Healing Abundance Holistic Medicine

Several thousand years ago Chinese physicians discovered that Chi, the vital force, circulates throughout the body along fourteen major channels, twelve of which are duplicated on the left and right sides of the body. The two other major channels are located in the center of the body, one in the front, the other in the back. And there are a number of so-called Extra Channels and Miscellaneous Channels throughout the body. Today, we call the channels “meridians”. Meridians form a highly-complex invisible network transporting and directing Chi to every part of the body including the head, arms, legs, torso, organs and systems. Good health, Chinese sages of old discovered, depends on a balanced circulation of Chi throughout the meridians. Over centuries of trial and error and meticulous observation, the Chinese accurately mapped the locations of the meridians and identified hundreds of specific points in the meridians where Chi can be accessed and stimulated when there is an aberration of flow. Those points are commonly called “ acupoints”. Over time, many more points have been discovered.

One English translation of the word Chi means energy, and though Chi is invisible, its presence becomes especially apparent in the workings of the bodily organs and systems which require prodigious amounts of energy. Yet the Chinese view Chi not only as powering a function, they see it as inseparable from function as though there’s no Chi without function and no function without Chi. Chi is also known as the life force, and since the total absence of Chi is death, obviously one’s good health depends on a balanced distribution of Chi throughout the meridian network that influences the organs as well as the bodily systems: skeletal, muscular, endocrine (glands), circulatory, digestive, respiratory, urinary, reproductive, and nervous. When Chi flows smoothly and harmoniously throughout the meridians, each bodily system and organ interacts with and affects all the other systems and organs, which in turn are interdependent, interrelated, and integrated. Everything works together to make us feel whole and healthy, thanks to Chi.

Chi is meant to flow freely throughout the meridian network carrying its balanced vital force to all the body’s parts, organs, and systems, thereby encouraging them to function with each other in a natural, harmonious way. That leads to sound healthy. But any sustained blockage or other disruption of a balanced flow or distribution of Chi may bring on pain, a weakened immune system, and ill health. It’s important to realize that while such blockage causes diminished Chi in one organ or part, it may also cause excessive buildup of Chi in another area. That phenomenon can be understood by visualizing a meridian carrying Chi as like a highway carrying cars. On a highway we know what happens when one or more lanes become blocked. It’s a similar idea on a meridian. A blockage may cause a deficiency of Chi beyond the blockage and a buildup of Chi behind the blockage, which may mean diminished activity of some organs and accelerated activity of others. Either way, Chi is unbalanced, so its flow must be normalized through an acupuncturist’s or a master of acupressure’s skilled and expert care.

The desired balance in the flow of Chi can be affected by any noxious substance, both external and internal, including poor nutrition, adulterated food, toxic air or water, infectious or contagious diseases, malfunction of an organ, ergonomic or overuse injuries, as well as home, work, sports, and auto injuries. Excessive dampness, wind, cold, heat, even emotional responses to life such as worry, anxiety, stress may affect Chi’s flow through the meridians. The Three Branches Of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Tui-Na

After the initial consultation and examination, the practitioner completes the diagnosis and begins carrying out the treatment plan. The objective is to normalize the flow and distribution of Chi and balance its circulation by stimulating the selected acupoints via needles or other means. The treatment plan will most likely call for treating one to twelve or more points on each visit. At the practitioner’s discretion, herbal therapies may be described.

Acupuncture is one of three branches of tradition Chinese medicine. The other two are Herbal Medicine and Tui-Na. The main objective of each branch is to bring about a harmonious flow of Chi. Therefore, depending on the patient’s needs, the treatment plan may call for any or all of the available methods.

There are a number of basic differences between the two distinct types of medicine. For example, Western medicine treats symptoms whereas traditional Chinese medicine treats the causes of symptoms. Secondly, Western medicine is more useful in first-aid and surgery whereas traditional Chinese medicine is more useful in dealing with skin and internal diseases, and in particular, chronic diseases. Thirdly , many remedies in Western medicine are based upon the results of experiments on animals which may not be effective on the human body, but remedies in traditional Chinese are based upon successful experience on clinical practice which are more reliable. Fifthly, Western chemical drugs are, most of them, more drastic in action and tend to produce serious side effects. On the other hand, Chinese herbs, acupuncture, and food cures are not drastic in action and can generate long-lasting in effects, and generally do not produce side effects when used properly.

