Since this blog is primarily about herbalism and holistic healing arts, I thought I’d answer the question from that perspective. After all, it takes a lot of creativity to mend the body, mind and soul.
Over the course of my career I’ve come across many historical healers that amazed and inspired me. For the most part, I’ve not met any of them, except through literature they wrote, or the legacy they etched into history books. Check the links for more info about them!
As an acupuncturist, one of my main forms of treatment is Chinese herbs. These herbs have been used for hundreds, some thousands, of years. Today, we still use these incredible formula in our practice, as powders, pills, tinctures, and even raw herbal decoctions.
However, research shows that some herbs contain harmful chemicals. An example of this is aristolochic acid. This carcinogenic chemical can damage the kidneys, and is found in certain herbs. These herbs are typically removed from the traditional formula, and replaced with safer choices.
Most modern Chinese medicine manufacturers are aware of these dangers and take care to sort and test the herbs before they are sold to consumers. Some of the best herbal brands are only sold to licensed practitioners, so you might want to check with local herbalists for higher quality products.
There are many more Chinese herb brands, and most are diligent about their product. However, it can still be necessary to get a professional opinion before taking herbs, because they can interact with pharmaceutical medication or be contraindicated for certain diseases.
When I was young I struggled with fatigue. I had lots of anxiety, which caused insomnia, and then I’d awaken early and deprived of rest, triggering a vicious cycle. For energy, I relied on coffee, and caffeinated drinks, and this only added to my chronic anxiety. How can a person be so amped up and completely exhausted at the same time?
Our energy levels have a lot to do with the condition of our inner body. Our vital organs, our blood, our oxygen levels, among other things. The diet we consume, and the environment we live in inspire lots of fluctuations to our energy levels. Our mental disposition, stress, and emotions contribute distinctively to our energy, too.
When I was at my worst fatigue, my diet, lifestyle and mood were all very poor, too. Later on, I started herbs, yoga, qigong and acupuncture, and these methods totally revitalized my energy levels.
Chinese medicine has long fixated on the notion of improving and regulating Qi. The term Qi is often correlated to energy, and disorders of Qi are typically indicated by fatigue or deficiencies of energy.
In Chinese medical theory, there are many forms and variations of Qi. There’s liver qi, spleen qi, kidney qi, heart qi, lung qi. Each organ needs qi to perform optimally. There are many more forms of qi not listed here, but each is important to our healthful existence.
When there is deficient or excessive qi, specific symptoms and syndromes can manifest. The most common being fatigue, but sometimes digestive disorders, depression or mental issues can arise.
When it comes to treatment, a combination of acupuncture, herbs and qigong can significantly improve and heal qi disorders. Depending on your specific needs, different herbs and points would be selected.
Self treatment can include qigong, or exercises to cultivate your qi / energy. Deep breathing and slow rhythmic movements promote the flow and accumulation of qi, naturally offsetting the imbalances.
Sometimes fatigue is due to serious problems like diabetes, heart issues or blood pressure issues. If you’re dealing with chronic fatigue, be sure to check in with your trusted healthcare provider for the best outcome.
Disclaimer: The following advice is meant for educational and informative purposes only. If you are suffering with an chilblains or a circulatory pathology, please see a licensed healthcare practitioner.
Chilblains is a condition in which the toes or fingers, sometimes both, develop itchiness, swelling and discoloration. Chilblains typically occur when the feet or hands have been warmed too quickly after exposure to prolonged cold conditions. The pathogenesis is similar to how pipes burst during freezing weather. The extreme cold creates stagnation, and this pressure puts stress on the vasculature. Subsequently, if significant heat is applied suddenly, as in the case of a hot bath or the heat of a strong fire, then this can put even more stress on the cutaneous circulation. The heat can injure the skin, and the toes or fingers might be too numb to register the pain from overheating. As the cold hands or feet are warmed too quickly, vascular ruptures and inflammatory responses occur. This results in the itchy lesions associated with Chilblains.
When the weather is very cold, our body tends to send the majority of blood to our viscera and core. As the limbs are warmed, the blood flows back into the fingers and toes. Even without cold weather, a person can have poor circulation that inhibits the flow of blood to the extremities. For this reason, chilblains can occur in some people, even in the absence of cold weather. Additionally, if you have a history of injury to the foot or ankle, or conditions like diabetes, the circulation might be naturally impaired, thus creating a propensity toward such ailments as chilblains.
