I am obsessed with fascia these days. Fascia is the glue that’s holding us all together.

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Hello everyone, my name is Dr. Shellie Goldstein. I’m here in Florida. Today’s lecture is called Fascia. So thank you so much to the American Acupuncture Council for allowing me to be here today and presenting this topic to you. So let’s go to the slides.

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One of the things that has become very obvious to me these days is the synergy of Eastern and western medicine. And I do firmly believe that integrating eastern and western medicine in today’s healthcare system is both multifaceted effort. It’s on both of our parts, Eastern and western practitioners.

It requires collaboration, education, research, and certainly cultural sensitivity. And when we are able to perform these responsibilities the potential is enormous for both patients, but also . For us as well for the patients. It provides a broader range of treatment options and more personalized care.

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And then when we as eastern medicine practitioners begin to understand Western medical concepts we find that not only do the patients benefit, but we do as well because recognizing and understanding these parallels of each of those systems can . Absolutely lead to an enhanced professional collaboration and improved patient care, which is so important today because as Eastern medicine practitioners, this is our time.

This is our time to join Western medical practitioners in an integrative care modality to Bri be to improve the quality of healthcare and to bring forward. A much broader range of treatment options for both the patients and the practitioners as well. That is what brings me to this topic of fascia.

I am obsessed with fascia these days. Fascia is the glue that’s holding us all together. It’s the, from a modern anatomical and physiological. peRspective we see it both as fascia from a Western medical perspective, and in our world as Eastern medicine practitioners, we see it as the concept of Jji or the Sinu channels.

And when we talk about Jji, what we’re talking about is the network of pathways related to both . Muscles, tendons, and all of the other connective tissue that keeps us connected in the body. One is fascia. From a Western medical perspective, it’s a form of connective tissue. It contains collagen fibers, Alaskan fibers, and what we call ground substance.

And so ground substance is what keeps it all together, keeps it nice and moist. So you think about . Fascia is this tactile network of tissue that both surrounds every muscle organ, vessel bone and nerve fiber. But it also connects the horizontal planes from bone to the surface of the skin. So it surrounds and protects, but it also connects and it’s three dimensional.

As you can see of this image, it moves back and forth. It provides the structural integrity, the stability, and the flexibility of our body to move and be fluid in its movement. And it also allows us to move in a multi-directional and multi-dimensional plane so that we, our fluids are, our movements are nice and fluid.

One muscle doesn’t move and then mu another independently find the movement of another muscle so that there’s this schism of muscle contraction. But it’s that fluid movement that allows us to move through the different multi-dimensional planes upward, downward, inside outward, and then running through these planes.

Of fascia are nerves, and in that sense, not only do we have movement, but we have sensation. There are so many nerve endings or nerves that run through the fascial planes that it is almost as sensitive as touch on the surface of our skin. That’s how sensitive and acute our fascial system is. It is both affected by internal muscle activity and external, say, gravity and movement.

And so as these systems come into play, both our muscle contractions and the weight of external bearing systems, uh, it allows that transmission and that dispersion. Of that through the neck fascial network and then also through its visel properties. It helps to move us in one direction or another. So for example, if someone holds onto your arm and pulls, it’s not just your arm muscle that’s gonna pull, but your whole body is going move along with that.

With that pull or with that movement to compensate both movement in one direction and stabilize that movement in ano in another direction. And when we have our body moving in ni in a nice fluid system such as the fascial system, it actually helps to minimize the amount of energy that’s utilized throughout each singular or connected movement.

Fascia protects the integrity of the body and helps prevent or minimize local stress within a specific muscle joint or a bone. For example, if you have tightness in say, one area, it the ability for the fascial network to move and to break through that tightness allows the body to minimize that local stress.

Also to absorb that localized stress and move it through the body to release that, that tension or that stress. Think of it as the Terminator, right? Think of the Terminator Revisited. I. Think of what if the Terminator was just an individual subset of parts and there was this gap filler, this structure that was stayed in, in, in the, in those empty spaces and it just

Filled the space. That’s not what fascia is. Fascia is actually what we’ve been talking about. That ability for this entire elastic contractual signaling, whole body signaling network to move the body in a very fluid dynamic and structure so we can run faster, jump higher, and be more efficient in our movements.

There are multiple types of fascia. There’s superficial fascia. That’s what’s on the surface of our body, and it’s a very loose layer. It’s very wet, and it is made up of fat. Adipose tissue collagen and elastin fibers, and that ground substance or hyaluronic acid keeps that superficial fascia nice and loose and sticky so that its job is to actually attach the superficial and horizontal planes so that you get this smooth.

Flow between the different horizontal layers so that there’s no friction or tension. Its job is more to stabilize and connect these structures, whereas deeper fascia, I. Has much more fibrous and its job is to cover the different structures, bones, muscles, nerves, and vessels, and protect ’em. So it’s job is to actually absorb contraction.

There. If the body, say for example, if you start to fall, the fascia that surrounds the different muscles and tissues will contract right before you, you fall. In order to support the muscles and contain those muscles. So the difference being that the deeper fascia is protective, it’s contracting and it holds everything together, whereas the superficial is more of a connection, so it connects the different layers together.

aLso deep fascia has receptors that signal the sensation of pain, right? You land hard when you fall, and the body absorbs that shock. Feels that sensation sends it to the brain to signal the brain that something is occurring in that particular area, and then the brain can respond accordingly. And then deep deep into the pockets or the cavities of our body.

We have the visceral and the parietal fascia, and again, these are more loose, connective air, irregular tissue. That’s sub, that has that fat and that liquid hyaluronic acid in it and its job is to surround and protect the internal organs. The visceral fascia surrounds the organs and the AAL cavity, the lungs and the heart, whereas the parietal fascia lines the wall area of the pelvis.

Now what’s interesting and what’s most relevant for the conversation that we’re having today is the relationship between what we’re calling myofascial slings. So the myofascial slings are different planes that work together to create mobility and stability. So they are dense bands, as you can see, the superficial front sling, the superficial back sling, the lateral swing, the.

Spiral and the deep front swing. They’re bands that run from the back to the front of the body, shoulder to the contralateral hip, and their job is to play an int integral role in coordinating con control, coordination and control movement sequencing, and the integration or the kinetic movement that involves the transfer of force.

From the upper to the lower aspects of the body and extremities. So think of them as the slings that support and allow movement of the body. What’s interesting for us is these slings are ve are directly related to what we call our gene gen or sinu channels. These are not the Jing low. These are the sinu or muscle channels that are described separately from the jingo.

So the Jing gin channels incorporate the Sinu channels, the channel sinus, the muscle meridians, and the muscle conduits, or tender muscular meridians. They’re found in Theen. In Theen Chapter 43. It says that whey or defensive chi is formed from food or drink. It cannot travel within the vessels, but flows between the skin and the muscles.

It circulates through the chest and remains outside of the channels and vessels. Now Ma, Chicha then takes this information and combines it with the information that’s found in chapter 13 of the Ling Shoe. He says that the connective tissue of the limbs is either muscle or sinew in Chinese medicine.

Fascia in limbs, sinus, or muscles are both called gin. Therefore, muscle gin is the muscle channels inclusive of fascia, cartilage, tendon, and ligaments. And then he says that they’re discussed in chapter 13 of the Ling Shoe called Jin Gin Channel like muscles or muscles of the channels. And then in the link shoe in chapter 13.

The reference that he’s referring to is the statement that the pathology of sinus cause pain, tightness, and fla, acidity, and even impairs movement. So again, there’s this correlation of this band that we call Jji that is specific to movement and the coordination of muscle and tendon movement within the body.

And also founded by the research of Helen l Langevin at the University of Vermont. She suggests an overlap between fascia and the traditional Chinese medicine concept of channels or collaterals. Now she combines Jing Jin and Jing Lo. But ’cause what she’s saying is that she and her colleagues notice that the insertion and the attachments of the muscles and fascia create cleavages or lines that pull like the grain of in wood.

And then she says that the, there are many acupuncture points that lie directly over that area in these fascial cleavages, where the sheets of fascia diverge to separate, surround and support the muscle bundle, similar to the deeper fascia that we’ve been referring to. And then according to Langerman, the yang chi is said to flow in those spaces between the organs, the bones, and the flesh.

