Medicine for Life

The tastes of freedom

2011-04-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

This week, like Jews around the world, I've been getting ready for Passover. Usually one part of the story will float around in my mind each year, and it becomes a kind of theme for me. This year, I've been thinking of something that happened after the Jews left Egypt. While wandering in the desert, subsisting on the 'manna from heaven,' the people began to complain, and wax sentimental for their lives under Pharoah in Egypt:

"We remember the fish that we ate in Egypt for free, the cucumbers, the watermelons, the leeks, the onions and the garlic!" (Numbers 11:5)

Only a short time after being bent double under the yoke of Pharoah, the taste of freedom has become stale. The exciting flavours of bondage take on an allure in retrospect, and the people yearn for the delicacies that they used to eat, 'for free.' Jewish commentators like Rashi point to this as the key distinction. The food wasn't 'free,' the people were laboring, and dying, in return for their meager portions. What was free was the lack of responsibility. As slaves, the Jews had no agency, and therefore no choices to make.

As we make changes to our eating habits, for our health, for ethical reasons, and for communal and global well-being, many of us experience times of longing for the tastes of our former lives. Sometimes as we wander in the desert, we lose touch with why we made these choices in the first place. Up and down the aisles in the store, we wander, looking for something we can eat. Feelings of frustration, of longing for foods we used to eat, and even for the state of ignorance that let us 'freely' eat, without thought for our health or the implications of what we bought and ate can overwhelm us.

The story of the Israelites continues: Moses, the exasperated baby-sitter, asks God what he is to do with this intractable lot. I'll send them the meat they ask for, to eat for a month, until it sickens them, replies God. Like us in our modern day, the Israelites fall back into old habits, and sicken themselves.

According to Jewish tradition, the time of wandering in the desert, after the exhilaration of the sudden liberation from Egypt, was a necessary process to prepare the people for the entrance into the promised land, and the responsibilities of governing themselves.

The reason this story has been my Passover theme this year, is the parallels to be drawn as we change our lives, from the bondage of unhealthful foods and living, to the true liberation of commitment to responsibility to ourselves and our communities. We cannot leap, in one bound, from one way of living to another. We must allow ourselves to 'wander,' to relapse, and to experience the frustration of sometimes feeling out of step with the world around us - it's part of the process.

May the spirit of liberation be with all people, and may we eat and be merry!

Reflections on Roe v. Wade

2010-01-22T11:36:00.000-08:00

"It is important to remember that Roe v. Wade did not mean that abortions could be performed. They have always been done, dating from ancient Greek days.

What Roe said was that ending a pregnancy could be carried out by medical personnel, in a medically accepted setting, thus conferring on women, finally, the full rights of first-class citizens — and freeing their doctors to treat them as such."

-Waldo L. Fielding, an obstetrician and gynecologist in Boston for 38 years. Dr. Fielding was writing in a NYT article about the aftermath of illegal abortions he witnessed as a physician.

As a physician of TCM, and a healer, I see access to safe, legal abortion as a crucial part of a healthy society. One in which women's choices and agency are respected, and both men and women have the freedom and ability to make decisions about the course of their lives, including family planning, sexuality, career, living situation, travel, and so on, without interference from legal, corporate, or religious authorities. Choice and access in health care means healthier individuals, families, communities, and nations. It means access to quality, affordable care, and freedom to choose so-called 'alternatives' such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, midwifery and so on.

Health and wellness flourish in conditions of freedom. Lack of agency, lack of opportunity and lack of control over one's body, are fundamentally antithetical to health. Let me close by quoting Justice Blackmun, author of the Roe V. Wade decision. I couldn't have put it better myself. Let us indeed focus on promoting the conditions which truly foster maternal health, the flourishing of life, and the well-being of the women, men, and children in our communities.

The states are not free, under the guise of protecting maternal health or potential life, to intimidate women into continuing pregnancies. -Justice Harry A. Blackmun, Roe v. Wade, 22 January 1973

Zay gezunt! May you be well!

The Miracle of the Oil (and other Fats)

2009-12-01T10:05:00.000-08:00

The winter holiday of Hanuka starts next week on December 11. Among other things, the holiday celebrates a miracle of olive oil: one little vial lasted 8 days, keeping the ceremonial candelabra in the ancient Temple lit. Jews mark the holiday by lighting candles every night for the eight days of the holiday, one more each night, and give due attention to the role of oil in the story by eating fried foods for eight days. There is then a several week recovery period for our gallbladders.

As I was contemplating the upcoming holiday, I naturally began to think about oil... and other fats. Despite the constant drone about how people are eating too much fat (and getting too fat), I find the piece of dietary advice I give most often to my patients is to eat MORE fat. Better fat that is!

There is a lot of information out there about fats, much of it contradictory. For some interesting information countering the popular notion that saturated and animal fats are terrible for you, I direct the interested reader to the Weston Price Foundation, and especially the book Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon. I was very impressed by the overview of the so-called 'lipid hypothesis' in Michael Pollan's latest book, In Defense of Food. The lipid hypothesis is the theory that fat makes you fat, that fat clogs your arteries, causes heart attacks etc. It is in this book that Pollan lays out his controversial but compelling health claim: EAT FOOD. I couldn't agree more.

When it comes to fats, quality is key. 'Bad fats', which have been transformed in the factory farm or the laboratory from food to fiend, are very damaging. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, different people in different circumstances will benefit from differing types of fats in different amounts, depending on their constitution, lifestyle, and stage of life. Eating enough good quality fats is important for everyone, and promotes skin and hair health, healthy brain function, and hormone balance.

Good quality fats are expensive, but a little goes a long way. They enhance to flavours of all foods, and help our bodies access the fat soluble vitamins found in many vegetables. Here's my fatty favourites, in a nutshell (groan.)

1. Good quality fats are minimally processed, fresh, and kept cold and dark. Look for cold-pressed oils, grass or pasture fed animal fats.

