Walk close to Traditional Chinese Medicine
About Traditional Chinese Medicine
TCM is an ancient system of health and wellness that’s been used in China for thousands of years. It emphasize the relationship of heaven, earth, people.
Western medicine focuses mainly on treating disease. But TCM looks at people’s entire well-being, even their living environment.
"Tcm is not only belong to Chinese people, but also can benefit to all people in the world.” some patient mentioned. now more and more people use practices (acupuncture, cupping,etc)from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to not only fight disease, but also prevent it.
What’s the Idea Behind TCM?
Yin and Yang
Yin and yang in Chinese are positive and brightness versus negative and darkness, Chinese philosophy uses yin and yang to represent a wider range of opposite forces that are complementary and contradictory that cannot exist without each other.
According to TCM, these ideas play out in our bodies. When you balance the yin and yang of Qi, you feel healthy and well. If they’re out of whack, you feel sick. TCM aims to create harmony and a healthy flow of qi.
Qi
Together, the yin and yang make up the life energy, called “Qi”. Qi is a type of energy that flows through the body through invisible sets of pathways called meridians. It’s always on the move and constantly changes. TCM treatments often focus on ways to promote and maintain the flow of qi.
Five Elements
The theory of Wu Xing, the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal and water) interprets the relationship and the constant movements and cycles between the physiology and pathology of the human body and the natural environment. It explainsNatural changes within the body and the environment affect your health.
What Kind of Practices Does TCM Use?
They include:
Acupuncture: very fine needles placed gently in the skin
Tui Na: Chinese style massages based on Channels and points theory.
Cupping: heated cups that create suction on your skin
Herbal medicine: herbal tea formula by carefully designed.
Meditation : a way to sit quietly and calm your mind
Moxibustion: dried herbs burned near the skin
Tai Chi : Exercise with slow movements and focus on the breath
Acupuncture is part of the ancient practice of Traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe the human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points connected by pathways or meridians. These pathways create an energy flow (Qi, pronounced "chee") through the body that is responsible for overall health. Disruption of the energy flow can cause disease. By applying acupuncture to certain points, it is thought to improve the flow of Qi, thereby improving health.
Tuina (pronounced twee-nah) massage originated in ancient China and is believed to be the oldest system of bodywork. It’s one of the four main branches of traditional Chinese medicine, along with acupuncture, qi gong, and Chinese herbal medicine.
It’s based on the theory that imbalances of qi, which is the body’s vital life force or energy, can cause blockages or imbalances that lead to symptoms such as pain and illness.
Tuina massage stimulates the flow of qi to promote balance and harmony within the body using many of the same principles of acupuncture.
It’s similar to acupuncture in the way it targets specific acupoints, but practitioners use fingers instead of needles to apply pressure to stimulate these points. Tuina massage is often used in combination with acupuncture.
Cupping
increases blood flow and the rate of healing to aid in recovery from muscle fatigue, injuries, and other conditions. It uses suction to lift the skin and underlying fascia, freeing up adhesions in the near tissues and increasing local circulation. It is often used to treat plantar fasciitis, back, hip and IT band pain, pain in shoulders, upper back and neck; carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia and for respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and chest congestion related to the common cold.
Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort , a small, spongy herb, to promote healing with acupuncture.
The purpose of moxibustion, as with most forms of traditional Chinese medicine, is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of qi, and maintain general health.
Moxibustion is used on people who have a cold or stagnant condition. The practice expels cold and warms the meridians, which leads to smoother flow of blood and qi.