What is Chinese Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine “TCM” is a highly effective system of medicine that has been around for more than 3,500 years. Many turn to it as a means of healing the body naturally, possibly avoiding surgical intervention or the use of medications. It is most greatly recognized for its success with pain relief, yet its applications reach far beyond, treating a wide range of disorders - internal, emotional, or structural.
TCM is an entire SYSTEM of medicine that utilizes many modalities in addition to acupuncture and herbal therapy. It goes beyond the elimination of symptoms and treats the root cause of the disorder, restoring balance to the body.
Unique to this medicine is its preventive approach. TCM believes that all aspects of person must be in balance to achieve happiness and good health. Even the smallest “symptoms” are subtle clues to an imbalance at a deeper level . The sooner they are addressed, the more readily they are resolved, thus preventing the development of more serious diseases.
How does it work?
Traditional Chinese Medicine views the human body as an intricate system of organs connected by network of pathways through which energy (Qi) flows. This network is known as meridians. Total wellness depends on smooth flow of Qi through these meridians. When the flow is blocked or disrupted, pain, and illness result. Acupuncture restores the flow of Qi by inserting fine specialized needles at specific acupuncture points on these meridians to stimulate the flow and unblock stagnation. As the flow is restored the organ function is normalized, resulting in gradual return to well being. Acupuncture treatment may combine modalities listed below.
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture needles, unlike hypodermics, are ultra thin and flexible allowing for nearly painless insertion. The sensation felt during the manipulation is the activation of the meridian Qi. In a typical treatment any number of needles may be inserted at various locations. Treatments usually last from 20 to 30 minutes, with one or two stimulation procedures during that time to heighten the Qi sensation and activate the meridian Qi. During the treatments, many patients doze off into a restful slumber or a state of complete relaxation. Acupuncture needles are disposable and are never used more than once.
Cupping: This ancient modality of treatment involves the use of sterilized glass jars (cups) which are applied to the skin immediately after dowsing the insides with burning alcohol, this depletes the air inside the cup creating a vacuum suction to the skin at specific therapeutic locations selected by the physician. Cupping helps to increase blood circulation and stimulates flow of Qi and blood in the specific region. There are many manipulation techniques for cupping including stationary cups, walking cups and flash cupping. Cupping is used for local injury, pain, headaches, and even respiratory infections. Many skin conditions including eczema and acne are also treated using cupping.
Moxibustion:
Moxibustion is a form of fire heat treatment that stimulates specific acupuncture points of the body. The term is derived from the Japanese “mogusa” meaning herb moxa (Artemisia vulgaris, commonly called mugwort) and the Latin “bustion” meaning burning.
There are various moxibustion techniques. Heat is either directly or indirectly applied to the body in order to warm body regions and acupuncture points stimulate circulation, encourage a smooth flow of blood and energy and protect against cold and dampness.
Moxibustion is particularly effective in the treatment of chronic problems, "deficient conditions" (weakness), and in the treatment of the elderly. It has proven to be clinically effective for treatment of common ailments such as acute and chronic pain, digestive disorders, gynecological disorders and lack of energy.
Chinese Herbs
Chinese herbs differ from Western herbs in that they are almost always prescribed as a formula containing 5-12 herbs. Combining different types of herbs in different quantities helps us to craft a formula to address your specific symptom pattern. Traditionally Chinese herbs were originally only available in dried form and had to be boiled for many hours to release their active ingredients. However, modern advances have lead to natural methods of extracting the active ingredients so that herbs can be prescribed in more palatable forms such as pills and freeze dried granules. Our herbal formulas are prepared according to strict Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and subject to high levels of quality control.
Conditions that respond well to TCM include, but are by no means limited to, the following:
• Pain and injuries: headache, migraine, sports/auto injures, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, low back pain, sciatica, arthritis, fibromyalgia
• Cardiovascular disorders: anemia, bleeding disorders, hypertension, stroke rehabilitation
• Respiratory disorders: allergies, sinusitis, asthma, colds, sore/dry throat, chronic cough
• Digestive disorders: diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux, digestive ulcers, IBS, colitis, jaundice
• OB/GYN: increasing natural fertility, synchronizing and enhancing success rate of IVF/IUI. PMS, irregular/painful periods, fibroids, endometriosis, yeast infection, infertility, habitual/threatened miscarriage, morning sickness, menopause syndrome, fetus breech, labor inducement mastitis
• Endocrine disorders: diabetes, hyper/hypothyroidism
• Neurological and psychological disorders: facial palsy, neuropathy, trigeminal neuralgia, insomnia, anxiety, depression, stress syndrome
• Urogenital disorders: urinary tract infection/stones, nephritis, prostatitis, low sperm count/motility
• Skin disorders: acne, eczema, hives, boils, shingles, psoriasis, hair loss, dandruffs, facial rejuvenation
• Cancer post-surgery chemo/radio-therapy support: reducing pain, stopping nausea/vomiting, improving appetite and emotions, increasing blood cell counts, helping hair regeneration
• General Health: enhancing immunity and energy, appetite and weight control, smoking/alcohol/drug withdrawal
And much more...
If you have a condition that is not listed here, please contact us to discuss possible treatments.
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