Traditional Chinese Medicine

Chinese culture has benefited from Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 5,000 years. Today it has spread and across the world and found its way to the West where it continues to treat a wide range of health conditions. The premise of TCM is that illness is caused by a blockage of energy flow so treatments are aimed at removing the blockage. TCM includes the following treatment modalities-- AcupuncturernBased on the belief that energy flows through living things along pathways called meridians. Each organ system has a meridian. Needles are inserted at points on these meridians to balance the flow of energy and restore health. A wide variety of health problems can be helped by acupuncture. AuriculotherapyrnPoints on the outer ear correspond to parts of the body. By stimulating these points on the auricle or outer portion of the ear, you can treat the body. Dieters and substance abusers have claimed success with auriculotherapy. Herbal MedicinernHerbal medicine is the most common form of TCM. Approximately 1,000 plants and animals are used to make 500 common prescriptions. Preparations combine 5-15 ingredients to make a tea or capsule. The ingredients and amounts are altered to fit a patient's condition. CuppingrnRounded cups are warmed and placed upside down on the back. The cups create suction that holds them to the skin which in turn boosts circulation. It is said to stimulate 'qi' -- energy flow. Cupping is used for pain relief, depression, and inflammation. Gua SharnSometimes called scraping therapy, Gua Sha is the practice of scraping the back, neck, shoulders, or chest with a flat, rounded tool. The red marks that surface are 'sha' which is said to be cellular debris -- lymph, blood cells, etc. -- trapped in the tissue. Gua sha is used for pain relief especially for those who store stress in the back and shoulders. MoxibustionrnOften used to treat back pain, menstrual cramps, or digestive troubles. In moxibustion the herbs mugwort or wormwood are burned on top of the acupuncture needle to help restore the flow of energy. Tui NarnIn this form of massage, the client wears loose clothing and no shoes. Sometimes herbal preparations may be applied. Tui na is not a 'feel good' type of massage, but aims to restore movement to frozen joints. Students practice on bags of sand and rice to strengthen their hands before working with a person. While TCM is practiced routinely in China, in other countries it is considered a complementary or alternative health practice. Nevertheless, statistics from the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine show Americans increasingly use this form of treatment.