What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Acupuncture treatment consists of inserting filiform needles into the skin. The depth of insertion may vary according to illnesses and location. Acupuncture can be used to target a specific organ that requires balancing by inserting and manipulating needles at points along the meridians (pathways) that connect to that organ.   

The therapeutic methods are devised under the guidance of the syndromes differentiation and treatment principles. Acupuncture treatment starts with the selection of points followed by the application of acupuncture and moxibustion with specific techniques. According to the Classic textbooks and other medical literature, there are six kinds of acupuncture techniques, namely, the reinforcing, reducing, circulating, regulating, ascending and descending. 

Herbal medicine treatment may be used on its own or in combination with acupuncture treatment to facilitate the treatment progress. Various medicinal ingredients will be combined to correct the internal imbalance. Herbal medicine is personalized to individuals which means that it is prescribed and dispensed for one person. It is important to note that herbal medicine should not be shared between individuals. 

Herbal medicine may consist of non-vegetarian ingredients unlike what its name seems to imply. Let the practitioner know if you have diet restrictions. 

Cupping creates suction on the site of application, which may be useful in treating conditions such as muscle pain and adhesions. There are two types of cupping; wet and dry cupping. Dry cupping is commonly used to detach muscle adhesions and in some cases to remove pathogenic factors that invade the body from outside. Wet cupping (Hijama cupping) involves drawing stagnant blood (blood clot) to improve blood circulation at the site using suction. This method is particularly effective at treating acute tissue injuries such as muscle strains and joint sprains but also for long-term pain at one site. 

Moxibustion involves the burning of a Chinese Medicine herb called mugwort (Ai Ye) on the acupuncture points or over a body region. The purpose of it is to warm the body for the treatment of cold conditions.

Moxibustion functions also include Warming the meridians and dispelling cold, Inducing the smooth flow of Qi and Blood,  Strengthening Yang from collapse, Increasing red & white blood cells and platelets to prevent and treat illnesses.   It is also used for cosmetic effect and maintaining the health.                                                 

There is a thick platform between the burning herb and the skin or at times the herb is affixed to the acupuncture needle so do not worry about burns.

Ear acupuncture therapy treats and prevents diseases by stimulating certain points on the auricle with needles.

The distribution of auricular acupoints for different body parts is just like an inverted fetus. When pathological changes have taken place in a specific organ, usually a "positive reaction point" can be detected at the corresponding areas of the auricle, such as tenderness, discoloration/pigmentation, morphological changes (upheaval, depression and cords), desquamation, pimples, low electrical resistance, and so on.  These points are used not only for clinical diagnosis but also for treating diseases.  Therefore, when the ear acupoint prescription based on the symptoms is formulated, reaction points should be detected through careful observation and pressure to strengthen the curative effect.