Learning About Natural Healing

I'm ready to get started...

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:41:00 +0000

I could use your help..

End of 4th Semester

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:06:00 +0000

This semester is winding down and I didn't even get a chance to make any new posts. Over my vacation starting next week, I'll post some interesting things that I've learned.

I will also return to my regular postings next semester.

Happy Studying!

TCM- Liver Patterns 2 (Test 2)

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:04:00 +0000

The formatting won't allow for me to copy the charts here.

But, here is what you need to know for the test:

The Pattern, Clinical Manifestations, Tongue/Pulse of Liver. You do not need to know the etiology or the pathology.

You also only need to know these points for certain patterns:

Liver Qi Stagnation
Liver Qi Stagnation turning into Heat
Liver Fire Blazing
Liver Blood Stasis
Liver Blood Deficiency
Liver Yin Deficiency

TCM- Liver Patterns 1 (Test 2)

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:03:00 +0000

Functions of the Liver

General Characteristics of Liver Pathology

· Stores Blood

· Ensures the Smooth Flow of Qi

· Controls the Sinews

· Manifests in the Nails

· Opens into the Eyes

· Controls Tears

· Houses the Ethereal Soul

· Affected by Anger

· Rapid changes (eg. in skin diseases)

· Up & down fluctuation (eg. level of energy or mood)

· Emotionally up and down

· Moodiness, irritability

· Pain

· Eye problems

· A feeling of ‘distension’

· GYN problems

TCM- Heart Patterns 2 (Test 2)

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:58:00 +0000

Functions of Heart

General Characteristics of Heart Pathology

· Governs Blood

· Controls Blood Vessels

· Manifests in Complexion

· Houses the Mind

· Opens into the Tongue

· Controls Sweat

· Mental-Emotional symptoms

· Pathology of Mind reflected in ‘Shen’ of eyes

· Depression, anxiety, insomnia

· Palpitations

TCM- Heart Patterns 1 (Test 2)

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:45:00 +0000

Pattern	Clinical Manifestations	Tongue/Pulse
Deficient Patterns
Heart Qi Deficiency:	Palpitations, SOB on exertion, sweating, pallor, tiredness, listlessness	Pale or Normal Empty
Heart Yang Deficiency:	Palpitations, SOB on exertion, tiredness, listlessness, sweating, feeling of stuffiness or discomfort in the heart region, feeling of cold, bright-pale face, cold limbs (esp. hands)	Pale, Wet, Swollen Deep-Weak of Knotted
Heart Blood Deficiency:	Palpitations, dizziness, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, poor memory, anxiety, propensity to be startled, dull-pale complexion, pale lips	Pale, Thin, slightly Dry Choppy or Fine
Pattern	Clinical Manifestations	Tongue/Pulse
Heart Yin Deficiency:	Palpitations, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, propensity to be startled, poor memory, anxiety, mental restlessness, ‘uneasiness’, ‘fidgetiness’, malar flush, low-grade fever or feeling of heat especially in evening, ‘feeling hot & bothered’, night sweating, dry mouth & throat, 5-Palm heat.	Red-Peeled, no coating, Tip redder & swollen w/red points, deep midline crack reaching tip Floating-Empty & Rapid Or Fine & Rapid
Excess Patterns
Heart-Fire Blazing:	Palpitations, thirst, mouth & tongue ulcers, mental restlessness, feeling agitated, ‘impulsiveness’, feeling of heat, insomnia, red face, dark urine or blood in urine and bitter taste.	Red, Tip redder & swollen w/Red pts Yellow t.c. Possible mid-line crack to tip Full-Rapid-Overflowing OR Hasty
Phlegm-Fire Harassing the Heart:	Mental restlessness, palpitations, bitter taste, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, propensity to be startled, incoherent speech, mental confusion, rash behavior, tendency to hit or scold people, uncontrolled laughter or cry, agitation, shouting, muttering to oneself, mental depression and dullness; in severe cases aphasia and coma Key: all the various mental symptoms	Red w/yellow-sticky t.c. Midline crack w/yellow prickles Tip may be redder and swollen w/red points Full-Rapid-Slippery OR Rapid-Overflowing-Slippery OR Rapid-Full-Wiry
Phlegm Misting the Heart:	Mental confusion, unconsciousness, lethargic stupor, incoherent speech, slurred speech, aphasia, vomiting of phlegm, rattling sound in the throat, mental depression, very dull eyes	Swollen w/thick, sticky t.c. Midline crack reaching tip Slippery
Heart Qi Stagnation:	Palpitations, a feeling of distention or oppression of the chest, depression, a slight feeling of lump in the throat, slight SOB	Slightly Pale Purple on sides in chest area Empty but slightly Overflowing on HT position
Deficiency-Excess Patterns
Heart-Blood Stasis:	Palpitations, stabbing or pricking pain in chest that may radiate to inner aspect of the left arm or to the chest, cyanosis of lips and nails, cold hands	Whole tongue purple or only on sides in chest area Choppy, Wiry or Knotted

TCM- Body Fluid Pattern Identification (Test 2)

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:30:00 +0000

Patterns:
1. Deficiency of Body Fluids
2. Edema

Edema arises from deficiency of Spleen, Lungs or Kidneys or all three of them. Lungs, Spleen and Kidneys are the three organs that are most involved in the transformation and transportation of fluids. If one or two or three of these organs is deficient, the Body Fluids are not transformed properly, they overflow out of the channels and settle in the space under the skin. This is the origin of edema.

If edema is caused by Lung Qi deficiency it will affect the top part of the body such as face and hands. This type of edema can also be caused by invasion of exterior Wind-Cold interfering with the Lung function of dispersing and descending the Body Fluids.

Edema from Spleen-Qi deficiency tends to affect the middle part of the body, such as the abdomen (ascites).

If edema is caused by Kidney-Yang deficiency, it will affect the lower part of the body such as the legs and ankles.

3. Phlegm

The main cause for the formation of Phlegm is Spleen deficiency. If the Spleen fails to transform and transport Body Fluids, these will accumulate and change into Phlegm. The Lungs and Kidneys are also involved in the formation of Phlegm. If the Lungs fail to disperse and lower fluids and if the Kidneys fail to transform and excrete fluids, these may accumulate into Phlegm. However, the Spleen is always the primary factor in the formation of Phlegm.

Non Substantial Phlegm:

-Under the Skin

-In the Channels

- Misting the Mind

- In Gall Bladder and/or Kidneys

- In the joints

Phlegm can assume different forms, according to its associations with other pathogenic factors.

Wind-Phlegm
Phlegm-Heat
Cold Phlegm
Damp-Phlegm

Qi-Phlegm: This type of Phlegm is non-substantial and is manifested with a feeling of swelling the throat (but no actual swelling), a difficulty in swallowing and a feeling of stuffiness of chest and diaphragm.
This form of Phlegm is usually associated with stagnation of Qi in the throat. It is caused by emotional problems giving rise to (or deriving from) stagnation of Liver Qi. The typical feeling of constriction of the throat is called “plum stone syndrome” in Chinese medicine and this feeling appears and disappears according to mood swings.

Phlegm-Fluids: Phlegm fluid results from accumulation of body fluid due to dysfunction of the Lung, Spleen and Kidney and impairment of water metabolism. Phlegm is turbid and thick, while retained fluid is clear and dilute. The term Phlegm-fluid is the short form of the combination of the two. This is a type of substantial Phlegm is characterized by very watery and thin sputum. It can actually heard splashing in the body.

Extra Points

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:08:00 +0000

Zigongxue- 3 cun lateral to Ren-3 (located on the midline of the abdomen, 4 cun below the umbilicus).

Xiyan- A pair of points located in the two depressions, medial and lateral to the patellar ligament, found with the knee flexed.

Lanweixue- The tender spot about 2 cun below St-36

NaoQing- 2 cun proximal to ST 41, on a line connecting ST41 and ST35 (right leg only)

Bafeng- On the dorsum of the feet between the toes, in the depressions proximal to the margins of the webs, four points on each foot.

Shimian- Midpoint of the heel.

Kidney- Shaoyin

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:51:00 +0000

The Kidney channel travels from underneath the small toe to the medial malleolus, up the inner leg to the groin. There is connects with GV1 and enters the lower spine. It then connects to its yang pair the Bladder, and the Kidney at the lumbar region.
Throughout other branches the Kidney channel connects to the Liver, Lungs, and Heart.

