Julia Child of TCM

Julia Child was the French Chef but she's got nothing on Tara Akuna the Canadian Acupuncture Chef

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Episode #27 Chinese Medical Food Cures
Tara Akuna LAc, founder of Edible Nourishment, joins the show today from Vancouver, British Columbia.  Her idea and business, meal plans based off of Chinese medical diagnosis.  Menopause weighing you down?  Eat a yin deficiency/hormone nourishing cookie !!! 


What is Edible Nourishment?
Edible Nourishment is the result of thousands of hours of cooking, thousands of hours of traditional Chinese medical school, and a mother being fed up that there was no good source of recipes and diet plans for Chinese medicine diagnosis such as Liver Qi Stasis, Kidney Yin Deficiency, and so on.

Tara Akuna in the garden with her little man

While battling a severe bout of insomnia after her first born child, Tara Akuna LAc, founder of Edible Nourishment, went looking for food that would nourish both her newborn and herself.  After finding very little in help, she combined both her Italian heritage of cooking and her TCM training. The food recipes she wanted to create would be easy to make (30 minutes or less) and would follow TCM principles of nourishing the body.  Her collection of work is now known as Edible Nourishment.  By going to her website you can purchase and view recipe packages for

• Blood Deficiency
• Qi Deficiency
• Liver Qi Stasis (omg fish tacos!!!!!!!)
• Yin Deficiency

These recipes come with:

• Health Guidelines for Optimal Healing
• Food Charts
• Beverages
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Dessert

Our favorite recipes, in which we kept out front for all our patients, was the Gluten Free Chocolate Menopause Nourishing Cookies.

View Recipe

We asked her "what is one type of food or ingredient people are not eating enough of?"
Tara's response, without hesitation, "TEFF FLOUR!!!!"

To find out more about the rest of her story and why Teff flour is AWESOME listen here.

Contact and Follow Edible Nourishment at:
Webpage
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

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Badass Femme Fatale

“Everyone has a best feature, so find clothes and accessories to accentuate those, whether it’s your shoulders or your long hair.” 

-Tim Gunn

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Episode #26: Chinese Medicine Meets the Fashion Runway

A woman walking down a runway wearing a dress that has all the meridians and acupuncture points on it...  Now that's FASHION!!!  Holly Renee, creator and master mind of Shenova Fashion, joins the show today to talk about how she combined science and Chinese medicine into her signature fashion line.

            
            So, many of you will be wondering why we are quoting Tim Gunn and talking about fashion. We truly have not lost it nor gone off the deep end (yet). Our guest this week is truly one amazing individual. Not only is she trained in acupuncture, she is also a fashion designer and notable science geek. Needless to say, we fell in love with her immediately!

            Holly Renee is one of those rare individuals that encompass many different arenas of interest and talent. Her “geek” clothing and her love of science come together in an amalgam of incredible fashion forward sense, uncanny multi-dimensional eye, and an ability to fit clothing to the human form like a skilled anatomist. Her studio is her sanctuary where her feelings about science and the human form come together and she can create the most exquisite and fascinating clothing to boggle the mind and capture the eye.

            She began her foray into fashion at the age of 13 and was in her first fashion show at 15. Holly's mother, being a biochemist, would bring home slides of DNA she was analyzing.  Those double stranded DNA structures have stayed with her ever since.  She has always loved science and labels herself as a “techie, sci-fi and design nerd” and she follows through with that thought in her design esthetics. She is clearly not afraid to push the envelope in design and even formulated a pair of pants that upon first look resemble steel armor plating. She is amazing!

            Holly has walked in many shoes in this lifetime and it is clear that she is dedicated to her current path and is only beginning to explode on the fashion scene. In fact, do not be surprised to find PhD candidates graduating in her clothing.

            Vera Wang wrote it best, “Success isn’t about the end result, it’s about what you learn along the way.” We believe you will find Holly Renee to be following that logic quite proficiently.

Shenova Fashion Runway Show                  BMW Commercial Clothed By Shenova

www.shenovafashion.com
www.etsy.com/shenova

Mentioned in Episode:
Hyperion Herbs
Chinese Medicine Living

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Honeybees or Acupuncture Needles?

