10 Things Your Doctor Doesn't Know About Your Lungs

As it is with many of the body's organs, the Lungs have unique characteristics that mainstream or traditional medicine does not recognize. However, a brief introduction is necessary.

The organs of Chinese Medicine go hand-in-hand with most of the organs of western medicine. There are some physical differences. There are, also, functional differences.

A major concept of Chinese medicine is the idea of Yin and Yang. One way to classify the organs is by its Yin or Yang nature. Generally speaking, Yin and Yang represent various bi-polar relationships macro-cosmically and micro-cosmically. These relationships represent various physical, emotional and spiritual states and involve the fields of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, statics and dynamics, to name a few.

Another key theory governing the organs of Chinese medicine and the human life form involves their energy state. Just like the elements of the periodic table, which each have their own unique energy state and physical characteristics, all substances, both organic and inorganic, have their own unique energy state. The human body must conform to this law, as well. Since the human body is an organic (living) body, it is characterized by an energy system that drives it. The ancient Chinese called this energy system Qi (chee). Inorganic substances also have an energy system. However, the Qi of living organisms vibrates at much higher frequencies than those of inorganic substances.

When the unique organ functions of Chinese medicine are inhibited in some way, their ability to support the body is affected and the disease process is initiated. In some people the disease may be as simple as neck tension or a headache. In others, it may be something more severe, such as cirrhosis, migraines or cancer.

In this article, lets consider the Lungs. There are 10 things your doctor doesn't know about your lungs, as they relate to the characteristics or attributes of Chinese medicine.

1. Regulates the Energy state or Qi of the body. Regulating Qi is considered to be more of a functional aspect of the body, The Lungs are classified as a Yin organ and are one of just two organs that produce energy or Qi in the body. All the other organs consume energy. Yin organs are normally considered to be more nutritive, than functional. So this is a unique aspect of the Lungs. The Lungs produce energy by absorption of oxygen directly into the blood stream via the gas exchange through cells in the lungs called pulmonary alveolus.

2. Governs Respiration. Yep, I know, those ancient Chinese were, absolutely, brilliant! Your Doc probably does know this one!

3. Regulates the body's Water Passages. Water metabolism is, typically, thought to involve, only, the kidneys and urinary bladder. However, within the Chinese medical model, the Lungs are known as the Upper Source of Water (in the form of water vapor from the environmental air we breathe). Because of the Lungs relationship with Qi, and its function of reaching downward to activate the organs in the lower abdominal and pelvic cavities, the Lungs are considered a major aspect of fluid metabolism.

4. Controls the Skin and Body Hair. Each of the primary tissues of the body are related to specific organs. The Lungs have a direct connection to the external environmental air. The skin and the body hair also has an external relationship with the environment. They play a role in warding off or protecting the body from external environmental factors: cold, wind, heat, dampness, etc. Therefore, in an external holographic manner, the Lungs control the Skin and Body Hair. Some skin problems are due to a pathological condition of the Lungs, but other skin problems are due to other organ disease patterns.

5. Rules the Exterior of the Body. The Lungs are the most exterior of all the organs and in like manner play a major role in controlling the exterior of the body. In other words, the exterior of the body is considered the first line of defense when environmental or climatic pathogenic factors attempt to invade the body. Robust, healthy lungs strengthen the exterior and the immune system.

6. Regulates Perspiration. Located in the skin are the pores. Sweating or perspiration is the result of the pores opening. Since the Lungs control the skin, they also control the pores. In the case of excessive sweating or no sweating, the Lungs are considered a key player in the pathological disease pattern. There are other organs and disease patterns that can affect perspiration, but the Lungs are considered the regulator.

7. Grief and Sadness damage the Lungs. Each of the organs of Chinese medicine is injured by an emotional state. For the Lungs this emotion is sadness or grief. As with many aspects of Chinese medicine, this is a two-way street. Chronic Lung disease patterns can manifest sadness or grief and chronic sadness and grief can manifest a Lung disorder. The same can be said for all the organs in relation to their particular emotion.

8. Controls the Descending and Dissemination of Qi. The Lungs bring in "Air Qi" to be descended and disseminated throughout the other organs. This is an important aspect of many of the metabolic processes of the body. Without sufficient Air Qi many of these processes are inhibited, thus degrading the body's ability to ward off pathogenic disease patterns and maintain optimal health.

9. Controls the Voice. The Lungs drive air through the larynx or voice box and therefore is responsible for healthy vibrant speech.

10. Opens to the Nose. Technically, the Lungs are directly connected to the environmental air through the nose. The human body was designed to breathe through the nose, so the Lungs are said to open to the nose. As a result of this function, the Lungs influences the nose to allow discernment of odors and fragrances.