2. Eat foods. A piece of fish is preferable to a fish oil supplement in my opinion. The one 'fat supplement' I will recommend to people (especially vegetarians) having trouble getting fats, is Udo's Choice Oil. I prefer people to pour it over their food rather than take the capsules. Digestion begins in the mouth when we taste and smell our food.

3. Try some different fats: avocado, coconut oil or cream, nut oils and butters like almond and tahini (sesame seed butter), organic ghee (clarified butter).

4. Completely avoid hydrogenated fats: margarine & shortening. Not food!

5. If you have been eating a low fat diet, don't suddenly increase your fat intake. That can lead to painful symptoms and even risk of gallstones.

6. Minimize seed oils. They make up a much larger part of our diet than ever in history, and are often highly processed and refined. These include canola, sunflower and safflower oils.

7. Eat vegetables with a little fat. The flavour, and nutritional benefit, of the veggies will be enhanced. Saute greens in a little olive oil or pancetta, drizzle some cold pressed nut oil over your steamed veg or salad (salad dressing is a health food!).

8. Fats are a concentrated food. That one little vial at the first Hanuka made it eight days! To meet an average person's requirements is only 5 tablespoons of olive oil - that's if everything else you ate was zero fat.

As always, my philosophy, echoed by the sages of TCM old and new, is 'all things in moderation, including moderation.' Enjoy your latkes and other fatty holiday goodies, and if you feel the need, check out this older article on Janurary 'detoxing'.

TCM Perspectives on Preventing and Treating Colds and Flus

2009-11-11T15:54:00.000-08:00

Flu season is now well upon us – how many people do you know that have already been down this year? Many people are still considering whether or not to get vaccinated – both against the H1N1 and the seasonal flu. There are pros and cons on both sides: there are worries about the safety or efficacy of the vaccines (including the preservatives they come with), as well as worries about the potential severity of this year's H1N1 virus and the fact that complications related to seasonal flus are the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. It is an issue each person or family should educate themselves about to make the best choice for them, including taking into consideration their risk factors such as pregnancy, having a chronic illness, being a health care or child care worker, etc.

Whether or not you choose to get a flu vaccine, it is very important for all of us to take care of our body's resistance at this time. There are the usual recommendations: washing hands frequently (anti-bacterial soap is not necessary), especially after coughing or sneezing (and always using a tissue, or coughing or sneezing into the elbow, not the hand); avoiding sharing food and drink with others to prevent cross-contamination; avoiding touching the eyes, nose, and mouth; and avoiding close contact with those who have a cold or flu. If you are sick, stay at home and avoid contact with others, until at least 24 hours after your fever has subsided.

The best prevention is to follow the above advice to prevent exposure to cold and flu pathogens. Whether or not we get sick when exposed to pathogens is determined by 1) the strength of the pathogen and 2) the strength of our body's defenses, which in Chinese Medicine we call Wei Qi.

In supporting the body's ability to defend itself, proper rest cannot be underestimated: the body doesn't function properly without it. Sleeping at night is like recharging our cell phone batteries – our qi, blood, and yin gets replenished during this time, allowing us to function on full power the next day. If our qi is depleted, we do not have the ability to fight illness.

Also important in keeping our qi healthy, free-flowing, and strong is to do our best to be aware of and moderate the stresses we are facing. We are much more susceptible to illness when we are feeling stressed, stretched, and run down. The fall and winter is the natural time for rest and storage: to keep warm, keep the back of the neck covered, and avoid drafts and wind; to eat hearty, warming foods such as soups and stews; to sleep a little more and conserve our energies. It is important to live according to the energy of the seasons for optimal health.

It is also important to eat lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Warm, cooked foods, especially cooked with warming and/or digestive herbs such as onion, ginger, garlic, turmeric, cinnamon, clove, cumin, fennel, coriander, basil, mint, cilantro, rosemary, thyme, etc. - help aid our digestion and keep our qi strong. Baked pears (especially the Asian variety), perhaps with a bit of local honey, almonds, and walnuts, is a tasty dessert that's good for lung health.

We should stay hydrated, drinking lots of fluids, particularly warm beverages. Ginger tea (1 inch of ginger, sliced and simmered for about 15 – 30 minutes) or ginger and green onion soup (the white parts are especially powerful) are great when you feel like you may be on the verge of coming down with something.

Sinus lavage (netipot) is very helpful for maintaining upper respiratory health, especially if you are prone to allergies, colds, and sinus problems. Similarly, a warm or hot (though be careful that is not scalding) salt water gargle can help prevent viruses in the throat from proliferating, and the mucus membranes clean and moist.

Some people like to take supplements to help boost the immune system, including vitamin C and zinc. Astragalus is a powerful Chinese herb popularly used to boost immune function. Airborne is a supplement which contains a famous Chinese herbal formula for colds and flus (Yin Qiao San) – it is best taken at the first sign of catching a cold, and can be taken throughout the course of a cold to keep symptoms low-grade and to help speed recovery. While some of these Chinese herbs and formulas are now available over-the-counter, it is best to see your Chinese herbalist to be sure that these herbs are right for you and the conditions you present with.

Acupuncture can help to boost immunity, and to address symptoms such as sore throat, fever, headache, body aches, stuffy sinuses, runny nose, cough, and others. Chinese herbal formulas can be very helpful to both strengthen immunity and to treat colds and flus. Many Chinese herbs not only treat symptoms but have potent anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, often without the bacterial resistance that has developed through the widespread use of modern antibiotics. These formulas should be prescribed by an herbalist, because our medicine is tailored to each individual's constitution and symptom presentation. While modern bio-medicine claims that there is no cure for the common cold, Chinese medicine has been treating it for thousands of years.

The fire season

2009-09-16T09:45:00.000-07:00

A lot of people say that there are no seasons in Los Angeles, but of course that's not true. When I got here I was informed that there are two seasons: fire season and mudslide season (back home in Canada we say there are two seasons too: hockey season and road construction season).

As the horrible fires of the past few weeks have shown, we're right into fire season now. Coming soon will be the hot Santa Ana winds, which are known to drive people crazy. What can we do to help cope with the hot desert winds, the dry air, and the smoke?

