Body Scan for Self-Cultivation

By Junie Norfleet, L.Ac.

Many of us get home from work stressed from the day’s activity. A way to speed the relaxation process and shedding the day’s stresses is to take ten minutes to do a body scan. This scan can also be done a part of the routine preparation of bedtime to assist falling asleep more quickly.

Sit or lie comfortably. Close your eyes and begin this exercise by noticing where there is tension in the area of the head. Notice the lips, the jaw muscles, the eyes, the space between the eyebrows, the scalp, the occiput, and the neck. You are just noticing any place in the region of the head where you feel tension, tightness, or that energy is not moving. Take one deep breath for each of the spaces in which you noticed tension, and image the breath going into the space in which you feel that energy is not moving, or that there is tightness or tension.

Next move to the region of the chest. Notice where the ribs meet the sternum, the space between the ribs, the area of the collar bone, and the shoulder joints. Again, once you notice where the tension and stagnation are, image one breath going into each area to help create space and relax the muscles and tissues.

Now move your attention to the abdomen and the area below the navel. Notice the abdominal muscles, the muscles of the groin and the thighs, the knee joints, the calf muscles, the ankles and feet, especially between the many bones in the feet. Once again, use the breath to create space and relax the area. Continue this exercise by moving to the back of the body.

Pay attention to where the ribs join the spine, the low back and sacral areas, and the hip joints. The sacrum has four small holes on each side in which a great deal of stagnation can gather, and the spine tends to stiffen with tension as we go through our day. Once you have used the breath to help move stagnation and tension and create space in these areas you will feel rejuvenated and relaxed -- ready to enter the routine of “home.”

This exercise can be done on three levels. You can just notice the tension on the surface of the body, which is pretty easy for all of us. As you do this exercise more and more, you will begin to notice tension in the deeper levels of the muscles, and then begin to notice tension and stagnation in the organs of the body. Using the breath to help relax the body in all three of these levels may take more than ten minutes, but will add years to your life.

FREE Open House at Hendersonville's Chinese Acupuncture Clinic

August 1, Saturday
10 am - 2 pm

206 Chadwick Ave
828-698-3335



Prizes Will Be Given Every 30 Minutes!

Including: 1 free acupuncture treatment & 1 free massage

*Refreshments for Everyone*

SCHEDULE

10 - 11 am
Experience Auricular Acupuncture -
Experience ear acupuncture in a group setting.

11 - 11:30 am
Presentation: "Staying Healthy with Chinese Medicine"

11:30 am - 12 pm
Qi Gong with Junie Norfleet, L.Ac. -
Experience a self cultivation Qi exercise instructed by Junie.

12 - 2 pm
Experience Chinese Medicine Manual Therapies -
Sign-up for a 15 minute demo of cupping, gua sha, or tui na massage.

For more information, we can also be contacted through the Asheville Clinic:

Chinese Acupuncture Clinic
369 Montford Ave
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
828.258.9016

Providing Chinese Medicine in Rural Guatemala

By Eric Aufdencamp, L.Ac.

In May 2008, I had the privilege of doing volunteer work with a non-profit called GUAMAP, the Guatemala Acunpuncture and Medical Aid Project. The organization sends Spanish-speaking acupuncturists and other health care volunteers to remote villages in northern Guatemala. They teach health promoters acupuncture skills so they can treat those in need. Health promoters are Guatemalans who receive special training in basic medicine to help the people in their communities. I am looking forward to returning this summer as well.

The first time around each practitioner was interviewed to assess the effectiveness of their treatments. Everyone responded that they were pleased with their results. They also reported that the demand and request for treatments continues to grow.

One of the more seasoned practitioners was pleased to tell us about a practitioner from the level two training, who had successfully treated four cases of poisonous snake bites with moxa. He was impressed, because he had always had access to western medicine and did not want to take the risk of seeing if the treatment would be successful. However, his colleague, who did not have any other options since he lived far from any western medical facility, treated him just with moxa.

The health promoters are working to create a local acupuncture committee to support each other, as well as to improve their status as health practitioners. Indeed, many of them provide other types of healthcare education, such as oral hygiene. The level of enthusiasm and interest in Chinese medicine shows that it will continue to flourish in a country where many lack access to basic medical services.

During my time teaching and treating patients, I was reminded of the ability of Chinese medicine to heal and improve the lives of so many people. I look forward to working with GUAMAP again this year and thank all of you who so generously supported my participation in this wonderful program.

