Acupuncture is a natural healing technique in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and has a clinical history of more than 3000 years. Acupuncture practitioners use thin, pre-sterilized, disposable needles to adjust the flow and distribution of Qi in the body in order to promote health and healing.

One acupuncture treatment runs between 30 to 45 minutes. The first visit is often longer because a complete history has to be taken and a thorough TCM diagnosis has to be performed. After diagnosing, the practitioner selects appropriate points and inserts needles into them. The needles may or may not be subsequently manipulated, either manually or with a small electrical device. Those needles are usually retained in the body for approximately 15 to 30 minutes. At the end of the treatment, the practitioner may prescribe herbal therapies for the patient to use at home.

Generally, one acupuncture treatment per week is recommended. More frequent sessions may be necessary for severe conditions. As with many other treatments, it may take a few weeks to recognize improvement. The cumulative effect of acupuncture and herbal medicine improves health over time and often lasts long after the treatments have finished. In general, 8-10 weekly sessions are required for most conditions.

Patients are encouraged to actively participate in their healing process because it may have a direct impact on the outcome of treament. For instance, the patient should be totally relaxed during treatment, and avoid of an empty or full stomach.

There are six fundamental theories in TCM: the Yin and Yang; the Five Phases; the Fundamental Substances; the Meridians; the Zang/Fu Organs; and the External Pathogens. The Yin/Yang and the Five Phase theories are the ways of understanding the laws of nature and interrelationships within nature. The Fundamental Substances, the Meridian, and the Zang/Fu theories explain human physiology and functionality. Pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment theories explain how and why imbalances develop within us and how to restore the balances.

According to TCM theories, the natural vital energy (Qi, energetic model) is inherent with all aliving things. The Qi flows in the body along specific channels called meridians. Each meridian is associated with a particular physiological system and internal organ. Acupuncture points are specific locations along the meridians. Each of them has a predictable effect upon the vital energy passing through it. Diseases are considered to arise due to a deficiency or imbalance of the energy in the meridians and their associated physiological systems. The proper flow and distribution of Qi can be re-established very rapidly by acupuncture in the body.

Many conditions may be alleviated very rapidly by acupuncture and other oriental therapies. However, some conditions that have arisen over a number of years will only be relieved with slow, steady progress. As in any form of healing, the patient's attitude, diet, determination and lifestyle will affect the outcome of a course of treatment. Patients are encouraged to actively participate in their healing process.

Acupuncture needles are very flexible and fine about the diameter of a human hair. In most cases, insertion by a skilled practitioner is performed without discomfort. Most people who have had acupuncture would describe it as virtually painless or a sensation akin to a mosquito bite, or perhaps a fly bite. Any pain should subside within a few seconds of insertion.

Sensation after needle insertion varies widely. There are certain sensations associated with the therapeutic effects of acupuncture, such as slight cramping, heaviness, distention, tingling or electric sensation traveling along meridians. All of these sensations are held to be the experience of Qi. Most patients find the treatments very relaxing and many fall asleep. All sensations usually subside once the needles are removed.

At present, BC MSP does not cover acupuncture treatments. However, most extended health plans might. It is suggested that patients contact their insurance companies to know the extent of their coverage.

Herbal Medicine is also a natural healing technique in TCM and has a clinical history of more than 3000 years. Healing practitioners use herbs according to their effects on the organs to adjust the flow and distribution of Qi in the body. In traditional Chinese medicine, there is an estimated 6,000 materials derived from plant, animal, and mineral sources. Among those, more than 300 are commonly used today.

To apply herbal therapy, a special glazed clay teapot is traditionally used to simmer the raw herbs in water to extract their substances, making a decoction - a strong "tea". This standard method is too time-consuming, and may cause strong herbal smells in your kitchen. With modern technology, single and multi-herb decoctions can be transformed into fine, soluble granules, which are on average 5 times more potent than raw herbs. These extract-granules are effective and easy to use. Another way to ingest herbs is to soak medicinal herbs in grain alcohol within a porcelain container for a specific period to make herbal wines.

Herbal Medicine is different from Acupuncture, and the best used for functional disorders, hormonal imbalances, and "organic problems" (changes in tissue structure). As indicated in the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, "In order to terminate physical illnesses and to bring health, external diseases were treated with acupuncture and internal diseases with hot water or soups, and liquid medicines." A qualified TCM practitioner should be able to use Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine sometimes independently of each other or sometimes together, according to applied conditions.

In TCM, Herbal Medicine shares the same underlying theories and principles with Acupuncture. Similar to acupuncture points, herbal formulas were developed through an empirical process of observing the properties of herbs and the effects of combining them. There are hundreds of classic formulas that have been proven effective as remedies for specific illnesses. These classic formulas, in turn comprise the foundation for treatment in Chinese Herbal Medicine.