1. Don't expose yourself to smoke and dust. It's hard, but resist the urge to go for a jog outside. Stick to indoor activities, especially when the air is very polluted and in the heat of the day.

2. Stay hydrated. Check my summer cooling post for a recipe or two, and some products I like for hydration and sore throats are Traditional Medicinal's Throat Coat and ElectroMix, from the Emergen-C people. There is also a Chinese herb called Pang Da Hai, which produces a soothing, slippery drink when steeped. In China the opera singers sip it to keep their throats in tip top shape. Ask for some when you come in for a treatment!

3. Sinus flushing. Keep dust, smoke and irritants out of your nasal passages by using a neti pot or sinus rinse.

4. Eat lung supporting foods: If you are suffering from dry cough, irritation, and fatigue, try adding pears, okra and white fish to your diet. Pears are especially useful. Eat the Asian ones raw, or try poaching them or baking them for a sweet treat.

5. If your lungs are a chronic weak spot, you might consider taking Cordyceps, a traditional tonic herb. Check with me or another herbalist to see if Cordyceps is right for your presentation.

breathe easy!
Kirsten

The Importance of Food

2009-08-19T18:33:00.000-07:00

In Chinese Medicine, the Qi (energy or life force) we receive from our daily intake of food - called Post-Heaven Qi - is what fuels the activities of daily life. This is in contrast with Pre-Heaven Qi - the life force we are endowed with at birth - often compared to a person’s genetics. The Pre-Heaven Qi is like your savings account – you certainly don’t want to draw upon it to run your daily life. Thus, Post-Heaven Qi – which is determined by the quality of a person’s diet, as well as the digestive health of the person (called Spleen Qi, or Central Qi) is incredibly important to a person’s health and longevity.

As a Chinese Medicine practitioner, I am frequently wary of the various ‘diets’ touted for weight loss or increased health and vitality – often they are recipes for disaster! While the best diet for any individual is determined by the state of their own digestive health or Spleen Qi (e.g., those with weak Spleen Qi require milder and easier to digest foods than those with heartier digestive energy), there are certain dietary recommendations that are relatively universal:

Eat regularly – do not under-eat or over-eat
Make time to eat – sitting down, not working or otherwise engaged
Eat a variety of foods, mostly plant-based (though a completely vegetarian or vegan diet is not advocated in Chinese Medicine)
Eat whole grains
Eat warm, cooked foods
Avoid cold, raw foods – people with strong Spleen Qi can tolerate a couple of salads a week. Those with weaker digestion should avoid salads and raw fruits altogether. Raw foods are more difficult to digest and weaken the digestive energy over time.
Avoid processed foods, including refined sugars and flours
Minimize fried or greasy foods, alcohol, dairy, and overly spiced foods (chilies)
“Fasts” and “cleanses” should be undertaken with caution – the vast majority of people’s digestive energies are too low to tolerate these extreme measures, and their systems can become even more weakened. A more healthy and balanced approach that can work for all constitutions is to consume only organic, home cooked whole grains, legumes, and steamed vegetables (perhaps with some digestive herbs and spices added) for 2 to 4 weeks.
Certain spices help to facilitate digestion – ginger, mint, fennel, cardamom, cumin, cilantro, basil, dried orange peels – add these to your cooking, or make these herbs or spices into teas!

Signs of Spleen Qi or digestive weakness include loose or soft stools, bloating or gas, discomfort after eating, poor appetite, low energy or fatigue, being easily bruised, and other symptoms. As our digestive energy weakens, our bodies are not able to transform food into pure energy for daily functioning, and instead creates what we call Dampness. In Chinese Medicine, Dampness is the origin of the “mysterious diseases” – it is a lingering and difficult to treat pathogen that can manifest in numerous ways.

Dampness is also engendered by poor diet – particularly processed foods, including refined sugars and flours; raw and cold foods; alcohol; and greasy foods. Signs of Damp accumulation in your system include lethargy, foggy headedness, dull aches and pains or feelings of heaviness in the body, weight gain, yeast and fungal conditions, among others.

Diet modification as stated above can go a long way to supporting your digestive energy to provide health and vitality for the long-term. Acupuncture and herbal medicine has been shown to greatly improve digestive function for those with troubling symptoms. Remember, however, that food should be eaten with joy and pleasure – if you eliminate what used to be your ‘comfort foods’ because they are harmful to your system, make sure you investigate new comfort foods that are wholesome and nourishing for your body, mind, and spirit.

Hot Enough For Ya?

2009-07-21T09:34:00.001-07:00

We're having another of our all too frequent heat waves here in Southern California. Just in time I present you with some insights from TCM to help you keep your cool.

1. Don't get too cold. What?! I know - sounds counterintuitive. But when we chill our bodies by sitting in overly air conditioned malls, movie theaters and offices, our metabolisms fire up to compensate and heat us up. End result? When you venture out of the ice box of air conditioning, you're flat on your back from the heat. Keep air conditioning to moderate levels (your power bill will thank you too), and if you have to sit in it, keep a cardi or scarf on to keep the chill off your bare skin.

2. Don't chug a slushee! Even though a gallon of crushed ice may sound like just what the doctor ordered when it's 100F outside, your body won't thank you! Just like the air conditioning, giving the inside of your body the Big Chill will cause it to stoke up the home fires to compensate. In the end you'll be hotter when the momentary chill wears off. You're better to sip cool or room temperature beverages. Here's my favourite cooler:

2 liters of filtered water (about 8 or 9 cups)
handful of mint leaves

Place the leaves in a drinking jug and pour the water over them. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to gently bruise the leaves, releasing their minty flavour into the water. If you tend to stomach upset in the hot weather, add a few slices of fresh ginger. You can do this anyway as it gives a lovely taste.

More cooling recipes can be found in The Tao of Nutrition, a book by Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease. I took a course with Cathy this weekend and was very inspired to continue using the balancing and harmonizing principles of Traditional Chinese Nutrition in my life and in my practice. I'll be giving a talk next month on TCM and digestion - stay tuned for the date.