Now what’s fascinating is we, as our, and when we think of our Jji channels, we have CH 12 channels, six paired channels, the Ang Sinu, the Young M Sinu, the Young Chao tie in Cha Andan Sin Channels. If you look at the trajectory of those channels, they’re very similar to the fascial slings. So you can see them in, in this image is the similarities be between them.

But then if you look at this image, you can actually see the direct correlation between the specifics of the slings and the superficial lines of the sinu channels. So you see the superficial back and the urinary bladder channels are very similar. The frontline and the stomach channel are, have overlapping similarities.

And then the deep back arm line, the small is correlates with the small intestines in new channel and the hearts in new channel. The superficial back arm line corresponds with the. Triple burner sinu and the large intestine senu channel. And then if you look in the similarities between the lateral line and the gallbladder senu channel, they’re almost identical.

And then again, through the deep front line. We see overlapping correspondences between the liver sinu channel, the kidney sinu channel, the spleen sinu, and the spleen sinu channel. And then again, lastly, the deep front arm line corresponds to the lung sinu channel and the heart sinu channel. And the superficial front arm line is very similar to the pericardium Sinu channels.

So you can see that the planes of these channels very much o overlap with one another. So when we compare the similarities between Jing, Jin, and Fascia, we see that from a conceptual and anatomical and functional perspective, there are certain parallels between the Jji and Chinese medicine and Western medicine.

And that the myofascial system can be observed in their roles as connective tissue networks that support connect and influence body movement. And even though they’re described differently in our medical frameworks, they both recognize the importance of these pathways in maintaining health, um, both in terms of structural support.

In Chinese medicine, we see them in terms of our . Our support, movement and stability of the skeletal system we see in Chinese medicine, the concept of pain and dysfunction are attributed to our blockages or imbalances in the flow of Q and blood. And we know that from our Jing Jinen meridians, they’re thought to be responsible for the smooth circulation of vital energies.

And when there’s an obstruction in the sinew channels, it can lead to musculoskeletal problems, pain, and a decreased s ability to provide support to the body. And then we see the very similarities in Western medicine and western an anatomy. Same recognition of connective tissue that envelops impacts the muscles, the organs, the blood vessels, the nerves and other structures, and that same three dimensional network or support system throughout the body.

And similarly, I. When there are obstructions or disturbances in the myofascial slings in the fascial system, it leads to musculoskeletal problems, pain, and a decreased ability to provide structural support. We also see that similarity in the ability of the Jing gin and fass that. To movement and mechanical transmission.

So the gene gin acts as a conduit for smooth flow of chi and blood throughout the body and supporting that movement. Where is in western medicine, it’s the fascia that facilitates that smooth mood and colliding action. Between the adjacent structures we see there’s this interconnection. So we see in Chinese medicine, we understand that connection between everything, that continuous flow of chi and blood through the meridians and the vessels that are believed to nourish and support the organs and the tissues.

And we also understand that blockages or imbalances in this flow lead to health problems. And then we also correlate that interconnection integration by understanding the com, the emotional component of both pain, but also trauma into those jji affecting the specific organ system separately. Although the JJI does not necessarily refer to the organ systems, we know.

That there is an interconnection and integration in all the body parts with the deeper senses of emotion in our being. And then in Western medicine they think of this interconnection and integration more in terms of movement. But again, we all recognize the emotional component of it. . And then there’s the understanding of the parallel between gin and fascia in terms of pain and the perception of pain.

So we know from our functional MRI studies in that acupuncture’s ability to influence the brain’s activity in regions associated with pain perception, motor control and mood regulation. And we know . That acupuncture has been shown to activate the release of pain relieving endorphins. By modulating these pain perceptions we can, with acupuncture, we can reduce pain, improve mobility, and ease emotional related discomfort.

The same with in Western medicine, they may not use acupuncture, but there is that innate understanding that fascia contains sensory receptors, propria receptors, and neuro. No e receptors at which contribute to the somatic sensation appropriate adoption. In our Chinese medicine, we see pain in terms of B syndrome and we, and from our understanding of the gene gym, they’re not, although they’re not related to individual organs we do know that they.

Pain itself is what flows through the concept of pain or what we call B or painful obstruction syndrome. Pain, soreness, numbness of the muscles and tend tendons and joints. Rose runs through our Jing gym and we know that acupuncture improves and accelerates that flow of QE and blood within the Jing Gen to alleviate B syndrome, ands, restore proper function.

Now, although the a Jing Jin does not have acupuncture points, those acupuncture points lie along the Jing low. But we know that the Jing Jin and the Jing Low run in parallel. So we use the Jing low points. In order to affect the Jing, Jin Meridians and classical treatment strategies will include primarily we think of the Jing well points.

We also know that there are those four meeting points that are organized, the channels, and regardless of there being an arm, a leg or re or upper or lower uh, we know that CV three. Is for the three Li in channels small intestine. 18 for the three young channels. . Stomach eight or GB 13, depending upon the source for the three young channels of the arm and gallbladder 22 for the three yin channels of the arm.

And we also have realized that those anatomical locations of these specific points are similar to the histological nodes and convergent points of different myofascial planes. So there’s a another correlation there. In terms of treatment, we generally use the ASHI points, or those are the points when you palpate someone and they go, ah, , those are our Ashi points.

trIgger points. Those are those discreet local, hyper irritable spots along a band. So although the pain may be felt in a different area, it’s the, that one trigger point is the referral pain that accompanies this musculoskeletal discomfort. Or we use motor points. And motor points are the site where the motor nerve first pierces the muscle belly.

It’s also known as the MEP of the motor nerve point. And so those are those are the points that are very, a little bit larger in diameter. They carry a greater quantity of motor and sensory sensations and so those are great points for treatment as well. Other forms of treatment include cupping, are guhan.

So let me give you an example of what I’m talking about. Here’s a case study, and this is a hypothetical case study of a 47-year-old male patient presenting with a three-year history of plantar fascitis. He complains of excruciating sharp burning pain on the soles of his feet that would come and go.

The right foot was worse than the left and the right hamstringing. Lower back sous and medial head of the gastric Venus were very tight, and then that pain and upon palpation extended to the medial head of the area of the kidney. Now the patient said that he was not aware of any other physical or digestive disturbances, but upon palpation what we find is that, or are looking at his tongue and pulse, that his pulse was wiring and deep in the both proximal positions and tongue pale with red tips.

So what does that tell us? It tells us that although we are treating. The pain it through the jji. And in our situation, given this case study, this is the T Young Sinu channel or what we call the superficial backline from a Western medical perspective. But we also can tell that from his tongue and from his pulse that he has a little bit of underlying kidney deficiency.

So we’re gonna treat the stagnation in the bladder meridian of the TA Yang Sinu channel. That’s our primary treatment. We may support the kidney treat deficiency because as Chinese medicine practitioners, we’re always looking for that under root cause, but the primary treatment. Is the stagnation and the taang sinu channel.

The treatment is to resolve that stagnation in the bladder meridian of the taang channel and then all, and then to the secondarily, we’re gonna nourish kidney chii and chi and blood of the kidneys. So these are points that we might use that would support both the Tay Young Sinu channel treatment and then supporting the underlying kidney deficiency.

And from a Western perspective, what they were gonna do is a very similar thing. So Mo you see a lot of these points. Bladder 40, 60, 56, 57. 67, 37 all are along the bladder meridian, and then we are supporting . The underlying systems with kidney six, liver three, and spleen six. But as a western medical practitioner treating the back line, what I would do is use trigger points or different types of treatments to pressure with pressure to release the that medial gastric muscle so the patient gets treated, he comes back.

A week later are reporting that a significant reduction and there’s a significant reduction in his pain along the under sole area. But he still has some tight calves and a little bit of tightness in the right hip, which would make sense by looking at both the back sling and the CNU channel. So the next two treatments.

