“Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy” By Larry Ryan, President

While the above song title from George Gershwin’s legendary folk opera Porgy and Bess may describe our more relaxed modes of energy and spirit as we move through the Summer 2013 Trimester, the title does not characterize current activity around the Yo San University campus. Much has been happening! First, students and faculty were welcomed back to campus to enjoy the benefits of several recently completed remodeling projects. The projects, which have greatly enhanced our facilities, include a brand new third floor classroom (The Meridian Room), a greatly expanded student lounge, and a new faculty/staff lounge. With its “hard” floor surface designed specifically for needling practice classes, the new Meridian classroom is bathed in light with windows on two of its walls. Besides being doubled in space, the remodeled Student Lounge was also refurnished with items chosen by students and paid for with YSUSA funds. The new student lounge boasts two complete kitchen units, space for three café tables as well as a more casual rest and conversation area. Faculty and Staff members welcomed their new third floor lounge space with its granite countered kitchen unit, custom built in mail slots and floor to ceiling shelving that spans one wall of the room. On the programmatic level, an important and exciting component has been inaugurated in the MATCM Program. A new “pairing” supervision arrangement was implemented for Level One clinic interns. The new system, which was piloted in the Spring of 2012, organizes students to work in pairs for two of their five Level One shifts. The arrangement provides increased emphasis on the functions of collaboration and communication, essential elements in the formation of effective TCM clinicians and practitioners. So far the new system has been working smoothly according to Albert Vaca, Dean of Clinical Education. With the start of a new Trimester the most important changes are the many new faces on campus. As usual Yo San University oriented a new group of eager and motivated MATCM students who began their journeys to become TCM healers. By mid-May those new personalities were joined by the initiation of Cohort #3 of the YSU doctoral program. This DAOM cohort is the first YSU group in the specialty area of Integrative Medicine/Healthy Aging. The cohort includes individuals from Santa Barbara, the Bay area, and as far distant as Minnesota and Colorado. Several members of the cohort are YSU alumni. All are eager to be a part of the YSU Community. We extend a very special welcome to all of the new members of the Yo San community and a hearty “welcome home” to those who are returning to continue their studies. “Life can be like Summertime” and it is good at YSU! 

YSU to launch externship at Wise & Healthy Aging in Santa Monica

After several months of negotiations and visits, July 1, 2012 is the target date for the initiation of the Yo San University collaboration with WISE & Healthy Aging in Santa Monica, where acupuncture and other TCM services will be offered by YSU interns. WISE & Healthy Aging is a non-profit social services organization which resulted from the 2007 merger of WISE Senior Services and the Center for Healthy Aging. Each agency had served the Westside and Santa Monica communities for more than three decades. The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) services offered by Yo San University at the WISE & Healthy Aging will complement the other services currently offered by the agency in the following areas: adult day care, nutrition, transportation/mobility, elder abuse prevention, long term care advocacy, in- home care management, mental health/peer counseling and education. With its extensive range of services, WISE & Healthy Aging is recognized as one of the most comprehensive and effective agencies in the nation with focus on service to the aging population. To initiate the TCM service, Yo San University will provide half a day of service each week staffed by YSU master’s or doctoral level interns and a supervising clinical faculty member. We are confident that generations of YSU students will benefit from the unique opportunity provided by this valuable service alliance.

Nutrition, Disney, Deepak Chopra and TCM

Nutrition, Disney, Deepak Chopra, TCM, and Endocrinology Research:  The Varied and Productive Career Path of Yo San University DAOM Graduate,

Lori Deutsch

           

After earning a bachelor’s degree in science and education from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in nutrition from Columbia University in New York, Lori Deutsch entered the world of multimedia to pursue her passion for educating the public about health and wellness. Within that role, she was a consultant to Disney World’s EPCOT exhibit, “Frontiers of Medicine,” and a producer on two of Deepak Chopra’s health-oriented media projects. With her life-long commitment to helping people achieve optimal health, Lori craved a deeper, one-on-one connection to the healing process, and immersed herself in the study of Traditional Chinese Medicine, earning a second master’s degree and becoming a licensed acupuncturist.

As her TCM career developed, Lori found herself in diverse roles including those of traditional acupuncturist in private practice and spa-based practitioner. Entering and completing the Yo San University DAOM Program with a specialty in fertility studies was the next logical step in Lori’s career, because she had developed a strong interest in reproductive medicine, both from a Western and Eastern medicine perspective.

