Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine is the standardized medicine in China. The practice of Chinese Medicine dates back over 3000 years.  The verbiage may seem abstract and mystical, but the practice is full of science-based medicine.  The concept Yin and Yang is similar to Newtons 3^rd law that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Or if you think of half a pie, there is also a half of pie not there. 3000 years ago medicine was spoken more philosophical. Doctors did not perform autopsies, so learned by inspection, palpating and discussing.  TCM addresses the root of the problem and the manifestations.  Neck pain may be caused by an auto injury and the root could be in your lower back. So a practitioner would work on both.  We understand peripheral neuropathy in Western terms, and numbness that can work its way down the legs. Working down the legs is an example of a pathway and meridian in Traditional Chinese Medicine.  If you ever banged your elbow and felt it up your arm, that would also be radiating up a meridian.  TCM works on 8  basic principles which are: hot and cold, deficient and excess, yin and yang, interior and exterior.  This again is science based. If you show heat signs like sore throat or fever, TCM would offer cooling herbs or food with cooling properties like mint. We know peppers and ginger are warm inside our body. These are food qualities and science. Qi is the word for energy.  We have energy and very electrical, so qi is not a mystical concept but just a very old term.

Acupuncture

A main component of Traditional Chinese Medicine is Acupuncture.  It is easy for us to understand how well acupuncture works for muscular pain. Bindings in the muscle cause pain. The knots you feel need to be released and we try massage, pressure and stretching to release the knot.  An acupuncture needle which is the width of a hair, slides into the muscle binding, allowing it to release.  We have confirmed that with dry needling and physical therapists. Going further with Traditional Chinese Medicine, an acupuncture needle sends attention to an area. Chronic conditions may have been forgotten as our body works on more acute problems. Acupuncture causes a micro signal (pain) and the body reacts to heal. We accept pain radiates, our body is very electrical with billions of nerves, and that our body works as a system. Acupuncture over thousands of years of  trial and error has made the connections to allow your body to heal itself with less recovery time.

Herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Chinese herbs and formulas are derived from plants, bugs and minerals that are indigenous from China. Some herbs are now illegal like tiger bone, but remember, formulas were created thousands of years ago.  Today TCM herbs and formulas are regulated and animal parts are protected.  When getting a prescription for herbs, make sure your practitioner is a licensed herbalist.  We know foods have healing qualities, and offer different vitamins and minerals, so TCM herbalists use the basic principles of health to create the right formula of herbs to get to the root of your concern and any manifestations.  It is not chasing supplements.  Talk with your doctor and TCM herbalist about any medications or allergies you have.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE CONSULTATION SERVICE IS AN EXTENSION OF YOUR CURRENT MODEL OF CARE.  The patients and practitioners’ goal are to create a whole treatment plan that integrates therapies and wellness programs to supplement your treatment plan.  Ask your health care provider about the integrative medicine consultation facilities in your area.

Integrative Medicine is used alongside with conventional medicine.  Combining modalities of treatment gives the patient a complete look at their whole body through evidence-based research. Once all the information is gathered, a complete treatment plan based on your needs is created.

Not all practices may be what you need, but knowing your options will help you find what helps you.

Integrative medicine works with every part of your body, including your mind and spirit. An example would be taking sleep aids while also understanding the cause of your waking up through the night and vivid dreams.  Or using a vasodilator to take deeper breaths while also learning diaphragmatic breathing techniques.

It is important for you to understand the modalities and the scientific base for acupuncture, Chinese medicine, meditation, herbs, complementary or alternate medicine and how these therapies can assist you with your wellness goals. Educate yourself in many publications for and against, and understand for you. Many of the modalities are thousands of years old and research today is showing an increase number of successful cases on their effectiveness. Integrative medicine should not be considered an archaic form of treatment, but one in which all aspects of body, mind and spirit are considered and nurtured.

Feel better with these objectives on the chemicals in our food and skin products.

Now that you know “food” can hurt you, have a no apologies day where you throw things out. This is not wasting as we grew up never to waste a crumb, but this is ridding things in our house that will literally cause us cancer.

It is not your fault but now that you know, it is up to you to feel better and stronger. If you need to, write an email or letter to a company you have trusted with your nutritional needs, or write a message on your social media page. Then throw it all away. Think of it as spring cleaning and how hard it is to do but how rewarding it feels after!

OBJECTIVES
Look for foods in their natural form. The more food is processed, the more
the body has to figure out what to do with it, and invasion of non foods
cause inflammation.

Learn labels and throw things away that are unhealthy. No regret waste
day. It is not real food.

Even if you do not like vegetables, try making a broth with a variety
of colored vegetables. You can also buy organic vegetable stock.
Drink alone or add chicken and sprouted pasta for a meal.
It is easily digested as broth and full of nutrients each cell needs.

Acknowledge the difference between a “fun” food, and foods that heal
and grow. Make sure you have enough healing foods in your
daily regimen.

Skin products and sprays can be toxic to your body.
Use natural products on your skin, hair and teeth. And breathe in from
natural candles and air fresheners.

Water is an important role in inflammation and processing out
toxins. Add cucumbers, lemon, mint, ginger, and raw honey to not only
enhance the taste, but also the seeping of these antiinflammorties
are packed with nutrients to feel better faster.

Here is where we discuss the personal day to day medicine. We often live with nuances like restless sleep, aches, tired eyes, emotional sabotages…..

Health isn’t hard. But it may be hard to get to a place of health. Our society pulls us away from where food started, and boxes it up neatly for us. Our emotions are usually just pushed deep in our subconscious, and filter out once in a while to be suppressed again. As the new trendy expression states, BODY MINDand SPIRIT. We are that.

These pages will help you enjoy your world. Pain comes, life isn’t hard but is full of challenges that strengthen you. While accomplishing tough situations can bring out more joy than you could imagine.