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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Rooted in natural law, classical Chinese medicine encompasses many treatment styles

The key to the classical approach to Chinese medicine is to deeply understand the laws of nature. Rather than following a rote protocol that gets applied in accordance with a systematized, symptom-based diagnosis, the classical practitioner perceives the root of the patient’s disharmony, and discerns how a healthy flow can be restored. A myriad of methods can be used to achieve the desired outcome.  Join us for an exploration of the wealth of treatment approaches used within the overall framework of classical Chinese medicine.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Dr. Arnaud Versluys and Dr. Heiner Fruehauf reminisce about their beloved mentor

Join us for an inspirational show in which Dr. Arnaud Versluys and Dr. Heiner Fruehauf share memories about their lineage-based training with Dr. Zeng Rongxiu. Dr. Zeng was the last living disciple of the great Shanghan pulse master Dr. Tian Heming. During his long career as an internal medicine doctor in Chengdu, Dr. Zeng synthesized a highly effective system of constitutional approaches to chronic illness. Arnaud and Heiner will always remember Dr. Zeng’s unrelenting enthusiasm for clinical precision and the healing power of classical herb formulas.

Dr. Arnaud Versluys is the Director of the Institute of Classics in East Asian Medicine (www.iceam.org ). An internationally renowned educator, he is an herbalist and acupuncturist specializing in the classics of the oriental medical doctrine, especially as they relate to the treatment of auto-immune and rheumatological disease. Dr. Versluys worked as assistant-professor and clinical supervisor at the Chinese medicine program at NCNM from 2003 to 2008.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download