KD1: On the sole of the foot, between the 2nd and 3rd metatarsals. One third distance between the base of the second metatarsal and the posterior border of the heel.
KD2: In a depression distal and inferior to the navicular tuberosity.
KD3: In a depression between the medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon, level with the prominence of the medial malleolus.
KD4: Approximately .5 cun posterior to the midpoint of a line drawn between KD3 and KD5, at the anterior border of the Achilles tendon.
KD5: 1 cun inferior to KD3, superior to the calcaneus
KD6: 1 cun below the prominence of the medial malleolus, in the groove formed by two ligamentous bundles
KD7: 2 cun superior to KD3, on the anterior border of the Achilles tendon.
KD8: On the medial aspect of the lower leg, 2 cun superior to KD3, .5 cun anterior to KD7, posterior to the medial crest of the tibia
KD9: ON the medial aspect of the lower leg, 5 cun superior to KD 3, on a line drawn from KD3 to KD10
KD10: At the medial end of the popliteal crease, between the tendons of semimembranosss and semitendinosis, found with the knee slightly flexed.
KD11: On the lower abdomen, 5 cun below the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral.
KD12: On the lower abdomen, 4 cun below the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral.
KD13: On the lower abdomen, 3 cun below the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral.
KD14: On the lower abdomen, 2 cun below the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral.
KD15: On the lower abdomen, 1 cun below the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral.
KD16: On the lower abdomen, level with the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral.
KD17: On the upper abdomen, 2 cun superior to the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral.
KD18: On the upper abdomen, 3 cun superior to the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral.
KD19: On the upper abdomen, 4 cun superior to the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral.
KD20: On the upper abdomen, 5 cun superior to the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral.
KD21: On the upper abdomen, 6 cun superior to the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral.
KD22: In the 5th intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the AML.
KD23: In the 4th intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the AML.
KD24: In the 3th intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the AML.
KD25: In the 2th intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the AML.
KD26: In the 1th intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the AML.
KD27: 2 cun lateral to the AML, on the lower border of the clavicle.

images taken from yinyanghouse.com

Stomach Channel

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:54:00 +0000

The stomach channel is also known as the foot Yangming. Internally this channel connects with it's Yin Paired Organ, the Spleen. There are 45 points on this Earth Channel.

ST1: below the center of the pupil when person is looking forward, between the eyeball and the infra orbital ridge.
ST2: below the center of the pupil when person is looking forward, in infra orbital foramen
ST3: below the center of the pupil when person is looking forward, level with the lower border of the ala nasi
ST4: .4 cun lateral to the corner of the mouth
ST5: anterior to the angle of the jaw, on the anterior border of the masseter
ST6: 1 finger breadth superior and anterior to the angle of the jaw at the prominence of the masseter muscle
ST7: In the depression below the lower border of the zygomatic arch, anterior to the condyloid process
ST8: at the corner of the forehead, 4.5 cun lateral to GV 24
ST9: level with the high point of the laryngeal prominence at the anterior border of the SCM (avoid carotid artery)
ST10: at the anterior border of the SCM midway between ST 9 and ST 11
ST11: superior to the clavicle , lateral to the sternal head of the SCM
ST12: Posterior to the superior border of the clavicle, 4 cun lateral to AML
ST13: below the inferior border of the clavicle, 4 cun lateral to the AML
ST14: level with the 1st intercostal space , 4 cun lateral to the AML
ST15: level with the 2nd intercostal space, 4 cun lateral to the AML
ST16: level with the 3rd intercostal space, 4 cun lateral to the AML
ST17: level with the 4th intercostal space, 4 cun lateral to the AML
ST18: level with the 5th intercostal space, 4 cun lateral to the AML
ST19: 6 cun superior to CV8, 2 cun lateral
ST20: 5 cun superior to CV8, 2 cun lateral
ST21: 4 cun superior to CV8, 2 cun lateral
ST22: 3 cun superior to CV8, 2 cun lateral
ST23: 2 cun superior to CV8, 2 cun lateral
ST24: 1 cun superior to CV8, 2 cun lateral
ST25: level with CV8, 2 cun lateral
ST26: 4 cun superior to CV2, 2 cun lateral
ST27: 3 cun superior to CV2, 2 cun lateral
ST28: 2 cun superior to CV2, 2 cun lateral
ST29: 1 cun superior to CV2, 2 cun lateral
ST30: level with CV2, 2 cun lateral
ST31: on upper thigh , in depression lateral to the sartorius muscle, in depression inferior to the ASIS, level with the lower border of the pubic symphasis
ST32: on the thigh, on a line drawn between the lateral border of the patella and the ASIS, 6 cun proximal to the superior border of the patella ( 2 hand cun)
ST33: On the thigh, on a line drawn between the lateral border of the patella and the ASIS, 3 cun proximal to the superior border of the patella
ST34: on the thigh, on a line drawn between the lateral border of the patella and the ASIS, 2 cun proximal two the superior border of the patella
ST35: on the knee, in a hollow formed when the knee is flexed, inferior tot he patella and lateral to the patellar ligament
ST36: below the knee, 3 cun inferior to ST35, one finger breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia
ST37: on the lower leg, 6 cun inferior to ST 35, one finder breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia
ST38: on the lower leg, midway between the tibiofemoral joint and the prominence of the lateral malleolus, one finger breath lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia.
ST39: On the lower leg, 1 cun inferior to ST38, one finger breadth lateral to the anterior crest
ST40: On lower leg, midway between the tibiofemoral joint and the lateral malleolus, 2 finger breadths lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia
ST41: on the ankle, level with the lateral malleolus prominence, in depression between tendons of extensor hallucis longus and extensors digitorum longus
ST42: on the dorsum of the foot, in a depression formed by the junction of the second and third metatarsal bones and the cuneiform bones, 1.5 cun distal to ST 41, on a line between ST41 and ST 43, at the point where pulsation of the dorsalis pedis artery may be palpated
ST43: on the dorsum of the foot, between the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones, in a depression approximately 1 cun proximal to ST 44
ST44: on the dorsum of the foot, between the 3nd and 3rd toes, .5 cun proximal to the margin of the web
ST45: on the dorsal aspect of the 2nd toe, at the junction of lines drawn along the lateral border of the nail and the base of the nail, .1 cun from the corner.