We’re going to incorporate the following points, gallbladder 29 34, and these are designed to release the tights around the hips. Again, we’re treating that sling or that’s sin new channel. And then after three treatments, his musculoskeletal problems significantly improved and he was able to mean. Remain pain-free by regular home care treatment.

And then if he were to go for physical therapy or western treatment, they would do a similar thing. They would treat, continue to treat that medial gastric ne emus area with including the antola lateral zone of the leg and the pelvis. So you see the similarity there. With us treating the channels and then in western medical treatments, the slings.

So there’s a lot of overlap here. And again, going back to the similarities of who we are, both from Eastern West and the importance of understanding. Both the Eastern and Western I do believe that we’re in the right time right now to be able to bring the eastern western medicine together and to make a huge difference and improve the health of our patients by offering a lot more opportunity and options.

So thank you so much for today’s presentation. Thank you to the American Acupuncture Council for allowing me to be here. It’s always a pleasure. And have a wonderful day and take care of those slings. All righty, take care. Bye. .

of Eastern and western medicine. And I do firmly believe that integrating eastern and western medicine in today’s healthcare system is both multifaceted effort. It’s on both of our parts, Eastern and western practitioners.

It requires collaboration, education, research, and certainly cultural sensitivity. And when we are able to perform these responsibilities the potential is enormous for both patients, but also . For us as well for the patients. It provides a broader range of treatment options and more personalized care.

And then when we as eastern medicine practitioners begin to understand Western medical concepts we find that not only do the patients benefit, but we do as well because recognizing and understanding these parallels of each of those systems can . Absolutely lead to an enhanced professional collaboration and improved patient care, which is so important today because as Eastern medicine practitioners, this is our time.

This is our time to join Western medical practitioners in an integrative care modality to Bri be to improve the quality of healthcare and to bring forward. A much broader range of treatment options for both the patients and the practitioners as well. That is what brings me to this topic of fascia.

I am obsessed with fascia these days. Fascia is the glue that’s holding us all together. It’s the, from a modern anatomical and physiological. peRspective we see it both as fascia from a Western medical perspective, and in our world as Eastern medicine practitioners, we see it as the concept of Jji or the Sinu channels.

And when we talk about Jji, what we’re talking about is the network of pathways related to both . Muscles, tendons, and all of the other connective tissue that keeps us connected in the body. One is fascia. From a Western medical perspective, it’s a form of connective tissue. It contains collagen fibers, Alaskan fibers, and what we call ground substance.

And so ground substance is what keeps it all together, keeps it nice and moist. So you think about . Fascia is this tactile network of tissue that both surrounds every muscle organ, vessel bone and nerve fiber. But it also connects the horizontal planes from bone to the surface of the skin. So it surrounds and protects, but it also connects and it’s three dimensional.

As you can see of this image, it moves back and forth. It provides the structural integrity, the stability, and the flexibility of our body to move and be fluid in its movement. And it also allows us to move in a multi-directional and multi-dimensional plane so that we, our fluids are, our movements are nice and fluid.

One muscle doesn’t move and then mu another independently find the movement of another muscle so that there’s this schism of muscle contraction. But it’s that fluid movement that allows us to move through the different multi-dimensional planes upward, downward, inside outward, and then running through these planes.

Of fascia are nerves, and in that sense, not only do we have movement, but we have sensation. There are so many nerve endings or nerves that run through the fascial planes that it is almost as sensitive as touch on the surface of our skin. That’s how sensitive and acute our fascial system is. It is both affected by internal muscle activity and external, say, gravity and movement.

And so as these systems come into play, both our muscle contractions and the weight of external bearing systems, uh, it allows that transmission and that dispersion. Of that through the neck fascial network and then also through its visel properties. It helps to move us in one direction or another. So for example, if someone holds onto your arm and pulls, it’s not just your arm muscle that’s gonna pull, but your whole body is going move along with that.

With that pull or with that movement to compensate both movement in one direction and stabilize that movement in ano in another direction. And when we have our body moving in ni in a nice fluid system such as the fascial system, it actually helps to minimize the amount of energy that’s utilized throughout each singular or connected movement.

Fascia protects the integrity of the body and helps prevent or minimize local stress within a specific muscle joint or a bone. For example, if you have tightness in say, one area, it the ability for the fascial network to move and to break through that tightness allows the body to minimize that local stress.

Also to absorb that localized stress and move it through the body to release that, that tension or that stress. Think of it as the Terminator, right? Think of the Terminator Revisited. I. Think of what if the Terminator was just an individual subset of parts and there was this gap filler, this structure that was stayed in, in, in the, in those empty spaces and it just

Filled the space. That’s not what fascia is. Fascia is actually what we’ve been talking about. That ability for this entire elastic contractual signaling, whole body signaling network to move the body in a very fluid dynamic and structure so we can run faster, jump higher, and be more efficient in our movements.

There are multiple types of fascia. There’s superficial fascia. That’s what’s on the surface of our body, and it’s a very loose layer. It’s very wet, and it is made up of fat. Adipose tissue collagen and elastin fibers, and that ground substance or hyaluronic acid keeps that superficial fascia nice and loose and sticky so that its job is to actually attach the superficial and horizontal planes so that you get this smooth.

Flow between the different horizontal layers so that there’s no friction or tension. Its job is more to stabilize and connect these structures, whereas deeper fascia, I. Has much more fibrous and its job is to cover the different structures, bones, muscles, nerves, and vessels, and protect ’em. So it’s job is to actually absorb contraction.

There. If the body, say for example, if you start to fall, the fascia that surrounds the different muscles and tissues will contract right before you, you fall. In order to support the muscles and contain those muscles. So the difference being that the deeper fascia is protective, it’s contracting and it holds everything together, whereas the superficial is more of a connection, so it connects the different layers together.

aLso deep fascia has receptors that signal the sensation of pain, right? You land hard when you fall, and the body absorbs that shock. Feels that sensation sends it to the brain to signal the brain that something is occurring in that particular area, and then the brain can respond accordingly. And then deep deep into the pockets or the cavities of our body.

We have the visceral and the parietal fascia, and again, these are more loose, connective air, irregular tissue. That’s sub, that has that fat and that liquid hyaluronic acid in it and its job is to surround and protect the internal organs. The visceral fascia surrounds the organs and the AAL cavity, the lungs and the heart, whereas the parietal fascia lines the wall area of the pelvis.

Now what’s interesting and what’s most relevant for the conversation that we’re having today is the relationship between what we’re calling myofascial slings. So the myofascial slings are different planes that work together to create mobility and stability. So they are dense bands, as you can see, the superficial front sling, the superficial back sling, the lateral swing, the.

Spiral and the deep front swing. They’re bands that run from the back to the front of the body, shoulder to the contralateral hip, and their job is to play an int integral role in coordinating con control, coordination and control movement sequencing, and the integration or the kinetic movement that involves the transfer of force.

From the upper to the lower aspects of the body and extremities. So think of them as the slings that support and allow movement of the body. What’s interesting for us is these slings are ve are directly related to what we call our gene gen or sinu channels. These are not the Jing low. These are the sinu or muscle channels that are described separately from the jingo.

So the Jing gin channels incorporate the Sinu channels, the channel sinus, the muscle meridians, and the muscle conduits, or tender muscular meridians. They’re found in Theen. In Theen Chapter 43. It says that whey or defensive chi is formed from food or drink. It cannot travel within the vessels, but flows between the skin and the muscles.

It circulates through the chest and remains outside of the channels and vessels. Now Ma, Chicha then takes this information and combines it with the information that’s found in chapter 13 of the Ling Shoe. He says that the connective tissue of the limbs is either muscle or sinew in Chinese medicine.

Fascia in limbs, sinus, or muscles are both called gin. Therefore, muscle gin is the muscle channels inclusive of fascia, cartilage, tendon, and ligaments. And then he says that they’re discussed in chapter 13 of the Ling Shoe called Jin Gin Channel like muscles or muscles of the channels. And then in the link shoe in chapter 13.

The reference that he’s referring to is the statement that the pathology of sinus cause pain, tightness, and fla, acidity, and even impairs movement. So again, there’s this correlation of this band that we call Jji that is specific to movement and the coordination of muscle and tendon movement within the body.

