A Peaceful Practice

Traditional Chinese medicine is an ancient healing system which originated over 5000 years ago. Drawings on tortoise shells dating back to the Tang Dynasty give the first evidence of Qigong, movement which is designed to heal the body. The main theories of T.C.M began in the Shang Dynasty 2000 B.C. These theories were later complied in the Han Dynasty, 206 B.C. - 220 A.D. in the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Chinese Medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (T.C.M.) recognizes the body as a whole entity. When disease arises, both the disease and the underlying components of the disease must be treated to obtain optimum results. Diagnosis is made by piecing together all the various symptoms that a patient might present with. Treatment is individualized. Through T.C.M. treatment not only is the primary health concern addressed, but the entire health of a person benefits. Once the health is restored, maintenance is achieved either through follow-up acupuncture treatments or Qigong exercises, along with the suggested dietary changes and exercise regime.

The various therapies under the scope of T.C.M. include:

• Acupuncture: The insertion of fine needles slightly under the skin.
• Qigong: Gentle and slow movement exercises aimed at restoring health, but also practiced as a preventative therapy.
• Chinese Herbal Remedies: Utilizing a combination of plants and herbs to heal the body.
• Tui-na massage/ Jin Shin Do massage: Specific massage techniques commonly used to treat children or address emotional illness.
• Diet: Specific dietary recommendations employed in the treatment and prevention of all illness and disease.

Theory:

Basic to T.C.M. is an understanding of the Yin/Yang Theory and the Zang Fu or Five Elements Theory. Simply expressed yin represents the shady side of a hill, yang the sunny side. Possibly the theory of yin and yang developed from the observation of the cyclical alternation of day and night. Yin is cool, quiet, restful, and soft. Yang is the opposite - warm, active, strong, hard, and rapid. The Five Elements theory gives an understanding of the organs and channels of the human body. These elements namely fire, wood, earth, metal and water were elements that would have been used by the chinese people in the course of their daily lives and productive labour. Early chinese doctors applied the theories of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements to the understanding of the physiology and pathology of the human body.