TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)
	Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic medicine- it regards the human body as an integrative whole. It is an ancient medical system with quite unique theory based on many Chinese philosophies of Yin & Yang, the Five Elements, and the Meridians. Thus, Chinese medicine is overtly different from Western Medicine in all aspects, such as anatomy, physiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. It has been broadly practiced and accepted by Chinese people for more than 3,000 years and has effectively contributed to maintaining the health of the Chinese people. TCM focuses on the homeostasis of the human body and highly emphasizes the prevention of disease.
It uses Tai Ji and Qi Gong to exercise the breath and spirit and uses acupuncture to adjust the balance of the body, strengthening the immune resistance and curing various disorders independently or by complementing Chinese herbal formulas. The remarkable advantage of TCM is that an individual patient and his/her symptoms are first analyzed and then treatments are custom-tailored to produce the best effect with the least adverse effect.
ACUPUNCTURE
	Acupuncture is one of the major therapeutics of TCM. According to TCM “meridian” or “channel” theory, there are 14 regular meridians with 361 anatomical points (acupoints), with many additional acupoints/extra acupoints located throughout the human body outside of the 14 meridians. These acupoints link with different organs and systems to form a network performing complex vital functions. A vital energy called “Qi” circulates throughout the body along the meridians. The smooth circulation of “Qi” is critical to human life. Once there is a blockage or weakness of “Qi” in the meridians, there will be physiological dysfunction causing unbalance, disorders, or even illness in the human body. The stimulation of acupoints with sterilized needles or other TCM devices, e.g., herbs, removes blockages in the meridians and restores the smooth circulation of “Qi”. Ultimately, it restores normal body functions. This therapy employing metallic and disposable needles to treat patients has been approved by the FDA. Experienced acupuncturists may manipulate the needles to treat different disorders. This treatment is scientifically proven safe and effective, as well as economic.

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	Auricular Points: Pressing the sterilized seeds/balls at acupoints on the ear to treat certain disorders.
	*Moxibustion:* Making Chinese herbs permeate into meridians/channels through skin by heating.
	Cupping: Improving “Qi” and “blood” circulation along channels via vacuum put on the skin.
	*Minimum magnetic or electrical stimulation:* Enhancing the effects of acupuncture.
	*Tui-Na / Acupressure:* This is Chinese meridian massage with a special technique putting therapist’s internal energy into certain meridian/channel through finger pressure on the corresponding acupoints.
	*Chinese Herbal Treatment*: Chinese herbal medicine has as long a history as acupuncture. Herbal medicine has been used synergistically with acupuncture to treat different disorders. It is also often used alone. Herbs are usually prescribed in the form of a formula or recipe. An herbal formula typically consists of 5-15 herbs that are individually tailored to each patient. The formula is subject to continuous modification as the patient’s condition changes. Herbs usually have very few adverse effects when prescribed by experienced practitioners.

For more information about the use of acupuncture to treat medical disorders, please visit the National Institutes of Health webpage at:

http://nccam.nih.gov/