http://fernandobernall.com/index.php/practice/pages en flb@fernandobernall.com Copyright 2007 2007-07-25T19:16:09-05:00 http://fernandobernall.com/index.php/practice/insurance/ http://fernandobernall.com/index.php/practice/insurance/#When:19:16:09Z I am accepting insurance. The first step is to call your insurance company and inquire about their coverage for acupuncture and massage. Florida Law states that any insurance company or group that pays any other health care provider such as an MD, DO, or Chiropractor, must also pay an acupuncture physician without a referral. Florida Worker’s Comp also pays for acupuncture. However, they would like an MD to give his nod of approval. Personal Injury Protection in Florida pays for acupuncture. So if you’ve been in a car accident, my services are covered by your automobile insurance policy.. Sadly, Medicare does not cover acupuncture… Feel free to call me should you have any question regarding this matter. 904-794-7625. Or Insurance 2007-07-25T19:16:09-05:00 http://fernandobernall.com/index.php/practice/chinese_herbology/ http://fernandobernall.com/index.php/practice/chinese_herbology/#When:18:49:00Z Similar to acupuncture, the earliest textual references to Chinese herbal medicine can be traced back to around 2500 years.  Differently from acupuncture, however, herbal medicine developed initially as a purely pragmatic system and was not based on an underlying theory of organs and channels, qi and blood. Herbs had been used in ancient China for external wounds from the many wars that were fought long before such remedies were actually recorded and studied.  Furthermore, animal, plant, and mineral substances were ingested as foods and their medicinal benefits were noted subsequently. Herbal medicine really began to develop in the third century B.C.E. when the Taoists began searching for the herb of immortality. The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica (Shen Nung Ben Cao) is regarded as the first book on Chinese herbal medicine and dates back to about the 2nd century B.C.E.  In the following 20 centuries, the pragmatic functions were integrated into the theoretical system of Chinese medicine and medicinals were studied as to their qualities and their medicinal effect and were recorded by various scholars, most notably by the renowned physician Li Shi-zhen who recorded 2000 medicinals in his monumental work Ben Cao Gang Mu. Chinese herbal medicine is unique in that it is very patient specific and must be based on a Chinese medical pattern differentiation to be most effective.  This means that prior to the prescription of Chinese herbs, a practitioner of Chinese medicine needs to conduct a diagnosis, analyzing the signs and symptoms, the pulse and tongue and form the findings into what is called a pattern - a set of signs and symptoms which is unique to the individual. Herbs are then prescribed according to that pattern, not for the disease.  To illustrate this point with an example, let’s consider headache.  Chinese medicine considers there to be about 12 different patterns for headache; accordingly, herbs vary widely.  Herbs for a migraine type headache which is throbbing and causes light sensitivity and violent pain are fundamentally different from herbs prescribed for a headache which presents as a continues low-grade ache and improves upon lying down. In the first case, the migraine headache, heavy medicinal substances, such as oyster shell and hematite are prescribed.  In the latter, medicinals such as ginseng root or astragalus are necessary.  Prescribing the second set for the first type and the first set of heavy herbs for the second types of headache would cause both of them to worsen, not to improve. This is the strength of Chinese herbal medicine - to be patient specific and not disease specific.  This is also the reason why Chinese herbal medicine, when prescribed by professionally trained herbalists, does not cause side effects and does not interfere with other ailments which might exist.  Chinese medicine takes the whole body in consideration and not simply the illness.  Accordingly, Chinese herbs are prescribed for the underlying imbalance and correct not only the predominant concern but also all the other “little” ailments. A Chinese herbal formula consists of around 12 to 17 individual herbs, all of them working in a symbiotic relationship to strengthen one another, reduce one=s side effects, and balance each other=s energies and temperatures.  These 12 to 17 medicinals are selected from a total of about 250 to 300 commonly used medicinals and include such different substances as orange peel, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, oyster and abalone shells, black pepper, rhubarb root, and even earthworms, scorpions, and centipedes. The most effective form of administration of Chinese medicinals is the decocting of Chinese crude herbs into teas.  