Practitioner Corner: August Spotlight, Byron Barth, L.Ac.

If you’re reading this you are more than likely involved in someway (practitioner, doctor, administrator, teacher, TCM business or sales) in this wonderful healing medicine/art. We are all truly lucky and blessed to have found Traditional Chinese Medicine as a way to heal people naturally and fulfill our own purpose.

My path began in the fine arts (Theater BA and English), with a degree from York University, in Toronto in 1991. I was a late bloomer, so to speak, because it took 6 more years after theater arts graduation for me to discover the healing arts. It was quite by chance that I was fortunate enough to receive three traditional floor style shiatsu massage sessions and there was no looking back. It was as if a light bulb went off and that light illuminated a new path. I quickly enrolled into The Shiatsu School of Canada in Toronto and it was through my shiatsu experience that I found acupuncture. I briefly attended The Toronto School of TCM and transferred to Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego where I graduated in 2002. My roots in shiatsu remained with me as I practiced shiatsu as a student in acupuncture school and continued to practice, as well as, teach shiatsu at Pacific College Oriental Medicine, Mueller College of Holistic Studies, International Professional School of Bodywork (IPSB) as well as teaching numerous seminars. In 2007, I released a 2.5 hour instructional DVD called The Art of Zen Shiatsu.

The Japanese style of acupuncture that I practice seemed a natural transition coming from shiatsu. The emphasis on the Hara/abdominal diagnosis as well as the Meridian therapy treatment style has similarities connecting Shiatsu and Japanese Style acupuncture.

I incorporate many herbal formulas into my practice and have been using TCMzone products for approximately 15 years.

I carry approximately 80 different TCMzone formulas in my practice and primarily prescribe capsules but do carry several formulas in granule packets, as well as, certain formulas in granule bottles. I also carry several individual herbs in the TCMzone granule packets and bottles when making individual formulas or formula modifications.

I trust TCMzone’s quality, potency, concentration and have seen first hand the effectiveness of TCMzone herbal products.

Your herbal pharmacy is a living entity that expands and grows with your practice. As you see more patients and treat varied and advanced conditions the need arises to incorporate more formulas and individual herbs into your practice.

My personal TCMzone herbal inventory musts and favorites would include: Bi Yan Pian, Yin Qiao San (softgel), Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (softgel), Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin, Xiao Chai Hu Tang, Xiao Feng San, Jia Wei Xiao Yao San, Gui Pi Tang, Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, Suan Zao Ren Tang, Tian Wan Bu Xin Dan, Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, Kan Ning San, Geng Nian An, Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, Yu Ping Feng San and Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan.

It’s always exciting, extremely gratifying and rewarding when the correctly prescribed formula hits the “bull’s-eye” so to speak, and the patient’s symptoms respond favorably often with relative speed! The key obviously is correctly understanding the patients pattern of diagnosis and treating appropriately using Acupuncture and herbs. Abdominal diagnosis is a key cornerstone in Japanese style acupuncture and I will often prescribe formulas based on the pattern found through the abdominal palpation. The abdomen typically confirms the pulse, tongue and overall symptoms but it will frequently uncover a more deeper underlying and chronic pattern that herbal formulas are wonderful in addressing.

I recommend that you incorporate herbs in your pharmacy and the three delivery systems offered by TCMzone to make patient compliance very easy. Most patients prefer capsules because they are easy to take, but there are many patients that enjoy the experience and relaxation offered from drinking a cup of herbal tea. Herbs allow patients to be treated 2 to 3 times per day in between their acupuncture treatments allowing for deeper and faster daily healing.

I once again feel very blessed and honored to be part of this profession and offer deep gratitude and many thanks to TCMzone for advancing herbal medicine practices in the West and for their dedication in supplying us with the highest quality herbal products.

*The information provided here is for healthcare professional practitioners only. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.