TOPIC: "ACUPUNCTURE AND CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE"

The East Bay Headache Support Group met on April 13, 1999 to hear Teri Leichenger speak on the topic of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which includes acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. The meeting was held in the Ball Auditorium at John Muir Medical Center with 19 people in attendance. Ms. Leichenger is a registered nurse, licensed acupuncturist, and certified herbalist.

Ms. Leichenger began by asking how many in the audience were either treated with acupuncture or knew of someone who was, and most of the people in the room raised their hands. She then asked about the experiences of those who had had acupuncture—did it help their condition, or not? Reg Fong answered that it did not help his low back pain. Donna Johnson stated that acupuncture did help her, and Terri Braun said that acupuncture helped her headaches as well as other medical problems. Generally, it seemed some in the audience were helped by acupuncture, and some weren’t.

Ms. Leichenger said she would give us an overview of acupuncture and herbal medicine. But first she asked if any in the audience had any specific concerns that they would like addressed during her talk. One person had a concern about fibromyalgia.

Traditional Chinese Medicine includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, diet, and exercises such as Tai Chi and Qi Gong. It has been practiced in the same way since this medicine was first developed, over 2,000 years ago. It hasn’t changed in all that time, which is comforting to her. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on the theory of Yin (negative energy and forces in the universe and human body) and Yang (positive energy and forces in the universe and body). There is Yin and Yang in everything in nature.

Some words to describe Yin include "dark, cold, moist, downward, night," and words for Yang include "outdoor, active, hot, bright, daytime." The Tai Chi symbol exemplifies Yin and Yang. There is a little bit of Yin (black) in Yang (white) and there is a little bit of Yang in Yin. When Yin is at a maximum, Yang is at a minimum, but it is coming around. In other words, it is the balance of Yin and Yang that keeps us healthy. The main goal of Traditional Chinese Medicine is to balance these two forces within the body, and we do that with acupuncture.

Acupuncture is based on the Chinese theory of chi (energy) and shui (blood), and how these two forces move throughout the body. They move along channels, or meridian pathways. There are 14 regular meridians and many other extra meridians. There is a liver channel, lung channel, heart channel—all manner of organs have own their pathway. There are 365 regular acupuncture points and many others. We can access or tap the chi by putting a needle in a specific point. Each point has its own function related to the meridian. Ms. Leichenger said when she puts a needle in a specific point, sometimes she can feel the energy, like a fish caught on a hook. We can access the chi or blood through various points, and regulate the blood with acupuncture.

Liver stores blood in Chinese medicine, and also regulates the flow of chi through the body (and regulates emotions, as well). The heart is in charge of blood flow and sleeping (dreaming).

The Chinese also believe we as human beings are very connected to nature, so herbal medicine is a big part. Many of the herbs are similar to Western herbs, but many are different.

Herbs affect various channels—they have their own properties that affect varying channels. They work similarly to acupuncture in that they have their own properties, their own functions, their own tastes. Ginseng, a very popular herb, is considered warm, is sweet but also bitter. It goes to the lung and spleen, which are very important. Ginseng is for energy to produce chi, and longevity. Ginseng strengthens organs that are starting to decline.

As an herbalist, Ms. Leichenger said she takes various herbs and puts them into a specific formula according to her patient’s specific condition: Tongue, pulse, symptom picture. The herbalist and acupuncturist works to bring your body into balance and thus heal.

Q: What is the proposed imbalance in the person who suffers from migraines, or migraineur?

A: Ms. Leichenger answered that there is no one way to treat migraines. There are many methods, but one is what she called "liver yang rising."

Q: What do you do with a patient who is taking a number of Western medications and comes to you for treatment?

A: She looks up the function of the medications with the function of her herbs, so there won’t be any conflicts. She stated, though, that many times when she uses both acupuncture and Chinese herbs, the patient’s need for Western medications often decreases.

Q: What about the problem of herbs not being regulated?

A: She answered that she and other practitioners are becoming more aware of which companies produce the best herbs. She said she prefers to use powder formulas that are drunk as a tea by the patient. Regulation is getting tighter now that acupuncture is under inspection.

