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Traditional Oriental Medicine
Traditional Oriental Medicine is a complete medical system
which has treated and prevented illness for thousands of years. This system of healing approaches the patient as a
whole being, composed of body. mind and spirit. It strives to
achieve balance between the body an d nature and the two mutually dependent opposing forces of yin and yang.
Utilizing acupuncture and herbs, TCM can successfully treat
and prevent many illnesses with the goal of maintaining optimum health and well-being. In addition to acupuncture,
additional modalities may further enhance the healing process. These may include
moxibustion, electro-acupuncture, cupping, Tui Na massage, acupressure, and
nutritional counseling.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a method of accessing the
body's vital energy, or Qi (pronounced "chee") by stimulating points on the
body. Through acupuncture, the body" s balance can be
restored with the insertion of hair thin needles at specific points on channels or
"meridians" - 14 energetic pathways mapped on the body through which Qi flows. These
meridians run just beneath the skin like flowing rivers to communicate with the
body's major organs. Specific points along particular meridians activate the
body's energy to
facilitate healing from the root ca use as well as the symptoms.
Acupuncture needles are extremely thin and flexible. Upon insertion, one may feel a slight sensation of heaviness or
tingling at the point when the Qi is reached. Sterile, disposable needles are generally left in place for 15 to 30
minutes, depending on the diagnosis. Patients sometimes report feeling relaxed or even euphoric after acupuncture
treatments.
Herbology
An integral part of Oriental Medicine is the use of herbs
which can substantially aid in the restoration and maintenance
of balance in the body.
Herbs are highly specific in their actions and herbal formulas
contain a range of herbs that possess different qualities and properties which can target certain aspects of disharmony.
Made from organic substances such as plants, flowers,
minerals and animal products, herbal remedies are the precursors
to Western pharmaceuticals.
However, herbs rarely elicit side effects and have been proven safe
and effective during thousands of years of use.
Herbal formulas can be specifically designed for the
individual needs of each patient. Formulas come in many
forms, including herbal teas cooked from raw herbs, prepared pills, powders or tinctures.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion involves applying heat from the slow-burning
herb mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) over acupuncture points to stimulate the flow of Qi an d warm the channels. |
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Cupping
To increase t he flow and circulation of Qi and blood, glass
globes are of ten applied to the skin over acupuncture points.
Slightly heated, these cups create a vacuum suction to draw the Qi and blood to the surface of the skin to help restore
their smooth flow.
Electroacupuncture
To strongly stimulate
Qi, acupuncture needles can be connected to an electroacupuncture stimulator. The
frequency and strength of the electric pulse can be varied to achieve the desired effect for each patient.
Tui Na & Massage Therapy
Massage is widely used in Oriental Medicine to promote Qi
and blood flow through the body. Tui Na combines acupressure, massage and stretching to help restore balance in
the body.
Commonly Treated Conditions
According to the World Health Organization , acupuncture
can effectively treat a wide array of acute and chronic health
conditions and provide preventative care. The following disorders may benefit from acupuncture treatments:
Musculoskeletal
arthritis, back and neck pain, bursitis,
fibromyalgia, joint pain, osteoarthritis, sciatica, shoulder pain, sports injuries, sprains,
TMJ, tendinitis
Urogenital/Reproductive
endometriosis, infertility, menstrual problems, menopause,
morning sickness, pre-menstrual syndrome, prostate problems, sexual dysfunctions, urinary tract infection, vaginitis
Respiratory/Ear, Nose, Throat
allergies, asthma, bronchitis, common colds, emphysema, eye
diseases, flu, hearing loss, vertigo, sore throat, laryngitis,
sinusitis
Cardiovascular
angina pectoris,
atherosclerosis, anemia, hypertension, palpitations, coronary heart disease
Gastrointestinal
anorexia, food allergies, peptic
ulcer, constipation, colitis, Crohn' s disease, diarrhea, indigestion, irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS), nausea, vomiting. gastritis
Mental / Neurologic
anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress, Bell's palsy, cerebral
palsy, dizziness, headaches, migraines, multiple sclerosis, neuralgia, stroke, paralysis, tremors
Dermatological
acne, dermatitis, eczema, herpes, hives
Miscellaneous Disorders
chronic pain, diabetes, fatigue, hemorrhoids, hypoglycemia,
hepatitis, HIV and AIDS-related conditions |
