TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
The written history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) dates back more than 2,500 years. It is a non-invasive, natural, holistic approach for treating disorders and illnesses. The focus of this medicinal technique is on the interaction of all bodily systems, and on balancing the health and well-being of the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
The two main healing modalities of TCM are Acupuncture and the use of Chinese herbs. Cupping, Gua Sha, Moxibustion, and Tui Na massage are other common treatments. Depending on the individual needs of a patient, a Chinese medicine practitioner may prescribe one or multiple modalities to treat a wide range of conditions.
What does Chinese medicine treat?
TCM considers each area of our being—the physical, mental, and emotional are treated. It is an excellent preventative and curative measure, especially for chronic medical conditions that western medicine has been unsuccessful in treating. If a disease is extremely advanced and there are changes in the organ tissue, Chinese medicine may not be strong enough to treat it alone, but may still be used to support the body's immune function during the healing process.
Can pregnant women and children be treated with TCM?
If prescribed by a professional TCM practitioner, Chinese herbal medicine can be used to treat diseases and symptoms during pregnancy without any harm to the fetus. Likewise, lactating mothers can take Chinese herbal medicine as long as it is prescribed by a trained practitioner. Pediatrics is also a specialty within TCM. Chinese herbal medicine can treat colic, the fussiness of teething, earache, diarrhea, cough and fever in babies and children. Children can be prescribed reduced dosages of herbal medicine. There are also prepared pediatric medicine in pill and powder form. Pregnant women and children can also be treated with Acupuncture. For small children, a TCM practitioner may recommend a milder treatment called Acupressure.