11. Aids the Heart in Blood circulation. When the Lungs are healthy they supply Air Qi to the other organs. Due to the Lungs proximity with the Heart, they play a vital role in promoting blood circulation by infusing the Heart with vital energy. Otherwise, blood circulation is diminished and is unable to nourish the other organs, tissues and cells.

Okay, I listed eleven things, but #2 was assumed to be a given.

Now that you know some of the major characteristics of the Lungs, within the scope of Chinese medicine, it isn't difficult to see why:

- Smoking and other air pollutants cause damage to the skin and can lead to skin disorders (psoriasis, eczema, etc.).

- Strong, vibrant lungs leads to a strong vibrant immune system. Weak, feeble lungs leads to a compromised immune system characterized by constant respiratory disorders (common cold, influenza, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.).

- Healthy lungs help to activate and regulate fluid metabolism preventing such disorders as swellings, edema, weight gain, obesity, muscle pain (fibromyalgia).

-  Many vascular and circulatory disorders are not just a heart problem but can be due to the lungs inability to provide the vital energy needed to supplement the hearts own energy.

- Voice and speech problems (weak voice, loss of voice, etc.) can be due to a lung disorder. However, lung problems aren't the only disease patterns that can contribute to voice problems.

The ancient Chinese physicians considered the Lungs so important that in most Chinese medical texts the discussion of the organs and their corresponding meridians begin with the Lungs. In many respects, the Lungs are the catalyst for most of the body's metabolic processes. Activities, such as tai chi, Qi Gong, yoga, along with most aerobic exercises benefit the body by super-charging the body with oxygen. Since oxygen is a key component in the meridian system, it is imperative to keep the meridians strong by maintaining high oxygen levels through physical activities that promote thorough respiration.

Meridian Harmonics

What you can learn from my niece..

My niece sent me a message via Facebook this week. She said that she had bought three over-the-counter Chinese herbal supplements for her (self diagnosed) adrenal fatigue. Her specific question to me: Was there another Chinese herb she could take to boost her adrenals?

I asked her to send me the names of the products she was taking and the manufacturers name and I would get back to her.

My response: All of the supplements she was taking are modified versions of ancient traditional Chinese formulas and were mild, in the manufacturers dosage recommendation. They're okay, but may not be best suited for your constitution. Adrenal fatigue, if you have it, is a condition that can be manifested in a number of ways. The correct way to use Chinese herbs is by determining the correct Chinese organ patterns responsible for the symptoms you're having and treat them accordingly, at the root. I think there are some reputable companies producing good products but most folks who sell them are using them to treat symptoms. Most of these products are not designed to treat every scenario for which they are intended to be used for. This is why self medicating or getting herbs from someone who isn't trained in Chinese medicine can be futile. For me to recommend an herb or formula for you would be like calling the auto parts store and asking them for a battery for my car without telling them the type of car I own... do you see what i mean?

My recommendation: Chinese herbal medicine is complicated and difficult to do if one isn't sufficiently trained. The difference between me and someone in an herb shop is that I have a license to practice medicine from the medical board and am nationally board certified in Chinese herbal medicine. Most likely, they are not. The correct way to determine the Chinese pathological disease patterns responsible for your symptoms is to undergo Chinese Pulse diagnosis using the Pulse Matrix method. Very few doctors are trained in this method of diagnosis. However, the results are very accurate and once the proper diagnosis is determined and herbal treatments prescribed, patients will experience results much quicker than they normally would using products that are, typically, not as strong as the pharmacy grade herbs from my Chinese herbal compounding pharmacy. The Pulse Matrix procedure and the results takes just a few minutes.

In this day and age, the temptation to self medicate is enormous. Herbal remedies are available from various retail stores and the internet. However, I encourage patients to resist this temptation and seek out good counsel and good products. That's why I do what I do: to help people gain optimal health and save them time and money.

The Science of Acupuncture, Part 2

Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and Oriental medicine, in general, have received countless criticism from naysayers when it started to become more popular with patients in the west. Why has an 8000 year-old medicine received so much criticism? The answer is multifaceted.

It begins with the fact that both western and eastern medicines are rooted in different paradigms. Western medicine is based in microbiology and biochemistry (i.e.: bacterial and viral infections, hormonal imbalances). For just over 200 years western medicine has been the primary source of healthcare in the west. Few patients realize that prior to that western medicine had its origin in northern Europe where, for over 500 years, the primary focus of physicians was trying to keep people alive after being infected from the plague. Preventive medicine wasn’t a concern during this period and doesn’t seem to be of much concern today. 

