Blog Archives - Mt. Gambier Chinese Medical Centre

Mar 25

Ear Candling

By MingLang Blog, Uncategorised No Comments

An immediate strategy for many common conditions

Ear candling is a natural ear cleaning technique that began centuries ago, when hollow reeds from swamp areas were used. It has been passed down for many generations by the North America Indians – the Hopi tribe. There are also records of the use of ear candles in other countries.

This method used today is effective and non-invasive. There is no discomfort to the person receiving the treatment.

An ear candle is a hollow conical tube made of unbleached fabric impregnated with paraffin wax, or a combination of beeswax and paraffin wax. It includes essential oils to help manage infection.

Beeswax has a soothing effect. Paraffin has a deep cleaning effect.

This simple method assists in removing excessive ear wax, infections and residuals of past infections, and may improve the following conditions: sinusitis, rhinitis, some chronic headaches, earache or irritation in the eyes, noises or ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and hearing difficulty.

This is possible because all the passages in the head are interconnected, allowing the candles to drain the whole system through the membrane of the ear. It drains from the ear, the sinuses and lymph glands.

During the treatment, old ear wax is drawn up into the candle which has been lit and placed gently in the ear. The heat of the smoke softens the wax in the ear, and the vacuum made by the burning candle draws the old wax out of the ear into the candle.

When the candle has burned down sufficiently, you can then examine the remainder of the candle to see just what was in the ear. An estimated 10-20% is the candle residue.

The candle may produce a powder residue in the candle remains, as well as around the outer ear canal.

Oct 16

Intestinal Abscess

By MingLang Uncategorised, View All No Comments

In traditional Chinese medicine and Intestinal abscess is an accumulation of focal Damp and Toxic Heat, usually in the left or right iliac fossa. In the acute stage, Intestinal abscess is characterised by excess Heat and stagnation of both qi and Blood. In subacute or chronic cases, the pattern is generally one of excess and stagnation, with or without deficiency and Cold.

Acute Intestinal abscess tends to be more common in younger individuals, whose diagnosis is usually quite straight forward. In elderly patients and those with weak qi, the manifestations, when there is fairly serious illness, may be subdued, and the diagnosis more obscure.

In the Western clinic, chronic or subacute cases are more often seen than acute Intestinal abscesses. Chronic abscesses generally lack the obvious signs of acute Heat, such as fever and chills or rigors, malaise, sweating, nausea and vomiting. The chronic presentation is generally characterised by a fixed lower abdominal pain, and possibly a mass upon palpation. It may be that cases are associated with a low grade or dormat focus of infection that has been isolated from the rest of the body in such a way as to render it inaccessible to the body’s immune system.

In biomedical terms, a traditional Chinese medicine defined Intestinal abscess has most commonly been associated with acute appendicitis. However, numerous biomedical diseases may fall into the traditional Chinese medicine category of Intestinal abscess. Once one of the most common acute abdominal disorders, the incidence of acute appendicitis is decreasing in the developed world, and more chronic disorders, such as diverticulitis and diverticulosis, are becoming more common.

Aetiology

Diet
Various dietary factors can contribute to Intestinal abscess. Overeating, frequently varying the quantity of food consumed and eating irregularly or at odd hours, can all disrupt Spleen and Stomach qi and lead to food stagnation. Too much cold natured or raw food weakens Spleen qi and yang. Over consumption in general, and excessive consumption of rich and hot natured foods in particular, can lead to the accumulation of food and Damp Heat in the Intestines. Some specific types of foods are thought to be particularly liable to create foci around which stagnation can build, in particular some difficult to digest seeds, pips and nuts.

Food stagnation can cause Damp Heat accumulation and Intestinal abscess. By habitually overloading the Spleen and Stomach and exceeding their capacities to process food ingested, the food lingers longer than it should, accumulating and stagnating. This stagnation can produce Heat which intensifies the process of putrefaction. The Spleen and Stomach are weakened, further inhibiting their abilities to perform their digestive tasks efficiently. The weakened Spleen produces Damp which combines with the Heat to produce Damp Heat, further impending the descent of Stomach and Large Intestine qi. If the stagnation intensifies further it becomes ‘Toxic’, and an Intestinal abscess is formed.

Emotions
The gastrointestinal tract is sensitive to, and easily disturbed by emotion, indeed the gut is perhaps the most common area of the body to store difficult to process emotional patterns. Due to the relationship between the yin and yang organ systems, the emotions that affect a primary zang may be stored in the partner fu. In the case of Intestinal abscess, the main emotional patterns are those that affect the Liver, Spleen and Lungs. These include anger, resentment and repressed emotions, grief, separation and loss and sadness.

