Check out the video below- it’s amazing! This kind of group acupuncture is so effective and very affordable (see previous group acupuncture posts….), and Anita has now opened Metis Acupuncture here in Portland.

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I recently found out that my classmate Malaika Lumen is working with a great organization called the Pan African Acupuncture Project (PAAP). The Project is similar to the Barefoot Doctor program in China, and a large portion of the focus is on HIV/AIDS care.

“The PanAfrican Acupuncture Project (PAAP) is a non-profit organization that was established in 2003 to empower the people of Uganda with acupuncture techniques. Since 2003 they have conducted several training programs, expanded into Kenya and are currently expanding into Malawi.”

On July 31st Academy Theater on Stark street (7818 SE Stark St) has will donate 10% of all concession sales from open until close to PAAP Malawi. So come down, check out a great movie at a classic 1940’s building, and be sure to grab something from concessions to help out a great organization!

For more information, you can contact the PAAP:

The PanAfrican Acupuncture Project
113 Summit Avenue
Brookline, MA 02446 USA
info@panafricanacupuncture.org
Tel/fax: 617-277-7444

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REUTERS/Mike Cassese

A classmate of mine just informed me about a recent online article about facial acupuncture. Check it out here!

Cosmetic acupuncture can be very helpful in treating wrinkles, sagging skin and fine lines. Small, thin needles (even smaller than the usual needles used for body acupuncture) are inserted shallowly into the skin to increase blood flow and energy of the skin. There are no side effects, the needles are smaller than those used with Botox, and it’s very effective. Acupuncture.com also has a newsletter that discusses cosmetic acupunture.

If you are interested in learning more about cosmetic acupuncture, the Mei Zen System is one I have heard a lot of good press about. A lot of spas in Portland are also interested in acupuncture, and the cosmetic industry may be opening up a whole new world for L.Ac’s.

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Now that the sun has been out for at least a few weeks, flowers and fruits are at their full potential for natures cycle and our own enjoyment. Part of this flowering and producing process involves insects that many of us love to hate (hate is a bit strong- more like “dislike” or even “fear”). Bees and spiders do so much for our gardens and flowers, but their potential bites or stings, though often accidental, can be painful or even life-threatening.

Traditional Chinese Medicine has a lot of treatment plans for insect bites, and since I’m currently taking a dermatology class from Dr. Hong Jin, DAOM, I thought I’d share a few formulas from the class and a few that I have used myself.

Jin Huang Wan, or Golden Yellow Powder is a powder that you can mix with honey or water to make a externally- applied paste. It draws out the toxins and helps stop itching. It’s also inexpensive and works better than baking soda for be stings. I can’t seem to find any sites online, but the OCOM clinic carries it, as well as other herbal stores. Keep in mind that it may stain skin a nice deep yellow temporarily…

Another favorite of mine is Dan Shen Hou Xue Yin or Quell the Surface Teapills. I took these after my last bee sting, which was pretty nasty, and the swelling reduced within 6 hours of the second dose. This can also be used in cases of poison oak or ivy rashes, or even eczema flare-ups. In the text for the class, a formula is Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin, or 5-Ingredient to Eliminate Toxin formula.

Remember to check with your practitioner if you have any questions about what herbs are in these formulas. Also, if you have a severe allergic reaction to insect bites or stings, go the emrgency room immediately!

Enjoy the sun!

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Time Zone clock from nexus404.com

I’m back from the trip, and many apologies for the posts that were lacking pictures, links, etc. I wasn’t able to fix them during the break. The posts the last 2 weeks have all been fixed! sorry…

I wanted to share the amazing technique I used for jet lag during my recent trip. John Amaro, LAc, Dipl. Ac., FIAMA, DC, wrote a great article about using acupuncture for jet lag. Check it out HERE! It doesn’t involve needles (which you can’t use on planes anyway), but ear seeds, which are cheap and easy to use. Basically the method involves using the circadian clock, and stimulating certain points for the timezone you are heading to. It resets your clock to a different time zone as you fly. Although it didn’t take away the complete lack of sleep, it certainly helped me not be wide awake at 4AM…

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1.) Cupping

This picture is so great- check out the bamboo cups! I haven’t seen a lot of these here in the U.S.

Cupping 4 by johey24

Here we use the glass ones:

Photo by *David Watts*

2.) And last, but not least….SHOES???

