WHAT SERVICES DO WE PROVIDE?
- Acupuncture
- Medical herbal therapy
- Moxibustion
- Cupping
- Tuina (Chinese Massage)
- Movement therapy
WHAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF TCM?
TCM originates from ancient Taoist philosophy which views a person as an energy system in which body and mind are unified, each influencing and balancing the other. Unlike allopathic medicine which attempts to isolate and separate a disease from a person, Chinese medicine emphasizes a holistic approach that treats the whole person.
WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
The ancient Chinese believed that there is a universal life energy called Qi present in every living creature. This energy is said to circulate throughout the body along specific pathways that are called meridians. As long as this energy flows freely throughout the meridians, health is maintained, but once the flow of energy is blocked, the system is disrupted and pain and illness occur. Acupuncture works to "re-program" and restore normal functions by stimulating certain points on the meridians in order to free up the Chi energy. Scientists have observed that the points used in acupuncture show a variety of unique bio-electrical and biochemical properties; stimulating them causes definite physiological response in brain activity, hormonal levels, blood pressure, heart rate, and immune system.
MEDICINAL HERBAL THERAPY
After diagnosing a pattern of disharmony and administering acupuncture treatments, a doctor of TCM often writes a formula from over a thousand common herbs or from more effective traditional family formulas. Chinese herb works together with acupuncture by providing the nourishing support for the energetic "re-programming" and "re- balancing" efforts of acupuncture.
TUINA BODYWORK THERAPY
Tuina body therapy is a complete system of body alignment based on TCM utilizing acupressure, stretching and gentle manipulation to restore balance and harmony in the human body. It is both a treatment as well as a preventive modality.
MOVEMENT THERAPY
TCM, in its long history, has always offered energy enhancement exercises such as Tai Chi Chuan, Qi Gong (Chi Kung), and meditation. These are mild exercises which take little time and can be practiced daily as a balancing or preventative health measure. Their goal is to integrate the physical and spiritual aspects of the individual.
WHICH CONDITIONS RESPOND BEST TO TCM?
Because Chinese medicine is a complete medical system which has been in operation for several thousands of years, a large number of ailments across all specialties will respond to it.
ORTHOPEDIC PROBLEMS, such as neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, tendonitis, frozen shoulder, arthritis, joint disorders, fibromyalgia, sports and other injuries.
GASTROINTESTINAL DYSFUNCTIONS, such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, colitis, Crohn’s disease, chronic parasitic infection, gastritis, dysbiosis and ulcer conditions
RESPIRATORY, EAR, NOSE AND THROAT DISORDERS, such as common cold, flu, asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, recurrent respiratory infections, TMJ, tinnitus, vertigo, laryngitis and sore throat
GYNECOLOGICAL, REPRODUCTIVE AND UROGENTAL DISORDERS, such as PMS, painful menstruation, irregular menstruation, endometriosis, chronic cystitis, urethritis, kidney disorder, sexual dysfunctions and infertility
IMMUNE DYSFUNCTIONS, such as chronic fatigue immunodeficient disorder, lupus, scleroderma, and other autoimmune disorders
NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS, such as headaches, paralysis, sciatica, numbness, Bell’s Palsy, post-herpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, tremors, and seizures
CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS, such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis, palpitation, varicose veins and vasculitis
NEURO-PSYCHIATRIC PROBLEMS, such as insomnia, anxiety, tension, depression, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, and other nervous disorders
DERMATOLOGICAL DISORDERS, such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, acne, hives, vitiligo, itching, and other skin diseases
HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE NEEDED?
How much a person will be helped by acupuncture and herbal medicine depends on several factors. These include the nature and severity of the problem, length of time it has existed, and amount of physical damage already present. The primary focus of TCM is on correcting the underlying cause of an illness or disease and thus producing a lasting relief. Symptoms can often be relieved in a matter of hours, or days, but correcting the illness itself is a much longer process. It is important, therefore, to take an adequate number of treatments to insure the best results. Chronic problems generally require more treatments than acute conditions which may respond to a few acupuncture sessions. 6-12 sessions is often an average length of treatment.
IS ACUPUNCTURE PAINFUL?
Disposable acupuncture needles are used to attract or disperse energy along the meridians. They are very thin, 8-10 times thinner than hypodermic needles that are used for injections, and are barely felt when inserted.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
One of the great advantages of acupuncture and herbs is the absence of serious side effects. Some patients report feeling slightly sore, lightheaded, and even euphoric after a treatment. However most people report a sense of pleasant relaxation. It is advisable to rest for at least a few moments after a treatment in order to stabilize the body. It is best not to eat a heavy meal or engage in strenuous activity just before or after a treatment.