This is shown here:

diagrams taken from yinyanghouse.com

TCM- ID of Patterns According to Internal Organs (Exam 1)

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:30:00 +0000

Stasis of Blood

Stasis of Blood can derive from (VERY IMPORTANT):

· Stagnation of Qi: this is the most common cause of Stasis of Blood. Qi moves Blood, if Qi stagnates, Blood congeals

· Deficiency of Qi: deficiency of Qi over a long period of time may cause stasis of Blood as Qi becomes too weak to move Blood

· Heat in the Blood: Heat in the Blood may cause the Blood to coagulate and stagnate

· Blood Deficiency: if Blood is deficient over a long period of time, it will induce Qi deficiency and subsequently stasis of Blood, form impairment of the Qi moving function

· Interior Cold: this slows down the circulation of Blood

Qi Pattern Identification
Pattern	Clinical Manifestations
Qi Deficiency:	Breathlessness, weak voice, spontaneous sweating, no appetite, loose stools, tiredness, Empty pulse	LU & SP symptoms are most common signs of Qi deficiency. HT Qià palpitations KD Qià frequent urination
Sinking Qi:	Feeling of bearing down, tiredness, listlessness, mental depression, prolapse of organs (stomach, uterus, intestines, anus, vagina or bladder), Empty pulse	This is a particular aspect of Qi deficiency (holding and raising functions are impaired). This pattern may also include any other Qi deficient signs.
Qi Stagnation:	Feeling of distention, distending pain that moves from place to place, abdominal masses that appear and disappear, mental depression, irritability, gloomy feeling, frequent mood swings, frequent sighing, Wiry or Tight pulse, slightly purple tongue. Emotional symptoms common	Other symptoms and which part of the body is affected depend on which organ is involved.
Rebellious Qi:	Qi reverses its normal flow in the Qi mechanism. Signs and symptoms vary according to which organ involved.	Examples: Belching, vomiting, hiccoughing, coughing.

TCM- Differentiation of Syndroms According to the 8 Principles (Exam 1) cont'd

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:19:00 +0000

COLD:
Full Cold:

Interior Full-Cold can arise from direct invasion of exterior Cold into the Interior. In particular, exterior Cold can invade the Stomach causing vomiting and epigastric pain, the Intestines causing diarrhea and abdominal pain and the Uterus causing acute dysmenorrhea. All these conditions would have an acute onset. Cold can also invade the Liver channel causing swelling and pain of the scrotum. <--direct strike

Comparison between Full-Cold and Empty-Cold
	Full-Cold	Empty-Cold
Pain:	Sharp, worse on pressure	Dull, better with pressure
Bowels:	Better after bowel movement	Worse after bowel movement
Pulse:	Full-Tight-Deep	Weak-Slow-Deep
Tongue:	Thick white t.c.	Thin, white t.c.

Manifestations and Etiology of Full vs. Empty Cold
	Manifestations	Etiology
Full-Cold:	Feeling of cold, cold limbs, absence of thirst, pale face, abdominal pain that is aggravated on pressure, a desire to drink warm liquids, loose stools, clear abundant urine. Deep-Full-Tight pulse Pale tongue with thick white t.c.	· Cold foods (salad, fruit, iced drinks) · External Cold that penetrates into the Interior
Empty-Cold:	Feeling of cold, cold limbs, dull, pale face, no thirst, listlessness, sweating, loose stools, clear abundant urination Deep-Slow or Weak pulse Pale tongue with thin white t.c.	· Excessive physical work · Diet (eg. inadequate consumption of hot foods) · Excessive sexual activity (KD Yang) · Internal Cold injuring Yang

Heat above-cold below

In some cases there is Heat above (as Heat tends to rise) and Cold below. This manifestations of this situation might be thirst, irritability, sour regurgitation, bitter taste, mouth ulcers (manifestations of Heat above), loose stools, borborygmi and profuse pale urine (manifestations of Cold below).

