Disease refers to a change in the normal flow of qi, resulting in an imbalance between Yin and Yang, and is thought to have three main causes: external or environmental factors, internal emotions, and lifestyle factors such as diet. By using its forms of treatment, TCM stimulates the body's own healing mechanisms. Chinese medicine practice includes:
Acupuncture and acupressure
moxibustion, which burns herbs near the skin
Herbs
nutrition
Chinese massage, called Tuina
Exercises, such as tai chi and Qigong, combine exercise with meditation
In traditional Chinese medicine, the internal organs of the human body are considered not only individual structures, but also complex networks. According to traditional Chinese medicine, qi flows through organ systems, namely the kidneys, heart, spleen, liver, lungs, gallbladder, small intestine and large intestine, through the meridians. Although these five systems have specific names, they correspond to more than just individual body parts. For example, the kidneys represent the entire urinary system as well as the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys. The heart, meanwhile, represents both the heart and the brain.
What should I expect on my first visit?
The TCM will ask you about your medical history and perform a physical examination to look for signs of imbalance. TCM will examine your skin, tongue, hair, and other parts of your body, from the brightness of your eyes to the color of your nails, and check the six pulses on each wrist. Practitioners will also listen to you to assess your deity (spirit) and will work to determine if one or more of your organ networks are affected. The doctor then tries to correct the imbalance in your body by offering a combination of the above therapies.
