What is Chinese Medicine?
Chinese medicine is a complete system
of medicine with its own forms of diagnosis,
treatment, prognosis, and therapies. Chinese
medicine views the body as an energetic
system in dynamic balance. Unlike allopathic
medicine which focuses on symptoms and separates
the disease from the person, Chinese medicine
emphasizes a holistic approach that treats
the mind, body, and spirit as one entity.
Qi, which can be translated as energy or
life force, flows in a regular pattern through
a system of channels — or meridians
— to all parts of the body. When the
flow of Qi is unimpeded there is harmony,
balance, and good health. When there are
Qi blockages, too much or too little Qi,
there is an imbalance, which can lead to
disharmony and disease.
Chinese medicine helps restore the body
to balance and works on an energetic level
to affect all aspects of a person: mind/body/spirit.
The beauty of Chinese medicine is that it
can be used to correct imbalances that have
become illness and pain, or even correct
imbalances prior to the appearance of symptoms,
preventing disease.
Chinese medicine treatments address imbalances
using food therapy/diet, acupuncture, herbal
remedies, Chinese exercise, and meditation
along with Western therapies. Chinese medicine
is the longest existing continuous medical
system practiced in the world, with over
3000 years of history.
back to top
What is Acupuncture?
Chinese traditional medicine includes acupuncture
as one of its most commonly used therapies.
Acupuncture is the art of inserting fine
sterile metal needles into certain body
or ear points to readjust the body’s
Qi (vital energy) in order to allow the
body to heal itself.
back to top Does it hurt?
This is many patients biggest concern regarding
treatment and it is certainly a reasonable
question. Minimal discomfort, if any, can
be expected during an acupuncture treatment.
Our needles are extremely thin and flexible.
Many people are surprised to learn that
seven acupuncture needles can fit inside
the shaft of one hypodermic needle. Although
sensation can be felt on the skin’s
surface during needling, most would not
describe it as pain. In fact, many patients
enjoy the sensation.
back to top Is it safe?
Acupuncture has been used for thousands
of years in China. It is still the treatment
of choice for a quarter of the world's population
despite years of comparison to western medicine.
Here at Glow Acupuncture and Wellness Centre,
we use pre-sterilized, disposable needles
and clean the area of the skin with alcohol
before the needles are inserted.
back to top What should I expect after the first treatment?
Depending on the problem being treated and
your prior condition, you may experience
a wide range of sensations. Since the treatment
goal is the restoration and balance of the
body's Qi, some patients will experience
a burst of energy while others may feel
relaxed or even tired. Many people experience
a sense of calm and well-being. Occasionally
a patient may feel euphoric or light-headed,
especially after the first treatment.
back to top Should I eat before the treatment?
A person should not receive acupuncture
if they have just eaten a large meal or
have an empty stomach. It is best to have
something to eat about one or two hours
before the treatment.
back to top How long does treatment take?
The average treatment lasts about forty
five minutes to one hour. The initial visit
may take up to an hour and a half.
back to top What conditions can be treated by acupuncture?
Many conditions can be treated. Among the
most responsive are: musculo/skeletal problems
such as sciatica, low back pain and arthritis;
menopausal symptoms, premenstrual syndrome,
infertility, endometriosis, morning sickness;
circulatory problems like high or low blood
pressure, cold hands and feet; nervous system
imbalances, especially anxiety, nervousness,
sleeplessness or depression; ADD/ADHD; asthma,
allergies and sinus problems; and digestive
disorders including Crohn's Disease, irritable
bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, diarrhea
and constipation. In addition, we often
treat headaches, vertigo, sports and stress
injuries, skin problems, immune system disorders,
fatigue, chronic pain and side effects from
chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.
Acupuncture has been found to be especially
useful for detoxification from addictive
substances such as drugs, alcohol, cocaine,
caffeine and cigarettes.
back to top What about healthy people?
Acupuncture is helpful in the prevention
of disease by improving the patient's state
of well being through energy balance. This
way, the stresses of everyday life are more
easily handled, and minor health issues
can be resolved before they become more
deeply rooted problems.
back to top Can acupuncture and herbs help me stop
smoking?
Yes. Acupuncture and herbs can be an effective
form of treatment for stop smoking. Acupuncture
and herbology can significantly reduce cravings
and withdrawal symptoms such as headaches,
sleeping disorders, irritability, agitation,
anxiety and other common side effects associated
with stopping drug use.
back to top Can acupuncture and herbs help me lose
weight?
Yes. Acupuncture and herbs can be effective
in weight loss. Acupuncture and herbs can
increase metabolism and the elimination
of toxins and waste through urination and
bowel movements. It can also help with cravings
and curbing the appetite. Acupuncture and
herbs are effective in helping people lose
weight safely and naturally.
back to top Will my acupuncture treatments be covered
by medical insurance?
Payment in full is requested at the time
of treatment either by check, major credit
card, (we accept Visa, MasterCard and American
Express), or cash. Many of our patients
receive reimbursement from their insurance
companies. It is best to consult your insurance
company before making an appointment to
determine the specifics of your coverage.