Some people recently mentioned that COVID-19 is associated with chilblains like afflictions. According to research, there was actually no correlation between chilblains and COVID, except for a single doctor who tested positive. So, try not to panic or presume you have a deathly virus, if you get chilblains.
The researchers, therefore, conclude that these patients were not infected with COVID-19. Instead, the two events may be linked in some other way. For instance, the lockdown may have led to lifestyle changes that may have increased the risk of chilblains, such as not going to work and increased sedentary lifestyle activities.
If the chilblains have suppurated or become open sores, it is a good idea to visit a doctor for investigation of potential infections, and to acquire antibiotic creams.
Though there are complex etiologies and differentiations for every individual’s chilblains, the cure consistently centers around mobilizing blood flow to bring oxygen and nutrients to the injured skin. This can be achieved with self-massage of the foot and toes. Using an oil, like castor oil or olive oil, is highly recommended. The oil can help hydrate and lubricate the tissues of the skin that were damaged. Oils often have antibacterial and anti fungal effects, too. This can help prevent potential infections of the tissue.
I used all my acupuncture tools to heal my chilblains. Electro-moxa, and cupping, and guasha, among other techniques.
Techniques like Acupuncture, moxibustion, tuina, cupping and guasha are well known to reduce blood stagnation, release inflammation and improve oxygenation of tissues. I utilized these techniques directly on the afflicted foot. The toes were sore and achey to the touch, but symptoms reduced with consistent work and treatment. I did this about twice a day, and the symptoms resolved within a week. While some discomfort is normal to be felt during these procedures, you should avoid overstimulating the skin. It is better to do gentle rubbing of the skin surface, to invigorate the blood flow, rather than strong deep tissue work or acupressure. I highly recommend finding a licensed acupuncturist to help you in your recovery~
Tsubo-kyu Ibuki Moxa, applied to local points for improving circulation to the afflicted toes. The heat from Moxa brings flesh blood to the skin via improved circulation.
I used my own home made salve consisting of Frankinense and Myrrh, and this was a great help to the pain and discomfort. If you’re interested in it; I’ve listed it on my Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/jacobsapothecary
It reduced my itching, and helped the swelling go down. I definitely recommend it in your recovery! It makes a good massage oil for the toes, and it smells pleasantly fragrant. Again, you can find it here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/jacobsapothecary
In addition to those techniques, herbal formulae can help a lot. Formulae like Juan Bi Tang or Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan can help warm and improve circulation to the extremities. These formulae can also be added to foot baths with your favorite oil, for a very soothing experience. Your local acupuncturist can help find a good herbal formula for you, to help treat and prevent chilblains.
Things you should avoid are exposing the fingers or toes to extreme temperatures. Try to always wear socks during cold weather, and do not walk bare foot on icy, cold surfaces. If you feet or hands are exposed to cold for long periods, try to warm them gradually. Do not put them into super hot water immediately. It is better to start lukewarm, and work your way up, so there’s no shock to the cutaneous tissues.
It is likely that most people will passively heal from chilblains, so long as the weather warms. However, in more severe cases, they can linger and become a bigger issue. These techniques could help prevent chronic symptoms from arising, and even potentially reverse damage and symptoms that are lingering. If you are struggling with chilblains, try these techniques to help your toes and fingers heal. If you find there’s no improvements, make sure to visit a trusted healthcare practitioner that can help you.
Did you know that Astrology was once popularly used by herbalists and physicians to help understand the manifestation of disease? The Egyptians, Chinese, Ancient Greeks and Native Americans all had very complex systems of relating the stars to our health, and many of these philosophies are still used by modern herbalists.
The ancients created entire medical treatises based on philosophies regarding humanity’s relationship to the cosmos. Plants, animals, minerals and humans were all believed to be entangled with the energies of the stars and planets, which, at that time, had been labeled and interpreted as Gods.