Episode #23: Honeybees or Acupuncture Needles?

Ken Rosen LAc., cancer survivor, bee venom therapist, and international health expert, joins the show. How does one hold a bee?  When do you use bee venom therapy compared to acupuncture?  Do you use the same points?  Hear those answers along with great stories and Ken's take on the importance of diet and nutrition in health care.

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Everyone's story about how they got into acupuncture usually involves a medical aha moment.  With Ken Rosen, it was a diagnosis of cancer at the age of 12 then a secondary cancer diagnosis at age 25 because of previous western therapy.  Having been around bees and bee hives as a child, bee venom therapy became part of his medical treatment arsenal along with acupuncture and herbs.  


A book he highly recommends is "Health and the HoneyBee" by Charles Mraz.  In this book Charles Mraz introduces readers to the historical application of bee products in health treatments.

Having spent a career treating patients in the high end spa industry (such as world famous Chiva-Som) he has learned the importance of outcome oriented acupuncture.  Not having the luxury of treating a patient multiple times over a period of months, he usually only has one shot to help the patient.  This focus on "How can I help the patient right now!" goes beyond acupuncture and bees.  Nutrition to him is the key. It is the one thing he can educate his patients about that they can take home and apply immediately to their lives.  "It's all about draining the damp" he says, "Got to drain the damp".  

In this episode you'll hear about been venom therapy, how to catch a bee, his experience on how acupuncture works, and the importance of nutrition and diet.  He answer's questions such as:

Why do people not have anaphylactic allergic reactions to bee sting therapy? "when you are being consciously stung your body starts gearing up for the reaction,. as a soon as you see me coming at you with a bee, your body starts dealing with it, whereas when you are surprised by a bee that is when really bad things can happen"

Ken Rosen has over 10 years of experience as a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) specialist and trainer.  Merging these two worlds, Ken consults, trains, and teaches subjects on TCM for the SPA environment.  With International speaking and writing experience, Ken Rosen brings a unique perspective of both traditional and progressive views on healthcare.

Articles Written by Ken Rosen

Website: www.spatcm.com

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Bee Venom Therapy and Cancer Research

1. Oršolić N. Bee venom in cancer therapy. Cancer Metastasis Rev. 2012;31(1-2):173-94.
2. Gajski G, Garaj-vrhovac V. Melittin: a lytic peptide with anticancer properties. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2013;36(2):697-705.
3. Yoon J, Jeon JH, Lee YW, et al. Sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2012;5(4):156-65.
4. Ip SW, Chu YL, Yu CS, et al. Bee venom induces apoptosis through intracellular Ca2+ -modulated intrinsic death pathway in human bladder cancer cells. Int J Urol. 2012;19(1):61-70.
5. Jo M, Park MH, Kollipara PS, et al. Anti-cancer effect of bee venom toxin and melittin in ovarian cancer cells through induction of death receptors and inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2012;258(1):72-81.

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Sponsor

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Artwork Drawn By Toni Watson

Hospital Burn Unit Turns to Chinese Herbal Wash

Episode 21: Yin Care Herbal Wash
Description: The use of Yin Care is without a doubt effective as a topical for damp heat conditions.  In this episode, Daniel Hudson LAc, describes how a chance trip to China in 1999 led him to bring a 150 million bottles sold a year company to America.  He also goes over the medical research backing the product for skin, gynecology, oral, and burn conditions.

Yin Care is an herbal wash that was brought over to America in 2000.  It has been a go to in China, selling over 150 million bottles a year and can be found readily in hospitals and herbal stores. Origins of this formula are speculative but it is said that the target treatment group was for the bevy of prostitution and spread of chlamydia.  Bottles of Jie Er Yin Xi Ye (the original name of the wash) were found in all hotels and casinos as a preventative.  Later the Chinese government took the formula and made it a legitimate patent medicine.

