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Alternative Health News
Chiropractic Before Spine Surgery for Chronic LBP
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Health Plan, a health maintenance organization affiliated with the university's School of Medicine, has adopted landmark guidelines for the management of chronic low back pain.
Robert Downey Jr. Honored for TCM Advocacy
In the last two decades, movie star Robert Downey Jr. has achieved good health and he credits it all to Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Tone, Tensegrity and Chiropractic
D.D. Palmer, wrote extensively about the concept of tone. According to Palmer: "Life is the expression of tone. In that sentence is the basic principle of Chiropractic. Tone is the normal degree of nerve tension.
The Underestimated Value of Bitter Herbs
Many cultures still recognize the value of bitter herbs in promoting digestive function and general health. Bitter drinks taken before meals are still called aperitifs, due reference to their value in aiding digestion.
Unprecedented Television Exposure for Chiropractic
If the chiropractic profession ever wanted an endorsement of the "treat the cause, not the symptoms" approach to health and wellness, it certainly got one – from the medical community, no less, and soon to be heard / seen by millions of consumers.
Making Private Practice Work: Part III
In my last article, I used the analogy that acupuncture works like adding more minutes to a sprinkler system to help turn a brown lawn back to green.
The Nine Best Health Steps To Take
Remember the last time you had to do something complicated, like assemble a piece of furniture, or get your PC to stop freezing up?
Chiropractor Serving as Director of Human Resources and Safety
For this issue, I interviewed Dr. Randy Wheeler of Wichita, Kan., who serves as the full-time HR / safety / training director for a medium-sized, for-profit industry in his community.
Trudy McAlister Foundation Announces Scholarship Awards
The Trudy McAlister Foundation announced the recipients of the 2012 national AOM scholarship awards in April.
Improved Type 2 Diabetes Management With Creatine Supplementation
Studies conducted over the past two decades have shown that supplementation with creatine increases strength, explosive power, speed, endurance and lean mass gains in athletes of all ages.
A Cancellation Policy Can Help Build a Successful Acupuncture Practice
Acupuncturists and TCM practitioners must exhibit professional conduct parallel to lawyers, doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals.
Subclassification of Radicular Pain Using Neurophysiology and Embryology
The following article originally appeared in the Proceedings of the 7th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back & Pelvic Pain in 2010; it is reprinted with permission from the authors and the congress.
The Challenge of Caring for Elderly Patients
With every passing day, one thing is for certain - we're all getting older. Some of us are closer to the far end of life than others, but the time will come when each of us will be elderly. At that time we will hope that those who care for us will be alert to the special dangers and the unique challenges of treating those in the elderly age group.
Fascial Thickening Is Responsible for Musculoskeletal Pain
An important study in the fascial world by Langevin (2009) proposed that people with chronic and recurrent low back pain had 25 percent greater fascial thickness than a low back pain-free group.
Remembering Dr. Reggie Gold
Reginald Gold, DC, PhC, 1957 class president and valedictorian of Palmer College of Chiropractic, devout advocate of chiropractic principles and philosophy, and author of The Triune of Life, passed away on March 24, 2012 following a lengthy illness.
Demonstrating a Better Quality of Life With Chiropractic
As a lifetime chiropractic patient, I have lived almost 57 years with the knowledge that everything I do in life is enhanced by the chiropractic care I receive on a regular basis. Every bodily function is at its optimal effectiveness.
Conservative Management of Hamstring Strains, Part 1
Of all the gait-related muscle injuries, hamstring strains have the highest rate of recurrence, with as many as one-third of injured athletes suffering reinjury within the first few weeks following return to sport.
We Get Letters & E-Mail
In a United Effort, We Need a United Message; Research Is Confirming Much of What We Were Taught; Philosophy Supports Evidence-Based Principles and Practices.
My Shotgun for the Sinus
Spring is here, and allergies, sinus congestion, and runny noses will soon be a big problem. I live in the northeast part of the country, sinus problems are a big issue. Folks that grew up here refer to their "normal" sinus problems.
Study: Electroacupuncture Helps With Depression
A recent research study out of Hong Kong shows electroacupuncture stimulation can quickly reduce the severity of depressive symptoms to help patients dealing with depression recover faster using alternative methods.
Insights With Norm Shealy
Norm Shealy is known for being one of the world's leading experts in pain management. He was among the first physicians ever to specialize in the resolution of chronic pain.
First Chiropractic Residency Program at VA Hospital
New York Chiropractic College (NYCC) recently announced it has partnered with the Canandaigua VA Medical Center in Canandaigua, N.Y., to create an integrated care chiropractic residency program.
The Eleventh Question: "How you doin'?"
During the Oriental Medical evaluation 10 questions are typically asked. Although the questions vary somewhat, they typically refer to diet, elimination, emotions, temperature sensations and preferences.
Seven Steps to Establishing a Successful Hospital Based Practice
The hospital based practice of acupuncture and integrative medicine not only offers unique insights and challenges; it also requires several ingredients either de-emphasized or wholly absent from private practice.
The Spirits of the Points: The Liver Meridian: Part II
In Part 1 of this series, I explained the function of the Liver as the official of planning. Not only does the official plan for the functioning of the myriad systems of the body, but also for the mind and spirit.
Audits: Protect Against and Profit From Them
Audits are a big concern these days for all health care providers, especially chiropractors. The "business" of auditing is booming, as it is consistently providing a great return on investment for the entities that are sponsoring the audits.
Your Experiences Empower Us
In March 2012, it was reported that the revenues of the chiropractic management network American Specialty Health (ASHN), grew by 17.8 percent, from $155.7 million in 2010 to $183.4 million in 2011.
Diet and Supplement Tips for Patients With Soft-Tissue Injuries
The average chiropractor with a typical injury-based practice who does not practice nutrition, sell supplements* or consider nutrition a strong point will often say little to their patients regarding nutrition.

