwan are both highly respected Chinese medicine doctors. Both doctors practice authentic Chinese medicine and I still have so much to learn from them.
Coming back to the community clinic, this is the 3rd month I offer community clinic to the community and it is really rewarding and challenging at the same time. We set up the clinic to see 2 patients in one hour and the pace is a bit fast for me, and the energy it takes to run the clinic is tremendous. All the proceeds will be donated to the Brewster Foundation - a non-profit organization for women who experience domestic violence. I told my patients that they are doing some goods deeds by donating to other people who really need help. So far, we have raised around $1,000. It is a small amount but it will help some women to have a warmer Xmas! :-) Though we are fully booked through the end of the year, another fee-reduced community clinic will continue next year. The experience working with community clinic patients is truly invaluable. I love to see their smiling faces after treatments, and time seems to stop for them. They are not worried about their finances, jobs or health. They are in the NOW.
I want to dedicate this community clinic to my grandfather, Qing-wen Liu, an excellent carpenter. I thank him for sharing his wisdom with me during my childhood.
In health and peace,
Coming back to the community clinic, this is the 3rd month I offer community clinic to the community and it is really rewarding and challenging at the same time. We set up the clinic to see 2 patients in one hour and the pace is a bit fast for me, and the energy it takes to run the clinic is tremendous. All the proceeds will be donated to the Brewster Foundation - a non-profit organization for women who experience domestic violence. I told my patients that they are doing some goods deeds by donating to other people who really need help. So far, we have raised around $1,000. It is a small amount but it will help some women to have a warmer Xmas! :-) Though we are fully booked through the end of the year, another fee-reduced community clinic will continue next year. The experience working with community clinic patients is truly invaluable. I love to see their smiling faces after treatments, and time seems to stop for them. They are not worried about their finances, jobs or health. They are in the NOW.
I want to dedicate this community clinic to my grandfather, Qing-wen Liu, an excellent carpenter. I thank him for sharing his wisdom with me during my childhood.
In health and peace,
Sunday, May 20, 2007
My new herbal Pharmacy
My recent project is to put together a herbal pharmacy for my clinic. Putting together a herbal pharmacy is no small task. First, you need to be able to see into the future (time to polish my 3rd eye), so you know what kind of herbs people would need. Second, you need to have a few hundred dollars to do an upfront investment. Third, you want to pray that patients can stomach it. :-) I ordered up granule herbs from various herbal companies here in the States. It's interesting to see that ever since the US Customs seized Ma Hauang (ephedra), lots of formulas with Ma Huang are currently "out of stock". This is quite a shame because there are around 18 formulas in Shang Han (Za Bing) Lun that contain Ma Huang. People are thinking about using Mormen tea (or Jing Jie/Fang Feng) to replace Ma Huang, but their properties are not quite the same. Mormen tea will make you want to pee more, plus it's not as potent as Ma Huang. [note: Shang Han Za Bing Lun is Chinese medical text authored around 2000 years ago, it is based on clinical experiences of Dr. Zhang Zhong Jing based on tens of thousand of patients in his career. Believe or not, all the modern illnesses can still be addressed by his work. ]
In Taiwan where I am from, people prefer to take Chinese medicine than to receive acupuncture. That's totally understandable because Chinese physicians would use much thicker and longer needles. In the US, people prefer to get acupuncuture treatment, most people don't seem to like the taste of the medicine. I think this has something to do with our taste buds -- how we are brought up. In America, most kids were fed with sugar and white flours. In Taiwan, back in 70's and 80's when I grew up, most parents incorpated Chinese medicine into the cookings and Chinese medicine don't taste that bad to the folks there. My mom used to pay me NT$5 (equal to around US$0.16) to reward me when I finish a bowl of Chicken soup with Dang Gui (Angelica) in the winter. She was a really smart and great mom!
In Taiwan where I am from, people prefer to take Chinese medicine than to receive acupuncture. That's totally understandable because Chinese physicians would use much thicker and longer needles. In the US, people prefer to get acupuncuture treatment, most people don't seem to like the taste of the medicine. I think this has something to do with our taste buds -- how we are brought up. In America, most kids were fed with sugar and white flours. In Taiwan, back in 70's and 80's when I grew up, most parents incorpated Chinese medicine into the cookings and Chinese medicine don't taste that bad to the folks there. My mom used to pay me NT$5 (equal to around US$0.16) to reward me when I finish a bowl of Chicken soup with Dang Gui (Angelica) in the winter. She was a really smart and great mom!
Dispensing Chinese herbs takes years of training and dedication, since each individual is unique. In Chinese medicine, we always go through pattern differenciation and the herbs would be dispensed based on their corresponding patterns. Unlike western drugs that one drug treats all people, Chinese herbs are personalized. Hence, what a certain patient receive this week may be different from next week. Our body is dynamic and it changes constantly, so are the herbs
I am very particular about patient's feedback after they take the herbs because this is always a positive enforcement for me to witness mother nature does its wonders. Plus I would want to know exactly how to fine-tune the herbs for them so they receive full benefit of the Chinese medicine.
My husband joked with me often because he thought I am done studying when I graduated from school -- all those years of intense study. I smiled at him because I know practicing Chinese medicine is a lifetime endeavor. My passion with the medicine is what keeps me going and going...
More later,
-Sheh
A new beginning....
Well, this is a big step for me to start a blog. I always thought it's kind of cliche to do a blog. Just because everyone is staring a blog doesn't mean I need to start one, plus I am not sure what to say. I keep most of the thoughts in my head and that's good enough. However, lately I have more inspiration and my guidance told me it's time to start a blog, so here it is. I am not new to the publishing world because I am a professional translator and my work has been published in Chinese for years and read by thousands if not millions of people who own motherboards, chips, servers, printers, some software programs. Translating other people's work seems to be easy for me. Now I get to publish my own experience with the medicine, how exciting!
My love affair with Chinese medicine starts a few years back. The more I study, the more I am in love with it. The medicine is so powerful and complete and I can't seem to describe it with words. In my practice, I incoproate acupuncture with acutonic sound therapy as well as healing touch and herbal therapy. In my spare time, I would study Chinese medicine (especially herbs) and review various cases from various Chinese medicine doctors. I plan to post some articles that interest me that would only available in Chinese to this blog, so people in the western world can benefit from it.
More later,
-Sheh
My love affair with Chinese medicine starts a few years back. The more I study, the more I am in love with it. The medicine is so powerful and complete and I can't seem to describe it with words. In my practice, I incoproate acupuncture with acutonic sound therapy as well as healing touch and herbal therapy. In my spare time, I would study Chinese medicine (especially herbs) and review various cases from various Chinese medicine doctors. I plan to post some articles that interest me that would only available in Chinese to this blog, so people in the western world can benefit from it.
More later,
-Sheh
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