Integrative Health Blog

Nicholas Buscemi MSOM, LAc

Changing with the Seasons

Classical Chinese Medicine is unique in that practitioners of the Classical way take into account the seasonal shifts in our treatment strategies.   For example, we are moving out of the time of hibernation, quiet and storage (winter) into a time of egress, growth and change (spring).  Our external environment goes from grey, cold and dead to green, temperate and nurturing. Treatment strategies should facilitate mirroring climactic changes with the functions of the body.  The process of the seasons changing can be tough on our bodies as we have collectively forgotten how to live within the seasonal mandate and sometimes we need a bit of help to adjust.

Humans React to the Weather Too

Nicholas Buscemi MSOM, LAc

Classical Chinese Medicine takes into account the whole system of the body.

 It looks at the body like a tree and instead of treating a branch of the tree (a symptom) Classical Chinese Medicine goes to the cause- to treat the root of the problem. 

NIHA's Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine practitioner explains:

Classical Chinese Medicine uses subtle manipulation of acupuncture points through acupuncture or accupressure where there is blockage of chi, or energy. Chinese medicine can move the blockage so energy may flow more freely.

There are many reasons that energy may be blocked:

• environmental factors
• trauma
• infection
• recalcitrant or chronic disease

All may be helped with acupuncture, dietary modifications.

Do you suffer from fatigue, cramping, nausea, migraines, anger, irritability, restlessness, mood swings, digestive disturbance, hot flashes and just plain feeling down in the dumps?  Do these symptoms seem to occur regularly or cyclically?

Perhaps worse than the symptoms are not knowing when they will occur, as your bodies’ rhythms are not quite as “cyclical” as they could be. 

Are you struggling with the “change of life” and the physical and emotional symptoms that seem to accompany this natural transition?

What could your symptoms mean?

Nicholas Buscemi MSOM, LAc

Chronic Pain May Be Alleviated by Chinese Medicine

Physical pain is common for many Americans.  A recent national study found that more than a quarter of respondents lived with some pain for extended periods of time. 

Those that suffer from the debilitating effects of chronic pain have a NEW OLD ally in the fight for symptom relief.  Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have been used for 3000 years to relieve pain.  Chinese medicine is used to counter the effects of inflammation, arthritis, fibromyalgia and other sources of chronic pain and is endorsed by the NIH as a valid treatment modality AND is covered by many insurers.

So How does Chine

Nicholas Buscemi MSOM, LAc

Cupping has been used for thousands of years in Africa, the Middle East and in China.  In fact, some of the oldest descriptions of cupping date back to 1,550 BC in the Ebers papyrus, one of the oldest existing medical texts unearthed in Egypt. Chinese medicine practitioners have been using cupping for over 3000 years for everything from the common cold to trauma to internal disease.  In fact, the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad describe cupping as an approved treatment and even go on to say “"The Hijama (cupping) is the best of your remedies".