Traditional Chinese Medicine
A traditional healing system
which helps treat disease by using
healing plants & natural energy.
Traditional Chinese Medicine has been used in China for thousands of years due to it’s ability to treat a wide range of health problems. Even today it is provided within Chinese hospitals alongside western treatment.
Introduction to Tongue Diagnosis
3 Typical Tongues!
Pale Tongue Red Tongue Peeled Tongue
Energy deficient Excess Heat Yin deficient
Blood deficient Empty Heat
Yang deficient
Conditions helped by Chinese Medicine include:-
Common modern problems
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- Insomnia
- Hypertension
- Low energy levels
- High cholesterol
- Obesity/Weight reduction
- Addictions
- Alcohol/Cigarettes
- Allergies eg Hayfever
- ME
Stomach and Bowel Disorders
- IBS
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Digestive upsets
- Indigestion
Chest and Respiratory
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Sinusitis
- Cough
- Common Cold
- Chest pain
Skin disorders
Gynaecological Conditions
- Irregular/Heavy menstruation
- Infertility
- PMT/Period pain
- Menopausal Syndrome
Pain
- Arthritis
- Sciatica
- Backache
- Tennis elbow
- Knee pain
- Shoulder Pain
- Migraine
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine needles into acupuncture points on the body. The sensation when the needles reach the acupuncture points is usually descrbed as a heavy, tingling sensation, which most people find acceptable. The needles used are disposable and are only ever used once.
According to Chinese medical theory, energy moves along certain pathways in the body. At certain points along these pathways the energy runs close to the surface, just under the skin. It is at these places that we find acupuncture points. Acupuncture points are needled in order to increase energy, or to ublock stagnant energy in different parts of the body. Acupuncture points may be used which are far away from the site of a complaint. A point in the foot may directly affect a condition affecting the head.
Acupuncture is particularly good at controlling pain and treating problems relating to the nervous system. It is also effective in treating stress related problems and some chronic health problems.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine can help a very large number of chronic conditions and is usually combined with acupuncture. The combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine is a particularly effective form of treatment and is often quicker acting and more wide ranging in it's effect than acupuncture used alone.
Herbal tablets are convenient and easy to take and they are more gentle in their effect than raw herbs boiled to make a herbal tea. They are therefore very suitable for westerners not used to herbal medicine.
The Top Ten Tonic Herbs
1. Panax Ginseng
Ren Shen, 'The king of herbs'.
2. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui, 'The Queen of herbs'.
3. Lycii Berries
Gou qi zi, ' The superfood'.
4. Chinese Licorice Root
Gan Cao, 'The Great Detoxifier'.
5. Polygonium Multiflorum
He shou wu, ' China's most renowned longevity herb'.
6. Astragalus membranaceus
Huang Qi, ' The young person's tonic'.
7. Atractylodis Ovata
Bai Zhu, 'The weight control herb'.
8. Red jujube dates
Hong Zao, 'Builds strength & extends life'.
9. Cinnamon
Rou gui, 'Strengthener & sexual tonic'.
10. Wild Asparagus Root
Tian Men dong, 'A Spirit developing herb'.
The Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine
The Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine (UK) (ATCM), is the main regulatory body in this country controlling the use of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and tui na. There are over 700 members. The ATCM is one of the main bodies organising the move towards statutory regulation. To get more information go to www.atcm.co.uk.
