Scientist, author, and artist. Can one person be all three at the same time? I was happy to discover such a person right here in Woodbury.
Dr. Haiyan Zhang, an engineer at 3M and a well known vocal performer in Twin Cities Chinese community, is also the author of a new book “Thousands of Miles Across North America,” published in Chinese.
I first met Dr. Zhang and his wife during their performance at a 3M Chinese New Year party. They are both great singers. I got to know him more through my contact with his wife, Weili Shen, when I wrote about her acupuncture clinic, Acupuncture Woodbury.
During my conversations with them, I discovered that Dr. Zhang had many interesting stories and experiences. I was most fascinated by the book he wrote.
“The book consists of 20 stories and about 50 photos and sketches I had made. The stories are about my family’s travels across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Most of the stories took place when I was in graduate school, taking my family on road trips in our 1985 Plymouth Horizon,” Zhang said. “The book is not a travel guide. It’s about family, life lessons and the beauty of this world.”
Zhang was born in Wuhan, China. He graduated from high school during the Cultural Revolution. Like almost all the high school graduates at that time, he went to work in the countryside as a farmer. For two years he did nothing but plant rice and trees. He then went to work at an iron and steel company for one year.
In 1977, when China restored its national unified college entrance exams, Zhang tested into college. He majored in physical chemistry and specialized in rare metal metallurgy. For his Masters Degree, he studied electrochemistry.
Zhang came to the U.S. in 1990 for his Ph. D. In 1995, he moved to the Twin Cities and has been working at 3M since.
“Although my entire career is about science and technology, I have always had a strong interest in literature and art.” Dr. Zhang said.
Even when Zhang was a child he liked Chinese and Western literature. He managed to read many books by authors such as Victor Hugo, Charles Dickens, Leo Tolstoy, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Honoré de Balzac. It took courage to do so because those books were forbidden in China at that time.
He became interested in drawing in his youth and later developed an interest in photography. His photos of nature have been featured in the 3M Company calendar twice.
“I wanted to write something to capture what I have seen and felt in my life.” Dr. Zhang told me, “However, with my busy work schedule, engineering projects, and time spent with family, I couldn’t find the time to sit down to write a book. Also, I did not know the right way to express what I wanted to say.”
Things started to change after his son went to college. At the same time, his wife was busy getting her clinic started.
“I suddenly found a lot more time. I wrote a short journal and matched it with photos and drawings. It was then that I realized how I would write my book,” he said.
Using spare time on evenings and weekends, Zhang finished his book in less than two years. A publishing company in China decided to publish it.
As for writing another book, Dr. Zhang thinks it is a possibility.
“I have traveled to over 30 states in the U.S. and I only wrote about half of them. I might write about my experiences in the rest of the states in my next book if people enjoyed reading my first one,” Zhang said.
I know so far he has received very positive comments. His book is available in various stores in China, and even a Chinese bookstore in St. Paul. I also know he doesn’t write to make money, only to fulfill his interests. In fact, the price barely covers the cost of printing and shipping.
I am looking forward to hearing about Dr. Zhang’s second book.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 01/09/2008]
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Chinese medicine - Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the main forms of treatment in traditional Chinese medicine. Today, in most western cultures it is considered a "new alternative" medicine.
In reality, it has been practiced in China for more than 2,000 years (some think it has been around for 4,000 years) and has proven to be effective over thousands of years.
Acupuncture involves the use of thin, painless needles that are inserted in the body at very specific points to influence physiological functioning of the body.
It is based on the principal that the world is full of energy or life force called “Chi” or “Qi.”
Chi is the essential energies of life, including its spiritual, emotional, and physical aspects. Chi flows through everything in life, including the human body.
A person's health is influenced by the flow of Chi in the body. When the opposing forces of yin and yang are in harmongy, Chi flows freely within the body and a person is healthy. If the flow of Chi is insufficient, unbalanced or interrupted, illness may occur. The purpose of acupuncture is to facilitate the even circulation of Chi.
Whether or not the traditional explanation of Acupuncture is relevant today, one thing is indisputable: acupuncture works.
