Dia's Blog

Summer is slowly approaching. What does this mean? Summertime is a season full of energy, heat, longer daylight, and sunny days. Summer is the season of yang, a time when the body undergoes vigorous metabolic (body energy) processes. 

Cherry Tree

According to TCM, summer is yang as mentioned earlier, but summer is also based on the five elements. Summer is fire, color is red, emotion is joy, and the organ associated with fire is heart and small intestine. Fire is symbolic because in TCM it is the maximum activity or greatest yang, which means that it is a time of heat, outgoingness, and moving outward in nature and in our lives. In human anatomy, the heart, mind, and spirit are ruled by the fire element. We should give greatest focus on our heart, mind, and spirit for staying healthy in summer. 

It is important to make sure our body is balance during the summertime. When we are balanced in the summertime, our heart is strong and healthy, the mind is calm and sleep is sound. But if we are not balanced in summertime we create an imbalance in the fire element, which may cause either lack of joy (depression) or an excess of joy (mania). Indicators of an imbalance in the fire element include agitation, nervousness, heartburn, and insomnia. 

Cherry tree in bloom

Dia's Helpful Tips for the Summertime (Yang)

1. Eat more cooling foods, such as watermelon, cucumbers, mint, dill, seaweed, broccoli, cantaloupe, sprouts, bamboo, asparagus, lemon, peaches. Eat more fish and seafood.
2. Drink plenty of water.
3. Eat in moderation and stay away greasy heavy foods.
4. Wear lighter and brighter colors with lighter fabrics, for example linen and cottons.
5. Go to bed later at night and wake up early.
6. Yin Tang, otherwise known as the hall of impressions, I also heard referred to as the "third eye."This point is located in the middle of forehead centered between your eyes. This powerful point, which is used to calm the mind, enhances one's ability to focus, soothe emotions, promote sleep, and relieve depression. If you don't have time to come see us at the Whole Health Center in Lombard, I also instruct patients to treat themselves by tapping Yin Tang 100 times a day with the index or middle finger.

Thank you for your continued support of the AOM blog. Have a great week!

I wanted to open this blog by welcoming everyone back from spring break to summer trimester.

This week I want to focus on integrative medicine. Over break, a family friend asked me, "What is integrative medicine?" I also thought this was great topic of discussion for anyone reading this blog who may be considering applying to National University of Health Sciences. 

Here at National University we take an integrative approach to health and medicine. Integrative medicine is the intelligent combining of both western and eastern medicine healing practices, therapies and health protocols. When we discuss integration of medicine, we simply represent the best of both worlds. 

Drugs still heavily influence western medicine while eastern medicine is focused more on prevention of diseases. At National, we take an integrative approach when we look at treatment planning for our patients. I witness this every day in the clinical setting as a senior intern and in the academic setting as a student. 

Many of my patients are referred to us from western physicians, such as psychiatrists, DOs, etc., who I work closely with in the treatment of my patients. This integration of medicine is why I believe so many of my patients do so well with acupuncture. It restores the body's natural ability to heal itself, and addresses root causes rather than mere symptoms. This in turn, enhances, restores and empowers patients to reclaim their health. 

That is why it is important that more schools like National University incorporate an integrative model of medicine. The benefits to the patient's health are profound in this future medicine model. Integration medicine is emerging not just in the clinical setting, but also in hospital settings. 

Thank you for your continued support of the AOM blog! Welcome back to Summer 2013 Trimester.

April is Autism Awareness Month. I have mentioned my son Mykael who was diagnosed with autism 3 years ago and shared his journey with my readers. I have four sons and a daughter. It is more common than people realize that autism will likely impact a second child in the family, especially among boys. My 4-year-old Landen has been diagnosed on the autism spectrum. He is not like my son Mykael; he has very mild case of autism. He has verbal skills. He is able read and write for his age, but he lacks the social skills. In addition, he has an intense interest about all cars and trucks. He was diagnosed with Asperger's a year and half ago. 

Asperger syndrome (AS), also known as Asperger's syndrome or Asperger disorder (AD), is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative language and cognitive development. 

I wanted to share more about autism spectrum disorder. As I shared with you in my earlier blog, autism statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify around 1 in 88 American children as on the autism spectrum--a 10-fold increase in prevalence in 40 years. Careful research shows that this increase is only partly explained by improved diagnosis and awareness. Studies also show that autism is four-five times more common among boys than girls. An estimated 1 out of 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls are diagnosed. ASD affects over 2 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide. Moreover, government autism statistics suggest that prevalence rates have increased 10 to 17% annually in recent years. There is no established explanation for this continuing increase, although improved diagnosis and environmental influences are two reasons often considered.

My family lives with autism every day like so many families. I want make sure everyone is aware and has information about how you can get involved in the Autism Speaks Walk of 2013. Autism Speaks Walk will be held in Chicago at Soldier Field on May 18. We need everyone's support and if you still need community service hours to graduate, this is a wonderful community event that is near and dear to my heart. If you need more information please contact me directly or contact us at http://www.autismspeaks.org or 224-567-8573. 

Remember: Every 11 minutes, another family receives the devastating news that their child has an autism spectrum disorder. Don't wait another minute and support the Awareness for Autism!!! 

