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Acupuncture in the 21st Century

Original Post Date: April 23, 2013 by Aydin Bengisu In the last 35 years acupuncture has come into its own as a viable, modern medicine for treating many ailments. The inner workings of acupuncture continue to be identified by standards set by Western medical research. Acupuncture theory states that the needles regulate the flow of energy circulation via 14 channels that course through the body. Anatomical studies reveal that 80% of acupuncture points lie along major blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerve pathways, and connective tissue planes that surround the internal organs. Acupuncture is effective for pain relief, post-surgery and chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting. The World Health Organization and National Institutes of Health recognize acupuncture as effective for many illnesses including addictions, respiratory, orthopedic, gastrointestinal, circulatory, immunological, gynecological, and neurological disorders. The number of acupuncture treatments depends on the
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Depression and Traditional Chinese Medicine: Treating the Mind and Body as One by Jordan Hoffman, L.Ac., Dipl. OM

Original Post Date: June 23, 2016 by Jordan Hoffman Case 1:  A 35 year old female presents with frequent colds and flus, allergies, has had asthma since she was 16 years of age, around the time there was a death in her immediate family, and depression. Case 2:  A 21 year old female college student complains of indigestion, recurrent yeast infections, long hours of studying, poor eating habits, and depression. Case 3:  A 43 year old male complains of high blood pressure, Hepatitis C, stress, 2:30am wake ups every night, anger and frustration over his career, and depression. Three completely different presentations, yet all three patients complain of depression.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we see the body and mind as inseparable; the health of one affects and reflects the health of the other.  We look at the patient’s collection of signs and symptoms, be they physical, mental or emotional, as indicators of organ system imbalance, and we treat those imbalances w
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Ginger: Ancient Wisdom and Modern Pharmacology

Original Post Date: April 23, 2013 by Matt Van Benschoten Ginger is a common spice that has powerful medicinal effects. The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica describes ginger as treating chest fullness, cough, arthritis, and dysentery. Ginger is spicy and warm and helps to induce perspiration in the early stages of common cold or flu. Nausea, vomiting, and food poisoning are alleviated by taking ginger root as a tea or powder. The modern scientific investigations of ginger bring us new information and new applications in clinical medicine. Ginger reduces the toxic effects of acetaminophen and alcohol. Pain relieving and antiangiogenesis effects make ginger beneficial in inhibiting cancer growth, with specific effects for stomach, liver, pancreas and melanoma. Ginger enhances the effectiveness of Taxol chemotherapy, controls vomiting and protects the kidneys from Cisplatin chemotherapy. Ginger stimulates the bone marrow to increase GM-CSF and white blood cell counts. Ginger is an
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