Yi-Po Anthony Wu, MD, M.P.H.
Medical Director and founder of PCMC

• Western medical training at National Taiwan University, Worcester City Hospital, University of Massachusetts Medical Center
• Masters degree in Public Health, University of Hawaii
• Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine
• Acupuncture training in Taiwan and at New York University
• Director of Pacific Pain Clinic 1988-93
• Director of Pacific Complementary Medicine Center since 1999
  

The November, 1997 Consensus Report issued by the National Institute of Health on the effectiveness of acupuncture is most encouraging, especially for patients seeking complementary treatment for a variety of conditions that include severe nausea (caused by chemotherapy), headaches, low back pain, arthritis, stroke damage, drug addiction, irritable bowel syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, painful menstrual periods, infertility and immune system dysfunction. As NIH’s list was compiled mainly on the basis of available "scientific" research in the United States, it has actually left out some conditions for which acupuncture treatment can be very helpful, such as insomnia, fibromyalgia syndrome and chronic fatigue. At Pacific Complementary Medicine Center, we know first-hand that acupuncture is effective.

More and more patients are coming in to see me for a second opinion for medical problems that seem to have no simple or ready solutions. As they are hopeful for possible relief and recovery, naturally they are concerned about costs. While most insurance companies are paying for surgeries, they are reluctant to fund acupuncture treatment for post-operative pain, to cite just one example. The same is true for treating the side effects of chemotherapy. While the American public is shifting to holistic treatment modalities, the health care industry is still stuck in the "drug and scalpel" mentality and fails to recognize the cost-effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for chronic problems. Frankly speaking, the managed care business does not know how to handle chronic diseases. It is unfortunate that some patients end up subjecting themselves to a more invasive and costly procedure just because, say, back surgery is a "covered" benefit while acupuncture treatment is not. It is also unfortunate that those who opt for acupuncture have to pay out of their own pockets, even though, I must say, a full course of treatment with acupuncture may turn out to be less expensive than their share of cost for surgery. Everyone has the right and obligation to seek out the best course of care for oneself and to request one’s insurance company to cover "alternative" treatments.

As Pacific Complementary Medicine Center ushers in its fifth year this Spring, we confidently stride forward to set a standard for quality patient care. We are proud to say that we are managing very well. PCMC voluntarily contains our cost. Patients are satisfied. They usually get better and feel better under our care. Once again, we invite you to join us in our Spring Health Seminars (see flyer insert) to be better informed about the nature of disease, the road to wellness, and our treatment approach.

 In Peace & Health,

          Yi-Po Anthony Wu, MD

TOPIC OF THE DAY - Fibromyalgia

Helen (not her real name) is 45 years old. For more than four years she has had difficulty sleeping, felt tired and restless, and experienced frequent headaches. She was sent by her doctor to a psychiatrist, diagnosed as being depressed, and given anti-depressant medication, but Helen continued to experience all of the above symptoms.

About a year ago, triggered by a fall, Helen started to feel pain all over her body; especially on her neck, back, chest, arms, and legs. She was seen by a rheumatologist for her pain and all the test results were normal. Then she was sent to a neurologist who diagnosed her as having fibromyalgia. By this time she was taking a handful of pills, including anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-seizure medication. They helped for a while but then the dosages had to be increased as symptoms returned.

Helen is one of the two million Americans afflicted with fibromyalgia syndrome and chronic fatigue, the majority of the patients being female. For decades these female patients were labeled as neurotic, psychosomatic, and mentally ill.

Laboratory tests of modern medicine have not been able to identify any abnormal pathogenes or immune disorders for fibromyalgia. Epstein-Barr virus was thought to be the culprit but researchers have failed to establish a firm connection. Tests involving immunoglobulins and lymphocytes also show normal results for these patients. It is understandable that both physicians and patients become frustrated. Consequently, all treatment could only be superficial.

At the Pacific Complementary Medicine Center, we tried to unravel the mystery of this disease. In traditional Chinese medical textbooks, "fibromyalgia" symptoms are covered in separate chapters under bi diseases and xu-lao diseases. The class of bi diseases arise from external factors such as wind, chill, dampness and heat, which obstruct the qi and "blood" flow along the meridians, causing soreness, numbness, or heaviness of the muscles, tendons and joints. The class of xu-lao diseases are due to internal factors, primarily the lack of qi and "blood," causing the dysfunction of the internal organs*. When the "spleen" and the "stomach" are affected, either through loss of appetite or its ability to absorb nutrients, the body is undernurished, resulting in low energy and fatigue. When the "kidney" is affected, essential energy is reduced, causing sexual dysfunction and menstrual problems. When the "liver" is affected, the patient loses stamina, mental alertness and become depressed. In terms of traditional Chinese medicine, fibromyalgia is the combination and interaction of all the external and internal factors mentioned above.

