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HOLISTIC MEDICINE & CHINESE HERBALISM
HOLISTIC MEDICINE
According to WebMD, Holistic medicine takes a perspective that primarily "the whole person is made up of interdependent parts and if one part is not working properly, all the other parts will be affected. In this way, if people have imbalances (physical, emotional, or spiritual) in their lives, it can negatively affect their overall health."
Some holistic concepts at the foundation of Chinese Medicine and other similar schools of Eastern medicine include:
These holistic treatments are generally organized in to "Five Branches:" Acupuncture, Bodywork, Exercise, Nutrition, and Herbalism. The National Institute of Health identifies several disorders that may be treated beneficially by Chinese Medicine. To read more about acupuncture please visit ACUPUNCTURE | INNER ALCHEMY.
Diagnosis involves categorizing observed signs and reported symptoms into discrete syndromes, or "patterns," often unrecognized within the context of Western medical definitions. Primary signs include observation of the tongue and surface tissues, as well as palpation of the pulse (often at the radial artery bilaterally) and deeper tissue structures. Symptoms are cataloged during an intake through a process called "Ten Questions" which covers broad areas of physiology including: energy, temperature, sweat, sleep, mood, sensory-organs, pain response, appetite/thirst, elimination, and developmental/reproductive systems. The foundation behind these pattern diagnoses involves understanding the body through a lens of environmental macrocosmic-microcosmic relationships. Patterns are often characterized using labels that reflect this worldview and are identified based on patient reported symptoms and practitioner recorded signs which correlate within the consistent diagnostic theory.
For example: a patient with dampness syndrome frequently exhibits symptoms including tissue swelling or sensations of heaviness, and practitioner recorded signs of swollen tongue body with a thick and/or greasy coating. Someone with heat syndrome may have symptoms like tissue redness or sensations of heat, and signs such as red tongue body and a rapid pulse.
With respect to the inter-relationship of all things, rarely do any phenomena exist solely isolated from the chaos of living environments. Often multiple defined patterns will be present at any given time within an individual. Dampness syndrome and heat syndrome often exist in this way, and in certain contexts may be said to "combine" into damp-heat syndrome. Alternately disruption of fluid circulation, an aspect of dampness syndrome alone, may lead to heat syndrome as a result. The reverse could also be true - loss of temperature regulation in feverish disorders (typical of heat syndrome) can result in a disruption of fluid circulation (typical to dampness syndrome).
A properly trained practitioner will be able to differentiate the location and combination of patterns, as well as discern developmental stages and develop a treatment.
Some holistic concepts at the foundation of Chinese Medicine and other similar schools of Eastern medicine include:
- The human body is microcosm of the larger macrocosmic universe
- Balance between two forces (yin and yang) maintains health and homeostasis, while preventing disease.
- Five elemental symbols -- fire, earth, metal, water, and wood -- represent phase-oriented interactions of all natural phenomena.
- Qi can be thought of as a vital movement flowing through the body, accounting for multiple functions of health maintenance.
These holistic treatments are generally organized in to "Five Branches:" Acupuncture, Bodywork, Exercise, Nutrition, and Herbalism. The National Institute of Health identifies several disorders that may be treated beneficially by Chinese Medicine. To read more about acupuncture please visit ACUPUNCTURE | INNER ALCHEMY.
Diagnosis involves categorizing observed signs and reported symptoms into discrete syndromes, or "patterns," often unrecognized within the context of Western medical definitions. Primary signs include observation of the tongue and surface tissues, as well as palpation of the pulse (often at the radial artery bilaterally) and deeper tissue structures. Symptoms are cataloged during an intake through a process called "Ten Questions" which covers broad areas of physiology including: energy, temperature, sweat, sleep, mood, sensory-organs, pain response, appetite/thirst, elimination, and developmental/reproductive systems. The foundation behind these pattern diagnoses involves understanding the body through a lens of environmental macrocosmic-microcosmic relationships. Patterns are often characterized using labels that reflect this worldview and are identified based on patient reported symptoms and practitioner recorded signs which correlate within the consistent diagnostic theory.