I don’t have any personal experience with acupuncture, but I had a family member who did. For many years, my late grandmother had trigeminal neuralgia, which caused her excruciating pain. Then my mother took her to a traditional Chinese medicine hospital.
After her acupuncture treatment, her pain was gone forever. So, I believe the power and benefits of acupuncture as an alternative medicine.
I am glad a new acupuncture clinic, Acupuncture Woodbury, opened recently in this community by Ms. Weili Shen, a licensed acupuncturist.
Shen studied Western and Chinese Medicine in the Health School of Tongji Medical University, Wuhan, China. She has worked in a Chinese hospital for over ten years.
She came to the United States in 1991 and became an American citizen in 2001. She moved to Minnesota from Colorado in 1995, when her husband was hired by 3M. She further studied acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for three years and obtained a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Now, she holds Diplomat in Acupuncture by National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, USA and License for acupuncture by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.
“Acupuncture Woodbury is one of the premier Twin Cities acupunctural clinics, a center of excellence in acupuncture and Chinese traditional medicine,” Shen said. “The clinic offers a wide variety of acupunctural health care services for all ages, for ailments ranging from back pain to nicotine addiction.”
Shen had treated many patients before she opened her own clinic. The patients with various problems like facial paralysis, migraines, depression, joint pains, high blood pressure and diabetes have been treated with satisfied results.
“The beauty of the treatment lies in its inherent ability to allow the body to heal itself. Since acupuncture is a natural way of promoting one’s body to self-adjust, it does not carry the side effects and risks of many modern remedies,” Shen said.
Acupuncture has been used to treat many medical problems, including:
• Musculo-Skeletal disorders: Arthritis, automobile injuries, sports injuries, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, bursitis, shoulder pain, sprains, still neck and tendonitis
• Psychiatric disorders: Anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress, poor memory, schizophrenia, psychoneurosis, hysteria and eating disorders
• Gastrointestinal disorders: Hiccups, inflammation of the stomach, large intestine, small intestine, gall bladder and pancreas, dysentery and constipation
• Endocrine disorders: Diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, obesity and adrenal problems
• Immune disorders: Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome
• Neurological disorders: Migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis, peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, sciatica, epilepsy, erythromelalgia, neuralgia, cerebral palsy, Bell’s palsy and multiple sclerosis
• Connective tissue disorders: Lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis
• Gynecological conditions: Dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, PMS, breast problems, endometriosis, ovarian/cervical/vaginal problems, uterine prolapse, postpartum disorders, menopause and infertility
• Dermatological conditions: Acne, eczema, herpes and psoriasis
• Addictions: Sugar, nicotine, cigarette, coffee, recreational drugs and medication alcohol
• Supportive therapy: Cancer support treatment and post-surgical recovery
At Acupuncture Woodbury, other Chinese Medicine treatments may also be used if needed.
The examples are Tuina, a Chinese therapeutic massage; Cupping, suctioning using a medicinal jar to enhance energy flow; Electric Stimulation, stimulating vital points on the body using a specially-made instrument; Auricular Therapy, stimulating points on the ear that have unique relationships with the body to treat diseases; and Moxiustion, burning moxa wool on vita points on the body to warm energy pathway.
Shen offers six tracks of treatments at Acupuncture Woodbury. They are anti-aging, pain alleviation, stress balancing, weight regulation, skin rejuvenation and stroke and surgery rehabilitation.
The clinic is located at 7582 Currell Boulevard, Suite 215, Woodbury, across the street from Woodbury Post Office.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.acupuncturewoodbury.com or call (651) 789-0402.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 09/12/2007]
In reality, it has been practiced in China for more than 2,000 years (some think it has been around for 4,000 years) and has proven to be effective over thousands of years.
Acupuncture involves the use of thin, painless needles that are inserted in the body at very specific points to influence physiological functioning of the body.
It is based on the principal that the world is full of energy or life force called “Chi” or “Qi.”
Chi is the essential energies of life, including its spiritual, emotional, and physical aspects. Chi flows through everything in life, including the human body.
