Education

Acupuncture

Without a doubt the most well known technique of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is acupuncture. Although the term acupuncture in the west has almost become a synonym for Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is only one of the many techniques under the TCM umbrella. Following the general theory of TCM, proper physiological function and health depend on the circulation of nutrients, substances and energy called Chi (pronounced "chee") through a network of "channels" or "meridians". Acupuncture attempts to unblock the channels when they become congested by the insertion of very thin needles in very specific points on the body.

Modern acupuncture needles are stainless steel, between one-half and three inches long, ultra-fine and quite flexible. They are pre-sterilized, nontoxic and disposable (single use). When the needles are tapped into the skin, there may not be any sensation. Much depends on the location (hands and feet tend to be more sensitive), the condition being treated and the acupuncturist's technique. Needles are typically placed in several acu-points and are usually left in about 20–40 minutes.

The goal is to normalize the circulation of Chi and Blood by stimulating the energy point, which encourages the body's natural healing process. The number of treatments depends upon the duration, severity and nature of the patient's health condition. Two or three treatments may be sufficient for an acute condition, while a series of 5 to 15 treatments may be needed to resolve chronic conditions.

It is not recommended to have an acupuncture treatment if you are very hungry or extremely tired. If you have a bleeding disorder or are on blood thinning medications, you should inform your acupuncturist before undergoing treatment. If you are pregnant or have a pacemaker, tell the acupuncturist so that appropriate herbs and acu-points can be chosen.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is an ancient Eastern tradition of heat therapy that is as old as acupuncture. In fact, the term acupuncture in Chinese is formed by two words: "Zhen Jiu". The word "zhen" means needle and the word "jiu" means moxibustion. Moxibustion involves heating up a particular acupuncture point by burning a very specific herb, Artemisia Vulgaris, commonly known as "mugwort". This herb is chosen because of its very warming properties and its pure yang nature, having the ability to restore the primary yang energy.

There are two main ways of doing moxibustion: direct and indirect. With direct moxibustion a small cone-shaped piece of the herb is placed on the desired acupuncture point and then burned. With indirect moxibustion the burning herb does not touch the skin. The most common type uses a "moxa stick" — roughly the shape and size of a cigar — held close to the area being treated causing a strong sensation of heat.

From a TCM point of view, the most common indication for moxibustion is the presence of Cold. Cold causes the Qi to slow down and in many cases to stagnate resulting in pain. Moxibustion warms up the meridians and expels cold. Moxibustion is also widely used with patients that are weak and frail lacking yang energy, and has been used as a preventive treatment by ancient Chinese masters for thousands of years.

From a western medicine point of view, moxibustion increases the production of white blood cells. Studies have shown that white blood cell count begins to increase immediately after direct moxibustion, reaching a peak 8 hours later. It also shows a substantial increase in platelet count, blood calcium, blood glucose count and the capacity to produce antibodies. Moxibustion should be avoided on the lower abdomen and sacral region of pregnant women, and should not be applied on Excess or Heat syndromes (high fever).

Cupping

Cupping is an ancient Chinese practice where a cup is placed on the patient's skin and the pressure is removed to create a vacuum, allowing the skin and superficial muscle layer to be drawn into the cup. From a TCM point of view, this "pulling" effect stimulates the acupuncture point where the cup is placed, regulating the flow of Qi and Blood, and helping to draw out and eliminate pathogenic factors such as Wind, Cold, Damp, and Heat.

From a Western medicine point of view, the functioning of blood vessels within the muscles is activated in response to the stimulation of the subcutaneous capillary vessels created by the pulling effect of cupping. The expansion of blood vessels in the muscles facilitates the flow of blood and has a remarkable effect on stiff muscles and old injuries. Generally, the cup is left in place for about 10 minutes (typical range is 5–15 minutes).

There are several methods of cupping: Weak, Medium, Strong, Moving and Needle. Weak cupping is considered tonifying and is mainly used when Qi and Blood are deficient — particularly suitable for debilitated adults, elderly patients and young children. Medium cupping is the most common method used on patients with a relatively strong Qi. Strong cupping is the most draining technique and is used to move Qi and Blood and eliminate pathogenic factors. Moving cupping involves moving the cup while suction is active, and is often done on the back after applying massage oil.

Gua Sha

Like most techniques used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Gua Sha has been used in the East for thousands of years. Gua Sha — which could be translated to mean "the scraping of the skin until a reddish rash appears" — embraces the belief that by scraping the surface of the skin, toxins that have accumulated under the skin causing pain will come to the surface and be eliminated. The technique is used whenever there is pain, either acute or chronic.

Gua Sha moves stagnant Qi and Blood, releases the Exterior mimicking sweating, and moves Fluids. The area to be treated is first lubricated with massage oil. The skin is then rubbed or scraped with a round-edged instrument until a reddish, elevated millet-like skin rash appears. The color that the skin turns is both diagnostic and prognostic: a very light color indicates deficiency of Blood, a dark or purple color indicates Blood stasis, and a dark red color can indicate Heat.

After a Gua Sha treatment it is important to stay away from the sun and avoid cold drinks, coffee, and sour foods. In most cases the patient feels an immediate shift in their condition, particularly in their pain or sense of constraint. In addition to resolving musculo-skeletal pain, Gua Sha is used to treat and prevent common cold, flu, bronchitis, asthma, and any chronic disorder involving pain.

Electro-Acupuncture

Electro-Acupuncture is perhaps the most modern technique used in acupuncture today. Introduced in China in the 1930s, it is now widely used by acupuncturists throughout the world. This technique is very similar to regular acupuncture — it uses the same acupuncture points, but uses electric current instead of hand manipulation to obtain a stronger needle sensation.

After the needle is inserted and Chi obtained, small wire clips are attached to the needle. The device is turned on and electricity is passed through. The frequency and the type of wave selected are critical for a quick recovery. A low frequency (2–4 Hz) continuous wave is best for pain and spasm. A discontinuous wave strengthens deficiency, and a Dense-Disperse wave is best for paralysis and numbness. The entire treatment takes between 30 to 45 minutes.

Electro-acupuncture should not be used on patients with a history of heart disease or that have a pacemaker. The electrical path should not cross the heart. The FDA does not permit the use of electrical stimulation around the head or ears.

Chinese Herbs

Herbal medicine, one of the five branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is considered by many TCM practitioners a key component of every treatment. The earliest written record on Chinese herbal medicine was discovered in 1973 in Hunan province in a burial site dated precisely to 168 B.C. The largest of these manuscripts, called Prescriptions for Fifty-two Ailments, names over 250 medicinal substances.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine every medicinal substance is seen as having at least a taste, a temperature and a direction. Five tastes are recognized: acrid, sweet, bitter, sour and salty. Acrid substances disperse and move; sweet substances tonify and harmonize; bitter substances drain and dry; sour substances are astringent; salty substances purge and soften. Every substance also has a temperature — hot, cold, warm, cool, or neutral — which becomes critical when trying to balance a disharmony.

Although a single medicinal substance is sometimes prescribed, the combination of medicinal substances in formulas is a much more common practice. Formulas are complex recipes of interrelated substances, each of which affects the actions of the others. The ingredients are given ranks: the King (Emperor) ingredient has the greatest effect upon the disease; the Deputy aids the King or addresses a secondary condition; the Assistant reinforces or moderates; and the Envoy directs the formula's actions toward a certain channel or part of the body.

There are a number of ways of administering Chinese herbal medicine: decoctions (soups), powders, and pills. Traditional Chinese medicinal substances are in general very safe and easy to use. Some strong Chi-moving substances are contraindicated during pregnancy since they can cause miscarriage.