Preventive medicine uses treatment strategies and education to keep patients healthy. As a result they are less likely to need medical intervention, whether it is for the common cold, allergies or cancer. As a result of being in a constant diseased state, patients are more likely to seek out ways to pay for healthcare through insurance policies that cover the procedures and medications their physicians prescribe. As a result, healthcare and health insurance policies have experienced exponentially increasing costs to patients. Economically, this doesn’t make a lot of sense, but somehow the majority of the population has jumped on-board with this “sick” model of medicine.

Historically, western medicine has justified treatments through expensive or dangerous laboratory tests (i.e.: blood and urine tests, x-rays, MRI’s, CAT scan, colonoscopies, etc.). Unfortunately, for many patients, these tests result in inconclusive results, which does not help explain why they remain in a diseased state. It can be very frustrating for patients. Consequently, patients, often times, end up having more doctor visits, more medications, more surgeries or other procedures, all of which increases costs to patient and their insurance companies. Does this make sense?

Oriental medicine isn’t based on bacterial and viral infections or chemical imbalances as the primary cause of disease. Because of this, patients and western physicians argue that it isn’t a scientifically based medicine. As if the only valid science is bacteria, viruses and chemicals. 

Unlike many of my colleagues, I was fortunate enough to study and work in a true science-based field: engineering. The various engineering disciplines are, all, rooted in natural laws that govern all matter, no matter what it is: sub-atomic particles, complex machinery, aerospace vehicles or the human body. All matter in the universe is subject to natural laws. Most doctors fail to realize this, yet scientists in every field agree that natural laws are the catalyst for change in the state of all things, large and small, living and inorganic. This the primary cause of disease in Oriental medicine.

Engineering is all about using natural laws to design structures and mechanisms so that they will function flawlessly in various environmental states. The human body is comparable to an extremely complex structure or mechanism. It is, constantly, being subjected to various environmental states and is required to function flawlessly in all of them. It breaks down when its owner neglects to learn about and respect the natural laws that govern the body and forces it to operate outside what would be considered a safe envelope. Engineers, in their designs will, typically, plan on their mechanisms or structures to operate within a safety-of-factor of at least two. This means that the engineer will design the product to withstand twice the strain or load it is subject to.

Unfortunately, most patients are unaware of the “safe envelope” their bodies are designed to operate in. Consequently, when this envelope is repeatedly violated their bodies become less able to withstand the constant abuse. What would be considered a safe envelope for one person may not be for someone else. So, in essence, each person is different and should be treated accordingly. To believe that the entire population is the same and will respond the same to a specific treatment strategy is a fallacy of certain medical models. Chinese medicine has always asserted that various patients presenting with the same signs and symptoms, most likely, will have different underlying pathologies. It would be insane to treat them all the same, but that is, exactly, what’s happening in most traditional medical models.

There are several fields of western science that govern Oriental medicine and it’s various patterns of diseases and pathologies. What’s amazing is the ancient Chinese discovered these sciences thousands of years ago and identified their affects on the human body and how to appropriately treat them. The science of Oriental medicine encompasses the following scientific fields: thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, holography, quantum physics, electromagnetism, static and dynamic physics, wave theory and particle physics. Granted, these are difficult sciences to wrap your head around and because of that, prevent most doctors of oriental medicine from adequately explaining the science of acupuncture to patients and western trained doctors. In a follow-up, I'll discuss a few of these sciences and the mechanisms of how they affect changes in the body that lead to the disease process. Th ancient doctors of Chinese medicine had extensive knowledge of these sciences and how to apply them to physical, mental and spiritual health.

Really! Is this Modern Medicine at it's Best?

I see all kinds of patients in my clinic. Young, old, men, women, the works! We get referrals from several different types of doctors: other acupuncturists, MD's, DO's, chiropractors, naturopaths, etc. There is a group of patients that, in my opinion, western medicine has swept under the rug, to hopefully not resurface. Which group, you ask? The elderly, the senior citizens, the folks that are supposed to be living the "Golden Years".

Case in point. A chiropractor recently referred an elderly gentleman (73 years old) to me for low back pain following a spinal fusion in the lumbar spine.