During the Yo San University DAOM Program, Lori was stimulated and energized by the wealth of new insights and perspectives in her many courses, grand rounds, clinical rotations, and mentorships. With her background in medical nutrition, she was particularly intrigued by Dr. Paul Campbell’s course on Functional Medicine. She went on to mentor with Dr. Campbell, exploring functional medicine further, and subsequently adding it to her Chinese medicine practice.

Lori obtained an in-depth education in Western fertility medicine through the many reproductive endocrinologists who taught in the DAOM program. Her knowledge expanded exponentially when she mentored with Dr. Catherine DeUgarte, a reproductive endocrinologist at Pacific Fertility Center (PFC) in Los Angeles. That experience culminated in a position as PFC’s in-house acupuncturist, administering acupuncture to their many patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other fertility cycles.

The affiliations Lori gained through the DAOM program also provided valuable information and resources for the direction and completion of her doctoral research project. Her Capstone project was an intensive retrospective case study of two women with a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and infertility. The study compared the course of treatment between the two women, who eventually became pregnant and delivered full-term babies with the use of both Western and Eastern medicine. Lori’s research showed that appropriate integrative medical treatment combining both Western and Eastern techniques can give hope to PCOS women who want to become mothers. While the full career path of Lori Deutsch has been diverse and circuitous, it is in synch with a life of inquiry and service, and has come to fruition with the attainment of her doctoral degree from Yo San University.  

Thunder! Lightening! Light! Camera! Action!

Despite unforgiving weather, with torrential rains and a flood warning in Malibu and surrounding areas, Yo San University’s staff and volunteers plowed forth on March 25^th to put on another memorable Robert Graham Visionary Award Celebration. Held at the stunning, dramatic beachfront home of philanthropist Lilly Tartikoff, the inclement weather did not dampen the excitement and festivities of all those awaiting the arrival of this year’s special honoree – famed actor Robert Downey, Jr. Known mostly for bringing Tony Stark/Iron-Man and Sherlock Holmes to life, Robert boasts a mile long list of credits including Oscar-nominated roles in Tropic Thunder and Chaplin and an Emmy-nominated role in Ally McBeal. His amazing talent and commitment to all his characters has landed him on thousands of magazines and entertainment news shows. Yet few know about Robert Downey, Jr.’s personal commitment to Asian medicine and wellness.

Robert’s passion for Eastern philosophy and medicine manifests in his daily practice of martial arts and meditation. Having worked with Dr. Mao for several years, Robert credits Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for his wife’s and his overall health and wellness. Through the Robert Graham Visionary Award, Robert made a spectacular effort to raise awareness among his colleagues about the benefits of TCM, with hopes to help bring unprecedented support for Yo San University’s free and low-cost community outreach programs.

Upon arrival, in very Tony Stark fashion, Robert immediately hammed it up for all of Yo San University’s major supporters, graciously taking photos and conversing with fans. As he worked his way through the crowd of almost 200 YSU supporters, guests could be found joyfully chatting , tasting the many delicacies presenting fresh from the kitchen and drinking near the Ultimat Vodka sponsored bar.  Lilly Tartikoff’s home provided the ultimate relaxed and inviting environment for everyone to meet, to make new friends and most important, to honor the special man of the hour.

YSU President, Dr.  Larry Ryan, began the evening’s program by introducing the emcee, actress Brenda Strong. Brenda has been a powerful supporter of YSU for several years. Having emceed the last two annual events, she was a pro at hosting and bringing humor and excitement at just the right moments. Dr. Daoshing Ni spoke first, thanking all those who came and contributed to the evening.  Dr. Mao Shing Ni then stepped up to introduce the awardee. Knowing the star power of Robert, Dr. Mao jokingly sped through the actor’s filmography and focused on his philanthropic efforts instead, which included working with such organizations as Clothes Off Our Back, Orca Network, and Midnight Mission, before presenting the award.

Robert graciously accepted the award, joking that no one was more Chinese, visionary or deserving of such an award as he.  Before concluding, he asked everyone to give as generously as they could to YSU. With that endorsement, Brenda Strong prepped the audience for YSU’s most exciting auction to date.  Thanks to the amazing contributions of Warner Bros., the event’s premiere sponsor, and Marvel, YSU was able to obtain an original Tony Stark racing suit and helmet worn by Robert in Iron Man 2, and the Sherlock Holmes pipe and auction paddle used in the recent Sherlock Holmes sequel Game of Shadows. Other auction items included a precious sculpture titled “L’Enfant” by Danielle Anjou, an exquisite Bell and Ross timepiece donated by Westime, and a special on-set tour of Brenda Strong’s new television series Dallas, including a private lunch with the actress herself.