Eric Aufdencamp, D.O.M., To Give Free Public Talk About Migraine Relief With Chinese Medicine

Free Public Talk:
“TREATING MIGRAINES
WITH CHINESE MEDICINE”
Presented by:
Eric Aufdencamp, D.O.M.
(Doctor of Oriental Medicine)
Monday, AUGUST 10
5:30 - 7 PM
Earthfare Community Room, Westgate Shopping Center

Join Eric to learn how Chinese medicine can help you be free of migraines. He will share how many of his patients have received relief from their migraines by using Chinese medicine.

In this talk, you will learn how:
· Chinese medicine theory explains and treats migraines
· Emotions impact your health
· Chinese herbs play a key role in treating migraines

After this evening, you will have tools you can use to reduce migraines:
· Stress-reduction techniques
· Application of essential oils
· Simple dietary guidelines
· Acupressure points for pain relief

Question and answer session to follow talk.

Eric received his Master’s of Oriental Medicine in 2001 from Southwest Acupuncture College in Albuquerque, NM. He completed an advanced internship in Beijing in 2000. Since 2002, he has been practicing at the Chinese Acupuncture Clinic in Asheville.

The Treatment of Childhood Eczema and Chinese Medicine

By Eric Aufdencamp, L.Ac.

Chinese medicine is very effective in the treatment of childhood eczema. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, refers to inflammation of the skin and a group of other allergic diseases that commonly develop concurrently or later in life. The most common symptoms include: itchy, red, inflamed skin that may be dry and scaly or exude a clear to yellowish fluid. A Western medical diagnosis provides useful information, but the best information for your acupuncturist is the specific symptoms your child has. This information guides the diagnosis and treatment process.

Chinese Medicine and Eczema

From a Chinese Medicine perspective, the skin not being properly nourished is the main underlying reason that eczema occurs. The Blood and fluids nourish the skin in Chinese Medicine theory. The manifestations of the condition will reveal the specific disharmony disrupting the flow of Blood to the skin. Although there can be many diagnoses in Chinese medicine, some of the most common are: phlegm and damp accumulation, heat in the Blood and/or Blood deficiency. The root of most childhood eczema is chronic lingering pathogenic factor (LPF). This refers to improper treatment of an illness that your child may not have fully recovered from, or the result of some pharmaceuticals. It is important to determine which factor is predominant for the initial treatment. Below are types of eczema and their causes according to Chinese Medicine theory.

1. Phlegm and Dampness Accumulation: This type of eczema is generally caused by a weakness of the Spleen, which then creates dampness. Symptoms can include: rash with oozing fluids, nasal discharge, productive cough, and skin with a yellowish hue.

2. Heat: The heat may be the result of ‘fetal toxins’ or ‘constitutional weaknesses.’ Symptoms may include: red face, irritability, hot to the touch or hot all the time, restlessness, excessive thirst, and appetite. The lesions may be dry if heat is more prominent than dampness.

3. Qi and Blood Deficiency: This is caused by weakness of the Spleen that produces the Blood that nourishes the skin. Symptoms include: dry, flaky skin with a rash that is not very severe, pale or white face, poor appetite, shadows under eyes. The child may tend to be lethargic.

4. Lingering Pathogenic Factor: Symptoms may include: swollen glands in neck or groin, history of repeated illness, frequent antibiotic use, and immunizations.

5. Accumulation Disorder: This is caused by a weakness of the Spleen causing an accumulation dampness that combines with heat. It can be the result of introducing new foods, which are difficult to digest; frequent feedings, which weaken the Spleen; or the use of antibiotics, which create dampness. Symptoms: red, oozing rash, strong constitution, green nasal discharge, swollen abdomen, foul-smelling stools or scent of apples, red cheeks with green hue around the mouth, and irregular stools.

Home Care for Pediatric Eczema

The root of most cases of childhood eczema is the Spleen/Stomach system. That is why diet is one of the most important ways to treat and prevent childhood eczema.

1. Eliminate: excessively sweet foods such as juices, tropical fruits, peanuts, dairy, oily, fried foods, wheat and all sugar.

2. Put your infant on a regular feeding schedule and don’t feed every time they are fussy or cry.

3. Apply a customized essential oil blend to soothe and heal the skin. It must be extracted without chemical solvents, otherwise it may irritate the skin or have very little to no therapeutic effect.

4. An oatmeal bath helps soothe the itchiness associated with many inflammatory skin conditions.

5. Talk to your acupuncturist about home massage techniques you can perform on your child to strengthen his or her Spleen/Stomach (digestive system) meridians.

6. Avoid steroid creams and ointments, if at all possible. They may drive the causative factor deeper into the body, thereby weakening other internal organs.

Beat The Heat With Cool Herbs

By Rachel Nowakowski, L.Ac.

During the hot weather, we automatically reach for an iced cold beverage to cool us down and quench our thirst. But is it the best thing for us?

