Glossary

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

TCM is the ancient art of balancing the body's innate healing energy, Qi, through the use of acupuncture, herbal therapy, bodywork, breath work, moxibustion, and exercise

Qi (Chi)

“Qi” or “Chi” has many meanings in the Chinese language, all of which have to do with energy, particularly the flow of energy as a primary force in all living things. It moves throughout the body in channels, or meridians. It is the breath of life, the spirit that motivates all activity and supports all functions of the healthy body.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the tools of TCM used to promote health and well being. Tiny, single use, stainless steel needles are inserted into specific areas of the body to benefit the flow of Qi (energy). Qi flow may be disrupted by injury, illness, poor lifestyle habits, or unbalanced emotion. Acupuncture can address the root of the problem and relieve the associated symptoms, thereby promoting immune enhancement, physical vitality, and emotional and spiritual harmony.

Acupuncture is a therapy developed in China that is over 2000 years old.
It involves the stimulation of acupuncture points by heat, pressure, or tiny needles. Stimulation of these points creates a physiological change in the body, which is described classically as “moving qi.” The Chinese term “qi” represents the energy which flows through the body in meridians and channels. Meridians have acupuncture points through which the qi is accessed. Acupuncture enhances qi and assists the body in its innate ability to heal itself.

Again, acupuncture needles are sterile, stainless steel, and single-use. The benefits received from acupuncture, in terms of relaxation, freedom from illness, and pain-relief, by far out weigh any apprehension patients may feel about the use of needles in this therapy.

Herbal Therapy

Chinese Herbologoy is also based on thousands of years of study. Single herbs are either plant, mineral or animal, and combinations of these herbs come from the Chinese Materia Medica. Herbal combinations are used to gently influence the energies of the body to a harmonious state. Though not typically a quick symptomatic remedy, herbs work to restore a healthy balance at the root of the problem. Herbal therapy can be taken in the form of tea, granules, tea pills, or tincture and may be modified for specific needs. Some herbal therapies can also be applied topically.

Tuina

Tuina is manual body work that benefits the flow of Qi and blood, as well as promoting the integrity and range of motion of the muscles, tendons, and fascia. Tuina is excellent for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain alone, or in conjunction with acupuncture.

Cupping

Cupping uses plastic or glass cups with suction to encourage blood and Qi flow through muscles and meridians. It has a variety of uses from the classic model for pulmonary disharmony and rheumatic pain to a more modern application for traumatic injury such as whiplash from a motor vehicle accident.

Guasha

Typically used in conjunction with Tuina or acupuncture, guasha uses in implement, like a Chinese soup spoon, to aggressively release tight muscle bands and knots to restore normal function and range of motion.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is the application of the heated herb Ai Ye, mugwart, above or directly on an acupuncture point. This therapy used heat to effectively encourage the flow of Qi through the meridians to treat disharmony. The heat feels like sunshine.

ETPS and MPT

ETPS (Electro Therapeutic Point Stimulation), delivered with a hand held microcurrent divice, is a non-needle method used to treat musculoskeletal pain.  By applying the techniques of MPT (Microcurrent Positional Tuina) created by Malvin Finkelstein, L.Ac.,  areas of tightness and tenderness in muscles, tendons, and facia, are released to provide pain relief and improved mobility and function. This technique is usually followed by acupuncture, but can be used alone.

Exercise

Movement, be it breath work or dynamic movement, may be prescribed to help restore physical vitality, muscle and respiratory performance, and emotional/mental well-being. Qi Gong, meditation, Tai Chi, physical therapy, and daily activity are all examples of the types of exercise that may be recommended to enhance your treatment with TCM.