Blog – The Gilbert Clinic

His Commitment to Create Beauty in Any Space: Remembering Shane Sjtorm

Jonathon Gilbert — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 16:43:23 +0000

“What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.”
 Oscar Wilde

A week ago I visited the memorial to someone, without whom, I could not have practiced Traditional Medicine in this area. He wasn’t a doctor or trained in any form of healthcare. He was an interior designer and a gardener. His name was Shane Sjtorm. And he was my friend.

When I opened The Gilbert Clinic in 2005, the original premise was that of an integrative medical clinic and I wanted a setting that was both beautiful and comfortable, as well as being practical. Whilst I had a location, the architectural plans and a builder to realize them, I had no designer to help me create the actual clinic interior and fill the space with light and color. Shane Sjtorm did this for me.

The story of meeting Shane is for another time but suffice to say that after a brief conversation, he agreed to help. In less than 5 minutes, and after asking a series of abstract questions, he designed The Gilbert Clinic and went to work. What he made was simply beautiful. And he did it for a fraction of its true cost. This kindness and generosity was reflected not just at The Gilbert Clinic but in the gardens, homes, and workspaces of so many people. He did it with a commitment to create beauty in any space that he worked with and in the minds of those he seemingly work for. I say it this way as it was often a case, that once you engaged Shane, you had to let go of the control and let him have his way. You were working for him!

The question that begs to be asked is why did he live this way? It wasn’t money or power of fame or even thanks. He lived this way because he valued the experience of creating and enriching over all else. He was the least cynical person I have ever met. There was always room for more good taste in the world and that is how Shane directed his life. He made no compromise in his work or sentiment; he lived in the heart of his work and himself. One doesn’t meet too many Shane Sjtorm’s in this, or any other, era. He had found a true freedom through his action. It is a lesson I still draw from every day. And so, I will see you again my friend and drink and laugh over all of this.

About the Author Acupuncturist

Jonathan Gilbert is a recognized expert in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He is certified in both acupuncture and Chinese herbology and has completed extensive post graduate training as well as a traditional apprenticeship. Read more of Mr. Gilbert’s credentials and written works.

Copyrights and Credits

Blog text is Copyright ©The Gilbert Clinic, Inc., 2016. Excerpts and links are allowed with credit and direction to original content. For full text reprint permission or a medical consultation with Jonathan Gilbert, contact us at (301) 215-4177 or info@thegilbertclinic.com.

Reporting Error Revealed in Knee Pain Acupuncture Study, Catastrophe Avoided

Jonathon Gilbert — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 16:42:40 +0000

On October 1st, 2014, the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a study entitled “Acupuncture for Chronic Knee Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial”[1]. It was a major study whose results stated that neither acupuncture nor laser acupuncture was useful to patients aged 50 and older with moderate-to-severe knee pain. Enter Dr. Arthur Fan…

In March of 2016 Dr. Fan and associates published a reevaluation of this study. It found serious flaws in its methodology and analysis. Not only that, but when properly evaluated, it appears that the study actually showed significant improvement in patients undergoing acupuncture and laser acupuncture in the clinical trial.

Dr. Fan is a consultant and long term researcher in Traditional Chinese Medicine who has been published in many of the world’s foremost medical journals. He has received numerous awards and commendations including a letter of thanks from the President himself. And thanks to him a grave reporting error was averted and an catastrophe avoided.

What is of interest to this writer is how such a mistake could have been made by one of the most respected, peer reviewed, medical publications in the world? I leave that, along with the link to Dr. Fan’s paper, “Acupuncture is Effective for Chronic Knee Pain: A Reanalysis of the Australian Acupuncture Trial”[2] to your discerning minds. Be well.