For example: a patient with dampness syndrome frequently exhibits symptoms including tissue swelling or sensations of heaviness, and practitioner recorded signs of swollen tongue body with a thick and/or greasy coating. Someone with heat syndrome may have symptoms like tissue redness or sensations of heat, and signs such as red tongue body and a rapid pulse.
With respect to the inter-relationship of all things, rarely do any phenomena exist solely isolated from the chaos of living environments. Often multiple defined patterns will be present at any given time within an individual. Dampness syndrome and heat syndrome often exist in this way, and in certain contexts may be said to "combine" into damp-heat syndrome. Alternately disruption of fluid circulation, an aspect of dampness syndrome alone, may lead to heat syndrome as a result. The reverse could also be true - loss of temperature regulation in feverish disorders (typical of heat syndrome) can result in a disruption of fluid circulation (typical to dampness syndrome).
A properly trained practitioner will be able to differentiate the location and combination of patterns, as well as discern developmental stages and develop a treatment.
CHINESE HERBALISM
Anything you put into your body becomes integrated into your physiology through metabolism; your diet and lifestyle affect your pattern and health. From a Chinese Herbal Medicine perspective, ingesting too much or too little of any one thing can result in imbalance and disease.
Contemporary lifestyles often result in excess consumption, particularly of sweet and salty foods, and overly sedentary behaviors. These factors tend to cause imbalances leading to "dampness" and "heat" patterns. In addition to diet and lifestyle recommendations, bitter herbs such as dandelion, indigo, sweet wormwood, or skullcap root can be prescribed by a trained herbalist to "clear heat" and "drain dampness" from the body. The pharmacological actions of these substances are often correlated to diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial effects.
Conversely, overuse of bitter medicinal substances can lead to a suppression of digestive function. Often described as "qi deficiency" and possibly "internal cold," a person with this pattern typically exhibits concurrent symptoms such as easily getting tired after light exercise or frequent loose stools that contain undigested food. These latter conditions may be treated by substances like cinnamon twig and ginger, which are warming and improve circulation to "jump-start" impaired physiological function. From a practical perspective, and in cases of chronic disease, the previously mentioned patterns rarely occur in isolation. A skilled herbalist will be able to identify the primary causes of "mixed patterns" and prescribe accurately to address the complex nature of each person.
Contemporary lifestyles often result in excess consumption, particularly of sweet and salty foods, and overly sedentary behaviors. These factors tend to cause imbalances leading to "dampness" and "heat" patterns. In addition to diet and lifestyle recommendations, bitter herbs such as dandelion, indigo, sweet wormwood, or skullcap root can be prescribed by a trained herbalist to "clear heat" and "drain dampness" from the body. The pharmacological actions of these substances are often correlated to diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial effects.
Conversely, overuse of bitter medicinal substances can lead to a suppression of digestive function. Often described as "qi deficiency" and possibly "internal cold," a person with this pattern typically exhibits concurrent symptoms such as easily getting tired after light exercise or frequent loose stools that contain undigested food. These latter conditions may be treated by substances like cinnamon twig and ginger, which are warming and improve circulation to "jump-start" impaired physiological function. From a practical perspective, and in cases of chronic disease, the previously mentioned patterns rarely occur in isolation. A skilled herbalist will be able to identify the primary causes of "mixed patterns" and prescribe accurately to address the complex nature of each person.
Chinese herbs are given in multi-substance prescriptions, each herb balancing one another to achieve a unique effect for each individual. Taking Chinese herbal formulas acts as continuation of treatment between visits. The Chinese character "藥 Yào" often is translated to English as "herb." However this word would be most correctly translated as "medicinal substance." This definition includes all the parts of plants (roots, flowers, stems, fruit, bark, etc.), as well as substances from minerals and animals. Herbs are particularly helpful for chronic conditions, common-cold prevention, immune support, and balancing problems caused from improper diet.