These emotional elements are generally insufficient in themselves to generate Intestinal abscesses. They can, however, predispose an individual to a variety of complaints involving the Large Intestine, including Intestinal abscess.

Stagnation of Liver qi contributes ti Intestinal abscess formation by causing a spasm and inefficient peristalsis in the Intestines, leading to focal accumulation. Chronic Liver qi stagnation can cause other complications. The prolonged pressure can create Heat, which can combine with any Dampness present to generate Damp Heat. Long term qi stagnation can also lead to Blood stagnation.

The emotions experienced following the death or absence of a parent or loved one, a sudden change from a comfortable routine to an unfamiliar one (such as starting school), or physical and social isolation, can cause Lung qi to accumulate. The Lung system, which incorporates the Large Intestine, is affected, and qi begins to knot.

In addition to the emotional factors that upset the Liver and Lungs, worry, obsessive thinking and prolonged concentration, in combination with a sedentary lifestyle and poor diet, will weaken Spleen qi, predisposing it to (or inviting) invasion by Liver qi, resulting in further damage.

External Pathogenic Invasion
External pathogens are a less common than diet and emotions as a cause of Intestinal abscess. However, both Damp Heat and Cold can invade and accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract. The prolonged presence of a Cold pathogen, from the diet or environment, disrupts the local circulation of qi and Blood. Because Cold is such an efficient obstructor, it can easily generate the Heat necessary to damage tissue and create an abscess. Damp Heat is usually a seasonal invader, contributing to diarrhea or dysenteric disorder. Damp Heat has a tendency to linger and can sometimes be difficult to completely eradicate. Any residue Damp Heat can smoulder at a particular locus in the Large Intestine, promoting the conditions for abscess formulation.

Trauma
A trauma to the abdomen and Intestines, either from a previous intestinal illness, surgery, or penetrating or blunt injury, can cause localised Blood stagnation and the formation of a mass. Once a Blood stagnation mass is present, it will further impede qi and Blood circulation, potentially generating the necessary Heat for acute abscess formation.

Treatment

In the treatment of Intestinal Abscess, the treatment priority is based on three principles which take priority at different stages:

1. Open the bowels
2. Clearing Damp Heat and Toxic Heat
3. Regulate Bloody and eliminate stagnant Blood

After a diagnosis from a qualified practitioner has been given, acupuncture is the treatment of choice and herbal medicines are recommended to support correcting any systemic imbalances that may be present.

Some Biomedical Causes of Intestinal Absces

Acute appendicitis
Appendicular abscess
Chronic appendicitis
Diverticulitis, diverticulosis
Peritoneal abscess
Peritonitis
Abscesses in the pelvic basin
Pelvic inflammatory disease, salpingtis
Mesenteric adenitis

Oct 09

Painful Urination Syndrome

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Painful urination syndrome includes a variety of disorders characterised by pain associated with urination. the key feature in painful urination syndrome is pain, and it is the presence of the pain that differentiates this group of disorders from other urinary disorders. Blood in the urine with no pain is classified as haematuria, while blood in the urine with pain is classified as Blood painful urination syndrome.

Painful urination is a very common clinical presentation, and may include a variety of symptoms associated with the passage of urine, including suprapubic discomfort and pain, frequency, tenesmus and urination difficulty. Painful urination syndrome is most common in women.

Aetiology

Heat and Damp Heat in Bladder

External Heat
Damp Heat causing painful urination syndrome is most commonly due to an external Damp Heat pathogen that invades through the tai yang (Urinary Bladder) channel, the leg yin channels or local luo channels. The local luo channels are small branches of the major channels that spread through the genitourinary system. They can be conduits for infection during sexual intercourse or after bowel movements. In practice, transmission of Damp Heat through the luo channels is probably the most common mode of entry, especially in sexually active individuals.

Internal Heat
Internally generated Heat or Damp Heat can also cause painful urination. Heat affecting the Heart or Liver can be transmitted through their associated channels to the lower jiao. Damp Heat generated in the middle jiao by over consumption of rich, greasy or spicy foods and alcohol can simply sink and settle in the lower jiao. Damp Heat can also be generated in the lower jiao by any prolonged Heat in the system, such as the Heat arising from yin deficiency, qi stagnation, or by prolonged stagnation of Dampness. Internal Heat can also be caused by stress and emotional turmoil, which disrupt the circulation of Heart and Liver qi, giving rise to Heart or Liver Fire. When Heat is generated internally, the symptoms tend to be more systemic, reflecting the original source of the Heat. Heat of external origin, however, tends to produce a more localised pattern, with the focus of symptoms in the bladder and urethra.