Herbs were interpreted by their shape, smell, color, flavor, among other factors. This system of using an herbs appearance has become popularly known as the Doctrine of Signatures. The image of a plant could be used to associate with a planet. For example, spiky and thorny plants like thistles tended to be associated with Mars. Very moist plants like Aloe Vera are associated with the Moon. The list goes on, and can vary according to the season, the geography, and even the part of the plant can have differing qualities.
The famed herbalist Nicholas Culpeper gifted the world with his fantastic herbal, in which he not only applied the Doctrine of Signatures, but also explained the planetary virtues and influences upon plant life in a concise way that could help contemporary practitioners. Nicholas Culpeper was apart of a long line of astrologer-herbalists that were sensitive to the influences of cosmological and celestial influence on the anatomical, chemical and biological components of earthly life.
According to the astrologer-herbalists, the elemental nuances of the Zodiac are imbued into human beings and plants. At the time of our birth, we emerge in response to seasonal stimuli that are most conducive to our own energies. We are inextricably tethered to the energies of the cosmos. Each Zodiac sign has traditions associations with the anatomy. They are as follows:
Zodiac
Body Part
Aries
The Head
Taurus
The Neck
Gemini
The Arms
Cancer
Stomach and Breats
Leo
The Heart and Spine
Virgo
Small Intestine and Lower Abdomen
Libra
Kidneys and Lumbar Region
Scorpio
The Genitals, Anus
Sagittarius
The Thighs and Liver
Capricorn
The Knees and Bones
Aquarius
The Calves and Ankles
Pisces
The Feet and Lymphatic System
Naturally, there are disagreements about associations and sometimes these associations are mixed and matched according to different traditions. But, as you can see, the general pattern is sequentially arranged to parallel the Zodiac, initiating with the head as Aries and terminating with Pisces at the feet.
In the same way that a particular flower is urged to bloom in a certain season, so too do humans arise with seasons that are quintessentially aligned with the celestial and seasonal influences. Yet, as time moves on, we come into conflict with planetary arrangements that are averse to our own nature. A person with heavy influences from Mars might develop bleeding disorders or anger and madness. A person with distinct attachments to Saturn, is likely to be afflicted with melancholy and various blockages.
It becomes even more complex, as each planet has its own elemental character, and can come into harmony or conflict with the sign it is in. This is how much discord can arise, both in the Earth’s seasons, and our own health. When a Planet enters a sign, it exerts an influence, which can be exacerbated or attenuated based on its harmony with the zodiac phase it is most accordant with.
All of this might seem confusing without an illustration. For example, let’s say a person who was born with Mars (Fire/Heat) in Taurus (Throat) is experiencing a sore, inflamed throat with cough after eating spicy food—something they likely have a sensitivity to, with this planetary position. Herbs that counter the influence of Mars can then be used to help heal the inflammation. Peppermint, which is allegedly ruled by Venus, and could be used here to assist the individual. Conversely, if the issue is one of damp, phlegm, as one might see with the Moon or Neptune in Taurus, then herbs of Mars could be quite helpful in drying out the moisture.
The herbalists of ancient China also saw that plants had a deep association with seasonal and planetary cycles. The ancient sages used the system of Wu Xing, alongside Taoist cosmology, to interpret the energies and functions of botanicals. In Wu Xing, the philosophy of the five phases maps out the transformation of elemental energies. Some of the most pertinent associated between seasonality and our anatomy are listed below.
Spring : Wood : Liver and Gallbladder
Summer : Fire : Heart, Pericardium, Small Intestine and Sanjiao
Late-Summer : Earth : Spleen and Stomach
Autumn: Metal : Lungs and Large Intestine
Winter : Water : Kidneys & Bladder
Some people are more fiery, some more earthy, others more watery or airy. Of course, there are many different mixtures on a constantly fluctuating cosmic continuum of space and time!
The practitioners of medical astrology would use decombitures, typically using the time of birth of the afflicted person, but also utilizing the chart of the hour of the intervention. At the time of one’s birth, the planetary arrangement in the signs can confer health or disease. Planets have signs they favor, and signs that can disrupt their harmony, leading to chronic complications. As time goes on, a person’s “natal energies” will often come into conflict with the planetary aspects of the present.
