Acupuncture & TCM Blog http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/ Thoughts on Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine in Mineola, New York en Copyright 2010 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:15:08 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification TOEFL help for Chinese speaking students Welcome sign at entrance to ETS headquarters i...

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Online English-Language Resource Designed Specifically 
for Chinese Students
Beijing, China (January 6, 2010) --

Educational Testing Service (ETS) has launched a new Chinese-language version of the TOEFL® Go Anywhere website to assist students in preparing for the TOEFL® test, the most widely accepted English-language assessment worldwide. The newly released TOEFL Go Anywhere website, available at www.toeflgoanywhere.org/cn, presents an informative overview of the TOEFL test, valuable test preparation tips, and user-friendly academic tools for students.

Created specifically for Chinese students, the interactive portal serves as an effective planning tool and comprehensive resource to address frequently asked questions regarding the TOEFL test. Through the site's multimedia platforms, students also have the opportunity to learn best practices and study tips from English-language teachers and international students around the world.

]]> http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2010/03/toefl-help-for-chinese-speakin.html http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2010/03/toefl-help-for-chinese-speakin.html NYCTCM Online resources TOEFL admission college international students students Chinese language English English as a Second Language TOEFL Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:15:08 -0500 Frozen shoulder Traditional Chinese Medicine". 

He describes the basic bioscience of frozen shoulder, then tells us the basic TCM knowledge about frozen shoulder, including major pattern differentiation and major treatment points and needle techniques. He gives techniques for prevention of frozen shoulder, then summarizes current research on the treatment of frozen shoulder with Traditional Chinese Medicine.

 "The cause of frozen shoulder is unknown, but it probably involves and underlying inflammatory process. The capsule surrounding the shoulder joint thickens and contracts. This leaves less space for the upper arm bone (humerus) to move around. Frozen shoulder can also develop after a prolonged immobilization because of trauma or surgery to the joint... The symptoms are primarily pain and a very reduced range of motion in the joint. The range of motion is the same whether you are trying to move the shoulder under your own power or if someone else is trying to raise the arm for you. There comes a point in each direction of movement where the motion simply stops as if there is something blocking the movement. The shoulder usually hurts when movement reach the limit of the range of motion, and can be quite painful at night. 

Major Treatments or Medications 

Treatment of the frozen shoulder can be frustrating and slow. Most cases will eventually improve, but it may be a process that takes months. Initial treatment and increasing the range of motion of the shoulder with a stretching program. Anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed. 

It is critical that a Physical Therapy program be started and continued to regain the loss of motion. An injection of cortisone and long-acting anesthetic, similar to novocaine, may bring the inflammation under better control, and allow the stretching program to be more effective. In some cases, injecting a long-acting anesthetic along with the cortisone right before a stretching session with the Physical Therapist can allow the therapist to break up adhesions while the shoulder is numb from the anesthetic. 

If  progress is slow, your doctor may recommend a manipulation of the shoulder while you are under anesthesia. This procedure allows your doctor to stretch the shoulder joint capsule, and break up the scar tissue while you are asleep. In most cases, a manipulation of the shoulder will increase the motion in the shoulder joint faster than allowing nature to take its course. It may be necessary to repeat this procedure several times. 

Related terms in TCM 

The first description of frozen shoulder was provided by the French physician E.S. Duplay in 1872. During the 20th century a corresponding Chinese term arose: "50-years shoulder" (wushi jian), referring to the typical age of onset of the disorder; the term frozen shoulder (jianning) is also used in China. While there are numerous references to traditional style Chinese medical treatments for problems of the shoulder area, investigations into the use of the therapies specifically aimed at frozen shoulder have only been described in the last few years. 

Pathogenesis 

Traditional Chinese Medicine differentiates frozen shoulder into three types:
  • Wind cold dampness, the most common type
  • Blood stasis
  • Deficiency
Frozen shoulder is mostly caused by weakness of the nutrient and defensive systems, asthenia of muscles and joints as well as wind-cold invasion. However, twisting and contusion due to careless exertion or stagnation of Qi and blood due to habitual one-sided sleep pressing the channels and collaterals may also cause "50 year shoulder". 