Once the Heat/Dampness cycle is established it can give rise to other types of painful urination syndrome types of painful urination syndrome. For example, long term Damp Heat in the lower jiao may congeal into urinary stones. The Heat can injure the Blood vessels of the urinary system causing bleeding. The murky nature of Damp Heat can give rise to opaque or turbid urine – cloudy painful urinary syndrome. The Heat types all tend to be more common in women than in men.

Liver Qi Stagnation, Blood Stagnation

Frustration, anger, resentment, sexual tension, repressed emotions and stress can disrupt the circulation of Liver qi, and because the Liver channel passes through the lower jiao, the movement of lower jiao qi is obstructed. When lower jiao qi is obstructed, pain and distension may occur and movement of fluids may be impaired resulting in urinary difficulty.

Liver qi stagnation may be complicated by other pathologies. The emotions that give rise to stagnant qi (particularly anger and resentment) ‘smoulder’ in the Liver and create stagnant Heat, which can be transmitted through the Liver channel to the lower jiao, or to the Heart and then to the Small Intestine. Obstructed qi may fail to lead the Blood, resulting in qi and blood stagnation. Stagnant qi can invade the Spleen, causing deficiency and either contributing to exhaustion painful urination or leading to the development of Dampness, which sinks into the lower jiao, potentially generating Heat and establishing the Damp Heat cycle.

Pre-existing stagnation (of qi and/or Blood) can be transferred from another pelvic organ to the Bladder. This is occasionally observed in women following hysterectomy, myomectomy or removal of ovarian cysts. The organ first affected by the stagnation is removed or repaired, but the qi and/or Blood stagnation that gave rise to the initial problem persists. The focus of pelvic symptoms then shifts from the initial site of the stagnation to the Bladder.

Kidney Deficiency

Kidney deficiency can be either yang or yin deficiency. It may be inherited, or it may develop as a result of age, chronic illness or excessive sexual activity. It can also develop in women who have many pregnancies close together, regardless of whether these result in live birth, miscarriage or termination.

Kidney yang or qi is particularly affected by prolonged exposure to cold conditions or excessive lifting or standing (particularly if this occurs in a cold environment or on cold floors or at night). In some cases, particularly in younger people, Kidney qi may be weakened while Kidney yang remains intact, in which case the cold symptoms are not seen.

Kidney yin is damaged through overwork (especially while under stress), insufficient sleep, febrile diseases, insufficient hydration and the use of some prescription and recreational drugs. The Kidney and Bladder are closely related, so weakness of the Kidney can affect the Bladder. When Kidney qi is weak, the Bladder is vulnerable to pathogenic invasion (through the tai yang, leg yin channels or local luo channels), especially by Damp Heat.

Spleen Deficiency

Spleen deficiency patterns may result from frequent use of antibiotics of bitter cold herbs (both of which easily weaken the Spleen) in the treatment of recurrent Damp Heat or Heat types of painful urination. This pattern may also follow lower abdominal surgery or be associated with prolapse of the bladder or uterus. In these latter cases the sensation is generally one of pressure and discomfort in the suprapubic region rather than urethral pain with urination.

Treatment

After a diagnosis from a qualified practitioner has been given, acupuncture is the treatment of choice and herbal medicines are recommended to support correcting any systemic imbalances that may be present.

Traditional Chinese medicine Classification of Painful Urination

Heat painful urination is clinically the most common variety, and is characterised by being by being acute and by rather intense burning pain upon urination. It is thought that in all acute cases of painful urination syndrome there is some degree of Heat. It is further divided into two types, Damp Heat and Fire. Damp Heat may occur alone or be found as a contributing feature in stone, Blood and cloudy painful urination syndrome.
Stone (or sand) painful urination is characterised by the presence of urinary calculi or gravel, and, depending on the location of the stones, intense radiating pain and/or obstructed urination.
Qi painful urination is traditionally divided into two types, deficiency (of qi) and excess (qi stagnation). The deficiency type is associated with Spleen qi deficiency and often follows recurrent Heat types that have not been treated or treated with antibiotics or excessively cold natured herbs. It is characterised by a dragging discomfort which is relieved by pressure, or a feeling of burning that improves with warmth and pressure. It is traditionally placed in this category, although it overlaps with the Exhaustion types. The excess type is characterised by painful urination aggravated or initiated by stress and emotional upset.
Blood painful urination is painful urination with blood
Cloudy painful urination is painful urination with cloudy or milky urine.
Exhaustion painful urination is chronic and recurrent, and is initiated or aggravated by sex, overexertion and when fatigued. It is characterised by incomplete or dribbling urination, lumbar pain and weakness, and mild pain, which is often worse following urination.