References

[1] “Acupuncture for Chronic Knee Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial”
Hinman RS, et al.
JAMA. 2014;312(13):1313-1322. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.12660.
PMID: 25268438

[2] “Acupuncture is Effective for Chronic Knee Pain: A Reanalysis of the Australian Acupuncture Trial”
Yin Fan A, Zhou K, Gu S, Ming Li Y.
Altern Ther Health Med. 2016 Mar;22(3):32-6
PMID: 27228270

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Emergency Room Acupuncture Lessens Pain and Anxiety

Jonathon Gilbert — Mon, 23 May 2016 23:05:18 +0000

An article appeared in The Minnesota Star Tribune on March 15th, 2016, concerning the work of Adam Reinstein.[1] Mr. Reinstein has been employed by Abbott Northwestern Hospital in their emergency room (ER). What is interesting about Adam Reinstein is that he is an acupuncturist. His work focuses on anxiety and pain management. The initial clinical results of his work seem to suggest acupuncture is of considerable benefit in this environment. In fact, so encouraging were the results, a pilot study of the use of acupuncture in an ER setting was published in the highly regarded journal Pain Medicine on Feb 25th, 2016.[2]

In Vietnam (where I was fortunate to do my postgraduate training), the use of Traditional Medicine in the world of acute care would not be considered unusual. I was told by many of the physicians I studied under, doctors who had worked both in the ER and shock trauma settings during the Vietnam War, that Traditional Medicine was commonly used and to great effect. It was standard care. Mr. Reinstein’s work is opening a door and I will be excited to follow his work in the future. I am hopeful that medicine in America has the courage to embrace the possibility that acupuncture is of value to patients in the ER setting.

References

[1] Abbott pioneers acupuncture in the ER
Jeremy Olson, Star Tribune, March 15, 2016

[2] Acceptability, Adaptation, and Clinical Outcomes of Acupuncture Provided in the Emergency Department: A Retrospective Pilot Study.
Reinstein AS1, Erickson LO2, Griffin KH2, Rivard RL2, Kapsner CE3, Finch MD4, Dusek JA2.
Pain Med. 2016 Feb 25. pii: pnv114.
PMID: 26917627

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Acupuncture Reduces Sleep Disturbances Significantly

Jonathon Gilbert — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 20:25:02 +0000

Obstetrics and Gynecology or ‘The Green Journal’ as it is commonly known, is considered by Ob/Gyn’s to be the best source of new information and studies within their profession. In the March edition, there was a review article entitled “Acupuncture to Reduce Sleep Disturbances in Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” This type of article looks at all previous studies and assesses their value. It is considered the highest form of medical research.

What is of interest is the conclusion to this study. I shall quote from the abstract:

“CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is associated with a significant reduction in sleep disturbances in women experiencing menopause-related sleep disturbances. Our findings suggest that acupuncture should be adopted as part of a multimodal approach for improving sleep disturbances in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.”

It is amazing that as little as 10 years ago this conclusion may not have been possible. Thankfully, there are now enough good quality research studies to allow for a rational and critical review of the subject. And with this, the stigma of acupuncture being quackery is fading. It is wonderful news for all of us, both patient and practitioner.

Reference

Acupuncture to Reduce Sleep Disturbances in Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. By Chiu HY, Hsieh YJ, Tsai PS.
Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Mar;127(3):507-15. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000001268.
PMID: 26855097

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Summer, Bright Yang and Seed of Yin

Jonathon Gilbert — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 18:20:47 +0000

We are in full bloom. Summer is here! It is the time of parades and lazy times in the heat of the east, the eastern United States. As we depart to the beach and for some, more distant locations, we can hopefully pack a book or two that’s been sitting around all year and has been begging us to read it.

In Chinese medicine, summer is the height of Yang energy. This season is bright, warm, and full of expanding energy. And yet, with that said, summer is also the time of the seed of Yin. The Chinese believed that life was a continual process, and so as the Yang became its brightest, the seed of Yin was formed inside of it. In the Yin/Yang symbol, it is described as the circle of one color in the middle of the biggest part of its opposite. The Chinese would say that Yang transforms into Yin and vice versa.

