Acupuncture
Acupuncture & Chinese Herbology combine to form the backbone of a complete medical system known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), also known as Traditional Oriental Medicine (TOM). TOM has been used to diagnose, treat and prevent illness for over 23 centuries. It can remedy ailments, alter states of mind, enhance recuperative power and immunity. Other aspects of TOM include diet, nutrition, Tai Qi & Qi Gong.
TOM views the body as a dynamic, interrelated whole possessing a vital energy or life force called Qi (sometimes spelled "Chi"). Health depends upon the free-flow of Qi throughout the body. When dis-ease occurs, specific acupuncture points and herbs are chosen to rebalance the energy and allow the body to heal itself.
Practitioners licensed in California have undergone extensive training in TOM and passed an exhaustive licensing test. To maintain their license they are also required to complete 50 hours of continuing education units in every two-year renewal period.
Acupuncture, the insertion of super fine flexible needles into specific points along the body, can treat acute or chronic ailments, relieve pain, enhance recuperative powers and strengthen the immune system. Depending on the patient’s complaint, visits may be required daily, 2 or 3 times per week, weekly or monthly. Practitioners in California use sterilized, single-use needles.
Chinese Herbology
Herbal Medicine is a major component of TOM. Herbs have a balancing or regulating effect on the body and are usually more gentle than pharmaceutical drugs. While side-effects are possible from herbal medicine, they are usually minor. Herbal medicine can effectively address a wide variety of conditions and has a long clinical history. A wide variety of traditional formulas are available for practitioners to use, however, most will customize formulas to match each individual patient’s needs and constitution. Traditionally formulas were raw herbs, taken home by patients and cooked. Today there are many options available to practitioners and patients, including prepared pills, capsules and powders. Also used are externally applied plasters and liniments.
What to expect from a treatment
Expect your first visit to be anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. Your acupuncturist will ask you a wide-ranging series of questions, take your pulse and look at your tongue before deciding which treatment protocol to use. Some practitioners use the first visit merely to gather information, while others will proceed on to the treatment.
You should feel free to ask plenty of questions, especially if this is your first visit, but even if you’re a seasoned veteran. And make sure you bring up any- and everything you’ve been experiencing, whether it seems connected to your current condition or not. Because acupuncture looks at the connection between all the body systems and between the body, mind and spirit, the more information you provide, the more effective your treatments will be. Your first visit may also include being prescribed an herbal formula and given some lifestyle, diet and exercise advice.