Some Biomedical Causes of Painful Urination

urinary infection, cystitis, urethritis
severe infections like gonorrhea, pyelonephritis and herpes
urethral syndrome
vaginitis
neoplasms of the bladder, prostate and urethra
reiter’s disease
urinary calculi
menopausal syndrome
prostatis
foreign body in lower urinary tract
acidic urine
interstitial cystitis
vaginal prolapse
urethral stricture
chyluria
albuminuria

Jan 24

Tongue diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine

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Tongue diagnosis is a practice long used in traditional Chinese medicine. According to the principles of TCM, analyzing the appearance of an individual’s tongue can provide a greater understanding of his or her overall health.

Once a tongue diagnosis is completed and other aspects of the patient’s health are evaluated, the practitioner may recommend treatment with such therapies as acupuncture, acupressure, herbal medicine, food therapy and massage.

Why a Tongue Exam Used to Assess Health

In TCM, it’s thought that different areas of the tongue reflect the health of five corresponding organ systems: liver, lung, spleen, heart, and kidney. TCM is based on the theory that all of the body’s organs mutually support each other and that – in order to achieve optimal health – an individual’s organs must be in balance.

A Few Factors Considered in Tongue Assessment

Tongue Body Color
– Bluish Purple or Reddish Purple Tongue Body
– Red Tongue Body
– Red Tip
– Scarlet Tongue Body
– Dark Red Tongue Body
– Pale Tongue Body
– Green Tongue Body

Tongue Body Shape
– Stiff
– Flaccid
– Swollen
– Big or Enlarged Tongue
– Half the Tongue Is Swollen
– Local Swelling on One Side
– Swollen Sides
– Swollen Between the Tip and the Central Surface
– Swollen Edges
– Swollen Tip
– Short and Contracted
– Long
– Front Swollen
– Thin

Tongue Body Features
– Rough or Tender Texture
– Red Spots
– White Spots
– Black Spots
– Ulcerated Tongue Body
– Numb Tongue Body
– Loose Tongue Body
– Deviated Tongue Body
– Moving, Lolling, Wagging, Playful Tongue Body
– Rolled Tongue Body
– Teeth Marks on Tongue Body (Scalloped)
– Quivering or Trembling Tongue Body
– Sore Covered Tongue Body

Tongue Body Moisture
– Dry Tongue Body
– Slightly Dry Tongue Body
– Wet Tongue Body

Tongue Coating
– The tongue has a White Coat on the tongue
– There is a White Powder like Coat on the tongue
– There is a White Snow like Coat on the tongue
– There is a Yellow Coat on the tongue
– There is a Dirty Yellow Coat on the tongue
– It has Simultaneous White and Yellow Tongue Coating
– There is a Gray Coat on the tongue
– The tongue has a Black Coat
– It is Half Yellow, Half White (Longitudinally)
– It has Yellow Root With A White Tip
– It is Black in the Center, White and Slippery on the Sides

Tongue Coat Thickness
– Thin Coating
– Thick Coating
– Peeled, Mirrored, Shiny, No Coating

Tongue Body Cracks
– Horizontal Cracks
– Transverse Cracks On the Sides of the Tongue- Scalloped Tongue
– Crack in the Center
– Crack Down the Center to Tip
– Cracks Like Ice Floes
– Vertical Cracks in the Center
– Irregular Cracks

Tongue Coat
– Tongue Coat Has Root
– Tongue Coat Has No Root

Examples of Common Tongue Types

There are thousands of different tongue patterns, here are a few examples of common tongues we see and what they usually mean. You can use these examples to see what your tongue says about you.

Crack – Usually caused by a stomach issue

Swollen/tooth marks – Usually caused by internal damp and qi deficiency

Peeling – Usually caused by an imbalance of the vital organs

Yellow coating – Usually caused by heat and/or infection

Bluish purple tongue – Usually cause by stagnation of the blood

Pale – Usually caused by energy deficiency

Tips

Here are some key points to keep in mind if you’re thinking of undergoing a tongue diagnosis.

