WHAT CAN TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE TREAT?
Traditional Chinese Medicine is an ancient medical system That treats internal and external health issues using its own understandings of health and illness, as well as its own tools and techniques of healing.
COMMON ISSUES TREATED BY TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
Acute or Chronic Musculo-Skeletal Issues:
muscular imbalances
postural and movement issues
chronically tight muscles
muscle strains
tendonitis
ligament sprain
bursitis
arthritis
scar tissue adhesion
promotion of proper recover and reduction of injury healing time
and more
Emotional Health:
stress and anxiety
emotional fatigue
depression, seasonal affect
phobia and fear issues
Mental Health:
mental fatigue
mental clarity, memory and optional functioning
Immune and Respiratory:
low functioning immune system
Preventative Health
flu or cold symptoms (reduction of symptoms & recovery time)
allergies (seasonal or otherwise)
chronic or persistent cough
fluid retention in Lungs
sinus/nasal issues
Heart and Circulation:
high or low blood pressure
palpitation
circulation issues
Digestive Issues:
chronic stomach or abdominal pains
acid re flux, heartburn
chronic or acute issues with bowel movements
preventative and overall dietary health practices
Reproductive, Pregnancy and Post-Partum:
issues of infertility, promotion of pregnancy
informative acupressure techniques during pregnancy and labor
morning sickness, pregnancy headaches, pregnancy pains etc.
pregnancy or post-partum fatigue
post-partum depression and issues of post-partum adjustment
postpartum healing
lactation issues
Gynecological & Urogenital:
issues of urination (difficulty, discomfort and pain, incontinence)
genital and sexual health (pain and discomfort, dysfunction and abnormalities)
Issues of Menstruation (painful, heavy, irregular, undesirable accompanying symptoms)
issues of menopause (hot flashes, emotional fluctuations, sweating)
Head/Eyes/Ears/Nose/Mouth/Throat:
chronic, acute headache, migraine, dizziness, vertigo
dry eyes, itchy eyes, issues of vision
tinnitus (ringing in ears), hearing difficulties
Sinus Issues, Nasal Issues
mouth pain, gum issues, teeth issues
issues of the throat (cough, blockage, dryness, difficulty swallowing)
Skin Issues:
acne, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, urticaria, shingles
hair loss issues (alopecia)
edema and water retention
Sleep Issues:
difficulties falling asleep, insomnia
night terrors
night sweats
Addictions, Medication Side Effects & Overall Toxic Exposure:
assistance in managing addictions (alcohol, drugs, food, sex, etc.)
undesirable side effects of medication (digestive issues, dizziness, foggy thoughts etc.)
General detoxification and cleansing (physical, dietary, mental and emotional cleanse)
muscular imbalances
postural and movement issues
chronically tight muscles
muscle strains
tendonitis
ligament sprain
bursitis
arthritis
scar tissue adhesion
promotion of proper recover and reduction of injury healing time
and more
Emotional Health:
stress and anxiety
emotional fatigue
depression, seasonal affect
phobia and fear issues
Mental Health:
mental fatigue
mental clarity, memory and optional functioning
Immune and Respiratory:
low functioning immune system
Preventative Health
flu or cold symptoms (reduction of symptoms & recovery time)
allergies (seasonal or otherwise)
chronic or persistent cough
fluid retention in Lungs
sinus/nasal issues
Heart and Circulation:
high or low blood pressure
palpitation
circulation issues
Digestive Issues:
chronic stomach or abdominal pains
acid re flux, heartburn
chronic or acute issues with bowel movements
preventative and overall dietary health practices
Reproductive, Pregnancy and Post-Partum:
issues of infertility, promotion of pregnancy
informative acupressure techniques during pregnancy and labor
morning sickness, pregnancy headaches, pregnancy pains etc.
