What Is Chinese Medicine?

Chinese medicine is based on an energy system within the human body. It follows a series of channels that carry Qi (energy) which circulates throughout the body. These amazing channels, also called meridians, have over 600 points, which we call ‘acupoints’.

Are channels nerve or blood vessels?
Some people think the Chinese meridian system follows the pathways of nerves and or blood vessels. Fortunately they don’t and are a separate system from nerves, blood vessels and even lymphatic ducts. If we were to insert an acupuncture needle into a nerve, it would be extremely painful and can cause damage.

What does Acupuncture really do?
The art of Chinese medicine evolve from bringing together the mind, body and spirit in harmony with nature. It has the advantage of:
Promoting health
Alleviating pain and suffering
Chinese medicine has broad therapeutic values concentrating on physical, psychological, emotional or spiritual wellbeing.

Why use it?
Chinese medicine uses a unique system of diagnosis quite different to Western medicine where a pattern can be established from what the patient tells the practitioner.
This very effective method is a valuable tool, particularly when other forms of medicine have been unsuccessful or the family doctor can’t explain or help you with a condition you have e.g. strange pains in the stomach, odd twinge in the leg.
The best reason to use Chinese medicine is that each treatment is not only tailored to your personal situation but are natural and safe for long-term use with side effects being extremely rare.

Other Forms Of Chinese Medicine

You may know Chinese medicine to be more commonly referred to as acupuncture. It also involves a couple of other therapies:

Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the most common modality of Chinese medicine. Very fine slender needles are placed in certain areas of the body to stimulate the body’s natural healing response.
You’ll be interested to know that an acupuncture needle is slightly thicker than a human hair. Certainly meaning it is quite small as well as solid, unlike a needle your doctor might use to give you an injection, which is larger and hollow to allow fluid to pass through it.
An acupuncture needle also has a conical shaped tip so it penetrates tissue fibres easily without causing damage and of course, the insertion sensation of an acupuncture needle is without a doubt very different.

Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine involves using carefully blended herbs taken just like medicine. It is formulated to treat the person specifically and not just the disease.

Cupping
Glass jars are used just like a suction cup to the skin to stimulate the flow of Qi and blood. It draws energy to the surface of the skin and is great for colds, muscle and joint pain and spasm.

Gua Sha
A smooth/round edged instrument is repeatedly rubbed over areas of the body to promote circulation, alleviate pain and reduce stiffness and tightness. It is an ideal tool to treat headaches, digestive disorders, gynaecological disorders and can treat fatigue and cough.

Moxibustion
Moxibustion or ‘moxa’ makes use of a Chinese herb called mugwort. It is commonly rolled into a cigar shaped form and used as a heat source to stimulate acupoints in order to encourage Qi flow and warm the body. It is known for its ability to turn babies in a breech presentation, is great for inflamed areas and highly regarded for cramps associated with period pain.

Dietary Therapy
Dietary therapy focuses on eating appropriate foods according to the season and based on an individual’s constitution. The taste and energetics of food is very important. Here are 3 examples:
1.Bananas have a cold energy and a sweet taste. They are best eaten in Spring, Summer or Autumn and ideal for people who are of a hot-type because they can cool you down
2.Chicken has a warm energy and a sweet taste and is great for building energy for someone weak or recovering from illness. After childbirth it improves the appetite and increases lactation in breast feeding mums
3.Fish has a neutral energy and a sweet taste. It increases energy, acts as a mild diuretic and if combined with papaya = an excellent food for building the milk supply in nursing mum’s or to treat fluid retention while pregnant

Lifestyle Support
We operate in a society of fast paced living. By providing guidance on living in harmony within your environment and the current lifestyle you lead, you can become empowered to strike a balance between work, family and leisure.