Archive for the ‘Tweetz’ Category

@algancao – On Chinese Medicine Education

@acupunisher “Inner traditions” and many psycho-spiritual approaches seem like practitioner projection and excessive mental gyrations to me.
Sat Jul 11 15:28:01

@bweapons Chinese medicine is based on a different metaphysic than biomedicine, but both evolve through creativity and peer review.

Scientism is the metaphysic that only science can know truth. This leaves out the observer, (s)he who subjectively experiences whatever.

Perhaps Chinese medicine favors subjective “quality of life” over changes in lab data. We spend lots of time trying to prove via lab data.

Last modified: September 9, 2009 · al · No Comments
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@algancao – On Proprietary Acupuncture

I was angry at someone teaching a newaged theory to students. My mentor: “if its still around in 100 years, maybe there’s something 2 it.” Sat Jul 11 20:18:30

Chinese tend to take the long view on issues such as this. I like that, but it is difficult in our modern electronic society.

New theories and techniques are big business in Chinese medicine as long as they’re presented as old theories and techniques. :)

A new theory marketed as old: acupuncture over the chakras. Funny cuz, different cultures. “Do no harm” is rule #1, this passes that test.

Last modified: September 9, 2009 · al · No Comments
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@algancao – On Placebo

Problem with acupuncture is that everything works, or nothing works. We all repeat whatever works, but it is a personal choice.

Placebo is written off by researchers. I think that’s a big mistake. It holds the promise to unlocking vistas of insight into our mind/body.

I notice that an early CM advocate and author Ted Kaptchuk is focusing on researching the placebo response these days. Not at all surprised.

Problem with looking for biomedical mechanisms for acupuncture is everywhere we look, there it is. Hormones, neurotransmitters, nerves, etc.

Last modified: September 9, 2009 · al · No Comments
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@algancao – On Cultural Legitimacy of Chinese Herbs

@bweapons MDs use a lot of drugs for things that haven’t been researched, proven or approved by FDA, kinda like unresearched herbs.

The “where’s the research” objection from WM can be defended by looking at the percentage of drugs that are used “off-label” (unresearched).

When the West says “where’s the research on Chinese medicine???” it is difficult to respond with “where’s the research on chicken soup”?

Nobody questions chicken soup. As such there is little research on the topic. What I found said “why do we even need to research this?” ha.

Last modified: September 9, 2009 · al · No Comments
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@algancao – On Chinese Medicine Diagnosis

@acupunisher Diagnosis is knowing what signs and symptoms to include, and knowing which S&S to exclude. Fri Jul 10 05:47:16

@acupunisher Can’t include all symptoms. When shen-disturbed patient complains of aliens controlling mind, gotta know when to say when.

@acupunisher Color of aliens helpful information? Not sure, but I do agree re:patient’s reaction to them. I take same approach with dreams.

@acupunisher My point is sometimes you gotta ignore signs. To which of the 5 diagnostic colors do you attribute “plaid” as an example.

Last modified: September 9, 2009 · al · No Comments
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@algancao – On Chinese Medicine for Oral Health

@bweapons Chinese medicine connects dental health to Kidney functions (along with all the bones in the body, bone marrow, and brain marrow.) Tue Jul 07 15:57:17

Bad breath? Biomedicine says kill infection in gums. Chinese med. says fix the Stomach. Rx Coptis for “stomach fire” is also antibiotic.

Bitter taste in mouth? Chinese medicine says it’s heat in an internal organ. Could be Liver, arises with anger. Or Stomach with heartburn.

Sores on the tongue? Chinese medicine says put out the fire in the Heart. Can arise with bladder infections and passionate emotions.

Last modified: September 9, 2009 · al · No Comments
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@algancao – On Cupping

@Baridegi “cupping” is the traditional Asian medicine technique that utilizes vacuum cups placed on the body. Sun Jul 05 23:45:14

Asian medicine cupping leaves behind superficial round bruises that I like to call ‘crop circles’.

Cupping is popular in Russia, it turns out. A traditional remedy there too. They call it “bankas” or “jars”.

They have a saying, probably derived from Yiddish: ” you don’t know bankas” which means you are ignorant. http://bit.ly/L0beV

Last modified: September 9, 2009 · al · No Comments
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@algancao – On Endangered Species and Woo-Woo Medicine

@vichzp Chinese medicine doesn’t cause rhino and tiger extinction, but greed and poachers do. Same with elephants, bears, etc. Sun Jul 05 14:30:23

@amyalkon Chinese medicine Injectable herbs are used in Chinese ERs. CM there and woo woo here are not the same. http://bit.ly/10llP4

@robertsongames2 Rhino horn not for impotence in TCM. Lowers fever. Poaching is GREED & MONEY not health. TCM uses water buffalo horn now.

Others point out that poachers are nothing without a marketplace. Agreed. [Sigh] My sphere of influence limited. No magic wand to wave to stop this.

Last modified: September 9, 2009 · al · No Comments
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@algancao – On Flatulence

Added “borborygmi” to my spellcheck. tummy rumblings. Great word if you need a smart new way to describe impending flatulence. Just an FYI. Fri Jul 03 16:37:32

How’s your gasses? Chinese medicine differentiates digestive concerns based on the quantity and odor of said emissions.

Silent but deadly? Damp-heat. Strong odor, small quantity Burns anus. Bacterial infection? Could be dietary too, though.

Flatulence with large quantity, little odor: think “qi stagnation” or neurological/stress-induced.

Last modified: September 9, 2009 · al · No Comments
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@algancao – On Korean vs. Chinese Medicine

@Baridegi Koreans no like “Chinese med” as a term, so they proposed “Oriental Med.” which has stuck, many orgs rep OM instead of CM. Tue Jun 23 16:27:30

@Baridegi Kr. Med shares much with CM. 4 constitutions in Kr = 5 phases, 6 channels, 4 levels used in China.

@Baridegi Koreans whom I’ve seen practicing use 4 constitutions, but also other styles eg. 5 phases. We all use yin/yang, etc.

@Baridegi You can push and shove 4 const into greek methods, but bruises ensue. We all try to do that, but with only varying success.

@Baridegi Not as much difference between the two, but clearly some regional traditions.

Last modified: September 9, 2009 · al · No Comments
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