Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncture is a part of the system of traditional Chinese medicine along with herbal medicine, moxibustion, and tui na. Chinese medicine originated in China over 2,000 years ago. Outside of China, Chinese medicine has been practiced for about 200 years. Acupuncture has a long recorded history of efficiency and is used by nearly one third of the world’s population as a primary health care system and by countless others as an adjunctive treatment. The fundamental principles of acupuncture are to treat the person as an integrated whole in body, mind, and spirit. Chinese medicine is a pattern based medicine that treats the root cause of illness and disease, not just the symptoms. The needles used to stimulate acupuncture points are very thin; barely the thickness of a human hair. We use the finest quality stainless steel, pre-sterilized, single-use, disposable needles. The sensation from the needle varies from person to person. You may feel nothing at all, a quick pinch, a heavy dull ache, or possibly a tingling sensation.
Chinese Herbal Formulas
Chinese herbal formulas are part of the system of traditional Chinese medicine. In treating disease, herbal medicine focuses on pattern differentiation. This means that herbal formulas are utilized in treatment for particular patterns rather than particular symptoms.
Herbal preparations can be administered in various ways both internally and externally. Internal formulas can be given in several different preparations including: decoctions, granules, tinctures, and capsules. External formulas can be applied in multiple forms as well, including: liniments, plasters, poultices, and soaks.
Internal preparations tend to be granules – in this modern preparation, ingredients (either a single herb or a formula) are decocted until they are a thick concentrate, and then made into powder or granules. Herbs administered in this fashion are potent and quickly absorbed, and may still have the potential to be customized. This type of preparation is common as it is much more time efficient for the patient, as prepared granules are just combined with water and ingested.
Other Therapies
Other Chinese medical modalities that are used include moxibustion, tui na bodywork, and cupping. Learn More About Other Therapies >
