Chinese Medicine Treatment of Menopause: Heaven and Earth Perspective

How much information can we gather in one minute of patient observation? How strong are these initial deep insights? According to the Ling Shu, chapter 4: “The high-level physician sees how the hidden energies from inside are seen on the outside, and then the invisible becomes visible." 80% of diagnosis can be done in the first minute, or even at the first glance. By applying the simple core tools of Chinese medical observation to clinical practice, it is possible to see and sense the inner manifestation of disease patterns, traumas, zheng qi, and healing potential. This is an introduction to a step-by-step diagnosis and a guide to developing your diagnostic tools, as deep diagnosis and a well-constructed treatment strategy are key to successful results. One must see to believe; one must experience to know.

The gallbladder channel travels between the front and back of the head several times, making 180° vertical direction changes. Beyond this switch in direction of the up and down movement of the channel, there appears to be a strong, clinically significant connection between these areas and some common headache and migraine presentations. Kiiko Matsumoto will share her clinical experience and application of these points in some of the most stubborn, yet common, cases.

Psoriasis has been known since antiquity in both the East and the West. Today, it is recognized as the most prevalent auto-immune disease in the U.S. and Europe. This introduction will outline fundamental concepts and formulas, including case studies, to manage this troubling disease.

The Ling Shu discusses yuan-source points in its first chapter as an important way to treat diseases of the internal organs. Most of us are familiar with the 5 Element-related yuan-source points. When we think of bone or muscle related conditions, we may connect those tissues to the five organs in the 5 Element traditions, such as bone being related to kidney. The Ling Shu also discusses two “levels” beyond the five elements, gao and huang, and treats them with equal importance as the five elements with which we are so familiar. This suggests that, for some conditions that cannot be resolved through the usual five elements, we could benefit from integrating these additional options.

Menopause is a time of natural change. In Chinese medicine, it is primarily related to changes in heaven-shen, earth-jing, and earth-chong. This class will highlight the heavenly and earthly views, with practical treatments, strategies, and points. From the heavenly perspective, jing transforms to shen, which can be seen as a transformation of wisdom and inspiration. Pathology, including anxiety, depression, frustration, and insomnia, can accompany this transformation. From an earthly perspective, changes in jing and chong can include symptoms such as dryness, hot flashes, night sweats, and slowed metabolism. The role of the extra meridian Yin Wei Mai will be highlighted in examining the pathology and physiology of menopause as well. In cases of antiestrogen treatment, which is given in cases of positive hormonal cancers, additional symptoms can include joint pain and stronger hot flashes. There have been several outstanding research studies concluding that acupuncture and herbs are very helpful in mitigating these symptoms.

New awareness of the serious and damaging effects of steroid use has come to the fore in recent years, with legions of patients suffering untold misery from topical steroid withdrawal syndrome (red burning skin and steroid dermatitis) and systemic steroid use. There is help available! This class will explore the most frequent side effects of the internal and topical use of steroids and describe in detail how best to restore the body’s equilibrium by tackling these common problems. Real cases from practice will outline, in detail and in a clinically relevant way, the best protocols, essential ingredients, and combinations to use to subdue rampant inflammation in the body without the need to resort to steroids, and how to lessen the impact and damage they can cause. Topical as well as systemic corticosteroids (like betamethasone and prednisone) are among the most ubiquitous pharmaceutical drugs in modern medicine, used to control a broad range of inflammatory conditions, including rheumatic, auto-immune, respiratory, gastric, skin, and allergic diseases. Although often effective during the acute stages of inflammation, they can have far-reaching and seriously detrimental effects on the body, causing adrenal insufficiency, atrophy of the skin, osteoporosis, lowered immunity, diabetes, hypertension, and persistent and reoccurring infections, as well as a propensity to invoke the so-called "rebound effect" (reoccurrence of the original disease, but stronger, after weaning off the steroids).

Gather clarity, inspiration, and strategies for creating a practice that exceeds your wildest dreams: a thriving, successful practice that you absolutely love. You will be presented with several business success strategies, as well as motivation, inspiration, and encouragement to get exceptional results and keep patients coming back for more. This workshop will focus on mindset and success strategies, and will re-align you with your Purpose, Passion, and Joy (your PJs!) while being of service to others. When you practice in your PJs, your patients will get better results and you won't feel so burned out.