Struttura Teorica: Metodi Di Diagnostico di TCM ed CCM

Caro (Italian word meaning 'Dear') Family and Friends,

The focus of this entry is to specifically delineate some of the foundational principles for Traditional and Classical Chinese Medicine in hopes that you can better follow our discussion as it progress during the year.

To better understand how CCM differs from Western medicine, you must first understand the foundational concept of Qi (pronounced CH-EE) and how Qi relates to health. Second in this post will be an excerpt taken from a book that discusses the Theorectical Framework behind the diagnostic methods of TCM and CCM (Struttura Teorica: Metodi Di Diagnostico di TCM ed CCM).

Naturally, I don't want to impinge on copyright laws and fall victim to plagiarism, so you will find the proper citations for this information at the bottom of the post, to which each excerpt will make reference.

On a less sagely note, we've been flooded with three weeks of rain here in Napoli--more rain than has been reported in a long, long time (according to our Barn friends). So, we've had plenty of time to read and get the house in good order, and make good progress on the climbing gym that Jenny and I have been building in the back yard. When the rain finally stops, which hopefully will be soon, we'll take pictures of the house and gym, and then post them on the site.

Important note: Any grammar, spelling or typing errors in the body of written prose below is probably due to my loose fingers on the keyboard and not due to the sloppy thinking of the author. =)

QUOTE
VITAL SUBSTANCES: QI, BLOOD, SHEN, AND BODY FLUIDS
TCM views physiological processes as the interaction among various vital substances. The quality and quantity of these vital substances, and their ability to smoothly interact and reinforce one another, provide the mechanism for balance within the body. These substances demonstrate varying degrees of materiality, from the most substantial--Blood--to the most rarified--Shen--, or Spirit. At the foundation of all of the vital substances, however, is the presence of Qi.

QI
The concept of Qi is perhaps the most difficult of the vital substances to grasp, but also perhaps the most interesting because of its multidimensional nature. We have spoken of its ubiquitousness, of its vital role in the physiological process, maintenance, and development of the human form, and of its more subtle nature in relation to the activity of our mind, emotions, and Spirit. Qi is an enigma, for it is both a noun and a verb, just as light may be described as a particle and a wave. Qi is both the process of unfolding and that which [is] unfolding. Life is the proliferation of Qi, death its dissolution.
Unraveling the mystery of Chinese medicine is the art of understanding the myriad functions of interactions of Qi. Qi is an invisible, fluid force, a dynamic entity weaving the diverse and carried patterns through the fabric of our being. The foundation of our health rests on the harmonious integration and balance that Qi provides. Qi dances in our hearts and allows us the full range of our emotions. It stimulates and powers our minds to give us the ability to reason and dream. It integrates the functions of our bodies, which themselves are the material manifestations of this enlivening force. The famous physician Zhang Zai (1020-1077) stated, "If Qi condenses, its visibility becomes effective and physical form appears."
Within the context of TCM, Qi has a number of primary forms and functions that change according to the environment and circumstances that surround it. Qi is the force propelling the blood through the arteries and veins, yet is the very quality of that blood itself. It is the air that enters our lungs as we breathe, yet is the energy the lungs use to inhale and exhale as well as the lung tissue itself. This may appear paradoxical when viewed strictly from the perspective of anatomy and physiology, but when viewed from the perspective of the vital energy that facilitates those physiological processes, it brings new life and depth to them.
END QUOTE
(Excerpt from VOICES OF QI, pps. 21-22)

