In the classical Chinese Medicine texts it is recommended in the winter months that practitioners focus treatment more on diet and herbal medicine and less on acupuncture. In the fall months it is recommended to use more “he-sea points,” generally found by the elbows and knees, in the summer on “shu-stream” points by the finger and toe joints, and in the spring treatments are centered around the “luo (Lew-oh) vessels” located in the middle.

Of course this does not mean each of these point selections or modalities cannot be used throughout the year, nor that they should be avoided during the other seasons. Ultimately a person’s unique presentation are the most important determining factors for treatment, however knowing these traditional principles can offer guidance towards beginning thought processes in the clinic. nnPer the writings of acupuncturist, Nicholas Sieben, the luo-connecting vessels are said to be “channels of latency” – that by the time a pathogen reaches this point in the body our immune system has failed, albeit to varying degrees, and the body is in danger of transforming something potentially simple into a chronic imbalance. Instead, we can utilize the “luo point” on each organ channel to prevent a particular pathogen from traveling deeper, and choose to hold it in latency until the immune system is robust enough to properly expel it (an excellent approach to metabolizing the antibodies formed by a vaccine, for example).

In my opinion, this is part of the reason why these points are so indicated during the spring: Regardless of how quarantined we’ve been, winter is still the winter, and our immune systems are at their weakest as we emerge from the cold. As animals on the outside awaken from their hibernation so too might the living bacteria within our bodies. We can use luo points either to expel that which has been waiting all winter to leave, otherwise to elegantly redirect that which has been threatening to progress systemically deeper. nnMany of you are experientially aware that one of my favorite (luo-connecting) points to use is Pericardium 6, named “Inner Pass,” located about two inches above the wrist crease between the tendons along the median nerve, and is most effective when you feel that mild tingling sensation on the fingers. Reasons to use this point are infinite, but what excites me most about it is what I learned from Dr. Ayla Wolff about its effect on our brains: fMRI studies have shown it to activate the ascending reticular activating system, which is most activated during REM sleep. It increases connectivity between our “default mode network” and our midbrain’s periaqueductal gray matter, the latter of which is the control center for our naturally occurring opioids, the former of which is our majority state of consciousness, or what people perceive to be our personality. What does this mean, and how does it translate? It means that needling Pericardium 6 should make our experience of life more painless, whether physically or emotionally – also that the responsibility of the channels of latency is to neurologically re-define our state of consciousness as it pertains to our suffering, which makes such treatments a great time for meditation!

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Hello friends – wishing you a happy upcoming Chinese new year of the metal ox, which will begin on February 12th. Our last year of the ox was 2009, Obama’s first year in office, which seems conspicuously fitting. 2009 was also my first year in Chinese medical school, and on the hopeful heels of the pandemic, colleagues and I do, in many ways feel like we are starting over.

Another manner in which the ox’s significance seems conveniently accommodating is in its value placed on hard work. As Americans, most of us are already conditioned to work hard, making the years of other animals more of a challenge for our type A psyches. But this year, especially in the wake of having to stop and rest against many of our wills, hard work might be as welcome as it is necessary in the interest of rebuilding. The ox is said to reward discipline and diligence with success, which contrary to popular belief, does not always yield a 1:1 correlation. In the coming year it should, though of course a proper attitude and self-care are still helpful. Hard work does not mean going non-stop until midnight, sacrificing sleep, and forgetting to eat or exercise.

In other news, I have received the first of my two vaccines and have the second one scheduled. I did experience some mild side effects and would be happy to discuss directly with anyone who contacts me. Calling back to the discipline of the ox, I would strongly urge everyone to prepare for the vaccine by eating extremely cleanly (mostly warm, nourishing foods) and getting plenty of sleep in the weeks leading up to and afterwards. Acupuncture is obviously highly recommended to modulate immune function, and one study I read recommended some form of vigorous exercise any time in the 24 hours leading up to your vaccine (NOT AFTER). * “Vigorous exercise” should also be interpreted relative to your present regimen. If you almost never exercise then light exercise will be more beneficial.

I recently had my first article published in our national periodical, Acupuncture Today, which I’m quite proud of and you can purchase or read online here: https://www.acupuncturetoday.com/digital/index.php?i=755&a_id=33960&pn=47&r=t&Page=47

At least until I am fully vaccinated and local levels decrease, my office hours will continue at the bare minimum: Mondays and Wednesdays only, from 9am-8pm, with virtual visits available on all other weekdays. As always, your support and patience are appreciated. Wishing everyone well!

