Chinese Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicines are used to address imbalances in Yin and Yang across the organs or elements. Different parts of a plant, plants grown in different areas and plants picked in different seasons each carry different properties which are then used to treat specific imbalances. Herbs are often changed as the treatment is progressing and improving and only need to be taken until the balance of Yin and Yang is reached.

Herbal use in TCM has some similarities to those used in traditional Tibetan and Indian medicine.

Acupressure
Acupressure  is a complementary medicine technique derived from acupuncture. In acupressure physical pressure is applied to acupuncture points by the hand, elbow, or with various devices. Acupressure is often used when imbalances are more mild and with pregnant women. It is also used often before an acupuncture treatment to help relax the area to help optimise the effect of an acupuncture treatment.

Tuina(massage)
Somewhat different to Western practices of tissue massage, Chinese medicine massage (Tuina) is typically administered with the patient clothed (unless skin needs to be exposed for acupuncture or moxibustion) and typically does not involve oils. Tuina does not use heavy pressure but rather works with pressure points to release tension deep in muscles and joints. Tuina stimulates and rebalances the body through specific techniques and movements unique to the practice.

Moxibustion (Moxa)
Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy in which the dried herb “mugwort” is burned near the surface of the skin in order to stimulate specific acupuncture points and to trigger natural healing responses in the body. The heat from Moxa is very strong and goes really deep in to the pressure point. The heat goes into the pressure piont in order to help clear the blockage of the area. people usually have a feeling of relife after the treatment.  It is commonly used for things such as colds, headaches, premenstrual pain, digestive upsets, joint problems and back pain.

Vacuum Cupping
Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine. It creates a suction on the skin of   pressure point. This suction will mobilizes blood flow in order to promote healing.Suction is created using heat (fire) or mechanical devices (hand or electrical pumps). In some case it will leave a bruise mark on the area for 3 to 7 days, it depend on how much the local blockage were. Then the bruise mark will disappear completely. Cupping is often use in shoulder pain and back pain . It’s a deeper relieve of the local  muscle stiffness, where needle and moxa are not as strong on a bigger area .

Chinese Nutrition Therapy
Chinese Nutrition therapy is the practice of healing through the use of natural foods. Certain foods have a heat inducing quality while others have a “cold” or chilling effect on one’s body. TCM practitioners suggest small lifestyle/nutritional changes to help rebalance the individuals’ energy through the use of these qualities in different food types.
Please also read our page of “what is cold or warm energy food ” from resources and tips.

Physical exercise
Great for health preservation as well as treatment of present disease are various forms of physical exercise such as Qi Gong, Tai Chi and Yoga. These practices bring not only physical health benefits but have also been shown to play a significant role in stress reduction.They are practises that can cater to different personalities, physical differences and age.
.Tai Chi is a gentle, flowing series of motions, which are designed to help release physical blockages and restore balance to your systems. It is a movement-based form of practice. It relies on breathing and slow movement in order to coordinate our muscles, joints and nerve systems. What looks like a relaxed and easy practise can actually be an intense form of physical exercise and self-healing.
.Qi Gong is the use of the mind to connect to and direct the flow of energy within your own body. Movements are often very slow or could be poses which are held for a few minutes to a few hours. It is a more meditative practice.
.Yoga is a stronger exercise, which targets the muscles and physical body more than Tai Chi or Qi Gong. It also has elements of meditation.

Meditation
In our lives we are constantly ‘on’, reacting to and interacting with people or computers for most of the day. This is a lot of pressure to place on a body as the senses and the brain are in constant demand of its resources. This causes hormonal responses that wear down the body. Meditation quiets the mind, allowing your body to direct resources as needed and function in a way that is most natural – when it doesn’t have external demands constantly fighting for its limited energy. In these modern times where our minds are so stimulated and stressed this practice of relaxation is a cornerstone to good and sustainable health. It provides the body respite from constant and draining activity and allows it to channel its energy where it needs to in order to heal and thrive.