Over the next few weeks you'll see more posts from two new authors at LifeMedicine. We'll have more to teach, more to talk about and more fun! Be well, and come and see me for a cool down!

Medicine and bias

2009-04-10T09:18:00.001-07:00

A prominent former Harvard researcher has admitted to cooking the books on his studies to prove his hypothesis that there's a direct correlation between obesity and sleep apnea.

Personally, I'm not against the scientific method. Like any tool, it must be used with awareness of its limitations. This story is an extreme example of the major flaw with the scientific method: observer bias. Researchers take many steps to try and weed out bias in their studies and findings (obviously falsifying your data is a whole other level!), but I feel it remains a flaw of even the most well crafted studies. Bias determines what questions are even asked in the first place, as well as how the results are interpreted.

Before I was an acupuncturist, I studied feminist and anti-oppression theory. One of the things I learned is that bias cannot be eliminated. Our perspective and who we are informs everything we do and the conclusions we come to. It's the nature of human existence. The best thing we can do is to know who we are, and where we are coming from, so that the limitations of our perspective do not overwhelm our judgments, or close off the possibilities of other truths.

In Chinese medicine, we learn to see people and their dis-eases in terms of patterns. Patterns of behaviour, patterns of imbalance, patterns of disfunction. Each symptom exists in concert with the whole, and together they create a picture of where the person is and how they are developing.

A key philosophy guiding the practioner of TCM is tong yi bing zhi, yi bing tong zhi: "Same disease, different treatments; different disease, same treatments." In other words, we break with the Western medical style of treating symptoms, rather than a whole person. Two people with sleep apnea, are two different people - how we help them return to health and balance with Chinese medicine will be very different.

The case of the Harvard researcher brings up a current contentious issue of bias in medicine and health: 'obesity' and its health impact. I practice "body-positive" medicine. I feel strongly that health is not something that can be measured and weighed. Simply looking at a person and making judgments about their health is fraught with peril. Humans come in many shapes and sizes, and appreciating and accepting that diversity is a strength of holistic medicine. Mental health and self-love are vital parts of a full, balanced life. Prescribing a certain body size as 'normal' or necessary for health is akin to prescribing certain heights, ages or races as optimal.

Jing shen bu jin, zhi yi bu zhi, bing nai bu yu. "If the psyche is not taken into account, and the mind not treated, disease cannot be cured." This is as true for those of us who heal, as for those of us healing.

Be well!
Kirsten

Health, Stress, Acupuncture... and you!

2009-01-16T09:52:00.000-08:00

A new study shows that acupuncture is as effective as cognitive-behavioural therapy in the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

PTSD is usually seen in survivors of accidents, violence, or natural disasters and reflects the person's attempt to cope with a sudden, traumatic event or experience. Recently it has received coverage in the news as returning veterans from Iraq are experiencing the sometimes devastating effects of this disorder. (Source)

The study using acupuncture found that acupuncture provided significant relief, and kept symptoms at bay for 3 months even after treatment was stopped.

Of course, this isn't news to those of us in the field. Acupuncturists Without Borders, a great organization, has been using squads of acupuncturists to treat survivors of natural disasters as well as veterans for several years. And I see in the clinic everyday the immediate effect of acupuncture on anxiety, depression and plain old stressed-out Angelenos!

There is no health problem that is not exacerbated by stress. Pain, digestive troubles, hormonal imbalances... all are made worse by the constant toll of major and minor worries. Our bodies were not designed for the constant, unrelenting strain we now subject them to. Chronic stress depresses the immune system, increases risk of cancer and heart disease, and even shrinks the part of the brain responsible for memory. (Source) Add to that the fact that so few of us make time for the activities that still the mind, that allow the adrenal and other stress-hormone producing glands to rest, and you have a recipe for disaster. Stressed out yet?!

I jokingly call my acupuncture treatments "meditation for cheaters." A few needles can push you into deep relaxation, no lotus position required! Western medicine is still undecided as to the mechanism by which acupuncture so effectively calms the body and mind, but of course, we don't have to wait for them to find out. Make time in your day for calm and quiet, and time in your life for the healing benefits of acupuncture.

Read an earlier article about self-care for stress

Fatty Acids, Not Cholesterol Drugs, Reduce Heart Failure Mortality

2008-09-09T15:11:00.001-07:00

The Lancet online has published the results of a large Italian study aimed at weighing the effects of Omega 3 Fatty Acid supplementation versus statin (a class of cholesterol lowering drugs) therapy for patients with heart failure. Surprise. The drugs lower cholesterol... but don't prevent recurrence of heart attacks or death. (Omega 3 Fatty Acid supplementation has a modest but statistically significant effect in reducing illness and mortality)

"Tognoni said that the prescription of rosuvastatin or any statin to patients with heart failure should not be considered because the use of the cholesterol-lowering drugs does not translate into any clinically meaningful benefit for heart-failure patients." Source

I've long been suspicious of 'numbers drugs'. Those are the ones like cholesterol lowering, blood pressure lowering etc., that treat the numbers in a lab test, not real symptoms. As research progresses, we often find that things thought to be simple equations, like high cholesterol=heart failure, therefore low cholesterol=less heart failure turn out to be far more complex than that. High cholesterol is a created disease. It has no symptoms, can only be detected in a lab, and no one is actually certain of what it leads to. Except that it leads to taking expensive and side effect laden drugs. I am gratified by the results of this study, and reaffirmed in my respect for my profession: TCM sees the person as a whole, and disease and wellness as processes, not a mathematical equation.

Where have I been?

2008-07-14T11:36:00.001-07:00

The answer to that question is: studying for the boards!

I will be flying to Sacramento in 3 weeks to write my licensing exam along with a thousand or so other would-be acupuncturists.

Hopefully I will pass (positive vibes happily accepted!) and will get my license to practice acupuncture in California sometime in September. I'll be back writing then, I promise!

be well!
Kirsten

British Columbia to cover Acupuncture for Low-Income Residents.

2008-04-20T08:45:00.000-07:00

Or is it?

