About Chinese Medicine |
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is one of the world's oldest medical traditions. Developed over 2,500 years, it provides a time tested system of healing which may be used safely and effectively to treat a wide range of health conditions. Its practice encompasses a wide range of healing modalities including herbal medicine, acupuncture, nutritional therapy, therapeutic massage and excercise.
How does TCM diagnose and treat disease? TCM is rooted in a philosophy that places great focus on harmony and balance: harmony and balance within the body, harmony and balance outside the body, and ultimately, harmony and balance between man and its external environment. Diagnosis in Chinese medicine is based on the concept that external signs and symptoms reflect the functions of the body's internal organs. Through analysis of signs and symptoms, and observation of the tongue and pulse, Chinese medicine seeks to identify subtle underlying symptoms patterns that indicate how the body is or has become dysfunctional. Treatment is aimed at rectifying disharmony and encourages the body to heal itself. A wide range of therapeutic modalities are used in Chinese medicine and include acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietetics, therapeutic massage (tuina) and excercise. |
What conditions may Chinese medicine help treat?
Traditional Chinese medicine may be used to address a wide range of conditions, from clearly defined complaints such as lower back pain to more general feelings of ill health such as chronic fatigue.Treatment is aimed at addressing the root cause of a problem rather than a specific disease or symptom in isolation. Conditions which respond well to the different modalities within Chinese medicine fall into the following categories: • Eye, ear, nose and throat disorders • Respiratory and cardiovascular disorders • Gastrointestinal disorders • Gynaecological and urogenital disorders • Pain management • Psycho-emotional and neurological disorders • Addiction • Immune disorders • Post-operative and palliative care |