The nature of an illness would then be associated with certain planets. Herbs which then countered that planet’s nature were then administered to assuage the symptoms and heal the person. Herbs typically have a relationship of sympathy, antipathy, homeopathy. The best herb for each situation is contingent on the elemental profile of the individual and their disease.
Medical astrology is a very curious and nebulous subject. It can be a very interesting way to understand the chronic issues you face in your body. It isn’t a replacement for conventional medical interventions, but might help you live a better life as you deepen your comprehension of your own personal, celestial portrait. If you ever want assistance in decoding your natal chart, please reach out! I am glad to help.
Disclaimer: The following advice is meant for educational and informative purposes only. If you are suffering with a rotator cuff pathology, please see a licensed healthcare practitioner.
What is a rotator cuff?
A rotator cuff is comprised of four important muscles known as the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis. These muscles help bind the head of the humerus to the glenoid fossa of the scapula. Each rotator cuff muscle has a unique function in maneuvering the shoulder and arm. They are as follows:
Supraspinatus – helps stabilize the glenohumeral joint for arm abduction
When one or more of these muscles is torn, injured, tense or inflamed, you are sure to experience symptoms like shoulder pain, neck pain, limited range of motion, neuropathy (radiating pain, tingling and numbness), difficulty sleeping due to pain, and many other issues.
The muscles of the rotator cuff are involved in many movements, and such actions like brushing your hair or lifting and rotating your arm. However, even movements involving your neck could irritate the pain.
Sometimes the rotator cuff disorder is due to a sudden physical trauma, which tears one or more of the rotator cuff muscles. I personally tore my rotator cuff during a “trust fall”—someone fell forcefully on my right forearm, and I felt my Supraspinatus “pop.” You might recall a pop happening before your symptoms manifested. The location of the pop is likely the muscle/ligament that was torn. Even if the tear was only on one side, both shoulders, or the opposite shoulder can exhibit symptoms.
These tears are especially common in sports, which is reflected in the alternative names for rotator cuff tendinitis: Swimmer’s Shoulder, Tennis Shoulder, Pitcher’s Shoulder. Moving your arms repeatedly over head, a pictured below, can be an origin of rotator cuff injury, too.
However, a slow build up of tension and inflammation, as well as poor posture, can also irritate the rotator cuff. Tension in the muscles of the neck can compress the vertebrae and impair the flow of qi and blood. The rotator cuff muscles are innervated by nerves that exit the cervical vertebrae. Those of us that have long sessions of looking at our phone are very likely to experience chronic rotator cuff issues, for this reason. Constantly staring down at screens will stress the cervical nerves.
…When myofascial pain is referred to the shoulder joint, the infraspinatus, Supraspinatus, and sometimes the levator scapula muscles are its most likely muscular sources. (Page 556)
Travell, J. G., Simons, D. G., & Simons, L. S. (1999). Myofascial pain and dysfunction: the trigger point manual: Vol. 1:Upper half of body. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.
Just being stressed out can cause your shoulders to scrunch up, so the origin of rotator cuff issues is can definitely be psychogenic in pathogenesis. To further complicate matters, tension in unrelated parts of your body, like the hips, can exacerbate the issues in your arm. This can really make sleeping difficult, as one struggles to find the right position to rest without pain.
A rotator cuff tear can seriously change your life. Sometimes people undergo surgery to repair the rotator cuff, but there are alternatives that can help you avoid such interventions. Even after rotator cuff surgery, therapies like Acupuncture, Qi Gong, and Herbalism can help reduce shoulder inflammation and improve your quality of life.
An Acupuncturist’s Approach to the Rotator Cuff
In Chinese Medicine, there are several important meridians that travel through the shoulder. They are as follows:
Large Intestine-Yangming Meridian
Lung-Taiyin Meridian
Pericardium-Jueyin Meridian
Sanjiao-Shaoyang Meridian
Heart-Taiyin Meridian
Small Intestine-Taiyang Meridian
These meridians traverse the neck and head, the shoulders, and extend into the fingers (they even go inward and connect to the internal organs and other meridians). If you’ve suffered from a rotator cuff tear, you might have noticed how the injury afflicts your forearm, fingers and wrist. Tingling and numbness, sudden surges of pain, popping and crunching, are a few of the common symptoms you might experience. The trajectories of these symptoms can mimic the meridians and also the dermatomes associated with the nerves that exit the cervical vertebrae.
