Natural & Homeopathic Remedies

Here are some more information for Sha Massage Acupuncture:

Find out all the basics about acupuncture and TCM and why it’s use is on the rise in Ontario.

Tools of the TCM Practitioner

Acupuncture is undoubtedly the most common tool which TCM practitioners use. It is best explained as the insertion of hair thin needles on specific locations on the body referred to as acupuncture points. Acupuncture has the unique ability to regulate bodily systems which are out of balance (i.e. disease). For example, if your immune system is too low, the correct acupuncture treatment will strengthen it; if your blood pressure is to high, acupuncture can reduce it. Simply put, acupuncture gives the body a “physiological nudge” in the right direction.

Chinese herbal medicine has a long and extensive history which dates back further than acupuncture. The Materia Medica (the Chinese herbal medicine bible, if you will) is filled with information about thousands of roots, plants, flowers, barks, minerals and animal products, each possessing unique medicinal properties. Chinese herbal medicine is considered by most traditionalists to be the most important and useful tool of the TCM practitioner.

Tuina (twee-na) is TCM massage. Tuina is most appropriate for issues like musculo-skeletal pain but can also be used for issues like digestive and menstrual issues with great success.

Cupping or “fire” cupping uses round, glass cups which are placed on the body. The term “fire” is used because a small, controlled flame is quickly inserted into the glass, burning off the oxygen in the cups; this creates a mini vacuum in the cup which, after placed onto the skin (usually the back) gently pulls the skin and muscle tissue into the cup. This is very effective at reducing chronic muscle aches and pains.

Moxibustion is the burning of a Chinese herb called Mugwort on or around acupuncture points. Moxibustion, or moxa, is generally used when the person experiences “cold” pain such as knee pain that is worse in cold weather.

Other TCM modalities include gua sha (mild skin scraping technique), diet therapy and exercise recommendations.

What to Expect During your First Visit

Your first visit with a TCM practitioner should be at least an hour and could go an hour and a half in length. A complete health history is taken during this time noting recent illnesses, medications and issues with your family history.

When you see a TCM practitioner, you will also be asked a number of questions which are important for the TCM practitioner to know and will help them decide which acupuncture points to use and which herbs to prescribe. Finally, a true TCM practitioner will always take your pulse (at the wrist) and inspect your tongue. A lot of time is spent in TCM colleges learning these two important diagnostic tools. TCM believes that there are 28 different types of pulses, each indicating a certain imbalance within the body. The size, shape, coating and surface of the tongue also contains a wealth of information which further helps us narrow down a diagnosis. Take a look at your tongue the next time you get the flu; the changes are drastic!

Follow-up visits can be anywhere from 30min to an hour depending on the condition being treated. Typically, it can take anywhere from 6-10 treatments to see a change in your condition; less if the problem has been around for a short time (weeks) and longer if it has been around for months or years.

Training of a TCM Practitioner in Ontario

This is where things get confusing for the public but thankfully, the province has responded by passing Bill 50 in December 2006 and a regulatory college for Acupuncture and TCM for Ontario is currently being formed. That being said, many people still practise acupuncture with very little training and it is (for now) up to the public to determine if their acupuncturist is qualified enough to provide them with the care they need. Your best bet is to go to someone with specific TCM training (at least four years) from a recognized TCM college to receive the best possible treatment results.

Much More then Pain Management

The scientific community agrees that acupuncture is helpful with pain management and there are many articles on this subject in medical journals all over the world. However, the general public is only recently becoming aware of all the other common conditions which acupuncture is successful at treating. Chronic digestive problems, gynaecological concerns and emotional issues are all very common complaints in the clinic of a TCM practitioner and can be treated very successfully.

Give it a Try!

TCM and acupuncture have been around for thousands of years and is currently being used by over a quarter of the world’s population. In Ontario, it is increasingly evident that this form of healthcare continues to be an important part of many healthy individuals primary medical care. Contact your local TCM Practitioner today and enjoy the safe and natural path to optimal health.

Drew Nesbitt BA, TCMP, Ac. has an honours degree in Health Studies as well as a Doctoral Diploma in TCM and Acupuncture. Specializing in fertility, digestive complaints and pain management, to inquire about appointment bookings at his clinics in Toronto Ontario and to find out more about Drew, visit http://www.drewnesbitt.ca

Chinese Medicine Therapies to Stay in Balance and Keep Qi Flowing

Chinese medicine is not just acupuncture or herbal therapy. There is a whole host of different therapies the people of China use to stay in balance and keep qi flowing in a proper balance.

Chinese medicine is just one of many alternative medical systems available in the world today according to western medicine. The basic alternative medical systems are:

Ayurveda
Chiropractic
Herbalism
Homeopathy
Naturopathic medicine
Osteopathy
Traditional Chinese medicine
Unani

In China, Traditional Chinese medicine is the main healthcare system.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a theory that says that all of the bodily processes are interrelated and in constant interaction with the environment. When there is an unbalance in the body with the environment, then, illness is present in the body. There are various treatments used to help keep the balance. These treatments are based on philosophical frameworks that include yin and yang, the five elements, the meridian system, Zang Fu organ theory and a few others that are lesser in importance.

The patient is treated as a whole entity and not just a disease. A diagnosis is made by conversation with the patient, by smelling, listening to the sounds the patient makes, by touching the patient and by examination. A pulse reading is also taken as part of the diagnostic process. The patient’s tongue is also examined. Temperature of different parts of the body is also noted.

Therapies:

There are usually a combination of therapies involved in the treatment of the patient including Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, die-da or tieh ta, Chinese food therapy, massage therapy (tui na), qigong, physical exercise and also mental health therapy such as feng shui or Chinese astrology is consulted.

Cupping, gua sha and auriculotherapy are done during acupuncture or moxibustion.

Herbal medicine is the treatment of the body by way of medicinal herbal teas, pills and use of food therapy (eating to heal).

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical method of unblocking qi by inserting fine needles at specific points (acupoints) on the body to restore the balance of qi.

Moxibustion is a Chinese medicine therapy that utilizes mugwort herb as a form of heat therapy.

Jin Gu Die Da Wan is a herbal remedy that breaks blood stagnation, helps to tonify blood, stops bleeding, opens the channels and strengthens bones and also relieves pain.

Tui na is a form of Chinese manipulative therapy often used when acupuncture or moxibustion is being performed.

Qigong is a part of Chinese medicine that deals with the coordination of different breathing patterns and series of physical postures and motions of the body for the proper maintenance of the body. These breathing patterns and body postures are also taught as part of the traditional Chinese martial arts training.

Chinese medicine recognizes the importance of a total healthy connection between body, mind, physical exercise, healthy diet, and the balance of life. A combination of therapies is usually prescribed for a patient and not just one as the Chinese believe that one is unbalanced and can falter where when more than one is prescribed they will balance each other weaknesses and have greater strength.

About the Author

Scott Meyers is a staff writer for Its Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Traditional Chinese Medicine.

State OKs GCI buying Girdwood facilities
State regulators have approved GCI Cable’s purchase of Eyecom Inc.’s television facilities in Girdwood, GCI said.

Thanks for visiting!