Overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine
TCM is a medical system that has been used in Asia for thousands
of years. Aspects of this medical system include Herbology; Acupuncture;
Qi Gong; Tai Chi; Moxibustion; Diet Therapy (nutrition); Tui
Na and ancillary modalities such as cupping and guasha.
The concepts of Yin and Yang are fundamental to TCM. Yin energy
is the moistening, nourishing, cooling energy of the body, while
Yang energy is warming, activating and motivating. All actions,
foods, external factors and bodily organs are composed of both
Yin and Yang. Disease, illness and pain are signs of imbalance
resulting from disharmony of Yin and Yang. 
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the insertion of thin, sterilized, disposable
needles into the body at specific points show to be effective
in the treatment of certain health problems. Health concerns
which respond to acupuncture include:
Ear, nose and throat disorders such as headache, inflammation
and earache.
Respiratory disorders including asthma, and smoking cessation.
Digestive tract problems including irritable bowel syndrome and
reflux.
Reproductive tract problems including PMS, perimenopausal and
menopausal symptoms.
Nervous system and muscular disorders such as frozen shoulder,
back pain and arthritis.
The needles are inserted just under the skin. Insertion is usually
painless or may feel like a mild mosquito sting. During treatment
the client may feel some tingling or heaviness as the needles
work to help correct imbalances in yin and yang energies in the
body. Additional treatment modalities can include electroacupuncture,
which is the addition of mild micro-current electrical stimulation
to the needles, and laser acupuncture, which is the use of laser
therapy applied to the acupuncture points instead of or in addition
to the needles.
Traditional oriental medicine includes the theory of the flow
of energy through pathways that crisscross the body. Acupuncture
encourages the energy to flow to areas that are deficient and
away from areas where it is in excess. In this way, acupuncture
regulates and restores the harmonious balance of Yin and Yang
energy in the body, leading to improved health.
Diagnosis involves a comprehensive history, examination of the
tongue and feeling of several pulses on the wrists. Diet, lifestyle,
life satisfaction, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual
issues are taken into account as the practitioner
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develops a
diagnosis. The diagnosis then allows the practitioner to select
an appropriate combination of acupuncture points for the
treatment
session. Duration,
severity and nature of the complaint determine how many treatment
sessions may be needed. Often one or two sessions are all
that is needed for an acute injury. A series of five to fifteen
treatments may improve many chronic problems. Some degenerative
or chronic conditions may require ongoing treatments.
Diet Therapy (nutrition)
TCM classifies foods, liquids and herbs in terms of their energetic
effects on the body. For example, ginger has a warming effect
while watermelon has a cooling effect. Foods can be used therapeutically
to help correct imbalances in the body.
Herbology
Chinese Herbal Medicine is an extension of dietary concepts.
Herbs are extreme foods used for medicinal effect. Various
Plant, mineral and animal substances are used medicinally in
TCM. Chinese herbs rely on a system of tastes and how those
tastes affect the body. Herbs are usually prescribed in a formula
that balances the effects of the herbs. The strategy is to
affect the pattern that the patient presents. In this way the
patient is helped to regain balance and the use of the herbs
is changed or withdrawn when they are no longer needed.
Tui na
Tui na is a broad term encompassing various forms of massage,
joint manipulation, and acupressure, utilized by a TCM Practitioner.
Often these techniques are used to enhance other treatment
modalities, such as acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicine.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is the application of heat to various parts of
the body following TCM principles. Often used in conjunction
with acupuncture, it provides a warming stimulus to the body.
Margaret Jones, L.Ac., is certified by the National Certification
Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and is licensed
by the State of Wisconsin. She has practiced acupuncture since
1997 and has worked with the Ommani Center since 2001.
David Bock C.Ac.,Dipl. Ac.,Dipl.CH., is certified by the National
Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
and is certified by the State of Wisconsin. He has a background
in Biology and Chemistry, Asian Martial Arts, and human services
and disability care. He has been in private practice in Oriental
Medicine since 1999.
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