Texas Acupuncture Warning

Did you know that if you are a Chiropractor in Texas you can practice acupuncture with just 100 hours of training? As unbelievable as it may seem this is true.
To put this in perspective, to qualify for the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) which is accepted as the main certifying agency in most states you need almost 3,000 hours training from a formal education program that is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM).

So, do people in Texas seeking acupuncture treatment know this? They should. Chiropractors in Texas who portray themselves as trained acupuncturists are less than forthright. They have organizations they belong to but as far as I can tell they certify themselves.
Think about 100 hours of training. That's not much in any field, much less medicine. For comparison, in a typical Oriental Medical College that will produce a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.), a first year student will take 165 hours a semester and they won't even begin to touch a needle much less claim to know acupuncture.

My advice: If you live in Texas and seek acupuncture go to an acupuncturist with the credentials of "L.Ac." (Licensed Acupuncturist) These people have extensive and proper training and will be much more capable of treating you as a professional - and they won't have studied acupuncture by correspondence course either.

For more reading see: AAOM challenges 300-Hour "Chiropractice Acupucnture" Program.

Culing Pill

Q: Is there any wheat or any form of gluten in Culing Pill?
A: One ingredient, Massa Fermenta, or MASSA FERMENTATA (Chinese: Shen Qu) is in the formula. You probably don't want to use it.

Green Tea

Tea Power

Drinking green tea may not only prevent cancer - it may also shrink tumors. University of Mississippi medical Center researchers gave water mixed with a green tea anti-oxidant called EGCG to mice with breast cancer. After five weeks, their tumors were 66 percent smaller and 68 percent lighter than those in mice who drank just water.

As Reported by the Reader's Digest (October 2008, page 121).

Swallowing capsules

Q: Could I melt the capsules? I'm not very good at swallowing big pills.

Is this something I will have to take everyday to feel the effect? I am looking for something that's more "on the go" type or immediate relief.

A: You can open the capsules and pour the contents into tea. I'm not sure how well it would dissolve. One trick to swallowing any pill or capsule is to tuck your chin down as you swallow. The capsule will go down much easier this way. If you tilt your head back it is much harder to swallow anything.

You might take it daily for the 1st two weeks than use as needed. You'll have to see how it works for you. Herbs are not as strong as prescription drugs so you can't always expect "immediate" relief, especially if you are using it for panic attacks or anxiety. It may need to build up in your system.

Dog's Liver Enzymes

Q: my dog has high liver enyzmes vet doesn't know why with Diarrhea muccus can she take liu wei Di Huang wan if so she is 28 lbs how much can i give her and how many times aday are 2 pills enough? i want to make sure on the box it says something about liver problems i'm confused because it's for the liver

A: Use about five pills a day for a 28 pound dog. The liver warning on the box has to do with the product containing licorice. If you take about 1/3 of an ounce of licorice daily for months on end you may have blood pressure problems - hence, the warning. However, there is not even a gram of licorice in the whole box. The warning is just to protect the company in case of legal action. You should also know that this product has been around for over 200 years without a warning label and many other companies make the same product without a warning label. However, you need to make the choice whether to use it or not.

Hand and Leg Pain

Q: I suffer from inflammation in many parts of my body, especially along the meridian (gall bladder?) which runs down the outside of my thighs and on down, so much so that just touching anywhere along it causes extreme pain. The other issue is poor circulation, where my hands fall asleep at night. I don't know if these two things are related, but wondered if there were something you could suggest taking for either/both of these issues.
A: The pain down the side of your leg could be sciatic pain or sciatica. Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan may help.
The hands falling asleep at night may be carpal tunnel syndrome. China Tung Hsueh may help.
Both these products can be found at www.eastearthtrade.com

Lei Gong Teng Thunder God Vine

Q: Do you know where I can get thunder god vine, lei gong teng, Latin Name Tripterygium Wilfordii?

A: Many people are interested in Lei Gong Teng because of reported positive effects in treating rheumatoid arthritis and tumors. However, lacking in the printed stories is the fact that Lei Gong Teng is a very toxic herb and should never be used in its raw form unless under the supervision of someone trained in its use. The product described in news stories is not the same as boiling up the bulk herb with no knowledge of its use. This herb is not discussed in American Acupuncture Colleges because it is so toxic. It's use is not very common and it is not available commercially for good reasons.
Properties and action: Bitter tasting, highly toxic. Reduces inflammation, detoxifies, kills maggots and larvae, poisons rats and birds (by baiting), destroys oncomelania snails.
Conditions most used for: Waistband ulcers and pruritus.
Preparation: Roots, leaves, flowers or fruits are used medicinally for EXTERNAL purposes in suitable amounts. DO NOT TAKE INTERNALLY.

Lei Gong Teng contains a strong neurotoxin. Intoxication symptoms such as burning pain in mouth and throat, excessive salivation, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, etc., usually appear with half an hour of taking this herb. Following this, dilated pupils or even blindness, drooping eyelids, dizziness, dysphasia, cold clammy hands and feet, muscular weakness or cramps, swallowing difficulties and coma, may be manifest. Finally, bradycardia followed by tachycardia and irregular respiration, if not treated immediately, may culminate in respiratory failure and death.
Prevention: Lei Gong Teng is used for EXTERNAL purposes to eliminate and eradicate pests. Do not take by mistake.

Other: Lei Gong Teng will cause infertility in women.

Note: Lei Gong Teng is also known as Lei-Kung T'eng

I suggest using Tung Shueh for muscle and joint pain. This product is good for arthritis and pain relief and is safe to use. It can be found at eastearthtrade.com