Winter 2009

Chinese MedicineIn Practice

The American Academy of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine

AAAOM Awarded for Outstanding Commitment to Health CareThe American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine was honored to receive aCommunity Service Excellence Award from the Association of Minnesota ChinesePhysicians and the Minnesota Chinese Health Center for its outstanding commitment tohealth care. Dr. Changzhen Gong (pictured to the left) accepted the award on behalf of theAcademy at the presentation ceremony, which was held at Jun Bo Chinese Restaurant inRichfield on January 31, 2009. Dr. Gong addressed the one hundred-twenty attendees,emphasizing the Academy's dedication to its mission of providing high-quality services tocommunities in Minnesota. As an educational institution and health services provider in thearea of traditional Chinese medicine, AAAOM is committed to building a healthy communi-ty and a strong profession. At the ceremony, the Academy also received a certificate in recog-nition of its role in providing medical services to the under-served and uninsured Chinesepopulation and other populations through the Minnesota Chinese Health Center.

AAAOM Faculty Recognized for ServiceEight faculty members from the American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicinereceived certificates of appreciation in recognition of their volunteer service with theMinnesota Chinese Health Center. Faculty members receiving awards were: Dr. Yubin Lu, Dr.Xiangdong Yu, Dr. Weng Jiang, Dr. Hong Chen, Dr. Daiyi Tang, Dr. Wei Liu, Dr. Yifan Liu, andDr. Cheng Chi. AAAOM alumna Weili Shen also received a certificate of appreciation. Theserecipients have regularly provided health care services and advice to the under-served anduninsured Chinese and other populations since the Minnesota Chinese Health Center wasestablished five years ago. Clinic services organized by the Minnesota Chinese Health Centerare provided on site at the American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine onSaturday afternoons. AAAOM faculty's efforts are very well recognized in the community.

Graduation Ceremony March 21This March, AAAOM is proud to graduate its largest class ever. Twenty-one students will takepart in AAAOM's traditional graduation ceremony and receive their well-earned diplomas inthe Year of the Ox. Graduation is a highlight of the academic year for us, and we invite anyinterested members of the community to join us as we celebrate our graduates' achieve-ments on Saturday, March 21 from 5-7PM. Graduates for 2009: Brent Barness, AngelaBuckridge, Deborah Bunde, Gerard Ceulemans, Candyce Clayton, Julie Colby, NicholasDougherty, Tammy Gerber, Linda Hafenbredl, Christine Hester, Sharon Jeziorski, SarunyaKatanyuwong, Robyn Kielsa, Lucy Larson, Mason McClellan, Sandra McClellan, Mary Rian,Joshua Reverman, Sarah Sawyer, Kennedy Sharp, Shauyu Villimpoc, and Justin Workman.

Inside AAAOMWhat’s Brewing 1AAAOM News 2Open Houses 3Acupuncture History 4Seasonal Health 5Herbal Formulas 6-7TCM History 8Health Centers 9Fresh Perspectives 10-11Dietary Therapy 11Summer Calendar 12Half-price Coupons 12

For more articles and information, visit our website at: www.AAAOM.edu

What’s Brewing at AAAOM?

fMRI Research UpdateAAAOM continues to spon-sor research which docu-ments acupuncture's effecton brain function throughfunctional magnetic reso-nance imaging (fMRI). Twolines of research have beenconducted recently. Onestudy investigates cerebralresponse when differentneedling techniques areapplied to the same point.Deep needling, shallowneedling, strong needling

and weak needling were performed on Zusanli (ST 36),which has the distinction of being one of the most scientif-ically-researched acupuncture points. This researchattempts to identify the clinical implications of differentneedling techniques.

Another research studyinvestigates cerebral networkactivation by stimulatingacupuncture point Tongli(HT 5), often used for lan-guage impairment problems.This research attempted todetect the network responseof brain structures includingBroca's area and Wernicke'sarea through stimulatingTongli (HT 5).

New Year PartyThe American Academy of Acupuncture and OrientalMedicine hosted a party to celebrate New Year's Day andthe Chinese Year of the Ox on January 1, 2009. Fifty-fiveAAAOM employees and their family members attendedthe party at Tea House in Plymouth. Delicious Si Chuan cui-sine was provided by Tea House.

Dr. Changzhen Gong, president of the Academy, com-mended the dedication shown by faculty members andadministrative staff members in supporting the Academy.Such dedication enables AAAOM to be a leader inacupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine educationin the United States.

PublicationsDr. Wen Jiang and Dr. Wei Liu's paper, "Tonification andDispersal through Point Selection and Combination," hasrecently been published by the Journal of ChineseMedicine in England. This paper includes a comprehensivediscussion of the following point selection principles: Tonifythe mother and disperse the child method (Bu Mu Xie ZiFa); Disperse the south and tonify the north method (XieNan Bu Bei Fa); Reducing the jing-well points by needlingthe ying-spring points method (Xie Jing Ci Ying Fa); EarthlyBranch tonification and dispersal method (Na Zhi Bu XieFa); The sequential tonification and dispersal method (XianHou Bu Xie Fa); and The bilateral/unilateral needlingmethod (Dan Jie Fa).

