Modalities: Traditional Chinese Medicine
Chinese Medicine is fundamentally based on Taoist philosophy, in which patterns of nature are observed to gain undertanding of human energetics, including mind-body-spirit relationships. In Chinese, this relationship is pertained to the ‘Three Treasures’ (San Bao) – qi, jing, shen or vital energy, essence and spirit of an individual, respectively. In order for the Human Being to be free of any illness or ailments, these three substances must be in harmony with one another so that balance is achieved.
Chinese Medicine not only looks at alleviating the presenting symptoms and signs, but also seeks the cure of the fundamental aspect ; the root cause of illness. It recognises that the imbalances of any two individuals are different, and so their treatments will also differ, even though according to Western Medicine they are classified from suffering from the same disease state.
Chinese Medicine also recognises the importance of the prevention of disease. It is an excellent form of alternative medicine to re-juvenate the body as a whole, strengthening the body’s defences and fortifying the body’s constitution.
The following are problems commonly treated by Chinese Medicine with a high clinical success rate and which are recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) :
Infections : colds and flus, bronchitis, hepatitis.
Muscolo-skeletal / Neurological : arthritis, neuralgia, sciatica, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, bursitis, tendonitis, stiff neck, Ball’s Palsy, headache, stroke, cerebral palsy, sprains.
Mental / Emotional : anxiety, stress, depression, insomnia.
Eyes, Ears, Nose & Throat : tinnitus, deafness, menier’s disease, earaches, poor eyesight, dizziness, sinus infection, sore throat, hayfever.
Dermatological : eczema, herpes, acne.
Genito-urinary / Reproductive : impotence, infertility, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), vaginitis, irregular periods, endometriosis, period pain, morning sickness, induction of labour at full-term.
Internal Medicine : high blood pressure, hypoglycemia, asthma, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhoea, constipation, diabetes, hemorrhoids.
Others : weight loss, smoking cessation, drug rehabilitation and general body system detox.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine is a very ancient form of medicine, with the oldest book about Chinese herbs dating back as far as 2700 B.C. There are six thousand herbs currently used in Chinese herbal medicine and a thousand more formulas derived from a combination of these herbs. A herbalist will most often work from a standard base formula, modifying the prescription as to accomadate the patient’s unique illness and constitution. Chinese herbal medicine is most effective in balancing the internal aspects of the body, and is used commonly with acupuncture to treat imbalances.
Chinese herbalists diagnose using the same methods and principles as acupuncturists and after a diagnose is reached, the patient will be prescribed a mixture of herbs usually dried to be taken in the form of a decoction that is boiled in water and drank as a tea. Alternatively, powders, patent pills, tinctures (alcoholic-based preparations) and ointments may be prescribed according to the herbalist opinion.
Depending on the condition and the patient, Chinese herbal medicine can have quite rapid, profound results, but more often a steady, gradual progression of health is seen.
In Australia, all chinese herbs and patent medicines are under strict hygienic policies and quality control of the TGA (Therapeutic Goods of Australia).
Properly used or prescribed, Chinese herbal medicine is a safe form of therapy, and compared to Western orthodox drugs, Chinese herbs are for the most part relatively non-toxic , as well as causing fewer or no side effects.