Acupuncture is a balancing technique purported to restore the body to optimal health. The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues, blood flow and nervous pulses also follow meridians to run through the body to various parts, structures and organs. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers are like a dam that backs up the flow in one part of the body and restricts it in others. Any obstruction and blockages or deficiencies of energy, blood and nervous pulses would eventually lead to disease.
Needling the acupuncture points can influence the meridians: the acupuncture needles unblock the obstruction at the dams, and reestablish the regular flow through the meridians. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body's internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption, and energy production activities, and in the circulation of their energy through the meridians.
According to the needling methods, acupuncture can be divided into traditional acupuncture, ear acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, scalp acupuncture and hand acupuncture etc. Over the last few decades, traditional acupuncture was widely used combining with other techniques, like moxi-needling, cup-needling etc, to increase the therapeutic effects.
Modern science explain the functions of acupuncture as following: Needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones, which influence the body's own internal regulating system.
Acupuncture has been used by Chinese people for thousands of year, and it becomes more and more popular in the Western societies. Here is the BBC documentary film about the science of acupuncture.
Chinese Herbal Medicine has undergone a considerably long history. As early as in the Chinese primitive society, our ancestors discovered, while going in search of food, drugs and used them for curative purposes. Initially they only used a single drug in a dose. But through long clinical practice, they recognized that a recipe composed of two or more drugs proved more advantageous for treatment of diseases, and various prescriptions were gradually formed.
Chinese herbal Medicine consists mostly of nature herbal plants and mineral substances. The herbal medicine can be used to treat diseases by oral taking or external application. Herbal formulas can be oral taken in a variety of ways. The patient may be prescribed raw herbs. He/she will take home, and following simple instruction, steep these herbs into a tea to be drunk at home. Although we call it "tea," some patients find the taste to be a little less than "delicious." For this reason, many practitioners also offer herbal supplements in pill and capsule form. Herbal formulas tend to be created for a single patient and their specific pattern of disharmony.
As we have already known, some herbs in the nature have not only therapeutic effect but also side effect or even toxicity. However, when these herbs are applied with other herbs togrther, their side effects or toxicity will be inhibited, and the curative effect of the compound herbs will be strengthened. Under the Regulation of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture in the province of British Columbia, only T.C.M. registrants can legally prescribe Chinese herbs to a patient. For the safety of the general public, the College advises you to seek out a licensed registrant.
Scalp acupuncture and Rehabilitation
Research has shown that scalp acupuncture is beneficial for numerous conditions, especially in the management of neurological problems that may not respond as well to body needling body or auricular patterns on their own. Combining scalp and body acupuncture reacquaints the cortex and limbs, opening communication to improve muscular strength and motor movement due to stimulation of the major motor nerves. Biweekly treatments can produce convincing responses quickly, even in old and difficult problems.
When combined with total body acupuncture for central nervous system-related disorders and pain, scalp acupuncture can help improve the following:
• Apraxia
• Asthma
• Cataracts
• Cerebral Palsy
• Bell's Palsy
• Cortical visual disturbance
• Dementia
• Enuresis
• Dizziness
• Epilepsy
• Facial paralysis
• Functional endometrorrhagia
• Headache
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Hemiplegia
• Hypertension
• Memory loss
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Myopia
• Nerve deafness
• Paralysis agitans
• Parkinson's
• Pelvic inflammation
• Prolapse of the uterus
• Sensory aphasia
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Tinnitus
• Trigeminal neuralgia
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Ear acupressure therapy means to stimulate acupuncture points on an ear for treatment. There are many acupuncture points in an ear. Each point connects to specific part of the body although it is hard to understand how it is connected.
Chinese find that stimulating the acupuncture points on an ear can treat the disease in the body, since an ear contains the information of the whole body!
Actually according to Chinese Medicine, any small part of the body contains the information of the whole body, such as hand, arm, leg, face, stomach, and even a finger. This is basic concept verifying the application of reflexology or tuina massage to solve disease on other part of the body.
It commonly applies a herbal seed to the ear to stimulate the ear acupuncture point. Sometime, people may also use small grain of rise, or use small magnetic beards. The seeds or beards are left on the ear for several days with or without need to squeeze it.It is usually used when clients cannot come regularly for standard acupuncture treatment, or if we find sensitive spots on their ear. Many clinic conditions such as pain, poor sleeping, craving for smoking or food, can be treated by just using the ear acupressure. In some cases, it works as good as using the typical acupuncture.
