Hello readers!

Today let’s talk a bit about “the amazing art of saying no”.

How many people you know, or even how many times have you, being that reads this post, have had trouble saying “no”, and ended up doing things you didn’t want to, didn’t need to or even maintained an unhappy relationship?

In Chinese Medicine, the ability of deciding what you want and mostly what you don’t want, is related to the Gallbladder function.

The Gallbladder, besides having the capability of helping Liver during digestive processes, also has a very important psychic function, giving the person courage to take action, reducing shyness, granting focus and life sense and granting limits to yourself and others, in the decide what to do and not to do context.

When a person becomes excessively shy, developing what we name “pathological shyness”. An example would be, the person is unable to accept an awesome job offer due to a fear of: not feeling well in the work environment, of talking to other people, this person has a Weak Gallbladder.

On top of that, when a person gets into a “bad with him, worst without” type of relationship, this person allows abuse, such as, “he hits me everyday but I’m afraid of being alone”, or even submits itself to any order or command that wasn’t needed, assuming any responsibilities even if it isn’t need and turns itself into a state of complete submission in situations where it’s opinion or point of view should be take into account, we may say that this person has a Weak Gallbladder.

How do we weaken our Gallbladder?

The Gallbladder is weakened once we eat too much junk or fried food, or when we consume too much alcohol. This food type can contribute to the creation of gallstones, those which will weaken the gallbladder even more.

The Gallbladder may also weaken when the Liver is overloaded of medications, during life.

Besides that, the submissive behaviour by itself, weakens the Gallbladder, thus creating a vicious cycle, where the patients actions turn repetitive.

How can we strengthen the Gallbladder?

The acupuncture can help in attitude change, strengthening the decision power of the people who seek professional help. The points: GB39 + GB40 + GB41 are, combined, an excellent choice for the treatment.

Auricular points: gallbladder + liver and liver yang are also of big help.

Foods such yam, pineapple, grape, plum and eggs will help strengthen Gallbladder and positively affect the behavior of those who need to courage up.

That’s all for today folks.

Keep in mind that all people that live on this planet have desires, however not all of them can express them, be it because of fear or shyness. Anyway, we can only feel happy and free once we are able to express ourselves.

My warmest regards!

Profa. Fernanda Mara

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Hello readers!

Today let’s talk a bit about Post-Covid Syndrome, describing the tongue evaluation of a real patient.

The patient we are talking about, reports having had Covid in August 2021, without need for hospitalization and suffering from light symptoms, such as tiredness, body pain, few respiration related symptoms and a bit of throat inflammation.

However, as time went by, a few days after the test already ruled negative (to Covid), the patient started feeling extremely tired, lack of appetite and strong mental agitation combined with trouble sleeping. Based off these late symptoms, let’s evaluate the patient tongue, together:

1. About the Tongue’s Color:

We can observe that the patient has the tongue tip full of petechiae (small dark red ball mostly on the tip).

This sign shows that the patient suffers from Heart Heat, justifying the mental agitation and trouble sleeping.

In order to treat this symptom, I suggest the points HT3 and HT5, as well as Heart point in auriculotherapy.

2. Coating 

In this tongue, the main problem is in the coating. After carefully evaluating it, we can notice that the coating does not have a defined pattern from the root to the tongue’s tip. That’s why the ideal is, dividing the diagnosis of the tongue coating in steps:

2.a) Tongue’s Back: coating concentrated and slightly yellowish

• Indicates heat and humidity in the Lower Burner, especially on the Kidney. The concentrated humidity on the Lower Burner makes the patient loses vitality. The water loses its ascending movement to refresh the Heat from the Fire Element/Heart. The patient enters a depressive state, the tiredness never goes away. It’s necessary that we tone Yang and Kidney energy, in order that Water returns to it’s ascending movement, as well as removing humidity. Due to that, we suggest the points KI7 and CV4.

