Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has existed for over 4,000 years, it is a comprehensive medical system with its own principles, diagnostic methods and therapies.
TCM views the body as an organic whole with a network of meridians connecting and coordinating the internal organs, Qi (Vital Energy), blood, body fluids, muscle, bones, tendons and the skin.
TCM also holds as its central belief that health in all parts of the body is due to the relative balance of Yin and Yang. Yin-Yang theory forms the basis of TCM's holistic approach to health and disease, it also offers practical guidance in the prevention and management of diseases.
TCM has two basic components: Chinese Herbal Therapy and Acupuncture (includs Tui-Na----Chinese Medical massage).
The aim of Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture is to regulate the meridians or channels of the body to unblock the stagnation of Qi as it believes that disease is caused by these energy blockages within the body.
The channels are related to the internal organs, which, if out of balance, is another important factor in the cause of disease. Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture are used to correct this imbalance.
Chinese Medicine is therefore a truly holistic form of medicine, aiming at treatment of the whole body rather than just the symptoms. It is natural, effective and very safe.
Chinese Herbal Therapy
Chinese herbs are the integral part of TCM, they are specially formulated in China and include flowers, leaf stalks, seeds and roots. Each herb has healing properties which are used for specific purposes and perform particular functions.
The practitioners prescribe combinations of herbs ( carefully selecting up to 15 from a total of 400) specifically suited to treat you and your condition. Each prescription is therefore tailor made. The herbs are cooked and drunk as a decoction (tea) or taken in tablet form to get to the root of the problem.
You start by taking the medicine every day, as treatment continues our practitioners closely monitor your progress through regular consultations, altering the prescriptions and reducing the doese accordingly. Since all pationts and conditions are different treatment can vary from a few weeks to several months. After a period of treatment you are able to stop taking the medicine.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine sterilized needles, into the body surface at strategic points, needles are disposable and are never re-used. The practitioner will leave the needles in place for about twenty to thirty minutes. The use of needles is virtually painless. As with much western medicine, the science-the why and wherefore- of TCM is not clearly understood; but it works, and many generations of specialists have refined and perfected the techniques.
Cupping Therapy
This is a therapy in which a jar is placed on the skin surface to cause local congestion through the removal of the air in the jar. This method promotes the free flow of Qi and blood in the channels, diminishes swellings and pains, and dispels cold and dampness.
Acupressure (Chinese Medical Massage--' Tui Na' )
It deffers from western massage in that finger and palm pressure is applied using a wide range of techniques. It stimulates Qi mobilisation to regain Yin-Yang balance in certain parts of the body.
It is particularly effective in healing and dispelling of pain in conditions such as back, neck and joints pain, headaches and sports injuries etc.
Chinese Herbal Patent
In addition to acupuncture and prescribed herbal medicine, a large range of Chinese patent herbal products are also prescribed over the counter. They can be used for treatment of various diseases or simply used for maintaining good health.