Some disorders don’t show up on the tongue. It should also be noted that TCM practitioners do not rely on tongue diagnosis alone in evaluating a patient’s health
In most cases, the tongue is examined for no longer than 15 seconds at a time. Extending the tongue for longer may cause changes in tongue shape and color (two crucial elements of tongue diagnosis)
Before receiving a tongue diagnosis, you should avoid food and beverages that might discolor your tongue (including coffee, beets, and foods made with artificial food coloring). Consumption of vitamin C may also affect your tongue coloring.
If you use a tongue brush as part of your oral hygiene routine, discontinue use of the brush for at least a full day prior to your tongue diagnosis.

Jan 15

Hyperthyroidism

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The main function of the thyroid gland is maintenance of basal metabolic rate. Thyroid dysfunction is one of the most common endocrine imbalances seen in clinic, with hypothyroidism and its many complications such as infertility, weight problems, depression and chronic tiredness the most frequent. It is estimated that thyroid dysfunction of some type affects as much as 10% of the population.

The two main clinical syndromes of the thyroid are over activity and under activity. The classic Chinese medical literature discusses thyroid conditions in terms of swelling of the thyroid gland, without specific reference to either hyperthyroid or hypothyroid conditions.

Swelling of the thyroid gland is known as ying bing in Chinese medicine. The term is usually translated simply as goitre, but there are different types of ying that reflect a variety of thyroid problems. A typical contemporary text gives the following types of ying:

– qi yung (diffuse swelling, goitre)
– rou ying (benign nodules, adenoma)
– ying yong (inflammation of the thyroid, thyroiditis)
– shi ying (malignancy)
– ying qi (thyroid swelling with heat, overactive thyroid)

Below are some causes for hyperthyroidism:

**Graves disease (thyrotoxicosis):** This accounts for about 75% of cases. Autoimmune in nature, due to stimulation of the thyroid by antibodies which bind to TSH receptors and mimic its effect. Can occur at any age but its unusual before puberty and most commonly affects the 30-50 year old age group. Women are affected about four times more often than men. There are genetic dispositions and familial link. The trigger for onset of symptoms in genetically susceptible individuals may be infection, stress or emotional trauma. The course of the illness can fluctuate with period of increase and decrease or remission, or may progress to hypothyroid.

**Multinodular goitre:** Most common in older women, 50+. Usually T4 and T3 are only slightly elevated, but because and older age group is affected the cardiovascular features, arrhythmia, fibrillations and palpitations predominate.

**Autonomously functioning single nodule (toxic adenoma or ‘hot’ nodule):** Most common in women over 40. The nodule is follicular adenoma which autonomously secretes thyroid hormone and inhabits TSH. Mild hyperthyroidism and usually only T3 is elevated.

**Thyroiditis (subacute postpartum):** May be viral (mumps, adenovirus) or postpartum. The viral type appears after an acute upper respiratory tract infection and leads to transitory hyperthyroidism due to destruction of follicle cells with relese of hormone into the blood, sometime followed by hypothyroidism. Postpartum thyroiditis is mild and self limiting, although 5-10% of postpartum women are affected. Can recur with subsequent pregnancies with patients gradually progressing to hypothyroidism.

Iodine induced: Drugs, especially amiodarone (an anti-arrhythmic agent loaded with iodine) and radiographic contrast media can overloaded the gland and induce a mild hyperthyroidism.

Some of the most common features of hyperthyroidism includes:
– anxiety
– nervousness
– emotional lability
– irritability
– hyperkinesis
– increased sweating
– heat intolerance
– increased basal metabolic rate
– fatigue
– breathlessness with exertion
– weight loss
– increased frequency of bowel movement
– palpitations
– tachycardia
– arrhythmias
– excess lacrimation

**The thyroid and its influences in Chinese medicine:**
The anterior neck and thyroid gland are influenced primarily by the Liver, Heart and Kidneys organ systems, and the renmai which traverses the area. The triyin and yangming organ systems (Lung, Spleen, Large Intestine and Stomach) can also be involved in thyroid pathology because of local influence via channel pathways, proximity of the organ itself (Lungs), and as a result of dampness and phlegm that can be created by their weakness.
The throat and neck are also the bridge between the head and the body. The neck connects the head, the seat of the intellect, to the chest, the seat of the emotions. The throat is associated with communication and the ability to express oneself clearly. The neck is the place where emotions can get caught when their expression is repressed, inappropriate or otherwise difficult. This can manifest in disorders of the throat and vocal cords, in globus hystericus (plum pit qi) and thyroid problems.

