Therapies
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), or sometimes called Chinese medicine (CM), is a traditional medical system. It has a holistic approach to diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases by identifying patterns and then applying the individual or combined therapies of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, tuina - a therapeutic massage; and other techniques. Its unique characteristics which distinguish it from ‘orthodox’ medicine are rooted in the "concept of holism - zheng ti guan nian" and "treatment according to syndrome differentiation - bian zheng lun zhi". It is essential to recognise that the fundamental theory of TCM includes those of Qi, Yin Yang, the five elements, zang-fu, the four diagnostic methods and syndrome differentiation systems.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the world's oldest medical systems still widely practised today. It is a unique and independent medical system which originated from China and developed down through the centuries imbued with the spirit of Chinese civilisation and culture. For thousand of years, TCM has played a major role in maintaining the health of Chinese people.
Chinese Medicine was established through centuries of trial and error processes, taking a very long time from the beginning of the practice of Chinese Medicine to the establishment of a complete theory.
Thus although physical evidence for TCM reveals its origins to be over two thousand years ago, its social history, traditions and roots predates this, making it a fundamental part of Chinese civilization.
Chinese Medicine directly and indirectly influenced the development of many herbal medicines around the globe, including but not limited to the herbal medicines in Japan, Korea, Tibet, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, etc. Through the Silk Road.
As you may know we are both Chinese medicine practitioners, and we have a busy herbal medicine dispensary, with herbal.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture works by stimulating the points which lie on lines or channels, through the insertion of thin, fine needles at various points on the body. Through centuries of observation, the body's reaction to each stimulus point and the combination of such points has been noted for their effectiveness in treating different diseases. In recent years these actions have been systematically refined and verified by modern scientific research methods.
Acupuncture is the time tested therapy that has been practised in the China for thousands of years. The philosophy behind the treatment is that energy lines or meridians circulate around the body. These meridians contain our energy flow or “qi”. It is when this qi is impaired through the body that imbalance and illness occurs. With the insertion of fine needles at various points on the meridian, the energy can be moved or redirected to where it is needed most. In this way the body's balance can be restored and the illness resolved.
The flow of energy can be disrupted in many ways; emotional upset, physical trauma, poor diet or overwork are all common examples. By examining this underlying cause and how it has affected the body, the most appropriate treatment for the patient can be selected. Treating the patient as an individual is at the core of the acupuncture treatment and it this that helps allow the body to rebalance itself.
Blocked energy can manifest itself in areas that are painful or are particularly cold or hot, or a different colour. These signs can help determine which points are most suitable.
Western medicine has different opinions on how acupuncture works but in short, no one is really sure. However trial after trial consistently proves it effectiveness.
Acupuncture also includes other techniques such as cupping, moxibustion or acupressure.
Currently, there are different forms of acupuncturists in the West; our members only practice Chinese acupuncture which is defined as above.Generally speaking, acupuncture is better for pain related complaints although acupuncture can be used to treat over 80 conditions recommended by the World Health Organizations. For more detailed condition which is suitable for herbal medicine, please refer to Conditions Treated.
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Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) therapy involves the use of natural plants, minerals and even some small amount animals, each having its own specific characteristics and particular medical use to treat diseases, rectify the over-activity or under-activity of yin and yang, and help restore the body to its normal physiological functions.
Chinese herbal therapy must be given by qualified TCM practitioners. Normally, the practitioner must have a diagnostic consultation, such as asking you questions that relate to your health problems, taking your pulse and observing your tongue, before making a prescription. A prescription can be defined as a preparation which, on the basis of the differentiation of syndromes and the establishment of therapeutic methods, organically combines various herbs for the treatment in accordance with established principles.
Although Chinese herbal medicine is relatively speaking safe, there is no medicine absolutely safe according to comments made by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Hence, to find a proper trained and qualified Chinese medicine practitioner is vital.
Chinese herbal medicine is more effective for treating chronic conditions, such as chronic cough, gynaecology. For more detailed condition which is suitable for herbal medicine, please refer to Conditions Treated.
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Tuina
Tuina literally translates as push and grasp and is a Chinese therapeutic massage closely related to acupuncture in its use of the meridian system. It is considered to be effective for treating a similar range of health problems, and is regarded alongside herbal remedies, diet, qigong and one of the fundamental arts of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
In practice it is the context and objectives which distinguishes these branches. In terms of theory and techniques they have much in common. Central to all is the idea that massage affects not only the physical body but also the Qi body (the network of meridians and points) and the mental body (emotions, thoughts and spiritual faculties). Since both physical and mental health are dependants on a smooth and abundant flow of Qi, massage can effectively treat all three levels.
Tuina is primarily focused on the meridians and points where qi gathers and can be easily manipulated.
Tuina massage for specific health problems is based on a full case history using the four examinations to identify a complaint, an underlying pattern and treatment principles. This full logical analysis is what gives Tuina its power and raises it above other systems of massage. Based on the treatment principles specific techniques are combined to treat the presenting complaint and underlying pattern.
Tuina massage can help heal a large scale of conditions, especially musculoskeletal conditions. Chinese sources list over 140 medical conditions which respond well to tuina. These include not only musculoskeletal problems but many internal diseases, for example in treating abdominal and digestive problems related to Spleen emptiness or Liver qi stagnation.
Infant tuina is specifically good for infant diarrhoea which of course requires specific hand techniques. For more detailed condition which is suitable for herbal medicine, please refer to Conditions Treated.
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