Read below for a brief explination of Chinese Medicine, how it works and what to expect. Then click on the links to the right to see how I treat, what I treat and an explanation of the different modalities I use for treatment.

 What is Chinese Medicine?

Chinese medicine is a comprehensive system of health care with a continuous clinical history of over 3000 years. Chinese medicine includes acupuncture, herbalogy, bodywork, lifestyle changes, dietary therapy and exercise based on traditional Chinese medicine principles. These therapies work with the energy in your body by promoting movement and nourishment of the energy to positively influence the body's ability to heal itself. This system of health care is used extensively by one-third of the world's population and is rapidly growing in popularity in the West.  

 How Does It Work?

Chinese medicine is based on an energetic model rather than the biochemical model of Western medicine. The ancient Chinese recognized a vital energy behind all life forms and life processes. They called this energy Qi (pronounced chee). In developing an understanding of the prevention and cure of disease, these healing practitioners discovered that they could influence this energy by pricking (acupuncture), heating (moxabustion), rubbing (tui na massage) and bleeding particular points along specific pathways called channels.

Each pathway is associated with a particular physiological system and internal organs. Disease is considered to arise due to a deficiency or imbalance in this movement of nourishment/energy in the channels and their associated physiological systems.

Acupuncture points are specific locations along the channels. Each point has a predictable effect upon the nourishment/energy passing through it. Modern science has been able to measure the electrical charge at these points, thus corroborating the locations of the meridians mapped by the ancients.

Traditional Chinese medicine uses an intricate system of pulse and tongue diagnosis, palpation of points and channels, medical history and other signs and symptoms to create a composite Chinese medical diagnosis. A treatment plan is then formulated to promote the body to a balanced state of health.  

What Can I Expect?

Many conditions may be alleviated very rapidly from Chinese medicine. However, some conditions that have arisen over a course of years may be relieved with longer treatment periods with rest between then to allow the system to adjust to the changes thus allowing a steady progress. As in any form of healing, the patient's attitude, diet, determination and lifestyle will affect the outcome. Patients are encouraged to actively participate in their healing process.

Although Chinese medicine can treat many conditions, there are conditions or circumstances that can be dealt with more effectively by Western medicine. In such cases, your acupuncturist will recommend you contact a Western medical doctor. Chinese medicine should be seen as complementary to Western medicine.

Click on the links to the right to see how I treat, what I treat and an explanation of the different modalities I use for treatment