Similarities of Fall Wisdom in Judaism and TCM

By |2023-09-27T13:51:41-04:00September 26th, 2023|Categories: Seasonal Changes|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Judaism and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are two distinct systems with different purposes and cultural backgrounds. However, they do share some conceptual similarities, especially when considering certain aspects of their teachings in the context of the fall season. In particular, the High Holidays and TCM concepts associated with fall have some interesting overlap. Both the High Holidays in Judaism and TCM emphasize the significance of seasonal transitions and its influence on emotions, as well as "taking stock" of ourselves. In TCM, the transition from summer to fall is seen as a time of change as well as a time [...]

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Balancing Act: Exploring the Synergy of Acupuncture and THC Moderation

By |2023-07-18T18:25:59-04:00July 13th, 2023|Categories: acupuncture, marijuana, MMCC, MMJ, moderation, T-Break, TCM, THC, Traditional Chinese Medicine|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Recently, I had a follow up visit with a patient who had gotten a medical marijuana (MMJ) card about a year before. In many aspects of her life, she was doing great with the addition of MMJ in her life – she had less pain from her chronic illness, less neurological symptoms as a result of inflammation, and was sleeping better. However, she had noticed that her tolerance had gone up, increasing her minimum dosage, and that she felt like she was in a "slight permanent daze" from consuming marijuana daily for months at a [...]

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7 Acupoints for Mental Balancing

By |2023-05-23T12:42:07-04:00May 23rd, 2023|Categories: acupoint, Mood|Tags: , , , , |

Acupuncture has been used for centuries to promote physical and mental well-being. While this complementary treatment should not replace working with a professional mental healthcare worker, there are specific acupoints believed to have positive effects on mental wellness. These acupoints, when stimulated, are thought to help calm the mind, reduce stress, alleviate anxiety, promote emotional balance, and enhance cognitive function. Yintang (M-HN-3) Located between the eyebrows, in the center of the forehead, Yintang is often referred to as the "third eye" point. It is believed to calm the mind, relieve stress, and promote clarity [...]

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Harnessing the Power of TCM for Mental Wellness

By |2023-05-24T16:57:51-04:00May 23rd, 2023|Categories: Mood|Tags: , , , , , , , |

In recent years, mental health has become a significant concern all over the world. In the United States alone, 20% of Americans or over 50 million people, experience mental illness. Of that group, less than half will seek treatment. While it is crucial that anyone experiencing severe mental health issues work with a professional mental healthcare provider, ie. talking with a therapist or exploring medication options, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be a beneficial complementary therapy. While not recommended for acute distress or crisis management, TCM offers a way to get closer to our body's natural homeostasis. At the core [...]

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Celebrating AAPIs with Honor, Recognition and Compassion

By |2023-05-16T14:59:49-04:00May 16th, 2023|Categories: #StopAsianHate, AAPI Heritage Month, Holidays|Tags: , , , |

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in the United States. One aspect of AAPI culture that is particularly significant, especially to us here at Mend, is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which has been practiced for thousands of years and continues to be used today. As stewards of TCM, we respect and honor the knowledge and practices that have been passed down through generations of Asian practitioners. Though this traditional medicine is not our own, we strive to preserve, promote and practice [...]

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Why TCM is the Way to Go for Women’s Health

By |2023-05-17T07:46:37-04:00May 16th, 2023|Categories: Women's Health|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Women's health is a multifaceted aspect that requires holistic care and attention. Thankfully, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a number of ways to help regulate and balance the body. Before we get into why TCM is the way to go for women's health, we want to recognize that "women's health" encompasses a wide range of health issues specific to individuals who are assigned female at birth or those who identify as women. We acknowledge that not everyone who has female reproductive organs identifies as a woman. Also some people are women and do not have uteruses or traditional "women's health" [...]

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History of Cannabis in TCM

By |2023-04-17T10:30:31-04:00April 12th, 2023|Categories: Cannabis, Herbs, History of Acupuncture|Tags: , , , |

Cannabis has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries. According to historical records, the Chinese have been using cannabis for medicinal purposes as far back as 2700 BC. The plant was believed to have a wide range of therapeutic properties and was commonly used to treat a variety of conditions such as gout, rheumatism, and malaria. Most mentions of cannabis and its use centered around pain and mental health management. In TCM, the leaves, seeds, and roots of the cannabis plant were used to make different types of medicinal preparations. The leaves were often made into a [...]

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Dream Interpretation in TCM

By , |2023-04-13T10:26:34-04:00April 10th, 2023|Categories: Mood, Self-Care, Sleep, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

Dream interpretation, as a practice, is indigenous in origin. In spite of the fact that we may not always be able to recall our dreams, for centuries they’ve had the potential to fascinate, scare, and even inform us when interpreted. Like music and film, dreams can be abstract in their expression. The meaning of one’s dreams, and the method to interpret, is a reflection of social, cultural, and historical frameworks. In many ancient societies, dreams were thought to be a kind of supernatural communication and a divination of sorts. Later, dream interpretation had clear associations. For example, in traditional [...]

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Our Heart’s Protector: The Pericardium

By |2023-02-09T08:28:13-05:00February 9th, 2023|Categories: acupoint, Mood, Organ|Tags: , , , , , , , |

We're less than a week from Valentine's Day, with all focus it's focus on the ❤️/heart. However, an organ that deserves some major props around this time of year is the Pericardium. Physically, the Pericardium is a double-layered sac of fibrous tissue that surrounds the heart. Spaces between the layers are filled with fluid, which lubricates as well as protects the Heart from external shock or trauma. Of course, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the idea of protecting the Heart goes much deeper. A Bit About Zàng-fǔ One of the most central tenets of TCM is zàng-fǔ. Within this concept, [...]

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Questions to Consider for Winter

By |2023-02-07T16:50:17-05:00February 7th, 2023|Categories: Mood, Prompts, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , |

Photo by David Besh from Pexels In Chinese Medicine, Winter is the darkest, slowest, most inward and reflective season. Just as its opposite Summer, is the brightest, most active and energetic. This is not to be taken lightly, as truly, these seasons are polar opposites, i.e. yin (Winter) and yang (Summer). Similarly to how Summer's abundant daylight beckons us with long days and "fun in the sun," Winter pushes us to confront darkness and slowing down. This vibe can feel incongruent to our modern world. But rest assured, in Chinese Medicine, this is for our own good. Winter instructs us [...]

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