Qiological Podcast
Michael Max
Acupuncture and East Asian medicine was not developed in a laboratory. It does not advance through double-blind controlled studies, nor does it respond well to petri dish experimentation. Our medicine did not come from the statistical regression of randomized cohorts, but from the observation and treatment of individuals in their particular environment. It grows out of an embodied sense of understanding how life moves, unfolds, develops and declines.
Medicine comes from continuous, thoughtful practice of what we do in clinic, and how we approach that work. The practice of medicine is more — much more — than simply treating illness. It is more than acquiring skills and techniques. And it is more than memorizing the experiences of others. It takes a certain kind of eye, an inquiring mind and relentlessly inquisitive heart.
Qiological is an opportunity to deepen our practice with conversations that go deep into acupuncture, herbal medicine, cultivation practices, and the practice of having a practice. It’s an opportunity to sit in the company of others with similar interests, but perhaps very different minds. Through these dialogues perhaps we can better understand our craft.
Medicine comes from continuous, thoughtful practice of what we do in clinic, and how we approach that work. The practice of medicine is more — much more — than simply treating illness. It is more than acquiring skills and techniques. And it is more than memorizing the experiences of others. It takes a certain kind of eye, an inquiring mind and relentlessly inquisitive heart.
Qiological is an opportunity to deepen our practice with conversations that go deep into acupuncture, herbal medicine, cultivation practices, and the practice of having a practice. It’s an opportunity to sit in the company of others with similar interests, but perhaps very different minds. Through these dialogues perhaps we can better understand our craft.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 20, 2018 • 54min
032.5 A Conversation With The Godfather of Sports Acupuncture • Whitfield Reaves
It's not uncommon today for top level athletes to use acupuncture as part of their health care, to enhance performance and treat injuries. And even though you didn't hear about acupuncture in the 1984 Olympics, it was there.Our guest in this episode has been working with sports acupuncture for almost 40 years.Listen in to this conversation that touches on topics that range from the importance of precise needle location to the value of stillness in your acupuncture practice.
May 20, 2018 • 44min
032.4 Tracking The Wind_ A Look at Neurological Health and Chinese Medicine • Amy Moll
Lots of strange and curious patterns get chalked up to wind and phlegm in Chinese medicine. In this episode we take at look at the "curious organ" of the brain, as our guest of this episode gives us a glimpse into the power and usefulness of understanding modern functional neurology as a way to better understand and treat the effects and often hidden pathologies of concussion and traumatic brain injury.
May 19, 2018 • 57min
032.3 Sinew Channels & Joint Stability • Anthony Von der Muhll
In this episode we discuss anatomy, orthopedic assessment, the treatment of joints, sinew pathways, and ligaments. Our guest takes a deep look, both literally and figuratively at the anatomy and clinical use of the jing-jin, the “sinew” or “myofascial” pathways. Especially as they relate to joint stability or dysfunction. Listen in for a conversation around the clinical power of the sinew channels and why brushing up on your anatomy will help you get better clinical results and improve your confidence with deep needling.
May 19, 2018 • 24min
032.2 Passion For Practice and Community • Chad Bong
Chad Bong is one of the organizers of the Sports Acupuncture Alliance's conference. He's a busy guy, but we managed to grab a few minutes to talk about acupuncture, community and the inspiration and effort behind this conference.
May 18, 2018 • 40min
032.1 Modern History of Acupuncture Needles • Matt Pike
Needles are an essential aspect of our practices that most of us don’t know much about, other than we have some brands or types we like to use. What goes into a needle and how needle technology over the years has changed is a bit of a mystery to many of us. So I’m delighted to have Matt Pike here with me. He’s been involved with the sourcing and manufacture of acupuncture needles for a long time.We are going to get into the backstory on this essential tool that we use everyday in the work we do. And we’re going to talk a little about a new needled being introduced here at the conference that has been specially designed and manufactured for sports and orthopedic acupuncture.
May 16, 2018 • 1h 5min
031 Hand Crafted Medicine: a shiatsu practitioner’s perspective on the channels and points • Winter Jade
As practitioners we all work with a mix of theory, clinical sensibilities developed through years of practice, and the immediate moment of encounter with our patients. What we feel with our hands can deeply help to inform our treatments and ground our mental models into the physicality of the present moment. Our colleagues on the shiatsu side of the house have a bit of an advantage in connecting and working with the channels and points in a sensate way, as they spend much more of their time in physical contact with their patients. Listen in to this conversation with a shiatsu practitioner whose practice has been steeped in decades of clinical work as we explore the differences between intention and attention, working with the sensing of the hands along with the ideas of the mind, and the important difference between maps and compasses. Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview.
May 8, 2018 • 50min
030 Central Qi, Deficiency Taxation, and The Microbiome_ Classic Formulas in The Modern Age • Eran Even
In this episode we discuss the Jing Fang, the classic formulas, as they are being used by Dr. Huang Huang in the modern clinic, along a look at how some of our oldest medicine helps to throw new light on the importance of the digestive system and human biome.Listen in for a wide ranging discussion that covers the challenges and rewards of studying in China. How some simple formulas from the Shang Han Lun are not so simple once you begin to dig into them, and what it is like to do a Ph.D. in China.Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview.
May 1, 2018 • 53min
029 Health From The Inside Outside_ Treating Children With Chinese Medicine • Robin Ray Green
Children are full of yang qi and respond quickly to the methods of East Asian medicine. There is a lot of good you can do in using our methods to treat kids, especially in treating some conditions that conventional medicine can only offer symptomatic relief.Our guest in this episode got started with treating children by working through some health issues with her own kids.Listen as we discuss the common issues that children present with in the clinic, how to enlist the help of parents, how to help children feel comfortable with needles, and a few things about treating kids that you won’t find in books. Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview.
Apr 24, 2018 • 1h 6min
028 Heavenly Qi _ Storytelling, Technology and The Original Magic of Acupuncture
One of the great things about podcasts is that it’s not difficult to find one that lines up with your particular interest. Chinese medicine practitioners are fortunate to have podcasts like Heavenly Qi that allow us to listen in to conversations that go deep into the workings of our medicine and bring you the perspective of experienced clinicians.This conversation in this episode is with the creators of the Heavenly Qi podcast where we explore how this new medium allows us to learn from other practitioner’s and some ways in which this new on-demand technology might change the ways we can provide learning and continuing education. Storytelling has always been an essential element in how people learn and share information. Listen in for the story of how Heavenly Qi got started and where podcasting fits into within our long tradition of discussing medicine. Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview.
Apr 17, 2018 • 58min
027 Research methods for East Asian medicine practitioners • Lisa Taylor-Swanson
Research can be a problematic area for practitioners of East Asian medicine. While many acupuncturists are keen to share research with patients that paints acupuncture in a positive light, especially for marketing purposes, there are not many of us that are generating that research. And there is the issue of double-blind studies, which are the gold standard in conventional medical research, but difficult to apply to East Asian medicine, as the practitioner is an integral part of the treatment.This episode is a conversation with a full on Western style Ph.D. researcher who also is a dedicated practitioner of East Asian medicine. She has some unique views on how to apply research methods to our particular methods.Students of doctorate programs will find this episode especially helpful, as it will give you tools and perspectives to engage researching your area of interest and contributing to our profession.Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview.