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Last year I was dealing with low back pain due to a chronic sacro-iliac pathology and my yoga teacher has been teaching me how to breathe. Acupuncture treatments help, but by learning how to breathe into my lower back, into my kidneys believe it or not, I’m better able to activate my transverse abdominis. I’m able to engage antagonist core muscles, which take pressure off of my spine and release the excess nitric oxide that perpetuates my inflammation.

For the past month my yoga has looked geriatric. I do less than everyone in the class and I move slower, but I think for the first time in my life I’m moving properly. I’m breathing mindfully, maintaining a focus at my core, which was actually the intention of yoga at its inception in India, before America got our hands on it and turned it into fitness class.

What better time to finally learn how to breathe than in the midst of an upper respiratory pandemic, in the fall? In Chinese Medicine the autumn season corresponds with the metal element, which corresponds with the emotion of grief and the lungs. To balance this there is no commodity more valuable than the breath… and yet it is free.

We are deeply conditioned, first to believe that we need someone outside of ourselves to heal us, second that it has to cost money, if not a whole lot of money for all kinds of pills, procedures, fancy technology and follow-up visits. Finally we’re conditioned to believe it has to be difficult. We experience discomfort and a montage of hell instantly flashes through our minds: Doctors’ offices, specialists that are booked out months in advance, post-it notes of referrals, physical therapy, medical bills, annoying teleprompts on hold with our insurance company, western pharmaceuticals, eastern herbs, alternative medical clinics with soothing music that doesn’t soothe us at all, as our sympathetic nervous systems lock into the organic fight-or-flight response to chronic pain. It doesn’t have to be like this.

Okay, sometimes it does and for those cases I am sorry. Many conditions require great patience, trial, and error. In these cases we should not be shy of asking for help, nor frugal about cost. However, the dichotomy of this is that the best things in life are often free, and nothing is more free (and under-utilized) than our breath.

When we breathe into our abdomens (or low back) our diaphragm drops down and allows the lungs to expand, which improves our exchange of carbon dioxide for oxygen. When we have more oxygen in the body it results in healthier blood flow, healthier blood, and lower blood pressure. With lower blood pressure our cardiovascular health improves, which improves immune function and allows more (healthy) blood to reach the brain.

Per my teachers at Botanical Biohacking: Proper breathing can increase the body’s healthy nitric oxide (or “qi”) as well as expel pathological, excess nitric oxide. The latter helps to increase lymphatic drainage and eliminate lipopolysaccharides (fat), and assists in the thyroid’s conversion of T4 TO T3 by removing pathogenic bacteria from the gut. This is why we breathe.

Here are a few exercises I’d like to share, from which you can choose one or a few that resonate with you and do it/them daily for one month. Observe if any of your symptoms or just overall state of being improves. If not it didn’t cost you a penny!

To Regulate Immune Function

· “Third Eye Humming” courtesy of Botanical Biohacking:

Inhale deeply (through the nose) into your chest, hold it there for anywhere from 30 seconds to 3 minutes (taking care to not over-extend past the point of comfort), and exhale by humming with a focus on sending the vibration to your pineal gland at the third eye point. This is best done twice a day, lying on your chest with a heating pad on your neck or upper back. Mild sweating is an excellent sign, as sweat releases anti-microbial peptides!

For Stress and Anxiety

· “4-7-8 Breath,” courtesy of Andrew Weill, and via my wife:

Inhale gently (through the nose) for a count of 4, hold it for a count of 7, then exhale for a count of 8. Repeat at least five times.

· “Huff and Puff,” courtesy of Botanical Biohacking:

This exercise is intense and can potentially induce an emotional release, which is perfectly healthy if/when it needs to come out. Lie down comfortably on your back and take a deep breath (through the mouth and/or nose) in two parts, first into the chest then fill the belly so that it expands. The breath should sound almost like a sudden gasp for air. Hold it just for a moment, then fully release it all in an audible sigh. This can be repeated for 15-45 minutes, but is supposedly complete once you start yawning, indicating the clearing of excess nitric oxide and/or neurological regulation.

Obviously take care to not do any of these exercises while driving or anywhere you do not feel physically safe and comfortable. Take it easy in the initial moments after any long set of breathing exercises and stay hydrated. You may also wish to invest as I have in a HEPA air filter for your home, especially if you live in any urban environment and/or have children.

Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns, and happy fall everyone! May your mercury retrograde be tolerable. May you have the courage to face and metabolize your grief with the sharpened insight of a shiny cut of metal. May you breathe deeply and grow stronger, thereby making the rest of us stronger in the process. Namaste!

PS. Please consult a health care provider before starting any supplement claiming to improve immune function. With the exception of zinc or vitamin D, most of these are made by quacks and hacks practicing a dangerous perversion of “holistic medicine.” What may boost one person’s immune system can have the opposite effect on another, depending on their body type. But breathing is indicated for us all!