Q: What about a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine who is from the old school?

A: Ms. Leichenger said that practitioners from the old school are grandfathered in.

Terri Braun in the audience then said that she prefers to be treated by an American who studied acupuncture and herbal medicine, rather than by an older Chinese practitioner.

Q: Ms. Leichenger was asked if she stocks all the Chinese herbs in her office, or does she write a prescription for those she doesn’t have?

A: She said that she dispenses the herbs from her office, although she doesn’t keep all the raw herbs there—her office is small.

Q: Are your powders foul tasting?

A: Ms. Leichenger answered that hers aren’t so bad. She got used to the taste. She said, "If a formula is correct for you, it won’t taste bad after you take it a couple of times." She added that if the formula is for strengthening, it tends to be sweeter, but if for infection, it tends to be bitter.Ms. Leichenger said that as a student of Chinese medicine, she was not supposed to ask questions. She was told to keep an open mind, that it’s just a different way of looking at how the body works.

Let’s talk about headaches specifically. It almost doesn’t matter what you’ve done in the past, and your headache triggers don’t matter. If you’re a patient of hers, she will look at you in a totally different way. She is looking for pain or deficiency. An excess or stagnation causes a sharper pain, and a deficiency brings duller pain. First, Ms. Leichenger takes a complete health history of her patient. All parts of the body are interrelated. Second, she takes the patient’s pulse. There are three pulses on each wrist, which give her a reading on different parts of the body, such as the heart, liver, kidneys, etc. If the patient is in pain, the pulse will be wiry, like a taut guitar string. Third, she looks at the patient’s tongue to check for color, coating, and shape. Fourth, she asks where the head hurts. What happens before, during, and after the headache? Then she makes a Chinese initial diagnosis. If it is a correct diagnosis, most people feel better after the first treatment. Usually it takes four to ten treatments and then a treatment every few months.

Acupuncture works in conjunction with lifestyle changes, such as reducing stress. Herbs are changed until they work for you.

Many of the meridians, or channels, go to the head—the liver, gall bladder, stomach, urinary channels all go to the head. The liver channel starts in the big toe and ends up on top of the head. If the headache is mainly felt at the top of the head and nausea is present, she might put needles in the patient’s foot and in the head. The idea is to move chi through the channel, to open both ends.

The gall bladder channel represents "will." If a one-sided headache, she will try the gall bladder channel, which goes back and forth over the side of the head and down to the foot. This is good for treating sciatica.

If the headache is felt in the back of the head, she will look at the urinary bladder channel. It goes down to the little toe.

She made the statement that "Acupuncture is an energetic medicine."

She shared the story of a 55 year old woman who had suffered with migraines for 10 years. She had daily migraines with extreme nausea, which caused her to lose 50-60 pounds. This woman was visiting California from New York and she had tried many things first (she said that Fioricet worked a little). After her first treatment with acupuncture and herbs, this woman only had one headache in the next week, and she was able to eat. She had 2 headaches in the second week after treatment, and seemed to level off to 2 bad headaches each week, but she could eat now. She considered the treatments as successful.

Q: What percentage of your headache patients have had success with acupuncture?

A: Ms. Leichenger answered that she had a low success rate: 30%. She stated that the longer you’ve had the headaches, the harder it is to relieve the problem. She also said that in Walnut Creek Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture and Chinese herbs) is not as accepted as on the other side of the tunnel (Berkeley and San Francisco).

Q: What are the training and licensing requirements to be an acupuncturist and herbalist? How do you know someone is qualified?

A: To get an accredited license from the state, one must take an intense 4-year training, which includes 900 hours of supervised clinical experience, and pass a California State exam, which is the hardest exam in the country. There is also a national exam (not required). No one can practice in California without this license, even a medical doctor from China. MD’s and nurses don’t have to take all the classes, as they’ve already had some of the anatomy, etc., unless they were grandfathered in.

Q: How does one determine which practitioner to choose?