Multi-substance Chinese prescriptions support homeostasis while resolving symptoms. Modern medicine tends to address isolated aspects of physiology, which can lead to side-effects and imbalances in other areas during the course of treatment. Western drugs are very strong in pharmaceutical action, and can be extremely helpful in life-threatening situations. Chinese herbs are frequently prescribed on the basis of holistic pattern differentiation, making them more gentle in action, generally suited to less severe conditions, and exceedingly effective at preventative care.
Your acupuncturist is trained not only in prescribing herbal formulas, but also in making dietary and lifestyle recommendations to support your individual pattern.
Multi-substance Chinese prescriptions support homeostasis while resolving symptoms. Modern medicine tends to address isolated aspects of physiology, which can lead to side-effects and imbalances in other areas during the course of treatment. Western drugs are very strong in pharmaceutical action, and can be extremely helpful in life-threatening situations. Chinese herbs are frequently prescribed on the basis of holistic pattern differentiation, making them more gentle in action, generally suited to less severe conditions, and exceedingly effective at preventative care.
Your acupuncturist is trained not only in prescribing herbal formulas, but also in making dietary and lifestyle recommendations to support your individual pattern.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM A HOLISTIC MEDICINE CONSULTATION?If your are a first time patient, you will go through an in-depth intake with your practitioner, including detailed medical history and current lifestyle/dietary habits. A consultation for a patient with an existing file will take considerably less time. Your practitioner will assess your pattern, make any recommendations, assemble your formula, and write detailed cooking instructions for you in a timely manner.
DO I RECEIVE ACUPUNCTURE AND HERBS WITH A CONSULTATION?Your scheduled holistic medicine session includes the cost of an herbal consultation and acupuncture treatment, at the end of which you will receive recommendation for a Chinese Medicine herbal prescription as well as any other relevant lifestyle recommendations. The cost of the herbs themselves are additional, priced by weight in grams.
WHAT CAN I TAKE HERBS FOR?Anything that acupuncture treats can be treated by herbs. A treatment can theoretically be more effective if supplemented with herbs because they are taken throughout the week after a session. This can prolong the effects of Chinese Medicine treatment, which will resolve issues more quickly. They are particularly recommended for chronic conditions, immune support, and for people who are averse to needles but are still want Chinese medicine.
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CAN I TAKE HERBS WITH PRESCRIPTION DRUGS?The metabolic pathways for herbs are similar to western drugs. There can sometimes be interactions between a Chinese herb and a prescription drug. It is important to disclose all medications to you acupuncturist before taking Chinese herbal formulas.
HOW LONG AND HOW OFTEN WILL I NEED TO TAKE HERBS?Typically herbs are given for a week at a time, to be taken 2-3 times per day. Your acupuncturist will need to review your diagnosis weekly and alter your herbal prescription to fit you pattern progress.
HOW IS CHINESE HERBALISM COMPARED WITH WESTERN HERBALISM?The distinctions between Chinese herbalism and Western herbalism are found in their respective practical applications of medicinal substances. Chinese prescriptions need to be given as combinations; substances balance each other to achieve very specific effects for the individual pattern. However, many herbs are widely used and are common to both practices.
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At Open Mind Holistics, our board-certified herbalist, Isaac Hoft, will assess your individual case during a holistic medicine consultation and would be happy to prescribe you Chinese herbs for your pattern. Our apothecary is stocked with whole Chinese Herbs for you to cook at home with your acupuncturist's instructions.
In addition to prescribing custom tailored formulas, Isaac also is trained in the use of Classical Pearls Herbal Formulas for treating chronic complex disorders. To learn about Integrative Holistic Treatments that combine Acupuncture and Inner Alchemy with Chinese Herbalism and Art Therapy please visit INTEGRATIVE HOLISTIC TREATMENTS.
In addition to prescribing custom tailored formulas, Isaac also is trained in the use of Classical Pearls Herbal Formulas for treating chronic complex disorders. To learn about Integrative Holistic Treatments that combine Acupuncture and Inner Alchemy with Chinese Herbalism and Art Therapy please visit INTEGRATIVE HOLISTIC TREATMENTS.
