Qiological Podcast
Michael Max
Acupuncture and East Asian medicine was not developed in a laboratory. It does not advance through double-blind controlled studies, nor does it respond well to petri dish experimentation. Our medicine did not come from the statistical regression of randomized cohorts, but from the observation and treatment of individuals in their particular environment. It grows out of an embodied sense of understanding how life moves, unfolds, develops and declines.
Medicine comes from continuous, thoughtful practice of what we do in clinic, and how we approach that work. The practice of medicine is more — much more — than simply treating illness. It is more than acquiring skills and techniques. And it is more than memorizing the experiences of others. It takes a certain kind of eye, an inquiring mind and relentlessly inquisitive heart.
Qiological is an opportunity to deepen our practice with conversations that go deep into acupuncture, herbal medicine, cultivation practices, and the practice of having a practice. It’s an opportunity to sit in the company of others with similar interests, but perhaps very different minds. Through these dialogues perhaps we can better understand our craft.
Medicine comes from continuous, thoughtful practice of what we do in clinic, and how we approach that work. The practice of medicine is more — much more — than simply treating illness. It is more than acquiring skills and techniques. And it is more than memorizing the experiences of others. It takes a certain kind of eye, an inquiring mind and relentlessly inquisitive heart.
Qiological is an opportunity to deepen our practice with conversations that go deep into acupuncture, herbal medicine, cultivation practices, and the practice of having a practice. It’s an opportunity to sit in the company of others with similar interests, but perhaps very different minds. Through these dialogues perhaps we can better understand our craft.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 25, 2018 • 56min
064 Shen Nong Society: A Taste for Herbs • Sally Rappeport
Sometimes takes an instant to know you might fall in love with something. And then it takes years, even decades to unfold all contained in that initial spark.When it comes to the study and practice of Chinese herbs, you’re signing on for a lifetime of learning. Some would see that as a barrier, other’s as an opportunity.The guest of today’s podcast conversation took it as an opportunity. One that not only has helped her to expand her own clinical understanding, but also assist others with their study and clinical application of Chinese herbal medicine.Listen into this conversation on how one person’s passion has helped to create a conference and resource network for those interested in Chinese herbal medicine. Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the conversation.
Dec 22, 2018 • 1h 3min
Encore Episode, The Nature of Water: Connection and Transformation • Margot Rossi & Nick Pole
Have you noticed that sometimes, simply when allowing a patient the space to unspool their story something happens. Not only do you hear something vital and important, but the patient might pause as they seemingly for the first time listen to themselves.The 10 questions in Chinese medicine is not just about gathering information so we can find out what is wrong. It is an opportunity to listen our patients into their own wisdom and experience.Listen in as two practitioners of the art discussion the how language and story, like water, can go anywhere.
Dec 18, 2018 • 1h 15min
063 Flavor Based Medicine • Simon Feeney
Page through the Material Medica and it is easy to think that Chinese herbal medicine is one unified body of knowledge and practice. But, it’s not. If you look closely you’ll see that different formulations come from different dynasties. Some were written in times of famine and war, others first penned during heights of peace, cultural exchange and affluence. While it looks like one coherent collection of prescriptions it is actually a history of doctors striving to cope with wildly different conditions. In today’s conversation we explore the dosing and cooking methods of some of our oldest and most used prescriptions. Listen in and discover the differences in dosing between ancient and modern times and why harmonizing formulas require a particular kind of attention to how they are prepared. Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview.
Dec 11, 2018 • 1h 3min
062 Constitution, Korean Medicine and the Power of Food • Tracy Stewart
Chinese medicine and Korean medicine share a lot of similarities. But there are a few differences. And when it comes to constitutional types, there are some significantly dissimilar perspectives. This is one of the delights of East Asian medicine. Coming across a perspective that is close to something we understand, but different enough to edge us toward either a feeling of “wrong, this can’t be right,” or “oh, I’ve not seen it that way, I wonder how this works.” It’s at the edges of our understanding that new information can arise and help us to deepen our perspective and understanding. Listen into this discussion on constitution, the Confucian influence on Korean medicine and how dietary habits and constitution can play a vital role in health and wellbeing. Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview.