Clinical Manifestations 

Pain initially starts on one or two shoulders. It alleviates in the daytime and worsens at night. The condition also aggravates with cold, but alleviates with warmth. Prolonged "50 year shoulder" may result in muscular atrophy. 

Major Pattern Differentiation 

In TCM, "50 year shoulder" may be differentiated into three types:
  • More wind pathogen invasion: this will present with more lesion in the tendon. Shoulder pain will extend to the nape and fingers.
  • More cold pathogen invasion: this will present with more lesion in the bone. Shoulder pain will be severe in the deep area, but will be alleviated by heat.
  • More damp pathogen invasion: this will present with more lesion in the muscle. The shoulder pain will be fixed, worsening with pressure. There will be local swelling .
Major Acupuncture Points & Needle Techniques for Frozen Shoulder

In TCM, the treatment principle for "50 year shoulder" is to:
  • Expel wind-cold
  • Promote Qi and Blood circulation
  • Remove the obstruction from the channels and collaterals
The following acupuncture points may be selected:
  • 3 Needle Hegu Puncture may be applied to:
  • LI-15 Jianyu
  • SJ-14 Jianliao
  • Jianneiling
  • SI-9 Jianzhen
  • LI-11 Quchi
  • SJ-5 Waiguan
The following points may be added to support for pain in the following locations:
  • Pain in the medial shoulder: LU-5 Chize, LU-9 Taiyuan
  • Pain in the external shoulder: SI-3 Houxi, SI-8
  • Pain in the frontal shoulder: LI-4 Hegu, LU-7 Lieque
  • Pain radiating to neck and back: BL-10 Tianzhu, SI-12 Bingfeng, SI-13 Quyuan
  • Limited Movement: ST-38 Tiaokou accompanied by active movement and moxibustion
As an alternative to these points, Auricular Therapy may be employed.
  • Shoulder, Shoulder Joint, Clavicle, Sympathetic, Subcortex
  • The method used is strong stimulation, while patient is asked to rotate his/her shoulder.
  • Needle should be retained for 10-20 minutes.
  • As a further alternative, Cupping Therapy may be used on the following points:LI-15, SJ-14, SI-10, and the extra point Jianneiling
Acupuncture with Distal Points 

One of the earliest Chinese reports of acupuncture treatment of frozen shoulder was published in 1991, based on a simple treatment method. The author of the article, Zhang Maohai, claimed to have found an effective therapy through his experiences. He focused on one acupuncture point, yanglingquan (GB-34), located on the leg, which he said seemed more effective than treating multiple points. The point was needled on one side only, the same side as the affected shoulder. In rare cases where this same side treatment did not seem to be helpful, the point was needled on the other leg instead. 

The technique used was deep insertion (2.0-2.5 cun), followed by rotating and thrusting to get the qi reaction; the reducing technique was used for all patients, but deficiency patients were administered the treatment with both reducing and reinforcing techniques. The needle was maneuvered again every 3-5 minutes to maintain the stimulus. In the meantime, the patient was advised to move the shoulder joint. Total needle retention time was about 30 minutes, and five daily sessions made one course of treatment. 

After two courses of treatment (with a break of a day or two between courses), the frequency of treatment was reduced to every other day until the condition was resolved to a satisfactory extent. In the event of acute shoulder pain, electro stimulation of the needles was used (intermittent waves, strong intensity). It was claimed that as a result of this therapy, 64% of the 172 patients so treated were cured, and all the rest (except 8 patients) showed some degree of improvement. In two cases that were detailed, the total treatment involved 10 sessions in one case and 20 sessions in the second case.

