Acupuncture/Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture preceded herbal medicine on entering the Western
world from China and it is very popular to use acupuncture for many diseases
in the West. The foundation of acupuncture therapy is a network all over
the body internally and externally, which is termed as the meridian system
in Chinese medicine. The meridian system connects all parts of the body
as an organic whole and makes it possible for the body to be in a harmonious
state.Through the meridian system, both chi (a Chinese name for the force
with life energy) and blood flow without an end.
When certain acupoints (points locating on different meridians) are stimulated
with needles, it is not just the points that have been stimulated, it is
the meridians that have been activated and then the internal organs corresponding
to the particular meridians have been regulated through the meridian system.
The way acupuncture works has baffled scientists and a lot of modern studies
have been done all over the world trying to get the answer of what is the
meridian system. Though we are not yet clear what it is so far in terms
of modern science, we really understand that it is safe and effective as
an acceptable therapy under the guidance and theories of Chinese Medicine.
What is Chinese Medicine
Many
people who have heard of, or experienced, Chinese Medicine have found it
a bit mysterious. The clinical facts show that either herbal medicine or
acupuncture work on so many diseases which are somewhat difficult for Western
medicine to treat. But why does it work, and how? We aim to give you a brief
and explicit idea of what Chinese Medicine is.
Chinese Medicine is a medical science originated from China and has a development
history of more than two thousand years. It possesses a unique theoretical
system, which is completely different from that in Western medicine, just
because of applying the different methodology on viewing the human body.
In this theoretical system, the human body is regarded as an organic whole,
in which various parts of the body are connected and co-ordinated with each
other physically and affected with each other pathologically.
When a disease occurs it is diagnosed through unique ways such as tongue observation
and pulse feeling. By means of this, the doctor gets the disease- related
information from the patient as much as possible in a whole and then works
out the specific therapy for the given patient individually. So, taking
the body as a whole and treating the patient individually are the main guidelines
in Chinese Medicine.
Expecting a Miracle from Chinese Medicine?
Although Western medicine has been very successful in conquering many illnesses that humans have suffered for centuries, more and more people are turning to Chinese Medicine. Not only because Chinese Medicine has been proved to have satisfactory effect on diseases that are the real problems for Western medicine, but also because Chinese Medicine can offer greater scope to improve the quality of our life and enable us to enjoy it more.
When you are disappointed by whatever you have got for your health, you
then turn your head to Chinese Medicine. Expecting a Miracle from Chinese
Medicine might be in your mind? Yes, it could be that. But, a miracle does
not mean to be like an appearance of miracle. Usually, we need to take some
time to create the miracle. The healing methods of Chinese Medicine are
based on natural herbs and acupuncture mainly. Only when they are in the
right hands of qualified doctors could the miracle be expected.
The Special Way of Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine
A diagnosis in Chinese Medicine is not the same as that in Western Medicine.
The foundation of treatment in Chinese Medicine is the syndrome differentiation
which is a process to understand and judge a patient and the relevant illness
comprehensively. Based on the various clinical information gained through
the four specific diagnostic methods, observing, listening and smelling,
questioning and palpating. The final goal of the syndrome differentiation
is to ascertain the patient's present situation as a whole. Based on such
a given situation, it is then possible for the doctor to make a decision
on specific therapy and treatment. In this way, a patient is always treated
as a special individual. Therefore, focusing on the individual person who
suffers from illness rather than the disease itself is the core of Chinese
Medicine. In this sense, it is easy to understand that patients, suffering
from the same disease, will be treated differently by Chinese Medicine.
Harmony - The Therapeutic Principle in Chinese Medicine
The human body is like a miniature cosmos, since it is regarded as a whole
in Chinese Medicine. Harmony is the essential point for our universe to
exist and experience development normally. The human body is the same.
Chinese Medicine holds that any kind of illness of the human body is a result of disharmony within the body between the physical and emotions, or between the body and its natural environment. Any disharmony of the human body has its own way to demonstrate externally.
What is the cause for the disharmony?
What does the body experience after the disharmony?
What measures should be taken to restore the harmony from disharmony?
These are the questions the doctor has to find the answers to, through the syndrome differentiation. Its aim is to regain harmony through the body system itself, with the assistance of the carefully drawn prescriptions of herbal medicine and application of acupuncture.
Herbal Medicine
Chinese Herbal Medicine involves the use of combinations of plants and
herbs mainly and can be used in the treatment of more serious conditions.
Indeed, because of its richness and variety, the spectrum of its function
is extremely wide.
How does the Herbal Medicine work?
Chinese
Herbal Medicine consists of herbs, flowers, seeds, fruits, bark, root, etc.
Most of the medicines are derived from various plants and a small percentage
is made up of a motley array of minerals and shellfish. Chinese herbal medicine
works in a different way from that of European herbal medicine. The main
difference is that Chinese herbs can be used not only for one or two symptoms
such as headache or fever, but also for many other conditions, depending
on how the herbs are used together. The interaction of herbs is taken into
consideration rather that just a single herb.
When herbs are prescribed as a formula for a given patient, all the natures
(such as hot or cold), flavours (such as bitter, sweet, pungent) of any
single herb and their specific functional features are taken into account.
They are used by qualified doctors, based on the theoretical understanding
of herbs and formulas, to regulate the functional states of the internal
organs, to re-establish the harmony and balance within the entire body and
to promote and enhance the resistance of the body.
Is Chinese herbal medicine safe?
Chinese herbal medicine can be taken internally in forms of herbal tea, herbal powder or herbal tablet. No matter what form it is, the issue of safety is always the point people are concerned with. Strictly speaking, no medicine is completely safe, not even herbal medicine. Unless it is used properly, any medicine could cause problems. Herbs, with their special tastes, flavours and features, can be quite safe to use as medicine when they are used by a qualified doctor under the guidance of theoretic understanding in Chinese medicine. But, in any case, if they are not used properly, even a very common herb could be harmful. So, make sure that the doctor you are going to see is a qualified one.
"Good herbs, bitter in taste, are on the side of your health"
There is an old saying in China "good herbs bitter in taste are on the side of your health". It's true! Herbal medicine should be a good choice for you to treat your disease or prevent you from disease. But, because of the fact each herb has its special taste such as bitter, pungent, sweet, salty or sour, the herbal medicine will not taste good, especially when it is in the form of herbal tea or herbal powder. So, please keep it in your mind all the time that you are looking for the best treatment when you have to take this "disgusting taste" medicine.
For Further Information & Advice
Please contact the practice on 01704 500905. Appointments are available on
Fridays 9am - 6pm. Email
andreas.
