Frequently Asked Questions
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete system of healing that developed in China about 3,000 years ago and has changed very little over the centuries. It's based on the idea that laws of nature can be used to understand the inner workings of the body. TCM practitioners typically use acupuncture and herbs bring your body back into harmony and wellness.
Why should I consider Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Your health, like the universe at large, proponents say, is subject to constant battling between opposing forces such as heat and cold, male and female, joy and sadness, which manifest themselves in your body as too much or too little activity in particular organs. An imbalance between any of these forces can cause a blockage in the flow of your qi (chee) or vital energy traveling through your body along invisible pathways known as meridians. TCM practitioners typically use acupuncture and herbs to help unblock your qi and bring your body back into harmony and wellness.
What does treatment involve?
A TCM practitioner will ask you questions about your emotional and mental life as well as your physical symptoms. He or she may also take your pulse several times, once for each internal organ, and check the color and texture of your tongue, and then craft a customized treatment designed to enhance your overall health, rather than zeroing in on an infection or injury.
In most cases, your practitioner will use acupuncture to stimulate certain points along your meridians in order to bring your qi back into balance. Then he may prescribe a combination of herbs and other ingredients designed to correct whatever imbalances he thinks are causing your troubles. Typically, you'll brew these herbs into a strong-tasting tea, or they may come in pill or extract form.
How does it work?
The Chinese believe that acupuncture treatments redirect or unblock the flow of vital energy through your body and that certain herbs soothe over-active organs or strengthen weak ones. Western medicine has its own theories about how acupuncture works -- perhaps by triggering the release of endorphins, natural painkillers. Few studies in western journals have measured the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine, but you're likely to get better results by going to an experienced herbalist than by trying to self-medicate with the "one-size-fits-all" commercially prepared formulas in health food stores.
How safe is it?
It depends on which treatments you use. Acupuncture is quite safe as long as your practitioner uses either properly sterilized or disposable needles to prevent the spread of infection. Let your acupuncturist know if you are taking aspirin or other pain relievers regularly as there is a possibility that they can exacerbate any minor bruising from the needles. Also, it's a good idea to tell your practitioner about any drugs and other herbs you may be taking as it may affect the acupuncture or herbal medicine.
Does a qualified practitioner provide your service?
Most TCM practitioners are acupuncturists who are also trained in Chinese herbal medicine. Kelly Sun is approved by The British Acupuncture Council as a certified practitioners. Visit the BAcC Web site at www.acupuncture.org
Chinese Healthcare
Kelly Sun
by Kelly Sun
BSc(Hons),TCM, MBAcC, MGCTCM
Tel: 07782216985
Copyright 2007 Kelly Sun. Designed by bizwebdesign.co.uk
