Summer is finally here! One thing I love about Chinese Medicine is its system of classification. Everything in the natural world falls into one or more categories. That is not to say that the medicine is simple, indeed it is quite complex. However, once you understand the system, you can begin to decipher patterns – patterns in nature, human behavior, illness and wellness. The classification of Summer Its color is Red and its element is Fire A Yang season, its energy flows Outward Its organs are the Heart and Small intestine and it also governs sweat Its taste is Bitter Its sense organ is the Tongue and it is also associated with Blood vessels Its emotion is Joy Seeing the patterns Summer is a kind of zenith. Temperatures reach their highest points, plants grow to their maximums, the sun is highest on the horizon. Heat makes molecules move faster, even converting water to gas in the form of steam. Green leaves give way to brightly colored fruits and flowers, and family gatherings and BBQs leave lasting joyful memories. Potential imbalances of Summer Heat rises and fire can burn out of control. Similarly, imbalances within a person's fire aspect can lead to flaring tempers, fits of rage and lack of patience. Inflammation and achy joints can become worse in summer for some. Digestive issues can arise. Because the tongue is associated with the fire element, people may find themselves talking incessantly, or conversely, unable to find the right words to express what they're feeling. Racing heart rates, lethargy and sunburn or heat stroke can all be signs and symptoms of fire imbalances as can itchy skin and muscle twitches. Drink plenty of water and eats lots of watermelon and cucumber to stay cool. Enjoy the Season! Cedar S. Kennedy MAcOm, LAc. 509-460-1286 |
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| Cedar S. Kennedy MAcOM, L.Ac. |
Ancient Wisdom In A Modern World
Copyright © 2008
tricityherald.com Original
Published Wednesday, May 7th, 2008
by Bethany Lee, atomictown.com
It may sound like a bad Chinese martial arts film, but the origins of acupuncture are nothing to scoff at and the practice itself
actually packs quite a punch.
Just ask Cedar S. Kennedy (34), who graduated from the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine in 2006 and is proficient in
Chinese medical translation.
About 10 years ago, Kennedy was working two jobs as a chef and a truck driver. In the evenings, she was a keyboard player
and pianist for various bands. She developed carpal tunnel, which is common among musicians. For the next seven years, she
went to an acupuncturist, quickly learning that it could treat so much more than just carpal tunnel.
After three years of schooling at the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine, which takes only 16 people a year, Kennedy double
mastered in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine and became a licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist. Moving to the Tri-Cities this
past August, she opened her own practice in February, inside of B&G House of Style Salon and Wellness Spa, in historic
downtown Kennewick. She has since moved her clinic to the Medical and Dental Center, across the street from Kennewick
General Hospital.
For a job that requires her to stick prickly needles into people's epidermis, Kennedy has the skills and historical knowledge about
acupuncture to even calm the nerves of naysayers.
"Common misconceptions about acupuncture, first and foremost, is that it hurts," Kennedy said, slightly perturbed. "It doesn't
hurt. It shouldn't hurt. It's very relaxing."
The second most common misconception is that acupuncture only treats pain, she shared. What it can treat, are pain and
depression, gynecological conditions, dermatological conditions, allergies, digestive problems, arthritis, sleeplessness, and more.
"The most commonly used form of acupuncture in the U.S. is for infertility," she notes.
Kennedy is quick to squash the theory that acupuncture is an example of the placebo effect.
"Acupuncture has evolved over thousands of years, and for thousands of years it was the main, if not only, medical system
available to millions and millions of people," she said. "One of the classical texts written about 1,200 years ago, discusses
infectious disease... Pain in that context, is a side effect of a pathogenic invasion. Americans are pretty well aware that
acupuncture can treat arthritis and knee pain - but it can treat anything."
Legally, Kennedy and other licensed acupuncturists are not allowed to use acupuncture to treat cancer, acute appendicitis or
seizure disorders.
"But it can," she adds with a sly grin.
First office visits run $80 and takes two hours. Return visits are then $60 and last one hour. The cost of herbs is not included,
but usually run about $12-20. Though the prices may seem steep, her practice is covered under most insurance companies, so
patients only pay their health insurance copay.
Kennedy explains that the first visit takes longer because she has her patients fill out an extensive form listing their health
background and problems or uncomforts they have been experiencing and would like fixed.
Within minutes of talking to her about this ancient Chinese medicine, one becomes a believer and entranced in what
acupuncture is used for.
However, acupuncture alone cannot cure one's ailments, which is why Kennedy started a small pharmacy full of 132 different
herbs in two-quart glass jars. Among them are:
Du Zhong: Rubber tree bark - Makes people more limber.
Kun Bu: Kelp/Dried Seaweed - Helps break up lumps, such as goiters, cysts and phlegm.
Shanzhizi: Gardenia fruits - Can make a paste and apply to injured area to reduce inflamation.
Mei Gui Hua: Rosebuds - Mood enhancers, sooths menstrual cramps.
Long Gu: Dragon bones - Petrified bones of mammals. Rich in magnesium and calcium and also help people sleep.
Da Zao: Jujubes - Helps with digestion
Cicada Exoskeletons - itchy skin diseases, excema, herpes
Armed with 132 herbs, Kennedy shares this is nothing compared to her college professor, who has 1,200.
But don't think that she grows these herself. Kennedy has three different distributors: Mayway Herbs, Nuherbs and Golden
Flower Chinese Herbs. All three of them only sell to licensed practitioners and do extensive macro and micro testing for
fungicides, heavy metals and impurities.
"I realize it takes a leap of faith to try it, but it's often a great place to start exploring your own health care," she said. "It's less
invasive, and I personally would recommend it if you are even curious to investigate it and see if it's the right path for you."
If you're interested in Living Water Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine, you can contact Cedar S. Kennedy at:
805 S. Auburn St.
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509)460-1286
www.LivingWaterAcupuncture.com
The clinic is located on the corner of 8th and Auburn, across from KGH.
| Thank you for visiting Living Water Acupuncture, the medical practice of Cedar S. Kennedy, MAcOM, L.Ac. |
