Manual medicine, also known as manual therapy, is a specialized form of treatment using hands-on techniques to diagnose, treat, and prevent a wide range of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. Abacus Chinese Medicine in Louisville, KY provides a unique array of manual therapies, as well as acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Manual medicine requires a practitioner to use respectful and gentle physical contact when assessing and treating a patient. The methods commonly focus on improved functioning and pain relief. There are several key components of manual medicine. These are: A ..read more

Allergies occur when the immune system mistakenly identifies a common substance as a threat to the body. Common allergens can be seasonal or year-round triggers and are found indoors and out. They include foods, pollen, animal dander, mold, latex, insect venom, drugs, and dust mites. Allergy Symptoms When exposed to an allergen, the body responds with inflammation in an attempt to expel the allergen. An allergic reaction can cause coughing, sneezing, wheezing and asthma. Severe reactions can result in anaphylaxis with racing heart, difficulty breathing, dizziness and confusion among other ..read more

Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS, Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by: Extreme exhaustion after physical or mental exercise Problems with memory or thinking skills Dizziness that worsens with moving from lying down or sitting to standing Muscle or joint pain Unrefreshing sleep Some have headaches, sore throats, and tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits. People with the condition also may become extra sensitive to light, sound, smells, food and medicines. Diagnosis is not made with a single test, but often is done by ruling out other conditions.   ..read more

Fascia pain is common and treatable, but unfortunately often unrecognized. Many of us experience it, but have no awareness of fascia, its function in our health, or how problems with it can affect us. Consequently, we can easily misinterpret the source of our body aches and pains. They can feel like muscle or joint problems. Far more common than you may think, our aches and pains originate in the fascial system which is a body-wide network of connective tissue. Lying just under the skin and encasing all body parts, this tissue lubricates and nourishes all body systems. It also prevents damagin ..read more

Fascia and principles of osteopathy are intricately entwined. Treatment of the body’s fascial system is at the core of Jeffrey Russell’s practice of manual medicine. A brief overview of fascia, its function, and its role in health follows. Fascia is a membranous ‘envelope’ of connective tissue that lies just under the skin. It encases every part of the body, and so connects every part of us. Fascia stabilizes the body, giving it a cohesive structure. It “holds every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fiber and muscle in place” (1) The fascia is also where the body’s circulatory system meets th ..read more

The teishin is a tool used in needleless acupuncture. It is a small blunt ended instrument, often made of precious materials, which is used to do a non-penetrating acupuncture. Acting as a non-invasive probe, the teishin tool can stimulate 100’s of points on the surface of the body without piercing the skin. Therapist Sylvia Schroer using a teishin needle at York Natural Health. Pic: Mike TippingNeedle-less Acupuncture The word ‘acupuncture’ is most commonly associated with the use of needles that penetrate the skin, and many mistakenly believe that acupuncture involves only needle penetration ..read more

Japanese Sotai is one treatment method used by Jeffrey Russell. In the tradition of East Asian medicine, Jeffrey uses various treatment modalities together. One such combination is Sotai and acupuncture. In the Japanese tradition, acupuncture and hands-on bodywork have historically been paired, perfectly complementing each other. Sotai is a core philosophy and practice at our clinic. Gentle Movement and Light Resistance Japanese Sotai uses gentle movement performed against light resistance. Because there are many systems of bodywork that use sometimes painful techniques to release neuromuscula ..read more

Osteopathic principles inform Jeffrey’s practice. To better understand the principles of osteopathy, it is helpful to review the work and philosophy of Dr. Andrew Still, the founder of osteopathic medicine. Osteopathic medicine is a distinctive form of medical care founded on the philosophy that all body systems are interrelated and dependent upon one another for good health. This philosophy was developed in 1874 by Andrew Taylor Still, MD. 1 Central to the practice of osteopathy is the belief that the human body has the innate ability to heal itself. Osteopathic principles are focused upon he ..read more

Qi and blood in Chinese Medicine are concepts not easily translated into medical terminology in the West. Both medical systems consider blood to be a vital life substance that circulates in the entire body through the blood vessels. However, Chinese medicine conceptualizes the vital substance in much different terms than does Western medicine. Chinese medicine uses the concept of ‘Qi’ as inseparable from any discussion of blood. When working with your Chinese medicine practitioner, you may hear about these concepts at times. Below is just a very basic sketch of them. What is Qi? Qi (pronounced ..read more

Qi and blood in Chinese Medicine are concepts not easily translated into medical terminology in the West. Both medical systems consider blood to be a vital life substance that circulates in the entire body through the blood vessels. However, Chinese medicine conceptualizes the vital substance in much different terms than does Western medicine. Chinese medicine uses the concept of ‘Qi’ as inseparable from any discussion of blood. When working with your Chinese medicine practitioner, you may hear about these concepts at times. Below is just a very basic sketch of them. What is Qi? Qi (pronounced ..read more