The Functional Role of Fascia in Posture and Movement: Part I

While largely ignored and overlooked as simply another static connective tissue, recent research into the fascial system has highlighted its vast role in both overall health as well as its involvement in the postural and movement system. This article will briefly address some of the exciting research surrounding the dynamic fascial system focusing on its role in achieving and maintaining postural alignment and the development of efficient movement. Understanding the dynamic function of the fascial system and how it contributes to maintaining optimal posture and movement strategies will lay the framework for developing a comprehensive training program that integrates the function of the myofascial systems into traditional functional exercise.

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The Effects of Acupuncture Stimulation for Brain Activation and Alcohol Abstinence Self-Efficacy: Functional MRI Study

Acupuncture is one of the most popular alternative and complementary therapies [1–9]. It has been widely used to treat various neuropsychiatric diseases, such as depression [5, 8], insomnia [7, 9], and anxiety [6]. In addition, it has also been applicable in treating substance-related diseases, such as alcohol, cocaine, and nicotine dependence [1–4]. Regarding the treatment effect for substance-related diseases, previous studies have demonstrated that acupuncture may be associated with regulating dopamine neurons, thereby inducing a reduction of craving and withdrawal symptoms [10, 11].

By Jakob Montrasio from Saarbrücken, Germany (Cheers!) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Acupuncture benefits for Flammer syndrome in individuals with inherited diseases of the retina

Patients with inherited diseases of the retina (IRD) often exhibit signs and symptoms of Flammer syndrome (FS). Acupuncture treatment has shown its positive effect on visual function in patients with IRD. The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of acupuncture on signs and symptoms of FS in a cohort of patients suffering simultaneously FS and IRD.

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Comprehensive evaluation of gene expression signatures in response to electroacupuncture stimulation at Zusanli (ST36) acupoint by transcriptomic analysis

We found that EA affected the expression of genes not only in the acupunctured site but also in the internal organs. EA commonly affected biological networks involved in cytoskeleton and cell adhesion, and also regulated unique process networks in specific organs, such as γ-aminobutyric acid-ergic neurotransmission in brain and inflammation process in lung. In addition, EA affected the expression of genes related to various diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases in brain and obstructive pulmonary diseases in lung.

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Your brain on chocolate

One 2014 study found that among adults ages 50 to 69, those taking a cocoa supplement with high flavanol content for three months had better performance on tests of memory than those assigned to take a low-flavanol cocoa supplement.

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Complementary Chinese Herbal Medicine Therapy Improves Survival of Patients With Pancreatic Cancer in Taiwan: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study


 Pancreatic cancer is a difficult-to-treat cancer with a late presentation and poor prognosis. Some patients seek traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) consultation. We aimed to investigate the benefits of complementary Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) among patients with pancreatic cancer in Taiwan.

Image by Henry Vandyke Carter - Henry Gray (1918) Anatomy of the Human Body (See "Libro" section below). Bartleby.com: Gray's Anatomy, Plate 1098, Public Domain. Available here.

How to Cook Burdock Root: A Hot and Sour Soup Recipe

Burdock root is high in polysaccharides. One of the most prevalent, inulin, is a starchy substance that provides nutrients for beneficial gut flora. In other words, inulin is a PRE-biotic that supports the healthy gut flora that plays an important role in your immune system health. This is just the tip of the iceberg for burdock root. Herbalists also use it for people with skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne and it’s also used for urinary health.

By National Institute of Korean Language [CC BY-SA 2.0 kr (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/kr/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons

Effectiveness of acupuncture and related therapies for palliative care of cancer: overview of systematic reviews


Cancer is a major cause of disease burden worldwide. According to estimates from the International Agency for Research of Cancer1, the global adult population in 2012 included 14.1 million new cancer cases, 32.6 million existing cancer patients who had received a diagnosis within the previous 5 years and 8.2 million cancer deaths, accounting for 14.7% of all deaths. The incidence of cancer continues to increase. It is predicted that in 2035, approximately 24.0 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed and 14.6 million deaths will be attributable to cancer. This increasing cancer incidence and the continual improvement in cancer treatment will lead to an increase in the number of patients living with cancer. This will mandate progress in palliative care strategies for the control of symptoms related to cancer itself, as well as symptoms induced by cancer therapies.