As a long-range project, AAAOM faculty members areresearching one hundred classical needling techniques.The publication cited above is one part of this project.

In addition to the needling-technique project, AAAOM fac-ulty members are also researching and publishing materialon classic Chinese herbal formulas. China Medical SciencePress has published thirty-one volumes of classical formulascompiled by AAAOM faculty members and their core-spondents in China. This ongoing project was initiated byDr. Changzhen Gong in 2003. One hundred volumes onthe applications of classical Chinese herbal formulas havebeen projected, of which forty-one volumes have beenpublished so far. Each volume is an extensive study of oneparticular formula.

Published volumes include some of the most popular for-mulas such as Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, Xiao Yao San, XiaoChai Hu Tang, Ba Zhen Tang, Shen Ling Bai Zhu San, WenDan Tang, Gui Zhi Tang, Yin Qiao San, Long Dan Xie GanTang, Wu Ling San, Sheng Mai San, Si Wu Tang, Si Jun ZiTang.

Edina Magazine Features AAAOM Faculty Dr. Wei Liu was featured in Edina Magazine's Februaryissue. She was interviewed by Sarah Colburn. In the article,Dr. Liu discusses aspects of her experience as a Chinesemedicine practitioner, including patient expectations,acupuncture's value for in vitro fertilization (IVF), and scien-tific advancement in acupuncture research. As a licensedacupuncturist, nutritionist, and certified herbologist, Dr. Liuhas written many articles for the lay public, explaining howacupuncture works in the treatment of various health con-ditions. Her articles are on-line at AcupunctureMN.com orChineseMedicineForInfertility.com.

AAAOM News

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American Academy

of Acupuncture and

Oriental Medicine

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Highlights of the afternoon will include:• Information Sessions about our

Master’s Degree and Certificate Programs• School Tours• Acupuncture Presentation• Visit our Library, Herbal Pharmacy and

Student Clinic• Answers to Your Questions• Refreshments

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O P E N H O U S E SSunday, March 15, and Sunday, March 22From 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

To RSVP

Please Call651-631-0204

By Wen Jiang, TCMD, Ph.D., L.Ac.Sun Si Miao was a legendary doctorof traditional Chinese medicinewho lived during the Tang dynastyin China (618 – 906 CE). Hisfamous book, Qian Jin Yao Fang,recorded many important herbalformulas and is still in use today. Inaddition to being an herbalist, healso practiced acupuncture, dietarytherapy, and other modalities ofTCM. He believed in cultivating

long life through beneficial health practices, and it is saidhe lived over a hundred years. Some books even say helived to the age of 142. Sun Si Miao is credited with beingthe first TCM doctor to use an Ashi point, and there is avery touching story about his discovery.

By the time Sun Si Miao was in his seventies, he was sofamous that people came from all over the province tosee him. One day, a neighbor told Dr. Sun about a youngman he knew of: the young man was very poor, very sick,and lived a long distance away. The neighbor said, "Thisman is close to death, but he cannot afford a doctor, sohe can only stay at home and wait to die." Once Dr. Sunheard this, he immediately asked where the young manlived and said, "No matter if he is rich or poor, everyone'slife is equally important. I should do what I can to savethat young man's life."

Although it was a long trip, Dr. Sun found his way to thehouse of the young man, whose name was A Niu. WhenDr. Sun arrived, A Niu was unconscious - he had passedout because of the intense pain he was experiencing. Dr.Sun performed acupuncture on A Niu and revived him.A Niu woke up from the pain, and began to weep whenhe saw that Dr. Sun had come to help him. Dr. Sun foundthat A Niu suffered from extreme body pain and beganto needle the acupoints which are known to relieve pain.None of these points worked: A Niu was still in miseryand could hardly move.

Sun Si Miao thought, "I tried all the points for pain listedin the books and nothing worked. Why not? Maybethere's a point we do not know about yet." Dr. Sun ques-tioned A Niu again, asking for more details: "Where isyour most painful place?" "My left lower leg" was theweak response. Dr. Sun began to palpate A Niu's legcarefully, pressing repeatedly and asking if A Niu felt painthere or not.

Suddenly A Niu said, "A Shi! (ouch!). Here is the mostpainful place!" Once Sun Si Miao found the spot, heinserted a needle there immediately, and manipulatedthe needle for a while. The response was magical: first ANiu sat up in bed; when Dr. Sun removed the needle, ANiu got up and walked without pain.

A Niu was so excited and relieved he grabbed Dr. Sun'shands and said, "Oh, you saved my life, you rescued me!"Then he asked curiously, "What was the last point youneedled on me? That was the point that finally worked."

Sun Si Miao was distracted for a moment as he contem-plated the discovery he had just made. Then heanswered, "You have already spoken the name of thepoint - ‘a shi’ (ouch)."