Many diseases that cannot be cured by Western medicine can be treated by traditional Chinese medicine successfully. It is a fact that many patients experience instant relief of pain by Chinese acupuncture and acupressure which cannot be achieved by Western medicine; it is also a fact that traditional Chinese can help in many diseases, notably, skin diseases, liver diseases, and kidney diseases, and more.

The vast amount of herbal knowledge available today has accumulated through the centuries, so today’s herbalist, even while following governmental regulations and guidelines regarding dispensing and compounding procedures, may draw on ancient herbal formulas that have been effective for a very long time.

In Chinese medicine’s terms, acupuncturists and tui-na masters treat an imbalance of Chi, but in Western terms they treat hundreds of symptoms and conditions. Among conditions most frequently treated are the following: - Addictions - Allergies - Ankle swelling - Arm and shoulder pain - Arthritis - Asthma - Attention Deficit Disorder - Back Pain/Backache/Low Back Pain - Bed Wetting(Enuresis) - Blood Pressure-High or Low - Bronchial Conditions - Bursitis - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Circulation - Colds - Colitis - Colon, Spastic - Constipation - Cough (chronic) - Depression - Detox for Chemicals - Diarrhea - Disc Problems - Diverticulitis - Dizziness(Vertigo) - Emphysema - Fatigue (chronic) - Feet (cold) - Fibromyalgia - Flu - Gall Bladder Disorders - Gas - Gynecological Dysfunctions - Hay Fever - Headache - Heart Problems - Hemorrhoids - Hiccoughs - Hip Pain - Immune System Deficiency - Indigestion - Infertility - Injuries—Auto, Home, Sports, Work - Insomnia - Joint Pain - Kidney Problems - Knee Pain - Leg Pain (cramps, tingling) - Liver Problems - Numbness - Neck (stiff, painful) - Nervousness - Neuralgia - Pain - Pleurisy - Pre Menstrual Syndrome - Prostate Problems - Rheumatism - Sciatica - Singles - Shoulder Pain - Sinus Trouble - Sore Throat - Skin Problems - Stomach Problems - Stomach Ulcers - Thyroid Conditions - Urinary Problems - Whiplash

Chronic pain, more than any other complaint, brings people to acupuncture and tui-na. Patient complaints may include pain anywhere in the body as well as headache, pain in the back, neck, arm, shoulder, leg… all persistent reminders that something is wrong. Many people suffering with chronic pain have been taking pain medications—sometimes for years—but have never gained permanent relief. Also most health care professionals agree that pain medications, even when they relieve pain, seldom address the underlying cause. Much of acupuncture and tui-na’s reputation, however, stands on their potency for relieving pain while addressing the underlying cause. Acupuncture and tui-na are often indicated to treat chronic pain conditions, radiating pain along a nerve pathway, muscle spasm, inflammation, scar tissue pain, and pain located in multiple sites.

Most people already know that the demands of modern life leave many people feeling stressed-out and anxious because, it seems, there is always more and more to do and less and less time to do it. But there’s often far more to daily stress than just negative feelings. Acupuncturists see that such pressure cooker living contributes to a host of chronic illnesses and conditions. Here’s why: Too much stress tends to affect the balance of Chi in the body which can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, headaches, depression and many other stress-related conditions. So acupuncturists sometimes recommend periodic acupuncture and Tui-Na care to bring Chi into balance and keep it that way. This often helps replace feelings of stress with a sense of well-being, something everyone desires.

