Chinese Medicine

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Therapies

My practice consists of Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Asian bodywork including Shiatsu and Tuina, Five Element Nutritional Therapy^SM, 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