QUOTE
DIAGNOSTIC METHODS: LOOKING, LISTENING/SMELLING, ASKING AND TOUCHING
The practitioner of TCM uses many of the same diagnostic methods that traditional western medicine uses. Many of the approaches, however, differ greatly, most notably observation of the tongue and pulse taking. Like western physicians, TCM practitioners must be receptive and have keenly developed diagnostic skills in order to discern the subtle nuances of disharmony that the client presents. TCM looks beyond isolated signs and symptoms by viewing the individual as a dynamically integrated whole. Presenting signs and symptoms weave together into patterns or syndromes that create an energetic profile of the patient. Patience is another potent quality a skilled TCM practitioner exhibits. A still and receptive mind fosters the intuitive process that allows for a deeply empathetic understanding of the patient's Qi.
Traditionally, there are Four Methods, or Examinations, that the practitioner uses to gather information for diagnosis and treatment. These Four Examinations are Looking, Listening/Smelling, Asking, and Touching. Each method has many levels of application and uses a different sense for gathering information and interpreting the Qi of the patient.
END QUOTE
(Excerpt from VOICES OF QI, pps. 42)

WORKS CITED
1. VOICES OF QI: An introductory guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Alex Holland, M.Ac., L.Ac.; North Atlantic Books, 1999.

Hope these excerpts help you develop a better understand of what Jenny and I mean when we start talking about TCM and CCM. Also, if you’d like to learn a bit more about the programs we’re looking into, here is the school’s name and website: National College of Natural Medicine.
http://www.ncnm.edu/academics-at-ncnm/classical-chinese-medicine-programs.php

Kindest Regards to All!
Nate

La Settimana secondo di mesi di Marzo

Alright Family, Friends, professional homosapiens--let's get down to business here. What's really been occurring in our life on the other side of the world?

Well, aside from battling to survive the struggles of Italian living, we've been thriving!

In January, Jenny and I decided to take a few college courses that are taught locally at the Base sponsored by the University of Maryland Europe Campus. The two classes we decided upon were Psychology 100 and Italian 111. I can hear you all now thinking to yourself: Two college courses? Don't they have enough occurring in their life already? Why two take two demanding, brain-bending, book-binding classes like that? Well, here is the answer--but first, a little (or a lot) of the background information.

When Jenny and I first met a long, long, LONG time ago (in a galaxy far, far away), we discovered that among the many magical, kismet-based similarities we had between each other, one of the most intriguing was our mutual interest in the mind-body healing processes. Before I had the great fortune of meeting my rara avis, Jenny, I had been thinking much about how stress affects health and wellness of the human. My interest spawned from an extended, traumatic experience while I was on the STENNIS that left me a changed person in many psychological ways. Meanwhile, Jenny was navigating her way through a pestiferous agglomeration of events that caused her to start thinking very hard about making some life changes towards natural healing. Shortly after we met, we realized that both of us had a deep interest in non-allopathic healing--an interest that was much more than a causal, intellectual fascination.

Once we moved to Italy, we began taking about possible post-Navy employment opportunities. Our ideas oscillated between opening climbing gyms and natural health clinics to working for the State Department in other foreign nations and everything in between. During our brainstorming conversations, we held very closely to one principle: we do not want to work separate jobs that lead divergent paths. Our vision and goal for our marriage (and life) is to share every minute we possibly can with each other. And, the view of most employment today is not congruent with our vision. Consider this simple math calculation: a person works an average of 50 hours per week, four weeks a month, 52 weeks per year. That equates to 2,400 hours of time spent apart from his/her spouse (not including unexpected after-hour work and commute time). We decided that 2,400 hours, or any portion of that time, apart is unacceptable for our marriage. Life is too short to spend so much time apart! Sound unreasonable? Sound lofty and visionary? Sound impossible? It may to you, but not to us. In the words of Mohammad Ali, "Impossible is Nothing." Jenny and I are determined to make our vision and goal a reality. Our vehicle for such a galactic proposition is this: Careers in Naturopathic and Oriental Medicine as Naturopathic Doctors and Licenced Acupuncturists.

In keeping with the traditions and principles of holistic living and healing, as prescribed by Naturopathy and Classic Oriental Medicine, we see a vibrant future together as Naturopathic practitioners in a healing inspiration center that we own and operate. A center that is founded upon principles of community healing, family connectedness, and holistic living that inspires friends, family, and prospective clients to think in the Gestalt fashion about their health: that is, the fashion in which one believes that total wellness (mind-body-spirit) is greater than the sum of any individual part (symptom, disease or organ) and must be treated in a holistic fashion. Or marriage revolves around the same principles of connected wholeness: no single part is greater in value or influence than any other. The sum (total expression of our marriage in everyday living) is more important and valuable than any single individual expression. We make decisions, and will continue to make decisions, based on what is best for the whole of our marriage and our life. Thus, Naturopathy and holistic healing is a natural occupation to explore.

