Holistic TCM Dermatology in SLC: Natural Skin Health

This Spring I began advanced training in Holistic TCM Dermatology at Yo San University in Santa Monica, CA. At the conclusion of this program I will be eligible to take a test to join the International Association of TCM Dermatology and earn a rare credential. I will have the education to diagnosis skin diseases from an Eastern Medicine paradigm. I will be adept at discerning when an Eastern intervention will be safe and beneficial versus when a Western intervention is medically necessary.

Many skin diseases are disorders of the immune system - either auto-immune or “toxic” inflammation due to a physical, emotional, or biological stressor. Acupuncture powerfully improves immune function and lowers inflammation and this is why it is an effective intervention - even in severe cases.

When it comes to skin diseases, Chinese Medicine and conventional Western Medicine understand the pathogenesis and differentiation similarly but…Our tools are different!

Western Medicine relies on powerful pharmaceuticals with harsh side-effects that often cause rebound symptoms, skin atrophy, or worse… Acute conditions benefit from this approach.

Chinese medicine relies on gentle herbs that have been used for centuries without harmful side effects and with improvements realized in a patient’s whole health (holistic). The root cause of a skin disorder usually manifests as other disorders too - the root has many branches. So, in treating the root cause of the skin concern, other aspects of health improve too.

My teacher, Mazin Al-Khafaji, is a Doctor of TCM Dermatology who owns the world renowned herbal pharmacy, Avicenna. Mazin is an industry leader who specializes in medical grade herbal skin care.

The first module was focused on the anatomy of skin and Psoriasis from both a Western and Chinese Medicine perspective. We reviewed hundred of slides of Psoriasis patients treated by Mazin over the past 30 years. One common thread was that patients sought his care after other interventions failed to heal their conditions. In some cases, people suffered for many years and through multiple rounds of treatments (steroids, biologics, immunosuppressants etc) with little change. These patients enjoyed clear skin within 6 - 8 months with an herbal intervention.

We learned how to create custom formulations that address a variety of presentations and differential diagnosis of Psoriasis. The approach is highly sophisticated in that the herbal formulas are modified to support the INDIVIDUAL’s healing journey.

For example: A 17 year old with their first case of Guttate Psoriasis and a robust immune system is treated differently than an 55 year old with IBD who is experiencing a second case of Guttate Psoriasis. Further, different aspects of their condition will resolve and heal at different rates, so a proper herb formula intervention will continuously be modified in response to the INDIVIDUAL’s needs.

PUBMED RESEARCH

10.1093/qjmed/hcad134

10.3389/fimmu.2021.813748

I am so excited to bring this specialized knowledge and holistic dermatological approach to our community.

Of course, I still LOVE treating pain, anxiety and concerns of women’s health! Hope to work with you again, soon.