Using this approach, the signs and symptoms are logically grouped and explained. There is a disease diagnosis, which identifies the major group of symptoms, as well as a pattern diagnosis, which explains the underlying cause or root of the problem. Because acupuncture points and herbal formulas are defined within the same framework, an acupuncture treatment and herbal formula can be developed to bring the patient back into balance.

Consider a thirty-year-old woman who comes in complaining of recurring headaches. In TCM the practitioner learns that the headaches tend to occur at the end of the day and anytime during her period. The pain is generalized in nature and she is unable to pinpoint any specific location of pain. Further questions reveal that her hands and feet are frequently cold, her appetite is scanty and her bowel movements frequently result in loose stools, especially during her period. As the practitioner looks at her, it is noted that her face is lusterless and her nails are pale. The practitioner looks at her tongue (an important indicator in TCM) and sees that it is pale in color. The pulse is taken and it feels very fine and  weak.

From these facts, a TCM pattern diagnosis of blood vacuity due to spleen qi deficiency is made. The treatment principle is to nourish the blood and tonify the spleen. Acupuncture points on her lower legs and back are chosen to accomplish this. Additional acupuncture points are chosen on her head to treat the pain if she has a headache at the present time.

An herbal formula (TCM rarely uses individual herbs) is chosen that includes about ten herbs designed to tonify the spleen, nourish the blood, and direct it towards the head. Lifestyle factors are also considered. In TCM, damage to the spleen can occur from any combination of a diet rich in fats and sugar, lack of exercise and over thinking (stress).

The preceding explanation makes no sense from a western medical perspective. The spleen as we know it in our western medical model has nothing to do with nourishing blood and under nourished blood has nothing to do with causing headaches. Because of this, some dismiss TCM as utter nonsense. For those trained in this art, it makes perfect sense and it gives us a very effective framework from which to treat ailments. TCM is not better or worse than western medicine, it is just different.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete system of medicine that has been used for thousands of years (estimated anywhere between 2000 and 6000 depending on the source). The major components of TCM are acupuncture, herbal medicine, and Tui Na (Chinese massage). TCM has been used to treat every known ailment, some more successfully than others.

Recently, acupuncture and herbalism have experienced a significant increase in popularity in the United States. With this increase in popularity, there have been attempts to integrate acupuncture into western medical treatments and to explain their effects within the context of western medicine. We know that acupuncture effects hormones and neurotransmitters that result in the relief of pain and inflammation. We also understand that there are active ingredients in herbs that cause them to have certain effects. This knowledge explains very little of the effectiveness of TCM. We are truly just scratching the surface. It will likely take years to understand these things from a western medical perspective.

So what are we to do? Does this mean we should not be using acupuncture or Chinese herbal remedies? Rather than wait until we can explain or prove things from a western medical perspective, most practitioners of TCM believe we should proceed with the model we already know ? the TCM model. This model has withstood the test of time. It provides a framework from which we can identify and treat illness. It is significantly different than our western medical model and requires several years of training, but it is quite effective for many conditions. It is not inferior or superior to our western medical model. It is just different.

One of the major differences between western medicine and TCM is in the way an ailment is defined. Western medicine uses a reductionist approach. That is, there is an attempt to isolate key factors common to an ailment and treat them. The TCM approach is holistic.

Instead of isolating the ailment, the TCM model defines a pattern of imbalance by looking at the way an ailment is manifesting itself within the individual. This pattern discrimination is the hallmark of TCM.

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The Lancet says that the emergency contraception Plan B, should be available without a prescription in the United States.

The respected medical journal says the acting commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach must make an independent decision on Plan B if he is to lead the agency on a permanent basis.

For over a year, the FDA has stalled on the decision over an application to make the emergency contraceptive Plan B available to women older than 16 years without a prescription.

This is despite the FDA’s scientific advisory board voting almost unanimously for such approval and is viewed by many as an attempt to avoid offending anti-abortion supporters of President Bush, who claim that the contraceptive is an abortifacient (a substance that induces abortion).

U.S. President George W. Bush nominated von Eschenbach to run the agency full-time earlier this year, but supporters of Plan B in the U.S. Senate, two Democrats have blocked any vote pending a decision on the drug.

As acting FDA commissioner he has refused to do so and his failure says the Lancet undermines both his credibility and that of the agency.

The Lancet says von Eschenbach should move quickly to approve Plan B in order to demonstrate the independence needed to be an effective leader of the FDA.

Editors at the Lancet, published in London, say von Eschenbach’s failure to act indicates he may not be independent enough to run the FDA.

Plan B is a set of two pills containing higher levels of a hormone used in regular birth control pills, as contraception. If taken within 72 hours, it can prevent pregnancy, unlike the abortion pill RU-486 regimen which ends an established pregnancy.