A person's health is influenced by the flow of Chi in the body. When the opposing forces of yin and yang are in harmongy, Chi flows freely within the body and a person is healthy. If the flow of Chi is insufficient, unbalanced or interrupted, illness may occur. The purpose of acupuncture is to facilitate the even circulation of Chi.
Whether or not the traditional explanation of Acupuncture is relevant today, one thing is indisputable: acupuncture works.
I don’t have any personal experience with acupuncture, but I had a family member who did. For many years, my late grandmother had trigeminal neuralgia, which caused her excruciating pain. Then my mother took her to a traditional Chinese medicine hospital.
After her acupuncture treatment, her pain was gone forever. So, I believe the power and benefits of acupuncture as an alternative medicine.
I am glad a new acupuncture clinic, Acupuncture Woodbury, opened recently in this community by Ms. Weili Shen, a licensed acupuncturist.
Shen studied Western and Chinese Medicine in the Health School of Tongji Medical University, Wuhan, China. She has worked in a Chinese hospital for over ten years.
She came to the United States in 1991 and became an American citizen in 2001. She moved to Minnesota from Colorado in 1995, when her husband was hired by 3M. She further studied acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for three years and obtained a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Now, she holds Diplomat in Acupuncture by National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, USA and License for acupuncture by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.
“Acupuncture Woodbury is one of the premier Twin Cities acupunctural clinics, a center of excellence in acupuncture and Chinese traditional medicine,” Shen said. “The clinic offers a wide variety of acupunctural health care services for all ages, for ailments ranging from back pain to nicotine addiction.”
Shen had treated many patients before she opened her own clinic. The patients with various problems like facial paralysis, migraines, depression, joint pains, high blood pressure and diabetes have been treated with satisfied results.
“The beauty of the treatment lies in its inherent ability to allow the body to heal itself. Since acupuncture is a natural way of promoting one’s body to self-adjust, it does not carry the side effects and risks of many modern remedies,” Shen said.
Acupuncture has been used to treat many medical problems, including:
• Musculo-Skeletal disorders: Arthritis, automobile injuries, sports injuries, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, bursitis, shoulder pain, sprains, still neck and tendonitis
• Psychiatric disorders: Anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress, poor memory, schizophrenia, psychoneurosis, hysteria and eating disorders
• Gastrointestinal disorders: Hiccups, inflammation of the stomach, large intestine, small intestine, gall bladder and pancreas, dysentery and constipation
• Endocrine disorders: Diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, obesity and adrenal problems
• Immune disorders: Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome
• Neurological disorders: Migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis, peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, sciatica, epilepsy, erythromelalgia, neuralgia, cerebral palsy, Bell’s palsy and multiple sclerosis
• Connective tissue disorders: Lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis
• Gynecological conditions: Dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, PMS, breast problems, endometriosis, ovarian/cervical/vaginal problems, uterine prolapse, postpartum disorders, menopause and infertility
• Dermatological conditions: Acne, eczema, herpes and psoriasis
• Addictions: Sugar, nicotine, cigarette, coffee, recreational drugs and medication alcohol
• Supportive therapy: Cancer support treatment and post-surgical recovery
At Acupuncture Woodbury, other Chinese Medicine treatments may also be used if needed.
The examples are Tuina, a Chinese therapeutic massage; Cupping, suctioning using a medicinal jar to enhance energy flow; Electric Stimulation, stimulating vital points on the body using a specially-made instrument; Auricular Therapy, stimulating points on the ear that have unique relationships with the body to treat diseases; and Moxiustion, burning moxa wool on vita points on the body to warm energy pathway.
Shen offers six tracks of treatments at Acupuncture Woodbury. They are anti-aging, pain alleviation, stress balancing, weight regulation, skin rejuvenation and stroke and surgery rehabilitation.
The clinic is located at 7582 Currell Boulevard, Suite 215, Woodbury, across the street from Woodbury Post Office.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.acupuncturewoodbury.com or call (651) 789-0402.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 09/12/2007]
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