Silent Tao » Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Acupressure for Headaches

Shawn Cartwright — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:33:10 +0000

Spring is the time of the rebirth of Yang. The sap is rising, and so is the Qi. Spring is associated with wood and the liver and gallbladder organ systems in traditional Chinese medical theory. Just as the new green sprouts shoot up out of the ground, so does the liver energy. For those with liver or gallbladder problems, this can sometimes create headaches. In addition, the blooming trees and plants can exacerbate allergies and create breathing problems.

Chinese Yang Sheng Qigong has a few suggestions to help you successfully manage the rising Yang of Spring. Try this short little Dao Yin acupressure set for the head. May it help you be as spry as a Spring chicken!

1. Press the inside corners of the eyebrow with the index fingers.
2. Use the second knuckle of the index finger to rub along the eyebrow from the inside corner to the outside corner.
3. Press the point located at the base of the eye socket, directly below the pupil, with the second knuckle of the thumb.
4. Rub the base of the eye socket with the second knuckle of the thumb from the inside corner to the outside corner.
5. Press the points on either side of the base of the nostrils with the index fingers and rub up and down.
6. Place the index and middle finger behind and in front of the ears, respectively. Rub up and down vigorously.
7. Use the thumb and index finger to rub the earlobe from top to bottom.
8. Use the thumb to rub the point located at the base of the skull, on either side of the neck.
9. Use the hands in a claw shape to massage the scalp from front to back. Spend additional time on any places that are sore.

Behind the Scenes Tour of a TCM Pharmacy in China

Shawn Cartwright — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 21:06:58 +0000

On our recent China adventure, we took a group behind the scenes in a real traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy in China. They got to see exactly how the herbal prescriptions were filled and were introduced to a bewildering array of traditional Chinese medicine herbs.

This short video gives you an idea of what it is like inside a busy TCM pharmacy.

R&R in Shanghai’s Pudong District

Shawn Cartwright — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:38:02 +0000

Today was a day to rest and relax after the leading the healing journey. We truly enjoyed the company of our students during this trip. It was a great honor to introduce them to Qigong, Tai Chi and Chinese culture in China!

We were invited to visit and tour a brand new hospital in the Pudong area by the director of the hospital. The hospital offers a full array of both western and traditional Chinese medical services at very reasonable prices. All western style hospitals in China now have to offer traditional Chinese medicine services.

In the evening we enjoyed a Shanghai roasted duck, which is second only to real Peking roasted duck, and relaxed with a TCM foot massage.

TCM Diagnosis and Treatment in China

Shawn Cartwright — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 21:48:50 +0000

This morning we practiced Tai Chi and Qigong before our morning medical Qigong and certification lecture.

The main activity today was a TCM diagnosis and treatment by professors from the local TCM University in Dali, China. They used traditional pulse, tongue and facial reading to diagnose everyone in the group. Afterwards, those who wished received acupuncture treatment based on their diagnosis.

The afternoon and evening was spent in leisure, strolling through Xi Zhou and drinking tea.