Many painful points on the arm can arise after a rotator cuff tear, as the glenohumeral joint is not being “held” properly. This injurious posture can obstruct the flow of qi and blood, as the nerves and blood vessels are cramped by the constricted muscles. Indeed, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome or carpal tunnel syndrome can be an unfortunate sequelae of a rotator cuff tear. This is why it is important to maintain and care for your shoulder injury.
A general index of points that are proximal or resting on the rotator cuff muscles are as follows:
Supaspinatus – Sanjiao 15
Infraspinatus – Small Intestine 10, 11, 12
Teres Minor – Small Intestine 9
Subscapularis – Heart 1
Interestingly enough, the Small Intestine, Sanjiao and Heart meridian are all Fire meridians! The Fire element relates to upward movement, the emotion of joy, the bitter flavor,
Distal pain often follow the trajectories of the meridians, rather than simply corresponding to the individual muscles. So, even though your tear is in your Supraspinatus or your Teres Minor, you might develop pain at your wrist, or your elbow, and not at the expected point of trauma. If you examine the photos of the anatomy model pictured above, you might see lines that parallel your own pain patterns.
Two very effective ways of remedying the rotator cuff are acupuncture and guasha. Acupuncture, applied at trigger points in the muscles of the shoulder and arm, can help unbind points of tension and relax the muscles. Acupuncture applied to trigger points is often rebranded as “dry needling,” but, rest assured, that dry needling is a form of acupuncture, and it is safe when performed by a board certified, licensed acupuncturist.
Guasha, otherwise known as Graston or IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization), can be used to reduce adhesion and vent inflamed myofascial tissues. Its approach is similar to cupping, insofar that it moves stagnant blood, but it relies on applied pressure instead of vacuum and suction.
Guasha can be explained as creating transitory therapeutic petechia associated with increased surface micro perfusion, increased up regulation of the genetic expression of heme oxygenate-1 (HO-1), stimulation of the immune system and evidence of pain reduction and anti-inflammatory effect that is sustained over time.
Nielsen, A. (2014). Gua sha: a Traditional Technique for Modern Practice. London: Elsevier Health Sciences UK.
Marks from Guasha. You can see the inflammation follows the trajectory of the Large-Intestine Yangming Meridian, Sanjiao-Shaoyang meridian, and the Lung-Taiyin meridian.
Focus on the Opposite Side
As the injury progresses, the unaffected side will take on greater physical burdens, which then worsens the afflicted side—it’s a vicious cycle that all unilateral injuries are notorious for. In treatments and therapies, it can be helpful to begin with the unaffected side. The arms can translate problems very readily, and if the scapula becomes unstable, there is increased likelihood that it will tug on the cervical vertebrae, the clavicle, or other anatomical structures. Take care in all movements.
Exercising the Rotator Cuff after an Injury
New symptoms can arise out of no where, so it’s important to work very gently and slowly when doing any new workouts. The Merck Manual recommends that work outs that “push objects away” like push-ups should be avoided, and those that “pull objects closer” should be encouraged. It lists Upright Rows, Downward Lateral Pulls, and Bench Press as therapeutic healing exercises, when done with proper care and guidance. Talk to your doctor or therapist about the right movements for you.
You Can Heal Your Rotator Cuff
Injuring your shoulder can be frustrating and even debilitating. If you are suffering with a rotator cuff injury, I encourage you to reach out to an acupuncturist or massage therapist in your community. They will definitely be able to help relieve your pain with the aforementioned techniques. And, if you are in or near Austin, Texas, I would be glad to discuss how I could be of service to you.
Do not give up on healing, and your shoulder will feel as good as new. Just remember that it takes time, and there are highs and lows. Be patient, be persistent and be kind to your body.
Disclaimer: The following advice is meant for educational and informative purposes only. If you are suffering with an eyelid pathology, please see a licensed healthcare practitioner.
Swollen Eyelid? It’s curable!
