What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
Chinese Medicine not only alleviates symptoms of illness, but also corrects underlying imbalances, thereby increasing the body's ability to health and improving patients' quality of life.
Chinese Medicine can provide relief in cases where western biomedicine does not have a diagnosis or treatment. Chinese Medicine also works well in conjunction with biomedical treatment to strengthen the immune system and minimize the side effects of harsher medical protocols.
Chinese Medicine includes the use of acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, exercise, lifestyle and dietary modifications to promote health and restore balance.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture can address a range of medical conditions, emotional and psychological imbalances, and chronic and acute pain. Acupuncture can also be used as preventative medicine, strengthening the body and promoting overall health and wellness.
Acupuncture needles are very thin and, unlike hypodermic needles, painless on insertion. The needles are inserted from a few seconds up to an hour or more, depending on the patient's constitution and the nature of their complaint. During acupuncture, patients commonly feel a pleasant feeling of relaxation and may even fall asleep.
Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to be effective in the treatment of a wide variety of medical problems. It is the fastest-growing health care system in the world today.
What is Herbal Medicine?
Chinese herbal medicine is based on centuries of observation of the effects of plant, animal, nutritional and mineral substances on the human body. The practice of herbalism in China evolved from local folk remedies into a scholarly tradition used by emperors.
A TCM herbalist draws from several hundred individual herbs, and combines them into prescriptions meticulously formulated to meet the needs of each individual patient. Chinese herbal formulas are used to expedite the healing process and to strengthen the body. They have a unique capacity to address the root cause, as well as to provide symptomatic relief, of both chronic and acute conditions.
Moxibustion (or "moxa") is a form of heat therapy applied to acupuncture points on the body using burning dried mugwort (artemesia vulgaris). There are different methods of application, the most common using mugwort rolled into a stick that looks like a cigar, ignited, and held two to three inches away from the body creating a mild and pleasant warmth.
Moxibustion is espcially useful in strengthening the immune system and treating pain. It promotes circulation and can be used safely to enhance fertility and support pregnancy, including turning a breech baby.
The beauty of Chinese Medicine lies in its ability to look at each person as a whole and unique being, and to provide gentle, individualized support for each person's pursuit of greater health and well-being.
What Can TCM Treat?
- Menstrual Irregularities and Pain, Menopause, Fertility, Pregnancy Support
- Digestive Complaints: Colitis, IBS, Acid Reflux, Heartburn, Constipation, Morning Sickness
- Pain: Injury, Arthritis, Chronic Pain, Back and Neck Tension
- Menstrual Irregularities and Pain, Menopause, Fertility
- Emotional Issues: Depression, Anxiety, Stress Management
- Addiction: Smoking Cessation, Withdrawal Support
- Diabetes, Hypertension
- Asthma, Allergies, Common Cold, Fatigue
- Insomnia, Migraines, TMJ
- Eczema, Acne, Rashes
- Side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy
- Immune Support
