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Oriental Medicine is the term used to describe the styles of acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, and exercise that have been developed and practiced all over the world and not just in Asia.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the term used to describe the style of Chinese medicine that is the standard of care taught in Chinese medical colleges in The Peoples Republic of China. TCM is one of the oldest, continually practiced medicines in history and can be dated back in recorded history to some two thousand years before the birth of Christ. It is a comprehensive medical system used to diagnose and treat illness, prevent disease, provide natural pain relief and improve well being.
The numerous concepts and theories of Chinese Medicine are complex and many do not have Western medical equivalents, making it difficult for some to understand. One such concept is the vital energy known as Qi. Qi controls and propels all body/mind functions and flows through a system of pathways called Meridians. Meridians correspond to specific organs, organ systems and functions. Points (known as acupoints) are used to access Qi flowing through these meridians and when used correctly, can influence and regulate the body's physiological functions. In Chinese Medicine imbalances or blockages in the flow of Qi cause illness and correction of the flow of Qi restores balance or homeostasis.
Another concept is that the body and the mind are ONE energetic system, and as such are interconnected. What happens to one portion of this system affects all other portions for example:excessive mental taxation may produce a number of symptoms including body fatigue if not counterbalanced. Visa versa, excessive physical taxation may produce a number of symptoms including mental lethargy.
Despite the fact that Chinese Medicine is a complex and may be difficult for some to comprehend, more and more Americans are using Oriental Medicine, or some component of it, for a variety of different reasons. In large part that is due to the fact that patients have truly benefited from its use. In addition to it's proven effectiveness, Chinese Medicine is gaining increasing acceptance in the United States due to its lack of adverse side-effects and its affordability.
Chinese Medicine encompasses a number of components to help patients achieve and maintain their health goals. These components are best used in conjunction and when done so, the efficacy of treatment rises significantly.
Medical Acupuncture is just one of the components that make up Chinese Medicine, but the most commonly used component in the United States. It involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points (acupoints) in the body that have proven effective in the treatment of specific health problems. The stimulation of these very specific points can influence and regulate physiological functions of the body. This approach helps the body return to homeostasis bio-electrically and unlike Western medicines bio-chemical approach to illness, there are no harsh side effects. Although, it is difficult for Westerners to believe, this medical treatment is painless.
Several additional therapeutic methods can be combined with acupuncture to increase the effectiveness of the acupuncture treatments.
Moxibustion is a therapeutic method in the Chinese Medicine that involves the burning of special Chinese herbs over an acupoint or over an affected part of the body. This stimulates the acupoint with both heat and the topical absorption of the Chinese medicinal herb.
Electric Stimulation is a method in Chinese Medicine that stimulates an acupoint or an afflicted part of the body with either direct or induced electrical current.
Cupping is a therapeutic method in Chinese Medicine that stimulates acupoints or afflicted parts of the body by applying suction through glass, wood, or plastic jars to create a partial vacuum over the area.
Auricular Therapy is a Chinese Medicine type of acupuncture that stimulates the acupoints located in the ears. The insertion of very small and very fine needles into locations on the ear that correspond to other body parts assists the body acupuncture in influencing and regulating physiological functions of the body.
Gua sha is a Chinese Medicine therapeutic method that stimulates acupoints, meridians, or afflicted body parts by gently scraping the skin surface to create blood congestion.
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Chinese Medical Massage
Chinese Medical Massage, known as "tuina", has been incorporated into Chinese Medicine for more than 2000 years. It is based on the principles and theories of the medicine and it requires special training in Chinese medical colleges. It is designed to treat illness, prevent disease, and improve well being while making use of many different strokes and manipulations that are applied to an acupoint, meridian, joint, or muscle group. The application of these strokes are designed to affect the flow of Qi and assist in restoring balance to the body based on a Chinese Medical diagnosis.
Acupressure is just one type of stroke in tuina, but is commonly known as an alternative to acupuncture in the United States. However, if a Doctor of Chinese Medicine chooses this stroke as the only type of treatment, it is usually on children and the very ill because of it's mild effects. In addition, acupressure requires an acupoint prescription that is based on a TCM diagnosis. It is advisable to seek this stroke in medical massage by practitioners who are legally entitled to diagnose illness.
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Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese Herbal Medicine is another vital component of Chinese Medicine. It is labeled "herbal medicine" because more than 70% of its some 3000 recorded ingredients are derived from plants. In most circumstances, several to even dozens of medicinal herbs are combined to make what is known as a Chinese Medical Formula. Formulas generally created by Chinese Medicine physicians for a single patient based on their specific differentiation and health needs. There are however, numerous ready made formulas that may be dispensed by a Oriental Medicine physician if applicable, and on occasion one single herb is dispensed (called simpling) to address an individuals health.
Chinese herbal medicine can be prescribed in a variety of forms: such as powders, capsules, tablets, pills, syrups, and crude form to be taken orally and in plaster, liniment, and ointment form to be applied topically. Whatever the form Chinese herbal medicine may take, the diagnostic methods in TCM are complex and it is advisable to seek a Chinese Medicine physician or a qualified practitioner in your state to assure safety and effectiveness. In contemporary China, the use of Chinese herbal medicine combined with the use of western medicine is routine in many hospital settings and does not generally result in problems. For westerners, difficulties arise if the differences between Chinese herbal medicine and any other "herb" therapies like Native American medicine, homeopathy, or European folk medicine are ignored and self medicating with a mixture of herbs from a variety of sources takes place. Most text on Oriental Medicine and text that include information on the use of Oriental Medicine advise seeking a qualified practitioner, take Chinese herbal prescriptions CONSISTENTLY and do not make random herbal substitutions.
Chinese herbal medicine can be taken in cooperation with western prescription medication but it is imperative to seek Oriental Medicine physicians or practitioners who are qualified to prescribe this form of herbal medicine. It is advisable to continue taking any western medication exactly as prescribed by that M.D. or D.O. If and when it is appropriate, patients need to make arrangement that prescribing M.D. or D.O. to reduce or stop their western medication.
This vital component of Chinese Medicine is best used in conjunction with acupuncture treatments to improve efficacy but can be used solely with very good results.
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Diet and Life Style Therapies
Chinese Medicine theories and principles have been incorporated for centuries into Chinese Diet Therapy . Food, being considered as medicine one can take three times a day outside of the doctor's office , is a powerful tool on the road to better health. When identifying and diagnosing particular imbalances, your physician may advise you of food and food groups to avoid, as well as food and food groups to incorporate into your diet to assist in balancing your body and for overall health maintenance.
Think of the importance of diet with conditions like diabetes, hypertension, gastritis, Celiac disease, coronary heart disease and the list goes on and on. Everyone can benefit from watching their diet and being aware that what we eat can help to maintain internal balance and prevent disease on a daily basis.
Lifestyle therapy often becomes part of a treatment in Chinese Medicine as well. Overuse injury in the body and mind can often be rebalanced with lifestyle changes being a powerful tool to assist in that goal. Think of the importance of vacation time in a work year or the importance of resting a golfer's elbow for a few weeks.
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Call today to see how Chinese Medicine can improve the quality of your life.
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