It has been available with a doctor’s prescription since 1999, but a growing number of pharmacists in some states have refused to fill the orders.

The Lancet’s comments are just the latest in a long list of media editorials calling on the FDA to make a decision.

Only last August, former FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford ruled the drug was safe and effective over-the-counter but said other regulatory issues remained, he then resigned rather abruptly a month later.

Many women’s groups and other supporters say easier access is crucial for women and will help reduce the number of abortions and a bipartisan group consisting of 62 members of Congress has also called for wider availability.

Opponents of the drug believe making the drug easier only serves to promote promiscuity and encourage the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

You’ve tried the fad diets, body wraps and sit-ups. You’ve finally faced the fact there are no “quick fixes,” no “magic bullets” when it comes to your health, and you’re ready to undertake a more holistic approach to staying healthy and fit.

Where to begin? The holistic path often takes its cues from the lifestyles of the indigenous peoples of the earth, who have traditionally lived in harmony with the laws of nature, generally achieving excellent health and long life.

For example, the Hunzas, a strong, healthy people who live in the mountains of Afghanistan, routinely live to be 150 years old. A 100-year-old person is considered young in their culture. How do they achieve such extraordinary vitality and longevity? First, they eat pure food, breathe pure air and drink pure water. Second, they live simply, in sync with the natural rhythms and flows of the universe; they get up with sun, lay down with the moon. Uncorrupted by modern society, they live as their ancestors before them have lived for thousands of years.

Most of us, of course, will never live life styles even remotely similar to that of the Hunzas, but that does not mean that we cannot meet some of the basic requirements for consistent good health and longevity.

Requirement No. 1: Pure Food

The average adult American has over five pounds of undigested red meat in his/her colon. When red meat is consumed on a frequent basis, the colon becomes clogged. As the meat decomposes, it putrifies, sending toxins throughout the system. Acne, bad breath, body odor, headache and constipation are some of the early results. As the years go by and the colon becomes even more diseased, more serious problems crop up such as colitis, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome and colo/rectal cancer.

The foundation of good health is a clean diet and a clean colon. In many cultures, people routinely practice colon cleansing on a regular basis. When your diet consists of less meat and more fruit and vegetables, whole grains and legumes, the food is easier to digest and the roughage and fiber have a colon cleansing effect. It’s not necessary to become a vegetarian, although a plant-based diet is infinitely healthier than a meat-based diet. Try to cut down on red meat in particular. Stick to chicken, turkey and fish. Try to buy poultry that has not been shot up and fish that comes from relatively clean water (the further north, the better). Don’t fry it. Broil, bake, stew, steam; anything but fry it.

Fried foods, particularly those fried in commercial cooking oils, are highly toxic and release free radicals, mutated molecules that cause disease and aging. All cooking oil should be “cold pressed” or “expeller expressed” (it will state so on the label) meaning no heat has been used in the processing. When heat is used to extract the oil form the plant, the oil becomes rancid. Commercial cooking oils are rancid before you buy them. If you fail to refrigerate them, they become even more rancid. If you reuse them (God forbid) they become even more poisonous.

Dairy products are another enemy in the battle for good health. In spite, of what the National Dairy Council tells you, cow’s milk was created for baby cows, not people. Cow’s milk contains almost twice as much protein as human milk, and the human digestive system is not designed to digest it. Milk causes allergies, asthma, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, bacterial infection (due to the mucous buildup which traps and holds bacteria), skin problems and fatigue. There is no other animal on this earth that drinks milk once it is weaned from its mother’s breast.

Cutting down on red meat and dairy products are two important steps in achieving the vibrant, energized existence that manifests when one begins to obey the laws of nature. As you cut down on these colon cloggers, your energy levels will soar, your skin will start to clear up and your attitude will improve. Eating some fruit in the morning and a salad in the afternoon or evening will greatly enhance the effect.

Remember the body, mind and spirit are one. If you are toxic on the physical plane, then your thinking, even your behavior, will be toxic. Submitting to the grand design by cleansing and purifying your system, although difficult at times, is the only way to achieve a harmonious, balanced, centered, peaceful and fulfilling life.

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Unfortunately, that is not true. Many of the herbal cheap drugs have side effects; dosage limits and drug interactions just like prescription or over the counter drugs. One herb that has come under new scrutiny recently is St. John’s Wort. This popular herb has been used for years in Europe and now in the US for treating depression.

Herbal remedies have not been tested for safety or efficacy like regular OTC or prescription medications and the FDA does not approve them. Often what we learn about these substances is learned as people experience problems.

Experts are beginning to learn more about St. John’s Wort in this manner.