The supplementary coverage for low-income residents of British Columbia (where everyone is covered for basic health care by government health insurance) adds acupuncture to the type of alternative medicine that participants can be reimbursed for:

"MSP reimburses premium assistance recipients $23 for each supplementary benefit - for example either physiotherapy, naturopathy or acupuncture - for a combined maximum of 10 visits per year." Read the complete article from the Victoria Times-Colonist

On the one hand, it's great to see the BC government recognizing the benefits of acupuncture - and the importance of helping people access low-tech preventative care like it and other 'alternative' medicine. (Apparently the BC Health Minister used acupuncture to treat his injuries from running - always good to have a patient in government: apparently Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Schriver both get acupuncture, which has been good for helping kibosh legislation in California that would be damaging to the profession). On the other hand, 10 treatments total for all three of these modalities, chiropractic, acupuncture and naturopathy, is so very little. I think there is still resistance to seeing the way that our medicine works - not in dramatic bursts like surgery, a cortisone shot, or a course of antibiotics.. It's more like eating well or regular exercise - sustained change is a result of consistent visits. Not that people don't have amazing results from a single treatment - I've seen it myself. But for most people, especially if you have chronic or longstanding problems, acupuncture needs to be a regular thing, not a sporadic one.

All this brings me to the Community Acupuncture model, which attempts to close the gap between how often people need to receive acupuncture for the maximum health benefits, and how much most people (even not technically 'low-income') people can afford. I am taking a roadtrip in a few weeks to Northern California and I will be visiting a few Community Acupuncture clinics to see how this style of treatment works - I'll report back on my findings, but I am optimistic about a model that sees more people getting more treatments, more often!

L'khaim, to your health.

Kirsten

Spring time is the right time... for controlling your allergies!

2008-03-20T09:32:00.000-07:00

Seasonal allergies are the bane of springtime for many people. As the rest of us feel light as clouds, floating on the euphoria of longer days and warmth as winter wanes, the allergic among us are locked inside, fearful of the clouds of pollen waiting to attack them. They sneeze and sniff their way through the beauty of spring, peering about through watering eyes, waiting for it all to go away.

Despite the miraculous transformations that the actors in the commercials go through, over the counter treatments for allergies are often as bad as the disease, leaving you with a dry nose, but either comatose from antihistamines, or with a pounding heart and shaking hands from 'non-drowsy' formulations.

So, what can Chinese medicine do for you, poor woeful allergy sufferer?

Lots, according to studies. A controlled 2004 study using acupuncture and herbs, concluded:

"We could show that this treatment was efficacious in improving global severity rating and in affecting disease-related quality of life parameters after 6 weeks of treatment when compared with sham needling plus a non-specific herbal formulation" (Source)

What exactly does that mean? It means after 6 weeks, people getting real acupuncture and herbs felt better than those getting the placebo versions. There are dozens of other studies showing the same things. Other findings involve testing the nasal secretions of allergy sufferers (great job!) . That study revealed that the secretions of patients after receiving acupuncture treatment had no or lower quantities of eosinophils, a blood cell related to allergic response that is high in those suffering from allergies. (Source)

So come in for acupuncture treatment and herbs! The best results occur if you come in BEFORE allergy season, preferably at least 6 weeks. But of course, symptom relief can still be had if you missed the window. Once your symptoms abate, your practitioner will use acupuncture and herbs (and diet and lifestyle changes) to build up your system so that next season you'll feel great, pollen or no pollen.

There are some things you can do at home to reduce your allergy woes. Remember where I mentioned 'diet and lifestyle' up above? Like other holistic modalities, Chinese medicine feels great and works because you, the patient,are a participant in your own treatment and healing. Of course, to be a participant, you have to participate!

1. Diet
Common stimulants of allergic symptoms include dairy, sugar and wheat, especially white flour products like pastries, bread and pasta. Cutting down or eliminating these items will usually make you feel better right away. I tell patients to just try a week without one of them. If you notice a difference, then you know what you have to do!

2. Sleep
Are you getting enough sleep? Most people don't. Cutting corners on sleep sends your system into emergency mode, and that stimulates your already hyperactive immune system. Our society trains us to think of sleep as a waste of time, but we literally can't live without it. If you are getting less than 6 hours a night, something has to give.

3. Air quality
Definitely be active in your community to advocate for clean air laws, greater public transportation options and slashing industrial emissions. All these things contribute greatly to rates of respiratory disease of all kinds, including allergies. On the home front, trade in your chemical cleaners, detergents and sprays for nontoxic, fragrance free versions. Or make your own! Nothing cleans as well and safely as baking soda and vinegar (and elbow grease, but then you'll get some exercise too!)

Breathe easy with Chinese medicine and you'll be able to enjoy those spring flowers!

Hawthorn for the heart

2008-02-06T12:28:00.000-08:00

A new study indicates that the popular herb hawthorn may have measurable benefits for heart disease patients (complete study here: warning medical-ese ahead!). Hawthorn is called shan zha in chinese. It's indicated for 'food stagnation', conditions where improperly or incompletely digested food hangs around and causes trouble. Shan zha is specifically recommended for meats and fats. In modern times this has translated into its use for atherosclerosis: fatty plaque deposits in the arteries impeding blood flow. Shan zha also promotes blood flow, another indicator of its modern use as a heart health herb.

Shan zha is a component of various formulas a chinese herbalist might prescribe, but it is also considered a 'food herb' - safe to take for long periods. A delicious tea can be made by steeping the dried berries in hot water. You may wish to sweeten the brew with a little honey, as the berries can be tart. Enjoy February, 'heart health month' with a warm red glass of hawthorn berry tea!

Let's Talk Chinese Medicine!

2007-04-10T09:52:00.000-07:00

I will be giving a talk on
"Staying Healthy Through the Year with Chinese Medicine,"
Wednesday, April 18 at 7 pm at The Workmen's Circle,
1525 S. Robertson Blvd. in Los Angeles.

The event is part of a monthly series, a vegetarian potluck dinner with a speaker on some aspect of healthy living. You can see the flier here, and get details about The Workmen's Circle here. Hope to see you there!

