Chen Holistic Institute for Sustainability focuses on research and development of ways and means to achieve holistic health care and sustainable wellness. The Institute follows the tradition of Chinese Daoism (as known as Taoism in the West) in which the whole person, the environment and the energy must be understood holistically.

The clinical research includes case studies of chronic conditions using holistic health care, development of a comprehensive protocol for each chronic condition that facilitates synergy between holistic care and conventional Western health care, and development of bench marks for evaluating treatment efficacy.

Clinicians and scientists at Chi Wellness Clinic participate in medical and scientific meetings and symposiums in the United States. In 2008, Miles Chen of Chi Wellness Clinic and Kent Logan, MD of Chi NeuroHealth Clinic presented a poster, entitled Tuina Therapy as Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Neurodegenerative Diseases at a Massachusetts General Hospital Symposium of Sporadic Neurodegeneration in July 31, 2008 in Boston.

They report a case study of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients after receiving Tuina therapy. Those patients receiving Tuina appreciate marked and sustained mitigation of extremity spasticity and rigidity. Gait dexterity, speed, and agility are improved. Extremity pain and stiffness are reduced. Sense of wellness is enhanced. Moreover, empiric observations support a direct relationship between Tuina intensity (discomfort) and patient response. These two cases are unique among our neurodegenerative diseases cases because the MS patient (Case L) is also a neurologist and author of this report, and the PD patient (Case M, a MIT professor) did not use any medications. They suggest that Tuina may induce sustainable relief of spasticity and rigidity through certain neural plasticity. Pain may be a necessary signal for the brain to reorganize and overcome a monophasic or progressive injury such as seen in neurodegenerative disorders. They postulate that the ascending pain pathways may be capable of inducing reparative change to the descending spastic, motor pathways and muscle spindle gamma motor neuron overactivity. They hope to collaborate with Boston area clinicians in further clinical study of this treatment strategy for sporadic neurodegeneration.

The educational and training programs offer continuing education courses, clinical practical training, lectures, and seminars in holistic health care practitioners.