Migraine Medicine

Here is a demonstration of Chinese medicine cupping to treat low back pain - performed by the author of “Traditional Chinese Medicine Cupping Therapy”, Ilkay Zihni Chirali. In this video, he is using cups made of glass. Glass cups are probably the most commonly used in this country because they are easy to sterilize and it is easy to see the strength of the suction when applied to the patients skin. In China, bamboo cups are very common because they are inexpensive, but they have some disadvantages. They have sharp edges, break down easily and can be a greater risk for cross-infection.

In both cases, the technique of obtaining suction is the same. A cotton ball is soaked in alcohol and lit. This is used to heat the inside of the cup which removes the oxygen and creates a vacuum. When the cup is placed on the patient, the skin is drawn up into the cup. By placing the cup over an injured area, stagnant blood and toxins are brought to the surface allowing fresh blood to nourish the injured site. Often the skin will be left with circular bruises that may last up to two weeks.

In this particular video, the cups are being placed over specific acupuncture points that have the function of tonifying the Kidney energy – UB23 and DU4. Chronic, dull, low back pain in Chinese medicine is usually associated with deficient Kidney energy. This may be due to the normal aging process, or may be brought on by activities that deplete the Kidney energy, such as excessive overwork, excessive sexual activity, multiple pregnancies, or standing for long periods of time.

Since sexual complaints (impotence and loss of libido) are also closely associated with Kidney energy deficiency, this same treatment can be used to improve sexual function. In terms of western medicine, the nerves of the lumbar vertebrae supply the sex organs and nerve centers in the lower end of the spinal cord are very important in activating an erotic response in the body. When blood flow is increased in this area of the body, sexual function improves.

About the Author:

Joyce Marley is a licensed acupuncturist who provides acupuncture therapy in New Hartford, NY. She writes alternative health articles about acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

Cupping Therapy has been an integral part of Chinese medicine for thousands of years and continues to be incorporated into treatments today. This book by Ilkay Zihni Chitali is an excellent resource for the practitioner of Chinese medicine. Mr. Chitali provides details for ten different cupping methods. For each method he explains the technique itself in detail along with valuable illustrations.
Examples are given for conditions that may benefit from that particular technique. Half of the book (almost 100 pages) is devoted to specific treatment protocols for common ailments. Cupping instructions are given along with acupuncture points, moxibustion and herbal remedies. Case studies accompany each section.

Several techniques may be used with children and he specifically notes the difference in cupping duration and technique that should be applied for each age group.

Some of the common disorders that benefit from cupping are the common cold, back pain, insomnia, hiccups, fatigue and constipation. For children, asthma and bed-wetting are probably the most frequently treated conditions. But, you may also be surprised to know that cupping can increase libido and help correct bladder and uterine prolapse!

About the Author:

Joyce Marley is a licensed acupuncturist serving the Utica-Rome, NY. She writes alternative health articles about acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Random thoughts that I’ve got to get out from the developing country that is Guatemala. And for me to rationalize wasting time on the internets, it’s in Spanish (and then English).

Primero punto: la polucion. Respiro muchas fumas de carros y autobuses todos los dias, y la polucion no ayuda mi asthma. Estoy tosiendo con un tos seco. Ugh.

Dos: necesito una escopeta. Todos la tienen aqui… en las escuelas, las farmacias, el centro commercial… increyible. Es mas por la espectculo que uso, pero es un poco difficile a comprender.

Tuve un obsecion con mis intestinos por esta semana. Es completamente mejor ahora, pero al comienzo de la semana, un sonido pequeno de mi estomago me preocupe mucho. Tuve mucho miedo de problemas gastronomicas, pero ahora soy fatalista.

1st issue: the pollution. I’m constantly breathing fumes from cars, buses… it’s awful. My cough-variant asthma is in full effect.

2: I need a shotgun. Everyone here seems to have them. At schools, pharmacies, the mall… it’s incredible. It seems like it’s more for show, to scare people off than for actual use, but I still don’t really get it.

I have had a ridiculous obsession with my bowels this week, but now it’s better. I swear, the tiniest gurgle from my stomach would send me into a panic. I’ll still eat safe (no street food), but otherwise I’m giving up. I hope I don’t get anything, but it’s probably out of my control.

Voy a esperar de subir archivos algos photos si yo puedo.

I’ll try to upload some photos if I can.

(Feel free to correct mi espanol si quieres… escribo a computadora muy rapido!)

After a day of mal estomago, Im feeling better, partially thanks to the fact that I found out I just passed Step 2 CS, my last requirement in order to graduate.

Back to inhaling bus fumes. It sounds like a lot of people wouldnt mind some updates while Im down here, so Ill see what I can do–but start practicing your Spanish, ustedes van a necesitarlo!

I hope you’ve enjoyed the series and it’s made you think a bit about health care, health policy, and how difficult it is to come up with solutions to our health care problems. I appreciate the civil discussion and debate, and continue to welcome any other feedback!

A few topics I wanted to cover but didn’t have time to:

• Science education - If we want our patients to understand medicine and the science behind it, they need to understand (and accept) the basic tenets of science — randomized studies, for example — and perhaps that’s where we’re failing. People seem to have a miraculous ability to accept the science they have chosen to believe (antibiotics for bacterial infections, germ theory) while ignoring rigorous science that doesn’t fit with their world view (thiomersal is not responsible for autism).
• Patient Autonomy - Has it gone too far? By asking patients or their decision-makers to decide, “Do you want to keep trying failing treatments or terminate care,” perhaps we’re putting too much decision-making in the hands of a person who clearly doesn’t want to feel responsible for “pulling the plug” on their mother (who would?)? While no one wants to die or wants a loved one to die, is it fair to other people who have a better chance of hope of recovery to take up a hospital bed to treat a demented 95 year-old man who won’t get any better?
• And many more!

On that note, it’s been a pleasure writing about my journey through medical school, and I appreciate everyone who’s joined me and supported me along the way.

I’m heading to Xela, Guatemala (aka Quetzaltenango) tonight for two months with Asociacin Pop-Wuj to do some intensive Spanish and medical Spanish training (as well as seeing their cigar-smoking saint, Maximn, and hiking and exploring) before heading back to be in a friend’s wedding. I likely won’t be blogging much, but hey, who knows. Since I now have an official job as a doctor (scary), I’ll be wrapping Over My Med Body up in time for Graduation in June. Stay safe and healthy and I’ll see you on the flip side!

yours,
graham

Me on Match Day, blogging away: