Qiological Podcast

The ability to perceive with our hands, to assess the flow of life through the body, is a valued skill in East Asian medicine. It’s a fine and discerning art that takes full form when thinking does not overshadow; when cognitive understanding of anatomical landmarks combines with the attentive impressionable mind. To fully understand and interpret what is felt underneath the hands, you must learn to listen respectfully to the ebb and flow of the fundamental substances Qi, Blood, Body Fluids, which are keenly involved in supporting human life itself. For this your critical, conscious mind has to quiet enough to accept the knowing that comes from your hands. In this conversation with Jeffrey Dann and Mark Petruzzi, we touch on the concrete yet nuanced experience of reading the body through touch, including how to create space for a more therapeutic connection for both the patient and practitioner. We explore the need to be attentive, the value of appreciation in our clinical work, and the application of the teishin. We also talk about their fittingly titled Qi, Blood, and Fluids class. Listen into this discussion on palpatory findings and the refinement of touch from a Japanese acupuncture perspective.

Our medicine is rooted in the understanding that mind, body, and spirit are integral parts of the whole – reflective of each other and inseparable in human experience.. The tools and perspectives of East Asian medicine invite us to attend to holistically healing mind-body-spirit by mediating between worlds with focused intent. We at times journey beyond the veils of rationality and time—navigating between the seen and unseen, ancient wisdom and modern technology, the ordinary and non-ordinary reality, the magical and scientific. This therapeutic bridge between the irrational-mystic and rational-material may seem novel to mainstream Western thinking, but it has long been understood by indigenous people through shamanism. In this conversation with Sean Fox, we traverse the world of shamanism and how it connects with our work in the clinic. How it can be a bridge between time and reality. We explore how we can use physical sensing and guidance from non-ordinary reality to intentionally set up spaces for healing. We also touch on the role of the fascia network in Chinese medicine, the connective threads of synchronicity, the power of voice, and cultivating trust in our practice. Listen into this discussion on shamanism and facilitating space for the harmonious interaction of body, mind, and spirit by walking between worlds.

Everyday we sit with people in our clinic and puzzle through the questions of “What is going on for them,” “Can I see clearly what they need,” and “Do I understand how this person is an expression of yin/yang, heaven and earth?”Our patients have a story. And so do we, except we usually call it Chinese medicine theory and we are seeing if we can take our Western minds into the world of East Asian medicine, and come back with something helpful. Our Western minds orient us towards the linear, but Chinese medicine thinking– that has us going in circles, cycles and waves.Today’s conversation with Deborah Woolf came about because I had some questions, and more than few, about the Heavenly Stems after her recent Qiological Live presentation on the topic.It’s not that I previously gave this topic of study a pass, I’ve talked about it with friends who have investigated this aspect of medicine in a significant way. But I wasn’t able to grasp the dynamics of the Stems in any meaningful fashion. That changed with this conversation.Deborah has been studying and teaching this stuff for a while now. And thanks to this conversation. I think I’m starting to get it.

The ability to communicate is one of life's most valuable skills. It's at the core of our human experience, and it fuels the connections that add so much to our lives and businesses. As such, especially for business, it's essential to hone how and when we communicate, and the tools we use to for connecting. Good communication often hinges not on the simply on the message, but on our ability to be present; to listen mindfully with intent. This holds true both in the clinic and in creating a website which is your hub of communication in a digital world. Understanding the user's needs is the key to both effective treatment and a good website.In this conversation with Mike Kay, we decipher websites for acupuncturists—including where to begin, the platforms to use, useful design elements and imagery, tuning up your SEO, and perhaps most importantly—creating compelling website copy. Tech-talk aside, we also touch on clinical work, discussing topics such as the need for boundaries in practice, the importance of engagement with patients, and finding value in skepticism.Listen into this discussion on how to create a website that draws new patients into your practice, and how to go about it in a way that sets you apart.

Sometimes our curious venture into solving our problems lures us to overstep the boundaries we did not realize were important. A need to control pain may leave you chained to pain medication. An attempt to numb life stressors may plunge you into alcoholism. Solving a problem in the immediate moment, could lead us into habits that over time wear on the body and spirit. Defining addiction has long attracted a medley of explanations—with some leaning towards nature, some nurture, and others towards a perfect storm of both. It’s a complicated subject. Especially when our addiction fueled behavior is seen as socially acceptable, or perhaps even valued.In this conversation with Randal Lyons, we step into the dark forest of addiction, recovery and Chinese medicine. According to Randal, we need the right language to recognize and treat each patient's different expressions of addiction. We discuss the concept of spirituality in medicine, inviting patients to participate in their healing, leaning on remembrance, and how being present goes a long way in connecting with our patients.Listen into this discussion on understanding the complexities of addiction and recovery from a Chinese medicine perspective.

As acupuncturists, we practice our medicine as both a science and an art. Science in the sense of organizing the learned or experiential structure of the lens through which we view imbalances. Art in the sense of recognizing that each individual is a unique, multidimensional, and dynamic entity who embodies both revelation and mystery. Our job is to encounter the energetic mystery of our practice with certainty. Even in the midst of complexities, we should seek to grasp the spirit of the medicine, of the moment, of the individual; to be in tune with the Dao. In this conversation with Anne Cecil Sterman, we explore the potency and mystery of acupuncture, how it works, the importance of  through intention, being present, and approaching the treatment with an element of  certainty. We also touch on the need to trust acupuncture, the power of the mind, and the great luo of the Stomach.Listen into this discussion on navigating the mysterious realm of acupuncture, the need to approach patients with intention and certainty, and an interesting perspective on channels.

Sabine Wilms, an expert in ancient Chinese texts, discusses the authority of competence in medicine, the dynamics of power, and the role of virtue in shaping a virtuous hierarchy. The conversation delves into mastering yangsheng, ethical considerations in medical practice, and the complexities of translating classical Chinese texts. It also explores the balance between power and virtue in Chinese medicine, emphasizing the transformative journey of self-discovery and empowerment through Yang Hsing.

Moxa doesn't just stimulate Qi; it replenishes the vital life force. This Chinese medicine treatment brings nourishment in the form of pure yang that potentially rejuvenates the immune system  and restores dysfunctional internal environments. These functions raise  the question: can moxa be an effective treatment for Long COVID, which appears to feed off a weakened immune system?In this conversation with Merlin Young, we talk about the mission of Moxafrica in designing a cheap, adaptable, and safe intervention for COVID long-haulers. We explore how his non-profit is trying to replicate the positive results they saw in moxa treatment for antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis. And how the results of their research could make a difference for long-haulers and provide our East Asian medicine community with valuable research on how moxa might help with the sequela of the coronavirus.Listen into this discussion on Moxafrica's investigation into the potential effectiveness of moxa as a treatment for Long COVID.

Where do we come from, where are we headed and what should we do in the interim? Is the blueprint of our life set in stone, or do we have the free will to control our destiny? It is so very human to contemplate our mortal fate and infinitesimal position in the cosmos.But what if the answers to life’s most elusive questions are written in the stars? What if we can catch a glimpse, a silhouette, or a knowing of how our stories unfold? According to Chinese Polestar Astrology life is a dance between Fate, Nature, and Character; factors that intertwine to create patterns and layers that define our existence. Understanding or deciphering their reciprocity may hold the answer to our life’s purpose—giving us a roadmap to better navigate the human realm.In this conversation with Gregory Done, we glimpse into the experience of being human—including our sense of self, the unique gift of reflective consciousness, and the influences that impact us to shape our existence. As Gregory explains, fate is malleable. We can steer it, and it can in turn, steer us. We also explore the role of the Oracle  and how the influences of our ancestors impact us.Listen into this discussion on how character, nature, and fate interact to shape and give meaning to our experiences through the ancient lens of Chinese Polestar Astrology.

The most powerful lessons come not from a school curriculum, but from life. Our world is full of both problems and opportunities. There is what we struggle against, and what we stand for. And the unfolding dance of yin/yang reminds us that everything has aspects of its opposite. Problems contain opportunity. Injustices in the world catalyze our values and actions in the world that in turn create a new balance. . “Let yourself be guided silently by that strange power of what you really love.”– RumiIn this conversation with Bess and Kyle, we explore their journey of creating a free student-run acupuncture clinic as an avenue to mature as professionals and scratch an itch for social justice-oriented and community-based work. We touch on the existing disparities in health care and their desire to change the narrative around acupuncture, its perceived accessibility, and how it is a potent medicine for healing that invites people into their own power.Listen into this discussion on the radical nature of acupuncture, finding opportunities to further your vision of what’s possible, and creating something that aligns with your heart.