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Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy where a moxa stick which made from the dried leaves of Artemesia vulgaris, is burned and used to indirectly heat specific acupuncture points or regions of the body. The Chinese character "Jiu" is used to describe the art of moxibustion, and literally means 'to scar with a burning object'. Moxibustion does not now involve scarring, but moxa is still used to provide local heat over acupuncture points.
Acupuncture and moxibustion are considered complementary forms of treatment, and are commonly used together. Moxibustion is usually used for the following ailments such as pain which aggravated by cold and damp, chronic fatigue, poor circulation, asthma, certain types of paralysis, fetal incorrect positions like Breech fetus, some arthritic disorders and so on.
Cupping therapy and Sport Injury
Cupping therapy is performed with the client lying face down. The acupuncturist begins by igniting an alcohol saturated cotton ball held with forceps. The cotton ball is then inserted into the glass cup for a few seconds which causes the oxygen inside the cup to be removed and a vacuum is created. The cup is then quickly placed on the chosen body area. Cups can be left in place for five to 15 minutes at a time, while the skin underneath becomes congested with blood flow.
Moving or glinding the cup along the skin is another way to perform this therapy. By smoothing massage oil over the chosen area and moving the cups up, down, or in a circular motion, a deeply satisfying massage effect is created.
Wet cupping involves puncturing the skin then applying the cups to encourage the extraction of toxins and pathogens from the open pores. Each varied cupping technique creates a myo-fascial release, allowing blood to flow freely, improving blood and lymph circulation. It helps a lot of sport injury. e.g. sciatic pain, frozen shoulder etc.
Also, this process is wonderful and therapeutic. Cupping should not hurt, though you will experience temporary marks on the skin for a few days.
Cupping gives people a sense of calmness during and after treatment, providing both the benefits of detoxification as well as massage.
Food therapy and Nutrition Consulting
Scientists have known for years that the most troublesome health problems plaguing Westerners -- heart disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer of the breast, colon and prostate -- are far less common in China. For every 5 American women who die of heart trouble, only one Chinese woman suffers the same fate. The disease kill 17 times more middle-aged men in United States than in China. And China has the lowest rate of breast cancer in the world.
The difference is not just a matter of having the right genes. Studies tracking Chinese born in the Unite States, whose diet has changed to American style, find they wind up with about the same health risks Americans face. In recent years, scientists have found that some classic Chinese food and spices are loaded with chemicals that fight disease
How can Chinese food therapy help you ?
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Disease management
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Gastrointestinal Disease
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Health Eating
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Healthy Weight loss or weight gain
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Allergies/ food intolerance
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Vegan or vegetarian diets
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Pre/ post natal, pregnancy nutrition
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Infant nutrition, introducing solids
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Children's nutrition
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Nutrition for seniors
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Dysphagia/swallowing disorders
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sport nutrition
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Body fat measurement
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supplement guidance
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Nutrigenomics
The following are some examples of latest findings:
Tea Tea compounds called polyphenols may ward off cancer and heart diseases. In Beijing study, precancerous mouth sores shrank in patients treated with tea. Meanwhile, a Netherlands survey found that drinking one to two cups of black tea daily nearly halved the odds of developing severe atherosclecosis.
SoyThis is a popular food in Chinese cuisine like Tofu, soy sauce, soy milk etc. Experts suspect generous servings of soy may partly explain why breast- and prostate-cancer rates are so low in Asia. The focus is on isoflavones, plant estrogens with antioxidant and other tumour-blocking powers. Isoflavones also seem to bolster bone density and may ease menopausal symptoms.
Shiitake Mushrooms A shiitake ingredient called lentinan, which appears to boost up the body's production of immune cell, is aboundant in Chinese mushrooms. Japanese doctors have reported that some stomach-and colorectal-cancer patients survived longer when they took purified lentinan with chemotherapy. Eritadenine, also from shiitakes, may lower cholesterol.
Ginger In Chinese medicine, ginger is usually used for lessening nausea and vomiting. The recent studies indicated that gingerol, a major ingredient in ginger, soothed inflammation and alleviated fever in animals. In one South Korean study, rubbing gingerol on shaved mice protected them from developing skin cancer.
Garlic Garlic juice kills various microorganisms and may protect the heart by lowering cholesterol and easing blood pressure. There is growing evidence it may nip cancer in the bud thanks to pungent sulphur compounds. One Chinese study found that the stomach-cancer death rate was lowest in northern provinces, where garlic is eaten regularly.
Cabbage In China, cooked cabbage is a remedy for stomachaches; cabbage soup with honey, a cure for coughs and sore throats. Honey-sweetened bokchoy broth is given for ulcers. The cabbage family is loaded with tumour-fighting compounds. Sulforaphane cranks up the production of enzymes that help rid the body of carcinogens. Indole-3 carbinol appears to slow the abnormal growth of breast cells, a stage in the initiation of cancer.
