Clinic Services
What is TCM? Is it more than just Acupuncture?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) takes a holistic approach health, focusing on treating the whole person rather than just the symptoms. By balancing the body’s energy, or Qi, TCM aims to promote overall well-being and harmony. Through methods such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary therapy, TCM addresses not only physical ailments but also emotional and spiritual health, ensuring a comprehensive path to healing. Discover the benefits of TCM and embrace a more balanced lifestyle.
What is Qi?
Qi is often described as the body's life force, a vital energy that flows through all living beings. It is believed to influence our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Understanding and harnessing qi can lead to improved health and a greater sense of balance in life. Embracing practices that promote the flow of qi can enhance overall vitality.
The Nei Jing –The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (c.500BC) says “There is no place that Qi is not.”
Your Qi is responsible for things like our blood flow, digestion & sleep. It circulates throughout the body along specific pathways called meridians, which correspond to 12 internal organ systems. Good health is maintained as long as Qi continues to flow freely through the meridians. If the Qi becomes blocked somewhere then pain and disease can develop.
What to expect on your first visit.
When visiting a TCM practitioner for the first time you will go through a thorough intake process to assess all aspects of your needs. We will take the time to understand your unique situation, ensuring that we gather all the necessary information to provide the best possible support. We will discuss things such as; body sensations (feelings of heat or cold, thirst levels, pains or discomfort), mental states and how you deal with emotional issues, sleep patterns, digestive patterns (how you feel after you eat, cravings, bowel patterns etc), environment/lifestyle situations (living conditions, work patterns etc) as well as genetics and previous health conditions.
In addition to the interview process, the practitioner will also be observing you, looking at your skin, your hair, listening to your voice as well as taking your pulse and looking at your tongue. All this information will help to identify the underlying cause of disharmony in the body. Once analyzed and a pattern or imbalance is identified, a customized treatment plan will be recommended for you.
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
Acupuncture is a gentle therapy that typically not cause pain. While you may experience slight sensations during needle insertion, many find the process relaxing and calming. These sensations may vary from person to person depending on what is going on in the body and how the function of a particular point affects the body. There are a number of different sensations that a person may experience, most commonly felt are; a dull ache, a general numbness of the area, a slight pinch, a tingling or ”electric” feeling, or a sensation of heat. In some situations, this sensation may travel the length of a particular meridian. The sensations are generally very brief (only upon insertion or manipulation) and will lessen once the needles are left alone.
If you have never had acupuncture before, you might be surprised at how relaxed you feel during and after the treatment. Acupuncture flips your nervous system from sympathetic (fight or flight) to parasympathetic (rest and relax). Very often people fall asleep on the table and leave feeling relaxed and refreshed.
How will I feel after my first visit?
Everybody is different and each treatment is unique. Some common feelings that you may experience after a treatment are; a sense of relaxation or a feeling somewhat sleepy or tired, you may also feel the opposite and experience a surge of energy and renewed energy, you may feel as though your mood has shifted or that your stress has decreased. Each treatment is unique since it all depends on where your body is at, at the time of treatment. It is important to listen to your body and honour it as best you can. Some people find they need to give their bodies time to relax after treatments, particularly if they have been overworked. In this case, if you can, take the rest of the day/evening to relax.
*Please note: If you ever feel dizziness or lightheaded after you get up, it’s best to mention it to your practitioner as it does happen on occasion. Usually just taking a bit of extra time getting up and drinking some water clears it up
What can TCM be used for?
TCM treatments can be extremely effective for things such as pain relief and management but, as we always seek to find the root cause of any ailment, TCM can essentially be used to treat any kind of condition or disease. Through treatment we are always seeking to bring balance back to the body. By restoring balance many of the symptoms a person presented with can be either reduced or eliminated. If a person is not completely healed, they will at least have strengthened their system and operate with the optimal amount of energy and health that is possible for them.
TCM can also be used in a preventative way - Often the body will shows signs of minor imbalances early on- when we are able to identify these signs and symptoms early, we can help the individual maintain a high level of health and vitality throughout life.