Seeing the Forest for the Trees

2007-04-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

It's definitely springtime. This weekend many people were celebrating two festivals with themes of rebirth and renewal, Passover and Easter. There's real warmth in the sun now, and despite some snow squalls on the East coast, spring is coming without a doubt.

In the Chinese Five Elements system, spring is connected with the element Wood. Wood is connected to movement, growth, vigor, development and assertion of the self. It is like the healthy young sapling, bursting through the earth to reach up for the sky and spread its leaves in the sun. In the body, it is the element of the Liver organ system. The Liver is called "The General who is in charge of Advancing and Retreating." Personally I think of it as The Gambler. To be a healthy and well-balanced person, you gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em. When to walk away, and when to run.

With self-development and health, marshalling the strength and power of our Wood-energy, our General, is vital. We must zealously defend our health, and assert our right to practices and conditions that optimize our physical, mental and spiritual health. But the wise General does not pursue a course of action no matter what. If a strategy is not working, the General reevaluates, gets new information, makes different plans. Sometimes a charge is called for, sometimes diplomacy. (I will restrain myself from making this an overly political entry.) Don't get caught in a trap of rigid thinking with regard to your health. Something that made you feel good last year, or last decade, may not be working now. Allow yourself the flexibility of fresh green wood.

In the Passover Seder, there is a section that reads, "Even if all of us were scholars, all of us sages, all of us elders, all of us learned in Torah, we would still be required to tell the story of the Exodus from Egypt." This year as I sat at the Seder table, I heard "Even if all of us were health gurus, meditating an hour every day, eating all organic seasonal produce, and never missing an exercise session or acupuncture appointment, we would still be on a journey of growth in health, in development." The message in the Passover Seder is that, of course, we are NOT all scholars, perfectly learned, just as we are not yoga masters in perfect radiant health. And even if we were, we would still not have arrived. The Wood energy never stops growing, developing, pushing forward. Spring comes every year.

With blessings for a Season of rebirth and renewal,
Kirsten

Coming next time: The Health Toolbox: Making time for health when you have time for nothing.

What? Antibiotics don't work for sinus infections?

2007-03-19T22:23:00.000-07:00

That's right folks. The results of a new survey of millions of doctor visits show that most people receive antibiotics for sinus infections, which not only don't help most cases, but actually make things worse by creating antibiotic resistant bacteria. Read more about the study here.

Sinus pain, congestion, pressure and infections are something I see in the clinic all the time. Patients who suffer regularly come in begging for a few needles in the face:" give me the cat whiskers!" Acupuncture certainly gives rapid relief to the acute pain of a sinus headache and pressure. But what can one do in the long term to ease the often debilitating symptoms?

1. Regular acupuncture. No surprise that I am recommending this! But aside from relieving the acute stage, regular treatments can keep your immune system strong and your system at its best. Your Chinese Medicine practitioner can also provide herbal formulas for both acute and chronic stages.

2. Limit dairy foods, cold and raw foods and sugar. These all create 'damp' in the body, the pathogenic agent associated with phlegm, mucous and stagnation: recipe for congestion and pain. Other people find specific foods such as wheat sometimes aggravate their symptoms.

3. Sinus flushing. Even the staid voice of Western medicine is beginning to see the incredible power of this ancient Ayurvedic technique. Dr. Don Leopold, chair of the University of Nebraska Medical Center's Department of Otolaryngology who worked on the sinus survey I mention above, suggests it as an alternative to antibiotics: one that actually works. A doctor might recommend something fancy in a package, but I send my patients to the healthfood store to buy a neti pot. The idea might take some getting used to, but if you have suffered with sinus problems and especially the toll chronic infections take on your life, you will get over it when you notice you have gone weeks, and then months, without an infection.

Tomorrow is the vernal equinox. Celebrate spring without fear of pollen: Breathe easy with the wisdom of Chinese medicine!

Kirsten

Hi-tech for health

2007-02-16T12:37:00.000-08:00

In Chinese Medicine, we pay attention to ancient wisdom for health and healing - herbs, principles, and methods whose origins stretch back thousands of years. But in the modern world, we can bring together the advantages of technology with our desire for a wholistic life.

Lately I have really gotten into Podcasts. You don't have to have an iPod to enjoy them - I often listen to them sitting at my computer. If you have never used podcasts, download the iTunes program from www.apple.com. Once you've done that, visit the podcasts section of the iTunes store. You'll see a variety of categories, including Health, where my faves are located.

Here are some of my favourite podcasts. Search for them by name!

Reasonable Diet's 6 Minutes of Sanity
Health and nutrition coach Sandra Ahten offers down to earth and practical strategies for making healthy changes in your relationship with food.

Qigong Meditation Podcast
Calvin Fahey provides easy to follow Traditional Chinese meditation sessions in his soothing voice.

FitPod
Music to exercise by! A new mix every week of energizing music.

Meditation-Silence
A lovely meditation with music from spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy. A great way to take a heart refreshing pause in the middle of the day.

l'khaim! To life!

Kirsten

New Year Detox?

2007-01-05T13:26:00.000-08:00

The flurry of the holidays has died down, and even here in Southern California there is a certain dreariness to the months of January and February. The days are still short, it's cool (or downright cold), we're probably all broke and a little bloated after overindulging in every way through the month of December.

A question I am often asked is "should I 'detox'?" Many people feel that their bodies are clogged with toxins, and that some tough love is in order. Fasting, gallbladder flushes, high colonics, herbal 'cleanses' and other methods are all popular. I would wager that sales of those products, many touting weight loss benefits, peak at this time of year. So what does Chinese Medicine have to say about 'cleansing'?

In Chinese Medicine we view the body as an interconnected and balanced system. The digestive and eliminative system is analogous to a pot on a stove. Food goes in the pot, and the fire underneath cooks it, producing steam that rises up. In an ideal situation, the fire burns hot but not too hot, and there is the right amount of food in the pot, with the right amount of moisture to produce lovely, fragrant steam. (as a side note, the Chinese character "Qi" or "vital force" is of a rice pot with steam rising out of it.) When we have overloaded or underloaded the pot, or if the fire is sputtering, or burning out of control, we have an imbalance, and uncomfortable symptoms result.