2.b) Coating Fault in the reflex region for Large and Small Intestine and Stomach:

• Indicates a Deficiency in Yin Energy and Body Fluids in these viscera. The symptoms are lack of appetite, resected feces and constipation. Besides that, the patient can suffer from bad breath, skin and mucosa dryness. Without body fluids, the absorption system won’t properly function. The patient will eat less and will not be able to absorb the nutrients in appropriate matter, turning weak and worsening the tiredness already caused by the previous humidity in Lower Burner.
• In this case, it’s important to use the points that promote fluid production, such as: PC6, ST36, SP6, KI6. In auriculotherapy, use Stomach and Spleen points.

3) Yellowish and thick coating in Spleen reflex region

• Unlike the Stomach region that is suffering from lack of fluids, the Spleen has Humidity and Heat. Under the acting of two new pathological factors, Spleen won’t be able to properly function. Memory will be weakened and the patient will be unwilling, with weight gain sensation and retaining fluids, the intestine won’t work properly. There will be no appetite.
• We need to remove heat and humidity from Spleen. Points as SP2, SP6 and SP9 can be of big help.

It’s important to comprehend that in an Post-Covid patient, Excess symptoms (humidity and heat) may occur concurrent to the Deficiency symptoms (Deficiency Yin and Fluids). Thus it’s important that the therapist is able to remove the pathological factors and strengthen the deficiencies in the same session.

In Chinese Food Therapy, we recommend Fresh aliments for the Heart and Neutral for the Kidney, Stomach and Spleen. Neutral Aliments are always the recommendation for patients with Excess/Deficiency symptoms in the same organ/region.

The complete food chart is at: https://www.facilitatingacupuncture.com/therapeutic-food-tables/

The Covid-19 pandemic isn’t over yet, and a lot is still to be learnt. But it’s a fact that acupuncture and Chinese Food Therapy are big allies in sequel and Post-Covid syndrome treatment.

I hope that helped you!

Big hug!

Profa. Fernanda Mara

Good morning readers

Today we are going to talk a bit about how Acupuncture can help treat patients that suffer from Lupus.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is an inflammatory chronic disease, caused by the immune system, symptoms may appear in many organs, in a slow progressive manner (months), or a bit faster (weeks) and they differ according to activities stages and remission.

There are 2 types of Lupus:

• Cutaneous: manifest only with skin spots (usually reddish or erythematous – through capillary vasodilation – that’s why the name is erythematous lupus),
• Systemic: one or more organs are affected.

The manifestations may occur due to skin inflammation, joints, kidneys, nerves, central nerve system and membrane that covers the lung (pleura) and heart (pericardium). Other manifestations may be caused by decreased blood cells (red and white cells), due to the production of antibodies that target those cells. Few other common symptoms are fever, weight loss, lack of appetite, weakness, dismay, that may show up isolated, or in group, and may also occur simultaneously or sequentially.

In Chinese Medicine we find various organs that may be related to Lupus origin and its consequences, they are:

1. Spleen

Together with the Lung, the Spleen is responsible for the Immune System, thus, a good way of preventing autoimmune diseases is keeping Spleen strong.

This responsibility is due to the fact Spleen makes Gu Qi (Food energy that comes together with Lung’s energy forming Defense Energy) and Blood. Therefore, people with a weakened Spleen will suffer from fatigue, anemia, and other blood diseases, besides appetite alterations.

When we are talking about Lupus, strengthening Spleen will improve tiredness, dismay, appetite loss, and weight gain symptoms. To improve Spleen’s energy, I suggest: SP2, SP3 e BL20.

We may also use the Spleen point in auriculotherapy. Also, in Chinese therapy diet, it’s recommended to consume neutral aliments from Earth Element.

Due to its importance in the energy chain, it’s recommended that Spleen be always strengthened in patients that suffer from Lupus.