However, the somewhat lengthy decoction process and bitter taste of the tea does not fit every lifestyle.  Therefore, other ways of administration are available.  The most effective of the alternatives is the mixing of concentrated granules. Thus, prescriptions can still be mixed according to the individual’s needs but the herbs do not have to be decocted.  Rather, they can be mixed with warm water just like instant coffee.  Lastly, there are also prepared Chinese medicinals available.  These are most of the time ancient formulas made into small pills or tablets.  Because such prescriptions are not as specific as the individually prepared mixtures, two or sometimes even three prepared medicines need to be taken simultaneously. Chinese herbs are also frequently applied externally in the treatment of skin diseases and traumatic injury.  In these cases, the medicinals are prepared into liniments or washes.  With China being the country of origin for many different martial arts, Chinese medicine has an especially rich background in the treatment of martial art injuries. Currently in my apothecary I carry many bulk herbs, and I also stock an entire pharmacy of concentrated granules and prepared remedies.  I have also formulated my own liniments for the treatment of acute and chronic martial arts and other sports related injuries.  Herbal Medicine 2007-06-02T18:49:00-05:00 http://fernandobernall.com/index.php/practice/moxibustion/ http://fernandobernall.com/index.php/practice/moxibustion/#When:18:18:00Z Moxa, a Japanese word meaning “burning herb” refers to dried mugwort, a common herb also known under the Chinese name Ai Ye.  Moxi-bustion then is the burning of dried mugwort above the surface of the sking on acupuncture points. Moxibustion’s first textual reference dates back earlier than the first textual reference of acupuncture and it seems to have been around somewhat more than 2500 years.  From ancient until modern times, some doctors specialized in moxibustion and treated their patients solely with moxa.  Today, moxibustion is often combined with acupuncture. There are two main methods of using moxibustion: direct moxibustion and indirect moxibustion.  Direct moxibustion refers to burning dried mugwort (moxa) directly on the skin.  This, however, can cause blistering and burns and is very rarely used in America.  In modern day China, however, direct moxibustion is still frequently performed.  Direct moxibustion has been adapted to Western patients and to the US legal system by only burning very fine threads, only slightly thicker than a hair, directly on the skin.  This does not cause burns and blister but is still very effective in achieving the desired stimulation of the acupuncture point it is applied to. Indirect moxibustion refers to the method of separating the burning moxa wool from the skin by some type of medium.  This medium may be ginger, garlic, or salt, or it may be air.  When referring to air, this means that the burning moxa does not directly touch the skin but rather simply heats it up, causing it to become red.  This last effect can be achieved, for example, by holding a lit stick of rolled dried mugwort close enough to a certain area of skin, somewhat similar to holding a burning cigar close to the skin.  Small amounts of mugwort can also be attached to inserted acupuncture needles so as to heat these up and carry the heat, through the needles, to very deep levels of the body. The herb Ai Ye (mugwort) in Chinese medicine has the function of penetrating and opening all twelve regular acupuncture channels, so as that qi and blood can flow smoothly and that the circulation is reactivated.  In addition to that, moxa has a warming effect, adding heat to the body in order to warm body parts which feel cold or which become sore and painful in the cold. I also use moxa on chronic injuries that have not responded to acupuncture or massage. In Chinese medicine, pain is regarded as non-free flow of qi and blood.  If, by way of applying moxibustion, heat is added to the body and the channels are opened, then qi and blood will flow smoothly and uninhibited again and pain or other signs of cold subside. Therefore, moxibustion is a terrific and effective therapy for any problem that is of chronic nature or that becomes worse during cold weather.  Arthritis which is aggravated by cold and damp weather, frozen shoulders, or chronic and long-term backaches are only a few examples.  However, moxibustion is not limited to such musculoskeletal diseases.  