Since then, Ashi points have been in constant use for thetreatment of painful conditions. Credit for this importantmedical achievement went to Sun Si Miao, who definedthe Ashi point as follows: "When people have a painproblem, press on the painful area with the finger or fin-gernail. Look for the most painful spot in the painful area.When this spot is touched, the person will say 'A Shi!'Then needle or moxa that point to get the therapeuticeffect."

Sun Si Miao and the Ashi Point

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Sun Si Miao, the legendary doctor of traditional Chinese medicine who lived during the Tang dynasty in China.

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By Daiyi Tang, Ph.D., L.Ac.Every year the earth cycles throughits seasons, and each season bringsa specific energetic "signature"with it. According to the philosophyof traditional Chinese medicine, wecan tune our bodies to the arrival ofeach season, thereby promotingoptimal health year-round. How dowe align our personal energy to theapproach of spring? First, we need

to be aware of what happens to the environment aroundus as the long-awaited transition from winter to springoccurs. It is a time of upwelling energy - seeds sprout, saprises, and flowers bloom as the sun warms the earth.There is a sense of renewal, regeneration, and newbeginnings. Our bodies respond to spring much the waythat trees do: the qi which retreated to our body's coreas winter approached now begins to rise, flowingupward and outward. If you follow the recommenda-tions listed below, you will enjoy all the benefits of beingtruly in harmony with the season of Spring.

The Five-Element Correspondences of SpringNature = Yang; Element = Wood; Climate = Wind; Color= Green; Organs = Liver, Gallbladder, and Eyes; Emotion= Anger; Flavor = Sour.

LifestyleIn the spring, everything is full of life and new growth.The classical medical text, Huang Di Nei Jing (also calledthe Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine), suggests thathuman beings should wake up early and go to bed latein response to the active force of the season.

Traditional Chinese medicine recommends "muffling thebody in spring and freezing the body in autumn." Theidea is that we should be careful not to expose our bod-ies suddenly to changeable springtime weather. We havebeen wrapped up all winter, and our bodies will beunnecessarily shocked by going out lightly dressed whenit is still cold. On the other hand, exposing the body tocold in the autumn gets us ready for the winter weatherahead.

ExerciseIn Spring it is important to "soothe” the liver. The liver isresponsible for the smooth flow of Qi throughout thebody, including emotional responses. When the liverfunctions smoothly, physical and emotional activitythroughout the body also flows smoothly. When liverenergy is stuck, it is referred to as liver Qi stagnation, and

can have a negative effect on digestion, emotions, andother bodily functions. Ancient Oriental methods of gen-erating Qi and directing it through the body, such as QiGong, Tai Chi, and yoga are excellent ways to addressliver Qi stagnation. So, for optimum health this spring,move your liver Qi by practicing Qi Gong styles such asYijing Jing, Qi Gong Tai Chi, or Yoga.

Another reason to practice Qi Gong relates to the idea inChinese medicine that the Liver is responsible for storingblood during periods of rest and then releasing blood tonourish the tendons and ligaments when the body isactive. Therefore you can maintain your tendon healthand flexibility, as well as your emotional health, by doingexercises that soothe the liver and promote balancedflows of energy throughout the body.

Fresh air helps liver Qi flow. If you have been feeling irri-table, or have trouble with anger, depression, or anxiety,find an outdoor activity to smooth out that liver Qi stag-nation. Try hiking or traveling.

Therapeutic Use of Herbs and FoodThe "flavor" of spring is sour, but too much sour-tastingfood promotes liver Qi stagnation. On the other hand,sweet flavors have a warm energetic and tend to moveupward, supporting the optimum flow of liver Qi. Asnoted above, spring expresses its nature as upward-and-outward-moving yang energy. The winds of springexpress this type of strong, circulating energy. Wind,while it can be refreshing and energizing, is also unstableand can carry disease. Therefore, spring is a time whenindividuals are more susceptible to wind-borne diseasessuch as influenza and pneumonia, and may be easilypushed into a relapse of chronic disease. If the liver isnourished by sweet-tasting foods, such as yams, it will cir-culate yang qi throughout the body and defend againstinvasion by the evils which come with the wind.

Green is the color of the liver and of springtime. Eatingfresh young plants such as leafy greens, sprouts, andimmature cereal grasses can improve the liver's overallfunctions and aid in the movement of Qi. Examples ofrecommended foods include Chinese yam, bambooshoots, mushrooms, spinach, celery, lettuce, and mus-tard leaf.

TherapyAcupuncture and Chinese medicine can help improvethe overall health of your liver as well as treat stress,depression and anxiety, which are often associated withliver Qi disharmony.

