Chinese Healing Arts
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Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine Blog by TCM Directory
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Are Alternative Medicines Viable to Western Needs?
Traditional Chinese Medicine. Can it address male pattern baldness? How about, prematurely graying hair? How do herbal supplements, acupuncture and yin and yang fit into our desire for remedies from these afflictions?
First of all, we have to separate our Western compunction for immediate results against the better course of addressing the multitude of issues that have lead to our current state of deterioration. That’s right, I’m saying that our bodies, our hair, our face and our sexual organs are responding to numerous affronts that are presenting themselves in these symptoms.
The question today is, whether we can incorporate alternative medicines as a means to alleviate these symptoms. The short answer is – Yes! The long answer is, it takes study.
The human body responds to many forces. Things like stress can deplete our energy, put strain upon our heart or, at the very least, lead to ulcers. Prior to these major events occurring, however, our bodies provide indications that “not all is going well.”
Stress has been labeled the culprit responsible for everything from hair loss to hypertension, heart disease, and loss of libido. There is actually supporting documentation from medical professionals for each of these events!
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The Chinese Way of Reading Faces
When diagnosing and treating illness, Traditional Chinese Medicine encompasses all aspects of our well-being. The term illness in Chinese Medicine is associated with the mental, spiritual, emotional and physical afflictions we encounter. In fact, at the root of their approach is the concept that they are inextricably intertwined. Therefore, when diagnosing physical conditions, practitioners gain insight into the ways we are also ill at ease within our emotional and worldly environment. The reverse is also true. Upon determining what is making us feel emotionally uncomfortable, they can begin to pinpoint physical manifestations, as well.
This simplified synopsis cannot begin to address the subtle interactions at play. But by examining one aspect of these techniques, that of reading faces, we might begin to understand.
I’m sure you have heard the comment… “Lines of worry are showing on her face.”
To a Chinese practitioner, those lines are a roadmap. Our faces, it turns out, contain regions that can actually alert us to current or compiling afflictions within our body/mind/spirit.
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Making Babies: A Novel Book for Couples Searching for Natural Ways to Treat Infertility
What is the most important thing that can possibly happen to a woman? Ask any and you would probably get the same answer. Well, it is certainly not an elegant diamond ring. More than anything else, most women want to have their own baby.
Although there are women who are physiologically or genetically incapable of childbirth, almost all women experience some period of infertility during their reproductive years. And for some, this infertile period may last a long time.
Fortunately, improvements in medical technology have allowed experts to thwart this all too natural trend. Infertility clinics are sprouting like mushrooms these days. The vast majority of these clinics recommend aggressive surgical, chemical and technological intervention to treat infertility.
But there is also a better, non-invasive way to deal with infertility. Jill Blakeway, a licensed Acupuncturist and Board Certified Herbalist, with a specialty in acupuncture infertility, has formulated natural ways to treat infertility in her latest book Making Babies: A Proven 3-Month Program for Maximum Fertility.
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American and Chinese Universities Share Medical Knowledge
Traditional Chinese Medicine is gaining a positive reputation in this country. So much so that Universities are beginning to offer academic training to medical students in the field. How will this form of medicine merge into what the Western World has traditionally relied upon for their source of knowledge? That remains to be seen. For now, there are certain concurrences between the two schools of thought that both can build on.
Chinese physicians incorporated Western Medicine into their society early in the 20th Century. For a period of time, it appeared they would adopt the Western approach without concerning themselves with whether the knowledge they had preserved through so many generations was viable. Thank goodness they later ascertained its role.
Just as Western Medicine has recently learned to assess the correlation between illness and things like stress factors, so too had the ancients of China. Thankfully, a dialogue has begun. Chinese medical students are now offered courses in both Western and Traditional medicine.
In Western Medicine, psychological conditions that interfered with a person’s life have always been addressed. But until recently, when it came to treating medical issues, physicians were called upon to assist. Western doctors have now begun to accept the premise that stress, emotional turmoil, and depression can affect a person’s physical health.
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Winter Health According to Traditional Chinese Medicine
The winter is a time for hibernation. Our bodies want to slow down, our energy is a little lower, we want to sleep more, we want warm, heartier foods. Leaves are falling, animals are hibernating, plants are underground, nighttime comes sooner. How can we be in harmony in the Winter? By recognizing and accepting our connection to nature. The answer is around us.
In Chinese Medicine, Winter is the season of the Kidney organ. The Kidneys house the root of our energy - the energetic fire that activates all our body's functions. The cold weather drives this "fire" deeply inward, where the body can conserve this energy so it is important to protect ourselves from cold.
Make sure to protect the lower back area where the Kidneys are located. Wear lots of layers- a scarf, hat, and gloves. Protect yourself from the wind, especially wind hitting the back of your neck and your lower back.
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Hypothyroidism: The Importance of Using Your Symptoms as a Gauge
Hypothyroidism is a condition that many suffer from, yet many may not be receiving proper treatment because their lab values are "within normal limits." ...more
A recent study showed that exercise is beneficial for anxiety associated with chronic illnesses, such as heart disease and cancer. Find out more about the study ... ...more
“Gentlemen, practise these words in front of the mirror: Although we are constantly exploring the subject, currently there is no direct evidence that links cellphone usage to brain cancer.” ...more
New research seems to continually come out about probiotics and the health benefits of these “healthy bacteria.” But are the probiotics you are buying even active? ...more
