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What is Traditional
Chinese Medicine (TCM) & How Can It Help Me?
Traditional Chinese Medicine
(TCM) is a comprehensive system of medicine with over 5000 years of documented
history. Its components include Chinese herbology, acupuncture, nutrition,
Tui-na (medical massage) as well as Qi- gong. The philosophy behind this
system of medicine is complicated and complete. It explains the functions
of the body in a way that relates it to Taoist cosmology and shows no separation
from the mental, physical, spiritual, or emotional components of the human
being. It historically has always been a form of spirit-mind-body medicine.
The underlying idea behind
TCM is that of balance. A balanced person is a healthy person. All diseases
reflects dis-equilibrium in the body. Unlike conventional medicine, which
waits for the patient to get sick in order to start treatment, TCM is largely
preventative in nature. The disharmony is determined and the proper changes
through treatment or lifestyle are made to bring the body back into balance
before the actual disease occurs. Historically, the traditional Chinese
doctors were paid to keep people well. If the patient became sick, the
doctor would not be paid until the patient was well again!
The body is viewed in TCM
as having twelve ordinary and eight extraordinary channels of energy. These
channels, called “meridians,” correspond to organ systems of the body.
Although they carry names like spleen, liver, and stomach, they do not
necessarily reflect those organs as we know them in western science. Vital
energy called Qi flows through the meridians. If there is an excess or
deficiency or blockage of Qi in the meridian, pain and disease will result.
Through the use of acupuncture or herbs, the Qi can be balanced and the
patient restored to health.
We often think of acupuncture
for treatment of back pain, but it has many more uses. Acupuncture can
be used to treat chronic headaches, fevers, asthma, paralysis, flu, constipation,
diarrhea, emotional imbalance, and many other conditions. Acupuncture can
be extremely helpful for women’s health problems, especially menstrual
disorders and including PMS, menopause symptoms, nausea, and vomiting of
pregnancy and even endometriosis. Most importantly, acupuncture can be
used preventively just to keep you balanced and in good health.
What can you expect from a
traditional acupuncture treatment? Expect a thorough interview which includes
questions which may not seem related to the condition you want treated.
For instance, such things as whether you feel hot or cold, the color of
your urine, and how you sleep at night gives clues as to the best way to
treat a headache. Physical diagnosis is done by looking at the tongue and
feeling the pulses near the wrist. As all of our acupuncturists are licensed
physicians, more conventional diagnostic techniques may also be used, especially
if a serious condition must be ruled out.
The acupuncture is done with
fine, disposable, sterile needles, following the national clean-needle
technique guidelines. Although some people feel nothing, most people feel
a small pinprick sensation as the needles are inserted. Many people will
also feel some kind of energy flow as the needle gets to the level of the
Qi. This often feels like electricity, or a spreading feeling. Different
conditions need different numbers of treatments. With most conditions,
positive results are seen with the first few treatments, so it is easy
to see if the acupuncture is beneficial for you. |