Come to find out, the chiropractor had done a multiple number of therapies, several times a week, for several weeks without any success: spinal adjustments, cold laser therapy, ultrasound. All he was able to do was successfully run through the patients insurance money. At what point does a doctor with integrity tell a patient that there is nothing else they can do for them? Granted, every patient is different. They all respond differently to each therapeutic modality. Each patient has their own unique history that can inhibit their body's healing processes. Some of a patients history is due to their own lack of attention to proper diet, lifestyle, exercise, etc. The other problem with a patients history is due to poor or incorrect treatment strategies by their doctors. I believe in doing all I can to help educate patients so that they will have the necessary tools to make good choices in order to enhance their health and well being. Unfortunately, most medical professionals are so over-worked, just to keep their doors open, that they don't make time to empower patients to help themselves. The end result is that it becomes easier, not better, to simply prescribe more medications or perform more surgeries.

Getting back to my new patient, he brought in his list of medications and significant medical procedures.

And people wonder why they're not feeling well or not getting better.

Significant medical procedures or events from 1987 to 2009:

3 heart attacks
Triple by-pass heart surgery
Polyps removed during colonoscopy, 3 times
Gallbladder removed
Double knee replacement
Congestive heart failure, 3 times
Prostate Cancer surgery
Spinal fusion in lumbar spine
Heart catheterization
Defibrillator/Pacemaker installed


Current list of medications:
    * carvedilol
    * Celebrex
    * Diovan
    * dipyridamole
    * furosemide
    * Klor-Con M
    * Levoxyl
    * Lovaza
    * metformin
    * Niaspan
    * Novolin 70/ 30
    * pantoprazole


Whenever a patient is taking more than 2 or 3 medications, I like to run a report of any possible interactions to see if there is anything to be concerned about. The report for this patient is listed below:

Avoid/Use Alternative

1. carvedilol <-> Celebrex
monitor BP, use alternative: combo may cause sodium/water retention, decreased antihypertensive efficacy (antagonistic effects)

2. carvedilol <-> Novolin 70/ 30
use alternative: combo may alter glucose metababolism, prolong hypoglycemia, mask hypoglycemic sx (adrenergic antagonism)

Monitor/Modify Tx

3. carvedilol <-> metformin
monitor glucose: combo may alter glucose metab., prolong hypoglycemia, mask hypoglycemic sx (adrenergic antagonism)

4. Celebrex <-> Diovan
monitor BP, renal fxn: combo may decr. antihypertensive efficacy, incr. risk of nephrotoxicity (antagonistic effects, additive effects)

5. Diovan <-> furosemide
monitor BP, use for therapeutic advantage: combo may incr. risk of hypotension (synergistic effects)

6. Diovan <-> Klor-Con M
monitor potassium, check potassium content of supplement: combo may incr. risk of hyperkalemia (additive effects)

7. furosemide <-> metformin
monitor glucose: combo may decr. hypoglycemic agent efficacy; loop diuretics may cause hyperglycemia (antagonistic effects)

8. furosemide <-> Novolin 70/ 30
monitor glucose: combo may incr. insulin requirement, loop diuretics may cause hyperglycemia (antagonistic effects)

9. Levoxyl <-> metformin
monitor glucose: combo may decr. hypoglycemic agent efficacy; high dose thyroid hormone may cause hyperglycemia (antagonistic effects)

10. Levoxyl <-> Novolin 70/ 30
monitor glucose: combo may incr. insulin requirement, high dose thyroid hormone may cause hyperglycemia (antagonistic effects)

11. metformin <-> Niaspan
monitor glucose: combo may decr. hypoglycemic agent efficacy; niacin may cause hyperglycemia (antagonistic effects)

12. metformin <-> Novolin 70/ 30
monitor glucose, use for therapeutic advantage: combo may incr. risk of hypoglycemia (synergistic effects)

13. Niaspan <-> Novolin 70/ 30
monitor glucose: combo may incr. insulin requirement, niacin may cause hyperglycemia (antagonistic effects)

Caution Advised

14. carvedilol <-> Lovaza
caution advised: combo may antagonize antihyperlipidemic effect of omega-3-acid (antagonistic effects)

15. carvedilol <-> Niaspan
caution advised: combo may incr. risk of orthostatic hypotension (additive effects)

16. Celebrex <-> furosemide
caution advised: combo may decr. diuretic, natriuretic, antihypertensive effects of loop diuretics, incr. risk of nephrotoxicity (antagonistic effects, additive effects)

17. dipyridamole <-> Lovaza
caution advised: combo may incr. risk of bleeding (additive antiplatelet effects)

Really?! I'm positive this patient was never informed of the interactions or the side affects of all these medications. It's very sad to see what is happening to our "senior citizens". They were raised in an age where you could put all your trust in the medical profession. That trust has failed this patient and I'm sure it has failed many others.