Because each individual is unique, a careful examination is of paramount importance to discern the dominant factors for proper treatment. The goal is to: 1) eliminate the bad elements; 2) foster the inner healing power; 3) promote the flow along the meridians; and 4) balance the yin and yang. While acupuncture and herbs serve as therapeutic tools, in order to accomplish this, patients will also have to modify their diet and lifestyle.

Helen came to PCMC about six months ago. Her past history and medical records were scrupulously reviewed. Her case and treatment options were carefully discussed with her. Feeling that she has already exhausted her options with western medical treatments, she chose to try acupuncture and herbs. As her problems predominantly came from deficiencies of the "spleen," "stomach," and "liver," acupuncture points were chosen along these three meridians as well as some trigger points for pain relief. She also took Chinese herbal tea twice a day. The ingredients of Helen’s herbal prescription include astragalus, angelica sinensis (dang guei), white peony, jujubi, dried ginger and licorice.

After three months, Helen was able to get off all prescription drugs with the help of her physicians. Her pain was substantially reduced and for the first time after a long period of insomnia, she was able to sleep through the night. Helen was able to carry on with her daily life. With renewed hope, she became involved in the local fibromyalgia support group to encourage others.

*In traditional Chinese medicine, the organ names refer not only to the vital organs but also to the meridians and functions associated with them. 

Dr. Yi-Po Anthony Wu is a board certified internist. He is the medical director of Pacific Complementary Medicine Center.

HIERBAS BUENAS- THE GOOD HERBS

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) - Nature’s Anti-depressant

This perennial herb, noted for its yellow flowers which turn red when crushed, gets its common name from its association with St. John the Baptist. In late August, around the time of St. John’s beheading, the yellow flowers develop red spots, which, according to folklore, symbolize his blood. Native to Europe and Asia and acclimated to the U.S., St. John’s wort is so hardy and prolific that it is considered a weed in areas of the Pacific Northwest.

The medicinal properties of St. John’s wort have been known for over 2500 years. The first century AD Greek herbalist, Dioscorides, recommended it for sciatica and treatment of deep wounds, including burns. In folk medicine of many cultures, St. John’s wort has been used to treat a variety of ailments including: fever, bronchial inflammation, ulcers, poisonous snake bite, diarrhea, venereal sores, and disorders that would today be classified as mental illness. But it is its value as an anti-depressant that has made it noteworthy in recent years.

It is the rare person who has not experienced some form of depression at one time or another in life, although the clinical use of that term is restricted to its more severe form. It is important, therefore, to properly diagnose the severity of the depressive mood in order to determine appropriate treatment—whether it be psychotherapy, drug therapy, or alternative therapy.

There have been many historical references to St. John’s wort’s effectiveness as a mood elevator and for 15 years it has been used in Europe to treat depression. In the United States, interest in St. John’s wort has increased since the publications of recent studies in respected medical journals of its therapeutic value. Newsweek magazine and ABC’s 20/20 have both done feature stories on the herb. In the treatment of mild to moderate depression, St. John’s wort has been shown to be as effective as Prozac without the side effects and at much less cost.

The more common side effects of Prozac are anxiety, diarrhea, headache, sexual dysfunction and nausea; and an overdose can cause convulsions and severe vomiting. St. John’s wort, on the other hand, produces virtually no side effects in most people. Those that are experienced (stomach irritation, allergic reaction, tiredness, restlessness) by a small percentage of people are mild and are completely reversed upon discontinuance of the herb. Even its phototoxic effect (extreme sensitivity to sunlight) is rare in humans and only in much higher dosage than recommended for depression therapy.

Although it is important to remember that no drug, supplement, or even food is completely safe for all individuals, from all the studies that have been done and from reports based on the herb’s wide-spread use in Germany, St. John’s wort has been shown to be less toxic than aspirin.

No one knows exactly how St. John’s wort works physiologically to relieve depression. While scientists suspect that hypericin may be the anti-depressive agent, studies have not proven that it is the only or even the most effective component of St. John’s wort. It is the ingredient, however, by which attempts are made to standardize preparations of the herb for treatment of depressive disorders. The recommended dose for an adult is 300 mg of an extract standardized to 0.3 percent of hypericin, three times daily.

Ancient Asian Wisdom      Translated by Dr. Yi-Po Anthony Wu

Ten principles for healthy long life

1.  Less meat, more vegetables
2.  Less salt, more vinegar
3.  Less sweets, more fruit
4.  Less food, more chewing
5.  Less worry, more rest
6.  Less anger, more laughter
7.  Less talk, more action
8.  Less desire, more giving
9.  Less clothing, more bathing
10.  Less driving, more walking