East West Medicine

The role of trigger points in muscle pain… Trigger points are felt as small, tender nodules and painful bands in skeletal muscles. These knots are hyperirritable spots. When muscles work in an eccentric fashion, that is a contraction occurs while the muscle lengthens, damage occurs within the muscle cells. The reason why these trigger points develop is because a neurotransmitter, Acetylcholine, is released in excess, which then causes a persistent, localized muscle contraction. This muscle contraction compresses blood capillaries which then reduces blood flow. Lower amounts of oxygen and glucose is then delivered to the muscle and an energy crisis is created. As a result, a number of pain sensitizing substances are released which activate nerve receptors that respond to pain. The muscle is unlikely to relax and thus, a vicious cycle is created. The presence of a local twitch response, referred pain or reproduction of symptomatic pain increases the certai...

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), health is a state of balance in which food choice is key. As a longtime nutritionist I can report profound positive changes when people get their food selections right. Nutritional balance from a TCM perspective is far different from that of Western nutrition. Modern nutrition science is based on knowing the chemical composition of foods and the biochemical pathways of the body. Western nutritionists quantify nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, and fat, then group foods accordingly, with a one-size-fits-all serving recommendation. The Food Pyramid, for example, groups bread, pasta, grains, and potatoes together as “carbohydrates” and suggests 5 to 8 servings. According to TCM, however, bread and pasta are damp and cooling, and thus are not recommended for someone overweight, bloated, or suffering sinus congestion. Sprouted grains, rye, and wild rice, although also carbohydrates, do not contribute to dampness because ...

  Dr kurt is trained in various styles of acupuncture and uses an integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Japanese Meridian Therapy, Korean Acupuncture, Auricular Acupuncture, Dr. Tan’s Balance Method, and Classical Five-Element Acupuncture in order to achieve the best results for his patients. *Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM — One of the most widely practiced form of acupuncture, and in which the plurality of practitioners are trained. According to TCM the body is filled with channels or lines of energy that innervates all parts of the body. The channels foster points that allow access to the manipulation of this energy to remove blockages and imbalances to the body’s energetic flow, effecting the various parts and organs of the body. Removing these blockages and correcting imbalances allows the smooth flow of blood and energy, stimulating the body to heal itself. These acupuncture points are stimulated using fine sterilized stainless steel dispo...

How traditional Chinese treatments can help you run a marathon