What is Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
Acupuncture is an essential part of TCM,
a comprehensive system of health care with a continuous clinical history
of over 3000 years. TCM includes acupuncture,
Chinese herbology and bodywork, dietary therapy and exercise based on TCM principles.
These therapies work with the natural vital energy inherent within all living things to
promote the body's ability to heal itself. This system of health care is used extensively
by one-quarter of the world's population residing in Asia and is rapidly growing in popularity in the West.
How Does It Work?
Chinese medicine is based on an energetic model rather than the biochemical model of
Western medicine. The ancient Chinese recognized vital energy behind all life forms
and life processes. They called this energy Qi (pronounced "chee"). In developing an
understanding of the prevention and cure of disease, these healing practitioners discovered
that this energy flows along specific pathways called 'meridians'.
Each pathway is associated with a particular physiological system and internal organ.
Disease is considered to arise due to a deficiency or imbalance of energy in the
meridians and their associated physiological systems. Acupuncture points are specific locations along the meridians.
Each point has a predictable effect upon the vital energy passing through it.
Modern science has been able to measure the electrical charge at these points,
thus corroborating the locations of the meridians mapped by the ancients.
TCM uses an intricate system of pulse and tongue diagnosis,
palpation of points and meridians, medical history and other signs and symptoms
to create a composite TCM diagnosis. A treatment plan is then formulated to induce the
body to a balanced state of health.
What Can I Expect?
Many conditions may be alleviated very rapidly by acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
However, some conditions that have arisen over a course of years will be relieved
only 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.
Although Chinese medicine can treat most conditions, there are circumstances that
can be dealt with more effectively by Western medicine. In such cases, your acupuncturist
will recommend you contact a Western medical doctor. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine
should be seen as complementary to Western medicine.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
In the hands of a comprehensively trained acupuncturist, your safety is assured.
Throughout their education, Licensed Acupuncturists are trained and tested
in Clean Needle Technique (CNT). CNT includes sterilization of acupuncture needles
(currently disposable needles are becoming very popular) and equipment,
prevention of transmission blood-borne pathogens, disposal of contaminated waste,
and other safety aspects of acupuncture.
Is Acupuncture Painful?
Acupuncture bears no resemblance to the feeling of receiving an injection,
since the main source of pain from injections is the larger diameter,
hollow needle and the medication being forced into the tissue by pressure.
Acupuncture needles are very fine and flexible, about the diameter of a human hair.
In most cases, insertion by a skilled practitioner is performed without discomfort.
You may experience a sense of heaviness or electricity in the area of insertion.
Most patients find the treatments very relaxing and many fall asleep during treatment.
In some cases, your practitioner may also recommend herbs or noninvasive treatment
such as TuiNa, QiGong or dietary, exercise or lifestyle changes.
What Do Acupuncture and TCM Treat?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture and TCM's ability to treat
over 43 common disorders. In fact, acupuncture and TCM could treat beyond these disorders
which have been demonstrated through thousand years of practice in China.
These disorders include:
- Gastrointestinal Disorders,
such as food allergies, peptic ulcer, chronic diarrhea, constipation,
indigestion, gastrointestinal weakness, anorexia and gastritis
- Urogenital Disorders,
including stress incontinence, urinary tract
infections, and sexual dysfunction
- Gynecological Disorders,
such as irregular, heavy, or painful menstruation,
infertility in women and men, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Respiratory Disorders,
such as emphysema, sinusitis, asthma, allergies
and bronchitis
- Disorders of the Bones, Muscles, Joints
and Nervous System, such as arthritis, migraine headaches,
neuralgia, insomnia, dizziness and low back, neck and shoulder pain
- Circulatory Disorders, such
as hypertension, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis and anemia
- Emotional and Psychological Disorders,
including depression and anxiety
- Addictions, such as alcohol, nicotine and drugs
- Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders
- Supportive therapy for other chronic and painful
debilitating disorders