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Massa Fermentata (shen qu)

What is massa fermentata? What is it used for?

Also known as medicated leaven, massa is not just one herb, but actually a mixture of several herbs and grains. Typically, massa consists of a mixture of wheat flower, bran, and the fresh aerial parts of xanthium, polygonum and other herbs. Sometimes, it is made with mashed apricot kernels and artemisia. The mixture is covered, fermented for a period of one week, cut into small pieces, then dried in the sun. It can be used raw or after being parched.

In traditional Chinese medicine, massa has sweet, pungent and warm properties, and is associated with the Spleen and Stomach meridians. Its main functions are to eliminate food retention and harmonize the stomach. Massa is used to treat conditions such as diarrhea, abdominal distension and lack of appetite, and to move food through the intestines. It is often taken with hawthorn fruit and malt, or germinated barley.

How much massa should I take?

The typical dosage of massa is between 6 and 15 grams, decocted in water.

What forms of massa are available?

Dried pieces of massa can be found at some Asian markets and specialty stores. There is also a variation of massa called "medicinal fermented mass," which usually contains orange peels and different herbs.

What can happen if I take too much massa? Are there any interactions I should be aware of? What precautions should I take?

As of this writing, there are no known drug interactions or side-effects associated with massa. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking massa or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.

References

  1. Lu HY, et al. New usages of jian pi wan. Journal of New TCM 1992;24(11):44-45.
  2. Wang GJ. Treating 33 cases of duodenal stasis with jian pi wan. National Journal of Medicine Forum 1995;10(5):41.
  3. Xiong ZF. Treating 300 cases of child diarrhea with modified jian pi wan. Journal of Chengdu College TMC 1986;(3):29-30.
  4. Yu WP. Comparative experimental research in jian pi fang and vitamin E's effect on fruit fly life span. Jiangsu Journal of TCM 1991;12(8):33-34.
  5. Zhang J, et al. Using jian pi wan to treat 27 cases of dysfunction of the spleen and stomach among the elderly with bone impairment. Gansu Journal of TCM 1997;10(1):27-28.
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