There is a new movement afoot in our modern western medical system called Functional Medicine.  This movement approaches health and disease from a comprehensive model, seeing an individual as body, mind, and (sometimes) spirit, and takes all aspects of a person's lifestyle into account to help identify, treat, and prevent heath issues. This approach is patient-centered rather than disease-centered and is especially tailored for those with chronic disease issues.  It looks at physiological processes, and functional aspects of the organs and their interactions.  This functional model is in contrast to the standard western practice of breaking the body into separate specialties, determining diagnosis primarily through tests that measure anatomical change only, and using pharmaceuticals that simply mask symptoms.

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Western Functional Medicine treatment pulls from a variety of sources and is aimed at an individual's unique needs.  The intention here is also TO CURE a condition rather than simply cover symptoms.

This is an exciting and progressive development in the western medical paradigm .  I would like to point out however, that THIS APPROACH IS NOT NEW, but thousands of years old, and is beautifully embodied in the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine!  

Chinese Medicine is holistic medicine. It is a comprehensive life science, and sees the human being as a seamless blend of body, mind, and spirit.  Emotions and lifestyle have much to do with the manifestation of physical (and emotional) symptoms along with constitution, and diagnosis and treatment aim to determine and neutralize the root cause(s) of symptoms. And, Chinese Medicine, outside of a disease model, also provides instruction on how to create greater vitality, longevity, and joy.

Of course diagnosis and treatment vary between the eastern and western models.  Many western Functional Medicine clinics acknowledge the value of Chinese Medicine and include acupuncture and herbs in their treatment possibilities. It is all good as far as I am concerned and a wonderful development. To learn more about the western Functional Medicine paradigm click here.  And, for everything you wanted to know about Chinese Medicine and more, click here.

Since it is cedar allergy season in Austin, I want to remind everyone that acupuncture and herbs can help this condition and sometimes significantly.  When I first moved to Austin (almost 20 years ago) I was informed by many that it was only a matter of time before I developed those dreaded Austin allergies.  

Well, I am here to tell you, both personally and professionally that that is not the case! It is also the not the case that once you have them you cannot get rid of them.  I know many people without allergies (it is a question I ask of EVERYONE entering my office) and many who once had them who no longer do. So, don't succumb to the rumors and believe you are stuck with the cedar (and mold and oak and ragweed) plague, it is not true!

As far as treatment goes, there are those I have seen in my office who after only a few treatments no longer have the allergy at all, and some who get symptomatic relief.

Ideally, treatment commences before the season begins and prevents symptoms when the pollen becomes prevalent.  It generally happens, though, that folks seek treatment once the symptoms are present. 

What I usually recommend is three or four acupuncture treatments over as many weeks,along with daily doses of Chinese herbs. Sometimes more treatment is required and sometimes less, but this is usually enough to improve things significantly, if not get you comfortably through to the next season or improve things for good.

So, remember this and know there is natural, safe, and effective help available! For more info on cedar fever in case you didn't know already, click here.

Although complicated health conditions require a skilled practitioner to provide accurate diagnosis and appropriate herbal formulas, there is a much a lay person can know to effectively treat themselves for common conditions with simple and safe Chinese herbs.

When I was in acupuncture school in the early 80's, there wereonly a handful of English language books available for the student of Chinese Medicine and even fewer written for lay people.  Since that time, a huge amount of books have been published on this topic, both for professionals and non-professionals alike. To see a mountain of them click here.

One book I particularly like is Asian Health Secrets:  The Complete Guide to Asian Herbal Medicine, written by Letha Hadady, D. Ac.

This book is a pleasure to read, (well, I like the topic), comprehensive, and eminently practical.  It teaches basic diagnosis and covers some simple theory.  It offers dietary and herbal advice on a wide variety of topics, from allergies, acne and arthritis, to colds, flues, weight loss, energy, mood, menstruation and many things in between.

And, if you think this is fun, be sure to stay tuned for the next time I teach my class which covers these topics and more.  To see the book and read customer reviews here is a link to Amazon.