**Etiology:**
There are two primary pathological processes we see in patients with thyrod disorders. They manifest from disruption to two of the major energetic axes of the body, the Liver and Spleen, and the Heart and Kidney.
Disharmony between the Liver and Spleen creates some of the necessary preconditions for thyroid dysfunction, such as qi constraints, heat and phlegm, as well as weakened resistance (qi deficiency). Once these preconditions exist then any disruption to the Heart and Kidney axis by emotional trauma, persistent or increasing stress, or by pathogenic invasion such as wind heat or warm disease may precipitate clinical thyroid disease.

**Treatment:**
There are two broad aims of treatment. Overall Chinese medicine treatment aims to correct the constitutional imbalances that led to the disorder in the first place. When heat is extreme, however, it must be swiftly cleared to avoid damage to yin. Acupuncture is often the treatment of choice in these circumstances (particularly when Liver pathology is responsible) with its unparalleled ability to regulate qi, clear heat and calm the shen very quickly.
In cases with more deficiency, treatment of the constitutional aspects with herbal medicine is important.

Jan 13

Wheezing

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In Chinese medicine, wheezing refers to a sense of tightness, congestion, breathlessness or constriction in the chest with difficult inspiration. The term asthma is commonly used when referring to this condition, however true asthma is only one of a number of biomedical diagnoses that may fall into the TCM category of wheezing, hence the adage of Western medicine, ‘All that wheezes is not asthma, however a lot of it is’. Because asthma is diagnosed so frequently, a separate discussion is warranted.

In TCM terms, wheezing is due to failure of Lung qi to descend as it naturally should. There are two primary mechanisms, excess and deficient. Excess wheezing is due to obstruction to Lung qi by an external pathogen (Wind plus Heat or Cold) or internally generated pathogens (Phlegm, Heat or qi stagnation). Deficient wheezing occurs when Lung qi is too weak to descend under its own stream, or Kidney qi is unable to grasp qi and aid the Lungs. In either case, the end result is accumulation of qi in the chest, leading to a sense of fullness, tightness or congestion.

Wheezing may be acute or chronic, and in many cases acute episodes occur on a background of chronic disease. In severe cases, the breathing difficulty may be serious enough to cause severe distress, and perhaps precipitate collapse, anoxia and even death. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate hospitalization.

Excess Chinese Medicine Patterns:
– Wind Cold
– Wind Cold with congested fluids
– Wind Cold with internal Heat
– Wind heat
– Phlegm Damp
– Phlegm Heat
– Qi stagnation

Deficient Chinese Medicine Patterns:
– Lung qi and yin deficiency
– Lung and Spleen qi deficiency
– Lung and Kidney yin deficiency
– Kidney yang deficiency

Jan 13

Body Organ Clock

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The Circadian Rhythm is a 24-hour internal clock that regulates the biological functions of all living things, from bacteria to mammals.

It regulates the cycles between your energy levels, feeding times, hormone production, and brain wave activity.

The Body Organ Clock is a concept from the ancient practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), that is based off the Circadian Rhythm.

TCM focuses on a holistic approach. Good health is considered to be the effect of a harmonious relationship with the outside environment. TCM includes herbal medicine, acupuncture, acupressure massage, and exercise.

According to the ancient theory of meridians, and the principles of yin and yang in TCM, each organ is most active during a specific time of the day — resulting in the body organ clock below.

Morning: Wake Up, Hydrate, Fuel, and Be Active

5AM – 7AM
Organ: Large Intestine
Optimize: Wake up and drink 500 + milliliters of water. Your body needs water for a healthy colon, so avoid caffeine.

7AM – 9AM
Organ: Stomach
Optimize: Eat breakfast. Fruit, protein, healthy fats, and low GI (glycemic index) carbs are a good choice. If you take vitamins, now’s the time.

9AM – 11AM
Organ: Spleen
Optimize: The spleen supports metabolism and converts nutrients into energy. This is a great time for mental alertness, work, and physical activity.

11AM – 1PM
Organ: Heart
Optimize: Eat a nutrient-balanced lunch that isn’t too filling. This is a great time to socialize with people, offer to be of service, and cooperate with others.

Afternoon: Get Organized and Detox“

1PM – 3PM
Organ: Small Intestine
Optimize: The body is digesting, so this is a good time to “mull things over” like solving problems or getting organized.