If you've just finished the above paragraph and feel as if we are totally out in Left Field--miles away from conventional reason and modern rational thought--you'd be right. We are in Left Field, but we're not playing in the typical ball field either. We're creating our own game, field, and rule set that doesn't necessarily fit nicely in the typical paradigm.

So where does that leave us now? What are we doing to facilitate our vision?

At the moment of writing this post, we are formulating our plan for further education in Naturopathy and Oriental Medicine. We are looking at school programs, costs, time availability, and locations that best suit our vision. Right now, our eyes have focused on a school in Portland, Oregon called the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM). Additionally, we've been researching other potential schools such as BASTYR University (Seattle, WA); Southwest School of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) (Tempe, AZ); and the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (BINM) (Vancouver, BC).

All schools are accredited medical inspiration centers (universities) with 5 and 6 year curriculums in Naturopathy, Oriental Medicine, and many other disciplines. At the completion of the Naturopathic curriculum, we would be awarded with doctoral degrees in Naturopathic Medicine (ND vice MD) and a Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine (MSAOM).

As for the original question of why we are taking classes here in Italy, the answer is this: we are satisfying prerequisite courses for entry into the ND program so we can matriculate shortly after returning to the States.

If you are interested in learning more about Naturopathic and Oriental Medicine, or about the schools that I've mentioned, here is a website that you can visit: http://www.aanmc.org/

Of course, Jenny and I always value feedback on our ideas. (A big thank you goes out to those who've responded to our first two blogs--we love hearing from you all) If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please shoot us an email and we'll respond.

Yours in health and with kind regards,
Nate and Jen

La Casa di Heide a Via Solferino

Ciao to all Family, Friends, and interested bloggers!

Jenny and I have finally finished our move into our new house in Monte di Procida, a little village on the sea that is about 25 km from the Napoli airport.

For those of you who were at our wedding, or those who have viewed our pictures, you will understand when I say that the view from our rooftop is almost exactly like the Villa views in Ravello. It's beautiful with a perfect panorama of the Med, La Isola Procida and La Isloa Ischia--all from our roof top! However, the very best part of the move is this: Jenny, Harley, Bella, Gus, Buckets and me are feeling much, much better. We are no longer getting sick from the burning trash and garbage.

Procida is one of the few villages that conscientiously elects to recycle and separate trash in a way that is sustainable and environmentally sound for the resident citizens. Additionally, trash is hauled to the local dump each day. Sadly, the dump is nothing more than the town below the mountain top on which we live. While Napoli itself still suffers from the social travesty of negligent waste management, we seem to have found one of the few places where money and influence prevent (or rather divert) impovershed living.

Confessedly, we live now live one of Naples wealthiest areas--possibly the most wealthy aside from downtown Napoli proper--which often makes me wonder how much of a vacuum we truly will find ourselves living in. Speaking and thinking about the majority of public issues that face the larger population is a social responsibility for every concerned citizen of his or her town, however in Procida we seemed to be very removed from the 'dark side' of Napoli. Having very little personal history here in Naples, I cannot say what vacuum living will be like at the end of our time in Compania Region. What I do know is this: the money and wealth that exists in Monte di Procida demands good stewardship of the local mountain and village. Therefore, one result--the most important result--of vacuum living is that Jenny and I will be much, much healthier than if we elected to stay in Quarto. And, of course, without our total wellness in good standing, what else do we really have?

It is no doubt difficult for many of you to completely understand and comprehend the environmental travesty that has developed here in Napoli. However, suffice it to say that we will write and post pictures in the next few weeks so you all can gain a better understanding of how Napoli is truly a third-world land surrounded by first-world nations.

Best to all,
Nate&Jen