This idea is mirrored in many of the herbal formulas that are part of the Chinese formulary. Many herbal formulas that are designed to create warmth in the body have at least one herb that cools the body down. It is a mirror of the dynamic balance of nature, summertime and the idea of Yin and Yang.

I wish you all much splashing, fun cookouts, and joy in this glorious time of summer.

About the Author Acupuncturist

Certified in both acupuncture and Chinese herbology, Jonathan Gilbert is a recognized expert in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He has completed extensive post graduate training as well as a traditional apprenticeship. Read more of Mr. Gilbert’s credentials and written works.

Copyrights and Credits

Blog text is Copyright ©The Gilbert Clinic, Inc., 2015. Excerpts and links are allowed with credit and direction to original content. For full text reprint permission or a medical consultation with Jonathan Gilbert, contact us at (301) 215-4177 or info@thegilbertclinic.com. Sunflower image ©Kardash, beach bag image ©goir / Adobe Stock.

Spring, Time for Full Effort

Jonathon Gilbert — Mon, 18 May 2015 14:00:29 +0000

Boing! Spring has sprung and the world is waking up. This is a wonderful time of year for forging ahead. The seeds of our thoughts and intentions of the winter months can now be cultivated allowing ourselves to begin the changes that will improve our lives. In Traditional Medicine, the herbs of the spring are Yang within Yang; this is the idea of putting forth full effort and allowing nothing to come between us and our goals. In doing so, we blow out the cobwebs and ‘spring clean’ our emotional selves making space for new feelings and thoughts.

In Chinese medicine, one of the great historical formulas is called Xiao Yao San which roughly translates as ‘Relaxed Wanderer.’ It is used traditionally to treat the effects of stress as it allows for the smooth flow of emotions and physiological functioning. It is often prescribed in the spring to allow our energy to be expressed without the stagnation that winter can bring. In doing so, it enables us to enter the new season with a relaxed clarity of mind.

I wish you renewed passions and happiness for the world as we enjoy this most wonderful of seasons, spring.

About the Author Acupuncturist

Copyrights and Credits

Blog text is Copyright ©The Gilbert Clinic, Inc., 2014. Excerpts and links are allowed with credit and direction to original content. For full text reprint permission or a medical consultation with Jonathan Gilbert, contact us at (301) 215-4177 or info@thegilbertclinic.com. Image credit: open Chinese peony ©Miyuki Stake / Adobe Stock, side view peony ©Xuejun li / Adobe Stock.

Winter, Time to Recharge and Be Nourished

Jonathon Gilbert — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 15:00:43 +0000

The winter is now finally upon us and with it comes the sense of wonder and excitement of the holiday season.

In traditional Oriental medicine, winter is a time of accumulation and absorption. It is our opportunity to recharge and be nourished. We can build our reserves up for the coming seasons. Traditionally, exercise was done slower fashion with the emphasis on strengthening and softening the body. Warm food and drinks were consumed, and it was a time to spend at home in the comfort of one’s family and friends.

On the mental/ emotional level, winter is a period of contemplation and renewal. It is at this time that we can find our meditative depth and strengthen who we are. It is a time when we access the dark waters and rich, deep currents of life and develop our grand schemes and ideas. It is the Yin time.

And yet, as we engage this moment of the year, as we enable its slow, rich process, there forms within us the seed of a new energy. It is the seed of spring and its actions of movement of growth. As with the summer, whereby the seed of winter is formed in its height, the kernel of new life forms from the depths of these coming months. It is interesting to note that the herbs we traditionally use in winter time for strengthening the body are actually based in this notion of movement inside form, or Yang within Yin.

I hope these thoughts allow us to see beyond the snow delays and traffic snags and look at the coming months as both healthful and a time of peace.

About the Author Acupuncturist

Copyrights and Credits

Blog text is Copyright ©The Gilbert Clinic, Inc., 2014. Excerpts and links are allowed with credit and direction to original content. For full text reprint permission or a medical consultation with Jonathan Gilbert, contact us at (301) 215-4177 or info@thegilbertclinic.com. Branch of dangling, snow covered pods ©Maxal Tamor / Adobe Stock.