And also founded by the research of Helen l Langevin at the University of Vermont. She suggests an overlap between fascia and the traditional Chinese medicine concept of channels or collaterals. Now she combines Jing Jin and Jing Lo. But ’cause what she’s saying is that she and her colleagues notice that the insertion and the attachments of the muscles and fascia create cleavages or lines that pull like the grain of in wood.

And then she says that the, there are many acupuncture points that lie directly over that area in these fascial cleavages, where the sheets of fascia diverge to separate, surround and support the muscle bundle, similar to the deeper fascia that we’ve been referring to. And then according to Langerman, the yang chi is said to flow in those spaces between the organs, the bones, and the flesh.

Now what’s fascinating is we, as our, and when we think of our Jji channels, we have CH 12 channels, six paired channels, the Ang Sinu, the Young M Sinu, the Young Chao tie in Cha Andan Sin Channels. If you look at the trajectory of those channels, they’re very similar to the fascial slings. So you can see them in, in this image is the similarities be between them.

But then if you look at this image, you can actually see the direct correlation between the specifics of the slings and the superficial lines of the sinu channels. So you see the superficial back and the urinary bladder channels are very similar. The frontline and the stomach channel are, have overlapping similarities.

And then the deep back arm line, the small is correlates with the small intestines in new channel and the hearts in new channel. The superficial back arm line corresponds with the. Triple burner sinu and the large intestine senu channel. And then if you look in the similarities between the lateral line and the gallbladder senu channel, they’re almost identical.

And then again, through the deep front line. We see overlapping correspondences between the liver sinu channel, the kidney sinu channel, the spleen sinu, and the spleen sinu channel. And then again, lastly, the deep front arm line corresponds to the lung sinu channel and the heart sinu channel. And the superficial front arm line is very similar to the pericardium Sinu channels.

So you can see that the planes of these channels very much o overlap with one another. So when we compare the similarities between Jing, Jin, and Fascia, we see that from a conceptual and anatomical and functional perspective, there are certain parallels between the Jji and Chinese medicine and Western medicine.

And that the myofascial system can be observed in their roles as connective tissue networks that support connect and influence body movement. And even though they’re described differently in our medical frameworks, they both recognize the importance of these pathways in maintaining health, um, both in terms of structural support.

In Chinese medicine, we see them in terms of our . Our support, movement and stability of the skeletal system we see in Chinese medicine, the concept of pain and dysfunction are attributed to our blockages or imbalances in the flow of Q and blood. And we know that from our Jing Jinen meridians, they’re thought to be responsible for the smooth circulation of vital energies.

And when there’s an obstruction in the sinew channels, it can lead to musculoskeletal problems, pain, and a decreased s ability to provide support to the body. And then we see the very similarities in Western medicine and western an anatomy. Same recognition of connective tissue that envelops impacts the muscles, the organs, the blood vessels, the nerves and other structures, and that same three dimensional network or support system throughout the body.

And similarly, I. When there are obstructions or disturbances in the myofascial slings in the fascial system, it leads to musculoskeletal problems, pain, and a decreased ability to provide structural support. We also see that similarity in the ability of the Jing gin and fass that. To movement and mechanical transmission.

So the gene gin acts as a conduit for smooth flow of chi and blood throughout the body and supporting that movement. Where is in western medicine, it’s the fascia that facilitates that smooth mood and colliding action. Between the adjacent structures we see there’s this interconnection. So we see in Chinese medicine, we understand that connection between everything, that continuous flow of chi and blood through the meridians and the vessels that are believed to nourish and support the organs and the tissues.

And we also understand that blockages or imbalances in this flow lead to health problems. And then we also correlate that interconnection integration by understanding the com, the emotional component of both pain, but also trauma into those jji affecting the specific organ system separately. Although the JJI does not necessarily refer to the organ systems, we know.

That there is an interconnection and integration in all the body parts with the deeper senses of emotion in our being. And then in Western medicine they think of this interconnection and integration more in terms of movement. But again, we all recognize the emotional component of it. . And then there’s the understanding of the parallel between gin and fascia in terms of pain and the perception of pain.

So we know from our functional MRI studies in that acupuncture’s ability to influence the brain’s activity in regions associated with pain perception, motor control and mood regulation. And we know . That acupuncture has been shown to activate the release of pain relieving endorphins. By modulating these pain perceptions we can, with acupuncture, we can reduce pain, improve mobility, and ease emotional related discomfort.

The same with in Western medicine, they may not use acupuncture, but there is that innate understanding that fascia contains sensory receptors, propria receptors, and neuro. No e receptors at which contribute to the somatic sensation appropriate adoption. In our Chinese medicine, we see pain in terms of B syndrome and we, and from our understanding of the gene gym, they’re not, although they’re not related to individual organs we do know that they.

Pain itself is what flows through the concept of pain or what we call B or painful obstruction syndrome. Pain, soreness, numbness of the muscles and tend tendons and joints. Rose runs through our Jing gym and we know that acupuncture improves and accelerates that flow of QE and blood within the Jing Gen to alleviate B syndrome, ands, restore proper function.

Now, although the a Jing Jin does not have acupuncture points, those acupuncture points lie along the Jing low. But we know that the Jing Jin and the Jing Low run in parallel. So we use the Jing low points. In order to affect the Jing, Jin Meridians and classical treatment strategies will include primarily we think of the Jing well points.

We also know that there are those four meeting points that are organized, the channels, and regardless of there being an arm, a leg or re or upper or lower uh, we know that CV three. Is for the three Li in channels small intestine. 18 for the three young channels. . Stomach eight or GB 13, depending upon the source for the three young channels of the arm and gallbladder 22 for the three yin channels of the arm.

And we also have realized that those anatomical locations of these specific points are similar to the histological nodes and convergent points of different myofascial planes. So there’s a another correlation there. In terms of treatment, we generally use the ASHI points, or those are the points when you palpate someone and they go, ah, , those are our Ashi points.

trIgger points. Those are those discreet local, hyper irritable spots along a band. So although the pain may be felt in a different area, it’s the, that one trigger point is the referral pain that accompanies this musculoskeletal discomfort. Or we use motor points. And motor points are the site where the motor nerve first pierces the muscle belly.

It’s also known as the MEP of the motor nerve point. And so those are those are the points that are very, a little bit larger in diameter. They carry a greater quantity of motor and sensory sensations and so those are great points for treatment as well. Other forms of treatment include cupping, are guhan.

So let me give you an example of what I’m talking about. Here’s a case study, and this is a hypothetical case study of a 47-year-old male patient presenting with a three-year history of plantar fascitis. He complains of excruciating sharp burning pain on the soles of his feet that would come and go.

The right foot was worse than the left and the right hamstringing. Lower back sous and medial head of the gastric Venus were very tight, and then that pain and upon palpation extended to the medial head of the area of the kidney. Now the patient said that he was not aware of any other physical or digestive disturbances, but upon palpation what we find is that, or are looking at his tongue and pulse, that his pulse was wiring and deep in the both proximal positions and tongue pale with red tips.

So what does that tell us? It tells us that although we are treating. The pain it through the jji. And in our situation, given this case study, this is the T Young Sinu channel or what we call the superficial backline from a Western medical perspective. But we also can tell that from his tongue and from his pulse that he has a little bit of underlying kidney deficiency.

So we’re gonna treat the stagnation in the bladder meridian of the TA Yang Sinu channel. That’s our primary treatment. We may support the kidney treat deficiency because as Chinese medicine practitioners, we’re always looking for that under root cause, but the primary treatment. Is the stagnation and the taang sinu channel.

The treatment is to resolve that stagnation in the bladder meridian of the taang channel and then all, and then to the secondarily, we’re gonna nourish kidney chii and chi and blood of the kidneys. So these are points that we might use that would support both the Tay Young Sinu channel treatment and then supporting the underlying kidney deficiency.

And from a Western perspective, what they were gonna do is a very similar thing. So Mo you see a lot of these points. Bladder 40, 60, 56, 57. 67, 37 all are along the bladder meridian, and then we are supporting . The underlying systems with kidney six, liver three, and spleen six. But as a western medical practitioner treating the back line, what I would do is use trigger points or different types of treatments to pressure with pressure to release the that medial gastric muscle so the patient gets treated, he comes back.