Tips for Health Maintenance in the Spring

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By Yubin Lu, TCMD, Ph.D., L.Ac.People who are new to Chinesemedicine are often surprised whenthey see how many different herbsare in a Chinese herbal formula.Western drugs typically have oneprinciple ingredient, and thepatient only has to take one or twosmall pills daily. Chinese formulas,on the other hand, may contain tenor a dozen herbs, and the patient

will be expected to take a larger number of pills or cap-sules a day. Often, a patient is handed bags full of rawherbs and told to cook the herbs at home and drink theresulting tea. Why do Chinese medicine practitioners asktheir patients to go to so much trouble to prepare andtake Chinese herbal formulas? Why do Chinese herbalformulas seem so complicated?

First, Chinese herbal formulas are typically presented inone of two ways: as standardized capsules or pills (oftencalled "patents") or as raw herbs (actual plant parts).Many of the patent formulas are hundreds of years oldand are used because they have proven to be the mosteffective way to treat health problems or patterns ofsymptoms. When formulas are composed of herbs intheir raw form, they must be cooked, or "decocted," intoa liquid tea before they can be ingested or applied exter-nally. Herbal teas are worth the extra effort to prepare fortwo reasons: raw herbs are generally stronger in effectthan capsules, and raw herb formulas can be modifiedand tailored to fit a patient's specific needs.

The complexity of Chinese herbal formulas is based inthe nature of the herbs themselves. Plants are livingorganisms which have evolved over long periods of timeand are composed of dozens or hundreds of chemicalcomponents called phytochemicals. The various phyto-chemicals in a single plant may each be performing sev-eral different functions necessary to the life and process-es of the plant, but they also all work together to ensurethe optimum functioning of the entire organism. Forexample, a plant may produce a toxic phytochemical inorder to discourage animals from eating it, and at thesame time it will produce several other phytochemicalsto buffer the toxic effects to itself. In a successful Chineseherbal formula, the actions and reactions of all the phy-tochemicals in each of the herbs have been balanced toproduce the desired therapeutic outcome. The effectiveapplication of most herbal formulas has been worked outthrough clinical trial over hundreds of years.

Although most Western medicines are also ultimatelybased on phytochemicals, the process for arriving at ther-apeutic medications is much different. Western pharma-cologists focus on analyzing a plant's phytochemicals todetermine what physiological effect is produced bywhich chemical. A particular chemical is then isolated,refined and concentrated to achieve one powerful, spe-cific therapeutic effect. Some strengths and weaknessesof these contrasting approaches to medicine are illustrat-ed by the following incident. In the 1950's, Chineseresearchers decided to create a medication for treatinggastrointestinal infections based on a Chinese herbal for-mula called Ge Gen Qin Lian Tang. This formula, andespecially one herb in the formula, Huang Lian, hadbeen used for two thousand years to treat internal infec-tions and seemed to have antibiotic properties. Aftermuch experimentation with Huang Lian, the researchersisolated a chemical and created a highly effective med-ication for treating gastrointestinal infections. For twoyears the new medication worked wonders, and seemedto be much more effective than Ge Gen Qin Lian Tang.But then the targeted bacteria began to develop resist-ance to the new medication, just as we see in the Westwith antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In the end the newmedication had to be abandoned, but the formula, GeGen Qin Lian Tang, worked as well as ever because bac-teria rarely develop resistance to a complex of phyto-chemicals such as exist in natural plants.

There are several approaches which can be taken in theconstruction of a Chinese herbal formula. One is calledthe "team" approach. Herbs are assembled like a med-ical team or a battlefield deployment to meet the require-ments of combating a disease. There are always one ortwo herbs in a formula which are chosen to treat the prin-cipal complaints or main problems. These herbs arecalled the "monarch" herbs because they rule the formu-la. Since there may not be one perfect herb to addressthe main complaint, other herbs will be added tostrengthen or support the monarch herb in achieving thebest result. These herbs are called "adjutant" herbs.Arrayed beyond the adjutant herbs are the "assistant"herbs. Assistant herbs are there to address conditions inthe body which may accompany the main complaint,such as insomnia due to chronic pain. Assistant herbsmay also help reduce side effects or buffer toxic by-prod-ucts of the main herbs. Finally, with so many herbscrowding around the patient, we need a "coordinator"herb to organize the rest of the herbs and make themwork together; or we need a "guiding" herb that canguide the other herbs to the diseased location.

The Art of Chinese Herbal Formulas

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The formula Ma HuangTang is a good example ofthe team approach in con-structing an herbal formula.Ma Huang Tang is used totreat affliction by cold inTaiyang diseases (generallyexpressed as colds or flu).Symptoms of Taiyang colddiseases are fever and chills,body pain, neck stiffnessand dyspnea. In Chinesemedicine theory, the

Taiyang pattern is caused by cold attacking the superfi-cial part of the body, so the most important part of thetreatment plan is to expel the cold pathogen. The herbMa Huang promotes sweating, which is the fastestmeans to expel the cold pathogen, so it is chosen as the"monarch." However, since a cold pathogen usuallyattacks suddenly and powerfully, Ma Huang by itself maynot be strong enough to disperse it, so Gui Zhi, anotherherb that promotes sweating, is appointed as adjutant tostrengthen the function of Ma Huang. Xing Ren is the for-mula's assistant herb, deployed to regulate the flow oflung qi so that the stagnation of lung qi which causes dys-pnea can be relieved. Gan Cao, the universal harmoniz-ing herb, is appointed as the formula's guide.

