Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine encompasses a variety of healing modalities that constitute one of the oldest and most commonly used health care systems in China, Japan, Korea and a great part of Southeast Asia. And since the French introduced it in the western world in the early 1920s, it is now widely used in Europe, especially in France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain.
The best known modality is Acupuncture but in Traditional Chinese Medicine we also work with Herbal medicines, Moxibustion, Cupping, Nutritional counseling, Tui-Na or Chinese body work, Qi-Gong, Tai-Qi, Acupressure, and Electrical Stimulation.
Acupuncture has been practiced for some 5,000 years. Most recently, it has been recognized by the WHO (World Health Organization) as able to treat many common ailments including neuromuscular conditions, emotional and psychological problems, circulatory disorders, respiratory problems, gastrointestinal disorders, and as adjunctive therapy for addictions to alcohol, nicotine and drugs. The National Institute of Health has also recognized in 1997 that acupuncture could be useful by itself or in combination with other therapies to treat the above diseases and also, nausea in pregnancy, reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, stroke and others.
What is behind Traditional Chinese Medicine?
According to TCM, there is a universal force or life energy called qi (pronounced chee) present in all living beings that permeates all natural phenomena. In the human body –and animals as well-, the qi flows through a network of pathways called meridians. When the body is in balance the qi flows smoothly, and there is good health. But when trauma, emotional distress or other problems cause the blockage of the flow of qi, different diseases manifest.
The treatment is not necessarily painful but often, quite relaxing. Needles are sterile, one time disposable. Another used modality is Moxibustion; a completely painless, non-invasive technique in which the acupoint is stimulated by burning an herb (artemisia) nearby. Tuina or Chinese manipulation-massage is also used.
“Cupping is another well known modality that we use in Traditional Chinese Medicine and that is also well known and used in natural medicine all over the world. We use plastic or glass cups, create vacuum within them and apply to specific areas of the body. The suction thereof created activates blood circulation, relaxes the muscles and moves the circulation of Qi.”
Herbal Medicine refers to the use of different plants, herbs and naturally occurring products to treat disease. Chinese Herbology is well known and has been used successfully for thousands of years. In the hands of a knowledgeable physician, it has been proven to be extremely helpful in the treatment of disease.
The Oriental doctor views the body, the mind and the spirit as a whole, a unity. The symptoms that the person presents are the manifestation of the disease, the branches, and alleviating them is part of the treatment, but only going to the core or root of the problem will successfully restore total health and balance.
What we treat with traditional Chinese medicine
All sorts of pain such as back pain, headaches, migraines, leg pain, sciatic, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, stomach pain, arthritis… Gynecological and Obstetrical problems such as menopause and perimenopause, sexual dysfunction -male and female-, menstrual disorders, infertility –male and female-, nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, breech presentation, delayed labor…
Gastroenterological problems such as GERD, reflux, stomach problems, indigestion and pain, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, Chron’s, diverticulitis, gastritis, colitis…
Respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, common cold, influenza, sinusitis, allergies…
Mental problems such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks…
Insomnia, facial paralysis, stroke’s sequela, chronic fatigue syndrome…
Addictions, stop smoking, weight problems.
Paliative cancer care.
Pediatrics…