 The selection of this acupuncture point is of interest. Traditionally, yanglingquan is mainly indicated for treatment of lower limb disorders, such as pain and numbness in the legs and knees, but the effects of stimulating this point are thought to also extend upward along the gallbladder meridian, which traverses the costal region to the shoulder. There, the meridian passes through the point jianjing (GB-21), indicted for stiffness of the neck, pain of the shoulder and upper back, and for difficulty moving the arm. A further basis for using yanglingquan is its reputation for soothing and moistening the sinews. Since the shoulder capsule is contracted, this action is considered important to healing the disorder...

 A similar method was described in a report by Feng Zhengen (4), using the extra point lingxia, located 2 cun below yanglingquan (GB-34). The point on the same side as the affected shoulder was needled, while sanjian (LI-3), on the hand, was needled on the opposite side. The patient would move the affected arm during the acupuncture therapy. Treatment was given daily for 10 sessions, followed by a 2 day break and then another 10 sessions. It was reported that of 210 patients treated, 158 cases were resolved, and that all but 12 cases showed some improvement. 

The selection of lingxia, rather than yanglingquan was based, according to the author, on the fact that he found a marked tender point at this spot which, when pressed, alleviated the shoulder pain. Another acupuncture point in this same area of the leg that is used for shoulder disorders is tiaokou (ST-38). It is especially considered for treating acute shoulder pain, and is stimulated while the patient moves the shoulder. Jorge Vas and Emilio Perea-Milla compared the effects of needling tiaokou on shoulder pain when the treatment either did or did not elicit deqi, finding that deqi was important to gaining the desired prompt alleviation of pain. The successful use of tiaokou for frozen shoulder had been mentioned in an early publication by German acupuncturists. 

  Acupuncture with local points 

The points chosen to treat frozen shoulder are often selected from those on the small intestine meridian, especially from SI-9 through SI-12, which run across the shoulder area. A key point is bingfeng (SI-12) at the attachment zone for the shoulder capsule. Bingfeng (grasping the wind; which became the title of a book about the names of acupuncture points; 8), is located by raising the arm, which produces an indentation at this spot. It is used to relieve disorders where there is shoulder pain accompanied by difficulty raising the arm, as occurs with frozen shoulder. In a report published in 1998 (9), results from treating 60 patients with "shoulder-arm" syndrome were relayed. 

Although this report did not address frozen shoulder, it claimed to produce marked effects through use of this single point (a second point would be treated for manifestations of the disorder in the forearm or hand). Local treatment was the primary focus of a recent report by Jin Dongxi and Li Zhingtai, who described treatment of 50 patients with frozen shoulder using acupuncture and massage (10). They stimulated several points on the shoulder, including bingfeng, as well as others on the hand and arm of the same side as the affected shoulder. The points selected for treatment were:

  • extra point taijian (the name means "lift shoulder;" it is located 1.5 below the anterior part of the acromiom);
  • extra point jubi (the name means "raise arm;" located 3.5 cun below the anteroinferior part of the acromiom)
Ashi or trigger points around the shoulder should be carefully sought and needled superficially; tiaokou (ST-38) with strong manipulation is useful. Deqi should be sought in the robust patient, with less stimulus in the weak patients. Electroacupuncture at quchi (LI-11), jianyu (LI-15), jianjing (GB-21), and jianzhen (SI-9) at 5 Hz helps; yanglingquan (GB-34) bilaterally for 2 minutes alone often controls pain and releases stiffness. Auricular therapy at shenmen, shoulder, shoulder joint, clavicle, and adrenal points is helpful. The patient should exercise faithfully with a slow warm-up. Finally, the use of scalp acupuncture should be mentioned. This treatment is frequently used for chronic pain syndromes and was the subject of an evaluation involving 210 cases (15). A point was treated along the vertex-temporal line, which runs from the head vertex baihui (GV-21) to the temple at xuanji (GB-6), about 40% of the way from the vertex to GB-6, which is in the zone corresponding to upper extremity disorders. 