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Almost all of my gout attacks have come between August and October. Don’t get me wrong: They don’t come annually (anymore). I’ve never lived on any medications, per the doctor’s insistence, and my body has obviously been through more wear and tear than it’s ever been. Logic would dictate that I should have more frequent gout attacks – but I have less. Why?

Is aging not a factor in illness and disease? Don’t be ridiculous. Aging is always a factor, but western culture and medicine often insist on highlighting it as the primary or only factor, which allows consumers to assume the victim role and pharmaceutical companies the role of multi-billionaire at the expenses of quality of life.

I’m proud to say I’ve had only one gout attack in the past five years – she was a doozy and she came in October – but still that’s 80{1aa9de95a2a3029621de3a4e52025ffcf61ae00c0b585d28b8293fd925977ff4} less than how often the condition used to confront me. The only possible explanation could be the only constantly changing variable, my own diet and discipline. Approximately each year I improve a little bit: Either I become a better chef or I get snobbier about the produce and meats that I buy. I eat more and more cooked greens, I discovered an affinity for high quality mushrooms, and most importantly I gave up all refined sugar. I intermittently fast as often as possible, I bought a Berkey water filter instead of the cheap Brita and my breathing during most days is more mindful. We have no choice but to constantly improve, lest suffer the consequences of old age.

Still now is the time of year I am most careful. Towards the end of summer I try to avoid shellfish, cured meats, lentils and sardines. And just because you don’t have gout doesn’t mean this seasonal transition couldn’t be a trigger for you as well. Be forewarned: For one of us it is gout, for another is acid reflux and allergies, and another is menstrual cramps and migraines. Believe it or not, from a holistic medical perspective all of these conditions can potentially be a result of one broad pattern: Dampness.

As summer comes to a close our bodies are inundated with an internal accumulation of the humid climate we’ve been steeped in for the past 100 days – especially those of us who have been mostly quarantined in air conditioned homes that suppress perspiration and cause us to retain more pathogenic fluid than we should. Although this was a unique year, summer tends to coincide with more socializing, which usually includes more alcohol consumption and foods like pizza or barbecue, all of which are fun but can exacerbate the same metabolic humidity, or as Chinese Medicine calls it: “Damp Heat.”

“Damp Heat” in the spleen or stomach is the most common pattern for gout disease, which is part of the reason why the inflammation in the form of uric acid crystals most commonly sediment in the big toe, at the first metatarsal bone, which happens to be the acupuncture “source point” of the spleen. Poetically painful!

The summer is full of yang energy, whereas the fall is the beginning of yin. Healthy yin is cooling and light – it is that experience of the most perfect New York weather – when the baseball playoffs begin and we can be comfortable outdoors with only a sweater or light jacket. Pathological yin, on the other hand, is heavy and damp. It is sedentary and it is sediment. It sinks, like heavy sludge, either into our stomachs or our joints.

As self-care has improved my body can employ the summer’s healthy yang energy to properly transform body fluids, excrete waste downward and send upward more functional mitochondria to my immune system. In the past I haven’t been so “lucky.” The heat of summer has steamed my body fluids into a pathogenic coagulation that overpowered my weaker yang qi and sunk into the form of arthritis. I’m occasionally able to maintain some sense of humor during milder attacks, recalling one time my brother made a pasta dish with shrimp and mussels, which I had to decline: “I couldn’t. That’ll go straight to my toes.”

This is possibly the best time of year for hot water with lemon and fresh ginger (be sure to simmer the slices of ginger for 10-20 minutes). It is also a great time for breathing exercises or just exercise in general, as autumn corresponds to the lungs, and in Chinese Medicine the lungs are the first in command when it comes to our fluid metabolism and immune function. Limit foods that cause “dampness,” such as sugar and flour, dairy, smoothies and raw salads (unless they are in conjunction with a bigger portion of cooked food and/or ginger tea). Preferable to have more cooked vegetables and small portions of protein, and sadly, this is the time of year to start retiring a bit earlier to bed. 10pm is ideal but before midnight is relatively imperative.

Please don’t hesitate to CONTACT US with questions on how we can support you during this seasonal transition!

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In Traditional Chinese Medicine different organ channels are vulnerable to different pathologies. For example, the lungs are susceptible to dryness. We must keep them lubricated by drinking enough water, also through healthy water metabolism affected by the oxygen exchange that takes place during exercise or meditation. The spleen (metabolism) is vulnerable to dampness and cold, which is why we discourage excessive consumption of raw foods and/or recommend sipping ginger tea to counteract its effects (the way Japanese pair ginger slices with sushi). The gallbladder is the only organ channel the ancient medical texts label a “curious organ,” for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which being its vulnerability to dampness and heat.