Autumn, Time of Gathering and Descending

Jonathon Gilbert — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 16:00:58 +0000

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

Well, it’s fall. Autumn has arrived and with it the explosion of color and flaming beauty. Our minds turn to winter and the coming cold. This is truly a wonderful season. It is a time of Yin within Yin. We seek within ourselves a place to gently store our energies for the coming months. In Chinese medical terms, the fall is a time of gathering and descending. It is a time when we begin the process of consolidation. It is the time of deep rivers gathering into lakes and oceans. This imagery evokes the feelings of gathering ones deepest thoughts and projects and reflecting upon their progress, allowing them to slow down for the winter season. It is also the time of harvest and storage.

With the invention of electricity we have transformed mankind to the extent that we can light up the fall and ignore the patterns of nature and seasons. We are constantly in the time of spring. And as we do this, I feel that we lose the lesson of this season and with it our capacity to see beyond our immediate wants. And, as the quote above tells us, we lose our ability to understand the world we live in. I therefore hope we all can spend some time with this season and not lose track of its innate gift.

So I wish you a wonderful, reflective, nurturing belly full of food season. And for those of you interested, the quote was by Albert Einstein.

About the Author Acupuncturist

Certified in both acupuncture and Chinese herbology, Jonathan Gilbert is a recognized expert in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He completed extensive post graduate training as well as a traditional apprenticeship. Read more of Mr. Gilbert’s credentials and written works.

Copyrights and Credits

Blog text is Copyright ©The Gilbert Clinic, Inc., 2014. Excerpts and links are allowed with credit and direction to original content. For full text reprint permission or a medical consultation with Jonathan Gilbert, contact us at (301) 215-4177 or info@thegilbertclinic.com. Colorful autumn leaves arranged in Yin and Yang symbol image ©jorgaba / Adobe Stock.

Medicine of the Han – Part 4 – The Secrets Inside the Golden Chamber

Jonathon Gilbert — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 22:30:58 +0000

A patient with arthritis is a patient with a condition that didn’t appear overnight. Their joints are in pain and they are tired from a lifetime of work. Their body’s own systems of regulation have become incapable of dealing with the day to day activity of keeping everything in check.

Arthritis can happen from overuse of a joint, it can be caused by incorrect diet, or it can occur from years of plain hard work. Whatever the cause or causes, what can be said is that arthritis is not the result of a bacteria or a virus. It is not the result of being shot or blown up. It is not caused by bad drinking water. In fact, it is not the result of something that requires an immediate response. And our reductionist, symptom treating healthcare system is completely bamboozled trying to effectively manage it.

Modern medicine does get close to a solution, only to realize much later that the medication has terrible side effects. The harder we try, the less able we are to find a solution that is effective and safe. This is the situation the Han Chinese physicians found themselves in all those years ago, when as a result of wealth or excess, they began to encounter patients with autoimmune conditions.

Chronic, debilitating, progressive conditions, like arthritis, left those ancient doctors perplexed. So perplexed were they that it wasn’t until the end of the Han Era that the solution was found. What follows is a sample of that solution.

Zhang Zhongjing
Author of the
Shanghan Zabing Lun
Wikimedia Commons
/ Public Domain

Chinese physicians created an analogy that an autoimmune (or chronically) compromised immune system, could be regarded as ‘cold.’ When the patient was in this state, it was said that the body suffered from ‘interior cold.’ Now in many autoimmune conditions, there are many symptoms of pain and inflammation. These were regarded as manifestations of heat. A person suffering from these was said to have ‘exterior heat.’ And therefore, a person who had a disease where the symptoms were raging but the body could no longer respond meaningfully was said to have ‘a febrile (heat) disease caused by interior cold.’ Hence the first part of the third classic of Chinese medicine was called The Treatise of Febrile Disease Caused by Interior Cold.

