Herbal Medicine is a major pillar of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and has been practiced for some 5,000 years, following ancient folk practices utilizing the healing properties of plant materials. Chinese herbal medicine treats various ailments and diseases through the use of herbal prescriptions. The cocktail is tailored to the indivitual patient, and made with typically one or two main ingredients, along with many other herbs to adjust the formula to help restore balance and assist in the body's immune system.
Traditional Chinese Therapy
Traditional therapeutic techniques such as cupping and gua sha (tribo-effleurage) are also widely used in preventative medicine. Cupping involves the placement of heated glass cups onto the back to create vacuum against the skin and tissue, which leaves a long lasting feeling of relaxation and invigoration. The technique is generally used for pain relief and treating respiratory diseases. Gua sha (tribo-effleurage) is the practice of applying pressurized strokes over the surface of the skin with a smooth edge, typically of a ceramic Chinese soup spoon. Dermal friction is applied along the acupuncture meridians, and is commonly used to treat headaches, fatigue, fevers, respiratory diseases, fibromyalgia, muscle and tendon injuries, as well as various pains, stiffness and immobility.
Acupuncture
Acupunture has been practiced for over 3,000 years in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a method to restore health and well-being. Acupuncture treatment is achieved by inserting ultra-fine needles to stimulate specific acupuncture points of the body, which then works to regulate the flow of vital energy throughout the body. Typical uses of acupuncture include pain relief, treatment of nausea, common ailments and childhood illnesses, sports injuries, as well as to promote general health.