Daniel Hudson, founder of the American product, came upon the wide use of Yin Care by happenstance.  On a trip to China in 1999 he was visiting the Yunnan Baiyao facility.  It was here he was conversing with a colleague about the top used patent products.  This colleague mentioned an unknown formula to him called "Jie Er Yin Xi Ye" (Clean Your Yin Wash Liquid).
Having some reservation to the possibility this herbal wash probably had some antibiotic or other medication in it he sent 3 samples to the University of Southern California (USC) for chemical and drug analysis.  The 3 samples included one directly from the manufacturing plant, and 2 others from random stores in China.  All samples came back 100% pure without any pharmaceutical or other heavy metal contaminants.

After being reassured of the purity of the product Daniel decided to bring it to the United States.  The translation of Jie Er Yin Xi Ye (Clean Your Yin Wash Liquid) was not going to make a big splash with the U.S. market so a change had to be made to its name,  hence Yin Care.
This product is mostly used for Damp Heat vaginal and skin diagnosis.  It can be applied topically or intra-vaginally.  These type of conditions include:

• cervicitis, cervical dysplasia, cervical erosion, cervical infections, cervical warts, vaginitis, STD Infection, yeast infection, vaginal discharge, candida albicans, genital herpes sores, vulvitis, allergic dermatitis, eczema, nail fungus, rashes,  acne, rosacea, althelete's foot, poison ivy, poison oak, shingles, stings, bites, burn wounds, and other gum or oral diseases.

To ensure the purity and continual availability of the herbs found in Yin Care.  The company started purchasing massive swaths of land to grow the herbs.  Not in farms like we are used to in America, where the land is removed of all vegetation other than the crop, but in their natural environments.

Yin Care Farm

Yin Care Farm and Farmers

Daniel Hudson (shown in the middle) is a doctoral fellow in Chinese Medicine at Five Branches University.  he began his study of Chinese Medicine in 1994, at the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine.  He has worked with Taiwanese and Chinese TCM experts in the areas of herbal medicine and acupuncture throughout the U.S., Asia, and in Europe.  His additional post-graduate studies include advanced courses in Functional Endocrinology and Blood Chemistry and a certificate in Homeopathy from the Dynamis School of Advanced Homeopathic Studies.

Other Article about Yin Care:
Yin Care: An Extraordinary Chinese Herbal Prodcut Finds Its Way to North America by Dr. Jake Fratkin

Yin Care can be purchased at the following locations:

www.yincare.com

www.gfcherbs.com

Directions For Dermatological and Gynecological Use




Future Episodes from Yin Yang Podcast:

1. Breast Cancer Part 2 - pulse diagnosis, herbal formulas based on differential and diagnosis along with single herb modifications
2. Bee Venom Therapy - Ken Rosen, an acupuncturist originally from Rhode Island but now in Thailand, shares his story of surviving cancer in his twenties, the use of bee venom therapy in acupuncture points, and most importantly how to catch a bee.
3. Science Behind Acupuncture Part 2 - Dr. Ladan Eshkavari, researcher at Georgetown University, studies how acupuncture inhibits the stress response.
4. Amazon Vet Acupuncture - Dr. Daniela Lewgoy, a veterinarian acupuncturist in Brazil, talks about the types of creatures she treats from snakes, monkeys, marmosets, possums, dogs, cats, and horses.
5. Parasites in America - Lee Likins, professor of parsitology and environmental biology joins the show and tells stories of brain eating, zombie walking, suicidal sky divers, and living tombs for baby parasites. We add in some TCM.
6. The Truth Behind Immunization - Dr. Pahud, specialist in infections diseases at Children's Mercy Hospital, goes over what an immunization is, changes in contagious diseases over the past 20 years, and her take on the importance of immunization.

www.yinyangpodcast.com

Sponsored by:

Panacea or Poison: Chinese Medicine with Kidney Failure

Episode 20: Panacea or Poison
Travis Spire-Sweet, LAc., first received acupuncture at the age of 13 for chronic kidney disease and made it another 17 years before he needed a transplant.  Thanks in large part to acupuncture and Chinese herbs.  Travis eventually received a kidney transplant in February of 2013 from his fiancé.  Today he shares what he has found Chinese medicine can do for people with kidney disease by combining classical theory and current western research.

