Hua-bing Wen, L.Ac., OMD
Acupuncture Center
Traditional Chinese medicine is one of the oldest continuous systems of medicine in history, dating as far back as two thousand years B.C. By contrast, contemporary American or Western forms of health care have been in existence for a much shorter time. The American Medical Association was formed in 1847, some 3,800 years after the first mention of TCM.
Chinese medicine is complex and challenging. TCM is rooted in the Daoist belief that we live in a universe in which everything is interconnected. Many of the concepts emphasized in traditional Chinese medicine have no true counterpart in Western medicine. One of these concepts is qi (pronounced "chi"), which is considered the vital force or the energy responsible for controlling the workings of the human mind and body. Qi flows through the body via channels, or pathways, which are called meridians. Imbalance of flow causes illness; correction of qi flow restores the body to balance.
In TCM the emphasis is on the individual as a whole being. One part of the body affects every other part of the body. Mind and body are not viewed separately, but as part of an energetic whole. A patient’s mental and physical conditions are closely examined so that the practitioner observes the subtle disturbances that contribute to disease. By examining the symptoms of illness and also the roots of pathology, the practitioner is empowered to establish a treatment plan that is specific to the individual’s needs. Through enhancing the immune system, strengthening organ functions, and promoting the proper flow of Qi, TCM enhances the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. As a result, the individual achieves optimum wellness without the common side-effects of conventional medicine.
Is Acupuncture the same as TCM?
The practice of acupuncture is often equated with the practice of traditional Chinese medicine. But they are not equal. While acupuncture is the most often practiced component of TCM it is merely one important piece of a much larger system. Traditional Chinese Medicine encompasses several methods designed to help patients achieve and maintain health. Along with acupuncture, TCM incorporates adjunctive techniques such as:
· manipulative and massage techniques (tuina, cupping and gua sha)
· herbal medicine
· nutritional counseling
· lifestyle counseling
· meditation
· qigong
Methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Cupping
What is cupping?
Cupping is one of the oldest methods of traditional Chinese medicine. The earliest recorded use of cupping dates to the early fourth century. Originally, practitioners would use hollowed-out animal horns for cups, and place them over particular points or meridians. Today, most acupuncturists use cups made of thick glass that allows the acupuncturist to see the skin and evaluate the effects of treatment.
How does cupping work? What does it treat?
In a typical session, glass cups are warmed using a lit ball of cotton that has been soaked in alcohol. The lit cotton ball is placed in the cup just long enough to heat the air inside. A flame inside the cup removes oxygen, creating a vacuum. The cup is placed upside-down and over a specific region of the body, such as the back. With the cup anchored to the body, the skin is pulled further into the glass cup. More suction is generated as the air in the cup cools.
Cupping has the benefit of opening the pores, which in turn stimulates the flow of blood, realigns the flow of qi, alleviates obstructions, and draws toxins out of the body.
Depending on the condition being treated, the cups will be left in place from 5 to 10 minutes. Several cups may be placed on a patient’s body at the same time. Some practitioners will also apply small amounts of medicated oils or herbal oils to the skin just before the cupping procedure. This lets them move the cups up and down particular acupoints or meridians after they have been applied.
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If the skin is punctured before cupping treatment a small amount of blood may flow from the puncture site. This is believed to help remove harmful substances and toxins from the body.
Is cupping safe? Does it hurt?
While cupping is considered relatively safe it can cause some swelling and bruising on the skin. As the skin under a cup is drawn up, the blood vessels at the surface of the skin expand. This may result in circular bruises on the areas where the cups were applied. These bruises are usually painless and disappear within a few days of treatment.
There are several instances where cupping should not be performed. Patients with inflamed skin, patients with high fever or convulsions, and patients who bleed easily, are not suitable candidates for cupping. Pregnant women should not have cupping on their stomach or lower back. If the cups are being moved, they should not cross bony areas, such as the ridges of the spine or the shoulder blades.
Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture has only recently come into use. Some scholars believe electroacupuncture was first used by physicians in France and Italy China
What's the difference between electroacupuncture and traditional acupuncture?
Electroacupuncture is quite similar to traditional acupuncture in that the same points are stimulated during treatment. As with traditional acupuncture, needles are inserted on specific points along the body. The needles are then attached to a device that generates continuous electric pulses using small clips. These devices are used to adjust the frequency and intensity of the impulse being delivered, depending on the condition being treated. Electroacupuncture uses two needles at time so that the impulses can pass from one needle to the other. Several pairs of needles can be stimulated simultaneously, usually for no more than 30 minutes at a time. The current delivered through the needle stimulates a larger area than the needle itself.
What conditions can electroacupuncture treat?
Electroacupuncture is considered to be especially useful for conditions in which there is an accumulation of qi, such as in chronic pain syndromes, or in cases where the qi is difficult to stimulate.
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Does electroacupuncture hurt?
Patients may experience a tingling sensation while being treated with electroacupuncture, which is most likely due to the electric current. In most cases, the tingling sensation will not be felt.
Are there any risks involved?
Some minor bruising or bleeding may occur, which is the result of a needle hitting small blood vessels.
Electroacupuncture should not be used on patients who have a history of seizures, epilepsy, heart disease or strokes, or on patients with pacemakers. It should also not be performed on a patient's head or throat, or directly over the heart. Another recommendation is that when needles are being connected to an electric current, the current should not travel across the midline of the body (an imaginary line running from the bridge of the nose to the bellybutton).
Before trying electroacupuncture, patients should make sure to discuss the potential risks and benefits with their practitioner.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing. Moxibustion has been used throughout
How does moxibustion work? Does it hurt?
