wellpdx

I believe in the demystification of Chinese medicine. There are schools of thought within Chinese medicine that are content to maintain the belief that what we practice is akin to sorcery or magic - that we are adept at working with unseen, unknowable, magical energies in the body. I strive to study Chinese Medicine as it was originally practiced by the masters of this wonderful science. Their work is witnessed in the canonical texts of Chinese medicine from the Eastern Han Dynasty (roughly 2,000 years ago). What I find when I study the medicine in this context is not a mystical, magical system, but a system that is deeply rooted in a keen (and often very beautiful) understanding of the movements and processes of the human body and the wider natural world. It is a science that, when in the hands of a competent practitioner, becomes an art form.

To help me explain this demystification, let me discuss a very practical example that might help the reader to stay a little healthier this winter. Talk to any Chinese medicine practitioner about the common cold, and you

Apart from that inner Self or higher nature all things are a deviation, disturbance, or disease. Until we learn to rest in our true nature we are prone to all the processes of decay and degeneration inherent in the external world. Hence the only final cure for disease is Self-knowledge.
– Dr. David Frawley, American Institute of Vedic Studies

Ever notice how when we do something that brings us joy, that is fun or creative, we just feel good – healthy, youthful and free? This is our true nature. On the contrary, stress, frustration and worry cause imbalance in our mind and health while promoting the process of dis-ease and aging.

Ayurvedic wisdom honors Self-knowledge as the final cure for all disease. Notice this is “self” with a capital “S”, the Self that embodies not who we think we are, what we call ourselves, or we do for a living, but instead the

Naturopathic doctors (N.D.) specialize in natural medicine. Naturopathic medicine supports and facilitates the healing process in the body by removing obstacles to health and recovery, and by supporting a healthy internal and external environment.

What is the difference between Licensed Massage Therapist and a Bodyworker?

For the purposes of wellpdx, we have created these two different categories because so many different forms of manual manipulation aren't well defined by "massage therapy".

Been sitting on the fence about getting help from "alternative medicine"? Why wait? The sooner you find a modality and a practitioner who can help, the sooner you will feel better!

wellpdx is based in Portland, OR and is dedicated to connecting community members to practitioners, and practitioners to their community. We do this through our health and wellness practitioner directory, online community, and real-world events in Portland, Oregon.