Almost every clinician I know can speak to particular patterns and/or synchronicities with what comes into their door, both literally and figuratively. One week it seems like everyone has right shoulder pain. On another day everyone is asking for herbs to aid with digestion. There are a number of ways to look at this. It very well might be the universe leading us to our calling, guiding us what to learn more about and how to specialize. Another more practical and scientific explanation would be the season we are in. Summer is bound to bring more heat symptoms of inflammation and hyperactivity, while winter more cold symptoms as a result of vasoconstriction or lack of perspiration.

This past month I had two new patients come in with otolaryngology complaints. I also spoke to my sister in Arizona and learned we had both gone to the walk-in clinic in a span of the same week to get wax flushed out of our ear canals that apparently couldn’t handle the job on their own. Coincidence? Obviously not. Besides the genetics we share in common, we are in the midst of a heat wave, the most humid time of year, which will logically exacerbate internally humid climates.

Without getting too graphic, the nature of earwax is not dissimilar to yellow phlegm or arteriosclerosis. Systemic fluid retention over time gets progressively stickier and can attach anywhere. Western medicine tells us (my family) that the reason we occasionally have to get our ears flushed is because we have “narrow ear canals.” But narrow ear canals wouldn’t account for why it occurs at such sporadic intervals and most often during the summer months. Also, if women can squeeze a baby through the birth canal I should think even the narrowest of ear canals could handle metabolizing some wax. I suspect it’s our genetic predisposition to “damp heat.”

Damp heat can show up differently for everyone, depending on our physiological tendencies. Some women will experience hot flashes. Other people will get headaches or just feel lethargic, and either diarrhea or constipation is possible, depending on your diet and constitution. Emotionally, we can see anxiety or temper tantrums, which might partially explain the recent rash of violence around the city.

In Chinese Medicine the gallbladder corresponds with courage, anger and decision-making, and its meridian travels up the side of the leg, through the buttocks and rib cage, then encircles none other than the ear. Can’t make this shit up. Around the same time as my earwax crisis, I began also dealing with some low back pain, a sacroiliac misalignment that was causing pain in my right buttocks. Anything curious going on with my gallbladder at the time?

Well, this all happened to coincide with the first week of me and my wife’s new apartment hunt, finally making the decision to move to Jersey City, and me trying to find the courage to shed my inflexible self-definition of being a New Yorker, to moving five times further away from my brother and best friend, and having to get… wait… deep breath… a New Jersey state license. Oh my God!

I kid… but not really. The entire process, from searching to packing, to planning and moving, is obviously cumbersome. Add to that whatever anxiety I’m wielding around a big change and difference in self-labels, and no wonder my gallbladder (ears) was left vulnerable to this oppressive heat wave.

There is a legend of an old Chinese Medicine doctor who no matter what the patient’s chief complaint or physiological pattern always included one point on the side of the ankle called “Hill Ruins,” or Gallbladder 40. Supposedly he believed that in addition to creating the necessary circulation with the rest of the needles, if he could boost everyone’s courage to make their best life decisions they will have a better life and subsequently better health.

To avoid damp heat pathologies it is important to monitor anger and be brave in our choices. Confer with friends, LISTEN, and be honest with yourself. What stories are just products of your neuroses, like “I’m no longer a New Yorker,” and what stories are real considerations? Of course when such self-awareness is temporarily inaccessible it’s nice to also possess some medical tools to relieve discomfort.

Water with lemon, burdock tea and watermelon are great for this time of year. Nothing acts as a better diuretic than bitter food and drinks, so green tea and bitter, bitter, bitter green vegetables are a must for draining pathogenic fluids. If you dislike bitter, then… well, get over it. Sorry! Add garlic, salt, add onions or whatever you need to, but please develop a palette for the brilliant benefits of bitters: Kale, collard greens, broccoli rabe and mustard greens, ideally all cooked.

Finally, sweat. Exercise! I know the humidity sucks and when it gets up into the 90 degrees it’s important to stay safe, but if you live in a humid climate then nature is requesting you to sweat. Sweating is an activation of the immune system, which if neglected and repressed by a sedentary existence under the air conditioner, actually weakens our immune response, long-term. Why? Fluids that should naturally be perspiring then sink deeper into the tissues, coagulating into arthritic binds that form in either the gastrointestinal or respiratory microbiomes, both of which are most implicated in CoVid-19. If physical limitations prevent you from exercising look to hot baths, foot soaks and gentle physical therapy to begin undoing said limitations. No need to over-do it, but we should all be exercising several times a week… and learn to love bitters!

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