Toward the end of my acupuncture program, I developed an eyelid disorder known as blepharitis. Blepharitis is characterized by swelling and inflammation of the eyelid and its related glands, such as the meibomian glands. Blepharitis can affect one or both eyelids, the upper or lower, and the inner or outer, depending on the glands that are irritated. Blepharitis can be concomitant with a chalazion, a more bulbous swelling of the eyelid gland that resembles a pimple.
Blepharitis can produce edema of the eyelid, which results in a diffuse swelling of the periorbital flesh. The occlusion of the eyelid glands can impair the lubricant oils from reaching the eye, and dry eye can result. Itchiness, irritation and changes in visual acuity can arise.
Blepharitis specifically afflicts the eyelid, and is not a disease of the eye like conjunctivitis (Pink eye). In other words, your eye will remain relatively healthy, even though the eyelid is swollen. However, Pink eye can trigger Blepharitis, and vice versa, by inflaming the local glands. If you have significant burning pain in the eye that, it is important to seek a professional opinion.
Blepharitis has many causes, such as: stress, autoimmune disorders like MGD and Sjogren’s, environmental allergies, dietary causes, bacterial infection, injury to the eyelid, and even bad glasses or outdated contact lenses. Research has shown that a small skin parasite known as Demodex has some involvement in many cases of blepharitis. Research has also shown that Metabolic Syndrome and digestive disorders have an association with increased incidence of blepharitis. No matter the cause of blepharitis, the cure is usually the same: hot compresses and massage to move congealed oils stuck in the clogged glands.
It started as swelling in my forehead and brow, then the fluid began inflating my eyelid,
If There’s Pain, Seek a Professional Opinion
I personally had no pain when dealing with blepharitis / chalazion, with the exception of occasional irritation due to drainage of the swollen glands. If there is significant pain, I highly encourage you to seek a physician’s opinion, as you might have a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics to cure the issue.
If it isn’t a Bacterial infection, Try Holistic Medicine
My eyelid issue was very frustrating. The draining was very slow and it didn’t seem to be healing on its own. So, I quickly turned to my resources as an acupuncturist. I had several tools I used to cure my eyelid: guasha, acupuncture, acupressure/ tuina, magnets, herbal teas and herbal compresses, as well as smokeless moxibustion. With the exception of acupuncture, you can do just about all of these therapies for yourself.
Defining the Therapies
Acupuncture – Using acupuncture at periorbital points can help relieve inflammation, stimulate circulation and improve immunological functions in the body. It can be used to help regulate hormones, according to the individuals needs.
Guasha – Using a soft edged tool to stroke and massage the lymph / blood vessels. Guasha relieves inflammation and can help dredge out adhesions in the muscles and fascia. I used a homemade frankincense and myrrh salve to reduce friction with Guasha. You can find it here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/773291144/frankincense-myrrh-salve
Jade Rolling – Using a cosmetic tool to help increase circulation around the eyelid. Roll it across the eyebrow, under the eyes, and softly across the eyelids with the eyes closed.
Acupressure – Using your fingers or a tool to apply pressure into muscles and therapeutic points of the body. Gently press and massage around the eyelid, several times a day. This is best done after hot compresses.
Herbalism – Using (safe) herbs as tea or poultices to assist the body in healing. Salves, essential oils, and even homeopathy can help. I highly recommend Similasin Eye Relief Drops to help remove excess debris from the eyelid, and to maintain hydration of the eye.
Hot Compress – Warming a damp towel, and applying it to the affected eyelid. A warm tea bag can also be used, but the tea could irritate the eye, so be very careful.
Facial QiGong – Doing facial exercises that move the eyes, eyebrow, forehead and periorbital muscles, can really assist the body in moving stagnant fluids. Furrowing the brow, and raising the eyebrows, widening the eyes and blinking tightly. As always, if there’s pain, stop doing the exercise or therapy and seek assessment.
Hot compresses are perhaps the most important treatment method. The goal is to heat the fluids and oils that had congealed in the eyelid. The glands of the eyelid, like the meibomian gland, are tiny and they are very close to the skin surface. This makes it easier for the oils to solidify, as they near room temperature more speedily.
I recommend steeping a peppermint tea bag, then using the hot tea bag as a compress on the eyelid. Apply it often, and when the eyelid is well heated, do gentle & vigorous massage around the brow and lid. Another great idea is to get a hot towel warmer, and to have many hot towels to use throughout the day.
