pattern discrimination

Jun

2014

Headache Patterns in Chinese Medicine

www.ElementalChanges.com Headache Patterns in TCM

TCM Patterns in the Diagnosis of Headaches

According to Chinese medical theory,

various factors can effect the body to

become the underlying pattern of headaches

• Headaches that start between 7 to 10 years of age strongly indicate the presence of a constitutional factor of disease, usually derived from the heredity from one or both parents.

• Emotional causes of disease are, of course, extremely frequent causes of headaches.

• Over-work, long hours, inadequate rest are all common causes of deficiency that give rise to headaches.

• Diet has a direct and profound influence on various organ systems and the etiology of headaches.

• Accidents and severe falls affecting the head can cause blood stasis in a particular area of the head and are frequently causative factors in headaches.

• Sexual activity in excess is a common cause of headaches, particularly in men, by depleting Kidney Essence. Childbirths can be a causative factor of Kidney Essence loss in women which lead to headaches.

• External Pathological Factors which affect the head are wind and dampness.

“The head is like Heaven (being the top): The clear Qi of the three Yang channels (Greater, Lesser, and Bright Yang) are the six Yang organs. As well, the Blood and Essence of the three Yin channels (Greater, Lesser, and Terminal Yin), and the five organs all reach the head. It is affected by the six eternal pathogenic climates, as well as by internal factors.” • Giovanni Maciocia

Jul

2012

Safe, Effective Treatment with Chinese Herbs

Chinese herbal medicine, a vital aspect of Chinese medicine, relies upon collecting detailed information from a patient by means of questioning, visual examination, pulse and tongue diagnosis, and some bodily palpation to derive a specified diagnosis that is unique to each patient’s expression of what may seem by the primary symptoms surrounding the illness to be one and the same. However, by the traditional methods of pattern discrimination, TCM practitioners derive the particulars of how an individual generates and bears the disorder by their underlying interconnections. This is the basis of pattern discrimination according to TCM.

From the pattern we derive the diagnosis, treatment plan, and prognosis. A formula of medicinals in their raw form is composed, or if a prepared medicine fits the pattern, it may be used. Additional formula modifications are taken into account that continue to address current and evolving patient experience and characteristics of their disease. This is in contrast to a single herb or herbal blend prescribed by cookbook-style symptom identification. Access to information regarding herbs and sundry home remedies is routinely taken out of context leading to adverse cumulative effects or none whatsoever with regard to conditions requiring resolution. If something has the ability to facilitate healing, it can also elicit harmful changes if used inconsistently with the unique roots of the condition. This is commonplace in philosophical health goals and self-diagnosis to identify and treat health problems. An experienced, licensed acupuncturist who is also a Chinese herbal medicine practitioner, is able to offer sound guidance in deriving results using herbal allies safely and effectively for an infinite array of health conditions.