The body has its own mechanism for restoring balance. In western terms this is called homestasis, or self-regulation. In the acupuncture clinic we facilitate this with herbs and acupuncture, but most important is letting the body return to its own natural balance. If we suddenly empty the pot, it can all too easily be scorched or cracked. And scrubbing it out with clorox is similarly too radical a solution. Personally I feel many of the more 'radical' detox methods contain an element of self-disgust. We feel we have overindulged so we punish ourselves by starving or taking harsh herbal brews that keep us in the toilet, contemplating our sins.

The student of Chinese Medicine views the body as something to be treated gently and with love and respect. Alright, fine, you say. But what do I do about feeling maxed out after 3 weeks of canapes and candy canes?

Acupuncture and herbs can both be used by your practitioner to ease symptoms like constipation, bloating, gas and heartburn. At home, Bojenmi tea is a popular chinese remedy for weightloss - it contains a variety of mild digestive herbs, and can be purchased in most Chinese grocery stores. Remember: more is not necessarily better! Follow the recommended dosages and discontinue if you have sideeffects like loose stool.

Dietarily, it is important that your body have nourishment to continue its work. To ease the burden on your digestive system as you recover from a period of overindulgence, one of the best foods is congee: traditional chinese porridge. Usually made with rice, it can be made with any grain or legume, and can be quite convenient when you use a slowcooker. (A great book about using congee as medicine is Bob Flaws' The Book of Jook). Slow cooked whole grains, steamed lean proteins like fish and chicken, and steamed vegetables are all nourishing, easily digested foods that will feed your body without taxing it. Foods to avoid are cold and raw foods, including vegetables like salads. Many people are surprised at this advice, but salads and raw veggies are actually quite hard to digest. We are not herbivores like cattle. Our bodies have to 'cook' the vegetables once they are eaten. Many patients find they have more energy and less digestive problems when they switch to cooked veggies. Steering clear of heavily flavoured foods is restful for your system, and of course artificial and processed foods are always best avoided.

In the end, remember that January is just a month like any other. Certainly it is an opportunity to 'start fresh,' but so is every day, every moment, every breath.

ess in gezunterheyt/eat in good health
Kirsten

OMG it's PMS

2006-09-26T20:39:00.000-07:00

In a sense, it can be a blessing for women, that we can use our hormones to explain those times when we feel utterly miserable for no discernable reason. Despite the protestations to the contrary I have heard, I have no doubt men experience these swings of mood as well. Any cosmic benefit, however, is small comfort for the average woman experiencing the symptoms of irritability, depression, swollen breasts, headaches, insomnia, bloating, cramping, skin breakouts and general misery that we know as 'Premenstrual Syndrome" or PMS.

Chinese medicine generally understands the constellation of pre-menstrual symptoms as connected to the Liver system. The Liver in TCM reaches far beyond the functions of the organ as western medicine sees it. The Liver is known as the General, and directs movement throughout the body, regulating the flow of Qi (energy) and the cycles of the body such as hormonal shifts. Before a woman's period, energy begins to gather. If there are blockages or deficiencies impeding the Liver's movement, that energy begins to build up, becoming congested, or overflowing into areas it is not meant to be. Like a restless army on leave, the energy causes trouble when the General fails to direct it properly.

As with all health issues, preventing PMS is much easier than curing it. If you are in the midst of it, acupuncture to relieve the symptoms, as well as a herbal prescription from your acupuncturist, can make an enormous difference. But what can you do now about next month?

1. STRESS. No surprise here. Stress aggravates all our physical problems, but especially ones like PMS. Contemplate how you deal with stress. Do you have people you can talk to? Do you make space for stillness in your life, with calm walking, meditation, or a practice such as yoga or tai qi? Do you do the things that give you pleasure, such as hobbies, socializing, recreating, or are those always last on your list?

2. Exercise. Regular exercise moves the Qi! Find something you enjoy, and that fits your lifestyle. There is no need to become Flo-Jo overnight. If you are sedentary, start by walking more, taking the stairs, parking further away. If you have an exercise routine, maybe it is time to crank it up - try out that spin class you've been eyeing. A Qi Gong practice one of my teachers gave me to help break up that stagnant energy hanging around and making you miserable goes like this:

Stand with your feet slightly apart. As you breathe in, bring your arms up over your head. As you breathe out, bring your hands down to the sides of your body and make a forceful "Hoh!" sound with your exhale. Try to do this 20-25 times, especially in the morning. You can do it a few times during the day if you feel you are reaching the end of your rope. Just don't do it in front of someone, or they will think you are calling them names, and the situation is likely to deteriorate.

3. Diet. Caffeine is a notorious PMS aggravator. In TCM, sour flavours help calm Liver energy run amuck - so even though you may be craving sweets at this time of the month, try adding some lemon juice to your water and eating sour fruits like tart apples. If you particularly suffer from irritability, breast distention and muzzy-headedness, be careful to avoid fatty and spicy foods. If you are weepy, with headaches, constipation and/or insomnia, make sure you are getting enough nourishment: protein rich foods, rich red foods like beets and kidney beans, and not too many cold foods like salads and icey drinks.

Working with a practitioner of Chinese medicine on you PMS can not only help relieve the symptoms. Helping to understand the mind-body connection, becoming more in tune with your body and your spirit, can make a big difference, especially when the emotional symptoms become overwhelming. It's not just in your mind, you can't just get over it or wish it away. But you can discover more control, and more peace, than you thought.

Be well!

Harvesttime

2006-09-04T11:42:00.000-07:00

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, one way of conceptualizing the cosmos is through Wu Xing, "Five Elements" sometimes called the "Five Changes" (to give a better sense of the dynamism of the concepts). They are Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire. Each corresponds to a different organ and its related body functions, season, flavour, colour, emotion, and many other aspects of life. Reflecting on the Five Elements as we move through the seasons of the year can help us understand the energetics that become dominant in the different seasons, the disease processes we can become vulnerable to, and how to stay in balance with nature throughout the year.