Another approach to con-structing an herbal formulais to combine herbs to pro-duce a synergistic effect.When confronted with agroup of symptoms whichmake up a pattern of dis-ease, a formula can com-bine a number of differentherbs with different func-tions which in combinationaddress all the symptoms ofthe disease. The formula

Bai Hu Tang is a good example of this principle. Bai HuTang was constructed to deal with the following symp-toms: high fever, profuse sweating, extreme thirst, and alarge and full pulse. The main herb in this formula, ShiGao, is used to clear heat and reduce fever. However,while it can reduce fever quickly, its effect does not lastlong, and the fever may soon be back. Zhi Mu, anotherherb in this formula to reduce fever, works differentlyfrom Shi Gao. It reduces a fever slowly, but the fever willnot come back easily once it subsides. So when Shi Gaoand Zhi Mu are used in combination, the fever will quick-ly be reduced (Shi Gao), and the fever will be quelled for

a long time (Zhi Mu). Together, these herbs have aneffect neither one could have alone. Paired-herb combi-nations are very popular in Chinese herbal formulas.Some famous examples are Jin Yin Hua and Lian Qiao toclear toxic heat; Du Zhong and Xu Duan to relieve lowerback pain; and Huo Xiang and Pei Lan to clear turbiddampness.

Finally, while TCM practitioners are trained to assess apatient's symptoms and arrive at a pattern diagnosis, theyalso must keep in mind that each patient is an individualwith a unique constitution. Herbal formulas are pre-scribed to treat a particular patient, not just a set of symp-toms. A patient's essential constitution will affect the wayany specific pathogen or health problem manifests itselfin that patient. A TCM practitioner could have fivepatients who all have the same diagnosis in Westernmedicine terms, but each patient will exhibit a differentset of symptoms and will need to be treated in a differentway from the others. The art of herbal formulas is toremember that both the patient's body and the patient'sdisease are being treated, and to find the perfect combi-nation for that particular patient. That is why herbal for-mulas can be so complex, and also why they can be soeffective.

People who decoct an herbal tea for the first time areoften hesitant to actually drink it because it can smell badand have a disagreeable taste. But those same peopleusually find they can drink the tea after all, and evencome to love it, because it is exactly what they need.

AAAOM faculty members pictured here in the herbal pharmacy, where over 360 raw ingredients are stored along

with several dozen patent formulas.

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By Dr. Xiangdong Yu, TCMD, Ph.D.In traditional Chinese medicine, theimage of an apricot forest has come torepresent the TCM medical professionas a whole. A family of "apricotforests" refers to the sophisticatedmedical skills of a whole family passedfrom generation to generation. So,how did this phrase come to have thismeaning? According to the ancientbook, Immortal Biography, written by

Ge Hong during the Jin Dynasty, there was once a famousTCM doctor named Dong Feng who lived during the evenmore remote Three Kingdoms period. Although Dong Fengcould easily have made a good living in a big city, being ahighly skilled doctor, he preferred the natural world. He liveddeep in a mountain valley, away from public life.

One day, a local governor who had a severe febrile diseasesuffered a toxic pathogen attack. He sent for Dr. Dong Fengto treat him. When Dong Feng arrived, the governor's wifetold him that her husband had already been dead for threedays. Dong Feng was a compassionate man, and he hadalready made the trip to the governor's house, so in spite ofthe fact that the patient had been pronounced dead, DongFeng asked to see him. As he felt the pulse of this patient, agrin appeared on his face: "This patient still has a pulse, thereis still hope." Dong Feng grabbed three pills from his medicalbag and placed them in the governor's mouth with somewarm water. In addition, he did Tuina on the governor's chest

and abdomen. After a while, the four limbs of the dead per-son gradually relaxed and moved. The ghostly face becamecolorful again. The governor made a full recovery in just afew days.

During his lifetime, Dr. Dong Feng treated hundreds ofpatients and cured many difficult diseases, but he neverasked for money in return. His only request was for the curedpatient to plant some apricot trees around Dong Feng'shouse. Patients who had been cured of severe diseases wereasked to plant five apricot trees, while patients who recov-ered from mild conditions were asked to plant one tree. Afteryears and years, the apricot trees thus planted became a for-est. There were more than a hundred thousand apricot treesin the forest. When harvest season came, the tree branchesbent under the weight of all the red apricots. From his housein the middle of the apricot forest, Dong Feng sold apricots.However, he never asked for money when he sold the fruit.He just asked for a little bit of rice instead. Every year hishouse would overflow with the rice he traded for his apri-cots. Then he used this rice to help poor people and travel-ers. His noble moral character was praised by peoplethroughout the nation. Since then, "apricot forest" became ametaphor for traditional Chinese medicine and a TCM doc-tor with a noble moral character. TCM doctors with a highlysophisticated level of medical skill were referred to as "mas-ters of the apricot forest." "Family of apricot trees" became aphrase representing a whole family of highly skilled doctorswho would pass their knowledge down from generation togeneration.