The needle was threaded about 30 mm (about an inch) towards the temple (a second needle, inserted close to the same point but angled 45 degrees to the first and crossing its path, was often used to get more intense stimulus). If only one shoulder was affected, the contralateral side would be treated; with both shoulders affected, both sides would be treated. The patient was advised to relax, focus on the affected shoulder, and carry out shoulder movements during the treatment, while the practitioners manipulated the needles (with repetitive rapid withdrawal about 3 mm, then slower return) at least every 5 minutes and sometimes also massaged the shoulder. The needles would then be retained for 1-2 hours, or up to 1-2 days for severe cases. Typically, treatment was carried out every 1-2 days with seven sessions as a course of treatment. " 

 Chris then explains how Tai Chi can help prevent frozen shoulder, and gives some exercises and nutritional recommendations, including vitamin D supplementation. If you suffer from frozen shoulder, the exercises and diagrams are very useful. 

You can read the whole paper here. It is a swf file which should open in your browser as a slide show or with Flash. Diagrams and pictures of the acupuncture points are included in the paper.

  Frozen Shoulder Causes & Treatment with TCM.swf
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]]> http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2010/02/frozen-shoulder.html http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2010/02/frozen-shoulder.html acupuncture-tcm frozen shoulder students Acupuncture Adhesive capsulitis of shoulder Health Inflammation Medicine Physical therapy Traditional Chinese Medicine Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:09:20 -0500 Frozen Shoulder helped with salt water injection "A salt water injection could help millions of people.. who suffer from frozen shoulder. The risk-free ten-minute procedure, known as hydrodilatation, involves injecting salty water directly into the shoulder."

The salty water breaks up the adhesion and the patients feel immediate relief.

Hydrodilatation takes just ten minutes and patients go home immediately.

"The procedure involves patients lying on their backs on an X-ray table. The injection is given using X-rays for guidance. Local anaesthetic and a steroid is then injected to calm down inflammation in the shoulder. Salty water - at a ratio of less than 1 per cent salt to water - is injected to balloon out the joint.

The normal joint space holds 10ml of fluid but a total of 40ml of fluid is injected. This lifts the stuck-down adhesions from the bone so that normal movement is restored. The excess water is then absorbed by the body over the next day or so. Patients are allowed to go home immediately. "

Read complete article at the link.

Frozen Shoulder Mail Online, March 2008
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]]> http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2010/02/frozen-shoulder-helped-with-sa.html http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2010/02/frozen-shoulder-helped-with-sa.html frozen shoulder Adhesive capsulitis of shoulder Conditions and Diseases Musculoskeletal Disorders Shoulder Surgery Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:57:13 -0500 Open House at NYCTCM Acupuncture School clinic_6interns_m.jpgLearn authentic Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine at New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Join us to hear about the exceptional programs at New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine that prepare you for a career in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Prospective students are invited to attend an NYCTCM Open House for an overview of the Acupuncture school & Traditional Chinese Medicine school programs, a tour of the facility, open discussion, and information on the application process.

Visit NYCTCM Open House web page for dates and times.
]]> http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2010/01/open-house-at-nyctcm-acupunctu.html http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2010/01/open-house-at-nyctcm-acupunctu.html admission open houses Acupuncture school NYCTCM Open House Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:31:14 -0500 What is Acupuncture by Billy Singh, L. Ac.

Hello everyone, my name is Billy Shonez Singh and I am a licensed acupuncturist and board certified herbalist. I am presenting to you what is acupuncture, what its used for and how a needle is inserted into the body. If you want more information just go to my website at Zehohs Acupuncture in Commack, NY. Take care and we'll see each other next time.


About Billy Singh, L. Ac. & Zenohs Acupuncture in Commack, NY

Zenohs Acupuncture's lead Practitioner and founder of the Center is Billy "Shonez" Singh. From a young age, Billy had always revered ancient Chinese wisdom. He began firstly practicing martial arts. Years later, Billy's interest in Acupuncture and ancient Chinese healing grew organically from there. Billy received training from the New York College of Health Professions in Syosset, New York, where he was a student in the Massage Therapy program.