There are two types of moxibustion: direct and indirect. Indirect moxibustion is currently the more popular form of care because there is a much lower risk of pain or burning. In indirect moxibustion, a practitioner may light one end of a moxa stick, roughly the shape and size of a cigar, and holds it close to the area being treated for several minutes until the area turns red. Another form of indirect moxibustion uses both acupuncture needles and moxa. A needle is inserted into an acupoint and retained. The tip of the needle is then wrapped in moxa and ignited, generating heat to the point and the surrounding area. After the desired effect is achieved, the moxa is extinguished and the needle(s) removed.
What is moxibustion used for?
In traditional Chinese medicine, moxibustion is used on people who have a cold or stagnant conditions. The burning of moxa is believed to expel cold and warm the meridians, which leads to smoother flow of blood and qi. In Western medicine, moxibustion has successfully been used to turn breech babies into a normal head-down position prior to childbirth. A landmark study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 found that up to 75% of women suffering from breech presentations before childbirth had fetuses that rotated to the normal position after receiving moxibustion at specific points. Other studies have shown that moxibustion increases the movement of the fetus in pregnant women, and may reduce the symptoms of menstrual cramps when used in conjunction with traditional acupuncture.
Why do acupuncturists use mugwort? Why not use some other herb?
Mugwort, also known as artemesia vulgaris or ai ye in Chinese, has a long history of use in folk medicine. Research has shown that it acts as an emmenagogue that is, an agent that increases blood circulation to the pelvic area and uterus and stimulates menstruation. This could explain its use in treating breech births and menstrual cramps.
Are there any precautions I should be aware of?
Although moxibustion has been safely used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, it is not for everyone. Because it is used specifically for patients suffering from cold or stagnant constitutions, it should not be used on anyone diagnosed with too much heat. Burning moxa also produces a great deal of smoke and a pungent odor. Patients with respiratory problems may request that their practitioner use smokeless moxa sticks as an alternative.
Herbal Medicine
The term "herbal medicine" refers to the use of seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark or flowers for medicinal purposes. While the scientific study of herbs in the When used to facilitate healing herbal medicine has a great deal to offer. Studies have shown that herbs can treat a variety of conditions, including colds, digestive disorders, insomnia, headaches, arthritis, skin disorders, asthma, and other problems commonly treated with pharmaceuticals. Herbal Medicine has been practiced clinically for thousands of years and its benefits have been well documented. But no system of herbal medicine is as comprehensive, nor is there a more well documented history of clinical experience than that of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine. Because of this extensive clinical usage and documentation a well-trained licensed acupuncturist can properly administer herbs with much success. The core difference between herbal medicine and conventional prescription drugs is that herbs work with the body and help guide it back to health. The patient does not experience the side effects, which may be common with prescription drugs. Herbs help the body regain its optimal function. Ultimately, the goal is to discontinue their use. But the side effects of herbal medicine have also been well documented. Herbs can be dangerous if not properly prescribed by a licensed health professional. Herbal formulas are very specific to patterns of illness and principles of treatment. They must be used with utmost care. Acupuncturists are highly trained individuals who are well-schooled in the use of herbal combinations for the treatment of diseases. Herbal formulas are prescribed independently of or in conjunction with acupuncture to enhance its effectiveness. By using formulas instead of single herbs TCM practioners can maximize efficacy and avoid the common side-effects and toxicity of Western medicine. CHINESE HERBOLOGY Medicinal Chinese herbs have been used for centuries to cure diseases and alleviate discomfort due to many different disorders. The first herbal classic written in Did you know: According to TCM, every herb has its own properties including its flavor, its temperature, its direction of movement and the organs and channels that benefit from it. The five flavours of herbs are pungent, sweet, sour, salty and bitter. Pungent herbs are generally used to induce perspiration and promote circulation of both blood and Qi. These herbs are usually used for superficial disorders. Sweet Herbs have 3 main functions; nourishing deficiency, harmonizing other herbs or reduce toxicity, relieve pain and slow the progression of acute diseases. Sour Herbs also have 3 functions; constrict, obstruct and solidify. These herbs are good to stop perspiration, stop diarrhea, stop seminal emission and stop leucorrhea. Salty herbs soften hardness, lubricate intestines and drain downward. These herbs are used to treat hard stool with constipation or hard swellings as in diseases like goitre. Bitter herbs induce bowel movements, reduce fevers and hot sensations, re-direct rebellious Qi, dry dampness and clear heat. They can also nourish the kidneys and are used to treat damp diseases. The four types of temperatures are cold, cool, warm and hot. Usually cold or cool herbs will treat fever, thirst, sore throat and general heat diseases. Hot or warm herbs will treat cold sensation in the limbs, cold pain and general cold diseases. After an herb is ingested by a patient it can move in 4 different directions; upward towards the head, downward towards the lower extremities, inward toward the internal organs or outward towards the superficial regions of the body. Upward movement herbs are used for downbearing conditions like prolapsed organs. Downward moving herbs are used for surging symptoms like coughing and vomiting. Outward moving herbs are used to induce perspiration and treat superficial symptoms that threaten to move deeper in the body. Inward moving herbs can regulate digestive function. Each herb will have a corresponding meridian or meridians to which it will correspond to. For example; Jie Geng corresponds to the lungs and can be used for asthma or cough. 
HERBAL MEDICINE
The current Chinese Materia Medica contains over 400 medicinal herbs. From Goji berries to Chrysanthemum flower, Angelica root to Cinnamon, Chinese Herbal Medicine makes use of materials that prove to be highly effective in the treatment of thousands of conditions.
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