Western medicine still has little understanding of the cause of Frozen Shoulder. Because FS is an invisible syndrome, it cannot be uncovered through blood tests or revealed through x-rays or scans. The shoulder doesn’t appear to have any obvious damage and no particular incident caused the symptoms to appear, although it can be brought on by small accidents. In Chinese Medicine, Frozen Shoulder is believed to be caused by long-term exposure to drafts and dampness; it is similar to rheumatoid arthritis. Women tend to suffer more from FS than men, more than likely because of the way women dress as compared to men (bare shoulders are exposed to the elements). Another cause is sleeping with the arm and shoulder outside of the covers, again exposing the shoulder to cold and draft, especially if you sleep near to a window or air conditioning vent. When we sleep, our blood circulation naturally slows down so the cold can penetrate much easier into the muscles, nerves, and bones. When we are young and our energies high, we don’t feel the damage so readily. But when we start to age and our energy starts to wane, especially after 50, the syndrome starts to manifest itself.

In Master Wong's next blog, he'll discss different types of shoulder pain and how to treat Frozen Shoulder.

Frozen Shoulder (FS) is syndrome occurring on one side of the shoulder, but never both shoulders at the same time. It is generally a middle-age syndrome.  In Chinese Medicine, it is known as “50s shoulder” because it typically manifests in the 50s onward. Frozen shoulder is characterized by pain in the Deltoid muscles which spreads down to the Triceps Brachii. The pain tends to worsen as time goes by and the shoulder joint becomes stiff. The pain is described as being a constant dull ache or sharp pain in certain movements. In later stages of the syndrome, the shoulder starts to build up adhesions becoming  increasingly stiff and more painful. The arm is difficult to raise beyond shoulder level. Putting on clothes, using a blow dryer, or combing one’s hair is difficult if not impossible. At this stage, the whole shoulder joint seems to be inflamed. If FS has become chronic, it can last for several years and result in atrophy of the Deltoid muscle with the affected shoulder appearing to be at a higher level than the other.

In Master Wong's next blog, he will discuss the causes of Frozen Shoulder.

Traditional Chinese Bodywork and Acupuncture treatment principles are based on the theory of the Twelve Meridians and Fourteen Channels. The theory of the Fourteen Channels, and their commonly-used acupoints, is considered the principle component of Meridian theory and the most practical and theoretical rudiment in massage therapy. This is because it acts as a fundamental guideline for all aspects of clinical application including: the diagnosis of diseases and differentiation of syndromes; the determination of treatment methods and prescriptions of the acupoints; and the selection of hand manipulations and their performing methods such as light, heavy, slow, rapid, clockwise or anti-clockwise. So to master massage, one must first learn the massage doctrine. Without the knowledge of the Fourteen Channels theory, the efficacy of treatments such as chiropractic or physiotherapy will be minimal and short-lived.

The Fourteen Meridian Channels include the twelve regular channels and two extra meridian channels.

The Twelve Channels are generally regarded as the principal part of the Channel System and refer respectively to the twelve internal organs. There are six Zang organs and six Fu organs. Zang organs belong to Yin and the Fu organs belong to Yang, and named after them. For example, the channel related to the heart is called the Heart Channel of Hand Shaoyin; the term “yin” is present in the name, thereby indicating that the heart is a Zang organ.

These twelve channels are linked with each other through their branches and collaterals which constitute six pairs of interior-exterior and corresponding relations between Zang organs and Fu organs. Of the twelve channel, the Yin channels pertain to the Zang organs and connect the Fu organs while the Yang channels pertain to the Fu organs and connect the Zang organs. Through communication with the channels of the hand and foot, the twelve channels join together and form an endless ring. In the ring, Chi and blood circulate round and round again to nourish the whole body in a continuous cycle.

The two extra meridian channels are the Ren channel and Du channel, also known as the Conception vessel and the Governing vessel, respectively.

The Ren channel is at the front of the body and belongs to the Yin, while the Du channel is at the back of the body and belongs to the Yang. These two channels, or vessels, are considered to be the most important among the channels and vessels as they constantly exchange Chi and balance each other. They are different from the twelve regular channels in that they have neither a direct nor an exterior-interior relationship with the Zang-Fu organs. Their main physiological function is to regulate Chi and blood within the twelve regular channels to ascertain if they are deficient or excessive.

The Du channel starts from inside the lower abdomen and comes from the perineum Hulyin point and curves backward. It runs along the mid-line of the waist, the back and the nape of the neck to the vertex of the face. It is called the “Sea of Yang Channels” as it meets all of the Yang channels and is able to regulate Chi in all of the Yang channels.

The Ren channel starts from inside the lower abdomen, comes out from the perineum Hulyin point, curves around the genitals, ascends along the midline of the abdomen and runs along from the chest to the mandible. It is called the “Sea of Yin Channels” because it meets all the Yin channels of the body and is also able to regulate Chi in the Yin channels.

In addition, these two channels play a major role in nourishing the mind and spirit and are also responsible for regulating the body fluids that nourish the abdomen, as well as regulating sexual energy and the genital system. It is said to take thirty days to complete the Chi circulation cycle; it takes twenty-one days from points Fengfu to Huiyin, and nine days from the Huiyin point to the throat.

For more information about the Fourteen Meridians or to obtain a copy on CD, please email your request to Master Wong. To learn more about Master Wong’s workshops, visit his website at www.barehandsdoctor.com.  

Tui-Na, pronounced twee na, is an ancient form of systematic massage treatment which originated in China during the time of Wang Di, The Yellow Emperor (2674-2575 BC). It is one of the three clinical treatment methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the other two being acupuncture moxibustion and herbal medicine, both of which are more commonly known and practiced in the West.