A line of footwear from Hong Kong is called “Acupuncture,” with the “A” that looks similar to the anarchy sign….hmmmm…..

www.acupuncturefootwear.com.hk

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1.) Video 1

An funny but somewhat unreal depiction of how many needles are used! But seriously-this is what gives acupuncture a bad name. I promise it won’t be like this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3DVN7XMiQk

2.) Video 2

Self-administered acupuncture with pins….not recommended by anyone!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sdli6fJyNA&NR=1

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Ryan Milley, LAc, MAcOM of
Mountain Sports Acupuncture and Encompass Chiropractic Health

1. What brought you to Portland?
The Oregon College of Oriental Medicine; it’s Traditional Chinese Medicine program AND the research department. Plus I love the all the activities Portland has to offer (surfing to mountain climbing and everything in between).

2. Why did you decide to become an LAc?
Drawn to healing arts, I was considering a doctorate of chiropractic medicine or physical therapy, but was swayed to becoming an acupuncturist after receiving treatment for poison ivy.  I was blown away by the results that were achieved. Couple that with my experience and training in Okinawan martial arts, I had experience with “ki (Qi),” and it was familiar with me. At first, I was nervous about making a living in this medicine, but I followed my heart (and father’s advice) and took the plunge.

3. Tell me about your practice.
We offer treatment for all health care needs, specializing in sports medicine. I am at two locations in Lake Oswego: Mountain Sports Acupuncture (a stand alone clinic in a gym), where there are also other providers including physical therapy, pilates, and massage therapy. I am also at Encompass Chiropractic Health, which is a multidisciplinary clinic that includes an acupuncture, a physician, massage therapy, and chiropractic health. It’s a lot of fun, energy and an over all positive experiences!

4. Where does your passion for the medicine come from?
The heart, in the western and Traditional Chinese Medicine sense. Evidence is read, felt and experienced…

5. Any advice for patients?
“Hara hachi bu” (eat to 80% full), stretch regularly, walk in nature, and use preventative medicine (e.g. TCM) at least on a quarterly basis.

6. What is your favorite Portland restaurant and why?
I’ll go with Ya Hala; I eat there at least twice per month (sometimes weekly) and it’s always good…vegan or carnivore you choose.

You can contact Ryan at:

Encompass Chiropractic Health
4309 Oakridge Road
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 635-4656

AND

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shiatsu meridian chart by echoman

Besides needles and moxibustion, Japanese therapy also includes a wonderful form of massage called Shiatsu. This form is different from the Swedish massage most of us are accustomed to, but it definitely heals on a different level.

When you arrive for a treatment, you will be asked to wear loose, comfortable clothing and clean socks. You will keep your clothes on, and often the treatment will take place on a floor mat, such as a futon (most can accommodate with a table if you need it). The treatment involves a series of stretches and energetic movement of the channels (see the chart above). The channels are similar to those in Chinese medicine, but there are several differences. It’s a truly amazing form of a massae

For some great shiatsu practitioners, I recommend (from personal experience) Jennie King, LMT, Elizabeth Hazzard, LMT, Shelley Wagar LMT, Susan Hare, LMT and Xavier Preciado, LMT. They were all instructors here at OCOM at one time (some still are!), and are all amazing people who offer slightly different styles of Shiatsu. Check them out!

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My interpretation of and experience with Japanese acupuncture has been that it is relatively “painless” style of acupuncture, as the needle is usually inserted in a very superficial manner. The technique of meridian therapy is very light, and there are other wonderful Japanese modalities such as moxibustion (see the previous post on Moxibusion). Even though this particular style is does not feel the same as needling may in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the results are always effective (in my experience!).

Meridian therapy treats the channel that is affected the most in the body. The pulse it taken on both wrists at the same time to determine a specific pattern. Once that pattern is found, needles are inserted at a shallow level to gently treat the affected meridian. There is a lot of palpation involved in this gentle therapy, and in Japan, we often hear of the blind acupuncturists. Read more about this amazing practice here.

Due to the fact that I can’t give this style of acupuncture much justice, read more about it on this website.

Here in Portland, I recommend my instructor, Bob Quinn, DAOM. He has instructed several Japanese style classes, as well as a So Tai class for students (more on that wonderful treatment later!).

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