Diarrhea can often be cured instantly by burning moxa on salt in the belly button and, even more noteworthy, a study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has shown that acupuncture was reasonably effective in turning breech position children during their 33rd to 35th week. In my practice I make use of all types of moxibustion techniques ranging from the traditional salt, ginger, and garlic moxa to indirect moxibustion method. Moxa has a strong aroma. The first time moxa is smelled, it may lead one to think that Cannavis Sativa, aka: weed, pot, marijuana 4:20 and so on, is being burned. Not the case.. Moxibustion 2007-06-02T18:18:00-05:00 http://fernandobernall.com/index.php/practice/appointments/ http://fernandobernall.com/index.php/practice/appointments/#When:16:36:00Z All sessions are offered by appointment only. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early for your first session to fill out any forms and intake sheets. For your convenience feel free to download our intake sheet here. If the file fails to open, then you may not have the software needed to view the page. Click on the icon below to Download it. This will take you to Adobe Systems’ website. Follow the detailed instructions on the Adobe website to download and then install the software on your computer. The software is free and safe, and easy to install. Appointments 2007-06-02T16:36:00-05:00 http://fernandobernall.com/index.php/practice/therapies/ http://fernandobernall.com/index.php/practice/therapies/#When:01:05:00Z My practice consists of Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Asian bodywork including Shiatsu and Tuina, Five Element Nutritional TherapySM, and a form of physical therapy based on Chinese breathing and movement techniques such as Qi Gong and Tai Chi. I am convinced that bodywork is essential for success in the treatment of pain.  Without it, there’s no healing.  Therefore my work includes modalities such as Shiatsu, a Japanese system of bodywork similar to acupuncture except that finger (shi) pressure (atsu) is applied on Tsubo points which are the same points used in acupuncture. In the treatment of disease or internal medicine, I adhere to the principles from the school of thought ‘Supplementing-earth school’ founded by one of China’s four famous doctors of the Jin and Yuan Dynasties, Li Dongyuan, who taught that most diseases were due to injury to the stomach/spleen system which is the system related to digestion. It is also thought of as the ‘school fo the middle’ in that the stomach and spleen/pancreas are located in the middle of the body.  Problems in this region would then impede the proper transmission of Qi (chee) across to the top and lower aspects of the body. The most important step that anyone can take towards restoring health is to exercise regularly. The Chinese have a saying: “Water that moves, does not smell” And: “The door that opens and closes, its hinges will never rust”. While there are plenty of people exercising regularly, it is my opinion that most exercise is being done incorrectly.  I also think that most exercise overemphasizes linear movement. My thoughts are that a combination of circular and linear movement is more in line with nature and with laws of physics. Thus, I like to encourage patients to study arts such as tai ji, yoga, qi gong, or just go out dancing. One can receive the best therapy and eat the best organic foods; take the best supplements and even meditate daily. However without daily exercise, all of the above are futile efforts. Here is a set of breathing exercises from Chen Style of Tai Chi you can download for free.  The original file is very large so I provide you with you files. Print them and put them together for your own use. Reeling_Silk_I.pdf Reeling_Silk_II.pdf Fernando Bernall Saint Augustine, FL Therapies Offered 2007-05-31T01:05:00-05:00 http://fernandobernall.com/index.php/practice/chinese_medicine_cm/ http://fernandobernall.com/index.php/practice/chinese_medicine_cm/#When:19:09:00Z Chinese medicine(CM) is the oldest continuous organized system of healing man has known. Granted, there have been other systems that date as far back as CM such as India’s Ayurvedic system, and as quiet as it may be kept, African medicine predates all health system.  But, as far as organization, cataloguing and systematizing, CM has set the record and has been practiced continuously in China for over 5000 years. By way of metaphor, Chinese medicine has been likened to a tree with many branches. These include, herbal medicine, acupuncture, bodywork, meditation and exercise. In the West, acupuncture has been the aspect of CM that has gained most popularity since President Nixon’s visit to China. In China, however, herbal medicine is the main form of treatment and the branch of CM that requires the most study and understanding. Chinese medicine as it is practiced in the West, is much different than how it is practiced in Asia. The contrast is by no means of such nature that delegates CM practice outside of China to an inferior position or of lesser quality. It’s just different; and the dissimilarities affects