Food therapy is one of the most important parts of the Chinese Medicine. The Chinese believe there are two vital forces in our body, Yin and Yang. When these are in a state of balance, we are healthy and when they are out of balance, disease will occur. Since foods also can be classified as yin and yang, or neutral, depending on the energy they impart to the body, they therefore can be used for preventing or treating many diseases. For example, if you suffering from "Yin diseases" like anemia, Yang foods may relieve such problems, on the other hand, if you suffering from "yang infections" like sore throats, measles, you had better to eat Yin foods; Intake of right food in right time can keep or restore the body's Yin and Yang in a balanced situation. To preventing diseases, the Yang season, like summer, should eat more Yin foods, and winter more Yang foods on the other hand.
As we know, the right mixed food is vital to good health, and sometimes can even heal a very difficult health problem. Yin foods, with cooling nature, are said to have a calming effect, whereas yang foods, with hot and warming nature, are used to exhilarate people from weak to strong, dull to bright and cold to warm. Neutral foods, such as rice and other whole grains, provide balance. Here are some examples of Yin, Yang and neutral foods.
Yin Foods: Bean curd and sprouts, the cabbage family, carrots and celery, cucumber, duck, some fish and some fruits like banana, watermelon, melons, American ginseng, most greens, honey, milk, pears, pork, potatoes, seaweed and soybean products, white turnips, water and watercress, winter squash, most white foods.
Yang Foods: Bamboo, beef, broiled meats, catfish, chicken and chicken soup, eggs and eggplant, garlic and ginger, Korean ginseng, glutinous rice, some fruits like Lychee, longan, green peppers, hot and spicy foods, leeks and onions, liquor, mushrooms, peanuts, persimmons, pig's knuckles and pork liver, red foods (beans, peppers, tomatoes, etc.) sesame oil, shellfish, sour foods, tangerines, vinegar and wine.
Neutral foods: Wheat, Rice, fruits like orange, grape, grapefruit and apple.
The cooking methods can be classified as Yin and Yang as well, for example, steamed or boiled ways, or food eaten in raw belong to Yin, and fatty and fried foods belongs to Yang. Therefore, if you want your foods less Yin or Yang, you can cook it in an opposite way. For example, many Chinese seniors love to eat watercress for their constipation, but they don't like its "cool nature" because it makes them feel uncomfortable (e.g. stomachache, gas, cold hands and feet or dizziness) after eating it, so they fried the watercress with fresh ginger, eating in this way, they don't worry about its "cool nature" any more.
Some herbs without bitter taste have been used for food therapy to increase the therapeutic effects of foods.
The following table includes some food therapy menus for some common diseases. Because the suggested menu is for the mild ailments, if you can not find benefits after taking it, you should find a Chinese Doctor to check your Yin/Yang situation.Health Problems Suggested menu
Health Problems and suggested menu
Anemia
Red Date Tea: 1 boiled egg, 30 dried red dates(Hong Zao)*, dried longan pulp(Long Yan)* 30g, 6 cups of water, cook 1 hour. drink every day instead of coffee or tea. Other suggestions:
Eat more Beef, pork liver and red meats
Bronchitis
Three Fresh Drink:Fresh Tunip 250g, Fresh Lotus 250g, 2 Chinese Ya Pears, Liquefy with blender, then add honey 250g
With Yang symptoms like thirsty, yellowish sputum or warm hands and feet etc:
With Yin symptoms like cold hand and feet, white sputum etc: Steam juice for 30min then drink it.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
1.Weak with symptom of easy short of breath (Qi deficiency):
Ginseng Tea: Ginseng(Ren shen)* 6g, Astragalus Root(Huang Qi)* 60g, Wild Yam(Shan Yao)* 50g, Barky Matt Sugar(Yi Tang) 30g, water 8 cups, cook 1hr.
2. Weak with pale face (Blood deficiency):
Lotus Porridge:Fresh Lotus 250g, Chicken 450g, Fo Ti 50g, A Jiao* 30g, glutinous rice 100g, 7 bowels of water cook about 1 hr.
3. Weak with thirsty and Warm hands and feet (Yin deficiency):
Turnip Porridge:Turnip 250g, Lotus seeds(Lian Zi)* 20g, Sesame 30g, Rehmannia Root(Sheng Di)* 10g, Ophiopogon tub(Mai Dong)* 10g, Lycii Berry(Ji Zi) 10g, glutinous rice 100g, 7 bowels of water cook about 1 hr.