Dec 3, 2018 • 59min
061 The Medicine of Motion • Renee Klorman
We tend to think of movement in mechanical terms. How this muscle contracts, how blood perfuses a certain kind of tissue or how tendons and bones allow for particular kinds of movement.But beyond this we we can see that movement is a kind of vocabulary of the body. It has nuance or not. It has a range of expression or not. And just like micro-nutrients are vital to our metabolism, so to micro movements are vital to our physical wellbeing and nervous system.Today’s conversation is not about taichi or qi gong, but about another kind of “kung fu” another kind of attentive focus on movement and movement practices that can help us to heal ourselves and our patients.Listen in to this conversation on how a modern perspective on movement goes hand in glove with our traditional medicine.Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview.
Nov 27, 2018 • 1h 5min
060 Treating Inflammation With Chinese Medicine • Will Maclean
Inflammation is a popular topic in the worlds of both alternative and conventional medicine. It’s a pathologic process that is the result of certain disease processes and the generator of others. It is also something that can be treated very well with East Asian medicine.In this episode we explore how the fundamentals of the Liver/Spleen relationship, the Heart/Kidney axis and digestion in general all can contribute to treating lingering heat in the body.We also take a look at lingering pathogens, and discuss how herbs with opposite effects are useful in treating these kinds of conditions as they help to reestablish dynamic equilibrium to the body.Listen in for a conversation on the power of harmonization in the treatment inflammatory conditions. Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview.
Nov 26, 2018 • 1h 9min
Encore Episode • Discussing The Three Treasures • A Part-Two Conversation with Andrew Nugent-Head
Jing, Qi and Shen— the three treasures.These are essentials that pervade our thinking as East Asian medicine practitioners. And yet, as fundamental as they are, these three are not so easy to nail down.They are concepts from another time and culture, and they are present and unfolding in your experience as you read this.If you are looking for something materially tangible to the Western mind, there is a lot you’ll miss. If you are seeking something of an ancient mystery, you’ll also go wide of the mark.Listen in to this conversation on Jing, Qi and Shen and their relation to other key aspects of Chinese medicine.
Nov 20, 2018 • 1h 15min
059 Engaging the channels: learning acupuncture with Dr. Wang Ju Yi • Jonathan Chang
The best teachers are perpetual students. They are ones who when things don’t work as expected don’t say the medicine doesn’t work. These people dig into finding out why they don’t yet know how to make it work. While aspects of medicine can be taught, there is much more than can only be discovered. Discovered anew within the experience of each generation. And it is those teachers who can help us along in that this kind of learning to learn who set us off on a life-long voyage of discovery. In this conversation we listen into one practitioner’s apprentice experience with Dr Wang Ju Yu and the path of practice that it opened up.Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview.
Nov 12, 2018 • 1h 2min
058 A Research Scientist's View of the Pulse & Beauty • Martha Lucas
It’s easy to think there is one way to take the pulse, and natural to fall back on the habits that formed early on in our learning to attend to this vital aspect of diagnosis and prognosis.Pulse is something our teachers help us to orient toward, but it is our experience and patients who help to understand and learn to trust what we feel.In this episode we have a research scientist’s eye view of the pulse. And how outward beauty is an expression of inward strength and balance.Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview.
Nov 5, 2018 • 1h 4min
057 Group discussion Two: Clinical Questions About Saam Acupuncture • Toby Daly & Guests
Sa’am has a good backstory. The meditative attainment of a Buddhist monk sparks a stream of acupuncture that can be taught to simple monks to help alleviate the suffering of the world.It is a good story.But, more importantly this is a perspective on acupuncture that gives some penetrating insight into the connections between the six levels (六經) and the five phases (五行). This method can help us to work with our patient’s constitutional, physiological and psycho-dynamic process all at the same time.It is easy to use in a wide variety of settings as it primarily relies on the transport points of the arms and legs. It does not require a lot needles, and the effects of correct, or incorrect treatment are readily apparent.In today’s group discussion a couple of practitioners who have recently begun to engage the Sa’am method bring their questions to Toby Daly.If you have started to use this method, or mulling over in your mind how it works and how to use it, then you’ll enjoy today’s nuts-n-bolts discussion based on actually clinical cases.Head on over to the show notes page for more information about this episode and for links to the resources discussed in the interview.