The months of August and September are Late Summer, or Harvestime. In the Five Elements, they correspond to the Earth element. It is a time when the bounty of the earth comes to full fruit. The farmer's markets are bursting with pumpkins, apples, corn, sweet potatoes and plums, filled with the sweet flavours and rich golden yellow colour that characterize the Earth element. It is a time of transformation, as we shift from the open, sunny, active time of high summer, to the cooler, more inward focus of the fall and winter months. For many of us, there is a sense of possibility in the air, as we return to school, or return to projects with a newfound energy.

The Earth element also corresponds to the emotion of 'worry' sometimes translated as 'overthinking.' Students certainly know that worry and overthinking come to the fore at this time of year, but for all of us, the end of a carefree summer, and anticipation of the stresses of the holidays and obligations can make worry an unpleasant habit at this time. Acupuncture, herbs, and the chinese movement arts of qi gong, as well as meditation practices from every tradition, can be powerful in keeping our minds calm as we deal with stress and worry.

According to Chinese Medicine, the transformative energy of change in Late Summer is one we can 'harvest,' along with the rest of the season's gifts. If you have been considering making a lifestyle change towards health, this is an ideal time to do it - don't wait for January 1st!

Be well! Zay gezunt!

Red Alert!

2006-08-10T13:53:00.000-07:00

This morning along with everyone else, I was greeted with the hairraising news of the terrorist suspects arrested by British authorities for planning to do all kinds of dastardly things in the sky.

"We are at Severe, Red Alert!" boomed Michael Chertoff 's voice, which I suspect was deliberately selected to be unreassuring. Then I had to hear George Bush talk about our ongoing war with "Islamic Fascists." Meanwhile, I am planning on flying out of LAX on Wednesday morning, and now face the prospect of waiting in line for 4 hours and not being allowed to bring a water bottle on board. By the time I got my dog ready to go out for a walk, my stomach was churning, my head was pounding, and I was ready to call down curses on any number of heads.

Fortunately, I have some secret strategies for dealing with stress, that I would like to share with all of you. Trapped in line at the airport? Forced to listen to politicians trying to make you even more nervous than you already are? Just generally stressed out to the max? Here's some TCM tested tips:

1. Breathe! Yes, it is the annoying thing that anyone trying to calm you down will say to you when you are upset, but it really does work. Dr. Candace Pert, the scientist who discovered the neuropeptide, talks a lot about breathing in her book, Molecules of Emotion (If you've seen What the Bleep do We Know, then you saw Dr. Pert talking about the science behind the mind-body connection and how we can affect our emotions by changing our physical bodies.)

"The peptide-respiratory link is well documented: Virtually any peptide found anywhere else can be found in the respiratory center. This peptide substrate may provide the scientific rationale for the powerful healing effects of consciously controlled breath patterns." Molecules of Emotion

There are thousands of breathing techniques, ancient and modern, out there. The most simple one that I use in frazzling situations is to inhale while counting 1, 2, and exhale while counting 1,2,3,4. This completely empties your lungs and forces you to breathe more slowly.

2. Move! In Chinese Medicine, we understand the deleterious effects of stress on the body in terms of stagnation. Energy should flow easily and calmly throughout the body, like water meandering through a clear streambed. Stress constricts the flow (literally in fact: adrenaline is a vasoconstrictor and tightens your bloodvessels, increasing your blood pressure). We even say "I'm tied up in knots by this." If you can head out for a walk, do - you will break up the stagnation in a gentle way. If you are stuck in a line, try a simple qi gong that expands the space in your body, allowing the energy to flow.

Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, your hands loosely at your sides. Take a few breaths. As you inhale, bring your hands slowly up the front of your body, palms facing you. When you reach the center of your chest, pause, interlace your fingers and exhale. With your next inhale, stretch your interlaced hands up over your head. Smile. (you are imitating this guy. He's not stressed!) Exhale, letting your hands fall to your sides.

3. Ears! The ears are covered in acupoints, many with a calming and sedating influence. Giving yourself a mini ear massage can stimulate these points and their anti-stress effects. Even better, get someone else to do it. It's not too likely that my vision of the lineup for security at the airport, with everyone rubbing the ears of their neighbour, will come true, but a girl's got to dream.

Remember the other basic tenets of self-care, like packing healthy snacks and drinking plenty of water and you can bring that red alert down to chilled-out blue.

Be well!
Kirsten

Curry for your Colon

2006-08-02T11:38:00.000-07:00

A study at Johns Hopkins University has found that treatment with curcumin and quercitin, substances in turmeric and onions, substantially reduced the size and number of pre-cancerous polyps in the colon.

Turmeric is called Yu Jin in Chinese. Its actions are to "move the qi and blood" and remove stagnation from inside the body. Stagnation is how Chinese Medicine understands growths such as polyps, cysts and tumours, as well as subjective sensations of stagnation like being 'stuck' or 'full' and conditions such as constipation. Over time, stagnation of Qi (an energetic stagnation that one feels, but there is no physical blockage) can transform into stagnation of 'blood' or 'phlegm' meaning that a real physical blockage has developed. Preventing and dispersing stagnation is a main goal of much Chinese Medicine, through diet, exercise, stress management and acupuncture.

Many of the herbs that Chinese Medicine uses to "move the qi" are pungent and flavourful, and help increase the digestibility of foods and prevent stagnation. I am a big fan of turmeric in cooking. It gives much South Asian food its distinctive colour, flavour and health benefits. I also use it when I make tofu scramble, to give a cheery yellow colour to an egg free breakfast. For festive occasions sautee almonds, raisins and onions in olive oil with turmeric, mix in rice, add water and cook. You will have a beautiful and delicious dish (and polyp reducing too, but try not to mention that at dinner!).

Here is more information about Yu Jin: http://www.herbasin.com/database/yujin.htm

And here is a complete article about the Johns Hopkins study: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/08/060801052004.htm