As Below, So Above.
July 9, 2014
Hosted by Mary J. Rogel, Ph.D., L.Ac.
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Episode Description
In Oriental Medicine we have a saying – “as above, so below.” When it comes to orthopedics and musculoskeletal issues, I believe it is more accurate to say, “as below, so above.” The pelvis is the foundation on which the upper body is built. Problems in the pelvis and lower extremities are reflected in and counterbalanced by the upper extremities, torso, neck, and head. In this episode of Rethinking Orthopedics, we will examine the structure and function of the upper extremities. We will look at the shoulder girdle and arms as an integrated, dynamic whole that responds to what is happening in the lower body. Our focus will be more on the connections between the joints than on the joints themselves. We will examine the similarities and differences between the upper and lower extremities, and the implications for what kinds of problems we experience in our shoulders, arms, and hands.
Rethinking Orthopedics
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I would like to shift our understanding and practice of orthopedic medicine away from the prevailing model of the body as a machine with replaceable parts toward an understanding of the body as a dynamic, adaptable structure with potentially reversible problems. If we shift our view of the body from the insides of the joints to the outsides of the joints, we get a different understanding of how they function. In this show, we will explore that adaptability and its consequences for structural alignment. My hope is to encourage health care practitioners to see new possibilities for, and to improve upon, their treatment methods so that their patients can derive more benefit from therapy, and to help people understand their orthopedic issues better so they can prevent problems, recover faster from ones they have, and work more effectively with their physicians and therapists.
Mary J. Rogel, Ph.D., L.Ac.
Mary J. Rogel is a licensed acupuncturist whose practice has a strong focus on orthopedics and body mechanics. Her approach differs from that of most practitioners in that she focuses on tendons and ligaments and their effect on structural alignment. This is her starting point for diagnosis and treatment not only of pain conditions, but also of internal medicine conditions such as digestion, breathing, and cardiovascular problems. Acupuncture is a second career for Mary. She holds a Ph.D. in social psychology from The University of Chicago and spent 10 years teaching psychology and 25 years doing health research and consulting before becoming a full-time acupuncturist. Mary is invested in sharing her unique methods with other practitioners. She has published a number of articles concerning her concepts and methods and is a licensed provider of acupuncture continuing education in Illinois. She has been teaching her style of orthopedic diagnosis and treatment to practitioners in various health care professions since 1991. In addition to teaching, Mary is the editor of Oriental Medicine Journal and does specialized editing of manuscripts and texts on topics in Oriental Medicine. Mary played a major role in legalizing acupuncture in Illinois. She served for many years on the Board of the Illinois State Acupuncture Association and was the Chairman of the Illinois Board of Acupuncture for the first 14 years after the Illinois Acupuncture Practice Act was passed.
Episode Directory
July 2014
- 7/23/2014: The End of the Line of Adaptability. Listen Now
- 7/16/2014: Chiropractic Includes Spinal Adjusting and Much More Listen Now
- 7/9/2014: As Below, So Above. Listen Now
- 7/2/2014: Principles of Sports Psychology Can Help Us Overcome Pain and Avoid Injury Listen Now
