Traditional Chinese Medicine

How does TCM work?

Modern Western medicine cannot yet explain how acupuncture works. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is base on ancient Chinese theories of the flow of qi (chi) through distinct channels that cover the body somewhat like the nerves and blood vessels. According to this theory, the major component of TCM (Acupuncture) adjusts the flow of qi in the body leading it to areas where it is insufficient and draining it from areas where is stuck and/or superabundant. In this way, acupuncture restores the harmonious balance of the body and its parts. It promotes and re-establishes the free flow of qi.

Is Acupuncture safe?

When performed by a competently trained registered professional, acupuncture is extremely safe. Practitioners use individually package, sterile, disposable needles.

What can I expect after treatments?

Patients often experience dramatic results in the first treatment. Some patients experience an immediate total or partial relief of their pain or other symptoms. This relief may last or some pain may return. In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief only to notice the pain diminish over the next couple of days. Generally, you should expect to feel better.

About Chinese Medicine (Chinese Herbal Medicine)

Chinese Herbal medicine is the main modality or treatment method within Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM. TCM is the oldest, continually practiced, professional medicine. Its written history stretches back more than 3,000 years and its practice is undoubtedly much older than that. Although acupuncture was the first Chinese modality to gain wide acceptance in the West, Chinese herbal medicine is quickly establishing itself as one of the most popular and effective alternative therapies. Herbal medicine is itself a powerful method of healing. Western drugs often control symptoms, but do not typically alter the disease process (for example, antibiotics eliminate bacteria but do not improve a person's resistance to infection; diuretics improve fluid flow without improving kidney function). Chinese herbal medicine, when practiced as part of TCM, is based on an individualized pattern diagnosis as well as a disease diagnosis. This means the TCM patient receives a custom written herbal prescription designed to treat both the symptom or disease and also their individual pattern. Such a TCM pattern is made up of a person's signs and symptoms as well as their emotional temperament and bodily constitution. In other words, Chinese herbal medicine treats the underlying condition as defined by traditional diagnosis. Chinese herbal remedies are often sophisticated and complex mixtures that were developed for organ imbalances and disease support. Those most often used today have been carefully formulated to have minimal side effects. Chinese Herbal formulas are available in a variety of forms: crude herbs to be boiled into tea, liquid bottled extracts, and ground herbs packaged in pills, and powders. Herbs, more like foods than drugs, can supplement our diet and fortify our constitution as well as prevent or remedy ailments. Sometimes long-term use of herbs is desirable whereas extended use of pharmaceuticals would not be healthy. If you plan to take Chinese herbs, make sure any mixtures you use have standardized content and are processed under the direction of a registered TCM practitioner who familiar with their medicinal effects. Individualized herbal mixtures should be prescribed only under the advice of a TCM practitioner who has training in herbal drug compounding. If property prepared, a TCM herbal mixture is as safe as an over-the-counter cold and flu drug mixture and as powerful as a strong prescription drug.

Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture truly go hand in hand

Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture balance each other and treat the body from both sides of the spectrum. Although, it is common to only receive Acupuncture treatments or to only take Chinese Herbal Medicine, the combination of both can deliver outstanding results. After an in depth consultation, a combination of Chinese Herbs will be chosen to create a formula. Each formula can consist of anywhere from 5 to 15 (or more) different herbs that work together synergistically. Chinese Herbalists almost always combine herbs, instead of using only one or two individual herbs. It is the difference between listening to one French Horn or listening to a whole symphony! Each herb has several indications: by using combinations, we can guide the formula to different organ systems and to focus on different symptoms. Herbs are chosen carefully and formulas are administered to each client according to symptom and the individual’s body constitution.

The positive aspects and benefits of taking Chinese Herbal Medicine

• Firstly, there are many different herbs to choose from. The traditional Materia Medica lists approximately 750 common used Chinese herbs. These herbs have been used for thousands of years. Recently, in the Australian market, there have been positive and sometimes negative Press on Chinese Herbs. If there is a concern at all regarding a specific herb, there is no need to use that one as there are so many herbs available that a substitute can be found to create the same effect.
• Another positive aspect in Chinese Herbals is that it is very difficult to build up immunity to them, where in Western Medicine increasing your dosage of a medication is commonplace. As you change, your formula changes, by modifying (taking an herb out or adding another) your formula’s compound changes, so your body doesn’t continuously recognize the same substance and start building immunity to it.
• Although Traditional Western medication can work very quickly it sometimes only masks the symptoms, while Chinese Herbal Medicine treats the source of the problem and  can often cure it.
• Finally, Chinese Herbs do not have to be administered for years or for life. Just long enough for the body to make the shift that is necessary to alleviate symptoms.

Please keep in mind, each formula is tailored made for each individual, so sharing of your Chinese Herbal formula is not recommended. And remember, self medicating with Chinese Herbs can cause undesirable effects, so always work with a trained and registered Chinese herbalist.

Your registered TCM practitioners: Samoy Guan, Jin Hee Han