What is Chinese Medicine? Chinese medicine is the world's oldest clinical medicine. It is made up of five major therapies that share a common set of ideas and theories. They are acupuncture, herbs, Medical Qigong (energy therapy), tuina (bodywork), and dietary therapy. They are used separately or combined together depending on the condition and the individual.
What is Acupuncture? Acupuncture is the gentle insertion of hair-thin, sterile needles into specific points in the body proven to create positive change in a person's health. These points were discovered, described, mapped and have proven to be effective for more than two thousand years by Chinese doctors.
Does it hurt? The needles are extremely thin, small enough for ten to fit inside the needle of an injection syringe, so most people are pleasantly surprised to discover that it is hardly noticeable. After the initial insertion, some feel nothing at all, while others feel tingling, warmth, a heaviness, or energy moving up or down. We do our utmost to ensure that patients stay comfortable. Most people actually find acupuncture to be extremely relaxing, and even fall asleep during the treatment.
Is acupuncture safe? Acupuncture is very safe when it is performed by a licensed and well-qualified professional. We only use pre-sterilized, individually packaged, disposable needles and only use them once before they are disposed of so there is no chance of infection. Acupuncture can safely be used with other forms of holistic treatment, and conventional Western medicine. It actually has a lower adverse effect than many accepted drugs used for the same condition. (1997 NIH Conference).
How does acupuncture work? Western science does not fully understand nor can it fully explain how acupuncture works. Recent research suggests that it may increase blood circulation, stimulate the release of endorphins to relieve pain and increases activity in different parts of the brain, thereby effecting different systems in the body. From the Chinese Medicine perspective, acupuncture regulates the flow and amount of qi or energy in the body, thereby bringing it back into balance. Qi flows through pathways that travel through the body. If the flow is obstructed it causes pain. If the flow is too little or too much, other health problems occur.
Do I have to believe in acupuncture for it to work? Acupuncture and herbs work whether you believe in them or not. The best example is the use of Chinese medicine on animals which dates back more than a thousand years. It was originally used on livestock, but has become an increasingly popular modality in modern America on household pets.
What is Chinese Herbal Medicine? Chinese Herbal Medicine, like acupuncture, has been proven clinically effective for at least two thousand years. The complete pharmacopeia includes over 5,000 different plant, mineral and animal products which have been specifically prepared, but only a little more than 300 are in common use. Chinese herbs are prescribed in balanced combinations of two to fifteen or more herbs that treat both the symptoms and the cause of the condition. Unlike pharmaceuticals and many common supplements, most Chinese herbs are not meant to replace substances that the body needs, but rather to get the body to absorb, metabolize or produce what it should.
How are Chinese herbs used? Chinese herbs are traditionally brewed into a tea that is usually drunk hot. However, for our patient's convenience we prescribe most of them as herbal tea-pills, and concentrated granules that dissolve in hot water or can be encapsulated. On occasion, we also have herbs cooked and vacuum-packed for our patients. Chinese herbs for external use are prepared as liniments, soaks and poultices.
Are Chinese herbs safe? When Chinese herbs are prescribed by a well-trained, experienced professional they are extremely safe. Unlike western drugs they rarely have any side-effects. Generally, we start with minimal dosages and increase the amount slowly. Some individuals find that they experience some digestive problems when they first start with Chinese herbs, but that usually stops after a few days. The tea-pills and granules we use are produced in internationally certified GMP facilities in China. All products are batch tested for heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic, pesticide residue, and bacterial and microbial content. They are also independently tested by an internationally recognized laboratory to surpass standards of China, Taiwan and the US. Fortunately, herb - drug interaction is rare when herbs are prescribed by a well-trained, experienced professional. To protect our patients, we require all patients to inform us of any drugs or supplements they are currently taking. Before prescribing any herbal remedy we check for any known possible interactions that may occur, and will schedule dosages so that drugs and herbs are not metabolized by the body at the same time, thereby minimizing any possible interaction.
What is Medical Qigong? Medical Qigong can best be explained as "acupuncture without the needles." It can be divided into two major types - therapeutic and instructional. In therapeutic Medical Qigong the practitioner uses acupuncture principles and theories to affect the energy of the patient with little or no physical contact. In instructional Medical Qigong the patient is taught specific practices to re-balance or enhance his own energy. Specific Qigong methods can be learned for specific conditions, such as Asthma, High Blood Pressure, and Low Blood Pressure to name a few. Practices may include physical movement, specific breathing, and specific intentions or thoughts.
What is Tuina or Bodywork? Tuina or Chinese Bodywork can best be described as Medical Massage combined with Acupuncture theory. It may comprise of holding specific points while gently moving or applying pressure to different body parts. It is often used to quickly increase range of motion, relieve spasms and painful areas. We typically work in a very gentle manner, so it is not at all like deep tissue massage or Tuina done by most practitioners.
What is Chinese Dietary Therapy? Chinese Dietary Therapy is a modality that we usually prescribe to increase the efficacy of Acupuncture, Chinese herbs and Medical Qigong. We will suggest foods to include or avoid in your diet, as well as ways of preparing those foods to enhance your treatments. We typically don't make you eliminate foods completely, but encourage you to observe how you feel after consuming a suspected "problem" food, and make your decision accordingly. Our long-term goal is not to make you "dairy-free", "gluten-free", "sugar-free" etc. for the rest of your life, but rather for you to recognize that your body can not digest or assimilate these foods due to energetic imbalances, and to return your body to a balanced state in which you can consume them in moderation.
What is Microcurrent and Color Light Therapy? > Microcurrent and color light therapies is a 21st century approach to Chinese Medicine. Solidly grounded in Chinese Medical theory, this treatment system integrates aspects of acupuncture, quantum physics, colored lights, and mind-body healing.
It uses no needles, but rather wands that are fitted with electrical probes and fiber optics to deliver extremely low level electric current and colored light to acupuncture points. The delivered electrical current is in the millionths of an amp range, which is 1000 times weaker than more traditional electrotherapy such as the TENS (Trancutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation), so in most cases no sensation is even felt.
This much lower energy works to heal, rather than to "block" sources of pain and disease.
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