Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (中医)(TCM) is among the oldest healing practices in the world. It has been in China and other Asian countries for more than four thousand years. It is a comprehensive medical system with its own principles, diagnostic methods and therapies. TCM views the body as an organic whole with a network of meridians connecting and coordinating the internal organs, Qi (气)(‘chi’ - Vital energy), blood, body fluids, muscles, bones, tendons and skin. TCM also holds its central belief that health in all parts of the body is due to the relative balance of Yin and Yang (阴阳). Yin-Yang balance theory forms the basis of TCM’s holistic approach to health and disease and also offers practical guidance in the prevention and management of diseases. TCM has two basic components-Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Therapy.
Acupuncture - 针灸
What is acupuncture? According to the philosophy of traditional acupuncture, energy circulates along ‘meridians’ located throughout the body. When something causes this meridian energy circulation to be blocked, pain or ill health will result. The way to restore energy circulation, health, and balance, is to stimulate the appropriate combination of the estimated 400 traditional meridian acupuncture points in the body. In some cases a small electrical impulse is added to the needles.
What type of needles do you use? We use only disposable needles. Each patient receives his/her own disposable needles and at the end of the treatment, these needles discarded into a medical hazard container after single use.
How does acupuncture work? Research suggests that acupuncture may work by stimulating the nervous system to release neurotransmitters involved in pain-suppressing mechanisms or by suppressing the nervous system pathways involved in the sensory and affective components of pain.
Does Acupuncture hurt? No. Occasionally it may sting a little when the needles are inserted into the skin. Most of our patients experience a feeling of peace and relaxation during acupuncture. You should be fine to drive after acupuncture.
Chinese Herbal Therapy - 草药
Chinese herbs are an integral part of TCM. They are specially formulated in China and include flowers, leaf stalks, seeds and roots. Each herb is used for specific purposes and performs particular functions.
How do I know which herbs I need? After the consultation, the TCM practitioners prescribe combinations of herbs specifically suited to treat you and your condition. Each prescription is therefore tailor-made. The herbs are either boiled into ‘tea’, or may come in tablet or liquid form to be taken directly to get to the root of your problem. Herbal treatment is good for improving energy, clearing and detoxifying your body system, boosting your immune system and restoring the vitality of the body.
How long will I need to take the herbs? You start by taking the herbs every day. As treatment continues, our practitioners closely monitor your progress through regular consultations, altering the combination and reducing the dose accordingly. Since all patients and conditions are different, treatment can vary from a few weeks to several months. After a period of treatment you will be able to stop taking the herbs.
Are Herbal Treatments Safe? Yes. There are no side effects with herbal therapies, as our practitioners are highly experienced and skilled and all herbs we use are of the best quality and 100% natural. Most importantly, we always give you individualised treatment so you can be sure that the combination of herbs has been formulated for your specific ailment.
Other Treatments
Moxibustion Therapy - 艾灸
Moxibustion is the application of mild heat to the body, again at particular meridian points, with glowing Moa (mugwort). This therapy is particularly good for ailments that have been causing bother for a long time including lung and breathing related problems such as asthma and joint problems.
Cupping Therapy - 拔罐
Cupping therapy involves the application of a glass jar to the skin surface to cause local congestion, through the removal of the air in the jar. This treatment stimulates the flow of blood, fluids and QI to the affected area of the body, and effectively relieves pain in the muscles and clears stagnation in the meridian channels.
Tui Na (Chinese Medical Massage) - 推拿
Using fingers and palm pressure on the meridians and points; the area is cooled using a wide range of techniques. It stimulates Qi mobilization to regain Yin-Yang balance in certain parts of the body.
Ear Point Therapy
Ear acupuncture can be a very effective method for relieving acute pains and chronically stiff joints, sometimes these have been cured within minutes. For some problems it can be more effective than body acupuncture. Ear acupuncture is easy and safe in healing groups. Ear needling will always be very helpful as a supportive method with other forms of treatment.