FULL/EMPTY

The differentiation between Fullness and Emptiness is an extremely important one. The distinction is made according to the presence or absence of a pathogenic factor and to the strength of the body’s energies.

The distinction between Full and Empty is one which is more than any other made on the basis of observation. A strong, loud voice, an excruciating pain, a very red face, profuse sweating, restlessness, throwing off the bedclothes, outbursts of temper, are all signs of a Full condition. A weak voice, a dull-lingering pain, a very pale face, slight sweating, listlessness, curling up in bed, quiet disposition, are all signs of and Empty condition.

Full Conditions:

The main clinical manifestations of a Full condition are acute disease, restlessness, irritability, a red face, a strong voice, coarse breathing, pain aggravated by pressure, high-pitch tinnitus, profuse sweating, scanty urination, constipation and a pulse of the Excess type.

Any interior pathogenic factor also gives rise to a Full condition, provided the body’s Qi is strong enough to engage in a struggle against such pathogenic factors. Examples of these are interior Cold, Heat, Dampness, Wind, Fire and Phlegm. Stagnation of Qi and Stasis of Blood are also Full conditions.

Empty Conditions:

It is impossible to generalize the clinical manifestations of Empty conditions as these depend on the organ and the Vital substance involved. Generally though, the most common clinical manifestations of an Empty condition are tiredness, loose stools, weak voice, desire to lie down, slightly pale tongue, weak pulse.

Types of Empties:

Empty Yang-

The main clinical manifestations, are in addition to those of Emptiness of Qi: chilliness, a bright pale face, cold limbs, no thirst, a desire for hot drinks, loose stolls, frequent pale urination, a Weak pulse and a Pale wet tongue.

The organs that most commonly suffer from Yang deficiency are the Spleen, Kidney, Lung<>

Empty Yin:

The main manifestations of Emptiness of Yin are low-grade fever or feeling of heat in the afternoon, 5-palm heat, a dry throat at night, night sweating, emaciation, a Floating-Empty pulse and a Red-peeled and dry tongue.

Again, the above are only the general symptoms of Emptiness of Yin, other symptoms depending on which organ is mostly involved. The organs most likely to suffer from Yin Emptiness are the Kidneys, Lung, Heart, Liver and Stomach.

Collapse of Yin:

The main manifestations are abundant perspiration, skin hot to the touch, hot limbs, a dry mouth with desire to drink cold liquids in small sips, retention of urine, constipation, a Floating-Empty and Rapid pulse and a Red peeled, short and dry tongue.

Collapse of Yang:

The main manifestations are chilliness, cold limbs, weak breathing, profuse sweating with an oily sweat, no thirst, frequent-profuse urination or incontinence, loose stools or incontinence, a Minute-Deep pulse and a pale wet swollen short tongue.

TCM- Differentiation of Syndroms According to the 8 Principles (Exam 1)

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:47:00 +0000

INTERIOR/EXTERIOR

The differentiation of Exterior and Interior is not made on the basis of what caused the disharmony, but on the basis of the location of the disease. For example, a disease may be caused by an exterior pathogenic factor, but if this is affecting the Internal Organs, the condition will be classified as interior. Therefore, a disease is classified as exterior not only because it is derived from an exterior pathogenic factor but because its manifestations are such that they are located on the Exterior of the body.

Exterior:

The Exterior of the body comprises the skin, muscles and channels. More specifically, the Exterior refers to the space between skin and muscles; this is the space where Defensive Qi and sweat are located and it is also the space that is first invaded by external pathogenic factors. The diagnosis of exterior condition is made on the basis of its clinical manifestations.

When we say that an extrior condition affects the skin, muscles and channels, we mean that these areas have been invaded by an exterior pathogenic factor, giving rise to typical exterior clinical manifestations. However, it would be wrong to assume that any problem manifesting on the skin, is an exterior pattern.

2 Types of Exterior Conditions:
1. Exterior conditions affecting the skin and muscles- caused by exterior pathogenic factor (acute onset)
2. Exterior conditions affecting the channels- slower onset, painful obstruction syndrome

Symptoms of Exterior Pattern
Main Symptoms:	Fever Aversion to Cold Aching Body Stiff Neck	Floating Pulse	Thin tongue coating
Cold: Eg. Wind-Cold	Slight or absent fever Pronounced aversion to Cold Severe aches in the body Severe stiff neck No sweating No thirst	Floating-Tight Pulse	Thin white tongue coating
Heat: Eg. Wind-Heat	Fever Aversion to Cold Slight sweating Thirst Body aches not so pronounced	Floating-Rapid Pulse	Thin yellow tongue coating

The main factors differentiating the Hot or Cold character of an exterior pattern are:

	Hot	Cold
Thirst:	Presence of	Absence of
Pulse:	Rapid	Tight
Fever:	Presence	Absence
Tongue Coat:	Yellow	White

Obstruction of:
Cold:	Usually only one joint is affected Pain is severe and is relieved by application of heat
Wind:	Pain moves from joint to joint
Dampness:	Swelling of the joints
Heat:	Joints are swollen and hot

INTERIOR:

An Interior condition affects the Internal Organs and bones.