I can't help but think that western medicine has, somehow, gotten off-track. Whatever happened to "doing no harm"? There seems to be a real lack of connection of medical doctors with their patients. Actually, I hear complaints about this, quite often, from my own patients. Unfortunately, most of the population in Western society are convinced that western medicine has all the answers. This case illustrates how off-base this system has become. Just the other day, another one of my patients asked me how to file a complaint with my state's medical board. I asked her why, was she going to file a complaint about me? She assured me that she wasn't but related her own horror story and experience with "one" of her many other physicians. It seems to be a rampant problem in main-stream medicine.

The medical profession, in general, is broken. The focus needs to be put back on the patient, not the bottom line.

Patient Appreciation Days Aug 10-14, 2010

Here at Meridian Harmonics, we realize the recent changes in the economy have affected most everyone. In spite of this we'll continue providing the highest standard of health care! The week of August 10 - 14 the weekly special is: ALL Acupuncture treatments just $50! (not valid with any other offers) Have we lost are minds!? That's nearly 30% off!! Now that's what I call rolling back fees!


Tuesday August 10: 10% off all customized herbal formulas

Thursday August 12: Pulse Diagnosis, & Report of Findings Consultation - $45

August 10 - August 14: $50 Acupuncture ALL week long! That’s $20 OFF! (not valid with any other offers)


Your Doc!

Mark Tryling, LAC, Dipl AC, CH is nationally board certified in both acupuncture and oriental medicine by the national certification commission of acupuncture and oriental medicine. He is licensed by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners. Born and raised in Texas, he has a unique perspective on Texas occupational and environmental factors and their affect on health issues. His knowledge across a variety of disciplines allows for a combination of many talents, giving him expertise with health care assessment, compliance.



Meridian Harmonics

A Journey from Disease to Health

Most folks who go into medicine do it for personal reasons. They had or have a personal history that motivates them to pursue medical training. Because of the time and financial commitment medical training requires, this decision is not one to be taken lightly. Personally, over 60% of the people who began acupuncture school with me dropped out. This is fairly consistent with national averages in postgraduate degree training.

My own personal medical history is riddled with health challenges. Both parents smoked in the home the entire time I was growing up. Both were practicing alcoholics. Both were emotionally abusive. As a result, I developed severe asthma, wheezing and allergies. This was during the 1960's and all parents knew to do was to use western pharmaceuticals to treat their children. Back then there were no health food stores or herb shops that one could frequent in order to find healthy natural remedy sources. All that was available was the doctor's office or emergency room. For many years I was prescribed a variety of medications: steroids, allergy injections, anti-histamines and decongestants. You name it and I probably took it at some point in my childhood. My condition was so severe I constantly had to get a doctors note to be excused from PE (physical education) or other strenuous school physical activities. By the time I moved out of my parent's house, the damage to my body had pretty much set in. Looking back now, it's a wonder I survived. I ended up developing adrenal and thyroid fatigue. My lung capacity was close to nothing. My liver and kidneys were toxic from all the medications and a horribly poor Texan diet. My heart was weak from the inability to exercise. Not a pretty picture.

In my teenage years I began reading as much as I could find on alternative styles of medicine: western herbal medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, and anything I could find that could help me recover from a sick childhood.

It was during these years I became very interested in learning about natural medicine. I began gathering every little piece of natural health information I could get my hands on. This was my new strategy for regaining the natural health I had lost when I was a child.

By the time I was married and had two small children, I realized that if I did not do something different, there was a very strong possibility that I would never see my own children grow up. This was a frightening time for me. The year was 1983. I was twenty-six and I knew, in my heart, there had to be something that would work for me, especially since western medicine had created nearly irreversible damages to my body. It was now time to begin putting some of the information I had been gathering to good use.

So, I began searching out places where I could purchase any kind of herbal medicine. In essence, I began experimenting on myself with herbs. By the way, I don't recommend this. I know, in today's society, it is very easy to find all kinds of remedies to treat every condition known to mankind. The problem with this strategy is that most people are not trained in herbal or homeopathic medicine and can, actually, do more harm than good. Trust me on this. I've been there.

I also joined a health club, and began jogging.

This became a very painful period of my life as I was embarking on a journey of trying to undo years of incorrect diet, excessive drug therapies, chemical toxicity and emotional abuse. I began to examine everything I put in my mouth. I taught myself the basics of western nutrition and the side affects of specific, so-called, “healthy” food choices.

This was a far cry from my school days when I would come home and eat half a package of Oreo cookies before dinner...,

drink Dr Pepper's like water, eat double meat and cheese Whataburger's weekly, and have some kind of meat, potatoes and bread at every meal.