Thank you for continued support of AOM blog. Good luck on finals and congratulations to our graduates of Spring 2013.

According to the Acupuncture Today April 2013 edition, the New Year has proven to be a promising one for acupuncturists nationwide. There are several petitions that are being currently looked at in White House concerning the future of acupuncture. There is one petition in particular that has gained momentum and attention in the White House.

The petition was created on Jan 11, 2013. The petition makes the case that studies have shown that when acupuncturist are directly involved in patient care, patient recover faster. The White House petition is to recognize acupuncture as profession that is included in Medicare system. We know have a total of 27,347 signatures.

If you are wondering what were the case studies? Mostly the case studies came from pain management issues involving the direct patient involvement with an acupuncturist. I would like to note that many professions are already recognized in the Social Security Act and therefore included in the Medicare system, for example midwives, dieticians, physician's assistants, and social workers.

The states that are currently being looked at by the White House are California, Maryland, New Mexico, Washington, Nevada, and Alaska. It is now a waiting game for the rest of us acupuncturists nationwide to see where our profession finds it place in the mainstream Medicare system.

If you want to view the petition, go to Recognize Acupuncturists as Healthcare Providers. If you have additional question please contact NCCAOM and AAAOM. 

Thank you for your continued support of the AOM blog!  Have a great week!

(Trimester Countdown: 3 weeks left!)

It is officially spring! Spring is the time of birth, where yang energy is full and abundant. For many people, however, spring and summer are seasons for allergies.

Allergies, or allergic rhinitis, are due to an over-reactivity of the immune system to certain allergens. During spring and summer, allergies are generally induced by wind-born tree, grass or weed pollen, and can cause such symptoms as: sneezing; nasal congestion; runny nose; watery, itchy, or red eyes; headaches; fatigue; and sometimes coughing and wheezing. When allergens and antibodies react in individuals with allergic rhinitis, their nasal mucosa becomes swollen and may obstruct drainage from the sinuses causing sinusitis in many people. Thus, sinus infections are a frequent complication and consequence of allergic rhinitis.

While spring and summer are the seasons of the year that bring us outdoors, many people are unable to enjoy these warmer months due to uncomfortable symptoms. Chinese medicine can help bring relief of symptoms, correct imbalances of the immune system, prevent the occurrence of infection, and allow healing of tissues of the sinuses. 

From a Chinese point of view, allergic rhinitis is due to a deficiency of the Lung and Kidney's Defensive-Qi systems, combined with retention of chronic "Wind" in the nose. 

Allergic rhinitis often starts in early childhood, with a constitutional weakness, but it may also start later in life, with a progressive decline of Kidney-Qi. Lung and Kidney Qi Deficiency is the root of the problem, therefore, with herbal medicine and acupuncture, we strengthen and nourish these organs. The manifestation of the disease is Wind invading the Lung channel in the nose. This accounts for the acute attacks. With herbs and acupuncture, we clear the Wind, reduce congestion, and open the nasal passages. It is necessary to treat both the root and the manifestation in order to produce lasting results. 

The western treatment of allergic rhinitis relies mostly on the use of antihistamine agents. Unfortunately, antihistamines only treat the manifestations of the disease and not the root. In addition, they cause side effects such as dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, nervousness, dryness, and gastrointestinal disturbance. 

Chinese medicine offers allergy sufferers a way to strengthen their bodies and significantly reduce their symptoms, without unpleasant side effects. You do not have to spend another season living with allergies. 

Here are acupuncture points from my class notes and CAM book. I have clinically used these points in the clinic and I feel they are very effective in treating allergies, postnasal drips and colds. 

Wind-Cold Affecting the Lung

Treatment Points 

Main Points:

• UB 12 - Main point for Wind Disorders
• GB 20 - Expel Wind
• GV 23 - Expel Wind from the Nose
• UB 13 - LU Back Shu
• LU 7 - Restore the Descending and Dispersing Function of the LU Qi 

Local Points:

• Use various local points for the sinus issues: LI 20 a/or Yintang and Bitong (extra pt. - good local points for sinus issues

Wind-Heat Affecting the LU

Signs & Symptoms

• Similar to general Wind-Heat as it presents with the common cold, however, there are more signs of an underlying KD a/or LU Deficiency
• Patient may have: fever and chills w/fever predominating, slight sweating, runny nose w/yellow discharge, headaches, body aches, cough, itchy red eyes (heat), scratchy throat (wind) 

Treatment Protocol

• Expel Wind-Heat
• Restore the Descending and Dispersing Function of the LU Qi 

Treatment Points

Main Points:

• UB 12 - Main point for Wind Disorders
• UB 13 - LU Back Shu
• LI 4 & LI 11 - used together to clear heat and move the LI 

Local Points:

• LI 20 a/or Yintang - good local points for sinus issues
• GB 20 & UB 2 - used together for itchy eyes 

Word to the wise: The treatment protocols mentioned above are to be used after a complete tongue and pulse examination. The effectiveness of these treatments may vary based on the differential diagnosis, while other points should be added or not used based on your patient history and complete examination. 

Thank you for your continued support of the AOM blog. Have a great week!