What is Chinese Medicine?
Chinese Medicine includes but is not limited to the use of ACUPUNCTURE, electronic stimulation, cupping, heat, cold linaments, moxibustion, nutrition and therapeutic herbal formulas. Chinese Medicine has been practiced as a complete medical system with the ability to diagnose and treat disease for thousands of years—perhaps as many as 8000. Although it can be used as a form of medical intervention Chinese Medicine in its essence knows that "prevention is the best cure" and often requires some re-education and lifestyle changes in order to achieve its highest level of effectiveness.
Why See A Practioner of Chinese Medicine?
One would see a practioner of Chinese Medicine in order to relieve pain and other symptoms, strengthen the immune system, and integrate the functions of the organs with each other to create a comprehensive experience of health. It can also be used to assist in post-surgical recovery and for the potentially negative side effects of some medications. Today it has become increasingly useful in treating infertility and in the support of cancer treatment.
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What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the use of sterile, disposable needles (as thin as a thread) inserted into acupoints along meridians to restore health to organs and bodily systems. The first formal record of acupuncture was compiled in China between 300 B.C. and 100 B.C. Recent archeologic discoveries indicate that acupuncture in a rudimentary form may date back 5,000-8,000 years. Today, acupuncture is rapidly becoming accepted and utilized as an adjunct to almost every aspect of health management in western medical practices and wellness centers.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Though the effectiveness of acupuncture have been well documented for a long time, studies at the Unversity of California in Los Angeles first revealed that dye injected into acupoints run through an organized, invisible system in the body that is not the typical lymphatic, vascular or neurological system recognized by Western Medicine. It is believed that through this network acupuncture is able to influence all levels and systems of the body.
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
An acupuncture needle is so slender that it produces little or no sensation at all. Most patients experience a slight aching or tingling sensation. First-time patients are usually amazed at how comfortable they are during treatment.
How Many Treatments Does it Take?
Because people and the severity of their conditions differ, the number and frequency of treatments varies. I often begin with a plan of one or two treatments per week for several weeks to determine acupuncture's initial effectiveness for an individual. The longer you've had the problem the longer the recommended treatment plan. Also consider that the more one participates in their healing process, the more rapid and effective the results.
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Chinese Herbal Formulas are used to further assist in the treatment of a diagnosed condition. They consist of plant and organic materials and on rare occasion, animal parts. Anywhere from a few to as many as 14 different herbs can be combined to formulate a perfectly balanced medicinal. The formulas consist of herbs that directly treat the primary symptom, herbs that treat secondary symptoms, and herbs that can ameliorate the potential side effects of some of the herbs in the formula. In addition to treating the diagnosed condition directly, additional formulas are often recommended to help support the overall health of the individual, thus keeping supporting the entire system and keeping it more balanced during and after the treatment protocol has been successfully completed.
Although considered to be much safer than western pharmaceuticals it is important to closely monitor their dosage and effectiveness on a regular basis as the requirements of the patient change as the condition goes through its stages of resolution.
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