A personal trainer did not design my exercise program. I just decided to begin. I don't recommend this, either. Sometimes, when people start exercising they, often, try to do too much, too soon and end up injuring themselves. I, actually, did this exact thing.

I did not purchase the right shoes when I began jogging, resulting in developing shin splints. However, I corrected this and kept at it. In the beginning, it was difficult for me to jog 200 yards down to the end of my street. I would have to stop and walk back to the house coughing up both lungs as I went.

I did weight training at the health club two or three days each week and jogged everyday. Really, it was probably too aggressive, but I wanted to lose the 30 extra pounds I'd been carrying for most of my adult life. The following twelve months were amazing. In that amount of time I went from hardly being able to jog 10 minutes to running 4 miles a day. At the 12-month mark, almost to the day, I lost the 30 extra pounds. I don't know why it took so long for the weight to go off. It probably had something to do with my underlying weak constitution. What I realized during this period and the following years is that I had been incorporating many of the philosophies of Chinese medicine into my daily routines regarding, exercise, diet, lifestyle, sleep, etc. So, it was only natural for me to migrate into this field of medicine.


Fourteen years after I began my journey towards a healthier life, at the age of forty, I began my formal study of Chinese medicine. After being immersed in an education and career rooted in the scientific method and unwavering logic, I was faced with the challenge of making sense of one of the oldest systems of medicine our world has ever seen. I began my practice of Chinese medicine in 2001. It was exciting to be able to share the knowledge and wisdom of 8000 years of medicine and philosophy with my patients. While still a student, I had the opportunity to study with one of my most profound mentors, Dr. Richard Tan, from Taiwan. He revolutionized my awareness of Chinese medicine and gave me a new kindled confidence in patient care. From the first day I opened my clinic I began to consider a more global view of Chinese medicine by combining the information from several great teachers with the knowledge I had learned from traditional engineering and science. Most of the information and education I provide to my patients is new and represents a collaboration of modern science with the ancient art of Chinese medicine.

Traditional schools of allopathic medicine do an excellent job of preparing doctors. Medical students are extensively taught the hard science of their medicine: organic chemistry, biochemistry, endocrinology, anatomy and physiology. Acupuncture schools do a fairly good job of preparing students to become competent practitioners. Unfortunately, schools of Oriental medicine do a poor job of teaching the hard science of our medicine. This is evident whenever a practitioner of Oriental medicine is asked a technical question and is unable to satisfactorily answer the question. Most likely, this is due to the fact that most Oriental medical school faculties are not trained or have backgrounds rooted in these sciences. When I was in school my classmates and I were taught that Chinese medicine was much different from allopathic medicine and operated under different rules or laws. This is not entirely true. There are universal laws that govern everything in the universe. All matter in the universe must comply with these laws. There are no exceptions. Western medicine and Chinese medicine have unique paradigms, though, the laws that govern both must comply with universal laws. The way for western and eastern medicine to be integrated is through these universal laws.

The theories of Chinese medicine do not compare to rocket science. However, to be highly beneficial, ideas do not have to be complex. As you will find, this is the beauty of Chinese medicine.

I find most of my patients are very inquisitive and curious about Chinese medicine. It has a rich and deep history rooted in creative methods of medical diagnosis and the treatment of diseases that appear to be far fetched.

Unfortunately, most people fail to realize the methods of Chinese medicine are rooted in natural laws that they are unfamiliar with. I discovered most patients want to learn more about these natural laws and how to use them in conjunction with their treatments to maximize their health and wellness.

I find it challenging to adequately answer patient's questions regarding an 8000-year-old medicine in a brief few minutes during their appointment. Health is journey, not a destination. All of us have our own particular path that we're on. For some of us our path is easy but for others the path is a struggle. As much as some forms of medicine want to make us believe we're all the same, we're simply not. Not everyone will respond to particular treatment options, whether it is western pharmaceuticals and surgery or more alternative natural forms, such as acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. The other important thing for patients to understand is that some treatment options can, actually, exacerbate the condition being treated or have adverse reactions affecting other major organs and tissues in the body. This is, especially, true for those patients who choose to self-medicate instead of seeking a professional with specialized knowledge. The key to maximum health is to become knowledgeable of the natural laws that govern the body and all matter so that one can stay fit, healthy and well. This has always been my goal: to provide the best health care at affordable fees and education to empower my patients.

Pain can be a Stress Response

When I am working with patients with either acute or chronic pain, they are, often, surprised to discover that the stress that they are harboring, is exacerbating their pain. Chinese medicine recognizes that stress is the catalyst for sluggish or stagnant movement of the body's vital energy, Qi and the circulation of blood throughout the body. By definition, pain, within the concept of Chinese medicine, is a disharmonious flow of Qi and Blood. As a result, it should come as no surprise that stress will affect pain or actually cause pain to arise. Stress aggravates pain by creating more stagnation of Qi and Blood. In the case of Fibromyalgia, stress can overwhelm a patients painful regions.


Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a chronic pain condition that affects at least 2% of the population. Chronic widespread pain is the defining feature of FMS. Patients also describe a number of nonspecific symptoms such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, weary sleep, headaches and gastrointestinal complaints such as irritable bowel syndrome. These concomitant symptoms are often exacerbated by exertion, stress, lack of sleep and weather changes. Although there has been a lot of research done on FMS, the mechanisms underlying the causes of pain have not been elucidated, however evidence suggests that various components of the central nervous system (CNS) are involved, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and pain-processing pathways. Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) overactivity within the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is also implicated. From a Chinese medical perspective, (FMS) results from a systemic shutdown of Qi and Blood flow to specific body regions and a hyper-toxicity state of the Liver, Spleen, Intestines and Kidneys.

What does the research show?

Research demonstrates the following in patients with FMS:

* Evidence of abnormal stress reactivity, including blunting of the HPA and increased ANS responsiveness.

* Anxiety, stress and depression are present in 30 to 45% of patients.

* Decreased cortisol secretion, suggesting increased sensitivity to glucocorticoid feedback.

* Exaggerated noradrenaline (NA) responses as well as delayed Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) release, are observed among female FMS patients compared with agematched female controls. Delayed ACTH release in FMS is consistent with a defect in HPA function. Exaggerated NA release may reflect abnormal regulation of the sympathetic nervous system, perhaps secondary to chronically deficient hypothalamic Corticotropic Releasing Factor (CRF).

* FMS patients had significantly higher sub-scale scores for somatisation, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), medication used for sleep, and fatigue. 87% of FMS patients reported a stressful event and 42.3% had symptoms indicating post-traumatic stress disorder.

* Women with FMS who reported a history of physical or sexual abuse had lower cerebrospinal fluid CSF levels than women who did not report such a history.

* The cytokines IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8 are unregulated in FMS. Therapies directed against these cytokines may be of potential importance in the management of FMS.

HPA and SNS activity

Different stressors elicit different patterns of activation in the HPA and SNS. As Clinicians, we know activation of these systems eventually involves the entire mind/body of the patient. With stressful stimuli the two stress centers of the brain are activated  the hypothalamus and the locus coeruleus (LC). These two components of the nervous system promote a cascade of hormonal, neurotransmitter and cytokine activity that supports our fight or flight response. The LC is the master switch for the SNS and stimulates adrenaline and NA production, increasing cardiovascular performance. The hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland, which in turn signals the adrenals to produce cortisol. Normally the cortisol feeds back to the hypothalamus to switch off the stress response and inflammation. However, with chronic unmanaged stress, the body doesn't return to normal and the patient develops progressive heightened neural and neuro-endocrine reactivities. Research suggests that chronic stress will eventually result in a hypo-functioning of the HPA, manifesting as low cortisol and impaired ability to shut down the stress response.

Chronic stress causes pain

In addition to these neuro-endocrinological changes, the stress reaction up-regulates the production of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, as well as increasing cellular oxidation. The presence of these inflammatory and oxidative substances increases pain and fatigue and sleep disturbances. Additionally, with the ongoing stress, substances such as serotonin, that help us deal with pain, are reduced and contribute to further sleep disorders, depression and anxiety. Through other mechanisms, the stress reaction and its downstream effects also impair energy production.

What can we do? In summary, up-regulation of the HPA and SNS, due to stress, results in inflammation, pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances and all the concomitant symptoms often described by our FMS patients. It would make a lot of sense then, that prescribing traditional Chinese herbal formulas that have a calming effect on the SNS and a regulating effect on the HPA will have long-term benefits for our FMS patients recovery.

In addition to various acupuncture strategies for the pain, most FMS patients require herbal, dietary, lifestyle and nutritional strategies to focus on addressing imbalances in specific endocrine organs: pancreas and adrenals, as well as regulating Qi and Blood circulation. Patients can also benefit from participating in stress reduction exercises, such as Qi Gong and Tai Chi, as well as, meditation and yoga. This is the most robust approach for moving patients from a diseased and painful state to a healthy and vibrant life.

Meridian Harmonics

Patient Appreciation Days Jul 6-10, 2010

Here at Meridian Harmonics, we realize the recent changes in the economy have affected most everyone, including us. In spite of this we'll continue providing the highest standard of health care! The week of July 6 - 10 the weekly special is Stress Relief acupuncture for $40! Plain and simple, if you have stress get a Stress Relief treatment for 43% off!! Now that's what I call rolling back fees!

