What is Chinese Medicine?

Chinese medicine is based on a pre-scientific paradigm of medicine that developed over several thousand years. Today, traditional Chinese medical concepts are difficult to reconcile with contemporary biomedical information but continue to play an important role in the evaluation of patients and the formulation of treatment in acupuncture, according to the NIH. Its theory holds the following explanation of acupuncture:

Health is a condition of balance of yin and yang within the body. Particularly important in acupuncture is the free flow of Qi, a difficult-to-translate concept that pervades Chinese philosophy and is commonly translated as vital energy. Qi is immaterial and hence yang; its yin, material counterpart is Blood (capitalized to distinguish it from physiological blood, and very roughly equivalent to it). Acupuncture treatment regulates the flow of Qi and Blood, tonifying where there is deficiency, draining where there is excess, and promoting free flow where there is stagnation. An axiom of the medical literature of acupuncture is no pain, no blockage; no blockage, no pain.
Many patients claim to experience the sensations of stimulus known in Chinese as de qi (obtaining the Qi or arrival of the Qi). This kind of sensation was historically considered to be evidence of effectively locating the desired point.
The Human body is made up of many systems, including the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, endocrine, and nervous systems, for example. Each of these systems contributes to the functioning of the body as a whole. When the systems are flowing smoothly, the body will function in harmony. Often, illness in one system will lead to disharmony in the others. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), another vital system serves as the primary diagnostic tool, as well as the main avenue for treatment: the meridian system.

Imagine the meridian system as the body’s energetic circulatory system, whereby qi (chi), the body’s vital energy, travels. Each of the meridians intersects with one or more of the vital organs, as well as the other major systems throughout the body. When a system suffers imbalance, illness ensues, with symptoms ranging from muscle pain or headaches to infertility or autoimmune conditions. TCM practitioners are able to evaluate imbalances in the body by checking the state of qi within the meridians to determine whether the qi is deficient, in excess, or blocked.

Acupuncture

Once the imbalance in qi has been determined, small acupuncture needles are placed strategically along the meridians that correspond to the system that is experiencing disharmony. Each of the more than 350 acupuncture points has it’s own therapeutic value, and is selected as part of an acupuncture point prescription intended to treat the overall health of the patient. The acupuncture needle serves as a conduit to either tonify a deficiency or disperse an excess of qi from a particular point or meridian.

Acupuncture needles are sterile and stored in unbroken packaging until just prior to use. They are discarded in a secure “sharps” container immediately upon extraction.

Chinese medicinal herbs can be used to effectively and safely treat a large number of conditions. The Chinese herbal formula is a balanced blend of herbs from a pharmacopeia of more than 500 single herbs. Each herb is imbued with the qualities of taste and temperature, such as hot, cold, bitter, and sweet. Within the formula, the individual herbs are assigned a role, such as deputy, assistant, and chief. Some formulas have been in use for as long as three thousand years.

The classic herbal formulas are modified to suit the needs of each patient by adding or subtracting ingredients. Formulas are carefully balanced in order to alleviate any side effects. The herbal formula can be administered in the form of pills, powders, or teas. When creating your personal formula, your practitioner will consider the most effective and manageable method of delivery for you. To avoid potentially harmful herb/drug interactions, it is important to inform your practitioner of any medications you are taking.