St. John’s Wort users often experience side effects, whether they are using the herb alone or if they take other medications as well. Common side effects of the herb include insomnia, restlessness and gastrointestinal disturbances. While these side effects may be tolerable or not occur at all in some patients, others have had to discontinue taking it because of their severity.

More worrisome than the side effect profile is the growing list of medications that can interact with St. John’s Wort. It has been known for some time that the herb can interact with the anticoagulant medication warfarin, as well as other antidepressants such as Prozac. Now however, more documented interactions are appearing, involving a wide range of medications. The rest of this article will address some of those interactions.

1. Digoxin

Digoxin is a medication used in people who have congestive heart failure (CHF). When St. John’s Wort was added the serum drug levels of Digoxin were reduced significantly. Conversely, when the patient discontinues the herb, the drug level of Digoxin can rise dramatically. Digoxin is known as a drug with a “narrow therapeutic index” meaning that it is very important for the serum drug level to remain within normal limits to avoid severe adverse side effects. There are actually many herbal medications besides St. John’s Wort that may interfere with Digoxin, so it is probably a good idea to avoid any herbal medication while on Digoxin unless your doctor is aware of what you are using.

2. Oral Contraceptives

There have been numerous reports of patients experiencing breakthrough bleeding and irregular menstrual bleeding when taking St. John’s Wort. Any interference with oral contraceptives has the potential to result in unwanted pregnancies.

3. Warfarin

Warfarin is an anticoagulant medication taken by millions of people. When patients were also taking St. John’s Wort, their anticoagulation levels, or INR were often affected. This could reduce their anticoagulation, thus making them more likely to form a clot.

4. HIV medications

There have been reports of significantly reduced drug levels of some of the HIV medications when the patient has been using St. John’s Wort also. These reduced drug levels can lead to treatment failure as well as allowing the virus the chance to develop resistance to the drugs themselves. Over time this could render a particular drug useless in the fight against HIV.

5. Photosensitivity

Many prescription medications can make a person more sensitive to the sun, and therefore more likely to suffer sunburn in a shorter period of time. Using St. John’s Wort, can make you more sensitive to the sun on its own, with any of those medications may increase the risk for photosensitive reactions. Be very careful about sun exposure if you are using St. John’s Wort.

There are many other potential drug interactions with drugs such as calcium channel blockers and chemotherapy agents. At this time there is not enough evidence to prove whether these potential interactions can pose a threat to a person’s health.

As the popularity of herbal treatments continues to grow we can be assured we will continue to learn of more drug interactions between the herbals and prescription medications. Unfortunately we often learn of these interactions as patients experience them, not in clinical trials. A large part of the problem is that most people who take herbal treatments don’t consider them medications and fail to inform their doctor or their pharmacist that they are taking them. Without that knowledge, the doctor or pharmacist can’t do much to try to help protect you from these possible health risks.

A.There are various techniques used to achieve a solid fusion. The simplest is to roughen the bone surfaces, insert a bone graft, then use a back support to limit the motion of the spine while the fusion is taking place. In most cases, though, after the roughening and bone graft, the spine is held together with hardware. This hardware stabilizes the bone until the fusion becomes solid. Various devices are used to do this, including hooks, plates, screws and rods.

The pedicle screws are a type of fixation device that is inserted into the pedicle. This generally provides a more rigid construct than either hook or wire systems. Pedicle screws are useful for stabilizing the spine, correcting scoliosis and stabilizing fractures. They are primarily used in the lumbar spine (lower back). Occasionally they are used in the thoracic spine (chest region), but this is more risky.

A.Although pedicle screws have advantages, they have higher potential complication rates as well. These complications include increased operative time and increased blood loss. There are also potential complications related to improper insertion. When the hole is drilled or the screw inserted, there can be damage to the nerve roots or possibly the spinal cord. In general, though, pedicle screw fixation provides an excellent method for increasing the rate of fusion, and it provides excellent stability. Fusion rates using pedicle screws are higher than fusions without hardware. In the hands of a well-trained spine surgeon, I think that pedicle screws are indeed quite safe.

A.You’re not stretching nearly enough! This is an all-too common complaint among people who get into a fixed routine of aerobics and strength training. I find their hamstrings and tendons throughout the body get so tight, they create postural problems and all sorts of aches, pulls and strains.

A. You need to restore your flexibility, but do it slowly, a class at a time. Yoga would certainly be ideal! Take a class and find out your limits right now. You’ll be amazed at how fast you can progress.

You can measure that by how much more fluid and easy the postures become. In the beginning, you’ll feel exceptionally tight and unable to do what many in the class are doing … but that’s OK. Let it go, and know that yoga is a deeply personal experience, and you will make progress day by day.

I really think that’s what’s called for. You sound very disciplined with the other parts of your fitness routine — but this need for flexibility is crucial right now.