It Might Get Worse Before It Gets Better
As the fluid is heated and circulated through the eyelid, the gland might expand and turn into a chalazion. This can be distressing, but also indicative that things are moving. Do not get anxious—just keep heating and gently massaging to promote fluid. However, if you feel PAIN or BURNING—this is a good sign there is infection, and you should contact an Ophthalmologist, MD or OD for topical antibiotics and special care.
I used magnets over night to help stimulate local acu-points. As you can see, the eyelid became very swollen.
Jade Rolling & Facial Guasha: An Important Hygiene Method for those with Blepharitis
For people who suffer with eyelid disorders like blepharitis, there’s some bad news: it is often chronic and must be managed for our whole lives. For this reason, it is important to add in hygiene methods for the eyelids. Facial guasha is a method of Chinese bodywork that uses a soft-edge tool to promote circulation in the muscles and fascia. It is like combing the muscles. Jade rolling is very similar—it uses a stone tool to dredge out the lymphatic build-up in the tissues of the face.
By doing this daily, you can maintain a healthy flow of fluids in the face, and avoid toxic build-up in the eyelid glands. Check out this following video to see how to use Guasha for eyelid disorders!
Go to Your Doctor, but Don’t Buy into Gimmicks
If you have blepharitis, it is important to get a professional opinion from a healthcare provider. Blepharitis can come from more serious infections, and might require special interventions and medicines for complete resolution. This is especially true if you have significant BURNING, BLEEDING or BLINDNESS. Seek care immediately if those symptoms are present.
If you have seen a professional and they declared your eyelid condition a non-emergency, then the information in this blog should be safe to apply.
I am currently doing research on blepharitis. My goal is to show how acupuncture and guasha might expedite the healing of eyelid disorders like blepharitis. Research consistently points to heat compresses and massage as being the most reliable intervention for blepharitis. However, new tools like “LipiFlow” are being manufactured to do heat and massage for people are exorbitantly priced—over $500 for session series!
For those of us that lack the insurance or money to spend on such a process, we can rely on these simple techniques of tea-bag compresses and facial guasha & acupressure. It takes dedication and consistency, but you can heal your eyelid!
Also, try acupuncture from a qualified practitioner. They might have herbs that can help address the underlying issue, bringing you a greater quality of life and long-term relief.
Me with Blepharitis
Almost 2 years later — no blepharitis.
Not Healing? You Might Not Have Blepharitis
Since I originally wrote this, and began working with eyelid issues, many people have contacted me who said they had blepharitis, when it clearly was something else. For example, many people develop hard cysts on the eyelid. These are called Intratarsal Keratinous Cysts, and they are not blepharitis. You will need to see an ophthalmologist who can surgically excise the cyst.
A clear way to know if you have an IKC, and not a chalazion or blepharitis, is if the swelling does not respond to these therapies. If you are doing facial massage, guasha, herbs, and so on, and the bump on your eyelid is not going away, you probably have an IKC.
In more dire circumstances, these eyelid swellings can actually be related to Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia. It is really important to get a professional opinion from an ophthalmologist about your eyelid swelling, especially if it doesn’t begin to resolve within a couple months, or sooner.
Have Questions? Reach out to me.
If you are struggling with an eyelid issue, and you have had a physician rule out serious issues, feel free to contact me (if you are seeking holistic treatment and TCM therapies for Blepharitis, Chalazion and other eyelid disorders). I would love to help you!
These marks are from cupping and guasha. Inflammation is the muscles is relieved as it is dredged out toward the surface. The marks go away, and symptoms of pain and anxiety often follow.
🔥❣️This patient was dealing with a general feeling of anxiety, shortness of breath and brain fog. Acupuncture was done at key points to address dampness, strengthen the spleen, reduce heart heat and soothe liver Qi. After that, some tuina, cupping and guasha were applied along the Taiyang & shaoyang meridians of the back to clear heat and unbind the chest. As you can see, the scapular muscles (especially on the right) needed some attention!