pregnancy or post-partum fatigue
post-partum depression and issues of post-partum adjustment
postpartum healing
lactation issues
Gynecological & Urogenital:
issues of urination (difficulty, discomfort and pain, incontinence)
genital and sexual health (pain and discomfort, dysfunction and abnormalities)
Issues of Menstruation (painful, heavy, irregular, undesirable accompanying symptoms)
issues of menopause (hot flashes, emotional fluctuations, sweating)
Head/Eyes/Ears/Nose/Mouth/Throat:
chronic, acute headache, migraine, dizziness, vertigo
dry eyes, itchy eyes, issues of vision
tinnitus (ringing in ears), hearing difficulties
Sinus Issues, Nasal Issues
mouth pain, gum issues, teeth issues
issues of the throat (cough, blockage, dryness, difficulty swallowing)
Skin Issues:
acne, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, urticaria, shingles
hair loss issues (alopecia)
edema and water retention
Sleep Issues:
difficulties falling asleep, insomnia
night terrors
night sweats
Addictions, Medication Side Effects & Overall Toxic Exposure:
assistance in managing addictions (alcohol, drugs, food, sex, etc.)
undesirable side effects of medication (digestive issues, dizziness, foggy thoughts etc.)
General detoxification and cleansing (physical, dietary, mental and emotional cleanse)
EXAMPLES OF THE TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE APPROACH
INSOMNIA:
Insomnia is a condition often treatable through traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with success. When a practitioner of TCM looks at the condition of insomnia, he or she does so with the understanding that there are various underlying imbalances that could be the cause of the insomnia; and one must treat both the cause (imbalance) and the symptom (insomnia) to have the greatest success.
The first priority is to determine which imbalance is causing the insomnia. Causes of insomnia can vary from ongoing dietary imbalances, chronic stress or anxiety, build up of heat in the body through various means, mental over-stimulation or taxation, chronic dehydration and more. All of these causes can lead to a relative hyperactivity of the mind and body that continues into the night, causing insomnia.
Because there are several types of insomnia, and to figure out which type and which imbalance is the cause of an individual's particular insomnia, the practitioner will inquire about traits specific to the individual's insomnia. Is it more difficulty falling asleep? Or is it an issue of staying asleep? Do you find yourself in bed and unable to shut your mind off? Or is your body physically restless, tossing and turning for hours? Do you fall asleep fine but have a fitful sleep? A light sleeper, easily woken through the night? Is there a time you consistently wake at?
Alongside the main issue, the practitioner will inquire about accompanying symptoms that may also point towards a particular imbalance and may also help to gather an understanding of how extreme the imbalance is and how far its effects have gone. Do you get heart palpitations? Do you have nightmares? Night sweats? What is your body temp like at night? How is your diet and digestion? Are you doing a lot of thinking lately or extended hours of hard work?
The answers to all of these questions help form an understanding of what is causing the insomnia, how it is manifesting as it is, how far and what systems the imbalance has taxed,and thus the most effective course of action. The practitioner, after forming a clearer understanding of the imbalance, will then select tools of Traditional Chinese Medicine best fit for treatment. This might include a selection of acupuncture points particular to the treatment of both the symptoms and underlying imbalance. The practitioner may suggest dietary alterations or a herbal formula very specific to the imbalance and symptoms that transpire. The practitioner may also prescribe exercise and lifestyle suggestions (such as qi going, stretches, meditations or deep breathing)
Depending on the extent of the imbalance, the tools used and the level of compliance by the patient, the practitioner will recommend a course of follow-up treatments that best suite success in treatment.
Insomnia is a condition often treatable through traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with success. When a practitioner of TCM looks at the condition of insomnia, he or she does so with the understanding that there are various underlying imbalances that could be the cause of the insomnia; and one must treat both the cause (imbalance) and the symptom (insomnia) to have the greatest success.
The first priority is to determine which imbalance is causing the insomnia. Causes of insomnia can vary from ongoing dietary imbalances, chronic stress or anxiety, build up of heat in the body through various means, mental over-stimulation or taxation, chronic dehydration and more. All of these causes can lead to a relative hyperactivity of the mind and body that continues into the night, causing insomnia.