Tui-Na combines digital pressure, clinical massage and physical manipulation of the body and its energy points to eliminate pains and aches, promote the harmonious flow of energy, and encourage natural healing. Meaning push and grab, Tui-Na employs Chinese Taoist principles along with the Meridian and Channel Theories introduced by Wang Di to restore the body's balance and promote Chi (life force).

Direct contact with the skin is essential for the Tui-Na physician to detect what is underneath; to determine the condition of the body, its temperature, tenderness, and changes in color; to remove blockages or obstructions and to allow the free flow of blood and Chi; and to promote and transfer energy to the patient. No oils are used during treatment.

More akin to physical therapy than massage, Tui-Na is practiced widely in hospitals and medical centers throughout China. It is ranked equally with acupuncture and herbalism, and is often prescribed more frequently because it is less invasive and has known curative effects that neither acupuncture nor herbal medicine can achieve. With no known side-effects, it is also suitable for people of all ages.

In the last 20+ years, Western massage practitioners have begun incorporating the principles and methodologies of Tui-Na by using the acupoints and meridian systems. Reflexology and holistic massage are two prime examples of treatments based almost entirely on Tui-Na.  In Japan, Tui-Na evolved into Shiatsu. Similarly, chiropractic medicine employs a number of the physical manipulations developed centuries ago by the Tui-Na doctors of China. However, some of the manipulations still employed by Western chiropractors today were abandoned by Chinese Tui-Na physicians as they viewed these manipulations as likely or able to cause harm.

Because of its long history and proven efficacy, Tui-Na migrated across many continents and flourished outside of China. And while some of its core principles are cloaked in Taoist mysticism and remain a mystery for the average laymen, the idea of natural, self-healing is one that many people seek.

Upcoming topics: How one treatment session with Master Wong can relieve even the most acute condition; TCM Organic Diagnostic Methods; 14 Channels & Meridian Pressure Point Theory; Five Elements Theory; Foods to Reinforce Chi; Patient Q&A; Case Studies; and much more ...

The new “water-drinking culture” In the last ten to twenty years we have been told by health care professionals, GPs, therapists, chiropractors and those who practise complementary medicine- that we should drink more water or our health will suffer. Their mantra is “Drink more water” and the recommended amount is usually at least 8 glasses to 2 litres per day. Their solution for tiredness, back pain, headaches, insomnia etc. is to drink more water. Do we really need so much water to stay healthy? All of a sudden every body carries a bottle of water wherever they go but is it necessary?

What are the benefits of water?

The body’s water makes up 75% of the total body weight, is the principal constituent of all body chemical substances, (blood, lymph, tissue fluid, salivary juice, gastric juice, bile, sweat, etc.) and all excretory fluids. The water we drink replaces the bodily fluids that we lose every day and is, of course, used to cool down our system when it is over-heated, in hot weather, for example when we perspire or after excessive exercise or when suffering from diarrhoea, fever or hot flushes or even after too much pungent food. Water has no nutritional value, nor any internal cleansing powers.

Too much water, what can it do?

In France recently a lady was apparently so obsessed with drinking a lot of water that she actually over-loaded her system, saturated her lungs and drowned, she died of water intoxication. Water intoxication results from the consumption of large quantities of water or, in cases of kidney malfunction, when urinary secretion is reduced. This is, of course, an extreme example, but excessive water intake can also cause headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and convulsions, among other problems. Naturally the more we drink the more we have to urinate and urine contains salt and hormones. Salt is an energy source and a cleansing agent which has a tenderising effect, protecting the organs. Drinking too much water causes exhaustion of the kidneys and the bladder subsequently leading to the build-up of minerals (gall & kidney stones) Through frequent urination we lose more vital chemicals-it is the “river of no return” the urine becomes clearer but not because there are no more toxins in the body. In Traditional Chinese medicine, the urine of a healthy body should be slightly yellow. If it is clear, this indicates that the body is suffering from a cold or some kind of deficiency.

Bad advice

Many doctors and therapists consider that constipation is the result of not drinking enough water and advises drinking more water to ease constipation, but water goes through the kidneys to the bladder and not to the colon or bowel. Too much water in the stomach can only cause embarrassment. It releases oxygen from the water resulting in belching and other digestive problems such as a bloated stomach. The notion that drinking a prescribed amount of water per day will cure a myriad of problems is similar to the idea that stress is the cause of many common illnesses - water is merely a placebo.

I recently read in a news paper that we should take 5 pints of water a day, three of which should be obtained by drinking and the other two from the food we eat. This suggestion is disturbing because if we obtained two pints of water from our food, we would be grossly over-eating and overweight. More harmful advice from the same article suggested that we should drink before we feel thirsty. Instinctively if our body needs water, it will give out signals, such as thick saliva, dry lips and throat and a feeling of thirst. Too much water doesn’t taste sweet any more it only causes imbalance and disharmony.

Good Advice

Intake of water is determined principally by the sense of thirst. Excessive intake may lead to water intoxication. Therefore you should understand the working of your own body- if you’re not hungry, don’t eat-if you are not thirsty, don’t drink. Food and drink maintain health and balance, excess causes upset.

To learn more about my practice and teachings, visit my website at www.barehandsdoctor.com.  

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or instruction. The information provided here is insufficient to conduct any form of treatment, exercise, or to provide any advice. Master Wong accepts no responsibility or liability for the use of the techniques described or ideas discussed within this website or any outcomes or result. Always consult a doctor before undertaking any bodywork or exercise.  The Bare Hands Doctor is a trade name.  Master Wong is not a medical doctor.

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