Dialogues on Applied Channel Theory

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jonathan Chang talks to Dr. Meng Xiaonan about his experiences becoming a doctor at a TCM hospital in Beijing. Later in the episode, Dr. Meng answers some listeners' questions about the treatment of post-stroke patients.  Music by The Strayun: Clancy of the Overflow. If you're interested in listening to the entire song, please visit:  thestrayun.bandcamp...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jonathan Chang and Jason Robertson remember Dr. Wang on the annual holiday known as "Tomb Sweeping Day"  (清明節- Qing Ming Jie).  In the spirit of remembrance, Jon and Jason reflect on one of Dr. Wang's favorite quotes from the Neijing.  Ling Shu chapter one describes the very nature of  "channels/points [which are] where spirit qi moves, exit...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Yefim Gamgoneishvili and Jason Robertson discuss the much-debated question regarding 'tonification/補 bǔ' in acupuncture. Specifically, the question often arises regarding whether or not we can actually tonify using acupuncture (or moxa) or whether 'true' deficiency requires herbal medicine or dietary supplementation.  In this episode, Yefim al...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dialogues on Applied Channel Theory, Jonathan Chang and Nyssa Tang chat about an eye twitching case that illustrates an aspect of the yin-yang relationship between the Jue Yin and Shao Yang.  The conversation also meanders into some observations about channel pathophysiology post-Covid and Dr. Wang Ju-Yi’s needling technique at DU14.  Hope you enjoy the conversa...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jonathan talks with Dr. Rodrigo Aranda about his experiences treating post-Covid patients in Chile. Four common categories of patients that are typically seen are discussed (chronic fatigue, IBS, peripheral neuropathy and cough), including the  common point combinations used.  Music by The Strayun: Clancy of the Overflow. If you're interested in listening to...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jonathan Chang and Jason Robertson describe a common point pairing strategy used by Dr. Wang.  Namely, what might be done when a presenting pattern fails to fit perfectly into categories of 'excess' or 'deficiency'.  In these situations, more of a 'regulating' treatment is called for where the channels and organs are cleared without d...

Send us Fan Mail One of Dr. Wang’s most useful analogies for describing the physiology of the channels is the classic bamboo steamer that is a common sight at dumpling and bao shops in China. It’s a useful image for understanding how the channels support and influence each other to maintain a healthy internal environment.  In this episode of Dialogues on Applied Channel Theory, Jonathan and Nyssa...

Send us Fan Mail In Lingshu Chapter 18, the Neijing describes each of the three 'burners' (焦 jiao) in the trunk of the body as having what Dr. Wang described as 'environments'.  In that text, the middle burner is described as a 'pickling pot' (漚 ou). In this discussion, Jonathan and Jason discuss a variety of common patterns and physiological concepts related to thi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jonathan talks to Dr. Meng Xiao Nan from the Huguosi TCM Hospital about his use of Applied Channel Theory in the treatment of post-stroke patients. Music by The Strayun.  If you're interested in listening to the entire song, please visit:  thestrayun.bandcamp.com/track/clancy-of-the-overflow

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mei and Jonathan answer some listeners’ questions. A few topics are covered, such as Dr. Wang Ju-yi’s approach to tonifying and draining points, point selection and changes observed to the channels over the course of treatments.  Music by The Strayun.  If you're interested in listening to the entire song, please visit:  thestrayun.bandcamp.com/track/clancy-of...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Wang Ju-Yi always reminded his students to see acupuncture points like friends. It takes time to learn their character and personality, tendencies in activity, needle sensation, and how each point should feel when palpating for their location. In this latest episode, Jonathan and Nyssa chat about some point friends  they have re-visited recently in their clinics, like PC-6 and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jonathan Chang and Jason Robertson discuss an unusual recent case.  Some have noted that post-Covid patterns may involve the Shaoyin channel. When this pattern emerges, it often includes more familiar symptoms of insomnia, heart palpitations and some kinds of tinnitus. In this case, the primary complaint was a deep pain in the left shoulder joint.      Music by Th...

