Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine is the general term used to describe the numerous techniques utilized in China to heal bodily ailments. These techniques have been used for many thousands of years. They include massage, herbs, acupuncture and Qi Gong (life energy). Chinese Medicine’s approach to illness is fundamentally different than Western medicine. In Chinese Medicine humans are viewed as microcosms of the larger, surrounding universe and are interconnected with nature and subject to its forces. Chinese Medicine relates illness and disease to an imbalance of these functions.

Chinese Medicine has numerous key components to its healing process. These processes include Yin-Yang theory, Meridians, eight principles, and five elements.  Chinese Medicine uses eight principles to determine and analyze symptoms. These include cold/heat, interior/exterior, excess/deficiency, and yin/yang. In addition to the eight principles, Chinese Medicine uses five elements: fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. These elements are used to explain how the body works by corresponding to particular organs and tissues in the body.

Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine is based on palpating the pulse, inspecting the tongue, hearing, smelling and learning about the patient’s history.  Chinese Medicine uses a variety of treatments and techniques to promote health and treat disease. The most commonly used treatment is herbal medicine and acupuncture. Acupuncture has been used for conditions such as back pain, Chemotherapy – induced nausea, depression, osteoarthritis and chronic pain. Chinese herbal medicine has been used on conditions such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS.  

Chinese Medicine therapies performed by practitioners include moxibustion (burning a dry herb on or near the skin); cupping (applying a heated cup to the skin to create a slight suction); Chinese massage; mind-body therapies; and dietary therapy.