The Legend of the Apricot Forest

AAAOM clinic interns have begun to treat patients at theTCM Health Center clinic located in the Uptown-Kenwoodneighborhood of Minneapolis. Patients in the southMinneapolis area may now take advantage of affordableintern clinic prices on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1 to5 p.m. Although it takes a while for any new clinic to catchon, TCM Uptown promises to be an excellent clinic experi-ence for AAAOM interns, and should be in a position to offermore intern clinic hours in the next trimesters. TCM HealthCenter Uptown is located at 2930 Emerson Avenue South,Minneapolis, MN 55408 (map image to the right).

Call 612-823-6650 to make an appointment. First-timepatients at the Uptown Student Clinic can take advantage ofa half-off coupon and receive an acupuncture treatmentfrom a professionally-supervised intern for only $15. Acoupon is available from the AAAOM.edu home page, orbring along a printout of this article to redeem.

TCM Health Center Uptown-Kenwood: three blocks east of theHennepin-Lake intersection. For more information on directions

visit the Clinic Locations page on AcupunctureMN.com.

AAAOM Intern Clinic Expands to Uptown

Year of the Ox: Year of Dilligence and Prosperity

TCM HEALTH CENTERAcupuncture Clinic and Herbal Pharmacy

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• Chronic Conditions• Gastrointestinal Problems• Skin Disorders• Functional Disorders• Ear, Nose & Throat Problems

• Pain Management• Gynecological Problems• Joint/Muscle Injuries• Supplementary Cancer Therapy• Mental & Emotional Disorders

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Faculty Clinic 651-631-02161925 West County Road B-2, Roseville

Dr. Wei LiuDoctor of Chinese MedicineAcupuncturist (Lic.)Nutritionist (Lic.)Herbologist (Dipl.)

Dr. Li GuDoctor of Chinese MedicineProfessorAcupuncturist (Lic.)Herbologist

Dr. Xinrong HeDoctor of Chinese MedicineProfessorAcupuncturist (Lic.)Herbologist

Dr. Cheng ChiDoctor of Chinese MedicineProfessorAcupuncturist (Lic.)Herbologist

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By Yifan Liu, TCMD, Ph.D.

You may have heard that 2009 isthe Year of the Ox. The Chinesezodiac contains a twelve-year rota-tional cycle of signs, and each signis designated by a specific animal.The twelve animals associated withthe zodiac signs are, respectively:Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon,Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey,

Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Last year was the year of the Rat,and it marked the beginning of a new 12-year cycle.Persons born in the years 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961,1973, 1985, 1997, and 2009 are regarded as belongingto the year of the Ox. The Chinese calendar is fairly com-plex, because it is based on both solar and lunar cycles.The history and customs associated with the Chinesezodiac go far back in Chinese history.

Chinese people believe that the Ox year is a prosperityyear, but it is not a time for flashy, risk-taking behavior.The key phrase is "slow but steady," with emphasis on tra-ditional values and conservative methods. During an Oxyear, patience and diligence pay off in stability andgrowth. This is a year of Harvest, when we reap what wehave sown. It is wise to take care of business in an Oxyear, and not let things slide.

The Ox (or Buffalo) sign symbolizes prosperity throughfortitude and hard work. Those born under the influenceof the Ox or Buffalo are fortunate to be stable and per-severing. The typical Ox is a tolerant person with a strongcharacter. Not many people can equal the resolution andfearlessness that the Ox exhibits when deciding toaccomplish a task. Ox people work hard without com-plaints at work or at home. They know that they will suc-ceed through hard work and sustained efforts, and donot believe in get-rich-quick schemes. Ox people aregreat traditionalists, preferring the familiar to the adven-turous. According to Chinese astrology, an Ox is the bestfriend you could choose.

Among the world's luminaries born in the Year of the Ox:former U.S. President Richard Nixon (1913), formerBritish Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (1925),Princess Diana (1961), and Hollywood actors GeorgeClooney (1961) and Richard Gere (1949). PresidentObama, who has pledged to begin rehabilitating theeconomy, was also born in an Ox year. Those born in thisyear achieve through hard work and routine.

People who study Chinese astrology say the year of theOx has come none too soon. In a year of global financialhardship, we need the determination and steadfastnessof an Ox in ourselves and in our leaders. Could the yearof the Ox lead us to a bull market in the near future? Ablessing for all: Good luck in the year of the Ox!