Drinking iced cold fluids only lowers the body temperature temporarily. The stomach then has to work twice as hard to produce enough heat for digestion which makes you hotter. And more thirsty.

It may sound crazy, but a cup of hot tea in the hot weather can actually cool you down. Drinking warmer fluids dilates the blood vessels which makes you sweat and the sweat evaporation cools you down.

Two popular Chinese herbs for clearing heat from the body are field mint, Herba Mentha Haplocalycis (Bo He) and chrysanthemum flowers, Chrysanthemum Moriflorii, (Ju Hua).

Both of these herbs are classified as cool, acrid herbs which relieve heat of the upper body, i.e. head and chest. They are beneficial to the Liver energy and are helpful for eye and skin conditions.

These herbs are available at health food stores or from your Chinese medicine practitioner.

Cooling Peppermint & Chrysanthemum Tea

1 handful of dried mint
1 small handful of dried chrysanthemum flowers
3 quarts of water
Honey to taste

Instructions:
1. Put herbs into a cooking pot.
2. Pour in 3 quarts of water and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add honey.
5. Strain out the herbs and refrigerate.
6. Drink cooled or at room temperature.

Enjoy!

An Introduction to "Latent Heat"

By David Trevino, L.Ac.

Latent Heat is an ancient concept used to describe the manifestation of an External or Internal Pathogenic Factor that does not create immediate symptoms, but remains latent in the body.

In other words, when an external pathogenic factor such as Cold or Heat invades, and an individual's vital (Kidney) energy is weak, the pathogenic factor moves inward instead of being pushed out.

Ancient Chinese medical texts such as the book of Simple Questions, Chapter 3, describes latency in the following manner, "If Cold enters the body in winter-time; it comes out as Heat in springtime."

In reality, this can occur at any season, not just springtime. The process of latency is the body's attempt to hold on to something, when it does not have the energy to immediately dispel it, and may contribute to chronic conditions such as autoimmune disorders, chronic fatigue, digestive disorders, joint problems, AIDS, and cancer.

According to Giovanni Maciocia, the underlying reason for latent heat syndromes is usually a deficiency of the Kidney energy. He goes on to state that if the body condition is relatively good, a person will develop symptoms at the time when the external pathogenic factor invades. This is a healthy reaction.

On the other hand, if the body's energy is weakened by overtaxing the body with overwork, maintaining an unhealthy diet or lifestyle habits, this will make the person more vulnerable to acquiring a latent heat condition. Once the pathogen enters the interior of the body, it incubates, turns into Heat and will become evident some months later.

Latent Heat conditions are also described as originating from pestilent factors. In other words, latent heat can occur when a strong pestilent factor such as an epidemic febrile disease from a virus, bacteria or fungus invades our body.

Even if a person's vital energy is strong and has healthy lifestyle habits, the invasion of a pestilent pathogenic factor can overwhelm the body's defensive system and lead to a latent heat condition. When the pestilent factor moves inward, it usually lodges at the nutritive level called Ying Qi. This is often defined as the level of the blood vessels and the flesh.

On other occasions, pestilent pathogenic factors can travel to the (Jing), which is stored in the kidneys and is the densest physical matter within the body. The Jing is said to be the material basis for the physical body and fuels and cools the body and is the carrier of our heritage. For this reason, patients who suffer from latent heat conditions often experience signs as sudden fatigue, slight feeling of heat, swelling, insomnia, slight thirst, and others.

The treatment of latent heat conditions has been a part of Classical Chinese Medicine for several centuries. As a result, Chinese Medicine has developed a number of strategies to help people who suffer from latent conditions become asymptomatic.

The most obvious strategy is to help the body dispel the latent pathogenic factor by utilizing Chinese herbs and acupuncture. In other instances, it may be more appropriate to encourage latency and help the body keep the pathogenic factor from creating uncomfortable symptoms in order to not overwhelm the person's vital energy.

In summary, latent heat is a physiological manifestation resulting from the body's inability to expel a pathogenic factor from the exterior. These conditions are often a result of a weakened energy system due to overwork and unhealthy lifestyle habits. Latent heat conditions can appear months after the invasion of an external pathogenic factor such as a virus, bacteria or fungus that was not dispelled completely. The ensuing, often complex conditions are best treated by skilled practitioners of Chinese medicine, who are welled versed in latency conditions.

For more information of latent heat conditions call the Chinese Acupuncture Clinic at 828-258-9016.

References:
1. The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine-Simple Questions, 1979, People's Health Publishing House, Beijing, first published c. 100 BC, p. 21.
2. Maciocia, Giovanni. The Three Treasures Newsletter. Summer, 2006.
3. Kaptchuck, Ted J., The Web That Has No Weaver, Congdon & Weed; ISBN 0-8092-2933-1.