4. Weak with thirsty and cold hands and feet (Yang deficiency):
Lamb soup:Lean lamb meat 200g, Walnut meat 30g, Fresh Ginger 6g, Broomrage(Rou Cong Rong)* 30g, glutinous rice 100g, 7 bowels of water cook1 hr.
Chronic Constipation
Walnut Tea: Walnut meats 30g, Sesame 30g.Crush them into powder, mix with 1 cup of cold honey water. Drink with empty stomach. Once a day.Other suggestions:
1. Eat a lot of fruits (esp. banana) and vegetables
2. Drink salted water in the early morning
Chronic Diarrhea
(e.g. irritable bowel syndrome)
Digest cake:Wild yam(Shan Yao)* 60g, Fried Dolichos Lablab(Bian Dou)* 60g, Lotus seeds(Lian Zi)* 30g, Lily Bulb(Bai He)* 30g, Euryable Feror Salisb(Qian Shi)* 15g, Coix Seeds(Yi Yi Ren) 30g, Astracalus Complanatus(Bai Ji Li)* 12g. Crushing all foods into powder, mix them with ground glutinous rice 1000g and sugar 50g, then add water and stir into a batter. Steam about 1hr. Eating as snack.
Cold with symptoms as running nose/headache/scare wind & cold/no sweating/aching & tired
Ginger porridge: Fresh ginger 10g (cut in thin slices), glutinous rice 75g, 2 pieces of green onion (just use the bottom white part), with 3 bowls of water cook about 1 hr, eat twice a day
Cold with symptoms as sore throat/coughing with yellow or green sputum/thirsty/fever without scare of wind and cold
Chrysanthemum(Ju Hua)* porridge: Dried Chrysanthemum 10g (crush them into powder), glutinous rice 75g. Cook the rice with 3 bowls of water for about 50 min, when the porridge nearly done, add Chrysanthemum powder, boil for about 1 more min, eat twice a day
Insomnia
Insomnia with thirst and frustration
Wheat Date Tea:
Wheat grain 30g , Licorice Root(Gan Cao)* 10g, Lily Bulb(Bai He)* 15g, Chinese Date(Da Zao)* 10pcs, Sour jujube seed(Suan Zao Ren)* 10g, Rehmannia Root(Sheng Di)* 15g. Cook 1hr with 5 cups of water.
Insomnia with stress
Sour jujube seed porridge:Sour jujube seed(Suan Zao Ren)* 30g, Biota seed(Ba Zi Ren)* 30g. Cook these seeds for 45min, Drain the tea out, Add glutinous rice 150g and Lily Bulb(Bai He) 15g to the tea then cook till it becomes porridge.
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Meditation and/or Qigong is an exercise involving deep breathing, concentration, and relaxation techniques used by individuals for themselves. Qigong had been incorporated into Chinese medicine for very long time.
In Chinese Medicine, there is only one cause of illness and that is congestion. When Qi (vital energy) is blocked within the body system, the Yin and Yang become imbalance, then the body eventually manifests some physical imbalance or sickness. Qigong, like other practical methods as acupuncture, tuina etc, can influence the flow of vital energy and naturally help relieve congestion and therefore, is beneficial to health.
Some Qigong masters claimed that they had cured a wide variety of diseases including cancer, heart disease, AIDS, arthritis, and asthma etc. Unfortunately, until now, there are no large, scientifically organized clinical trials to support these claims. Therefore, although Qigong can undoubtedly improve fitness and general well-being, there's no reason to believe that it will cure any serious disease.
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Chinese Osteopathy is the science of natural medicine that studies the human body by considering the totality of its interrelated systems. Osteopathy is based on biomechanical principals as applied to the body. The main emphasis of the diagnosis and treatment is the restoration of structural integrity of the body.Osteopathy recognizes that pain and dysfunction stem from poor structural integrity of the body systems, including musculo-skeletal and visceral systems. It must be emphasized that osteopathy is not an alternative to conventional medicine but can be an effective complement to modern medicine.Osteopathy involves “thinking outside the box”. In conventional medicine, the focus is often on treatment of the painful area. Osteopathy seeks to find the original cause or source of the pain. If however, a problem in a distal area is causing pain, the pain is not going to be resolved by local treatments. Very often small restrictions in the tissue lead to impaired circulation causing tissue quality to deteriorate. Deteriorated tissue restricts mobility causing pain and eventually leading to failure of function. The focus in osteopathy is to discover the source of the problem and treat the systems involved to effect overall change in the body.
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