Normally, there are three different ways to ingest herbal powders or extract-granules:
(1) swallowing directly followed with water, tea or rice wine.
(2) pouring boiling water over the powders or extract-granules, then stirring until cool enough to drink.
(3) placing the powders or extract-granules into capsules (or making it into pills / tablets).

According to TCM, herbs, particularly tonic herbs, are a class of "superfoods" which provide the body with everything from phytoestrogens to vitamins. They "jump-start" and revitalize the body's own ability to re-establish and maintain balance and overall good health. This process can take time -- sometimes days, sometimes weeks, and sometimes months.

TCM Herbal Medicine can be very effective with many disharmonies. After diagnosing the disorder based on TCM theories, healing practitioners will decide on a treatment principle and select appropriate herbs that will have the desired effects. Suggestions and instructions shall be also given about diet, when the formula will be taken, and dosage. Over the course of treatment, the original formula may be adapted as the therapy is monitored and evaluated. The effectiveness of Herbal Medicine depends highly on the accuracy of the practitioner's diagnosis of the disharmony, the prescription of herbs chosen, as well as patient's cooperation (attitude, diet, lifestyle, and etc).

As a general rule, acute ailments are treated for a shorter period of time, while the treatment time for chronic diseases often depends on the dosage used and the individual response of each patient. In some cases, such as genetic disorders, aging problems, or ailments that have caused permanent irreversible damage, herbs are taken daily for an indefinite period. For acute conditions, like colds and allergies, the proper herbs can work rather quickly.

The effects of herbal therapies are usually (but not always) seen after several days of regular use, rather than immediately, but once the effects are established, they often persist for a long period. If the patient does not experience an improvement in health within one or two weeks, the formula may need to be changed, unhealthy foods shall be eliminated from the diet, or some other changes will be suggested.

Herbs are safe. Specifically, tonic herbs are the safest. Regardless, consumers should only obtain their herbs from reputable sources. Those products should be standardized around a specific active ingredient, unadulterated with high potency, not contaminated, and contain the complete range of all available phyto-nutrients.

One should also be aware of the cautions of using internal medicinal herbal wines if a person has candida, immune deficiency or an autoimmune disorder.

Legally, the practice of medicine is restricted to those professionals who have a license. Practice is generally defined as both diagnosis and prescription, with a focus on the treatment of disease. An official professional licensing authority, the College of TCM Practitioners and Acupuncturists of BC was established in 2000 by the Government of British Columbia, Canada to regulate the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture in the Province.

The College issues four different licenses, R.Ac., R.TCM.H., R.TCM.P., and Dr.TCM to qualified practitioners.
A R.Ac. is licensed to perform professional acupuncture service.
A R.TCM.H. is licensed to diagnose and prescribe herbal medicine.
A R.TCM.P. is licensed to practise acupuncture, herbology, tuina, food cure and rehabilitative exercises.
A Dr.TCM is licensed to practise acupuncture, herbology, tuina, food cure, rehabilitative exercises and accepting challenging referrals from other TCM practitioners.

The beneficial effects of a good and healthy diet were fully recognized thousands of years ago. However, today it is hardly surprising that we are now suffering the ill effects of our highly refined, processed and de-natured diet, such as heart disease, IBS, arthritis, allergies, and etc. Although many people are now becoming interested in a healthy diet, most of them do not realize the true therapeutic value of food, and the fact that it can be used to heal diseases and to regain optimum health, even in those who have become seriously ill.

In TCM, Dietary Therapy is another healing technique and shares the same underlying theories and principles with Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. It can be used to balance Yin & Yang, nourish Qi & Blood, and restore the normal functioning of the organs and meridians. As mentioned in Herbal Medicine, herbs are a class of "superfoods" which provide the body with everything from phytoestrogens to vitamins. Modifying diet accordingly will not only prevent internal diseases from forming, but also will eliminate a large percentage of root causes and symptoms of many disharmonies.

Traditional Chinese medicine focuses on treating the root causes of diseases, rather than just wallpapering over the symptoms. The root cause of any disease ultimately involves excess, deficiency, or imbalance of the Fundamental Substances, including Yin and Yang. Dietary Therapy is used to balance Yin and Yang, nourish Qi and Blood, and restore the normal functioning of the organs and meridians.

Based on the Five Element theory of TCM, the curative effect of a food depends on its "nature" and "flavor". The "natures" are: Cold, Cool, Warm, and Hot. The "flavors" are: Salty, Sour, Sweet, Bitter, and Pungent. Each taste has a different impact on the human body. For instance, Sour favors the Liver; Sweet favors the Spleen; Bitter favors the Heart; Pungent favors the Lungs; and Salty favors the Kidney. In general, foods and herbs that have a particular taste tend to have particular properties. For example, bitter herbs and foods tend to be Drying and Cold. This tends to make them good for treating Damp Heat conditions. Many of them have antibiotic-like properties. The herbs and foods with a Salty taste tend to be Warming and Moistening. This tends to make them great for treating people who suffer from Cold and Dryness, but they should be used cautiously in people who are Hot and Damp.

