Is TCM Right For You?
How it Works and Frequently Asked Questions
First things first
Your initial visit starts with a thorough medical history and exam. This may include a detailed discussion of you most immediate health concern as well as you health background. We also take account of the little things like preferences for warmer or cooler climates, nutritional patterns, energy & fatigue levels and what you do for fun. Unique to Traditional Chinese Medicine, we also may look at your tongue as well as take you pulse in different positions, and palpate specific points along the meridians.
This detailed intake gives us important information that might otherwise be overlooked. This allows us to see you as an individual - and more than just a chief complaint. It also guides us in creating a treatment plan that will work best for you, personally.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves the insertion of hair thin needles at specific points on the body. These points acts as gates, regulating the flow of Qi, and can be used to
• alleviate pain
• balance the your body's flow of energy
• restore health
• preserve wellness and prevent disease
There are over 400 acupuncture points on your body - each one with a unique function and indication for use. In an average treatment a group of four to ten points may be selected. Each point, like each herb in a formula, works both individually as well as in harmony with the others that are chosen. This creates a prescription that is precisely balanced to meet your needs.
Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbs are also an effective way to maintain health, prevent illness and restore vitality. Herbal formulas are crafted to balance and harmonize the body from within: to strengthen us when we are weak, warm us when we are cold, calm us when we’re overactive, or get us moving when we are sluggish. The herbal formula that a patient receives - like their acupuncture treatment - is designed specifically to meet their personal needs.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is the term used for the burning of Ai Ye (Mugwort) to warm areas of the body. It is used to promote the circulation of QI and stimulate the function of Acupuncture points. In its refined, cotton-like form Moxa is clumped and burned on the ends of needles. It can also be rolled into a stick and held over the regions being treated.
Moxibustion does not burn the patient but provides a gentle, penetrating warmth that can help many conditions, especially those that become worse in cold, damp weather.
Tui Na
This is therapeutic bodywork. By using a variety of techniques based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tui Na can be used to enhance the circulation of Qi within the meridians and restore health. It is often used for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, but can also be part of the treatment plan for internal health concerns.
Qi Gong
Qi Gong involves the coordination of breathing with different physical positions and movements. As a means of cultivating and directing Qi, it is a practiced for health preservation as well as a therapeutic intervention. Some of its benefits include better
• relaxation
• breathing technique
• range of motion
Nutrition
Your diet should support your goals for greater health but it shouldn’t be a burden. In every medical system, a clean diet and nutrition are considered fundamental to overall health and vitality. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we consider food to be healing in itself. DIfferent foods, like different herbs have unique characters and therapeutic qualities. Of course, different people also have different nutritional needs.
After a thorough interview, nutritional recommendations may include types of food that help you meet your goals, ideal preparation methods, and eating habits.
Some of the benefits of an intentional nutrition program include
more energy
better mood
improved sleep
a greater ability to handle stress
Meditation
We meditate to still our minds. The more we multi-task, the more important it becomes to cultivate our ability to quiet our thoughts. In fact, one of the health benefits of a meditation practice is a sharper mind and better mental and physical performance.
Anyone can meditate! Though the first steps may not always be easy, with a little practice it can be a powerful
tool for you to
• develop focus and concentration
• manage stress
• Improve health and sense of well being
Frequently asked Questions
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
No. Acupuncture needles are hair thin, sterile and disposable. Patients often report sensations of tingling and warmth, but it is not painful. Many people experience deep relaxation during and after a treatment.
What is an acupuncture treatment like?
After discussing their health concerns and having any questions about it addressed, the patient lays comfortably on a table or sits in a chair. The needles, are then inserted in specifically chosen locations. The needles may be left in for fifteen to twenty minutes during which time patients often relax to the point of drifting off to sleep. In some cases people feel relief almost immediately, while in other cases, it may take up to 24 hours to notice change.
How many treatment would I need?
The number of treatments required depends the severity and nature of your complaint. Sometimes one treatment is all that is needed for an acute condition, while longer term illness may require a series of five to fifteen treatments. It is not uncommon for a patient to come to us after trying many different types of treatment for a chronic condition without relief. In these cases, the course of acupuncture may be extended.
