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Patients'
Corner
In Chinese Medicine,
autumn is associated with the Metal Element, the yin organ Lung and the
yang organ Large Intestine, the skin, the color white, the emotion of
grief, the sound of crying and the sense of smell. The Lung is responsible
for dominating the QI - inhaling the clear QI from the natural environment
and exhaling the waste QI from the interior of the body, thereby greatly
influencing the function the functional activities and energy of the entire
body. One of the ancient texts, Plan Questions, says. "The QI of
heaven is in communication with the Lung."
The Lung also distributes
defensive QI and body fluid, warming and moistening the skin and hair
and filling up the body. The Lung regulates the water passages and maintains
water metabolism. Imbalances of the Lung and/or Large Intestine may result
in general lassitude, weak respiration, shortness of breath, cough, runny
nose, constipation or diarrhea, susceptibility to catching cold, edema
and weak voice or hoarseness. Frequently, in the fall we see patients
who are experiencing difficulty in one or more of these areas.
Research Shows
Acupuncture Effective In Treating Asthma
The National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference on Acupuncture
in the fall of 1997 reviewed the research regarding the use of acupuncture
in a variety of conditions, including asthma. The Consensus Panel concluded
that "Acupuncture treatment for many conditions such as asthma…should
be part of comprehensive management program." The following study
was one of those reviewed by the NIH consensus Panels:
• Nineteen
children, age 9 to 13 ½, with a history of mild to moderate exercise-included
asthma were first tested by running on a motorized treadmill. During
the subsequent two sessions, the children were given either acupuncture
or control needling randomly. Neither patient or lab assistant knew
which set of points had been needled. When three measurements were taken
of airways volume and flow, acupuncture showed significantly better
protection against exercise-induced asthma than either the control needling
or no treatment. Fung KP, "Attenuation of exercise-induced asthma
by acupuncture", Lancet 2:1422.-1422.
One
of many advantages of using
acupuncture for the treatment of
asthma and disabling breathlessness
is the adverse, long-term effects of the
use of corticosteroids and other
commonly prescribed inhalants.
Acupuncture
Effective In Treating Long-term Pulmonary Dysfunction
The following study was also presented to the NIH Consensus Conference
to document acupuncture's effectiveness on lung conditions.
• Twenty-six
patients with moderate to severe pulmonary dysfunction (breathlessness
and airway obstruction) for at least 5 years were randomly assigned
to receive acupuncture or control needling. Both groups received 13
treatments during a three-week period. All remained on the same level
of prescription medication that they were taking at the onset of the
study. Subjective measures such as general well being and activities
of daily living, as well as objective measures such as lung function
tests, were assessed. At the end of the study, patients receiving acupuncture
reported significantly greater improvements in well-being and activities
of daily living than the control group. The acupuncture group also was
able to walk significantly longer distances. Jobst K, "Controlled
trail of acupuncture for disabling breathlessness", Lancet,
2:1416-1419¨
Wellness
Tips
Traditional
Chinese Medicine equates each season with a different element, Yin and
Yang organ, sense, set of bodily functions, emotion, etc. In order to
assist transitions, practitioners frequently recommend a "tune-up"
at the change of seasons to help you adjust. Talk to your practitioner.
Prevention is the key!
Case Study:
Irregular Menstruation
Sarah, 36, came into
the office complaining of short, heavy menstrual cycles every 20 - 22
days. Her tongue was red with a thick yellow coat and her pulse was fast
forceful. She also reported acid reflux after eating and a tendency to
sinus infections in the spring. She stated that she frequently felt hot
and had a short temper.
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From a Chinese Medicine point of view, these signs indicated excess
Heat, particularly Heat in the Blood. Therefore the treatment plan was
to release Heat by needling points such as Large Intestine 11 (used to
release Heat) and Spleen 10 (specific for heat in the Blood) to support
the Yin by needling points such as Kidney 2 and Ren 3, from the lower
jiao (abdomen area).
Sara received acupuncture twice a week for two weeks, then once a week
for six weeks. She reduced her intake of hot and spicy foods and increased
cooling foods such as Oriental pears. At the end of two months her menses
has changed to a 27-day cycle and the bleeding was no longer heavy. She
continued treatment every two weeks for two months, then on an as-needed
basis. Her acid reflux and sinus infections disappeared.
BACK TO TOPICS
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VOLUSIA
CENTER for COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE
Debra Pardee Gaffney, A.P., Ph.D., DCN, C.C.P.A.
339 E.
New York Avenue
DeLand, FL 32724
(386) 734-4126 or (800) 734-4580
FAX 386-736-7556
www.acudebra.com |
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