Treating patients on dialysis or post transplant can be very difficult in Chinese medicine.  Not because of the effectiveness of the medicine but because of the possible interactions and complications with the dialysate or immunosuppressive therapy.  The therapeutic range for immunosuppressant is very narrow, meaning that any minor changes can be catastrophic.

The podcast today covers acupuncture, acupressure, over the counter supplements, herbs that are dangerous in kidney disease, and herbs that are safe and beneficial.

Outline of Episode:

(Time location in Podcast)(Section)

1. 3:49 Introduction

2. 15:08 What Kidneys Do
3. 16:30 What Dialysis Does
4. 17:59 Is There a Magical Cure Out There?
5. 19:10 Acupuncture and Acupressure

            a. 19:20 Fatigue

            b. 22:30 Insomnia and Depression

            c. 23:46 Diabetic Neuropathy

            d. 25:05 Gastroparesis

            e. 26:05 Erectile Dysfunction

            f. 27:21 Uremic Pruritus

6. 30:43 Chinese Herbs and Supplements

            a. 30:54 Negatives

                        i. Herbs to Stay Away From

                        ii. Aristolochic Acid Plants

                        iii. Google Search

            b. 44:01 Positives

                        i. 47:21 Erythropoietin Resistant Anemia

                        ii. 47:50 Pruritus

                        iii.48:21 Fistula Maturation

                        iv. 48:54 Colonic Dialysis

                        v. 49:03 Post Transplant

View Power Point

Travis going under before his transplant

Preparing to remove donor kidney

Travis recovering post transplant

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Sponsor

The Science Behind Acupuncture

Episode: #19 The Science Behind Acupuncture

Special guest Dr. Helene Langevin joins the show today.  She is Director of the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Harvard and a neuroendocrinologist at the University of Vermont College of Medicine.  Her area of focus is analyzing and viewing what occurs to the connective tissue when an acupuncture needle is inserted and stimulated. 

Helene Langevin is a neuroendocrinologist at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and Director of the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine Harvard.  She is a leading researcher of on how connective tissue responds to acupuncture.  Her first published research project in 1999 demonstrated structural changes in the tissue when manipulating the needle.  See Picture blow

A) no needle twirling B) Needle twirling

She has found that during needle stimulation there is a binding of connective tissue to the needle.  Fibroblast (the cells that build connective tissue like collagen) respond to the needle several cm away from the site.  This binding of connective tissue to the needle last for about 30 minutes.  Amazingly enough that is about the same time we are taught as acupuncturists to retain the needles.  As you can see below, these cells actually increase their body size in response to acupuncture.

The direction of needle twirling also makes a difference in how tissue respond to needling.  For example using uni-directional needling techniques, like tonifying or sedating.  Compared to bi-directional needling techniques where an acupuncturist would twirl the needles clock and counter clock wise.

Bi-Directional

Uni-Directional

Dr.  Helene Langevin is doing research on other modalities that cause tissue to expand.  Techniques like massage and yoga.  Her findings are suggestive of a possible anti-inflammatory response to these forms of tissue manipulation.  Her ultimate goal is to ascertain the best treatment for a patient with pain with the least amount of opioids and NSAIDs as possible.

www.yinyangpodcast.com

Peer Reviewed Publications:

1. Langevin HM, Fujita T, Bouffard NA, Takano T, Koptiuch C, Badger GJ, Nedergaard M. Fibroblast cytoskeletal remodeling induced by tissue stretch involves ATP signaling. J Cell Physiol. 2013 Sep; 228(9):1922-6.

2. Langevin HM, Nedergaard M, Howe AK. Cellular control of connective tissue matrix tension. J Cell Biochem. 2013 Aug; 114(8):1714-9.

3. Snapp RR, Goveia E, Peet L, Bouffard NA, Badger GJ, Langevin HM. Spatial organization of fibroblast nuclear chromocenters: component tree analysis. J Anat. 2013 Sep; 223(3):255-61.