A week later are reporting that a significant reduction and there’s a significant reduction in his pain along the under sole area. But he still has some tight calves and a little bit of tightness in the right hip, which would make sense by looking at both the back sling and the CNU channel. So the next two treatments.

We’re going to incorporate the following points, gallbladder 29 34, and these are designed to release the tights around the hips. Again, we’re treating that sling or that’s sin new channel. And then after three treatments, his musculoskeletal problems significantly improved and he was able to mean. Remain pain-free by regular home care treatment.

And then if he were to go for physical therapy or western treatment, they would do a similar thing. They would treat, continue to treat that medial gastric ne emus area with including the antola lateral zone of the leg and the pelvis. So you see the similarity there. With us treating the channels and then in western medical treatments, the slings.

So there’s a lot of overlap here. And again, going back to the similarities of who we are, both from Eastern West and the importance of understanding. Both the Eastern and Western I do believe that we’re in the right time right now to be able to bring the eastern western medicine together and to make a huge difference and improve the health of our patients by offering a lot more opportunity and options.

So thank you so much for today’s presentation. Thank you to the American Acupuncture Council for allowing me to be here. It’s always a pleasure. And have a wonderful day and take care of those slings. All righty, take care. Bye. .

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Acupuncture Malpractice Insurance – Hyaluronic Acid: The Key to Hydrated Youthful Skin

Hyaluronic acid is a natural. Substance found in the body. It’s present in large concentrations in the skin where it helps keep complexion hydrated. And plumped, we hear about hyaluronic acid a lot in our social media and regular world today.

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Disclaimer: The following is an actual transcript. We do our best to make sure the transcript is as accurate as possible, however, it may contain spelling or grammatical errors. Due to the unique language of acupuncture, there will be errors, so we suggest you watch the video while reading the transcript.

Hi, my name is Dr. Shellie Goldstein. I am here today from Florida. We are going to talk about hyaluronic acid and I wanna thank the American Acupuncture Council for allowing me to give this very exciting presentation today. So let’s go to the slides. Hyaluronic acid, the KE to hydrated youthful skin.

And for those of us in Florida, this is very important, but it’s also important for everybody as you’re about to see, what is hyaluronic acid? Hyaluronic acid is a natural. Substance found in the body. It’s present in large concentrations in the skin where it helps keep complexion hydrated. And plumped, we hear about hyaluronic acid a lot in our social media and regular world today.

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What you may or may not know about hyaluronic acid is it’s a humectant. And what is a humectant hum? A humectant is a protein or a substance that actually draws moisture from the environment, whether it’s from the air or from the water or wherever you are. So it takes it in from the environment and through the skin into the deeper layers of the tissue, what we call the dermal layer and below.

And a , like I said, is a substance that has the ability to attract and retain moisture. Similar to a sponge. Just you put a sponge in water, it just soaks it up and it holds onto it, and that’s what hyaluronic acid does. As we age our body, like other substances in our body, we begin to produce less and less of it.

So what happens? We start to dry out. Our skin looks dry, our tissues get dry. We get fine lines and we can get skin wrinkles. When we think of the body, let’s start with the anatomy of the face. You have the bone, which is your solid core structure of your face, layered and horizontally. On top of that is our layer of muscles.

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Then we have fat and we have skin, and what keeps everything together, it both separates, but it also joins all of the horizontal tissues of the face and the rest of the body is connective tissue or fascia. It’s like a web, as you can see in, in the image. It’s just this woven web that holds everything together in place, but it also holds the individual tissues in place as well.

The primary components of fascia are collagen. So collagen is the integrity and the support system of this tissue. It’s like the mattress. It’s gives you the support, gives you the volume of that you need and see in your skin tissue. Whereas the next in protein is elastin. Elastin isn’t so much volume, but.

It allows that snapback. So if you take your skin and you lift it, and you drop it, elastin is what you need in order like that rubber to snap back into place once you lift and let it go. And then there are fibroblast cells, or small protein. That when stimulated is what produces collagen or what stimulates the production of collagen in the fascia.

It also affects many immune and inflammatory responses, and it’s very important for wound healing as we’re gonna learn in a few minutes. And then there’s hyaluronic acid. It’s the moisture this . Substance that bathes all of the other proteins, the collagen, the elastin, the fibroblasts, and other cells that are in this area, what we call the extracellular matrix.

Hyaluronic acid is in the image, is this a little red line and it has a surrounding it, what we call protio glycans and protio gly cancer. What attracted those water molecules to the hyaluronic acid? It is so effective that hyaluronic acid molecule can hold up to 10 a thousand times of its molecular weight and water, which makes it responsible for th up to 30% of the skin’s national natural moisture retaining ability it has.

So here’s . Hyaluronic acid strand and then attached to what are bound to the hyaluronic acid are protio, glycans, and protio. Glycans are what the water molecules attach to, and you can see it in this area. In the lower image, you can see the hyaluronic acid and green, the protio glycans are those little

Feathers that stick out from the hyaluronic acid. In red, elastin and collagen that woven matrix of different colors of blue. So all of these are in fascia and in the what we call the extra cellular. Matrix in the face, hyaluronic acid is primarily located in the dermal layer of the skin, which is the second layer of the skin.

And we’ll look at this for a minute, and it’s found throughout. This matrix is found throughout loose connective tissue of the superficial layer of the skin. Below the deep layer of fascia, and it’s generally found in places aside from the skin, in places that are moist, like the oral cavity, the cartilage of the nasal structure and blood vessels, and in the mucosa membranes of the face here, although the structure of fascia layers varies across different areas of the phase.

Here we see it where the stars are. So the very top layer of skin is the epidermis. It’s what we see when we look at someone else, when we look in the mirror. And then just below the epidermis is the derma layer, and this is the true health of the skin. So the surface is the surface layer, the epidermis, and just below it is what we call the dermis.

And this is where we see most of the hyaluronic acid, the extracellular matrix, and all of the nutrients and proteins that keep cells nice and healthy. And then underneath that we have the superficial Retin Macular Cuts fibrous. And those are not horizontal. They’re vertical structures like ligaments that hold those horizontal structures in place.

I. Below that, we have a fat layer, which gives our skin plumpness. And then below that we have the superficial fascial membrane. And this membrane actually attaches the above layers to the below layers, another layer of ligaments. And then we have another layer of fascial membranes, which don’t have as much hyaluronic acid, but because of that, underneath it as an entire layer of hyaluronic acid or extracellular matrix.

And then we have the lining of the muscles epimysium and then the muscles themselves. So this is lining, you can see multiple layers of hyaluronic acid, which keeps this entire tissue layering nice and hydrated, nice and wet, so that things slip around and slide more effectively. So in acids, the benefits of hyaluronic acid are that keeps skin nice and plump.

When skin is nice and plump and hydrated, it minimizes wrinkles and fine lines. There are many different types of wrinkles. I’m talking about wrinkles at this. Moment that are related to skin dehydration, it increases skin elasticity and slide remembering that the elasticity is the elastin or the snap back in our skin tissue, and that all of those, that proteins need to stay wet.

In order to work effectively. And then also remembering that wetness allows those horizontal planes to slide back and forth. When we don’t have enough hyaluronic acid in our skin, we get dry. It gets irritated and then you start to see facial redness, irritation, even to the point where you have skin breakouts and dryness.

Like eczema and psoriasis. And then also remembering that we have fibroblasts in that extracellular matrix. And so without that wetness or moisture we have difficulty having our wounds heal. So hyaluronic acid and providing that moist environment helps the fibroblasts development and assisting assist in wound healing.

And here’s an example of this. So in terms of the integrity of hyaluronic acid, you see the image on top. You have tissues that need hyaluronic acid to lubricate and enhance the movement of those adjacent cells. That slide that we were talking about and then without. Hyaluronic acids are changes in that production from either age or other trauma, that type of thing.

We start to lose the production of hyaluronic acid, which leads to skin dehydration, loss of firmness and elasticity, wrinkling, and then again those horizontal planes. What happens if . You don’t have moisture. They get sticky and tight and so things, the lows, layers just can’t move independently of one another.