Moving forward from this knowledge base, Billy obtained his Masters Degree in Acupuncture, and is board certified as "Diplomate of Acupuncture" and "Diplomate of Chinese herbology by the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine). Billy has also been fortunate enough to train under noted acupuncturist and author, Virginia Doran, LMT, M.Ac., L.Ac., from whom he obtained certification in Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture.

Billy Singh attended the New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine for his certification in Chinese herbology and trained with highly esteemed herbologists, Dr. Libang Zhang and Dr. Yongshun Bei.

Billy is an active member of the Huntington Chamber of Commerce and the Long Island Association. ]]> http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/12/what-is-acupuncture-by-billy-s.html http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/12/what-is-acupuncture-by-billy-s.html NYCTCM acupuncturists chinese herbs students acupuncture acupuncture points Billy Singh Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:06:30 -0500 Dispel wind and stop itch Dispel wind and stop itch

"In terms of itch, Traditional Chinese Medicine considers that it connects with wind pathogen. So treating pruritus is always based on dispelling wind. But for chronic eczema caused by wind from Yin deficiency and blood dryness, it is worthy to be cautious to use pungent and warm natural drugs to resolve superficies. Or the condition would worsen because pungent and warm natural drugs reinforce the wind of blood dryness. Drugs of pungent and cool nature to resolving superficies, such as Bo He (Wild Mint) and Chan Tui (Cicida Moulting) are highly recommended.

Even while the lesion is akin to neurodermatitis, pungent and warm natural drugs to resolve superficies can not be abused, or would cause acute outbreak of eczema. Traditional Chinese Medicine consider that it need to promote blood circulation in the first place for the sake of dispelling wind, and then wind vanish naturally after blood stasis removes. So it is suggestive that some herbs of promoting blood circulation should be added."

Read more at Chinese Medicine Gem blog. He gives TCM diagnoses and possible treatments for common symptoms.
]]> http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/12/dispel-wind-and-stop-itch.html http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/12/dispel-wind-and-stop-itch.html Chinese Medicine acupuncture-tcm chinese herbs skin disease eczema itch TCM wind Fri, 25 Dec 2009 21:35:04 -0500 Online Community for TCM students - Rootdown.us Contribute. Learn. Connect. The Online Community for Traditional Chinese Medicine - Rootdown.us Are you a professional acupuncturist, herbalist, or TCM Student? Sign up for a free account and connect with the Rootdown community. Meet other pros and students, submit articles and information, vote on submissions, take practice tests, and earn credits toward TCM certification. Grow with .US! http://www.rootdown.us/

 "Rootdown.us is a comprehensive online resource and forum for current and aspiring practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Our goal is to provide the TCM community with a forum that provides a living, searchable and free resource for students, teachers, and practitioners. Our mission is to expand the knowledge, understanding and accessibility of TCM by providing a globally accessible venue for interactive learning and the communal exchange of ideas.

At Rootdown.us we want YOU - the TCM community - to complement and expand on what you find here. We encourage you to add ideas, your first-hand experiences and new information to make Rootdown.us a living, dynamic, and interactive reflection of YOU and YOUR knowledge and contributions."

 Good resource! ]]> http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/12/online-community-for-tcm-stude.html http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/12/online-community-for-tcm-stude.html Online resources acupuncture-tcm students meridians resources rootdown students TCM Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:33:57 -0500 Black-boned chicken chicken_silkie.jpg"In Chinese folklore, there is a fairy tale that goes with the black-bone chicken. It is said that the celestial Lu Dongbing made pills of immortality on Tiger-nose Peak long, long ago. Tiger-nose Peak is also known as Two-finger Peak of the Wushan Mountain in Taihe. On the day when the pills of immortality were successfully made, Lu Dongbing invited other celestial beings to the celebration party, including Tie Guaili, Han Zhongli, Zhang Guolao, He Xiangu, Lan Caihe, Han Xiangzi, and Cao Guojiu.

