Commonly Asked
Questions
How does TCM differ from conventional Western
medicine?
I have heard that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
is an ancient healing art; how old is it?
How do you discover the patterns of disharmony?
How does
treatment proceed?
Is this where the acupuncture comes in?
Can you explain the term “Traditional Chinese
Medicine”?
What
does acupuncture feel like?
What about
herbal medicine?
What are other types of treatment?
First, it is important to note that TCM
is far more than just acupuncture. Its
paramount goal is the balancing within
the body of Life Energy, a force known
as Qi (pronounced “chee”). TCM also
recognizes the spiritual and emotional
components of disease.
While conventional Western medicine aims
at treating specific pathology or
disease, TCM is a holistic philosophy
that looks at the entire person, body,
mind and spirit, to determine ‘patterns
of disharmony,’ which may lead to
disease. Once identified, these patterns
will point the way toward diagnosis and
a regime of treatment that is specific
to the individual.
It is important to understand that the
goal of TCM is not only to relieve
symptoms of disease but to understand
and to treat the underlying causes of
disease, thereby restoring the body,
mind and spirit to a balanced and
harmonized state.
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The oldest and most revered text in the
canon of TCM is called the Classic of
Internal Medicine (Huang Di Nei Ching),
that dates from the second century B.C.E.,
which gives TCM a history of more than
3,000 years. It contains the framework
upon which TCM is practiced today.
However, since ancient times, untold
thousands of practitioners have added to
the knowledge.
The accumulated knowledge of the
centuries regarding the use of herbs,
acupuncture, diet and exercise, among
other treatments, is available to modern
doctors and their patients. In China
today, scientific research continues to
explain and expand upon the knowledge of
the ancient writers, and TCM is
considered to be commensurate with
Western medicine.
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First, I take a detailed history of the
client, which includes all physical,
emotional and psychological factors and
symptomology. Then I conduct a physical
examination, which includes such things
as taking the pulse, from which I can
determine many more factors than merely
rate and strength. I check the
appearance of the tongue, a primary
‘barometer’ of health.
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I formulate a diagnosis from information
revealed by examination and history, and
draw up a treatment that is specific to
the individual. Treatment may consist of
acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal
treatment, diet therapy, exercise,
and/or Tui Na, massage and manipulation
techniques or any combination of these.
Almost always, there is a recommendation
for changes in lifestyle and eating
habits.
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Acupuncture prevents and treats disease
by means of the painless insertion of
very slender needles into the skin at
specific points on the body. At these ‘acupoints,’
the flow through the body of Qi (Life
Energy) can be manipulated along
discrete pathways (or meridians) within
the body; it can be balanced and
obstacles or blockages to the flow
removed.
Moxibustion is the gentle application of
heat from a burning herb called moxa or
artemisia, to the acupoints. It can be
used without acupuncture for those who
are very weak or hypersensitive to
needles.
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Primary to TCM are the classical studies
that have been its basic philosophy for
3,000 years. There are four distinct
disciplines in TCM: acupuncture,
herbology, massage therapy (Tui Na) and
diet therapy. TCM also includes the
study of yin and yang, which aids in a
diagnosis; and the Five Element
theories, which link the body with the
external world. Then there are studies
of internal medicine, the five sense
organs, skin diseases, gynecology,
pediatrics, gerontology and the
conventional Western disciplines of
anatomy, physiology and pathology. Some
students today are required to master
such modern sciences as biology,
immunology and microbiology.
An imbalance or blockage of Qi results
when the body succumbs to external
pathogens (such as cold, wind, heat,
dampness), and manifests itself in such
symptoms as pain or organ malfunction.
Restoring balance and removing blockages
is the essence of healing.
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Acupuncture is an unfamiliar sensation
to most people, but not painful. Many
people report a profound and often
transcendental experience, not unlike
deep meditation. There may be a tingling
sensation or even the feeling that
electricity is flowing between the
points. It is usually accompanied by
relaxation of the skin and muscles, deep
and gentle breathing, a sharpening of
the senses and a general feeling of
well-being. Pain and other symptoms may
entirely or partially disappear, and
after treatment there is a sense of deep
relaxation.
In a few cases, symptoms may not be
alleviated immediately (or may even be
temporarily exacerbated) but a definite
improvement is experienced over the next
24 hours.
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The use of herbs has always been
fundamental to the treatment of disease
in TCM. Most often they are used in
conjunction with acupuncture. Herbal
formulations are complex and unique,
prescribed for each client’s specific
diagnosis. They can be taken as pills,
in capsules or in infusion as tea. Their
function also is to facilitate the flow
of Qi, remove blockages and to nourish
the organs and harmonize their
functions, thereby restoring the health
and well-being of the client.
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There is a Chinese medical therapy
called Tui Na in which massage and
manipulative techniques are applied
directly to the body, following the
energy meridians and utilizing the
acupoints to stimulate and balance the
flow of Qi. This is used for the
treatment of certain injured tissues, to
influence internal organs and to remove
blood stasis; that is, to stimulate the
flow of blood. As with moxibustion, it
is often particularly effective in
treating the very young or very weak
client.
Diet therapy (also called Food Cures)
has an important function in nourishing
the body’s organs and maintaining
resistance to illness. Traditionally in
China, diet varies from season to season
in order to best protect the body from
the effects of the seasonal elements.
The Chinese system of food cures
incorporates the various qualities of
flavour, energy, movements and actions
of different foods to nourish the body
and its organs, in moving the blood and
facilitating and balancing the flow of
Qi.
Some foods have beneficial qualities,
while others have properties less
supportive of good health, and may even
aggravate some illnesses. Therefore a
balanced diet, tailored to the
individual and comprising foods that are
beneficial to a specific condition,
becomes yet another tool for healing
illness and maintaining good health.
In exercise therapy, certain movements
combined with deep concentration on
learning to move Qi through the body can
act directly on the body. This
facilitates and promotes the balanced
and unobstructed flow of Qi, as well as
relaxing and focusing the mind and
benefiting the spirit. Exercises such as
those in the disciplines of Tai Qi and
Qi Gong can also enhance harmonization
of body, mind and spirit.
It is most important to remember that
proper food and exercise are also
primary factors quoted in conventional
Western medicine in the prevention and
healing of disease. The quality and
length of your life depends largely on
to what extent you are able to harmonize
your body, mind and spirit in pursuit
health.
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