And that’s when you start to get fascial binding. And there are many ways to improve hyaluronic acid. One is acupuncture. When we are needling to improve the skin layer, so it’s very superficial layers of the tissue we’re not gonna place the needle perpendicular. Why? Because then you go towards the bone area.

We need to go into that superficial tissue. So we’re gonna angle the needles at a 15 to 20 degrees. Relative to the surface of the skin. So for us as facial acupuncturists, we tend to use intramurals more because you can slide them at an angle as opposed to going deeper in, into the tissue and missing it heading into the muscle layers.

So we will use very superficial needling to stimulate the skin to produce more collagen, in which case the, and the hyaluronic acid elastin all of the proteins that are found in that extracellular matrix in order to improve skin elasticity, plumpness, and texture. And then also we use needling.

Anytime you roll or create a, an, and a little channel by puncturing the skin. It allows product or whatever it is on top of the skin to move into those deeper layers of the skin. So we use it. Same microneedling is a very popular treatment that we use. And facial acupuncture. So it’s a number, like a plum blossom, a lot of superficial needles in one small area, and then you rub product into the surface of the skin.

So by superficial needling, we’re creating tiny little channels in the skin that make it easier for topical products, including hyaluronic acid, serums, or creams. To penetrate into the deeper layers through the epidermis, into the germal layer and below, and this will enhance the absorption and the effectiveness of whatever product we’re using.

And then that combination of superficial needling and hyaluronic acid, whether it’s in the form of a serum or a cream, can enhance the skin, make nice and plumb, make it smoother, more even toned with reduced fine lines, wrinkles, and even scarring it at ate layers. When we think about hyaluronic acid and topical products we think of it either as a serum or a cream or a mask. Another conversation, at another time, which I promise I will deliver here. And so we’ll use these products that contain dosages of hyaluronic acid and they go into the surface of the skin and directly moisturize the, those deeper layers and superficial layers.

Their job is to retain water. So again, the protio glycans on the hyaluronic acid proteins bring water into the tissue or wherever the hyaluronic acid sits to improve the skin plumpness and reduce the appearance of fine line and wrinkles. So it’s immediate hydration. You put the product on the moisture, it attracts the moisture and plumps the surface of the skin.

Depending upon the product and depending upon the depth of penetration, if it’s sitting on the surface of the skin, this product, then it’s gonna bring moisture to the surface of the skin, and if you can press it through the deeper layers. Say with the addition of superficial needling, then it actually goes into the tissue below the germal layer, and then it has longer lasting results.

Hyaluronic acid, because it’s naturally produced in the body, in its pure form, it’s very safe to use. Sometimes people will get a reaction to a product and any product which could result in irritation or redness or itching. In most cases, it’s not the hyaluronic acid that’s actually causing the irritation.

I. But it’s other ingredients in the product. Products are made of multiple ingredients. Sometimes an ingredient doesn’t agree with your skin, particularly if you have very sensitive or sensitized skin, and so you may develop some redness. It’s usually not the hyaluronic acid, although if you discontinue it and try a different product with a different formation, it may or not.

When we think of derivatives of hyaluronic acid, we think of them in terms of molecular weight. So all proteins, all ingredients, particularly in the skincare world, are have a certain weight and that’s measured in dass. So a compound. So in its raw form, say hyaluronic acid in its raw form, because it’s raw, it has a very high molecular weight.

Which means that it has difficulty pressing into the surface of the skin. So it remains on the surface to pre and remembering that the hyaluronic acid is, and the proteoglycans are actually gonna pull the water to the place of the hyaluronic acid. So if it’s a high molecular weight, it’s just gonna sit on top of the skin.

It can’t get through the skin, so it’s gonna remain on the surface. And where does the water go on the surface? So it’s going to create a protective film that prevents water from actually evaporating. So it’s gonna keep the moisture that’s in the skin in, and it’s going to put water on the top. So it’s actually going to give you a tightening effect because it’s a locking moisture in.

So it’s gonna look plump, but it’s gonna feel a little tight. For deeper penetration, particularly in skincare world, we look at different forms, say the hydrolyzed, which actually breaks it down a little bit and allows the hyaluronic acid to split into smaller fragments, and that’s usually less than a thousand to 1800.

Das. And so this allows that product to penetrate a little bit deeper into the surface of the skin. So again, drawing that water a little deeper through those tissues. There’s another form, sodium hyaluronic, and this is the salt of the hyaluronic acid that’s used and it’s good for stability when you think of cells.

And molecules that penetrate through the cell wall. Salt is one that actually go, is small enough to go back and forth and back and forth through the cell walls, which is where you want the moisture. And so another form the form of the alkaline foreign sodium hyaluronate is oftentimes used in cosmetic formulas, allowing it to penetrate a little bit deeper into and through the epidermis into this.

Skin area, the deeper layers. And this is actually a, gives you a visible effect of plumpness from underneath the skin surface as opposed to on top of the surface. There are two new forms of hyaluronic acid that are being used right now, sodium hyaluronic cross polymer, and this is even a lower molecular weight than the salt version, and it’s crosslinked to form.

A molecule that is a little bit higher molecular weight, but passes through that barrier quickly. And it’s it’s very interesting because it’s gives you the stability of a hyaluronic salt acid but also the humectant properties of a more superficial, so it’s covering both the surface and a little bit deeper and then to go most deeply or the deepest into the skin.

Is the the new sodium ated Hyaluronate and acetyl hyaluronate is it’s new. And what’s fascinating about this form is that this ingredient or this formulation of hyaluronic acid actually can penetrate into the skin three times. Much deeper, which allows for three times more water and absorption than ordinary hyaluronic acid.

And it keeps it in, it locks it in so that it stays longer. So it’s great for aging skin, dehydrated skin, or people say who live in the desert or in dry climates or even in the winter when you tend to lose a lot of moisture on the surface over your skin from cold. It also inhibits the release of MMP one, which is a degradation of collagen, immature skin.

Skin and it’s also used to help protect the skin from the UV rays and environmental pollution. So it’s lookout for that one. It’s new. It’s coming up and I think it’s gonna. Be really popular. It’s used to reduce crows free and the nasal labial fold of the skin, the wrinkles that run from the corner of the nose to the corner of the mouth.

And keep an eye out. I think it’s gonna be very popular in upcoming formulations of skincare. What’s interesting is this research study, it’s a randomized control trial of the efficacy of cream-based hyaluronic acid at different molecular weights. And this. They’re using water bound hyaluronic acid at a weight, a molecular weight.

So three different weights, 51, 3300, 802,000. That’s more than three, isn’t it? It’s five. And so they applied it around the eyes. 76 female patients between the ages of 30 and 60 years for 60 days. So they measured at 30 and 60 days. And what they, so one eye, they used this cream and then the other at different molecular weights.

And they used placebo on the other side. And then they were taking objective measurements. So they used a semi-automatic morph photometry meter in order to demonstrate the changes, the objective changes. What they did is the measurements were wrinkled depth. They, and then they also compared the size or the amount of change that occurred at 360 days.

And the 60 day measurement, what they concluded was the application of a 0.1% hyaluronic formulation was made significant changes in both skin hydration and elasticity, but they also found that the lower the molecular weight. The more effective it was. So again, going back to those cross pollinations or breakdowns of combined hyaluronic acid products that are coming up, they’re designed to both break down the acid, the hyaluronic acid, into very small, low molecular weights in order for it to penetrate through the skin more effect effectively and efficiently.

The other, another very important way to get hyaluronic acid into your skin is through your diet. So a diet rich in nutrients that support hyaluronic acid production can help improve the health and appearance of your skin. Key factors related to improving hyaluronic acid or getting hyaluronic acid through your food and diet.

A water. Drink as much water as you can. And that will help keep hyaluronic acid functioning properly. And then nutrients to consume are foods high in vitamin c, e, and magnesium to help produce and support the synthesis of hyaluronic acid. So these vitamins help synthesize it, water helps to keep it functioning.

