"The Wood Element and the Pelvis" by Krystal Lynn Couture explores the intricate relationship between the wood element in Chinese medicine and the pelvis, highlighting the essential balance between strength and flexibility for optimal posture and function. The article draws parallels between the wood phase and the energetic burgeoning of spring, symbolizing the transition from yin to yang and the manifestation of essence. This energetic movement resonates with women's cycles and new beginnings.

A central theme is the power of working with the spirit of the points on the pelvis, which deeply connects with a client's essence and can address root causes of dysfunction. The liver and gallbladder, the wood element's paired organs, play crucial leadership roles in bodily alignment. A compelling case study illustrates how acupuncture, utilizing points like Liver 10, CV 12, GB 28, GB 30, and Liver 11, helped a fertility client with a wood constitution confront her need for control through embracing vulnerability. This journey of encountering the uncomfortable "spirit of the points" proved pivotal for her physical and emotional alignment, ultimately leading to significant life changes and a second pregnancy. The article emphasizes that embracing the discomfort associated with the spirit of needed points is key to profound transformation.

Discover the power of skull palpation, a unique acupuncture technique developed by Dr. Clayton Shiu over 20 years of treating stroke and neurological patients. This method, technically scalp palpation but distinct from scalp acupuncture, allows for the rapid assessment of neurological conditions by identifying specific skull patterns correlated with TCM, neurological, and scientific principles. Dr. Shiu, with his sensitive hands honed by decades of taiji practice, can palpate subtle anatomical structures and detect abnormalities that serve as diagnostic tools. This approach proves particularly effective for conditions like concussion, blurry vision, balance issues, Parkinson’s, and even difficult-to-treat tinnitus. A compelling case study highlights its efficiency in diagnosing a high-school football player's concussion, even identifying the affected eye without traditional neurological tests. Skull palpation helped formulate targeted acupuncture treatments that led to dramatic improvements in vision and cognitive function after just one session. Dr. Shiu has even observed patterns related to COVID-19, showcasing the evolving nature of this diagnostic system. His aim is to share these findings to empower TCM and other practitioners in diagnosing and treating complex neurological conditions effectively.

Emerging as an unconventional yet intriguing approach to the persistent challenges of Long COVID, low-dose nicotine patches are being explored as a potential integrative treatment. The rationale lies in nicotine's ability to compete with SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins at receptor sites, potentially restoring homeostasis. Furthermore, nicotine acts as an agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), triggering the "cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway" which could counter the chronic inflammation observed in Long COVID. Anecdotal reports and a small case series suggest that low doses (3.5-7.5 mg/day) may improve debilitating symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and dyspnea. However, the current evidence base is limited to case reports and patient narratives, as randomized, controlled trials are lacking. While preclinical studies support nicotine's anti-inflammatory properties, potential side effects such as nausea and tachycardia, along with the risk of addiction, necessitate cautious, medically supervised use within an integrative framework that includes foundational treatments like hydration and acupuncture. Nicotine is not viewed as a standalone fix but as a potential adjunct for those unresponsive to standard care, highlighting the ongoing quest for effective solutions to the Long COVID conundrum.