2. Lung

In Chinese Medicine the Lung is responsible not only for the respiratory system (pleura included) but also for the skin. Therefore, people that suffer from Lupus related skin spots or injuries, must have this organ strengthened.

On top of that, the Lung is also responsible for Wei Qi (Defense Energy) production, thus, it’s very deeply related to the capability of avoiding pathogenic invasions.

Once we strengthen the Lung we will improve fever and skin spots symptoms. That’s why, I suggest the following points: LU5, LU7, LU8, BL13.

In auriculotherapy we may use Lung and Ping Chuan points that will support the immune system improvement. In Chinese Therapy Diet, neutral aliments for Metal Element will help control the symptoms. If there is fever, fresh aliments in the same chart will help.

Just like Spleen, the Lung must be strengthened in all people who suffer from this pathology.

3. Kidney

The Kidney is the organ responsible for Vital Energy, for the individual essence. It’s who dictates how long we will live and how long we will be healthy during this time. Thus, when Lupus attacks the Kidney, creating urinary problems, nephritis, articulation pain, and bone evolvement, we are talking about a more severe stage of the disease, since the organ that determines longevity is energetically affected.

In order to strengthen the Kidney, I recommend the points: KI3, CV4, GC4, BL23 and BL52.  If there is nephritis, the point CV3 may be added as well as KI2.

In auriculotherapy the Kidney point will be helpful. If the patient is feeling pain from urinating or articulation pain, the analgesic point can be used.

Neutral aliments from Water Element will help strengthen Kidney.

4. Liver

In Lupus, the Liver may be affected. This is because in Chinese Medicine, who maintains the harmonic Qi flow (energy and blood) is the Liver. If Spleen, Lung and Kidney are in imbalance, the organs which produce energy and blood, lethally the Liver will lack in raw material to do his job, and will enter a state of imbalance.

In order to realize maintenance in Liver functions I suggest the points LV3, LV8, BL18 e BL47.

In auriculotherapy, we may use the Liver point, if there are changes in mood, such as irritability. However in feed, if we maintain the same line of thought, consuming neutral aliments from Wood Element in the chart. If there is fever, fresh aliments may help.

Acupuncture and Chinese Diet Therapy won’t heal Lupus, however, the disease control as well as a delay in possible evolutions. The symptoms will weaken themselves or even disappear in some people. Acute crises may be spaced.

Therefore, without any doubt, the Chinese Medicine approaches are very useful for patients who suffer from this pathology.

I hope that you liked it and the text was useful.

My warmest regards.

Profa. Fernanda Mara. 

*** You can find the Chinese Therapy Food charts at: https://www.facilitatingacupuncture.com/therapeutic-food-tables/

References and supportive texts can be found here: https://www.reumatologia.org.br/doencas-reumaticas/lupus-eritematoso-sistemico-les/

Hello readers!

Today let’s talk about an interesting theme: how to treat trigger finger.

Trigger Finger is basically the maintenance of the articulation in an inflected position, due to the affected finger tendon inflammation and stiffness.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, nourishment and good functioning of tendons relies on a good Liver functioning, thus, everytime we are going to treat a patient that suffers from trigger finger, we must tone and nourish the Liver.

For that purpose, I suggest the points: LV3, LV8, GB34 and GB39.

In auriculotherapy, besides the Liver we should also work on points related with the pathology itself, such as Fist, Hand and Hand Fingers points.

In Chinese Diet Therapy, fresh aliments for the Wood Element may be of big help in order to stop inflammation in the joints and interrupting the disease evolution. Some of these foods are: strawberry, chicory, radish, apple, pear, etc…

You can find the complete food chart here: https://www.facilitatingacupuncture.com/therapeutic-food-tables/

When we are treating trigger finger, we also use a category of points named “Baxie Points” these points are located in the fold of each one of finger phalanx, in order to use needles we need to insert it in a subcutaneous matter, adequate needle size being 18x8mm (tsing needles) or even minor needles. Such points, just like others, shall be in the patient body for 20 minutes.

