Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Blog

悬钟穴 Xuanzhong (GB 39): What Does Xuan Zhong mean? Why is it named that? What Can This Point be Used for?
by Tina Chen, L.Ac.

Xuan 悬 =Suspended Zhong 钟 = Bell
Xuanzhong (GB 39), Suspended Bell is the hui meeting point of the marrow. Classic indications are to treat deficiency conditions relating to the bone or wei zheng (atrophy syndrome) and other conditions such as dizziness, tinnitus, sore throat, etc related to kidney deficiency. It can also be used to treat neck pain on the GB channel.

This is a point that can strengthen the Kidney and help with its multiple functions. One of the reasons why it’s named such is that when the Kidneys are strengthened, the bones can then be strong enough to hold a heavy Suspended Bell.

Another reason why it’s called Suspended Bell is that in nourishing the Kidney, it can then pump the water upwards to the throat and treat Kidney yin deficiency type of sore throat or dry throat. After needling this point, one should feel a sensation in the throat, and then saliva should be produced. It’s an excellent point for cancer patients with dry throat and mouth as well as chronic respiratory issues involving dry, sore throat or hoarseness of the voice. With the use of this point, one’s voice can be as loud as the suspended bell and be heard from miles away.

Abdominal Acupuncture

Abdominal Acupuncture, created by Dr. Zhiyun Bo, is an easy modality to learn and apply. It is not only gentle and relaxing, it is also very effective because it works with the qi in the core of the body. In addition, it directly affects the digestive system.

The following overview to Abdominal Acupuncture is compiled from the online courses by Dave Shipsey (in English), and online resources by Dr. Zhiyun Bo (in Chinese).

INTRODUCTION

Abdominal Acupuncture utilizes a hologram of the abdomen of a tortoise on its back. Abdominal points prescriptions follow the same concept of herbal prescriptions in which there are Jun, Chen, Zuo, Shi (Chief, Deputy, Assistant, Envoy) points, with each playing an important and essential function.

• Chief points treat the patient’s chief complaints, and regulate and harmonize the organs. Usually 1-2 points are selected.
• Deputy points enhance the organ regulating effects of the Chief points.
• Assistant points enhance Chief and Deputy functions, as well as regulate affected channels.
• Envoy points provide symptomatic relief. They often image the corresponding pain areas, and can also be guiding points.

There is no set number of points to use for each category above, however, there are usually more Envoy points than Chief points. Depending on the condition, some point prescriptions may only contain points from one or two of the categories.

How to Ethically Start, Protect, and Manage the Assets of Your Practice from a Legal Perspective - Eric Chen

At some point in time during your acupuncture practice, most licensed acupuncturists will encounter some kind of lawsuit so it is important to know what to do, if and when it happens. To bring you the BEST insider tips on how to protect yourself and your business from starting a practice to keeping it safe, Eric has invited his powerful team of attorneys, Ying Xu, Samantha Larsen, and Kaleigh Ragon, to share imperative insight on the most important aspects of being an acupuncturist as well as a business owner.

Please note, the class focus is on California law as all attorneys presenting are licensed to practice in California.

Other topics covered in this course include:

• Opening a new practice
• Maintaining a practice
• Legal considerations in hiring staff and associates
• How to handle a personal injury matter as an acupuncturist
• How to avoid medical malpractice and legal trouble
• Estate planning essentials

Eric Chen received his Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law in 1994 and is licensed to practice law in California since 1994 and in Nevada since 1996. He currently has law offices in both California and Nevada, specializing in personal injury, healthcare, medical malpractice, and business litigation.


WHAT CLINICAL PEARLS DID I LEARN?
The class was filled with clinical pearls so I'd recommend attend the full course but below are a few of my favorites:

• During a personal injury patient’s first examination, you should get detailed information about abortions, sexually transmitted diseases, prior alcohol or drug use.

Cupping, Gua Sha, and Moxa - Dr. Alex Chen

Cupping, gua sha, and moxibustion are key therapeutic applications that can either be used as an adjunct to acupuncture or a treatment protocol on its own. Cupping is a suction technique that draws superficial tissue into a cup which helps improve circulation. Gua sha is a healing protocol that involves gently spooning or scraping to create transitory therapeutic petechiae called sha which represents extravasation of blood in a problem or pain area. Moxibustion (known as moxa) involves the heating of acupuncture points with a smoldering mugwort herb and is used to stimulate, circulate, and counteract cold and dampness in the body to promote the smooth flow of qi and blood.

Dr. Alex Chen is a master of herbs, qi gong and tui-na. He has taught at South Baylo University, Yuin University and Royal University of America as well as teaching numerous professional and continuing education seminars in the U.S. and abroad. His love for Oriental Medicine is evident through his life-long devotion to the profession, and reflected by the passion and dedication he embodies, and the inspiration he provides to his children to pursue the same career path.


WHAT CLINICAL PEARLS DID I LEARN?
The whole weekend was filled with clinical pearls so I'd recommend attend the full course but below are a few of my favorites:

GUA SHA

• Use 20 strokes, 8-15 cm long, on each area of the skin.
• Go in ONE direction. Do NOT go back and forth.
• If after 20 strokes there is no “sha,” go on to the next location.

BodyMapping Acupuncture by Cole Magbanua

It’s always refreshing to meet a practitioner who shares our same vision in dedicating ourselves to the preservation and continuation of TCM wisdom. We’re all in this together to make the world a better place and what better way to do so than to share what really works? The best kind of knowledge is shared, passed on, and translated into the healing of patients, thus furthering our TCM profession. This past weekend in May, we met a man who can help change the way you practice, making your job easier and more efficient so that you can best help your patient! Meet Cole.

Cole Magbanua is a seasoned acupuncturist with over 25 years of clinical experience who uses a distal acupuncture technique to treat his patients to see instant results. After years of study and practice, he refined his knowledge into a system that he coined “Bodymapping Acupuncture Technique”. The Bodymapping Acupuncture Technique’s beginnings stem from a class with Dr. Richard Tan back in 1995 on mirroring, imaging, and Dr. Tan’s Systems. After trying out what he learned from class, Cole concluded that Systems 1, 4, and 6 worked the best depending on what body part(s) you are treating. He then created a body chart in which he mapped out and color coded the acupuncture channels. It turns out acupuncture channels are not dots or lines but actually zones!


HOW DO YOU USE THE BODYMAPPING ACUPUNCTURE TECHNIQUE?
First remember…
When treating anything on the limb, use System 1 (Same Name); needle opposite side
When treating anything on the torso, use System 4 (Opposite Clock); needle opposite side
Use System 6 (Same Channel) to make treatment all the more effective; needle same side