Tuesday July 6: 10% off all customized herbal formulas

Thursday July 8: Pulse Diagnosis, & Report of Findings Consultation - $45

July 6 - July 8: $40 Stress Relief all week long! That’s $30 OFF!

Your Doc!

Mark Tryling, LAC, Dipl AC, CH is nationally board certified in both acupuncture and oriental medicine by the national certification commission of acupuncture and oriental medicine. He is licensed by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners. Born and raised in Texas, he has a unique perspective on Texas occupational and environmental factors and their affect on health issues. His knowledge across a variety of disciplines allows for a combination of many talents, giving him expertise with health care assessment, compliance and maintenance.

A Summer Breakfast

So, patients often ask me what I, typically eat for meals. I could spend several weeks blogging on just healthy meals. But I'm going to keep this on a personal note.

Chinese medicine is based on using specifically tailored treatments to focus on countering or balancing a patient's constitution and the symptoms of their disease or disorder. It isn't just masking symptoms. Nor is it trying to match a pill to a patient's symptoms. Its about treating, what the Chinese call, the root and the branch of the disease. Treatments will include dietary recommendations that enhance the other treatment strategies that are being used to restore a patient's health and wellness. This has always made perfect sense to me. Unlike most patients who first begin using Chinese medicine to address their health concerns, I know what my underlying constitution is and what treatment options are best suited for me. That includes diet or food choices.

One of the things I do with every patient is educate him or her in a similar fashion so that, when they are not in my office, they will have the necessary tools to make good food choices for themselves. I do this so that they're not working against my treatments. It's important to me that I am doing everything I can to empower patients with good information so that their treatments are as robust as possible. I think most of the time patients, in traditional medical practices, are not getting any good resources and are, rather, receiving poor or no information.
 
Each season of the year has environmental attributes that play a factor in what food choices are best suited for an individual. What this means is we can't eat the same foods all year long. If we don't adjust our diets then we're setting ourselves up for a breakdown of our health and wellness.

Getting back to my personal story, I tend to have a constitution that is aggravated by the heat of the summer months. To counter the heats affect on my body I need to eat foods that have a cooling nature. So, here is a typical summer breakfast. Lots of fruit, a little protein, a little Mrs. Dash or mild salsa on the eggs and a couple of cups of green tea to wash it all down. Yummy!

The Science of Acupuncture

A major concept of Chinese medicine is Qi, (also chi or ki), pronounced chee. But what is it really? If you ask most acupuncturists or doctors of Oriental medicine, chances are you will receive a wide variety of answers.

Have you ever played the game, where in a large group of people someone whispers a message to the person sitting next to them and the idea is to whisper the exact same message to the next person and so on, until the last person receives the message and in a normal voice tells everyone in the room what the original message was "supposed" to be? Chinese medicine, in many of its major theories and ideas, is very similar to that.

Over the centuries and even thousands of years, early concepts have changed, or more accurately, were mangled, as a result of varying interpretations or translations of the original language and syntax. What this has produced, in our modern culture, is a population of practitioners who have no idea how acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine really work and more importantly, do not know how to intelligently explain the medicine to their patients or inquisitive doctors in other fields (MD's, DO's, DC's, etc.).

Traditional schools of alopathic medicine do an excellent job of preparing doctors. Medical students are extensively taught the hard science of their medicine: organic chemistry, biochemistry, endocrinology, anatomy and physiology. Acupuncture schools do a fairly good job of preparing students to become competent practitioners. Unfortunately, schools of Oriental medicine do a poor job of teaching the hard science of our medicine. This is evident whenever a practitioner of Oriental medicine is asked a technical question and is unable to satisfactorily answer the question. Most likely, this is due to the fact that most Oriental medical school faculties are not trained or have backgrounds rooted in these sciences. When I was in school my classmates and I were taught that Chinese medicine was much different from alopathic medicine and operated under different rules or laws. This is not entirely true. There are universal laws that govern everything in the universe. All matter in the universe must comply with these laws. There are no exceptions. Western medicine and Chinese medicine have unique paradigms, though, the laws that govern both must comply with universal laws. The way for western and eastern medicine to be integrated is through these universal laws.

What's unfortunate is most practitioners do not have a background or education rooted in hard or difficult sciences. In a followup post, I'll discuss the foundational sciences of Chinese medicine and how amazing it is that the ancient doctors of Chinese medicine had extensive knowledge of these sciences and how to apply them to physical, mental and spiritual health.