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By Changzhen Gong, Ph.D.A majority of people in this countrythink of acupuncture and Orientalmedicine as a "new" type of medicinebecause they are just becomingaware of it. Practitioners of traditionalChinese medicine (TCM) are oftenput in the position of explaining totheir clients that the roots of their pro-fession extend back to the second mil-lennium BCE. As old as Chinese med-

icine is, however, I believe that it can indeed be thought of as"new" in the following ways: first, it is a constantly self-renew-ing practice, easily able to adapt traditional methods to mod-ern conditions; secondly it provides Westerners with a fresh,new perspective from which to view the entire concept ofmedical care and treatment.

The practice of acupuncture initially caught the Americanpublic's attention with dramatic pictures of bodies pierced byneedles, combined with the apparently paradoxical informa-tion that the needles were "relaxing," "soothing," and, mostimportant, highly effective. Slowly at first, and then with anunstoppable upward trajectory, people began to flock toacupuncture clinics across the country. Common problemslike migraine, arthritis, sinusitis and back pain, which almosteveryone suffers from at some point in their lives, were foundto be wonderfully responsive to acupuncture treatment.People then found that a long list of chronic health condi-tions and functional disorders were equally responsive toTCM modalities which combined acupuncture, Chineseherbal formulas, dietary therapy, and others. The next stepwas the establishment of "specialty" acupuncture clinics inareas such as infertility, cosmetics, pain control, skin disor-ders, and macular degeneration. Along the way, many insur-ance companies discovered that acupuncture provides cost-effective treatment for victims of workplace accidents, caraccidents, and sports injuries. This progressive acceptance ofacupuncture by the American public and concurrent expan-sion of acupuncture services prove that TCM is not an oddi-ty anymore, but is rapidly becoming a force in shaping thehealth care industry in the United States.

Recently, acupuncture has shown once again that it can re-invent itself, demonstrating its validity as urgent-care medi-cine. "Battlefield acupuncture" has been developed to servethe U.S. army in Iraq. This modality of acupuncture is derivedfrom traditional ear acupuncture, but uses short needles tobetter fit under combat helmets so soldiers can continuetheir missions with needles embedded to relieve pain.Battlefield acupuncture is now a pilot program in the U.S.

Army, Air Force and Navy. In the aftermath of HurricaneKatrina's devastation of New Orleans, Acupuncture WithoutBorders was organized to address the emotional and physi-cal needs of hurricane victims. Temporary acupuncture clin-ics were set up in sites throughout the ruined city, includinga Wal-Mart parking lot, community kitchen, and Catholicchurch. The Acupuncture Relief Project, organized as a com-munity clinic, travels to countries which have been impactedby poverty, conflicts and disasters. The Project's healingefforts have been extended to Nepal, Cuba, and Guatemala.

So far, acupuncture therapy has been applied to over eighthundred medical conditions, and it still reveals an unlimitedpotential to deal with "modern" problems like ADHD or jetlag. This is why I say that acupuncture/TCM is a self-renew-ing practice. The effectiveness of acupuncture medicine pro-vides a new perspective on health and healing to practition-ers and patients alike. The limited goal of Chinese medicineis to relieve the symptoms presented by a patient, but the ulti-mate goal is to create harmony and balance - both within apatient, and between the patient and his environment. This is"natural" medicine in the best sense, giving people a deepsense of being connected to the common ground of life.Acupuncture medicine also provides a fresh perspective inthat it reconciles the perceived dichotomy in Westernthought between what is "natural" and what is "scientific."TCM theories and practices which are thousands of years oldhave been proven to be scientifically valid by countlessresearch studies. Acupuncture/TCM is a perfect blend ofmedical science, life philosophy, and practical wisdom. It isthe perfect form of medicine for the demands of the newcentury.

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Fresh Perspective on an Ancient Tradition

Example of a cover image from the January 2008 U.S. News.

In spring, yang rises and energy circulation increases in everyliving being. Our livers may respond to the rising yang ener-gy of spring by becoming over-stimulated. When liver firerises, it can cause digestive upsets by attacking the spleenand stomach. It is true that there are many more cases ofstomach inflammation and ulcers in the spring than in anyother season.

The best dietary principle to follow in spring is to eat moresweet foods and fewer sour foods. Sweet foods tonify thespleen and stomach, while astringent sour foods can nega-tively affect liver qi, causing liver yang to flare up. Spring dietsshould emphasize neutral and sweet foods such as leanmeat, eggs, milk, honey, beans, fresh vegetables, radishes,and apples. My favorite recipe for spring is Chinese chivedumplings, which have a pungent and warm nature.

Ingredients for Dumpling Filling:Chinese chives 2 poundsEggs 4Sesame oil 2 TablespoonsSalt to taste

Ingredients for Dumpling Sauce:Vinegar 50 mlSoy sauce 25 mlSesame oil 1 Tablespoon

Preparation:1. Filling: Wash chives and chop finely. Whisk eggs and

scramble in frying pan. Remove eggs from heat andchop into small pieces. Place chives and cooked eggsinto bowl, add sesame oil and salt, mix ingredients.

