Licensed Acupuncturist in both New York and Connecticut
Nationally Certified Diplomate In Oriental Medicine by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Acupuncture, Tui Na (Chinese Medical Bodywork) and Herbology
Yee's Health Center
115 West 27th street, Suite 602a New York, NY 10001, (718) 687-0143
Monday and Wednesday 12-8 by appointment
Friday 12-7pm by appointment
WHAT I PRACTICE:
Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis
This method of pulse diagnosis was brought forward by Leon I. Hammer MD after many years of study with his teacher, Dr. John H.F. Shen. This method of pulse diagnosis uses three fingers of each hand to feel the pulses on both wrists of the patient. As many as 90 qualities are felt for including the puse of each wrist as a whole, and at each finger at 3 depths to discover strength, weaknes and balance between the organs, the blood, body fluids, and the qi flowing in the acupuncture channels. For internal condtions, a new patient could have their pulse taken for as long as 45 minutes on the first visit. Subsequent visits would require only several minutes to verify any changes that have taken place. Then the information gathered from the patient, including signs and symptoms, color and coating of the tongue are synthesized by the acupuncturist to form a diagnosis with any overlapping patterns of dysharmony prioritized according to their relative importance. Treatment would follow the diagnosis and be ordered according to the priority of the patterns found to exist in the patient's case. For example, in this system, problems with the heart supercede problems with other areas and are handled first.
Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Acupuncture is a Chinese therapy that uses fine, sterile, one-use needles inserted into the surface of the body. They are inserted at acupuncture points which lie on channels underneath the skin. The channels are similar to blood vessels and nerves and act to connect and integrate the inside and outside of the body, the internal organs and also each other. The needles act as a means of affecting what is called qi that flows through these channels. The beginning of disease from the Chinese point of view is when the qi in the channels is either too strong, too weak, or blocked, thus preventing normal physiologic activity. The needles can rebalance the flows to improve healing, relieve pain balance the yin and yang aspects of the energetic body. Moxibustion uses heat to stimulate the points. The heat source is the burning of an herb called artemesia argyi which is used to warm the points. The needles can change the flow, but moxa can increase the channels' energy as well as warm them. Being needled is not like getting an injection. The needles are much finer, and once they are in place the feeling can be one of warmth, coolness, or tingling. Sometimes the patient can't even tell the needle is in!
Chinese Herbalism
Chinese Herbal medicine is comprised of literally thousands of natural ingredients. Unlike western medicine that often treats a single disease with a single medicine, Chinese herbal medicine uses formulas, which are composed of an average of 4 to 15 medicinal ingredients, often roots, leaves, or stems of plants. The content of a formula is determined by way more than a simple disease name like "headache". The diagnostic information is weaved together to form a pattern, or group of patterns. Each patient who has been diagnosed is given a custom set of herbal ingredients that match his particular pattern (or patterns of dysharmony) as defined by Chinese medicine that also takes into consideration the patient's constitution. Once the formula is written, the patient goes to the Chinese herb shop to get the formula packaged. Fomulas can tyically be in one of two forms: decoction or granules. In decoctions, prepared weighed amounts of each herbal ingredient are put together in several packets. Each packet contains amounts of several herbs. The herbs are removed from the packet, put in water, brought to a boil and simmered for 45 minutes or so. The herbs are then strained out and the resulting liquid is drunk by the patient. The average dose is one cup per day. Usually one packet is good for 2 days, so 4 packets will give the patient a week of treatment. Decoctions are the least convenient, but most effective delivery method. Granules are where herbs are prepared into a premixed powder that the pharmacy creates. A set amount of spoons of powder is mixed into warm water and drunk. Granular formulations are more convenient, but are not usually as effective per dose. The standard amount of powder given by the pharmacy is a ten day supply.
Tui Na (Chinese Medical Bodywork)
Tui Na literally means push and grasp. It uses pressing, squeezing, rolling and other wave like motions of the fingers, palms, forearms and elbows that stimulate acupuncture points, release spasms and restrictions in muscles, tendons, and connective tissue. Mobilizations and passive range of motion techniques are used to realign the joints and soft tissues to restore balance. Tui Na can most quickly restore normal ranges of motion and proper alignment and joint movement after injury, though it is not restricted to use with musculoskeletal conditions.
Qigong
Qigong consists of gentle exercises done by the person to do several things:
increase the strength of the life force known as qi
balance the qi of the various channels and internal organs
improve coordination, strengthen muscles, tendons, and bones
foster what is called "whole body power"
mobilize joints and loosen tight muscles and connective tissue
improve overall health
I give Qigong exercises for musculoskeletal problems to help the patient avoid reinjury and help hold the effects of the treatment so that they are more in control of their own health. I also recommend qigong to internal medicine patients to help consolidate the effects of treatment.
Tai Chi is an example of a martial art that also functions as a form of Qigong.
Any one of the above modalities can be used alone, though in my experience, combining the methods together can reduce the number of patient visits and maximize healing on a per-treatment basis. Patients also do better when they take charge of their own health by eating right, getting enough rest, balancing work and play, and doing qigong.
