Sunday 10 July 2011

What's Interesting About Chinese Medicine?

So many people I meet who have heard of Chinese or Oriental Medicine or are interested in Chinese/Oriental Medicine often say to me, "Gina - I think I might be interested in Chinese/Oriental Medicine, but what exactly is Chinese or Oriental Medicine?" This is a frequently asked question I encounter both in my practice, as well as, on the street.
Let me write today about the History & General Information on Chinese Medicine.
History of Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture and Oriental medicine is a time proven medicine with a written history dating back over 4,000 years and its practice dates back over 5,000 years. It is the oldest, professional, continually practiced, literate medicine in the world, with ¼ of the world's current population making use of its benefits. The U.S. National Institute of Health & the World Health Organization recognizes over 100 disorders and conditions effectively treated by Acupuncture and Oriental medicine.
General Info on Chinese Medicine: Chinese/Oriental medicine works by reestablishing balance & harmony within the body. Oriental medicine explains that human beings have a natural flow of energy (Qi) through the body, which can become blocked, or imbalanced, thus producing pain & disease. Blockages and imbalances can be caused by: influences outside of the body (ie: bacteria, contagious disease, trauma, repetitive strain injury, etc.), lifestyle (improper diet, not enough/too much exercise, over work), & emotional issues (stress, anxiety, grief, anger, mood swings, etc.).รข€¨
Chinese/Oriental medical procedures may not always be able to diagnose or locate the abnormalities as defined in the Western medical criteria, ie., certain early-staged cancers, which may be better detected by the diagnostic interventions of high technology. Therefore, based on this point of view, in Chinese Medicine, it is said that "Western medicine locates the disease, Oriental medicine treats it".
Traditional Chinese medicine also heavily stresses and emphasizes preventive measures taken in the patient's and in one's health. A maxim in TCM says, "A top healer treats those when the disease has not yet developed."
Chinese/Oriental medicine strives to bring a person's body into balance using a variety of Treatment methods including: Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Asian Body Work, Dietary Therapy and Meditation.

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