When the celestial beings were drinking wine, a pair of wild chicken flew from the forest into the pill-making pool and ate the pills of immortality. The chickens then became a pair of white phoenix. Lu Dongbing was not glad and reported to Buddha Guanying, but Buddha Guanying smiled and said: "It's a good opportunity for them to live on earth." Buddha Guanying pointed at the Tiger-nose Peak, and the white phoenix immediately became silky fowl."

The black-boned hen is a very good setter and is often used to hatch the eggs of other species that do not set on eggs as well.

"In the Tang Dynasty, the 'maifengdanyao,' which has the black-bone chicken as the main ingredient, was thought to be the cure-all medicine for the gynecological diseases."

Read more about the Black-boned chicken

Oriental Recipes from NYCTCM Eastern Nutrition Class

See a delicious recipe for Black Boned Chicken and Chinese Yam Soup at the NYCTCM website. Students from the Eastern Nutrition class have published their recipes that show the healthful function of each dish and ingredient in accordance with TCM principles. 


]]> http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/12/black-boned-chicken.html http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/12/black-boned-chicken.html Chinese culture recipes students black-boned chicken chinese fable Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:02:35 -0500 Diabetes from a TCM perspective
November is National Diabetes Month.

Diabetes, Biomedical and TCM Perspectives and Treatments (Part 1)

Part 1 covers the biomedical treatment of diabetes; the nutritional therapy section is helpful.

Diabetes Mellitus From Western and TCM Perspectives - Part 2

Diabetes was discussed in all the earliest ancient TCM tests, including Neijing. According to TCM overconsumption of fatty and greasy food, sweets, emotional disturbances, and a constitution that is too yin is related to developing diabetes. Clinton Choate then analyzes diabetes according to TCM theory, explains treatment according to the Three Burners, giving acupuncture protocol. He explains diabetic complications according to TCM  including cataracts and night blindness, edema, skin infectins, neuropathy and strokes. He describes food remedies for diabetes.

This article is helpful to anyone suffering from diabetes who wants to understand it better, and helpful forTCM practitioners.



]]> http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/11/diabetes-from-a-tcm-perspectiv.html http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/11/diabetes-from-a-tcm-perspectiv.html Online resources acupuncture-tcm diabetes acupuncture diabetes TCM Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:20:27 -0500 Osteoarthritis of the knee Basic TCM Knowledge regarding Osteoarthritis of the Knee In Traditional Chinese Medicine

Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease) is mostly related to Fixed Bi and Painful Bi.

Fixed Bi Syndrome: The chief manifestations include pain and heavy sensation in the relatively fixed areas of body limbs or joints, numbness of the muscles, aggravation of the condition in rainy days, white greasy tongue coating, and soft slow pulse.

Painful Bi Syndrome: The chief manifestations include severe pain in the limbs and joints as if being stabbed or pricked. In the worst cases, there is fixed pain that is alleviated by warmth but aggravated by cold, better in the daytime but worse at night, limited movements of the joints, no local redness nor feverish sensation, cold sensation in the affected parts, thin white tongue coating, wiry tense pulse.

knee_osteoarthritis.jpgPathogenesis

Wind, cold and dampness invasion causes the blockage of the Qi and blood in the meridian. In modern medicine, it is related to aging, endocrine disorder as well as trauma and improper posture.

Clinical manifestations
 
The onset of osteoarthritis of the knee is insidious. Initially, there is articular stiffness, seldom lasting more than 15 minutes; this develops later into pain on motion of the affected joint(s) and is made worse by activity or weight bearing and relieved by rest. Deformity may be absent or minimal; however, varus deformity of the knee is not unusual.