A disharmony is defined as interior when the Internal Organs are affected. This may or may not have arisen from an exterior pathogenic factor, but once the disease is located in the Interior, it is defined as an interior pattern, and treated as such.

When an Interior condition begins with an invasion of a an exterior pathogenic factor, the most important symptoms that mark the change from exterior to interior stage are the disappearance of aversion to cold and the onset of aversion to heat.

HOT/COLD

Full Heat:

Any raised, red eruption that feels hot indicates Heat. For example, acute urticaria normally takes this form. As for pain, any burning sensation indicates Heat, for example the burning sensation of cystitis, or a burning feeling in the stomach. Any loss of blood with large quantities of dark-red blood indicates Heat in the Blood. As far as the mind is concerned, any condition of extreme restlessness or manic behavior indicates Heat in the Heart.

Empty Heat:

Again, these are only the general symptoms and signs; others depend on which organ is mostly affected. Empty-Heat frequently arises from deficiency of KD-Yin. Because KD-Yin is the foundation for all the Yin energies of the body, when this is deficient it can affect the Yin of the Liver, Heart and Lungs. A long-standing deficiency of Yin in any of these organs can give rise to Empty-Heat manifesting with various symptoms, such as mental restlessness and insomnia when Heart-Yin is deficient, irritability and headaches when Liver Yin is deficient and malar flush and dry cough when Lung Yin is deficient.

Manifestations and Etiology of Full vs. Empty Heat
	Manifestations	Etiology
Full-Heat:	Thirst, feeling of heat, mental restlessness, red face, dry stools, scanty dark urine Rapid-Full pulse Red tongue with yellow tongue coating	· Emotional problems · Diet (too much red meat, spices, alcohol) · External Pathogenic Factor that has penetrated into the Interior and transformed into Heat
Empty-Heat:	Feeling of heat in the afternoon or evening, dry mouth with desire to drink in small sips, dry mouth at night, night sweating, feeling of heat in the chest, palms and soles, dry stools, scanty dark urine Floating-Empty-Rapid pulse Red tongue with no coating	· Overwork · Irregular eating · Excessive sexual activity · Persistent, heavy blood loss

Comparison between Full-Heat and Empty-Heat
	Full Heat	Empty Heat
Face:	Whole face red	Malar flush
Thirst:	Desire to drink cold water	Desire to drink in small sips
Bowels:	Constipation, abdominal pain	Dry stools, no abdominal pain
Sleep:	Dream-disturbed, very restless	Waking up frequently during the night or early morning
Pulse:	Full-Rapid-Overflowing	Floating-Empty, Rapid
Tongue:	Red with yellow coating	Red and peeled

Clinical Note regarding Full-Heat vs. Empty-Heat
Full-Heat:	Causes severe restlessness, agitation, anxiety and insomnia with agitated sleep
Empty-Heat:	Causes a vague mental restlessness that is worse in the evening, an anxiety with fidgeting, and waking up frequently during the night

TCM- Patterns of Illness (Test 1)

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:17:00 +0000

A pattern is a collection or group of signs and symptoms (otherwise known as clinical manifestations) that point to the character, site and pathology of a condition (or disharmony). The pattern or patterns are determined through a thorough examination of the patient using the 4 pillars of diagnosis.

Signs and Symptoms:
The TCM concept of 'symptoms and signs' (also referred to as clinical manifestations) differs somewhat to that in western medicine. Signs and symptoms in TCM are broader and inclusive of manifestations that western medicine would not typically make note of as being significant to the diagnosis of the presenting problem. This includes manifestations such as bodily functions that are in addition to the presenting symptoms (urination, bowel movements, thirst, etc. ), emotional and psychological traits, facial and bodily signs and so on.

Relationship in TCM between Patterns and Diseases:
1. One Chinese disease (eg abdominal pain) corresponds to different Chinese patterns (eg, SP Qi deficiency LV invading SP, ST Heat, etc. )
2. One Chinese pattern (eg. LV Qi stagnation) corresponds to different Chinese diseases (eg. Headache, Painful periods, abdominal pain, etc.)