Because there are several types of insomnia, and to figure out which type and which imbalance is the cause of an individual's particular insomnia, the practitioner will inquire about traits specific to the individual's insomnia. Is it more difficulty falling asleep? Or is it an issue of staying asleep? Do you find yourself in bed and unable to shut your mind off? Or is your body physically restless, tossing and turning for hours? Do you fall asleep fine but have a fitful sleep? A light sleeper, easily woken through the night? Is there a time you consistently wake at?
Alongside the main issue, the practitioner will inquire about accompanying symptoms that may also point towards a particular imbalance and may also help to gather an understanding of how extreme the imbalance is and how far its effects have gone. Do you get heart palpitations? Do you have nightmares? Night sweats? What is your body temp like at night? How is your diet and digestion? Are you doing a lot of thinking lately or extended hours of hard work?
The answers to all of these questions help form an understanding of what is causing the insomnia, how it is manifesting as it is, how far and what systems the imbalance has taxed,and thus the most effective course of action. The practitioner, after forming a clearer understanding of the imbalance, will then select tools of Traditional Chinese Medicine best fit for treatment. This might include a selection of acupuncture points particular to the treatment of both the symptoms and underlying imbalance. The practitioner may suggest dietary alterations or a herbal formula very specific to the imbalance and symptoms that transpire. The practitioner may also prescribe exercise and lifestyle suggestions (such as qi going, stretches, meditations or deep breathing)
Depending on the extent of the imbalance, the tools used and the level of compliance by the patient, the practitioner will recommend a course of follow-up treatments that best suite success in treatment.
INJURY & PAIN:
When it comes to pain of any location one of the major factors that determine the course of treatment is the quality of the pain and aggravating or relieving factors. When discussing the pain the practitioner will gather details such as if the pain is acute or chronic, the initial cause, how it feels (sharp and piercing, dull and aching, heavy and stiff, shooting, burning, etc), movements and activities that make the pain better or worse and other aspects that effect the pain such as weather, heat or cold application and pressure. From here, especially with musculoskeletal issues, the practitioner may give a physical assessment to gather a greater understanding of the individuals range of motion before pain, movement that cause or alleviate pain, muscle tightness or weakness that may contribute to the pain, and any overall physical imbalances and instabilities.
From the answers acquired from the above questions and assessment, the practitioner will determine the most probable cause of the pain using traditional Chinese medical views of the body and pathways through the body, as well as more current understanding of the body and injury and pain. The practitioner will then, depending on the extent of the injury and pain and any relevant information, formulate the best course of treatment. Treatment may involve options such as acupuncture, massage, cupping, taping, moxibustion, exercise therapy and possible herbal therapy.
Depending on the extent of the imbalance, the tools used and the level of compliance by the patient, the practitioner will recommend a course of follow-up treatments that best suite success in treatment.
When it comes to pain of any location one of the major factors that determine the course of treatment is the quality of the pain and aggravating or relieving factors. When discussing the pain the practitioner will gather details such as if the pain is acute or chronic, the initial cause, how it feels (sharp and piercing, dull and aching, heavy and stiff, shooting, burning, etc), movements and activities that make the pain better or worse and other aspects that effect the pain such as weather, heat or cold application and pressure. From here, especially with musculoskeletal issues, the practitioner may give a physical assessment to gather a greater understanding of the individuals range of motion before pain, movement that cause or alleviate pain, muscle tightness or weakness that may contribute to the pain, and any overall physical imbalances and instabilities.
From the answers acquired from the above questions and assessment, the practitioner will determine the most probable cause of the pain using traditional Chinese medical views of the body and pathways through the body, as well as more current understanding of the body and injury and pain. The practitioner will then, depending on the extent of the injury and pain and any relevant information, formulate the best course of treatment. Treatment may involve options such as acupuncture, massage, cupping, taping, moxibustion, exercise therapy and possible herbal therapy.
Depending on the extent of the imbalance, the tools used and the level of compliance by the patient, the practitioner will recommend a course of follow-up treatments that best suite success in treatment.