We will assist you by providing itemized
receipts or filling out your insurance forms
upon request.
back to top What is Chinese Herbal Therapy?
After diagnosing a pattern of disharmony,
a doctor of Chinese medicine often writes
an herbal formula based on over a thousand
common herbal formulas or from a very large
compendium of single herbs. This formula
is custom tailored to fit the needs of each
individual patient and takes into account
one’s constitution, environment, and
medical condition. Herbal therapy works
in conjunction with acupuncture by providing
support for the energetic rebalancing effect
of acupuncture.
The first Chinese Materia Medica, the Shen-Nung
Herbal Classic was begun thousands of years
ago and completed in the later part of the
fifth century B.C.. Herbology has since
evolved in China through usage and observation.
Chinese herbs are classified according to
their energetic qualities and functions.
They are defined with terms such as warming,
cooling, tonifying, or detoxifying, which
describe the overall energetic make-up of
the herb.
The healing qualities of an herb depend
on many things: cultivation, harvesting,
storage, selection, discernment of quality,
and the different processing methods used.
Chinese herbs are often taken in formulas
rather than singly. By combining herbs,
synergies have been discovered which vastly
increase their effects. Also, by blending
herbs, one may neutralize unwanted side
effects.
back to top Are herbs safe?
Herbs are very safe to use when they are
prescribed by a knowledgeable and trained
herbal practitioner and taken under close
supervision. Receiving herbs from untrained
personnel, such as in health food stores,
is generally not good practice.
back to top How can I take my herbs?
There are many ways to ingest or use Chinese
herbs. They may be boiled in a tea as a
decoction, in liquid extract form, in powder
form, in pills, or topically, as plasters,
liniments, poultices, washes, ointments,
and fumigants(burning herbs).
back to top What are common side effects of Chinese
herbs?
The most common side effect of herbal formulas
are digestive difficulties such as bloating,
diarrhoea, and/or constipation. Please notify
your practitioner as these effects can be
controlled and neutralized by altering the
formula or even just altering the dosage
or varying the time of ingestion.
back to top Can Chinese herbs interact with any other
medication I am taking?
It is possible to have herb-drug interactions.
You must notify your practitioner of any
and all medications you are taking, be they
prescription, or over-the-counter. It is
very important to only take herbs which
have been prescribed by a trained practitioner
who can discern what may be a harmful combination
and prescribe alternate herbs to better
suit your needs.
back to top When is the best time to take my herbs?
Herbs usually work best on an empty stomach.
Allow at least a half hour after taking
herbs before eating or taking additional
medicine. If you are taking pills/powders,
swallow them with warm water to help digest
and absorb the medicine. There are exceptions
which your practitioner will notify you
about and instruct you on the best way to
take your herbs.
back to top Dietary therapy
As a very important part of the treatment,
often changes to your diet can greatly facilitate
the healing process. Your practitioner at
Glow may ask you to make dietary changes
that are specific to target your condition,
as each patient is assessed and treated
as a unique individual. The outcome of your
treatment can be greatly enhanced by following
the dietary guidelines laid out by your
practitioner. If you have any questions,
please feel free to discuss them with your
practitioner.
back to top What is Tuina?
Tuina is specialized therapeutic massage.
It is Chinese physiotherapy to treat physical
ailments and involves stretching, joint
mobilization, and vigorous acupressure to
remove stagnation and alleviate pain. It
is especially beneficial for any type of
musculo-skeletal concerns but can also be
used in internal medicine ( i.e. gynecological
and gastrointestinal issues).
back to top Can Western and Chinese Medicine be combined?
Yes. Modern medical wisdom suggests that
we combine what is useful from each source.
Because Chinese medicine addresses the underlying
cause of a condition rather than just the
symptoms, it is often helpful to treat conditions
generally unresponsive to western drug-oriented
treatment. Examples include PMS, headache,
vertigo, irritable bowel syndrome, allergies,
etc. Conversely, some conditions, most notably
bacterial infections and conditions with
structural changes, e.g., fractures or tumours,
respond more rapidly to Western techniques.
Very frequently the two methodologies can
be combined to the patient's greater benefit.
Here are some examples: In the treatment
of high blood pressure, acupuncture and
herbs, along with dietary salt-restriction,
can decrease the amount of anti-hypertensive
medication required for blood pressure control.
This approach also works for respiratory
conditions like asthma in which the Chinese
medicine allows the patient to decrease
dependence on steroidal inhalers. Acupuncture
and Chinese herbs are used successfully
to offset some of the side-effects of chemotherapy,
such as nausea, fatigue and a weakened immune
system, during the treatment of cancer or
AIDS.
In summary, a pragmatic, broad-based approach
that acknowledges the strength of each kind
of medicine, such as that practised at Glow
Acupuncture and Wellness Centre, allows
for the choice of the best treatment options
for each individual patient.
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