And then antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables. They actually protect that hyaluronic acid from breaking down. And then collagen rich foods and supplements can support hyaluronic acid by promoting skin elasticity and hydration. So you will need to have nutrients like vitamins C and magnesium to build or synthesize it.

You need antioxidants to help it from breaking down. And then drink plenty of water in order to support or maintain the functioning properties of hyaluronic acid. And then you want to promote, help, promote and support that hyaluronic acid by promoting skin elasticity and hydration by taking collagen rich foods or supplements.

And then here’s a research study. This is a 12 week double blinded placebo study, and 12 weeks is about right because when we talked about the epidermis and the dermis, skin cells start at the base of the dermis and make their way up to the epidermis so that you, what you visibly see. It takes about 30 days to, to migrate up from the cells, from the base of the dermis all the way up to the surface.

So 12 weeks is three rounds of improved production of hyaluronic acid in that germal layer in order to visibly see a difference in the epidermis. After 12. So in this study, this double-blind placebo controlled study, they were using daily hyaluronic acid, 120 milligrams, and it was from High Best.

It’s a company in Tokyo. Taken daily for 12 weeks in 40 healthy Asian men and women ranging in the age of 35 to 64, and they evaluated objective measurements of wrinkles and the stratum cornea water content. That’s the surface of the skin. The amount of transepidermal water loss, that’s through the tissues.

Elasticity and they looked at imaging analysis so that they were objective measurements rather than just asking the people. How do you feel? So this was actually a measurable controlled study. I. After 12 weeks, they noted that skin condition was significantly improved in terms of wrinkle assessment, stratum, cornium, water contact, transepidermal, water loss, and elasticity.

So they concluded that. It makes a difference. What’s very interesting is remembering that when you were applying hyaluronic acid to the surface of the skin, you wanted a low molecular weight. In this one, what’s interesting is another 12 week period they were looking at the benefits of hyaluronic acid.

Applied orally. They did a similar study, 60 Japanese male and females aging, 22 to 59 years old, presenting with crows free and wrinkles. And then they were assigned hyaluronic acid at a me molecular weight of two 300 and 300. Again, 120 milligrams of hyaluronic acid. Now what was so interesting about this.

Is again measuring the skin wrinkling by imaging analysis and skin condition, and that was from a questionnaire survey. Here’s what they found is during that study period, what they found is that the higher molecular weight at 300 K group showed significant, a higher significant. Change in terms of diminishing wrinkles and compared with the placebo group.

So both worked at two and at 300, but the conclusion is that the 300, the higher molecular weight. Worked better. Why? Now? This is a good question. So think about this. If you are applying it to your skin, then those molecular, then the hyaluronic acid molecules have to get through the skin. However, if you’re eating them or ingesting them orally, it has to get through the digestive tract and get absorbed in the digestive.

To track. So when you break them down, a higher molecular weight has more of it. So you actually get a higher delivery of the product as opposed to topically when you can’t a higher molecular weight, it’s not gonna get through. So it’s just gonna sit on the top. So situation, you want a lower one. So I hyaluronic acid is great and.

It just depends how you do it. Whether you stimulate it with acupuncture, you ingest it, or you apply it topically. And so the benefits are really not just the hyaluronic acid but the delivery system. Low molecular weight for application on the surface of the skin topical application, and a higher molecular weight.

When you ingest it, so read your ingredients, read the package you want around a 300 molecular weight of 300 k if you’re gonna consume it, and you’re gonna want a smaller, safe five to 50 if you are going to apply it topically. So if you want more information about hyaluronic acid, I actually will be giving a presentation about tissue and DA fascia at the upcoming Pacific Symposium.

Here’s more information about it, and that’s it. So thank you very much. I appreciate your time here, and I hope you enjoyed this and learned a lot. Again. Thank you American Acupuncture Council for allowing me to present today. .

 

 

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…when we think about health and we think about wellness and Chinese medicine, we think about yin and yang, cheap blood fluids, the meridian system and the organ systems.

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Disclaimer: The following is an actual transcript. We do our best to make sure the transcript is as accurate as possible, however, it may contain spelling or grammatical errors. Due to the unique language of acupuncture, there will be errors, so we suggest you watch the video while reading the transcript.

Hi, my name is Shellie Goldstein, Dr. Shellie Goldstein. Welcome to the American Acupuncture Council. Today’s presentation is Facial Acupuncture for health and Wellness. I am specialist in cosmetic facial acupuncture, but today we’re gonna talk about health and wellness because they are com overlap and they interlink.

So let’s get started. Let’s start with the PowerPoint presentation.

Most of us know who are acupuncturists, that when we think about health and we think about wellness and Chinese medicine, we think about yin and yang, cheap blood fluids, the meridian system and the organ systems. As a specialist in cosmetic facial acupuncture, what I love about treating

The body and treating the face is the correlation between the face and the rest of the body. We know that we have meridians running up and down the body. We know that we are affected by the state of health of our organ systems. We also know that all of the young meridians. Either start or end on the face.

What we may or may not remember is when you think about the organ systems, each of those systems has a sense system. Now, whether it be the eyes, the nose, the ears, the mouth, meaning, What we see, what we smell, what we hear, what we taste, and they affect and are affected by the state of health of each of the organ systems and the meridians, because remembering that the meridians run through the different organs, assume their name and pick up the characteristics of that.

System, that organ system. But then again, the meridians affect the organs as well. So we know it’s that yin y balance, that the complimentary dynamics between the meridians and the organ systems and the health of our body. But also remember that when you see things, when you hear things, when you smell things, when you taste things, it creates a sensory stimulation, some type of proprioception where we are in the world, but also.

Not just on a physical level, but on an emotional and energetic level as well. So when we surround ourselves with beautiful things visually, we feel relaxed, we feel at peace. As opposed to when we see something that’s awful or horrifying or frightening, then those emotions get reflected in the body as well.

The same with our, or with our sense of hearing. If we hear soft music, like we heard as we were starting the live stream of this presentation, it’s very soothing music. It’s very lovely and it brings peace and harmony within as opposed to seeing, hearing something loud, abrasive, shocking. Disturbing. It sets up that a different dynamic within the body as well.

Same with smell, same with taste. So the emotional activity that gets triggered when we experience something is very much a part of the reflection of what’s going on inside and reflects in terms of affecting how we are. Feelings, feeling both on a physical and emotional and a spiritual level. So in that sense, the face is a very important part of the diagnostic and treatment of health and wellness.

So we can diagnose what’s going on in the body by looking at the face, because remembering that our muscles are tissue. Interstitial tissue, the connective tissue, all of the different aspects of the layering from skin to bone holds that memory, particularly the connective tissue holds the memory of that experience.

If we process that experience and let it go, then it let’s go in the connective tissue of the di of the face. When we hold onto that experience, that also gets reflected in the face. And so we can look at the face as an big organ, one big facial organ map. And when we look at different parts of the face, each of those organ systems are reflected.

For example the forehead and the eye. Browse is related to the liver and the gallbladder system. The spleen and the pancreas is the eyelids and across the bridge of the nose the kidneys run underneath the eyes and on the chin and the ears. The lungs are the cheeks. The heart is the tip of the nose and the stomach and the intestines is, and the reproductive organs are around.

The mouth and what that means is that disharmony in those organ systems is reflected in the face, whether it be in terms of wrinkles tissue sagging skin disharmonies, acne, rosacea, breakouts, or just red pitted skin rosacea. Any disharmony on the surface of the skin or in the deeper layers of the skin is reflected by the organ systems and a reflection of the organ systems in turn of their health and wellbeing.

And then when there’s a disharmony in the organ systems, it is reflected and pass through. The different meridians. So what’s nice about treating the face is that it’s a wonderful tool and an opportunity to both diagnose what’s going on in the body, but also to treat, because as we treat the face, we have an effect on the state of the lungs, the state of the liver, the state of the spleen, the state of the heart, the state of the kidneys.

And we can harmonize both from a meridian’s perspective, but also from an organ. System, we can make a difference just by treating the face. Now, we know from our cosmetic acupuncture world that we’re not when we treat wrinkles, when we treat sagging skin, when we treat different skin conditions, we’re not just treating the surface of the skin, but we’re treating from within as well.