Imaging

Radiographs may reveal narrowing of the joint space, sharpened articular margin, osteophyte formation and lipping of the marginal bone, and thickened, dense subchondral bone. Bone cysts may also be present.

Major pattern differentiation

Fixed Bi:
Pain fixed in the knee joint accompanied by heaviness, stiffness and numbness, sometimes slight swelling.

Painful Bi:
Severe pain in the knee joint, aggravated by cold and alleviated by heat.

Treatment Principle:
Expel wind, Cold and dampness, improve the meridian circulation and regulate Qi and blood.

Major Acupuncture points and needle techniques

Acupuncture points for knee:
Xiyan (Ex.), Dubi (ST35), Zusanli (ST 36), Yanglingquan (GB 34)

Alternative Therapies:

Auricular therapy
Corresponding area (Knee), Sympathetic, Shenmen

ear points chart.jpg
Subcutaneous needling therapy
Select local point or tender points
Seven-star needle tapping and cupping

Read paper on Osteoarthritis of the Knee for Rachel Peterman's Clinical Acupuncture Practice II class at New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Mineola, NY.

She gives an overview of Osteoarthritis of the knee, and Western and TCM treatment approaches.

Rachel H. Peterman, M.S., DHEd(c), J.D.

Osteoarthritis of the Knee.pdf


]]> http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/11/osteoarthritis-of-the-knee.html http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/11/osteoarthritis-of-the-knee.html Chinese Medicine acupuncture-tcm benefits of acupuncture clinical studies pain prescription drugs students acupuncture knee osteoarthritis Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:21:38 -0500 Clinical Studies with sham acupuncture

This author (Rachel Peterman, a student at NYCTCM) believes that the "sham" acupuncture (non-specific needling), would also have the tendency to stimulate Qi (albeit not as effectively as well-placed and executed needling), therefore the acupuncture treatments would appear to provide less clinically significant benefits, as opposed to studies where acupuncture is compared with a "pure" control group.  "Sham" acupuncture is not analogous to placebo.  "Sham" acupuncture is more analogous to giving a half dose of medication.  A drug would not appear to be as efficacious if it was compared to a half-dose, that's why a placebo, with no pharmacologic activity is used as a control in pharmaceutical clinical trials.  A proper control in an acupuncture study would involve no actual needling and consequently no stimulation of Qi. 


It is unclear whether "sham" acupuncture has been implemented in some studies in order to intentionally skew the results of the statistical analysis, or whether it merely reflects an ill-considered and fatally flawed study design.  It is also significant that the study does not provide the exact acupuncture points used in each study, although the authors admit that there was not consistency between the studies.  The usual criterion for meta-analysis is that the studies be identical or extremely close to identical in design.  It is impossible to determine, based upon the information disclosed in this analysis, whether the studies were appropriate for meta-analysis.

]]> http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/11/clinical-studies-with-sham-acu.html http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/11/clinical-studies-with-sham-acu.html TCM acupuncture-tcm acupuncture clinical studies sham acupuncture Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:16:25 -0500 Chinese Herbology for Cancer Treatment Prof. Huijuan Cui

Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
Chief Physician of the Sino-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China

Professor Cui will present a lecture on "Chinese Herbology Applied to Cancer Treatment" based on her 25 years of practical & research experience. Interpreter provided

6:30 - 9:30 PM, Saturday, December 5, 2009

NYCTCM, Room 106
155 First St.
Mineola, NY 11501

Free for NYCTCM Students
$25 for NYCTCM Alumni
$40 for practitioners

No pre-registration required; pay at the door.

See the NYCTCM CEU page for more information and CEU classes

]]> http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/11/chinese-herbology-for-cancer-t.html http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/11/chinese-herbology-for-cancer-t.html NYCTCM cancer chinese herbs cancer chinese herbs Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:39:47 -0500 Include Acupuncture in the "9-11" Mental Health Benefit  
Please cut and paste this and send this petition around. Any NYC
resident needs to check off YES in the second column "Ground Zero
Worker, Volunteer, NYC Resident"
 
Please add your comments if you feel acupuncture has helped you or if
you know it has helped people deal with stress, anxiety...and
increased sense of well-being! If you have already signed, please
pass it on.
 