Vecteezy. (n.d.). [Hierbas frescas y una botella]. Vecteezy. Available here.

Gender differences in the neural response to acupuncture: clinical implications

OBJECTIVE: To examine gender differences and similarities in the psychophysical and brain responses to acupuncture at GB34, a point that is frequently used to treat motor function issues in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

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Acupuncture for Treatment of Insomnia: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders, with a prevalence of 40% in adults. It is generally believed that 10%–15% of the adult population suffers from chronic insomnia, and an additional 25%–35% have transient or occasional insomnia.1 The symptoms of insomnia may be difficult falling asleep, sleep latency more than 30 minutes, or sleep efficiency less than 85%, which usually happened more than 4 nights a week and occurred at least 3 weeks.2 Patients with insomnia may feel tired, tense, lazy, or have delayed reactions, distraction, or headache. The serious consequence of insomnia can be mental illness, and the worst mental illness is schizophrenia.

Aromatic Herbal Baths of the Ancients


The earliest written information about therapy by bathing with decoctions of aromatic herbs is contained in the Indian Vedas dating back to 1500 b.c.e. Ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Assyrians, and Hebrews widely applied this practice for hygienic and medicinal purposes.

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Rhythm of Breathing Affects Memory and Fear

Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered for the first time that the rhythm of breathing creates electrical activity in the human brain that enhances emotional judgments and memory recall.

These effects on behavior depend critically on whether you inhale or exhale and whether you breathe through the nose or mouth.

In the study, individuals were able to identify a fearful face more quickly if they encountered the face when breathing in compared to breathing out. Individuals also were more likely to remember an object if they encountered it on the inhaled breath than the exhaled one. The effect disappeared if breathing was through the mouth.

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Fear & Anxiety in Chinese Medicine

“Anxiety” is a modern term that does not have an exact equivalent in Chinese medicine.
There is no Chinese medicine term that corresponds exactly to what we call “anxiety” but several ancient Chinese disease entities closely resemble anxiety.  The four main disease entities that correspond  to Anxiety are:

“Fear and Palpitations” (Jing Ji)  惊 悸 
 “Panic Throbbing” (Zheng Chong)  怔 冲    
 “Mental restlessness” (Fan Zao)   烦 躁  
 “Agitation” (Zang Zao)   脏  躁 

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The Treatment of Influenza in Chinese Medicine

Influenza cannot be diagnosed and treated properly without a thorough understanding of the theory of the 6 Stages but particularly that of the 4 Levels.  The beginning stages of an acute respiratory infection usually manifest with symptoms of invasions of exterior Wind.

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Unusual Heart Functions from the Nei Jing

Apart from the eyes being the orifice of the Heart from a Shen perspective, the Heart also influences the eyes on a physical level.  Chapter 11 of the Ling Shu describes the pathways of the Divergent channels and the Heart Divergent channel goes to the inner corner of the eyes.  A redness in the inner corner of the eyes often indicates Heart-Fire and not necessarily Liver-Fire as we may be inclined to conclude (given the close relationship between Liver and eyes).

By Heikenwaelder Hugo, heikenwaelder@aon.at, www.heikenwaelder.at [CC BY-SA 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

Fascia and Primo Vascular System

The anatomical basis for the concept of acupuncture points/meridians in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has not been resolved. This paper reviews the fascia research progress and the relationship among acupuncture points/meridians, primo vascular system (PVS), and fascia. Fascia is as a covering, with common origins of layers of the fascial system despite diverse names for individual parts. Fascia assists gliding and fluid flow and holds memory and is highly innervated. Fascia is intimately involved with nourishment of all cells of the body, including those of disease and cancer. The human body's fascia network may be the physical substrate represented by the meridians of TCM.

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Effectiveness of strengthened stimulation during acupuncture for the treatment of Bell palsy: a randomized controlled trial

The traditional Chinese theory of acupuncture emphasizes that the intensity of acupuncture must reach a threshold to generate de qi, which is necessary to achieve the best therapeutic effect. De qi is an internal compound sensation of soreness, tingling, fullness, aching, cool, warmth and heaviness, and a radiating sensation at and around the acupoints. However, the notion that de qi must be achieved for maximum benefit has not been confirmed by modern scientific evidence.

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