Diseases and illnesses have evolved throughout human history alongside the development of cures and treatment methods. Traditional Chinese Medicine For Beginners teaches you how to tackle diseases and illnesses using TCM. While some ancient methodologies, such as bloodletting, have been proven ineffective at treating the vast majority of illnesses by modern scientific methods, some practices have stood the test of time. One that stands out, in particular, is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
TCM has been used for thousands of years and focuses on maintaining a healthy balance of life force (Qi) within the body. Our overall physical and mental well-being is inextricably tied to this balance. Should your Qi become unbalanced, it will present as an illness of the mind or body. Depending on the form of imbalance, TCM uses various methods to properly treat the illness. In this blog, we’ll go over a few of the modalities used to help treat these imbalances and provide general information about their uses.
Herbs
It is important to note that medicinal-grade TCM herbs must come from the right ecological niches in order to have the proper chemical composition due to the climate and soil. They have been an integral part of TCM for millennia, with various herbs traditionally being used to treat a variety of conditions, and according to the National Institute of Health (NIH), one in five Americans use some form of TCM herbs regularly.
Jessica Frier, a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine who currently serves as the Dean of the College of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine in Bloomington, MN, describes a variety of conditions herbs can be used for, such as “supporting proper digestion or relieving low back pain…arthritis or autoimmune conditions—they can help regulate inflammation or the entire immune system. There are herbs for more chronic conditions like asthma, † disease, menstrual issues, or fertility.”
Dr. Frier stresses the importance of buying herbs from a quality source and the dangers of using unvetted herbs. KPC is the premier supplier of TCM herbs in the United States. Based out of Taiwan, KPC sources ingredients in climates that are best suited for each specific herb., KPC rigorously tests all of its ingredients to ensure they are what they claim to be and that they don’t have any contaminants. By taking the time to ensure proper herbal quality and safety, KPC eliminated the guesswork from an herbalist’s job so they can confidently prescribe.
Acupuncture
While acupuncture has only recently become a force in the west, it has been used in the east for thousands of years. The NIH defines acupuncture as “…a technique in which practitioners stimulate specific points on the body—most often by inserting thin needles through the skin.” While this may sound unappealing to some, most people report no pain when receiving an acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture has been purported to treat a whole host of conditions since antiquity; even Western medicine is starting to see its value. The NIH considers acupuncture effective at relieving various types of chronic pain and headaches, including: “low-back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis/knee pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome… reduce the frequency of tension headaches and prevent migraine headaches.” There is currently much research being done on these and other areas for which acupuncture may prove effective.
A word of caution. Always make sure to see a licensed acupuncturist. Precision, knowledge, and sterile equipment are all required to provide a safe and effective treatment session. There can be serious side effects if this advice is not followed.
Tai Chi
Originally an ancient martial art, “Tai Chi is a practice that involves a series of slow gentle movements and physical postures, a meditative state of mind, and controlled breathing.” For many years, its focus has shifted toward helping with health problems and physical rehabilitation. In particular, Tai Chi may help improve poor balance and other problems associated with aging. There are little to no health risks associated with Tai Chi that aren’t also associated with any kind of exercise.
Several ongoing studies have determined Tai Chi’s helpful effects on specific illnesses, including cancer. According to the NIH, “Tai Chi appears to be promising in improving some cancer-related symptoms and in possibly improving quality of life, but researchers indicated that no definite conclusions or recommendations can be made at this point.” Further large-scale studies are required to determine Tai Chi’s true efficacy in alleviating certain health problems and their effects. It should also be noted that many of the benefits associated with Tai Chi are also present in other forms of exercise, and there have been significantly more studies on exercise in general and how it can help those with various ailments.
Conclusion
Traditional Chinese Medicine For Beginners is a concise, easy-to-read guide that teaches the basics of how to safely make the most of over 2,000 years of TCM wisdom. Used as the primary source of healing for centuries, TCM practices can help reduce the symptoms and causes of some types of physical and mental infirmities. As with any type of medical decision, care and research should be undertaken to ensure you get the proper treatment from a licensed professional. They possess the required expertise and have access to the equipment and supplies needed to perform the treatment safely and effectively. Whether it’s sterile needles or high-quality herbs from a source like KPC, proper tools and expertise are integral to ensuring effective treatment for your condition. If you have questions or are interested in learning more about how TCM herbs help people with certain health problems, click here to find an herbal practitioner near you who can provide the answers you’ve been looking for.
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*Please note: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This article is not intended to suggest specific treatments for patients or that any supplements mentioned prevent or cure diseases or problems. Before taking any herbs, all patients should discuss their options with a licensed practitioner, including any other medications the patient is currently taking, as there may be contraindications between pharmaceuticals and herbs.
