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Traditional Chinese Medicine

 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the ancient medical system that the Chinese have used for thousands of years, well before the advent of what we now call modern science.  It assists the patient in recovery by restoring the natural balance of the body that becomes disturbed or upset by injury and/or illness. 

TCM encompasses a variety of treatment modalities.  Acupuncture is one of the most popular methods of treatment used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat a wide array of diseases and conditions.  Other modalities include herbal medicine, cupping, and moxibustion. 

In Chinese medicine, symptoms are not viewed separately.  Instead, the mind and body are evaluated together.  TCM's goal is to create harmony within the body by restoring the flow of qi.  Qi 氣 is the life force involved in all the bodily functions of a living being  such as breathing, feeling, sleeping, etc.  Energy travels through the Qi  channels in our bodies called meridians.  Maladies occur when the qi is obstructed by injuries, pathogens, or even emotions.  Acupuncture, herbs, and other modalities are used to redirect the flow of qi which can restore harmony and treat or even prevent diseases.

Chinese Medicine can treat many illnesses and conditions through these different modalities.  Depending on the complexity of the conditions, some modalities will be combined such as acupuncture and herbs or acupuncture and cupping, etc.  For example, certain complex issues that pertain to the internal organs may require the use of herbal medicine for a more effective treatment.

Do I have to believe in acupuncture for it to work?  No, you do not.  Acupuncture has been used successfully in China for thousands of years.  It's a system that has also been through thousands of years of trial and error based on treatments and case studies.  Today, it is used successfully on animals and children.  These patients do not have preconceived notions about whether it will work or not.  A positive attitude can help with the treatment process just as a negative attitude can hinder any other treatment process.

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