During the initial consultation, a full health history regarding patient’s symptoms and living habits will be taken. The practitioner will carefully observe the patient’s tongue, facial, and body colorings, feel the pulses of the wrists to assess the condition of the meridians or energy lines in the body by using conventional medical techniques and Traditional Chinese diagnosis. This information is then organized to create a complete, accurate, and comprehensive diagnosis of where Qi has become blocked or imbalanced. Once the diagnosis is established, the treatment plan is decided and the patient will receive an acupuncture treatment. Selected points are cleaned with cotton balls dipped in alcohol, and sterilized needles are inserted along the appropriate meridians to stimulate the energy flow/Qi. The position of these needles will depend on the condition being treated. The needles typically stay there for up to twenty or thirty minutes. However, for some case, they may be in place for only a few minutes or for up to an hour. Sometimes an electrical current is used to further enhance the stimulation of the acupuncture points. Afterwards, the acupuncturist removes the needles, and swabs the insertion point with cotton dipped in alcohol. Treatment often produces rapid improvement, but in most cases frequent visits over the next few weeks or months may be needed to further reduce your symptoms. This is determined by the patient’s condition, age, life-style, and the quality and quantity of patient’s Qi. The number of treatments will vary from patient to patient. Some people experience immediate relief, while others may take months to achieve results. Typically, chronic conditions take longer to resolve than acute ones. At minimum, plan on 8 to 10 treatments. Many patients use Acupuncture as a Preventative measure after being cured of their symptoms, coming 10 or 12 times a year to maintain full health.

Because each patient’s health problems and response to treatment are unique, the number and frequency of treatments vary. Typically, the recommendation is two to four treatments per week for eight to sixteen treatments, although some patients respond favorably after only one or two treatments. Some may not improve until the eighth or ninth visit. Others may require two or three treatments per week for several months for maximum results. And sometimes, despite the practitioner’s best effort and skill, the patient does not respond to treatment. In general, acute conditions require less treatment than chronic condition.

Acupuncture is a treatment based on Chinese medicine -- a system of healing that dates back thousands of years. At the core of Chinese medicine is the notion that a type of life force, or energy, known as qi (pronounced "chee") flows through energy pathways (meridians) in the body. Each meridian corresponds to one organ, or group of organs, that governs particular bodily functions. Achieving the proper flow of qi is thought to create health and wellness. Qi maintains the dynamic balance of yin and yang, which are complementary opposites. According to Chinese medicine, everything in nature has both yin and yang. An imbalance of qi (too much, too little, or blocked flow) causes disease. To restore balance to the qi, an acupuncturist inserts needles at points along the meridians. These acupuncture points are places where the energy pathway is close to the surface of the skin.

Strange as it may seem, the surface of the ear contains an invisible upside-down representation of a fetus and points on the ear correspond to bodily parts and organs. Stimulating appropriate ear points often effectively treats pain and disease in the corresponding parts or organs. Stimulating certain points on the hand is often the treatment of choice for many conditions.

Yes. The government requires acupuncturists to follow strict safety procedures regarding needles, and sterilized needles are manufactured, packaged and shipped in strict compliance with the law. Our clinic is using high standard German brand needles.

The effects of acupuncture are complex. How it works is not entirely clear. Research suggests that the needling process, and other techniques used in acupuncture, may produce a variety of effects in the body and the brain. One theory is that stimulated nerve fibers transmit signals to the spinal cord and brain, activating the body' s central nervous system. The spinal cord and brain then release hormones responsible for making us feel less pain while improving overall health. In fact, a study using images of the brain confirmed that acupuncture increases our pain threshold, which may explain why it produces long-term pain relief. Acupuncture may also increase blood circulation and body temperature, affect white blood cell activity (responsible for our immune function), reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and regulate blood sugar levels.

Patients who have received inoculations or other medical injections from a hypodermic needle are sometimes fearful that acupuncture treatments will be as painful. But such is not the case. Medical hypo-dermic needles are stiff, hollow, and thick for forcing liquid into the patient’s flesh, usually an uncomfortable, if not painful, procedure. Typically, acupuncture needles are fine and flexible, no bigger around than a human hair or piece of thread. When the needle makes contact with Chi, the energy, most patients experience a tingling sensation. First-time patients are usually amazed at how comfortable they are during treatment.

Any form of therapy carries the potential of a positive psychosomatic (mind-body) response. However, the highly successful use of acupuncture in veterinary medicine demonstrates that hypnotic suggestion plays no role in acupuncture healing. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that Chinese medicine is guided by a fundamental belief in the whole body concept of health which involves the inseparable relationships of the body, spirit, emotions, mind.