And that means that when we treat. For cosmetic facial acupuncture or for health and healing. We don’t just put points in the face, of course not. What we’re gonna do is we are going to do our diagnostics, tongue pulse pattern of is harmony, and then we’re gonna treat accordingly and we’re going to use the face as a treatment, as a diagnostic tool and a validation of what we find when we do our tongue pulled and questions.

So what I would like to do today is help you to understand how to treat the face by going through a very simple facial exercise. It’s an acupressure exercise, so it’s something that you can do at home. It’s something that you can . Do on yourself. It’s something that you can do with your patient and acupressure.

We know that acupuncture and acupressure are both ancient healing techniques that have been acknowledged for their effectiveness by both Western medicine and eastern medicine, and supported by thousands of scientific studies around the world. We know that acupressure and acupuncture are based on the same fundamental principles of acupuncture point activation across all of the meridians.

We know that acupressure is basically pressure applied with the hand fingers or an instrument assisted device at specific acupuncture points to adjust and balance the flow of energy. And the National Institute of Health Database offers hundreds of studies on the use of acupressure in the treatment of dozens of conditions, including a allergies, chronic fatigue, constipation, insomnia, musculoskeletal disorders, heart disease, pain, and stroke.

And we know as acupuncturist, there are many more health issues that acupuncture and acupressure treat. I wrote a book in 2016 called Your Best Face. Now look Younger in 20 Days with a Do It Yourself Acupressure facelift. And I also created the Touch and Glow Acupuncture assisted. It’s an acupressure assisted tool.

In my book, I outline a number of different techniques for facial harmony. But also for health and body. And the acupressure technique that we’re gonna learn now is based on some of the systems or some of the parts of the book that, that I wrote and the photographs that I took for the book.

So let’s get started. Let’s just have you sit back, relax, take breath. And relax, blow out. Exhale. Let’s lift your shoulders up. Drop them. Lift your shoulders up, drop them. Rotate your neck.

And stretch it out. And I’m actually gonna lift my glasses up so you can see my face, because I’m going to walk you through an acupressure technique that is going to improve health and wellness of not just your face, but your body as well. It’s very relaxing and I think that you’ll enjoy it. So let’s start by opening the neck.

I’m going to. Place my fingers at the top of the Ss c m. So if you go to the jaw area and slide your fingers up to the top of the neck to where the cervical, where the skull meets the cervical vertebra. And slide forward to the top of the Ss c m, the sternum Plato mastoid muscle. And then we’re just gonna massage down the Ss c m to the clavicle.

I just massage. Now I’m gonna do it five to 10 times. And in doing so, what we’re doing is not only we’re relaxing the neck, but we’re also helping to reduce tissue inflammation by improving lymphatic drainage, which means that if you have allergies or if you have any type of congestion in this area, what you’re gonna do is you’re gonna feel that coming down in the form of kind of a saliva on your throat, you may need to swallow good.

Okay, now take your fingers, go behind your neck, and you’re just, you’re gonna take these four fingers and you are going to place them starting at Bladder 12 T, nsu, and Gallbladder 20 Thank Chi and Andon. If you don’t exactly know where they are, it’s okay. Just place your fingers at the base of your oput on the outer, outside of the spine.

And feel for areas that are tight and just gently massage these points with the pressure that feels comfortable for you. And it doesn’t matter if you go clockwise or counterclockwise. Just massage those points five to 10 times good. Make sure that you breathe good, right? Excellent. And now slide your finger to what we call triple heater 17 or yen.

Yen is where the star is on the image. So you you have the corner of the jaw and the lower aspect of the ear lobe. It’s in between the corner of the jaw, directly under the ear lobe. We’re gonna massage this area. This point is the access point to the facial nerve. So the facial nerve is the nerve, the motor nerve that innervates the entire face and controls all the muscle activity on the face.

So by massaging this point, not only does it improve lymph drainage, but it also helps just to relax all of the muscles of the face. Okay. And now with this point we’re going to take our fingers and keep your finger on this point on Triple eight 17. And then just massage up and down the front of the ear.

So we’re covering Teen Quo, teen Gong and Erman Gall butter two small Intestine 19 and heater.

And then slide your fingers around the back of your ear, back to triple heat 17. Massage triple heater 17 again, and continue to massage up and down the ear in front of the ear

about five times, 10 times, and slide your fingers behind your ears again. Let’s do that one more time. Massaging triple leader 17, and then up and down the front of the ear

and behind the ear. Great, and now let’s slide up to T Young T. Is located in the temples at the end of the eye area. You massage that area. So this is great for any type of stress around the eyes and the face.

And then we’re gonna treat The three points on top of the eyebrow, , and sanju. So again, you can do it with your three fingers. 1, 2, 3, and just place them at the end of the eyebrow, the center of the eyebrow and the middle of the eyebrow at the inner campus of the eyebrow sort a massage.

Good.

And big relaxing breath. And now we’re gonna go to our favorite point. It’s yin tongue and we know that yang is the main point for relaxing the body, mind, and the spirit. We don’t do this for about five to 10 times.

And move into the inner aspect of the inside of the corner of the eye to bladder one. And again, this point is used for any type of eye disorder, which we know affects the liver system, and it’s used to relax and open and brighten the eyes. And then we can stomach one and stomach two, or right on top of each other, above and below the orbital bone.

So use the flat part of your finger to capture both of them

and just massage ching cheese. See by feel relaxing.

And then back to

and let’s repeat that sequence again. Oops, sorry. We’re gonna go back up to the eyebrows, the top of the eyebrows.

End tone.

Water one.

Stomach one and stomach two.

Cool. And this time we’re gonna slide down the nose. To lateral to the side. Yeah. Lateral to the side of the nose, and we’re going to type. Stomach. Three is underneath the eyes, lateral to the side of the nose, small intestine. 18 is at the outer canthus of the eye, lateral to stomach three. And then stomach seven is lateral to that in front of the ear, and we’re just gonna massage his points.

Three fingers, just massage his points.

Good. Don’t forget to breathe.

And then slide down to stomach four. Deep tongue. It’s at the corner of the mouth.

We use this point a lot in facial acupuncture. It is the connection to all of the muscles of the face that connect from the mouth to the eyes and to the collar. Very important point. And then take your thumb. Place your thumb underneath your jaw. And then the top and the fingers, the first four fingers, and then just slide out to stomach six stomach sixes.

I use it the corner of the jaw. The angle of the jaw. We’re gonna slide, slide,

slide. And then come back. Come back to the S C M

and slide down to the clavicle.

Now let’s repeat that again. I won’t talk this much. So again, ing your fingers. See on Zoom,

Andon

circling around feeling for those tight areas

and then slide to offense directly into the.

And then massaging

ting gong air mine, and slide behind your ears. Come back to triple heat. 17.

Slide up and down in front of the ears. At this point, you should start feeling new, smooth, relaxed. It’s a great, this combination around the ear is really good. If you can’t sleep at night, great. Insomnia. It’s really relaxing, super smoothing,

and up to nne, massaging, nne.

It carries so much stress in our eyes

and then coming back.

Nice. Get that little extra massage.

Let’s do that one more time. Slide up.

Under the. I wanna use a little lighter pressure under the eyes

tie.

Now to get there, we’re gonna come down. Slide around the corner. Angle of the nose, fingers. Inner canus of the eye. Center of the eye. Center of the eye, outer campus of the eye. And in front of the ear massage

do come.

And thumb under the chin fingers slide out to stomach six, which I g.

And then back down the.

Feel better. I do. So this, again, this is a great short treatment that you can give yourself, you can, and help your patients by showing this to them. It’s very simple, very effective. And I hope you have a nice day. So thank you very much. If you want to learn more about me, you can visit me@hamptonsacupuncture.com or follow me on Instagram.

Again, my name is Shellie Goldstein. I also teach a number of classes through the Pacific College of Health. And we have a symposium coming up. So thank you very much, and again, thank you to the American Acupuncture Council. For having me here today, and I hope you have a lovely, relaxing, peaceful, healthy day.

Thank you. .