Relationship between Chinese & Western Diseases:
1. One Chinese disease (eg. Abdominal Pain) corresponds to different Western diseases (eg. ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel, diverticulitis).
2. One Western disease corresponds to different Chinese diseases )eg. Dizziness, Headaches, Tinnitus)

Identifying Patterns:

Each symptoms and sign has a meaning only in relation to all the other symptoms and signs ; therefore one symptom can mean different things in different situations.

Identifying patterns also follows the typical way of Chinese natural philosophy, which looks for relationship rather than causes.

Identifying the pattern allows us to find the nature and character of the condition, the site of the disease, the treatment principle and the prognosis.

Pattern Differention Methods:
1. 8 Principles

Interior/Exterior
Hot/ Cold
Excess/Deficient ( Full /Empty)
Yin / Yang

2. Qi, Blood, Body Fluids
3. Zang-Fu
4. Pathogenic Factor
5. 6 Stages/Channels
6. 4 Levels/Aspects
7. 3 Burners
8. 12 Channels
9. 8 Extraordinary Vessels
10. Five Elements

Although the term '8 principles' is relatively recent in Chinese Medicine (early Qing dynasty), their main aspects were discussed both in the "Yellow Emperor Classic of Internal Medicine" and in the "Discussion on Cold-induced Diseases". Both these classics contain many references to Interior/Exterior, Hot/Cold, Full/Empty and Yin/Yang characters of diseases.

The method of identification of patterns according to the 8 principles differs from all the others in so far as it is the theoretical basis for all of them and is applicable in every case.

The 8 principles should not be seen in terms of either or. It is not at all unusual to see conditions that are Exterior or Interior simultaneously, or Hot and Cold, or Full and Empty or Yin and Yang. It is even possible for a condition to be all of these at the same time. The purpose of applying the 8 principles is not to categorize the disharmony, but to understand its genesis and nature. It is only by understanding this that we can decide on treatment for a particular disharmony.

Moreover, not every condition need have all four characteristics. For example, a condition need not necessarily be either hot or cold. Deficiency of Blood is a case in point, as it does not involve and hot or cold symptoms.

Just so you know...

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 22:10:00 +0000

I will be selling out a bit and posting paid advertisements on my page. Please keep in mind that posts that begin with PPP is a paid per post entry.

Starting up again soon

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:33:00 +0000

Starting up on Monday with a full schedule again. Long posts of notes and interesting facts are also coming back.
This semester you can follow me in:

Point Location II
Materials and Methods II
Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory II
Introduction to Herbal Medicine
Introduction to Japanese Acupuncture Styles
Diagnostic Methods

Stay tuned...

Finals OVER!

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:22:00 +0000

Congrats to everyone who finished up this semester. Three weeks from today we start up again. Even though we'll probably have double to studying next semester, at least we have all gotten into the groove of how to study and how to organize our stuff! :)

Enjoy the holidays!

Check back in at the blog over the next couple weeks for cools link and/or articles of interest.

-Leah

M&M- Gathering Qi

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:54:00 +0000

Reasons for not getting Qi:
- wrong point
- improper depth
- some patients just won't get Qi

Ways to Gather Qi:
- Twisting
- Lift and Thrust

Supplemental Ways:
- Pressing
-Absorbing
-Tapping
-Vibrating/Trembling
-Waving
-Flying
-Scraping
-Sparrow Pecking

M&M- Tonification and Dispursion

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:46:00 +0000

Tonification and dispersion-types of needle manipulation

Tonification

-Used for deficiency

-Eg. Asthma

-Helps to strengthen body’s defenses and build a weakened system

Dispurtion

-Used for excess

-Eg. Phlegm

-Eliminates pathogenic factors and helps to harmonize an overactive system. Also expels heat and stops spasms.

5 Methods

1. Lifting and Thrusting- get needle in to desired depth, find qi

- to tonify: life needle slowly, and insert forcefully

- to disperse: lift rapidly, insert slowly

2. Twisting and Thrusting- amplitude, speed, direction

- to tonify: gentle amplitude, slowly, clockwise emphasis

- to disperse: strong , fast, counterclockwise emphasis

3. Opening or closing hole

- to tonify: close hole after removing needle

- to disperse: leave hole open after removing needle

4. Direction of needle (channel)

- To tonify- go with the channel

- To disperse- go against the channel

5. Breathing

- to tonify – insert on exhale, remove on inhale

- to disperse- insert on inhale, remove on exhale

Even Method- no tonifying or dispersing

Point Location Final

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:20:00 +0000

I've added notes for everyone to download. Go here to download a sheet for each of the channels. I've erased the points that we do not need for the practical and you can use these sheets to fill in the descriptions. Enjoy and good luck.