Send us Fan Mail April 5th, 2022 was the Tomb Sweeping Day （清明节）.  Jonathan shares some thoughts and memories of Professor Wang Ju-yi, who passed away in August 2017. Music by The Strayun: Clancy of the Overflow. If you're interested in listening to the entire song, please visit:  thestrayun.bandcamp.com/track/clancy-of-the-overflow 

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Yefim and Jonathan talk about the difference between treating channel sinew disorders with the Tai Yang and Jue Yin. Different strategies and point combos are discussed, illustrated with a  couple recent clinical cases.   We would also like to thank Tom Dole and his band The Strayun for letting us use their song Clancy of the Overflow. If you're interested in...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Jonathan Chang begins by asking Jason Robertson about an article he wrote for the Journal of Chinese Medicine (https://www.channelpalpation.org/s/Point-Pair-Synergy-and-Defensive-Qi.pdf ). In the course of discussing the article, Jon and Jason reflect upon  just a few of the concepts surrounding clinical application of defensive qi (衛氣 wèi qì) theory in East Asia...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jonathan Chang and Jason Robertson discuss two unusual cases- one from Dr. Wang’s clinic and another from Jonathan’s clinic in Beijing.  An analysis of these cases leads to a review of extraordinary vessel theory, modified point locations and some insights into the types of situations where extraordinary vessel theory can help unwind a difficult case.

Send us Fan Mail Does this fall season have you re-assessing and returning to your routines and rhythms? In this episode, Jon and Nyssa talk about the seasonal affect on our Lung Tai Yin systems and things that we can do to support our bodies and minds. 

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mei and Jonathan discuss Dr. Wang's case study book 《王居易针灸医案讲习录》。They discuss their inspiration for working on this project with Dr. Wang, including talking about some of the clinical cases that initiated the writing of this book. In addition, Mei and Jonathan give an update on the progress of their translation of this book into English.    

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jonathan talks to Yefim about his approach to the treatment of chronic pain. The discussion covers the point-pressing technique and channel palpation for diagnosis, including common points used to treat chronic pain. There is also a summary of a recent chronic low back pain case. 

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Jason Robertson and Jonathan Chang discuss Dr. Wang's first published article on what eventually became Applied Channel Theory. This article was recently translated with commentary by Jonathan an re-published in The Lantern (https://www.thelantern.com.au/) The discussion re-visits core concepts at the heart of Dr. Wang's clinical approach and how that app...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Nyssa and Jonathan discuss Dr. Wang Ju-yi's clinical application and location of LR-5 （蠡沟), and how its location shifted over the years. Discussion of this point also expands to briefly describe Dr. Wang's location of the foot jue yin liver channel.  

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Jason and Nyssa build upon recent discussions of Taiyin and Jueyin physiology by exploring clinical presentations of qi stagnation/constraint/鬱 yù .  When we first begin to study East Asian medicine, we often fall into the trap of considering all qi stasis patterns to involve the liver.  This discussion uses clinical insight to compare and contrast Jueyin and  Tai...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jason and Jonathan discuss the relationship of the liver and pericardium in Jueyin using insomnia as an example.   Within each of the six channels, the particular relationship of the organs is unique.  When confronted with theoretical complexity, it is often most helpful to begin with a case study to bring things back to reality. 

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Yefim and Jonathan discuss the point pair combination LU-5 + SP-9. Yefim recalls his initial obsession with this point combo, and how his understanding of it evolved over the years. The functions of this point pair on regulating tai yin physiology are introduced. In addition, it is compared to another common point pair -- the four gates. 

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Jonathan Chang and Jason Robertson discuss the back shu points.  Dr. Wang had a unique location for these important points which is discussed in detail.  In addition, Jon and Jason discuss how to palpate these points for diagnostic clues and how each of them use them in their daily clinical work. Cases are discussed and strategies for correlating distal channel pal...