A: Ms. Leichenger answered the best way is by word of mouth. It’s the same as choosing a Western physician.

Q: Is there a list of acupuncturists and herbalists?

A: The California Association of Oriental Medicine (CAOOM) has a list. "LAc" stands for Licensed Acupuncturist in the State of California. "OMD" stands for Oriental Medical Doctor. For this credential, one must be an LAc first, and then go for further training.

Q: Are there ongoing requirements?

A: She stated that people in her profession have to take 30 continuing education hours every 2 years. They must always be learning.

Q: I know Blue Cross won’t cover acupuncture. What about other insurance companies?

A: Ms. Leichenger said that some insurance companies are starting to cover the treatment at $20 per session. Kaiser Hospital in Vallejo has an acupuncturist, but herbal medicine is not included. She said to submit your claims anyway, it’s worth a try.

Q: Do you use specific codes for diagnosis?

A: Yes. Training is very extensive, and theory is very deep. A lot of physicians have a system that works for them, but she says you need to look at it holistically. Sports injuries: These are easy to treat by taking care of blood and chi stagnation.

Q: On average, how many times do you need to see a patient?

A: It really can’t be averaged. In general, she said about 10 treatments.

Q: How long is a session?

A: Generally 1 hour to 1.5 hours. The first time takes longer. The cost for a treatment ranges from $40 to $120, with an average of $50 to $70. Ms. Leichenger bases her fees on a sliding scale because insurance doesn’t cover it enough.

Q: Does it hurt?

A: The acupuncture treatment shouldn’t hurt. You will feel an initial prick (much less than a beesting), then a little burning sensation, but it shouldn’t hurt. She stated that sometimes she can feel the chi grab the needle after inserting it into a patient.

Q: How many needles are used?

A: It depends on the patient. If a weak person, maybe only 4 needles will be used.

Q: Do you use moxa?

A: Yes. Moxa is an herb called mugwort (very grassy and sticky). Ms. Leichenger said she uses a warm needle if the patient is a cold person. Moxabustion warms the point of the needle. "Cupping" is when she takes a glass cup and puts a flame in the cup to suck out the oxygen, and the immediately puts the cup on the skin to form a strong suction. This sucks out the cold (EVIL). It is good for a bad back.

Q: Do you use electrical current?

A: Yes. We use 2 needles on one side of the body. You never cross the body with current because it is dangerous. Using electrical current makes chi stimulation stronger.

Q: How would you treat fibromyalgia?

A: Ms. Leichenger answered she would treat it as she sees it, as a holistic system.

Q: Have you thought about going to China to be trained by a grand master?

A: She answered, "It’s not feasible for me now, but I’d like to."

Q: With your training in nursing, how did you get into Traditional Chinese Medicine?

A: Ms. Leichenger said that she got fed up with Western medicine—there are so many things that Western medicine can’t fix, and they just take your money. She was receiving acupuncture, found a book about it, and was enthralled. It’s ancient, and it’s the same as it always has been for 2,000 or 3,000 years. It works. She said she was drawn to it—she likes the holistic aspect of it.

Q: At what age is acupuncture appropriate?

A: At any age—no age is too young or too old. Ms. Leichenger has children as patients all the time. Few acupuncturists in America treat babies, but babies are treated in China.

Q: Are there better herbs to look for?

A: She answered that you shouldn’t just start taking herbs. See an herbalist first. You could make your condition worse if you take the wrong herb. She does free phone consultations—call her or another herbalist. A lot of American companies are getting into the herb business. A brand called "Health Concerns" is one that she trusts more than others.

Ms. Leichenger brought a number of herb samples to show the group. She explained that safflower is warm in nature, it moves the blood. Another herb was lovage root. Corialis rhyzome is a classic herb for pain. Salvia root is traditionally used for heart conditions. Another one was immature peel of dried orange.

Ms. Leichenger then ended her formal presentation and passed out brochures describing acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, which are attached. She can be reached at (925) 939-9340.

 The intention of the East Bay Headache Support Group is to provide information and resources. It does not provide medical advice, which should be obtained directly from a physician.