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Showing posts from May, 2024

When the body speaks: A life built on endurance

When Sleep Became Impossible: Lessons from a Teacher’s Life

We often take our bodies for granted until they begin to speak loudly through pain, fatigue, digestive trouble, sleep disturbance, or a serious diagnosis.  Ironically, many of us care for our cars more consistently than we care for our own bodies—checking, maintaining, and repairing them before problems grow worse. This series shares real-life-inspired TCM stories to remind us of something simple but easy to forget: the body is not a machine to push endlessly but a living system that needs respect, attention, and care.  These stories are not only about living longer. They are about living better—with more energy, balance, and quality in our daily lives. When Sleep Became Impossible: 2. Lessons from a Teacher's Life The body rarely breaks all at once; it warns us in whispers. I remember a patient in her early 40s—a dedicated teacher who spent her nights grading papers and her mornings rising before the sun. Caffeine was her constant companion.  Eventually, chronic heada...

Overweight in TCM/Traditional Chinese Medicine

  TCM views the cause of overweight as the accumulation of waste and poor circulation of qi in the body while the solution to overweight in modern Western medicine is to reduce absorption and lose body fat. When the circulation of qi is not smooth, unnecessary dampness, stagnant blood, etc. are accumulated here and there in the body by causing weight gain, digestive problems, pain, and other discomforts. Are there different body types of weight gain? Check out the previous article,  “Weight Management I: Based on Four Constitutions in Traditional Korean Medicine” https://aculoverbooldongyi.blogspot.com/2024/04/a-weight-management-strategy-based-on.html In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the earth is represented by Yin, and the sky by Yang. Yang traits are flexible, whereas yin qualities are resistant to change, much as the earth is responsive to alterations in the sky. In the same way, individuals possessing a strong Yin constitution tend to be more introverted, protectiv...

Building Healthy Weight - BMI/Body Mass Index

  In a realm where fleeting weight loss trends dominate, the enduring wisdom of Oriental medicine illuminates a holistic approach to cultivating well-being.  Rooted in ancient philosophies and practices, this perspective transcends the mere physicality of weight management, delving into the interconnected realms of body, mind, and spirit. As we learn anything there is to know about weight management, we go across the rich texture of TCM and other therapeutic systems as we discover on this adventure.  In the middle of these antiquated methods, we also recognize the value of modern measurements as a comprehensive route towards long-term health and vitality, connecting traditional knowledge with contemporary understanding.           What can be your ideal weight?   First, determine your overall health. Obesity/overweight can bring hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders and vice versa. Meanwhile, a growing number of women and...

Weight Management II: Between your Gut and Brain

Throughout history, physicians from all countries and eras have been captivated by the complex relationship that exists between the stomach and the brain.  An early understanding of this link can be found in the history of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), particularly in the writings of Earth School founder Lee Dong Yuan (1180–1251).  The growing interest in gut health in modern Western biomedicine was predicted by Lee's significant discoveries into the crucial role the stomach and spleen play in overall health. The Earth School of TCM and Lee Dong Yuan Lee Dong Yuan laid the groundwork for TCM that is still highly regarded today. His contributions to the field go beyond his own lifetime.  As one of the greats of the Earth School, Lee stressed the importance of the stomach and spleen in preserving equilibrium in the body's systems.  According to his theory, the generation and distribution of Qi (vital energy) are based on these organs and have an impact on every f...