July 2009 [Volume 8, Issue 7]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• SF Giants, Star Pitcher Win With Acupuncture
• Herb of the Month – Catechu (er cha)
• Ask an Acupuncturist

SF Giants, Star Pitcher Win With Acupuncture

What keeps a professional athletic team playing at the top of its game? If you ask the San Francisco Giants baseball team, part of their response would include giving credit to acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Haro Ogawa, MSOM, LAc, CMT, ATC, serves as the team acupuncturist for the Giants. In addition, he has previously worked for the New York Mets, and privately for the Golden State Warriors basketball team, NASCAR drivers and the Japanese national baseball team.

If the Giants' season thus far is any indication, Ogawa certainly would appear to be helping the team achieve phenomenal results. As of June 15, the Giants were in second place in the National League West, only seven games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. They were riding a three-game winning streak, had won seven of their last 10 games, and were in serious contention for a wild-card playoff spot. A large part of their success was due to Ogawa's 46-year-old star client and future Hall-of-Famer, Randy "The Big Unit" Johnson.

Johnson had never tried acupuncture before this season. The results have been impressive. A five-time Cy Young Award winner, Johnson is well past the time when most pitchers retire. Yet, he carried a winning record into the end of June and hadn't missed a start. While he may not be able to throw 100-mph fastballs like he could in his prime, he is still averaging more than eight strikeouts per nine innings pitched.

David Groeschner, head athletic trainer for the Giants, told Acupuncture Today that Ogawa's work with the players has been great. "The players love him and love the treatments. In our game, we are out there every day, so the players get sore and banged up. They definitely get back into the game more quickly because of his work."

For more information on the many benefits of Oriental medicine, visit www.acupuncturetoday.com.

Herb of the Month – Catechu (er cha)

Catechu is a type of paste made from an extract of the acacia catechu, a type of tree native to India. It is obtained by grinding the wood of the acacia catechu and boiling it in water for 12 hours. The wood is removed from the water, and the extract is steamed until it forms the consistency of a syrup. At that time, the syrup is stirred and poured into molds. After drying, it is broken up into irregular pieces.

According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, catechu has bitter, astringent and neutral properties, and is associated with the Lung meridian. Its main properties are to drain dampness, stop bleeding, clear the lungs, and transform phlegm. Catechu is used to treat sores, stop infections, and quench thirst. Some cultures use catechu as a type of mouthwash and to treat oral ulcers. Externally, catechu can treat conditions such as hemorrhoids and eczema.

The typical dosage of catechu is between three and 12 g, taken with lukewarm water as an infusion or tincture. It can also be applied externally to help stop bleeding and treat sores. Small pieces of catechu can also be held in the mouth and allowed to dissolve.

As of this writing, there are no known adverse effects or drug interactions associated with catechu, provided it is taken in the proper dosage. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking catechu or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.

Ask an Acupuncturist

Question: What sort of physical exam do most licensed acupuncturists perform on their new patients? Is it just a vitals exam? Or is it a vital exam plus whatever is related to the patient's chief complaint? I'm wondering if acupuncturists have to perform a full physical exam?

Answer: An examination by an acupuncturist involves certain observations, including the condition and appearance of the tongue and pulse. There are also inquiries, specifically 10 traditional questions. Most acupuncturists will also conduct a physical exam of the patient's vitals.

Do you have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit the "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum at www.acupuncturetoday.com/ask.

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