4. Goldman N, Chandler-Militello D, Langevin HM, Nedergaard M, Takano T. Purine receptor mediated actin cytoskeleton remodeling of human fibroblasts. Cell Calcium. 2013 Apr; 53(4):297-301.

5. Abbott RD, Koptiuch C, Iatridis JC, Howe AK, Badger GJ, Langevin HM. Stress and matrix-responsive cytoskeletal remodeling in fibroblasts. J Cell Physiol. 2013 Jan; 228(1):50-7.

6. Abbott RD, Howe AK, Langevin HM, Iatridis JC. Live free or die: stretch-induced apoptosis occurs when adaptive reorientation of annulus fibrosus cells is restricted. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2012 May 4; 421(2):361-6.

7. Davis RT, Churchill DL, Badger GJ, Dunn J, Langevin HM. A new method for quantifying the needling component of acupuncture treatments. Acupunct Med. 2012 Jun; 30(2):113-9.

8. Corey SM, Vizzard MA, Bouffard NA, Badger GJ, Langevin HM. Stretching of the back improves gait, mechanical sensitivity and connective tissue inflammation in a rodent model. PLoS One. 2012; 7(1):e29831.

9. Wu J, Chen D, Langevin HM, Nyborg WL. Interaction between parallel polymer fibers insonificated by ultrasound of low/mild intensity: an analytical theory and experiments. Ultrasonics. 2012 Mar; 52(3):417-21.

10. Langevin HM, Fox JR, Koptiuch C, Badger GJ, Greenan-Naumann AC, Bouffard NA, Konofagou EE, Lee WN, Triano JJ, Henry SM. Reduced thoracolumbar fascia shear strain in human chronic low back pain. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2011; 12:203.

11. Park JJ, Akazawa M, Ahn J, Beckman-Harned S, Lin FC, Lee K, Fine J, Davis RT, Langevin H. Acupuncture sensation during ultrasound guided acupuncture needling. Acupunct Med. 2011 Dec; 29(4):257-65.

12. Langevin HM, Bouffard NA, Fox JR, Palmer BM, Wu J, Iatridis JC, Barnes WD, Badger GJ, Howe AK. Fibroblast cytoskeletal remodeling contributes to connective tissue tension. J Cell Physiol. 2011 May; 226(5):1166-75.

13. Corey SM, Vizzard MA, Badger GJ, Langevin HM. Sensory innervation of the nonspecialized connective tissues in the low back of the rat. Cells Tissues Organs. 2011; 194(6):521-30.

14. Langevin HM, Wayne PM, Macpherson H, Schnyer R, Milley RM, Napadow V, Lao L, Park J, Harris RE, Cohen M, Sherman KJ, Haramati A, Hammerschlag R. Paradoxes in acupuncture research: strategies for moving forward. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011; 2011:180805.

15. Ahn AC, Park M, Shaw JR, McManus CA, Kaptchuk TJ, Langevin HM. Electrical impedance of acupuncture meridians: the relevance of subcutaneous collagenous bands. PLoS One. 2010; 5(7):e11907.

16. Berman BM, Langevin HM, Witt CM, Dubner R. Acupuncture for chronic low back pain. N Engl J Med. 2010 Jul 29; 363(5):454-61.

17. Langevin HM, Storch KN, Snapp RR, Bouffard NA, Badger GJ, Howe AK, Taatjes DJ. Tissue stretch induces nuclear remodeling in connective tissue fibroblasts. Histochem Cell Biol. 2010 Apr; 133(4):405-15.

18. Langevin HM, Huijing PA. Communicating about fascia: history, pitfalls, and recommendations. Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2009; 2(4):3-8.

19. Langevin HM, Stevens-Tuttle D, Fox JR, Badger GJ, Bouffard NA, Krag MH, Wu J, Henry SM. Ultrasound evidence of altered lumbar connective tissue structure in human subjects with chronic low back pain. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2009; 10:151.

20. Wayne PM, Hammerschlag R, Langevin HM, Napadow V, Park JJ, Schnyer RN. Resolving paradoxes in acupuncture research: a roundtable discussion. J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Sep; 15(9):1039-44.

