Treatments

Acupuncture is defined as “puncturing with a sharp instrument”, but the original term in Chinese includes both “needling” and “moxibustion” (burning herbs usually mugwort to stimulate acupuncture points). It is a therapy that use needles to penetrate the skin and stimulate particular points, in order to provide therapeutic effects. It is an important component part of TCM for prevention and treatment of diseases. The theoretical basis of acupuncture is the premise that there are patterns of qi that flow through the pathways-meridians of the body, any potential disruptions of this qi flow are believed to be responsible for diseases. The acupuncture treatment can correct imbalances in the flow of qi by inserting a needle at identified acupuncture points. Other stimulating methods can also be applied at the acupuncture points to regulating the body’s qi, and help restore balance and harmony. The deqi (getting the qi or needling sensation) is a crucial factor in achieving acupuncture effects. It involves the feeling of “soreness, numbness, expansion, heaviness” by the patient; at the same time, the operator should feel heaviness and tightness around the needle. As stated in The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine: “the acupuncture effects can be achieved only when the deqi is achieved”. There exist many types of stimulating techniques which often produce different results.

Acupuncture is widely used to relieve a variety of conditions including pain related problems, infertility and gynecology related problems, oncology supportive car and sports injuries.

Electroacupuncture is a form of acupuncture that use a mild electric current on needles to increase stimulation.

It is done by attaching two electric probes to needles after standard acupuncture procedure. These electric probes are then connected to a machine that generate mild electric current to deliver electrical impulse on the needles. This technique is usually use when stronger stimulation is needed to enhance the healing process, namely acute pain or neurological conditions.

Moxibustion is used to treat and prevent diseases by applying ignited moxa at acupuncture points or certain parts of the human body. The material used in moxibustion is mainly Artemisia Vulagaris (mugwort) – a kind of herb called Ai (moxa) in Chinese. Generally speaking, moxibustion is applied in cold syndrome, deficient condition and chronic diseases, and is widely use in gynecology and pain related problems. It helps to promote yang qi and improve the flow of qi. Moxibustion may be used in combination with acupuncture or separately during the treatment.

Cupping is a therapy that function by creating suction on the skin, for dispel stagnation of qi and blood. It is done by using either flammable substance in a cup for removing oxygen and create vacuum force, or using rubber pump directly to create the vacuum inside the cup. It could improve the blood circulation on the area and relief muscle tension. It is effective against the pain after herpes zoster, musculoskeletal problems, facial paralysis, fertility issue and many other health problems.

Auricular therapy is a therapy which is done by stimulating the external surface of the ear to alleviate pathological conditions in other parts of the body. It could be done by placing a seed or magnetic pellet on the ear, and stimulating by pressing them with the thumb and forefinger, or simply inserting needles at corresponding auricular point. Research found that the auricular microsystem is a reflexology of a neurological action and the somatotopic arrangement of ear points is resemble to an inverted fetus. In the theory of Chinese medicine, stimulating a specific area of the auricular cartilage regulates Qi, activates the energy pathways and has regulative effect on the corresponding zang-fu function. It is widely use in weight management, psychological problems, stress related problems, additions and pain related problem.

Phytotherapy is the use of medicinal herbs or its extract for prevention and treatment of disease. Chinese medication is the primary component of TCM and is used commonly in China. Chinese medication involves the use of herbal medicine, animal parts and minerals. The term “herb” used in Chinese medicine often goes beyond the traditional concept of “plant”. The Chinese medicine uses between 6000 and 8000 substances, including numerous kinds of plants, substances from animals and minerals.

According to Chinese history, Chinese medicine arose from mythical medicine to become a system of herbal medicine. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Husbandman`s Classic of Materia Medica; or Shen Nong`s Herbal) is the first work (25-220 A.D) which prescribed the therapeutic effects of herbs and other materials. It contains 365 entries. These are botanical (252 entries), zoological (67 entries), and mineral (46 entries) substances. Beginning with Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, the literature of Chinese materia medica developed continuously by including more and more new herbs, in addition to the re-evaluation and discovery of new uses for existing herbs. To these two pieces of work it needs to note two others: Xin Xiu Ben Cao (Newly Revised Materia Medica, 659 A.D) that was considered to be the first official pharmacopoeia in China, which was compiled and issued by the government, and Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica, 1596), written by Li Shi-zhen (1518-1593 AD.) is considered up to now as a world renowned classic in this field.

The concept of Chinese medication differs from that of the synthesised drugs in the ways their properties are assessed. The properties of Chinese medication are assessed mainly by the outcomes of their clinically observed interactions within the human body.

Tuina is a form of manipulative therapy use in Chinese Medicine. The term “Tuina” is composed of two Chinese characters: Tui and Na, where tui can be translated as “pressing and dragging”, and Na as “grasping”. It belongs to the realm of external therapy and has evolved over thousands of years. As a component part of TCM intervention, tuina is based on a solid theoretical foundation. This includes basic theories, diagnostic methods and syndrome differentiation of TCM, particularly the theory of meridians. In addition, tuina also involves a great variety of specific manipulation techniques.

Tuina has some specific benefits and advantages in a wide range of applications. The therapist use hand and finger to stimulate the acupoint, which helps to relief musculoskeletal problems. It can also be used in both prevention and treatment of diseases. It may be used in the treatment of internal and external factors including traumatic injury, gynecological problems, obstetric, and pediatric diseases.

Stringent and comprehensive practitioner training is important. When performing tuina, the physician must first concentrate his mind, regulate his breathing, and actuate the qi and power of his entire body towards his hands, elbows or other parts of the body as required by the treatment. He will then work on the appropriate points or areas of the patient’s body to stimulates the flow of qi and blood in order to normalise the functioning of zang fu and the balance yin and yang.

Chinese medication is the primary component of TCM and is used commonly in China. Chinese medication involves the use of herbal medicine, animal parts and minerals. The term “herb” used in Chinese medicine often goes beyond the traditional concept of “plant”. The Chinese medicine uses between 6000 and 8000 substances, including numerous kinds of plants, substances from animals and minerals.

According to Chinese history, Chinese medicine arose from mythical medicine to become a system of herbal medicine. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Husbandman`s Classic of Materia Medica; or Shen Nong`s Herbal) is the first work (25-220 A.D) which prescribed the therapeutic effects of herbs and other materials. It contains 365 entries. These are botanical (252 entries), zoological (67 entries), and mineral (46 entries) substances. Beginning with Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, the literature of Chinese materia medica developed continuously by including more and more new herbs, in addition to the re-evaluation and discovery of new uses for existing herbs. To these two pieces of work it needs to note two others: Xin Xiu Ben Cao (Newly Revised Materia Medica, 659 A.D) that was considered to be the first official pharmacopoeia in China, which was compiled and issued by the government, and Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica, 1596), written by Li Shi-zhen (1518-1593 AD.) is considered up to now as a world renowned classic in this field.

The concept of Chinese medication differs from that of the synthesised drugs in the ways their properties are assessed. The properties of Chinese medication are assessed mainly by the outcomes of their clinically observed interactions within the human body.