Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture

TCM & Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic healthcare system practiced for thousands of years, aiming to balance the body’s energy (Qi) through herbal remedies, dietary therapy, and physical exercises. Acupuncture, a key component of TCM, is used not only for pain relief but also to treat a wide range of illnesses. According to TCM theory, health depends on Qi moving smoothly and balanced through meridians (channels) beneath the skin. Qi consists of equal and opposite qualities, Yin and Yang, and illness may result when these become unbalanced.

By inserting fine needles into the channels of energy, an acupuncturist can stimulate the body’s own healing response and help restore its natural balance. The flow of Qi can be disturbed by a number of factors. These include emotional states such as anxiety, stress, anger, fear or grief, poor nutrition, weather conditions, hereditary factors, infections, poisons, and trauma. The principal aim of acupuncture in treating the whole person is to recover the equilibrium within the body.

Assessment and Examination

Your acupuncturist will first conduct an assessment of your general health and medical history. An assessment will include questions about the symptoms you might be experiencing and about any other treatment you have received in the past. The acupuncturist might also conduct a physical examination when required.

Insertion of Needles

Acupuncture needles are then inserted into specific points along meridians or channels in order to restore the proper flow of your vital energy of Qi. Once the needles are in, no pain is felt. They will be left in that position for about 20-25 minutes. The needles used are very fine and for your protection, they are all sterile, one-time use, and disposable.

How can Acupuncture help me?

Acupuncture is used to treat a wide variety of health conditions.

Here is just a partial list of conditions for which acupuncture has been found to be effective:

• Insomnia and sleep disorder
• Digestive disorders
• Hormonal imbalances
• Stress and Anxiety
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Immune system support
• Headaches and migraines
• Lower back pain and sciatica
• Frozen shoulder
• Arthritis
• Knee pain
• Neck pain
• Osteoarthritis

Does it hurt?

Acupuncture rarely causes any discomfort. Different people have different sensitivity levels. Some people don’t feel the needle being inserted at all; those who are more sensitive to needles have described a tingling sensation or the feeling of a small mosquito bite and even then only for a fraction of a second. Most people find the experience of receiving acupuncture relaxing and often people nap while the needles are in place.