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TCM views the body, mind, and spirit of a human being, and also the environment it is in, to be an inseparable dynamic. Normally a body will achieve a natural balance that allows the body to retain its strength and resist disease and the effects of the environment. When a problem occurs TCM will therefore treat the 'whole' person in order to rectify the imbalance and allow the body to heal itself. In effect it looks for the root cause of an illness, rather than the current symptoms that have brought you to the TCM practitioner.
Treatment relies on the skilful manipulation of the flow of Chi (the body's natural energy) within the body of the patient to produce a medical effect. In many instances treatment does not interfere with other types of medical treatment you may be undergoing. Treatments that may be used include:
Acupuncture
Fine, sterile, stainless steel needles are inserted into specific acupoints along the Chi pathways. By using various needle techniques, the practitioner can influence the Chi in the pathways, or rectify energy imbalances in the Internal Organ associated with that pathway.
Moxibustion
The herb Moxa (artemisia) can be used attached to acupuncture needle, or loose in 'moxa boxes'. The Moxa is lit and then applied over certain acupuncture points, or larger body areas with the Moxa box producing gentle heat which penetrates into the energy channels.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
The Chinese herbal pharmaecopia contains a wide variety of substances (animal, plant or mineral). Each herb is categorised and used according to the energetic effect produced by its taste (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, spicy, bland) inherent temperature (hot, warm, mild/neutral, cool, cold), and the channel or Organ it influences. Herbs are combined when constructing a herbal prescription to produce a specific, dynamic therapeutic effect. They may be administered in the forms of teas, pills, tinctures, linaments, or poultices.
Cupping
In this small vessels made of bamboo sections or glass are placed over various parts of the body. A vacuum is created within the cup by use of a machine, or by heating the air inside the cup prior to application. This suction draws Chi and blood to the area to achieve a therapeutic result
Tui Na (Chinese Massage)
It includes extensive and varied techniques such as acupressure, massage, and manipulation. Some methods work on muscles and tissue, whilst others influence the energy channels or Organs. A whole area has been dedicated to the treatment of very small children, and some of the simpler techniques can be taught to parents for use at home
Dietary Therapy
Food has been classified for medicinal use in the same way as herbal medicine. Like herbs, foods are not viewed as medicine according to their nutritional value or chemical components, but by their energetic effects on the body. Other aspects of Dietary Therapy include prescribing the eating of seasonal foods, the time and manner of eating and eating according to lifestyle requirements and constitutional needs
Therapeutic Excercise
This consists of Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Kung. Chi Kung therapy ranges from standing meditation to more complex movements which may resemble the Tai Chi Chuan form but are geared more for generalised health benefits or the treatment of specific diseases. Tai Chi Chuan differs in that it is also an effective martial art
Lifestyle Advice
Most often illness develops from imbalances in our lifestyle. Notwithstanding our inherited constitution, we are largely responsible for how we interact with our external environment through our relationships, diet, exercise, rest, etc. TCM can help you to discern between activities which are health enhancing and those that are not.
Patient Responsibility
The success of any treatment depends not only on the medicine administered but the co-operation of the patient. They must be prepared to follow the practitioner's advice, make the effort to attend regular treatment, and correct any behaviour which has been contributing to their illness.
What TCM Treats
TCM considers all levels of the individual (Mind, Body, and Spirit) so is able to diagnose and treat an extensive range of illnesses:
Infectious diseases
| Bacterial dysentery | Diarrhoea/Vomiting | Pneumonia |
| Bronchitis | Infectious hepatitis | Ringworm |
| Common cold | Influenza | Shingles |
| Cough | Malaria | Tetanus |
Internal diseases
| Allergies | Hay fever | |
| Arthritis | Hiccoughs | Sciatica |
| Asthma | Hypertension | Shock |
| Back pain | Hysteria | Sinusitis |
| Boils | Incontinence | Stomach ulcers |
| Catarrh | Indigestion | Styes |
| Colitis | Insomnia | Tennis elbow |
| Conjunctivitis | Jaundice | Tenosynovitis |
| Constipation | Kidney stone | Thyroid conditions |
| Dental pain | Migraine | Tinnitus |
| Depression | Nervous disorders | Tonsillitis |
| Dizziness | Oedema | Trigeminal neuralgia |
| Eczema | Otitis media | Urine retention |
| Gall stones | Palpitations | Uro-genital infections |
| Gastric pain | Paralysis | Vertigo |
| Haemorrhoids | Rheumatism |
Women's diseases
| Absence of periods | Hot flushes | Morning sickness |
| Anaemia | Infertility | Painful periods |
| Breast problems | Irregular periods | Pre-menstrual tension |
| Cystitis | Labour pains | Prolonged labour |
| Discharge | Mastitis | Uterine prolapse |
| Fibroids | Menopausal problems |
Men's diseases
| Hernias | Impotence | Premature ejaculation |
| Prostatitis |
Children's diseases
| Bed-wetting | Diarrhoea | Mumps |
| Convulsions | Infantile paralysis | Whooping cough |
Addictions
| Alcohol | Food | Tobacco |
| Barbiturates | Heroin | Tranquillizers |
Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture
Chinese Medicine has always emphasised the inextricable link between
mind, body and spirit. Beauty is said to come from within, and it is true
that when we feel good inside, we radiate that feeling through our
appearance.
Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture works by addressing the physical
condition of the face, as well as the underlying causes of imbalance in
the
body which may be causing signs of premature ageing.
Acupuncture is used directly on the face to stimulate cell growth
and regeneration and to stimulate blood circulation to the skin and muscles.
Other points may also be used to encourage the body's own mechanisms for
maintaining muscle tone, skin texture and that all-important inner glow
of
well-being.
Electro-acupuncture may be applied to enhance the effects of the
treatment. Then some other techniques may be used to further encourage
the
activation of the Qi, or energy. For example warming or cooling techniques
and Tui Na massage. To finish off the treatment, the face is masssaged
gently with Argan Oil, which has very beneficial properties for the skin's
health.
Patients have reported that friends and family have commented on the
improvement of their appearance, even if they had not been told that the
patient was receiving this treatment. But the only way to really see how
it
works is to try it yourself, and see what your friends and family say.