☯️💧Anxiety is not always contingent on our emotional circumstances. Sometimes it is due to physical conditions affecting the viscera, such as the heart. For example? Drinking too much coffee or alcohol can inflame the blood, which can then irritate the Shen (aka the mind/spirit). By working with the physiological aspects of the body, and extracting the heat, the mind and spirit can be positively altered and anxiety can be relieved. It’s a win – win situation for muscle health and mental health! 😁
Moxibustion is a technique from Traditional Chinese Medicine, where mugwort is lit on fire, then used to heat up acupuncture points. Mugwort is an herb also known as Ai Ye or Artemisia Vulgaris. Mugwort contains essential oils rich in Thujone, a chemical that acts antagonistically to GABA receptors in the body—when taken internally. Studies on Moxibustion indicate that it is capable of treating a wide range of diseases.
Ling Shu, Guan Neng states that when acupuncture does not work, moxibustion does.
Moxibustion has both direct (skin contact) and indirect (no skin contact) methods. Moxibustion can also be used to warm up acupuncture needles, by securing it to the needle’s handle—a technique called kyutoshin, in Japanese tradition.
Moxibustion involves fire and smoke, but there are smokeless alternatives for people with sensitives noses or asthma. It is a very relaxing therapy, and can help relieve pain, warms the muscles and meridians, and can help invigorate the body with Yang qi.
Some practitioners can teach patients how to safely use moxibustion on themselves. This is often done for cases of a breech baby, where the mother is asked to use moxa as a daily therapy to turn the baby naturally.
Moxa sticks consist of Mugwort which has been fleeced and packaged into sticks. The fleeced mugwort can also be used in a loose form, which can be packed into cones or balls, then burnt upon sliced ginger or aconite (among other barriers). The heat produced by the burning mugwort penetrates deep into the muscular tissues. Moxibustion’s heat can help facilitate the relaxation of contracted muscles and sinews, dredging the meridians, expelling cold, and invigorating the Yang qi of the body.
Indirect moxibustion is used commonly, as there’s very little chance of scarring or burning, when operated properly. A stick of Moxa is lit, and a practitioner warms points with the small ember produced by the burning herbs. Points on the feet, ankle and knees can be warmed with indirect moxibustion to relieve conditions like arthritis. This style can be safely used both in and outside of the clinic.
Direct Moxibustion is when a small amount of mugwort fleece is burned directly upon the flesh, until there is a feeling of contact with the herb’s heat. Non-scarring Moxa can be performed on patients that are too deficient or unfit for scarring Moxa. Scarring Moxibustion uses a rice sized piece of Moxa fleece and is burnt down just enough to contact the flesh. This activates a powerful immune response that can strengthen the body’s yang and Wei Qi. This form of moxibustion is safely done in a clinic by a licensed acupuncturist. In addition to direct loose moxa, there are stick-on options, like Tsubo-Kyo Ibuki Moxa (see video below).
Moxibustion with moxa leaf can get into the channels and cure hundreds of diseases. Its function is great. The drug properties of moxa leaves (raw) are that they turn warmer after being processed, become moxa wool (processed), which are suitable for moxibustion, and the older the better. The ancients chose moxa as moxibustion material for it is easy to collect and more for its drug properties, and long-term clinical practices have proved that.
Research has shown positive results concerning the pain relieving and therapeutic effects of moxibustion.
Moxibustion can lead to vasoconstriction at the burning point while vasodilatation around the point and increase peripheral arterial blood flow and microvascular permeability
Another thermal effect of moxibustion is to induce heat shock proteins (HSPs) in local tissues. HSPs are a class of functionally related proteins involved in the folding and unfolding of other proteins.
Biochemical research has elucidated many active components of mugwort, the herb used in moxibustion.
These chemicals potentiate therapeutic functions beyond the thermal function of moxibustion.
The ingredients of moxa always change according to the place and season of production.
The ingredients of moxa are complicated; more than 60 kinds of components had been identified [33]. The volatile oils of moxa include 1,8-Cineole, alkenes (alpha-thujene, pinene, sabinene, etc.), camphor, borneol, and little aldehydes, ketones, phenols, alkanes, and benzene series compounds. Heptatriacontane (C37H76) plays an important role in combustion [34]. The moxa also has tannins, flavonoids, sterols, polysaccharides, trace elements, and other ingredients.
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