#005 - Intro to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Part 1 - Angela Lai, L.O.M.

In this "Part 1” episode of a two Episode series, Licensed Oriental Medicine Practitioner Angela Lai (see bio below) joins us on the program to discuss the multiple-millennia practice and healing art form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  

Angela and I briefly discuss the origins of TCM, a few of its common applications, how TCM differers in practice and approach from traditional Western medicine, and how people in Western societies sometimes approach this unfamiliar treatment option.

We also touch on how TCM is being integrated into the new collaborative / alternative medicine approach in modern Western medical hospitals. 

Stay Tuned for the upcoming “Part 2” episode of this interview, where I will undergo TCM Acupuncture LIVE on the Podcast!!!! After that, we will continue our conversation with Angela about TCM, energy, the internal connective nature of our body’s internal systems, and more.

Key Discussion Points and Takeaways from this Our Cancer Journey Episode:

• Compare the differences between Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Whole-Person approach to healing and Western Medicine’s compartmentalized outlook towards treatment
• When to seek Western Medical care and when to integrate TCM into your recovery plans
• Human body “Micro-systems”, the energy known as “Qi” (pronounced Chē) and how TCM works with them to improve our health and well-being
• How TCM views food consumption, “GUT” health and eating best practices
• Common apprehensions and misconceptions people have about TCM and its benefits

References and Resources mentioned in this Episode:

• Angela C. Lai, L.O.M.: https://www.uchealth.com/physician/angela-lai/
• UC Health Integrative Medicine Service - University of Cincinnati Hospital: https://www.uchealth.com/integrative/
• Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego: https://www.pacificcollege.edu/prospective/programs/san-diego/medicine/
• National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine: https://www.nccaom.org/
• Pepperdine University, Malibu, California: https://www.pepperdine.edu/
• The Yellow Emperor's Classic of (Internal) Medicine - Huangdi Neijing: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2287209/
• Neurobiological foundations of acupuncture: the relevance and future prospect based on neuro-imaging evidence - Written By: Lijun Bai 1, Lixing Lao - Published 2013 May 14 in PubMed: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23737848/

Episode Guest(s): Angela C. Lai, L.O.M.

Angela C. Lai. L.O.M., is a licensed Acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner. Angela received her undergraduate degree in chemistry from Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA in 1998. She then worked in a cardiac electrophysiology lab at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA where she collaborated with other researchers from around the world to publish their findings. Angela received her Masters of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine (MSTOM) from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, CA in 2005 after which she opened a clinic providing acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in Redondo Beach, CA. In 2020, she relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio to join the UC Health Integrative Medicine team. Angela holds a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (Dipl. OM.) certificate from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). She is Licensed in Oriental Medicine (LOM) by the Ohio Medical Board, and she is a r