Some common conditions treated include:
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Body aches and pains
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Pregnancy/Postpartum conditions
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Labour preparation and support
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Digestive problems
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Anxiety & Stress
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Insomnia/Sleep disorders
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Migraines & Headaches
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Colds & Flu
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Menopausal symptoms
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Arthritis
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Allergies and asthma
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PMS and irregular periods
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Fertility & Infertility Treatment Support
Modalities
What forms of treatment are used in TCM
Acupuncture
Acupuncture utilizes fine, disposable needles to penetrate the skin and target specific acupuncture points.
In Chinese medicine, the body's equilibrium relies on a harmonious interaction between yin and yang energies. By targeting meridian points, acupuncture aims to enhance the flow of Qi and restore normal bodily functions.
Practitioners may employ various techniques like heat, pressure, massage, suction, or electromagnetic impulses to stimulate these points. Through activating the body's innate defense mechanisms, acupuncture has the potential to enhance the performance of particular systems such as the lymphatic, endocrine, digestive, circulatory, and immune systems.
Moxibustion (Heat Therapy)
Moxibustion, also known as Moxa, is a type of heat therapy used to stimulate specific acupuncture points on the body. The most common method of moxibustion is indirect, where the practitioner ignites a moxa stick (similar in shape and size to a cigar) and holds it slightly above the skin, often near an acupuncture needle insertion point, to provide gentle warmth to the area. The heat intensity is adjusted based on the patient's needs and comfort level. This treatment triggers a gradual localized vasodilation response, enhancing local blood circulation while offering a soothing and deeply relaxing effect.
When used together with acupuncture, moxibustion therapy has shown to be highly beneficial in treating a wide range of diseases and conditions. These include back pain, muscle stiffness, headaches, migraines, tendonitis, arthritis, digestive issues, anxiety, and various female health concerns like menstrual cramps, irregular periods, and infertility.
During a traditional cupping session, glass cups are heated with a flame, creating a vacuum when placed on the body due to the removal of oxygen by the flame. Modern treatments utilize silicon and/or plastic pump cups for convenience and comfort.
The vacuum effect pulls the skin inside the cup, stimulating blood flow, rebalancing the flow of Qi, clearing obstructions, and facilitating the removal of toxins from the body. It can be likened to an inverted massage!
The cups will be left in place for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the condition being treated. The practitioner may place several cups on the patient's body simultaneously (stationary cupping) or use 1 or 2 cups, applying oil, and sliding them up and down specific meridians (moving cupping). Cupping is mainly utilized for pain management and to address respiratory issues like bronchitis, asthma, and congestion.
Generally bruise-like marks appear on the skin, which may last for a number of days.
Gua Sha
Gua Sha is a therapeutic method commonly utilized in Asia by Traditional Medicine practitioners, both in medical facilities and households, yet it remains relatively unfamiliar in Western countries. This technique entails palpation and stimulation of the skin's surface by applying pressure with a rounded tool, causing the formation of small red spots known as 'sha', which typically disappear within 2 to 3 days.
By performing Gua Sha, blood stagnation is eliminated, which is believed to be harmful, thus enhancing regular circulation and metabolic functions. This treatment provides instant relief from various symptoms such as pain, stiffness, fever, chills, cough, nausea, and more. Gua Sha is beneficial for both preventing and treating acute infectious diseases, as well as upper respiratory and digestive issues, along with numerous other acute or chronic conditions
**Generally bruise-like marks "sha" marks can linger for a number of days depending on the bodies response**
Nutritional (Eastern) Counselling
In Western nutrition theory, the emphasis is placed on having a balanced diet that incorporates the 4 food groups and follows the food pyramid, while also considering essential food components like carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. According to Eastern nutrition principles, a well-rounded diet is founded on the holistic idea of yin and yang, showcasing how the thermal properties and taste of foods impact the body.
Four basic criteria for energetic classification of foods:
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Thermal nature: Hot, warm, neutral, cool, cold
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Flavour: Sweet, acrid, sour, bitter, salty
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Organ: Spleen, stomach, lung, large/small intestine, kidney, bladder, liver, gallbladder, heart
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Direction of movement: Upbearing, floating, downbearing, falling
The famous physician Sun Si Miao of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618—907) further emphasized the important role of dietary therapy:
“Dietary therapy should be the first step when one treats a disease. Only when this is unsuccessful should one try medicines.”