Baxie points, due to them being local treatment points, will help with easing inflammation, nourishing the tissue, pain (case there is any) and also improves movement amplitude. May also be treated with magnets.

In many occasions, trigger fingers are consequences from rheumatic diseases, such as artritis, artrosis, etc…. Those diseases, however, are related to the Kidney, in Chinese Medicine. Therefore, besides all already said protocol, the therapist must protect the patient’s Kidney.

To strengthen Kidney and bones, I suggest the points: KI3, KI7 ,BL52, BL23.

Neutral aliments for Water Element will help slow down the disease. And in auriculotherapy we will use Kidney points, besides the ones previously mentioned.

When trigger finger is diagnosed early, acupuncture has excellent results, not only in a situation improvement but also healing the patient. However, when there is already articulation deformity caused by trigger finger, the treatment is longer, but shall return life quality to the patient even if cure is out of sight.

Let’s treat it?

Hope that this was useful!

A big tight hug!

Profa. Fernanda Mara

Hello Dear Readers!

Today we are going to get into the second part regarding the laws that rule the functioning of the 5 Elements. In part 1, we saw the Son’s Mother Law (Generation Cycle). Using it, we are able to tone or sedate organs according to its positions Mother and Son as distributed on the pentagram.

Now we will take a look into the Grandpa and Grandson Law (Control Cycle).What we have on the pentagram is:

Heart is Lung grandpa                                Small Intestine is Large Intestine grandpa

Lung is Liver grandpa                                 Large Intestine is Gallbladder grandpa

Liver is Spleen grandpa                              Gallbladder is Stomach grandpa

Spleen is Kidney grandpa                           Stomach is Bladder grandpa

Kidney is Heart grandpa                             Bladder is  Small Intestine grandpa

In a disease situation, the Control Cycle, or Grandpa and Grandson exemplifies the energy control, that is, it doesn’t allow energy to just be created, passing from organ to organ, as in Mother and Son Law. There is a control over this energy generation through this cycle.

When we talk about disease treatment, the law is also valid, but divided in two parts:

1. When we Tone Grandpa – we Sedate Grandchild

Therefore: When we Tone Kidney, we Sedate Heart. When we Tone Liver, we Sedate Spleen. When we Tone Stomach, we Sedate Bladder.

The practical application of this law is used to Sedate organs that are suffering from Excess Diseases.

Exemple: When we have Heart Excess, We Tone its Grandpa, Kidney. Given that when we Tone Kidney, we Sedate Heart.

2. When we Sedate Grandpa – we Tone Grandson

Therefore: When we Sedate Bladder, we Tone Small Intestine. When we Sedate Gallbladder, we Tone Stomach. When we Sedate Lung, we Tone Liver.

The practical use of this law is to Tone organs who are suffering from Deficiency Diseases.

Example: When Lung is in Deficiency, we Sedate Heart, since once we Sedate Heart, we Tone Lung.

A friendly reminder that the word Sedate, shall always be remembered as “disperse”, to circulate energy, and it must never be thought on as the ability of making another organ or viscera reduce its normal functioning. Also, the word Tone, shall always be understood as “nourish”, to make it simple, bring energy, blood or body fluids to the places where there is deficiency, for these substances. That means, Tone does not mean to make the organ work more than normal.

When we add the two rules, Mom and Son, and, Grandpa and Grandson we have the following situation:

In Deficiency Diseases:

• We Tone the mother of the organ/viscera deficient.
• We Sedate the grandpa of the organ/viscera deficient.

In Excess Diseases:

• We Sedate the son of the organ/innards in excess.
• We Tone the grandpa of the organ/innards in excess.

The treatment uses the classical 4 point chart, where Old Shu points are distributed. However, that’s a topic for another text.

I hope that you liked it and that you can now comprehend the 5 Elements Laws a bit better.

My warmest regards,

Profa. Fernanda Mara