by Andres Vergara, LAc, MAc & Michele Collins, RH (AHG), MPH

In Chinese medicine, the spleen and kidneys play an important role in metabolism. We are not referring to the literal and anatomical kidneys and spleens alone. These organs are actually the gross manifestations, two of five of the essential processes or functions our whole selves cycle through on the physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. The spleen represents the function of transformation and digestion and it, working in partnership with the pancreas and stomach, are responsible for converting food and water into fuel and energy that the body can use to sustain itself...

Editor´s Note from Julia Sanfilippo: This is a great article that explains metabolism and weight gain from a Chinese Medicine perspective. The functions of different organ systems are discussed, along with herb and food recommendations to nourish and balance the body.

Acupuncture/TCM

by Francis Treuherz MA, RSHom, FSHom

One day in March, 2002, I was at home with my two sons, aged 3 and 8. Suddenly, I was in extreme agony with pain in my back … or my side …

Editor´s Note from Judith Hanna Doshi: Francis shares his personal experience with kidney stones and how Homeopathy helped him get through the crisis. He used his knowledge and expertise to find a remedy that specifically targeted the formation of stones. In general, however, he advises consulting a homeopath who will find your constitutional remedy to address any issues you might have with stones, nodules or calcifications.

Homeopathy

Editor's Note from Julia Sanfilippo: This is a great news segment on veterinary acupuncture. It describes its use for not only pain control, but for allergies, liver and kidney disease, and many other conditions. Over 1/3 of veterinarians either practice or recommend traditional Chinese medicine to their patients. Amazing!

Acupuncture/TCM

by Judy Hinojosa-Sinks, NMD

The body is composed of water, protein, minerals, and fat. A two-component model of body composition divides the body into a fat component and fat-free component. Body fat is the most variable constituent of the body. The total amount of body fat consists of essential fat and storage fat. Fat in the marrow of bones, in the heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, intestines, muscles, and lipid-rich tissues throughout the central nervous system is called essential fat, whereas fat that accumulates in adipose tissue is called storage fat.

Editor's Note from Rebecca Snowden: Instead of putting so much a focus on weight alone, as so many do, how about thinking about what makes up that weight, for that might make the real difference in how we feel and function. Dr. Hinojosa-Sinks describes ways we can figure out what our body composition is. One such way she discusses is a machine she uses in her office that performs bioelectric impedance analysis to give us these measurements.

Naturopathy

from Lisa Nicholson, Acupuncturist

This recipe is warming and nourishing to the kidney yang. It is useful for fatigue, sluggish digestion, and overall warming. Fennel and cardamom stimulate digestion, helping to break down the meat and potatoes while adding a sweet, aromatic quality to the dish...

Healing Recipes

by David Burrows,
ATH Co-Editor of Massage & Bodywork

In 2011 I returned home from a two month trip to India and Thailand to a cat named Chloe who was distraught, skinny, and had both developed and passed kidney stones during my absence.  A few months passed with her continuing to look distraught and unhealthy and then I decided, after multiple visits to the Veterinarians, to try massage to help her...

Editor´s Note from David Burrows: How I healed my cat through Massage and Homeopathy. Look for a companion video soon showing the massage method I used for Chloe the cat.

Massage & Bodywork

by Judith Orloff, MD

Compassion also provides the crucible for healing miracles to occur. One of my workshop participants told the following story. Two years before, she’d longed to get pregnant but she had a rare, serious type of kidney disease...

Editor's Note from Cathy Alinovi: Judith Orloff, MD has shared with the ATH community how the positive power of the mind can change our world. By surrounding ourselves with persons filled with positive energy, we become so much more. Here, Dr Orloff shares pets have a wonderful place in building a positive outlook; our four-legged friends are committed to our best life, as should we.

Animals & Pets

by Sue Olmos, CTPM, CHP – MEd

It was February, 2003. Katie, a 7 year-old German Shorthair hunting dog had returned home in some apparent discomfort from a long day’s hunting with her owner, Stan. Thinking he could ease her soreness, he gave her some ibuprofen, totally unaware of the fact that the ingredients are toxic to dogs and could lead to kidney failure and death...

Editor's Note from Michael Salewski: This article provides a number of lessons to pet owners. For one, the use of human medications in our pets can often have unintended and terrible consequences. Secondly, that the damage done by "side-effects" is often seen as irreparable, when in fact there may be answers outside of mainstream medicine.

Animals & Pets