Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine uses simple principles to treat complex conditions of imbalance in the body. For each condition or illness, the imbalance in the body is evaluated by interior or exterior, hot or cold, damp or dry, excess (strong) or deficiency (weak).
Acupuncture is a healing modality which involves inserting fine needles into specific points (acupoints) along the course of the meridians. It helps restore the normal balance and flow of Chi which stimulate the body’s natural healing ability. Therefore, organs and bodily systems can work together in harmony as intended.
What it Does
Chinese medicine is a complete medical system that has diagnosed, treated, and prevented illness for over 5,000 years. While it can remedy ailments and alter states of mind, Chinese medicine can also enhance recuperative power, immunity, and the capacity for pleasure, work, and creativity.
How it Thinks
Within Chinese cosmology, all of creation is born from the marriage of two polar principles, Yin and Yang: Earth and Heaven, winter and summer, night and day, cold and hot, wet and dry, inner and outer, body and mind. Harmony of this union means health, good weather, and good fortune, while disharmony leads to disease, disaster, and bad luck. The strategy of Chinese medicine is to restore harmony.
Each human being is seen as a world in miniature, a garden in which doctor and patient together strive to cultivate health. Every person has a unique terrain to be mapped, a resilient yet sensitive ecology to be maintained. Like a gardener irrigation and compost to grow robust plants, the doctor uses acupuncture, herbs, and food to recover and sustain health.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to adjust and harmonize Yin and Yang-wet and dry, cold and heat, inner and outer, body and mind. This is achieved by regulating the Qi, Moisture, and Blood in the Organ Networks: weak organs are tonified, congested channels are opened, excess is dispersed, tightness is softened, agitation is calmed, heat is cooled, cold is warmed, dryness is moistened, and dampness is drained.
Treatment may incorporate acupuncture, herbal supplements and remedies, diet, exercise, and massage. Duration of treatment depends on the nature of the complaint, its severity, and how long it has been present. Acupuncture is scheduled as often as three times a week or as little as twice a month. Response varies. Some need only a few sessions while others need sustained care to reverse entrenched patterns established over time. As symptoms improve, fewer visits are required, individual progress being the yardstick.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is based on the assumption that Qi courses through channels in the body just as streams and rivers ebb and flow across the surface of the earth. Every Organ Network has a corresponding set of channels. The acupuncture points are located in small depressions in the skin called “men” or “gates” where the channels come closest to the surface. In ancient times, when cities were fortified by walls, gates were opened to receive sustenance and closed i to keep harm away. With acupuncture, the gates of the body are opened and closed to adjust circulation i the channels and expel noxious influences from them.
What Acupuncture Can Treat
Acupuncture may be helpful for: withdrawal from addictions such as sugar, coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, and cocaine; stress reduction; post surgical recovery; chronic fatigue; the signs of aging; and decreased immunity. Acupuncture has been recognized by the World Health Organization to treat over 300 conditions. Some of the many conditions for which acupuncture is considered appropriate are listed by the World Health Organization of the United Nations:
Some of the many conditions for which acupuncture is considered appropriate are listed by the World Health Organization of the United Nations:
Adult male physiotherapist is doing acupuncture on the back of a female patient. Patient is lying down on a bed and is covered with royal blue towels.
Infections:
Colds, flu, bronchitis, hepatitis
Internal:
Hypoglycemia, asthma, high blood pressure, ulcers, colitis, indigestion, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, constipation, diabetes
Eyes, Ears, Nose Throat:
Deafness, ringing in the ears, earaches, poor eyesight, dizziness, sinus infection, sore throat, hay fever
Dermatological:
Eczema, acne, herpes
Musculo-Skeletal and Neurologic:
Arthritis, neuralgia, sciatica, back pain, bursitis, tendonitis, stiff neck, Bell’s palsy, trigeminal neuralgia, headache, stroke, cerebral palsy, polio, sprains
Genito-Urinary and Reproductive:
Impotence, infertility, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), pelvic inflammatory disease (ND), vaginitis, irregular period or cramps, morning sickness
Mental Emotional:
Anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia
What You Can Expect During An Acupuncture Session?
Your treatment begins with an extensive conversation about your medical history, current health and lifestyle. Many first-time clients are amazed at how comfortable they feel during an acupuncture treatment. When the needle accesses the flow of Qi, a slight tingling, heaviness, or a tugging sensation may be felt. Acupuncture needles have been scientifically proven to release endorphins giving patients a pleasant experience.
Course of Treatment
Initial treatments take approximately 1 hour in which full history and overview of client’s health is assessed. Follow-up appointments generally last between 45 minutes to 1 hour. The length of the course of treatment depends upon several factors such as age, severity of condition and length of disease. Everyone reacts differently to acupuncture and will respond at different rates. Typically, acute cases resolve more rapidly than chronic cases which may take of course of approximately ten acupuncture treatments. Many people continue to use acupuncture to maintain good health by keeping the body’s immunity strong and emotions balanced.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a centuries old system of healthcare developed long before Western Medicine came into existence. Chinese Herbal Medicine, as a branch of TCM, uses pills, powders and teas to treat many conditions that arise in everyday life. The Chinese use herbs and teas everyday to improve health and nourish their bodies. These substances from nature help us find our way to optimum health and well being. Chinese medicine uses simple principles to treat complex conditions of imbalance in the body. For each condition or illness, the imbalance in the body is evaluated by: interior or exterior, hot or cold, damp or dry, excess (strong) or deficiency (weak). Herbal formulas have been carefully developed to reach the location of the imbalance, correct the nature and address the character. They are extremely specific and detailed in their action.
Other Treatments
Often, other treatments may be indicated after the acupuncture sessions. Below are some other treatment techniques that may be indicated:
Chinese traditional medicine, cupping therapy
Cupping
Cupping is a technique in which a glass cup is heated and applied to the surface of the skin. The heat reduces the pressure in the cup allowing the superficial musculature to be suctioned into the glass. The local congestion releases any stagnant energy and blood so fresh energy can come in and nourish the tissue. The cup can be held stationary or moved over a large region of the body such as the upper back.
Gua Sha
Gua Sha is a similar technique in which an instrument such as a spoon, coin or horn is used to brush the skin releasing stagnation. Oils are used to lubricate the skin prior to applying the technique. Commonly patients experience immediate relief of localized tension and stress. A practitioner may use cupping and gua sha for traumatic injury, pain, chronic respiratory conditions, gastro-intestinal disorders and a variety of other conditions. Though they may be used in by themselves, typically cupping and gua sha are used in conjunction with acupuncture.