Hope you are all well,
 
Wendy Z. Henry, LAc
Acupuncture Mobile Services
 
http://www.petitiononline.com/acu123/petition.html

To:  the NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene

Commissioner Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
125 Worth St., 3rd Floor, room 331 cn38
New York, NY 10013

Dear Dr. Thomas Frieden,

We the undersigned implore you to include acupuncture as a covered benefit as part of the
�9-11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Benefit�.

The �9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Benefit� that was funded through Red Cross resources included auricular acupuncture as a covered benefit. Unfortunately this benefit ended Dec. 31, 2007. In addition other programs, which offered the auricular acupuncture in New York City, have been discontinued as funding has run out.

Acupuncture has been an important part of the healing process of many people directly impacted by the events of �9-11�. Many of us have discovered that acupuncture has been highly effective in helping us with improved sleep, reduction in anxiety, reduction in cravings for alcohol and other substances and has helped us feel calmer. Acupuncture has a long history in helping people with anxiety, depression, insomnia and substance abuse problems. It is being used internationally to address symptoms associated with PTSD. Many significant benefits have been noted. We have also noticed the positive changes in others who have received this treatment.

Having this benefit extended to include acupuncture coverage would enable us to utilize acupuncture as a treatment modality when we experience the need. Experiencing acupuncture, a non-verbal treatment method, has often prepared us to have more productive counseling sessions for those of us who have also chosen a more traditional counseling approach.

Please reconsider your decision and do include acupuncture as a covered benefit in the �9-11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Benefit.� You will be helping many people and New York City!

Sincerely,

The Undersigned


  ]]> http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/11/include-acupuncture-in-the-9-1.html http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/11/include-acupuncture-in-the-9-1.html acupuncture mental health petition Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:02:49 -0500 Obama visits China obama_visits_china.jpg

Photo by Charles Dharapak-AP

Read article at The Washington Post, Monday, Nov. 16]]> http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/11/obama-visits-china.html http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/11/obama-visits-china.html Chinese culture China Obama Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:37:04 -0500 NYCTCM Oriental Medicine Program herb_intern_man3_flt_m.jpg

I entered NYCTCM in 2000 as a non-matriculated student, intending only to get a foundation in Chinese medicine as a first step to studying Tibetan medicine and naturopathy. Suffering an accident to my head and neck shortly after beginning study, I had to take a leave of absence while recuperating and receiving acupuncture treatments at NYCTCM's clinic. Once recovered, I decided to matriculate at NYCTCM: "The treatments allowed me to appreciate the real power of Chinese medicine and convinced me that TCM was the path of study that I needed to take."

 

I graduated from NYCTCM's acupuncture program in 2005 and began a successful practice specializing in internal and chronic disorders such as stroke, Parkinson's, and cancer treatment support. I gradually felt a need to supplement my knowledge of acupuncture with that of herbs, so returned to NYCTCM in 2007 to work towards my Oriental Medicine Degree.

 

Why did I choose NYCTCM? "Several main reasons - first, the teachers have a high level of training and experience gained in both China and the U.S. and this carries over in the interactions of the classroom and the clinic; second, the concentration is on authentic Chinese medicine as opposed to the mixture of techniques taught at most schools; and third, the whole complement of skills is taught - acupuncture, herbs, and tui na massage - which is extremely useful when it comes to building one's own practice."


Anthony

]]> http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/11/nyctcm-oriental-medicine-progr.html http://www.nyctcm.edu/acupuncture-tcm-blog/2009/11/nyctcm-oriental-medicine-progr.html Chinese Medicine NYCTCM admission chinese herbs college students acupuncture student college NYCTCM student Oriental Medicine Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:39:46 -0500