21. Schnyer R, Lao L, Hammerschlag R, Wayne P, Langevin HM, Napadow V, Harris R, Park J, Milley R, Cohen M, MacPherson H. Society for Acupuncture Research: 2007 conference report: "The status and future of acupuncture research: 10 years post-NIH Consensus Conference". J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Sep; 14(7):859-60.

22. Napadow V, Ahn A, Longhurst J, Lao L, Stener-Victorin E, Harris R, Langevin HM. The status and future of acupuncture mechanism research. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Sep; 14(7):861-9.

23. Ahn AC, Colbert AP, Anderson BJ, Martinsen OG, Hammerschlag R, Cina S, Wayne PM, Langevin HM. Electrical properties of acupuncture points and meridians: a systematic review. Bioelectromagnetics. 2008 May; 29(4):245-56.

24. Bouffard NA, Cutroneo KR, Badger GJ, White SL, Buttolph TR, Ehrlich HP, Stevens-Tuttle D, Langevin HM. Tissue stretch decreases soluble TGF-beta1 and type-1 procollagen in mouse subcutaneous connective tissue: evidence from ex vivo and in vivo models. J Cell Physiol. 2008 Feb; 214(2):389-95.

25. Whittaker JL, Teyhen DS, Elliott JM, Cook K, Langevin HM, Dahl HH, Stokes M. Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging: understanding the technology and its applications. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2007 Aug; 37(8):434-49.

26. Langevin HM, Rizzo DM, Fox JR, Badger GJ, Wu J, Konofagou EE, Stevens-Tuttle D, Bouffard NA, Krag MH. Dynamic morphometric characterization of local connective tissue network structure in humans using ultrasound. BMC Syst Biol. 2007; 1:25.

27. Langevin HM, Bouffard NA, Churchill DL, Badger GJ. Connective tissue fibroblast response to acupuncture: dose-dependent effect of bidirectional needle rotation. J Altern Complement Med. 2007 Apr; 13(3):355-60.

28. Storch KN, Taatjes DJ, Bouffard NA, Locknar S, Bishop NM, Langevin HM. Alpha smooth muscle actin distribution in cytoplasm and nuclear invaginations of connective tissue fibroblasts. Histochem Cell Biol. 2007 May; 127(5):523-30.

29. Langevin HM, Sherman KJ. Pathophysiological model for chronic low back pain integrating connective tissue and nervous system mechanisms. Med Hypotheses. 2007; 68(1):74-80.

30. Langevin HM, Bouffard NA, Badger GJ, Churchill DL, Howe AK. Subcutaneous tissue fibroblast cytoskeletal remodeling induced by acupuncture: evidence for a mechanotransduction-based mechanism. J Cell Physiol. 2006 Jun; 207(3):767-74.

31. Langevin HM. Connective tissue: a body-wide signaling network? Med Hypotheses. 2006; 66(6):1074-7.

32. Langevin HM, Storch KN, Cipolla MJ, White SL, Buttolph TR, Taatjes DJ. Fibroblast spreading induced by connective tissue stretch involves intracellular redistribution of alpha- and beta-actin. Histochem Cell Biol. 2006 May; 125(5):487-95.

33. Ahn AC, Wu J, Badger GJ, Hammerschlag R, Langevin HM. Electrical impedance along connective tissue planes associated with acupuncture meridians. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2005; 5:10.

34. Konofagou EE, Langevin HM. Using ultrasound to understand acupuncture. Acupuncture needle manipulation and its effect on connective tissue. IEEE Eng Med Biol Mag. 2005 Mar-Apr; 24(2):41-6.

35. Langevin HM, Bouffard NA, Badger GJ, Iatridis JC, Howe AK. Dynamic fibroblast cytoskeletal response to subcutaneous tissue stretch ex vivo and in vivo. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2005 Mar; 288(3):C747-56.

