For thousands of years, oriental medicine has acknowledged that there is a vital life force that flows through all things which is called “qi” (pronounced “chee”). In the west, qi is often referred to as “energy”. Energy (qi) flows along pathways in the human body, which are related to the organs and the tendo-muscular system. Pain or illness results when the balance of this energy is disturbed due to either trauma, poor diet, medications, stress, hereditary conditions, environmental factors, or excessive emotional issues. Oriental medicine focuses on correcting these energetic imbalances by breaking up any obstruction and encouraging an even flow of qi, which stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
One of the main reasons Chinese live healthier and longer lives than any other people in the world is their use of rejuvenating herbs. It’s no secret then, that herbs help improve the quality of our health; many of today’s wonder drugs are derived from them. The Chinese have had such remarkable success with herbal curative formulas and they’ve been developing, improving and perfecting them for 5,000 years.
Ancient Chinese herbal formulas are as effective now as they were when first introduced. Most formulas consist of two to eighteen different types of herbs. Formulas treat a wide variety of symptoms while stimulating the body’s natural healing process. Hospital studies prescribing individualized complex herbal formulas have demonstrated excellent results with patients who fail to respond to conventional pharmaceutical treatments.
Proper diet and exercise, meditation, and the careful prescription of herbs can prevent disease, restore the body’s proper balance, and aid one in maintaining optimum health. Chinese herbology believes that all disease stems from imbalance occurring in the organ system. The healthy body, with its properly functioning immune system, is more than capable of combating the viruses it is exposed to. A properly balanced system will resist and destroy bacteria before they cause disease. Simply put, illness simply cannot exist if the body is in harmony. On the other hand, Chinese herbal theory holds that an unhealthy body requires herbal and dietary treatments to restore and maintain this essential balance.
Oriental medicine focuses on correcting energetic imbalances and “qi” (pronounced “chee”). Pain or illness results when the balance of energy is disturbed, but oriental medicine works to break up any obstruction and encouraging an even flow of qi, stimulating the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Oriental medicine can also be used for pain management, as well as a comprehensive system of health care and health maintenance.
Conditions commonly treated with acupuncture and oriental medicine: Allergies/Asthma Anxiety/Depression Arthritis/Joint Problems Back Pain Bladder/Kidney Problems Childhood Illnesses Conjunctivitis Constipation/Diarrhea Colds/Flu Cough/Bronchitis Dizziness Drug Addiction/Smoking Fatigue Frozen Shoulder Gastrointestinal Disorders Gynecological Disorders Headache/Migraine Heart Problems/Palpitations High Blood Pressure Immune System Deficiency Infertility Knee Pain Menopausal Discomfort Neck Pain/Stiffness Pre-Menstrual Syndrome Paralysis/Numbness Rhinitis Sciatica Sexual Dysfunction Shoulder Pain Sinusitis Skin Problems Stress/Tension Tendonitis Vision Problems
This is just a sample of commonly treated conditions. Of course, there are many more.
Oriental Medicine encompasses a variety of health care therapies and is a way of looking at medicine that integrates all therapies in its understanding. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology are the most popular forms of Oriental Medicine in the United States. Other aspects included diet, nutrition, lifestyle choices, Tai Qi (martial arts/physical exercise), Qi Gong (breath exercise), Tui’na (massage), and Feng Shui (environmental balance).
For thousands of years, oriental medicine has acknowledged that there is a vital life force that flows through all things which is called “qi” (pronounced “chee”). In the west, qi is often referred to as “energy”. Energy (qi) flows along pathways in the human body, which are related to the organs and the tendo-muscular system. Pain or illness results when the balance of this energy is disturbed due to either trauma, poor diet, medications, stress, hereditary conditions, environmental factors, or excessive emotional issues. Oriental medicine focuses on correcting these energetic imbalances by breaking up any obstruction and encouraging an even flow of qi, which stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
Oriental medicine is used not only for pain management but also as a comprehensive system of health care and health maintenance. Athletes use oriental medicine to achieve optimum performance levels. Cancer patients are treated for the side effects of chemotherapy to enhance their quality of life. Detoxification treatments have been proven to help those with chemical and/or substance dependency problems. Headaches and migraines may be eradicated or managed with the help of acupuncture.