With the amazing talent of Brenda, the live auction generated exciting bids.  At one point, Robert Downey Jr. was competing with one of our major donors, Edith Dume for the L’Enfant sculpture. At $12,000, Ms. Dume won the auction -- only to magnanimously gift it to Robert! It was the most unexpected and heartfelt moment of the evening.

 Before the official program concluded and desserts were enjoyed, two lucky donors received a special gift for their additional donations into the “opportunity drawing,” courtesy of YAS Fitness, Bloomingdales, Rock Sugar, and Matthew Williamson Designs. As the sun slowly set in the Pacific Ocean, our guests began to depart . Everyone said their goodbyes with a smile, sharing endless compliments for a fantastic event. This brilliant event would not have been possible without support from our wonderful student volunteers:

Adam Cappuccino

Ellen Davis

Chloe Hadji Elias

Ally Glickman

Steve Han

Emily King

Cinthia Martel

Venesza Lenibeck

Tobe Stacey

Phillip Ward

Facilities Improvements Herald the Start of Summer Trimester

Students, faculty and staff members  were welcomed to the Yo San campus for the start of the Summer 2012 Trimester not only by their eager returning and new colleagues, but also by the presence of several facilities improvements that add significant space and comfort to the Yo San University experience.   A brand new third floor classroom is the highlight if the improvement projects completed in record time during the two-week trimester break.  The new classroom (for the time being known simply as the “New Classroom”), looks out over both Washington Blvd and Redwood Avenue.   It is bathed with natural light and provides a comfortable and roomy learning environment for up to thirty students.   A special wood grain hard floor surface was chosen for the new classroom space to provide added safety, since, among other purposes, the new classroom will be used for acupuncture needling training classes.  The hard surface floor makes it easy to spot and retrieve any needles that are inadvertently dropped in early acupuncture practice sessions.   Also on the third floor, where the majority of our faculty do their work, is located a new faculty/staff lounge.  The new lounge replaces the former second floor faculty/staff space that was cramped and had more of the atmosphere of an overworked and overcrowded storage room.  The new lounge looks out over Redwood Avenue and sports an ell shaped kitchen unit with sparkling granite counters. The kitchen unit also has floor to ceiling storage cabinets featuring a handy lazy Susan unit in the corner of the ell.   Built-in shelves for microwave and toaster ovens place those often used appliances at convenient eye level for quick loading and monitoring.  The new Faculty/Staff Lounge is about twice the size of the former space and provides an attractive and inviting environment for Yo San University employees to interact socially, to enjoy a meal break, and to catch a few minutes of well deserved rest from the typically hectic pace of the YSU day.   Most welcomed and needed by the growing YSU student body is the expanded and remodeled second floor Student Lounge space.   The floor space of the remodeled Student Lounge was increased greatly by incorporating space that was formerly occupied by the Faculty/Staff Lounge.   The project included opening up a long narrow corridor, which when combined with the existing Student Lounge provides for an open attractive and spacious casual seating area.    Two complete kitchen units joined by a pass through, an eating area and a second smaller lounge/eating area round out the expanded Student Lounge floor plan.   The entire space was also painted, and furniture and locker units were rearranged to accommodate more students more comfortably.  All of the recent facilities enhancements were accomplished to advance the mission of Yo San University “to educate students to become exceptional practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine.”  We are proud of our sparkling and well equipped campus!

Ask Julie -What can Chinese medicine do for seasonal allergies?

Question: What can Chinese medicine do for seasonal allergies?

Answer:           

 So many people suffer from seasonal allergies (“hay fever”) and allergies to common household irritants such as cat hair, dust and mold. This article is specifically about the type of allergic reaction that affects the nasal passages. I’ll refer to this as “allergic rhinitis.”

A funny thing happened a few years ago when I prescribed herbs for a patient suffering with a stuffed nose, runny nose and nasal congestion. She was miserable. For some reason I don’t know, I had packed the herbs in a paper bag instead of plastic, and instructed the patient to decoct and then drink them. But when I saw her next, she told me she had just set the bag down by the side of her bed, and their aromatic pungency had penetrated through the paper and into the room, and into her nose, and she said her nasal stuffiness improved! She didn’t cook the herbs at all!  I started trying out this “atmospheric herbal treatment” on other patients, and nearly all of them said it was effective. They could breathe more easily, and the fragrant herbs opened their nasal passages. One patient was a potter. She created some lidded ceramic pots perforated with holes, so the herbs could enter the room.

