Also called East Asian medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient practice founded on the idea that energy supports your health. TCM practitioners maintain that an imbalance of this energy – qi – can leave your body vulnerable to illnesses. Consequently, Auburn East Asian medicine is designed to rebalance your energy – to obtain yin and yang.
Moreover, TCM practices are predicated on the idea that your body is connected to everything in your environment. The treatments vary and have been used for thousands of years to treat a wide range of medical concerns. Here is a closer look at the five most popular TCM techniques.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves inserting small needles into the skin at different pressure points. The needles are usually manipulated to redirect your qi to areas of the body that require healing. In TCM, the body is said to have over 2,000 acupuncture points connected through 12 primary meridians.
The meridians conduct energy from the surface where the needles are inserted throughout the body. Consequently, acupuncture addresses problems of the nervous system and restores body and mind health. The treatment is used in modern medicine to treat headaches, back pain, neck pain, and more.
Herbal Remedy (Herbology)
Herbal remedy or herbology involves the use of minerals, plants, and other natural substances as medicine. Usually, these substances are delivered to the body externally as creams and salves or internally as teas, pills, and powders. They are said to restore the proper flow of blood and qi.
TCM has over 13,000 “herbal” medicines, with the most common being seeds, flowers, roots, or leaves of plants. These include rhubarb, licorice, ginseng, ginger, and cinnamon. Among these medicinals, ginseng is the most used substance in herbal remedies.
Cupping
As the name suggests, cupping involves the placement of several “cups” on the body. The cups can also be open spheres and are usually made of plastic or glass. A TCM provider warms a flammable substance that they place inside the cup to eliminate oxygen. They then remove it and place the cup on your skin.
When the air inside the cup cools, it lowers the pressure and creates a vacuum. This allows the cup to stick to your body, usually on a fleshy part like the stomach or back. Cupping is a physical TCM technique that is said to provide a way for toxins to exit the body.
Tui Na Massage
Another physical TCM treatment, Tui Na massage is an ancient massage technique that applies pressure to different points of the body. The provider uses specific movements to harmonize and regulate blood and qi flow along the meridians. Tui Na massage is therefore used to treat soft tissue injuries.
During your session, you will probably keep your clothes on and sit on a chair. The techniques can feel forceful and vigorous sometimes but are harmless. Tui Na massage can also alleviate chronic pain.
Moxibustion
During moxibustion, your provider burns mugwort root, moxa, to promote healing. Moxa is derived from a dried spongy herb called Artimesia vulgaris that produces a sharp odor and a lot of smoke. Per TCM, the smoke realigns your qi, invigorates your blood, and eliminates cold.
Can You Trust East Asian Medicine for Relief?
Traditional Chinese Medicine has proven a viable and effective complementary treatment for many people. By promoting overall health, TCM techniques can eliminate pain and strengthen your well-being. However, not all TCM treatments are viable responses to all medical problems.
This is why you should never replace your current treatment with TCM. TCM therapies are meant to complement traditional medicine. To learn more about which treatments can best support your current regimen, call an East Asian medicine provider today.
