Dr. Alex Osborne; DACM, L.Ac.

Transforming Pain into Power


Featured Post

Spring Into Health: The Do’s and Don’ts of Spring Time According to Chinese Medicine

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Spring is the quintessential time of growth, creation, and renewal.  Just like dormant trees beginning to blossom, we too can harness the power of Spring to shed what is no longer useful, and usher in a fresh experience of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

In accordance with 5-Element Theory (the basis of TCM assessment and diagnosis which encompasses fire, earth, metal, water, and wood), Spring is associated with the wood element.  The organs associated with wood are the Liver and Gallbladder.   Meaning, the Liver an Gallbladder are at their peak during the Spring season, making it the optimal time to focus on supporting their function.

The Liver and Gallbladder work together to move blood, qi, and bile in the body.  They also govern our ability to make and carry out decisions, and play a large role in emotional stability.  They function to maintain the health of your eyes and your tendons.  They also play a pivotal role in supporting TCM Spleen and Lung function, which can affect your immunity, digestion, and energy levels.  

The color associated with Spring and the wood element is green, meaning ingestion of leafy, greens such as dandelion, watercress, chickweed, baby greens, chard, lettuces, sprouts, and arugula is beneficial during this time of year.   The taste associated with Spring is sour, so lemon and apple cider vinegar can be incorporated into your diet.  

There are specific foods, Chinese herbs, and acupuncture regimens which can be recommended and performed by a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, geared towards supporting your Liver and Gallbladder.  Transitional times of the year when the seasons change, are a great time to schedule an appointment!

The weather pattern associated with the Spring time is Wind.  Wind entering into the pores of the skin is thought to be the cause of illness in TCM.  Therefore, it is important to layer up and not spend time with bare skin exposed to the wind, particularly not the back of the neck (where disease is thought to enter).  

The Liver is probably the most important organ in the body related to emotional well-being.  The Liver is responsible for “moving” emotions throughout the body.  When the Liver is not in balance, it no longer functions to do this, and emotions become stuck or trapped.  This can lead to feelings of frustration, anger, depression, and anxiety.  The easiest way to support the Liver in moving emotions, is by exercising.  Even gentle exercise such as walking, yoga, qi gong, or taiji can be very beneficial.   The Gallbladder is responsible for storing and excreting bile, and governs decision making, planning, inspiration, dreaming, and assertiveness.  When not adequately supported, the gallbladder is unable to perform these functions, leading to pathology in the body’s ability to store and excrete bile, and an inability to make decisions and plan.  People with Gallbladder  pathology tend to become frightful and struggle with assertiveness.

Emotional imbalances directly related to the Liver and Gallbladder include: 

  • Anger
  • Depression 
  • Frustration
  • Inability to forgive
  • Indecisiveness
  • Lack of Assertion
  • Lethargy
  • Letting go of old habits or pain
  • Procrastination
  • Rage
  • Resentment
  • Unfulfilled Desires 

The emotional signs of a healthy Liver and Gallbladder are:

  • A forgiving spirit
  • Assertiveness
  • Decisiveness 
  • Even temperedness
  • Fulfillment 
  • Happiness
  • Joy
  • Passion
  • Willingness to help 

Here are some ways to gently support your emotional well-being during the Spring time:

  • Spend time outdoors
  • Increase your movement- start an exercise program of walking, dancing, qi gong, running, yoga, swimming, etc.
  • Get your hands dirty and start a garden
  • Laugh
  • Walk through nature 
  • Spring clean your home
  • Try something new
  • Forgive as much and as often as you can
  • Expand your social circle by volunteering, joining a club or meetup, hosting an event etc. 
  • Check things of your to-do list
  • Get a facial to slough off winter skin
  • Sit in a sauna or steam room to detoxify 
  • Walk barefoot to ground yourself 

 https://thriveglobal.com/stories/spring-and-chinese-medicine-wisdom-for-cleansing-renewal-and-peace-of-mind/

Previous Posts

NADA Protocol: Acupuncture for Addiction, Trauma, and Mental Health Disorders

The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) Protocol for addiction, trauma, and mental health, involves the placement of 5 small, sterilized needles into specific points on both ears by a licensed acupuncturist. The needles stay in for 45 minutes.  NADA ear acupuncture is a clinically effective, pharmaceutical free therapy meant to be used in combination with other treatment methods for managing addiction, trauma, and mental health disorders.  It can be incorporated into any individualized acupuncture treatment, and is commonly used in group settings within behavioral health, addictions, or disaster relief settings where people can sit together while receiving treatment.1