The formula I give for allergic rhinitis is based on Cang Er Zi San (Xanthium Powder), but with more aromatic herbs added. My aim is to add the most pungent ingredients I have since the patient won’t be consuming it, but will only be inhaling it.  I use:

Cang Er Zi (Xanthii Fructus)

Bai Zhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix)

Xin Yi Hua (Magnoliae Flos)

Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Radix)

Bo He (Menthae Herba)

Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix)

Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix)

Sha Ren (Amomi Fructus)

Huo Xiang (Agastaches Herba)

If the patient is to use it only for atmospheric  inhalation, I use large doses of all herbs, about 15 grams each.

Of course, this formula would also work as a decoction to take internally, in which case I would reduce the dosages to about 10 grams each. I would differentiate the syndrome in accordance with usual internal medicine principles, and adjust the formula accordingly.

Allergic rhinitis can be classified as an invasion of wind cold or wind heat, or an invasion of wind cold with dampness (the most common presentation). It could also be related to deficiencies of spleen, lung, or kidney.

The formula could also be used as a steam inhalation treatment. The patient would place the herbs in a large bowl, pour boiling water over them, and then lean over the bowl and inhale the steam, while covering her head with a towel.

For acupuncture treatment, I find that face and scalp points such as Du 24, GB 15, LI 20 and Yin Tang are the most effective, and I always add St 36 and/or 40 to strengthen the Qi and dispel phlegm. 

Food Allergies by Ed Shaheen

A food allergy is basically an immune response to proteins in the respective food.  This is twice as common in children (up to 8%) as adults (4%).  For children, the most common food allergens are milk, egg, peanut, soy, wheat, and tree nuts, in descending order of frequency.  In adults, fish, shellfish, peanut, and tree nuts are most common causes of allergic reactions. These may also be lifelong allergies.  They may manifest as an immediate and life-threatening condition, such as anaphylaxis, or as a delayed or chronic condition, like an atopic dermatitis (eczema), and are referred to as “IgE-associated food allergies”.  There are also food-protein induced forms of enterocolitis and proctitis, which are caused by “non-IgE” mediated mechanisms.  Finally there is eosinophilic esophagitis and gastroenteritis, which are due to a mix of IgE and non-IgE mediated causes. 

There are other types of food-induced problems, which are not allergic, such as migraine headaches that are brought on in some patients by tyramine containing foods like chocolate, cheese, some wines and beers.  Lactose intolerance is not a true food “allergy” but a form of osmotic diarrhea caused by a genetic absence of the lactase enzyme that normally breaks down the milk sugar.

Gluten or wheat allergy is a true immune reaction in patients with a genetic predisposition.  Gluten allergy also includes rye, barley and sometimes oats, because the latter is processed in the same plants.  This reaction destroys the villi in the mucosa of the small intestine where most absorption takes place.  The result is malabsorption of nutrients.  Symptoms include diarrhea, fatty and floating malodorous stools, weight loss, abdominal distention, weakness, muscle wasting or growth retardation (in infants).  This is referred to as celiac disease.  There also is a lesser and poorly described “intolerance to gluten” which is usually a milder condition but is probably not an immune reaction.

A detailed dietary history within the 24 hours of allergic symptoms may provide the best clues to food allergy, with particular attention to other allergic history and prior reactions. Diagnosis is often difficult, however, and it may require multiple episodes before an offending agent is identified. Symptoms of food allergy include swelling and itching of the lips, mouth, and pharynx; nausea; abdominal cramps; vomiting; and diarrhea. Cutaneous manifestations, such as angioedema and urticaria, as well as anaphylaxis, can occur. Treatment for mild reactions is supportive, with the administration of antihistamines to lessen symptoms. More severe reactions or anaphylaxis are managed differently.

The best treatment for food allergy is to avoid the food in question, especially if very severe allergic reactions occur. However, it may not always be a simple matter to avoid a given food, particularly outside the home, and for this reason, those who are seriously affected by food allergies are usually advised to carry a self-injector containing epinephrine, which can counter serious symptoms, including bronchospasm.