Dr. Richard Hammerschlag discusses the potential role of fascia in acupuncture

Heiner and Laurie welcome Dr. Richard Hammerschlag for a stimulating conversation about the potential role of the fascial system in acupuncture and extracellular signaling. As a long-time neurobiologist and acupuncture enthusiast, Richard is particularly well-qualified to discuss theories informed by the thoughtful integration of modern scientific experimentation and ancient eastern clinical experience.

Richard Hammerschlag, Ph.D., received his doctorate in biochemistry from Brandeis University. He was a biomedical researcher in neurobiology for 25 years, mainly at the Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope in Duarte, California. A long term interest in acupuncture and the unique challenges it poses for research led to a career change in 1995 when he became Academic Dean and Research Director at Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Santa Monica, CA. He moved to Portland in the fall of 1999 to create a research department at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. As the Research Director emeritus from OCOM, Richard continues to pursue his research interests while having plenty of time to glean all he can from the wisdom of his grandchildren.

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Heiner recently returned from speaking at the largest Chinese medicine conference in the west—the TCM Kongress in Rothenburg, Germany. While there, he and long-time colleagues Dr. Dominique Hertzer and Dr. Yair Maimon had a lively discussion about the nature of the 5 spirits of Chinese medicine, and their role in human development. Join us as Heiner highlights their insights.

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Neo-Confucianism and the role of self-cultivation in modern Chinese medical practice

Heiner interviews Dr. Mark Seem, a leader in the field of Chinese medicine in the United States and internationally. Mark came to Chinese medicine well-schooled in philosophy and psychology. Bringing to the discussion years of experience as an educator and practitioner, he discusses his ever-deeping interest in the central role of self cultivation and emotional healing in Chinese medicine.

Mark D. Seem, Ph.D., L.Ac.

Dr. Seem is the founding director of Tri-State College of Acupuncture (www.tsca.edu) . Renowned author and pioneer in the development of Acupuncture in North America, Dr. Seem is known internationally for his lively hands-on lecture demonstrations with actual patients.

Dr. Seem received his doctorate in French Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he studied with Michel Foucault and wrote a dissertation on the Nietzschean concepts of power and force in modern French philosophy. He trained at the innovative La Borde Psychiatric clinic in France. Subsequent to finishing his dissertation, he worked with the mentally ill, taught psychology, and trained mental hygiene therapy aides in a state institution, while beginning his formal study of acupuncture. Dr. Seem trained in French-Meridian acupuncture at the Quebec Institute of Acupuncture in Montreal, and at affiliated centers in New York City.

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And how the health of our teeth reflects our overall health.

Join Heiner and Laurie for another fascinating discussion with Jay Harris Levy, a dentist who helps his patients understand how their food choices impact the health of their teeth. Jay gives us an expert’s insight into studies investigating the consequences of poor nutrition on the health of individuals, including a discussion of the implication for the overall health of the human race.

Jay Harris Levy, DDS has a private dental practice in Portland, OR. Please see the May 10th show for a more complete bio. (www.jayharrislevy.com)

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An Interview with Jay Harris Levy, DDS (www.jayharrislevy.com)

Heiner and Laurie strongly oppose the proposal to fluoridate Portland’s water supply (or for that matter, any water supply). Today, we interview a dentist who has much direct clinical knowledge relevant to this issue, and who has made great effort over many years to critically evaluate the data that many cite but many fewer are truly qualified to evaluate. Please join us for a highly informative discussion on this important health issue.

Jay Harris Levy, DDS has a private dental practice in Portland, OR. We’re including a larger bio than we usually do for our guests, because we feel it is important to our listeners to be aware of his qualifications to comment on this critical choice facing the public.

From Jay’s website:

In 1982 I earned my Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from New York  University and practiced general dentistry in NYC 17 for years.  During this time I taught Comprehensive Care at NYU Dental School and attended a number of advanced clinical courses on dental occlusion (the study of tooth-jaw relationships).  Through practice, study and teaching I began forming a comprehensive model of the chewing system.

In 1999 I took a sabbatical  from clinical practice and moved to Portland with my family in order for me to expand my study of the chewing system, teach dentistry and live closer to  wilderness areas for hiking and backpacking.  I joined the faculty at Oregon Health and Sciences University where I developed a scientific research program that explored the sensory properties of the  teeth and chewing system.  My research revealed that healthy teeth can perceive extremely  subtle vibrations.  Vibration sense is linked to texture perception.  Teeth are  essentially “Tactile Sense Organs” that feel the food we chew.  Unfortunately, they loose a great deal of their perceptive ability when they are injured or, for example, when they have lost their nerves following root canal therapy.

Armed with a better understanding of the physiology of the teeth & chewing system I returned to dental practice in Portland in 2004.   My practice philosophy is to offer the finest quality dentistry that considers the whole patient.

For more information, please go to www.jayharrislevy.com

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Henry McCann on Naikan and Acupuncture Bleeding Techniques

Heiner interviews Henry McCann, LAc, who in his search for more profound clinical outcomes, encountered two effective yet little known clinical modalities. One, naikan, is a Japanese emotional healing system born out of Buddhist cultivation. It has many similarities to the Confucian (Wang Fengyi) emotional healing system described in several previous shows. The other is the practice of bleeding acupuncture points, which is likely to have been one of the original forms of acupuncture treatment in ancient times (see also our March 7, 2013 show with Dr. Brenda Hood entitled “Chinese Medicine Bleeding Techniques Can Produce Rapid and Profound Results”).

Dr. Henry McCann, DAOM, LAc was among the first group of people in the US nationally certified in Oriental medicine (NCCAOM).  He has taught extensively in both the US and Europe, and is on the faculty of the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (NYC) and the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine doctoral program, and is the head lecturer for the Cork Institute of Post-Graduate Acupuncture (Ireland).  As a writer, Dr. McCann has been published in the international Journal of Chinese Medicine and has written a textbook on acupuncture. He has practiced and taught Asian martial arts for 25 years, and teaches Qigong and Daoist meditation.

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Discerning the similarities and distinctions between the four fire organ networks

We have previously characterized each of the Chinese organ networks belonging to the fire element. In today’s exploration, Heiner discusses them as a group. Why are there twice as many organ networks belonging to fire than to any of the other elements? What is their collective purpose and function, and within that, what is the unique role of each of the fire officials?

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Speckled with stories from our personal lineage connections in China, we explore the inextricable role of three major spiritual traditions in Chinese medicine.

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As a leading Chinese medicine practitioner whose clinical practice focuses on supporting patients with cancer, and as a person who previously had cancer himself, Heiner provides insight into herbal approaches that address this increasingly prevalent condition. In particular, he discusses the overall design of Chinese anti-cancer formulas, and provides encouragement for those who have been diagnosed with this difficult disease.

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Part 1: What is it and how can we prevent it?

As a leading Chinese medicine practitioner whose clinical practice focuses on supporting patients with cancer, and as a person who previously had cancer himself, Heiner provides insight into the etiology of this degenerative disorder from a classical Chinese medicine perspective, along with practical lifestyle advice for prevention.

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