36. Langevin HM, Konofagou EE, Badger GJ, Churchill DL, Fox JR, Ophir J, Garra BS. Tissue displacements during acupuncture using ultrasound elastography techniques. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2004 Sep; 30(9):1173-83.

37. Langevin HM, Cornbrooks CJ, Taatjes DJ. Fibroblasts form a body-wide cellular network. Histochem Cell Biol. 2004 Jul; 122(1):7-15.

38. Langevin HM, Badger GJ, Povolny BK, Davis RT, Johnston AC, Sherman KJ, Kahn JR, Kaptchuk TJ. Yin scores and yang scores: A new method for quantitative diagnostic evaluation in traditional Chinese medicine research. J Altern Complement Med. 2004 Apr; 10(2):389-95; discussion 387.

39. Hammerschlag R, Culliton PD, Langevin HM, Lao L. A new partnership: the Society for Acupuncture Research and the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. J Altern Complement Med. 2003 Dec; 9(6):807-8.

40. Iatridis JC, Wu J, Yandow JA, Langevin HM. Subcutaneous tissue mechanical behavior is linear and viscoelastic under uniaxial tension. Connect Tissue Res. 2003; 44(5):208-17.

41. Langevin HM, Yandow JA. Relationship of acupuncture points and meridians to connective tissue planes. Anat Rec. 2002 Dec 15; 269(6):257-65.

42. Langevin HM, Churchill DL, Wu J, Badger GJ, Yandow JA, Fox JR, Krag MH. Evidence of connective tissue involvement in acupuncture. FASEB J. 2002 Jun; 16(8):872-4.

43. Langevin HM, Churchill DL, Fox JR, Badger GJ, Garra BS, Krag MH. Biomechanical response to acupuncture needling in humans. J Appl Physiol. 2001 Dec; 91(6):2471-8.

44. Langevin HM, Churchill DL, Cipolla MJ. Mechanical signaling through connective tissue: a mechanism for the therapeutic effect of acupuncture. FASEB J. 2001 Oct; 15(12):2275-82.

45. Langevin HM, Vaillancourt PD. Acupuncture: does it work and, if so, how? Semin Clin Neuropsychiatry. 1999 Jul; 4(3):167-75.

Origins of Acupuncture in America

Episode: #18 A Dimond Messenger

Description: 1971 provided the year acupuncture gained a foundation in the American medical system.  Cardiologist, Dr. E. Grey Dimond, carried this message despite formidable obstacles.  We are honored to present his story today.

How did acupuncture become main stream in America?  

We as acupuncturists are usually taught and told the story of how James Reston, journalist from the New York Times, while in China with Henry Kissinger on a diplomatic  endeavor, fell ill with acute appendicitis.  James had the usual appendectomy but then was treated post-op with acupuncture.  He published his story on July 26th, 1971.

New York Times July 26, 1971 Page2

Here is the story we are not told about:  

Dr. E. Grey Dimond was one of the first American physicians to visit Red China since the communist revolution in 1949.  He found himself with this unique opportunity with the aid of Edgar Snow (author of Red Star Over China).  They had met previously in 1965 at a world peace conference.

Edgar Snow was eager to get an American physician over to China to view and witness their advances in acupuncture anesthesia, birth control measures, and limb reimplantation.

In 1971 that time came to fruition.  The attendees of this trip would be Dr. E Grey Dimond, Dr. Paul Dudley White (Father of Cardiology), and their wives.

When Dr. Dimond returned he began immediately to write papers about his eye witness account of acupuncture anesthesia.  He first published an article for The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on Dec 6th 1971.  Titled: Acupuncture Anesthesia - Western Medicine and ChineseTraditional Medicine

He published a book based off his diary that he wrote during his trip to China called More than Herbs and Acupuncture.

Diary Entry September 1971

Dr. Dimond then submitted a 50 slide presentation about Acupuncture Anesthesia to the American College of Cardiology accompanied with tape recording.

50 Slide Presentation to the American College of Cardiology

Open Heart Surgery with Acupuncture Anesthesia
Drinking Tea
Taken by Dr. Dimond

New England Journal of Medicine 1965
E. Grey Dimond, M.D.