A Quick Note about Anatomy Notes

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:35:00 +0000

I noticed that when the document from the previous post is downloaded on some computers, it loses a few formats. Make sure to go through and check the alignments of the pictures and the names of the muscles they are associated with.

Thanks,

Leah

Living Anatomy Palpation Review

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:21:00 +0000

I made a very detailed study guide for the Anatomy exam, but it loses it's formatting on this blog. So go to this link where I posted the document and you can download it. Believe me, you won't regret it. This contains everything for the palpation section.

Find it HERE
All the way to the right near the file name, there is a download button.

Happy Thanksgiving.. Now hit the books!

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:10:00 +0000

After a lovely break, I'm back to school today. Getting ready for final week will be brutal. I'll post something related to finals when I get a clearer picture.

TCM-Tongue Diagnosis (Test 6)

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:55:00 +0000

The tongue is a useful gauge for monitoring the improvement or decline of the patient's condition.
The tongue is also useful to determine the location of disharmony related to the organ systems.

Important points for Tongue examination:

Proper lighting is critical

Natural lighting is the best, but if it's not available, examine the tongue close to a window

Proper tongue extension

patient should extend the tongue as much as possible without excessive force

Duration of tongue extension

extend the tongue for 15-20 seconds only

Food consumption prior to treatment

TCM- Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine (Test 6)

noreply@blogger.com (EatPotato) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:07:00 +0000

2 Fundamental Diagnosis Principles:

Inspect the exterior to examine the interior- outward signs and symptoms reflect the condition of the Internal Organs.
A part reflects the whole- the state of the whole organism can be determined from examination of a part of it.

4 methods of examination:

Observation (Looking)
Auscultation (Hearing and Smelling)
Interrogation (Asking)
Palpation (Touching)

2 Important things to keep in mind:

Correspondence between an Individual Part and the Whole- One of the principles on which diagnosis by observation is based on is that each single, small part of the body reflect the whole. Important example of this are the face, tongue, pulse, and ear.
Observation of Constitutional Traits- Why is it important to observe constitutional traits?

a constitutional type indicated the tendency to certain disharmonies and it allows us to forecast, and prevent a possible pathological development.
allows for us to put the presenting disharmony into perspective, helping up to gauge its severity

Diagnosis by Observation involves looking at the following aspects:

nose
ears
mouth
teeth
tongue
and...

Spirit:

In a general sense, it indicates a general state of vitality; if this is thriving, the person has spirit. The presence or absence of spirit can be observed in the complexion, eyes, state of the mind, and the breathing.

With spirit----> complexion is healthy, the muscles are firm, the face color is clear, the eyes have glitter and reveal inner vitality, mind is clear and breathing is even.
Without spirit----> complexion is dull, muscles are withered, face color is dark, eyes move uncontrollably, show no inner vitality or are not clear, the mind is unclear and breathing is labored or shallow.

Spirit of a person also refers to the mental-emotional-spiritual state of the person.

Strong spirit----> clear voice that projects outwards well, the eyes and the complexion have luster, expression is lively, mind is clear and alert, person walks with an erect posture and has a naturally optimistic, enthusiastic and mentally strong attitude.

Body:
3 aspects to consider when examining the physical appearance of a patient:

Constitutional Type
Long tern changes in physical appearance
short term changes

Demeanor:
This includes the way that a person moves, and also movement of individual parts of the body, such as eyes, face, mouth, limbs, and fingers.

General principle:
Excess of movement, or rapid and jerky movements --> Yang, Full, or Hot patterns
Lack of movement, or slow movements ---> Yin, Empty or Cold patterns

Movements such as tremors or convulsions always indicate the presence of interior Wind of the Liver.

Head and Face:
4 Attributes of a normal complexion:

Luster

slightly shiny
vibrant in color

Subtle, slightly reddish hue

reddish hue indicates a good supply of heart blood and a good state of mind

a 'contained' 'veiled' color
Moisture

Pathological Colors of Complexion

White:

Dull White- blood dificiency
bright white- yang deficiency
bluish white- yang deficiency with cold

Red:

Whole face red- full heat
red cheekbones- empty- heat

Yellow:

Sallow yellow- ST and SP deficiency or blood deficiency

Green:

Green face- liver patterns, interior cold, pain or interior wind
green complexion with red eyes- liver fire
dark reddish green complexion- stagnant liver qi turning into heat

Blue:

white bluish - cold, or chronic pain

Black:

cold, pain or kidney disease usually kidney tin
black and moist0 cold
black and dried up, heat

A moist color is a sign of good prognosis , while a dry color is a sign of poor prognosis

Incomplete post!