Traditionally Chinese medicine includes a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, dietary considerations and lifestyle choices. Each of these methods work at different levels to promote health and treat illness.

Acupuncture

Over many centuries practitioners of Chinese medicine have not only traced out the pathways or meridians in which the qi flows, but learned how to effect it to bring the body into balance. Thin needles are inserted into the body along various acupuncture meridians to improve the flow qi through the meridian system. Where qi is blocked, there are problems. Where qi flows smoothly, there is wellness.

Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine is a sophisticated system of healing that not only effects the flow of qi from the interior of the body, but also can address problems with the Blood, Body Fluids, Jing, (Essence), Spirit, Yin and Yang. Herbal prescriptions are based on careful diagnosis, and are administered on an individual basis. There is no such thing as “one size fits all” in Chinese medicine, nor is it common to suggest that one herb or herbal formula is good for everyone.

Chinese herbal formulations are a very individualized matter. Herbs are classified into various categories. There are those that tonify and increase certain metabolic processes. There are those that are warming which help to invigorate a person’s physical energy; others are cooling and effective in reducing inflammation. Some herbs are settling to the spirit, while others nourish the heart and the emotions. Each herb enters a particular meridian or meridians, has a specific temperature, and a certain action.

A skilled herbalist combines herbs together to bring out certain synergistic reactions between herbs. A good herbal prescription is not unlike a fine piece of poetry, or a well played passage of music.

Moxibustion

The use of heat to stimulate the points and meridians to effect the flow of qi. Most commonly, the herb Ai Ye (mugwort) is used as it provides a particularly deep and penetrating heat.

Massage

Also known as Tunia, is similar to acupressure. The hands are used instead of needles to regulate the flow of qi in the body.

Dietary Practice

Like herbal substances, foods have various properties that translate into specific effects on the body. Certain foods can be helpful for a condition, others can cause the condition to be worse. For example, it is common knowledge that dairy products can cause excess mucus production in the body. They should be avoided for people who have problems with dampness, and instead foods that reduce damp should be eaten.

It is common for practitioners of Chinese medicine to make dietary recommendations, as this is a powerful area where a patient can be involved in their own process of getting and staying healthy.