What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) originated in ancient China more than two thousand years ago and has been used since then as a whole health care system. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners use acupuncture, cupping, Chinese massage, herbal medicines, moxibustion among others to treat or prevent health problems.

How Chinese medicine works?

Traditional Chinese Medicine practices use different physiological and disease models than modern medicine. In general, Traditional Chinese Medicine practices take a holistic approach, viewing the body in terms of organ system based loosely around particular body functions (such as digestion or excretion) rather than in terms of isolated organs. These organ systems are conceived to be interrelated in various systematic ways, and various techniques are used to stimulate or support weakened systems or to soothe or dampen over-excited systems. Traditional Chinese Medicine involves an often subjective diagnosis of the general state of various organ systems followed by ongoing efforts to reestablish a healthy balance between the systems.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the insertion of extremely thin, sterilized, single use, stainless steel needles into specific points on the body where there are special concentrations of qi (energy) and blood. These points are like switches of circuit breakers for regulating and balancing the flow of qi and blood in the body.

What does the first treatment consist of?

If you have acupuncture treatment, your first visit will last about 90 minutes, as we will go through a thorough history and intake. Subsequent visits will be about 30-60 minutes. Once the needles are inserted, you will lay comfortably for 15-45 minutes. For any other treatment, please discuss it during your consultation with our practitioners.

What can I expect to feel from my first acupuncture treatment?

Everybody experiences the effects of acupuncture a little differently. Depending on the type of problem being treated, some people may start to notice the benefits almost immediately, others may feel a difference a few hours after treatment, and some may need a few treatments before they notice an improvement. Some people become very relaxed while others may feel energized.

How many treatments do you need?

That depends on the duration, severity, and nature of your complaint. You may need only a single treatment for an acute condition. A series of five to fifteen treatments may resolve many chronic problems. Some degenerative conditions may require many treatments over time. And finally, one session a month is usually recommended to maintain general well-being.

What should you do before receiving acupuncture treatment?

Wear loose fitting clothing. Come to your appointment when you are not excessively fatigued, hungry, full, or emotionally upset. Your initial appointment will last about 90 minutes and subsequent treatments, about 45 minutes. Please schedule enough time so that you feel relaxed and unhurried.

What should you do after treatment?

It is most beneficial to be able to relax and rest after treatment. Please avoid excessive physical activity, stressful situations, alcohol, and caffeine for a few hours after treatment. Please insert your text here.
Upon arrival, you can expect to fill out some paperwork- a medical history form including medications, vitamins, and supplements you are currently taking, a consent to treatment form is required. Together, we will go through your medical history form and complete a Chinese medical intake to determine the root of your condition. In Chinese medicine, we also use the tongue and pulse as diagnostic tools. A treatment plan is then made based upon your history, intake, tongue, and pulse and also a discussion with you afterwards for options.

How long does an appointment last?

That depends on the duration, severity, and nature of your complaint. You may need only a single treatment for an acute condition. A series of five to fifteen treatments may resolve many chronic problems. Some degenerative conditions may require many treatments over time.

Is acupuncture painful?

It is said that acupuncture is bu tong, painless. However, most patients will feel slight sensations of soreness, heaviness electrical tingling, or distension. Any discomfort is minimal and lasts only a few seconds. You need to be aware that: drowsiness occurs after treatment for very short time in a small number of patients; minor bleeding or bruising occurs after acupuncture in about 3% of treatments; existing symptoms can get worse after treatment (less than 3% of patients) but this is usually a good sign; fainting occasionally occur in certain patients, particularly during the first treatment.

What is Cupping?

Cupping is an ancient for of alternative therapy that has been practiced in many Oriental countries for thousands of years to treat disease and to maintain good health. It focuses on stimulating the flow of blood, body’s vital energy -called Qi- and body fluids -such as lymph- which circulate around the body’s tissues. The Chinese practitioner will try and reduce the stagnation found in these system which in Oriental medicine is believed to cause pain and illness.

How does Cupping therapy work?

Cupping is a Chinese therapy in which the practitioner places cups made of glass along specific points of the body. These cups create a vacuum that suck up the patient’s skin thanks to a flammable substance placed and lit in the cup.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   The cups will be left on the skin for a few minutes and they can be either left in the relevant areas or they can be moved along the body being related to certain massage techniques.

What are the benefits of cupping ?

Cupping benefits are numerous: common cold, pneumonia, bronchitis, skin conditions such as eczema, acne and psoriasis (since it extracts body toxins) as well as back pain, neck pain other musculoskeletal conditions. Cupping therapy can also help treating other conditions such as irregular menstruation and fertility.

Any other questions or doubts? Please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll resolve all your doubts so you have your piece of mind when you come for your first appointment.

Finally, see what the British Acupuncture Council and the World Health Organization say about acupuncture.