Poison ivy and its relatives cause many of the most irritating rashes of summer. Children are very prone to poison ivy — more so than adults — because they are likely to run into the plant in the course of their activities while they are wearing shorts, swimsuits or other summer clothing. If you’ve encountered poison ivy, you know just how irritating it can be.

The rash of poison ivy is a contact dermatitis, which is an inflammation of the skin resulting from direct contact with the plant and its oily resin. Although some people say they are very “allergic” to poison ivy, we all have an equal chance of experiencing a contact dermatitis when exposed to it. Some people do seem to experience a very severe reaction to poison ivy, probably because of a heavy exposure.

The contact dermatitis we call “poison ivy” can be caused by one of three members of the Rhus plant family: poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac. Sometimes the plants that cause the poison ivy rash are referred to as “poison weed.”

Poison ivy plants are prevalent all over the United States, except the Southwest, in fields and woods and even back yards. The plant grows as a small bush or vine and consists of branches with “leaves of three,” which are green in summer with a red stem, and red in the fall.

Poison oak grows on the West Coast as an upright shrub. The leaves resemble the leaves of an oak tree, but they are very glossy and occasionally have a fuzzy texture. Poison sumac, which is much less common than poison ivy or poison oak, grows in woody or swampy areas in the Eastern United States. Poison sumac stems bear seven to 13 leaves, arranged in pairs, with a central leaf at the end of the stem.

When children run in the woods or fields, or reach into the weeds to retrieve a baseball, their arms, legs or faces may graze against the edge of a poison weed leaf. This light contact with the oily resin of the plant is enough to cause a red, raised and intensely itchy rash to develop within eight to 48 hours. Often the rash takes the form of a line, or a series of lines, where the leaf edge brushed against the skin.

Children who experience a severe poison ivy reaction may have had more significant exposure to the plant — such as sitting or lying in a patch, or pulling out plants while weeding, for example. Severe facial poison ivy can occur when a child hugs and nuzzles a pet that may have the resin on its fur, or when they are near a campfire that is burning poison ivy leaves.

Poison ivy rashes often become blistery, weeping or oozing sores over the course of a few days. If you are not certain whether a rash is poison ivy, arrange a visit with your pediatrician for a diagnosis and for tips on managing the rash.

Poison weed can spoil a camping trip or family outing. Teach your children to identify the type of poison weed that grows in your region and how to avoid it. Like so many pediatric problems, prevention is the best way to manage poison weed rashes!

Sleep. At the end of this month, your baby should be sleeping through the night. He may wake for short stretches, but you may want to wait and see if he can put himself back to sleep. By rushing in when he wakes, your are teaching him that he cannot get to sleep without his mom or dad to comfort him. If you have trouble getting him to sleep be sure his is getting enough stimuli during the day. Do not leave him in the crib too long when awake. He needs to associate the crib with sleep time. Place your infant down in the crib at night when he is drowsy, but not fully asleep.

Growth and Development. Your baby can now turn its head from side to side and follow a person with their eyes. When awake, cuddling isn’t enough anymore. They want to be talked to and played with. Show him new things.

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Color is becoming an important aspect in your baby’s vision. Red, greens and blues with interesting shapes are still their favorites. Pastel colors will run together and will be cloudy to their vision.

He will respond to a voice with coos or giggles. He may learn a new trick to blow bubbles with saliva. He may grasp voluntarily and will start to unflex his hand. The hands are becoming the focal point for an infant at this stage. If an infant drops an object, he assumes it has mysteriously vanished, and will not search for it. The coordination of looking – grasping and sucking means everything goes in their mouths. It is important to keep these items clean.

Enrichment Through Games.

Use different textures for your infant to feel.

A spongy squeeze top is a great toy at this age. An infant can squeeze it and let go and watch it go back to its original shape. They seem to love repetition.

Have your infant sit in your lap and look into each others eyes. When he glances away, you can glance away as well. As soon as he looks back and sees your not looking at him, he may fuss, look right back at him and watch the fun.

During a bath, touch and name his body parts. Use alot of baby talk, mimic your baby.

Shake your head, clap your hands, and stick your tongue out. Babies of this age love this activity. Get on the floor at his level and play!

There are variations to the tools and methods used during the procedure. A plastic or metal bell may be placed between the glans and foreskin. A string is then tied around the foreskin and the foreskin is removed around it. A plastic ring is placed around the end of the penis, to allow the remaining foreskin to wither and fall off. When the leftover foreskin falls away, so does the plastic ring.

Using another method, a clamp may be put over the foreskin for a few minutes to control bleeding — then the foreskin taken off around the clamp. Yet another type of circumcision is done by cutting off the foreskin with a knife or scissors, then stitches are put into place, or perhaps the area is finished with a cauterizing needle.

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