2. Dumpling wrappers: In a bowl, add water to flour andmix to dough-like consistency. Let dough rest for 30 min-utes, covered with a towel. Divide the dough into 4 partsand work with one part at a time. Roll dough into a 1-inch-thick rope, then cut the rope crosswise into half-inchsections. Press each lump of dough flat with the heel ofyour palm, then use a rolling pin to roll the piece ofdough into a dumpling skin 2 and-a-half to 3 inchesround.

3. Form dumpling: Put a spoonful of filling in the center ofthe dumpling skin. Fold the dumpling in half so itbecomes a half-circle. Fold the two bottom flaps of thedumpling skin inward so they enclose the filling, thenpinch the dumpling skin firmly together around thecurved edge, forming a wavy, or "piecrust" edge.Completed dumplings should completely contain the fill-ing and should resemble fat purses.

4. Cook dumplings: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add rawdumplings to boiling water and let water come to a boil.After a few seconds, add a cup of cold water to the potand let water come to a boil again. Repeat process,adding another cup of cold water. After the third boilingprocess, remove dumplings from water.

5. Serve: Place dumplings on plate. Mix dumpling sauceingredients (above) and spoon over dumplings. Serves 8.

Comments:In TCM terms, this dish has the following functions: tonify kid-ney yang; tonify spleen qi; strengthen bones; improve malelibido and fertility; reduce lower back pain; improve energydeficiency; improve knee function.

Food as Medicine by Dr. Cheng Chi, TCMD, L.Ac.

11

Even in times of economic uncertainty, TCM practition-ers are well-positioned to attract and retain patients. Thehealth care industry in this country is long overdue for acritical examination of its practices and delivery systems.Chinese medicine is capable of providing effective treat-ment for common and chronic health conditions at veryreasonable prices. As it becomes increasingly necessaryto provide cost-effective health care for an aging, less-affluent society, legislators and health care providers, aswell as the general public, would be wise to take a closerlook at Chinese medicine.

All TCM practitioners seem to have one or two patientswho have become so disillusioned with Western medi-cine that they refuse to see an M.D. anymore. For mostof these people, it is not really Western medicine which

has let them down, but the dysfunctional and disorgan-ized nature of the health care delivery system. In the nearfuture, Chinese medicine may be recognized not only asan effective form of medicine, but also as a model of ahealth care delivery system which functions very well onits own terms. I am not talking here about a "contest" ora struggle between Chinese medicine and Western med-icine, but rather a radical opportunity to re-vision the fun-damentals of health care itself. The ancient wisdom ofChinese medicine offers a fresh perspective to all of us,as we stand at a crossroads of health care. We can see aroad opening before us which encourages all valid formsof medicine to travel together, offering the best that eachhas to provide.

AAAOM Open HousesOpen Houses for prospective students will be held on March 15th and 22nd from 2-5 p.m. Read moreon page 3, visit AAAOM.edu for full details and to RSVP, or call 651-631-0204 with any questions andto RSVP. We hope to see you there!

First Day of Summer TrimesterThe first day of classes for 2009’s Summer Trimester will be Monday, April 27. Applications are nowbeing accepted and prospective students are encouraged to register soon. For application informa-tion, visit AAAOM.edu or call 651-631-0204.

Tai Chi and Healing Qigong ClassesAAAOM offers ongoing 10-week Healing Qi Gong classes on Saturdays from 9a.m. to 12 p.m. beginning May 2, and 12-week Tai Chi classes on Wednesdays from 6 to 8:30 p.m. beginning April 29.For class and registration information, please call 651-631-0204.

Dates to Remember

A m e r i c a nAcademy ofAcupuncture& OrientalM e d i c i n e

1925 W County Rd. B2Roseville, MN 55113

Student Intern Half-Price CouponThe Student Clinics at our AAAOM Rosevilleand Uptown locations are an inexpensive wayto invest in your health. Supervised by our fac-ulty, you will receive high quality treatmentfrom 3rd- and 4th-year student interns. Inreturn, you will assist students in gaining valu-able first-hand clinical experience. Treatmentsmay include acupuncture, herbal medicine,Tuina massage, dietary recommendations, andeven Qi Gong. Faculty members carefullyadvise and review all patient diagnoses, pre-scriptions, and follow-up visits to ensure themost effective treatments.

Treatments from student interns are generally$30 per session, but coupons are availablehere for either the Roseville or Uptown loca-tions to print out and bring along with you fora $15 treatment.

AAAOM is dedicated to integrating the best of traditional andcontemporary medicine, offering a comprehensive master'sdegree education in the theory and clinical application of tra-ditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Our curriculum includesacupuncture, herbal medicine, medical Tui Na, dietary therapy,and Tai Chi / Qi Gong, as well as instruction in fundamental sci-entific concepts and biomedicine. AAAOM is committed totraining TCM health professionals for a career of lifelong learn-ing and professional development to advance traditionalChinese medicine in the twenty-first century.