Introduction
Acupuncture
Chinese Herbal Therapy
Acupressure
Reflexology
Infertility
Face lifting & acupuncture
Books on TCM
Introduction
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) dates back to before
the 21st century BC. With over thousands of years of
practice and development, Chinese medicine possesses
a unique and integrated theory. It is a complete medicine
system. More and more research of modern medicine proves
that Chinese medicine has distinctive effects on most
forms of ill heath.
There are many side effects caused by taking antibiotics,
steroids, painkillers and other synthetic chemical drugs
for long period or at high dosage. Today, people are
looking for an alternative way to get fit and healthy.
More and more people in Western countries use and prefer
Chinese medicine. It is estimated that a quarter of
the world’s population currently use Chinese medicine
all around the world. In the United Kingdom, Chinese
medicine has become the most popular complementary medicine.
Almost half the population, 47% of those surveyed, have
used or would consider the use of complementary medicine.
According to the recent news on TV and radio, the NHS
is now considering using Chinese medicine to help some
problems: pain, Asthma, Eczema, etc. and to reduce the
waiting list due to the shortage of doctors.
 The
fundamental principle of Chinese medicine is that the
human body is considered as a whole system. The balance
of Yin –Yang (life forces) in a human body is
the basic condition of human health, and thus the imbalance
of Yin and Yang by any means will result in ill health.
The purpose of Chinese medicine treatments is to analyse
all symptoms and experiences of patients while taking
into account age, sex, life style, physical and emotional
traits and as well as other aspects of an individual.
An overall picture of the patient is then set up. The
medical treatment is to rebalance Yin and Yang in human
body rather than to just treat symptoms.
The medical materials of Chinese medicine are natural
plants and minerals. Compared to chemical synthetic
drugs, Chinese medicine is safer and has fewer side
effects.
Today, a well-trained practitioner not only uses the
traditional way of diagnosis, but is also able to use
other approaches integrated with conventional western
medicine.
Chinese medicine has three basic forms of treatment
– Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Therapy
and Acupressure. Chinese medicine treats both
acute and chronic conditions, and is suitable for all
age groups from young babies to the elderly and even
pregnant women.
BBC has very detailed information on Chinese medicine. Please check here
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Acupuncture
 According
to the theory of Chinese medicine, the human being has
14 meridians or channels. They form a network that carries
and passes all information and Qi (energy) in the body.
It believes that Qi can be enhanced, improved and nourished.
On these meridians, there are many points (pressure
points) that have important functions. Each point may
be considered as a switch that controls energy flow.
Direct causes of some illnesses are due to some switches
being out of control, such that Qi (energy) is blocked.
The principles of Acupuncture are to adjust and repair
those switches and to bring the energy flow under control,
and thus cure illness. Practitioners (acupuncturists) apply sterile,
single-use needles to pressure points to repair these
switches according to principles of Chinese medicine
and the patient’s conditions.
Acupuncture is virtually painless. However, as a rule,
it is better to produce a little sensation to achieve
improvement, but some people feel nothing at all. Oddly
enough, many people find that Acupuncture makes them
feel relaxed and happy. Acupuncture is also associated
with Massage, Moxibustion, Acupressure and Cupping,
which are almost painless manipulations. After acupuncture,
patients will feel relaxed or even slightly sleepy so
it is not advisable for patients to undertake anything
strenuous for a few hours afterwards.
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Chinese
Herbal therapy
 Chinese
Herbal Therapy is an important treatment in Chinese medicine. It was
largely unexplored outside China until this decade. There are over
400 Chinese herbs suitable for use in the United Kingdom as they have
well-documented and understood functions. Chinese herbs are said to
balance the Yin-Yang (life forces) to regulate internal organs and
to enhance the immune system. Much research, however, has shown that
function groups of some herbal combinations have the same effects
as chemical synthetic drugs, such as killing bacteria, restraining
viruses, relieving fever, stopping pain, balancing the hormones, reducing
glucose level in blood, etc. Herbal treatment includes: dry herbs
to be taken as tea, in tablet and capsule format as well as powders,
creams and lotions for external use. With or without acupuncture,
Chinese herbs can be powerful therapy. The effectiveness of using
Chinese medicine, however, depends heavily on the experience and qualifications
of the practitioner and on his/her understanding of patient’s
health conditions.
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Acupressure
(Medical Message)
It differs from Western massage in that finger and palm pressure
are applied using a wide range of techniques. It stimulates Qi mobilisation
to regain Yin-Yang balance in certain parts of the body.
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Reflexology
Chinese reflexology is the massaging of areas on the feet that correspond
to the organs of the body. By applying pressure to these areas it
is possible to regulate the function of the organs, clear toxins from
the body and prevent illnesses from developing
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