  • Reduce cravings for food, alcohol, and drugs, including nicotine 
  • Lessen severity of withdrawal symptoms 
  • Improve sleep quality, decreases agitation, and increases calmness
  • Relieve stress and emotional trauma 
  • Strengthen the mind/body connection 
  • Shen men: Reduces anxiety and calms the mind
  • Sympathetic: Calms the nervous system 
  • Kidney: Promotes longevity, cleanses damage caused by drug/alcohol abuse, and calms fears 
  • Liver: Relates to emotional imbalance, stabilizing impulsive behavior 
  • Lung: Helps reduce grief, cleanses the body of inhaled toxins 

NADA Protocol Clinical Evidence

Recent studies show that the NADA protocol, in combination with the standard of care for addiction (e.g., therapy, rehab, drug and alcohol anonymous programs), is significantly better than standard addiction care alone.  A national survey in Sweden found that the NADA protocol is widely used in public psychiatric programs. An estimated 130 prisons in Europe offer the NADA protocol for inmates.2  

Yale Medical School has established a NADA training program for their psychiatric residents.  The Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense Evidence Based Practice Guidelines assigns a ‘good quality’ of evidence to support its adjunctive use in treating PTSD.  The NADA protocol is commonly utilized by mainstream military medics in the US.2  

In addition to the NADA protocol being used to help with addiction, a large number of studies also support the use of the NADA protocol in combination with non-addiction programs  within psychiatric hospitals, mental health, and prisons.  Several published reports have indicated the value of the NADA protocol as a disaster relief/humanitarian aid intervention for first responders as well as populations impacted by violence and trauma.  Preliminary reports from the Military Stress Recovery Project’s many clinics around the U.S. demonstrate that the NADA protocol can support veterans with a variety of psychiatric illnesses.2

 1. https://acudetox.com/nada-protocol/
2. https://acudetox.com/evidence-for-the-nada-protocol-summary-of-research/

 

How Can Chinese Medicine Help with Cancer Treatment?

Both Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offer irreplaceable treatment options for cancer patients.  Neither form of medicine stands alone in the capacity to treat a disease as complex as cancer.  Western medicine has developed the most advanced therapeutics in treating cancer, but many of them come with debilitating side effects.  Chinese medicine offers anti-tumor treatment options with very few side effects; but works better in combination with conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.  In fact, using Traditional Chinese Medicine alone without the use of conventional cancer treatment can have a negative impact on clinical outcomes and survival.1 An integrative approach, which incorporates holistic healing methods, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, with conventional Western medical care, can be the optimal method for treating cancer.

What is Integrative Medicine?

As recognized by the Society of Integrative Oncology, “integrative oncology is a patient-centered, evidence-informed field of cancer care that utilizes mind and body practices, natural products, and/or lifestyle modifications from different traditions alongside conventional treatment.”2 This Integrative medicine aims to improve quality of life and clinical outcomes while optimizing health for cancer patients. This multi-disciplinary approach empowers patients with varying types of cancer to become active participants of their own healing.  Integrative oncology prioritizes safety and the best available evidence to target suitable complimentary care to be used alongside conventional cancer treatments.1  

Chinese Medicine is Becoming Widely Recognized

Traditional Chinese Medicine has now been established at many major cancer centers as an integral method for managing immediate and delayed cancer-related symptoms as well as promoting healthy lifestyle changes which improve prognosis and quality of life for cancer patients.1 Traditional Chinese Medicine is currently being used to treat common side effects caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy such as nausea, pain, loss of appetite, increased thirst, irregular bowel movements, lack of energy, and night sweats. As research and clinical results continue to shed light on the efficacy of collaborative, multi-dimensional treatment for cancer patients, integrative oncology moves closer to becoming the standard of care. 

1 Latte-Naor, S. (2019). Managing Patient Expectations: Integrative, Not Alternative. Retrieved February 16, 2021 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6776429/#_ffn_sectitle

2 Witt, C., Balneaves, L., Cardoso, M., Cohen, L., Greenlee, H., Johnstone, P., Kucuk, O., Mailman, J., & Mao, J. (2017). A Comprehensive Definition for Integrative Oncology. Retrieved February 16, 2021 from https://academic.oup.com/jncimono/article/2017/52/lgx012/4617827

Curious How Chinese Medicine Could Be Integrated into Your Life?

Book Your Free 15 Min Virtual Visit!
Subscribe

Sign up to receive announcements of upcoming events such as sound healing, meditation, culinary, and/or acupuncture events.