the mode of practice of both, Western CM practitioners and the practice style of native Chinese medicine doctors who were educated, interned and worked in China and that now practice abroad. Why such differences? While it would be beyond the scope of this article to go into a list of reasons for the contrast between CM in China and the style of CM practiced in the West, a brief look at cultural, education and economic factors may help shed some light on the seeming disparity. Cultural differences are by far the primary reason for the divergence from CM as practiced in China to the style practiced in non Asian countries. First, we must consider the language. Naturally, students of CM in China learn CM in Chinese. And while there has been many translations of Chinese medicine classics into Western languages, there still remains a considerable large body of literature that remains unstranlated and thus unatainable unless one can read Chinese. Chinese Medicine 2007-05-30T19:09:00-05:00 http://fernandobernall.com/index.php/practice/contact_us/ http://fernandobernall.com/index.php/practice/contact_us/#When:16:54:00Z We have moved to 57 South Dixie Highway. A gray house getting a facelift across from the B&B Welding shop.. Keep an open eye and see how I change the house a little bit at a time.. I see patients by appointments only. My phone number is: 904-823-1755. I have voice mail and check my message frequently. Please speak slow and do leave a number where I can reach you. You can contact me by way of email. Just click on: Please include on your subject line the word ‘acupuncture’ or any other term related to my work… Viruses and spam have have made me a lot more cautious and I often delete emails I do not recognize. Please use the above email for questions regarding my work.. I prefer not to make appointments by way of email. The phone is a better medium. I thank you for your interest and look forward to hearing from you.. Best, Fernando Bernall Saint Augustine, FL Contact 2007-05-30T16:54:00-05:00 http://fernandobernall.com/index.php/practice/acupuncture/ http://fernandobernall.com/index.php/practice/acupuncture/#When:12:09:00Z Acupuncture is a branch of Chinese medicine which utilizes fine needles that are painlessly inserted on specific points in the body in an effort to restore balance and to promote the flow of vital energy. The notion that needle stimulation, often in a part of the body far removed from the injured area, can restore health is alien to conventional thinking. However, in 1998, a committee of experts chosen by the National Institute of Health, presented a large body of evidence which attested to acupuncture’s efficacy as a pain relief therapy.  In light of this evidence, the NIH has endorsed acupuncture as an effective treatment for nausea and some types of pain. Years of research, coupled with empirical observation, have demonstrated acupuncture’s benefits to reach far beyond its effect on pain.  Evidence suggests that acupuncture is effective in the treatment of several syndromes including Fibromyalgia, gynecological disorders, drug addiction, and hypertension, to name a few. Acupuncture is a licensed and regulated healthcare profession and practitioners are considered primary care providers the State of Florida.  A large number of insurance companies are taking notice of acupuncture’s benefits and often cover services by licensed practitioners.  Acupuncture 2007-05-30T12:09:00-05:00 http://fernandobernall.com/index.php/practice/about/ http://fernandobernall.com/index.php/practice/about/#When:02:16:00Z My name is Fernando Bernall. I practice Chinese Medicine and other related health modalities. I am licensed in the State of Florida and I’m also a National Board Certified acupuncture practitioner by the NCCAOM. The current focus of my practice is on the treatment of chronic and acute pain as well as sports related injuries. As an herbalist, I also address matters pertaining to internal medicine in particular symptoms related to digestion, sleep disorders and headaches. It is my conviction that the human body tends to gravitate towards a balanced state of health. To this end, we must provide an emotional, organic and physical environment conducive to healing. In an effort to bring about an internal milieu within which restoration of health springs forth, I offer, besides acupuncture and herbal medicine, therapeutic exercises based on ancient Chinese systems of calisthenics such as Tai Chi and Qi Gong. I am also qualified to recommend dietary modifications based on Five Phases Nutritional Therapy® I am also a practitioner of the martial arts. My studies include Korean Hapkido, Tai Chi and Xing Yi. You can learn more about it here. I thank you for visiting and look forward to further dialogue. Fernando Bernall, AP Saint Augustine, FL About 2007-05-30T02:16:00-05:00