Now we can answer the question of why the ancient Han dynasty physicians were so adamant about the learning and practicing of the 3rd Classic. When understood, the Shanghan Zabing Lun is nothing short of the methodology, the herbal formulations, and a step by step guide to treating autoimmune and nervous system disorders. Contained in its pages are the secrets of the Golden Chamber, they are the answers to the questions that are concerning and confounding us in American healthcare today. Pretty cool stuff; pretty hot stuff.

Coming up, I’ll be reporting from the weather desk about the gifts of Autumn. Until then, be well.

About the Author Acupuncturist

Copyrights and Credits

Blog text is Copyright ©The Gilbert Clinic, Inc., 2014. Excerpts and links are allowed with credit and direction to original content. For full text reprint permission or a medical consultation with Jonathan Gilbert, contact us at (301) 215-4177 or info@thegilbertclinic.com. Image credit: ancient Chinese medicine book with herbs image ©ft2010 / Adobe Stock.

Medicine of the Han – Part 3 – The Code in the Classics

Jonathon Gilbert — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 15:00:59 +0000

Welcome back. My last episode ended with a Flash Gordenesque cliff hanger. More questions than answers. And now, to put you out of your misery, come all the answers. Let’s begin by examining the question of “Why is the Shanghan Zabing Lun written in the style of someone who has been to one too many Grateful Dead concerts?” The answer is as follows. It was done to restrict knowledge.

“But why would someone want to restrict medical knowledge?” I hear you all shout.

If you are writing a medical classic that is to be used to heal, but contains knowledge that could be used to make immense profit and could be manipulated by folks with baser motivations than the selfless desire to help others, then you have to be pretty darn careful who reads it. Also you want to deter complete idiots from the idea of practicing medicine. The text is actually written in a form of code. I will refrain from a 20,000 word explanation of this (available in my forthcoming book, A History of German Stand Up Comedy), but suffice it to say if you possess the correct ideas or keys, the text changes into a book that can be easily read.

Zhang Zhongjing
Author of Treatise
on Febrile Disease
Caused by Cold and
Secrets from the
Golden ChamberWikimedia Commons
/ Public Domain

So, as the story goes, if it was judged that you were of sound mind and good heart, a teacher would elucidate, with the help of a few drinks, the keys and therefore the method of the book. Otherwise, its essence would be hidden regardless of the time one spent trying to read it. Once transmitted, the student then studied for about 10 years and hey, presto, the knowledge would open itself to the reader. This is actually what happened to me.

Now to the second why. Why did the Chinese need a third classic when the knowledge of the first two seemed to cover all there was to know about medicine? The answer to this is that something happened in the Han dynasty that had never happened before to this culture: the Chinese people became organized. And with organization came wealth. And with wealth came something the Han could never of predicted, diseases of wealth.

People, for the first time were prone to diseases and conditions that reflected an increase in wealth, food, and lifespan. People living to 50 or even 70 years in the Han era were going to start experiencing the diseases we commonly see today. The physicians of the day were at a loss to know what to do with the situation that confronted them. They realized that the landscape of medicine had changed, and to adapt, a new direction or philosophy would be required. And so they sat, they thought, they compiled, and then they created a new perspective on healthcare. It was an idea so elegant and practical that it has never been equaled.

In our next installment, for those still awake, I will describe what that idea was. In doing so, I will attempt to shed light on what these ancient Chinese doctors discovered. This idea is not just relevant, but vital, in today’s world. It is, quite simply, a secret from the golden chamber. Ta ta for now.

About the Author Acupuncturist

Copyrights and Credits

Blog text is Copyright ©The Gilbert Clinic, Inc., 2014. Excerpts and links are allowed with credit and direction to original content. For full text reprint permission or a medical consultation with Jonathan Gilbert, contact us at (301) 215-4177 or info@thegilbertclinic.com. Image credit: old metal keys on vintage book image ©Nejron Photo / Adobe Stock.