Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Is Much More Than Acupuncture
Many people are familiar with acupuncture, the practice of inserting fine needles into specific points on the body. But TCM is much more than acupuncture.
It has its own understanding of anatomy, physiology and pathology developed over several millennia. It’s based on the concept that good health is linked to the circular movement of qi (pronounced “chee”) and blood. Illness is attributed to stagnation, deficiency or excess of these forces. Contact Dr. Anne Berkeley PLLC for professional help.
Acupuncture is one of the best-known forms of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves inserting very thin, sterile needles into the body’s points. These points are on pathways in the body called meridians. They connect all parts of the mind, body and spirit. Acupuncture can help with a variety of conditions. These include back pain, neck pain and muscle problems. It can also treat mind and mood issues, such as stress, anxiety and depression. Acupuncture can even help with weight loss and smoking cessation.
The philosophy of TCM is that the body, mind and spirit are interconnected. Health depends on the balance of opposing forces called yin and yang. When these forces are out of balance, disease appears. TCM aims to restore the yin-yang balance through several methods, including acupuncture, herbal therapy and massage.
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners are regulated in Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). It’s important to find a registered practitioner who has been trained to a high standard.
It’s not clear if the therapies in TCM can be used to replace conventional treatments for all illnesses. But many people use them as part of a treatment plan that includes exercise, diet, sleep habits and other lifestyle factors. And acupuncture is safe for most adults, when it’s done by a licensed practitioner. Always tell your doctor about any nonprescription or prescription medicines and herbs you are taking.
Herbs
Herbs are used to treat a variety of conditions in traditional Chinese medicine. They are often prescribed in combination formulas that balance the opposing forces of energy called yin and yang, which run through invisible channels throughout the body. Herbal treatments have pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, hormone-regulating and immunostimulating effects. The herbs are mostly plant based, but sometimes contain minerals or animal products. They are most frequently taken as teas, but can also be used in powdered form or made into granules or capsules.
Herbal therapy is based on the belief that everything in nature, including the human body, has an energetic essence or “Qi” (pronounced CHEE), which flows through invisible channels of the body that connect all organs and parts of the body. The Chinese categorize the herbs based on the five elements of fire, earth, metal, water and wood. For example, the herbal medicine to treat a liver condition would include an herb that clears heat and a herb that moves Qi in a downward direction.
The varying cultivation, concentration, toxicity and adverse reactions of individual herbs as well as herbal mixtures require careful monitoring. This is complicated by the fact that many herbs are not labeled with their Latin name and can be difficult to distinguish from one another. For this reason, it is important to use only high-quality products and consult a qualified practitioner. Moreover, certain herbs may interfere with drugs or have the opposite effect of their intended action, so it is important to discuss any herbal supplements you are taking with your acupuncturist and other health care providers.
Massage
Often used alongside acupuncture, Chinese massage (also known as Tui Na or chinese remedial massage) stimulates the body’s vital energy pathways through friction, pressure, and movement. This helps to alleviate pain, reduce stress, boost mood, and improve sleep quality.
Chinese massage methods use techniques such as rubbing, kneading, pressing, and stretching to release energy blockages and balance the flow of energy throughout the body. These techniques are designed to stimulate acupuncture points and other energy centers known as meridian pathways that connect the internal organs to the surface of the skin. A disruption in the flow of this energy can lead to illness, which can be corrected through acupuncture and other treatments like Chinese massage.
A massage’s most common effects involve enhancing blood circulation, which helps to move oxygen throughout the body, and flush out waste. The rubbing and kneading movements can also help ease abdominal problems such as constipation, nausea, vomiting, and indigestion. Massage can calm the peristaltic action of your intestines to slow down digestion, which can prevent the build-up of gas in your abdomen.
Cupping is another technique that can be used as part of a Chinese massage treatment. You may have seen those huge reddish-purple circles on people’s backs—they’re not welts, they’re cupping. These glass cups are heated and applied over your bare skin, creating suction that draws the tissue up and out. This can be beneficial for your immune system and for balancing the hormones, as it promotes healthy levels of estrogen and prolactin.
Diet
Unlike Western approaches to diet, which focuses on nutritional value and structure (think: protein, fat, carbs, calories) Chinese medicine nutrition is based on energetic principles that encourage balance, clean burning digestion and a well-functioning body. A healthy Chinese medicine diet includes whole, local foods – fresh produce, complex carbohydrates, healthful fats, and clean proteins.
In addition to dietary advice, the Chinese medicine philosophy also places great emphasis on herbs as medicine. Often, herbs are used to treat diseases that do not respond to acupuncture or other forms of Chinese medicine. Whether your goal is to get rid of a cough, clear up acne, relieve menstrual pain, or simply improve your overall health, Chinese medicine can help you achieve your goals through diet, herbal medicine and physical therapy.
Traditional chinese medicine is partly based on the belief that an energy called qi flows along pathways in the body known as meridians. When this energy is blocked or unbalanced, illness can occur. The Chinese believe that acupuncture and other treatments can restore the flow of qi to bring the body back into balance.
Chinese dietary theory is based on the idea that food and herbs contain both nutrients and non-nutrient substances that link our bodies with our environment. The first medical book, Huang Di Nei Jing, describes how different foods have their own unique properties that can either nourish or damage the body. Each food is described by its nature, flavor and organ system/meridian associated with it. For example, a sweet food can tonify the spleen and improve digestion, but too much sugar can weaken the digestive tract and create a sugar imbalance like diabetes.
Cupping
Cupping is a common form of treatment used in conjunction with acupuncture. It is also sometimes used as a standalone therapy. It is thought to stimulate the inner organs of the body, particularly the stomach and spleen which are considered vital in the Chinese view of how the body works. Cupping creates a suction effect on the skin that decompresses muscle and soft tissue and increases blood flow to those areas. It is generally performed on the back and abdomen, and can help to reduce pain, inflammation and aches. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions including chronic back pain, digestive disorders, anxiety and fatigue.
It is not suitable for everyone, so your practitioner will ask you a few questions about your health and medical history before deciding if cupping is right for you. It is generally not recommended for pregnant women or anyone with a pacemaker. You should avoid getting cupping on broken or irritated skin as the cups can cause bleeding.
There are several theories as to why cupping has the effects that it does, but research into this is ongoing. Some of the possible explanations include: pain reduction, changes in biomechanical properties of the skin, muscle relaxation and increase in blood circulation, immune system activation and elimination of toxins. These theories could overlap and work interchangeably to produce the many beneficial effects of cupping.
Moxibustion
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe that our health is dependent on the balance of energy flows through the body. These energetic channels, or meridians, connect the body to the outside world and can become disrupted when we get sick. The goal of acupuncture is to restore these energetic balances. Using herbs to warm specific points on the body, like moxa, is one way to do this.
Mugwort (Moxa) is a plant that when burned produces heat that penetrates the skin and affects the deeper tissues. This thermal stimulation enhances circulation and boosts the immune system. Moxibustion is commonly used with acupuncture and may also help relieve pain and aid in detoxification.
There are different types of moxibustion, but the most common involves placing a moxa cone directly on the point to be warmed. There are also smokeless forms of moxibustion that can be used for the same purposes.
Another form of moxibustion uses a coin-sized cake of monkshood powder that is perforated and placed on the site selected for treatment. The lighted moxa stick is then placed on top and lit. This type of moxibustion is used to warm the Yang, expel cold, and treat a number of conditions including impotence and ejaculation praecox caused by deficient yin. It has even been used to turn breech babies into a normal head down position prior to childbirth. It is important that moxibustion is performed by trained professionals to avoid burning the skin.