There are specific techniques of Traditional Thai Massage to utilize with the client lying lateral recumbent. Practitioners will learn to use their hands, elbows, forearms, knees, and feet in the application of these techniques. Contraindications will also be presented. This will be a practical hands-on, experiential and dynamic workshop of learning and experiencing techniques of TTM with the client in a lateral recumbent position. Techniques taught are utilized to treat LBP, sciatica, and hip pain, along with producing a deeply relaxing experience.

Since Shen Nong’s Ben Cao, stones and minerals have been a significant aspect of Chinese medicine. Considered “living” entities, stones were able to not only offer therapeutics but also confer an awakening of “shen” within the context of conscious cultivation. This introductory talk will examine the role stones and minerals played in the evolution of Chinese medicine as well as Chinese culture.

What is Cytokine Sickness? This workshop will be an overview in terms of Western physiology, its relation to disease, and the effects of mediation using Chinese herbs and herbal formulas. Cytokines include inflammatory agents released during trauma. They help mobilize other immune agents to fight infection and repair tissue damage. Under normal circumstances, cytokine damage is mediated and prevented, but in certain conditions, often accompanying adrenal stress and fatigue, cytokines cannot stop what becomes a damaging effect. Part 1 of this lecture will discuss the potential for Chinese herbs and formulas to mediate cytokine damage.

Shen Gong Qi Gong is a traditional Taoist exercise system for strengthening the body and clarifying the Shen-Spirit-Mind. Attendees will be taught qi gong to develop an awareness of qi sensations (energy) in their body, and use their mind to guide the qi. As attendees achieve a sufficient skill level, they can direct or emit external qi for the purpose of healing others. Selections will be from the deer, tiger, and bear forms. This course will enable practitioners to pass along these techniques to their patients so that they are capable of taking a more active role in their own healthcare, especially for disease prevention.

Treat the feet and legs utilizing various techniques of TTM. Attendees will learn to work with their own palms, fingers, forearms, and feet. Contraindications will be presented as well.  This will be a practical, hands-on technique of TTM. The emphasis of the workshop will be on pressing and stretching techniques of the feet and legs with the recipient in a supine position. The techniques invigorate the flow of blood and qi in the legs and open up the entire hip and pelvic region.  

Obesity is a global epidemic. It is a contributing factor of mortality in both men and women. Current treatments for obesity include diet, exercise, pharmaceuticals, behavior modification, and surgery. These interventions are not always effective and weight gain is common once the program has ended. Traditional Chinese Medicine recognizes the human body as continuously self-regulating organism. The use of acupuncture reawakens the body’s ability to manage weight.
This study was designed to evaluate and scientifically measure the efficacy of using acupuncture in reducing body weight and body mass index.
Using a qualitative, pre/post test, single blinded cross-over controlled trial. Participants were selected based on their body mass index and a medical questionarie. Exclusion criteria included pathological factors, medical procedures, and pharmaceuticals that have been reported to cause secondary weight gain. Participants were randomly placed in 2 groups. Group A was the acupuncture group. Group B was the control group. The acupuncture group received 12 treatments during a three week period. The study was conducted at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine’s acupuncture clinic in New York City, New York and lasted six weeks.
The analysis of data collected indicated that there was a causal effect of acupuncture and weight loss. The null hypothesis was not accepted.