3PM – 5PM
Organ: Bladder
Optimize: This is the best time for efficient afternoon work and studying. Drinks liquids (especially tea) to detox.

5PM – 7PM
Organ: Kidneys
Optimize: Kidneys are your energy reserves. This is a time to eat dinner and restore you energy.

Evening: Restore and Relax

7PM – 9PM
Organ: Pericardium (the membrane around your heart)
Optimize: This is a good time for intimacy and socializing. Now is also the best time to get a massage or do light stretching (both have to do with circulation).

9PM – 11PM
Organ: Thyroid and Adrenals
Optimize: This is a time for energy transfer and temperature regulation. Avoid eating, instead do a relaxing activity like reading.

Night: Time of Deep Rest

11PM – 1AM
Organ: Gallbladder
Optimize: Sleep and regenerate. If you have gallstones, they may start to act up and cause pain during this time.

1AM – 3AM
Organ: Liver
Optimize: This is a time for deep resting and dreaming while your liver is detoxing. If you wake up during this time, your liver is taxed by a poor diet, alcohol, or drugs.

3AM – 5AM
Organ: Lungs
Optimize: You should be in deep sleep while your lungs are expelling toxins. If you wake up congested, or cough at this time, your lungs are overburdened.

Of course the demands of modern life don’t always make it possible to follow this clock. But, it’s a great way to check in with your body and perhaps gain a little more insight into how it functions.

Jan 13

Alternative Ways To Improve Health

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Alternative ways to improve health

Established in 1995, Mount Gambier Chinese Medical Centre has serviced the Limestone Coast for over two decades. With an aim to not only treat illness but prevent disease and ensure a better quality of life. The centre offers a range of treatments, these include typical Chinese medicine treatments like acupuncture, herbal medicine and cupping therapy. The centre is also able to treat sports injuries, cold and flu symptoms and digestive issues, just to name a few.

Centre practitioner, Hong Yu Cao, also uses techniques such as pulse and tongue diagnosis, something many Chinese medical professionals are not competent in. Mr Hong Yu Cao said, while Chinese medical practitioners were briefly taught how to use the pulse or tongue to diagnose illness in training, the little information received means many are not confident in using the technique. Once he completed his formal training, Mr Hong Yu Cao spent time with a master of pulse and tongue diagnosis to become a specialist in the technique. With this extra training, Mr Hong Yu Cao is able to diagnose a range of illnesses without western style medical testing. Mr Hong Yu Cao said he had patients suffering from acute back pain and looking for a cure, but it was only when he read their pulse that he discovered other underlying issues such as digestive issues or a Qi block. He believes these techniques are key in accurate diagnosis and without such training, he may treat back pain as just that, which would offer relief for a finite amount of time.

Mr Hong Yu Cao is also a qualified Myotherapist and treats a range of musculoskeletal problems. Although Mr Hong Yu Cao believes in the merits of western medicine, he says there are numerous ways to treat certain diseases and those suffering from illness or injury should try all options available to them. Cooperation between Western Medicine, Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture works well for IVF support and helps nausea, vomiting, lost appetite and insomnia caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. Everyday occurrences such as the common cold and muscle pain are easily cured with Chinese medicine, in a more effective manner according to Mr Hong Yu Cao.

Although he still encourages the public to visit their western doctor if they deem it necessary, Mr Hong Yu Cao believes the alternative treatments offered at the Chinese Medical Centre could help many health issues.

Jan 13

Acid Reflux

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Take a moment to step away from what you know about acid reflux. Let’s look at this painful symptom from a different angle. Could it be that the body is giving you a sneak peek into the deeper energetic workings of your body? Traditional Chinese medicine views symptoms as messages of a deeper imbalance. Getting to the root cause of the problem will not only fix the problem for good, it will rebalance the body itself. Once the body works in harmony, disease—or symptoms such as acid reflux—cannot and will not appear.

All aspects—body, mind and spirit—have to cooperate for optimum health. Think of your car. For it to operate smoothly, the engine has to function properly. But that’s not all! The engine also has to cooperate with the wheel, which is connected to the steering mechanism. When you push down on the brake pedal, it has to engage other parts to be sure you stop safely. All parts of the car have to function properly themselves. Then they need to work together so the car rides well. You also need some form of energy to power the car. And don’t forget—you need to be a good driver.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Acid Reflux Patterns:

Liver Qi Invading the Stomach
Recurrent acid reflux aggravated by mental stress and/or emotional changes. Depression, emotional instability, anxiety, sighs often. Chest pain, blocked feeling in the chest, distension & tenderness of the hypochondrium, abdominal distension or pain. Cold extremities while the rest of the body is warm. Nausea, alternating constipation & diarrhoea, incomplete defection. Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhoea, premenstrual breast swelling and pain. Tongue: Red with thin white coat. Pulse: Wiry or deep.

Stomach Heat
Recurrent acid relux aggravated by heating foods such as spicy foods, alcohol, chocolate, coffee or stress. Often occurs in early morning hours. Bad breath, excessive hunger, thirst and desire for cold drinks, irritability, restlessness, anxiety, flushing, bloodshot eyes, stomstitis, insomnia, distended hypochondrium, nausia. Tongue: Red with a yellow coat. Pulse: Wiry, slippery and rapid.

Phlegm-damp
Acid reflux. Dull heavy sensation of the extremities, tiredness, lethargy, foggy-headedness, may be overweight or pear-shapes, greasy skin. Distension and fullness of the upper abdomen, sticky sensation in the mouth, decreased sense of taste, indigestion, anorexia, belching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. May have chronic mucus problem. Tongue: Swollen with white, thick, greasy coating. Pulse: Soft and moderate or slippery.

Food Stagnation
Acid reflux after eating large or hard-to-digest meals. Indigestion, abdominal fullness and distension, abdominal pain, eructation, constipation or diarrhea, flatulence. Tongue: Thick and sticky tongue coating. Pulse: Slippery, full.

Spleen Qi Vacuity
Acid relux exacerbated when eating hard-to-digest foods (e.g. raw foods). Tires easilty, general feeling of weakness, ‘heavy’ limbs, feeble voice, pale complexion, bloating after eating, feeling tired after eating, impaired sense of taste, upper abdominal distension, abdominal pain that is relieved with warmth and pressure, general aversion to cold. Tongue: Pale and flabby with thick, white greasy coat. Pulse: Slippery and weak.

Stomach Yin Vacuity
Chronic acid reflux, hyperacidity, may be exacerbated with stress, often occurs during the night. Hunger but no desire to eat, dry mouth and throat, dry retching, hiccough, discomfort in the epigastrium, dull epigastric pain, dry stool or constipation. Tongue: Dry with little or no coating, especially in the centre. Pulse: Thready rapid.

Treatment will be a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Acupuncture points and herbal recommendations will differ person to person.

Jan 13

Acne, Eczema & Dermatitis

By MingLang Blog No Comments

Skin conditions such as Acne, Eczema and Dermatitis can really effect your mental health and day-to-day confidence. A lot of people have made Acupuncture a regular part of their beauty routine after having no luck with Western techniques.

Before an acupuncture treatment, you will be asked to stick out your tongue, which is a traditional diagnostic tool. The body of the tongue can fall on a spectrum of deeper, darker, purplish reds to a light pink. The tongue body reflects the overall physical systems. Bright red for instance will reflect excess heat in the system. Purples could mean there is stagnation of blood or a blockage in circulation. By checking the tongue coating and body, the acupuncturist can confirm a diagnosis.

Below you will find the different Traditional Chinese Medicine Patterns;

Acne

Damp-Heat: Oily suppurative acne on face, back and chest. patient often has a relatively strong but hypersensitive constitution. Sticky sensation in the mouth, heaviness of the body and limbs, lassitude, loose stools or diarrhoea, abdominal distension, leukorrhea. Tongue is red with a slightly greasy yellow coat.

Upper Jiao Wind Heat: Inflamed, red acne in the face and neck area, redness of the upper body (especially face), suppuration, itching and pain. Feverishness, blood-shot eyes, facial flushing and thirst. Tongue is red with a yellow coating.

Liver Qi Stasis: Acne that is aggravated by mental stress and/or emotional changes. Premenstrual acne. Irritability, short temperateness, headache, flushing, insomnia, thirst, dizziness, eye strain, light sleep, fatigue, oedema, dysmenorrhoea, PMT. Tongue is red.

Blood Head, Blood Vacuity: Acne with little or no exudate. Lack-luster skin, dizziness, blurred vision, flushing, feverishness, anxiety, insomnia, blood-shot eyes. Tongue is red with a slightly yellow coating. Pulse is thready and rapid.

Eczema & Dermatitis

Damp-Heat: Red itchy skin progressing to a rash with small vesicles. Scratching produces weeping lesions. Tongue has a yellow coating. Pulse is rapid.

Blood & Fluid Vacuity: Recurrent attacks, skin of the effected areas are rough, thick and itchy.