Any disease that either worsens in a Warm or Hot environment or improves in a Cool or Cold environment is Hot; and Hot diseases call for Cold foods. The same principle also applies to Cold diseases, which need Hot foods. After diagnosing patient conditions and diets, TCM practitioners purposely seek to neutralize illness by prescribing foods whose "nature" and "flavor" antagonize the "nature" and "flavor" of the disease.

In normal conditions, a balanced diet which includes all 5 tastes is strongly recommended. The effects of seasonal changes in climate shall be also considered since those changes have a significant effect on the physiological functions and pathological changes of the body.

In TCM, there is no clear dividing line between foods and medicinal herbs. However, the food tendencies in preserving health and preventing or curing illness are not as marked as those of medicinal herbs. Compared with Herbal Medicine, Dietary Therapy is less "jump-started", with much less supervision from practitioners, but it may take more time to feel improvements in health. Therefore, for most chronic conditions, Dietary Therapy should be the first to be relied upon.

There is a wide spectrum in the therapeutic effects of foods and medicinal herbs. A balanced selection of foods will lead to health. An unbalanced selection could result in illness. A balanced diet means that the kinds of foods we consume and the nutrients these foods contain should be comprehensive as well as adequate in amount and proportion, so that the nutrients supplied by our diet will meet the needs of the body.

Vegetables: Most vegetables have a Cold or Cool nature, and their most common properties are clearing up Heat, easing defecation and urination, dissolving Phlegm and relieving cough. Some vegetables, such as Chinese chives, Chinese spring onion and garlic have a Warm nature, can warm the Middle Burner, disperse Cold and assist digestion.

Fruits: Most fruits have Sweet and Sour flavor and Cold or Cool nature and their most common effects are promoting the production of body fluids, clearing Heat, moistening Dryness, dissolving Phlegm and as diuretics. Some fruits, such as litchi, grapes and figs are very Sweet and have a Warm nature, and are able to replenish Blood or reinforce the Liver and Kidney.

Cereals, Pulses and Nuts: Most cereals, pulses and nuts have a Sweet flavor, a neutral nature, and effects of reinforcing the Spleen and Stomach, removing dampness and arresting diarrhea. Some cereals, such as rice, wheat, sorghum and maize are generally rich in sugars, and contain protein and vitamin B. Nuts and beans are generally rich in proteins and fat.

Meat: Most meats (muscles & eggs) are Mild in nature and nutritious, and can enrich Qi and Blood, or reinforce the Liver and Kidney. Some internal organs, such as the liver, heart, stomach, lung, kidney, brain and spinal cord can be used to nourish corresponding organs in the human body. Animal meats are rich in proteins, fat, inorganic salts, and vitamins. However, the fat of these meats contains a large amount of saturated fatty acids and cholesterols, which are not good for aged patients and the patients with circulatory disorders.

Seafoods: Most fishes are neutral or Mild in nature, and can be used to reinforce the Spleen and Stomach, relieve edema and expel Damp. Sea cucumbers and shrimps can tonify the Kidney and reinforce Yang; turtles and tortoises can enforce the Liver and Kidney; clams are Cold in nature and can nourish Yin, improve acuity of vision and promote the production of body fluids. Most seafoods are rich in proteins, and contain amino acids, fats and inorganic salts.

Condiments and Miscellaneous: Condiments are auxiliary items and are normally used to flavour food, such as sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, and cinnamon. Sugar can reinforce the Spleen and Stomach, ease spasm and relieve pain. Wine can activate the circulation of blood and disperse Cold. Ginger and cinnamon can warm the Middle Burner, reinforce the Stomach, disperse cold and relieve pain. Fragrant flowers are Mild and can dissolve Damp and regulate the Middle Burner. Green tea is Cold in nature and can clear Heat, relieve the sensation of Heat and induce urination. Most condiments have significant nutrition values. For instance, vinegar contains amino acids, soy sauce contains amino acids, vitamins and inorganic salts. However, fragrant flowers and tea do not add specific nutrients to food, but their true value lies with their therapeutic effects.

Using one food at a time will limit dietary value and range of application. When foods are used together, their original effects can be enhanced or modified to produce new effects. In TCM, Dietary Therapy emphasizes combining compatible foods rather balancing foods with opposite natures. For examples, warm foods will reinforce warm herbs. However, it is better to avoid having strongly hot or cold foods altogether at the same time, and keep them away as far as possible.

The nature of food can also be affected by cooking. Generally, frying and roasting in oil increase the Heating properties, microwaving the Warming properties, freezing the Cold effect, and steaming and boiling slightly counteract any Cooling properties and moderate the Warming properties.

For low-calorie foods, there is practical dietary therapy information provided by The America NIH's web site .